Truong Thi Mai, head of the CPV Central Committees Commission for Mass Mobilisation, made the affirmation while meeting with Congressman Ted Yoho, who is also Chairman of the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee under the Foreign Affairs Committee in the US House of Representatives, in Washington DC on November 30. She said that both sides should increase trust building work to allow the bilateral ties to develop in a stable, practical and sustainable manner, for the interests of the two peoples. Expressing his delight over the sound development of the bilateral relations, Yoho said that the US stands ready to bolster its comprehensive collaboration with Vietnam, and it will continue to join hands with the Southeast Asian country to remove any bottlenecks in the ties. The US attaches importance to Vietnams position and role in ASEAN and considers the country as an important partner of the US in the region, he added. During her stay in the US, from November 29 to December 1, Mai and her entourage had meetings with the Deputy Assistant to the President, the White House Communications Director and officials from the US Department of State and Department of Labour. She also joined a round-table discussion on gender equality, women in politics, and the Vietnam-US relations with several US researchers, and had talks with the President of the Communist Party USA. At the meetings, both sides talked in-depth about measures to enhance the bilateral relations, stressing that the two nations should continue exchanges at all levels, including through the party channel, while promoting existing cooperation mechanisms. Collaboration should focus on the fields of their interests, including labour relations and law amendment, while continuing to boost trade and investment as the foundation and driving force for bilateral ties. The two sides also agreed to continue priotising joint efforts to address war consequences and humanitarian assistance. They noted that the two sides should enhance cooperation at regional and multilateral mechanisms and forums. Reporter Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury James Lau visits the North District Council. Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury James Lau today toured a secondary school during a visit to North District. He first met North District Councillors and exchanged views on issues such as the opening of bank accounts and taxation matters. He then proceeded to Caritas Fanling Chan Chun Ha Secondary School to learn about the school's efforts in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematic) education. He encouraged the students to actively participate in STEM activities to unleash their creativity. Mr Lau also observed a barista class conducted by the school and spoke with students. Before concluding his visit, Mr Lau went to Lok Ma Chau Police Station and viewed the Lok Ma Chau Loop from a lookout. Noting that the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation & Technology Park developed in the loop area will be the largest innovation and technology platform ever established in Hong Kong, Mr Lau said it would further promote the citys fintech development. Storytelling instils virtues in our children, it makes them become aware of their culture and roots, it enhances verbal proficiency, it improves listening skills and encourages creativity and imagination powers. It is a great tool for sharpening memory, broadening horizons and makes academic learning easier. All these points make a child. The ngano programme, I thought of it as way to strengthen our good traditional practices that we used to do that promoted good behaviour. Herald France Decides on Third Shots but Not More Restrictions Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Vietnam Romania Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Sy Thang, stressed that Romanias chairmanship of the European Union (EU) next year will be a good chance for the country to raise its position in the international arena, as well as for the signing of the EU Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). This is not only an opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to enter the market in Europe, but also for Romanian enterprises to enter ASEAN through Vietnam, the official highlighted. Over the past few years, the association has taken an active part in implementing various activities, serving as a friendship bridge between the two peoples, Thang affimed, pledging that his organisation will do its utmost to help enhance the fine and traditional relations between the two countries, especially in the fields of trade, investment, cultural and education cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. For his part, Romanian Ambassador Valeriu Arteni affirmed that the peoples of Romania and Vietnam are getting closer to each other, while the fine and traditional relations and cooperation between the two countries are developing unceasingly. During its term as the EU Chairman in the first six months of next year, Romania is ready to further intensify its cooperation with Vietnam and strongly support the signing and ratification of the EVFTA at an early date. The Romanian diplomat also highlighted the similarities in the histories of the two countries as a factor that contributes to the development of the bilateral bonds, and highly valued the role of the association, noting that it has conducted many effective activities in terms of people diplomacy that have helped to deepen the relations between the two countries. (Newser) Fifty-one pilot whales died Friday in another mass stranding in New Zealand, the AP reports, less than a week after 145 pilot whales and nine pygmy killer whales perished in two other, unrelated strandings. In the latest stranding, up to 90 pilot whales beached themselves late Thursday at Hanson Bay on the remote Chatham Islands, the Department of Conservation says. When staff arrived at first light, they found up to 40 of the whales had refloated themselves but another 50 had died on the beach. The department said one beached whale remained alive, which staff decided to euthanize due to its poor condition. The Chatham Islands sit about 500 miles east of New Zealand's main islands and are home to about 600 people. story continues below Last weekend, 145 pilot whales died on Stewart Island. By the time conservation workers arrived there, about 75 of the whales were already dead and they decided to euthanize the others by shooting them due to their poor condition and remote location. Dr. Dave Lundquist, a technical adviser on marine species, says that while scientists don't typically know why individual whale strandings occur, they believe there are probably a range of reasons. He said they could be caused by the whales navigating incorrectly, trying to escape from predators, or some of them suffering injuries or illness. He said there could also be man-made factors like underwater noise. "In many of those cases, it's probably a combination of those factors," he said. (Scientists discover a quirk in whale songs.) (Read more whales stories.) (Newser) French President Emmanuel Macron chatted privately Friday with Saudi Arabia's controversial crown prince on the sidelines of the G-20 summit, but some intriguing snippets were caught by microphones. (Watch the video.) The Guardian provides some highlights as Macron appears to be trying to advise and/or warn Mohammed bin Salman, while the prince seeks to reassure him that he's got a handle on things: Macron: I do worry. I am worried I told you. I do worry. I am worried I told you. Prince: Yes, you told me. Thank you very much. Yes, you told me. Thank you very much. Macron: You never listen to me." You never listen to me." Prince: No, I listen, of course." No, I listen, of course." Macron: "Because I told you. It was more important for you." "Because I told you. It was more important for you." Prince: Its OK. I can deal with it. story continues below So what are they talking about? A spokesman for Macron said later that the two primarily discussed allegations of Saudi war crimes in Yemen and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. A critical analysis at Middle East Eye before the summit began noted that Saudi Arabia is an important buyer of French weapons and finds that Macron "has acted as something of an image consultant" to the prince over the last year. (The prince had an enthusiastic greeting for Vladimir Putin.) We use cookies. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Read more in our privacy policy (Newser) President Trump had kind words for George HW Bush on Saturday after the former president's death, both in a formal statement and a more personal tweet. But as USA Today reports, Trump has a history of friction with the Bush family, with the elder Bush himself referring to Trump as a "blowhard" in the book The Last Republicans last year. In fact, things have been so dicey that the New York Times wonders whether Trump will attend the funeral, let alone speak at it, as is traditional. John McCain, for example, excluded Trump from his funeral, but the wishes of Bush were not immediately known. The newspaper notes that Trump once mocked Bush's signature "thousand points of light" push on the campaign trail, saying that "nobody has really figured out" what that means. story continues below But that animosity was not evident in Trump's public statements Saturday. "Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family," Trump wrote. "His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all!" The formal statement, meanwhile, praised Bush as a man of "sound judgement, common sense, and unflappable leadership" and said he "set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed." Notably, the statement also lauded the "thousand points of light" sentiment, saying it illuminated "the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world." (See photos of Bush throughout the years.) (Newser) Next up, Neil deGrasse Tyson? The world-famous astrophysicist is under investigation after two women claimed he behaved inappropriately with themand an old rape claim re-emerged online, Deadline reports. Fox and National Geographic, the networks behind his show Cosmos, have joined the show's producers in investigating the two more recent claims. "The credo at the heart of Cosmos is to follow the evidence wherever it leads," the producers say. "The producers of Cosmos can do no less in this situation. We are committed to a thorough investigation of this matter and to act accordingly as soon as it is concluded." In a report this week by journalist and author David McAfee, Tyson is accused of feeling up an associate professor and trying to pressure his then-assistant into sex. For more: The tattoo: Dr. Katelyn Allers, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at Bucknell University, says she and Tyson were at an after-party for the American Astronomical Society (AAS) in 2009 when Tyson explored a solar-system tattoo on her arm and "followed the tattoo into my dress," per Allers. "My experience with him is hes not someone who has great respect for female bodily autonomy." McAfee's blog includes photos. story continues below "Like talking to a wall" : Ex-Tyson assistant Ashley Watson recalls him inviting her to his place, where he made "misogynistic comments" and tried pressuring her into sex. Tyson, who is married, allegedly told her people need physical "releases" and said it was hard being away from home for long stretches. Watson says he held her in a long "Native American handshake" to feel each other's pulses and tried hugging her. Dissuading him was hard: "It was like talking to a wall," she says. : Ex-Tyson assistant Ashley Watson recalls him inviting her to his place, where he made "misogynistic comments" and tried pressuring her into sex. Tyson, who is married, allegedly told her people need physical "releases" and said it was hard being away from home for long stretches. Watson says he held her in a long "Native American handshake" to feel each other's pulses and tried hugging her. Dissuading him was hard: "It was like talking to a wall," she says. Telling others : Allers didn't report the incidentthe AAS had no harassment-reporting mechanism at the timebut she apparently told a colleague, and Watson told a superior who suggested she lie about her reason for quitting. : Allers didn't report the incidentthe AAS had no harassment-reporting mechanism at the timebut she apparently told a colleague, and Watson told a superior who suggested she lie about her reason for quitting. Rape allegation : Musician Tchiya Amet says Tyson drugged and raped her in 1984 when they were grad students at the University of Texas in Austin, per Patheos (school records show they attended at the same time). Amet says he offered her water at his place and she woke up to the alleged assault. "I woke up in his bed; I was naked When he saw that I had woken up, he got on top of me and mounted me, and I passed out again," she says. (Hear Amet tell her story.) : Musician Tchiya Amet says Tyson drugged and raped her in 1984 when they were grad students at the University of Texas in Austin, per Patheos (school records show they attended at the same time). Amet says he offered her water at his place and she woke up to the alleged assault. "I woke up in his bed; I was naked When he saw that I had woken up, he got on top of me and mounted me, and I passed out again," she says. (Hear Amet tell her story.) A public allegation : Amet says she publicly accused him of rape at a NOVA event in California in 2010. "...I'm here because when I was a grad student at UT Austin in 1984 you raped me," she recalls saying. Amet has spoken and blogged about her allegation for years and says she filed a police report. The statute of limitations has expired, but that could be voided if other victims speak up. : Amet says she publicly accused him of rape at a NOVA event in California in 2010. "...I'm here because when I was a grad student at UT Austin in 1984 you raped me," she recalls saying. Amet has spoken and blogged about her allegation for years and says she filed a police report. The statute of limitations has expired, but that could be voided if other victims speak up. Tyson's defenders : Certain commentators have criticized or minimized Amet's allegation, notes Patheos. An atheist website stressed that "People can and do lie," while skeptic writer PZ Myers said "slymepitters" are "trying to deploy this woman as a weapon" and called her supporting evidence "terribly weak." : Certain commentators have criticized or minimized Amet's allegation, notes Patheos. An atheist website stressed that "People can and do lie," while skeptic writer PZ Myers said "slymepitters" are "trying to deploy this woman as a weapon" and called her supporting evidence "terribly weak." "How does it feel": Amet says she dropped out of UT Austin and abandoned astronomy after the assault, according to a journalist's blog. She's quoted as saying of Tyson, "How does it feel to know that YOU are the reason there is one less black female galactic astronomer on this planet?" See what happened after women were illegally charged up to $3,000 for rape kits . (Read more rape stories.) (Newser) Vice President Pence was greeted by a SWAT team when he landed Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.which isn't so unusual. What stands out is that one of the cops wore a patch promoting the #QAnon conspiracy theory, the Miami New Times reports. For the uninitiated, #QAnon argues that President Trump and Robert Mueller are secret allies pursuing a ring of pedophiles including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. It originated on the online forum 4chan, where it's supported by someone dubbed "Q," who claims to be a top-ranking US military officer. But NBC News reports that "Q" is really two 4chan moderators and "a small-time YouTube video creator" who plucked the theory from message-board obscurity and turned it into a thing. story continues below That thing spread to Reddit and then YouTube, where Tracy Diazone of the 4chan moderatorsposts videos that attract tens of thousands of subscribers, millions of hits, and at least some income. "Because I cover Q, I got an audience," admits Diaz. Note that 4chan is also the originator of Pizzagate, and that Reddit banned several QAnon-associated threads in September after violent threats were found in Subreddits including threats to assassinate Hillary Clinton. All things considered, it's no surprise that Pence has deleted a tweeted image of him with the SWAT members in Florida, per CNN. "The patch is not authorized by BSO," says a Broward Sheriff's Office rep. "This matter will be addressed immediately." (Meanwhile, Sandy Hook parents are ready for their legal battle with conspiracy peddler Alex Jones.) (Newser) Six New York hospitals have agreed to repay sexual assault victims who were illegally charged as much as $3,000 for rape examinations that should've been billed to the state or their insurers, Attorney General Barbara Underwood said Thursday. The hospitalsfive in New York City and the other in suburban Rockland Countywrongly billed victims for at least 200 forensic rape exams in recent years and had collections agencies go after some women who failed to pay, Underwood says, per the AP. "Survivors of sexual assault have already gone through unfathomable trauma," says Underwood, a Democrat. "To then subject them to illegal bills and collection calls is unconscionable." story continues below The hospitals have agreed to enact new billing policies to ensure that going forward victims don't get charged. Each hospital will pay a fine of up to $15,000. The federal Violence Against Women Act prohibits hospitals from charging assault survivors for rape kits. New York law mandates that hospitals instead bill the state's Office of Victim Services unless a victim decides to have the cost covered by insurance. Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan, which billed at least 24 victims for rape exams between January 2016 and November 2017 and sent 19 to collections, says that under its new policy it won't charge the state or insurance companies, either. (A former Planet Fitness employee sued the company over alleged sexual harassment and rape.) (Newser) Indian authorities arrested an alleged "corpse smuggler" at a railway station after 34 skeletal remains and 16 human skulls were discovered in his bag, the Telegraph reports. Police tell the Times of India that Sanjay Prasad, 29, was likely taking the remains to Bhutana Buddhist kingdom on the eastern edge of the Himalayasfor occultists or spiritualists known as tantrics. Seems medical students in China also have a need for skeletons. Prasad, who may have grave-robbed the remains, is behind bars while investigators seek possible accomplices, per the Independent. (Read more skeletons stories.) (Newser) Leaders of the world's top economies agreed Saturday to repair the global trading system as they closed a Group of 20 summit that saw the Trump administration at odds with many allies over the Paris accord on climate change and issues like migration, the AP reports. The joint statement signed by all 20 member nations says 19 of them reaffirm their commitment to the Paris climate accord, with the US, which withdrew from the pact under President Donald Trump, the lone holdout. The official communique acknowledged flaws in global commerce and called for reforming the World Trade Organization, but it didn't mention the word "protectionism" after negotiators said that met resistance from the US. Applause broke out in the convention center hall as the leaders, including Trump, signed off on the statement at the end of the two-day summit in Buenos Aires. story continues below The non-binding agreement was reached after marathon talks by diplomats stretched overnight and into daylight, amid deep divisions between member nations. European Union officials say the US was the main holdout on nearly every issue. The final language of the statement says, regarding climate, that 19 nations that are signatories to the Paris accord reiterate their commitment to it while the US reiterates its decision to withdraw. On global commerce, the statement says the 20 countries support multilateral trade but acknowledge that the current system doesn't work and needs fixing, via "the necessary reform of the WTO to improve its functioning." Click for the full story, or see why French President Emmanuel Macron was overheard saying, "I am worried." (Read more G-20 stories.) (Newser) The most violent urban riots in a decade engulfed the French capital on Saturday, as "yellow jacket" protesters torched cars, smashed windows, looted stores, and tagged the Arc de Triomphe in Paris with multi-colored graffiti, the AP reports. Protesters angry about rising taxes and the high cost of living clashed with riot police, who closed off some of the city's most popular tourist areas and fired tear gas and water cannons in running street battles with activists dressed in the fluorescent yellow vests of a new protest movement. It was the third straight weekend of clashes in Paris and the worst urban violence since at least 2005. Hours later, cars still smoldered and law enforcement and protesters were still facing off elsewhere in the capital. story continues below The scene contrasted sharply with protests elsewhere in France, where demonstrations and road blockades Saturday were largely peaceful. Paris police say at least 92 people, including 20 police officers, were injured in the violent protests in the French capital and 224 others were arrested. Thousands of police were deployed to try to contain the mayhem. Deputy Interior minister Laurent Nunez says police were facing "violent extremists" in Paris who had hijacked the protest. The clashes started early Saturday near the Arc de Triomphe monument and continued in the afternoon down several streets in the French capital's most popular tourist area. Pockets of demonstrators built makeshift barricades in the middle of Paris streets, lit fires, sprayed graffiti on the Arc de Triomphe and fire to cars and trash cans. Some stores were looted. (Protesters marched in an Alabama suburb after police shot the wrong guy.) Their message was addressed to General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President Bounnhang Vorachith, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou. In the message, the Vietnamese leaders expressed joy at the great achievements that the Lao people have recorded in their cause of national construction and defence over the past 43 years under the clear-sighted leadership of the LPRP. They noted that after nearly three years implementing the resolution of the 10th National Congress of the LPRP, the socio-political situation in Laos has been kept stable, national defence and security has been maintained, the Lao economy has continued to grow and social, cultural and educational affairs have made progress, while the Lao peoples living conditions have constantly been improved and the countrys prestige and position in the international and regional arena have been enhanced. Congratulations on your important accomplishments. We wish the Lao people, under the clear-sighted leadership of the LPRP headed by General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith, greater achievements in implementing the Resolution of the 10th National Congress of the LPRP and the 8th Five-year Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2016-2020, and in preparing for the successful organisation of Party congresses at all levels towards the 11th Party National Congress, as well as building a peaceful, democratic, united and prosperous country the message read. The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh extended his message of congratulations to Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith. Head of the CPV Central Committees Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan also sent a congratulatory message to his Lao counterpart Sunthon Xayachack. (Newser) It was a grace note for the ages. "Dear Bill," George HW Bush scribbled Jan. 20, 1993, to the Democrat about to succeed him as president, the AP reports. "When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too." Short yet intimate, the note left in the Oval Office from vanquished to victor seeded a friendship that flowered in the decades since, to a point where Bill Clinton said upon Bush's death Friday: "I just loved him." It is traditional for an outgoing president to leave a letter for his successorbut Bush, who months before writing his letter had warned voters to "watch your wallet" with that Democrat Clinton, was self-effacing and personal in his handoff. story continues below "I wish you great happiness here," Bush wrote. "I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described. There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I'm not a very good one to give advice; but just don't let the critics discourage you or push you off course. You will be our President when you read this note," he continued (underlining "our"). "I wish you well. I wish your family well. Your success now is our country's success. I am rooting hard for you. Good Luck George." Writing in the Washington Post on Saturday, Bill Clinton said those words showed a man with "natural humanity." Says Clinton: "His friendship has been one of the great gifts of my life. I cherished every opportunity I had to learn and laugh with him." (Bush served just one term, but the world changed.) The achievements of Bahraini women is unparalleled when compared to the women of other countries in the region. Over the past few decades, they have achieved outstanding success including legislative and municipal fields. Speaking to Tribune, former members of Shura Council, Parliament and municipal councils attributed the success of Bahraini women to the reform process started by His Majesty and patronised by the Supreme Council for Women headed by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of HM the King. Nancy Khedouri, from Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee and Youth Affairs Committee of the e Shura Council expressed that men have also been instrumental in woman's progress in legislation. "The Bahraini Woman has always been blessed to be empowered and more so after the National Action Charter and the amended Constitution of Year 2002. It is only with the support of the Bahraini Men, His Majesty King Hamad in the Forefront, supporting and encouraging Women Empowerment. The Supreme Council for Women, Chaired by H.R.H. Princess Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, has helped enhanced Women Empowerment in The Kingdom of Bahrain, through its well-studied strategies to attain its objectives to help accelerate the reform process." she said. Emphasizing the importance of women's role in politics she said, "In my opinion, it is very important as it taps into the capacity and talents of Women and Women Empowerment in leading roles. It encourages Citizens confidence in the process of democracy and helps bring about equal participation of Women in public life and their leading roles help build the Country and help sustain a strong vibrant democracy. It also advances gender equality and has an important impact as to the policy issues considered and the types of solutions proposed. Research indicates that whether a Legislator is male or female, has a distinct impact on their policy priorities, making it critical that Women are present in politics to mainly accelerate the concerns of women and help improve the responsiveness of policymaking and governance, ensuring better quality of life that has a positive impact on communities. It is important for the Woman to be deeply committed as her male counterpart and when she serves with a passion, unique and powerful solutions are brought to the negotiating table." she said She lauded Bahraini woman for their participation in elections in large numbers this year, saying "May we continue to see an increase in their participation, in Elections to come. Bahrains reforms are working more towards Gender Equality, to ensure equal rights for all. The process of continued reform is allowing Bahraini women and men to enjoy the same opportunities, outcomes, rights and obligations in all spheres of life. A critical aspect of promoting gender equality is the Empowerment of Women, with a focus on identifying and redressing power imbalances and giving women more autonomy to manage their own lives. Rest assured that in Bahrain, we continue to move forward with courage and determination to ensure equal rights of men and women and my hope is that we will not only continue to see progress and advancement in Bahrain but in every part of the world, in which all citizens, male and female are valued, whether adult or children, free from fear and filled with hope." Bahraini womens participation in the nation-building process began as early as the third decade of the twentieth century. The leadership of the Kingdom granted right for Bahraini women to vote in municipal elections as early as the 1930s, which was then unthinkable for women or even some Western countries. Bahraini women also actively participated in the municipal elections of 1951. In the early seventies, Bahraini women voted in a referendum held to affirm the Kingdoms Arab identity. Representatives of Children and Mother Welfare Society and Al Nadha Womens Society also met the special envoy of UN Secretary-General in this regard. With His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas accession to the throne in 1999 and the first formation of the Shura Council under His Majestys rule in 2000, four women were appointed to the Shura Council for the first time. Bahraini women also had a prominent and active presence in the Committee for the Preparation of the National Action Charter, which consisted of 46 women members. EU partners Poland and Denmark yesterday agreed to build a natural gas pipeline along the Baltic Sea floor to supply Poles with Norwegian gas as they seek to ease heavy dependence on Russian supplies. Under the plan, the 900 kilometre-long (560 miles) Baltic Pipe project is due to be pumping gas to Poland via Danish territory by 2022 when Warsaws contract with Russias Gazprom is set to end. Today we managed to make a quantum leap towards the security and independence of Polands energy sector, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Twitter confirming the deal on Friday. An investment decision was made to build the strategic Baltic Pipe gas pipeline that will enable gas to be imported from the Norwegian Shelf via Denmark, he added, referring to the deal announced by Polish and Danish state-owned gas grid operators. Polands GAZ-SYSTEM SA and Danish Energinet SOV announced on Friday they had worked out a deal on the pipeline to put into service all its elements until October 1, 2022 with a capacity of up to 10 billion cubic meters a year. They added that the project already received EU financial support of 51.4 million euros ($58 million) from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) but did not disclose an overall cost in their statement. Earlier this month, Poland signed its second multi-decade agreement deal for US liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries in an effort to wean itself off its heavy reliance on Russia amid tensions with Moscow. Addressing the closing ceremony, Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz said that the two sides agreed on a number of measures to enhance the efficiency of the committee, continue boosting trade growth and create favourable conditions for Vietnams investment in Cuba. The minister, who is chairman of the Cuba sub-committee, said that the measures also aim to implement agreements reached between the two countries during the visit to Cuba by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong in March 2018 as well as the visit to Vietnam by President Miguel Diaz Canel Bermudez last October. Meanwhile, chairman of the Vietnam sub-committee and Construction Minister Pham Hong Ha noted the new contents in the meetings minutes, which he said are in line with the specific orientations given by leaders of both sides as well as the development demands in each country. At the closing ceremony, representatives of the Vietnam Institute for Urban and Rural Planning and the Cuba Physical Planning Institute signed an agreement on cooperation in implementing a protocol on measures for construction planning and planning management to optimise development resources of coastal economic zones. During his stay in Cuba, Minister Ha and the Vietnamese delegation paid a courtesy call to President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel. They also had a working session with Secretary of the Party Committee of Havana Luis Antonio Torres Iribar and Cuban Minister of Transport Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez. Biography of Fela Durotoye Do you want to know some interesting details of Fela Durotoye biography? The most interesting facts of Mr. N... Top facts from Fela Durotoye's biography Staff Childrens School (1974-1981) Moremi High School (1981-1986) Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science with Economics, Masters degree in Business Administration (M.B.A) Master of Philosophy Degree (M.Phil) in Strategic Management Mr. Nigeria professional experience Do you want to know some interesting details of Fela Durotoye biography? The most interesting facts of Mr. Nigeria life! Read about one the most famous motivational speakers in Nigeria!Fela Durotoye is a great person. Nigerians can be very proud of him. He represents the young generation, which drives Nigeria towards the path to development and integration into the world community. Having received an excellent education, and getting a perfect knowledge in economics and strategic business planning, he was capable of working in any of the world's leading business corporations.But as a patriot of his country and a true son of Nigeria, Fela decided to devote his skills to his homeland. Fela Durotoye helps Nigeria to develop strategies to improve the welfare of the country and its inhabitants. He is is invested in organising the educational sector so it can operate at a world level. His goal is to and grow and encourage successful business sectors in Nigeria. Felas nickname is Mr. Nigeria because of his love for Nigeria.Oluwafeolami Durotoyes date of birth is May 12, 1971. His place of birth is Ibadan, in the South-Western part of Nigeria. His parents are Sisi Addy and Bros Toks. Fela also has a brother and a sister. Fela Durotoye was a well-educated boy. He attended the following educational institutions:While studying Oluwafeolami was a member of the Boys Scouts and also played at the school theater. He was also a soloist and played keyboards in the band for youth The Midwaves. The group was top-rated in the town at the time.As for higher education, Fela attended Obafemi Awolowo University where he obtained:He is also a graduate of the Kennedy School of Government at the prestigious Harvard University (USA). When he studied there, he founded The Pool Bar. It had a great success among the students and other people in the town.After Oluwafeolami received his M.B.A, he transferred from Ventures & Trusts to Phillips Consulting (1998). The company deals with management consulting and training. There Fela became the head of the Customer Service Group, and he held the post until 2000. Fela Durotoye developed and simplified some customer service and personal skill training.At that time Mr. Nigeria was in charge of the Customer Service Management training and fallbacks in such institutions as Diamond Bank, Chartered Bank, and Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria.Today, Fela Durotoye occupies the post of the Chief Executive Officer in Visible Impact. Its a social organization established to solve social and environmental problems and limitations.The goal is to create super-achievers and responsible leaders, organize corporate organizations into global leaders of the market, and responsible corporate citizens. Aside from this, the team helps the government to develop blueprints and programmes for creating a thriving environment for people to do great things.Let us focus on one of them in details. Its GEMSTONE NATION 2025 established in 2012.The Gemstone Nation Builders Foundations aim is to inspire, empower, motivate, and uplift leaders from every level in the society. The youths will be encouraged to get involved in the process of Nigeria transformation into the worlds most suitable nation to live in by 2025. The Foundation creates a platform for encouraging and empowering Nigerians to have and chase their dreams. The overall objective is building as strong and stable nation. The Nigerian Army has again cautioned against what it called deliberate and concerted efforts to mislead the public through inaccurate a... The Nigerian Army has again cautioned against what it called deliberate and concerted efforts to mislead the public through inaccurate and false publication of casualty figures on the unfortunate attacks on some of its locations in the North East. A statement from Sani Usman, Brigadier General, the Director Army Public Relations on Friday said the latest of this worrisome development was the attack on troops location at Metele, Borno State. He said some persons and media outlets had continued to circulate various wrong accounts and inaccurate casualty figures of troops without efforts to verify from the military. He said, This is coming at the heels of our release of 28th November 2018 in which we gave accurate details of the attacks and casualty figures in a bid to set the records straight and inform the public true account of things. We also promised to continuously carry the public along through accurate and timely information dissemination on operations and other activities of the Nigerian Army in the release. However, it was observed that the trend continued unabated. Most of these inaccurate, false reports and fake news were aimed at denigrating the leadership of the Nigerian Army. Regrettably, the rate at which some mischievous persons ignorantly attack the Armed Forces of Nigeria, especially the Nigerian Army is very alarming and unfortunate. This is deliberate attempt to demoralise the Nigerian Army which would have devastating consequences on troops will to discharge their constitutional duties especially in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, thus affecting national security. We would like to warn all those mischief makers to keep the Nigerian Army out of their politics and mischief. Journalists and media platforms should be professional and accurate in their reportage. The achievements of the Nigerian Army within the last three years are glaringly obvious, therefore, whatever recent temporary setbacks we experienced in the course of the fight against terrorism and insurgency should not be the yardstick for condemning these laudable three and half years accomplishments. We have however identified the few unpatriotic harbingers of the fake news on the attack at Metele and would take appropriate legal actions against them. This is to ensure that the Nigerian Army is insulated from propaganda and ulterior motives of destabilising the country. The Nigerian Army is quite aware that the perpetrators through these acts are covertly supporting terrorists and their activities in Nigeria with a long term objective. We are also aware that they want to use insecurity to scuttle and subvert the democratic process in the country. Consequently, we would like to state unequivocally that no amount of mischief or pressure would circumvent the journey to a peaceful, free and fair general elections in Nigeria. We, therefore, need the continued support, encouragement and understanding of well meaning Nigerians as we deal decisively with the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists hibernating at the fringes of our borders with contiguous countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic. We are committed to the defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria. We hasten to state that we will continue to be professional in our assigned roles and remain apolitical at all times. The All Progressives Congress, APC, has reacted to the defection of the supporters of Imo and Ogun State Governors, Rochas Okorocha an... The All Progressives Congress, APC, has reacted to the defection of the supporters of Imo and Ogun State Governors, Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun, from the party. The ruling party said it will not lose any sleep over the defection of the supporters and political machinery loyal to the governors. Recall that Uche Nwosu, the son-in-law to Okorocha and Adekunle Akinlade, anointed governorship choice of Amosun announced their defection from the ruling party this week. While Akinlade along other Amosuns supporters moved to Allied Peoples Movement, APM; Nwosu and others crossed to the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP. The APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu told Sun that the governors men placed individual interest above party and national interest. He said, APC as a party is looking critically at that development and in due course take a position on it. However, in the interim, we will continue to encourage our members not to be driven by selfish ambition but rather to be driven by higher ideals that the party represents. The unprecedented achievements the party recorded in the past few years are pointers that members should rise above personal interest. We will also continue to encourage them to think deeply to the larger implications of their actions and inactions. We are however mindful of the fact that at the end of the day, the generality of the people are happy with what we have done and what we are doing. We can never regret sticking by the rule of law and operating in accordance with what is good for the interest of the country. Let me emphasis that what we have done was for the best interest of the party, government and the generality of people of this country. This has continued to encourage us to be focused. We will however take what happened into consideration and in due course react appropriately. The reality is that as a party, you cant afford to lose any party member. But we also know that as some are leaving, many others are joining us. Regardless of what happened, I can tell you that the ruling party is very much secure. They wont threaten our chances especially as many more people joining us have continued to see APC as a party standing on solid and higher ground for the generality of the people. That exactly is the comfort. I will advise them to place party interest above individual interest especially as it conforms with the overall and the generality of members. Leaving a party because you didnt achieve personal ambition is off the mark. To them I ask, what about the common objective of using the party as a platform to rescue the country from the dungeon that the PDP has thrown it. That would have been enough motivation to these members leaving the party. We implore them to think deeply and allow the national interest the party is championing. Reconciliation process has started with the setting up of the panel whose members have started working round the clock to pacify the aggrieved members from every part of the country. The United States Consulate in Lagos on Friday declared that the issue of US visa for anyone, irrespective of social standing in the s... The United States Consulate in Lagos on Friday declared that the issue of US visa for anyone, irrespective of social standing in the society, is strictly a confidential matter, which the US Government will not discuss in public. Public Affairs Officer (PAO), US Consulate, Lagos, Mr. Brussel Brooks made this known against the backdrop of the controversies surrounding the US visa status of former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Brooks spoke during an education forum organised for 150 teachers and students drawn from various public schools in Oyo State. Abubakar is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the next years elections. The programme, entitled, Teaching Resources: Availability, Applicability and Appropriateness which took place at the Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan, was organised by Fulbright Language Scholars Association under the leadership of Miss Tolu Akinwole. According to Brooks, the case of Atikus US visa status has been an issue in the papers for sometime, but the position of the US Mission has remained the same throughout any discussion of this issue, that visas are a confidential matter. He said, We dont discuss individual visas status of any person, whether it be a highly rated official, a presidential candidate or an average citizen. Anyone who applies for a visa should know that there will be some records that are confidential. It is classified as private document by the United States Government, and we never discuss them now public. Brooks who enjoined candidates at all levels to focus on issue-based campaigns and avoid distractions, also also advised Nigerians to ask candidates the plan they have to improve education. He said, Often times unfortunately, campaigns are full of distractions, things that are not that important to the lives and welfare of average Nigerians, especially the children that are with us today. What is important for them is to give them the opportunities to serve in order to thrive in todays world. This means they need a good education. The school should be improved. When I heard the letter from the students describing their lack of books and dearth of desks in their school. This is very disheartening. There are things that should be corrected. I will also encourage parents and voters to ask the candidates what they plan to do to improve education. I think issue-based campaigns will be beneficial to all Nigerians. Akinwole while speaking said the association, being funded by the United States Consulate, has trained a total of 350 teachers in Oyo and Ondo States in 2018. The federal government has deployed drones to the nations borders in the north-east to combat the Boko Haram insurgency. This was... The federal government has deployed drones to the nations borders in the north-east to combat the Boko Haram insurgency. This was revealed in a country report presented by Sani Rano, a representative of the Nigerian delegation to the ECOWAS parliament in Abuja on Friday. Rano said the deployment of the drones was as a result of the recent multiple attacks on military formations in the north-east. He maintained that the drones were meant to survey the area in order to collect intelligence for the operations of the army. It is worth mentioning that Nigeria has constituted the Multi-National Joint Taskforce (MNTF) made up of Chad, Benin, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria, in fighting Boko Haram, the report stated. It is a multinational formation comprising of equipped units, mostly the military aimed at containing the ravages of terrorism and armed insurgency. Presently, drones are patrolling Nigerias borders with Chad, Niger and Cameroon as instruments for intelligence collection. The Nigerian government is working closely with the Cameroonian government with the aim of negotiating efforts in enabling more Cameroon Boko Haram members to surrender. On Thursday, Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, had said Boko Haram insurgents have also advanced in technology and now use drones and mercenaries to attack the army. The annual event, themed Information safety on artificial intelligence platforms and smart devices, is co-organised by the Vietnam Information Security Association (VNISA), the Information Security Department and the Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCERT) under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC). In his opening remarks, MIC Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Hung emphasised that, after 11 years, the Vietnam Information Safety Day has become an important annual event and a large international forum to discuss and share information, experience and measures, contributing to raising societys awareness of information security. In order to promote the work of ensuring information safety and cyber security, state agencies and social organisations should pay attention to updating new knowledge and technology for their staff, while installing technical systems that ensure information standards and meet the requirements for preventing and combating cyber-attacks, Hung said. He suggested that the community of information security businesses accelerate the research and application of modern platforms and technologies to create new information security products and services, which respond to the constantly changing cyber-attack risks in a more effective manner. During the plenary session on Friday morning, delegates were updated with a report on the reality of Vietnams information safety in 2018, assessment indicators of the VNISA, and presentations delivered by large corporations, both at home and abroad (Amazon, Google, Cisco, Huawei, Jiral and Viettel, among others), on the issues of protecting consumer information, ensuring information security for Internet of Things (IoT), and AI-based cloud computing in service of the implementation of the fourth Industrial Revolution in Vietnam. In the afternoon, delegates attended two discussion sessions, featuring digital transformation, IoT and data security, AI technology, cloud computing, and ensuring information safety. An information security demonstration zone has been held for the first time within the framework of the Vietnam Information Safety Day. (Photo: ictnews.vn) A display showcasing the latest information safety products and technologies was held within the framework of the programme, featuring 25 pavilions from leading businesses and corporations, both at home and abroad. Especially, there was also a demonstration section of information security technologies for experts, researchers and engineers to introduce their latest products on information security and safety. The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has suspended the Accountant-General of the State, Mrs Stella Udogwu over non-payment of the N... The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has suspended the Accountant-General of the State, Mrs Stella Udogwu over non-payment of the November salary of Local Government Workers. Okorocha also ordered the arrest of the Branch-Managers of Ecobank and Access Bank where the workers money for the payment was lodged. Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, made this known in a release on Friday. Governor OkorochasChief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, made this known in a release on Friday. According to Okorocha, the suspension of the Accountant-General would take effect immediately, directing that the Chief of Staff appoint an acting Accountant-General pending the appointment of a new person to the office. Okorocha said before now he had directed that the October and November salaries of workers in the state be paid at the same time in October. He said he was dismayed that the directive was not carried out until he was informed at the 40th Anniversary ceremony of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Owerri on Friday. I had released the salaries of every worker in Imo State since the second week of October and so if Local Government workers are being owed, then somebody must take responsibility for it and will be dealt with according to law. This is a criminal act aimed at disgracing this government; what they do is that they take the money and put in the bank and collect the interest. The governor said he assumed the directive was carried out but was surprised to be told by the leadership of NULGE during their celebration that the workers had not been paid. He further directed that the November and December salary of workers be paid on Monday since Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 fell on a weekend. Your salary must be released and your December Salary shall be paid immediately. All the interests from the salary kept in the bank must be collected and shared to the Local Government workers who are the owners of the money, the governor said. Okorocha also announced that each worker would get N10,000 as Christmas bonus and that each local government director of administration and general services would receive N2.5m as car allowance. He also said that staff of Local Government Service Commission could rise to GL 17 without having to convert to be staff of the ministry to get to the grade. From today there wont be any need for any Local Government worker to try to convert to the Ministry to be able to get to level 17 or become a permanent secretary. Today, I have officially lifted the embargo on Local Government staff getting to level 17. President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Akure said universities in the country are pivotal in boosting national development. Buhar... President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Akure said universities in the country are pivotal in boosting national development. Buhari spoke during the combined 29th and 30th convocation of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in which 5,402 diploma and degree students and 1,238 Postgraduate diploma, Masters and Doctorate students graduated. Represented by Mr Abiodun Sanni, the Director of Administration of the National Universities Commission, Buhari said his administration would ensure improved access and quality of the educational system. He also said efforts would continue toward ensuring improved infrastructural development and increased funding of universities. In this age of ICT, we believe that our Universities of Technologies are pivotal to the actualisation of national development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, he said. The president further implored all FUTA staff to always perform their duties with dedication and selflessness. Buhari also congratulated the graduating students, saying they had been sufficiently equipped with the knowledge required to meet the challenges of contributing to the socio-economic and political environment of the nation. With the quality of specialised and rigorous training received, there is no doubt that you already have what it takes to surmount any obstacle on your path to a life of fulfilment and great achievement, he said. With the quality of specialised and rigorous training received, there is no doubt that you already have what it takes to surmount any obstacle on your path to a life of fulfilment and great achievement, he said. He also appealed to Nigerians to eschew violence as the country prepared for the forthcoming 2019 general elections, saying there should be politics of decorum and ideas as against hate and violence. He also appealed to Nigerians to eschew violence as the country prepared for the forthcoming 2019 general elections, saying there should be politics of decorum and ideas as against hate and violence. We must not light the fire of religious bigotry and ethnicity which will be difficult to put out after elections have been won and lost. Peace and peaceful coexistence are very essential for individual and national progress, and we must all work to attain peace in our nation, he said. Earlier, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State had expressed his administrations readiness to continue to partner with the institution to fast-track its development technologically. He said the present administration in collaboration with FUTA had set up a Tech-Hub to create an avenue for the promotion of technological innovation and for the exchange of ideas for business start-up and expansion for youths. The governor commended the management of FUTA for the technological advancements and innovations made through its training of young men and women in ICT and related fields. Akeredolu expressed optimism that all users of the hub will utilise its facilities to create innovative ideas and products that would further make FUTA and Ondo State an ICT destination centre in Nigeria. Prof. Joseph Fuwape, the Vice Chancellor of the university, had in his speech congratulated the graduating students on the successful completion of their studies and enjoined them to be good ambassadors.. He further praised the academic staff for sustaining and advancing the frontiers of research to meet world-class benchmarks. The efforts of the research activities have yielded positive results, particularly in the area of renewable energy with the launch of a solar powered generator, zero energy building, design and fabrication of machines and value addition to agricultural and phyto-medical products, he said. He added that the university, in its efforts to improve its staff welfare, promoted a total of 242 academic and 584 non-teaching staff since the last convocation. Newsmen report that Mr Akinwunmi Odumakinde, Mr Lawrence Aina and Oba Olufemi Olutoye, the Alani of Ido-Ani, were all conferred with the universitys honorary doctorate degrees. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has threatened to disqualify the presidential candidates of some political partie... The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has threatened to disqualify the presidential candidates of some political parties due to their age. INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu issued the threat yesterday while accusing some political parties of submitting underaged candidates for the presidential race. Speaking at a capacity building for journalists in Abuja, the INEC boss said the Commission discovered that some nominated candidates were below the mandatory age of thirty-five years for presidential and vice presidential candidates. According to Mahmood, A few parties have nominated candidates below the mandatory age of thirty-five (35) years for as presidential and vice presidential candidates, he said. We have drawn the attention of the parties concerned to the breach of the constitutional requirement ahead of the publication of the full list of presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2019 general elections. So far, INEC has successfully implemented seven out of the 14 activities strictly on schedule, including the conduct of party primaries for all elections and the processes of nomination of candidates. We did not, and will never, tolerate any breach of the strict timelines provided for in the timetable for the elections. At the end of the period for the substitution and withdrawal of candidates for the presidential election, a total of 73 political parties have now filed their nominations. Even so, a few parties have nominated candidates below the mandatory age of 35 years for as presidential and vice presidential candidates. We have drawn the attention of the parties concerned to the breach of the constitutional requirement ahead of the publication of the full list of presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2019 general elections. For National Assembly elections, a total of 1,848 candidates (1,615 male and 233 female) are vying for 109 Senatorial seats while 4,635 candidates (4,066 male and 569 female) are competing for the 360 seats in the House of Representatives. Similarly, the full list of candidates and their political parties will be published for public information in line with the Commissions timetable and schedule of activities. As for state elections, a total of 1,068 candidates, 980 male and 88 female, are contesting for 29 Governorship positions with 805 male and 263 female deputy governorship candidates. The commission is working on the list of candidates nominated by political parties for the 991 State Assembly constituencies as well as the 68 Area Council Chairmen and Councillors for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The full details will also be published for public information in line with our timetable and schedule of activities. Unfortunately, we have also witnessed some of the most acrimonious party primaries in our recent history. Internal party democracy is still a source of concern to our electoral progress. So far, the Commission has been joined in 396 pending actions in various courts across the country arising from the conduct of party primaries and nomination of candidates by political parties. We have similarly received 302 requests for Certified True Copies, CTC, of documents, mainly our monitoring reports of party primaries and copies of personal particulars of candidates. These requests are obviously a prelude to more court actions. In addition, we have also received 52 petitions and protests from aggrieved party aspirants. The implication of these challenges is that as we prepare for the General Elections, we are also going to grapple with pre-election litigations. Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, has said that Pep Guardiolas Manchester City are doing very well in the Premier League because other teams are giving the Citizens too much respect.City won the Premier League last season with a record 100 points from 38 games.Guardiolas side currently top the English top-flight league table this term, two points ahead of second place, Liverpool.But Klopp is not happy with the way other teams approaches their title rivals, City.Speaking ahead of his sides Premier League clash with Everton on Sunday, Klopp told Sky Sports: A lot of teams saw that we were good at that and realised they were overplaying.If the team gives us the opportunity to do it we will still be there with the counter-press. But very often it is not possible.A lot of teams also play counter-attack against us. They dont have the same respect for us that they have for Man City, for example.Against City, you watch it and wonder what they are doing. A week later they play us and they are thinking, right, lets try.City deserve that but it makes a big difference because we have to be 100% concentrated all the time. President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that given opportunity for another four years will be quite significant for the country.The President has also appealed to politicians to go about the campaigns decently and peacefully, saying that there is no other country for the people apart from Nigeria.Speaking at the flagging off of his 2019 Presidential campaign tagged, Next Level, the APC Road Map, at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Buhari said the choice Nigerians will make in the elections would help to shape the economy.According to him, The next four years will be quite significant for our country. Nigeria is faced with a choice to keep building a new Nigeria-making a break from its tainted past which favoured an opportunistic few.Our choices will shape us-our economic security and our future prosperity. Nigeria, more than ever before needs a stable and people-focussed government to move the agenda for our country forward. Join us on this journey to the Next Level of a prosperous, strong and stable Nigeria!He said four years ago, we promised Nigerians real change in what we do and how we do it. Nigerians sent a clear message in the last election and our platform offered a new ambitious plan for a secure, prosperous and corruption-free country.We have worked hard to fulfill our promises and while the road may have been difficult, over the last three and half years, we have laid the foundations for a strong, stable and prosperous country for the majority of our people.Foundational work is not often visible, neither is it glamorous but it is vital to achieving the kind of country we desire. Judging by the prior depth of decay, deterioration and despair that Nigeria had sunken into, we are certain that these past few years have put us in good stead to trudge on the Next Level of building an even and stronger nation for our people.First things had to come first. We were a nation at war but we delivered on our commitment to secure the territorial integrity of our nation in the face of a raging insurgency that devastated many parts of the North East.We liberated 17 local government areas from the grip of insurgency. Brokering and sustaining peace in the Niger Delta has also been crucial to stabilising the polity. Despite the difficult circumstances presented by weak oil prices and reduced oil production, we delivered on our commitment to make public investments to spur economic growth, job creation, and broad based prosperity.Agriculture continues to expand our economic base, as do our investments in deficient infrastructure across the length and breadth of this nation.We implemented a responsible and transparent fiscal plan for the challenging economic times that saw us.He said that even as his administration lays the foundation for a stable and prosperous nation, there was still much to do.He said, The next level of effort focuses on job creation across sectors. From an enlargement of the N-Power programme to investing in technology and creative sector jobs to agriculture and revolutionising access to credit for entrepreneurs and artisans, there is scope for over 15 million new jobs.We believe that our people who are still in poverty have a direct way out and up through our expanded National Social Investment Programme.We know that, to succeed, moral integrity and conscience must continue to form the dominant character of our nation and its leadership. Corruption is an existential threat to Nigeria.Despite the gains we have made in closing the gates, we know that there is still much ground to cover to stop systemic corruption. We are committed to deepening the work we started this first time such that the nations assets and resources continue to be organised and utilised to do good for the majority of our people.Speaking at the occasion, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha said the gathering offered a unique opportunity to receive first hand the success story of the administration.He said, We came in when Nigerians clamored for change and the rest of the world look up to our nation for direction. We came in when hope was lost. A leader with distinct integrity was needed for our nation. The journey has been tortuous but we have weathered the storm. Theadministration has given good governance its proper meaning.On October 6, I sat all night watching the event in Port Harcourt, I thought we might have a contest.. your re-election next year has become more obvious.He also said that results of the three House of Representatives bye-elections in three states were eloquent testimony of the achievements of the government.He said, the winnings yesterday (Saturday), show a pattern that 2019 will takeAPC won House of Reps seats in Bauchi, Katsina, but the one that is sweetest is the one in Kwara. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced that its campaign for 2019 elections will kick off in Sokoto state on Monday. Sen... The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced that its campaign for 2019 elections will kick off in Sokoto state on Monday. Senate President Bukola Saraki, director-general of the partys campaign council, said this at the inaugural press briefing of the council. The PDP inaugurated the council, made up of 153 members, on Thursday. Saraki raised 10 questions, saying if Nigerians cannot give positive answers to them, they should vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. The questions ranged across economy, security, employment and the rule of law. He said: ISSUES: For Nigerians, in 2019, the issues that have to be addressed are: Is the economy better or worse? Are more people richer or poorer than they were in 2015? c) Are there more people suffering from hunger now than in 2015? Have there been more job losses now than in 2015? Are our people safer now than they were in 2015? Are our military and other security agencies better equipped or motivated to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges than in 2015? Is the country more united now than it was in 2015? Is the infrastructure in the country better than it was in 2015? Is there less corruption in the country than in 2015? Is the fight against been fair to all or a tool deployed against political opponents? Are people deriving the benefits of the Rule of Law and personal liberty as enshrined in the constitution now than in 2015? These are some of the issues that will determine the trend of the campaign and we believe they should guide Nigerians in making their decisions during the 2019 elections. An election is a referendum on the incumbent. President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed Nigerias appreciation to the Republic of Ireland and its people for standing by Nigeria during her difficult moments.The president, who spoke when he received the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland, Mr Sean Hoy, cited Irelands support during the Civil War, and the current efforts to rebuild the devastation in the North-Eastern parts of the country.The Ambassador was on a farewell visit to the State House, Abuja.The President noted in particular, the work of Irish doctors and priests in their humanitarian support for Nigerian communities at all times.Nigeria and the Irish Republic enjoy excellent bilateral relations marked especially by the work of Irish medical teams and missionaries during the civil war, and the ongoing efforts in dealing with the humanitarian situation in the North-East.We appreciate what your country is doing for us, he said.President Buhari also thanked the outgoing ambassador for enhancing the relationship between both countries.In his remarks, Hoy said he was leaving Nigeria to his next post, Brazil, with mixed feelings considering the enormous goodwill he enjoyed in Nigeria, and the improvements in the relations between the two nations.He promised the continued assistance of his country to the efforts in rebuilding the North-East, stressing that, It concerns all of us. We will continue to support you. Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has listed 10 areas that must be addressed in Nigeria, ahead of the 2019 general elections. Sarak... Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has listed 10 areas that must be addressed in Nigeria, ahead of the 2019 general elections. Saraki enumerated the issues during the inaugural press briefing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign management committee on Friday. In a press release, the areas included economy, poverty, job creation, etc. FULL TEXT: 1. Welcome representives of the Nigerian media to the inaugural press interactive session by the Presidential Campaign Management Committee. Also, solicit the support of the media on this journey of Getting Nigeria Working Again. 2. As you will all agree with me, the issues confronting Nigerians today are beyond partisan consideration. We are all in it together and that is why we need the support of this media in this all-important project of saving our country and getting her working again. 3. STRUCTURE OF THE CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION AND PROGRAMME. The campaign council has been inaugurated. We are commencing our campaigns on Monday in Sokoto. Thereafter, we are going to take our message to all the 36 States and the FCT, the 774 LGAs and all the wards in the federation. 4. As part of our grassroots campaign plan, the candidate and his running mate will participate in road shows, Town Hall meetings, special interactive sessions with traditional institutions, business communities, professional groups, trade unions, market women and men and other interest groups and stakeholders across the nation. 5. In effectively implementing the campaign Programme, the following individuals have been appointed to head the directorates in our structure. Each directorate will be supported by corresponding standing committees and our spokesmen whose names will be announced shortly. This arrangement will ensure that we are able to bring in more members to contribute their quota to the success of the campaign. There will also be Elders Council to help the candidate. Also, the youth and women sub-committees will be inaugurated. 6. Again, we are in the process of inaugurating the state campaign Organisation in line with the structure at the National Campaign Headquarters. These state structures will be inaugurated by my office shortly. You will agree with me that a lot of elaborate planning has gone into creating the campaign structure in such a way that we will our message to every home in Nigeria and even to Nigerians in Diaspora. 7. ISSUES: For Nigerians, in 2019, the issues that have to be addressed are : a) Is the economy better or worse? b) Are more people richer or poorer than they were in 2015? c) Are there more people suffering from hunger now than in 2015? d) Have there been more job losses now than in 2015? e) Are our people safer now than they were in 2015? f) Are our military and other security agencies better equipped or motivated to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges than in 2015? g) Is the country more united now than it was in 2015? h) Is the infrastructure in the country better than it was in 2015? I) Is there less corruption in the country than in 2015?; Is the fight against corruption been fair to all or a tool deployed against political opponents? j) Are people deriving the benefits of the Rule of Law and personal liberty as enshrined in the constitution now than in 2015? 8. These are some of the issues that will determine the trend of the campaign and we believe they should guide Nigerians in making their decisions during the 2019 elections. An election is a referendum on the incumbent. If Nigerians are unable to answer any of these questions positively, they must vote out the incumbent. 9. On our part, we will restrict ourselves to issue-based campaign. 10. Thank you Signed Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON As the news of the death of former American President George HW Bush reverberates around the world, a YouTube video has emerged showing his passing was foretold weeks earlier by famed Nigerian Prophet T.B. Joshua.Speaking on Sunday 21st October 2018, Joshua who has gained a reputation for accurate prophetic pronouncements told congregants he was seeing death of an ex-president, adding this one is very close.A president who is very sick outside this country I am seeing death. They will try to revive him but no way. He has been an ex before now, the Nigerian cleric stated in a broadcast televised live via the Christian television network Emmanuel TV.Let the will of God be done, Joshua concluded his message.In the early hours of Saturday 1st December 2018, news was announced that the 41st President of America, George HW Bush, died at the ripe old age of 94.Tributes have poured in from around the world for the Republican stalwart who navigated America through a tricky period of history, defined by the end of the Cold War.US flags are flying half-mast in tribute to Bush, whose wife of 73 years Barbara died earlier this year.In confirmation of Joshuas prophecy, Bushs health has been failing in recent years with the onset of a form of Parkinsons disease, leaving him dependent on a wheelchair.This is not the first high-profile passing Joshua has prophesied. The video of his revelation relating to the death of US pop legend Michael Jackson went viral in 2009.Joshuas channel Emmanuel TV recently became the first Christian ministry channel to surpass one million YouTube subscribers. Texas Chukwu, former spokesman of the Nigerian army, has described his removal as the image maker of the army as routine. Chukwu s... Texas Chukwu, former spokesman of the Nigerian army, has described his removal as the image maker of the army as routine. Chukwu said this while responding to report on his removal. Military sources had revealed that he was replaced as a result of his inability to manage information on the counter-insurgency campaign. Chukwu was not attune with media management and did not sustain the efforts already in place. His inefficiency did not only affect the armys efforts but made the military a subject of embarrassment in the eyes of the world, a source had said. After the report was filed, Chukwu called a reporter who had initially contacted him for his reaction to what the source said. He had expressed dissatisfaction with the story, saying he thought it would be dropped after he spoke. In a statement purportedly issued by the directorate of army public relations on Friday, the story was referred to as misleading. The statement was not signed by Sani Usman, the current army spokesman, or shared on the Twitter page of the army. Chukwu also said he would be proceeding to the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos for a strategic course. Shortly after the unsigned statement was released, insiders revealed that Chukwu was behind it and that he had told some of his associates to circulate it on social media. The former army spokesman tweeted the entire content of the statement via @TexasChukwu, an account which was active while he was in charge of the information unit of the army. Below is the statement: The attention of the Directorate of Army Public Relations has been drawn to a news report trending in the online media published by the Cable titled ARMY REPORTEDLY REMOVES TEXAS CHUKWU AS SPOKESMAN, RE-APPOINTS USMAN. In the said story, the report stated inter alia, that Army reportedly removes Texas Chukwu as spokesman, reappoints Usman. The Directorate wishes to state categorically that the report is not only malicious but an attempt by the writer to tarnish the reputation of the senior officer which he has built over the years in the course of his career as well as misleading members of the public. The write-up further alleged that his removal followed outcry from different quarters on his inability to manage information on counter-insurgency campaign, which is completely untrue and unsubstantiated. Contrary to the report, the Directorate wishes to state that, the re-appointment of Brigadier General Sani Usman is a routine deployment in the Nigerian Army following his completion of the Strategic course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies and not based on media management as alleged by the report. It is also pertinent to state that Brigadier General Texas Chukwu will be proceeding to the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru, Jos for his Strategic course. Consequently, the Directorate wishes to state that the writer has only succeeded in exhibiting his ignorance or complete lack of knowledge about postings and appointments in the Nigerian Army. The minister made the request at the International Support Group (ISG) Plenary Meeting 2018 which was jointly held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Hanoi on November 29. At the meeting entitled "Sustainable Agriculture Nutrition Development: Action for Zero Hunger in Vietnam by 2025", the MARD and FAO launched the National Action Plan on Zero Hunger in Vietnam by 2025. Vietnam is recognised as one of the most successful countries in reducing the number of people suffering from hunger and poverty. However, the country has yet to reach the goal of hunger eradication in some categories, including high malnutrition rates in children according to the WHO criteria, mainly in the Central Highlands, North Central and Northern mountainous provinces. Thus, the National Action Plan on Zero Hunger is expected to help Vietnam to narrow the current gap, enhance food security and improve nutrition. Despite Vietnam's great agricultural production capacity, the country must pay great attention to food security and poverty and hunger prevention as Vietnam will face huge challenges from climate change, Minister Cuong said. Albert T. Lieberg, the Representative of FAO Vietnam, said that Vietnam's agriculture needs a holistic approach to ensure food security, nutrition, and a self-reliant production system capable of adapting to climate change. He expressed his belief that "with inter-sectoral collaboration and partnership, the Vietnamese people will surely be best supported in understanding the importance of the Zero Hunger goal in all its manifestations and promoting the National Action Plan, so that hunger can be eliminated in our lifetimes, and possibly forever." The Nigerian Army said it has identified some persons who released false death toll on Metele attack, saying it was pressing legal action against them.The army also said information at its disposal showed that the identified persons were working closely with terrorists not only to destabilize democracy in particular but the entire country in general.It, however, said no amount of mischief or pressure from any quarter would circumvent the journey to a peaceful, free and fair general elections in Nigeria and asked for continued support, encouragement and understanding of well-meaning Nigerians as it intensifies the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the country.A late night statement, Friday, by the army through its spokesman, Brigadier General Sani Usman, said: We have however identified the few unpatriotic harbingers of the fake news on the attack at Metele and would take appropriate legal actions against them.The statement captioned:Leave Nigerian Army out of politics and fake news,read in full:The Nigerian Army has noted with great concern the deliberate and concerted efforts to mislead the public by some people through misinformation. Thus creating erraneous impression of the Nigerian Army through inaccurate and false publication of casualty figures on the unfortunate attacks on some of its locations in the North East.The latest of this worrisome development was the attack on our troops location at Metele, Borno State, in which some persons and media outlets continued to circulate various wrong acounts and inaccurate casuality figures of own troops without efforts to verify from the military.This is coming at the heels of our release of 28th November 2018 in which we gave accurate details of the attacks and casualty figures in a bid to set the records straight and inform the public true account of things. We also promised to continuously carry the public along through accurate and timely information dissemination on operations and other activities of the Nigerian Army in the release.However it was observed that the trend continued unabated. Most of these inaccurate, false reports and fake news were aimed at denigrating the leadership of the Nigerian Army.Regrettably, the rate at which some mischievous persons ignorantly attack the Armed Forces of Nigeria, especially the Nigerian Army is very alarming and unfortunate. This is deliberate attempt to demoralise the Nigerian Army which would have devastating consequences on troops will to discharge their constitutional duties especially in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, thus affecting national security.We would like to warn all those mischief makers to keep the Nigerian Army out of their politics and mischief. Journalists and media platforms should be professional and accurate in their reportage. The achievements of the Nigerian Army within the last three years are glaringly obvious, therefore, whatever recent temporary setbacks we experienced in the course of the fight against terrorism and insurgency should not be the yardstick for condemning these laudable three and half years accomplishments.We have however identified the few unpatriotic harbingers of the fake news on the attack at Metele and would take appropriate legal actions against them.This is to ensure that the Nigerian Army is insulated from propaganda and ulterior motives of destabilising the country.The Nigerian Army is quite aware that the perpetrators through these acts are covertly supporting terrorists and their activities in Nigeria with a long term objective. We are also aware that they want to use insecurity to scuttle and subvert the democratic process in the country.Consequently, we would like to state unequivocally that no amount of mischief or pressure would circumvent the journey to a peaceful, free and fair general elections in Nigeria. We therefore need the continued support, encouragement and understanding of well meaning Nigerians as we deal decisively with the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists hibernating at the fringes of our borders with contiguous countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.We are committed to the defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria. We hasten to state that we will continue to be professional in our assigned roles and remain apolitical at all times. Once more we warn mischief makers and proponents of misinformation and fake news to desist from the such practice and join other well meaning, law abiding Nigerians to support our Army to countering terrorism and insurgency in the country. 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. Prime Minister Phuc made the statement while addressing the opening ceremony of the Gong Culture Festival 2018 in Pleiku city, Gia Lai province, on November 30. He expressed his delight at the presence of artisans of different ages from the old to the young in gong troupes, which represents the continuity and inheritance in gong practices. He reaffirmed Vietnams commitment to retaining the Masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of the humanity awarded to the Cultural Space of Gong of Central Highlands by UNESCO in 2005. He asked the authorities and people in the Central Highlands to make further efforts to safeguard and promote the unique heritage, while strengthening connectivity in fostering regional socio-economic development and tourism. The opening ceremony featured a colourful staging of gong performances by more than 1,000 artisans from five Central Highlands provinces, including Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Kon Tum. The two-day event will entertain visitors with assorted activities including a street festival, reproduction of the Central Highlanders traditional rituals, photo exhibitions of the practice of gongs, and performances of Vietnamese musical instruments. Visitors can also engage in community-based tours to explore the daily lives of local people and the beautiful landscape in Gia Lai and taste signature dishes of the Central Highlands region at a cuisine festival. The 13th summit of the Group of 20 (G20) is held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech titled "Look Beyond the Horizon and Steer the World Economy in the Right Direction" at the first session of the summit. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 30 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged the Group of 20 (G20) to stick to openness, partnership, innovation and inclusiveness and steer world economy responsibly. Xi made the remarks while addressing the 13th G20 summit in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. He warned the G20 leaders of accelerated accumulation of risks in global economy and pledged that China will firmly push forward a new round of reform and opening-up, with increased efforts in intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and more imports. Noting that it has been 10 years since the global financial crisis broke out and the first G20 summit was convened, the Chinese president said the global economy today, while maintaining growth on the whole, is still not free from the underlying impacts of the crisis. Old growth drivers are yet to be replaced by new ones, while various risks are rapidly building up, he said, adding that the world economy is facing another historical choice. "We G20 members must closely follow the underlying historical trend so as to chart the course for the future. In mankind's relentless quest for development and progress, the trend toward openness and integration among countries is unstoppable despite ups and downs in the global economy," Xi said. Greater coordination and complementarity among countries meet the need of productivity growth and will also shape the future of relations of production, he said. In this process, countries are increasingly becoming a community with shared interests, shared responsibilities and a shared future, Xi said, stressing that win-win cooperation is the only choice going forward. "Facing various challenges, we must have a stronger sense of urgency, be rational in approach and look beyond the horizon. We must fulfill our responsibility and steer the global economy in the right direction," he told the G20 leaders. Noting that the G20 was born out of the international community's need to maintain stable growth of the global economy, Xi said the group has braced difficulties together, navigated the global economy out of recession and brought it back to the track of recovery and growth over the past decade. "Ten years later, let us work with the same courage and strategic vision and ensure that the global economy grows on the right track," he said, putting forward a four-point proposal to the summit. Firstly, Xi called on G20 members to stay committed to openness and cooperation and uphold the multilateral trading system. "We should firmly uphold free trade and the rules-based multilateral trading system," he said. China supports necessary reform of the World Trade Organization, and believes that it is critical to uphold the WTO's core values and fundamental principles such as openness, inclusiveness and non-discrimination and ensure the development interests and policy space of developing countries, according to the Chinese president. During the process, all sides need to conduct extensive consultation to achieve gradual progress, he said. Secondly, Xi urged the G20 to forge strong partnership and step up macro-policy coordination. All participating sides should employ the three tools of fiscal and monetary policies and structural reform in a holistic way to ensure strong, balanced, sustainable and inclusive growth of the global economy, Xi said. Developed economies, when adopting monetary and fiscal policies, should give more consideration to and work to minimize the impact such policies may exert on emerging markets and developing economies, he said. The international monetary system should become more diversified, and the global financial safety net should continue to be strengthened, he added. Thirdly, the G20 should stay committed to innovation and create new momentum for growth, Xi said. He called on the group to encourage innovation and leverage the role of the digital economy in growing the real economy. "We need to watch out for risks and challenges brought by the application of new technologies, and strengthen the legal and regulatory framework," Xi said, adding that more efforts are needed to boost education and vocational training. "We should give priority to achieving development through fully tapping our innovation potential. At the same time, we also need to keep our doors open and encourage the spread of new technologies and knowledge so that innovation will benefit more countries and peoples," said the Chinese president. To better adapt to and guide technological innovation, Xi proposed that the G20 carry out an in-depth study on the application and impact of new technologies on a priority basis to explore new thinking and new ways of cooperation in this area. Fourthly, Xi urged the G20 to stay committed to win-win cooperation to promote inclusive global development. "We need to continue to follow a people-centered development philosophy and endeavor to deliver a sense of fulfillment, happiness and security to our people," Xi said. He encouraged the G20 members to continue to prioritize development in global macro-policy coordination, implement in real earnest the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and give strong support to work in this area within the UN framework. Calling on the group to protect the development interests and space of developing countries, Xi said the G20 should also continue to support Africa's development by helping Africa with its infrastructure and connectivity building and new industrialization. Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, Xi recalled that during the past 40 years, with the support of the international community, the Chinese people have forged ahead with perseverance and made historic achievements in development. China owes its progress to reform and opening-up, and will continue to advance on this path, Xi told the G20 leaders, pledging to continue to deepen market-oriented reform, protect property rights and IPR, encourage fair competition and do more to expand imports. China will continue to improve its business environment, and hopes that all countries will work together for a free, open, inclusive and orderly international economic environment, Xi said. The Chinese president arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday night to attend the G20 summit and pay a state visit to Argentina. Argentina is the second stop of Xi's Europe and Latin America trip from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5, which had taken him to Spain and also includes state visits to Panama and Portugal. Related: Full text of Xi's remarks at Session I of G20 summit in Buenos Aires (People's Daily Overseas Edition/Zhang Jingang) China-made locomotives are serving millions of Argentines every day with a 97% passenger satisfaction rate, serving as a moving "business card" of China in Latin America. Early in 2013, CRRC Sifang, a unit of China's state-owned rolling stock firm CRRC Corporation, won two contracts worth nearly $1 billion in total to supply 709 inter-city electric multiple units (EMUs) to renew Argentina's commuter system, representing China's biggest overseas order for inter-city EMUs. As the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is a metropolis with a population of more than 10 million. There are more than 20 satellite cities around the main city and urban railway lines mainly connect the satellite cities and the main city. The Chinese company delivered all of the 709 by 2015 and they are already in service on the Sarmiento Line, Matt Line, and Roca Line of Buenos Aires, serving millions of Argentines every day. Designed with advanced technologies and complete facilities, these "made by CRRC" trains are serving as a moving "business card" of China, widely recognized by the Argentine government and people. Surveys show that nearly all (97%) of Argentinian passengers are happy with the Chinese-produced locomotives, and thus more and more people there are starting to travel by train. Besides locomotives, CRRC Sifang also exports railway technologies and technical services to Argentina through a technical training and support program. It was the first overseas technology export project concerning Chinese inter-city EMU, marking an upgrade of Sifang Company from a product exporter to a technology exporter. With its high-quality products and services, CRRC Sifang has won its third train deal in Argentina in April this year, securing a $278 million deal for 200 train cars and related parts. In neighboring country Chile, CRRC Sifang won a $77 million contract in October to supply 13 multiple-units, marking another breakthrough for the company in Latin America. CRRC Sifang makes up 44% of China's high-speed rail vehicle market. By the end of last year, it received more than 5,000 overseas orders from more than 20 countries and regions, including the United States and Indonesia. BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- A major scientific and technological infrastructure in protein science research has passed evaluation, the Science and Technology Daily reported Friday. The infrastructure, featuring advanced technology platforms in biomass spectrometry, biological big data and supercomputing, bioimaging and magnetic resonance imaging, provides a comprehensive technical system for deep analysis of the structure and functions of proteome and protein complexes. It also contributes to disclosing the molecular mechanisms of the physiology, pathology, pharmacology and toxicology of humans, major animals, plants and germs, according to the newspaper. The infrastructure has built up a fast proteome identification method and mass data cloud platform, as well as analyzing the ultrastructure of more than 10 complicated protein complexes. The infrastructure, jointly constructed by Tsinghua University, Peking University and the Institute of Biophysics, has been doing test runs for over three years. It will play an important role in maintaining national biological safety, the newspaper reported quoting sources with the infrastructure. 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. Chinese President Xi Jinping(C), Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold an informal meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018. Leaders of China, Russia and India had an in-depth exchange of views on cooperation among their countries under new circumstances at the meeting. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 30 -- Leaders of China, Russia and India had an in-depth exchange of views on cooperation among their countries under new circumstances at an informal meeting held here Friday on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to strengthen coordination, build consensus and increase cooperation among their countries to jointly promote world peace, stability and development. Xi pointed out that China, Russia and India are all major countries of important influence, and they are each other's important strategic cooperation partners. The three countries have extensive common interest and similar development goals, and bear great responsibility for the future of the region and the world as a whole, Xi said. Common development and close cooperation among China, Russia and India under current circumstances have become an increasingly important force for stability and certainty in the transformation of the world landscape, Xi said. In the past over 10 years, Xi said, the three countries have actively conducted trilateral dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of openness, unity, mutual understanding and trust, and have made important progress. He called on the countries to further advance trilateral cooperation in the face of fresh challenges. He suggested that China, Russia and India advocate a new type of international relations, keep consolidating political mutual trust, establish partnerships instead of alliances, and strive for a virtuous cycle in major-country relations and win-win cooperation. He also called on the three countries to strengthen coordination and cooperation in important multilateral mechanisms including the Group of 20, BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China, Russia and India should advance liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, promote an open world economy, take a clear-cut stand against protectionism and unilateralism, and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system as well as the common interest of emerging economies and developing countries, he said. The three countries, he added, should actively champion a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, strengthen regional and global counterterrorism cooperation, promote political settlement of hotspot issues, and play an even bigger part in safeguarding peace and security in the region and the world. For his part, Putin said Russia, China and India are friendly countries to each other and have developed sound relations based on equality and mutual respect. Under the current circumstances, it serves the interest of all three countries and bears positive significance on the world that Russia, China and India strengthen cooperation, he said. He called on the three countries to dedicate themselves to building a fairer and more just international system, promoting world peace and stability, strengthening cooperation in economy and finance and on issues on the G20 agenda, and boosting the synergy between the Eurasian Economic Union and the Belt and Road Initiative. In his remarks, Modi said it is very necessary for the three countries to compare notes on major issues faced by today's world. There are increasing uncertainties on the international horizon, with rising unilateralism and cliquism posing challenges to multilateralism, he said. Modi said developed countries have failed to meet their assistance commitments to developing countries, and that there is a long way to go before the realization of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. India, China and Russia, as major countries in the world, have the responsibility to maintain close communication, and actively play their parts in safeguarding international and regional stability, promoting economic prosperity, sharing development experience and jointly meeting new challenges, so as to safeguard multilateralism and maintain the multilateral system, he added. The three leaders agreed to further strengthen the cooperation mechanism among their countries. Annahstasia Enuke, a Nigerian-American who identifies as queer, is a Los Angeles-based, multi-dimensional artist who can't be tamed. The 23-year-old is very aware, though, of the way people might try to box her in based on those signifiers. Instead, she channels it all frustrations, joy, and pleasure into art forms that feel transcendent. Take her recent video for "Summer Madness," for example, which fuses her tendency toward ethereal imagery with music anchored by soul and spirituality. Annahstasia is every bit the self-made artist she appears to be. Her debut EP and visual project, Sacred Bull, produced by Jay Cooper, is forthcoming, and it's a redefinition of all she was taught. Growing up Catholic, Annahstasia realized that colonial history indeed has a funny way of rewriting or altogether erasing African traditions and culture. The sacred bull symbol, then, a forbidden idol from the Bible, "gave me the mask I needed to charge out the gate of uncertainty," Annahstasia tells PAPER. "I empower myself outside of the systems that currently exist." On the EP's first single "X51," premiering exclusively with PAPER, Annahstasia successfully introduces the themes present throughout Sacred Bull. It's a song about embracing freedom and spontaneity, despite what the world around you might project. Its shifting soul arrangement, bolstered by Annahstasia's striking vocal presence, establishes a mood akin to solitary night rides through the desert. There you are, alone in the wild, at peace, and free. Listen below, and learn more about how Annahstasia maintains her independence. What is the meaning of Sacred Bull for you? As a complete project, and as a concept? Sacred Bull is like an introduction for me. I've spent a lot of time in this industry trying to find my voice and when I found it, learning to stand up for it. The iconography of the sacred bull gave me the mask I needed to charge out the gate of uncertainty. Conceptually, the sacred bull or golden calf was a forbidden idol from the book of exodus and the story stuck in my mind because I thought it was tyrannical to take away someone's deity in the name of monotheism. Being raised catholic, the process of christianity under the romans always felt very wrong to me, especially with the context of African spirituality and polytheism before colonialism. So in reclaiming the sacred bull as my own personal deity as a symbol for my path, I empower myself outside of the systems that currently exist. That's what this project is for me, a space where I felt completely empowered and safe in making the music and I am able to take great pride in what I manifested. It's the beginning of my story according to the public, and in it a so many subtle facets of myself that I had always strived to put to music and finally have been able to. It's equal parts gentle, sensual, aggressive, and proud. Catsuit: Lethicia Bronstein "I'm queer and I'm Nigerian and my 'revolutionary' standing is that those two aren't mutually exclusive." What does it mean to be queer and Nigerian, while having grown up in America? Are there specific challenges you've had to overcome? It doesn't mean anything really and that's the point. People like to add that to my descriptors because it supposedly makes me more interesting and its trendy but it's also just a fact and I don't like to waste my time justifying it to people. My family is very accepting compared to what I could have had to deal with, and I live in a liberal state, in a liberal city. My journey to realizing my queerness was bumpy and distressing but not nearly as tumultuous as some of my friend's journeys and so I leave space for those stories over mine. If anything, it means I'm queer and I'm Nigerian and my "revolutionary" standing is that those two aren't mutually exclusive. In Nigerian culture there isn't a lot of room to acknowledge queerness, there is often no tolerance for gayness at all. And for me, someone who shirks a more specific label on my sexuality I think a lot of Nigerians, a lot of Africans wonder why I would even take the heat at all and not just keep quiet about that part of myself, but I'm open to the one on one discussion. I don't want to use platforms like this to generalize too much. I'm lucky to be in a safe and loving environment where I can take that position, there are many at home who are not. Growing up in America I can sometimes feel estranged from my culture but that temporary estrangement is exactly that, temporary and as I'm able to go back to Lagos more frequently I hope I can be as myself and not as an altered version of myself, positioned not to offend. Jumpsuit: Rouba.G, Hat: CLYDE "I can only sing what I believe and can only create what I see in my head. There's no room in my brain to be someone else." Can you talk about your experience as a visual artist and how that feeds into your music? I make visual art within narratives and it's the same way I process musical projects. For instance, the idea of Sacred Bull was actually born of a visual concept. I got really obsessed with this idea of a half human/half bull woman who manifested on earth after many years of dormancy, a beast and energy that I'd never encountered before but must have birthed me in some distant past and was there to guide me forward. I was intrigued by everything she had to teach me and the world that she offered. I actually wasn't sure what to do with it beyond plan a shoot to document the idea, maybe do a few paintings and sculptural artifacts. I remember drafting logo ideas thinking I'd start a brand or a label or some sort of movement with that name. It was in the spirit of this that I decided to make a performance out of shaving my head again, I had been growing out my hair and with that growth came a lot of external pressures I didn't have the time or patience for at this phase in my life. I then wrote a poem for that performance and the poem drifted into a song and the song unfolded into more songs and just like that sacred bull the EP was born. I remember after I made the performance video, Jay (my producer) kept asking me "so what this for, what's this for?" And I was determined to just drop the video and have that be it, he pushed me to make this a full project, but all of it was born of my internal dialogue as a visual artist and it took a collaborator like him to connect those dots for me. Hat: CLYDE, Jacket: Stinson Haus, Chaps: Channel One "Trust your gut, be a bitch." You've been in the music/art industry since you were 18. At 23, what's the biggest lesson you've learned? What helps you maintain your artistic integrity? Oh, I have learned many big lessons. I've learned that if someone believes in you because you're beautiful before they believe in your talent or vision, it's a problem. I learned to always, Trust your gut, be a bitch. The industry is full of games and as a woman you can get stuck in the trap of not wanting to be "hard to work with" or a "diva" but often times that is just to stop you from putting pause on something you are uneasy about and redirecting it to your liking. Third lesson is patience, waiting for the right people at the right time is a huge part of artistic happiness. When I was younger I went with the first people that looked my direction and I wanted a fast track to stardom, not knowing what that actually meant. It meant giving up a lot of control upfront and I just couldn't do that. So the second path is to do it slowly but surely. Building trust and vetting folks as they join the ride. For me maintaining my artistic integrity is non-negotiable, I allow some leeway for resources and what I can realistically do, but if I don't like the result of something I'm not afraid to toss it and start over. I can only sing what I believe and can only create what I see in my head. There's no room in my brain to be someone else, simple as that. Skirt, Bra, & Jacket: AyA by DK, Boots: Pskaufman When I get Jared Eng on the phone, he's just been at lunch with Rydel Lynch. I don't immediately recognize the name, but that's just because I'm not as good at my job as he is. Lynch, if you're not aware, Lynch performs in the band R5, alongside her brother Ross, who also plays Harvey Kinkle in Netflix's The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. The Rydels don't regularly walk red carpets, but they do have teen Instagram followers in the millions, and therefore they're regularly featured on the celebrity-focused blog Eng founded in his college dorm room 14 years ago, Just Jared. Just Jared has kept with the times, but it's still impossible to forget that it rose to prominence during a very different era: the golden age of snarky pop culture reporting, when readers were more likely to get their celebrity news from weird Wordpresses than social media selfies. Paris Hilton was behind bars, people were either team Jen or Angelina, and Netflix was a service that shipped physical DVDs to your house. Amanda Bynes and Lindsay Lohan were going through very public breakdowns, Lady Gaga was becoming the biggest pop star in the world, and Perez Hilton was drawing penises on paparazzi shots using Microsoft Paint. Furiously typing bloggers would churn out clever, biting content for websites with names like Celebitchy and D-Listed and Gawker, making fun of famous people with a sense of playfulness that would die forever when the latter outlet was bankrupted by a lawsuit filed by a celebrity wrestler. It was a wild time to live on the Internet, and not every new media player of the 2005-2014 era has survived long enough to chronicle the lives of Gen Z's famous teens. But Eng has, and there's a simple reason for that: he plays nice. "There was a point, during that time when everyone was snarky, that I was trying to fit in," he admits. "I would spend an hour trying to come up with a witty headline and zing the celebrity. But it wasn't me. I was trying to be something that I wasn't." What comes more naturally to Eng is fandom. Whereas Perez Hilton turned to gossip blogging after his acting ambitions fell through, Eng has never aspired to fame just proximity to it. He founded Just Jared in a spirit of celebration, not bitterness, and that sense of devotion has kept his website unexpectedly relevant in an age where stans rule and journalists struggle to gain access to stars who no longer need to land magazine covers in order to promote themselves. The website's friendly ethos is rooted less in media strategy, more in its founder's restrictive Christian upbringing. As a child Eng was almost completely cut off from popular culture, and only allowed to watch 30 minutes of TV per week. "Our parents never took us to the movie theater, we never went to concerts, we only listened to contemporary Christian music, and we never had cable," he recalls. Eng's pop education began when he discovered MTV and Livejournal as an adult, in college. Just Jared was a natural combination of the two mediums: a personal website devoted to the singers and actors he had become suddenly and extremely obsessed with after two decades of deprivation. He plastered his dorm room with posters of Britney Spears and The Backstreet Boys, and fell in love with Mandy Moore's unabashedly tacky music videos. What started out as a more mundane personal venture turned into a highly researched and meticulously updated shrine to all things mass culture. Early Just Jared posts, particularly those about a then-closeted Anderson Cooper or Jennifer Aniston versus Angelina Jolie, quickly amassed lengthy comment sections, and a steady stream of ad revenue followed. Eventually, Eng moved from New York to Los Angeles, where he still resides. It isn't unusual for him to bump into the people he writes about, and when he sees them they're always friendly. Why wouldn't they be? He's their biggest fan. He's rooting for them. Eng was the first person on Twitter to excitedly respond when Amanda Bynes shared her Break the Internet cover story; she immediately liked his post. Many of Just Jared's hottest tips come directly from celebrities themselves such is the strength of the brand he has developed over 14 years. "They trust me," he says. "They know I'll post something timely and positive." With good press comes good press access. A highlight of Eng's career so far was touring across seven countries with Rihanna in 2012. "Not to be a bragger, but I was the only press allowed to be there with her backstage, talking to her," he explains. "I had the best experience of my life." He isn't friends with Rihanna, per se, but the two have steadily kept in touch over the years: "She's been super good to me, and I've been her number one fan from the beginning. If you're nice to someone, they'll be nice to you back." And the industry is nice now. In a glossy, slightly sanitized way. Celebrities are more guarded and paranoid than they've ever been; the days of starlets brazenly partying in public are over. Kylie Jenner, as far as we can tell, goes to bed early. Eng attributes this trend to social media, which has enabled the citizen paparazzo. "If a celebrity is an asshole, a fan will catch it, and the whole world will see," he says. "And no one wants to hire an asshole actor, no one wants to work with a musician if you're a producer with an asshole. There's a no asshole policy these days. You can't walk down the street drunk anymore, because someone will catch you, and the studio will fire you. Celebrities are smart now, they'll have fun and party in a private residence." In Eng's happy version of Hollywood, where the headlines end with explanation points and the paparazzi shots tend to be flattering, the only crime a celebrity can really commit is ambivalence. He loves pop culture, and he expects pop culture to love him back. Fandom is a two-way street, and for a famous person to neglect or reject their own star power is a serious transgression. "There's tons of celebrities who don't want, or at least say they don't want fame," he says. "And I say this all the time: an actor who loves acting, go do a play. Don't go do a big movie franchise if you don't want to be famous. If that's your calling, then you have to do paparazzi. You have to do press. You have to do photoshoots. That's the game. You're either going to play it, or don't do it at all. Don't complain. That's the business." One of the flag bearer aspirants of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Alban Bagbin, has revealed to Class News that he is in consultation with all the 10 other aspirants except former President John Mahama, who, the veteran MP said was yet to return his phone calls to meet and collectively register their displeasure against the GHS420,000 filing and nomination fee for flag bearer aspirants of the party. All male flag bearer aspirants of the NDC are expected to cough up GHS400,000 as filing fee while their female counterparts and persons with disability will pay GHS200,000 and GHS150,000, respectively. A nomination form is going for GHS20,000. Mr Bagbin, who is also the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament has kicked against the amount and rallying the other aspirants for a united front in fighting it. In his opinion, the amount decided by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NDC will sow the seeds of corruption in the party and in government, should the NDC win power in 2020, since, he argued, the financiers of the aspirants will find corrupt ways of recouping their political investment. Mr Bagbin told Class FM Thursday, 29 November 2018 that: We have been able to get almost all [of the aspirants] but I can say that I personally have not been able to get the former president who is one of the aspirants. Im told that he is in the Ashanti Region campaigning, so, I have not been able to get in touch with him but those that I have called, and they did not pick, have returned the calls. Ive not heard from him [Mr Mahama] but the others have all returned the calls and indicated their willingness and preparedness to meet and discuss the issue because nobody consulted us [aspirants] and Im not sure there was extensive consultation. He said they will soon petition the party over the fee and other requirements. In a related development, Mr James Agyenim-Boateng, spokesperson for former President Mahamas campaign team has said that Mr Mahama has no option than to comply with the GHS400,000 filing fee and GHS20,000 nomination fee. According to Mr Agyenim-Boateng, the partys constitution mandates the NEC to outline measures for the progress of the party, therefore, as a law-abiding Ghanaian and member of the party, Mr Mahama, who is seeking to the lead the party again into the 2020 presidential elections, will have no alternative than to obey the new guidelines. Mr Agyenim Boateng told Kwabena Bobie Ansah on the Citizen Show on Accra100.5FM on Thursday, 29 November that: Former President Mahama has always subjected himself to the rules of the party and, so, if this is what the party executives are saying, he has no option than to accept it and follow through. The partys constitution gives the NEC the power to decide for the NDC, so, the aspirants can only comply. Mr Agyenim-Boateng further stated that a lot of Mr Mahamas loyalists have shown commitment to support him to raise the amount. Several supporters of Mr Mahama want to help him raise the GHS420,000 for the filing fees. Even before the announcement of the filing fees, Asawase NDC executives came out to pledge to support Mr Mahama financially. A lot of people have shown that they are more than ready and willing to support him, he added. VIDEO= Source: classfmonline.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 If the National Democratic Congress would want to see President Akufo-Addo feel he is running unopposed against their candidate in the 2020 election, then they should present former President Mahama, Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, has suggested. The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party believes there are several controversies surrounding the return of the former President as flag bearer of the NDC and concedes that it will inure greatly, to the progress of the NPP in the future. According to Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako popularly referred to as Chairman Wontumi, Article 68 (2) of the 1992 Constitution states that :The President shall not, on leaving office as President, hold any office of profit or emolument, except with the permission of Parliament, in any establishment, either directly or indirectly, other than that of the State. He further explained that until Parliament grants former President Mahama the permission to contest as President, he has no right to dream about contesting the 2020 elections as leader of the NDC. The NPP Chairman noted that there is a likelihood the Article 68 (2) of the 1992 Constitution would be activated to prevent former President Mahama from breaking the laws of the land. Chairman Wontumi explained that as outlined in the 1992 constitution of Ghana, any move by former President Mahama to contest the 2020 elections would be problematic. 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 UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) paid a "very rich and intensive" visit to China recently, said Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Thursday. At a press briefing, Ma, also president of the Security Council for the month of November, outlined the highlights of the visit as exchanges on UN peacekeeping and China's reform and opening-up, as well as building mutual trust. As an innovative move during its presidency of the Security Council, the Chinese government invited the council members to visit China's Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen on Nov. 24-28. "In Beijing we focused on bilateral meetings and also the peacekeeping operations," Ma said, adding that the members were met by Chinese foreign minister and defense minister. At the meetings, the two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on world situation as well as China's stance and the members' concerns on international issues, said Ma. Additionally, the council members visited a peacekeeping standby force, said Ma, adding that a workshop was held, during which the members discussed UN peacekeeping challenges and steps to improve the operations with the soldiers and some experts. In Guangzhou and Shenzhen, the council members visited several companies and had a better understanding of China's policy of reform and opening-up through the visits, he said. This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up policy and both Guangzhou and Shenzhen were pioneers of practicing this policy. The Chinese envoy also underscored the "very extensive and in-depth exchanges among the members" along the way. "It's important for the members to have an opportunity to discuss issues of common concern in a free and relaxed atmosphere," said Ma. Ma said the visit is conducive to enhancing mutual understanding and trust among the member states, "which is the foundation of our work in the Security Council." The immediate-past Ashaiman Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Shaddad Umar Jallo has promised to pay half of the GHS400,000 filing fee for former president John Mahama. According to Mr Jallo, his decision to support the former president is borne out of love for him coupled with his ability to win political power for the NDC in the 2020 elections. In an interview with Class News, Mr Jallo refuted an assertion that the flag bearer race is now for the highest bidder. Explaining further, Mr Jallo argued that all aspirants who cannot raise the GHS400,000 filing fee are not eligible to lead the NDC to be president. When I heard about it, I said its good because the party needs money to run the party. If somebody likes John Mahama in this country, Im the first person because I used my 4 x 4 car and branded it John Mahama because I want John Mahama to come back so we can take power from the NPP in 2020. Nobody can take power for the party in 2020 than John Mahama. Because of that, this GHS400,000, I Shaddad Jallo, Ill make sure that Ill pay half of that money for John Mahama because I love him, I want him to come back to take power for us in 2020. The NDC at its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday, 29 November at the partys headquarters in Accra resolved that all male flag bearer aspirants are expected to pay GHS400,000 as filing fee while female flag bearer aspirants are to pay GHS200,000 and persons with disability aspiring to the same position are to pay GHS150,000. Critics, including some of the flag bearer aspirants, have slammed the exorbitant filing fee. Source: classfmonline.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 impasse between Kwabena Nsenkyire, the Ashanti Regional First Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Abraham Boadi, the Presiding Member (PM) of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), has been settled amicably. The two men, who are staunch members of the ruling party, caused a stir recently when they verbally attacked each other on various radio stations in Kumasi. Their action caused tension and panic among the teeming NPP members due to the fact that the two men wield respect and authority in the party in the region. The impasse between the two men, which nearly extended to other stalwarts of the party in the region, has been resolved amicably to the delight of NPP members in the region. The peace deal was brokered by the deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Elizabeth Agyeman, who is widely seen by the NPP members as their mother. My boss, Simon Osei-Mensah, is on a working visit to Tamale, and so I became extremely worried when the two party men -Mr Nsenkyire and Mr Boadi, affectionately called Opooman, verbally attacked each other on Hello Fm on Thursday morning,she told DAILY GUIDE. The deputy regional minister said that she asked the two men not to wash their dirty linen in public to negatively affect the fortunes of the NPP. According to her, both Opooman and Nsenkyire listened to her advice and quickly smoked the peace pipe to promote the interest of the party. Ms Agyeman commended the stalwarts of the party for showing political maturity, urging the party members to continue to work in peace to help the NPP to retain power in 2020. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video It seems the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) presented the precious gift to former President John Mahama on his 60th birthday with the announcement that the party was setting GH400,000 as filing fees and GH20,000 for nomination forms for its upcoming presidential primaries. The GH420,000, which has been described by political pundits as outrageous, seems to fall in line with the agenda of some top executives of the party to give John Mahama a befitting birthday present and kick out the other 12 aspirants from the flagbearership race. Even though it appears a good job done for the ex-president as he cruises to resounding victory, some contenders, especially Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, are visibly outraged over the astronomical fees they are being compelled to pay to contest in the election which apparently is being cooked for Mr. Mahama. The killer fees are causing outrage in the party, with supporters of other aspirants and apolitical individuals expressing fear that the NDC race is for the highest bidder. Mr. Bagbin has already kicked against the fees and is working hard to rally the other contestants to jointly fight against it. Anger He is quoted by Class FM as saying: We have been able to get almost all [of the aspirants] but I can say that I personally have not been able to get the former president who is one of the aspirants. Im told that he is in the Ashanti Region campaigning, so I have not been able to get in touch with him. Ive not heard from him [Mr Mahama] but the others have all returned the calls and indicated their willingness and preparedness to meet and discuss the issue because nobody consulted us [aspirants] and Im not sure there was an extensive consultation. For the Second Deputy Speaker, the fees charged by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NDC will sow the seeds for corruption in the party and government should the NDC win power in 2020. He argued that the financiers of the aspirants would find corrupt ways of recouping their political investment. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, one of the leading contenders explained that it is out of line for a social democratic party like the NDC to be charging such huge amount of money. Not only have the other contestants been complaining about the GH420,000 fees since it was announced by the party on Thursday, November 29 at a press conference in Accra but their supporters have also been venting their frustrations with the partys leadership on social and mainstream media, accusing them of selling the party to the highest bidder, regardless of whether such a bidder has what it takes to secure victory for the NDC in the 2020 elections. The other aspirants, DAILY GUIDE gathered, are planning to petition former President Jerry John Rawlings, who is the founder of the party. Ex-President Mahama marked his 60th birthday on Thursday, November 29, 2018 and kissed his darling wife, Lordina Mahama, passionately in public as though it was a new love story. As Mr. Mahama was kissing and merrymaking, the party announced that it was fixing GH20,000 for nomination forms and GH400,000 for filing fees. Many political pundits believe the former president can easily pay the money, but there are doubts as to whether some of the other candidates can conveniently pay to take part in the NDCs primaries slated for January 2019. Astronomical Increment The presidential primaries are scheduled for January 2019 and the party has further slapped a whopping GH200,000 on females, as well as persons with disabilities aspiring for the presidential job. In 2015, whilst in power the NDC charged its aspirants GH50,000 at that time when ex-President John Mahama was the sole candidate. Thus, the current GH420,000 for filing fees and nomination forms represent a GH370,000 increase, representing 700 percent. Aspirants It is becoming clear that only one out of the 13 aspirants, Stephen Atubiga, will not be able to meet the financial requirement of the party for the polls. The other aspirants are former Rector of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Joshua Alabi; former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Authority (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah; ex-Minister of Trade and Industry, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah and Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, a banker and oil and gas consultant, Nurideen Iddrisu; Member of Parliament (MP) for Cape Coast South, George Kwaku Ricketts Hagan; a member of the NDCs Communication Team, Lawyer Elikplim Agbemava, David Dotse Kwame Kuwadah and Goosie Tanoh, a cadre. I Cant Pay Mr. Atubiga himself has clearly indicated that he cannot meet the financial demands of the party on the aspirants, calling on the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to probe whoever pays the killer fees. In reaction to the new fees set by the partys hierarchy, Atubiga observed that My brother, let me tell you, I dont even have GH100,000 with me, so how can I pay GH400,000 as filing fee? According to him, Some of the aspirants had a conference call this afternoon, so we will meet tomorrow for a secret meeting and kick against that. He has since called on EOCO to arrest any of the candidates who will pay the GH420,000 to contest the primaries. Any politician who will claim that he paid the amount of money, GH400,000 must be arrested, EOCO must arrest that politician, where did that person get that amount of money? Mind-boggling Campaign spokesperson for Joshua Alabi, Richard Quarshigah, has described the amount as mind-boggling. Making reference to the partys ideology- social democracy, Mr. Quarshigah, MP for Keta, said the current fee is very unNDC. He said the campaign team of Joshua Alabi will petition the authorities for a reduction of the fees, saying We who support Joshua Alabi will make a case, we will petition, we will call for a downward review of this colossal amount being asked of flagbearer aspirants. We think that what the NDC needs at this time is a very competent person to turn around the fortunes of the party and not necessarily somebody who should be an effective fundraiser. I dont think the NDC is being run on the back of monies from flagbearer aspirants. We must rethink some of these issues. Justification But the party appears to be defending the amount being charged even though nearly all the aspirants are unhappy about it. Speaking on Joy FM, NDCs Deputy General Secretary, Barbara Serwaa Asamoah, insisted that despite the astronomical increment, the NDC is not a money-making institutionit is an association and so it is members of the political party that contribute money to run the party. Review However, Leader of the Minority in Parliament and Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has hinted that the amount could be reviewed by the party, thus calming the nerves of the aggrieved aspirants and their supporters. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Journalist Ben Makuch of Vice Media arrives to the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa on May 23, 2018. The Supreme Court of Canada says a reporter must give the RCMP material he gathered for stories about an accused terrorist. The decision is likely to be seen as a defeat for media that could leave them vulnerable to serving as investigative arms of the police. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R), South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (3rd R), Brazilian President Michel Temer (1st L), Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd L) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend the informal meeting of the emerging economies' bloc BRICS in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 30 -- Leaders of the emerging economies' bloc BRICS declared their common stand on the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) here on Friday. A communique was issued after Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held an informal meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit. BRICS countries agreed that full support should be given to the rules-based multilateral trading system represented by the WTO and to ensure transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive international trade, according to the document. The document called on all WTO members to oppose unilateral and protectionist measures that disaccord with WTO rules and withdraw such measures that are restrictive and discriminatory in their nature. BRICS countries pledged to support the improvement of the WTO, increase its relevance and validity and safeguard the core values and basic principles of the WTO, and agreed that the WTO should embody the interests of all members, developing economies in particular. They stressed the importance of the dispute settlement mechanism in the smooth operation of the WTO, calling for starting, as soon as possible, the selection process to fill the vacancies in the Appellate Body, so as to maintain the stable and valid operation of the dispute settlement system. BRICS countries, according to the document, vowed to strengthen communication and cooperation and work with other members to ensure the WTO keep abreast of the times, advance inclusive growth and the participation of various countries in international trade, and play a significant part in global governance. In the meantime, BRICS countries reiterated their commitment to world peace and stability and support for the central role played by the United Nations. They pledged joint efforts to strengthen multilateralism, strive for an international order that is fair, just, equal, democratic and representative and implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change. BRICS countries reiterated that they would strengthen their strategic partnership and implement the achievements in their cooperation such as the Partnership on New Industrial Revolution, the document read. The common stand demonstrated the constructive and responsible role played by BRICS countries in international affairs. It also showed the aspiration of emerging market economies and developing countries to strengthen unity and cooperation and safeguard common interests. Fighting teenage pregnancy, early childbearing, and talking about sexual and reproductive health has never been easy, especially in the conservative corners of Uganda. But Trailblazer mentoring Foundation, Uganda (TMF), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) has found a way to address the high rate of teenage pregnancy and early childbearing in eastern and northern Uganda. According to a UN report by 2016, nearly a quarter of girls aged 15 to 19 have had a baby or are pregnant. As a result, many drop out; secondary school enrolment rates are also lower among girls than boys. In the eastern districts, according to TMF Uganda, child marriage and early childbearing remain common despite legislation against the practice. Hundreds of young girls are flocking the streets of Moroto municipality for commercial sex to earn a living. The majority of the commercial sex workers dropped out of school due to unwanted pregnancies. They resorted to commercial sex after going through hard times at the hands of their boyfriends, the fathers of their children. They parade themselves on the streets to earn some money to support their children. On Wednesdays, Fridays, and weekends, several girls from camp Swahili, Labour-line, Kakoliye, and other parts of Moroto town spend the nights moving from one club to another hunting for men. On the other days, they stay in strategic places like the busy suburbs of South Division, waiting for officials attending workshops and businessmen including Kenyan traders in town. In most parts of Uganda, parents often fail to discuss sexuality and health-related issues with their children, and, at school, we as girls with special needs face numerous challenges when faced with sexual violence, for example, a person like me cannot scream when raped and men take advantage of that, said a girl at Girls summit Uganda organized by a number of NGOs and TMF Uganda on Friday, November 30. In the lead-up to the fight against teenage pregnancies and early childbearing, TMF Uganda, and partners are training a number of teachers and village councilors in prone regions on the issue of teenage pregnancy, including factors such as child marriage, and solutions like access to age-appropriate information and sexual and reproductive health care. The teachers and the councilors are also taught the impact of teenage pregnancy on individual girls and on the countrys socio-economic development. TMF Uganda coordinators also teach them on communicating these messages through traditional folk songs, folk dance, plays, poems, speeches, and other art forms. The teachers then work with students to incorporate this information into music, art, and dramas for the annual festival. Ms. Agnes Nabachwa, communication for development officer at TMF Uganda also in charge of eastern Uganda especially Kamauli, Iganga, and other nearby districts says the organization supports school clubs with some money to start income-generating activities. She says the projects help students who also work with club patrons to earn some money that they can use to buy books and help them stay in schools. During the National Girls Summit Uganda, attended by a number of girls from different schools including those in the upcountry, girls said that discussing critical issues of child marriage could reduce insurance around the world. Across Africa, 125 million girls and women alive today were married before 18 years. Officials attribute the practice to negative cultural norms and practices that they say perpetuate child marriage and early childbearing. Nabachwa says the practice is deeply embedded in the fabric of communities, and changing such normative tendencies and practices is a gradual process that requires constant reinforcement of the message for transformation. The extreme poverty and cultural practices in Eastern parts of Uganda [Kamuli, Iganga, and others] have greatly impacted on the children learning, she said adding that the practice is a serious issue to the country. Nabachwa says that they have now resorted to skilling the adolescents in schools so that they dont have to depend on anyone at any particular time. We teach them to get income-generating activities, she explained adding that she is very opportunistic with the efforts put her organizations and partners, the vice will reduce. She says for about four years since they launched operations against teenage pregnancy, they have registered some progress. Theres change, but as you know it is a gradual process. You cant just change them in one day or a year. It is a practice that is embedded in them. But at least theres a change, girls are attending to schools, Ms. Nabachwa said. However, Uganda, like many other sub-Saharan African countries, faces major challenges in building up its education system especially schools in many rural districts. Civil society organizations say child marriage is also perpetuated by the absence of secondary schools in rural areas forcing girls not to look beyond primary and Olevel. We have no A-Level schools in Buyende, a girl child said at the summit on Friday adding that students dont look beyond O-Level and end up getting married. In my district Buyende, Child Marriage is the order of the day and has been made normal, this is worrying for us the girls, another girl said. Mr. Mondo Kyateeka, the Commissioner for Youth, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) during the summit said that; society begins to rot if we keep quiet on things that matter like child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and FGM. He said about one billion girls are [sexually] abused annually, globally. Childrens voices are supreme in programming and all children should be protected from violence. Child marriage is primitive and barbaric. The emphasis today should be on capitalising human capital, commissioner Kyateeka said. The World Banks 10th edition of the Uganda Economic Update estimates the negative impact of child marriage, early childbearing, and the low educational attainment of the many girls affected by the two, on a wide range of development indicators. Estimates of the cost of child marriage to the economy are also made. The cost of not taking action now is high and will run into billions of dollars a year by 2030. The report reviews the literature on the types of intervention that can work to empower adolescent girls and specifically calls for greater investment in girls education; for providing opportunities to girls who are out of school and cannot go back, and for equipping adolescent girls with life skills and knowledge of reproductive health. The report shows that close relationships exist between child marriage, teen pregnancy, and the low level of education reached by large numbers of girls. It shows that child marriage is likely to be the cause of more than half of babies born to under 18s and so that ending it could reduce early childbearing by the same amount. Ms. Nabachwa said that both child marriage and early childbearing force girls to drop out of school. Also according to the report, early pregnancy and marriage are major reasons for this. The reports analysis suggests that depending on how early a girl marries, child marriage reduces the likelihood of completing secondary school by 12 to 23 percentage points. Once a girl is married, it is very difficult for her to stay at school, whatever her age. In contrast, keeping girls in secondary school substantially reduces the likelihood they will marry or have children early, says Nabachwa. The situation analysis of child poverty and deprivation in Uganda per 2014, rates Child Marriages at 57 percent. Northern Uganda at 59 percent followed by the Western 58 percent, East Central 52 percent, West Nile at 50 percent, Central at 46 percent, South West 37 percent, and Kampala at 21 percent. Impact of child marriage, early childbearing Mary Lydia one of the students at the summit said: I got tricked by my fellow classmate and got pregnant. My parents kicked me out of their house, which forced me to marriage I lost my baby during delivery and my aunt helped me get back to school after realizing I was not ready for marriage. Ugandas fertility rate stands at 5.9 children per woman, above the Sub-Saharan average of 4.8. This high fertility rate is attributed in part to the low use of contraceptives, but high rates of child marriage and early childbearing also play an important role. Ending child marriage would reduce fertility by 8 percent nationally, and could lower the countrys overall population growth rate of 3 percent by 0.17 percent according to the World Bank. If child marriage were ended today, it is estimated that the benefitin terms of the higher standards of living that would be generated thanks to lower population growthwould reach US$2.4 billion a year by 2030. There are other risks associated with early marriage: Girls who marry before 18 are at a higher risk of dying in childbirth. When a child is born of a mother younger than 18, research shows there is a higher risk of him or her suffering from either stunting (physical and mental underdevelopment through undernutrition or mortality under the age of 5. The economic benefits that resulting from a reduction of these could reach US$275 million per year by 2030. Under Ugandan law, child marriage is a crime. Global research, suggesting that girls who marry early are more likely to experience physical, psychological, and sexual abuse and violence from their partners than those who marry as adults, applies also to Uganda. Related BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- A signed article by Chinese President Xi Jinping titled "Working Together for a Shared Future" was published Friday on Panamanian newspaper La Estrella de Panama ahead of his state visit to the Central American country. The full text of the article is as follows: Working Together for a Shared Future Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China I will soon pay a state visit to the Republic of Panama at the kind invitation of President Juan Carlos Varela. It will be my first visit to the country, and the very first by a Chinese president. I look forward to this trip with great expectations. Like many of my countrymen, I am no stranger to Panama even though I have never been to this country before: the grand Panama Canal, the highly regarded Geisha coffee, as well as Panamanian bananas and other tropical fruits are well-recognized throughout the world. In recent years, under the leadership of President Varela, Panama has enjoyed rapid growth, vibrant markets and improving living standards. It has become a most habitable place in the Americas to live in and a promising land of opportunities for investors. Seeing such progress, I am truly happy for Panama and wish Panama new and still greater accomplishments in its future development. Friendly interactions between the people of our countries could date back more than 160 years, when the first group of Chinese arrived in Panama to help with canal- and railway-building. On this hospitable land, they eventually stayed, became part of the local communities and joined the Panamanian people in pursuit of a better life. To mark their dedication, a special day has been designated for ethnic Chinese in Panama. Back in the 1960s, in a gesture of solidarity with the Panamanian people in their just cause for sovereignty over the Canal, sixteen million Chinese staged rallies across China, which became a special memory of the Chinese people for a generation. All these attest to the fraternal bonds connecting the people of our two countries. In June last year, President Varela and I came to a significant political decision: China and Panama would formally establish diplomatic relations. For both our countries, this landmark decision will benefit not only this generation, but many more generations to come. For the wider international community, it could not show more clearly the trend of our times and the will of the people. It is a strong declaration to the world of Panama's commitment to the one-China policy and an expression of unanimous support among our two peoples for China-Panama relations. Over the past one and half years, China-Panama relations have gotten off to a good start: cooperation programs have mushroomed and thrived across the board, delivering tangible benefits to the people of the two countries. During his first state visit to China, President Varela and I drew a blueprint for the future of our bilateral ties. China has been Panama's second largest trading partner, the largest supplier to the Colon Free Trade Zone and the second biggest user of the Panama Canal. Under the framework of the Belt and Road cooperation, the two sides have signed quite a number of agreements in areas such as trade, finance, maritime affairs, civil aviation, tourism, culture and education. Chinese businesses and financial institutions have taken an active part in bilateral cooperation, helping to create thousands of local jobs. The China-assisted Colon Secure City project will provide effective protection to the residents of Colon. The Amador Convention Center, which will soon be completed, will serve as the new venue for EXPOCOMER. And Panama's specialty agro-products such as beef, pineapple and seafood are undergoing inspection and quarantine procedures for export to China and will soon find their way to the dinner tables of the Chinese people. As proposed by Panama, China is looking into the "City of Hope" education center project to be developed in Western Panama. The project aims to provide educational services to over 2,000 local students and will contribute significantly to local education conditions and quality. China is also implementing the project of mobile clinics (Amor Sobre Ruedas), which provides free medical services for women in far-flung areas in Panama. The first Confucius Institute in Panama is up and running; the first direct flight connecting China and Central America has been launched; and Panama is designated as an approved destination for Chinese group tourists. By the end of this year, China will have trained about 6,000 Panamanian officials and professionals in various fields, and close to 1,000 Panamanian students are now studying in China. Scholars, think tanks and media organizations from both sides have engaged in frequent interactions, contributing their ideas and suggestions in support of bilateral relations. As the "China fever" in Panama and the "Panama fever" in China are heating up, people in both countries are eager to know each other better through more exchanges. Panama, a nation strong on connectivity, is actively advancing its National Logistics Strategy 2030 in an effort to build itself into a world-class logistics center. This strategy dovetails with my initiative of the Belt and Road cooperation, making China and Panama natural partners for Belt and Road cooperation. During President Varela's visit to China last year, Panama became the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to sign a Belt and Road cooperation MOU with China. Going forward, we will work tirelessly with Panama to enhance synergy between our development strategies and deliver greater benefits to the people of our countries. First, let us be sincere partners that value equality and mutual trust. We should always approach our bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, appreciate and support each other's core interests and major concerns, and build a solid political foundation for the sustained, sound and steady growth of our bilateral relations. Second, let us be development partners, come rain or shine. Both being developing countries, China and Panama have similar historical experiences and face common development tasks. We need to work together to promote a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation and build a community with a shared future for mankind. We also need to strengthen coordination in multilateral organizations such as the UN and the WTO, jointly uphold the multilateral trading system and contribute to an open world economy. Third, let us be cooperation partners in pursuit of mutual benefit. We need to respect each other's aspirations, accommodate each other's concerns and draw upon our respective strengths. We need to build on this basis to deepen our cooperation in such key areas as infrastructure, logistics, production capacity, e-commerce and finance under the broad framework of Belt and Road cooperation. We need to step up our efforts to quickly secure early harvests in practical cooperation as it will contribute to development in both countries. China welcomes Panama's continued participation in the China International Import Expo and hopes to see more exports of quality Panamanian goods and services to China. Fourth, let us be close partners with strong people-to-people ties. To build heart-to-heart connections between our peoples, we need to engage in exchanges in a broad range of areas such as culture, education, health, tourism and media. This will greatly boost our friendship across the sectors. Now that we have opened a direct flight between China and Panama, we expect more and more Chinese and Panamanians to visit each other's countries to enhance mutual understanding and friendship. Today 280,000 Panamanians are of Chinese origin. We could well build on such blood ties to deepen friendship between the two countries. The trend of the times keeps moving forward, bringing new and constant changes to the world. Although our two countries are geographically far apart and are quite different in many of our national conditions, both the Chinese and Panamanians are hard-working, enterprising and aspiring peoples. We won't be able to grow our relations without the commitment of our peoples. Let us seize the moment, give play to our late starter's advantage, speed up the growth of our bilateral ties, put our cooperation on a steady and sustained course, and jointly contribute to a brighter future and a more prosperous world. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Rantoul, IL (61866) Today Some clouds. Low 18F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 18F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C), also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects the Chongchuan Branch of the Bank of Jiangsu in Nantong, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 29, 2018. Li Keqiang has made an inspection tour to eastern China's Jiangsu Province from Thursday to Friday to examine economic and social development. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) NANJING, Nov. 30 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has made an inspection tour to eastern China's Jiangsu Province from Thursday to Friday to examine economic and social development. During his visit to the cities of Nantong and Nanjing, he stressed the need of advancing reform, opening-up and innovation to further increase market vitality and ensure the sustained and healthy development of the economy. When inspecting the Chongchuan Branch of the Bank of Jiangsu in Nantong, he said that small and micro private enterprises have contributed a lot to employment and that credit extension should not only target large clients as rendering services to small and micro enterprises is a big deal. "Wholeheartedly exploring the market of small and micro enterprises will boost financing convenience and reduce costs. Banks are actually investing in their own future by supporting small and micro enterprises now," he said. At the Luolai Home Textile Company workshops, the Premier found that intelligent production and green technologies have been used. Although home textile was a traditional sector, so long as it could catch up with the trend of consumption upgrading, it would never fall behind and never lose its market, he said. At Suning Holdings Group, Li said he hopes the company would use intelligent logistics and cloud technology to provide better services to satisfy consumers and unleash more consumption potential. At the Nanjing Information Center, a web-based public service platform, Li commended the operation of the center and encouraged local government to use more new technologies to streamline public services, boost information sharing, stimulate the market's vitality and inspire social creativity. A doctor hands over drugs to an HIV-infected patient in a village clinic in Ruili, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 29, 2018. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) KUNMING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- When Ai Yue, using a fake name to remain anonymous, was confirmed to have contracted HIV/AIDS 13 years ago, he was devastated and kept wondering how many days he would have left. "HIV/AIDS was a taboo at that time," said the 45-year-old farmer, "Knowing I had the disease, people would simply walk away when they saw me and some thought they could be infected by my saliva if we talked." The disease led to many sleepless nights for Ai's family, who are living in Gengma County in southwest China's Yunnan Province. Luckily, his wife and children tested HIV/AIDS negative. As Ai received antiretroviral therapy and free consultation services from local authorities, the family gradually came out of the shadow and tried to live a normal life. By the end of October, Yunnan had 105,600 people living with HIV/AIDS, or about one-eighth of China's total. For years, Yunnan has been at the forefront of the country's tough battle against the epidemic. Around every nine in 10,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in China, a low rate compared to other countries, according to the National Health Commission. According to a joint evaluation by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, UNAIDS and the World Health Organization, there are around 1.25 million people living with HIV/AIDS in China by the end of this year, and 80,000 newly-infected people every year. Since 2005, four rounds of campaigns to fight HIV/AIDS have been launched in China, with a stable HIV/AIDS prevention and testing network established in both urban and rural areas, which mainly focuses on treatment for families and communities. DOOR-TO-DOOR CARE Community doctors, social workers and government officials would visit HIV/AIDS patients, such as Ai, on a monthly basis, reminding them about the importance of continuing medication and adjusting their drugs based on the regular checkups. "These grassroots forces have also explained to villagers that with the help of medication, HIV/AIDS can be controlled as a chronic disease, so that the HIV carriers, especially those suspected of infection, can ease their worries and actively engage in timely treatment," said Su Yuhong, head of the HIV/AIDS prevention office in Gengma. In this county that borders Myanmar, about 2,500 people are living with HIV/AIDS. For more than a decade, explaining HIV/AIDS knowledge to every villager, mobilizing them to do HIV/AIDS testing and coordinating the infected to receive antiretroviral therapy has been part of Su's daily routine. "We have to ensure full coverage of HIV/AIDS knowledge and HIV/AIDS testing for every villager, making them at least understand that using condoms is responsible behavior and that HIV testing is an ordinary thing just like an annual health check," she said. For those that tested HIV/AIDS positive, Su and her team would inform them immediately and provide a one-on-one explanation of therapeutic plans outside the village, which fully protects their privacy. Efforts have also been made to strengthen HIV/AIDS education in communities, as it is "one of the best ways of prevention." "Exhibition boards, posters, brochures, and training classes...We use everything to make the villagers familiar with HIV/AIDS knowledge," Su said. Over the years, Su now talks to villagers by going door to door. "At first, nobody accepted our free distribution of condoms and few would stop to read our posters. But now, when talking about HIV/AIDS, even the most illiterate can hit the nail on the head, and almost all families know how to block mother-to-child transmission," according to Su. Family-based treatment is the basis to guarantee the long-term battle against HIV/AIDS, according to Lu Lin, deputy director of Yunnan's provincial health commission. CONTINUED SUPPORT Yunnan has set up an HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment network all over the province, with quick testing spots available in every town, according to Xu Yonggang, head of the provincial HIV/AIDS prevention bureau. Since 2012, Yunnan has invested more than 48 million yuan (6.9 million U.S. dollars) to support 544 HIV/AIDS projects covering more than 170,000 people. HIV self-test kits can be bought in some drugstores in Yunnan, allowing people to test for HIV infection via saliva samples in about 20 minutes. Also, convenient HIV urine test kits can be found in some universities in the province. "The 'full coverage' mode has yielded results. The HIV detection rate has risen to more than 84 percent this year, compared with just 58 percent in 2010," Xu said. The province recorded 9,413 new HIV/AIDS infections from January to October this year, down 2.6 percent year on year, a downward trend for five consecutive years. "The disease remains stable and under control," according to Xu. Yunnan is confident it will reach the goal proposed by the United Nations' program on HIV/AIDS: to ensure that more than 90 percent of HIV-infected patients know about their infections, 90% of people who are diagnosed are on antiretroviral treatment and 90% of those who receive the antiretroviral will have their viruses suppressed by 2020, Xu added. "Though with a large HIV/AIDS population in China, Yunnan has transformed itself from one of the hardest-hit provinces to a demonstration area of prevention and treatment through years of efforts, " said Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Villagers in Gengma County are now very proactive about anti-AIDS work, believing that this is not only beneficial for themselves, but for future generations as well. "Gradually, people who once looked down upon me have accepted me back into their lives as a normal person," Ai said. "These days, they often ask me to help them farm and invite me over for dinner sometimes." A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Concern over the migrant caravan crisis led to a five-hour closure in both directions of the busy San Ysidro Port of Entry last Sunday. President Donald Trump early Monday morning sent out a tweet threatening to close the border. Question: Will ongoing disruptions at the San Ysidro Port of Entry significantly impact the San Diego economy? (Yes or No) Phil Blair, Manpower YES: The layman San Diegan still looks at crossing the Mexican border in Tijuana as a challenge. Are we going to get caught in a multiple hour wait to cross back home? This is true even with (rapid inspection) SENTRI passes now. Knowing that there are now 5,000 and maybe growing to 10,000 migrants hovering at the U.S. border compounds this concern. What we saw last week with a very minor protest closing the entire border crossing for five hours discourages tourists, professional and commercial traffic from using the border crossing. It can only get worse before it gets better. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research NO: On a typical day more than 140,000 persons (U.S. citizens and foreigners), 60,000 vehicles (cars and buses), and $165 million in merchandise legally crosses San Diegos three ports of entry with Mexico. It is difficult to conceive of even a few thousand refugees disrupting this movement for long. Temporary shutdown of just one border entry is highly disruptive to the many daily crossers, but economic impacts will not likely last long and quickly be recouped. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Extended disruptions and closures will impair supply chains. They will also lead to lower sales for businesses in the border area as customers from Mexico cannot reach shops and U.S. customers choose to avoid the area. Workers who need to cross the border every day to reach their jobs will struggle to do so, which will cause their earnings to fall and disrupt production at companies who rely on these workers. Gina Champion-Cain, American National Investments NO: Disruption at the Otay Mesa Port would be a major blow to the San Diego economy and beyond, not so at San Ysidro. Repeated San Ysidro closures would affect the retail sector but not enough to materially impact the San Diego economy. Workers who cross daily would face grave inconvenience. They would be forced to stay state-side through the week or use Otay and Tecate crossings, thus adding hours to an already miserable commute. Alan Gin, University of San Diego YES: One impact will be on the retail sector. There is a lot of traffic by people who live in Mexico and cross the border to shop. The communities near the border will be particularly hurt, as well as some higher end retailers throughout the county. The other problem will be for businesses who have workers who live in Mexico and commute across the border. Disruptions will be difficult for those people to get to work and their employers could be negatively affected. James Hamilton, UC San Diego Not participating this week. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: The almost 40,000 daily trips through the San Ysidro port are mostly Mexicans coming to San Diego to work, shop, educate and recreate. Those trips represent billions of dollars of infusion into the San Diego regional economy. The interdependence also infuses the cultural richness and diversity of our region. To me, it is unthinkable to disrupt the crossings. If anything, we ought to be continuing to foster more rapid and easy crossings. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: A significant portion of labor comes into San Diego every day, and not all of this is unskilled. Some of this labor includes lawyers, engineers, and programmers. San Diego businesses impacted include roofers, contractors, landscapers, farmers, hotels, restaurants, moving companies and the list goes on. There could be billions of dollars of potential economic impact affecting some 65,000 workers and countless businesses. Jamie Moraga, IntelliSolutions YES: We are a cross-border economy, so any shutdowns or disruptions would impact us locally. The San Ysidro border is one of the busiest border crossings in the world. The San Diego Chamber of Commerce estimates we have 73 million crossings a year and that the regions $255 billion gross regional product depends on cross-border commerce. Its been reported that San Ysidro businesses suffered an estimated $5.3 million-dollar loss with the shutdown on Nov. 25. Industries that could be affected include manufacturing, electronics, tourism, automotive, aerospace and motor vehicle parts, and e-commerce. Austin Neudecker, Rev YES: The San Ysidro border crossing is vital to the flow of goods and labor in our region. Our economies are inextricably linked, with both sides benefiting. The escalating fear-mongering will lead to increased tension and irrational behaviors (as we witnessed last weekend) that will only hurt both populations (a combined 5 million people in a single metropolitan area). Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates YES: Most likely, the economic impact would be several million dollars per day but would not last. While that would be a major burden to San Ysidro, the impact on San Diego would not be significant unless disruptions were frequent or long term. Because avoiding further disruption will require a team effort between federal, state and local officials, all bets are off. We must have a very strong border that allows for legal commerce. Lynn Reaser, Point Loma Nazarene University YES: Disruptions could devastate many San Ysidro stores, especially those in the Las Americas Premium Outlets, who depend on November-December sales. Tourism between San Diego and Tijuana faces losses, while delays could impede commercial trucking. Exports and imports will be impacted. Landscaping firms, construction companies, hotels and restaurants also face increased absences or scheduling problems due to tardiness. San Diegos economy is big enough to survive disruptions, but they will cause significant pain. John Sarkisian, Motion Ventures Not participating this week. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: The San Diego economy relies on a substantial workforce that crosses the border each day to work in the hospitality, manufacturing, service and other sectors. Closing the San Ysidro Port of Entry would be disruptive and costly to local businesses and their customers. The closure would also divert truck traffic to an already busy Otay Mesa Port of Entry, creating costly delays for trading partners on both sides of the border. Have an idea for an EconoMeter question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com. Follow me on Twitter: @PhillipMolnar Marriott International Inc. announced Friday that a data breach lasting four years has compromised the personal information of up to 500 million of its hotel guests worldwide. The breach, one of the largest ever, raises questions about whether companies have enough incentive to protect peoples private information. The compromised data include passport numbers, dates of birth and potentially credit card information, in addition to contact information such as mailing addresses and email addresses. Consequences in the United States are uncertain, but new laws in Europe could stick the global hotelier with hundreds of millions of dollars in fines. The security breach affected the reservation system of Starwood, a hotel company Marriott acquired in 2016, and affected guest information for reservations made from an unspecified date in 2014 through Sept. 10 of this year. Starwood properties include W Hotels, St. Regis, Sheraton, Westin, Element, Aloft, the Luxury Collection, Le Meridien, Four Points, and Starwood-branded timeshares. Advertisement The Bethesda, Md., company said that the amount of data exposed varied from guest to guest. For about 327 million, stolen data may have included contact information, passport number, date of birth, gender information, arrival and departure information, reservation date and Starwood Preferred Guest account information. Others had more limited exposure. An unspecified number of payment card numbers and expiration dates were also exposed. Marriott said that the card information was encrypted but that the attacker may have obtained the keys to decrypt it. We fell short of what our guests deserve and what we expect of ourselves, Chief Executive Arne Sorenson said in a statement. We are doing everything we can to support our guests, and using lessons learned to be better moving forward. Marriotts stock slid 5.6% on Friday to $115.03 a share. Marriott said that it was sending email notifications to those who may have been affected and that residents of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom would be eligible for a free year of enrollment in WebWatcher, an identity fraud alert system. The U.S. State Department did not appear concerned about the exposure of passport numbers. It said that it would like to assure U.S. citizens that the U.S. passport book and passport card are highly secure documents, and that no one can travel or access State Department records with just a passport number. Marriott said it was first alerted to a potential breach Sept. 8 and found that a cache of information had been copied, encrypted and possibly removed by an unknown hacker. On Nov. 19, the company managed to decrypt the files and discovered the magnitude and nature of the breach. In a regulatory filing, the company said that it could not yet estimate the financial impact of the breach but noted that it does carry cyber insurance. A July 2018 study commissioned by IBM and carried out by the Ponemon Institute, a data security think tank, found that the average cost of a data breach for affected companies amounted to $148 per stolen record. But most of the breaches included in the study were far smaller than the Marriott hack. Ponemon Institute Chairman Larry Ponemon said that for mega breaches, in which more than 1 million records are affected, economies of scale kick in. Once you have more than 50 million records, it goes down to around $7 a record, Ponemon said Friday. These mega breaches are rare, but theyre starting to become less rare, and thats scary. Calculating the cost to people whose data has been compromised is more difficult, Ponemon added. The average person right now, unbeknownst to most of them, has their names in at least four data breaches, which makes connecting one breach to a particular incidence of identity fraud almost impossible. But experts say many companies continue to have a startlingly lax approach to data security. Ive been saying for years, if you want to fix this, you need to regulate these companies, cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier said. We need actual fines. The market rewards lousy security. We find that organizations that spend the money on security up front can probably count on cost savings, Ponemon said. But some organizations see data breaches as cost of doing business if they have a data breach, theyll be able to pay the fee and hire the law firm and deal with regulators. The companies affected by the most notorious recent data breaches have suffered some consequences, both from market forces and from regulators. In 2017, Yahoo confirmed that every single one of its 3 billion user accounts had been compromised, leaving hackers with names, emails, phone numbers, birth dates and hashed passwords (which are difficult to decrypt). After the breach was announced, Verizon Communications knocked $350 million off its $4.83-billion offer to buy Yahoos core internet business. This April, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reached a $35-million settlement with Altaba the investment company created out of the Yahoo holdings Verizon did not buy for failing to disclose the breach for almost two years. And in October, Altaba and Verizon settled two class-action suits, one brought by affected users and the other by investors, for a total of $165 million. The 2017 Equifax debacle still reigns supreme as the most potentially damaging for consumers. Hackers got into the credit reporting firms database and stole the Social Security numbers, dates of birth, home addresses and, in some cases, drivers license and credit card numbers of 147 million people nearly half the U.S. population. Equifaxs stock price crashed after the company disclosed the breach, but one year later, the shares had regained nearly all of their value. The stock has since taken a hit, but only in response to a disappointing third-quarter earnings report. In filings, the company said that the breach has cost a total of $384 million in improved security technology and crisis management, $125 million of which was covered by insurance. The company expects to have $3.4 billion in revenue this year. To date, Equifax has faced fines only in the UK, where it was hit with the minimum fine of about $640,000 for compromising the information of 15 million Britons. Under the more stringent General Data Protection Regulation laws which have since taken effect across Europe, the company could have been fined up to 4% of its annual revenue, which would be well above $100 million. Marriott will weather the bad press and nothing will happen, Schneier said. Equifax was bigger than this. Almost every American had their information stolen. There were angry congresspeople on both sides of the aisle. A year later, nothing happened. You must raise the cost of insecurity otherwise it will keep happening. The Marriott breach might prove a fertile testing ground for Europes new GDPR rules, which stipulate that companies must report a breach involving information about European Union citizens within 72 hours. Graham X Doyle, a spokesperson for the Irish agency responsible for GDPR enforcement, said the agency had not received any official notification from Marriott and was reaching out to the company to see if Irish customers had been affected. Marriott said that it reported the incident to law enforcement agencies, but did not say which or when. In early November, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) proposed a bill that would make data breaches much more painful for companies in the United States. It would mirror the GDPR fine of 4% on revenue and allow for executives who knowingly mislead federal authorities about their companies data security to be punished with $5-million fines and up to 20 years in prison. Following Marriotts announcement of the data breach Friday, the attorneys general of New York and Texas each opened an investigation. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), co-founder of the Senate cybersecurity caucus, said the United States needs laws that will limit data collection. And within hours of the announcement, a law firm asked a court in Maryland to grant class-action status to a suit accusing Marriott of negligence, breach of confidence and deceptive and unfair trade practices. Times staff writer David Pierson contributed to this report. UPDATES: 4:55 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with Times staff reporting. 8:50 a.m.: This article was updated with the New York Attorney General opening an investigation. 7:05 a.m.: This article was updated with background information and comments from an analyst. This article was originally published at 5:15 a.m. Baja California tour operator Turista Libre regularly offers a couple of enticing Tijuana excursions that allow visitors to experience a gastronomic sampling of ethnic foods or, if they prefer, a close-up look at the U.S.-Mexico border itself, including prototypes for President Trumps hoped-for border wall. Trouble is, there are few, if any, takers these days for the weekend tours that sell for about $60. As news of growing tensions surrounding the migrant crisis in Tijuana builds and fears of potential border crossing shutdowns persist, tourism in Baja California is taking a big hit. Getting a table at popular celebrity chef-helmed restaurants is not a problem, occupancies at hotels from Tijuana to Ensenada are tumbling, and doctor and dentist offices that rely heavily on San Diego-area patients are reporting cancellations that have led to a drop-off in medical tourism business of as high as 70 percent. Advertisement What weve been experiencing is on par with the rest of the businesses across the border, about a 50 to 60 percent decrease since the caravans (from Central America) began arriving and since its been front and center, said Derrik Chinn, a former San Diego journalist who started Turista Libre about a decade ago to give visitors a way to experience Mexico like an insider. He says he has lost about $4,000 to $5,000 in business so far and has had to cancel five tours planned for the last two weekends. At first, it was alarming to me but it reminded me of why Turista Libre came to be, to allow people to change their minds about how sensationalized Tijuana had become. My concern is how long will it take for this ripple effect to subside. Aside from the border shutdown last Sunday, things in the city seem pretty normal if only people would sign up for tours. Among visitors greatest fears, say the owners of tourist-friendly businesses, are potentially huge delays at border crossings or being trapped in Mexico should there be another hours-long shutdown at the border like the one that occurred last Sunday at the San Ysidro crossing. A tweet at the time by Trump threatening more border shutdowns because of asylum-seeking migrants has only exacerbated fears. Even before that, Chinns company started receiving emails from clients reluctantly canceling reservations because of what they were hearing about tensions at the border. I think I need to pull the plug on this, one person wrote about plans for an upcoming private tour. I dont want to, but about 30% of my staff has backed out due to the border situation. Ill for sure be back (have done your tour twice now and loved it), but just dont think this time its going to work out. I had been monitoring things, but had no idea the caravan would arrive at Tijuana this quickly, wrote another. We are beyond disappointed, but obviously would like to schedule this for another time. While Baja California is returning to record levels of tourism, the latest short-term slump is a reminder that the region is not invulnerable to outside forces, most notably the violent criminal activity that has previously dampened visitation to Mexico. Just a week ago, two San Diego teenagers were killed execution-style in a triple homicide at a Tijuana apartment complex in a neighborhood known to be a high-crime area. San Diegos cruise industry is a perfect example of the financial fallout from criminal activity south of the border. Although it is rebounding, it suffered enormously several years ago when reports of violent crimes near Mexican Riviera destinations discouraged cruise ships from scheduling itineraries in the area, and some ships left completely. Baja California is coming off of two of its most successful years for tourism, notes Ives Lelevier, undersecretary of tourism for the region. Last year the state welcomed 27 million visitors, he said, up from 25 million the year before. But news of the waves of Honduran immigrants has depressed hotel occupancies, with rates down an average of 16 percent for Baja California over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the tourism ministry. The decline ranged from just 4 percent in Mexicali to 33 percent in San Felipe, the tourism ministry reported. What weve been doing for the last 10 days is providing visitors with information on our website on whats going on with the border crossings and the airports, Lelevier said. Were trying to be very honest and objective so visitors can plan ahead. Sometimes people dont have the proper perspective, and it is difficult for them to know its a very specific part of the city where the migrants are, and that the rest of the city is business as usual. Antonio Gamboa, owner of a well-known food truck park in Tijuana, says you would never know there are thousands of migrants encamped in the city if you were to visit his Telefonica gastro park, yet business there is down 30 percent. Offerings of vegan carne asada tacos, seared tuna platters, ramen, poke and micro beers regularly entice American visitors, but fears of more border shutdowns or long waits crossing back into San Diego have discouraged visits, he said. We rely heavily on tourists over here at the gastro park because a lot of people tend to their medical needs in Tijuana, and we have a lot of locals from San Diego who know us, and they want the best Mexican food so they come over to us because its in a very nice, safe spot in Tijuana, Gamboa said of his 4-1/2-year-old downtown Tijuana operation. Its very disappointing because everything is normal in Tijuana, and its a very isolated area where the migrants are. Similarly, well-known restaurateur and chef Javier Plascencia has seen holiday party cancellations at his signature gourmet restaurant, Mision 19, and slowing business at his familys most popular eatery, Caesars, where open tables are a rarity. Both restaurants are in Tijuana. Two small boutique hotels that Plascencia runs in the Valle de Guadalupe wine region, however, remain unaffected, he says, by what is going on at the Tijuana border. I think savvy travelers who know Baja are coming through Otay or Tecate (border crossings), he said. We had a good amount of tourists in Valle de Guadalupe last weekend but they are regulars and know their way around. Tours to the more distant Valle de Guadalupe, about a 1-1/2-hour drive from Tijuana, have in fact been much less affected, said Fernando Gaxiola, owner of the travel concierge company Baja Wine + Food, which also organizes culinary visits to Tijuana. He is being cautious, just the same, in organizing his December excursions to the valley. He is planning them so that the final winery visits of the day are located in the northeastern part of the valley, making it easier for the tour groups to return to the U.S. via the Tecate port of entry. I have no requests for trips to Tijuana. No one wants to go, but for the Valle, were scheduling lots of trips, Gaxiola said. People are asking about the situation, theyre asking is it good timing. We let them know there is no reason yet to stop traveling. And during the weekend, the border waits have been minimal because no one is crossing. Meanwhile, the Rosarito Beach Hotel, long popular with Baja California-bound American tourists, has seen its business plummet by 60 percent, said owner Hugo Torres. The hotel has sought to counter news reports with reassuring emails to its thousands of past customers, but Torres worries that visitors will be reluctant to return. Were sending word that everything is back to normal as far as crossing the border, but we cannot guarantee it (a closure) wont happen again, Torres said. Mexicans are going across (to San Diego) like crazy for the specials at Macys and other stores, so for the businessmen in San Diego its back to normal 100 percent. But we are suffering. People are afraid to come over and get trapped going home. That apparently is also the thinking behind many of the cancellations medical offices are seeing in recent weeks. In order to make up for lost business as patients cancel consultations and surgeries, members of the Tijuana medical association announced Friday they would be offering discounts and benefits for local and U.S. patients. The group also plans to connect with tourism authorities on both sides of the border to secure additional discounts in restaurants and hotels in Tijuana and other Baja California municipalities. Georgina Carabarin, a Tijuana prosthodontist, said she has seen a significant decline in her business since the arrival of Central American migrants. As many as 70 percent of her patients come from San Diego, she said. Right now, were hoping everything goes back to normal, she said. On the news, they keep saying there are more people coming, so some patients are saying lets wait for the situation to cool down and then well set up another appointment later. Business lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-2251 Twitter: @loriweisberg A group of Carlsbad residents has filed a lawsuit against San Diego County in an attempt to overturn the Board of Supervisors approval of the McClellan-Palomar Airport Master Plan Update. At issue is a provision in the update that allows the extension of the airports only runway by up to 800 feet. Opponents of the update said the longer runway would bring more traffic, noise and pollution and that it amounts to an expansion of the airport. The county and others, including independent consultants hired by the Carlsbad City Council, say the longer runway is not an expansion, because the airports boundaries wont change, and that the extension and other improvements are needed to safely accommodate present and future aircraft at the 1950s-era facility. Advertisement The group Citizens for a Friendly Airport claims the Master Plan Update approved Oct. 10 by the county Board of Supervisors is inadequate because of a lack of transparency in the planning process and deficient environmental studies. Too little is known about the business plan for the airport in the years ahead and about greenhouse gasses that would be released by the proposed construction, said Hope Nelson, a representative of the citizens group. Part of the runway extension would be built over an old landfill. We are concerned about the quality of water and what the impact is going to be of digging up the landfill, Nelson said. County officials declined requests Friday to comment on the lawsuit. The four supervisors who voted for the airport update expressed enthusiasm for the plans. Supervisor Kristin Gaspar excused herself from the discussion and vote, saying her family owns a business at the airport. Ive always wanted the runway lengthened, said Supervisor Bill Horn, whose district includes Carlsbad, at the October meeting. I think Palomar Airport is an extremely important asset to the entire county of San Diego. Horn and Supervisor Greg Cox said the Carlsbad airport helps to take some of the pressure off the crowds at Lindbergh Field in San Diego. Traffic at the Carlsbad airport peaked in 1999, with nearly 300,000 takeoffs and landings. Traffic dropped to less than half that by 2007 with declines in the economy, tourism and domestic travel, before leveling off. Also, since the 1990s the airport has transitioned from mostly private, single-engine planes to larger corporate and commercial aircraft. The newer planes are quieter, have longer wingspans, and land or take off at higher speeds. The larger aircraft need a longer runway and more space between the runway and the airports parallel taxiway. The master plan update outlines the potential development of the airport over the next 20 years. It replaces a previous plan completed in 1997. Work on the update began in 2015 and included a series of public meetings with county staffers, consultants and community members. The airport, at the northwest corner of Palomar Airport Road and El Camino Real, is owned and operated by San Diego County. While its near the geographic center of Carlsbad, the city has little control over any of the activities there. Other improvements outlined in the update include shifting the airports runway and its taxiway to the north to provide a greater separation between the two, and the installation of safety systems that can stop aircraft in emergencies at both ends of the runway. Any improvements are still years away, because so far no money is available for construction. Approval of the Master Plan Update allows county officials to proceed with details of the various development projects and apply to the Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies for the grant money they need. philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl BEIJING, Nov. 30 -- China-U.S. relations concern not only the well-being of both peoples but also world peace and stability, experts and officials from across the world have said. In the lead-up to a scheduled meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on the sidelines of this year's Group of 20 (G20) summit in Argentina, an international chorus has been growing louder for the two countries to forge a path toward win-win cooperation, something that would not only serve the interests of both countries but the entire world. RIGHT CHOICE China and the United States share vast potential for cooperation as the world's two largest economies. The development of China-U.S. ties since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 39 years ago perfectly illustrates that their relationship has always been a win-win cooperation in nature. The United States and China share common global interests such as counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, and prevention of epidemics, said Douglas Paal, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "Engagement and balancing should be the only option for U.S. China policy," Paal said. Michael Swaine, senior associate in Asia Program at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that the 21st century has witnessed the emergence of all these transnational issues that came to light, such as climate change, food issues and international crime. "All these issues emerge now that demanded levels of cooperation between the great powers and particularly between the U.S. and China, such that you needed that cooperation in order to address these problems. You couldn't really address them otherwise," Swaine said. Zhao Suisheng, a professor with the University of Denver, said China-U.S. relations have seen ups and downs and have gone through bouts of immense cooperation and competition since they established diplomatic ties. However, as the world's largest economies, they are ly tied to one another, Zhao said, adding that strengthening cooperation and promoting a healthy development of bilateral ties serve the fundamental interests of both sides. CANDID DIALOGUE China and the United States have established four high-level dialogue mechanisms covering the areas of diplomacy and security, economic issues, social and people-to-people exchanges, as well as law enforcement and cyber security. These candid and constructive dialogues will help diminish divergencies and strengthen cooperation, a benefit for the entire international community, experts stress. Given the four decades of diplomatic interactions between the United States and China, the rise and fall of the bilateral ties are not unprecedented, Paal said. "I don't see the current relations are that difficult as some claimed." Senior officials of the two countries just co-chaired the second China-U.S. diplomatic and security dialogue in Washington earlier this month, and there are plenty of channels and dialogue for Beijing and Washington to communicate and coordinate bilaterally, he said. "The Cold War-designed containment and confrontational strategy do not serve long-term interests of the United States, and it would not get the support of any other countries," Paal added. David Skorton, secretary and chief of the Smithsonian Institution based in Washington, said he holds a positive and optimistic point of view about the two nations' cultural and people-to-people communications in the future. "We don't set policy, nor do our colleagues who are scientists or historians or artists, but we can work together about the issues that we can share ... to try to find a way to understand each other better and in that way the civil societies can come together," Skorton added. Alicia Barcena, executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), said as the world's largest economies, China-U.S. relations have a huge multilateral impact. "We must not leave China and the United States alone," Barcena said, adding that "the international community should accompany" the dialogue between the two countries to properly settle problems. TOP-LEVEL MEETING The upcoming meeting between Chinese and U.S. heads of state at the G20 summit has drawn wide attention. All relevant sides expect the head-of-state diplomacy will continue to strategically guide the development of China-U.S. relations. "We know that the initiative to have the phone conversation was from Trump, and it further demonstrated Trump's consistent willingness of maintaining a good personal relationship with President Xi," Paal said. Ronaldo Costa Filho, undersecretary general for economic and financial affairs of Brazil's Foreign Ministry who also coordinates G20 affairs, said China-U.S. relations are essential to the healthy development of the global economy. Costa said he hoped that the two countries' leaders will have a constructive dialogue during the G20 summit. "We do hope the two countries' leaders will build bridges for further communication." "The world is at a bit of crossroads in terms of continuing with globalization, putting right the mistakes or moving towards a more protectionist approach," said Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club, expressing hope that China and the United States will settle their problems and prevent future conflict. (Xinhua reporters Liu Pinran, Liu Chen, Zhu Dongyang, Jin Yuelei and Liu Jie in Washington, Zhao Yan in Rio de Janeiro, Fan Xiaolin in Havana, Li Jiarui in Mexico City, Yang Shilong and Li Feihu in New York, Wang Huihui, Jinjing and Sun Xiaoling in London contributed to this story.) The Vista City Council voted last week to sever its contract with a merchants association that was charged with managing assessment fees to help promote and improve the citys downtown area. The council terminated its contract with the Vista Village Business Association to administer the Central Vista Business Improvement District, an assessment district that the merchants pay into. Officials expressed concern that the body wasnt living up to the responsibilities it was tasked with, including planning community events downtown. Theyve been a diligent group of volunteers with the best intentions of downtown at heart, Vista Economic Development Director Kevin Ham. However, they have not been able to perform with several (tasks) we need them to do. The final straw for the City Council came at Tuesdays meeting, when representatives of the business association were scheduled to provide a presentation on their activities and accomplishments, but no one showed up. That persuaded council members that the business association was in over its head managing the assessment fees. Advertisement It has not been a good business model, and it has not been successful, Councilwoman Amanda Rigby said. The business association has been in operation since the late 1980s, Ham said, and merchants have paid into the assessment district since the 1990s. The results have been mixed over the years. In 2010, the city held a hearing to take comments from local merchants about their support for or objections to the mandatory fees. While some said they appreciated the support, others said they didnt think the events benefited their particular businesses. Over the years, the city assessment fees have been managed alternately by the city and the business association. For the past three years, the city has contracted with the business association to handle the funds, but council members ultimately decided to pull the plug on the contract for the current fiscal year. The downtown assessment district raises $53,000 per year from 283 businesses in the area along Vista Village Way and South Santa Fe Avenue. That includes annual assessments ranging from $67 to $750, depending on the size, type and location of the business. The city provided an additional $20,000 grant to the organization for this fiscal year, above and beyond the merchant fees. Councilman Joe Green said he was particularly concerned about disarray in the merchants association because the city had contributed public money to their efforts. It puts us in a difficult situation to give taxpayer dollars to an organization without a lot of accountability, Green said. That money is earmarked for special events that help draw visitors to the downtown area, Ham said. Those include activities such as Rod Run, a downtown car show; Taste of Vista, which showcases the citys restaurants and breweries; or a planned Family Fun Day. Most of that money, however, has remained unspent, Ham said, as the organizations plans havent materialized. For instance, the organization aimed to develop an event called First Fridays, which would take place each month, said Dave Lowen, owner of the civil engineering and surveying business ACAL, a member of the Vista Village Business Association, who served as chair of the business improvement district. After the first such event early this year, the district didnt stage another one until October, he said. From my perspective, we missed a golden opportunity, because that first Friday event was hugely successful, he said. The business association will continue to plan and present its Winterfest, scheduled for Sunday, Ham said. Theyre going to complete that, he said. Well pay them out, per the contract. After that, city staff will take over the districts functions, and finish up planned events and projects for the rest of the fiscal year. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan Protesters angry about rising taxes clashed with French police for a third straight weekend and more than 100 were arrested Saturday. Pockets of demonstrators built makeshift barricades in the middle of streets in central Paris, lit fires, sprayed graffiti on the Arc de Triomphe and threw rocks at officers. Protesters, including some wearing black hoods, piled up large plywood planks and other material in the middle of a street near the Arc de Triomphe and set the debris ablaze. Police fired tear gas and used water cannons to try to push back the protesters who gathered around the Arc de Triomphe. Some demonstrators responded by throwing large rocks. Others removed the barriers protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I, under the monument, to pose near its eternal flame and sing the national anthem. They were then dispersed by police. Advertisement Graffiti sprayed onto the Arc de Triomphe wrote: yellow jackets will triumph, in reference to the fluorescent vests protesters wear. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said some protesters attacked police forces with a rarely seen violence, leading to the arrest of at least 107 people. Speaking at Paris police headquarters, Philippe said more than 5,000 protesters were on and around the Champs-Elysees avenue. Authorities said 5,000 police were deployed in Paris to try to contain the protests. Several hundreds of peaceful protesters passed through police checkpoints to reach the Champs-Elysees. They marched on the famed avenue behind a big banner that read, Macron, stop taking us for stupid people. Access to the Champs-Elysees was closed to cars and strictly monitored by police with identity checks and bag inspections. In addition to rising taxes, demonstrators are furious about President Emmanuel Macrons leadership. Rabah Mendez, a protester who came from a southern suburb to march peacefully in Paris, said, people say its difficult to reach the end of the month. People work and pay a lot of taxes, and we are fed up. Paris resident Hedwige Lebrun said, The purchasing power is severely diminishing every day. And then: taxes, taxes and taxes. And the state is asking us to tighten our belts, but they, at the contrary, live totally above all standard with our money. All subway stations in and around the famous avenue were closed for security reasons, Paris public transport company RATP said. The clashes in Paris contrasted Saturday with protests in other French regions, where demonstrations and road blockades were largely peaceful. The protests, which began with motorists demonstrating against a fuel tax hike, now involve a broad range of demands related to the countrys high cost of living. Last week, French authorities said 8,000 people demonstrated on the Champs-Elysees. Some of the protesters torched barriers and plywood boards. Police fired tear gas and water cannons to push back angry demonstrators. Since the movement kicked off Nov. 17, two people have been killed and hundreds injured in accidents stemming from the protests. Meanwhile, hundreds of road blockades were also held quietly across the country. It started as just another day in the vice presidency of George H.W. Bush. He unveiled a plaque at the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth where President Kennedy had spent his last night alive and delivered a speech to a convention of cattle raisers. Next on the agenda was a speech in Austin to the Texas Legislature. The vice president boarded Air Force Two and settled into his seat for the short flight to the state capital. Outside, it was bright and clear, fields of green stretching in all directions, not a hint something had gone terribly wrong 1,300 miles away on a gray afternoon in Washington. It was just after 2:45 p.m. EST on March 30, 1981, when a knock on his cabin door ushered in a dramatic and traumatic day that tested Bush, associates say, and revealed his character as a composed leader under fire a trait that he displayed again and again as president. Advertisement A Secret Service agent burst into the room. Sir, weve just received word about a shooting in Washington. There is no indication that the president has been hit. Word is that two agents are down. Thats all we have right now. But Im going to make some calls and see if I can get some more information. As Bush would learn, the initial report was horrifically wrong. Vice President George H.W. Bush is briefed by advisors and Cabinet members on the assassination attempt on President Reagan before delivering a speech to the nation. (Ronald Reagan Presidential Library) President Reagan had indeed been shot outside the Washington Hilton Hotel, and far more seriously hurt than the public was told at the time. Wounded in the chest, Reagan was in shock and would lose more than half his blood. The would-be assassins bullet was lodged just an inch from his heart. Reports from Washington were sketchy, and Air Force Two did not have secure voice communication. When Secretary of State Alexander Haig called Bush to alert him to the situation, they could barely hear each other over thick static. Haig was forced to send a secure teletype relaying that Reagan had indeed been wounded, was in serious condition and doctors were weighing whether to operate. They ultimately did. The mood in Air Force Two was grim as it streaked back to Washington. The vice president, staffers and three members of Congress stared transfixed at a small black-and-white TV set that had in-and-out reception as it broadcast news reports of the shooting and its aftermath. As the plane made a quick stop in Austin to refuel, Bush prayed for President Reagan and the nation. He scribbled some notes on a flight information card, reflecting that it had taken about 20 minutes for the enormity of the situation to hit him. He also granted an interview to one of his aides, Chase Untermeyer, to capture his thoughts for posterity. Bush said he felt terrible about what had happened. The 56-year-old former oilman, member of Congress and CIA director had once been bitter political adversaries with Reagan. But since joining Reagans ticket in the 1980 campaign, they had formed a close personal bond. Bush now considered the president a true friend. It pained him to watch replays on TV of the shooting. You see a guy get into a car, waving, Bush told Untermeyer, and you think, How could anybody shoot that nice guy? Despite the turmoil, the vice president remained cool as he pondered his awesome responsibility if Reagan were to die. He was particularly concerned that the Soviet Union might use its military to put down labor unrest and dissent in Poland, or move aggressively to take advantage of the confusion in Washington. Ive been doing my reading on national security matters, Bush said, and was convinced he could make tough decisions. Ive got to sort those things out, absorb it, but I dont feel any lack of confidence . My every inclination is to be calm; not churning around. His staffers, who were not nearly so collected as they struggled to comprehend the enormity of what had happened, admired their boss poise. My chief memory of that day was his great sense of calm, of being in control and in command, Untermeyer told The Times in an interview Saturday. If there was any emotion to note in particular, [it was] concern for his new friend Ronald Reagan. Vice President George H.W. Bush leads a meeting in the White House Situation Room after the assassination attempt on President Reagan. (Ronald Reagan Presidential Library) Bush was also worried about Nancy Reagan and how she was faring. Is anybody holding her hand? he wondered. As the plane neared Washington, Bush learned that doctors had removed the bullet from Reagans left lung and stopped the bleeding. The president was stable and going to make it. But he was not yet conscious and had a tough recovery ahead. Bush knew everyone was looking to him for leadership. The Secret Service recommended that Bush, upon landing at Andrews Air Force Base, fly by helicopter directly to the White House. It was the safest and fastest way to get him to the Situation Room, where he could take control of the government. Landing on the South Lawn would also make for dramatic television, but Bush didnt think it was a good idea. The vice president instead insisted the chopper fly to his official residence at the Naval Observatory, where he would hop in a motorcade to the White House. It would take longer, but Bush didnt want to signal the situation was more dire than it was. It would be far better to play it low-key, he said. Only presidents land on the South Lawn, he noted, and he wasnt the president. On a personal level, he felt, landing at the White House would be disrespectful to the first lady the landing pad was not far from her bedroom window. Once in the Situation Room, Bush took a chair at the head of the table, was briefed on Reagans condition and the state of global affairs, and urged everyone to be deliberate and cautious. He next delivered a short, nationally televised statement from the press briefing room assuring the world that Reagan was doing better and the U.S. government was functioning. He took no questions from reporters before heading back to his office in the West Wing not the Oval Office to continue working. His presidency would come in its own time. Wilber, a staff writer in The Times Washington bureau, is the author of Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan. December 1, 1942 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. Tuesday, December 1, 1942 During World War II, nationwide gasoline rationing went into effect in the United States on Dec. 1, 1942. The U.S. Office of Price Administration (OPA) rationed gas to conserve wear on tires because rubber was desperately needed for the war effort. In San Diego, the new restrictions caused an immediate rush on Tijuana gas stations by American motorists eager to supplement the less than four gallons weekly allowed under basic A ration cards. Here are the first few paragraphs of the story: Gas Rationing Starts; Tijuana Seen as Leak OPA Seeks to Halt Flow of Fuel Into U.S. From Mexico San Diegans joined the national gasoline or mileage rationing program at midnight last night when the federal program to conserve rubber by limiting sales of auto fuel went into effect. Rationing began with the office of price administration still unsuccessful in its attempt to plug a prospective leak of unrationed gasoline into the United States from Tijuana pumps. Pleas for action went out from the OPA here but up to the time rationing got underway no orders had been issued to stop cars carrying unrationed Mexican gas into the United States in their tanks. MEXICANS SEEK WORD Instead, border guards reported reported receiving requests from Mexicans for information on whether they could bring across cans full of fuel to see them through on trips they had planned into the United States. J.A. Donnelley, chief attorney for the OPA here, said he was hopeful that action would be taken soon on his requests to halt the flow of gas from Mexico into the United States. At the same time he announced that rationing would be observed at army and navy commissaries and post exchanges, where, he said, gas would be sold to customers only under the rationing program. TIRE DEADLINE EXTENDED As rationing started, the OPA extended until Dec. 12 the time during which motorists may turn in their surplus tires. It was explained that the last-minute rush was too much for the receiving stations to cope with. Sale or gift to the government of all extra tires over five per passenger car was made a requirement to obtaining gasoline under rationing. Oil company tank trucks rumbled through the streets far into the night to meet the last minute rush of motorists anxious to start the rationing period with full tanks. Many of these companies reported that the business of the last three days exceeded that of any similar period here. View anniversary front pages online at sandiegouniontribune.com/150-years. For more from the Union-Tribune digital archives, go to newslibrary.com/sites/sdub. Searching is free, with registration. A fee is required to view full stories. A property tax projected to raise hundreds of millions of dollars annually to capture and clean up stormwater secured enough votes in this months election to pass, according to certified election results released Friday. Measure W, a parcel tax of 2.5 cents a square foot of impermeable space, earned 69.45% of the vote after all ballots had been processed and counted. It needed approval by a two-thirds majority to pass. The tax, which had been in the works for two years, will help cities across Los Angeles County meet their obligations under the federal Clean Water Act and associated permits given out by the state. Supporters said it would also help make the region more water resilient in the face of drought and climate change. Advertisement Revenue generated from Measure W will be used to pay for regional and municipal projects that improve water quality and may also increase water supply and provide community benefits such as parks or wetlands. Ten percent of the revenue will go to the L.A. County Flood Control District for administration. The tax will be imposed beginning in the countys next fiscal year, which starts July 1. nina.agrawal@latimes.com Twitter: @AgrawalNina In his soon-to-be-released documentary, They Shall Not Grow Old, based on actual World War I film footage, Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson explained that his grandfather had actually fought in the war. He offered this explanation for why he had taken on the project. I think its great if we can just pause for a moment and think about them for a bit because they are part of our family, part of us. We still carry their DNA lets pause in our modern lives for a second and think about what they went through, he told Britains Forces TV. Its a quote Poway CPA Robert Knight invokes to explain why he requested the Purple Heart award ceremony that took place Thursday for his great uncle William James Williams, Jr., 100 years after he died during a German U-boat attack in World War I. Williams had been one of the lucky ones who, unlike his younger brothers, wasnt drafted when the United States joined the war. But when a call came in early 1918 for machinists to enlist in the war effort of the Coast Guard which had been placed under U.S. Navy jurisdiction the previous year he and his best friend in Muskegon, Mich., signed up. Advertisement This photo of William James Williams, Jr., was believed to have been taken in 1916, two years before the Coast Guard fireman was killed at age 24 while on duty during World War I. His family members were just awarded a Purple Heart on his behalf. (Kirke Wrench photo) Less than seven months later, both he and his friend, Francis Frank Scott, had perished off the coast of Wales when their 190-foot Coast Guard cutter Tampa was torpedoed. It was on a mission of escorting supply convoys back and forth from Gibraltar to southern England and Wales. Only three bodies were ever recovered from the wreckage. It wasnt until President Harry S. Truman extended Purple Heart eligibility for members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard back to 1917 that the 115 Tampa crewmen, who died along with the Tampas 16 passengers, became eligible for Purple Hearts. The medal is reserved for those wounded or killed during war. And it wasnt until about six years ago, when Knight started researching his genealogy, that he stumbled across his great uncles background. Willie died in World War I, was all he had ever heard over the years from other family members, including his grandmother, Willies younger sister. Knight, 58, thought the doomed USCGC Tampa crew deserved more than being just a footnote in history. He researched U.S. Coast Guard records, discovered a list of crew members, set up a family tree dedicated to the Tampa crew on Ancestry.com, and began tracking down victims relatives to notify them of the Purple Heart eligibility. He also reached out to an archivist at the Coast Guard Historians Office in Washington, D.C. He learned that only 21 Purple Hearts so far had been awarded to the Tampas crew. A memorial was created at Arlington National Cemetery in 1928 for the Tampa casualties as well as 11 crew members of the Coast Guard cutter Seneca who had succumbed 10 days earlier when attacked while trying to salvage a torpedoed British steamer. Knight attended a remembrance service at the Washington, D.C., cemetery in September marking the 100-year anniversary of the disasters. On Thursday, he attended another ceremony this one for his great uncle Willie at the San Diego Coast Guard headquarters. Two of his uncles, one from San Diego and another from Guam, joined him there. President Harry Truman extended eligibility for Purple Heart awards back to 1917 for those serving in the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard killed or wounded in action. When Robert Knight learned of this, he arranged for a presentation honoring his great uncle in the Coast Guard. (Courtesy photo) This is the first Purple Heart ceremony weve conducted at Sector San Diego, said Lt. Cmdr. Chad Robuck, chief of the local Inspections Division. He called it a special moment for both the Coast Guard and Williams family that ensures he is properly recognized for his devotion to our country all the years later. Local commanding officer Capt. Joseph Buzzella, Jr. presented the medal and Mayor Kevin Faulconers veterans and active duty liaison, Darnisha Hunter, announced a proclamation of Nov. 29, 2018, as William James Williams, Jr. Day in the city of San Diego. Knight plans to create a shadowbox containing the Purple Heart, his great uncles photo and other mementos. Why should we remember something that happened 100 years ago involving people nobody knows? he asks rhetorically. I knew in my heart that it was the right thing to do. diane.bell@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1518 Twitter: @dianebellSD Facebook: dianebell.news San Diegos under siege, it seems. I dont recall ever feeling so pressured by global trends pressing against, but not quite breaching, our parochial walls. For weeks, its been really bad. Over there. To the north, monstrous fires blew away the horror of a mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, offering to the planet a blistered California face of metastasizing climate change. Advertisement The recent rain is a welcome mood change, but the personality of the future appears nearly immutable. In a recent chilling (is there any other kind?) report, environmentalist Bill McKibben summarizes what some 40 years of deception and denial about the effects of atmospheric poisoning have wrought. The deck headline to McKibbens Life on a Shrinking Planet, published in the New Yorker magazine, suggests the end game of the unfolding disaster: With wildfires, heat waves, and rising sea levels, large tracts of the earth are at risk of becoming uninhabitable. Inevitably, mass migrations toward affluent countries will be an ongoing condition of life, one of which we have long experience. To our south, within a stones throw of the border, thousands of dirt-poor refugees from Central America are camped out, dreamers fleeing violence to seek life, liberty and a job in the United States. Reports that the refugees in Tijuana are suffering from an outbreak of upper respiratory illness added a touchingly common factor to an already unbearable misery index. As San Diegans nurse seasonal colds, gripe about runny noses and coughs, how mortifyingly distant we are from those huddled masses sleeping on the cold, wet ground, clinging with grim determination to the tenuous safety of their caravan. Caravan. The word, suggesting mobile safety in numbers, packs a special resonance for me. My grandfather, Burris Jenkins, was a Kansas City newspaper editor and prominent Christian minister in his day. (Architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed his church after his first one burned down.) In 1939, Dad J, as he was called by his three sons, wrote his autobiography, titled Where My Caravan Has Rested. For an epigraph, he chose a Gypsy song that struck him as an apt metaphor for his own life: Where my caravan has rested Flowers I leave you on the grass, All the flowers of love and memory, You will find them when you pass. In a footnote, he explained that Gypsies leave some grass or a few flowers at the crossroads to show the other Gypsies following behind them the road they have taken. Dad Js life story opens with indelible memories of a wrathful road that could have inspired novelist John Steinbeck some 60 years later, substituting jalopies for covered wagons: In my boyhood days, Dad J wrote, I constantly saw caravans passing our old farm house; for we lived ten miles from the head of the Santa Fe and Oregon trails, which began at Independence, Missouri. Only a few years before, bands of Indians in war paint, mounted on mustangs both men and animals lean and hard-bitten had chased buffalo, deer and one another along this trail in hot summer and zero winter. I saw many a covered wagon, marked Colorado or Bust or California or Bust, head west on that road. All too often, they came back bust. I remember the gaunt men, women and children who stared out from under the canvas, black circles of hunger under their eyes, disappointment and hopelessness in the droop of their shoulders. Many, if not most, of the caravaners from Central America will go bust, too. The paradise of their longshot dreams will remain on the other side of a bridge too far to cross. Here, north of the border, south of the giant fires, we know life is no paradise. We could use more milk and honey for those in need, as the Salvation Armys bells remind us every Christmas season. But at the border, were faced with conditions that shock the conscience. Tijuana, our sister city, opened its door, allowing crude shelters. Because of our sulfurous border politics, however, the American response is ambivalent, alternating between compassion and militant self-defense against chaos. To be sure, the U.S. cant let these Central American asylum seekers into the country without due process, an impossibly high bar for most. (Fortunately, Tijuanas labor force can use a number of hard workers, relieving some of the disappointment.) But is it too much to hope that we can at least show in the humanity of our (reformed) immigration laws, in the ardent desire to ease the discomfort of desperate refugees huddled at the border that we comprehend who, at heart, these caravaners are as they leave their flowers by the side of the road. Us. When San Diego Judge Gale Kaneshiro needed a courtroom clerk back in 1989, she interviewed a few prospects, including Frieda McCurley. McCurley recalled turning the tables on the judge that day: I said, Now I have a few questions for you. First of all do you smoke? Because I do not like smoke. Then she asked if the judge was even-tempered. Because I cant work for anybody who one day is nice and the next day theyre barking at you, McCurley told her. Reassured on both scores, the two decided they could work together. And they continued to do so for nearly 30 years. Advertisement McCurley, 58, has ended their partnership by retiring. Her last day was Thursday. Superior Court judicial secretary Steve Silva, left, toasts the retirement of courtroom clerk Frieda McCurley at her farewell party on Friday. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) This is the end of an era, Kaneshiro said in a double interview in her courtroom on the 21st floor of San Diego Superior Court, where she and McCurley finished each others sentences and laughed over shared memories. Shes my one and only clerk. I think we are the longest judge-clerk team, Kaneshiro said . We are, McCurley chimed in. The judge threw a retirement buffet luncheon in the courtroom Friday, with more than 80 current and retired clerks, bailiffs, judges and attorneys stopping by to bid McCurley farewell. They praised McCurley for her work ethic, humor and knowledge of how to get things done at the courthouse. She was an expert on everything, said judicial secretary Steve Silva, who said he turned to McCurley for advice when he started working for the courts in 1995. San Diego Superior Court Judge Gale Kaneshiro, left, presided over a retirement buffet luncheon for courtroom clerk Frieda McCurley, right, (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) Kaneshiro noted, I guess our personalities are such that weve meshed and melded and grown old together. Weve worked very well. She has very high standards. And so does she, McCurley replied. McCurley, a native San Diegan raised in City Heights, went through paralegal training, then took a clerical job with the San Diego Municipal Court in 1983. She worked in a number of offices and courtrooms before becoming Kaneshiros clerk, tasked with keeping notes on court proceedings, organizing files, tracking trial exhibits and keeping uninvited visitors out of the judges chambers. Now these (clerks) are just off the streets, McCurley said. Really? You cant learn this stuff overnight. Kaneshiro was a deputy district attorney appointed to the Municipal Court bench in 1989 by then-Gov. George Deukmejian. When the Municipal court consolidated with Superior Court in 1998, Kaneshiro was elevated to the higher bench. She said seven other San Diego judges have been on the bench longer, but they have had multiple courtroom clerks because of promotions or retirements. The judge said she has urged McCurley to seek promotions, but, She refused. Kaneshiro presided over criminal trials for years, including notorious cases such as an internet pornography ring in 2005. McCurley had to organize and track thousands of photos and videos of lurid sex acts with children and lock the exhibits into a vault each day. Then-District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis challenged the judge over issues in that case, and kept felony trials out of Kaneshiros courtroom for a year. For years the judge also presided over mock cases, when schoolchildren would put the fairy tale Big Bad Wolf on trial. She has been assigned to the appellate division for the last six years. I tell new attorneys, treat the court clerks respectfully. If you dont, and you get on their bad side, youll find your case being called last. My bench is my home, but she runs the rest of the courtroom. McCurley said shed planned to retire at age 60, but recently decided to pull the plug. Im used to perfection over here. I was going to stay until 2020 until they started farming me out to other courtrooms, McCurley said. She is burning off vacation time until her official retirement date at the end of the year. She said she plans to move in with and care for her mother. Then, she said, they will travel together. Maybe see Italy or Toronto, maybe take in Broadway shows. Kaneshiro and McCurley agreed they will miss each other come Monday, when a new clerk sits in her work station just below the witness stand. Kaneshiro said shes not looking forward to breaking in new clerks who may rotate through her courtroom. I couldnt handle just any other clerk. If I have any complaints, Ill be calling supervisors, Kaneshiro predicted. pauline.repard@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @pdrepard Charities that feed homeless people and the needy will be able to register with the county rather than apply next year for food service permits usually associated with commercial kitchens, a move intended to make it easier for the groups to legally operate. Assembly Bill 2178, authored by state Assemblywoman Monique Limon (D-Santa Barbara) and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown earlier this year, goes into effect Jan. 1. It will amend the California Retail Food Code and create a new category for charities. Heather Buonomo, program coordinator with the food and housing division of the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health, said registration procedures under the new law should be ready by the start of the year. Under the amended code, small charities that serve prepacked food will be allowed to register with the county as limited-service charitable feeding operations. Advertisement Limon said the intent of the bill is twofold in that it will encourage more charities to provide food for the needy while also creating a level of oversight that will help ensure the programs follow proper health guidelines. As chair of the Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector, Limon said the idea for the bill emerged from discussions about what role nonprofits could play in addressing food waste and hunger. If youre someone who wants to feed people, what do you do? she said. And immediately, the feedback we got was, Oh, my god, you either have to be a full-blown nonprofit with a certain type of kitchen, or you cant do it, because theres no in-between. The bill creates that missing in-between for some charitable feeding operations with a streamlined permitting process that makes them exempt from requirements of the California Retail Food Code, with the exception of certain food safety rules. Stakeholders involved in the discussion of the new process included food banks, nonprofits and health agencies, which Limon said insisted that some sort of oversight was needed for the small feeding programs. Not all groups that serve meals will have to register. Large nonprofits that have soup kitchens, for instance, can continue to operate under the food-serving permits they already have with the county. Charities that distribute food through food banks also will not be affected. A lot of things thatll be in this legislation is much ado about nothing for us, said Jim Floros, president and CEO of the San Diego Food Bank. Floros said the food bank already has high standards and the 500-some agencies it works with all go through a review process before distributing food. For smaller charities, however, the new registration process could be helpful in creating more food pantries and feeding programs with safe guidelines. The rub is that a lot of these food pantries are small, he said. They dont have a lot of resources. They dont have the money to pay for permitting. Were more concerned about those agencies to make sure they can continue to do their work and theres not some onerous permitting. Buonomo said the new method will help such operations as mobile food pantries that serve pre-packaged and nonperishable food. Groups that feed people on the street also may register, but there will be some limitations on what is allowed. Charities registered with the county will be allowed to store and distribute whole uncut produce, prepackaged food items, commercially prepared food items such as food donated by restaurants or markets and commercial food items that are heated and prepared at their facilities, Buonomo said. This will be something that will be really great for a lot of those groups, she said. There really isnt anything in the current code to give a little more flexibility to do something like this in a safe manner, she said. Buonomo said some details such as the registration cost are still being worked out, and the Board of Supervisors will have to give final approval . AB 2178 was not without some early opposition. The most vocal opponent may have been Food Not Bombs, a global collective of food-sharing groups. Keith McHenry, a co-founder of Food Not Bombs, wrote on the organizations website that the group had adopted a policy of never applying for or accepting permits to share food, which it sees as an unregulated gift of compassion. McHenry also wrote that the bill would cause organizations like Food Not Bombs to pay expensive fees and work out of commercial kitchens or face arrest. Limon said the bill was a starting point to provide flexibility to counties, and legislators could return to the issue if some municipalities set fees too high or make registration prohibitive in some way. She also said laws already are in place that prohibit some food-sharing operations, and the intent of the bill was to allow groups to continue the practice lawfully. The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health has two upcoming sessions for charities to learn about the new registration process. The first is 11 a.m. to noon Jan. 9 at the Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank, 9850 Distribution Ave. in San Diego. Another is scheduled for 11 a.m. to noon Jan. 22 at North County Lifeline, 200 Michigan Ave. in Vista. Registration information is available online by visiting bit.ly/AB2178. 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 It was a surprise resignation that did not take many people by surprise. Gordon Walker has resigned as CEO of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, where he had worked since July 2017. The task force board of directors appointed chief operations officer Tamera Kohler as CEO immediately after accepting his resignation at their Thursday meeting. Just a month earlier, the board had granted Walker a six-month leave to perform missionary work in Rome, where he will help open a Mormon temple under construction. Even then, however, some board members expressed doubts about whether he would, or should, return. Board member Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Community Services in Escondido, said he was uncomfortable with granting the leave, and others questioned how the organization would function under uncertain leadership. Advertisement Walker had come to San Diego with what many saw as a proven track record for helping the homeless in Utah, where the population of chronically homeless people greatly decreased over his decade-long tenure there. Several people who have closely followed the homelessness issue in San Diego County, however, had mixed reactions about Walkers tenure in San Diego, where the population of people in shelters and on the street has not significantly changed. I wasnt surprised, former task force Chairman Thomas Theisen said about Walkers resignation. I thought when they made the announcement that it was a graceful and face-saving exit for both the task force and Gordon. A lot of people were not finding the task force taking the significant role that they should have been. Theisen was optimistic about the boards future under Kohler, a sentiment shared by several people, including San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. Tamera is a proven leader who is respected nationally for her work on reducing homelessness, and were fortunate to have her here in San Diego, he said in an e-mail. Her experience as COO of the task force will help ensure she moves seamlessly into the role of CEO. I look forward to working with her, as well as with Councilmember Ward in his new position as board chairman, as we build an effective regional approach to addressing San Diegos most pressing societal issue. Kohler joined the task force as COO in October 2017 with 18 years of experience with homelessness issues. She had worked with Walker in Utah, where she received a state Housing Coalition Project of the Year honor in 2016. She came to San Diego from Seattle, where she was division director of homeless strategy and investment for the city. Peter Seidler, San Diego Padres general partner and a philanthropist who supports homeless causes, called her appointment as CEO magnificent news for San Diego. She is a uniquely skilled and accomplished operations executive and, additionally, a proven strategic thinker and analytical executive, he said. She has earned the trust and respect of all the significant San Diego folks who are driving our city to best in class on homelessness. Dennis Stein, who produced the film Tony about a homeless man in San Diego and regularly attends task force meetings, had some praise for Walker but also said he was disappointed that the organization had not yet adopted a comprehensive plan. I think he really built a good team, Stein said. He came in when the Regional Task Force was just doing the point-in-time count and some other things. They had, like, five people, and now theres 25 people. Walter Philips, CEO of San Diego Youth Services and a task force board member, also credited Walker with helping transform the organization at a pivotal time. Walker had arrived shortly after the task force had merged with the Regional Continuum of Care. His role was helping to get the ball rolling, and now handing it to Tamera, Philips said, adding that he had been impressed with Kohler after working with her on youth homelessness and other issues. Deacon Jim Vargas, a task force board member and president and CEO of Father Joes Villages, also credited Walker with leading the organization during a time of transition. Gordon came into a newly formed organization, he said. It was different from what it had been in the past. He did a great job of restructuring in order to deliver on the mission that the board had set for the organization. Vargas said Walker increased the staff and brought a fundraising element to the organization, quickly getting known in the community and garnering financial support. Walker had often said that he had seen the regional political will to help the homeless grow over the past year, but Theisen faulted him for not capitalizing on it. Gordon was supposed to be the great unifier, bringing us together, said Theisen, who was head of the task force board of directors for four years before leaving in January 2017. He didnt capitalize on creating a unifying plan for the San Diego region. Theisen said the region still is not working together to help the homeless, and he cited separate landlord-incentive programs in the city of San Diego and the county as an example. Homeless advocate Michael McConnell, often critical of the regions efforts to help the homeless, speculated that the task force board welcomed the news that Walker was taking a leave as an opportunity to replace him. But I dont think anything matters at this point, he said. Its a non-event. Im not going to miss him because I cant figure out what he did. Lets hope they can get their act together from here. McConnell said he would be supportive of the new leadership, but also would hold them accountable. 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 WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 -- The White House said Friday that the cancellation of meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin was because of Russia's confrontation with Ukraine, rather than the ongoing Russia probe. The reason for the canceled meeting is Ukraine but the investigation "probably does undermine" the U.S. relationship with Russia, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. Sanders said she hopes that the Ukraine situation "will be resolved soon so that productive conversations can begin." A Kremlin spokesperson told Russia news outlets earlier that there will be a brief and impromptu meeting between Trump and Putin, despite the U.S. president's tweet on Thursday that their scheduled meeting in Argentina, the host of the ongoing Group of 20 (G20) summit, won't happen. "There is no scheduled pull-aside," an anonymous White House official told U.S. media later when asked to confirm the Russian media's report. The Ukrainian Navy said Sunday that Russian forces opened fire and seized three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait, adding that six Ukrainian military sailors were wounded, two of them in serious condition. Russian authorities said the Ukrainian ships breached the Russian border and conducted dangerous maneuvers in spite of orders of accompanying Russian vessels. The Ukrainian Navy said that it had informed Russia in advance about the passage of Ukrainian vessels from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait. The Ukrainian parliament supported a bill earlier this week imposing a martial law in certain regions for 30 days starting from Wednesday due to the tensions with Russia in the Sea of Azov. Sanders' statement came amid a week filled with new developments in the Russia inquiry led by special counsel Robert Mueller, who was looking into the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and any potential collusion between the Trump presidential campaign and Moscow. Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen reached a guilty plea with Mueller on Thursday to a count of making false statements to Congress about an aborted Trump Tower development project in Moscow. Cohen has been in discussions with Mueller's team, beginning in August and continuing through last week. In response, Trump told reporters that Cohen is "a weak person" who was lying to get a reduced sentence, as he defended the legality of his business activities when he was running for the president in 2016. "Against all odds, I decide to run for President &continue to run my business - very legal &very cool, talked about it on the campaign trail. Lightly looked at doing a building somewhere in Russia. Put up zero money, zero guarantees and didn't do the project. Witch hunt!" Trump tweeted Friday morning. Earlier this week, embattled former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was accused of repeatedly lying to investigators after pleading guilty to federal charges related to his work as an unregistered lobbyist for Ukraine -- prior to his time with the Trump campaign. Prosecutors alleged that Manafort had breached a plea agreement that he signed in September with Mueller, but his attorneys denied that he had lied to federal investigators. Mueller is reportedly considering new charges for Manafort. Trump has recently escalated attacks against the Mueller probe that he has frequently slammed as a "hoax" or "witch hunt." He has denied any wrongdoing or trying to shut down the investigation but has urged Mueller to wrap it up. Russia has repeatedly denied meddling in the U.S. elections. President Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, agreed to a cease-fire on trade after meeting for more than two hours Saturday after the close of the Group of 20 summit in the Argentine capital. Under the agreement, Trump wont raise tariffs while negotiations continue and China will purchase more U.S. agricultural and energy products, the White House said in a statement issued three hours after the meeting ended. This was an amazing and productive meeting with unlimited possibilities for both the United States and China, Trump said in a statement that marked a major de-escalation of rhetoric toward China. It is my great honor to be working with President Xi. The tenuous truce between the two leaders means that Trump is essentially backing off his threat to raise U.S. tariffs on $200 billion worth of goods from 10% to 25% on Jan. 1 for now. Advertisement President Trump and President Xi have agreed to immediately begin negotiations on structural changes with respect to forced technology transfer, intellectual property protection, non-tariff barriers, cyber intrusions and cyber theft, services and agriculture, said the statement from Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Both parties agree that they will endeavor to have this transaction completed within the next 90 days. If at the end of this period of time, the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the 10% tariffs will be raised to 25%. The proof of tonights pudding will be in the eating, said David Loevinger, a managing director at TCW Emerging Markets Group in Los Angeles and a former senior Treasury Department official for China affairs. There was clearly a lot more that wasnt agreed than was. Neither side is tying their hands. Trump and Xi met over a working dinner in Buenos Aires, where world leaders had convened against the backdrop of slowing global growth and mounting tensions on trade none more consequential than the conflict between the United States and China. It was the first face-to-face meeting for the two leaders in more than a year and the first since Trump launched the opening round of punitive tit-for-tat tariffs that have roiled financial markets and intensified worries of an emerging cold war with far-reaching repercussions. A cease-fire will be welcomed by businesses, consumer groups and others as it would avert, for now, Trumps previously announced move to boost tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods next month to 25% from the initially imposed tax of 10%. Many of these items are ordinary household products like vacuum cleaners. The talks came a day after Trump and his Mexican and Canadian counterparts signed a revised North American Free Trade Agreement after 13 months of often acrimonious negotiations. Trump hailed the deal as a major success for his administration, but it faces skepticism in Congress, which must approve it before it can take effect. Ahead of the dinner, analysts were projecting one of three possible outcomes: a grand bargain with substantive action steps; a superficial deal without clear commitments; or essentially the status quo. While details were sketchy, the result looked to be somewhere between the first and second. Xi was expected to offer to reopen Chinas market to American soybeans and other farm goods, as well as a commitment to address long-standing U.S. concerns that China is stealing U.S. intellectual property and that its policies discriminate against foreign companies and essentially coerce them to hand over technologies to gain access to Chinese markets. Some of Trumps top advisors, including U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, have sought to ratchet up pressure on Beijing, skeptical of its sincerity to make fundamental structural changes in its economic behavior. Under Xi, China has moved to enhance the role of the Communist Party and state-owned firms with a campaign to build up dominance in critical technologies and sectors. Several days ago, Trump said he was highly unlikely to hold off raising tariffs scheduled for Jan. 1. But he also has spoken with some relish of making a deal, in no small part because doing so and pulling back from the brink of a full-out trade war would likely bolster stocks and could help sustain Americas long economic expansion as he looks ahead to the 2020 election. Trump also has persistently noted his personal chemistry with Xi, from whom Trump needs help for his foreign policy goal and personal ambition to ease North Koreas nuclear threat. At the start of a dinner that featured sirloin steak and caramel rolled pancakes, Trump and Xi exchanged warm greetings. The Chinese leader said he was very saddened by the death of former President George H.W. Bush and that it was a great pleasure to meet with Trump, citing their personal friendship. Trump described their relationship as very special, adding, I think that is going to be a primary reason why well probably end up getting something that will be good for China and good for the United States. Sitting to Trumps right was Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and to his left Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. Because of Trumps unpredictability and the uncertainty of how much ground Xi was willing to give, their so-called working dinner was marked with suspense. It largely overshadowed the two-day proceedings of the G-20 summit, ostensibly the global forum for international economic cooperation. The leaders representing 85% of the world economy were marking the 10th anniversary of the G-20, but the summit was fraught with uncertainties over trade and the future path of multilateralism, particularly with the U.S. and China, the two biggest economies, seeming to barrel ahead like two oncoming trains. The U.S.-China discord hung over the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, during which the 21 members could not agree on a joint statement for the first time ever. At the conclusion of G-20, the parties issued a declaration but papered over major differences. The eight-page statement made only passing reference to trade tensions and no mention of the rising trend of protectionism and how it might hurt growth. U.S. officials, however, claimed success in that the communique noted the need for improving the World Trade Organization, the arbiter of international trade disputes that the Trump administration has criticized as ineffective in dealing with Chinas large-scale actions. With the G-20 agreeing on reforming the WTO, the U.S. and China could find more reason to allow international rules to resolve bilateral trade spats, instead of weaponizing trade, said Wallace S. Cheng, a trade expert based in Geneva. As in last years G-20 joint statement, the latest one noted Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris accord on climate change. But what was interesting, noted a senior U.S. official in Buenos Aires, is that this was one of the last issues to close because the countries who typically might agree couldnt agree with each other. The official said that youre seeing a little bit of the coalition fraying. Countries like Turkey, like Saudi Arabia, like Russia might be second-guessing some of that. Ahead of his dinner with Xi, Trump gave mixed signals about what could be expected. He called it a very important meeting, but then, referring to the death of George H.W. Bush on Saturday, said that the loss of the 41st president really puts a damper on it. Yet it appeared that aides representing both Trump and Xi had been quietly negotiating over long-distance in recent weeks to craft a deal that could allow the leaders to step back from the brink of a full-blown trade war. But both sides kept things under wraps over the last two days, with the Chinese side canceling most of its scheduled news conferences. Already the United States has slapped tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods, or about half of all imported products from China. Beijing has fired back by imposing similar tariffs on about $110 billion of American merchandise, or about 85% of all imports from the United States. Thus far, China has felt the greater pain from the exchange of tariffs, in part because the Asian country relies more on exports and its economy has been struggling with an overhang in debt and flagging property market. By comparison, the American economy has been sailing along, but White House economic advisors also are said to have warned Trump of slowing growth as stimulus from the big tax cuts wane and higher interest rates bite. While the dinner deal offered hope, the hard work remains, with the possibility that either leader, with big personal ambitions and domestic constituents to make happy, could pull the plug on a lasting detente. Moreover, a freeze or even a future pullback of all tariffs isnt likely to end tensions between Washington and Beijing as a rising China competes for supremacy with the United States in the Western Pacific, where the Chinese military has taken over and expanded a series of disputed islands and shoals. Times staff writer Eli Stokols contributed to this report. don.lee@latimes.com Twitter: @dleelatimes UPDATES: 6:55 p.m.: This article has been updated with Trump and Xi agreeing to a cease-fire on trade war. This article was originally posted at 10:20 a.m. A 32-foot sailboat capsized and ran aground on the Oceanside shoreline Saturday morning, authorities said. The boats skipper and only occupant was treated at a hospital for injuries to his feet and hands, said a friend. The incident was reported about 12:15 a.m. Saturday, Oceanside police Officer Nick Nunez said. The skipper had left Santa Catalina Island and was headed home to a marina in Dana Point in Orange County late Friday, but his navigation equipment went out sometime during the journey. He decided to head for Oceanside, which he believed he could get to without instruments, Nunez said. Advertisement The boat made it to Oceanside but the skipper missed the Oceanside Harbor entrance, got caught in a swell and ended up running into the beach. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis An unidentified transient set fire to a downtown coffee cart business overnight Saturday, causing an unknown amount of damage to the structure and throwing the owners livelihood into question, investigators said. San Diego police and fire crews were called to the corner Sixth Avenue and B Street after the canvas cover securing Christines Coffee & Co. was set aflame sometime around midnight. The security team inside The San Diego Union-Tribune building contacted owner Christine Otis about 12:30 a.m. and she arrived on the scene Saturday morning to survey the damage. I dont think it was personal, said Otis, who has operated the business for almost 15 years. Who doesnt love coffee? Advertisement Otis said she already had contacted her insurance carrier and hoped to reopen for business as usual on Monday morning. What else am I going to do? This is my whole life, she said. Hopefully it wont (delay business) at all. Im a single mom. I cant afford to be closed for even an hour. Otis said police told her they would review security camera footage to try and identify the arsonist. jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald A 24-year-old woman remained on life support Friday, three days after she became unresponsive following an arrest in La Jolla, a San Diego police lieutenant said. Aleah Mariah Jenkins vomited during her arrest Tuesday, prompting officers to call paramedics then call them off after Jenkins told police she only had an upset stomach, Lt. Matt Dobbs said in a written statement issued Friday. According to the statement, police are investigating the matter as a possible overdose. At this point, there is no indication any force was used on the female, Dobbs said. Advertisement According to Dobbs, Jenkins was a passenger in a vehicle that police officers pulled over on La Jolla Village Drive, just east of Interstate 5 about 4 p.m. Tuesday. During the stop, officers arrested Jenkins on a misdemeanor warrant that accused her of methamphetamine possession. During the encounter, Jenkins became sick and vomited, Dobbs said. Officers called for medics, then subsequently canceled the call. One of the police officers took Jenkins to police headquarters in downtown San Diego to process her before booking her into jail, Dobbs said. While at headquarters, the officer noticed the female was unresponsive and appeared to be in medical distress, Dobbs said. Officers immediately began life-saving efforts and called for medical assistance. Paramedics took Jenkins to a hospital, where she remains on life-support. According to Dobbs, a search of Jenkins clothing revealed controlled substances. Dobbs said homicide detectives were assigned to the case given the seriousness of Jenkins condition. He said they would conduct an exhaustive investigation into the arrest and the events before Jenkins went into medical distress. He said the name of the officer who took Jenkins to headquarters was not yet being released, but that the officer is a six-year veteran of the department. When Jenkins was taken into custody, there were two warrants out for her arrest. One was a $5,000 warrant for possession of methamphetamine. Jenkins was also wanted on a $692 warrant issued in February, related to a charge of smoking in a prohibited area, according to online information on the Sheriffs Department website. She was not arrested on that warrant. The lieutenant declined further comment, including to say what sort of substance was in Jenkins clothes or specifically why the car she was in had been stopped. Jenkins mother has been posting messages on her Facebook page for a few days, asking for prayers for her daughter and saying she wants answers about what happened. teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com (760) 529-4945 Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT A masked gunman robbed a bank teller Friday afternoon in Mission Valley, prompting a massive police response when frightened employees inaccurately reported that hed fired his weapon, police said. Investigators later determined the man was gone when police arrived and that initial reports from scared employees of gunshots fired in the bank were untrue, San Diego police Officer Robert Heims said in a statement. The heist occurred around 4:35 p.m. at the U.S. Bank on Frazee Road just north of Friars Road, police said. The bank branch sits near the west entrance of the Friars Mission Center strip mall occupied mostly by chain eateries, a CVS pharmacy and a Ralphs grocery store. Wearing a bandanna over his face, the suspect walked into the bank, pointed a gun at a teller and demanded money, Heims said. He made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and left through the same north doors through which hed entered. Advertisement US Bank, 1455 Frazier Road, San Diego, CA, robbed by armed man. #SDPD SWAT cleared following reports of shots fired. No injuries. FBI Agents investigating. If you have any information regarding the identify this robber, please call (858)320-1800 or https://t.co/WHvfK82Oiw #FBI pic.twitter.com/rqST3ZgCfS FBI San Diego (@FBISanDiego) December 1, 2018 Dozens of San Diego patrol officers and a police helicopter swarmed the scene upon the initial reports that shots had been fired and the suspect might be holed up in the bank, according to police radio traffic. A SWAT team was also sent to the scene. Officers spent hours searching the area around the bank, including a nearby five-story parking garage where it was thought the suspect might have fled. Recognize this bank robber? Described as White Male, mid 20's, medium build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, with the hood up, a blue bandanna over his face, black baseball cap, and black jeans. Call FBI 858-320-1800 or SD Crime Stoppers https://t.co/gOSSRgmaFA 858-580-8477 pic.twitter.com/jRmpfnsgNe FBI San Diego (@FBISanDiego) December 1, 2018 The bandit was described as a white or Hispanic man in his mid-20s with a medium build, dressed in a black shirt, black hooded sweatshirt and black hat with a navy blue bandanna over his face. He also carried a brown backpack and a black handgun. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: 11:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional descriptions of the suspect. 9:50 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details. This article was originally published at 5:20 p.m. After lying to the Internal Revenue Service to avoid paying taxes and lying to banks to obtain fraudulent mortgages, Paul Manafort was convicted last August and then pledged to tell the truth as part of a plea deal to avert a second trial. But prosecutors say Manafort, President Trumps former campaign chairman, lied about that too and they told a federal judge Friday they may file new charges against him. A day earlier, Trumps longtime lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about seeking a Moscow real estate deal. The back-to-back court hearings highlighted how, one after another, Trumps closest former aides and associates have told brazen, audacious and criminal whoppers in the wide-ranging investigation led by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. UPDATE: Robert Mueller submits report into whether the 2016 Trump campaign had illegal dealings with Russia Advertisement Its like an organized crime consortium where everyone is lying and obfuscating, except its an investigation of the president of the United States and his campaign, said Harry Litman, a University of California law professor and former federal prosecutor. Its such a hall of mirrors. At the center of the drama is Trump, who has exhausted independent fact checkers with a blizzard of falsehoods. The Washington Post says he has made more than 6,400 false or misleading statements publicly since taking office and averaged 30 a day in the weeks before last months midterm election. President Trump speaks to reporters outside the White House shortly after Michael Cohen pleaded guilty on Thursday. (Win McNamee / Getty Images) Moreover, Trump has cheered witnesses who resist cooperating with the special counsels office, and he accused prosecutors on Muellers team of encouraging Manafort and other suspects to lie. If you told the truth, you go to jail, the president complained to the New York Post on Wednesday. Deception is a challenge for any prosecutor. Nick Akerman, who worked with the Watergate special prosecutor, said witnesses baldly lied to the grand jury investigating the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972 and the subsequent cover-up by the Nixon White House. If I had to charge everybody with perjury and convict all of them, Id still be there, Akerman said. Still, the Mueller investigation which has led to charges against 33 people so far, including Manafort and Cohen has swamped prosecutors with a flood of falsehoods. George Papadopoulos, a former Trump campaign foreign policy advisor, was the first to go down. He pleaded guilty in October 2017 to lying to FBI agents about his conversations with a Maltese professor who told him that Russians had dirt on Hillary Clinton that included thousands of emails. Papadopoulos entered prison Monday to serve a two-week term. In December 2017, Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security advisor, pleaded guilty to falsely denying that hed discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador during the presidential transition. He agreed to cooperate with Muellers team, and his sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18. Richard Gates, Trumps deputy campaign chairman, pleaded guilty in February 2018 to lying about a meeting he attended while working for Ukraines pro-Russian government. As part of his plea deal, he testified against Manafort and is awaiting sentencing. Alex van der Zwaan, a formerly London-based Dutch lawyer who worked with Gates and Manafort, also pleaded guilty that month to lying about his communications with a suspected Russian agent. He served 30 days in federal prison and was deported. This many liars is unusual, said Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney in Michigan. This group seems particularly persistent. Despite his prosecutions, Mueller has struggled to stem the tide of lies. Among his apparent targets is Jerome Corsi, the far-right writer previously best known for spreading the falsehood that President Obama wasnt born in the United States. According to a draft court document that Corsi shared with the media last month, prosecutors believe he lied to them about his conversations with Roger Stone, a longtime Trump political advisor and Republican operative, during the 2016 campaign. The document said Stone had asked Corsi to contact WikiLeaks, which was releasing Democratic Party emails that had been hacked by Russian military intelligence officers. Corsi told prosecutors that he rebuffed the request, but the document said he passed the message to someone in London, where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy to avoid prosecution. Corsi has denied any wrongdoing. As for Stone, he said his only offense was punking and bluffing and posturing to drive the Democrats crazy. Neither has been charged. Prosecutors know it is risky to put known fabricators on the stand during trials. When Gates testified against Manafort during his trial in Virginia, for example, defense lawyers accused him of embezzling money and cheating on his wife in a secret life overseas. RELATED: Everything you need to know about whos been charged in the Russia case The attack on Gates credibility did not scuttle the case, and Manafort was convicted of eight counts of bank fraud and tax evasion from his work in Ukraine. Prosecutors buttressed their case with reams of financial records, emails and other evidence. They had so much corroboration. And they had so much independent evidence. A jury could convict without crediting the Gates testimony, said Alan Dershowitz, a constitutional and criminal law scholar at Harvard Law School. But thats not always going to be the case. Solomon Wisenberg, a white-collar defense attorney and former federal prosecutor, said a paper trail often isnt enough to convince a jury unless prosecutors can call witnesses with inside knowledge of a crime. You can never win it on documents alone, he said. You need those people. After his conviction, Manafort agreed to cooperate with prosecutors to avoid a second trial on related charges in Washington. He pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy and began meeting with the special counsels team. But the plea deal unraveled when prosecutors said Manafort continued to lie, and theyre scheduled to detail their concerns to the court next Friday. Defense attorneys said Manafort believes he has provided truthful information. Full coverage: Robert Mueller finishes his investigation into President Trumps 2016 campaign McQuade, the former U.S. attorney, said its unusual for a cooperation deal to fall apart, especially when a defendant can get a lighter prison sentence by cooperating. But sometimes, she said, white-collar criminals think they can evade detection. There are people who think they are smarter than investigators, she said. They have spent their whole life developing strategies for navigating challenging situations, and they think theyll be able to talk their way out of it. Sometimes getting caught hasnt chastened liars in the Russia probe. When Papadapoulos was sentenced in September, the federal judge said he sensed genuine remorse from the defendant. But before he went to prison last week, Papadopoulos cast aspersions on the Mueller investigation and accused officials of entrapping him. Biggest regret? he tweeted. Pleading guilty. chris.megerian@latimes.com Twitter: @chrismegerian In October 2015, four months after he had announced his White House bid, Donald Trump was asked how he would stare down Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had seized Crimea and sent troops into eastern Ukraine. Its a question of respect, just like deals, Trump said on CNN. I do deals. Thats what I do. I do really good at deals. Trump did not disclose that he was quietly negotiating just such a deal to build a luxury hotel and condominium complex in Russia, signing a letter of intent that month for a Trump Tower Moscow. The push for the project didnt end until June 2016, after he had locked up the Republican presidential nomination. Over those eight tumultuous months, Trump repeatedly called for upending U.S. foreign policy toward Russia and suggested easing economic sanctions imposed on Putins government for its aggression in Ukraine. Advertisement Federal court documents filed Thursday, when Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about the Moscow project, raise questions about whether Trump was acting in the national interest or his own when he called for a dramatic change of U.S. strategy toward Russia. The case was filed by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who is investigating Trumps inner circle and Russian efforts to sabotage the U.S. election by releasing hacked Democratic Party emails and spreading disinformation on social media. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that the Kremlin-backed operation sought to get Trump elected. Since taking office, Trumps relations with Putin have puzzled and often alarmed national security officials and close allies. In July, at a summit in Helsinki, Finland, Trump said he believed Putins denials of interfering in the election over the conclusions of his own government, spurring a storm of criticism and prompting his director of national intelligence to contradict the president and publicly affirm the assessment. Follow the latest news of the Trump administration on Essential Washington On Thursday, Trump abruptly scrubbed a meeting with Putin planned for Saturday on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires. He cited, but did not criticize, Russias seizure of three Ukranian naval vessels and 24 crewmen last Sunday. During the campaign, Trump stood alone in his embrace of Russia, challenging Republican orthodoxy and longstanding U.S. foreign policy. He praised Putin repeatedly, downplayed the need for sanctions and called for a unified front with Russia in Syrias civil war, ignoring bipartisan thinking that Putin should be reined in across the Middle East, not bolstered. Trump also took aim at some of Putins favorite Western targets, including the European Union and the NATO military alliance, which Trump called obsolete. He also bragged that he and Putin were featured on the same episode of 60 Minutes, although they appeared on separate segments. That was their highest-rated show, he inaccurately boasted later in Iowa. I was on with Putin. We looked very nicely together. While Trump was lavishing praise on Putin, his New York lawyer was working behind the scenes to make Trump Tower Moscow a reality. On Jan. 26, 2016, Trump told Fox News that he wished the U.S. had a better relationship with Russia to help fight Islamic State terrorists in Syria. Wouldnt it be nice if we actually got along with Russia? Trump said. Earlier that month, Cohen had reached out to Dmitry Peskov, Putins press secretary, to talk about Trumps plans. Cohen later spoke over the phone with Peskovs assistant and requested assistance in moving the project forward, both in securing land to build the proposed tower and financing the construction, according to a court document. Trump declared himself the presumptive nominee on April 26 after he swept a series of major primaries and appeared on the verge of vanquishing all 16 opponents for the Republican nomination. Were going to have a great relationship with Putin and Russia, he told reporters at Trump Tower in New York that day. One week later, Cohen traded emails with Felix Sater, a Russian-born Trump business associate, about arranging trips to Moscow before and after the Republican National Convention in Cleveland that July to help lock down the real estate deal. My trip [will be] before Cleveland, Cohen wrote, according to the court document. Trump would go once he becomes the nominee after the convention. In the end, Cohen told Sater on June 14 that neither he nor Trump would visit Moscow, and the project died. The Washington Post reported the same day that a Democratic National Committee computer server had been hacked, a breach that was later determined to be part of Moscows covert support for Trumps candidacy. Donald Trump in Moscow in 1996. Hes wanted to build a tower there for decades. (Igor Tabakov / Associated Press) Trumps praise for Putins Russia was not new. He had begun trying to build a tower in Moscow since before the Cold War ended. He had made multiple trips to Moscow over the years, including staging the 2013 Miss Universe contest there. Look at Putin, what hes doing with Russia, Trump told Larry King in 2007. Whether you like him or dont like him, hes doing a great job in rebuilding the image of Russia and also rebuilding Russia, period. Thomas Wright, director of the Center on the United States and Europe at the nonpartisan Brookings Institution, said Trump appears drawn to Russias macho culture and the sense that its a good place for those savvy or tough enough to navigate its bureaucracy and corruption. We know hes been sympathetic to Russia for many decades, Wright said. That didnt emerge in the middle of the campaign. That could be because he really believes it. It could be because hes sought to do business in Russia for many decades, or it could be a mix of both. Trumps view of how Russia works could also explain why, if he was keeping his business interests in mind, Trump thought it necessary to flatter Putin. Trumps whole mind-set is, I want to do a deal with the Russians. I want to work with the big guy and get the deal done, Wright said. But Trumps relentless praise of Putin during and since the campaign came after the autocrat had worked against U.S. interests in Europe and elsewhere, while stifling human rights at home. If youre going to be leader of the free world, youve got to focus on being leader of the free world, not leader and businessman, said Lanhee Chen, who was Republican nominee Mitt Romneys top policy advisor during the 2012 presidential race and now is a research fellow at Stanfords Hoover Institution. Trumps attempt to develop Trump Tower Moscow during the campaign does cause you to wonder exactly what was going on, he added. Times researcher Cary Schneider contributed to this report. noah.bierman@latimes.com Twitter: @noahbierman chris.megerian@latimes.com Twitter: @chrismegerian President Trump designated next Wednesday as a national day of mourning for former President George H.W. Bush, putting aside a long-running feud with the Bush family and praising the former president for having led a long, successful and beautiful life. Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true price in his family, Trump said on Twitter. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all! President George H.W. Bush led a long, successful and beautiful life. Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2018 Bush, who served as president from 1989 to 1993 and vice president under President Reagan from 1981-1989, died Friday night. He was 94. Advertisement His death prompted an outpouring of praise from lawmakers, former presidents and foreign leaders who recalled his long career in public service and his leadership during the final years of the Cold War and a successful U.S. military offensive in Iraq. Former President Obama, who recently visited Bush in the hospital, said in a statement that America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family tonight and all who were inspired by George and Barbaras example. America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family tonight and all who were inspired by George and Barbaras example. pic.twitter.com/g9OUPu2pjY Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 1, 2018 Sarah Sanders, Trumps press secretary, said a state funeral would take place at the National Cathedral in Washington. Trump plans to attend the service, Sanders said in a statement, and is scheduled to speak Saturday morning with Bushs son, former President George W. Bush, to pass along his condolences. The Trumps were informed of Bushs death Friday night while in Buenos Aires, attending the Group of 20 summit. The president had been scheduled to give a press conference Saturday but announced on Twitter he was canceling the event out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George H.W. Bush. He said he would hold a press conference after the funeral. It will be the first major national funeral service that Trump will attend as president. He did not attend the last major funeral in Washington, that of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). The president and McCain had a contentious and testy relationship, and Trump was not welcome at McCains service, also at the National Cathedral, on Sept. 1. He has also enjoyed a frosty relationship with the Bush family and skipped the funeral of former First Lady Barbara Bush, who died in April. Trump famously criticized Bushs son Jeb as low energy when he squared off against the former Florida governor in the Republican presidential primaries. And he has long blasted George W. Bushs decision to go to war in Iraq. He also heaped scorn on Bush for breaking his pledge during the 1988 campaign not to raise taxes. In July, he mocked Bushs use of the phrase Thousand Points of Light during his convention speech and inaugural address. Bush coined the phrase to praise community and volunteer organizations helping Americans in need. Bushs words and advocacy helped inspire the creation of the Points of Light Foundation, which seeks to foster volunteerism. I never quite got that one, Trump said at a rally. What the hell is that? Trump said. Has anyone ever figured that one out? On Saturday, Trump appeared to put the spats aside. The president and his wife, Melania, in a statement issued by the White House hailed Bush for his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country. President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service to be, in his words, a thousand points of light illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world. No need to wait until the 25th December and the arrival of Santa Claus for your Christmas presents! From the 1st until 24th December WorldTempus will be opening 24 virtual windows over 24 days of competitions to celebrate Advent. That means 24 prizes on offer, each of which has kindly been offered by our partners, both watch and accessory brands alike. The WorldTempus Advent Calendar includes gifts to suit all tastes. A few examples: "The Bleu" gift set offered by Bulgari, a vanity kit and card holder offered by Bovet 1822, a set with a matryoshka and a Moscow City Guide from Louis Vuitton offered by Hublot, a leather travel wallet offered by Ulysse Nardin, a desk clock offered by Montblanc, a set of prizes offered by Rebellion, the book From Seamaster to Seamaster : the first 70 years offered by Omega, a Memory game offered by Hermees... And those are just some of the gifts the are many other surprises. From the 1st of December, visit WorldTempus every day to see discover the prize on offer and the quiz question that you need to answer to win it. Dont worry if you miss a day: each of the competitions will remain open until midnight (Swiss time) on 24th December. All the winners will be drawn at the end of the competition and will be notified by e-mail. Good luck! ENTER THE CONTEST The passing late Friday of George H. W. Bush the American fighter pilot, war hero and 41st president of the United States brought a wave of respect and remembrances from San Diego politicians and others fortunate enough to have met him. They heralded his humility and genuineness, recounting cherished memories and praising the career public servant as a statesman and role model. For the record: This story was amended from its original posting to correct the office that Pete Wilson was running for when George H.W. Bush came to visit. Former San Diego Mayor and Gov. Pete Wilson had been an acquaintance of Bush for years when the then-vice president came to California to help Wilson campaign for U.S. Senate. That was really the beginning of a great friendship, Wilson said Saturday. Advertisement Many years later, Wilson joined his friend at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Texas. As well as he knew Bush and his background, Wilson said it was still a revelation looking through the archives to see how much he had done in his life. Almost his entire life was in service of the country, Wilson said. He had performed so many functions . . . he was a decent, selfless patriot. He had a passion for life, Wilson added. Former legislator and San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith remembered Bush as a humble man with a quick wit and sincere interest in local concerns. I had an opportunity to speak with him several times, including once when he was president, he said. I met him on the tarmac once, and he said San Diego was one of his favorite places. Goldsmith called Bush an honorable man with an intrinsic understanding of public service. He guided us through the transition of the Cold War. He brought our allies together and worked with them, Goldsmith said. He was a nice fellow, and very very engaging. The former president traveled to San Diego many times over his long career, even passing through as a naval pilot at the tail end of World War II. Bush returned in 1973, after he served two terms in Congress and became chairman of the Republican National Party. He accepted interviews with the editorial board of The San Diego Union that year and again in 1976 as outgoing director of the Central Intelligence Agency. As a Republican Party leader during the Carter administration, Bush made several visits to San Diego, addressing the San Diego Rotary Club at the El Cortez Hotel in 1978 and twice in 1979 just before announcing his campaign for the White House in 1980. Former judge and state lawmaker Larry Stirling said he was already a fan when he was attending an event in the 1980s, while Bush was the vice president. He ran into my son who was a little kid at the time, and he had one of his aides bring my son one of his calling cards, Stirling remembered late Friday. We made Channel 10 that night. On another occasion, Stirling met Bush during one of his visits to the state capital, and Stirling was passing out lapel pins from the University of California and didnt hesitate to present one to Bush. Giving away Golden Bears pins was part of my schtick, he said. When I pinned it on him he said, What would the Stanford guys say? Bush grew accustomed to using the power of the presidency and vice-presidency to shore up support for Republicans in lower office. He toured the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in 1987 and headlined a $1,000-per-plate fundraiser. He delivered speeches at the Hotel del Coronado and U.S. Grant Hotel downtown. During a San Diego stop for his winning 1988 presidential campaign, Bush visited the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and called himself a Teddy Roosevelt Republican. Tony Krvaric, longtime head of the San Diego County Republican Party, said President Bush was one of a few select people for whom appreciation kept growing especially after leaving public office. Today America lost a great statesman and true gentleman, he said. Yet we are comforted in knowing that tonight he is reunited with his beloved Barbara in heaven. Mesa College political science professor Carl Luna said Bush was a founding member of what has become known as the Greatest Generation, the young men in their late teens and 20s who answered historys call without hesitation or fear after the bombing at Pearl Harbor. Its not surprising but its sad, Luna said of the former presidents death at age 94. The passing of George H.W. Bush really is the eulogy of that World War II era, where people had enough in common that they put aside their differences and worked together for the common good. John Cox, the Republican runner-up in the recent campaign for California governor, called Bush a statesman who put his country ahead of himself at an early age. His example should serve as a guiding light to all of us; that putting country ahead of self is not only the right thing to do but is also a major part of what makes us human and gives our lives the meaning we desire, Cox said in a statement Saturday. Leadership and being part of something bigger than yourself is the lesson we learn from his life and America should be grateful for his commitment to our great country. Bush is well-remembered for the graceful message he left for incoming President Bill Clinton in early 1993. You will be our President when you read this note, the single-paged handwritten note said. I wish you well. I wish your family well. Even so, by 1996, when San Diego hosted the Republican National Convention that named Bob Dole the partys nominee, Bush was not shy about criticizing Clinton during his speech and promised that Dole would restore dignity to the presidency. He will be a president we can look up to. He will do us proud, Bush said of the senator from Kansas at the San Diego convention. It breaks my heart when the White House is demeaned. Bush returned to San Diego in 2007 to deliver an opening-day speech at the Manchester Grand Hyatt before a national convention for real estate finance professionals. (Correction: Wilson mentioned Vice President Bush came out to campaign for Wilsons Senate bid. The initial post said governor.) Staff writer Michael Smolens contributed to this report. jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald UPDATES: 4:45 p.m. Saturday: This article was updated with additional details. 1:50 p.m. Saturday: This article was updated with additional details. This article was originally published at 11:05 p.m. Friday. The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Boards latest attack on Californias high-speed rail program (New bullet-train cost overrun? Of course, Nov. 15) presents a misleading characterization of our cost estimates. Costs are not going up on the Southern California sections. The environmental documents and the 2018 Business Plan are developed for different purposes. The cost estimates used in the environmental documents contain conservative assumptions so that they evaluate maximum potential impacts and project footprint. The clearest example is that if we know we need two overcrossings on a segment, we might evaluate four in the environmental document. We wont build all four, but wouldnt have to go back and re-evaluate later if the design called for a site we hadnt studied. Also, for legal reasons, some elements, like the Burbank station, are included in multiple environmental documents. These nuances are often overlooked in todays shoot first, aim second environment. In this instance, even project critics should welcome our conservative approach; one developed in response to lessons learned from earlier project sections. By clearing a project of greater magnitude than anticipated, we reduce future risks that would cause additional costs. Advertisement High-speed rail is an enormous undertaking. We have had many successes in advancing this program, but there have also been missteps in addressing challenges. We have been forthright in those instances, but this is not one of them. Californians voted for a clean and efficient high-speed rail system. We are building that now and will continue the work necessary to deliver on this promise. Richard is chair of the California High-Speed Rail Authority board. Too often, discussions of immigration today ignore past policies that led the country to where it is today. Thats especially true when unauthorized immigrants are characterized as criminals often merely on the basis of their legal immigration status. This rhetoric isnt new it has long been used to justify immigration crackdowns. But the framing of unauthorized migration as illegal does have an origin point: a little-known law in 1929. The Undesirable Aliens Act was the first to attach criminal penalties to undocumented entry to the U.S. It passed during a nativist wave in the 1920s that first produced the Johnson-Reed Act of 1924, which designed national immigration quotas to preserve the cultural dominance of Northern and Western Europeans. This law also was the first to target Mexican immigration. Previously, immigration across the southern border was seen as being regulated by labor demands, but World War I ushered in harder borders. After Johnson-Reeds passage, some members of Congress, looking for new targets for anti-immigration policy, pushed to impose quotas on immigrants from Mexico. In their arguments, Mexicans were often characterized as economic burdens and threats to jobs, with a greater tendency towards criminality. Advertisement They also were not considered white. In a 1928 radio address, Immigration and the Crime Wave, Rep. Robert Green, a Florida Democrat argued that quotas should apply to Mexico because of Mexicans mixture of white, Indian and Negro blood, which placed a very great penalty upon any society attempting to assimilate them. Democrat John Box of Texas, the congressional member perhaps most associated with restricting Mexican immigration, told the anti-communist Key Men of America in 1928 that In proportion to her population, Mexico is now by far the most Bolshevistic country in the Western Hemisphere. He further claimed: The Mexican peons are illiterate and ignorant. Because of their unsanitary habits and living conditions and their vices they are especially subject to smallpox, venereal diseases, tuberculosis and other dangerous contagions. ... Few, if any, other immigrants have brought us so large a proportion of criminals and paupers as the Mexican peons. When Coleman Blease, a white supremacist from South Carolina, introduced the Undesirable Aliens Act, Box became an outspoken supporter. The bill proposed to criminalize illegal entry making it a misdemeanor and to turn illegal re-entry into a felony, which made the immigrant inadmissible to the United States in the future. Re-entry after deportation also carried penalties of up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Unauthorized entrants would face misdemeanor charges and one year in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both. The bill was not unopposed. The American Civil Liberties Union protested: It is one thing to deport a person for coming here illegally; it is quite another thing to imprison for a year or fine him a thousand dollars, especially as he might be quite ignorant of the law when he starts his journey. But the ACLUs criticism was a lonely one. The bill passed with little fanfare, but the debate around it set precedent by making dubious connections between immigration and various social ills. It also shifted how Mexican immigration was treated in the U.S. Later in 1929, the federal government, along with states and localities, began a program of Mexican repatriation to coerce Mexican immigrants to return to their country of origin through immigration raids and threats of penalties for those who could not prove they were in the country legally. This criminalization of undocumented entry, in combination with the Depressions decreasing job opportunities, produced results: an estimated 20 percent of the Mexican population of the U.S. returned to Mexico. The unauthorized were now criminals, and could be treated as such. The 1929 law, and subsequent laws, treated undocumented immigration punitively, rather than as an issue of labor. It has not mattered that such policies have not worked, or that they create pain for unauthorized immigrants who contribute so much to America. Instead, such policies are justified by the argument that they are the law laws that continue to rely on the dubious racist and nativist arguments of 1929. Gonzalez OBrien is a San Diego State University political scientist and author of Handcuffs and Chain Link: Criminalizing the Undocumented in America. He wrote this for InsideSources.com. Looking around in 2018, it may seem like every child has an Internet-connected device in their hands. Pundits and parents alike can often be heard bemoaning how difficult it is to separate kids from their smartphones, tablets, and computers. However, thats not the case for every child in San Diego County and thats a problem. The digital divide may be a term coined over 20 years ago, but its still a real challenge in our community. Low-income children are falling behind in school because their families simply cant afford to stay connected the way they need to, causing low levels of digital literacy and the inability to complete homework assignments. According to an October 2018 Pew Research Center study, 15 percent of U.S. households lack high-speed Internet access; that number jumps to one-third among low-income households. Over 55 percent of the families that Computers 2 Kids serves have an average annual income of just over $25,000 and are considered extremely low-income. They may have internet access through their cell phone, but that is not an adequate device to do assigned homework or for parents to stay in touch with their childrens teachers. Schools are doing all they can to bring technology to the classrooms for all students, and in some cases, allowing students to take tablets home. Advertisement But thats not the case at every school, and thats where public-private partnerships have stepped in. Access to appropriate technology devices and broadband internet at home is equally important as electricity and running water. How can these families participate in occupational and financial opportunities if they cannot get online in a productive, reliable way? Since 2004, Computers 2 Kids, San Diego has refurbished desktops, laptops, tablets and tech accessories and then distributed the good-as-new devices to the community. We had a modest beginning, granting just 329 systems to local families our first year. In 2012, Cox Communications joined our collaboration with the San Diego County Office of Education to pilot the Connect2Compete initiative. They pair low-cost, high-speed internet access to qualified families who receive our devices. Their participation has enabled us to reach more families. In 2018, well deliver more than 25,000 units in San Diego County and to select U.S. cities. Our work touches every square mile of our county. School district officials, government entities such as police departments and the San Diego Public Library, as well as other nonprofits such as 211 San Diego, Project Concern International, Voices for Children, Armed Services YMCA, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Diego County, help us identify students and families in need. One evening, after a holiday party hosted by the San Diego Police Department, I was approached by a woman and her daughter. She had just left an abusive relationship and was nearly homeless. With Christmas approaching, her daughter asked for a bike and a computer but she had no idea how to fulfill the simple request. In a stroke of well-timed luck, at the event they won a bike in a drawing, and then were surprised to receive a computer from us. She told me, The ability to provide my daughter who is a good student with a computer is life-changing. I could see that she was so relieved, and a burden was lifted from her shoulders even for a brief moment as she faced new beginnings. You dont have to be a teacher or a technology expert to help bridge the digital divide. The public and local businesses can give children in San Diego County a leg up by donating their old, lightly used computers, laptops and tablets. Parents can tell others about the availability of refurbished, fully supported tech devices and low-cost high-speed internet through the Connect2Compete program While many of us may take computers and Internet access for granted and maybe even wish our kids spent less time online its important to remember that many in San Diego County lack this critical resource. Bridging the digital divide means more families have access to opportunities and more children in our community can succeed, making their lives and our community better for everyone. Pierre is the CEO of Computers 2 Kids, San Diego. Website: https://c2sdk.org Thousands of migrants are arriving in Tijuana to seek asylum in the United States. Some media are framing Tijuana as an unwelcoming and unsafe city. But as a lifelong resident of this special place, I want Americans to know three reasons they can be thankful for the power of collaboration and community that are the true calling cards of my hometown. Fueling economic growth on both sides of the border The United States and Mexico have been economic partners for decades through the strength of cross-border collaboration between Tijuana and San Diego. I remember Tijuanas 1994 Sister City pact with San Diego that helped set the stage for where we are today. Its no accident that Tijuana is now home to the worlds largest land border crossing. In partnership with southern California, weve developed an interdependent market that encourages an innovative industrial economy that is thriving. The Tijuana region is now home to more than 570 world-class corporations. Companies like Panasonic, Foxconn, Plantronics, Bose and Samsung, among others, that provide good employment for Mexicans and Americans alike. Advertisement Tijuana is not merely a border town one crosses it is a hub that attracts companies and people to create and transform. It has grown a local economy into a global, binational market that influences key North American markets in California, the Pacific Rim and Latin America. This growth is not by accident. Its part of Tijuanas value to constantly pursue new ideas with passion and desire. Advancing talent development in the region While Americans are rightfully proud of their own system of higher education, few likely know much about the thriving university in Tijuana that Americans cross the border every day to attend. My institution, CETYS University, has campuses in border areas including Tijuana and Mexicali, and were thankful for the opportunity to educate students from both sides of the border and from around the world. Like our peers in the United States, were charged with transforming lives through education and developing the type of talent that can fuel economic growth. That endeavor increasingly happens in partnership with U.S.-based institutions and corporations. And it definitely breaks down the borders of collaboration between our countries. I have personally witnessed the power of our Tijuana campus for more than 15 years now and I have seen how Mexican and American students can develop into the type of talent that drives the innovation that our economy demands. There is no doubt that when it comes to talent creation and development, our futures in Mexico and the United States are inextricably linked. Tijuana is a melting pot similar to the U.S. Living in the northern part of Mexico has given us a unique, independent identity. Yet the United States constantly perceived us as the most Mexican community closest to the border. These dueling identities breed a tenacity and sense of community among Tijuanenses that is dare I say it similar to the spirit of perseverance found among many Americans. Tijuana has become a melting pot that checks no box but its own. We are made up of people all around Mexico, Asian communities from China, Korea and Japan, Latin communities from across Central America and a growing population of Americans from the Southwest. Yes, we battle crime and drugs just like major American cities, but theres so much more to our story. Tijuana is moving forward in many positive ways and we are proud of our melting-pot culture. Im optimistic about what we can continue building together on both sides of the border. Reyes is a lifelong resident of Tijuana and the director of communications for CETYS University, a leading private university system in Mexico. He wrote this for InsideSources.com. A month after the #MeToo movement exploded in October 2017 amid allegations of awful behavior by film producer Harvey Weinstein and many other famous, powerful men including several California lawmakers the newly chosen director of the state Democratic Party decided to speak out. Nobody should go to work and be in fear, be looking over their shoulder or dodging down the hallway because a bully or harasser is coming, Eric Bauman said at an event. The state Democratic organization had a 100 percent no-tolerance policy on sexual harassment, he said at the time, months into his job. But as revealed by a story published Wednesday by the Los Angeles Times, Baumans comments couldnt have been more hollow or hypocritical. Ten party staffers and political activists said Bauman made coarse sexual remarks and touched and physically intimidated people in work-related settings. His decade of inappropriate actions described were shocking in any workplace, and included remarks about sexual acts, his and other staffers genitalia, and being sexually attracted to staff members. Bauman, a nurse and New York transplant who has been a central figure in the state Democratic Party for decades, resigned after the Times published its story, which appeared five days after state Democratic Vice Chairman Daraka Larimore-Hall cited horrific allegations against Bauman. Advertisement Initial coverage of Larimore-Halls allegations noted Baumans poor relationship with the progressive wing of the party, which nearly elected Bernie Sanders supporter Kimberly Ellis as chairman instead of Bauman. But the Times investigation laid to rest any insinuation that the allegations were fallout from the bitter intraparty battle. They were fallout from Baumans behavior. His fall from grace is a reminder that whatever they may say, some powerful men and women still believe they have carte blanche to act horribly and that the #MeToo movement retains its power a year later. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion The decision of Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Xavier Becerra and other state lawmakers to travel to Mexico City for Saturdays inauguration of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as Mexicos president is a welcome recognition of the importance of Californias ties to its southern neighbor. Mexico is the Golden States top export market, buying 15.5 percent of the states 2017 exports, or $26.7 billion, per the California Chamber of Commerce. Newsom must emphasize to Lopez Obrador that many of President Donald Trumps bombastic pronouncements about border policies are cringeworthy to Californian and U.S. politicians in general because most value a strong relationship with Mexico, especially between San Diego and Tijuana. Its worth noting that Trump himself may not believe his anti-Mexico rhetoric, given that he signed a trade deal to take NAFTAs place Friday. In the short term, Newsom should also discuss cooperating on the crisis created by the 6,000-plus Central Americans gathered in Tijuana to seek asylum in the U.S. Yes, the federal government is the key player on issues related to immigration, but theres no reason the state government cant help with humanitarian relief. Advertisement In the long term, its also crucial that California and both the Lopez Obrador and Trump administrations work together closely to address the awful cross-border pollution caused by broken wastewater infrastructure in Tijuana that routinely fouls South Bay beaches with sewage. Mexico should play a much more constructive role than it has so far but the same can be said for the White House. The stakes are high. Californians should hope that Newsom, Becerra and the rest of the state delegation hit it off with Mexicos new president. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion A lot of people poked fun at Steve Breen in this weeks caption contest for a cartoon that depicted a group of people standing by an open door and peering into well, nothing. And with good reason. It was probably the easiest cartoon Breen had to draw. But kudos to Abraham Perez of Chula Vista for coming up with one brilliant caption to add humor to the cartoon. Next weeks caption contest is below. Winner The boss Open Door Policy doesnt seem as inviting in person as it did on the email. Abraham Perez, Chula Vista Finalists Well, what do you know. The abyss is well-lighted. Rob Cohen, San Diego Advertisement Your cleaning lady is good. Josh Board, San Diego Since the bottom has fallen out, this might be my last open house. Michael Abernathy, Carlsbad This never happened when we used printed maps. Marcia Gwin, San Diego I told you we were living on the edge, but you just wouldnt listen. Dorothy Bacarti, El Cajon This is all that remains after the Black Friday sales. Andy Collings, La Jolla And this is where we ran out of ideas. Tony Cagala, Valley Center Open house. Tiny Sluka, San Diego Its advertised as a fixer-upper. John May, San Diego This is open concept taken to the next level. Mandy Burgess, Rancho Santa Fe I knew we should have picked door number two. Tony Conway, online submission This is what you get for $900,000 in coastal California. The house is extra. Alice Sylvester, Coronado Well, they said just drop in. Kathleen Brogan, San Diego Shut the door. Well come back when this cartoon is finished. Anton C. Gerschler, Carlsbad K-12 Finalists I lost some of the house in the divorce. Brigitte Kelly, seventh grade, Correia Middle School They werent kidding when they said everything must go. Willa Phan, sixth grade, Tierrasanta Elementary School The previous owners contract was null and void. Brynn Sablan, 11th grade, El Camino High School Hello from the other side. Antonio Ramirez, fifth grade, Baker Elementary School I suppose this is where the sidewalk ends. Alyssa Gustin, seventh grade, Correia Middle School Next week\'s cartoon is below. Please remember to limit your submissions to three... Your caption here: __________________. (Steve Breen) To enter, email your captions along with your name, address and phone number to cartooncontest@sduniontribune.com by 10 a.m. Tuesday. Please remember to limit your submissions to three and keep em brief. View last weeks winners. A five-hour shutdown of the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego last Sunday cost local businesses $5.3 million in lost revenue, but officials say the impact of the borders closing has reverberated to other industries that depend on the massive flow of people traveling to and from Tijuana. The abrupt border shutdown happened when a number of migrants who have arrived by the thousands in Tijuana suddenly rushed the border, which is considered the busiest port of entry on the U.S.-Mexico border. The move has made businesses nervous and wary of another potential border shutdown. Our position is that we cannot close again, said Jason Wells, executive director for the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce. [CBP] has so much at their disposal to keep that port of entry secure. Theres no reason that I can imagine in this caravan situation that they would really need to close that border. Wells and Paola Avila, the vice president of international affairs with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, spoke to The Conversation podcast for a two-part report on how tensions at the border could severely impact the multi-billion dollar economy between San Diego and Tijuana. So what happens if the border is shut down again? What youre asking me is what happens if you cut off our air supply, Avila said, adding that 90 percent of all Californias exports to Mexico go to through the San Ysidro port of entry. Here are a few takeaways from our interview with Jason Wells, the executive director of the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce: Q: You said the chamber represents hundreds of businesses, thats got to span from largest to smallest, they all take the [border closure] different, right? Wells: Well, they all take it the same. I think the only difference is that our larger national chains could last two or three more closures. And I got hundreds of small businesses that wouldnt last two more (similar border closings). Q: The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that $5.3 million in sales were lost from that one closing. What does that look like? $5.3 million, how does that happen? Wells: Again, I cant stress enough, thats just San Ysidro businesses. Chula Vista, National City and San Diego and Los Angeles and everything in between was also affected by that closure. Thirty-three percent, a third of what most of my businesses are gonna make in a year as far as profit profit, is made in between Nov. 20 and Jan. 6. So youre talking 42 days by which theyre going to make what theyre going to make a year. You take away a day, and thats a pretty big deal. Here are a few takeaways from our interview with Paola Avila, vice president of international affairs with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce: Q: You mention that this entire region is one region, can you think of a business or an example that embodies that one megaregion? Avila: I can think of many, its hard to pick one, really whether its because they have a shared workforce that crosses the border all the time or may be they manufacture on both sides of the border. Taylor Guitar they manufacture one line of guitar here in San Diego and another line across the border. Q: Can you talk a little about how the San Ysidro chamber of commerce, or any other chamber, would quantify $5.3 million in lost revenue? Avila: They came about that number by the number of businesses in San Ysidro and then they calculated 33 percent of the annual revenue that those jobs in San Ysidro make. Thirty-three percent represents the revenue that you get from the holiday season. Its pretty significant. The national average is 30 percent for the 42 days in the holiday season. So, its that formula that they use based on the national average, you multiply that by the number of businesses in San Ysidro and you arrive at $5.3 million. Ill say that some estimates of the amount of revenue in just Las Americas [Premium Outlets] mall, which is on the border, it could be estimated around $2 million for just that days closure. Now, remember, San Ysisidor is just community within the [county] of San Diego. And it is the impact is much broader than that. It was certainly felt more in San Ysidro than anywhere else, but it would be foolish to think that the impact was only felt there because [the shutdown] creates uncertainty the rest of the day. Because of these multiple closures, people are discouraged from trade and travel. Q: Is this a new reality for businesses? Or is this something thats been happening for a long time? Avila: You know, the lounges that some employers have for their workers has been happening for a long time. Like I said, weve already been living with unpredictable wait times. You never know how long your commute to work is going to be. Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @RunGomez Read The Conversation on Flipboard. President Trump designated next Wednesday as a national day of mourning for former President George H.W. Bush, putting aside a long-running feud with the Bush family and praising the former president for having led a long, successful and beautiful life. Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true price in his family, Trump said on Twitter. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all! President George H.W. Bush led a long, successful and beautiful life. Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2018 Bush, who served as president from 1989 to 1993 and vice president under President Reagan from 1981-1989, died Friday night. He was 94. His death prompted an outpouring of praise from lawmakers, former presidents and foreign leaders who recalled his long career in public service and his leadership during the final years of the Cold War and a successful U.S. military offensive in Iraq. Advertisement Former President Obama, who recently visited Bush in the hospital, said in a statement that America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family tonight and all who were inspired by George and Barbaras example. America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family tonight and all who were inspired by George and Barbaras example. pic.twitter.com/g9OUPu2pjY Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 1, 2018 Sarah Sanders, Trumps press secretary, said a state funeral would take place at the National Cathedral in Washington. Trump plans to attend the service, Sanders said in a statement, and is scheduled to speak Saturday morning with Bushs son, former President George W. Bush, to pass along his condolences. The Trumps were informed of Bushs death Friday night while in Buenos Aires, Argentina, attending the Group of 20 summit. The president had been scheduled to give a press conference Saturday but announced on Twitter he was cancelling the event out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George H.W. Bush. He said he would hold a press conference after the funeral. It will be the first major national funeral service that Trump will attend as president. He did not attend the last major funeral in Washington, that of Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona. The president and McCain had a contentious and testy relationship, and Trump was not welcome at McCains service, also at the National Cathedral, on Sept. 1. He has also enjoyed a frosty relationship with the Bush family and skipped the funeral of former First Lady Barbara Bush, who died in April. Trump famously criticized Bushs son, Jeb, as low energy when he squared off against the former Florida governor in the Republican presidential primaries. And he has long blasted George W. Bushs decision to go to war in Iraq. He also heaped scorn on Bush for breaking his pledge during the 1988 campaign not to raise taxes. In July, he mocked Bushs use of the phrase Thousand Points of Light during his convention speech and inaugural address. Bush coined the phrase to praise community and volunteer organizations helping Americans in need. Bushs words and advocacy helped inspire the creation of the Points of Light Foundation, which seeks to foster volunteerism. I never quite got that one, Trump said at a rally. What the hell is that? Trump said. Has anyone ever figured that one out? On Saturday, Trump appeared to put the spats aside. The president and his wife, Melania, in a statement issued by the White House hailed Bush for his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country. President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public serviceto be, in his words, a thousand points of light illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world. Read my lips, a thousand points of light and broccoli: memorable lines from the 41st president Tweeted tributes to a former president from Trump, Obama, DeGeneres and more From Jack Murphy Stadium to the GOP convention: Photos of George H.W. Bush in San Diego Political leaders remember Bush as sincere, humble: He said San Diego was one of his favorite places George H.W. Bush, president and father of a president, was last World War II veteran to lead nation Parliament said the decision reflects a premature and unilateral action and does not serve relations between Egypt and Italy Egypt's parliament the House of Representatives said in a statement Friday afternoon that it expresses regret that Roberto Fico, speaker of the Italian parliament (chamber of deputies) announced that it has decided to suspend parliamentary relations with the Egyptian parliament until the on-going investigation into the death of the Italian student Guilio Regeni reaches a conclusive result. "This is a premature and unilateral decision that does not serve the investigation into the death of Mr Regeni," said the statement, adding that "Fico's decision also represents a jump into a hasty conclusion and does not serve the objective of revealing the truth and reaching justice on this case." Egypt's parliament said "it is committed to the rule of law, not intervening in the work of the investigation authorities, and so unilateral measures do not serve the interests of the two countries." Guilio Regeni, an Italian student who was preparing a thesis on Egyptian trade unions, was killed in Cairo in January 2016. There were several press reports that he was torture before he was murdered. Regeni's death led Italy to summon its ambassador from Cairo, but it decided to send a new ambassador this year due to a positive progress on the case. A number of top-level meetings between Egyptian and Italian officials in the past few months said they were highly satisfied about the progress of the investigation into Regeni's death. A number of senior Italian officials, including president of the Italian chamber of deputies Roberto Fico, also visited Cairo one month ago, with all of them heaping praise on the cooperation between judicial authorities in Cairo and Rome over Regeni's death. Egypt's president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met Italy's prime minister in Sicily this month, with both also insisting that they are keen that investigation into Regeni's death reveal the truth and refer murderers to justice. The statement of Egypt's parliament on Friday said the relations between Egypt and Italy are historic and strong at all levels. "So we are highly surprised that Mr Fico issue such regretable statement and take such unjustified decision on the part of the Italian parliament," said the statement. "It is also surprising that this statement comes after Egyptian and Italian prosecution authorities held a joint meeting to complete the mutual cooperation on the investigation into Regeni's case." "In this meeting, the two parties exchanged viewpoints in a positive climate and assured that the investigation is progressing in a very constructive way, and that they are determined to continue on this cooperation until they reach a final result and a suitable decision in the near future and in line with judicial efforts," said the statement. The statement added that the Egyptian parliament is committed to the principle of the rule of law, and the necessity that investigation goes forward in a climate of integrity and neutrality, and "without politicizing legal issues." "In this light, we see that the statement issued by president of the Italian parliament represents a unilateral and premature behavior that does not serve the interests of the two countries and does not contribute to securing the goal of reaching the truth or achieving justice, particularly as the cooperation between the Egyptian and Italian prosecution authorities is remarkable and unprecedented," said the statement. Egypt's parliament stressed that it is highly necessary that no party jumps into conclusions in line with international standards followed, and in line with all legislations and law in this respect. Egypt's parliament said the Egyptian statement has a sure interest in revealing the truth about Mr Regeni's murder as this crime was committed on the land of Egypt. "The Egyptian state at all levels was keen to stress this fact, not to mention that it was also reiterated by speaker of Egypt's parliament during his meetings with Mr Fico in both Rome and Cairo," said the statement, concluding that "Egypt's parliament urges that investigation into the case takes its course in line with the principle of the rule of the law without exercising influence or intervening in the work of investigation authorities." The statement said "we stress again that as the Egyptian-Italian relations are so deep, it was necessary that the Italian parliament does not jump into hasty conclusions or takes a unilateral action on a criminal case which is still under investigation and a matter of complete cooperation between concerned authorities in the two countries." Search Keywords: Short link: It essentially was a one-in-eight chance for something nice or absolutely nothing. Thats how claiming race horses goes, but Olivenhains Dan Gatto and his son, Nick, and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer were among those willing to take a chance in February on a 4-year-old filly who already had been claimed on three occasions while owning only four wins in 18 career starts. On Feb. 11 at Santa Anita, eight trainers put in two claims apiece on Vasilika for 16 chances total at $40,000 apiece. When they had the shake to draw the winner, the Gattos prevailed, following a race the filly won. The Gattos lost a horse, War Moccasin, to a claim from the same race. Advertisement Obviously, Dan Gatto said, we took a step up. Since then, War Moccasin has won once in nine starts, while Vasilika has gone on a fantastical run achieved by few claimers. Going into Sundays $300,000 Grade I Matriarch at Del Mar, Vasilika has won eight straight races, all with jockey Flavien Prat aboard the last three being the Grade II John Mabee at Del Mar, and Grade I Rodeo Drive and Grade II Goldikova at Santa Anita. On Friday, the most successful offspring of the sire Skipshot was installed as the 7-2 morning-line favorite among 14 entrants for the 1-mile turf race. She faces likely her toughest test, running against three imports from this years top trainer in the country, Chad Brown. Browns Uni is the second choice at 9-2, followed by another of his entrants, Rymska (5-1). In 2018 alone, Vasilika has made nearly $615,000 of her total career earnings of $740,595. Gatto Racing owns the horse in equal parts with Hollendorfer, George Todaro and All Schlaich Stables. We pinch ourselves, Gatto said Friday. Us horse people realize how rare this is. Its been really fun. I have complete strangers come up to me and saying how excited they are. They love seeing this. Were just everyday people. Were not out there buying million-dollar horses that we expect to win Grade Is. The 62-year-old Gattos first Grade I victory ever came in the Rodeo Drive on Sept. 29, when Prat rallied Vasilika in the stretch and they won by a half-length over previous Grade II winner Paved. An unbelievable experience, Gatto said. Four years earlier, Gattos best horse at the time, Parranda, lost the Rodeo by a heartbreaking margin of a head. Following the Rodeo victory, which was a Win and Youre In race for Novembers Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf, there was strong speculation Vasilika would be headed for Churchill Downs. Because she was not nominated, her entry would cost the owners $100,000. The decision to not go wasnt about the $100,000, Gatto said. The decision was based almost exclusively on the horse herself. We anticipated the (Churchill Downs) track would be wet, and also the distance (1 3/8 miles) was unusual for that race. We thought it was best to keep her here, and that allowed us to run and win in a Grade II (Goldivika). I was very pleased that all four owners were completely on board with it. A certified public accountant by profession Were not known for taking risks Gatto got into the racing game about a decade ago when some friends of his from college days at the University of San Diego enticed him to go in on the purchase of a low-level claiming horse at Del Mar. Each of us threw in $2,000 each, and we had so much fun with it, Gatto said. It all started from there. Gattos son, Nick, 34, became enamored of the sport, and he moved to Kentucky for a couple years to learn the business at Taylor Made Farm. He has since worked closely with Hollendorfer to acquire horses. Gatto Racing currently has eight horses, spread between trainers Hollendorfer, Michael McCarthy and Peter Eurton. Having one horse with the talents of Vasilika is more than they could have hoped for when their chances were one-in-eight back in February. We all realize that all good things must come to an end, Gatto said. The pressure is on us a little bit. I dont know whats more nerve-wracking, going for nine in a row or trying to win a Grade I. I guess Im more focused on the Grade I. Thats pretty big. Notable Three of Fridays races were moved off the still-wet turf and onto dirt, with 11 horses scratched from those races. The $80,000 allowance/claiming sixth race lost six of 12 entrants. The Big Train ($5.40) won the eighth race for Peter Miller, keeping him four wins up (13-9) in the meets training title race over Hollendorfer, who took the sixth with Magic Musketier ($13.00). Prats win on The Big Train gave him 15 victories, tying Drayden Van Dyke for the meet lead with two days left. Jockey Evin Roman was suspended three racing days (Dec. 7-9) for careless riding aboard Moon Kitty in Thursdays first race. Moon Kitty was disqualified and moved from first to second position. Trainer Joe Herrick and his 3-year-old filly, Lovely Finish both burned in the Lilac Fire in December are scheduled for the second race Saturday, a 6 1/2-furlong maiden sprint. Lovely Finish, whose gray coat still shows the effects of her burns, was a late scratch Nov. 17 when she became unruly in the post parade. Her jockey that day was Gary Stevens, who felt numbness in his arms after jumping off Lovely Finish. Subsequent tests revealed a spinal condition that forced the 55-year-old to announce his retirement. Sports Videos tod.leonard@sduniontribune.com; Twitter: @sdutleonard Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Despite repeated calls for religious discourse to be reformed little has been done In a celebration to mark the birth of Prophet Mohamed (Moulid Al-Nabi) on 19 November, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi lamented that so little has been done to turn his repeated calls for the reform of religious discourse into reality. It is really sorrowful that some still insist on giving perverted readings of Islam. Everyone must play their role in correcting these misguided readings of Islam, and stand up to those who hijack its teachings and distort them, said Al-Sisi. Who is doing harm to Islam? wondered Al-Sisi. Those who follow the teachings of the Quran, or those who spread extremist ideologies? I hope one day Egypt will be able to play an effective role in standing up to those who have hijacked Islam to impose their extremist thoughts. Devout religious clerics are the ones that spread a message of tolerance and moderation, who have a cosmopolitan mentality, and who discuss the issues of the age as thinkers and not just as a clerics. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the grand Imam of Al-Azhar, criticised those who only want to depend on the Quran and abandon the traditions of Prophet Mohamed in their understanding of Islam. In his speech Al-Tayeb, who did not mention the reform of religious discourse, opposed those who want to abandon jihad, opting instead to follow the culture of the West and colonialists. In contrast, the Minister of Religious Endowments Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa heaped praise on President Al-Sisis repeated calls for religious discourse to be reformed. Your courageous call to reform religious discourse should be taken as a duty by all clerics and intellectuals, said Gomaa. Reforming religious discourse should be a dynamic process which never stops. MPs and thinkers almost all agree clerics, particularly from Al-Azhar, have not paid heed to Al-Sisis calls for religious reform. Mohamed Abu Hamed, an independent MP who has proposed many laws to reform religious discourse, told Al-Ahram Weekly that despite President Al-Sisis calls religious reform has not yet become a priority. Reforming religious discourse took centre stage when President Al-Sisi first took office in 2014, only to be relegated by other priorities like fighting terrorism and solving economic problems, said Abu Hamed. Abu Hamed says MPs have tried to submit legislation on religious reform many times, but to no avail. MPs have proposed laws regulating religious fatwas, banning the niqab and preventing Salafi clerics from taking Fridays prayers, he said. Al-Ahram analyst Nabil Abdel-Fattah agrees that religious institutions, particularly Al-Azhar, have not shown much interest in religious reform. Many clerics feel threatened by extremist movements which describe them as regime loyalists, said Abdel-Fattah. Abdel-Fattah accuses clerics of rigidity. They are fond of following the interpretations of mediaeval clerics though these are just personal opinions, says Abdel-Fattah. It is intellectuals who should play the leading role in religious reform. They are the ones who can make a leap forward. They should be supported in doing so by the president and state authorities. Abdel-Fattah complains the Supreme Council on Combating Extremism and Terrorism has proved redundant. It was formed in 2017 but has not taken any steps in standing up to extremist ideologies. Islamic thinker Tharwat Al-Khirbawi says clerics are acting to disrupt Al-Sisis calls for reform. Clerics hate the words reform and enlightenment and love the words imitation and legacy, says Al-Khirbawi. President Al-Sisis words on the anniversary of the prophets birthday were an implicit criticism directed at these clerics. In a press interview Al-Khirbawi said overhauling the prophets hadiths (traditions) should take priority. What President Al-Sisi suggested is that there should be a review of the hadiths because extremist movements have distorted them to justify terrorism and spread militant jihadist ideologies. Salah Salem, an Al-Ahram commentator on political and religious affairs, agrees intellectuals should take a pioneering role in pushing religious reform forwards. Intellectuals, in collaboration with state authorities, can achieve a lot in this respect, adopting a critical review of religious legacy, fighting Salafist ideologies and spreading the current of rationality in Islamic thought. Unfortunately, he added, in the past intellectuals who tried to stand up to clerics in favour of an enlightened reading of the Quran and the prophets traditions were either killed or sidelined. Independent MP Ismail Nasreddin told the Weekly that parliament had not done enough to promote religious reform. Very few MPs have proposed laws in this respect, and no moves have been taken to turn them into reality. If the state is sincere about religious reform it should support these legislative initiatives. According to Omar Hamroush, a member of parliaments Religious Affairs Committee, the Ministry of Religious Endowments is supporting religious reform. But more needs be done, particularly in the area of barring Salafi clerics from delivering sermons on Friday. They have used Friday services to spread bigotry and extremism since the mid-1970s and it is time it was stopped. * A version of this article appears in print in the 29 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Much talk, no action Search Keywords: Short link: Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/30/2018 -- The key function of the ship rudder is to provide proper steering direction to ship which is placed behind the propeller in order to give desired direction to the vessel. For increasing the ship steering efficiency, the maximum turning angle of ship rudder set lower than 35 degrees. Operation Beyond 35 degree is expected to reduce the efficiency and work life of ship rudder due to formation of eddies on the back of the rudder. Extensive research and development is being done on ship rudder on improving the operational effectiveness and work life by prominent manufactures. It is estimated that the global ship rudder market is highly dependent on the shipbuilding industry. Shipping Industry players such Avada is focusing to manufacturing and supplying the accessories of rudders such as tiller arms, tubes, bearing, collars and seal, in order to achieve higher profit margins in the shipping industry. Over a few decades, the shipbuilding industry has always been dominated by major maritime nations, such as Britain, France, Germany, the U.S., Japan, Korea, and China. However, the industry is fairly dominated by South Korea, China and Japan, who hold over two-thirds of the global shipbuilding industry. Request to Get Sample Copy of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/12394 Ship Rudder Market: Dynamics Increase in demand for marine vessel in defense sector coupled with the increasing demand of marine vessels for fishing, tourism and others leisure activity are some of the key factors for the growth of global ship rudder market throughout the forecast period. Moreover, Increase in cargo transportation along with high intensity of bulk carriers are also anticipated to hike the demand of ship rudder over the slated time period. Additionally, the recreational activity such as under water tourism and research is also expected to give significant growth to the global ship rudder market. The major players are using advanced design analysis method such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for accurate analysis of the ship rudder's area, thickness, and span, chord as well as the position of stock & the structural ship hull connection. Ship Rudder Market: Segmentation The global ship rudder market can segmented on the basis of Product Type: Balanced ship rudder Unbalanced ship rudders Semi- Balanced ship rudder Flaps ship rudder Pleuger ship rudder The global ship rudder market can be segmented on the basis of Ship Type: Cargo Ships Tankers Passenger Ships Fishing Vessel High Speed Craft The global ship rudder market can be segmented on the basis of Rudder's Material: stainless steel Aluminum Alloy Others Request to Get Complete Report List Of Tables and Figures @ https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/toc/12394 Ship Rudder Market: Regional Outlook Asia Pacific excluding Japan is projected to dominate in the global ship rudder market due to growing trade and cost-effectiveness of the marine routes are the key parameters influencing the growth of marine vessels in the region, which is estimated to remain prominent throughout the forecast period. Western Europe is anticipated to second largest market for the ship rudder owing to the increasing number of large vessels and adoption of newer technologies related to ship steering, these technological advancement in ship rudder is projected to pave a way for the global ship rudder market over the stipulated time period. Japan is projected to grow with a significant growth rate in the global ship rudder market owing to increasing high speed yachts and boats by the end of 2028. The Latin America region is anticipated to grow with sluggish growth rate in the global market comparison to other region. Meanwhile, increasing demand from the defense sector is projected to hike the sales of ship rudders in the region. In July 2016, Oceanic Patrol Vessels (OPVs) were launched in Chile and Mexico and two amphibious landing vessels & two speedboats were launched in Colombia. Middle East and Africa region is projected to grow with remarkable growth rate owing to its high import through sea is expected to retain its growth during the forecast period. Ship Rudder Market: Key Participants The key participants of the global Ship Rudder market are following: The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to market segments such as geographies, application, and industry. The report covers exhaust analysis on: Regional analysis includes: The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies. Report Highlights: Teignbridge Propellers International Ltd. Nufoss Services Pte Ltd. Mecklenburger Metallguss Torqeedo GmbH Hamworthy KSE Breezemarine Hazelhurst Management T/A Alpha PYI Inc. Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. (DSIC Equipment Manufacture Co., Ltd.) Market Segments Market Dynamics Market Size Supply & Demand Current Trends/Issues/Challenges Competition & Companies involved Technology Value Chain North America (U.S., Canada) Latin America (Mexico. Brazil) Western Europe (Germany, Italy, France, U.K, Spain) Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia) Asia Pacific (China, India, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand) Japan Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries, S. Africa, Northern Africa) Detailed overview of parent market Changing market dynamics in the industry In-depth market segmentation Historical, current, and projected market size in terms of volume and value Recent industry trends and developments Competitive landscape Strategies of key players and products offered Potential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growth A neutral perspective on market performance Must-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprint Request to Buy This Premium Report From Here @ https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/checkout?rep_id=12394&licType=S About MarketResearchReports.biz MarketResearchReports.biz is a seller of syndicated market studies, featuring an exhaustive collection of research reports from leading international publishers. Our repositoryis diverse, spanningvirtually every industrial sector and even more every category and sub-category within the industry. We also provide consulting services to enable our clients have adynamicbusiness perspective. Contact Us State Tower 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 United States Toll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-Canada) Tel: +1-518-621-2074 E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Press Release November 30, 2018 De Lima hits Duterte's sell-out of PH sovereignty, calls him Chinese puppet Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has asserted that allowing China to play a dominating role in the country's national development bears all hallmarks of a traitorous sell-out of the Philippines' sovereignty and national patrimony by the Duterte administration. De Lima noted that the break in protocol during Chinese President Xi Jin Ping's recent two-day state visit from Nov. 20 to 21 when he was welcomed as a "victorious conqueror" only showed a sign of the country's subservience to China. "The break in protocol during the Malacanang honor guard ceremony for Chinese President Xi Jinping is very symbolic of the purpose of his State visit. The purpose was to cement the Philippines' inclusion into China's sphere of influence, if not domination," she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 422. "Indeed, a nation can fight and resist invaders. But when its own President and public officials decide to sell the country for thirty pieces of silver, the betrayal is almost irreversible. The invader no longer needs to land its troops on our soil, when our own leaders are themselves the agents of the conqueror in our midst," she added. During the honor guard ceremony last Nov. 20, Malacanang allowed the Chinese flag to be displayed exclusively, without the Philippine presidential standard flag, and with Duterte following meekly behind the Chinese President. In the two-day state visit of Xi, he and Duterte reportedly signed 29 deals including memorandum of understanding on oil and gas development and on cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative. For De Lima, the Filipinos do not need China to give them money because the only thing that China has to do is to get out and stay out of the West Philippine Sea. "As the lender, China is poised to exercise more control over the projects than in previous loan agreements with other countries. This includes the utilization of China's infrastructure resources, including employment of its technical personnel in the projects," she said. "All the while, China continues to undermine the Philippines' internationally-recognized EEZ in the West Philippine Sea, and now acts as the owner of resources our country is entitled to as the exclusive beneficiary under the UNCLOS, as upheld in the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration," she added. Duterte has refused to take necessary action on the territorial dispute in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea despite the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal Philippines confirming its legal victory on the maritime problem. The Senator from Bicol further tagged Duterte as China's puppet who made the Malacanan Palace a headquarters of China's fifth column in the Philippines. While malls were packed with shoppers, most could not afford the supposed bargains The weekend witnessed a rush of thousands of Egyptians into malls and small retail shops, trying to grab the best deals on everything from house appliances and electronics to clothes, food and even detergents. It was the Black Friday bonanza. Black Friday is the day after the Thanksgiving holiday, the fourth Thursday of November. It is the largest shopping day in the US with stores opening their doors as early as 5am and offering up to 70-90 per cent discounts. The concept is relatively new to Egyptians, introduced only three or four years ago by online shopping sites like Jumia and Souq. During the last couple of years it has moved to shopping malls, under the name White Friday after users of social media networks criticised calling Friday, a holy day for Muslims, black. While it started as a one-day offer, it extended to the weekend, before this year reaching a one-week period of White Friday offers. The unprecedented increase in prices during the past two years has pushed Egyptians to fish for any opportunity to buy discounted commodities. The malls were packed with shoppers lured by the reduced price tags. Stores, as well as online shopping sites, had discounts that reached 70 per cent on some items. However, this year the bulk of the crowd went window shopping. No official figures have so far been given for sales related to Black Friday, but it seems that increasing financial burdens with fuel, electricity and food prices skyrocketing overshadowed the offers. In Carrefour Hypermarket, one of the biggest retailers in Egypt which offered discounts on all items across the board, Black Friday sales were like that of any usual Friday, according to Adel Ibrahim, a manager at one of Carrefours Cairo branches. Despite the real attractive offers this year, which are much higher than last year in both the number of items and percentage of discounts, the number of shoppers is noticeably lower than last year, Ibrahim said. Last year, you couldnt put a foot in the branch. You could barely breathe with shoppers jostling elbow to elbow, racing to stand in queues in front of the cashier, according to Ibrahim. We did not know what to expect this year. But definitely not this emptiness, he asserted, citing tough living conditions in light of spiralling price increases. Even without official numbers on Black Friday sales, Ibrahim said electronics were the largest selling items in the branch he works for. Most who purchased from the electronic section on Black Fridays were couples about to get married, and had been saving money to get these items and waiting for the sale. Other than that, few discounted items were sold, he added. While retailers blame the financial situation for the thin transactions, consumers tell a different story. The Egyptian Black Friday is a trick in most cases. Shops deceive people as they try to attract shoppers by announcing fake reductions, Salma Adel said. A month ago I decided not to buy a frying pan that I needed in the hope that its price, LE775 back then, would be reduced in the Black Friday sales. However, when I went to buy it on Friday, I found it for the same price while the price tag shows a discount from LE850. They put fake prices to convince buyers that they are getting good bargains, according to Adel. Adel shares the same story with many who believe that Egypts Black Friday is a lie, unlike anywhere else in the world. For me Black Friday in Egypt doesnt mean 50 per cent off or more on any item. It just means we have some sort of offer now. I stopped trusting any promotion or marketing claims in Egypt years ago and I always check prices before any sales so that I know how much the discount really is. Mohamed Al-Said is also among those who believe that Egypt offers a twisted form of Black Friday discounts, which leads people to actually purchase a lot more than their original need. Most offers are sort of getting several pieces of a certain item to reduce the price of each, Al-Said said.Seduced by the offer, customers end up getting three or four pieces of an item they dont really need, just to get 20 or 30 per cent off the one piece they originally wanted. * A version of this article appears in print in the 29 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Egypts Black Friday: Trick or treat? Search Keywords: Short link: Press Release December 1, 2018 After EJK verdict, De Lima seeks probe on police complicity Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has welcomed Caloocan Regional Trial Court's (RTC) guilty verdict against three police officers involved in the killing of teenager Kian Loyd de los Santos whose death sparked public outrage more than two years ago. De Lima, the staunchest critic of the Duterte administration's all-out war on drugs policy, said the lower court's ruling "provides another oasis for justice seekers in an otherwise wasteland of human wrongs. She likewise urged for the immediate creation of an independent commission to investigate the role of police officers in the "drug war" killings. "For the thousands of families of victims of EJKs and other crimes of impunity under the current Administration, this is a most welcome respite, and a much-needed boost for all human rights defenders to carry on the fight for truth and accountability," she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 428. "The findings of the court in Kian's case, the various reports on the killings, and the documentation of eyewitness accounts, all reasonably point to police complicity that should entail an independent in-depth investigation. That probe or inquiry should be completely independent from the PNP, PDEA, and the Office of the President," she added. Last Nov. 29, Caloocan RTC Branch 125 Judge Rodolfo Azucena Jr. convicted PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda, and PO1 Jerwin Cruz, and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua, or equivalent to 20 to 40 years in prison under the Revised Penal Code. While they were ordered to pay De los Santos' family PhP100,000 in civil indemnity, PhP100,000 in moral damages, PhP45,000 in actual damages, and PhP100,000 in exemplary damages, the three cops were found not guilty of planting evidence. Due to their conviction, the three police officers will be committed to the national penitentiary in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. It may be recalled that cops killed the young De los Santos for allegedly fighting out with the arresting officers during a drug raid in Caloocan City in Aug. 16, 2017. The Senator from Bicol said the court's verdict should serve as a reminder to other abusive police and the mastermind of the rampant killings in the country that the law and justice will one day catch up with them. "Magsilbing paalala at babala sana ito sa mga abusadong pulis, mga vigilante at mga pasimuno at mastermind ng mga patayang nagaganap: Lagi at laging mananaig ang katotohanan at katarungan. Sa tamang panahon. Sa lahat ng pagkakataon," she said. A staunch critic of injustices happening in the country since Duterte assumed presidency, De Lima vowed to protect human rights of all, including women and children, even while in detention for trumped-up drug charges fabricated by the present administration. Press Release December 1, 2018 De Lima seeks review of 43-year-old Sanitation Code Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged the Senate leadership to address the longstanding hygiene and sanitation issues in public schools which may not only put the health of students at risk but also negatively impact on their performance in class. De Lima filed Senate Resolution No. 950 urging the appropriate Senate committee to review the status of the implementation of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 856, also known as "Code on Sanitation of the Philippines," to determine the challenges and issues concerning its enforcement. She likewise underscored the need to further strengthen existing laws on sanitation by proposing meaningful legislations on the matter. "The deplorable hygiene and sanitation have been a long-standing problem and issue in the country and yet solutions to this still seems farfetched," she said. "There is an utmost need to conduct a re-assessment of the implementation and level of compliance of public schools regarding P.D. 856 considering that it has been 43 years since its implementation," she added. While under the law all schools should have potable water, sewage and waste disposal systems, around 3,628 public elementary and secondary schools in the country have no regular access to safe and clean water, according to official data in 2016. Citing the harmful effects of unsanitary practices in schools, De Lima recalled an incident in August 2017 when some 160 high school students from Sta. Lucia High School, Novaliches were rushed to different hospitals after experiencing stomach aches, headaches, and vomiting upon buying and drinking fruit shake from their canteen. According to the lady Senator from Bicol, a similar incident alarmingly happened a year earlier in Makati City where some 126 students were rushed to the health center after intaking snacks bought from their school canteen. Meanwhile, a Commission on Audit (COA) report on the implementation of the Code on Sanitation on Region X, particularly in Cagayan de Oro City, revealed that the Code has not been strictly enforced in schools, noting that there was an apparent lack of accessible water and sanitation facilities in many schools. De Lima, who chairs the Senate Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development Committee, maintained that the government has the duty to protect the youth by ensuring that they are prevented from any diseases, especially when they are in school "Such poor hygiene and sanitation facilities, especially in learning environments like the school, are detrimental to the lives and health of the Filipino youth and failure of the government to provide one of the basic necessities in life constitutes a grave moral deficiency and reckless disregard for their lives and safety," she said. According to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, health problems like intestinal worms, frequent stomach aches and diarrhea are signs of poor sanitation which needs to be addressed especially in learning environments like the schools because these diseases reduce the child's capability to "concentrate and learn." Should academic research be constrained by development plans? Alexandria University appears to think so Mokhtar Youssef, the head of Alexandria Universitys Council for Postgraduate Studies and Research, announced last week that all master and PhD thesis proposals must conform to Egypts Vision 2030. Established in 1938, Alexandria University is the second oldest in Egypt after Cairo University. It has 23 affiliated faculties and institutions offering graduate degrees in a wide array of subjects, from medicine to fine arts and tourism. Aliaa Al-Mahdi, professor of economics and political science at Cairo University, opposes the decision on the grounds that it places unacceptable restrictions on research. Educational expert Medhat Mosaad agrees. The freedom of thought of researchers cannot be constrained by the states future plans, he told Al-Ahram Weekly. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi launched the long-term Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS): Egypt Vision 2030 in April 2016. The 2030 Vision, says the government, is tailored to foster inclusive development, economic and social justice and revive Egypts role as a regional leader. The strategy seeks to increase Egypts contribution to global GDP to one per cent, up from 0.21 per cent in 2015, and increase the countrys rankings in competitiveness, transparency and ease of doing in international indices. It targets a reduction in unemployment from 12 to five per cent and in poverty rates from 26.3 per cent to 15 per cent by supporting small and medium enterprises, and seeks to upgrade the performance of the public sector. It is impractical to link scientific research to Egypt Vision 2030. The SDS is still being developed. It is not cast in stone. The states strategic vision is not sacred and can be changed, says Al-Mahdi. Alexandria Universitys announcement, she argues, puts the cart before the horse since government plans should be the result of scientific research and not the opposite. When researchers enjoy freedom of thought and expression they can innovate and explore out-of-the-box ideas that the people responsible for Egypt Vision 2030 might have overlooked, says Mosaad. Diversity and difference are useful and constructive. The decision needs to be cancelled. The basis of research has always been openness and diversity. It is the only way to generate new ideas, insists Al-Mahdi. * A version of this article appears in print in the 29 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: In the service of the state Search Keywords: Short link: The German Bundestag has approved allocating a sum of 10 million to co-finance the furnishing of Minyas Akhenaten Museum, Egyptian Ambassador to Germany Badr Abdel Aati said on Friday. Abdel Aati said in a statement to MENA that the move is the result of efforts exerted over the past two years by the Egyptian Embassy in Berlin in coordination with Bundestag members and officials from the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities. Abdel Aati noted that the Egyptian government established the museum in 2010, but that work has been halted since then. The budget endorsed also included an agreement for additional allocations should furnishing the museum require more money, he added. The ambassador hailed the move, which he said reflects the strength of Cairo-Berlin relations and the high level they have achieved across various fields. He also noted that the Bundestag's contribution to furnishing the Akhenaten Museum comes after President Abdel-Fattah El Sisis successful visit to Germany on 28-31 October. Search Keywords: Short link: The Campaign aims at eradicating hepatitis C in Egypt Egypts Health Minister Hala Zayed launched on Saturday in Ismailia governorate the second phase of th nationwide health campaign '100 million healthy lives,' under the auspices of the Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. The campaign aims to entirely eradicate Hepatitis C in the country and screen millions of citizens for all sorts of chronic and life threatening diseases. The initiative aims to screen between 45 and 52 million citizens. During the first stage of the campaign from October to November, 17 million citizens, 18 and older, underwent screening for hepatitus C and various chronic illnesses. Minister Zayed said that patients infected with Hepatitis C will be treated for free until they are completely recovered. The second phase of the campaign covers 11 governorates including the Red Sea, North Sinai, Cairo, Suez, Ismailia, Kafr El Sheikh, Monofiya, Beni Suef, Sohag, Aswan. Zayed then said that the number of citizens scheduled to be examined in the governorates of the second phase is expected to reach more than 20 million at 1877 screening clinics. The campaign aims to stymie the growth of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, which are responsible for 70 percent of all deaths in Egypt, according to Zayed. Search Keywords: Short link: China extradites graft suspect from Bulgaria Beijing, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 China has extradited from Bulgaria a former official accused of taking bribes, the first such return from a European Union country, the country's top graft buster said. A former official in eastern China's Zhejiang province, Yao Jinqi, 62, was on Friday returned to China where he could face the death penalty. "The law enforcement agencies of China and Bulgaria worked closely together and Yao Jinqi, a suspect who fled to Bulgaria, was extradited," the National Supervision Commission said in a statement. "It is also the first time that we have successfully extradited a bureaucrat suspected of work-related crimes from an EU member state." During a court hearing in Sofia on Monday, Yao had asked to be extradited, his lawyer Yanko Alexiev told Bulgarian public broadcaster BNT. Since Yao could face the death penalty, the court could have rejected China's extradition request, Alexiev said. "However, given the firm position expressed by my client of an immediate extradition to China, I do not see how the Bulgarian court could have refused," he added. China's official Xinhua news agency said Yao had fled the country in 2005 when he was accused of graft, living in central and south America and the Philippines before settling in Bulgaria where he was last month arrested after being put on an Interpol Red Notice. "There is no true freedom fleeing overseas, finally I still needed to come back to explain myself and accept the consequences," he told Xinhua. As part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive, Beijing has sought the return of overseas fugitives accused of corruption or economic crimes. But it has seen limited success with many western governments including the United States and Canada unwilling to cooperate because of what they say a lack of transparency and due process in China's legal system. This is the first extradition since the NSC, a new super anti-graft agency, was set up in March. The commission works alongside the Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), which has punished more than one million officials since 2012. el/je Bulgaria extradites graft suspect to China in EU first Sofia, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 A former Chinese official accused of taking bribes has been extradited from Bulgaria to China in the first such move by an EU member state, Beijing's top graft buster said. Yao Jinqi, 62, was sent back to China after it was established he would not face the death penalty, according to Sofia authorities. "The law enforcement agencies of China and Bulgaria worked closely together and Yao Jinqi, a suspect who fled to Bulgaria, was extradited," China's National Supervision Commission said in a statement. "It is also the first time that we have successfully extradited a bureaucrat suspected of work-related crimes from an EU member state." The ruling of the Sofia City Court obtained by AFP confirmed that during a court hearing on Monday Yao, a former official in eastern China's Zhejiang province, had agreed to be extradited. "It is categorically stated that for the crimes listed in the extradition request, the death penalty is not applicable," it added, contradicting a claim from Yao's Bulgarian lawyer Yanko Alexiev that his client could face the death penalty. "In line with the legislation in the People's Republic of China, for such a crime he can be sentenced to jail for a period of three to ten years, or fined, or his property may be confiscated, while the death penalty is not applicable," the court said. There were also no grounds to consider that he might face "violence, torture, or cruel, inhumane, humiliating punishment", it added. China's official Xinhua news agency said Yao had fled the country in 2005 when he was accused of graft, living in central and South America and the Philippines before settling in Bulgaria where he was last month arrested after being put on an Interpol Red Notice. "There is no true freedom fleeing overseas, finally I still needed to come back to explain myself and accept the consequences," he told Xinhua. As part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive, Beijing has sought the return of overseas fugitives accused of corruption or economic crimes. But it has seen limited success with many Western governments including the United States and Canada unwilling to cooperate, because of what they say a lack of transparency and due process in China's legal system. This is the first extradition since the NSC, a new super anti-graft agency, was set up in March. Those convicted of corruption have mostly been handed lengthy jail sentences though they could face capital punishment in serious cases. In July, Zhang Zhongsheng, a former vice-mayor of Shanxi in north China was sentenced to death for accepting over $1 billion yuan ($160 million) in bribes. Chinese courts have a near-perfect conviction rate of 99.92 percent. el/je/ds/fa Page Content World AIDS Day: Know Your Status, End AIDS GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) World AIDS Day is celebrated each year on December 1st. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness, educate and improve a greater understanding of HIV as a global public health issue. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has proposed the following theme: Know Your Status, End AIDS. We have made progress in the response to HIV in the Americas, however efforts must continue to reduce new infections and improve access to treatment. In Latin America, there was a reduction of only 1% in the number of people newly infected every year since 2010 (120,000 people per year, approximately); and almost 1 in every 4 persons with HIV do not know their status. Additionally, about a third of new infections occur in young people age 15 to 24 years and more than half of all infections in key populations. Key populations carry a very disproportionate burden of HIV proportional to their estimated population size. Men who have sex with men alone accounted for 41% of new infections in Latin America and 23% in the Caribbean in 2017. Addressing gaps in HIV testing, especially among key populations - in the context of combination HIV prevention-, can help the Region to accelerate progress and end AIDS by 2030, according to PAHO. The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), includes World AIDS Day as part of its calendar of annual observances. CPS calls on the community to educate and inform themselves about the latest developments related to AIDS. It is also important for the community to be supportive and not discriminate against persons living with HIV AIDS or any other diseases. The CPS add that collectively let us inform each resident of preventive steps to take to mitigate the spread. Each informed person on HIV AIDS holds the key to shut down the spread of HIV. Let us keep ourselves and love ones safe by making informed choices and decisions. This World AIDS Day is also the 30th anniversary when the World Health Organization (WHO) started in 1988 a pioneering global health prevention campaign to profile the disease. The two main aims for World AIDS Day according to the WHO are: Urge people to know their HIV infection status through testing, and to access HIV prevention, treatment and care services. The second aim is to urge policy-makers to promote a health for all agenda for HIV and related health services, such as tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis and noncommunicable diseases. 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In an official statement, the prosecution charged the defendants with "establishing and leading a Takfiri group, funding its members, and killing nine Christians and a policeman, and the attempted murder of another." Security forces shot dead one of the attackers in an exchange of fire outside the church of Mar Mina, while another assailant was arrested The charges listed by the prosecution also include resisting police by force and violence, as well as manufacturing and possessing an explosive device to be used to endanger peoples lives. It also charged the defendants with seeking to join the terrorist group Daesh abroad to carry out terror acts in Egypt, as well as using websites to exchange messages and assignments to execute the terrorist activities. The prosecution identified the leader of the group as Ibrahim Ismail Mostafa, currently in custody, as well as ten others. The attack in December 2017 came nearly a week ahead of preparations by Copts, who make up 10-15 percent of Egypt's 104 million population, to celebrate Christmas on 7 January. In the last several years, Coptic churches have been the target of several deadly terrorist attacks, which left tens dead and injured. Search Keywords: Short link: Trump rejects Paris accord, but his diplomats are still negotiating Washington, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 Next week in Poland, a discreet delegation of American diplomats will settle in for two weeks of international climate negotiations along with their European, Chinese and other counterparts they've mixed with for years. The fact that Donald Trump announced in June 2017 that the US would withdraw from the Paris climate accord signed in 2015 by his predecessor, Barack Obama, has not ended US participation in continuing climate talks. The US pullout won't take effect until 2020. In the meantime, the Americans are not leaving their seats empty and remain heavily involved at the technical, rather than political, level. "Among developed countries, the US is hardly isolated on those issues," said Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, noting that the US has maintained a united front with Europe and other rich nations when it comes to technical subjects that are indispensable to the effective rollout of the Paris deal. The Conference of Parties number 24 (COP24), is the follow-on to COP 21 in Paris. This time, 197 signatories are meeting to agree on the rules of applying their commitments under the 2015 pact, making a "rulebook" to follow. "Paris has to be brought to life in an operational sense," said Todd Stern, who was President Obama's chief climate negotiator. One page on transparency might need 15 or 20 pages of technical definitions, he said. For example, countries must agree on a common method of counting emissions so that progress can be compared equally. Should they use international guidelines from 2006, and allow flexibility to some countries? If so, which ones? Who will review nations' progress? On the ground, or from the secretariat in Bonn? And when? And what should be done if a country does not stand by its pledge? On these subjects, the Americans have some very precise goals. They are refusing to allow any developed country to be subject to stricter rules than a developing country -- the same position that has been held by the prior administrations of George W. Bush, Barack Obama and the present one of Donald Trump. - After Trump - Why are other countries cooperating with the United States? Because they are laying the groundwork for a possible future US tie-in to the Paris accord. Everyone knows that Washington's pullout formally takes place November 4, 2020, the day after the next US presidential election. It's still even possible that Trump could decide to stay in the accord. "Most countries I talked to have tried to separate the Trump administration from the US long term," said Meyer. "They want to maintain the ability for the US to either stay in Paris if President Trump can be convinced to change his mind or to re-enter Paris after President Trump leaves office," he said. "There is some sympathy for some of the US positions in the negotiations because other countries don't want to make it more difficult for a future president to come back in." According to Ovais Sarmad, deputy executive secretary at the UNFCCC, which oversees the talks, 183 other countries ratified the Paris accord. "We hope that that position (of the US) will change over time," said Sarmad. The US delegation will not be led by a high-ranking official, but rather a career diplomat, Judith Garber, who is not widely known in the larger public. Garber is principal deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. "The team that represents the United States is made up of career diplomats, you have negotiated these issues for many years, and have earned considerable credibility and trust among their colleagues from other countries," said Elliot Diringer, executive vice president of the think-tank C2ES in Washington. Proof of Washington's weight: the US blocked talks in Bangkok in September on the question of green financing that developed countries are meant to free up to help poorer nations make a transition to greener energy, observers said. Alongside the technical negotiators, a more political delegation arrives the second week, with a representative from the White House, Wells Griffith, according to Meyer. As soon as he arrives, the energy advisor to Donald Trump will preside over an event to promote fossil fuel and carbon. A provocation for some, to be sure, but not one that is off-putting enough to derail the negotiations which are taking place in private. "The Americans are continuing to negotiate in a constructive manner," said a source close to the talks. "Of course, we have to put up with the fact that they are coming in support of coal, but in the meantime, we can work quietly." A Cairo Criminal Court ordered on Saturday ordered the release of well-known activist and blogger Wael Abbas under probationary measures, six months after he was arrested for "publishing false news and inciting against the state." Prosecutors accused Abbas, 43, of "broadcasting false news, information and statements with the aim of disturbing public peace and undermining trust in state institutions. Abbas was one of the pioneer bloggers in Egypt in the 2000s with his "Egyptian Awareness" blog, which fiercely criticized government policies during the rule of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. He was a fierce critic of the Muslim Brotherhood during the rule of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, and has also been a strong critic of the government. Search Keywords: Short link: The Paris climate treaty: a snapshot Paris, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 The 2015 Paris Agreement is the first pact under which all nations commit to taking actions to curb global warming, caused mainly by emissions from burning coal, oil and gas. Key facts about the agreement: - The climate club - A total of 196 nations, including the Palestinian government, have endorsed the landmark deal and more than 184 have officially ratified it as of December 1. International agreements can be signed, but only become binding through ratification. The accord -- which becomes operational in 2020 -- entered into force in November 2016 when it crossed the threshold of 55 ratifying parties representing at least 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The world's top carbon polluters, in descending order, are China, the United States, the European Union, and India. The biggest polluter not to have ratified the deal is Russia, which ranks 5th. Turkey and Iran have also failed to ratify. - Exit strategy - The agreement allows parties to quit, but notice can be given only three years after entry into force. Withdrawal would take effect a year later. In June 2017, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would pull out. Under treaty rules, that cannot formally take place until November 4, the day after the next US presidential election. A country can also withdraw from the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under whose authority the deal was negotiated. Withdrawal takes effect a year after notification, which can be given at any time. - The goal - Nations have agreed to hold global warming to "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels, and to strive for a lower limit of 1.5C, if possible. A major report from the UN's science advisory body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), concluded in October that the 1.5C cap is technically feasible but would require a rapid and wholesale transformation of the global economy. Even the two-degree ceiling is a huge challenge, according to the IPCC, which calculated that emissions must drop 40-to-70 percent by 2050 (compared to 2010 levels) to hit that target. Signatories have undertaken to ensure that global emissions peak "as soon as possible". They rose in 2017, and are on track to go up again this year. Voluntary national pledges annexed to the treaty would see the planet warm by at least 3C, a recipe for catastrophic floods, heatwaves, drought and storm surges made worse by sea level rise, say scientists. - Tracking progress - Starting in 2020, countries will take stock every five years of their collective progress in curbing global warming, with an eye toward boosting national efforts to cut emissions. Most current pledges extend to 2030, with a few -- including the plan submitted by the United States under Barack Obama -- running to 2025. But faced with the inadequacy of those pledges and dire warnings from climate scientists that emissions must peak and sharply decline as soon as possible, nations are under pressure to enhance their carbon-cutting commitments sooner. - Financing - Rich countries are required to provide funding to help developing nations make the costly shift to clean energy, and to shore up defences against climate impacts. The treaty mandates climate aid of $100 billion (88 billion euros) per year starting in 2020. A running tally published last week by the UN showed that climate finance is roughly on track to hit that total, but disagreements remain over the sources of funding and how much will be earmarked for adapting to climate change. Importantly, one of the Paris Agreement's long-term goals is to make all finance flows consistent with low-carbon and climate-ready economic development, which will be measured in trillions, not billions. Beijing lashes out at US for South China Sea sail-by Beijing, Nov 30 (AFP) Nov 30, 2018 China on Friday scolded the United States for sending naval vessels close to disputed islands in the South China Sea where Beijing has built military installations. The US and its allies periodically send planes and warships through the area to conduct "freedom of navigation" operations, intended as a signal to Beijing of their right under international law to pass through the waters claimed by China. According to the Pentagon, the USS Chancellorsville guided-missile destroyer sailed Monday near the Paracel islands, known as Xisha in Chinese, "to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law." The Chinese military scrambled aircraft and warships, sending out warnings for the American vessel to leave the area. "We urge the US to strengthen the management of its vessels and aircraft that pass by Chinese territory to prevent unexpected events," People's Liberation Army Southern Theatre spokesman Li Huamin said in a statement. China has also lodged a diplomatic complaint with Washington, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said during a regular press briefing, calling on the US to "immediately stop such provocative actions that violate China's sovereignty". The Paracels are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts. Further angering those countries, and the US, Beijing has moved aggressively to build up reefs into artificial islands capable of hosting military planes. It was the second US naval operation to irk China this week. On Wednesday, two US ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait -- which China considers its territory but the US and others see as international waters open to all -- prompting a furious Beijing to send warships and fighter jets. This was the third such operation this year, including one last month which prompted a diplomatic protest. "US Forces operate in the Indo-Pacific region on a daily basis, including the South China Sea," the Pentagon statement read. "All operations are designed in accordance with international law and demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows." The naval tensions come just ahead of scheduled talked between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Argentina this weekend aimed at softening trade tensions. North Korean soldier defects to South across border Seoul, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea on Saturday across their heavily fortified land border, which the two sides have begun to demilitarise as relations between the Cold War-era foes warm, the South's military said. The rare defection came as the two Koreas push ahead with a process of reconciliation in an effort to ease tensions, despite talks between Pyongyang and Washington on the North's nuclear weapons programme stalling. The incident did not trigger any gunfire, unlike last year when a North Korean soldier ran across under a hail of bullets from his own side. "A North Korean soldier was detected crossing the military demarcation line" by South Korean troops using surveillance equipment, the military Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. "Related agencies plan to investigate him regarding the details of how he came to the South," it said. The JCS gave no further details, such as the exact location of the defection, the soldier's name, rank or unit or whether he was carrying a weapon. "The soldier is safely in our custody", the JCS said. The last defection involving North Koreans occurred in May when two civilians aboard a small boat fled to the South across the Yellow Sea. In November last year, a North Korean soldier drove to the heavily guarded border at speed and ran across under fire from his own comrades. He was hit multiple times in the dramatic defection at Panmunjom truce village, a major tourist attraction and the only place on the frontier where forces from the two sides come face-to-face. Three other soldiers reportedly crossed the land border last year in separate incidents. In 2012 a North Korean soldier walked unchecked through rows of electrified fencing and surveillance cameras, prompting Seoul to sack three field commanders for a security lapse. - 'Momentum' - More than 30,000 North Korean civilians have fled their homeland since the peninsula was divided at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Most flee across the porous frontier with neighbouring China and it is very rare for them to cross the closely guarded inter-Korean border, which is fortified with minefields and barbed wire. In recent months, however, the two sides have begun to remove landmines and destroy military bunkers at parts of the border as part of efforts to improve long-strained relations. They have also begun work to reconnect a train line and repair another rail link across the border. Despite the warming ties, it remains unclear whether the North's leader Kim Jong Un will make his first-ever visit to the South this year, as Seoul is hoping. Kim agreed to travel to Seoul after hosting his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang in September for their third summit but prospects of a fourth Moon-Kim meeting have recently dimmed, with negotiations on denuclearizing the North grinding to a halt. In an apparent bid to encourage a hesitating Kim to commit to a trip, Moon elicited an expression of support for such a visit from US President Donald Trump at a summit in Buenos Aires on Friday. "The two leaders agreed Chairman Kim Jong Un's visit to Seoul would provide additional momentum to their joint efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula," Moon's chief press secretary Yoon Young-chan said. Washington, D.C., November 30, 2018 (SPS) - A letter signed by American Voters and international human rights advocates, was delivered to the White House today calling for U.S. President Donald J. Trump to pressure Morocco to end its illegal occupation of Western Sahara or hold the long promised referendum before the end of the year. The letter circulated by the U.S. Western Sahara Foundation cited the strong parallels between the Western Sahara issue and the themes on which Trump campaigned for President when he spoke about the forgotten men and women and highlighted how corruption in government can lead to much suffering and unfairness. The Sahrawi are the forgotten men and women who have suffered because of corruption and broken promises over the long promised referendum. Republicans, Democrats and Independents joined in our appeal with great hope that President Trump could be the one U.S. President who could end this brutal occupation and bring freedom to Africas only remaining colony, said U.S. Western Sahara Chair Suzanne Scholte. He personally saw the corruption between Hillary Clinton and the Kingdom of Morocco, which currently occupies Western Sahara, during his Presidential campaign. The letter also included a request that the Trump administration withhold any international aid from the United States of America to the Kingdom of Morocco until 1) all Sahrawi political prisoners are released from their unlawful detention; and, 2) the Kingdom ends its repeated and ongoing attempts to exploit the natural resources of Western Sahara. Appeals from the signatories and the full letter text are reprinted below. A voter in Virginia wrote: Mr. President, You are the great liberator of our day. You are winning the battle against darkness, crime and evil! I believe history will remember you as one of our greatest presidents. Please use your power and authority to free the Sahrawi people from the brutal and disgusting Moroccan occupation. Thank you for all you're doing for our nation. God bless you, sir!! A naturalized American citizen and voter wrote: "Dear Mr. President, I have left my country of origin to seek refuge in the USA, because I was persecuted by the Islamist fundamentalists, I have believed in you since day one and continue to admire your leadership. Im proud to state that I have voted for you and will not hesitate to vote once again for you. You are a leader and I know that you believe in fairness. I have strong faith that you are well aware of the situation of the people of the Western Sahara and the suffering they endure daily. Im imploring you, Mr. President to stop the aid to the Moroccan kingdom, and pressure the King of Morocco to withdraw from the Western Sahara and set its people free. A voter in Georgia wrote: "Dear Mr. President Donald J. Trump, This case is the case of ""the under dog"". It is a bully country taking over a small Spanish speaking country because they are rich in natural resources and have no one to stand up for them against the tyranny Moroccan King is a good friend of the Clintons. I have seen with my own eyes the refugee camps and children suffering in the desert because of the greed of the Moroccan King. Appealing and thirsting for Justice for Western Sahara, dear President Trump. A voter in Minnesota wrote: Thank you for your heart of compassion and of the triumph of right over wrong in our world. Supporting the petition in solidarity from abroad An Englishman wrote: As a UK citizen I would welcome US action on an issue that European governments have failed to deal with. It is very simple to solve. An Australian wrote: The Saharawis have been patient for a very long time and certainly deserve their referendum of self-determination now. Please give them active support. A South African wrote: "Dear President Trump, Good day. You have proven that you are a worthy leader because you are a man of action. Please kindly act for the referendum for self-determination for the people of Western Sahara to take place now. Thank you." ____________ The complete text of the letter delivered to the White House follows below: The Honorable Donald J. Trump President of the United States Dear Mr. President: We are appealing to you to bring an end to the illegal occupation of Africas last colony, Western Sahara. While we represent many diverse political views, we are all appalled at the fact that Morocco has been allowed to occupy Western Sahara for over 40 years despite the fact that all previous United States administrations as well as the United Nations and the majority of nations have agreed that the people of Western Sahara should be entitled to determine the future of their country. When you ran for President, you spoke often about the forgotten men and women and highlighted how corruption in government can lead to much suffering and unfairness. The situation in Western Sahara is a stark illustration of exactly the sentiments you expressed during your campaign for President. Utilizing its vast wealth and resources, the Kingdom of Morocco has successfully obstructed the long promised referendum on self-determination first promised to the Sahrawi (the people of Western Sahara) by the United Nations in 1991. Morocco invaded Western Sahara in 1975, and in 1991, after a 16 year war with the Sahrawi ended in a stalemate, the Kingdom of Morocco finally agreed to allow the Sahrawi to determine their future through a United Nations organized referendum. However, by pouring millions of dollars each year into lobbying efforts the Kingdom of Morocco has managed to block the successful implementation of this referendum. We have this specific request of you: that you ensure the referendum of Western Sahara will be held in 2018 and if that fails, that you call for Morocco to end their brutal and illegal occupation of Western Sahara. Furthermore, we request that any international aid from the United States of America, which has provided generously to the Kingdom of Morocco, be withheld from the Kingdom of Morocco until 1) all Sahrawi political prisoners are released from their unlawful detention; and, 2) the Kingdom ends its repeated and ongoing attempts to exploit the natural resources of Western Sahara. We thank you for considering our petition and look forward to your response All the names of the signatories and their personal messages were delivered to the White House but are not being released publicly to protect them from harassment and intimidation by Kingdom of Moroccos extensive lobby in the USA. For further information, contact Suzanne Scholte at 703-534-4313 or visit http://www.defenseforumfoundation.org (SPS) 062/SPS English30/11/2018 ORIC AND MUHIC ACQUITTED OF CRIME CHARGES SARAJEVO, November 30 /SRNA/ - The Appellate Chamber of the BiH Court today acquitted the war commander of the so-called BiH Army in Srebrenica, Naser Oric, and a BiH Army member, Sabahudin Muhic, of war crimes against Serbs in Srebrenica in 1992. The Appellate Chamber of the Court of BiH confirmed the first-instance verdict which acquits Oric and Muhic of war crimes committed against Serbs in Srebrenica in 1992. Chairman of the Appellate Panel, Tihomir Lukes, read the verdict. The prosecutor and the other members of the Appellate Panel did not attend the verdict pronunciation. Numerous supporters of Oric welcomed the acquittal decision with applause and war flags outside the BiH Court building, shouting "Alahu akbar". Oric and Muhic were accused of having killed three of the captured Serbs - Slobodan Ilic, Milutin Milosevic and Mitar Savic in Zalazje, Lolici and Kunjerac. On June 8, the Appellate Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina abolished the first-instance acquittal of Oric and Muhic and ordered a retrial, due to substantial violations of the criminal procedure provisions. During the retrial, Prosecutor Miroslav Janjic emphasized in his closing arguments that the defence of the accused did not dispute the position of the Prosecutors Office with any evidence and requested the punishment for the accused in accordance with the law. Prior to the closing arguments, the Prosecutors Office submitted a precise indictment, in which the main amendment relates to the MO of murder in Zalazje, and reads that Oric, apart from punching and kicking and using a knife, shot the prisoner of war. Defence attorneys of the accused, Lejla Covic and Sabina Mehic, demanded the acquittal of their defendants in their closing arguments, as they believe the Prosecutors Office proved nothing, except that there was an armed conflict ongoing at that time. /end/vos English30/11/2018 DODIK: ACQUITTAL - WORST MESSAGE TO SERBS BANJALUKA, November 30 /SRNA/ - BiH Presidency Chair Milorad Dodik told Srna the acquittal of Naser Oric, the war-time commander of the so-called Army of BiH in Srebrenica is the worst possible message to the Serb people that could have been sent by the BiH Court and BiH as a whole, and that it is high time to stop belittling the Serbs. Dodik recalled that he had said earlier that the trial was a farce and that it was staged so that the criminals such as Naser Oric could get satisfaction for committing crimes. "BiH and the institutions like the BiH Court are a bad place for Serbs, he said and added that there was no responsibility for killing Serbs in BiH. Many things in BiH were designed to be against Serbs and belittle them, he said. Dodik noted that Oric was an undisputed criminal, that even Bosniaks, who claimed that he had committed war crimes and killed people, had testified about it. "To be a member of the Serb people today, when a criminal is acquitted by judges, who are all but judges, tells us what we can expect in BiH, said Dodik. He pointed out that BiH was "a legal and human violence against Serbs, which is best proved by such judgements of the BiH Court. Dodik said he would like the Serb employees of the Court and Prosecutors Office to leave those institutions and that he would always support them if they decided to do so. "I believe it is high time to stop that violence and belittling of the Serb people as a whole," added Dodik. The Appellate Panel of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday acquitted Naser Oric, the war-time commander of the so-called Army of BiH in Srebrenica, and Army member Sabahudin Muhic of 1992 crimes against Serbs in Srebrenica. /end/ds English30/11/2018 ORIC ACQUITTAL CREATING MAJOR DISORDER IN BiH JUDICIARY OPERATIONS BANJALUKA, November 30 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Minister of Justice Anton Kasipovic told Srna the acquittal of Naser Oric creates a serious disorder and difficulties in the BiH judiciarys operations. "The judgement clearly shows that the CV of not just Oric, but of many events here, which I loathe, is washed out many times with such court proceedings. I loathe every crime, especially a war crime, and believe this creates a major problem, primarily in an effort to disband the judicial system in BiH and perhaps raises the issue why the Council of Ministers did not adopted the revised war crimes strategy, said Kasipovic. Such a judgement may even make the BiHs path to the EU more difficult because it shows that BiH is not ready to confront all the issue, particularly those regarding the prosecution of war crimes, he said. Kasipovic said he found it difficult to understand the circumstances in which the BiH Court acted this way, given that all courts must be independent and base their ruling on law and justice. "All of us who are talking about this judgement today should bear in mind that we sometimes have to face the families of Slobodan Ilic, Milutin Milosevic, Mitar Savic, and meet the people in Zalazje, Lolici, in Kunjevac, said Kasipovic. He said he was ready to do it, and that he did not know whether everyone who took part in the proceedings before the BiH Court was ready to face the families and the people in those villages. "Im saying this not to defend anyone. I must say I am handicapped because what Im saying I should not be saying as the minister of justice but as a citizen of BiH and primarily of Republika Srpska," he said. He asked whether this judgement really allowed for properly enforcing the justice reform in Republika Srpska and BiH in the future. The Appellate Panel of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday acquitted Naser Oric, the war-time commander of the so-called Army of BiH in Srebrenica, and Army member Sabahudin Muhic of 1992 crimes against Serbs in Srebrenica. Oric and Muhic were charged with killing three detained Serbs - Slobodan Ilic, Milutin Milosevic and Mitar Savic in Zalazje, Lolici and Kunjerac. Outside the BiH Court building, numerous admirers of Oric welcomed the acquittal with applause, shouting Allahu Akbar and waving war-time flags. /end/ds Ankaras obsession with the Kurdish question has again pitched Turkey against Washington, as well as Moscow The climate of suspicion and mistrust between the two countries is palpable, observed the Arabic edition of the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Turkish news site Ahval, on 24 November, in an article on the growing gap between the outlooks of Turkey and the US on the Syrian and Kurdish questions. Ankara has been working relentlessly to destroy Washingtons strategic relations with Syrian Kurds, but its efforts have been futile. Washington, which is in the stronger position, is not prepared to sacrifice the huge amounts of funds, plus the 2,000 troops, it has invested in the battle to eradicate the Islamic State (IS) group from Syria and to ensure that it never returns, so it will continue to support the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for some time to come. This is the problem of the regime of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which dreads the emergence of a nascent separatist entity the spectre of which the Turks have fought for decades. It is obvious to all that the relative ease-up in Turkish-US relations following the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson has quickly soured. Tensions have resurfaced over a number of issues and the veneer of diplomatic courtesies is cracking once again as yet another confrontation adds to a long train of crises. On Wednesday, 21 November, US Defense Secretary James Mattis announced that the US military would be setting up observation posts in northern Syria as a means to keep the forces that the US supports in Syria focused on the fight against IS. On Saturday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar stated that this decision would further complicate the already complicated situation in the region. He added that Turkish forces would take all necessary actions to deter any threat from across the border. Akar was alluding to the US-backed SDF and, specifically, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) that leads it and that Ankara regards as a terrorist organisation. In his statement, he said that his country had notified Washington numerous times about its concerns in this regard. He did not say that Washington shrugged off his warnings regarding the observation posts, as it has shrugged off many previous ones. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, for his part, issued an ultimatum. He gave the US until the end of the year to implement the Manbij roadmap, which the two sides agreed on six months ago. If it failed to do so the consequences would be grave, he warned. In an interview with CNN Turk, the foreign minister said that the roadmap would lead to the evacuation of the YPG, which Ankara claims is an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), from that region in northern Syria. The hardline stances seem curious given how the observation posts were presented as a sign of growing cooperation. They are designed to make sure that the people we have fighting down in the [Middle Euphrates River Valley] are not drawn up that fight, Mattis said, referring to frequent clashes with Turkish and Turkish-backed forces that diverted Kurdish fighters from the offensive against IS. The observation posts will be visible day and night, so there will be no room for mistake and accidentally targeting US forces. Their purpose, he said, was in order to be able to call the Turks and warn them if we see something coming out of an area were operating in, adding: We are going to track any threat that we can spot going up into Turkey. Yet the pro-government media vehemently denied that this was Mattiss intent and once again pulled out the usual litany of grievances against the US: its ostensible collusion with the failed coup attempt in July 2016, its harbouring of the Islamist preacher Fethullah Gulen, the alleged mastermind of that coup, and, of course, its support for terrorists (ie the YPG) in Syria. Indeed, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu came in on cue, over the weekend, in order to charge that the US had turned Syria and Iraq into a laboratory of terrorism and that the US has been bargaining with terrorist organisations over oil reserves in Iraq and Syria, saying 75 per cent of it will be mine and youll get 25 per cent. Alluding to Turkish military offences in northern Syria, he cautioned against the mistake of thinking that the new Turkey was the same as the old Turkey. Behind the fiery rhetoric, it appears that Turkey has taken another slide into the Syrian quagmire. After the recent chlorine bomb attack against Aleppo which, according to Russia, was launched from an area in the de-escalation zone controlled by Al-Nusra Front, the glare of suspicion immediately fell on Ankara, which is supposed to guarantee that the jihadist militants uphold the ceasefire agreement. The spate of denials failed to convince an angry Russia, which bombarded the positions of the insurgents that Ankara funds and arms, and announced that it would talk to Turkey. On 25 November, the Turkish Defence Ministry announced that Hulusi Akar had phone meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in which the two discussed the situation in Idlib and other concerns. Ankara needs to placate its powerful neighbour to the north while tensions seethe with its powerful NATO ally. * A version of this article appears in print in the 29 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Turkey in Syria versus the US Search Keywords: Short link: Foodbank manager Marion Homer STRATFORD-upon-Avon is one of Warwickshires busiest emergency foodbanks and one of a number of charities and community groups across the UK to collect food donated through Tesco and The Trussell Trusts Food Collection. Since beginning in January 2013 the group has fed more than 8,000 local people in crisis of which a quarter are children. For foodbank manager Marion Homer, the support Food Collection provides is invaluable: With need growing all the time, the food we receive means were able to continue helping any local people who are in need us. If demand continues to grow at this rate we will be feeding over 250 people a month. People are able to access foodbank services up to three times in six months based on a referral from a charity or partner agency, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau. Gulf Arab nations allied with the U.S. have offered their condolences over the death of President George H.W. Bush. Bush's death at the age of 94 takes on greater importance in the region over his actions in the 1991 Gulf War that saw Iraq expelled from Kuwait. Leaders in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday offered condolences to both President Donald Trump and former President George W. Bush for the elder Bush's death. Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also is the UAE's prime minister and vice president, tweeted that Emiratis remember Bush as ``a firm ally and friend.'' Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said similarly offered condolences. Search Keywords: Short link: Call for biz to back social discourse By Raj Moorthy Chambers meeting President on Monday View(s): View(s): Business leaders this week slammed Sri Lankan politicians for the crisis facing the country, urged support to new social movements and observed that national interest must override political agendas. Adding a voice to the plethora of concern by business chambers was an organisation representing Katunayake Free Trade Zone investors which called the recent incidents in Parliament debilitating and shameful and has implications for most of the future order books of FTZ companies as well as the potential of losing GSP+ for exports to the EU. We are extremely disturbed and disappointed with the behaviour of all political parties concerned in not reaching a consensus to this political flux. It is important and urgent that all political leaders at loggerheads put the country first rather than their personal agendas, said the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association (FTZMA) Executive Committee in a statement. In a related development, Colombo-based chambers of commerce and industry were due to meet President Maithripala Sirisena tomorrow at 5 pm to express their concern and alarm over the crisis and urge an early, constitutional end to it. Perhaps the biggest warning of a crisis that affects all sectors of the economy came on Wednesday from the heads of two chambers who said it was time the business community in the national interest lent its support to social movements to ensue in a new social order or risk facing the country going downhill. As citizens of this country we are part of this whole mess. Socially we have a responsibility at these turbulent times, asserted National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka President, Sujeewa Samaraweera, speaking at a discussion titled Managing a business during turbulent times organized by the Sunday Times Business Club and held at the Kingsbury Colombo, the clubs host hotel. As business entrepreneurs we need to take the message across to the villagers who are vulnerable. Poverty is how politicians exploit the situation which needs to be stopped. We should not allow power to exploit people, he said. National Chamber of Exporters President, Ramal Jasinghe said the power of the people plays a major role in the current situation. Right now people have had a shock treatment. The only hope is to have the elections sooner than later for the agony of the people to end, he said adding that they wont be able to run businesses smoothly if there is no end to this crisis. Takas.lk CEO Lahiru Pathmalal, the third panelist at the discussion, was also supportive of social movements that demand change, saying: We dont want the people who brought this country into such a disaster to find solutions for us. All three panellists reflected on the impact of the crisis on business saying the depreciation of the rupee has also worsened the situation. Cyberspace: The next frontier for Sri Lanka Signal Corps Text and pix by Alvin Sallay View(s): View(s): The Sri Lanka Army rolled out its big guns this week at its Cyber Security Symposium and Exhibition at the BMICH. Among the multi-barrelled rocket launchers and advanced artillery weapons on show was also a bicycle built for one using a grass-cutting motor engine which could be folded into three and stored in the boot of your car. Its innovator Captain Pubudu Dasanayaka tried to catch the eye of President Maithripala Sirisena who was Chief Guest at the opening ceremony of the event organised to mark the 75th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Signal Corps, one of the oldest regiments in the Sri Lanka Army. President Sirisena didnt have eyes for this bicycle built for one, perhaps apt considering the current political situation, leaving Captain Dasanayaka a trifle disappointed. But he perked up when the Business Times showed interest in his project rather than the surrounding stalls exhibiting hi-tech cyber products. I have been always interested in creating things which can be put to practical use even by civilians. In the past I built a car which could be driven by people who had lost their lower limbs, explained Captain Dasanayaka, a member of the Research Analysis Projection and Development Branch. If James Bond has the Q branch to supply his hi-tech gadgets, the Sri Lanka Army relies on this section to maintain its technological superiority which will be the decisive factor in warfare in the future. While its budget is a fraction of what developed countries spend the US Armys research and development budget in 2017 was just over US$71 billion it makes up for it with the wide range of ideas on show at the two-day exhibition useful for both military as well as normal everyday life. Air gun An old boy of St. Annes College, Kurunegala, Captain Dasanayaka once built an air-gun that could shoot a pesticide pellet which kills an insect detrimental to the growth of coconuts. So instead of having to climb up-and-down a coconut tree to treat the coconut flower with this pesticide, all you needed was good eyesight and steady aim arrack lovers will surely raise a dram to him. As a child I was always building things. This bicycle can be used in the battlefield with a few modifications but its primary purpose is to help get around in crowded urban areas, says the 32-year-old Army whiz-kid. Using the 35cc grass cutting engine, he has made a transport tool which can be folded in less than half-a-minute and stored in a bag. It weighs 22kg and has a maximum speed of 40kmph. It is economical with one litre of petrol taking you 70km. And it costs 25,000 rupees. He is now in the process of patenting the Folding Bee it makes a noise like a bee and is looking for investors. Right next to the bicycle is an Elephant Repel System, using visible lights to warn the behemoths away from man-made killer-machines like the trains on the Northern Jaffna line. A gaggle of schoolchildren from St. Josephs Girls School in Nugegoda are across the hall trying out their hand at shooting what looks like a Kalashnikov rifle at a target. The hits are recorded on a screen in front of you. We came with our ICT teacher for this exhibition, says one girl. She points out to her teacher who is as taken up as her students and is aiming for the chest of the target. More than 160 exhibits are scattered around, most of them by the Sri Lanka Signal Corps, with a few stalls given to the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Airforce with others taken by private companies dabbling in cyber security. A proud Major says: Without us (Sri Lanka Signal Corps), the Army would be helpless. We provide and maintain the communications for the Army, and in this current age, this is the most vital arm of the Army. Formed before Independence in 1943, the Sri Lanka Signal Corps is a descendant of the Royal Corps of Signals (UK). Its main role is to develop and pioneer a state-of-the-art ICT support required for the command, control and administration of the Security Forces. Nimesha Alwis and Neranjan Dissanayake man a booth which no one seems to be visiting. They work for Trend Micro, headquartered in Japan, which proudly announces they are experts at securing your journey through the Cloud. You want a safeguard against cyberattacks, then we are the people who can do it best, says Nimesha, the regional Accounts Manager for Trend Micro. Net security In early 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack, targeted computers worldwide. More than 200,000 computers were affected by the cryptoworm across 150 countries with total damages estimated at billions of dollars. Neranjan does not disclose names, but he reveals two large conglomerates in Sri Lanka also paid ransom. Today, among their clients are the Sri Lanka Army, the Central Bank, Cargills Bank, Seylan Bank, DFCC, Dialog to name a few. We are the best in the business in providing cybersecurity, adds Nimesha. Good to know, if you have millions in your account. The symposium was not only attended by local experts on cybersecurity but also foreign military from Britain, Major-General Jon Cole, Director Information and chief information officer, British Army; India, Lt. General Rajeev Sabherwal, Signal Officer in Chief, Indian Army; Pakistan, Major General Hafeez Ur Rahman, Signal Officer in Chief, Pakistan Army; and Bangladesh, Brigadier General Shaikh Muhammad Rizwan Ali, Commander, 86 Independent Signal Brigade, Bangladesh Army. I am delighted to see a wider participation of scholars from local and foreign military institutions, universities and entrepreneurs involved in the cyber domain. This symposium will offer enormous opportunities to broaden the horizon in cyberspace-related challenges and threats, said Major General B.H.M.A. Wijesinghe. While President Sirisena didnt wax lyrical, the Secretary, Minister of Defence, Hemasiri Fernando said: In todays context, the one who controls the cyberspace effectively will control the economic, military and social affairs in the future. Sri Lanka as a nation, needs to acquire technological sophistication to encounter possible threats in modern warfare which include cyber security, too, added Mr. Fernando, lauding the work done by the Sri Lanka Signal Corps. Hela Clothing appoints new chairman View(s): Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer, Hela Clothing Group, announced this week that it had secured a capital infusion of Rs. 1.2 billion by way of a mix of shareholder and new Private Equity investment funds from a private consortium whose lead investor has a wide portfolio including private equity investments in the fashion and retail space. A.R. Rasiah, former Finance Director at Nestle Lanka PLC, former Senior Director of Nations Trust Bank PLC, former Chairman of Atlas Axillia (Pvt) Ltd and director at many other listed and non-listed entities, has been a long-standing Director of the company and will now assume the role of Chairman thus continuing to bring a strong hand to commercial strategy, governance and the finances of the group, Hela Clothing said in a media release. The focus for the past 12 months was to right-size the business and drive free cash flow generation through operational excellence, prudent cost management together with customer and supply chain optimisation strategies. With the business now having made significant progress in those areas the focus is now around balance sheet strengthening both through raising equity and building cash reserves through operations, said Mr. Rasiah. Hela plans to use this capital infusion on several fronts. The majority of the proceeds will be used to repay debt and replenish working capital thus, strengthening the companys balance sheet. The balance of the funds will be utilized to fuel growth by enhancing and expanding its manufacturing footprint in Africa and for further operational streamlining through investments into IT and Innovation, beginning with the groupwide ERP system being upgraded in partnership with SAP solutions. Commenting on the utilization of funds, Mr. Rasiah added, Hela will continue to evolve and will be persistent in looking for avenues to become a renowned global apparel solutions provider which embodies the true Sri Lankan spirit. The media release had no reference to Dian Gomes, the former chairman and founding member of the organisation and what his current status is vis-a-vis the company. Iran has noted the death of President George H.W. Bush. A scrolling news bar on state television described Bush as being ``like other U.S. presidents who wished to see the collapse of the Islamic Republic.'' State television on Saturday morning announced Bush's death, citing international reports. Iran remained suspicious of Bush despite his pledge of ``good will begets good will.'' Iran leaned on Lebanon's Shia militants to help win the release American hostages like Terry Anderson of The Associated Press, but relations went no further. One of Bush's last acts as president was pardoning former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and others for their role in the Iran-Contra scandal, an offshoot of those hostage crises. Search Keywords: Short link: No-pay leave for female public officers to have a baby View(s): One-year no pay leave will be granted to female public officers to obtain fertility treatment to have a baby, according to a decision taken by the Cabinet recently. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs has, in a circular informed all state institutions that the rules have been revised to include this benefit for women employees in the public sector. No-pay leave up to one year would be granted for female public officers to spend in or out of the island to obtain treatments for sub fertility on the recommendations of a Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. These provisions are effective from November 21, 2018. Fertility transition in Sri Lanka began in the mid-1960s and the declining trend continued over the decades. The Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) showed the total fertility rate (TFR) reaching 2.3 births per woman, a level below replacement fertility. The analysis of factors affecting the likelihood of having a larger family (more than 2 children) revealed that lower educated women were more likely to have a higher number of children than their counterparts with a higher level of education. PM wants RPCs alternative solution to wage hike By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s): Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has asked plantation companies to try and come up with an alternative solution by tomorrow to the current deadlock concerning the wage hike of estate workers. During a meeting held on Thursday, chairmen of Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs), trade unions mainly represented by CWC, Ministers and Secretaries to the Ministries of Labour and Treasury and Secretary to the Plantation Ministry met Mr. Rajapaksa who requested plantation firms to come up with a reasonable solution and complete the wage negotiations by Monday. At the meeting CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman had explained that since the RPCs were offering work at Rs.1000 to workers outside the plantation then it was only fair enough that their workers also receive the same amount, the partys Vice President S. Arullsamy who was present at the meeting told the Business Times on Friday. The CWC leader had also noted that companies would effectively be spending about Rs.1300 on such workers and therefore insisted that their workers must receive the same amount. Prime Minister Rajapaksa is said to have asked the companies to come up with an alternative solution to the issue. Hayleys Plantations Managing Director Roshan Rajadurai told the Business Times that they had explained the dire conditions the plantations were faced with in terms of falling tea prices and that about 30-35 per cent of teas were left unsold. In this respect the companies had detailed that they were unable to pay an increase of Rs.1000 and had noted that going forward the situation would be more serious in the future if prices keep dropping further. He noted that the Prime Minister was considerate and understood their position and had asked whether the companies could then draft an alternative solution to the present crisis. The estate workers wage discussions have been in a deadlock since the RPCs insist that they are unable to increase wages upto Rs.1000 due to the low selling price of tea and the problems they were currently facing in the respective markets of Iran and Japan. Public enterprises directed to invest only in 8 state banks View(s): In the midst of the current political impasse, the Finance and Economic Affairs Ministry has directed public corporations and state owned companies to confine their investment of surplus funds to only eight state-owned banks with the aim of bringing such funds under the ministry purview. Public enterprises in Sri Lanka are engaged in the provision of goods and services and operate in strategic sectors of the national economy. Therefore the performances of these enterprises have a direct impact on the macroeconomic stability of the country, a senior official of the Treasury told the Business Times. Issuing a public enterprise circular No 02 /2018, newly appointed Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle noted that all boards of public corporations and state owned companies will be held personally responsible for any violation of this directive. Previously any temporary surplus funds of public corporations and state owned companies were allowed to invest in call deposits, short term deposits, Treasury Bills, fixed deposits or any other investment funds with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance in terms of Sec. 11 of the Finance Act, No. 38 of 1971. Approval for such anticipated investments should be obtained at the beginning of the financial year. No investment shall be made by public enterprises in subsidiaries, associates or other entities, without the concurrence of the Minister of Finance. The circular highlighted that investments of the funds of public enterprises are being made in entities that has not been approved by the Treasury and without following a proper due diligence process. Under these circumstances public corporations and state owned companies have been directed to invest their surplus funds in Bank of Ceylon, Peoples Bank, National Savings Bank, State Mortgage and Investment Bank, Regional Development Bank, Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank Ltd, Lankaputhra Development Bank, Sri Lanka Savings and their subsidiaries. So Sri Lanka white elephant in political circus By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s): The countrys newest Rs.1 billion tagline So Sri Lanka set to propel the destination as a unique travel hotspot has turned into a white elephant with the campaign coming to a virtual standstill, tourism industry specialists complain. The post-publicity campaign following the launch of Sri Lankas latest travel campaign So Sri Lanka is currently on hold following the political changes since October 26 since no payments can be made for its continuation. Post-launch of the campaign, the publicity programme is currently on hold due to non-payment of dues to JWT, the campaign designer. Advertising agency JWT has been promised a sum of Rs.314 million for its creative work and of that only 20 per cent has been paid. Though monies had been allocated for these and had received approvals prior to the launch of the campaign it is learnt that when the bills are made the respective boards of the tourism related institutions have to ratify these to make the payments. In this respect, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) even by Thursday had no subject Minister after former Tourism Minister Vasantha Senanayake submitted his resignation, less than a week in the job, and crossed back to the United National Party. Another aspect of the So Sri Lanka campaign was the completion of an animal film to be produced by a UK film crew due in the country but has not arrived due to the institutions inability to pay the bills. Moreover, the post-publicity campaign that was scheduled to be carried out in the respective markets and via the media that would air and advertise the So Sri Lanka slogan through television, social and outdoor advertisements to make it world renowned have also come to a standstill. The So Sri Lanka tagline has been included as part of the digital campaign that has already got underway in the five respective markets of India, China, UK, Germany and France. However it should be noted that this key campaign was expected to be showcased in 15 markets that would include Australia, Russia, West Asian, Scandinavian, Benelux and Eastern European countries as well. This is now on hold due to the inability to make the relevant payments to carry out this campaign in these countries. This slogan, the industry complains, that took so long to complete and finally had got launched at the World Travel Mart (WTM) in London this year, is just limited to those that saw it there alone. It has now become an unknown tagline in the key markets that pick Sri Lanka to holiday in, the industry notes. Moreover, the campaign was set to have a local launch for the media and another launch at the BMICH to be held solely for the industry stakeholders as well. Meanwhile the Tourism Ministry Secretary is said to have approved the January events related to travel fair participation for which procurements have commenced, officials said. Young Sri Lankans, Indians more informed, more tech-savvy and more connected View(s): India and Sri Lanka have a shared legacy of social, economic, political, intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic connect while the Governments of both countries have deep engagements and friendly relations. Thus, noted Prof. Dr. Mallika Kumar, Head of International Affairs and Commerce Department from the University of Delhi speaking at a recent event in Colombo, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer an opportunity for both the countries to work together, to connect, cooperate and collaborate to demonstrate their commitment to improving peoples lives and the overall wellbeing of the planet. She was delivering the keynote speech at the annual research seminar titled AGENDA 2030: Way Forward to Sri Lankas Sustainable Development organised by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo. She said like many other countries, Sri Lankas development agenda too focuses on achieving the SDGs. It is heartening to know that 83 per cent of adult males and females in Sri Lanka have bank accounts, maternal mortality rate is low and various several noteworthy measures have been taken to ensure its focus on rural development, social protection and an inclusive approach towards growth of the country. Here are excerpts from her presentation: Before we set the context of the talk today, I would like to quote the Father of our Nation Mahatma Gandhi who once said: One must care about the world one will not see.Relating it to development, one must care about development for the future generation, development which is sustainable and inclusive. AGENDA 2030 This includes a political declaration signed by 193 countries and is in essence, a set of 17 SDGs with their 169 targets which form the core of Agenda 2030. These goals have been built upon the MDGs which covered the 15-year period (2000-2015). The SDGs, otherwise known as Global Goals constitute a universal agreement to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. SDGs are not only crucial to overall wellbeing of global humanity but also realistic and hence achievable as they have been developed through a series of long-drawn global consultative processes and focus on how the entire global community must work together. They are universal and galvanize people from across various sections of society to work towards these commonly defined goals. Another important facet of SDGs is that the SDGs provide a long-term approach to solving the worlds most pressing problems. This long-term approach outweighs the shortsightedness of government policies, regardless of the political context. Make in India, Start up India, Atal Innovation Mission were all to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. More than 500 Tinkering Laboratories are being set up in schools across the country. Further, the India Innovation Index Framework has been launched for tracking and identifying promising innovations in the country. Even as it combats poverty, India remains committed to protecting the environment. India has taken vast strides on the path of clean energy and is currently running one of the worlds largest renewable capacity expansion programmes in the world. With regards to the way forward, we can say a lot has been achieved in both India and Sri Lanka. But much more needs to be done .The pace has to be faster and the approach more inclusive so that the benefits of development trickle down to the lowest in the strata i.e. leaving no one behind. While there are a number of challenges data-related, financial, governance-related, technological, together, one by one, we can achieve all of them: By improving access to financial products and digital enhancement. By engaging and empowering all stakeholders private sector, civil society and communities as well as political parties and government. By engaging international and local NGOs and mutual benefit service oriented institutions, viz: cooperatives and most importantly. By engaging youth. Todays generation of youth is the largest the world has ever known. One in every three persons living is under the age of 30 and around 90 per cent of young people are living in developing countries, mainly in Asia and Africa. India and Sri Lanka are no different. We represent the biggest demographic group, accounting for over 34.3 per cent of the youth population (15-24), in India and 23 per cent in Sri Lanka. Young Sri Lankans and Indians are more informed, more tech-savvy and more connected than any generation before. The SDGs are interwoven into the aspirations of the young people. So how do we bring change and prosperity to our countries? Any change, starts with an individual action and is shaped by our day-to-day behaviour. This includes choices about the way we live, behave, produce, consume and invest. Everyone can make a difference by slightly altering the behavior and attitudes. A tragedy of two prime ministers but whose coke is the real thing? A PRESIDENT IN SEARCH OF A PM: A NATION IN SEARCH OF A GOVERNMENT - - Somethings rotten in the State of Lanka: A Nation without a legitimate Government tottering perilous on brink of economic doom and anarchy View(s): View(s): It is the best of times for the Rajapaksa fraternity to make hay while the torrid sun shines. It is the worst of times for the Wickremesinghe clan whilst it ponders over its present plight in the drab, dark moonless night. It is the epoch of Rajapaksa belief that they can rule without public murmur or judicial censure. It is the epoch of Wicremesinghe incredulity that the red carpet of governmental power could be so easily pulled from under his feet by presidential whim and fancy, never mind what the 19th Amendment held. It is the turning point in a nations history, a nation now given to make its tryst with destiny on a habitual basis eerily on a Friday night: One that will determine its future course. One that will determine whether the future holds for all Lankans a season of light, of sunny skies, or a season of darkness, of perpetual night. This turning point presents the nations spring of hope and whether it will turn to be the winter of despair will depend on how all of us will respond to the challenge. Even as Charles Dickens wrote in his opening page of the Tale of Two Cities, We had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. Today in Sri Lanka, we have a moustachioed former president with black hair enthroned in the prime ministerial chair by presidential fiat occupying the Prime Ministers office down Flower Road. Today in Sri Lanka, we have a clean shaven Prime Minister with white hair enthroned in the prime ministerial chair by presidential appointment and ratified by a Parliamentary majority, living under siege at the Prime Ministers official residence, Temple Trees. As the Cocoa Cola ad tacitly put it some years ago, when facing competition from Pepsi and other colas, Coke: Its the Real Thing, and the question on the peoples lips is whos the genuine article, and who the counterfeit? That, of course, is not a matter to be determined in Lankas bars and taverns; nor in the public funded Parliamentary canteen where the purported governments ministers meet to give expression to their views, avoiding as they do the chamber of the House. And even though the present crisis has turned the Lankan populace of 22 million people into experts of constitutional law with each having, according to his or her party hue, a definite opinion on the matter, only the courts can deliver final judgment on the issue. This Friday morning, 122 MPs of the UNF, the TNA and the JVP sought refuge in the judiciary, the still extant bulwark of the peoples fundamental rights and the guardian of the peoples liberties. They petitioned for a Writ of Quo Warranto a writ or legal action requiring a person to show by what warrant an office or franchise is held, claimed, or exercised. They asked the court to seek from Mahinda Rajapaksa to show on what legal basis he holds the office of prime minister. And also for his cabinet coterie to show on what legal basis and by what authority they function as Ministers and or Deputy Ministers. They also requested the Court for a declaration that Rajapaksa and his ministers are not entitled to hold the office of Prime Ministers and Ministers or Deputy Ministers. Its an action they should have taken much earlier, not awaited the storm to break. Especially, when the dark clouds of deluge were hovering overhead threatening to burst. As the SUNDAY PUNCH has repeatedly commented these last three weeks, it was not the dissolution of Parliament that really mattered in this grave constitutional crisis but the gross failure to address the original sin whether, under the 19th Amendment, a prime minister after having being appointed by the President could be summarily be sacked and another appointed in his place that led to this calamity that mattered most. Just to refresh the memory bank. As The Sunday Punch commented on 18th November: What was the root cause? Though it may now seem rather academic to many, isnt it the failure to address the original sin that made the duly elected Ranil Wickremesinghe in August 2015 as the leader of the party commanding the largest majority in Parliament and his appointment as Prime Minister on that basis alone, be now cast East of Eden by presidential dictate? That too, like the dissolution of the parliament affair, would probably have to wait a Supreme Court judgment, not a G.L. Peiris ruling as a final say on the matter attendant with Executive blessings. Under the 19th Amendment, once the president has appointed a prime minster, he can only be sacked on certain grounds. Those grounds have not arisen to justify his removal. The question arises thus whether the president has violated the constitution and acted ultra vires his constitutional powers when he arbitrarily appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister whilst the incumbent premier still held legal office, neither having died, not resigned nor removed by a no-confidence motion or by Parliament rejecting the appropriation bill or the Governments statement of policy. Thank God, that the UNF, prone to procrastination, as it had been for the last three years in office, has finally decided to bathe in Hulftsdorp Hills fount of justice and let the public determine who emerges cleaner after the judicial scrub. For things have come to a pretty pass in the life of this nation in a matter of five weeks. Whilst the country stands perilous on the brink of economic doom, whilst its people battle each day to keep the wolf from their doors with the ever rising cost of living; whilst the value of the rupee continues to slide even further down the slippery slope despite the much vaunted boast of Rajapaksa that he accepted the Presidents invitation to become prime minister because he had the magic wand to arrest the trend nothing of that sort has come to pass except a meaningless power struggle that has damned its protagonists in the eyes of the people and shamed the nation in the eyes of the world. The last five weeks have only witnessed the usurpation of power through a constitutional coup; and no ten bucks or five bucks reduction in the price of petrol can reduce or douse the fires it has ignited. The unseen economic cost to the nation will never be known. And the wages of sin, perhaps, will never have to be paid by the guilty but will ultimately find its way to the door of the humblest hamlet and be levied upon the innocents who have no voices to speak, no coin to barter and no thirty silvers to gain for serial sell outs. This week saw the non attendance in Parliament of the purported government. Not once, but twice. The Speaker had given advance notice that Parliament will be convened on Tuesday. Whilst those presently labelled the opposition, the UNP, the TNA and the JVP duly turned up en masse and even two tie coats turned turn coats turned up plus the Buddhist monk who had become a born again MR catcher, it was no show by the purported members of the government in de facto power. It was no show again on Thursday, though some did turn up at the Parliamentary canteen where, it appears, they mark their roll call and issue their warped discourses on parliamentary procedure whilst tucking into the public paid for grub. Once known as Seenie Bolay but now UPFAs main underarm spin bowler S.B. Dissanayake, for instance, said on Thursday there would not be any change of government and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would continue in his post. Addressing a news conference held at the parliament complex, he declared that the prime minister would not be replaced. There are no vacancies for a Prime Minister or ministers in the government. No other person will be appointed to that post. This government will continue. He said the Speaker could not play around with a government appointed by the President. He then, probably, looking at the leaves in his tea cup, predicted the results of the general election if held soon. His forecast: We will be able to form a government at an election while the UNP will be reduced to 65 seats, Hakeem to three seats, Bathiudeen to two, the TNA to 13, TPA will lose its seats and Digambaram will win one seat. The ongoing farcical spectacle turned even more nonsensical when Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed his own reason why he and his party members were not showing their faces in the House. Responding to a question as to why the government MPs had boycotted parliament sittings once again, he said that they dont intend attending an illegal gathering. Fearing, perhaps, that he will be judged by the company he keeps, he declared, We are not avoiding anything. We simply dont like to attend an illegal gathering, and added that parliament sessions were being held illegally and accused Speaker Karu Jayasuriya of not respecting the law. The Speaker doesnt respect the law. We decided not to attend because of his arbitrary actions, he said. Whilst the situation stayed in a state of stalemate, the man who had impetuously brought the whole scenario into play and who had out of constitutional order created constitutional chaos the night he appointed Rajapaksa as prime minister, held a meeting with the TNA leaders and requested them to find the solution to deliver the hapless nation from the wretched impasse he had rashly fathered. The TNA response was terse and to the point. In a statement issued on Thursday it said: The Member of Parliament appointed as Prime Minister on the 26th of October has not been able to prove that he commands the confidence of Parliament though one month has lapsed since the said appointment and though Parliament has met several times during this period. On the other hand, Motions of No Confidence in the said Hon. Member as Prime Minister have been passed in Parliament on 14th and 16th November. The voice votes taken in Parliament have been confirmed by 122 Members signing and transmitting to both your Excellency and the Hon. Speaker statements to that effect. The view of the majority of the Hon. Members of Parliament on the issue of whether the said Hon. Member commands the Confidence of Parliament to be the Prime Minister has been negative and has been demonstrated beyond doubt. We wish to point out that, 1. The inability of the Hon. Member to prove that Parliament has confidence in him as Hon. Prime Minister, 2. the votes of No Confidence passed against the said Hon. Member on the 14th to 16th November pertaining to his claim to be the Hon. Prime Minister; have created a controversy in the Country as to whether the country is without a Prime Minister, a Cabinet of Ministers, and a lawfully constituted Government for more than a month. The TNA statement further added: In the circumstances to ensure that an Hon. Member of Parliament is able to command the confidence of Parliament as Prime Minister we the Members of Parliament of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi, will support the restoration of a Government headed by the UNF as it existed prior to 26th October; the Appointment of a nominee of the UNF who in the opinion of Your Excellency is able to command the confidence of Parliament as Prime Minister. Earlier on Thursday evening the President had met the Speaker and a statement issued from his presidential media unit had this to say: The Speaker told the President that all spheres of the country have become unstable today. He said the rapid depreciation of rupee and the collapsing of the investment sector and the tourism sector would be unbearable for the country. Therefore, the Speaker said that immediate solutions should be given to the instability to which the President responded positively. The President also commended the Speakers contribution to find solutions. It has become increasingly clear that the architect of the chaos cannot engineer the solution but has to seek the help of others to pull him out of the mire. They may well extend a helping humane hand to do so, though, alas, sad to say, the president will not come out smelling roses from the dregs of the Diyawanna Oya he himself had needlessly churned and muddied. Rage SUNDAY PUNCH ODE By Don Manu Rage, rage, rage Rage against the injustices that wage And curse men to be condemned to a confined cage Do not suffer in complacent disbelief You can the worlds woes to others leave Assuaging your heart that the world sleeps well tonight When it sleeps without any iota of relief *** Arise, arise, arise Arise, for the momentous hour is come For sweet dawn to break and see the new morns sun Freedoms long glimpsed light awaits to be born But only you my friend, with me, can make it dawn United together lets make the sun run *** Awake, awake, awake Awake, and with one voice throng to the fore Its not too late to brave bravely The evils the cruel world holds Or would you rather, in complacent ignorant bliss, behold And bid the world goodbye, without tear, and not its injustice deplore *** March, march, march March, to the resounding drum of freedom in full cry Pray and ask the gods of love and peace Why this endless torment never cease But keeps man entrapped in bleak disease And why throttled hope can find no new lease *** Raise, raise, raise, Raise, the flag of liberty that will falter not, nor in half mast die; Unfurl to the heavens all hopes that lie Embedded deep in all mens hearts sacred shrine And gain release from the chains that now are thine Cry freedom now or forever, in silence, repine Or, without a qualm, witness mans liberties decline *** Brave, brave, brave, Brave, the cruel worlds wretched woes And the injustices that mark historys sores And as one with man, Sacrifice your lot to make mankind glow In freedom, in peace, with bliss in our heart Which will only happen if each one of us Makes a brave new start. And with the birth of fresh freedom, See enslavement, in a world of distraught, depart. ** Rage, arise, awake and march and raise in unison the trumpet call And brave all thy tears for the common good of all Six lords and a lady to deliver nation from darkness to light This week the spotlight will turn from the Diyawanna Lakes Parliament to Hulftsdorp Hills Supreme Court as six lordships and one ladyship take their seats on the apex bench this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to hear submissions made as to the legality or illegality of President Sirisenas gazette fiat in dissolving Parliament before its shelf date. The judges will be Chief Justice Nalin Perera, Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Sisira J. de Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardena, Prasanna S. Jayawardena, Vijith K. Malalgoda and Murdu Fernando. The judgment is expected to be given on Friday the seventh. Of course, a three-bench court comprising of the Chief Justice Nalin Perera, Priyantha Jayawardena and Prasanna Jayawardena have already issued a stay order on the presidential gazette notification dissolving Parliament which enabled the House to open its doors for business as usual these last three turbulent weeks. But now after witnessing its impotence to render unto the people the sovereign coin that belongs to the people, the hopes of the nation have fled from that once august chamber and have sought ultimate refuge atop Hulftsdorp Hill, seeking justice so long denied. Upon these honourable and learned personages who will grace the supreme bench this week to pass judgment on what is, probably, the gravest constitutional crisis the country has ever witnessed since the grant of independence, will rest the nations future fate. In their hands they will hold the providence not in the fall of a single sparrow but in the rise or doom of an entire populace and their way of democratic life, of law and order, of the triumph of truth and justice over institutionalised lies and deception. And the people will hold in their thoughts and in their prayers this fervent plea: Lead us, ye honourables, we the les miserables, lead us from despair to hope, lead us from darkness to light. An olive branch from Wijeyadasa and a House poised for a resolution sooner than later By Chandani Kirinde, Our Lobby Correspondent View(s): View(s): Four of the six political parties represented in Parliament this week once again demonstrated in no uncertain terms that they together command the majority in Parliament, with President Maithripala Sirisenas Prime Ministerial appointee MP Mahinda Rajapaksa and the UPFA remaining short of a simple majority of 113 MPs which they need to give legitimacy to their claim that they are the government. In two separate votes, taken on Thursday and Friday, two motions were approved by the House with 123 voting for the first one preventing the Secretary to the Prime Minister disbursing state funds while 122 MPs voted for the second motion on Friday, preventing secretaries to all ministers from disbursing state funds. The parties in Parliament that have stood firm against President Sirisenas actions include the United National Party (UNP), Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). The United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and the lone member of Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) who have taken upon themselves the role of government decided to boycott sittings this week saying they had no faith in Speaker Karu Jayasuriya accusing him of carrying on the business of Parliament as if it was the UNP headquarters Sirikotha. But the obvious reason they stayed away was due to their inability to garner the support of 113 MPs to show a majority in the House. Also, after the ugly scenes in Parliament the previous week when a group of UPFA MPs literally waged war against the Speaker, in their bid to stop a vote in the House, it is likely they were keen to avoid such scenes given the backlash against those who behaved like thugs and hooligans and not like elected representatives of the people. The UPFA MPs did attend the party leaders meeting held on Tuesday in Parliament, presided over by the Speaker where they made a request that the said motions not be taken up for debate as they were illegal. The UPFA MPs had also argued that the issue of the dissolution of Parliament is pending before court and, hence, the matter was sub judice and should not be debated in the House. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, however, overruled their objections and said he had got expert legal opinion and there was no hindrance to holding the debate. A motion preventing the Secretary to the Prime Minister from approving any expenditure drawn from funds of the Republic was signed by MPs Navin Dissanayake, Ravi Karunanayake, Nalaka Prasad Colonne, (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardana, Hector Appuhamy and Chathura Sandeepa Senaratne; while the motion preventing secretaries to any and all ministries from approving any payment of monies drawn from state funds was signed by (Dr.) Rajitha Senaratne, Ravi Karunanayake, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Arjuna Ranatunga, Mano Ganesan and (Dr.) Jayampathy Wickramaratne. Both motions were brought in the light of the two No Confidence Motions (NCM)s being passed against Mahinda Rajapaksa and his disputed Cabinet on November 14 and 16 following which the Speaker announced that he no longer recognised them as the legitimate government. The motions were bought by way of Parliament exercising the powers vested in it by the Constitution giving it full control over public finance. JVP MPs who took part in the debates came down hard on President Sirisena saying he alone was responsible for the political crisis in the country and that he should take steps immediately to undo the damage he had done. He must apologize to this country for the mess he has created and he must be made to pay for the economic losses incurred in the past month, JVP MP BImal Ratnayake said. SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem said the grave situation has been brought on by one institution of state trespassing on another and must be rectified swiftly. There is no government for 30 days and instead an illegal government has been put in place. The purported government does not have the guts to face the people and in the guise of boycotting Parliament is turning their back on the people, he said. On Friday MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe , who had thrown in his lot with the Rajapaksa camp, made a surprise entry to the Chamber and made a speech urging the Speaker to hold talks, with the President aimed at overcoming the current impasse. No doubt he was extending the olive branch at the behest of the President, who one month after his irrational and ill-thought-out actions, has been unable to either justify or garner adequate support for his move. Hours after Wijeyadasa Rajapakshes request, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya met with the President and, the following day, with MPs of ITAK (Tamil National Alliance) and the UNP in a bid to come to an amicable settlement. The talks did not help break the deadlock but more talks are expected before Parliament meets again on December 5 when another motion will be taken up for debate. This motion proposes to the President that he take further action in terms of Article 48 (2) of the Constitution in the light of the two NCMs passed in Parliament following which the Cabinet of Ministers stands dissolved. Given the latest developments in the month-long saga of infamy in the countrys political history, there is hope that there will be some resolution within the next few days. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya who has held on steadfastly despite many odds stacked against him is likely to see the country through one of the biggest challenges posed to its Legislature since Independence. It should come sooner than later. Political crisis retards economic recovery and development View(s): The political stalemate of over one month is a severe blow to the economy. This years economic recovery would be retarded and next years economic performance would be adversely affected. Long-run economic development is being undermined by weakening macroeconomic conditions. There are serious apprehensions on what may befall the economy. The political impasse will retard this years economic recovery as several facets of growth, such as tourism and foreign investments, are adversely affected. The continuing depreciation of the rupee would increase production costs and make investment too costly. The political crisis is affecting the balance of payments adversely, weakening the external finances and making repayment of debt next year onerous. Foreign reserves could be reduced due to an adverse balance of payments, capital outflows, and the withholding of foreign assistance and loans. Debt repayment A protracted political crisis could undermine foreign confidence and make it more challenging for the country to repay foreign debts. Capital outflows from the stock market, drop in tourism, adverse international risk ratings, higher sovereign borrowing rates and the withholding of foreign aid and IMF facility would make debt repayment arduous. Foreign borrowing costs could increase. These factors would undermine macroeconomic stability and long run economic growth. Economic recovery The economy was on a path of recovery when the Government was dissolved and the country was plunged into a state of constitutional crisis and political confusion in a move that was detrimental to economic stability and growth. The economy was expected to revive from its low growth of 3.1 percent last year to around a 4 percent growth. In the first quarter of this year the economy grew by 3.4 percent and in the second by 3.7 percent. There were signs of higher growth in the second half owing to a significant expansion in exports, a boom in tourism, increased production of food crops and an improvement in the business climate. Agriculture and industry There was a growth in food crop agriculture, though plantation agriculture did not perform too well. There were expectations of increased production of tea and rubber in the second half. Growth in construction had retarded, though manufacturing grew. Construction is likely to be affected by the current situation. Tourism A robust growth in tourism and exports were growth factors. The setback to tourism will affect only the last two months. Therefore, the growth in tourism by 11 percent in the first ten months would contribute to growth. However, the expectation of a further surge in tourism during this years peak tourist season has been stifled. Although it will affect only the last two months of this year that is the peak tourist season, it is a severe blow to the industry and the economy next year. This is a serious setback to the countrys external finances as tourist earnings made an important contribution to the balance of payments. Long-run The long-term adverse economic impacts of the political instability on economic development are serious. Most significant of these setbacks is the disincentive to foreign investment. The country has been struggling to attract adequate foreign investment that could propel it to a higher level of growth by increasing exportable manufactures. Increased foreign investment could have also contributed to enhancing the countrys technical capacity by technology transfer. Foreign investment The political crisis occurred just as there were signs of increased foreign investment. The current political instability and uncertainty is likely to dissuade foreign investors that have the choice of more stable countries with well-defined economic policies, disciplined labour, flexible labour regulations and peaceful conditions. This disadvantage effectively means that the growth of the countrys development would be on a lower trajectory of about 4 to 4.5 percent per year as in the past and this is inadequate to move to a higher income level or resolve the countrys economic and social problems. International repercussions International repercussions could impact on the economy seriously if the political gridlock is not resolved. The withdrawal of trade concessions, foreign assistance and withholding of loan facilities could jeopardise the external finances. Exports The European Union (EU) has threatened to withdraw the GSP plus concession, the removal of which would plunge the countrys exports of manufactured goods and sea food. In 2017, exports grew by 10.2 percent due to increased exports of manufactured goods by 7.6 percent and sea food exports by 42 percent. Export growth accelerated and in the first 10 months of this year by 5.8 percent to US$ 10.2 billion. This expansion of exports was in large measure due to the GSP plus concession of the EU. The EU has warned that Sri Lanka could lose the GSP Plus facility if certain commitments are not met. These would include a commitment to a constitutional democracy. The withdrawal of the EU concession would be a serious setback to the countrys export earnings and balance of payments. It would reduce employment and incomes too. IMF The withholding of the International Monetary Funds tranche of US$ 1.5 billion would signal a lack of confidence in Sri Lankas economy. It would erode international confidence on the solvency of Sri Lanka. The release the funds would depend very much on the restoration of a stable government and constitutional propriety. Foreign assistance Several countries have threatened to withhold foreign assistance. A multimillion dollar US grant aid programme is hanging in the balance due to the current political turmoil. A US$ 1.5 billion Japanese-funded light rail project and a US$ 480 million aid offer from the United States to improve the transport and health sectors are being withheld. Macroeconomic fundamentals Macroeconomic fundamentals that are being weakened pose a severe setback to the countrys long-term economic development. One of the severest blows to economic development could arise from the reversal of the progress in fiscal consolidation. The recent political convulsions have set back the progress in fiscal consolidation achieved in the last two years and undermined economic growth and development. The fiscal deficit was expected to be brought down to 5.3 percent this year and to 4.8 percent of GDP in 2019. This is unlikely to be achieved. The target of achieving a fiscal deficit of 3.5 percent in 2020 is now a dream as no government is likely to take firm steps to enhance revenue and contain expenditure. The fiscal deficit was on course to be reduced to 4.8 percent of GDP this year with the mid-year fiscal deficit reduced to 2.4 percent compared to last years 2.5 percent of GDP. However this years deficit would have expanded even without the political crisis owing to increased expenditure on several programmes that could increase expenditure in the second half of the year. The political instability has resulted in the government increasing expenditure, on the one hand, and decreasing revenue on the other hand, to placate the voters to ensure its popularity. In conclusion The current political crisis and uncertainty are detrimental to the economy in many ways. The tourist industry that is one of the countrys important sources of foreign exchange earnings is threatened. Foreign investments, foreign assistance, capital outflows and exports are likely to be adversely affected. These are particularly serious as they come at a time when the economy is facing several economic challenges from global financial developments and escalating fuel prices while debt repayment next year is massive. One of the significant gains towards economic stabilisation has been the fiscal consolidation that is likely to be undermined by imprudent measures. The economy would be severely affected unless there is an early return to a functioning democracy and orderly government. Backchannel moves portend signs of end to political turmoil: Sirisena wants a new UNF Premier MR says he wont quit, but President can sack him; key motion on Wednesday with TNA support Dispute over numbers game ends as TNA extends support to the UNP; Draft motions change hands from one side to another Six weeks after ousting a Prime Minister, installing another, forming a new government, proroguing and later dissolving Parliament, President Maithripala Sirisena is now seeking a political ceasefire and a negotiated settlement for the impasse between the executive and the legislature. Though not an easy task, it has become the highlight of expanded backchannel moves with his blessings. As revealed exclusively in these columns last week, the task undertaken by a Buddhist monk with political orientation, has been supplemented by others. Main among them is a diplomat of a country known for its neutrality. He has engaged in cautious shuttle diplomacy among the key stakeholders to the current deadlock. There was a step forward when 14 MPs of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), in an unprecedented move, signed a letter to President Sirisena urging him to revert to the government that existed before October 26. A carefully crafted letter on Thursday said the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (the official name by which it is registered) will support the restoration of a Government headed by the UNF (United National Front). The letter left out any reference to the United National Party (UNP), to which the TNA has been extending unconditional support unobtrusively. The signatories who represent mostly the Tamil dominated north want to avoid the impression amongst their electors of a formal tie up with the UNP. Yet, the statement, contradicting the TNAs publicly stated earlier position of not helping any party to appoint a Prime Minister or form a government, is politically very significant. The TNA also gave a handle to the President by telling him to ensure that an Hon. Member of Parliament (who) is able to command the confidence of the House be appointed Prime Minister an acknowledgement that it was the Presidents prerogative. It appeared to suggest subtly that the President could, if he so wished, choose another UNF nominee and not necessarily Ranil Wickremesinghe. On November 28, the UNP Parliamentary Group unanimously decided that only Ranil Wickremesinghe will be named as Prime Minister. UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim on November 30 wrote to TNA leader Sampanthan, stating that Wickremesinghe is the nominee of their party to the post of Prime Minister. The letter, also copied to Sirisena, was in response to the TNAs letter to the President expressing support and referring to the appointment of a premier. This is the first time in 50 years that a political grouping like the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) has publicly declared it will support one of three major political parties the United National Party (UNP) which leads the United National Front (UNF). Whether there is a quid pro quo (or something for something) is not formally clear. The last was the 1965 Dudley Senanayake Government where the ITAK served as one of seven partners. Also on board then was the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC). The TNA is an alliance of four Tamil political parties the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) and the Peoples Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOT). The TNAs latest move has drawn bitter criticism from amongst its members towards leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan and Abraham Sumanthiran, the two principal architects of the letter. More on that in the later paragraphs. The immediate outcome of this letter to President Sirisena is a marked change in number equations in Parliament. Claims that the Sirisena-Rajapaksa group or the one led by Ranil Wickremesinghe did not have a majority of 113 MPs supporting it in Parliament does not arise now. The UNF will have its own 103 together with 14 from the TNA that totals 117. This leaves the Sirisena-Rajapaksa group with 100 seats whilst one TNA MP functions as an independent. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has six. The other is the seat held by the Speaker which adds to 225. With 117 votes in favour for the UNF, swearing in a new Prime Ministerial nominee has become inevitable for President Sirisena when a count is taken in Parliament. Yet, he has made clear he will not appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe. He said so this week to the diplomat who is now playing the role of interlocutor. He also reiterated the same position during talks with the Mari Yamashita, Director, Asia Pacific Division, Department of Political Affairs at the United Nations in New York. She is here to study the current political situation and report to Secretary General Antonio Guterres. This raises two critical questions One is the inevitable resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. A close aide said yesterday that Rajapaksa was not inclined to quit since he is not involved in any of the goings on. The President has made him Prime Minister. If he wants, let him remove him now. The second is who will be the UNPs nominee for Premier? In the light of stated unwillingness of Sajith Premadasa and Karu Jayasuriya, even the names of close confidants of Wickremesinghe are being mentioned as an interim measure, at least until parliamentary elections are held. However, a highly placed UNPer declared sarcastically there is no way the President can refuse after we produce our majority. He would have to eat humble pie and appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister. Another step forward, the result of backchannel initiatives, was a statement made in Parliament on Thursday by Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. The fact that he did not come under the whip of the UPFA facilitated the move. On Thursday morning, Rajapakshe had a meeting with President Sirisena at his Mahagamsekera Mawatha official residence before being driven to Parliament. His son, Rakhitha (a lawyer) and Media Secretary at the Defence Ministry, who was lobbying for his father, telephoned Premier Rajapaksa to seek his support. Heeding Rajapakshes calls during the parliamentary speech would have meant the Premier would have to submit his resignation. Tell your father to ask President Sirisena to sack me if he wants, replied an angry Rajapaksa. I have work to do, he said, and added let the Courts decide. First to some highlights of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshes Parliament speech which clearly underscores how well synchronised is the multi-pronged backchannel initiatives have been so far. .. I must tell that leaders of both groups, President Maitripala Sirisena and (then) Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were unable to control their groups with decency. They failed. The two parties lost mutual trust. The President removed the Prime Minister on October 26 and appointed the former President and Member of Parliament Mahinda Rajapaksa. Afterwards Parliament sessions were ended and prorogued. Parliament was later dissolved. A court case is under way over the dissolution of Parliament.. There was ugly conduct there. People were fed up with some MPs and were talking of them with disgust. Now the governing of the country has come to a standstill. People are unaware of what is happening in the country and have lost hope. Therefore, day by day, groups are making allegations against each other and hurling insults. According to our Constitution, the judicial power of the people is exercised by Parliament through courts. Therefore the power is vested in Parliament. The power vested in the House is also created by Parliament itself by formulating new laws. Such matters occurring in Parliament can be resolved by the Executive, legislature and 225 members of the House having discussions in keeping with democratic practices. If the people query us if you cant resolve the issue through discussion, they ask us how we can resolve their issues. Rajapakshe, who is a lawyer and a former Justice Minister added, If we allow the judiciary to solve such matters, it would be downgrading Parliament. The leader of the legislature, the Speaker and Executive President have a great responsibility. In the current situation, the orders issued by the Executive, are not accepted by the Legislature and vice versa. The Executive also denies acceptance over Parliamentary approvals. Therefore, in such an instance where a constitutional deadlock occurs, the parliamentarians must not think of party politics but work towards betterment of the people by facing the issues and stabilise the political situation. If we see how the younger generation speaks of the current situation, we can learn. We must win the trust of people through parliamentary democracy. We should not make post-mortems by looking into right and wrong actions of people. We should again give opportunity to any group who have majority in Parliament to form a government; I would take any action as Member of Parliament. In the past we all made mistakes. Yet, President Sirisena made a huge sacrifice by joining with the UNP. He is still safeguarding confidence of voters and working towards protecting the constitution and democracy. I believe if there are meetings with the President, party leaders might be able to resolve the issue. As an MP I request you to put a side other parliamentary activities temporarily and have a meeting with the President to resolve issues within a day or two. Allow a group with majority to form a government and create stability. I have requested the same from the President, The President was interested in my request. Since you have the official, legal power and the constitutional capability to act on it, I request you to intervene on the matter. Seconds after Rajapakshe had concluded his speech, with clockwork precision, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya responded: I will extend my full attention towards the matter you explained, I should say to the House that the President and I dont have any issue in getting into discussions. We can discuss and we have a mutual understanding. I will also submit that during this time democracy must be protected. I will meet the President in the evening according to your suggestion. I will take all measures and would take an honest effort to get the issue resolved through discussion; I will do it as soon as possible. A high ranking Parliament official said Minister Rajapakshe had a meeting with Speaker Jayasuriya to explain the gravamen of his speech. This included the suggestion of a meeting with Sirisena which Speaker Jayasuriya said he would gladly accept in the national interest. Speaker Jayasuriya was also aware of the initiatives under way. The Sirisena-Jayasuriya meeting on Wednesday night, according to a source close to the Presidency, was a fairy tale affair akin to two long lost friends getting together after years. Deshapalaney api bena gannawa. Namuth kisima tharahak nehe obathuma ekka, or in politics we abuse each other but I have no anger towards you, declared Sirisena as he clasped his hands in Ayubowan. Speaker Jayasuriya reciprocated and declared Mey avasthava labuneka gena mama santhosa veneva or I am happy I had this opportunity. The source said it was a very cordial meeting where both Sirisena and Jayasuriya exchanged plaudits while talking on serious issues. Sirisena was to explain that he trusted Jayasuriya to bring about a speedy resolution of the political deadlock and noted the esteem in which he was held by the Buddhist clergy. Jayasuriya said in one country he visited, Sirisena was being looked upon as Junior Mandela for the work he had done in Sri Lanka. The head of a multilateral organisation, he pointed out, had referred to Sirisena as the father of democracy in Sri Lanka and asked him why he was resorting to the course of action that had triggered the political crisis. He, however, cautioned that if no immediate measures were taken to overcome the current political stalemate, the countrys economy would worsen. The GSP plus concessionary tariffs would be withdrawn. Moreover, the rupee was rapidly depreciating to the US dollar. It was agreed that party leaders would meet and discuss matters further on Friday night. The delay was because President Sirisena flew on Thursday to Polonnaruwa and the next day to Moragahakanda to ceremonially open the sluice gates. Even if they did not talk on the subject, there was still a matter of great importance. How does one ensure Mahinda Rajapaksa, now Prime Minister for 38 days to relinquish office? According to an SLPP insider, Premier Rajapaksa does not want to relinquish the Premiership which he was called in and given. If President Sirisena wants, he can sack him. That is one dubious honour that may politically help Rajapaksa. However, a situation which will make it inevitable that Rajapaksa be removed has now fallen in place. Seven UNF parliamentarians have given notice of the motion which has now been listed in the Order Book for debate on Wednesday. They are: Wijepala Hettiarachchi, Harshana Rajakaruna, Mayantha Dissanayake, Mujibur Rahuman, Ajith Mannapperuma, (Dr.) Jayampathy Wickramaratne and Hirunika Premachandra. The motion reads: Article 48(2) in terms of the 19th Amendment states: stand dissolved, and the President shall, unless he has in the exercise of his powers under Article 70, dissolved Parliament, appoint a Prime Minister, Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers, Ministers who are not members of the Cabinet of Ministers and Deputy Ministers in terms of Articles 42, 43, 44 and 45." "If Parliament rejects the Statement of Government Policy or the Appropriation Bill or passes a vote of no-confidence in the Government, the Cabinet of Ministers shallstand dissolved, and the President shall, unless he has in the exercise of his powers under Article 70, dissolved Parliament, appoint a Prime Minister, Ministers of the Cabinet ofMinisters, Ministers who are not members of the Cabinet of Ministers and Deputy Ministers There is an interesting backdrop to this motion. Earlier, as backchannel moves were under way, the Sinhala draft of a resolution, purportedly from those at the highest levels of the government, reached the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). It was to urge the JVP to move it in Parliament, like its two previous ones. Routinely the JVP consulted the UNP leadership. One top UNF leader deleted the last line which referred to the Premier. See montage on this page with the deleted line. It is no different to the one to be debated on Wednesday. Thus, there appears to be a nexus of sorts amongst the Presidency, the UNF and the JVP obviously the result of a breakdown of relations between Maithripala Sirisena and Premier Rajapaksa. JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath said the UNP had apprised the JVP of a similar motion (in Sinhala) but denied knowledge that a draft had come to the party. However, another JVP source familiar with the developments claimed, several drafts had come from the highest office in the country before one was handed over in Parliament signed by UNFers. SLPP leaders who were aware of these moves were livid. President Sirisenas inability to secure a resignation from Premier Rajapaksa, particularly in the absence of a majority in Parliament to back his government, appears to have exacerbated tensions between the SLFP and the SLPP. On Wednesday (November 28), all 24 SLFP MPs met President Sirisena and Premier Rajapaksa. The subject of discussion was how to move forward with no majority in Parliament. Within days after being sworn in, both President Sirisena and Premier Rajapaksa had agreed on forming a joint alliance. Charging that the Rajapaksa faction has not been able to deliver numbers, the SLFP has chosen to go its own way. It will hold a special conference of party delegates countrywide at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on Tuesday and later conduct similar district level meetings. Four from a group of 15 MPs who sat in opposition benches after the failed no confidence vote on ousted Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe in April have not been enrolled into the SLPP. They are S.B. Dissanayake, Thilanga Sumathipala, Dilan Perera and Vasantha Perera. They attended the SLFPers meeting on Wednesday. Basil Rajapaksa, the SLPP ideologue and strategist, changed his previous stance somewhat on the issue of numbers. We believed there would be the numbers. I dont say anyone promised them to us, he told the Sunday Times. Though the formation of an alliance with the SLPP did come up, there was no formal decision, he explained. The remarks were a rebuke for Minister S.B. Dissanayake who had publicly claimed there that a new alliance had been formed and even taken credit in media interviews for the formation of the Sirisena-Rajapaksa government. With the TNAs support for a UNF government, a majority in Parliament is no longer the issue. Yet, President Sirisena was locked in discussion on Friday night with a UNF delegation over who should be the Prime Minister. This is on his repeated assertion that he would not appoint Ranil Wickremesinghe. There were indications during the discussions that Sirisena would even withdraw the Gazette notification dissolving Parliament once a new Prime Minister is sworn in. Sirisena told the UNF leaders that he is ready to accept a UNF government sans Wickremesinghe as Premier. He expected that the issues would be resolved before the two cases in the Supreme Court as well as the Court of Appeal. The SC is hearing petitions against the dissolution of Parliament. The CA is hearing a Quo Warranto against Premier Rajapaksa. The two hour-long discussions ended inconclusively and it has been agreed that a UNF delegation will meet President Sirisena today for further talks. Ahead of the meeting with the UNF, President Sirsena met a delegation from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). Besides confirming the contents of the TNAs letter to Sirisena, the delegation urged the President to further expedite the release of lands belonging to Tamils in the North lands that are still under military control. The TNA delegation also said that immediate steps should be taken to release political prisoners against whom charges had not been preferred. President Sirisena told the TNA delegation that he was indebted to the Tamil community for their support to become President. He assured that he would always look after their interests. In reciprocal remarks, TNA leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan assured President Sirisena that their alliance would not extend any support to moves directed at Sirisena. These remarks were in effect an assurance that the TNA would back President Sirisena in the event of any impeachment move against him. Although the TNA has made clear, it will not hold any position in a new government to which it has extended support, the alliance has come under criticism. A member of the Co-ordinating Committee of the four party alliance, their main policy making body, TELO General Secretary Nallathamby Srikantha told the Sunday Times its a violation of our (TNA) constitution. He added, We are unanimous that the Mahinda Rajapaksa government should go. When it comes to what next, we are only a third party. The main forces are led by the UNF, the SLFP and the SLPP. We cannot take one side. This is stooping to the lowest level. This is a betrayal of the Tamil people. Srikantha said he would salute the JVP for the principled stand it had taken in not supporting the UNF in appointing a Premier or forming a government. I am of the view the TNA, as declared earlier, should have followed this principle. We are not sure whether this was done because Tamils have now been promised a new Constitution before February 4 next year. I do not believe in secret deals, Srikantha declared. He strongly criticised TNA leaders Sampanthan and Sumanthiran for the move and accused them of fooling the Tamil people. S. Shritharan, MP who was angry about the letter told TNA leader Sampanthan last Thursday that he had signed only because he felt there should be unity among the TNA MPs. When he had earlier declined, Sampanthan had alleged that he was refusing to sign since he had received large sums of money from the Rajapaksas a claim which the MP denied strongly. Shritharan boycotted a TNA delegation meeting with ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday evening at Temple Trees. He was also absent from the meeting TNA delegation had on Friday night with President Sirisena. Another who kept away from Temple Trees was TNA MP S. Sivamohan. Shritharan told the Sunday Times ; I asked that written assurances be obtained in advance before extending support to Ranil Wickremesinghe. I cannot say anything more. However, he told a meeting of his supporters yesterday that although Tamil people will endorse our opposition to Mahinda Rajapaksa, what do we tell them for supporting Wickremesinge? He noted that people were not benefiting from the TNA though some leaders were. One instance was how a leader had obtained 150 jobs in the north from a former Minister. He said the voters turn against us. Shritharan also told his supporters that he had been forced to sign (with other TNA members) a letter to issue a Quo Warranto on Rajapaksa. I was not happy. We could have said anything in Parliament. Now, we have taken our battle outside and offended the Sinhala people. They know where we stand, he told them. After the TNA delegations meeting with Wickremesinghe, the Jaffna-based Uthayan newspaper reported in its front page lead story on Friday that ousted Premier Wickremesinghe, had assured to provide in writing a letter to confirm that the new Constitution, addressing Tamil aspirations among others, would be presented in Parliament before the next February 4 Independence Day. This is when the UNF is ensconced in power. TNA parliamentarian E. Saravanapavan, who was a member of the TNA delegation, is the Managing Director of the Uthayan newspaper. The TNA also placed before Wickremesinghe its repeated demands for the return of more lands now with the military, the release of political prisoners and quick payment of compensation to those who lost their properties. Why did President Sirisena go into a ceasefire mode and literally come down a few steps to negotiate a resolution of the political impasse? As is well known, the dissolution of Parliament is the subject of litigation before the Supreme Court which acts as the countrys Constitutional Court. The Supreme Court is to resume sittings on December 4, 5 and 6 but a ruling, originally listed for December 7, authoritative sources say, could be delayed further. The case will now be heard before a seven-judge bench. It is not customary to forecast how the countrys highest court will rule but it could be said that a possible unfavourable outcome is causing concerns at the highest levels of government. This, an authoritative source said, was the primary concern for President Sirisena and came amidst not only a deteriorating economy but also a shaky national security situation brought about by highly amateurish conduct by top defence officials. Already, Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera has come under severe criticism for mishandling the alleged plot to assassinate President Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The President declared last week in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Times that he would introduce a new approach to the investigations in the light of previous attempts to stall it. Just this week, the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, the highest ranking serving officer in the defence establishment, was arraigned before the Colombo Magistrates Court. He is accused of harbouring suspects who were allegedly responsible for murders. There is no gainsaying that no Sri Lankan is above the countrys law and has to be dealt with if he or she violated it. That applies to Admiral Wijegunaratne, too. However, there lies a bigger issue. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Admiral Wijegunaratne have been playing a cat and mouse game, with the full glare of the media. He was asked to report to the CID headquarters. He did not turn up. After this ding-dong battle, he surrendered to court wearing his full naval regalia of an Admiral including badges. It took the Chief Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake to direct him to go back and return in civilian clothes. The fact that an Admiral who is holding sway at the apex of the defence establishment should go in full uniform to Court should put the Ministry of Defence in shame. After all, the case was not against the Admiral but Wijegunaratne who held a lower rank when the alleged incident had taken place. That the Admirals presence in full uniform, which went unchecked, did infuriate officer ranks of the armed forces who complained it was a slur on all of them. Even those who held senior ranks were critical for bringing into disrepute the office of an Admiral. The MoD, which is required to uphold the law, did little when he was summoned to the CID headquarters. If the CID was wrong, the MoD could have raised issue, but it could do little when he went with his entire security retinue in full uniform to courts. This is the result of unbridled amateurishness at the MoD in the past three years or more. One need hardly say that it reflects badly on President Maithripala Sirisena who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Recently a bureaucrat remarked at a meeting that he too had worn uniform and would defend all ranks come what may. Is that by violating accepted norms? At least for the first time in six weeks, the numbers game in Parliament is resolved. Thus the UNF is set to have its own Prime Minister whilst the current incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa faces the axe. He is defiant and has vowed to face chop instead of quitting. President Sirisena has almost won a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement is on hand. But troubles are far from over for him. A new, stormy, fierce phase is just about to begin. TNA urges President to respect norms of democracy View(s): A Tamil National Alliance (TNA) delegation led by R. Sampanthan was at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday evening for a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena to discuss ways of resolving the current political crisis. The meeting started late due to another engagement of the President and went on for more than one hour with the President trying to explain to them why he had to make the decision of replacing Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. President Sirisena acknowledged that the current cabinet led by Mr. Rajapaksa failed to command the majority in the House. Going a step further, he noted that even in foreign countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany, there were governments in place without majority support of Parliament. TNA leader Sampanthan intervened to say that in those foreign countries, Parliament never resolved to bring two No- Confidence Motions against a purported Prime Minister and passed them with a majority. He told the President, if he respected democratic norms and the Constitution, he had to appoint whoever had the majority in the House. Mr. Sampanthan also reiterated that it was not up to the TNA to decide who would be appointed as Prime Minister, but it was a matter for the United National Front (UNF). Artistes snub two ministers of new government Two youth artistes at an award Ceremony held at Nelum Pokuna refrained from shaking hands and refused to accept the awards from the newly appointed Ministers Udaya Gammanpila and Duminda Dissanayake.The incident had taken place at the 40th National Youth Awards Ceremony organised jointly by the National Youth Corps and the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs. The two artistes are Sureen Chamikara and Kasun Chathuranga. Mr Chamikara who first came to the stage to receive his award shook hands with actor Sriyantha Mendis, but refused to receive the award from the hands of Mr Dissanayke and Mr Gammanpila. He made a hand gesture to convey the message and received the award from Mr. Mendis. Following him, Mr Chaturanga also collected his award from the hands of the official who was trying to give the award to Mr Gammanpila to be given away. He also refused to shake hands with Mr. Dissanayake and even ignored when Gammanpila tried to smile and greet him in the traditional way of clasping his hands. The two politicians were left with fixed smiles long after the snub. Constitution and Hansard copies selling fast Copies of the Constitution and the November 14, 15 and 16 Hansard are in big demand in Parliament. In the Parliament complex shop that sells souvenirs and copies of the Constitution, more than 200 copies have been sold since the present political crisis erupted on October 26. Its the same with copies of the Hansard of the three days when two no-confidence motions were passed against Mahinda Rajapaksa and a vote was taken on his address to the House. Young Turk intervenes on behalf of millionaire Memories of deals and commissions during the previous UPFA administration etched in the minds of the Sri Lankan people were replaced by those of the UNF during the three and half years of its government. Many are the accusations. It seems this is a never ending cycle of events. Those at the apex may say one deal or the other, hurriedly done, is crooked and there was the need to probe who got the kickbacks. They even talk of committees of inquiry to identify ministers and the fat bundles of Sterling Pounds, US Dollars or Rupees they received. Now comes a different story. A young Turk who loves modern technology intervened. They say he spoke on behalf of the millionaire to an influential brother. Hey presto, it worked. The brother spoke to the financiers who are central. In turn, the bosses there spoke with the millionaires establishment. They now say they have been advised to make the balance payment due within two weeks and they could go ahead with their venture. This is the outcome of the latest detente but something the lads will not announce through a tweet. Harin and his hurried words It was at a public meeting in Badulla that former Telecommunications Minister Harin Fernando castigated his own leader, ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. He did not perhaps realise that telecommunication networks in Sri Lanka were so advanced that the news reached United National Party (UNP) leaders even before he got down from the stage. Deluged with criticism, Mr. Fernando was forced to have a news conference. He found the easiest way blamed it on the media. He declared that his speech lasted 43 minutes but the media had only reported just a few sentences lasting some seconds. At least one television channel did not take kindly to Mr. Fernandos remarks. It announced in its news bulletin his rebuttal at the news conference. That is not all. Later, it broadcast his entire Badulla speech. Lo and behold, Mr. Fernando has not only made those remarks but said more about his ousted boss. That was more humble pie than he could eat. Symptoms of politicos seeking self-glory Colombo District Parliamentarian Champika Ranawaka spoke in Parliament about a former strongman among those who are afflicted by hubris syndrome a personality disorder that affects those who have substantial power over a length of time. The condition is identified by its 14 main symptoms which include using power for self-glorification, an almost obsessive focus on personal image, excessive self-confidence accompanied by contempt for advice or criticism of others, speaking as a messiah, reckless and impulsive actions and loss of contact with reality. The condition has been identified by Lord Owen, a former medical doctor and psychiatrist Jonathan Davidson of the Duke University Medical Centre. For examples of hubristic traits and hubris syndrome, they had investigated the psychological profiles of British Prime Ministers and United States Presidents in power in the past 100 years. Mr. Ranawaka suggested that Sri Lankans get a copy of the book containing details of hubris syndrome and read it so they could become aware of this condition. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed Saturday that the United States would continue supporting Saudi Arabia's military campaign in Yemen, despite rising outrage over the cost of the war. Speaking from a Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires, Pompeo acknowledged that the humanitarian crisis in Yemen -- where millions are at risk of starvation -- had reached "epic proportions" but said Washington and Riyadh were offering aid. "The program that we're involved in today we intend to continue," Pompeo told CNN when asked about military assistance to the Saudi-led coalition. The US Senate on Wednesday took an initial vote to cut off the war support, with 14 members of President Donald Trump's Republican Party defying appeals from Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. A final vote could come in the next week, setting the stage for a fresh battle if Trump vetoes the bill. Pompeo, who met in Buenos Aires with his Saudi counterpart, has backed the war as a way to counter Iran, which has ties to Yemen's Houthi rebels. Pompeo reiterated his insistence that there was no "direct evidence" that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of Khashoggi, who lived in the United States and wrote for The Washington Post. Prince Mohammed is taking part in the Buenos Aires summit. Trump has said it is vital to preserve the decades-old alliance with Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom is the top buyer of US weapons and key oil supplier. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: On the cusp of a settlement? View(s): Desperate situations require desperate remedies. And that is the need of this dark hour as the countrys economic and political stability continues its dismal slide. At least now, President Maithripala Sirisena seems to have realised his folly in the catastrophic decision of October 26 to eject his Prime Minister and instal another. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely is an old cliche, but so true. The incumbent President has shown all the qualities associated with that maxim and by now he must surely have felt the blowback from his own version of a Great October Revolution. This may well be the reason why we saw a peace emissary turn up in Parliament on Thursday to offer an olive branch. He, a Minister of the new Government, conceded that the majority in Parliament must be recognised as the legitimate custodians of the office of Prime Minister and called for negotiations between the President, the Speaker and Opposition leaders. And on Friday night when they met, there was some movement towards a settlement of sorts some light at the end of the tunnel. We are told this move by the Minister had the imprimatur of the President, not the new Prime Minister who reacted angrily to the suggestion of a compromise. To many, it looked a face-saving measure on behalf of the President to defuse the situation, but no longer can these be treated as one-upmanship and prestige issues, when the nations future is at stake. The President has indicated a willingness to compromise, but now the sticking point is backing down on his insistence that he will not re-appoint his former Prime Minister despite him having the confidence of the majority of the Legislature. As far as the President is concerned, he is not only the Head of Government, but Head of State as well. While he can be an ordinary politician in his first role, he must act statesman-like in his second role. It is when the two roles overlap conflicting with one another that the peoples demand for the abolition of the Executive Presidency is even more justified. The talks that were held on Friday could well be a delaying tactic by the President, spinning out the crisis with a veneer that he is doing something to help resolve it, but in fact, in the hope the Supreme Court gives a verdict in his favour when it meets next week. On the other hand, it could be a move to find a solution before a detrimental court order arrives on the weight of the evidence which would then be a slap in his face. He is, by his own creation, faced with a determined Opposition, hurt and angry at their summary dismissal despite continuing to have a comfortable majority in Parliament. Then there is a recalcitrant new Government he has appointed and it is unwilling to attend Parliament and unable to pass laws trotting out lame excuse after feeble argument. It is another world record that Sri Lanka has created by having a Government that boycotts Parliament. This hiatus is going to implode sooner than later unless issues are resolved. The Government has moved an extra-parliamentary Vote on Account to pass monies for Government expenditure, while simultaneously the Opposition has passed, by a substantive majority, a motion stopping the new Government from spending funds. There is confusion all round and only China has shown willingness to sign contracts with the new Government. Serious allegations against the President are being levelled, with the JVP calling for him to personally pay for the damage caused to the economy and the countrys image. Are we then on the cusp of a political settlement? It is the President who has positioned himself between a rock and a hard place of his own making. Disabled people part of inclusive society Tomorrow, December 3, marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Countless numbers of Sri Lankans are suffering from both physical and mental disabilities some temporary and some permanent. They have been made to endure their pain as Government inaction drags on regardless. The lethargy of an oversized Government in general, and insensitive officialdom in particular, are the problem. Our INSIGHT report into this sluggishness (Page 10 today) explains the tardiness and apathy in implementing even Supreme Court orders and locally enacted legislation. At a time when Governments, Cabinets, Legislation and their conflicts are gripping the nation in the power struggle among politicians, the investigative report we publish shows how all this hot air often can mean very little to ordinary citizens and their day-to-day lives. Way back in 2006, the then Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa gazetted, and a year later Parliament unanimously passed into the statute books, a comprehensive set of laws that gave guidelines to provide accessibility to persons with physical disability. This group includes many from the legacy of the recent armed conflict in Sri Lanka, soldiers and civilians alike. With mushrooming new constructions in the cities, these not so new laws recognised the need for citizens with physical disabilities to have access to these high-rise buildings, be they apartment complexes or public housing, shopping malls or cinemas, hotels, or Government institutions like ministries and departments and banks. These laws are universally accepted by the UN Convention for the Protection of the Rights of People with Disabilities, ratified by Sri Lankas Parliament in 2016. In economically advanced countries, such as Sri Lanka is always aspiring to be, a Government can be sued by a citizen for non-conformity with these laws. But in Sri Lanka, life takes its own pace, and time is not of the essence. The Social Services Ministry that has been tasked with the implementation of these laws, is also given step-motherly treatment and is, therefore, blissfully in the Land of Nod. Even a Supreme Court order made in 2011 seven years ago, does not seem to wake up the ministry. Activists are crying loudly for action. They want the lethargic bureaucracy to get a move on and see that these new constructions and old ones, obey the laws of the land; that a Certificate of Conformity for new buildings must adhere to these rules. These activists have gone back to the Supreme Court on contempt charges accusing the Ministry of ignoring its fiat. And the Court has taken cognizance of these cries (see story on page 10). Maybe the subject needs to be taken away from the Social Services Ministry and put under an active Minister, or someone who is himself, or herself physically disabled and feels the pain. But the Government itself is disabled these days and marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in such circumstances seems farcical. No longer should thousands of people be made to feel their restricted ability rather than inability requires them to languish on the fringes of society for the rest of their lives, and marginalised because the Government has been too slow in making them inclusive, active members of our society. The power of the King This article is part of a continuing series on Sri Lankan history View(s): View(s): In those days, the king enjoyed autocratic power. It was the king who could declare war or peace, impose capital punishment and grant pardon to a criminal. But the people expected the king to rule according to the rules prevailing in the country, respecting traditional customs and manners. When any significant change had to be made, the king had to consult the chief officers of the government and the sangha (Buddhist monks). The kings power was exercised through the mudliyars (chiefs) to whom limited power was granted. This power however was confined to people of different social standing and to certain areas only. The highest officers in rank were, Adikarams and Disapathis (government agents). Out of these officers too, the leading ones were the Adikarams of Pallegampaha and Udugampaha. These two were the first and the second Adikarams of the king. They exercised a power similar to the power exercised by a Yuvaraja. They belonged to the noble high caste families. They held high positions in all the administrative functions of the country. All the adikarams, disapathis, secretaries and vidanes were selected from high ranking families. They had to shower the king with gifts. Nindagam were given to them for their maintenance. All the land in the country belonged to the king. As such, he could grant land for devales, temples and even people. Land was also set aside for the use of the king. Those who occupied these lands, cultivated the land for the king. By Halaliye Karunathilaka Edited and translated by Kamala Silva Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila A cinematic carnival by the sea By Susitha R, Fernando Rookada Panchi View(s): View(s): The beach and the carnival are two places where children would be fascinated. How wonderful it would be for a child to have both these in one place. This is what exactly happens in Rukada Penchi or Little Miss Puppet, the second film made by the two brothers Kalpana and Vindana Ariyawansa. Nobody in history has tried to have a carnival on the beach. Not even in Hollywood. I am fascinated with the beaches and I am also fascinated with carnivals. So we wanted to have a carnival on the beach for this movie, says Vindana Ariyawansa who wrote and directed the film with his brother Kalpana. The majority part of the film is happening in this setting which was created by Bentota beach. The carnival we have created is not a carnival we find in Sri Lanka but in Europe where you find magicians, fortune tellers, gypsies and so many other wonder-making characters. And also puppet shows like those we have seen in Sesame Street. So the puppets play a huge part here and you find even man-size puppets in the film,. Rukada Penchi will be a crowd pleaser, created to give the mainstream audience a Disney like magically entertaining movie going experience, says the young filmmaker who won awards for the debut Premaya Nam which he made along with his brother. Vindana also has added one of his pastimes to the film; quizzing. The film is not only entertaining but educative as well. The protagonist is also a major quizzer, says Vindana who is an award winning quizzer in the country. However Rookada Panchi is an original and authentic Sri Lankan film with its own identity. But it is universally appealing and demographically any audience will get the magical experience by watching this movie,. Children will have about ten years of childhood but its a question how many of children enjoy this period as a child, says Vindana, stressing the importance of being a child and the childlike experience. The two brothers who ventured into cinema with their debut Premaya Nam, a semi-biopic, have returned with mega budget movie. Since Premaya Nam, we developed four parallel stories. We didnt want to have a baby step. Instead going step by step from low-budget films, we took the challenge to take giant leap forward and have this large scale, mega budget film, says Vindana describing their project. Rukada Penchi is completely a family, children story with magical and musical effects, Vindana elaborates. The two brothers wanted to create the visual styles of 1980s films by Steven Spielberg and Tim Burton. You get this magical feeling in these films. When you come out of the theatres with your life changed for the better Vindana said. Interestingly w representing the third generation of veteran actress Malini Fonsekas family is entering the cinema playing the lead role in Rukada Penchi. Others in the cast are Jackson Anthony, Dilhani Ekanayake, Dhananjaya Siriwardane, Umali Thilakaratne, Bandula Wijeweera, Dayadeva Edirisinghe, Niroshan Wijesinghe and Kushenya, Lakshika Deshan is introduced to cinema in this film. Malini Fonseka herself plays a cameo role acting as a school principal. The film also has six songs, and music director Rohana Weerasinghe himself has written some of the songs. The film was shot in October when the sea was not rough but shooting had to be stopped for a few days when there was a tsunami in Indonesia during which the sea water level even in Sri Lanka went high. With water almost coming up to the set- the carnival by the Bentota beachwe stopped shooting for a few days, says Vindana. In Bentota, some of the scenes were shot at Avani hotel. From Bentota, the shooting location was shifted to Tower hall for the rest of the story. The film is in the process of post-production and the filmmakers have planned to released it by the second term school vacation next year. While Kalpana Vindana Ariyawansa wrote and directed, the director of photography is Jaan Shenberger of the United States and film is edited, production designed and art directed by Kalpana Ariyawansa. Casting, costume designing, and choreography are by Vindana Ariyawansa, lyrics and original score by Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe,while Jackson Anthony, Bandula Wijeweera and Sangeeth Wickramasinghe sing the playback. Digital colorist is Jaan Shenberger who also handled the visual effects Rukada Penchi and executive producer is Kularatne Ariyawansa. The film is a Ransara Pictures presentation. The tale of Little Miss Puppet 11-year-old Rangi is the only daughter of an upper class family, living in Colombo suburbs. Her favourite hobbies are quizzing and ventriloquizing with hand puppets. Suddenly, Rangis mother falls ill and her parents have to travel overseas to seek treatment. Rangi and her only brother, 8-year-old Sasa are placed under the care of Rangis Aunt and her husband. Rangis uncle owns a five-star hotel on the Southern coast and he takes Rangi and Sasa to his hotel for a brief stay, along with Aunty and her 2-year-old baby. While staying at the hotel, Rangi comes across a carnival on the beach, located next to Uncles hotel, and goes there with Sasa without informing her uncle and aunt. Rangi and Sasa befriend the carnival owner, an entertainer named Uncle Louis and frequently visit the carnival under uncle and aunts supervision. From there, unfolds an adventure that changes both Rangis and Uncle Louis lives forever. Amid reports that President Maithripala Sirisena may sack Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in the coming days, their looks seem to tell the story that alls not well. They were seen together at the ceremony held on Friday at the Sugathadasa Stadium to give permanent appointments to thousands of Samurdhi officers. Pic by Ranjith Perera Bandula welcomes investments; no questions asked View(s): Undeterred by questions over the legality of the government, Investment Promotion Minister Bandula Gunwardana is making a new trade policy. This will include incentives to Sri Lankans living abroad to encourage them to invest their money in Government-approved projects for a five-year period tax free. It will be a no questions asked policy on the source of the money and could include money gained overseas by businesses, sale of property and gem businesses among others, Mr. Gunawardena told the Sunday Times. This move is similar to the one introduced by former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake who floated, without much success, a plan to attract Sri Lankans living overseas to invest here. The newly appointed cabinet by President Maithripala Sirisena has been moving fast to change the trade policy of the previous government and introduce its own policy which includes tax reliefs, incentive packages for investment and tax relief for manufacture of garments. Mr. Gunawardana said the government among its identified projects would also introduce infrastructure development projects and allow importations of machinery for industries, major agriculture development or cultivation projects. Mr. Gunawardena said tjat in the garment sector they would offer tax concession for importation of machinery and raw material. He said they hope to have three free trade zones in Katunayake, at Pamunuwa in Maharagama and at Meegoda in Padukka. He said that due to tax concessions they hoped the prices of the products could be offered at low cost. Among the other plans were to find new markets for the traditional exports. He said they hope to continue with the Singapore Trade Agreement with adjustments to suit Sri Lanka and the proposed trade Agreement with India would be amended in a manner that would suit Sri Lanka Dual party dilemma over MR, Namal and others View(s): Sri Lanka Freedom Party membersincluding Mahinda Rajapaksa and his son, Namal, who publicly decamped to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) last monthdid so without resigning from the SLFP or the United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA), officials have claimed. On December 11, it will be one month since many SLFP parliamentarians took SLPP membership. Under Section 99 (13) of the Constitution, where an MP ceases, by resignation, expulsion or otherwise, to be a member of a recognised political party or independent group on whose nomination paper his name appeared at the time of his becoming an MP, his seat shall become vacant upon the expiration of a period of one month from the date of his ceasing to be such member But a curious situation has arisen in the case of most SLFP MPs who left the party with officials such as SLFP General Secretary Rohana Luxman Piyadasa and UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera claiming they had not submitted resignation letters. At the same time, both officials admitted that no one can be members of two parties at the same time. They did not send resignation letters, said Mr. Amaraweera. They cannot be members of two parties. But they have time. We have not taken any decision or discussed this. He indicated that the question of whether or not this is an issue will be resolved with the Supreme Courts ruling on the dissolution of Parliament. Earlier, SLPP ideologue Basil Rajapaksa told the Sunday Times his brother and others had waited until dissolution to switch parties so as not to lose their seats. However, the dissolution was suspended by the Supreme Court. He only knew about the SLFPers joining SLPP from the public and media, said Prof Piyadasa. They did not resign from the older party. There were no moves to take action on their question of their parliamentary seats, he added. We believe there are larger national objectives, he explained. Interact with journalists and report back: Amunugama to SL envoys View(s): Sarath Amunugama, who holds the Foreign Affairs portfolio, has now instructed Sri Lankas Heads of Mission (HoMs) to interact with journalists in their countries of accreditation and report back weekly to the Ministry. The HoMs are expected to relay information about, among other things, the names of journalists that they have met, the media organisation to which they are affiliated, and the outcome of the discussion, the memo said. The message was first conveyed during a staff meeting chaired by Mr. Amunugama on Wednesday. And circular No. 284 sent to Sri Lankas missions abroad yesterday stated he wanted the instructions conveyed to all HoMs that they must interact with journalists (print, electronic web, bloggers, travel journalists, freelance, etc) at their respective accreditations and submit regular reports to the Ministry with details of their meetings and interactions since October 26. The missive went out amidst continuing negative publicity on events in Sri Lanka, particularly in the western media, and concern among foreign tourists about the political uncertainty affecting their travel plans. Footage of local legislators wrecking the parliamentary chamber and attacking each other was telecast all over the world and also widely viewed on social media. Mr. Amunugama has repeatedly directed diplomatic staff to also engage with agents of influence, including travel and airline agents, in their respective capitals. Earlier, he told Sri Lankan diplomats that he would take a dim view of those HoMs who are unable to get adverse travel advisories lifted. They were expected to treat the matter as high priority and to work with the authorities as well as travel agents in their capitals. Despite his strictures, these travel warnings remain in place. Britain, Australia and Canada updated their advisories after the events of October 26, while the United States issued four security alerts. All of these have pointed to the high probability of demonstrations and political protests that could turn violent. Last week, Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera sent instructions to OICs countrywide to stay on maximum alert as the new Government and the ousted one began preparations for countrywide rallies. All police stations were asked to keep emergency services on stand-by. The situation on the ground, however, has so far remained calm and there has been no violence. Killing of two policemen: Former LTTE cadre surrenders View(s): A former LTTE cadre surrendered to Police yesterday over the killing of two police constables at a checkpoint in Batticaloa and the removal of their weapons, a senior officer said yesterday. The suspect, identified as Rasanayagam Saravanandan, 48, a resident of Vattakachchi in Kilinochchi, surrendered to the Kilinochchi police station claiming he was responsible for the killings at Vavunathivu in Batticaloa. The two policemen were found dead on Friday morning with gunshot injuries. However, police claimed the suspect was arrested. The two constables Dinesh Ganesh and Niroshan Indika from Batticaloa and Galle were promoted posthumously to the rank of sergeant. Senior Police Superintendent T. Ganeshanathan told the Sunday Times the suspect had surrendered without any weapons and his statement was being recorded before he was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) which had been entrusted with the inquiry. Initial police investigations revealed that the suspect, who was from Batticaloa, had been a trainer while in the LTTE in the Kilinochchi area and had married in the same area where he was living with four of his children. Police backed by the STF carried out search operations for the suspects soon after the bodies of the two policemen were found by two of their colleagues who came in to take over duties on Friday morning. One of them was found dead outside the checkpoint and the other was found dead on a bed. Area police officers said they were also investigating whether it was revenge killing to a police action where new monuments had been put up last week at a Vakari cemetery where former LTTE cadres had been buried. The monuments were removed a day before commemoration ceremonies were held to remember the LTTE members who died in the war. Police were investigating yesterday if the suspect who surrendered was also involved in organising the commemoration ceremonies in the Eastern Province. At least four persons whose movements had been recorded on a CCTV camera have also been questioned and released. Inspector General Pujith Jayasundara and Senior DIG CID accompanied by other officers visited the crime scene on Friday. Two CID teams have been assigned for the investigations. Meanwhile, the postmortem examinations were conducted at the Batticaloa hospital. Initial observations revealed that they were shot at close range and both policemen had cut injuries. Batticaloa Magistrate M.I.M Rizvi visited the scene on Friday. Left behind: The forlorn fate of the disabled By Sandun Jayawardena, Kasun Warakapitiya and Asiri Fernando Protections only on paper but no empathy or will to help View(s): View(s): Buses rarely stop for 27-year-old Colombo University graduate Nuwantha Gunasekara, who is visually impaired. I take the bus from Balapitiya. There are dozens of times when I have heard conductors inviting others to get into the bus but they rarely direct me to the footboard. Sometimes they tell me to take another bus, Mr. Gunasekera said. Godage Chandradasa, 65, from Panadura, an amputee, said he had stopped travelling in trains because he finds it difficult to board them. It is not easy to climb train steps, which are like a ladder. A person with crutches or an artificial leg must struggle to get in. A person who in a wheelchair would need the help of another person to get into a train, he said. These are problems faced every day by members of Sri Lankas disabled population despite an Act protecting the rights of the disabled, regulations related to access for the disabled, and ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. There is even a National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Services and a National Council for the Disabled, a steering committee on disability issues. The problem, activists say, is mainly due to a lack of will to enforce the laws and regulations already in place. The rights of the disabled in the country are protected by the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act No: 28 of 1996. Yet, little has been done to implement the regulations in the Act at public institutions, public transport centres and in public spaces, disability activist Ishan Jali noted. Some measures such as the audible timer for pedestrian crossings have only been implemented in a few places, and overhead or underground crossings such as the crossing at Borella have no provisions for disabled access. There is not enough political will to see the regulations implemented, Mr. Jalil stated. There was much consultation with the disabled community when authorities prepared policies but the same enthusiasm was not carried over when implementing those same policies, he argued. Mr. Jalil said the subject was not viewed seriously at higher levels of government and claimed some in policy-making see the exercise as merely ticking boxes to show the international community. They dont get in the shoes of persons with disability to understand the issues faced on a daily basis. There is no empathy, he said. He acknowledged that the inclusion of disabled persons in the electoral system had gradually improved. From 2012, measures have been put in place to provide better physical access to voting centres for the disabled community. In certain situations the ballot box was taken to the individual by officials of transport provided for disabled persons to exercise their franchise. Voters who are blind can now ask a family member to accompany them to vote on their behalf or ask an elections official to cast a ballot for them. Mr. Jalil urged the adoption of ballots printed in braille, which are in use in other countries and would offer privacy and dignity to blind voters. Accessibility is the life-force of day-to-day life. Everything revolves around the right to access, be it at hospitals, schools or recreational areas. Without accessibility, all other rights become theoretical, said Dr Ajith C.S. Perera, who has fought for decades for accessibility rights for the disabled community. He noted that accessibility did not merely mean putting a ramp in place. The ramps only serve wheelchair users and there were many more areas such as parking, toilets, corridors, and even tables that needed to be specifically designed for those with disabilities. There is a false belief that such measures will require a lot of expenditure, but in truth many of the measures are quite low-cost, Mr. Perera insisted. At government level, there is a comprehensive National Policy on Disability, adopted in 2003 as well as a National Action Plan for Disability, which was drafted in 2013. Nevertheless, there has been very little progress on physical access to public services and spaces for the disabled amid official apathy at the highest levels. An official at the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities (NSPD), who wished to remain anonymous, told the Sunday Times the National Council for the Disabled had only met once this year after new members were appointed in May. Members to the council are nominated by the Minister of Social Services and appointed by the President. Due to the current political turmoil, a new council has not been appointed. This has confounded the everyday operations of the NSPD. Unable to authorise funding, the NSPD has even been unable to organise a national event on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which falls tomorrow, on December 3. NSPD acting director P. Pathmakumara insists, however, that several regional events have been organised to commemorate the day. Mr. Pathmakumara acknowledged the implantation of regulations on providing physical access for persons with disabilities is slow. He claimed the NSPD lacked the ability to enforce the regulations but said a survey of all public institutions was in hand to map compliance with the regulations. The report is to be prepared by the end of the first quarter of 2019. There are 32,000 persons with disabilities currently registered with the NSPD. Mr. Pathmakumara claimed there were many more in waiting list to be registered and undergoing evaluation. At present, a Rs. 3,000 allowance is paid monthly to the 32,000 registered persons. The secretariat also offers grants of Rs. 150,000-250,000 to disabled individuals to construct or install disabled access facilities in their homes. Platforms dont match trains, concession passes ignored Fundamental issues such as ensuring train platforms reach all carriage entrances, would do much to make life easier for people with disabilities to use public transport, the Sunday Times heard. There is no wheelchair access to the carriages, leaving those disabled at the mercy of fellow passengers to aid them in climbing onboard. Making matters worse, many carriage doors are narrow, hindering those with manoeouvrability problems. There used to be designated seats in buses and train carriages but nowadays they are not left vacant or offered to disabled people who board, Major (rtd) Sarath Dasanayake, the Chief Organiser of the Defence Services War Disabled Officers Association (DSWDOA), said. We are very concerned: there should be better access to public services and better welfare facilities, he said, adding that many buses did not stop to let a disabled person board. Further, the concession bus fare to which disabled veterans are entitled were not honoured by many private bus services. The Ranaviru Seva Authority is also concerned about the concession bus fares not being honoured. As a nation, there seems to be degradation of values and lack of awareness about respecting persons with disabilities, Ranaviru Seva Authority Director Major-General N.A.P.C. Napagoda said. Rathnaseeli Abeysekara, 53, who is visually impaired, pointed out that platforms were too short for trains, which meant it was very difficult for disabled people to get on or off trains. We cant easily get onto a train. There have been incidents where sight-impaired people have fallen on to the tracks and been seriously injured, Ms, Abeysekera said, adding that only two train stations in Colombo had white cane-friendly platforms. Ms. Abeysekera also complained of a lack of privacy when casting her vote as she has to get an election officer to vote for her or ask someone else to cast her vote. Our voting system is not properly set up, she said. Our votes are known by everyone. Why cant they use technology or offer a braille ballet paper? K.A.C. Nishantha a resident of Pannipitiya who gets about with artificial legs after losing his own limbs in a train accident, said he faced difficulties when using washrooms at public places. There are only a few places that have special washrooms to help the disabled, he said. SC notes a problem with enacting rights for disabled Help just comes in bits and pieces here and there, says petitioner The Supreme Court this week observed that although regulations governing the rights of disabled persons to access buildings were in place, there seemed to be a problem regarding lack of implementation of the regulations. The observation was made when a Fundamental Rights petition filed by rights activist Dr. Ajith C.S. Perera was taken up on Thursday before a three-judge bench comprising Supreme Court Justices Prasanna Jayawardena (presiding), Vijith Malalgoda and Murdu Fernando. Dr. Perera filed the petition alleging continued poor compliance of regulations governing accessibility in Gazette No: 1,4657/15 dated October 17, 2006. He appealed to the court to issue an order to strengthen an earlier order issued on April 27, 2011 in response to another petition SC/FR/221/2009. That order made compliance with the accessibility regulations mandatory for gaining approval for building plans. Dr. Perera, who is a wheelchair user, represented himself and pointed out that Sri Lanka had enacted the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act No: 28 of 1996. He said the Ministry of Social Services had promulgated a comprehensive and detailed set of regulations through Gazette No: 1,4657/15 of October 17, 2006 governing accessibility for the disabled in the construction of new buildings. Over the following years, the ministry has thrice extended the deadline to comply with these regulations. In October 2014, it published a notice in newspapers stating that it would take legal action against offenders over non-compliance with these regulations. Despite bits and pieces here and there, since then, there has been no proper compliance and implementation of the regulations, Dr. Perera stressed. Through a motion, Dr. Perera has also presented a set of 10 remedial measures and has appealed for a fresh order from the Supreme Court to incorporate them in full to strengthen the earlier order dated April 27, 2011. He said a fresh court order would be a first step in helping to strengthen implementation measures. Senior State Counsel Rajitha Perera, appearing for the Attorney-General, stated that the current regulations were being reviewed and that the government had taken steps to amend the current Act. Justice Jayawardena queried whether Mr. Perera agreed that while regulations governing the rights of disabled persons to access buildings were in place there seemed to be a problem regarding lack of implementation. SSC Perera agreed with the courts observation. Dr. Perera said the petitioner was free to make recommendations and the ministry could consider them when revising the Act and regulations. Dr. Perera, though, countered that the State was focusing on a bill to abolish the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and to appoint a disability rights authority as an independent body, and that all this would take time and hence new regulations would take even longer. What the country needs is implementation and enforcement, he insisted. The court is deliberating the matter and has yet to set a date for the verdict. Monk hospitalised after alleged assault by UC member View(s): A monk has been hospitalised after an alleged assault by a Maharagama Urban Councillor on Friday night, police said. The Ven Kottawe Hemawansa Thera, resident monk at Sudharshanaramaya in Maharagama had allegedly been assaulted by Urban Councillor Nishantha Wimalachandran and the locks of the monks residential quarters in the temple premises had been forcibly changed. Maharagama Police said the assault incident was linked to an ongoing court case regarding the temple property. The monk was admitted to the Sri Jayawardanapura hospital for treatment. Mr Wimalachandran was arrested and subsequently released on bail as the injuries sustained by the monk were not serious. U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will wrap up a global summit on Saturday with high-stakes talks expected to determine whether they can begin defusing a damaging trade war between the world's two biggest economies. With the United States and China locked in growing disputes over commerce and security that have raised questions about the future of their relationship, Trump and Xi are due to sit down for dinner at the end of a two-day gathering of world leaders in Buenos Aires. The first day of the G20 summit offered glimmers of hope for progress between Washington and Beijing despite Trumps earlier threat of new tariffs, which would increase tensions already weighing on global financial markets. But on the eve of what is seen as the most important meeting of U.S. and Chinese leaders in years, both sides said differences remained, and the outcome of the talks were uncertain. This year's summit has proved to be a major test for the Group of 20 industrialized nations, whose leaders first met in 2008 to help rescue the global economy from the worst financial crisis in seven decades. With a rise in nationalist sentiment in many countries, the G20, which accounts for two-thirds of the global population, faces doubts over its ability to deal with trade tensions and other geopolitical differences among. G20 nations were still struggling to agree on the wording for the summit's communique on major issues including trade, migration and climate change, which in past years have been worked out well in advance. Looming large at the summit is the trade fight between the United States and China, which have imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars on each others imports after Trump began an effort to correct what he views as China's unfair commercial practices. With the trade war weighing on the global economy, world financial markets are hanging on every development and will be watching closely to see if any compromise can be struck between Trump and Xi. The meeting will also be a test of the personal chemistry between the two leaders, which Trump has hailed as a warm friendship. Another big unknown, however, may be Trumps personal unpredictability and his penchant for injecting drama into his appearances on the world stage. TRUMP: A DEAL 'WOULD BE GOOD' Trump was typically coy on Friday even as he noted some positive signs. "We're working very hard. If we could make a deal that would be good. I think they want to. I think wed like to. Well see," he said, speaking during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. A Chinese foreign ministry official in Buenos Aires said there were signs of increasing consensus ahead of the discussions but that differences persisted. Beijing hopes to persuade Trump to abandon plans to hike tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 percent in January, from 10 percent at present. Trump has threatened to go ahead with that and possibly add tariffs on $267 billion of imports if there is no progress in the talks. Trump has long railed against China's trade surplus with the United States and Washington accuses Beijing of not playing fairly on trade. China calls the United States protectionist and has resisted what it views as attempts to intimidate it. The two countries are also at odds militarily over Chinas extensive claims in the South China Sea and U.S. warship movements through the highly sensitive Taiwan Strait. Xi and leaders from the BRICS group of leading emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - called in a statement on Friday for open international trade and a strengthening of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Trump cited Russia's seizure of Ukrainian ships last week as the reason he cancelled a planned bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Search Keywords: Short link: New Govt. in ungodly rush to work out US$ 10bn LNG project View(s): The Government has given international bidders just five weeks to apply for a complex, multibillion dollar Swiss challenge to supply an offshore floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), pipeline and contract for liquefied natural gas (LNG), raising eyebrows in the oil and gas industry about the ungodly rush. This will be Sri Lankas largest single Government tender: a 20-year LNG contract costing more than an estimated US$ 10bn. Preparation for such a tender, including an engineering estimate and financial model, would take at least six to eight months. But the advertisement was published on November 5, eleven days after the sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. And the closing date is December 12, 2018, a mere five weeks after. The Power and Energy Ministry is seeking counter proposals under Swiss challenge procedure for the establishment of an FSRU, pipeline infrastructure and supply of LNG for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). The first bid was put forward by the South Korean Government-backed SK E&S Company and presented to Cabinet in December 2017 by President Maithripala Sirisena. any interested potential investor can challenge the proposal submitted by M/s SK E&S Company Ltd by submitting counter proposals which can be matched by the original proponent, says the advertisement. If the original proponent is unable to match the counter proposal, the tender will be awarded to the prospective bidder provided there is an agreement to pay the development cost of the original proponent. A Swiss Challenge usually grants an advantage to the original proposer with an opportunity to match whatever anybody else tenders. The call for RFPs (request for proposals) was heavily criticised by independent oil and gas industry experts. The selection process is wrong for a strategic national project such as this, they said. This is being done at a time when Sri Lankas political stability is at the lowest it has been for decades, said a critic, requesting anonymity. And it is without a shadow of a doubt Sri Lankas largest single sovereign commitment, a 20-year LNG contract is over US$ 10bn. When signing a purchase contract, there are penalties for departure, he warned. You cant expect to sign something today and change your mind tomorrow. My question is also on the timing, which is slap bang in the middle of the lowest investor confidence we have experienced. It was reiterated that five weeks to supply a competitive response to an existing proposal was woefully inadequate. If we were to be suddenly told there is an opportunity like thiswhich is what has happenedeven with all the information pertaining to it, we would still take between six to eight months, another source said. Why are they introducing it now and keeping it open for just five weeks? Crucially, the RFP does not give a definite location for the FSRU. It only says it will be moored about 9km North or Northwest of the Colombo Port entrance. This means there is no metocean, environmental or social data and no land allocated. It is only a hypothetical location, he pointed out. Location studies alone will take several more months, extending the required period to one year. The RFP also contains no information on the level of insurance coverage or definition of liabilities, which are required to negotiate and cost an economically competitive proposal. It specifies that a newly-built FSRU is required. That is nice, yes, you can start with brand new equipment, said the oil and gas expert. But there are only 27 FSRUs active in the world. It will be a few years wait and they will be expensive brand new. Most people would consider an alternative solutionthat of retrofitting existing infrastructure to perform the same function. The Ministry should simply call for open technology, cost-based, instead of prescribing it. Another concern raised was that the Government was committing in this agreement to purchase LNG at a price indexed to oil. This, experts cautioned, was somewhat restrictive. It precludes us from operating, even if its not immediately but later on, in the LNG spot market which is growing rapidly, one said. We are making a commitment to follow oil up and down. We will not be able to take advantage of arbitrage-driven price movements. It was pointed out, also, that if somebody does manage to magically propose in those five weeks an alternative to the SK E&S bid that is technically sound and does not get rejected, the successful party has to pay the Koreans US$ 10mn dollars for taking the project from them. The principle of that is that, in a Swiss challenge, the original proposer retains some advantage, said a foreign observer based in Britain. Here, the Sri Lankan Government is taking upon itselfon the basis of some submission by the proposerto specify a US$ 10mn payback. It has not cost that amount to make the proposal because, among other things, there has been no visible technical feasibility or pre-feasibility done in Sri Lanka. The process is entirely non-transparent and unjustified. While the principle of a Swiss challenge should be recognised, it should be left to further discussion. The experts said the invitation for RPFs could be improved if the technical option and financial model are left open, bidders are given 10-12 months to submit proposals and all relevant information is providedincluding land clearance, EIA and insurance requirement. In the form it is in, it is not failing to planit is planning to fail, said a foreign expert of Sri Lankan origin. The Government could not send a stronger message to international players to stay away from Sri Lanka. Dont stop the project. Just do it properly. Rajapaksa faces removal after motion on Wednesday By Our Political Editor Kabir thanks Sampanthan, insists Wickremesinghe is UNP's PM nominee View(s): View(s): Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa faces removal next week after just six weeks in office, with Parliament set to approve a motion this coming Wednesday for his ouster. The motion has been agreed to by President Maithripala Sirisena during consultations with Opposition parties, provided it does not describe his dissolution of Parliament as being illegal. Mr. Rajapaksa has so far rejected calls to resign and insisted that President Sirisena, if he so wished, could remove him. Following the removal of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the UNF-UPFA Cabinet on October 26, the latest twist occurred during protracted on-going negotiations to find a solution to the month-long constitutional crisis. UNF leaders are scheduled to meet President Sirisena today as well. A motion by seven United National Party (UNP) MPs is certain to be passed after the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) declared that it would support a pre-October 26 government. Together, the UNF-TNA combine has a voting strength of 117 and President Maithripala Sirisena has assured Speaker Karu Jayasuriya he would respect the motion to be adopted by name or electronic vote. With the passage of the motion, the UNF is expected to recommend UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as its Prime Ministerial nominee. However, President Sirisena remains adamant he will not reappoint Mr. Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister. A no-confidence vote has already been passed by Parliament twice, once by voice vote and once by electronic voting. Wednesdays vote will be for removal of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. A motion for the removal of the Prime Minister by Parliament will require the President to appoint a new Prime Minister from among the Members of Parliament and thereafter a Cabinet of Ministers in consultation with the new Prime Minister. The Supreme Court, in the meantime, is to hear arguments on December 4,5,6 on the interim order it gave suspending the dissolution of Parliament by President Sirisena. A seven-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice Nalin Perera will go into the constitutionality of the dissolution of Parliament. Simultaneously, the Court of Appeal is hearing a Quo Warranto writ filed by Members of Parliament questioning the legality of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksas government. The Court of Appeal will resume sittings tomorrow. The motion before the House to be debated and voted upon on Wednesday calls upon the President to appoint a new Prime Minister in terms of Article 48(2) of the Constitution which details the procedure when such a motion is passed by Parliament. Rajapaksas lawyers seek dismissal of Quo-Warranto petition By Ranjith Padmasiri View(s): View(s): Lawyers appearing for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on Friday, requested the Court of Appeal to dismiss the Quo Warranto writ petition that 122 parliamentarians had filed seeking an order declaring that Mr Rajapaksa is not legally entitled to hold the office of Prime Minister. Gamini Marapana, PC, who appeared for Mr Rajapaksa, asked that court to dismiss the petition. The Quo Warranto was filed by 122 MPs belonging to the United National Party (UNP), the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC). The case was taken up before Court of Appeal President Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Arjuna Obeysekara. K. Kanag-isvaran, PC, appearing for the petitioners, noted that two no-confidence motions against Mr Rajapaksa and his Cabinet had been duly passed in Parliament. He also submitted in court copies of the relevant Hansard regarding the passage of the no-confidence motions. Mr Kanag-isvaran argued that since two no-confidence motions had already been passed against Mr Rajapaksa, he had no legal authority to function as prime minister. He also pointed out that under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, the court had no authority to determine the validity of the no-confidence motions. Schoolboy crush led to murder By Shaadya Ismail View(s): View(s): Investigators believe a three-month dispute over a love affair caused the stabbing murder of a boy by a schoolboy from the same neighbourhood in Matara. The victim was a 19-year-old student of St. Thomas College Matara described as a talented Advanced Level student by the school principal. The seeds of the tragedy were sown three months ago when a row broke out over a girl between the victims younger brother and another youth outside a tuition class at Elawella in Matara, Matara police said. This disagreement eventually led to the attack on November 24 on the 19-year-old who was stabbed in the heart as well as suffering defensive cut wounds to his hands. Several arrests were made. One suspect surrendered to the courts while the other surrendered to the police. The third suspect had to be caught by the police, Matara police said. The accused youths, from Rahula College Matara and Matara Maha Vidyalaya, have been remanded until tomorrow. Police are searching for the owners of a bike and a car that were at the scene. We are trying to file a case against those persons, after identifying them, for failing to prevent a crime, an officer said. Yet another violent tragedy involving a school student was reported this month, from Beruwela, where a Grade 9 student at from Al-Humaisara National School attacked a school prefect who had cautioned him. Beruwela police said the younger boy had kept ignoring school rules and an argument over discipline on November 21 had ended with the prefect falling and hitting his head on the floor after being pushed backwards by the other student. The victim had reportedly come home and complained of feeling unwell. His parents took him to hospital where he underwent surgery but he succumbed to his head injury. The accused boy was arrested and initially bailed but was arrested again and remanded at the Makola detention camp. Investigations are being led by Superintendent Upul Nilmini Ariyadasa of the Kalutara police. Personality-building key to a good child Excessive use of technology and disorderly family backgrounds have damaged the modern generation, counsellors warn.Nowadays, children are more exposed to video games that have violent content like killing. Such violence is embedded in the subconscious mind of a young child and could surface any moment, with the child converting it into a real-life situation, child counsellor Safra Rimas said, adding that the age of 12 was the particular focus of psychologists.Ms. Rimas said many parents paid insufficient attention to their offspring and this put the children, particularly boys, at risk.She emphasised that while a child can be medically treated for psychological matters, this would only produce a chemical reaction. A child should be taught to be compassionate from a very young age and personality-building is a key factor for a growing child to face society, she said. Commenting on the incident of the schoolboy who murdered another boy in Matara this month (see main story), Ms Rimas said: For a child of that age to have the courage to kill is something very wrong. It may have arisen due to the bad exposure he has experienced in society. Sri Lanka hosts VBSS training course for SE Asia navies View(s): A Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) course for the boarding teams of Indonesian, Malaysian and Philippine Coast Guard, Police and Customs concluded at the Navy Special Boat Squadron (SBS) Headquarters in Trincomalee last week. The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with the Sri Lanka Navy SBS Training School conducted several training programmes to South Asian and East African states this year. The Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) of UNODC supports capacity building for maritime law enforcement agencies of member states. A captured drug dhow (a traditional Arabian seagoing vessel) detained by the Sri Lanka Navy serves as a training platform to conduct VBSS training for regional states. The captured vessel provides opportunities to train participants searching for drugs in concealed compartments that are usually found in similar drug trafficking dhows that ply the Indian Ocean. The first VBSS training programme held in partnership with UNODC and the Sri Lanka Navy SBS was conducted in May 2016. Under that programme participating teams from Madagascar and the Comoros were trained in boarding. In 2018 the Navy and UNODC conducted two regional VBSS training programmes for vessel boarding teams from the Sri Lankan Coast Guard, Bangladeshi Coast Guard and Maldives Coast Guard. Recently, Mr. Alan Cole, head of GMCP opined that the high seas were the worlds largest crime scene. he stressed that, with around half of the worlds oceans beyond any single nations jurisdiction, much more needed to be done to address the law enforcement challenges that occur on the high seas. The UN expert, addressing the Galle Dialogue 2018 also highlighted unregulated floating armories, trafficking of arms, drug trafficking, illegal fishing and people smuggling as national security risks facing nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). UNODC warned of the emergence of a new southern route which is used to traffic narcotics towards the Maldives and Sri Lanka from the Pakistani coast. Sri Lanka plays a lead role in hosting the South Asia Regional Intelligence Coordination Centre (SARICC) in Colombo, which will support the sharing of criminal intelligence to counter transnational crime in the region. Appreciations View(s): Kandy loses a colourful personality PUSHPAMALA IRIYAGOLLA DHARMASENA It is with great sadness that I pen this article about a well known personality, a social worker, a teacher par excellence and also an honest political analyst in her spare time. It is none other than our close friend, Pushpamala Iriyagolla Dharmasena. With her demise about three months ago, Kandy lost a colourful and cheerful personality. She was a daughter of the famous Mr. I. M. R. A. Iriyagolla, who was a Minister of Education of our country, long years ago. Pushpamala and her husband Cecil had met at the Peradeniya University as undergraduates, and their relationship blossomed into over 50 years of wedded bliss. She mentioned to me once that their friendship flourished, while practising singing for the famous Sinhabahu Nadagama, produced and directed by Prof. Ediriweera Sarathchandra. After graduating from university, Pushpamala chose the noble profession of teaching and her favourite subjects were Sinhala and History. After retirement, she spent some years as an Instructor in English at the Peradeniya University. Many medical and engineering students benefitted from her versatility. She had an excellent knowledge of Ceylon history. Often when we were on trips to places of historical interest, Pushpamala revelled in describing their history and our knowledge was enhanced as a result. We also enjoyed listening to Cecils many encounters with wild life in Sri Lanka, as he had firsthand knowledge by travelling all over the country with his family and friends in his jeep. She was one who always defended Sinhala rights and recognized the rights of other communities too. Pushpamalas late brother Gamini Iriyagolla was an advocate of human rights and national culture and contributed many of his views to the daily newspapers and in discussions on TV. I first came to know Pushpamala and her beloved husband Cecil in Kandy, when I moved my law practice from Matale to Kandy about 25 years ago. We developed a very close friendship with the Dharmasena family over the years due to our common interests in history, archaeology, wild life, politics etc. Our friendship was so strong that when arguments arose, we always agreed to disagree and that had no effect on our relationship but made our bond of friendship stronger. I can write pages and pages on this illustrious lady, an Old Visakhian, who was a very active member of the Old Girls Association in Kandy and immensely contributed towards the success of the Association. We miss her dearly as she was always there for us, a true friend, trusted confidante, more like an elder sister. There are many others who will miss her, especially the vast number of people from Ginihiriya Colony, near her home in Kandy, whom she helped with kind and timely advice and a hot meal when they were hungry. It was their habit to run to Iriyagolle menike to solve their daily problems. She was their friend, mentor and saviour at all times. She leaves behind her beloved husband Cecil, daughter Yoshitha and son Dr. Nishan, who along with her daughter-in-law Dr. Gnana and grandchildren Priyan and Arushi, gave her immense strength and encouragement to carry on with her service to others. May her journey through Sansara be peaceful and productive and may Pushpamala achieve the Noble Bliss of Nirvana in the shortest possible time. Indrakumar Wijayatilake A pioneer in the Montessori movement Chulanganee Fernando Chulanganee Fernando (nee Dias) passed away peacefully at the age of 93, at her home in Minnesota, US on October 3. A pioneer in Montessori teaching in Sri Lanka before leaving for the US, she received her training directly under Dr. Maria Montessori during the years of the 2nd World War and thereafter commenced teaching pre-school children at Panadura in a school established for her by her father Robert Dias. This school known as the Montessori House of Children is more than 70 years old. In the early1970s Chulanganee opened a Montessori House of Children at her house in Edinburgh Crescent, Colombo 7. When the Montessori training centre was established in the 1950s, first at Good Shepherds Convent and later at St. Bridgets,Chulanganee was one of the three pioneers who started the training centre.The others were Joyce Gunasekera, the doyen of the movement in Sri Lanka and Sister Eta, an Irish nun. She along with Ms Joyce Gunasekera was responsible in organising the training courses for the AMI guided by Mr. Joosten from the Netherlands. She lectured there for nearly 20 years until she left for the US. In 1971 she left for the US and joined as the founding trainer at the Montessori training centre in St. Paul, Minnesota where she taught Child Psychology and Mathematics. She later became its Director and retired in 1998. She was later invited to be a trainer at the Montessori training centre at the College of St. Catherines. Chulanganee was married to our uncle Mahadeva Fernando, who retired as Senior Deputy Governor of the Central Bank and later functioned as an advisor to the IMF. She is survived by her children Priyath, Lalana, Mangalika, Aruni and her sister Rukmal. We, the nieces and nephews, to whom her home was open at all times, fondly remember her generosity with gratitude. May she attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana. Lalith De Silva, Priyalal De Silva, Damayanthi and Shirani on behalf of the family A man of great compassion Bakthika Hemasiri Simon It is with profound sorrow that I pen these few lines as a tribute to our loving friend Bakthika Hemasiri Simon of Rajapihilla Mawatha,Kandy. Bakthi, to Pat, as he was affectionately addressed by all had been a beacon that illuminated the lives of those who were close to him.His untimely departure has plunged us all into an abyss of darkness. Writing a tribute of Pat is not an easy task because there are so many things to disclose. To summarize, one can say he had all the good qualities a great person should have: intelligence,wisdom, kindness, ability, charisma and above all, a large heart full of compassion. Our Pat had all these things and much more. He was a product of Mahinda College, Galle and St. Sylvesters College, Kandy. Although he had studied Science subjects at school, he was well versed in literature, sociology, philosophy, history, geography, religion,world affairs and more. His door was always open to anybody who sought his help. I have seen hundreds of people of coming there to get his assistance, among them school children who wanted to improve their knowledge of English. Later on some of his former students became prominent professionals in society.University students who wanted to get their documents translated into Sinhala and Government officials who were going abroad to attend seminars and conferences and who wanted to get their country reports prepared would also seek his help. He retired from Govt. service prematurely due to fate very cruelly robbing him of his eye sight. After he lost his vision completely, realising the kind of life a blind person has to spend, he sacrificed all his assets to give at least a ray of sunshine to the poor and the blind. He started by helping the blind community in and around Kandy. He organised health camps for the blind and devised a scheme to render assistance to blind students, providing them with Braille typewriters, special recording equipments, special software for their computers and even cellular phones. One kind hearted lady recorded text books and other reading material for those blind students. Pat was overjoyed to learn that some of these blind children who received his help were able to enter universities for higher education too. Pats most remarkable achievement was to introduce audio books to the Braille section of the D.S. Senanayake Memorial Library, Kandy. Visually handicapped persons who could not read were able to listen to recorded novels and other books easily. It was a moving scene to observe a large number of visually handicapped persons who came to pay their last respects to him lamenting around his casket as if they had lost a close relative. Pat in his last will had requested that his remains be donated to the Medical Faculty of the Peradeniya University. His loving wife Pushpa looked after him like a mother who cares for her only child. His son Umanga was the apple of his eye. To have such a noble friend is indeed a greatest blessing. I wish that during our sojourn in this sansara, I may be able to meet my great friend again and again! Susantha Kodituwakku Letters to the Editor View(s): When we go for elections, lets make it electronic voting With the present chaos in Parliament and before we go for the next general election as citizens we should set some conditions on the eligibility of the candidates who we think are most suitable and not allow the parties to select the same candidates who have abused and misused our trust irrespective of any party affiliations. In Sri Lanka with a literacy rate of 90 to 95% there are about 15 million people who use mobile phones and nearly 60 to 70 per cent who have smart phones. My suggestion is to have voting electronically. The source to access the voting scheme will be the NIC number and as most citizens use ATM machines they would be familiar with the touch screen. This will be a more cost-effective system to have touch screen computers with the relevant details (letters attached) as I am sure the Elections Dept and IT Depts. in the universities can have a programme so that people can go and cast their votes at voting centres or divisional secretariats for a period of three days. If anyone does not know how to use this system, provision should be allowed for an immediate family member to accompany them to cast their votes as long as the Grama Niladhari certifies their relationship. I sincerely hope the MPs take the initiative to submit a proposal to this effect to Parliament and get it approved. C.S. de Silva Ratmalana Stop the country from heading towards disaster At the very inception I must emphasise that being a septuagenarian, I hold no brief with any party or individual but what is contained in this letter is my personal view about the present state of affairs in the country. It is no secret that the President is using his Executive powers in an unconstitutional manner. He assumes that he is the monarch of all he surveys. The concept of democracy is completely forgotten and the President is acting in a dictatorial manner by throwing away all norms of democracy. Now, democracy in the country is in the wilderness. It is quite clear that the step taken by the President to prorogue Parliament before its stipulated period of five years, is completely unconstitutional unless in a dire necessity. Article 33 (2) of the Constitution gives blanket (hidden) powers to the President to dissolve Parliament according to his wish (this is a quotation from the 1978 Constitution). But the 19th Amendment 70 (1) prohibits the President from dissolving Parliament to suit his whims and fancies, until the expiry of 4 years. Of course I am not a legal luminary to come to conclusions in this regard, but this is merely my understanding of the present scenario. But, at the same time, I must stress that the act of dissolving parliament was an erudite decision taken by him, which gives a chance to the voters to exercise their franchise to elect a new regime. Now, the President has started to give lame excuses why he prorogued parliament. It is nothing but quite clear that his party would not be able to muster the sufficient number of votes in Parliament, in an election. He is blaming the Speaker for all these mishaps but of course, the Speaker too, should have acted in a more appropriate manner on several occasions. The very unruly behaviour of these parliamentarians on both sides, is clearly a severe setback for the image of the country, proudly known as the Wonder of Asia. As I see it, the country as a whole is heading for disaster. The final outcome will be that Sri Lanka might get isolated from the international community. As such, I earnestly request these parliamentarians to use their brains and not brawn, and not to disgrace this august assembly, by exhibiting their disgraceful behaviour. Lionel Caldera Battaramulla What a sight to behold! For some time, I have been witnessing a somewhat disgusting happening in almost all public / private sector offices and institutions including banks and hospitals. Staff, especially front office staff keep glass bottles filled with water on their counters or tables to quench their thirst while at work. Whenever they feel thirsty, they pour water from those bottles straight into their mouths. This, they do in front of their customers without any regard or courtesy to the customer who is afforded a free show of their gaping jaws sometimes with cavities and missing teeth ! The irony is, most of those bottles still carry the eye-catching labels of the strong amber firewater which had filled them once. Lo and behold, when I go to pay the premia for my Life and Vehicle Insurances (two different institutions) too, I observe the same scenario ! Advertising alcoholic products is banned. Then, could not it be an offence to display such bottles in areas where the general public throng to attend to official matters? Front office staff should be made aware that their duty is not only providing an efficient service to their customers but also to discharge it in a respectable manner. Today, in most of the work places staff are provided with water dispensers and tumblers, yet this practice continues unabated. D. Samaranayake Battaramulla The country salutes you Sir Thank you Sir, for standing tall when all else was falling apart. It took principled courage to do what you did. I am sure many of my fellow citizens of Lanka, bow their heads in appreciation. Your firm stand by the Constitution saved us when this country was being sold with impunity to the dark forces. Dr. Channa Ratnatunga Kandy Little being done to rectify salary anomalies that affect my pension I am one of the officers from the prestigious post of SLEAS-II in the Department of Education. I retired on 13.04.2011 after serving for 39 years. On my retirement, my paying office at the Sammanthurai, Zonal Education Office prepared my pension-related documents. While this was in progress some salary anomalies surfaced in my prior service of SLTS-1 and the current service of SLEAS-III& II. I brought the above anomalies to the notice of the Public Administration Ministry and the Eastern Province Provincial Department of Education. The Ministry and the Provincial Department had requested the Sammanthurai, Zonal Education office to take necessary steps with regard to my salary anomalies. These two institutions had sent those requests on 8/5/2018 and 30/10/2018 respectively. But, I havent heard anything from that zonal office, so far. In addition, I too had sent a request to the zonal office to rectify my salary anomalies on 07 /11/2018. But I have not received any reply. I am a 67-year-old pensioner who is getting less as a result of the salary anomalies created by the above zonal office in 2011. And this salary anomaly surfaced because, the office seems to have ignored or failed to apply the provisions of E/code section VII: 2:4 and circular Nos: 5:3:1: 11/94, 7/2000, 4/2003& the directive of the line Ministry of Education etc. It is my fervent hope that the Department of Pensions, the custodian of all pensioners, would look into this matter urgently and rectify the anomalies. A.L.M. Ameen Via e mail Is this the way to act against corruption? I listened to the talk by the President on TV last Sunday when he addressed the foreign correspondents at his official residence. He categorically said that he firmly stands against corruption and will take every possible action to eradicate this menace. If he is honest about this I am curious as to why Johnston Fernando and Wimal Weerawansa, who had to be summoned before Courts on charges of corruption, were re-sworn before him as Ministers, and assigned the same portfolios under which they were charged for corruption during the Rajapaksa Government. Rather than curbing corruption it would appear he is promoting corruption. Citizen Perera Via email Violence on TV and the effect on children Violence and aggression are very commonly shown on our television screens and other types of media. People are very fond of watching such programmes containing violent scenes. They forget that children too are exposed to these scenes of violence. Scientific research has shown that such exposure affects children. They are more likely to imitate what they see. These behavioural changes can persist even when they become adults. Should we ignore this scientific evidence and common sense? It is the responsibility of parents, media and government to be vigilant about this. Dr D.P.D. Wijesinghe Via email Raw Mango in Colombo View(s): Raw Mango founder and renowned Indian designer Sanjay Garg, celebrating the 10th anniversary of his brand was in Sri Lanka last week for a discussion with experts in fields adjacent to fashion followed by a presentation of sarees, textiles and garments at fashion concept stores PR and Rithihi. Raw Mango founder and renowned Indian designer Sanjay Garg, celebrating the 10th anniversary of his brand was in Sri Lanka last week for a discussion with experts in fields adjacent to fashion followed by a presentation of sarees, textiles and garments at fashion concept stores PR and Rithihi. Innovation was baked into the DNA of both PR and Rithihi from day one, which makes their collaboration extremely interesting as it re-writes the retail rulebook. They know the customer wants experiences, and theyre giving them to her. As well as looking after their customers, they are staying true to the unique ways they represent fashion, with Rithihi showcasing the textiles and sarees of Raw Mango and PR its garments. This protects their integrity and individuality as retailers. When Raw Mango emerged in 2008, it was instrumental in introducing a new sartorial vocabulary, bridging the gap between the traditional aesthetic and modern sensibilities. Raw Mango transformed the saree into a power move that made Indian women sit up and take notice. I wanted women to relate to the saree. I wanted simplicity, yet provocation was also important to me, and I approached it by way of colour, imagery and display, says Garg. Over the years, Raw Mango has nurtured and developed a clientele of accomplished women from all walks of life, including Bollywood. Anushka Sharmas wedding trousseau included a Sanjay Garg design, Kiran Rao is an advocate and Deepika Padukone wore a Raw Mango saree during the promotions of her movie Padmaavat, to mention a few. But the brand speaks to a wider audience than just star power. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York hosted Items: Is Fashion Modern? which ran from October 2017 to the end of January 2018. It was an investigation of 111 garments and accessories that have had a profound effect on the world over the last century and curator Paola Antonelli included a Raw Mango saree to feature along with iconic items like vintage little black dresses and the Birkin bag. In May, four members of the Mumbai-based charitable organization Myna Mahila Foundation (MMF) wore Raw Mango sarees to the wedding of Britains Prince Harry and Meghan Markle cementing the brand firmly in the global fashion psyche. We complete a decade this year, and the realisation of this milestone and planning for the future in terms of the growth of the business and new opportunities is top of mind. Especially to not become complacent within a narrow definition of design. We will continue to expand boundaries of the brand, and what I am as a designer through more stores of our own, and to sell our products to a larger audience both in India and globally, Sanjay Garg said in a press release. Turning back the pages of a 60-year-old story By Sashini Rodrigo In addition to celebrating its diamond jubilee, the Ceylon Booksellers Importers & Exporters Association marks another milestone as it elects its first female president View(s): View(s): There is cause for celebration for Sri Lankas oldest association in the book trade, as they commemorate an important milestone in their long and fruitful history as a group. The Ceylon Booksellers Importers & Exporters Association celebrated 60 years on November 28 this year, having been in existence since 1958 when booksellers of this country made the pioneering effort to form an association to address issues, meet the growing requirement from the reading public, and to stand together to have their voices heard by the government. The need for this kind of group effort was paramount, as they faced many difficulties in keeping their trade flourishing at a time where the then government practised a closed economy as an effort to be self-sufficient. In came heavy import taxes and import restrictions, particularly in the 60s and early 70s in the form of the strict exchange control system known as foreign exchange entitlement certificates (FEECs), which essentially cut off booksellers from importing items. Many members faced legal actions just trying to survive. Though the stringent restrictions are a thing of the past, the issue of taxation still comes up at nearly every meeting. The committee meets every month without fail to resolve such issues a monumental effort considering how busy each member is with their respective businesses. But as former president Miles Brohier puts it- Certain things we cant delay. Decisions need to be taken. He recalls that in the eight years of his presidency, they only postponed a meeting once. This speaks volumes about the dedication of the Association to protect the interests of their members as well as the reading public. One such example of this is when the Association successfully campaigned to remove taxes on books, following an agreement by UNESCO to treat books as cultural products and make them available tax free. Former President C. Gnanasekara recalls what an effort it was, and was only achieved through the patient lobbying of the Association. We dont want books to be distant from the reader. We want these to be affordable, Miles says, to enthusiastic assent from the committee members. The Association prides itself on being one of the most transparent trades operating here. Prices are never hidden, even on imported books, and the original foreign price is printed right next to the local one in most cases. Neither do they increase their prices for the sake of it. In fact, if the foreign exchange situation is favourable, they work to reduce the prices something that no other trade does. It is done voluntarily, where the decision is taken as a community and communicated to all members. In an age of online shopping, it is worth remembering that not everything you find online is necessarily cheaper. In this case, books are imported at a price point that is affordable to this market, and are even further discounted at Book Fairs and other such exhibitions. Not only does South Asia have their own lowered pricing points, but most of the reputed international publishers have allowed Indian publishers to reprint their products or they have branches. Those are comparatively much cheaper than the original publications, and the Association makes it a point to pass on the concessions that it gets. The Association celebrated another milestone this year20 years of involvement in the Colombo International Book Fair, which was in turn created after the associations own efforts at staging book exhibitions. The association has a long and varied history of participating in book fairs globally, in an effort to promote the local book trade its earliest exhibit at the Frankfurt Book Fair and the Moscow Book Fair (now defunct after the collapse of the USSR) during the Cold War, to the more recent participation in the London Book Fair twice in collaboration with the Export Development Board, and the World Book Fair in New Delhi. It is due to these efforts that there is a demand for Sri Lankan books globally, from university libraries that stock Sri Lankan literature, to foreign countries with large Sri Lankan communities. While 70%-80% of books imported to this country are for educational purposes, the most popular exports are concerning Sri Lankan culture, heritage, translations of local folklore, Buddhism, cookery and such. The Association is also responsible for conducting training programmes for its members on customer service, bookselling and related activities, and has collaborated with the British Council and the National Library and Documentation Services Board. Collaborations with other associations are a hallmark of the Associations efforts to ensure progress. Another significant difference is the committee strives to stay fresh, with the older members happy to take a back seat and nominate the younger members for the important positions in order to facilitate new and better ideas. This year saw the appointment of the Associations first female president former treasurer Dinushi Abeywickrama, who recalls feeling greatly honoured at the opportunity. In complete collaboration with the rest of the committee, Dinushi is already implementing new ideas and strategies to keep the book trade flourishing. The list of projects that they undertake is constantly being updated, including the issue of tackling book piracy online and foreign interference from sellers who sell remainders unsold stocks that publishers dont have the storage for at marked up prices under the guise of heavy discounts. The Association has seen countless changes in its day, including three name changes from their original Booksellers Association of Ceylon, to Booksellers & Importers Association of Ceylon, to the most recent change in August 2011 to the Ceylon Booksellers Importers & Exporters Association. From Brexit to eternity: Britain on cliffhanger over Mays deal By Chris Patten, exclusive to the Sunday Times in Sri Lanka View(s): View(s): LONDON British members of Parliament will soon have to make one of the most difficult political decisions of their lives. The choice is between approving the Brexit deal that Prime Minister Theresa May has negotiated with the European Union, crashing out of the EU with no deal, or trying to reverse the exit process altogether. With respect to the third option, it has been two and a half years since a slim majority of Britons voted to leave the EU, and recent polls now find that a majority would prefer to remain. The decision to hold a referendum on EU membership was made by Mays Conservative predecessor, David Cameron, who seems to have been focused more on politics than the national interest. Cameron was hoping to defang a faction of right-wing English nationalists and opportunists in his party, but his inept gambit blew up in his face and he promptly resigned, leaving to his successor the unenviable task of interpreting what the referendum outcome actually meant. She decided that Brexit means Brexit, and has since been leading a process that she herself originally opposed. From the start, Mays task was complicated by three factors. First, the Brexiteers had woven a web of mendacity and delusion about what withdrawing from the EU would actually mean. They promised an easy exit that would allow Britain to have its cake and eat it. The country would gain much, lose nothing, and sail off to a promised land free of EU regulations. As masters of their own fate, Britons would cut new trade deals with whomever they liked. Yet, to the Brexiteers apparent surprise, the EU could not and would not allow a country to enjoy the full benefits of membership without accepting the obligations that come with it. The second complication was that Britons had a lot to learn about sovereignty. Generally speaking, sovereignty enables a country to secure its own interests. But this usually requires working with others. What the Brexiteers seem not to have realised is that the 27 remaining EU member states have far more power to pursue their own interests collectively than they would on their own. And that is exactly what they have done throughout the Brexit negotiations. Critics of Mays exit deal complain that it will give Britain even less say over its own affairs than it has today. But that would still be the case outside of the EU. Whether rules governing economic, environmental, and social relations are written in Brussels or elsewhere hardly matters. If Britain wants to do business with others, it will have to agree to common rules. Once it is out in the cold, it will have to decide with which economic bloc to align, and then accept that blocs rules. This is not about sovereignty or satrapy. It is simply a question of whether we would prefer Chinas approach to intellectual property and technology transfers over those of the West, or European food and agricultural standards over those of the US. If Britain insists on pursuing a purist definition of sovereignty, it will find only grief and isolation. The third complication was of Mays own making. Immediately upon entering into the exit negotiations, she started laying down unnecessary red lines. The language of the Brexit referendum did not include any mention of the EU customs union and single market, or of the European Court of Justice. But May announced that Britain must leave the jurisdiction of all three. As was foreseeable, this immediately raised the thorny issue of the Irish border. While Northern Ireland would remain in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland would still be an EU member. As long as each is still in the EU customs union and single market, this poses no problem. But if either were to leave, customs checkpoints would have to be established at all major border crossings, with potentially dangerous implications for the Good Friday Agreement, which restored peace in Northern Ireland a generation ago. The exit agreement that May negotiated attempts to resolve all of these complications by squaring various circles and temporising on questions for which there is no possible answer. After March 29, 2019, the UK will enter a transition phase in which it will remain a member of the single market and customs union. A so-called backstop will ensure that there is no hard border in Ireland. Not surprisingly, the deal satisfies neither extreme Brexiteers nor the millions of people who voted to remain in the EU. May is now confronting Parliament with the choice of accepting her deal or crashing out of the EU. She insists that no other compromise is available, and that this is the only way to bring an end to a debate that has divided the country. But with a wafer-thin majority in Parliament, it is not clear that she has the votes she needs. Should Mays proposal fail, the Brexiteers would have the UK leave with no deal at all. But that outcome would face significant opposition. Others want an outcome building on the Norway model. It would involve membership of the single market and customs union, with acceptance of the rulebooks for both, but freedom to go it alone elsewhere. Still others including the 700,000 people who marched through London in October think that there should be a peoples vote on any final exit deal. The argument against a second referendum is that it would be deeply divisive, especially if it leads to a reversal of the first referendum. But this rather misses the point. The hardline Brexiteers will reject any compromise with the EU. As ideological purists, they will not be satisfied until the UK is fully out of the EU, even if it means jumping off a cliff. Happily, the British public is unlikely to accept that option. So, whatever happens, the Brexit debate will rumble on. In the meantime, we Britons should apologise to our friends around the world. Our national spectacle of self-harm must be growing tiresome. (Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong and a former EU commissioner for external affairs, is Chancellor of the University of Oxford.) Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2018. www.project-syndicate.org Global leaders were expected to back an overhaul of the world body that regulates international trade disputes at a summit on Saturday, delegates said, ahead of high-stakes talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at defusing a trade war. A consensus appeared to be emerging at the two-day gathering of the Group of 20 industrialized economies for a joint statement that would back reforms to the crisis-stricken World Trade Organization amid growing global trade tensions, according to officials from the European Union and summit host Argentina. "We reiterate that the multilateral trading system is the framework in which we are all working and committed," an EU official said, referring to the language of a draft statement. The WTO is on the verge of becoming dysfunctional, just when it is most needed to fulfill its role as umpire in trade disputes and as the watchdog of global commerce. The United States is unhappy with what it says is the WTO's failure to hold Beijing to account for not opening up its economy as envisioned when China joined the body in 2001. To force reform at the WTO, the United States has blocked new appointments to the world's top trade court. The European Union is also pushing for reform at the WTO. G20 summit delegates said that negotiations on producing a final statement were proceeding more smoothly than at a meeting of Asian leaders two weeks ago that ended without a consensus, but they cautioned that the draft statement still required approval from leaders. Trump said in a tweet that he was cancelling a news conference at the G20 summit as a mark of respect following the death of former President George H.W. Bush. European officials said the draft document included a reference to climate change, which has proved a sticking point in the past with the current U.S. administration. The wording on climate change was "a little bit more than the status quo but not backtracking," one EU official said. With the United States and China locked in growing disputes over commerce and security that have raised questions about the future of their relationship, global financial markets next week will take their lead from the outcome of talks between Trump and Xi over dinner on Saturday. The first day of the G20 summit offered glimmers of hope for progress between Washington and Beijing despite Trumps earlier threat of new tariffs, which would increase tensions already weighing on the growth of the global economy. But ahead of what is seen as the most important meeting of U.S. and Chinese leaders in years, both sides said differences remained, and the outcome of the talks were uncertain. This year's summit has proved to be a major test for the G20, whose leaders first met in 2008 to help rescue the global economy from the worst financial crisis in seven decades. With a rise in nationalist sentiment in many countries, the group, which accounts for two-thirds of the global population and 85 percent of the global economy, faces doubts over its ability to deal with trade tensions and other geopolitical differences among its members. Apart from trade and climate change, Russia's seizure of Ukrainian vessels has drawn condemnation from other G20 members. The trade battle between the United States and China has loomed larger over the G20 talks. Washington and Beijing have imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars on each others imports after Trump began an effort to correct what he views as China's unfair commercial practices. Saturday's talks will be a test of the personal chemistry between the two leaders, which Trump has hailed as a warm friendship. The U.S. leader was coy on Friday even as he noted some positive signs. "We're working very hard. If we could make a deal that would be good. I think they want to. I think we'd like to. We'll see," he said. A Chinese foreign ministry official in Buenos Aires said there were signs of increasing consensus ahead of the discussions but that differences persisted. Beijing hopes to persuade Trump to abandon plans to hike tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 percent in January, from 10 percent at present. Trump has threatened to go ahead with that and possibly add tariffs on $267 billion of imports if there is no progress in the talks. Trump has long railed against China's trade surplus with the United States and Washington accuses Beijing of not playing fairly on trade. China calls the United States protectionist and has resisted what it views as attempts to intimidate it. The two countries are also at odds militarily over Chinas extensive claims in the South China Sea and U.S. warship movements through the highly sensitive Taiwan Strait. On Friday, Xi and leaders from the BRICS group of leading emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - called in a statement for open international trade and a strengthening of the WTO. An EU official said the language currently being negotiated for the final statement of the G20 would also support reform of the multilateral trade body needed to improve its function. In an effort to win the support of China, following the failure to agree a statement at APEC, G20 delegates toned down language on unfair trade practices, European officials said. Washington, meanwhile, had insisted the statement emphasize that the multilateral trading system was not working, one of the officials said. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: Police can arrest law-breaking MPs By B. Anton Jeyanathan View(s): View(s): In any democratic society, parliament is considered as the supreme legislature which formulates policies, rules and regulations for the betterment of the people. Parliamentarians are elected periodically by the people. It appears that voters are not diligent when they use their franchise to elect their representatives. They rarely take into consideration the candidates educational and professional qualifications, and cast their votes based on their personal preferences and benefits to be accrued, rather than the interest of the country and the people at large. Parliamentarians are expected to maintain the highest degree of decorum and decency and required to be law abiding. The country recently saw how its lawmakers became law-breakers and behaved worse than street rowdies. In a newspaper article, a religious personality said such rowdy conduct should be rejected by all and advised against children watching parliamentary proceedings. Several citizens have condemned the reprehensive behaviour of the members of parliament, especially on November 14, when the lawmakers indulged in criminal acts, as was seen live on television by millions of people. The Police need not wait till complaints are made to act, especially when they have sufficient evidence by way of video clips. Some members were seen brandishing knives, some were seen damaging government property and some were seen hurling dangerous objects at policemen, the parliament staff and the Speaker. In fact, there were reports that there was a plan to throw acid on the Speaker. Millions of viewers also saw how a posse of policemen walked into the Parliament chamber on being requested by the Speaker. They were very well disciplined and carried no batons or weapons. They escorted the Speaker into the Chamber. Several MPs threw missiles at the police officers. One MP was seen slapping a policeman. Some liquid solution, which is said to have been water mixed with chilli powder, was thrown at the policemen. The police officers endured the insults, assaults and chilli water attack and kept their cool. Some of the police officers had to be medically treated after the incident. We should commend the conduct of the police officers in the face of the MPs attack for not reacting though they were highly provoked and obstructed from performing their duties. The law enforcement authorities should investigate these incidents without waiting for complaints, apprehend the culprits and bring them before a court of law, as they cannot be let free after having committed criminal acts. The law enforcement authorities should implement the law, irrespective of whether the culprits were Members of Parliament or whether they belonged to any political party. The people are watching the law enforcement officers as to what action they will take against such law-breaking law makers. (The writer is a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police) Santiago Moreno is the head of the infectious illnesses department at the Ramon y Cajal hospital in Madrid and one of the coordinators of the Aids research network in Spain. In his opinion, Aids research has probably resulted in one of the most spectacular advances in modern medicine, turning a fatal illness into a chronic one. However, this good news also comes with a risk, he says. "This progress has made people think there is nothing to worry about now, because we have done everything. The reality is very different; far from being controlled, the epidemic is still expanding," he says. This expert in epidemiology says he is afraid that society and, above all, "the institutions and people who are responsible for ending this" will relax their guard and stop making efforts. In Spain 3,500 new cases are diagnosed every year (about ten a day) which shows, he says, that "the epidemic is out there and it is not under control". It is also calculated that around 18 per cent of patients are not aware that they are infected. "One of the greatest innovations we need to introduce is for everybody to have an HIV test. It is a good idea because if you're negative you have nothing to worry about, and if you are positive they can give you a treatment which means it is as if your illness doesn't exist, and your life, including your sexual life, can carry on as normal," says Dr Moreno. Clinical innovations In the clinical field, the innovations have been well catalogued: discovering the causal agent, the first retroviral medication, the introduction of a triple treatment and later just taking a single pill. The antiretroviral treatment has reached excellent levels of effectiveness, tolerance and low toxicity. "It's not easy to improve on treatment," warns Santiago Moreno. However, instead of one tablet a day the patients will be able to have injections every two, three or six months or even once a year. Dr Moreno explains that at a scientific level there have been spectacular advances in research and immunology, but work is still needed on other aspects. Although Aids is not as feared now as it was, "people with it are still stigmatised," he says, even when they are undergoing treatment and are no longer infectious. Behind the powerful image of the 'Guernica' lies the story of 'one of the great nomads' of the twentieth century. This symbolic painting has travelled the world, provoking countless reactions and providing endless inspiration. Despite its world-famous reputaion, the history behind the 'Guernica' is somewhat of a mystery. The exhibition 'Picasso. The journey of the Guernica', organised by Obra Social la Caixa, the bank's social branch, and the Reina Sofia Museum, hopes to bring to light the lost archives and present the lesser-known part of this influential work. Carlos Martin, the curator of this exhibition, exlplains that "While the 'Guernica' itself cannot be moved for conservation reasons", the story that the painting generates can still be told anywhere. 'Picasso. The journey of the Guernica' is an exhibition with a twist. The hall itself is on wheels and can be moved from location to location, telling the story of this famous painting. Until 8 December the hall will be in Plaza de la Marina. Inside the exhibition visitors travel alongside the painting through the journey it took around the world. The bombing that devastated Madrid is the starting point. The attack by the German Condor Legion, which was "suprisingly well documented", inspired Picasso to draw his first sketches of the 'Guernica'. Months before he had received a commission from the Government of the Republic to create a piece for the 1937 Paris Exposition. Picasso had been in a creative crisis; until the massacre. "The painting is already there in some ways" says the curator, pointing to a screen where the sketches of the Malaga artist are displayed. Beside them, a large projection superimposes the photographs that Dora Maar, Picasso's partner at the time, had taken of his creative process. After being the centre-piece in Paris, the 'Guernica' was returned to Picasso. Thereafter, it travelled to 40 destinations all over the world. Provoking many, varying reactions, Picasso's 'Guernica' is anything but one dimensional. Moved for the last time in 1981 to the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, the painting has now found its permanent home. While it may not travel the world anymore, through the inspiration it has provided throughout the years, the journey of the 'Guernica' continues. Malaga city hall has decided that the only way in which to eradicate the invasive parakeet population in the city is to use air rifles to shoot them. Alberto Esteban, head of the Unidad Verde of the Environmental and Sustainability department of Zaragoza town hall, is the expert who came up with what is considered to be the most effective eradication plan in the world. The city of Zaragoza was once also overrun with parakeets which damaged the indigenous flora and drove away native species of birds. They solved the problem by embarking on a campaign to inform citizens of the problem so that they would understand the importance of controlling the parakeet population. With the backing of 98% of the population, the cull began by shooting the adult birds in April, as they were starting to nest but before they laid eggs. It was carried out in the early hours of the morning, at close range and by just one trained marksman assisted by a helper from the Department of the Environment. In this way, and over two years, Zaragoza city hall was able to completely eradicate the parakeets. A specialist from the city hall said that once the cull was over, "other bird species could be heard singing and people soon didn't miss the noise of the parakeets". In Malaga city the number of parakeets is nearly double that of Zaragoza before the cull and it has been decided that marksmen from the local police force will be used to help with the campaign. At present there are around 4,500 monk parakeets in Malaga, 3,000 of them in Malaga city. In under three years this figure will have doubled if nothing is done. Antonio Roman Munoz, Biology lecturer at the UMA explained, "I have spent my whole life studying birds, and parakeets present a serious risk to agriculture and the ecology," he considered the decision by Malaga town hall to be "a fast and selective way of eliminating the birds". The alternative of capturing the parakeets alive in nets and taking them away to be euthanised is considered to be more stressful for the birds, apart from being less efficient and more expensive. Flights to Tel Aviv will resume for the high season after the success of the route which debuted this year. From March to October, two flights a week will connect the Costa del Sol with the biggest city in Israel. The route will be operated by the Sun d'Or company which belongs to the Elal airline. Dolores Perez, head of Israel's Tourist Office in Spain, explained how tourism to Israel had beaten all records last year with a record 3.6 million visitors and this year it looked to have overtaken that historic figure with over four million. In response to this increase in demand, projects to improve the hotels and accommodation are being developed in the country which attracts tourists heading to Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and the Negev desert. Last year 62,400 Spanish flew to Israel, many of them taking advantage of the direct route from Andalucia. The five-hour flight to Tel Aviv offers huge opportunities for Andalucia and not just as a 'City Break' destination. It opens a link to the centre of finance and technology in Israel and to the markets of the Middle East. It's been smiles all round on these last few days of the campaign trail as the candidates for seats on the Andalusian parliament aim to round up last-minute support from voters. The regional election takes place on Sunday when 6,541,722 citizens of Andalucia are called to cast their vote. ELECTIONS IN FIGURES 6.5m citizens of Andalucia have the right to vote in Sunday's regional election. 109 is the number of seats in the Andalusian parliament. 55 is the number of seats needed for an overall majority. In 2015 the PSOE won 47 seats. After a second tense televised debate on Monday, speculation continues as to who might pact with who if no party, as predicted, gains an overall majority. Incumbent Socialist president of the Junta de Andalucia, Susana Diaz, who was in Marbella on Tuesday with prime minister Pedro Sanchez, hopes to keep her job. Opinion polls point to her winning the most votes, as she did in 2015, but not an overall majority. Last term's pact with centrist Ciudadanos (C's), led by Juan Marin, who is expected to more than double his party's current nine seats, broke down earlier this year, making a repetition seem improbable. C's are more likely to pact with conservative Partido Popular (PP), whose leader Juanma Moreno, claims to be the only candidate to bring real change to Andalucia. Polls put PP and C's on almost equal footing but without an overall majority between them. Neither party has openly admitted that it would negotiate a pact if necessary with the far right group Vox, predicted to win a seat in the Andalusian parliament on Sunday for the first time. Meanwhile the far left coalition Adelante Andalucia, which unites Podemos and Izquierda Unida, among other leftist groups, looks set to take some left-wing voters from the Socialists. The coalition and the PSOE would, according to the polls, between them reach an overall majority but their leader, Teresa Rodriguez, has said that there was no chance of her going into a government with Diaz. No campaigning is allowed on Saturday, a day for the 'Andaluces' to reflect before voting on Sunday. Legal proceedings against the mayor of Mijas, Juan Carlos Maldonado, and two councillors have been halted by a judge in Fuengirola after doubts arose over whether a person who had supposedly lodged a complaint about them actually exists. This began in September, when an OAP wrote to the anti-corruption authorities in Malaga to report irregularities in the organisation of a trip for elderly residents. He gave his name but no identification number, and a contact address which it was later found does not exist. He also provided supposed copies of documentation of which no official record has been found. The mayor responded with a counterclaim to the Guardia Civil, who began their own investigation. They spoke to the postman who delivers mail to the area in question, who confirmed that he had never delivered anything to the address. In fact, he said that his colleague Juan Carlos Gonzalez Marquez, who is a PP councillor, had told him that if he ever saw any correspondence addressed to a certain name, he was to give it to him. He also sent several WhatsApp messages to remind him. A letter did arrive, and the postal worker photographed it and sent it to the councillor, who asked him to put it in his mailbox. When questioned, Gonzalez Marquez said a man had told him he had yet to install a mailbox and was expecting a letter, so he had offered to take it in for him. The investigation continues. The head of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), run by the United Nations, was in Malaga on Tuesday to address local business leaders and politicians at a forum organised by SUR. Manuel Butler has recently taken over at the WTO, which is based in Madrid. Prior to this, the Spaniard was head of TurEspana, the government's promotion agency for Spanish tourism. Butler said that "tourism is undergoing cyclical changes with a long term impact that hasn't been experienced before". He discussed some of the challenges facing the industry at the moment, including Brexit and demonstrations against tourists in the centre of some Spanish cities. Special attention was paid to the emerging subject of "overtourism" in historic cities and how tourism, and its challenges, was moving up the world political agenda. The WTO chief added that figures for tourism continue to be very positive and that at no time since the 1960s has world tourism seen such a sustained period of growth. He said that in 2017 there was a 6.8% increase in tourism, twice the forecast amount, and he called for more investment in sustainability. Higher-quality produce is necessary if Egypt is to realise its aim of expanding agricultural exports Egypt is eyeing new markets for its agricultural exports, particularly in Asia. It should begin exporting fruit and vegetables to Japan after quarantine officials from both countries have reached agreement on quality and safety standards, Agriculture Minister Ezzeddin Abu Steit said last week. The crops set for export include potatoes, garlic, watermelons and dates. Negotiations are also underway with Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong to discuss quality specifications for imported produce. Egypt is also in talks with China over potentially exporting dates, pomegranates, mangoes and potatoes to the country. In July 2017, China approved regulations for importing Egyptian grapes after the Chinese General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) agreed to open Chinese markets to imports from Egypt. In January, China officially approved the Agriculture Ministrys quality and safety checks to export dates to the Chinese market, and Egypt is expected to start exporting dates to China by January 2019. Egypt is the worlds largest dates producer, capturing 18 per cent of global dates production and 23 per cent of Arab dates production, former trade minister Tarek Kabil said earlier this year. Opening new markets for Egypts agricultural produce has many benefits because it can compensate for other markets that could face problems, Mustafa Al-Naggari, treasurer of the Agricultural Export Council (AEC), said. He said that if a market banned imports from Egypt, this could cause problems in the local market and even a deterioration in the produce. It can harm a lot of people, so opening more markets for agricultural produce will help compensate for any damage and help us maintain quality, Al-Naggari said. Over the last few years, several countries have imposed bans on some agricultural produce from Egypt, citing high levels of pesticides. Al-Naggari said the reason for tapping Asian markets was their large size and buying power, helping people buy imported goods. Climate change might also create opportunities for exports as these might affect crops in other countries, he said. Apart from Asia, other markets that Egypt is currently targeting include Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in addition to countries in Africa. Egypts traditional markets for agricultural exports include the European Union and the Arab states. Opening up new markets for exports can be challenging, however, Al-Naggari said, given that each country may have its own regulations and standards for food safety. Consequently, negotiations with new markets may not be easy, but when the produce is accepted in other markets it can facilitate its entry to new ones, he added. When a product is present in many markets, it can create demand for it in other markets, Al-Naggari told Al-Ahram Weekly. He said that the local agricultural market suffered from problems that could make it difficult for Egypt to open up new markets. These problems, pertaining to farming methods and fertilisers, should be addressed by the government, Al-Naggari said. He said that one solution could be for the state to encourage agricultural cooperatives, in which farmers pool their resources in certain areas of activity. Cooperatives can help us produce more and improve the quality of produce, he said. He added that 60 per cent of Europes exports in agriculture were from agricultural cooperatives. Professor of agricultural economy at Al-Azhar University in Cairo Mahmoud Mansour said that opening up new markets for Egypts agricultural exports would help increase the countrys exports as a whole and have a positive impact on the economy. He said that the Asian markets enjoyed a high standard of living and accordingly had a large demand. Entering these markets required high-quality products, however, he said, and Egypt would therefore need to develop its agricultural sector and address any problems. In order to do so, Egypt has been enforcing new regulations and inspection measures to ensure the quality of agricultural exports. It introduced a new system under which crops are inspected several times while in the fields, after harvest, and after they are prepared for export. Egypts agricultural exports rose by 13 per cent between September 2017 and April 2018 to reach 3.165 million tons, up from 2.802 million tons during the same period last year, according to recent data from the AEC. The data showed that agricultural exports reached $1.594 billion, up from $1.534 billion last year, an increase of four per cent. The overall agricultural exports from Egypt to the Arab countries reached 1.278 million tons at around $680.96 million. Exports to the EU and the UK reached 645,530 tons at $421.54 million, while exports to the Asian countries reached 296,920 tons at $159.16 million. Exports to the Americas and Australia totalled 16,841 tons at $21.74 million, while exports to the African countries reached 16,110 tons at $12.19 million. * A version of this article appears in print in the 29 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Expanding agricultural exports Search Keywords: Short link: Minister of Trade and Industry Amr Nassar discussed on Saturday with members of a delegation from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) led by the banks head Benedict Orama, the final preparations for the first Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), to be held in Cairo on 11-17 December. Nassar said the IATF is the first of its kind across Africa and it provides a platform for commodities and services, as well as information exchange about trade, investment and the market, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said in a statement. The fair also helps buyers, sellers and investors, while providing opportunities for signing trade deals with the aim of boosting intra-trade among African countries, the minister said. Nassar revealed that 1,055 African companies, including 300 Egyptian ones, have confirmed their participation in the IATF, in addition to 34 countries that are set to take part in the event through national pavilions. Search Keywords: Short link: A proposed change to the way Egypt taxes bank profits could encourage lenders to boost credit to the private sector and push up yields on Treasury debt, raising its appeal among foreign investors, economic analysts say. The cabinet last week gave preliminary approval to a proposed amendment to the way bank taxes are calculated by scrapping a provision that lets local banks deduct taxes already paid on treasuries from their bottom-line income tax. If a final version of the measure is approved by parliament in the coming months as is widely expected, it would raise the cost of buying government securities and could induce banking entities to divert funds away from treasuries to other sectors. The law would push banks to lend more toward the private sector, said Hany Farahat, senior economist at investment bank CI Capital. Egyptian banks have for years been top-heavy on government lending at the expense of the private sector, economists say. Banks held 2.35 trillion Egyptian pounds ($131.58 billion) in government securities at the end of September compared with 804.8 billion pounds in outstanding loans to the private business sector. HIGHER TREASURY YIELDS The proposed tax change, which hit local banking stocks when it was announced on Sunday, could also put pressure on the Finance Ministry to allow Treasury yields to rise as it seeks to finance a budget deficit that was 9.8 percent of GDP in the fiscal year ending June 2018. The new bank levy may increase the T-bill rates by 200 bps (basis points) as they see higher pre-tax yields, investment bank Arqaam Capital said in a research note on Thursday. This could bring in more foreign investors. The strong outflow of foreign capital in T-bill market may now slow, however, or potentially reverse if rates on T-bills were now to be pushed back upwards, which in turn would make the carry trade more attractive, the note added. Foreign investors cut their holdings in Egyptian treasury bills and bonds by $8 billion in the six months ending September to $13 billion, part of a global exit from emerging market debt. A separate decision by the central bank last week that will end guarantees of foreign currency for investors exiting the government securities market may, however, make Egyptian treasuries less attractive. The repatriation mechanism, which will end on Dec. 4, was put in place in March 2013 when confidence in Egypts ability to provide foreign currency was cutting into investment inflows. Economists say the mechanisms removal will lead overseas investors to channel funds through the banking system instead of the central bank, making banks more liquid in foreign currency but also potentially making the exchange rate more volatile. Still, it is uncertain how much leverage banks have with the Finance Ministry to push up Treasury yields to offset higher tax bills. Its a symbiotic relationship, they both need each other, said Wael Ziada, head of investment company Zilla Capital. Banks have been lobbying the government to water down the tax proposal, which Arqaam Capital and investment bank Pharos Holding said could slash the sectors earnings by 23 percent. ($1 = 17.8600 Egyptian pounds) Search Keywords: Short link: Former US president George H.W. Bush dead at 94 Washington, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 Former US president George H.W. Bush, who helped steer America through the end of the Cold War, died Friday at age 94, his family announced. Tributes quickly poured in for the former US leader, a decorated war pilot and onetime CIA chief who also saw his son George follow in his footsteps to the Oval Office. Bush's passing comes just months after the death in April of his wife and revered first lady Barbara Bush -- his "most beloved woman in the world" -- to whom he was married for 73 years. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," former president George W. Bush said in a statement released on Twitter by a family spokesman. "George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," he said. "The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens." Bush is survived by his five children and 17 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, a family spokesman said. Bush is expected to lie in state in the US Capitol. President Donald Trump, who was in Argentina attending a G20 summit of world leaders, hailed Bush's "sound judgment, common sense, and unflappable leadership." "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service," Trump said in a statement. "As president, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed." - 'New world order' - Bush -- who was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty -- put his inevitable political career on hold to join the US Navy during World War II. He flew 58 combat missions and was shot down over the Pacific by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. After a brief career in the oil industry, he entered politics, serving in the US House of Representatives and as chief of the Central Intelligence Agency before being elected Ronald Reagan's vice president. As he accepted the Republican Party's nomination for president in 1988, Bush pleaded for a "kinder, gentler nation." He went on to easily defeat Democrat Michael Dukakis that November. Bush was a foreign policy stalwart who declared a "new world order" in 1990 and drove Iraq from Kuwait in a matter of weeks with a lightning air and ground assault -- and the backing of a coalition of 32 nations. But he suffered the ignominy of being a one-term president, denied a second term over a weak economy when he lost the 1992 election to upstart Democrat Bill Clinton. In his post-presidency, Bush turned to philanthropy -- he joined forces with Bill Clinton to raise funds for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He worked with Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama and son George to raise money for hurricane victims in Texas in 2017. In 2011, Obama awarded Bush the highest US civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude," Obama and his wife Michelle said in a statement. "After seventy-three years of marriage, George and Barbara Bush are together again now, two points of light that never dimmed, two points of light that ignited countless others with their example." Former US president George H.W. Bush dead at 94 Washington, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 Former US president George H.W. Bush, who guided America through the end of the Cold War and launched the international campaign to drive Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait, died Friday at his home in Houston. He was 94. Tributes quickly poured in for the 41st US president -- a decorated World War II pilot, skilled diplomat and onetime CIA chief who also saw his son George follow in his footsteps to the Oval Office. Bush's passing comes just months after the death in April of his wife Barbara -- his "most beloved woman in the world" -- to whom he was married for 73 years. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," former president George W. Bush said in a statement. "George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," he said. Bush is survived by his five living children -- a sixth child, daughter Robin, died of leukemia before her fourth birthday -- and 17 grandchildren. He died "at home in Houston surrounded by family and close friends," family spokesman Jim McGrath told AFP. Bush suffered from Parkinson's disease and had used a wheelchair for several years. He had been in and out of hospital in recent months, including right after Barbara's death. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, McGrath said. The former president, a Republican, is expected to lie in state in the US Capitol and then be buried at his presidential library in Texas, where students held a candlelight vigil early Saturday, local media reported. President Donald Trump, who was in Argentina attending a G20 summit of world leaders, hailed Bush's "sound judgment, common sense, and unflappable leadership." "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service," Trump said in a statement. "As president, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed." At the White House, the American flag flew at half-staff early Saturday. - 'New world order' - Bush -- who was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty -- put his studies and career on hold to join the US Navy during World War II. He flew 58 combat missions and was shot down over the Pacific by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. He returned home and graduated from Yale University, eventually launching a brief career in the oil industry in Texas. But the world of politics was calling. He served in the US House of Representatives, as Washington's envoy to China and as chief of the Central Intelligence Agency before being elected Ronald Reagan's vice president. Eight years later, as he accepted the Republican Party's nomination for president in 1988, Bush pleaded for a "kinder, and gentler nation." He went on to easily defeat Democrat Michael Dukakis that November. Bush was a foreign policy pragmatist who led the United States through the turbulent but largely peaceful fall of the Soviet Union in 1989. He declared a "new world order" in 1990 and drove Iraq from Kuwait in a matter of weeks with a lightning air and ground assault -- and the backing of a coalition of 32 nations. Despite his success on the international stage, he was denied a second term over a weak economy, losing the 1992 election to upstart Democrat Bill Clinton, a little-known governor from Arkansas. He later would see his son George occupy the Oval Office for eight years -- they are only the second father-son duo in American history, after John and John Quincy Adams. In his post-presidency, Bush turned to philanthropy -- he joined forces with Clinton to raise funds for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He also worked with ex-presidents Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama and son George to raise money for hurricane victims in Texas in 2017. "I am profoundly grateful for every minute I spent with President Bush and will always hold our friendship as one of my life's greatest gifts," Clinton said in a statement. In 2011, Obama awarded Bush the highest US civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude," Obama and his wife Michelle said in a statement. "After seventy-three years of marriage, George and Barbara Bush are together again now, two points of light that never dimmed, two points of light that ignited countless others with their example." George H.W. Bush: One-term president helmed political dynasty Washington, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 George H.W. Bush -- the upper-crust war hero-turned-oilman and diplomat who steered America through the end of the Cold War as president and led a political dynasty that saw his son win the White House -- died at his Texas home on Friday. He was 94. The 41st American president was a foreign policy realist who navigated the turbulent end of the Cold War, from the revolutions against communist rule in eastern Europe in 1989 through the largely peaceful fall of the Soviet Union, which broke up in 1991. He assembled an unprecedented coalition to defeat Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein two years later. But the decorated war pilot and former CIA chief suffered the ignominy of being a one-term president, denied a second term over a weak economy when he lost the 1992 election to upstart Democrat Bill Clinton. His favoring of stability and international consensus stands in sharp contrast to the provocative bluster of fellow Republican and current White House occupant Donald Trump, a man whom Bush did not vote for in 2016. Bush presided over economic malaise at home, and infuriated his fellow Republicans during a budget battle with rival Democrats by famously breaking his vow: "Read my Lips: No new taxes." But he was the respected patriarch of a blue-blood political dynasty -- son George spent eight years in the White House, and son Jeb served as governor of Florida. George W. Bush called his father a "man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," in a statement announcing his death. Bush's passing comes just months after the death in April of his wife and revered first lady Barbara Bush -- his "most beloved woman in the world" -- to whom he was married for 73 years. At the time of his death, Bush was the American president to have lived the longest. Jimmy Carter was born a few months later, so he could quickly reset the record. - War, oil, politics - George Herbert Walker Bush was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty -- the son of Prescott Bush, a successful banker and US senator for Connecticut. Bush had a pampered upbringing and attended the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover, but delayed his acceptance to Yale University in order to enlist in the US Navy on his 18th birthday and head off to war. He flew 58 combat missions during World War II. Shot down over the Pacific by Japanese anti-aircraft fire, he parachuted out and was rescued by a submarine after huddling in a life raft for four hours while enemy forces circled. Bush married Barbara Pierce in January 1945, shortly before the war ended, and the couple went on to have six children, including one, Robin, who died as a child. Instead of joining his father in banking upon graduation from Yale, Bush headed to bleak west Texas to break into the rough-and-tumble oil business. He surprised many with his success, and by 1958 had settled in Houston as president of an offshore drilling company. In the 1960s, Bush, now independently wealthy, turned to politics. He was a local Republican Party chairman, and in 1966 won a seat in the US House of Representatives. He served there until 1970, when he lost a bid for the Senate. Over the next decade, he held several high-level posts that took him and Barbara around the world: head of the Republican National Committee, US ambassador to the United Nations, envoy to China and director of the Central Intelligence Agency, where he was praised for restoring morale after revelations of widespread illegal activity. He served as vice president to Ronald Reagan after losing to him in the 1980 Republican primary, an eight-year period of hands-on training for the top post he would go on to win by a solid margin in 1988, as the Cold War was coming to an end. - 'This will not stand' - In a major test of the post-Cold War order, Saddam's million-man army invaded Kuwait in 1990 and looked set to roll into Saudi Arabia, which would have given the Iraqi strongman more than 40 percent of the world's oil reserves. Bush famously vowed: "This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait." He assembled a coalition of 32 nations to drive Iraqi forces out in a matter of weeks with a lightning air and ground assault. Some 425,000 US troops backed by 118,000 allied soldiers took part in Operation Desert Storm, decimating Saddam's military machine without ousting him from power -- a task that would be accomplished 12 years later by Bush's son. Buoyed by his victory in the Gulf, Bush and his hard-nosed and widely respected secretary of state James Baker cobbled together the 1991 Madrid Conference to launch the Arab-Israeli peace process. The conference was mainly symbolic, but it set the stage for the Oslo Accords two years later. In late 1989, Bush sent US troops to Panama to oust strongman Manuel Noriega. He also set the groundwork for the North American Free Trade Agreement. Domestically, however, the economy stalled and Bush broke his pledge not to raise taxes in order to reach a budget deal with Democrats -- a cardinal sin in the eyes of Republicans. In 1992, Bush lost his re-election bid to Clinton -- whose aide coined the now famous slogan "It's the economy, stupid" -- as eccentric third-party candidate Ross Perot syphoned off conservative votes. The elder Bush's cautious realpolitik would later be contrasted to his son's far more costly ambition to transform the Middle East, but "Bush 41" refused to weigh in on the debate, insisting he was proud of the presidency of "Bush 43." - Active post-presidency - After retiring from public life, Bush fulfilled a wartime pledge to one day jump out of a plane for fun and famously went skydiving on his 75th, 80th, 85th and 90th birthdays. He joined Clinton to raise funds for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. In 2011, Obama awarded Bush the highest US civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom. He worked with Carter, Clinton, Obama and son George to raise money for hurricane victims in Texas in 2017. In 2001, Bush became just the second US president after John Adams to see his son become president. Son Jeb made his own presidential run in 2016, but fell short in the Republican primaries against Trump. Former US president George H.W. Bush dead at 94 Washington, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 Former US president George H.W. Bush, who guided America through the end of the Cold War and launched the international campaign to drive Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait, died Friday at his home in Houston. He was 94. Tributes quickly poured in for the 41st US president -- a decorated World War II pilot, skilled diplomat and onetime CIA chief who also saw his son George follow in his footsteps to the Oval Office. Bush's passing comes just months after the death in April of his wife Barbara -- his "most beloved woman in the world" -- to whom he was married for 73 years. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," former president George W. Bush said in a statement. "George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," he said. Bush is survived by his five living children -- a sixth child, daughter Robin, died of leukemia before her fourth birthday -- and 17 grandchildren. He died "at home in Houston surrounded by family and close friends," family spokesman Jim McGrath told AFP. Bush suffered from Parkinson's disease and had used a wheelchair for several years. He had been in and out of hospital in recent months, including right after Barbara's death. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, McGrath said. The former president, a Republican, is expected to lie in state in the US Capitol and then be buried at his presidential library in Texas, where students held a candlelight vigil early Saturday, local media reported. President Donald Trump, who was in Argentina attending a G20 summit of world leaders, hailed Bush's "sound judgment, common sense, and unflappable leadership." "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service," Trump said in a statement. At the White House, the American flag flew at half-staff early Saturday. - 'New world order' - Bush -- who was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty -- put his studies and career on hold to join the US Navy during World War II. He flew 58 combat missions and was shot down over the Pacific by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. He returned home and graduated from Yale University, eventually launching a brief career in the oil industry in Texas. But the world of politics was calling. He served in the US House of Representatives, as Washington's envoy to China and as chief of the Central Intelligence Agency before being elected Ronald Reagan's vice president. Eight years later, as he accepted the Republican Party's nomination for president in 1988, Bush pleaded for a "kinder, and gentler nation." He went on to easily defeat Democrat Michael Dukakis that November. Bush was a foreign policy pragmatist who led the United States through the turbulent but largely peaceful end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union, which culminated in 1991 with its break-up. "We had the chance to work together during the time of enormous changes," former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said in comments carried by the Interfax news agency. "He was a true partner." Bush declared a "new world order" in 1990 and drove Iraq from Kuwait in a matter of weeks with a lightning air and ground assault -- and the backing of a coalition of 32 nations. Despite his success on the international stage, he was denied a second term over a weak economy, losing the 1992 election to upstart Democrat Bill Clinton, a little-known governor from Arkansas. He later would see his son George occupy the Oval Office for eight years -- they are only the second father-son duo in American presidential history, after John and John Quincy Adams. - 'Patriot and humble servant' - In his post-presidency years, Bush turned to philanthropy -- he joined forces with Clinton to raise funds for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He also worked with ex-presidents Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama and son George to raise money for hurricane victims in Texas in 2017. "I am profoundly grateful for every minute I spent with President Bush and will always hold our friendship as one of my life's greatest gifts," Clinton said in a statement. In 2011, Obama awarded Bush the highest US civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude," Obama and his wife Michelle said in a statement. "After seventy-three years of marriage, George and Barbara Bush are together again now, two points of light that never dimmed, two points of light that ignited countless others with their example." America mourns former president George H.W. Bush, dead at 94 Washington, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 Flags flew at half-staff in Washington Saturday as Americans prepared for a week of solemn tributes to George H.W. Bush, in his home state of Texas and in the US Capitol, a day after the former president died aged 94. Tributes poured in from world leaders in memory of the 41st US president, who guided America through the end of the Cold War and launched the international campaign to drive Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait. Many of those same leaders are expected to attend Bush's state funeral next week, alongside President Donald Trump who was notably absent from the funerals of the statesman's late wife Barbara, and of veteran fellow Republican John McCain. Although the two Republican presidents were in many ways polar opposites -- with Bush reportedly once dismissing his real estate mogul successor as a "blowhard" -- Trump paid tribute to the late leader's "essential authenticity," saying he had "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service." "Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family," Trump tweeted, on a personal note. "His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all!" Declaring a national day of mourning for December 5, Trump also signaled his respect for the Bush family by calling off a press conference planned at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. While funeral arrangements were still being finalized, plans are to include a commemoration in Houston, where Bush lived after leaving the White House, then in Washington, where he is expected to lie in state in the US Capitol, and then back to College Station, Texas, where the Bush presidential library is located, for his burial. Bush, who died Friday surrounded by friends and family at his home in Houston, was a decorated World War II pilot, skilled diplomat and onetime CIA chief who saw his son George follow in his footsteps to the Oval Office. From former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to current heads of state, leaders praised Bush both for his strength and his moderation, and for a commitment to international cooperation typified by his assembling of a global coalition to oust Iraqi invaders from Kuwait in 1991. - 'Grace, civility and social conscience' - Paying tribute, the oldest surviving former US president Jimmy Carter, said Bush's administration "was marked by grace, civility and social conscience." With flags at half-staff at the White House, Britain also took the rare step of lowering flags in government buildings. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised Bush for his "unwavering support for German reunification." Gorbachev called him "a true partner" in winding down the Cold War. French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in Buenos Aires along with Trump, mourned the loss of a leader who "strongly supported the alliance with Europe." The Dalai Lama sent a message of condolence to George W. Bush, recalling that his father was the first sitting US president to meet the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader in defiance of China. George W. himself paid tribute to "a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for." Bush is the first US president to die since Gerald Ford in 2006. A service for Ford in Washington's National Cathedral drew leaders from around the world, and Bush's will be expected to do the same. Bush, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, had been in failing health for months. He is survived by his five living children and 17 grandchildren. CNN reported that the codeword CAVU -- for "ceiling and visibility unlimited," bracing and providential words for a former naval aviator like Bush -- was used to let relatives know of his death. - 'New world order' - Born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty, Bush put his studies on hold to join the US Navy during World War II. He flew 58 combat missions and was shot down over the Pacific by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. He returned home and graduated from Yale University, eventually launching a brief career in the oil industry in Texas. But the world of politics was calling. He served in the US House of Representatives, as Washington's envoy to China and as chief of the Central Intelligence Agency before being elected Ronald Reagan's vice president. Eight years later, as he accepted the Republican Party's nomination for president in 1988, Bush pleaded for a "kinder, and gentler nation." As head of state, Bush was a foreign policy pragmatist who led the United States through the turbulent but largely peaceful end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union. He declared a "new world order" in 1990 and drove Iraq from Kuwait with a lightning air and ground assault -- and the backing of a coalition of 32 nations. But despite his international success, he was denied a second term over a weak economy, losing the 1992 election to upstart Democrat Bill Clinton. He later would see his son George occupy the Oval Office for eight years -- they are only the second father-son duo in American presidential history, after John and John Quincy Adams. - 'Patriot and humble servant' - In his post-presidency years, Bush turned to philanthropy, joining forces with Clinton to raise funds for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He also worked with ex-presidents Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama and son George to raise money for hurricane victims in Texas in 2017. "I am profoundly grateful for every minute I spent with President Bush and will always hold our friendship as one of my life's greatest gifts," Clinton said in a statement. In 2011, Obama awarded Bush the highest US civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude," Obama and his wife Michelle said in a statement. America mourns former president George H.W. Bush, dead at 94 Washington, Dec 1 (AFP) Dec 01, 2018 Flags flew at half-staff in Washington Saturday as Americans prepared for a week of solemn tributes to George H.W. Bush, in his home state of Texas and in the US Capitol, a day after the former president died aged 94. Tributes poured in from world leaders in memory of the 41st US president, who guided America through the end of the Cold War and launched the international campaign to drive Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait. Many of those same leaders are expected to attend Bush's state funeral next week, alongside President Donald Trump and his wife Melania. Trump was notably absent from the funerals of the statesman's late wife Barbara, and of veteran fellow Republican John McCain. Although the two Republican presidents were in many ways polar opposites -- the soft-spoken, patrician Bush reportedly once dismissed the blustering New Yorker as a "blowhard" and even voted for his rival Hillary Clinton -- Trump paid the late leader a gracious tribute, saying he had "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service." "His accomplishments were great from beginning to end," Trump tweeted. Declaring a national day of mourning for December 5 -- when the federal government and New York Stock Exchange will close in Bush's honor -- Trump also signaled his respect by calling off a press conference planned at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. Funeral arrangements are still being finalized, but will include a commemoration in Houston, where the Bushes lived for years, then in Washington, where he will lie in state in the US Capitol between Monday and Wednesday, and then back to College Station, Texas, where the Bush presidential library is located, for his burial. A statement from a joint military task force supporting the state funeral promised a "first-class tribute," complete with musical units, color guards, honor cordons and body bearers. Bush, who died Friday in Houston surrounded by friends and family, was a decorated World War II pilot, skilled diplomat and onetime CIA chief who saw his son George follow in his footsteps to the Oval Office. From former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to current heads of state, leaders praised Bush both for his strength and his moderation, as well as the commitment to internationalism typified by his assembling of a global coalition to oust Iraqi invaders from Kuwait in 1991. - 'Grace, civility and social conscience' - Paying tribute, the oldest surviving former US president Jimmy Carter, said Bush's administration "was marked by grace, civility and social conscience." With flags at half-staff at the White House, Britain also took the rare step of lowering flags in government buildings. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised Bush's "unwavering support for German reunification." Gorbachev called him "a true partner" in winding down the Cold War. French President Emmanuel Macron mourned the loss of a leader who "strongly supported the alliance with Europe" -- drawing an unspoken contrast to Trump's frequent criticisms of the Old Continent. George W. himself paid tribute to "a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for." Bush, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, had been wheelchair-bound and in failing health. He is survived by his five living children and 17 grandchildren. According to Bush's longtime friend and former secretary of state James Baker, quoted by The New York Times, Bush's final words were to his son George, who was put on the speaker phone to say goodbye, to tell him he had been a "wonderful dad" and that he loved him. "I love you, too," Bush replied. - 'New world order' - Born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty, Bush left school to join the US Navy during World War II. He flew 58 combat missions and was shot down over the Pacific by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. He returned home and graduated from Yale University before briefly working in the Texas oil industry. But the world of politics was calling this son of a US senator. He served in the US House of Representatives, as Washington's envoy to China and as chief of the Central Intelligence Agency before being elected Ronald Reagan's vice president. Eight years later, in accepting his party's nomination for president in 1988, Bush pleaded for a "kinder, and gentler nation." Bush was a foreign policy pragmatist who led the United States through the turbulent end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union. He declared a "new world order" in 1990 and -- backed by a 32-nation coalition -- drove Iraq from Kuwait with a lightning air and ground assault. The crushing sanctions he imposed on Iraq, however, were blamed by Iraqis for thousands of deaths, drawing him the bitter nickname of "Mr. Embargo." And Panamanians said his invasion of their country in 1989 claimed hundreds of civilian lives. But it was primarily a weak economy at home that cost him the 1992 election, won by upstart Democrat Bill Clinton. Bush later would see son George occupy the Oval Office, making them only the second father-son duo in American presidential history, after John and John Quincy Adams. In his later years, Bush turned to philanthropy, joining forces with Clinton to raise funds for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and with ex-presidents Clinton, Carter, Barack Obama and son George to raise money for hurricane victims in Texas in 2017. "I am profoundly grateful for every minute I spent with President Bush and will always hold our friendship as one of my life's greatest gifts," Clinton said in a statement. "America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush," said Obama and his wife Michelle. Albert Nieboer/Royal Press Europe/Alamy The Luxembourgish royal vaults hold one of the best royal jewel collections in the world one that can occasionally bring us a delightful surprise or two. That was the case with this suite of heirloom turquoise jewels, which we first saw put into the familys current tiara rotation about a decade ago. Albert Nieboer/Royal Press Europe/Alamy The suite, which is essentially a married parure, consists of a small diamond and turquoise tiara and accompanying coordinating jewels. The tiara features small pear-shaped turquoises surrounded by diamonds, set atop a base of turquoises between diamond prong-style elements. The tiara, which was reportedly made in the 1830s, looks a bit truncated on the wearers head; its design terminates rather abruptly at each end, rather than tapering as many similar tiaras would. Wikimedia Commons The reported date of the pieces creation, and its general profile, make me think that it wasnt originally a tiara at all. Instead, it looks much more like a comb, a jeweled ornament that would be worn further back on a womans head during the Empire period, usually with a larger, more elaborate tiara set in front of it. For example, you can see a similar suite of turquoise and diamond jewelry, which includes both a tiara and a comb, in this miniature portrait of Josephine de Beauharnais, painted by Pierre Louis Bouvier in 1812. I wouldnt be surprised if the Luxembourgish tiara was originally the smaller comb accompanying a larger (and perhaps now-lost) tiara like Josephines. Albert Nieboer/Royal Press Europe/Alamy The small Luxembourgish tiara has a matching necklace, which features a row of oval turquoise and diamond clusters and a row of pear-shaped turquoise and diamond cluster pendants. According to Luxarazzi (the go-to resource on everything about the grand ducal family), Grand Duchess Maria Teresa brought the tiara and necklace in 2006 to Muriel Prieur, one of the curators of the family collections. The jewels were in some form of disrepair, and Maria Teresa asked Prieur to restore them so they could be worn again. Albert Nieboer/Royal Press Europe/Alamy Maria Teresa also asked Prieur to create a new pair of earrings to go with the suite. Indeed, the earrings are noticeably more modern in design, including the bezel setting of the turquoise stud. JACQUES COLLET/AFP/Getty Images The ladies of Luxarazzi also note that a third turquoise and diamond piece was brought to Prieur by the Grand Duchess for restoration: a larger, more complicated diamond and turquoise necklace. This necklace also features clusters of oval and pear-shaped turquoises and diamonds in its design, but the stones are larger and the pendants are longer. Some sections also feature diamonds set in anthemion-like designs. JACQUES COLLET/AFP/Getty Images The larger, bib-style necklace was the first part of the set that Maria Teresa wore in public. In March 2007, she paired the necklace with the newly-created earrings for a gala at the Fine Arts Museum in Brussels during the familys state visit to Belgium. (This was an important, sentimental state visit, as Grand Duke Henris mother was a Belgian princess who had passed away in 2005.) Albert Nieboer/Royal Press Europe/Alamy In November 2008, Maria Teresa wore the restored tiara and small necklace in public for the first time, pairing them with the new earrings for a gala in Luxembourg during the state visit from the President of Finland. Albert Nieboer/Royal Press Europe/Alamy Since then, two more Luxembourgish princesses have worn the jewels. Princess Tessy wore the tiara and earrings (without either necklace) for the National Day gala in 2010. Eight years later, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie also wore the tiara for the annual National Day celebrations. On that occasion, she wore the tiara and earrings with the larger necklace from the set, the first time wed seen that particular pairing in public. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 1, 2018 08:37 1091 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877eaf5b2 4 Editorial South-Tangerang,#Editorial,inequality,development,infrastructure-development,Banten,jakarta,real-estate Free South Tangerang, Banten, is one of Jakartas youngest satellite cities but it boasts healthy growth (7.43 percent), the lowest poverty rate nationwide (1.76 percent) and a higher human development index (80.84) compared with other cities and regencies in the province. The municipality celebrated its 10th anniversary since separating from the city of Tangerang on Monday saying that it would keep developing South Tangerang, known as Tangsel to locals, as a city of residence, education, trade and services. The Tangsel administration owes its impressive indicators largely to the private sector. Administration data show that 40 percent of its residents are commuters and there are more private than public schools in the municipality. This means the high growth and relatively high regional product per capita of Rp 41.53 million US$2,900 compared to the national Rp 51.89 million are not homegrown. Tangsel has the advantage of being the recipient of middle-class wealth produced by people who work in Jakarta but choose to buy property in the satellite city. Tangsel is home to well-known property developments in Bintaro Jaya, Bumi Serpong Damai City and Alam Sutra, straddling three districts. It is also home to many middle-range properties owned by educated, white-collar workers living in Ciputat and Pamulang districts. Therefore, part of the job of developing the city has already been done by the giant developers, notably PT Sinar Mas Land, PT Jaya Real Property and PT Alam Sutera Realty, which built the housing estates, and many other private companies that built the hospitals, schools and shopping centers. The developers have also built main roads and public parks. The other half of development is to improve the lives of the people born and raised in Tangsel, as well as disadvantaged newcomers living outside the privately developed estates. In our interview with a resident of Setu district, a relatively disadvantaged area compared to Pondok Aren or Serpong, he thanked the Tangsel administration but also complained about a lack of basic sanitation in his neighborhood. Beyond the estates walls, which locals living outside them dub Berlin walls, lie poverty, neglect and environmental degradation, partly owing to the amount of resources absorbed by the residents of the estates. The Tangsel administration cannot take all of the credit for the citys achievements let alone bask in them. Ipan Tri, the Setu resident, cited 30 families around him with no access to toilets or clean water. This number might seem small, but it should not happen that 30 families have no access to basic toilet facilities in Tangsel. Tangsel has much to do to erase inequality between those inside and outside the Berlin walls for the sake not only of the disadvantaged residents but also the privileged ones, because better public services will improve the lives of all people. It is in the hands of the Tangsel administration to depend less on the private sector and to deliver good public services to all its 1.65 million inhabitants, inside or outside the walls. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Alfred Bayle (Inquirer.net/Asia News Network) New York, United States Sat, December 1, 2018 20:11 1090 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ebf855 2 People face-transplant,medical-operation,face-donor Free A man from California got a second chance at a normal life after recovering from a successful face transplant surgery early this year. Cameron Underwood, of Yuba City, California, flew to New York City in January to receive his new face after a donor was found after only six months of waiting, the shortest wait on record so far. Underwoods face was severely disfigured due to an incident that happened two years ago. Months after his surgery, Underwood is able to lead a normal life again, thanks to the successful procedure that lasted around 25 hours, according to a statement by NYU Langone. The team that performed the surgery was led by Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez. Much of Underwoods damaged face was removed and the space left behind was carefully matched with the donors face. This meant cutting off what was left of Underwoods jaw. The donors face was then secured using titanium plates. Read also: US woman who shot herself is youngest person to get face transplant Underwoods facial injury was due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound in June 2016. Conventional reconstructive surgery could only do so much even after several procedures. He was missing the majority of his lower jaw, all but one tooth, and his nose, as well as suffering damage to upper face and palate. Needless to say, the injury greatly impacted his ability to lead a normal life. The donor for Underwoods new face was identified as 23-year-old William Fisher from Manhattan and a brilliant student at the Johns Hopkins University. He is also a registered organ donor. Williams family, although grieving over the loss of a promising son, was thankful that part of him would live on in Underwood and inspire others. Topics : This article appeared on the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Los Angeles, United States Sun, December 2, 2018 03:30 1090 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ec4502 2 Lifestyle gender-reveal-party,wildfire,forest Free It's a boy! It's a girl! But for an off-duty border patrol officer in the US state of Arizona, it ended up being a massive wildfire sparked by a gender reveal party that went awry. A video released by the US Forest Service and carried by US media on Wednesday shows the moment a makeshift target with the words "Boy" and "Girl" written on it explodes in an open field, revealing a plume of blue smoke and sparking a fire. The April 2017 blaze, dubbed the Sawmill Fire, scorched nearly 47,000 acres in Green Valley, Arizona, and was fully extinguished after about a week. Read also: Toll rises to 77 in deadliest California wildfire Dennis Dickey, who organized the party to reveal the gender of his upcoming child, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in September and was ordered to pay nearly $8.2 million in restitution. He was also sentenced to five years' probation. Authorities said Dickey started the fire by shooting at the target that he had filled with Tannerite, a highly explosive substance. The idea was to release blue or pink smoke to reveal the sex of his upcoming baby. Such gender reveal parties are increasingly popular in the United States and can take on many forms, including unraveling a banner, cutting open a cake or tainting drinks in blue or pink. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sri Wahyuni (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta Sat, December 1, 2018 08:46 1091 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877eb0327 4 Entertainment JAFF-Netpac,film-festival,#movies,Movie,Garin-Nugroho,Asia Free In its 13th edition, the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) renews its commitment to promoting Asian films and nurturing a new generation of filmmakers with its first ever education program. Indonesias largest film festival kicked off on Tuesday at the Jogja National Museum (JNM) in Gampingan, Yogyakarta. Under the theme of Disruption, the week-long festival will screen 138 short films, feature films and documentaries at JNM and two movie theaters. JAFF president Budi Irawanto said the festival hopes to encourage Asian audiences to watch movies from the region. There has been an imbalance, with Asian people spending more time watching Western movies rather than Asian films, Budi told The Jakarta Poston Wednesday. Its therefore not surprising, he said, if many Asians are more familiar with Manhattan, New York or California [in the United States] than Hanoi, Manila or other places in Asia. Budi believes that by exposing Asian audiences to more Asian films, they will get better acquainted with the culturally rich, diverse region and its movies. JAFFs program director Ismail Basbeth echoed his sentiments, saying that if well-nurtured and developed, the Asian film industry can generate a culture of Asian audiences watching more Asian movies. Thats why, a film festival works as a bridge for creators and their audience. We strive to continue promoting the idea of Asia for Asia, Ismail said. Budi noted the way Asian films portrayed social and political conflicts in a unique dimension was rarely found in Western movies. He pointed to Ravi Bharwanis 27 Steps of May, a story about a teen victim of gang rape struggling to overcome her traumatic experience and move forward. The film premiered at the festival on Wednesday. Budi said under the theme of Disruption, JAFF wanted to address the changes that filmmakers experienced with the development of film technology. Disruption, however, can be perceived in two ways. On one side, it indicates a crisis. On the other side, it is a dawn of a new era that presents us with a lot of opportunities and challenges at the same time, he said. Some of the films featured at JAFF captures the disruptions found in life. The opening film, Umi wo Kakeru (The Man from the Sea), a collaborative work involving Japanese, Indonesian and French filmmakers, for example, centers on a mysterious man in the aftermath of a tsunami. We want to show that disruption not only prompts a response but also initiates changes for a better life, for a more tolerant, democratic, open and ethical society, said Budi, adding that many Asian films were able to subtly convey such messages. This years festival marks the debut of a film costume exhibition and JAFF Education. We plan to hold the exhibition annually in the future to display more film props, Budi said. JAFF Education offers an acting class with actor Reza Rahadian and a script writing class with director, writer and standup comedian Ernest Prakasa. Another special program at JAFF this year is Focus on Garin Nugroho, a renowned director and the festivals cofounder. The program will screen eight of his films, four short films and documentaries, including Garins 1990 breakthrough film, Cinta dalam Sepotong Roti (Love in a Slice of Bread), Opera Jawa (Javanese Opera, 2006), and his latest work, Kucumbu Tubuh Indahku(Memories of My Body), which will have its Indonesian premiere on Monday. JAFF will also hold a string of supporting events, such as an open-air cinema, public lectures, art for children, community forum, as well as Jogja future projects and film financing forum. Just like in previous editions, this year the festival will hand out a number of prizes, namely the Netpac Award, Geber Award, Blencong Award, Jogja Film Student Award and JAFF Indonesian Screen Awards, and also the Golden and Silver Hanoman Awards. The latter will be presented to the two best films in the Asian Feature category. Meanwhile, the Netpac Award will go to an Asian director who has made important contributions to Asias new cinematic movement. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 1, 2018 14:16 1090 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877eb9463 4 Lifestyle diaspora,#diaspora,restaurant,#restaurant,Tourism-Ministry,food,#food,Indonesian-cuisine,Indonesian-culinary Free Running a restaurant is not an easy task. To have a successful restaurant, restaurateurs need to offer high quality food while also offering innovation. Owners of diaspora restaurants realized this. During the We Will Thrive session at the Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy Forum Diaspora Restaurants on Friday, five Indonesian restaurateurs who established their business overseas, shared their secrets to success. Yono, the owner of Yonos Indonesian fine dining restaurant in Albany, New York, the United States, said in a statement that one needs to have the correct mindset while opening and running a restaurant. For Yono, his mindset encouraged him not to fail the business. If I failed or made a mistake, I would learn from that, he said, adding that restaurateurs also needed to be close to the local community to attract new customers. Agus Hermawan, the owner of Ron Gastrobar in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, shared that his restaurants had to compete with thousands of eateries, requiring him to come up with various innovations. The food we serve needs to be different from others, so customers can remember us, he said. Read also: Ministry seeks to promote Indonesian cuisine in 100 diaspora restaurants For Alicia Martiono, the owner of Sendok Garpu restaurant in Brisbane, Australia, consistency is key. She also suggested that aspiring restaurateurs balance product quality with marketing, saying it would be a waste if no one knew about the delicious dishes they served. Djakarta Bali restaurant owner Nina Hanafi agreed with Alicia. Having been running the restaurant in Paris, France, for 34 years, Nina said she never stopped promoting the eatery to attract new customers while also retaining her loyal patrons. We keep promoting [the restaurant] through newspapers, social media and even search engine optimization [SEO]. So if you are typing a romantic restaurant in Paris, Djakarta Bali restaurant will come up on the top of the list, she said. Running an Indonesian restaurant overseas, Nina also said it was important to create an ambiance that reflects Indonesia, not only in terms of taste, but also from a visual perspective. Nina noted that support from the Indonesian embassy and other Indonesians in the country were also important factors in the success. David Tjoe, the owner of Ubud restaurant in Sydney, Australia, shared a similar view, encouraging all Indonesians abroad to help one another. (jes/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 1, 2018 08:35 1091 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877eae926 4 Lifestyle Ronauli-Liu,Xalvar Free Fashion designer Ronauli Liu has revealed a new festive collection for her eponymous second brand in time for the Christmas season. Named Leonardo, the collection drew inspiration from the artist Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardos pieces were created by layering intricately detailed fabrics, including tulle, jacquard, French lace and satin. Meanwhile, the color scheme ranges from white, beige and ivory to mint green, ruby red and black to cater to the different themes of Christmas desired by the labels clientele. The 18 pieces showcased in the collection consist of dresses suitable for daytime, cocktail dresses for the evening and childrens wear designed with Ronaulis free-spirited and socially active clients in mind. Read also: IPMIs Made in Indonesia returns with a special cause The show also featured the Rock N Royals fall-winter 2018-2019 collection from Ronaulis Xalvar label, inspired by 20th-century rock stars and partygoers. Pieces in this collection are crafted from different combinations of tweed, synthetic leather and denim to express pragmatic elegance and reasonable audacity. (acr/mut) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 1, 2018 07:20 1091 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877eacc52 1 City security,guardian,arrest,rape,japanese,South-Jakarta Free Jakarta Police have arrested a security guard at Coral Sand apartment complex in South Jakarta for the alleged attempted rape of a Japanese woman on Thursday. [The suspect] has been arrested and questioned, said Jakarta Polices women and children subdirectorate unit head Adj. Sr. Comr. Azhar Nugroho on Thursday, as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com. Based on the police investigation, while on patrol, the suspect, identified only as RH, allegedly attempted to rape the 35-year-old woman after noticing the door of her apartment unit was not locked. The womans lawyer, Rangga Afianto, reported RH to the police for trying to rape his client, who lives alone in her apartment. Rangga explained that the incident occurred on Thursday at around 5 a.m. while his client slept in her apartment on the 20th floor. RH tried to rape the woman but she woke up and screamed. We demand that both the apartment management and the security company be held responsible, Rangga said. Another of the victims lawyers, Hervan Merukh, said she had been living in the apartment for about a year and that RH had threatened to kill her and asked for Rp 5 million (US$336.7). (sau) TheJakartaPost Please Update your browser Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below. Just click on the icons to get to the download page. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 1 2018 A 19-year-old, identified as RM, reportedly set himself on fire in the yard of a school building in Karawaci, Tangerang, Banten, on Wednesday, suffering burns to most of his body. RM is currently receiving intensive care at Fatmawati Hospital in South Jakarta. RM suffered burns to 82 percent of his body and a breathing apparatus has been installed to help him breathe, Fatmawati Hospital spokesman Atom Adam said as quoted by kompas.com on Friday. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 1 2018 Law lecturers nationwide are calling on the General Elections Commission (KPU) to take firm action against its lenient candidacy procedure for Regional Representative Council (DPD) members. Previously, the Constitutional Court ruled that the KPU was obligated to ensure that DPD candidates did not hold any positions in political parties on July 23. Nevertheless, the court also said candidates who were already undergoing the selection procedure when the ruling was implemented could still participate in the selection process by handing over their resignation letter from political parties. On Aug. 9, the KPU issued a regulation that said DPD candidates who had already registered themselves on the temporary candidates list should hand over a statement letter as proof of their resignation from their position as a member of a political party. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta and Surabaya Sat, December 1, 2018 13:26 1090 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877eb8b89 1 Politics protest,Papua,student-protest,surabaya Free Around 300 members of the Papuan Students Alliance in Surabaya, East Java, staged a protest on Saturday, nearly clashing with a separate group that appeared to be staging a counterprotest. The students initially gathered in front of the RRI Studio on Jl. Pemuda. They displayed images of the Morning Star flag, the symbol of the separatist movement for Papuan independence, and demanded that Papuans be given the right to self-determination in the name of democracy. The group held a march that was to head toward Grahadi State Building on Jl. Gubernur Suryo, but the police blocked access because there was a ceremony in the front yard of the building. Tensions escalated when a group consisting of around 200 people from the Communication Forum of Indonesian Veterans' Children (FKPPI) and youth organization Pemuda Pancasila showed up to stage what appeared to be a counterprotest, resulting in the two groups yelling at each other. The two groups attempted to attack each other, but the police prevented any physical altercations from breaking out. FKPPI East Java deputy chairman Gatot Sutantra said that, by demanding an independent Papua, the Papuan Students Alliance was committed to a separatist movement. We reminded them to disperse, otherwise the police would disperse them, Gatot said as quoted by tempo.co. The police also gave a warning to the students, calling on them to disperse as they had no permit to stage the demonstration. (foy) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 1, 2018 15:35 1090 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877eba958 4 City Depok,Depok-administration,unemployment,employment Free The Depok administration is aiming to lower the unemployment rate amid a rise in population as people move to the satellite city of the capital Jakarta to find jobs, an official has said. Depok is home to 72,521 unemployed people and has a total workforce of 969,502, according to 2017 data from the Depok Manpower Agency. High school graduates make up 30 percent of the unemployed residents. The administration was doing doing its best to lower the unemployment rate, agency head Diah Sadiah said. Depok is a sexy city. There are many people from outside Depok who come here to look for a job, she said as reported by kompas.com on Saturday. Moreover, in a bid to increase the employment rate, the city disseminated information on job vacancies through job-hunting service AK1, through which job-seekers submit data to the manpower office. To develop skilled workers and local entrepreneurs, the city also provided training for unemployed residents. We also ask for companies in Depok to prioritize Depok residents in their recruitment, Diah added. Depok, located south of Jakarta, is home to universities, apartments, residential areas and culinary businesses and is infamous for its chaotic urban sprawl and gridlock. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, December 1, 2018 13:25 1090 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877eb8048 4 City anies-baswedan,Jakarta-governor,Tanah-Abang,Tanah-Abang-Market,Tanah-Abang-skybridge,Tanah-Abang-station Free With issues settled and construction finished, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has expressed hope that the Tanah Abang Skybridge, a multifunction bridge in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, will open on Dec. 7. All issues have been dealt with. I hope that, with the agreement, the final move [to open the sky bridge] can be carried out soon, he said on Friday as reported by tempo.co, referring to an agreement between the Jakarta administration and state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia over the operation of the bridge above Jl. Jati Baru Raya. Mediated by the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Ombudsman, the two parties resolved various issues that delayed the launch of the sky bridge, which was to initially open in late October. The city administration agreed to provide facilities such as toilets and security personnel while KAI will provide gates for passengers who will use the bridge to enter Tanah Abang Station. The 400-meter-long bridge connects the Tanah Abang railway station to a famous textile market. On the bridge, there will be also lines of kiosks for street vendors who used to occupy Jl. Jati Baru Raya to sell their products. The president director of city-owned market operator PD Pembangunan Sarana Jaya, Yoory C. Pinontoan, said construction of the bridge was finished. The authorities have been running simulations this week to assess traffic and pedestrian flow both on the bridge and underneath. (vla) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nedi Putra AW (The Jakarta Post) Malang, East Java Sat, December 1, 2018 18:03 1090 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ebce1a 1 News Teens-Talk,early-marriage,anti-violence Free The Malang City Women's Coalition (KPKM) and the Dian Mutiara Malang Crisis Center (WCC) jointly held the "Teen Talk" event on Nov. 25 at the Sarinah building in Malang, East Java. The Teen Talk anti-violence forum, themed "Ending Sexual Violence by Raising Marriageable Age", was held to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Twenty teenagers from the Griya Baca street children center attended the event. Griya Baca has been providing social support and trainings to increase self-esteem for street children over the last 10 years. Members of Griya Baca leads a training session for street children in this undated photograph. The street children center has been providing social support and training street children to help raise their self-esteem for the last decade. (JP/Nedi Putra AW) Read also: Stunting and child marriage KPKM chairwoman Sri Wahyuningsih said that most child marriages were marked by unwanted pregnancies, which often occurred as a result of domestic violence. She stressed that it was the parents responsibility to teach their adolescent children what was and was not acceptable in a marriage. Sri also said that marrying at the ideal age under the law helped newlyweds be more independent as regards their finances as well as physical and psychological health. "And certainly, [they would be] capable and responsible of taking legal action," Sri added. Marriage Law No. 1/1974 stipulates the ideal marriageable age as 16 for women and 19 for men. In 2015 alone, 340,000 girls under the age of 18 entered marriage, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS) and UNICEF's child marriage data analysis. (iru/mut) Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. Please check our main navigation pages for other content: Home Page Southern Pines, NC (28387) Today Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 44F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 44F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. HIV self-testing strategies have been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2016, as they empower people to find out HIV their status at their convenience. Home-based testing kits have yet to be approved for sale in Canada. However, a team from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and collaborators from Clinique Medicale lActuel, in Montreal, evaluated an unsupervised HIV self-testing program via a smartphone and tablet application called HIVSmart!, among an at-risk population (men who have sex with men). The findings of their study a Canada-first have been published online this week in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. To reach the first 95 of the so-called 95-95-95 targets set by UNAIDS* by 2030, it is imperative that we help detect HIV in those who are living unaware of their HIV status. A screening strategy that has the potential to reach the undiagnosed is HIV self-testing, says Dr. Nitika Pant Pai, lead author of this study and a researcher from the Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program of the RI-MUHC, and an associate professor of Medicine at McGill University. HIVSmart! plugs all the gaps in the self-testing process; it works with any approved HIV self-test, facilitates testing and proactively informs the user. By promoting screening, HIVSmart! could help to reduce the number of people living with HIV who do not know their status and allow them to start treatment earlier, adds Dr. Rejean Thomas, study co-author, who is also the founder and CEO of Clinique Medicale L'Actuel. An application such as HIVSmart! increases accessibility to testing, especially outside major cities, where it is sometimes harder to get tested because of confidentiality issues. HIVSmart! is available for smartphone, tablet or web-based (Android, iPhone, and iPad) confidential software app that was developed by Dr. Pant Pai and her team at the RI-MUHC. It informs, interprets and stores data confidentially but, most importantly, it links users to counselling or care quickly and encourages the user to stay in care. Initially developed with funding from Grand Challenges Canada, HIVSmart! was evaluated in Montreal thanks to this study funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). HIVSmart! feasibility in Montreal Between July 2016 and February 2017, researchers conducted a study on 451 men who have sex with men (sometimes referred to as MSM) aged 18 to 73 years who presented themselves at the Clinique Medicale L'Actuel to be tested for HIV. They were offered an in-home saliva-based HIV Test and a tablet equipped with the HIVSmart! App. The strategy mimicked testing in an unsupervised home environment. Using HIVSmart!, participants were guided through the self-testing process, learning how to perform and interpret the test, store results, and receive care swiftly. Our study shows that the HIVSmart! App strategy is feasible, accepted and preferred by an educated, urban MSM population in Montreal, says Dr. Pant Pai. As a strategy, it suits individuals who prefer to test themselves at their convenience in the comfort of a private space such as their home, office or kiosks. Thats empowering! HIV self-testing for at-risk populations In Canada, the HIV epidemic is disproportionally represented in key populations, such as MSM, injection drug users, Indigenous populations and immigrants from HIV-endemic countries. Approximately 18 to 25 percent of Canadian MSM populations are unaware of their HIV-positive status, and the number may be proportionally higher for IDUs, Indigenous populations and immigrants, which underscores the need for accessible HIV self-testing services. At present, we have all the means to eradicate HIV. The HIVSmart! App is a way to support patient autonomy, says Dr. Thomas. Promoting screening reduces the number of people who do not know their HIV status, puts HIV-positive people on treatment quickly so their viral charge becomes undetectable, and, ultimately, eradicate HIV. Researchers plan to adapt the HIVSmart! self-testing strategy for many at-risk populations in Canada and worldwide, thereby maximizing its public health impact. HIVSmart! strategy is also being tested in South Africa. UNAIDS Fast-Track Strategy to End AIDS by 2030: By 2030, 95% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status. By 2030, 95% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy. By 2030, 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression. KEY FINDINGS Profile of Participants 84.7% were educated beyond high school; 79.5% were employed; 52.5% had been tested in the past 6 months. Main Results 99.3% of the participants who self-tested negative and received counselling after their test; 0.7% of the participants who self-tested positive and were lab-confirmed positive were linked to a physician within the same day; 98.8% of the participants found the app to be useful; 94% of the participants were willing to recommend it to a friend or partner. Research Institute of the MUHC www.rimuhc.ca. McGill University Health Centre AB remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, who presided over the end of the Cold War and routed Saddam Hussein\s Iraqi army but lost a chance for a second term after breaking a no-new-taxes pledge, died on Friday at the age of 94. Former US president George H.W. Bush, who helped steer America through the end of the Cold War, died Friday at age 94, his family announced. Tributes quickly poured in for the 41st US president, a decorated war pilot and onetime CIA chief who also saw his son George follow in his footsteps to the Oval Office. Bush\s passing comes just months after the death in April of his wife and revered first lady Barbara Bush his "most beloved woman in the world" to whom he was married for 73 years. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," former president George W. Bush said in a statement released on Twitter by a family spokesman. "George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," he said. "The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41\s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens." Bush is survived by five children and 17 grandchildren. A sixth child, daughter Robin, died of leukemia before her fourth birthday. He died "at home in Houston surrounded by family and close friends," family spokesman Jim McGrath told AFP. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, he said. The former US leader is expected to lie in state in the US Capitol and then to be buried at his presidential library in Texas, where students held a candlelight vigil early Saturday, local media reported. President Donald Trump, who was in Argentina attending a G20 summit of world leaders, hailed Bush\s "sound judgment, common sense, and unflappable leadership." "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service," Trump said in a statement. "As president, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed." \New world order\ Bush who was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty put his studies and career on hold to join the US Navy during World War II. He flew 58 combat missions and was shot down over the Pacific by Japanese anti-aircraft fire. He then graduated from Yale University, and launched a brief career in the oil industry. But Bush then entered politics, serving in the US House of Representatives and as Washington\s envoy to China and chief of the Central Intelligence Agency, before being elected Ronald Reagan\s vice president. As he accepted the Republican Party\s nomination for president in 1988, Bush pleaded for a "kinder, gentler nation." He went on to easily defeat Democrat Michael Dukakis that November. Bush was a foreign policy pragmatist who led the United States through the turbulent but largely peaceful fall of the Soviet Union in 1989. He declared a "new world order" in 1990 and drove Iraq from Kuwait in a matter of weeks with a lightning air and ground assault and the backing of a coalition of 32 nations. But he suffered the ignominy of being a one-term president, denied a second term over a weak economy when he lost the 1992 election to upstart Democrat Bill Clinton. He later would see his son George occupy the Oval Office for eight years they are only the second father-son duo in American history, after John and John Quincy Adams. In his post-presidency, Bush turned to philanthropy he joined forces with Bill Clinton to raise funds for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He worked with Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama and son George to raise money for hurricane victims in Texas in 2017. "I am profoundly grateful for every minute I spent with President Bush and will always hold our friendship as one of my life\s greatest gifts," Clinton said in a statement. In 2011, Obama awarded Bush the highest US civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude," Obama and his wife Michelle said in a statement. "After seventy-three years of marriage, George and Barbara Bush are together again now, two points of light that never dimmed, two points of light that ignited countless others with their example." SOURCE: AFP Students from Titusville High Schools choir came to sing for the ceremony decorating the Titusville Area Hospital Auxiliarys Lights of Love tree. This excavation season completed the five year project of excavation research in the Bronze Age settlement at the Asvestaria site in Petroto, Trikala. The excavation is being carried out under Maria Vaiopoulou, archaeologist of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Karditsa, with the collaboration of an interdisciplinary team of researchers and the support of INSTAP. The dig at the Asvestaria site in Petroto, Trikala began as a rescue excavation due to the construction of the LarisaTrikala national highway where a Late Bronze Age settlement came to light. The excavation research carried out during the five year programme provided interesting data on the settlements use of space over the centuries. Molds for metal casting (photo: Greek Ministry of Culture). The case of the Petroto settlement is the sole known example in West Thessaly of a Final Neolithic or even earlier settlement whose life continued uninterrupted to the end of the Bronze Age. Molds for metal casting (photo: Greek Ministry of Culture). Architectural and residential remains During the excavation, parts of 14 buildings were unearthed which date from the EH II to the LHIIIC. One of the best preserved is Building H with a NE-NW orientation which dates from the LHIIIC. It is an arched building with an entrance on its northwest side and measuring 8.75x7m. Building E which dates from the LH IIIA is a large, rectangular building with three construction phases. A 16.21 m wall survives from the first phase, while a 12.22m wall remains from the second phase, where the building is found to be smaller. In the third phase, at least three spaces as well as a monumental entrance can be distinguished. The dimensions of the building in this phase are 16.215.60m. The building continues under the old LarisaTrikala national highway. Building I which dates from the LHIIIB period, has a NW-NE orientation with the maximum remaining dimensions being 21.775.56m. It is made up of at least four spaces. On the north east side of Building I where its entrance is situated, a section of paved street came to light, 4.22m long and 2.40m wide, which covers building IB that dates from the LHIIB. Molds for metal casting (photo: Greek Ministry of Culture). Burials During the excavations 42 burials came to light either in cist or pit graves that dated from the EHI to the LHIIIC, as well as a Roman pit grave with rich grave gifts, inside a layer of the EHIII. Some of the burials are exceptionally interesting such as that of a family (father, mother and infant) in a pit grave. Likewise, a burial came to light in a pit grave of a mother with an infant at her breast. In a box next to a childs cist grave, among other grave gifts a dogs skeleton was uncovered. As we know, dogs as grave gifts are often encountered in the Late Bronze Age. Ceramics from the excavation at the Asvestaria site in Petroto, Trikala (photo: Greek Ministry of Culture). Ceramics Apart from the discovery of locally produced ceramics, there was a significant number of imported vases from Argolis and Crete. Ceramics from the excavation at the Asvestaria site in Petroto, Trikala (photo: Greek Ministry of Culture). In the local ceramics of the LHX period which have their particular characteristics concerning the clay and the distinctive handles, the Middle Helladic tradition can be traced even in the shape of the vessels. A large number of local ceramic vases mainly of the LHIIB period, imitate the ceramics of Argolis, using dye in the coating which is similar in colour to the Argolis clay. Most of these ceramics are also to be found in northern and western Greece and in Albania. Ceramics from the excavation at the Asvestaria site in Petroto, Trikala (photo: Greek Ministry of Culture). Finally it is worth mentioning the presence of animal bones under the foundations of a building that dates from the MHX I (between 2134 and 1939 BC), which perhaps suggest a foundation ritual, along with the burial of a piglet located under backfills of the LHIIIA1 period. Ceramics from the excavation at the Asvestaria site in Petroto, Trikala (photo: Greek Ministry of Culture). Chairing a government meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a decree on approval of the Concept of Development of the Digital Economy of Turkmenistan for 2019-2025. The presidential decree instructs ministries, departments, regional administrations, the administration of the city of Ashgabat, state and privately owned enterprises, institutions and organizations, as well as private entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan to ensure the implementation of the above Concept. The document presents an assessment of the current state of the system of information and communication technologies in Turkmenistan, the goals and objectives of the Concept, the ways and mechanisms for its implementation and expected results. When signing the decree, the President of Turkmenistan noted that the transition to the digital economy would contribute to enhancement of investment activities, introduction of the advanced methods of public administration and creation of new jobs. TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2021 New Delhi, Dec 1 (UNI) Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday lambasted at the BJP-led Centre government on it's refusal to allow him to visit Austria and talk about 'Happiness Curriculum', terming it as a 'vendetta' politics. Addressing the mediapersons, after being 'denied' the permission to visit Austria, during which he wanted to share the "Happiness Curriculum" with the world said,'I was about to leave tonight to Austria for the three-day conference, where leaders, educationists from around the world will come and discuss about the well-being of the students. I was told to keep Delhi's education model there that will add to the nation's prestige only.' 'But Narendra Modi's government is not giving political clearance and even they are not telling the reason. This shows BJP is doing politics in the name of the country also. Few days back the BJP Government had stopped Satyendra Jain's Australia tour, where he was going to discuss the topic of Mohalla Clinic. And now they are stopping me from going to Austria,' he said. Number of COVID-19 Cases in Brazil Rises by 12,126 to Over 22 05Mln : Ministry of Health 26 Nov 2021 | 8:13 AM Brasilia, Nov 26 (UNI/Sputnik) The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Brazil has increased by 12,126 to 22,055,238 within the past 24 hours, the national Ministry of Health said on late Thursday. see more.. UK bans flights to six Southern African nations over new strain of COVID-19 : Government 26 Nov 2021 | 8:10 AM London, Nov 26 (UNI/Sputnik) The United Kingdom has banned flights to six southern African nations South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia until November 28 over the spread of the B.1.1.529 strain of the coronavirus, the UK government said. see more.. Western Myanmar hit by 6 0 magnitude earthquake : European Seismologists 26 Nov 2021 | 8:09 AM Bruyeres-le-Chatel, Essonne, France, Nov 26 (UNI/Sputnik) A 6.0 magnitude earthquake has been registered in the western part of Myanmar, not far from the border with India, the European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) said on Friday. see more.. 93 refugees evacuated from Libya to Italy: UNHCR 26 Nov 2021 | 7:41 AM Tripoli, Nov. 26 (UNI/Xinhua) The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Thursday said it evacuated 93 refugees from Libya to Italy on a chartered flight. see more.. Huge quantity of cartridges seized in Bihar Munger, Dec 01 (UNI) Police seized huge quantity of cartridges and arrested an arms smuggler Sarfaraz Alam from ITC Colony, Shankarpur locality under Mufassil police station area in the district today. Police Superintendent Babu Ram told newspersons here that 239 (9 mm) cartridges and 199 (7.65 mm) cartridges were recovered from Shankarpur locality here on the basis of specific intelligence input. He said the arms smuggler Sarfaraz Alam who was lodged in Tihar Jail in connection with recovery of an AK 47 rifle in New Delhi in 2014 is maternal nephew of dread arms smuggler Manzar Alam. An intensive interrogation of arms smuggler is on to nab other members of his gang, SP added. Indonesian police recaptures 36 inmates, 77 others still on run Jakarta, Dec 1 (Xinhua) Police in Indonesia's Aceh province had recaptured 36 prisoners out of the 113 who fled from the prison in Banda Aceh on Thursday evening, Aceh police spokesman Ery Apriyono said on Saturday. The police is hunting for the remaining 77 inmates who are still on the run, the spokesman said. A joint command team has been established to search for the 77 inmates, the spokesman said. Tripoli, Dec 1 (UNI) US Africa Command (AFRICOM) on Saturday confirmed conducting airstrikes near Al Uwaynat, in southern Libya which killed 11 al-Qa ida terrorists. It said 11 al-Qa ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) terrorists were killed and three vehicles were destroyed in the attack what it referred to as a precision airstrike, a report in Libya Herald said. It said that no Libyan civilians were injured or killed as a result of the air strike. Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of 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Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Novation Launchpad buttons can be set to flash by sending the following MIDI message to the device: B0 00 28 and then sending a specific note velocity value to the target button. On power up, flashing mode is disabled by default. I would like VDJ to send the above message to my Launchpad at initialization. The manual describes the and commands, e.g.: Can I use to send "B0 00 28" to my Launchpad? Thanks Government Secure our Orderly Departure from the European Union The Government says it welcomes that Gibraltars orderly departure from the European Union has been settled through a Protocol to the Withdrawal Agreement. The Protocol refers to the four Memoranda of Understanding which have been published today. This means that Gibraltar will form a part of the EU withdrawal process provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement, together with the United Kingdom, if the UK Parliament approves it. As a result, Gibraltar will also be included in the transitional period whereby everything will remain largely as it is until, at least, the 31 December 2020. The inclusion of Gibraltar in Withdrawal and in transition was the number one priority of the Government in this second phase of the Brexit process. This has been successfully achieved subject to the UK Parliaments decision on the Withdrawal Agreement. It is important to note that, at the same time, the Governments of Gibraltar and of the United Kingdom have agreed a Concordat which sets out the context of the documentation relating to our EU exit and clarifies how these should be interpreted. In order to arrive at a full and accurate understanding of the documentation, how it is executed and how it will be implemented, the Concordat must be read first. The Concordat makes it clear: that the term United Kingdom, as used in the Withdrawal Agreement, in the Protocol and in the Memoranda of Understanding includes Gibraltar; that all the documents have been arrived at with the consent of the Government of Gibraltar and following its participation in the negotiations; that the constitutional arrangements in place between Gibraltar and the United Kingdom will be fully respected; and that all rights and obligations in the Protocol and the Memoranda will be enjoyed and performed by the Gibraltar Government, Gibraltar Ministers and Gibraltar competent authorities. In terms of the future relationship between Gibraltar and the European Union, the Concordat declares that this should take into account Gibraltars deep existing relationship with the EU to secure a future relationship for Gibraltar which appropriately reflects its particular geographic, socio-economic and constitutional characteristics and needs, including with regard to the mobility of persons and in the services economy. The Concordat reaffirms the intention of the Gibraltar and United Kingdom Governments to ensure that the valued and historic links between us continue to grow, deepen and mature. It is important to reiterate that these are arrangements for Gibraltars departure from the European Union where the United Kingdom is the Member State responsible for Gibraltar. The Protocol has been entered into between the United Kingdom and the European Union. The UK retains ultimate responsibility for our external relations, including the Protocol, and is also ultimately responsible for Gibraltars compliance with EU law. The existing process therefore replicates the mechanics whereby Gibraltar joined the European Economic Community, as it was then, as a European territory for whose external relations a Member State is responsible. The set of agreements that have been concluded will ensure that Gibraltar is cushioned from the effects of EU departure by being able to benefit from transitional arrangements until the end of 2020. This means that nothing much should change and that there is time to discuss the detail of a future relationship in the months and years to come. The alternative would have been for Gibraltar to leave the European Union without a deal in March 2019 while the UK itself enjoyed the benefits of transition. This would not have been in the best interests of Gibraltar, said the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia. The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said: These agreements are safe, sensible, and secure. They provide a way forward as we prepare to leave the EU. They are also time-limited to the end of the transition. In other words, at the end of 2020, the agreements will cease to have effect. I approved the Concordat with the Prime Minister when we met in London on 15 November. This provides additional guarantees and safeguards for Gibraltar and does not allow any room for interpretation. It is abundantly clear that Gibraltar participates through its own constitutional instruments and with our own competent authorities. Gibraltar will participate in the Withdrawal Agreement and will enjoy the benefit of transition as a result. Importantly, we have not given away anything in the MOUs. Sovereignty, jurisdiction and control are not affected in any way. What we have entered into are commitments to deal with issues we are as concerned about as our neighbours. We are giving effect to our own unilateral policy on tobacco pricing, as I have been saying and doing since I was elected to ensure that we avoid being attractive to those involved in the illicit trade in tobacco whilst protecting our legitimate trade. We are delivering cooperation between police and customs, which successive governments of Gibraltar have supported, but without in any way compromising our sovereignty or jurisdiction in any way. We are agreeing to cooperate on the environment in a manner that will allow us to request information in relation to matters we have long been concerned about and have wanted to ensure that air quality comes into the mix as well as matters related to cross boundary effect of reclamations, given our particular concerns about the effects of the Algeciras reclamations. And on Citizens Rights we have agreed reciprocal arrangements to monitor in our areas the rights and obligations set out in the main Withdrawal Agreement. For that reason, if the UK Parliament approve the Withdrawal Agreement, then the parts of it which relate to Gibraltar which we have negotiated for Gibraltar, work for Gibraltar. I hope we will soon also be to publish the treaty on taxation which we are finalising. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. By WestKyStar & Graves County Library Staff Nov. 29, 2018 | 07:32 PM | MAYFIELD The Graves County Public library has two special programs throughout the school year. The library's Lego Program will be the first Monday of every month at 5 pm and daughter date night will be the first Tuesday of each month at 5 pm. For Lego night children can come and create anything out of their imagination and during daughter date night adults can come with their children and make a craft to take home together. To help the community, the Graves County Public Library is offering Food for Fines. Bring food donations to the library during the months of November and December. You will get $1 in current fines waived for each can or package of the following foods: peanut butter, canned chicken or tuna, canned vegetables, soups, or fruit, boxed meals, cereal, pasta, toilet paper or paper towels. This applies to fines only and will not apply to replacement costs of items which were lost or damaged. Please do not try to donate open, rusty or damaged packages, repackaged or expired food. It will be given to the Food Pantry in Mayfield. The Librarys teen advisory board will have its anime night on Friday December 7th from 4-7 pm. They will play games and have pizza. Prizes will be given out and participants can come dressed as their favorite characters. Come by the library and decorate your own yummy cookies to eat. This year for Christmas the Graves County Public Library will host a cookie swap on Tuesday, Dec. 11th at 3 pm. Bring a recipe to share or just come by and decorate cookies to eat. This event is for all ages. The Graves County Public Library will host Teen Art Studio on Friday, Dec. 14th from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. Hang out and create your own masterpiece at the library. They will have paint, colored pencils, coloring pages, poster board, washi tape, & more. On Saturday, Dec.15th at 10:30 am the Graves County Public Library will have a Christmas Ornament Workshop. All supplies will be provided and participants will be able to make their very own ornaments for Christmas. The Graves County Public Library will have Bingo night on Monday, Dec. 17th at 5 pm. All supplies will be provided and it is free for all ages. There will be prizes for winners. All will play for a couple of hours. The library will host family movie night on Tuesday, Dec. 18th at 5 pm. They will watch an eight-year-old troublemaker protect his house from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation. Free drinks and popcorn will be served. Children under the age of 10 should be with an adult. The library will also have games to play along with the chance to win a prize. Local author John Davis will be at the library for a book signing on Thursday, Dec, 20th at 3 pm. He will discuss his new book about Mayfield called As I Recall. Due to the high demand, there will be no copies available for purchase at the signing, but you will be able to order a copy at the event. If you have questions about any of December's events, contact the library at 270-247-2911. In conjunction with the Mayfield Animal Shelter, the Graves County Public Library will host a special program called Paws to Read. It will be every first Thursday of each month at 4 pm and will allow children to read aloud to a therapy dog or cat for 15 minutes. Patient, nonjudgmental pets help reluctant readers gain confidence and comfort with reading. Parents will need to fill out and sign a waiver before their child can participate. This program is open to children in grades K-6. Calvert City Jingle All the Way 5k and Fun Run set for December 4 New Chancellor praises lionesses of Africa and calls for greater recognition of female leadership Wits' newly installed Chancellor, Dr Judy Dlamini, has taken a strong stand for women in leadership positions in South Africa, during her acceptance speech. Speaking during her installation on Saturday, 1 December 2018 as the Chancellor of Wits University , and the first ever women to act in this position, Dlamini said all institutions in this country need to do more to recognise female leadership, and that failure to do so is abuse, and tantamount to murder. Ignoring womens contributions to different spheres of our lives, ignoring their talent, paying them less and refusing them leadership positions when deserved, is a form of abuse which is no less than killing. Eroding peoples dignity and their self-confidence is tantamount to killing their soul and dignity, which, in my view, is worse than physical abuse, said Dlamini. Gender democracy, gender consciousness that validates women in the eyes of others, gender consciousness by both men and women, is what we need. Our contribution and talent needs equal recognition ... We fought racial supremacy, we need the same ball of energy by all genders and races to fight and defeat gender supremacy. Honouring women leaders such as her mother Rita Dlamini, Albertina Sisulu, Lillian Ngoyi and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Dlamini said she stood on the shoulders of giants, in taking up her new position. Women have always led. African women have always led, no matter where they found themselves in the world, they just did not receive the recognition for their selfless service, said Dlamini. Dlamini, a well-known gender equity advocate, touched on key issues with particular emphasis on the struggle for gender equity and transformation in the higher education sector. All South African Universities are undergoing transformation and students have been vocal about their need for decolonised education and institutions. Dlamini implored students to know their true essence because only then can they effect the desired change. Decolonising education starts with knowing your history, knowing who you are and embracing it. It is supported by doing research that seeks to solve African problems, collaborating with institutions of excellence globally, including African institutions. Dlamini succeeds former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke. Moseneke has served as Chancellor for 12 years. In passing on the baton, he said he was proud and honoured to be succeeded by Dlamini. Dr Randall Carolissen, Chair of the Universitys Council, welcomed Dlamini to the institution, saying that Wits is a critical institution in nation building, and that her role will exceed beyond the walls of the University. You have an immense role to play in safeguarding Wits University, just as Wits University and others have a role to play in safeguarding our country and the values of our Constitution, said Carolissen. This sentiment was echoed by the Minister of Science and Technology, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubani, who lauded universities for their role in promoting diversity and spoke strongly against the polarisation of our society. Universities are best placed to drive conversations about deepening and protecting diversity and tolerance, said Kubayi-Ngubani. Citation presented at the Installation Dr Nobuhle Judy Dlamini is a medical doctor by training, a business leader, a philanthropist and an entrepreneur and author. Her major contribution to humanity stems from her record in creating and adding value to society. Dr Dlamini has worked in different sectors of the economy, using her diverse skill sets and her multiple academic qualifications, University degrees and diplomas across disciplines. A graduate of four universities in South Africa, including the University of the Witwatersrand, Dr Dlamini is also an alumnus of Stanford University based in the United States of America. Born on the 6th of July in 1959 in Westville, Natal, to primary school teacher Rita (Ngwane) Dlamini and entrepreneur Thomas Dumezweni Dlamini, Judy was one of nine children. Her parents instilled the value of education as a means of escaping poverty, of enhancing social mobility, as well as providing resilience and strength in the face of adversity. Dr Dlamini started school at the age of four at Rooikoppies School which was demolished when the area was designated as a whites only area under apartheid laws. She had to move to a Catholic school called Mazenod in Chesterville where her mother taught, and she then completed at her schooling at another Catholic school before reading for a medical degree. In 1985, Dr Dlamini qualified as a medical doctor and graduated from the University of Natal. She served as a general family practitioner for many years before consulting in Occupational Health for various companies, including Rainbow Chicken, Divpac (a NAMPAK subsidiary) and National Ports Operations. She then completed her MBA at Wits University, majoring in Corporate Finance. She joined the HSBC Investment Bank in Johannesburg whilst reading for her second doctorate, this time in Business Leadership at UNISA. Her PhD focused on The intersection of race, gender and social class in women CEOs career progression and strategies for gender transformation at the leadership level. One of the academic contributions from her research is the WHEEL Theoretical Model. A successful business leader, Dr Dlamini is the founder and executive Chairman of the Mbekani Group, which celebrated 20 years in business in 2016. The group has operations and investments in different sectors including pharmaceuticals, facilities and property management, tourism, surgical instruments management, and luxury fashion retail. She is also the former chairperson of Aspen Pharmacare Limited and has served on the boards of Anglo American, Discovery Holdings and Woolworths. The recipient of the African Economy Builder Lifetime Achiever Award for 2016, Dr Dlamini has several accolades to her name. For example, in 2016, she was named the Africas Most Influential Women in Business and Government according to Global CEOs. She received the SADC South award for the Business and Professional Services sector at the regional and national level and the 2016 Fabulous Woman Award. In 2018, she was the recipient of UNISAs Leadership in Practice Award. She is also the author of Equal but Different: Women Leaders Life Stories. Dr Dlamini is the past chairman of the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood, and Allied Workers Union Development Trust, a public benefit organisation. Together with her husband, she co-founded the Mkhiwa trust, a family public benefit organisation that focuses on rural development and education. She is married with two grown children. Ladies and gentlemen, based on her success, expertise and experience; her value for education; her passion for inclusive development; her commitment to philanthropy and the many attributes embodied by Dr Judy Dlamini that are similarly valued by the University of the Witwatersrand, it is an honour for the University to duly install Dr Nobuhle Judy Dlamini as the Chancellor of the University. 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 Coleg Cambria among top five UK colleges and number one in Wales at Worldskills competition This article is old - Published: Saturday, Dec 1st, 2018 Coleg Cambria is on top of the world after achieving Wales best results at a national skills ceremony. The college won nine medals, was highly commended in two categories and achieved a staggering 25 points at the Worldskills UK LIVE competition in Birmingham the biggest skills, apprenticeships and careers event in the country. Cambria finished fourth in the overall league table and number one in Wales, to the delight of Chief Executive David Jones. What an unbelievable effort, a remarkable result that shows how talented and determined the students and staff are here at Coleg Cambria, said Mr Jones. If you take into account the medals achieved by the learners who were entered into the competition via their employers then we would be third in the table, which is testament to the partnerships we have with industry leaders here in North Wales. He added: I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard for this resounding success. Its amazing but not surprising because you are all truly exceptional. The students demonstrated the ability and experience theyve gained at the college and with leading organisations in myriad sectors, from Airbus, Raytheon Systems and JCB Transmissions to Magellan Aerospace and Thomas Cook Airlines. Cambria has a burgeoning reputation at WorldSkills and that was further reinforced at the weekend, where winners included: Gold: George Sears (Customer Service), Karolina Witkowska (Beauty Therapy Body) and Oscar Jackson (Aeronautical Engineering Mechanical Thomas Cook Airlines) Silver: Kai Taylor (IT Support Technician), Sian Plant (Nail Technician), and Alfie Beeson, Tomas Davies and Cameron Pemberton (Manufacturing Team Challenge JCB) Bronze: Oliver Artell-Bolland (Sheet Metalwork Technology Fabrication and Welding) Highly Commended: Sarah Timperton (Aeronautical Engineering Mechanical Thomas Cook Airlines) and David Davies (Aeronautical Engineering Mechanical Raytheon) On top of this success we were the Competition Organising Partner for the five beauty therapy categories and were involved as judges in the Manufacturing Team Challenge and Construction Metalwork contest, said Mr Jones. This shows how far weve come in just five years of entering WorldSkills, so well done again to our 19 competitors youre all winners in our eyes. Rona Griffiths, Deputy Director for Learner Experience and Enterprise, added: These are remarkable young apprentices and learners with a variety of different skills. Getting to the WorldSkillsUK means each of them was among the top eight people in their skill category, which is incredible. Together we have shined a light on north east Wales and shown with our industry partners that Coleg Cambrias talented learners and apprentices belong on the global stage. For more on WorldSkillsUK, visit www.worldskillsuk.org. Visit www.cambria.ac.uk/worldskills for information on the colleges participation in the competition. Glyndwr Innovations Ltds specialists join team on major reconnaissance contract This article is old - Published: Saturday, Dec 1st, 2018 A major contract to develop a new innovative reconnaissance system has been won by QinetiQ with Glyndwr Innovations Ltd contributing to the programme. The contract was awarded by MoD and the UK Defence Solutions Centre (DSC) after QinetiQ were named among the winners of the MOD and Defence Growth Partnership (DGP)s Innovation Challenge. Staff from Glyndwr Innovations were among guests at an official launch at the Institute of Engineering and Technology where the winners were announced. The development team comprises Glyndwr Innovations, Airbus and Thales, and will be led by defence technology company QinetiQ. Glyndwr Innovations is the commercial arm of Wrexham Glyndwr Universitys world-leading research division based at the Optic Technology Centre in St Asaph. QinetiQ were chosen as winners, and have incorporated Glyndwr Innovations to provide an innovative solution to key strategic future demands for UK defence. The winning project will see Glyndwr and QinetiQ working together to combine their winning entries from previous phases of the competition to form a complete operational flight ready system which will be made up of Glyndwr Innovations Ltds Ultra Lightweight Telescope and QinetiQs SDML system. Glyndwr Innovations Ltds specialist skills in optical systems led them to develop an Ultra Lightweight Telescope was designed to provide HAPS ( High Altitude UAVs) with an instrument capable of high resolution ground imaging from as far as 23km. The telescope dubbed Gwyliwr (or Watcher) had already picked up a trophy as Best New Product at the 2017 Business Insider Awards. SDML is a variant of LIDAR, a technology which works like radar, but instead of using radar, uses light. SDML (Software Defined Multipurpose LIDAR) allows the user to switch between different operating modes during operation. Modes could include 3D mapping, vibrometary (detecting vibrations) and secure optical communications with the point to point nature of optical communications making them very difficult to intercept. The system will provide airborne platforms with new versatile intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities as well as secure, high bandwidth optical communications between land, air, sea and space. The contract to develop the new product will run for two years, with airborne and shipborne trials planned at its conclusion. Glyndwr Innovations Ltds Sales Engineer, Richard Hazelwood, said: We are delighted to have been part of the winning team for this project. Developing this technology will mean taking some of the high-level research we have been doing here at Glyndwr Innovations and turning it into a market-ready product. This is an exciting project which has a huge potential and which gives us the chance to demonstrate our work with leading industry partners in the military, space and commercial sectors. Director of the OpTIC Techology Centre, Caroline Gray, added: This is the latest in a series of high profile industrial collaboration projects within the OpTIC Technology Centre. The centre, operated by Glyndwr Innovations Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wrexham Glyndwr University, is home to 27 operating and incubating businesses and is located at the heart of the A55 corridor on the prestigious St Asaph Business Park. Health Board staff support local foodbanks as part of flu jab campaign This article is old - Published: Saturday, Dec 1st, 2018 Staff at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have been working to support local communities across the region by putting food items to the Trussell Trust when receiving their flu jab. The Trussell Trust has three foodbanks in North Wales including in Wrexham which provides a minimum of three days of emergency food and support to people in crisis. As part of the campaign health board staff have been invited to donate an item from an approved list to the Trussell Trust when they receive their flu jab. Gavin Jones, health intervention co-ordinator for the occupational health and wellbeing department said: When our staff have their flu jab, theyre not only protecting themselves, but also their family, friends and patients, and by donating to the foodbank, theyre also providing protection and support to the families in crisis who use local foodbanks. Today, Im really pleased to hand over the first collection from Glan Clwyd Hospital to Andrew Sturgess from the Trussell Trust. Over the coming weeks we will be arranging delivery of the collection at our other sites. Andrew Sturgess, area manager for the Trussell Trust in North Wales added: Id like to say a big thank you to the staff at Glan Clwyd Hospital, whove donated all this wonderful food and to those in other sites across North Wales who have bought and donated to the foodbanks of North Wales. These donations will make a big difference this Christmas to people in their local communities. If youd like to donate at one of the local collection points, these are situated in: Wrexham Maelor Hospital (Dining Room) Chirk Hospital (Staff Canteen) Abergele Hospital (Canteen / Coffee Area) Colwyn Bay Hospital (Canteen) Deeside Hospital (Main Office / Reception) Holywell Hospital (Main Entrance) Llandudno Hospital (Canteen) Mold Hospital (Sisters Office) Penrhos Stanley Hospital (Dining Room) Ysbyty Alltwen (Canteen) Ysbyty Glan Clwyd (Canteen) Ysbyty Gwynedd (Dining Room) Rail services set to improve as huge engineering effort to repair trains means normal service from Monday This article is old - Published: Saturday, Dec 1st, 2018 Rail services across Wales and the Borders look set to improve over the next two weeks after a terrible few weeks for the new Transport for Wales brand taking over from Arriva Trains Wales. Engineers have worked almost 1,000 hours of overtime over the last four weeks to return damaged trains to the tracks, meaning services on the Wrexham-Bidston line will be restored to normal levels from Monday (3rd December), and other pre-planned cancellations will be reviewed on a daily basis as the week progresses. Transport for Wales cocked up an apology in the area, and their confused communications saw u-turns over updates to customers. Cabinet Secretary for Transport Ken Skates was quizzed in Cardiff Bay over the train issues, pointing to Arriva Trains Wales as the reason for many of the problems. In a statement Transport for Wales has said of the Wales-wide picture: The number of available trains in the fleet has increased by more than 10% in the last four days after the mammoth engineering push, and the number of trains reporting new faults is starting to fall. While the current stormy conditions are still creating difficult conditions for rail services, the picture is still expected to improve. Network Rail and Transport for Wales have launched a joint investigation to understand why this autumns weather caused so much damage to the fleet. A leading industry expert is conducting a range of scientific studies on the track conditions and how the trains have coped with them to help prevent a similar situation happening again. In the future, an 800m investment in new trains will bring in rolling stock better able to cope with autumn weather conditions as well as offering passengers a much improved travel experience. The first of those will be introduced in North Wales as early as next year. James Price, Chief Executive of Transport for Wales, said: As our engineering teams return our trains to the tracks, passengers will start to see their services improving. We know that this has been a difficult time for our passengers, and wed like to thank them for their patience. Our main focus now is on understanding what went wrong, and doing everything in our power to prevent it happening again. In the long term, that will be investing 800m in new trains across the network, but while those trains are being built and tested, keeping our current fleet fit for service will remain a top priority. Transport Secretary Ken Skates said: The work carried out by the Transport for Wales engineers to return damaged trains back to service should be recognised and applauded. We still have some challenging times ahead as the autumn conditions continue, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank the engineers who have worked so hard to this point. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Florida Governor Rick Scott has suspended Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes from office immediately "for misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty." BREAKING: @FLGovScott has SUSPENDED Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes from office immediately "for misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty." @abc27 Stephen Jiwanmall (@SteveJiwanmall) November 30, 2018 Citing "widespread issues with voting in Broward County," Governor Rick Scott issued an order on Friday to immediately suspend Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes from office for misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty. Every eligible voter in Florida deserves their vote to be counted and should have confidence in Floridas elections process," Scott said in a statement. "After a series of inexcusable actions, its clear that there needs to be an immediate change in Broward County and taxpayers should no longer be burdened by paying a salary for a Supervisor of Elections who has already announced resignation." The Governor has appointed Peter Antonacci to serve as Supervisor of Elections in Broward County. Antonacci will serve for the remainder of the term until a replacement can be chosen by voters in November 2020. "I know that Pete will be solely focused on running free and fair elections, will not be running for election and will bring order and integrity back to this office, Scott said. A Florida State grad, Antonacci attended Hialeah High School and Miami Dade College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University as well as a Juris Doctorate from Florida State University College of Law. (WTXL) - U.S. Rep. Al Lawson urged House Leaders to request disaster assistance for farmers affected by hurricanes Michael and Florence. According to a press release, the letter was co-signed by 26 lawmakers from states impacted by the two hurricanes that devastated the southeast earlier this year. The Florida panhandle suffered wide-spread devastation from Hurricane Michael, leaving extensive damage to communities, including significant crop losses, Rep. Lawson said. Agriculture is the economic driving force of many North Florida communities. This assistance is necessary to help farmers recover and get back on their feet for the next planting season. Agriculture is a more than $120 billion industry in Florida, with more than 9.5 million acres of farm land in production. It is one of the strongest pillars of Floridas economy supporting more than 2 million jobs. With an increase in farm bankruptcies by 39 percent over the past two years, Rep. Lawson is also concerned that without quick assistance, many farm families may not survive the economic circumstances they may face. Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-30 22:44:48|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close MOSCOW, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Russia will not respond in equal measure to Ukraine's decision to restrict the entry of Russian citizens, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday. "It's simply scary to talk about tit-for-tat responses. If anyone tries to mirror what is happening in Kiev, it may lead to insanity, and if we talk about the national scale, then to a complete collapse," the ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said at a briefing. Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced a ban of the entry for Russian men aged between 16 and 60, following days of spat with Moscow over its seizure of three Ukrainian warships near the Russian Black Sea coast. On Sunday, three Ukrainian naval ships attempting to sail through the Kerch Strait from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov were seized by Russian forces for allegedly violating the Russian border. The Ukrainian Navy said that it had informed Russia in advance of the passage, while Russia said it had received no such report and the ships ignored multiple warnings by the Russian border guards. Russia claimed that the incident was a provocation devised by the Ukrainian authorities, while Kiev urged Moscow to release captured Ukrainian soldiers. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 03:00:58|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ANKARA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The publishing sector in Turkey is going through a difficult period due to the rapid depreciation of the Turkish lira, as Turkish publishers are heavily dependent on imported paper. Newspapers are being closed or forced to decrease their pages, magazines have reduced their size, and publishing houses raise the price of books as paper is becoming unaffordable for many. Most recently, the country's official gazette, which has been publishing laws, directives and legislations adopted by state organs for the past 98 years, stopped printing in October and shifted to online version because of sharp hike in paper prices. Two national mainstream newspapers, daily HaberTurk and daily Vatan, also stopped their print version and went online in the past four months. "The cost of publishing newspaper has become unbearable at a time when advertisements are mainly channeled into digital media outlets and broadcasters," Mehmet Kenan Tekdag, chairman of the board of directors for HaberTurk, reportedly told employees in a message. Turkey's leading daily Hurriyet has reduced its number of pages to 16 from 20, while some local newspapers decided not to go into print on Sundays. Some newspapers, such as daily Aydinlik, were not printed for a few days because of the lack of paper supplies. Turkey's economy faces serious difficulties in 2018 and the Turkish lira hit record lows in August when the United States imposed sanctions over a detained American pastor. The two NATO allies also imposed tariffs on each other's goods, worsening a crisis for Turkey's currency, which has lost about one third of its value against the U.S. dollar since January. Turkey's annual pulp in need is nearly 650,000 tons, but only 250,000 tons are produced in the country. Turkey's annual paper demand in general is above 5 million tons. The publishing sector in Turkey used to import paper, mostly from China. But after China's decision to become an importer of paper, Turkey's paper importers face great difficulty, said Orhan Ozturk, president of Istanbul Chamber of Printing Houses. Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) lawmaker Ilhami Ozcan Aygun submitted a motion to the parliament for seeking a solution to the problem. The lawmaker stressed that the main problem is that the industry is too dependent on the imported paper following the privatization and subsequent closure of the Turkish Cellulose and Paper Mills (SEKA) in 2004, which has made the sector significantly vulnerable to the exchange rate. The shortage of paper supplies have forced 300 local newspapers and 11 publishing houses to close this year, Aygun said. Turkey Printers' Federation Chairman Ahmet Huseyin Gurbuz also said many enterprises in the sector faced the risk of closure. So the government should not collect customs duty on cardboard and paper imports, stop imposing VAT on paper and cardboard products for a temporary period, and the debts of enterprises in the sector should be postponed, he added. In September, the Turkish Journalists' Association convened a meeting attended by 20 chief editors of media outlets, mostly from mainstream, to discuss ways to deal with the paper crisis. The association submitted a report on the problem with their potential solutions to the presidency. The number of journalists who have lost jobs in the past decade has exceeded 10,000 because of media outlets closure caused by a significant increase in paper prices, said the report. It proposed that Turkey should produce its own pulp domestically, while the Press and Advertisement Agency that is responsible for supporting the newspapers financially should increase the price tag on ads on the newspapers, and the agency, along with state banks, should provide interest-free loans, lifting the VAT for newspapers, and delaying tax payment for the industry. For now, the issue has caused some government attention. On Nov. 12, Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank announced that the SEKA paper mills in Balikesir Province will resume production in 2019 with a capacity of 300,000 tons. File Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump (L) meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, on July 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Lehtikuva/Heikki Saukkomaa) WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The White House said Friday that the cancellation of meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin was because of Russia's confrontation with Ukraine, rather than the ongoing Russia probe. The reason for the canceled meeting is Ukraine but the investigation "probably does undermine" the U.S. relationship with Russia, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. Sanders said she hopes that the Ukraine situation "will be resolved soon so that productive conversations can begin." A Kremlin spokesperson told Russia news outlets earlier that there will be a brief and impromptu meeting between Trump and Putin, despite the U.S. president's tweet on Thursday that their scheduled meeting in Argentina, the host of the ongoing Group of 20 (G20) summit, won't happen. "There is no scheduled pull-aside," an anonymous White House official told U.S. media later when asked to confirm the Russian media's report. The Ukrainian Navy said Sunday that Russian forces opened fire and seized three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait, adding that six Ukrainian military sailors were wounded, two of them in serious condition. Russian authorities said the Ukrainian ships breached the Russian border and conducted dangerous maneuvers in spite of orders of accompanying Russian vessels. The Ukrainian Navy said that it had informed Russia in advance about the passage of Ukrainian vessels from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait. The Ukrainian parliament supported a bill earlier this week imposing a martial law in certain regions for 30 days starting from Wednesday due to the tensions with Russia in the Sea of Azov. Sanders' statement came amid a week filled with new developments in the Russia inquiry led by special counsel Robert Mueller, who was looking into the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and any potential collusion between the Trump presidential campaign and Moscow. Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen reached a guilty plea with Mueller on Thursday to a count of making false statements to Congress about an aborted Trump Tower development project in Moscow. Cohen has been in discussions with Mueller's team, beginning in August and continuing through last week. In response, Trump told reporters that Cohen is "a weak person" who was lying to get a reduced sentence, as he defended the legality of his business activities when he was running for the president in 2016. "Against all odds, I decide to run for President & continue to run my business - very legal & very cool, talked about it on the campaign trail. Lightly looked at doing a building somewhere in Russia. Put up zero money, zero guarantees and didn't do the project. Witch hunt!" Trump tweeted Friday morning. Earlier this week, embattled former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was accused of repeatedly lying to investigators after pleading guilty to federal charges related to his work as an unregistered lobbyist for Ukraine -- prior to his time with the Trump campaign. Prosecutors alleged that Manafort had breached a plea agreement that he signed in September with Mueller, but his attorneys denied that he had lied to federal investigators. Mueller is reportedly considering new charges for Manafort. Trump has recently escalated attacks against the Mueller probe that he has frequently slammed as a "hoax" or "witch hunt." He has denied any wrongdoing or trying to shut down the investigation but has urged Mueller to wrap it up. Russia has repeatedly denied meddling in the U.S. elections. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 04:56:29|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BERLIN, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The number of overtime hours worked by German employees has risen sharply during the past years, the newspaper Rheinische Post (RP) quoted official figures as reporting on Friday. According to the German government's official response to a Left party (Linke) parliamentary enquiry cited by RP, Germans accumulated a total of 2.127 billion euros (2.42 billion U.S. dollars) of overtime in 2017. The figure marked the highest level in a decade and was derived by the German government on the basis of analyses by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the research institute of Germany's Federal Employment Agency, as well as surveys conducted by the Ifo Institute for Economic Research (Ifo). While the number of overtime hours worked rose by 11 percent between 2016 and 2017, the RP highlighted that only half of the total additional volume of labor was remunerated. Roughly 11 billion hours were delivered to German employers for free by their staff, a circumstance which was estimated by the Left party labor market expert Jessica Tatti to have resulted in savings to companies worth over 36 billion euros. A survey by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) suggests that most German employees felt like they had no choice other than to do overtime. 33 percent of respondents who did more than two hours of overtime each week indicated that their contractually-defined tasks were unachievable in a regular time-frame and roughly half cited operational reasons and requirements, while a mere 15 percent said that they stayed on longer because they enjoyed their work and only five percent did so to obtain higher pay. The German government's response to the parliamentary enquiry showcased that some sectors of the domestic economy and types of jobs were particularly prone to overtime. Management consultants and other business service providers led the list of average overtime hours, followed by Information Technology (IT) and communications professions, agriculture and forestry as well as retail and gastronomy. In all of these areas, the share of overtime hours amounted to more than four percent of the total hours worked. For Tatti, the findings were generally a sign that an "anti-stress-directive" was overdue in Germany. In order to curb the abuse of overtime, the Left politician called for shortening the maximum amount of legally-permissible hours per employee week from 48 to 40. The confederation of German trade union(DGB) was similarly alarmed at the rise of overtime in the eurozone's largest economy on Friday. "The number of overtime hours worked in 2017 has reached an unacceptable level and constitutes a high health risk to employees", DGB leader Reiner Hoffmann told RP. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 05:01:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- U.S. multinational conglomerate Honeywell said on Friday it planned to relocate its global corporate headquarters to Charlotte, the state of North Carolina. Besides, Honeywell said it planned to relocate the headquarters of its Safety and Productivity Solutions (SPS) business group to Charlotte as well. "Charlotte is a top-10 destination city in the U.S. that will readily enable us to recruit and retain the world-class talent we will need over the long term to support Honeywell's strategic focus on leading technology and software solutions within our end markets," said Darius Adamczyk, chairman and chief executive officer of Honeywell. The New Jersey-based company plans to add about 500 jobs to Charlotte over the next five years while moving a total of 250 positions to Charlotte from the original locations of its global corporate headquarters and SPS. "Our decision does not reflect any issues with the quality of our experience in New Jersey," Adamczyk added. "New Jersey will remain a substantial employment center for us." According to Honeywell, approximately 1,000 employees would remain in New Jersey across the company's six locations in the state. Honeywell is a multinational company that provides aerospace products and services, control technologies for buildings and industry, and performance materials. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 05:06:33|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday met in Buenos Aires of Argentina with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the situation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and bilateral trade. According to a statement issued by White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders, Trump and Abe met on the margins of the Group of 20 (20) summit, when they "reviewed recent developments in North Korea" and discussed how best to work with the international community, including South Korea, to maintain pressure until the DPRK implements its commitment to denuclearize. The two leaders also discussed progress in the two countries' cooperation on advancing a free and open region, as well as next steps to implement their shared resolve to expand collaboration in areas such as energy and infrastructure. They exchanged ideas on trade and the shared effort to deepen their economic relationship, including through pending negotiations aimed at concluding a bilateral trade agreement, the statement read. Before their bilateral meeting began, Trump told the media that the U.S.-Japanese deficit is "coming down." However, when asked about Trump's comment that he is planning a trip to Japan, an anonymous White House official told the media that "the president intends to make a trip to Japan next year. We have nothing else to announce." Japan was set to hold the G20 summit next year. Later on the same day, Trump, Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a trilateral meeting summit, the first ever of its kind, according to the White House. File Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe upon his arrival at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe, near Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 5, 2017. (Xinhua) WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday met in Buenos Aires of Argentina with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the situation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and bilateral trade. According to a statement issued by White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders, Trump and Abe met on the margins of the Group of 20 (20) summit, when they "reviewed recent developments in North Korea" and discussed how best to work with the international community, including South Korea, to maintain pressure until the DPRK implements its commitment to denuclearize. The two leaders also discussed progress in the two countries' cooperation on advancing a free and open region, as well as next steps to implement their shared resolve to expand collaboration in areas such as energy and infrastructure. They exchanged ideas on trade and the shared effort to deepen their economic relationship, including through pending negotiations aimed at concluding a bilateral trade agreement, the statement read. Before their bilateral meeting began, Trump told the media that the U.S.-Japanese deficit is "coming down." However, when asked about Trump's comment that he is planning a trip to Japan, an anonymous White House official told the media that "the president intends to make a trip to Japan next year. We have nothing else to announce." Japan was set to hold the G20 summit next year. Later on the same day, Trump, Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a trilateral meeting summit, the first ever of its kind, according to the White House. FILE PHOTO: A Boeing 737 MAX 8 sits outside the hangar during a media tour of the Boeing 737 MAX at the Boeing plant in Renton, Washington December 8, 2015. (Xinhua/REUTERS/Matt Mills McKnight) SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Top U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company on Friday delivered its 2,000th airplane to China, which is a milestone for the U.S. aircraft maker in the world's largest commercial aviation market. The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX, is the eighth of the same model that Boeing has delivered to Xiamen Airlines, a fast growing carrier that operates the largest all-Boeing fleet in China with more than 200 jets. "Our long-standing industrial relationship in this market has been mutually beneficial, fueling significant growth in Boeing's business, the U.S. economy, and the Chinese aviation industry," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing at Boeing. Che Shanglun, chairman of Xiamen Airlines, said his company has steadily grown in the past 34 years, doubling its fleet size over the past five years and achieving profits for 31 years in a row. "Throughout that time, Boeing has been a valued partner in our growth and expansion by providing safe and reliable airplanes," he said. Xiamen Airlines is one of Boeing's more than 30 commercial customers in China. Boeing-made jets comprise more than half of the over 3,000 jetliners flying in the Asian country. Boeing delivered its first 1,000 airplanes to Chinese airlines over four decades, but the next 1,000 Boeing jets have been delivered over the past five years. The next 20 years will witness China's commercial fleet more than doubled, and Boeing predicts China, the world's second largest economy, will need 7,690 new airplanes valued at 1.2 trillion U.S. dollars by 2038. The commercial services market in China will be driven by a growing demand of 1.5 trillion dollars over the next two decades, accounting for 17 percent of the world total, Boeing said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 06:52:07|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close BUJUMBURA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Burundian Attorney General Sylvestre Nyandwi on Friday evening announced the issuance of 17 international arrest warrants, including that of former Burundi President Pierre Buyoya, for suspicion of involving in assassinating Burundi's first Hutu President Melchior Ndadaye. "As the 17 persons are not on the Burundian territory, we have launched international arrest warrants so that countries hosting them can arrest them and extradite them to Burundi in order to explain their suspected role in the assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye," Nyandwi said at a press briefing in Burundian capital Bujumbura. Nyandwi called on political leaders to abstain from interfering in the ongoing process of investigations by avoiding ambiguous speeches and rather cooperate with the prosecution. Besides the former Tutsi president who was in office from 1987 to 1993 and from 1996 to 2003, the wanted include ministers in his presidential terms and retired senior army officers. Buyoya has been High Representative of the African Union (AU) for Mali and the Sahel since Oct. 2012, and is staying in Mali. Four retired senior army officers were arrested last Saturday in Bujumbura for allegedly being among masterminds in the killing of Ndadaye. Ndadaye was killed on Oct. 21, 1993, just 102 days after he was sworn in as president. Despite the adoption of a ethnic unity charter on Feb. 5, 1991, when the country's three main ethnic groups -- Hutu, Tutsi and Twa -- accepted to live in harmony and avoid confrontations, one of the biggest crises broke out with the assassination of Ndadaye, which sparked inter-ethnic violence with at least 300,000 victims. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 06:57:08|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close HELSINKI, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Finland will join the efforts to build a railroad from Tallinn, Estonia to Warsaw, Poland, Finnish Minister for Communications and Transport Anne Berner said here Friday The connection is essential for the feasibility of the possible railroad tunnel that goes across Gulf of Finland, a project that is still in the early stage of planning. Finland is preparing for a partnership with the RB Rail AS, a joint venture created by the Baltic states to coordinate the Rail Baltica project. The project is part of the TEN-T core networks of the European Union (EU) and is to be operational in 2025. Berner underlined Rail Baltica as a new route for transports to Europe and Asia. The possible railroad tunnel from Helsinki to Tallinn via the Gulf of Finland would later connect with Rail Baltica. Berner and Estonian Minister for Infrastructure Kadri Simonson discussed the tunnel project in Helsinki on Friday. There is currently no schedule, nor an actual budget for the tunnel. The ministers said an environmental study will take five to six years. In addition to the tunnel plan promoted by Finnish and Estonian governments, there is a private tunnel initiative ongoing with a slightly different routing. Berner said that for a project of this size "there cannot be parallel plans". "But for the operators and the financiers, we are open," she said. "Whoever builds the tunnel will need structural support and what we are doing here is to provide those structural elements," Berner said. Besides an expected 40 percent EU input, the tunnel would need public and private financing. The Finnish government has outlined that the tunnel must be included in the EU core routes. Berner said Finland and Estonia must do their homework about the tunnel first, and then apply. Both ministers will attend the EU Transport and Communications Council meeting in Brussels next week. The EU core network list and its implementation are on the agenda there, Berner said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 07:07:13|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close ROME, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Italy's fragile economic recovery is showing its strongest signs yet of faltering, throwing new doubt on the government's ability to keep its deficit within acceptable limits over the next year. In the latest development, Italy's National Statistics Institute, ISTAT, revealed Friday that the country's beleaguered economy contracted in the third quarter of the year, the first time it failed to show any growth in fiscal quarter in more than four years. ISTAT said lower-than-expected domestic demand was to blame for the 0.1-percent drop in the size of the country's gross domestic product(GDP) for the July-to-September period. The change puts the economy on pace to grow just 0.7 percent this year, compared to previous estimates of 0.8 percent. Earlier in the year estimates were that the economy could grow twice that rate, raising hopes for a mild recovery after ten years of slow growth. The news from ISTAT comes on the heels of a research report from U.S.-based banking giant Morgan Stanley, which estimated the country's economy will grow just 0.5 percent in 2019. That is significantly weaker than other estimates for Italian economic prospects next year, which include predicted growth of 1.2 percent from the European Commission, 1.1 percent from ISTAT, 1.0 percent from the International Monetary Fund and 0.9 percent from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The trouble for the Italian government is that the government's budget draft for next year is based on estimates that the economy will grow 1.5 percent next year -- higher than the estimates from any major multilateral group or financial institution. "There was a time when the consensus was for the economy to grow 1.4 or 1.5 percent next year but these figures are continually adjusted and nobody thinks that now," Antonio Esposito, a consultant and retired ISTAT economist, told Xinhua. Italy has been locked in a battle with the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, for six weeks over the size of the country's deficit next year. Italy's original 2019 draft budget plan included a deficit equivalent to 2.4 percent of the country's GDP -- three times larger than the plan of the previous government. Commissioners repeatedly refused to allow the 2.4 percent figure, and this week Italy gave signals it could produce a budget plan with a deficit of 2.2 percent of GDP. The situation remains unresolved, as the clock ticks toward the final deadline for a formal budget submission. But according to Alessandro Missale, a political economist with the State University of Milan, slower growth means that if everything goes according to plans the actual deficit will most likely end up totaling 2.8 or 2.9 percent of GDP. "If growth in Italy is one percentage point lower than in an estimate, that means the country will take in around 18 billion euros (20.4 billion U.S. dollars) less tax revenue," Missale said in an interview. Even if deficit remains steady in absolute terms it would be larger as a percentage of GDP if the economy grows less than forecast. Though important, reduced tax revenue is not the biggest problem, Missale said. Economic worries and political instability have been driving yields on government bonds higher over the course of 2018. Higher bond yields, which reflect investor jitters, mean the government must pay more money to borrow money, while eroding personal savings among individuals and reducing profits for banks, making them less likely to loan money. That is a point Morgan Stanley made in its research, estimating one government policy -- plans to provide a minimum basic income for Italians -- would on its own make the economy nearly 0.4 percent smaller next year. "With its standoff against the commission, the government is hurting itself by increasing its spending and making it harder for the economy to grow," Missale said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 07:17:16|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close YAOUNDE, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon President Paul Biya said on Friday that a committee has been created to disarm fighters of terror group Boko Haram and armed separatists and to help with their reintegration into civil life. "The committee shall be responsible for organizing, supervising and managing the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-fighters of Boko Haram and armed groups in the Northwest and Southwest regions willing to response favorably to the Head of State's peace appeal by laying down their arms." Biya said in a statement that was released Friday evening. According to the 85-year old president, the committee dubbed National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee (NDDRC) will take appropriate measures to collect and destroy weapons, munitions and explosives captured from the separatist and Boko Haram fighters. The committee will provide the ex-fighters with better means of livelihood, he said. "(The committee will) facilitate the reintegration of ex-fighters particularly by organizing, training and providing them with tools and means of production and assistance for the creation of income generating activities" Biya said. Boko Haram has killed nearly 2,500 Cameroonians between 2014 and 2017, according to Cameroon's defense ministry. On Wednesday, two Boko Haram suicide bombers detonated in a busy market in Amchide of the Cameroon's Far North region, 29 people were injured, according to the national channel CRTV. Fighting is still intense in two English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest where more than 430,000 people have been displaced internally according to the United Nations. Armed separatists are seeking to secede from the Francophone-majority Cameroon and create a new Anglophone nation called "Ambazonia." In early November, Cameroon's Minister of Territorial Administration said "many" armed separatists have surrendered and asked to be reintegrated into society. Separatists said the minister's declaration was "fake" and insisted those who surrendered were "not fighters." Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 07:17:17|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close LONDON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The UK's minister for universities and science Sam Gyimah has resigned in protest at Theresa May's Brexit deal, it was reported here Friday. Local newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported that Gyimah called the Brexit deal "naive" and said any deal struck with Brussels will be "EU first". The Conservative MP has become the seventh member of the Government to quit since May unveiled the draft Withdrawal Agreement. Gyimah said the plan was "not in the British national interest" and that voting for it would "set ourselves up for failure" by surrendering "our voice, our vote and our veto". He said that May should not rule out holding a second referendum, The Daily Telegraph reported. Members of the U.S. border patrol take part in a drill in Sundland Park, United States, on November 30, 2018, as seen from Tijuana, in the Mexico-U.S. border. (Xinhua/AFP) WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon is expected soon to extend the deployment of thousands of active-duty troops stationed along the U.S. southern border with Mexico through the end of January following the incoming caravans of Central American migrants, according to NPR, citing defense officials. The deployment, announced late October to assist U.S. border law enforcement in the wake of incoming caravans of Central American migrants, had been slated to end on Dec. 15. Besides, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis is likely to reduce the force's size to around 4,000 troops, from the current number of about 5,900, NPR reported Friday. The official announcement is expected to be made this weekend. The active-duty military personnel are meant to help strengthen the security of the U.S. southern border but they are allowed to provide only engineering, logistic and medical support. Caravans of migrants, many of whom say they were fleeing from poverty and violence in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador and want to claim asylum in the United States, were traveling through Central America towards the U.S.-Mexico border for weeks. Thousands of those migrants, including women and children, have arrived in Mexican border city of Tijuana. A handful of them started a hunger strike this week to pressure U.S. authorities to process their claims. U.S. President Donald Trump urged Mexico earlier this week to send those Central American migrants back to their home countries, as his administration is trying to deny claims by asylum seekers who enter the United States between ports of entry, a move temporarily blocked by a federal judge. In addition to the active-duty personnel, the Trump administration has sent over 2,000 National Guard troops to the border. The troop deployment has been criticized as a political stunt. House Democrats have threatened to investigate the deployment when the new Congress convenes in early January. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 09:52:47|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export, which accounts for about half of the export-driven economy, rose 4.5 percent from a year earlier to 51.92 billion U.S. dollars in November, data by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy showed Saturday. It was the third-biggest export ever recorded by the economy, topping 50 billion dollars for the seventh consecutive month. Import advanced 11.4 percent over the year to 46.78 billion dollars in November, sending the trade surplus to 5.14 billion dollars. The trade balance stayed in the black for 82 months in a row. For the first 11 months of this year, the export amounted to 557.2 billion dollars, up 6.2 percent compared with the same period of last year. During the January-November period, the import expanded 12.9 percent over the year to 491 billion dollars. Trade surplus in the same period was 66.2 billion dollars. File photo taken on Sept. 20, 2018 shows a scene of trial operation of Vietnam's first urban railwayin Hanoi, Vietnam. (Xinhua/Ngo Minh Tien) by Tao Jun, Bui Long HANOI, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- An elevated train was crossing quietly and rapidly over the first multi-layer intersection in Vietnam's Hanoi capital, while down below a plethora of vehicles were running at a snail's pace in a hot autumn day full of ear-popping sounds, a mixture of motorbike exhausts and horns, and ambulance sirens. For many foreign visitors to Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general, even for some local residents, crossing roads or enduring traffic congestions or jams during rush hour almost everyday is a real challenge. "Buses here are often overcrowded; many young riders usually over-speed or cross the red light; and there are almost no lanes designated for cyclists or pedestrians," a Thai visitor named Natthamon told Xinhua in late November, smilingly joking, "You should buy travel insurance before going around Hanoi." For most of Hanoians, traveling in the capital city is not so costly or dangerous, but rather inconvenient. "I ride my motorbike all the year round and have yet to face any traffic accidents over the past 10 years, although according to official statistics, everyday Vietnam faces around 50 traffic accidents which kill over 20 people. What I hate most about traffic here is the frequent occurrence of congestions and jams," local journalist Nguyen Thu Huong said, noting that it takes her 45-60 minutes to cover 10 km between her house and her office. By mid-2017, Hanoi, with a population of nearly 7.7 million, had some five million motorbikes and 500,000 cars, according to the municipal Transport Department. The city has decided to ban all motorbikes from running in its urban districts from 2030. Vu Hong Truong, chairman of the Hanoi Railway One Member Limited Company, stated that developing urban railway system in Hanoi is an urgent issue because the city is encountering serious traffic congestion and environmental pollution. Truong said Hanoi's first urban railway, Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated rail line constructed by China Railway Sixth Group Co. Ltd. using Chinese ODA and Vietnamese reciprocal capital, is completing final steps such as auxiliary equipment like elevators and decoration before kicking off commercial operation. There will be 13 trains, including 12 in operation and one in standby, running through 12 stations in a total distance of 13 kilometers in 3 districts, Sun Dezhi, deputy general manager of the overseas branch of China Railway 6th Group, told Xinhua. Each train, which has four carriages with a total length of 79 meters, can carry up to 1,000 passengers. It will take passengers around 30 minutes to complete the whole journey, fairly rapid compared to other means of transport because they go on their own way. "A train's maximum speed is 80 kilometers per hour, and its average speed is 35 kilometers per hour. In the short term, trains will depart for every 6 minutes. After that, the interval will be only 2 minutes and 30 seconds," Sun said. The Chinese company uses on-stream welding technology to ensure high speed, noise and vibration reduction, and anti-derailment, and the signal system is CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control). "CBTC is the most modern technology in the world. This system helps shorten intervals between trains' departure. The train has an automatic control system which controls its speed," Sun said. The Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated railway project officially started construction in October 2011. The trial run of the railway officially began in September 2018. File photo taken on Sept. 20, 2018 shows a scene of trial operation of Vietnam's first urban railwayin Hanoi, Vietnam. (Xinhua/Wang Di) "There are about 200 Chinese employees on site in Vietnam, and around 1,500 Chinese employees provide back-office support in China," Sun said, adding that hundreds of Vietnamese technicians have been trained in either Vietnam or China to operate the railway system. "This new means of transport in Vietnam will carry a large number of passengers quickly and conveniently," Nguyen Ngoc Dong, Vietnamese deputy minister of transport, told reporters in late September when he partook in checking and supervising the rail line's trial operation. During a test run of Cat Linh-Ha Dong rail line, many Vietnamese people were invited to board trains, and all of them expressed their satisfaction with the new means of transport in Hanoi. "Using this air-conditioned train, we do not have to suffer from traffic accidents, congestions, jams, smoke, dust, heat in summer or coldness in winter, while it runs quickly and quietly," Tran Nhat Duat, a 73-year-old former staff of the Hanoi Transport Department, told Xinhua. Many other Vietnamese people, both old and young, males and females, shared similar views. "You see, my sister and I are standing without clutching steel holders to pose for photos on this running train, but we do not lean forward or backward at all. That means the train is running very smoothly," Vu Hien, a young office clerk of South Korean-invested SB Tech Vina Company, told Xinhua. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder to Hien was her younger sister, Vu Nga, who works as a consultant for overseas studying in Japan. "This Cat Linh-Ha Dong rail route is not along the way we go to work everyday. We hope that more routes like this will be built," she said. Vietnamese transport officials are considering similar plans to facilitate travel of local working people and visitors. "We should develop at least three urban rail lines and more bus routes to link its urban transport systems in the coming time," Dong said. "In my opinion, this elevated railway project helps not only ease transport pressure in Hanoi, but also promote the traditional friendship and win-win cooperation between China and Vietnam. It is a symbol of the interface between China's Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's 'Two Corridors and One Circle' plan," Sun stated. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 10:32:54|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called on China and Turkey to strengthen cooperation and share development opportunities when meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, here on Friday. The two leaders held talks on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in the Argentine capital. Pointing out that both China and Turkey are emerging market economies, Xi urged the two countries to strengthen coordination and cooperation, share development opportunities and meet challenges and risks together. Xi said he and the Turkish president have kept close communication in recent years and jointly led the strategic cooperation between their countries to a higher level. He called on the relevant departments of the two countries to cooperate closely to fully implement the consensus achieved by him and the Turkish president and strive for tangible results. Xi said China supports the efforts by Turkey to maintain its steady development. The Chinese side is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Turkey to jointly oppose protectionism and unilateralism and safeguard the common interest of emerging market economies. Erdogan said he is pleased that Turkey-China relations have kept developing and deepening. The Turkish side looks forward to carrying out closer high-level exchanges with China, speaks highly of the Belt and Road Initiative, and is ready to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as trade and economy, investment, aviation and tourism within the Belt and Road framework, he said. The Turkish side is ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with China in international and regional affairs, he added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 10:58:00|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export topped 50 billion U.S. dollars for seven months through November on robust demand for locally-made semiconductors and higher export price for oil products, the government report showed Saturday. Export, which accounts for about half of the export-driven economy, gained 4.5 percent from a year earlier to 51.92 U.S. dollars in November, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. It logged the third-largest monthly figure since the data began to be compiled in 1956, surpassing 50 billion dollars for the seventh consecutive month for the first time. Import advanced 11.4 percent over the year to 46.78 billion dollars in November, sending the trade surplus to 5.14 billion dollars. The trade balance stayed in the black for 82 months in a row. The daily average export grew 4.5 percent to 2.16 billion dollars in the cited period, marking the biggest November reading in the country's history. The export price climbed 4 percent on higher prices for oil product, steel and home appliances, while export volume rose 0.5 percent on demand for general machinery, ship and automobile that offset soft demand for petrochemicals and computer. For the first 11 months of this year, the export reached a new high of 557.2 billion dollars, up 6.2 percent from the same period of last year. During the 11-month period, the daily average export grew 6 percent to 2.25 billion dollars, the highest ever posted by the Asia's fourth-largest economy. Import expanded 12.9 percent over the year to 491 billion dollars in the January-November period, generating the trade surplus of 66.2 billion dollars. The November export, which exceeded 50 billion dollars, came from the continued demand for locally-made chips and higher oil product price, caused by expensive crude oil. Semiconductor export advanced 11.6 percent over the year to 10.68 billion dollars in November, topping 10 billion dollars for the seventh consecutive month. Outbound shipment for oil product jumped 23.5 percent to 4.22 billion dollars, surpassing 3 billion dollars for the 13th straight month. Petrochemical export topped 4 billion dollars for 12 months in a row. Ship export turned upward for the first time in nine months, while general machinery shipment exceeded 4 billion dollars for nine straight months for the first time. In November, auto export reduced 2 percent from a year earlier on the back of weak demand from the Middle East and the tightened environment regulation in Europe. Auto parts shipment fell 0.5 percent in November, after surging 36.8 percent in the previous month. Display panel shipment declined 10 percent last month on lower LCD panel price, while export of telecommunication devices, such as smartphone, plunged 42.2 percent as local manufacturers increased production in overseas plants. Computer export shrank 10.8 percent, and shipment for home appliances slumped 16.8 percent on stiff competition with U.S., European and Chinese rivals. By region, South Korea's export to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) increased 13 percent from a year earlier to 9.41 billion dollars in November. It marked the country's biggest shipment to the region. Exports to the United States, the European Union (EU), Japan and Vietnam rose for two months in a row, with those to India growing for the third consecutive month. Shipment to China, South Korea's biggest trading partner, fell 2.5 percent in November, after rising 17.6 percent in the previous month on weak demand for display panel and smartphone. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 10:58:01|Editor: ZD Video Player Close The 13th summit of the Group of 20 (G20) is held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech titled "Look Beyond the Horizon and Steer the World Economy in the Right Direction" at the first session of the summit. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged the Group of 20 (G20) to stick to openness, partnership, innovation and inclusiveness and steer world economy responsibly. Xi made the remarks while addressing the 13th G20 summit in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. He warned the G20 leaders of accelerated accumulation of risks in global economy and pledged that China will firmly push forward a new round of reform and opening-up, with increased efforts in intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and more imports. Noting that it has been 10 years since the global financial crisis broke out and the first G20 summit was convened, the Chinese president said the global economy today, while maintaining growth on the whole, is still not free from the underlying impacts of the crisis. Old growth drivers are yet to be replaced by new ones, while various risks are rapidly building up, he said, adding that the world economy is facing another historical choice. "We G20 members must closely follow the underlying historical trend so as to chart the course for the future. In mankind's relentless quest for development and progress, the trend toward openness and integration among countries is unstoppable despite ups and downs in the global economy," Xi said. Greater coordination and complementarity among countries meet the need of productivity growth and will also shape the future of relations of production, he said. In this process, countries are increasingly becoming a community with shared interests, shared responsibilities and a shared future, Xi said, stressing that win-win cooperation is the only choice going forward. "Facing various challenges, we must have a stronger sense of urgency, be rational in approach and look beyond the horizon. We must fulfill our responsibility and steer the global economy in the right direction," he told the G20 leaders. Noting that the G20 was born out of the international community's need to maintain stable growth of the global economy, Xi said the group has braced difficulties together, navigated the global economy out of recession and brought it back to the track of recovery and growth over the past decade. "Ten years later, let us work with the same courage and strategic vision and ensure that the global economy grows on the right track," he said, putting forward a four-point proposal to the summit. Firstly, Xi called on G20 members to stay committed to openness and cooperation and uphold the multilateral trading system. "We should firmly uphold free trade and the rules-based multilateral trading system," he said. China supports necessary reform of the World Trade Organization, and believes that it is critical to uphold the WTO's core values and fundamental principles such as openness, inclusiveness and non-discrimination and ensure the development interests and policy space of developing countries, according to the Chinese president. During the process, all sides need to conduct extensive consultation to achieve gradual progress, he said. Secondly, Xi urged the G20 to forge strong partnership and step up macro-policy coordination. All participating sides should employ the three tools of fiscal and monetary policies and structural reform in a holistic way to ensure strong, balanced, sustainable and inclusive growth of the global economy, Xi said. Developed economies, when adopting monetary and fiscal policies, should give more consideration to and work to minimize the impact such policies may exert on emerging markets and developing economies, he said. The international monetary system should become more diversified, and the global financial safety net should continue to be strengthened, he added. Thirdly, the G20 should stay committed to innovation and create new momentum for growth, Xi said. He called on the group to encourage innovation and leverage the role of the digital economy in growing the real economy. "We need to watch out for risks and challenges brought by the application of new technologies, and strengthen the legal and regulatory framework," Xi said, adding that more efforts are needed to boost education and vocational training. "We should give priority to achieving development through fully tapping our innovation potential. At the same time, we also need to keep our doors open and encourage the spread of new technologies and knowledge so that innovation will benefit more countries and peoples," said the Chinese president. To better adapt to and guide technological innovation, Xi proposed that the G20 carry out an in-depth study on the application and impact of new technologies on a priority basis to explore new thinking and new ways of cooperation in this area. Fourthly, Xi urged the G20 to stay committed to win-win cooperation to promote inclusive global development. "We need to continue to follow a people-centered development philosophy and endeavor to deliver a sense of fulfillment, happiness and security to our people," Xi said. He encouraged the G20 members to continue to prioritize development in global macro-policy coordination, implement in real earnest the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and give strong support to work in this area within the UN framework. Calling on the group to protect the development interests and space of developing countries, Xi said the G20 should also continue to support Africa's development by helping Africa with its infrastructure and connectivity building and new industrialization. Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, Xi recalled that during the past 40 years, with the support of the international community, the Chinese people have forged ahead with perseverance and made historic achievements in development. China owes its progress to reform and opening-up, and will continue to advance on this path, Xi told the G20 leaders, pledging to continue to deepen market-oriented reform, protect property rights and IPR, encourage fair competition and do more to expand imports. China will continue to improve its business environment, and hopes that all countries will work together for a free, open, inclusive and orderly international economic environment, Xi said. The Chinese president arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday night to attend the G20 summit and pay a state visit to Argentina. Argentina is the second stop of Xi's Europe and Latin America trip from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5, which had taken him to Spain and also includes state visits to Panama and Portugal. Related: Full text of Xi's remarks at Session I of G20 summit in Buenos Aires Xi, other G20 leaders gather to build consensus for fair, sustainable development Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 12:03:09|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Friday that his country has always believed that multilateralism is the only path that best suits the interests of the people of all countries. Xi made the remarks when meeting with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Argentine capital Buenos Aires. There is no better choice for world countries other than strengthening multilateral cooperation in the face of one global challenge after another, Xi said. The Chinese president said he has been pondering on how world countries can achieve joint consultation and shared benefits, harmony in diversity and cooperation for win-win results in the face of a variety of interests and concerns, which led to his proposals of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative. No matter how the situation changes, Xi said, China will uphold multilateralism and support the UN to play an even bigger role, Xi said. Xi said he believes that most of the countries in the world will stand on the side of multilateralism. He pointed out that strengthening cooperation with the UN has been a consistent diplomatic priority of China. China will actively participate in the 24th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change scheduled for December in Poland and strive for a comprehensive and balanced result, Xi said. Guterres called on the international community to be firmly committed to advancing multilateralism and let multilateralism play its part. He noted that China has always upheld multilateralism, supported international cooperation in tackling climate change and other areas and played an exemplary role in implementing the Paris Agreement, and that the UN highly appreciates the efforts by the Chinese side. China has proved to be an important pillar for multilateralism, the UN chief said. The UN expects China to play a bigger role in promoting global trade, tackling climate change and realizing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 12:33:12|Editor: ZD Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi here Friday on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit and they agreed to increase mutual trust and bring the bilateral ties to a higher level. Noting that Friday's meeting is the fourth between the two leaders this year, Xi said that the various important consensuses between him and Modi are being earnestly implemented and the bilateral ties have witnessed stable development. The China-India relations have seen an increasingly positive momentum, which not only brings strong growth impetus for the two countries, but also injects stability and certainty into the profoundly dynamic international situation, said Xi. Xi said he is willing to maintain close communication with Modi and jointly lead the China-India relations to faster, better, and steadier development. The two sides should utilize their dialogue mechanisms on political and diplomatic affairs, border issues, security, economy and trade, and cultural exchanges to strengthen communication and increase mutual trust, said Xi. The two sides should deepen their practical cooperation, expand bilateral trade, and enhance cooperation on investment, healthcare, poverty reduction, environmental protection and disaster prevention and relief, said Xi, who also called for broader cultural exchanges between the two countries. The two sides should explore ways to carry out cooperation with third parties in a broader scope and strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral organizations such as the United Nations, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, said Xi. Noting that the global economy is facing growing risks, Xi said that China and India should increase coordination and cooperation and join hands for proper responses to such risks. The two sides should adhere to innovation-led growth and deepen reform so as to keep a steady and rather fast economic growth, said Xi. Xi also urged efforts to promote South-South cooperation, and highlighted the need to adhere to the core values and principles of the World Trade Organization, and to safeguard the development space and rights for developing countries. The two sides should work together to build an open world economy, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all, said Xi. President Xi attaches great importance to the India-China ties and gives a vigorous boost to the relations, said Modi. India appreciates China's timely offer of hydrologic data, which is of great importance for flood management in India, said Modi. The Indian side is willing to increase mutual trust with China, and make good use of the meeting mechanism of the special representatives of China and India on the boundary issue and maintain peace and stability in the border areas, said Modi. The Indian side is also willing to push forward various dialogues with China and deepen communication and cooperation on trade, medicine, telecommunication, tourism, law enforcement as well as in multilateral affairs, said Modi. Modi said he is ready to work with Xi to bring the India-China ties to a new level. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 12:48:15|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met here Friday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit and they agreed to step up negotiations on two regional free trade deals. Noting that Abe paid a successful visit to China earlier this year, Xi said that the consensus reached during the visit is being implemented and that China-Japan relations have taken on a new look. The two sides should set the right direction and open up new prospects for the China-Japan relationship on the basis of the four political documents undergirding their ties, said Xi. The development of China-Japan relations now enjoys more favorable conditions than in the past, and there is great potential for their practical cooperation on trade and economy, said Xi. China welcomes Japan to continue to take part in China's reform and opening-up process and seize new opportunities arising from China's growth, said Xi, adding that the two sides should give full play to their economic complementarity and increase the scope and depth of bilateral cooperation. Xi said the two sides should work together to complete as early as possible the negotiations over the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the trilateral free trade agreement (FTA) among China, Japan and South Korea. The RCEP is a proposed FTA between the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the six FTA partners of ASEAN -- China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India. Measures should be taken to increase people-to-people exchanges so as to consolidate the social foundation and public support for China-Japan ties, said Xi. The Chinese president suggested the two sides constantly increase strategic mutual trust based on the principled consensus he and Abe reached on building constructive bilateral security relations. The two sides should also properly handle various major sensitive issues so as to prevent them from disturbing the growth of bilateral relations, said Xi, adding that China supports Japan in hosting a successful G20 summit next year. Abe said he was glad to see the two sides reach important consensus on bilateral relations in the new phase during his October visit to China, and that the Japanese side will continue to work with China to promote Asia's development. Japan, he added, is willing to join hands with China to increase high-level communication, deepen trade and investment cooperation, expand third-market cooperation, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, especially between the two countries' young generations. Japan values China's important role on the world stage and hopes to enhance communication and coordination with China on multilateral affairs, said Abe. Japan advocates safeguarding free trade and the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization as its core, said Abe, pledging to accelerate negotiations over the RCEP and the China-Japan-South Korea FTA. He added that his country looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China during Japan's presidency of the G20. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 13:28:21|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close CANBERRA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The burden of cyber bullying cost Australian taxpayers 30 million Australian dollars (21.9 million U.S. dollars) over four years, according to a report. A new study published by youth mental health service ReachOut on Saturday revealed that 378,000 Australians aged between 14 and 25 were bullied online in financial year 2017-18. Of those 64,000, or 16.9 percent, sought help from a mental health professional and 49,000 visited their General Practitioner (GP), with taxpayers picking up the bill via Australia's universal health care system, Medicare. The figure of 30 million Australian dollars was calculated based on the 36.3 Australian dollars (26.5 U.S. dollars) Medicare rebate to patients for a GP visit and 84.8 Australian dollars (62 U.S. dollars) rebate for a psychologist visit. "The difficulty with cyber bullying is often there's no escape for young people, with the bullies effectively having a key to every area of their life, including their home," Ashley De Silva, chief executive of ReachOut, told News Corp Australia on Saturday. However, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) said that the figure was likely too conservative. Tony Bartone, president of the AMA, said that GPs were being swamped by teenage patients suffering from mental health issues as a result of online harassment. "We do need to get serious about this. There are enormous gaps in the system," the president said. Cyber bullying in Australia made international headlines in January when 14-year-old Amy "Dolly" Everett, who was the face of an iconic advertising campaign, took her own life in January after being bullied online. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 13:38:23|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday met with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir to discuss the upcoming Yemen peace talks and the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. According to a statement issued by State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert, the two officials met in Buenos Aires on the margins of the Group of 20 summit, when they discussed a range of regional and bilateral issues including the upcoming talks related to the Yemen conflict, as well as the investigation into Khashoggi's death. Also on Friday, the White House said that U.S. President Donald Trump had encountered Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman earlier on the same day, when they "exchanged pleasantries at the leaders session as he did with nearly every leader in attendance." "We had no discussion. We might, but had none," Trump said when asked by the media about the possibility of a formal meeting between him and the crown prince. Khashoggi has been missing since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. The Saudi authorities said he died in a "brawl" in the consulate. After releasing the results of its initial investigation, the Saudi Public Prosecution announced that 18 Saudis were arrested for their alleged connections with the killing. The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on 17 individuals over their alleged roles in the killing of Khashoggi in mid-November, following U.S. State Department's decision in late October to revoke 21 Saudi suspects' visas. The U.S. Congress has urged a thorough investigation into the murder of Khashoggi, and threatened to take more actions against Saudi Arabia if those responsible were not held accountable. In response, U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to advance a resolution that could halt U.S. support for the Saudi-led military operation in Yemen. U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis said earlier this month that peace talks to terminate conflicts in Yemen were likely to take place in early December in Sweden. The military conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when Houthi rebels took over the capital of Sanaa, forcing Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile. A Saudi-led coalition allied with the government has been fighting the Houthis since 2015. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 13:53:24|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) on Friday claimed responsibility for an airstrike on the previous day, saying that 11 terrorists were killed in the operation. "In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. Africa Command conducted a precision air strike near Al Uwaynat, Libya," AFRICOM said in a statement. The statement said that 11 al-Qaida members were killed and three vehicles were destroyed. The statement said that no civilians were injured or killed. "AFRICOM will use precision strikes to deny terrorists safe haven in Libya. We will keep pressure on their network, and they remain vulnerable wherever they are," said U.S. Marine Corps Major General Gregg P. Olson, director of the AFRICOM operations. Local media reported on Thursday that an unidentified warplane killed several militants near the southern Libyan city of Ghat. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 14:38:29|Editor: mym Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping(C), Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold an informal meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018. Leaders of China, Russia and India had an in-depth exchange of views on cooperation among their countries under new circumstances at the meeting. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of China, Russia and India had an in-depth exchange of views on cooperation among their countries under new circumstances at an informal meeting held here Friday on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to strengthen coordination, build consensus and increase cooperation among their countries to jointly promote world peace, stability and development. Xi pointed out that China, Russia and India are all major countries of important influence, and they are each other's important strategic cooperation partners. The three countries have extensive common interest and similar development goals, and bear great responsibility for the future of the region and the world as a whole, Xi said. Common development and close cooperation among China, Russia and India under current circumstances have become an increasingly important force for stability and certainty in the transformation of the world landscape, Xi said. In the past over 10 years, Xi said, the three countries have actively conducted trilateral dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of openness, unity, mutual understanding and trust, and have made important progress. He called on the countries to further advance trilateral cooperation in the face of fresh challenges. He suggested that China, Russia and India advocate a new type of international relations, keep consolidating political mutual trust, establish partnerships instead of alliances, and strive for a virtuous cycle in major-country relations and win-win cooperation. He also called on the three countries to strengthen coordination and cooperation in important multilateral mechanisms including the Group of 20, BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China, Russia and India should advance liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, promote an open world economy, take a clear-cut stand against protectionism and unilateralism, and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system as well as the common interest of emerging economies and developing countries, he said. The three countries, he added, should actively champion a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, strengthen regional and global counterterrorism cooperation, promote political settlement of hotspot issues, and play an even bigger part in safeguarding peace and security in the region and the world. For his part, Putin said Russia, China and India are friendly countries to each other and have developed sound relations based on equality and mutual respect. Under the current circumstances, it serves the interest of all three countries and bears positive significance on the world that Russia, China and India strengthen cooperation, he said. He called on the three countries to dedicate themselves to building a fairer and more just international system, promoting world peace and stability, strengthening cooperation in economy and finance and on issues on the G20 agenda, and boosting the synergy between the Eurasian Economic Union and the Belt and Road Initiative. In his remarks, Modi said it is very necessary for the three countries to compare notes on major issues faced by today's world. There are increasing uncertainties on the international horizon, with rising unilateralism and cliquism posing challenges to multilateralism, he said. Modi said developed countries have failed to meet their assistance commitments to developing countries, and that there is a long way to go before the realization of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. India, China and Russia, as major countries in the world, have the responsibility to maintain close communication, and actively play their parts in safeguarding international and regional stability, promoting economic prosperity, sharing development experience and jointly meeting new challenges, so as to safeguard multilateralism and maintain the multilateral system, he added. The three leaders agreed to further strengthen the cooperation mechanism among their countries. The Nandao Island of Xisha Xuande Islands. [Photo by Guo Cheng/Xinhua] Chinese military monitored a US warship that entered Chinese territorial waters without permission and warned it to leave on Monday, a spokesman said on Friday. Navy and Air Force of the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command will continue to watch closely Chinese waters and air to prevent any incident that may harm China's national security and to safeguard national sovereignty, senior colonel Li Huamin, spokesman of the command, said in a statement. On Monday, USS Chancellorsville entered the territorial waters off the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea without China's permission. The command, according to relevant laws and regulations, deployed air and navy forces to monitor and verify the ship, and warned it to leave, he said. The United States should better manage its ships and aircraft to prevent unexpected events, the spokesman said. The PLA has five theater commands, and the Southern Theater Command oversees military personnel and hardware in six southern provincial-level regions: Guangdong, Hunan, Hainan, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. It also operates the PLA South Sea Fleet, which is responsible for maintaining peace and security in the South China Sea. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 14:38:29|Editor: mym Video Player Close LANZHOU, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Yu Shunyuan used to worry about not having enough money to buy fodder. But now, a credit system built by rural credit cooperatives (RCC) is feeding his business. More than 10 years ago, Yu started a pig farm in Lijiagou Village in northwest China's Gansu Province. He raised more than 100 pigs and was always in dire need of cash when it came to buying piglets and fodder, as well as vaccinations. "Borrowing money was killing me," Yu said. "I didn't have anything to pledge as collateral, and loans from friends sometimes hurt our relationship." Things changed after the village, in Gaolan County, was named a "Credit Village" by the county's RCC thanks to the locals' good credit records. Earlier this year, a work group of local RCC staff paid a visit to Yu. After confirming basic information about his family members, his assets, income and expenses, and debt, they assessed Yu as a "Platinum Credit Farmer," meaning he could take out a loan up to 100,000 yuan (14,376 U.S. dollars) requiring nothing but his credit score. For a long time, it has been nearly impossible for local farmers like Yu to expand their businesses due to the lack of collateral for financing. Therefore, overcoming poverty became even harder for people in under-developed areas like Lijiagou Village, once an impoverished village. But now, all Yu needs to do is click on the application of the local RCC on his smartphone to apply for the loan, and the money will be sent the to his account in a short time. There is a "double insurance" assessment system, according to Liu Guojun, with Gaolan's RCC. Besides business conditions and income, the rating system also includes the borrower's relations with neighbors and word of mouth about the borrower's character. "From Normal to Platinum, we divide our customers into five ranks," Liu said. However, once a non-performing loan ratio goes beyond 3 percent in the village, the "Credit Village" title will be taken down, and farmers will no longer be able to borrow money. "The credit of the entire village is our biggest collateral," said Yang Guoyuan, a local official. "So our villagers never delay their repayments." Lijiagou Village used to be mired in grinding poverty. In recent years, fruits, raising domestic animals, and transportation powered the local economy. But farmers were still strapped for cash. "They have suffered a lot due to the lack of capital, so now they try their best to protect the 'Credit Village' title," Yang said, So far, 86 households in the village have passed the assessment, and the microcredit system has granted 6.46 million yuan to the villagers, with more than 3 million yuan already used. According to the county government, by the end of October, five villages in Gaolan, including Lijiagou, have been named as a "Credit Village," and about 23,000 rural households have passed the assessment. Total credit loans have exceeded 680 million yuan. China still has about 30 million impoverished people who pocket less than 2,300 yuan each year and aims to lift all of them out of poverty by 2020. As the country's financial institutions implement inclusive finance to help win the battle against poverty in rural areas, such credit systems have extended to many areas in China. In the county of Weixian in Hebei Province, for example, 20 such "Credit Villages" have been established. In the southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, seven "Credit Townships" have received about 450 million yuan in credit loans. These days, Yu Shunyuan's pig farm has grown, and the number of pigs on his farm has increased to 500. "I don't worry about asking for loans anymore," he said. "Life is so much easier." Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 15:08:33|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BANGKOK, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- APCOM, a Bangkok-based leading NGO which works to fight HIV and advance LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) health and rights across the Asia-Pacific region, marked the World AIDS Day by honoring HIV and LGBT heroes. Heroes of HIV prevention, LGBT rights and community health were among the nine people and organizations who were honored at the 2018 Asia Pacific HERO Awards gala in Bangkok on Friday night. The World AIDS Day, designated on December 1 every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease. Standing for HIV, equality and rights, the HERO Awards acknowledges outstanding service to the HIV response in the Asia-Pacific, and to the region's LGBT communities. The award recipients came from Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Oceania, Malaysia, India and Japan and they were selected from 24 finalists chosen from over 200 nominations received from across the region. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 15:43:38|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ANKARA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- As 2018, declared the "Year of Troy" by Turkey, draws to a close, the newly inaugurated museum built on the Troy archeological site proved to be a tourist magnet doubling the number of visitors to the mythical site. The museum, inaugurated in mid-October, hosts some 2,000 works that have been unearthed in excavations, bringing light to the 5,000-year history of Troy. The museum is located in the current Canakkale province in northwestern Turkey, on the mounds of Hisarlik overlooking the Turkish Aegean coastal plain. Troy is a site immortalized by the Ancient Greek poet Homer, the poet of poets, in his mythical epics the Iliad and the Odyssey, known for its wooden Trojan horse. It is also a real-life archeological site. Throughout the history, the Trojan war has been an inspiration to authors and poets. Homer's works passed down from generation to generation, becoming part of the world's cultural history and one of the fundamental works in the European literature. Many movies, including the 2004 Hollywood blockbuster Troy, starring Brad Pitt as Achilles, made the ancient site even more famous. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Troy's addition to the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage List and the European Year of Cultural Heritage, this year is celebrated as the "Year of Troy" by Turkey. Troy, Iliad and Odyssey are still a source of excitement and inspiration to millions of people all over the world and to those who come and see with their own eyes the location where archeologists said history happened. Bulent Turan, a senior official of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), who is a lawmaker from this region of Turkey, said that half a million foreign tourists have visited Troy since the beginning of 2018, which is more than double of the number of last year. In three to five years, the number of tourists will reach 1 million, which is a boost for tourism and economy, the official was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu Agency. "It's a unique experience. The architecture of the museum is inviting and it is as you feel yourself immersed in the ancient world of the Iliade and Odyssey," said Fabrice Wallargem, a retired Belgian school teacher, who recently made a trip to the museum. The Troy Museum, with its 3,000-square-meter exhibition hall, hosts historical artifacts from Troy and Troia cities, including sculptures, sarcophagi, inscriptions, altars, axes and cutters, terra cotta pottery, metal vessels, gold pieces, weapons, coins, bone objects and tools. Troy is especially considered as a historic cultural heritage for western civilization as Greek mythology is valued as a point of reference. Homer is a must read for school children in European nations. "Troy has always been a place defining today's western civilization, a very important place immortalized in Homer's works which are thought in classes in Europe," Burcu Erciyas, archeology professor from the Ankara Middle East Technical University (METU) told Xinhua. The experienced archeologist hailed the "Year of Troy" as an "honor" for the archeological academia but also added a note of frustration to the fact that neither the Iliad nor the Odyssey are incorporated in Turkish school curriculum. The city was long thought to be purely mythical until the groundbreaking and controversial work of amateur archeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who began uncovering the site in the 1870s. He later smuggled the treasures that he found to Germany via Greece. Turkish officials hope that the year-long project would give impetus to efforts deployed in order to obtain the repatriation of Troy's treasures, which were smuggled and made their way abroad during the Ottoman Empire and the subsequent Turkish Republic, to the lands to which they belong. Turkey is leading painstaking efforts for the return of plundered ancient artifacts from Anatolia, the cradle of many civilizations, over the past 200 years that now sit at museums and private collections across Europe and North America. Experts believe that up to 200,000 items have been taken overseas. There have been recent successes, such as the return of a Roman sarcophagus depictions of 12 labors of Hercules that had been smuggled from southern Turkey in the 1960s, but there is still a long and winding road ahead for Turkey's cultural detectives. "It's problematic to get back artifacts which are now in museums abroad. Of course there is a big diplomatic struggle to retrieve them," said Erciyas. Building a museum to host Troy's treasures can be a good argument, but nevertheless, it is still very difficult to obtain their return, Erciyas added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 15:43:38|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian authorities had arrested 14,488 illicit drug suspects in 7,229 cases during the first eleven months of 2018, said an Interior Ministry's anti-drug department report on Saturday. Some 8,222 suspects were involved in drug trafficking and 6,266 were related to drug use, the report said, adding that 242 of them are foreigners in 18 nationalities. The report said that over 524 kilos of drugs, including heroin, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills and ketamine, were confiscated from the suspects during the January-November period this year. In the entirety of 2017, the Southeast Asian country caught 17,795 drug suspects in 8,173 cases, seizing nearly 300 kilos of illicit drugs. Cambodia has no death sentence for illicit drug traffickers. Under its law, someone found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of illicit drug will be imprisoned for life. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 16:03:42|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- With only days to go before Democrats take control in January, House Republicans are struggling to push forward a newly introduced tax bill, hoping to bring it to vote sometime next week. Republican Kevin Brady, who will step down as House Ways and Means Committee chairman in five weeks, released the 297-page tax bill on Monday, which will extend some tax breaks set to expire, address some glitches in the 2017 tax cut law, offer incentives for retirement savings, and revamp the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The tax bill will also provide tax relief for victims of the California wildfires and other natural disasters. Brady said Friday that lawmakers will continue to work on the bill and aim to move the bill to the House floor sometime next week, though he didn't specify the date. The bill was originally expected to get a vote on Friday. The bill needs a simple majority to pass the House, so any further delay of the vote would be disadvantageous for Republicans, who lost a few seats to Democrats in the midterm election early November and will be in the minority in January. Cathy Koch, Americas tax policy leader for Ernst & Young and a longtime senior Democratic tax aide in the Senate, said Thursday that she'd be "surprised" if the tax package passes during Congress's lame-duck session. Joining a panel discussion co-hosted by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, Koch said she thinks a "smaller version" of that bill will pass, as there are some "very appealing" things that enjoy bipartisan support, such as the IRS reform. In a keynote speech after the panel discussion, former Democratic Senator John Breaux said he believes the bill is not going to be approved in the Senate. "They have no appetite for making some of those tax cuts permanent," said Breaux, once a senior Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee and a widely recognized bipartisan leader. The bill needs 60 votes to clear the Senate, and that could be quite challenging for Republicans, who currently only control 51 seats. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 16:08:47|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Finance Minister Eduardo Guardia said here on Friday that the country's third quarter output points to a gradual, consistent expansion in the economy. Brazil's gross domestic product in the third quarter this year grew by 0.8 percent on a quarter-on-quarter basis, and by 1.3 percent from the third quarter last year, according to statistics released earlier in the day by Brazil's statistical authority IBGE. The numbers are in line with the government's expectations, said the finance minister, who traveled to Argentina for the Group of 20 (G20) summit. In the first three quarters of the year, Brazil's GDP grew by 1.1 percent from the same period in 2017. Guardia said the growth figures could have been higher if not for the temporary suspension in the activities of the Paulina Oil Refinery and the economic volatility seen during the recent general elections. He said the government expects a full-year growth of 1.4 percent for 2018. He said the continuation of economic reforms in Brazil will lead to an acceleration of growth and stressed the importance of keeping up with the economic adjustments. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 16:23:51|Editor: mmm Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- General Motors (GM) Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra will meet with U.S. lawmakers next week to discuss the company's plans to close five plants in North America next year and cut up to 14,000 jobs, Bloomberg News reported Friday. Citing two Congressional sources, Bloomberg said Democratic Senators Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Gary Peters of Michigan, are among the lawmakers planning to meet with the GM CEO. The Detroit-based auto giant announced on Monday that it would effectively close five assembly and propulsion plants in the United States and Canada in 2019, drawing harsh criticism in from both political parties. U.S. President Donald Trump, who had promised to bring jobs back to America, criticized the plan harshly. "The U.S. saved General Motors, and this is the THANKS we get!" the U.S. president tweeted on Tuesday, referring to a government bailout that saved the automaker from bankruptcy during the economic downturn in 2008. The president also threatened to revoke government subsidies for the company, including for electric cars. He could be referring to the 7,500-U.S.-dollar tax breaks the U.S. federal government grants to consumers who buy electric vehicles. In his speech before the signing of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement in Argentina, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday called the plant closures by GM "a heavy blow." He said "it's all the more reason" why the tariffs on steel and aluminum should be removed. In addition to a previously announced factory closure in South Korea, GM said it would also cease operations of another two unspecified plants outside North America by the end of 2019. The company estimated its reorganization plan, aimed to make the company more agile and flexible, will cut its salaried workforce by 15 percent and save as much as 6 billion U.S. dollars. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 16:23:52|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday that he will not sign any climate agreement that will damage the country's agribusiness sector. The statement was made in response to a declaration made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who, earlier this week, said that a trade deal between Mercosur, of which Brazil is a founding member, and the European Union was conditional on Brazil's position on the Paris Climate Agreement. The French president said he cannot ask French workers and farmers to change their production habits to lead the ecological transition, then to sign trade agreements with countries which do not agree to do the same, for it would mean an imbalance of trade agreements. Bolsonaro, whose stance on environmental matters differs from recent Brazilian administrations, has been voicing his intention to pull Brazil from the Paris Agreement. He has recently asked for the withdrawal of Brazil's candidacy for host of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-25) in 2019. "Macron is defending France. This agreement between Mercosur and the European Union harms France's interest, as the country's agribusiness sector is also strong," Bolsonaro said. A troy wooden horse in front of Troy ancient city at Canakkale, Turkey, on Februry 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Shi Chun) ANKARA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- As 2018, declared the "Year of Troy" by Turkey, draws to a close, the newly inaugurated museum built on the Troy archeological site proved to be a tourist magnet doubling the number of visitors to the mythical site. The museum, inaugurated in mid-October, hosts some 2,000 works that have been unearthed in excavations, bringing light to the 5,000-year history of Troy. The museum is located in the current Canakkale province in northwestern Turkey, on the mounds of Hisarlik overlooking the Turkish Aegean coastal plain. Visitors pay a visit to the new Troy museum at Canakkale, Turkey. (Provided by Tory museum) Troy is a site immortalized by the Ancient Greek poet Homer, the poet of poets, in his mythical epics the Iliad and the Odyssey, known for its wooden Trojan horse. It is also a real-life archeological site. Throughout the history, the Trojan war has been an inspiration to authors and poets. Homer's works passed down from generation to generation, becoming part of the world's cultural history and one of the fundamental works in the European literature. Many movies, including the 2004 Hollywood blockbuster Troy, starring Brad Pitt as Achilles, made the ancient site even more famous. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Troy's addition to the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage List and the European Year of Cultural Heritage, this year is celebrated as the "Year of Troy" by Turkey. An overlook of the new Troy museum at Canakkale, Turkey. (Provided by Troy museum) Troy, Iliad and Odyssey are still a source of excitement and inspiration to millions of people all over the world and to those who come and see with their own eyes the location where archeologists said history happened. Bulent Turan, a senior official of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), who is a lawmaker from this region of Turkey, said that half a million foreign tourists have visited Troy since the beginning of 2018, which is more than double of the number of last year. In three to five years, the number of tourists will reach 1 million, which is a boost for tourism and economy, the official was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu Agency. "It's a unique experience. The architecture of the museum is inviting and it is as you feel yourself immersed in the ancient world of the Iliade and Odyssey," said Fabrice Wallargem, a retired Belgian school teacher, who recently made a trip to the museum. The Troy Museum, with its 3,000-square-meter exhibition hall, hosts historical artifacts from Troy and Troia cities, including sculptures, sarcophagi, inscriptions, altars, axes and cutters, terra cotta pottery, metal vessels, gold pieces, weapons, coins, bone objects and tools. Troy is especially considered as a historic cultural heritage for western civilization as Greek mythology is valued as a point of reference. Homer is a must read for school children in European nations. "Troy has always been a place defining today's western civilization, a very important place immortalized in Homer's works which are thought in classes in Europe," Burcu Erciyas, archeology professor from the Ankara Middle East Technical University (METU) told Xinhua. The experienced archeologist hailed the "Year of Troy" as an "honor" for the archeological academia but also added a note of frustration to the fact that neither the Iliad nor the Odyssey are incorporated in Turkish school curriculum. The city was long thought to be purely mythical until the groundbreaking and controversial work of amateur archeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who began uncovering the site in the 1870s. He later smuggled the treasures that he found to Germany via Greece. Turkish officials hope that the year-long project would give impetus to efforts deployed in order to obtain the repatriation of Troy's treasures, which were smuggled and made their way abroad during the Ottoman Empire and the subsequent Turkish Republic, to the lands to which they belong. Turkey is leading painstaking efforts for the return of plundered ancient artifacts from Anatolia, the cradle of many civilizations, over the past 200 years that now sit at museums and private collections across Europe and North America. Experts believe that up to 200,000 items have been taken overseas. There have been recent successes, such as the return of a Roman sarcophagus depictions of 12 labors of Hercules that had been smuggled from southern Turkey in the 1960s, but there is still a long and winding road ahead for Turkey's cultural detectives. "It's problematic to get back artifacts which are now in museums abroad. Of course there is a big diplomatic struggle to retrieve them," said Erciyas. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 16:53:56|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MOSCOW, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Aerospace Forces has successfully launched an upgraded anti-ballistic missile at the Sary-Shagan test site in Kazakhstan, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday. After a series of tests, the new anti-ballistic missile system successfully hit a conventional target with precision, Missile Defense Task Force Commander Sergei Grabchuk said in a ministry press release. The missile defense system is designed to protect Moscow from aerospace attacks, and perform early warning and space monitoring tasks, according to the ministry. The leaders of the United States, Mexico and Canada have signed a new North American trade deal, underpinning $1.2 trillion in annual commerce among the three countries. President Trump is calling the signing of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), following 15 months of frequently acrimonious negotiations, a "very historic day" for a "truly groundbreaking achievement." The pact will lock in U.S. market access to Canada and Mexico, expand American exports and includes new measures to ensure fair competition, explained Trump as he stood alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. "The autoworkers are a tremendous beneficiary," said Trump, adding that the USMCA will help stop automotive jobs from going overseas, and he predicted many such jobs will return to the United States. The agreement's intellectual property protection will be "the envy of nations all around the world," said Trump at the signing on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit in Buenos Aires on Friday morning. The USMCA replaces NAFTA, a pact Trump roundly criticized during his 2016 presidential campaign, terming it the worst trade deal in history and blaming it for the loss of American manufacturing jobs since it went into effect in 1994. "We've taken a lot of barbs and a little abuse and we got there," Trump said thanking Trudeau and Pena Nieto. "It's great for all of our countries." It will be a while, however, before the agreement can take effect as lawmakers from all three countries must approve the USCMA. "It's been so well-reviewed I don't expect to have much of a problem" getting the pact through the U.S. Congress, Trump said at the signing ceremony. That could prove to be an overly optimistic assessment. "It's going to be a very tough sell," predicts Congressman Bill Pascrell of the state New Jersey, who is one of the top Democrats on the House subcommittee that oversees trade issues. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 16:53:56|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close File photo taken on April 25, 2013 shows former U.S. President George H. W. Bush(C) taking part in the unveiling ceremony of his son George W. Bush's presidential library in Dallas, the United States. George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, has died Friday at the age of 94, according to a statement from his office. (Xinhua/Xu Xun) HOUSTON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, has died Friday at the age of 94, according to a statement from his office. The former president passed away at 10:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT) on Friday. He was survived by his five children, 17 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two siblings. The statement said: "He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Barbara; his second child Pauline Robinson 'Robin' Bush; and his brothers Prescott and William or 'Bucky' Bush." Details about his death were not immediately available. In a statement issued following his father's death, George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States, said "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our Dad has died." The statement said that the entire Bush family is deeply grateful for the love shown to Bush senior. U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a statement hours after Bush's death. "(First Lady) Melania and I join with a grieving Nation to mourn the loss of former President H.W. Bush," Trump said in the statement. According to Bush's office, funeral arrangement will be announced soon. George H.W. Bush was elected U.S. president in 1988 as the successor to Ronald Reagan. He served as head of the U.S. Liaison Office in China between 1974 and 1975. Born on June 12, 1924 in U.S. state of Massachusetts, George H.W. Bush joined the U.S. Navy upon finishing high school in 1942. His wartime duty was spent in the Pacific flying a three-man Avenger torpedo bomber. He graduated from Yale in 1948 with a degree in Economics. In November 1966, he ran for Congress and won. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 18:14:13|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close NAIROBI, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's interbank rate rose 1.4 percent this week as commercial banks aggressively borrowed from each other. The rate jumped from 4.2 percent last week to 5.6 percent this week, Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) said in its weekly brief received Saturday. "The average number of interbank deals increased to 41 from 33 deals in the previous week, while the average interbank volumes traded increased to 28.5 billion shillings (279 million U.S. dollars) from 216 million dollars," said the apex bank. However, even as banks' intensified borrowing, during the week liquidity conditions in the money market remained high supported by net redemptions of government securities, CBK said. "Commercial banks' excess reserves recorded a shortfall of 125 million dollars in relation to the 5.25 percent cash reserves requirements," added the bank. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 18:29:16|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MAHMUD-E-RAQI, Afghanistan, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 militants have been confirmed dead and a Taliban judiciary center completely destroyed as military aircraft launched an attack in Nijrab district of eastern Afghanistan's Kapisa province on Saturday, said an army spokesman for Pamir 20 Corps Abdul Hadi. "Acting on tip-off, security forces fighting aircraft targeted a Taliban center in Nijrab district of Kapisa province Saturday morning, destroying the group's judiciary department and killing 10 militants on the spot," Hadi told Xinhua. Taliban militants issue decrees against government entities, security personnel and captured people from the shadow judiciary center, the official said, adding that the destruction of the shadow judiciary could prove a major blow to the insurgent group in Kapisa and adjoining areas. Taliban militants are yet to make comments on the report. Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa (Right Front) commissions the construction of Zimbabwe's new parliament building in Mt. Hampden, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, November 30, 2018. (Xinhua/Shaun Jusa) by Gretinah Machingura HARARE, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday commissioned the construction of Zimbabwe's new parliament building in Mt. Hampden, 25 km west of the capital Harare, by Chinese firm Shanghai Construction Group. The Chinese government will provide about 100 million U.S. dollars grant for the construction of the new parliament structure, the largest building to be funded by Chinese government in a southern African country. The Zimbabwean government will chip in with about 10 million dollars for offsite infrastructure such as residential areas, shopping centers, access roads and electricity and water provision as it moves to establish a self-contained new city in the area to decongest the capital Harare. Performers are dancing at the groundbreaking ceremony of Zimbabwe's new parliament building in Mt. Hampden, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, November 30, 2018.(Xinhua/Shaun Jusa) The 650-seat building will replace the 100-seat building built during the colonial era which has become smaller for parliament business and can no longer accommodate the 350 parliamentarians and staff members. The new structure will have extra facilities for conferencing, 12 committee rooms and adequate space for office staff and parking. President Mnangagwa said the long-awaited new building will enable parliamentarians to fully execute their legislative roles and further entrench democratic tenets in the country. It will also resolve the congestion challenge in the current bicameral parliament building, he said. Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa (Right First) attends the groundbreaking ceremony of Zimbabwe's new parliament building in Mt. Hampden, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, November 30, 2018. "We express our profound gratitude to the Chinese government for their continued support of our various developmental programs. We commend the Belt and Road Initiative under which infrastructure development projects such as this one, are being undertaken in emerging economies," he said. He said the new spacious parliament building will, upon completion, undoubtedly improve the comfort of its users and change the ambience around which parliamentary business is conducted. The president said the relocation of Parliament to Mt. Hampden will be a catalyst for subsequent developments throughout the area as government will also put structures for two other arms of the state - the executive and the judiciary. Senior officials attend the groundbreaking ceremony of Zimbabwe's new parliament building in Mt. Hampden, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, November 30, 2018. Chinese charge d'affaires in Zimbabwe Zhao Baogang said the new parliament building, with a floor space of 33,000 square meters, six floors and two congress halls and other facilities, will greatly enhance the working conditions of the Zimbabwe parliament. He said the parliament project will take 32 months to complete. "The honorable MPs will work harder for the new legislations and make greater contribution to the institutional building of this country," he said. He added that the new parliament building represents the arduous efforts of the new Zimbabwe government to propel economic development and turn Zimbabwe into a middle income status by 2030. "This is not just a landmark building in this area, it marks the start of construction of a new city of Harare. Within a few years, a new Harare will take shape. It will attract more visitors into this country. "With strong leadership and hard work, Zimbabwe will regain its past glory, becoming a middle income country, one of the major economies in Africa, an envy by many African countries," Zhao said. As Zimbabwe has become one of the 140 countries that have signed BRI cooperation agreements with China, Zhao hoped that Zimbabwe will get more benefits under the cooperative framework. Zimbabwe, he said, had done everything to ensure that Zimbabwe-China relations set an example for bilateral relations between China and other African countries. "I believe Zimbabwe will continue to enjoy the special treatment from China," he said. Zimbabwe's two vice presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi attended the ground breaking ceremony, among other dignitaries. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 19:14:22|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close Zeng Peiyan (4th L), chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), and European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen (1st L) attend the 2nd EU-China CEO and Former Senior Officials' Dialogue in Brussels, Belgium, on Nov. 30, 2018. After a two-day closed-door meeting here, over 30 European and Chinese business leaders and former senior officials on Friday called for open, balanced, and inclusive multilateralism as well as rule-based trade and investment. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan) BRUSSELS, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- After a two-day closed-door meeting here, over 30 European and Chinese business leaders and former senior officials on Friday called for open, balanced, and inclusive multilateralism as well as rule-based trade and investment. Headed by Zeng Peiyan, chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), the Chinese delegates met with their counterparts attending the 2nd EU-China CEO and Former Senior Officials' Dialogue starting on Thursday, which was also attended by European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen. According to a joint statement, both parties believed that the WTO plays a necessary role in helping enterprises access resources and provide products and services in a fair and competitive manner around the globe. They insisted that strengthening cooperation between Europe and China in World Trade Organization (WTO) reform is important. Chinese representatives stressed that WTO reform does not mean reinventing the wheel, adding that it should uphold the core values and underlying principles of the multilateral trading system, push for worldwide trade liberalization and investment facilitation, and ensure special and differentiated treatment for developing members. The European side reiterated that it will oppose protectionism and unilateralism and is willing to work with China to push for WTO reform. Moreover, both parties agreed that China and the European Union (EU) have greater potential in developing win-win relationships with complementary advantages in trade and investment, industrial bilateral cooperation and cooperation in third-party market, as well as global governance, particularly on climate change. In this context, the European and Chinese business leaders and former senior officials called for the accomplishment of the ambitious China-EU bilateral investment treaty negotiations. Both parties supported the stance of strengthening the link between Asia and Europe, encouraging the integration of the Eurasian interconnection strategy with the Belt and Road Initiative, and augment China-EU cross-border infrastructure cooperation. They also agreed to enhance bilateral win-win cooperation in research and innovation, to ensure fair channels for investment or joint investment, and to respect intellectual property rights. Hosted by BusinessEurope and CCIEE, EU-China CEO and Former Senior Officials' Dialogue, an annual event alternated between China and Europe, is committed to advancing the development of China-EU economic and trade relations. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 19:24:24|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close LONDON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Green Finance Committee (GFC) of the China Society for Finance and Banking and the City of London's Green Finance Initiative (GFI) on Friday jointly published a set of green finance guidelines for the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Green Investment Principles were published here at the third meeting of the UK-China Green Finance Taskforce, chaired by Dr. Ma Jun, chairman of the GFC of the China Society for Finance and Banking, who also sits on the People's Bank of China Monetary Policy Committee, and Sir Roger Gifford, chairman of the GFI. The principles, developed on existing responsible investment initiatives and set to be published in seven languages, aim to incorporate low-carbon and sustainable development into the BRI by encouraging corporations involved in projects to sign a voluntary code of practice. The principles, a project first proposed in the 9th China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD), were drafted by a group of organizations led by the GFC and the GFI, including the Belt & Road Bankers Roundtable, Green Belt and Road Investor Alliance, and World Economic Forum. The principles consolidated seven pillars at three different levels -- strategy, operations, and innovation. It called for top-down implementation of the incorporated strategy, communication among stakeholders, utilization of green financial instruments and green supply chain practices, as well as knowledge sharing and capacity building. The principles "aim to ensure that environmental consciousness, climate resilience, and social inclusiveness are built into new investment projects in the B&R, so that the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement are met," Ma Jun said. "I am particularly excited by the Green Investment Principles, a potential game-changer in mitigating the potential environmental impact of the Belt and Road Initiative," Gifford said. "The Belt and Road Initiative offers a new sustainable development paradigm that connects countries through infrastructure, trade and shared growth opportunities," said Dominic Waughray, head of the Public-Private Partnership and a member of the Executive Committee of the World Economic Forum. "Developing and implementing green investment principles is critical to ensuring investment flows into new infrastructure can support growth and development in line with delivering win-win benefits for people, ecosystems and the economy," he added. A secretariat for the principles will be established to expand membership, review and report progress, and develop guidance and operational tools. Trainings will also be provided to facilitate the adoption and implementation of the principles. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 19:29:26|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday granted approval for the acquisition of defense equipment worth 30 billion Indian Rupees (around 451 million U.S. dollars), including indigenous BrahMos missiles for two Indian Navy ships to be built in Russia, said defense sources. The indigenously designed BrahMos missile is a tested and proven supersonic cruise missile and will form the primary weapon on board these ships. A defence acquisition council (DAC) meeting chaired by Sitharaman also approved the procurement of armoured recovery vehicles (ARVs) for the Indian Army's main battle tank Arjun. The ARVs are designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 19:34:27|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ACCRA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Ghana is making significant progress in the performance of its export sector, Governor of the Bank of Ghana Ernest Addison said here late Friday. In his keynote address at the Fourth Ghana Mining Awards held by the Ghana Chamber of Mines(GCM), Addison noted that the mainstream export commodities, oil, gold and cocoa, over the last two years had been posting strong performances. "Ghana has swung from a country that recorded trade deficits to one that is currently recording trade surplus," he stated. He described the performance as a major turn-around "in our country's macro-economic fundamentals which as you can see benefited us sincerely in 2017 with the stability that we saw in the performance of the currency." Whereas mineral exports recorded a value of more than 6 billion U.S. dollars last year, the value recorded for this year amounted to 5.8 billion dollars as of the end of October, said the governor. "So we are on course to meeting the 6 billion dollars target this year," Addison maintained. The governor expressed the satisfaction of the central bank at the improvement in the repatriation of all export earnings into the country. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 19:49:30|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Analysts say President Xi Jinping has provided directions for the G20 to lead the global economy to grow on the right track as he spoke at the ongoing G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the first session of the summit Friday, Xi spoke of the need to stay committed to openness, cooperation and uphold the multilateral trading system; forge strong partnership and step up macro policy coordination; stay committed to innovation and create new momentum for growth; and stay committed to win-win cooperation to promote inclusive global development. Chen Fengying, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said Xi's speech sent a clear signal on how the G20 members should steer the world economy. "Xi's remarks correspond with the trend of history and the times," said Ni Shixiong, former dean of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University. "The four points raised by Xi capture the spirit of G20." Leaders of the 20 leading economies gathered for their first summit ten years ago when the world was reeling from the financial meltdown. Over the years, the G20 has become a premier forum for international economic cooperation. The G20 members contribute about 80 percent to the global trade and their combined GDP makes up 86 percent of the world's total. Experts say time calls for new action from the G20 now as the world is suffering from economic shocks brought about by rising unilateralism and protectionism. "No country in the world can develop in isolation. Protectionism and unilateralism run counter to the interests of the world," said Wang Zhen, secretary general of China International Studies Foundation. Openness and multilateralism can ensure a more free flow of goods across the globe and contribute to faster economic growth and fairer distribution of benefits to people around the world, experts insist. It is also important for G20 members to step up macro policy coordination as emphasized by Xi because their economies are closely linked, Wang said, who believed a stronger partnership among the G20 members can promote the coordinated development of various economies. Professor Yang Guang at the Institute of Global Studies at Shanghai University noted Xi's remarks on promoting inclusive global development. By calling for more support to Africa's development, Xi demonstrated China's long-term commitment in that initiative, said Yang, also an expert on African studies. To promote win-win cooperation and inclusive growth, China can share its development experiences, especially in prioritizing infrastructure and connectivity building to boost industrialization, said Yang. Experts spoke highly of Xi's call for actions to ensure the development interests and policy space of developing countries, saying it shows that China has lived up to its responsibility as a major country. "President Xi has spoken up for the developing world," Wang said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 19:54:30|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Palestinian Wajed Nobani, 29, picks fruits from "the Strawberry Tree", known as "Qayqab", in his village Alluban Asharqiya, in the West Bank city of Nablus, Dec. 1, 2018. The Palestinian strawberry tree is distinguished with its smooth color changing, the fruit of which was described by early travelers as candy, but the tree is now rare to find. (Xinhua/Ayman Nobani) by Fatima Aruri NABLUS/RAMALLAH, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian strawberry tree is distinguished with its smooth color changing, the fruit of which was described by early travelers as candy, but the tree is now rare to find. Wajed Nobani, a 29-year-old Palestinian from West Bank's Nablus town of Alluban Asharqiya, who is passionate to explore hiking trails that are barely touched, is seeking ways to save the local strawberry tree from the threat of extinction. The scientific name of the tree is Arbutu Andrachne, and the common name is maple. There are over 120 types of it and the type that grows in Palestine is known as the strawberry tree. The tree was once part of the local mythology due to its height, wide truck and sweet tasting berries. Nobani's search into the wilderness has taught him that this unique tree is of special significance to locals and is about to go extinct, mostly due to the expansion of real estate at the expense of nature. "The strawberry tree, known as Qayqab, is a beautiful tree which has been used since old times for many things from its leaves, branches and fruit," he said. "For example, its fruit is sweet and healthy and was used to make one of the finest kinds of jam, but today, people have abandoned it, apparently forgetting about the tree in general," added Nobani. "The tree is going extinct mainly because there is more interest in construction and real estate. People want to build shops and buildings," he said. Nobani explained that the tree is found in his village since it is in the wilderness and a rough terrain where the construction has not yet reached. The strawberry tree grows up to 12 meters high, and its fruit is small red berries that are picked at the end of year. Both the fruit and the leaves are often dried by farmers, explains Nobani, to be used in home remedy recipes, believed to have medicinal value. Raya Ziadeh, an environmental activist based in Ramallah, noted that "the strawberry tree, or the Palestinian maple tree, is one of those trees that we have to save in order to protect the biodiversity." "The biodiversity is not only about the plants, it's also about the identity and culture of the Palestinians," she added. "If we go back to old times when the farmers go to harvest olive, they eat fruit of strawberry tree which gave them energy during the harvest season," said Ziadeh. "I think each tree in Palestine has a story and the Qayqab, or the strawberry tree, has its own story also," she concluded. In the wide areas of the West Bank, hundreds of trees and plants grow, composing a significant biodiverse ecosystem, but observers say it is being eaten up due to two main reasons. The first is the expanding Israeli settlements and the second is the lack of areas available for Palestinian natural growth, which lead to constructions in agricultural lands. Under the interim Oslo Accord signed between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Israeli government in 1993, the West Bank was divided to three areas. The areas (A) are under Palestinian control, (B) are under Palestinian control and Israeli security control, while areas (C) are under full Israeli control, taking up over 60 percent of its 5,655 square kilometers area. Home Just In Dissident NCP leaders to inform district cadres about their concerns Kathmandu, November 30 Nearly two dozen leaders of the ruling Nepal Communist Party, who had submitted a memorandum to the party leadership demanding regular meetings of key committees and early completion of the party unification, have decided to expand their campaign to the district level. The leaders say they received positive feedback from participants of a review meeting held in Kathmandu; hence decided to continue expressing their voices. Meanwhile, the leaders claim some additional Central Committee members extended their support to the campaign. They include Sita Giri, Dilu Panta, Krishna Khanal and PL Shrestha. Jagannath Khatiwada, who has been leading the campaign, says they have already met chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and leaders Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhala Nath Khanal, Bamdev Gautam and Narayn Kaji Shrestha over the issues. He claims all the leaders said their concerns were genuine. Another chair and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, however, has not given them time for the meeting. Likewise, Ishwar Pokharel and Ram Bahadur Thapa are also reluctant. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 20:29:37|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close PANAMA CITY, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Panama is set to solidify the foundation of and chart the course for the long-term development of bilateral relations, said Chinese Ambassador to Panama Wei Qiang. The Panamanian government and public are looking forward to Xi's visit, the first of its kind since the two countries established diplomatic relations in June 2017, Wei told Xinhua in a recent interview. During the visit, Xi is scheduled to hold talks with his Panamanian counterpart, Juan Carlos Varela, on bilateral relations and major issues of common concern, said the ambassador. He added that the two sides are expected to sign a series of cooperation documents covering such areas as e-commerce, services trade, infrastructure, financing and education. Recalling the development of bilateral ties over the past 18 months, Wei said that the relationship has been moving forward "like a really good and solid high-speed train, not only fast but also steady." The heads of state of the two countries have played a key guiding role by steering the relationship onto a path of fast and steady progress, said the ambassador. On the basis of the one-China policy, the two sides have been expanding cooperation in the spirit of equality, inclusiveness, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, which has benefited both peoples, he added. Bilateral cooperation is underpinned by the complementarity of the two economies, Wei said, noting that Panama, known for its unique location on one of the world's busiest trade routes, has become an important regional hub for logistics, finance as well as air and sea transportation. Panama has signed a memorandum of understanding with China on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and serves as a natural link between the BRI and Latin America, said the diplomat. Within the BRI framework, he added, the two countries have carried out cooperation in such fields as infrastructure, trade, investment, maritime affairs, aviation, quality control, tourism as well as culture and education. Meanwhile, Wei stressed that the establishment of China-Panama diplomatic relations is in line with the trend of the times and the will of both peoples. He added that Chinese and Panamanian people from all sectors of the public support their countries' efforts to boost cooperation and contribute to world peace and development. Looking ahead, Wei said he sees bright prospects for bilateral relations. The two sides, he suggested, should continue to make use of their respective strengths, enhance mutual political trust, implement existing cooperation plans through practical measures, and gradually enrich their cooperation in order to deliver more tangible benefits to the people of China and Panama. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 20:29:37|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BUCHAREST, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila on Saturday expressed her trust that Romanian society still has "sufficient resources for consensus, balance and political wisdom" in a message on the Centennial National Day. "I address on this occasion to all Romanians a message of peace and unity...so that we promote our common interest as a European nation," said the prime minister. "We celebrate today the National Day, in the Centennial Year, thinking of the unity of those who one hundred years ago believed in Romania's future and in the sacred duty that we have to be inspired from this accomplished ideal of our forefathers," she said in the message. "The fact that we all want to live in a prosperous Romania, attached to European values and which maintains its national identity represents the best argument to unite our efforts in the interest of citizens and ours as a nation," Dancila added, stressing that political egos and personal interests have no place on this road. The PM appealed to unity also in the perspective of Romania's taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. "Let us show that our country is prepared to fulfill with dignity this high responsibility! Let us unite our efforts so that the economic development of Romania allow the adoption of the euro in 2024. Let us be united so that the admission of Romania to the Schengen space be decided only on the mandatory technical criteria." President Klaus Iohannis also emphasized the importance of solidarity, stressing late Friday at the National Day Reception held at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace that "the great victories of the nation are possible if we are united, not divided, if we have high aspirations, not personal goals." The upper echelons of Romanian politics have long been discordant and politicians remain divided as the country celebrates 100 years since its Great Union. Analysts here believe that the struggle between the head of the state and the ruling Social Democratic Party has had a negative impact on the country's external image and internal development. The Great Union on Dec. 1 of 1918 was and remains the most sublime event in Romanian history, which marks the unification of all provinces where the Romanians were in the majority. The 1st of December as the National Day of Romania was established by the government in 1990. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 20:59:42|Editor: mmm Video Player Close BEIJING, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Many young people think heavy winter clothes compromise their style and refuse to bundle up no matter the weather, but a Chinese study shows how you dress can be a matter of life or death. The study shows the best temperature -- the temperature with lowest death rate -- might be 22.8 degrees Celsius. Warmer and cooler temperatures are associated with an increased risk of death and disease. But the effects of lower temperatures last longer and are more serious than those of higher temperatures. The study by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Shanghai-based Fudan University looked at 1,826,186 non-accidental deaths in 272 Chinese cities in five climate zones from 2013 to 2015. The causes of death included cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, respiratory disease, strokes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Researchers graded temperatures into four categories: extreme cold (-6.4 to 1.4 degrees centigrade), moderate cold (-1.4 to 22.8 degrees), extreme heat (29 to 31.6 degrees), and moderate heat (22.8 to 29 degrees). They found that 14.33 percent of deaths were attributed to high or low temperatures. Of these, moderate cold and moderate heat were associated with the highest risks, which were 10.49 percent and 2.08 percent, respectively. When temperatures rose, the risk of death dropped quickly at first, and began rebounding slowly after hitting 22.8 degrees Celsius. The risks from extreme cold lasted for more than 14 days, while the risks from extreme heat appeared immediately and lasted only for two to three days. The study also found that the effect of low temperature on cardiovascular disease was greater than that on respiratory disease. Temperature-related cardiovascular mortality was 17.48 percent, while respiratory mortality was 10.57 percent. Lead researcher Kan Haidong, said the effects of cold on the cardiovascular system are related to changes in the autonomic nervous system, blood pressure, and inflammatory response. The effects on the respiratory system might be due to increased respiratory infections on cold days. Researchers also found temperature-related mortality rates were higher in elderly people (aged 75 years and over), children and women. The mortality and disease risk were more prominent in the temperate monsoon and subtropical monsoon climate zones, and in cities with a high urbanization rate and a short duration of central heating. The findings could help improve clinical and public health practices to reduce the health risks associated with current and future abnormal weather caused by climate change, according to the study published in the latest British Medical Journal. Kan suggested people take rapid and short-term measures to cool down in hot weather, and be sure to dress warmly on cold days. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 21:24:21|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close A resident stretches while wearing stiletto shoes during the "Tour de Takong" (Tour of High Heels) in Marikina City, the Philippines, Dec. 1, 2018. Residents took part in the annual Tour of High Heels or stiletto race in celebration of the Shoe Festival in Marikina City, which is also known as the "shoe capital" of the Philippines. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali) Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 21:24:48|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close Romanian soldiers participate in a military parade to celebrate the Centennial National Day in Bucharest, Romania, Dec. 1, 2018. Romania held on Saturday a grand military parade to celebrate the Centennial National Day, with over 4,000 Romanian and foreign servicemen to march under the Arch of Triumph in northern Bucharest. (Xinhua/Gabriel Petrescu) BUCHAREST, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Romania held on Saturday a grand military parade to celebrate the Centennial National Day, with over 4,000 Romanian and foreign servicemen to march under the Arch of Triumph in northern Bucharest. The parade was opened this year, for the first time, by the Air Force. A veteran Air Force general, who will be 100 years old in a few days, was also on one of the planes. In addition to the Romanian troops from all arms, along with over 200 military vehicles and 50 aircraft, also participated at the military parade are around 500 foreign soldiers from 20 countries -- mainly NATO member countries from Europe and the North America. The parade was attended by President Klaus Iohannis, President of the Senate Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Liviu Dragnea, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, ministers, members of Parliament, former heads of state, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Bucharest as well as tens of thousands of citizens. The 1st of December as the National Day of Romania was established by the government in 1990 to mark the unification of the country on Dec. 1 of 1918 when all provinces where the Romanians were in the majority united with the Kingdom of Romania, forming the modern unified Romanian state. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 21:29:49|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KAMPALA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and 17 others injured in a road accident in the central Ugandan district of Buvuma, a police spokesperson said here on Saturday. Patrick Onyango, Uganda's deputy police spokesperson told Xinhua in an interview that the fatal accident occurred after the driver of a truck lost control and swerved off the road at Walwanda Mosque junction. "The truck failed to negotiate a corner. Six people died on the spot and the other on the way to the hospital," said Onyango. He said the 17 injured were admitted at Buvuma Health Centre IV and Kawolo hospital for medical care and treatment. The police spokesperson said the bodies of the deceased who were yet to be identified were taken to Buvuma Health Centre. Uganda registers about 20,000 accidents each year, with some 2,000 deaths, making it one of the countries with the highest road traffic death rates, according to police statistics. A missile that the U.S. Department of Defense says is confirmed as a "Qiam" ballistic missile manufactured in Iran and that the Pentagon says was fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen into Saudi Arabia on July 22, 2017 is seen on display at a military base in Washington, U.S. December 13, 2017. (Reuters photo) TEHRAN, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Iranian defense minister on Saturday denied that the Islamic republic is supplying arms to Yemen Houthi militants. "The Americans are falsely accusing Iran of supporting the Yemenis (Houthis) militarily," Brigadier General Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. "They (the Americans) think the Yemeni people's resistance is because of Iran's support, but our support is spiritual," the defense minister said. What leads to victory is the spirit of resistance of the nations who are not willing to give in to the oppression of the United States, he added. Part of a wind bolt cover that the U.S. Department of Defense says is confirmed as a "Qiam" ballistic missile manufactured in Iran and that the Pentagon says was fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen into Saudi Arabia on July 22, 2017 is seen on display at a military base in Washington, U.S., November 29, 2018. (Reuters photo) Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday announced Iran's four-point plan to end Yemen crisis. "War on #Yemen must be stopped. We urge ceasefire, humanitarian assistance, intra-Yemeni dialogue & establishment of broad-based government," Zarif tweeted on Friday. The military conflict in Yemen began with the 2014 takeover of the capital of Sanaa by the Shiite Houthi rebels supported by Iran, which forced Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile. The Saudi-led coalition allied with the government has been fighting the Houthis since 2015. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 22:15:00|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KAMPALA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has ended the search and rescue operations for the last weekend tragic boat accident on Lake Victoria, a police spokesperson said here Saturday. Zurah Ganyana, the search and rescue operations police spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that the joint police and military marines units late on Friday carried out a final search of the accident scene and the ill-fated vessel that capsized last Saturday near Mutima Island in the central district of Mukono. "We did the final search and we didn't find anything. We had to call off the operations. We ended it yesterday (Friday)," said Ganyana. "We did what we were supposed to do. We searched for those who were on board. We recovered 32 dead bodies and rescued 27 survivors," she added. The police spokesperson said investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the tragedy, which has been blamed on overcrowding, the vessel's poor mechanical condition and bad weather. "We (rescue teams) have done our work. We have left the other part for investigators to do their work," said Ganyana. Earlier, police and military reports had put the figure of bodies retrieved at 35 and 27 people rescued. Local media reported that there were 120 people on board of the ill-fated boat. The rescue teams on Thursday pulled out the wreckage of the boat. Students and teachers from the Confucius Institute of University Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) pose for a group photo after a rewarding ceremony in Maputo, Mozambique, Nov. 29, 2018. Twelve undergraduates from the UEM of Mozambique were rewarded the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship on Thursday. (Xinhua/Nie Zuguo) MAPUTO, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Twelve undergraduates from the University Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) of Mozambique were rewarded the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship on Thursday. The scholarship was established by the Chinese embassy in Mozambique this year to reward local students with excellent academic performance in Chinese learning. Speaking at the rewarding ceremony held on the UEM campus, Vice Dean for Administration and Recourses of UEM Claudio Mungoi said the scholarship will inspire more people to know about China and provide more opportunities for students to improve their academic performance. Su Jian (R), Chinese Ambassador to Mozambique presents a scholarship to a student during a rewarding ceremony in Maputo, Mozambique, Nov. 29, 2018. Twelve undergraduates from the University Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) of Mozambique were rewarded the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship on Thursday. (Xinhua/Nie Zuguo) "I would like to believe that more Mozambicans are going to be able to express themselves in Chinese, with the support that the scholarship brings," said Mungoi. Chinese Ambassador Su Jian said Chinese language helps students explore the vast world, build their own career and inherit the friendship between the two countries. All the 12 beneficiaries majoring in Chinese language, literature and culture were students in the Confucius Institute of UEM. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 22:35:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close GABORONE, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Saturday called for intensified efforts to end the scourge of HIV/AIDS. In his keynote address to mark the 2018 World AIDS Day commemoration at Mochudi village, about 60 km outside the country's capital city Gaborone, Masisi said complacency is seemingly reversing the progress made in the fight against the deadly HIV/AIDS. While there is so much to be grateful for, there is no doubt that complacency has crept in regarding the southern African country's efforts to fight the endemic disease, Masisi said. "The fortitude that we showed in yester-years is slowly waning. And the time has now come to reinvigorate our programs and re-energize our individual capabilities to put an end to this scourge," said Masisi. With Botswana's national HIV prevalence rate estimated at 18.5 percent, Botswana is ranked the third highest country globally after its Southern African Development Community (SADC) counterparts in Swaziland and Lesotho. Furthermore, national HIV incidence rate is about 1.35 percent. New HIV infections in a country of a population of just over 2 million people are estimated to be fluctuating between 10,000 and 14,000 per annum. According to Masisi, the situation is compounded by recent indications of a surge in new HIV infections, especially among the youth. He said this challenges Batswana (citizens of Botswana) as a collective to reflect and interrogate that which the country is not doing right. Masisi said the only indicator that would show that the country is heading the right direction would be the time when zero new infections start to be recorded. To this end, Masisi urged Batswana to take time as individuals to introspect and be part of this fight so that the beautiful Botswana can be restored to an HIV-free country. Recorder report ISLAMABAD: Indonesia has allowed Pakistan 20 tariff lines under the preferential trade agreement (PTA) that would help increase trade by around $150 million, said Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industry and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood. While briefing the media persons on the latest development with regard to PTA with Indonesia, the advisor maintained, Pakistan will have free market access on 20 items with immediate effect. The advisor further added that a meeting of federal cabinet scheduled today (Thursday) will approve National Tariff Policy to fix taxes/duties for a period of 3-4 years. The advisor admitted that the process for market access under the PTA was initiated by the previous government and this government has completed the unfinished agenda. The Indonesian government agreed to give market access to Pakistan, but the matter was pending in their parliament. We have just received message from Indonesia that Parliament has passed and approved market access on 20 tariff lines under PTA and it would be notified in the next one to two days. The advisor said that Pakistan would be able to get a lot of exports of 20 items including mangoes (HS code 08045020); broken rice - used for animal feed (HS code 10064010), broken rice for other uses (HS code 10064090), un-denatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume of 80% or more (ltr) (HS code 22071000), denatured ethyl alcohol and other spirits of any strength (HS code 22072090), tobacco, not stemmed/stripped - Virginia type (HS code 24011010), tobacco partly wholly stemmed/stripped - Virginia type (HS code 24012010), articles of apparel and clothing accessories of leather or of composition leather (HS code 42031000), single yarn of uncombed fibre combed fibres - 192.31 measuring 232 (HS code 52051200), single yarn of combed fibres -192.31 measuring 232 (HS code 52052300), woven fabric of cotton containing more than 85% by weight of cotton-Denim (HS code 52094200), woven fabric of cotton containing than 85% by weight cotton-Denim (HS code 52114200), T-shirts women, singlets & other vests, knitted (HS code 61091020), T-shirts men/boys, singlets & others vests knitted/croc (HS code 61099020), t-shirt, singlet & other vest, knitted/crochet, of other (HS code 61099030), jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoat of cotton (HS code 61102000), men/boys trousers of cotton (HS code 62034290), womens or girls trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of cotton (excluding ...) (HS code 62046200), bed linen, printed of cotton (HS code 63022100) and toilet, kitchen linen, of terry towelling (HS code 63026000). Dawood said that he is taking a 28-53 members delegation of businessmen to Japan on December 10 and would ask for up-gradation of engineering industry and auto sector. Global Chairman Suzuki Motors visited and expressed interest in investing $450 million in new plant to expand car production. We have been asking Suzuki for putting Pakistani vendors in global network, he added. The advisor further said that Japan is ready to support Pakistan and good round of discussions are expected at Pakistan-Japan Business Forum during the upcoming visit which would help increase the bilateral trade. About China, Dawood said that the matters are still under discussion and expected a positive outcome on market in next 1-2 months. Regarding the EU, he said that GSP plus status is underway and wanted to make exports competitive. The government has decided to provide gas @ $6.5 per mmbtu to five zero-rated exports industry including captive power plants and matters have been resolved in this regard. Industry which received bills at higher prices would be adjusted next month, he added. The advisor further said that electricity prices would be rationalised anytime next month @7.5 cents to give the industry competitive prices and reduce their cost of production which would help in boosting exports. About the sugar industry, the advisor said that earlier conditions for exports were little harsh, which would be modified in next 2-3 days. However, he said that current stock is 1.8 million tonnes and the government has allowed export of only one million tonnes of sugar which would not be increased. He further said that worlds biggest energy company ExxonMobil wants to invest in LNG and oil exploration. Further a Chinese company wants to invest up to $150 million. Renault, Hyundai and Kia want to invest in Pakistan. He claimed that around one billion dollars investment is expected soon. He said that trade gap has narrowed by 3 percent but the government wants to further contract it. Regarding the GSP plus status, the Advisor said that an inspection team visited Pakistan last month and expressed satisfaction over the implementation of 27 conventions. However, he said that 10 points have been given stressed on which the government agreed, which included labour laws, women empowerment, human rights etc. Regarding the cotton import, he said that the government has approved import through Afghanistan as the country is facing 4 million cotton bales shortfall. The cotton from Central Asian countries is good, however Pakistan stopped it at border to first fumigate it. Regarding the refund claims, the advisor said that refunds are being paid but with slow pace and it is one of the major complaints of exporters against the incumbent government; however the process would be expedited. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 22:50:08|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Somalia's telecommunication industry regulator on Saturday kicked off consultation process aimed at regulating the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. Abdi Sheikh Ahmed, general manager of the National Communications Authority (NCA), said the industry regulator will formally go through consultation process every time it wants to introduce regulations and seek public comment before they are adopted. "We understand regulator is a new concept in Somalia, so does introducing regulations developed by a regulator. Therefore we are not only inviting comments from operators, but also want the general public to actively participate in our consultation process," Ahmed said in a statement issued during the launch of the consultation process in Mogadishu. Ahmed said NCA will give priority to rules of procedures to interact with NCA, numbering regulation, interconnection regulation and public notice, spectrum and service provider, Somalia frequency allocation table, and type approval guidelines. The government in February established the country's first-ever ICT body NCA to help regulate the country's telecommunication sector. NCA later in March took control of the domain from the Somali National Information Center (SONIC) and Cloudy Registry, who ran the operations and the management of the domain Registry. Abdi Ashur Hassan, minister for Post, Telecom and Technology, lauded the ICT stakeholders for successfully establishing NCA that is now ready to take its due role in regulating the sector. Hassan said the ICT sector is of utmost importance for the government because of its potential multiplier effect on all sectors of the economy. The minister said once the ICT sector is regulated it will be a win-win situation for all because investors will have assurances for their investment instead of the current chaos in the market. "Consumers will have better services such as interconnected mobile networks instead of carrying several mobile phones, and finally government revenue from the sector will increase through taxation and other charges, which will also help us in reinvesting through infrastructure and universal access fund," Hassan said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 23:05:13|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close VILNIUS, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- More than 20 foreign embassies and diplomatic missions took part in the annual Christmas Charity Bazaar at the Vilnius Town Hall on Saturday to raise money for charitable causes. The Bazaar, organised by the International Women's Association of Vilnius (IWAV) in cooperation with the international diplomatic and business communities, has become the unofficial start of the Christmas season here, attracting many locals and foreign guests to attend. The bazaar offered visitors rare chances to search for unusual and traditional gifts from around the world, like hand-made crafts and souvenirs, toys as well as foods and snacks from countries like China, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, India, Russia, Czech Republic, are also on offer. According to the organizers, the Christmas Charity Bazaar has already raised more than 1 million euros for the charitable organizations across Lithuania since its inception in 2003. The money raised at the event will be donated to 8 charity projects in Lithuania, with special attention to the disabled, young single-mothers, children in need and elderly people, the organizers said. Last year's bazaar at the Vilnius Town Hall raised 95,000 euros for 10 charity projects. The Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft for the next International Space Station (ISS) crew is ready to be set on the launchpad ahead of its upcoming launch, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan December 1, 2018. (Reuters Photo) MOSCOW, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- A Russian Soyuz-FG carrier rocket with the Soyuz MS-11 manned spacecraft has been placed on a launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, TASS news agency reported Saturday. The spacecraft is scheduled to blast off for the International Space Station (ISS) at 14:31 Moscow time (1131 GMT) on Dec. 3 and dock with the ISS at 20:36 Moscow time (1736 GMT) the same day, TASS said. This will be the first manned mission since the launch failure of the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft on Oct. 11 due to a carrier rocket malfunction. Russian cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin and U.S. astronaut Nick Hague were onboard and made a safe emergency landing in Kazakhstan. An investigation commission concluded that the accident was caused by the irregular work of a sensor, which was supposed to signal the safe separation of the first and second stages of the carrier rocket. As a result, one component of the first stage failed to move to a safe distance and hit the fuel tank of the second stage, which led to the rupture of the tank and the destruction of the second stage. Russia's Soyuz spacecraft is currently the only vehicle for spaceflights between the ISS and Earth. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 23:35:19|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The United States military said Saturday it conducted an airstrikes in Somalia on Friday, killing nine al-Shabab terrorists. The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) said the no civilian was killed in the latest drone strike which was carried out in coordination with Somali government near Lebede in the Horn of Africa nation. It said the American forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to protect the Somali people, including partnered military counter-terror operations with Somali government, Africa Union Mission in Somalia and Somali National Army forces. The al-Qaida allied terrorist group continues to hold parts of the country's south and central regions after being chased out of Mogadishu several years ago. Somali and African Union peacekeeping forces have also intensified military operations against the insurgents, flushing them in their Lower and Middle Shabelle region bases as part of efforts to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 23:40:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close by Murad Abdo ADEN, Yemen, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The two-warring Yemeni sides agreed to engage in a new peace talks sponsored by the United Nations (UN) in Sweden in the few upcoming days in a fresh attempt to end the years-long conflict in the impoverished Arab country. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government sent a letter through its Foreign Ministry to the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths, declaring its full commitment to participating in the peace talks with a complete negotiating team. High-ranking leaders of the Iranian-backed Houthi group based in Sanaa also pledged to dispatch delegates to Sweden's peace negotiations. Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of Houthi Higher Revolutionary Committee, said in his official Twitter account that "our delegation will be in Sweden on Dec. 3 if guarantees remain to ensure that they can depart and return to Yemen." The same preconditions led to the failure in convening talks in September when Houthis demanded for guarantees that their plane would not be inspected and some of their wounded to be evacuated to receive treatment abroad. The commitments fueled speculation about the revival of the long-stalled talks which aimed at ending the ongoing civil war that killed thousands of people and caused destruction to the country's infrastructure. Yemeni analysts and politicians believe that the road to the success of the new peace negotiations will not be paved with flowers and a number of obstacles are looming on the horizon. Abdul-Raqeeb Hidyani, a political analyst and writer, said most of the Yemeni people don't expect a lot from Sweden's peace talks because they used to see failure during all previous negotiations facilitated by the UN. He said that one of the major obstacles for achieving success in the upcoming talks is the Houthis insistence on placing preconditions for attending the negotiations table. Furthermore, he mentioned that the regional interventions may also obstruct the decision-making process for the internal Yemeni factions willing to end the fighting through politics. Hidyani also spoke about obstacles including the Houthis strong refusal to hand over the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and its seaport to the internationally-recognized government. Mansour Saleh, a prominent political analyst based in Aden, said that achieving peace in Yemen is not linked to the two-warring sides but to the international community with a real desire to find it necessary to end this devastating war. "Houthis are experiencing difficult times and will rush to get a political solution to ensure and save their ruling power as well as existence in northern provinces in the future," Saleh said. Yemen's newly-appointed Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik met with visiting UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock on Friday. The prime minister said that "the Houthis only accept to go to peace talks in order to deceive the international community and they go only certain steps in any peace talks before big troubles emerge." Nabil Albukiri, a researcher in international strategies, described the UN-sponsored talks as an international attempt to cease the fighting in Yemen for a short temporary period but not to end it permanently. Albukiri said that Sweden's talks will create new rounds of military conflict afterwards because the major causes of the war are ignored. The talks will only discuss the results and the humanitarian consequences of the war. "This is not a good and real introduction to finding a permanent solution for Yemen's conflict because the UN-backed talks jump over the major roots of the issue," he said. "The upcoming negotiations in Sweden will definitely face failure like the previous rounds of peace talks and fighting will continue to end the Houthi coup militarily," Albukiri added. Another obstacle facing the UN-sponsored talks comes from the pro-secesssion Southern Transitional Council (STC) that totally rejects any attempt to pass over the southern people's issue and their sole political representative in any upcoming negotiations. Salim Thabit, the STC's official spokesman, said that "ignoring the southern people's aspirations and depriving them from the their legitimate rights in choosing their future will not achieve peace in Yemen." He added that Griffiths held a series of meetings with all the warring factions involved in the country's military conflict but completely avoided listening to the the STC's voice that represents the southern people. The Aden-based STC plays a big role on-ground as it controls the southern port city of Aden and other neighboring main cities through its newly-recruited troops backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Hussein Laqwar, a politician and observer, said that all the indications and facts don't suggest that Sweden's negotiations will achieve a real breakthrough for the country's complicated crisis. "All the Yemeni negotiating factions don't share the same purpose or goals from convening the UN-led talks in Sweden," Laqwar said. He added that "the UN envoy is ignoring the current situation created following the war in southern Yemen, making the next negotiations more closer to failure than to success." The impoverished Arab country has been locked into a civil war since the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi rebels overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces, including capital Sanaa, in 2014. Saudi Arabia leads an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after Iran-backed Houthi rebels forced him into exile. The UN has listed Yemen as the world's number one humanitarian crisis, with seven million Yemenis on the brink of famine and cholera causing more than 2,000 deaths. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-01 23:55:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- China, France and the United Nations reiterated their firm commitments to working together in combating climate change in a press statement released here on Friday following a three-party meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also met the press together after their meeting. In the statement, the three parties called on the international community to join hands in building a low-carbon society and pursuing sustainable development, as they defined climate change as critical to the future of the humanity. In particular, the Chinese side reiterated its firm support for implementing the Paris Agreement based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and for reaching a package agreement at the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP24) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The COP24, slated for Dec. 2-14 in Katowice of Poland, is to adopt implementation guidelines of the Paris Agreement, which was signed at the COP21 to keep a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. In the statement, China and France renewed their highest political commitment to the effective and transparent implementation of the Paris Agreement in all aspects. The two sides said they hoped that the G20 summit would give a political impetus to the success of the COP24. At the press conference, Wang stressed that multilateral process should be the best and only option for combating climate change. He urged all nations to keep their political promises, take their responsibilities and firmly adhere to cooperation. China takes the implementation of the Paris Agreement as an inherent part of its own sustainable development, and has taken decisive actions in this regard, which has resulted in concrete achievements, Wang said, adding that it will continue devoting itself to better global climate governance, deeper South-South cooperation in fight against climate change and a greener Belt and Road, Wang said. Drian, for his part, said that, at this critical moment in facing up to climate challenges, the international community must beef up actions and demonstrate resolves. He also promised to support China in hosting the COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2020. Guterres, apart from expressing gratitude to the two nations for their leadership in reaching and implementing the Paris Agreement, told the press that, the pace of climate change and the challenges it has brought to all nations have exceeded expectations. The international community must work together in pushing for success of the COP24 and the United Nations 2019 Climate Summit, said the UN secretary-general. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 00:05:31|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NAIROBI, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Shirleen Leyian grew up in Kenya's semi-arid Kajiado County where nomadic lifestyle that has been practiced by her community for centuries placed enormous hurdles on children and youth yearning for education. The 22-year-old information technology (IT) student at a private university in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, was among 35 young learners from the nomadic Maasai community who were on November 30 awarded scholarships by Chinese tiles manufacturing firm, Twyford Ceramics Ltd, to enable them to complete their studies. Leyian was in buoyant mood as she joined her peers at the podium to receive cheques from Twyford ceramics Ltd executives to cater for tuition fees and other incidentals during the forthcoming semester. "We are grateful to Twyford Ceramics Ltd for helping us realize our dreams. The company has catered for a huge portion of tuition fees for two consecutive years since I joined the university. It feels good," said Leyian. She defied entrenched negative stereotypes to pursue post-secondary education at a private university and is determined to sharpen her skills in information technology as a means to secure gainful employment in the near future. "I look forward to become an accomplished IT professional and promise to give back to the community I come from by mentoring young girls. These girls will be happy to have a role model who has broken the glass ceiling in a profession that has traditionally been reserved for the male gender," said Leyian. Twyford ceramics Ltd, through its local subsidiary KEDA (Kenya) Ceramics Co Ltd, in 2017 launched the Maisha Bora (Healthy Life) scholarship to help cater for tuition fees for under-privileged young learners from villages adjacent to the company's manufacturing plant, which is located about 60 kilometers south east of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Johnstone Mpuki, community liaison at KEDA Ceramics Ltd, said that the scholarship program has transformed the lives of young learners from a community that place little premium on education due to outdated beliefs, poverty and ignorance. "Our target has been children from poor families whose dream for quality education has often been shattered due to abject poverty and sometimes harmful cultural practices like early marriages," said Mpuki. "The financial assistance has inspired these children to study with zeal in the hope that they will become successful individuals later in life," he added. In the last two years, KEDA ceramics Ltd has awarded 100 U.S dollars to each scholarship beneficiary enrolled in high school while the ones in mid-level colleges and universities have been receiving 200 U.S dollars and 300 U.S dollars respectively. Stanley Sipoi, an 18 years old high school graduate who aspires to pursue law in the university, said the financial support from the largest tiles manufacturing company in east and central Africa has been a game changer. "My parents struggled hard to educate me and my siblings until Twyford ceramics Ltd came on board to ease that burden. I will be forever grateful for the company for supporting my high school education for two years and I promise to deliver positive results," Sipoi told Xinhua. He vowed to utilize his success in school to mentor young boys in his native village who are often denied education by parents stuck up in a time warp. KEDA Ceramics Ltd, like other Chinese enterprises based in Kenya, has been at the forefront of transforming livelihoods of communities at its backyard through provision of clean water, tarmacking of roads and award of scholarships to bright but needy young learners. Li Ruiqin, managing director of KEDA Ceramics Co Ltd, said that the aim of the two years old scholarship program is to help financially constrained children and youth from Kajiado County realize their dreams through formal education. Elected leaders from Kajiado County who attended the award ceremony for scholarships to help cater for tuition fees for students from poor families hailed the gesture saying it will help alleviate high illiteracy levels in the community. "We are ready to partner with both local and foreign investors to ensure no child is denied education because of poverty," said Francis Kaesha, minority leader in the county government of Kajiado. Silantoi Teto, a 16 years old form three student in a local high school whose parents are herders, said the financial support from KEDA Ceramics Ltd has motivated her to put more effort in her school work and hopefully join university where she aspires to pursue civil engineering. "Having a philanthropic organization cater for a significant portion of my school fees in the last two years has been refreshing and I'm determined to pass my final exams and join the university to study civil engineering," said Silantoi. The bubbly youngster said her ultimate goal is to utilize skills learnt in school to mentor girls from remote outposts who often lack a role model in the world of academia, careers and business whom they can emulate. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 00:25:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks at the 13th G20 summit in Argentina, championing multilateralism and greater integration amid rising challenges, has drawn a global chorus of support. "I was heartened to note that China has remained resolute in its determination to contribute to an open and integrated multilateral order as well as to robust macro policy coordination under the aegis of the G20, despite the pervading pessimism that we often see and read in the West today," said Sourabh Gupta, senior fellow at the Institute for China-America Studies in Washington, D.C. "The speech was a strong and clear message, spotlighting the importance of opening up and cooperation within the framework of the G20, for the sake of safeguarding the multilateral trading system," said Patricio Giusto, an Argentine public policy expert, also head of Political Diagnostics Consulting and a professor at the Catholic University of Argentina. Commenting on Xi's speech, Eduardo Mello, professor at the Center for International Relations at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Brazil, said that "a very important role that China has is in helping the world economy overcome those devastating effects arising from the 2008 economic crisis." "This role is the best example that multilateral trade has to follow -- an increasingly open one, with more players included instead of closing doors and betting on protectionism," Mello added. Brazilian economist Julio Miragaya, president of national research association Anipes and vice president of the Association of Latin American and Caribbean Economists, said that "I see the proposal for coordinated action as a significant event." "Negotiation is fundamental to the process of international trade. The importance of multilateralism is phenomenal because without it the law of the jungle prevails, there's no doubt about it," Miragaya said. According to Sabelo Gatsheni-Ndlovu, professor at the University of South Africa, the ideals of peaceful development and win-win cooperation promoted by Xi are just what mankind now need. To safeguard the multilateral trading system, all concerned parties should participate, Gatsheni-Ndlovu added. Saudi Arabia's media professional Abdul-Aziz Shaban praised China's responsible and impartial global governance concept as one that "carries a sense of duty and mission" and stressed the important role of China within the G20 in "improving global economic governance, supporting free trade and integration, enhancing the multilateral trade regime and international rules and order." Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 00:40:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani army said on Saturday that security forces in an operation killed a "wanted terrorist" in the country's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunhwa province and rescued six civilians held hostage. An army statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that four security forces personnel were injured during the operation in the district of Dera Ismail Khan in the province. According to the army's media wing, the wanted terrorist, Hakim, held the hostages for "ulterior motives," adding that he was armed with automatic weapons and grenades. It said that the operation was based on a tip-off. Local media alleged that the killed belonged to the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. The operation, which was part of the major anti-terror offensive codenamed Radd-ul-Fasaad or Reject Discord, is still in progress, according to security officials. The army is leading the operation across the country along with all other law enforcement agencies. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 00:40:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The White House said Saturday morning that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will attend a state funeral for the former president George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral in central Washington D.C. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, passed away at 10:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT) on Friday at the age of 94. Trump, the 45th U.S. president, will designate Wednesday, Dec. 5 as a national day of mourning for the former president, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. "A state funeral is being arranged with all of the accompanying support and honors," said the statement. Trump was scheduled to speak by phone Saturday with George W. Bush, son of George H.W. Bush and the 43rd president of the United States, to "offer his condolences on behalf of himself, the first lady, and the entire country," said the statement. "Melania and I join with a grieving Nation to mourn the loss of former President H.W. Bush," Trump said in an earlier statement issued overnight, hours after the former president's death. George H.W. Bush, born on June 12, 1924 in U.S. state of Massachusetts, was elected U.S. president in 1988 as the successor to Ronald Reagan. He served as head of the U.S. Liaison Office in China between 1974 and 1975. ALI HUSSAIN ISLAMABAD: India has turned down Pakistans invitation to attend the long-awaited 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Summit pending since November 2016. Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday stated in categorical terms that India will not participate in the 19th Saarc Summit to be hosted by Pakistan, the dates for which are yet to be finalised due to Indias reluctance to attend. That invitation has already been given but we are not responding to that positively. That until and unless Pakistan stops terrorist activities in India, there will be no dialogue and we will not participate in Saarc, Swaraj was quoted by Indian media to have stated with regard to Pakistans invitation. The 19th Saarc summit was planned to be held in Islamabad on November 15-19, 2016, but India along with like-minded countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan withdrew from the summit in the wake of September18, 2016 Uri attack in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian governments latest decision comes on the same day Prime Minister Imran Khan performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the long-awaited Kartarpur corridor, connecting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur area of Narowal district with Dera Baba Nanak in Indias Gurdaspur district. It is very unfortunate that India gave a negative response to Pakistans invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Saarc summit to be held in Islamabad in the near future, said a Pakistani diplomat on condition of anonymity, saying that Foreign Office spokesperson may give official response to Indias refusal. The diplomat said that according to the Saarc charter, all the decisions should be taken unanimously and the summit cannot be held if one or more member states refuse to attend. Foreign Office, however, did not give any immediate response to Indias refusal to attend the Saarc summit and resume the dialogue process. There is no need of point-scoringwe want to remain positive, said another diplomat. Indian response has always remained negativeSaarc is regional forum that was formed with the objective of promoting regional cooperation. The forum should be free of any politics and not be sabotaged on one or another pretext, said former Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi. He said Prime Minister Imran Khans speech at the groundbreaking ceremony of the corridor was very positive and that should have been reciprocated positively. He said India should have given a positive response to Pakistans initiative of opening the Kartarpur corridor for facilitation of Sikh pilgrims visiting their holy places in the country. Pakistan has sent a positive message and now the ball is in Indias court, he added. An oil and gas drilling platform stands offshore in the Gulf of Mexico in Dauphin Island, Alabama, United States, October 5, 2013. (Xinhua/Reuters) WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Trump administration has issued final authorizations that would allow companies to conduct geophysical surveys in the Atlantic Ocean, taking an important step toward possible future oil and natural gas drilling off the Atlantic shore. The National Marine Fisheries Service, a division of the U.S. Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said on Friday it has issued permits for five companies to use seismic airguns to "incidentally" harass marine mammals as part of their testing to find oil and gas deposits under the Atlantic Ocean floor. "The authorizations require monitoring, reporting, and mitigation measures to reduce the impacts of survey activities on marine mammals," the agency said in a statement. It marks the first time since the 1980s that the federal government has allowed seismic testing with airguns in the Atlantic Ocean, which could lead to the first oil and natural gas drilling there, according to the Hill, a U.S. political website. The American Petroleum Institute (API), the lobbying group for the oil and gas industry, hailed the administration's authorizations. "Today's announcement is one of many steps along a rigorous permitting process that helps to ensure that any future geophysical surveying in the Mid-and South Atlantic OCS would be properly managed and conducted so they have minimal impact on the marine environment," the API said in a statement. "The industry can make the discoveries of resources that our economy will need for decades to come," the group added. However, Democratic lawmakers and environmental groups slammed the administration's decision as the seismic testing using airgun blasts could disturb, harm and potentially kill marine mammals. "Seismic testing risks injuring and killing critically endangered species, severely disrupting economically important fisheries, and threatening the Jersey shore," New Jersey Democratic Representative Frank Pallone said Friday in a statement. "Members from both sides of the aisle will work tirelessly to fight this reckless decision by the Trump administration," said Pallone, who is in line to lead the House Energy and Commerce Committee in January. Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, also called for Congress to swiftly consider his bill that would ban seismic airgun testing in the Atlantic. "Seismic blasting and offshore drilling pose a threat to marine life and the coastal economies which depend on them," Beyer said in a statement. "There is no justification for intentionally welcoming this kind of damage, particularly at a time when oil prices are low and fossil fuel corporations are posting record profits," he said. Oprah Winfrey talks with former first lady Michelle Obama as she begins her Becoming book tour with a stop at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, United States, November 13, 2018. (Xinhua/Reuters) WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- "Becoming," the memoir by former first lady Michelle Obama, has become the best selling book of the year in the United States, local media reported Saturday. As many as 1,122,618 hardcover copies of Obama's uplifting memoir have been sold since its Nov. 13 release date, according to a CNN report, citing NDP BookScan data. Obama's publisher, Penguin Random House, said Friday that the book "sold more than 2 million units in all formats and editions in the United States and Canada during the first 15 days of its publication." Amazon's constantly-updated online list of best sellers of 2018 has also put "Becoming" at No. 1, followed by journalist Michael Wolff's "Fire and Fury" at No. 2 and Rachel Hollis' self help book "Girl, Wash Your Face" at No. 3. The hardcover edition of "Becoming" is now up to six printings. By the end of the sixth printing, there will be 3.4 million copies in print in the United States and Canada, said the CNN report. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 02:05:47|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Speaker of Libya's eastern-based House of Representatives (Parliament), Agila Saleh, on Saturday called on the dialogue committees of the Parliament and the Higher Council of State to speed up the formation of a new presidential council. According to Fat'hi al-Marimi, the speaker's information advisor, Saleh called on the two committees to speed up procedures for the formation of the new presidential council that consists of one president and two deputies, in accordance to the latest constitutional amendment. "The speaker stressed that uniting the executive authority is an important and urgent national demand, which would end the state of institutional division in Libya," al-Marimi said in a statement. The parliament recently voted to amend the referendum law, as well as to reform the current Government's Presidential Council into consisting of one president and two deputies, instead of the current one that consists of one president and nine deputies. On Tuesday, Saleh said that the amendment was "legal," and demanded those who object it to "resort to court." The constitution referendum law was approved by the parliament in September. Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid political division, insecurity and chaos. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 02:20:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ALGIERS, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi crown prince will start Sunday a two-day official visit to Algeria to discuss bilateral relations and global issues, Algerian Presidential Office said on Saturday in a statement. "As part of the strong brotherly relations between Algeria and Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will pay an official visit to Algeria on Sunday and Monday," the statement said. The source added that the visit aims at consolidating the bilateral relations, and giving a new impetus to cooperation, as well as boosting partnership and investment projects and opening new horizons for businessmen, in a bid to increase trade exchange. The visit is also expected to boost various bilateral workshops emanating from the 13th Algerian-Saudi Joint Committee held in Riyadh in April, which resulted in the signing of several cooperation agreements. The two countries will also discuss and exchange views on some prominent political and economic issues in the Arab and other regions, including the Palestinian issue, in addition to the recent developments in global oil market. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 02:45:52|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday said he was saddened by the death of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush. "I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of former President George Herbert Walker Bush, a leader who served the United States with distinction and supported the United Nations with dedication," the UN chief said in a statement issued by his spokesman's office. "Beginning with his posting as United States permanent representative to the United Nations in 1971 and continuing through his appointment as the secretary-general's special envoy for the South Asia earthquake disaster in 2005, George H. W. Bush worked productively with and through the United Nations," Guterres said. "Across the years I was consistently impressed by his compassion, instinct for moderation and commitment to public service. At this time of loss, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the government and people of the United States," he added. George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, died Friday at the age of 94, according to a statement from his office. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 02:55:53|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has had "informal" conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday, said the White House on Saturday. According to a statement issued by the White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders, "as is typical at multilateral events, President Trump and the First Lady had a number of informal conversations with world leaders at the dinner last night, including President Putin." However, she did not elaborate the content of the conversation. Trump tweeted earlier on Thursday before arriving in Argentina for the Group of 20 summit that "based on the fact that the ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia, I have decided it would be best for all parties concerned to cancel my previously scheduled meeting... in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin." "I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!" he added. In his interview with CNN on Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explained that Trump had canceled the meeting "because the Russians behaved in a way that is deeply inconsistent with international law and is outrageous." "The President wanted to send a clear, unambiguous message that we find that type of behavior unacceptable, and so he canceled the meeting... he wanted to send an unambiguous message that the Russians needed to change that act," he said. "President Trump made the decision this was the right approach based on the activity that had taken place in the lead-up to the G20 summit." Speaking about the conditions for a second Trump-Putin summit, Pompeo said that "we want the sailors returned, we want the ships returned." "Now this jumped in the middle of a time when they could have begun to have a discussion where we might have made some progress," he noted. "We regret that, but the Russians caused this meeting to be canceled by their behavior in the Kerch Strait." The Ukrainian Navy said Sunday that Russian forces opened fire and seized three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait, adding that six Ukrainian military sailors were wounded, two of them in serious condition. Russian authorities said the Ukrainian ships breached the Russian border and conducted dangerous maneuvers in spite of orders of accompanying Russian vessels. The Ukrainian Navy said that it had informed Russia in advance about the passage of Ukrainian vessels from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait. The Ukrainian parliament supported a bill earlier this week imposing a martial law in certain regions for 30 days starting from Wednesday due to the tensions with Russia in the Sea of Azov. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 03:56:02|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec. 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday that China is ready to make joint efforts with Germany to safeguard multilateralism and an open world economy. Xi made the remarks when meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the 13th summit of the Group of 20 (G20) in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. He pointed out that the development of China-Germany relations has maintained sound momentum and the two sides have carried out frequent high-level exchanges. As all-round strategic partners, China and Germany have seen ever closer cooperation in multilateral institutions and in global affairs, Xi said. He said China is ready to maintain close cooperation with the German side to make contributions to promoting world peace and stability. Xi stressed that China and Germany should stick to mutually beneficial and win-win results. China has unswervingly expanded opening-up and announced since the beginning of the year a series of new measures in opening up its market, Xi said. Xi said he has noticed that many German companies are among the first to benefit from the new opening-up policies in their respective areas. He called on the two sides to tap their advantages and push for higher quality and higher level of China-Germany cooperation. China, Xi said, sees Germany as its important partner in Belt and Road construction and is ready to work with the German side to boost connectivity between Asia and Europe. As the world's major economies and important trading nations, China and Germany should continue to jointly safeguard free trade and oppose protectionism, Xi said. China is ready to work with Germany to safeguard the international system with the United Nations at the center and tackle various global challenges, he added. Merkel, for her part, hailed the sound development of the Germany-China ties, saying that the two countries have maintained high-level exchanges and seen smooth advancement of communication and cooperation in various fields. Merkel said she is delighted to see that German enterprises are benefiting from China's further opening-up. Germany is willing to deepen practical cooperation with China in various fields and expand third-party market cooperation in infrastructure construction, skills training and other areas, she said. The German port of Duisburg is participating more in projects of the Belt and Road Initiative, Merkel said. Germany appreciates China's commitment to multilateral cooperation and resolves to uphold the Paris Agreement on climate change, she said. Faced with complicated and ever changing international situation, Germany and China should carry out closer communication and coordination, Merkel said, adding that her country supports Europe and China to strengthen cooperation and is willing to play a greater role in this respect. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 04:01:03|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Young people should be at the forefront of combating the spread of HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa, said Deputy President David Mabuza at the 30th World Aids Day commemoration in Soweto, Johannesburg on Saturday. While South Africa has made huge strides in fighting the disease in the past decade, Mabuza said young people's improved involvement is necessary to eradicate AIDS. "We are looking to our young people to play a leading role in this struggle as capable and dynamic agents of change. We look to them and to their energy to be revolutionary ambassadors across society, ambassadors that advance awareness about how to prevent TB and stop TB and AIDS related deaths." he said. With UNAIDS statistics show that almost 2,000 young women and adolescents girls are infected with HIV in South Africa weekly, Mabuza said special attention must be paid to this age group. "Going forward, our focus should be on young people and men. It is young people, especially those between 15 and 24 years and men that are not testing for HIV and those not being initiated on antiretroviral drugs (ARV)," Mabuza added. South Africa has the highest number of people living with HIV and the largest treatment campaign in the world. To date, the country had initiated 4.3 million South Africans on ARV treatment in the public sector, with an additional 235,000 in the private sector. Mabuza revealed that 11 million people have been tested for HIV in the past year. The government seeks to get 14 million people tested for both TB and Aids and more than six million initiated on ARV treatment by 2020. "The day calls on us to take preventive measures as a first stance in tackling this pandemic," he noted. Mabuza said that a functioning public health care system is key in tackling the diseases. "No more people must be deprived of treatment and life saving because of race and social standing. We are committed to rooting out inefficiency, laxity and dysfunction from our health system. We can," he promised. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 04:11:05|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen (L) looks at Giant panda Fu Feng, Fu Ban and their mother Yang Yang in the snow-covered Panda garden at Zoo Vienna in Vienna, Austria, on Dec. 1, 2018. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen visited the panda twins, Fu Feng and Fu Ban, at Zoo Vienna on Saturday to say goodbye as the pandas will return to Sichuan province, the hometown of giant pandas in China on Sunday. (Xinhua/Liu Xiang) VIENNA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen visited the panda twins, Fu Feng and Fu Ban, at Zoo Vienna on Saturday to say goodbye as the pandas will return to Sichuan province, the hometown of giant pandas in China on Sunday. Fu Feng and Fu Ban, who were born in August 2016 in Austria, will travel by plane from Vienna via Frankfurt to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. They have finished their weeks long training for their journey, according to the zoo. "The time with the twins is gone. It seems to me as if it had been yesterday that the two still cuddled with their mother Yang Yang in the box. They have given us many great moments, "said CEO of Zoo Vienna, Dagmar Schratter. The panda twins have lived in Vienna with their mother Yang Yang for over two years. In the field, panda cubs leave their mothers at this age and seek their own territory. Yang Yang is seen as a super mother, with Long Hui, the father of the twins, she gave birth to 5 cubs. Their rearing was a sensation -- for the first time a panda mother in captivity raised twins without human help. But Long Hui died of cancer in December 2016. Yang Yang's Fu Long, Fu Hu and Fu Bao -- the three male cubs, were all back to their hometown in China after two years old. A zookeeper will accompany the twins to China and help them settle in their new home. According to the contract with China, the panda cubs should be returned to China after two years old. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 04:16:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may revive a previously failed effort to resolve the country's Kurdish issue following local elections in March next year, said analysts. "I expect Erdogan would probably relaunch the settlement process following the elections," Umit Firat, a Kurdish intellectual told Xinhua as a ruling party delegation studied federal system in Germany. REVEALING DEVELOPMENTS The previous effort by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to settle the decades-old Kurdish issue and the terrorism problem failed in 2015 after more than two years of negotiations. Firat, a columnist for the kurdistan 24. net news website, says that the revival of the settlement process will almost inevitably be on Turkey's agenda next year. "It's Erdogan and some of those around him who should know best that the current situation is not sustainable," he said, adding the issue would be on foreign powers' radar as well as Kurds in neighboring Syria seek autonomy. The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), blacklisted as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, has been fighting a bloody war since 1984 for an autonomous, if not independent Kurdistan, in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast. Developments over the past week suggest that the revival of the settlement process may be in the works. "We exchanged views about the federal system," Ravza Kavakci, an AKP deputy, tweeted following a visit to Germany's Bundesrat, a legislative body that represents the 16 federated states of Germany. A group of intellectuals, who served as members of a committee of wise persons in Ankara's previous attempt to settle the Kurdish issue, met in Norway's Oslo last week. The wise persons, whose role was to eliminate the Turkish public's misgivings about the settlement process, discussed their experiences in the failed effort, according to local media. Gokhan Gunaydin, a member of party council with Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party, feels that the meeting in Oslo must have been organized in coordination with the AKP, although it was officially done by the Britain-based Democratic Progress Institute. The AKP deputy's message about federal system, like the Oslo meeting, was aimed at winning over Kurdish voters ahead of the local elections, Gunaydin told Xinhua. ANKARA'S ATTITUDE IMPORTANT Turkey is set to hold critically important local elections at the end of March in 2019. It is argued that Erdogan may feel pushed to call for snap presidential election in case the AKP loses major cities like Istanbul and Ankara to the opposition. Kurdish voters who support both the AKP and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) would strongly back such an initiative, Vahap Coskun, who teaches law at Dicle University in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, told Xinhua. The AKP negotiated with the PKK through HDP deputies during the past settlement process. The choice of Oslo as the venue for the meeting of wise persons is widely seen as significant, as earlier negotiations involving Turkey's intelligence agency in 2009 with PKK representatives are widely known as "Oslo talks." Coskun, a former member of the wise persons committee who also attended the Oslo meeting last week, denied any involvement of the AKP in the organization of the session. In his view, any renewal of the settlement process is more closely tied to Ankara's attitude toward the Kurdish entity in Syria than to domestic circumstances. If Turkey and the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in northern Syria could manage to talk and reach a consensus in a general way, it would create a positive atmosphere for the settlement process to restart at home, argued Coskun. The PYD, the political wing of the Kurdish militia known as the People's Protection Units (YPG), has established two self-declared autonomous cantons in northeastern Syria along the Turkish border by taking advantage of the war in the Arab state. Ankara sees the U.S.-backed YPG as the PKK's Syrian offshoot and a major national security threat. However, then PYD leader Salih Muslim was hosted in Turkey for talks several times in 2013 and 2014 when the settlement process was in progress. According to local media, Ankara cut off ties with Muslim and declared the YPG a terror group after Muslim rejected its demand that the Kurdish militia cooperate with rebel groups and fight the Syrian government. Despite Ankara's insistent calls in the past, the YPG did not give up establishing autonomous cantons along the Turkish border either. "In addition, if the PKK ends armed struggle in Turkey, then a new door may be opened for a settlement," said Coskun. An earlier indication that Erdogan may be planning to relaunch the settlement process was given by Ahmet Uysal, director of the Ankara-based Center for Middle Eastern Studies, in a July interview with the Rudaw news website in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Uysal, known to be close to the ruling AKP, said in the interview that he expected Erdogan to continue with the settlement process following the local elections. He argued that Erdogan would take up the issue following the polls, otherwise the AKP's potential cooperation with the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in the local polls could be impossible. The AKP has now joined forces with the MHP for the elections. The state can simply give its Kurdish citizens their rights without engaging in negotiations with the HDP or the PKK, Firat argued, saying the government may then negotiate with the PKK over the terms for laying down arms. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 04:26:09|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec. 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on Saturday agreed to bring the bilateral ties to a higher level and renewed their pledges to safeguard multilateralism. The two leaders met here on the sidelines of Group of 20 (G20) summit, a two-day event starting Friday. China-France relations have maintained high-level stable development and the momentum is inspiring, said Xi. Next year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic ties and China is willing to work with France to bring their comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level and work for greater progress in the development of China-Europe relations, Xi said. To consolidate the good momentum of the development of bilateral ties, the two sides need to continue strengthening high-level exchanges and make good use of dialogue mechanisms at various levels, Xi added. Xi said the two sides will push forward practical cooperation and expand two-way trade and investment. The two sides will firmly safeguard multilateralism, strengthen communication and coordination on major global issues including climate change, reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Iran nuclear issue, said Xi. The two sides should take concrete actions to maintain the multilateral world order with the United Nations (UN) Charter and principles at the core, and uphold free trade and the multilateral trading system, said Xi. Referring to Friday's trilateral meeting among China, France and the UN on climate change, Xi said the event has sent a positive signal, adding that China hopes to enhance cooperation with France within the G20. For his part, Macron recalled his China visit in January this year, during which he and Xi charted the course for the future of the development of bilateral ties. Macron said that he is glad that bilateral relations are progressing as planned and fruitful results have been achieved for their cooperation in areas such as energy and space technology. France speaks highly of Xi's statement on further reform and opening-up at the Boao Forum for Asia and the China International Import Expo this year, and appreciates China's efforts to improve business environment for foreign companies operating in China, said Macron. To mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of France-China diplomatic ties, the two sides should join hands to host a series of celebrations, he said. France is willing to increase high-level exchanges with China and push forward cooperation in areas such as nuclear energy, aviation and tourism, said Macron, adding that France welcomes more Chinese investment and hopes its export to China would grow. France is firmly committed to multilateralism and hopes to maintain the mutual support between the two countries on major international issues, work jointly to uphold the multilateral free trade system and push the international community to abide by and implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and promote the development of Europe-China relations, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 05:01:15|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CHICAGO, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agricultural commodities closed higher over the trading week which ended Nov. 30, as investors turned to technical buying amid expectations for U.S.-China trade talks during G20 meeting. The most active corn contract for March 2019 delivery rose 7.25 cents weekly, or 2.02 percent, to 3.7775 dollars per bushel. March 2019 wheat delivery was up 8.5 cents, or 1.58 percent, to 5.1575 dollars per bushel. 2019 January soybean added 13.75 cents higher, to 8.9475 dollars. CBOT March corn rallied over 7 cents on the week. The advance was due to optimism surrounding this weekend's G20 meeting in Buenos Aires of Argentina. Additional acres are certainly needed, but whether area expands adequately will be determined by Asian buyers' return to the U.S. soy market. Otherwise, world cash basis levels continue to improve. Gulf corn holds a modest discount into Asia through the early part of spring. Ethanol margins will remain depressed until better ethanol export demand is found. Wheat futures ended higher on fund short covering ahead of the weekend G20 meeting and as incremental export demand for the United States. Export sales last week were only routine, but since last Thursday the United States has sold two cargoes to Egypt, and there's at least talk that hard red wheat is close to working to North and Sub-Saharan Africa. Winter wheat acreage expansion is no longer expected in the United States amid adverse autumn weather. Sales are only advised on strong rallies. The need for favorable 2019 world weather is high amid declining non Asian stocks. Soybeans were under pressure at the start of the week, but the early break uncovered strong demand that supported the market into late week. Funds were short in the soybean market and used the break to cover positions ahead of the G20 Summit. Fundamentally, U.S. soybean supplies are record large, but its export demand remains very weak in past 6 months. Without large demand from overseas market, U.S. soybean stocks will remain historically large, which leaves the market outlook bearish on any fund covering rallies. Longer term, a record large Brazilian harvest is expected to get under way in late December, with significant exports to begin by late January. A long Brazilian export tail will weigh on U.S. exports for much of 2019, and on into the new crop harvest. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 05:26:21|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close RABAT, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Moroccan police said Saturday that they have busted a new network operating in illegal immigration. During a police raid in the city of Sale, near the capital Rabat, eight people linked to the network were arrested, the police said in a statement. Another 13 people suspected of illegal immigration, from various Moroccan cities, were also arrested, the statement added, noting that these people paid between 1,570 and 2,100 U.S. dollars to the network to migrate to Europe illegally. The police seized four cars and equipment used in illegal immigration, it noted. The authorities launched an investigation into details of the case to reveal the links of the criminal network. Morocco has seen a significant hike in illegal immigration attempts this year. According to the Moroccan Interior Ministry, authorities have foiled over 76,000 illegal immigration attempts between January and November. During the same period, the country also dismantled 174 illegal immigration networks, up from some 70 in 2017. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 05:56:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. commander of the Fifth Fleet, Scott Stearney, was found dead in Bahrain on Saturday. Adm. John Richardson, the 31st chief of Naval Operations, tweeted that "it's my sad duty to inform you that today the Secretary of the Navy and I were informed that Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, our commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and commander of U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, was found deceased in his residence in Bahrain today." Stearney, the commander of the U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, oversaw American naval forces in the Middle East. The Navy did not explain the cause of his death, only saying that "the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are cooperating on the investigation, but at this time no foul play is suspected." Stearney's deputy, Rear Admiral Paul Schlise, had taken Stearney's command. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 06:16:32|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec. 1, 2018. President Xi attended a working dinner with President Trump in Buenos Aires on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Saturday that he would like to exchange views on issues of common concern with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, and jointly chart the course for China-U.S. relations in the next stage. Xi made the remarks at a working dinner with Trump. The Chinese president said he was glad to meet President Trump. Since their previous meeting, Xi said, the world situation has witnessed a lot of changes. As two major countries with great influence, China and the United States shoulder important responsibilities in promoting world peace and prosperity. Cooperation is the best option for the two countries, Xi said. The two leaders agreed to meet at the G20 summit in a telephone conversation early last month, in which Xi said that both he and President Trump have good visions for a healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations as well as for the expansion of economic and trade cooperation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-02 06:36:34|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close OTTAWA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of French speakers took to street to protest against the Conservative Ontario government's cutbacks to French services Saturday afternoon in Ottawa, Toronto and other areas across Canadian province of Ontario. The protests were organized by the Francophone Assembly of Ontario, which represents 740,000 French-speaking Ontarians. The assembly said more than 13,5000 people took to the street for the protest in the province. The protests come three days after a motion at the Ontario provincial parliament to restore the French Language Services Commissioner and a promised French Language University in Ontario was voted down Wednesday. The French language services commissioner's job is to ensure that the government abides by the French Language Services Act. In its budget statement last month, Ontario provincial government announced its decision to remove the position of the French language services commissioner and scrap plans to build province's first ever French-language university as part of its plan to balance the provincial budget for the rest of the year. Ontario Premier Doug Ford cited the province's deficit of 15-billion Canadian dollars (about 11 billion U.S. dollars) as the reason for cutting funds to the university, as well last month's decision to pull funds for three university expansions. Establishment of a French-Language university was first promised by the Liberal provincial government in 2017 and scheduled to open in 2020, catering to the province's fast-growing Francophone population, the largest in Canada outside of Quebec province in the country. The decision caused a very strong backlash from French-speakers, the federal government and French speaking Quebec province in the country. French is the mother tongue of 622,415 French-speakers in Ontario, according to Statistics Canada. Supporters demonstrated the fact that while total enrollment in Ontario's English-language school boards has been on a long, slow decline over the past 20 years, enrollment in the French-language boards has been rising. The provincial controversy has already become national political implications, prompted federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer to engage in damage control this week, initiating a meeting in Ottawa on francophone rights outside Quebec, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the other party leaders. Ford has revised his government plans by saying the position of the French language services commissioner would fall under the ombudsman's office. However, he said he will not take back his decision on the French-language university. 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In data de 27 octombrie 2021, conform datelor existente in aplicatia alerte.ms, la nivel national exista 1.743 de paturi - Grupul de Comunicare Strategica a anuntat ca, la nivel national, sambata, nu exista niciun pat liber la terapie intensiva pentru pacientii bolnavi de COVID-19, fiind doar unele paturi rezervate special pentru persoane cu anumite conditii medicale care sunt si confirmate cu SARS-CoV-2. Sambata, - La Arena de Baschet din Bucuresti, au inceput antrenamentele lotului national largit din care se vor selecta jucatorii care vor reprezenta Romania la FIBA U16 European Championship 2022. Pentru aceasta actiune, au fost convocati 31 de sportivi, informeaza Federatia Romana de Baschet. Inaintea primei - The co-chair of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians, George Simion, the leader of this party's deputies, stated, on Thursday, that he supports the option of an immediate installation of a national union government composed of specialists, and if consensus cannot be found, early elections represent - The states of the European Union are committing over 48 billion euros for railway projects through their national recovery and resilience plans, and Romania's metro and railway projects amount to 4.5 billion euros, the European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Valean told on Friday a press conference - Peste 286.000 de autoturisme au fost produse in Romania, in primele opt luni ale anului, dintre care aproape 50.000 de unitati numai in perioada iulie - august, arata datele Asociatiei Constructorilor de Automobile din Romania (ACAROM). Conform datelor statistice, din totalul celor 286.038 In this Dec. 18, 1970, file photo, newly appointed United Nations Ambassador George H. Bush smiles. Bush has died at age 94. Family spokesman Jim McGrath says Bush died shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, about eight months after the death of his wife, Barbara Bush. Read more Former President George H.W. Bushs death overnight elicited swift words of praise from Pennsylvania and New Jersey Republicans and Democrats Saturday morning, who remembered him as a tireless humanitarian who did not let political differences prohibit friendships and cooperation. Former Gov. Ed Rendell, Philadelphias onetime Democratic mayor, called Bush a great American and a great guy who showed empathy to cities and their needs. For a Republican, he was pretty good to cities, Rendell said at the Pennsylvania Society in New York, an annual gathering for Pennsylvanias political elite and the special interests who want something from them. At one of the marquee events there Saturday the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Associations seminar, featuring a lengthy lineup of speakers the morning began with a moment of silence for Bush. The newly-minted House Majority leader, Bryan Cutler of Lancaster County, began his speech quoting Bushs belief that power should be used to help people. In 2003, Bush received the gold medal award for Distinguished Achievement at the Pennsylvania Society dinner. The award is given to prominent people to honor their leadership and contributions to education, the sciences and the arts. Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf ordered all Commonwealth flags on public buildings throughout the state to fly at half-staff until Jan. 1, and said in statement: President George H.W. Bush was a kind and gentle man who dedicated his life to service, and he will be greatly missed. A decorated war hero and career public servant with extensive credentials, President Bush protected and brought honor to America. 41 will be remembered for signing the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, his post-presidency work on behalf of his fellow veterans, and bringing honor and grace to his service. New Jersey Gov. Murphy said: A true American leader both at war and in peace, President Bush was kind, heroic, thoughtful, and of the highest professional and personal character. He lived a life in service to his fellow Americans and taught those he touched with his unwavering integrity. In Philadelphia, Jeffrey Rosen, president of the Constitution Center, which Bush chaired from 2006 to 2008, called the former president an American hero in a tweet Saturday. Across Pennsylvania and the world, others weighed in on Bushs passing: President George H.W. Bush was a great American patriot, dedicated public servant, tireless humanitarian, and a caring family man. U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, (R., Pa.). Michele and I mourn the passing of a great man who was beloved by a nation and respected by the world. A man guided by decency and humility. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge. While I didnt always agree with his policies, specifically around the AIDS epidemic and the failed war on drugs, there is no denying his love for our country displayed over decades of service. May his leadership and willingness to serve be an example for us all and may his loved ones find peace during this difficult time." Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. (He) was a man of the highest character. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad. Former President George W. Bush. George H.W. Bushs life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good along the journey. Former President Barack Obama. The legacy of George H.W. Bush will be forever etched in the history of America and the world. It is a lifelong record of selfless patriotic service to our nation. James A. Baker III, secretary of state in the Bush administration. Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service_to be, in his words, a thousand points of light illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world. President Donald Trump. I will be forever grateful for the friendship we formed. From the moment I met him as a young governor invited to his home in Kennebunkport, I was struck by the kindness he showed to Chelsea, by his innate and genuine decency, and by his devotion to Barbara, his children, and their growing brood. Former President Bill Clinton. The world has lost a great leader; this country has lost one of its best; and I have lost one of my dearest friends. I am heartbroken. Brent Scowcroft, Bushs national security adviser. "Texans are genuinely honored that he (Bush) called the Lone Star State home and we collectively grieve this monumental loss. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. (George H.W. Bush) tried to create a new international order based on justice and equality among nations ... he never forgot the Kuwaiti people and will remain in their memory. Kuwaits ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah. Remembering President George H.W. Bush and the Americans With Disabilities Act. Millions of with Disabilities and who are Deaf or HOH (hard of hearing) lives have been changed for the better as a result of his signing this landmark legislation. My condolences to his entire family RIP #georgehwbush. Actress Marlee Matlin, who herself is deaf, via Twitter. President George H.W. Bush was the real deal. We fought but he was gracious enough to accept my apology. Through his daughter Dorothy, my friends Ron Kaufman and Mary Matalin, I got to know him. Rest in Peace #georgehwbush Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile, via Twitter I will never forget George H.W. Bush and President Clinton meeting me in my old hometown of New Orleans to show support and raise money after Hurricane Katrina. I send my love to his family tonight. Ellen DeGeneres, via Twitter. As an American envoy to Beijing, as CIA Director, as Vice President for eight years and then four years as President, George H.W. Bushs statesmanship played a key role in helping to end the Cold War, which bought democracy to millions of people in Europe and diminished the threat of nuclear war. George H.W. Bush was a strong supporter of the international rules-based system, the rule of law and democratic values. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. "It was a time of great change, demanding great responsibility from everyone. The result was the end of the Cold War and nuclear arms race. (My wife, Raisa, and I) deeply appreciated the attention, kindness and simplicity typical of George and Barbara Bush, as well as the rest of their large, friendly family. Former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev. He was in fact the first American President that I was privileged to meet. I recall being deeply touched by your fathers concern for the Tibetan people and the situation in Tibet. It is truly admirable to have lived over 94 years. While nothing can replace the loss of a father, we can rejoice in the fact that his was a meaningful life, dedicated to public service. I commend your parents for encouraging their children, including you my dear friend, to devote yourselves to the service of others. Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama (President George H.W. Bush was) a great statesman and a true friend of our country whose ethos of public service was the guiding thread of his life and an example to us all ... in navigating a peaceful end to the Cold War he made the world a safer place for generations to come. British Prime Minister Theresa May (He) saw Americas obligation to the world and honored it. I feel privileged to have worked with him, and even more privileged that he became a lifelong friend. He was, quite simply, one of the most deep-down decent people I have ever known. John Major, British Prime Minister from 1990-1997. We are mourning a great statesman and a friend of Germany ... (Bush) courageously seized the opportunity to end the Cold War ... he is also an architect of German unity. He supported it from the beginning without reservations. We will never forget that. Heiko Maas, German foreign minister. "The Palace is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former President George Herbert Walker Bush of the United States of America. Mr. George Bush, Sr. ... was credited for his foreign policy which saw the end of the Cold War. He stood for freedom and his words about the subject ring a bell until this day when he said, The anchor in our world today is freedom, holding us steady in times of change, a symbol of hope to all the world. On behalf of the Filipino nation and people, we wish to convey our condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Mr. Bush, as well as to the government and the people of the United States of America. Salvador S. Panelo, chief presidential legal counsel and presidential spokesperson. Former President George H. W. Bush was passionate about strong relations between India and USA. His presence will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via Twitter. The Presidents life was one of service, to his country and to his family ... President Bush was the embodiment of the values of the United States, standing up for what was right and fighting throughout his life for freedom from tyranny and oppression in any guise. In fighting for these values so cherished by both our nations, he was a true friend to Australia and it was Australias honour to host him at the Australian Parliament in 1991. The Presidents civility, charm and warmth endeared him to his nation and to people everywhere, making him loved as much as he was admired and respected. We join with the American people to mourn his passing. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened by the death of former President George H.W. Bush. His administration was marked by grace, civility, and social conscience. Through his Points of Light initiative and other projects, he espoused a uniquely American volunteer spirit, fostering bipartisan support for citizen service and inspiring millions to embrace community volunteerism as a cherished responsibility. We again extend our heartfelt condolences to the Bush family. Former President Jimmy Carter. A distinguished man has passed away. One who served his country for his entire life, with a weapon in his hands during wartime and in high office during peacetime. Russian leader Vladimir Putin, via the Kremlin website. Beginning with his posting as United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 1971 and continuing through his appointment as the Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for the South Asia Earthquake Disaster in 2005, George H. W. Bush worked productively with and through the United Nations. Across the years I was consistently impressed by his compassion, instinct for moderation and commitment to public service. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. President George H.W. Bush accomplished historic, great achievements by contributing to peace and stability of the international community. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He will be long remembered in the hearts of our people for his dedication to world peace and safety while leading the efforts that brought an end to the Cold War and reconciliation between the East and West, and also for his strong efforts to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula and develop the alliance between South Korea and the United States. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, via Twitter. President Bushs calmness, leadership and close personal relationships with Helmut Kohl and Mikhail Gorbachev were decisive in restoring peace and freedom back to so many people across our Continent. We Europeans will forever remember this. EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The German people had in him a true friend who recognized the significance of this historic hour and gave us his trust and support. German Chancellor Angela Merkel. ___ See APs complete coverage of George H.W. Bush here: https://www.apnews.com/tag/GeorgeHWBush I've known now-former CNN commentator Marc Lamont Hill for years. I've interviewed him many times on a variety of subjects from politics to hip hop, and I have always found him to be a scholarly, thoughtful person. We haven't always agreed on issues, but I've watched him defend the basic human rights of all people. I don't believe he's anti-Semitic. So, when I heard that Hill, a former Daily News columnist, had been dismissed from his longtime gig at CNN for controversial remarks he made at the United Nations concerning Israel and the Palestinians, I immediately reached out to see what he had to say. Given the way he's getting slammed on social media, I didn't expect him to respond, but he called me back. I began by asking about his firing from CNN. "Someone called me and told me that based on my speech, they could no longer have me on the air as a contributor," he told me on Friday. "As of now, I am no longer under contract with them." Beyond that, Hill said, the only explanation provided for his termination was "that the speech didn't reflect their values. That was it. That's exactly what they said. They didn't go into greater detail. It was disappointing." Hill's troubles with the Atlanta-based cable network began Wednesday following his appearance at an event for the International Day of Solidarity With the Palestinian People. During his remarks, among other things, he called for a "free Palestine from the river to the sea." Critics immediately pounced, claiming he was calling for the destruction of Israel. He fought back on Twitter, maintaining that he's being unfairly maligned and that his comments were misconstrued. I asked Hill, a tenured professor of media studies at Temple University, what he meant by the "river to the sea" remark. " 'From the river to the sea' refers to the entire region from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. It's a phrase that's been used at least since the 1930s to describe different movements," he told me. "Both Palestinians and the Israelis have used the phrase 'from the river to the sea' to describe their political aspirations. People have said to me, 'Hamas says that.' Hamas has said that, sure, and so have moderate groups so have religious organizations." "The river to the sea is not a dog whistle to a particular organization or orientation. So when people say 'from the river to the sea,' it doesn't necessarily communicate anything in particular, anymore than in America when we say 'from sea to shining sea..' " Hill, the author of four books, likened his use of the phrase to saying "black power" and then having people assume that he was associated with the Black Panther Party. "It's simply not analogous," Hill said. "For me, when I said 'a free Palestine from the river to the sea,' I was specifically reflecting on everything I said in the previous 24 minutes of the speech, where I talked about full citizenship rights in Israel for Arab citizens. I talked about redrawing the 1967 borders. If I'm talking about redrawing borders, then I'm not talking about getting rid of Israel. So this idea that I was calling to destroy Israel is bizarre to me, and disappointing. I have no desire to destroy Israel. I believe that Jewish people everywhere in the world deserve to live in peace and safety and security, and with self-determination. "I also think Palestinians should have the exact same rights inside of that space. I believe in equal rights for everybody." After Novartis genetically engineers each patient's T cells to attack cancerous blood cells, the product, Kymriah, is shipped in a bag to the hospital, where the one-time therapy is given intravenously. Read more Updated data for the world's first T-cell therapy, Novartis' Kymriah, show that it produced long-lasting remissions in adults with an aggressive form of lymphoma who had relapsed after standard treatments. Kymriah, developed with the University of Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, was originally approved for a form of pediatric leukemia, a blood cancer. In May, approval was expanded to treat diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. DLBCL is the most common form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system. The updated data, to be presented Saturday at a hematology conference, are from the global clinical trial in 10 countries. Of 99 patients treated with Kymriah, 40 percent saw their lymphoma completely disappear, mirroring earlier results in fewer patients. Although the patients had not been followed long enough to determine the durability of the remissions, trend data indicated that 64 percent would still be cancer-free at 18 months. Although most of the 27,000 U.S. patients diagnosed each year with DLBCL are cured with conventional treatments, an estimated 6,500 exhaust those options. Kymriah, or tisagenlecleucel, is made by siphoning a patient's T cells from the blood, genetically programming these immune soldier cells to attack malignant blood cells, then returning them to the patient. For DLBCL, Novartis set the price at $373,000, but that does not include hospitalization to give the therapy and treat serious side effects that commonly occur. "Mechanical control issues" within the treatment plant have led to the increased turbidity or cloudiness level in water being delivered to parts of central and lower Bucks County, necessitating the boil-water advisory that remains in effect, Pennsylvania American Water said Saturday. "The team's investigation found that mechanical control issues within the plant led to the situation, which we are now working to resolve," the statement by spokesperson Terry Maenza said. Repair work is happening "around the clock" and in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Maenza said. >> READ MORE: Pennsbury schools closed as boil-water advisory remains in effect in Bucks Meanwhile, customers in Yardley Borough, Lower Makefield Township, and parts of Falls Township should continue to boil water before drinking it (that goes for pets, too), making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, or using it to cook, Maenza said. "Until we complete repairs and stabilize the treatment plant, we cannot provide an estimate of when the boil advisory will be lifted," he said. Turbidity could be an indication of the presence of bacteria, viruses, or parasites that can cause nausea, diarrhea, or headaches, the utility has said. Water tankers are available for customers who are urged to bring their own containers from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Yardley-Makefield Fire Company locations, Gas Light Village, and Falls Township. American Water has provided information on boil advisories on its website. The Pennsbury School District, which canceled classes Friday as a result of the water problem, said it would be monitoring the situation through the weekend before making a decision about classes Monday. Former President George H.W. Bush receives the 2006 Liberty Medal along with former President Bill Clinton at the National Constitution Center. Read more Regardless of party, political and community leaders in Pennsylvania and New Jersey remembered former President George H.W. Bush on Saturday as a dutiful public servant and generous humanitarian who did not let political differences prevent friendships and cooperation. "President George H.W. Bush was a kind and gentle man who dedicated his life to service, and he will be greatly missed. A decorated war hero and career public servant with extensive credentials, President Bush protected and brought honor to America. "41" will be remembered for signing the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, his post-presidency work on behalf of his fellow veterans, and bringing honor and grace to his service." Gov. Wolf "A true American leader both at war and in peace, President Bush was kind, heroic, thoughtful, and of the highest professional and personal character. He lived a life in service to his fellow Americans and taught those he touched with his unwavering integrity." Gov. Murphy "For a Republican, he was pretty good to cities." Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a former Democratic mayor of Philadelphia "He was a dedicated public servant who was a gentleman leader. I was proud to serve him as U.S. Attorney in Pittsburgh and to have had the opportunity of meeting with him on a number of occasions. The world is a better place for his service." Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett "Few U.S. Presidents have faced the momentous shifts in geopolitics faced by President George Herbert Walker Bush. From the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany to nuclear non-proliferation agreements with the Soviet Union and the Persian Gulf War, President Bush advanced American interests and values." Sen. Chris Coons (D., Del.) "President George H.W. Bush was a great American patriot, dedicated public servant, tireless humanitarian, and a caring family man." Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.) "Michele and I mourn the passing of a great man who was beloved by a nation and respected by the world. A man guided by decency and humility." Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge "While I didn't always agree with his policies, specifically around the AIDS epidemic and the failed war on drugs, there is no denying his love for our country displayed over decades of service. May his leadership and willingness to serve be an example for us all and may his loved ones find peace during this difficult time." Mayor Kenney "As one of the youngest Navy pilots during WWII, George H.W. Bush demonstrated remarkable patriotism and selfless humility. Through his steadfast leadership, President Bush guided our nation to the peaceful end of the Cold War, underscored with the demise of the Berlin Wall. May his profound legacy of public service serve as a reminder to all Americans, "We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the nation and gentler the face of the world." Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.) "President George H.W. Bush was not just a President he was a statesman who led the free world with a passion for democracy, and a wonderful father and family man." Tweet by Sen. Bob Menendez (D., N.J.) "In addition to his extraordinary career & devotion to his wife & family, George Bush will be remembered for his unyielding faith in America & its people." Tweet by Rep. Donald Norcross (D., N.J.) "All of us @ConstitutionCtr mourning the passing of an American hero, President #GeorgeHWBush. He served as our chair from 2006-8 & inspired all with his service. With his shining decency & love of Constitution that transcended party, he was the heir of the #FoundingFathers." Tweet by Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center Rabbi Shawm Zevit (center) with leaders from other religious institutions that partner with Mishkan Shalom Synagogue in Philadelphia on Saturday, December 1, 2018. The synagogue celebrated the 10th annual Truah Human Rights Shabbat which focuses on the intersection of Jewish values and universal human rights. ERIN BLEWETT / Staff Photographer Read more At synagogues across the country Saturday, worshipers took time out to celebrate human rights and examine the state of those rights in the aftermath of a rash of racist and anti-Semitic incidents and shootings. At Mishkan Shalom synagogue in Manayunk, the massacre that claimed 11 lives at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in October was among other high-profile shootings noted by those gathered for the annual marking of Human Rights Shabbat, a national event since 2008. "In the wake of Pittsburgh and the murders in Louisville and California, we saw this as an opportunity to really come together and lift up the aspect of solidarity and human rights for everybody," said Rabbi Shawn Zevit, who has led Mishkan Shalom for six years. In that spirit, Zevit invited Christian and Muslim clergy to the event, which featured hymns sung in Hebrew and down-home gospel led by the Rev. Nicolas O'Rourke of the Living Water United Church of Christ in Lawncrest. The Rev. Mark Tyler of Mother Bethel AME Church on Sixth Street in Society Hill said the tragedies should motivate people of faith to work and speak against such violence. "The time for us to stand together is when anybody in the community is attacked and hurt. We can't afford to wait until it comes to our front door," said Tyler, who, like Zevit, is a member of Power, an interfaith organization of 50 congregations that works for social change. "If someone is being attacked at the border, if someone is being told they can't come to the country because they're Muslim, if someone is being denied lodging because of who they love, that's important to all of us. Anybody that's hurt, that's our issue," Tyler said. While the turbulent times have been sobering, they have also resulted in some recommitting themselves to their faith, Zevit and others noted. "A lot of younger people have been coming and people with young kids, though not exclusively, and saying: 'I hadn't really thought about it, but I got to think of my identity now. I've not been connected to a community.' " Ellen Tichenor, Mishkan Shalom board president, fought back tears as she recounted to the congregation that a friend of hers has a friend who began wearing a yarmulke for the first time in his life after the Pittsburgh slayings. "What he said about it is: 'This is my black skin.This is how people who cannot hide walk around, and I don't want to hide anymore.' " Tichenor, 72, said this year's Human Rights Shabbat is a rebuke to a new form of violence. "It's not that violence hasn't been in this country; it's just that there's no shame about it. It's even more rampant now. I was involved in the civil rights movement. I think we thought we had done a piece of work that would not be undone. This Shabbat is about saying we're not going to let our humanity be cheapened by the type of hatred and violence that is being fostered in the country." Created by T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, a New York-based rabbinic human rights organization, the annual observance strives to educate members of the Jewish community and others about the link between Jewish values and universal human rights. The celebration, which takes place before International Human Rights Day, the yearly celebration of the passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is marked by adherents studying Jewish teachings concerning human rights, discussing modern-day human-rights struggles and celebrating the connection between universal human rights and Jewish values. At Mishkan Shalom, groups of schoolchildren made posters to illustrate the meaning of human rights. One featured a green-and-blue globe. Another depicted clean water and shelter. Another featured foods that the children believe everyone should have access to, including fruit, vegetables and pizza, the latter drawing laughs from the audience. "Without a roof over our heads, food, and a decent job, what are we marching for?" Zevit said, affirming the children's artwork. Although they are not Jewish, a small group of Villanova University students who attended the Human Rights Shabbat as part of a theology class said they found common ground with the Mishkan Shalom congregants. "I'm a Catholic, and the problem of gun violence isn't really spoken about in church as profoundly as it is here, and I think it is really something that should be spoken about," said Kerri Weston, 20, a sophomore communications major. "So, it was really interesting to see them speak about it. It's something we don't want to talk about, but we should." "I didn't expect to be, like, singing gospel worship songs at the service," said Samantha Mazzarelli, 22, a senior political science major. "I just came away really appreciating how you can pull these different traditions together and just celebrate religion and spirituality as a whole and be united and sort of move forward fighting for human rights." This new home on Ellsworth Street, seen here in June 2016, was initially labeled as a vacant "side yard" sale in city records. A developer friend of Councilman Kenyatta Johnson purchased the land cheaply and sold the new home for $415,000 in May 2018. Read more City officials recently blamed a clerical error, in part, for allowing a friend of Councilman Kenyatta Johnson to secure two city-owned lots without bidding this summer and then flip them for a cool $165,000 profit at taxpayers' expense. The Inquirer and Daily News have found it was not the first time that city records inaccurately reflected the details of a no-bid land sale to the developer, Felton Hayman. >>UPDATE: Reports of flawed records and improper sales trigger call for investigation of city land deals In the lead-up to a 2016 purchase of three Point Breeze lots by Hayman, records maintained by the city committee that cleared the transaction failed to show that other potential buyers were interested in the properties. They also mislabeled Haymans intentions for the lots, describing them as side yards not to be developed. Side yards are typically sold at a lesser price to immediate neighbors, which Hayman was not. The inaccuracies were eventually flagged by the head of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and corrected before final approval of the deal. Still, the sales went through without the required competitive bidding or appraisals. The discovery of the inaccurate records follows a report last month in the Inquirer and Daily News that the city sold three other Point Breeze properties to Hayman in August at below market rate prices, after incorrectly listing Hayman as the only developer to have expressed interest in the lots. Officials later acknowledged that the city had received a total 16 expressions of interest for the properties in that deal. In that case, a spokesperson for the city's landholding agencies blamed a clerical error. Under city guidelines, interest from multiple developers should have triggered competitive bidding to ensure that taxpayers received the maximum value for the land. Mayor Kenney acknowledged that the sale was flawed but saw no need for disciplinary action. "I'm told this was human error, inadvertent," Kenney said in a statement responding to the report. "In this instance, I fail to see why you'd discipline someone for making a mistake." Kenney, at that point, was unaware of the other inaccuracies since uncovered. In October 2014, Hayman told the city's Vacant Property Review Committee that he wanted to buy a lot on Ellsworth Street and two on Manton Street to "build three-story homes for affordable housing," meeting minutes show. Johnson provided a letter of support for the project. With little discussion, the committee approved the sale to Hayman for a combined price of $70,488 less than half the fair-market value of the property at the time. Despite Hayman's stated intent to build on the lots, the committee recorded that deal as involving "side yard" sales. That designation refers to the sale of a lot to a neighboring resident for use as a yard, not development. Lots sold as side yards are typically priced lower than those to be developed. The committee also did not record, as required, the number of individuals or entities that had expressed interest in buying the lots. In this instance, two of the properties each had 20 expressions of interest. Emails from January 2015 show that the head of the city's Redevelopment Authority (PRA) was concerned about the inaccuracies and questioned why the properties were being sold without appraisals. "They're listed as side yards but [Hayman] doesn't live adjacent to the parcels," Brian Abernathy, then the executive director of the PRA, wrote to Susie Jarmon, the chair of the Vacant Property Review Committee. "Additionally, the number of [expressions of interest] isn't listed. Could you provide more detail on the transaction and why it's being sold w/o an appraisal?" Minutes later, Jarmon sent a response. The punctuation is hers: "I'm out sick today. As for felton hayman these are for development I will let you know how many applicants on the felton deal I thought all of the forms were completed I guess I will have to check these to" Abernathy forwarded Jarmon's response to Tania Nikolic, then the PRA's deputy executive director. He added one word: "Sigh." "I am sorry what!?@!" Nikolic wrote back. She said she felt uncomfortable presenting the sale to the PRA's board and asked that she not be asked to present future items from Jarmon's committee. Two days later, Abernathy emailed Jarmon to say that she should postpone the Hayman sales. "I'm willing to take the hit with w/Kenyatta [Johnson] if you need me to," he wrote. Eight months later, the committee corrected the records to show that the proposed sales were for "new construction" and "development," and there were 42 expressions of interest among the three properties. The sale went through in January 2016 at below-market prices and without bidding or appraisals. While Hayman had told Jarmon's committee that he would build homes for "under $250,000," they sold for between $325,000 and $415,000. Abernathy, now the city's first deputy managing director, declined to comment on the sales. Nikolic, who now works at Amtrak, did not respond to a request for comment. Nor did Jarmon. Kenney's office could not provide an explanation for why the sales were initially mislabeled or sold without bidding or appraisals. Responding to questions about the profit Hayman made with the quick re-sale of the city lots he purchased in August, Kenney placed some of the blame on City Council, which must approve sales of city-owned property. Under the unwritten tradition known as "councilmanic prerogative," Council members can veto development projects in their districts. Kenney told WHYY's RadioTimes host Marty Moss-Coane last week there is little he can do about that. "Councilmanic prerogative will only be ended by Council," he said. "What you have is a political dynamic where the 10 district Council people will not vote against what another district Council person says in terms of a development or property or land distribution." Council President Darrell Clarke, who appointed Jarmon the chair of the Vacant Property Review Committee, declined to comment on the committee's actions in the Hayman sales. In a statement, Clarke's office said he was trying to streamline the city's "disjointed approach to public land use and disposition." Johnson, whose letters of support essentially ensured Hayman would get the properties he sought, issued a statement saying that he was not aware that the vacant property committee had initially mischaracterized the sales. He said the errors "show once again that the system is broken." "The Councilman believes that he has an obligation to his constituents to ensure that development balances the needs of longtime residents and new residents, and to make sure that everyone has a voice in how their community is developed," the statement said. "When the city fails to compile and distribute accurate information regarding city-owned property, we end up with deals that shortchange the people of Philadelphia." Hayman, who grew up with Johnson, said he, too, was unaware that the paperwork for the sales had been incorrect. I dont know nothing about that, and Im being honest, Hayman said. I dont get into the politics of this stuff, man. Im just trying to make a living for myself and my family. A Gloucester City man who worked in mortgage refinancing was sentenced Friday to more than 10 years in federal prison for defrauding dozens of clients and then, while imprisoned awaiting trial, smuggling drugs into the jail so he could repay gambling debts to fellow inmates, federal authorities said. Daniel Sheehan, 44, who pleaded guilty in May in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia to conspiracy, wire fraud, drug smuggling, and other charges, was sentenced to 121 months and afterward will have to serve three years of supervised release. He must also forfeit the $493,075 he stole from his victims, some of whom lost their homes as a result of Sheehan's bilking, officials said. From September 2012 to February 2015, Sheehan offered what he called a service to homeowners that promised to reduce their principal and interest payments. Officials said at least 110 people signed up for the service, which was not much more than advising his clients to stop making mortgage payments, not speak with collections workers, and ignore banks' threats of foreclosure. He called such threats "scare tactics." In some cases, prosecutors said, Sheehan told his victims their mortgage refinancing plans had been approved, but they wouldn't become "final" until they made "trial payments" to him or his associates. After he was arrested in April 2016, Sheehan was held in Philadelphia's Federal Detention Center, where he began to gamble with other inmates. He piled up debts, and to pay them off, authorities said, Sheehan had a friend send him the opioid Suboxone in an envelope disguised as a lawyer's letter, which he used to make good on what he owed. New Jersey Democrats are advancing a proposal that would require mapmakers consider past election results when redrawing the state's legislative districts. That would take Democrats' edge in statewide races to ensure a blue legislative map. Read more Bucking a national trend toward fighting gerrymandering by removing partisan politics from the process of drawing political maps, New Jersey Democrats are seeking to amend the state constitution in a way that would entrench their power in Trenton. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from good-government groups, civil rights groups, and redistricting experts who warn it would allow Democrats to unfairly draw the state's legislative districts in their favor. A group led by prominent national Democratic figures called it "a major step in the wrong direction." Top Democratic lawmakers this month hope to quickly advance the proposal, which would increase their role in drawing the legislative maps and explicitly use the previous decade's election results in determining district boundaries for the next 10 years. Voters could be asked to weigh the amendment as early as next November. While wrapped in the language of anti-gerrymandering redistricting reform, the proposed constitutional amendment largely ignores best practices and instead orders mapmakers to impose Democrats' advantage in statewide elections onto local legislative districts. If enacted, the proposal would require mapmakers in 2021 to redraw the state's 40 districts in a way that would ensure no more than 15 would lean Republican. And there's a twist: While fights over gerrymandering typically pit Democrats against Republicans, this proposal has also become the latest flash point between the state's top elected Democrats Gov. Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney of Gloucester County. The proposal is particularly striking because Democrats nationally have sought to position themselves as the party of good government, including opposing gerrymandering. Former President Barack Obama has personally focused on the issue. And a growing number of states have adopted redistricting reforms to minimize partisan politics in the mapmaking process. "This is not how we achieve fair maps," Helen Kioukis, a staffer at the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of New Jersey, told lawmakers Monday. "When all other states are moving forward and improving this fundamental component of our democracy, New Jersey is moving backward with a proposal that's nothing more than a partisan gerrymandering bill." A previous version of the amendment stalled when it was introduced three years ago. Democratic leaders hope to pass it in December and put it before voters next year, amending the state constitution before the 2021 redistricting round. To be placed on the ballot, both chambers would have to pass the bill with simple majorities in two consecutive years; otherwise, it would require three-fifths votes, which could be harder to muster. Democratic lawmakers said the amendment would protect against gerrymandering by requiring mapmakers to take election results into account. "It is not about a Republican or Democrat map," said Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D., Camden). "It's about a map that would reflect, in a percentage, the will of the voters." He predicted it would become a national model. A number of nonpartisan good-government groups and redistricting experts disagree. At a committee hearing Monday, witnesses from the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University and the ACLU called for Democrats to reconsider their approach. The state chapter of the NAACP also opposes the measure. The Center for American Progress, a liberal-leaning research group with strong ties to national Democrats, warned New Jersey Democrats to act differently from Republican lawmakers accused of gerrymandering other states. In Pennsylvania, for example, the state Supreme Court ordered congressional maps redrawn this year because they were so gerrymandered in the GOP's favor. >> READ MORE: Pennsylvania, gerrymandered: A guide to Pa.'s congressional map redistricting fight "The proposed constitutional amendment to New Jersey's redistricting process would be a major step in the wrong direction," the group said. Republicans have denounced the New Jersey proposal as a dangerous power grab. Some parts of it, such as increasing transparency and public input in the redistricting process, were welcomed by advocates. The criticism centers on two major changes: altering the composition of the redistricting commission and forcing mapmakers to draw districts based on partisanship. The 40 legislative districts are redrawn once a decade by a 10-member commission, with the chairs of the state Democratic and Republican Parties appointing five members each. If the commission deadlocks, the chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court appoints an 11th member to break the tie and decide how the map will be drawn. (A separate commission draws the congressional map.) The new plan calls for a 13-member commission. The party chairs would each appoint two, legislative leaders from both parties would appoint eight others, and the chief justice would select the 13th. "The selection process is no longer going to be bound to just two party bosses," said State Sen. Nick Scutari (D., Union), who sponsored the proposal. But transferring authority to legislative leaders would empower them to punish lawmakers who step out of line on key policy initiatives, said Analilia Mejia, executive director of New Jersey Working Families Alliance. "I think it's a terrible idea," she said. Like others, she favors a commission with no lawmakers. The effort to diminish the role of state party chairman John Currie, a Murphy ally, has added to the animosity between the governor and Sweeney, who have clashed over other initiatives. Murphy opposes the proposal. Democrats also said the amendment would protect against the whims of mapmakers by requiring the map be drawn according to the outlined principles of "competitiveness," based on statewide election results over the previous decade. It would consider all elections for governor, president, and U.S. Senate that occurred since the last redistricting round to determine an overall percentage of Democratic and Republican votes. At least 10 of the 40 new districts would be required to fall within 5 percentage points of that statewide number. Although Republicans have won the governorship, no GOP presidential nominee has carried New Jersey in three decades, and the party hasn't won a Senate race in nearly a half-century. This decade, Democrats have won about 55 percent of the vote in statewide elections. That means at least 10 of the districts must be drawn to fall within the range of 50 to 60 percent Democratic-leaning. None of those 10 (or more) would be Republican-leaning. The remaining districts would be divided so half are more Democratic-leaning than that range and half are more Republican-leaning. Thus, no more than 15 districts could be drawn to favor Republicans to any degree. And for every such district, a corresponding one is at least 60 percent Democratic. But redistricting reform advocates generally seek to remove partisanship from the mapmaking process entirely not to require it to be considered. "To the extent that it's possible and politically feasible, it [redistricting] should be buffered from the political process," said Yurij Rudensky, a redistricting lawyer at the Brennan Center for Justice. Where partisanship data should come into play, Rudensky said, is after a map is drawn, to test whether the map is unfairly skewed in one party's favor. Experts and advocates also expressed concern about using the previous decade's results to draw maps for the next decade why use Obama's 2012 win to draw lines for the 2029 legislative races? and that voters vote differently in statewide elections from local ones. The constitutional amendment would tie the hands of "every commission, forever," Monmouth University political analyst Patrick Murray said, and "create a gerrymander that in fact is the kind of thing that courts are overturning when you use this kind of political calculation." Democrats tried to pass a similar amendment three years ago as part of a legislative package on voting rights and elections, including same-day voter registration and expanding early voting, but the measure stalled. The revived proposal passed a committee vote on party lines Monday. Hearings on full Senate and Assembly votes have not yet been scheduled. In this file photo, the Manhattan skyline is seen from Queens earlier this month. Read more NEW YORK For the second year in a row, Pennsylvania's political elite got dolled up and came to Manhattan for the state's biggest bash though the weekend found some meandering through the countless soirees and receptions feeling disconnected from the glamour of years past, when the event was anchored in the marbled halls of the Waldorf Astoria. Still, this year's Pennsylvania Society, as the annual trek to Manhattan for elected officials, lobbyists, and others is called, managed to combine some intrigue will Sen. Bob Casey really wade into the 2020 presidential election? along with more farcical moments, such as the presence of a blow-up photo booth at one of the more raucous late-night parties. And the weekend's annual Saturday morning seminar and luncheon, hosted by the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association (PMA), together with the University of Pennsylvania's breakfast and reception, even focused a bit on policy. Yet, as was the case last year, there was an undercurrent of yearning for a time not so long ago when the weekend's events were held at the Waldorf, which has closed for multiyear renovations. As attendees flitted around the far less grand Hilton Hotel in Midtown, glasses of wine in hand, the refrain was universal: It's just not the same. "The Hilton's nice, but it's not the Waldorf," said former Gov. Ed Rendell, as he made the rounds at the PMA event Saturday morning, and reminisced about how the Waldorf, beyond its glitz, also served up the best bacon. "The Waldorf was one of the things that made it a special weekend. It was such a grand hotel, unlike really anything that we have in Philadelphia." Rendell said he attended a party Thursday night held by the New York billionaire John Catsimatidis, who owns an oil refinery in Pennsylvania. They'd hoped to recognize the four new Democratic women elected to the U.S. House from Pennsylvania last month: Mary Gay Scanlon of Delaware County, Madeleine Dean of Montgomery County, Chrissy Houlahan of Chester County, and Susan Wild of Lehigh County. They're known in some state political circles as the "Fab Four." "It was in honor of the Fab Four, but the Fab Four were stuck doing caucuses down in Washington, so they connected by Skype," Rendell said. The weekend's marquee event although by far not its highlight is the annual society dinner, where this year, Comcast chairman and CEO Brian L. Roberts was to be honored. But attendees come up mainly for the schmoozing, and as in most years, Pennsylvania did not disappoint. On Friday night, Mayor Kenney was spotted mingling at the various cocktail receptions. Was he campaigning or deal-making or a little bit of both? "We have an opportunity to interact with our regional representatives, elected officials. We have lots of bulk issues that mean a lot to all of us, like transportation and other issues," Kenney said when asked at the Metropolitan Caucus Reception, which was packed with pols, lobbyists, and the region's top executives. "It's nice to maintain relationships with them and strategize for what's going on in 2019 when the governor gets sworn in again." Asked about his reelection campaign and his challengers former City Controller Alan Butkovitz (real) and State Sen. Anthony H. Williams (potential) the mayor had this to say before wading back into the sea of people waiting to get his ear: "I'm worried about 1,200 opioid deaths, gun violence, and everything else we're facing. Neither of them are on my mind." With all 17 seats in City Council up for grabs next year, Council members Kenyatta Johnson, Derek Green, Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Blondell Reynolds Brown, and Jannie Blackwell all made appearances at various events as did a crop of younger Philadelphians who want their jobs. Spotted in the crowd were Lauren Vidas, who is challenging Johnson, as well as Eryn Santamoor and Isaiah Thomas, expected to run for at-large seats. Between the various parties, there were more intimate gatherings. Ballard Spahr held a private dinner featuring, according to one attendee, Rendell, Scanlon, Comcast executive senior vice president David L. Cohen, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, and City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart, among others. There were also panels, like the one hosted by PMA, that brought Democrats and Republicans together. In a spirit of bipartisanship, Democratic Lt. Gov.-elect John Fetterman and his unsuccessful GOP challenger, Jeff Bartos, shared the stage at the PMA for a speech. Bartos, a Lower Merion real estate developer, confirmed that people have asked him about next steps. He wants to stay engaged in politics, and will be focused in 2019 on helping county parties win local races. After that, who knows? He said he "loved" the opportunity to run in this election cycle, "and I hope I'll have another one." My first encounter with George H.W. Bush, leader of the free world? At a barbecue for press photographers on the South Lawn of the White House in 1989. As we chatted, out came First Dog Millie. He didn't just greet her. He started to roll around on the grass with her. Clearly this man this president, who died on Friday at the age of 94 was different. Later, I helped organize his appearance before the Congressional Medal of Honor Society in Philadelphia. But then, Operation Desert Storm began. We assumed he would cancel. No. He wasn't going to let his fellow veterans down. On Jan. 22, 1991, this commander-in-chief wrote to me, "I am heartened that so many Americans are praying for our brave service men and women and for their families." He told me later that sending young people into harm's way was the most heart-wrenching decision he ever had to make. His example of service inspired me to volunteer at Walter Reed, where I met many wounded warriors and the moms who cared for them 24/7. When I next saw President Bush in February 2012, I told him I wanted to write a book about these brave young men and women and their mothers. "I'm so proud of you; go for it," he said. The next thing I knew, his chief of staff, Jean Becker, called me to tell me that President Bush wanted to write the foreword to the book, even though he had officially "retired" from such projects. "Good luck with The Mighty Moms of Walter Reed," he wrote to me on Nov. 6, 2013. "a truly wonderful tribute to the unsung heroes of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts our nation's mothers." Of course, he didn't just send me a letter, but also invited 10 wounded warriors and their moms to Maine after the book was released. He was recovering from a fall that left him in a neck brace and in pain, but still wanted to show his support for these heroes. It was a life-changing visit for all of us, on that beautiful August day at Walker's Point. And, to the group's delight, in addition to "41" and Barbara Bush, George W. and Laura Bush were also on hand to greet us. President Bush 41 was in a wheelchair, and so were some of the vets, who wheeled right up to this former commander-in-chief to shake his hand. Others walked over to the president cautiously on their prosthetic limbs. Barbara Bush was using a walker, but, like Laura Bush, made her way around the group to welcome her guests. George W. made a point of taking each veteran and mom aside to hear their stories and deliver a personal message of support and encouragement. Then all four Bushes patiently posed for pictures with each warrior and his or her mom, as well as a host of group shots. After about an hour, with just a little bit of encouragement from Bush 43, one young warrior, who had lost both of his legs after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan, slowly, painstakingly, lowered himself on one prosthetic knee vets on either side of him to keep him steady and proposed to his girlfriend. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. Luckily she said yes, and was cheered on by two former presidents and first ladies. "Every commander-in-chief before and after me would agree that working with our military is the single biggest privilege of being president of the United States," President Bush 41 wrote in the foreword to Unbreakable Bonds. After we left, I was told that 41 loved spending time with our nation's heroes. But the visit wore him out physically, and he spent the rest of the afternoon napping. And if that weren't enough, thanks to his chief of staff, when our next book came out, 41 and Mrs. Bush insisted that we come to Kennebunkport, Maine, again along with a new group of wounded warriors and their service and companion animals. Despite his condition's deteriorating, he wanted to be wheeled down his long driveway to personally welcome the new group of veterans along with their service dogs, screech owls and even a pot belly pig. In fact, one of the two owls actually had an accident on 41's pants, to which Mrs. Bush replied, "Don't worry, George has plenty of of other pants." I have traded so many notes over the years from this kind and generous man who touched, mentored and inspired so many. Ironically, this weekend it was my plan to write 41 a letter, letting him know how much he means to me. Here's what I would have said: "Dear President Bush, the lessons I have learned from you and Mrs. Bush are etched in my soul. They drive me to help others, especially those who, like you, have served our country. I have learned to care about all people, and when I disagree with their views, try to do so with grace and dignity. You do the right thing, you never give up, and you write the best letters. I love you, Dava." Dava Guerin is the co-author, with Kevin Ferris, of "Unbreakable Bonds: The Mighty Moms and Wounded Warriors of Walter Reed" and "Vets and Pets: Wounded Warriors and the Animals That Help Them Heal." Over the past week, I have been embroiled in a controversy regarding my speech at the United Nations regarding the plight of Palestinian people. My remarks have sparked heavy controversy, around the nation and right here in Philadelphia. Specifically, some have argued that my remarks endorsed or reflected anti-Semitism. For this reason, I feel morally compelled to respond. First, I strongly believe that we must reject anti-Semitism in any form or fashion. This means not only preventing physical violence against Jews, but also ugly anti-Semitic images, stereotypes, conspiracy theories, and mythologies. As an activist and scholar, I have done my best to point out these realities and challenge them whenever possible. For example, in the aftermath of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre, I not only decried it as an ugly act of terrorism, but spoke about the broader rise of anti-Semitism in the United States and around the globe. Throughout my career, I have done my best to identify and uproot anti-Semitism in every political and social movement of which I have been part. One simply cannot be committed to social justice and not be committed to battling anti-Semitism. It is precisely this commitment to social justice that prompted me to accept an invitation to speak before the United Nations on the plight of Palestinians. During my speech, I offered a deeply critical analysis of the State of Israel. Specifically, I challenged the Israeli criminal justice system, settlement expansion in the West Bank, and the need to attend to human rights abuses throughout the country and occupied territories. I also reiterated the importance of global solidarity in order to produce justice. One simply cannot be progressive if they ignore the plight of Palestinians. Many have focused specifically on my final remark, which said that justice required a "free Palestine, from the river to the sea." Critics of this phrase have suggested that I was calling for violence against Jewish people. In all honesty, I was stunned, and saddened, that this was the response. My use of "river to the sea" was an invocation of a long history of political actors liberal and radical, Palestinian and Israeli who have called for their particular vision of justice in the area from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. For many, justice will come from a two-state solution. For some, like me, justice will come through a single bi-national democratic state that encompasses Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. I strongly believe that this is the best method to achieve peace, safety, security, and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians. Justice requires that everyone, not just a single side, is free and equal. Throughout my speech, I spoke explicitly about the need for Israeli political reform, specifically as it pertains to Arab citizens of Israel. I also called for a redrawing of borders to the pre-1967 lines, as well as a greater attention to human rights for those living in the West Bank and Gaza. At the time, I believed that these demands made in the speech sufficiently reflected my belief in radical change within Israel, not a desire for its destruction. Clearly, they did not. I take seriously the voices of so many Jewish brothers and sisters, who have interpreted my remarks as a call to or endorsement of violence. Rather than hearing a political solution, many heard a dog-whistle that conjured a long and deep history of violence against Jewish people. Although this was the furthest thing from my intent, those particular words clearly caused confusion, anger, fear, and other forms of harm. For that, I am deeply sorry. As a communicator, I must take responsibility for the reception of my message. In this case, the final words of my speech became a dangerous and harmful distraction from my political analysis. Rather than talking about the plight of Palestinians, or engaging in tough but necessary conversations about a positive and successful way forward for both parties, the bulk of the conversation has been about my choice of words. To this extent, I did no favors to Israelis or Palestinians. For this too, I am deeply sorry. In the aftermath of this controversy, I remain steadfastly committed to love and solidarity with oppressed people. I remain committed to critical dialogues throughout the city, nation, and world in order to advance the cause of justice. And I remain open to learning, growing, and struggling together toward freedom. Marc Lamont Hill is a professor of media studies and urban education at Temple University. BJP leader Meenakashi Lekhi hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday for his remarks that the Modi government turned the surgical strikes into a political asset. Taking to Twitter the BJP released a video in which Lekhi took a dig at Rahul. She called him bereft of understanding about the domain of the Indian Army and their operations. Rahul Gandhi is bereft of understanding about the domain of the army & their operations. If the political will behind the Army's action is being questioned by Rahul Gandhi, he should also question the 1971 propaganda which his grandmother Indira Gandhi indulged in: Smt. @M_Lekhi pic.twitter.com/Uy3GwV7T2M BJP (@BJP4India) December 1, 2018 The BJP leader asked Rahul to question the "1971 propaganda which his grandmother Indira Gandhi indulged in". "Rahul Gandhi is bereft of understanding about the domain of the army and their operations. If the political will behind the Army's action is being questioned by Rahul Gandhi, he should also question the 1971 propaganda which his grandmother Indira Gandhi indulged in," said the BJP leader. Rahul launched a blistering attack on PM Modi saying he exploited the surgical strikes of 2016 to prevent defeat in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls last year and claimed that the UPA government did three similar strikes but kept them a secret. He also accused Modi of claiming to be the repository of all wisdom and interfered in the "domain" of others whether it was demonetisation, foreign or agriculture ministry or the surgical strikes. Earlier, BJP president Amit Shah slammed Rahul Gandhi for his remarks and said that it was an "insult to martyrs" of Uri. "You people are happy that Modiji avenged the deaths of our soldiers of Uri but this Rahul Baba was just telling people that he (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) did the surgical strikes to win Uttar Pradesh polls. Shame on you," he said addressing an election rally. Terming Rahul Gandhi`s remarks as an "insult to the martyrs", he said that the UPA government led by the Congress did not have the guts to avenge the killings of soldiers. "You will not realise it Rahul baba that what difference this surgical strike has made. Every soldier of the country whether he is from Rajasthan, Gujarat or Punjab or Kashmir, has a feeling that his government stands behind them," he said in the poll-bound state. Shah was referring to Rahul Gandhi`s remarks in Udaipur where he said the Prime Minister exploited the surgical strikes of 2016 to prevent defeat in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls last year. He had also claimed that the UPA government did three similar strikes but kept them a secret. In 2016 the armed forces conducted "surgical strike" across the Line of Control in a reprisal to the Uri Attack the same year in which 10 soldiers were put to death by setting on fire by the Pakistan soldiers. "Pakistan sent 10 terrorists in Uri and burnt 10 of our soldiers alive. Entire country was in shock that what will we do now. But this time, this was not the government of `Mauni Baba` Manmohan Singh, but the government of Narendra Modi, elected by you people. "This was not the government of Congress but of Bharatiya Janata Party. And within 10 days, Modi government ordered the soldiers, who avenged the deaths of our soldiers through surgical strike by entering into their own land," Shah said. Responding to a question during an interaction with the business community and professions, Gandhi said Modi was fighting a losing political battle in Uttar Pradesh in 2016 and turned the surgical strikes into a political asset. "He was fighting an election in UP. He was fighting a losing election. He turned a military asset (surgical strikes) into a political asset. He reached into army`s domain told them I don`t care what you think. I am going to make it public. "Narendra Modi actually reached into army domain and shaped their surgical strikes. He turned their surgical strike into a political assest when it was a military decision," he said. Gandhi said the Congress governments were very clear about military responsibility and military domain. "We listen to the army. If army says that this is what we want to do, we say, yes sir, its your job, please do it. Political domain, if they (army) come and say, we say sorry. You have no business. Please stay out. "When army came to Manmohan Singh ji and said we want to retaliate, he (Singh) said we need to keep it a secret for our own purposes," he said adding that there were three strikes during the UPA regime and they were kept a secret as a military asset. Rahul Gandhi`s remarks came in response to a question on the alleged attack on institutions like the Supreme Court, CBI, RBI, the CVC by the Modi government and the way people from the army were entering politics. "The Prime Minister reaches into the military domain, tells them what to do, forces them to do something and then obviously he required V.K. Singh" (former army chief). Hitting out at Modi he said that this was the confusion in the Prime Minister`s mind as he was convinced that he knew better than the army what should be done in their area. "He knows better than the Foreign Minister with regards to what needs to be done in foreign ministry. He knows better than Agriculture Minister about what needs to be done in agriculture ministry because he has a sense that all knowledge flows from his brain. "Because Modi believes that the entire knowledge is with him and others know nothing. That is why he announced demonetisation. He locked up the Cabinet before the announcement. Jaitley (Finance Minister Arun Jaitley) did not know it. And you (Modi) destroyed the major economy of the world. Because you (Modi) believe that you know everything," he said. Gandhi said that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had utmost respect for his Cabinet, for his ministers and even for Advani ji. "The second phone call that went from Manmohan Singh`s office was to Advani after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks because the Prime Minister felt that he needs to tell him (Advani) what is going on, because he represented opposition," he said. "But Modi has never called me. He never called Manmohan Singh ji. Not even Advani ji," he added. New Delhi: Raising concerns over the security of EVMs, the Congress moved the Election Commission on Saturday, demanding adequate measures to ensure free and fair results during the counting of votes polled in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh elections. While a delegation of senior Congress leaders met the poll body and raised concerns over the security of EVMs inside strong rooms, party spokesperson Manish Tewari later held a press conference and said Electronic Voting Machines have been found in hotel rooms in Chhattisgarh. He sought a probe into the issue. Senior party leader and treasurer Ahmed Patel offered suggestions to the poll body separately for holding a free and fair counting of votes. Tewari alleged that the BJP was resorting to malpractice as it feared defeat in these two states. "Now what were EVMs doing in hotel rooms? After an election is over, an EVM is supposed to be kept in the strong room. Rather than the strong room, it was found in a hotel room. On one hand, the Election Commission says that officers have been suspended, on the other the State Election Commission says EVMs have not been tampered with," he said. "The fact that they are in an unauthorised place is evidence of tampering itself," he asserted. Patel suggested to the EC that it should allow representatives of all political parties to accompany officials transporting EVMs to counting centres from strong rooms, cross check if postal ballots were received from eligible voters, review conduct of senior officials in three districts -- Rajnandgaon, Kondagaon and Bilaspur ? and initiate a second round of counting only after completion of the first round. Earlier Saturday, the Congress delegation which met the EC also alleged that names of voters were deleted in Uttar Pradesh. Talking to reporters after meeting the Election Commission, AICC's Chhattisgarh in-charge P L Punia said suspicious activities were reported in Dhamtari constituency. He claimed people with laptop computers and mobile phones were seen roaming around strong rooms, where Electronic Voting Machines were kept after polling, on the pretext of repairing the CCTVs. The party has filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer in Raipur regarding this, Punia said. Congress lawmaker Vivek Tankha claimed there was no electricity in a strong room in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal city for over an hour during which CCTV cameras had also stopped functioning. He claimed that 48 hours after the closing of polls in the state, a school bus bearing no number plate and carrying EVMs had reached the Sagar district collector's office. "The objective of this was ostensibly to deposit these machines with the office of the collector. These spare EVMs were to be deposited two hours after the polls and not after two days. This happened in the Khuria seat from where the state home minister is contesting the polls," Tankha told reporters. Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi alleged that in Uttar Pradesh's Sarhanpur district there were discrepancies, such as erroneous deletion of names of voters on booth number 44. He said glaring anomalies were found in 98 of 100 forms on this booth and names of people of a particular community were deleted, so they could not vote against the ruling party. "The Election Commission has assured us that they will look into it," Singhvi said. NEW DELHI: Bank unions have called for a nationwide strike on December 26 against the proposed merger of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank. The strike is being organised by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine employee and officer unions. The government had in September approved the merger of the three public sector lenders. Following the government nod, the respective boards of these banks gave their approval for the amalgamation. The merged entity will be third largest lender of the country after State Bank of India (SBI) and HDFC Bank. Of the three banks, Dena Bank is the weakest, with non-performing asset (NPA) ratio of 11.04 per cent and business of Rs 1.72 lakh crore, as compared to 5.4 per cent NPA and Rs 10.2 lakh crore business of Bank of Baroda and 4.10 per cent NPA and Rs 2 lakh crore worth business of Vijaya Bank. All India Bank Employees Association General Secretary CH Venkatachalam said that the strike is being called as the government and the concerned banks are moving ahead with their decision for amalgamation. National Organization of Bank Workers vice president Ashwani Rana confirmed that all unions under UFBU will participate in this strike call. In a statement, the AIBEA said the unions in the banking sector were opposed to the merger of three banks. The AIBEA is one of the constituents of the UFBU. Panaji: Amid demands of his resignation, ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is expected to meet the ruling BJP legislators at his private residence on Saturday, party sources said on Friday. "The Chief Minister will be meeting our party MLAs at his residence. He is expected to review works related to MLAs in the presence of key officials of the state administration," a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) source said. The former Defence Minister is being treated at his residence for advanced pancreatic disease. Parrikar has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, New York and New Delhi for nearly nine months. He returned from Delhi`s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on October 14 and has not moved out of his private residence, for any official event since. The Opposition, as well ruling coalition allies have been demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister, claiming that the administration has come to a standstill due to Parrikar`s absence. On Thursday, Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte said that he had stopped visiting his office at the state Secretariat, claiming files were not being cleared by officials in the Chief Minister`s absence. In the first week of December, the Congress is scheduled to start a state-wide agitation demanding the replacement of Parrikar as Chief Minister, because of his inability to attend office due to his prolonged illness. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. You can find out more by clicking this link Srinagar: People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the opening of the Shardapeeth pilgrimage site across the Line of Control (LoC). She added that Shardapeeth in Pak-administered Kashmir is an outstanding relic of Kashmir's glowing history. "The initiatives taken by (the) government of India under your distinguished predecessors in office have resulted in the opening of Muzaffarabad and Rawalkot routes. Though their full potential has yet to be realised, the opening of Kartarpur has presented us with another window of opportunity," Mehbooba Mufti wrote in the letter. People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for opening of Sharda Peeth pilgrimage in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir pic.twitter.com/lvbfdHLe9e ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 The PDP president said her party has always considered people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan as an important confidence-building measure. "Though it generally connects the people here with their cultural and intellectual roots, for the (Kashmiri) Pandits it is an important place of pilgrimage which was frequented by them till independence. Their urge to open it to pilgrimage has been projected ever since the reopening of Srinagar Muzaffarabad Road," she said. "Kartarpur has encouraged the (Kashmiri) Pandit community to see a possibility of the Pilgrimage to Shardapeeth in the same spirit and our belief is strengthened by the reported offer of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to allow it along with pilgrimage to Katas Raj," the PDP president said in the letter. Mehbooba said a few members of the Kashmiri Pandit community discussed the issue with her and urged her to take up the matter with the prime minister. "I am sure you would kindly have this request considered on priority. Though it will be a measure specific to the Pandit community, I have no doubt it would be welcomed by every citizen of the state and would considerably help in addressing the feeling of despondency in a major section of population," she said. Mehbooba said it would "fit very well in the vision of pulling Jammu and Kashmir out of its miseries through diplomatic and political means away from death and destruction we witness with unending regularity". Here's the letter, written to PM Modi by Mehbooba Mufti Respected Modi ji, I heartily greet you on the opening of Kartarpur corridor with Pakistan to facilitate the Sikh Pilgrims visit to Holy places in that country. It is my fervent hope and prayer that it turns out to be a new leaf in the painful history of relationship between our country and Pakistan and it proves to be the first step towards rediscovering avenues of peace and prosperity in our region. Our party has always considered people to people contact between the two countries as an important confidence-building measure and we have repeatedly been advocating reopening of traditional routes connecting our country through Jammu and Kashmir with the world around us. The initiatives taken by the Government of India under your distinguished predecessors in office have resulted in opening of Muzaffarabad and Rawlakot routes. Though their full potential has yet to be realized, the opening of Kartarpur has presented us with another window of opportunity. Shardapeeth in Pak administered Kashmir is an outstanding relic of Kashmir's glowing history. Though it generally connects the people here with their cultural and intellectual roots, for the Kashmiri Pandits it is an important place of pilgrimage which was frequented by them till independence. Their siege to open it to pilgrimage has been projected ever since reopening of Srinagar Muzaffarabad road. Kartarpur has encouraged the Pandit community to see a possibility of the pilgrimage to Shardapeeth in the same spirit and our belief is strengthened by the reported offer of Pakistan Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan to allow it along with pilgrimage to Katas Raj. A delegation of the committee of Pandits lighting for opening of Shardapeeth pilgrimage met me the other day to press for pleading the case with you. I am sure you would kindly have this request considered on priority. Though it will be a measure specific to Pandit community, I have no doubt it would be welcomed by every citizen of the state and would considerably help in addressing the feeling of despondency in a major section of population. It would fit very well in the vision of pulling J&K out of its miseries through diplomatic and political means away from death and destruction we witness with unending regularity. With warm regards, Yours sincerely Mehbooba Mufti President PDP (With inputs from agencies) Patna: Former Bihar Minister Manju Verma, who has been arrested in an Arms Act case in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home scandal, on Friday claimed that she has been victimised as she is a woman and belongs to a weaker community. Verma, earlier in the day, was produced before a court in the Arms Act case. Why am I being tortured for the past 4 months? I'm being victimised because I belong to the weaker community because I'm from Kushwaha community and I'm a woman, Manju Verma said. On November 20, the former Bihar Minister surrendered before a Begusarai court which then sent her to a one-day police remand. She was evading arrest in the Arms Act case which cropped up in course of a CBI probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal. She was earlier proclaimed an "absconder" by the court which also ordered for attaching her properties. Following this, Bihar Police attached her Begusarai residence after she went missing following the investigation. Manju Verma and her husband Chandrashekhar Verma were booked under the Arms Act at Cheria Bariyarpur police station in Begusarai following the recovery of a huge cache of arms ammunition from their residence. The recovery of the arms and ammunition was made during a raid at her residence by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team probing the alleged Muzaffarpur shelter home rape-murder and sexual abuse case involving over 30 minor girls. She was forced to resign as the minister for social welfare from the Nitish Kumar government following reports that her husband had close links with Brajesh Thakur, prime accused in the Muzaffarpur case. Verma's husband had surrendered before a court on October 29. The former minister was suspended by the Janata Dal-United (JDU) from the primary membership of the party. Los Angeles: Divorcing Hollywood power couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a final agreement over the custody of their six children, Jolie`s lawyer said on Friday, after more than two years of often bitter negotiations. "A custody arrangement was agreed to weeks ago, and has been signed by both parties and the judge," Jolie`s lawyer Samantha Bley DeJean said in a statement to Reuters. "The agreement, which is based on the recommendations of the child custody evaluator, eliminates the need for a trial. The filing and details of the agreement are confidential to protect the best interests of the children." Representatives of Pitt had no immediate comment. Jolie and Pitt, once one of Hollywood`s most glamorous couples, separated in September 2016 after a more than 10-year romance and two-year marriage. Jolie, who filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences, had been seeking primary custody of their six children, three of whom are the couple`s biological children and three of whom are adopted. Friday`s statement did not say how custody would be divided, and Jolie`s spokesperson declined to give details. A trial date in the custody case had been tentatively set for Dec. 4 before a private judge in Los Angeles. A source close to Jolie said that she "is very pleased to be entering the next stage and relieved with progress for the health of their family.". The 2016 divorce filing triggered a bitter custody dispute during which Pitt was investigated and cleared of child abuse, and both sides accused each other of trying to manipulate media coverage in their favour. The couple have yet to reach a final divorce settlement. "Moneyball" actor Pitt, 54, and "Maleficent" star Jolie, 43, began dating in late 2005 and married in 2014. They are parents to Maddox, 17, Pax, 15, Zahara, 13, Shiloh, 12, and 10-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. Competition brings out the best in people, but sometimes even the worst see light in an effort to fight it. Having lived together for more than 11 weeks, the contestants have managed to get a good grip on each person and their habits - good and bad. Weekend Ka Vaar seems to become more intense in its balance few weeks, with behaviours changing towards housemates, to new blooming friendships its all boiling down to the final weeks of survival. Two discontinued tasks and a lot of grievances has messed up everyone's state of mind. Salman Khan felt the compelling need to question the contestants as to why two tasks simultaneously had to be scrapped and was upset that they couldn't mutually come to an agreement putting every task at stake. The most feared Kathgera got extremely troublesome with Jasleen having to justify why she was a biased Sanchalak and her reasoning didn't go down well with the contestants. Salman Khan, on the other hand, praised Somi for her righteousness and commended her as she handled the task well. Surbhi accused Sreesanth of being disrespectful and eventually, a huge revelation shook the foundation of respect when it was learnt that Sreesanth passed unwarranted comments on Surbhi's character. A huge blow-out resulted in Sreesanth breaking down. Salman Khan was upset that other women present also didn't take up for Surbhi's character being dishonoured. Salman Khan strictly stated that drawing the line when it comes to winning has been blurred and will not be tolerated in the house. Playing by the rules is important, playing respectfully is a necessity. To lighten the atmosphere, Salman Khan tried to scare the contestants by telling them stories of paranormal activities that have happened in the past seasons too. The contestants had a sudden worried look on their faces and felt a shiver down their spines. Also, to the fear of the housemates, Megha was given a secret task to perform - one that spelt 'Tantra'. She needed to put a lemon with vermilion and pins in the kitchen as well as outside the bathroom to scare the contestants and make them feel a presence in the house that would be questioned. They wondered how and where did it come from, the significance of the set situation and what evil is to come. It was still not revealed to them that it was Megha. Later Juhi Parmar (Sumati Khanna) and Sargun Kaur (Niyati Khanna) met Salman Khan and spoke about their upcoming show Tantra and how such elements are used to cast a negative spell. With the situation intensifying, Salmans reprimanding and the elimination panic alarming Megha, Jasleen, Romil, Deepak and Dipika, who will make their way out of the Bigg Boss house? To find out more, dont forget to watch Appy Fizz presents Bigg Boss 12 powered by Oppo F9 Pro every day at 9 pm only on COLORS Ghaziabad: Police have arrested a man for allegedly employing contract killers to murder his wife, a police officer said on Saturday. The man, Rinkoo, had earlier told police that three masked robbers looted Rs 40,000 from him and his wife Kavita (26) at gunpoint on Tuesday. When Kavita resisted the loot bid, the robbers fired two gunshots at her and fled from the spot, he had told police. Senior Superintendent of Police Upendra Agarwal Saturday said Rinkoo had become suspicious of his wife's character. He said Rinkoo, along with two others, hatched a conspiracy to kill Kavita. Rinkoo and Faizal were arrested while Deepak was still at large, Agarwal said. BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of major developing economies condemned protectionism at a G20 summit in Argentina on Friday overshadowed by U.S. President Donald Trump`s threat to escalate tariffs on China. This year`s two-day gathering is a major test for the Group of 20 industrialised nations, whose leaders first met in 2008 to help rescue the global economy from the worst financial crisis in seven decades. With a rise in nationalist sentiment in many countries, the G20 - which accounts for two-thirds of the world population - faces questions over its ability to deal with trade tensions, which have roiled global markets. Hanging over the summit in Buenos Aires is the trade dispute between the United States and China, the world`s two largest economies, which have imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of each other`s imports after Trump launched an effort to correct what he views as China`s unfair commercial practices. Global financial markets will take their lead next week from the outcome of talks between Trump and Xi over dinner on Saturday, aimed at resolving differences that are weighing on global economic growth. Xi and other leaders from the BRICS group of leading emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - issued a statement calling for open international trade and a strengthening of the World Trade Organization (WTO). "The spirit and rules of the WTO run counter to unilateral and protectionist measures," they said. "We call on all members to oppose such WTO-inconsistent measures, stand by their commitments undertaken in the WTO." Beijing hopes to persuade Trump to abandon plans to increase tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 percent in January, from 10 percent at present. U.S. stocks closed higher on Friday on hopes that a deal could be reached. Trump said there had been some positive signs. "We`re working very hard. If we could make a deal that would be good. I think they want to. I think we`d like to. We`ll see," he said. A Chinese foreign ministry official in Buenos Aires said there were signs of increasing consensus ahead of the discussions, although differences remained. SEEKING COMMON GROUND On the eve of the summit, G20 nations were still trying to reach consensus on wording for the summit`s communique on major issues including trade, migration and climate change, which in past years have been worked out well in advance. Officials hammering out the communique, known as "sherpas," said they expected to work into the night. "This has been an unprecedentedly long drafting," said Russia`s sherpa, Svetlana Lukash. "It`s very complicated," she said, adding that differences remained on all the key issues. Earlier in November, officials from countries attending a major Asia-Pacific summit failed to issue a joint statement for the first time after the U.S. delegation clashed with China over trade and security. However, delegates to the Buenos Aires talks said good progress had been made on economic sections of the final communique. Argentina`s presidency voiced cautious optimism that consensus would be reached, but a White House official said the United States would walk away from any statement that prejudiced U.S. interests. Highlighting the deep rifts within the G20, European Council President Donald Tusk said the European Union would extend its economic sanctions on Moscow in December, after Russian ships fired on Ukrainian vessels in the Sea of Azov last week, seizing the boats and sailors. "As this is a difficult moment for international cooperation, I would like to appeal to the leaders to use this summit ... to seriously discuss real issues such as trade wars, the tragic situation in Syria and Yemen and the Russian aggression in Ukraine," Tusk told a news conference. Trump cited Russia`s seizure of the ships as the reason he cancelled a planned bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they had been expected to discuss the U.S. leader`s threat to withdraw from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty. Moscow said U.S. domestic politics may have been the real reason behind the cancellation after Trump`s former personal lawyer pleaded guilty on Thursday to lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Organization skyscraper in the Russian capital. A White House spokeswoman denied this and Trump said on Friday the ships` seizure was the "sole reason" he scratched the meeting. A Kremlin spokesman said Putin was ready to continue talks with Trump. LONELY SAUDI PRINCE The presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the summit also raised an awkward dilemma for leaders, and Saudi Arabia`s de facto leader cut a lonely figure standing at the edge of the G20 family photo. Prince Mohammed arrived under swirling controversy over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Human Rights Watch asked Argentine prosecutors to investigate him for human rights abuses. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir discussed the importance of making progress in the investigation into Khashoggi`s killing during talks in Buenos Aires on Friday, the U.S. State Department said. British Prime Minister Theresa May told the prince that the killers of Khashoggi should be held to account, her office said after the two leaders met. Saudi Arabia said the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder. French President Emmanuel Macron told the prince in a separate meeting that Europeans will insist on international experts being part of the investigation into Khashoggi`s killing. Oil markets were awaiting a bilateral meeting between Putin and Prince Mohammed on Saturday afternoon for any sign that Russia will participate in a production cut by the OPEC oil cartel next month. Putin was the only leader to exchange a warm greeting with the prince, high-fiving him when he entered the main summit room. TRUMP AND TRADE One bright spot before the summit opened was the signing of a revised U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade pact to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. Signing the agreement alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, Trump said he looked forward to working with the U.S. Congress to complete the terms of the deal and did not anticipate problems. The three countries agreed a deal in principle to govern their trillion dollars of mutual trade after a year and a half of contentious talks concluded just an hour before a deadline on Sept. 30. Trudeau still had a few barbs on Friday. He called the deal by its old name NAFTA, prodded Trump over US steel and aluminium tariffs and said General Motors Co`s decision to cut production and its North American workforce, including in Canada, was a "heavy blow". BUENOS AIRES: US President Donald Trump said he will have a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday to discuss trade after the close of the G20 summit in Argentina. "We will be meeting with President Xi tonight...and we`ll be talking about a thing called trade and probably other things but primarily trade. It`s a very important meeting," Trump said. Trump also said he would work to straighten out the trade imbalance in talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Speaking alongside Trump at a joint news conference, Merkel added the two would address issues related to trade and the World Trade Organisation and discuss Ukraine, Syria, and the INF nuclear weapons pact with Russia. Buenos Aires: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here and discussed ways to deepen and diversify the strategic partnership between the two countries by enhancing trade and people-to-people ties. The meeting between the two leaders took place amidst the attack by the Opposition over alleged corruption in the controversial Rafale fighter jet deal with France. India inked an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore. The Congress party has been alleging massive irregularities in the deal, claiming that the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,600 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government. The government has rejected the charges. "Had an excellent meeting with President @EmmanuelMacron. We had wide-ranging discussions on ways to deepen and diversify the India-France strategic partnership, particularly by enhancing trade and people-to-people ties," Modi tweeted. The two leaders also discussed issues relating to terrorist financing and cooperation in maritime security among others. "PM @narendramodi had a productive meeting with French President @EmmanuelMacron on the margins of #G20Argentina. Both leaders discussed common front against terrorist financing, and cooperation in maritime security, renewable energy and reform of international institutions," External Affairs Ministry Ravish Kumar tweeted after the meet. Russias act of aggression against Ukrainian ships in the Black Sea on Sunday should not be dismissed as an isolated incident in its four-and-a-half year old war against Ukraine. This pre-meditated attack is part of a broader effort by Moscow to take full control of the Kerch Strait a strategic chokepoint that connects Russia to Crimea and separates the Black and Azov Seas. Control over the Kerch Strait gives the Russian Navy complete dominance over the Sea of Azov, whose only direct outlet to international waters is through the strait. Such maritime dominance would allow Moscow to effectively blockade the Ukrainian ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk, two major commercial gateways in eastern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely betting that by suffocating the fragile war-torn economy in eastern Ukraine, he can sow opposition to Ukraines central government and eventually blackmail Ukraine into some sort of accommodation. Russias effort to acquire maritime dominance in the Azov Sea is therefore a key pillar of its strategy to suborn Ukraine and return the country to Moscows sphere of privileged interests. Putin has seen that despite significant military gains, Russias occupation of the Donbas and its illegal annexation of Crimea have failed to weaken Ukraines resolve to be truly independent. In fact, just the opposite has happened: Russias shelling of Ukrainian citizens and soldiers and occupation of their land has galvanized a fierce determination on the part of most Ukrainians to build a sovereign country outside of Moscows control. The Tomos, or autocephaly, that will soon be bestowed on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and its refusal to bow to the Patriarch in Moscow any longerfollowing 359 years of direct subordinationis the latest manifestation of this thirst for independence. It is precisely for this reason that the Kremlin has now focused on political subterfuge and economic warfarein addition to its ongoing kinetic warto try to break the will of the Ukrainian people and demonstrate that building Western democracy and pursuing Euro-Atlantic integration will come with a heavy cost. Sundays incident near the Kerch Strait perfectly illustrates Moscows strong-arm tactics. As three Ukrainian ships sailed peacefully on November 24 from Odesa toward the Ukrainian port of Berdyansk on the Sea of Azov, the Russians positioned a cargo ship sideways across the Kerch Strait to block their way, claiming disingenuously that it had run aground. As the ships approached the strait from the south and saw their path was blocked, they requested information from Russian maritime authorities. In response there was radio silence. Next, the Russian boats ambushed the Ukrainian ships, rammed the tug boat and fired at the other two, injuring six sailors. The Russians then boarded the ships and detained their crew. The US response to this highly aggressive confrontation has unfortunately been underwhelming. The strongest condemnation came from outgoing UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, but Haley also noted in her public remarks that the Normandy GroupRussia, Ukraine, France, and Germanyneeded to take up the incident, thereby signaling that the administration intended not to get involved. US Secretary of State Pompeos response was even weaker, declaring incomprehensibly that both parties should de-escalate. But how does a captive and injured crew de-escalate? Finally, President Donald J. Trumps reaction was the least coherent: We dont like whats happening either way. Heres what the United States should do. First, Trump should spell out the consequences of Russias aggression when he meets with Putin in Argentina. If hes not prepared to do that, he should cancel the meeting. Second, the United States should provide Ukraine with defensive security assistance to address its maritime vulnerabilities: land-based anti-ship missiles, radars, and surveillance equipment for domain awareness. None of these systems poses a risk of offensive escalation, but they would send a powerful message to Russia that its actions have consequences. Third, the United States should lead a discussion at NATO on establishing a NATO Standing Maritime Group in the Black Sea, potentially headquartered at Constanta, Romania. A NATO maritime presence led by Black Sea littoral nations, augmented by the rotational presence of other NATO nations, would help deter Russian aggression in the region. Fourth, the United States needs to overhaul its ineffective sanctions policy on Russia. The United States should stop conflating weak measures (like those restricting the issuance of new debt or sanctions against government officials) with more powerful measures like asset freezes on major Russian banks (none of which have had their assets frozen). Finally, rather than outsourcing US diplomacy to France and Germany, as Pompeo and Haley have suggested, the United States should join forces with our European allies to seek a resolution to the conflict backed by real leverage, and not just rhetoric. Read the original text here. The EU reminded that Europe is united in supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine The European Union may extend the sanctions against the Russian Federation in December. This was announced by the chairman of the European Council Donald Tusk on Twitter. Europe is united in our support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is why I am sure that the EU will roll over the sanctions against Russia in December. Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) November 30, 2018 The United Kingdom will insist on the imposing of extra package of sanctions against the Russian Federation due to its aggression against Ukrainian ships in Kerch Strait. British Prime Minister Theresa May made such statement at G20 summit in Buenos Aires as Reuters reported. We have always been at the forefront in the EU of calling for sanctions on Russia in relation to its behaviorWe will continue to push for what we consider to be appropriate sanctions on Russia, she added. The Head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs counts on the support of the Hungarian colleagues in connection with the attack of Russia on the Ukrainian vessels in the Kerch Strait Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin expressed hope that Hungary will actively support the assistance from the EU and NATO to Ukraine in connection with Russias attack on the Ukranian military ships in the Kerch Strait. The Minister reported this on Facebook. We come up with some groundwork to our meeting with the Hungarian colleague, which is to take place the next week in Milan. We could have stopped at this but I cant skip one more aspect. Last Saturdays event in the Black Sea shook Ukraine and the world. This is the first armed attack performed by the Russian army without hiding their flag. Hopefully, Hungary knows that this threat is not only to Ukraine, Klimkin said. The Minister has also noted that Russia wages a hybrid war against the entire democratic world, including the EU and Hungary, and Ukraine just ended up at the forefront of this war. This is why we have the right to expect a full assist and support from both the EU and NATO, as well as every country that is a member of this unions... Hopefully, Hungary will also actively support the assistance of the EU and NATO to Ukraine. By the way, this is the best way to protect our Ukrainian Hungarians from the Russian threat, he said. As we reported earlier, the coast guard ships of the Russian Navy acted aggressively against the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, which have been carrying out a scheduled transition from Odesa port to Mariupol port in the Sea of Azov. Kyiv demanded from Moscow to immediately provide the medical service to the wounded sailors and provide them urgent return to the Ukrainian territory. According to the Naval Forces of Ukraine, six sailors are wounded and two of them were in the critical condition. Russian Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova named the exact number of the detained Ukrainian servicemen, 24 ships. Moskalkova added that procedural actions are connected with the establishment of the facts of the events. If a military vessel enters the waters, certainly, this is a violation of the borders, this is a socially dangerous act, which demands a special qualification and procedure. Later it was reported that the Ukrainian servicemen taken captive in Kerch Strait are being forced to give the false testimony. The Commander of Ukraines Navy noted that the lawyers have already met with this military. Earlier, Germany offered the United States and the European Union to close ports for Russian ships from the Sea of Azov Open source The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany introduced a strategy aiming at establishing peace in Ukraine. This is reported on the Ministry's website. 'After Russia illegally annexed Crimea and supported the separatists in the East, more than 10 thousand people were killed in Ukraine. The deep conflict in close proximity to Europe is also a serious risk to the security of Germany,' the document says. U.S. and European Union have to consider closing their ports for Russian vessels coming from the Sea of Azov. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Secretary General of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany claimed this in Berlin, Reuters reports. The politician says that such actions have to be the response to the capture of Ukrainian military vessels in the Black Sea. As we reported earlier, the coast guard ships of the Russian Navy acted aggressively against the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, which have been carrying out a scheduled transition from Odesa port to Mariupol port in the Sea of Azov. Today, November 25, the ships of the Ukrainian Navy with two armored gunboats and a sea mule tugboat have been carrying out a scheduled transition from Odesa port to Mariupol port in the Sea of Azov. The intention to make the transition was informed in advance in accordance with international standards in order to ensure the safety of navigation. However, contrary to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Treaty between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on cooperation in the use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, the Russian coast guard ships - Sobol class patrol boat, Don border guard cruiser, Mangust class patrol boat and Suzdalets anti-submarine warfare ship performed blatantly aggressive acts against the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, reads the message. It is specified that Don border guard cruiser rammed the Ukrainian armored artillery boat, which led to the damage of the main engine. The Ukrainian Navy states that "the dispatcher service of the occupiers refuses to ensure the right of freedom of navigation, guaranteed by international agreements." Thus, according to the Ukrainian side, Russia has once again demonstrated its aggressive nature and complete disregard for the norms of international law. The Christian Democratic Union of Germany notes that such measures have to be in force until the situation in Ukraine is resolved The U.S. and the European Union have to consider closing their ports for Russian vessels coming from the Sea of Azov. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Secretary General of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany claimed this in Berlin, Reuters reports. The politician says that such actions have to be the response to the capture of Ukrainian military vessels in the Black Sea. Related: Russia not to respond to Kyivs ban for entry for Russians The Christian Democratic Union of Germany noted that such measures have to be in force until the situation in Ukraine is resolved. As we reported earlier, the coast guard ships of the Russian Navy acted aggressively against the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, which have been carrying out a scheduled transition from Odesa port to Mariupol port in the Sea of Azov. Today, November 25, the ships of the Ukrainian Navy with two armored gunboats and a sea mule tugboat have been carrying out a scheduled transition from Odesa port to Mariupol port in the Sea of Azov. The intention to make the transition was informed in advance in accordance with international standards in order to ensure the safety of navigation. However, contrary to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Treaty between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on cooperation in the use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, the Russian coast guard ships - Sobol class patrol boat, Don border guard cruiser, Mangust class patrol boat and Suzdalets anti-submarine warfare ship performed blatantly aggressive acts against the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, reads the message. Related: G7 urges Russia to release arrested Ukrainian sailors It is specified that Don border guard cruiser rammed the Ukrainian armored artillery boat, which led to the damage of the main engine. The Ukrainian Navy states that "the dispatcher service of the occupiers refuses to ensure the right of freedom of navigation, guaranteed by international agreements." Thus, according to the Ukrainian side, Russia has once again demonstrated its aggressive nature and complete disregard for the norms of international law. Open source Ukraine limits access to the occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions for foreigners and stateless persons due to the introduction of martial law in ten regions. Commander of the Joint Forces Operation Serhiy Nayev adopted the relevant decision, reports the press office of the JFO on Facebook. The headquarters specified that the right for crossing the boundary line to be available for representatives of official monitoring missions of the UN, OSCE and the mission of the Red Cross. Regarding other foreigners, the decision on entering the occupied territories will be taken if an individual has documents proving his permanent residency there or the need to cross the boundary line for humanitarian purposes (funeral, relatives serious illness etc.). Units of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, who are in the personnel of the Joint Forces Operation, are on full alert. All entry-exit checkpoint keep working in normal mode. If the situation exacerbates within the road corridors, the border units are ready for actions and fulfilling missions set by the leadership of the Joint Forces. Any amendments in the work of entry-exit checkpoints will be reported immediately on the Facebook page of the Joint Forces, reads the message. Earlier, such restrictions were set at the administration line in Kherson region and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Besides, it became known today that Ukraine wont allow Russian men aged from 16 and 60 to enter its territory. President Petro Poroshenko commissioned to increase requirements for registering Russians in the regions, where martial law is introduced. Open source Russia deployed fighter aircraft and other military equipment at the Belbek airfield, which is located in the occupied by Russia Crimea. The press office of the Ministry for temporarily occupied territories and internally displaced persons reported this. It is claimed that a satellite imagery detected 24 units of fighter aircraft, including 16 units of Sukhoi Su-27 of different modifications, 8 Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter aircraft, as well as approximately 150 special-purpose vehicles and other military equipment. According to specialists assessment, An increase in the number of aircraft parks and storage areas for aircraft armament on the military part of the airfield can be used to increase the capabilities for receiving combat aviation, including strategic. Such actions of the Russian Federation reaffirm the fact that the occupying country considering the temporarily occupied Crimea solely as just another military base, which will keep the entire European continent in suspense, the Ministry noted. Crimea was annexed by Russia by way of the illegal referendum that was held on the peninsula in March 2014. Earlier, the Russian military captured all strategic military objects and buildings of the key authoritative bodies. Neither Ukraine nor the rest of the civilized countries recognized the results of the referendum. A number of the European and the world countries, including Ukraine, imposed the economic sanctions against Russia. On October 7, 2015, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has signed the relevant law. International organizations recognized the occupation and annexation of Crimea illegal and condemned Russia's actions. Western countries have introduced a series of economic sanctions. Russia denied the occupation of the peninsula and calls it a "restoration of historical justice." Departments for response actions during emergency situations and International Health Regulations are working in enhanced regime in ten regions Open source Health and epidemiological monitoring will be increased in the conditions of martial law introduced in ten regions of Ukraine. The press office of the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine reported. It is reported that the population would be receiving all necessary medical services, as usual. The working regime of medical facilities remains unchanged. In particular, the medical facilities do vaccination against infectious diseases, provide drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis and HIV infections, give advice on the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, allows to order and conduct appropriate laboratory and instrumental studies in laboratory centers, reads the message. Meanwhile, the regions where martial law is introduced environmental monitoring to be enhanced and all objects of the unified state system of civil protection are setting at ready. Besides, the structure of the Public Health Center is working in enhanced mode for response actions during emergency situations and International Health Regulations. Earlier the order, which introduces the updated decision of the National Security and Defense Council on the imposing of the martial law, was published by the press service of the President of Ukraine. The updated decision states that martial law is imposed in Ukraine starting at 14:00, November 26 for 30 days until December 26, 2018. The President of Ukraine assured that martial law would not entail restrictions on the peoples rights and wont affect the date for holding the presidential elections. The Ukrainian Parliament has already scheduled the elections for March 31, 2019. The martial law should be expired on December 26, the President claimed that he is not intended to prolong it. They state icing, wind speed increase and high waves in Kherson region Open source The State Emergency Service of Ukraine warns about the threats of consequence of the water level rising in the Sea of Azov on the night of December 1. Weather reporters warn about the threatening consequences of sea level rise in Kherson region, reads the message of the service on Facebook. From 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. the sea level reached the level of the natural phenomenon near Henichesk. Related: Health and epidemiological monitoring to be reinforced in regions with martial law High northeast wind of 25-28 m/sec, wave height of 13-15 decimeters, in the open part of the sea 15-20 decimeters and fast icing of ships were observed in Mariupol and Berdyansk ports in the Sea of Azov on December 1, reads the message. The rescuers call on people to consider the weather warning. Both vessels arrived from Constanta Romanian port and headed to Russia and Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov A ship blocks passage under the Crimean bridge over the Kerch Strait on Nov. 25 Associated Press Two ships collided in the Sea of Azov on Friday, November 30, according to the Russian mass media. Lady Mary cargo vessel under the flag of Tonga carried out a maneuver near a moored vessel Azov Concord under the flag of Malta; its propeller stuck in the anchor chain of the Maltese vessel. Related: Ukraine prepares tit-for-tat measures against Russian aggression in Kerch Strait It is reported that the propeller of the Lady Mary sustained damage, and the chain of Azov Concord presumably broke away. Both vessels arrived from Romanian port Constanta and headed to Russian and Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov. They are going to stay at the dock in the southern part of the Kerch Strait until they are repaired. As we reported earlier, the coast guard ships of the Russian Navy acted aggressively against the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, which have been carrying out a scheduled transition from Odesa port to Mariupol port in the Sea of Azov. Related: U.S. Senate unanimously condemns Russian actions in Kerch Strait Kyiv demanded from Moscow to immediately provide the medical service to the wounded sailors and provide them urgent return to the Ukrainian territory. According to the Naval Forces of Ukraine, six sailors are wounded and two of them were in the critical condition. Russian Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova named the exact number of the detained Ukrainian servicemen 24. Moskalkova added that if a military vessel enters the waters, certainly, this is a violation of the borders, this is a socially dangerous act, which demands a special qualification and procedure. 19:10 | Paracas (Ica region), Nov. 30. "You have done your part as well. We cannot go in two parallel lines, we have to agree on it (the plan), work on it, and develop just one document that guides all Peruvians," the top official expressed. In this sense, the statesman pledged to work tirelessly with all sectors, so the President who succeeds him in the Bicentennial on 28 July 2021 can receive the nation in better conditions and ready for its third century. Furthermore, he asked all entrepreneurs to commit themselves and believe in Peru by complying with high technical and ethical standards. "I invite you to innovate, to develop your business ventures with social and environmental responsibility, to defend your goals as business people," President Vizcarra said. "But also, to have in mind Peru includes everybody, Peruvians from the coast, highlands, and jungle who deserve to live better ()," he added. Competitiveness "Our challenge is to improve performance," the top official indicated. Likewise, the Head of State pointed out his administration has created a National Competitiveness and Productivity Policy, which he described as an essential tool. However, it is not official yet. "For that reason, we welcome today's proposals from the business sector," the statesman expressed. Remarks were made during his closing speech at CADE-Executives 2018 (END) CCR/HMC/DTK/RMB Loading... Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra addressed the business community on Friday to propose a joint agenda along with the Government in order to reach a competitiveness plan for the Inca country.Publicado: 30/11/2018 Balance of Power "Proposal A is now in the charter, and it's our obligation to live up to it." by James Leonard From the December, 2018 issue So says mayor Christopher Taylor. The charter amendment, which passed 53 percent to 47 percent, requires the city to maintain the "library lot" between Fifth and Division in public ownership--even though the attorney-mayor maintains that it's already been sold to a Chicago developer. The developer, Core Spaces, offered $10 million for the right to build a seventeen-story building there. Councilmembers opposed to the development have challenged the legality of that sale in court. Now the developers may go to court, too. After the election, the company issued a brief statement: "Core Spaces will continue as planned in our project development process per the terms of our contract with the city." "Whether [Proposal A] can withstand legal scrutiny," Taylor says, "only time will tell." Whatever the courts decide, the vote was a repudiation of the pro-growth council faction Taylor leads. It has controlled council almost continuously for eighteen years but, after losing three seats this year, is now reduced to a four-vote minority on the eleven-member council. But as mayor, Taylor doesn't just have a vote--he has the power to veto council actions. Though he's never done so before, he says he's not afraid to start now. "Veto is part of the job," he shrugs. Because overturning a veto takes eight votes, "to get anything done will require collaboration," Taylor says. "Positive actions cannot be sustained in the face of a veto with only seven votes." The Library Lot became a referendum on the city's ongoing redevelopment. But it was also atypical, because the site was already in public ownership. The only way to limit private redevelopment is to change zoning--and the new majority "can't, on their own, change zoning because they can't override a veto," Taylor says. He allows zoning could still change, but only "in a manner that reflects a consensus"--that is, a manner acceptable to the minority. That could be seen as a threat--or as an invitation to negotiate. [Originally published in December, 2018.] YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The awarding ceremony of the Republic of Armenia state award for Global Contribution in IT sphere was held on November 30, the government told Armenpress. Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan handed over the state award to James Truchard, co-founder and CEO of National Instruments, and delivered remarks during a reception organized in honor of Truchard. Dear Mr., Truchard, Ladies and Gentlemen, Today the Armenian state award for Global Contribution in IT sphere is bestowed to the co-founder and CEO of the National Instruments, James Truchard. A person whose innovation played an exceptional role for the development and spread of IT across the world. I will not enter into professional details, but will say the following. The new technologies are a historic opportunity for us to implement in Armenia what we want to implement, that is the economic revolution. They are also a challenge to all those who want to move on in line with the human progress. For Armenia and all Armenians in general this sector has a strategic significance. First of all, by living in a complex geopolitical region, the information technologies are the virtual link for us which ensure our uninterrupted communication with the outside world, and why not also our economic growth and development. The IT sphere is one of those fewer sectors the development of which doesnt require ports, access to the sea and rich subsoil. It just needs human capital. And this is the resource Armenia has always been distinguished with. We are not only happy for these new opportunities, but must make all efforts to maximally use them. This is the reason that I consider the key priority of the newly-formed government turning Armenia from agrarian, mining industry country to a technological country. But I dont mean suspension of works in agriculture and mining industry sectors. Quite the contrary, we must develop and raise to a new level our agriculture and mining industry by the use of IT and innovative approaches. By the use of innovative solutions we must not only facilitate the burden of those working in the respective field and in all fields in general, but also to increase the production quality and efficiency. What the information technologies have done and do in the contemporary world can be interpreted as a revolution rather than something else. We are revolutionaries, and by saying revolution we understand a drastic progress, non-standard solutions, innovation, as well as rejuvenation of life and working style. Dear Mr. Truchard, I warmly congratulate you on receiving this award. Our cooperation with you has a history of more than a decade. During that period you have managed to greatly contribute to the development of the field in Armenia by the National Instruments Armenia Office, as well as provided an opportunity to the young specialists to be presented in international markets. We perceive you as an ally in the universal process of making the world smarter, stronger and more innovative. By this award we also want to show an example to our youth how the modern person should be and what ideals he/she should follow. By this award we also want to appreciate your work and just praise you. Even if you dont need it, we need it. We are a society who appreciates the human work and contribution, as well as the great investment of the great man. Mr. Truchard, Its always an honor for us to host you in our country and enjoy your presence. Once again congratulating you on this occasion, I wish you new achievements in your thankful activities. I know that this is not your first visit to Armenia, and let me express hope that it will not be the last one. Thank you. James Truchard thanked the acting PM for the high appreciation and stated that its a great honor for him to receive an Armenian state award for Global Contribution in IT sphere. He introduced his companys activities and attached importance to the presence of the company office in Armenia, the cooperation and joint programs with Armenia. James Truchard said a number of major IT companies currently operate in Armenia and expressed confidence that their number will increase taking into account the governments steps and programs directed for the development of the field. In his remarks he also touched upon the role of education in development of information and high technologies, highlighting its importance and the consistent work on preparing highly-qualified engineers. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The Christmas Fair in Yerevans Northern Avenue this year will open on December 6. The fair is organized within the framework of the Yerevan City Hall-private sector partnership. Organizer of the fair Pierre Baghdadyan told Armenpress that the fair will be open for visitors on December 6, but the official opening ceremony will take place on December 8. The ceremony will be attended by famous French-Armenian mountaineer Ara Khachaturian. Concert is scheduled on December 8. The fair is going to be quite broad. If last year the number of the small house cottages was 30, this year their number reaches 46. This year a lot of applications were received, and we had to make a selection. Moreover, the participants must decorate their cottages in a unique way. Beautiful cottages will be promoted, the organizer said. Visitors can find numerous Christmas and New Year items in the fair, such as souvenirs, decorations, handmade items etc. A wide range of sweets will also be available chocolates, confectionary, dried fruits, wine. Postcards and books will be sold too. The idea of holding the Christmas fair came up years ago, when the France based, ethnically Lebanese Pierre Baghdadyan visited Armenia during New Year holidays. At that time, such fairs were not being organized in Armenia, whereas such fairs are an essential part of festive events in numerous European countries. The first Christmas fair was held in 2011 in Ashtarak. According to Baghdadyan, the event was very joyous, and since then, the fair was held continuously by the assistance of Yerevan City Hall. The fair will remain open until January 6. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The construction of an Engineering City, aimed at developing the field of high technologies in Armenia, will be completed in 1-1.5 years, Bagrat Yengibaryan director of the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, told reporters before the groundbreaking ceremony of the City in Yerevan on December 1, reports Armenpress. The EIF director said there are already an engineering center, library, museums of universe, science and technologies in the other side of the area, high school will be constructed soon. Photos by Eduard Sepetchyan The Engineering City is already a reality. Its just the expansion of the city where 32 organizations will be deployed with their separate buildings, as well as a major engineering incubator with 38 newly-established companies, he said. Yengibaryan said the construction of the Engineering City aims at testing a new unprecedented model in the region. This model will prepare engineering specialists in one place, the companies will be able to use the joint equipment, observe and later produce jointly, he noted. The Engineering City is created within the frames of the public-private partnership. According to the program, 1500 highly-qualified specialists of the field will be prepared and trained, 2000 jobs will be created, starts will be established, as well as the companies activity efficiency will raise and export volumes will grow. As this is going to be an incubator environment, that number will change constantly and will be updated. When the companies enlarge, most probably, they will be withdrawn from the space and will set up their own production infrastructures, the EIF director said, adding that a new profession has been included in the Armenian State Engineering University a systematic engineering, which will be taught in the Engineering City. Bagrat Yengibaryan said the preliminary investments comprise 30 million USD, 10 million of which will be invested by the state. National Instruments co-founder and CEO James Truchard says Armenia has a very strong technological base which has been built for decades. Armenia has the latest infrastructures, engineering laboratories and similar other platforms, and the young people have an opportunity to become leading specialists in this field. I think the automated vehicles are a very attractive direction to develop in Armenia since Armenia has all components to make it reality both in educational and engineering terms. Armenia has a good position in the field of high technologies, Truchard said. Acting first deputy prime minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan is confident that Armenia will be able to keep the development pace in the high technologies sector. We are lucky in this sense as we have a serious school inherited from Soviet Armenia. We just need to make efforts and do everything to keep this development pace and move forward. I know very bright people in this sector whom I believe and I am sure that they can keep this place and Armenia will capture a very important and serious place in the 21st century thanks to these people, Mirozyan said. Engineering City in Yerevan, Armenia from Ashot Ghazaryan on Vimeo. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The relations between Armenia and Iran have always been at a high level, and it is necessary to do everything for these relations to remain so, acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said during the election campaign of My Step alliance in Kapan town, reports Armenpress. There are no wrinkles in the Iran-Armenia relations, but it is also understandable that there are also forces which want to create these wrinkles. And I want to express hope and confidence that the governments of Armenia and Iran will take measures and will ensure the normal development of the Armenia-Iran relations. And this is really a priority for our government, and we will do everything to reach this goal. We know that the international situation around Iran is quite tense and are confident that any international issue must be solved through negotiations without use of force or threat of force and compulsion. We hope these developments will move on this path, Pashinyan said. The acting PM said measures are being taken, also with the support of international partners, to develop Armenias relations with Iran. The border checkpoint with Iran will soon be reconstructed by the funds of the EU, and we are going to have a modern border checkpoint, he said. Pashinyan also touched upon some difficulties faced by Iranian and Armenian drivers in connection with the activity conditions. I also know that there are some complaints among the Iranian drivers in connection with their activity conditions in Armenia, and the Armenian drivers face some difficulties in Iran over their working conditions. But I am confident that the governments of our countries will discuss all these issues in an atmosphere of friendship and brotherhood and will solve them, Pashinyan said. He added that the inter-governmental level agreements reached between Iran and Armenia successfully continue, in particular in the energy sector. He expressed hope that the trade turnover of the two countries both in the energy and the remaining sectors will increase, as well as new economic ties will be established, new investments will be made. The Republic of Armenia is open also for the Iranian investments, and we hope that there will be new investments in Armenia, including by our compatriots who are citizens of Iran, Pashinyan said. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Youre also not too fussed anymore about the spelling of place names and other things but you have a good command of grammar which acts as a neat offset. Youre a little bit out of touch; you still think Vanuatu is called the New Hebrides and is governed as a British-French condominium but that doesnt really matter. There are only vague connections between these various stories and recollections but you decide to write them down anyway and arrange for their publication. TUMBY BAY - Imagine this youve led a very interesting life but youre getting on a bit. Youve got a mixture of memories and stories floating around in your head, some of them you know are true, some of them you think are true and some are in between. Gumanch by Mark Ernest Young, self-published in Mysore, India, 2016, 215 pages with maps and black & white photographs, AU$6 plus postage. Contact the author at mernesty@gmail.com Tigi Adventures by Mark Ernest Young, self-published in Mysore, India, 2005, 171 pages with maps and black & white photographs, AU$6 plus postage. Contact the author at mernesty@gmail.com A large part of your life has revolved around plantations and the culture that accompanies them in several interesting places, including Papua New Guinea and India. You have a great deal of respect for the old British Empire and what it once stood for and your values and perceptions of the world are still coloured by that view. The two books you write go to one of those cheap Indian publisher-printers so the quality is not tip top, especially the second book, but the end products are still highly readable and have a certain charm and appeal. Satisfied, you sit back and wonder what the world will think of them. This is my impression of the evolution of Mark Ernest Youngs two books, Tigi Adventures (2005) and Gumanch (2016), named after plantations in the New Guinea highlands but not exclusively about them. I may be totally wrong in my impression and no doubt Ill be corrected if this is the case. But I still recommend them to the readers of PNG Attitude. Together the books give people who are interested in the culture of the short-lived colonial era plantations in the highlands of Papua New Guinea a glimpse of not only how they operated but also the mindset of many of those who were engaged in the endeavour. Mark Ernest Young was born and brought up in Bangalore in South India and comes from a well-known Anglo-Indian family of Scottish descent. His father was a coffee planter in the Wynad (Kerala State) and later a police officer in Mysore State and subsequently served with the Metropolitan Police in London. Mark was also a coffee planter in South India and in the New Guinea highlands. He once worked on a sheep station in Western Australia and later for Chrysler International in London. What particularly intrigued me about the two books was the contrast between Indian plantation culture and the Australian version that briefly flourished in the New Guinea highlands. Many of those Australian planters used expatriate managers and expertise from Africa, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Malaysia and India and no doubt the attitudes they brought with them from those places had an impact on the way the plantations operated in New Guinea. The only real difference between the two was perhaps the absence of large carnivores in New Guinea like lions and tigers and the hunting and shooting culture that these encouraged. Despite that difference, many of the other factors were similar and the attitudes the same. Both groups, at least in my view, seemed to consider themselves a cut above the run-of-the-mill and evolved a pukka sahib class of their own. Reading the first book is great preparation for reading the second where the majority of the New Guinea stories occur. Unfortunately, this second book, Gumanch, is much less well-presented and unlike the first is much more error prone. I came across people I had known and this gave it a ring of authenticity and the priming from the first book made it a bit easier to understand. Such was this effect I was inclined to forgive the rendering of place names like Wahgi spelt incorrectly as Waghi and kunai spelt as kunhi and people like Dick Hagon mistakenly called Dirk. If you are just interested in reading about the authors experiences in New Guinea you only need to read the second book, Gumanch. The books are a little bit tricky to get hold of because they come directly from the author. Mine came in a package from Mysore neatly tied with string and I paid for them by sending money to the authors cousin in Western Australia. That aside, if you have an interest in Papua New Guinea and the colonial period, the books will sit well on your bookshelf. I picked up the sticks when I was very young. We used to bang away at mums saucepans. Then I started playing in the school band. Musical talent ran in the Hakalitz family. As a gifted self-taught guitarist, his dad spent his free time jamming with friends and family. It was in this household that the young Ben grew up. He was born at Angau Hospital in Lae the 1965 to a Morobean mum, Anna, and a Bougainvillean dad, Joseph. Now 52, Hakalitz is a master of the trade; a drummer whose skills are highly prized and sought after by the industry. LAE - Nearly half a century ago, when Ben Hakalitz first picked up the drumsticks, little did he know that he would become one of the most travelled Papua New Guinean musicians. By the age of 12, Hakalitz was on his way to becoming a serious drummer. With older brother David already drumming in live performances, he said it was natural to follow in his footsteps. The post-independence era of the late 1970s was an important time for Papua New Guinea music. Bands experimented with available studio technology, producing rough-hewn cover versions of popular songs that played on the radio. It was also a time when creativity and skill flourished. From Irian Jaya, on the Indonesian side of the border, Black Brothers exported their music to a Pacific audience as Papua New Guineas Sanguma Band experimented with a blend of kuakumbas, kundus, garamuts and modern instruments. These original sounds captivated the imaginations of the young independent nation. Bougainville was also a developing hub of talented musicians. By Grade 8 in 1978, teenager Ben Hakalitz had already established a small reputation as a skilful drummer within the Arawa community. Then I had to go to college, he says. I went to learn to be a boiler maker. While music was important, education was vital. John Hakalitz encouraged his son to get educated and learn a trade. But finding a job after school didnt come easy. While all my friends, applied and got employed, I was still sending out applications. Hakalitz says. Then I said, Ill just go and do what Im good at. In the early 1980s, fortune turned in his favour. The manager of a new band April Sun - called him from Rabaul for a job as a drummer. I had to speak to my dad. He was very supportive. April Sun travelled the Niugini Islands with Hakalitz on drums. It released tracks that made it to airwaves. But back home, an important task was incomplete. Hakalitz senior called for his son to return to Bougainville and complete his apprenticeship as a boiler maker. But even after leaving April Sun, the Hakalitz skills did not go unnoticed. After working a day job for two years, in 1986 Hakalitz got another call. This time from Sanguma band legend, Tony Subam, in Port Moresby. Tony called me and I agreed. They wanted me to pack up and leave. I said, I cant leave now. I have to formally resign from my job. By then I has been working for two three years. Again, I had to talk to my dad. As a musician himself, he understood and he supported me. The Sanguma experience from 1986 to 1988 gave Hakalitz the opportunity to work with a group of professionally trained musicians. I never studied music. I didnt have a diploma or anything. I was home grown. Tony and the other band members, like pianist Buruka Tau, read and wrote their own music. To work with the group, the boiler maker developed his own method of reading and writing music. I wrote notes that guided me. They were like street signs along the way. After that, you worked by hearing. Meeting Tony Subam, led him to a new part of his life journey as a drummer and musician. Years after going their separate ways, he was asked by Subam to regroup as part of Sanguma. This time it was for an opening act for a new Australian band, Yothu Yindi, led by Mandawuy Yunupingu. Yothu Yindi marked the start of a new chapter in the spectacular musical story of Ben Hakalitz. I signed a contract for three months. Then it was extended to six months. Eventually, Hakalitz became Yothu Yindis longest serving drummer turning his initial three month contract into a 20-year stint with the band. He blended into a group that carried an indigenous Australian message of unity, political rights and equality. But in 2013 Mandawuy Yunupingu (pictured right) died of renal failure leaving a large void in the band. Officially, Yothu Yindi has not disbanded. But Mandawuy left huge shoes to fill. He was an elder, a leader and an icon. Over the 20 years with Yothu Yindi, Hakalitz also played with gospel band, P2UIF. Together, they released several successful albums in Papua New Guinea. P2UIF remains an important part of his spiritual life today as he ventures into new ground in the music business. Over the next 12 months, Hakalitz expects to release branded drum kits he is currently designing. We have to develop a product that we can export. They will have Papua New Guinean designs and built out of maple wood or birch wood. Eventually, we will use PNG wood. President Donald Trump has often claimed he has "nothing to do with Russia," but that's far from the truth. Trump's efforts to lay down his name in the Russian capital stretch back more than 30 years. According to Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, the president's most recent attempt to break ground in Moscow was a drawn-out process that lasted well into the 2016 presidential campaign season. President Donald Trump is adamant that he has no financial interests in Russia. "Russia has never tried to use leverage over me," he tweeted in January 2017. "I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!" But a glimpse at his actions over the last few decades paints a quite different picture, one that shows a concerted effort by the real-estate mogul to lay a foundation for the Trump name in the heart of Moscow. Trump's business ties to Russia jumped back into the spotlight this week, after his former longtime lawyer, Michael Cohen, admitted that he lied to Congress about the extent of the Trump Organisation's push to open a Trump Tower in Moscow during the 2016 election. Prosecutors said Cohen "discussed the status and progress of the Moscow Project" with Trump "on more than the three occasions Cohen claimed" to the Senate Intelligence Committee last year and that "he briefed family members" of Trump within the Trump Organisation about it. They also said Cohen admitted to pursuing the deal as late as June 2016, after Trump became the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. After Cohen's stunning revelations about the timeline of discussions on building Trump Tower in Moscow, Trump tweeted that he "lightly looked" at "doing a building somewhere in Russia." But the president added that he "didn't do the project" and claimed he made no verbal or financial commitments. The defunct Moscow project is just the latest in a long history of the president trying - and failing - to make his mark in the Russian capital. Here's a rundown of Trump's attempted business dealings in Russia: Michael Cohen is quickly emerging as one of the most dangerous cooperators not only against President Donald Trump, but also his son, Donald Trump Jr. Cohen's plea deal with the special counsel Robert Mueller raises fresh questions about whether Trump Jr. misled congressional investigators about a now-defunct proposal to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee said Cohen's plea deal indicates that "other witnesses were also untruthful before our committee." A knowledgeable congressional source told INSIDER Trump Jr. was one of the witnesses to whom Schiff was referring. When the FBI raided Michael Cohen's property earlier this year and it surfaced that he was the target of a federal criminal investigation, Justice Department veterans warned that if he were to flip, he could be the most dangerous cooperating witness against President Donald Trump and his family. This week, the special counsel Robert Mueller's office revealed a slice of just how much dirt Cohen may have on Trump in a charging document laying out how Cohen misled congressional investigators last year about the Trump Organisation's effort to build a Trump Tower in Moscow during the 2016 election. Cohen and Trump have known each other for years, and in addition to being Trump's personal lawyer, he was also his longtime fixer and served as the Trump Organisation's lead attorney for a decade. Prosecutors said Cohen, who pleaded guilty to one count of lying to Congress, misled lawmakers when he said negotiations for the Trump Tower Moscow deal ended in January 2016 and that he did not discuss it extensively with Trump Organisation executives. They said Cohen did so "in hopes of limiting the ongoing Russia investigations." These revelations don't just spell trouble for Trump. They have also cast the spotlight back on Donald Trump Jr., Trump's eldest son who is an executive vice president at the Trump Organisation. Story continues Donald Trump Jr Trump Jr. misled the House Intelligence Committee, per source When he testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee last September, Trump Jr. told the panel he "wasn't involved" in the Trump Tower Moscow project and was only "peripherally aware" of it in 2016. He also said he was not aware Cohen had reached out to the Russian government about the deal and indicated that Cohen's work with the Russian-born businessman Felix Sater on the project ended in 2015. But prosecutors wrote that Cohen "discussed the status and progress of the Moscow Project" with Trump "on more than the three occasions Cohen claimed" to the Senate Intelligence Committee and that "he briefed family members" of Trump within the Trump Organisation about it. They also said Cohen admitted to pursuing the deal with Sater as late as June 2016, after Trump became the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. After Cohen's plea deal was announced, Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that Cohen's plea "highlights concern over another issue - that we believe other witnesses were also untruthful before our committee." A knowledgeable congressional source told INSIDER that Trump Jr. was one of the witnesses to whom Schiff was referring. Michael Cohen Trump Jr. 'ought to be alarmed' Elie Honig, a former federal prosecutor from the Southern District of New York, told INSIDER the president's son "ought to be alarmed" by Cohen's plea deal. "We know Trump Jr. was questioned on the same topics that Michael Cohen has now been convicted of lying about." It's unclear exactly what Trump Jr. told the House Intelligence Committee about the scrapped deal, because his interview took place in a closed-door session. "The decision of whether to charge Trump Jr. with perjury is really going to come down to a question of precision," Honig said. "How clear is it that he misstated the truth? Did he leave himself enough wiggle room, and is his version of facts squarely contradicted by documents, emails, or other evidence showing his level of involvement?" Honig added the caveat that Trump Jr. likely did not have the same level of involvement in the project as Cohen did. But, he added, "it's clear he did have some involvement at some time. So the key question is going to be, how much was Trump Jr. involved in, and how does that square off with the specifics of his testimony?" Cohen has been cooperating with investigators since August, when he pleaded guilty to tax evasion, bank fraud, and campaign-finance violations in a separate Manhattan US attorney's office investigation into his and Trump's financial dealings before the election. His most recent sit-down with Mueller was last week. 'You don't get a pass because your last name is Trump' Cohen's is the first guilty plea Mueller has secured that is directly connected to Trump's business dealings in Russia. And he is the first person Mueller has prosecuted for lying to Congress. But DOJ veterans say that doesn't mean he'll be the last. "There are certainly others at the Trump Organisation that knew about this Russian overture," Jeffrey Cramer, a longtime former federal prosecutor in Chicago, told INSIDER. "If they knew about it and lied, either to Mueller or to Congress, there's no reason to think they'd be treated differently than Cohen. You don't get a pass because your last name is Trump." If it emerges that Trump Jr. knew more than he was letting on about the deal and gave false testimony about it to congressional committees, "he or any other individual is now staring at the same fate Cohen is," Cramer said. "It brings home to those in the company who may have lied about the deal that their time could be coming sooner rather than later." This isn't the first time Trump Jr.'s congressional testimony has come under the microscope. Lawmakers also questioned the president's son about his involvement in a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower between top campaign officials and two Russian lobbyists offering dirt on the Hillary Clinton campaign as "part of Russia and its government's support" for Trump's candidacy. Trump and his lawyers have said he did not know about the meeting until after it was reported on last July. Trump Jr. told the Senate Judiciary Committee the same, saying he did not inform his father of the meeting prior to its occurrence. But CNN, citing sources with knowledge of the matter, reported in July that Cohen claims he was one of several people who were present when Trump Jr. informed Trump of the offer before the meeting. Cohen reportedly says that Trump greenlit the meeting after hearing about it from his son. CNN and NBC News reported that Cohen does not have physical evidence - like a tape recording - to back up his claim but was willing to testify about it under oath to Mueller. Police in the Northern California town of Redwood City arrested a man they found sleeping behind the wheel of his Tesla Model S as it drove down a highway early Friday morning. The electric luxury sedan had been travelling south on Highway 101, going about 70 mph, California Highway Patrol Officer Art Montiel told Business Insider. Montiel said officers believed the Tesla was operating on Autopilot because the driver, Alexander Samek, did not respond to their lights and sirens when they tried to pull the vehicle over. Police stopped traffic behind the Tesla while another officer travelling in front of the car gradually slowed down, forcing the semi-autonomous sedan, which can respond to varying traffic speeds and accelerate or slow down accordingly, to a complete stop. Police in the Northern California town of Redwood City arrested a man who was travelling on Highway 101 early Friday morning while sleeping behind the wheel of his Tesla Model S. Officers first spotted the electric luxury sedan driving south at about 70 mph around 3:40 a.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Art Montiel told Business Insider on Friday night. Montiel said the officers took action when it became clear that the driver, 45-year-old Alexander Samek, was sleeping. "The driver wasn't responding to lights and sirens," Montiel said. The officers believed the Tesla may have been operating on Autopilot, a semi-autonomous-driving feature that allows Teslas to drive and change lanes in traffic with minimal human input. In order to get the sleeping driver's Tesla to stop, Montiel said officers blocked traffic behind the vehicle while another officer travelling in front of the car gradually slowed down, forcing the Tesla, which can respond to varying traffic speeds and accelerate or slow down accordingly, to a complete stop. "Once the vehicle came to a stop, the officers got out of their patrol cars, approached the Tesla, and knocked on the windows to wake up the driver," Montiel said. Story continues Officers placed Samek in a patrol car, while another one drove the intoxicated man's Tesla off the freeway and parked it at a nearby gas station. Samek was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Montiel applauded the CHP's "quick thinking" to get the Tesla and its driver out of harm's way. Several Teslas have crashed while operating on Autopilot in recent months. A man was killed when his Model X SUV slammed into a highway barrier in Mountain View, California, in March. Teslas equipped with Autopilot cannot drive themselves. The system deploys an escalating series of warnings if it detects that the driver does not have their hands on the steering wheel. If the driver does not respond, the system deactivates itself. Tesla declined to comment on the incident. The wife of a NSW policeman killed in an avalanche in New Zealand says he was Captain Awesome to her and their two children. Nathan Deutschbein was buried after he and a companion likely triggered a small avalanche while climbing down the Eugenie Glacier at Mount Cook National Park about 1.30pm on Thursday, NZ Police say. We are broken and cannot imagine a world without him. He was our Captain Awesome, the 40-year-old adventurers wife, Skye, posted on social media on Friday afternoon. I will be off social media for a time but will keep you informed of funeral details when we know more. Thank you for your prayers. They are the only thing keeping us right now. The couple had celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary in November, according to the ABC. Skye and Nathan Deutschbein (pictured). Source: Facebook/Skye Deutschbein NSW Police offer their condolences NSW Police said he was an off-duty leading senior constable with the Blue Mountains Police Area Command and offered support and condolences to his family. An off-duty NSW Police officer has died whilst mountain climbing in New Zealand, NSW Police said in a statement released to Yahoo News on Saturday. The 40-year-old leading Senior Constable, who was attached to the Blue Mountains pack, was killed about 1.30pm Thursday 29 November (NZ time). The officer was struck by an avalanche whilst descending from Eugenie Glacier on Mount Cook. NSW Police have offered support and condolences to the officers wife and family. Community rallies around wife and two daughters A GoFundMe page has been set up for Ms Deutschbein and the couples two daughters. Our hearts are utterly devastated for Skye, the pages administrator Shalene Roberts said. New Zealand authorities say the climbers had turned back due to poor weather when the 20-metre wave travelled 300 metres and pushed them into a crevasse. A GoFundMe has been set up to support Skye Deutschbein (left) after her husband Nathan Deutschbeins (right) death. Source: GoFundMe/Support for Skye Deutschbein The second hiker, left with minor injuries, was unable to get to Mr Deutschbein in time, NZ police inspector Dave Gaskin told media. The surviving hiker was later winched out by helicopter after setting off a locator beacon. A third member of their party had been unwell in the morning and stayed behind in a hut. Story continues The death has been referred to a coroner. Local media report Mr Deutschbein was an experienced mountaineer who had made regular climbing trips to New Zealand, cataloguing impressive photos of the adventures on a website. Inspector Gaskin described the climbers as proficient and experienced. Mountain was inherently dangerous An advisory on Thursday morning warned of a moderate avalanche risk above 1200m, due to unstable snow and poor weather in the days prior, a Mountain Safety Council spokesman said. [Its] an inherently dangerous place to go, he told AAP. An update later in the afternoon warned there was considerable risk from dangerous avalanche conditions in the area and said cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making were essential. Rain had aggravated the risks in an already unforgiving environment, the Department of Conservation said. The snow at Eugenie Glacier was loose and slushy as warmer temperatures meant the snow hadnt frozen for several nights, said the departments Mount Cook operations manager, Brent Swanson. Thursdays event was the second deadly avalanche at the national park in recent weeks. Last month, on nearby Mount Hicks, New Zealand adventurer Jo Morgan managed to dig her way out of the snow that killed her two companions, Martin Hess and Wolfgang Maier. -With AAP US President Donald Trump, ahead of a tariffs showdown with China, diverged with G20 partners at summit talks Saturday in refusing to back global action on climate change and by watering down past pledges to fight trade protectionism. A final communique adopted after all-night haggling in the summit in Argentina said all other G20 members agreed to implement the "irreversible" Paris Agreement on climate change, while respecting different paces of economic development. But it said the "United States reiterates its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement," mirroring the divergence seen last year when Trump shocked the global community by bucking the consensus at his first G20. The statement also omitted pledges by the G20 to fight protectionism and uphold multilateral trading rules, which used to be a mainstay of the world's leading economies pre-Trump. Instead, it merely recognized the "contribution" of the "multilateral trading system," and added that it was "falling short" in goals of growth and job creation. Trump's determination to plow on with his "America First" agenda stands in contrast to the alliance-building presidency of George Bush, whose death Friday triggered a rare show of unity from G20 leaders. Trump said his predecessor's passing would prevent him holding a post-summit news conference scheduled for later Saturday, "out of respect" for the Bush family. It was Trump's second cancellation of the summit after he snubbed Russian President Vladimir Putin in Buenos Aires, citing Russia's recent naval skirmish with Ukraine, and he has also downgraded meetings with other G20 leaders to make them less formal. The cancellation means Trump will no longer face press questions over new developments this week stemming from a US investigation into whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia, which has now spread to cover his past business dealings. Other hotspots such as Ukraine also flared up at the two-day summit, although Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received an effusive welcome from Putin, showing the de facto ruler still has friends despite the killing of a dissident Saudi journalist. Financial markets, while hoping for a ceasefire to Trump's trade war with China, were also watching Putin and the prince for any sign that the world's two top exporters of crude might cut output to shore up collapsing oil prices. - Tale of two presidents - Putin meanwhile has been forced to defend Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian vessels off Crimea in meetings with counterparts such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. "The chancellor reiterated her concern about the escalation of the Kerch Strait and her commitment to the freedom of shipping into the Sea of Azov," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said after she met Putin on Saturday. In Buenos Aires, Merkel also paid tribute to Bush as a "true friend" of the German people who helped bring about Germany's reunification after the Berlin Wall came down. Macron, pausing from his attempts to build a G20 front on climate change and from the challenge of violent protests back home, said Bush "was a world leader, who strongly supported the alliance with Europe." British Prime Minister Theresa May echoed Merkel in lauding the late Bush as "a great statesman and a true friend of our country." Trump himself said Bush had "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service." But the current president's isolationist rampage is the polar opposite of the West's post-war consensus on trade and diplomacy built by Bush and his predecessors in the White House. The G20 leaders -- whose nations represent four-fifths of the global economy -- heard warnings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of worldwide upheaval if Trump continues on his tariff-strewn path. IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned the leaders that "the global economy faces a critical juncture" and that erecting trade barriers was "self-defeating." The threat of Britain crashing out of the European Union without a negotiated deal is another potential headwind, the IMF said, as May uses the G20 to sell her vision of a "global Britain" after Brexit. - Dinner diplomacy - The release of the G20 communique meant that the meeting at least avoided the fate of two other recent summits -- those of the Group of Seven democracies and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum -- that ended without any collective statement owing to US objections. But for financial markets, the weekend's main course comes after the summit when Trump is due to sit down to dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires. Trump, who has already slapped $250 billion in tariffs on China and threatened more to come next month, sounded upbeat about making progress with Xi. "We're working very hard. If we could make a deal, that would be good," he said on Friday. Trump has thrown out the traditional US playbook on free trade since his shock 2016 election, vowing to protect forgotten workers and demanding a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico. The three countries signed a new trade deal on Friday, on the G20 margins. The leader of communist China has in turn cast himself as a defender of stable global capitalism. But in a rhetorical olive branch to Trump, Xi pledged at the G20 to do more to open up China's economy. US President Donald Trump Trump, who has already slapped $250 billion in tariffs on China, sounded upbeat about making progress with his counterpart Xi Jinping at the G20 summit G20 leaders meeting in Argentina from November 30 to December 1 and a world map of the member countries. When mother Jess Martin received a knock on the door on Wednesday she was completely unaware the news she was just about to receive would bring her life crashing down. Ms Martins partner, Billy Martin, 39, died after suffering a cardiac arrest while volunteering for the SES during this weeks torrential storm that battered Sydney and large parts of NSW. And just moments after she got in the door with her nine-year-old daughter Amarni, whod just finished school for the day, an SES member dealt the devastating news of his passing after arriving at their Albion Park home. Mr Martin leaves behind his daughter Amarni and wife Jess. Source: GoFundMe Billy passed away while selflessly serving his community, the SES said in a statement following his death, offering their support to his wife and daughter. A GoFundMe page has now been set up to help the family get through their harrowing ordeal and ease any financial strain over the Christmas period. This news has broken not only Jess and Amarni but every single person that has had the pleasure of knowing Billy, we have lost a brother and a best friend, a man with the biggest heart that would go out of his way to help anyone, the page read. Mr Martin suffered a cardiac arrest while responding to a fallen tree. Source: 7News Set up by Jess family, the page reveals how overwhelmed they are regarding the outpouring of support. Were overwhelmed by the amount of people that had rushed to the hospital that afternoon, from family to friends to work colleagues, to support Jess and pay their respects to Billy, the family wrote. We believe that this showed just how kind, compassionate, caring, selfless and a loving man that Billy truly was. Fourteen-year-old Dylan Langhorne also fell victim to the wild weather on Wednesday, with the teen killed when a car being driven by his older brother collided with another vehicle. Back-to-back earthquakes have rocked Alaska, sending people running into the streets and briefly triggering a warning to residents to flee to higher ground for fear of a tsunami. The earthquakes on Friday measured 7.0 and 5.7, leaving a trail of destruction as they shattered highways and rocked buildings in the states largest city, Anchorage. The US Geological Survey said the first and more powerful quake was centred about 12 kilometres north of Anchorage, which has a population of about 300,000. A tow truck holds a car that was pulled from an off-ramp that collapsed during the earthquake. Source: AP People ran from their offices or took cover under desks. We just hung onto each other. You couldnt even stand, said Sheila Bailey, who was working at a high school cafeteria in Palmer when the quake struck. It sounded and felt like the school was breaking apart. A large section of an off-ramp near the Anchorage airport collapsed, marooning a car on a narrow island of pavement surrounded by deep chasms in the concrete. Several cars crashed at a major intersection in Wasilla, north of Anchorage, during the shaking. An employee walks past a damaged aisle at Anchorage True Value hardware store. Source: AP Highway workers and spectators look at a car stuck on a section of an off-ramp that collapsed. Source: AP Anchorage Police Chief Justin Doll said he had been told that parts of Glenn Highway, a scenic route that runs northeast out of the city past farms, mountains and glaciers, had completely disappeared. The quake broke store windows, opened cracks in a two-story building downtown, disrupted electrical service and disabled traffic lights, snarling traffic. It also threw a full-grown man out of his bathtub. All flights in and out of the airport were suspended for hours after the quake knocked out telephones and forced the evacuation of the control tower. The 1200km Alaska oil pipeline was shut down while crews were sent to inspect it for damage. A stranded vehicle lies on a collapsed roadway near the airport. Source: Reuters Anchorages school system cancelled classes and asked parents to pick up their children while it examined buildings for gas leaks or other damage. Fifteen-year-old Sadie Blake and other members of the Homer High School wrestling team were at an Anchorage school gymnasium waiting for a tournament to start when the bleachers started rocking like crazy and the lights went out. Story continues People started running down the bleachers in the dark, trying to get out. It was a gym full of screams, said team chaperone Ginny Grimes. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin tweeted that her home was damaged: Our family is intact house is not. I imagine thats the case for many, many others. A tsunami warning was issued along Alaskas southern coast with residents in Kodiak, a city of 6100 people on Kodiak Island, 400km south of Anchorage, were told to evacuate to higher ground immediately because a wave could hit within about 10 minutes. A year after it entered Germany's parliament, the far-right AfD party is facing turbulence, including a donations scandal and the looming departure of its favourite enemy Chancellor Angela Merkel. The troubles have come thick and fast since the five-year-old Alternative for Germany reached a key goal in October by entering the last of the country's 16 state assemblies, winning 13 percent in the region of Hesse. A relative newcomer feared and loathed by the bigger mainstream parties, the AfD has however now stagnated at around 15 percent in the polls while another party, the left-leaning Greens, has booked a series of stunning successes. Billing themselves as "the alternative to the Alternative" with a clear stance against the AfD's anti-immigration message, the Greens are now polling at around 20 percent, making them the second-strongest party after Merkel's CDU-CSU bloc. The AfD meanwhile have faced charges of accepting illegal campaign funds from a non-EU donor, in Switzerland -- an especially damaging charge for a party that accuses all the "establishment parties" of being dishonest and corrupt. Co-leader Alice Weidel has been under fire after media reports said her party chapter received 130,000 euros ($148,000) from a Swiss entrepreneur. While she has rejected wrong-doing and said the money was returned, German prosecutors in mid-November asked parliament to lift Weidel's immunity as they stepped up their enquiries. - 'Object of hate' - A more fundamental, long-term problem may be that the AfD's declared nemesis, Merkel, has rung in the beginning of the end of her chancellorship after 13 years in power. Weakened by several election setbacks for her CDU, she has declined to stand again for the leadership of the party at a December congress and declared she will leave politics when her term ends in 2021. The AfD, whose main slogan has been "Merkel must go", may hail the news as a triumph as they have long railed against Merkel over her decision to allow more than one million asylum seekers into the country since 2015. But they may yet come to miss the leader on whom they have projected their discontent, typically by portraying Merkel wearing a Muslim headscarf or with bloody vampire fangs on protest posters and in social media posts. "When Merkel goes, the AfD will need a new object of hate," wrote the Berlin daily Tagesspiegel. "With her retreat, Angela Merkel may have achieved something in which she previously failed: to truly hurt the AfD." Much will depend on who succeeds Merkel at the helm of the party. If Merkel's preferred successor, the moderate Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, nicknamed "mini-Merkel", wins the race, the AfD will likely be happy to train their sights on her. The other two candidates -- corporate banker Friedrich Merz and right-wing Health Minister Jens Spahn -- may however be tougher targets since they have signalled shifting the party back to the right, including on immigration. In this case, "the AfD will probably lose some of its voters," said Sudha David-Wilp, a researcher at think-tank the German Marshall Fund. - 'Lost the battle' - The AfD itself is still deeply divided between relative moderates who joined the party when it started as a mainly eurosceptic group, and its openly revisionist and far-right members. Its most extreme major figure, Bjoern Hoecke, has demanded "a 180-degree shift" in the nation's culture of remembrance and atonement over Nazi crimes and the Holocaust -- an era which another leader, Alexander Gauland, has termed a "speck of bird shit" in Germany's long history. This summer the AfD, which was long labelled "right-wing populist", for the first time publicly closed ranks on the streets with the anti-Islam PEGIDA movement at mass rallies in the eastern city of Chemnitz where neo-Nazis performed Hitler salutes. The country's domestic intelligence services have started surveillance of some members of the AfD's youth wing, JA, for links to right-wing extremists -- a fate the AfD as a whole wants to avoid at all cost. Last week the party executive declared that it had noted "with disgust" statements made by some members of the JA organisation that betrayed a "contempt for humanity", and demanded they be excluded from the group. The same week a leading member, Steffen Koeniger from Brandenburg state, left the AfD, declaring that in many regions "the moderates within the AfD have lost the battle against the destructive ones once and for all". AfD supporters celebrate in Hesse where they achieved a key goal by entering the last of the country's 16 state assemblies AfD co-leader Alice Weidel addresses the lower house of parliament Merkel has said she will leave politics when her term ends in 2021 Neo-Nazis performed Hitler salutes at mass rallies in the eastern city of Chemnitz Palermo, the club currently top of Italy's second division, have been bought by a "London-based company" for 10 euros ($11), their owner Maurizio Zamparini announced on Saturday. Zamparini, 77, who purchased the Sicilian outfit in 2002 for 15 million euros, said he had sold "100 percent of the club" at a "symbolic price". He did not reveal the name of the new owners but said they had committed to "settling Palermo's outstanding credit of 22.8 million euros". "A meeting will take place during the coming week with representatives of the new owners, as well as the team and the city of Palermo," he said. Founded in 1900, the club has nurtured top players such as Argentine internationals Paulo Dybala and Javier Pastore and Uruguay and Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani played for the club before it was relegated to Serie B in 2014. Palermo are top of Serie B after a 0-0 draw with Benevento on Friday. Zamparini said it was with "profound sadness" he was leaving but he was "thinking of the club's future". "I signed my exit from the ownership, with a lump in my throat," wrote Zamparini in an open letter. "The objective for some time was to find someone who could continue my work with more financial clout, with important targets that can only be achieved with investments that I was no longer able to make. "The new London-based owners will put into action, with the help of industrial associations, the necessary activity for the construction of the stadium and training ground. "I am sad to have been depicted in the media as someone that I am not, as my entire life shows I am an extremely honest, fair, socially active and generous person. "With profound sadness and a great deal of affection, I salute you." During Zamparini's ownership the club returned to Serie A after a 31-year absence in 2004. He also made more than 40 managerial appointments during his time in charge. They returned to the top flight as second division champions the following season, but were relegated again in 2016-17. Argentine forward Paulo Dybala (c) played for three seasons with Palermo before joining Juventus. "Stubborn" is among the many insults that have been hurled at Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the anti-establishment leftist who became Mexico's new president on Saturday. He considers it a compliment, an attribute he says will be used to usher in a "radical turn" in Mexican politics. "It might seem pretentious or exaggerated to say it, but today is not just the start of a new government. It is the start of a political regime change," Lopez Obrador, 65, said in his inaugural address. The man widely known by his initials AMLO is one of the most divisive figures in Mexican politics: his critics hate him as fervently as his fans love him. But his vow to fight for dramatic change in Mexico worked in the July 1 election, in a nation fed up with poverty, corruption scandals and a horrifically violent drug war. When he kicked off his third and ultimately successful presidential bid he promised to use his headstrong personality to fight for the improvements that many Mexicans are demanding. "I'm stubborn. It's a well-known fact," he said. "With that same conviction, I will act as president... stubbornly, obstinately, persistently, bordering on craziness, to wipe out corruption." Those close to him can vouch for that. "We're talking about a man whose main quality is his tenacity," Mexican writer and historian Paco Ignacio Taibo II, an outspoken supporter, told AFP. - Fire and ice - Lopez Obrador's fiery attacks on the "mafia of power" successfully tapped widespread frustration with politics-as-usual in Mexico, where the same two parties had governed for the past 89 years. But the two-time presidential runner-up also managed to present a cooler side this time around, answering criticism with humor. When enemies accused him of ties to Russia, he slyly turned the insult to irony, donning a Russian ushanka hat and calling himself "Andres Manuelovich." Promising a presidency like no other, Lopez Obrador is vowing to lead his anti-corruption, pro-austerity drive by example. He has cut his own salary by 60 percent and forsworn the presidential residence, presidential security detail and presidential jet. "Not even Donald Trump has a plane like that," he is fond of saying. He has clashed with Mexico's business community, with some warning he is a radical with autocratic tendencies. Seeking to ease those fears, he has appointed a team of market-friendly advisers and backpedaled on some of his most controversial proposals. In fact, it is hard to guess just what his policies will be. Many Mexicans are unsure what he represents, other than something new. He alienated some voters during the transition period with decisions like the one to cancel a $13-billion airport for Mexico City that was already one-third complete. He based the move on a controversial referendum that he organized himself, with no supervision by electoral authorities and myriad irregularities, such as voters casting multiple ballots. He promised more such "popular consultations" as he took office. - Burner of bridges - Lopez Obrador also has a knack for shooting himself in the foot. In 2006, he led for most of the presidential race. Then he lost his cool in the home stretch and insulted the sitting president, Vicente Fox, as a "big-mouth" (loosely translated). Many observers say that may have cost him the election. Lopez Obrador refused to accept his narrow defeat, proclaiming himself the "legitimate president" in a faux inauguration and setting up a protest camp in the heart of Mexico City that plunged the country into weeks of uncertainty. He has never hesitated to burn political bridges. A native of the southern state of Tabasco, he got his start in politics in the 1970s as a protest leader and member of the then-ruling PRI party -- now his enemy. He helped launch a left-wing breakaway, the PRD, in the 1980s. He made an unsuccessful run for governor of Tabasco in 1994, then leapt to the national political scene when he was elected Mexico City mayor in 2000. He left the job to run for president in 2006. After a second unsuccessful presidential run in 2012, he spurned the PRD to found his own leftist party, Morena -- now the dominant force in Mexican politics. A widower, he was remarried in 2006 to journalist and writer Beatriz Gutierrez Muller. He has four sons. Leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador promised the start of a "political regime change" as he swore in as Mexico's president A supporter of Mexico' new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador watches the inauguration ceremony on a huge screen at Mexico City's Zocalo square Lopez Obrador's attacks on the "mafia of power" tapped frustration with politics-as-usual in Mexico, where the same two parties had governed for the past 89 years US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Saturday blasted Moscow following the Russian navy's "brazen" violation of a waterway treaty with Kiev and the seizure of three Ukrainian vessels. Speaking of a 2003 agreement governing the Kerch Strait between the Azov Sea and Black Sea, Mattis said Moscow had shown "brazen contempt and dismissal" for the deal "that allowed both Russian and Ukrainian ships free passage." Mattis was speaking before an audience at a defense forum in California, a day after President Donald Trump went out of his way to dodge Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, citing the capture of the Ukrainian ships. The defense chief's remarks represent some of the strongest reaction to date by the US over the incident. Last week, US Ambassador Nikki Haley to the UN accused Russia of "outlaw actions" and an "outrageous violation of sovereign Ukrainian territory" while addressing an emergency meeting of the Security Council. Tensions between Ukraine and Russia spiked on November 25 when Russian forces opened fire on and seized three Ukrainian navy vessels, detaining the 24 crew members. It was the first open military confrontation between the rivals since 2014, when Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and pro-Russian separatists in the east entered into conflict with Ukrainian forces. Mattis also blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for President Donald Trump's decision in October to withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). "We are dealing with Putin's duplicitous violation of the INF treaty," he said, noting that while the US remains in compliance, Russia does not. "We will re-energize our arms control efforts, but the onus is on Russia," he said. Speaking of a 2003 agreement assuring Russian and Ukrainian ships free passage through the waterway between the Azov Sea and Black Sea, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Moscow had shown "brazen contempt and dismissal" for the deal Anti-establishment leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador vowed a "deep and radical" change in Mexico as he assumed the country's presidency Saturday, five months after winning a landslide election victory. The leader, widely known by his initials as "AMLO," took the oath of office and donned the presidential sash before Congress -- where the coalition led by the upstart party he founded four years ago, Morena, now has strong majorities in both houses. Ending 89 years of government by the same two parties, Lopez Obrador surged to victory in the July 1 elections promising a new approach to issues fueling widespread outrage: crime, poverty and corruption. But not everyone is persuaded: critics say the sharp-tongued, silver-haired leader has a radical and authoritarian streak. And despite his promises of business-friendly policies, Mexican stocks and the peso have plunged in recent weeks. That did not stop Lopez Obrador, 65, from doubling down on his promise of a sweeping "transformation" as he started his six-year term. "It might seem pretentious or exaggerated to say it, but today is not just the start of a new government. It is the start of a political regime change," he said, the presidential sash newly draped over his dark suit and burgundy tie. "We will carry out a peaceful and orderly but also deep and radical transformation." - Change in style - After the traditional swearing-in ceremony, Lopez Obrador climbed in his white Volkswagen Jetta -- his car of choice -- and headed to Mexico City's central square, the Zocalo, for a colorful second ceremony of his own design. There, indigenous shamans purified him with incense and flowers, and presented him with a symbolic chieftain's staff. "I reaffirm my commitment not to lie, rob or betray the Mexican people," he said, clutching the long wooden staff. Jose Angel Mejia, 38, was among the tens of thousands of people who gathered to fete the new president. "It's a historic day, I still can't believe it," he said, raising his eight-year-old son's arm in the air in celebration. "We're going to have a change at last." The new president inherits a sticky set of problems from his unpopular predecessor, Enrique Pena Nieto. They include deeply entrenched corruption, gruesome violence fueled by the war on drug cartels, and the caravan of 6,000 Central American migrants camped at the US-Mexican border -- not to mention the minefield that diplomacy with Mexico's giant northern neighbor has become under President Donald Trump. Lopez Obrador, a former protest leader and Mexico City mayor, has been short on specifics regarding his plans for all of the above. What he is promising, first and foremost, is a presidency like no other in Mexican history. Vowing to lead his anti-corruption, pro-austerity drive by example, he has forsworn the presidential residence, jet and security detail, and cut his own salary by 60 percent. In a sign of the times, the sumptuous presidential residence, Los Pinos, was opened to the public Saturday as a cultural center. - Pressure from Trump - Lopez Obrador's inaugural address largely repeated the sweeping but vague promises of his campaign. He resumed his attempts to soothe the markets with promises of balanced budgets and pro-investment policies. But he also attacked Mexico's "neoliberal" economic model as "a disaster" and railed against Pena Nieto's landmark privatization of the energy sector. Lopez Obrador has caused jitters over the future of Latin America's second-largest economy with decisions such as the one to cancel a new $13 billion airport for Mexico City that was already one-third complete. The day's guest list included a host of regional presidents -- among them crisis-torn Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, who was met with protests from Mexico's conservative opposition. King Felipe VI of Spain, US Vice President Mike Pence, and first daughter and White House adviser Ivanka Trump also attended. President Trump, who was at the G20 summit in Argentina, has struck up a surprisingly warm relationship with Lopez Obrador -- though the migrant caravan threatens to interrupt that honeymoon. The American president is pressuring Lopez Obrador to accept a deal to keep asylum-seeking migrants in Mexico while their claims are processed in the United States. Lopez Obrador's foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, is due in Washington on Sunday for talks on the issue with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador assumed the Mexican presidency on December 1, 2018, succeeding the unpopular Enrique Pena Nieto Mexico's new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador greets supporters outside the National Palace in Mexico City Mexico's new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (L) attends a colorful second inauguration ceremony of his own design in the Zocalo, where he received a ceremonial staff from indigenous people, with his wife Beatriz Gutierrez Muller at his side The new Mexican president, best known by his initials AMLO, greets a child from his car as he is driven to the National Palace for his inauguration ceremony Lopez Obrador supporters wait for their hero's arrival in front of the National Palace at the Zocalo square in downtown Mexico City A congressperson holds a sign demanding that outgoing Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto be sent to prison during the inauguration ceremony of new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Map of the US-Mexico border -- Donald Trump is pressuring new Mexican leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to accept a deal to keep asylum-seeking migrants in Mexico while their claims are processed in the United States US economic sanctions will provoke the fall of President Daniel Ortega's regime if the autocratic leader doesn't implement democratic reforms demanded by Washington, analysts say. Already subject to US sanctions himself, Ortega's vice-president wife Rosario Murillo and national security advisor Nestor Moncada were hit with sanctions on November 27 as Washington stepped up the pressure on a regime accused of human rights abuses and authoritarian rule. Rights groups say at least 320 people have been killed in a brutal government crackdown launched in response to the escalation in April of street protests, initially against a now-ditched pension reform. Washington has approved measures that will see it oppose international loans to Nicaragua until Ortega enacts reforms that guarantee free and fair elections, strengthens the rule of law, combats corruption and protects basic rights such as free speech. The US measures "are aimed at provoking the social implosion of the government's foundation, both at a central and municipal level," said sociologist Oscar Vargas. He says the sanctions would create "a scenario in which the economy would fall into a deep recession." Growth projections for this year have been slashed to just one percent from 4.9 percent prior to the outbreak of trouble in April. The United States is the Central American country's most important trading partner, the destination of more than half of its exports and the source of 50 percent of remittances sent home by Nicaraguans living abroad. - Ortega will 'bury' regime - Retired general Hugo Torres says Ortega cannot afford to ignore the US pressure, including Washington's assertion that Nicaragua is a threat to US security. To do so would be to sign his own political death warrant. The US measures "are hugely serious because they are expressed in economic ways as they will subject the country and Ortega's regime to all types of economic sanctions," Torres told a local newspaper. Ortega first came to power in 1979 as a leader of the leftist Sandinista rebels that toppled the US-backed Somoza family dictatorship. After leaving office in 1990 he returned to power in 2007. Nicaragua's influential Catholic Church has been attempting to mediate between the regime and opposition, which wants Ortega to resign -- but the president walked away from those talks in May and has stubbornly refused to resume them. In the meantime he is increasing pressure on opponents that he describes as criminals and terrorists. "Until now Ortega's reaction to the protests and international pressure has been to increase repression and harden his position, to such an extent that he's established a police state and virtual state of siege," said Torres. "We hope he'll react (to US pressure) and understand that if he continues down this path, the only thing that will happen is he will bury his party and every possibility that his regime survives politically." While the Nicaraguan army has so far kept out of the crisis, Torres says it "should be very worried and advising (the government) to stop this maelstrom of repression and reestablish democracy." - 'Major crisis' - For former foreign minister, Francisco Aguirre, Nicaragua is "going through a major crisis in its relationship" with the United States, and "that's extremely worrying." But Vargas isn't expecting the president to change. "Ortega is living in a parallel universe," he recently wrote in a study on Nicaragua's economy, society and politics. Vargas feels that "only a long, hard and heroic popular mobilization" could force out the president. "We're living in a permanent state of terror," he said. Opposition politician and former diplomat Mauricio Diaz told AFP that he holds little hope of Ortega agreeing to restart talks. Instead he sees the 73-year-old leader "feeding the conflict, something we could call the Cubanization of Nicaragua." The "Bolivarian axis" -- which includes Venezuela and Cuba, a trio that US National Security Advisor John Bolton has described as a "troika of tyranny" -- has a "shared strategy that the government must resist" outside pressure "even if the population pays the consequences," Diaz said. Nicaragua has branded the US sanctions as imperialist interference with Murillo vowing that the "revolution will reach 40" next year. "We're unbreakable!" Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega and his Vice President wife Rosario Murillo are clinging to power despite US sanctions A friend of Jorge Carrion, 33 -- shot dead in June 2018 during protests against the government of President Daniel Ortega -- waves a homemade mortar during Carrion's funeral in the city of Masaya Riot police stand guard outside the National Police headquarters in Managua after the opposition was denied authorization to hold an anti-government demo on November 23, 2018 Anti-government protesters torched dozens of cars and set fire to storefronts during daylong clashes with riot police across central Paris on Saturday, as thousands took part in fresh "yellow vest" protests against high fuel taxes. Officers responded with tear gas after being targeted by protesters hurling rocks and other projectiles on the third weekend of demonstrations which have morphed into a broader rebuke of French President Emmanuel Macron. Smoke engulfed several shopping districts as the violence spread from the Arc de Triomphe, where crowds had gathered earlier hoping to march down the Champs-Elysees. While several dozens were allowed into the avenue after an ID check and search, many others -- some wearing gas masks or ski goggles -- remained behind and fought police manning barricades and water cannons. Protesters then led police on cat-and-mouse chases through other parts of the capital, setting cars and construction equipment alight and smashing windows. An assault rifle was stolen from a police vehicle, a source told AFP, though it was unclear if it was loaded. One person was in a critical condition after protesters pulled down one of the huge iron gates of the Tuileries garden facing the famed Louvre museum, crushing several people. "Those responsible for this violence don't want change or improvement, they want chaos," President Emmanuel Macron said in Buenos Aires where he was attending the G20 summit. Macron added that he had convened a meeting with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner and other top officials in Paris on Sunday after his return from Argentina. "No cause justifies that authorities are attacked, that businesses are plundered, that passers-by or journalists are threatened or that the Arc de Triomphe is defiled," he said. Philippe said the violence was "incredibly shocking" during a visit evening to a police barracks on Saturday evening. Authorities said at least 287 people were arrested in Paris and 110 injured, including 17 of the 5,000 police officers mobilised for the protests. Nearly 190 fires were put out and six buildings were set alight, the interior ministry said. - 'Idiots who come to fight' - An estimated 75,000 demonstrators, most of them peaceful, were counted across the country in the afternoon, the interior ministry said. The number was well below the first day of protests on November 17, which attracted around 282,000 people, and also down from the 106,000 who turned out last Saturday. Acrid plumes of smoke and tear gas, however, were testament to the escalation in violence in Paris, to the consternation of many of the "yellow vests", so-called for the high-visibility jackets they wear. Along the opulent Avenue Foch near the Arc de Triomphe, home to embassies and luxury residences, protesters ripped out benches to form a blockade, one person waving a skull-and-bones pirate flag. Interior Minister Castaner attributed the violence to "specialists in sowing conflict, specialists in destruction". He did not rule out imposing a state of emergency -- a demand made by the police union Alliance -- declaring: "Nothing is taboo for me. I am prepared to examine everything." "We're a peaceful movement, but we're disorganised -- it's a mess because we don't have a leader," said Dan Lodi, a 68-year-old pensioner on the Champs-Elysees. "You always have some idiots who come to fight, but they don't represent us at all." - 'Macron has to listen' - Stores and restaurants along the Champs-Elysees as well as surrounding streets had boarded up windows, anticipating a repeat of the clashes last Saturday which Macron compared to "war scenes". Chantal, a 61-year-old pensioner, said she was avoiding the "hooligans" but was determined to send Macron a message on the rising costs of living. "He has to come down off his pedestal," she said under rain in the Champs-Elysees. "Every month I have to dip into my savings." The "yellow vest" movement erupted on social media in October and has since become a wider protest against Macron, who is accused of failing to recognise the rising cost of living that has left many struggling. The countrywide protests have included many pensioners and have been most active in small urban and rural areas where demonstrators blocked roads, closed motorway toll booths, and even walled up the entrance to tax offices. Two people have died and dozens have been injured in the rallies, which opinion polls suggest still attract the support of two out of three French people. Attempts by the government to negotiate with the grassroots movement have failed, in large part because representatives have insisted on public talks broadcast on TV. Macron has sought to douse the anger by promising three months of nationwide talks on how best to transform France into a low-carbon economy without penalising the poor. He also vowed to slow the rate of increase in fuel taxes if international oil prices rise too rapidly but only after a tax hike due in January. The 'yellow vest' protests started over high fuel taxes The protests have since morphed into a wider rebuke of French President Emmanuel Macron Tens of thousands turned out to protest for the third weekend running President Macron has said those responsible for the violence 'want chaos' Map locating the Champs-Elysees in Paris Representatives of the protest movement have insisted on public talks with the government, broadcast on TV An Australia Post worker has been praised for their legendary act while delivering a package. A Reddit user posted a photo of the posties thoughtful act to save a package from getting wet at their home on the Coal Coast in southern New South Wales. The photo shows a cardboard package on a front lawn, covered by an umbrella which was weighed down by a doorstop so it couldnt fly away. Our local postie is a legend, Reddit user GeoRhi wrote on Friday. Found the umbrella out the front and made a little cubby for it. Even wedged it under the door stop so it wouldnt blow away. The postie protected the parcel using an umbrella and door stop. Source: Reddit/GeoRhi Social media users were impressed by the postal workers resourcefulness. Aussie ingenuity, one Reddit user commented. Youre lucky you got a good postie, another said. One comment suggested the postie was considerate and deserved recognition. The happy customer tweeted Australia Post about the posties good work. I really appreciated it. Made my day, the customer tweeted to Australia Post on Wednesday. The company announced plans to acknowledge the postal workers efforts. Australia Post plans to recognise the posties efforts. Source: Getty/file Absolutely amazing, Australia Post tweeted to the customer. Can you please send us a direct message with the tracking number, delivery address, email address and contact number so we can recognise the postie for this? Australia Post will recognise the posties efforts. Our posties and drivers work hard around the clock to deliver parcels on time and safely, so we were thrilled to see one of our team go above and beyond to make sure this customers item stayed safe and dry in the downpour, an Australia Post spokesman told Yahoo7. Well be giving this driver a special award and voucher to recognise their terrific efforts. Sri Lanka Saturday slashed a tax on sugary drinks in a controversial reversal of an anti-diabetes policy that attracted immediate criticism. The finance ministry ordered an immediate 40 percent reduction in the levy as part of a package of tax cuts launched by the disputed government to win over public opinion as a bitter power struggle intensifies. But health campaigners and a former minister condemned the move as damaging the fight against obesity and diabetes among young people. Sri Lanka has been gripped by a constitutional showdown between President Maithripala Sirisena and his sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who refuses to step down. Sirisena's nominee for prime minister, Mahinda Rajapakse has been making populists moves to win support for his government which has been recognised only by China and Burundi. The lower sugar tax came on top of reductions in fuel prices and income taxes this week. Wickremesinghe's administration, which was toppled on October 26, had introduced the sugar tax -- 50 cents on every gram of sugar in fizzy and fruit drinks -- but the rate was slashed to 30 cents from Saturday. The health ministry has said that 10 percent of the country's 21 million population is affected by diabetes and another 20 percent were at risk of developing the condition. Health lobbyist Dhanya Wijesuriya took to Twitter to slam the authorities for making sugary drinks cheaper. "This is insane," Wijesuriya said of the decision. "How self serving. No vision," he added. Former health minister Rajitha Senaratne described the tax cut as "irresponsible". There was no immediate comment from Sirisena who last year warned international beverage makers that he would increase taxes unless they reduced sugar in their products. A previous tax on sugary drinks in Sri Lanka of 50 cents on every gram of sugar in fizzy and fruit drinks was slashed to 30 cents Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is facing international criticism over her country's crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, called Saturday for "a culture of peace" to end conflict between communities. The Nobel Peace prize winner did not mention the Rohingya crisis -- which has led the United Nations to call for a genocide investigation -- in her keynote address to an international meeting organised by a group linked to the Unification Church. "At the basis of conflict is ill-will which seeks to hurt and to destroy and thus to open the way to conflict, which in turn spews out an ever-renewing cycle of hate and fear, snuffing out the light of peace," Suu Kyi said. Suu Kyi called for cooperation between nations to seek peace and mutual prosperity. "Only by promoting a culture of peace in this world of interdependence will it be possible to create harmony between diverse countries and societies," she said. Suu Kyi, whose position of state counsellor in Myanmar is considered the equivalent of a prime minister, has faced a wave of condemnation since Myanmar launched its military crackdown on the Rohingya in August 2017. More than 700,000 have fled Myanmar's Rakhine state to camps in neighbouring Bangladesh. Many told horrific stories of widespread killings, rapes and villages razed to the ground. Myanmar's military insists it only targeted Rohingya militants and Suu Kyi has deflected all criticism. Other top officials at the meeting, which was accompanied by boosted security in the Nepali capital to head off protests, did not mention the conflict which has overshadowed many of Suu Kyi's international appearances. Her speech at the Kathmandu meeting, backed by the Universal Peace Foundation, came a day after Paris announced will it will strip her of her honorary freedom of the French capital over her failure to speak out against the Rohingya crackdown. The British cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Oxford have taken similar action against Suu Kyi over her refusal to condemn the military violence. A UN rights team found evidence of widespread murder, rape, torture and arson, and called for top generals to be prosecuted for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. About 300 Rohingya live in Nepal and one of the refugee community based in Kathmandu, who requested anonymity, called for Nepal to raise their issue with Suu Kyi. "We are suffering. I think if she wants to help us, she can," he said. Aung San Suu Kyi has faced international criticism for refusing to speak out over the Rohingya crisis, and has been stripped of various honours by European countries Next week in Poland, a discreet delegation of American diplomats will settle in for two weeks of international climate negotiations along with their European, Chinese and other counterparts they've mixed with for years. The fact that Donald Trump announced in June 2017 that the US would withdraw from the Paris climate accord signed in 2015 by his predecessor, Barack Obama, has not ended US participation in continuing climate talks. The US pullout won't take effect until 2020. In the meantime, the Americans are not leaving their seats empty and remain heavily involved at the technical, rather than political, level. "Among developed countries, the US is hardly isolated on those issues," said Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, noting that the US has maintained a united front with Europe and other rich nations when it comes to technical subjects that are indispensable to the effective rollout of the Paris deal. The Conference of Parties number 24 (COP24), is the follow-on to COP 21 in Paris. This time, 197 signatories are meeting to agree on the rules of applying their commitments under the 2015 pact, making a "rulebook" to follow. "Paris has to be brought to life in an operational sense," said Todd Stern, who was President Obama's chief climate negotiator. One page on transparency might need 15 or 20 pages of technical definitions, he said. For example, countries must agree on a common method of counting emissions so that progress can be compared equally. Should they use international guidelines from 2006, and allow flexibility to some countries? If so, which ones? Who will review nations' progress? On the ground, or from the secretariat in Bonn? And when? And what should be done if a country does not stand by its pledge? On these subjects, the Americans have some very precise goals. They are refusing to allow any developed country to be subject to stricter rules than a developing country -- the same position that has been held by the prior administrations of George W. Bush, Barack Obama and the present one of Donald Trump. - After Trump - Why are other countries cooperating with the United States? Because they are laying the groundwork for a possible future US tie-in to the Paris accord. Everyone knows that Washington's pullout formally takes place November 4, 2020, the day after the next US presidential election. It's still even possible that Trump could decide to stay in the accord. "Most countries I talked to have tried to separate the Trump administration from the US long term," said Meyer. "They want to maintain the ability for the US to either stay in Paris if President Trump can be convinced to change his mind or to re-enter Paris after President Trump leaves office," he said. "There is some sympathy for some of the US positions in the negotiations because other countries don't want to make it more difficult for a future president to come back in." According to Ovais Sarmad, deputy executive secretary at the UNFCCC, which oversees the talks, 183 other countries ratified the Paris accord. "We hope that that position (of the US) will change over time," said Sarmad. The US delegation will not be led by a high-ranking official, but rather a career diplomat, Judith Garber, who is not widely known in the larger public. Garber is principal deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. "The team that represents the United States is made up of career diplomats, you have negotiated these issues for many years, and have earned considerable credibility and trust among their colleagues from other countries," said Elliot Diringer, executive vice president of the think-tank C2ES in Washington. Proof of Washington's weight: the US blocked talks in Bangkok in September on the question of green financing that developed countries are meant to free up to help poorer nations make a transition to greener energy, observers said. Alongside the technical negotiators, a more political delegation arrives the second week, with a representative from the White House, Wells Griffith, according to Meyer. As soon as he arrives, the energy advisor to Donald Trump will preside over an event to promote fossil fuel and carbon. A provocation for some, to be sure, but not one that is off-putting enough to derail the negotiations which are taking place in private. "The Americans are continuing to negotiate in a constructive manner," said a source close to the talks. "Of course, we have to put up with the fact that they are coming in support of coal, but in the meantime, we can work quietly." The fact that President Donald Trump announced the US would withdraw from the Paris climate accord signed by his predecessor, Barack Obama, has not ended American participation in climate talks Two jailed Catalan separatist leaders awaiting trial in a Spanish jail over their role in last year's failed independence bid by Catalonia began a hunger strike on Saturday, their lawyer said. Jordi Sanchez, the former head of the influential grassroots ANC independence movement, and Jordi Turull, a former minister in the Catalan regional government, are taking this step to "raise awareness" of their plight, lawyer Jordi Pina told a news conference in Barcelona. "I did not recommend this action, it is a decision of my clients and they have my full support," he added. In a statement read by Pina, the two men accused Spain's Constitutional Court of blocking their appeals against their imprisonment from reaching the European Court of Human Rights. Pina said he did not know if the five other Catalan separatist leaders jailed in the Lledoners penitentiary near Barcelona would later join the hunger strike. Spain's Supreme Court in October ordered a total of 18 former Catalan separatist leaders to stand trial over last year's declaration of independence. Prosecutors are seeking jail terms of up to 25 years on charges of rebellion or misuse of public funds over the failed secession bid. The sensitive trial is expected to start in early 2019 -- more than a year after Catalan leaders attempted to break away from Spain in October 2017 by staging a referendum despite a court ban and subsequently proclaiming independence. Nine of the separatists remain in preventive jail while they await their trial, including the seven at the Lledoners jail. Catalan leaders attempted to break away from Spain in October 2017 by staging a referendum despite a court ban Sensational details have emerged about how a woman duped her way into a highly-paid government job in Adelaide. The woman created a false resume and even used a photograph of US model Kate Upton as her LinkedIn profile picture. Veronica Theriault secured a job with the Department of Premier and Cabinet with a CV that was literally too good to be true. It landed her a $270,000 job as Chief Information Officer in May last year, but what she wrote in her application was completely fabricated. Veronica Theriault secured a job with the Department of Premier and Cabinet with a CV that was literally too good to be true. Source: 7 News It was a calculated and elaborate web of deceit that demonstrated a considerable degree of planning, the prosecutor argued in court. The court heard that Ms Theriault provided work references from Wotif, but the company had never heard of her. The prosecutor told the court it wasnt just a minor role she was applying for, but a senior executive position which came with access to confidential and sensitive information. The woman created a false resume and even used a photograph of US model Kate Upton (pictured) as her LinkedIn profile picture. Source: File/AAP Ms Theriaults lying wasnt uncovered until red flags were raises about her behaviour. Her lawyer said she had bipolar disorder and there was nothing sophisticated about her offending. There were fundamental flaws in the employment process and it shouldnt have deceived anyone, the lawyer argued. The woman also employed her brother Alan Corkill on a lucrative contract. He has pleaded guilty to deception and accepting a benefit and will be sentenced next week. The fate of the project to rewater the Erie Canal is in flux nearly a year after Port Byron received a $418,300 state Regional Economic Development Council planning grant. In December 2017, Port Byron was awarded the grant for the Erie Canal Rewatering and Trail Connections Project, which would also involve Mentz and Brutus, as the lead agency. The purpose of the grant is to plan and design the future rewatering of the Erie Canal as well as enhance the trail between Port Byron and Brutus. Ultimately, the hope is that the project would draw more tourists to the area. Back in May, however, the village of Port Byron unanimously voted to "not participate in the Rewatering of the Erie Canal Grant," minutes indicate. Brutus Supervisor Hotaling said in October that the project is exciting to him because he can imagine a vibrant tourism industry growing from the project. With a paved trail wide enough for bikes, walking, rollerblading and strollers, he sees the potential for equipment rental shops in the towns or the village. Opportunities to kayak and canoe in the rewatered canal, he said, may also draw crowds and create for other business opportunities. About seven years ago, Port Byron did a feasibility study to see if rewatering the canal was a possibility, Hotaling said, and the MRB Group engineering firm concluded that it was. "It's a vision for a rewatering project that could boost tourism and economic development in a way that I think many of us would find hard to quantify," said Sharon Lilla, who wrote the grant application and was hired by Brutus as a contractor to help administer the grant. Port Byron Mayor Ron Wilson said Thursday that the board's decision to not be involved was largely due to the investment of money, time and potential flooding issues. Once a grant is awarded, agencies have five years to complete the projects. Budget-wise, this project would involve each municipality contributing roughly $15,000 per year for a three-year period, for a total contribution of about $47,000 from each municipality. In addition, the village experienced extensive flooding last winter, Wilson said, and he was under the impression that the grant was strictly for planning and wouldn't do anything to address the flooding issues. Wilson said people recently told him that flooding issues would be addressed, but he "was leery" because he didn't think that was in the original grant. "As a community, (we) wouldn't do anything to put another community in jeopardy," Hotaling said. Lilla confirmed that, since the beginning, the grant has included a $38,000 line item specifically to study the feasibility of rewatering the canal and the effects on the flood plane. The project would then be designed with an awareness of those impacts. The project was "really attractive" to the state, Lilla said, in part due to the partnership of the municipalities and how the project would span across municipal lines. If one of the communities drops out, she believes it could change the state's interest. The project is also attractive to the municipalities in many ways, she said, especially in that the idea is to create "a shovel-ready project" that is fully studied, designed and permitted. The thought is that the municipalities could then apply for additional grants to implement the rewatering, for example, and have a more competitive application compared to other municipalities. Although Port Byron has made it clear it doesn't want to participate financially or as the lead agency, Lilla said Friday, she doesn't consider the project "anywhere near in jeopardy." "We're still on board," Mentz Supervisor Richard Nielens said Thursday. "I'm really hoping the village will turn around on this." Hotaling said that he plans to meet with Lilla, Nielens, the Canal Corporation and hopefully Wilson in the second week of December. "I'm hoping we can resolve these concerns and get everybody back on board," Hotaling said, adding that everyone "really wants the (village) to reconsider." Wilson, however, didn't seem to think that Port Byron was open to reconsidering the project. He doesn't plan to attend the meeting, but said board members could if they wanted. "The board said 'no,'" Wilson said. "As far as I know that's it." Lilla said that in the event that Port Byron doesn't opt back in, the grant could be transferred to Brutus or Mentz as a lead agency. Only, for the project to proceed as approved, it would have to perform all the work originally included in the grant. So even if the village gave lead agency permission to Brutus, an option that's been discussed, the village would then benefit from enhancements at the cost of the others. Mentz Historian Mike Riley, who's also part of the state's Canal Society, said that the project could offer "a major boost to the entire historic picture that we have here." He said that everyone knows about the Erie Canal and curiosity already draws people to the area. He thinks rewatering the canal would enhance the experience for tourism and locals alike. "There's communities all across the state that would bend over backwards for this," Riley said. "Here you have a ready-made and waiting attraction that's worldknown make use of it." Riley said historically and economically he saw the project as a win, and it would be "foolish" for the municipalities not to take action on the opportunity while they have it. He also fears that, if they don't go forward with the grant, it could hurt the communities' ability to get grants in the future. "What's your plan? if you're saying 'no' to everything, what happens to the community? Does it just fade away?" Riley said. Staff writer Megan Ehrhart can be reached at (315) 282-2244 or megan.ehrhart@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter @MeganEhrhart. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 6 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. CAYUGA Families were out in full force for the village of Cayugas tree lighting on Friday. The guest of honor, Santa Claus, arrived promptly at 6:30 p.m. to the front lawn of the Cayuga Memorial Hall on Center Street, but instead of his usual sleigh, Santa was driven by Steve Kalet in his horse-drawn wagon accompanied by several of the members of the Union Springs Middle School Band performing Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Cayuga Mayor William E. Sherman greeted the crowd, introducing Pastor Kevin Grish from the Cayuga Methodist Church, who blessed the occasion. New York states 130th district Assemblyman-elect Brian Manktelow was also on hand to throw the switch to light the Christmas tree which was decorated by the mayor and his family. This year the mayors wish for Christmas was to receive a grant the village has applied for to the state to update the Cayuga Memorial Hall to make it handicap accessible and for a new roof, among many other fixes. After the tree was lit, all were invited across the street to the Methodist Church where Santa was waiting to meet with children on a one-on-one basis. Among a long line of children snaking up the main aisle were the three Kinnaman boys, Henry, 11, Kevin, 9, and David, 2. Each took a turn telling Santa their wish lists. When asked if hes been naughty or nice this year, Kevin said, Ive been nice at school. I have the ability to be nice, Henry said. Their mom, Holly, said, We all have our moments. Lucy Dwyer, 7, who was accompanied by her big sister, Mia, 14, asked Santa for a Barbie and said it would also be nice to have a house for Barbie to live in. She felt Santa was a count-on-able guy as he had brought other items she had asked for in the past. Homemade cookies and hot cocoa were available under the watchful eye of Girsh and his wife, Ginny Ma who are the grandparents of the Kinnaman boys. The whole family was planning on going home to watch a Christmas movie together after the ceremonies. Horse-drawn wagon rides around the village were also available for free as Matson & Kellogg Employee Benefits, Oakwood Service Center and Beacon Bay Marina underwrote the cost. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 More than a month ago, Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who had a residence in Virginia, entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Almost immediately, Khashoggi was accosted. According to information provided by Turkish security personnel and published by USA Today, Khashoggi argues for about seven minutes before being taken to another room where there is more arguing and the sounds of what appears to be a fight, followed by a beating and torture. "Traitor! You will be brought to account!" a man says on the tape before it goes quiet. More than an hour later, another man's voice says, "It is spooky to wear the clothes of a man whom we killed 20 minutes ago." The CIA concluded with "high confidence" that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally ordered the killing. But on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said he would do nothing. He said that business comes before morality. He put a price on United States morality by arguing that Saudi Arabia's business dealings with our country could not be disturbed, because they would cost our country hundreds of thousands of jobs. Except, that was a lie too. A fact check by the Associated Press found that Saudi Arabia had committed to $14.5 billion in military purchases, not the $450 billion the president claimed. A look at trade showed that the United States exported only $16 billion in goods to Saudi Arabia last year. And while sanctions against Saudi Arabia might cost the United States thousands of jobs, it was not the half-million the president claimed. Saudi Arabia can be held accountable in the death of Jamal Khashoggi by enacting any number of measures, including suspending arms sales, ending military support in Yemen, pushing for the crown prince to relinquish power, demanding it take steps to improve its human-rights record and ceasing high-level diplomatic contact. But we need to do something. The Post-Star, Glens Falls It is a grave ethical misstep for a scientist to manipulate the genetic code of human embryos, as Chinese researcher He Jiankui claims to have done, he says, to make them resistant to infection by the HIV virus. Not only because the technology is untested, and editing one piece of human DNA may well have unanticipated effects in another part of the genome. Not only because these techniques, if perfected, can be exploited to enable the privileged few to rig their heredity, amplifying advantages that wealth already delivers and allowing mothers and fathers to tinker with everything from a child's eye color to his or her likelihood of suffering from clinical depression. Especially chilling about the profound risks of rigging biological source code is that once edits are made, they get carried from parent to child and grandchild and great-grandchild, modifying humanity in ways that are essentially undetectable and can never be undone. Far be it from us, as technology advances, to rule out the possibility of ever allowing human DNA to be tweaked in vitro. If we have the means to forever extinguish congenital diseases that cause excruciating pain and early death, would we really leave such a tool on the table? But such power must be used in the rarest of circumstances, under the strictest controls, only after vetting all hazards to individual humans and humanity at large have been. Today, He Jiankui is rightly being treated as neither an innovator nor a lifesaver, but as an outlaw. The Daily News, New York Most Long Islanders didn't need another report on the devastating impacts of climate change. We know what's going on. We've seen it firsthand. We've seen beaches disappearing. And more frequent flooding of our streets and yards at high tide. Even given that, the analysis released Friday by the Trump administration was eye-opening, the grimmest assessment yet of the impacts of unabated climate change. It's not a matter of whether to believe the evidence. It's time to understand its implications and act to slow the march of climate change and mitigate its inevitable effects. The latest National Climate Assessment, written by 13 federal agencies with input from more than 300 climate scientists, detailed a raft of climate change impacts in, for example, the Northeast. Like more than 30 days per year of high tide flooding in many Northeast cities by 2050. Like 650 more premature deaths per year from extreme heat by 2050, when the average annual temperature in the region is expected to be 4 degrees warmer than recent averages. Like a projected probable sea level rise of 2 to 4.5 feet by 2100, with some parts of the shoreline eroding inland at 3.3 feet per year. Like more pine beetles and more mosquitoes carrying Lyme disease and West Nile virus, fish stocks declining, and air quality worsening, with up to 300 more ozone-related deaths a year by 2050. The national outlook is no better: By 2100, climate change could shrink the economy by 10 percent and force 13 million Americans, many in our region, to move from their homes because of rising seas. That's disruption on a massive scale. It isn't just a future problem. The New York Renews environmental coalition says climate change already costs New York more than $10 billion per year. No use waiting for President Donald Trump to wake up and smell the consequences. There is plenty that can and must be done now. In the absence of federal government action more accurately, in the face of federal actions that would make climate change worse state and local governments can lead. Some states, New York and California prominent among them, have done just that with ambitious plans to convert part or all of their electric supply to renewable energy sources. New York should turn its aspirational goal to get 50 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2030 into law. Newsday, Long Island Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Two Oregon Coast Almost-Hotspots With Insanely Cool Details Updated Periodically By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Oregon Coast) The smallest of places on the Oregon coast can yield the most intense surprises. Details can hide here that will blow the mind, creating some of the more memorable experiences you can have on a beach trip. You just have to poke around a bit: be willing to spot an access or feature and then wander while keeping you eyes open. Two such locales are an excellent example of places that create this kind of remarkable stream of constant discovery. One is small and not as popular as many Oregon coast burghs, while another is a 20-mile chunk that is engaging beyond belief but somehow still off the beaten path of the maddening crowds. Treasures Between Yachats and Florence. There's more to this 20-mile stretch than you'll ever imagine, and this is one area where you will want to get a bit lost on purpose. It's filled with jaw-dropping beach after jaw-dropping beach. And almost all quite unpopulated. One such spot is near Ten Mile Creek. Just a stones throw north of the signed entrance to Stonefield Beach and the small bridge over the creek, youll find a tiny, unmarked beach access lying behind a patch of gravel on the side of the road. This is actually still part of Stonefield. Take this to find a small hidden beach featuring all sorts of bubble-like and craggy basalt shapes lying in the water and on the shore. Half the fun is getting there. The pathway takes you along Ten Mile Creek, through almost topiary art-like bushes, and past a comely, calming view with a bench. Just after that bridge youll find a the main parking and access to Stonefield Beach, populated by stones and lots of logs. Once out there, youll find the other half of the area is a long stretch of sandy strand. Some goofy bits of roadside Americana lurk nearby in the form of whimsical wood-carved statues of whales and mermaids and such (about MP 172.) Another unmarked path to the beach sits less than an eighth of a mile south, granting you access to a strand of sand and large basalt slabs. For more clandestine fun, look for MP 175 and the Big Creek Bridge is nearby. There are unmarked beach accesses on either side, where creekside sandy spots give way to more cobblestones, large logs and small tracts of sand. The southern access is an easier walk as its less covered in driftwood obstacles. Lodgings in Yachats - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours Delights in the Details of Depoe Bay. This tiny town is full of little nooks and crannies that are, in turn, full of surprises. Even the most obvious stretch along Highway 101 has little pockets of incredible views that are tucked away just a tad, such as the little park about 100 feet north of the whale statue, where the Spouting Horn often shoots off. After the main viewing area along Depoe Bay's seawall, you'll find another one just below the bridge, on the seaward side of the highway. From there, the walkway wanders beneath the bridge to the bay and the landward side of 101. This is a better option for crossing the street since 101 here is usually a madhouse of car traffic, but it's also a pleasant walk which can yield its own surprises. This area is lighted at night and can really come to life in its own way then. Once down on the bay, you'll find yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of the various attractions as well as the businesses and boats making their living here. Seals and seagulls often take up residence around this diminutive body of water. If you're lucky, you might spot a wild seal doing tricks for scraps of food provided by one of the fish processing businesses just beneath the viewing platforms. For some seriously stunning secret spots, look for Sunset Ave at the northern edge of town, or South Point Ave just as you leave the southern end of town. Lodgings in Depoe Bay - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Hospital lobbyists persuaded lawmakers to draft legislation blocking N.C. Treasurer Dale Folwell's cost-cutting reforms to the State Health Plan, Carolina Journal has learned.Rep. Josh Dobson, R-McDowell, co-chairman of the House Health Committee, is working on a bill to preserve the current payment structure for hospitals and doctors until Dec. 31, 2021. A study committee would deliver a report to the General Assembly on the State Health Plan's fiscal sustainability by May 20, 2020.Folwell told CJ Wednesday, Nov. 28, he has spoken to lawmakers. He has asked to explain his reforms to a Republican caucus meeting and was rebuffed. He estimates the changes would save taxpayers $300 million and plan members $60 million in payments annually.Folwell said.Sen. Joyce Krawiec, R-Forsyth, co-chairwoman of the Senate Health Care Committee, said through a staff member(CORRECTION: The office of Sen. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, another committee co-chair, told CJ after this story was published Hise is not involved with the legislation, as was first reported.)said Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, a House Health Committee co-chairman, and is not sure one would be filed in the current session.Lambeth said.said Austin Vevurka, spokesman for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, the administrator for the state's self-funded insurance plan for 727,000 employees, dependents, and retirees.Hospitals wouldn't get as much money if Folwell's proposal were adopted. He would move to a reference-based pricing model using Medicare rates as a baseline, and setting reimbursement rates at an average 77 percent higher. The new plan would require greater transparency and detail of billing charges. Negotiations, at times, have been caustic Folwell also is asking the U.S. and North Carolina Departments of Justice to force state hospitals to release more comprehensive billing records for the State Health Plan. He thinks waste, fraud, and inaccuracies have cost hundreds of millions of dollars in hospital overcharges.and by other hospitals still in the state system, Folwell said.Folwell said.As a lawmaker, he led reforms to the state's workers compensation system, and as head of the state's employment security division his moves reversed a $2.5 billion unemployment insurance debt into a $1 billion surplus.The N.C. Healthcare Association, which represents hospitals and large health care systems, didn't respond to request for an interview. The association instead issued a news release.said Steve Lawler, N.C. Healthcare Association president.The release said state health care leaders think the State Health Plan reforms will limit treatment choices for all North Carolinians. Reducing payments to physicians and hospitals to achieve savings could force hundreds of providers out of the State Health Plan network or out of business, and do irreparable damage to the state's health care safety net.Rob Broome executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, supports Folwell's reforms. SEANC thinks hospitals refuse to disclose all their performance records and fee schedules because they are overcharging the State Health Plan and its members to cover free charity care they must provide to indigent patients.He said his organization can't match the hospitals' legislative ground game.he said.He downplayed the hospital association's alarms as a negotiating tactic.Broome said.He said it wouldn't make good business sense for doctors and hospitals to quit the State Health Plan network. Some, especially in rural areas, would see higher payments under the proposed changes.SEANC officials met with Dobson on Tuesday, and were told the legislation has been drafted.attempts to fix the State Health Plan, and in a lame duck session to boot, Broome said.Folwell wants to bring transparency, stability, and predictability to costs. The State Health Plan Board of Trustees unanimously approved his plan, Broome said. The General Assembly should not try to obstruct their efforts as they attempt to whittle away at $35 billion in unfunded liabilities in a system which is only 3 percent funded. The last few days have been cold. Nights are below freezing and in the day, we southeners, now don our "winter coats". I walk to the car, in the morning on frozen ground. I do not mind the cold weather unless there is wind. A cold wind is about unbearable. I have always heard that "New Englanders were a sturdy lot-and I suppose they are, for I can not imagine day after day of these conditions. Of course they have snow too- a lot of snow. When it does snow here, the least bit, southeners hunker down and no one is going anywhere! Instead, we are home cooking hearty dishes like stews or beans . . .in warm, comfortable "house clothes". In the absence of snow, it has been business as usual.With December, just a few days away, many of us are thinking about Christmas. I confess now, that I think about Christmas all year. Farm Life puts on quite a production at Christmas. Houses, barns and sheds are covered in lights. Reindeer graze on the lawns and wreaths are hung on doors and fences. Bows adorn lamp posts and the affect is charming.I moved to the Farm Life Community, more than a decade ago, in May. I met my first friend, here just a few days later. "Miss Sylvia" came and presented me a cook book, of recipes compiled by the local women. It was a "welcome" gift, and it is my favorite cook book. The recipes do not start with a can of soup or instant pudding. These women cook from" scratch" and their dishes have stood the test of time.Miss Sylvia had deep roots in Farm Life and it seemed she was "kin" to most everybody, or else went to school with them. She was glad to see that the old farm house would be occupied. Every room needed painting and the yard was full of debris. I was an awful mess, when she showed up. I was telling her all that I was doing, and without a moments hesitation, she asked me if I decorated for Christmas? I was a bit stunned at her question, but she went on and told me that the community placed great stock in good decorating. I assured her that I did, and she seemed very relieved.As it turned out, Miss Sylvia used to work at a florist shop. She made bows, and had earned herself quite a reputation. She offered to make bows for me and so I took her up on it, each year, in early December. One year, particularly stands out in my memory and I never fail to remember it, this time of the year. It was the year that I used the red bows with small white polka dots.I had the idea that the ribbon would be just perfect for a country home and I searched high and low for months, for it. At long last I found just the right look and presented it to Miss Sylvia, as soon as I got home. Miss Sylvia examined it thoroughly, and said at last, that "it was ugly!" She went on to say, it wouldn't hold up, and said again "and it is ugly, too". Being she was an elder, I sheepishly asked her to make them anyway. A day or so later, she called and said the" bows were ready - and just as she predicted, they were ugly". Well, I hung them and I loved them! I still laugh remembering that. I always miss my dear, Miss Sylvia, but most especially at Christmas.Now, this year, all of my decorations are packed up and I may not even decorate at all! It all depends on what unfolds in the very next few weeks in what has become certainly, a saga. . .selling the rabbit patch. Either way, if there is a sprig of pine on the mantel - or a wreath hung, it will be a last minute attempt to mark the grand occasion of my beloved Christmas. Maybe this year, I will carry on the tradition of "Old Christmas". . .another thing I remember about Miss Sylvia, for she always marked the visit of the wise men, to the Christ child, with a party.Work is especially busy, just now. The violinists-over two hundred of them - are practicing fervently and the children are also learning songs in various languages for the annual Holiday Concert. I never tire of Christmas music. I especially like the old music. The old songs never fail to spark my own childhood memories. . .one being the year, that Grandmama got a tree in a box.I do not know what I was expecting . . .but it was not what I saw. I remember clearly the shock of seeing my first "aluminum tree". It was silver with blue ornaments. . . a far cry from the usual, little cedars, cut from a ditch bank. Grandmama was so very proud of it and said, the folks in Florida, were using them regularly now. To me, Florida must have been another country altogether and they musn't have had. a single patch of woods anywhere. Grandmama was "happy as a lark" with her modern tree. I was speechless. In my wildest childhood dreams, I could not have imagined an "aluminum tree". Thankfully, "Dean Martin" was singing on the record player, as usual, so at least something, made sense.Every things seems to evoke memories, this time of the year. Of course, I am prone to being sentimental, on a regular basis, but I realise especially at Christmas, that I have quite a storehouse of beautiful memories in my collection. I , for I do not want to forget a one of them. In some way, it seems that remembering, is like a "housekeeping of the heart". I sort things out, and tidy up any tattered fragments. It is odd that I do not remember but a few gifts that I received. Instead, I remember clearly, things like the tinsel that Mama saved each year. Putting it on the tree, was slow and tedious work . . .taking it off was worse. Mama was very particular about her tinsel, and how it was placed on the tree. The task was not going quickly. . .and that is all there was to it. After the initial complaining and protests, for no one wanted to hang single strands of tinsel, a hush would fall on us. It was as if we were in a trance brought on by the dangling silver. When the heat came on, or the door was opened-the tinsel would sway and flutter as if it had a life of its'own. I was so happy when Mama traded the tinsel for a garland-yet now, over fifty years later, I remember the tinsel.As we bid November farewell, with its' scarlet and golden woodlands and with the blackbirds flying, we know it did not leave us empty-handed. November gives us a quiet, steady dose of gentle beauty that stirs thoughts of home and hearth - and makes us remember the most beautiful things. George H. W. Bush June 12, 1924 November 30, 2018 12/1/2018 5:14 AM It is my habit to write contemporaneous comments mainly for myself when someone who has influenced my life passes. The seeds were planted for this many years ago when the death of a comrade was quickly pushed into the back of memory bank. There will be time later to reflect on those times. I found over the years that you can keep pushing those memories to the back of your mind, but eventually they rear their head with a vengeance fermented from the lack of attention. That is when I decided to put my thoughts in writing while the event was still a contemporary event without the benefit of hindsight and retrospective memories. In that frame of mind I try and extract some personal meaning from the news of someone passing. While I may not have always known them personally, if they do hold a place in my life's memories, there is a lesson to be learned. It has been said that we don't have funerals for the dead, we have them for the remaining. A funeral holds a unique position in every society. It is the final intersection between past and present for many of the mourners. Each society and individual deals with the reality in varying ways. There will be tributes and remembrances for George Herbert Walker Bush the 41st President of the United States who passed on November 30, 2018 at 94 years old. His life and time are well documented and do not bear repeating here. As is my standard practice, I often try to reflect on the deceased and how they influenced my life. Regardless of ones position on policies and strategies there can be no doubt that George H. W. Bush was a man of honor and integrity for most of his public and private life which extended well beyond him leaving the state of the public arena. His time in the Presidency was indeed a time of many tumultuous events. The fall of the Berlin Wall The Dissolution of the Soviet Union, The invasion and liberation of Kuwait The Removal of Manuel Noriega from office after he annulled the election in which Guillermo Endara was elected president. The Bush administration spearheaded the negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). "Read my lips: no new taxes" The above list is not inclusive of all the major events of his four years in office of POTUS but does indicate a time of turmoil in the world. There is of course his Famous "Read my Lips" promise which he later recanted when it became obvious that the Democratically controlled Congress (both House and Senate) were intent on forcing a tax increase partially due to the increase in the deficit. Throughout all the ups and downs of a political life, however, he demonstrated a constancy of character that is the hallmark of what most parents try to teach their children. He was never a fierce partisan but often a pragmatic politician. He became the target of both Democrats and Republicans and was often derided for his policies. Partically due to basic kindness he was labled as a :Wimp." That is the fodder of political life. However, I would venture to guess that most everyone will look back on his life and recognize the humanity of this man. We have lose most of that in our current political and social interaction in the intervening time. I doubt that his death will bring a new revival of collegial interactions between our fringe disparate views of how to run a country, but it should serve as an example of basic human decency that was the hallmark of his life. "Early on the morning of January 17, 1991, allied forces launched the first attack, which included more than 4,000 bombing runs by coalition aircraft. This pace would continue for the next four weeks, until a ground invasion was launched on Sunday, February 24, 1991."------ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_of_Kuwait_campaign Wiki So what is my personal remembrance of George H. W. Bush That Sunday morning, my cocoon blew up. My wife woke me up saying I was having a nightmare. I had long since thought I had buried the residual nightmares from my combat experience 22 years before. All of a sudden, the world was in another major military engagement. I was 46 years old and in the middle of a carefully crafted career, family and normalcy bubble of denial. The news and TV coverage of the ensuing invasion of Kuwait was a stark reminder of sacrifices being made by 18-22 years old soldiers who were not even alive when my combat ended. I would like to say that February 24, 1991 was a demarcation line which began my reconciliation with the abyss that I had carefully avoided. That would not be accurate; it took another fifteen years until after my retirement when I found the courage or time to confront what I had buried those many years ago. However my admiration for #41 was cemented when he made the announcement that the war was over. Many will debate the pros and cons of the announcement and policy described below, but I only wish that we had that kind of leadership back in 1965-1973 when were engaged in a protracted military engagement without the clear purpose or end game in mind. We had met the objective, we had done so within a minimum of time, we had used all the resources needed to accomplish the mission, we had allowed the military leadership the flexibility to plan and execute the liberation. Then with the resolve and strength of character the objective had been met, George H. W. Bush announced the end of the engagement. February 27, 1991: Address on the End of the Gulf War https://youtu.be/IfwU9W-7evA Here is the complete Transcript of that speech. Kuwait is liberated. Iraq's army is defeated. Our military objectives are met. Kuwait is once more in the hands of Kuwaitis, in control of their own destiny. We share in their joy, a joy tempered only by our compassion for their ordeal. Tonight the Kuwaiti flag once again flies above the capital of a free and sovereign nation. And the American flag flies above our Embassy. Seven months ago, America and the world drew a line in the sand. We declared that the aggression against Kuwait would not stand. And tonight, America and the world have kept their word. This is not a time of euphoria, certainly not a time to gloat. But it is a time of pride: pride in our troops; pride in the friends who stood with us in the crisis; pride in our nation and the people whose strength and resolve made victory quick, decisive, and just. And soon we will open wide our arms to welcome back home to America our magnificent fighting forces. No one country can claim this victory as its own. It was not only a victory for Kuwait but a victory for all the coalition partners. This is a victory for the United Nations, for all mankind, for the rule of law, and for what is right. After consulting with Secretary of Defense Cheney, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Powell, and our coalition partners, I am pleased to announce that at midnight tonight eastern standard time, exactly 100 hours since ground operations commenced and 6 weeks since the start of Desert Storm, all United States and coalition forces will suspend offensive combat operations. It is up to Iraq whether this suspension on the part of the coalition becomes a permanent cease-fire. Coalition political and military terms for a formal cease-fire include the following requirements: Iraq must release immediately all coalition prisoners of war, third country nationals, and the remains of all who have fallen. Iraq must release all Kuwaiti detainees. Iraq also must inform Kuwaiti authorities of the location and nature of all land and sea mines. Iraq must comply fully with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. This includes a rescinding of Iraq's August decision to annex Kuwait and acceptance in principle of Iraq's responsibility to pay compensation for the loss, damage, and injury its aggression has caused. The coalition calls upon the Iraqi Government to designate military commanders to meet within 48 hours with their coalition counterparts at a place in the theater of operations to be specified to arrange for military aspects of the cease-fire. Further, I have asked Secretary of State Baker to request that the United Nations Security Council meet to formulate the necessary arrangements for this war to be ended. This suspension of offensive combat operations is contingent upon Iraq's not firing upon any coalition forces and not launching Scud missiles against any other country. If Iraq violates these terms, coalition forces will be free to resume military operations. At every opportunity, I have said to the people of Iraq that our quarrel was not with them but instead with their leadership and, above all, with Saddam Hussein. This remains the case. You, the people of Iraq, are not our enemy. We do not seek your destruction. We have treated your POW's with kindness. Coalition forces fought this war only as a last resort and look forward to the day when Iraq is led by people prepared to live in peace with their neighbors. We must now begin to look beyond victory and war. We must meet the challenge of securing the peace. In the future, as before, we will consult with our coalition partners. We've already done a good deal of thinking and planning for the postwar period, and Secretary Baker has already begun to consult with our coalition partners on the region's challenges. There can be, and will be, no solely American answer to all these challenges. But we can assist and support the countries of the region and be a catalyst for peace. In this spirit, Secretary Baker will go to the region next week to begin a new round of consultations. This war is now behind us. Ahead of us is the difficult task of securing a potentially historic peace. Tonight though, let us be proud of what we have accomplished. Let us give thanks to those who risked their lives. Let us never forget those who gave their lives. May God bless our valiant military forces and their families, and let us all remember them in our prayers. Good night, and may God bless the United States of America. Here was a man comfortable in his own skin, who felt no need to prove his courage. He had done that early in his life. He was flawed like us all but A WIMP, I don't think so! In a stunning display, a man who is a recognized government watchdog and had given Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz documents showing federal officials ignored the relationship among Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Clinton Foundation, and Rosatom, the Russian company that purchased Uranium One, had his home raided by the FBI, despite the fact that his status was protected by law.As Richard Pollock of The Daily Caller report s, "The delivered documents also show that then-FBI Director Robert Mueller failed to investigate allegations of criminal misconduct pertaining to Rosatom and to other Russian government entities attached to Uranium One , the document reviewed by TheDCNF alleges."Dennis Nathan Cain, a former FBI contractor, was confronted at his home in Maryland the morning of November 19, according to his attorney, Michael Socarras. Socarras charged,He told The Daily Caller the FBI's raid was an "outrageous disregard" of whistleblower protections.The FBI agents conducted the raid after gaining permission from federal magistrate Stephanie A. Gallagher in the U.S. District Court for Baltimore. FBI spokesman Dave Fitz confirmed to The Daily Caller,Socarras said the agent who spearheaded the raid said Cain possessed stolen federal property; when Cain tried to dissuade the agent from entering his home by noting that Cain was a recognized protected whistleblower under the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act, recognized as such by Horowitz, that didn't work. Neither did Cain informing the agent that the information he had passed to Horowitz had already been sent to the Senate and House Intelligence committees. The agent still entered Cain's home with his fellow agents.Although Cain gave the agents the information they sought immediately, Socarras told The Daily Caller that the agents took six more hours searching the home.Socarrs confirmed that the documents were all legally transferred to Horowitz and then the congressional committees. He stated,He continued,Socarras charged,Socarras also blasted the FBI for contacting Cain directly after the raid and bypassing Socarras. He told The Daily Caller, Trump's about to make a bunch of whales, turtles, and dolphins go deaf. The Trump administration is about to take a preliminary step toward oil and natural gas drilling off the Atlantic shore, by approving requests from energy companies to conduct "deafening seismic tests that could harm tens of thousands of dolphins, whales and other marine animals," reports the Los Angeles Times. The information was revealed in a NOAA call with reporters. "The Trump administration is ignoring threats to whales, dolphins and other marine life to further its ongoing quest for energy dominance," says the National Parks Conservation Association: The Trump Administration today advanced plans related to offshore drilling exploration in the Atlantic Ocean, threatening whales, turtles, fish and marine life near 33 coastal national parks. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Fisheries Service issued Incidental Harassment Authorizations, allowing companies to disturb federally protected marine mammals through seismic airgun testing. Such testing would take place along the coast from Delaware to central Florida, with far-reaching threats to marine life up and down the eastern seaboard. Five companies applied last year to search for oil and gas deposits beneath the Atlantic seafloor using seismic airgun technology. The technology involves shooting loud blasts of compressed air down into the seafloor to locate underground deposits of fossil fuels. Today's approval serves as a final procedural step before approving permits for five companies. Scientists have warned that this practice threatens whales, dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life, and may force these animals from their feeding, breeding or calving habitats. Seismic airgun use has been linked to the stranding deaths of whales, dolphins and porpoises, and can cause deafness and other impairment in animals. From Whales.org: November 30, 2018-Today, the Trump Administration announced it will authorize five permit requests to conduct seismic testing along the US East coast, a year-round habitat for endangered North Atlantic right whales. Seismic surveys are used to search for deposits of fossil fuels by emitting loud pulsing sounds every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day. These pulses are known to harass, harm, and even kill whales and dolphins. Once abundant in the eastern and western North Atlantic, only an estimated 411 North Atlantic right whales survive in a reduced habitat range along the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada. Since April of 2017, an unprecedented loss of 20 right whales from human impacts has drastically reduced the population, putting them at risk of extinction. Both visual and acoustical data confirm that right whales use the mid-Atlantic region of the US year round to feed, socialize, and nurse calves. Furthermore, research shows that man-made noise increases stress hormones in right whales which can impact their ability to reproduce and lower their immune systems. "North Atlantic right whales, a species already imperiled by humans, are now being pushed closer to extinction, not only from loud and stressful seismic testing, but from the long term risk of future oil spills" said Regina Asmutis-Silvia, executive director of Whale and Dolphin Conservation. The risk of oil spills has been an ongoing concern for east coast communities, more than 200 of which have openly opposed offshore drilling. Emerging research underscores the critical role North Atlantic right whales play in the ecosystem by supplying nutrients to phytoplankton, which produces most of the world's oxygen, is the base on which fish stocks depend, and is a major pathway for carbon sequestration. Furthermore, the long term impacts from potential oil spills are significant. Research after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill estimated that the true death toll to whales and dolphins could be 50 times greater than the number of animals found. WDC is fighting to save North Atlantic Right Whales. You can DONATE AND HELP. From the Los Angeles Times: The planned Friday announcement by the National Marine Fisheries Service, a division of the Commerce Department, to issue "incidental take" permits allowing companies to harm wildlife is likely to further antagonize a dozen governors in states on the Eastern Seaboard who strongly oppose the administration's proposal to expand federal oil and gas leases to the Atlantic. Federal leases could lead to exploratory drilling for the first time in more than half a century. In addition to harming sea life, acoustic tests in which boats tugging rods pressurized for sound emit jet-engine-like booms 10 to 12 seconds apart for days and sometimes months can disrupt thriving commercial fisheries. Governors, state lawmakers and attorneys general along the Atlantic coast say drilling threatens beach tourism that has flourished on the coast in the absence of oil production. Seismic testing maps the ocean floor and estimates the whereabouts of oil and gas, but only exploratory drilling can confirm their presence. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill that soiled the Gulf of Mexico resulted from an exploratory drill. Another gulf disaster that looms almost as large has spewed oil for more than 14 years. The Taylor Energy Co. spill of up to an estimated 700 barrels a day started when a hurricane ripped up production wells, and could continue for the rest of the century, according to the Interior Department The fisheries service announcement comes just a week after the Trump administration released a new report by the U.S. Geological Survey showing that excavating and burning fossil fuels from federal land comprised nearly a fourth of all carbon dioxide emissions in the United States over a decade ending in 2014. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, the administration published a much larger report by 13 federal agencies projecting the severe economic costs of climate change as coastal flooding and wildfires worsen, and hurricanes become more severe. After the administration's critics accused it of trying to bury the report with a release on Black Friday, President Trump dismissed it out of hand. This is important and awful. Read the whole story, reported by Darryl Fears: "Trump administration OKs seismic tests that could harm thousands of dolphins and whales." On November 28, Conservative MPs removed references to assault rifles from the Offensive Weapons Bill in order to win support for Theresa May's Brexit bill from the European Research Group the hardline, pro-Brexit wing of her party who are also pro-assault-rifle. The vote was supported by every sitting Conservative MP. Britons overwhelmingly support gun control. The police had asked for the assault-weapons ban. The ban was bipartisan. The pro-Brexit wing of the Tories are a tiny minority of Parliament with fringe views well outside the norms of the popular British political consensus, but they call all the shots (literally), because they control the balance of power. Next time there is a British mass-shooting, remember that it was enabled by cowardly Tories who have been completely captured by extremists from their own party. The Tories are the party of assault rifles. But and here's the really striking thing as well as securing the support of the ERG, every Conservative MP went along with the vote. Of course, every Tory MP I have spoken to privately is mystified by the decision, but for the most part, the politics makes short-term sense: they are in safe seats where the issue is not going to cause immediate harm. That said, one can easily imagine how at some future election, any of James Cleverly, Penny Mordaunt or Nigel Huddlestone, either as a boxfresh opposition leader or as Prime Minister, will wake up to discover that a Momentum video on their opposition to banning assault rifles (pegged perhaps to some hypothetical future shooting) has gone viral on Facebook overnight. But it's not just future prospects. Take say, Jake Berry, Ben Bradley or Jack Brereton, all of whom are in marginal seats, and all of whom opted to vote against banning assault rifles. To repeat: gun control is popular everywhere in the United Kingdom, and assault rifles are popular nowhere in the United Kingdom. Something crazy happened in parliament last night, and no one is talking about it [Stephen Bush/The New Statesman] (via Naked Capitalism) Jack Poulson is the former Google Research Scientist who quit the company's machine learning division over Project Dragonfly, the company's secret plan to build a censoring Chinese search engine designed to help the country's spies surveil dissident search activity. In an editorial on The Intercept, Poulson describes the series of events that led up to his resignation: a chain of execs who, in private meetings and public statements, engaged in hypocritical deflection and spin rather than giving the straight answer about why they were going to go into China and what the result of that would be (answers: "To make money," and "complicity in human rights abuses"). Poulson is emerging as a kind of Robert Oppenheimer of AI, one of the first top machine learning scientists to stage a high-profile resignation over the humanitarian consequences of the abuse of the technology he helped build. My final two weeks at Google were spent balancing between handing off my projects to other engineers and meeting with increasingly senior management about my letter; my penultimate evening was spent in a disappointing direct meeting with Jeff Dean, the head of artificial intelligence research and my interface to Google's CEO. Dean argued that only a small number of queries would be censored and that China's surveillance is analogous to the U.S.'s Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants, secret warrants purportedly issued for the purpose of rooting out foreign spies. The next day, I worked late to finish my last project handoff and anticlimactically turned in my company badge and laptop to an empty office. Ironically, I had no intention of speaking with the press until I later read an interview Hennessy had done as part of a promotion for his recent book, "Leading Matters." When asked about Google re-entering the Chinese market, he dismissively said, "There's a shifting set of grounds of how you think about that problem, and how you think about the issue of censorship. The truth is, there are forms of censorship virtually everywhere around the world." I Quit Google Over Its Censored Chinese Search Engine. The Company Needs Clarify Its Position on Human Rights. [Jack Poulson/The Intercept] Shona and Connie Ferguson are one of Mzansi's favourite celeb couples. They've been together for years but are clearly still madly in love. The couple recently celebrated their 17th anniversary and Shona's message to Connie was beautiful and inspiring. PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! Celeb news is often filled with drama and scandal, but this time we get to see a couple that is often dishing out #CoupleGoals. Connie and Shona Ferguson are one of the most attractive and loving celeb couples in Mzansi, and they inspire mortals like us with their relationship. The gorgeous couple recently celebrated 17 years of marriage and Shona's message to Connie was beyond amazing. PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data with FreeBasics: Briefly is now available on the app Shona took to social media to express his gratitude at still having the love of his life by his side: 17 YEARS. STILL holding each others hands, STILL looking into your eyes, you STILL give me butterflies, STILL miss you when Im not with you, we STILL share the same dreams... Read the rest of Shona's wonderful message to his wife: READ ALSO: The woman who stole from litter-pickers owned home, earned large salary Fans of the couple wished them a happy anniversary, expressing how inspirational the two are: @Mamoket01720724 - Wow God bless your union looking younger you guys make marriage beautiful. My inspiration couple we 14 years by God's Grace @Ayola_M - Love is beautiful. Love is pure. What an amazing journey to witness. The Fergusons are completely blessed @NondweP - Bhuti @Shona_Ferguson could you and @Connie_Ferguson please write a book on your journey. You're such an inspiration . Happy anniversary @sisanda101 - I love u guys, ur union is beautiful Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news! Source: Briefly.co.za Eskom's timing has to be the worst ever. The power utility announced load shedding at the same time as the Global Citizen festival, and Mzansi is worried they'll be embarrassed in front of iconic celeb Beyonce Knowles. PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! While we all kind of expected Eskom to implement load shedding this summer, we are all hoping it won't happen while Beyonce and other celebs are in the country. It doesn't really make sense for load shedding to happen during the summer because the strain should be less, but when was the last time Eskom made sense? However, South Africa is worried about being embarrassed by the load shedding during the Global Citizen festival, which brings stars like Beyonce, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran and Chris Martin of Coldplay to SA. The festival takes place at FNB stadium on Sunday the 2nd of December, and Mzansi is super excited. PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data with FreeBasics: Briefly is now available on the app As reported on by The Citizen, South Africans took to social media to beg Eskom to not embarrass them: READ ALSO: Beyonce writes heartfelt letter of gratitude to Nelson Mandela Briefly.co.za reported earlier that Beyonce and her whole family landed at Lanseria Airport on Thursday, 29 November. Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news! Source: Briefly.co.za Cassper Nyovest is one of South Africa's biggest hip-hop stars, but he knows that he wouldn't be where he is today without his fans. That's likely why he decided to pray for their safety as they travel to his much-anticipated #FillUpMosesMabhida concert. PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! Cassper Nyovest's highly-anticipated #FillUpMosesMabhida concert is finally happening, and his fans are beyond excited. South Africans will be getting together at Moses Mabhida Stadium, which the star gets to use for mahala, and watch their fav musician perform live. The hip-hop star is pretty excited himself but still takes time to think of his loyal fans. We all know that a musician's fans are what takes him to the top, and clearly, Cassper hasn't forgotten that. PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data with FreeBasics: Briefly is now available on the app Cassper took to social media to say a prayer for his fans and their safety as they travel to Durban to see him perform. Twitter was impressed, and soon the tweets were rolling in, praising the musician and his consideration for his fans. Even Bonang Matheba, SA"s own Queen B, took a minute to wish Cassper and his concert all the best. READ ALSO: Billionaire Escoba Smith gives pastor brand new Toyota Landcruiser worth R1.8 Million Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news! Source: Briefly.co.za Losing a child is never easy. Two young parents lost their son, Noah, very recently and their festive season will be a lot less jolly. As a form of mourning, the father shared his pain on social media, and tweeps were heartbroken for him. PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! Twitter user @justbkay took to his social media account to share his pain on losing his baby boy, perhaps as a way to deal with his loss. While he does not say how his son, Noah, passed away, he did say that burying him was the hardest thing he ever had to do. South Africans who read about @justbkay and the mother of baby Noah's loss, were heartbroken but also eager to wish them the best. PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data with FreeBasics: Briefly is now available on the app South Africans also shared advice and words of encouragement, hoping to give the mourning parents a little relief. @XolileXolee - May God Almighty Embrace You Guy's With His Mighty Wing @1FineAndre - This brought tear's to my Eyes , And different why's , I can believe no reason why a Soul this Bright , Would make his parent's cry on this night , I strongly believe God knows best , But still make this champ rest READ ALSO: Mzansi in disbelief, Man demands removal of all white dolls from shops @khaya_lamati - Oh No condolences to you guys..you forever have a angel looking up..may God grant you guys strength during this time @trizzle37 - So sorry for your loss. Peace and Comfort be with you guys @s_mpunzana - Pain of a child bring tears to my eyes. The pain you folks feeling right now is unimaginable, be there for each take one step in healing with deep wound through your souls. God be with you, great loss to you my brother undoubtedly massive one to mom. @MissSteelo - Askies bhuti...i know what you're going through. I held my still born and never thought I'd recover...but I did. God's Grace. Give it time. It has a way of healing these kinds of wounds @sibajackpama - I lost a baby too. It doesn't seem like it gets better but faith keeps me going. Be there for each other and take your time to heal. @boobah12 - My mother said to me a couple of years ago (my baby brother died 18 years ago) that the pain doesnt go away. You just learn to live with it. You dont forget. May you find strength. Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news! Source: Briefly.co.za News / National by newzimbabwe ZIMBABWE Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) secretary general Japhet Moyo says the main labour group was in support of calls for a negotiated settlement to the country's political impasse but insist any such arrangement should not exclude workers.This comes amid calls for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to reach common ground with the main opposition MDC President Nelson Chamisa in what is seen in many quarters as the first step towards resolving a national crisis.Chamisa and his party have persistently demanded the formation of a transitional authority that should superintend over the country's affairs in the interim and help put a stop to the negative slide.Moyo told NewZimbabwe.com Friday that the labour union supported any arrangement that sought to bring together the country's political heavyweights."We are behind any such efforts as we realise that as a nation, we are not going anywhere economically," Moyo said of a country that has seen recurrent cash, fuel and food shortages, among other economic ills."We need to find each other and work together to bring the mess which is affecting workers to a halt."The main labour group, which provided the human resource nucleus to form MDC in 1999, was quick to caution against the country's two political power houses from monopolising the arrangement."It is time politicians understood that ED (Mnangagwa) and Chamisa are not the only boys in town. As such, the talks must be broadly inclusive and also afford as workers, our seat in the negotiating proceedings including other key stakeholders who represent the society," said Moyo, who heads a restless workforce that continues to demand a pay review from employers.The ZCTU chief said such a setup will create checks and balances that are broadly inclusive and create a basis for a creation that will be owned by the people of Zimbabwe.Zimbabwe battles economic instability that has seen prices shoot up far beyond the reach of many.Fuel queues have emerged with motorists spending hours of productive time while waiting for deliveries.Workers' salaries have been eroded and unionists across the sectors are threatening to down tools if employers resist to pay their salaries in foreign currency.Presidential spokesperson George Charamba has said his boss was ready to talk to Chamisa on condition the opposition leader finally accepted the outcome of the July 30 elections which placed him winner with a 50,8 percent share of the national vote while Chamisa, his closest challenger, got 44,3, according to official results by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.Chamisa insists he was robbed of victory and that his own party's calculations gave him 57 percent of the vote. News / National by Mandla Ndlovu Harare businessman Genius Kadungure's woes are not yet as he is still battling an alleged case of tax evasion amounting to $22 million.Kadungure was on Friday acquitted of a smaller charge of fraud charges involving a botched mining equipment supply deal worth about $ 100 000.Kadungure is facing allegations that between February 2009 and May 2016, he misrepresented to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) that his company, Piko Trading, made total sales of $2 777 678 inclusive of value-added tax (VAT), whereas in actual fact, it had made $9 092 952 inclusive of VAT.The court heard that this was done with the intention of evading paying (VAT).The offence came to light when Zimra conducted an investigation into Piko Trading activities.Kadungure is out on a $1,000 bail given by Harare High Court.Part of the conditions for his release, Kadungure surrendered his passport; title deeds for a property worth $250,000 and was instructed to report once fortnightly to the CID Commercial Crimes Unit and to continue residing at his home in Domboshava. News / National by Staff reporter A nurse who claimed she was "showered" with luxury gifts by her wealthy fiance hurled her engagement ring across court as she was ordered to pay him back more than 100 000 (US$127 000).Zimbabwe-born Trish Garikayi, 37, claimed she was a "kept woman" during her six-year relationship with 58-year-old businessman Wisdom Penfold, receiving presents including a Porsche 911 and a 100 000 diamond bracelet from Mayfair jewellers Aspreys.However, Penfold insisted Garikayi "misappropriated" money while he was blinded by love, spending large sums that he had earmarked for them to buy a home together.The couple split in 2015 when Penfold found her in bed with another man, leading to a bitter court fight over money.Judge Alexander Hill-Smith recently ruled in Penfold's favour, ordering Garikayi to pay back 116 000, hand over 20 per cent of her 340 000 home, and settle 62 000 of legal bills.After the judge said Miss Garikayi had her "eyes firmly on winning the case" and he did not believe her evidence, she took off her 2 500 engagement ring and threw it across the courtroom towards Penfold.The businessman, a tree importer and exporter, calmly picked up the discarded jewellery and handed it to his solicitor.Central London county court heard the couple got together after meeting in a hospital cafe in 2009, and they became engaged four years later. But Penfold was left devastated when he returned home in 2015 to find Garikayi in bed with another man, and was so shaken up he needed to be rushed to A&E.Garikayi claimed the couple had already split, but Judge Hill-Smith said he believed Penfold's "compelling" account of the end of their "perfect" relationship. The court heard 218 000 had been paid into Miss Garikayi's account after Penfold sold two investment properties, but she insisted it was a gift because "if I wanted something, I would get it"."The nature of the relationship was one where Penfold bestowed and showered Garikayi with lavish gifts", argued her lawyer Chike Ezike.It was claimed Penfold whisked her away on luxury holidays to Paris, Spain, Indonesia, and Dubai, and bought her a Porsche, a BMW and a Mercedes and the 100 000 bracelet.But Penfold denied being so generous:"I think if I gave 100 000 for a bracelet I would quite remember it. I think it would be welded in my brain for the rest of my life."He accepted buying Garikayi presents, including a Burberry coat and Jimmy Choo shoes, but denied handing over large sums of money or ever buying her a car.His barrister Richard Alford said Garikayi insisted on the 218 000 deposit into her account to mark "the seriousness of their relationship"."He did as requested, instructing her that the funds were to be held in the account and not used unless he said so," said Alford.However, Garikayi then spent money on herself, including 91 000 to buy a property in Harare without his permission, the court heard.The judge ruled that Penfold had also paid a 35 000 deposit on Garikayi's property in Guildford which she bought for 275 000 in 2015, and funded refurbishments and two mortgage payments. This spending now entitled him to a share of the property.The judge said the Zimbabwe house purchase was "in breach of trust" as he ruled in Penfold's favour on his financial claims. Garikayi now has six months to buy her ex out of the Guildford property or it will be sold and the proceeds divided.Following the ruling, she was ordered to pay 30 000 of Penfold's legal costs within three weeks and was told lawyers will seek to ultimately double that bill. News / National by Staff reporter The intriguing factional fights in the Apostolic Faith Mission threaten to decimate the church in Masvingo, with many congregants now staying away from services to protest what they consider to be disgraceful squabbles driven by greed.At least two pastors from local assemblies are likely to be pushed out of their positions at the behest of powerful elders who reportedly want to create room for their own pliable pastors.The two pastors that are facing increasing pressure from their elders are Pastor Morgen Ngwaru of Faith Centre assembly in Rujeko and Reverend Salatiel Madziva of City Centre assembly.Recently, there was also a serious tiff between Pastor Charumbira of Greater Grace assembly in Rujeko and a group of elders but the quarrel seems to have subsided a bit after the two sides noticed the assembly was collapsing.Many disappointed congregants had by then since stopped going to church as a way of expressing their disgust.The pastors are believed to be aligned to Rev Cosam Chiyangwa who leads a faction which is fighting tooth and nail against the Rev Aspher Madziire and Rev Amon Madawu's attempts to amend the AFM constitution.The contested amendments seek to give greater power to church elders while stripping pastors of the privilege to receive money directly from their congregants through gifts known as appreciation'. The divide has consequently seen most pastors siding with the Chiyangwa camp while elders have largely taken sides with the Madziire-Madawu faction.Sources told TellZim News a caucus of elders from Faith Centre, City Centre, Greater Grace and Mucheke assemblies were plotting to push out at least one of the pastors and make room for Nemanwa-based overseer, Rev Enock Matambanadzo who is said to be devotedly anti-Chiyangwa.Ngwaru and Madziva are also among other pastors who were reportedly pressurised by their elders not to attend a recent three-day provincial conference held at Mucheke Provincial Stand, on the basis that it was organised by the Chiyangwa faction.The conference, which began many hours late on November 09 after the Madziire-Madawu loyalists led by one Sadzauchi refused to release the PA system, was also boycotted by many pastors and church members from the opposing faction.When contacted for comment, Ngwaru acknowledged there was tension between him and his elders emanating from attempts to twist facts. This came after he angrily chided his elders in front of congregants for allegedly lying to the church that he had finally agreed to back the Madziire-Mudawu faction."I have never agreed with anybody that we will take this or that side. I remain removed from any conflict. I was therefore surprised that people wanted to put me into a certain corner without my agreement. It was done in my absence and when I came back, I rejected it and made it clear we must take only God's side. So, it's a pastors vs elders thing," said Ngwaru.When asked if he was not worried by reports of plots being hatched to smear and ultimately push him away, and whether or not his relationship with his elders was perfect, Ngwaru said he was not worried by what goes around behind his back."I have an excellent relationship with the congregation but it's obvious a rift has been created between me and the elders. I am here because of God's calling and I will continue to do my work regardless," said Ngwaru.He however, skirted questions on whether he had been forced not to attend the provincial conference, saying he had been away on a more pressing programme.Mhangarai Magumise, one of the elders alleged to be at the centre of the plot, said the feud which saw Ngwaru calling them out in front of congregants had since been resolved."On that one, we later had a meeting with him. We were together with people from the province when we talked about it. You can ask them about the issue," said Magumise.He said reports that local church elders were working to push out either Ngwaru or Madziva to create space for Matambambanadzo were not true.A leaked WhatsApp conversation purportedly among other elders only identified as Shava, Sanangurai and Nemaramba, however, lands credence to the plot."Ngwaru takapedza naye, chasara kupa simba rose kuna Matamba (We are done with Ngwaru, we are just yet to give his position to Matambanadzo)," part of the chat reads.Another source said the reform caucus was also planning to use Madziva's relatively advanced age against him by arguing that he must retire and give way to fresh blood.When contacted for comment, Madziva said he was not feeling well and was seeking treatment in Harare, promising to give a comment later. Numerous subsequent attempts to get in touch with him yielded nothing as he did not pick up his phone.Masvingo overseer, Rev Donard Ndoni, who is alleged to be a strong member of the Chiyangwa faction in the province, acknowledged there were worries in the church but said reports of serious infighting were an exaggeration."We are working. Yes, there are worries like everywhere else, but we are not bothered. There are people who are exaggerating this because as far as I know, we are working well with elders and pastors," said Ndoni.He acknowledged, however, that they had to break the door after some people had withheld keys to the PA system on the first day of the provincial conference.On his part, Matambanadzo said he harboured no ambition to move to Masvingo, saying he knew of no such plots to remove some pastors. When asked why then he did not attend the provincial conference, Matambanadzo said he stayed away because the event was unprocedural."Things are done according to channels.yes it was out of channel," said Matambanadzo before cutting the call and later handing the phone over to a female who claimed to be his 'legal practitioner'. Two communities in Nunavut are working on building sustainable commercial fisheries with the World Wildlife Fund. Cape Dorset is looking at focusing on crab and shrimp, while Sanikiluaq will start an Arctic char fishery and may also harvest scallops and mussels; both fisheries are still a few years off. Doug Chiasson, a specialist on Arctic Fisheries for WWF, says the communities need about three to five years of research to figure out how to make the project sustainable in the long term. Creating a sustainable economy Submitted by World Wildlife Fund "Through the scientific research that comes along with some of this fisheries development, we're going to be able to learn a lot about the biodiversity of these areas, that hasn't necessarily been researched before," Chiasson said. He says funding these small-scale fisheries is in line with WWF's goal to have a sustainable economy in the Arctic. "We see community fisheries as being a sustainable and renewable form of economic development for communities in Nunavut. It builds on traditional harvesting...and can have real market economy impacts and help put money in people's pockets," he said. He says WWF is in it for the long-haul with the communities as the projects will take time. WWF is partnering with the hunters and trappers organizations in both communities and funding for the project will come from WWF, which is supported by international foundations and individual donors. Chiasson says while some of the world's largest commercial fisheries exist off the coasts of Alaska and Russia, small-scale local fisheries like these are more rare in the Arcticthough Chiasson says some similar projects exist in Greenland. The idea is the fisheries will be able to sell to neighbouring communities and depending on supply, to southern Canada and internationally. Rumours and emotions are running high after one police officer shot another at a rural crossroads in Pelham, Ont., according to the mayor of the town. "There's lots of questions, but there's lots of emotion as well behind those questions," said Dave Augustyn. "I just hope they can get to the bottom of this and figure this out and provide healing. This will have ripple effects." The mostly rural Pelham is southwest of St. Catharines. Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) on Friday released more details, including that only one officer fired his weapon, and shot multiple times. The shooter and the victim were among a group of officers in the area of of Roland Road and Effingham Street investigating a collision that had occurred a few days before. "One officer discharged his firearm multiple times, and the other officer was struck," an SIU news release said. "The officer who was struck was transported to hospital where he is in stable condition." What would lead to individuals who are to serve and protect to turn on themselves. - Dave Augustyn, Pelham mayor The release did not indicate how many times the victim was hit. The SIU says it will not disclose the identities of the officers as per its policy while the investigation is ongoing. But Niagara police say the injured officer has 28 years of experience and is assigned to uniform patrol in Welland and Pelham. Aaron Lynett/Canadian Press There are 12 witness officers to what happened, including the man who was shot, according to the SIU. It will not disclose the identities of those officers as per its policy while the investigation is ongoing. It also hasn't disclosed what led to the shooting or any specifics about the relationship between the two men. "Understanding what transpired and the relationship between the officers is part of the SIU's investigation," spokesperson Monica Hudon said Thursday. Union supporting both officers Augustyn said there are plenty of rumours swirling about what happened. Story continues "Our community is one where these types of things don't happen that often," he said. "The community is really just wondering what happened, and what would lead to individuals who are to serve and protect to turn on themselves." The Niagara Regional Police Association, meanwhile, has heard from police services across the country, said president Cliff Priest. His association is supporting both officers and their families. "When they hear about traumatic incidents involving police officers, it has a traumatic effect," he said. "This is our family. When one of our family hurts, we all hurt." No arrests made That support, he said, includes offering counselling, transportation or just listening. Niagara Region Police Service Chief Bryan MacCulloch said he has asked the Ontario Provincial Police to determine if there is any criminal culpability outside the SIU's scope, but said no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. "The days and weeks ahead will be trying ones for the NRPS family and the community we serve," he said. "I ask for your support for our members and all those involved." Kevin Bryan, a retired York police detective and policing instructor at Seneca College, says while conflicts between officers aren't unusual, he's never seen an incident like the one this week. To have one police officer shoot another while on duty and in broad daylight is simply shocking, he said. 'For it to come to this, wow' "I've seen infidelity on the job between officers and officer's spouses, where one officer is with somebody else's partner," said Bryan. There'll be some choosing sides and stuff like that. - Kevin Bryan, policing instructor "I know of incidents where someone has been punched in the face and stuff like that, over infidelity or perceived infidelity. But I've never seen it where it's come to shots and on duty, too. "I've seen an officer grab another officer by the shirt collar and push them up against a locker where one officer doesn't like another but for it to come to this, wow." And just like the shooting is having an impact on the community, it will ripple through the service as well. "There'll be some choosing sides and stuff like that," Bryan said. "There's going to be guys who maybe thought the guy deserved to be shot, and there's going to be guys who hated the [shooter]." Bryan said that undoubtedly, NRPS higher ups are delving into the situation today to see if people were aware of any acrimony between the two officers. Bryan said the while the situation is highly unusual, police unions have handled situations where they support officers in conflict. "That can happen. It's awkward, but you just get them their own lawyers." Michael Kempa, the chair of the department of criminology at the University of Ottawa, told CBC News that in a case like this, an officer would not be charged until the investigation is complete, which is the opposite of how it would generally go for a member of the public. "I think the public would be surprised to know that for an ordinary police officer, the default would be not to begin with a charge, because we would assume at first that probably the discharge of the firearm was reasonable, and then we'll investigate and if we find something wrong, we'll then lay a charge for a member of the public, it's the other way around," Kempa said. But for a civilian, he said, "we say OK, a firearm was discharged, it's probably unreasonable, we'll lay the charge and then we'll see if we've got enough to secure a conviction." Christmas can be a great occasion to try out a new cocktail and British Columbia's craft distilleries are serving up plenty of creative elixirs to sample this holiday season. Craft distilleries have been popping up in the province steadily since 2013 when the provincial government established the craft designation, according to On The Coast food columnist Gail Johnson. Now Johnson says dozens of B.C. distillers are producing spirits that amateur mixologists might want to add to their wish list this year. Creative twists on the classics Distiller Gordon Glanz at Odd Society Spirits in East Vancouver has created a sloe gin just for the holidays. Sloe gin is traditionally made in Britain with sloe berries, but because they do not grow in B.C., Glanz has substituted salal berries sourced from Tofino and Haida Gwaii. According to Johnson, the resulting spirit is sweet and tart with a hint of oregano. The alcohol's red colour can turn any drink festive, but at Odd Society's lounge mixologists pair it with sparkling wine for a twist on a classic French 75. Gail Johnson In North Vancouver, the Sons of Vancouver distillery has taken some creative license with amaretto, a sweet liquor traditionally flavoured with almonds. Distillers James Lester and Richard Klaus make their amaretto from apricot and just for the holidays they aged a batch in bourbon barrels. As Johnson told On The Coast host Gloria Macarenko, the result is a drink with notes of caramelized honeycomb and toffee that give way to flavours of orange peel, bourbon and hint of nutmeg. Johnson suggests serving Sons of Vancouver's amaretto over a single ice cube as an after-dinner treat. Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder And if you are looking to really up the ante at the next holiday party, you might want to get your hands on some Psychedelic Jellyfish. That's what the Tofino Distillery calls the absinthe they bottle on Vancouver Island's West Coast. It is so named because of the psychedelic chemical thujone, a by-product of wormwood which is one of absinthe's key ingredients. Story continues Submitted by Odd Society Spirits Known as 'the green fairy' in 1800's France, absinthe was once blamed for driving people mad and banned in the United States. Psychedelic Jellyfish is 73 per cent alcohol by volume. "This is not something to consume in excess," warned Johnson. Absinthe's green colour makes it an obvious seasonal sipper. And according to Johnson, Psychedelic Jellyfish is already available across Vancouver Island and will arrive in Lower Mainland liquor stores in the coming days just in time for Christmas. So if you're stocking the bar or looking for stocking stuffers this season, local liquors are something to consider. Cheers. With files from On The Coast DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) To beat West Indies in the second test for a first series victory in nine years against anyone apart from Zimbabwe, Bangladesh's first instinct must be to attack, says captain Shakib Al Hasan. The last test of the brief series begins on Friday. The first was won last Saturday in three days, as Bangladesh defended 204. "We won't be there to play a defensive game, just because we have the lead in the series," Shakib said on Thursday. "But if the situation demands to play for a draw, then it's OK. But the primary target is to win the match. "We shouldn't let thinking of winning the series 1-0 occupy us anyhow. We don't want to win the series, playing the defensive way. We want to go with a positive frame of mind and win it by 2-0." Shakib warned his side not to feel complacent, predicting a backlash from the West Indies. He stressed the need to improve their performance. "The West Indies will be excited to do better in this test," Shakib said. "They will put all their strength in to win. So we have to be careful. We have to be tough physically and mentally. Above all, we need to surpass the performance of the first test." The West Indies' vulnerability against spin was exposed in Chittagong in the first test as Bangladesh's four-pronged spin attack took all 20 wickets to dismiss the visitors for 246 and 139. Another spin-friendly track in Dhaka is expected, and West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite urged his side to stay positive. "Staying positive on this type of wicket is key," he said. "The bounce varied a lot in the first test and even myself could have gone forward. The onus is on ourselves to trust our defense and attacking methods. "The key is to be light on your feet, and treat each ball as it comes. We need to be clear in our mind how we are going to do it. I definitely believe we can do it." He didn't believe his side was under pressure of losing the series against Bangladesh for the first time since 2009, when West Indies used a team weakened by the absence of first-choice players following a pay dispute with their board. Story continues "We are not under pressure. We know what we have to do," Brathwaite said. "We have to look to draw the series. The top five must put on partnerships to help us win." ___ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports A New Brunswick community is making changes to its annual Santa Claus parade after a four-year-old girl fell beneath a float at a parade in Nova Scotia last week. The village of Blackville, about 50 kilometres south of Miramichi, will be throwing its annual parade on Saturday night one of the most popular events in the area. But this year, the Blackville Fire Department doesn't want parade participants to throw candy from floats to children watching along the route. Instead, parade-goers can visit the local fire hall, where volunteers will be handing out bagged treats. MaCali Cormier, who would have turned five in January, was attending Yarmouth's Christmas Parade of Lights last Saturday evening. Kate Bueckert/CBC RCMP said she was running alongside a moving float when she fell underneath. She was treated immediately at the scene by first responders and taken to Yarmouth Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Increasing safety Blackville Mayor Christopher Hennessy said children often run along the parade route to gather candy. "There's so much snow down and with the traditional throwing of candy and kids running out and it being slippery and also dark now too we're just going to refrain from that," he said. The kids are still going to get their candy. - Christopher Hennessy, Blackville mayor Organizers don't want to take unnecessary chances, he said. "The kids are still going to get their candy," said Hennessy, who is also a volunteer with the Blackville Fire Department. "We're just going to refrain from throwing the candy off the floats." A community struck by tragedy Hennessy said the community has suffered enough tragedy this year. Over the Canada Day long weekend, 14-year-old Thomas Anthony Dunn died after his dirt bike and a car collided at the intersection of Hallihan Lane and Howard Road in Blackville. Later that week, Blaine Sturgeon, a 55-year-old father and his 29-year-old daughter Falon Sturgeon, died after a homemade raft overturned on the Miramichi River in Gray Rapids, just north of Blackville. And in May, 18-year-old Marshall Curtis of Gray Rapids was killed in a car crash, and Darren Brophy, a fellow 2017 graduate of Blackville School, died last fall. "We've had such a terrible year here with a lot of tragedy," Hennessy said. Reginald "Dutch" Thompson's column The Bygone Days brings you the voices of Island seniors, many of whom are now long-departed. These tales of the way things used to be offer a fascinating glimpse into the past. Every second weekend CBC P.E.I. will bring you one of Dutch's columns. Next week will mark 101 years since the Halifax explosion in which more than 2,000 people died. Thousands more were injured and left homeless. Two ships, the Norwegian steamship Imo and the munitions ship Mont-Blanc, collided on Dec. 6, 1917, igniting the Mont-Blanc's cargo and resulting in a massive explosion. Nova Scotia Archives & Record Management/Canadian Press It was known as the explosion heard around the Maritimes, as people in P.E.I. and New Brunswick heard it. And almost everyone ended up having a connection to it, 'We fell to the ground' "I was four years old and I thought it was thunder, and I crawled under the couch," said Angus Johnston, who was 96 years old when Thompson spoke with him. "And it rattled the dishes in our cupboard." Pat Martel/CBC Johnston was originally from White Sands on P.E.I.'s eastern shore, across the Northumberland Strait from Nova Scotia. "I was at Prince of Wales College then," recalled Eleanor Lowe. "We were standing down at the south end outside the classroom, myself and some other students, and the ground rippled we fell to the ground, and we said oh, that must have been an earthquake!" Lowe from Charlottetown was born in 1901, and lived to be 107 years old. 'Tremor in the earth' The First World War was raging across Europe at the time. In Halifax, people thought the Germans had crossed the Atlantic and invaded Canada. Halifax was the main port for the supply and ammunition ships to begin their convoys to Britain. In one interview with Thompson, a man recounted running late for school on Barrington Street. The building had a view of the harbour, and he ran into the classroom at five minutes past nine and saw his Grade 2 classmates all lined up at the windows looking at the ship on fire in the harbour. The ship exploded and two seconds later the windows blew in on the children, many of whom were blinded by the flying shards of glass. Story continues Before Donald Nicholson of Hartsville, P.E.I. became an ordained minister in the Presbyterian church, he left home at 16 and worked his way around North America in a variety of jobs. He took the harvest train from P.E.I. to thresh wheat out west, cut railroad ties in northern Ontario, and lugged slabs of stone in a New England granite quarry. He was even a preacher in New York City. Dutch Thompson "I remember where I was standing was behind the old home. I thought it was thunder first, you could feel sort of a tremble, tremor in the earth," said Nicholson. Nicholson also told Thompson about meeting a blind man when he was in New York in 1927. The man was a piano tuner and as Nicholson helped him find an address, the man told him he travelled the streets and subways without ever getting mugged the man had been blinded in the Halifax Explosion. Prime Minister in P.E.I. The day of the explosion was a special day on P.E.I. for an entirely different reason. City of Toronto Archives Helen Herring of Cape Traverse, P.E.I., who was eight years old at the time, said the Prime Minister was in town. "That was the day that Sir Robert Borden was in Borden to name the town and it actually became Borden that day," she told Thompson. "My parents went by sleigh, there was snow. I was at home and another girl with me, we were playing around the yard, and we heard what we thought was a clap of thunder. We looked, we couldn't see a cloud, but we didn't think anything of it." Herring's parents returned home with the news of the explosion they'd heard in Borden over wires to the telegraph office that's how news was spread back in 1917. Charlottetown sent fire truck Nova Scotia still sends a huge Christmas tree to Boston every year to thank the folks there for the train-load of medical supplies, food and money the city delivered to their northern neighbour. National Archives of Canada/The Canadian Press Summerside businessman Creelman MacArthur headed over to Halifax as soon as the news came into the railway telegraph office. MacArthur returned with a first-hand account of the destruction. P.E.I. sent food, blankets and coffins to Halifax. Former Charlottetown fire chief Gordon Stewart told Thompson P.E.I. sent over a fire engine. "We had a second motor-driven fire engine that we got, came here in 1917, and after the explosion they sent it to Halifax to help in the cleanup after. All it was, was just a truck that carried fire hoses on it and a few other axes and crowbars and stuff like that," Stewart said. The Stewarts were long-serving firefighters in Charlottetown 147 years in total. Gordon Stewart's grandfather Albert Large was the fire chief, as was Gordon for 22 years. Gordon served for 30 years before that and his brother Lou was a firefighter for 60 years. 'Everything exploded and went to pieces' Sandy Fraser was born in 1913 on West Street in Halifax's North End. Brett Ruskin/CBC "I remember being in the kitchen having some breakfast by myself and I was looking out the window," he said. "And while I was eating this thing happened and I didn't know what happened, I couldn't see anything ... but I guess the window exploded, everything exploded and went to pieces." Fraser was momentarily blinded by the explosion, but he said his sight soon returned. 'Thank the good man above' "I remember going outside the house and looking over toward Robie Street and I remember this horse and wagon, this flat wagon with people on it headed toward the common. I guess they were taken over there for treatments." Nova Scotia Archives & Record Management "It was a terrible, terrible thing." Fraser worked at the Nova Scotian Hotel in Halifax on the waterfront, what is now the Westin. In 1938 he came to P.E.I. to work as the night auditor in the new CN Hotel on Kent Street, now known as the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel. Fraser married an Islander and worked his way up to hotel manager. The Halifax he knew has changed beyond recognition, but Fraser said he'll always remember that fateful day. "I'm lucky to be still here. And I pray every night. I go to church every Sunday and pray every night, and thank the good man above for leaving me on this earth," said Fraser. More P.E.I. news A small plane crashed on the the Kennesaw State University campus in Kennesaw, Georgia, on Thursday evening, November 29. The Cobb County Police Department said, when they arrived, the two people inside the plane were conscious and alert, and that no other injuries were reported. According to authorities, the Cirrus SR22 aircraft was headed to Fulton County Airport-Brown Field in Atlanta, Georgia, from Omaha, Nebraska. Engine failure was suspected to be the cause. Credit: Zach Legner via Storyful Caitlin Miron has found something huge: She was honoured for discovering a chemical compound with the ability to prevent cancer growth, but it could also have significant applications in halting the spread of HIV, too. In an exclusive interview with Yahoo Canada News, the Ontario PhD student revealed why her discovery could be more far-reaching for everything from HIV to Zika than originally reported. There is also a quadruplex forming sequence in an area of HIV thats responsible for infection of a human host, Caitlin Miron, the PhD student at Queens University, Department of Chemistry who identified the compound said to Yahoo Canada News. Mirons research starts with the study of DNA. Most people have likely seen the double helix model of DNA but in our cells, to access the information in that double helix, the DNA has to become temporarily single-stranded. Miron uses a necklace as an analogy for how single-stranded DNA functions. The strand of DNA is the chain of the necklace and then beads, or cellular machinery that reads and processes DNA to make proteins, are able to move freely along that chain. They can keep doing that until they come to a knot, Miron said. Usually the cell has a way to unravel that knot but if somebodys gone there first and used superglue on that knot,it is basically a permanent object and its a barrier so the beads cant get passed it. The knot is an unusual fold of DNA, a guanine quadruplex or G4, and the newly discovered compound is that superglue that stabilizes the unusual architecture and blocks access to specific sections that come after it. According to Miron, in the last ten years, research and advances in bioinformatics has show that a number of these knots can form directly in front of oncogenes, sections of DNA that if processed make proteins that contribute to cancer development and metastasis, which is the term used to describe cancer that spreads to a different part of the body from where it began. Story continues If we can block that process from happening, then maybe were going to be able to prevent certain aspects of cancer development or metastasis, Miron said. Through Mirons research, it has also been discovered that this compounds affects could move beyond cancer treatment. These knots are also known to form in a lot of different viruses, the Zika virus has one, so there are applications outside of cancer treatment, Miron said. In terms of the possible use in cancer treatment in particular, Miron says that there are different knots in different quadruplexes, some of which can be associated with most cancers and some that are more specific. At least one of [the knots] that leads to cancer cell immortality, that ability to continue dividing over and over again, is associate with about 85 per cent of cancers, Miron said. There is a little bit of potential specificity in there but it may also be something that could be broad spectrum, we dont know at this point. Incredible news in the field of cancer research this week congratulations to the Canadian PhD student Caitlin Miron for her groundbreaking work! Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 24, 2017 Beginning her research The Ottawa native started her journey with Dr. Anne Petitjean at her lab at Queens University. Morin began volunteering over the course of her undergraduate degree, initially in biochemistry but switching to chemistry after loving her time in the lab. She was initially drawn to the study of DNA in high school, which continued to motivate her research interests throughout her undergraduate degree and into her PhD. A significant turning point in Mirons research occurred when the PhD student received scholarships from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Mitacs Globalink as travel supplements to study her compounds from the Petitjean lab in Kingston, Ontario at the European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (IECB) in Bordeaux, France, under the supervision of Dr. Jean-Louis Mergny. Dr. Jean-Louis Mergny is probably one of the top researchers in the field of guanine quadruplex recognition, Miron said. Theyve pioneered this kind of high throughput screening platform that you can test a very large number of compounds to generate hits. When Miron arrived at the IECB, she did not have extensive experience with Mergnys particular study of G4 and she had to learn a lot in the field, using the chemical compounds she brought over from Queens University. It wasnt a field of research that we werent particularly based in so I had very little experience with the techniques that I was going to have to learn and the field itself, Miron said. It was mostly a matter of just getting there and diving in and asking questions and going from expert to expert with my compounds. Current status and future plans At this point in the discovery, the provisional patent has been filed and publishing these findings would be the next step in the process. It could take a year before the formal patent is filed and additional research is required before it could be formally introduced to the medical industry. We are trying to think about how can we make these compounds more targeted to cancer cells, how can we improve their entrance through a cell membrane into a cell, all those things for biocompatibility, that will be important down the line for pharmaceuticals, Miron said. With this great success in research and significant notoriety, Miron has been wrapping up the work she has done with the Petitjean lab and the IECB, and is also focusing on bringing the techniques that she learned in France to Queens University. The PhD student was honoured to be recognized for the 2017 Mitacs Award for Outstanding Innovation, calling the whole process and subsequent acknowledgment from Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, an emotional experience. Its a nice validation of the importance of the research and our progress in moving it forward, Miron said. As she continues to advance in her career, Miron has her mind set on working in industry versus academia, and is also interested in expanding her scope of research as she plans to move into a post-doctoral program, possibly even leaving her compound discovery behind for others at the Petitjean lab to continue. I would like to see where it goes but at the same time, if the last four years have taught me anything its that I also really like learning new things, and exploring new fields and getting that kind of multidisciplinary research, Miron said. I would like to stay in health applications but I dont think I would limit myself to just cancer research, Im definitely interested in looking at other things as well. The oil price crisis in Western Canada could deepen next week depending on whether Saudi Arabia, Russia and other countries decide to cut oil production and if so by how much. Oil prices in Alberta are the lowest they have been in more than a decade, selling for about $17 US per barrel for Western Canada Select, the Alberta benchmark for heavy oil. Around the globe, prices have also suffered with West Texas Intermediate, the North American benchmark, falling about 33 per cent in the last two months. What OPEC decides could give prices a boost or send them spiralling down further. The oil industry's rough ride in October and November has created an immense amount of interest in the OPEC meeting in Vienna on Dec. 6. "It has a huge impact," says Jackie Forrest, analyst with the ARC Energy Research Institute in Calgary, about the possible fallout for Canadian oil prices. "If OPEC doesn't make a cut and if global prices begin to fall, that will just push our prices down further, putting more pressure on Canadian producers. It's very consequential to the Canadian industry." The oilpatch was enjoying climbing prices throughout the summer as supply and demand were in balance, but surprising many experts, production kept on climbing mainly in the U.S. and storage tanks are filling up. Ramzi Boudina/Reuters Other factors have also caused a drop in oil prices such as the U.S. loosening its restrictions on Iran and concerns about limited oil demand growth in 2019. Oil prices in Western Canada are especially low because of a backlog of oil and limited spare export space in pipelines and on railways. OPEC meetings are tough to predict and experts don't seem to have a sense which direction the cartel will go next week. In the past, OPEC countries have announced production cuts, but global oil prices still tumbled. "There is always downside risk with these meetings because the market has some sort of expectation. Even if there is a cut made, if it is not what the market was expecting, then sometimes its negative in terms of where prices move," says Forrest. Story continues OPEC countries may decide not to cut production for several reasons because many countries can't afford to turn down the taps. "The question is, who will do the cutting? That's always the question," says Derek Brower, a London-based analyst with the RS Energy Group. "The pool of people who can actually cut is pretty small. That's why the credibility of this deal really hinges on what Russia and Saudi Arabia do." Brower says he doesn't get the feeling there is a sense of urgency to make production cuts from OPEC leaders. Prices just haven't fallen far enough. "When it comes to cuts for OPEC, as the saying goes, it's a bit like a bag of tea," he says. "It only really works when it's in hot water. The water is getting pretty warm right now in terms of the oil price." At this point, Brower estimates that OPEC and non-OPEC countries will agree to cut production between 500,000 and one million barrels of oil per day, but that the market will view this as underwhelming. Some experts are optimistic the cartel will do enough to give oil prices a boost. Analysts with BMO Capital Markets expect the cartel will cut production to raise prices moderately. WTI prices are currently about $51 dollars per barrel, but according to a recent research note, BMO analysts now project WTI to "rise from its current level to an average of $62 US per barrel in 2019." . - . ... A Calgary-based energy company is turning to the courts to gain access to sites it says are part of a "critical path" in constructing a natural gas pipeline in northern B.C. The issue for Coastal GasLink is that a First Nations group and its supporters are preventing the company from accessing a bridge and roadway that it says it needs to use for construction activities. The Unist'ot'en camp, located 66 km down a forest service road, south of Houston, B.C., halfway between Prince George and Prince Rupert, started in 2009. On Nov. 21 the camp posted video on its Facebook page showing them turning away a group of people affiliated with the pipeline who showed up asking for access the previous day. Now it will be up to a judge to decide if Coastal GasLink, a subsidiary of TransCanada Corporation, should be granted an injunction for access to an area the Unist'ot'en assert as their unceded Wet'suwet'en homelands. Coastal GasLink states in its Nov. 26 court filing that if the restricted access continues, "the project cannot proceed." "There is no work-around for construction through this area," the court filing states. The Coastal GasLink pipeline is part of a $40 billion liquified natural gas project that includes the LNG Canada processing plant in Kitimat. LNG Canada announced it was going ahead with the project last month. According to Coastal GasLink, if access continues to be restricted in the coming months the Unist'ot'en "will prevent $24 million in contracts from being fulfilled and employment amounting to 87,000 hours will be lost." The Unist'ot'en house group, which is part of the Wet'suwet'en social structure under the clan system, has long asserted its opposition to industrial activities in the territory it has reoccupied. A spokesperson for Coastal GasLink said the injunction application is a last resort for the company, after years of attempts to gain access through other means. The spokesperson said the company has signed project agreements with elected leadership from 20 First Nations band governments along the 670 km pipeline route. Story continues For the Unist'ot'en, the injunction application filed is seen as the company "seeking to kick us off our lands and to bankrupt us," according to a post on their Facebook page. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck Neither of the individuals specifically named in the injunction application, Unist'ot'en spokesperson Fred Huson and hereditary chief Smogelgem (Warner Naziel), have filed a response to the court. On Thursday, Wet'suwet'en hereditary chief Na'Moks (John Ridsdale) said they were in the process of reviewing the application with their legal team and that the Unist'ot'en have the support of the hereditary chiefs. Na'Moks said they anticipate they'll be before the court sometime in December. Coastal GasLink will be asking the court for some form of injunction to take effect immediately pending a hearing. The company is also specifically looking for enforcement provisions to be granted, so the RCMP or any appropriate police force authorization can "arrest and remove" those who ignore the injunction. By Rogan Ward PIETERMARITZBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma wants corruption charges relating to a $2.2 billion arms deal to be permanently set aside, his lawyers said on Friday, when Zuma made his fourth court appearance since the charges were reinstated. Zuma, who was ousted by the ruling party in February, faces 16 charges of fraud, racketeering and money laundering relating to a deal to buy 30 billion rand of European military hardware for South Africa's armed forces in the late 1990s. The case is a rare example of an African leader being held to account for his actions. Zuma denies wrongdoing. On Friday, judge Mjabuliseni Madondo adjourned the case to May 20, giving lawyers time to prepare for a debate on whether there should be a "permanent stay of prosecution". Zuma's lawyer Mike Hellens said on Friday that state prosecutors had displayed a dismissive attitude towards Zuma. The 76-year-old Zuma, wearing a black suit and red tie, was subdued in court. Several former cabinet ministers and African National Congress politicians travelled to Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal province, to support their former patron. Addressing his supporters after the court appearance, Zuma said he believed the case violated his rights as a South African citizen and that there were "many unlawful things" that investigators did. Zuma said more details would be presented in court. "We filed papers telling the court that this case shouldn't continue, it should be set aside once and for all," Zuma told the cheering crowd. Zuma, whose nine years in power were marked by economic stagnation and credit rating downgrades, has previously said he is the victim of a politically motivated witch-hunt. The charges against him were originally filed a decade ago but then set aside by the National Prosecuting Authority shortly before he successfully ran for president in 2009. After his election, his opponents fought a lengthy legal battle to have the charges reinstated, finally succeeding in 2016. Zuma countered with his own legal challenges. The speed with which prosecutors have moved against Zuma is a sign of his waning influence since he was replaced as head of state by Cyril Ramaphosa, his former deputy. Ramaphosa has made the fight against corruption a priority as he seeks to woo foreign investment and revamp an ailing economy. (Writing by Alexander Winning and Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo; Editing by Richard Balmforth) Daniel Kryger is a writer and a political analyst and a Fellow at the Haym Salomon Center 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. . ....30 November '18..November 29 marks the day that, in 1947, the international community voted in favor of partitioning the former British Palestine Mandate into an Arab and a Jewish state. However, 71 years on, Europe and the west is struggling with the acceptance of a Jewish State of Israel.In 1947, the reestablishment of a Jewish homeland was widely perceived as a just solution to unjust Jewish national homelessness. In 2018, a Jewish nation-state is increasingly seen by many self-appointed human rights advocates as an unjust problem.A recent CNN survey on antisemitism reveals that merely 54 % of Europeans say that Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state. Ever since Israel pushed back the Arab aggression in 1967, self-appointed human rights champions have argued that the main problem is a Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria. The new comprehensive CNN survey shows that much of the supposedly liberal West has still not come to terms with the existence of a Jewish nation-state.Ironically, outside of the Middle East, supposedly liberal Western European democracies lead the delegitimization against the sister democracy Israel. This wave of anti-Israel radicalization is also increasing among the younger generations of American leftists. When it comes to Israel and Jews, much of the West has regressed since November 1947 when Western democracies overwhelmingly voted in favor of welcoming the first Jewish state in 2000 years.The end of the Cold War gradually ended Israels political isolation. The Jewish state has today solid relations with important non-Western powers like China, Japan, India, Russia and Brazil. An increasing number of Arab and Muslim states are developing relations with Israel.Since Israels emergence as a technological powerhouse, numerous countries worldwide stand in line to strengthen existing or establishing new relations with Jerusalem. Israel plays today a disproportionately important role in addressing crucial global challenges facing humanity like water deficit, food shortage and combating terrorism.This does not mean that Israel has become an equal member among the family of nations though. Israel is the only country in the world whose capital is not recognized by the majority of the worlds nations. At the UN and other international forums, the Jewish state is singled out for more condemnation than the rest of humanity combined. Double standards are systematically applied against the Jewish state and the Jewish people. Ancient Jewish history in Israel is systematically denied or falsified. Israel is regularly condemned for defending herself against enemies seeking her destruction.Western leftist human rights warriors are more concerned about the well-being of Hamas terrorists in Gaza than about hundreds of thousands of slaughtered civilians in Syria, Iraq or Yemen. Liberals, who demand the establishment of a 22nd Arab state, increasingly demonize Israel as racist for defining itself as a Jewish nation-state.Many Western liberals insist that the free world has learned the lesson from the Holocaust. The latest CNN survey on antisemitism suggests differently. Approximately one third of more than 7000 surveyed people in seven European countries believe that Israel uses the Holocaust to justify its actions. Just one in five disagreed. The countries included in the survey are France, Britain, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Hungary and Poland. On average, one third of Europeans also believe that Israels supporters use accusations of antisemitism to shut down criticism of Israel. Approximately 20 % of the Europeans blame Jew-hatred on the behavior of the Jewish people. More than a quarter of the surveyed Europeans believe that Jews have too much influence in global finance and business.These numbers reveal that anti-Semitic stereotypes are not disappearing anytime soon in Europe. Despite annual high-profile public Holocaust remembrance events throughout Europe, one third of the surveyed Europeans admit that they know little or next to nothing about the Holocaust.Like many other nations worldwide, European states benefit greatly from technological and security-related cooperation with Israel. While Israel is increasingly recognized for its disproportionate contributions to humanity, the idea that the Jewish people deserves its own state in its ancestral homeland is no less challenged today than 70 years ago. Ukraine's president has warned Russia is building up its land forces and weapons along the two country's border.Tensions between Russia and Ukraine were still escalating a week after a naval clash in the Black Sea on November 25 in which Russia fired on three Ukrainian naval ships then seized them and their 24 crew members.Speaking at a Ukrainian military event, President Petro Poroshenko said Russia has deployed 'more than 80,000 troops, 1400 artillery and multiple rocket launch systems, 900 tanks, 2300 armored combat vehicles, 500 aircraft and 300 helicopters' along their common border.These numbers, which have not been verified, would account for the vast majority of men and hardware assigned to Russia's Western Military District.The naval clash came as the Ukrainian ships sailed to the Kerch Strait, the only waterway leading into the Sea of Azov and the site of a new key Russian bridge linking occupied Crimea with the Russian mainland.Russia accused the Ukrainian vessels of violating Russian territorial waters, a charge Ukraine has denied.Ukrainian officials say Russia has now imposed a de facto blockade on its two main ports in the Sea of Azov by allowing only ships destined for Russian ports through the strait.Merkel criticised that Russian move, speaking to reporters Saturday on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires after holding a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.'Free shipping into the Sea of Azov to the Ukrainian coast and harbours must be ensured' by Russia, she said.A 2003 Russia-Ukraine agreement designates the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait as shared internal waters. But following Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, Moscow has asserted greater control over the passage.'The Kremlin is further testing the strength of the global order,' Mr Poroshenko said Saturday local time.He alleges that Moscow is waiting to see whether the international community will allow Russia to assert that the Sea of Azov and Black Sea are Russian territorial waters.Mr Poroshenko said Russia is also increasing its presence at sea.'In the waters of the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Aegean Sea, more than 80 ships and 8 submarines are on patrol including 23 combat vessels and 6 submarines,' he declared.In response to the seizure of the ships, Mr Poroshenko convinced the Ukrainian parliament to implement martial law in ten border regions. Many in Ukraine and abroad have criticized the martial law order, noting that playing up the Russian threat is politically beneficial to Mr Poroshenko, who faces re-election in March.The martial law order included a ban on entry to Ukraine of all Russian males aged 16 to 60, a move Mr Poroshenko said is designed to prevent undercover Russian military units from infiltrating the country.Mr Poroshenko said this tactic was used after Russia seized Crimea and began to support separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, sparking a conflict that has left more than 10,000 people dead. An unsteady cease-fire has been in place there since 2015.The Ukrainian border service said Saturday that around 100 Russian citizens had been denied entry since the border restrictions went into effect Friday.'The vast majority of (them) could not confirm they purpose of their trip to Ukraine,' Ukrainian border guard spokesman Andrei Demchenko told Ukrainian television on Saturday. When, in October 2016, I wrote [d]eath row inmates in Alabama are human guinea pigs because the states capital punishment regime specifically its barbaric, often bungled lethal injection protocol is already so dark, so depraved, so outrageously cloaked in lies and officious secrecy, I never could have predicted the situation could get worse. But it has. In glaring contrast to the heavily circulated, smiling picture of exonerated former Alabama death row inmate Anthony Ray Hinton, ebullient after voting for the first time in a midterm election since being freed in 2015, after a hellacious 30 years on Alabamas death row, its important to understand: the death penalty in Alabama has gotten far worse since Mr. Hintons release not better. First, because of the cynically named Fair Justice Act, convoluted legislation hacksawing fundamental constitutional rights of (overwhelmingly indigent) death-sentenced defendants, signed into law last year over the varied, vociferous, published objections of the ACLU , a highly respected Harvard Law School professor defense attorneys in the state, myself , and even Mr. Hinton it is far easier under current Alabama law, for an innocent person like Mr. Hinton, to be convicted and sentenced to death. Second, despite a fairly recent slew of patently botched lethal injections, including that of Ronald Bert Smith Torrey McNabb , and Christopher Brooks as well as the bloody, horrific, and failed execution attempt of Doyle Hamm , during which, among other atrocities, state executioners repeatedly (and futilely) jabbed multiple needles into Hamms groin and pelvis Alabama has coldly, inhumanely, and, as I wrote elsewhere in June, steadfastly continued its odious tradition of ducking and dodging transparency and accountability in how the state puts its prisoners to death. Id presaged this discomfiting conclusion several months earlier, in October 2017, in a piece for USA Today, after McNabbs shameful, gruesome torture; in it, I dubbed the Commissioner of Alabamas Department of Corrections (ADOC) Baghdad Bob of Alabamas death row. Pouring accelerant on this already demoralizing and distasteful dumpster fire, a just-released report by the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC), Behind the Curtain: Secrecy and the Death Penalty in the United States, observes: Alabama has one of the most restrictive secrecy policies in the nation, consistently maintaining that all documents associated with an execution are confidential. (While he wasnt focusing on the modern death penalty, in reviewing W. Fitzhugh Brundages new book Civilizing Torture: An American Tradition for the L.A. Times, author Colin Dickey recently and insightfully wrote : The work of American torture has always been twofold: not just the violence itself, but the complex legal and rhetorical strategies that obfuscate it away to maintain a myth of America as a civilized place without cruel and unusual punishment.) And now, as if this wasnt all ghastly enough this undeniable fact Alabama has been torturing poor people for a long time, and that it shows no sign of stopping the Montgomery Advertisers Bryan Lyman wrote on November 23rd that the state is planning to augment the barbarism involved in its executions to even greater and more unseemly dimensions; Lyman reports that plans are now underway for Alabama to develop a protocol to execute death row prisoners with nitrogen gas. But, Lyman notes, because [n]itrogen asphyxiation has never been used in capital punishment before, Alabama finds itself inventing a method of execution. Soberly and pointedly, Lyman observes: The American Medical Association authorizes the use of the method in animal euthanasia, though only for birds and small animals. Relatedly, in March, Robert Dunham, Executive Director of DPIC, tweeted: The World Society for the Protection of Animals lists nitrogen inhalation as not acceptable for animal euthanasia because loss of consciousness is not instantaneous, and dogs euthanized by nitrogen gas have been observed convulsing and yelping after falling unconscious. Also in March, following Alabamas vengeful killing of an 83-year-old man, I urged that during such dreary, desolate days for death penalty abolitionists, unusually sage insight, and perhaps also, the solace of understanding, can be gleaned from the words of writer James Baldwin. The same is true today as more and more developments emerge about the prospective state-sanctioned killing of human beings with nitrogen gas in Alabama and even more depressingly, in other states like Oklahoma and Mississippi (which have approved the procedure), too. In his essay What Price Freedom, Baldwin postulated: I still believe when a country has lost all human feeling, you can do anything to anybody and justify it, and we do know in this country we have done just that. Borrowing from Baldwin further, and speaking directly to Alabamas Attorney Generals Office and the ADOC, Baldwin concluded, in yet another one of his piercing essays The Uses of the Blues, that [i]n evading [death row prisonerss] humanity, you have done something to your own humanity. But, last time when I wrote how James Baldwins writing helps us to understand the continued dastardly use of the death penalty, I also wrote about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and, I let Baldwin get the last word; this time, its with the power of Dr. King that Ill close. Because it was Dr. King who, from his humble pulpit on Dexter Avenue in Montgomery, Alabama, began a nonviolent movement in this country a movement for justice, for equality, for humanity, a movement for the betterment of all mankind a movement that continues to this day. In his book Why We Cant Wait, Dr. King wrote these hallowed words, words that all Alabamians, and indeed all Americans, still have not fully internalized, accepted, and allowed to become part of our baseline morality: Man was born into barbarism when killing his fellow man was a normal condition of existence. He became endowed with a conscience. And he has now reached a day when violence toward another human being must become as abhorrent as eating anothers flesh. With the prolonged picking and poking of condemned prisoners with needles, the choice of electrocution, and now, perhaps, also nitrogen gassing, were not there yet. Not even close. Source: counterpunch.org , Stephen Cooper, November 30, 2018. Stephen Cooper is a former D.C. public defender who worked as an assistant federal public defender in Alabama between 2012 and 2015. He has contributed to numerous magazines and newspapers in the United States and overseas. He writes full-time and lives in Woodland Hills, California. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde When filmstar Rekha was nominated to the Rajya Sabha during the UPA years, political journalists like me who are basically glorified gossip writers were carried away by our enthusiasm. Wed follow Congress leader Rajiv Shukla as he conspiratorially accompanied Ms Rekha in and out of the House and then nod knowingly when one who claimed to have heard from someone authoritative, that this was the Congress way of countering its ally, the Samajwadi Partys Jaya Bhaduri. The difference between us and Rasheed Kidwai is that he actually went back and did some work on this and many other theories that abound about all the filmy characters who have flirted with politics. Some of the flirtations led to long term relationships so solid that their old Bollywood life seems a distant memory, like in Congress MP Raj Babbars case and in some like Govindas, politics is like a blip. Either way, they both make for fascinating tales. For instance, Kareena Kapoors early crush on Rahul Gandhi was revealed to all in a 2002 Simi Garewal interview. Kidwai gets a key Gandhi family aide, P.P. Madhavan, to confirm that this revelation had enough of an impact on the Congress president to start buying first-day, first-show tickets of Ms kapoors films. By the time 2009 happened, she had moved on, but whats nice about the book, is that Kidwai traces this admiration back to Raj Kapoor and Indira Gandhis time. Apparently, the former Prime Minister was so impressed with the Kapoors, she was hoping to have Rajiv married to Ritu, Raj Kapoors eldest. This, Kidwai explains, wasnt because she was starstruck, but because the Kapoors contributed significantly to cultural diplomacy and Prithviraj Kapoor also played an exemplary role as a nominated MP. Nehru was struck with amazement when he met Stalin on a tour to Russia as one of the questions he asked was about Raj Kapoor and Awara. When we watch films like Akshay Kumars Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, it may look like a novel idea that a Bollywood actor is promoting the ideas being pushed by the current government, like Swacch Bharat, which is Prime Minister Narendra Modis pet theme. A reading of Neta Abhineta shows that this has been done through the ages. In his plays, Prithviraj Kapoor would drive home ideas of secularism and would speak openly against Jinnah and the Muslim League. Films like Haqeeqat were made with government funding to tell the story of how the Indian Army resisted the invasion by Chinese troops. And much later, Dev Anand also took his anti-corruption ideas from his films to politics, although not very successfully. The best part about Neta Abhineta is that it is abundant in its precious anecdotes about iconic films and political personalities. Kidwai writes that whenever Jawaharlal Nehru was very impressed with a movie or play that was screened for him, hed invite them home to Teen Murti, but this created other hassles. For instance, when Nehru invited Prithviraj Kapoor to his house for dinner, he turned it down because the other crew members were not invited. Nehru took note and, soon enough, all 60 turned up in Teen Murti Bhavan. Similarly, director K.A. Abbas was invited for breakfast because his film Munna really moved Nehru, and he asked if he could bring his crew along. The Prime Minister had to ask for Indira Gandhis permission because these frequent invitations were turning out to be quite taxing on his fixed salary. For this and many more such stories, I urge you to pick up Neta Abhineta. The only criticism I have is that the accounts of yesteryear stars are much more revelatory than those that weve seen recently, but you wont mind that. All youll remember are stories like Nargis asking fellow Rajya Sabha MP Khushwant Singh for a favour, to stay at his home in Kasauli while dropping her son Sanjay Dutt to The Lawrence School, Sonawar. He agreed and later, when someone tried to introduce them, Nargis reportedly said Ive slept in his bed! Sunetra Choudhury is political editor, NDTV. She tweets at @sunetrac There has always been this notion that sustainable fashion is not chic or meant to be high end fashion. But over the years, designers have embraced the trend to creating sustainable garments that is beautiful without harming the environment. Using raw materials that are sustainable, the fashion industry has seen a revolution. International brands like Stella McCartney, EDUN, Eileen Fisher and many others have already started doing their bit for nature. Designers from the city who have embraced this trend tell us more... Tragedy sometimes brings out the best and worst in things and people. In the case of fashion, it will definitely have to be the best. Designer Neha Phull explains, Fast fashion brands have caused a fashion fatigue. Sustainable fashion gained popularity in the recent years. After the Rana Plaza tragedy in Bangladesh is when the need to have brands that are sustainable arose. Although Indian handlooms have been popular in India and around the world, its only in the recent times, the younger generation have taken notice. Neha is part of a brand that is all for being sustainable. One generation that is very hard to please is the young adults and teens who actually know their stuff. Ask Designer Rituparna Sarangi if the young fashionistas have taken to such a trend, she says that they have seen a huge shift. Avid fashion followers and fashionistas are looking to wear brands that are sustainable. They want to wear clothes that are made in India. Social media has helped people to find out if a brand is ethical or not and if they connect with it emotionally. Fashion influencers re-style a garment multiple time and in many ways to show the life of the garment, adds Ritu who also feels that this trend is here to stay. As part of Kaurwaki Designs, Ritu and her partners Neha and Jubin Mishras initiative Meet the Weavers brings fore the stories and aspirations of the handmade. Rituparna adds, We started this initiative to bring our customers closer to the weavers and closer to the process. We wanted to find a way for them to emotionally connect with the pieces they buy, and that each piece has a story and someones soul behind it. In the extensive process of making an item of clothing, the weaver gets forgotten. Through this Meet the Weaver initiative, the gap can be bridged. Designer Jubin Mishra adds, Its a huge advantage to be in this business at a time like this when social media allows us to be transparent with our customers and followers. But will this last in the long run? Jubin ensures that it will. The point of sustainability is that it sustains. It is the need of the hour to be conscious of our choices as a business and as a consumer. Its a way of living ones life and its a choice that a lot of us are making now and its here to stay and grow even bigger, he signs off. 'JAI (Japan, America, India) trilateral marks the coming together of three friendly nations. Today's historic JAI meeting was a great beginning,' PM Modi tweeted. (Photo: Twitter | @narendramodi) Buenos Aires/New Delhi: India underscored its firm commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic growth as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday held their first trilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires, amidst China flexing its muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. Asserting that India will "continue to work together on shared values," PM Modi said, "When you look at the acronym of our three countries -- Japan, America, and India -- it is 'JAI', which stands for success in Hindi." The Prime Minister said the 'JAI' meeting was a convergence of vision between the three nations. "This is a very good occasion for the three countries -- countries which have shared values, democratic values...We will continue to play a big role together for world peace, prosperity and stability," he said. PM Modi underscored India's firm commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic growth and common prosperity. The Prime Minister articulated five action points that would serve the common interest of promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. He assured all countries of the inclusiveness and openness of this framework and highlighted the importance of working jointly in areas such as connectivity, sustainable development, disaster relief, maritime security and unfettered mobility. PM Modi also underlined the importance of building consensus on an architecture in the Indo-Pacific region based on principles of mutual benefit and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. "JAI (Japan, America, India) trilateral marks the coming together of three friendly nations. Today's historic JAI meeting was a great beginning. PM @AbeShinzo, @POTUS and I held fruitful talks aimed at furthering connectivity, maritime cooperation and a stable Indo-Pacific," PM Modi tweeted after the meeting. The Japanese premier said he was happy to participate in "the first ever 'JAI' meeting" and hope that it would reinforce the trilateral partnership and its close cooperation "towards realising a free and open Indo-Pacific". Appreciating India's growth story during the meet, Trump said, "The relationships between our three countries is extremely good and extremely strong...with India, maybe stronger than ever...We are doing very well together. We are doing a lot of trade together. We are doing a lot of defence together, a lot of military purchases." The leaders emphasised the importance of cooperation among the three countries on all major issue of global and multilateral interests such as connectivity, sustainable development, counterterrorism and maritime and cyber security. They shared their views on progressing a free, open, conclusive and rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, based on respect for international law and peaceful resolution of all differences. The trilateral meeting took place at a time when China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and with Japan in the East China Sea. Both the areas are said to be rich in minerals, oil and other natural resources. China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims in the waterway, which includes vital sea lanes through which about USD 3 trillion in global trade passes each year. The US has been conducting regular patrols in the South China Sea to assert freedom of navigation in the area where Beijing has built up and militarised many of the islands and reefs it controls in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his keynote address at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore in June expounded India's stand on the strategic Indo-Pacific region. "India does not see the Indo-Pacific Region as a strategy or as a club of limited members. Nor as a grouping that seeks to dominate. And by no means do we consider it as directed against any country. A geographical definition, as such, cannot be," he had said. PM Modi, Trump and Abe also agreed to cooperate in various ways and together with other countries. They also agreed on the importance of meeting in "Trilateral Format" at multilateral conferences. One of the reasons given in the GO was that the decision was taken to win the confidence of this court. Chennai: Expressing satisfaction with the credentials of Pon Manickavel, IPS, and steps taken by him in the process of investigation, the Madras high court has appointed him as a special officer and directed him to assume charge on his superannuation this forenoon immediately. Directing the government to pass orders to that effect, a division bench comprising Justices R. Mahadevan and P. D. Audikesavalu made it clear that any delay by the government in passing appropriate orders, shall not curtail the powers of Pon Manickavel to head the team and investigate the cases and take appropriate action as per law. The members of the special team constituted on the basis of the orders of this court shall continue to be part of the team and any such member as requested by Pon Manickavel shall be spared by the government from the Tamil Nadu police force, the bench added.The bench said Pon Manickavel shall draw the same pay and benefits that were available to him at the time of his retirement for the entire tenure of his term as special officer. The special officer shall investigate the cases thoroughly and periodically submit all reports before the appropriate court as per law and also before this court in a sealed cover to enable this court to monitor the investigation, the bench added. The bench said the special officer and his team shall continue to not only investigate and file charge sheets and prosecute in the pending cases but shall also continue to do so in the cases arising in future during his tenure or until further orders from this court. The CBI and other agencies of Central government shall continue to give appropriate support to the special officer and his team, the bench added. The bench said no action or inquiry against the special officer or any member of the team shall be initiated except with the concurrence of this court. If any materials were there to rely upon for necessary action, the same be placed before this court for further directions. The state shall immediately issue appropriate communications to departments concerned of the state including the HR & CE to extend their fullest co-operation to the special team and furnish necessary particulars and documents sought by them, the bench added. The bench said the state shall create a separate division to handle the financial aspects of the functioning of the team so as to ensure that no action was delayed for paucity of funds and separate account was to be created for this purpose and reasonable amount must be available to meet out the daily overheads. All the directions issued by this court shall be implemented without any delay or demur and a report shall be submitted regarding the action taken, the bench added and posted the matter for reporting compliance after six weeks . The bench said the court never gave permission to the government to pass the government order or in other words, without the concurrence of the court, which constituted the special team, which was also referred as so in all the communications, the government order ought not to have been passed. "This court is of the view that the action of the officials involved warrants initiation of suo motu contempt action, but in refraining to resort to such action at present. Also the reports in the media and presumptions cannot be the grounds for transferring the case to CBI. Also recording that the officials and the government are not co-operating, instead of requesting all the concerned to co-operate, a recommendation is made to the government itself to transfer the case to CBI". One of the reasons given in the GO was that the decision was taken to win the confidence of this court. This court only appointed Pon Manickavel and constituted the special team. Govt passed order without concurrence of court: HC In trashing the GO transferring the idol theft cases to the CBI, the High Court bench said it was only when the state agency was either incapable of investigation or when the investigation was influenced or tainted or biased or to ensure that justice has to be done, the question of transfer of investigation to CBI would arise. In the present case, unable to exert any influence on the officer or his team, the files have been directed to be transferred to CBI, demeaning also the character of CBI. Mere apprehension cannot be a ground for transfer, the court said. Referring to the government justifying the decision to transfer the cases to the CBI as the probe would lead to several states at times even to foreign countries, the court said such contention "is not only irrational but also arbitrarythe entire process followed in the issuance of the G.O was illegal. "The decision seems to have been taken by four officials and not by the government, within a day, for reasons which would not require an investigation by the CBI or any central agency. Strangely and illegally, the genesis of the so-called policy decision has flown from the office of the then Commissioner of HR & CE department namely Jaya, who seems to be unjustifiably unhappy because of the action taken by the team appointed by this court and who was pulled up by this court for non-cooperation", said the court. The bench pointed out that the government passed its order without concurrence of the court and in contravention of the court's keen desire for a comprehensive and honest investigation while constituting the special team under Pon Manickavel. "This court is of the view that the action of the officials involved warrants initiation of suo motu contempt action, but is refraining to resort to such action at present", it said. "One of the reasons given in the G.O was that the decision was taken to win the confidence of this court. This court only appointed Pon Manickavel and constituted the special team. This court never expressed anything at any stage against the officer. While so, it was not for the four officers to take a decision to transfer the case, without the concurrence of this court", said the court. Since taking charge of the idol wing in state police CID, Manickavel and team have been credited with recovering 1,129 allegedly stolen idols worth hundreds of crores of rupees even as a 'hostile' administration sought to lay obstacles in his path-his team was shrunk from 29 to seven for instance. Will work much beyond my call of duty, says elated Pon The court order resurrecting him as the head of the idol wing and decorating him with the position of Special Officer' post-retirement on Friday has lifted Pon Manickavel into the clouds. Looking elated and proud, the officer told the large gathering of journalists at his office that he and his team, who had worked round-the-clock so far, would not work even harder. "I will work much beyond my call of duty", he said, adding he would not even claim any special remuneration beyond his retirement pension. "I will not allow anyone to move my officers even one inch", Manickavel shot back when a reporter asked him if he feared the government/police recoil would result in his team getting truncated. At the same time, he promised he would not tread on any toes and desist from "crossing any lines, causing any problems". Advocate 'Elephant' G Rajendiran, one of the petitioners battling the government move to transfer the idol theft cases to the CBI, said the present order from the HC bench made clear that Pon Manickavel will function as Special Officer continuing with the idol wing cases from the very moment he retired from government service Friday evening. "He will be reporting all the matters in the investigation to the court directly; does not have to submit anything to the government", said Rajendiran. Alleging that "several government officials and millionaires" are involved in the theft and trafficking of priceless idols and artefacts from TN temple, Rajendiran said the state government's decision to shift the probe to the CBI was aimed at only protecting such villains. Naxal commander Mupalla Laxman Rao alias Ganapathy escaped to Nepal and then fled to the Philippines from there, a senior police officer of Chhattisgarh disclosed to this newspaper on Friday requesting anonymity. Bhopal: Top Naxal leader Ganapathy who has recently relinquished his position as Maoist general secretary due to ill health, was suspected to have fled to the Philippines. Naxal commander Mupalla Laxman Rao alias Ganapathy escaped to Nepal and then fled to the Philippines from there, a senior police officer of Chhattisgarh disclosed to this newspaper on Friday requesting anonymity. We are keeping a watch on the development. Phone calls of senior Naxal leaders believed to be in touch with Ganapathy are being intercepted to trace his hideout in the Philippines, the Intelligence officer of the Chhattisgarh police said. Intelligence sources said he was undergoing treatment in his hideout in the Philippines. Ganapathy, 71, has a long association with Peoples War Group (PWG), which later took the form of Maoists following mergers with other wings. The Naxal commander who carried a bounty of Rs 2.52 crore by several state governments and Central forces, was elected general secretary of PWG in 1992. He later became Maoist general secretary in 1992 and retained the position till November 10, 2018, when he was replaced by Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraj, the military head of the outlawed outfit. A press release issued by the Maoist central committee this month said Ganapathy had volunteered to step down from his position due to ill health. The press release dated November 10 but released on November 28, said Ganapathys recommendation to relieve him of his charge has been endorsed by the central committee. Basavaraj, now 63, is a native of Jiyannapetta village in Srikakulum district in Andhra Pradesh. The new chief of Maoists is known for being an expert in explosives and military tactics. He has been underground for the last 28 years. Ramaphosa was invited to be the chief guest by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when the two leaders met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: South Africa President, Cyril Ramaphosa, accepts Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to be the chief guest for India's Republic Day celebrations in 2019, reported ANI. Ramaphosa was invited to be the chief guest by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when the two leaders met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires. The announcement comes a little over a month after US President Donald Trump declined India's invitation to be the chief guest. New mobile malware is investigating smartphones, tablets, and routers to gain access to the digital assistants and home IoT devices. (Representational Images) Hyderabad: Cybercriminals are eying Internet of Things (IoT) specifically to get access to the Wi-Fi routers at home and identify credentials. This is attributed to increase in illegal apps on Android and increased smart home devices, malware is being pushed onto phones, tablets and other IOT devices. Also, cybercriminals are eyeing the smart cities implementation as many are failing to secure connected devices, sensors, and communication infrastructure and importantly ascertain citizen privacy. For instance a ransomware attack in 2018 crippled the city of Atlanta for days and cost taxpayers close to $17 million. One of the most high-profile attack in 2016 was by Mirai malware which successfully turned lakhs of Linux-based IoT devices into a botnet army. This army was then used to launch a series of highly disruptive distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks around the world. A Symantec spokesperson said, We expect to see growing numbers of attacks against IoT devices that control critical infrastructure such as power distribution and communications networks. And as home-based IoT devices become more ubiquitous, there will likely be future attempts to weaponise them say, by one nation shutting down home thermostats in an enemy state during a harsh winter. Symantec even noted that among the most troubling will be attacks against IoT devices which are kinetic, such as cars and other vehicles. New mobile malware is investigating smartphones, tablets, and routers to gain access to the digital assistants and home IoT devices. A Mcafee Labs 2019 threat predictions report stated: New mobile malware will likely investigate smartphones, tablets, and routers to gain access to the digital assistants and home IoT devices they control. Once infected, these devices can serve as a picklock to consumer homes while supplying botnets, which can launch DDoS attacks or grant cybercriminal access to personal data and the opportunity for other malicious activities such as opening doors and connecting to control servers. Chennai: With Tamil Nadus proximity to Indonesia, that country is keen on exploring ways and means to ensure direct air and maritime connectivity with Tamil Nadu. Indonesias instant noodles and agricultural products are the other areas that Indonesia is eager to export to India. Unfortunately we dont have direct flight from Sumatra to Chennai. Untill now the flight is through different countries like Malaysia or Singapore. So, hopefully the commitment of the two leader (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joko Widodo) besides business men will help materialise the air and maritime connectivity,says Ade Sukendar, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, Mumbai. Mr. Sukendar, who led a business delegation to the city on Saturday says his team from Aceh, a province of Indonesia, located at the northern end of Sumatra, was in Andamans and discussed with the chamber of commerce there to improve the bilateral ties. Tamil Nadu shares a common maritime border with us and both Tamil Nadu and Aceh would stand to gain if the maritime, aviation and tourism sectors are developed,Mr. Sukendar said. On a visit to Chennai, the top official exuded hope that the heads of the two countries would take the bilateral trade to greater heights. Launching cruise tourism too had emerged during the talks between the two heads. Now this is the challenge the two countries face as Indonesias border with Chennai is very close just about 90 nautical miles,he said and added that Garuda Indonesia Airlines operated direct flight from Mumbai to Bali but not to Jakarta. Direct air connectivity with Chennai would drastically reduce travel time, he asserted during a chat with this Deccan Chronicle correspondent. Ready to export construction material: There is tremendous potential for business to grow in the Aceh and Chennai regions, as they are geographically close. That is why we are in Chennai. We can provide construction material, including sand, which is so scarce in Chennai,he added. Aceh is ready to export construction material to Chennai. We can provide the construction material for the construction of houses. I wish to see more interaction. Please come to Aceh for exploring the business on both the sides,Mr. Sukendar urged. Indonesia is most attractive destination to Indians: Indonesia is one of the most attractive destinations to Indian tourists with its rich culture, wonderful nature, friendly people and much more that will make as once-in-a-life time experience. Among the key attractions are: spa, ecotourism, marine tourism and MICE and these draw visitors. Further, the Visit Free Visa facility opened by Indonesia for Indian nationals make it easier for Indian travellers to visit Indonesia. India has been ranked sixth among the top ten tourism markets for Indonesia and the number of Indian visitors are increasing annually. Indonesia has set target of 7,00,000 Indian Tourists visiting Indonesia in 2018 against 4,85,314 in 2017. With the commencement of non-stop flight of Garuda Indonesia Airlines from Mumbai to Bali we are sure to achieve this goal,he said. Indonesias stunning natural landscape offer plethora of opportunities for Indian film industry to explore the splendour and reap good harvests. Both the countries share much in common-geographical expanse, size and diversity of the population, culture, history and a colonial past as well as the similar direction of foreign policies in the post-independence era. History informed us that the India-Indonesia relation dates back long ago when the Indian traders arrived in Indonesia in the 1st Century. Both have been having trade and cultural links for the last 2,000 years,he said. Army Chief Bipin Rawat was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Passing Out Parade of the 135th course at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. (Photo: ANI): Pune: Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday said Pakistan must curtail terror activities on its soil and develop itself as a secular state if it wanted cordial relations with India. He also said the Indian Army was not yet ready to have women in combat roles. Rawat was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Passing Out Parade of the 135th course at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. Asked about a recent statement of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan about his country willing to take two steps for every step forward by India, Rawat said the neighbouring nation should first take steps to curtail terror activities on its soil. "I would like to tell Pakistan to initiate that first step (curtailing terror). In the past, India has taken several steps. When we say terror is being harboured in your country, show some action by curtailing terror activities which are used against India," Rawat advised Pakistan. On Imran Khan's statement as to why India and Pakistan could not be friends when Germany and France could be good neighbours, Rawat said the neighbouring country first needed to see its internal condition. "They have turned Pakistan into an Islamic country. If they want cordial relations with India, they will have to develop themselves as a secular state," Rawat said. "How can you say that we can stay together when you are an Islamic state? India is a secular state and for us to stay together, both of us will have to be secular. If they are willing to become secular like us, I think they have an opportunity," he added. Speaking about assigning combat roles to women in the armed forces, Rawat said, "We are not yet ready for that as facilities have to be created within the armed forces and women also need to be prepared for that kind of hardships. It is not easy. Let us not compare ourselves with western nations. The western nations are more open," he said. "Yes, we may be more open in our big cities, but our Army personnel are not coming from big cities only. They are coming from rural areas too, where the intermingling, which is expected, is still not there," the Army chief added. "Women officers are being inducted in all the three services. But what we have to decide is whether some of them can be given permanent commission. The Army too has taken a call that there are some aspects, some fields, where we need some kind of continuity and permanency. In a command-oriented Army, male officers do not fit the bill everywhere. The Army needs language interpreters as military diplomacy is gaining ground. The basic requirement is understanding the language while talking to other nations, military to military. So we are looking for women as interpreters," he said. Rawat added that there were several other fields where the Army was thinking of inducting women. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Maldives Abdulla Shahid was recently on an official visit to New Delhi, where he met top leaders including his counterpart Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. (Photo: Twitter | @MEAIndia) Male/New Delhi: The Maldives Government has strongly denied media reports stating that India had offered USD 1 billion to Maldives in exchange for the deployment of Indian troops in the island nation. The Minister for Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid said that the Maldivian territory would not be used for the establishment of any foreign military bases. Taking to Twitter, Shahid said, "Categorically refute media reports alleging that government is planning to allow the establishment of an Indian military base in Maldives in exchange for financial assistance or other material benefits. It is baseless and aimed at discrediting the government as it starts to rebuild good relations with its neighbours and the rest of the international community." "Government assures the people, that it will always act in the national interest of Maldives and will not undertake any international engagement that will compromise the sovereignty and independence of the country," he added. Shahid was reacting to a news article published in a Japanese Daily, NIKKIE Asian Review, which stated that India offered Maldives USD 1 billion in exchange for stronger security ties. Abdulla Shahid was recently on an official visit to New Delhi, where he met top leaders including his counterpart Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. He described India as time-tested and a trusted partner. He showed commitment to strengthen bilateral trade ties between the two countries. The Foreign Minister, however, mentioned that his country will closely work with all of its neighbours and the international community. He also called China as a friend and one of the largest economies of the world whose assistance had benefited Maldives. New Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is scheduled to visit India on December 17 in keeping with his 'India-First' policy. In April, BfV said there was a high likelihood that the Russian government was behind a cyber attack on German computer networks. German security officials have detected a fresh cyber attack on the email accounts of German lawmakers, the military and several German embassies by the Russian hacker group Snake, Der Spiegel reported on Thursday. The news magazine, citing security sources, said the latest cyber attack was detected on Nov. 14 but it was not yet clear if any data had been stolen. It quoted the BfV domestic intelligence agency as saying: The BfV, in the framework of investigating the cyber campaign Snake, has detected new attacks. The victims are primarily in the government and political realm. No comment was immediately available from the agency. In April, BfV said there was a high likelihood that the Russian government was behind a cyberattack on German computer networks that was discovered in December 2017 that was also linked to the hacker group Snake. German officials have also said Russia was behind an earlier cyber attack on the German lower house of parliament in 2015. Russia has repeatedly denied that it is involved in cyber attacks on German institutions. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. China also has good relations with Saudis regional rival, Iran, and has long had to balance its ties between Riyadh and Tehran. (Photo:File) Buenos Aires: Stability in Saudi Arabia is the cornerstone of prosperity and progress in the Gulf, and China firmly supports Riyadh in its drive for economic diversification and social reform, President Xi Jinping told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Meeting in Buenos Aires, host of the G20 summit of industrialized nations on Friday, Xi said China has always attached great importance to its relations with Saudi Arabia, Chinas official Xinhua news agency reported. China firmly supports Saudi Arabia in its drive for economic diversification and social reform, and will continue to stick together with Saudi Arabia on issues involving their core interests, Xinhua cited Xi as saying. The Saudi press agency reported early on Saturday that the crown prince and Xi discussed partnership between the two countries and harmonising Saudi Arabias 2030 vision with Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, as well as Saudi energy supplies to China and mutual investment. China and Saudi Arabia have close energy ties. Saudi Arabia is set to expand its market share in China this year for the first time since 2012, with demand stirred up by new Chinese refiners pushing the kingdom back into contention with Russia as top supplier to the worlds largest oil buyer. Saudi Arabia, the biggest global oil exporter, has been surpassed by Russia as top crude supplier to China the past two years as private teapot refiners and a new pipeline drove up demand for Russian oil. China also has good relations with Saudis regional rival, Iran, and has long had to balance its ties between Riyadh and Tehran. The incident did not trigger any gunfire, unlike last year when a North Korean soldier ran across under a hail of bullets from his own side. (Representational image | AP) Seoul: A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea on Saturday across their heavily fortified land border, which the two sides have begun to demilitarise as relations between the Cold War-era foes warm, the South's military said. The rare defection came as the two Koreas push ahead with a process of reconciliation in an effort to ease tensions, despite talks between Pyongyang and Washington on the North's nuclear weapons programme stalling. The incident did not trigger any gunfire, unlike last year when a North Korean soldier ran across under a hail of bullets from his own side. "A North Korean soldier was detected crossing the military demarcation line" by South Korean troops using surveillance equipment, the military Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. "Related agencies plan to investigate him regarding the details of how he came to the South," it said. The JCS gave no further details, such as the exact location of the defection, the soldier's name, rank or unit or whether he was carrying a weapon. "The soldier is safely in our custody", the JCS said. The last defection involving North Koreans occurred in May when two civilians aboard a small boat fled to the South across the Yellow Sea. In November last year, a North Korean soldier drove to the heavily guarded border at speed and ran across under fire from his own comrades. He was hit multiple times in the dramatic defection at Panmunjom truce village, a major tourist attraction and the only place on the frontier where forces from the two sides come face-to-face. Three other soldiers reportedly crossed the land border last year in separate incidents. In 2012 a North Korean soldier walked unchecked through rows of electrified fencing and surveillance cameras, prompting Seoul to sack three field commanders for a security lapse. 'Momentum' More than 30,000 North Korean civilians have fled their homeland since the peninsula was divided at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Most flee across the porous frontier with neighbouring China and it is very rare for them to cross the closely guarded inter-Korean border, which is fortified with minefields and barbed wire. In recent months, however, the two sides have begun to remove landmines and destroy military bunkers at parts of the border as part of efforts to improve long-strained relations. They have also begun work to reconnect a train line and repair another rail link across the border. Despite the warming ties, it remains unclear whether the North's leader Kim Jong Un will make his first-ever visit to the South this year, as Seoul is hoping. Kim agreed to travel to Seoul after hosting his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang in September for their third summit but prospects of a fourth Moon-Kim meeting have recently dimmed, with negotiations on denuclearizing the North grinding to a halt. In an apparent bid to encourage a hesitating Kim to commit to a trip, Moon elicited an expression of support for such a visit from US President Donald Trump at a summit in Buenos Aires on Friday. "The two leaders agreed Chairman Kim Jong Un's visit to Seoul would provide additional momentum to their joint efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula," Moon's chief press secretary Yoon Young-chan said. I am a retired newspaperman. I live in Poca, WV, with my wife of 44 years, Lou Ann. I grew up in Cleveland. Three kids. Grandfather. Report all errors to DonSurber@GMail.com After selling off the confectionery brand, Kido changed its focus to ice-cream, instant noodle and cooking oil market segments. Photo by VnExpress The Kido Corporation has completed procedures to acquire a 51 percent stake in Golden Hope Nha Be (GHNB), the producer of Marvela cooking oil. After the 51 percent is transferred to Kido, the group will own 100 percent of GHNB. Cooking oil company Vocarimex, a subsidiary of Kido, holds 49 percent of shares in GHNB. According to the leaders of Kido, ownership of GHNB is an important step in the strategy to expand its influence in the cooking oil market, towards the aim of becoming the leading food corporation in Vietnam. GHNB is one of the top cooking oil producers in Vietnam in terms of market share, with annual sales of around VND1.3 trillion ($55.88 million). GHNB is a joint venture between Vocarimex and Malaysian palm oil plantation company Sime Darby. Kido Corporation, formerly Kinh Do Corporation, was established in 1993, and is one of the leading food companies in Vietnam. Formerly well known for their moon cakes, the company sold 80 percent of its confectionery business to U.S. firm Mondelez International in 2015, which owns famous brands like Toblerone, Kraft, and Oreo. After selling off the confectionary brand it had worked to establish for over 20 years, Kido changed its focus to ice-cream, instant noodles and cooking oil market segments. Following a series of acquisitions, it plans to go public on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE) in 2019. Tourists gather at the Da Nang International Airport in central Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong A Da Nang court Friday sentenced a Chinese man to nine-months imprisonment for stealing high-end cosmetic products. Bai Xin Xing, 32, works as a guide for tourists from China in the central city of Da Nang. On July 27, this year, he was with a group of Chinese tourists returning to Chinas Xi'an City from the Da Nang International Airport. Before the flight took off, the group shopped at a duty free store inside the airport. Xing then stole a bottle of perfume worth VND23 million ($987). A store employee spotted the theft and called for help in apprehending him. Airport security staff checked his bag and found the stolen product. The indictment said he had carried out several similar thefts at airport duty free stores without getting caught. Bai admitted to his theft Friday. He said he would observe where the cameras were installed and find a way to obscure them and steal things. Da Nang is one of the top destinations for Chinese visitors to Vietnam. In the first 10 months of this year, Vietnam received 4.1 million Chinese visitors, up 28.8 percent year-on-year, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Chinese visitors accounted for 32 percent of foreign arrivals in the country during the period. Pham Jurgen Michael (L) during a session of the Hanoi's People's Court Thursday. Photo by VnExpress/Viet Dung A Vietnamese-German habitual offender will be jailed for two years for having sex with a 15-year-old boy in Hanoi. The citys Peoples Court Thursday found Pham Jurgen Michael, 58, guilty of persuading the teenager into having sex in a cafes toilet in Hanoi. Michael, whose family name indicates Vietnamese ethnicity, befriended the boy as he was walking around the Hoan Kiem Lake on April 19. Police caught him in the cafe, the court heard. Michael denied having sex with the boy, but the court was convinced with evidence presented by the prosecution, including the victims testimony. Three other teenage boys also accused Michael for having had sex with them in the past, but he denied all accusations. Michael had also faced seven charges related to sexual abuse between 1978 and 2000 in Germany. He moved to Vietnam in 2016. After Michael serves his sentence, he will be deported from Vietnam and banned from returning to the country, the court stated. In September, a Slovakian man was also sentenced to three years in jail for having sex with a 13-year-old boy. Any person aged 18 or over who engages in sexual intercourse or other sexual activities with a person aged 13 to under 16 in Vietnam can face up to 15 years in prison. The United Nations had said last year that one in four children in Vietnam is a victim of abuse and at least 1,300 cases of sexual violence against children are reported each year. While official statistics are unavailable, the U.N. estimates the true numbers would be consistently alarming. Police raid the Janus Hotel on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street in District 1 late Friday night. Photo by VnExpress/Quoc Thang. A raid on a Saigon downtown hotel found around 60 waitresses in skimpy clothes playing with South Korean guests. The Friday night raid was carried out on the Janus Hotel on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street in District 1, which local reports say is exclusively patronized by South Koreans. Police said the hotel`s security guards were prevented from turning on the alarm system. They found dozens of waitresses flirting with drunk customers. None of the waitresses had signed labor contracts with the hotel owner, and were working for tips from customers, police said. The hotel's waitresses were caught playing with drunk customers during police raid. Photo by VnExpress/Quoc Thang The hotel was fined an undisclosed amount for operating an unlicensed karaoke business, violating fire safety regulations and offering erotic services for customers. In a pre-dawn swoop on Saturday, police also raided a karaoke parlor on Dien Bien Phu Street in District 3 and arrested dozens of suspected drug users. All employees of the parlor were taken for drug tests. The raids are part of an operation to tighten control over several kinds of commercial sex services offered by many restaurants and bars in the tourist district, police said. In another pre-dawn raid Tuesday, HCMC detained 70 drug users and female sex workers. According to statistics compiled by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Saigon has nearly 22,000 registered drug users, the highest in the country at nearly 10 percent of the countrys total. There are around 3,000 sex workers in Saigon, according to official data. The Vietnamese parliament has inconclusively debated legalization of sex services in the country. A Singaporean will start serving a three-year jail sentence on January 4 next year for having sex with an 11-year-old Vietnamese girl. Li Jixian, 25, pleaded guilty on November 22 to two counts of "sexually penetrating an underage girl," a crime punishable by up to 20 years in jail under Singaporean law, the Strait Times reported. The indictment said the Singaporean became acquainted with the Vietnamese girl, whose name has not been revealed, through social media in April 2016. Later, they met in person and had sex on two occasions, in June and July the same year. In August 2016, the girls mother filed a complaint with the police saying her daughter had been raped. The court was told that the Vietnamese girl had lied to Jixian about her age, telling him that she was 17. The prosecution argued that the car dealer had the responsibility as an adult to verify the girl's age before engaging in sexual activities with her. Li is now out on a bail of S$10,000 ($7,287) and has been ordered to surrender himself at the State Courts on January 4 to begin serving his sentence. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho attends a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh (not in picture) in Hanoi on November 30, 2018. Photo by AFP/Minh Hoang Vietnam has expressed its willingness to share its socio-economic development experiences that are in line with North Koreas needs. It also welcomes the positive developments that have taken place on the Korean Peninsula, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh told his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong Ho Friday. Minh further affirmed that Vietnam is willing to cooperate with North Korea in fields that align with each country's interests and follow international laws. Visiting North Korean Foreign Minister Ri agreed that both sides should coordinate and identify appropriate measures to strengthen and develop Vietnam-North Korea relations in accordance with the new situation. The two sides also agreed to continue coordinating with each other at international and regional forums such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the ASEAN Regional Forum. On the situation in the Korean Peninsula, Minh welcomed recent positive development in the region and emphasized Vietnam's consistent stance of supporting peace, stability and cooperation in the area. He also affirmed that Vietnam was willing to make practical contributions to the dialogues between North Korea and relevant parties. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has spoken recently of his hopes for economic reforms in the country. In three meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in this year, he repeatedly cited Vietnams successes, South Korean media reported. Observers have said the historical and political resemblance between the two countries would make Vietnam a good example for North Korea. During a visit to Hanoi last July, Washington's top diplomat Mike Pompeo referred to Vietnam, which now enjoys burgeoning trade ties with former foe U.S., as a model for North Korea. South Korea's news agency Yonhap said Ri told the Vietnamese government that North Korea hopes to learn from Vietnams model of development. Ri is on a four-day official visit to Vietnam that ends Sunday. A Vietnamese fishing boat is seen along the central coast. Photo by Reuters/File 21 Vietnamese nationals pleaded guilty Thursday to illegally fishing in Malaysian waters, the Borneo Post reported. The group was fishing without valid permits in Malaysian waters when they were caught. They were charged with illegal fishing and using illegal vessels for this activity in Malaysian waters under the Malaysian Fisheries Act 1985. Some Vietnamese fishermen were charged with the former offense, which can require vessel captains to pay a maximum fine of RM1 million ($238,525) and each vessel crew RM100,000. Other fishermen were found guilty of using false identities for the fishing vessels. The specific amount of fines imposed on this group is unknown. The judge fixed December 14 and 15 for presenting arguments and sentencing. Another group of 36 Vietnamese fishermen will attend their trial hearing in February and March 2019 after denying similar charges made against them. All detained Vietnamese fishermen will remain in custody until their hearing. During the Fire Festival in northern Vietnam, men of the Pa Then ethnic group rush bare feet into burning embers. When people play with fire, seriously, uncannily Pa Thens dance of fire: in action Every year after their harvesting season, the Pa Then people, an ethnic minority living in the northern province of Ha Giang, celebrate the Fire Festival on 16th of the 10th Lunar Month, usually November in the Gregorian calendar. For the Pa Then people, fire is a symbol of divinity that delivers happiness and well-being. Offerings made to the gods on this occasion include a rooster, a bowl of rice, incense, wine and joss paper. The shaman lights candles, arranges the offerings on a tray, puts three burning incense sticks on the altar and three others on the ground. Then he sits on a chair, knocking a bamboo stick on a wooden musical instrument and shaking a traditional ring. He himself shakes along with the sound of the instrument and chants prayers related to the festival. In a festival-related event, when the shaman calls, Pa Then people and visitors play a game in which 5 or 6 people try their best to pull a suspended stick to touch the ground. Pa Then women perform a traditional dance to cheer the men to jump on the fire. The worship can last 2 to 3 hours. During the prayer, the men seem to go into a trance, and their bodies begin to shake. Then they begin jumping into the burning coals with their bare feet, creating a magical, mysterious and beautiful scene. They wade into the flames to cheers and encouragement of the viewers. It seems they do not feel the heat. As this happens, the shaman keeps knocking on the musical instrument and chanting the prayer. The activity goes on until the fire dies off. The Pa Then fire festival has a long history and has been celebrated through many generations. At the end of the festival, the fire dancers perform a ritual in front of the altar. Not one of them suffers any burn or pain. An airplane from T'way Air on the tarmac at Incheon International Airport (ICN) in South Korea. Photo by Shutterstock/EQRoy South Korean budget carrier Tway Air has added a new direct route from Daegu to Hanoi starting Friday. It will operate one flight per day from Daegu to Vietnams capital city. Hanoi is the third destination in Vietnam that Tway Air is opening a direct flight to, after Ho Chi Minh City with one flight a day, and Da Nang with 4 flights per day. Daegu is one of four largest cities in South Korea. It is famous for its many festivals and well-preserved culture. On December 21 and 23, the airline will launch direct flights from Hanoi to Seoul and Busan, South Koreas biggest cities. With these added routes, Tway Air will be the first Korean airline to simultaneously operate direct flights from three Korean cities to Hanoi. The additional routes will bring more South Korean tourists to Vietnam and Vietnamese people will be able to travel to major cities in South Korea easily. Next year, the airline also plans to launch direct flights from South Korea to the beach town Nha Trang in central Vietnam and Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam. South Korea now ranks second in the number of foreign tourists visiting Vietnam. In 2017, Vietnam welcomed 2.4 million Korean visitors. In the first ten months of this year, the number was more than 2.8 million, a 48.3 percent year-on-year increase, according to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. South Korea has just announced a new visa policy for Vietnamese citizens. Five year multi-entry C-3 visas will first be granted to permanent residents of the three Vietnam's biggest cities Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang without occupational priority from December 3 onwards. C-3 visa holders can stay in South Korea for up to 30 days, with no restrictions on number of visits for five years. There are currently seven Korean airlines operating in Vietnam: Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Air Busan, Jin Air, Eastar Jet and T'way Air. Beijing lashes out at US for South China Sea sail-by The USS Chancellorsville entered waters off the Paracel Islands, known as Xisha in Chinese. Photo by AFP China on Friday scolded the U.S. for sending naval vessels close to disputed islands in the South China Sea. The U.S. and its allies periodically send planes and warships through the area to conduct "freedom of navigation" operations, intended as a signal to Beijing of their right under international law to pass through the waters claimed by China. According to the Pentagon, the USS Chancellorsville guided-missile destroyer sailed Monday near the Paracel islands, known as Xisha in Chinese, "to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law." The Chinese military scrambled aircraft and warships, sending out warnings for the American vessel to leave the area. "We urge the U.S. to strengthen the management of its vessels and aircraft that pass by Chinese territory to prevent unexpected events," People's Liberation Army Southern Theatre spokesman Li Huamin said in a statement. China has also lodged a diplomatic complaint with Washington, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said during a regular press briefing, calling on the U.S. to "immediately stop such provocative actions that violate China's sovereignty". China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, including waters close to Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. The waterway is known as the East Sea in Vietnam. Further angering those countries, and the U.S., Beijing has moved aggressively to build up reefs into artificial islands capable of hosting military planes. It was the second U.S. naval operation to irk China this week. On Wednesday, two U.S. ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait -- which China considers its territory but the U.S. and others see as international waters open to all -- prompting a furious Beijing to send warships and fighter jets. This was the third such operation this year, including one last month which prompted a diplomatic protest. "U.S. Forces operate in the Indo-Pacific region on a daily basis, including the South China Sea," the Pentagon statement read. "All operations are designed in accordance with international law and demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows." The naval tensions come just ahead of scheduled talked between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Argentina this weekend aimed at softening trade tensions. Defections along the closely guarded inter-Korean border are rare. Photo by AFP/Ed Jones A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea across the eastern land border on Saturday, the South's military said. Defections across the closely guarded inter-Korean frontier are rare, and this one comes as the neighbours pursue a delicate reconciliation process. "A North Korean soldier was detected crossing the military demarcation line" by South Korean troops using surveillance equipment, the military Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. "The soldier is safely in our custody," it said. "Related agencies plan to investigate him regarding the details of how he came to the South." Even as talks on denuclearisation between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled, the two Koreas are pushing ahead with a reconciliation process, taking steps to ease tensions along their heavily fortified border. They have begun work to reconnect their railway systems, removed landmines and destroyed military bunkers at parts of the frontier. More than 30,000 North Korean civilians have fled their homeland but most flee across the porous frontier with China, and rarely across the inter-Korean border which is fortified with minefields and barbed wire. The last defection involving North Koreans occurred in May when two civilians aboard a small boat defected to the South across the Yellow Sea. In November last year, a North Korean soldier drove to the heavily guarded border at speed and ran across under a hail of bullets from his own side. He was hit multiple times in the dramatic defection at the Panmunjom truce village. In 2012 a North Korean soldier walked unchecked through rows of electrified fencing and surveillance cameras, prompting Seoul to sack three field commanders for the security lapse. Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman and Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz have discussed the possibility of an equivalent retaliation to Russia's hybrid aggression, toughening sanctions and active opposition to the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project. "We expect that the partners will support our call to an equivalent retaliation to the aggressor. If Russian troops stop ships in the Kerch Strait, then Russian ships must be stopped in the waters of other countries," Groysman said on Facebook after a meeting with Czaputowicz. According to the Ukrainian prime minister, we also need to remember about the threats of Nord Stream 2 to Europe. "If the Russians resorted to gas blackmail on Ukraine, then they will blackmail Europe after the gas pipeline is completed," he said. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin expressed hope that Hungary would actively support assistance to Ukraine from the European Union and NATO in connection with Russia's attack on Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait. "We've done a good deal of groundwork for a meeting with the Hungarian colleague to be held in Milan next week. An optimistic exclamation mark could be put here, but I can't get around another aspect. Last Sunday the events in the Black Sea shook up Ukraine and the world. This is the first armed attack that the Russian army carried out without hiding, under its flag. I hope Hungary understands that this is a threat not only to Ukraine," Klimkin said on Facebook. The minister noted that Russia is waging a hybrid war against the entire democratic world, including the European Union and Hungary, while Ukraine "just found itself on the front, hot edge of this war." "Therefore we have the right to expect maximum assistance and support from both the EU and NATO, and from each country that is a member of these unions ... I hope Hungary will also actively support EU and NATO assistance to Ukraine. By the way, this is the best way to protect our Ukrainian Hungarians from the Russian threat," Klimkin said. Occupation forces opened fire on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine six times over the past 24 hours, while no casualties were reported, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) has stated. "Occupant forces six times opened fire on the positions of our troops, cases of using weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements were recorded twice ... During the hostilities, no casualties among the soldiers of the Joint Forces were allowed," the report says. The enemy attacked the Armed Forces positions near the settlements Svobodny, Luhanske, Krasnohorivka, and Hnutove. Here, the illegal armed groups carried out aimed fire from grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns and small arms. Ukrainian border guards have denied 99 Russian citizens entry to Ukraine after the border control had been tightened, Andriy Demchenko, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service, has said. "The State Border Service continues to perform objectives following tightened border control on the state border. A total of 99 Russian citizens were denied entry immediately on the border with the Russian Federation. The overwhelming majority of them were unable to confirm the purpose of their visit to Ukraine and part of them did not have necessary documents to enter Ukraine. There were also some of those who overstayed in our country," Demchenko told the 112.ua television channel on Saturday. However, over 780 Russians crossed the border and entered Ukraine, he said. Demchenko also said that the Russian side denied almost 40 Ukrainian citizens entry to its territory on Friday and over 110 of them in the past three days. On November 30, Ukrainian State Border Guard Service Chief Pavlo Tsyhykal said that the service has tightened border control and restricted entry of foreign citizens, first and foremost male Russian citizens aged from 16 to 60, to the country. EU ready soon to introduce sanctions against organizers of illegal elections in ORDLO The European Union is ready in the near future to impose sanctions against the organizers of illegal elections in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (ORDLO), Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz has said. "The European Union is developing sanctions against the individuals who are involved in organizing illegal elections, and the EU will soon name these individuals," he said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin in Kyiv on Saturday. Czaputowicz also added he expresses solidarity with Ukraine on behalf of the EU member states. Moscow gives no official information about captured Ukrainian sailors to Kyiv Ukraine cannot receive official information from the Russian side about the Ukrainian sailors captured in the Kerch Strait, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has reported. "We cannot get any official information about our sailors. And we receive information from many sources ... Now our efforts are focused on creating a wave of international pressure on Russia to free our people and ships," the minister said at a joint press conference with Polish colleague Jacek Czaputowicz in Kyiv on Saturday. Klimkin stressed that Russia should not avoid punishment for acts of aggression. "With the Polish partners, we are talking about additional possibilities of using other formats and channels of pressure on Russia," the minister concluded. According to him, during the first meetings of the world leaders with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit, the demands for the release of Ukrainian sailors and ships, as well as unblocking free shipping through the Kerch Strait were voiced. Russia's aggression in Kerch Strait to be discussed at ministerial meetings of NATO, OSCE, and EU Council The issue of Russia's aggressive actions in the Kerch Strait against Ukrainian ships will be discussed at the ministerial meetings of NATO, the OSCE and the Council of the European Union, Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz has stated. "A meeting of NATO foreign ministers will be held next week, and the issue of Russian aggression against Ukraine in the Sea of Azov will be discussed there, and Poland will insist on it," he said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin in Kyiv on Saturday. The Polish official added that this issue would be also discussed at a meeting of foreign ministers in Milan. "I already know that the issue of Russian aggression in the waters of the Sea of Azov will also be discussed at the next meeting of the Council of the European Union on foreign affairs, which will be held next Monday," the minister said. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, in turn, informed he intends to attend the meetings in Brussels and Milan next week. The imposition of martial law in ten Ukrainian regions is a preventive measure which might not have to be extended, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said. "It is being introduced in Ukraine's newest history for the first time and just for 30 days. This period will be used to lower the threat against us, strengthen our defense and capability to defend Ukrainian citizens from enemy strike ... I declare that we will be able to limit ourselves to the said measures, and their continuation, I hope, will not be necessary," Poroshenko said at Ukroboronprom state concern's delivery of military hardware to various military units in Kyiv region on Saturday. On November 26 Ukraine's parliament approved the imposition of martial law announced by President Poroshenko for 30 days in Ukraine's Vinnytsia, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Odesa, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Kherson, Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions and the Azov-Kerch domestic waters. The Institute for International Strategic Studies has published an analysis of Iran's 2018-19 budget suggesting an "upward trajectory" for Iran's defense spending. The London-based IISS also highlighted essential changes in the way resources are being allocated to Iran's military budget. The study confirms earlier reports and analyses that said the Islamic Republic was strengthening its security forces and religious institutions that constitutes the two pillars of the regime. An 84% rise in the budget allocated to Iran's police force and the controversial rise in the budget of numerous religious institutions, that do nothing but trumpeting Tehran's Islamic ideology and training clerics, are examples of the way the government mishandles the country's resources, according to critics. Even regime insiders protested to these excessive fund allocations. During protest demonstrations since December 2017, massive groups of underprivileged Iranians including industrial workers, truckers and teachers protested against the increased spending on security forces and regional military ambitions, and proliferation of hardline religious institutions who received hundreds of millions of dollars to such institutions in the annual budget. Throughout 2018, in many protests, people chanted slogans against Iran's military presence in Syria and called for a secular democracy rather than a religious dictatorship. The Islamic Republic of Iran's military budget and its resources are always shrouded in ambiguity. Apart from what is presented to the Parliament within the frameworks of the country's annual budget, it has some secret layers military analysts and economists have always wanted to explore. In February 2018 MP Mohammad Reza Badamchi said that the legislature votes only for thirty percent of the national budget and it has no chance to vote for the rest. He tweeted, The public should know that only one-third of the countrys budget is discussed in parliament; which is mainly the part about governments income and [operational] expenses. The other seventy percent involves the income and expenditures of state owned enterprises, for-profit companies and banks. Maintaining that the Iranian annual budget simply presents a snapshot of the official and evident expenditure of the country, the IISS report by Jennifer Chandler says most organizations, particularly the armed forces have access to financial resources outside of the country's annual budget that enables them to increase the funds available to them. These extra-budgetary funds includes revenues from domestic oil sales. Meanwhile, "The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) engages in aggressive revenue-raising activities by establishing private companies, as well as using its powerful political influence to secure infrastructure contracts and private tenders worth millions of dollars in diverse sectors, including housing development, energy, road construction, food and transportation," the IISS report observed. The IRGC is seriously active in operating private companies all over the country in order to accumulate financial resources. At the same time, IRGC has used its extraordinary influence to win major contracts in various sectors of the economy such as construction, energy, roads, transportation and foodstuff. "An analysis of the Iranian budget should go beyond examining outlays for Irans regular forces (Artesh), the IRGC and the Basij militia. Any calculation of Irans defence spending should also take into account Irans police force (the Law Enforcement Force, or LEF), armed-forces welfare, and the numerous ideological training and defence-research facilities and universities focused on cultivating suitably islamicized personnel to serve both of Irans military forces and developing strategy," the IISS observed. The IISS report is consistent with the findings of Iranian analyst, including Radio Farda's Morad Veisi who, while explaining the expansion of IRGC Intelligence Organization and the expansion of its media outlet, observed that in the latest annual budget there was "non-official financing for non-uniformed regime supporter groups. Their budget remains hidden in appropriations for official organs, such as intelligence organizations and the IRGC. The state also provides a variety of financial support mechanisms for loyal groups, some from religious institutions and mosques." The IISS report also observed that "The budget process in Iran is deliberately obscure, since with greater transparency comes greater accountability," adding that budget planning in Iran is the outcome of factional power brokering. Thus, "The ability to commandeer a share of the defence budget should be seen as a barometer for the level of influence or lack thereof of different bodies and institutions." However, despite these challenges, the in-depth study of Irans latest annual budget bill covering the period between March 21, 2018 to March 21, reveals five key takeaways. First, the defense sector's share of official spending is higher than any estimate. Out of an annual budget of 12 quadrillion rials (260 billion dollars based on official exchange rate) some 7.5% is allocated to defense. This comes while IRGC-affiliated media and senior military and defence figures as well as hawks within the Iranian parliament have demanded only 5% of the annual budget for defense. "Yet when combining all aspects of defence spending as mentioned above, Irans total military expenditure is estimated at 921 trillion rials (US$19.6 billion)," the IISS report observed. Second, because of the sharp devaluation of the Iranian currency during the year in question, "defence spending in dollar terms decreased from US$21.4bn to US$19.6bn in just six months." The report concludes that "when measured in real-terms, Irans military expenditure is still 53% higher in 2018 than it was five years ago." Third, the new budget allocated to the IRGC's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters (CHQ) is the latest sign of the rising profile of this body, which undertakes major development projects in Iran and the Middle East and maintains close links to IRGC Qods Force Commander Qasem Soleimani. Fourth, the defense budget for the year, shows an 84% for the Law Enforcement Force (LEF), which is the official name for Iran's police. This could be a response to several major nationwide anti-government demonstrations throughout the year. Fifth, in July 2017, the parliament set out funding for the Quds Force and the missile program, amounting to 10 trillion rial (US$213m) each. However, these extra-budgetary fundings were not included in the 201819 defence-budget bill. According to the IISS, these initial findings support the contention that important changes are under way in the level of resources Iran is devoting to its military ambitions. The conservative and semi-official Iranian Mehr news agency in an exclusive report on Saturday says a group of evangelical Christians have been arrested in Iran. The agency reported that authorities took action against a "circle of Evangelical Christians, connected with Zionist Christianity". Some members of the group were arrested. Mehr does not reveal the identity or the number of the detainees, but calls them "a sect of Zionist Christians" and adds that based on their "organizational training" they were using Iranian names to conceal their affiliation. Iranian authorities have long harassed and persecuted newly converted Christians, but have rarely labeled anyone as "Zionist Christian". It is not clear if the group had a special belief system or the authorities are trying to pin political-security accusations on them by using the term "Zionist". Mehr says that "Zionist Christian" circles in direct link with the Israel engage in evangelism and propaganda in Muslim countries, especially in Iran, in order to "achieve their ultimate goal of weakening Islam and the system of the Islamic Republic". International and Human Rights organizations and monitors have repeatedly condemned the Islamic Republic's treatment of religious minorities, including people who convert to Christianity. Traditional ethnic Christian churches and their followers, such as Armenians, enjoy official recognition and the right to worship freely in Iran. But converting Muslims is illegal and it is also forbidden for a Muslim to convert to another religion. Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.1 By Sara Israfilbayova Trend: The UK companies continue to look at opportunities in a number of sectors in Azerbaijan, Steve Smith, the Head of Trade and Investments Department of the UK Embassy in Baku, told Trend. He underlined that the UK is Azerbaijans leading investor and there are currently some 523 British companies operating in the country, primarily in the oil and gas sector, but also in mining, construction, financial services, retail, fashion and healthcare. Smith stressed that real progress is being made in a number of mentioned spheres. "This includes encouraging collaboration between Azercosmos and the UK Space Agency, ASAN and the UKs Government Digital Service (GDS), planned ministerial visits to the UK covering agriculture and healthcare, and more cooperation in education and environmental matters," he noted. According to Smith, the British ambassador is leading a very active policy to help Azerbaijan eradicate single-use plastics and to develop a greener, more low-carbon economy. Further, he emphasized that economic cooperation between the UK and Azerbaijan is very strong and the sides enjoy rich and close relationship that spans many years. So far, the UK has invested over $27 billion in the economy of Azerbaijan. In January-October 2018, trade turnover between the countries amounted to $455.59 million, of which $257.4 million accounted for exports from Azerbaijan. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @IsrafilbekovaS Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec.1 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: A meeting with an Indian delegation consisting of heads and representatives of about 30 pharmaceutical companies was held at the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. The Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan was represented by the heads of enterprises dealing with the purchase and sale of medicines. The delegation held a presentation of the medicines produced by Indian companies. The sides discussed the possibility of expanding the partnership and establishing direct contacts with Turkmen entrepreneurs. Turkmenistan has been cooperating with India for a long time on pharmaceutics, in particular, Ajanta Pharma has created an enterprise in Ashgabat that produces more than 80 types of medicines. According to plans, in the coming years, local pharmaceutics must meet most of the country's needs. Experts say this market and its infrastructure may develop through the private capital. --- Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.1 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Uzbekistan intends to receive a sovereign credit rating by the end of 2018, and to issue bonds in the foreign market in the 1Q2019, Uzbek media reported citing Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister Jamshid Kuchkarov. The minister said that the government is currently working with three rating agencies Fitch, Moodys, Standard & Poors. "Of course, they do not say from beforehand what rating they will issue. We have objective disadvantages, but we also have objective advantages," he noted. Among the disadvantages, the deputy prime minister noted the low GDP volume of Uzbekistan per capita, as well as the low positions of the country in a number of ratings or their absence. Among the advantages, he noted the low external debt, up to 24 percent to GDP, significant foreign exchange reserves, as well as a strong political will to reform. "They are looking at us very positively, they note sharp changes in the economy, openness of the dialogue," Kuchkarov said. Kuchkarov did not reveal the planned volumes of the issue of bonds, "so that the market would not begin to make premature conclusions". "The volume should not be small so that they bonds could circulate in the secondary market, at the same time, it should not be too large so that the price would be acceptable," the deputy prime minister added. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.1 By Rashid Shirinov Trend: Seven memorandums were signed by the participants of the 6th International Investment Forum Almaty Invest, Kazakh media reported. Birzhan Kaneshev, Deputy Chairman of Kazakh Invest national company, said that the international projects are worth $480 million, and another 26 projects are under development. "Within the state program on investments, 11 priority sectors have been identified, which are supported by the state," he added. The projects include the construction of large factories, business areas and building materials stores. During the investment forum, an agreement was signed on the construction of the financial social business center Down Town Almaty with the participation of the Turkish Eksen Group company. Also, an agreement was signed on the construction of a house-building plant with the participation of a Polish partner. Moreover, it is planned to build a pharmaceutical plant, two hypermarkets of OBI and Leroy Merlin construction and finishing materials, as well as to expand the production capacity of a tea- packing plant with the participation of Kazakh Invest and Universal Tea company. More than 500 delegates from around the world took part in Almaty Invest 2018. The guests included well-known politicians, world and Kazakh business leaders, heads of investment corporations, financial institutions and international organizations. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @ShirinovRashid Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 1 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Uzbekistan has suspended the unloading and customs clearance of sugar and other goods arriving from Ukraine, the National Association of Sugar Producers of Ukraine, Ukrtsukor, announced. According to the information, this situation is caused by the ban on import of goods from Ukraine. Such sudden developments lead to non-fulfillment of the conditions of previously concluded contacts. And taking into account that Uzbekistan was the main sugar importer for the last six months, we are losing the main market, head of the analytical department of Ukrtsukor Ruslana Butilo said. Ukrtsukor sent an official appeal to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade with a request to provide clarification and resolve the issue with the delay of export of Ukrainian products to Uzbekistan. In 2017-2018, Ukraine supplied 560,400 tons of sugar to foreign markets, with the main importer being Uzbekistan, which imported 209,900 tons, amounting $79.1 million. In early October 2018, the Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade of Ukraine launched an anti-subsidy investigation concerning the import of passenger cars from Uzbekistan on the basis of a complaint from the Ukrainian Automakers Association, Ukravtoprom. Members of the Uzbek parliament called to respond to the Ukrainian investigation with counter-measures. The government, however, didnt make any official statements on this matter. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 1 By Huseyn Veliyev - Trend: Azerbaijan may leave bank cards behind by switching to the use of mobile technologies offline, as it happened in China, a source in Azerbaijans financial market told Trend. The number of bank card users in Azerbaijan is insignificant and amounts to only 10 percent of the total population, the source noted. "Similar indicators were also in the Chinese market, but there people preferred to use payments based on QR technology," the source said. "QR code payments are available everywhere in China. Azerbaijan already has plans regarding this technology and a number of companies are already reviewing their strategy, relying specifically on QR code payments. However, they will need to implement this work on a large scale and with serious partners." In some countries, contactless technologies were successful, in some not, the source added. "Russia, for example, is a leader in the field of contactless payments," the source said. "In this market, ApplePay and SamsungPay technologies gained great popularity. The arrival of ApplePay, SamsungPay and GooglePay in Azerbaijan is stipulated in the state program for the development of e-payments for 2018-2020. It will become known whether they will gain popularity in Azerbaijan after banks start connecting to them." "The bank coffers the QR Pay service, for the use of which it is enough to download the BirBank mobile application," the source noted. "After making a purchase, it is necessary to scan a QR code on special posters installed at the cash desks of stores with a smartphone camera. In order to make a payment, you can use the account of any bank card registered in BirBank, including bank cards not related to Kapital Bank." --- Follow the author on Twitter: @h_veliyev Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.1 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Enter Engineering Pte Ltd., a subsidiary of Gazprombank, and Uzbekneftegaz signed an EPC contract (design, equipment purchase and construction) to expand the capacity of the Shurtan Gas Chemical Complex (GCC), the Uzbek media reported citing Deputy Chairman of Uzbekneftegaz Odil Temirov. It is planned to commission additional capacity for the production of 280,000 tons of polyethylene and 100,000 tons of polypropylene by 2021. The project will use technologies licensed by CB&I Lummus and Chevron. According to Temirov, Enter Engineering is developing a detailed project and considering the project financing. The project envisages the processing of valuable raw materials synthetic naphtha from the GTL (gas-to-liquids) plant under construction nearby and the development of new types of polyethylene and polypropylene. The Shurtan GCC was commissioned in 2001. The products of the complex are exported to Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Turkey, China, Poland, Italy and a number of other countries. Enter Engineering Pte Ltd. has already implemented a number of projects in Uzbekistan. The company has equipped 28 wells of a group of gas-condensate fields in the Kashkadarya region in the southern part of the country. The project also provided for the construction of a booster compressor station to maintain reservoir pressure at the fields, with further increase in production of up to 2 billion cubic meters of gas per year. In addition, the company also built a booster station for the disposal of low-pressure gases from the South Kemachi, Kruk, West Kruk, North Urtabulak and Umid fields in the Kashkadarya region. The project involves the utilization of millions of cubic meters of associated gas per year. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, By Elnur Baghishov Trend: With the launch of a knowledge company, robotic pharmacy technology in Irans Urmia city will be nationalized, Rector of the Medical Sciences, Healthcare and Treatment Services University of West Azarbaijan Province Javad Aghazadeh said in an interview with IRNA. He said that after the registration of robotic pharmacy, these robots will be produced throughout the country and distributed to the countrys medical science universities. "This system will be used by Iranian medical science universities," he said. "This will benefit Irans industry, reduce costs and create jobs for young people." He added that Urmia robotic pharmacy was purchased from Finland for 14 billion rials (over $333,000). Presently, three robots are working in this pharmacy, he said, adding that two robots control the warehouse and one robot issues medicines. "The reduction of human factor, increasing work speed, sale of medicines at the price indicated on the package of the drug, and the introduction of new technologies in the healthcare sector are among the capabilities of the robotic pharmacy," he said. The State Service for Combating Economic Crimes of Kyrgyzstan detected two companies in Osh region that illegally mined and exported antimony to China, 24.kg reports. According to it, U.T. and K. Company in 2017 and from January 1 to June 30, 2018 has exported 1,764 tons of antimony ore and concentrate to the PRC. At the same time, the license confirming the origin of the goods indicated that the ore and the concentrate were mined at Alik Aliksuyak field in Alai district of Osh region. However, the Ministry of Economy stated to the financial police that it issued no permits for import and export of ore and concentrates of non-ferrous metals containing precious metals. By decision of the board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), ores and concentrates of non-ferrous metals containing precious metals are subject to licensing. U.T. and K. has exported antimony-containing ore and concentrate without a license for a total amount of more than 6.2 million soms. According to the information provided by the Tax Service Department for Osh, the company received income of 3,855 million soms last year, the profit was 180,330 soms, the tax amounted to 18,330 soms. A criminal case under article 180 (Illegal entrepreneurship) of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic was opened. Investigation is underway. The second fact of illegal export of ore was also revealed in Osh region. According to the South-West Customs, T.S. company has exported 885.4 tons in 2017, and from January 1 to July 30, 2018 537.5 tons of antimony containing ore and concentrate to China. According to the State Committee for Industry, Energy and Subsoil Use, T.S. company has a license for exploration without the right to develop fields and export antimony-containing concentrates outside Kyrgyzstan. The Ministry of Economy also did not issue permits to the company for the import and export of ores and concentrates of non-ferrous metals containing precious metals. T.S. company exported antimony-containing ore and concentrate for 4.3 million soms for 2017-2018. A criminal case under article 180 (Illegal entrepreneurship) of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic was initiated. Investigation is underway. The European Union is ready to continue work in supporting Kyrgyzstan in using the opportunities of the GSP+ status, EU Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian told at a meeting with journalists, kabar.kg reports. Discussion of actions and plans concerning this issue, as he said, took place at a meeting with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Chingiz Aidarbekov, and further the dialogue will continue with Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziyev. Burian said that the process of using this system involves a process of raising product standards. He added that the Union intends to help in this regard through its programs so that standards, especially those of agricultural products, will be raised and meet the standards that can open access to its market. The EU Special Representative for Central Asia also noted that the second issue to be addressed is the procedure for obtaining certification for export products, and this problem concerns the entire region. He said that It is very important that the imported goods receive this certification and it is affordable. The Union had a conversation about laboratories, expert training of personnel. Burian stated they understand that sometimes entrepreneurs have to go to Turkey or send products for certification to other countries. Burian added that the points voiced by him will be further discussed at a meeting of the the EU-Kyrgyz Republic Cooperation Council on 10 December this year. The EU Representative noted that It there is already deep understanding of what needs to be done in order for this system to work and bring concrete results. As it is known, recently the volume of export of Kyrgyz goods to the European market has increased almost threefold, and an aspiration in the near future is to increase the turnover to 1 billion euros. This is quite possible, and the GSP+ system will contribute to it. In addition, such effect in bilateral relations will help Kyrgyzstan to diversify the country's economy and achieve competitiveness in the external market. Kyrgyzstan received the GSP+ status (Generalised scheme of preferences) in January 2016. It allows to export more than 6 thousand items of goods to the European market on a duty-free basis. Previously, customs duty for Kyrgyz exporters was 14.6% for some types of fruits and vegetables and 5-9% for clothing. Tajikistans tallest ever New Years tree will be installed in Dushanbe this year, news.tj reports. Installation of a 28-meter light-emitting New Year tree, which is considered the main New Year tree of Tajikistan, has already begun at Dousti Square in downtown Dushanbe. By Dushanbe Mayor Rustam Emomalis decree the work on installing the main New Year tree should be completed by December 10. Besides, New Year trees will also be installed in all Dushanbes districts. A festive concert to celebrate the New Year is expected to take place at Dousti Square on December 31 from 18:00 to 24:00. Last year, a 25-meter light-emitting New Year tree was also installed at Dousti Square on December 10 and dismantled in early January. In 2015 and 2016, New Year tree was installed at Dousti Square on December 29 and dismantled just a couple of days later. Tajikistan inherited the Soviet Unions New Years traditions, and celebrations have continued despite some criticism by religious figures. In 2013, the head of the state-backed Islamic Council of Ulema, Saidmukarram Abduqodirzoda, urged Tajiks not to celebrate New Years holiday. And even the then first deputy head of the Committee for TV and Radio-broadcasting under the Government of Tajikistan, Saidali Siddiqov, noted in December 2013 that Father Frost and Snow Maiden, the iconic symbols of New Years in Tajikistan and other former Soviet countries, have been barred from appearing on state television. Father Frost, his maiden sidekick Snegurochka (Maiden Snow), and New Years tree will not appear on the state television this year, because these personages and attributes bear no direct relation to our national traditions, though there is no harm in them Siddiqov told Asia-Plus in an interview on December 11, 2013. According to him, there was no any order on that point from above. The national TV channels have made such a decision themselves and the Committee for TV and Radio-broadcasting has just approved it, Siddiqov said. The then Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev, however, responded by signing a decree on December 9, 2013 on organizing festive activities in the city to celebrate New Years Eve and a 22-meter New Years tree was installed in Dousti Square on December 28. The New Years holiday, which is entirely secular holiday, remains one of the most popular holidays throughout the former Soviet Union, celebrated with family meals and fireworks. A rehabilitated road-rail bridge (a bridge shared by road and rail lines) in the bus terminal area has been reintroduced into operation in Dushanbe, news.tj reports. An official reopening ceremony of the bridge took place on November 29 and it was attended by Dushanbe Mayor Rustam Emomali. The project has been jointly financed by the Dushanbe mayors office and the State Unitary Enterprise (SUE) Tajik Railways (Tajikistan's national railway company), an official source at the Dushanbe mayors office told Asia-Plus in an interview. . Recall, a road-rail bridge in the Dushanbe airport area was reintroduced into operation after rehabilitation in September last year. Tajik Railways has reportedly spent more than 1.4 million somoni for implementation of that project. As the state-of-the-art destroyer in West Asia, Iran's Sahand destroyer joined the country's navy fleet in the port city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday, IRNA reports. Compared to Jamaran frigate, the domestically-developed Sahand destroyer is much more advanced and enjoys more capabilities, Admiral Alireza Sheikhi Commander of Iranian Navy's factories in Bandar Abbas said. The ingenious design is based on domestic technical knowledge and equipped with stealth technology, Admiral Sheikhi went on to say. He added the differences between Sahand and Jamaran destroyers include updated torpedo launchers, anti-aircraft and anti-surface guns, surface-to-surface and air-to-surface missile systems, anti-submarine systems, stealth technology, increased operational range, high maneuverability and electronic systems. He added that another advantage of Sahand destroyer to Jamaran is using four powerful engines; Sahand has surpassed Jamaran in carrying out maneuvers. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of a ballistic missile test launch on Saturday, claiming that the test was conducted in violation of the UN Security Council's resolution, Sputnik reported. "The Iranian regime has just test-fired a medium range ballistic missile that is capable of carrying multiple warheads. The missile has a range that allows it to strike parts of Europe and anywhere in the Middle East. This test violates UN Security Council resolution 2231 that bans Iran from undertaking 'any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology,'" Pompeo claimed in a statement. The US official condemned the ballistic missile test and called on Iran to immediately stop reported activities assuming that Iran's missile testing and missile proliferation was growing. "We are accumulating risk of escalation in the region if we fail to restore deterrence. We condemn these activities, and call upon Iran to cease immediately all activities related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons," Pompeo added. The US secretary's comments come after US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook said on Thursday that the US wanted the European Union to impose sanctions on Iran suggesting that it would help avoid a regional conflict caused by missile proliferation. He also suggested that the missiles that Tehran has been proliferating were capable of reaching Europe. Washington has been repeatedly accusing Iran of trying to gain influence in the Middle East. Thus, US President Donald Trump has listed the country among the threats in the National Defense Strategy (NDS) submitted in January 2018, which has sought to revamp the US military to counter growing global challenges. The leaders of the worlds largest economic powers on Saturday backed an overhaul of the global body that regulates international trade disputes, ahead of high-stakes talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at defusing a trade war, Reuters reported. The Group of 20 industrialized nations called for reforms to the crisis-stricken World Trade Organization amid growing global trade tensions, in a final statement from a two-day gathering in Argentina. The communique, which was finalized after delegates worked through the night on Friday, recognized trade as an important engine of global growth but made only a passing reference to the current trade issues, without providing any details. We recognize the contribution that the multilateral trading system has made, the statement read. The system is currently falling short of its objectives and there is room for improvement. We therefore support the necessary reform of the WTO to improve its functioning. We will review progress at our next Summit, it said. The WTO is on the verge of becoming dysfunctional, just when it is most needed to fulfill its role as umpire in trade disputes and as the watchdog of global commerce. The United States is unhappy with what it says is the WTOs failure to hold Beijing to account for not opening up its economy as envisioned when China joined the body in 2001. To force reform at the WTO, the United States has blocked new appointments to the worlds top trade court. The European Union is also pushing for reform at the WTO. G20 delegates said that negotiations on the final summit statement proceeded more smoothly than at a meeting of Asian leaders two weeks ago that ended without a consensus thanks to a decision to avoid any reference to protectionism and unfair trading practices. On climate change, the United States once again marked its differences with the rest of the G20 by reiterating in the statement its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and its commitment to using all energy sources. The other members of the group reaffirmed their commitment to implement the Paris deal, taking into account their national circumstances and relative capabilities. We will continue to tackle climate change, while promoting sustainable development and economic growth, the statement said. With the United States and China locked in growing disputes over commerce and security that have raised questions about the future of their relationship, global financial markets next week will take their lead from the outcome of talks between Trump and Xi over dinner on Saturday. The first day of the G20 summit offered glimmers of hope for progress between Washington and Beijing despite Trumps earlier threat of new tariffs, which would increase tensions already weighing on the growth of the global economy. But ahead of what is seen as the most important meeting of U.S. and Chinese leaders in years, both sides said differences remained, and the outcome of the talks were uncertain. This years summit has proved to be a major test for the G20, whose leaders first met in 2008 to help rescue the global economy from the worst financial crisis in seven decades. With a rise in nationalist sentiment in many countries, the group, which accounts for two-thirds of the global population and 85 percent of the global economy, faces doubts over its ability to deal with trade tensions and other geopolitical differences among its members. Apart from trade and climate change, Russias seizure of Ukrainian vessels has drawn condemnation from other G20 members, while the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the summit has raised an awkward dilemma for leaders. Saudi Arabias de facto ruler, who arrived amid controversy over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has been ignored by other leaders at public events, although he has had a series of bilateral meetings with them in private. Saudi Arabia has said the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder. The trade battle between the United States and China has loomed larger over the G20 talks. Washington and Beijing have imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars on each others imports after Trump began an effort to correct what he views as Chinas unfair commercial practices. Saturdays talks will be a test of the personal chemistry between the two leaders, which Trump has hailed as a warm friendship. The U.S. leader was coy on Friday even as he noted some positive signs. Were working very hard. If we could make a deal that would be good. I think they want to. I think wed like to. Well see, he said. A Chinese foreign ministry official in Buenos Aires said there were signs of increasing consensus ahead of the discussions but that differences persisted. Beijing hopes to persuade Trump to abandon plans to hike tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 percent in January, from 10 percent at present. Trump has threatened to go ahead with that and possibly add tariffs on $267 billion of imports if there is no progress in the talks. Trump has long railed against Chinas trade surplus with the United States and Washington accuses Beijing of not playing fairly on trade. China calls the United States protectionist and has resisted what it views as attempts to intimidate it. The two countries are also at odds militarily over Chinas extensive claims in the South China Sea and U.S. warship movements through the highly sensitive Taiwan Strait. On Friday, Xi and leaders from the BRICS group of leading emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - called in a statement for open international trade and a strengthening of the WTO. More than 200 people have been arrested after a day of clashes between protesters and police in central Paris, local authorities said, Reuters reported. The Paris police department said 205 people had been arrested including militants from the far-right and far-left. The former commander of Colombias demobilized FARC rebels, Rodrigo Londono, traveled to Mexico on Friday to attend the inauguration of new leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Reuters reports according to Colombias peace tribunal. The trip by Londono, who now heads the FARCs political party and is better known by his nom de guerre Timochenko, marks the first time he has attended an inauguration. The 2016 peace deal between the government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) put an end to the groups role in more than five decades of war in the Andean country that killed 260,000 people and displaced millions. Londonos trip was approved by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) tribunal, which is tasked with trying FARC and military leadership for human rights violations and war crimes. Londono, 59, is allowed to remain outside of Colombia between Friday and Dec. 4, the tribunal said in a statement. He traveled to Mexico City for the Saturday ceremony with another former guerrilla after being invited by Mexicos Labor Party, which is part of Lopez Obradors coalition. The FARC debuted as a political party in March legislative elections, receiving just 50,000 votes. It has 10 legislative seats guaranteed to them through 2026 under the peace deal. The Pakistani army said on Saturday that security forces in an operation killed a "wanted terrorist" in the country's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunhwa province and rescued six civilians held hostage, Xinhua reported. An army statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that four security forces personnel were injured during the operation in the district of Dera Ismail Khan in the province. According to the army's media wing, the wanted terrorist, Hakim, held the hostages for "ulterior motives," adding that he was armed with automatic weapons and grenades. It said that the operation was based on a tip-off. Local media alleged that the killed belonged to the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. The operation, which was part of the major anti-terror offensive codenamed Radd-ul-Fasaad or Reject Discord, is still in progress, according to security officials. The army is leading the operation across the country along with all other law enforcement agencies. Gold chains for men are uniquely designed, preserving in mind the durability. The excellent gold chain for men that are... While marathon running is specifically an athletic endeavor, it is also a very publicized sport, where your picture could get... Moving to a new city can be full of anxiety and excitement. When you feel scared, you cant enjoy the... Most real estate agents have an obligation to market their business to potential clients. You have to make sure that... I Agree This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy Russia's deliveries of coal to China will grow by 8.4% this year compared to 2017, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said at a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, TASS reports. "At the end of 2018, we expect coal deliveries to stand at 27.2 mln tonnes, which is 8.4% more than last year," the press service of the Russian Energy Ministry quoted Novak as saying. Talking about cooperation in the oil and gas sphere, Novak noted the Yamal SPG project. "Since the start of the first line of the project in December 2017 and of the second line in August this year, more than 4.5 mln tonnes of liquefied gas was produced. The third line will be launched in the nearest future," Novak said. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina, marking the second meeting between the two leaders in Buenos Aires, Daily Sabah reported. The leaders met amid a global outcry over the death of a U.S.-based columnist who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The 50-minute-long meeting was closed to reporters. Prior to that Erdogan had closed-door meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "Our talks regarding TurkStream are of great importance," Erdogan said after the meeting with Putin. The TurkStream project is an export gas pipeline set to cross beneath the Black Sea from Russia to Turkey and extend to Turkey's borders with neighboring countries. Speaking about the four-nation Istanbul summit on Syria's northwestern Idlib, he said there were more steps needed to be taken. "I find it very appropriate to have a meeting about Idlib even if it's for a short time," Erdogan said. Ahead of his visit to Argentina, the president said he would discuss with Trump the Manbij issue, a matter which continues to be an obstacle in the reconciliation of strained relations between the two NATO allies despite a deal made for cooperation. Erdogan is also expected to hold meeting wth the U.K.'s Theresa May. The Turkish president held talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chile's President Sebastian Pinera on Friday. The meetings were closed to the press. During the gatherings, Erdogan was accompanied by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kaln as well as Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, the Turkish Presidency's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun and Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan. Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of major developing economies condemned protectionism at a G20 summit in Argentina on Friday overshadowed by U.S. President Donald Trumps threat to escalate tariffs on China, Reuters reports. This years two-day gathering is a major test for the Group of 20 industrialized nations, whose leaders first met in 2008 to help rescue the global economy from the worst financial crisis in seven decades. With a rise in nationalist sentiment in many countries, the G20 - which accounts for two-thirds of the global population - faces questions over its ability to deal with trade tensions, which have roiled global markets. Hanging over the summit in Buenos Aires is the trade dispute between the United States and China, the worlds two largest economies, which have imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars on each others imports after Trump launched an effort to correct what he views as Chinas unfair commercial practices. Global financial markets will take their lead next week from the outcome of talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping over dinner on Saturday, aimed at resolving differences that are weighing on global economic growth. Xi and leaders from the BRICS group of leading emerging economies - which comprise Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - issued a statement calling for open international trade and a strengthening of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The spirit and rules of the WTO run counter to unilateral and protectionist measures, they said. We call on all members to oppose such WTO-inconsistent measures, stand by their commitments undertaken in the WTO. Beijing hopes to persuade Trump to abandon plans to hike tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 percent in January, from 10 percent at present. U.S. stocks seesawed between slight gains and losses on Friday, as investors kept away from making big bets ahead of Saturdays talks. Trump said on Friday there were some positive signs. Were working very hard. If we could make a deal that would be good. I think they want to. I think wed like to. Well see, he said, speaking during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. A Chinese foreign ministry official in Buenos Aires said there were signs of increasing consensus ahead of the discussions but that differences remained. The United States, Canada and Mexico signed a North American trade pact on Friday, with President Donald Trump brushing aside concerns that he could face difficulties getting the deal through the U.S. Congress, Reuters reports. The leaders of the three countries agreed on a deal in principle to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which governs more than $1.2 trillion of mutual trade, after acrimonious negotiations concluded on Sept. 30. Fridays signing potentially ends a big source of irritation for the U.S. administration as it pivots to a much bigger trade fight with China that threatens the global economy. All eyes are on a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday after a G20 summit in Buenos Aires. Trump had vowed to revamp NAFTA during his 2016 presidential election campaign. He threatened to tear it up and withdraw the United States completely at times during the negotiation, which would have left trade between the three neighbors in disarray. The three were still bickering over the finer points of the deal just hours before officials were due to sit down and sign it. Its been long and hard. Weve taken a lot of barbs and a little abuse and we got there, Trump said after the signing. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau still had a few barbs of his own on Friday. He called the deal by its old name NAFTA, prodded Trump over U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, and said General Motors Cos (GM.N) decision to cut production and slash its North American workforce, including in Canada, was a heavy blow. Donald, its all the more reason why we need to keep working to remove the tariffs on steel and aluminum between our two countries, Trudeau said. Mexicos outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto was warmer. On his last day in office, he said the new deal was forged with the firm belief that together we are stronger and more competitive. Legislators from the three countries must still approve the pact, officially known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), before it goes into effect and replaces NAFTA. But the U.S. landscape will shift significantly in January when Democrats take control of the House of Representatives, after winning midterm elections in November. Presumptive incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi described the deal as a work in progress that lacks worker and environment protections. This is not something where we have a piece of paper we can say yes or no to, she said at a news conference on Friday, noting that Mexico had yet to pass a law on wages and working conditions. Other Democrats, backed by unions that oppose the pact, have called for stronger enforcement provisions for new labor and environmental standards, arguing that USMCAs state-to-state dispute settlement mechanism is too weak. There is still a ways to go to gain support in the new Congress for this agreement, said Representative Bill Pascrell, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means trade subcommittee. Still, Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer expressed confidence that the NAFTA replacement would pass Congress. Its been so well reviewed I dont expect to have very much of a problem, Trump said. Lighthizer said the pact was negotiated from the beginning to be a bipartisan agreement. I think well get the support of a lot of Democrats, he told reporters. Trump had forced Canada and Mexico to renegotiate the 24-year-old agreement because he said the existing pact encouraged U.S. companies to move jobs to low-wage Mexico. U.S. objections to Canadas protected internal market for dairy products was a major challenge facing negotiators during the talks, and Trump repeatedly demanded concessions and accused Canada of hurting U.S. farmers. Matt Blunt, the head of the main lobbying group for GM, Ford (F.N) and Fiat-Chrysler (FCHA.MI), applauded the deal, saying it would keep north American automotive manufacturing competitive and included a first-ever provision to address currency manipulation. However, we remain concerned that the continued imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico will undermine the benefits of the USMCA, added Blunt, who heads the American Automotive Policy Council. Foreign brand automakers have expressed concerns that the new rules of origin, which require more high-value content be produced in the United States or Canada, will be too burdensome. BDI, Germanys main industry association, said in a statement that the autos rules of origin were a retrograde step compared with NAFTA. The Pentagon received a request on Friday from the Trump administration to extend its deployment of troops to the U.S. border with Mexico beyond a Dec. 15 authorization date to the end of January, officials said, Reuters reports. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who is expected to sign off on the extension of the mission, strongly hinted earlier this week that such a request by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was in the works. President Donald Trump ordered the deployment shortly before November congressional elections as a part of an effort to crack down on illegal immigration, as waves of thousands of migrants escaping violence in Central America trekked toward the United States. Border security is a major issue among voters in Trumps Republican Party. Critics, including opposition Democrats in Congress but also some U.S. military veterans, have derided the troop deployment as a political stunt. Democrats have threatened to investigate the deployment once they take control in the House of Representatives next year. The Department of Homeland Security, in a statement, cited the the very real threat we face at the border from potential mass migration actions when it confirmed the extension of the mission, which had been reported earlier on Friday by Reuters. The president has made it clear that border security is a top administration priority, DHS spokeswoman Katie Waldman said in a statement. This request refines support to ensure it remains aligned with the current situation, the nature of the mission, and Customs and Border Patrol operational requirements. About 5,600 troops have been deployed to the border, but many of them have been involved in efforts to improve security around border crossings, including stringing up concertina wire. Many of those troops could be sent home. Remaining troops could focus on other missions, including helping fly U.S. border personnel to new positions along the border. Still, officials caution that its unclear how far troop levels will decline. One U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said troop levels were not expected to decline dramatically. Neither the Pentagon nor the DHS speculated about troop levels on Friday. The Trump administration has justified the high-profile border mission on a perceived threat to the border, as thousands of migrants, mostly migrants from Honduras, flooded into the city of Tijuana across the border from San Diego, California, over the past several weeks. U.S. customs and border control officers fired tear gas canisters into Mexico at dozens of migrants who tried to rush border fencing on Sunday. Under the harsh immigration policies introduced by the Trump administration, U.S. border officials say the migrants may have to stay put in Mexico for months before they can petition authorities for asylum. KYODO NEWS - Dec 1, 2018 - 08:50 | Arts, Urgent, All, World A concert dedicated to Japanese-Turkish friendship and world peace was held in New York's world-famous Carnegie Hall on Thursday night. The concert was performed by the New Manhattan Sinfonietta Orchestra, founded by Turkish conductor Gurer Aykal, under the baton of Japanese amateur conductor Seiji Mukaiyama. The orchestra performed two parts of Mukaiyama's symphonic suite "Friendship." One part was inspired by the story of the Ottoman frigate Ertugrul, which sank off Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan in 1890, while the other focuses on the 1985 rescue by a Turkish Airlines plane of Japanese nationals stranded in Tehran during the Iran-Iraqi war. A video to introduce the 1890 incident was shown during the performance of the piece by Mukaiyama, a 72-year-old who runs a gas production and sales company in Kainan, Wakayama. Of the 587 people aboard the Ertugrul, which sank off what is now the town of Kushimoto, 69 survived due to rescue efforts by local people, in an incident remembered as the beginning of the Japanese-Turkish bond. (Conductor Seiji Mukaiyama) Also during the concert, Junichi Numata, 76, who was among those rescued from Iran by the Turkish Airlines aircraft, narrated his memory to the audience together with others involved, including Ayse Ozalp who was on the plane's cabin crew. Numata expressed his gratitude to Turkey over the rescue operation, saying in tears, "I cannot thank Turkey enough. I will keep telling this story and our friendship to the world." After the event, Mukaiyama was all smiles. "I am filled with deep emotion having performed a concert to appeal to many people for peace," he said, adding that he plans to hold a similar concert in Europe. This variant is reported to have a significantly high number of mutations, and thus, has serious public health implications for the country, a Health Ministry report read. Fridays-Sundays, 5-9 p.m., Dec. 20-23, 5-9 p.m. and Dec. 26-30, 5-9 p.m. Continues through Dec. 19 Henson Robinson Zoo 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., Springfield Lake Springfield Area Adults $7, kids 3-12 $5, ages 2 and under are free Holiday Happenings Take a stroll through the zoo and enjoy thousands of lights and displays. Enjoy the hot cocoa bar or roast a marshmallow over the fire pit for a delicious s'more. Grab the family and gather at one of the photo opportunities for your holiday pics! See the Zoo animals as they enjoy the lights too; red wolves, arctic fox, eagles, barnyard, cougars, birds of prey and many others that are all out on the grounds or viewable still this time of year! There will be bonus features scheduled for certain dates, so keep an eye on our schedule for all. 217-585-1821 A Christmas ad from Air New Zealand has gone viral for its gentle mocking of U.S. President Donald Trump. In the video, Santa Claus accidentally sends his naughty list to a New Zealand boy, who is on the list and convenes a global summit of naughty kids. The American boy is clearly meant to emulate Trump wearing a red Make Christmas Great Again hat, he pushes past the other delegates disembarking the Air New Zealand plane. I have to say, Im not naughty at all, the boy later tells the summit. In fact, Im the nicest person I know. Everyone else laughs at him, so he responds: I didnt expect that reaction, but thats OK. At a 2017 NATO summit, President Trump was filmed shoving aside Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic so he could get to the front of a group photo. A couple of months ago Trump also boasted about his achievements In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country to the United Nations General Assembly, prompting a highly embarrassing outbreak of spontaneous laughter. Didnt expect that reaction, but thats OK, he responded. Air New Zealand isnt the first brand to poke fun at Trump in its advertising. In mid-2017, Smirnoff vodka ran a campaign that featured the line: Made in America. But wed be happy to talk about our ties to Russia under oath. That ad ran shortly after Trump said hed be happy to testify to the team of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, which is still investigating ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. A string of devastating wildfires have raged across California in 2018, leading to what is likely the states worst season in history. Just under a week earlier, California managed to contain its single deadliest fire in its history after battling the blaze for 14 days. California state officials have reported 85 civilian deaths so far from the conflagration and three firefighter injuries. Now, some are looking to technology to help ameliorate the threat. Ive been obsessed with this idea that we could put these drones out to fight fires, said Arnaud Thiercelin, Head of R&D at drone-maker DJI North America at the Fortune Global Tech Forum in Guangzhou Friday. Though suppressing wildfires are often multi day events, during the fire nothing can fly at night, says Thiercelin. But unmanned drones that can detect obstacles even under the cover of darkness may be able to help. Imagine a fleet of 1,000 or 2,000 or 3,000 drones carry just a small amount of water each. But they never stop bringing that water as a constant chain, he said. I call this idea the aerial aqueduct and Im trying to push forward. Already, California has been using drones to help with rescue missions and firefighting. For example, the California Air National Guard drones have used unmanned aerial vehicles to track the movement of the blaze. To Thiercelin, helping with wildfires is just one of many ways drones could be useful. He envisions a where the unmanned aircrafts can take over jobs that he dubs the dirty, the dull, the dangerous. We are facing problems in the world that are bigger than people, said Thiercelin of the wildfires. We are supporting a lot of efforts to point our drones in these scenario where they can really really help. To assist the blind in navigating unfamiliar places, scientists at Caltech in the US state of California have developed an augmented reality technology housed within a portable headset that gives objects a voice. This week, Caltech announced the publication of a paper ("Augmented Reality Powers a Cognitive Assistant for the Blind") outlining the work of scientists who "have combined augmented reality hardware and computer vision algorithms to develop software that enables objects to talk.'" In layman's terms, these researchers have constructed a headset powered by AR technology, called CARA, that says the name of objects in particular pitches and in particular locations to inform the wearer of what and where their surroundings are. CARA stands for Cognitive Augmented Reality Assistant, which is the tech that is used within Microsoft's HoloLens, a wearable headset computer that recognize objects. The tech uses "spatialized sound," or localized voices, to alert the user of where a particular object is -- the closer an object is, the higher pitched "its" voice will be. Of course, if the scientists stopped there, the headset will be saying tons of things to the wearer simultaneously which could no doubt be pretty alarming. Instead, the team programmed CARA with three modes to make understanding a space less overwhelming. Spotlight mode programs CARA to voice object names only where the user's gaze is targeted at them. The second mode, scan mode, lists all objects in the environment that the headset can identify from left to right. Lastly, target mode allows the wearer to select a single object to "speak exclusively" with to use as a guide. Although in its early stages, the technology is promising as all visually impaired individuals who tested the headset were able to successfully navigate a route guided by CARA on the first try. With algorithms for computer vision evolving and developing at such a rapid pace, the team looks forward to the possibility of this AR headset being used at banks, hotels, and malls, basically anywhere that navigating could be a challenge for the blind, sooner rather than later. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAGybwLb3kg The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, November 28, 2018. REUTERS/Staff By Helen Reid LONDON (Reuters) - European shares fell back on Friday as weak data from China rekindled anxiety over slowing growth and investors fretted ahead of Saturday's crucial G20 talks between U.S. President Trump and China's Xi Jinping over trade. The pan-European STOXX 600 opened marginally up but rapidly fell into negative territory, down 0.5 percent by 0930 GMT. Germany's DAX, the most sensitive to China due to its big exporters, fell 0.6 percent. The DAX was set for its fourth straight month of losses - its longest losing streak since 2008. The pan-European STOXX was set for its second straight month of losses as November, and a disappointing earnings season, draw to a close. Investors' hopes of a partial recovery in stock markets in December - known as a "Santa rally" - hang on the leaders' discussions resulting in a truce or de-escalation of the U.S.-China trade war. "There are only two people in the world that can deliver a Santa rally, Trump and Xi, and I don't see that happening," said Peter Garnry, head of equity strategy at Saxo Bank in Copenhagen. Garnry saw a 60 to 65 percent chance of the Trump-Xi talks resulting in "no deal". China reported its weakest factory growth in more than two years on Friday, reigniting fears about growth ahead of crucial trade talks. "The weak data out of China is increasingly a little bit of a surprise. Most investors would have anticipated that at least some of that stimulus six months ago would have had an impact, but this really tells us how big the headwinds are," said Garnry. Autos stocks were the worst-performing, down 1.4 percent, on the data and anxiety over tariffs. German car bosses are finalising plans to visit the White House next week to discuss trade policy, German and U.S. officials said. Car parts makers were among the worst-performing stocks, with Hella, Valeo, and tyre maker Faurecia down 2.4 to 4.9 percent. Daimler dragged the DAX down with a 2.7 percent fall, while peers BMW and Volkswagen fell 0.8 to 0.9 percent. Story continues "The problem with Europe is that... quite a lot of our industrial supply chain and capital goods manufacturers have at least some exposure to the autos sector, so you can't get away from it," said Ian Ormiston, European smaller companies fund manager at Merian Global Investors. HSBC analysts downgraded both Faurecia and Daimler to "reduce" from "hold", saying a re-rating for the sector next year is "hard to imagine". Tariff fears have led analysts to slash their earnings growth forecasts for the sector. Mining stocks fell 1.1 percent, hit by growth fears over China, the world's top metals consumer. Among the biggest drags on the STOXX were also luxury goods conglomerates Kering and LVMH, down 1.8 percent each. Luxury stocks have been especially sensitive to slowing growth in China, high-end brands' biggest market. In single-stock moves Altice shares surged 9.4 percent after the telecoms and cable firm announced its French unit had agreed to sell a 49.99 percent stake in its fibre optic business. Zalando fell 4.2 percent after Kepler Cheuvreux cut its price target on the stock, saying it has become more sceptical about the long-term potential for margins at the online retailer. (Reporting by Helen Reid; editing by Josephine Mason and Jon Boyle) The willingness of Chinese citizens to share their data with tech firms is giving China an edge. A vast number are sharing medical records, paying for meals and accessing bank accounts through technology on a daily basis. Critics say Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu have a stranglehold over the personal data of China's 1.4 billion population. Just over 1.4 billion people live in China. That's a fifth of the world's population and four times as many people as the United States. A vast number of them are sharing medical records, paying for meals and accessing bank accounts through technology on a daily basis, on scale not seen in Europe or the U.S. A number of CEOs, investors and top tech leaders at CNBC's East Tech West conference this week have cited one common theme that binds them all: data is today's gold, more so in China than anywhere else. China's edge in the tech race is vast amounts of data and, more importantly, the willingness of its public to share it. "China is so interesting because there is so much data," said Edith Yeung, head of 500 Startups' China unit. "I think there are a lot of Chinese citizens really proud of the fact that we're actually big enough to even be able to compete with the U.S. in terms of AI. And I think it is just a really exciting time to be in China." She suggested that this willingness from the Chinese public will aid data-hungry firms that are looking to enhance and launch new AI projects. China's tech firms, big and small, are capitalizing on this gold mine of data. Russ Shaw, the founder of tech association Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates, told CNBC via email that China is collecting "unprecedented amounts of data, unlike anything we are seeing in Europe and the U.S. The combination of advanced technology and government backing has allowed the country to harness the power of its enormous population." This has shaped public attitudes in China that are somewhat different to those in the West. Holly White, a former U.K. civil servant in Beijing and now a senior consultant with international IP consultancy Rouse, told CNBC in an email that established "social structures" have led China's citizens to "accept a blurred line between private and state involvement in their lives." Story continues China's government has been slowly rolling out guidelines on a digital social-credit system that would rank citizens behavior to give them a "social" score, in a similar method to analyzing and rewarding financial credit. The database is reportedly set to be in place nationwide by 2020 with around 30 local authorities already collecting data. "These mass data operations have proved beneficial in a number of areas, none more so than in China's capacity to develop cutting-edge fintech and artificial intelligence. The government has also been quick to realize the potential of Big Data, fueling its smart cities program, and using the information to improve energy efficiency and health standards by reducing pollution levels," Shaw said. "People have less inhibitions in sharing personal data, especially when it is seen to benefit their lives or enable them to utilize new innovations," White added. Facial recognition Chinese consumers have been speedy adopters of the latest technology thanks to platforms giving access to a wide range of services, from payments to targeted food menus, based on historical data collected by tech firms. China has also adopted facial recognition software for everyday life. The technology has been used for everything from helping police identify and arrest a fugitive in a crowd of 50,000 in southeast China to AI firms publicly displaying the faces of jaywalkers on large LED screens. According to global accounting firm EY, over 1,000 brands across 100,000 locations in China have used features including facial recognition or gamification to engage customers in stores. KFC China launched a "smile to pay" facial recognition system for customers to order food in September 2017 with the help of internet search engine Baidu. Baidu is currently experimenting with AI, but its humble beginnings reveal how early players grabbed a stranglehold on data dominance. Back in 2000, venture capitalist Jixun Foo invested in Baidu, which has now evolved into China's largest search engine. "When I invested in Baidu in 2000, I wasn't sure where Google was. I thought it was B2B (business-to-business) services. I said information services had demand and that search has value. That is the underlying thesis," Jixun said at the East Tech West summit . China's tech landscape has morphed considerably since, boasting the world's biggest technology companies, including e-commerce giant Alibaba, Tencent with its WeChat app registered with 1 billion users, alongside Baidu. All three internet behemoths have grown so big that they now dominate every aspect of China's tech landscape with investments ranging from e-gaming, driverless cars and media companies. According to the China Internet Report , created by 500 Startups' Yeung, Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu have invested in over 400 companies combined. That means almost all the big data is controlled by industry heavyweights, making it very difficult for small start-ups to get hold of that data. Xin Song, founder of an AI-focused blockchain platform called Bottos, told CNBC's Arjun Kharpal that the solution to breaking that stranglehold and providing data privacy could be in blockchain. "With blockchain technology people can provide those data, and with the traceability and the transparency of the data usage in the future, people in the world and people in the blockchain community (will be) willing to contribute their individual data." More From CNBC David Miller, Shareholder Bryant Miller Olive, Fort Lauderdale Anyone whos ever set an old-fashioned mouse trap knows that delicate moment when you set the cheese on the trigger. If youre not careful, the trap can snap shut on your fingers, a painful experience you wont soon forget. A television journalist in California recently experienced something like thisbut much worsewhen he posted on social media something he may have thought was a thoughtful observation and one that could get him some clicks. He was commenting on the accusation against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh that Kavanaugh had committed a sexual assault when he was a teenager. As part of a 400-word post, the journalist stated, you are beyond dreaming if you think 17-year-old boys are not going to misbehave from time to time ... The posting was filled with disclaimers and qualifications, but it didnt matter. Within days, the journalist resigned under a flood of anger and outrage. We all live in a social media world now where self-worth may derive from likes and shares and clicks. For journalists, it ascends to a whole other level. Nowadays, journalists are required to post and they are evaluated on the number of views their articles and postings get. Many even have quotas: Didnt get your six million views this year? No raise for you. It puts journalists in a difficult and potentially career-ending conundrum. They must post, their posts must get lots of attention, and the posts likely to get the most attention deal with hot topics. But hot topics are hot because people have strong feelings about them that are likely to be aroused by whatever is posted. Such posts obviously need time and thought and carecommodities hard to come by for a journalist operating in a news stream that changes by the minute and never sleeps. Keep in mind that news journalists, as opposed to columnists, are not supposed to advertise their opinions, particularly not on the subjects they cover. A writer cannot control what a reader may ascribe to his words, however. What for one reader is an objective account may be and often is anothers biased political hatchet job. The employer still has to deal with the consequences. The television journalist touched what has become a deadly third rail. He resigned, which may have saved his employer the trouble of firing him. This raises the question of when an employer may fire an employee for what the employee posts. When is it unfair? Could it even be illegal? Put aside public employees, where the huge body of First Amendment law complicates things beyond belief. Most people, including journalists, work in the private sector. Speech, including social media posts, made as part of the job is legitimately subject to the oversight and control of the employer. What a reporter writes in her capacity as a reporter reflects directly on the employer. It can cause sales (or clicks) to go down. It can get the employer sued. Even when an employees speech isnt strictly part of the job, the audience may reasonably regard the speech as reflecting on the employer. Imagine employees picketing outside their workplace while dressed in the employers uniforms. Imagine a news writer commenting on the news, even in a venue like his personal social media page. Can such speech ever be truly private? Some speech is protected. Labor law protects speech related to the mutual aid or protection of groups of employees. Some employer action is prohibited. Civil rights laws prohibit firing employees in retaliation for opposing illegal discrimination in their workplace. However, the law might not protect speech or prohibit employer actions if the action is taken for legitimate reasons. If that television journalist had not quit but had been fired, the employer might have justified it on the basis that his expressed views violated its policies or that they caused a decline in ratings and revenue. He could hardly be blamed for replying that the employer required him to post and now was blaming him for the result. Its a minefield and were all liable to be blown up no matter where we step. As tempting as it is to say that everyone should take a deep breath and calm down, that is just not the world we live in right now. Right now, all of us have our fingers on the cheese in the mouse trap. And the trigger is trembling. David C. Milleris a shareholder in the Miami office of Bryant Miller Olive. He is board-certified by the Florida Bar in labor and employment law and represents employers. Before becoming a lawyer, Miller was a newspaper editor and reporter for more than a decade. (Mohamad Bazzi is a journalism professor at New York University and former Middle East bureau chief at Newsday. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.) By Mohamad Bazzi Nov 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate voted 63 to 37 on Wednesday to clear the way for a debate and final vote on a resolution to end American military support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Its the first time that an anti-war resolution has advanced in Congress since Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in Yemens civil war in early 2015. The vote, with an unexpectedly wide margin in a Senate typically gridlocked along partisan lines, underscores growing anger over American involvement in a war that is currently the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. But the vote, in which 14 Republicans joined all 49 Senate Democrats, was also a rebuke to President Donald Trump for doubling down on his support for Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, after Saudi agents murdered the dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the kingdoms consulate in Istanbul. Despite the initial Senate vote, the resolution may not ultimately be approved in its current form. Senators could demand amendments or change their minds before a final vote, and Trump has threatened a veto. Saudi Arabia and its allies are also poised to lobby behind the scenes to curtail the measure. And even if the United States ultimately withdraws its support, the Saudi coalition could continue the war for some time. But the vote was a setback for both Trump and Saudi leaders, who are trying to contain the fallout from Khashoggis murder. The Trump administration made a last-ditch effort on Wednesday to derail the vote, by sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to give all senators a classified briefing on the Yemen war and Khashoggis murder. That move backfired because the White House blocked CIA Director Gina Haspel from testifying at the briefing, as many senators had wanted. Story continues The CIA has reportedly concluded with high confidence, after reviewing intelligence intercepts and other evidence, that Prince Mohammed ordered Khashoggis killing, despite the Saudi governments denials of the heir apparents involvement. Haspel has listened to audio recordings provided by the Turkish government of Khashoggis killing, and senators wanted to question her on the CIAs assessment of the princes culpability. Trump has rejected the CIAs assessment, and stood by his Saudi ally. In an extraordinary statement on Nov. 20, Trump wrote, It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event maybe he did and maybe he didnt! Congress members from both parties are furious at Trumps unwavering defense of Riyadh, and especially the brash and ruthless 33-year-old prince, a major architect of the Yemen war against Houthi rebels. That anger is finally translating into action to limit U.S. involvement in the Yemen conflict and to potentially restrict American arms sales to Riyadh, which has become the largest buyer of U.S. weapons. (Between 2013 and 2017, Saudi Arabia accounted for 18 percent of all U.S. arms sales.) One of Trumps most prominent Republican supporters, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, even threatened to block the administrations judicial nominees and legislative agenda until Haspel was allowed to brief the Senate. Graham also warned that if the briefing reinforces the notion that the crown prince was behind Khashoggis murder, there will be no more business as usual with Saudi Arabia. In March, Graham and other senators defeated a similar resolution to limit U.S. involvement in the Yemen war, which had won only 44 votes in support. The change in attitude for Graham and other senators who normally support Trump shows that Congress now has an opening to force the administrations hand on the Yemen war. On Nov. 10, the administration announced it was ending one of the most critical elements of U.S. military assistance: the refueling of Saudi warplanes in Yemen. But that wasnt enough to appease members of Congress or to stop the conflict. The Senate measure, which could be debated as early as next week, invokes the 1973 War Powers Act, arguing that Congress never authorized American military assistance for the Saudi coalition. During the debate, the resolution could be amended and could lose support from some who voted to advance it past the first procedural hurdle. Even if the measure is ultimately approved by the Senate, the House of Representatives would also need to pass a similar bill. In addition, Trump has threatened to veto any legislation that constrains his administrations ability to support the Saudi coalition. The wars full impact has been partly obscured because the United Nations stopped counting civilian deaths in August 2016, when the toll reached 10,000. Many news reports still rely on that outdated figure, even though the actual death toll is far higher. An independent estimate by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, concluded that more than 57,000 people have died since January 2016. That estimate also does not the capture the full scope of the human suffering in Yemen. On Nov. 20, the aid agency Save the Children released an analysis estimating that 85,000 children have likely died of hunger since Saudi Arabia and its allies began their bombing campaign in March 2015. For every child killed by bombs and bullets, dozens are starving to death and its entirely preventable, the groups country director, Tamer Kirolos, said in the report. Children who die in this way suffer immensely as their vital organ functions slow down and eventually stop. Khashoggis murder crystallized U.S. public anger toward Saudi actions and the slow-bubbling anxiety in Congress over incidents like the Saudi coalitions bombing of a school bus in the northern town of Dahyan. That attack in August killed 54 people, 44 of them children, and wounded dozens, according to Yemeni health officials. As the scope of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen becomes clearer, Congress has finally decided to act, even if some of its members are more driven by a desire to punish Saudi leaders for the brutal killing of a journalist. (Reporting by Mohamad Bazzi) (Adds May quote, detail) By Kylie MacLellan BUENOS AIRES, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday urged British Prime Minster Theresa May to ensure stability as Britain leaves the European Union and asked her to do what she could to avoid a 'no deal' Brexit. May secured an agreement with European Union leaders on Nov 25 that would see Britain leave the bloc on March 29 with continued close trade ties, but the odds look stacked against her getting it through a deeply divided British parliament. The deal has been criticised from among May's Conservative lawmakers both by supporters of a cleaner break with the EU and those who want to keep closer ties. Opposition parties and a small Northern Irish party which props up May's minority government have said they plan to reject the deal when parliament votes on it on Dec. 11. At a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina, Abe praised May for reaching a deal with the EU. "Also, I would like to once again ask for your support to avoid no deal as well as to ensure transparency, predictability as well as legal stability in the Brexit process," he added, speaking through a translator. May has warned British lawmakers that if they reject the agreement, Britain could leave the EU with no deal, a step which businesses fear could disrupt their supply chains. May told Abe the agreement offered "a good deal for businesses in the UK, including the many Japanese companies who have made significant investment into the UK and who will be able to continue, on the basis of our deal, to trade well with the European Union from the UK". Both leaders said they looked forward to working more closely together on trade in the future, including the possibility of Britain joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan Editing by Daniel Flynn, Louise Heavens and Peter Graff) A car is trapped on a collapsed section of the offramp of Minnesota Drive in Anchorage, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.8 rocked buildings and buckled roads Friday morning in Anchorage, prompting people to run from their offices or seek shelter under office desks, while a tsunami warning had some seeking higher ground. (AP Photo/Dan Joling) A magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck near Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday morning, caused law firms to close local offices as buildings and roads were severally damaged. All of the law firms contacted by The Recorder, including Perkins Coie, Lane Powell, Davis Wright Tremaine and Dorsey & Whitney, shut down their regional offices and took stock of their attorneys and staff. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck about 8:30 a.m. local time some 10 miles northeast of Anchorage, at a depth of 21 miles. A tsunami warning for the Alaskan coast was later canceled. It was big, it was impactful, and it was scary, said Tammy Baldwin, chief of business operations of Perkins Coie. According to Baldwin, the firms Anchorage office, which is located on the coastal area of the city, was hit with some damages, such as things falling off shelves and art falling off the wall. However, most of its technology equipment continues to work. From the business continuity perspective, we certainly know" that the area is prone to earthquakes, added Baldwin. It's one of the things we have been watching. Michael Baylous, a shareholder at Lane Powells Anchorage office, said his firm also closed its local office Friday, and they will be back in business on Monday. Our office is kind of a mess, said Baylous. I have been working from home today." Stoel Rives local office phone was redirected to Seattle. Meanwhile, Dorsey & Whitney had its calls connected to Minneapolis. "Thank you for thinking of us." said Jasmine Trillos-Decarie, chief client service officer of Stoel Rives, "At this time, our primary focus is on supporting all of our Alaska-based employees. We can say that everyone is safe but we do not have a final report on if there was measurable structural damage to our offices. The firm has implemented its Emergency Response Plan and our clients are being supported by attorneys in our other offices if their Alaska-based attorney is unavailable." The state's courts were also affected. Heather Hintze, a reporter with the local CBS affiliate, posted dramatic footage of the quake from a 6th floor courtroom of the Nesbett Courthouse in Anchorage. falcon-embed src="embed_1" ohio bitcoin tax crypto Well, heres something we didnt expect this early in the century. Ohios state government is now accepting Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash via its payment portal, serviced by BitPay. As CCN reported: Ohio will become the first state in the US to officially accept tax payments in bitcoin, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Beginning this week, businesses who plan to make settlements for their taxes with bitcoin can visit OhioCrypto.com and register to pay all their corporate taxes to the government in BTC. The state government has partnered with crypto payment processor BitPay to handle the payment in crypto and conversion to dollars for the tax office. Now, lets talk terminology. Throughout its history, Bitcoin was not truly a currency, even though it had most properties of currency, because it could not be used to pay taxes. This was one of the first things we come to understand about it, and is at the heart of why it had been regulated as a security or investment asset class. In the same way that you cant take a few pounds of gold or a dozen Walmart gift cards to the tax office, you previously could not pay your taxes using Bitcoin. Is Bitcoin a Real Currency? bitcoin price Except now you can, in at least one state, which happens to be where the most proactive congressman on the issue of cryptocurrencies and blockchain, Warren Davidson, comes from. Which raises the question: is Bitcoin now to be considered a real-deal currency? Well, its hard to argue that the ecosystem is fully matured enough. While Bitcoiners in Ohio now have a convenient way to turn over precious coinage to BitPay, wholl convert it to dollars for the state, how many landlords in the region are accepting Bitcoin for rent? Can they pay their utilities with it? These are important metrics. Because if people can stay completely within the crypto economy, from getting paid in BTC all the way to paying their taxes in it, then weve essentially got a competing currency. If we get that far along, this author for one expects some backlash. Violent backlash, even. Story continues Bitcoin fails the means test if the definition of currency requires that it be issued or controlled by a central authority, this much is true. While Ohio and other states, as well as countries in the EU, definitively want to attract Bitcoiners with moves like this, the fact is that were only getting started. There will be plenty to go around, and it seems that if blockchain is truly as transformative as it promises to be, then eventually the primary purpose of fiat money will, in fact, be to simply pay taxes, while most of daily life is transacted by other means, be they cryptocurrencies or notes pinned to them. At this point, the safest route of interpretation is that Bitcoin remains a cryptocurrency. After all, the Ohio government didnt announce any plans to stockpile it. However, on that note, the move does demonstrate the essential payments superiority of cryptocurrency: fees are much smaller here. Anyone whos dealt with state governments knows they dont like to pay processing fees, and often enough theres a $2-3 charge, sometimes more (sometimes even a percentage), when trying to pay debts and fees to the government. Well have to watch Ohio for other developments which might transform the rust belt state into a true haven for cryptocurrencies and development. Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not represent those of, nor should they be attributed to, CCN. Images from Shutterstock The post Op-Ed: Ohios Crypto Play Proves Bitcoin is Becoming a Currency appeared first on CCN. The United States might have a new North American trade deal in place, but the Trump administration's tariffs on steel and aluminum continue to be a headache for businesses, lawmakers and America's neighbors. The tariffs remain such a big point of contention that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took aim at the tariffs Friday during a signing ceremony for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Trudeau tied the tariffs to the layoff plans GM announced earlier this week. "Donald, it's all the more reason why we need to keep working to remove the tariffs on steel and aluminum between our countries," he told Trump. The United States might have a new North American trade deal in place, but the Trump administration's tariffs on steel and aluminum continue to be a headache for businesses, lawmakers and America's neighbors. Despite expectations to the contrary, the 25 percent tariffs on steel and 10 percent duties on aluminum are staying put for now. They remain such a big point of contention that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took aim at the tariffs Friday during a signing ceremony for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Trudeau tied the tariffs to the layoff plans at General Motors GM announced earlier this week to the chagrin of leaders and workers in the U.S. and Canada. "Donald, it's all the more reason why we need to keep working to remove the tariffs on steel and aluminum between our countries," the Canadian prime minister told U.S. President Donald Trump , who was standing directly to his right. The tariffs were first put into place on March 23 under the Commerce Department's rarely used national security authority, known as Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Mexico and Canada were initially exempt pending the outcome of the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The exemption was removed June 1, however. Several lawmakers expressed their dismay that the tariffs on our key allies have not been lifted. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., separately said they were "disappointed" there is still no resolution. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., said the tariffs are "doing more harm than good." He added that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said over the summer that the tariffs would be lifted as part of the larger trade negotiation. Story continues "Our objective is to have a revitalized NAFTA, a NAFTA that helps America and as part of that the 232s would logically go away both as it relates to Canada and to Mexico," Ross told the Senate Finance Committee in testimony on June 20. Speaking to reporters in Buenos Aires, Argentina, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the tariffs are working, but that negotiations were continuing. "We want an agreement that is fair to Mexico and fair to Canada but maintains the integrity of the president's steel and aluminum programs which have been very successful for the U.S.," he said. Some policy watchers predict that the tariffs will be lifted soon. "USTR Lighthizer today carefully acknowledged that the three countries will negotiate on the tariffs. Once they agree that there are demonstrably changed circumstances on metals issues, the metals tariffs on Canada and Mexico likely cease, our instinct is early in the New Year," Terry Haines, an analyst at ISI Evercore, wrote in a note to clients. But businesses and farmers are growing impatient. An agricultural coalition group formed to oppose tariffs said that U.S. exports targeted with retaliation, including beef, pork and apples have faced more than $1.1 billion in new tariffs, leading to a 21 percent drop in exports. "While USMCA offers exciting opportunities for market access into America's largest and closest ag export markets, any gains will continue to be offset by the losses farmers are experiencing from retaliatory tariffs as long as they are in place," Brian Kuehl, executive director of Farmers for Free Trade, wrote in a statement. The influential Business Roundtable also called for a "prompt resolution" of the tariff issue and said it would review the USMCA against the objective of increasing the competitiveness of U.S. companies. More From CNBC By Nandita Bose (Reuters) - Target Corp said on Tuesday that third-quarter profit missed estimates as investments in its online business, higher wages in a tight labor market and price cuts hurt margins and a big jump in inventories ahead of the critical holiday season worried investors. Target shares tumbled as much as 15 percent as the retailer also reported that comparable sales missed expectations. The third-quarter performance was in sharp contrast to rivals Walmart Inc and Macy's Inc , which raised their forecasts for the current year as a strong economy boosted consumer spending. Addressing the margin pressures, Chief Executive Officer Brian Cornell reiterated on a conference call that its efforts to boost growth "involves a commitment of resources, which explains why I've already used the word investment five times in these remarks." Wall Street did not take well to Cornell's comments. "It's becoming a margin story for Target," said David Russell, a vice president at TradeStation, the fifth largest U.S. digital trading platform, adding that investors expected better margins despite its investments. "Brian Cornell was outspoken multiple times in the past months about how great business was and that adds to the shock on the Street today," Russell said. During the second quarter, Cornell said the consumer environment is "perhaps the strongest I've seen in my career." Analysts said the inventories were weighing on the stock. Cowen analyst Oliver Chen said they jumped 17.8 percent year over year versus sales growth of 5.3 percent, implying a negative 12.2 percent sales-to-inventory spread. "(This) spread was negative for the third consecutive quarter," he said. Target said it was carrying higher inventories in anticipation of increased holiday spending. Target expects to deliver a strong holiday performance by expanding its toy department in more than 500 stores, offering two-day free shipping with no minimum purchases on thousands of items and accelerating the pace of store remodels, he said. Target expects same-store sales to rise about 5 percent in the final quarter, signaling a slowdown during the most critical time of the year for retailers even though it was above estimates of 4.8 percent. For the latest quarter sales rose 5.1 percent. Excluding items, Target earned $1.09 per share in the quarter, below the average estimate of $1.12. Gross margins were 28.7 percent, falling short of the estimate of 29.55 percent. Sales in the quarter totaled $17.59 billion, below the average estimate of $17.8 billion. Online sales soared 49 percent, outpacing the 41 percent rise in the second quarter and a 28 percent gain in the first. Target is offering free two-day shipping on many items through Dec. 22 with no minimum order or membership required. The Minneapolis-based retailer said it gained market share in all key product categories and customer traffic rose 5.3 percent. Target was still confident of its earlier full-year adjusted earnings outlook of $5.30 to $5.50 per share versus the Wall Street view of $5.41, according to IBES Refinitiv. Target shares slid 9.9 percent to $69.51 after falling as low as $66.12. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in New York; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) In this Nov. 28, 2018, photo, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., arrives to speak to media at Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018, to announce her nomination by House Democrats to lead them in the new Congress. President Donald Trump and Pelosi havent talked in days, not since he called to congratulate her on Democrats election night when. But they dont really need to. The two go way back, from before he was president or she was speaker. Not quite friends, nor enemies, theirs is now perhaps the most important relationship in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) WASHINGTON (AP) -- They haven't spoken in days, not since President Donald Trump called to congratulate Nancy Pelosi on Democrats' election night win. But they don't really need to. Trump and Pelosi go way back, from the time she first showed up at Trump Tower fundraising for the Democrats long before he would become president or she the House speaker. Two big-name heirs to big-city honchos Trump and Pelosi each had fathers who were political power players in their home towns they've rubbed elbows on the Manhattan social scene for years. And despite daily barbs in Washington, he's always "Mr. President" to her, and she's one prominent politician he has not labeled with a derisive nickname. Not quite friends, nor enemies, theirs is now perhaps the most important relationship in Washington. If anything is to come of the new era of divided government, with a Republican president and Democratic control of the House, it will happen in the deal-making space between two of the country's most polarizing politicians. The day after their election night phone call, Trump and Pelosi did speak again, indirectly, across Pennsylvania Avenue. "I really respected what Nancy said last night about bipartisanship and getting together and uniting," Trump said in a press conference at the White House. "That's what we should be doing." Pressed after his unusual public lobbying for Pelosi to become House speaker, Trump insisted he was sincere. "A lot of people thought I was being sarcastic or I was kidding. I wasn't. I think she deserves it," he said. "I also believe that Nancy Pelosi and I could work together and get a lot of things done." Pelosi sent word back a few minutes later from her own press conference at the Capitol, which she delayed for nearly an hour as the president conducted his. "Last night, I had a conversation with President Trump about how we could work together," Pelosi said, noting that "building infrastructure" was one of the items they discussed. Story continues "He talked about it during his campaign and really didn't come through with it in his first two years in office," she nudged. "I hope that we can do that because we want to create jobs from sea to shining sea." Despite all the campaign trail trash talk, both Trump and Pelosi have incentive to make some deals. The president could use a domestic policy win heading into his own re-election in 2020, alongside his regular railing against illegal immigration, the "witch hunt" of the Russia investigation or other issues that emerge from his tweets. Democrats, too, need to show Americans they can do more than resist the Trump White House. It's no surprise that two of the top Democratic priorities in the new Congress, infrastructure investment and lowering health care costs, dovetail with promises Trump made to voters, but has not yet fulfilled. "I do think there's opportunities to pass legislation," said former White House legislative director Marc Short. Trump has long viewed Pelosi as both a foil and a possible partner, and she sees in him the one who can sign legislation into law. The president has told confidants that he respects Pelosi's deal-making prowess and her ability to hang on to power in the face of a series of challenges from the left wing of the party, according to four White House officials and Republicans close to the White House. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss private conversations and requested anonymity. He told one ally this month that he respected Pelosi "as a fighter" and that he viewed her as someone with whom he could negotiate. "The president respects her," said Short. Short described the interaction between Pelosi and Trump during a 2017 meeting with other congressional leaders at the White House to prevent a government shutdown. "They were throwing pros and cons back at each other," he said. "The question I can't answer is to what extent will Democrats give Pelosi political bandwidth" to strike deals, Short said. He pointed to potential areas of agreement like infrastructure, drug prices and prison reform. But part of Trump's push for Pelosi to return to power was more nakedly political. Pelosi has long been a popular Republican target, spurring countless fundraising efforts and attack ads. And Trump has told advisers that, if needed, he would make her the face of the opposition in Democratic party until the 2020 presidential field sorts itself out. Pelosi's name draws some of the biggest jeers at his rallies and he believes that "she could be Hillary" in terms of a Clinton-like figure to rally Republicans against, according to one of the advisers familiar with the president's private conversations. At the same time, Trump has not publicly branded Pelosi with a mocking nickname. She's no "Cryin'" Chuck Schumer, as he calls the top Senate Democrat, or "Little" Adam Schiff at the Intelligence Committee or "Low IQ" Rep. Maxine Waters of California, who will chair the Financial Services Committee. On whether Trump likes Pelosi as ally or adversary, Short said, "I don't think those are mutually exclusive." Pelosi, perhaps more than her Republican counterparts outgoing Speaker Paul Ryan or Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell became an early observer, and adapter, to the Trump style of governing. When Trump and Democrats were trying to broker an immigration deal in September 2017, she suggested he could tweet his assurances to the young Dreamers. And he did. Around the same time when Trump and congressional leaders convened at the White House to avoid a federal government shutdown, Republicans and Trump's own Cabinet team pressed for their preferred solution. But Pelosi kept asking a simple question: How many Republican votes could they bring to the table? When it was clear they could not bring enough for passage, Trump intervened and agreed with Democrats Chuck and Nancy," as he came to call them. Votes, Pelosi explained later, were the "currency of the realm." Trump, as a businessman, she said, got it. Pelosi is poised to become House speaker again if she wins her election in January. Asked this week how Trump might react to having a woman in power, Pelosi recalled the first time she held the office, when George W. Bush was president, in 2007. Bush would call her "No. 3," she said, a reference to the speaker's spot in the presidential succession line, after the president and the vice president. "He treated me and the office I hold with great respect," she said. "I would expect nothing less than that from this President of the United States." ___ Follow on twitter at https://twitter.com/AP_Politics The U.S., Canada and Mexico signed a new trade deal championed by President Donald Trump to replace the quarter-century-old Nafta pact, capping a year of intense negotiations and offering a glimmer of certainty amid rising global tensions over trade. Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and outgoing Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto signed an authorization for the deal on Friday morning in Buenos Aires on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit, with their ministers signing it shortly after. The vast majority of the pact still needs to be ratified by lawmakers in the three countries but the signing enacts a handful of immediate protections, such as from auto tariffs. The deal now heads to ratification, almost certainly by the next U.S. Congress, where some Democrats who will have a majority in the House starting in January are warning they may not be satisfied by the terms. Uncertainties remain, as the original 1994 pact stay in effect, and tariffs on steel and aluminum continue to be a major irritant. Nonetheless, the signing concluded an arduous process that was marked by repeated threats from Trump to exit the continents free-trade zone. This has been a battle, Trump said in remarks right before the leaders put pen to paper. This is a model agreement that changes the trade landscape forever. The new deal is known as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, though the Canadians have avoided calling it that. The U.S. and Mexico struck a deal in August, followed by Canada on Sept. 30. Its key provisions include: Raising the North American content requirement in autos traded tariff-free under the deal to 75 percent, from 62.5 percent, and requiring that 40 percent of a vehicle be made at high wages Adding a clause for regular review of the deal, with the first coming after six years Overhauling dispute panels, largely killing investor-state panels but preserving dispute settlement panels Expanding U.S. dairy farmers access to Canadas protected market Story continues The three countries sealed the new trade accord a day before Trump is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss a possible truce in their tit-for-tat trade war. The U.S. leader has touched off a global showdown over trade by threatening a broad range of tariffs to force changes in trade practices that he considers unfair to American industry. No one has been spared in that trade fight not even Canada and Mexico, the top buyers of U.S. goods. Steel and aluminum tariffs, once seen as a pressure tactic in trade talks, remain in place. The U.S. continues to push for a quota in exchange for lifting the tariffs on Canada and Mexico, which have applied their own retaliatory levies. Canada has said it will lift its tariffs once the U.S. removes its own. The unresolved dispute will sap private sector support for the USMCA deal, said Rufus Yerxa, president of the National Foreign Trade Council in the U.S. Trudeau pressed on Friday for a resolution. Donald, its all the more reason why we need to keep working to remove the tariffs on steel and aluminum between our countries, he said at the ceremony. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said talks on steel and aluminum will continue next week, and indicated theyd be handled separately with Canada and Mexico. He declined to say whether quotas would be required to lift the tariffs. So what the president has asked me to do is to find a way forward that is satisfactory to the Mexicans and to the Canadians in separate agreements, he said. It was something that was not going to happen while we were doing this very complicated agreement. The signing was done on Pena Nietos last day in office, a target the countries had pushed for in a bid to have it sealed before his successor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, takes power Saturday. Trump acknowledged the often difficult path during negotiations and praised the outcome. Weve taken a lot of barbs, and a little abuse, and we got there and its great for all of our countries, he said. U.S. lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, have recently said the deal needs changes in order to gain their support. Lopez Obradors Morena party, which holds a majority in Mexicos Senate, may also seek revisions. Trudeau has a majority in Canadas House of Commons but faces an election in October. Trump expressed optimism about getting the deal blessed by U.S. lawmakers. I look forward to working with members of Congress, he said. Its been so well reviewed I dont expect to have much of a problem. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer said the deal needs stronger environmental and labor protections. The Congress has a role in crafting implementing legislation to make sure the deal benefits and protects middle-class families and working people, and isnt simply a rebranding of the same old policies that hurt our economy and workers for years, he said in a statement. Lighthizer said it was possible to address some concerns in implementing legislation, but said the deal isnt being reopened. The parts of the deal that kick in immediately upon signing are 13 provisions known as side letters. The foremost allow exclusions from any U.S. auto tariffs up to a certain quota thats set well above current Canadian and Mexican auto production. The side letters also include deals between the U.S. and Mexico on biologic drugs, cheese names and auto safety standards; and deals between the U.S. and Canada on wine, water and energy. (An earlier version of this story was corrected to amend the attribution of Trumps remarks on abuse during the process.) If approved, United will be able to share revenue and coordinate schedules with Copa and Avianca. The deal is subject to regulators in each country. Such agreements have become a popular way for airlines to expand internationally. United Continental Holdings UAL has reached a long-sought after deal with two major Latin American airlines allowing the third-largest carrier in the U.S. to expand in the region. The agreement, which United announced on Friday, will allow United Airlines, Panama's Copa Holdings and Colombia-based Avianca Holdings to share revenue from flights and coordinate schedules. The three-way partnership is subject to approval from regulators. Avianca, Copa and United are already tied through a code-sharing partnership. Joint ventures that allow airlines to coordinate routes and share either profits or revenue have become more common in recent years as carriers seek to expand internationally. Foreign ownership rules generally limit airlines from abroad to purchase another carrier outright, so such deals along with minority stakes, are a way to provide them with exposure to international markets. Avianca serves around 170 destinations and has more than 180 aircraft, while Copa has a fleet of about 100 aircraft and serves about 75 destinations, according to the companies. Flying to and from Latin America accounted for about 8 percent of United's revenue in the third quarter, while American Airlines AAL , the largest U.S. carrier in the region, received more than 11 percent of its revenue from Latin America flying in the quarter. United's agreement with Avianca comes after a legal battle that could have further delayed the deal was dropped last year. In a filing on Friday detailing the deal with Avianca, United said it would provide a $456 million loan to Syngery Aerospace Corporation, Avianca's owner, using stock in Avianca as collateral. The Wall Street Journal, which reported the deal earlier on Friday, said it would be used to repay a loan from hedge fund Elliott Management. Elliott did not immediately respond to a request for comment. More From CNBC * Yellow vests converge in Paris to protest high living costs * Militants hurl projectiles at riot police near Champs-Elysees * Police fire tear gas, stun grenades, water cannon * Protesters skirmish with police in other French cities * Officials feared infiltration by far-left, far-right groups * Macron says understands anger but sticking to reforms (Adds situation calm, prime minister trip cancelled) By Leigh Thomas and Emmanuel Jarry PARIS, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Rioters ran amok across central Paris on Saturday, torching cars and buildings, looting shops, smashing windows and clashing with police in the worst unrest in more than a decade, posing a dire challenge to Emmanuel Macron's presidency. The authorities were caught off guard by the escalation in violence after two weeks of nationwide protests against fuel taxes and living costs, known as the "yellow vest" movement after fluorescent jackets kept in all vehicles in France. In Paris, police said they had arrested almost 300 people while 110 were injured, including 20 members of the security forces. Police fired stun grenades, tear gas and water cannon at protesters at the top of the Champs-Elysees boulevard, at the Tuilleries Garden near the Louvre museum and other sites. In some areas there was virtually no police presence at all, as groups of masked men roamed in the shadows of the capital's fabled landmarks and through its fanciest shopping districts, smashing the windows of designer boutiques. Macron, in Argentina for a G20 summit, said he would convene ministers to discuss the crisis upon his return on Sunday. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe cancelled a trip to Poland. "We are in a state of insurrection, I've never seen anything like it," said Jeanne d'Hauteserre, the mayor of Paris' 8th district, near the Arc de Triomphe. The popular rebellion erupted out of nowhere on Nov. 17 and has spread quickly via social media, with protesters blocking roads across France and impeding access to shopping malls, factories and some fuel depots. On Saturday, some targeted the Arc de Triomphe, chanting "Macron Resign" and scrawling on the facade of the towering 19th-century arch: "The yellow vests will triumph." Story continues Addressing a news conference in Buenos Aires, Macron said no cause justified the looting of stores, attacks on the security forces or torching of property. The violence, he said, had nothing to do with the peaceful expression of legitimate grievances. "I will always respect differences. I will always listen to opposition, but I will never accept violence," Macron said. Protesters smashed the windows of a newly opened flagship Apple Store and luxury boutiques of Chanel and Dior, where they daubed the slogan "Merry Mayhem" on a wooden board. Close to the Place Vendome, Christmas trees decorating the streets were upended, piled in the middle of an avenue and set ablaze, prompting chanting from scores of protesters. Order appeared to have been restored late in the evening, although small groups were still at odds with police near the Champs Elysees. Authorities said violent far-right and far-left groups had infiltrated the yellow vests movement. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said most of those arrested were regular protesters who had been egged on by the fringe groups. The protests began as a backlash against Macron's fuel tax hikes, but have tapped into a vein of deep dissatisfaction felt towards the 40-year-old's economic reforms, which many voters feel favour the wealthy and big business. Unrest erupted in several towns and cities across France, from Charleville Mezieres in the northeast to Marseille in the south. In the Riviera city of Nice trucks blocked access to the airport, and in the central town of Puy-en-Velay the police headquarters was set on fire. The protests are taking a toll on the economy. Parts of central Paris that should have been packed with tourists and Christmas shoppers resembled battle zones, as smoke and tear gas hung in the air and debris littered the ground. Hotels and department stores in the capital stand to lose millions, and shelves have run empty in some supermarkets. MACRON STANDS FIRM The protests have caught Macron off-guard just as he was trying to counter a fall in his popularity rating to 20 percent. His unyielding response has exposed him to charges of being out of touch with ordinary people, particularly in rural villages and the provincial hinterlands. Some peaceful protesters held up a slogan reading, "Macron, stop treating us like idiots!" Macron on Tuesday said he understood the anger of voters outside France's big cities over the squeeze fuel prices have put on households. But he insisted he would not be bounced into changing policy by "thugs". Despite the unrest that has accompanied the protests, the "yellow vests" have widespread public support, even in cities. "I am totally behind the 'Gilets Jaunes'," said George DuPont, a resident in Paris' upscale 16th arrondissement. "The state has stolen money from the French people. It's time to give it back." Assistant teacher Sandrine Lemoussu, 45, who travelled from Burgundy to protest peacefully, said people were fed up with Macron. "The people are in revolt," she said. "The anger is rising more and more, and the president despises the French. We aren't here to smash things, but the people have had enough." Many on the outskirts of smaller provincial towns and villages have expressed anger, underlining the gap between metropolitan elites and working class voters that has boosted anti-establishment politics across the Western world. "Mr Macron wrote a book called Revolution. He was prophetic because it is what he has managed to launch, but not the revolution he sought," Far-left La France Insoumise leader Jean-Luc Melenchon told reporters ahead of a protest in Marseille. (Reporting by Thierry Chiarello, Antony Paone, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Bate Felix, Luke Baker, Sybille de la Hamaide, John Irish, Celia Mebroukine, Antoine Boddaert, Lucien Libert, Stephane Mahe, Caroline Paillez in Paris, Jean-Francois Rosnoblet in Marseille and Johanna Decorse in Toulouse; Writing by John Irish and Richard Lough; Editing by Mark Heinrich, Hugh Lawson and Peter Graff) A San Francisco public hospital is considering removing Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerbergs name from its title, due to the string of recent privacy incidents at the social media company, according to a new report. The Zuckerbergs donated $75 million to the hospital in 2015, which led the organization to rename itself in the couples honor The Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. The couples donation is among the largest single contribution by private citizens to a public hospital. However, after new concerns have emerged over transparency and privacy protections at the company, Aaron Peskin a member of San Franciscos Board of Supervisors is pushing to have the tech moguls name removed, as reported by The San Francisco Chronicle. The facility is often referred to as Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. Spokespeople for Facebook and Peskin did not immediately return FOX Business request for comment. In a statement to FOX Business, the CEO of the Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital said the facility is "honored that Dr. Chan and Mr. Zuckerberg thought highly enough of our hospital and staff, and the health of San Franciscans, to donate their resources to our mission." Peskin spoke with the city attorney about his proposal, citing the Cambridge Analytica scandal and a report from The New York Times that the social media giant hired a consulting firm to plant negative stories about the companys detractors and competitors, according to the Chronicle. It is not normal for Mark Zuckerberg and (Facebook chief operating officer) Sheryl Sandberg to refuse to accept responsibility and to publicly distance themselves from acts that they have personally instigated. ... This is about the integrity of institutions and spaces that are overwhelmingly funded by public money and taxpayer dollars, Peskin argued, according to the report. Chan worked at the hospital as a doctor. Story continues Hospital employees began to protest the association with the Facebook chief in May, according to The New York Times, claiming the name makes patients wary. Related Articles Colorado interior designers will showcase their holiday decorating schemes for rooms in the governors mansion during free public tours this month. Members of the American Society of Interior Designers Colorado Chapter followed a Decades of Design in Colorado theme to transform rooms at Colorados Home, the Governors Residence at Boettcher Mansion in Denver. This is the sixth year that the Governors Residence Preservation Fund is offering free holiday tours on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 6-9 and 13-16 at 400 E. Eighth Ave., Denver. Reservations are not required. Rooms to see include: The drawing room, designed by ASID Co-Chair David Rote and Pam Marolt of Basset Home Furnishings, reflects the 1910s with a theme of Society Weddings & The Progressive Era. The State Dining Room was designed by Pam Smith & Colleen Heldt with a theme of 1920s New Years at the Broadmoor: Colorado Springs as a Resort. The Governors Room/Bar, designed by Lynn Williamson and Eva Puterbaugh, features a 1940s Apres Ski at Aspens J-Bar theme. The Palm Rooms main and breakfast areas were designed with a 1950s and 60s Palm Beach Tropical theme by Trish Bonney of TAB Interiors. The Well Room, designed by Leslie Kazmierczak, has a 1970s theme, Swimming in the Well Room: A True Story. The Stately Library has a theme of 1980s Western, Prairie & Southeast: Style Rooted in Colorado, designed by Cindy Johnson and Courtney Cunningham of Johnson David Interiors. The Grand Halls theme is Love, Peace and Hope, designed by Cathrin Crampton of Mosaic Interiors. More than 10,000 visitors are expected to tour the circa 1908 home this month. The tours begin at the Eighth Avenue main gate. Plan to spend 20 to 45 minutes touring the mansion at your own pace. The Governors Residence offers public events throughout the year, and the first floor can be rented for private parties. The Boettcher family donated the home to the state in 1959. For more information, visit coloradoshome.org. Contact the writer, 476-1602 On the last day of school before Christmas vacation, a charming tradition took place in front of my sons school. Kids from kindergarten to ei The long-delayed federal farm bill, which expired on Sept. 30, looks like its moving toward passage as key lawmakers resolved an impasse over the package. The U.S. House and Senate agriculture committees announced Thursday that they have reached an agreement in principle on the legislation, although final details will not be available for at least a couple of days. We are working to finalize legal and report language as well as [Congressional Budget Office] scores, but we still have more work to do. We are committed to delivering a new farm bill to America as quickly as possible, said Thursdays announcement from Sens. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Reps. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, and Collin Peterson, D-Minn. Scores refers to cost estimates of the bills impact by the nonpartisan CBO. The $400 billion bill, which will continue agriculture programs for the next five years, has been stalled for more than two months and at one point appeared to be dead in the water. There are still hurdles ahead, as Roberts said that the White House has not yet signed off on the legislation. The farm bill must now go back to the House and Senate for final approval. A floor vote could come next week, Roberts said. If signed into law by President Donald Trump, the farm bill would federally legalize cultivation and distribution of industrial hemp, which is still classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency as a schedule 1 drug. However, the DEA quietly signaled last May that restrictions on certain parts of the cannabis plant (including hemp) would no longer fall under the DEAs Controlled Substance Act. The push to legalize industrial hemp has been backed by Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who thanked the compromise committee Thursday for addressing the issue in the farm bill. Thanks for your hard work, @SenPatRoberts, for our farmers, rural communities and all Americans, McConnell tweeted. Pleased that my provision to legalize industrial hemp is included in the Farm Bill. Colorado voters OKd production of industrial hemp through Amendment 64 back in 2012, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture has been in charge of the states cultivation and certified seed programs ever since. Industrial hemp is defined in Colorado law as a cannabis plant with 0.3 percent or less Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. THC is the psychoactive ingredient that determines whether a cannabis plant is hemp or marijuana. Its used to make a variety of products, including rope, clothing and paper, and oil produced from hemp seeds can be used in lotions. Two years ago, Colorado became the first state in the nation with certified hemp seeds, which means the seeds have been tested in all possible growing condition statewide and that the plants meet that 0.3 percent or less THC content. That meant growers no longer had to import seeds from other countries such as Canada. In 2016, Colorado had 260 growers with more than 6,000 acres in production. Today, hemp is being grown in at least 51 out of Colorados 64 counties with 31,000 acres in production, according to the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Federal legalization of industrial hemp could open the door for growers to apply for several federal programs available under the farm bill, such as crop insurance, conservation reserves and farm loans. Phil Chavez of Diamond A Farms in Rocky Ford has one of the largest hemp farms in the state. He said that legalization will lift restrictions on irrigated water from Pueblo Reservoir and other federally funded structures. Hes also had a 20-year history with the National Resource Conservation Service for water conservation with the alfalfa portion with his farm, but once he started farming hemp his whole farm was disqualified from those conservation purposes. That roadblock also could come to an end. The farm bill will get us all moving in the same direction. And while he hasnt had problems with banking relationships, legalization could end banking problems for other hemp farmers. The agreement in principle on the farm bill left out a major provision sought by the Trump administration: heightened work requirements for able-bodied adults receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. While the House included that provision in its version, the Senate never seriously considered it. The bill, which needs 60 votes from the Senate for approval, would never have gained enough Democratic votes to pass with that SNAP modification included, Robert said Thursday. You have to have something that will pass the Senate, he said. We took a more comprehensive approach. The House version could have reduced SNAP benefits to as many as 1 million Americans. Colorado Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner worked on the farm bill while it was in the Senate; Bennet is on the Senates Agriculture Committee. The Colorado senators on Thursday cheered what looks like the beginnings of a final agreement. We know there have been tough negotiations taking place, a statement from Bennets office said. Were eager to see the details of the final bill. One of Michaels top priorities is passing a bipartisan farm bill by the end of the year. Were ready to push this over the finish line for Coloradans. Bennet also has been working on some of the forest management issues that wound up as one of the last major hurdles addressed in the bill. Colorado farmers & ranchers need Congress to pass a #FarmBill by the end of the year, Bennet tweeted. Its the least we can do as they face drought & a trade war. Through a spokesman, Gardner said: Its encouraging news that the Farm Bill conferees have reached an agreement in principle on the Farm Bill. [I] look forward to reviewing the agreement as theres multiple critical provisions for Colorados agriculture industry and the thousands of jobs it impacts. This needs to get done soon, and [I] will continue urging Congress to act. The delay in passing a farm bill meant certain programs went on hiatus, such as trade promotions for agriculture, considered critical during this period of trade wars with China and other nations; and certain conservation programs, such as federal conservation easements, which protect environmentally sensitive or habitat areas and which puts lands into 10 to 15-year time-out for development. However, food stamps, crop insurance and dairy supports some of the farm bills major programs werent immediately impacted. Crop insurance is funded through the fiscal year that ends in October 2019. SNAP funding had been ensured through a continuing resolution, and milk supports have enough funding to keep going until December, which became the next major deadline for completing a farm bill. The Washington Post contributed to this report. A man was sentenced this week to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to a number of crimes including a carjacking and slamming into a police cruiser while trying to escape. Miguel Lema Cruz was sentenced to federal prison on Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson. According to the plea agreement police were called to a reported disturbance at the El Ranchito Meat Market in Colorado Springs on May 29, 2017. A woman called police and claimed Cruz threatened her. The woman noticed Cruz reached for what appeared a gun and then left the store. Officers got to the area and noticed Cruz in a truck in the parking lot. When they tried to make contact with Cruz he slammed into a marked patrol vehicle and then drove past an officer and fled the scene. A chase started. Cruz ran a red light and hit two other vehicles. Cruz then reportedly got out of the truck, dropped a handgun and took an AR-15 type rifle and carjacked a woman in a sedan. Another chase started and Cruz got away. At the crash scene authorities recovered the handgun. The gun had been stolen. Police also found 270 grams of heroin, 623 grams of meth and $20,000 in cash and ammunition. Read more at KKTV You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating potential claims on behalf of investors of Tenaris S.A. ( NYSE: TS ) to determine whether Tenaris and certain of its officers and/or directors engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. Tenaris S.A. investors are encouraged to contact John Kehoe, Esq., (215) 792-6676, Ext. 801, jkehoe@kehoelawfirm.com , info@kehoelawfirm.com , to discuss the securities investigation or potential legal claims. On November 27, 2018, it was reported that an Argentine judge had indicted Paolo Rocca (Rocca), Tenariss chairman and majority shareholder, in connection with a wide-ranging bribery scandal involving the government of Argentina. On November 27, 2018, Bloomberg reported: The judge charged Rocca after the Argentine billionaire testified that one of his companys executives paid an undisclosed amount of cash to government officials in eight monthly installments in 2008. The officials were allegedly working for then-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchners administration to speed up a compensation payment from Venezuelas Hugo Chavez for the nationalization of Sidor, a unit that had been seized by Venezuela. Roccas group was compensated with $1.95 billion for the unit in 2012. The move comes as [judge Claudio] Bonadio probes hundreds of alleged bribes paid by construction companies, energy suppliers and electricity generators to members of the former government. The case, known as the notebook scandal after a series of notebooks belonging to a driver for the former deputy secretary for planning, who kept records of names, amounts, addresses and dates of alleged bribes paid between 2005 and 2015. Somebody named Hector appears in the notebooks making payments at a Rocca group building. (Emphasis added.) Following this news, Tenariss American depositary receipt price fell $2.64, or 9.78%, to close at $24.36 on November 27, 2018. Tenaris S.A. Investors If you purchased or otherwise acquired Tenaris American depositary receipts (Tenaris ADRs) and have questions or concerns about the securities investigation or your potential legal rights, please contact John A. Kehoe, Esq., (215) 792-6676, Ext. 801, jkehoe@kehoelawfirm.com , complete the form above on the right, e-mail info@kehoelawfirm.com , or visit the Tenaris S.A. Investigation page for additional information. Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is a multidisciplinary, plaintiffside law firm dedicated to protecting investors and consumers from corporate fraud, negligence, and other wrongdoing. Driven by a strong and principled sense of social responsibility and obtaining justice for the aggrieved, we represent plaintiffs seeking to recover investment losses resulting from corporate wrongdoing or malfeasance, those harmed by anticompetitive practices, and consumers victimized by fraud, false claims, deception or data breaches. The head of Pikes Peak Regional Building Department is resisting suggestions that the agency take on more responsibility in ensuring developments follow federal accessibility rules. Any time you add more red tape, you increase costs because you increase time and time is money, Regional Building Department chief Roger Lovell said this week. Regional Building is charged with making sure new buildings comply with accessibility standards, but its purview only extends 5 feet outside the buildings, while advocates for the disabled say it should include parking lots as well. Among Lovells objections are: Regional Building is stretched thin meeting its responsibilities, and additional work would require hiring more inspectors and passing on the additional expense in higher fees. The change would also be a difficult sell to many of the governments in El Paso and Teller counties, which might be reluctant to relinquish control over such inspections to Regional Building. One advocate for the disabled, Indpendence Center CEO Patricia Yeager, dismissed Lovells objections about red tape as a red herring. Maybe theyve got to collaborate with the planning departments, but is that such a bad thing? Yeager said. And when the plumbing codes change do they say We cant afford to inspect for that so well just ignore it? This is just as much a code to be checked on as any plumbing, electricity, the roof. This is for the safety of those with disabilities. Yeager also discounted the claim that Regional Building doesnt have the money to add staff, noting the agency has consistently donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in excess revenue from permit fees to local charities in recent years. Theyve got money, she said. The Independence Center, an advocate for people with disabilities in El Paso, Teller and other counties in the region, recently surveyed 108 local parking lots. Only two of them complied with standards in the Americans with Disabilities Act, Yeager said. An estimated 66,000 people with disabilities lived in El Paso County in 2015. That inaccessibility also is a liability for local governments. Colorado Springs recently settled a lawsuit filed by Chris and Nikole Sweeney, which claimed systemic noncompliance with the federal standards. While the city admitted no fault in the settlement, the Sweeneys were paid $19,000 and Colorado Springs must now hold quarterly forums on the ADA and other accessibility issues. Most local governments are cash-strapped and understaffed, Yeager said. Consolidating parking lot inspections within Regional Building would ensure consistency. Meggan Herington, Colorado Springs assistant planning director, said the city picks up where Regional Building leaves off on new buildings. City inspectors review access from 5 feet outside the buildings, through parking lots to the public right of way. But Colorado Springs and other local towns dont have the staff to inspect existing parking lots and buildings that remain inaccessible, Yeager said. Green Mountain Falls, for example, has two full-time employees. For accessibility inspections, the town has to hire a private contractor, said interim Town Manager Jason Wells. Wells said the town would welcome any Regional Building could provide. Enforcement is also an issue for cities and towns, Herington said. Neither local governments nor Regional Building enforce the ADA only the Department of Justice can do that. A further complication is Regional Building has no power to enforce city codes. Lovell said most local governments are making progress on improving accessibility, and each should maintain their own responsibilities and priorities. This year, the Colorado Springs City Council unanimously voted to appropriate $300,000 to hire four inspectors and an administrator to identify and resolve ADA violations. In addition, the citys 2019 budget has an extra $1.36 million for Colorado Springs ADA program. The needle is moving, but its not going to move quickly, Lovell said. conrad.swanson@gazette.com @conrad_swanson BUENOS AIRES, Argentina Broken dates. Coy suggestions. Missed encounters. Private opportunities. Amid weighty issues of state, another fascination at the Group of 20 summit has been President Donald Trump's will-he, won't-he dance with two fellow leaders who are something of international outcasts these days. Would Trump, who has an affinity for strongmen and a distaste for business as usual, stay away from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman? On Day One of the summit in Argentina fittingly, the land of the tango the diplomatic quick-stepping was everywhere Friday. Trump has not been shy in his praise of the crown prince and Putin in the past. But Prince Mohammed has been under global pressure lately over the murder of a Saudi journalist, and Putin has drawn fresh criticism for his country's mounting aggression against Ukraine. So Trump canceled his plans to meet with Putin and left bin Salman off his public agenda. But even then, Trump said he looked forward to meeting Putin soon. And he never fully ruled out seeing bin Salman, saying Thursday, "I would have met with him but we didn't set that one up." There were still plenty of opportunities for casual encounters among the leaders as they shuttled between one-on-one sessions, group meetings, meals, a cultural performance, a formal dinner and what is known as the "family photo," a type of class picture where all the leaders pose stiffly for the cameras. The first real opportunity for public interaction came in the photo session. Trump chatted warmly with the leaders of Canada, Japan and France but walked past bin Salman and Putin, giving the former at most a casual glance. Another photo session with leaders and their spouses in the evening did not reveal any substantive interaction. All the while, Trump powered through meetings with any number of leaders. He began the day with the Argentine president, then signed a trade deal with Mexico and Canada before separate, more casual meetings with the leaders of South Korea and Australia and a formal "trilateral" meeting with Japan and India. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the canceled Trump-Putin meeting a missed opportunity, saying it didn't "help settling a number of important international problems." He added, with resignation, "Love can't be forced." But did Trump interact with bin Salman or Putin behind the scenes, away from prying eyes? A senior White House official said Trump and bin Salman had exchanged pleasantries during a leaders' session, as he had with nearly all the other leaders. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the crown prince's situation. Trump told reporters later: "We had no discussion. We might, but we had none." With Putin, Trump did have some interaction, though the details on how extensive it may have been remained murky. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump "exchanged pleasantries" with Putin before the photo, as he did with other leaders. Sanders on Saturday confirmed additional contact between Trump and Putin at Friday's dinner. "As is typical at multilateral events, President Trump and the First Lady had a number of informal conversations with world leaders at the dinner last night, including President Putin." The Russian leader's spokesman had said Putin and Trump "said hi to each other" earlier in the day. In relative isolation, Putin and bin Salman, each in relative isolation, at least made nice with each other. At a leaders' session Friday, they beamed widely at one another while sharing extended, enthusiastic handshake. For Trump and his complicated friends, the first day ended with a group excursion to Teatro Colon, the city's opera house, for a show that included wait for it a whole lot of dance numbers. And with another day to go, the diplomatic footwork was sure to continue. Terry M. Jarrett is an energy attorney and consultant who has served on both the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the Missouri Public Service Commission. He contributes regularly to LeadingLightEnergy.com. City Editor Tom Roeder is the Gazette's City Editor. In Colorado Springs since 2003, Tom has covered the military at home and overseas and has covered statehouses in Denver and Olympia, Wash. His main job, though, is being dad to two great kids. Manitou Springs High School junior Hailey Matas twice has answered a plethora of questions on the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, a statewide assessment of teen attitudes and behaviors conducted every two years. Shes given responses on how she handles stress, her sexual habits, whether she uses drugs or smokes, if shes been bullied, whether shes considered harming herself, if she eats enough vegetables, if she has people in her life she can turn to and a host of other questions. This year, shes involved in helping figure out the age-old problem: How to convince kids to avoid risky behavior. The survey is important so we can see whats really going on without knowing specifically who it involves and help eliminate problems, Hailey said. Its important to help students feel like theyre understood. Hailey, 16, is a member of her schools Teen Advocates for a Well Community, a group of students who do social media promotions and events tied to students social, emotional and physical well-being. Involving students in finding solutions to unhealthy teen lifestyles is just one way schools are using the Healthy Kids survey, an initiative of the state departments of Public Health and Environment, Education and Human Services; the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; and a community advisory committee. Middle school and high school students took the latest rendition of the voluntary survey in the fall of 2017, and districts received lengthy raw data reports in September. Administrators in school districts statewide now are dissecting the responses and deciding how to use the information to provide preventive and motivational programs encouraging students to avoid bad behaviors. Results from last years survey are encouraging, local educators say, because many concerning adolescent actions, ranging from cigarette smoking to texting while driving, are declining. They see that as an indication that school and community-based awareness campaigns are working. Overall, we were really pleased to find the data affirmed our efforts around substance abuse prevention and mental health promotion, said Lisa Zimprich, director of special education for Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8. The number of incidents in which district students reported being bullied was lower than the state percentage, she said, and middle school students indicated lower use of and more difficulty accessing illegal substances than the state numbers. While middle school students identify as struggling with mental health issues, the percentage of those saying they have an adult they can go to with a problem exceeded the state, showing strong protective factors. Schools use the data around student connectedness to put pretty innovative practices in place that theyve seen a positive outcome from, Zimprich said. For example, D-8 hosted in conjunction with Widefield School District 3 a mental health event in October that was valuable because students helped plan it and led small-group discussions, organizers said. Alcohol still most popular Students fill out the Healthy Kids questionnaire anonymously. Not everyone takes it; schools usually distribute it randomly to a sampling of middle and high school students, who can also opt out. One interesting thing about the confidential survey, Hailey said, is that some misconceptions about teen behavior prove to be untrue. For example, Theres a lot of perception on how many people in this school smoke weed or something like that, she said, but the results show otherwise; not everyone in the whole school does it. Alcohol remains the most popular illegal substance of choice among El Paso County adolescents, with 28 percent of high school students having used in the past month. Electronic cigarettes, or vaping, are second, with 23 percent usage. Marijuana consumption among local teens has not changed since 2013 and stands at 22.2 percent usage over 30 days, compared with 19.4 percent statewide. Everybody anticipated a huge increase of youth usage with legalization, but our results have stayed flat, said Lauren Cikara, a community and school specialist with the Colorado School of Public Health who does public presentations on the data. The survey became controversial in recent years because of parental concerns about student privacy and the seemingly intrusive nature of some of the questions. Parents also wondered about the accuracy of students self-reporting risky behaviors and thoughts. The Colorado Board of Education considered eliminating the survey, and many school districts chose not to participate. In 2015, there were not enough student respondents in El Paso County to yield countywide results. Lewis-Palmer School District 38 in Monument initially decided to not offer the questionnaire because of parent complaints and concerns.Spokeswoman Julie Stephen said the district based its decision on a desire to prioritize instructional time. That doesnt mean there arent plenty of events, programs and activities for students and parents centered on social and mental wellness, she said. Its something weve been focusing on for a long time, she said, adding that the district uses other school climate gauges. Cikara said survey recruitment in 2016 emphasized the benefits, including districts using the data to apply for state and federal grants to fund follow-up programs. Schools were finding they really didnt know what their needs were in terms of students navigating depression, suicidal ideation, substance abuse and other issues, Cikara said, and a lot of districts were missing out on grants coming because they didnt have comparison data to the region or state. The efforts resulted in higher participation last year, statewide and in El Paso County, where about 2,000 high school students took the survey and an unreleased number of middle schoolers. A surprising spike from the most recent survey, Cikara said, was high school students use of electronic cigarettes, or vaping. Colorados teen use of 27 percent is double the nation. The disturbing trend led to Gov. John Hickenlooper to declare a vape-free November, with special events designed to reduce youth vaping. Schools are attacking the problem by changing policies around electronic vaping, in the way they did for chewing tobacco, Cikara said, and working with local health departments on prevention campaigns and education about the dangers of vaping. Educators are navigating that every single day because these devices are so tiny, Cikara said. While several El Paso County teens died by suicide in October, and the county had suicide clusters in 2015 and 2016, the local numbers are not a ton higher than what were seeing across the state, Cikara said. The survey showed 7 percent of students statewide attempted suicide, compared with 8.7 percent in El Paso County. But 36 percent of El Paso County students responded that they felt sad or hopeless in recent weeks, compared with 31 percent statewide. While teen suicide feels like its much higher in El Paso County, its pretty on par for what were seeing across the state and across the nation, Cikara said. To further help schools, the survey team in January will start promoting Smart Source, a building survey that includes elementary schools and can be used to assess policies, programs and practices, and make adjustments. So if there are health gaps in a school, do you have support mechanisms, for example, student access to a full-time counselor, and a good referral process? Cikara said. Its a complementary data point. Having trusted adults in students lives is an important protective factor, she said, and 81 percent of students in El Paso County said they had someone to talk to if they were feeling sad or hopeless. The statewide number was 83 percent. Seventy percent of El Paso County high schoolers said they had grades in the A and B ranges, and 66 percent said they participate in extracurricular activities, which are other proactive measures. Cikara recommends schools share the data with not only staff, students, parents and school boards but also the broader community and agencies such as the local health department. Sometimes we forget parents and students and others can be part of those solutions, she said. Thats where a lot of the magic happens, where new ideas come into play. Important, worthy, loved Lewis-Palmer High School in Monument is presenting a Connection and Conversation event on Tuesday, as a follow-up to the districts community Wellness Expo in October and recent student deaths by suicide. We are hosting this event to provide an additional opportunity for our community to come together to discuss coping strategies for common teen pressures, tools for establishing healthy relationships, the effects of social media on the brain, and other social, emotional and mental health concerns, said Principal Anthony Karr. When we share different perspectives and resources, we find common ground and healthy solutions. Manitou Springs School District 14s student council held a DriveSmart event last Thursday to emphasize the importance of not drinking, not texting and not being high while driving and to encourage seat belt use. You are important, worthy, loved, was written in chalk on the steps leading to the commons area, where students and parents tried walking a course while wearing goggles that simulate alcohol and drug impairment. It gives me a headache, sophomore Caden Salladay said after doing the course. Its a good way to help people notice how important it is to not drink and drive or drive distracted. Manitou Springs is one of the few districts in El Paso County that has consistently administered the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey and now has nearly 10 years of data, said Laurie Wood, chief instructional officer and director of the districts Partners for Healthy Choices program. The district doesnt do random sampling; all middle and high school students are asked to fill out the questionnaire, which has about a 92 percent participation rate. Both drinking and driving and texting and driving have declined steadily since 2009, the first year D-14 students took the survey, Wood said. Kids are well-educated beyond school by families, communities and public health to understand the safety of making a phone call for a ride or designating a driver, she said. So you see the compounding effects of messaging. Texting and driving among Manitou Springs students dropped from 44.2 percent in the fall of 2015 to 29.4 percent last fall. Drinking and driving fell from 20 percent in 2009 to 12.7 percent in 2017. And seat belt use has improved, from 5.2 percent of students not wearing seat belts in 2015 to 2.8 percent not wearing seat belts in 2017. Marijuana use also has decreased from 28 percent in 2009 to 15.5 percent in the 2017 round. Wood is a member of the state-level executive committee for the survey, which she describes as a powerful tool, and one indicator of whats going on in the minds of teens. We believe the survey does give us valuable data, she said. Its one window into a glimpse of the behaviors and actions of our youth that we wouldnt get any other way. A community coalition of more than 20 people representing various groups will study Manitou Springs data and offer suggestions on future tactics. One of the standards for doing this work is you dont do things to kids but with kids, Wood said, which is why we bring all the voices to the table to support kids and families. While many statistics have declined significantly, there are still kids participating in the risky behaviors, she said. Wed like to see them even lower, Wood said. Its still too many kids. Contact the writer: 719-476-1656 Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. TORONTO, Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) (Canopy Growth) and Canopy Rivers Inc. (Canopy Rivers) (TSXV: RIV) are pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced restructuring transaction with TerrAscend Corp. (TerrAscend) (CSE: TER) pursuant to which TerrAscend restructured its share capital by way of a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the Arrangement). The announcement follows TerrAscends special meeting of shareholders held on November 27, 2018 where holders of common shares in the capital of TerrAscend (the Common Shares) voted to approve the Arrangement. To accommodate TerrAscends strategic pursuits, while also maintaining strict compliance with industry regulations and the policies of the various securities exchanges on which they are listed, Canopy Growth and Canopy Rivers Corporation (Rivers) agreed to restructure their investments in TerrAscend and exchange their Common Shares for exchangeable shares in the capital of TerrAscend (the Exchangeable Shares) that will only become convertible into Common Shares following changes in U.S. federal laws regarding the cultivation, distribution or possession of marijuana, the compliance of TerrAscend with such laws and the approval of the various securities exchanges upon which Canopy Growth and Canopy Rivers are listed. The Exchangeable Shares are not listed on a recognized stock exchange and, until converted into Common Shares, the holders thereof will not be entitled to voting rights, dividends or other rights upon dissolution of TerrAscend. Prior to the Arrangement, Canopy Growth and Rivers each held 11,285,456 Common Shares and warrants to purchase 9,545,456 Common Shares, representing approximately 11.7% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 19.7% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis. Based on the closing price of the Common Shares on the CSE on the date immediately prior to the Arrangement, the value of the Common Shares and warrants exchanged by each of Canopy Growth and Rivers was approximately $133 million. Given that the growth, cultivation, production and sale of cannabis is not currently federally legal in the US and there can be no assurances that it will be legalized, Canopy Growth and Canopy Rivers expect to write down their investments in TerrAscend and record a loss in the third quarter related to the reorganization, unless circumstances change. Pursuant to the Arrangement, Canopy Growth and Rivers each received 19,445,285 Exchangeable Shares, resulting in Canopy Growth and Rivers each holding 50.0% of the issued and outstanding Exchangeable Shares. Canopy Growth and Rivers do not hold any other securities in the capital of TerrAscend. Canopy Growth and Canopy Rivers do not engage in any U.S. cannabis-related activities as defined in Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 51-532. While Canopy Growth and Canopy Rivers have an interest in TerrAscend, TerrAscend has not engaged in cannabis-related activities in the U.S. to date. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the United States Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the U.S. to cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis. Full details of the Arrangement are set out in the management information circular of TerrAscend dated October 24, 2018 (the Information Circular). A copy of the Information Circular and the early warning report to be filed by Canopy Growth and Canopy Rivers in connection with the acquisition of the Exchangeable Shares can be found under TerrAscends profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or by contacting Canopy Growth or Canopy Rivers as set out below. Canopy Growths head office is located at 1 Hershey Drive, Smith Falls, Ontario, K7A 0A8, Canopy Rivers head office is located at 40 King Street West, Suite 2100, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3C2 and TerrAscends head office is located at P.O. Box 43125, Mississauga, Ontario L5B 4A7. About Canopy Growth Corporation Canopy Growth is a world-leading diversified cannabis and hemp company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and Softgel capsule forms. From product and process innovation to market execution, Canopy Growth is driven by a passion for leadership and a commitment to building a world-class cannabis company one product, site and country at a time. Canopy Growth has operations in 12 countries across five continents. Canopy Growth is proudly dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the publics understanding of cannabis, and through its partly owned subsidiary, Canopy Health Innovations has devoted millions of dollars toward cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Through partly owned subsidiary Canopy Rivers, Canopy Growth is providing resources and investment to new market entrants and building a portfolio of stable investments in the sector. From our historic public listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange to our continued international expansion, pride in advancing shareholder value through leadership is engrained in all we do at Canopy Growth. Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names including cannabis icon Snoop Dogg, breeding legends DNA Genetics and Green House seeds, and Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands, to name but a few. Canopy Growth operates ten licensed cannabis production sites with over 4.3 million square feet of production capacity, including over 500,000 square feet of GMP certified production space. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com About Canopy Rivers Inc. Canopy Rivers is a unique investment and operating platform structured to pursue investment opportunities in the emerging global cannabis sector. Canopy Rivers works collaboratively with Canopy Growth to identify strategic counterparties seeking financial and/or operating support. Canopy Rivers has developed an investment ecosystem of complementary cannabis operating companies that represent various segments of the value chain across the emerging cannabis sector. As the portfolio continues to develop, constituents will be provided with opportunities to work with Canopy Growth and collaborate among themselves, which Canopy Rivers believes will maximize value for its shareholders and foster an environment of innovation, synergy and value creation for the entire ecosystem. Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, estimates, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth or Canopy Rivers or their respective subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Examples of such statements include statements with respect to the TerrAscends business and operations, U.S. cannabis regulatory reform, dividend payments and other distributions and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including regulatory and licensing risks; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the U.S. regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; risks relating to anti-money laundering laws; compliance with extensive government regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; the actual operating and financial performance of TerrAscend; risks related to the U.S. cannabis industry generally; changes in applicable laws; changes in Canopy Rivers relationship with Canopy Growth; potential conflicts of interest; as well as the risk factors contained in Canopy Growths annual information form dated June 27, 2018 and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on Canopy Growths issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and in the joint management information circular of Canopy Rivers and Canopy Rivers Corporation dated August 8, 2018, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on Canopy Rivers issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Canopy Growth and Canopy Rivers believe that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Canopy Growth and Canopy Rivers do not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information or forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws. As cannabis remains illegal under federal law in the U.S., financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the U.S. may form the basis for prosecution under applicable U.S. federal money laundering legislation. Strict compliance with state laws does not absolve a company of liability under U.S. federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding. Accordingly, future business activities of TerrAscend may violate U.S. federal law and may have a material adverse effect on the business, operations and financial condition of Canopy Growth and Canopy Rivers as a result of various reputational, contractual and legal risks associated with holding the Exchangeable Shares. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Canopy Growth Corporation Caitlin OHara Media Relations Caitlin.Ohara@canopygrowth.com 613-291-3239 Tyler Burns Investor Relations Tyler.Burns@canopygrowth.com 855-558-9333 ext. 122 Canopy Rivers Inc. Karoline Hunter Senior Director, Investor Relations & Communications E-mail: ir@canopyrivers.com (416) 473-3560 Daniel Pearlstein Executive Vice-President, Strategy E-mail: daniel@canopyrivers.com (647)475-1115 Dublin, Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Adhesives and Adhesive Application Equipment: Technologies and European Markets" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report has been prepared in a simple format that can be easily understood through tables and figures. Its scope includes a detailed study of European markets for various adhesives, with the reasons given for variations in the growth of the industry in certain countries. The report also studies the equipment used for applying adhesives and its European markets. Adhesive products are used to create bonds between two materials. Adhesives are made from precise blends of petroleum-derived plastic resins, synthetic rubber elastomers and additives used to enhance certain characteristics. The final formulation ultimately depends on the end use. Industries that typically use adhesives include construction, consumer products, assembly, packaging, labeling and transportation. Products expected to see the most growth include electronic adhesives for printed wiring boards, hot-melt systems and automotive adhesives. The most common end uses for hot-melt adhesives are packaging, disposable and pressure-sensitive products. The adhesives industry consists primarily of manufacturers of industrial and household adhesives and glues. Major factors influencing the growth of this industry include the stability of other industries using its products, the availability of raw materials and environmental concerns. The majorly used adhesive materials included natural-base glues and adhesives, mainly those made from natural gums, shellac, lacquers, varnishes, hot-melt adhesives and epoxy adhesives. Products with declining sales included several kinds of synthetic resin and rubber adhesives, rubber and synthetic resin combinations, and protein and dextrin vegetable natural adhesives. Market growth is controlled by the availability of raw materials. Hot-melt adhesives require hydrocarbon resins and are widely used adhesives that are most likely to outpace the market with their growth. Even if supply remained adequate, prices were already rising, meaning that the largest companies would be best positioned to compete for available raw materials. The adhesives market depends greatly upon secondary industries, so trends in other sectors of the economy can significantly impact this industry. One sector showing increasing interest in adhesives was the automotive industry. Several U.S. automakers joined with adhesive makers to develop industryspecific applications to cut costs, reduce weight and even increase recyclability of cars made with these products. The market for reactive adhesives grew as the automotive industry moved away from mechanical fasteners. The development of epoxy/urethane hybrids attracted interest because of the broad range of demands placed on adhesives used in the automotive industry. Both manufacturers and users of these products were looking to combine high tensile strength and compatibility with flexible materials. Developments in reactive adhesives for the auto industry also brought benefits to other industrial sectors, including appliance manufacturing. More players in the adhesives industry are trying to move away from the use of primers in adhesive systems because of their flammability and volatility. Such a change, however, presents difficulties in getting the right adhesion to certain materials. Physical and chemical changes can be made to the surface of these materials, but the focus of new development is to make adhesives that will also incorporate the function of a primer. Report includes: Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2017, 2018, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2023 Country specific data and analysis for France, Germany, U.K., Italy, Spain and other emerging economies within the EU region Coverage of product lifestyle and technology lifestyle (TLC) of various types of adhesives and methods employed by various manufacturers and users in maintaining ecological balance Discussion of the various technologies involved in the manufacturing of different types of adhesives, including the value of such products produced and utilized globally Information on various manufacturers of different raw materials needed for the production of adhesives and the market shares of such manufacturers and suppliers Market assessment of growth driving factors along with their opportunities and limitations that can influence the overall adhesives market Profiles of key industry players operating within the EU region including 3M CO., Adhesives Research Inc., Chemence Ltd., Dow Corning Corp., Ems-Chemie Holding Ag, Huntsman Corp., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Nitto Denko Corp., Power Adhesives Ltd., and Total SA Company Profiles Adhesive Manufacturers 3M Co. Adhesives Research Inc. Advance Tapes International Arkema SA Ashland Inc. Avery Dennison Corp. Beardow & Adams (Adhesives) Ltd. Bemis Associates Inc. Bostik SA Chemence Ltd. Dow Corning Corp. Dynea Oy Elmer's Products Inc. Ems-Chemie Holding AG Forbo Intl. SA H.B. Fuller Co. Henkel & Co. Kgaa AG Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc. Huntsman Corp. Illinois Tool Works Inc. Ingredion (National Starch & Chemical Co.) Jowat Corp. Kisling AG Lohmann Gmbh & Co. KG Mapei SpA Mycronic AB Nitto Denko Corp. Nordson Corp. Paramelt BV Power Adhesives Ltd. Quilosa Industrias Quimicas Lowenberg Sl Sca Schucker GmbH & Co. KG Scott Bader Co. Ltd. Sika AG Tesa AG Total SA Vagnone & Boeri Srl Vibac Group SpA Wacker-Chemie AG Wuxi Wanli Adhesion Material Co. Ltd. Adhesive Application Equipment Manufacturers Illinois Tool Works Inc. Mycronic AB Nordson Corp. Power Adhesives Ltd. Sca Schucker GmbH & Co. KG For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vd2grx/european?w=12 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Growing retailer adds new store in Claycomo Claycomo, MO, Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- American Freight Furniture and Mattress is opening a new Kansas City-area store on November 30, 2018. The new Claycomo store is 28,000 square feet and is located at 437 E. US Hwy 69 Claycomo, MO 64119 in the Claycomo Shopping Plaza next to Dollar General. The store will create 8-10 new jobs in the area. Were excited to bring American Freight Furniture and Mattress to Kansas City, said Karl Finley, Vice President. Our new Claycomo location offers a large selection of quality furniture and mattresses at affordable prices. With free layaway and same-day delivery, we stock a wide range of quality sofas, sectionals, bedroom furniture, mattresses, dining sets and so much more. We also offer a flexible payment option to take it home today for $50 with low, easy payments. Visit our Claycomo store today to see why American Freight is the best choice for quality furniture and mattresses in the Kansas City area. American Freight has always made it our mission to save customers money on quality furniture and mattresses while providing excellent customer service. We are able to do this by purchasing products directly from manufacturers and selling in warehouse-style stores. By cutting out the middle man and keeping the overhead low, American Freight is able to offer the lowest prices with quality service. This successful formula has made American Freight Furniture and Mattress one of the fastest-growing furniture retailers in the United States. Weekly store hours for the new Claycomo store are as follows: Monday-Thursday (12pm-8pm) Friday (10am-8pm) Saturday (10am-7pm) Sunday (12pm-5pm) Our offerings include: living room sofas, loveseats, sectionals, recliners, accent chairs, and coffee and end tables; bedroom three, five, and seven-piece bedroom suites from Twin through King; dining room five and seven-piece sets; mattresses premiere foam, hybrid (innerspring and foam), innerspring and pocketed coil sets in all sizes; and accessories to complete your home selections. Customers can pay for items in full or take advantage of our payment plan options. We offer a 100% approved layaway program and no credit needed payment plans to help make your home comfortable and complete. Same-day delivery and pick up is available for all in-stock items. About American Freight Since 1993, American Freight Furniture and Mattress has been helping customers save money on quality furniture and mattresses. American Freight offers flexible payment options including free layaway and take it home today for $50 with low, easy payment plans (see www.americanfreight.com/50 for details). With over 150 stores and over 2 million satisfied customers, American Freight continues to grow while our mission remains the same: sell the best for less every day while delivering excellent customer service. See for yourself - shop at one of our 150+ stores or online and discover why American Freight is the place to go for all your home furnishing needs. To learn more about American Freight Furniture and Mattress, visit www.americanfreight.com/ , follow us on Twitter @AmericanFreight and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanFreightFurniture . EDMONTON, Alberta, Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EPCORs proposed E.L. Smith solar farm project received a boost today as two investment commitments were confirmed that will enhance the solar farm by adding a complete smart grid system, with a battery energy storage system and intelligent controls and monitoring. Natural Resources Canada announced an investment of $10.7 million as part of a federal program to invest in green infrastructure, particularly those involving smart grid systems. A system that integrates renewables, increases energy storage and improves monitoring is the definition of smart. Better training for our workforce is critical for Canadas clean economy and will enable new skills development for utility workers, building a stronger workforce, said Amarjeet Sohi, Canadas Minister of Natural Resources. In addition, Alberta Innovates announced a $1.9 million investment as part of its Clean Energy program. Smart cities are powered by smart electrical grids which will need innovative energy storage solutions, said Laura Kilcrease, CEO of Alberta Innovates. A broad group of players in the Smart Grid Consortium has come together to accelerate the solutions that can be widely deployed in the province. Were delighted to support this initiative as it moves into full demonstration in Edmonton. These investments in a smart grid system will help EPCOR continue its commitment to reducing emissions and energy consumption from non-renewable sources by adopting new energy technologies. EPCOR is pleased to partner with Natural Resources Canada and Alberta Innovates to advance efforts to build a clean energy economy, said EPCOR President and CEO Stuart Lee. This smart grid system is an example of environmental stewardship, economic benefit and innovation converging. The smart grid system will consist of the proposed solar farm, a battery storage system and intelligent controls and monitoring capabilities to optimize grid operation. It will add resiliency to the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant and reduce reliance on the electrical grid. The project also offers opportunities to enhance education and awareness of large-scale renewable energy and smart grid technology allowing Alberta students and the general public access to solar technology that they otherwise would not receive. Before proceeding, the proposed E.L. Smith solar farm project will require approvals from the Alberta Utilities Commission and the City of Edmonton. The project aligns with the Citys The Way We Green environmental strategic plan, and if approved, will generate renewable energy to help power the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, please contact: Tim le Riche External Communications Specialist 780-969-8238 Cell 780-721-2013 tleriche@epcor.com About EPCOR Utilities Inc. EDMONTON, Alberta, Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alberta Federation of Labour applauds government action to ensure worker safety. The Alberta Federation of Labour is pleased to see the Government of Alberta take a clear position on high heels in the workplace. Not allowing employers to force employees into wearing high heels as part of their dress code removes a discriminatory and unnecessary safety hazard that disproportionately put women at unnecessary risk. Gil McGowan, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour, This is great news for worker safety. High heels are a health and safety issue, not a cosmetic issue. They increase the risk of accidents like slips and falls and can lead to chronic health issues. Requiring people to wear damaging footwear simply doesnt make sense. High heels are one of the most common workplace hazards in the hospitality industry, with serious health and safety implications. Slipping and falling are a constant risk, but other long-term risks are commonly associated with high heels, including tendon damage, back pain, and osteoarthritis in the knees. This change is a clear indication that the Government of Alberta listens to workers and responds to their needs. Industry worker groups have called for an end to mandatory high heels in the workplace and the Government has responded. The Alberta Federation of Labour is partnering with workers from the hospitality industry to continue to advocate for better working conditions in their industry. Banning mandatory high heels in the workplace was one issue, but there are others. To learn more about the work underway to bring fairness to Albertas restaurant industry please go to www.fairserve.ca . For further information, please contact: Patrick Rodrigues, Director of Policy Analysis 780-914-7727 or prodrigues@afl.org Social media statement Facebook Glad to see the Government of Alberta taking decisive action to ensure the workplace is safer for women by banning mandatory high heel dress code requirements. This discriminatory and unsafe requirement has no place in modern workplaces. This change is a clear indication that the Government of Alberta listens to workers and responds to their needs. Industry worker groups have called for an end to mandatory high heels in the workplace and the Government has responded. The Alberta Federation of Labour is partnering with workers from the hospitality industry to continue to advocate for better working conditions in their industry. Banning mandatory high heel in the workplace was one issue, but there are others. To learn more about the work underway to bring fairness to Albertas restaurant industry please go to www.fairserve.ca . Grand Old Partisan commemorates President Gerald Ford's visit to China. He arrived there this day of 1975, "to build on the dialog" started by President Richard Nixon's visit nearly four years earlier. He met briefly with an ailing Chairman Mao, but his main focus was to discuss economic and social reforms with emerging leader Deng Xiaoping. Here is a brief video of Ford meeting Deng On returning to the United States, the President recapped: "I reaffirmed the determination of the United States to complete the normalization of relations with the People's Republic of China on the basis of the Shanghai communique. Both sides regarded our discussions as significant, useful, and constructive. Our relationship is becoming a permanent feature of the international political landscape. It benefits not only our two peoples but all peoples of the region and the entire world." Here is a Video Version of this article on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fksF7lEi29s Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, a history of GOP civil rights achievement. Each day, his Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates more than sixteen decades of Republican heritage. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states so far. Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision. Buy the book at Amazon See www.youtube.com/q?v=IzxKCiXc5Qc for a brief video of a Texas Republican praising Back to Basics for the Republican Party. "This is the most amazing book about politics that I have ever read. The Overview should be required reading for anyone with even a minor interest in government. The remainder is an enthralling history lesson that I will never forget. For years, we have all been misled about the true nature of the GOP. This is the real deal! Read it and be proud!" "Michael Zak wrote the definitive history of the GOP." "Back to Basics for the Republican Party is the most significant contribution to the Republican Party in the last twenty years apart from Ronald Reagan." "Back to Basics for the Republican Party is more important to our party now than ever before." and "one of the best books I ever read" CHICAGO, Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Joe Caltabiano announced today that, in connection with the business combination (the Business Combination) completed on November 30, 2018 among certain parties, including Cresco Labs Inc. (the Company) and Cresco Labs, LLC (Cresco), Mr. Caltabiano, directly or indirectly, acquired ownership of: 100,000 super voting shares (the Super Voting Shares ) of the Company, representing 20% of the issued and outstanding Super Voting Shares; ) of the Company, representing 20% of the issued and outstanding Super Voting Shares; an aggregate of 5,200.29 proportionate voting shares (the Proportionate Voting Shares) of the Company, representing approximately 1.19% of the issued and outstanding Proportionate Voting Shares. The Proportionate Voting Shares are convertible into 200 subordinate voting shares of the Company (the "Subordinate Voting Shares") for each Proportionate Voting Share held. Following the Business Combination, Mr. Caltabiano and the entities under the control and direction of Mr. Caltabiano continue to hold an aggregate of 16,467,920 units of Cresco (the Redeemable Units), which are ultimately convertible into 16,467,920 Subordinate Voting Shares of the Company. Immediately prior to the completion of the Business Combination, Mr. Caltabiano did not own or exercise control or direction over any securities of the Company. The Proportionate Voting Shares and Redeemable Units represent, on an as-converted to Subordinate Voting Share-basis, 45.61% of the issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares (assuming the conversion only of those convertible securities held by Mr. Caltabiano and not of any other convertible securities of the Company), and 6.79% of outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares on a fully diluted basis. Mr. Caltabiano holds and controls his shares of the Company for investment purposes only and Mr. Caltabiano may increase or decrease his beneficial ownership or control over the shares of the Company, which he may do, from time to time, depending on market or other conditions and to the extent deemed advisable in light of his general investment strategy. The Super Voting Shares held by Mr. Caltabiano and certain other founders of Cresco are designed to ensure that such individuals have voting control at meetings of shareholders of the Company. The Super Voting Shares are subject to the provisions of the investment agreement among the Company, Mr. Caltabiano, and such other founders, as described in the Companys listing statement dated November 30, 2018, which is posted and filed under the Companys profile on www.sedar.com. This news release is being disseminated as required by National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bids and Insider Reporting Issues in connection with the anticipated filing of an early warning report (the "Early Warning Report"). A copy of the Early Warning Report will be available on SEDAR under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedar.com and can be obtained by contacting the Company as set out below. For further information please contact: John Schetz, General Counsel, Cresco Labs Inc. 520 W Erie St #220, Chicago, IL 60654 USA Phone: (312) 410-8226 Email: john.schetz@crescolabs.com IceViking strongly condemns physical attacks and harassment directed towards them. They are also often victims of the Islamic idea. This is true when it comes to the cruel and tragic treatment of Muslim women and children when it is in accord with the Koran, the example of Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia, which may be applied regardless of where a Muslim male may find himself in the world, whether in a Muslim or non-Muslim country. However, in no way, shape or form should one judge all Muslim men because of what is in Islamic scripture and what constitutes the Islamic law, Sharia. "Race", ethnicity or basically anything that you are "merely" born with should never be a basis for bigotry and discrimination. Apostates from Islam have been executed for 1400 years in accord with the Koran and the words and actions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia. They should be lovingly helped. Furthermore, approximately as many as 11,000,000 Muslims may have been killed by other Muslims since 1948. To quote the website The Religion of Peace (TROP), edited by Glen Roberts: While it may be safe to say that a true Muslim would not intentionally kill another true Muslim ( 4:92-93 ), the Quran places no such value on the life of a Muslim who is not true. Consider verse 9:73 : Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell. The Arabic for strive hard uses the same root as Jihad - and the context in this sura is holy war (see v. 86 and 91). Thus, there are two distinct classes of people that a true Muslim is to target with harshness: disbelievers and hypocrites. A disbeliever obviously refers to a non-Muslim, so a "hypocrite" must be a Muslim of some sort. In fact, hypocrites are those who say they believe, but do not act as they should. In other words, they are "Muslims", but not true Muslims. They will go to hell just as unbelievers do, and so, according to the verse, their lives matter for naught. The same sura says that a hypocrite can be recognized not just by lack of piety (reluctance to follow Sharia), but by fear of death ( 9:56 ), reluctance to fight ( 9:44-45 ) and even friendliness toward non-believers ( 9:67 ). A true Muslim would thus be a pious person who relishes martyrdom, is eager to fight, and shuns non-believers. Even the Quranic passage that warns against killing "believers" ( 4:88-94 ) is more complicated than it first appears. It never says that a true Muslim is incapable of killing another Muslim, just that it should not be done. In fact, it makes exceptions for the unintentional killing of "believers" in war and mandates the killing of "hypocrites." Verse 17:33 says, "Do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause" . The greatest cause of all is that Islam be superior ( 9:33 ), which is exactly what Islamic terrorists say is their goal. Thus believing Muslims are allowed to be collateral damage in the war on unbelievers. There is sadly a phenomena that I`ve noticed in Sweden and elsewhere of people using true facts about Islamic doctrine and history as a cover for all sorts of irrational targeting of Muslims, ranging from xenophobia and racism to verbal abuse and physical attacks. This is strongly condemned by this website and does not in any way serve serious criticism of orthodox Islam and other important work. It`s also important that one tries to express oneself in a civilized way. Words matter. In this bloggers humble opinion the root cause of the problem is the ancient doctrine of orthodox Islam. In simple terms a non-Muslim is a Kafir. " The Koran defines the kafir and kafir is not a neutral word. A kafir is not merely someone who does not agree with Islam, but a kafir is evil, disgusting, the lowest form of life." An exact quote, as stated in the writings of Dr. Bill Warner in the article "Kafir" at http://www.politicalislam.com/kafir . In the perfect Koran (Allah`s direct and literal word as revealed to Mohammed through the angel Jibril), Muslims are told 89 times to emulate Mohammed in all ways (see Koran 33:21 for instance). Mohammed`s example, the Sunna, is found in the Hadith (stories of what Mohammed said and did) and the Sira (biographies of Mohammed). Islamic law, Sharia , is directly derived from these unchanging scriptures. It is based on the Koran`s numerous commands to obey Allah and obey the Messenger, that is Mohammed (see Koran 4:59 for instance). Islam is Sharia. Sharia is Islam. It is a capital crime for Muslims to deny Sharia in any way. A Muslim is someone who submits to Islam and submitting to Islam means obeying the Sharia of Allah. Sharia law includes pronouncements for both Muslims and non-Muslims (Kafirs). Islam is a "complete way of life", a "complete code of life", a "complete system of life". Islam is not just a religion but also a comprehensive ideology. Islam is a supremacist ideology. Islam is a totalitarian and imperialistic ideology akin to Communism and Nazism. Islam is a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, is a manual for a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, governs every aspect of life. It has a say about every conceivable human act . Non-Muslims are morally and legally inferior in Islam. Women are morally and legally inferior in Islam. The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS by Robert Spencer is the first one-volume history of jihad in the English language and a great book on the topic. Allah guarantees Paradise to those who "kill and are killed" for him (Koran 9:111). A hadith depicts a Muslim asking Muhammad: "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." Muhammad replied, "I do not find such a deed." (Bukhari 4.52.44) Muhammad himself said: I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was guaranteed the protection of his property and life on my behalf except for the right affairs rest with Allah. (Sahih Muslim 30) Freedom of speech, human rights, democracy, science and human lives are all at stake in the fight against the Islamic Jihad. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ DALLAS, Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cooper Hotel is honored to accept the ConventionSouth 2018 Readers Choice Award. This is the first time Cooper Hotel has received this award. The hotel will be featured in the December 2018 Awards Issue of ConventionSouth magazine. Cooper Hotel Conference Center & Spa is among 320 convention and visitor bureau meeting facilities and hotels to receive this years Readers Choice Award. More than 7,000 voters participated in the selection process. The value in receiving this prestigious recognition is that it comes from the United States top meeting professionals who hold events in the South, says ConventionSouth publisher J. Talty OConnor. These planners demand the highest level of customer service and quality facilities, and they have contributed in determining that Cooper Hotel Conference Center & Spa indeed displays the commitment to professionalism, creativity and service that they require. Group meeting planners appreciate Cooper Hotels unique conference space with access to all of our health and wellness amenities, including healthy menu choices and fitness breaks during their conference, said Tyler Cooper, MD, President and CEO of Cooper Aerobics. We appreciate being honored with a ConventionSouth Readers Choice Award thanks to our outstanding customer services and amenities. Nestled in the heart of Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, Cooper Hotel is the place to stay well. A full-service, luxury boutique hotel, Cooper Hotel offers 61 oversized guest rooms with 12 suites, resort amenities and beautiful outdoor grounds for a weekend getaway, wedding reception or social event. For companies, it's the place to connect well, with nearly 8,000 square feet of gathering space for groups up to 250 and full-service catering with healthy options. Cooper Hotel offers corporate travel rates, meeting packages and multi-day conferences, with wellness lectures, fitness breaks and teambuilding sessions. ConventionSouth is a national multimedia resource for event planning in the South. Throughout the year, meeting professionals nominate the meeting sites they believe provide exemplary service. The nominated sites are then compiled into an online ballot where meeting professionals and fans are asked to vote for the best of the best. About Cooper Aerobics Cooper Aerobics in Dallas serves as the headquarters for six health and wellness companies and a research and education nonprofit, The Cooper Institute, founded in 1970 by Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH. Cooper Aerobics is the health and wellness resource that bases its recommendations on its world-leading body of data and expertise. Through the array of services Cooper offers, millions have been inspired to make good health a habit, helping improve their quality and quantity of life. Cooper Aerobics challenges people to Get Cooperized by adopting a healthy living mindset and following eight health guidelines developed by Dr. Cooper. For more information, call 866.906.2667 (COOP) or visit cooperaerobics.com. Get the latest updates on the Cooper Aerobics Facebook page. Encouraging InScribe members to share their writings with each other and the world The US Treasury Department stated, In its largest ever single-day action targeting the Iranian regime, the US Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned more than 700 individuals, entities, aircraft, and vessels. Treasury Undersecretary Sigal Mandelker stated, As the Iranian people suffer from fiscal mismanagement and a plummeting rial, the Iranian regime abuses the countrys banking system to enrich its elite and finance repressive state institutions. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force and other destabilizing entities leverage their access to the global financial system to fund proxies fighting in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, subsidize the proliferation of WMD or their means of delivery, and arm those who abuse the human rights of Iranian citizens. This action is aimed at cutting off Iranian banks that facilitate Irans domestic repression and foreign adventurism from the international financial system, and will highlight for the world the true nature of the regimes abuse of its domestic banking system. The banking sector was a top priority of the sanctions. Notable among OFACs banking designations are The Ghadir Investment Company and Bank Melli. Because of its association with the Execution of Imam Khomeinis Order (EIKO), the Ghadir Investment Company and ninety-two of its subsidiary institutions were previously identified by OFAC. EIKO, also known as the Executive Headquarters of Imams Directive, is an official, state-managed organization in the Islamic Republic of Iran under direct control of the Supreme Leader of Iran. It was created by Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini. According to Reuters, EIKOs holdings include large amounts of real estate and thirty-seven companies, and cover nearly every sector of Iranian industry, including finance, oil, and telecommunications. Bank Melli is designated for sanctions for assisting in, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of, the IRGC-QF and Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, according to OFAC. Bank Melli is the largest Iranian company in terms of annual income, and is generally considered the first national and commercial retail bank of Iran. Bank Melli is the largest bank in the Middle East. BMI has thousands of branches inside Iran and fourteen active branches abroad. Bank Melli was designated because of its link to Irans financial support for international terrorism. According to the Treasury Department, The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has used Bank Melli to dispense funds to Iraqi Shia militant groups and Bank Mellis presence in Iraq was part of this scheme. Since the mid-2000s, Bank Melli increasingly provided services to Iranian military-related entities as they became further involved in all aspects of the Iranian economy. Bank Melli has enabled the IRGC and its affiliates to move funds inside and outside of Iran. Bank Melli is allegedly involved in funding the domestic crackdown inside Iran, and IRGC activities outside of Iran. IRGC activities facilitated by Bank Melli are said to include oil and drug smuggling, extortion, arms sales and an assortment of other profitable terrorist activities. OFACs actions are designed to: 1) disrupt the Iranian regimes ability to fund its broad range of malign activities; 2) place pressure the Iranian regime to negotiate a deal that will permanently prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and cease Irans development of ballistic missiles. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MGX Minerals Inc. (MGX or the Company) ( CSE: XMG / FKT: 1MG / OTCQB: MGXMF ) is pleased to provide an update regarding its previously announced arrangement agreement, dated October 31, 2018 with its wholly-owned subsidiary, MGX Renewables Inc. (formerly ZincNyx Energy Solutions Inc.) (MGX Renewables) whereby MGX will complete the spin-out of 40% of the common shares of MGX Renewables (MGX Renewables Shares) pursuant to a plan of arrangement (the Plan of Arrangement) under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The spin-out will require approval by MGX shareholders at MGXs annual general and special meeting, which is will take place on January 11, 2019 (the Meeting) and the non-brokered private placement by MGX Renewables of up to 12,000,000 subscription receipts (the Subscription Receipts) at a price of $0.25 per Subscription Receipt for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000 (the Subscription Receipt Offering) which is planned to close on January 31, 2019. MGX has submitted an application to list the shares of MGX Renewables on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). Listing of the MGX Renewables shares remains subject to CSE approval. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The MGX Renewables Shares, Subscription Receipts and any securities underlying the Subscription Receipts have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States, unless pursuant to an exemption from such laws. For more information on the Plan of Arrangement and the Subscription Receipt Offering, please refer to the Companys news release dated November 1, 2018, available on the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and at www.mgxminerals.com. About MGX Renewables Inc. MGX Renewables, has developed a patented zinc-air flow battery that efficiently stores energy in the form of zinc particles and contains none of the traditional high cost battery commodities such as lithium, vanadium, or cobalt. The technology allows for low cost mass storage of energy and can be deployed into a wide range of applications scalable energy storage applications. Unlike conventional batteries such as lithium-ion, which have a fixed energy/power ratio, the technology uses a fuel tank system that offers flexible energy storage to power ratios and scalability. The storage capacity is directly tied to the size of the fuel tank and the quantity of recharged zinc fuel, making low cost scalability a major advantage of the flow battery system. In addition, a further major advantage of the zinc-air flow battery is the ability to charge and discharge simultaneously and at different maximum charge or discharge rates since each of the charge and discharge circuits is separate and independent. Other types of standard and flow batteries are limited to a maximum charge and discharge by the total number of cells as there is no separation of the charge, discharge and storage components. For more information visit www.mgxrenewables.com . About MGX Minerals Inc. MGX Minerals is a diversified Canadian resource and technology company with interests in global advanced material, energy and water assets. Contact Information Jared Lazerson President and CEO Telephone: 1.604.681.7735 Web: www.mgxminerals.com Legal Advisories Listing of the MGX Renewables shares remains subject to CSE approval. A market for MGX Renewables Shares may not sustainably develop following the completion of the Plan of Arrangement. If a market for MGX Renewables Shares does not sustainably develop, MGX shareholders may have difficulty selling their MGX Renewables Shares and the market price for MGX Renewables Shares may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond the Companys and MGX Renewables control. If the MGX Renewables Shares are not accepted for listing on a recognized exchange then the Plan of Arrangement may not be completed. Following completion of the Plan of Arrangement, the Company may own or control MGX Renewables Shares and that ownership or control may be material. As a result, the Company could have the ability to control or veto matters submitted to MGX Renewables shareholders for approval. This may negatively affect the attractiveness of MGX Renewables to third parties considering an acquisition of MGX Renewables or cause the market price of the MGX Renewables Shares to decline. The interests of the Company may not in all cases be aligned with the interests of MGX Renewables shareholders. In addition, the Company may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures and other transactions that, in the judgment of its management, could enhance its equity investment, even though such transactions might involve risks to MGX Renewables shareholders and may ultimately adversely affect the market price of the MGX Renewables Shares. So long as the Company continues to own, directly or indirectly, a significant amount of the MGX Renewables Shares, the Company may be able to strongly influence or effectively control MGX Renewables decisions. The Company does, from time to time, make investments in other companies and in its own research and development initiatives. As such, the Company may acquire interests in companies or otherwise develop businesses that directly or indirectly compete with all or certain portions of MGX Renewables business or that are suppliers to, or customers of, MGX Renewables. MGX shareholders should consult their own tax advisors in respect of the Plan of Arrangement. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain statements or disclosures relating to MGX that are based on the expectations of its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to MGX which may constitute forward-looking statements or information (forward-looking statements) under applicable securities laws. All such statements and disclosures, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results or developments that MGX anticipates or expects may, or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the word will, could, expect, may and other similar expressions. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the following: the Plan of Arrangement; the Meeting; the Subscription Receipt Offering; the listing of the MGX Renewables Shares on the CSE; the market for the MGX Renewables Shares; the ownership and control of MGX Renewables Shares by the Company; and the Companys future plans and investment strategy. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect several material factors, expectations and assumptions of MGX including, without limitation: that MGX will continue to conduct its operations in a manner consistent with past operations; the general continuance of current or, where applicable, assumed industry conditions; availability of debt and/or equity sources to fund MGX's capital and operating requirements as needed; and certain cost assumptions. MGX believes the material factors, expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements including, without limitation: general economic, market and business conditions; the Plan of Arrangement, Subscription Receipt Offering, the listing of the MGX Renewables Shares and/or Meeting may not be completed in the timelines anticipated, in the manner anticipated or at all; the Plan of Arrangement, Subscription Receipt Offering, listing of the MGX Renewables Shares and/or Meeting may not have the results currently anticipated by MGX; failure to obtain in a timely manner, shareholder, regulatory, stock exchange, court and other required approvals in connection with the Plan of Arrangement; the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Plan of Arrangement; increased costs and expenses; and certain other risks detailed from time to time in MGX's public disclosure documents including, without limitation, those risks identified in this news release, copies of which are available on MGX's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither the CSE nor any Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The US then revealed more evidence of Irans meddling to back up its claims, producing pieces of missiles, rockets, drones and other Iranian weaponry that were seized from Iranian proxy militias or from shipments headed to them. While standing in front of a section of a Sayyad-2C surface-to-air missile, which was intercepted by the Saudis earlier this year en-route to the Houthi rebels in Yemen, US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook said: The new weapons we are disclosing today illustrate the scale of Irans destructive role across the region. Tehran is intent on increasing the lethality and reach of these weapons to deepen its presence throughout the region. We are one missile attack away from a regional conflict. This is the second time in the past year that the US has publicly displayed weapons that they believe were sent from Iran to terrorist or militant groups in the region. In December 2017, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley showed undeniable evidence that Iran was supplying missiles and drones to malign groups. Since then, the US says the collection has grown to include grenades, long-range drones, sniper rifles, surface-to-air missiles, AK-47s, anti-tank guided missiles, and even a second Qiam short-range ballistic missile. The ballistic missile was reportedly fired into Saudi Arabia by Houthi rebels just days after Haleys press conference last year. The US also says that the Iranian Regime is barely making any efforts to conceal its role, with Hook commenting that the conspicuous Farsi markings show that Iran doesnt care about getting caught violating UN resolutions on sending weapons outside of their country. Other things that prove the origin of the weapons include design features that perfectly align with photos and videos that Iran itself has provided, the presence of Iranian defence company logos, and the type of serial numbers ingrained on the weapons. Moreover, the drones use a vertical gyroscope to stabilize them and Iran is the only country in the world that uses them. Although much coverage focuses on Irans support for the Houthis in Yemen, Iranian weapons are also making their way to Shiite militias in Bahrain, Shiite militias in Iraq, and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Pentagon spokeswoman Commander Rebecca Rebarich said: Its not just Saudi and Yemen. Its a story of how Iran is proliferating these various weapon systems across the region. Another pressing problem is that Iran also appears to be training the groups to use the weapons, as there is no way these weapons could be used without training. This effort by Iran to spread its weapons has only increased since the influx of cash Iran received during the 2015 nuclear deal and its goal is to spread chaos across the Middle East. Behnam Ben Taleblu, a research fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said: Irans proxy strategy is relatively low cost, but offers the regime a high reward. Weapons like anti-tank missiles and rockets may not win conflicts in the Middle East, but can bleed adversaries and force a political solution to the regions myriad proxy wars in Irans favour. NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (KSF) and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until December 18, 2018 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Camping World Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CWH), if they purchased the Companys Class A shares between March 8, 2017 and August 7, 2018, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. What You May Do If you purchased Class A shares of Camping World and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com ), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-cwh/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by December 18, 2018. About the Lawsuit Camping World and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On August 7, 2018, the Company disclosed a wide range of disappointing results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 including a decline in same-store revenue, adjusted EBITDA 9% below guidance, a continuing decline in its adjusted EBITDA margin of 250 basis points year-over-year, and additional complications with its Gander Mountain Co. operations. On this news, the price of Camping Worlds Class A shares plummeted 14%, to close at $19.04 per share on August 8, 2018. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include the former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com . Contact: Guernsey, Channel Islands, Dec. 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AP Alternative Assets, L.P. (AP Alternative Assets or AAA, Euronext Amsterdam: AAA) today announced that it will hold its annual unitholders meeting on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. CEST (Amsterdam) at the offices of NautaDutilh N.V., Beethovenstraat 400, 1082 PR Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Representatives of Apollo Alternative Assets, L.P., the investment manager of AAA, will discuss the investment activities and financial results of AAA through September 30, 2018 at the meeting. The common units of AAA are non-voting. Note that the meeting will not include a discussion of the financial results and activities of Athene Holding Ltd., AAAs sole investment holding, and therefore members of Athene Holding Ltd.s senior management team will not be in attendance at this meeting Annual Unitholders Meeting Agenda The agenda will include: Opening remarks Overview of AAA Financial results Valuation of investment as of September 30, 2018 AAA distributions to date Questions and answers related to AAA Annual Unitholders Meeting Registration All unitholders registered as of the close of trading on Euronext in Amsterdam on December 7, 2018 ("Registration Date") are eligible to attend the meeting. Unitholders who would like to attend the meeting in person or designate others to attend the meeting on their behalf, should register themselves at NautaDutilh N.V. via the bank or broker where their common units are administered. These banks or brokers must present an electronic statement, no later than 4:00 p.m. CEST (Amsterdam) on the Registration Date, to NautaDutilh N.V., Capital Markets, Beethovenstraat 400, 1082 PR Amsterdam, The Netherlands, E: 2AAAregistration@nautadutilh.com identifying the number of common units held by the holder on the Registration Date and presented for registration purposes. Upon request, a unitholder may obtain, via their bank or broker, a statement of number of common units that are registered in their name and are presented for registration purposes. The 76,328,950 common units of AAA outstanding are non-voting. Meeting Documents The meeting documents will be made available for review at the office of AAA, Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St. Peter Port Guernsey, Channel Islands, GY1 3QL. The documents will also be available free of charge on AAA's website at www.apolloalternativeassets.com or via post upon request. About AP Alternative Assets AP Alternative Assets was established by Apollo Global Management, LLC (Apollo) and is a closed-end limited partnership established under the laws of Guernsey. Apollo is a leading global alternative investment manager with over 28 years of experience investing across the capital structure of leveraged companies. AP Alternative Assets is managed by Apollo Alternative Assets, L.P., a subsidiary of Apollo. For more information about AP Alternative Assets, please visit www.apolloalternativeassets.com. Contact Gary M. Stein (New York) +1 (212) 822 0467 This announcement does not constitute or form part of an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) or under the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or in any other jurisdiction absent registration or pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or from the registration requirements in any such other jurisdiction. No public offering of securities has been or is being made in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. Berlin, therefore, is unlikely to embrace change until a crisis makes it unavoidable. The trouble is that in the midst of such a crisis, the eurozone will necessarily be in recession. Germany is the eurozones growth engine, so a slowdown there drags everyone down. And Europe is not significantly better prepared to deal with a serious recession today than it was a decade ago. Three member states Greece, Spain and Italy still have double-digit unemployment rates. As of 2017, youth unemployment was above 20 percent in eight EU member states, compared with 9.2 percent in the U.S., and in the second quarter of this year, Greece, Italy and Portugal had public debt levels well over 100 percent. France has been pleading with Germany to help push through reforms, like the establishment of a joint banking union and an EU finance minister, to no avail. ( Berlin has finally accepted Paris call for a euro-area budget, but its nowhere near the amount France wanted.) And the popularity of euroskeptical governments could elevate the risk of miscalculation and catastrophe in future bailout negotiations, not unlike what happened when the Syriza party came to power in Greece in January 2015. When judgment day comes, the next German chancellor may have to expend precious political capital rescuing fellow eurozone members while Germans themselves are hurting. But Merkel could not let the euro collapse, and neither can her successor. The New World Order The next chancellor will also have to find Germanys, and Europes, place between a rising China and the United States. Germany had high hopes for economic relations with China. In 2005, only 2.8 percent of its exports by value were bound for China; in 2017, that number was 6.7 percent, making China Germanys third-largest export destination after the U.S. and France. Today, however, government and business opinion has started to turn against China. Chinese investments in certain sectors are viewed with suspicion, and the country is increasingly seen as a competitor for other markets. According to Reuters, the influential Federation of German Industries is preparing a position paper warning German firms to reduce their dependence on the Chinese market, which the federation says is unlikely to open up as Beijing has promised. Berlin is also working on plans to give it more veto power over foreign investments in strategic sectors, a measure aimed mostly at China. At the same time, senior officials are trying to block Chinese firms from constructing Germanys 5G infrastructure. While Germany would like to get all EU member states on the same page, most imperative for Berlin is that it and the other most advanced manufacturing states align on China. So far, at least, they have. Black Lawmaker Renews Call Against Texas Confederate Plaque A Black Democratic lawmaker called on Texas to immediately remove a Confederate plaque in the state Capitol that rejects slavery as an underlying cause of the Civil War after the states attorney general said Wednesday that a legislative vote isnt needed. We could get out the screwdrivers today, said Eric Johnson, a state representative in Dallas. The plaque is one of about a dozen Confederate markers in and around the Texas Capitol. It was installed in 1959 but has drawn bipartisan disapproval after attention on confederate symbols intensified following last years deadly clash at a White nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. ADVERTISEMENT The plaque, which was donated by the Children of the Confederacy, vows to preserve pure ideals and teach the truths of history. Then it adds: One of the most important of which is that the war between the states was not a rebellion, nor was its underlying cause to sustain slavery. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has signaled support from removing the plaque but has said he wont order it taken down. Instead, Abbott says the decision should rest with the Legislature, arguing that it was lawmakers a half-century ago who voted to put it up in the first place. But Johnson, who privately met with Abbott last year, said an opinion issued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons office makes clear that the state is empowered to act now. He also said that getting approval next year in the Texas Legislature, which Republicans control, is no certainty. It could be a slam dunk. It could not be, Johnson said. But it would get bogged down in politics. There is no need for that. The opinion from Paxtons office has been long-awaited as frustration over the plaque has simmered. The opinion says the Legislature, the State Preservation Board, which acts as curator for the Capitol, and the Texas Historical Commission all have the authority to remove or relocate monuments or memorials such as the plaque. ADVERTISEMENT Spokespeople for Abbott and the State Preservation Board did not return messages seeking comment. Last year, Abbott resisted calls to take down Confederate markers following the clash in Charlottesville, saying at the time that racism and hate-filled violence were unacceptable but that removing monuments wont erase the past. Disney, Fox Sued in L.A. By Malaysian Resort Company Over Proposed Theme Park The Walt Disney Co. and 21st Century Fox were sued today in Los Angeles for more than $1 billion by a Malaysian casino company which alleges the studios backed out of an agreement to sponsor a Fox World theme park outside Kuala Lumpur. Lawyers for Genting Malaysia Berhad allege in the lawsuit, filed in federal court, that Fox, with Disney, breached a 2013 contract to license intellectual property, including Ice Age and Planet of the Apes, for the first-ever Fox-branded park. Representatives of Disney and Fox could not immediately be reached for comment. ADVERTISEMENT According to the 29-page complaint, Disney wants to end the contract because going into business with a gambling company does not correspond to its family-friendly image. The plan was for Fox World to be the new centerpiece of Resorts World Genting, GENMs integrated resort complex in Genting Highlands, an idyllic mountain retreat 6,000 feet above sea level and an hours drive outside of Kuala Lumpur that already attracts over 23 million visitors a year,according to the lawsuit. Genting runs the only legal land-based casino in Malaysia, along with hotels, venues, shopping malls and scores of restaurants, bars and clubs. The company claims Fox issued a default notice with the hope of terminating the contract, in a manner entirely consistent with Disney wanting to kill the deal. According to the suit, which alleges that Genting had already made a $750 million-plus investment in the park, the studios are liable for what will exceed a billion dollars in damages attributable to the bad-faith behavior of both Fox and Disney. Man Charged with Assaulting Two Women at CSUN Campus A 26-year-old man was charged today with assaulting two women this week at California State University, Northridge, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office announced. Peter Wei (dob 1/24/92) of Northridge faces two felony counts of assault to commit a felony, including rape, sodomy or oral copulation, and one misdemeanor count each of battery and resisting, delaying or obstructing a peace officer. He is expected to be arraigned this afternoon in Department S of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, San Fernando Branch. Prosecutors are requesting that bail be set at $1 million. ADVERTISEMENT Wei allegedly assaulted one woman on Nov. 27 near a parking lot on campus and a second victim on Nov. 28, prosecutors said. He faces a possible maximum penalty of almost 13 years and six months in state prison if convicted as charged. The case remains under investigation by the Cal State Northridge Department of Police Services. Murex Petroleum to Pay $50K to Settle Race Harassment Suit A Texas-based oil and gas company will pay $50,000 to settle a racial harassment lawsuit involving a Black employee in North Dakota. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced the settlement Wednesday with Murex Petroleum Corp. According to the lawsuit, Derrick Jenkins worked for Murex from April to September 2014 at its Tioga facility. The EEOC says Jenkins co-workers directed racial slurs at him and made racially derogatory comments. It says Jenkins supervisor witnessed the harassment, but did nothing about it. ADVERTISEMENT The lawsuit says another African American employee complained to a high-level executive at the company about the harassment, but no action was taken. The settlement requires Murex to revise its harassment policy to outline procedures for reporting complaints. A spokeswoman for Murex Petroleum, based in Houston, was unavailable for comment. White Supremacist Pleads Guilty in Los Angeles A member of a White supremacist group has pleaded guilty to a federal charge in connection with a political rally that turned violent in Southern California last year. Tyler Laube entered a guilty plea Tuesday to one count to one count of conspiracy to violate the federal riots act. The 22-year-old was ordered to remain jailed until his sentencing March 25. City News Service reports he could get up to three years in prison. ADVERTISEMENT In a plea agreement, Laube admitted being associated with the militant Rise Above Movement and assaulting people at a Make America Great Again rally in Huntington Beach. Laube is one of several members of the militant group indicted on charges of inciting violence at California rallies in 2017. Friday, November 30, 2018 The Kansas Supreme Court has rejected a jurisdictional argument and suspended an attorney This contested attorney discipline proceeding arises out of two separate matters handled by David P. Crandall. After the Disciplinary Administrator filed a formal complaint, the chairman of the Board for Discipline of Attorneys appointed a hearing panel. The hearing panel conducted an evidentiary hearing, at which Crandall appeared in person and through counsel. The panel later issued its final hearing report in which it concluded Crandall violated six provisions of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct (KRPC): KRPC 1.1 (2018 Kan. S. Ct. R. 289) (competence), KRPC 1.3 (2018 Kan. S. Ct. R. 292) (diligence), KRPC 1.4(b) (2018 Kan. S. Ct. R. 293) (communication), KRPC 1.5(a) (2018 Kan. S. Ct. R. 294) (fees), KRPC 1.7(a) (2018 Kan. S. Ct. R. 302) (concurrent conflict of interest), and KRPC 8.4(d) (2018 Kan. S. Ct. R. 381) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice). The panel majority recommended this court suspend Crandall from the practice of law for a period of six months. A dissenting voice would have imposed a one-year suspension. Before this court, Crandall contests many of the panel's factual findings and raises several legal arguments. To begin with, he challenges this court's subject matter jurisdiction over one of the complaints. Crandall, who was licensed in Kansas in 1999, later received licenses to practice law in Missouri and California. He argues the Kansas Supreme Court has no say when his clients were residents of Missouri and he was acting under his Missouri license. He also contends the imposition of discipline would result in violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, the disciplinary hearing panel erred in not admitting investigators' reports at the disciplinary hearing, and the panel's conclusions that he violated various rules of professional conduct are unsupported by clear and convincing evidence. As fully detailed below, after reviewing each instance of misconduct found by the panel, we find clear and convincing evidence Crandall violated the six provisions of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct as found by the hearing panel. In assessing discipline, we consider the facts and circumstances of each violation; the ethical duties Crandall violated; the knowing nature of his misconduct; the injury resulting from his misconduct; any aggravating and mitigating factors; and the applicable American Bar Association (ABA) Standards for imposing discipline. After applying this framework, a majority concludes Crandall's misconduct warrants a six-month suspension. A minority would impose a lesser punishment. Oral argument video linked here. (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2018/11/the-kansas-supreme-court-has-rejected-a-jurisdictional-argument-and-suspended-an-attorney-this-contested-attorney-discipline.html Our story today is called "Luck." It was written by Mark Twain. Here is Shep ONeal with the story. I was at a dinner in London given in honor of one of the most celebrated English military men of his time. I do not want to tell you his real name and titles. I will just call him Lieutenant General Lord Arthur Scoresby. I cannot describe my excitement when I saw this great and famous man. There he sat, the man himself, in person, all covered with medals. I could not take my eyes off him. He seemed to show the true mark of greatness. His fame had no effect on him. The hundreds of eyes watching him, the worship of so many people, did not seem to make any difference to him. Next to me sat a clergyman, who was an old friend of mine. He was not always a clergyman. During the first half of his life he was a teacher in the military school at Woolwich. There was a strange look in his eye as he leaned toward me and whispered Privately he is a complete fool. He meant, of course, the hero of our dinner. This came as a shock to me. I looked hard at my friend. I could not have been more surprised if he had said the same thing about Napoleon, or Socrates, or Solomon. But I was sure of two things about the clergyman. He always spoke the truth. And, his judgment of men was good. Therefore, I wanted to find out more about our hero as soon as I could. Some days later I got a chance to talk with the clergyman, and he told me more. These are his exact words: About forty years ago, I was an instructor in the military academy at Woolwich, when young Scoresby was given his first examination. I felt extremely sorry for him. Everybody answered the questions well, intelligently, while he why, dear me he did not know anything, so to speak. He was a nice, pleasant young man. It was painful to see him stand there and give answers that were miracles of stupidity. I knew of course that when examined again he would fail and be thrown out. So, I said to myself, it would be a simple, harmless act to help him as much as I could. I took him aside and found he knew a little about Julius Caesars history. But, he did not know anything else. So, I went to work and tested him and worked him like a slave. I made him work, over and over again, on a few questions about Caesar, which I knew he would be asked. If you will believe me, he came through very well on the day of the examination. He got high praise too, while others who knew a thousand times more than he were sharply criticized. By some strange, lucky accident, he was asked no questions but those I made him study. Such an accident does not happen more than once in a hundred years. Well, all through his studies, I stood by him, with the feeling a mother has for a disabled child. And he always saved himself by some miracle. I thought that what in the end would destroy him would be the mathematics examination. I decided to make his end as painless as possible. So, I pushed facts into his stupid head for hours. Finally, I let him go to the examination to experience what I was sure would be his dismissal from school. Well, sir, try to imagine the result. I was shocked out of my mind. He took first prize! And he got the highest praise. I felt guilty day and night what I was doing was not right. But I only wanted to make his dismissal a little less painful for him. I never dreamed it would lead to such strange, laughable results. I thought that sooner or later one thing was sure to happen: The first real test once he was through school would ruin him. Then, the Crimean War broke out. I felt that sad for him that there had to be a war. Peace would have given this donkey a chance to escape from ever being found out as being so stupid. Nervously, I waited for the worst to happen. It did. He was appointed an officer. A captain, of all things! Who could have dreamed that they would place such a responsibility on such weak shoulders as his. I said to myself that I was responsible to the country for this. I must go with him and protect the nation against him as far as I could. So, I joined up with him. And away we went to the field. And there oh dear, it was terrible. Mistakes, fearful mistakes why, he never did anything that was right nothing but mistakes. But, you see, nobody knew the secret of how stupid he really was. Everybody misunderstood his actions. They saw his stupid mistakes as works of great intelligence. They did, honestly! His smallest mistakes made a man in his right mind cry, and shout and scream too to himself, of course. And what kept me in a continual fear was the fact that every mistake he made increased his glory and fame. I kept saying to myself that when at last they find out about him, it will be like the sun falling out of the sky. He continued to climb up, over the dead bodies of his superiors. Then, in the hottest moment of one battle down went our colonel. My heart jumped into my mouth, for Scoresby was the next in line to take his place. Now, we are in for it, I said The battle grew hotter. The English and their allies were steadily retreating all over the field. Our regiment occupied a position that was extremely important. One mistake now would bring total disaster. And what did Scoresby do this time he just mistook his left hand for his right handthat was all. An order came for him to fall back and support our right. Instead, he moved forward and went over the hill to the left. We were over the hill before this insane movement could be discovered and stopped. And what did we find? A large and unsuspected Russian army waiting! And what happened were we all killed? That is exactly what would have happened in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred. But no those surprised Russians thought that no one regiment by itself would come around there at such a time. It must be the whole British army, they thought. They turned tail, away they went over the hill and down into the field in wild disorder, and we after them. In no time, there was the greatest turn around you ever saw. The allies turned defeat into a sweeping and shining victory. The allied commander looked on, his head spinning with wonder, surprise and joy. He sent right off for Scoresby, and put his arms around him and hugged him on the field in front of all the armies. Scoresby became famous that day as a great military leader honored throughout the world. That honor will never disappear while history books last. He is just as nice and pleasant as ever, but he still does not know enough to come in out of the rain. He is the stupidest man in the universe. Until now, nobody knew it but Scoresby and myself. He has been followed, day by day, year by year, by a strange luck. He has been a shining soldier in all our wars for years. He has filled his whole military life with mistakes. Every one of them brought him another honorary title. Look at his chest, flooded with British and foreign medals. Well, sir, every one of them is the record of some great stupidity or other. They are proof that the best thing that can happen to a man is to be born lucky. I say again, as I did at the dinner, Scoresbys a complete fool. Download activities to help you understand this story here. Now it's your turn to use the words in this story. Have you ever had a teacher help you in a special or unusual way? What was that experience like? Let us know in the comments section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ QUIZ Quiz - Luck by Mark Twain Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz For Teachers This lesson plan is based on the CALLA Approach and teaches the strategy of selective attention for picking out the key ideas of the story. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story ally n. (pl. allies) a country that supports and helps another country in a war disabled adj. having a physical or mental disability : unable to perform one or more natural activities (such as walking or seeing) because of illness, injury, etc. dismiss v. to send away; to refuse to consider dismissal n. the act of sending a person away (from a position at work or in a school) join up (idiom) enlist in the military service superiors n. a person of higher rank or status than another The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, has announced that private companies will make Americas next moon landing. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said Thursday that nine American companies will compete to carry experiments to the surface of the moon. (The) announcement marks tangible progress in Americas return to the Moons surface to stay, Bridenstine said. The space agency said in a statement the goal is to bring many science and technology experiments to the moon as soon as possible. The first such flight could come as early as next year. In 2019, NASA and people across the United States will mark the 50th anniversary of the first manned landing on the moon. The last time humans visited the moon was in 1972, during NASAs Apollo 17 mission. NASA officials say the goal of the planned spaceflight is to transport equipment for performing experiments and collecting information about the moon. Some of the companies are expected to develop small launch vehicles or robotic rovers to explore its surface. The research is meant to help get astronauts back to the moon more quickly and keep them safer once they arrive. Thomas Zurbuchen is head of NASAs science mission directorate, which leads the new flight efforts. Were going at high speed, he said. The space agency says it will award a total of $2.6 billion to private businesses for the moon effort over the next 10 years. Bridenstine said that NASA wants a lot of companies involved to strengthen competition. He also said he expects to have people regularly working on the moon within 10 years. The new partnership is modeled after another NASA program that uses private companies to transport supplies to the International Space Station, or ISS. SpaceX and Northrop Grumman have made ISS shipments since 2012. SpaceX and Boeing are planning to start transporting astronauts to the space station sometime next year. NASA has said it expects work on a new space station laboratory to start as soon as 2022. The new space station would orbit the moon. But it is also expected to serve as a launching point for missions to other parts of the solar system, including the planet Mars. The announcement on future moon flights came just three days after NASA successfully landed its InSight spacecraft on Mars. The InSight lander was built by Lockheed Martin, a private U.S. company. The lander is designed to explore under the surface, studying the geology of the planet and seeking signs of Martian earthquakes. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His report is based on information from the Associated Press, Reuters and NASA. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story tangible adj. something real that can be seen, touched or measured rover n. small vehicle that can move over rough ground, often used on the surface of other planets regularly adj. something done repeatedly or often mission n. a project or operation Two years ago, music theory professor Patricia Hall traveled to Polands Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. She hoped to learn about the music performed by prisoners in World War II death camps. Hall, who teaches music at the University of Michigan, had heard that the museum had handwritten manuscripts of such songs. But, she was surprised by what she found at the museum: unexpectedly happy and popular works, with names such as The Most Beautiful Time of Life and Sing a Song When Youre Sad. Hall returned to the Polish museum several times over the next two years. She continued to study other handwritten manuscripts of songs arranged and performed by prisoners. And this week, a musical group performed one of these songs for the first time since Auschwitz prisoners played it during the war. Hall told the Associated Press, Ive used the expression giving life to this manuscript thats been sitting somewhere for 75 years.Researching one of these manuscripts is just the beginning you want people to be able to hear what these pieces sound like. From 1940 to 1945, more than 1 million people, most of whom were Jewish, died in Auschwitz-Birkenaus gas chambers, or from hunger, disease and forced labor. Hall said she felt it was important for modern audiences to hear the prisoners music. So, she asked Josh Devries, a University of Michigan student, and university professor Oriol Sans to rewrite the manuscripts onto special music software. This made it easier to read and play the music. Sans is also director of the schools Contemporary Directions Ensemble. Last month, the group of musicians gathered to play and record The Most Beautiful Time of Life. The recording is to become part of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. That is the same song the group played this week during a free performance at the University of Michigan. The performance was live-streamed for audiences around the world. Hall estimates that the song was last performed in 1942 or 1943 by Auschwitz prisoners. The prisoners would sometimes put on concerts for German soldiers. The prisoners themselves did not write the piece. They may have heard the song in the years before they were put in the concentration camp, as it was a popular song in the 1940s. The prisoners did, however, arrange the music to work for the few instruments available. Hall has so far identified two of the three prisoners who arranged the piece. They are Antoni Gargul, who was released from Auschwitz in 1943, and Maksymilian Pilat, who was released in 1945. Both were Polish political prisoners. Survivors and museum officials have said musicians received more food than most other prisoners, had clean clothes and did not perform the hardest labor. But museum director Piotr M. A. Cywinski said that they also experienced some of the worst terrors of the camp. And Hall said of the musicians, We like to think (that) the musicians were saved because they had that ability to play instruments. However, its been documented by another prisoner that [about] 50 of them ... were taken out and shot. Hall said she was surprised that no one discovered the manuscripts earlier. She said she found about eight other manuscripts that she hopes will get recorded and performed in the future. She says she will let someone else do that, however; she describes the environment in Auschwitz-Birkenau as quite depressing. I go back and forth about how much further Im going to research these manuscripts, Hall said. Im Susan Shand. The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story museum n. a building in which interesting and valuable things (such as paintings and sculptures or scientific or historical objects) are collected and shown to the public manuscript n. the original copy of a play, book, piece of music, etc., before it has been printed arrange - v. to organize audience n. the people who attend a performance software n. the programs that run on a computer and perform certain functions This blog has nothing to do with gorillas (though I love 'em)...fellow bloggers have inspired me to share vintage images of Disneyland from my personal collection. But don't be surprised if you see something from a World's Fair, Knott's Berry Farm, or someplace else that is cool! U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a period of national mourning Saturday to honor former President George H.W. Bush. The nation's 41st president died late on Friday, November 30, 2018, at the age of 94 - about eight months after the death of his wife, Barbara Bush. A former Navy pilot, he went on to serve the country as a congressman, an ambassador to the United Nations, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, vice-president and, finally, president. In a statement issued after Bushs death, the president and first lady Melania Trump said Bush had inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service. The president also ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days to honor Bush. The White House announced Saturday that the Trumps will attend a state funeral for the former president at Washingtons National Cathedral. Trump was not invited to the funeral of former first lady Barbara Bush earlier this year. Melania Trump attended instead. Former President Barack Obama said in a statement: America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. Bill Clinton, the man who defeated Bush in the 1992 presidential election, said, Few Americans have beenor will ever beable to match President Bushs record of service to the United States and the joy he took every day from it. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev worked closely with Bush to end the Cold War in the late 1980s. He told the Interfax news agency, It was a dramatic time demanding huge responsibility from everyone. The result was the end of the Cold War and the nuclear arms race. Electron micrograph of a negatively stained human papilloma virus (HPV) which occurs in human warts. Credit: public domain Preclinical experiments by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers suggest the cancer drugs vorinostat, belinostat and panobinostat might be repurposed to treat infections caused by human papillomaviruses, or HPVs. HPV infections caused an estimated 266,000 deaths from cervical cancer worldwide in 2012, according to the World Health Organization. Routine screening by Pap smears or HPV DNA tests has reduced death rates in developed countries compared to less developed regions of the globe. Still, an estimated 12,200 United States women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Highly efficacious vaccines against HPV infection existincluding the recently approved Gardasil 9, which immunizes against nine genotypes of HPV known to cause cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancers, and genital warts. But the vaccine needs to be given before a person becomes sexually active, since it has no therapeutic efficacy against existing HPV infections. "Safe, effective and inexpensive therapeutic agents are urgently needed," said N. Sanjib Banerjee, Ph.D., assistant professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at UAB and lead author of the vorinostat study. Epithelium of anogenital sitesthe cervix, penis and anusor epithelium of the mouth and throat are sites of HPV infection. But HPVs cannot be propagated in conventional cell culture, hampering the investigation into their pathogenic effects. The laboratory of Louise Chow, Ph.D., and Thomas Broker, Ph.D., in the UAB Department Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics has investigated HPV-host interactions for decades. They discovered that the productive program of HPV depends on differentiation of the epithelium into a full-thickness, squamous epithelium. Furthermore, HPV reactivates host DNA replication in these differentiated cells, such that the replication proteins and substrates become available to support viral DNA amplification. The Chow and Broker lab re-produced a fully differentiated human squamous epithelium by culturing primary human keratinocytes at an air-media interphase for two to three weeks, a growth they call raft culture. In 2009, their lab developed a breakthrough model for a raft culture of HPV-18-infected primary human keratinocytes, allowing a robust amplification of HPV-18 DNA and production of infective viral progeny. This productive raft culture is an ideal model for preclinical investigation of potential anti-HPV agents. Banerjee and colleagues hypothesized that inhibitors of histone deacetylases, or HDACs, would inhibit HPV DNA amplification because of their known mechanism of disrupting chromosomal DNA replication. Chromosomal replication requires HDAC alterations of histone proteins, the proteins that act like spools that wind DNA to help package and condense chromosomes and the viral genome. Vorinostat inhibits many HDACs, so it might interrupt not only chromosomal replication but also viral DNA replication. Using the HPV-18 model raft cultures, the researchers found that vorinostat effectively inhibited HPV-18 DNA amplification and virus production. Importantly, vorinostat also induced the programmed cell death called apoptosis in a fraction of the differentiated cells. Cell death could be attributable to DNA breakage when chromosomal DNA replication was interrupted. Similar results were obtained with two additional HDAC inhibitors, belinostat and panobinostat. In contrast, the differentiated cells of uninfected raft cultures, which do not replicate their DNA, were thus largely spared in the presence of the inhibitors. The UAB team also examined how vorinostat affected levels and functions of viral oncoproteins, and they described the mechanisms that led to programmed cell death in HPV-18-infected cultures. "On the basis of these detailed studies," Banerjee said, "we suggest that HDAC inhibitors are promising compounds for treating benign HPV infections, abrogating progeny production and hence interrupting infectious transmission." The UAB team also reported that vorinostat caused extensive cell death in raft cultures of dysplastic and cancer cell lines harboring HPV-16. HPV-16 and HPV-18 are the most prevalent, high-risk HPVs responsible for causing anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. "But further investigation would be required to verify that these agents could also be useful in treating HPV associated dysplasias and cancers," Banerjee said. Explore further Scientists report breakthrough in HPV research Conflict of interests is self-evident to everybody with a brain, Czech culture of the bending laws clashes with different EU habits Hours ago, Le Monde (FR) and The Guardian (UK) and now e.g. Suddeutsche Zeitung (DE) and Reuters (UK) informed their readers that the lawyers of the European Commission have determined (according to a leaked report that you can read now) that the Czech PM Babis is still the actual owner of Agrofert, a 3-billion-dollars corporation in agriculture, food industry, chemical industry, reproduction hospitals, and media, and therefore the billions of crowns (hundreds of millions of Euros) he has received in 2018 violate the EU rules and should be returned. The European Commission is usually acting according to the recommendation of its lawyers in such situations although it's not quite certain that this will be the case now. Babis, a former communist cadre and agent of the communist secret police, has accumulated over $3 billion dollars in Agrofert a corporation that largely grown out of Petrimex, a communist company he took over by using ethically and legally murky procedures. Consumers know chickens, salami, and about one-half of the media including the two top dailies MF DNES and Lidovky, their Internet portals (iDNES.cz and Lidovky.cz), the most influential radio Frekvence 1, and others. Police has charged Babis with a $2 million EU subsidy that Babis devoured about a decade ago a subsidy for small businesses, not billionaires when he was building the Stork Nest, a somewhat luxurious farm/hotel/conference center. It's clear that he masked the identity of the owner to get that money he wasn't a politician yet so it was expected that one could get away with it. In recent weeks, police also started to investigate the abduction of his son to Crimea and Krivoj Rog, Ukraine, a year ago. The son of the prime minister, a former pilot, was turned into a schizophrenia sufferer at age of 35; there are extremely good and numerous reasons to think that this whole diagnosis is a fabrication. The Heavy Pochondriac band has released a new song (a parody of "Easy"), I Suffer From Schizophrenia, to elaborate on this point. On Thursday, I was able to identify the Russian-Ukrainian sweetheart of Mr Babis Jr. I know her last name and the vk.com URL she erased that whole huge page in the morning. There were thousands of travel photographs, I hope she has copies, she likes to show her body, I think, and it seems rather clear that the Czech PM was the reason why she deleted that regular but impressive enough page with her photos. But the total financial amount that Babis has collected through subsidies is obviously vastly larger than $2 million and the sum is arguably comparable to his $3 billion net worth. It's obviously systemically wrong when a prime minister's (and even a finance minister's, which he previously was) company receives hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies and various laws say "No" to such a setup. The real question is whether and how these laws are being enforced. Babis has reclassified his Agrofert to a "trust" (we have some beautiful, somewhat archaic, purely Czech terminology that was already common in the 1918-1938 capitalist Czechoslovakia) so that he "officially" no longer owns it. Every sensible person sees that it is just a sleight-of-hand and nothing has changed about his ownership. In fact, when he sent his son to Crimea to avoid the investigation, a Russian driver and/or bodyguard Mr Prototopov employed by Agrofert (although he doesn't even have a Czech citizenship!) was sent as Mr Babis's companion. It's very clear that he's picking people from Agrofert to do things he needs. He does many other things indicating his direct management. The idea that Agrofert is no longer "his company" is a stretch, to say the least. On the other hand, he has probably lost some tools to control it, as indicated e.g. by the fact that he got poorer by some 15+ percent in the most recent year. But even if his ownership was just 50% direct, it would still be a huge clash of interests given the $3 billion value of the company (Babis is slightly wealthier than Trump now). However, the main problem isn't whether Babis controls the daily business of Agrofert, as he tries to spin it. The main problem is that he is the person who benefits from the subsidies for Agrofert! And as a prime minister, he is influencing such flows. Czechia has been a (politically) Western country throughout most of the second millennium. But in recent three centuries, much of this Western character was arguably erected mainly due to the Germans on our territory and other territories of the Holy Roman Empire and Austrian Empire where we have belonged. The Czech nation contains a higher Germanic admixture than other Slavic nations. But it's still a question to what extent a truly separate Czech nation can behave or would behave as a Western nation. As you know, I am generally supporting the sovereignty of nations that are members of the EU. On the other hand, I do find it natural when more advanced nations "sort of supervise" less advanced ones, to put it euphemistically. In most cases, this assertion is meant to talk about exotic countries that used to be colonies of the European powers I strongly believe that the decolonization went too far. But to a lesser extent, the question is relevant even for the likes of Czechia. Are Czechs capable of governing themselves? You know, this is not quite a heretical question in Czechia Czechs are surely among the most self-critical nations in the world and it's being discussed while many people including rather bright ones tend to choose "No". The idea that "Czechs can't really govern themselves or exist separately" has been promoted especially during the Nazi occupation. The narrative about the "dependence of Czechs on Germans throughout the history" was heard everywhere. Those Nazi guys were evil and they have lost the war but that doesn't mean that we can't even consider what they said. Czechs do consider it and their views are rather split. Well, I think that the political rise of Andrej Babis is a strong piece of evidence supporting the unpleasant answer that the Czechs cannot really govern themselves. Babis couldn't rise in Poland, Hungary, and even in Slovakia where he was born. I know that principled or hardcore populists "really strong fans of democracy in the sense of the rule of the most mediocre mobs" dislike such propositions. But I have always believed that it's just wrong to allow the most mediocre mobs to control everything and/or the political atmosphere in every corner of a country and democracy just cannot be an argument that they should have such an excessive power. When it comes to laws preventing the conflict of interests and subsidy frauds, and perhaps other laws that Babis has violated, way too many Czechs love to close their eyes and enable the violations of the law even very clear ones. For example, it is very obvious that Babis has deceived the officials about the actual owner of the Stork Nest center. But one million or two millions of his fans just say: He was able to submit some documents, the officials accepted them, so everything is legally fine! It's not fine simply because the deception of the officials about the vital information especially who is actually the recipient of the subsidy is how the subsidy fraud is defined. If you successfully deceive an authority and they accept your documents on a sunny day, it doesn't prove that you haven't committed any crimes. It doesn't mean that you won't be put in jail. There is a "different level" of the laws enforcement that may arrive after you successfully submit some documents etc. The simple Czechs the kind of Babis's voters just don't get to this level at all. When they get through, everything is fine from their perspective. And they support such "minor offenses", like the masking of the actual owner, because they find it normal. They find it normal because they would be doing the same thing in a similar situation. Most of such people are arguably doing such things although the amounts are smaller. And they assume that everyone does. They're also using (or at least trying to use, things are getting better) their friends and relatives in the government organs to get certain advantages that others couldn't get. And they think that this is normal, too. If and when they tell me "let him who is without sin cast the first stone" again, let me say that I am innocent and I would happily accept the offer and eagerly throw a rock against Babis's skull to break it into pieces. I have never done such a thing and I am ashamed because millions of Czechs apparently find this fraudulent behavior normal. It must be unbelievable for Babis's voters but millions of other Czechs don't find this behavior normal and most of them have never done such things. Exactly the same comments apply to his reclassification of Agrofert as a trust. He was just told to do something by his lawyers, and because he did "something" about the legal status of Agrofert, it's automatically assumed to be "enough". But it's obvious that laws that try to prevent the conflict of interests must care about the true final owner of the company, not some superficial bureaucratic name written on some papers to fool the stupidest readers of the document. And he is pretty clearly the actual owner of Agrofert, despite the utterly insufficient "trust". That's why it was totally logical and correct for Transparency International to complain about the ongoing conflict of interests. I don't think that everything that Babis does is wrong. He is active and visible enough and he is mostly doing foreign policy that is mostly compatible with the preferences of most Czechs including your humble correspondent (well, I don't think that his recent attack on the New York Times was right). But I don't think he's really "irreplaceable" in this respect. Hundreds of good politicians or managers would be able to do the same thing. It's utterly crazy to suggest that he should be allowed to devour billions of crowns for this job this job has the value of a few millions crowns. Domestically, he's worshiped as the prime minister behind a growing economy but this is already a pile of sit. He's mainly praised for increasing the pensions, welfare, subsidies for pensioners and students' transportation, and salaries of the government employees, not to mention a few other mostly parasitic groups that make up the core of Babis's voters. All these things are just cheap populism that can't be done in a sustainable way. Meanwhile, the GDP growth was almost 5% when he was becoming the prime minister among the 3 highest rates in the EU while now it is just 2.3% during his first year, by far the lowest growth rate in the Visegrad Group. So he is not doing a good job as a manager of the economy. And he's doing many bad things that are erosive and corrosive for the Western character of our country, including the centralization of power (that was also clear from yesterday's shareholders' meeting of CEZ where the government has a majority the minority shareholders were treated like Jews in Nazi Germany!), his constant lies in the media, people's growing fear to oppose him, and just way too many things that resemble the Stalinist regime after 1948. If the European Commission demands him to return a few billion crowns and/or leave politics this will obviously create a rather controversial and explosive situation. Maybe it will be refreshing for me to stand on the EU side. The EU is doing many bad things but it's an entity that exists, that has its funds, and has rules how these funds may be distributed. It is common sense for every entity, including the EU, to protect its funds according to its free will. Their rules that try to fight against the conflict of interests look totally sensible to me which is why I won't be surprised at all if the European Commission demands the billions to be returned. (Babis responded to the Guardian and Le Monde articles simply by saying "it's just lies". Pure denial of reality.) Obviously, that money should be paid from the assets of Agrofert (the recipient) i.e. from Babis's assets. He could lose up to 15% of his wealth, about CZK 10 billion, if the rules were applied universally. I am terrified by the idea that he could try to steal this money from the public coffers but I have seen enough to think that even this could be possible in my country and he could still find a million or two millions of really sitty people who would just endorse such a "solution". Babis is a nasty guy but he's their nasty guy, a primitive man with an overgrown ego who is saying and doing similar things as they do. He's an authentic representative of the working class, or a rabble, and this rabble thinks that this should mean that he should get away with literally everything. It's sad because with this overgrown rabble, one may argue that the Czechs cannot govern themselves. RIP George H.W. Bush. He was the only president who ever visited Czechoslovakia exactly 1 year after the Velvet Revolution, on November 17th, 1990. NOTICE: TO BE CLEAR: WE HAVE OUTLINED UNDER OUR RECORD MAINTENANCE POLICY WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE A FAIR PROCESS FOR ALL. SIMPLY PUT: IF THE COURT SAW FIT TO EXPUNGE YOUR RECORD,SO WILL WE, FREE OF CHARGE. ARRESTS DO NOT IMPLY GUILT AND CRIMINAL CHARGES ARE MERELY ACCUSATIONS,EVERYONE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW AND CONVICTED. FCRA DISCLAIMER: MUGSHOTS.COM DOES NOT PROVIDE CONSUMER REPORTS AND IS NOT A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY. 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A criminal complaint was filed by the FBI on November 19 in U.S. District Court in Billings. An affidavit from an FBI agent detailed the following: In February, Littlebirds girlfriend was found dead in the home they shared in Birney, which is inside the boundaries of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs responded to the residence to find the victim unresponsive, with blood coming from her nose and a rope several feet from her body. Littlebird told police the victim tried to hang herself. However, Claude Goggle, who owned the home where the three lived, told police a different story. Goggle recalled the couple fighting earlier in the night at a different location in the home. At one point he heard Littlebirds girlfriend call out No Randy, dont, dont. The victim then called out in pain, then there was silence. Littlebird then told Goggle that his girlfriend was unresponsive on the floor. Littlebird was also crying and said, I dont know why she did it to herself. Littlebird was arrested on suspicion of criminal homicide by members of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. An autopsy performed on the victims body revealed she died from strangulation and blunt force trauma. In a second round of questioning with police, Littlebird then revealed that he placed the rope around the victims neck, and pulled it as he stood behind and above her. Littlebirds ex-wife and a former girlfriend also told police that he was often abusive and routinely assaulted them. Online audience measurement platform Narratiive has released its 2018 report on the South African ecommerce industry. Narratiive surveyed 7,909 South Africans as part of this report, 48% of whom said they had bought something online. According to Narratiives research, online shopping is continuing to grow locally. 44% of offline shoppers said they expect to make an online purchase in the next 12 months, while 73% of online shoppers say theyve either maintained their online shopping frequency, or increased it. Insights from the report are shown below. Frequency of online shopping 43% of online shoppers purchase online less than once every three months. Only 17% of online shoppers make purchases more frequently than once a month. Price of last item bought Most online shoppers 60% bought items that cost between R200 and R3,000. 21% of all online shoppers last bought an item that cost under R200. Speed of delivery 48% of online purchases took 2 or less working days to be delivered. 15% of online deliveries took over 10 working days to reach their destination. Cost of delivery 58% of respondents said that they didnt have to pay for delivery. A further 17% paid under R50 to have their purchase delivered. Payment preferences 65% of South African online shoppers prefer to use either a credit or debit card. Only 7% choose to use online payment platform PayPal to make purchases online. Device preference 55% of online shoppers in South Africa prefer to use desktops or laptops to shop online. 38% choose to use their phones to purchase products online. Now read: Samsung not worried about Huawei Pay and Apple Pay in South Africa NSMQ 2021: We are not intimidated by ... Dear Jill, I have learned a lot about stocking up at the right time, but I have noticed something else recently. Some groups of similar groceries seem to be on sale around the same time as each other. For example, right now coffee and tea both seem to be at lower prices than usual. I have also seen really good prices on snack crackers. Is this normal or just because the holidays are here? Crysta B. Its a little of both! Prices at the grocery store are always fluctuating. A good rule of thumb is that prices will hit both their highest points and lowest points once over a 12-week timespan. If the regular price for a box of crackers is $2.99, you might expect the same box to go on sale for $1.99 at some point during the price cycle. However, there are also month-specific sales cycles that are dependent on larger shopping events going on in the world too. Those hot beverages and crackers are on sale right now because cold weather has moved into many parts of the country, and the holidays are approaching. Tea, coffee and hot cocoa mixes all take a price dip in December, along with snack crackers, cheese cubes and charcuterie meats, as all of these items are popular purchases during entertaining season. The same is true for baking mixes and products, including flour and sugar. Want to save more money in the year ahead? Take note of when to expect better-than-normal prices on the following products, and you can stock up when prices are traditionally at their lowest points: January: Vitamins, herbal supplements and weight loss products all take a big dip in price, because many people make health-related resolutions at the beginning of the year. Look for high-value coupons on all of these categories to further drop prices for you. February: Think canned foods and hot breakfasts! February is Canned Food Month, so watch for significant price dips on canned items. February is also Hot Breakfast Month, so youll see sales on oatmeal, toaster waffles, pancake mixes and syrups. March: Hit the freezer cases, because its Frozen Food Month! Enjoy great prices on frozen fruit and vegetables, entrees, pizzas and meats. April: Earth Day brings lower prices on organic and natural foods, and we also see better-than-usual prices on eggs, butter, spices and seasonings. May: Think barbecue! May is a great month to stock up on charcoal, condiments, chips, dips, soda, and grill-able meats. June: National Dairy Month brings great prices on cheese, milk, butter, yogurt and ice cream. July: Did you know July is National Ice Cream month? Look for Junes ice cream sales to continue, and also look for a repeat of many of the May items for outdoor cooking and eating. August and September: Think back-to-school lunches granola bars, pudding cups and packaged lunch meats. Around Labor Day, well see another repeat of similar grilling and outdoor dining items, similar to May. October: Baking season begins, and well see great prices on baking mixes, chocolate chips, canned milk, canned pumpkin and pie fillings. Of course, candy sales abound due to Halloween. November and December: Deals on hot beverages begin and continue through December. Baking products continue to cycle low, and we also see great prices on turkeys and hams. (In fact, as we have a chest freezer, this is the time of year that I buy an extra turkey and an extra ham to serve later in the year, because the per-pound prices are so good!) My goal as a coupon shopper is always to cut the regular, non-sale price of an item in half. If I see a package of teabags with a regular price of $3.99, I want to pay $2 or less for that item. If the tea goes on sale for $2.49, and I have a 50-cent coupon, Im paying half of the normal price. Then, Ill stock up, knowing a good sale may not come around again for a while. Email your own couponing victories and questions to jill@supercouponing.com. When Clay Gregory became president/CEO of Visit Napa Valley nine years ago, the Napa Valley tourism industry was in recession, with lodging revenues falling 17 percent from the year before. These were difficult times, financially and organizationally, said George Goeggel, managing partner of Auberge du Soleil who has been involved in Visit Napa since its beginning. But we were united in one thought we are going to have to find a team and we need somebody to lead that effort. That somebody was Gregory, who helped with the creation of Tourism Business Improvement District which has raised $51 million from the lodging industry from 2010 to 2017 to promote the Napa Valley. As one measure of its success, during that period, room revenue from Napa Valley lodging properties rose from $207 million to $396 million annually. Without the TBID, none of this would have happened, Gregory said. We just didnt have the funds to promote the valley. Members of Visit Napa Valley credit the improvement district, which imposes a 2 percent assessment on hotel room rates for countywide marketing, and Gregorys leadership for the turnabout. Now Gregory is changing roles. He will drop the president part of his title, but remain CEO. When he first took the job, We had three people (on staff) and a budget of $400,000, Gregory said. Now we have 24 people and a budget of $7.5 million. It became a great job, he said. At Gregorys advice, back in June 2016, Visit Napa Valley developed long-range plans for the agency, including a succession plan for leadership, said a Visit Napa Valley statement. Like any organization, it has grown in scope and staff and I think its smart of him to introduce this role as president, said Goeggel. Visit Napa Valley was originally called the Napa Valley Destination Council. Back then, the agency was underfunded and faced skepticism from some members of the visitor and lodging community. The most significant change Gregory championed was the creation of the Tourism Business Improvement District. Beginning in 2010, the TBID added a 2 percent assessment to hotel room rates for countywide marketing efforts. Additional funding is provided through partnerships with visitor-serving businesses throughout Napa County, and through Napa County Special Projects Funding. Before he took on that challenge, I didnt even know what a Tourism Business Improvement District was, Gregory said with a laugh. After the TBID plan was sanctioned, From then on it was just work as hard as we could and try and put that model into place, he said. Seventy-five percent of the money raised by the TBID is managed by Visit Napa Valley. The remaining 25 percent is collected by the individual city jurisdictions and the county TBIDs. Gregory has not been without his detractors. Some criticize his salary$280,500 a year plus a potential bonus of $110,000 as excessive. Others question whether or not the TBID is making as much of a difference as Visit Napa Valley claims. Some have voiced concern that the funds collected should be spent on social services instead of marketing the Napa Valley. This past June, Visit Napa Valleys board of directors began outreach for potential candidates to fill a president position, said Angela Jackson, director of media relations for Visit Napa Valley. Several very qualified candidates have been presented and a decision is expected to be made before the end of the year and announced in early 2019, said Jackson. Clay will remain at Visit Napa Valley as CEO to provide guidance and mentorship to the new president. He plans to celebrate his 10-year anniversary with Visit Napa Valley in June 2019, said Jackson. Both the president and CEO roles will be more fully defined once the final candidate has accepted and onboarding needs are determined, said Lisa Poppen, vice president marketing and communications at Visit Napa Valley. Gregory spoke of many great experiences attending conferences around the U.S. and speaking on behalf of VNV. Many of the these were produced by important partners such as U.S. Travel, Brand USA, Destinations International Visit California, S.F. Travel, CalTravel and dozens more, he said. We have also been humbled to be invited to events that pay VNV expenses to speak about our strategically managed tourism approach. No surprise, its a job of travel. Gregory estimated hes flown 450,000 miles as a representative of Visit Napa Valley. I look forward to many miles to come, he said. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two people and a dog might not have escaped from a Friday morning garage fire in time had a passerby not seen the smoke and banged on the front door until the residents woke up, officials say. Multiple calls reporting the house fire at the 100 block of Bryan Avenue came in to the Napa Fire Department around 8 a.m. Responding firefighters could see a tall column of smoke from the First Street overpass. It stretched as high as Westwood Hills Park. A person passing by the house saw heavy smoke coming from the garage and could see flames through the seams of the garage door, according to Napa fire. She didnt know if anyone was home, but continued to bang on the door until the homes occupants woke up and escaped. It couldve been a whole other story had she not been as persistent as she was, said fire Capt. Steve Becker. Three fire engines, an ambulance and others showed up to find the garage fully involved. Firefighters cut open panels and began attacking the flames, according to Napa fire. Another wave of engines and resources arrived soon. The fire was out within 10 minutes, according to Napa fire. Investigators and a salvage and overhaul team remained for four more hours. The house escaped major damage. One reserve firefighter suffered minor unspecified injuries. He was treated at the hospital and released, according to Napa fire. The cause of the fire is undetermined. The Napa Police Department, Fire Chaplaincy and American Red Cross are working to provide resources to the residents. Napa fire reminds people to ensure they have working smoke detectors. Anyone who wants a free smoke detector installed can call the Fire Prevention Division at 707-257-9590. The fire department also encourages people to sleep with their doors shut. People often dont wake up during fires because carbon dioxide in the smoke can put someone to sleep or knock them unconscious. Sleeping with shut doors provides another level of protection from fires and gives people another chance to escape. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. In what can be termed as a new height in trans-border commercial transaction, the Border Trade Centre located at Darranga in Lower Assams Baksa district along Indo-Bhutan border has witnessed a record volume of over 500 crore cross-border trade between Assam and Bhutan in a month ever since its inauguration. Further, it is speculated that the supply of beef and pork could have treble the present volume of trade which is on hold due to lack of infrastructure like a government approved slaughter house. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the Border Trade Centre at Darranga on September 12, 2018, the first cross-border trade centre along the Assam-Bhutan border in presence of States Commerce and Industries Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and Bodoland Territorial Council Chief Hagrama Mohilary. Talking to this writer, Superintendent of Custom, Darranga Land Custom Station (LCS) RB Das said that more than 100 commercial vehicles, including both exporting and importing passes-through Darranga Border Trade Centre transporting various goods and commodities in a day. He further informed this writer that from 400 to 500 Indian exporters have been actively engaged in cross-border trade through this LCS. India exports essential items like food materials, LPG, kerosene, petroleum products, including machinery and accessories to Bhutan while it imports potato, gypsum, ferro-silicon and oranges. Apart from these, most of the items subject to the fulfilment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) norms have been exported to Bhutan via Darranga border trade centre. It must be mentioned here that according to their religious norms, the Buddhists do not kill or sacrifice animals though they consume beef, pork and others. Therefore, the meat to be exported from Assam to Bhutan must be slaughtered and well processed. However, to do so, there is no infrastructure at the Darranga border trade centre. According to WTO guideline, there must be a government approved slaughter house, a quality testing laboratory staffed with competent veterinary doctors to certify the quality or edibility of the meat before exporting. Hence, the lack of these prerequisite infrastructures has led to the hold of exporting meat to Bhutan. Eventually, to meet the demands across the border, certain traders have been maintaining the informal transaction of meat through various points of the porous Assam-Bhutan border. Most of the exported goods are from Guwahati, Kolkata, Panjab and Maharastra. The typical feature that differs Darranga LCS from others is that the vehicles transporting goods from both the countries can deliver the consignments at its respective destinations according to the provision made by the Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit Between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of the Republic of India. Therefore, the warehouse constructed at Darranga LCS to facilitate the process of loading and unloading of goods is of no utility. The writer is an independent researcher on community conflict and livelihood crisis of Northeast India. He can be reached at [email protected] In a shocking revelation which could open up a Pandora box in the sensational Neha Sharma death case which is widely reported in media to be an Assamese girl, a native of Merabil in Udalguri district, as per her passport, was actually a Nepali citizen. There is more than what meets the eye as the locals of Merabil do not identify anybody called Neha Sharma or her parents Pushkar Raj Sharma and Tirath Sharma. As per the affidavit, submitted by Neha Sharma at Noida in Uttar Pradesh, she left for Israel to get engaged in caregivers job, when she was 33 years old. Neha was born on July 16, 1980 and her passport was registered as L637541. Meanwhile Mazbat Circle Officer and Udalguri SP Rajveer Singh have also officially confirmed that no such girl called Neha Sharma ever lived in Merabil and neither any of her family members could be traced here. They said some relatives might have lived here who moved to Delhi NCR long back. Informing about her death on Facebook on Thursday, the Inspector General of Delhi Police, Robin Hibu stated, Miss Neha Sharma from Merabil, Assam has died in Isreal at Tel Aviv today. Her parent/ relative need to be informed to bring back her dead body, Hibu added. When Northeast Now enquired the locals of Merabil, if they knew anybody called Neha Sharma or even her parents, they expressed ignorance about it. However, a source informed Northeast Now that Neha Sharma originally hailed from Nepal. The source also said that Neha used to work at Noida and later shifted to Tel Aviv in Israel. Now the questions arise, who is Neha Sharma? How did she manage to get birth certificate from local Primary Health Centre here with the help of which her passport was issued? How was the police verification of her identity done during issue of Indian passport? According to highly placed sources the Nepali girl, Neha Sharma alias Jamuna Thapa, who originally hailed from Biratnagar, Nepal, had availed Indian passport with a purportedly fake birth certificate issued from Mazbat in Assams Udalguri district. She was rushed in critical condition to Assuta Ashdud Medical Center in the Ramat HaHayal neighbourhood in north Tel Aviv, Israel where she was diagnosed with severe brain injury and asthma and was declared dead at 12 pm on November 26. According to reports, she was working as a sanitary worker for the past one and a half year and was suffering from Asthma for a long time. She suffered severe brain damage and as per doctors only three percent of her brain was alive owing to which her close friend Madan Kumar Shivakoti facilitated donation of her organs with approval of her father, who though reads Pushkar Raj Sharma in the passport, his original name is Pushkar Raj Thapa. The family members of deceased Neha aka Jamuna Thapa continues to be in contact with Shivakoti for bringing back her body to Nepal. My daughter is no alive, if her organs could save somebodys life; I would think that my daughter is not dead, a1nepal.com quoted Nehas father Pushkar Raj as saying. Neha, who moved to Israel five years back in an Indian passport for employment, had been illegally living in Israel for the past two years. She was arrested in Israel and spent three months in jail for alleged manipulation of documents and was later released on an appeal by an Israeli court. Tripura Health Minister Sudip Roy Barman has expressed his concern over the increase of HIV infection especially in three Northeastern states when the situation in national scene is improving. He said this after taking part in an awareness campaign against HIV-AIDS organized by the Tripura AIDS Control Society (TACS) on the eve of observation of World AIDS Day on December 1. Roy Barman said, It is a matter of concern when the number of HIV infected persons in the country is declining there is a spurt in the number of infected persons in Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram. Keeping that in view the government of Tripura has declared a war against HIV, against AIDS and we want to through massive awareness campaign to apprise the common people to not keep aloof of those infected rather get their blood checked regularly and have sex with safety measures like using condom. Massive campaign program have been launched and we are hopeful that in the coming years it will be reversed and obviously its a challenge to ensure no one contracts HIV. Substantiating the prime cause behind the increasing HIV infected persons, Roy Barman added, Its because of the rise in the injectable drug users in the state who consume drugs in a group with the same needle and syringe. The government of Tripura has also declared a war against drugs and we have arrested a lot of people who used to carry drugs from Myanmar to Tripura via Mizoram. The police and the administration are on high alert and we are fighting to ensure that not a single youth get addicted to drugs and thereby get in increasing chances of HIV through IDU. He added that in order to stop the disease from spreading special measures have been taken in the state accordingly. The Health Minister with students of Tripura Art college and other NGOs also took part in the awareness program on HIV-AIDS organized by TACS. Several awareness posters, wall paintings, captions beside lighting of candles were done to create awareness on the deadliest disease. The Indian government spends about one percent of its GDP on healthcare facilities, much less than some African countries, forcing millions to struggle to get medicines. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmitted during sex, in blood and on needles and in breast milk, gradually wears down the immune system and can take years to cause symptoms Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It has killed more than 25 million people since the early 1980s. India is among the top three countries with the highest number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases, alongside South Africa and Nigeria. Zatulin: Last year's war in Karabakh caused tremendous damage to not only Armenia, but also Russia Alexander Rahr: In regard to Karabakh conflict, West will support territorial integrity Russian political scientist: Moscow not concerned about Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting in Brussels Armenia acting commander of battalion arrested under criminal case of regarding Nov. 16 attack Turkish aggressor declares that Armenia 'needs to assess extended hand for peace as a chance' Armenian analyst says Iran is not interested in transfer of any sector of Armenia Armenian official: MFA hasn't raised issue to review CEPA with regard to Karabakh Deputy mayor of Armenia's Goris: I have deeper concerns after meeting with PM Matviyenko: Borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan are precise on Soviet maps Armenian analyst: Part of Armenia's Goris-Kapan motorway does not pass through Azerbaijani territory Zatulin: Opening or closure of this or that corridor is the sovereign right of Armenia, not Baku Zakharova: Russia sees good prospects for agreement on unblocking of transport links in South Caucasus Russian MFA: Conversation of experts of Moscow, Yerevan and Baku is important Azerbaijani planes still flying through Armenia's airspace (PHOTOS) NEWS.am daily digest: 25.11.21 Armenia 2nd President: I have decided not to attend 30th session of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund's Board of Trustees Armenian-Russian joint military exercise held, air force used (PHOTOS) Czech President Milos Zeman discharged from military hospital Armenian opposition party leader calls on people to free state institutions of 'Turks' Beijing protested over US sanctions against Chinese companies European Commissioner says EU will soon change its border crossing rules due to COVID-19 Armenian army's General Staff ex-deputy chief: War is very likely, but it is rare that there will be corridor Armenian political party leader: There is a need for a national unity committee in Armenia Armenian MFA: Coronavirus has decelerated course of implementation of Armenia-EU CEPA Armenia Parliament Speaker meets with IFRC Europe Regional Director in St. Petersburg Armenia Constitutional Court ex-chief of staff proposes to hold parliamentary hearings under non-stop regime Armenia high-tech industry minister: There is no need to wiretap opposition members Aram Vardevanyan: Armenia health minister was obliged to attend session of Constitutional Court today Zakharova says she has no comment on upcoming meeting of Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders Zakharova: Russia is interested in normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations Latest developments in Artsakh among issues to be discussed during Turkish National Security Council's session Armenian FM holds phone talk with Israeli counterpart Protests continue in Turkey with demand for Erdogan's resignation Armenia allocates AMD 1.44 billion to Karabakh COVID-19 in Armenia: 42 new deaths Russian peacekeepers ensure control in Nagorno-Karabakh Parliamentary hearings on demarcation and delimitation being held in Yerevan Ambartsum Matevosyan appointed Armenian deputy PM EU, WHO provide Yerevan's Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center with state-of-the-art X-ray machine Armenian soldier found dead on Armenia's border in Tavush Province had been drafted in February (PHOTO) What Speaker of the Parliament of Armenia really said in response to Russian journalist's question Analyst: Iran's accession to EEU will create serious counterbalance to Turkey and strengthen Armenia's positions Armenia FM holds phone talks with Iranian counterpart Firefighters put out fire in Range Rover Sport near night club in Yerevan Putin discusses current situation in Karabakh during phone talks with European Council President Armenia's Liberation Movement holding march after rally, calling on citizens to join Greek City Times: Azeri military captured the historic Armenian city of Shushi Georgia says it's not considering possibility of joining '3+3' regional format Union of Armenia National Security Service's Reserve Officers in favor of fulfillment of Liberation Movement's demands Armenia, Russia FMs hold phone talks Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of another serviceman found in Mataghis Armenia's ex-Ambassador to Iran appointed Advisor to PM Armenia's Pashinyan receives Russia Deputy PM, unblocking of communications discussed Armenia FM presents situation created after Azerbaijani aggression during phone talks with Tajik counterpart Armenia convict dies from COVID-19 at medical center Armenia Syunik Province's community heads: Nikol Pashinyan said there won't be corridor NEWS.am daily digest: 24.11.21 Newly appointed Ambassador of Germany to Armenia presents credentials to Armen Sarkissian Armenia Armavir Province governor sacked Armenia MOD: Conscript's body found at combat position, with lethal firearm injury in head area US has invited 110 countries to Summit for Democracy in December, including Armenia Requiem Service for Armenian statesman Vano Siradeghyan to be held on Dec. 3 Armenia Parliament Deputy Speaker meets with Argentina Ambassador Armenia FM presents situation created as a result of Azerbaijan's aggression to Germany's new Ambassador Armenia PM receives community heads of Syunik Province Armenia ex-deputy economy minister appointed member of Eurasian Economic Commission's Advisory Board Exchange rates in Armenia Another plane heads to Baku through Armenian airspace Ambassador: Armenia may play major role in development of Iran-Eurasian Economic Union cooperation Details of Overchuk-Aliyev meeting reported 3 children hospitalized in Yerevan with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning UAE-Iran-Turkey corridor to officially start functioning after visit of Emirates officials to Tehran Sweden elected a female PM for the 1st time in history Konstantin Ishkhanov: EUFSC determined to continue presenting very best in classical music Trade Representative of Russia in Armenia: Eurasian Union and Iran are interested in using North-South direction Human Rights Watch calls on Poland to end violence against migrants Apple confirms: Eavesdropping is carried out by Pegasus spy program in Armenia WTI crude oil prices rise by close of trading in US COVID-19 in Armenia: 28 new deaths Policemen apprehend protesters who close Yerevan subway entrances Apple suspends sales of devices in Turkey due to collapse of local currency Court session kicks off as Serzh Sargsyan sues Khachatur Sukiasyan Russian peacekeepers clear nearly 2 hectares of land in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian PM: Remains of Vano Siradeghyan will be transferred to Armenia soon Armenian PM: 40-45 square kilometer territories of Armenia under Azerbaijani control after Azerbaijan's May 12 attack Armenia premier says what the heaviest blow was during his term of office, adds that it's not the defeat in the war Armenia PM: I had planned to deliver a message on circumstances of war and negotiations on Nov. 9 PM: Armenia decides road through which communication between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan will be ensured Armenia PM: Karabakh conflict settlement and unblocking of communications shouldn't be discussed in '3+3' format Pashinyan fails to clearly state whether Armenia applied to Russia and CSTO in writing in regard to Nov. 16 attack Armenia PM: Azerbaijan is trying to turn the region into a jungle Pashinyan: Armenia and Azerbaijan recognized each other's territorial integrity when they acceded to CIS in 1991 Pashinyan: If government of Armenia was a giver, there wouldn't be shootings Armenia PM: 32 servicemen were captured on Nov. 16, according to unverified information PM: It's the first time that direct communication is established between Armenian and Azerbaijani defense ministers Armenian premier: Armenia will not give in to that policy of blackmail Armenia PM answers question about online meeting with Azerbaijani leader on Nov. 9 Armenia PM on upcoming meetings with Azerbaijan President in Brussels and Sochi Azerbaijani plane flies from Nakhchivan to Baku through Armenia's airspace (PHOTOS) Armenia PM is giving a press conference Here we go again: some nosy reporters are making a big fat stink about some dumb little emails Mayor Bill de Blasio exchanged with some guy years ago. Why even bother reading this blog post about it? Something something Citi Bike! CLOSE TAB, brother. Still here? Okay look, these emails aren't the secret emails that the mayor swaps with his friends/lobbyists called "Agents of the City," whenever he needs advicethose have already been released, and surprise! Nothing Burger. These are emails the mayor received from disgraced real estate investor and de Blasio donor Jona Rechnitz, way back in 2014. Rechnitz is currently acting as the government's witness in a corruption trial against his old partner Jeremiah Reichberg, and NYPD Officer Jimmy Grant. Federal prosecutors allege that Rechnitz and Reichberg bribed then-NYPD Chief of Department Philip Banks III and his staff with trips and meals "in the hopes of building a network of powerful police officers who could help them obtain favors like lights and siren escorts to bypass bad traffic, or help fix tickets for their friends and family," Politico reports. Now, keep in mind, the mayor has already turned over oodles and oodles of his emails with Rechnitz and Reichberg, under the state's Freedom of Information Law, and federal prosecutors looked at de Blasio's fundraising practices long and hard and decided not to bring any charges. (The mayor wouldn't have taxpayers pick up his $2.6 million in legal fees if he wasn't totally clean, right?) But prosecutors found these two emails sent from Rechnitz to de Blasio's personal email account in 2014 that City Hall didn't turn over to reporters. One email was Rechnitz asking de Blasio if he wanted to go to a Knicks game with him at his courtside seats. "The mayor, just over a month into his first term, responded within five minutes to Mr. Rechnitz," the Times reports. "The mayor declined the invitation, but said he wanted to profoundly thank you for all the help youve given lately. Means a lot to me. The other email was sent to de Blasio when Chief Banks put in his resignation in October of 2014. From Politico: At the time, Rechnitz wanted de Blasio to try to convince him not to leave. In an email sent to the mayors personal Blackberry on Nov 3, 2014, he begged the mayor for help. The email, which copied another de Blasio bundler, Fernando Mateo, had the subject line Please help please please. "I'm in my office in a summit with Fernando, Norman and Jeremy, Rechnitz wrote, referring to Mateo, former Corrections Officers Union President Norman Seabrook and Jeremy Reichberg. What can we do for you to refuse Banks's resignation and get him back in and for Bratton to see past Phil's monstrous mistake?" Rechnitz wrote. Rechnitz said the mayor invited him to come discuss the matter in person, at the South Street Seaport, and the pair met. Asked this morning why he didn't retain those emails, de Blasio told Brian Lehrer, "Brian, we turned over thousands of emails, we turned over everything we had, everything that was pertinent." The mayor added, before leaving for a gathering of progressives hosted by Senator Bernie Sanders, "I just don't think it's a revelation, I think it's been covered many, many times over." Sure, public servants are supposed to keep records of their business, even if they are using their personal email accounts (remember the last time a bunch of poindexters freaked out over a harmless personal email account?). But as the mayor's press secretary points out on Twitter, an email to the mayor from a donor that results in an immediate meeting between the mayor and this donor to discuss the resignation of a top NYPD official is hardly city business! now *that's* a lie, Greg. And you know it. You received an extensive list of emails we retain. Personnel Actions are one of them. Random emails from a private citizen complaining about an agency employee's status is not a Personnel Action by City Hall. Get serious. Eric Phillips (@EricFPhillips) November 29, 2018 "That sounds to me like city business," Robert Freeman, the director of the state's Committee on Open Government, and an expert in FOIL, but who has clearly never been the mayor, told Gothamist. "The records are supposed to be kept until the mayor leaves office." "If I go home and i sit down at my personal computer, use my personal email address and communicate with you, relative to my governmental function, that's a government agency record that falls within the framework of FOIL," Freeman added. "Our responsibility is to abide by the law, and again, as I understand the law, that didn't seem to have occurred." But all this fuss, over two little emails? (Well, maybe three, but who's counting.) How could they possibly be important? "Do we know necessarily, now, what's really important?" Freeman muses. "I don't know, I don't know. There are a lot of things that with perspective we find more significant than we originally believed." Opinion The updates are driving us nuts In the olden days if you wanted to upgrade your toaster or washing machine, or any appliance for that matter, the simplest and uncomplicated solution was to go out and buy a new model that came with the improvements you were looking for. Your toaster WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President George H.W. Bush held office at a time of global transition, spanning the end of the Cold War, the breakup of the Soviet Union and the U.S. victory in the first Gulf War. Bush's job approval rating was well above average for the first three years of his presidency, including one of the highest approval ratings in Gallup's history. Despite this, his job rating sank dramatically as economic woes, particularly rising unemployment, took hold in the U.S., foreshadowing his defeat in the 1992 election. Bush's initial approval rating, taken just a few days after his inauguration in January 1989, was fairly low as far as inaugural ratings go, at 51%, mainly because 43% of Americans did not yet have an opinion of him. His subsequent early-term readings were near 60% and surged to 70% after the Tiananmen Square incident in China in June 1989. Widely hailed for his foreign policy experience, Bush enjoyed ratings mainly in the 70% range as the Cold War was coming to an end, symbolically marked by the opening of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. U.S. success internationally continued after Bush ordered the invasion of Panama and deposed the country's leader, Manuel Noriega. After that successful December 1989 military action, his job approval rating rose to 80% in January 1990, which at the time ranked among the highest in Gallup's history. Economic Stumbles in 1990 Preceded Iraq War Rally From that point, Bush's ratings trended downward, dropping to 60% in July, reflecting in part his forsaking his campaign pledge not to institute new taxes ("Read my lips: No New Taxes"). The U.S. economy was also showing signs of weakening, eventually falling into the recession which was later defined as starting in July 1990. Bush's job approval rating shot up to 74% in early August, after he sent U.S. troops to Saudi Arabia in response to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. His approval rating stayed near that level for about a month, but declined to 54% in November 1990 amid increasing unease about a possible war and a rise in U.S. gas prices. After Hussein failed to comply with a U.N. mandate to leave Kuwait by Jan. 15, 1991, the U.S.-led coalition began the Persian Gulf War on Jan. 16. Bush's approval rating surged from 64% the week prior to the start of military action to 82% right after it, staying high throughout the war. After victory in the war, in March of that year, Bush received an 89% approval rating, the highest presidential job approval rating ever recorded to that date, eclipsed only by his son George W. Bush's 90% approval rating after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Bush's approval rating remained above 80% until mid-April 1991, but gradually declined over the course of the year as Americans' attention shifted from the Persian Gulf to the struggling U.S. economy. Though the recession officially ended in March 1991, the perception among Americans that the economy was in poor shape persisted well into the next year. By October, with Bush's nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, his approval rating dropped below 60%. 1992 Brings Bush Multiple Challenges Election year 1992 began with Bush's approval rating at 46%, the first time it had dropped below the majority level. It slipped further to the low 40s amid the 1992 presidential primaries in which Bush beat back a challenge for the Republican nomination from conservative commentator Patrick Buchanan while the Democrats coalesced around Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton. Billionaire businessman H. Ross Perot also entered the race in early 1992, as a conservative-leaning independent who threatened to siphon votes from Bush in the fall. The U.S. faced additional challenges over the next several months, most notably the Los Angeles race riots in April and May. However, Bush's job approval held near 40% until June, when it dipped further to 37%, after campaign clashes with Perot. Bush's job approval rating sunk to the lowest point of his presidency, 29%, in July 1992, after Clinton and his party's leaders focused their message on the poor state of the economy at the well-received Democratic National Convention. In slightly more than a year's time, Bush had gone from having the highest job approval rating to one of the lowest Gallup has measured, only slightly better than the readings in the mid- to low 20s Harry Truman and Richard Nixon received at the end of their presidencies. Bush had a bump in job approval ratings to 38% after the Republican Party's convention in August, but faltered again in October. His final pre-election approval rating was 34% in late October, before losing the election to Clinton. Bush received 37.5% of the popular vote to Clinton's 43% and Perot's 19%. Ending on a High Note After Bush's loss and shift to presidential lame-duck status, his job approval rating rose significantly, first to 43% in late November, and then to 49% in December and 56% in his final reading in January 1993. In December, Bush deployed U.S. troops to aid in famine relief and political stabilization efforts in Somalia. In mid-January 1993, the U.S. and allies launched air strikes in Iraq after it violated no-fly-zone provisions in the 1991 cease-fire agreement. Increases in approval are not uncommon for presidents preparing to leave office, but Bush enjoyed the biggest increase between the Election Day that chose his successor and his last day in office. Throughout his presidency, Bush consistently received higher levels of approval for his handling of foreign affairs than for the economy. Gallup took readings on Americans' approval of Bush's handling of the two issues 19 times during his presidency. He averaged 35% approval for his handling of the economy and 63% for foreign affairs. Public skepticism of his economic stewardship greatly contributed to Bush's re-election defeat. Bush's Average Approval Rating Compares Favorably to Other Presidents Overall, George H.W. Bush averaged a 61% job approval rate throughout his single term as president, with solid ratings in his first three years in office more than offsetting the lows he received in his last year. Only two presidents in Gallup polling had higher average job approval ratings over the course of their presidencies -- John F. Kennedy averaged 70% during his abbreviated single term and Dwight Eisenhower averaged 65% across two full terms. Bush's term average remains the highest of any president who served in the past 50 years. Gallup Historical Presidential Job Approval Statistics Overall averages Dates in office Average approval rating % John Kennedy January 1961-November 1963 70 Dwight Eisenhower January 1953-January 1961 65 George H.W. Bush January 1989-January 1993 61 Lyndon Johnson November 1963-January 1969 55 Bill Clinton January 1993-January 2001 55 Ronald Reagan January 1981-January 1989 53 George W. Bush January 2001-January 2009 49 Richard Nixon January 1969-August 1974 49 Barack Obama January 2009-January 2017 48 Gerald Ford August 1974-January 1977 47 Jimmy Carter January 1977-January 1981 46 Harry Truman April 1945-January 1953 45 Gallup Retrospective Views of Bush's Presidency In the years since Bush's presidency, Americans' retrospective view of his performance has been consistently positive. In February of this year, 64% of Americans said they approved of the job Bush had done as president. This trailed the ratings for Kennedy (86%) and Ronald Reagan (72%) but was similar to those for two recent past presidents, including 62% for Clinton and 63% for Barack Obama. While Bush's retrospective ratings have been positive, roughly a quarter of Americans (27%) in January 2017 said he will be remembered as an "outstanding" or "above average" president, with 20% rating him "below average" or "poor." Americans were most likely to describe his presidency as "average," with 51% doing so. During his lifetime, Bush ranked in the top 10 of Gallup's most admired men 20 times beginning in 1984, including finishing first from 1989 through 1992 when he was president. Eight other men have made the top 10 more times than Bush, including five other presidents: Nixon, Eisenhower, Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Reagan. Bush was most recently in the top 10 in 2012. Bottom Line Bush's presidency, viewed through the lens of public opinion, can be evaluated as a success, with an overall job approval rating better than all but two presidents since World War II. Bush was also a president whose performance evaluations changed dramatically over the course of just four years. Historic international events and interventions led to high ratings his first three years in office, but a drifting economy and inadequate actions on the domestic front ultimately eroded his support during his re-election year. Bush remained active in the 25 years after he left office, joining with his former opponent, Clinton, to support humanitarian relief efforts, notably those for the 2005 Asian tsunami. He remained in the spotlight after becoming only the second president in U.S. history to have a son elected president. Americans' final retrospective approval rating of Bush aligns more with his relatively strong overall average rating as president and the improved final readings of his presidency than the lower ratings leading up to his failed re-election bid. Explore President George H.W. Bush's approval ratings and compare them with those of past presidents in the Gallup Presidential Job Approval Center. Go off, Ellie Reply Thread Link 13 Going on 30 was the only one that I couldn't place in the video initially, even though I've definitely seen it. I feel like anyone who needs pointing out that she's referencing Mean Girls and Legally Blonde probably won't be watching Ariana Grande videos anyway. Though now I've just realised, she probably has people watching the video who are too young to know those movies, not too old. Dear God. Reply Thread Link There was so little of 13 going on 30 that it wasn't really worth it. Should have just given more time to one of the other 3 Reply Parent Thread Link yeah, it was pointless. it could have made sense as a full video for a song at some point though, she should have saved it. Reply Parent Thread Link Same, I did not get it at first Reply Parent Thread Link I realised before that the rooms in the dollhouse are miniature versions of the sets, theres a mini torrances room and a mini reginas room. come through art direction!! Reply Thread Link That actually took me out of the reference, I love 13 going on 30 and it being her sets instead of the dollhouse rooms Matty made threw me off lol. Reply Parent Thread Link I mean, who actually cares what Buzzfeed puts on their home page? Either way, the video really wasn't interesting or good enough to warrant all this buzz and coverage in general. Reply Thread Link Ariana has zero charisma. That video could have been amazing but she just sucked the fun right out of it. Reply Thread Link Agreed. Her face was dead throughout the whole video. Reply Parent Thread Link Her whole dead face thing is intentional and I just don't get it. Reply Parent Thread Link yeah, it was cute, but that's it. it was so boring and forgettable :/ there was nothing there lol Reply Parent Thread Link This right here. Reply Parent Thread Link I really loved the video, but she was honestly the worst part about it. Like, it's an Ariana Grande video but I wish they cast someone else lol Everything she did was so fucking lazy. The bend-and-stand-back-up-at-the-same-pace, sort of twirling the pom poms in bed a little... Reply Parent Thread Link I commented about that about a week ago. She has zero charisma (which is so strange being she was an actress) or screen personality so she always looks flat. Give her concepts and voice to someone with more presence like Normani and it could be amazing. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah this video had been hyped up as being very fun and it feel flat. Everyone else was actually funnier than Ariana. Kris Jenner actually stole the show for me. Reply Parent Thread Link Mte. It was missing something. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah... I don't rly get the recent fascination and obsession with her. To me, she's a decent singer but there's just no charisma or intriguing-factor there so I'm always puzzled by how much buzz everything she does seems to stir up. Reply Parent Thread Link If Ariana could just stop fucking concentrating on always making a "sexy" overly pouty face featuring her fresh lip injections maybe this video wouldn't look so fucking bad. Reply Thread Link uhh Reply Parent Thread Link Ikr I gasped Reply Parent Thread Link Kris was having too much fun.lol Reply Parent Thread Link For all the Kardashian criticism I do that was my fave part. Reply Parent Thread Link that was the best part Reply Parent Thread Link it's the role she was meant to play LMAO Reply Parent Thread Link Kris Jenner was the best part of the video. The whole thing could have been cute, but Ariana keeps showing her personality hadn't matured at all from went she hit the scene and at this point, her super darkening just seems intentionally done to piss more people off. Probably her delusional ONTD stans will keep trying it the Italian excuse though. Reply Thread Link As some people have pointed out here, she has gotten so dark. It's literally the first thing I noticed in the video, not the references. The song is ok, it's a catchy meme but not her best. Reply Thread Link I think the Jingle Bell Rock scene is the only one where she's not wearing fake tan and I hate how it almost looked weird seeing her like that. Reply Parent Thread Link She definitely still has the tan, just the filtration of the camera plus lighting is making her look lighter in that scene. Even the blonde is lighter just because of the scene lighting Reply Parent Thread Link I haven't noticed how big her injections have been making her lips Reply Parent Thread Link She just looks so dead behind the eyes in the first gif Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Oliver Darcy is such a tool. CNN is a shitshow right now. Reply Thread Link There's a few people left that I still like (Jim Acosta, Don Lemon) but for the most part, CNN has become a major shitshow tbh Reply Parent Thread Link the song is good. wish shed stop w the brown face. all her performance did was just reminded me how well Kiki, Reese and Rachael played their roles. Reply Thread Link yikes Reply Thread Link Yas our LightSkint Legend, our MAC NubianW45 Kween. Break them streaming records Sista Soulyuh Reply Thread Link One time I watched a video where the interviewer asked some egyptian men on the street about honor killing and the responses were atrocious. Almost all of them agree with the fact that a lady must be assassinated if she shames the family, even if she's just wearing a revealing outfit. If I remember correctly only one man supported women going to work to support the family. I was speechless. Reply Thread Link I always wonder how many people would willingly revert back to that type of nonsense in the U.S. if there were no legal repercussion. Slavery would definitely come back. Reply Parent Thread Link I saw that too, it was terrifying Reply Parent Thread Link Men love controlling and policing women Reply Thread Link Men were a mistake Reply Thread Link Cosigned on this sentiment Reply Parent Thread Link Religion was a mistake Reply Parent Thread Link Cosigned on this sentiment Reply Parent Thread Link Came here to say that. The combo of men and orginised religion, power and control. It's scary. I hope that they can be shamed into letting her go. Reply Parent Thread Link What must they think of womens gymnastics? Reply Thread Link women deserve better Reply Thread Link I just dont understand how this still happens in almost 2019. Reply Thread Link Egypt is very conservative but most of their ridiculous laws and extreme policing is mostly because of the military coup. Their jails are currently filled with youth (with trials being pushed back for years) for opposing the military and calling for a new constitution. Their Arab Spring called for a new constitution separating Church and State, but instead they got stuck with this. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I thought that Egypt was getting better around the time of the Arab Spring? Reply Parent Thread Link What the fuck? No. What the actual fuck??? Reply Thread Link what the actual fuck Reply Thread Link So horrifying. I hope this story really picks up so she can get tons of support/outrage that may help her. Reply Thread Link This is so disgusting. Men are a plague! Reply Thread Link This is so fucking scary Reply Parent Thread Link The world is filled with trash people. Reply Parent Thread Link I hope somebody actually kills those lawyers. Call it justice killing. Reply Parent Thread Link A fucking mess and a half. I hope this gets some steam and international pressure forces them to let it go, same with that Chinese writer who could be facing time in prison.....but at the end of the day these are just minor fixes that helps 2 or 3 people there are dozens if not hundreds who get punished like this and nothing is done for them. Reply Thread Link https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/30/indian-woman-who-braved-temple-protest-arrested-for-exposed-thigh Something like this happened in India too. Reply Thread Link "Those who want to ban women from the temple say Ayyappa was known for his celibacy, and that the presence of menstruating women is a profane incursion on a holy site. " DUMBFUCKS, WOMEN DO NOT STOP BEING SEXUAL AFTER MENOPAUSE! Reply Parent Thread Link WHAT THE FUCK Reply Thread Link I'm so fucking tired of how much this world hates women. Reply Thread Link Record low Canadian oil prices risk deteriorating significantly cash flows and key credit metrics at Canadas oil and gas producers, rating agency DBRS said on Wednesday in the latest warning that the ultra-cheap Western Canadian crude is taking its toll on Albertas oil industry and economy. Severe takeaway capacity constraints have resulted in Western Canadian Select (WCS)the benchmark price of oil from Canadas oil sandsplunging to as low as $14 a barrel earlier this month, with its discount to the U.S. benchmark WTI at around $50 a barrel. In the face of further delays in new pipeline approvals, most notably the blow to the Trans Mountain expansion project in late August, the Alberta province and its oil producers are looking for alternative medium-term solutions such as increased crude by rail shipments or, possibly, an industry-wide production cut to ease bottlenecks and drive heavy oil prices up. If WTI drops into the low $40swhich could be the result of OPEC and allies failing to rebalance the market and/or if global demand outlook further weakensDBRS may be compelled to take negative rating actions on Canadian oil and gas companies exposed to Western Canada, the rating agency said in its report. Ratings cuts could constrain the companies access to credit or drive up the costs to service their debts. DBRS doesnt expect to take near-term rating actions, however, and keeps its current oil price forecasts at $60 for WTI and $65 for Brent for 2019 and 2020 for evaluating the companies credit metrics. Nevertheless, the rating agency warns that the huge WCS price discount is spilling into lighter crude grades because of the constrained takeaway capacity. Synthetic crude in Western Canada is currently priced at $30, a $22 discount to WTI, while Edmonton Sweet Mix, which is comparable in quality to WTI, is close to $25some $27 discount to WTI, DBRS noted. Its very unusual. Ive never seen ... this disconnect between Canada and the rest of the world, unfortunately, because of the increase in supply and not sufficient enough expansion of takeaway capacity, Victor Vallance, senior vice-president of energy, global corporates, at DBRS, told The Canadian Press. Alberta is trying to alleviate some of the pressure on Canadas oil and is also seeking federal government support to do so. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley announced on Wednesday that the province had begun negotiations for an investment in new rail capacity to move 120,000 bpd out of the province, starting late 2019. The current wide price differential between WCS and WTI costs Canadas economy US$60 million (C$80 million) a day, Premier Notley said, adding that we need the federal government, at the table, treating this like the crisis it is. Coca Cola sell sugar-flavored water for more, we are essentially giving our oil away for free, Premier Notley said in Ottawa on Wednesday. Related: The Oil Powerhouses Replacing OPEC In an interview with CTV, Notley said, commenting on Albertas oil price distress: Wed rather be dealing with pipeline economics not rail economics, but its certainly better than distress barrel economics which is what we are seeing today with WCS at $10 a barrelits ridiculous. Referring to the calls for industry-wide production cuts, Notley said that the Alberta government has been leaning into and considering some sort of production cuts for well over a month now, but noted that its a complex issue and the province is doing a thorough analysis of the potential consequences of that option. The Alberta government hopes to give some clarity on this option within days rather than weeks, she said. Also on Wednesday, opposition United Conservative Leader Jason Kenney called for a temporary short-term mandatory curtailment of some 400,000 bpd of oil production, or 10 percent of output, to stop the fire sale of Alberta oil. As a free market conservative, I have been reluctant to support a mandatory cut in production. But this crisis was created by a failure of governments, not businesses, to get global access for our energy. And now only governments can stop the current giveaway of Alberta oil which could result in huge job layoffs and billions of dollars in lost revenues, Kenney said in a statement. Canadas oil producers appear to be split on the idea of production cuts, with some resisting such proposals while others already scaling back heavy oil drilling in response to the huge price discount. The province of Alberta is set to soon announce what it thinks about cuts. Even if mandatory cuts are not enforced, some Canadian producers may have to curtail production due to economics amid record low crude prices and deteriorating cash flows, with the earliest possible pipeline capacity relief expected at end-2019 with Enbridges project to replace Line 3. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Canadas Top Oil Province on Friday lowered its 2019 economic growth forecast as oil prices continue to flounder according to a government statement cited by Reuters. Crude oil production in Alberta, which vacillates between serving as its lifeblood and bane of its existence, accounts for more than 80 percent of Canadas total crude oil production, and has been hit the hardest of all Canadas provinces by the widening spread between the Western Canadian Select and WTI benchmarks, which reached a crescendo last month around $50a spread nearly inconceivable. Under pressure from falling WCS prices that are now around $15 per barrel and zero spare takeaway capacity to ship oil to its largest purchaser, the United States, Alberta revised downward its economic growth forecasts for 2019 from 2.5 percent to 2.0 percent. The oil price differential is a crisis for Alberta and a crisis for Canada, said Finance Minister Joe Ceci at a news conference Friday, according to the Edmonton Sun. Faced with no end in sight to the constrained pipeline capacity, a desperate Alberta announced yesterday that it plans to purchase oil trains to move the oil that is now stuck in province, although it is expected to shore up only $4 per barrel of that $50 gap between WTI and WCS. We have already engaged a third-party to negotiate and work is well under way. We anticipate conclusion of the deal within weeks, Premier Rachel Notley said at a recent meeting with business executives. Despite its best laid plans, Alberta does not expect the first additional rail carsand only enough to move an additional 15,000 bpd at thatto be ready to move until the end of next year. Canada is expected to average 4.59 million bpd of crude oil production this year, despite its takeaway capacity constraints. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Several crude oil terminals in Libya have been closed due to inclement weather, with oil production in the country already down by 150,000 bpd and likely to drop by a further 50,000 bpd, Libyas National Oil Corporation (NOC) said on Friday. The state oil firm confirmed today that four oil port terminalsRas Lanuf, Zueitina, Zawiya, and Es Siderare currently non-operational due to high waves. The Brega oil terminal may also have to suspend operations as of Friday afternoon local time, NOC said in a statement. Loading schedules at the currently closed oil terminals have been postponed, the company noted. Libyas current oil production has already fallen by 150,000 bpd and is likely to be cut by another 50,000 bpd, due to lack of additional storage capacity at the closed ports. Projections based on the new production level indicate that Es Sider tanks will be full within two days. Should bad weather persist, 150,000 barrels of Sharara production could also be affected, NOC said. Although it will disrupt Libyas oil production and loading schedules at the key ports, this time the closure is not due to violence, as it happened in June and July, when armed groups attacked the eastern oil ports in Libya, forcing a large part of Libyas oil production to shut in and NOC to declare force majeure for several weeks. Following severe production and export disruptions in the early summer, Libyas oil production has been steadily rising over the past three months. In August, production recovered to average 955,000 bpd, while Libyas production in September further jumped by 100,000 bpd to average 1.054 million bpd, and then by yet another 60,000 bpd to average 1.114 million bpd in October, as per data from OPECs secondary sources. As of last week, Libya was pumping close to 1.3 million bpd, and NOCs chairman Mustafa Sanalla said that he hoped Libya would be exempted, again, from any new OPEC-wide production cuts. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Anti-establishment leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador vowed a "deep and radical" change in Mexico as he assumed the country's presidency Saturday, five months after winning a landslide election victory. The leader, widely known by his initials as "AMLO," took the oath of office and donned the presidential sash before Congress -- where the coalition led by the upstart party he founded four years ago, Morena, now has strong majorities in both houses. Ending 89 years of government by the same two parties, Lopez Obrador surged to victory in the July 1 elections promising a new approach to issues fueling widespread outrage: crime, poverty and corruption. But not everyone is persuaded: critics say the sharp-tongued, silver-haired leader has a radical and authoritarian streak. And despite his promises of business-friendly policies, Mexican stocks and the peso have plunged in recent weeks. That did not stop Lopez Obrador, 65, from doubling down on his promise of a sweeping "transformation" as he started his six-year term. "It might seem pretentious or exaggerated to say it, but today is not just the start of a new government. It is the start of a political regime change," he said, the presidential sash newly draped over his dark suit and burgundy tie. "We will carry out a peaceful and orderly but also deep and radical transformation." - Change in style - After the traditional swearing-in ceremony, Lopez Obrador climbed in his white Volkswagen Jetta -- his car of choice -- and headed to Mexico City's central square, the Zocalo, for a colorful second ceremony of his own design. There, indigenous shamans purified him with incense and flowers, and presented him with a symbolic chieftain's staff. "I reaffirm my commitment not to lie, rob or betray the Mexican people," he said, clutching the long wooden staff. Jose Angel Mejia, 38, was among the tens of thousands of people who gathered to fete the new president. "It's a historic day, I still can't believe it," he said, raising his eight-year-old son's arm in the air in celebration. "We're going to have a change at last." The new president inherits a sticky set of problems from his unpopular predecessor, Enrique Pena Nieto. They include deeply entrenched corruption, gruesome violence fueled by the war on drug cartels, and the caravan of 6,000 Central American migrants camped at the US-Mexican border -- not to mention the minefield that diplomacy with Mexico's giant northern neighbor has become under President Donald Trump. Lopez Obrador, a former protest leader and Mexico City mayor, has been short on specifics regarding his plans for all of the above. What he is promising, first and foremost, is a presidency like no other in Mexican history. Vowing to lead his anti-corruption, pro-austerity drive by example, he has forsworn the presidential residence, jet and security detail, and cut his own salary by 60 percent. In a sign of the times, the sumptuous presidential residence, Los Pinos, was opened to the public Saturday as a cultural center. - Pressure from Trump - Lopez Obrador's inaugural address largely repeated the sweeping but vague promises of his campaign. He resumed his attempts to soothe the markets with promises of balanced budgets and pro-investment policies. But he also attacked Mexico's "neoliberal" economic model as "a disaster" and railed against Pena Nieto's landmark privatization of the energy sector. Lopez Obrador has caused jitters over the future of Latin America's second-largest economy with decisions such as the one to cancel a new $13 billion airport for Mexico City that was already one-third complete. The day's guest list included a host of regional presidents -- among them crisis-torn Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, who was met with protests from Mexico's conservative opposition. King Felipe VI of Spain, US Vice President Mike Pence, and first daughter and White House adviser Ivanka Trump also attended. President Trump, who was at the G20 summit in Argentina, has struck up a surprisingly warm relationship with Lopez Obrador -- though the migrant caravan threatens to interrupt that honeymoon. The American president is pressuring Lopez Obrador to accept a deal to keep asylum-seeking migrants in Mexico while their claims are processed in the United States. Lopez Obrador's foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, is due in Washington on Sunday for talks on the issue with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is facing international criticism over her country's crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, called Saturday for "a culture of peace" to end conflict between communities. The Nobel Peace prize winner did not mention the Rohingya crisis -- which has led the United Nations to call for a genocide investigation -- in her keynote address to an international meeting organised by a group linked to the Unification Church. "At the basis of conflict is ill-will which seeks to hurt and to destroy and thus to open the way to conflict, which in turn spews out an ever-renewing cycle of hate and fear, snuffing out the light of peace," Suu Kyi said. Suu Kyi called for cooperation between nations to seek peace and mutual prosperity. "Only by promoting a culture of peace in this world of interdependence will it be possible to create harmony between diverse countries and societies," she said. Suu Kyi, whose position of state counsellor in Myanmar is considered the equivalent of a prime minister, has faced a wave of condemnation since Myanmar launched its military crackdown on the Rohingya in August 2017. More than 700,000 have fled Myanmar's Rakhine state to camps in neighbouring Bangladesh. Many told horrific stories of widespread killings, rapes and villages razed to the ground. Myanmar's military insists it only targeted Rohingya militants and Suu Kyi has deflected all criticism. Other top officials at the meeting, which was accompanied by boosted security in the Nepali capital to head off protests, did not mention the conflict which has overshadowed many of Suu Kyi's international appearances. Her speech at the Kathmandu meeting, backed by the Universal Peace Foundation, came a day after Paris announced will it will strip her of her honorary freedom of the French capital over her failure to speak out against the Rohingya crackdown. The British cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Oxford have taken similar action against Suu Kyi over her refusal to condemn the military violence. A UN rights team found evidence of widespread murder, rape, torture and arson, and called for top generals to be prosecuted for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. About 300 Rohingya live in Nepal and one of the refugee community based in Kathmandu, who requested anonymity, called for Nepal to raise their issue with Suu Kyi. "We are suffering. I think if she wants to help us, she can," he said. Phuket, 30 November 2018 Amari Phuket invites guests to be part of the first charity dinner at Rim Talay Restaurant on 7 December 2018 from 17:30 to 22:00. This CSR event has the objective to raise funds to support The Baht for a Better Life Project of the ONYX Hospitality Group Foundation. The funds go directly to support and provide educational opportunities for underprivileged students across the country. The event theme is Temple Fair. Guests will be transported back to the old days when Thai people celebrated the festivities at the community temple. Enjoy the fun games and indulge in a delicious international buffet prepared by the talented chefs. Wow the senses with a fire dance and Thai traditional performances by the Amari Phuket team. Precious and historic items of Amari Phuket will also be available to buy at auction. To enjoy an unforgettable night and a memorable experience, guests can purchase a ticket for 1,350 THB++ per person (excluding beverages). Children between 5 and 12 years old will receive a 50% discount. The price is subject to a 10% service charge and 7% VAT. Terms and conditions apply. The charity dinner reservation desk is located in the lobby area and open from 4 to 6 December between 10:00 to 18:00. For more information and reservations, please contact +66 (0) 7634 0106-14, email phuket@amari.com or visit Amari Phukets Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AmariPhuket. Address: Amari Phuket, 2 Muen-ngern Road, Patong Beach, Kathu, Phuket 83150 This aerial photo shows damage on Vine Road, south of Wasilla, Alaska, after earthquakes Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 shattered highways and rocked buildings Friday in Anchorage and the surrounding area, sending people running into the streets and briefly triggering a tsunami warning for islands and coastal areas south of the city. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) Chris Riekena was driving his 7-year-old son to school when his car started acting up. As he pulled over, he realized the problem wasn't his carit was a huge earthquake. Riekena turned around to calm his son in the back seat and when he looked forward again, the road ahead of him was sinking into the earth. He pulled his son out of the car as light poles along the road swayed in the air. By the time the shaking stopped Friday, the car just in front of his on the freeway was marooned on an island of asphalt with a huge chasm on both sides. "It was probably a good 30 to 40 seconds of slow-motion disaster," said Riekena, an engineer with the Alaska Department of Transportation who later returned to the site for his job. "Thankfully I pulled over when I did," he said. "I've walked around the site enough over the last few hours that I've replayed that a few times." Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 shattered highways and rocked buildings Friday in Anchorage and the surrounding area, sending people running into the streets and briefly triggering a tsunami warning for islands and coastal areas south of the city. No tsunami arrived and there were no reports of deaths or serious injuries. An employee walks past a damaged aisle at Anchorage True Value hardware store after an earthquake, Friday morning, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Tim Craig, owner of the south Anchorage store, said no one was injured but hundreds of items hit the floor and two shelves collapsed in a stock room. (AP Photo/Dan Joling) The U.S. Geological Survey said the first and more powerful quake was centered about 7 miles (12 kilometers) north of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, with a population of about 300,000. People ran from their offices or took cover under desks. The 5.7 aftershock arrived within minutes, followed by a series of smaller quakes. "We just hung onto each other. You couldn't even stand," said Sheila Bailey, who was working at a high school cafeteria in Palmer, about 45 miles from Anchorage, when the quake struck. "It sounded and felt like the school was breaking apart." Anchorage Police Chief Justin Doll said he had been told that parts of Glenn Highway, a scenic route that runs northeast out of the city past farms, mountains and glaciers, had "completely disappeared." The quake broke store windows, knocked items off shelves, opened cracks in a two-story building downtown, disrupted electrical service and disabled traffic lights, snarling traffic. Flights at the airport were suspended for hours after the quake knocked out telephones and forced the evacuation of the control tower. And the 800-mile Alaska oil pipeline was shut down for hours while crews were sent to inspect it for damage. A car is trapped on a collapsed section of the offramp of Minnesota Drive in Anchorage, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.8 rocked buildings and buckled roads Friday morning in Anchorage, prompting people to run from their offices or seek shelter under office desks, while a tsunami warning had some seeking higher ground. (AP Photo/Dan Joling) Anchorage's school system canceled classes and asked parents to pick up their children while it examined buildings for gas leaks or other damage. Jonathan Lettow was waiting with his 5-year-old daughter and other children for a school bus near their home in Wasilla, about 40 miles north of Anchorage, when the quake struck. The children got on the ground in a circle while Lettow tried to keep them calm and watched for falling trees. "It's one of those things where in your head, you think, 'OK, it's going to stop,' and you say that to yourself so many times in your head that finally you think, 'OK, maybe this isn't going to stop,'" he said. Soon after the shaking ended, the school bus pulled up and the children boarded, but the driver stopped at a bridge and refused to go across because of deep cracks in the road, he said. Gov. Bill Walker issued a disaster declaration. He was in an elevator in a high-rise Anchorage office building and said it was a "rough ride" coming down. He described the quake as a 7.2, though it was unclear why his figure differed from that of the USGS. A ramp from International Airport Road to Minnesota Drive was damaged in an earthquake on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska Gov. Bill Walker says it will take more than a week or two to repair roads damaged by the powerful earthquake. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) Walker says it will take more than a week or two to repair roads damaged by the earthquake. "This is much more significant than that," he told reporters at a news conference. In Kenai, southwest of Anchorage, Brandon Slaton was soaking in his bathtub when the earthquake struck. The temblor created a powerful back-and-forth sloshing that threw him out of the tub, he said. His 120-pound mastiff panicked and tried to run down the stairs, but the house was swaying so much that the dog was thrown into a wall and tumbled down the stairs, Slaton said. Slaton ran into his son's room after the shaking stopped. The boy's fish was on the floor, gasping, its tank shattered. Slaton put the fish in a bowl. This aerial photo shows damage at the Glenn Highway near Mirror Lake after earthquakes in the Anchorage area, Alaska, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 shattered highways and rocked buildings Friday in Anchorage and the surrounding area, sending people running into the streets and briefly triggering a tsunami warning for islands and coastal areas south of the city. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) "It was anarchy," he said. "There's no pictures left on the walls, there's no power, there's no fish tank left. Everything that's not tied down is broke." Alaska was the site of the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the U.S. The 9.2-magnitude quake on March 27, 1964, was centered about 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Anchorage. It and the tsunami it triggered claimed about 130 lives. The state averages 40,000 earthquakes a year, with more large quakes than the 49 other states combined. Southern Alaska has a high risk of earthquakes because the Earth's plates slide past each other under the region. Alaska has been hit by a number of powerful quakes over 7.0 in recent decades, including a 7.9 last January southeast of Kodiak Island. But it is rare for a quake this big to strike so close to such a heavily populated area. David Harper was getting coffee at a store when the low rumble began and intensified into something that sounded "like the building was just going to fall apart." He ran for the exit with other patrons. "People who were outside were actively hugging each other," he said. "You could tell that it was a bad one." Merchandise fell from shelves and racks at Andy's Ace Hardware on Muldoon Road after the Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, earthquake hit Southcentral Alaska. Scientists say the damaging Alaska earthquake and aftershocks occurred on a type of fault in which one side moves down and away from the other side. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP) In this photo provided by Jonathan M. Lettow, people walk along Vine Road after an earthquake, Friday morning, Nov. 30, 2018, in Wasilla, Alaska. (Jonathan M. Lettow via AP) Traffic outbound from Anchorage on the Glenn Highway was at a standstill after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake caused damage in the Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Scientists say the damaging Alaska earthquake and aftershocks occurred on a type of fault in which one side moves down and away from the other side. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) Randy Van Ness mops an aisle at Andy's Ace Hardware after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Scientists say the damaging Alaska earthquake and aftershocks occurred on a type of fault in which one side moves down and away from the other side. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP) This aerial photo shows a landslide on the northwest side of Knik Arm after earthquakes in the Anchorage area, Alaska, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 shattered highways and rocked buildings Friday in Anchorage and the surrounding area, sending people running into the streets and briefly triggering a tsunami warning for islands and coastal areas south of the city. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) Snow slid from the bluff at Point Woronzof, near Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport when a 7.0-magnitude earthquake caused damage in the Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Scientists say the damaging Alaska earthquake and aftershocks occurred on a type of fault in which one side moves down and away from the other side. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) This aerial photo shows damage on Vine Road, south of Wasilla, Alaska, after earthquakes Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 shattered highways and rocked buildings Friday in Anchorage and the surrounding area, sending people running into the streets and briefly triggering a tsunami warning for islands and coastal areas south of the city. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) Damage from an earthquake is seen on the Glenn Highway southbound lanes between Eklutna and Mirror Lake, in Alaska, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. A 7.0 magnitude temblor hit on Friday morning. DOT project engineer Rod Cummings said the inbound lanes of the highway will be closed for several days, but the highway is open and inbound traffic will be routed around the area until crews can repair the damage. (Matt Tunseth/Anchorage Daily News via AP) Marty Thurman with Granite construction inspects a crack in the road at the International Airport Road offramp on southbound Minnesota Blvd., in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. A state official says Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is open and operating at reduced capacity with delayed flights following back-to-back earthquakes. (Loren Holmes/Anchorage Daily News via AP) Cases of beer lie jumbled in a walk-in cooler at a liquor store, Value Liquor, after an earthquake on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Owner Mary Funner says beer, wine and other bottled alcohol was strewn throughout store aisles after the quake. She considered closing Friday until customers began lining up. They were allowed to come in in small groups. "We're still in business, but we're only open only a little bit at a time," she said. (AP Photo/Dan Joling) Dennis Keeling, of Instant Services, measures for a broken window at an auto parts store following an earthquake Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska (AP Photo/Mike Dinneen) Workers inspect an off-ramp that collapsed during a morning earthquake, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mike Dinneen) In this photo provided by Jonathan M. Lettow, people walk along Vine Road after an earthquake, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Wasilla, Alaska. (Jonathan M. Lettow via AP) In this photo provided by Jonathan M. Lettow, people walk along Vine Road after an earthquake, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Wasilla, Alaska. (Jonathan M. Lettow via AP) Explore further Strong earthquake rattles remote Alaska region 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Canadian whistleblower Christopher Wylie is scathing about the way internet giant Facebook has handled its vast data resources Eight months after revealing the links between Facebook and Cambridge Analytica (CA), whistleblower Christopher Wylie is pushing for the internet giant to be regulatedwhether it wants to or not. He is scathing about Facebook's "man-child" chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and the arrogance of the company he runs. "Facebook knew about what happened with Cambridge Analytica, well before the Trump election, well before Brexit, it did nothing about it," Wylie told AFP. "They knew about Russian disinformation campaigns on their platform, but to preserve the integrity of their reputation, they place their company above their country." Last March, Wylie revealed that data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica took millions of Facebook users' data to build psychological profiles of users. He knew because he had worked as the company's research director. Targeted political campaign messages were used both in the US presidential election and in the run-up to Britain's 2016 Brexit vote, he said. Zuckerberg, in a statement issued in March, acknowledged the data breach but said it had happened without Facebook's knowledge or consent. They had acted to ensure it never happened again, he added. It is a bewilderingly complex story. But the important thing, said Wylie, was to stay focused on the key facts. "You've got a company like CA whose staff were working in Russia, whose contractors are indicted by Mueller and whose clients were meeting with (the) Russian embassyso Russia's everywhere in this." US Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. But Wylie's real anger is directed at Facebook and Zuckerberg. Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg's failure to turn up for British parliamentary hearings on disinformation and 'fake news' was a gift to his critics "One of the problems is that they have unfortunately a share structure which enables a 'man-child' to run a company like an authoritarian dictator and no one else can do anything about it," he said. 'Arrogance' Facebook acknowledged on Tuesday that its engineers had flagged suspicious Russian activity as early as 2014long before it became public. But Zuckerberg still refused to turn up to hearings held by the British Parliament this week attended by lawmakers from nine different countries. Instead, vice president Richard Allan had to field questions on allegations that the company had been exploited to manipulate major election results. For Wylie, Zuckerberg's no-show in London spoke volumes. "He has built a platform that has created substantive risk to our society and to our democracy and he doesn't even have one hour to give...," he said. Facebook is now being investigated by several US federal agencies. In Britain, it is appealing a 500,000 ($637,000) fine handed down by the Information Commissioner's Office for serious breaches of the data protection laws over the Cambridge Analytica revelations. And earlier this month, it has had to battle the fall-out from a New York Times report that it used a public relations firm to discredit its critics, including billionaire philanthropist George Soros. Facebook's outgoing communications chief Elliot Schrage took the blame. Wylie has added his voice to growing calls for Facebook to be regulatedwhether it likes it or not 'Proper regulation' "I'm not surprised, having been on the blunt end of Facebook retaliation, that they go after people like George Soros and ... hire firms to make up anti-semitic rumours and fake news," he said. "It's ironic that Facebook, in trying to defend itself as a platform that's combatting fake news, creates fake news in the first place. "It really reveals the heart and soul of this company, (which is) exactly why we need scrutiny, accountability and new regulations." But he gets why people are reluctant to join calls to close their Facebook accounts in protest. "I understand why people don't want to leave...," he said. "It's now part and parcel of modern day living. "This is why it's so important to regulate, because just like electricity or water or roads, this is a utility, and that means people don't really have a choice to leave." Facebook insists it is striving to wield its power more responsibly. Since the beginning of the year, it says, it has deleted two billion false accounts suspected of spreading false information. After the Cambridge Analytica scandal, it put in place new tools to make it easier for users to control their personal information: and any political advertising now has to identify its source. But for Wylie, that is not enough. There needs to be a statutory code of conduct for data scientists and software engineers, just as there are for other professions, he argues. Architects cannot just decide to leave out fire exits on a whim, he says, so the specialists who create online "addictive spaces" need to be regulated in just the same way. Explore further UK lawmaker: Facebook misled Parliament over data leak risk 2018 AFP 8 hours ago Coal mine fire in Russia's Siberia kills 14, dozens missing MOSCOW (AP) Russian authorities late Thursday called off a search for dozens of people still missing about 250 meters (820 feet) underground, following a coal mine fire in Siberia that killed at least 14 miners and rescuers. Rescue teams were rushed out of the mine for safety reasons because of a buildup of explosive methane gas and a high concentration of toxic fumes from the fire. Read Article November 30, 2018 in Accessories (E) [prMac.com] Salmon Arm, British Columbia - NeoNet Corp has developed a Made in Canada document management solution that solves the social network information privacy problem. WebSonar is based on Virginia Systems' Sonar Professional search engine that was originally developed in 1988. WebSonar combines this powerful search engine with a standard web server to provide a flexible and scaleable, browser based document management solution. WebSonar Libraries provide a platform for sharing that does not require users to trade their privacy. Every individual library can host an unlimited number of documents. Each Library's home page has a unique URL, provides search functions and a ten page looped slide show. The library's document access is controlled by the library owner. The service is free with an option to contribute a small monthly commitment of $5.00 for the use of one hosted Library, but this is strictly voluntary. There is no limit to the number of participants in a library group. Each group member can be provided with the upload password by the library owner so they can contribute content as well as participate in the exchange. You can set the access to your content to private or public. If it is set to private visitors will require the upload password to browse the content. Use the Comments link for discussion. Privacy Statement: WebSonar does not collect any information from your computer or from anyone accessing your library. Security Statement: WebSonar encrypts your password. A forgotten password can not be retrieved. The users library can only be reset to default (to no credentials) if you have physical access to the server. "If you think the internet is not working in its current incarnation, you can't change the system through think-pieces and F.C.C. regulations alone. You need new code," stated Duane Bemister, Principal. We Offer Five Scalable Solutions: * 1 Library - $5.00 per month Hosted in our Data Center (free trial period, no registration required) * 9 Libraries - $9.99 WebSonar 9 macOS app includes in-app purchase to serve to the Internet * 36 Libraries - $19.99 WebSonar 36 macOS app requires WAN IP address to serve to the Internet * 120 Libraries - $99.99 WebSonar Pro macOS app requires WAN IP address to serve to the Internet * 2500 Libraries - $2500.00 Includes Mac Mini requires WAN IP address to serve to the Internet NeoNet Corp was established in Salmon Arm British Columbia in 2017 by Jake Jacobson and Duane Bemister to integrate CREATEit with WebSonar to create an iPad cloud document management platform that is independent, and free from tracking. A safe and practical solution to enable student collaboration and presentation. Copyright (c) 2018 NeoNet Corp. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPad and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other trademarks and registered trademarks may be the property of their respective owners. ### Why Purchase ? Great brand recognition and memorability from advertising, marketing, and your web site landing pages. This domain is likely to hold and increase its value over time. Poor domain names lose traffic and new customer conversions to better domain named companies, Microsoft Research calls this effect "domain bias in web search." is a category killer domain that may be commonly used around the world. Such a name offers your company a clear competitive advantage online and off. Halifax County Sheriffs Office narcotics agents Thursday seized trafficking amounts of heroin along with crack and powdered cocaine from a residence in Enfield. Charged by Agent C.A. Parker in a case initiated by Agent D.R. Radford was Jeffery Clark Jr. of Enfield. Clark, 30, according to state Department of Public Safety records, had most recently received 36 months of supervised release following his conviction in April of 2017 for possession of a firearm by a felon and possession with intent to sell a controlled substance. He has a record with DPS dating back to 2005. Captain A.M. Harris said in a statement today agents had received complaints of possible drug activity on Commodore Street in Enfield for several weeks. The complaint indicated several cars coming to the residence and staying a short time before leaving throughout the day and night. Radford opened the initial case and began to follow up on the complaint. Agents conducted surveillance of the residence and conducted traffic stops on vehicles leaving this residence which resulted in arrests and seizures of drugs and a weapon. Harris said in the statement agents also contacted Halifax County Probation and Parole. Following up on the complaint Thursday shortly after 2:30 p.m., agents and probation officers went to the residence and encountered Clark. Agents seized 70 individually wrapped bags of crack cocaine with an estimated $1,400 street value; 93 bindles of heroin with an estimated $930 street value; three oxycodone pills; 3 additional grams of crack with an estimated $180 street value; 94 small plastic bags of powdered cocaine with an estimated street value of $1,880, packaging materials, a digital scale and $5,005 in cash. Parker arrested and charged Clark with trafficking heroin, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession of schedule II controlled substance. Clark received a $75,000 bond with a December 19 court date. Probation officers Hala Burch, Cara Deloatch, Pierre Bowser and Halifax County Sheriffs Office Gang Investigator C. Dixon assisted. Harris could not be reached for further comment. If you thought Santa was just a random, down-on-his-luck and possibly drunk old man your nearest mall pulled off the street for some cheap help selling toys at Christmas, you may be rightbut not necessarily: For an elite group, being Santa is a full-time job that can net a cool $20k in a short amount of time. Its a rather lucrative side-gig for jolly fellows willing to invest a few thousand dollars in top-of-the-line Santa gearor more, if you want to throw in actual reindeer and a slick-looking sleigh. There are nearly 100 jobs ads for Santa on Indeed.com right now, but if you want to make some more serious side cash, youll need to join the elite Santa club, which might mean Santa training courses from the best in the business, plus a checklist of pricey accoutrements. First off, youll need a Santa suit, because while some malls provide them, youre not an elite Santa unless you have your own suit. You can order a cheap Santa suit online for a few hundred dollars, but the elite Santa bringing in $20k a year is bespoke, and not Made in China. The Pro Santa Shop offers tailored Santa suits with everything from satin linings, red velvet and faux diamond buttons to sable, polar bear plush and black Russian fur. The price tag? Anywhere from $850 to $1400 and upwards. Its for the serious Santa only. Then youll need a beard, if you dont have one of your ownand synthetic isnt going to cut it. The elite Santa has painstakingly grown his own beard, or hes purchased one made of human hair. The Custom Wig Company offers both custom-made Santa beards, wigs and moustaches, along with a line-up of ready-to-wear productsall made from human hairand the custom products range from $1500 to upwards of $1900. Related: White House Doubles Down On Coal Despite New Climate Report And while no Santa stocks his own reindeer, you can rent them singly for several hundred dollars an hour, as long as you have a sleigh. Perhaps the most elite Santa is Ed Taylor, a 15-year premier Santa veteran whom you might have seen in a Coca-Cola commercial or snuggling with Gwen Stefani in a music video, as highlighted by Vox. (Click to enlarge) Source: YouTube Up close, this is what an eliteor, in Taylors words, a premierSanta looks like: (Click to enlarge) Source: Vox One of the best chances of becoming an elite Santa might entail training courses at Taylors Santa Claus Conservatory, where Taylor seeks to help aspiring Santas do everything from find year-round gigs to learning how to groom their beards properly. Related: How President Trump Is Undermining U.S. Oil Producers While its not going to mint any millionaires, if done rightand religiouslythere are opportunities well beyond the Christmas season, and Taylor told Vox that he charges $250 for the first half hour and books some 100 gigs a year. But even this emerging elite profession has its share of competition. Taylors certainly is the only Santa school. Vox spoke with another elite Saint Nick, Santa Rick, an Orthodox Jew and former divorce arbiter who runs the Northern Lights Santa Academy and insists: Theres two kinds of Santas: There are professional Santas and there are guys in red suits. So this year, if you are looking for a more fulfilling side gig and have a few thousand dollars to invest in the best, Santain the elite formmight help you fund Christmas. By Josh Owens for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: How do you get in tune with your kid? Parents learned their instruments, or tried Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Education Reporter Mathew Burciaga is a Santa Maria Times reporter who covers education, agriculture and public safety. Prior to joining the Times, Mathew ran a 114-year-old community newspaper in Wyoming. He owns more than 40 pairs of crazy socks from across the globe. Robert Graboyes is a senior research fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, where he focuses on technological innovation in health care. Davis Warnell is a program associate for Open Health at the Mercatus Center. Dirty cash and assets amounting to HK$7.87 billion (US$1 billion) were seized by Hong Kong authorities in the first 10 months of 2018, the Post has learned. The 10-year high came amid a surge in reports of suspected money laundering and terrorist financing activity in the city. Figures from Hong Kongs anti-money-laundering squad show the amount was 150 times the HK$52 million that law enforcers took from criminals in the whole of last year. It was almost threefold the HK$2.72 billion in assets frozen under court orders over the past six years. Government sources told the Post that the crimes behind the huge sum included drug trafficking, smuggling, commercial fraud and internet scams. Once these cases end with convictions, the money will go to the government treasury after deductions for legal costs, one source said. The dramatic upswing was partly the result of investigations into the rising number of reports in recent years involving financial transactions with suspected links to money laundering or terrorist financing. The force said the significant increase was mainly due to one particular ongoing money laundering probe involving HK$7.3 billion worth of assets. But a police spokesman said: There is so far no evidence to suggest any of the assets are linked to terrorist financing activity in Hong Kong. The anti-money-laundering squad the Joint Financial Intelligence Unit is staffed by police and customs officers. It handled 92,115 suspicious financial transactions last year a record since it was set up in 1989. The team received 64,850 such reports in the first 10 months of 2018, a large increase on the 23,282 in 2012. Manpower has been expanded from 48 officers in 2017 to the current 65 in place since August 2018, the spokesman said. The growth in suspicious transactions stems from a flood of reports lodged by banks after they boosted resources devoted to tracking suspect money flows. More than 93 per cent of these reports last year were lodged by the banking sector. Story continues Some HK$275 million in dirty cash and assets was paid to the government in the first 10 months of this year, according to the squad. But fewer people were caught and convicted of money laundering, police figures show. Convictions fell from 160 in 2012 to 90 last year. There were 76 people found guilty between January and October this year. The squad is responsible for assessing all reports made in Hong Kong about suspicious transactions. Cases it believes deserve further probing are forwarded to investigators elsewhere in the police force or the Customs and Excise Department. Last month officers from the forces Anti-Deception Coordination Centre nabbed a local businessman and his female business partner after his bank account was found to have been used to collect and launder HK$620 million obtained in scams during the first seven months of this year. The officers took control of HK$33 million in the account. The Post reported in August that thousands of Hong Kong bank accounts had been used by local and international fraudsters to collect and launder about HK$4 billion between July 2017 and July 2018. Many of the account holders were mainland Chinese residents believed to have been recruited by underground money exchanges across the border. The anti-deception centre was set up in July last year and has since dealt with more than 1,500 requests to freeze billions of dollars taken in scams that took place both in Hong Kong and overseas. In this years biggest commercial email scam, the centre helped a Spanish company freeze HK$60 million after it was duped into transferring about HK$100 million to several bank accounts in Hong Kong in June and July. Police said the force would continue to join overseas agencies in enforcing anti-money-laundering laws in Hong Kong. On the international front, the force spares no effort in fostering and enhancing our network in combating money laundering activities, through the exchange of financial intelligence, and, in appropriate cases, by conducting joint investigations with worldwide counterparts, the spokesman said. He added that police were arranging financial investigation training for all the citys law enforcement agents, and were publicising the problem with financial institutions. Money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment and a HK$5 million fine under Hong Kongs Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance. This article 10-year high of HK$7.87 billion in dirty cash and assets seized in Hong Kong but money laundering convictions down first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. President-elect Jair Bolsonaro named Admiral Bento Costa Lima Leite his minister of mines and energy Friday, continuing his militarization of Brazil's incoming government. Seven of ex-army captain Bolsonaro's 20 ministers announced so far are from the armed forces. "I'm not appointing military people because they're from the military. It's because of their training and what they did when they were active," said Bolsonaro in quotes carried by the Universo Online website. As with all his major announcements, far-right Bolsonaro used Twitter to share the news. He is expected to announce his environment and human rights ministers next. The 60-year-old Lima Leite is currently serving as general manager of nuclear and technological development for the Brazilian navy. The future mines and energy minister will also join the board of directors of Brazil's nuclear development authority, Nuclebras. Bolsonaro has already put the ministries of defense, institutional security, science and technology, infrastructure, and transparency, supervision and control in the hands of military personnel while his government secretary is a retired general. And there may be more as retired general Floriano Peixoto Vieira Neto is a strong candidate to be named the executive's secretary of social communication. "There are two ministers to go. They might both be from the military, I don't know yet," said Bolsonaro. UBS has been authorised by China's securities regulator to take a controlling stake in a local business, making the Swiss giant the first foreign bank allowed to do so under new rules. Beijing in April relaxed the rules in the financial industry in a move to open up the economy. "The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) recently approved UBS AG to increase the shareholding ratio of UBS Securities Co. Ltd. to 51 percent," the regulator said in a statement late Friday. "This is the first foreign-controlled securities company approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission after the implementation of the Measures for the Administration of Foreign-invested Securities Companies." USB AG, which currently owns about 25 per cent of shares in the USB Securities Co. Ltd joint venture, said in a statement that it would acquire stakes from China Guodian Capital Holdings and COFCO. Other financial firms like Wall Street titan JP Morgan Chase and Japan's Nomura Holdings are still awaiting approval. Laws limiting foreign ownership of local financial firms have long stopped global banks from independently operating in China and limited their growth. But Beijing said it would liberalise shareholding limits in the financial services industry last year, soon after US President Donald Trump visited. Officials moved to make good on the pledge in April, immediately allowing foreign investors to take 51 percent stakes in securities firms and fund managers, with pledges set out to eventually allow full control. Earlier this week, two European insurance giants Allianz and Axa received approval to expand their footprint in China -- Allianz has been allowed to start a company fully funded by foreign capital while Axa would take full control of a joint venture. Beijing has pledged to open up its economy as it looks to head off a possible trade tensions have increased with the United States, which accuses it of using unfair practices to get an advantage for its own firms and destroying American jobs. Trump has slapped punishing tariffs on more than $250 billion in Chinese imports so far this year and China responded with its own tariffs on $110 billion in US goods. But the US president has threatened to target the remaining $267 billion worth of Chinese imports as well, hitting Apple iPhones and laptops produced in China. Trump is set to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Argentina on Saturday where they are attending the G20 summit. US President Donald Trump, ahead of a tariffs showdown with China, diverged with G20 partners at summit talks Saturday in refusing to back global action on climate change and by watering down past pledges to fight trade protectionism. A final communique adopted after all-night haggling in the summit in Argentina said all other G20 members agreed to implement the "irreversible" Paris Agreement on climate change, while respecting different paces of economic development. But it said the "United States reiterates its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement," mirroring the divergence seen last year when Trump shocked the global community by bucking the consensus at his first G20. The statement also omitted pledges by the G20 to fight protectionism and uphold multilateral trading rules, which used to be a mainstay of the world's leading economies pre-Trump. Instead, it merely recognized the "contribution" of the "multilateral trading system," and added that it was "falling short" in goals of growth and job creation. Trump's determination to plow on with his "America First" agenda stands in contrast to the alliance-building presidency of George Bush, whose death Friday triggered a rare show of unity from G20 leaders. Trump said his predecessor's passing would prevent him holding a post-summit news conference scheduled for later Saturday, "out of respect" for the Bush family. It was Trump's second cancellation of the summit after he snubbed Russian President Vladimir Putin in Buenos Aires, citing Russia's recent naval skirmish with Ukraine, and he has also downgraded meetings with other G20 leaders to make them less formal. The cancellation means Trump will no longer face press questions over new developments this week stemming from a US investigation into whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia, which has now spread to cover his past business dealings. Other hotspots such as Ukraine also flared up at the two-day summit, although Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received an effusive welcome from Putin, showing the de facto ruler still has friends despite the killing of a dissident Saudi journalist. Financial markets, while hoping for a ceasefire to Trump's trade war with China, were also watching Putin and the prince for any sign that the world's two top exporters of crude might cut output to shore up collapsing oil prices. - Tale of two presidents - Putin meanwhile has been forced to defend Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian vessels off Crimea in meetings with counterparts such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. "The chancellor reiterated her concern about the escalation of the Kerch Strait and her commitment to the freedom of shipping into the Sea of Azov," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said after she met Putin on Saturday. In Buenos Aires, Merkel also paid tribute to Bush as a "true friend" of the German people who helped bring about Germany's reunification after the Berlin Wall came down. Macron, pausing from his attempts to build a G20 front on climate change and from the challenge of violent protests back home, said Bush "was a world leader, who strongly supported the alliance with Europe." British Prime Minister Theresa May echoed Merkel in lauding the late Bush as "a great statesman and a true friend of our country." Trump himself said Bush had "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service." But the current president's isolationist rampage is the polar opposite of the West's post-war consensus on trade and diplomacy built by Bush and his predecessors in the White House. The G20 leaders -- whose nations represent four-fifths of the global economy -- heard warnings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of worldwide upheaval if Trump continues on his tariff-strewn path. IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned the leaders that "the global economy faces a critical juncture" and that erecting trade barriers was "self-defeating." The threat of Britain crashing out of the European Union without a negotiated deal is another potential headwind, the IMF said, as May uses the G20 to sell her vision of a "global Britain" after Brexit. - Dinner diplomacy - The release of the G20 communique meant that the meeting at least avoided the fate of two other recent summits -- those of the Group of Seven democracies and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum -- that ended without any collective statement owing to US objections. But for financial markets, the weekend's main course comes after the summit when Trump is due to sit down to dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires. Trump, who has already slapped $250 billion in tariffs on China and threatened more to come next month, sounded upbeat about making progress with Xi. "We're working very hard. If we could make a deal, that would be good," he said on Friday. Trump has thrown out the traditional US playbook on free trade since his shock 2016 election, vowing to protect forgotten workers and demanding a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico. The three countries signed a new trade deal on Friday, on the G20 margins. The leader of communist China has in turn cast himself as a defender of stable global capitalism. But in a rhetorical olive branch to Trump, Xi pledged at the G20 to do more to open up China's economy. Dolce & Gabbana last week cancelled their Shanghai fashion show in the biggest overseas market for the Milan luxury designer, bowing to public backlash from a controversial advertisement and an Instagram post that offended Chinese consumers. The two founders of their eponymous fashionwear designer apologised in a video post, five days after the fracas first erupted. It was the kind of publicity that no company needs, not least the kind of company whose very livelihood relies on public goodwill. The Italian designer follows a dozen other brands from Japan, France, South Korea and Germany that have found themselves or their nations people being accused of offending the sensitivities of Chinese consumers. The way back from purgatory would require at least six months of public relations, shaving untold millions off revenues, according to retail analysts and consultants familiar with the power and history of Chinas retail boycotts. Foreign brands need to pay particular attention to the thin-face and sensitive nature of Chinese consumers, because they are very sensitive to anything they would consider as a put-down, especially with the perception that China is regaining its historical and rightful place as a global superpower, said Shaun Rein, founder and managing director of China Market Research Group, which helps foreign firms grow and invest in China. There was a feeling that American and European nations looked down upon China, so any impression of mocking the Chinese people or culture would give offence, he said. Dolce & Gabbanas troubles began on November 18 with a video advertising that showed a Chinese model struggling to eat pizza, spaghetti and a cannoli a Sicilian dish of tube-shaped fried pastry filled with ricotta to an Italian voice over. The video was deleted within 24 hours from the designers website after viewers posted criticisms on it. Story continues While the advertisement was derided as tasteless by many, the real anger began after Stefano Gabbanas Instagram chat with model Michele Tranovo was posted online, where the companys co-founder included racist remarks in a rant against China for the backlash stirred by the advertisement. Zhang said she wouldnt attend the show, as did Li Bingbing, while some models reportedly refused to perform. As it became clear that one celebrity guest after another said they would not turn up at the Shanghai runway show on November 21, Dolce & Gabbana scrapped their event. The fashion house is no stranger to risque marketing campaigns, including a 2015 advertising that was banned from Italian publications because its imagery suggested a gang rape in progress. The company is not alone in making cultural or political sensitivity blunders in China. Three months ago, Taiwans Gourmet Master, which earns 62 per cent of its turnover from a chain of bakeries and cafes called 85C on the mainland, caused offence after a report of its gifts to Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen during her visit to California. Tsais political party has been accused of being pro-independence, a stance that offends Chinas claim over the self-ruled island. Chinese consumers called for a boycott, causing Gourmet Masters third-quarter sales to drop 9 per cent on the mainland, while overall profit plunged 41 per cent. The Gap Inc, the San Francisco-based retailer of casual fashion, also found itself on the receiving end of Chinese consumers ire when it sold a T-shirt in May showing a map of China that omitted southern Tibet, Taiwan and the South China Sea, all territories claimed by China on officially sanctioned maps. The company withdrew the T-shirt and destroyed its stock. Three months earlier in May, Mercedes-Benz ran a print advertising featuring one of its luxury sedans with a quote by the 14th Dalai Lama. The carmaker, which operates four ventures in China with Beijing Automotive Industry Holding (BAIC) and BYD, had to issue a full apology for quoting the Tibetan spiritual leader, whos derided as a separatist threat by the Chinese government. And the list goes on, underscoring how the marketeers who want to cash in on Chinas burgeoning consumer market must take basic principles to heart, and let staff who are familiar with local sensitivities take part in the key message, analysts said. More decisions are made centrally, [making it] difficult to keep the right level of sensitivity for local tastes and cultures More decisions are made centrally, [making it] difficult to keep the right level of sensitivity for local tastes and cultures, said OC&C Strategy Consultants partner Pascal Martin. Local management in each market is trained to obey global guidelines and decisions, therefore feeling less and less listened to. In the worst cases, it can affect the quality of the personnel that the brands end up hiring in local markets, often with weaker capacity to make judgment and decisions on whats right or not culturally. Balancing the consistency of a global brand with the nuances and characteristics of local markets is a tough act, Martin said. The balance has swung too far in favour of consistency, because marketeers are under pressure by technology-shortened attention span to enhance the conformity of their communications, products, prices and designs, he said. To be sure, Chinese consumers are not unique in showing nationalistic temperament. Americans have been known to use their spending power to boycott certain imports, like Chinese toys and pet food, citing quality and safety concerns, Rein said. What sets China apart besides the frequency of nationalist boycotts is how foreign companies that are free of cultural faux pas have also been caught up in fracas between the authorities in Beijing with another government. The French hypermarket Carrefour found itself the target of Chinese consumer boycotts in 2008 after supporters of Tibetan independence interrupted a relay of the Olympic torch through the streets of Paris. Carrefours sales fell at 15 of its 112 stores on the mainland. Still, the French luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton appeared to have been spared the brunt of that boycott. Fanned by a government-controlled media, Chinas consumer backlash can sometimes turn violent. Protesters marched through the streets in a dozen cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in 2012 over the Japanese governments plan to nationalise the Senkaku Islands. Located in the East China Sea, these uninhabited islands are known as Diaoyu Islands in China, and claimed by both mainland China and Taiwan. Patrons were accosted and assaulted in Japanese restaurants in Shanghai, while cars made by Nissan, Honda and Toyota were overturned on some streets. Sales by these carmakers plunged for seven consecutive months, as owners were worried that their new purchases of Japanese marques would be targeted by vandals. South Korea also felt the brunt, after the administration of then president Park Geun-hye agreed to deploy the THAAD anti-ballistic missile defence system against North Korean projectiles. Lotte, the South Korean chaebol that employs 60,000 people across 90 businesses on whose land the THAAD systems would be deployed was forced to sell its hypermarket operations in China after protracted consumer boycotts and penalties by the Chinese government. Some industry watchers said Chinese companies had better watch out for missteps as it was only a matter of time before they get caught up in such controversies overseas as they globalise their operations. So far, the most high profile globalisation challenge faced by a Chinese firm involves Huawei Technologies, which has been barred from providing 5G telecoms equipment to mobile operators in the US, Australia and New Zealand because of national security concerns. It is early days for Chinese companies in building global brands they will also need to pay attention to cultural sensitivities as they enter new markets, said St John Moore, partner and head of Beijing at Brunswick, an international business communication consultancy. The rapid destruction of D&Gs brand value in China will be a case study for [companies worldwide] for years to come on marketing missteps, the power of social media, and crisis response in China. China Market Research Groups Rein said that as a big part of major brands marketing campaigns take place online, had D&G tested their advertisement and done market research on it, they would have realised very quickly that its just not acceptable in China. Alina Ma, an associate director at research at market and consumer research firm Mintel, said that employees of foreign brands, whether local or foreign, tend to have natural emotional ties to the brands, which means they could sometimes fail to see potential misunderstanding of their communication messages by the wider local consumer public. Having another pair of eyes outside the organisation could be helpful, she added. But for Rein, D&Gs apology came way too late. This article Dolce & Gabbanas China faux pas shows global brands must tread gently on local sensitivities 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: How the emotional toll on HIV and Aids patients is largely overlooked in Hong Kong society The first time Dean met up with a friend after coming out as HIV-positive, he was greeted with a gloved hand. I was like: Why are you wearing gloves? Its not like were eating fried chicken! says the 26-year-old, who prefers to go only by his first name. The friend was worried about catching the virus from merely interacting with Dean. Instead of getting upset, Dean told his friend that the virus that causes Aids is transmitted in specific ways, such as through sexual contact and blood transfusion. But Dean was not always this positive about his condition. He went through a dark phase following his diagnosis two years ago, when he isolated himself after feeling rejected by his family. Counselling and coming to terms with his situation eventually allowed him to move forward with life. While advancements in medical science have allowed HIV carriers to retain some normalcy in their lives with the help of drugs, it is the psychological toll they face ranging from being treated as pariahs in society to self-stigmatisation that remains. As countries mark World Aids Day on Saturday, experts, support groups and HIV patients in Hong Kong are pushing for more awareness of the disease, in a city and culture which they say, retains gross misconceptions about HIV. Infectious diseases expert Dr Joseph Tsang Kay-yan says: Directly, or indirectly, people living with HIV are likely to experience the effects of the virus at some point in their lives whether its due to the side effects of their medication, or mental health issues. In late 2016, Dean was diagnosed with HIV after developing lesions on his neck, experiencing dramatic weight loss within two weeks, and coming down with flu-like symptoms that did not seem to go away. He was infected through casual sex with another man about two months before his symptoms appeared. He is one of hundreds of Hongkongers diagnosed with HIV yearly. Story continues Since 1984 when Hong Kong saw its first HIV case 9,543 people in the city have been diagnosed with the virus. In the third quarter of 2018, 156 new HIV cases were reported, comprising 133 men and 23 women. Eighty-three of the new cases involved homosexuals or bisexuals, while 29 were heterosexuals. One case was from drug injection, while the others are unknown. From January to September this year, 452 new HIV cases were reported in Hong Kong down 90 cases from the same period last year. Tsang says with the proper use of antiretroviral medication, a person living with HIV today can enjoy a near-normal life expectancy. Compared with more than a decade ago, with proper usage, drugs nowadays are much more effective at suppressing the virus. When the virus is suppressed to the extent that it is undetectable, this allows the immune system of the HIV carrier to build back up, thus contributing to a healthy life expectancy. But activists say stigmatisation and mental health problems remain prevalent in the HIV community. They believe this is partly due to the lack of public awareness, and government support and resources. In a recent episode of popular TVB drama Life on the Line, one of the main characters, who is a paramedic, accidentally pricked herself with an unsterilised needle and was concerned that it might be contaminated with HIV. She then became worried about passing the virus to her family. Activists slammed this TV portrayal as misinformation and scaremongering. When the ratio of HIV health care workers to patients at the clinic is 1 to 122, its hard to imagine how workers can spare enough time for each patient to learn about their specific needs Jim Hoe, AIDS Concern Messages like this can deter people from getting tested for HIV, because the illness is portrayed so negatively. This would do more harm than good, says Johnny Li, a senior programme manager at the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation. HIV treatment is readily available at relevant non-profit organisations and government clinics and hospitals. But one such clinic the Department of Healths Integrated Treatment Centre in Kowloon Bay is manned by only 25 health care workers specialising in HIV and Aids patients. This headcount has remained unchanged since 2010, despite the rising number of HIV patients seeking treatment from the clinic. During the 2016/17 financial year, the clinic saw 3,038 patients almost a twofold increase from the number of patients in the year of 2010/11. Jim Hoe Kwun-hung, an advocacy and community research manager at AIDS Concern, a local NGO that provides Aids care services, says the disproportionate number implies a lack of time for practitioners to interact with their patients. When the ratio of HIV health care workers to patients at the clinic is 1 to 122, its hard to imagine how workers can spare enough time for each patient to learn about their specific needs, he says. The stigma of medication When Dean found out he was HIV-positive, he broke down. I didnt know where to go. I just wanted to go into hiding, he recalls. He told his family about his illness, and while they were never close to begin with, the news made them even more distant. Their first response was rejection. They also told me not to see my grandma because they were worried I would pass her the virus, says Dean of the one family member he has a close relationship with. They also told me not to see my grandma because they were worried I would pass her the virus Dean, HIV carrier Although Deans other family members became more aware about the characteristics of the disease after accompanying him to a consultation at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, it did little to stop him from becoming a recluse. Then 24 and unemployed, he moved away from home. To make ends meet, he took up a part-time job as an e-commerce salesman. I didnt have to see people all that often, which was ideal, he says. I felt like I needed to isolate myself because I was worried I would somehow affect other people. I became very anxious and jittery. I ate by myself and avoided meeting up with friends. When I did meet up with friends, I would sometimes leave halfway because I couldnt stand being in public. Dean also had trouble falling asleep at night. I worried a lot, mainly about whether new friends would accept me and whether I would ever find love, he confesses. In a recent survey of 102 HIV carriers conducted by AIDS Concern, almost half of respondents said they experienced anxiety, and nearly two-thirds felt burdened by the disease. The researchers of the study, which was conducted between April and August this year, believe self-stigmatisation is one cause of mental health issues in people living with HIV. Self-stigmatisation happens because we are social creatures, which is why we often apply other peoples opinions to ourselves, says Li from the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation. It could affect an HIV carriers ability to form and maintain meaningful relationships, as well as their sense of self-worth. Surprisingly, more than one-third of respondents also said they believed antiretroviral medication contributed to their deteriorating mental health. Problems with sleeping, memory, concentration and anxiety are not uncommon side effects of HIV medication, says Tsang, who is also a member of the AIDS Concern board of directors. In more serious cases, conditions include problems with the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system, kidneys, liver and bone density, requiring additional long-term medication to keep these under control, according to Tsang. Self-stigmatisation happens because we are social creatures ... We often apply other peoples opinions to ourselves Johnny Li, Hong Kong AIDS Foundation In Deans case, he experienced nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and tremors, causing him to go off the medication for about three months. He began developing lesions and flu-like symptoms again, and went back on the drugs after persuasion from a friend. I also used to find the act of taking medication really annoying, but now, Ive come to accept it as a part of life, he says. Tsang says the way HIV carriers perceive their drug-taking could also influence their mental well-being as they are constantly reminded of their HIV status. This could cause psychological problems and poor self-esteem, and influence a HIV carrier to turn to soft drugs, such as sleeping pills, antidepressants or even alcohol, to cope with mental issues, Tsang says. The use of soft drugs could put them at risk of forgetting their HIV medication. Mental health issues in HIV carriers must not be underestimated. For now, the physical side effects from Deans medication have worn off, and he overcame his insomnia with sleeping pills prescribed by a doctor. The road ahead Earlier this year, Dean finally moved back in with his family, who have grown to accept his condition. Theyre just happy to see me out and about again, he says. Dean stepped out of his shell after seeking help from a psychiatrist at Queen Elizabeth hospital. He says he realised he needed to take the first step to find a solution to his problem. The doctor said I was just too worried and encouraged me not to restrict myself to my own thoughts and beliefs because they may not be true. So, I started doing more research on HIV and seeking advice from medical experts. Although he claims to be open about his HIV status, he admits he was afraid to be upfront about his condition when he met L a man he fell in love with. I didnt tell him directly because I didnt know how he would react, Dean says. But I did drop hints, like telling him I was going to get a refill of my medicine. Within a few months of getting to know each other, L and Dean went their separate ways. I dont know where he has gone, but I guess he somehow found out about my status, and is afraid, Dean says. As the medical sector continues to develop HIV medication with fewer and milder side effects, activists insist it is up to the government to take the lead in addressing the stigma surrounding the HIV community. Government-run clinics shouldnt just be a source of medicine, but also a pillar of support for the HIV community, says Tsang. Government-run clinics shouldnt just be a source of medicine, but also a pillar of support for the HIV community Dr Joseph Tsang, infectious disease expert Public health care providers should give HIV carriers the time they need to talk about their issues so their problems dont go unnoticed. To achieve this, AIDS Concern suggests allocating more public health funding to develop a better psychological support system for HIV and Aids patients. Meanwhile, the AIDS Foundation says existing government funding for non-profit Aids organisations should also be reviewed. Currently, government funding for the foundation is provided on a yearly basis. Its not like we can tell our beneficiaries: Well help you now, but were not sure if we can still help you next year. Without continuity in funding, we may not be able to cater to the ever-changing needs of our service users, says the foundations Li. The lack of consistent funding will also affect the long-term development of our public awareness campaigns. In the meantime, AIDS Concern urges the HIV community to fight self-stigmatisation by seeking help from trusted sources when necessary, staying attuned to their emotions, keeping themselves busy, engaging in regular exercise, and doing what they love. Dean says HIV has driven him to make the most of life. Currently unemployed, he is now contemplating a career in the social welfare sector and has been volunteering at various charitable organisations. Eventually, he wants to help others like him, and whoever needs help. I wont let HIV get in the way of my passion for life Im unstoppable, he says. Believe in yourself, have hope, and know that youre worthy of love. This article How the emotional toll on HIV and Aids patients is largely overlooked in Hong Kong society first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. More from South China Morning Post: By Luke Baker and Sybille de La Hamaide PARIS (Reuters) - Groups of young men, their faces masked and some carrying metal bars and axes, rioted through the streets of central Paris on Saturday, setting a dozen vehicles ablaze and torching buildings, unleashing the city's worst urban unrest for years. Near the Ritz hotel, not far from high-end boutiques and restaurants, and in the avenues off the Arc de Triomphe, where several foreign embassies are located, gangs of violent protesters ran riot, setting a police van on fire and overturning cars. At least two buildings were aflame. Near the Ritz hotel, Christmas trees decorating the streets were upended and piled in the middle of an avenue and set alight, prompting chanting from scores of protesters. Youths tried to smash through the windows of the flagship Apple Store on the Champs Elysees which opened just a few weeks ago. A boutique on the Rue Rivoli was broken into and looted. Police said several hundred far-right and far-left extremists had infiltrated a demonstration by some 5,000 "yellow vest" protesters, who had gathered in the capital to denounce President Emmanuel Macron's fuel tax increases. "We are in a state of insurrection, I've never seen anything like it," Jeanne d'Hauteserre, the mayor of the 8th city district, near the Arc de Triomphe, told BFM TV. It is the third week of national unrest by the movement -- named after the high-visibility jackets that all motorists in France must carry in their vehicles -- and the second consecutive weekend of violent disturbance in Paris. As night descended on the city, there were overturned vehicles in flames around the Arc de Triomphe, an assault rifle had been stolen by protesters from a police van, and fires were burning in popular tourists areas such as Opera. Around Saint Lazare station, the windows of a bank were smashed before police on horseback moved down the main street, pushing protesters back. A branch of an insurance company was sprayed with graffiti reading "Macron in prison". Story continues In other areas, there appeared to be very little police presence. Reuters reporters on the streets witnessed masked young men smashing the windows of a police van and then setting it alight. Firemen arrived to douse the flames. But only minutes later, another group of young men arrived, and after failing to overturn the van they detonated firecrackers inside it, causing a series of explosions. Tourists near the famed Galeries Lafayette department store were alarmed by the uncontrolled outpouring of violence. "We went to the Galeries Lafayette as we thought we would be safe there but then we were evacuated by staff and security," said Tina Holten, a 35-year-old visitor from Denmark. "We felt safe inside but now that we are outside we are very scared. We can't find anywhere to go." On the Rue de la Paix, one of Paris's most expensive shopping streets, piles of Christmas trees were left smouldering after firemen put out at least three blazes. The jewellery stores and fashion boutiques were locked up, but colourful Christmas decorations on the street were still sparkling. The U.S. embassy issued a statement urging citizens to be careful, saying that "violent clashes between police and protesters" continued in at least three of Paris's 20 districts, known as arrondissements. "Avoid all demonstrations, seek shelter in the vicinity of clashes, follow instructions of security personnel," it said. It was unclear what plans the police had to shut down the roving groups of protesters. Near the Arc de Triomphe, they moved in to try to control the violence, but in other areas of the city, there was next to no presence of security forces. It is the worst unrest the city has seen since at least 2005, when the outskirts of the capital were in flames over tension between the police and the youth of poor suburbs known as "banlieus", demonstrating over deaths of two young people. (Additional reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Leigh Thomas; Writing by Luke Baker; Editing by Peter Graff) Hong Kong should adopt a liberal and pragmatic approach as it seizes business opportunities under Beijings initiative to turn the city and 10 of its neighbours into an economic powerhouse rivalling Silicon Valley, or risk being left behind by its mainland partners. Leaders and experts from the local commercial sector also urged authorities to roll out more measures and tax incentives to improve the business environment in the region, as, they said, Hong Kong cannot afford to be left alone under the plan. The remarks were made on Friday by five speakers in a panel discussion on whether the Greater Bay Area plan will benefit Hong Kong, in the latest edition of the Redefining Hong Kong Debate Series organised by the South China Morning Post. Under Beijings ambitious project, Hong Kong, Macau and nine Guangdong cities will be integrated into a financial and technological hub to compete with other bay areas in the US and Japan. While business and professional sectors hailed the plan, opinion polls have shown that Hong Kong residents are relatively sceptical about it citing worries over the uncertainties of integration and whether it would compromise the citys semi-autonomous status and civil liberties. Albert Ng, EYs China chairman and Greater China managing partner, said Hong Kong needs to change its mindset to succeed and thrive under the plan. In a reference to Beijings governing policy which guarantees Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy, Ng said: One country, two systems still benefits Hong Kong: rule of law, exchange control, professional people, and an established financial market ... How can we use that for other locations in Guangdong? Ng added that people need to visit the mainland and try to benefit from it rather than just looking at it negatively and miss the opportunity. Witman Hung, the principal liaison officer for Hong Kong at the Qianhai Authority the governing body of Shenzhens financial hub, agreed that rather than being overtly cautious, local companies should be pragmatic and learn from the experience of Chinas economic reforms and opening up in the last 40 years. Story continues There were trials and errors and setbacks ... Lets do cross the river by feeling the stones, he said, citing a famous quote from Chinas late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping. Hung, a Hong Kong deputy to Chinas legislature, also echoed Ngs point that the Bay Area project is not about competition, but cities leveraging each other in a fair way. However, Denis Ma, head of research at JLL Hong Kong, argued that the onus is on the government to come up with more supportive measures than simply expecting companies to be courageous. When you read primary and secondary schoolbooks, you dont see a lot of history about modern Hong Kong, and contemporary China Joseph Chan, Silk Road Economic Development On its own, southern China is a great growth story. I think the GBA is just kind of more like a turbo charge ... For it to be successful, you really want to make it a lot easier for cross-border flows of capital, people, mobility, and also information and goods, Ma proposed. Dr Yifan Hu, chief China economist at UBS Global Wealth Management, said trade and tax are two other areas that authorities should work on. The Hong Kong tax rate is about 17 per cent, but in the mainland its 45 per cent ... Differences [like this] made it quite hard to have high-quality rapid growth. So what the government can do is maybe make this bay area a free trade zone, and set up some blueprints for the area as experiments, she suggested. But Joseph Chan Nap-kee, chairman of the Hong Kong-based Silk Road Economic Development Research Centre, said public education was also needed to change the negative perceptions about integration. It has something to do with education. We talk about the mainland and talk about China as if Hong Kong is not part of it ... When you read primary and secondary schoolbooks, you dont see a lot of history about modern Hong Kong, and contemporary China. Thats something I believe we have to improve on, Chan said. This article Make Greater Bay Area opportunities easier to avail of to spur citys success, experts tell Hong Kong authorities first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Chinese authorities have issued air pollution warnings across the north, northwest and east of the country, with heavy smog expected to shroud 79 cities this weekend. It is forecast to peak on Sunday evening and Monday morning, and the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre said it could take four days for the pollutants to clear amid humid and static weather. The warnings come as the thick smog that descended last weekend across many of these cities had only just started to clear. Affected areas include Beijing and Tianjin municipalities, Hebei, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong, Henan and Shaanxi provinces as well as the Yangtze River Delta. Red air pollution warnings the highest of three alerts, indicating the Air Quality Index will exceed 300 for more than three days have been issued for five cities in those areas. The index measures levels of PM2.5, the tiny, breathable airborne particles that are deemed particularly harmful to health. The red alert means factories considered to be heavy polluters will have to shut down and there will also be restrictions on motorists. In Beijing, a yellow warning has been issued the lowest level, meaning the index is likely to top 200 for more than two days. Conditions are expected to worsen in the Chinese capital from Saturday evening, and schools and education facilities have been ordered to cancel any sporting or outdoor events. Ministry of Ecology and Environment spokesman Liu Youbin on Friday said Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and the surrounding regions had been affected by four periods of heavy air pollution in November alone. He said that while the weather affected air pollution, the fundamental cause was industrial emissions and lifestyle factors. The basic reason is that the level of emissions is excessive, Liu said, calling for more efforts to curb pollution year-round. Story continues The government has said it will be less severe with its pollution curbs this winter as it grapples with slower economic growth and the trade war with the United States. Last winter, it imposed blanket bans on industrial production in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, which is often the worst affected by choking smog. But in September the environment ministry said it would let steel plants continue producing as long as their emissions met standards. It revised down targets for overall emission cuts for the region and surrounding areas over autumn and winter, with 28 cities expected to cut levels of PM2.5 by about 3 per cent from a year ago less than the 5 per cent proposed in an initial plan seen by the South China Morning Post in August. This winters plan also sets a 3 per cent reduction target also revised down from 5 per cent in the draft for the number of days of severe air pollution in those northern cities from October 1 to March 31. This article Heavy smog expected to blanket 79 cities across north, northwest and east of China first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. ROME (Reuters) - Italy's foreign minister summoned Egypt's ambassador on Friday and urged Cairo to respect its commitment to move quickly and bring to justice those responsible for the murder of Giulio Regeni, a statement said. Regeni, a 28-year-old PhD student, was killed in Cairo in January 2016. Despite months of cooperation between Egyptian and Italian prosecutors, nobody has been arrested or charged over the killing. "Minister (Enzo) Moavero expressed Italy's need to see concrete investigative developments," said the foreign ministry statement. It added that there was "strong disquiet" in Rome over the way the case was being handled. The statement said the Egyptian ambassador had assured Moavero that Cairo's determination to "shed light on the case cannot be questioned". The envoy added that investigators in Egypt were committed to pursuing their inquiry "despite the difficulties encountered", the ministry said. Egyptian and Italian prosecutors met earlier this week to discuss the state of the investigation, but judicial sources in Rome said the Cairo team failed to deliver a promised breakthrough. Frustrated by the lack of progress, Italy will next week place under official investigation at least two members of Egypt's security forces over their alleged involvement in the disappearance of Regeni, judicial sources said on Thursday. In a largely symbolic move, the president of Italy's lower house of parliament has said he will suspend ties with Egypt's parliament until there is progress in Cairo towards resolving the case. In response, Egypt's parliament said on Friday it regretted what it called the Italian chamber's hasty decision to anticipate the results of the investigation. "The house of representatives affirms that the Egyptian state has a firm interest in disclosing the circumstances of the killing of Mr Regeni, since the incident happened on its territory," said a statement carried by state news agency MENA. Story continues Egyptian officials have repeatedly denied any involvement in Regeni's death. The general prosecutor's office in Cairo said it had no comment to make beyond a statement it issued on Wednesday following the meeting between the two teams of investigators. That statement said the two sides had agreed "investigations are going well" and that they would "do everything in their power to find the perpetrators". Being placed under official investigation in Italy does not imply guilt and does not automatically lead to a trial. The two security forces members will be investigated for allegedly kidnapping Regeni. No one is being placed under investigation at this point for torturing or killing Regeni, the sources said. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer and Omar Fahmy; Editing by Steve Scherer and David Stamp) US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Saturday blasted Moscow following the Russian navy's "brazen" violation of a waterway treaty with Kiev and the seizure of three Ukrainian vessels. Speaking of a 2003 agreement governing the Kerch Strait between the Azov Sea and Black Sea, Mattis said Moscow had shown "brazen contempt and dismissal" for the deal "that allowed both Russian and Ukrainian ships free passage." Mattis was speaking before an audience at a defense forum in California, a day after President Donald Trump went out of his way to dodge Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, citing the capture of the Ukrainian ships. The defense chief's remarks represent some of the strongest reaction to date by the US over the incident. Last week, US Ambassador Nikki Haley to the UN accused Russia of "outlaw actions" and an "outrageous violation of sovereign Ukrainian territory" while addressing an emergency meeting of the Security Council. Tensions between Ukraine and Russia spiked on November 25 when Russian forces opened fire on and seized three Ukrainian navy vessels, detaining the 24 crew members. It was the first open military confrontation between the rivals since 2014, when Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and pro-Russian separatists in the east entered into conflict with Ukrainian forces. Mattis also blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for President Donald Trump's decision in October to withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). "We are dealing with Putin's duplicitous violation of the INF treaty," he said, noting that while the US remains in compliance, Russia does not. "We will re-energize our arms control efforts, but the onus is on Russia," he said. Tear gas floats in the air as protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers to protest against higher diesel taxes, demonstrate in Paris on Saturday (1 December). (PHOTO: Reuters) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued a travel notice for France amid continuing protests in the country over its governments fuel tax. Approximately 282,000 and 106,000 people took part in marches and demonstrations on 17 and 24 November, respectively, according to the Frances Ministry of the Interior. More protestors are expected to take to the streets on the weekend of 1 and 2 December 2018. Traffic disruptions, violence and other disturbances cannot be ruled out, said the MFA in a statement on Saturday (1 December). In light of this, Singaporeans who are travelling to or are already in France are advise to avoid large gatherings and demonstrations; monitor local media for developments; and heed the instructions of local authorities, it added. Additional travel time should also be factored in as public transport may be disrupted. Travellers advised to register with MFA The MFA also encouraged Singaporeans in France to register themselves online at https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/ so that they can be contacted should the need arise. Travellers are also advised to purchase travel and medical insurance. Those in need of consular assistance can contact the following: US economic sanctions will provoke the fall of President Daniel Ortega's regime if the autocratic leader doesn't implement democratic reforms demanded by Washington, analysts say. Already subject to US sanctions himself, Ortega's vice-president wife Rosario Murillo and national security advisor Nestor Moncada were hit with sanctions on November 27 as Washington stepped up the pressure on a regime accused of human rights abuses and authoritarian rule. Rights groups say at least 320 people have been killed in a brutal government crackdown launched in response to the escalation in April of street protests, initially against a now-ditched pension reform. Washington has approved measures that will see it oppose international loans to Nicaragua until Ortega enacts reforms that guarantee free and fair elections, strengthens the rule of law, combats corruption and protects basic rights such as free speech. The US measures "are aimed at provoking the social implosion of the government's foundation, both at a central and municipal level," said sociologist Oscar Vargas. He says the sanctions would create "a scenario in which the economy would fall into a deep recession." Growth projections for this year have been slashed to just one percent from 4.9 percent prior to the outbreak of trouble in April. The United States is the Central American country's most important trading partner, the destination of more than half of its exports and the source of 50 percent of remittances sent home by Nicaraguans living abroad. - Ortega will 'bury' regime - Retired general Hugo Torres says Ortega cannot afford to ignore the US pressure, including Washington's assertion that Nicaragua is a threat to US security. To do so would be to sign his own political death warrant. The US measures "are hugely serious because they are expressed in economic ways as they will subject the country and Ortega's regime to all types of economic sanctions," Torres told a local newspaper. Ortega first came to power in 1979 as a leader of the leftist Sandinista rebels that toppled the US-backed Somoza family dictatorship. After leaving office in 1990 he returned to power in 2007. Nicaragua's influential Catholic Church has been attempting to mediate between the regime and opposition, which wants Ortega to resign -- but the president walked away from those talks in May and has stubbornly refused to resume them. In the meantime he is increasing pressure on opponents that he describes as criminals and terrorists. "Until now Ortega's reaction to the protests and international pressure has been to increase repression and harden his position, to such an extent that he's established a police state and virtual state of siege," said Torres. "We hope he'll react (to US pressure) and understand that if he continues down this path, the only thing that will happen is he will bury his party and every possibility that his regime survives politically." While the Nicaraguan army has so far kept out of the crisis, Torres says it "should be very worried and advising (the government) to stop this maelstrom of repression and reestablish democracy." - 'Major crisis' - For former foreign minister, Francisco Aguirre, Nicaragua is "going through a major crisis in its relationship" with the United States, and "that's extremely worrying." But Vargas isn't expecting the president to change. "Ortega is living in a parallel universe," he recently wrote in a study on Nicaragua's economy, society and politics. Vargas feels that "only a long, hard and heroic popular mobilization" could force out the president. "We're living in a permanent state of terror," he said. Opposition politician and former diplomat Mauricio Diaz told AFP that he holds little hope of Ortega agreeing to restart talks. Instead he sees the 73-year-old leader "feeding the conflict, something we could call the Cubanization of Nicaragua." The "Bolivarian axis" -- which includes Venezuela and Cuba, a trio that US National Security Advisor John Bolton has described as a "troika of tyranny" -- has a "shared strategy that the government must resist" outside pressure "even if the population pays the consequences," Diaz said. Nicaragua has branded the US sanctions as imperialist interference with Murillo vowing that the "revolution will reach 40" next year. "We're unbreakable!" A hardline cleric has been charged with terrorism and sedition offences by the Pakistani government, after he led violent protests to oppose the acquittal of a Christian woman from blasphemy charges, a minister said Saturday. Firebrand cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi and his party Tehreek-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) held furious protests after the Supreme Court overturned the death penalty for Asia Bibi in October. Demonstrators blocked major roads in protest, burning cars and buses, and leaving large swathes of the country paralysed as they called for her execution to be carried out. Rizvi was detained on November 24 after police launched a crackdown on hundreds of his supporters in Punjab province and the port city of Karachi. Fawad Chaudhry, federal minister for information and broadcasting told reporters in Islamabad that sedition and terrorism charges had been made against Khadim Rizvi and other TLP leaders. During the violent protests, one leader of TLP called for mutiny against the military chief, the murder of the judges who acquitted Asia Bibi, and branded Prime Minister Imran Khan as a "son of Jews." Chaudhry said these charges can carry a life term in prison. "Other people who were directly involved in destruction of properties, insulting women and snatching their purses, burning buses, have been charged in terrorism cases," he said, saying more than 3,000 people had been arrested in connection with the TLP protests. The government signed an agreement with the protesters at that time to bring about a quick end to protests -- but launched a crackdown a few weeks later when the TLP threatened to launch another protest. Blasphemy is a hugely inflammatory issue in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where even unproven allegations of insulting Islam and Prophet Mohammed can lead to lynchings and murders. Bibi's conviction stemmed from a 2009 incident when she was asked to fetch water while out working in the fields. Muslim women labourers objected to her touching the water bowl as a non-Muslim, and a fight reportedly erupted. A local imam then claimed Bibi insulted the Prophet Mohammed. Bibi has consistently denied the charges, and her prosecution rallied international rights groups, politicians and religious figures. She spent eight years on death row before the Supreme Court decision to free her. Anti-government protesters torched dozens of cars and set fire to storefronts during daylong clashes with riot police across central Paris on Saturday, as thousands took part in fresh "yellow vest" protests against high fuel taxes. Officers responded with tear gas after being targeted by protesters hurling rocks and other projectiles on the third weekend of demonstrations which have morphed into a broader rebuke of French President Emmanuel Macron. Smoke engulfed several shopping districts as the violence spread from the Arc de Triomphe, where crowds had gathered earlier hoping to march down the Champs-Elysees. While several dozens were allowed into the avenue after an ID check and search, many others -- some wearing gas masks or ski goggles -- remained behind and fought police manning barricades and water cannons. Protesters then led police on cat-and-mouse chases through other parts of the capital, setting cars and construction equipment alight and smashing windows. An assault rifle was stolen from a police vehicle, a source told AFP, though it was unclear if it was loaded. One person was in a critical condition after protesters pulled down one of the huge iron gates of the Tuileries garden facing the famed Louvre museum, crushing several people. "Those responsible for this violence don't want change or improvement, they want chaos," President Emmanuel Macron said in Buenos Aires where he was attending the G20 summit. Macron added that he had convened a meeting with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner and other top officials in Paris on Sunday after his return from Argentina. "No cause justifies that authorities are attacked, that businesses are plundered, that passers-by or journalists are threatened or that the Arc de Triomphe is defiled," he said. Philippe said the violence was "incredibly shocking" during a visit evening to a police barracks on Saturday evening. Authorities said at least 287 people were arrested in Paris and 110 injured, including 17 of the 5,000 police officers mobilised for the protests. Nearly 190 fires were put out and six buildings were set alight, the interior ministry said. - 'Idiots who come to fight' - An estimated 75,000 demonstrators, most of them peaceful, were counted across the country in the afternoon, the interior ministry said. The number was well below the first day of protests on November 17, which attracted around 282,000 people, and also down from the 106,000 who turned out last Saturday. Acrid plumes of smoke and tear gas, however, were testament to the escalation in violence in Paris, to the consternation of many of the "yellow vests", so-called for the high-visibility jackets they wear. Along the opulent Avenue Foch near the Arc de Triomphe, home to embassies and luxury residences, protesters ripped out benches to form a blockade, one person waving a skull-and-bones pirate flag. Interior Minister Castaner attributed the violence to "specialists in sowing conflict, specialists in destruction". He did not rule out imposing a state of emergency -- a demand made by the police union Alliance -- declaring: "Nothing is taboo for me. I am prepared to examine everything." "We're a peaceful movement, but we're disorganised -- it's a mess because we don't have a leader," said Dan Lodi, a 68-year-old pensioner on the Champs-Elysees. "You always have some idiots who come to fight, but they don't represent us at all." - 'Macron has to listen' - Stores and restaurants along the Champs-Elysees as well as surrounding streets had boarded up windows, anticipating a repeat of the clashes last Saturday which Macron compared to "war scenes". Chantal, a 61-year-old pensioner, said she was avoiding the "hooligans" but was determined to send Macron a message on the rising costs of living. "He has to come down off his pedestal," she said under rain in the Champs-Elysees. "Every month I have to dip into my savings." The "yellow vest" movement erupted on social media in October and has since become a wider protest against Macron, who is accused of failing to recognise the rising cost of living that has left many struggling. The countrywide protests have included many pensioners and have been most active in small urban and rural areas where demonstrators blocked roads, closed motorway toll booths, and even walled up the entrance to tax offices. Two people have died and dozens have been injured in the rallies, which opinion polls suggest still attract the support of two out of three French people. Attempts by the government to negotiate with the grassroots movement have failed, in large part because representatives have insisted on public talks broadcast on TV. Macron has sought to douse the anger by promising three months of nationwide talks on how best to transform France into a low-carbon economy without penalising the poor. He also vowed to slow the rate of increase in fuel taxes if international oil prices rise too rapidly but only after a tax hike due in January. By Yereth Rosen ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - A powerful earthquake jolted southern Alaska on Friday morning, buckling roads, disrupting rush-hour traffic and jamming telephone service in and around Anchorage, the state's largest city, but there were no reports of serious injuries. The 7.0 magnitude quake struck about 8 miles (13 km) north of Anchorage, a city of 300,000 residents accounting for about 40 percent of Alaska's population, and was followed by dozens of aftershocks that continued to rattle nerves throughout the day. Public schools and many businesses across Anchorage closed early, and an eerie quiet settled over the city's largely deserted streets by nightfall. At least two local television stations were briefly knocked off the air by the tremor, which some people said sounded like a roar of gunfire. Roads and bridges appeared to have been hardest hit, but Anchorage was otherwise mostly spared from major structural damage, authorities said. Power outages and disruption of phone service were widespread. City Fire Chief Jodie Hettrick said two small, older buildings had collapsed, and that her department responded to several structure fires. Emergency medical personnel answered 56 calls in the hours immediately after the temblor, although none involved serious injuries, Hettrick said. "The fact that we went through something this significant with this minimal amount of damage says that we're a very well-prepared community, that our building codes and our building professionals have done a terrific job," Mayor Ethan Berkowitz told an earlier news conference. The initial quake produced strong shaking within a 30-mile (50-km) radius of its epicenter, with ground movement felt as far away as Fairbanks, 250 miles (400 km) to the north, and Kodiak, roughly the same distance to the south, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). "Thought the house was going to come apart," Anchorage-based climatologist Brian Brettschneider wrote on Twitter, posting a photo showing his kitchen floor scattered with items that had tumbled out of cupboards. Story continues Elena Alfred, a young mother, described to Reuters how her 3-year-old son was nearly struck by a falling television at a friend's apartment as the walls shuddered through the quake. "I took him just in time before the TV fell on him," she recounted from an emergency shelter, where she took the boy and his two younger siblings afterwards. "They were scared. They kept crying," she said. A tsunami warning was issued for Cook Inlet, linking Anchorage with the Gulf of Alaska, but was later canceled. The Trans Alaska Pipeline, which carries crude oil 800 miles (1,300 km) from the North Slope to a marine terminal at Valdez, was shut down for about seven hours as a precaution, but no damage to the system was detected, said a spokeswoman for the operator, Aleyska Pipeline Service Co. The quake apparently stemmed from an unnamed fault 27 miles (43 km) deep inside a portion of the Earth's crust known as the Pacific Plate, where it bends underneath the North American Plate, USGS geophysicist Brian Kilgore told Reuters. Kilgore said only 15 or 16 quakes of magnitude 6 or greater have been recorded during the past century in the same region. "SCARY DAY" Morning rush-hour traffic in Anchorage came to a standstill as authorities closed the only two highways in and out of town, and commuters struggled to make their way back home from a workday cut short by the 8:30 a.m. (12:30 EST/1730 GMT) quake. Governor Bill Walker issued a disaster declaration, calling it a "scary day for Alaska." Walker later recounted an unsettling elevator ride down from his 17th-floor office just as the quake began. "It did stop. That was good. Then it started. That wasn't good," he told reporters. "It made a lot of noise and slapped around cables and all that was going on, and it was a moment of wondering. .... But it was a pretty rough ride coming down." President Donald Trump declared a federal emergency, ordering U.S. government assistance in the earthquake response and authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts, the White House said. Strong earthquakes are not uncommon in seismically active Alaska but tend to occur in remote, sparsely populated regions. Alaska has recorded earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 7 to 8 at least once a year on average since 1900, according to the state government website. Southern Alaska was hit by a devastating 9.2 tremor in 1964, the world's second-most powerful earthquake on record. Images posted on social media showed supermarket floors strewn with spilled merchandise. A photo posted by a reporter at TV station KTVA showed a deserted newsroom scattered with debris and a partially collapsed ceiling. The website for KTUU-TV featured a photo of a snow-covered highway that had buckled, with a car sitting between two deep fissures crossing the highway. Sporting events were called off for the weekend, and Anchorage public schools were to remain closed until Wednesday to allow for safety inspections. (Reporting by Yereth Rosen in Anchorage; Additional reporting by Gabriella Borter in New York and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Writing by Peter Szekely in New York; Editing by Bill Tarrant, Leslie Adler and Tom Hogue) The six-month trial has been launched with all Asias eyes on the country Singapore launches an on-demand public bus service that uses technology that hopefully will reduce traffic congestion and costs with a model that can be implemented throughout many Asian gridlocked cities, reported by Reuters. In a statement released by the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA), commuters can request pickups and drop-offs at any bus stop within a designated area all through a mobile app with the bus system the country tries. The technology it uses is claimed to optimize limited resources while offering convenient bus journeys for commuters in areas or during timings with low or unpredictable ridership. Also Read: Hong Kongs Steadview Capital joins Indian startup UrbanClaps US$50M funding The test drives wide attention because it comes at a pressing time due to the same traffic congestion problems many big cities are experiencing. It has gotten to the point where it affects the commuters lives as it drains resources and productivity, and worsens pollution. The ride-hailing trend with the likes of Uber, Grab, Lyft, and other big names dominating the market and setting up new lifestyles turns out to contribute to the congestion problem, even after strict regulations by each countrys authorities. This test has been run in parts of New York and Chicago before launching in Singapore. However, some came back with a negative result as it got costly for the city, like in Helsinki, Finland. According to Walter Theseira, a transport specialist at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. the higher density of 5.6 million people living in Singapore alone makes Singapore a potentially good, economically feasible ground for the technology to work. Also Read: Malaysias alternative education provider Me.reka raises US$380K in crowdfunding via pitchIN Theseira, furthermore, emphasized how strict regulations in the country for private transport have caused the house high costs for private alternatives, making the on-demand bus technology all the more attractive. Photo by Ant Rozetsky on Unsplash The post Singapore to combat traffic congestion with on-demand public bus service appeared first on e27. Slovakia's prime minister clashed with the defence ministry on Friday over a deal to acquire US-made F-16 war planes in what is slated as the NATO member's biggest military purchase. The defence ministry announced Friday that it had concluded three agreements to buy 14 Lockheed Martin-made warplanes plus arms and training valued at 1.58 billion euros ($1.8 billion). Hours later, Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini issued a statement saying that the contracts were invalid because they had not been approved by the finance ministry. "Premier Pellegrini considers the contracts regarding the purchase of F-16 fighters signed earlier in the day by the defence ministry to be invalid for the moment, as the finance ministry still hasn't approved the deal," a statement said. The defence ministry is headed by Peter Gajdos from the hard-right Slovak National Party (SNS), a junior coalition partner to Pellegrini's populist left SD-Smer Social Democracy. Analysts suggested Friday that the clash was likely rooted in an internal power struggle within the coalition. A former communist NATO and eurozone member of 5.4 million people, Slovakia is seeking to replace its ageing fleet of Soviet-designed, Russian made MiG-29 fighter jets. The US State Department approved the F-16 deal in April. Pellegrini's government had formally decided in July to go ahead with the purchase. Switzerland on Friday activated a plan to protect its stock market should European Union not renew the Swiss stock exchange's access to the bloc's single market. The European Commission announced late last year that it would limit to one year its recognition of the so-called equivalence of Swiss trading platforms, which is essential to allow European banks and investors to continue to trade in the Alpine country. The deadline for the EU to grant the renewal is December 31. In a decision that infuriated Bern, Brussels had tied the renewal to progress on simplifying Switzerland's complex bilateral ties with the EU. Earlier this week, the EU said there had not been enough progress to justify a renewal of the equivalence. In a statement, Bern said it had no choice but to act. "The market needs clarity in order to adapt to the various scenarios in good time," Switzerland's Federal Council said in a statement. Under the plan which came into force on Friday, Switzerland is requiring all foreign trading platforms which allow trading of Swiss shares to apply for formal "recognition" from Bern. The measure is designed to create a way for EU based platforms to still trade shares on the Swiss exchange, even without approval from Brussels. The plan will be voided if Brussels renews the Swiss market's equivalence status before the end of the year. "It is designed in such a way that it has no practical effect if the European Commission extends the stock market equivalence before the end of 2018," the government statement said. It stressed that Bern "continues to believe that Switzerland meets all the conditions for unrestricted recognition by the EU." The European Commission, which handles the negotiations with Bern for the EU, said it "taken note" of Switzerland's decision. "We will examine and assess the situation ... and discuss possible next steps ... in the coming days and weeks," a statement added. Some have speculated that the EU is driving a particularly hard bargain given the ongoing Brexit talks and that issue may be easier to resolve if Brexit tensions ease. Switzerland's complex ties with Brussels are sewn together through a mixture of deals on trade, labour, migration and other issues. The Bern-Brussels relationship suffered a heavy blow in 2014 when Swiss voters backed a proposal calling for the re-introduction of migrant quotas, which could have limited the number of EU citizens working in Switzerland. The Swiss parliament in 2016 approved a modified version of that plan to pacify EU relations. Ukraine on Friday barred Russian men aged 16-60 from entry as tensions mounted between the two countries over Moscow's seizure of three Ukrainian ships last week. The move came after Kiev imposed martial law in border regions this week in response to the Russian seizure of the ships and 24 sailors off Moscow-annexed Crimea. The incident was the most dangerous in years between the ex-Soviet neighbours -- who are locked in conflict over Russian-backed separatist regions -- and has raised fears of a wider escalation. "As of today, entry is restricted for foreigners -- in the first instance for male citizens of the Russian Federation age 16 to 60," the head of the border service Petro Tsyhykal said at a meeting with President Petro Poroshenko that was broadcast live. Poroshenko said the restriction will not apply to "humanitarian cases". Moscow slammed the move, but said it will not impose similar restrictions on Ukrainians. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the decision was part of the "ill-conceived, wild direction" of the Ukrainian leadership. She told a press briefing Friday that to try and mirror the travel ban "would lead to some kind of insanity". Belarus, which has become a transit point between the two countries since direct flights between Kiev and Moscow were suspended in 2015, said Friday that Ukraine had barred entry for 144 Russians this week. "Different airports in Ukraine banned entry to a total of 50 Russians arriving from Belarus in one day," a representative of the Belarusian border service told Russian agencies. "Thus, since the start of the week, 144 Russian citizens travelling via different airlines, including foreign ones, have returned to (Belarus') capital Minsk." - Ukrainian sailors 'taken' to Moscow - Moscow and Kiev have traded angry accusations since Russian navy vessels fired on, boarded and captured the three Ukrainian ships last Sunday. Courts in Crimea sentenced the 24 Ukrainian sailors to two months detention, despite international calls for their release. US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned meeting at the G20 summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over Moscow's detention of the sailors. Russia insists they crossed into Russian waters illegally, with Putin saying the border guards "fulfilled their military duty" in seizing the ships. Crimea's human rights ombudsman Lyudmila Lubina on Friday told Russian media that the sailors have been transferred from Crimean jails to Moscow. Ukraine has called their detention "illegal". Kiev imposed martial law for 30 days in 10 regions that border Russia, the Black Sea and the Azov Sea on Wednesday. The decision came after Poroshenko warned of a build-up of Russian tanks near Ukraine's borders, escalating the most dangerous crisis in years between the ex-Soviet neighbours. Ukraine, which has said it fears it is now under threat of a "total war" from Moscow, this week launched military drills in the Sea of Azov, with soldiers role-playing repelling a Russian attempt to land on the coast. European leaders this week rebuffed calls from Ukraine for greater support against Russia, after Kiev urged NATO to send ships into waters disputed with Moscow. German Chancellor Angela Merkel asked Kiev to be "sensible" following the request from Poroshenko, just hours after the European Union failed to agree to threaten new sanctions against Moscow. But, while blaming Russia for tensions, Merkel showed no signs of being ready to back military support. Ukraine has also urged Western governments to impose more sanctions on Russia over the incident. EU President Donald Tusk said Friday he was "sure" the bloc will roll over its sanctions on Russia next month because of Moscow's "aggression in Ukraine". "The escalation in the Sea of Azov is a cause of great concern to us. Russia's use of force against Ukrainian ships is unacceptable," Tusk told reporters before the start of the G20 summit in Argentina. "Europe is united in its support to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is why I am sure that the EU will roll over sanctions against Russia in December," he added. NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said the issue would be raised at next week's regular meeting of alliance foreign ministers in Brussels, where Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin is also expected. ISTANBUL (AP) The two women in the photograph were smiling, but Halmurat Idris knew something was terribly wrong. One was his 39-year-old sister; standing at her side was an elderly woman Idris did not know. Their grins were tight-lipped, mirthless. Her sister had posted the picture on a social media account along with a caption punctuated by a smiley-face. "Look, I have a Han Chinese mother now!" his sister wrote. Idris knew instantly: The old woman was a spy, sent by the Chinese government to infiltrate his family. There are many like her. According to the ruling Communist Party's official newspaper, as of the end of September, 1.1 million local government workers have been deployed to ethnic minorities' living rooms, dining areas and Muslim prayer spaces, not to mention at weddings, funerals and other occasions once considered intimate and private. All this is taking place in China's far west region of Xinjiang, home to the predominantly Muslim, Turkic-speaking Uighurs, who have long reported discrimination at the hands of the country's majority Han Chinese. While government notices about the "Pair Up and Become Family" program portray it as an affectionate cultural exchange, Uighurs living in exile in Turkey said their loved ones saw the campaign as a chilling intrusion into the only place that they once felt safe. They believe the program is aimed at coercing China's 10 million Uighurs into living secular lives like the Han majority. Anything diverging from the party's prescribed lifestyle can be viewed by authorities as a sign of potential extremism from suddenly giving up smoking or alcohol, to having an "abnormal" beard or an overly religious name. Under Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Uighur homeland has been blanketed with stifling surveillance, from armed checkpoints on street corners to facial-recognition-equipped CCTV cameras steadily surveying passers-by. Now, Uighurs say, they must live under the watchful eye of the ruling Communist Party even inside their own homes. Story continues "The government is trying to destroy that last protected space in which Uighurs have been able to maintain their identity," said Joanne Smith Finley, an ethnographer at England's Newcastle University. The Associated Press spoke to five Uighurs living in Istanbul who shared the experiences of their family members in Xinjiang who have had to host Han Chinese civil servants. These accounts are based on prior communications with their family members, the majority of whom have since cut off contact because Uighurs can be punished for speaking to people abroad. The Uighurs abroad said their loved ones were constantly on edge in their own homes, knowing that any misstep a misplaced Quran, a carelessly spoken word could lead to detention or worse. In the presence of these faux relatives, their family members could not pray or wear religious garbs, and the cadres were privy to their every move. The thought of it and the sight of his sister, the old woman and their false smiles made Idris queasy. "I wanted to throw up," said the 49-year-old petroleum engineer, shaking his head in disgust. "The moment I saw the old woman, I thought, 'Ugh, this person is our enemy.' If your enemy became your mother, think about it how would you feel?" ___ Tensions between Muslim minorities and Han Chinese have bubbled over in recent years, resulting in violent attacks pegged to Uighur separatists and a fierce government crackdown on broadly defined "extremism" that has placed as many as 1 million Muslims in internment camps, according to estimates by experts and a human rights group. Uighurs say the omnipresent threat of being sent to one of these centers, which are described as political indoctrination camps by former detainees, looms large in their relatives' minds when they are forced to welcome party members into their homes. Last December, Xinjiang authorities organized a "Becoming Family Week" which placed more than 1 million cadres in minority households. Government reports on the program gushed about the warm "family reunions," as public servants and Uighurs shared meals and even beds. Another notice showed photos of visitors helping Uighur children with their homework and cooking meals for their "families." The caption beneath a photo of three women lying in bed, clad in pajamas, said the cadre was "sleeping with her relatives in their cozy room." A different photo showed two women "studying the 19th Party Congress and walking together into the new era" a nod to when Xi's name was enshrined in the party constitution alongside the likes of Deng Xiaoping and Mao Zedong. Becoming Family Week turned out to be a test run for a standardized homestay program. The Xinjiang United Front Work Department said in February that government workers should live with their assigned families every two months, for five days at a time. The United Front, a Communist Party agency, indicates in the notice that the program is mandatory for cadres. Likewise, Idris and other interviewees said their families understood that they would be deemed extremists if they refused to take part. Cadres, who are generally civilians working in the public sector, are directed to attend important family events such as the naming of newborns, circumcisions, weddings and funerals of close relatives. They must have a firm grasp of each family member's ideological state, social activities, religion, income, their challenges and needs, as well as basic details on immediate relatives, the notice said. Families were to be paid a daily rate of 20 to 50 yuan ($2.80 to $7.80) to cover the cost of meals shared with their newfound relatives. Some families might be paired with two or three cadres at a time, according to the notice, and the regularly mandated house calls could be supplanted with trips to the local party office. A February piece on the Communist Party's official news site said: "The vast majority of party cadres are not only living inside villagers' homes, but also living inside the hearts of the masses." Overseas Uighurs said the "visits" to their relatives' homes often lasted longer than five days, and they were closely monitored the whole time. The cadres would ask their family members where they were going and who they were meeting whenever they wanted to leave the house. "They couldn't pray," said Abduzahir Yunus, a 23-year-old Uighur originally from Urumqi, Xinjiang's capital. "Praying or even having a Quran at home could endanger the whole family." Yunus, who now lives in Istanbul, said his father used to lament to him about being visited three to four times a week by the administrator of his neighborhood committee, a middle-aged Han Chinese man. The surprise house calls began in 2016, and it was "impossible to say no," Yunus said. They often coincided with times traditionally designated for prayer. "Their aim is to assimilate us," Yunus said. "They want us to eat like them, sleep like them and dress like them." After Yunus's parents and older brother were detained, only Yunus's sister-in-law and 5-year-old brother remained in the house. Around the beginning of 2018, the Han Chinese man started staying with them full-time. Uighurs said they were particularly repulsed by the thought of male visitors living under the same roof as their female relatives and children a practice contrary to their faith. Women and kids are sometimes the only ones left at home after male family members are sent to internment camps. In recent years, the government has even encouraged Uighurs and Han Chinese to tie the knot. Starting in 2014, Han-Uighur spouses in one county were eligible to receive 10,000 yuan ($1,442) annually for up to five years following the registration of their marriage license. Such marriages are highly publicized. The party committee in Luopu county celebrated the marriage of a Uighur woman and a "young lad" from Henan in an official social media account in October 2017. The man, Wang Linkai, had been recruited through a program that brought university graduates to work in the southern Xinjiang city of Hotan. "They will let ethnic unity forever bloom in their hearts," the party committee's post said. "Let ethnic unity become one's own flesh and blood." ___ Not all "Become Family" pairings involve Han Chinese visitors. A Uighur cadre named Gu Li said she regularly pays visits to a Uighur household, staying three to five days at a time. "We've already started calling each other family," she said in a telephone interview from Xinjiang. "China's 56 ethnic groups are all one family." Gu said civil servants of many ethnicities Uighur, Han and Kazakh participate in the program. All government employees in the region are required to conduct such visits in order to better understand villagers' needs, according to Gu: "Because we're always sitting in our offices, we don't know what they really need. Only through penetrating the masses can we truly serve them." As with many of the government's other initiatives in Xinjiang, the "Pair Up and Become Family" program is presented as a way to rescue Muslim minorities from poverty. Public servants show up at homes bearing bags of rice and gallons of cooking oil, and their duties include helping with chores and farm work. Xu Jing, an employee at Turpan city's environmental bureau, recounted her shock after entering her assigned relative's home. Xu said the only light in the residence came from a small window, and she realized that Xasiyet Hoshur wasn't lying when she said she lived on 3,000 yuan ($433) a year. "But it's OK, everything is getting better," Xu wrote in her reflection, published on Turpan's government site. Hoshur's daughter was attending university on a 5,000 yuan ($722) national scholarship. On the one hand, China maintains that employment and living standards are key to warding off the temptations of religious extremism. On the other hand, official descriptions of the visitation and homestay program are laden with suggestions that the ethnic minority families are uncivilized and that their way of life needs to be corrected. One notice, first highlighted by University of Washington ethnographer Darren Byler, focused on a Uighur family's use of a raised, cloth-covered platform for eating and working. In traditional Uighur culture, this setup is preferable to a table, but the testimonial published by the Xinjiang Communist Youth League said frequent use of the platform was "inconvenient" and "unhealthy." The post quoted a cadre saying: "Even though we already purchased a TV and rice oil for our relatives, after living with our relatives for a few days, we still insisted on using our own money to buy our relatives a table and lamp." In the People's Daily, a Uighur baker in Kashgar named Ablimit Ablipiz was quoted praising the party for improving his habits. "Ever since these cadres started living in my home, we've picked up a lot of know-how about food safety and hygiene," Ablipiz said. Uighurs must also conform culturally. Over the Lunar New Year, an important Chinese holiday not traditionally celebrated by Uighurs, cadres encouraged households to hang lanterns and sing "red songs," ballads honoring the party's revolutionary history. Byler said families could not ask whether the meat was halal and acceptable to Muslims when they had to make or eat dumplings for the festival. ___ Thousands of miles away, in Turkey, Uighur relatives in exile watch what is happening with dread. Earlier this year, Ablikim Abliz studied a photo of his uncle's family gathered around a table. Clad in thick winter jackets, his uncle and the smiling Han Chinese man beside him both held chubby-faced children in their laps. His uncle had posted the photo to his WeChat page along with the caption "Han Chinese brother." The 58-year-old Abliz said his entire extended family in China has been sent to internment camps. When he saw his uncle's photo, his first reaction was relief. If his uncle had been assigned a Han family member, Abliz thought, that meant he was safe. But the consolation was short-lived. A friend who tried to visit his uncle in Turpan this summer told Abliz that his uncle's front door was boarded up and sealed with police tape. Abliz has not been able to reach any of his family members since. As for Idris, he fears that his sister is living under immense pressure with her Han Chinese "mother." Shortly after her sister's first post about her new relatives, a friend responded on WeChat: "I also have one! You guys better be careful!" The same friend later posted photos of herself and a Han Chinese woman doing a Chinese fan dance, playing the drums and wearing traditional Han clothing. His sister would never have volunteered for such a program, Idris said. She and his younger sister had been trying to get passports to bring their children to Turkey and reunite with Idris, but their applications were not accepted. Last summer, both of his sisters deleted him on WeChat. A few months later, his aunt deleted him, too. For more than a year, Idris has not been able to communicate with his relatives. He wonders, with growing unease, how they're getting along with their new "family." Henry Cruz Amaya was reunited with his wife, son and niece this week after being detained for five months. (Photo: WCVB) After five months in deportation facilities, a Honduran father was reunited with his family, and the heartwarming moment was captured on video. Henry Cruz Amaya arrived in Boston late Thursday night and was reunited with his wife, son and niece, according to WCVB. He had been held in a deportation facility for five months. The video shows Cruz Amaya running into Bostons South Station with a huge smile. His son is waiting at the terminal door, and is the first one to greet him in an emotional embrace. The video then shows Cruz Amaya crying and running into his wife Francess arms, before initiating a group hug with the whole family. Francis smiles through tears, and her husband raises his hand in the air in celebration. Then he picks up his wife and walks off through the station, Frances gripping her husband and grinning from ear to ear. WCVB posted the video on Facebook, and people cant get enough of the emotional reunion it has 15,000 views. The family arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border seeking asylum in June, according to WCVB. A Change.org petition created by Honduras Hope explains that, although they were entering legally, because of current ICE policy Cruz Amaya was detained while Frances, their son Fernando, 13, and Francess niece Nathalia, 12, were able to enter the U.S. Unfortunately, Frances and her niece werent even able to stay together in the U.S. Frances and Fernando were allowed into the U.S. for humanitarian reasons and went to New Hampshire to live with their sponsor while awaiting their asylum hearing date, according to Honduras Hope. Nathalia was separated from them even though Frances has been her legal guardian since Nathalias mother (Francess sister) was murdered two years ago. Border control didnt honor this, and Nathalia was processed as an unaccompanied minor and sent to Chicago. It took three months and a lot of work for the three of them to be reunited. But their family still wasnt whole because Cruz Amaya remained in detention. First, he was taken to an ICE detention center in Laredo, Texas, according to the petition. Then he was moved to the Folkston ICE Detention Center in Georgia. Story continues The Honduras Hope petition was created in the hopes of reuniting the family, and it got almost 1,000 signatures. This family has experienced, and ultimately escaped, unspeakable trauma, the petition stated. In fact, Frances cannot walk without assistance due to a gun shot wound she received as a teenager. Cruz Amaya carried his wife on his back for many miles during their harrowing journey, the petition said. They were finally reunited this week, thanks to the intervention of the ACLU and New Hampshires congressional delegation. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. There is more to Hong Kongs air pollution than meets the eye or throat. How often have you heard that the smog actually comes from across the border? Or that cars are responsible for the toxic clouds that regularly envelope the city? Such tropes are seldom accurate. Here, we break down Hong Kongs noxious vapours to tell you where the pollutants are really coming from and what can be done about them. What are the most harmful pollutants? Particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 These are particles of solid and liquid matter so small they can remain suspended in the air. They are widely considered to be the most dangerous of the air pollutants, and the World Health Organisation considers them a Group 1 carcinogen: an agent proven to cause cancer in humans. The numbers refer to their size in micrometres (millionths of a metre): PM10 are particles smaller than 10 micrometres in diameter; PM2.5 depict particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres. Particulates can come from a huge range of sources, from pollen and wildfires to power plants and car engines. The smaller PM2.5 particles are considered to be even more harmful than PM10 particles, as they can penetrate further into the lungs and more easily enter the bloodstream. Aside from cancer, particulates can cause bronchitis and other lung conditions, aggravate asthma, and are linked to birth defects and heart disease. Sulphur dioxide Most of the sulphur dioxide in the air comes from the burning of fossil fuels like coal and gas. This gas can cause respiratory illnesses and aggravates existing health problems like asthma. Additionally, it can react with water and air to create sulphuric acid, the main component of acid rain. Since the introduction of sulphur emission controls for power plants and the introduction of low sulphur diesel fuel in the 1990s, sulphur dioxide levels in Hong Kong have declined dramatically, from a peak of more than 100,000 tonnes produced in 2004 to less than 20,000 tonnes produced in 2016. Story continues Oxides of nitrogen These include nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide, which are usually the product of vehicle engines. By itself, nitrogen dioxide can cause inflammation of the airways, but in the presence of sunlight, it can react with airborne volatile organic compounds to form ozone, which can cause or aggravate a variety of lung diseases. These gases are also instrumental in the formation of acid rain and are involved in the creation of particulates. How does Hong Kongs status as a shipping hub affect air quality? The trade that made Hong Kong rich also happens to be the one choking us. Ships container ships in particular are far and away the leading source of the major components of air pollution, producing most of the harmful sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxides and PM2.5 particulates that we breathe in daily. Figures released in 2009 showed that the worlds 90,000 ocean-going vessels produced 20 million tonnes of sulphur oxide 260 times more than all the cars in the world combined. According to the Environmental Protection Departments latest emission inventory, in 2016, shipping in Hong Kong waters produced 8,540 tonnes of sulphur dioxide, 32,900 tonnes of nitrogen oxide and 1,480 tonnes of PM2.5 pollution. In 2015, the government introduced a law requiring marine vessels to switch to low sulphur fuel while at berth in Hong Kong. In the following year, officials said sulphur concentrations had dropped by between 30 and 50 per cent. The regulation will be changed in 2019 to compel all ships operating in Hong Kong waters to switch to low sulphur fuel, whether stationary or moving. The number of ships arriving in Hong Kong fluctuates with the global economy. Marine Department statistics show that overall, the number of ocean-going vessels arriving in Hong Kong has fluctuated over the past 10 years, but the figure rose 7.8 per cent last year from 2016. The numbers suggest that the city will remain a major player in the shipping industry for the foreseeable future that is good for business, but bad for health. Is there a cleaner way to generate electricity? The citys second-largest contributor of airborne nastiness is electricity generation. Hong Kongs largest power stations are those at Castle Peak, burning coal and oil-gas; and Lamma, burning coal. After 2008, power plants began instituting emission caps mandated by the government, and a notable reduction in sulphur dioxide has been seen: from about 50,000 tonnes in 2008 to 8,020 tonnes in 2016. But with 25,620 tonnes of nitrogen oxide produced in 2016, power generation is still second only to shipping when it comes to emissions, though it is worth noting that the power plants produce far less PM2.5 pollution 310 tonnes in 2016 compared with shippings 1,480 tonnes. The government does not appear to have plans to invest in large renewable energy generation in the short or medium term. A general notice on the governments web portal reads: Hong Kong does not have favourable conditions for large-scale commercialised RE [renewable energy] generation, though it adds that small-scale pilot projects are under way, including floating photovoltaic systems at two of the citys reservoirs. How have Hong Kongs roads contributed to bad air? The overwhelming majority of Hong Kongs cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles more than 98 per cent are still powered by fossil fuels via their internal combustion engines. Despite this, owing to the introduction of fuel and vehicle emission standards, measured rates of particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides have seen drops of between 50 and 70 per cent since 1999. However, roadside pollution in busy areas remains extremely hazardous to health, as the densely packed, tall buildings create canyons in which particulates and gases gather. The bustling shopping district of Causeway Bay is often cited as having the worst roadside pollution in the city, with PM2.5 concentrations registering above the WHOs guideline limit of 25 micrograms per cubic metre on 227 days of the year in 2016. The use of electric vehicles in Hong Kong has expanded from 100 in 2010 to more than 11,000 at the end of 2017, though the government has recently lowered tax concessions for electric private cars. As for public transport, Hong Kongs record is woeful: according to the governments Pilot Green Transport Fund, only 21 single-deck electric buses are currently on trial runs in the city. By comparison, Hong Kongs mainland neighbour, Shenzhen, already boasts a 100 per cent electric bus fleet of about 16,000 vehicles. Do planes contribute to air pollution? Aviation is responsible for about 1 per cent of Hong Kongs air pollution, which might not sound like too grave a threat. But data collected via air quality monitoring in Tung Chung suggests that the local impact can be severe, with huge fluctuations in pollutants found near the airport. Ozone spiked at concentrations as high as 86 micrograms per cubic metre of air in 2017, compared to highs of about 40 micrograms per cubic metre at the roadside in Causeway Bay. While it is true that newer aircraft are being designed for better efficiency and should therefore produce fewer emissions, air traffic at the airport has soared from a total of 295,000 international passenger and cargo flights in 2007 to 421,000 in 2017, an increase of 43 per cent. That figure is set to rise further following completion of the third runway in 2024 though the government has claimed that the development, intended to handle an additional 30 million passengers per year, will not create more air pollution. Where else is the pollution coming from? The Environmental Protection Department defines other combustion as involving mainly non-road machinery, such as construction machinery. Construction machinery often relies on dirtier fossil fuels such as diesel, meaning that this more obscure source of pollution produces far more than its fair share of particulates. There are also non-combustion sources, which include chemicals found in paints, printing inks, solvents, adhesives and some consumer products. Non-combustion sources are a key contributor to the presence of volatile organic compounds in the air. Clearing the air As polluted as the citys air can seem, it is important to look at the bigger picture: in the long term, efforts to cut emissions do appear to be having a positive impact. The governments annual air quality health index (AQHI) shows a steady decline in the mean concentrations of pollutants. The index suggests levels of PM2.5 pollution in Causeway Bay, the aforementioned pollution black spot, dropped by almost half between 2011 and 2017. Meanwhile, the Hedley Environmental Index, operated by the University of Hong Kongs School of Public Health, reports that in 2017, there were 1,866 deaths linked to air pollution in Hong Kong. This is a decline of about 40 per cent from the total recorded in 2012, the first year for which the index has data. This article Biggest source of air pollution in Hong Kong? Its shipping, not cars, or mainland China 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: This article is published through a partnership with New York Medias Strategist. The partnership is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected by New York Media. If you buy something through our links, Slate and New York Media may earn an affiliate commission. It can be intimidating to find the right gift for a wine lover, especially if you dont think of yourself as a wine person. But you dont have to be able to tell the difference between Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon to give a wine gift thats more elegant than an oversize wine glass and more thoughtful than a bottle of wine from the corner store. To track down the best gifts for wine drinkers, I asked sommeliers, winemakers, and people who love wine to share their go-to wine gift ideas. Below, 25 of their favorite books and wine accessories to give as gifts that you can be confident the wine lover in your life will actually use. Glassware If youre not going to give a bottle of wine, give great glassware that they can use over and over again. I was given a two-pack of Zalto Universal glasses as a Christmas gift from a distributor while working at the Breslin, says Carla Rza Betts, certified sommelier and co-founder of an Approach to Relaxation, and it changed my glassware game forevermore. Zalto Universals are simply the best glass to get a clear look at both reds and whites, in my opinion. They allow you to get lost in the aromas within the glass while exhibiting the wine in an almost artlike way. Betts isnt alone in her admiration of Zaltos. Most sommeliers and wine lovers Ive spoken with rave about this wine glass, holding it up as the gold standard, and a set of these glasses is a gift thatll last a lifetime. If youre looking for a less traditional (and also less expensive) wine glass, try gifting these short tumblers from Bormioli thatll give a dinner party a European feel. Hannah and Marian Cheng of Mimi Chengs use them while hosting dinner parties because they remind us of drinking and eating tapas in Madrid. Theyre elegant and simple. Joanna Goddard of the blog Cup of Jo feels similarly: Whenever my husband and I drink wine from these glasses at home, I feel like were transported to a little bar in Barcelona. Theyre charming, light, and just feel good in your hand. One of the best wine-related gifts that Roman Roth, winemaker and partner at Wolffer Estate Vineyard, has ever received is the Swan decanter from Riedel. It is a showstopper. Your dinner guests will be in awe. The most elegant decanter in the world. This swoopy decanter from Maxwell & Williams has a similar style to that of the Riedel Swan decanter, but at a fraction of the price. Betts prefers the Zalto Carafe No. 75 to these more decorative ones. Its very simple in terms of style, but it has the cleanest pour out there: no drips. Its slick and efficient, which is what I want out of a decanter. Nothing fancy, just efficiency. This handblown glass wine decanter is also on the more minimalist side, but with its little round wooden stopper, it looks more expensive than it actually is (and is a perennial Strategist-editor favorite). Serveware Peter Mondavi Jr., co-proprietor of Charles Krug Winery, describes the best wine-related gift he ever received as nothing special, but extremely functional. Decades ago we received a wine cooler crafted from soapstone quarried in Finland. The thermal mass does a great job at keeping our white wine chilled throughout dinner. Its in use every night we serve a white. And though this wine cooler isnt from Finland, it is also made of soapstone and is handmade in the Tabaka Hills of Kenya. A marble wine cooler will fulfill a similar purpose as a soapstone one, like this one thats embellished with brass. This marble wine cooler is technically a utensil holder, but its the right size and material to be used to keep a cold bottle of wine cold throughout dinnerand its only $25. If your wine enthusiast is more of a picnic type, this Le Creuset wine-cooler sleeve will chill a bottle of wine and keep it cold for over 90 minutes. You could also gift them the Corkcicle, a little gadget that chills white wine fast. All you have to do is store it in the freezer and then pop it into an open, unchilled bottle of wine when you need it. According to writer Leah Bhabha, Itll begin cooling down the wine immediately, chilling from top to bottom, and keeping it icy for up to an hour without watering it down. If your wine enthusiast has an extensive collection of older bottles, surprise them with a Durand corkscrew. Its the best corkscrew in the world to open even the most mature bottle of wine safely, according to Roth, the winemaker at Wolffer Estate. As Morgan Harris, head sommelier at Aureole, explains, The Durand basically combines the classic waiters corkscrew with horizontal compression from a forked Ah, sostyle wine opener. This way, you cant rip the middles out of your corks if they happen to be crumbly, nor can you accidentally push the cork into the bottle if they happen to be a little loose. Any wine lover will appreciate a new wine opener, especially since the smaller waiter-style ones can often go missing and should actually be replaced annually to ensure that the corkscrew is as sharp as possible. A brand-new Pulltap corkscrew, a sommelier favorite, will do the trick. Wine Accessories A Vacu Vin sealer is a sommelier-approved wine stopper thatll preserve an already-open bottle of wine. The Vacu Vin system has been around forever for a reason, explains Eric Tschudi, sommelier and head bartender at Shuko. While I wouldnt recommend it for sparkling wines, the pump thats included with it to get the wine-killing oxygen out of the bottle helps keep still wines fresh for days, which is great for the wine lover who likes to savor their bottles. The Fantes Champagne stopper will make sure no bottle of Champagne (or other sparkling wine) goes to waste. This stopper is my favorite because it holds the carbonation very well and is easy to use, according to Joshua MacGregor, sommelier at DB Bistro Moderne by Daniel Boulud. I ultimately favor it over other stopper styles because the rubber stopper mimics the pressure the original cork had on the wine the best, and the hinge clasp makes it very hard to accidentally slip off and lose the carbonation of the wine. There is nothing better than getting to drink wine where its from, with the food that it was born to be enjoyed with, says Alexis Schwartz, sales representative at Brooklyn-based wine importer Zev Rovine Selections. But if you cant pay for someone elses trip to Wine Country, you can make sure theyre ready to haul wine back from their vacation. Schwartzs dad got her a 12-bottle wine suitcase for Christmas one year, and its changed her wine travels. Rather than praying during my flight that nothing has broken in my bag, the wine suitcase keeps everything safe and sound. And I usually want to bring back interesting spirits or rare wines I find during my travels. Win-win, it only costs me the extra baggage fee. She has an older version of this hard-sided suitcase. This 12-bottle wine suitcase has a more straightforward design, but itll work just as well as the hard-sided one at keeping bottles safe, and its under $100, making it a good option for more casual travelers. Wine Decor Speaking of corksI received from a friend of mine (who always asks me for wine suggestions) a very cute way to collect corks: Corky Metal wine-cork holder, says Carrie Lyn Strong, wine director at Casa Lever. If you like to recycle corks like I do, its a decorative way to collect them before bringing them to be recycled, which you can do at most Whole Foods through a program with Cork Forest Conservation Alliance, Strong notes. Its also a nice-looking way to collect corks, if thats your wine lovers thing, and this one does double duty as a wine holder. Another way to repurpose wine bottles into home decor is with colorful, clean-burning, no-smoke taper candles. Schwartz likes to give a pack of candles along with a nice bottle of wine. I love that when they finish the bottle, it can become a candle holder for the tapers, and they can always think back to the memories they made while drinking it. I personally have a pretty rad set of empty Frank Cornelissen Magma bottles (which are hand-calligraphed) that are now dotted in multiple colors of old candle wax. Whenever theyre lit, it transports me to Europe. Wine Books The Wine Questionnaire, edited by Jay McInerney, is James Beard Awardwinning sommelier Belinda Changs signature gift, for a housewarming or for anyone I know. Its part coffee-table book, with handwritten notes from famous oenophiles like Sofia Coppola, Graydon Carter, and Daniel Boulud about their favorite wines, and part workbook with a tasting guide and it just looks nicer than a traditional wine-tasting journal. Betts recommends the Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert for those who want even more guided tastings. (Full disclosure: It was written by her husband.) Scratching and sniffing your way through the book, you figure out which fruit profiles, wood treatments, and earthy qualities you prefer, then you use the map to figure out which wines from which regions you should be searching out. My neighbors wife is now upset at me because hes always ordering Champagne, but to me, this is the beauty! Its a book that can inspire that kind of fervor in even the most seemingly casual wine drinker. As a gift, I like to find older books about wine that are inspirational for the enjoyment of life as accompanied by wine, rather than study guides, says Strong of Casa Lever. M.F.K. Fishers Long Ago in France: The Years in Dijon was essential in opening my mind to the culture of wine and gastronomy when I lived in Dijon. I also found Deborah Brenners Women of the Vine an inspirational book when I was first breaking into this industry. (There are also a few other travel and food memoirs recommended by sommeliers in our roundup of best wine books.) Victoria James, beverage director at Cote, received this book as a gift from a co-worker. This was the perfect gift for a sommelier because its an obscure book about wine obscura, in general. Its well-organized, well-researched, and covers regions that you may never have associated with wine-making. Its just really interesting cultural tidbits. Slate has relationships with various online retailers. If you buy something through our links, Slate may earn an affiliate commission. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. All prices were up to date at the time of publication. Marc Lamont Hill, an academic and author, spoke for 20 minutes at the United Nations in New York on Wednesday about Palestinian rights in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. He lamented that 70 years after the displacement of Palestinians, they remain refugees. He criticized Israeli laws that restrict Palestinians from full citizenship rights. He spoke against the Israeli criminal justice system, including its administrative detention of Palestinians without trial, and its 99 percent conviction rate. He also said, at one point, We have an opportunity to not just offer solidarity in words but to commit to political action, grassroots action, local action, and international action that will give us what justice requires and that is a free Palestine from the river to the sea. Advertisement Less than 24 hours later, Hill was fired by CNN, where he had been a political contributor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN did not cite a reason for its decision, but in the hours after his speech, the Anti-Defamation League and others had zeroed in on the phrase from the river to the sea, which they described as a Hamas mantra and a call for an end to the State of Israel. Soon, Seth Mandel, a top editor at the right-wing Washington Examinerwho, many have pointed out, has railed against our internet outrage machinebegan referring to Hills explicit call for Jewish genocide and his rabid anti-Semitism. Pro-Israel groups, propped up by right-wing trolls, seized on the remarks and, no doubt, the chance to depose a liberal cable commentator. It worked. Advertisement Hill, pointlessly, took to Twitter to try to refute the accusation. I do not support anti-semitism, killing Jewish people, or any of the other things attributed to my speech. I have spent my life fighting these things, he tweeted. Around the same time, his detractors were already celebrating his firing by posting GIFs to gloat. FINALLY FIRED, Sebastian Gorka, a former Trump aide, wrote on Twitter. Hill, obviously, did not come close to calling for Jewish genocide. His critics, to the extent their arguments are sincere, arrived at this conclusion based on that single phrase, from the river to the sea, convinced the phrasing was a dog whistle to violent factions that seek to destroy Israel. Its true that organizations like Hamas, which fires rockets at civilian targets, uses from the river to the sea to describe its desire for a free Palestine. But that is also true of Israels ruling right-wing Likud party as well. In the Likuds founding charter from 1977, 10 years before the founding of Hamas, the very first paragraph says between the Sea and the Jordan there will only be Israeli sovereignty. In 1999, the charter was amended, but the first stanza remains, asserting the Jordan river will be the permanent eastern border of the State of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the river to the sea has also been used, neutrally, by Jewish journalists to describe the area again and again. Jewish settlers who live beyond the green line in Israel Defense Forcesprotected settlements live by this slogan as well. An Israeli minister used the phrase to dismiss the prospect of a two-state solution, saying, There is no other option but the state of Israel, certainly between the Jordan [River] to the sea there will be one state. One neednt look far for more examples of the phrase being used by public officials and in headlines to describe the land. It may be loaded, but it is hardly a clear signal of anti-Semitism. Yet its inclusion appears to have been the main factor in prompting the manufactured outrage about Hills speech. And still, seemingly on impulse, CNN caved. Advertisement Hills firing is rash at best and a cowardly, dangerous precedent at worst. Its disturbing not just as a capitulation to disingenuous critics but also because its another step toward recasting all speech about Israels brutality as anti-Semitismor, in this case, a call for Jewish genocide. The Anti-Defamation Leagues statement sought to delegitimize the event at the United Nations, held on International Day of Solidarity With the Palestinian People, based on Hills speech. It is a shame that once again, this annual event at the United Nations does not promote constructive pathways to Palestinian solidarity and a future of peace, but instead divisive and destructive action against Israel, a vice president for the group said. The consequences for Hill are part of a disquieting, and thriving, effort to shut down criticism of Israel wherever it livesan effort CNN has now emboldened. Slates expanded voting rights coverage is made possible by the support of Slate Plus members and readers like you. On Thursday, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, the only black Republican member of the Senate, announced he would oppose President Donald Trumps controversial nomination of conservative lawyer Thomas Farr to the federal judiciary. In a written statement, Scott said he was moved to opposition after reading a 1991 Justice Department memo that shed new light on Mr. Farrs activities. That memo, published by the Washington Post this week, shows that Farr was involved in former North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms 1990 re-election campaign, which was accused of trying to intimidate black voters in the state. Advertisement Farrs career continued to intersect with voter suppression efforts. In 2011, North Carolinas GOP-controlled legislature hired him to defend racially gerrymandered maps for federal and state office. Later, he was hired to defend a voter identification law that a federal appeals court would strike down for targeting African Americans with almost surgical precision. Farrs hostility to voting rights is why he was met with immediate condemnation from civil rights groups when he was nominated last year. His legal career has been dedicated to opposing the rights of workers and denying African Americans full participation in our democracy, said Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. His record is repugnant and provides ample grounds to oppose his confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together with Senate Democrats and Arizona Sen. Jeff Flakewho is blockading the presidents judicial nominees until the Senate votes on a protection bill for FBI special counsel Robert MuellerScotts opposition sinks Farrs chances of confirmation. Unless Trump renominates him in the next Congress, Farr will not serve on the federal bench. This marks the second time Tim Scott has broken party ranks to oppose a judicial nomination on the basis of the nominees racial insensitivity. Earlier this year, he opposed Ryan Bounds nomination to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, citing college writings where Bounds attacked race-focused groups and race thinking. After talking with the nominee last night and meeting with him today, I had unanswered questions that led to me being unable to support him, said Scott at the time. Fearing defeat, the White House withdrew Bounds nomination. Advertisement Its the same silence Republicans show in the face of the presidents explicit racism, and it reflects, if not cowardice, then a recognition of the Republican Partys political standing. Tim Scott keeps doing this because Trump keeps choosing judicial nominees with reactionary views on race and voting rights, and Senate Republicans keep waving them through. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio joined Scott against Bounds but supports Farr; Jeff Flake stands with Scott on Farr but supported Bounds. None of this surprisesthe essence of Trumpism is racist demagoguery in service of racial hierarchybut it is clarifying. Support for these nominees is nearly unanimous, and joined by disregard for the accusations. Most of what youve heard from the left about Thomas Farr is utterly false character assassination nonsense, tweeted Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, a celebrated Republican moderate, said Farr had denied any role in Jesse Helms anti-black intimidation tactics. He in fact told me he was disgusted by it, she said. He clearly played no role in drafting it, approving it or even seeing it before it was sent. That Farr was engaged in recent voter suppression apparently makes no difference for her support, or that of Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, another moderate who backs the nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we see here, and what weve seen since Shelby County v. Holder unleashed modern voter suppression techniques, is a complete lack of Republican opposition to the ongoing drive to discourage and disenfranchise Democratic constituencies, and black Americans in particular. Moderate Republicans are just as indifferent as their most conservative colleagues. Even supporters of criminal justice reform like Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul or Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley have little to say about dedicated efforts from co-partisans across the country to keep black people from voting. Its the same silence Republicans show in the face of the presidents explicit racism, and it reflects, if not cowardice, then a recognition of the Republican Partys political standing. Broad, equitable access to the ballot threatens a GOP whose electoral success depends on a narrow (if large) segment of the voting public. Without draconian voting systems in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas, the GOP may not have survived the midterms with its Senate majority; without racial gerrymandering, Republican legislative majorities in North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin may not have withstood the blue wave of energy and activity. Advertisement Outgoing Rep. Mia Love of Utahthe only black Republican woman in Congress and, along with Scott and Rep. Will Hurd of Texas, one of three black Republicans in the national legislature overallused her concession speech on Monday to blast her GOP colleagues for their inattention to the concerns of nonwhites and their communities. This election experience and these comments shine a spotlight on the problems Washington politicians have with minorities and black Americansits transactional, she said. Its not personal. This is a harsh judgment given her context as an outgoing Republican elected official, but its almost tame given the full scope of the GOPs failure on this question. Washington Republicans have embraced a racist president. They have turned a blind eye to voter suppression and disenfranchisement. Their statement about who counts in America is not the least bit ambiguous. Some presidential reputations are like great red wines: They get better with time. There is no modern president about whom this is more true than the one we lost Friday, George Herbert Walker Bush. Twenty-six years ago, when he ran for re-election, Bush received the lowest percentage of the vote of any incumbent since William Howard Taft in 1912. He had been rejected by the American people and felt it. At the dawn of the Clinton years, our national memory of Bush was of an awkward, aging jogger who was throwing up sushi on state visits and seemed to be amazed by grocery checkout scanners. The impression was very unfairespecially the misreported incident at the checkout counterbut the image stuck. In comparison with Ronald Reagan, whom Bush had served as vice president for eight years, and Bill Clinton, who beat Bush with the help of the candidacy of Ross Perot in 1992, Poppy Bush seemed to lack the stature for 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. How wrong that impression was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unique among modern presidents, George H.W. Bush did not make it easy for us to appreciate him fully. When he was in office, he disdained political theater, and when his advisers forced him to do it, he was bad at it; once he left office, though he was aware of his accomplishments, he decided not to write a memoir and would not even do an official oral history for his presidential library. In a 1999 interview with the Miller Center of Public Affairs, Bushs national security adviser, Brent Scowcroft, explained the challenge of getting Bush to wax eloquent about himself and his achievements. [H]e rejected fancy phraseologyand I used to argue with him about it And he said, Thats not me. I dont speak that way, and I wont give a speech that doesnt sound like George Bush. So I would put little phrases in, and hed take them out. We never did really resolve this issue as to how to do speeches. Decades before the White House years, Dorothy Bush had taught her children to avoid using the pronoun I whenever possible because it was a sign of pride. If anything, George Herbert Walker Bushs World War II experience deepened the aversion. Shot down by the Japanese and pulled from the churning Pacific in 1944, when he was just 20, Bush never forgot how lucky he was to have survived and never forgot about those who did not. His upbringing and life experiences made him a good, quietly confident guy but a lousy communicator in a culture that rewards self-promotion and emoting. Indeed, only earlier this year, as he led the nation in mourning for his beloved wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush, did we see the emotion that for nine decades he was trained to keep hidden. Advertisement Advertisement Bushs skill set was extremely well-suited to the challenges of his time. Yet in the critical months of his time in office, arguably between October 1989 and the end of August 1991, George H.W. Bush was not just good at his job, he was great at it. The patrician World War II veteran brought the perfect mix of pragmatism, realism, and good sense to three huge challengesthe collapse of the Soviet Empire, the collapse of Reaganomics at home, and the rabid ambitions of Saddam Hussein in the Middle Eastany one of which could have easily wrecked a lesser presidency. To the extent that history is a guide to such things, it was a safe bet that Moscow would not let go of its European vassals without some violence. None of the great colonial empires that collapsed in the 20th centurythe French, the British, the Dutch, the Portuguese, and the Belgianhad done so without bloodshed. And those empires had faltered without possessing Moscows then-huge nuclear arsenal. Whatever good Reagans peace through strength policy had been in getting the world to that pointand it was Mikhail Gorbachev and the freedom movements in Eastern Europe that deserved most of the creditit was perfectly useless as a guide to managing the last act of this drama. Meanwhile, as Marxism-Leninism was failing abroad, the consequences of Reaganomics were creating a crisis at home. A yawning budget deficit and a troubled banking sector and housing market demanded the new presidents attention. The third challenge came a year later, when Saddam Hussein sought to exploit the turmoil in world affairs by invading Kuwait in August 1990. Advertisement Advertisement Bushs skill set was extremely well-suited to the challenges of his time. What was needed was not eloquence but prudent action. After initially bobbling the Gorbachev matterhe and his team came to office wrongly assuming that the aging Reagan might have exaggerated Gorbachevs openness to real change in Eastern EuropeBush brilliantly managed the relationship with the maverick Soviet leader while keeping lines open to Americas nervous Western allies and its new friends in Eastern Europe. When East Germans started to tear down the Berlin Wall on Nov. 9, 1989, Bush resisted the temptation to declare victory. Even more than John F. Kennedy after the Cuban missile crisis, Bush understood that when history is going your way, it is important to turn adversaries into partners. You dont do that by rubbing their noses in a defeat. And for Bush too, public silence was not a sign of inaction. Bush, who was also very good on the telephone and in person, worked behind the scenes. He reassured, coaxed, and led his fellow statesmen through a minefield of potential problems. The greatest of these was the question of whether or how Germany would be reunified. The first among his inner circle to embrace the idea of West Germany swallowing up East Germany with the effect that a unified Germany would be in NATO, Bush succeeded in convincing Gorbachev, Margaret Thatcher of Britain, and Francois Mitterrand of France that this would be in the interest of a new Europe. Then, in June 1990, he achieved the seemingly impossible, getting Gorbachev to transcend years of understandable Soviet paranoia about Germans and accept the prospect of a united Germany in NATO. Only George H.W. Bush could have done that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Bush had to manage the consequences of a failed dream at home. In the 1988 election, which was not a high point of Bushs career, among the regrettable things that the candidate said was: Read my lips: No new taxes. Challenged from the right in the primaries, Bush felt he had to pretend to be more ideologically conservative than he was. Once in office, he understood that if he was to avoid letting the United States go over the fiscal cliff of his eraa yawning budget deficit of $221 billion and a collapsing banking sectorhe would have to negotiate a budget agreement with the Democrats, who controlled Congress, and undertake an $88 billion infusion of cash to ease the pain in the housing market as one-quarter of all savings and loan associations were allowed to fail. These figures may seem quaint today, but the elder Bush paid a huge political price for his pragmatism. A young Newt Gingrich began his climb to the House speakership and sponsored the later Contract With America on Republican rejection of Bushs pragmatism. Advertisement In early August 1990, Bush surprised even his inner circle by announcing, after Iraq invaded Kuwait, This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait. Bush was determined to teach Saddam Hussein a lesson. He did not want the end of the struggle with Moscow to invite the return of the border wars that had dominated foreign affairs before the superpower nuclear contest froze many nationalist jealousies. Bush was also determined that the world, and not just the United States and its English-speaking allies, teach Saddam Hussein this lesson. Using the United Nations and patient diplomacy, helped by longtime friend and Secretary of State James Baker, Bush fashioned a real coalition of willing partners, which included the Soviet Union. Once coalition forces had thrown Iraq out of Kuwait, Bush understood that he had to bring the conflict to an end. Not only did he want small countries to learn not to use violence to resolve their disputes, he did not want his allies to take the wrong lesson from how the war ended. He asked for their help to liberate Kuwait, and once that was done, he could not ask them to do more. The Gulf War was not to be seen as an act of American imperialism. The conscious self-restraint that marked his reaction to the fall of the Berlin Wall also shaped the end of the Gulf War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without Bush, the achievements that the Reaganites claim for themselvesthe peaceful end of the Cold War and the economic prosperity of the 1990swould not have happened. Some of this was known at the time. The elder Bush ushered in the CNN era. The challenges he faced, including the budget battle, received wall-to-wall coverage. What was underreported was the pivotal role he had played. The release of materials over the past decadeespecially the oral histories done by the University of Virginias Miller Centerhave revealed that Bush was surrounded by a team of kibitzers. They were not rivalshis was a very unified and loyal administrationbut his inner circle rarely agreed. His secretary of defense, Dick Cheney, and James Baker were polar opposites on many of the foreign policy challenges he faced. Bush alone, we can now see, was the decider. Without his guidance, this administration would have been paralyzed. Advertisement Now that we understand him better, the elder Bush deserves more than to be relegated to some golden past. Some of the political nonsense we see today is the product of George H.W. Bush not getting the credit he deserved. Before the surprising ascent of Donald J. Trump, the fog machines of both political parties decided to focus on the men before and after 41. The GOP, especially the Tea Party and other descendants of Gingrich, elevated Reagan and assigned to him the achievements of George H.W. Bush. Bush was much more than the Pope Benedict XVI to Reagans Pope John Paul II. Without Bush, the achievements that the Reaganites claim for themselvesthe peaceful end of the Cold War and the economic prosperity of the 1990swould not have happened. The Reagan propaganda was so strong that even Bushs son, George W. Bush, ran and tried to govern like Reagan in what seemed to many a mistaken effort to rescue the familys honor. In the same vein, Democrats need to keep in mind that the Clinton economic boom would have been unlikely without the fixes that the elder Bush made, at great political cost to himself, in the early years of the decade. I suspect that Clinton, who came to love and admire Bush 41, knows this, and Barack Obama, who awarded the elder Bush the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, knows it too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many will note, sadly, the irony that with his polar opposite in the White House, Bush leaves us at a time when leaders like him are scarce and more needed than ever. And it isnt just the policy differences with Trumpwhich are enormous on matters like trade, foreign policy, immigration, collective security, the intelligence community, the environmentthat will make the first Bush so missed. It is the sharp contrast in their demeanor and sense of fair play. Even those who disagreed politically with George H.W. Bush admired him for his sense of decency. Yet Bush was not perfect. Some fault him for a campaign that at the very least used racial dog whistles in 1988. And at the end of 2017, the #MeToo movement prompted credible allegations that he had inappropriately touched women in public since 2000though he, unlike the current president, apologized. Advertisement Bushs presidential style mirrored more than an old-fashioned Yankee upbringing. Bush not only witnessed the pain caused by extremism and intolerance in the 20th century; it shaped him. He had fought ideologies in World War II, and at the end of the Cold War, he worked day and night to help Europe peacefully divorce itself from Marxism-Leninism. When rigid right-wing ideology, this time in the form of Reaganomics, threatened the American standard of living, he did what he had to do, not for his own political well-being but because it was right. For him, pragmatism, compromise, and bipartisanship were not byproducts of weakness. They were signs of strength. Later, when gun rights advocates went too far and accused the Clinton administration of Nazi tactics after Ruby Ridge and Waco, Bush canceled his membership with the National Rifle Association. If there was an American hero in the unsettled world of the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was George H. W. Bush. And in these times, what was merely a footnote in Bushs long public career serves as a reminder of how far our political class has come unmoored. In August 1974, when he was chairman of the Republican National Committee, Bush told Richard Nixon that, for the sake of the country, it was time to go. The man is amoral, Bush wrote in his diary. As a charter member of what would become known as Americas Greatest Generation, he understood to his core what putting the country first really meant. There could be no better honor paid to him now than showing a little more humility, civility, and Republican backbone in Trumps Washington. Or, in the idiom of his mother, Dorothy Bush, less I, I, I, and more We. On Thanksgiving Day, former FBI Director James Comey sent out a surprising tweet. Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. Im still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a closed door thing because Ive seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Lets have a hearing and invite everyone to see. James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018 Advertisement The day prior, Comey had been issued a subpoena for a closed-door deposition in front of a joint panel of the House Judiciary and the House Oversight committees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The panels, led by outgoing Reps. Bob Goodlatte and Trey Gowdy, are seeking Comeys testimony as part of a probe into the FBIs various investigations surrounding the 2016 election. On Friday, Comeys lawyers appeared in court to argue that he should not have to submit to closed-door questioning but only to a public hearing. Comeys attorneys and those of the House committees in question have filed dueling legal briefs and are due back in court on Monday when a judge will hear more. Comeys legal case relies on the 1957 Supreme Court ruling in Watkins v. United States that the House had overstepped its bounds during the Joseph McCarthy hearings. [The court] held that if a congressional subpoena is issued solely for sake of exposure or intimidation, then it exceeds the legislative function of Congress, Comeys lawyers argued in a brief to the court. Advertisement The House Republicans have a strong counterargument, which is that Congress is a co-equal branch of government that gets to set its own rules and decide how it wants to exercise its legislative oversight powers, and that this is a reasonable area of oversight. Unless hes able to run out the clock on the closing 115th Congress, Comey might lose his case and be forced to testify behind closed doors. Advertisement But based on the recent history of the House panels charged with oversight of the president, Comeys broader point stands: Key committees have done virtually nothing but run interference for a legally compromised president during the past two years of Republican control. Comeys team claims House Republicans are using the pretext of a closed interview to peddle a distorted, partisan political narrative about the Clinton and Russia investigations through selective leaks. Advertisement That corrosive narrative [] draws sustenance from a poisonous combination of presidential tweets and the selective leaking that has become standard practice for the Joint Committees, Comeys brief continued. The broader purpose of these tweets and leaks appears to be to mislead the public and to undermine public confidence in the FBI and the DOJ during a time when President Trump and members of his administration and campaign team are reported to be under investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller and other law enforcement authorities. Advertisement Incoming House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff on Friday did not offer an assessment of the legal merits of Comeys case but agreed completely with his bigger point. I think the predominant purpose of this is to distract from all the problems that the president has right now, Schiff told Slate. I think they fully intend to do exactly what James Comey is suggesting, which is selectively leak and characterize his testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Its been clear for some time that the work of these committees has been to bolster a public defense of the president by attempting to tarnish his pursuers. Comeys own brief cites the joint committees treatment of former FBI officials Andrew McCabe, Lisa Page, Peter Strzok, and others who have seen private testimony selectively leaked in potentially distortive ways before ultimately ending up in threatening presidential tweets.* Schiff also notes that his own committee has been slow to release full public transcripts of its interviews and has not shared its information with Mueller. Instead, Mueller has had to rely on public information to search for discrepancies between the congressional testimony of key witnesses and facts hes been gathering. Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty this week to lying in House and Senate testimony, but Mueller had to cobble that together without the help of the House Intelligence Committee. Advertisement Indeed, that committees final report on the Russia investigation was full of transparent holes. Its now clear that some of the testimony that the Republican committee members relied upon to craft that report was itself perjured. With Schiff promising to share the transcripts of the testimony from his own committee with Mueller and make them public soon after he takes the gavel, we should be finding out how many in the Trump orbit have spent the past two years lying to Congress with impunity. In the meantime, look for House Republicans to use their last days in power to try to tarnish Comey in one final dying run at congressional interference for President Trump. Before Owen Diaz left his job at the Tesla factory in Fremont, California, in May of 2016, he had endured an onslaught of racist harassment from co-workers, according to a troubling new report in the New York Times. Diaz had reportedly seen swastikas drawn on bathroom walls, was taunted with the N-word and called boy by other workers on his shift, and even was presented with a drawing on a piece of cardboard of a face with exaggerated features and a bone in its hair with the word boo jotted underneath. Diaz reported the racist effigy and later moved to sue Tesla last year, alleging the company failed to address complaints of harassment and discrimination in its workplace. (The lawsuit is pending trial.) His son, Demetric Diaz, who took a job in a different part of the same Tesla factory via a staffing firm in 2015, also complained that his supervisor was calling me an N-word every day, according to a lawsuit cited by the Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Diazes story is not unique. DeWitt Lambert also worked at Teslas Fremont factory in 2015, and it didnt take long before things allegedly took a racist turn, too. After his first year at the company, Lambert, a black electrician, had reportedly sent at least a dozen complaints to human resources detailing the harassment and discrimination he regularly faced at the car plant, including a cellphone video of someone on the factory floor threatening to cut him and calling him the N-word, according to the Times. Lambert consulted an outside lawyer, and Teslas general counsel reportedly offered to pay Lambert $100,000 if he avoided speaking with the media. Tesla, the high-tech electric car company led by the infamously pugnacious billionaire CEO Elon Musk, has been the locus of numerous lawsuits and complaints with regard to the mistreatment of its factory workers. In addition to the recent Times story, there have been reports about employees and contractors harassed for being gay, women getting catcalled on the factory floor, workers who sustained debilitating lifelong injuries that were left off the books, and low-ranking workers who resorted to sleeping in their cars between long shifts to make ends meet. These worker woes come against a backdrop of a company that has racedand at times struggledto meet its production goals, while its leader, Musk, has courted outrageous headlines for, among other things, taunting journalists on Twitter following unfavorable reporting (most notably, after the Center for Investigative Reportings expose on unsafe working conditions in Teslas Fremont plant and after Consumer Reports declined to recommend the highly anticipated Model 3) and for tweeting that he was considering taking his company private at $420 a share (much to the surprise of his investors, which led to a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation and settlement). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Fridays report in the New York Times is certainly shocking for the details surfaced, it should hardly come as a surprise. Instead, it seems to add to an already turbulent year for the serial entrepreneurwho also heads SpaceX and the Boring Co.and to an apparent pattern of harassment, discrimination, unsafe working conditions, and other tensions at his electric car plants. Tesla isnt the only car manufacturer thats had issues with sexism and racism. Just in the past year, Ford paid out $10 million to settle allegations of sexual harassment at two of its manufacturing plants in Chicago. In June, a subcontractor at a Fiat Chrysler plant was fired after hanging a noose at a Jeep factory. But the stories at Tesla, a relatively new automaker in the U.S., are mountingand fast, especially considering that, unlike these legacy auto companies, Tesla has been manufacturing cars for less than a decade. The companys rapid spiral toward a reputation of cultivating a workplace rife with racism, sexism, and hazardous working conditions on the factory floor also clashes with its self-perception as an outre Silicon Valley tech company, most of which have a reputation for high pay, pleasant working conditions, and forward-thinking social values. Musk himself, the face of Tesla, hasnt shied away from positioning himself as an innovative leader who can tackle complex problems like climate change, car safety, and space travel all for the benefit of humankind. Yet though he may have developed a reputation as a visionary for piloting companies like Tesla, reports from inside the companys walls reveal how his vision for a better world seems to reflect a pattern of denying it to many of the people hes hired to build it. Advertisement Advertisement AJ Vandermeyden started working at Tesla in 2013, and about a year later, she was promoted to a role as an engineering project coordinator at the company. The job meant relocating to Teslas plant in Fremont. Soon after her move, she learned that she was making less than everyone else on her otherwise all-male team, including more recent hires, according to a report last year in the New Yorker. Vandermeyden also alleged shed get catcalled and whistled at as she walked through the factory floor. A few months after starting at Fremont, Vandermeyden raised concerns, asked her manager for a raise, cited her performance reviews, and looped in human resources, according to the report. After months of being put off by her superiors, and then being asked to meet an unrealistic production goal, in 2016, she sued Tesla charging the company with sex discrimination, retaliation, and ignoring complaints of pervasive harassment. Tesla responded by hiring a neutral third party, according to a report in the Guardian, and ultimately decided that her claims were unsubstantiated. Still, Vandermeyden did not drop her case. Advertisement Advertisement The Fremont plant hasnt been the only site of Teslas poor conditions for workers. In Storey County, Nevada, where Tesla started operating the worlds largest battery factory in 2016, many workers are at times left sleeping in their cars at a local Walmart parking lot, in RVs near rest stops, or in the Tesla parking lot, according to multiple reports. The company has offered some temporary lodging for new hires for their first two weeks to help give them time to get housing, but workers are often unable to land anything. Despite this housing crisis, Musk recently boasted plans to hire as many as 20,000 new workers at the plant, which already employs more than 2,000 people. Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the racism, sexual harassment, and pay issues for lower-ranking employees, Tesla reportedly isnt always a safe place to work, either. A bombshell investigation from the Center for Investigative Reporting earlier this year detailed how the Tesla plant in Fremont reportedly dismissed worker safety concerns, underreported instances of serious injuries, and left injured employees unable to return to work to live off workers compensation and unable to provide for their families. A former employee on Teslas safety team told reporters that they saw broken bones and lacerations that Tesla didnt record in official injury logs, as required by law. Before the story was even published, Tesla responded by calling the nonprofit Center for Investigative Reporting an extremist organization. An investigation by BuzzFeed this February found that between 2012 and early 2017, 180 Tesla employees filed for compensation due to disabling injuries, according to documents obtained from the California Department of Industrial Relations. Advertisement Instead of facing these mounting problems, in recent months Musk has seemed more inclined to play the victim. He told the New York Times in August that, between navigating numerous public blunders and working around the clock to race to meet demanding product deadlines, this has been the most difficult and painful year of my career. But though 2018 might have been a breaking point for the ambitious billionaire, the problems at his factories have been ongoing for years. And his answer to those complaining seems to have been to ask them to put up or shut up. The Times reported that he sent a letter to factory workers last year telling them not to be a huge jerk to people in marginalized groups, yet went on to write that if someone is a jerk to you, but sincerely apologizes, it is important to be thick-skinned and accept that apology. But that strategy of brushing off rather than dealing with serious complaints may be catching up. The company is now juggling multiple lawsuits from people who have worked at its factory and were apparently thick-skinned enough to call foul and seek redress. Chinese Communist dynasty emperor Xi knows theyve blown the biggest bubble in the history of humankind. All measures being taken by Communists are to ensure the survival of the party when this bubble eventually pops. Dynastic succession in China usually involves the losers entrails being paraded around Tiananmen square (or other significant public gathering place), so this is about survival. Politics, economics and ideology are secondary. The Communist dynasty knows that the bubble will pop and they will lose the mandate of heaven (economic prosperity). The only way they can stay in power is if the blame can be diverted. Trump is heavens gift to the Communist dynasty. EVERYTHING can be blamed on Trump. The Communist dynasty will play the nationalism card having been attacked by Trump. The Chinese will rally around this. Trade was forced on China (Most Favored Nation was a punitive trade measure against China by the western powers) and now Trump is going back against trade treaties designed to humiliate China since the Boxer Rebellion. Most Favored Nation trade also saw the unlimited importation of opium into China (resulting in the Opium War). These racial/cultural issues run deep and the Communists will play them hard against Trump. As an aside, the export of fentanyl opiates from China to the USA is another interesting related issue. China sees the west enforcing humiliating trade policies and dumping drugs in China as fine as long as the west profits. But as soon as the west no longer benefits from these policies, it wants to change the rules the west originally enforced on China. When the Communists spin this, IT WILL SAVE THE COMMUNIST PARTY no matter what happens to the economy. The Communists know how to beat Trump. All of Asia watched Trump get played by North Koreas Kim. All you have to do is give Trump some face and you can do whatever you want. Trump just needs a kernel of spin and hell give away every advantage and strength to save face. Decent western men are motivated by honor and shame. Chinese men are motivated by face. Trump is face-seeking, playing against a culture that practices saving-face as an art form. Trump, an amateur face-saver is going to get into a duel with Xi, a man who has practiced the maneuvering of face his entire life. Face in the Communist Chinese and Korean systems is literally life-and-death. Trump does not have the experience to play face with Xi. Chinas actions have been very simple. They have refused to negotiate. This is not a sign of desperation. Trump is the one constantly jibber-jabbering on Twitter about trade-deal-this and trade-deal-that. Trump is desperate for a deal that will allow him to save face. The Chinese will play Trump like Kim played Trump. In Chinese business negotiations, there should be an unending exchange of lower level delegations that build in importance. The lower level delegates will eventually serve as interested 3rd parties in the final negotiation when the big bosses finally meet. Its a huge, laborious process designed to ensure guanxi at all levels of the relationship. Laws/contracts are meaningless. Enforcement and obligations are carried out through guanxi. Current Chinese negotiations, to me, seem more like a polite effort to rebuff the opposing party. If I saw this in a Chinese/American business negotiation, Id tell the American side to stop wasting money the deal isnt going to work because the Chinese side doesnt want it to work. Passive-aggressiveness is the epitome of Chinese business etiquette. The Communists know that the economic conflagration is coming (please reference 1991 Japan, I dont have time to write it out in full). They know they must survive because the dynastic cycle is not like losing an election. You dont go and work in the private sector after being defeated. You get tortured and killed, your family gets tortured and killed and the winners wipe out your gene-line in every direction for generations. The trade situation is very simple. My back of the napkin calculations are that Americans will suffer a 12.5% cost-of-living increase if the tariffs are all passed. Trump is finally beginning to realize this. He is desperate to get a deal or anything he can spin as a victory. The problem is that Trumps trade policies are simple-minded and ineffective. All of industrial China is enacting Plan B right now, which is basically finding/building factories outside of China where they can launder/wash the country-of-origin on Chinese made goods for final export to the USA. Im based in Taiwan and the Chinese are desperately seeking manufacturing capacity here. My guess is that these are going to be strawman facilities. They will be stocked with enough production equipment to satisfy any inspection, but their main purpose will be to remove the Made in China stickers on goods and replace them with Made in Taiwan stickers. This is going on in Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Singapore and all of SE Asia. China will continue to be the industrial manufactory of the world. The goods will just all go to an intermediate country to be washed clean before final export to America. Trump isnt smart enough to tariff ALL incoming goods. Hes targeting individual countries. It just wont work in a global economy. So, back to the trade talks. The Chinese are actually in a better position if they refuse to bargain. Any bargain made with Trump will weaken the Communist partys ability to focus blame on Trump when the Chinese economy implodes. If the Chinese people blame the Communists, then the Mandate-of-Heaven is lost and the Communist party becomes another failed dynasty in the dynastic-cycle. However, if the Communists can deflect blame to Trump, then any economic disaster in China is survivable. Chinese Communist goals: Delay as long as possible , blaming everything on Trump. , blaming everything on Trump. Set up manufacturing laundering facilities can be quietly and quickly set up to continue trade. Business as usual. laundering facilities can be quietly and quickly set up to continue trade. Business as usual. Give Trump some meaningless ego-bauble he can spin to his base while completely ignoring him. This gives more time to set up laundering facilities in the rest of the world. Basically, the goal is to stall for time so that the strawman laundering facilities and logistic networks can be set up. What the Communists cannot be seen doing: Giving into Trump in a continuation of 150+ years of western exploitation. This is suicide. Dynastic-cycle and liver-on-a-stick. https://slopeofhope.com/2018/11/another-view-of-china-by-binkius-hippo.html Another View of China (by Binkius Hippo) In order to comment on this blog, you must have JavaScript installed and enabled. Saturday, December 1, 2018 Following up on my previous posts (links below): AAUP Announces Investigation of Vermont Law School for Violations of Shared Governance: The AAUP has authorized an investigation into apparent departures from widely adopted standards of shared governance at Vermont Law School. The law schools administration and governing board restructured the law schools faculty by lowering salaries, reducing the number of full-time positions, and eliminating the tenured status of 14 of the 19 tenured faculty members without involving the faculty in the decision-making process. Affected faculty members were notified by a June 5, 2018, memorandum of their options under the restructuring plan. The memorandum presented 14 tenured professors with a stark choice: either surrender their full-time, tenured positions and faculty voting rights, sign an agreement containing a general and age-discrimination release along with strong nondisparagement and nondisclosure provisions, and accept a restructured appointment option at lower pay or have their appointments summarily terminated as of July 1, 2018, with immediate cessation of salary and benefits. Only five faculty members have retained tenure at an institution with a reported enrollment of over 600 students; effectively, the existing tenure system and, with it, protections for academic freedom, have been eviscerated. It appears that the restructuring process deviated from widely observed standards of academic decision making, including those mandated by the bylaws of the Association of American Law Schools. The only formal process, detailed in the June 5 memo, was devised solely by the administration, which failed to consult with the faculty as a whole about its plan for involuntarily restructuring the faculty. The Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities, jointly formulated by the AAUP with the American Council on Education and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, rests on the premise that an inescapable interdependence exists in the relationship among governing board, administration, and faculty. This interdependence requires adequate communication among these components and full opportunity for appropriate joint effort. The Statement on Government also says that, for effective planning, the broadest possible exchange of information and opinion should be the rule for communicating among the components of a college and the faculty should be fully informed on all budgetary matters. AAUP regulations derived from the statement require that the faculty, or a duly constituted subset, participates in any decision to declare a condition of financial exigency, makes the primary determination about where cuts are to occur and what positions are to be eliminated, is afforded the opportunity to render a written assessment of the institutions financial condition, and is provided all the necessary financial information. AAUP investigating committees in the area of college and university governance are charged with inquiring into cases that appear to feature severe departures from AAUP-supported governance standards. Committees are composed of AAUP members from other institutions who have had no previous involvement in the matter. If the investigating committees published report finds that serious violations have occurred, the AAUP may place the institution on its sanction list, which informs the academic community and the public that conditions for academic governance at the institution are unsound. Vermont Digger, Vermont Law School Under Investigation Over Stripped Tenures: The American Association of University Professors is launching an investigation into Vermont Law School. The probe was launched after 14 of 19 professors lost tenure this summer as part of the schools financial restructuring. Vermont Law School could end up on the associations sanction list, the American Association of University Professors announced Friday. If violations are discovered, the law schools ability to attract talented students and faculty could be impacted, according to Anita Levy, a senior program officer with the assocation. Were concerned about the way in which the administration and board made a judgment about the financial situation and reduced programs and reduced faculty without consulting the faculty in a meaningful fashion, Levy said in a phone interview. Tenured professors were notified that their jobs were to be eliminated in a June 5, 2018 memo. Professors were given the option to either give up their full-time, protected tenured positions or be terminated July 1, 2018. Faculty members who chose to stay were required to sign a non-disparagement and non-disclosure agreement, silencing them from speaking with anyone but their spouses. ... The AAUP said just five faculty members at VLS, which has an enrollment of more than 600 students, retained tenure. ... The AAUP has organized a committee including Emily Houh, a professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Susan Jarosi, an associate art professor at Hamilton College and Deanna Wood, an associate professor and reference librarian at University of New Hampshire, to investigate Vermont Law School. They will interview faculty and administration on Dec. 18 and 19. Levy said the committee will release a report to the public by February. The AAUP board will decide in June whether or not Vermont Law School should be sanctioned. (Hat Tip: Steve Diamond.) Update: Michael Simkovic (USC), AAUP Investigation of Vermont Law School for "Eviscerating Tenure" Could Jeopardize Vermont's Reaccreditation in 2019-20 Prior TaxProf Blog posts: https://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2018/12/-aaup-investigates-vermont-law-schools-revocation-of-tenure-from-14-of-19-tenured-faculty.html Saturday, December 1, 2018 Los Angeles Times op-ed: Why Is It So Much Harder to Become a Lawyer in California Than in New York?, by David Faigman (Dean, UC-Hastings), Stephen Ferruolo (Dean, San Diego) & Jennifer Mnookin (Dean, UCLA): The State Bar of California has done it again, failing nearly 60% of the law school graduates who took the exam in July. It was the worst outcome since 1951. And yet thousands of these graduates, if they had taken the test in virtually any other state, would now be embarking on their legal careers instead of having to prepare to take it again in February. The score needed to pass the California bar exam called the cut score is 144. We are the only state to set its cut score above 140 other than Delaware (with 172 applicants, compared with Californias 8,071). This is profoundly out of line with the rest of the country. Nationwide, the median score needed to pass is 135. In New York, the state with a legal practice most like Californias in scale and complexity, the cut score is 133. Among graduates of ABA-accredited law schools there, 83% passed the state bar exam the first time they took it. In California, though, the comparable rate was 64%. That likely would be 20 percentage points higher if our cut score matched New Yorks. Is New York inflicting on its populace thousands of unqualified lawyers through its lower cut score? We have yet to hear of it. The state bar, the California Legislature and the California Supreme Court which has ultimate authority to set the cut score need to bring rationality to our bar exam by aligning it with the standards of comparable states. As law school deans, we witness the harm done to our graduates and to the legal profession by this unjustifiably high cut score. Those failing the bar risk losing their jobs. For the still unemployed, finding work becomes far harder. Even those who keep their jobs wear their bar performance as an albatross around their necks. The financial consequences are considerable: thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for additional exam fees and review courses, often adding to already considerable indebtedness. Employers lose otherwise qualified employees or must provide them time off to study. We recognize that some critics blame us for this situation. They say that we are admitting students to law schools who are not adequately qualified. From 2010 to 2017 there was a decline in LSAT scores and undergraduate GPAs of admitted law students in California and nationally, and there is undoubtedly some correlation between those metrics and performance on the bar exam, as well as in law school. However, while this may explain some of the recent decline in bar passage rates, it does not explain most of it, nor does this provide any legitimate reason for keeping Californias cut score so much higher than other states. It is more plausible to hypothesize that the bar exam has grown anachronistic, a test designed for a paper-and-pencil generation now inflicted on a smartphone generation. Memorizing large amounts of information and regurgitating it over a few days has little predictive power for lawyering competence today. Recent graduates may well be worse than their predecessors at this skill set likely we all are but they may be at least as good at other problem-solving skills lawyers need. ... The bar exam is intended to be a measure of minimum competence to practice law following three rigorous years of law school. There is no evidence that Californias high bar protects the public, and considerable reasons to believe it actually makes our lawyers less competitive in the global legal marketplace. By all means, lets keep studying the issues, but that shouldnt hold us back from making the sensible decision to align the states cut score with the rest of the nation. Until this happens, Californias high failure rate remains both sui generis and a self-inflicted wound. https://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2018/12/why-is-it-so-much-harder-to-become-a-lawyer-in-california-than-in-new-york.html Your browser does not support the audio element. More hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City are now interested in using scooters to swiftly respond to emergency calls after the model was successfully piloted by a downtown hospital. Motorcycles have proven effective in making their way through the narrow alleys and crowded streets of the southern metropolis, where regular ambulances would have a hard time reaching. After three weeks of putting a fleet of motorcycle ambulances to use since early November, the Saigon General Hospital in District 1 said emergency response time has been reduced to three to five minutes for patients in the downtown area, and ten to 15 minutes for calls from District 4 and District 7. Fortunately, there have been no reports of accidents involving the motorcycles so far, said Nguyen Khac Vui, deputy director of Saigon General Hospital. Hospital employees have been trained to strictly follow a seven-step protocol in handling emergency calls to make sure patients receive emergency service within the optimal time window for treatment. Each two-wheeled ambulance is operated by a doctor and a nurse, who can either diagnose and provide treatment on the spot or determine that hospitalization is required, in which case they will remain at the patients side until a four-wheeled ambulance arrives. If the patient dies, the doctor is responsible for making a death records and hand it over to the police. A two-wheeled ambulance responds to an emergency call in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre Race against the clock Could you please hurry? My wife is in pain. She is 31 weeks pregnant, the voice of a concerned husband could be heard over the emergency hotline operated by Saigon General Hospital. Doctor Duong Tu Nguyen and a nurse wasted no time in grabbing their medical equipment and hopping on a scooter, headed for the callers house located deep inside an alley on Doan Van Bo Street in District 4. The busy streets of District 4 were made worse by rush hour traffic, but the two-wheeled ambulance managed to lane split its way through other vehicles in a race against the clock to reach the patient in need. Ten minutes after receiving the phone call, the doctor and nurse arrived at the house of 37-year-old T.T.N.N., who was in a life-threatening condition with the possible premature birth of her 37-week pregnancy. N. also suffered from a dangerous condition known as placenta praevia, where the placenta attaches inside the uterus but near or over the cervical opening. The wife was on her bed screaming in pain when we arrived, Dr. Nguyen said. We provided the patient with first-aid assistance for five minutes until an ambulance arrived and took her to the Tu Du Hospital for delivery. Since the motorcycle ambulance service was launched in early November, Saigon General Hospital has received overwhelming positive feedback from patients, who applaud the noticeably quicker response time compared to conventional four-wheeled ambulance. I didnt expect the ambulance to arrive so quickly, said H.H.T., an 82-year-old patient diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes who is a regular customer at the emergency room of Saigon General Hospital. The doctors are also considerate and meticulous in their diagnosis and treatment. Doctors help an elderly patient onto a stretcher as they respond to an emergency call on a motorcycle. Photo: Tuoi Tre An initial success Twenty-six out of 67 emergency dispatches by Saigon General Hospital between November 7 and 26 were made by motorcycles, according to hospital director Nguyen Khac Vui. Patients come from all age ranges with diverse medical conditions, Vui said. We often inform the patient that we would be arriving on a motorcycle before we set off, said Tran Dien Tu, a hospital at Saigon General Hospital. Most of the patients have demonstrated support for the model. Following the success of Saigon General Hospitals piloted scheme, a number of public hospitals in Thu Duc District, District 1, District 2 and District 4 have sought approval from the municipal health department to launch similar services. According to hospital leaders, crowded streets and growing number of emergency calls have posed a challenge for doctors to respond to all calls in time using conventional ambulances. With only three ambulances available, our hospital faces a tough choice deciding when to dispatch a vehicle in response to an emergency call, said Tran Van Khanh, director of District 2 Hospital. There have been days when our doctors had to hail cabs to reach patients due to all ambulances being occupied. If the two-wheeled ambulance service can be implemented, it will be a huge relief for our staff, said Nguyen Minh Quan, director of Thu Duc District Hospital, where only two ambulances share the burden of responding to around 30 emergency calls per day. Tan Chi Thuong, deputy director of Ho Chi Minh Citys Department of Health, said the department is looking to expand the scope of the pilot scheme to other hospitals in the months to come. If the model is widely considered a success, the department will submit an official evaluation to the municipal administration asking for approval to officially launch two-wheeled ambulances city-wide, Thuong said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A charity activity in a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper-backed annual fundraising event for children with cancer has visited and presented gifts to the little patients at three different hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City. As part of this years Sunflower Festival, the Thuys Dream Foundation brought more than 400 presents to little children with cancer who are receiving treatment at the Children Hospital 2 and the Blood Transfusion Hematology Hospital in District 1, and the Ho Chi Minh City Oncological Hospital in Binh Thanh District on Friday. The Sunflower Festival, which is annually held by Tuoi Tre to commemorate the death of Le Thanh Thuy a high school girl known and admired for her long fight against bone cancer prior to her death on November 2, 2007, is now in its 11th edition. Each of the presents handed by the Thuys Dream Foundation consisted of a cash amount of VND500,000 (US$21.5) and other mementoes, including a T-shirt, a hat, a backpack and a notebook. A majority of the little patients here are in chemotherapy stages so their daily activities are very limited. But they were all smiling when receiving the gifts. Vu Quoc A., a six-year-old patient in room No.303 at the Blood Transfusion Hematology Hospital, immediately stopped his afternoon snack and cheered in joy when he received his bag of presents. Mommy mommy, its a backpack, A. told his mother while opening the gift. Meanwhile, another activity in the 2018 Sunflower Festival, the Toi dong hanh literally translated as I accompany campaign is also about to draw its curtain on December 2. The campaign raises financial support from a sponsor by calling people to draw or make paper sunflowers with messages of wishes for children with cancer written on the works, before uploading the photos of them on Facebook with the hashtags #ngayhoihoahuongduong2018 and #uocnguyenhong2018 and tagging three Facebook friends. Each of these entries will mean VND30,000 (US$1.3) in support for children with cancer. As of the end of Friday, nearly 4,500 flowers were drawn in response to the campaign. And to continue the success of the event in Hanoi on November 25, the opening ceremony of the 11th Sunflower Festival in Ho Chi Minh City will take place at Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11 from 7:00-11:00 am this Sunday, with a variety of activities including a charity walk that has been registered by more than 3,000 participants. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Your browser does not support the audio element. A hill that is home to several tea farms in the northern province of Phu Quoc will turn into a magnet for tourists whenever winter comes, as low temperatures allow a blanket of fog to settle around the green-covered hillocks there. Long Coc, some 112 kilometers from Hanoi, consists of numerous smaller hills that are covered with tea farms. The area is therefore considered to be one of Vietnams most beautiful tea hills. On both sides of the curvy road in the middle of the mountainous area, tea plantations lead one all the way to the horizon and covering the road in shadows. The hillocks at Long Coc are also known as tea islands, which, despite their separated locations, form breathtaking scenery. The tea islands are usually compared to islands on Ha Long Bay, the most famous natural wonder of Vietnam. The most beautiful photos of the hills are taken before the sun rises, professional photographer Pham Hoang Cuong from Hanoi said. During this time, there are patches of fog moving slowly around the hills with the clouds lying closer to the top of the hill mysteriously covering parts of the area. Photo: Pham Hoang Cuong During weekends, many youngsters choose Long Coc as their get-together spot to take romantic photos with partners and friends, as well as shoot their pre-wedding photo albums. On top of being a selfie hotspot, Long Coc also emerges as a place for relaxation, where people can escape the hustle of the city life to enjoy the peacefulness on the hills. Photo: Pham Hoang Cuong Tea farming is an important sector of Phu Tho and the main source of income for many locals. Each tea farm on the hills at Long Coc has an area of around one hectare. Gathering tea plants is not an easy task. Each tea leaf needs to be collected separately, and farmers should make sure they start the harvest when the tea buds have just started showing to avoid caterpillars. Photo: Pham Hoang Cuong At Long Coc, farmers can be spotted strolling in between the tea bushes with baskets on their backs and non la, or the Vietnamese conical hats, on their heads to shelter them from the sun. The mountains in Phu Tho are also a home to Muong ethnic minority group, whose different culture and customs attract the interest of many tourists. Visitors to Phu Tho can explore Long Coc tea farm hills and the local Xuan Son National Park, as well as getting to know the life and culture of the Muong people through a homestay service. The homestay service includes a special activity, where both visitors and native Muong performers introduce their culture through various performances by a camping fire at night. Here are some of the photos of the beautiful scenery taken by photographer Pham Hoang Cuong: Photo: Pham Hoang Cuong Photo: Pham Hoang Cuong Photo: Pham Hoang Cuong Photo: Pham Hoang Cuong Photo: Pham Hoang Cuong Photo: Pham Hoang Cuong Photo: Pham Hoang Cuong Photo: Pham Hoang Cuong Photo: Pham Hoang Cuong Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A judicial committee of the Peoples High Court in Hanoi on Friday canceled a prison sentence handed down to a truck driver involved in a deadly accident with a reversing car and demanded a fresh probe into the case. On November 19, 2016, a semi-trailer truck collided with a compact minivan on the Hanoi-Thai Nguyen Expressway in northern Vietnam, killing five passengers in the car. The car was carrying more passengers than allowed and was moving backward in reverse gear on the high-speed road, trying to reach an exit it had missed. A court in the northern province of Thai Nguyen in May sentenced truck driver Le Ngoc Hoang, 33, to eight years and car driver Ngo Van Son, 40, to ten years behind bars. Hoang and Son's sentences were on November 2 commuted to six years and nine years in prison, respectively, after the second-instance court considered their appeals. The two are responsible for paying combined compensation of VND1.2 billion (US$51,000) to families of the victims. Legal debate erupted in Vietnam after the verdict was reached, with lawyers arguing that Hoang should not be found guilty of failing to maintain a safe trailing distance, for it was nearly impossible to calculate such distance when the car in front of him was moving backwards. On November 21, the Peoples High Court of Hanoi filed for cassation review of the sentences. The courts judicial committee accepted the cassation review on Friday and declared the cancelation of the first-instance and second-instance sentences reached by the Peoples Court in Thai Nguyen, according to Pham Van Ha, chief justice of the High Peoples Court in Hanoi. The Hanoi court also demanded a fresh probe into the reversing car case, Ha said. In Vietnams court system, the Supreme Peoples Court holds the highest power, followed by three Peoples High Courts based in Hanoi, the central city of Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, which hold the power to cancel verdicts reached by lower-level courts. There remain issues to be clarified in order to have sufficient legal and scientific evidence for a comprehensive and subjective evaluation of Hoangs alleged violations, the Hanoi court said in a statement. Factors such as the point of impact and distance between the two cars when Hoang first applied his brakes need to be re-evaluated to determine both drivers role in the accident, the court said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in the north-central province of Nghe An said on Saturday they have arrested and detained a local man for allegedly soliciting customers to buy sex with students for up to VND5 million (US$213) per turn. Legal proceedings have also been launched against Hoang Duc Dinh, 26, on charges of pimping and facilitating prostitution, according to officers. On November 19, Nghe An police and officers from the Ministry of Public Security raided a hotel in the provincial capital of Vinh and caught two girls selling sex to two men in separate rooms. The men and women told officers that their hook-ups were arranged by Dinh. One of the two girls, referred to only as H., 22, was paid VND2 million ($85) by her customer, and had to give Dinh half of the amount. The other woman, 26-year-old L., had to give Dinh VND900,000 ($38) from the VND1.5 million ($64) she received from her customer. The customers also had to pay a fee of VND500,000 ($21.5) each to the pimp. According to the case file, Dinh would look for good-looking girls on the internet, particularly students, and asked them to join his prostitution ring. He managed to attract more than ten girls to the ring. The pimp uploaded titillating photos of the girls on social media and would directly negotiate the price and location with the customers before sending the girls to meet them. Junior college or university students in his ring could sell sex for as much as VND4.5 million ($192) - VND5 million per turn, half of which would go into the pocket of Dinh. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Members of the screen community will wear a blue ribbon at the AACTA Awards this week to show their solidarity with the people in detention on Manus and Nauru Islands. Artists including Jimmy Barnes, Bryan Brown, Mia Wasikowska, Sam Neill, Rebecca Gibney and Warwick Thornton have contributed a video message in support of the people still detained on Manus and Nauru. In association wth GetUp, many more in the Arts Community are drawing attention to the plight and calling for support for the Urgent Medical Treatment Bill being introduced by Dr Kerryn Phelps. An Open Letter from artists will also be presented to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition on Monday and published in the Daily Telegraph. https://www.blueformanusandnauru.org.au/ TV Tonight is a partner of the 2018 AACTA Awards. Plans for a festive holiday in the United States of America took a turn for the worse for one Scottish family as one of its members was denied entry into the country as he accidentally marked himself as 'a terrorist' on his visa form. John Stevenson, 70-years-old, and his wife Marrion had made plans to visit New York City on the 3rd of December. The Scottish couple had spent in excess of 2000 pounds on flights and accommodation. But the 70-year-old Stevenson made the greatest blunder of his life while filling out the visa form that would render him as persona non grata in the eyes of American immigration authorities. Monumental error Filling out his Esta visa form on a computer, Stevenson stumbled upon a question which asked whether he was a terrorist. Instead of clicking on 'no', Stevenson, in haste, accidentally clicked on yes. "We were filling out our visa form, and it kept timing out before we could tick all the boxes," began the 70-year-old. "Then it crashed, and when it came back up, you start where you finish off. "One of the questions ask whether you are a terrorist and it must have jumped from No to Yes." The couple from Inverclyde, 67 miles west of the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, now fear that Stevenson would never be allowed to enter the United States. The 70-year-old admits that this is the biggest nightmare that he has ever had. Mr Stevenson even called American border control and gave them his passport details. But the officials looked up his Esta number and declared him as 'a terrorist'. Stevenson haplessly tried to convince the authorities that he does not even know what being a terrorist means. Struggling to convince Stevenson continued to struggle in his attempts at convincing American officials that he was not a terrorist. In all his seventy years, Stevenson had only been in a court for jury duty. But this piece of information fell on deaf ears. The couple also remains under suspicions that their phones might well be tapped or their movement possibly monitored. The Scottish nationals booked their flights through United Airlines who have given the couple a glimmer of hope by saying that they could get their refund for accommodation. However, the cost of flights from the United Kingdom to the United States would not be reimbursed. The only realistic possibility of fixing this monumental error could be arranged at the American embassy in London where the couple hopes to book an appointment. Mr Stevenson is expected to go through a questioning session with the US officials. Top Islamic State operative and ex-member of former Iranian President Saddam Hussein, Jamal al-Mashadani has been captured by Iraqi authorities. The Iraqis on Friday released a video detailing the confession of al-Mashadani who admitted his role in a notorious incident that took place in 2015 in northern Iraq where several Kurdish soldiers were put inside cages and paraded around a city by Islamic State fighters. Two months before the incident, the Islamic State had similarly paraded a captured Jordanian pilot before setting his cage on fire and burning him to death. It is still unclear, however, as to how the Kurdish soldiers were killed. Past Life al-Mashadani, who also went by the moniker Abu Hamza al-Kurdi, was an official in Saddam Hussein's security detail. Following Hussein's deposition, he joined Al-Qaeda's Iraqi chapter. Captured in 2006 by Americans and imprisoned in Camp Cropper, he shifted his loyalties towards the Islamic State two years after his release in 2011. Stocky and balding, al-Mashadani's confession was recorded in a 17-minute video released by the Iraqi intelligence. Detailing his background to the authorities, al-Mashadani revealed that he was born in Al Tarmia, a town 56 kilometres north of Baghdad, in 1973. After graduating from Iraq's College of National Security in 1992, he joined the country's military intelligence. Unlike most ISIS fighters, al-Mashadani had the technical and organisational impetus to rise above the rest inside the militant organisation, believes Hassan Hassan, an author of books on the rise of the Islamic State. Role In ISIS "He is one of the real professionals and brains who built ISIS, the faces usually not recognised in discussions about the group," said Hassan. The writer also said that not only was al-Mashadani the Islamic State's governor in Kirkuk, in northern Iraq but was also involved in their chemical weapons program. This information suggests that al-Mashadani was not an ordinary ISIS militant but a very important figure in the organisation's hierarchy. Capture He conceded his involvement in several high-level ISIS operations including their activities in Palmyra, Syria which was held by ISIS for nearly a year. He decided to leave the Islamic State in 2017 citing 'poor management' by ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's lieutenants. Iraqi intelligence officers captured him in Baghdad from his son's house. AL-JAHRA, Kuwait (AP) On the outskirts of Kuwait City, the love Kuwaitis have for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush could be seen in 2016 on a billboard one Bedouin family put up to announce their son's wedding. That son being Bush al-Widhan, born in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War that saw U.S.-led forces expel the occupying Iraqi troops of dictator Saddam Hussein. "He was a real man, a lion," said Mubarak al-Widhan, the father of the Kuwaiti Bush, of the American president. "He stood for our right for freedom, and he gave us back our country." With Bush's death , his legacy across the Middle East takes root in that 100-hour ground war that routed Iraqi forces. That war gave birth to the network of military bases America now operates across the Persian Gulf supporting troops in Afghanistan and forces fighting against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. However, Bush ultimately would leave the Shiite and Kurdish insurgents he urged to rise up against Saddam in 1991 to face the dictator's wrath alone, leading to thousands of deaths. That mixed picture only extends to the presidency of his son, George W. Bush, who ordered the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq that overthrew Saddam, whom he once famously described as "the guy who tried to kill my dad one time." "I feel tension in the stomach and in the neck ... but I also feel a certain calmness when we talk about these matters," the elder Bush once said about the 1991 Gulf War, according to biographer Jon Meacham. "I know I am doing the right thing." Iraq invaded Kuwait on Aug. 2, 1990, angry that the tiny neighbor and the United Arab Emirates had ignored OPEC quotas, which Saddam claimed cost his nation $14 billion. Saddam also accused Kuwait of stealing $2.4 billion by pumping crude from a disputed oil field and demanded that Kuwait write off an estimated $15 billion of debt that Iraq had accumulated during its 1980s war with Iran. Story continues A World War II fighter pilot shot down fighting against the Japanese, Bush came to view Saddam as similar to Adolf Hitler, a madman who seized neighboring Kuwait and could plunge the world into conflict if he continued into Saudi Arabia. With Vietnam still a potent memory, Bush rallied together a coalition of nations to back the U.S. as it deployed troops to the region and began bombing runs. He talked Israel out of retaliating for Iraqi Scud missiles attacks for fear of alienating Arab allies. "This will not stand. This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait," Bush famously warned. And it didn't. On Feb. 24, 1991, U.S. troops and their allies stormed into Kuwait. It ended 100 hours later. America suffered only 148 combat deaths during the whole campaign, while over 20,000 Iraqi soldiers were killed. In the aftermath of the campaign, some called for Bush to continue into Iraq and topple Saddam. Bush in speeches encouraged Iraqis to rise up against the dictator, while privately hoping someone within his own military would depose him. "To occupy Iraq would shatter our coalition, turning the whole Arab world against us, and make a broken tyrant into a latter-day Arab hero," Bush later said. "It would have taken us way beyond the imprimatur of international law, ... assigning young soldiers to a fruitless hunt for a securely entrenched dictator and condemning them to fight in what would be an unwinnable urban guerrilla war." That hesitation allowed Saddam to regain the upper hand against insurgents and caused a refugee crisis in Iraq's northern Kurdish region. The dictator tauntingly installed a tile mosaic of a scowling likeness of the president at the door of Baghdad's al-Rashid Hotel, which forced entering foreign dignitaries to often step on his face just above its "Bush is criminal" caption. Some Iraqis still blame Bush for not removing Saddam at the time. "Then, the U.S. threw a lifebuoy to Saddam, allowing him to muster strength and to oppress Iraqis for the next 12 years," said Mohamed Zaid, a 35-year-old bookstore owner. Even Iran, which hated Saddam for starting their 1980s war, remained suspicious of Bush despite his pledge of "good will begets good will." Iran leaned on Lebanon's Shiite militants to help win the release American hostages like Terry Anderson of The Associated Press, but relations went no further. One of Bush's last acts as president, pardoning former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and others for their role in the Iran-Contra scandal, an offshoot of that hostage crisis. Still, Bush's decisions in the 1991 war and its aftermath echo even now. The Kurdish crisis gave birth to the U.S.-imposed no-fly zone in northern Iraq that allowed the Kurds to flourish into the semi-autonomous region now demanding independence. "The freedom that we enjoy here in Kurdistan, it is because of him really," said Sherwan Mohammed Abdullah, a 46-year-old Kurdish former soldier. "Even when he launched the strike on Kuwait ... not a single soldier in my battalion was injured." Defense agreements with Gulf nations then grew into a series of major military installations across the region. And the presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia, home to the Muslim world's holiest sites, served as a chief complaint of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden ahead of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. His son would launch the 2003 invasion of Iraq after 9/11 and become so hated in the Arab world an Iraq journalist would even throw a shoe at him during a news conference. But the elder Bush remained beloved, perhaps nowhere more than Kuwait, where Americans even today can get hugged while walking down the street. A group of Kuwaiti officials including the country's National Assembly speaker met with the former president in October 2017 to wish him well. The former president's Kuwaiti namesake Bush al-Widhan ended up working in the country's National Guard. His name fascinated others. "I went with my father to Cleveland, Ohio ... and the passport control clerk asked me about the name," al-Widhan recounted. "I couldn't tell him the story. My English is bad. I said: 'George Bush, George Bush. Kuwait war.' Everyone thought it was a great name." ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ___ Associated Press writers Sinan Salaheddin and Murtada Faraj in Baghdad, and Salar Salim in Irbil, Iraq, contributed to this report. ___ See the AP's complete coverage of George H.W. Bush here: https://www.apnews.com/tag/GeorgeHWBush The Government will waive VAT on the X Factor winners single and donate the money to charity for the eighth year in a row, Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced. The money will go to Together for Short Lives and Shooting Star Chase, two charities supporting children with life-limiting illnesses. Money from the X Factor winners single will be donated to charity (Ian West/PA) Mr Hammond said: The single goes a huge way in raising awareness of valuable causes and the charities behind them and thats why the Government has supported the X Factor Christmas single with donations worth more than 300,000 over the last eight years. From the whole Government, we wish everyone in the final the best of luck. The Government has previously donated the VAT on other charity singles, including the 2016 Jo Cox Foundation single, the 2015 Save the Children single, 2011s Military Wives Choir single, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake appeal single. The Department of Health and Social Care will make the donation of the VAT on the Governments behalf. The X Factor continues on Saturday December 1 at 7.30pm on ITV. (Reuters) - Cooperation is the best choice for China and the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump during a Saturday dinner meeting in Argentina, state news agency Xinhua reported. Xi said he would like to exchange views on issues of common concern with Trump and jointly chart the course for China-U.S. relations in the next stage, Xinhua added. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Hugh Lawson) Delegates sang and danced after it was announced on November 29 that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization would inscribe reggae into its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Jamaican delegation, led by Jamaicas Minister of Culture, Olivia Grange, thanked UNESCO for the inscription before inviting the room to sing along with Bob Marleys song One Love. Georgian wrestling, Jordanian singing and Irish hurling were also inscribed onto UNESCOs intangible heritage list, along with rituals from Japan and Kazakhstan. Credit: UNESCO via Storyful France is bracing for another round of protests by the yellow vest movement on Saturday with thousands expected to descend on the Champs Elysees in the heart of the French ... Authorities have closed the famed avenue for traffic in order to avoid a repeat of last weeks demonstration that was marred by burning barricades and vandalism. The government said protesters will be searched by police before being allowed onto the avenue. The protests, which were due around the country for a third straight Saturday, are mainly aimed against the soaring diesel prices due to government's decision to increase fuel taxes. But the protesters also want to draw attention to the growing division between the rich and the poor and the disadvantages faced by regional areas of France when it comes to accessing public services such as schools and transport. The protesters have been most active in small urban and rural areas where it has blocked roads and closed highway toll booths. No retreat on policy Two people have died and hundreds have been injured in the protests so far. Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he understood the legitimate anger, the impatience and the suffering of some people and called for more time to organise consultations on how to transform France into a low-carbon economy without penalising the poor. But he also emphasised that any measures announced in the coming weeks and months would never be a retreat on policy. Negotiation talks fail On Friday, the government invited representatives of the movement for talks with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe inviting eight representatives to join him in his office. But only two turned up, and one walked out after being told he could not invite TV cameras in to broadcast the encounter live to the nation. Following an hour-long meeting with the second representative, Philippe said the pair had mainly discussed spending power and that his door will always remain open for further dialogue. Story continues Trade union leaders, who also met Philippe on Friday, have called for a moratorium on January's fuel tax hike. The protests have also spread to the Indian Ocean island of Reunion. (With AFP) Just ahead of Saturdays International Aids Day, France announced it would start reimbursing prescription-bought condoms to combat the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted ... The move will make France one of the few European countries to provide such a reimbursement. The caveat, of course, is that those seeking to buy the condoms must have a prescription. French-owned Eden condoms were chosen as the brand to be covered by the state by 60 per cent. The move by the health ministry was applauded by the company in a statement that said such an initiative sent a strong signal that it [a condom] is not a sex toy but a real and indispensable prevention tool" in the fight against sexually transmitted infections. In France alone, Agnes Buzyn, the health minister, said some 6000 new cases of HIV were diagnosed in 2016, down five percent from 2013. That makes the total number of people living with HIV to over 172,000. In an effort to bring the down the rate even more, the city of Paris also announced on 27 November, Aids-testing centres throughout the city for free and with no prescription required. Paris Sans Sida (Paris with no Aids) says the idea is to facilitate access to screening. Having awareness of the virus means transmission can be easily in place, such as the use of condoms. The initiative to free screening centres will also be tested in the southern city of Nice in 2019. World Aids Day was founded in 1988, making it the first global health day, as a means to commemorate those who died from AIDS-related illness during the peak of its epidemic. Throughout the world, countries held different sensitisation campaigns aimed to pass the message of No Glove, no Love to the younger generations. In the Canadian province of Ontario, the No Glove no Love commercial made the rounds targeting young 20s crowd. By Leigh Thomas and Emmanuel Jarry PARIS (Reuters) - Rioters ran amok across central Paris on Saturday, torching cars and buildings, looting shops, smashing windows and clashing with police in the worst unrest in more than a decade, posing a dire challenge to Emmanuel Macron's presidency. The authorities were caught off guard by the escalation in violence after two weeks of nationwide protests against fuel taxes and living costs, known as the "yellow vest" movement after fluorescent jackets kept in all vehicles in France. In Paris, police said they had arrested almost 300 people while 110 were injured, including 20 members of the security forces. Police fired stun grenades, tear gas and water cannon at protesters at the top of the Champs-Elysees boulevard, at the Tuilleries Garden near the Louvre museum and other sites. In some areas there was virtually no police presence at all, as groups of masked men roamed in the shadows of the capital's fabled landmarks and through its fanciest shopping districts, smashing the windows of designer boutiques. Macron, in Argentina for a G20 summit, said he would convene ministers to discuss the crisis upon his return on Sunday. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe cancelled a trip to Poland. "We are in a state of insurrection, I've never seen anything like it," said Jeanne d'Hauteserre, the mayor of Paris' 8th district, near the Arc de Triomphe. The popular rebellion erupted out of nowhere on Nov. 17 and has spread quickly via social media, with protesters blocking roads across France and impeding access to shopping malls, factories and some fuel depots. On Saturday, some targeted the Arc de Triomphe, chanting "Macron Resign" and scrawling on the facade of the towering 19th-century arch: "The yellow vests will triumph." Addressing a news conference in Buenos Aires, Macron said no cause justified the looting of stores, attacks on the security forces or torching of property. The violence, he said, had nothing to do with the peaceful expression of legitimate grievances. Story continues "I will always respect differences. I will always listen to opposition, but I will never accept violence," Macron said. Protesters smashed the windows of a newly opened flagship Apple Store and luxury boutiques of Chanel and Dior, where they daubed the slogan "Merry Mayhem" on a wooden board. Close to the Place Vendome, Christmas trees decorating the streets were upended, piled in the middle of an avenue and set ablaze, prompting chanting from scores of protesters. Order appeared to have been restored late in the evening, although small groups were still at odds with police near the Champs Elysees. Authorities said violent far-right and far-left groups had infiltrated the yellow vests movement. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said most of those arrested were regular protesters who had been egged on by the fringe groups. The protests began as a backlash against Macron's fuel tax hikes, but have tapped into a vein of deep dissatisfaction felt towards the 40-year-old's economic reforms, which many voters feel favour the wealthy and big business. Unrest erupted in several towns and cities across France, from Charleville Mezieres in the northeast to Marseille in the south. In the Riviera city of Nice trucks blocked access to the airport, and in the central town of Puy-en-Velay the police headquarters was set on fire. The protests are taking a toll on the economy. Parts of central Paris that should have been packed with tourists and Christmas shoppers resembled battle zones, as smoke and tear gas hung in the air and debris littered the ground. Hotels and department stores in the capital stand to lose millions, and shelves have run empty in some supermarkets. MACRON STANDS FIRM The protests have caught Macron off-guard just as he was trying to counter a fall in his popularity rating to 20 percent. His unyielding response has exposed him to charges of being out of touch with ordinary people, particularly in rural villages and the provincial hinterlands. Some peaceful protesters held up a slogan reading, "Macron, stop treating us like idiots!" Macron on Tuesday said he understood the anger of voters outside France's big cities over the squeeze fuel prices have put on households. But he insisted he would not be bounced into changing policy by "thugs". Despite the unrest that has accompanied the protests, the "yellow vests" have widespread public support, even in cities. "I am totally behind the 'Gilets Jaunes'," said George DuPont, a resident in Paris' upscale 16th arrondissement. "The state has stolen money from the French people. It's time to give it back." Assistant teacher Sandrine Lemoussu, 45, who travelled from Burgundy to protest peacefully, said people were fed up with Macron. "The people are in revolt," she said. "The anger is rising more and more, and the president despises the French. We aren't here to smash things, but the people have had enough." Many on the outskirts of smaller provincial towns and villages have expressed anger, underlining the gap between metropolitan elites and working class voters that has boosted anti-establishment politics across the Western world. "Mr Macron wrote a book called Revolution. He was prophetic because it is what he has managed to launch, but not the revolution he sought," Far-left La France Insoumise leader Jean-Luc Melenchon told reporters ahead of a protest in Marseille. (Reporting by Thierry Chiarello, Antony Paone, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Bate Felix, Luke Baker, Sybille de la Hamaide, John Irish, Celia Mebroukine, Antoine Boddaert, Lucien Libert, Stephane Mahe, Caroline Paillez in Paris, Jean-Francois Rosnoblet in Marseille and Johanna Decorse in Toulouse; Writing by John Irish and Richard Lough; Editing by Mark Heinrich, Hugh Lawson and Peter Graff) Protesters angry about rising fuel taxes clashed with French police for a third straight weekend and scores were arrested after demonstrators built barricades in central Paris, lit fires and threw rocks at officers Saturday. According to figures released by French interior ministry, around 75,000 demonstrators took to the streets across France today in the anti-Macron protests. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said earlier on Saturday that "1,500 troublemakers" were around the Champs-Elysees avenue, outside a perimeter secured by police, who said that 378 people were arrested in Paris. Protesters, including some wearing black hoodies, piled up large plywood planks and other material in the middle of a street near the Arc de Triomphe, and set the debris on fire. At least 133 people have been injured, including 23 police officers. French authorities have drafted thousands of extra police officers into Paris. "We are in a state of insurrection, I've never seen anything like it," said Jeanne d'Hauteserre, the mayor of Paris' 8th district, near the Arc de Triomphe. Iconic department stores evacuated Meanwhile demonstrators have stolen an assault rifle from a police van in central Paris, according to police sources. At least 19 Paris metro stations have been shut due to the unrest, French TV news channel BFMTV has reported. Pariss Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores have been evacuated because of the violence linked, while firemen were called to put out a fire at a building near the Champs-Elysees, according to a Reuters witness. Protesters also smashed the windows of shops including branches of Chanel, Dior and Apple. Police fired tear gas to try to push back the protesters around the monument, and used water cannons near Champs-Elysees avenue. Some demonstrators responded by throwing large rocks. In addition to rising taxes, demonstrators are furious about President Emmanuel Macron's leadership. A demonstration last weekend in Paris also turned violent. "I will always listen to opposition, but I will never accept violence," Macron said at press conference at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires on Saturday evening. Story continues The protests, which began with motorists demonstrating against a fuel tax hike, now involve a broad range of demands related to the country's high cost of living. The skirmishes in Paris broke out early on Saturday, amid concern that violent far-right and far-left groups were infiltrating the "gilets jaunes" (yellow vests) movement. Rioters and peaceful protesters mixed together after police cordoned off the Champs-Elysees, forcing them into adjacent streets. Demonstrators put up barricades in the surrounding areas, smashed some car windows and set alight dozens of vehicles, including a police car. Clashes also broke out in other cities and towns including Nantes in the west, Toulouse and Tarbes in the southwest, Puy-en-Velay in the centre of the country, Charleville Mezieres in the northeast and Avignon in the southeast. Protesters set the headquarters of the local authorities of the southern Haute-Loire region on Saturday evening. Heavy goods vehicles blocked the road to Nice airport, a Reuters witness said. For his part, Philippe has cancelled a planned trip to Poland on Monday for a climate change conference, in light of Saturday's violence. Last week, French authorities said 8,000 people demonstrated on the Champs-Elysees avenue. Some of the protesters torched barriers and plywood boards. Police fired tear gas and water cannons to push back angry demonstrators. Since the protests kicked off Nov. 17, two people were killed and hundreds injured in accidents stemming from the protests since they kicked off Nov. 17, and hundreds of protesters and police have been injured. Failed attempt to placate protesters French President Emmanuel Macron has sought to douse the anger by promising three months of nationwide talks on how best to transform France into a low-carbon economy without penalising the poor. He also vowed to slow the rate of increase in fuel taxes if international oil prices rise too rapidly but only after a tax hike due in January. On Friday, the government tried -- mostly in vain -- to talk to representatives of the "Yellow Vest" movement. Philippe invited eight representatives to join him in his office. But only two turned up, and one walked out after being told he could not invite TV cameras in to broadcast the encounter. Emerging from an hour of talks, Philippe said they mainly discussed spending power and that his door was "always open" for further dialogue. One of the chief difficulties faced by the government in talking to protesters is their reluctance to appoint leaders. The movement, organised through social media, has steadfastly refused to align with any political party or trade union. (FRANCE 24 with AP and REUTERS) MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Veteran leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was sworn in as Mexican president on Saturday, promising a radical change of course in a country struggling with gang violence, chronic poverty and corruption on the doorstep of the United States. The first leftist to take office in Mexico in a generation moved to reassure business after markets crashed last month on worries about his policies. He promised investments would be safe and that he would respect central bank independence. Following are some reactions to his inaugural speech: ALFONSO ESPARZA, ANALYST AT OANDA IN TORONTO "There were no great surprises in the speech. It reiterates criticism of the neo-liberal model with the example of the energy reform, and puts forward increasing the number of refineries. Lots of problems were raised but not much time was left to get into solutions." "The market reacted positively to Lopez Obrador's election because it put an end to the uncertainty. Capital is apolitical and drawn to stability. The statements, perhaps premature, on banking commissions and cancelling the airport fed uncertainty that led to the currency depreciating and the stock market falling. Lessons seem to have been learned about these kinds of pronouncements, and in future we expect there to be more moderation, while still pushing things that benefit Mexicans." DUNCAN WOOD, DIRECTOR OF THE WILSON CENTER'S MEXICO INSTITUTE "There were few signs in AMLO's speech that the full reality of governing has sunk in thus far. Markets will be deeply concerned about the future of the energy sector and the overly ambitious infrastructure plans without any way of paying for them." ALFREDO COUTINO, MOODY'S ANALYTICS "In general, the inauguration speech did not have any surprises, since it confirmed the ideas and promises of the campaign. While it endorsed the commitment to economic discipline, respect for independent institutions, and calls on the private sector to invest, it also leaves the door open to actions that lead to a setback as in the case of some reforms (education and energy)." Story continues "There is an inconsistency in promising to 'make Mexico an economic power' but at the same time, reject liberal and free market economic policies, which are essential for gaining the confidence of the private sector." CARLOS SLIM, MEXICAN BILLIONAIRE Slim said Lopez Obrador's inaugural address inspired "certainty and an invitation to work and invest. What is needed, as (Lopez Obrador) said, is job creation, fighting poverty. The best investment is to fight poverty, incorporate marginalized people into modernity with education and employment." GUILLERMO ROMERO, FORMER ECONOMY MINISTER OF THE OPPOSITION-CONTROLLED CENTRAL MEXICAN STATE OF GUANAJUATO, ON TWITTER "The message of president AMLO was full of economic fallacies, without its historical context. Worrying." (Reporting by Mexico City Newsroom; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Theresa May's universities and science minister has resigned in protest over the prime minister's "naive" Brexit deal after she announced the UK is pulling out of the Galileo project. Sam Gyimah, who has been tipped as a future leader for the Tory party, said any deal struck with Brussels will be "EU first". The East Surrey MP, who is the 10th minister to resign after the Chequers plan in July, said he was resigning after Mrs May confirmed on Friday that the UK was pulling out of the EU's Galileo satellite-navigation project. Writing on his Facebook page, the "rising star" in the Conservative Party, said: "After careful consideration and reflection, I cannot support the government's deal and as such, I have tended my resignation as universities and science minister." Mr Gyimah, who campaigned for Remain but represents a Leave constituency, labelled negotiations over Galileo, the EU's strategic satellite navigation system, "a foretaste of what's to come under the government's Brexit deal". The 42-year-old added: "Having surrendered our voice, our vote and our veto, we will have to rely on the 'best endeavours' of the EU to strike a final agreement that works in our national interest. "As minister with the responsibility for space technology, I have seen first-hand the EU stack the deck against us time and time again, even while the ink was drying on the transition deal. "Galileo is a clarion call that it will be 'EU first', and to think otherwise - whether you are a Leaver or Remainer - is at best incredibly naive." Mr Gyimah said Theresa May - who is in Argentina for the G20 summit - should not rule out a second referendum. He conceded that Mrs May's deal "has been hard won", but said "at its heart, all the big decisions in the political declaration that will shape our future in Europe, and the world, are yet to be agreed". Story continues He added: "It is a deal in name only. And we will be relying on the good faith of the EU to deliver the bespoke deal we have been led to expect." The Oxford-educated MP argued in his statement the "sensible compromise Brexit deal" will leave the UK "poorer, less secure and weaker in the pursuit of our national interests". He suggested alternatives include a second referendum, saying: "We shouldn't dismiss out of hand the idea of asking the people again what future they want, as we all now have a better understanding of the potential paths before us." He ended his statement with a compliment for the PM - before confirming that he is unable to back her any longer. "The grit and determination demonstrated by the prime minister should be an inspiration to us all," he said. "I am saddened, as an early and vocal backer of her leadership, to have reached a cross-roads where I cannot support her on this crucial issue." BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday he had no concrete figures on possible oil output cuts, though his country would continue with its contribution to reducing global production. Russia, one of the world's major crude producing nations, has been bargaining with OPEC's leader, Saudi Arabia, over the timing and volume of any reduction. OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers will hold a ministerial meeting Dec. 6-7. "Yes, we have an agreement to prolong our accords," Putin told reporters on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. "There is no final deal on volumes but we together with Saudi Arabia will do it. And whatever is the final figure, we agreed to monitor the market situation and react to it quickly." OPEC and its allies will be meeting amid concerns over a slowing global economy and rising oil supplies from the United States. Oil prices had their weakest month in more than 10 years in November, losing more than 20 percent as global supply has outstripped demand. Losses were limited on Friday, however, on hopes of a production cut agreement. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Hugh Bronstein; Editing by Alistair Bell and Will Dunham) By Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Dan Williams AMMAN/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Syrian air defences shot down "hostile targets" on Thursday, state media said, in an area regional intelligence sources said contains Iran-backed assets, while Russian media said no Israeli jet had been downed as earlier reported. Russia's RIA news agency, citing a Syrian security source, had reported that air defences had shot down an Israeli war plane and four missiles, but the same source later denied this and Israel's military said the report was "bogus". Syrian state media said air defences shot down "hostile targets" flying over the town of Kiswah, south of the capital Damascus, and "were able to foil its goals" despite the "intensity of the aggression. State media quoted a military source but did not specify what the target was or where it came from. The area where the incident is said to have occurred is where Lebanon's Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran, has its communications and logistics hub for southern Syria near the Israeli border, according to two senior regional intelligence sources. Among the targets struck were two Syrian army brigades where Lebanon's Hezbollah group is embedded alongside a rocket depot close to its bases near the border with Lebanon, another Syrian army defector in touch with military personnel said. Unlike previous occasions, the Syrian authorities did not blame Israel. Israel is concerned that Iran's growing presence in Syria poses a threat to its own security and has struck dozens of Iranian and Iran-backed positions in Syria over the course of the country's seven-year conflict. The Israel Defence Forces said in a statement on Twitter: "In the course of Syrian ground-to-air missile fire, (Israel's) air defences sighted a single trajectory towards an open area of the Golan Heights." "At this stage it remains unclear whether there was indeed an impact in our territory. Our forces are scouring the area. Furthermore, the report about a strike on an Israeli aircraft or an Israeli aerial target are bogus," said the statement. Story continues A Syrian opposition figure familiar with the area where the incident occurred said its proximity to the Syrian Golan Heights made it a hub for the recruitment of Iran-backed militias and their deployment across the strategic border area with Israel. "Israel has targeted this area because the Syrian army barracks there have become a recruiting ground for Hezbollah and their militias to deploy in Quneitra," Said Seif told Reuters. Iran is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and supports a number of militias that have fought alongside the Syrian army and its allies. Tehran has in recent months expanded its military presence in southern Syria after insurgents were driven out, with Hezbollah, by far the biggest of the Iranian-backed militias expanding its foothold there, according to regional security sources. Opposition sources say Hezbollah now plays a commanding role in the Quneitra province that neighbours the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, where it is believed to be training allied militias and hundreds of former rebels. The sources said this was the first major attack since Israel scaled down its attacks in Syria after the accidental shooting down of a Russian surveillance plane over two months ago. The Sept. 17 downing by Syrian anti-aircraft fire, after Israeli jets attacked a suspected Iranian arms shipment to Syria, caused a diplomatic rift between Israel and Russia, and Moscow blamed Israel for the incident. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman, Dan Williams in Jerusalem, Denis Pinchuk and Tom Balmforth in Moscow and Lisa Barrington in Beirut; Editing by Richard Chang and Raissa Kasolowsky) Two thirds children in the Central African Republic need humanitarian assistance, while one in four is displaced or a refugee. The report, entitled Crisis in the Central African Republic In a neglected emergency, children need aid, protection and a future stresses the lack of attention on the crisis that has fallen under the international radar. Marixie Mercado, the author of the report told RFI we, [Unicef] are projecting that there will be 1.5 million children in need of humanitarian assistance in 2019. That's an increase of 300,000 over 2016. The armed groups who now control 4/5ths of the country, have spread displacement over more and more of the country and with that displacement have come more hunger and more malnutrition." "So there are more children than ever malnourished now requiring life-saving treatment she adds. Violence since 2013 In 2013, the country was hit by violence after longtime President Francois Bozize, a Christian, was overthrown by the Seleka, a Muslim rebel group. In response, self-defense militias, called anti-Balakas, mainly Christian, began fighting back, pushing the crisis into more violence. Much of the country now is controlled by rivalling militia groups, rendering basic outings, such as children attending school, dangerous says Mercado: You can't blame teachers in CAR for not showing up to their schools in these places, they're extraordinarily dangerous. There's been a trend of attacks on schools and education personnel in the Central African Republic. That is true of health facilities, even displacement sites are attacked. Just this month, there's been two huge attacks on sites where already displaced people have come for shelter. The top UN representative in CAR, Christin Muhigana, says the emergency in the country is one of the most neglected ones in the world. All of this is happening in the context of funding that has either stagnated or in the case of the overall humanitarian response, dropped quite sharply. And there's very little international attention to this crisis. CAR in 2017, the last year for which there was data, was the fourth most dangerous place to work for aid workers. That's after South Sudan, Syria and Afghanistan. And CAR gets by far less attention than other of these crisis explains Mercado. Story continues Since 15 November alone, the archbishop of the capital Bangui, Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga said atrocities included setting on fire children and the elderly. But there is a sign of hope if you talk to the education workers and the health workers who are doing, are working mightily to make things better for the people around them, they have hope. And if you talk to children who are going through childhoods that are unimaginable for most people, they have hope. So there is hope within people that things will get better. Until then, the country will have a long way to go before stability is once again in place. Full interview with Mercardo: The US has been blocking progress at the Group of 20 summit on fixing world trade rules, fighting climate change and tackling migration, according to European officials involved in the discussions. The divisions among the worlds leading economies were evident from the moment the Argentinian president opened the summit on Friday with a call for international cooperation to solve the planets problems. President Donald Trump sought to use the summit to make his own trade deals. Meanwhile, two men under heavy criticism from the West lately, Russias President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, appeared to seek refuge in each other, bonding with a tough-guy hand grab as the leaders sat down around a huge round table for talks. Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman adjusts his robe (Ricardo Mazalan/AP) Security concerns also weighed on the two-day talks in Buenos Aires. Argentinas security minister said eight petrol bombs were discovered in an area of the capital several miles from the summit venue where a protest in the afternoon drew thousands of demonstrators who held up banners with slogans like Go Away G-20 and Go Away Trump. Diplomats from the Group of 20 countries were haggling hard over a final summit statement, with deep divisions over what language to use on the Paris climate accord and the World Trade Organisation. Two European officials involved in the discussions said the US was blocking progress on both. So an unorthodox solution emerged: Because of resistance from the Trump administration, an official in the French presidents office said the statement may have language that sets the US apart. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, listens as Frances President Emmanuel Macron speaks to him (Mikhail Klimentyev/AP) For example, a draft says 19 of the participants agree on the importance of upholding the Paris climate accord, but the US does not. The officials said the US was also blocking any mention of migration in the final statement. Argentinas foreign minister Jorge Faurie said trade talks were moving forward and nations were continuing to work on climate change wording. Story continues All issues being discussed at the summit have the same relevance, he told reporters. We are debating (trade and climate change) more closely because we want to reach the consensus of all the countries involved. Protesters in Buenos Aires (Sebastian Pani/AP) Mr Faurie said that the final communique does not require the signature of presidents. Despite Mr Trumps dismissal of concerns about global warming, China, France and the United Nations came together Friday to pledge their support for the Paris climate accord. Their declaration was meant to encourage other G20 members to do the same, and to provide a boost for an upcoming UN climate summit. Argentinas President Mauricio Macri kicked off the summit by acknowledging divisions within the G20 while urging world leaders to have a sense of urgency and take actions based on shared interests. The summit is meant to focus on issues such as labour, infrastructure, development, financial stability, climate sustainability and international commerce. President Donald Trump, right, walk past Russias President Vladimir Putin (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) But as the gathering got under way, those themes seemed like afterthoughts, overshadowed by contentious matters from the US-China trade dispute to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. European Council President Donald Tusk urged G20 leaders to discuss trade wars, the tragic situation in Syria and Yemen, and Russian aggression in Ukraine. He said the European Union is expected to extend sanctions on Moscow over its totally unacceptable seizure of Ukrainian ships and their crews near the Crimean Peninsula. Europe is united in its support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, Mr Tusk said, calling the standoff a cause of great concern. Russia and Ukraine have traded blame over the weekend ship incident which Mr Trump cited in cancelling a much-awaited meeting with Mr Putin at the G20. Argentinas President Mauricio Macri, right, welcomes President Donald Trump (Ricardo Mazalan/AP) Russias foreign minister regretted the move, but said love cant be forced. Also looming large amid dozens of bilateral meetings in Buenos Aires: the gruesome slaying of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabias Istanbul consulate and how the Saudi crown prince, who is alleged to have ordered the killing, is received by world leaders. As soon as he arrived, the crown prince was confronted by Frances President Emmanuel Macron, who pressed him on the Khashoggi investigation and the Saudi-backed war in Yemen. The prince told Mr Macron not to worry, but Mr Macron countered: I am worried. Saudi Arabia has denied that the crown prince played a role, but some leaders may be cool toward him to avoid seeming to legitimise a man who US intelligence agencies concluded ordered the killing. Just signed one of the most important, and largest, Trade Deals in U.S. and World History. The United States, Mexico and Canada worked so well together in crafting this great document. The terrible NAFTA will soon be gone. The USMCA will be fantastic for all! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2018 Mr Trumps administration has made clear it does not want to torpedo the longstanding US relationship with Riyadh, however. It is the princes first significant appearance overseas since the killing. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been sharply critical of Saudi Arabia over the incident, is also in attendance. Leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico, meanwhile, met in the morning to sign a trade deal replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement that was struck following months of tough negotiations that analysts say left a bitter taste among the partners. Mr Trump called the pact a model agreement that changes the trade landscape forever. It must still be ratified by politicians in all three countries, and passage in the US could face a tough road in the House of Representatives after Democrats won a majority in November midterm elections. While Mr Trump cancelled his meeting with Mr Putin, the US president was still scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but analysts were not optimistic about prospects for a major breakthrough on the two countries trade disputes a month before US tariffs on Chinese goods are set to ramp up. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was supposed to get in to Buenos Aires early Friday, but her arrival was delayed when her plane suffered a technical problem. Scott Stearney US Navy Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, the US Navy admiral overseeing American naval forces in the Middle East, has been found dead at his residence in Bahrain. CBS reports that Defense officials are calling it an "apparent suicide." Initially, the Navy did not specify the cause of death. The US Navy admiral overseeing American naval forces in the Middle East was found dead at his residence in Bahrain, the Navy said on Saturday. Now Defends officials tell CBS that the death was an "apparent suicide." Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, a Chicago native, was the commander of the US Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet. "The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are cooperating on the investigation, but at this time no foul play is suspected," said Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson, adding that Stearney's deputy, Rear Admiral Paul Schlise, had assumed command. Richardson described Stearney's death as "devastating news." "Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior," Richardson said. Stearney graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School, also known as "TOPGUN," and flew F/A-18 Hornets. He went on to become the director of operations of US Central Command before commanding 5th Fleet. Watch Adm. Richardson's statement here: Tweet Embed: //twitter.com/mims/statuses/1068971081803931649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Team, it's my sad duty to inform you that today the Secretary of the Navy and I were informed that Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, our commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and commander of U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, was found deceased in his residence in Bahrain today. pic.twitter.com/FN8DAlWUng NOW WATCH: This two-faced truck is made from two Chevy Silverados here's what it looks like on the road See Also: My names Will Capers. For almost nine years, Ive blogged on various topics. I blogged as Blaque Ink first, and as Brotha Wolf second. The latter had a mu... 2 years ago Matas Cimbolas Wins the 2,200 High Roller in London (42,505) November 30 2018 Christian Zetzsche The 2018 888poker LIVE Festival London has determined a champion in the 2,200 High Roller and it was Lithuania's Matas Cimbolas, who eventually posed for the winner shots. Cimbolas came out on top of a 74-entry strong field, which consisted of 59 unique players and 15 re-entries. The guaranteed prize pool was nearly tripled and the top nine spots took home a portion of the 146,520 prize pool. On the way to crowning a champion in the most expensive tournament of the festival in the heart of London, two deals were cut. One emerged on the money bubble with nine players remaining, and 2,000 were put aside to the 9th place finisher, which happened to be Martin Donoghue. Furthermore, no hand of heads-up was played, as Paul Hizer departed in third place and Cimbolas then shook hands with Tom Hall at 2:30 a.m. local time. "It was like a home game, everybody knew everyone," Cimbolas said in the interview with PokerNews after the winner shots were taken care of, referring to the final table lineup, and the relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Once Hizer had been eliminated in third place, Hall and Cimbolas agreed to ICM numbers. The trophy was awarded to the chip leader at the time and that was Cimbolas, while Hall forfeited his chance to win another 888poker LIVE trophy, having won the 1,100 Main Event here at Aspers Casino in the previous year. Cimbolas just had another reason to celebrate as he got engaged two weeks ago, falling on his knees "right on the beach at the Bahamas" to ask the important question and his fiance was on the rail to watch the action from nearby. 888poker LIVE London 2,200 High Roller Official Results Winner Place Country Prize (in GBP) Prize (in USD) 1 Matas Cimbolas Lithuania 42,505* $54,330 2 Tom Hall United Kingdom 37,515* $47,951 3 Paul Hizer United Kingdom 20,000 $25,560 4 Pascal Pflock Germany 15,000 $19,170 5 Gerald Ringe United Kingdom 11,000 $14,058 6 Thomas Muehloecker Austria 8,000 $10,224 7 Christopher Kyriacou United Kingdom 6,500 $8,307 8 Carlos Sanchez Diaz Spain 4,000 $5,114 9 Martin Donoghue United Kingdom 2,000 $2,557 *includes deal of the last two players 888poker LIVE London 2,200 High Roller Action of the Day Day 1 had wrapped up with 61 entries and another 13 players joined the action before the cards went back in the air for the final day. Among them were also the 888poker ambassadors Parker Talbot and Dominik Nitsche, the former busted only four minutes into Day 2 while Nitsche's run came to an end just before the unofficial final table was set. Other early casualties included Jack Sinclair, Orpen Kisacikoglu, Michael Mizrachi,Martin Jacobson and Ludovic Geilich. Jacobson ended up second-best with ace-seven suited against the ace-king of Pascal Pflock. The rise of Matas Cimbolas started with four tables remaining when the Lithuanian had Ian Hunter and Philip Ward at risk. Hunter held pocket eights and Ward ace-queen suited, Cimbolas was miles ahead with pocket aces. Hunter spiked a set right in the window, but the case ace followed to give Cimbolas top set and the double knockout in dramatic fashion. With 30-minute levels until the final table, the eliminations kept pouring in quickly and notables such as Manig Loeser, 888poker ambassador Chris Moorman, Conor Beresford, and Chris Da-Silva were left empty-handed without anything to show for. Martin Donoghue doubled into the lead when he flopped a full house against the trips of Vadim Cojocaru and Tom Hall doubled twice in quick succession, then sent Harry Lodge to the rail. 888poker ambassador Dominik Nitsche out just before the money Jonathan Clark ran twice into pocket jacks to bow out and 888poker ambassador Dominik Nitsche made a move with eight-seven suited and a gutshot to bust against the ace-six of Thomas Muehloecker. Kalidou Sow got it in with queen-nine suited against the ace-nine of Gerald Ringe and the latter flopped top two pair to set up the unofficial final table. Once the bubble deal was made, Tom Hall skyrocketed into the lead with pocket kings versus pocket tens. Martin Donoghue raised and called the three-bet by Hall, then check-shoved a nine-high flop to be left with crumbs. From there on, Hall remained at the top of the counts until the final three players remained and witnessed the departures of Donoghue, Carlos Sanchez Diaz, Christopher Kyriacou, Thomas Muehloecker, and Gerald Ringe. Four-handed play lasted for quite some time and it was Pascal Pflock that had to settle for fourth place. Pflock doubled Paul Hizer with king-jack versus pocket fours and the very same hand haunted the German soon after when he couldn't beat the ace-queen of Hizer. Cimbolas scored a crucial double with five-four suited against Hall, who only held ace-four and the nutflush blocker. Hall was left short after that hand and jammed king-five into the pocket jacks of fellow short stack Hizer. A king on the turn sent Hizer out in third and the ICM deal ended the tournament minutes later. While the 2,200 High Roller has already determined a champion, the highlight of the festival just kicked off. Day 1a of the 1,100 Main Event attracted a field of 97 entries and 23 players survived the first of five starting days. The PokerNews team will be on the floor to provide all the action until the end. According to ABC News, the news of George H.W. Bush's death was announced by his family via Twitter on Friday, November 30. The source reports the former president had fought illness for decades and his health was in constant decline over the years. They also report that George H. W. Bush died at age 94, after enduring this prolonged battle with his health. Reportedly, Bush began having complications in 1991, when a doctor diagnosed him with Graves disease a thyroid illness. BREAKING: Former President George H.W. Bush has died at age 94. pic.twitter.com/K0QrPZzg6R NBC News (@NBCNews) December 1, 2018 Likewise, George H.W. Bush's health continued enduring issues as he encountered an irregular heartbeat in 2000 and was admitted into a hospital for a night. Then, in 2012, Bush's heart wasn't the problem, but it was his lungs this time. According to ABC News, the former president was reportedly hospitalized with bronchitis, a chronic cough, and high fever. The source states Bush's hospitalization continued throughout the Christmas holidays that year. And in 2017, as ABC mentions, Bush's health took another shot when he was taken into the intensive care unit at Houston Methodist Hospital for an "acute respiratory problem stemming from pneumonia." Words from son, George W. Bush The United States' 43rd president had lasting comments about Bush's death. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," ABC News reports was the official statement from George W. Bush regarding his father's death. George W. said his father was a man of "highest character" and "the best dad." The entire Bush family is feeling the sting of his death, but they're remembering him greatly during this time. Discuss this news on Eunomia George H.W. Bush had a long career in both domestic politics and foreign affairs. Take a look back at the 41st US Presidents legacy. https://t.co/TZwfiESWhZ pic.twitter.com/q0TnzxUVAj CNN (@CNN) December 1, 2018 CNN reports that Jim McGrath released a statement saying George Bush's funeral announcements will come at a later time. The former president is survived by George W. Bush (son); former Florida governor Jeb Bush (son); Neil and Marvin (sons); Dorothy (daughter); as well as 17 grandchildren. Preceding her husband, former First Lady Barbara Bush his wife of 73 years died in April. George H. W. Bush attended her funeral in a wheelchair. His family stated that his health had deteriorated so badly, he could no longer walk without assistance. "He, of course, is broken-hearted to lose his beloved Barbara, his wife of 73 years," George Bush's office reportedly stated after former First Lady Bush's death, according to ABC News. 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Puri Jagannadh often visits Bangkok, Thailand to work on his scripts, and also to shoot some of his films. In fact, he has spent so much time in Thailand that he has become good friends with several local people in Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya. Apparently, he hasnt been visiting Thailand for a while now, and all of a sudden, he got a sweet surprise when some of his friends sent him a heartwarming message from Thailand urging him to come back to their country. No wonder, Puri Jagannadh was thrilled to hear this, and stated that his friends in Thailand are like his family. The director is reportedly working on a script for Ram, and an official announcement is expected to be made soon. Articles that might interest you: Thank You Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also manage your communication preferences by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Adults 65 and up the age group most likely to be living with chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable, accounting for 90 percent of flu-related deaths and the majority of hospitalizations. In all, its estimated that nearly half (47 percent) of U.S. adults age 65 and up and 31 percent of those age 50 to 64 are at high risk for flu complications because of an underlying condition. The more than 30 million adults living with diabetes, for example, have six times the risk of being hospitalized for a flu-related complication, while those with heart disease face a 10 times increased risk of heart attack within three days of flu infection. In general, Schaffner says, the risk of flu-related complications in individuals with chronic conditions persists even if the condition itself is well-managed, and can linger for several weeks after someone feels they have recovered. So what is the best way for those with underlying conditions to protect themselves? Get vaccinated, Schaffner says and be sure to get the high-dose or adjuvanted shot if you're 65 or older. The flu shot (available for low or no cost, depending on insurance, at your local pharmacy or supermarket) not only reduces the risk of coming down with the flu in the first place, but also helps mitigate complications in case you do catch the virus. This can mean the difference, Schaffner says, between a bout of flu that you and your doctor treat with antivirals at home and one that lands you in the hospital with pneumonia. And remember, the vaccine also minimizes the chance of passing the virus to others. In Schaffners words: No one wants to be the dreaded spreader. Few public figures have been as dedicated to supporting military families as Tom Hanks. As campaign chair for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Hanks helps raise awareness of the struggle facing those who care for wounded veterans. And at a fundraiser for the organization Thursday, the actor received the organizations Hidden Heroes Champion Award and discovered that Dole had decided to rename it the Tom Hanks Award. The best chance for a veteran to thrive is to have a well-supported caregiver, Hanks told the audience at the Heroes and History Makers event, cosponsored by AARP, which raised $1.7 million for the foundation. Hanks paid tribute to the influence of Bob and Elizabeth Dole and their ability to build nonpartisan support for important causes. When one of the Doles calls and invites you to a meeting, you tell your staff, Im going to meet the Doles. When I get back, Im going to be involved in something, he joked. Hanks, who has produced such important TV miniseries about war as Band of Brothers and The Pacific and who was nominated for an Oscar for the World War II drama Saving Private Ryan, also joined a roundtable discussion featuring AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins, historian Jon Meacham and author Peggy Noonan. Caregivers represent $450 billion in unpaid work annually, Jenkins said. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and prospective Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of California, both of whom had family members who served at the Battle of the Bulge, were honored for their bipartisan work on behalf of veteran caregivers. Explaining how each of us, if we dedicate ourselves to service, can improve our own lives as well, Hanks shared his three rules of success: Show up early, know what you need to do, and have an idea for how you make things a little better. Along Alabamas Gulf Coast, for example, the unofficial snowbird season used to be mostly January and February but now has extended from early November until March, says Kay Maghan, a spokesperson for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. We are seeing a much longer stay from our snowbirds in the last four years, she says. There is a growing number of people who are becoming snowbirds and who are staying longer, says John F. Brady, founder of TopRetirements.com, a website that focuses on retirement issues. Boomers a large segment are tired of winter and the hassles that come with it. In addition to Alabama, other states that have been popular snowbird destinations are Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina and Texas, according to Homeaway. Picking a snowbird destination and deciding how long to stay there each year depends largely on finances and tastes. Brady and his wife, Roberta, 65, who is a mystery writer, split their time between Madison, Conn., and Key West, Fla., which has become their primary residence. Others, like Washington, D.C., attorney Alan Tawshunsky, 64, continue to live most of the year in their home in the colder climate. Tawshunsky has spent the past three winters in South Florida, where he works remotely in his own law practice. I prefer the milder weather in Florida to D.C. in the winter, he says. Lora and Kenn Krouse began leaving Athelstane, Wis., 23 years ago for Gulf Shores, Ala., when they retired from Procter & Gamble. Kenn Krouse says making new friends is a key part of being a snowbird. You just start talking to people and pretty soon you got a new friendship started, he says. Getting ready to migrate to warmer climes takes some practice and preparation. If you think you might want to try to be a snowbird, here are a few things to consider: Decide whether to rent or own. If its your first time in a warmer climate, it may be better to rent first to see how you like the area. If youve already vacationed in a region before you retired, you may already know you want to spend the winters there. Typically, future snowbirds might spend time vacationing in a location, then rent for a month or longer, even in several different locations before deciding where to rent for several months or eventually buy, says Kenn Krouse. You can try out the place by renting, for example, through Airbnb or VRBO. Decide which location will be your primary residence. This will be a concern only if you own property in both locations or are thinking of purchasing a second home. Eventually, you may spend more time in the warmer climate and will need make it your primary residence. Were [now] Alabama residents, says Kenn Krouse. Having bought a home in Gulf Shores, they changed their primary residence to Alabama 10 or 11 years ago. According to IRS policy, you can have only one primary residence at a time. If you own or live in more than one home, you have to apply a facts and circumstances test to determine which property is your main home. The most important factor is where you spend the most time, but there are other factors including your U.S. Postal Service address and the address on your voter registration card, your federal and state tax returns, and your drivers license or car registration. Consider how you will obtain and pay for medical care. To find a physician in your snowbird area, you can ask for recommendations from friends and family there, or check with your insurance company for names of physicians in your new location. For those 65 and older, Original Medicare covers you in any state. It gives you the complete freedom to go anywhere you want, says Charles Dinerstein, a senior fellow at the American Council of Science and Health. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you typically have to go out-of-network and may pay higher deductibles and copayments, Dinerstein says. If youre not yet 65 and/or you have commercial health insurance, check your health insurance policy to determine the terms of your coverage. Commercial policies typically will cover you while you are living out of your home state, but your out-of-pocket costs will most likely be higher, Dinerstein says. Prep your northern residence for your absence. If its a single-family house, make sure you keep the heat high enough or turn off the water to prevent freezing pipes. No additional insurance coverage is needed when you leave your primary residence for an extended period, according to Allstate Insurance Company spokesperson Ben Tobias. Consider hiring a snow-removal company to maintain the property, installing solar-powered exterior lights and asking a neighbor, friend or relative to keep an eye on the property, Tobias says. Also, make sure your bills reach you: Decide if you will forward your mail, plan to pay online, or pay in advance. Obtain the necessary homeowners insurance. If your second home or vacation house has a mortgage, your lender might require you to get homeowners insurance. But even if the bank doesnt require it, you might want to think about buying insurance anyway. It can be smart to maintain insurance coverage for the structure, contents and your liability in case someone is injured on your property in your absence, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Homeowners insurance for a secondary home can have different terms than your primary homes insurance policy. How often the home is occupied can be a factor. Insurance for second homes can be written on a named perils basis, which means the policy covers losses for situations described in the policy such as lightning, explosion, theft or smoke damage. To learn more, visit the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website. Eight games set for this weekend at Dacotah Bank Classic This weekend, Wachs Arena will host the Dacotah Bank Thanksgiving Clash. Both the Northern State women's and men's basketball team will be in action. The 40th anniversary of Albuquerques 1 percent for Art is definitely an event to celebrate. All the artists who have received commissions and the public who have enjoyed their citys ambience as a result of this program are particularly appreciative. But few know the real history of the 1 percent and the unsung community leaders who championed this effort. In 1978, when Albuquerque had a population of 332,000 and the city was in the fourth year of council/mayor governance, a group of local artists led by Dorothy Harroun met with City Councillor Alan Reed to discuss starting a public arts program. Harroun, a local artist now living in Santa Fe, had been researching other cities like Seattle and Miami to learn about their arts programs. The artist group felt that using a percentage of public funds connected with building projects could inject enough money into a program to provide a continuous flow of funds and make Albuquerque a real arts hub. Since Reeds father had been an artist, he was especially interested in this proposal. With the help of City Council staff and Harroun, Reed drew up an ordinance to dedicate 1 percent of all general obligation bonds to be used for art and to authorize an arts board to manage the selection and placement of projects. Community volunteers appointed by the mayor and city councilors were to make those decisions with the administrative help of city personnel. As the ordinance continued through the council approval process, other councillors signed on as co-sponsors of the bill. When the vote was taken, the ordinance passed with little opposition. Mayor David Rusk then signed it. There had been many arts groups lobbying for the passage, and Albuquerque United Artists had a gallery on Central at that time and held a city celebration at the gallery to mark the beginning of Albuquerques official commitment to public art. Ed Vega, a multimedia artist, made individual portraits of the primary city councilors who sponsored the ordinance and hung them in the gallery. Since that time 1,000 public art projects have been installed, which have added to the citys economy and helped support many artists. Albuquerque has flourished as an arts destination. When enjoying our unique city, it is important to remember the people who put time, effort and heart into art. On the City Council at the time were Sandy Eastham, Jim Delaney, Marion Cotrell, Pat Baca, Mel Aragon, Joe Abeyta, Tom Hoover, Jo Macaleese and Reed. Their legacy lives on in the art of our city. We hear so much these days about the migrant caravan straining to cross into the U.S. Media reports focus on the immigrants desire for a better life, the desperation that led hundreds of them to throw rocks and storm the border at Tijuana and the tear gas that forced them back into Mexico. And we hear repeated warnings about how our crime rate will surely increase if we allow unchecked immigration. But is that true? Do those who migrate here commit more crimes than legal residents? Researching that proved to be a real eye-opener. Why? Because there is no definitive answer! Neither states nor the federal government keep track of the citizenship status or the country of birth of those they arrest. Unbelievable, but true. That said, the Center for Immigration Studies says there is enough data from various federal, state and local agencies to piece together a picture of crimes committed by non-citizens. After studying that data, the Center concluded that, yes, non-citizens are more likely to commit federal crimes than citizens, crimes that have nothing to do with immigration issues. No one is keeping a tally as to whether these criminal immigrants are here legally or illegally, but the Center says that group accounts for a disproportionate share of those sentenced for crimes like kidnapping, drug offenses, money laundering, embezzlement, fraud, auto theft, assault, homicide and gun-related offenses. So, what data is out there that no one agency is bothering to collect and analyze? Lets start with the U.S. Sentencing Commission, which found that in 2014, 75 percent of all defendants who were convicted for federal drug crimes were illegal immigrants 75 percent. Most of those crimes occurred in a concentrated area, along the border region in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Florida and New York were also negatively affected by criminal immigrants. Then there is the FBI, which tracks the nations murders and reports that from 2003 through 2009 (last available figures) criminal aliens committed more than 25,000 homicides. The General Accounting Office agreed. And the GAO also calculated the cost of incarcerating this group. It did that by studying the reimbursements made to federal, state and local lockups under the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, which compensates facilities housing convicted immigrants. The GAO put the 2009 price tag around $1.6 billion, so this years taxpayer tab is sure to be closer to $2 billion. Peter Kirsanous, a member of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, says there is an overwhelming amount of data that shows that illegal aliens not only commit more crimes, at a higher rate than lawful residents, but (they commit) more serious crimes at a far higher rate than lawful residents. Were not talking about a little bit of crime. Kirsanous said. Were talking about a lot. Americans are being slaughtered. But my research showed there is great controversy on the issue of crime and immigrants. And to further confuse things, it is not always possible to know whether the expert speaking or the study referred to is focused on the entire immigrant population or just those who entered illegally. Criminology professors Charis Kubrin and Graham Ousey say they examined 51 different research studies on the topic and concluded there is no relationship between immigration and increased crime. In a scholarly article published last year they said that narrative is simply false. Overall, immigration does not cause crime, professor Kubrin said. In fact, our analysis reveals that, if anything, immigration causes a drop in crime, especially in traditional immigrant destinations like Los Angeles and Chicago where, presumably, large and supportive communities rally around newcomers. The CATO Institute agrees. The Institutes Alex Nowrasteh cites 2015 statistics from Texas showing that native-born residents were much more likely to be convicted of a crime than undocumented migrants. As a percentage of their respective populations, there were 56 percent fewer criminal convictions of illegal immigrants than of native-born Americans, Nowrasteh said. The Texas data also showed a marked decline in migrants homicide and property crimes. Of course, those statistics provide a snapshot from only one state. But the latest data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission (2016) shows a similar nationwide trend, a drop in nearly all categories of federal crimes perpetrated by non-citizens. So, should we take heart that while crimes committed by illegal immigrants still exist in substantial numbers they may actually be occurring less frequently? Or is the point that any person who illegally enters the U.S. and commits a crime is one too many? Civil Rights Commissioner Kirsanous says, We probably are able to find out how many Norwegian prisoners are held in Minnesota, (but) its much harder to figure out the crime rate of illegals across America. That is outrageous. I dont want to hear about the politics of this question or who is to blame. I want the problem fixed. We deserve good, reliable, up-to-date facts. That Washington has not yet set up a structure to definitively analyze the effect of immigration on our country is unconscionable. That must change. Its a concept that makes so much sense and has such an impressive, albeit short, track record that the Legislature should seriously consider a proposal to make it statewide. Staffers based at Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque are using a video hookup to interview people who have been arrested and booked but not yet put in a jail cell to screen them for automatic release pending a hearing in their case. The intake officer confirms the defendants identity news flash, some people use fake names and checks various databases such as National Crime Information Center, parole records and outstanding warrants before deciding whether to allow immediate release or order the defendant held until he or she can see a judge who would set conditions of release. The results have been impressive. About 90 percent of the 2,600 Bernalillo County defendants released after screening by the intake officer in the fiscal year that ended in June showed up in court as ordered. In some categories, that reached 98 percent. Its a much better system than the old bail bond aka money for freedom system in which defendants who could afford to do so posted a money bond, for everything from extremely serious to relatively minor offenses, while those who couldnt afford a bond simply sat in jail. Voter approval of the bail bond constitutional amendment in 2016 virtually eliminated bonds, but that meant in many counties a person arrested could sit in jail for a weekend or longer before he or she even saw a judge. Based on the automatic-release programs success in Albuquerque, the state Administrative Office of the Courts financed a pilot program to expand it to Mora, San Miguel, Valencia and Eddy counties in August, allowing intake officers based in Albuquerque to make release decisions in accordance with guidelines set by local judges around the state. Based on authority delegated to them by judges, the intake officers also have the ability to impose certain restrictions such as no alcohol consumption as a condition of release. Artie Pepin, director of the AOC, says its clear from national studies that promptly releasing low-level, non-violent offenders reduces recidivism. The longer a person is in jail, the more likely they are to lose a job, fail to pay rent and fail to appear in court at a later date. Helping people remain productive members of society is important. But does this system make us safer? Robert Padilla, the Metro Court executive officer, says it absolutely does because the program isnt just about who gets out of jail. The public should understand that while we are releasing people, were making sure the right people are detained. Now, the AOC would like the Legislature to consider taking the program statewide. As New Mexico continues to struggle with a stretched-thin legal system, these video releases have proven to be an efficient and wise use of our finite resources. The program protects defendants from the problems associated with unnecessary jail stays while protecting the public by keeping defendants who pose a danger or flight risk behind bars. The legislative class of 2019 should definitely approve this program for defendants, jails and courts across New Mexico. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal Two Albuquerque firms are providing the solar electricity and network operations assistance needed for NASAs InSight spacecraft to power up and phone home from Mars. SolAero Technologies Corp. built the solar panels now powering the spacecraft, which landed on Mars on Monday. And Metis Technology Solutions supplies round-the-clock operations support for NASAs Deep Space Network to send data back and forth between InSight and Earth. Both are homegrown New Mexico companies that have worked with NASA for years, offering critical components and engineering services for its near-earth and deep-space missions. Its behind-the-scenes work that enables many of the essential functions of space-exploration probes like InSight, said Metis Space Division Manager Jim Theiss. Were kind of like the phone operator who prepares the communication system to make sure its pointed right and working, Theiss said. Were the network operations analysts for every space probe. NASA managers tell us they need connectivity, and we roll up our sleeves to make it happen. For its part, SolAero has built the solar panels that power nearly every NASA flight to the moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter and even the sun over the past two decades, said SolAero CEO Brad Clevenger. Weve supported 41 NASA missions in the last 20 years, Clevenger said. The Mars InSight mission is just the latest one. That includes NASAs Parker Solar Probe, which launched in August on a first-ever voyage to the suns outer atmosphere, and NASAs forthcoming Europa Clipper mission to Jupiters Europa moon. The company, which employs 325 at two facilities at Sandia Science and Technology Park, is recognized as one of the worlds leading manufacturers of photovoltaic panels for spacecraft. It makes triple-junction photovoltaics with three levels of stacked solar cells to capture more sunlight, increasing power even in the darkest corners of space. Its carbon structures and assemblies are designed to withstand intense radiation and extreme temperatures. The panels on InSight are unique compared to other missions because theyre mounted on ultraflex material, a lightweight synthetic mesh fabric thats more flexible than other structures, Clevenger said. That allowed the panels to be folded and stowed aboard the InSight during its six-month journey to Mars. It folds up very tightly and deploys later into a stiff structure, Clevenger said. Were now waiting for the InSight lander to take a selfie of the solar panels fully deployed on the surface of Mars. Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems created the ultraflex material. SolAero used it to make the spacecrafts two solar panels, which Northrop Grumman assembled. Together, they produce about 600 watts of electricity, which is all InSight needs to manage its exploratory tasks and data communications with Earth over the next two years. NASA is great at designing spacecraft that need only a little power to accomplish missions, Clevenger said. The InSight arrays are providing the equivalent of just a few light bulbs, which is enough to do all its work. Metis Technology has an 11-member team working 24/7 with NASAs Deep Space Network, which manages the communications system for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. That includes massive radio antennas in Australia, Spain and California, which send and receive signals to and from InSight and all of NASAs other space probes. Metis network operation analysts provide the coordinates needed for NASA communication with spacecraft. We do the math and science needed for the radio antennas to talk with the Martian satellites and probes, Theiss said. We identify antenna pointing instructions, angles, and which of the antennas are needed to accomplish communications tasks at any given time. We make all the system components line up for sending and receiving signals. All data from the massive radio arrays is sent to Pasadena, Calif., and from there to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory room where NASA is watching the Mars lander. The firm, founded in 2010 by earth and space scientist Joy Colucci, employs about 100 people under NASA and Air Force support contracts for space missions, satellite operations and aeronautics-related work. Since 2014, its provided operation services to the Deep Space Network as a subcontractor for Virginia-based Preston, which supports NASAs Space Communications Network Services. Were thrilled to be part of the Deep Space Network team, Colucci said. We get to support almost all the high-visibility missions like Mars InSight and the Parker Solar Probe, which was the most recent one before this. At SolAero as well, excitement remains high on space missions, despite the companys long history working with NASA. You could see almost every computer at the SolAero plant tuned into the Mars landing last Monday, Clevenger said. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch. Were really proud to be part of it. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Its been a whirlwind month for Xochitl Torres Small, who has had little free time since pulling off a come-from-behind victory in the race for the open southern New Mexico-based congressional seat. In an interview this week from Washington, D.C., Torres Small said she has been busy with new member orientation, discussing possible committee assignments and meeting with other soon-to-be members of Congress both Democrats and Republicans. She also said shes not concerned by a lawsuit filed by her GOP opponent, Yvette Herrell, that seeks to impound more than 8,000 absentee ballots cast in Dona Ana County. After the absentee ballots were added to the final vote tally, Torres Small defeated Herrell by 3,722 votes in a race marked by big spending by out-of-state groups, according to official results. The election results have been certified by the secretary of state and I am here focusing on governance, Torres Small told the Journal. I am glad every vote has been counted. A judge granted the impoundment order this week and said Herrell and her legal team can start inspecting the ballots Monday, but barred them from disclosing any information that could be used to identify voters. Even as the legal case plays out, Torres Small has been gearing up for her first term in Congress. The 34-year-old will be one of the youngest members of the U.S. House of Representatives once she takes office Jan. 3. She is also the first woman to win election to New Mexicos 2nd Congressional District, and just the second Democrat since 1981 to post a victory in the conservative-leaning district. A Las Cruces water rights attorney whose husband, Nathan Small, just won re-election to a second term in the state House, Torres Small said she plans to return to New Mexico every weekend if possible once she is officially a member of Congress. She also listed health care and infrastructure issues including heavily used roads in southeastern New Mexico and internet service as among her top priorities. Those were among the issues she talked about frequently on the campaign trail. Torres Small has already faced criticism from the state Republican Party for voting this week for former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in her bid to reclaim her old job Pelosi must still win a floor vote in January to secure the position after previously declining to commit to Pelosi or any other candidate. The congresswoman-elect said in an interview before the closed-door caucus meeting that no one should take my vote for granted. She also said she would keep an independent streak as a member of Congress, which could put her at odds with the Democratic majority in the U.S. House. People arent interested in someone whos going to be in lockstep with House leadership on all issues, Torres Small told the Journal. Nationwide, Democrats picked up 41 seats in this years elections to win back control of the 435-member U.S. House of Representatives from Republicans, who had held a majority since 2011. Torres Small and fellow Rep.-elect Deb Haaland are among 101 newly elected representatives, a group that includes 42 women. She said it has been exciting to be part of the diverse freshman class, but also said she was moved by her encounter with a young congressional intern from Roswell who stopped Torres Small on Capitol Hill and excitedly told her that she and her family were big fans. Every time I turn around and see the Capitol, Im impressed by the responsibility, Torres Small said. Images and stories from Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs have shocked audiences worldwide, as bodies have stacked up in cities across the country, many of them victims of extrajudicial and vigilante killings. While the government has hardly been shy about its intention to go after both dealers and users, hard data on the number of killings has often been tough to come by. One indispensable source of information, both for the international media and readers in the Philippines has been the upstart news site Rappler, which is now facing a reckoning with the government it has been a dogged check upon. Arrests Asia Continents and regions Crime, law enforcement and corrections Criminal law Law and legal system Law enforcement Philippines Political Figures - Intl Rodrigo Duterte Southeast Asia Business and industry sectors Business, economy and trade Freedom of press Human rights International relations and national security Journalism and news media Media industry Controlled substances Drug policy Drugs and society Health and medical Society Substance abuse Companies Facebook Internet and WWW Social media Technology Disinformation Societal issues Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and her company were formally indicted on multiple counts of tax evasion last week, charges critics say are politically motivated and designed to silence independent media in the southeast Asian country. The formal accusations bring with them a potential 10-year prison term under Philippines tax law. On Sunday evening, Ressa landed in Manila to fears that she could be arrested at the airport. She was not arrested at the airport but confirmed to reporters in the arrival hall that a warrant of arrest had been issued. Ressa said she was "ready to post bail and do what our lawyers will advise." Ressa's lawyer, Francis Lim, told CNN that Ressa left the airport with the rest of the Rappler team, adding that they would "voluntarily surrender Maria to the court and ask it to set her free by posting bail, which is a constitutionally guaranteed right under our legal system." 'Ridiculous' charges 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. Philippines officials claim Rappler and 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 and philanthropist Pierre Omidyar. At the time, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called the charges a "direct assault on freedom of the press." The rights group Amnesty International, meanwhile, claimed it was "an alarming attempt to silence independent journalism." Ressa, an award-winning journalist who previously served as a CNN bureau chief in Manila, has defended Rappler's ownership structure as "100% Filipino," and maintained the charges against her company are politically motivated. "I've long run out of synonyms for the word 'ridiculous.' The basis of this case is that Rappler is classified as a dealer in securities. I am definitely not a stockbroker," Ressa told CNN Thursday, after news of the charges broke. Shawn Crispin, CPJ Southeast Asia representative, said the charges were a "blatant form of legal harassment and underline President Rodrigo Duterte's desperate attempt to stifle its critical reporting on his government." Duterte's office has denied he is involved in the prosecutions against Rappler, but the President has previously sparred with the company's employees, personally barring Ressa and reporter Pia Ranada from Malacanang Palace, his official residence, over their coverage of his administration Brad Adams, Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said the case sent "a chilling message to journalists and human rights activists (in the Philippines) that they will be targeted for exposing his murderous campaign." Duterte's drug war At least 5,000 people have been killed as a result of Duterte's drug war, his landmark and most controversial policy. That figure is the official police count, however, and opposition lawmakers and rights groups estimate the true death toll could be in the tens of thousands. Those killed have included children and innocents, as well as ordinary drug users and criminals executed extrajudicially. Among Philippines media, Rappler in particular has focused on the human toll of the drug war, and often contested the official death counts put out by the government under the social media campaign #RealNumbersPH, a self-described effort to counter what it calls a "false narrative" on the war on drugs. This has attracted criticism from both supporters of the President and Duterte himself, who has long had an uneasy relationship with the press since before he was elected in a landslide in May 2016. Ahead of his inauguration, Duterte defended the notoriously high fatality rate for journalists working in the Philippines as sometimes justified and accused the media of being corrupt. "Just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you're a son of a bitch," Duterte said in comments that were swiftly denounced by press groups. "Freedom of expression cannot help you if you have done something wrong." As many as 12 journalists were killed in the first two years of the Duterte administration, higher than under any other president during a similar period, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). In the latest Press Freedom Index, the Philippines fell six places to 134th of 180 countries, with the report's authors warning that the "dynamism of the media has ... been checked by the emergence of a leader who wants to show he is all powerful." A dangerous job Journalists who push back against the official narrative on the drug war, both in the Philippines and overseas, have faced online harassment from supporters of Duterte, who organize on Facebook and other platforms to go after media critical of the President. Ressa has previously called out the effect of Facebook in enabling the spreading of disinformation and attacks against journalists online, saying this has become a key policy for the Duterte administration. "We were the first, two-and-a-half years before the United States started talking about disinformation, we saw because of our partnership with Facebook, we saw these exponential attacks on social media that began in July of 2016, the same month that the drug war began," she told ReCode last month. "In August of 2016, I gave that data to Facebook and I said, this is really alarming. These people are targeting anyone who attacks, who asks questions about the drug war. The drug war began in July of 2016. It's targeting journalists. It's targeting anyone who's perceived to be critical of President Duterte. Those attacks are heinous. It brings out the worst of human nature." While Facebook has come under intense scrutiny for its role in spreading disinformation in the US and Europe, the social network has also been roundly criticized for not doing enough to police its platform in Asia, with both Facebook and its subsidiary WhatsApp accused of allowing hateful and dangerous content to be shared in countries such as Myanmar and India. Ressa was overseas when the charges against Rappler were first announced, but she has vowed to return to the Philippines and fight them, even if that means doing so from a prison cell. "In many ways the government's attacks against Rappler have made it very clear to us exactly who we are, what our identity is, and for our young reporters who are on the ground, how clear and necessary our mission is today," Ressa told CNN last month. "Our democracy is in transition ... the mission of journalism has never been needed as much as it is now, and we'll continue doing these stories." RED BLUFF, Calif. - The Red Police Department said that it is alarmed by a recent spike in drug overdoses in the area. Officers responded to four separate incidents of people unconscious from overdoses in just the past two weeks. The nasal spray Naloxone was used on three of the four. Police say they also have reports of heroin being laced with Fentanyl, which is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid. It is said to be up to 100 times more potent than morphine. Britannias Marie Gold, a 60+ year old favorite of homemakers and 3rd largest biscuit brand in India is on a quest to fulfill womens aspirations of embarking on an Entrepreneurial journey and finding financial independence. The first-of-its-kind advocacy initiative, which coincides with Britannias Centenary year, runs through January, and will reward ten homemakers with INR 10 lakhs to start their businesses. The brand has also put together an expert panel of mentors who will hand hold the neo-entrepreneurs and guide them to attain success in their business ventures. Speaking about the Campaign Ali Harris Shere, VP Marketing said Indian homemakers are a core consumer segment for Britannia. Through the years, we are beginning to see a shift in their mindsets from being a homemaker to a maker of many things. Many are looking for more fulfillment outside of household chores and family obligations. Britannia Marie Gold promises to champion this quest and help them realize their dreams and aspirations. Besides helping with funds, well bring together a strong ecosystem to handhold homemakers in their journey To kick off the campaign, Britannia has released a promotional TVC with Lowe Lintas and a long form digital film in collaboration with JWT. Giving Homemakers the Wings to Dream A TVC by Lowe Lintas to Announce the Campaign Homemakers are constantly caught up in the daily responsibilities of looking after family and all too often, their own ambitions and dreams fall by the wayside. The new generation of homemakers are not satisfied playing backstage they seek to ensure that their personal interests do not take a back seat as they go about her usual responsibilities. In the film, the brand portrays a contemporary Indian Homemaker who strives to Do More, Be More by going beyond her family duties. While happily looking after the well-being of her family, she dreams of her potential of starting a business. Britannia Marie Gold champions such Homemakers who have the ability to find reserves within them to Do More and Be More. Mr. Hari Krishnan, President Lowe Lintas says, Over the past two years, weve seen the Marie woman nurture her passions, and accomplish more things in her already busy day. And while the brand has always supported her by giving her the strength, this film marks the beginning of the next step, by giving her the resources to pursue her dream as well. Campaign Credits : Creative Agency: Lowe Lintas, Chief Creative Officer: Mr. Arun Iyer, Account Management: Hari Krishnan, Sonali Khanna, Smrithi Ramanujam, Prutha Nesargi, Anusha Shetty, Creative: Ujjwal Kabra, Adarsh Atal, Rangaprasad.M , Kishore Mohandas, Arpan Bhattacharyya, Charan Kumar, Planning: Subramanyeswar. S, Padmapriya Muralidharan, Production house: Radhika Produces Films, Director: Mr. Vijay Prabakaran. Ab Waqt Hai Apne Waqt Ka says Britannia Marie Gold As a prelude to the campaign, Britannia commissioned J Walter Thompson to produce a digital film that inspires every homemaker in India to realise their untapped potential and take that first step towards doing more and being more. Because at the end of the day, every homemaker wants to be something more than a homemaker. The film interviews four homemakers from different walks of life along with their families. They were first asked how they like to spend their chutti and after which the same question was asked to the homemakers. The content piece moves slowly into homemakers describing their unfulfilled aspirations and the families reacting to it almost in awe. Campaign Credits : Creative Agency: J Walter Thompson, Chief Creative Officer: Senthil Kumar, Executive Creative Director: Priya Shivakumar, Creative Supervisors: Ajay Bhaskar & Showmik Chakravarthy, Senior Copywriter: Gaurav Matai, Production house: Jamic Films, Director: Shirish Dhaiya, Account Management: Tiraz Balaporia & Richa Kukshal Bahuguna MK Anand, MD & CEO, Times Network, shared his views on Media and specifically News Media, in his keynote address at the Shared Value Summit 2018. He spoke about how News is continuing education, keeping corporate media free from vested interests, and the challenges of news media in the digital era. Following is the complete text of MK Anands speech: At the outset I want to express my sincere thanks to the organisers for this opportunity and honour. And I also want to thank all of you for granting me audience this afternoon. My special thanks to Amit for deciding to devote time for discussing Media at this summit. Its unusual that Media gets discussed outside of our Trade events. While we in Media consider it our fundamental right to discuss and debate about everything around us, somewhere we either escape attention or side step the issue. Or maybe we simply avoid it. Media or specifically News Media is far too important to be left to a small bunch of us News professionals to conduct. While News operations and its ethical conduct, I believe, is safe with our community, the general functional relevance and strategic impact of News must be firmly at the centre of discourses such as this. This is second time in a month that there has been a request to me to talk about the role of News Media in society. And if thats a pattern, I think its good. News is continuing education. It basically works to standardise social awareness and thus makes communicating, transacting and living with each other possible. If our News contexts are congruent, we relate. If they are not, we cant see eye to eye. News therefore is a prerequisite for Democracy. In fact, Thomas Jefferson famously stated .... Media Business has a natural and instinctive affinity for Democracy. In fact, it cannot exist without democracy. In non-democratic regimes, News Media are mouthpieces supported by regimes or vested interests. They cannot be called independent businesses at all. As such, market forces have ensured that News Media in Democracies have by and large overtly or covertly worked to strengthen democracy. It has been a virtuous cycle. There can be no Democracy if there is no shared purpose. And there cannot be shared purpose without shared context. News Media starts with reporting events. And theoretically, the context is set by the events themselves. However, the choice of which news gets highlighted and what sequence it is reported in, the choice of words, visuals and innuendo means that News Media ends up setting the context. How and for what this power is used determines how much contribution Media makes to strengthen democracy. Corporate media like all consumer product businesses face competing products, evolve brands, espouse values and work in self-interest. The temptation to use the power of setting context arises due to competitive self-interest in the short term. While some amount of this is permissible in the form of advertising or agenda led editorial called Advertorial, anything beyond that distorts social awareness. Studying the long term behaviour of news brands will clearly indicate that misuse of the power to set context, eventually leads to brand erosion and is bad for business. From a competition point of view, therefore, short term gains by currying favours works against the News Media brand itself. Contrary to popular imagination, Corporate media is not besieged by Powerful vested interests and no one really arm twists anyone. If someone alludes to that, its good to remember that it always takes 2 to tango. In my experience, Values led context setting is permissible. And fidelity to such values is appreciated by consumers. In an age when event information is commodity, due to the ubiquitous nature of screens, News Media brands do need to be opinionated to choose and pursue target groups. Mass News Media brands can be biased to a set of values and democratic at the same time, just as honest political leaders are. Leading News brands like ours actually lead the nation as much as the political leadership does. News Media management, therefore, is also about management of this power for the larger good. We are in a unique position to choose Public Good Agenda and put our force behind them to accelerate change and aid in Development. We have a few striking examples of this in our Company. Remonetise India, India for Kerala, India Development Debate, The Urban Debate, End VVIP Racism, Path to Life. Jan Nivesh by ET Now and AMFI crosses the targeted 1 million pledges within 6 months of activity. Worlds largest Investor education program. The only Corporate self interest in all these cases is to do good to be known as good from a Brand point of view. The importance of Brand equity cannot be ever overstated in Media business. Media is a trust product and has always been one of the most Brand sensitive businesses. And the seismic changes that have been unleashed on Media industry which forever faces new competition due to evolving technology, has only raised the importance of Brand. These forces work towards ensuring that Media brands that dont work for their consumer interest or are compromised will not survive. While designing the Content architecture and Broad theme for Times Now and Mirror Now, we rely a lot on consumer research and data from sample surveys. We stand for values that large consumer groups believe in. Our digital platforms give us instant feedback on what the mood of the nation is on issues. Our content line up then reflects that. Its pure market forces at work. The end result of all this is audience aggregation. So much about Corporate Media. Any discussion today on News and Democracy will be incomplete without touching upon the impact that Digital and particularly Social Media has on society. The Internet converts every device on it into a potential server. And without realising, each one of us is a broadcaster. The positive side of this ability to publish is the opportunity it offers individuals to directly reach out to others, without the cumbersome and sometimes limiting filter of media platforms. Mass outreach is today possible without courting major media platforms. Donald Trump has 55 million followers on Twitter, which gives him the strength to brush aside global news brands. Narendra Modis social media reach is larger than the social media reach of the top three Indian digital English news platforms TOI, NDTV and Times Now put together. This obviously is a great source of power for these leaders. This strengthens democracy as it offers individuals immense potential. While the new medium comes with this major potential, there is a dark side to it. Fake news, deliberate and unintended, has grave consequences. Its all the more dangerous when we realise that the News consumer is still driven by an almost 200-year old habit of trusting the published word. While publishing technology has leap-frogged, the same cannot be expected of the consumer brain. Branded media could lose its business, net worth and the shirt off its back if they did a hoax piece and got caught. What do anonymous social media jockeys or address less bloggers and opinion websites have to lose? Worse still is the propagation by message apps, with no address of source. Regulation and consumer education has to urgently adapt. In the context of Digital news, the other critical issue besides fake news that needs to be confronted is the concentration of power and therefore potential threat that Search and Social intermediaries and Platform owners can pose. As a news practitioner, I can tell you one thing. Ensuring that my news gets to your screen is not as simple as it looks. Behind your seemingly in control act of choosing my channel and staying tuned, is a highly complex data-driven activity. Your choice is always influenced by a series of invisible steps that broadcasters take in placement, distribution, visibility, etc. And I am talking about traditional broadcast. We call it reach optimisation. This power gets magnified when the medium through which you access stories, the algorithms that decide which story to place in front of you when you search, is owned and operated by corporations that may not be easily regulated. I am not blaming them for wilful subversion at all. They have robust systems to ensure fair play. But concentrating power of this nature can have unintended disastrous consequences. Today, search rules on such platforms can overnight change which news brand gets watched over others. A third-party platform that wields such absolute power that determines survival itself for news players can be dangerous to democracy. Thats in a nutshell a view from the News Gladiators Arena Centre. I hope I have been able to leave you with some points to mull over and deliberate about this critically important subject. In case you have any thoughts to share, you can surely send it to me via Institute of Competitiveness. Durex, worlds #1 sexual wellbeing brand today announced its partnership with (RED), a nonprofit organization, to fight the AIDS epidemic globally. With the collaboration, Durex aims to drive awareness and instigate behavior change in people towards fighting against HIV/AIDS. It also launched #HaveSexSaveLives initiative, under which a limited edition (DUREX)RED pack has been introduced in India and globally. For every (DUREX)RED pack purchased by a consumer, a part of the revenue will be donated to the Global Fund that fights AIDS. A minimum donation of $5m will be made to The Global Fund via the (DUREX)RED partnership and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will generously match this figure making it a total of $10m to fight AIDS. The partnership will try helping reinvigorate conversations and activism around HIV/AIDS to transform the health of young women and girls in the country. Commenting on the partnership, Pankaj Duhan, Chief Marketing Officer, RB South Asia Health said, As Durex India, we understand the urgency of providing access, education and information around sexual health and contraception. We believe that this partnership and our initiative together will drive conversations and help increase the adoption of condoms in our country. Through #HaveSexSaveLives initiative, we want to invoke the youth of today to be a torchbearer and an agent of change in society. We are hopeful that they will actively participate in this fight against HIV through the purchase of (DUREX)RED special edition pack. As per National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), India had observed around 87,580 new HIV infections and 69,110 AIDS related deaths in 2017. Condom penetration in India stands at only 5.2% today, the biggest reason being the usage of condoms being perceived as a hindrance in the act of sex. Together with (RED), Durex aims to reduce cases of new HIV infections and pregnancies among young women. It also wishes to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services and comprehensive sexuality education in schools, and encourage girl child education. Durex India also signed an MOU with UNAIDS India, through which it has donated one lakh condoms for free to be distributed among high-risk groups. Additionally, as part of the global campaign, Durex also kicked of #GAF ('Give a F**k), a consumer engagement campaign with the global talent Zara Larsson, a Swedish singer and songwriter. The brand is also identifying ways to reach the highest HIV risk group of Female Sex Workers, to prevent the spread of AIDS epidemic. Indias strongest and most awarded radio network 93.5 RED FM has taken up the initiative of encouraging Mumbaikars to check their status. Going around the streets of Mumbai, RED FM initiated an awareness drive for World Aids Day on 1st December and asked people what is their status. While most of them mistook it for the social media status, some of them even went ahead and announced their marital status. Making it more specific, RED FM mentioned HIV status, which created shock and horror amongst the people. All of them were taken aback with the openness of the question and refused to acknowledge or answer. Talking about the initiative Nisha Narayanan, COO RED FM says, It is extremely important that people in this country openly talk about HIV AIDS to help increase awareness. In India it is considered a taboo to talk about HIV AIDS and unprotected sex. The second step after awareness is to get tested. Through #StatusUpdate, RED FM in its own irreverent and Bajaate Raho form reached out to the citizens breaking stereotypes and spread the message far and wide. While according to some reports the there is an overall decline in new HIV infections and AIDS- related deaths in India, there are inter-state variations. There is still more scope for awareness. Give your social media status a skip and get your HIV status updated! Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. The thorny rezoning of the Waterloo Street neighborhood has been put on hold indefinitely, according to Aiken City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh. Bedenbaugh announced the long term pause in an email Friday. The email was sent to more than a dozen people as well as every member of City Council. In an earlier email, the city's planning director, Ryan Bland, said the rezoning of Waterloo Street lots would likely reappear on the Jan. 14, 2019, City Council agenda. That is no longer accurate, Bedenbaugh explained. On Nov. 26, following a public hearing rife with pushback, City Council unanimously voted to table the Waterloo Street rezoning item. No timeline for the topic was immediately given. City Council member Gail Diggs was absent from the meeting and vote. Aiken City Council balks at controversial Waterloo Street rezoning ordinance City Council on Monday night unanimously tabled an ordinance to rezone 11 properties fronting Waterloo Street, a stretch between and perpendic At the heart of the matter are 11 properties fronting Waterloo Street, a two-lane road west of downtown Aiken. It runs between Hayne and Richland avenues. City Council has signaled its interest in rezoning the properties a majority of which were most recently used for commercial purposes to limited business. The 11 properties are currently zoned limited professional. On Friday afternoon, Mayor Rick Osbon said stepping back from the rezoning "behooves" City Council and the situation in general. "There's no reason why we should rush this," Osbon said. "I think it should be a thoughtful and considerate process." At least one Waterloo Street neighbor on Monday accused City Council of ramrodding the rezoning and ignoring public input. "There's nothing pushing this immediately," Osbon said. Congress is resorting to parliamentary sleight of hand to pass a long-delayed Syria sanctions bill. Thats because a single lawmaker is holding up the overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation in the Senate. Al-Monitor has learned that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is holding up the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act despite otherwise universal support in Congress and the Donald Trump administrations endorsement. Although the House unanimously passed the bill last year, Pauls maneuvering has forced House appropriators to attach it to must-pass spending legislation to have a chance of getting it through the Senate by the end of the year. It infuriates me, Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., the bills author, told Al-Monitor. Were going to hopefully get it attached to the appropriations bill." Engel made a similar case on the House floor earlier this week, calling on Paul to lift his hold on the bill without referring to him by name. The White House aided Engels effort by issuing a statement endorsing the legislation today. At its core, the bill provides additional tools designed to deny the [Bashar al-Assad] regime and its proxies access to the international financial system and to block the financial and other support that fuels the murder of innocent Syrians, the White House statement said. Engel, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, first introduced the bill in 2016, when it was also held up in the Senate. The bill is named after the pseudonym of a Syrian dissident who smuggled out thousands of pictures showing the Syrian governments abuse and murder of prisoners. The legislation would sanction Syrian officials involved in human rights abuses and anyone who does business with the Syrian government. It also requires the Trump administration to determine whether Syrias central bank is a primary money laundering concern, which could lead to more sanctions. Additionally, it requires Trump to submit a strategy to Congress on deterring foreigners from signing reconstruction contracts in areas controlled by the Assad government and its allies. Paul acknowledged that he is blocking a unanimous Senate vote on the bill but referred Al-Monitor to his office for further explanation. His office did not reply to subsequent requests for comment. The senator tried to attach an unrelated amendment to the bill when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced it earlier this year. At the time, the Kentucky Republican was seeking to remove sanctions on 26 Russian legislators for their involvement in occupying Crimea. Paul argued that the sanctions inhibited dialogue by preventing the Russian lawmakers from traveling to the United States. The committee rejected Pauls amendment 20-1. I just think its outrageous that one person can hold this legislation up when its got nothing to do with whatever point hes trying to prove, Engel told Al-Monitor. Americans for a Free Syria, an activist group supporting the bill, was blunter. Given Sen. Paul says he believes in individual liberty and has a suspicion of strong, centralized government, its bizarre hes holding water for President Putin and legislators in the Russian Duma who are complicit in backing Assads murderous regime, Jameson Cunningham, the groups policy strategist, told Al-Monitor. Cunningham went on to urge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to use his leverage to get this bill passed. The latest bout of drama on the otherwise noncontroversial Syria bill comes after Congress finally passed the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act earlier this week to provide aid to Islamic State genocide victims. That bill, which now awaits Trumps signature, also endured a multiyear hold in the Senate. Additionally, Congress also managed to pass a provision setting up a 12-member panel to study Syria policy in October. However, legislators only managed to do so by burying it in an unrelated aviation bill. Multiple law enforcement vehicles are at Hoover High School Friday afternoon due to potential protests near the school related to the Thanksgiving shooting at Riverchase Galleria. Hoover City Schools issued an email Friday afternoon notifying parents about social media posts mentioning potential protests at Hoover schools. Please know we are tracking these developments and will address each and every situation with the necessary attention and procedures. We are in communication with local law enforcement officials as posts or other developments are brought to our attention. Minimizing disruption on our campuses is a constant focus for us. Moreover, keeping your students safe remains our number one priority, the letter stated. Hoover City Schools spokesperson Jason Gaston said Hoover High School was operating normally. Hoover High School was the subject of at least some of the social media posts. Protests from local activists have occurred since E.J. Bradford, Jr. was shot and killed by a Hoover police officer at the Riverchase Galleria on Thanksgiving night in the immediate aftermath of a shooting at the mall. Protesters want video of the shooting released. Hoover mayor Frank Brocato, Police Chief Nick Derzis, and City Councilman Derrick M. Murphy apologized to Bradfords family on Nov. 27. The apology was for initially identifying Bradford as the shooter in a dispute that led to the wounding of 18-year-old Brian Wilson and 12-year-old Molly Davis, not for the subsequent police shooting of Bradford. On Thursday, Derrick Murphy, Hoovers lone black city council member, called for state authorities to release information and footage regarding the deadly shooting. The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting. Bradfords funeral is set for Saturday. Officials say 22 people were hospitalized due to an ammonia leak at Koch Foods in Gadsden Friday night. At 4:23 p.m., the Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management Agency was notified of an anhydrous ammonia leak at Koch Foods on Paden Road in Gadsden, EMA officials said. Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management Agency officials said 22 people have been taken to area hospitals. EMA officials said those patients are being monitored and or treated as a precautionary measure. The plant was evacuated soon after the leak was reported. Those employees who evacuated and were not hospitalized are now allowed to return to the plant to collect their personal items. Employees will then be dismissed for the evening, EMA officials said. Officials have not said where the leak is coming from or what caused it. There was never any danger to residents in or around the plant area, according to the EMA. The Gadsden Fire Department, Gadsden Police Department, Gadsden Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team, Glencoe Police Department and the Gadsden/Etowah County EMA responded to the plant. Emergency officials previously had a half-mile perimeter setup around the Koch Foods. Only emergency officials are allowed within that perimeter. College Parkway has now been reopened. Koch Foods is a chicken processing plant that produces multiple frozen chicken products like chicken strips and nuggets, according to the company website. Anhydrous ammonia is a colorless gas with pungent, suffocating fumes. Its commonly used as an agricultural fertilizer and industrial refrigerant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says the gas can be immediately dangerous to life and health if not handled properly. Updated at 7:31 p.m. to add more information from the Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management Agency. Flags flew at half staff Saturday as state leaders mourned former President George H.W. Bush, who died Friday night at 94 years old. Alabama leaders remembered the 41st president in tweets and tributes that rolled in Saturday morning and afternoon. Bush served as president for one term from 1989 to 1993. President George H.W. Bush was a true statesman and patriot who served our country in the U.S. Navy during World War II and later as Congressman, Ambassador, CIA Director, Vice President and President," said Gov. Kay Ivey in a statement. "The honor he showed our people will live on long after today. He was a leader for us all, and his presence will be truly missed. I pray for the Bush Family as they mourn the death of their father, grandfather, great-grandfather and our 41st President. The states U.S. Senators also released statements. I was deeply saddened this morning by the news of President George H.W. Bushs passing," said. Sen. Doug Jones. "President Bush served the United States of America throughout his life with honor and dignity, both at war and here at home, as a Navy pilot, a diplomat, and a statesman. He made the most of his 94 years of life and he set an example we should all strive to follow, especially his unwavering dedication to his family and to our country. Louise and I send our heartfelt condolences to the entire Bush family as they grieve the loss of their beloved patriarch. Sen. Richard Shelby, who served in the senate when Bush was in the White House, tweeted out a picture of himself and the former president. From a young Naval aviator shot down in WWII to Commander-in-Chief, President George H.W. Bush led our nation with integrity, honor, and measure. Annette and I join all Americans in mourning his passing. Read my full statement here: https://t.co/6yflBSwZfW pic.twitter.com/CMPdZoQKem Richard Shelby (@SenShelby) December 1, 2018 In his statement, Shelby said, President George H.W. Bush was a true American statesman and hero. He dedicated his life to serving the country he loved for more than 70 years. From a young Naval aviator shot down in WWII to Commander-in-Chief, President Bush led our nation with integrity, honor, and measure. Annette and I join all Americans in mourning his passing. His legacy of humility and devotion will never be forgotten. State Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville), the House Majority Leader, released a statement on behalf of the Alabama House Republican Caucus. The members of the Alabama House Republican Caucus join the rest of the nation and freedom-loving people around the world in mourning the loss of President George H.W. Bush. He will be considered among the greatest of our one-term presidents, and most will agree that our nation would have been spared much drama and turmoil had he been elected to a second term. He was both a gentleman and a gentle man who offered an example for others to follow. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they celebrate 94 years of a life well lived. Republican U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne also tweeted his sympathies to the family. Reactions are pouring in to the death of President George H.W. Bush, who passed away Friday night at age 94. George W. Bush, the presidents son who went on to the White House himself, praised his father as a man of the highest character. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died. George H. W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens, George H.W. Bush said. Statement by President George W. Bush on the death of his father, President George H.W. Bush https://t.co/wDD0vnlN8U pic.twitter.com/t7UsDYSKY8 George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) December 1, 2018 From President Trump: Melania and I join a grieving nation to mourn the loss of former President George H.W. Bush, Trump said. Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit and unwavering commitment to faith, family and country. President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service to be, in his words, a thousands points of light, illuminating the greatness, hope and opportunity of America to the world. The president later tweeted a message citing his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family. President George H.W. Bush led a long, successful and beautiful life. Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2018 Other reactions: Fair winds and following seas, Sir. We have the watch. pic.twitter.com/hI2aGJjdKK U.S. Navy (@USNavy) December 1, 2018 Hillary and I mourn the passing of President George H. W. Bush, and give thanks for his great long life of service, love and friendship. I am grateful for every minute I spent with him and will always hold our friendship as one of my lifes greatest gifts. https://t.co/1CYdrIeKmz Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) December 1, 2018 Our prayers are with the Bush family tonight. Rest In Peace, President #GeorgeHWBush. Your service to our nation will never be forgotten. #ALPolitics https://t.co/zwkaYshi0E ALGOP (@ALGOP) December 1, 2018 American hearts are heavy as we bid farewell to President George H.W. Bush. Today, George and his beloved Barbara are together, enjoying a well-deserved rest from their labors. pic.twitter.com/ukPlqGKks4 Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) December 1, 2018 America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family tonight and all who were inspired by George and Barbaras example. pic.twitter.com/g9OUPu2pjY Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 1, 2018 Naval Aviation mourns the passing of our 41st President, George H.W. Bush, a Naval Aviator, statesman, and humble public servant. His legacy lives on in those who don the cloth of our great nation and in the mighty warship which bears his name, @CVN77_GHWB. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/0COuk6veDV flynavy (@flynavy) December 1, 2018 President George H.W. Bush was an American hero, a patriot and a wise and generous man. May he Rest In Peace. Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 1, 2018 2/3: As a torpedo bomber pilot, he was involved in one of WWII's largest air battles over the Marianas islands in Jun 1944. In Sep 1944, his bomber was shot down over the Pacific & he narrowly survived. He was later rescued at sea. pic.twitter.com/Cu7l2IVUmG Dep Sec of Defense Pat Shanahan (@DepSecDef) December 1, 2018 President George Herbert Walker Bush was the epitome of a public servant. He loved America with all of his heart and served her as fully and completely as anyone ever has. Read my full statement here: https://t.co/IaLM1VW19x Condoleezza Rice (@CondoleezzaRice) December 1, 2018 We have lost a great American. Service defined President George H.W. Bushs life, and he taught all of us about leadership, sacrifice and decency. We send our deepest sympathies to the Bush family. Tim Cook (@tim_cook) December 1, 2018 This brought me such comfort this morning. I had the opportunity to talk with my grandpa about the afterlife. This is... Posted by Jenna Bush Hager on Saturday, December 1, 2018 Eight days after Emantic E.J. Bradford Jr., was killed by Hoover police, about 85 protesters staged a die-in at the spot where he took his last breath at the Riverchase Galleria mall to honor the 21-year-old black mans life. After the die-in, the demonstrators held a candlelight vigil outside the mall. We light these candles in memory of him and in honor of the life he lived here, the short time here on Earth, said Carlos Chaverst, one of the protest organizers. The spirit of E.J. will forever live through all of us. Candlelight vigil has started: EJ was literally sacrificed so we can fight for a better future not just for his family and all of us here. pic.twitter.com/juj50ndLOY Jonece Starr Dunigan (@StarrDunigan) December 1, 2018 Chaverst found meaning in the breeze that swept over the crowd, which caused protesters to struggle with keeping their candles lit. The wind that blew out the candles represents the short time E.J. lived on Earth, he said. The police department blew his flame out much quicker than a candle can finish burning. Bradford, a Hueytown resident, was killed by police on Thanksgiving night near the Footaction store in the mall after shots rang out in the crowd following a dispute. Bradford was killed police when they mistook him for the shooter. Friday nights demonstration was largely peaceful, but there was a tense moment when a white man interrupted the beginning of the protest in the Macys parking lot when he suggested that the protesters were not acknowledging Molly Davis, a 12-year-old white girl, who was shot and injured in the incident. What about the little 12-year-old girl in the middle of this? How about that, the man said. Chaverst said the protesters have not ignored Molly. Molly aint dead, but were still praying for Molly, he said. A 21-year-old black kid is dead. Over a pair of shoes, the man said. His remark led one of the protesters to confront the man, but they were separated by a Hoover police officer who was among a group of officers monitoring the demonstration. After a white heckler started interjecting, activists told the crowd to ignore him and stay focused on remembering EJ Bradford, Jr. This movement has no room for ignorance and racism. pic.twitter.com/6hHdWhaOnj AL.com (@aldotcom) December 1, 2018 As the leaders of Fridays protest carried a wreath, demonstrators marched inside the Galleria and laid the wreath outside Footaction as they fell to the ground to symbolize how Bradford laid on the ground when he was shot. The protesters then marched around the perimeter of the mall before heading inside the newly opened Dave & Busters, where the manager allowed them to chant around the establishment. Protesters chanting Stop shopping here and Not one more dime inside Dave & Busters at the Riverchase Galleria mall. pic.twitter.com/41nRXsIdp9 Howard Koplowitz (@HowardKoplowitz) December 1, 2018 Martez Files, another protest leader, said activists are struggling to make sense of Bradfords death, but he said the group remained strong as Bradfords family is set to hold funeral services Saturday at Boutwell Auditorium. I want to make sure were really holding up this family right now, making sure that were doing everything in our power to make sure that they are healing...because it is a rough, rough, rough time for us, he said. Mark Myles, another protest leader, said the way Bradfords life ended hit too close to home for the predominantly black crowd of demonstrators. E.J. was one of us. E.J. is us. We died that night,: he said. Thats how we have to see it. If we dont see it like that, were going to burn out. Rev. Jesse Jackson called on Hoover officials to release tapes of a police shooting and hold accountable the officer who took the life of 21-year-old Emantic Bradford Jr. in a eulogy for a young man, who was shot on Thanksgiving. Jackson spoke at the Saturday morning services for Bradford, who was black and died after gunfire erupted at the Riverchase Galleria mall. Authorities said he had a gun and was near the scene of a shooting on one of the busiest shopping nights of the year. Initial reports wrongly identified Bradford as the gunman who had wounded two people. Later, officials said Bradford had not fired his weapon and arrested another man. We will have the tape made public, Jackson said. We want transparency, not coverup. Tell the whole story, tell it now. We want justice now. We want fairness now. Jackson invoked the long history of Civil Rights in Birmingham and Alabama, and the recent Black Lives Matter movement. He preached about Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr. and the four little girls killed in a bombing at 16th Street Baptist Church. He also listed some of the black men killed by police in high-profile incidents, including Michael Brown, Freddie Gray and Philando Castile. In the images of those battles and the shedding of blood, of E.J. Bradford joins those ranks," Jackson said. Jackson said Bradford would not be forgotten, and pledged to keep fighting for more information about the shooting. Innocent blood has power, Jackson said. 47 The funeral of Emantic "EJ" Bradford, Jr. On Thanksgiving, police said Bradford was the shooter who injured two other people inside the mall. A day later, they announced Bradford had not fired the bullets that struck a 12-year-old and an 18-year-old. Even a young black man with no criminal record serving as a caregiver for his father is still a threat, Jackson said. Jacksons remarks were preceded by tributes from loved ones. Friends remembered Bradford as a generous and loyal companion. Everybody called E.J., said one friend. He was always on call. His father, Emantic Bradford Sr., is fighting cancer. When he got diagnosed, he said he saw a change in his son. When I got sick, I knew then my son turned the corner and started being responsible, said Bradford Sr. The shoe was on the other foot. He started checking on me. My child was a good child. He broke down in tears when he spoke about losing his son. The years that I had with him were 21 good years, his father said. To this day, hes always going to be my hero. I miss my baby and his mama miss him too. The story has made national headlines. Activists demanding the release of video footage have staged protests all over Hoover - including the mall. One of the activists, Carlos Chaverst Jr., said the demonstrations and demands for information build on past Civil Rights struggles. Today we are no longer dreaming about that better world, we are building it, Chaverst said. How long will we have to suffer? How long will we have to see a family mourn in this way? The funeral was held at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, on an overcast Saturday morning. Mourners wept as they stopped in front of Bradfords open casket. More than 1,000 people filed into Boutwell to honor his life and memory. Bradford was a member of Rock City Church, which streamed the service live on the internet. Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales said the community should come together. Were going to have to have a conversation this country dont want to have, Scales said. This is not just a black thing. Its not just a white thing. Its a humane thing. The Hoover Police Department has turned over footage to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which is investigating the shooting. The city has not released any information about the officers involved in the shooting, but did say the person who fired the fatal shot has been placed on inactive duty during the investigation. The Samford University volleyball team was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament with a 3-0 (18-25, 19-25, 14-25) loss at the 17th-ranked and No. 11 national seed USC Trojans Friday night at the Galen Center. Samford ends its season with a record of 19-15. This marked the fourth time in program history Samford qualified for the NCAA Tournament, having previously reached the tournament in 2011, 2014 and 2016. USC improves to 22-10, and the Trojans will take on San Diego in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. FROM THE BOX SCORE Kelsi Hobbs led Samford with 12 kills and seven digs. Krista Boesing had 10 kills. Boesing ends her career with 1,376 career kills, ranking fourth in school history. Lauren Deaton tallied seven digs. Taylor Anderton had 36 assists. Anderton finishes her career with 3,824 career assists, the fourth-highest total in program history. KEY MOMENTS Bush successfully reversed Saddams invasion of Kuwait, prompting an era of US military adventurism in the Middle East. George Herbert Walker Bush served just one term as US president, but few occupants of the Oval Office could have felt history shifting so sharply under their feet. Relations between Washington and Moscow were already thawing fast by the time Bush succeeded Ronald Reagan, under whom he had been vice president, into the White House in 1989 after the Republican Partys third successive electoral landslide. By the end of that year, the Berlin Wall had fallen, revolutions had toppled Communist regimes across Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union had started to fragment, leading to its eventual disintegration in 1991. At a summit meeting in Malta in December 1989, Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev, his Soviet counterpart, declared an end to the Cold War and talked of a new era of lasting peace. Yet by the time Bush left office in 1993, he had sent US forces to war against Iraq, successfully reversing Saddam Husseins 1990 invasion of Kuwait, but prompting the beginning of an unprecedented era of US military adventurism in the Middle East. Elsewhere, the 1989 US invasion of Panama, the outbreak of war in the Balkans and the killing of Chinese protesters in Tiananmen Square pointed to a world rendered more complicated and unpredictable by the sudden end to the decades-long standoff between east and west. Ultimately, however, Bushs political career would flounder for reasons closer to home, with his failure to lift the US out of the economic malaise that had followed the 1987 Wall Street Crash. Read my lips: No new taxes Even his most famous soundbite Read my lips: No new taxes, Bush had promised during his 1988 election campaign came back to haunt him as the pledge was broken, prompting rebellion among the Republicans conservative base and a haemorrhaging of the popular support he had enjoyed in the aftermath of the Gulf War against Iraq. In the 1992 election, a beleaguered Bush appeared helpless against the challenge of the younger, more charismatic Bill Clinton. Clintons triumph marked a generational shift in US politics away from those, like Bush, forged by the struggle of World War II. Born in 1924 into a wealthy New England family, he had joined the Navy in 1942 at the age of 18, training as a torpedo bomber pilot. In 1944 Bush was the only survivor among his crew when their plane was shot down over the Pacific during a bombing raid. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for courage and devotion to duty and would go on to fly 58 combat missions. After the war, Bush studied economics at Yale, graduating in 1948 before embarking on a lucrative career in the oil industry in Texas, the state that became his adopted political home. In 1945 he married Barbara Pierce and the couple went on to have six children, though their daughter, Robin, died in 1953 of leukaemia when she was four years old. Following a failed run for the Senate in 1964, Bush entered the US House of Representatives in 1967, serving two terms, until a second bid for the Senate in 1970 again ended in failure. By then though, Bush had a reputation within Republican ranks as a capable and loyal political operator. He was appointed by President Richard Nixon as ambassador to the United Nations and then, with Nixon embroiled in the Watergate scandal that would lead to his resignation, as chairman of the Republican National Committee, tasked with limiting the damage to the party. Under Gerald Ford, Nixons successor, Bush served as an envoy to China before becoming director of the CIA in 1976, stepping down from the role after less than a year when Jimmy Carter took the White House for the Democrats. Bush was outshone by Reagan in the 1980 Republican presidential primaries, denouncing the former Hollywood actors neoliberal recipe of tax cuts and free markets as voodoo economics. Yet, chosen as Reagans running mate, he added moderate appeal and foreign affairs experience to the conservative idols star quality, helping the Republicans to dominate US politics for a decade. Though Bush lacked his predecessors populist touch and gift for a glib phrase, in leadership he favoured behind-the-scenes consensus building and careful and considered preparation. In the run-up to Operation Desert Storm against Iraq, Bush deftly built a broad coalition based in Saudi Arabia for the task of removing Iraqi forces from Kuwait, secured United Nations backing for the mission, and, in a sign of his ability to adapt to the changing world, issued a joint declaration with the Soviets condemning Saddams invasion. George HW Bush, his Defence Secretary Dick Cheney, and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Colin Powell in January 1992 celebrated the first anniversary of the start of Operation Desert Storm [File: Dennis Cook/AP] We have before us the opportunity to forge for ourselves and for future generations a new world order a world where the rule of law, not the law of the jungle, governs the conduct of nations, he said in January 1991. When we are successful and we will be we have a real chance at this new world order, an order in which a credible United Nations can use its peacekeeping role to fulfil the promise and vision of the UNs founders. After leaving office in 1993, Bush divided his time between family homes in Houston, Texas, and Kennebunkport on the coast of Maine. In 2005 he joined forces with Bill Clinton to tour and raise funds for regions devastated by the Asian tsunami and, closer to home in Louisiana, Hurricane Katrina, forming a close friendship with his former adversary. Just because you run against someone in an election, it doesnt mean you hate the guy, said Bush. George W Bush and his father George HW Bush during a concert by the Bellamy Brothers in Milford, Connecticut on January 29, 2000 [File: Rick Wilking/Reuters] By then, Bushs son, George W Bush, was in his second term in the White House, having taken the US to war against Iraq for a second time in 2003, and eclipsing his fathers record by winning re-election in 2004. At Bush clan gatherings, the two reputedly referred to each other as Forty-one and Forty-three, referencing their respective numbers in the sequence of US presidents. Remarkably, Bush developed a late passion for skydiving, jumping to celebrate his 85th birthday in 2009 and the opening of his presidential library in 2007. Bush celebrated his 85th birthday by jumping with the Armys Golden Knight parachute team in a tandem jump in Kennebunkport, Maine on June 12, 2009 [Reuters] Yet, in politics and international affairs, Bush was instinctively cautious and a natural pragmatist. Asked at a press conference in November 1989 what he made of the scenes of East Germans tearing down the Berlin Wall, he replied: Im very pleased. Pressed further by reporters over his apparent lack of enthusiasm, he added: I am not an emotional kind of guy. Bush Senior died on Friday at the age of 94, just short of eight months after the death of his wife, Barbara. Afghans shun crowded bazaars to shop online, but fragile security and an old address system complicate business. Kabul, Afghanistan It is a bright and chilly Sunday morning with barely any traffic in the Afghan capital, Kabul, and Abdul Waheed is already busy at work. Two years ago, 30-year-old Waheed and 11 of his friends founded one of the first online shops in Afghanistan, Entekhab Man. With most Afghans preferring to shop at local markets, many doubted it would be a success. We knew it was going to be difficult but never imagined how hard it was going to be, he told Al Jazeera from their main shop in Kabuls Taimani area. It took us one year to convince people that it is okay to buy things online, to reassure them that they did not have to come to the store to buy goods, he said, as he prepared to ship orders placed that morning. Entekhab Man now has three branches in three cities [Hamza Mohamed/Al Jazeera] Realising the daunting task facing their business venture, Waheed and his partners placed advertisements on local radio and TV stations. Slowly after that, we started seeing more and more customers. We also started getting positive feedback from people, he said. With many young Afghans using Facebook, Waheed and his business partners opened an account on the social media site, created a website and launched an app. Word spread and they started receiving phone calls from people living outside Kabul. Waheed and friends came up with a solution they sent goods by bus. We started sending orders to provinces outside Kabul. It was very difficult sending orders by bus. But it reached our customers within two to three days, he said. On a slow day, Entekhab Man receives at least 50 orders. The young entrepreneurs, who invested $300,000 in the business, say they were motivated by Amazons business model and have opened two more shops one in the countrys third largest city, Herat, and another in Mazar-i Sharif the fourth largest city. Parwez Ahmadi, 28, ordered a watch from Entekhab Man. He says he could not be happier with the service he received, he is now a repeat customer. I got familiar with online shopping through the internet two years ago. It was winter and I bought a coat from them that was really warm, Ahmadi told Al Jazeera. They sent me exactly what I saw on their website. Now I tell people to do online shopping. It is easy and you dont have to leave your house, he added. The business now employs 20 people and has plans to expand. With the success of Entekhab Man, other online enterprises have flourished. Afghan Mart opened its doors more than a year ago in Kabul, selling everything from utensils to beauty products in the Parwan 3 area. Most people place their orders through our Facebook page. We then deliver to them within two hours if it is in Kabul. We deliver everywhere. We deliver to the furthest places in our country within three days, Ismatullah Azizi, who opened the shop with three other friends, told Al Jazeera. Its clientele is young, tech-savvy and seeks convenience. Most of our customers are young. Sixty-five percent are under the age of 30 and have no time to come to the store, the 27-year-old added. At least six online shops have opened Afghanistan in the last two years [Hamza Mohamed/Al Jazeera] Across the country, there are now at least six online businesses and the number is expected to grow in the coming years. But there are plenty of challenges. There is no reliable online payment service here in Afghanistan. People only pay us after we deliver the items, which is not good. Also, unlike say America or Europe, there are no fixed addresses here, so it takes a bit longer finding the location and delivering the goods, Azizi said. And thats not the only hurdle. Afghanistans security situation is fragile, 17 years after the Taliban were pushed out of office. Many times, there are explosions and suicide bombings and that leads to roads being closed for a whole day. When that happens, we cannot deliver the goods and our customers call and complain, Waheed said. Analysts say the situation has boosted online shopping. Insecurity is one of the main driving forces behind this phenomena. It is safer than going out to do shopping. People receive what they ordered in a secure manner, Taj Muhammad Talash, a Kabul-based economist, told Al Jazeera. According to Talash, online shopping has a long way to go before it can fully compete with high street shopping. But despite the challenges, the young entrepreneurs say they are just getting started. This is our country. We have to believe in it, said Azizi, Afghan Marts co-owner. Only us the young people can improve our situation and that can only happen if we believe in our country and invest in it. 14 brave women who were beaten and prosecuted for protesting against Polands far right are still awaiting justice. Just over a year ago, Elzbieta had gathered with a small group of women in central Warsaw with a large Stop Fascism banner. It was November 11, Independence Day, and tens of thousands of people were marching through the city, many wielding flares and proudly displaying racist and fascist banners. The march described by some journalists as the biggest gathering of far-right activists in Europe in recent years might sound like an event best avoided, but not for Elzbieta. She and 12 other women joined the march, and once in the midst of it, they unfurled their seven-metre-long banner. Another woman from their group filmed the action. {articleGUID} The footage she captured shows what happened next: a violent assault, in broad daylight by more than a dozen participants in the march. They started tearing our clothes and I was kicked several times from behind, Elzbieta tells me. Somebody spat on me several times. They removed us by force. Since then I have a problem with my neck. Another woman, Agnieszka, describes how [at] first, people around us were surprised by the banner. Then they started kicking us, calling us names and eventually shoved us from the route. We hadnt wanted to block the march, we simply wanted to show them our message and leave. The women suffered injuries, bruises and cuts. One of them was knocked to the ground, lost consciousness and had to be examined by medics. There were no police in the vicinity to protect them. More than a year later, the women are still awaiting justice. In September, their attempt to get a legal remedy for the violence and abuse they suffered was blocked after the prosecutor dropped the investigation. She asserted that the attackers had not intended to seriously harm the women but were merely expressing their displeasure that they had joined the march. While she acknowledged that the assault and the insults qualified as criminal offences, the prosecutor concluded that there was no public interest in continuing the case and recommended the women to pursue private prosecution. To add insult to injury, a few months after the attack, the women learned that the police had opened an investigation against 13 of them for obstructing a lawful assembly. Nine of them were subsequently charged and convicted, and now have to pay fines and legal costs of 500 zlotys ($127). The case of these 14 women is sadly not unique. For more than two years now, peaceful protesters have been experiencing effects of restrictive legislation combined with heavy-handed policing, surveillance and harassment. The authorities often fail to protect peaceful protesters from harassment and violence by far-right or nationalist groups and the simple act of peaceful protest can result in police custody and lengthy court proceedings. Apart from limiting peoples rights to freely and peacefully take to the street and express their opinions, the government has also taken measures to undermine the independence of the judicial institutions in Poland. Indeed, since 2016, parliament has adopted regressive legislation that allows the government to put pressure on courts and judges. And yet, despite the escalating crackdown on peaceful protests, people like Elzbieta and the so-called anti-fascist 14, are continuing to take to the streets and courageously demonstrate against the abuse of their rights and the threat on the rule of law. The women remain steadfast in their fight for a fair and just Poland, where people expressing their views through peaceful protest are protected from attacks, rather than punished. Speaking to me last month in Warsaw, the womens lawyer expressed his incredulity that not only are nationalists and fascists marching again in a city so blighted by these forces during the World War II, but that those who stood up to them have been detained and dragged through the courts. The harsh penalties against us, no doubt, intended to send a warning to others who want to challenge the rollback of human rights, Kryska, one of the 14 tells me. But this will not discourage or intimidate us. We are not only fighting for justice for ourselves but are also trying to expose the way in which protesters are targeted. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Insecurity is a major electoral issue for President Muhammadu Buhari as he seeks re-election in 2019 polls. Abuja, Nigeria As Nigeria prepares for general elections in February, a series of attacks by Boko Haram has focused attention on the security situation in the country. The armed group appears to have regained ground in the countrys northeast in 2018, pushing into towns and villages it had previously lost to the Nigerian military. With an escalation of attacks in recent months, the Nigerian governments claims of victory against Boko Haram appear premature. The nine-year conflict with Boko Haram, that has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced two million others from their homes in Nigeria, has also spread to neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon. As Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari embarks on a re-election bid, he has called for urgent measures to curtail the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks. At an emergency meeting of leaders from the Lake Chad region on Thursday in Chads capital, Ndjamena, Buhari urged them to not cave in to the attacks. The groups renewed strategy of increasingly mining the area as well as its recent deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance have proved to be critical factors in the resurgence of attacks in the region, Buhari said. These activities are aimed at weakening our collective resolve to eradicate them from the region, he said. Changed strategy Nigerian troops have come under repeated attacks in recent months, resulting in multiple fatalities and the theft of their military equipment. In one such attack, a Boko Haram faction attacked a military base on 18 November in the village of Metele in Borno state, northeast Nigeria. {articleGUID} Military authorities said 23 soldiers were killed and 31 others wounded. Military sources, who did not want to be identified, told Al Jazeera that about 100 soldiers were killed in the attack. In the last 2-3 months, we have noticed daring moves by the terrorists, increased use of drones against our positions and infusion of foreign fighters in their ranks, Nigerian army spokesperson Sani Usman said in a statement from Abuja. Fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) faction of Boko Haram have claimed responsibility for the attacks. The attacks have focused more attention on security issues in Nigeria in advance of the presidential election in February. Protection is a right that citizens expect their government to fulfil. There is a need to improve security across Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, spokesperson of rights group Amnesty International Nigeria, told Al Jazeera. Broken promises? For Buhari, insecurity has become a major electoral issue. The former army general had campaigned hard on security and vowed to defeat Boko Haram in the last election in 2015. Shortly after his victory, the army made gains on Boko Haram, winning back territory, rescuing abductees and dislodging the fighters from their strongholds. But in recent months, the fighters have returned, sacking communities, killing soldiers and kidnapping young girls and aid workers. Hauwa Liman, a 24-year-old aid worker, was executed by Boko Haram in October after a deadline imposed by the group to release some of its imprisoned members expired. {articleGUID} Liman, a nurse with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), had been kidnapped by the armed group in March along with two other medical workers in Rann, Borno State. Saifura Ahmed, a midwife with ICRC who was abducted at the same time, was executed by Boko Haram in September. The armed group is still holding a 15-year-old schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, who was abducted with 109 others in February from her school in the town of Dapchi, Yobe state. Its obvious from the recent rampaging attacks on hard targets (military installations) that the Islamic sect is still a threat, contrary to the claims made by the Buhari administration that they have been technically defeated, security consultant Don Okereke told Al Jazeera. Granted there are no quick fixes in fighting insurgency or terrorism, but many people didnt expect this Boko Haram issue to last this long, he said. Increased military funds In December 2017, Buhari secured the release of one billion dollars in additional funds to boost the fight against Boko Haram. That push, however, could not save the Nigerian military from suffering embarrassing attacks and questions have been raised over the lack of equipment for troops on the front lines. It is embarrassing to hear that seemingly rag-tag band of Boko Haram insurgents outguns and outmanoeuvres our soldiers, Okereke said. Buharis spokesperson Festus Keyamo told Al Jazeera that Boko Haram attacks do not undermine the governments achievements. We must remember where we were in 2015 and where we are now to appreciate what has been done, Keyamo said. Some progress has been made, he said. Meanwhile, a resurgence of violence in central and southern Nigerian regions between nomadic herdsmen poses another threat to Nigerias stability. {articleGUID} Fighting between farmers and nomads has killed more people this year than attacks carried out by Boko Haram, according to a report by the International Crisis Group (ICG). At least 1,500 people have been killed in such clashes since September last year. If Boko Haram insurgents and so-called herdsmen continue to ramp up attacks til the presidential election, it will affect Buharis re-election bid, Okereke said. Fears of poll violence Nigeria has a history of election-related violence. In 2011, more than 800 people were killed in post-election violence after Buhari was defeated by former President Goodluck Jonathan. As another election approaches, fears of violence have grown amid concerns over what analysts say will be a close race. But with or without elections, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that lives are protected, Sanusi said. The government, meanwhile, has called for a political unity against violence. We are not fully secure as a nation and for that, we must be ready to close ranks, irrespective of party or ethnicity, to ensure we get to where we ought to be, Keyamo said. This years Atlantic hurricane season was particularly deadly and destructive, with 15 named storms. The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season will go down in the record books because of the storms intensity, regions that were hit, and the amount of destruction caused. At the beginning of the year, many forecast agencies predicted that this year would be an average to below-average hurricane season, which runs from June 1 until November 30. The average number of storms is 12.1 named storms, 6.4 hurricanes and 2.8 intense hurricanes. However, 2018 ended up being an above-average year with 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and two intense hurricanes. While most of the named storms stayed out in the Atlantic or Caribbean, four storms made landfall in the United States; Alberto, Florence, Gordon and Michael. But it was Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael that left a lasting and deadly mark across the southeastern US. Hurricane Florence made landfall at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, on September 1. Florence was only a Category-1 storm with winds of 144 kilometres per hour. But what made Florence so devastating was that it lingered over the Carolinas for days, barely moving and bringing 72 hours rain totals to well over 880 millimetres. Fifty-three people died across the region and the estimated losses from the storm are expected to exceed $10bn. Scientists are blaming climate change for the intensity of the rains out of Florence, 50 percent heavier than would normally be expected. On October 10, it was the panhandle of Florida that saw the landfall of Hurricane Michael. Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach as a strong Category-4 hurricane, making it one of the four strongest land-falling US storms on record. Hurricane Michael had sustained winds speeds of 250 km/h when it hit the coast that afternoon with much higher gusts. The storm surge from Michael reached to over 1.5 metres, and this along with the strong winds helped to bring the death toll across the region to at least 49. The communities of the Carolinas and the Gulf states continue to recover and rebuild after these devastating storms but as climate change facts become clearer, scientists suggest that future seasons may not necessarily see more storms, but they do expect that we will see stronger storms. The election is Bahrains second since pro-democracy protests erupted in 2011. Bahrainis are casting their ballots in parliamentary and municipal runoffs on Saturday, despite a boycott by the Gulf monarchys opposition. Polls opened at 8am local time (05:00 GMT) and close at 8pm (17:00 GMT). A record 67 percent of eligible voters participated in last weeks first round, according to election officials. However, the opposition claimed that the turnout did not exceed 30 percent. Some 365,467 are eligible to vote in the parliamentary elections, while 285,911 can participate in the municipal polls. Only nine out the 40 parliamentary seats and seven out of the 30 municipal seats up for grabs were won in the first round of voting, on November 24. The nine parliamentary winners included two sitting legislators and two women. The election is Bahrains second since pro-democracy protests erupted in the country in 2011, inspired by the Arab Spring uprising. In June, the outgoing legislature passed a contested bill on political rights, a step the opposition said was aimed at barring leaders and members of dissolved political parties from running in the vote. Bahrain is also grappling with a troubled economy and is burdened by debt. In recent weeks, Bahrain has accused regional rivals Qatar and Iran of attempting to influence elections and voter turnout. Official results are expected to be announced on Sunday. Reporter Ben Makuch of Vice News was ordered to give police his communications with Farah Shirdon, a late ISIL fighter. The Supreme Court of Canada has ordered a Vice News reporter to hand over to police his communications with Farah Shirdon, a late ISIL fighter who was charged with terrorism-related offences. In a unanimous decision released on Friday, the court acknowledged the potential chilling effects of such a decision on both journalists and sources, but said in this particular case the states interest in the investigation and prosecution of crime outweighed the medias right to privacy in gathering and disseminating the news. Justice Michael Moldaver wrote that the production order for Ben Makuchs records should proceed because his work didnt involve off the record or not for attribution conversations. Crucially, there is no suggestion that anything the source said was intended or understood to be of the record, the statement read. The journalists own conduct shows that the relationship was not confidential in any way. In a statement issued after the ruling was released, Vice called it a dark day for press freedom, which is a basic tenet for democracy. Makuch, the reporter, said he was profoundly disappointed by the ruling. STATEMENT: I am profoundly disappointed in todays ruling, not just as an appellant in this case or a reporter, but as a citizen of Canada. It is truly a dark day for press freedom around the globe at a time where journalism is unquestionably under attack everywhere. Ben Makuch (@BMakuch) November 30, 2018 Makuch, a national security journalist with Vice News, made contact with Shirdon in 2014. A year later, police said they believe Shirdon left Canada in March 2014 to fight with ISIL in Syria. The journalist embedded himself in Shirdons social media and eventually persuaded him to explain some of ISILs online recruiting strategies, which led to the publication of three articles that ended involving the journalist in a lengthy legal battle with Canadas federal police force. In 2015, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) filed an information to obtain order (ITO) compelling Vice News and Makuch to produce all his communications with Shirdon including messenger chats, screen captures and any other computer records. Vice News went to court to appeal against the order but lost. .@rcmpgrcpolice is trying to force me to turn over info on my IS source. We said no. Now we're going to court. https://t.co/LOtMNgnksZ Ben Makuch (@BMakuch) October 30, 2015 Shirdon was charged in absentia with terrorism offences in 2015 but is believed to have been killed in a US air attack that year. Makuch received the support of numerous press freedom organisations during the legal battle. On Friday, CWA Canada, a union representing journalists called it a troubling ruling. I cant express strongly enough how troubled I am with this ruling, said CWA president Martin OHanlon. Police have an important job to do in protecting us from crime, but they cannot expect journalists to do that job for them. The media is not, nor should it ever be, an arm of the state. A spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the department is reviewing the courts decision, according to CBC reports. In a statement, the RCMP said it respects judicial process and the ruling determined by the Supreme Court of Canada and will not comment further. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said this decision set an extremely worrying precedent and is a blow to press freedom in Canada. The order undermines journalistic independence and could inhibit sources from talking to reporters, which would in turn chill the flow of news to the public, it added. Alarm raised over academic freedom as CEU looks to relocate having failed to settle legal disputes with Hungary. Budapest, Hungary A self-imposed deadline by a university founded by American billionaire George Soros to settle a legal dispute with the Hungarian government has passed, raising serious questions on academic freedom in the country. Saturday marked the end of the embattled Central European Universitys (CEU) deadline to remain in Budapest, with the university now set to move its activities and start the 2019-2020 academic year in Vienna. The move is seen by students and some European politicians as a serious blow to a liberal bastion in Hungary, led by far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orbans Fidesz party since 2010. Soros, who promotes liberal causes through his charities, has been the subject of a campaign by Orban. Earlier this year, his charity Open Society Foundations was forced to leave Hungary. {articleGUID} The conflict with the CEU is part of a wider crackdown by the Hungarian government on academic freedoms, including tighter budgetary and academic controls over its universities. CEU, chartered in the New York state, was asked to meet the requirements of a law passed last year compelling foreign universities to have a campus in their home country. The university offers diplomas accredited in both the United States and Hungary, but did not offer courses in the US at the time the law was passed. The university has since opened a set of courses at Bard College in New York state, which was visited by delegates from the Hungarian government in April this year. But the Hungarian government refused to sign an agreement with the New York state. A government spokesperson last week called CEUs operations at Bard College something like a Potemkin campus that fails to satisfy the law. Academic freedom under attack According to those involved in the struggle to keep CEU in Budapest, it is the first time an institution of higher education has been forced to leave a European Union (EU) country for political reasons. But CEU students did not want to leave without a fight. Last week, a group of students, labelled as Students4CEU, led a demonstration attended by thousands of people to the Kossuth Lajos Square, the seat of the Hungarian parliament. The protesters set up tents to occupy the space and have stayed there since, creating what they call the Free University. The protest involved CEU holding its classes in those tents, while professors and alumni have been seen delivering speeches at the site in English and Hungarian. The group demanded that the Hungarian government sign the agreement with CEU, end all censorship of higher education and ensure accessible, independent and well-funded education and research. Students and professors held meetings about Hungarys future as temperatures dropped [Creede Newton/Al Jazeera] As the December 1 deadline expired, protesters marched with drums to the tent, where they held speeches and laid dirt on a coffin meant to symbolise the death of academic freedom. The students at the Free University seemed resigned to CEUs fate. Max de Blank, one of the organisers, told Al Jazeera that the next move is to build a sustainable coalition to challenge the governments policies. The December 1 deadline concerns CEU specifically, but the attacks on academic freedom arent only restricted to just one university, De Blank said. {articleGUID} De Blank is enrolled in CEUs Gender Studies programme, a field of study the Fidesz government effectively banned in October, citing low enrolment numbers and calling it an ideology, not a science. The move forced Eotvos Lorant Universitys (ELTE), the only other Hungarian university that offered a Gender Studies programme, to stop recruiting students. ELTE, founded in 1635, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Hungary. De Blank also pointed to the proposed privatisation of Corvinus University, a research-focused public institution that used to allow nearly 60 percent of its students to receive tuition-free education. Students from ELTE and Corvinus have joined Students4CEU and planning their future strategy by building alliances with trade unions, who fear an increase in work hours over a proposed labour law. European failure Though the deadline has passed, CEU said it will not make any official statement until the administrators and students meet on Sunday. CEU provost Liviu Matei told Al Jazeera that the universitys case is symptomatic of the political situation in Hungary, which also raises questions on the EU as an institution. The ruling Fidesz party is part of the European Peoples Party (EPP), a transnational coalition of centre-right political parties that was instrumental in the founding of the EU. EPP had warned Fidesz that expelling CEU would be a red line for its continued membership, but has seemingly changed its course since Orban endorsed Manfred Weber to head the group. The EPP could have done more, could have done something, but they havent, Matei said. The EU has tried, they sued Hungary, but nothing is happening. The EPP did not respond to Al Jazeeras request for comment. However, Fidesz still has its critics in the EU parliament. The bloc initiated punitive actions against Hungary in September, citing the CEU case among a host of concerns. Judith Sargentini, a Dutch member of European parliament belonging to the GreenLeft party, said she was outraged by the crackdown on CEU. I stand with the Central European University. How is it possible that in Europe, in 2018, an academic institution is bullied into closing down?#IstandwithCEU pic.twitter.com/4eE3xQQ8sa Judith Sargentini (@judithineuropa) November 30, 2018 It is not expected the Hungarian government will be censured, however, since punitive measures require the consent of all EU member states. Budapests allies Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are unlikely to agree to any action against Hungary. CEUs departure is a failure of the European idea and ideals, Matei said. The Hungarian government did not immediately respond to Al Jazeeras request for comment. Back at Kossuth Lajos square, students end their occupation with a symbolic burial of academic freedom and announcement of a unified student movement. Protesters said CEUs expulsion was the end of academic freedom in Hungary [Creede Newton/Al Jazeera] The students chanted Szabad Orszag, Szabad Egyetem, Hungarian for Free Country, Free University as they mourned the end of CEUs time in Budapest. Even if we leave the country and move to Vienna, the situation here will not be resolved and the attacks on academic freedoms will continue, De Blank said. Erdogan says Saudi refuses to help Turkish prosecutors seeking information including whereabouts of Khashoggis body. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded on Saturday that Saudi Arabia extradite suspects in the killing in Istanbul of columnist Jamal Khashoggi, saying the kingdom was not cooperating. At a summit of the Group of 20 in Buenos Aires, the Turkish leader took a firm tone on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). Saudi Arabua has announced the detention of 18 nationals and vowed to probe the killing of Khashoggi, a royal confidant turned critic who was killed and dismembered when he visited the kingdoms Istanbul consulate on October 2, to handle paperwork for his planned wedding. Its essential that these people are tried in Turkey in order to eliminate any question marks that the international community may have, Erdogan told reporters. Whoever has ordered and implemented this violent crime should be found out at once. Unless the perpetrators are found out, the whole world and the Islamic community shall not be satisfied. Erdogan said the Saudis have refused to help Turkish prosecutors who sought information including the whereabouts of Khashoggis body and the identities of accomplices said to have supported the visiting Saudi hit squad. The Turkish leader, who has been vying for influence in the region with Saudi Arabia, said he did not wish to cause any damage to the royal family. {articleGUID} But he criticised Prince Mohammed, saying that during the summit the 33-year-old heir apparent gave an unbelievable explanation on Khashoggis killing that denied any Saudi official role. Erdogan said that only one G20 leader Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised the writers death in their group meeting. MBS, on Friday, was seen buoyantly greeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, but he appeared to have a chilly rapport with Erdogan as they assembled for a group photo. MBS communicated with adviser during killing: WSJ Earlier on Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Prince Mohammed sent 11 messages to his closest adviser, who reportedly oversaw the operatives who killed Khashoggi. The Journal said on Saturday it had reviewed excerpts of an intelligence file that was classified as highly confidential, which cites electronic intercepts and other covert information between Prince Mohammed and his aide, Saud al-Qahtani. {articleGUID} However, the content of the messages between the two parties is unknown. To be clear, we lack direct reports that the crown prince issued the order of murder, the assessment notes, according to the Journal. The assessment reports that Qahtani, who supervised the 15-man team that killed Khashoggi, was also in direct communication with the teams leader in Istanbul. We assess it is highly unlikely this team of operators carried out the operation without Mohammed bin Salmans authorisation, it says. The CIA has not commented on the report, but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated that he has seen all the intelligence possessed by the United States on the killing of Khashoggi and that there is no direct evidence linking Prince Mohammed to the incident. Leaders of the US and China to discuss a looming trade war as well as other issues like Taiwan and South China Sea. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet on Saturday for some dinner diplomacy on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Argentina. The US-China trade war tops their agenda, but the two leaders also have other topics they hope to tackle, including Taiwan, the South China Sea and Americans being detained in China. Heres a look at what each side wants: What Trump wants The United States and China have both raised tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each others goods in what is quickly becoming a perilous trade war. The Trump administration says its demands of China are clear: Stop stealing trade secrets. Stop coercing technology transfers. Stop favouring Chinese companies over the US and other foreign competitors. {articleGUID} The US president, who expects concessions from Xi, has repeatedly lamented the USs gaping trade deficit with China, which amounted to $336bn last year. To retaliate, Trump increased tariffs over complaints that Beijing steals or pressures companies to hand over technology in violation of its market-opening obligations. The bottom line, according to Trump: China has to treat us fairly. They havent been. They have to treat us fairly. The president, who celebrates US economic gains as a positive benchmark of his own performance, can ill afford a slowdown or recession heading into his re-election effort in 2020. At the same time, the self-professed expert dealmaker can hardly be seen caving to Chinese intransigence. I think were very close to doing something with China, but I dont know that I want to do it, because what we have right now is billions and billions of dollars coming into the United States in the form of tariffs or taxes, Trump told reporters before he left Thursday for the summit. Adding to the tensions is a new report from the US trade representative that accused Beijing of stepping up efforts to steal technology. China rejected the charges as new unwarranted accusations. Trump also has threatened that an even larger set of US duties affecting China will go into effect in the new year. Besides trade, tensions between the two nations have been high regarding Chinas claim to sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea. The US challenges that claim and has vowed to maintain a presence in the waters to promote freedom of navigation and overflight. Trump has threatened more tariffs against China that would take effect on January 1 [File: AP Photo/Evan Vucci] On another issue, Trump said Thursday he will bring up with Xi the case of an American woman and her two grown children who are suspected of being held in China to force their estranged father to return to China to face fraud charges. John Bolton, national security adviser, tweeted a story in The New York Times about the plight of Victor and Cynthia Liu and their mother, Sandra Han, writing: These Americans need to be allowed to return home. What Xi Wants Xi will be hoping for progress towards a ceasefire in the bitter trade war with the US. But while Xi portrays China as a force for peace and free trade, he also needs to appear tough against the US to maintain his standing among nationalists at home. The US has imposed punitive tariffs on $250bn in Chinese exports, and has threatened to double that unless China offers concessions on trade and investment policies the US regards as unfair. China has responded with tariffs on $110bn in US goods, but Chinese officials say they still are not clear what exactly the US wants from it, and Xi will likely attempt to gain more clarity and possibly put forward new proposals. While Beijing has offered to buy more US products to narrow the massive trade deficit, Trumps administration rejected that outright. The US wants China to abandon demands that American and other foreign companies hand over key technologies in exchange for access to the Chinese market. China denies making unreasonable demands and remains committed to becoming a global competitor in cutting-edge technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence and biotechnology by 2025. At the very least, the talks could serve as a stalling tactic to buy China more time and delay additional tariffs. Xis administration also hopes talks will exclude or sideline key trade hawks, such as Trump adviser Peter Navarro. On Taiwan, Xi wants to make Trump understand how seriously China feels about the self-governing island and that closer engagement between Taipei and Washington threatens to destabilise the region and possibly even prompt a conflict. In talks earlier this month setting the stage for the Xi-Trump meeting, a top Chinese foreign policy adviser had sharp words for the US side over Washingtons increased support for the island, which China claims as its own territory. China demands the US cancel a $330m sale of spare parts and related support for Taiwans US-made F-16 fighter jets and other military aircraft. While Washington has no official relations with Taiwan, it is legally obligated to ensure it has the means to defend itself. Trumps administration has also approved official contacts with Taiwan at higher levels than before and recently opened a gleaming new representative office in Taipei. Xi is also expected to stand firm on issues related to the South China Sea. China demands the US stop sending ships and military aircraft close to islands Beijing claims in the South China Sea. Lawyer says Sanchez and Turull are taking step to raise awareness of unfair treatment by Spain before trial. Two Catalan separatist leaders jailed pending trial in Spain over their role in last years failed independence bid have begun a hunger strike, their lawyer said. Jordi Sanchez, the former head of the influential grassroots ANC independence movement, and Jordi Turull, a former minister in the Catalan regional government, are taking this step to raise awareness of their unfair treatment by Spains justice system, lawyer Jordi Pina told journalists in Barcelona on Saturday. After Catalonia declared independence from Spain last year, Madrid took direct control of the region and brought charges against Catalan leaders including misuse of public funds and rebellion nine of whom are in jail awaiting trial. {articleGUID} I did not recommend this action, it is a decision of my clients and they have my full support, the lawyer said. In a statement read by Pina, the two men accused the Constitutional Court of blocking their appeals against their imprisonment from reaching the European Court of Human Rights. Pina said he did not know if the other Catalan separatist leaders jailed in the Lledoners penitentiary located some 70km north of Barcelona would later join the hunger strike. Spains Supreme Court in October ordered a total of 18 former Catalan separatist leaders to stand trial. Prosecutors are seeking jail terms of up to 25 years. Trial expected in 2019 The trial is expected to start in early 2019 and will focus on the attempt by Catalan leaders to break away from Spain in October 2017 by staging a referendum despite a court ban and subsequently proclaiming independence. {articleGUID} The announcement of the hunger strike comes a day after the first photo of the seven jailed Catalan leaders at the Lledoners prison was released by grassroots pro-independence organisation Omnium Cultural. The picture, which was splashed on the cover of Catalan newspapers on Saturday, shows the seven men smiling and wearing casual clothes in one of the courtyards of the prison. Spains central government repeated its argument that the jailed Catalan separatist leaders would have a fair trial and their rights were being respected. We operate under the rule of law, we can respect their personal decision [to go on a hunger strike] but we must also understand that we are all equal under the rule of law, Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo told reporters. Former Mexico City mayor ran three times before winning presidency in a historic landslide in July. Mexico City Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been sworn in as Mexicos next president, starting his six-year term with a promise to end the corruption, poverty and extreme violence that have plagued the country for more than a decade. I swear to defend the constitution of the United Mexican States and its laws, and faithfully and patriotically carry out the post of president of the republic that the people have entrusted to me, Lopez Obrador said with his right hand raised before the Congress on Saturday. The 65-year old Obrador, also known as AMLO, won the presidential race in July with over 50 percent of the vote, an historic landslide victory that has not been seen since the end of one-party rule almost 20 years ago. He now holds the majority in Congress. As he takes office, Obrador enjoys at least 56 percent approval ratings, a stark contrast with his predecessor, Enrique Pena Nieto, who is leaving office with only 28 percent approval. Pena Nietos administration was plagued with corruption scandals and crime-related murder rates reached record-high levels. It was the climax of a 12-year war on drugs that has claimed over 200,000 lives and left over 37,000 people missing. The new leftist president, who was Mexico Citys mayor before running thrice for the presidency, promised during his campaign to put an end to the violence and send soldiers back home I understand you cant fight violence with more violence; to put out fire with fire, he said during the campaign. Campaign promises Since becoming president-elect, Obrador has been actively setting the stage for his presidency and has already amended some of his campaign promises. Instead of taking the troops off the streets and back to the barracks even a few days after the Supreme Court had ruled the army handling public security unconstitutional last week his party introduced a bill to amend the constitution in order to keep the military on the front lines by creating a National Guard. According to the bill, the Federal Police would be dismantled and some of these officers will be reassigned along with military and navy police to form the new National Guard, under a single military command. The military has repeatedly been accused of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, during the 12-year crackdown on organised crime that was supposed to be a temporary measure to restore rule of law across the country. The new bill also promises the National Guards role would be temporary, only as long as the violence and insecurity crises prevail in the country, it reads. It will also be subject to presidential and Congressional review every three years. Thats a joke, Alejandro Hope, a security analyst who worked for Mexicos national security and intelligence agency, told Al Jazeera. You dont change 13 articles of the Constitution for something temporary. According to Hope, it will be difficult to hold the National Guard accountable for human rights violations because it will be overseen by the defence secretary, and there is also a conflict of interest in having the president create the body and review its performance at the same time. This goes in opposite direction [of democracy], Hope said. Democratic reforms in the security sector seek removing the military from public safety responsibilities, to restrict their action limits, and to strengthen civil control over the army. Upcoming challenges In addition to security, one of the first challenges the new president will be facing as he takes office is addressing the Central American migrant crisis at the border with the United States. Obrador cast his vote on a referendum on the $13.3bn Mexico City International Airport project [Andres Stapff/Reuters] In Tijuana, just across from San Diego, over 6,000 migrants, mainly from Honduras, who have been travelling by foot on a caravan since October, wait to be granted asylum into the US. The situation has strained the relationship between both countries, particularly after President Donald Trump took a strong stance against granting asylum to Central American migrants and blamed the Mexican government for not doing enough to stop them weeks before the midterms. Tijuana is a time-bomb, Carlos Bravo, political analyst and professor at CIDE research centre, told Al Jazeera. Theres a humanitarian crisis waiting to explode any moment now, and that will demand positioning, actions and discourse from Obrador. Addressing the crisis will probably put Obrador at odds with both Trump and his own voters since the US expects Mexico to shelter and grant asylum to the migrants while theres a growing anti-immigrant sentiment among some Mexicans. Obradors approval ratings had taken a hit even before he took office, dropping from 64 percent when he was elected to 56 percent last week, according to polls from national newspapers. Some of the reasons attributed to the drop were two referendums he made before taking office for deciding on key issues such as scrapping a multimillion-dollar ongoing airport construction project and green-lighting 10 others, some of which already had investors and allocated lands even before he made the consultations. The referendums have drawn widespread criticism because local media attested to their own reporters voting up to six times, and voter turnout was extremely low (less than one million in a country of 129 million). The referendums are being used as a tool for legitimizing decisions that have already been made, said Bravo. Theyre not participatory democratic exercises, but rather simulations. Moving ahead Trade was another key issue for Mexicos new administration to address but, just a day before Obrador took office, Pena Nieto signed the USMCA deal that will be replacing NAFTA with the US and Canada, with no public objections from the new president. This government has already made history, Bravo said. He is the first president to win by an absolute majority and has control over Congress, and that makes change feasible. He will be the most powerful president. The key issue is whether he will be able to transform this into visible results. Because even as so many people trust and believe in him, if theres no visible results within three years all that hope will become anger and rage. He carries an enormous responsibility. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) sent 11 messages to his closest adviser, who reportedly oversaw the operatives who killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in the hours before and after the journalists murder on October 2, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The Journal said on Saturday it had reviewed excerpts of an intelligence file that was classified as highly confidential, which cites electronic intercepts and other covert information between Prince Mohammed and his aide, Saud al-Qahtani. However, the content of the messages between the two parties is unknown. To be clear, we lack direct reports that the crown prince issued the order of murder, the assessment notes, according to the Journal. The assessment reports that Qahtani, who supervised the 15-man team that killed Khashoggi, was also in direct communication with the teams leader in Istanbul. Al-Qahtani worked as a media adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman [Al Jazeera] We assess it is highly unlikely this team of operators carried out the operation without Mohammed bin Salmans authorisation, it says. Khashoggi, an outspoken critic of the Saudi crown prince, was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He had left Saudi Arabia in self-imposed exile last year and settled in the US state of Virginia, where he was a regular contributor to The Washington Post. According to the assessment, Prince Mohammed told associates in August 2017 that if efforts to persuade Khashoggi to return to Saudi Arabia were not successful, saying, We could possibly lure him outside Saudi Arabia and make arrangements. The assessment said that this seems to foreshadow the Saudi operation launched against Khashoggi. The Wall Street Journal said it was not clear from the extracts whether the 2017 comments on luring Khashoggi to a third country were mentioned directly by MBS or by another person who described his remarks. A CIA spokesperson declined to comment on the report. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated on Saturday that he has seen all the intelligence possessed by the US on the killing of Khashoggi there is no direct evidence linking Prince Mohammed to the incident. Last month, it was reported that the CIA determined MBS had likely ordered Khashoggis killing. However, President Donald Trump later cast doubt on the reported CIA conclusion about the prince, saying maybe he did; and maybe he didnt. Khadim Hussain Rizvi and three others of TLP charged following protests over Aasia Bibis acquittal in blasphemy ordeal. Pakistan has charged a right-wing leader with treason and terrorism over his partys disruption of daily life with nationwide rallies following the acquittal of a Christian woman in a blasphemy case. Khadim Hussain Rizvi, chief of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), and three other party leaders were charged on Saturday for making incendiary remarks against the judiciary and military chiefs after Aasia Bibi was acquitted of blasphemy by the Supreme Court. Today we have decided to take legal action against the TLP leadership, Pakistans Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told reporters. All those who were directly involved in destroying property, who misbehaved with women, who set fire to buses, are being charged under laws of terrorism at different police stations, he said, adding that more than 3,000 people had been arrested in connection with the TLP protests. {articleGUID} Rizvi, along with several other TLP leaders, was detained on November 24 after police launched a crackdown on hundreds of his supporters in Punjab province and the port city of Karachi. Thousands of demonstrators, rallied by TLP, had blocked major roads, burning cars and buses last month, as they called for Bibis execution to be carried out. The chaos followed a landmark verdict which saw the Supreme Court overturn Bibis death penalty and ordered her release after eight years in jail. During the violent protests, one of the TLP co-founders, Afzal Qadri, called for mutiny against the powerful army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, murder of the Supreme Court judges who acquitted Bibi, and branded Prime Minister Imran Khan as a son of Jews. Life imprisonment Information Minister Chaudhry said Qadri was also charged with terrorism and sedition, along with senior TLP leaders Inyatul Haq Shah and Hafiz Farooqul Hassan. Sedition has a sentence of life imprisonment, they can face life imprisonment. All the charges will be submitted before the courts, Chaudhry said. Saturdays move represents a hardening of the authorities stance towards the group, which in late 2017 had also paralysed the capital, Islamabad, for several weeks and clashed with the police in deadly protests. The TLP, whose main focus is protecting Pakistans draconian blasphemy laws, had been calling for Bibi to be executed after she was acquitted. Bibi, 53, was accused by two Muslim women of having insulted Prophet Muhammad and the Quran during an argument sparked by their refusal to drink water from the same vessel as her in 2009. She was convicted and sentenced to death by a trial court in 2010, with the Lahore High Court upholding her conviction four years later. She was finally acquitted last month. Bibis husband, fearing for his familys safety, has pleaded for international help to leave the country. Blasphemy against Islam and the prophet is a sensitive subject in Pakistan, where the crime carries a compulsory death sentence. Increasingly, blasphemy accusations have resulted in mob lynchings and extrajudicial murders. An Al Jazeera tally says at least 74 such killings have taken place in Pakistan since 1990. Ukrainian leader warns of the Russian military build-up as he rallies for action after the first open attack by Moscow. Kiev, Ukraine More than 80,000 Russian soldiers are present at Ukraines borders and the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula, as well as the rebel-held regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, according to the Ukrainian president. Petro Poroshenkos remarks on Saturday came six days after a four-year-old conflict between Kiev and Moscow deepened when Russia seized three Ukrainian military vessels and arrested 24 crew members in the Black Sea near the Kerch Strait. As he rallies for international support against Moscow, Poroshenko said Russia had about 1,400 artillery and rocket systems, 900 tanks, 2,300 armoured combat vehicles, more than 500 military planes and 300 helicopters in and around Ukraine. Russia has more than 80 Russian military ships and eight submarines in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Aegean Sea, according to Poroshenko. Igor Koziy, military expert at the Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation, told Al Jazeera that the numbers Poroshenko gave seemed accurate if the navy and air force figures were added to the ground troops. {articleGUID} If you look at the organisational structure of the Russian military, you will see that there are up to 6,000 people in each brigade. They have up to three brigades in Crimea alone. There is also navy and air force there. In the south of Russia that borders northern Ukraine, there have built up two whole military bases three to five brigades each, he said. The possibility of the Russian invasion at the moment is between 70 to 80 percent, especially during the upcoming holiday season. For three to five days, nobody in the world would care about what is going on, said Koziy. He also said Moscow was just waiting for an excuse to justify the move. [President Vladimir Putin] is still not ready for a very open traditional method because there is no psychological readiness for it inside the Russian army, but it is still on the table. Russia continues to test the world Speaking at an unidentified location where Poroshenko transferred new and repaired fighter jets, helicopters and unmanned areal vehicles to the Ukrainian army, Poroshenko said that Russia continues to test the world. He said that Moscow was trying to see whether it would get away with turning the Azov and Black Seas into a Russian lake. {articleGUID} This is a tremendous threat, to which we, together with our allies, are looking for a proper political and diplomatic response. But our internal correct answer is to strengthen the Ukrainian army, first of all, the air force, Poroshenko said. The Kremlin has accused the president of playing up the conflict with Moscow to secure electoral support in the upcoming presidential poll on March 31 next year. Olexiy Makeyev, the Ukrainian foreign ministrys political director, told Al Jazeera that the world should be wary of the Russian militarisation of Crimea, in particular. The occupation and subsequent militarisation of Crimea led to the expansion of the area of use of Russian warships and military aircraft in the Black Sea and far beyond, even the Mediterranean basin, he said. Such militarisation has far-reaching consequences for security not only in the Black Sea area but in the whole southern Europe, as well as North Africa and the Middle East. Russia condemned Foreign ministers from the worlds seven biggest economies on Friday condemned Russias actions in Kerch Strait as they reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity at the G20 summit. {articleGUID} The world leaders stood by Kiev verbally, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday called on Poroshenko to be sensible and said there was no military solution to the dispute with Moscow. Merkel also spoke with Putin on Saturday about the conflict. We have talked about the situation in Syria and we have talked about the situation in the Sea of Azov, of course, because here any tensions must be avoided, she told reporters. She also said access to the Sea of Azov must not be blocked by Russia, which must comply with international law. Poroshenko initiated martial law in 10 out of 27 regions of Ukraine following Sundays confrontation and called on NATO to send military vessels to the Sea of Azov. Ukraine believes that after seizing Crimea and the eastern regions, Moscow is aiming to monopolise the Azov Sea before coming for the whole of the country. The conflict in the east of Ukraine has killed more than 10,000 people since 2014. Follow Tamila Varshalomidze on Twitter: @tamila87v President Trump and Xi to meet at G20 to resolve trade war Five months into the trade war, Trump is set to raise taxes on more Chinese goods if they fail to find common ground at the summit in Argentina. About 300 people call for Yarls Wood, where guards have been accused of mistreatment, to be shut down, alleging racism. Bedford, England As about 300 protesters surrounded the Yarls Wood detention centre on Saturday to demonstrate against the treatment of immigrants held inside, Eulalee, a 60-year-old Jamaican woman said: We are no illegal people. She arrived in the United Kingdom 18 years ago. Although she has the right to remain as a British Commonwealth citizen, she says she was detained for six weeks in March in the Bedfordshire centre and is yet to be granted indefinite leave to stay. As protesters chanted Tear down the fences, open the borders!, Eulalee cried and told Al Jazeera: I would never do anything to jeopardise the law in this country or anywhere. The Home Office denied me of my freedom and rights by taking me for no reason and putting me in the centre. Yarls Wood, the only centre in the UK designed to hold women, is managed by private security company Serco. It was flagged in 2015 as a place of national concern amid allegations of detainees suffering abuse and harassment at the hands of security guards. About 200 women are thought to be currently held at Yarls Wood [Claire Gilbody-Dickerson/Al Jazeera] Saturdays protest, organised by campaign group Movement for Justice, saw people standing on the other side of the barbed wire fences, calling for the detention centre and others like it across the country to be shut down. Women inside could be seen squeezing their hands through their tiny bedroom windows to wave at the protesters. Were all sad and crying, said one of them, using a speaker. Everyone is getting mad in here. The woman, having lived in the UK for 16 years, said she has been in Yarls Wood for 11 months. Britain is the only EU country with no limit on the amount of time an individual can spend in an Immigration Removal Centre (IRC). The woman also claimed there was a pregnant woman in the centre, as well as cancer patients and anaemic and diabetic people. Al Jazeera was unable to independently verify these claims. If true, this would contravene the governments at risk policy, whereby those deemed to be at risk of harm if detained should not be placed in an IRC. We are suffering. If we go back to our country we are going to die, the woman said. Thats why we came to this country. Eulalee, whose family is all in the UK, said her 37-year-old son was detained and deported in 2008. He was murdered five months after being sent to Jamaica, she said. Ive never seen my sons face since hes returned. Hoping to hear of a positive decision from the Home Office in March next year, Eulalee said: They make me feel like nobody, I feel so empty inside. I have nowhere to stay in Jamaica and here is my home now, and I should be allowed to stay here. It disproportionately affects black and brown people The governments at risk policy also bans victims of sexual violence from being detained, but research by Women for Refugee Women in November last year found 85 percent of the detained females they spoke to had been victims of rape or other gender-related violence, including forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). Movement for Justice representative Karen Doyle said among Yarls Wood detainees are women who were seized during immigration raids on brothels after being horrendously abused, and have the least means to assert their rights. Doyle said Yarls Wood is now at half capacity, meaning around 200 people are detained. One of the protesters, 22-year-old politics student Dylan Bradbury, branded the UKs immigration system racist, saying: It disproportionately affects black and brown people and also women. It is part of the general hostile environment policies of the Tories (Conservatives) which is designed to divide people. Student Sophia Taha said she was protesting because in the detention centre, you dont know when youre leaving, you have committed no crime other than existing, and were not okay with that. The Home Office released a statement saying: Detention and removal are essential elements of an effective immigration system. Those with no right to be in the UK should return to their home country. We will help those who wish to leave voluntarily but when they refuse to do so, we will take steps to enforce their removal. Final communique reiterates US decision to withdraw from Paris deal and omits G20 pledges to fight protectionism. The leaders of G20 have found the minimum common ground to fix the global economy after the difficult, all-night talks in Argentina, but only 19 of them agreed to support the Paris agreement on climate. United States President Donald Trump diverged from his G20 partners at the summit in the capital, Buenos Aires, as he refused to back the global action on climate change and by watering down past pledges to fight trade protectionism. A final communique, adopted on Saturday, said all the other G20 members agreed to implement the irreversible Paris Agreement while respecting different paces of economic development. {articleGUID} However, it said the US reiterates its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, mirroring the divergence seen last year when Trump shocked the global community by bucking the consensus at his first G20. The statement also omitted pledges by the G20 to fight protectionism and uphold multilateral trading rules, which used to be a mainstay of the worlds leading economies in a pre-Trump era. Instead, the group merely recognised the contribution of the multilateral trading system and added that it was falling short in its goals of growth and job creation. Bushs death causes rare show of unity Trumps determination to plough on with his America First agenda stands in contrast to the alliance-building presidency of George HW Bush, whose death on Friday triggered a rare show of unity among the G20 leaders. The US president said his predecessors passing would prevent him from holding a post-summit news conference scheduled later on Saturday out of respect for the Bush family. {articleGUID} It was Trumps second cancellation during the summit after he snubbed President Vladimir Putin in Buenos Aires, citing Russias recent naval skirmish with Ukraine. Trump also downgraded his meetings with other G20 leaders to make them less formal. It means, Trump will no longer face press questions over new developments this week stemming from a US investigation into whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia, which has now spread to cover his past business dealings. The Russia-Ukraine escalation and killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi officers in Istanbul were among the issues flared up at the two-day summit, which was also attended by Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trumps isolationist rampage is the polar opposite of the Wests post-war consensus on trade and diplomacy built by Bush and his predecessors in the White House. IMF warns of economic upheaval The G20 leaders, whose nations represent four-fifths of the global economy, heard warnings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of a worldwide upheaval if Trump continues on his tariff-strewn path. IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned the leaders that the global economy faces a critical juncture and that erecting trade barriers was self-defeating. The threat of Britain crashing out of the European Union without a negotiated deal is another potential headwind, the IMF said, as Prime Minister Theresa May used the summit to sell her vision of a global Britain after Brexit. {articleGUID} For financial markets, the weekends main course comes after the summit when Trump is due to have dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires. Trump, who has already slapped $250bn in tariffs on China and threatened more next month, sounded upbeat about making progress with Xi. Were working very hard. If we could make a deal, that would be good, he said on Friday. Trump has thrown out the traditional US playbook on free trade since his shock 2016 election, vowing to protect forgotten workers and demanding a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico. Sam Gyimah becomes the sixth minister to resign from government in protest of Mays Brexit deal with the EU. A UK minister for science and universities has quit the government in protest of Prime Minister Theresa Mays proposed Brexit deal with the European Union. Sam Gyimah, a junior-ranking minister, resigned on Friday, saying Mays deal meant Britain would surrender its voice and its veto and that the prime minister should not rule out the prospect of a second referendum. He is the sixth minister to resign from the government in protest of Mays deal, having previously campaigned in the 2016 vote to keep Britain in the EU. His resignation represents a further blow to May, who is trying to persuade her own lawmakers to approve the deal she struck with Brussels on Sunday. May faces criticism from all sides, including the Northern Irish party propping up her government, ahead of Britains departure from the EU in four months. It has become increasingly clear to me that the proposed deal is not in the British national interest, and that to vote for this deal is to set ourselves up for failure, Gyimah wrote in a resignation statement published by the Daily Telegraph newspaper. We will be losing, not taking control of our national destiny. Gyimah did applaud the grit and determination of May, who is in Buenos Aires attending a Group of 20 summit. Earlier on Friday, May conceded that Britain will not use the EUs Galileo space project for defence or critical national infrastructure, following a row over the post-Brexit future of the planned rival to the US Global Positioning System. Galileo is only a foretaste of whats to come under the governments Brexit deal, Gyimah said in his statement. In May 2017, Azima became the first person in Uzbekistans history to publicly come out as HIV-positive. Tashkent, Uzbekistan Azima stood in front of a wooden board at a charity fair in Tashkent, Uzbekistans capital, tellingly named the Time of Miracles. The 16-year-old, dark-haired girl with azure blue eyes looked lost and uneasy. She knew that the event would change her life forever. Amid dozens of passers-by, Azima anxiously awaited reactions to the statement she had just made. The piece of paper hanging behind her read: Im HIV-positive. Hug me. In May 2017, Azima became the first person in Uzbekistans history to publicly come out as HIV-positive. On Worlds AIDS day on December 1 that year, she repeated her statement on national TV. In Uzbekistan, until recently one of the worlds most isolated countrys, HIV carries a huge social stigma. An HIV outbreak that began in the early 2000s was never publicly discussed. {articleGUID} There is no available data on the number of people infected and even medical professionals often lack basic knowledge of the ways the virus is transmitted. In classes devoted to HIV, medical students and teachers often tell pupils the virus is passed through breath or handshakes. By many in Uzbekistan, HIV is viewed as a death sentence, inseparable from prostitution, drug abuse and crime. Many people in Uzbekistan lack awareness. Some know how HIV is transmitted and some associate it with bad behaviour,' Azima told Al Jazeera. I went through this. I want people to know what HIV and AIDS are and change their perception. According to estimates, between 8,000 and 10,000 HIV-positive people in Uzbekistan are children. Many of them were infected in hospitals through blood transfusions, catheterisation, and reuse of needles and syringes. The epidemic became visible only in 2007, when AIDS centres saw a rapid increase in the number of young patients. That year, the first daycare centre for HIV-positive minors opened to provide the children with adequate medical, psychological and social support. Currently, there are nine such centres in Uzbekistan. Hospital children Azima is one of the so-called hospital children. She was born prematurely and the doctors gave her little chances to survive. Aware of her poor health, Azimas parents abandoned her and she grew up raised by her grandmother. From her early days, Azima was a diseased child, spending most of her time in hospitals on various forms of treatment. It was only when she was six that the doctors discovered she suffered from HIV. The diagnosis was like a sentence. Lacking awareness of the illness, and to protect her granddaughter, Azimas grandmother decided not to disclose the condition to the child. As the social stigma runs deep, most parents hide the diagnosis from their children and relatives. Azima eventually found out she was HIV-positive at the age of 11. It was a nightmare. I separated from my friends and stopped taking medications, she recalled. It was like falling into a dark tunnel. The whole time I was searching for the light. Speaking to Al Jazeera on the condition of anonymity, one mother of an HIV-positive child said: We havent told anyone. Until now, no one knows. Our relatives are asking us why my daughter is taking so many pills. I even change the labels so that no one knows what kind of medicines she takes. According to Kamila Fatikhova, a UNICEF consultant and a volunteer psychologist at the Tashkent daycare centre, the fear of other people finding out about the childs condition is not without reason. If someone at school finds out that the child is HIV-positive, the principal may inform the teacher and the teacher may inform the parents. It happens that the child is being threatened and pressure is put on the parents to remove the child from school, Fatikhova told Al Jazeera. First of all, it shows that parents are not aware of their rights. It was a nightmare. I separated from my friends and stopped taking medications. Azima For Azima, however, everything changed when she began attending group meetings organised by UNICEF at the daycare centre, where HIV-positive teenagers can meet one another, receive correct information about the virus and, most importantly, psychological and social support. A long time has passed, but I remember my first experience with the group vividly. There was a bright, nice room, with pieces of handicraft hanging on the walls, and lots of nice-looking girls. I was so happy to be among them, Azima recalls. When my grandma saw me, she started crying because she didnt expect me to be so happy. UNICEF has also provided the group members with training, thanks to which, many of the teenagers began working as trainers themselves, supporting other HIV-positive children. Azima has been one of the most active and vocal leaders. She visits orphanages and supports those who, just like her, were abandoned by their parents. Her public coming out was the next step in her activism. It was also the beginning of gradual change. The experiment at the Time of Miracles fair, filmed by UNICEF, saw passers-by lining up to embrace Azima. Many people supported me, which made me very happy. On that day, I wasnt as nervous, but when I saw the recording from the day at the centre, I couldnt stop crying, Azima said. Azimas coming out provoked mixed reactions. While her classmates supported her and wanted to find out more about HIV, some of the parents initially forbade their children to play with Azima. It took time and a question and answer session during the parents gathering at school to get rid of the fear in her community. But Azimas message sparked change among those affected by HIV, too. I met a few mothers who did not want to inform their children of their status, but after watching Azima on TV they decided to do that, Fatikhova said. They saw an HIV-positive girl on TV and realised there is nothing to worry about. While eradicating the stigma and fear of HIV in Uzbekistan will be a long and challenging process, the change has begun. Ive had a peace of mind since I opened up about my status, Azima said. HIV has been part of my life: my medicines, my treatment, my friends, my group. I dont even imagine what I would be like without it. Dr Marc Lamont Hill is an award-winning journalist and author and is the Steve Charles Professor of Media, Cities, and Solutions at Temple University. Hill is known for his work addressing the intersections of race, justice, politics and culture. His latest best-selling book is We Still Here: Pandemics, Policing, Protest and Possibility which follows on the success of Nobody: Casualties of Americas War on the Vulnerable from Flint to Ferguson. Hill has received numerous prestigious awards from the US National Association of Black Journalists, GLAAD, and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. All but two out of 50 children with combined immunodeficiency syndrome now have healthy germ-fighting abilities. For years, left-leaning social activists have been attempting to push hate crimes legislation through Indianas part-time legislature and onto the governors desk. Much to the chagrin of complicit state media like the Indy Star, which threw away any sense of objectivity on the issue a long time ago, it hasnt happened up to this point. But that may be about to change. In late July, when vandals scrawled Nazi graffiti on the walls of a Jewish synagogue in an Indianapolis suburb, Governor Eric Holcomb stumbled all over himself hastily rushing in front of the nearest camera to call on lawmakers to rectify this grievous act by enacting a new statewide hate/bias crimes law. Despite supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature, it is likely that the upcoming session will see Republicans pass a law that they once understood was unnecessary at best, dangerous at worst. Heres why: Hate Crimes laws are, despite having been enacted in a vast majority of states, objectively unconstitutional. The 14th Amendment of the Constitution demands equal protection under the law for all citizens. That means the punishment inflicted on a criminal who kills me is not to be gentler nor harsher than if that criminal killed you. To enhance the penalty for killing one class of people is to provide them more protection under the law, not equal protection. Hate Crimes laws are, despite their fanfare and appeals to emotion, completely unnecessary and in many ways harmful to justice. You need to look no further than Indiana to understand this. Current state law already permits a judge to take into consideration the personal characteristics of a victim that motivated a crime, and then enhance a penalty accordingly. Hate Crimes laws like the one Governor Holcomb proposes, actually limit the ability of a judge to do this.For example, suppose an elderly man wearing a veterans cap was assaulted by Antifa because of his apparent service in the military. Currently an Indiana judge could increase the penalty for the attacker due to the specific motivation behind the crime. But since military service is not a protected characteristic under Holcombs proposed hate crimes law, its enactment would leave certain groups of victims rendered vulnerable because they failed to make the governments list of favorites. Given these realities, plus the conveniently forgotten reality that no hate crime statute would have prevented the Nazi graffiti at that synagogue, we can fairly surmise that this entire effort is -- like most progressive causes -- about symbolism, not substance. Its Governor Holcomb pandering. Thats embarrassing enough, but what is far more concerning is that this political grandstanding has received endorsement from the presidents of six of the states leading Christian universities and colleges -- the University of Notre Dame, Indiana Wesleyan University, Anderson University, Grace College and Seminary, St. Marys College, and the University of Saint Francis. Not that professing Christian intellectuals cant be duped by smooth-sounding political pitches. It happens. But Christians have been commanded by Christ to exercise discernment in ways the world does not, and the failure to see the underlying, nefarious element to these kinds of legal campaigns is inexcusable. It is no great secret that the loudest promoters of hate crimes laws are often the same social activists who champion so-called non-discrimination laws that include their favorite five words: sexual orientation and gender identity. In states like Indiana, these activists have been unable to convince the legislature to add those words to discrimination statutes given the fact that (1) they dont do anything to prevent discrimination, and (2) they almost always become a legal weapon for progressives to harass, bully, financially intimidate, and exact debilitating punitive fines and punishments on people whose conscience offends their agenda. Jack Phillips in Colorado comes to mind. Thwarted at the front door of discrimination statutes, activists turn to the back door of hate crimes legislation to slip those words into the states law code. Codified as a legal class in one section of the law (hate crimes), it is judicially predictable to see it extrapolated outward to others (non-discrimination). Its the camel nose under the tent, all for no moral or legal good whatsoever. Yet in Indiana, a host of Christian universities have joined the Republican governor in a move that would limit and deny justice, while simultaneously provide a springboard for future government harassment and censure of Christian citizens. Righteous discernment indeed. After the midterm elections, Colorado voters woke up to an electoral map as blue as the sky. Democrats won almost all competitive races, including every state office. They now control both houses of the state legislature. But before we permanently paint Colorado blue, we should consider the outcomes of a few statewide ballot measures. In fact, Centennial State residents rejected most of the thirteen ballot measures at the state level. All the ballot measures proposing increased taxes and/or debt were defeated by a wide margin, including measures to fund schools and transportation. However, citizens approved a majority of the states local school bond issues and funding packages. The results of these ballot measures continue a trend that began when the Taxpayers Bill of Rights Amendment (TABOR) was ratified in 1992. TABOR requires voter approval for any increase in taxes or debt, and has proven to be the most effective state tax and spending limit in the country. Since TABOR was adopted, very few state ballot measures calling for increased taxes or debt have been approved. However, at the local level the majority of these ballot measures have passed. Colorado voters continue to send a clear message to elected officials and special interests in Denver. They have more confidence that tax dollars can be spent wisely at the local level, but very little confidence in the various proposals to tax and spend at the state level. This is not surprising since there is more transparency and accountability for taxes and spending at the local level, compared to the state level. Results on ballot measures to increase taxes or debt are consistent with voter surveys. When I was a member of the Colorado Tax Commission, we conducted a survey of citizen attitudes toward taxes and spending in Colorado. cCitizens expressed some confidence in the spending decision of local officials, but they had very little confidence that state lawmakers spent tax dollars wisely, according to a poll. The combination of an effective tax and expenditure limit and direct democracy has been a very powerful constraint on spending at all levels of government in Colorado. Because TABOR is an effective tax and spending limit, Colorado citizens receive tax rebates when revenue exceeds the TABOR limits. Over the past three decades, Colorado taxpayers have received tax rebates at the state and local level several times. With low rates, Colorado has one of the most competitive tax climates in the country, attracting ample business investment and jobs. In fact, the Centennial State consistently performs among the top in the nation in economic growth and job creation. The current political situation in Colorado is in contrast to a truly blue state such as California. California has a tax and expenditure limit, the GANN Amendment, similar to Colorados TABOR Amendment. However, in the late 1980s California gutted the GANN Amendment by exempting expenditures for transportation and education from the spending limit. Since then, Golden State lawmakers have increased spending well beyond annual revenue, leading to a mountain of debt. In fact, some local jurisdictions in California have already declared bankruptcy, and there is a high probability that more will do so in coming years. As of now, California imposes some of the highest personal and corporate income taxes in the country. No wonder businesses and residents are fleeing the Golden State in record numbers. We can (and should) expect special interests and elected officials to attempt to weaken and circumvent spending limits in Colorado, just as they have in California. The education lobby has already carved out a privileged position in the state budget by earmarking a portion of state income tax revenue for education, exempt from the TABOR spending limit. It only makes sense that the transportation lobby and other interest groups will try the same tactic. With monopoly control of the state government we should also expect Democrats to attempt to rescind the TABOR Amendment. What we have learned is that direct democracy can play a powerful role in fiscal policy decisions. When measures proposing higher taxes or increased debt require voter approval, citizens can express their preferences in the most straightforward way possible. However, when these decisions are made by the legislature, they are more likely to reflect the preferences of special interests and elected officials. In democratic societies there is a persistent bias of special interests and elected officials toward more spending, higher taxes, and bigger deficits. The overwhelming evidence is that in jurisdictions where citizens exercise their rights through initiatives and referendums on fiscal issues, the outcome is more prudent fiscal policies. In Colorado, the recent election reaffirms the right of citizens to have the final say on proposals to increase taxes or debt. Colorado citizens value their tax rebates, and more importantly their right to vote on measures to increase taxes or debt. Citizens enacted the TABOR Amendment through citizens initiative, and they are not about to give up these rights without a fight. They are not ready to paint Colorado blue. Barry W. Poulson (think@heartland.org) is Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Colorado Boulder. In negotiations, it's always good to know some background on who's sitting across from you. And my hunch is that the information contained in a shocking Reuters story about detention camps in China plays a key role in the president's assessment of China's leadership. United Nations panel has accused China of turning its far-flung western region of Xinjiang "into something that resembled a massive internment camp shrouded in secrecy, a 'no rights zone'." It estimates that there could be as many as one million Muslims who have been detained there. Former detainees describe being tortured during interrogation, living in crowded cells and being subjected to a brutal daily regimen of Communist Party indoctrination that drove some people to suicide. Most of those who have been rounded up by the security forces are Uighurs, a Muslim ethnic minority that numbers some 10 million. Muslims from other ethnic groups, including Kazakhs, have also been detained. Vice President Pence may have had the camps in mind during his recent speech on China at the Hudson Institute. Today, China has built an unparalleled surveillance state, and it's growing more expansive and intrusive often with the help of U.S. technology. What they call the "Great Firewall of China" likewise grows higher, drastically restricting the free flow of information to the Chinese people. And by 2020, China's rulers aim to implement an Orwellian system premised on controlling virtually every facet of human life the so-called "Social Credit Score." In the words of that program's official blueprint, it will "allow the trustworthy to roam everywhere under heaven, while making it hard for the discredited to take a single step." And when it comes to religious freedom, a new wave of persecution is crashing down on Chinese Christians, Buddhists, and Muslims. The Reuters report and the Pence speech are well worth reviewing as events unfold this weekend at the G20 meeting. Leaders assembled for a "family picture" at the beginning of the G20 meeting (video screen grab via Time). Certainly, for the Chinese, there's a new sheriff in town one's who clear-eyed and candid. The U.S. is no longer represented on the world stage by naive, Pollyannaish pacifists. Chris Hayes never saw it coming: the MSNBC host was banished from the Democratic Party just because he is white. He even said that was OK. News of his permanent suspension was delivered by Danielle Moodie-Mills, host of a blog called "Woke AF." The AF does not stand for Air Force. White people have to step aside, said Moodie-Mills, to ensure the future of the Democratic Party. She did not specifically say the dour Mr. Hayes had to commit media hara-kiri. She did not have to. "What Democrats need to stop doing is pandering to the white working class," said Moodie-Mills, to an increasingly and plainly uncomfortable Chris Hayes. Chris has to know that if there is no place for working-class white Democrats, then there is certainly no place for working-class heroes, like him. And for anyone keeping score in this never-ending, ever deepening game of identity politics, that also means Chris is taking a job that rightfully should be filled by a black person. A black woman would be better. A gay black woman, like Moodie-Mills, better still. Moodie-Mills rejects the conventional wisdom that Democrats played the race card too much, too often in 2016. And that is why Trump won. Turns out, sayeth Moodie-Mills, Democrats lost 2016 because did not play the race card enough, and they have to double down between now and the 2020 elections if they want to win: What lost us the elections is constantly pandering to a class that isn't on your side. That isn't the future of this country. That isn't the future of the party. What black Americans have shown time and time again is that they are the backbone of the Democratic party, yet receive none of the investment from it. By "investment" she means more free stuff. Or a high-paying gig on MSNBC. Let us stop pretending that white women and white men are going to save us from ourselves. They are not going to. They are always going to vote with their whiteness. That's reality. This "doubling down on race" strategy is hardly confined to the Chris Hayes digital love-fest. Politico also recently ran an article called "2020 Democrats are dramatically changing the way they talk about race: They're shrugging off fears of driving more white voters to Donald Trump." Politico presented this "dump whitey" strategy as already something of a done deal. "Get ready to hear a lot more about intersectionality, allyship, inclusivity and POC" from Democrats running for office, predicted Alex Thompson, the sage who put that piece together. Talking about race more than 2016? That's kind of hard to imagine for anyone who actually paid attention to the recent Democrat presidential primaries: black victimization and white racism was a major if not the major topic of discussion in every forum. Does no one at Politico remember the hallowed position Black Lives Matter occupied in the primaries and the convention itself? Does no one remember a hall full of convention delegates on their feet, chanting their support for the parents of black people who were killed by racist white cops and white people for no damn reason whatsoever? Does "hands up, don't shoot" ring a bell? How about Ferguson? Sound familiar? It should. That's the only thing Democrats were talking about. My own favorite was Hillary calling on white people to shut up and listen to black people. You might prefer the time when black people snatched the microphone at a Bernie Sanders rally in Seattle and told thousands of liberals they were racists. They did not even seem to mind. Neither did Bernie. Or maybe your prefer the former governor of Maryland, Martin O'Malley, groveling for forgiveness after saying the unsayable: that all lives matter, not just black lives. He was booed off the stage, reduced to promising Black Lives Matter hosts he would never make that mistake again. This racial "woe is me/them" continued in a thousand different ways every day right up to the election. It's hard to see how they could do more. But if doing more means black Democrats turning their backs on Chris Hayes and Rachel Maddow and Anderson Cooper and other white people who are quite proud of their status as ally, and branding them as enemies and losers, well, lots of people would even watch MSNBC to see that. Colin Flaherty is the author of that scintillating bestseller Don't Make the Black Kids Angry, which, if he owned the New York Times, he would make sure is on the Times Best Christmas Present of the Year list. Until that day, you can check out Hayes's and Moodie-Mills's love-fest on MSNBC right here in one of his videos: "Chris Hayes Gets Branded on MSNBC." Image: YouTube screen grab via The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has asked other federal departments to send civilian police to the border in order to deal with migrant caravans making their way to the U.S. The memo, obtained by Politico, highlights the continuing crisis over a number of caravans that have originated in Central America and are making their way through Mexico to the U.S. border. The request suggests that personnel with such assignments as guarding diplomats, patrolling national parks, and protecting nuclear weapons might effectively "become Customs and Border Protection personnel," as one former Justice Department official put it, with the power to arrest border-crossers. Although the White House position on the request is unclear, such an action would be the latest extraordinary Trump administration effort to crack down on border security amid what President Donald Trump has increasingly cast as an immigration crisis. In particular, Trump has recently depicted a northbound migrant caravan as an attempted "invasion" of the U.S. But there is little evidence that existing border officials are unable to prevent members of the caravan, currently marooned in Mexico, from entering the country. A senior DHS official who confirmed the memo's authenticity said the Justice Department has already made a commitment to dispatch officers to the border, and that DHS is actively "working with" other departments named in the memo to determine the availability of law enforcement resources. Is this an admission that the situation may get out of control? An unknown number publicly anyway of caravans are on their way to the U.S., with potentially thousands of people who want asylum. This is the Mariel Boat Lift in slow motion, where Fidel Castro allowed tens of thousands of Cubans to emigrate to the U.S. at once. The resulting chaos was exactly what Castro wanted, as President Carter appeared paralyzed to do anything about it. The president has decided that asylum-seekers will wait in line to be processed and will be denied the opportunity to flee the border for the interior of the country. But Mexico is going to have none of this. The Mexicans will insist that the asylum-seekers wait on the U.S. side of the border. There are potentially tens of thousands of asylum seekers who may be on their way here. The Border Patrol is going to need a lot more help to keep the situation from getting out of control. This is a prudent move by Nielsen, but a troubling one as well. The mayor of Tijuana has called for the arrest of the organizers of these caravans, which is a good idea but probably won't happen. As long as these open borders fanatics are sending the caravans northward, there is going to be a crisis. The mayor of Tijuana, who's been saddled with $26,000 a day in costs to house and feed the caravan migrants, getting nothing but crime, insults, bills, pestilence, and garbage in return, is finally on to something: holding the cynical leftist caravan organizers of this humanitarian disaster accountable. He wants the caravan's organizers, Pueblo Sin Fronteras, arrested. According to RT News, citing a Fox News video: Leaders of Central American caravans should face criminal charges and be held accountable for the damage caused to Tijuana as thousands of migrants continue to plague the city, waiting to learn their fate on the US-Mexico border. Members of Pueblo Sin Fronteras (Nation Without Borders), an immigration rights group known for organizing several migrant caravans in Mexico and Central America, as well as other unidentified organizers, should be prosecuted, Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum told Fox News. "This person who says he is from Pueblo Sin Fronteras... Let's take care of him, in a legal way," Gastelum said. "Those are really criminals because they're dealing with lives, they're dealing with people... It's a federal crime." The Fox News video of the mayor speaking is here. Besides the direct costs of housing and feeding and medically treating the caravan migrants, who number about 8,000 at this point, Mexican businesses in Tijuana lost more than a million dollars in business after caravan migrants hurled rocks and stormed the Tijuana entry into the U.S. Sunday, forcing the shutdown of the U.S.-Mexico border for several hours. (On the U.S. side, the loss was about $4 million). So everyone who follows laws and plays by the rules loses when the caravan comes to town. The mayor's call for arrests gets to the root of the matter: that the caravan was an artificially organized thing, not a spontaneous flight such as one sees coming from Venezuela. Migrants were called to action by television in Honduras by these leftists; the participants were promised easy entry to the U.S.; they were organized to march around Honduran flags; women and children were planted in front for the cameras; the organizers encouraged others to join; they demonstrated their lawless intentions by busting down the Mexican-Guatemalan border; and with every promise of the reward at the end of the journey false (and the organizers clearly using the participants to promote their open borders political project), what we see here really is a criminal act, given the sufferings of the migrants. In Tijuana, they're out there in sopping wet cold, camping out in the mud as Tijuana bears the brutal costs exacted on its citizens and their elected government. The migrant organizers dumped this on all of them, all with the cynical aim of benefiting politically. They couldn't care less about the sufferings of the migrants or the costs to the host city. To them, that's someone else's problem. Take a look at their indifference to this monster they created on their website. Do you see any efforts to fundraise for the migrants they recruited on their half-completed project? I don't. All that matters is challenging the yanqui empire and making others pay for it. If things happen, they happen. Such disgusting people. And guess what: they have names Roberto Corona, Irenio Mujica, and Alex Mensing, all dyed-in-the-wool hardcore leftists of the Chavista stripe who are leading Pueblo Sin Fronteras. They and the tentacles of their leftist networks are exposed well on Laura Ingraham's Ingraham Angle Investigations show: Yes, the case is strong for making them pay for this. Where else in the world can you lure masses of poor people, playing on their hopes for a better life like a creepy snake oil salesman, leading them to a foreign city, dumping them there, leaving the locals to pay for them, and expect all of their dreams to be fulfilled while you move along to organize another such group for others to pay for? If these people-exploiters can't pay or refuse to pay for their project, maybe arresting them is the right message to send. You want to organize a caravan? You'd better have the funds to pay for it, or you are going straight to jail. Tijuana logic can be very commonsense. Image credit: Fox News screenshot. God's in his heaven. All's right with the world. And Jesse Kelly is back on Twitter. Kelly's permanent banning from Twitter elicited an outcry not just from conservative Twitter-users, but also from two U.S. senators (one sitting, one ready to sit). Kelly got to experience the Wildean joy of, at last, being talked about. But just as criticism of Twitter's capricious suspension policy was reaching a fever pitch, the company relented. Kelly's account was reinstated. No explanation given. If Twitter thought the sudden reversal would placate the right, it was wrong. Incoming senator Josh Hawley is asking Congress to investigate Twitter over its claim to being a "forum for a true diversity of political discourse." The House Energy and Commerce Committee is now looking into whether Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey lied during his congressional testimony last September when he said Twitter doesn't ban based on ideology. Spoiler alert: Jack lied. We all know that Jack lied. Congresspeople, in their gaping ignorance of the most rudimentary technology, know that Jack lied to their faces. In their usual ineffectualness, lawmakers did nothing about it. This is how Silicon Valley is designed to work. Techies and geeks and transhumanists have their own enclave in the Santa Clara Valley where they attempt to progress human society by creating glitchy, brightly colored computer programs we let our souls get sucked into in exchange for a cheap distraction. Twitter is the worst of the mislabeled "social" networks. It incentivizes facile discourse and contextless smearing. Following Kelly's ban, conservative pundit Glenn Reynolds quit the platform, calling it "the crystal meth of social media addictive and destructive, yet simultaneously unsatisfying." Any Twitter-user honest with himself knows that Reynolds was speaking the truth. Twitter causes nothing but immiseration. Only a small band of neurotic political junkies really care about a platform that limits users to ADD-fitted diatribes. And the president, who is a sui generis user and, most improbably, leveraged Twitter to win the highest office in the land. Trump was a fluke. Reynolds had the correct approach: he preserved his sanity by simply dropping out. Some may call it capitulation, waving the white flag. I find it the least masochistic of moves in an unnecessary battle. Twitter should be left to the incestuous cabal of journalists who get their rocks off thought-policing unsuspecting users. This shouldn't be read as a call for the right to retreat from the digitized public square. Unlike more Washington-friendly conservatives, I don't pooh-pooh the culture war. If the past three years have taught us anything, it's that politics is affected most by cultural pugilists who refuse to back down on social-centric issues. Two words elucidate the point clearly: Trump, immigration. But trying to get Twitter or its flippant leader to respect conservatives is like trying to turn Planned Parenthood into an Edmund Burke book club. Twitter will always regard non-liberals with disdain. Anyone right of center who remains in Dorsey's fiefdom is subject to his arbitrary fiats. Kelly may be glad to have his account back. But given Twitter's reluctance to actually explain its censorship policy, there's a chance he won't be long for the site. He and like-minded conservatives will run afoul the site again because the boundaries aren't clear. Nobody but Twitter knows where the landmines are located on its own field. Misgendering gets you banned; calling Jews "termites" does not. Avoiding Twitter doesn't mean surrendering to social media's general anti-conservative bias. Adjusting for scale isn't hard. Twitter is nowhere in the same league as Facebook and Google. Entire industries live and die by the whims of flip-flop- and frayed jeans-wearing Facebook coders. The Facebook-Google duopoly on news publishing is something to be opposed on the simple principle that Mark Zuckerberg shouldn't be the next William Randolph Hearst. Twitter, on the other hand, is just a forum for virtue-signaling and mob suppression of views outside the liberal orthodoxy. If conservatives want to remain on the site and fight it out with the overlords, they're free to. I think they're wasting their sanity. There are much better alternatives: go for a walk; play with your kids; pick up a dumbbell. And delete the damn blue bird icon off your phone's home screen. Arizona Democratic rep. Raul Grijalva penned an op-ed in Friday's USA Today calling on interior secretary Ryan Zinke to resign. Not surprisingly, Zinke didn't like that. Fox News: In a remarkably scathing Twitter post, Zinke referenced past news reports that Grijalva in 2015 paid a female aide on Capitol Hill nearly $50,000 in a taxpayer-funded settlement after she complained about his drinking and office environment. "It is hard for him to think straight from the bottom of the bottle," Zinke said of Grijalva. "This is coming from a man who used nearly $50,000 in tax dollars as hush money to cover up his drunken and hostile behavior. He should resign and pay back the taxpayers for the hush money and the tens of thousands of dollars he forced my department to spend investigating unfounded allegations." Those who live in glass houses... Zinke also tweeted "#TuneInnForMore," an apparent reference to the Tune Inn, a popular Capitol Hill bar Grijalva has been known to frequent. Washington is a relatively small town and the political elites are a relatively small group. You can bet everyone knows who hits the bottle and who cheats on the spouses. Bad news for Zinke: Grijalva will be chairman of the natural resources committee in January. His response to Zinke's tweet does not bode well for the interior secretary. The allegations against Secretary Zinke are credible and serious. Instead of addressing the substantive issues raised in this mornings op-ed, he's resorting to personal attacks. https://t.co/QRiVPAjxPv Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) November 30, 2018 Can't wait for the next appearance by Zinke before Grijalva's committee. Marysville, CA (95901) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low near 40F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low near 40F. Winds light and variable. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received on November 30 co-founder and CEO of National Instruments James Truchard, awardee of State Award of the Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution in IT sphere. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of the Prime Minister of Armenia, greeting the guest Nikol Pashinyan said, I have made a decision to award you with the State Award for Global Contribution in IT sphere, which not only stresses our great appreciation of your achievements, but also shows how one can change the world by individual efforts. We hope that we will be able to inspire people in Armenia to believe in their personal capacities and make efforts for changing the world. In this sense you are exemplary and we want to display your personality to our youth. James Truchard thanked Nikol Pashinyan for the appreciation of his activities and emphasized that he sees a great future for Armenia in terms of high technologies. He highlighted the development of the educational system and the preparation of highly qualified engineers. At the same time James Truchard noted that his company is ready to deepen cooperation with the Armenian partners, fostering the future development of the sphere. Nikol Pashinyan noted that the Armenian Government has an ambitious agenda for the development of the IT sector and economic revolution has to follow the political revolution. In this context the acting PM spike about the policy and vision of the government aimed at the improvement of the business environment, attraction of FDIs, development of the IT sector and other economic spheres. A cancellation of a stamp dedicated to the State Award of the Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution in IT sphere took place after the meeting, attended by acting PM Nikol Pashinyan, co-founder and CEO of National Instruments James Truchard, acting Minister of Transport, Communication and IT Hakob Arshakyan, chairman of the Union of Philatelists of Armenia Hovik Musayelyan, Chairman of the Board of HayPost CJSC Juan Pablo Gechidjian. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan Labuan is an offshore, Malaysian island, which has the benefit of low tax regimes while still retaining the protection of Malaysias laws and regulations. This means Labuan entities benefit from nearly all the Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) Malaysia has signed with over 70 countries while profiting from tax exemptions under the Labuan International Banking and Financial Center (IBFC). Considered the pearl of Borneo, Labuan is located off the coast of the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah and borders Brunei by sea. The territory is strategically located in close geographical proximity to financial capitals like Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. Labuan is technically comprised of seven islands Labuan Island proper and six smaller satellite islands and enjoys tropical weather. Labuan offers multiple ferry connections to mainland Malaysia and Brunei; its airport is served by two daily flights to Malaysias capital Kuala Lumpur and one daily flight to Kota Kinabalu, the Sabah state capital. The island has a deep sea port and is planning to further develop its airport. With a population of just under 100,000 residents, Labuan offers a highly skilled workforce. Economic Profile Since its establishment as a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in 1990 now referred to as Labuan IBFC Labuan has become a premium offshore financial center for regional companies looking to expand internationally as well as for global companies entering Asian markets. Though prominently a financial hub, Labuan has five main industries: financial services; oil and gas; tourism; halal products; and fishing. Financial Services Labuan offers comprehensive banking, insurance, factoring, and money brokering. In tandem with conventional banking, the Labuan IBFC also boasts well-developed Shariah compliant financial infrastructure. While Labuan is an offshore entity, the island is attempting to diversify into a midshore role by offering niche areas with high potential growth such as leasing, captives, commodity trading and wealth management. Oil and Gas Labuan is surrounded by oil and gas fields. Offshore oil and gas are handled by the Labuan Crude Oil Terminal and Labuan Gas Terminal. The Malaysian Government declared Labuan one of the countrys petro-chemical hubs. Petrochemicals account for more than 70 percent of Labuans total exports, approximately US$3.3 billion. Petronas Chemicals Methanol is the largest methanol producer in Southeast Asia and the fourth largest in the world. The majority of oil and gas are transported by freight. Being a duty-free island, Labuan does not impose import duties on goods and most services as opposed to mainland Malaysia where duties are applicable a major incentive for processing oil and gas. Tourism Labuan brought in 673,000 tourists in 2015 (notably over 6 times to local population). The majority of these tourists are considered to be domestic, though no official figures are readily available. In hopes of transforming Labuan into an international tourist destination, the local authority of Labuan recently sold 24 hectares of land at the Rancha-Rancha industrial zone for tourist development. Labuans natural beauty offers tourists opportunities for water activities like snorkeling, sport fishing, and diving (including dive tours through historic sea wrecks). The Malaysian government is also looking to make Labuan a cruise hub which would dramatically increase the number of foreign tourist arrivals. Developing halal hub Though originally slow to begin proper developments, Labuan is investing technology and infrastructure into developing halal products, hoping to benefit from its proximity to fish resources while servicing a rapidly growing market. Fishing The Malaysian government has identified the tuna industry as a growing sector with potential to generate US$112 million. Consequently, the government plans to invest US$4.5 million to upgrade Labuans fishing infrastructure, specifically deep sea fishing. Labuan Fisheries estimates that approximately four tons of tuna are brought to the island daily. Out of this, three tons are exported and the remaining ton is used for domestic consumption. Labuan is already attempting to increase the domestic appetite for tuna with new tuna-based dishes released on a regular basis. Investing in Labuan According to the Labuan Financial Services Authoritys 2017 Annual Report, there are currently 14,201 companies registered in Labuan with an additional 52 trust companies and 151 foundations. Labuan FSA in 2017 approved three investment banking licences bringing the total number of approved banks to 54. This was an increase of 5.9 percent over the previous year. Of the total approved, 53 banks are currently in operation. Labuan FSA in 2017 approved 14 insurance and insurance-related licences, comprising six captives, four brokers, two reinsurers, one life insurer and one general insurer. This brings the total number of approved Labuan insurance and insurance-related entities to 203, which, however, was a decline of 0.5 percent from the previous year. Finally, Labuan has 380 leasing companies. Setting up a company in Labuan As per Section 7(5) of the Labuan Companies Act 1990, both residents and non-residents of Malaysia are allowed to establish Labuan companies. Furthermore, a company only requires one director, one shareholder, and one resident secretary the director is not required to live in Malaysia. Labuan-based companies are offered the option of either paying a flat corporate tax of Ringgit 20,000 (US$4784) or at a rate of three percent of net audited profits. With effect from January 1, 2019, however, Labuan-based companies will not be allowed to exercise the option of paying the flat amount as tax. They will, however, be permitted to pay tax at the three percent rate even if they carry out business transactions in the Malaysian Ringgit or do business with Malaysian residents. Currently, they are eligible for the three percent tax rate only when they carry out transactions in currencies other than the Ringgit and among Labuan-based businesses or with foreign companies. While Labuan enjoys nearly all the DTA benefits of Malaysia, there are 14 countries which do not recognize Labuan as part of Malaysia because of its status as an IBFC. These countries include: Australia Chile Germany India Indonesia Japan Luxembourg Netherlands Seychelles South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden United Kingdom Labuan companies wishing to tap into DTAs with the above mentioned 14 countries can, however, do so by opting to be taxed under the Malaysian Income Tax Act, 1967 (ITA). Under the ITA, a Labuan companys net profit would be taxed at 25 percent instead of the regular three percent Labuan tax. Conclusion This may be a viable option for a trading company as there is no significant taxation differences between Labuan and Malaysia in foreign sourced passive income (i.e. interest, dividends, royalties) or capital gains. Though the oil and gas sector has cooled down on the island, Labuans economy is diversified and has been working to increase its niche financial services, fishing sector, tourism, and halal industry. Government projects working to develop the fishing industry as well as increase the number of foreign tourists is a positive step towards a more dynamic economy. Labuan is considerably more affordable than Hong Kong or Singapore as an offshore destination. The island is well situated between China and India as well as many of ASEANs financial hubs to take advantage of trade by sea as well as offshore services. As Labuan continues to diversify its financial portfolio of offerings, the island will become less dependent on oil and gas and begin catering to a wider array of needs. Labuan has the additional advantage of tailoring financial services to both conventional and Shariah-compliant forms. Companies looking to establish themselves in ASEAN and Asia more generally can look to Labuan as an establishing platform. Editors Note: This article was first published on April 14, 2017 and has been updated on November 28, 2018 and December 12, 2018 as per latest developments. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. And we've brought along one of the boldest pixel plays of the sort, which has turned the eight-generation Neunelfer into a sculpture.As you can notice in the image we have here, only the overhangs of the sportscar are present and while it all makes for an unusual experience, who dares judge this piece of art?The creation comes from social media label latetedanslecul, which is French for "head in the posterior" and we'll remind you we featured work from this channel before.Speaking of 992 renderings, we've been bombarded with such images ever since the German automotive producer revealed the sportscar at the said venue.For instance, there are the renders that allow us to look past the Carrera S and the Carrera 4S models showcased to date - here's one that brings us the Cabriolet and one that portrays the GT3 RS Of course, there's still a long way to go until we get to meet the 992 Rennsport Neunelfer. For instance, Porsche has to introduce the standard GT3 first, if we might call it so.Nevertheless, with prototypes currently in their advanced development stage, the 992 Porsche Neunelfer GT3 should come to the world next year. And, as test cars have shown, the newcomer will maintain two of the current car's top assets and we're referring to the naturally aspirated flat-six and the manual tranny here.In fact, a few of these renders have been officially approved by Porsche, as it was the case with Chris Labrooy 's work, which is displayed alongside the actual car in LA. The C-Van will be manufactured by the French automaker at the groups Vigo plant in Spain, and the first example to wear the Toyota logo will roll off the assembly line at the end of 2019. The collaboration goes deeper than that as far as commercial vehicles are concerned, dating back to 2012 with the introduction of the Proace at the Groupe PSA plant in Hordain, France.Starting from January 2021, the Japanese automaker will take control of Toyota Peugeot Citroen Automobile Czech s.r.o. in Kolin, where the Aygo, C1, and 108 are manufactured. From when the deal was signed in 2001, both parties laid down a clause that allowed either of them to reconsider the shareholding of the plant.Toyota hasnt announced what it plans to manufacture in the Czech Republic, but did mention that a larger workforce is needed to see the plan through. Our commitment to the Kolin plant demonstrates Toyotas philosophy of producing cars where we sell them and our long-term manufacturing presence in Europe, said executive vide-president Didier Leroy.Carlos Tavares, whos the chairman of Groupe PSA , added that the future yields a new chapter of our successful and mutually beneficial partnership, based on our trusting relationship for the best advantage of our clients and our companies. In other words, consumer demand might be changing but the alliance remains as strong as ever.Opened in 1958, the Vigo plant operated by Groupe PSA in Spain produced 434,000 vehicles in 2017. Models manufactured there include the Peugeot Partner, Rifter, Citroen Berlingo, Opel and Vauxhall Combo, Citroen C4 Spacetourer, Citroen C-Elysee, and Peugeot 301.As for the Hordain plant in France, Groupe PSA built 135,000 vehicles there in 2017 for three brands: the Peugeot Expert and Traveller, Citroen Jumpy and Spacetourer, as well as the Toyota Proace. The TPCA Kolin in the Czech Republic is the youngest of these factories, opened in 2005. No less than 199,000 Aygo, C1, and 108 models have been built there last year. 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. Attempting to tamp down pilot concerns about its 737 MAX following the Lion Air crash, Boeing technical representatives met with at least two pilot unions this week. And industry sources say the company is considering a software revision to the airplanes anti-stall autotrim system. Lion Air JT610, a 737 MAX with only 800 hours on the airframe, crashed into the Java Sea off Jakarta on Oct. 29, killing all 189 people aboard. The Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee released a preliminary report this week showing that the crew experienced continuous stick shaker activation shortly after takeoff due to a faulty angle of attack sensor. Because its engines are heavier and mounted farther forward, Boeing equipped MAX airplanes with an autotrim system called MCAS. Its activated at high angles of attack and automatically applies nose-down trim as an anti-stall protection. Pilot unions have complained that Boeing didnt document the existence of MCASManeuvering Characteristics Augmentation Systemand crews werent trained on it. MCAS hasnt been implicated in the crash, but the NTSCs preliminary report showed that it was active during the crash flight and the pilots continually trimmed manually against its nose-down trim input. A previous crew that encountered the same problem addressed it through the standard runaway trim procedure, which is to use the airplanes two stabilizer trim cutout switches to disable electric pitch trim. All models of the 737 are still equipped with manual trim wheels. Boeing set up urgent meetings with pilot unions from Southwest and American Airlines, although what was discussed hasnt been reported. We were appreciative that Boeing reached out to us, said Mike Trevino, spokesman for the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, according to USA Today. A spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, the American Airlines union, said the organization was looking for the Boeing outreach. They brought in their A team, said Dennis Tajer of APA. At least one airline that operates the MAX, Southwest Airlines, says its discussing with Boeing the option of adding an angle-of-attack indication to the MAXs primary flight display. Currently, the airplane has an AoA disagree flag that warns pilots if the two vane-type AoA sensors are providing inconsistent data. The option may be available on future MAX deliveries. Meanwhile, a report in the Daily Globe and Mail said Boeing may consider software revisions to the MAX, although the details werent revealed. Yet again, energy experts have gotten the oil market wrong: Less than two months ago, Brent crude was about $86 a barrel, and the talk was a certain return to ultra-profitable $100 oil. Today, Brent closed at $58.68, down 31% from the peak, after the industry's worst two months in a decade. Oil's biggest kingpins are now at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, where they will try to set things right. But if they can't for reasons including pressure from President Trump and their own divisiveness look for a renewed bloodbath in oil, with danger for the world's petro-states and numerous other industries. What's going on: In oil and gas, the last decade has been an almost farcical series of bad calls starting in 2008 with an oil price spike to $147 a barrel and a consensus that the era of low prices was over because of a fossil fuel shortage. Instead, shale oil and gas came along and, by 2014, the U.S. was suddenly awash in both. That was depicted as incredibly good news for the U.S., a platform for the U.S. to enter an industrial renaissance. Instead (another bad call) prices went into a tail spin, finally crashing below $27 a barrel. The carnage included dozens of oil company bankruptcies, a mini-recession for several industries, and hundreds of thousands of job cuts. "Analysts always tend to extrapolate current trends and miss turning points." John Kemp, senior energy analyst at Reuters, to Axios In the latest chapter of this bad run of forecasting, analysts and traders watched as oil prices marched back over $80 a barrel in the last week of September, and most determined that that was the new normal. Except, as traders crowed at a big industry conference in Singapore that month, $100-a-barrel oil would be back soon, breaching a threshold that, during the rough patch, no one thought would ever be crossed again. Instead, we have an eight-week-long crash of prices: In a report today, the U.S. Energy Information Agency said that, for the fourth straight month, U.S. oil drillers have produced record volumes, reaching almost 11.4 million barrels a day, almost 2 million higher than a year earlier. The August and September year-on-year additions are the largest in almost a century. Astonishing fact: For the first time since 1948, U.S. net oil imports will drop to zero next year before stabilizing at about 320,000 barrels a day, analysts say. As usual, analysts cite a dozen reasons why they could not possibly have averted being blindsided, even though that's what the oil game is all about avoiding being blindsided. What they missed: That Trump would grant a slew of sanctions waivers to buyers of Iranian oil, rather than forcing much of it off the market immediately, said Amy Jaffe of the Council on Foreign Relations. Nor that Saudi itself expecting Iran to be exporting relatively little would pump a record 11.1 million barrels of oil a day. a slew of sanctions waivers to buyers of Iranian oil, rather than forcing much of it off the market immediately, said Amy Jaffe of the Council on Foreign Relations. Nor that Saudi itself expecting Iran to be exporting relatively little would pump a record 11.1 million barrels of oil a day. That shale drillers would continue their deluge a whopping 5 million added barrels of oil including this year and next. continue their deluge a whopping 5 million added barrels of oil including this year and next. That the global economy would slow: Barclays gives a 20% to 25% chance of a U.S. recession by the end of next year, and 25% to 40% in 2020, says Michael Cohen, head of energy markets research. What's next: OPEC is to meet next week in Vienna to discuss a production cut. But the real game is in Buenos Aires, where the most powerful men in oil Russia's Vladimir Putin, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, and, because of the power of his tweets, Trump at the G20 summit. Saudi for one needs $73-a-barrel oil to finance the national budget, according to the IMF. Putin, with a break-even of $40, will go along with a cut because he is seeking Saudi investment in Russia, said Scott Modell, head of Geopolitical Risk at Rapidan Energy. In a meeting today, an OPEC advisory committee suggested a 1.3-million-barrel-a-day cut. That is precisely the 2019 oil surplus projected by the International Energy Agency, but it may be more in a recent note to clients, for instance, Helima Croft at RBC, forecast a 1.4 million-barrel-a-day surplus next year with no cuts. The worst off in a sustained low-price era, Modell said: Venezuela and Nigeria. In a joint declaration signed by all G20 nations Saturday, leaders acknowledged that the current multilateral trading system is "falling short of its objectives" and voiced support for "necessary reform" of the World Trade Organization. The big picture: President Trump who has made trade imbalances a hallmark complaint of his presidency has threatened to withdraw from the WTO, which he believes was "designed by the rest of the world to screw the United States." Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping Saturday night to discuss the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China, per Reuters. As pundits try to update their timeline for the 2016 Russia hacking scandal based on new emails and information from Roger Stone associate and conspiracy theorist Jerome Corsi, they are missing a key piece of the puzzle. Background: This week, Corsi blew apart plea arrangements with the Mueller investigation, and now he publicly denies being an intermediary between Stone (a would-be proxy for the Trump campaign) and WikiLeaks or having any advance knowledge of the site's leak schedule. According to a draft plea agreement, Corsi emailed Stone that he did have that advance knowledge: "Word is friend in embassy plans 2 more dumps. One shortly after Im back [from a vacation in August]. 2nd in Oct." But there was no August Wikileaks dump. The big question: What was Corsi referring to with the leak planned for when he got back? Corsi claims he was guessing, but armchair investigators note it doesn't seem like that's what he was saying. "Word is" seems a little specific to have been referring to a guess, and "Would not hurt to start suggesting HRC ... has stroke. ... I expect that much of next dump focus," seems to predict Podesta emails would breathe life into baseless rumors about Clinton health problems. So, what gives? Independent intelligence pundit Marcy Wheeler suggests Corsi may have been referring to a leak from Guccifer 2.0 in August that did materialize rather than a leak from WikiLeaks. But there's an easier explanation: WikiLeaks, I'm told, was consistently behind schedule in releasing leaks, or at least behind the schedule Russia appears to have set for the site. In fact, you can see that in the way Guccifer 2.0 acted in the previous month. When I started receiving leaks before WikiLeaks began publishing Guccifer 2.0 made a point of telling me, "WikiLeaks is playing for time" with documents sent to the site. In Guccifer 2.0's first document dump on his own site he quietly picked only documents culled from the Democratic National Committee emails that Wikileaks had received but had not begun publishing yet. At the time, only WikiLeaks would have known this. In retrospect, it appears to have been a hurry-up notice. Maybe Corsi's "friend in embassy" didn't leak documents in August because he was running late. Go deeper: Why press fears on Assange charges are premature Marriott's disclosure of a data breach dating back to 2014 and affecting as many as 500 million customers puts the hotel industry under a harsh regulatory microscope and could be a test case for Europe's stringent new data laws. The big picture: This would be the 2nd biggest breach of all time, trailing only Yahoo! in 2013, based on Marriott's initial disclosure. This is by far the biggest breach disclosure since the European laws came into effect earlier this year. The breach was in the Starwood reservations system, which has 11 brands and roughly 1,200 properties in its portfolio, including Sheraton, St. Regis, Westin and W Hotels. Marriott bought Starwood for $13.6 billion in 2016. "For approximately 327 million of these guests, the information includes some combination of name, mailing address, phone number, email address, passport number, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) account information, date of birth, gender, arrival and departure information, reservation date, and communication preferences," the company said in a statement. "For some, the information also includes payment card numbers and payment card expiration dates, but the payment card numbers were encrypted using Advanced Encryption Standard encryption (AES-128)." "There are two components needed to decrypt the payment card numbers..." "At this point, Marriott has not been able to rule out the possibility that both were taken." Between the lines: "The Marriott hack joins a list of breaches to hit the hospitality industry in recent years. Security analysts say the industry is a ripe target for criminal actors because of the wealth of financial and other information flowing through payment and reservation systems." [WSJ] "Given the volume and sensitivity of personal data taken, and the length of the breach, Marriott 'has the potential to trigger the first hefty G.D.P.R. fine,' said Enza Iannopollo, a security analyst with Forrester Research, referring to the European data protection law enacted earlier this year." [NYT] "News of the breach sparked questions among cybersecurity experts about whether the hackers were criminals collecting data for identity theft or nation-state spies collecting information on travelers worldwide, including possibly diplomats, business people or intelligence officials as they moved around the globe." [Washington Post] What's next: "Attorneys general in Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania said they would investigate the attack, as did the UKs Information Commissioners Office," Reuters reported.The bottom line: "With all of the big breaches, it's easy to get apathetic about security," Axios cybersecurity reporter Joe Uchill explains. "I no longer blink unless breaches affect more than 1 million people, which was still a huge number of accounts just a few years ago." "But it's important to remember that every data breach presents danger to millions of people, and possibly to you." Go deeper: Behind the Marriott breach's "500 million affected" tally By Trend Azerbaijan and Turkey are working to define procedures for mutual recognition of e-signature, Deputy Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of Azerbaijan Elmir Valizade told reporters in Baku Nov. 30. He said that the work in this direction is carried out in accordance with the previously signed memorandum. We believe that the adoption of this step is important not only from the point of view of the development of e-commerce, but also for the certification of e-documents in the field of transport, customs, and in general in the workflow at the interdepartmental level, said Valizade. The work on mutual recognition of e-signature is carried out not only with Turkey but also with other countries, and this is in the interests of Azerbaijan. A new directive adopted in Europe is of particular importance in terms of the application of this practice in Azerbaijan, he noted. That is, for the mutual recognition of e-signature with European countries, we need to apply the European approach in the country, he added. The current legislation of Azerbaijan was developed on the basis of European directives and we are trying to ensure that the existing legislation meet the new requirements. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The UK companies continue to look at opportunities in a number of sectors in Azerbaijan, Steve Smith, the Head of Trade and Investments Department of the UK Embassy in Baku, told Trend. He underlined that the UK is Azerbaijans leading investor and there are currently some 523 British companies operating in the country, primarily in the oil and gas sector, but also in mining, construction, financial services, retail, fashion and healthcare. Smith stressed that real progress is being made in a number of mentioned spheres. "This includes encouraging collaboration between Azercosmos and the UK Space Agency, ASAN and the UKs Government Digital Service (GDS), planned ministerial visits to the UK covering agriculture and healthcare, and more cooperation in education and environmental matters," he noted. According to Smith, the British ambassador is leading a very active policy to help Azerbaijan eradicate single-use plastics and to develop a greener, more low-carbon economy. Further, he emphasized that economic cooperation between the UK and Azerbaijan is very strong and the sides enjoy rich and close relationship that spans many years. So far, the UK has invested over $27 billion in the economy of Azerbaijan. In January-October 2018, trade turnover between the countries amounted to $455.59 million, of which $257.4 million accounted for exports from Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend There is difficult social situation in Armenia, a member of the Azerbaijani delegation, chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council Aflatun Amashov, who participated in the 52nd session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) held in Yerevan, told reporters in Baku Nov. 30. He said that the situation could be judged by the type of buildings. We were mainly in the center of the city, he noted. The country is on the threshold of election. It is fundamentally wrong to compare Baku and Yerevan, because there are striking differences. Amashov also said that the delegation visited the Blue Mosque in Yerevan. The Blue Mosque is one of the historical monuments of Azerbaijan, it was built in 1776 on the order of Nakhchivan resident Huseynali Khan, he noted. In the second half of the 19th century, about 300 mosques operated in Armenia. A number of mosques even operated until the 90s. The Blue Mosque is the only one in Armenia. According to an agreement between the governments of Iran and Armenia, it was repaired with the financial support of the Iranian side in 1995. This mosque is considered one of the cultural centers of Iran in Armenia. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Following the logic of the comment by the Russian Foreign Ministry, Bako Sahakyan came for rest to Lake Baikal, and not to Moscow, where he held meetings as a so-called head of an illegal regime created in the Azerbaijani territories, occupied as a result of the use of force and ethnic cleansing, Leyla Abdullayeva, acting spokeswoman of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, told Trend Nov. 30. Abdullayeva said that the comment by the Russian Foreign Ministry says that this trip doesnt contradict Russian legislation, the existing international agreements and Russias mediation mission in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Once again, I would like to remind that Article 5 of the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Security between Azerbaijan and Russia dated 1997 clearly reads: The parties undertake not to support separatist movements, and also prohibit and suppress activity of individuals aimed against the state sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the other party, she said. In this regard, it would be appropriate to point out paragraph 4 of Article 15 of Russias Constitution: Generally accepted principles and norms of international law and international treaties of the Russian Federation are an integral part of its legal system. If an international treaty of the Russian Federation establishes other rules than those provided by law, the rules of the international treaty apply, she noted. As for Russias mediation mission, Abdullayeva added that the document defining the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Groups co-chairs clearly reads: The co-chairs will be guided by the principles and norms of the OSCE, the UN Charter, the decisions of the OSCE forums, including the decision of the Council of Ministers dated March 24, 1992, and in particular the decision of the Budapest Summit, as well as the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. This also raises the question - if this is really a private trip of a person from the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Russian Federation (in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions No. 822, 853, 874 and 884, the Russian Federation recognizes the Nagorno-Karabakh region as Azerbaijans territory), were the relevant requirements applied to this person when crossing the state border of Russia, primarily those which require a valid document issued in accordance with the laws of the country of origin - Azerbaijan? she asked. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijan once again confirms its commitment to the goals and objectives defined in the UN Charter, Ziyafat Asgarov, first deputy chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament, said. He made the remarks Nov. 30 at a parliament plenary meeting during the presentation of the draft law "Permit for the deployment of Azerbaijani military personnel of four people in South Sudan as staff officers and military observers under the command of UNMISS (United Nations Mission in South Sudan) and participation in this mission". He noted that the state and president of Azerbaijan are also interested in this issue. "At the same time, this means that Azerbaijan once again confirms its commitment to the goals and objectives of the UN Charter, he said. The Azerbaijani state demonstrates its peacefulness. We would like the UN Security Council to be more responsible and serious towards the fulfillment of the decisions made regarding Azerbaijan," Asgarov said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a condolence letter to US President Donald Trump over passing of George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the US. I was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States, an outstanding statesman, Ilham Aliyev said in his letter. On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to you, the family of the late George Herbert Walker Bush, and the whole people of the United States. President Ilham Aliyev also expressed condolences to George Walker Bush, the 43rd President of the US. I was deeply saddened by the news of the death of your father George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States, an outstanding statesman, the Azerbaijani president said in his letter. Sharing your grief in this difficult time, I extend my deepest condolences to you and all the members of your family over this irreparable loss. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend BP plans to drill two exploration wells in shallow waters around Absheron Peninsula in 2019, Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, BP vice president for Communications, External Affairs and Strategy in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, told Trend Nov. 30. He said that one of these wells is located in the Garabaddag area, where the sea depth is only 2-5 meters, which creates difficulties for drilling. Therefore, an area of approximately 160X48 meters will be dried for drilling, he said. The production sharing agreement (PSA) between Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR and BP for geological exploration and development of promising structures in shallow waters around Azerbaijans Absheron Peninsula was signed December 22, 2014. The work under the agreement is divided into three phases: primary exploration, main exploration and field development. The agreement envisages that the development phase will last 23 years, but this period may be extended. BP should begin commercial production within 36 months from the start of the development phase. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend A meeting with an Indian delegation consisting of heads and representatives of about 30 pharmaceutical companies was held at the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. The Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan was represented by the heads of enterprises dealing with the purchase and sale of medicines. The delegation held a presentation of the medicines produced by Indian companies. The sides discussed the possibility of expanding the partnership and establishing direct contacts with Turkmen entrepreneurs. Turkmenistan has been cooperating with India for a long time on pharmaceutics, in particular, Ajanta Pharma has created an enterprise in Ashgabat that produces more than 80 types of medicines. According to plans, in the coming years, local pharmaceutics must meet most of the country's needs. Experts say this market and its infrastructure may develop through the private capital. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The State Service for Combating Economic Crimes of Kyrgyzstan detected two companies in Osh region that illegally mined and exported antimony to China, 24.kgreports. According to it, U.T. and K. Company in 2017 and from January 1 to June 30, 2018 has exported 1,764 tons of antimony ore and concentrate to the PRC. At the same time, the license confirming the origin of the goods indicated that the ore and the concentrate were mined at Alik Aliksuyak field in Alai district of Osh region. However, the Ministry of Economy stated to the financial police that it issued no permits for import and export of ore and concentrates of non-ferrous metals containing precious metals. By decision of the board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), ores and concentrates of non-ferrous metals containing precious metals are subject to licensing. U.T. and K. has exported antimony-containing ore and concentrate without a license for a total amount of more than 6.2 million soms. According to the information provided by the Tax Service Department for Osh, the company received income of 3,855 million soms last year, the profit was 180,330 soms, the tax amounted to 18,330 soms. The second fact of illegal export of ore was also revealed in Osh region. According to the South-West Customs, T.S. company has exported 885.4 tons in 2017, and from January 1 to July 30, 2018 537.5 tons of antimony containing ore and concentrate to China. According to the State Committee for Industry, Energy and Subsoil Use, T.S. company has a license for exploration without the right to develop fields and export antimony-containing concentrates outside Kyrgyzstan. The Ministry of Economy also did not issue permits to the company for the import and export of ores and concentrates of non-ferrous metals containing precious metals. T.S. company exported antimony-containing ore and concentrate for 4.3 million soms for 2017-2018. A criminal case under article 180 (Illegal entrepreneurship) of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic was initiated. Investigation is underway. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Russia's deliveries of coal to China will grow by 8.4% this year compared to 2017, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said at a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, TASSreports. "At the end of 2018, we expect coal deliveries to stand at 27.2 mln tonnes, which is 8.4% more than last year," the press service of the Russian Energy Ministry quoted Novak as saying. Talking about cooperation in the oil and gas sphere, Novak noted the Yamal SPG project. "Since the start of the first line of the project in December 2017 and of the second line in August this year, more than 4.5 mln tonnes of liquefied gas was produced. The third line will be launched in the nearest future," Novak said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Joseph Luiz can be reached at 395-7368 or by email at jluiz@bakersfield.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @JLuiz_TBC. How to go What: Work weekend on the Pacific Crest Trail Where: Activities will be based around a base camp at Walker Pass Campground When: Dec. 13-16, throughout the day Cost: Free of charge To sign up: go to www.trailcrew.org For more information: Contact Bureau of Land Management Outdoor Recreation Planner Brie Chartier at 661-391-6000 THE DISH: Run as fast as you can to catch gingerbread man, other new foods A 17-year-old student was arrested for allegedly bringing a gun to Milby High School Thursday. Jovanny Villegas was apprehended by an assistant principal after arriving late to school Thursday, prosecutors said at his probable cause hearing Friday morning. The assistant principal said that Villegas previously had been caught bringing drugs to school, and decided to conduct an administrative search of the high school senior and his belongings. Prosecutors said the assistant principle found a pistol containing eight rounds. Villegas said he did not know the firearm was in his backpack. "We are grateful that no one was injured and that alert administrators discovered the weapon and immediately notified Houston ISD police," the school stated in a press release. Villegas was charged with carrying a prohibited weapon in a prohibited place, and was released on a $2,500 bail. A court record search by the Chronicle found the teen has no prior criminal history. George Herbert Walker Bush, whose lone term as the 41st president of the United States ushered in the final days of the Cold War and perpetuated a family political dynasty that influenced American politics at both the national and state levels for decades, died Friday evening in Houston. He was 94. Bush was the last president to have served in the military during World War II. His experience in international diplomacy served him well as he dealt with the unraveling of the Soviet Union as an oppressive superpower, and later the rise of China as a commercial behemoth and potential partner. His wife of 73 years, Barbara Pierce Bush, died April 17, 2018, at the age of 92. PHOTOS: George H.W. and Barbara Bush: A love story Steeped in the importance of public service, Bush always felt the lure of political life. It snared him in 1962 when he was chosen to head Houston's fledgling Republican Party. He spent the next three decades in the political limelight, a career largely free of scandal or great controversy, with one exception his role as vice president in the Iran-Contra scandal. The second of five children, Bush was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts, to Prescott and Dorothy Bush. After graduating from Yale University in 1948, he struck out for Texas and found success, first as an oilman and later as a Congressman. The misfortune of bad timing hurt him at times in his pursuit of higher office, yet a string of high-profile appointed positions reflected the faith others had in him. Bush ran in November 1966 for Congress and won, becoming the first Republican from Houston and the star of the growing Texas GOP. After Bush's second term and a failed Senate bid, President Richard Nixon appointed Bush to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and, later, chairman of the Republican National Committee. FAMILY LEGACY: How the Bush family became a political dynasty His tenure coincided with investigations into the Watergate affair, which resulted in Nixon's resignation. New President Gerald Ford appointed Bush "envoy" to China the two nations did not yet have full diplomatic relations, so Bush could not be called an ambassador then director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Bush returned to Houston in 1976, when Ford was defeated. He ran for president but ended up instead the two-term vice president to Ronald Reagan, proving a loyal second. In 1988, Bush won the top office decisively. He came to be widely respected by foreign leaders and diplomats, but his political profile at home was different, dogged by assertions that he was a bland and hazy character, aloof and dilettantish. Bush had not been in the White House long when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. His cautious posture as the Soviet Union was beginning to unravel was a highlight of his presidential term, which also saw negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (eventually to be ratified in November 1993), and the victorious Operation Desert Storm, a multinational response to the military invasion of Kuwait by neighboring Iraq. At home, plagued by inherited budget deficits and a Congress under the control of Democrats, Bush was pushed into a tax increase that belied his explicit promise to allow none. His legislative achievements included the Americans with Disabilities Act, a bolstered Clean Air Act, and an increased minimum wage. With the loss of a second presidential term came intense pain, physical and emotional, that he fully acknowledged. Some of it arose from the frustration he felt that the public did not understand him, and perhaps never had. His spirits were buoyed in 2000 when son was elected president. PHOTOS: George H.W. Bush: Life after office Bush was occasionally seen at ball games around Houston, at numerous charity events, and at funerals of old friends. In 2010, President Barack Obama awarded Bush the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He made a final parachute jump after turning 90, but age and disease began to take a toll. When he lost the ability to walk, there were few public appearances. He shook hands with those who attended his wife's public visitation. At her funeral, he wore socks with images of books of them, a testament to his wife's devotion to improving literacy. He held her hand all day before she died. Elizabeth Taylor, the woman convicted of fatally shooting her abusive boyfriend, could serve as few as two years in prison after a judge, prosecutors and her defense attorneys agreed Friday that she acted out of sudden passion. Taylor, 71, was sentenced to four years on a reduced charge of second-degree felony murder for shooting Larry Atwood, 58, as the pair were driving north on the Eastex Freeway near Beaumonts Home Depot on Oct. 11, 2017. She will be eligible for parole consideration after two years. She faced up to 99 years after a jury convicted her Thursday night of first-degree murder for intentionally causing bodily injury that led to Atwoods death. She was not convicted on a second count of intentionally and knowingly killing him. I want you to know that Im very sorry that this happened, Taylor said Friday in some of the only public words over the course of the four-day trial. I loved Larry very much and his sister can equate to that. Prosecutors and the defense reached an agreement that Taylors charge could be reduced to second-degree murder because she was found to have committed a crime of passion, state District Judge John Stevens said. Both sides believed the arrangement was fair, given the circumstances, he said. Taylor waived her right to a jury for the sentencing phase and, per the agreement, the right to appeal her sentence. Video: Lumberton man names alleged shooter before death (graphic) Its exceedingly rare for a defendant to have a murder conviction reduced and a sentence meted out in the manslaughter punishment range, said Houston criminal defense attorney Neal Davis, who was not involved in the case but has expertise in cases involving battered spouses. Davis applauded prosecutors for trying to do the right thing rather than just trying to win. He said he believed Taylor was given an opportunity to accept responsibility, learn from her experiences and hopefully have some life left to live. Texas law defines sudden passion as passion directly caused by and arising out of provocation by the individual killed. Court testimony showed that Atwood was slamming Taylors head into the dashboard while he was driving that Wednesday afternoon. State law says a defendant may raise the issue of sudden passion only during a trials punishment stage. Taylors attorneys cited battered-spouse syndrome throughout the defense and presented a psychiatrist who testified that Taylor showed classic signs of the syndrome, which he described as a type of post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Edward Gripon testified on Wednesday that it was likely Taylor stayed in a relationship with Atwood because she professed to love him and had a hope that he would not hurt her again. In her brief statement on Friday near the end of the trial, Taylor said she remained true to Atwood even when he was in prison. I was waiting for him to come home and thought hed be better, she said. Tell his sisters Im sorry. In making her victim-impact statement, Atwoods sisters Shirley Harris and Faye Simmons addressed Taylor directly. You took our brother away from us, Simmons said. Its only you I blame because we havent got our brother to love and share. I hope you think about it every day for the rest of your life. Harris said that she was satisfied with the conviction verdict, which was read Thursday night as Atwoods family members held hands on the front row of the state District Court. Taylors granddaughter, Tasheia Rapp, said this week has been very emotional. Theres no good outcome to either side, Rapp said. Our main thing is to make sure domestic violence victims, women and men, reach out to someone. Taylors sister Carolyn Lompe said there was so much abuse in Atwood and Taylors relationship. It couldve been her on that marble table, she said. Defense attorney Ryan Gertz said after Fridays sentencing that perhaps focusing on technicalities, such as the definition of the word imminent, mightve played better to this jury than to a jury that might react emotionally. The nine women and three men deliberated for hours, examining the suspected murder weapon and reviewing Taylors hour-long interview with Beaumont police following her arrest. After talking with a few jurors after the trial, Gertz said it appeared their decision hinged on immediacy and the level of force versus whether or not it was right or wrong. The challenge with jury trials is, you never know who the jurors really are, he said. Dustin Galmor, Taylors other attorney, began the defenses closing argument on Thursday with a picture of his grandmother, who at the time of the photo was the same age as Taylor. Galmor asked jurors to put themselves in Taylors shoes, strapped to the seat next to Atwood as he jerked Taylor by the hair on the back of the neck, repeatedly pounding her head into the dashboard and at one point grabbing her nose as if he was trying to break it or to suffocate her. I dont think we regret the trial strategy we took, Gertz said. It just turned out not to be a successful strategy. My concern about this verdict is that it says to people in Jefferson County that if you are being abused, if you are a woman being abused by a man, dont defend yourself because you may go to prison, Gertz said. And that is a scary, scary message to be sending. Prosecutor Mike Laird declined to comment on Friday. phoebe.suy@beaumontenterprise.com A day after suing the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Texas death row prisoner Joseph Garcia lost his long-shot bid for clemency when the seven-member board denied him a favorable recommendation to the governor. He is currently scheduled for execution Tuesday in Huntsville. The 47-year-old was sentenced to die nearly two decades ago for his role in the state's biggest prison break, a carefully plotted scheme followed by a crime spree and the slaying of a suburban Dallas police officer. Even though the seven-member parole board unanimously rebuffed his request for a lenient recommendation, Garcia has a number of other claims pending in the courts as well as a request for reprieve in front of the governor. "We are obviously disappointed," said defense lawyer Mridula Raman. "Justice could be served by having Joseph spend the rest of his life in prison. It is unfortunate that the board puts politics over fairness and mercy." In December 2000, Garcia was serving time for a Bexar County slaying when he teamed up with six fellow prisoners to break out of a maximum-security prison south of San Antonio. Fleeing canines and helicopters, the men drove to Houston where they pulled off two store robberies to stock up on supplies and money before heading north toward Dallas. There, on Christmas Eve, the crew of escapees robbed an Oshman's sporting goods - and on their way out, killed Irving police Officer Aubrey Hawkins. The men drove through a blizzard and headed to Colorado, where they were caught a month later posing as Christian missionaries and living in a trailer park. Though five gunmen fired shots and one of them - ringleader George Rivas - confessed to shooting the cop, Garcia has long maintained he never opened fire. Still, he was found guilty and sentenced to die under the law of parties, a controversial statute that can hold non-shooters as responsible as triggermen. Challenging the use of that statute has become the center of one of Garcia's last-ditch legal battles. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled against him in that appeal on Friday, but in a 17-page dissent Judge Elsa Alcala wrote that "evolving standards of decency" might mean it's no longer permissible to execute someone who never intended to kill, and that it might not serve a penological purpose. Late Friday, Garcia's attorneys appealed up to the U.S. Supreme Court. READ MORE: Texas 7 escapee fights death sentence as Dec. 4 execution nears The same day, his legal team filed a federal lawsuit over the state's lethal injection supplier. Echoing a letter sent to the governor earlier in the week, the suit focuses on concerns stemming from a BuzzFeed News report on Wednesday that identified the Houston compounding pharmacy believed to be one of two responsible for making up the batches of pentobarbital used in the Huntsville death chamber. Since the Braeswood-area business had a track record of safety violations documented by the state, Garcia's attorney's asked the federal court to ban the state from using drugs compounded there or to simply call off Garcia's execution. In addition to the new filings on Friday, Garcia has an appeal challenging the Bexar County conviction that originally put him behind bars; a lawsuit alleging the state's parole board has too many ex-law enforcement members; and a request for reprieve in front of the governor. A woman has been charged with capital murder after her 5-year-old son died during a domestic violence incident Friday night at the family's West Houston home, police say. Lihui Liu, 43, was taken into custody after Houston Police Department officers responded to a stabbing call around 7 p.m. at the home in the 13800 block of Holly Lynn Lane, according to HPD Assistant Chief Wendy Baimbridge. The child's mother was the only adult home when police responded, police said A group of New York hospitals has agreed to pay restitution to rape survivors and revise billing procedures as part of a legal settlement, state Attorney General Barbara Underwood announced Nov. 29. The settlement resolves allegations that the hospitals illegally billed at least 200 forensic exams to rape survivors, ranging from $46 to $3,000 each, according to Ms. Underwood. Hospitals are Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn; Montefiore Nyack (N.Y.) Hospital; New York Presbyterian/Brooklyn Methodist Hospital; NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center; Staten Island-based Richmond University Medical Center; and Bronx-based St. Barnabas Hospital. Columbia University, which employs physicians, is also included. The hospitals have agreed to pay restitution to rape survivors in addition to costs and implement written policies to prevent rape survivors from receiving bills for their rape exams. The settlements follow an investigation of billing practices for forensic rape examinations at Brooklyn Hospital Medical Center. Ms. Underwood said the investigation resulted in an agreement with the hospital, and her office initiated a statewide investigation of billing practices for rape exams at other facilities. New York law requires that hospitals bill rape exams to the state Office of Victim Services directly, unless the sexual assault survivor voluntarily decides to assign the costs to a private health plan. More articles on legal and regulatory issues: CHS settles lawsuit against ex-CEO of Indiana hospital Atrium settles antitrust lawsuit over health plan contracts: 6 things to know Former employee alleges New Hampshire hospital fired her for accepting Medicaid patient Carmel-based Indiana Spine Group President Rick C. Sasso, MD, was awarded $112 million in damages after winning a five-year legal battle against Medtronic Nov. 27, according to Indianapolis Business Journal. Here are five details: 1. In the lawsuit, Dr. Sasso claimed Medtronic failed to pay him royalties he was contractually owed for spinal and screw implant systems he invented and licensed to the company more than a decade prior, according to the report. 2. The report states that throughout their established partnership, Medtronic paid Dr. Sasso more than $20 million in royalties, which Dr. Sasso said is less than what the company owed him. 3. Medtronic said Dr. Sasso was seeking payment "far in excess of the value of his contributions," the Indianapolis Business Journal reports. 4. The company filed a regulatory motion Nov. 29, stating it has "strong arguments to appeal the verdict," and plans to file post-trial motions with appellate courts, the report noted. 5. In addition to serving as president, Dr. Sasso is also a founding member of Indiana Spine Group. He specializes in comprehensive treatment and surgery of spinal disorders and abnormalities. Here are eight spine and neurosurgeons making headlines: Kola Jegede, MD, is the new director of quality and safety for spine services at New York City-based NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn. Due to court scheduling conflicts, the bankruptcy fraud sentencing of Cathleen Van Buskirk, MD, has been pushed back to 2019. Former Rockford, Ill.-based OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center CEO David Schertz testified that the hospital drafted a plan to handle the media's questions about Denice Crute, MD, who was hired after allowing her license to go inactive. Ammar Hawasli, MD, is working with LimiFlex to study the device's effectiveness as an alternative to spinal fusion. Reston, Va.-based Virginia Spine Institute added Ehsan Jazini, MD, to its team. Richard Menger, MD, Christopher Storey, MD, PhD, and Anil Nanda, MD, edited The Business, Policy, and Economics of Neurosurgery for clinical neurosurgeons. Broadcaster Ernest Strathdee, who died in a fire Brian attended, with former Belfast Telegraph sport editor Malcolm Brodie in 1962 Battling on: emergency services at the scene of an explosion on Belfast's Oxford Street on Bloody Friday in 1972, during which at least 20 IRA bombs were detonated Firefighter Brian Allaway can barely remember the day he'll never forget. Everything happened so quickly on Bloody Friday in Belfast more than 46 years ago that he finds it difficult to piece together the sickening sequence of horrific events in his mind. "All I know is that the chaos never seemed to stop," he says. "We were going from one bomb attack to another. Read More "When we eventually returned to our station in Chichester Street, we found that the engine room had been turned into a makeshift first aid post." The building had been pressed into service because it was right beside the bloodiest of the Bloody Friday bombs - the one that caused carnage at Oxford Street bus station. After returning from tackling fires across the city, Brian and his colleagues immediately set about using their medical training to help the injured. Their base was almost unrecognisable, as was the city, which was at that time coming under the worst bombardment it had seen outside of wartime. Read More "We were patching people up as best we could and trying to get them off to hospital in whatever ambulances were available," Brian recalls. At least 20 bombs exploded in the city in the space of 80 minutes on July 21, 1972, killing nine people and injuring more than 130 others. Two soldiers and four civilians were killed in the attack on the bus station. "It was almost impossible for the health services and ambulance crews to deal with so many casualties after what happened at Oxford Street," Brian says. "Many of the trainee firefighters from Chichester Street were just about to pass out from the training centre that day, but they were thrown right into the Oxford Street chaos because all the other crews were out responding to bombs which had already gone off." Brian was to witness many other shocking attacks and fires in his time on the front line. Now, the 65-year-old retired fireman, who is married to Diane, with a grown-up daughter and son Kerry and Steven, who both live in Northern Ireland, has written a book which isn't just a personal memoir but also a tribute to the courage of firefighters who sacrificed so much to work with the Belfast fire service throughout the Troubles. "I didn't want it to be just my story but also the stories of as many firefighters as I could get," Brian stresses. "It's not an opinion piece. It is, I hope, an academically valid history of the time. "I want the book to be something that people will read not only now but also in the future to see what it was like in Belfast during the Troubles." Read More Brian, who is now based in Edinburgh, interviewed 28 firefighters to record their memories for his chilling and harrowing account of his time in the service and of Belfast as a whole. His pride in what his colleagues did to save lives and property is as unmistakeable as it is unshakeable. "I think that, in very negative circumstances, the firefighters of Belfast did an incredibly positive job," he tells me. "When they went to an incident, they were just there to help. There's not many people who can say that. They had widespread respect." Brian sees his book, Firefighters of Belfast: The Fire Service During The Troubles, 1969-1994, as a way of ensuring that the contribution of fire crews - and the history of the service - were recorded before it was too late. "In 20 years, we will all be gone and there will be nobody left to tell the story, which is something that cannot be forgotten," he explains. "Throughout the Troubles, the fire service tried to keep a low profile. "There's very little documented to acknowledge their achievements. "They didn't sing their own praises or blow their own trumpets - and probably for very good reason." Brian, who lived on the Upper Crumlin Road in the city, joined the fire brigade at the age of 16, straight after school and almost by accident. "I wanted to be a painter and decorator, but I couldn't get an apprenticeship," he says. "I thought about joining the Merchant Navy instead, but my late father talked me into answering an advertisement for the fire service in Belfast. "The deal was that if I didn't like it after the two-year training period, I could go to sea, but that was never going to happen. "Just a couple of weeks into my training, I knew that firefighting was the job for me." Brian, who's donating all the royalties from his book to The Fire Fighters charity, stayed with the service for 41 years before retiring in 2010 as a senior officer in Scotland, where he now lives. The devotion to duty he showed in researching the book was similar to the commitment that he and his colleagues demonstrated during the worst of the bad times. "I spent three days a week for nearly five years looking through every copy of every paper in Belfast from the Troubles," he explains. "And I was lucky that they were all in the National Library of Scotland." The Belfast Telegraph is frequently quoted in the book and Brian says hardly a day went by without him finding an article or photograph in the archives about Belfast firefighters having to respond to bombings during the Troubles. After Brian completed his training, his first taste of real firefighting came on July 12, 1971, when he was 18 and stationed at the Central Fire Station on Chichester Street, near the Royal Courts of Justice. The Troubles were exploding all over Northern Ireland at the time. "There were a lot of difficult times, especially in Belfast ... a lot of incidents, a lot of bombs, mutilations and injuries and some really difficult fires to deal with - the destruction was senseless," Brian recalls. As well as Bloody Friday, a number of other terror attacks loom large in his reflections about his career. But on Bloody Friday itself, Brian responded to a call to Lower Donegall Street, where one of the IRA's first car bombs had exploded outside the News Letter offices after two telephone warnings claiming the device was actually in a nearby street. Three council binmen and two police officers were among the dead, with 150 people also injured. Brian heard the blast on what had been a quiet morning for firefighters. When he and his colleagues got to Donegall Street, they found "a scene of absolution devastation, with casualties scattered around in the dirt and the dust" of what he says looked like a battlefield. Another atrocity that still haunts him to this day is the UVF bombing of the Rose and Crown pub on the city's lower Ormeau Road in May 1974, just 15 days before the same organisation carried out the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which killed 34 people. A total of six Catholics died as a result of the Rose and Crown explosion. The bomb went off near the front of the bar, which collapsed on top of the people who had been inside, Brian recalls. We found a charred torso on arrival, but we had to dig the others out. It took us more than two hours to deal with that particular incident. Then there was the firebomb attack on Bank Buildings on April 8, 1975. Three of the devices detonated and a fierce fire started on the upper floors, Brian writes in his new book. The first device exploded at 5.20pm in the restaurant on the second floor, and two others detonated within 10 minutes. By the time we arrived, the fire had a firm hold on the old building, and we could see that we were in for a difficult firefighting operation the fire took a number of hours to bring under control and over 30 hours to extinguish fully. It transpired that there was at least one other device in the building. Five days later, demolition workers found a further bomb under debris on the third-floor stairway. It was defused by the ATO (ammunition technical officer). A further incident that lingers in his memory is a UDA bomb that killed two men drinking in the Club Bar near Queens University in May 1976. Thats another which stays with me, Brian admits. Youngsters were celebrating the end of their exams ... the worst casualties were near the toilets, where the bomb detonated. The victims were still at the table where theyd been sitting. The upper parts of their bodies were okay, but there was a tangle of legs below the table. We didnt know which limbs belonged to which torso. On top of the bombings, firefighters responding to calls during the Troubles had to be wary of rioters, who could turn on them very quickly. Despite that, Brian believes he and his colleagues were spared the worst of the violence. Yes, from time-to-time we were targets we were stoned, we were petrol-bombed and we were shot at, he admits. But firefighters were particularly proud of the fact that we went to every incident in every area we didnt discriminate at all. I think that both sides, by and large, saw us as neutral. But the Belfast fire service also had its share of casualties.In February 1973, fireman Brian Douglas was shot dead by the UDA as he tackled a blaze in a boutique on Sandy Row. In November 1976, sub officer Wesley Orr was killed by an IRA bomb at a bonded warehouse on the Glen Road. Brian had been on his way to take over from Wesley at the scene, and he arrived to see his colleague lying on the ground. Another fireman was shot dead when he was off duty and driving a taxi. A statue outside the headquarters of the Northern Ireland Fire Service in Lisburn stands as a memorial to all the firefighters who died in a number of different tragedies. But they, like Brian and his colleagues, didnt exclusively deal with terror-related incidents. Just five days after he started work in Belfast, Brian responded to a call to the Regency Hotel in Botanic Avenue, where three people had been killed. One of them was UTV presenter and former Irish rugby international Ernest Strathdee, whod fallen asleep while smoking a cigarette. They were the first bodies Brian had ever seen, and he was physically sick after he left the hotel and went outside. Another distressing incident he recalls was a house fire on Matchett Street in the Shankill Road area. Brian and a colleague were both wearing a breathing apparatus, and were hopeful that an eight-year-old girl they had rescued from an upstairs room would survive. Sadly, she and two other female members of her family died. Road accidents were commonplace too. At the time, firefighters had only the most rudimentary of equipment to get people out of cars. It was a busy time, an unpredictable time. You couldnt plan anything, says Brian. Okay, you knew that anniversaries of various events would mean an upsurge in violence. But you went from doing your routine work in the station to going out to deal with something horrendous with your adrenaline pumping. However, the training came into play and you just got on with it. I wouldnt downplay the tough times, but I never regretted joining the fire service. The real motivation was that you were helping people on what was the worst day of their lives you were coming along to try and make it better. Brian worked in Belfast until the early-1990s, when he transferred to Portadown a stint not covered in his book. Id originally intended to write a history of the fire service right across Northern Ireland during the Troubles, but it became too big, so I decided to concentrate on Belfast, he explains. Brian obviously couldnt be in two places at once, but his book covers most, if not all, of the major atrocities of the Troubles in Belfast and scores of forgotten bombings and traumas as well, all seen through the eyes of the firefighters who were at the scenes. In 1994, he transferred to the Lothian and Borders fire brigade in Edinburgh, and in 2002 he was promoted to firemaster, a historic title dating from at least 1824, but which was changed to chief officer in 2005. What he learned in Belfast stood him in good stead when he moved to Scotland. Firefighting is the same no matter what city you are in, really, he says. But it was a different dimension in Belfast because of the fact that the fires were often started by bombs, incendiary devices or by rioters. In his final chapters, he writes about the damage done physically and mentally to his colleagues, with anonymous accounts of their struggles in the wake of their service and the gruesome sights they were facing in the days before anyone was offered counselling. We just came back to the station from terrible incidents and talked to each other about our experiences over a cup of tea, says Brian, who also writes about how a heady cocktail of dark Ulster humour and alcohol were employed to help some firefighters cope with the almost daily horrors they encountered on the streets. Firefighters of Belfast: The Fire Service During The Troubles 1969-1994 by Brian Allaway is published by Luath Press Ltd, 12.99. Brian will be signing copies of his book at Waterstones in Belfast on Tuesday, December 4, at 4pm A Man Booker prize-winning novel written by a Northern Ireland author has now sold 330,000 copies. The book's publisher Faber & Faber said the sales spike was fuelled by an "astonishing demand" since it gained the prestigious accolade. In October, Anna Burns who grew up in Ardoyne in north Belfast, became the first writer from Northern Ireland to win the Man Booker Prize for her novel, Milkman. Since then it has been flying off the shelves - with demand highest here where book stores reported selling out within 24 hours of the Man Booker announcement. The book is set in the Troubles during the 1970s in an unspecified location. It tells the story of a middle-aged male paramilitary member, nicknamed the 'Milkman', who makes sexual advances towards a teenage girl. Faber & Faber said that of the overall total, 250,000 copies had been sold from its own warehouse supplies since Ms Burns beat off competition from the 13 other Man Booker nominees. A further 63,288 copies have been recorded in the same period through Nielsen, which is used by the publishing industry to monitor sales. Yesterday, bookshop chain Waterstones said customers are still coming through its doors to snap up a copy. "Milkman is still absolutely very much in high demand," a staff member at the store's Belfast branch told the Belfast Telegraph. "Readers are spreading the word by telling their friends, who are also popping in." The staff member said it was a picture that is being repeated across all its local stores. "We anticipate that this will continue through the Christmas shopping period," they added. It is also likely to experience a further upsurge internationally following reports that it has been sold to 23 new countries since the Man Booker Prize win. What's your favourite thing about Christmas? If the answer is "food" (and why wouldn't it be?) then your mouth will be watering at BBC One's new daytime cooking show. Airing every weekday for two weeks as December kicks off, The Best Christmas Food Ever sees chefs Paul Ainsworth and Catherine Fulvio share their favourite recipes and tips for making those festive family meals even more special. Plus, there are a few famous names joining them in the kitchen. From focaccia to panettone to Christmas Day tiramisu, Southampton-born Ainsworth and Fulvio, from Co Wicklow, rustle up an impressive 64 recipes over the 10 episodes. Discussing what to expect from the series, Fulvio, who is also a food writer and owns a cookery school, says: "Whether you're a great home cook, whether you've never cooked Christmas in your life, there is something for absolutely everyone. It will get you into the warmth and spirit of Christmas. There's fantastic humour, some laugh-out-loud moments." "With our busy lives, Christmas is the only real time that we actually probably all get together and just switch off, take time out and really enjoy and embrace being with each other," suggests Ainsworth, who is chef-patron at Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 in Padstow, Cornwall. "And I think, with Christmas food, we all try and make an effort." Being professionals, they have plenty of handy tips for making that time in the kitchen less stressful, too. "Something Catherine said, which I thought was brilliant, she has this golden rule: just have two things left to do on Christmas Day," reveals Ainsworth. "And, actually, that really, really makes sense; you can make your gravy a couple of weeks before." Celebrities appearing on the show include the likes of actor and panto star Christopher Biggins and popular presenters such as Chris Bavin, Angellica Bell and Jay Blades. Laughing, Fulvio shares that some celebs "asked highly technical questions" as they cooked, while others asked things like, "Can you deep fry that?" But they certainly had a lot of fun with their guests and produced some delicious-sounding food together. "I wanted to show Martine McCutcheon the best Yorkshire puddings that she could make," recalls Ainsworth, who competed in the BBC's Great British Menu and is also a regular guest chef on BBC's Saturday Kitchen. "It's just about knowing what to do; make a Yorkshire pudding mix the day before and allow it to rest in the fridge overnight, pull it out about an hour before, get your tins nice and hot, know what fat to use, where to fill the mould up to." "Martine McCutcheon - I'm a massive fan, so I was a bit starstruck," adds Fulvio, who has had various cooking series on RTE, including Catherine's Family Kitchen. Of other memorable people starring on The Best Christmas Food Ever, she continues: "Debbie McGee was such a wonderful lady and it was so interesting how she tells her story about her life when Paul (Daniels, her late husband) was alive and how she manages her life and her Christmases now." Ainsworth admits he put a lot of preparation in to make sure the show was the best it could be. "I cannot tell you how many late nights, early hours of the morning I spent writing up these recipes, really thinking about them and actually trying to hit the brief," he says. He was particularly nervous for his special turkey recipe. "Long before I ever thought I'd get the chance to go on television or anything, I always said, 'You can't cook a turkey brilliantly by doing the whole thing together'," he elaborates. Instead, he suggests cooking the legs and the breast separately. "People really get worked up and anxious about it (cooking a turkey) and I'm going to show people how to do the best turkey legs ever, that on their own are a lovely dish." For Ainsworth, this Christmas will be extra special because his little girl, Aricie, is now two-and-a-half. "Last Christmas and the year before, she had no idea of what was going on, but she knows exactly what is going on this Christmas," says the chef, who lives in Cornwall with wife, Emma. And it's fair to say Fulvio, who has two children, Charlotte and Rowan, with her Sicilian husband, Claudio, is looking forward to the holidays, too. "I live for Christmas," she says, "so, for me, doing this (show) was literally a no-brainer." The Best Christmas Food Ever, BBC One, weekdays from Monday, 3.45pm Belfast food and tourism chiefs should be looking over their shoulders because leading the charge in the race to become the north's best foodie destination and closing in fast, is, er, Derry/Londonderry. Yes. You read it right. Derry is grabbing the horns of the bull firmly and embarking on a plan to sweep aside all previous misconceptions and to convince you, food writers and anyone willing to listen that the centre of gravity of Northern Ireland's artisanal food industry and restaurant sector has shifted away from Belfast, Down and Antrim and is now in the north west. Let's face it. Belfast and its environs have had it easy. All the best restaurants are concentrated, naturally enough, where the people are. High density population centres mean there are more potential customers, and this creates competition the likes of which for the greater Belfast area has resulted in two Michelin starred restaurants, a raft of Bibs Gourmand and AA Rosettes and other award winners. Good Asian restaurants include curry houses, Chinese and Thai and there is a current blossoming of independent quality burger joints. The eating out spectrum is broad. So, if the culinary centre of gravity is in the east, what chance does Derry and the north west have of claiming its place as a foodie destination? A recent outing in the Maiden City convinced me that actually, the city chiefs (Derry and Strabane District Council) are not only madly ambitious, but they have the backing of some of the best producers and most committed restaurateurs in the region. A pop-up food festival last week in the Primrose restaurant at the city centre end of the Strand Road revealed just how good and varied the north west food and drink offer is. I apologise to Derry and Strabane Council for sounding so surprised and I know that this makes it sound a bit patronising, but whereas at first I made the journey to lend support to a noble and worthy cause, I didn't think it would be such an eye-opening experience which included world-class standard food and cooking. Helping make the point, Primrose restaurant owners, Ciaran and Melanie Breslin, he a butcher and she a baker, enlisted the collaboration of chefs from the classy Bishopsgate Hotel (soon to join Ireland's best in the famous Blue Book) and a clatter of producers from sectors including brewing and fishing, meat and dairy to join head chef Bryn Evans to create a complex and sophisticated dinner made entirely of locally sourced ingredients. I calculated that everything that went into the entire seven course menu accompanied by food pairings from Walled City Brewery and Northbound and Chambers' Redgate cider must have come from within a 25-mile radius of Derry city. Extraordinary. Not just because of the variety of stuff available in November but because the quality was of a level which would pass muster in London and Dublin, easily. Take the Lough Foyle flat oysters from Foylemore. Seriously, do, because these are native and rarely seen. Sustainably harvested under the watchful eye of the Loughs Agency, a north/south body, these oysters are very different to the more common Pacific species we normally gather from Strangford and Carlingford loughs. The texture is firmer, the briney flavour more intense and the skill required to open them, far greater too. The Tirkeeran black pudding made by Ciaran Breslin, the halibut from Donegal Prime Fish, pork from Grants of Culmore and Corndale Farm and excellent blue and hard cheeses from Dart Mountain are names which have made foodies sit up and take notice for good reason. But to showcase these in dishes by chef Evans raises the bar to dizzy new heights. Add to this the local ales and beers and you have not only a fine dinner, but something very peculiar to the north west. For example, Northbound's 34 Oak Smoked Beer is a perfect pairing for the halibut with as much character and subtle flavour as a classic Sancerre or oaked Chardonnay from Burgundy. Walled City's Milk Stout with the flat oysters is another stroke of genius. Interestingly, (and I pray my native county of Armagh forgives me for this treachery) Chambers Drumahoe Redgate cider is complex, dry and beautifully balanced making it an excellent partner for Dalton's Farm potato soup. I could go on, gushing all day. But frankly, I can't wait until they do another one of these dinners. In the meant time, make the trip to Derry and book a table in the Primrose. You'll be delighted you made the effort. The bill (Sample from regular Primrose dinner menu) Hot buttered Donegal prawns: 6.50 Broccoli and Dart Mountain blue quiche: 6.00 Lobster mac 'n' cheese: 14.00 Black Angus ribeye: 19.50 Total: 46.00 Primrose Restaurant, 53/55 Strand Road, Londonderry, Tel: 028 71373744 Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann has called on the Prime Minister to ditch her EU withdrawal agreement and bring forward UK-wide plans for Brexit. The agreement, which Theresa May insists is the only deal on offer from the EU, could see Northern Ireland remaining within the EU's legal and trade frameworks, becoming increasingly cut off from the rest of the UK over time. Instead of risking Northern Ireland entering a "constitutional limbo", the UUP leader (right) said Mrs May should take her current deal off the table and that any alternatives must be UK-wide in their entirety. "The draft withdrawal agreement fundamentally undermines the integrity of the United Kingdom and transfers Northern Ireland into constitutional limbo - nominally part of the UK, but subject to EU rules and regulations over which we have no control, leading to longer term uncertainty and instability," Mr Swann said. "This is something that we warned of last December and again in March when we wrote to the Prime Minister. "Regrettably the strong words defending and promoting the Union from the Secretary of State didn't match with the words of the final agreement between the Government and the EU. "The EU knew that they had the UK over a barrel as soon as the Government agreed to the inclusion of the disastrous backstop in last December's agreement." Mr Swann said his party has already called on Mrs May to extend the Article 50 deadline for leaving the EU past the current leaving date of March 29 2019, in order for further negotiations to take place. It would be better, he said, to allow time for more negotiations that may yield a better deal, rather than risk the future of the Union for the sake of meeting the Article 50 deadline. Mr Swann added: "We will look at alternatives and assess their merits, but the bottom line for the Ulster Unionist Party is that any solution must be UK-wide in its entirety." He also cautioned against leaving the EU on World Trade Organisation terms, which he said could have "potentially dire consequences" for Northern Ireland. Thousands of Apprentice Boys and their supporters will descend on Londonderry today to mark one of the biggest dates in their calendar - Lundy's Day. The event marks the 330th anniversary of 13 Apprentices shutting the city's gates on the advancing Jacobite army. It will be commemorated over 24 hours, beginning with the firing of a canon on Derry's Walls at midnight and culminating in the burning of an effigy of Lt Col Robert Lundy, known as 'Lundy the Traitor' in the city centre late this afternoon. Some 23 bands from across Northern Ireland, Scotland and England are expected to join the Apprentice Boys in a parade that will cross the iconic Craigavon Bridge before weaving through the city centre and making its way to St Columb's Cathedral for a Service of Thanksgiving. The Lundy effigy will be set alight near the Diamond as dusk falls. Governor of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, Edinburgh-born Graeme Stenhouse, said the day will be a proud and historic one. "We have 23 bands coming on Saturday and we have in excess of 2,000 Apprentice Boys from all over Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and even Canada. So we are expecting up to 4,000 people there on the day," he said. "This is 330th anniversary of the shutting of the gates in December 1688. I am very much looking forward to a peaceful and enjoyable day commemorating the actions of the brave 13 Apprentice Boys in December 1688. This year we will also take time to remember, on the 100th anniversary of the Armistice in 1918, the sacrifices that were paid on the battlefields of Europe." Mr Stenhouse encouraged families to come and view the parade. "It is one of the biggest dates in the Apprentice Boy's calendar," he said. "The burning of the effigy is a spectacle. A lot of people come just to see that. There is a lot hard work, dedication and commitment that goes into building the effigy and they take great pride in the jobs that they do." The company behind plans for The George Best Hotel has said it still plans to open early next year. Signature Living Hotel Group was responding after it emerged that the City Council has opened an enforcement investigation in relation to the 15m project at the B1 listed building. Officials launched the move after architects from the Department for Communities' Historic Environment Division (HED) raised concerns over "unauthorised works" at the landmark Scottish Mutual Building. After a site visit, they claimed that the works which were taking place "fail to be informed by a conservation-led approach". The hotel, a joint venture between Signature Living - whose chairman is hotelier Lawrence Kenwright - and the family of George Best, originally aimed to open this month, but this was delayed. A spokesperson for Signature Living Group said: "We are working proactively with the HED/BCC in relation to the progress of the redevelopment of the The George Best Hotel, including a meeting this afternoon (Thursday) with all parties concerned. "Information in relation to the queries raised is now with all necessary parties to address. "We are continuing to work with them to obtain the necessary consents." The spokesperson said that the live enforcement investigation related to a complaint made by a neighbouring business, saying this was "due process" He added: "Lawrence reiterated once again, he and his Belfast team look forward to welcoming their first guests in early 2019." Arlene Foster has called for the UK to flex its muscles and secure a better Brexit deal. The DUP leader addressed a gathering of Conservative members in England last night, where she urged the Government not to underestimate its influence. Read More It came as Prime Minister Theresa May accused Labour of planning a betrayal of the British people by voting down her Brexit deal and pushing the country towards a no-deal departure from the EU. With 10 days to go to the historic House of Commons vote on her plan, the Prime Minister urged all MPs including 100 or more Tories who have said they may rebel to cast their vote in the national interest and back a deal which she said would deliver Brexit while protecting jobs. The DUP has said Mrs Mays Brexit plan is worse than no deal, and has vowed to vote against it on December 11. In an address to Royal Sutton Coldfield Conservative Association last night, Mrs Foster said: We are not campaigning for a no-deal exit nor do we want barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and our neighbours in the Republic. No one will erect hard borders between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Indeed, it is interesting to note that the only hard border erected is against Northern Ireland fishermen by the Irish which ensures Northern Ireland fishermen cannot fish in Irish coastal waters. This is not acceptable and runs contrary to their argument around no hard borders. Does anyone for a moment think that the EU states dont desperately want a deal by March? It is wrong to assume that the UK has no leverage, but we have to ensure we use it. On a visit to Co Down yesterday, the Secretary of State said the draft deal would place Northern Ireland in an unrivalled global position to attract future foreign investment. Addressing business representative, Karen Bradley said that while the agreement on the table could deliver an economic boon for the region she warned that a no deal would threaten jobs and create more division in society. Outlining her view of the deals potential benefits for the UK, she said: We will be able to strike free trade deals around the world and let me just put this in context for Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland with a land border to the EU and trade with the EU, but being able to access free trade deals around the world puts Northern Ireland in an unrivalled position in the world as a destination for foreign direct investment and that is what I want to see for Northern Ireland. She added: If we reject this deal we will go back to square one. Separately, at the G20 summit in Argentina, Mrs May declined to discuss whether she might offer a plan B if her deal is voted down, or whether defeat could mean her resigning or being forced out. Its not about me, said Mrs May. This is about what is in the national interest. Its about delivering the vote to leave the EU and doing it in a way that protects peoples jobs and livelihoods and protects our security and our United Kingdom. Turning her fire on Jeremy Corbyn, she said: What I see from Labour is an attempt to frustrate what the Government is doing to deliver Brexit for the British people. That is actually a betrayal of the British people. Speaking at the G20, European Council president Donald Tusk warned that Mrs Mays withdrawal agreement is the only possible one and voting it down will either lead to a no-deal Brexit or no Brexit at all. In a blow to Mrs May last night, Sam Gyimah, the universities and science minister, resigned in protest at the Governments naive Brexit plan, saying that any deal we strike with Brussels will be EU first. He is the seventh member of the Government to quit since the PM unveiled the draft Withdrawal Agreement. Police have seized 2m worth of cannabis in Belfast as part of an investigation into an organised crime group linked to Chinese Triads and paramilitaries. Detectives from the PSNI's Organised Crime Group, assisted by the Home Office, carried out searches at seven locations across Belfast on Thursday. Around 100kg of cannabis, with a street value of 2m, was seized by officers. Four men, aged 28, 39, 46 and 59, and a 34-year-old woman have been charged with a number of offences including conspiracy to supply a Class B controlled drug, transferring criminal property, possession of a blade and immigration offences. They are all due to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Ccourt on Saturday. As is normal procedure all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton, from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force, said they were Chinese nationals. He said detectives are looking into the possibility that the drugs were being sold to paramilitary groups operating in Northern Ireland. "This is a significant haul which demonstrates our continuing commitment to removing dangerous drugs from our communities," he added. "There will be people who do not view cannabis as a dangerous drug. "In fact, there will be some who would argue that it should be legalised. "That is a debate for other people, and as it stands right now, it is an illegal drug." Expand Close The PSNI's seized approximately 100kg of cannabis in Belfast / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The PSNI's seized approximately 100kg of cannabis in Belfast He continued: "We have a great concern around cannabis. We see it as being the backbone of the drugs economy here in Northern Ireland. Its impact is far from harmless. "We then also see associated violence, threats and intimidation linked to the activities of the groups who peddle it here and their attempts to maintain control of the markets." Mr Singleton described the latest seizures as "significant" and praised detectives for their work. He said: "This is an investigation into the activities of a transnational organised crime group, who have a footprint here in Northern Ireland and whose reach extends well beyond that." Detectives, he added, did not believe the cannabis was grown in Northern Ireland but had been imported from elsewhere. He said the gang behind the drugs may be linked to Chinese transnational organised crime syndicates based in China called the Triads. With the festive party season approaching, Mr Singleton said he wanted people "to think about where their money is going before they hand over cash for recreational drugs". "Many people who spend money on a casual transaction at the weekend think that it isn't harming anyone else; the reality couldn't be further from the truth," he said. "Not only is it illegal to purchase these drugs but it fuels the local drug trade which causes irreparable damage and loss to many families and individuals whose lives it destroys." Expand Close Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton speaking to media after the PSNI's Organised Crime Branch seized approximately 100kg of cannabis in Belfast / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton speaking to media after the PSNI's Organised Crime Branch seized approximately 100kg of cannabis in Belfast He added that spending money on drugs contributed to violence and intimidation inflicted by what he described as "merciless" crime gangs. The latest PSNI figures show there were 6,771 drug seizures in Northern Ireland in the 12 months to October. Between January 2017 and 2018, cannabis was the most confiscated drug with 5,056 cases. Cocaine was the next most seized drug with just 949 cases. Detectives from the organised crime unit and local police officers carried out a number of searches across the city (PSNI/PA) Four men and a woman have been charged following the seizure of cannabis worth an estimated 2 million in Belfast. The PSNIs Organised Crime Branch charged the group with a number of offences. Expand Close The haul has an estimated street value of 2 million (PSNI/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The haul has an estimated street value of 2 million (PSNI/PA) These include conspiracy to supply a Class B controlled drug, transferring criminal property, possession of a blade and immigration offences. The woman aged 34 and four men aged 28, 39, 46 and 59, are due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Saturday. Five people have appeared in court after 2 million worth of cannabis was seized in a series of raids across Belfast. Chinese nationals Hua Chen (34), Zhong Chen (49), Fu Yau Lee (59), Jia Lin (28) and Mang Wang Chang (46) are charged with a range of offences including conspiracy to supply Class B drugs. Police believe the drugs haul may be linked to both Triad gangs and paramilitary organisations. Detectives from the PSNIs Organised Crime Branch seized 100kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of 2m following a number of searches in Belfast on Thursday. The four men and one woman were arrested in the south and east Belfast areas on suspicion of offences in relation to the supply of the drugs as well as immigration offences. The group were then taken to Musgrave Serious Crime suite for questioning and remanded in custody before appearing at Belfast Magistrates Court on Saturday morning. Legal representatives did not apply for bail on behalf of the group, all of whom were of no fixed abode. District judge Amanda Henderson said: This clearly going to be a lengthy investigation and this is a significant amount of drugs, before remanding all five of the defendants in custody until later this month. Following the raids detective superintendent Bobby Singleton urged people to stop and think before handing over money to drug dealers. He said: This is a significant haul and demonstrates our commitment to removing dangerous drugs from our communities. We are following several lines of enquiry, one is a potential link to a Triad organised crime gang and another is potential links to paramilitary groups. As we approach the festive party season I want people to think about where their money is going before they hand over cash for recreational drugs. Many people who spend money on a casual transaction at the weekend think that it isnt harming anyone else; the reality couldnt be further from the truth. Not only is it illegal to purchase these drugs but it fuels the local drug trade which brings causes irreparable damage and loss to many families and individuals whose lives it destroys. When you hand over money for a small amount of drugs at the weekend, this contributes to the violence and intimidation inflicted by merciless crime gangs. It can go towards buying a gun used in an attack against someone who has a drug debt; or a get-away car used in a crime. We will continue to investigate those who profit from the misery and harm caused by illegal drugs. Drug dealers are parasites who dont care about their communities. I would appeal to the public to contact police if they have any concerns or information regarding drugs in their area. The Dean of Belfast and Northern Ireland's newest MP are among nine people from here added to the latest edition of Who's Who. Stephen Forde and Orfhlaith Begley join the likes of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Pope Francis in the pages of the 2019 encyclopaedia of global influencers. The book contains around 34,000 autobiographical entries of some of the most famous, powerful and significant people in the world. It has been published annually since 1849 and entry - by invitation only - is considered a significant achievement. A total of 700 new names are in the 2019 edition, published on Monday. The nine from Northern Ireland are drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds, including politics, the legal profession and education. Among them is the Very Rev Forde, who was installed as the 14th Dean of Belfast earlier this year. He said: "I am very pleased as this is a recognition of the place that the Dean of Belfast has in the City of Belfast. "It is an unexpected honour for my name to be listed along with other such important people." Ms Begley was selected as Sinn Fein MP for West Tyrone in a by-election in May caused by the resignation of Barry McElduff. Alison Millar, the Lord-Lieutenant of Co Londonderry, also makes a first appearance in the book. Three of the nine entries are from the legal world. Caroline Haughey QC is a Newry-born barrister based in London, and daughter of the late Eddie Haughey, later Lord Ballyedmond. He was one of Northern Ireland's richest people, with an estimated 650m fortune, when he was killed in a helicopter crash in 2014. Belfast-born judge Diane Campbell, a London-based barrister who this year was appointed as a circuit judge, is also included. So too is Caroline Carberry QC, who was born in Co Armagh and is now a London-based Recorder and barrister. From the world of agriculture is Graeme Cooke, deputy Chief Veterinary Officer at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who is from Co Fermanagh. James "Jay" Piggot (inset left), the Belfast-born headmaster of Epsom College in Surrey, also features, as does Patrick "Paddy" Lillis, the Belfast-born general secretary of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW). Who's Who has been published since 1849, and entries include judges, civil servants, politicians and notable figures from academia, sport and the arts. Each entry is written by the subject and based on a questionnaire. Entries typically include names, dates of birth, career details, club memberships, education and professional qualifications. Inclusion carries a considerable level of prestige. The Wall Street Journal has said that an entry in Who's Who "really puts the stamp of eminence on a modern British life". Once someone is included in Who's Who, he or she remains in it for life. So, for example, MPs are not removed even when they leave Parliament. Intriguingly, the 7th Earl of Lucan is still listed in the book, even though he has been missing since 1974 and was declared legally dead in 1999. After death, entries are transferred to Who's Who's sister publication, Who Was Who. The 2019 edition of Who's Who will be published by A & C Black on Monday, priced at 325 Pharmacists are unable to access enough levels of certain drugs Pharmacies across Northern Ireland are being forced to turn away patients asking for potentially life-saving medications because of increasing pressures, it has been claimed. Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), the body which represents chemists, said pharmacists are unable to access enough levels of certain drugs due to how the supply chain operates. Chairperson John Clark said some medications have restricted quotas of the number of drugs pharmacies receive - set by both pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers - which are regularly exceeded by pharmacists. This then forces pharmacists to appeal either to the drug company or wholesaler for a higher quota, which if unsuccessful forces the chemist to redirect patients elsewhere or tell them to come back. Mr Clark said pharmacists are now so stretched they do not always have time to ask for more. "If a pharmacist has to direct a patient to another chemist, it's not a given that they will get their medication from another pharmacy," he said. "It's an everyday issue for pharmacists and can affect a wide range of drugs for many conditions such as diabetes or hypertension. "Quotas have been in place for some time but never has anyone ever seen it like this." He explained that while the UK has access to some of the most affordable prescription medicines - the cheapest in Europe - it has resulted in a supply chain that is already restricted at its source. Referring to the ongoing funding shortfall within community pharmacy, despite an additional 11.1m from the Department of Health announced last month, Mr Clark said it was contributing to the overall crisis. From today, chemists across Northern Ireland will also stop preparing pre-filled medicine trays for new patients - a decision that had to be taken because of increasing pressures on community pharmacy. The move will not affect current patients on a combination of drugs who require the trays, also known as monitored dosage systems. Addressing the quota issue, Mr Clark added: "The biggest role for pharmacists is the safe supply of medicines to their patients. "In the past pharmacists could deal with quotas, but because of the increasing pressures, pharmacists have less and less resources and time to address it." He stressed the issue of patients' safety has been raised by CPNI with health authorities over the few past months, but to no avail. One patient affected is Roberta Dunlop, who has type 2 diabetes. The Ards and North Down councillor said she was left deeply worried when her pharmacist told her he was unable to provide her regular insulin medication last weekend. "I put in my prescription for my insulin on a monthly basis. I get four pens, one of which would last me a week," she said. "I went to my pharmacist last Saturday and he told me that his supply had been restricted. He had reached his quota limit." Mrs Dunlop said her pharmacist then reached out to other chemists in the area to locate her the required medication, which was eventually found elsewhere in north Down. "I've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for eight years and have never had this issue before," she added. "This is playing with people's lives. This is really a very serious situation." The Health and Social Board (HSCB) said the supply of medicines are private arrangements between pharmacy businesses and the pharmaceutical industry but it has "in the past been made aware of quotas" process. "Where supply has been insufficient, HSCB has intervened on behalf of contractors to ensure that medicines remain available for patients," it said. 'The break-in at the house in the Moneylane Road area of Dundrum occurred during the early hours of Thursday morning' (stock photo) An elderly man disturbed a burglar in his Co Down home. The break-in at the house in the Moneylane Road area of Dundrum occurred during the early hours of Thursday morning. A PSNI spokesman said: "It was reported that just before 4am the elderly male occupant of the house disturbed a male inside his home. "The male left on being challenged with a blue-coloured ladies' handbag containing personal items and a set of car keys. "A grey-coloured Skoda Octavia car was stolen but later recovered on McKays Road in Castlewellan." Police are appealing for information. They urged anyone who witnessed the incident or saw someone walking in the area of McKays Road, Castlewellan to contact detectives at Ardmore Police Station on 101 quoting reference 114 29/11/18. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111. 'It was alleged that Koychev, of Boyds Row, Armagh, had gained entry through a window and was in the process of rifling through property' (stock photo) A woman who is paralysed from the neck down had to watch as an intruder ransacked her home, a court heard yesterday. Penyo Koychev (27) is accused of entering the pensioner's house in Dungannon as a trespasser, as well as stealing the victim's phone, purse, cash and bank cards on November 3. At a bail hearing yesterday, Dungannon Magistrates Court was told that the victim, who also has significantly impaired speech and lives alone, was in bed around 8.20pm when she heard noises outside her window and a door handle being tried. This was followed by more noises in the house. Two carers had just left after tending to her, but the victim realised the noises did not relate to them. It was alleged that Koychev, of Boyds Row, Armagh, had gained entry through a window and was in the process of rifling through property. He allegedly entered the victim's room, observed her lying in bed, but proceeded to continue rummaging. The victim was petrified and, unable to respond in any way, had to endure the sight of Koychev going through and taking her property, the court heard. He allegedly left after around 15 minutes with the victim's purse containing cash and bank cards and also stole her phone, leaving her incapable of calling for assistance. A short time later the two carers returned and discovered the distraught victim screaming in fear. Despite her ordeal, she managed to provide police with a very accurate description of the intruder. The court heard that Koychev was located within an hour in the Market Square area of Dungannon with her phone in his pocket and her purse was found in undergrowth. The cash and cards have never been recovered. During questioning, Koychev said he had been in the area of the victim's home looking for his cousin's house. He had no money and "saw an opportunity" to enter what he claimed was an empty house. He denied waiting until the carers had left and contended on seeing the victim "lying in a hospital-type bed" he fled, taking her phone and purse. A detective said the matter was "particularly serious given the vulnerability of the injured party" and said Koychev had a lengthy criminal record in his native Bulgaria of which 12 convictions are for theft. The officer voiced concerns that if Koychev was given bail, "the community could be at risk from further offending". In addition, the detective stated while in custody, Koychev appeared to think he would be released straight away "as he intended to return to Bulgaria with family that day". The officer explained: "Koychev was incommunicado while in custody and wanted to phone his wife. She was leaving for Bulgaria that day and he believed he was going to." A defence barrister said: "It is accepted the charge is of the utmost seriousness and of a nature beneath comment," but he pointed out his client has made full admissions adding seriousness is not a valid bail objection. But District Judge Paul Copeland refused the application, saying: "The specific targeting of a highly vulnerable person is of genuine concern. There was also the indication of plans to leave the country." Police were called after a patient became violent. Paramedics were attacked by a man they were trying to help after he collapsed on the street. Police said the man was drunk at the time. It happened on Quay Street in Bangor on Friday night around 8.30pm. It's not thought the medics were seriously injured. A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two counts of assault and for disorderly behaviour. He has been released on police bail pending further investigation. "Potentially this individual will be facing prosecution and a criminal record once all the facts have been obtained," police said. The Ambulance Service could not be reached for comment. Former DUP leader Peter Robinson has denied that his recent remarks about the party were an attack on Arlene Foster and has accused some journalists of wanting to "get at Arlene". However, the SDLP said the media wasn't to blame if politicians find themselves in a "difficult position". Speaking at the Methodist Centre in Belfast last week, Mr Robinson warned "you need to be careful not to allow the most vociferous voices in your party lead you". But in an interview with BBC Northern Ireland's The View on Thursday, he insisted his comments weren't aimed at Mrs Foster and described her speech to last weekend's DUP conference as "first-class". He stated: "It seems no matter what I say, or where I say it, there is a group within the media and the press who want to say 'Who is he criticising this time?' Which, of course, has never been my approach. "It's not an attack on the leadership. It is an obsession with some people in the press who want to get at Arlene. If I followed that I would be silent simply for the sake of being silent." The former DUP leader said his comments had been aimed at those who "talk the loudest" and he had been speaking about people in "every party". SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said: "It's disappointing to see the DUP, including Peter Robinson, continuously hitting out at the media for the difficult position they have found themselves in." But he praised Mr Robinson for stressing the need for trust in Northern Ireland politics in his BBC interview. However, Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry said: "Peter Robinson in particular needs to reflect on his own role in setting the tone for how the DUP conducted itself in government over the past 10 years and how it engaged with the business community and wider society, and how it has contributed to the current situation." In his BBC interview, Mr Robinson addressed comments by DUP MP Sammy Wilson, who described local business leaders supporting Theresa May's Brexit deal as "Government puppets". He said his reaction to the comments was "there goes Sammy", but described the East Antrim MP as "probably one of the best commodities any political party can have". He said NI business and farming groups who support the Prime Minister's Brexit deal weren't puppets but were reflecting their members' opinion. However, he insisted that the disagreement had not damaged the DUP brand. He described its confidence and supply agreement with the Tories as having entered a "very bumpy patch" but said it "does have a shelf life". He said his party was right to reject the EU Withdrawal Agreement which wasn't the "only deal" possible, and urged the DUP and Sinn Fein to "get back to Stormont". Pressure is mounting on government officials to address the apparent chaos facing benefits claimants across Northern Ireland. Public service union Unite is due to hold a protest today against Universal Credit outside the Department for Communities headquarters in Belfast city centre. Read More Meanwhile, the father of a profoundly disabled man has reiterated his call for an overhaul of the system in place to assess applicants for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - the controversial benefit that is replacing Disability Living Allowance. It comes as an increasing number of people are coming forward with horror stories about their bid to get help to cover their bills due to disability or a long-term health condition. As a result, questions are being asked about the ability of assessors and whether action is being taken against staff who carry out incorrect assessments. It emerged yesterday that a man with Tourette's syndrome was awarded zero points for communication in his PIP assessment. This is despite the fact he stayed at home for four months after his diagnosis and he is unable to make simple journeys on public transport without uncontrollable swearing and loud outbursts. John McMullan, whose 26-year-old son Declan has locked-in syndrome after a devastating heart attack when he was just 19 years old, has welcomed the public groundswell for a review of how benefit entitlement is assessed. He said: "I'm so glad I spoke out because more and more people seem to be coming forward." Mr McMullan (50) from Crossgar, Co Down revealed earlier this week that Capita staff wanted to visit Declan to decide whether he was eligible for PIP. This was despite the fact he cannot walk, talk, move or see and is regarded as one of the most disabled people in Northern Ireland. While Declan subsequently received his full payment, he inexplicably did not achieve full points in the PIP assessment for his daily living needs. Mr McMullan continued: "The day before Declan's heart attack he was up in Coleraine picking up paperwork and getting ready to start university. "He was supposed to be starting a degree in media and film studies and the next day he was dead. "His mum went into his room and found him and his heart had stopped beating. "I was able to do CPR until the paramedics arrived and gave him 13 shocks and brought him back to life, but the damage was already done and the parts of his brain that control movement and speech were dead. "It was devastating. Declan was going to be the first in the family to go to university. He always wanted to be a film director but that was all taken away from him. "To have to come to terms with that has been so difficult but to then have to try and prove he is disabled enough for benefits has been terrible." Mr McMullan said he felt obliged to speak out as he knew his son's experience was not an isolated case. "Declan made a lot of friends while in hospital and I know quite a lot of them have experienced problems," he said. "There is one woman who spent months next to him after she was paralysed and she has lost her benefits. "She is able to walk but only just. It doesn't make any sense." Despite growing calls for a radical overhaul of the benefits system, officials at the Department for Communities insist the vast majority of claimants are being treated fairly. A spokeswoman said it is understood that the introduction of a change on the scale of PIP can cause anxiety and stress. However, she said the department is committed to ensuring the correct decisions are made, which she said is happening in the majority of cases. "Of almost 150,000 PIP decisions made to date, around 9% of all decisions have been appealed, with just under 2% of all decisions successfully appealed, often because of new evidence presented to the tribunal." She said to ensure people have access to support in relation to the controversial welfare reform, the department has provided 8m funding to the advice sector. She continued: "More people are being awarded PIP at the highest rate of benefit than under DLA. "Overall 38% of PIP recipients are getting the highest level of benefit (145.35 a week) compared to 15% of the working-age DLA customers prior to its introduction. "Looking specifically at mental health, the data shows that 65% of PIP recipients with mental health conditions get the enhanced-rate daily living component, compared with 30% who received the highest DLA care component. "And 41% of PIP recipients with mental health conditions get the enhanced mobility rate, compared with just 11% of DLA recipients." Skydiver Nigel Allen was badly injured in a paramotor accident this summer - but plans to dive again before Christmas He suffered catastrophic injuries after a 100ft fall that left him fearing he may be paralysed. But just six months later, thanks to the skills and dedication of the medical professionals at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Nigel Allen is already preparing for his next skydive. Nigel needed a lengthy operation to piece him back together after suffering severe injuries in the fall in June. The 50-year-old was preparing for his descent from a para-motor flight around Whitehead, Co Antrim and was coming into Ballycarry when the wing folded, causing him to plummet to the ground. A para-motor is similar to a paraglider except an engine is strapped to the person's back, which allows them to take off from a field rather than a mountain top. Nigel, a self-employed gas fitter from Glengormley, sustained horrific injuries from the fall as he came in to land. Fortunately, a farmer who had been watching Nigel in the air saw him fall and rushed to his side, where he raised the alarm. In the Royal Victoria Hospital, Nigel's surgeon began a six-and-a-half hour operation to put him back together again. Nigel paid tribute to the health service and the medical team who worked so hard on his recovery. Recalling the fall, he said: "There was no wind on the day I had my accident so when the wing folded up I spiralled down to the ground from 100 feet. "I hit the ground and the first thing I checked was could I move my toes, and I was so relieved that I could because I knew then I wasn't paralysed. "It was later on I found out the extent of my injuries, which included a broken spine and a lot of other injuries to my back. The right side of my pelvis was completely broken off; my leg was rotated 180 degrees and was pushed 17cm into my intestines; my coccyx bone snapped in two - so I was in a pretty bad way. "There are 20 screws in my hip, a great big bolt and band, but after six-and-a-half hours in the operating table, the surgeon had me back together. "My injuries could have left me in a wheelchair. But from the accident, to getting me from a wheelchair to crutches to a walking stick, to walking unaided and back home, took just five weeks." Nigel praised the medical team who worked so hard to get him back on his feet. And he revealed he has the all-clear to take to the skies again. He added: "The fact that I can walk, even if it is with a bit of pain, and can go back to doing what I love doing is all down to my surgeon, Andrew Johnston, my physiotherapist Allison and the rest of the amazing medical team at the Royal. "My recovery since June has been incredibly fast but I still attend check-ups. "In fact I had one this week with my surgeon, who agreed to write me a letter that will allow me to go back skydiving." Nigel's first skydive was six years ago, which was to be a one-off, but he has since done around 500 others. He continued: "I had it on my bucket list to do one skydive, but I didn't want to do a tandem fall where I would be strapped to another skydiver - I wanted to jump solo. "I had two instructors with me and they told me I didn't do what I was supposed to do and it wasn't a good skydive. "I didn't want my one skydive to not be a good one, so I made another one and then I did more and more and kept going, and I have 500 done. "I am a licensed skydiver and I am a member of skydiving clubs in the Republic of Ireland and Spain, and now I have my letter of clearance from my doctor I am determined to complete another skydive before the year is over. "The Spanish club have already said I can skydive with them once they get the letter so it will only be a matter of getting a flight over to Spain, getting on a plane and then jumping out of it, but I wanted to check out the possibility of jumping here in Northern Ireland." Nigel says he wants to be back in action before Christmas. He added: "My accident was a bad thing that happened but I want to do another skydive before Christmas so I can say in the New Year, 'A bad thing happened but I still did another skydive after that'. "I could actually paraglide now if the weather conditions were right but I want to do the skydive because that is a bigger goal, because it involves jumping out of a plane and I want to do it before Christmas. "I am living testimony of the fantastic work that is being done in our health service hospitals. The amount of time and energy the medical staff and physiotherapists have invested in me has been incredible. "All you ever hear is people complaining about waiting lists and this wasn't right and that wasn't right. "But I think they need to have someone speaking out about the great work they do every day," he said. The Belfast Bike scheme has said recent attacks on the public transport scheme are "unsustainable". It comes after a nine bikes were "ruined" by vandalism, the scheme operators said and another three were thought lost or missing from one station at Ormeau park on Friday night. On social media there was disgust at the incident with some calling for CCTV to be installed at the more than 40 stations around the city. Belfast bikes said there had been over a dozen acts of vandalism across its network over recent days. "Unsustainable," it said in a tweet. The scheme has been beset with vandalism and theft since it began in 2015. In July it was revealed 44,000 had spent repairing or replacing bikes and stations. In the three year period almost 100 bikes had been stolen with hundreds more vandalised. In the first seven months of this year 101 had been damaged. Over 400,000 journeys have been recorded on the scheme which allows registered users to pay either annual or a three-day membership to access the bikes. A journey of under 30 minutes is free with an hour long rental costing 50p. Police said they believed the attacks on Friday may have happened between 6pm and 8pm. "Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact officers at Lisburn Road on 101 quoting reference number 18 01/12/18. Information can also be given anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111," said a PSNI spokesman. Poppies and crosses from the memorial were thrown into a nearby river A 44-year-old woman has been charged with criminal damage after a war memorial in Newry was vandalised late on Thursday night. At around 11.20pm police found that wreaths and wooden crosses that had been placed at the monument in the Sugar Island area had been thrown into a river. The PSNI said the incident was being treated as a hate crime and that the woman was due to appear at Newry Magistrates' Court on December 19. It is the second time in recent months the memorial has been attacked. In July this year there was condemnation from all sides after more than a dozen poppy wreaths were thrown into the canal. They were later retrieved by a cross-section of the Newry community. The latest attack was condemned by unionist and nationalist politicians, with DUP Assemblyman William Irwin calling it "another sad and despicable act of hatred against the memory of those who fought and died to protect the freedoms that we all enjoy today". "This attack comes after the previous attack on the Cenotaph in July and also countless sickening attacks on the memorial at Narrow Water," he said. "These sinister actions have caused great offence and hurt in the community. "The message must go out that destroying poppy installations and desecrating war memorials is a crime that will not be tolerated and causes great offence." Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy said: "Monuments and memorials are important places in communities and should be respected. There is no place for attacks like this in our society." UUP councillor David Taylor added: "It's disgraceful and I would appeal to anyone who sees this sort of crime happening to report it to police immediately. "There is support across all sections of the community to stamp this out and I would appeal to the community to assist in ending this disgusting behaviour." PSNI Sergeant Lawson said: "Hate crime, in all its forms, is totally unacceptable. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure that we live in a society where diversity is respected." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has admitted the Irish Government has no contingency plans for policing the border in the event of a hard Brexit. Ruling out proposals to further increase the strength of the garda if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, he said numbers were rising by an extra 600 compared to a year ago. Read More The Taoiseach added it was up to the garda authorities to determine where officers should be deployed. He said: "Obviously, our overriding plan and objective is to avoid a no-deal scenario and that's why we put so much work into negotiating a withdrawal agreement for Westminster in the next couple of weeks. "The best way to avoid a no-deal Brexit was to have a deal, and we have a deal on the table now. "We're going to continue to expand the force over the next couple of years. How gardai are deployed is, of course, a matter for the commissioner. "But we will take into account any changes that may arise because of Brexit and we also need to make sure we have very close co-operation with the PSNI. "That co-operation is as good as it ever has been. "We are not making any contingency plans for a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. "But we do have to have regard for the fact that we could see an increase in smuggling and other illegal cross-border activities." Irish justice minister Charlie Flanagan said there were always challenges for policing on any border, such as organised crime and smuggling. PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton has asked the Home Office to fund 400 extra officers to allow him to deal with the repercussions of Brexit. The Police Federation they wanted assurances they would have adequate resources to patrol the border. The MP was reportedly involved in an altercation with a journalist from The Times (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA) Shadow international development secretary Kate Osamor has quit the Labour front bench following a row about her sons conviction for possessing drugs. The MP was reportedly involved in an altercation with a journalist from The Times after he approached at her north London home for a comment about the case. According to the paper, the 50-year-old told the reporter she should have come down here with a bat and smashed your face in. She was then said to have told him to f*** off, thrown a bucket of water over him and then called the police after accusing him of stalking her. In a statement posted on her Twitter feed, Ms Osamor said she was standing down to concentrate on supporting my family through the difficult time we have been experiencing. She added: I remain fully committed to our programme for creating a society that works for the many, not the privileged few, and will continue to campaign for this from the backbenches. Party leader Jeremy Corbyn confirmed he had accepted her resignation and thanked her for her work on the international development portfolio. I know Kate will take this time to support her family, work for her constituents and support our partys efforts to rebuild Britain from the backbenches, he said. The Times said the journalist concerned had been seeking to ask her about previous comments made in relation to the conviction of her son, Ishmael Osamor. Mr Osamor pleaded guilty at Bournemouth Crown Court to four counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine, MDMA, ketamine and cannabis. On October 19 he was sentenced to a two-year community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and up to 20 rehabilitation activity days and ordered to pay 400 prosecution costs. According to The Times, the prosecution in the case accepted Mr Osamor, who had been attending the Bestival music festival in Dorset, was looking after the drugs for friends and was not selling them. Following his conviction, he stood down as a Labour councillor in the London borough of Haringey. However Ms Osamor has faced questions as to why she continues to employ him in her parliamentary office in the House of Commons. According to the Register of Interests of Members Secretaries and Research Assistants, he is listed as one of five staff members working for her at Westminster. Ms Osamor was first elected as MP for Edmonton in the 2015 general election and was one of 36 Labour members to nominate Mr Corbyn in the leadership contest following Ed Milibands resignation. In January 2016 she was made shadow women and equalities minister and the following June was promoted to shadow international development secretary after dozens of frontbenchers resigned in protest at Mr Corbyns leadership. Earlier in the day, before her altercation with The Times reporter, she tweeted she had been out speaking to residents in her constituency about recent violent incidents. In his statement, Mr Corbyn paid tribute to her work covering the international development brief. She brought a new dimension to the role by committing Labour to tackling global inequality as well as poverty as part of building a world for the many not the few, he said. Labour said shadow international development minister Dan Carden would be acting shadow secretary of state on a temporary basis. George HW Bush, who has died aged 94, will go down in history as the president in charge at the end of the Cold War who took the United States into the first Gulf conflict. He was elected as the 41st President in 1988 and served a single term before losing his 1992 re-election bid to Democrat Bill Clinton. Months into his presidency he was faced with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and he oversaw the removal of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. Expand Close American President George HW Bush meeting with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher before the start of a summit meeting at the American Embassy in Paris in 1990 (Tim Ockenden/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp American President George HW Bush meeting with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher before the start of a summit meeting at the American Embassy in Paris in 1990 (Tim Ockenden/PA) In August 1990 he responded to Saddam Husseins invasion of Kuwait, creating a national coalition led by the US that liberated the oil-rich yet tiny nation but stopped short of toppling the Iraqi dictator. It was during the presidency of his son, George W Bush, that Saddams rule would eventually end. Bush Snr, a Second World War veteran, was born George Herbert Walker Bush in Milton, Massachusetts, on June 12 1924. Expand Close George HW Bush was married to Barbara in 1945 (PA Archive) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp George HW Bush was married to Barbara in 1945 (PA Archive) He enlisted on his 18th birthday and was the youngest pilot in the US Navy when he received his wings and went on to fly 58 combat missions. One saw him shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire over the Pacific, leaving him to be rescued by a US submarine. He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action. In January 1945 he married Barbara Pierce, with whom he went on to have six children George, Robin (who died as a child), John (also known as Jeb), Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy. Expand Close George Bush Jr followed his father in becoming US president (Carl De Souza/WPA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp George Bush Jr followed his father in becoming US president (Carl De Souza/WPA) His political career saw him occupy a number of positions including congressman, CIA director and Ronald Reagans vice president for the Republican Party before becoming the first member of the Bush political family to reach the nations top office. George W Bush would go on to be elected president in 2000 after Mr Clinton and served two terms. Another son, Jeb a former Florida governor made an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination in 2016. Expand Close President George H.W. Bush is greeted by King Fahd as he arrives in Saudi Arabia (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President George H.W. Bush is greeted by King Fahd as he arrives in Saudi Arabia (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) Only one other US president, John Adams, had a son who also became president. In 2011, Bush was honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. In his later years he developed a form of Parkinsons disease and used a motorised scooter or a wheelchair for mobility. Expand Close Mr Bush died eight months after his wife (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Bush died eight months after his wife (AP) Bush was admitted to hospital in Maine in 2015 after falling at his summer home and breaking a bone in his neck. He was taken to hospital the previous December because of shortness of breath and spent Christmas 2012 in intensive care for a bronchitis-related cough and other issues. Despite the loss of mobility, Bush celebrated his 90th birthday by taking part in a tandem parachute jump in Kennebunkport, Maine. Two years on and Bush led a group of 40 injured veterans on a fishing trip at the helm of his speedboat, three days after his 92nd birthday celebration. In January 2017, his office announced that he and his wife would not attend President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration due to the former presidents age and health. Former prime minister Gordon Brown is calling for more funding for the NHS (Nick Ansell/PA) Former prime minister Gordon Brown has called for an independent review into the long-term future of the NHS in Scotland as he accused the Scottish Government of having shortchanged the service over the past decade. Mr Brown claimed the SNP administration at Holyrood is more concerned about Scottish independence than with worrying about our NHS, and said ministers are offering health funding growth that is half that seen in England. He made the call ahead of the Scottish Governments Budget on December 12, which he described as an opportunity to undo some of the damage. The SNP hit out at what it described as hypocrisy from the former PM and chancellor. The former Labour prime minister said: Twenty years ago, as chancellor, I set up a review into NHS funding We brought in people on a non-partisan basis to help us draw up a national plan based on the best use of new investment. Now we need a similar independent review into the long-term future of the Scottish NHS and, for the sake of five million patients and their long-suffering nursing and medical staff, we need it urgently. Mr Brown said the NHS takes up around 40% of the Scottish Governments budget, but added: No one will tell you that the NHS merits 40% of the Scottish Governments attention. He said: SNP ministers are far more likely to wake up in the morning planning for independence than worrying about our NHS. And the effects of this are now coming into sharp focus: for the past 10 years the SNP has shortchanged the Scottish NHS to the point that every winter, from now on, Scotland is likely to face a staffing and waiting list crisis. The former prime minister said Scotlands health care spending, per person, has had to be higher than that south of the border because of issues such as remote practices and poor health in parts of the country. Thats why, in 2007 the year the SNP took power Scottish health care spend was 16% higher per head than in England, he said. But after 10 years of SNP government it was, by last year only 7% more which represents a cut in the real value of what was spent last year of nearly 1 billion. Mr Brown pointed to figures showing that more than 3,000 nursing and midwifery posts, and hundreds of GP and consultant posts, remain unfilled and he highlighted what the Mental Health Foundation has called a growing child mental health crisis. He claimed Scottish ministers are denying the NHS the money it needs. In all, they are offering the NHS a cash growth half as much as that of England 3.5% cash growth per year as against 7% down south, he said. An SNP spokeswoman said: This is utter hypocrisy from Gordon Brown who, as chancellor, imposed a legacy of toxic PFI contracts on our public services, including the NHS, at a cost of over 32 billion. We will take no lessons from a party which at the last Scottish election, proposed spending plans which would have seen our NHS 360 million worse off this year the equivalent of losing around 9,000 nurses. In contrast under the SNP, NHS staffing is up by over 12,000 and health funding is at record levels 4 billion higher than it was under Labour. Handout photo of Theresa May being greeted at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires by Argentine president Mauricio Macri (G20 Argentina/PA Images) Japans prime minister has issued an appeal to Theresa May to prevent a no-deal Brexit. Shinzo Abes plea, delivered as the pair met at the G20 summit in Argentina, follows warnings from Japanese companies with operations in the UK of the additional costs and bureaucracy they would face if Britain withdraws from the EU without a deal. Honda has warned a no-deal Brexit would cost it tens of millions of pounds in additional tariffs and would damage the competitiveness of its Swindon plant. And Nissan, which employs 7,000 at Britains biggest car factory in Sunderland, has said that a sudden change to World Trade Organisation rules would have serious implications for British industry. Car manufacturers are particularly exposed to any disruption to trade because of their just-in-time supply chains constantly moving parts around Europe. Expand Close G20 leaders including Theresa May attended a performance of dance and music at the Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires on Friday evening (G20 Argentina/PA Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp G20 leaders including Theresa May attended a performance of dance and music at the Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires on Friday evening (G20 Argentina/PA Images) Speaking ahead of bilateral talks on the margin of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Mr Abe told Mrs May: I would like to take this opportunity to express my tribute to your leadership in realising the Withdrawal Agreement as well as the EUs agreement on the Political Declaration. Also I would like to once again ask for your support to avoid no deal, as well as to ensure transparency, predictability as well as legal stability in the Brexit process. Mrs May assured him that the agreement she sealed in Brussels a week ago was a good deal for businesses in the UK, including the many Japanese companies who have made significant investment into the UK and who will be able to continue on the basis of our deal to trade well with the European Union from the UK. The pair reaffirmed their commitment to work quickly to establish a new economic partnership based on the free trade deal recently completed between the EU and Japan. Mrs May said she was looking forward to being able to discuss UK entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade grouping of which Japan is a part. "As our relationship with Argentina is developing and growing, Im particularly pleased to be the first serving British Prime Minister to visit Buenos Aires." - PM @Theresa_May at #G20Argentina pic.twitter.com/213gJYmBrC UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) December 1, 2018 Trade was top of the agenda for the Prime Ministers talks on the second day of the annual summit of major economies, as she met leaders of some of the countries with which the UK hopes to strike deals following Brexit. Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, she welcomed work which is under way to lay the foundations for what Downing Street described as an ambitious post-Brexit free trade agreement. Mr Morrison, who took office in August following the resignation of Mrs Mays university friend Malcolm Turnbull, said that the Prime Minister had shown great resilience and great determination on one of the most vexed issues I think there is. He praised her determination to do that in typical British fashion with clear sight of the end goal and to bring some stability on what is a very difficult issue for you and your colleagues, adding: I think you know you have our strong support in continuing to bring it to a good resolution. Mrs May was also meeting Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Chilean president Sebastian Pinera. A later meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to focus on Ankaras investigation into the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul in October. On Friday, Mrs May delivered a robust message to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the UK expected his country to co-operate fully with the Turkish probe and to conduct its own investigation in a credible and transparent way. British officials said trade was not on the agenda for the talks with the Saudi heir apparent, known as MBS. Mrs May shook hands with the Saudi prince, who was also berated by French president Emmanuel Macron in a terse conversation captured on video. In the brief clip, shared widely on social media, the crown prince was seen telling the French president not to worry. Mr Macron responded: I am worried You never listen to me, with Mr bin Salman replying: I will listen, of course. It concluded with Mr Macron saying: I am a man of my word. Expand Close Theresa May speaks during a plenary session at the G20 summit (G20 Argentina/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Theresa May speaks during a plenary session at the G20 summit (G20 Argentina/PA) Following Mrs Mays meeting with the Crown Prince, a Downing Street spokesman said: The Prime Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that those responsible for the appalling murder of Jamal Khashoggi are held to account, and that Saudi Arabia takes action to build confidence that such a deplorable incident could not happen again. The spokesman said that Mrs May also set out the urgent need to bring an end to the conflict in Yemen and bring relief to millions threatened by famine, urging Saudi Arabia to engage in international talks next week in Stockholm. On Friday evening, the leaders enjoyed a cultural event featuring 84 dancers and 75 musicians at Buenos Aires historic Colon Theatre. They dined on Fuegian spider crab, avocado and almond brittle roll, followed by Argentine tenderloin beef, artichoke, morels and smoked creme fraiche with a dessert of berries from southern Argentina. Sir John Major has led tributes in Britain to former US president George Bush senior, who has died at the age of 94. The former prime minister, who worked with Mr Bush in the coalition to expel Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein from Kuwait in the 1991 Gulf War, said it was a privilege to have known him. Sometimes people think politics is tawdry. You could have never have said that about the way George Bush behaved in politicsSir John Major Sometimes people think politics is tawdry. You could have never have said that about the way George Bush behaved in politics. He had opponents but never enemies, he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. He certainly was a man who made sure politics was a respectable profession and he understood its obligations to everyone, not just the powerful, not just the rich, not just the mighty, but to the people who were absolutely at the bottom of the heap as well. Theresa May said Mr Bushs ethos of public service had been the guiding thread of his life and an example to us all. At each stage of his remarkable career, the president worked side by side with his friends, colleagues and counterparts in the United Kingdom, she said. Today Britain remembers a great statesman and a true friend of our country. Former prime minister Tony Blair said: President Bush was an extraordinary and exemplary public servant, a man dedicated to his country, the values it stands for at its best and to making the world better, more stable and more peaceful. "President Bush was a true friend to the UK and the trusted counterpart and confidant of two Prime Ministers. His statesmanship, wisdom and friendship will be much missed and today we send our deepest condolences to his family and to the American people." PM @Theresa_May UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) December 1, 2018 Sir John paid tribute to the way Mr Bush had recognised the need to assemble an international coalition to eject Saddam following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The war would never have been so successful without the Arab members of the coalition. I cannot think of any president more likely to have drawn together such a coalition, he said. To make sure it was cemented he also went to the United Nations to get a United Nations resolution. That meant that it wasnt a Western imperialist, as people might have said, attacking Iraq after their invasion of Kuwait. It was an attack by people representing every part of the world, and, in particular, Middle Eastern members of the coalition That was a remarkable piece of diplomacy I think very few presidents would have been able to achieve. Sir John said their alliance had led to a lifelong friendship which continued for years after they had both left office. The first phone call I had as prime minister was from George Bush, he said. The first phone call I had seven years later when I was defeated was from George who said Come over to Maine, the blue fish are biting, come and spend a few days with us. So it did become a personal friendship. Former prime minister David Cameron tweeted: So sad to hear that George HW Bush has passed away. He was a very good man, a great President & a warm hearted, generous American patriot who was a strong ally & friend of the UK. Receiving Bush 41 & his wonderful wife Barbara at No10 was a huge honour that I will never forget. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: President Bush was a true ally of the UK, from his service with the US Navy during World War II, to his commitment to the transatlantic alliance while in high office during a time of dramatic change in the world. He will be remembered for his dedication to public service and his pledge to use American strength as a force for good. I send my sincerest condolences to his family, and to the American people. Theresa May is holding talks with leaders of some of Britains top targets for trade deals after Brexit. The Prime Minister was using the opportunity of the G20 summit of major economies in Argentina to hold face-to-face talks with her counterparts from Australia, Canada, Japan, Chile and Turkey. Trade has topped Mrs Mays agenda for the two-day gathering, as she sought to push her global Britain message of new opportunities, which she believes will be opened by the UKs withdrawal from the EU. The exception has been a bilateral meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where the PM delivered a robust message over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the need for Riyadh to engage in talks in Stockholm next week on ending the war in Yemen. British officials said trade was not on the agenda in the talks with the Saudi heir apparent, known as MBS. Expand Close Theresa May speaks during a plenary session at the G20 summit (G20 Argentina/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Theresa May speaks during a plenary session at the G20 summit (G20 Argentina/PA) Following the meeting, a Downing Street spokesman said: The Prime Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that those responsible for the appalling murder of Jamal Khashoggi are held to account, and that Saudi Arabia takes action to build confidence that such a deplorable incident could not happen again. Noting the steps taken by the Saudi investigation since the Foreign Secretary had met with the crown prince and King Salman on November 12, she encouraged the crown prince to ensure that Saudi Arabia co-operated fully with the Turkish authorities and worked to bring both investigations to an acceptable close. To ensure full accountability, there needed to be full transparency about exactly what had happened and who was responsible, in line with the commitments made by King Salman when she spoke to him on October 24. On Yemen, the spokesman said that Mrs May set out the urgent need to bring an end to the conflict and bring relief to millions threatened by famine. The Prime Minister stressed that the humanitarian situation remained dire and reaffirmed UK commitment to making progress on improving the situation, including through a UN Security Council Resolution, the spokesman said. The Prime Minister reiterated UK support for Saudi Arabias security, including the very real threats posed by Iranian interference in Yemen. Meetings on Saturday with Australian PM Scott Morrison, Japans Shinzo Abe, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and Canadas PM Justin Trudeau will focus on opportunities for trade after Brexit. In a later meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mrs May will also discuss the progress of Turkeys investigation into the Khashoggi killing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. Sam Gyimah, the latest minister to quit the Government over Theresa Mays Brexit plan, has dismissed her agreement with Brussels as a deal in name only. Mr Gyimah, who resigned as Universities and Science Minister, said Britain was giving up our voice, our veto and our vote in Europe and would get hammered in the next stage of the talks on future relations with the EU. Read More He urged the Prime Minister not to rule out a second referendum if as many at Westminster expect she is defeated in the crucial Commons vote on the Withdrawal Agreement on December 11. After careful reflection, I will not be supporting the Government on the EU Withdrawal Agreement. As such, I have tended my resignation as Universities & Science Minister read more on my Facebook page: https://t.co/EFQrBjkJZG Sam Gyimah (@SamGyimah) November 30, 2018 Senior ministers continued to argue that while the agreement was not perfect, it was the best that could be achieved. However, with scores of Tory MPs now publicly opposed to the deal, Mr Gyimahs departure highlights the scale of the task facing Mrs May if she is to avoid a potentially crippling defeat in the Commons. He is the seventh minister and ministerial aide to resign from the Government since Mrs May unveiled the draft Withdrawal Agreement less than three weeks ago. Like Jo Johnson, who quit as transport minister, Mr Gyimah backed Remain in the referendum, underlining the fact that opposition to the deal comes from both the Leave and Remain wings of the party. We don't actually have deal. We have a deal in name onlySam Gyimah Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Mr Gyimah said: Looking at the deal in detail, we dont actually have deal. We have a deal in name only. We have given up our voice, our veto and our vote. Our interests will be hammered because we will have no leverage. My worry is the British public will be sleepwalking into a situation where we will wake up and find out that we are no longer equal partners with the countries in Europe. We are pure supplicants and rule takers. The democratic deficit and the loss of sovereignty that will result in that situation is one the British public, rightly, will never accept. After Mrs May, in Argentina for the G20 summit, announced she was finally giving up on efforts to secure access to the EUs Galileo satellite navigation system, Mr Gyimah said the EUs uncompromising stance foreshadowed the way it would approach the rest of the negotiations. What has happened with Galileo is a foretaste of the brutal negotiations we will go through that will weaken our national interest, make us poorer, less secure, he said. Expand Close Sam Gyimah has resigned as universities minister in protest at the Governments Brexit deal (Conservative Party/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sam Gyimah has resigned as universities minister in protest at the Governments Brexit deal (Conservative Party/PA) He said that if Parliament does vote down the deal, Mrs Mays only realistic option may be to put the decision to the country in a second referendum, even though he acknowledged Leave could win again. There is a blocking minority in the House of Commons for almost every possible option which means that letting the people decide, now that we know more, might be the most sensible path for both Leavers and Remainers, he said. The Prime Minister has already taken one step in that direction by appealing to the country to put pressure on MPs to vote for her deal. If you are going to appeal to the country to put pressure on MPs to vote for a deal then by all means you can give the decision to the country in terms of which direction we go in. If we want to avoid to avoid chaos and we want to make sure we are dealing with a decision that is irreversible I would rather go down that path than a go down a path that would cripple our interests for generations to come. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said that as MPs and ministers decided which way to vote, they would have to compare the deal with the realistically available alternatives. All of my colleagues are going to have to make their own judgment about what they think about this deal, he told the 4 Today programme. Either we leave with we no deal, which would have serious economic consequences, or we say to the British public Im sorry you have got it wrong, you are going to have to do it again which I think would have serious democratic consequences This isnt a perfect deal but I think it is the best one available. Earlier, there was some welcome support for the Prime Minister from Environment Secretary Michael Gove one of the leaders of the Leave campaign who urged Tory Brexiteers to get behind the agreement. In an article for the Daily Mail, he warned that Brexit could be in peril if the agreement was voted down. Does the deal deliver 100% of what I wanted? No. But then we didnt win 100% of the vote you cant always get everything that you want, he wrote. Responding to Mr Gyimahs resignation, Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery said: Theresa Mays Government continues to fall apart in front of our eyes. Mays botched deal is failing because it would be bad for Britain and people are waking up to that. We want to end this chaos with a sensible, Jobs First Brexit. Police searching for Mr and Mrs Kenneavy have found the bodies of a man and a woman (Police Scotland/PA) Search teams looking for a couple whose car was found washed up on a beach in bad weather have found two bodies. Susan and James Kenneavys Ford Kuga was found empty on Drummore beach near Stranraer in south-west Scotland on Thursday morning, sparking a major search operation. Heavy rain had led to flooding on the Drummore coastal road the previous day. Police Scotland said the body of a woman was found at the edge of the water in Port William, Newton Stewart, at around 8.15am on Saturday. Update on Susan and James Kenneavy who were missing from Drummore. Our thoughts are with their family at this time.https://t.co/SToAixxFcK pic.twitter.com/fN9HVoD77b DumfriesGPolice (@DumfriesGPolice) December 1, 2018 The body of a man was found nearby around half an hour later. In a statement, the force said: Although formal identification has still to take place, it is believed to be the missing couple and their next of kin has been informed. A full report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal. Our thoughts are with their family at this time. Following the discovery of the vehicle, search teams worked into the night on Thursday looking for the couple and air, sea and land searches took place on Friday. The efforts had involved local lifeboats, Galloway Mountain Rescue Team and the Coastguard and Rescue 936 search helicopter. The 41st president of the United States, George HW Bush, has died at the age of 94. The Second World War hero, who also presided during the collapse of the Soviet Union and the final months of the Cold War, died shortly after 10pm on Friday, family spokesman Jim McGrath said. His wife of more than 70 years, Barbara Bush, died in April. Mr Bushs son, George W Bush, described his father as a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. In a statement, he added: The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens. The former president served from 1989 to 1993, and eight years later watched his son George W became the 43rd president only the second father-and-son chief executives, following John Adams and John Quincy Adams. The elder Mr Bush, the son of a senator, rose through the political ranks: from congressman to UN ambassador, Republican Party chairman to envoy to China, CIA director to two-term vice president under the hugely popular Ronald Reagan. He entered the White House in 1989 with a reputation as a man of indecision and indeterminate views. The Iraq crisis of 1990-91 brought out all the skills he had honed in a quarter-century of politics and public service. Expand Close George HW Bush talks with a group of young people at a rally in Houston, Texas, in 1970 (AP Photo/File) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp George HW Bush talks with a group of young people at a rally in Houston, Texas, in 1970 (AP Photo/File) After Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, Mr Bush quickly began building an international military coalition that included other Arab states. After winning United Nations support and a green light from a reluctant Congress, he unleashed a punishing air war against Iraq and a five-day ground juggernaut that sent Iraqi forces reeling in disarray back to Baghdad. He basked in the biggest outpouring of patriotism and pride in Americas military since the Second World War, and his approval ratings soared to nearly 90%. After freeing Kuwait, he rejected suggestions that the US carry the offensive to Baghdad, choosing to end the hostilities a mere 100 hours after the start of the ground offensive. The decisive military defeat did not lead to the regimes downfall, as many in the administration had hoped. His legacy was dogged for years by doubts about the decision not to remove Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi leader was eventually ousted in 2003, in the war led by Mr Bushs son that was followed by a long, bloody insurgency. Expand Close George HW Bush during a news conference at the White House in Washington in 1989 (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander, File) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp George HW Bush during a news conference at the White House in Washington in 1989 (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander, File) The elder Mr Bushs prime interest was foreign policy. Under his watch, the Berlin Wall came down, the Warsaw Pact disintegrated and the Soviet satellites fell out of orbit. The other battles he fought as president, including a war on drugs and a crusade to make American children the best educated in the world, were not so decisively won. He rode into office pledging to make the United States a kinder, gentler nation and calling on Americans to volunteer for good causes, to create a thousand points of light. Mr Bush lost his bid for re-election to Bill Clinton in a campaign in which businessman H Ross Perot took almost 19% of the vote as an independent candidate. Paying tribute to Mr Bush, current US president Donald Trump praised his sound judgment, common sense and unflappable leadership. In a joint statement with wife Melania, he added: Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service to be, in his words, a thousand points of light illuminating the greatness, hope and opportunity of America to the world. President Bush always found a way to set the bar higher. He said: Along with his full life of service to country, we will remember President Bush for his devotion to family especially the love of his life, Barbara. His example lives on, and will continue to stir future Americans to pursue a greater cause. Barack Obama, the 44th president of the US, said America had lost a patriot and humble servant. He said: While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family tonight and all who were inspired by George and Barbaras example. pic.twitter.com/g9OUPu2pjY Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 1, 2018 George HW Bushs life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good along the journey Its a legacy of service that may never be matched, even though hed want all of us to try. Former US president Bill Clinton remembered Mr Bush for his great long life of service, love and friendship. He said he would be forever grateful for the friendship he formed with the man he turned out of the White House after one term. Hillary and I mourn the passing of President George H. W. Bush, and give thanks for his great long life of service, love and friendship. I am grateful for every minute I spent with him and will always hold our friendship as one of my lifes greatest gifts. https://t.co/1CYdrIeKmz Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) December 1, 2018 Mr Clinton said he was always struck by Mr Bushs innate and genuine decency and by his devotion to his wife Barbara and his family. He added that Mr Bushs extensive record of public service was rare, with his years in the military, in US congress, the United Nations, China, the CIA and as vice president and president. And Mr Clinton noted that Mr Bush never stopped serving even after leaving office, working on tsunami relief in Asia and within the US after Hurricane Katrina. Former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev expressed his deep condolences to Mr Bushs family. Expand Close George HW Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev, pictured in 1991 (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp George HW Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev, pictured in 1991 (AP) Mr Gorbachev worked closely with Mr Bush to bring an end to the Cold War in the late 1980s and 1990s, and lauded the former president for his abilities as a politician as well as his personal character. It was a time of great change, he told the Interfax news agency, demanding great responsibility from everyone. The result was the end of the Cold War and nuclear arms race. Mr Gorbachev said that he and his wife, Raisa, deeply appreciated the attention, kindness and simplicity typical of George and Barbara Bush, as well as the rest of their large, friendly family. Asia Pacific Summit kicks off in Kathmandu Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has inaugurated the Asia Pacific Summit-2018 amid a function organised at Hotel Hyatt in the Capital on Saturday. Rising star Beto ORourke has been invited to the home of the USs first presidential primary amid heightened buzz the Texan Democrat could run for the White House after narrowly losing his states Senate race. The invitation from the New Hampshire Young Democrats arrived on November 10. Democrats in Iowa, whose caucuses kick off presidential voting, have extended similar invites. Expand Close Beto ORourke (Eric Gay/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Beto ORourke (Eric Gay/AP) Mr ORourkes spokesman Chris Evans said: Weve received invites to both, but added no action has been taken on either. Some Democratic donors are clamouring for the three-term politician from El Paso to run for president in 2020, following his loss to Republican Senator Ted Cruz by less than three percentage points in fiercely conservative Texas. Mr ORourke has not ruled out a presidential run, saying he will decide what is next after his House term ends on January 3. With the midterm elections over, the new year will see announcements from candidates who want to run for president. President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned news conference at the Group of 20 summit in Argentina. He said he made the decision out of respect for the Bush Family after death of former President George HW Bush. In a tweet, President Trump said he was very much looking forward to speaking with the news media before leaving the summit in Buenos Aires because we have had such great success in our dealing with various countries and their leaders at the G20. He added: However, out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George HW Bush we will wait until after the funeral to have a press conference. President Trump is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chinese President Xi Jinping before returning to Washington. The American flag files at half-mast at the White House (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Donald Trump will attend the state funeral for George HW Bush, despite being vocal in the past of his criticism of much of what his presidential predecessor had stood for. Mr Trump declared a period of national mourning and ordered American flags to be flown at half-mast for 30 days to honour a man of sound judgment, common sense and unflappable leadership. Congressional leaders announced Mr Bush will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from Monday evening until Wednesday morning. President Trump on the passing of President George H.W. Bush from the #G20Summit in Argentina.#RIP41 #Bush41 pic.twitter.com/2ILnd82mfP Dan Scavino Jr. Archived (@Scavino45) December 1, 2018 Mr Trump also said he will send Air Force One to Texas to transport the coffin to Washington. While Mr Trump said this was a special tribute to Mr Bush, sending the US military aircraft to transport a former presidents remains is also standard practice. The plane is only called Air Force One when the serving president is on board, so it will be designated a Special Air Mission flight. While Mr Trump spoke graciously of Mr Bush, he has not always been so kind to the former president or his family. Expand Close Mr Bush with his wife Barbara (Charles Krupa/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Bush with his wife Barbara (Charles Krupa/AP) He ran against one of Mr Bushs sons, Jeb, in the Republican presidential primaries in 2016, and was sharply critical of the two-term presidency of another son George W Bush. Mr Trump shattered the unwritten norms of the small fraternity of Oval Office occupants by keeping up criticism of the Bushes from the West Wing. The White House announced Saturday that the Trumps would attend the funeral at Washingtons National Cathedral. The announcement marked a reversal from earlier this year, when the president was pointedly not invited to the funeral of former first lady Barbara Bush, the family matriarch and the late presidents wife of 73 years. Melania Trump attended instead. Special visit today with a great friend -- and now, a best-selling author. Luckily I had a freshly laundered pair of @BillClinton socks to mark the occasion. pic.twitter.com/v9jb4sRexh George Bush (@GeorgeHWBush) June 25, 2018 Mr and Mrs Trump said Mr Bush had inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service. The 25 years since Mr Bush left office featured his Republican Partys steady march away from his steely pragmatism and international partnership, culminating in the dramatic break from long-held Republican principles ushered in by Mr Trumps election. It coincided with a swing in the nation as a whole toward more tribal politics. The Trumps were informed of Mr Bushs death at the age 94 late on Friday while in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the Group of 20 summit of rich and developing nations. I already miss the greatest human being that I will ever know. Love you Dad! Jeb Bush (@JebBush) December 1, 2018 Statement by President George W. Bush on the death of his father, President George H.W. Bush https://t.co/wDD0vnlN8U pic.twitter.com/t7UsDYSKY8 George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) December 1, 2018 Mr Trump said he spoke with former President George W Bush and former Florida Gov Jeb Bush to express his sympathies. Sitting alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G20, he refused to answer whether he had any regrets over his past criticism of the Bushes. He did say that Mr Bushs death really puts a damper on his participation at the summit. Mr Trump cancelled a planned news conference, tweeting that out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George H.W. Bush we will wait until after the funeral to hold one. Trump also designated Wednesday as a national day of mourning. He encouraged Americans to gather in places of worship to pay homage to Mr Bushs memory, adding: I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance. In August 2015, Mr Trump tweeted a dig at the Bush presidency writing: The last thing we need is another Bush in the White House. Would be the same old thing (remember read my lips, no more taxes). GREATNESS! As a candidate, Mr Bush senior promised no new taxes but reversed himself in office. Those harsh assessments were set aside in the Trumps comments Saturday. President Bush guided our nation and the world to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War, the Trumps wrote. As president, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed. And through all that he accomplished, he remained humble, following the quiet call to service that gave him a clear sense of direction. They wrote that those whom Bush had inspired to public service were illuminating the greatness, hope and opportunity of America to the world. This week the American television channel CNN released results of a major poll on anti-Semitism carried out across seven European countries. Briefly the findings can be summed up by the title CNN used to tag coverage of the story: A Shadow Over Europe. In all, over 7,000 people took part in the survey in Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Sweden and Great Britain (but not Northern Ireland or the Republic). The picture it paints is utterly chilling. Within living memory of the Holocaust, when six million human beings were murdered simply for being Jewish, many of the vile old tropes and stereotypes still flourish. Across the board, 44% of Europeans concede that anti-Semitism is a growing problem. Shockingly, almost one in five people maintain that is down to the "everyday behaviour of Jewish people". Even more appalling is the lack of knowledge among the young. In France, 20% of people between 18 and 34 say they have never even heard of the Holocaust. Tellingly, a third of all polled agree that anti-Semitism - hatred of the Jews - is what lies behind criticism of the state of Israel. How would we in Northern Ireland have responded to that one had we been part of the survey? In Ireland, North and South, anti-Israel sentiment is virulent, flourishing and, let's be honest, terribly fashionable. The homeland of the Jews, the one state in the world that provides the Jewish people with assured sanctuary and is the only real democracy in the Middle East, is singled out as the global Great Satan. And it is that singling-out that is the crucial point. No other country attracts such opprobrium. Israel gets it from the right, from the left and from just about anyone who doesn't want to provoke a maelstrom of hate on Twitter. This week we learn that Steven Jaffe, who is co-chair of Northern Ireland Friends of Israel, has been banned from addressing Derry City and Strabane District Council. So much then for diversity, inclusivity, respecting minorities and 'it's good to talk'. I know Steven Jaffe well. He's one of my heroes. Steven is fiercely intelligent, passionate about his Belfast Jewish heritage - and has a brilliant, dry sense of humour. Listening to him, you will not be bored. You may not agree with him. You may not agree, even, with a word he says. But here's what baffles me: why would any elected representative, supposed to be serving the whole local community, not want at least to listen to what he has to say? It is enormously brave for any Jew in Ireland to stand up and speak out these days. I think we all accept that. We should also be shocked by that. Doubtless those elected representatives in our second city who voted down the proposal to listen to Steven are smug in their conviction that they are open-minded, even-handed, liberal thinkers. But their actions suggest something very different. The CNN poll confirmation of that dark shadow of a revitalised anti-Semitism snaking across Europe should alarm us all. It should also alert us to doing what we can to counter it. Just let Belfast be Belfast Belfast TriBeCa. Seriously? The new name for the redevelopment of the area around Rosemary Street/Royal Avenue/Donegall Street was originally made in Manhattan. And should have stayed there. Apparently it means "triangle beside the cathedral" which may be appropriate but - come on - it's hardly very 'here'. Couldn't they have come up with a more Belfast name for this iconic area of our city centre? We're not new New York - we're Northern Ireland. Ian would be wise to keep mum Modest politician of the week - Ian Paisley Jnr, who has appeared in this context before. Talking about his suspension from the House of Commons, the MP for North Antrim praised himself fulsomely for bearing up under the strain: "I have taken what I still consider to be a severe punishment on the chin. I think many a smaller man would have crumbled." You're never going to endear yourself to the electorate by bigging yourself up, Ian. A wiser man would have kept his gob shut. It's a royal knockout ... if the red tops are believed Sisters-in-law at war! Now there's a turn-up for the books. Except that, according to much fevered tabloid speculation this week, the sisters-in-law in question are royal. Apparently there is turmoil and tension within the House of Windsor. Who exactly is at whose throat, however, we don't seem to have quite pinned down. According to some, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has clashed with Kate, ditto of Cambridge, who is reported to have left a pre-wedding bridesmaid dress fitting (for her small daughter) in tears. It's also suggested (sometimes in the same story) that no, it's not the wives of Windsor who are to blame ("they are very different people but they get along"), it's Harry and William. Harry thought William should have made more effort to welcome Meghan into the family fold. William thought that Meghan was a bit too demanding. This is said to be behind His Harriness and Meghan now preparing to leave their billet in Kensington to relocate to Frogmore House adjacent to Windsor Castle. Which is what one does when one has taken the hump and has a choice of palaces to chose from. How much all of this - or even any of this - is true, who knows? The unfortunate thing for all involved is that this story is grist to the gossip mill. People are weary of Brexit, backstops and meaningful votes. So a story involving glitz, glamour, duelling duchesses, tears, tiaras and tantrums inevitably provides a bit of light relief and escapism. For readers - if not for royals. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Clear skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Clear skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. The Bagmati is deadand theres nothing we can do about it Madhukar Upadhyay, like many who grew up in the 70s and 80s, recalls swimming in the Bagmati as a child. The waters were pristine then, as translucent as glass, with fish abounding. My dads generation even used Bagmatis water for drinking, after only a quick decantation process, he says. The most important thing to remember when studying the identity of the angel of the LORD (also referred to as the angel of God in some instances) in the Bible is that the meaning may vary depending on the context of the passage. The best way to study the meaning is to look at the context of the passage, as well as the context of similar passages. We should use Scripture to interpret Scripture, and, as always, pray for discerning wisdom from the Holy Spirit. Though there is some controversy surrounding the identity of the angel of the LORD, there are generally four schools of thought that the angel of the LORD is either: A special angel messenger, a heavenly being, who acted as Gods representative (not God himself). God the Father, showing himself as a divine manifestation to humanity. This is known as a theophany - appearance of God. God the Son, manifested in a pre-incarnate body form. This is known as a Christophany - appearance of Christ. It varies. The figure is sometimes a manifestation of God and sometimes an angelic heavenly being representing God, depending on the context of the text. The term angel means one sent or messenger, and LORD in Hebrew is YHWH or Yahweh. The angel of the LORD is one sent by YHWH or a messenger of YHWH. If the Bible passage is referring to the pre-incarnate Jesus, then the meaning of "angel" is referring to the office of one sent. This is in line with Jesus mission as the One the Father sent into the world. (John 8:18, John 3:17). He bore witness to himself, and he came to testify to the truth. When the passage refers to an angelic heavenly being sent to a deliver a message then the term angel is referring to the nature of the being - one of the heavenly hosts, a spirit-being created by God. So the word "angel" does not always refer to the nature of a being named in Scripture, it can refer to the office of a being. To start, lets take a look at where the Bible mentions the angel of the LORD. There are many Old Testament references. Hagar and the angel of the LORD Genesis 16:7-14 The angel of the LORD also said to her, I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the LORD said to her, "Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the LORD has listened to your affliction. He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen. So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You are a God of seeing, for she said, Truly here I have seen him who looks after me. ( vs. 10-13 ) In Genesis 16, the angel is referred to as the angel of the LORD (LORD meaning YHWH); the angel of the LORD is speaking in a way that only God would speakonly God can multiply someones offspring and make promises like that. Hagar also believes this is God, as she gives the angel the name El Roithe God who sees me. She spoke, Truly here I have seen him who looks after me (vs. 13). The ESV Study Bible comments, The Hebrew word for angel may also be translated messenger. ...When the angel of the LORD speaks, his words are perceived as being Gods words. Therefore, the impression is given that the angel is identical with God. The angel of LORD told Hagar to name her son Ishmael, which means God hears. Though the angel could be an angelic representative of God, it seems likely in this particular context that the angel or messenger of the LORD is God. Abraham and the angel of the LORD Genesis 18 & 22 In Genesis 18 , Scripture tells us that the LORD appeared to Abraham and Sarah in the form of a man along with two other men: And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. ( vs. 1-3 ) Abraham recognized these visitors as being extremely important, hence the out of character behavior (for someone of his age and wealth) running to greet them, but he noticed something different about one of them. The term O Lord here, as the ESV Study Bible explains, (Hb. Adonay) is a distinctive one for God in the OT (e.g., 20:4)...If the spelling in the Hebrew text is correctand there is no reason to doubt itthen Abraham recognizes that one of his visitors is a divine manifestation. Genesis 22:11-18 reads, But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! And he said, Here am I. He said, Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me. So Abraham called the name of that place, The LORD will provide; as it is said to this day, On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided. And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." Abraham knew this was the LORD providing for him; in the same sentence as the angel of the LORD speaking we see the phrase declares the LORD so clearly the angel of the LORD and the LORD (YHWH) are one and the same in this context as well. God reiterated his promise previously spoken to Abraham ( Gen. 12:1-3 ), and he ended his declaration by saying you have obeyed my voice. Jacob and the angel of God Genesis 31, 32, 48 Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob,' and I said, 'Here I am!' And he said, 'Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.'" ( Gen 31:11-13 ) It is clear the angel of God in Jacobs dream is, in fact, speaking as God himself. In Genesis 32:24-30 we learn that Jacob also has a physical encounter with God: So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacobs hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, Let me go, for it is daybreak. But Jacob replied, I will not let you go unless you bless me. The man asked him, What is your name? Jacob, he answered. Then the man said, Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome. Jacob said, Please tell me your name. But he replied, Why do you ask my name? Then he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel,saying, It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared. Jacob tells us that this was God he struggled with, and this figure had the appearance of a man. The ESV Study Bible notes, By the time their contest comes to an end, Jacob is convinced that his opponent is God himself (see v. 30). This is not improbable, given that God had previously come to Abraham in human form ( 18:1-15 ). And in Genesis 48:15-16 , when Jacob was older he blessed Joseph and his two sons: And he blessed Joseph and said, The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." (bold emphasis added) It is interesting that Jacob would use the term angel or messenger in his description. Moses and the angel of the LORD Exodus 3:2-7 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, I will go over and see this strange sightwhy the bush does not burn up. When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, Moses! Moses! And Moses said, Here I am. Do not come any closer, God said. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. Then he said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. The LORD said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. Here we read that the angel of the LORD took on the form of flames of fire; this manifestation is clearly God as the text states, God called to him from within the bush. It is in this same passage, in verses 14 and 15 , that God reveals his name as YHWH to Moses: God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you. God also said to Moses, Say to the Israelites, The LORD, the God of your fathersthe God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacobhas sent me to you. This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation. The ESV Study Bible notes this: Where the angel of the LORD appears in the OT, he is often described as acting or speaking in a manner that suggests he is more than simply an angel or messenger and that he is closely identified with God himself (e.g., Gen. 22:11-18 ). Here he appears to Moses in a flame of fire, which is a sign of Gods presence throughout the events narrated in the book of Exodus: in the pillar of fire and cloud that leads and protects the Israelites ( Ex. 13:21-22 ); in the signs of Gods presence on Mount Sinai ( 19:18 ); and in the tabernacle ( 40:38 ). The angel also protects Israel when they come out of Egypt ( 14:9 ), and God promises that he will go before Israel in to the land of Canaan ( 23:20; 33:2 ). In 3:4 this angel of God is identified as the LORD and God. The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible similarly states: As elsewhere in the OT (e.g., Gen 22:11-18; Judg 13) this character is closely identified with God himself, reflected here in the interchangeable use of the LORD (vv. 4,7) and God (vv. 4,5,6) that immediately follows. His manifestation in flames of fire forms a strong link with the sign of Gods presence elsewhere in the book: the pillar of fire and cloud (13:21-22; 14:24), the fire and cloud on Mount Sinai (19:18; 24:15-17), and the fire in the cloud over the tabernacle (40:38). At the Red Sea this angel protects the fleeing Israelites from the pursuing Egyptians (14:19), and presumably it is this same angel that God promises to send ahead of the Israelites into Canaan (23:20-23; 33:2). The angel of God and the pillar of cloud Exodus 14:18-24 In Exodus 14:18-24 , we read: The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen. Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israels army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaohs horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. (bold emphasis added) In the Book of Exodus, we see God taking on the form of flames of fire in the burning bush, a pillar of cloud by day for the Israelites, and a pillar of fire by night to guide them. God also sent the angel of God to go before Israel in their journey. The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible comments: 14:19 angel of God. This divine messenger is closely associated with the pillar of cloud and fire, and thus with the Lord himself (13:21, see note on 3:2). withdrew ...moved. The almost identical description of the actions of the angel and the pillar of cloud possibly identifies these as a single phenomenon, although the different verbs used (went/stood behind) could imply two separate entities; the angels movement then precipitates the clouds movement. Sometimes its hard for us to imagine God being able to do these things (be everywhere at once, know all things, manifest himself in fire and cloud etc.); we know intellectually that its possible, of course, because we know he is God and he has told us his attributes in his Word. God is not bound by finite limitations; he is not bound by time or space. He is three-in-one, he can manifest himself however he chooses; these are things finite humans cannot do and these are things that finite minds find difficult to understand. I will not pretend to know which person of the Trinity is the manifestation of fire in the burning bush or the pillar of cloud/fire that went before Israel, and no commentary that I have read would claim to know this with absolute certainty. We can only know what God has revealed. What is important to take away is that this is God dwelling among his people; he drew near to them, he went before them, and he fought for them and protected them for the glory of his holy purposes and plans. Its OK if we dont know every detail . . . Gods Word says we can trust him, even when we dont understand something fully. Joshua and the commander of LORDs army Joshua 5:13-15 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, Are you for us or for our enemies? Neither, he replied, but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come. Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, What message does my Lord have for his servant? The commander of the LORDs army replied, Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so. ( vs. 13-15 ) This commander of the LORDs army had the appearance of a man, but it is only after the man or divine manifestation identified himself that Joshua falls to the ground in reverence. And it is this figure that tells Joshua the ground is holy, just as the angel of the LORD told Moses in Exodus 3. The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible reminds us that the angel of the LORD or these divine manifestations usually appeared before someones mission: Like Jacob ( Gen 32:22-32 ) and Moses ( Exod 3:1-4:17 ), Joshua encounters the divine presence before he begins his mission. The Book of Judges and the angel of the LORD: Judges 2, 5, 6, 13 The angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars. Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? And I have also said, I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you. When the angel of the LORD had spoken these things to all the Israelites, the people wept aloud, and they called that place Bokim. There they offered sacrifices to the LORD. - Judges 2:15 It is not clear whether this is an appearance of the angel of the LORD in Judges 2 or whether its a messenger in the form of a prophet. The reason the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible mentions the possibility of a prophet vs. a divine appearance is because a prophet is mentioned in Judges 6:7 , When the Israelites cried out to the LORD because of Midian, he sent them a prophet, who said, This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says But then in Judges 6:11, the angel of the LORD does make a physical appearance (discussed further down). In Judges 5 , Deborah sings a poetic song of celebration the victory of Israel over King Sisera and the Canaanites and it includes a curse from the angel of the LORD: Curse Meroz, said the angel of the LORD. Curse its people bitterly, because they did not come to help the LORD, to help the LORD against the mighty. The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible explains, 5:23 Meroz. A nearby Israelite town. This is a curse for not joining in the battle (cf. Sukkoth and Peniel in 8:7,9,16-17). The curse provides the transition from the battle of the kings to the fleeing king, Sisera. Meroz did not aid Yahweh in the pursuit, but Jael (a non-Israelite) did, and she is blessed as fervently as Meroz is cursed (v. 24). Gideon and the angel of the LORD Judges 6 In Judges 6:11-12 we see the angel of the LORD make a physical appearance again: The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, The LORD is with you, mighty warrior. The angel of the LORD in this passage is in human form as the verb sat down is used, and Gideon mistakes the angel for a mere human. Gideon does not realize this is God as he refers to the man as lower-case lord. Gideon even gets a little sassy as he proceeds to complain that if the LORD were with them they wouldnt be in the state theyre in . . . and if he (God) were with them where are all those great wonders told by the ancestors ( Judges 6 )? The angel of the LORD responds to Gideon: The LORD turned to him and said, Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midians hand. Am I not sending you? Gideon still isnt sure if this is God or not and the LORD speaks again in Judges 6:16-24 : The LORD answered, I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive. Gideon replied, If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you. And the LORD said, I will wait until you return. Gideon went inside, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak. The angel of God said to him, Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth. And Gideon did so. Then the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the LORD disappeared. When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, Alas, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face! But the LORD said to him, Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die. So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. Jared C. Wilson, in his blog on TheGospelCoalition.org , writes: The greeting from the angel of the Lord, who may be the preincarnate Christ himself (in vv.14-16 the angel of the Lord becomes the LORD), is strange. Would you call a hiding man a mighty man of valor? You would if the Lord was with him. Samsons Parents and the angel of the LORD Judges 13 Here is a portion of Judges 13 , you can read the chapter in full at the link: A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth. The angel of the LORD appeared to her and said, You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Then the woman went to her husband and told him, A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didnt ask him where he came from, and he didnt tell me his name. Then Manoah prayed to the LORD: Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born. God heard Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman while she was out in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her. ...Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, Are you the man who talked to my wife? I am, he said. ... Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, We would like you to stay until we prepare a young goat for you. The angel of the LORD replied, Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD. (Manoah did not realize that it was the angel of the LORD.) Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the LORD, What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true? He replied, Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding. Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the LORD. And the LORD did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground. When the angel of the LORD did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the LORD. We are doomed to die! he said to his wife. We have seen God! But his wife answered, If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this. The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. In the beginning of the passage the angels appearance is mentioned as awesome, but his essential character was not revealed yet, as the ESV Study Bible points out. And in verse 18 we learn that the angels name is too wonderful to comprehend so he does not reveal it to Samsons parents; in Isaiah 9:6 the Messiahs name is listed as Wonderful Counselor among others. The angel of the LORD here in Judges 13, as well as chapter 6, performs miracles, which are normally attributed to God himself. David and the angel of the LORD 2 Samuel 24:1-17 In 2 Samuel 24 , the LORDs anger burns against Israel and David must choose a punishment for his sin (though we dont know the exact sin, it involved a lack of trust in the LORD). Here is a portion of the text ending at verse 17: Before David got up the next morning, the word of the LORD had come to Gad the prophet, Davids seer: Go and tell David, This is what the LORD says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you. ... David said to Gad, I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands. So the LORD sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, Enough! Withdraw your hand. The angel of the LORD was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the LORD, I have sinned; I, the shepherd, have done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall on me and my family. It is hard to tell but it is likely the same angel that is referred to as afflicting the people and then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite; it is unclear, however, whether David sees this angel of the LORD as the LORD himself or whether he sees the angel but then prays to the LORD as if they were separate. This angel, whether manifestation or angelic being, is capable of taking life, and we know that only God is the giver and taker of life ( Deut. 32:39, 1 Sam. 2:6 ) angelic beings and demonic spirits do not have that power on their own. [Note: God does not sin or commit evil; therefore, when humans make bad choices this is not a reflection of God because the choice in itself is a rejection of God . . . but God can still use what humans intended for evil for the good of others and his glory, even if we do not understand it at the time or ever in this life. We can trust that God is good and sovereign and everything he does is according to his holy purpose.] We know that God allowed Satan to afflict Job, and in Genesis 19 , for example, Moses wrote about the angels (angelic beings with the appearance of men) who visited Lot in Sodom: Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door. The two men said to Lot, Do you have anyone else heresons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it. (bold emphasis added) Angels are allowed to do certain work as it is decreed by God himself. In verse 29 , Moses reiterates that it was God who brought the judgment: So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived. The Prophet Zechariah and the angel of the LORD Zechariah 1:7-20 In Zechariah 1 we learn that the word of the LORD was revealed to the prophet Zechariah in a vision; a vision is different from a dream in that the participant is awake. In this vision, an angel speaks with Zechariah and Zechariah addresses him as lord (lowercase), which suggests Zechariah did not view the angel speaking to him as God himself but rather an angelic being. Zechariah 1:7-20 reads: On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo. During the night I had a vision, and there before me was a man mounted on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses. I asked, What are these, my lord? The angel who was talking with me answered, I will show you what they are. Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, They are the ones the LORD has sent to go throughout the earth. And they reported to the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees, We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace. Then the angel of the LORD said, LORD Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah, which you have been angry with these seventy years? So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. Then the angel who was speaking to me said, Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD Almighty says: I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, and I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they went too far with the punishment. Therefore this is what the LORD says: I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem, declares the LORD Almighty. Proclaim further: This is what the LORD Almighty says: My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem. Then I looked up, and there before me were four horns. I asked the angel who was speaking to me, What are these? He answered me, These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem. Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. (bold emphasis added) The angel, an angelic being, speaking to Zechariah and the angel of the LORD are separate in the vision. There is a man by the myrtle trees on a red horse and later it is said that the horses (riders implied) report to the angel of the LORD who is by the myrtle trees; so the man on the red horse and the angel of the LORD are the same; the angel of the LORD as in most instances weve read has the appearance of a man. The angel of the LORD speaks directly to the LORD Almighty (Yahweh of armies is the title used 53 times for God in Zechariah), and the LORD answers him. The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible states, The man of v. 8 is the angel of the LORD (v. 11), a different figure from the interpreting angel of v. 9. He represents God and speaks for God and yet is distinct from God (cf. 3:1, 5-6). The ESV Study Bible also comments that the angel of the LORD intercedes with the LORD; this reminds me of Jesus constant intercession for us now. However, we are still not given a clear answer to whether the angel of the LORD here is a representative or a manifestation, but we know the angel of the LORD has the appearance of a man which could suggest the pre-incarnate Jesus. However, because more details are not revealed, we can infer that it is not necessary to understand the distinction of the angel of the LORD in order to understand what is written in Zechariah and what God is trying to teach us in his Word here. The angel of the LORD mentioned in the New Testament Acts 7 Stephens speech to the Sanhedrin ( 30-38 ): After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. Then the Lord said to him, Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt. This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, Who made you ruler and judge? He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the wilderness. This is the Moses who told the Israelites, God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people. He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us. (bold emphasis added) Here Stephen delivered a speech to the Sanhedrin to point out their rejection of the Messiah, but his sermon is cut short when they cast him out of the city and stoned him. Stephen started off by saying an angel but then followed it up by making it clear this was the LORD speaking. Later in the speech, he referred to God as the angel who appeared to him in the bush and the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai. Stephen is clearly saying that in these instances the angel of the LORD and the LORD himself are one. The Bible says no one has seen the face of God, usually meaning God the Father or God the Holy Spirit because we know people have seen the incarnate Jesus in the New Testament. And because we know people have seen the incarnate Jesus, it makes sense that people would also have seen the pre-incarnate Jesus. Additionally, there are no instances in the Bible where the Holy Spirit is specifically called an angel or referred to as an angel. What power and authority does this angel have? In some passages and contexts, the angel is clearly identified with God himself. This angel has the power to give life (Gen. 16:10), which is a power only God has, and to take life 2 Sam. 6. The angel is described as all-knowing in Genesis 16:13 and Exodus 3:7, which is an attribute only God has. He is called the judge of all the earth in Genesis 18:25, which is a title for God alone. In Exodus 23:21, the angel is said to have authority to forgive sins, which belongs to God alone. This angel was worshiped by Moses and Joshua, and the angel did not stop them. In other Bible passages, angelic beings stop people from worshiping them or giving them glory when it belongs to God alone. The angel had authority in the way that no other angel in Scripture has had authority. It is clear that the angel of the LORD in many of the passages in the Old Testament is God manifested, and the only part of the Trinity that has been identified in Scripture as taking on flesh or the appearance of a man is God the Son, Jesus Christ. Answers in Genesis says this concerning the angel of the LORD in the Old Testament: He is called God, given attributes of God, seen by people, worshiped, and distinguished from the Father and Spirit. So rather than undermining the uniqueness and importance of Christ, theophanies affirm the uniqueness of Jesus. They also show the intimacy of God with His creation, unlike the distant god of deism that some people incorrectly associate with the God of the Bible. Besides making for an interesting Bible study, the appearances of Christ in the Old Testament confirm the fact that He existed prior to the Incarnation, just as He plainly stated: Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM (John 8:58). The fact that Jesus is the Creator also demonstrates His existence prior to His first advent (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16). However some readers and commentators find the terminology angel of the LORD confusing and wonder why Moses, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wouldnt have just used language that was more plain, especially since there are some instances where the angel of the LORD and the LORD appear to be separate and other instances where the figure appears to be a manifestation of God himself. Some claim that the angel of the LORD is either the angel Michael or Gabriel, but Michael and Gabriel are identified by their own names in Scripture and they are never confused for God. We can only know what has been revealed. This is why each Bible passage must be examined in context, with the help of other passages of Scripture. What can we conclude then? Not everything is revealed to us or will be revealed to us during our time on earth; Deuteronomy 29:29 reads: The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. God is mysterious, but he makes plain what needs to be made plain in order that we might understand what is most important through the Holy Spirit and that is salvation in Christ alone. We are sinners in need of a Savior and God through his mighty and sovereign plan gave of himself and allowed his Son to live a perfect life in our place, die an atoning sacrificial death in our place, and rise again to ensure our eternal destiny -- none of which we could possibly hope to do on our own merit. What we can know for sure about the angel of the LORD is that he was and is part of Gods plan for the salvation of mankind and part of the plan to restore what was broken; he is associated with God on more than one occasion in Scripture, and he says and does things usually attributed to God in most of the passages where he is mentioned. The angel of the LORD also does not appear in the New Testament after Christs incarnation. The title the angel of the Lord is used in Acts 5 for the release of prisoners, but this is not the same as the angel of the LORD (all caps). So, using Scripture to interpret Scripture, we can form a limited conclusion as to who this figure was and is. We know for sure in certain passages the angel of the LORD is identified with God, and we know the angel of the LORD communicated directly with God. Yet there is still mystery, we can only know what has been revealed in Gods Word. Sources: ESV Study Bible NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible Answers in Genesis The Gospel Coalition Bible Study Tools Related on Crosswalk: What Angels Can and Cannot Do 10 Names of God and What They Mean 10 Times Jesus Showed Up in the Old Testament This article is part of our Names of God Series featuring the most used names and titles of God found in the Bible. We have compiled these articles to help you study all that God says He is and to help you understand His nature and character. Our hope is that you would focus on these truths and find hope as you rest in the promise of Gods presence, no matter the circumstances. 7 Meanings of Yahweh - God's Name in the Bible Meaning of Elohim in the Bible What Does it Mean that Jesus is the Lamb of God? What Does Messiah Mean? - Biblical Usage God is the Alpha and Omega - Meaning & Understanding What is the Meaning of the Name El Shaddai? Jehovah Jireh: The Lord Will Provide Name of God What Does Yeshua Mean? Biblical Name for Jesus Jehovah Nissi: "The Lord is My Banner" Name of God Son of Man - Jesuss Favorite Name for Himself Photo credit: Thinkstock/den-belitsky Anup Ojha is a reporter for The Kathmandu Post primarily covering social issues and human interest stories. Before moving to the social beat, Ojha covered arts and culture for the Post for four years. Reciba en su email: noticias de ultima hora, analisis tecnicos o el cierre de mercado Email no valido Nombre requerido Recibira las informaciones mas relevantes del dia en tiempo real Que informacion desea recibir? Noticias de Ultima hora Boletin Cierre de Mercado Boletin analisis tecnico Boletin Fundsnews Debe seleccionar un tipo de boletin Acepto la Politica de privacidad Debe aceptar la politica de privacidad Responsable EMPRESAS DEL GRUPO WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Finalidad La remision de informacion, novedades y promociones Establecimiento o mantenimiento de Relaciones Comerciales. Legitimacion Consentimiento del interesado. Interes legitimo en el desarrollo de la relacion comercial Destinatario Empresas del Grupo WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Derechos Acceso, rectificacion, supresion, limitacion, oposicion y portabilidad Informacion adicional Politica de Privacidad de nuestra pagina Web + INFORMACION PR Newswire EAST HANOVER, N.J., Dec. 1, 2018 EAST HANOVER, N.J., Dec. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- New data from a post hoc analysis of the Phase II SUSTAIN study of crizanlizumab -- a once-a-month, humanized anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody infusion being investigated for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD) -- shows greater reductions of vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in patients who were adherent to the treatment protocol. The data were presented during the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Diego. Sickle cell VOCs are painful complications of the disease and the main reason why patients seek medical care in hospitals1,2. These crises are triggered by multi-cell adhesion, or clusters of cells that block blood flow, and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality3,4. Currently, treatment options to prevent VOCs are limited. By targeting P-selectin, crizanlizumab reduces multicellular adhesion2,5. "Patients with sickle cell disease experience recurrent and severe episodes of debilitating pain that often require medical attention and emergency medical care," said Kenneth Ataga, MD, Director of the Center for Sickle Cell Disease at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center at Memphis, and Principal Investigator of the SUSTAIN analysis. "It is encouraging that these data show treatment per protocol not only reduced the frequency of painful crises, but also increased the number patients with no crises at all. These findings underscore the potential of crizanlizumab and the importance of proactive management of sickle cell disease." In the analysis of the per protocol population of the 52-week SUSTAIN study, which compared the P-selectin inhibitor crizanlizumab with placebo in patients with sickle cell disease, crizanlizumab (5.0 mg/kg) significantly: SUSTAIN is part of the SENTRY clinical trial program including seven active or planned clinical studies designed to generate an array of additional data on the role crizanlizumab plays in the management of sickle cell disease. More studies may be added as plans are finalized. Major active trials in the SENTRY program include: "The SENTRY program emphasizes our long-term commitment to reimagining sickle cell disease treatment for as many people as possible," said Samit Hirawat, MD, Head, Novartis Oncology Global Drug Development. "The outcomes of these trials, alongside our analyses of SUSTAIN, will increase our understanding of the disease and, we hope, take us a step forward in our aspiration to reduce the burden of sickle cell pain crises." About the SUSTAIN trialThe Phase II SUSTAIN trial was a multicenter, multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind,12-month study to assess safety and efficacy of the anti-P-selectin antibody crizanlizumab with or without concomitant use of hydroxyurea therapy in sickle cell disease patients with sickle cell-related pain crises. Primary results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine and showed that crizanlizumab reduced the median annual rate of sickle cell pain crises (SCPCs) by 45.3% compared to placebo (1.63 vs 2.98, p=0.010) in patients with or without hydroxyurea therapy6. Adverse events that occurred in 10% or more of the patients in either active-treatment group (2.5 mg/kg; 5 mg/kg) and at a frequency that was at least twice as high as that in the placebo group were arthralgia, diarrhea, pruritus, vomiting, and chest pain. There were no apparent increases in infections with crizanlizumab treatment6. About crizanlizumab (SEG101) Crizanlizumab (SEG101) is a humanized anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody being investigated for the prevention of vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD)6. Crizanlizumab binds a molecule called P-selectin on the surface of endothelial cells and platelets in the blood vessels, causing a blockade of P-selectin6. P-selectin is one of the major drivers of the vaso-occlusive process6. Results from the Phase II SUSTAIN study demonstrated that crizanlizumab reduced the median annual rate of VOCs that lead to a healthcare visit compared to placebo in patients with SCD regardless of whether or not they were taking hydroxyurea6. DisclaimerThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political and economic conditions; safety, quality or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Located in East Hanover, NJ Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2017, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.1 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 122,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com. Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library For questions about the site or required registration, please contact [email protected] References 1. Puri L, Nottage KA, Hankins JS, et al. State of the art management of acute vaso-occlusive pain in sickle cell disease. Paediatr Drugs. 2018;(1)20:29-42. 2. Gutsaeva D, Parkerson J, Yerigenahally S, et al. Inhibition of cell adhesion by antiP-selectin aptamer: a new potential therapeutic agent for sickle cell disease. Blood. 2011;117(2):727-735. 3. Ballas SK, Gupta K, Adams-Graves P. Sickle cell pain: a critical reappraisal. Blood. 2012:120(18):3647-3656 4. Piel F, Steinberg M, Rees D. Sickle cell disease. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(16):1561-1573. 5. Ballas SK, Lusardi M. Hospital readmission for acute adult sickle cell painful episodes: frequency, etiology, and prognostic significance. Am J Hematol. 2005;79(1):17-25. 6. Ataga KI, Kutlar A, Kanter J et al. Crizanlizumab for the Prevention of Pain Crises in Sickle Cell Disease. N Engl J Med. 2017 Feb 2;376(5):429-439. Novartis Media Relations Central media line: +41 61 324 2200 E-mail: [email protected] Eric Althoff Novartis Global Media Relations +41 61 324 7999 (direct) +41 79 593 4202 (mobile) [email protected] Michael Billings Benign Hematology Communications +1 862 778 8656 (direct) +1 201 400 1854 (mobile) [email protected] Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: [email protected] Central North America Samir Shah +41 61 324 7944 Richard Pulik +1 212 830 2448 Pierre-Michel Bringer +41 61 324 1065 Cory Twining +1 212 830 2417 Thomas Hungerbuehler +41 61 324 8425 Isabella Zinck +41 61 324 7188 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/novartis-announces-new-crizanlizumab-seg101-data-analysis-in-sickle-cell-disease-and-investment-in-sentry-clinical-program-300758606.html SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Canada NewsWire TORONTO, Nov. 30, 2018 TORONTO, Nov. 30, 2018 /CNW/ - Siskinds LLP has filed a proposed privacy breach class proceeding on behalf of Canadian residents whose personal information has been impacted as a result of the recently-disclosed data breach incident. Earlier today, Marriott reported that unauthorized parties have improperly accessed the guest reservation database of Marriott's Starwood hotels and obtained personal information of individuals who made reservations at Marriott's Starwood properties. All persons who, on or before September 10, 2018, made a reservation at a Starwood property may have been affected by the data breach. According to Marriott, Starwood brands include W Hotels, St. Regis, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Element Hotels, Aloft Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton and Design Hotels, and Starwood branded timeshare properties. Canadian residents who may have been affected by this data breach are encouraged to visit Siskinds' website https://www.siskinds.com/marriott-privacy-breach/ for further information and to register for the proposed class action. Class Member Inquiries: Britanny [email protected]: (519) 672-2251 ext. 2206 Media Inquiries: Sajjad [email protected]: 416-594-4390 About Siskinds: Siskinds is a prominent full service Canadian law firm with offices in London and Toronto, Ontario and an affiliated office in Quebec. Siskinds is Canada's leading plaintiff class action law firm. With over 80 lawyers practicing in a variety of disciplines, Siskinds also advises its clients on a broad variety of matters, including cybersecurity, Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, PIPEDA, Privacy Shield and GDPR compliance. SOURCE Siskinds LLP Fuel import bill hits Rs69b in 4 months Nepals fuel import bill jumped 68 percent to Rs69.07 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year, as a rising dollar, increased smuggling and rising crude oil prices took their toll. Considering the bill for the first quadrimester, this years fuel expenses are set to overtake last years record spending, officials said. Man stabbed to death in Dang A businessman was stabbed to death by one of his customers over payment dispute in Ghorahi-13, Dang, on Thursday night. More training via coursework After being a student in the Department of South Asia Regional Studies at the University of Pennsylvania for a year, I joined the Department of History at the same university in fall 1990. Nepali, Indian politicians hail Gandhis values Senior leaders and intellectuals from India and Nepal held a meeting in Kathmandu on Thursday to share thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi and his relevance to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi. MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Canada Post says protesters blocking mail from flowing in and out of one of the country's busiest postal hubs are violating a court order, and the Crown corporation is "considering all available legal options." Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A police officer removes tape from a makeshift blockade at Canada Posts' Gateway Postal Facility, after union groups and activists blocked truck traffic to and from the facility in support of Canada Post workers who were recently legislated back to work by the federal government, in Mississauga, Ont., Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Canada Post says protesters blocking mail from flowing in and out of one of the country's busiest postal hubs are violating a court order, and the Crown corporation is "considering all available legal options." The protesters rallying outside the facility in Mississauga, Ont., are largely members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, acting in solidarity with postal workers who were legislated back to work last week. The back-to-work legislation was passed on Monday, following weeks of rotating strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. CUPE says 19 protests are scheduled this weekend at facilities across the country, and demonstrators will allow workers to enter but not let mail out of the plants. The Ontario branch of that union says the protesters have been served with an injunction, but they still plan to demonstrate in solidarity with the postal workers. In a statement Saturday afternoon, Canada Post says it has contacted police and is considering its options to deal with the demonstrations. "We have contractual commitments to our customers, as well as statutory obligations to ensure important mail is being received by all Canadians," the Crown corporation said. "We have asked the police for assistance and we are considering all available legal options." Injunctions were also granted by courts in Alberta and British Columbia, prohibiting anyone from obstructing or interfering with people or vehicles entering or exiting Canada Post facilities. MONTREAL - Quebec liquor board employees say they've reached an agreement in principle with their employer. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MONTREAL - Quebec liquor board employees say they've reached an agreement in principle with their employer. The union representing the employees announced the news at about 8 a.m. on Saturday morning and it was quickly confirmed by the Crown corporation. A customer looks through the windows as liquor store employees walk the picket line in front of an SAQ outlet on the first day of their strike to press lagging contract negotiations, in Rosemere, Que., Tuesday, July 17, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz A spokeswoman for the union declined to comment on the agreement, which has not yet been ratified by the 5,500 members. Employees have held ten different strike days since mid-July. The one-day strikes forced the temporary closure of many of the province's liquor stores, although some remained open and staffed by management. The employees have been without a contract since March 2017. OTTAWA - The commissioner of the RCMP is offering the department's "deepest sympathies" to the family of a former spokesman who an inquest heard experienced a deterioration of his mental health before he died by suicide in 2013. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 30/11/2018 (1091 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. New RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki appears at a House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in Ottawa on Monday, May 7, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA - The commissioner of the RCMP is offering the department's "deepest sympathies" to the family of a former spokesman who an inquest heard experienced a deterioration of his mental health before he died by suicide in 2013. A coroner's inquest jury recommended this week that the RCMP evaluate its mental health strategy and offer a variety of methods for mental health education for its members after the death of Pierre Lemaitre, who was a sergeant. The inquest heard that Lemaitre delivered the information he was told to give to the media about the death of Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver International Airport in 2007, and only learned later that a video contradicted some of his statements. Sheila Lemaitre testified at the inquest in Burnaby, B.C., that her husband urged his supervisors to let him correct the information, but he was ordered not to and became deeply distressed by media reports calling him an RCMP spin doctor and liar. Commissioner Brenda Lucki says in a statement issued Friday that she is committed to continuing to implement measures that support the mental health of RCMP employees and the force welcomes the recommendations made by the coroner's jury. Lucki says Lemaitre's death is a tragedy that underscores the Mounties' need to remain dedicated to investing in the health, well-being and safety of employees and families. "Mental illness is a very real and urgent issue," she says. "We must ensure that employees and their families are aware of, and can access, support programs and services. We need to proactively protect our members from the impacts of trauma and operational stress injuries, and foster a culture that supports those who are directly or indirectly affected by mental health issues." Lucki says the RCMP appreciates every opportunity to examine existing procedures and policies to ensure it is providing the best support to employees, and by extension, the best policing services to the public. She says it will review each recommendation and provide a written response to the B.C. Coroners Service. "For anyone who is suffering or needs help reach out. You are not alone," she adds. Atoya Montague, a former media strategist for the RCMP, testified that Lemaitre was used to tell a false story about the death of Dziekanski, a Polish man who couldn't speak English and became agitated after wandering around the airport arrivals area for 10 hours. After the incident, Lemaitre told reporters that officers approached a combative man and jolted him twice with a Taser, but two days later the video emerged that showed Dziekanski was relatively calm when the Mounties arrived and that they used the stun gun five times. The inquest jury made five recommendations, including calling on the RCMP to conduct mental health assessments in conjunction with the department's three year mandatory physical assessment and to provide classes to family members after an officer is hired to provide an overview of the potential mental health issues they could face. Canadian politicians past and present offered their condolences on Saturday following the death of former U.S. president George H.W. Bush, with former prime minister Brian Mulroney calling it "an enormous loss." Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Canadian politicians past and present offered their condolences on Saturday following the death of former U.S. president George H.W. Bush, with former prime minister Brian Mulroney calling it "an enormous loss." Bush, who served in the Oval Office from 1989 to 1993, died Friday night at his home in Houston at the age of 94 just eight months after the death of his wife of more than 70 years, Barbara Bush. U. S. President George Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney hold up blue fish they caught during a fishing expedition near Kennebunkport, Maine, Aug. 28, 1990. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ron Poling Mulroney, whose nine years in power overlapped with Bush's four, said the last time he saw his friend was in late September, when he was in Kennebunkport, Maine, to accept the George Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service. Bush wasn't well enough to attend the event, so Mulroney paid the former president a visit at home before the ceremony. Bush asked to hear Mulroney's acceptance speech, so the former prime minister read it out to him. The two friends also spent time listening to music and talking. "It was just a delightful experience, and my last visit with him after all these years," Mulroney said Saturday in an interview. "I think we both knew that that was probably the last visit we were going to have." Mulroney said that among the two leaders' joint accomplishments, two stand out: the signing of the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement, known as the acid rain treaty, in 1991; and the negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, signed in 1994 after both had left office. Bush "was a great friend of Canada, and he made very important things possible for Canadian history," Mulroney said. Mulroney said Bush asked him three years ago if he would speak at his funeral, and he said he'd be "honoured" to do it. "I spent a little time on it. I'm not finished yet, but I think I know what I want to say," Mulroney said. The White House announced Saturday that a state funeral for the former president would be held at Washington's National Cathedral. President Donald Trump also closed government offices Wednesday and designated it a national day of mourning, which traditionally occurs on the same day as the Washington component of a late president's state funeral. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also offered his thoughts on Bush's legacy, saying the former U.S. president's commitment to his country was clear. "His exemplary spirit of service and commitment to country would mark each of his roles including in Congress, as ambassador to the United Nations, as head of the Central Intelligence Agency, and in the White House," Trudeau said of the former president in a written statement. Canadian conservatives also offered up their sympathies, with federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer also commending Bush as a "friend to Canada." "He was truly a gentleman of American politics and one of the world's most principled defenders of freedom and democracy," Scheer said in a statement. Former prime minister Stephen Harper tweeted that Bush was "a conservative leader and deeply devoted family man" who leaves behind an incredible legacy. Some of Canada's conservative premiers also tweeted their condolences. "We Canadians will remember his friendship and generous spirit," Ontario Premier Doug Ford tweeted. "May he rest in peace." Meanwhile, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe wrote that Bush was "a humble, well-respected political figure while serving and through his many years post-presidency." Christmas shoppers are being urged to shop local at towns and villages across the country today. The Small Firms Association is holding 'Small Business Saturday' to drum up support for local companies who are in competition with larger franchises this festive season. The Irish Examiner today launched its Christmas Charity initiative in aid of St Vincent de Paul - on Saturday, December 22 they will donate 20c from every newspaper sold to St Vincent de Paul. Karen ODonoghue, Marketing Manager, Irish Examiner said: We are delighted to support St Vincent de Paul again this year, a charity who provide invaluable and worthwhile support to people in need. Explaining this years campaign Ms ODonoghue said: We all have special memories of Christmas past, a time when the little things mean the most. We know that together little things can amount to something so much bigger, thats why were donating 20c from every copy of the Irish Examiner sold on Saturday, December 22 to St Vincent de Paul. Gerry Garvey, South West Regional Co-ordinator, Society of St Vincent de Paul said: We are delighted that the Irish Examiner is working with St Vincent de Paul again this year. "The initiative will be of great benefit to families and individuals who otherwise might face a winter of emptiness..no food..no fuel for fire..no books for school. "The monies raised will be used to help these people through the coming winter months. Readers can share their Christmas memories on irishexaminer.com/competitions or go to facebook.com/irishexaminer and be in with a chance to win a shopping voucher. If you would like to make a donation to St Vincent de Paul this Christmas you can visit www.svp.ie Nine Nepalis wounded in Taliban attack in Kabul Nine Nepali workers were wounded in a Taliban bomb and gun assault on their base in the Afghan capital Kabul on Thursday, the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi said. Nayak Paudel is a crime reporter for The Kathmandu Post. Since joining the Post in 2018, he has also written on health issues. IS AUSTRALIA SEXIST? Premiere, Tuesday 8.30pm, SBS Given that, even in the wake of the #MeToo movement, our Prime Minister hasn't yet got his head around the appropriate language to use when responding publicly to a woman (on behalf of the nation, sorry, Pamela Anderson), perhaps the question that the title of this documentary poses ought to be "Just How Sexist is Australia?". The results of the Macquarie University survey on which it is based certainly suggest we have a way to go. Confined to a single episode, Is Australia Sexist? takes a broad, somewhat cursory view of the issue. Radio personality and podcaster on women's health and sexuality, Yumi Stynes, in her first television documentary hosting role, hopes it will keep the conversation going. Yumi Stynes fronts the documentary Is Australia Sexist?. "#MeToo has definitely kick-started the debate," she says. "#MeToo has lit a fire under a lot of people. #MeToo has given us permission to be angry and a lot of us are furious ... I'd love it if men were talking about this." With sage analysis from academics Catharine Lumby, Emma Jane and Amira Aftab, social experiments are conducted to test the survey's results. Not helping the overall discussion, some of the stunts seem skewed to prove what we already know, although there is one pleasant surprise. Hidden cameras capture a woman's stroll through a mall, past a construction site, and, in what might be construed as a particularly desperate directing decision, posing for a selfie in a bikini top in the middle of a dual lane highway. (Her male counterpart, further down the road, is wearing a long, baggy singlet.) Actors recreate actual workplace harassment scenarios in front of customers in a bar. Volunteers are asked to choose between dolls and tractors for babies disguised in the opposite colour to the conventional hue. Boys and girls are rewarded for the same chore with uneven cups of lollies. ELIZABETH I AND HER ENEMIES 7.35pm, SBS The actors charged with portraying the Virgin Queen in this evocative three-part docu-drama are no match for our Cate Blanchett but they certainly bring to life the woman behind the formidable historical figure. Before Lily Cole and her ethereally Shakespearean features take over as the collared monarch, Sheya McAllister portrays the teenaged Elizabeth with aplomb. Having historians Suzannah Lipscomb and Dan Jones interpret the inner journeys of the female and male players respectively is a nice touch. Back Roads: Fari Rameshfar (centre) with long-time customers, the Jonssons. BACK ROADS 8.30pm, ABC Experienced road tripper and country lass Heather Ewart deviates from the format just a little to devote an entire episode to one rural identity an Iranian immigrant who has for the last 30 years delivered fresh groceries and essential supplies to the isolated communities of the Atherton Tablelands. As one grateful local puts it, Fari Rameshfar is "bigger than Santa" in these parts. This is an honest portrayal of the kindness and respect holding a community together. The year 2018 is likely to be the fourth warmest on record - trailing only the previous trio of years. Loading Among the key topics of the talks will be settling on the agreed rules for the greenhouse gas cuts promised at Paris ahead of the agreement coming into force in 2020. "I'm not expecting a train wreck at all but a lot has to be done in little time," Bill Hare, director of tracking group Climate Analytics, tells Fairfax Media from Katowice. Also of interest will be whether countries that can claim credits for exceeding their pledges during the previous accord, the Kyoto Protocol, can use them to count for the Paris pact that runs to 2030. Australia is one of them. But besides the bickering over national pledges, businesses, academics and activists will be busy examining the fast developing field of climate law. "It'll feature in the backrooms and the siderooms, for sure," Hare says. "We certainly see more and more companies engaging with this issue." One thousand cases And no wonder. A flurry of legal action is under way in a host of nations, particularly the litigious United States. The UK's Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics estimates as many as 1000 climate court cases have been tried or are under way. The Paris Agreement itself has spawned 139 framework laws addressing mitigation (cutting emissions) and adaptation - dealing with the consequences of the climate disruptions experienced and expected in a warmer world. But perhaps wary of nations keeping their promises - the Paris targets were deliberately non-binding legally to ensure almost all nations signed up - leading legal minds have been busy formulating an alternative use of law. In some ways, climate litigation is born out of a certain despair with the current political process," says Matthew Rimmer, professor of intellectual property and innovation at Queensland University of Technology, adding there has been a "great explosion of different forms". Rimmer reels off a list of legal avenues from tort, such as public nuisance and negligence, to public trust and consumer and corporations law. He likens the process of probing to the advance of Native Title Law in Australia, where the Mabo decision "was one of many pieces of litigation going on" when it broke though and "was quite transformative. Sydney's 'one-in-a-100 year' rain event this week left a damage bill of at least $10 million. Credit:Nick Moir Going Dutch Brian Preston, the chief judge of the NSW Land and Environment Court, has helped lead global efforts to develop legal principles that could lower the barriers to successful climate litigation with or without a Paris accord. He highlights perhaps the most famous climate lawsuit to date - the 2015 Urgenda Climate Case in which 886 Dutch citizens sued their government to roughly double emissions cuts - as revealing the pitfalls and the promise of such cases. For one thing, governments will keep appealing, as Dutch authorities have done again in November. The fact most environmental law is based in statute now, such as protecting clean air and clean water, also limits the roll-out of similar Urgenda cases in places such as Australia, Preston says. "That makes it more difficult, like the Lord of the Rings - to get one ring that solves it all - because its all going to be statute specific," he says. Australia's lack of bill of rights also curbs Urgenda's applicability here. Preston has seen firsthand a pushback from US lawyers in the past year, in part inspired by the Trump presidency's backing of the fossil fuel industry, against development of a "model statute" for the International Bar Association. That statute was designed to find what the barriers are to successful litigation in various jurisdictions and then lower those barriers, but that hasnt yet to come to light because American lawyers blocked it, he says. They saw a wave of litigation, and said, 'we dont want to encourage it', he says, adding he was "annoyed" at the intervention after working on the model for almost three years. Cautionary tales Preston says the examples of tobacco and asbestos - where legal operations were later found to be harmful and subject to damage claims - offer what should be cautionary tales for fossil fuel firms. They keep looking at what is the liability risk today but thats not what it should be - it should be the risk in the future." With asbestos, the court never proceeded with 100 per cent certainty but rather probability. Likewise, the fast-developing science of climate change attribution, which can ascertain the odds of an extreme weather event happening without human-induced carbon emissions. "Attribution science is making more probable that we will have this event, such as severe flooding or heatwaves, Preston says. Therefore, you can get the link from greenhouse gas emissions to harm here by probabilistic reasoning." Emma Herd, chief executive officer of the Investor Group on Climate Change, says international pressures are already nudging corporate behaviour, as the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures. 'Obligations' Lawsuits at home, such as against industry super fund REST, are also similarly raising the accountability stakes. REST is facing claims it breached its trustee duties by failing to properly factor climate change-related risks into its investment decisions. Herd recalls arguing with one director "with an engineer background" who defiantly argued that "the climate had always changed" said he "didn't believe the science". Despite personal reservations, however, this director "nevertheless recognised the company had obligations" to identify its exposure to fossil fuel and climate risks, and to disclose them, she says. "There's a clear market demand for increased disclosure," Herd says. "It's happening faster than people anticipated." Tania Constable, chief executive of the Minerals Council of Australia, said her organisation "expects member companies to comply with all disclosure requirements under Australian law and international law where applicable". "Our member companies are not only aware of this issue, but are taking action to mitigate risks," she says. 'Chill factor' Jacqueline Peel, a professor of environmental law at Melbourne University, says "eventually governments will realise the policies they have in place are anachronistic compared to where companies are". Barriers to Australian climate action include the fact that, unlike in the US, plaintiffs can be up for the government's legal costs as well as their own if they lose. Its a real chill factor on litigation, Peel says. Kelly OShanassy, chief executive of the Australian Conservation Foundation, knows that issue well, with her organisation slapped with overall costs of $230,000 for its 2015 failed challenge and appeal against the Adani coal mine in Queensland. (The mine said this week it would proceed by self-funding after banks baulked.) Even big not-for-profit organisations like ACF struggle to mount public interest cases as they often push the boundaries of the financial risk a responsible board can tolerate," O'Shanassy says. ACT takes advice Among Australian jurisdictions, Victoria has the most detailed climate change legislation after passing an act last year that locks in a goal of net zero emissions by 2050 and requires five-yearly reviews of progress. The ACT, meanwhile, wants to examine ways it can lower barriers to climate litigation that could involving the territory undertaking lawsuits of its own for damages and other remedies. (See more detail here.) "I've asked my department about what options are available," Shane Rattenbury, climate minister in the Labor-Greens government, says. He's particularly angered by the way fossil fuel companies, such as Exxon in the US, have been revealed to have behaved. "They knew about climate change all along, they buried the science, they fought hard to prevent it being released, and they kept selling their health-damaging products," he says. Exxon has been involved in a number of legal actions, including a case brought by New Yorks attorney-general in October, which claims the company defrauded shareholders by downplaying the risks of climate change to its business, the New York Times has reported. Wim Hof is bringing his method to Melbourne on December 9 (from approx $279). It's a BYO bathers affair, as the second half of the experience involves an ice bath. Check www.wimhofmethod.com for details of other WHM workshops local WHM trainers run them in Melbourne and Daylesford (from approx $135). Entry to Fire & Ice at the Peninsula Hot Springs is included with regular bathhouse entry, which starts at $25. Wim Hof standing in ice outside the Rubin Museum of Art in New York in 2008, during a successful attempt to break his previous world record for immersion in an outdoor ice bath. He stayed in the ice bath for one hour and 12 minutes. Credit:DIANE BONDAREFF Dr Marc is running an Extreme Wellness Workshop on December 8 at Peninsula Hot Springs ($399), see drmarc.co/extreme-bathing-peninsular-hot-springs-cd/ There are plenty of "icebreaker" clubs around Melbourne, including the year-round Williamstown Mussels in the west; Brighton Icebergers (meeting at Brighton Baths, or, nearby, at Brighton Yacht Club); the Black-Ice Open Water Swimming Club (Black Rock) and Mt Martha Icebergers (if you make it through a year without a wetsuit you're rewarded with your name on the club's honour board). The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre is throwing a reopening party on Sunday after its eviction from its inner west headquarters was overturned. The Bower, a not-for-profit organisation that repairs, refurbishes and resells furniture and household goods, had been locked out of its building at the Addison Road Community Centre in Marrickville since mid-November for alleged breach of lease. The Bower general manager Guido Verbist has welcomed the decision to let the organisation reopen. Credit:Jessica Hromas But the fight is not over, with Addison Road Community Centre Organisation (ARCCO), which manages the 2.6 hectares of Crown land in Marrickville, saying it was at risk of losing the site because of The Bowers actions. A statement from ARCCO claimed it was notified on Friday it was in breach of its head lease because of the ongoing issues in Hut 34, The Bowers building. For too long we have heard only from economists, and more recently demographers, while experts in ecology and natural resource management have been left out. McDonald takes the short-sighted view that population and economies can expand without any effect on the environment. Unfortunately, Australia has lost 54 species since European settlement and another 290 are threatened. The rate of extinction for Australian mammals is 10 to 1000 times the background rate for extinctions. The primary cause is loss of habitat. Natural vegetation is converted for growing human food both crops and livestock and for cities, towns, roads and industry. For instance, 99 per cent of Victorian grassland has been reduced for grazing and urban infrastructure with the consequent loss of the eastern barred bandicoot. All this needs to be weighed against the supposed benefits of immigration-fuelled population growth. - Jenny Goldie, Cooma Australia is what it is today thanks to the positive influence of its migrants. Without immigration, just think what a night dining out would entail; overcooked meat and three vegies. Thank goodness for multiculturalism. - Peter Miniutti, Ashbury Private hospitals care for shareholders Until I experienced both public and private hospitals during the same illness I'd always believed you pay for better service. Wrong. You pay for the profit to shareholders at the expense of care. In the city hospital complex, in public there was full staffing and good beds, in private the bed was broken and I had to wait two hours before one of the limited number of staff could see me. Only the food was better (marginally). - Sally Irwin, Potts Point Jones remains a winner You wish, Peter FitzSimons. Alan Jones tops the radio survey ratings, every time by miles ("The walls are closing in: 2GB management wants Jones out", November 25). Perhaps you should concentrate on more pressing matters, like helping the Wallabies win? Oh that's right: Jones was pretty good at that too. - David Sayers, Gwandalan Hopefully Peter FitzSimons is correct in suggesting that Alan Jones' time is up at 2GB. For the entire time Jones was abusing Julia Gillard and I know I don't have to elaborate Jones was their golden boy. I notice Jones' time might only be tenuous because he has cost the station a few million dollars. - Jan Carroll, Potts Point Honest comments most helpful for students Please enough of ticking boxes (Letters, November 25). School reports are already full of them. A good teacher knows the students well by the end of term three, being manacled together with them for this length of time. What is needed to put a few honest, knowledgeable and personalised comments together is adequate time, and this should not involve working from home after hours. High rates of population growth are putting pressure on parts of Sydney, according to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, as a federal government report reveals migrants account for more than 70 per cent of new residents across a swathe of the city. The vast majority of new arrivals in Ryde, North Sydney, Hornsby, the eastern suburbs, Parramatta and the suburbs around Bankstown and Hurstville over the past two decades were born overseas, according to the Shaping the Nation report. China, India, Korea, Hong Kong and Nepal were the top five countries contributing migrants to these areas. High rates of population growth are straining parts of Sydney, according to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Credit:AAP "It is becoming increasingly clear that the current high rates of population growth are putting even more pressure on NSW, particularly in some suburbs," Ms Berejiklian said. "We need to look at encouraging people to consider living in different parts of Sydney, the surrounding regions and in regional NSW." After migrants from China, the second-highest proportion of new arrivals to the eastern suburbs and North Sydney and Hornsby came from England, while Iran was one of the top sources of migrants moving to Ryde, according to the 2016 census. An accused arsonist has been charged for setting fire to crops in Rockhampton as dangerous bushfires continue across the state. Major and Organised Crime Squad detectives charged the 27-year-old Rockhampton man following investigations into suspicious fire believed to have been deliberately lit at Bouldercombe on Friday. The man was arrested for attempting to allegedly light a grass fire beside the Burnett Highway, Port Curtis about 11.30am. The Rural Fire Brigade, police and community members worked together to extinguish the fire. The Rockhampton man has been charged with one count of setting fire to crops and is due to appear in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Monday. A 21-year-old man has been killed by a falling tree while he was clearing a fire break on his family's property at Rolleston, a town near the Carnarvon Gorge bushfire in Central Queensland. Emergency services were called to an O'Briens Road property following reports the man had become trapped under a tree about 7.30pm on Friday. Police said investigations suggested the man was trying to cut the tree with a chainsaw when the tree fell and trapped him. Three other men on site at the time tried to help him but he was found dead at the scene. Brisbane start-up company PowerWells has won the national Pitch@Palace competition to provide light, power and mobile phone charging to people in remote communities and developing countries. The business, which was a joint winner with Perth's OncoRes Medical, was among 40 innovative start-ups from across Australia at the finals held in the State Library of Queensland on Friday. Nick Kamols (PowerWells), Jenny Atkinson (Littlescribe), HRH The Duke of York, Dr Katharine Giles (OncoRes Medical) and Brad Clair (PowerWells) winners of the Pitch@Palace event in Queensland. The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, who is visiting Australia, and a business community audience chose the winners. The Logan-based social impact start-up was co-founded by humanitarians Nick Kamols and Brad Clair. Police ramp up CCTV monitoring Following the launch of the Community-Police Partnership Campaign in late October, Nepal Police has attached top priority to the installation and expansion of CCTV cameras to prevent crimes and catch criminals. Few would have travelled across the Indooroopilly bridge without wondering what went on behind those windows in the art deco towers at either end, especially in the days when washing flapped on the line outside. The Walter Taylor Bridge at Indooroopilly was the only habitable bridge in the southern hemisphere. The Walter Taylor Bridge, from the Indooroopilly side. Credit:Bradley Kanaris The bridge is named after the man who built it and, at the time of its opening on February 14, 1936, was Australias longest suspension bridge and was beaten only by the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the title of the countrys longest single-span bridge. In fact, the resourceful Mr Taylor sourced his cables from the Sydney construction site. They were going cheap as surplus, after being used to hold up the incomplete halves of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during its construction. An outbreak of whooping cough has caused a school in Goondiwindi, south-west of Toowoomba, to close down until the new year. The Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba alerted the Department of Education that St Marys Catholic School had experienced an outbreak of the disease, which is under the Public Health Act. A school has been closed because of an outbreak of whooping cough. A Department of Education spokesman said the school, which was expected to finish classes on Wednesday, December 5, would not reopen on Monday. "On advice from the Public Health Physician for Darling Downs Health Services, St Marys school... will not be open next week and will now reopen from the start of the 2019 school year," he said. Dr Chik said multilingualism is moving away from the inner city. The most diverse suburbs are in the south-west, west and north-west of Sydney, she said. And there are many of them. There used to be Chinatown, Five Dock and Leichhardt, there are so many of them now. Regents Park is one of Sydneys most linguistically diverse suburbs, with just one-quarter of residents speaking only English. Arabic (13.5 per cent), Cantonese (9.2 per cent), Mandarin (8.6 per cent) and Vietnamese (5.5 per cent) are the most widely spoken community languages in that suburb. In comparison, more than three-quarters of residents of Mosman, Manly and Mona Vale speak English only. Professor Phil Benson, from Macquarie Universitys Department of Linguistics, who co-edited the book, said there were 20 languages in Sydney with more than 20,000 speakers and another 63 with more than 1000 speakers numbers that he said would continue to increase. Dr Chik dismissed the notion of ethnic ghettos where English is not spoken. There is no street and very few shops in Sydney where you will not hear English, she said. Even in the most multilingual suburbs, English is widely used. Loading Dr Chik, whose research was also published on Macquarie University's website The Lighthouse, will be part of an expert panel discussing Sydneys linguistic diversity at the State Library of NSW on December 15. Languages have economic value both domestically and internationally, she said. Language services are vital to social wellbeing and health; they also generate wealth. A multicultural society should be one in which we value and learn each others' languages. Dr Chik said Australia was lagging behind every major English-speaking country in the number of people learning another language. Most importantly, there is a need to change the mindset that multiculturalism means maintaining different cultures but speaking English, she said. Objecting to people using languages other than English can be a hidden form of racism. Strathfield Council introduced a policy in July limiting the size of signs in languages other than English to no more than 50 per cent of a shops facade. A council spokeswoman said the policy only applied to new signs. The policy will ensure that signage is not only in a foreign language, but also in English, allowing businesses to be accessible by the wider community, rather than just one language demographic, she said. Frank Carbone, the mayor of Fairfield City Council, said English should be displayed on all advertising signs alongside any other languages chosen by the advertiser. If this is not the common practice, I will look at options available to us to ensure advertising is inclusive for all to understand, he said. Loading But Professor Benson said business operators choose the languages on signs according to their understanding of their customers. Good sense suggests that using some English is good for business and our research shows that very few businesses perhaps one in a 100 have no English, he said. Requiring that English has priority could have a negative impact on business and would be discriminatory. There is an angst among a minority of English-speaking Australians about the use of community languages in public both written and spoken, he said. This is partly a legacy of the old assimilationist policies of the 20th century. It is also linked to anxieties about urbanisation. Emi Otsuji, a senior lecturer in the School of International Studies at the University of Technology Sydney, said too much emphasis was given to a rather vague sense of multiculturalism. Language diversity is the key, not some superficial account of cultural difference, she said. We should invest in language diversity, encourage families to use and develop their home languages, raise awareness of Indigenous languages, and encourage all to learn more languages. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has promised to cut Australias immigration intake, claiming "roads are clogged" and buses, trains and schools in Sydney and Melbourne "are full". But Dr Otsuji said: "Worries about issues like integration utterly miss the point that people integrate with a wide variety of people, languages, work and religion." A Victoria Police spokesman said two people were expected to be issued with infringement notices for riotous behaviour and that the investigation was ongoing. On Thursday night, flares were lit during what has been a week of wild celebrations at the normally quiet seaside town. Police were called to complaints of a flare being lit on the Rye foreshore on Thursday night about 11pm, however when they arrived a large gathering of young people dispersed without further incident. No arrests were made. Last Saturday night, police were pelted with bottles and frightened locals sheltered in businesses after schoolies celebrations descended into chaos. Riot police, dogs and a helicopter were sent to the Rye foreshore as police scrambled to contain a large gathering of youths about 9.30pm. Flares were also reportedly set off from the roof of a house. The incidents have raised questions about the growing number of teens heading to Rye for schoolies, which locals say is ballooning by hundreds of people each year. Some locals believe it is getting rowdier, with residents telling The Age after Saturday's incident that schoolies in Rye had "never been this intense". Army veteran John Perrins from nearby Tootgarook said on Sunday schoolies celebrations had been getting busier over the decade he had lived on the peninsula. But this is worst Ive seen, he said. Others said they were unimpressed with the rubbish left behind on the beach each day, with Jess Burtt writing on Instagram on Friday: "I pulled in at Rye foreshore and was absolutely horrified of what I saw... thank you schoolies for showing how much disrespect and utter ignorance you can have! "I am so ashamed that the latest graduates heading out into the world to make change can possibly do this to a place they are so lucky to have." However, other locals say teenagers arriving in Rye for schoolies are well behaved and have pointed the finger at the 'toolies' - older people who haven't recently graduated - who join the celebrations and cause trouble. Jen, who lives directly opposite the foreshore park where the teens gather each night, told The Age on Friday she felt the behaviour of the kids had been great this year. Beachboxes at White Cliffs beach on the Rye foreshore. Credit:Will Salter "It's blown out of proportion and I'm probably one of the people who lives opposite and sees it all. There are a lot of kids there, a huge amount. Yes there is a bigger volume of kids and there has been a bigger police presence this year as well. But as far as the kids go, they've been really terrific," she said. "There have been a couple of incidents, but from what I hear it's older kids coming in and causing trouble. My own son is a schoolie, he was across there... and they said it was a gang of older kids that caused the problem. They'd come from another establishment after it closed. "But it was definitely older people, men in their 30s coming and causing problems. They want to cause trouble, turning up drunk." She said her father, aged in his 80s, lives next door to one of the large apartment blocks where schoolies have been living and he has had no issues. He has been contacted regularly by local police who have quelled any safety concerns. However, she did say that the event is growing by hundreds each year and she believed the council would soon need to organise more structure on the foreshore. "Over the last five years it's really grown, the last two years it's really pick up pace, so its time for the council to step in and organise." Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor David Gill said the council had been working closely with police and youth agencies to "reduce negative impacts" of schoolies on locals. Trouble is, thats what the party did after the 2014 defeat. It commissioned party elder David Kemp to oversee a similar self-analysis. That review listed lots of familiar problems: not enough women; the lack of a clear narrative; the counterproductive tendency to play favourites with the Herald Sun; the need to overhaul its campaign structures and to find high-quality candidates. A review in 2008 had done pretty much the same, including identifying the need to get more women into the party and parliament. Since then, the proportion of women in the party has declined. Only too clearly the Liberals are struggling with the politics of their home state. The partys campaign was a mess on multiple fronts: from policy and people, to party brand and planning. Urgent action is needed. What does the Liberal Party need to do to get it back in the political game in Victoria? No Liberal can deny the seriousness of the situation. As counting continues it now appears Dan Andrews ALP will return to parliament with more than twice the number of seats the Coalition will have on the back of swings as high as 11 and 12 per cent in key electorates in Melbournes east and south-east. A bold, confident Andrews-led Labor was a formidable force this election. Andrews was unabashed about being progressive, about Labors pro-renewable energy position, about the importance of contentious reforms including the Safe Schools program, dying with dignity legislation and the safe injecting room in Richmond. At the same time, Labor was also relentless in its focus on bread-and-butter issues and its record on, and plans for, roads, rail, schools and hospitals. Liberal candidates such as Donna Bauer, in the important sandbelt seat of Carrum, reported knocking on doors and being repeatedly met with the refrain: Andrews gets things done. Liberal Party senator Jane Hume says the state election "looked more like the opposition getting voted out". But Labor is only half the story. In a scathing critique of her own party this week, Liberal senator Jane Hume wrote in the Australian Financial Review that while governments usually win or lose elections Saturday night looked more like the opposition getting voted out. As Liberal powerbroker Greg Mirabella put it in an email to colleagues about the loss of blue ribbon seats: This means that not only does our product stink, it stinks to our own people. Ridley says there is a real sense of anger and outrage among the more moderate Liberals. ''The Liberal brand has been very seriously damaged by right-wing opportunists, would be populists who are not listening to, or interested in, the community mainstream. Not for the first time the Liberals were also out-campaigned on the ground, their strategists and volunteers unable to match the Labor machine. Postal votes and campaign material were sent to dead people. The expensive new US-made electoral software i360 was meant to target undecided voters, yet one Liberal candidate ended up door-knocking a Labor minister. Port Phillip councillor Andrew Bond, the candidate for Albert Park, was given a calling sheet in which multiple numbers were rusted-on ALP voters. At one point, i360 directed him to call himself. Part of the problem, too, was the inability of Team Guy to sell a positive narrative for change. Law-and-order was his main theme, but it was framed through the politics of fear. Instead of an education policy emphasising student outcomes and parental choice, the Liberals focused on its ideological opposition to an anti-bullying program for LGBTI students. Loading As for the environment? The last time the party went to an election with a comprehensive policy in that portfolio was under Ted Baillieu in 2006. While the ALP were talking about level crossing removals, education and health, we were obsessing over injecting rooms, proposing to return religious instruction to schools, and giving away half-price TVs, says Bond. Any wonder we got the outcome we got. Guy might have kept his parliamentary team unified, but his product and personnel have been found wanting. And on both counts that points to a problem in the party and the way it goes about its business. Margaret Fitzherbert was a rising Liberal star whose short political career is now part of the wreckage from last weekends poll. While it was a marauding Labor machine that ostensibly did the damage, Fitzherbert could be excused for attributing her demise to her own party. In 2016, Fitzherbert - author of the book Liberal Women, with a background in business and government - sought to move from her Legislative Council seat to replace the outgoing Louise Asher in the plum lower-house seat of Brighton. But Fitzherbert was beaten in a preselection battle by James Newbury, a party apparatchik backed by an insurgent group of right-wing activists in local branches gathered around conservative warrior Marcus Bastiaan. Newbury ran a particularly divisive campaign in Brighton. He bragged on Twitter about his plan to close a building that housed rough sleepers, sang the praises of Peter Dutton at the height of a tense debate about crime, and posted ''selfies'' with anti-Safe Schools campaigner Marijke Rancie. In a result so remarkable that Labor is still struggling to take it in, their 19-year-old candidate Declan Martin - a student who lives with his parents and remains on L-plates - almost won Brighton, a seat that has always been Liberal. On Sunday morning, a humbled Newbury sniffed the wind. My community has never sent a stronger message, he posted in a statement on social media. They want my party to reset and rebuild. They want a modern Liberal Party. Labor's Declan Martin - 19 years old and still on L-plates. But almost won the blue-ribbon Liberal seat of Brighton Credit:ABC Part of the problem, though, is that the Liberal Party structure is flatter and more democratic than Labors. Preselection is largely decided by local forums on a sliding scale that gives ever greater local sway to the branches with the biggest local membership. Such a structure has proven irresistible to the likes of Bastiaan, 29, who rose to the position of vice-president and who, with Michael Kroger (who resigned as president on Friday) helped the Right gain unprecedented sway in the Victorian branch. Senior figures, MPs and candidates have all confirmed notable membership hikes in some branches, with former federal MP Fran Bailey this week telling The Sunday Age that the party, in its policies and preselection choices, had been too heavily influenced by religious branch stackers. Fitzherbert was just one who has suffered at their hands, despite the public backing of Matthew Guy, who endorsed her move to Brighton, saying it was consistent with his plan to get more women into Liberal ranks and senior roles. He had even introduced a target to increase female representation in parliament by 10 per cent at every election, so that it would be at almost half by 2022. After last weekend, the Liberals look like they will end up with five women at best in the lower house, and nine in total across the entire 128-member state parliament. Also notable about the phone box-sized Coalition team is its lack of ethnic diversity. Party strategists are increasingly conscious that the ethnic makeup of the Liberals simply does not reflect multicultural Victoria. One official noted that Craig Ondarchie, an MP of part-Sri Lankan heritage who almost lost his upper house seat last week, was the only person of colour in Guys parliamentary team. Others note the obvious: that the lack of diversity within the partys ranks was reflected in the policies it took to the electorate. We ran such a divisive campaign, wrote former Kroger ally and staunch conservative Karina Okotel in an email last week. No migrant of colour could vote for us. Why were we only talking about African gangs? Federal Industrial Relations Minister Kelly ODwyer encapsulated the concerns of Liberal moderates when she reportedly told a gathering of federal Victorian MPs on Monday that her party was now perceived as homophobic, anti-women and climate change-denying. She has good reason to worry. If the anti-Liberal sentiment seen on polling day was repeated at next years federal election, her heartland seat of Higgins, formerly held by party giants such as Peter Costello, could be lost. Loading But if the Liberals are seen as too middle-aged, too white, and too reactionary and boring, what can they to do to change that? Former premier and renowned moderate Ted Baillieu is the only Liberal to have won an election in Victoria in two decades. He says for the party to rebuild, it must go through a massive renewal process that could take eight years, and the big question it must ask itself is this: Who is going to make up the next Liberal government, and what are they currently doing? The party needs to reconnect with Victoria, which is a gracious, diverse and peaceful place. We've drifted a long way from that, he says. The people that do that will be young, theyll be fresh. Theyll be multicultural and theyll be ambitious and theyll be aspirational. Former Liberal Premier Ted Baillieu.: "The party needs to reconnect with Victoria, which is a gracious, diverse and peaceful place." Credit:Wayne Taylor Inevitably, there were the calls for the often divisive Kroger to step down. After all, it was he who turned a blind eye to the mass recruitment drive deployed by Bastiaan and his forces, who spent years working over church groups, Mormons and Probus groups to get them to join the Liberal cause. As a result, the Victorian branch lurched more to the right. On Friday, at a Liberals state assembly meeting, the high-profile president fell on his sword. Upon reading various newspaper articles today, I think that when your own supporters are basically telling you its time to go, then its probably time to go, he told members. But its not just the administrative wing that requires renewal. The Liberals parliamentary team is filled with MPs who have been sitting at Spring Street for years, some with more success than others. Former attorney-general Robert Clark, for instance, had been in parliament for 30 years before his seat of Box Hill fell to Labor last weekend. Others, such as Rowville MP Kim Wells, former upper house president Bruce Atkinson, and staunch conservative Bernie Finn, were first elected to parliament in 1992. The Liberal Partys politicians are too male, too white and too tired. Liberal administrative committee member Paul Mitchell Our ability to develop policy with broad appeal is compromised when the group responsible for making policy - the party room and shadow cabinet - is either not talented as it could be, or unrepresentative of the people we are trying to represent, says Sali Miftari, an up-and-coming Young Liberal in the partys moderate faction. Party sources admit that the Liberals cant expect to win over a new constituency of young people without fresh faces and new ideas. At state assembly on Friday, Bastiaan even threw up a radical idea: changing the Liberal Partys constitution to enshrine fixed terms for sitting MPs in safe seats. The thinking is they should have two terms (eight years) to make the front bench - if not, they should make way for fresh blood. He's also suggested introducing US-style primaries as a way of giving more members outside the branches a say in selecting candidates. On the issue of gender diversity, there is mounting pressure for a dramatic rethink and even for the introduction of quotas. Liberal MPs and senior officials from across the factions are now conceding that affirmative action may be the only way to tackle the partys long-standing women problem. The Liberal Partys politicians are too male, too white and too tired, admits administrative committee member Paul Mitchell, a staunch conservative aligned with Kroger and Bastiaan. In case no one realised, females account for 50 per cent of the population. With limited female representation, how can you expect female voters to identify with brand Liberal? This needs urgently addressing. To Guys credit, he tried. In 2016, he became the first Victorian Liberal leader to set clear targets for womens representation in parliament. In a bid to boost the chances of achieving that goal, he also announced plans for a new group Women To Win headed by Andrea Coote. This group was meant to be responsible for recruiting, training and mentoring women in the hope that more would seek preselection. Guys targets were undermined not long after he announced them, when four Liberal preselections were held in quick succession for the safe seats of Brighton, Sandringham, Nepean and Evelyn. All but one - Evelyn - resulted in men preselected. Years later, the party has again fallen short on gender representation, with some blaming the lack of will among branch members and flaws in the partys preselection system, which some argue doesnt allow enough Liberals outside the branch itself to have a say. Some are calling for an overhaul of the partys architecture, so it no longer favours so-called careerists - those who take up positions as staffers or sit on internal committees to meet more delegates and curry favour for preselection, rather than star recruits with broader life experience. The current flat structure is also vulnerable to branch stacking. We have a preselection system that too often rewards people who have the time to spend a couple of years having regular daytime coffees with branch members, and thats not merit, says Fitzherbert. We need a blunt conversation about what merit really looks like. Some insiders support a return to the old arrangement for preselection where 60 per cent of the vote is local, 40 per cent by state delegates - a system similar to Labors. And then theres the challenge of developing policy that appeals to the middle ground, where elections are won and lost. Its slow and unglamorous work, but as Daniel Andrews knows well, it can make all the difference. As opposition leader in the wake of the Brumby governments 2010 election defeat, Andrews set himself a target: to conduct 100 town hall style community forums in 18 months, giving people the chance to raise issues of importance to them. Experts and researchers were brought in to encourage innovation and fresh thinking. Hotspot issues were fleshed out early, such as tertiary education cuts and job losses. The forums - despite their wishy-washy title Labor Cares - resulted in thousands of conversations that helped shape Andrews election-winning policies in 2014: level crossing removals; restoring TAFE, the family violence royal commission. The next Liberal opposition leader would do well to follow his playbook. What is also clear from the weekend results is that voters are now relaxed about governments spending big on - and borrowing for - infrastructure and services. At what point does loyalty morph into tribalism and the brutal humiliation of anyone who steps out of line? Ask the Liberal Party, which is violently eating itself amid an atmosphere of blame and blind hatred. This week added to the list of transaction costs from Malcolm Turnbulls ousting. Illustration: Reg Lynch Credit: The Liberals dire Victorian election result bred recriminations and spread terror among MPs in danger of losing their seats at the federal election. Minister for Women Kelly ODwyer reportedly told a crisis meeting of federal MPs that the Liberals were widely viewed as homophobic, anti-women, climate-change deniers. Julia Banks, a star recruit for the Liberals and a rare MP who actually had a real job before entering politics, quit and joined the cross bench. She gave a brutal departing speech accusing the party of being captured by its reactionary right wing. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has discussed the investigation into the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in a meeting with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte this weekend, in another step to put pressure on Russia to admit its part in the tragedy. Mr Morrison met Mr Rutte on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires in the wake of the official finding earlier this year that the flight was brought down by a Buk missile traced to a Russian anti-aircraft brigade. Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the family photo at the G20 summit. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The Dutch Prime Minister declared in May that his government would hold Russia formally accountable for the killing of 298 people on board the Boeing 787 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Scott Morrison caused a furore when he rewrote Australian foreign policy in October by raising the idea of moving Australias embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The decision infuriated Palestinians, offended Muslim countries and raised questions about whether the Prime Minister had taken a huge risk on a global policy to gain favour with voters in the Wentworth byelection. Prime Minister Scott Morrison meets with US President Donald Trump while attending the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Now his enthusiasm for the idea is waning. He did not raise the issue in his meeting with Donald Trump at the Group of 20 summit even though the US President has a strong view in favour of moving embassies to Jerusalem. Morrison did not seem to want to talk about it. This is another sign Morrison will want to bury this issue by Christmas. Given the relocation could cost hundreds of millions of dollars, the practical outcome will be to reject the move or put it off to a notional date that will never arrive. An Australian Border Force recruit who took her life left a suicide note alleging problems at work, while compensation claims from officers suffering psychological injury - including depression and anxiety - are rife, confidential documents show. Fairfax Media has also uncovered a culture of bullying and intimidation, as well as badly inadequate training at the Australian Border Force College, which is meant to prepare students for vital frontline jobs in airports, ports and border protection. Fairfax Media has uncovered a culture of bullying and harassment at the Australian Border Force. Credit:Marina Neil The revelations suggest deep problems in the culture, training standards and duty of care to some staff members of the border force, which was created just three years ago when the Abbott Coalition government merged customs, immigration and border operations. The developments follow a wave in recent years of separate abuse and harassment allegations in Australian Defence Force ranks, which led to the establishment of a federal response taskforce and a raft of inquiries. Premier Gladys Berejiklian has rarely let the NSW public into her private life or thoughts. But as she has slowly opened up in recent months, at the urging of Liberal Party elders, Berejiklian has made much of being the daughter of non-English speaking migrants who came to Australia for a better life. Premier Gladys Berejiklian risks giving mixed messages. Credit:AAP As well as being seen as hardworking and disciplined, her migrant background has become one of her defining characteristics. She is rightly proud of her family and their achievements. That is why it was surprising for many, including some of her colleagues, to see her seize on the populist issue of NSW being full. Bob Carr declared Sydney full in 2000 and was criticised for it. Province 2 to review bill on Madrasa Education Board Following widespread criticism, the Province 2 government has decided to review the bill on formation of Madrasa Education Board which, against the constitutional provision, envisioned seeking financial support in gift or grants from domestic or foreign organisations and individuals to fund the Muslim schools. The coroner opened an investigation into the Tottenham incident at the request of the United Firefighters Union and Metropolitan Fire Brigade. Among some of the concerns is that the dumping of chemicals and other toxic materials in rented factories and warehouses has become a new business model in Victorias illicit waste disposal industry, putting emergency services personnel and the public at risk. The fire The Maribyrnong council and Environment Protection Authority conducted an inspection at the 14,000 square metre warehouse in early August, but reportedly found no major issues that suggested chemicals were being inappropriately stockpiled. However, it is understood the building was not meeting fire safety standards despite the council being aware of breaches as far back as mid-2017. At the time of the inspection, the property contained stacks of pallets, wood-chipping products and shipping containers, which were used to create internal walls where space was sub-leased out. Sources say there appeared to be very little activity at the facility and it looked almost abandoned. But in the weeks after the inspection a series of large trailer trucks were observed entering the property. On August 30, around 5am, the MFB responded to reports of a fire on the edge of Tottenham/West Footscray that would eventually grow to involve 140 firefighters and 30 vehicles. Relying on official records about what was inside the warehouse - it was not a registered premises under the Dangerous Goods Act - the MFB established a 500-metre exclusion zone around the fire. Fire crews battle to control a blaze at a warehouse in Tottenham / West Footscray Credit:David Crosling But personnel at the scene soon reported seeing hundreds of large drums inside the burning building, some of which exploded into the air or melted to expose a kind of sludge. We didnt know what was there, that it was actually an illegal dump site. If wed had any idea about the presence of those chemicals we would have created an exclusion zone that was much further back, the source said. EPA testing done at the burned-out warehouse and in nearby Stony Creek has found acetone, oxy-acetylene, benzene, methylethylketone, other industrial solvents, detergents, copper and asbestos. Many are highly toxic and dangerous to human health and the environment. Further analysis is being completed but due to the ferocity of the fire and the current state of the site, it is unlikely EPA will be able to establish a detailed inventory of site contents, EPA chief executive Dr Cathy Wilkinson said. Many of these chemicals are used by heavy industry and are expensive to dispose of at legitimate waste processing facilities, driving a growing market for illicit dumping. Some of them are also known by-products of clandestine methamphetamine labs. Victoria Police has designated the Tottenham fire as suspicious, but the MFB and police have declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. Underworld linked? Among the questions to be probed by investigators is who had access to the property, as well as the links some of these people have to organised crime. Sources say there was a substantial amount of turnover among tenants and sublettors, creating a lengthy list of people with access to the site. One is a convicted drug trafficker, standover man and debt collector with close associations to the Mokbel crime family, headed by jailed kingpin Antonios Fat Tony Mokbel. Figures linked to the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang have also been involved with the property. The warehouse is currently owned by Danbol Pty Ltd, a company registered to Shepparton accountant Christopher James Baldwin. The Sunday Age does not suggest Mr Baldwin, who did not respond to requests for comment, has done anything illegal. However, company records show there is a history of doing business with key figures and associates of the bikie club. Mr Baldwin was once partnered in a now-defunct accountancy firm with Melbourne Hells Angels East County chapter bosses Peter "Skitzo" Hewat and Stephen "Stiffy'' Rogers. Mr Baldwin has registered or acted as an intermediary for other businesses on behalf of bikie associates. Back in January 2011, at the time the contract of sale was signed to buy the Tottenham property, the directors and shareholders of Danbol Pty Ltd were Mr Baldwin and Hells Angels associate Reginald George Roberts. Roberts, who describes himself as a truck driver, relinquished control of the company to Mr Baldwin just months later and was declared bankrupt in 2012. In 2015, Roberts was ordered to pay the Australian Taxation Office $1.5 million after being caught orchestrating a diesel fuel rebate scam involving trucking companies linked to the Hells Angels. He was declared bankrupt for a second time. (In February 2018, Roberts was also charged over a $270 million shipment of methamphetamine concealed inside a crane imported to Adelaide on a cargo ship. In a bizarre coincidence, Roberts has won a $1.33 million lotto jackpot while he was still bankrupt and in custody waiting to face court). In an unrelated investigation, Mr Baldwins current accountancy firm in Shepparton was raided earlier this year as part of an ATO crackdown into alleged phoenix activity, which involves registering a new company to take over the failed business of an earlier company to avoid paying debts. Danbol Pty Ltd and Mr Baldwin had also defaulted on a short-term $300,000 loan that was costing up to $18,000 a month in interest - or a rate of 6 per cent - after failing to make repayments for more than six months. Legal action to recover the $423,000 debt is still listed as under way. The fallout The warehouse on Somerville Road in Tottenham - despite burning down nearly three months ago and being handed back to the owner last month - remains highly contaminated and clean-up is yet to begin. Hundreds of scorched and melted barrels remain exposed to the air in the remnants of the building, which is blocked from public access only by a gate and a warning sign. There remains the risk of toxic run-off from the site after rainfall enters Stony Creek, which flows directly behind the property. The council, EPA and WorkSafe are all involved in developing remediation and safety plans for the site. WorkSafe is assisting local council and government agencies with planning for the recovery, and has visited the site and consulted with duty holders numerous times, a spokeswoman said. The Liberal Partys politicians are too male, too white and too tired, Mr Mitchell said. In case no one realised, females account for 50 per cent of the population. With limited female representation how can you expect female voters to identify with brand Liberal? This needs urgent addressing. Illustration: Matt Golding Credit: By the time votes are counted, it is estimated that less than a third of the Liberals depleted party room will be women. In contrast, Labor looks set to have 35 female MPs (representing 48 per cent of Daniel Andrews team), with half of the Premiers new cabinet made up of women. While most Liberals have resisted affirmative action for years arguing that it undermines merit many warn that without dramatic action a widening gender gap would continue to alienate voters and fuel the perception the party does no represent the broader community. Senior state MP Mary Wooldridge told The Sunday Age: Targets have been set and ignored, so now it appears that some sort of quota is likely to be the only way that we can ensure that more good Liberal women are elected into our parliaments. Former premier Ted Baillieu said he also supported the idea of quotas, but noted it would require much more to reconnect with Victorian voters a process of renewal that he believes could take the party up to eight years. Former backbencher Donna Bauer, who lost her seat of Carrum in 2014 and failed to reclaim it from Labor last weekend, said the ALP had seen a steady increase in female MPs through affirmative action policies introduced in 1994. Liberal candidate for Carrum, Donna Bauer, says it's time for her party to adopt quotas to ensure more women are preselected Credit:Simon Schluter I think its time for us to do similar, she said. Ms Bauer said that while Liberals were inclined to cling to arguments about merit, she had been asked at preselection forums about who would cook meals at home if she were to become an MP. We are so far behind now (in female MP numbers) with the loss of some great women MPs and candidates. Its time for us to have a similar model to Labor and to get more women into parliament. The Liberals have also come under increasing criticism for their treatment of women, particularly after the defection of federal Victorian MP Julia Banks this week following her claims of bullying during Augusts leadership coup. Equally troubling for the party is that female membership has fallen from where it was a decade ago. Figures obtained by The Sunday Age show that of the Liberal Partys 12,000-plus membership across Victoria about 57 per cent are male and in metro Melbourne it is closer to 60 per cent. Yet a Liberal Party review in 2008 recorded male membership statewide at 52 percent and female membership at 48 per cent. As opposition leader, Matthew Guy sought to address the gender imbalance at parliament by setting an ambitious target to boost female representation by 10 percentage points at every election, rising to 37 per cent in 2018, and to almost half by 2022. Former Liberal Party leaders with federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg (second from the right). Credit:Luis Ascui He also outlined plans for a new group, Women To Win, headed by former Liberal MP Andrea Coote, which was meant to be responsible for recruiting, training and mentoring women in hope that more would seek preselection. However, Mr Guys targets were undermined not long after he announced them, when four Liberal preselections were held in quick succession for the safe seats of Brighton, Sandringham, Nepean and Evelyn. All but one, Evelyn, resulted in men being preselected. At the election, the party fell short on gender yet again: so far, only three of the Liberals lower house seats Evelyn, Eildon and South West Coast are held by women along with four in the upper house. Two more lower house seats, Bayswater and Ripon, remain too close to call. Some blame the lack of will among branch members and flaws in the partys pre-selection system, which doesnt allow enough Liberals outside the branch itself to have a say. We have a pre-selection system that too often rewards people who have the time to spend a couple of years having regular daytime coffees with branch members, and thats not merit, says former upper house MP Margaret Fitzherbert, who, despite being seen as a rising star within the party, was overlooked for pre-selection in Brighton in 2016 and lost her seat on Saturday. We need a blunt conversation about what merit really looks like. Loading Former state Liberal president Michael Kroger argued on Thursday that while the lack of women in parliament was a blindingly obvious issue, long-serving party members in safe seats should also consider standing aside in the interest of party renewal. "Since 1904 this seat was held by Labor, so this is historic," he said earlier via a Facebook post. "A few more postal votes were counted this morning, but too few to alter the result ..." This is the second time Dr Read, a Brunswick resident for two decades, has run for the seat. In 2014 he lost to former emergency services minister Jane Garrett, who took 52 per cent of the vote. Ms O'Connor, a union organiser, won Labor preselection in Brunswick after Ms Garrett decided to move to Victoria's upper house. In his post Dr Read thanked Ms Garrett and Ms O'Connor for their hard work and said he looked forward to working "positively" with the Labor government. "I will also work to assist Labor in making good on their local campaign promises," he said. Dr Read has been a sexual health doctor for the past 20 years after heading to Darwin in 1999 to work with AIDS and HIV-infected patients. Before last week's election, the Greens had speculated on possibly holding the balance of power in the Victorian parliament. Instead, Labor is expected to win at least 53 of the lower house's 88 seats, and the Greens are likely to lose MPs rather than gain. Dr Tim Read and Ms Ratnam on Sydney Road, Brunswick, on Saturday afternoon. Credit:Chris Hopkins Ellen Sandell has retained the seat of Melbourne for the Greens. The party also pulled ahead in counting in Prahran, with Sam Hibbins 5844 votes ahead of Liberal rival Katie Allen on preferences. Ms Allen has recorded 2588 more first-preference votes than Mr Hibbins; he is relying on preferences from the Labor candidate to win the seat. "[Sam Hibbins] has been rewarded with a quite significant swing toward him," Ms Ratnam said. "Its very, very close but were waiting in the next few days for that process to progress to a point where Sam can be returned." On Saturday, Ms Ratnam hit back at those who had dismissed her party, following a campaign dogged by controversy. "Every single time people try to tell us the Greens won't win, and every time we defy them." She blamed group voting tickets and preference deals for the party's losses in Victoria's upper house. In the upper house, we have been warning for months the group voting system is distorting democracy," she said. "Its resulting in people being elected on very small votes, dislodging people who have significant votes. Its something we will make a priority for reform. Group voting tickets and the microparties doing deals with each other could mean some very dire results for the upper house, with a very right-wing conservative crossbench. Liberals sweat on Hawthorn, inchahead in Caulfield A number of seats remain in play, with counting still close but favouring Labor in the previously safe Liberal seat of Hawthorn. Loading It comes as Victorian Liberal Party president Michael Kroger resigned at a state assembly meeting on Friday night. Mr Kroger had been under pressure to step aside after his party's disastrous election loss. In Hawthorn, Liberal leadership aspirant John Pesutto trails Labor's John Kennedy by 164 votes. If he can hold his seat, Mr Pesutto is expected to challenge Michael O'Brien for the Liberal next Thursday following Matthew Guy's resignation this week as Opposition leader. In Caulfield, Liberal candidate David Southwick moved ahead of Labor's Sorina Grasso on Saturday evening, polling 338 more votes after trailing her for much of the count. A Liberal loss in Caulfield would be historic, as Labor has never held the seat. It would leave the Liberal Party further stripped of established talent as it seeks to build a team to hold a dominant Labor government to account following Premier Daniel Andrews' landslide win last weekend. In Bayswater, former Liberal minister Heidi Victoria is trailing Labor's Taylor Jackson by 258 votes. The rural seat of Ripon is still neck and neck, with Liberal incumbent Louise Staley overtaking Labor's Sarah De Santis by 83 votes. The Liberals have widened their lead considerably in the northern Victorian seat of Benambra after a big swing towards independent candidate Jacqui Hawkins. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Yunnan, China: There is no internet in Xia Zhongmeis village. Aged five, she wont start school for another two years. Zhongmei, a middle child, will be strong enough at seven to join her sister on the hour-long walk to school. Xia Zhongmei sits at an outdoor furnace in Shanqiao, a village in China's Yunnan province. Credit:Sanghee Liu They leave in the dark and return in the dark, says her mother, Xu Xuanhua, 31, of the muddy trek the children take down the hill to Xinjie town in southern China's impoverished Yunnan province. In the damp, cold fog of autumn, Zhongmei (her name means beautiful middle) wears a mud-smudged pink jacket as she huddles with her family around a fire, potatoes cooking in a pot for lunch. The family grow corn for animal feed and potatoes for themselves. Cash for anything else must be earned by leaving Yunnan and travelling to the wealthy cities where there are jobs. So the adults in the family plant the crops, go away to work, and return for the harvest. It was a bitter experience, says Zhongmei's father, Xia Dayun, 33, recalling his time away in the brick kilns of Xinjiang in Chinas far west. Advertisement 'It was a bitter experience': Xia Dayun, 33, with his wife Xu Xuanhua and their children outside the concrete house built with his earnings from migrant labour in Xinjiang. Credit:Sanghee Liu But with the money he earned, Xia built the family a concrete house in the hillside village where he grew up, and where his elderly father and mother still tend chickens. Things are improving the government built the first sturdy concrete road up the hill last year. Follow the road another four kilometres and you reach the mountain school where the famous Ice Boy caused an internet sensation across China in January. Images of eight-year-old Wang Fuman arriving to class with frosted hair and eyebrows, after walking two hours to school in winter, went viral on social media. The image shocked comfortable, urban China. He was among the 9 million so-called left behind children in rural China who are raised by grandparents because their parents are away earning cash in the cities. Around 61 million rural children have at least one parent working away from home for most of the year. Ice Boy's story highlighted the huge divide in the life prospects of Chinas children depending on where they are born. Forty-two per cent of Chinas 1.3 billion population are rural residents. China has lifted 68.5 million people out of poverty over the past five years, but another 30 million rural households remain below the line. Advertisement The per capita annual disposable income in Beijing is 46,426 Chinese yuan ($9230). But in Yunnan province, it is just 14,187 yuan. The villages Fairfax Media visited are in the hills surrounding Zhaotong city, where 1.13 milion people live below the poverty line, making it one of the poorest regions in China. Near Ice Boys school, Fairfax Media met Xia Dongqiao, 49, as his wife returned from the fields carrying a heavy basket filled with potatoes she had dug from the cold earth. The tree branches are heavy with frost. The wife of Xia Dongqiao returns to their home in Zhuanshanbao village with roughly 40 kilos of potatoes on her back. Credit:Sanghee Liu Inside the family living room, Xias 15-year-old daughter is scowling, as teenagers do, and thirsty for water that has been boiling on the coal-fired stove. The school is close, just five minutes' walk, but Xia says the teenager no longer attends classes. A government education subsidy covers nine years of education so it is rare for local children to continue to high school, he explains. She will have to work. According to a new book, Chinas Invisible Crisis: How a Growing Urban-Rural Divide Could Sink the Worlds Second-Largest Economy, only a third of Chinas workforce has completed high school. Advertisement China faces a shortage of the skilled workers needed for the high-tech industries that its leadership hopes will propel China to become a high-income country like neighbours Japan and South Korea, claims author Scott Rozelle. Xia Dongqiao, 49, in his home in Zhuanshanbao, a village in Ludian County, Yunnan. Credit:Sanghee Liu For Chinas economy to take the next step, it will no longer be good enough to have an army of cheap rural labour making the trek to city factories. If the rural population - not just the offspring of city "tiger mothers" - are taken into account, China has one of the lowest education levels of any country, argues Rozelle, a Stanford University professor. This contradiction - that the worlds second-largest economy remains a developing country with millions of poor - has been thrust into the economic spotlight this month, because it is also at the centre of the bitter trade dispute between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi says China is both innovative and the world's biggest developing nation. Chinese President Xi Jinping with US President Donald Trump in Beijing in November 2017. Credit:AP Advertisement Trump has tweeted that it is "unfair to the US" for China to be considered a developing nation by the World Trade Organisation, because it "therefore gets tremendous perks and advantages, especially over the US". Under World Trade Organisation rules, developing countries have special concessions on intellectual property (IP) protection, in the belief that transferring technology from advanced nations to developing nations is good for productivity. Loading China has a track record of requiring foreign companies, such as carmakers, to form joint ventures to enter its market, a typical scenario where foreign IP has leaked to the local industry. But the Trump administration now views China as a technology rival and wants an end to what it calls technology theft. The US has asked the WTO, how can a nation with the largest number of supercomputers in the world, and the fastest high-speed trains, be a developing country? Xi, in his speech to APEC last week, warned the special treatment of developing countries shouldn't be challenged. Advertisement Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC City officials may scrap a long in-the-works plan to bury two massive sewage tanks beneath Gowanus Canaladjacent land some of which officials recently seized via eminent domain and instead construct a giant tunnel to collect storm-water runoff in the cisterns place, according to Feds with the Environmental Protection Agency. Recently weve had the city approach us to advance a concept of replacing a tank with an alternate structure, a tunnel or series of tunnels, agency employee Pete Lopez told members of the Gowanus Community Advisory Group at a Nov. 27 meeting. Thats newly on our desk we are trying to understand the pros and cons of that. The plan to install the eight- and four-million-gallon water-storage tanks is part of the Superfund sites federally led cleanup, and the city first announced it back in 2013. Earlier this year, Council in April signed off on the use of eminent domain to seize neighboring Butler and Nevins street lots along the waterway as the site for the larger tank and a filtration facility called a headhouse above it. And in May, officials from the citys Department of Environmental Protection unveiled designs for the headhouse which will go up on the Butler Street land where the ancient Gowanus Station building currently stands and an adjacent open-air public space on the Nevins Street plot, along with plans to bury the smaller tank on city-owned land near Second Avenue and the Fourth Street Turning Basin. But now, the environmental agency wants to ditch its cistern scheme, and instead build one long tunnel 125 to 150 feet below the dirt, which would run along the path of the fetid waterway from beneath the headhouse to the proposed site of the smaller tank. The tube would function similarly to the tanks, collecting storm-water and liquid-waste from local pipes that would otherwise flood the canal during heavy rains, after the filthy wet stuff is filtered through the headhouse. But the tunnel could hold roughly 16-million gallons of water four million more than the tanks can accommodate, according to a city engineer. What we have essentially proposed is a tunnel that basically starts at [the land] that we recently acquired then wed bore towards the other site, said Department of Environmental Protection official Kevin Clarke. The storage volume would be more than the combined storage of the two tanks. The city proposed swapping tanks for tunnel to try and shave some costs off the project, as well as to reduce the amount of construction involved and to build infrastructure that can store more water, according to Clarke. To be perfectly honest, it came down to cost, he said. As that cost continued to increase, the tunnel looked more attractive. That was a lot of our motivation, potentially pivoting to the tunnel could add some benefits to scalability, additional [sewage and water] capture, potentially less footprint. The original plan, including the land acquisition, construction of the headhouse, creation of the public space, and installation of both tanks, would cost a whopping $1.2 billion. Clarke, however, did not give a price tag for the tunnel. One local member of the Advisory Group cheered the tube proposal, because he said it could help preserve the Gowanus Station building most of which is now slated for the wrecking ball, except for parts of its brick facade that officials said they will incorporate into the future headhouse. Obviously moving everything 20 feet south and saving the whole building, I think would be the entire [adivsory groups] preference, said Peter Reich. If were going conceptual after years of frustration about exactly what piece furniture can go on top of the tank, and now there is no tank, wed really love to save the building and reconsider the placement of everything just a little bit. But others questioned the citys motives for proposing what is essentially an entirely new project after spending years peddling their previous billion-dollar tank plan. It is surprising to hear of this immensely ambitious project this late, Mark Karkowski said during the meeting. Officials did not give a deadline for their decision on the tunnel versus the tanks, but must make up their minds soon to prevent further delays to the slow-going cleanup of Brooklyns Nautical Purgatory, according to an Environmental Protection Agency bigwig, who said engineers are already at work on designs for the cisterns. The design would have to be made in the relatively near future because whatever delay might occur by switching horses in the middle of the stream obviously would be exacerbated if we dont make that decision, said Walter Mugdan. Designs for the tanks will proceed. If the city on its own is choosing to now flesh out a design for the tunnel, that is its own prerogative. Employees of Indian company Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) taken hostage by local staff in Ethiopia fear for their safety, with some being confined to a company campus north of the African nation's capital Addis Ababa. India has asked Ethiopian authorities to investigate and help the seven IL&FS employees who say they are being held by local staff due to non-payment of salaries by the debt-laden firm, an Indian government official said on Saturday. A group of four employees has not been allowed to leave an IL&FS campus in Bure town, 400 km (250 miles) ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Ruling party leaders express fury at NGO conference Following widespread criticism from various quarters of its unnecessary involvement in an NGOs summit, the government is under fire even from the leaders of the ruling party. Marriott International Inc said on Friday that hackers accessed up to 500 million customer records in its Starwood Hotels reservation system in an attack that began four years ago, exposing data including passport numbers and payment cards. Shares were down 5.7 percent in late afternoon trade on news of the hack, one of the largest in history, which prompted regulators in Britain and at least five U.S. states to launch investigations. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it was looking into the attack on Starwood, whose brands include Sheraton, St. Regis, W and Westin ... While the #MeToo movement has raised awareness about the harassment women face every day, it relates only to women who were allowed to be born not aborted before birth or allowed to die soon after. We cannot lose sight of the missing women, whom Amartya Sen first drew our attention to in 1990. The evidence on missing women Sens argument is quite simple: Girls tend to have a higher survival rate than boys, since they are hardier and more resistant to disease. Given the same care, the women to men ratio should be higher than 1, as one ... Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese premier Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday held a trilateral meeting, the second among the three countries after a gap of 12 years, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here to discuss cooperation in various areas. The Russia-India- meeting came hours after Prime Minister Modi, his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump held their first trilateral meeting on the margins of the summit. "Deepening engagement with valued development partners. President Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping and PM @narendramodi participate in the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral in Buenos Aires. @KremlinRussia," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted. "2nd Russia-India- 'RIC' Trilateral Summit took place in Buenos Aires after a gap of 12 years. In a meeting characterised by warmth and positivity, leaders discussed cooperation and coordination in various areas which could contribute to global peace and stability," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Twitter. Earlier in the day, India, Japan and the US discussed major issues of global and multilateral interests in their first trilateral meeting, which assumed importance in the wake of flexing its muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. At the meeting, underscored its firm commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic growth. Asserting that will "continue to work together on shared values", Modi said, "When you look at the acronym of our three countries -- Japan, America, and -- it is 'JAI', which stands for success in Hindi. Come next year, India will have its first marketplace for intellectual properties (IPs), where innovators can promote their ideas and innovations to receive patents, and can even trade those with willing investors. This initiative is being undertaken by the government of Karnataka, considered one of the leaders in the technology space. Currently, India doesn't have any such platform and, globally, there are very few privately-run platforms. According to sources in the know, the platform will be supported by blockchain technology to ensure transparency, and protection against ... Smartphone market heats up in Nepal As smartphone manufacturers continue to cram the latest and greatest technological innovations in a bid to win market share, customers can be overwhelmed by the wide range of options available in the local market. president Rahul Gandhi Saturday accused Prime Minister of shaping the Army's 2016 across the LoC into a "political asset" and being "unsuccessful" in creating job opportunities for the youth. Addressing a gathering at Udaipur in poll-bound Rajasthan, he also claimed that non-performing assets (NPA) of banks was Rs 2 trillion during UPA rule and it rose to Rs 12 trillion during the government at the Centre. "The government waived loans of 15 to 20 industrialists. Banking system is concentrated only for them. NPA is not of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, traders, doctors or lawyers," Gandhi said. Referring to the surgical strikes on terror pads across the LoC on September 29, 2016, he told the gathering, "Like during the government, was conducted thrice during Manmohan Singh government. Are you aware of it? Modi actually reached into the Army's domain and shaped into a political asset." The president alleged that the surgical strike was made public as the was fighting elections in Uttar Pradesh. On demonetisation and the GST implementations, Gandhi claimed that people have confusion about these. Read our full coverage on Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2018 "It was a scam, which opened doors for big companies. Demonetisation and the GST shattered the economy and broke common man's back. It opened doors for big companies," he said, alleging that the government at the centre failed to create job opportunities for the youth. When asked about data privacy, Gandhi said IT companies have understood that India and China has large data. "Data should remain with people and not crony capitalists. That is our belief," he said. Claiming that even though India has medical insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat, it does not have good hospitals, the chief said, "We cannot run the country without pumping money into public health and education sectors." He said, "India will surpass China if we have the right government for next 15-20 years. Respect those who have skills, India will surpass China." "China has a lead but we have not lost the competition," he said. president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday held Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies responsible for unemployment in the country. Addressing a public meeting at Bhilwara in the Mewar region of poll-bound Rajasthan, he claimed that the decisions to implement and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) had left lakhs of Indians unemployed. Referring to four youngsters committing suicide allegedly for being unemployed in Alwar district, Gandhi said it gave a message that Chief Minister and Prime Minister Modi had failed to give employment to the youth. "Four youngsters committing suicide has given a message to Chief Minister and Prime Minister Modi that they could not give employment. "Pradhan Mantriji, Vasundharaji, listen to the 'mann ki baat' of the youth. There is only question on their mind...give them employment," he said. The president alleged that on one hand, the government did not give jobs to the youth and on the other hand, it was responsible for the losses caused to them due to the implementation of the and "Modi destroyed the small traders and shopkeepers by implementing the and Lakhs of people lost their jobs due to Modi's policy," he said. Read our full coverage on Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2018 Gandhi highlighted two major problems -- employment for the youth and a better future for the farmers of the country and the state -- saying both were challenges before the country. He said if voted to power in Rajasthan, the would focus on these problems, besides the issue of farm loan waiver and free treatment for all. State Congress chief Sachin Pilot and former Rajasthan chief minister and senior party leader Ashok Gehlot were also present on the occasion. The 200-member Rajasthan Assembly will go to the polls on December 7 and the results will be announced on December 11. The government has run several programmes, hundreds of NGOs have created awareness about HIV/AIDS, yet there remains a significant gap when it comes to people living with HIV (PLHIV) getting the right treatment, largely because of the persisting stigma and a lack of knowledge. On the eve of World AIDS Day, experts said apart from the government it was also up to the PLHIV themselves to tell their stories to encourage more number of affected people to come out and receive treatment. This would also help uproot the stigma, they added. Mona Balani, a PLHIV activist working with ... George Bush, the 41st president of the United States and the father of the 43rd, who steered the nation through a tumultuous period in world affairs but was denied a second term after support for his presidency collapsed under the weight of an economic downturn and his seeming inattention to domestic affairs, died on Friday. He was 94. His death, which was announced by his office, came less than eight months after that of his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush. Mr. Bush had a form of Parkinsons disease that forced him to use a wheelchair or motorized scooter in recent years, ... To travel is to live To fuel your soul, you must travel. Run to the places where only your feet can take you. Meet creatures along the way and listen to them whisper. Explore nature far from where all worries lie, just to sleep in her lap. Only then, can you dream with your eyes open. A Sino-US showdown on trade loomed Saturday as G20 leaders wrapped up tense summit talks with a rare show of unity over the death of former president George Bush. There was an implicit contrast in some of the tributes offered at the Buenos Aires summit between Bush and the current White House occupant, Donald Trump, whose disruptive brand of diplomacy has stoked the deepest divisions in the G20's 10-year history. "He was a world leader, who strongly supported the alliance with Europe," said French President Emmanuel Macron, who has been lobbying other G20 leaders to carve out a 19 v 1 statement on climate change excluding Trump. British Prime Minister Theresa May lauded the late Bush as "a great statesman and a true friend of our country," words that few observers in Britain would apply to Trump. Trump himself said Bush had "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service." There was no immediate comment in Buenos Aires from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who regards the breakup of the Soviet Union under Bush's presidency as a historical "tragedy." Bush also served as US envoy to China in the 1970s as the countries were establishing relations. Chinese President was also yet to comment, as he prepared to dine with Trump later Saturday for a large helping of debate on trade tariffs. With markets watching nervously, Trump has described the Xi encounter as a deadline for China to meet his demands or risk even further pressure. The summit itself has been struggling to carve out any accord on climate change or countering trade protectionism, while hot-button disputes surrounding Ukraine and Saudi Arabia loom large. Trump, who has already slapped USD 250 billion in tariffs on China and threatened more to come next month, sounded upbeat about making progress with Xi. "We're working very hard. If we could make a deal, that would be good," Trump told reporters Friday as he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the G20. "I think they want to, and I think we'd like to. And we'll see," the president said. Trump has thrown out the traditional US playbook on free trade since his shock 2016 election, vowing to protect forgotten workers and put "America First." Xi has, in turn, cast himself as a defender of stable global capitalism, a startling transformation for the leader of a communist state whose entry into the World Trade Organisation less than two decades ago was controversial. In a speech to fellow G20 leaders, Xi said that the major economies "should firmly uphold free trade and the rules-based multilateral trading system." But in a rhetorical olive branch to Trump, Xi pledged to do more to open up China's economy. "China will continue to deepen market-oriented reform, protect property rights and intellectual property rights, encourage fair competition and do more to expand imports," he said. Trump has accused China of rampant theft of US technology and demanded that the emerging power end its requirements that foreign companies team up with local partners. The state-run China Daily said that the Pacific powers could strike a deal in Buenos Aires but warned the United States against pushing too hard on technology. "Should there be any other aspirations, such as taking advantage of the trade spat to throttle Chinese growth, then an agreement is unlikely to be reached," the newspaper said in an editorial Friday. "But a good deal means both sides walking away happy. The US should give its habitual winner-take-all approach to relations the weekend off," it said. Trump counted a victory Friday for his brash strategy as the United States, Canada and Mexico signed a new trade deal, a successor to the North American Free Trade Agreement. While short of the complete rewrite of once promised by Trump, he hailed the new United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement as an "incredible milestone." A substantive deal between the United States and China could mark a major feat for the G20 summit, where expectations for collective action have been low. With Trump feuding with close US allies, not least on climate change, two major summits this year ended without once-routine statements -- those of the Group of Seven democracies and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Trump has decided to pull the United States from the Paris accord on curbing carbon emissions, despite mounting warnings from scientists leading up to a UN climate summit starting next week in Poland. Trump called off talks with Putin at the G20 summit, officially due to outrage over Moscow's naval skirmishes with Ukraine. But Trump is also under mounting pressure at home in an investigation over whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia -- a topic sure to dominate his press conference shortly before he sits down with Xi. Its hard to say what was worse: the shameless and farcical framing of a helpless stream of people as a national security threat, or the presidents off-hand suggestion that these people might actually be funded by the prime villain of most anti-Semitic conspiracy theories: George Soros. Few commentators have failed to point out the obvious effects of this gutter-politics playbook: the debasement of public discourse on immigration policy; the wink-and-nudge of ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor A no-deal Brexit would leave both the EU and UK at greater risk of terror attacks, security minister Ben Wallace has warned in a speech in London. He went on to add that threats that begin in Europe can quickly reach the shores of the UK. The speech came as part of a series of interviews to gather support for prime minister Theresa Mays Brexit deal before it goes to the House of Commons for a vote. The concern seems to be that, if MPs reject the deal on the table, the UK would be locked out of EU-wide security databases after ... On the outskirts of City, the love Kuwaitis have for former US President George H.W. Bush could be seen in 2016 on a billboard one Bedouin family put up to announce their son's wedding. That son being Bush al-Widhan, born in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War that saw US-led forces expel the occupying Iraqi troops of dictator "He was a real man, a lion," said Mubarak al-Widhan, the father of the Kuwaiti Bush, of the American president. "He stood for our right for freedom, and he gave us back our country." With Bush's death, his legacy across the takes root in that 100-hour ground war that routed Iraqi forces. That war gave birth to the network of military bases America now operates across the Persian Gulf supporting troops in Afghanistan and forces fighting against the Islamic State group in and Syria. However, Bush ultimately would leave the Shiite and Kurdish insurgents he urged to rise up against Saddam in 1991 to face the dictator's wrath alone, leading to thousands of deaths. That mixed picture only extends to the presidency of his son, George W Bush, who ordered the 2003 US-led invasion of that overthrew Saddam, whom he once famously described as "the guy who tried to kill my dad one time." "I feel tension in the stomach and in the neck ... but I also feel a certain calmness when we talk about these matters," the elder Bush once said about the 1991 Gulf War, according to biographer Jon Meacham. "I know I am doing the right thing." invaded on Aug. 2, 1990, angry that the tiny neighbor and the United Arab Emirates had ignored OPEC quotas, which Saddam claimed cost his nation $14 billion. Saddam also accused of stealing $2.4 billion by pumping crude from a disputed oil field and demanded that Kuwait write off an estimated $15 billion of debt that Iraq had accumulated during its 1980s war with Iran. A World War II fighter pilot shot down fighting against the Japanese, Bush came to view Saddam as similar to Adolf Hitler, a madman who seized neighboring Kuwait and could plunge the world into conflict if he continued into Saudi Arabia. With Vietnam still a potent memory, Bush rallied together a coalition of nations to back the US as it deployed troops to the region and began bombing runs. He talked Israel out of retaliating for Iraqi Scud missiles attacks for fear of alienating Arab allies. "This will not stand. This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait," Bush famously warned. And it didn't. On February 24, 1991, US troops and their allies stormed into Kuwait. It ended 100 hours later. America suffered only 148 combat deaths during the whole campaign, while over 20,000 Iraqi soldiers were killed. In the aftermath of the campaign, some called for Bush to continue into Iraq and topple Saddam. Bush in speeches encouraged Iraqis to rise up against the dictator, while privately hoping someone within his own military would depose him. "To occupy Iraq would shatter our coalition, turning the whole Arab world against us, and make a broken tyrant into a latter-day Arab hero," Bush later said. "It would have taken us way beyond the imprimatur of law, ... assigning young soldiers to a fruitless hunt for a securely entrenched dictator and condemning them to fight in what would be an unwinnable urban guerrilla war." That hesitation allowed Saddam to regain the upper hand against insurgents and caused a refugee crisis in Iraq's northern Kurdish region. The dictator tauntingly installed a tile mosaic of a scowling likeness of the president at the door of Baghdad's al-Rashid Hotel, which forced entering foreign dignitaries to often step on his face just above its "Bush is criminal" caption. Even Iran, which hated Saddam for starting their 1980s war, remained suspicious of Bush despite his pledge of "good will begets good will." Iran leaned on Lebanon's Shiite militants to help win the release American hostages like Terry Anderson of The Associated Press, but relations went no further. One of Bush's last acts as president, pardoning former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and others for their role in the Iran-Contra scandal, an offshoot of that hostage crisis. Still, Bush's decisions in the 1991 war and its aftermath echo even now. The Kurdish crisis gave birth to the U.S.-imposed no-fly zone in northern Iraq that allowed the Kurds to flourish into the semi-autonomous region now demanding independence. Defence agreements with Gulf nations grew into a series of major military installations across the region. And the presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia, home to the Muslim world's holiest sites, served as a chief complaint of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden ahead of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. His son would launch the 2003 invasion of Iraq after 9/11 and become so hated in the Arab world an Iraq journalist would even throw a shoe at him during a news conference. But the elder Bush remained beloved, perhaps nowhere more than Kuwait, where Americans even today can get hugged while walking down the street. A group of Kuwaiti officials including the country's National Assembly speaker met with the former president in October 2017 to wish him well. Today, the former president's Kuwaiti namesake Bush al-Widhan is happily married and works in the country's National Guard. His name still fascinates others. "I went with my father to Cleveland, Ohio, last year ... and the passport control clerk asked me about the name," al-Widhan recounted. Two females of the menstruating age group from Andhra Pradesh, who were on their way to Kerala's Sabarimala temple on Saturday returned midway after facing protests. The Kerala police said that they were neither informed about this journey nor the women had asked for security. The police added that they have detained three men for blocking their way. Earlier, activist Trupti Desai was also forced to return to Pune without visiting the holy shrine owing to protests against her visit. Till now, no woman has entered the hill-top temple despite Supreme Court's September 28 order that lifted the ban on the entry between the age group of 10 to 50 years inside the temple. The Sabarimala temple and surrounding areas witnessed a string of protests recently over the apex court's decision. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The alarmingly high rates of air pollution in the capital have raised great concerns for the people as well as the state administration. The present levels of particulate matter in the atmosphere are sufficient to contribute towards depleting health standards and high level of toxicity in the air with dangerous gasses. According to the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the Air Quality Index of the capital in the morning was recorded 346, falling in the 'very poor' category. The AQI between the range of 51 to 100 is considered as satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 falls under the category of poor. 300-400 is considered as 'very poor' and range between 401-500 falls under the category as 'hazardous'. The forecasting agency has also predicted that the air quality is likely to remain in the same category with a slight decline by tomorrow due to enhanced wind speed. "However, it is likely to increase thereafter for the next two days to register in the upper range of very poor level. This deteriorating AQI on 2-3 December is mainly due to expected adverse meteorological conditions and a decline in wind speed. the contribution from long-range dust or stubble biomass is negligible," it added. In order to combat the menace of air pollution, Pollution (prevention and control) Authority (EPCA) had laid down a suggestion for the state governments of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, and the Centre, to follow priority measures to accelerate second generation reforms to protect public health in the affected regions. In its letter, the EPCA had stated that a long-term favourable taxation policy should be implemented to promote CNG programme. Secondly, the organisation wants state administrations to impose an additional 30 per cent compensation charge on private diesel cars. Third, to increase parking charges effectively; demarcate legal parking areas and impose a higher penalty for illegal parking to cut congestion through on-street parking and fourth to implement daily air quality index and health advisory for public information immediately. In its guidelines, the EPCA for the Capital Region urged people to participate in combating the pollution crisis. In its note, the organisation has advised people to reduce the use of private vehicles. "Use public transport or other means. As per the latest report of the Union government, vehicles contribute some 40 per cent of the pollution in Delhi city," it stated. "Ensure that we do not burn garbage and we report all instances of garbage burning and other pollution carefully and responsibly on the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) Facebook/Twitter accounts. It is essential that we control local sources of pollution at this time so that the crisis is managed," it added. (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 Friday advised government officials on introducing electric vehicles in the state to prevent pollution and to maintain the quality of air. "Electric vehicles would be introduced in the state to eradicate pollution. The partnership of public and private sector is very important," Naidu said at the District Collectors' conference. Stressing on the creation and implementation of the several government schemes, Naidu said, "Just introducing good schemes are not good enough. Satisfaction among people should be at the same level. It is our duty to identify the errors beforehand. If all government branches work together, the satisfaction among people would definitely be great." At the conference, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister stated that the teams of planning officers have explained him the progress of various welfare schemes. "The share of liabilities in Telangana Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) grew by 12.7 per cent to 22.2 per cent by 2017-18. In Andhra Pradesh, the share of liabilities in GSDP declined from 36.4 per cent in 2016-17 to 27.3 per cent in 2017-18," he added. Naidu further emphasised the need for the digital world. "By making online all government sectors, more services can be offered to people that could help in creating ease of living," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Social activist Anna Hazare on Saturday said that he would be forced to launch a hunger strike at his village Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra from January 30, 2019, on 71st death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, to protest against the non-appointment of Lokpal, Lokayuktas despite repeated assurances by the government. Hazare has written to Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh, accusing the Central government of making excuses to avoid the appointment of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the states. "The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act was passed in 2013. People of the country were hopeful about the appointment of Lokpal and Lokayukta to arrest widespread corruption. However, there was a change of power and Narendra Modi government came to power. After Modi government came to power, we wrote thirty times to the government for appointment of Lokpal, Lokayuktas. However, Modi ji did not even send a reply," reads the letter. "Initially, Modi government said the Lokpal could not be appointed as there was no leader of the opposition. Later the government started saying since there was no imminent jurist in the selection committee. Therefore, Lokpal, Lokayuktas could not be appointed. Appointment of Lokpal kept getting postponed on some or the other excuse," the letter adds. "The Supreme Court has admonished Modi government many times and has asked for the appointment of Lokpal and Lokayuktas at the earliest. However, with some or the other excuse the appointment of Lokpal, Lokayukta has not taken place. The present government has spent four years in making excuses," Hazare further states in the letter. The social activist said that as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government intentionally did not appoint Lokpal, Lokayuktas in four years, he sat on a fast at the Ramlila Maidan on March 23, 2018, but called it off later when the Prime Minister's Office on March 29, gave a written assurance that his demand would be fulfilled. "On the written assurance while breaking my fast I had given time to the Modi government through Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis that if the Lokpal, Lokayuktas were not appointed by October 2, 2018, birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the protest will again start," Hazare writes in the letter. "On October 2, 2018, my protest was to start from my village Ralegan Siddhi, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and other Ministers again assured me that the appointment of Lokpal, Lokayuktas was at the final stage. I decided to give one more chance and wait till 30 Jan 2019. Reason being, it was not my personal matter but the matter concerning people of the country. I gave time again and again since I had trust that matters could be solved through discussions. But now I feel that this is deceiving people of the country," he further wrote in the letter. Hazare said that despite being in power for more than four years, the Prime Minister Modi government is not appointing Lokpal, Lokayuktas. He also said that the present government does not have intentions of appointing Lokpal Lokayuktas. "It has been my belief that it is fortunate to die for the country rather than dying out of heart attack. You and your government must complete the written assurances given on March 29, 2018, or else I would be starting my protest from January 30, 2019, from my village Ralegan Siddhi," Hazare has stated in the letter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Writing on the wall Sneha Shrestha has seemingly done it all. Shes gone from painting murals on the streets of Kathmandu to painting murals for Facebook. Shes designed t-shirts and tank tops for Reebok, beer can labels for Aeronaut Brewery and painted the offices of TripAdvisor. Offering prayers at the Mahakal Temple here on Friday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that he is hopeful of forming the government again in the state with a 'stunning majority'. "Bharatiya Janata Party will form the government in Madhya Pradesh with a stunning majority," Chouhan told the media here after his visit to the temple. He added that he often visits the temple to seek blessings with his family. The state went for voting on November 28, and the results will be announced on December 11. As many as 2,899 candidates were in the fray including 250 female and five third gender candidates. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC) on Saturday approved procurements of about Rs 3000 crores including BrahMos Missiles for two Indian Navy ships, and Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs) for Indian Army's Main Battle Tank Arjun. The DAC meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. As a follow up of the Cabinet Committee on Security's (CCA) decision in October this year for the procurement of four P1135.6 Follow-on Ships, the DAC granted approval for procurement the indigenous BrahMos Missiles for two Indian Navy Ships to be built in Russia as primary weapon on board these ships. The indigenously designed BrahMos Missile is a tested and proven supersonic cruise missile. The DAC also approved the procurement of ARVs for the Indian Army's MBT Arjun. These are designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and would be manufactured by Indian Public Sector Undertaking, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). ARVs ensure efficient and speedy repair and recovery operations during combat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Paul Walker's 'Fast & Furious' family paid tributes to the actor on his fifth death anniversary. Walker, 40, tragically died in a car crash on November 30, 2013 and since then, his co-stars have always taken out time to remember him from time to time. Since Friday marked five years of his sudden demise, Vin Diesel, Tyrese Gibson, and Jordana Brewster, shared heartfelt posts - dedicated to their late co-star - on social media. "5 years ago today we all woke up to a nightmare," Gibson wrote in the caption of the post. "Believe me it's still very real for all of us that knew him and loved him personally.. Something that would make you smile today.. His I am Paul Walker Documentary was just released today on itunes... Please keep praying for the WALKER family especially his daughter @meadowwalker who's one of the strongest most resilient angels out there." Brewster - who played Mia Toretto, Walker's character's love interest in the frnchise - also shared a picture of Walker on Instagram, writing, "5 years without you today. I miss you. I love you." The 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage' actor posted a piece of art featuring himself looking up at Walker with the text "Always in our hearts." . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a bilateral meeting with Chile President Sebastian Pinera on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 summit in Argentina, wherein the two discussed issues pertaining to enhancing partnerships in a number of spheres like trade, agriculture, healthcare, etc. Taking to his Twitter account, Prime Minister Modi expressed his delight over the meeting with the head of India's "valued partner in Latin America." "Delighted to meet President @sebastianpinera. Chile is a valued partner in Latin America. There is a strong potential to deepen partnership in areas such as trade, agriculture, energy, healthcare as well as science and technology. This augurs well for the people of our nations," the Prime Minister tweeted. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Ravish Kumar also tweeted about the meeting, saying that the two leaders held discussions on enhancing cooperation in a number of key bilateral interests. "PM @narendramodi had a good meeting with President of Chile Sebastian Pinera on the sidelines of the #G20Summit. Leaders discussed enhancing cooperation in trade & investment, health, space and people-to-people relationship," the MEA spokesperson tweeted. Earlier today, the Prime Minister participated in the first-ever Japan-India-US trilateral summit on the sidelines of the second day of the G20 summit, an international forum bringing together the 20 leading and emerging economies of the to discuss key global economic issues. Prime Minister Modi also attended the Russia-India-China (RIC) Informal summit, the first such meeting since the 2006 RIC summit held in Saint Petersburg, and addressed the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Leaders' Informal Meeting earlier today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar's former Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma, who is an accused in an Arms Act case in connection with Muzaffarpur Shelter Home rape incident, on Saturday, claimed that she was being unnecessarily harassed just because she belonged to Kushwaha community and was a woman. Verma told the media, "Why am I being tortured for the past four months? I am being victimised because I belong to a weaker community because I am from the Kushwaha community and am a woman. I want to ask the government, people of India and all the opposition leaders to tell me what my fault is. The Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating the matter and I am certain that they will do their job well." Verma and her husband Chandrasekhar Verma have been sent to jail after they were produced before a Court earlier on Saturday. Verma had surrendered before a Begusarai court on November 20. In November, a non-bailable warrant was issued against her after 50 live cartridges were seized from her residence during a raid by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case. The Supreme Court on October 31 this year had also rapped the Bihar Police for its failure in arresting the former minister, who came under scrutiny after the disclosure that her husband Chandrashekhar Verma allegedly had links with Brajesh Thakur, the prime accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home rapes. The case pertains to the alleged sexual harassment of 44 girls residing at the state-run shelter home. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that in a global environment, where "increasing geopolitical tensions have put immense pressure on global governance," there is increased responsibility on powers like India, China and Russia to maintain multilateralism and emphasise on respecting and implementing international laws. Addressing the Russia-India-China (RIC) Informal Summit on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here, Prime Minister Modi thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for taking the initiative to organise the summit, saying that it gives an opportunity to "discuss the upcoming challenges for the in a clear and independent manner". Speaking on the challenges the is currently facing, the Prime Minister said, "There is no doubt that the world is going through extraordinary change and uncertainty. The increasing geopolitical tensions have put immense pressure on global governance. Multilateralism and rule-based order are being rapidly disturbed by unilateralism and compact groups, the adverse effects of which are suffered by the people everywhere." He further stated that "non-UN mandated sanctions" and "protectionism" are prime examples of the same. Addressing issues of economic interest and climate change, the Prime Minister said, "World Trade Organisation's Doha development agenda has been stalled and we have not seen financial commitment for the developing countries from the developed countries at an expected level since the Paris Accords. Climate justice is being weakened in this way. We are far from the goals of sustainable development." He highlighted four crucial aspects for RIC to work on - regional and global stability, economic prosperity, experience sharing on matters of mutual benefit, and support for tackling new and emerging challenges. Prime Minister Modi also agreed with Putin's views that such meetings, on the sidelines of international forums, should be held on a more regular basis. "The call of the hour is for the three of us to join hands and execute our responsibility in the world, and, through our relations, ensure progress and development," the Prime Minister said. Briefing the media, Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that the meeting was "warm and positive". "All three leaders felt that given our (RIC's) respective roles as emerging economies and markets and influence in terms of maintaining peace and stability in the region, it was perhaps important that the three countries should cooperate and coordinate in various areas in order to contribute to global peace and prosperity," Gokhale said. The Foreign Secretary further stated that the three leaders agreed to work together on disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, counter-terrorism, and to steer global economic governance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a three-day official visit to Argentina to attend the ongoing G20 summit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday confirmed that India will host the G20 summit in the year 2022 when the country will complete 75 years of independence. The Prime Minister made the announcement at the concluding session on the third day of the G20 Summit in Argentina. Originally slated to host the summit in the year 2021, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude towards Italy for accepting their request to host the G20 in 2022. "It is India's 75th Independence Day in 2022 and we had requested Italy if we can get 2022 instead of 2021 (for hosting the G20 summit). They accepted our request, and everyone else also accepted it. I'm grateful and I invite leadership from across the to come to India in 2022." Taking to his Twitter account, Prime Minister said, "In 2022 India completes 75 years since Independence. In that special year, India looks forward to welcoming the to the G-20 Summit! Come to India, the world's fastest-growing large economy! Know India's rich history and diversity, and experience the warm Indian hospitality." Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also tweeted about India "Playing hosts in 2022!" "Playing hosts in 2022! At the concluding session of #G20Argentina, PM @narendramodi announced that coinciding with our 75th anniversary of independence, India will host the #G20Summit in 2022," the MEA spokesperson tweeted. The G20 Summit is an international forum bringing together the 20 leading and emerging economies of the world, that account for 85 per cent of the world's economy and over two-thirds of the population, to hold discussions over tackling the various economic challenges in the Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi met President of European Council Donald Tusk and the President of European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker on the final day of the summit. He also met Argentina President Argentina Mauricio Macri over breakfast at his official residence. The two leaders held discussions on bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture and food processing, space, defence, oil and gas, and civil nuclear energy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The latest show of camaraderie between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has sent Twitterverse into a tizzy, with many claiming that the handshake or 'bro down' was well-thought out before time! US President Donald Trump could be seen walking into the G20 summit in the background, in a post made by a Twitter user 'HAWK1': Twitter user and journalist Richard Hall floated the idea that the handshake was "arranged beforehand": Meanwhile, Philipp Liesenhoff, another Twitter user, mentioned that the handshake between Putin and MBS happened after Trump briefly met with MBS: Democrat strategist Peter Daou said the handshake seemed to be an "inside joke" The handshake comes at a time when there has been rising furore regarding a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) report that hints at MBS' hand in Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing. The US president has refused to confirm the findings, while continuously reiterating the importance of having Saudi Arabia as an ally. Meanwhile, there are tense relations between USA and Russia at the moment due to incidents which transpired in the Kerch Strait, which led to Trump cancelling his planned meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the ongoing G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has coined an interesting term for the newly formed Japan-India-United States of America partnership to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Using initials of each of the three nations, the Prime Minister coined the term "JAI" (Japan-America-India), which in the Hindi language translates to success or victory. The Prime Minister said that the acronym sends a positive message at the outset of the new partnership's ventures to maintain peace, stability and prosperity across the Addressing the media ahead of the first-ever trilateral meeting held between the two nations, Prime Minister Modi said, "I think this is a very good occasion for our three countries, which have shared democratic values. Japan, America, India together will be playing a big role together for peace, prosperity and stability. I am also happy that both the countries are our strategic partners, both of them are very good friends, and it is a matter of good fortune that we will work together." Following the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that the three nations agreed that a free, open, inclusive and rules-based order is essential for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. While saying that meeting was "very good", the Foreign Secretary said that both US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised Prime Minister Modi for the reforms and the development work he has implemented in India. The Prime Minister is on a three-day trip to Argentina to attend the ongoing G20 summit, an international forum bringing together the 20 leading and emerging economies of the to discuss key global economic issues. Apart from meeting a host of prominent world leaders, Prime Minister Modi attended the Russia-India-China (RIC) Informal summit, the first such meeting since the 2006 RIC summit held in Saint Petersburg, and addressed the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Leaders' Informal Meeting earlier today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Preparations are in full swing in Mithilanchal in Nepal's Janakpur region for the upcoming Bibaha Panchami celebrations - observed traditionally to celebrate the marriage of Lord Ram and Sita. "Bibaha Panchami is one of the festivals celebrated with great zeal. This tradition of celebrating Lord Ram and Sita's marriage has been followed for a long time. Every year thousands of pilgrims come here to be part of the festivities. We have been celebrating this festival for a week annually, in which thousands of people including saints, priests and pilgrims come here as Barati," Deputy Mahanta of the Janaki Temple Ram Roshan Das said. "This year's biggest achievement is the participation of the representatives from Nepal and Indian governments as 'Baratis' during this spiritual and cultural festival," Das added. With less than two weeks left for the marriage ceremony, tourists and pilgrims from India and Nepal have started gathering in the premises and around Janakpur. The week-long marriage celebrations will formally start from December 7, and will conclude on December 13. The first day of the ceremony will witness the Janakpur Nagar Darshan, the second day is observed with the Fulbari Leela, the third day as Dhanus Yagya, the fourth day as Tilakotsav, the fifth day as Matkor and the sixth is for the engagement and marriage ceremonies. The ceremony will be attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in addition to priests and heads of various temples. "On the occasion of Bibaha Panchami, our neighbouring country, India's, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is 100 per cent sure to attend," Federal Minister for Internal Affairs and Law from Province No. 2, Gyanendra Kumar Yadav, told ANI. The Federal Government of Province 2 has already started preparations for welcoming the guests and has allocated five million Nepali Rupees for the function. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Argentina on December 1. Confirming the news, the Ambassador of France to India, Alexandre Ziegler tweeted, "Glad to confirm that PM Modi @PMOIndia will meet PR Macron @EmmanuelMacron on sidelines of the #G20 tomorrow afternoon in Argentina." The high-level engagement comes amidst the Rafale deal row. India's main Opposition party, the Congress, has been accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government of irregularities in the high-profile defence fighter jets contract. They have claimed that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is procuring the aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore each as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Rahul Gandhi, the chief of the Congress party, had alleged that Dassault (the makers of the jet) invested Rs 284 crore in a loss-making company promoted by Anil Ambani, which was used to procure land in Nagpur. "It is clear the Dassault CEO is lying. If there an inquiry in this regard, Modi is not going to survive it. Guaranteed," he had remarked. Dassault Aviation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Trappier, in an exclusive interview to ANI earlier this month, had rubbished allegations made by Gandhi that the former lied about the details of Dassault-Reliance Joint Venture (JV) for offset contracts in the Rafale Jet deal. "I don't lie. The truth I declared before and the statements I made are true. I don't have a reputation for lying. In my position as CEO, you don't lie," said Trappier when asked to respond to Rahul Gandhi's charge that Dassault was covering up for possible cronyism in awarding the offset deal to Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The lawyers of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi on Saturday informed the special judge of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court MS Azmi that their client has written to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) highlighting his security concerns in lieu of his "effigy burning and mob lynching" in India. They also argued that the ED was guilty of allegedly committing a fraud on the court as the content of this mail and several other similar communications by Nirav Modi to the ED were concealed from the court. The special PMLA judge was hearing the ED's plea to declare Modi as an economic fugitive. Diamantaire Modi was represented by advocates Vijay Agarwal and Ashul Agarwal in Saturday's hearing. They argued that Nirav Modi could not be declared a fugitive as the ED did not comply with various legal requirements as per the Fugitive Act. They pointed out that the main reason due to which the Central agency was seeking to declare Modi a fugitive was because he left India under "suspicious circumstances" on January 1 this year. Modi's counsel argued that on January 1, there was no criminal case against their client nor his accounts were the non-performing assets (NPA). "All his assets, properties were in India and Nirav Modi has left on valid documents through Indian immigration. At the time of leaving India, he was not wanted in any case. Because he is a frequent business traveller, it cannot be said that he left India under 'suspicious circumstances' hence the requirements of the law are not fulfilled," Modi's lawyer argued in the court. According to Vijay Agarwal, they further asserted that the information being sought by the ED from Modi are pertaining to finances and their client being a designer was not in a position to provide the same as his employees were in custody, with all offices sealed and servers confiscated. "He was the best citizen at that time and had left the country on a valid visa. He had various showrooms in the country and he hadn't liquidated anything. It is completely erroneous for the ED to say that my client left India on January 1, under suspicious circumstances. Claiming that my client isn't cooperating with the investigation is wrong as he has communicated with ED and it is, in fact, ED which has not responded," Modi's counsel Agarwal further informed media after the court proceedings. Nirav's counsel has also moved before the Principal Judge stating that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case and the PMLA case should be heard by one judge and the special PMLA judge should not proceed till he gets the CBI powers. Special PMLA judge Azmi also agreed with the proposition and opined that he will reserve the orders. Sharing details of the same, Agarwal said, "They are waiting if this power comes, only then this court can proceed with the matter. The power of Judge Azmi to act as a CBI special judge is awaited. Only then the order will be pronounced. Otherwise, the order cannot be pronounced by this court because my application before the principal judge is pending." The matter was adjourned to December 5 for the next hearing. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a nine-point programme to take action against fugitive economic offenders during his address in the second session of the ongoing G20 Summit at Buenos Aires, Argentina. On October 29, the lawyer of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi filed nine applications before Mumbai's Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in reply to the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) application, seeking to declare his client a fugitive offender. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emplaned for New Delhi after a hectic three-days in Argentina where he attended the 13th G20 Summit for state leaders, apart from hosting a number of high-profile and historic meetings. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson (MEA) Raveesh Kumar took to his Twitter handle, acclaiming the Prime Minister for "Making India's voice count!" "Making India's voice count! PM @narendramodi departs for Delhi after a hectic visit to Argentina, which witnessed PM's participation at the #G20Summit, and also in several bilateral and plurilateral meetings," the MEA spokesperson tweeted. The Prime Minister started the proceedings of his Argentina visit by attending the Yoga for Peace Event at the La Rural Fairgrounds, following which he held a meeting with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He also attended the first-ever trilateral summit with Japan and the United States of America, where he coined the term "JAI" (Japan-America-India) for the newly-formed partnership to promote peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. During the Summit, Prime Minister Modi participated in the Russia-India-China (RIC) Informal Summit, the first such meeting since the one held in Saint Petersburg in 2012. The Prime Minister also met a host of other eminent leaders, including the likes of French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Korean President Moon Jae-in among others. The G20 Summit is an international forum bringing together the 19 leading and emerging economies of the and the European Union (EU), that account for 85 per cent of the world's economy and over two-thirds of the population, to hold discussions over tackling the economic challenges in the India will host the summit in the year 2022 when it completes 75 years of Independence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that the proposal to ban the supposed Hindu right-wing group Sanatan Sanstha is pending before the central government. "The proposal to ban Sanatan Sanstha was sent by the earlier state government and it is pending before the central government," Fadnavis said in the Maharashtra Assembly while replying to a resolution moved by the Opposition on the final day of the winter session. This comes days after Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the murder case of journalist Gauri Lankesh found out an organised crime syndicate formed in the year 2010-11 which used to target persons which went against their beliefs and ideology. The SIT also revealed that the 18 accused in the case are active members of an Organised Crime Syndicate. According to the SIT report, the members of this Syndicate strictly followed the guidelines and principles mentioned in "Kshatra Dharma Sadhana", a book published by Sanatan Sanstha. Asserting that accused Amit Degvekar, Vikas Patil and Rushikesh Deodikar were important members of the syndicate, the SIT reports also elaborated on the modus operandi of the syndicate. However, Sanatan Sanstha has denied any involvement in Gauri Lankesh murder case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UK Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday lauded the role of former US President George H W Bush. Bush, who served as the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993, died at the age of 94 on Friday. French President Emmanuel Macron said that Bush was "a leader, who strongly supported the alliance with Europe." UK Prime Minister called Bush "a true friend" to her country and a reliable counterpart of Margaret Thatcher and John Mayor, who chaired the UK Cabinet during Bush's presidency. "His statesmanship, wisdom, and friendship will be much missed and today we send our deepest condolences to his family and to the American people," May tweeted. Bush was born on June 12, 1924, in Massachusetts. He studied at Phillips Academy Andover boarding school and enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 18. Bush received a Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery while fighting on the Pacific front of the War II. After the war, Bush graduated from Yale University and started his path as a politician. In his early political career, Bush served as the US Ambassador to the United Nations, the US Envoy to China and the chief of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Bush lost the 1980 presidential campaign and occupied the position of the vice president in 1981-1989 with Ronald Reagan as the head of the state. In 1988, Bush beat Michael Dukakis in the nationwide presidential election. In 1989, Bush held a summit with then Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Malta marking the demise of the Cold War and two years later the two leaders signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the third day of the 13th G20 state leader's summit in Argentina, wherein the two leaders focused on trade and people-to-people ties to strengthen India-France relations. Taking to his Twitter handle, the Prime Minister said, "Had an excellent meeting with President @EmmanuelMacron. We had wide-ranging discussions on ways to deepen and diversify the India-France strategic partnership, particularly by enhancing trade and people-to-people ties." During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said that Macron's visit to India in March was a "very important step" towards strengthening India-France ties. "During your visit, the International Solar Alliance's (ISA) Founding Conference (was held) and the momentum that it (Macron's visit) gave to the ISA is unprecedented. We took the right steps in the right direction at the right time," Prime Minister Modi said. The Prime Minister said that it is a matter of "great pride" that the French President has given him an "open invitation" to come to Paris, adding, "I am very thankful for that and I will definitely visit Paris whenever it is possible". He further stated that Vice President Venkaiah Naidu returned to India with glowing remarks from the Paris Peace Forum, that was held between November 11 and 13, that commemorated the hundredth anniversary of the armistice of the first War. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also tweeted about the "productive meeting" between the two leaders, highlighting other key topics the two leaders discussed in their meeting. "PM @narendramodi had a productive meeting with French President @EmmanuelMacron on the margins of #G20Argentina. Both leaders discussed common front against terrorist financing, and cooperation in maritime security, renewable energy and reform of international institutions," Kumar tweeted. Prime Minister Modi concluded his three-day visit to Argentina and emplaned for New Delhi earlier today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tripura Health Minister Sudip Roy Barman has expressed concern over the increase of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection cases, particularly in three northeastern states- Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur. Delivering a lecture while attending an awareness campaign against HIV- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) organised by the Tripura AIDS Control Society (TACS) on the eve of World AIDS Day, the minister said, "It is a matter of concern because when the overall number of HIV infected persons in the country is declining, there is a spurt in the number of infected persons in Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram." Barman asserted that keeping this in view, the government of Tripura has declared a war against HIV- AIDS. "We want a massive awareness campaign to apprise common people not keep aloof those infected rather get their blood checked up regularly and have sex with safety measures like using a condom," he said. Barman further said a massive campaign has been launched and the government is hopeful that in the coming years, things will be reversed. Substantiating the prime cause behind the increasing cases of HIV, Barman said, "It is because of the rise in the injectable drug users in Tripura who consume drugs in a group with the same needle and syringe. We have arrested lots of people who in a chain used to carry drugs from Myanmar to Tripura via Mizoram. The police and the administration are on high alert and we are fighting out to ensure that not a single youth deviates from the true path and so that they do not get addicted to drugs and thereby get in increasing of HIV through IDU." He added that in order to stop the disease from spreading, special measures have been taken in the state. The Health Minister, along with students of Tripura Art College and other NGOs, also took part in the awareness program on HIV-AIDS organised by TACS. Several awareness posters, wall paintings, and captions, besides lighting of candles, were done to create awareness on the deadliest disease and preventive measures to tackle the issue. The Indian government spends about one per cent of its GDP on healthcare facilities, much less than some African countries, forcing millions to struggle to get medicines. HIV transmitted during sex, in blood via needles and in breast milk, gradually wears down the immune system and can take years to cause AIDS. It has killed more than 25 million people since the early 1980s. India is among the top three countries with the highest number of HIV cases, alongside South Africa and Nigeria. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) accused the Andhra Pradesh government of being allegedly non-cooperative in the probe of a bribery case, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spokesperson Lanka Dinakar on Saturday questioned why certain functionaries of the agency were making a hue and cry over an official, already booked by the state's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). "After the withdrawal of general consent by Andhra government to the CBI, MK Ramneswar, CBIC Superintendent, was booked by the state government's ACB. He was caught with the cooperation of CBI SP, who gave information to the ACB and fully cooperated with the agency. Why are some CBI functionaries raising a hue and cry?" Dinakar told ANI. On Friday, the CBI had shared details of a bribery case and claimed that the Andhra Pradesh government did not provide its consent for timely action against the accused in the case, and instead shared the confidential details with the state ACB. Criticising this alleged non-cooperation by the state, the probe agency claimed that this would only make the fight against corruption more difficult for the anti-corruption agencies and mutual trust between the agencies would be eroded. Sharing the details of the case, a press release informed that the CBI, ACB, Visakhapatnam had received a written complaint from one K Lokesh Babu of Machilipatnam on Wednesday, who alleged that M K Ramneswar, Superintendent, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) had demanded a bribe of Rs 35,000 for not raising objections in the CGST returns filed by the complainant's firm. Immediately on the receipt of the written complaint, Superintendent of Police (SP), CBI Visakhapatnam wrote a top-secret letter addressed to the Principal Secretary (Home), Government of Andhra Pradesh on the same day and got it delivered by hand to the Principal Secretary through a Deputy SP rank officer of CBI, in the afternoon. The CBI had said that the Home Secretary was requested to keep the information strictly confidential and not to share it with any other party. SP, CBI, Visakhapatnam also personally called on her and requested for an early action in issuing the specific consent under Section 6 of DSPE Act to enable CBI to register the case and lay the trap as the Government of Andhra Pradesh had withdrawn the General Consent on November 8, 2018. The request for consent for action by the CBI was further followed up by another letter to Principal Secretary, Home, with a copy to the Chief Secretary from the Head of Zone of CBI on November, 30. However, the CBI claimed that Andhra Pradesh government did not issue the specific consent as requested by the CBI and instead the details were shared by the Home Department with the state's ACB that laid a trap on the evening of November 30 against the CBIC official by using the contents of the CBI's request letter. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu-led Andhra Pradesh government withdrew the 'General Consent' to CBI to conduct raids and carry out investigations on the Central government establishments in Andhra Pradesh on November 8. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 10 Taliban militants were killed as Afghanistan's military aircraft launched an attack in the country's Kapisa province on Saturday, officials said. "Acting on tip-off, security forces fighting aircraft targeted a Taliban centre in Nijrab district of Kapisa province, destroying the group's judiciary department and killing 10 militants on the spot," Army spokesman Abdul Hadi told Xinhua news agency. Taliban militants issue decrees against government entities, security personnel and captured people from the shadow judiciary centre, the official said, adding that the destruction of the shadow judiciary could prove a major blow to the insurgent group in Kapisa and adjoining areas. The militant group was yet to comment on the report. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The picturesque hills in Kohima will reverberate with the sounds of roaring cars as the JK Tyre Hornbill Motor Rally returns to the annual Hornbill Festival of Nagaland in a bigger and more exciting format. The three-day event, beginning on Sunday, will see some of the country's top rallyists battle for honours as the entire town turns into party mode. The annual rally, which is in its 9th year of existence, has added the off-road challenge as well which will take place on December 4. The exciting off-roading event making its debut in this iconic event will see top of the line drivers from the region as well as the country traversing through a course of 1.5 kms negotiating six gruelling obstacles in their bid to be crowned champions. Arguably the most exotic Northeast state, Nagaland is also organizing a World War 2 Peace Rally to pay homage to its martyrs during the Battle of Kohima. Family members of the heroes will be part of a very touching rally, as they will be taken on a parade in vintage cars and jeeps towards the cemetery. All three events coincide with the famous Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, a seven-day extravaganza of cultural performances, ethnic food courts, handlooms and handicrafts bazaars, film and art festivals, fashion shows and a national rock contest. Commenting on the rally, Head of JK Tyre & Motorsports Sanjay Sharma said: "We are extremely delighted to be part of the Hornbill Motor Rally once again. JK Tyre has always been keen on tapping motorsport talents from every corner of the country." "The Northeast has a number of motorsports enthusiasts and I am sure this year's competitions will be exciting," he added. --IANS kk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Kangana Ranaut, who is gearing up for the release of her forthcoming film "Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi", says that actors get an unnecessary attention and importance in the film industry. Kangana was interacting with media at the 25th anniversary of Swiss Watchmaker brand Chopard where they unveiled their 'Happy Sport Collection' on Saturday, here. "Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi" which is in its post-production stage is now facing the wrath of a section of the crew which is upset that their dues, which had been promised by October, still remain unpaid. The workers then decided to approach FWICE (Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees) to seek its help. Reacting on the issue, Kangana said, "It's very sad. I have always opposed such kind of practices. There are doubts that labourers and technicians in the film industry are really devalued. I don't know why actors only get an unnecessary attention and importance in the film industry and because of that, I also want to be a technician." "I feel they are absolutely devalued. I want to venture into direction and writing as these people are unsung heroes of the film industry." Kangana added that issues like non-payment of dues cannot be tolerated. "When such things happen with labourers, it can't be tolerated but I have been promised by the makers of the film that there is no such thing like that. They told me that they have a dispute with a vendor and they are doing a negotiation with him because they don't think they should pay as much he is demanding," she said. Kangana added that she warned makers of the film that she will not promote the film if they won't be able to solve the issue. "I warned the makers of the film that if such thing will happen then I am going to disassociate with this film even though I have given 300 days of my life to it. "I told them that I will not go for any promo launch and I will make sure that I will not promote the film even if one labourer's money has been stuck but they told me to calm down on this issue so, I don't things such an issue can happen on a film like this. Zee Studio is very big studio and they have a good reputation so, I am sure that there will be no complaints from our end," said the actress. "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" is a historical biographical film based on the life of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi It is directed by Krish and produced by Zee Studios in association with Kamal Jain and Nishant Pitti. Kangana plays Rani Laxmibai. The film is scheduled to be released on January 25. --IANS iv/nv/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Argentine President Mauricio Macri here on Friday welcomed the heads of state and government representatives attending the 13th G-20 Summit. "This summit is an unprecedented event for our country. It is the first time in our country's history that so many world leaders have set foot in Argentina at the same time," said Macri from the Costa Salguero in the northern area of the Argentine capital, where G-20 leaders meet, Xinhua reported. The Argentine leader urged to work to achieve consensus for global governance and in favour of multilateralism for the next 10 years, while also ratifying the importance of dialogue as a means to settle current differences between countries. "In a diverse world, with so many different protagonists with their own background and culture, the spirit of the G20 is to promote a dialogue that is respectful of differences and to foster actions based on common interests," he said. He indicated that the global challenges require global solutions, and at the same time said consensus "cannot be reached overnight" and they are processes "with its ups and downs" that continue beyond the summit. "For me, the solution is dialogue, dialogue and dialogue. It's the way to push the limits of what is possible; understanding that every country has its preferences, values and interests, but we all agree on something: we want to promote sustainable development," he said. The G-20 started out in 1999 as a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors. In 2008, amid the global financial crisis, it evolved into what it is today: a major forum for dialogue and decision-making attended by world leaders from vital economies. Together, the G-20 members represent 85 per cent of global GDP, two-thirds of the world's population, and 75 percent of international trade. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A four-day meeting of a experts in military medicine from Asean countries, being co-chaired by India and Myanmar, will be held here from Sunday, an official spokesman of the Central Command said on Saturday. The objective is to establish better cooperation in medical operations amongst the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries -- Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei and Laos -- and the Asean Plus countries -- US, Russia, China, Australia, Japan and South Korea -- for civil support by military operations other than war, especially humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions, the official added. There will be expert working group on military medicine, 4th bilateral talks between India and Myanmar, a table-top exercise and planning for field training exercises encompassing broad themes. Around 50 delegates from various countries and officers from India's Army Medical Corps are likely to participate in the event. The central theme of the event is towards establishing preparedness and response mechanisms to manage mass casualties and outbreak of infectious diseases resulting from large-scale disasters as also to facilitate synergy, better understanding, increase capability of the combined operations amongst the Armed Forces of Asean member states and Asean Plus countries. --IANS md/mag/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three employees of a childcare centre in West Bengal's Howrah district have been arrested for sexually abusing differently-abled girls, police said on Saturday. According to police sources, based on information shared by government officials, a police team had visited the NGO, Chiranabin-Children and After Care Home For Women and Girls in Joypur area. "Three of the identified persons have been arrested and there will be further arrests if anyone else is involved," a senior police official said. They interacted with the victims with the help of an interpreter and identified the culprits. One of the victims is a minor. "We had no idea about the incident and will make sure that all the culprits are arrested," Sukumar Sau, General Secretary of the centre said. --IANS bnd/bdc/mag/pgh/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Narendra Modi-led government has failed to deliver on its promise of a double-digit growth in the last four years and it will not manage it even in the remaining six months of its term, said former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Saturday. Addressing a press conference in Jaipur, Chidambaram said, "This government promised a double-digit growth rate. However, they have not achieved that growth rate in any of the four years. And they will not achieve it in the last year too," he added. The senior Congress leader said there was a sense of crisis in every sector, be it banking, industry, construction or the real estate. The former finance minister also termed demonetisation as the biggest scandal of the country saying that Congress will conduct an in-depth probe if it forms its government at the Centre. "The tall claims made by the government for bringing demonetisation has failed on all fronts," he said, adding that instead, it has claimed several lives. Further, many small businesses were closed down following this initiative. Once our government comes, we will start a thorough investigation and will also bring change in the GST structure," he added. Quoting the statement of former economic advisor Arvind Subramanian, he said that even he has agreed that GST and demonetisation reduced the growth rate. Commenting on the present scenario, he said bigger companies are turning bankrupt in a larger number. Many projects are yet to see the light of day, several accounts have turned NPA. "Eventually banks have been asked to set a limit for granting loans to business entities which yet again portrays a further danger for our economy," he added. Leaders of the emerging economies' bloc BRICS declared their common stand on the reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) here on Friday. A communique was issued after Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held an informal meeting on the sidelines of G-20 Summit. BRICS countries agreed that full support should be given to the rules-based multilateral trading system represented by the WTO and to ensure transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive international trade, according to the document, Xinhua news agency reported. The document called on all WTO members to oppose unilateral and protectionist measures that disaccord with WTO rules and withdraw such measures that are restrictive and discriminatory in their nature. BRICS countries pledged to support the improvement of the WTO, increase its relevance and validity and safeguard the core values and basic principles of the WTO, and agreed that the WTO should embody the interests of all members, developing economies in particular. They stressed the importance of the dispute settlement mechanism in the smooth operation of the WTO, calling for starting, as soon as possible, the selection process to fill the vacancies in the Appellate Body, so as to maintain the stable and valid operation of the dispute settlement system. BRICS countries, according to the document, vowed to strengthen communication and cooperation and work with other members to ensure the WTO keep abreast of the times, advance inclusive growth and the participation of various countries in international trade, and play a significant part in global governance. In the meantime, BRICS countries reiterated their commitment to world peace and stability and support for the central role played by the UN. They pledged joint efforts to strengthen multilateralism, strive for an international order that is fair, just, equal, democratic and representative and implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change. BRICS countries reiterated that they would strengthen their strategic partnership and implement the achievements in their cooperation such as the Partnership on New Industrial Revolution, the document read. The common stand demonstrated the constructive and responsible role played by BRICS countries in international affairs. It also showed the aspiration of emerging market economies and developing countries to strengthen unity and cooperation and safeguard common interests. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) George Herbert Walker Bush, who deftly steered the US through the epoch-making upheaval that ended with the end of the Soviet Union and the emergence of his country as the dominant world power as President from 1989 to 1993, died a day earlier in Houston. The 94-year-old patrician, who embodied the "kinder, gentler" version of his Republican Party at home and could gently manoeuver through the debris of what was the Soviet Union ending the four decades of Cold War, showed steely resolve when he took on Iraqi leader Saddam Hussain in 1991 to liberate Kuwait. These incidents will be the epitaph of his single-term presidency that ended with his defeat in 1993 at the hands of Bill Clinton in a three-way race where he was undermined by another conservative, Ross Perot. Bush Sr. glories abroad and his "Thousand Points of Light" campaign at home promoting volunteerism and compassion were overshadowed by a sense of economic foreboding and a feeling that the nation was adrift domestically that led to his defeat. A characteristic trait of Bush Sr -- a World War II Navy aviator, a former Central Intelligence Agency head and Washington's envoy to Beijing -- was his understanding of the limits of military might and uses of diplomacy and tact which some of his successors, notably his son George W. Bush, lacked with disastrous consequences. As the Soviet Union unravelled under Mikhail Gorbachev, rather than go for the jugular Bush Sr. helped foster an orderly transition taking care to reassure Moscow while backing its breakaway constituents on their way to independence and democracy and ensuring that the nuclear arsenals and their management were secured. Once Iraq, which had invaded Kuwait, was pushed out of the oil shiekhdom during a brutal war that saw tens of thousands of Iraqis killed, Bush Sr. called a halt despite the US hawks demanding that US troops go all the way to Baghdad and depose Hussein. History would endorse his caution: His son George W. Bush ventured into a war against Hussein in Iraq plunging the Middle East into an ongoing crisis. Drawing on his experience in Beijing, Bush Sr. built the US ties with China as it embarked on a transformation that would make it a challenger to America in the next century. Bush Sr. had limited engagement with India during his presidency, absorbed as he was with Europe and the Middle East. He visited India in 1984 when he was the Vice-President and met then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Failure to pay attention to Afghanistan was one of the shortcoming of his presidency that came to haunt his son as President. After the Soviet Union withdrew from Afghanistan following its defeat in a guerrilla war of attrition by US-backed Islamic mujahideen during the first year of his presidency, Bush Sr. left the country adrift to become a haven for Islamic terrorists who attacked the US in 2011 when his son was President. This aspect of history would repeat itself as his son would also neglect Afghanistan after an initial victory over the Taliban and the Al Qaeda terrorists and trap the US in its longest war. After his war service and a degree from Yale University, Bush Sr. left his family's traditional north-eastern niche for oil-rich Texas in the south to become a petroleum executive and later an entrepreneur and remake his identity. Born as the son of Senator Prescott Bush in a politically active family, George H.W. Bush became a senator himself before his election to two terms as Vice-President with President Ronald Reagan, whom he succeeded to become the 41st President. His son George W. Bush became the 43rd President succeeding Clinton, who had defeated his father. Another son, Jeb Bush, became the Florida Governor and unsuccessfully tried to run for President. Despite outspending President Donald Trump, Jeb Bush lost the bid for Republican nomination to run against Hillary Clinton. Trump mercilessly attacked Jeb Bush in his crude ways. George H.W. Bush, known as "Bush 41" to distinguish him from his son, who is called "Bush 43" for their respective presidencies, was fit enough into his 90th birthday to do a parachute jump to celebrate the occasion. He later developed Parkinsons disease that forced him into a wheelchair and had a series of infections in his final years. Bush Sr. is survived by his wife of 73 years, Barbara; his sons George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Neil and Marvin; a daughter Dorothy Koch, and 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) --IANS al/soni/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Days after Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh voted to elect their new assemblies, a Congress delegation on Saturday met the three-member Election Commission alleging a conspiracy to distort election results in the two states, expressing "grave concern" over the safekeeping of EVMs. The Congress also alleged an organised attempt by the BJP to try and subvert the mandate of the people and urged the poll panel to take congnisance of these extremely alarming incidents. In two separate memoranda submitted to the poll panel, a party delegation led by Abhishek Singhvi and Manish Tewari demanded that necessary steps be taken for preventing manipulation of results and to ensure that the counting of votes and other related processes are free from interference in the two states. The party alleged there was a larger conspiracy related to EVMs in Madhya Pradesh to distort the results of the elections. It alleged that 48 hours after the close of polling in the state, a school bus carrying EVM machines without the registration plate reached the Sagar District Collector's office "ostensibly" to deposit those machines. "This incident is a clear case of certain parties and individuals engaging in corrupt practices to manipulate the outcome of the recently concluded election," the party said, demanding an inquiry and segregation of those machines from the rest. "Furthermore, following the failure and malfunctioning of the EVMs during the elections, there is a clear case to be made of a larger conspiracy to distort the results," the memorandum submitted to the poll panel said. The party also expressed concern over the security of election strongrooms saying the presence of unauthorised individuals in and around the strongrooms leaves the machines and the result vulnerable to manipulation. It also called for segregation of used and unused EVMs, recommending that unused ones should be kept off campus if possible, or at least in separate sealed rooms. The delegation also alleged "unlawful meetings" between the Chief Ministers and District Collectors during the operation of the model code of conduct. "It has been observed in the ongoing Chhattisgarh state assembly election that the District Collectors have been operating mobile phones and other electronic devices inside the counting room," the delegation said. "We hope that the commission will issue clear and strong directions to ensure that the sanctity and integrity of the recently concluded polls is maintained." Later in the day, addressing a press conference, Tewari said, "It was a very desperate attempt by the BJP to try and subvert the process of democracy." Showing some video clips of the EVMs in a hotel room, in a school bus and people entering the strong room, the former Union minister said, "The second issue which is extremely serious that the EVMs were found in the hotel rooms. Raising question over the Election Commission, he said, "On one hand the Commission says the officers responsible for have been suspended and the the state Commission is saying that the EVMs have not been tampered with. "How has the state EC come to the conclusion that those EVMs have not been tampered with?" he questioned, adding that those EVMs belonged to a particular polling booth and were found at an unauthorised position. He also demanded that repolling should be done for the booths where these EVMs were found. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel also demanded that the representatives of all political parties should be allowed while transporting EVM's to counting centres from strongrooms. It also should be cross-checked if postal ballots were received from eligible voters. The Rajya Sabha MP said, "The conduct of top officials in three districts -- Rajnandgaon, Kondagaon and Bilaspur should be reviewed and a second round of counting should be initiated only after completion of the counting of the first round," he said. --IANS aks/prs (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Imagine, as a leader of a small developing nation, you are faced with the oncoming existential crisis that is climate change, but every time you try and implement a new policy your Treasury tells you the coffers are empty. I say imagine, but for many of us in the developing world this is a reality. This dream is the nightmare we face, and it's one will make much darker, much deeper. Developing countries want access to clean, cheap energy. To kitchens that do not make their cooks cough and splutter, to lighting that allows our kids to do their homework. The good news is many of us are taking a lead, investing in future energy systems instead of being locked into polluting fossil fuels like the developed world. And the good news also is there is money flowing from rich countries to help. Not enough, but we acknowledge it is flowing. The (GCF) report to COP24 suggests a broad set of countries are benefiting as a result. ALSO READ: Sticking points that could heat up Katowice climate change talks Fifty-seven of the GCF's 93 projects and programmes worth over $3 billion are targeted at least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing States (SIDS) and African states. Nearly half a billion dollars is being invested in Indian mitigation and adaptation projects as a result of the GCF, well over $1 billion in Brazil, while billions more is heading to multiple countries in Africa to help transform their financial systems and make it easier for them to access funding. Released last week, the UN's latest climate finance assessment is -- broadly speaking -- something we can all cheer. Public finance from developed to developing countries reached $57 billion in 2016. That's an increase of $14 billion from 2014. If you then take into account -- as we agree you should -- private finance mobilised by public support, flows reached over $70 billion in 2016. Still: it is clear that support for adaptation is lacking. Projects to protect vulnerable communities receive just a quarter of public climate funding. Yet if their funding continues to scale up at this rate, developed countries are on track to meeting the $100 billion goal in 2020. They are not there yet -- and the current US administration's decision to cut support to the is deeply regrettable -- but we are nearing the end of this long walk to the $100 billion. The question is: What next? Can we as a global community relax when we get to the top? The answer to that lies in the 2015 and the 2018 IPCC 1.5 degrees Celsius report, which must now be our guides as we walk our new journey. Both emphasise the need for transformational shifts in mobilising finance to deliver the systemic changes across the planet to avoid dangerous levels of warming. As the New Climate Economy report earlier this year details bold global action to reap an economic benefit of $26 trillion by 2030. The world is now on a journey to make financial flows consistent with a pathway towards low and climate resilient development. Everywhere you look this is slowly happening, from high street banks offering green bank accounts, central banks warning of financial risks linked with fossil fuels, multinational development banks refusing to invest in polluting projects. To rest now would be to undermine all the work we have achieved so far, and to ignore the fast-growing low carbon economy on every continent. But for the next stage of our journey, we also need to reframe the climate finance debate. ALSO READ: The surprising way plastics could actually help fight climate change The fixation with the $100 billion target has obscured the huge gaps in support that are emerging across the world. While the overall funding flows towards continue to rise, huge gaps remain --, especially across Africa. The recent study by the UN's energy agency SE4ALL makes clear that "committed finance stands at only half of the $52 billion that is needed annually to deliver electricity access to the 500 million still without power". It adds: "Already abysmal levels of clean cooking funding have declined, and now account for less than one percent of the projected funding needed to end the several millions of deaths caused annually from traditional biomass cooking." As we build a set of rules to implement the Paris Agreement, let us commit to ensuring that the most vulnerable and those most in need start receiving more support. Let us commit to ensuring that as the grows, and as wind and solar energy become cheaper and easier to deploy, these technologies are shared. (Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Peru's former Minister of State for Environment in Peru and president of COP 20 and is leader of the Climate and Energy Practice of WWF International. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at dbrunner@wwfint.org) BJP ally Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) chief and Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha on said on Saturday said he will take a final call by December 6 on whether to continue with the NDA or walk out. "I will not take any decision alone. Decision will be taken after discussion with party leaders at the three-day RLSP's Chintan Shivir beginning on December 4 at Valmikinagar (in West Champaran district)," Kushwaha told reporters in Motihari. The Karakat parliamentary constituency member was responding after the Bharatiya Janata Party gave an ultimatum to the RLSP to ensure by November 30 a "respectful" seat-sharing consensus in Bihar for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. A senior RLSP leader on condition of anonymity told IANS: "RLSP will announce a big decision that will affect state and will create possibility for political realignment." According to party leaders, Minister of State for Human Resource Development Kushwaha was insulted and ignored by the BJP repeatedly that has left him "very upset". Kushwaha seeking intervention to settle the issue of seat-sharing in the National Democratic Alliance in Bihar had sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, was not given time despite camping in New Delhi for days. Kushwaha's hopes were dashed with Modi leaving for Argentina for the G20 summit, without inviting him for any form of talks. Earlier, BJP national chief Amit Shah had also not given any time to Kushwaha to thrash out matters. "I have twice tried to meet Amit Shah to discuss a respectful seat-sharing in the NDA in Bihar. Even on Friday, I waited to meet him, but could not. I was not given time." In November, Kushwaha said the RLSP has decided to reject the offer made by the BJP. He said that the party's state executive has rejected the BJP's offer. However, he refused to reveal the number of seats that it was offered. He alleged that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United (JD-U) has been trying to split the RLSP and destroy him politically. --IANS ik/in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The weight of a school bag in Delhi is officially fixed, according to a Delhi government circular on Saturday. It says school bags for students in Class I and II should not be above 1.5 kg; for Classes III to V (two-three kg), classes VI-VII (four kg), Classes VIII-IX (4.5 kg), and Class X (five kg). The cicular also asks schools not to assign any home work to Class I and II children. It asked schools to inform the students in advance about the books and notebooks to be brought to the school on a particular day. The decision of the Delhi Directorate of follows Centre's order and guidelines for capping the weight of school bags for classes I-X. "Heavy school bags are a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of the school students. It has a severe adverse physical effect on the growing children which can cause damage to their vertebral column and knees," said the circular. The load of the school bag, according to the circular, is increased by bringing textbooks, guides, homework/classwork notebooks, rough work notebooks, water bottles, lunch box and sometimes the heavy bag itself. "The schools running under Directorate of have to follow the textbooks prescribed by the SCERT, NCERT and CBSE. The number of textbooks in different classes should not exceed the number prescribed by the statutory bodies. The Head of schools and teachers should frame a well-designed timetable for each class so that children do not have to carry too many books to the school," the circular said. It also said that reading library books and participation in games, sports, art & culture and other creative and co-curricular activities for holistic development of students must be encouraged. "Three textbooks (of Hindi, English and Mathematics) have been prescribed for classes I and II. There shall not be any homework for these classes," it said. "As per the curriculum, six textbooks have been prescribed for classes VI to X -- three textbooks for three languages and one for Maths, Science and Social Studies each," said the circular. "There shall be one notebook for each subject for exercises, projects, Unit Test, experiments etc. which the students need to bring as per timetable. Students should not be asked to bring additional books, extra material to the school." "The students should always use both straps for carrying the bags and should not sling the bag over one shoulder. The students should keep the bag down while waiting for the school conveyance or in the school assembly," it added. The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development earlier this week had asked the states and UTs to ensure that there is no homework for students of Classes I and II and the guidelines capping the weight of school bags for classes I-X are adhered to. --IANS nks/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Administrator Jim Bridenstine has said founder will not be smoking weed in public again, the media reported. Speaking on Musk's infamous marijuana consumption during "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast in September, the chief said 'that was not appropriate behaviour' and people will not be seeing that again, The Atlantic reported on Thursday. Bridenstine said he has spoken with Musk recently that he does not want contractors engaging in questionable behaviour. "We've had a number of conversations," he said. "I will tell you, he is as committed to safety as anybody, and he understands that was not appropriate behaviour, and you won't be seeing that again," Bridenstine told reporters at NASA headquarters in Washington on Thursday. NASA along with Musk's and Boeing is developing transportation systems that would allow the US to fly from American soil for the first time since the space shuttle was retired in 2011. "The leaders of these organisations need to take that as an example of what to do when you lead an organisation that's going to launch American astronauts," Bridenstine said. The warning comes about a week after reports suggesting that NASA would conduct reviews of workplace culture at both and Boeing. "NASA will be conducting a cultural assessment study in coordination with our commercial partners to ensure the companies are meeting nasa's requirements for workplace safety, including the adherence to a drug-free environment," the agency had noted in a statement. On Thursday, Bridenstine said he personally ordered the reviews. He attributed his decision to several tragedies in NASA history, including the Apollo 1 fire in 1967, when three were killed during a ground test, and the two space-shuttle disasters (Challenger in 1986 and Columbia in 2003), which together killed 14 people. A spokesperson for SpaceX declined to comment on Bridenstine's remarks, the report said. NASA, in 2014, gave both SpaceX and Boeing combined $6.8 billion to develop launch systems that could transport the agency's to and from the Space Station. Last week NASA announced that the first uncrewed test by SpaceX is tentatively scheduled for January 7, but Bridenstine said on Thursday that the date is unlikely to stick and may slide into spring. Crewed test flights are expected next summer but that timeline is also likely to change, the report said. Renowned Bangladeshi photographer and cinematographer Anwar Hossain was found dead at a hotel here on Saturday. Hossain, a Bangladeshi-born French citizen, won more than 60 international awards in photography. He filmed 15 fictions and 30 documentaries and published eight photo books. Hossain, 70, came to Dhaka for taking part in a photography competition as a judge. The police recovered his body after breaking a door to his room at the Hotel Olio Dream Heaven in Panthapath area, reported bdnews24.com. The cause of his death was not known. The hotel authorities said that two people had come to visit Hossain in the morning. The authorities informed the police when he did not open the door of his room and neither responded to phone calls. Later, the police found his body on the bed. Officials said that no injury mark was found on his body and it was sent for autopsy. Hossain captured the Liberation War of Bangladesh and the movements preceding it. He studied Architecture at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and then film studies at Pune University. He was also the recipient of five National Film Awards, bdnews24.com reported. Hossain lived for over two decades in France. Though he received a French passport, he returned to Bangladesh a few years ago and began living in Shariatpur. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) European leaders on Saturday paid tribute to the late former US President George H.W. Bush who died a day earlier at the age of 94. French President Emmanuel Macron sent condolences to the people of the US as well as the late leader's family and loved ones. "(Bush) was a world leader, who strongly supported the alliance with Europe," Macron said in a statement via Twitter. German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert praised Bush Sr. as a friend of the German people and noted his contribution to Germany's reunification, which occurred during Bush's term as President. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also hailed Bush and his efforts to end the Cold War, adding that the late leader was "a great statesman and a friend of Germany". Spain's former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar also conveyed his condolences to the Bush family, noting that the former President had left a historical legacy worthy of being recognized. Bush Sr. died on Friday, eight months after the death of his spouse, former First Lady Barbara Bush, to whom he was married for 73 years. The late leader served as a fighter pilot during the Second World War, a Congressman, Ambassador to the UN, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director and served two terms as Ronald Reagan's Vice President between 1981 and 1989, before concluding his four-decade long political career by serving as the US President from 1989 to 1993. His son, George W. Bush, was elected to the presidency in 2000 and served two terms. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It's the last month of 2018, a year that saw the release of several impressive novels and nonfiction works on subjects of contemporary interest. December will ring the final bell before the arrival of literary festivals, and these new offerings across various subjects and tastes will keep you company. If political books are making much noise lately, brace for some more as former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is on a spree of releasing books critical of the ruling dispensation, will be publishing "Changing India", a unique series chronicling the country's changing economy and polity over seven decades. This set of five volumes offers a selection of his writings, speeches, interviews and press conferences from his days in academia during the 1950s, through his career in the civil service during the 1970s and 1980s, as India's Finance Minister in the early 1990s and as Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014. Published by Oxford University Press (OUP), the upcoming series is said to reveal the evolution of Manmohan Singh's thought, leading to the radical reforms of the early 1990s that transformed the Indian economy and placed it on a trajectory of high growth. The publisher informed IANS that Singh has provided insights into crucial social, economic and political issues of national and international importance, and has articulated his vision for India and the world. Readers of mythology will not be disappointed as Devdutt Pattanaik, who has authored over 30 books on subjects related to ancient Indian scriptures and mythology, is returning with a new book. It is a popular belief that the Ramayana is idealistic while the Mahabharata is realistic. "Yet these two epics have identical building blocks, identical themes, and identical history," believes Pattanaik, who in "Ramayana vs Mahabharata", explores the similarities and dissimilarities between the two epics in a "playful analysis" accompanied by his signature illustrations. Whether it is the family structure, forest exile, or war, the comparison between the two epics, its publisher Rupa said, proves a startling point -- that the Mahabharata is in fact a reaction to the events in the Ramayana. "Why I Am a Liberal: A Manifesto for Indians Who Believe in Individual Freedom", by Sagarika Ghose, will ask its readers whether they are liberal, or dislike liberals. It argues that whatever the case may be, the liberal is at the centre of public debate today. "From discussions on nationalism to religion, freedom of speech, freedom to dissent and women's rights, the liberal is regarded as a crucial voice. However, once influential, the Indian liberal is under attack from many who feel liberals have got it all wrong. Liberals stand for individual freedoms and argue against Big Governments. Yet, today, are individual freedoms such as the right to eat, worship, dress, love, marry, set up businesses, free speech, have opinions, read and write what you want in serious danger? Is the dominance of a Big Government or Big State stamping out individual freedom in an unprecedented manner?" asks Ghose. The author shows how deep liberal traditions in India are and how the founding vision of India was a thoroughly liberal one. This is a compelling and thought-provoking book, a book one might want to read to know about individual freedoms. And then there is "A Rural Manifesto: Realising India's Future through Her Villages", by Varun Gandhi. The book, published by Rupa amidst a national conversation on rural distress, highlights the potential solutions to putting the village economy on an even keel, while exploring how the vast majority of India ekes out a living. "In this heartfelt and timely book, covering facets of the Indian rural economy, Feroze Varun Gandhi shines a bright light on the travails of the marginal farmer and asks searching questions on why the rural economy remains in doldrums, six decades after Independence," the publisher said. The book is said to explore rural India's innate perseverance and highlight potential solutions in development policy with a focus on making the rural economy resilient. "Where Some Things Are Remembered: Profiles And Conversations - Dom Moraes", edited by Sarayu Srivatsava, will emphasise that Dom Moraes was not only one of India's greatest poets, but also an extraordinary journalist and essayist. He could capture effortlessly the essence of the people he met, and in every single profile in this sparkling collection he shows how it is done. "The Dalai Lama laughs with him and Mother Teresa teaches him a lesson in empathy. Moraes could make himself at home with Lalu Prasad Yadav, the man who invented the self-fulfilling controversy, and exchange writerly notes with Sunil Gangopadhyaya. He was Indira Gandhi's biographer -- painting her in defeat, post-Emergency, and in triumph, when she returned to power. He tried to fathom the mind of a mysterious 'super cop' -- K.P.S. Gill -- and also of Naxalites, dacoits and ganglords," publisher Speaking Tiger said, giving a backround of the book. It said that the collection is literary journalism at its finest and comes from an observer who saw people and places with the eye of a poet and wrote about them with the precision of a surgeon. (Saket Suman can be contacted at saket.s@ians.in) --IANS ss/vm/tb/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the US who is best known for sanctioning the Gulf War, presiding over the fall of the Berlin Wall and steering America through the end of the Cold War, has died at the age of 94 in Houston. The announcement of his passing on Friday night was made in a statement by his son and 43rd US President George W. Bush on Saturday. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear dad has died," Bush said. George Herbert Walker Bush served as a fighter pilot during the Second World War, a Congressman, Ambassador to the UN, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director and served two terms as Ronald Reagan's Vice President between 1981 and 1989, before concluding his four-decade long political career by serving as the US President from 1989 to 1993. During his stint in the White House, Bush Sr. saw the end of the Cold War, the first Gulf War and the invasion of Panama while the Soviet Union collapsed and Germany reunified. Despite military and diplomatic successes, he was unable to secure re-election and handed over the reins of the White House to Bill Clinton and retired to his home in Boston, Texas, along with his wife Barbara Bush. Bush Sr's death came eight months after that of his spouse to whom he was married for 73 years. They had six children together. The cause of his death was not immediately known. He was suffering from a form of Parkinson's disease that left him on a wheelchair over the last few years. He was also frequently hospitalised especially for respiratory problems. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump said Bush guided the nation and the world to a victorious end to the Cold War. "With sound judgement, common sense and unflappable leadership, President Bush guided our nation and the world to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War," Trumps said. Bush Sr. was also lauded by former President Barack Obama who called him "a patriot and humble servant". "His life was a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling," Obama said. Grandson George P. Bush said: "He was a good man. His courage was matched by his compassion; and his dedication to country was equalled only by his devotion to his family." Tricia Nixon Cox and Julie Nixon Eisenhower, the daughters of former President Richard Nixon, said: "George H.W. Bush lived a life that was purposeful, and extraordinarily rewarding - for our nation, and for our world." Former President Bill Clinton said he and his wife Hillary Clinton gave "thanks for his great long life of service, love and friendship". Bush Sr's single presidential term in office was dominated by foreign policy -- the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The former leader will be best remembered as the commander-in-chief who sanctioned the Gulf War, codenamed Operation Desert Storm -- a war waged by coalition forces from 35 nations led by the US against Iraq in response to the latter's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. Operation Desert Storm land battle pushed Iraqi troops out of Kuwait. But it stopped short of ousting the Iraqi strongman, setting up the second Gulf War that was initiated in 2003 and resulted in Saddam Hussein's hanging. In later life, Bush Sr's character came under scrutiny when he was accused of groping a number of women at public events. A statement issued by his spokesman after a recent incident said he would never "intentionally cause anyone distress". Bush Sr. had also ordered US troops to invade Panama after an off-duty Marine was killed by forces loyal to dictator Manuel Noriega. The force quickly overwhelmed Noriega's men and he was overthrown in just four days and was later sentenced to 40 years in the US on drug charges. He also had to walk a fine line with China, imposing sanctions after a 1989 government crackdown on protestors at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, but also seeking to prevent a permanent rupture in relations. Bush Sr. was born in Milton, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1924. His father was an Ohio native and business executive who became a Wall Street banker and a senator from Connecticut. His mother, a Maine native, was the daughter of a wealthy investment banker. Bush senior was also famous for sporting colourful striped socks. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A district court here on Saturday directed the police to register an FIR following allegations of a scam in the land registration procedure, misappropriation of government funds and misuse of power, against seven revenue officials and over one dozen builders, said a RTI activist. The court of Judicial Magistrate 1st class (JMIC) Naveen Kumar passed the order to file a criminal complaint against seven revenue officials, seven land registry clerks, fourteen builders and three computer operators at Manesar Police Station. All the accused, posted at Manesar tehsil between 2009 and 2013, committed the crime at the behest of the builders. Ramesh Yadav, a Right To Information (RTI) activist and resident of Manesar village, approached the court after police did not register a First Information Report (FIR) even after an Assistant Commissioner of Police accepted in his probe that the officials and builders were guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The matter came to light after the accused registered various plots in Sihi village here in sector 83. "Builders and revenue officials showed the plots in Sihi village outside Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) during the land registration and after the registration, authorities again put the registered plot under the MCG jurisdiction," complainant Yadav said. Sihi village falls under the jurisdiction of the MCG. "Registration fee under the MCG area was seven per cent, while outside the MCG was five per cent. The accused did a scam of over Rs 5 crore 9 lakh," the complainant said. Aam Aadmi Party RTI cell Haryana chief Sudhir Yadav who exposed the scam early this week during a press conference said after the court order, "People will find many more accused, including politicians behind the bars if probe goes fairly." --IANS pradeep/mag/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday called for scaling up agriculture in the country so that the hard-working farming community benefits from it. "Indian agriculture needs a renewal of its marriage with contemporary technology, protection against climate change, price fluctuations and demand shocks; and sustained investment by and partnership with business. Together these will enhance agricultural value and competitiveness - as well as lead to better incomes," the President said in his address while inaugurating the 13th Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Agro Tech India 2018, a premier agri and food technology fair, here. "The challenge is to scale up," Kovind said, adding that these were the areas on which the government has been focusing. "The Indian farmer has proven to be remarkably adaptable - unafraid of innovation, new techniques and scientific inputs. He has been bold in embracing risk and converting risk into opportunity. As a result India has emerged as an exporter of key agricultural and allied products such as rice, marine products, fruits, vegetables and even flowers. Our farmers supply commercial crops like cotton to the rest of the world. "Agriculture is more than just a profession. It is a calling, a tradition and a way of life. Agriculture has been central to Indian identity for thousands of years, ever since our ancestors planted grains in the Indus Valley. Even today, agriculture employs 50 per cent of our work force and makes up about 15 per cent of our nation's gross value added (GVA)," Kovind said. He said that public-private partnerships in agriculture have the potential to modernise the sector and provide numerous benefits to small farmers. The President expressed his concern over the burning of crop residue and the pollution it was causing. "Today, we are facing a problem related to disposal of crop residue and of safe and clean removal of husk or stubble. The burning of such items is leading to pollution that affects even little children. It is for all of us, including the state governments, the skilled and large-hearted farmers, and other stakeholders, to come up with a solution. And no doubt technology will help us find a solution." Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Radha Mohan Singh, Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Punjab Governor V.P. Singh Badnore, Haryana Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar were also president on the occasion. The CII Agro Tech this time has 158 domestic exhibitors and 37 international exhibitors. In his address, CII President Rakesh Bharti Mittal said: "As our farmers have met the goal of food security, farming should now be seen as a wealth creation tool. Today's new age farmer is an entrepreneur and CII is doing a lot to contribute to the cause of doubling the farmers' income." Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said: "We have doubled the investment in the agriculture sector to around Rs 450 crore per year from Rs 200 crore previously. " Ajay.S. Shriram, Chairman, CII Agro Tech India, 2018, said: "Since its inception in 1994, CII Agro Tech has brought together agribusiness communities from all around the world. The CII Agro Tech India 2018 focuses on leveraging innovation and technology for sustainable development of agriculture and doubling farmers' income. "Spread over 16,000 sq.metres of space, 14 states and eight countries are participating in the agri technology fair. Over 50,000 farmers are expected to visit us during the event." --IANS js/ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu campaigning aggressively against Telangana's ruling TRS in Hyderabad, the latter on Saturday warned that it will hit back by taking the fight to his state. Telangana Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K. Chandrashekhar Rao's son and cabinet minister K. T. Rama Rao said if necessary, TRS will enter Andhra Pradesh to "politically finish off Naidu". KTR, as the young TRS leader is popularly known, told an election rally in Hyderabad that when the time comes, "they will teach a lesson" to Naidu. KTR said through the Federal Front proposed to be formed by KCR, they would show their strength in Andhra Pradesh. He was indicating at an anti-TDP front, which may be headed by principal opposition party, the YSR Congress. The YSR Congress, which is not contesting Telangana elections, has extended its support to TRS. Rama Rao alleged that when Naidu was hatching conspiracies in Hyderabad, they drove him away to Amaravati (the upcoming capital of Andhra Pradesh). "I am confident in this election, Telangana people will chase away Chandrababu Naidu and his party out of the state," he said. Elections to 119-member Telangana Assembly are scheduled on December 7. The TDP, a constituent of Congress-led People's Front, is contesting 13 seats. KTR's attack on Naidu came as the TDP chief intensified his election campaign in Hyderabad. Projecting himself as architect of Cyberabad, the information technology district in Hyderabad, Naidu is targeting TRS for its "misrule". --IANS ms/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 26-year-old man in West Bengal's Bankura district was stabbed to death forcing his family to suspect his wife had an illicit relationship, police said on Saturday. "Shubhendu Ghosh, a resident of Rautura, was missing since Friday night. His family lodged a complaint on Saturday after his body was found with abdominal stab and several external injuries," an official of Sonamukhi Police Station in Bankura district said. He further said that the family was suspicious of their daughter-in-law's illicit relationship. The police have started an investigation. --IANS bnd/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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 Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a Kartarpur-type corridor to Sharda Peeth in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supremo said in her letter that the opening of the Kartarpur corridor was a welcome step as it would open avenues for people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan. She said besides being an important pilgrimage for the Kashmiri Pandit community, Sharda Peeth has historically been the seat of knowledge and learning for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "The opening of Kartarpur corridor has encouraged the Kashmiri Pandit community to see a possibility of the pilgrimage to Sharda Peeth," she said in her letter adding that a delegation of the community called on her recently requesting her support for the initiative. Sharda Peeth is currently an abandoned ancient Hindu temple site in Sharda village in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. --IANS sq/pgh/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he exploited the surgical strikes of 2016 to prevent defeat in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls last year and claimed that the UPA government did three similar strikes but kept them a secret. He also accused Modi of claiming to be the repository of all wisdom and interfered in the "domain" of others whether it was demonetisation, foreign or agriculture ministry or the surgical strikes. Responding to a question during an interaction with the business community and professions, Gandhi said Modi was fighting a losing political battle in Uttar pradesh in 2016 and turned the surgical strikes into a political asset. "He was fighting an election in UP. He was fighting a losing election. He turned a military asset (surgical strikes) into a political asset. He reached into army's domain told them I don't care what you think. I am going to make it public. "Narendra Modi actually reached into army domain and shaped their surgical strikes. He turned their surgical strike into a political assest when it was a military decision," he said. Gandhi said the Congress governments were very clear about military responsibility and military domain. "We listen to the army. If army says that this is what we want to do, we say, yes sir, its your job, please do it. Political domain, if they (army) come and say, we say sorry. You have no business. Please stay out. "When army came to Manmohan Singh ji and said we want to retaliate, he (Singh) said we need to keep it a secret for our own purposes," he said adding that there were three strikes during the UPA regime and they were kept a secret as a military asset. Rahul Gandhi's remarks came in response to a question on the alleged attack on institutions like the Supreme Court, CBI, RBI, the CVC by the Modi government and the way people from the army were entering "The Prime Minister reaches into the military domain, tells them what to do, forces them to do something and then obviously he required V.K. Singh" (former army chief). Hitting out at Modi he said that this was the confusion in the Prime Minister's mind as he was convinced that he knew better than the army what should be done in their area. "He knows better than the Foreign Minister with regards to what needs to be done in foreign ministry. He knows better than Agriculture Minister about what needs to be done in agriculture ministry because he has a sense that all knowledge flows from his brain. "Because Modi believes that the entire knowledge is with him and others know nothing. That is why he announced demonetisation. He locked up the Cabinet before the announcement. Jaitley (Finance Minister Arun Jaitley) did not know it. And you (Modi) destroyed the major economy of the world. Because you (Modi) believe that you know everything," he said. Gandhi said that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had utmost respect for his Cabinet, for his ministers and even for Advani ji. "The second phone call that went from Manmohan Singh's office was to Advani after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks because the Prime Minister felt that he needs to tell him (Advani) what is going on, because he represented opposition," he said. "But Modi has never called me. He never called Manmohan Singh ji. Not even Advani ji," he added. --IANS akk-bns/vsc/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State-owned (OMCs) on Saturday reduced the aviation turbine fuel (ATF), or jet fuel, prices by 10.90 per cent in New Delhi. Accordingly, prices have been cut by Rs 8,327.83 in Delhi and now sells at Rs 68,050.97 per kilolitre. Prices vary with airports depending on local taxes. ALSO READ: Capacity addition takes the wind out of ATF price cut benefit for airlines per kilolitre now costs Rs 73,393.55 in Kolkata, Rs 67,979.58 in Mumbai and Rs 69,216.61 in Chennai. The three OMCs revise the prices on the first of every month. Earlier this week, credit ratings agency ICRA said severely mauled by the twin blows of a significant increase in ATF prices and the depreciation of INR against the US dollar, the Indian aviation industry continues to grapple with tough times in the current financial year. "As if this was not enough, low pricing power of the industry and inability to raise fares has resulted in mounting losses for the airlines," the agency had said. The reduction falls in line with the declining which has lost one-third of value in the span of two months, after touching a $86-a-barrel mark in early October. Brent crude oil has slipped below $60 following the US decision to exempt 8 countries, including India and China, to continue buying oil for six months from Iran despite sanctions. However, the global prices remain volatile ahead of meeting next week which could further affect ATF prices. After choosing "Aadhaar" as its first "Hindi word of the year", the Oxford University Press has begun its hunt for another such word from one of the most spoken languages on the Earth that occupied the minds of the people for much part of the year and reflected "ethos" and "mood" of the nation. "Following the success of our inaugural Hindi Word of the Year in 2017, Oxford Dictionaries is now calling on Hindi speakers across the country to help choose a Hindi Word of the Year for 2018. "The Hindi Word of the Year will be a word or expression that has attracted a great deal of interest over the last 12 months. The chosen word should reflect the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the year. It should not necessarily be a new word, but should be one that is strongly linked somehow to 2018," the publisher said in a statement. The press has invited submissions from the general public which can submit a word at https://hi.oxforddictionaries.com/hindi-word-of-the-year till December 9. The submission was opened on November 27. "Last year, we launched the Oxford Hindi Word of the Year and received an excellent response, both in terms of numbers and the vast variety of words that were submitted as entries. We are delighted to invite suggestions for the Hindi Word of the Year 2018 -- words that have resonated with Hindi speakers over the course of last 12 months," Sivaramakrishnan Venkateswaran, Managing Director, Oxford University Press India, said in the statement. The entries will be judged by a jury of 12 people, comprising among others Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi Director V. Ramgopal Rao. The 2018 Hindi Word of the Year will be announced in January 2019 at the Jaipur Literary Festival. --IANS vn/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Violence erupted in Paris on Saturday as protesters and the police clashed during a third weekend of "yellow vest" demonstrations sparked by rising fuel prices. Wearing yellow vests, the demonstrators, who also want to draw attention to the stark contrast between wealthy Paris and the rural areas, descended on the Champs Elysees where 5,000 police officers had been deployed. Video footage showed tear gas clouds rose into the air above L'Arc de Triomphe and the Place de L'Etoile where clashes between the police and protesters broke out after a small group of "yellow vests" tried to break through security cordons. Several officers had yellow paint thrown at them and at least 39 people were arrested over violence, according to the BBC. The police used stun grenades and water cannon to disperse the crowd, according to French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner. Thousands of people have been taking to the streets in protest over the fuel costs and the high cost of living in France. President Emmanuel Macron struck a conciliatory tone earlier in the week but said he would not abandon his fuel tax. Castaner, who visited the scene, tweeted that there were "200 peaceful demonstrators" and "1,500 agitators outside the security perimeter who came to fight". He put the number of arrests at 39. The "Yellow Vests" protesters blocked highways in many regions, obstructed access to fuel depots, shopping centres and some factories for the third week, in a show of force to make Macron reconsider an increase on fuel tax that will be effective next month. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Even as the Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court is hearing a petition seeking public disclosure of ailing CM Manohar Parrikar's health status, BJP MLAs who met Parrikar at his private residence on Saturday, said that the former Defence Minister was "recovering well" and in a position to carry on his professional duties. "He individually asked each MLA about the difficulties they face and suggested resolutions to bottlenecks whenever they cropped up," Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho told reporters after attending Saturday's meeting at Parrikar's residence. "Just because he is recovering does not mean he can suggest solutions and carry on with official work," Godinho said. The minister said that Parrikar's health has "improved much". 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, as well ruling coalition allies have been demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister, claiming that the administration has come to a standstill due to Parrikar's absence. Saturday's meeting comes ahead of a scheduled hearing at the Panaji High Court in which the state government is expected to file its response to a petition admitted in the court last month, which sought a public disclosure of Parrikar's health, on the grounds that he held a public office. The Congress next week is also expected to launch a fortnight-long, statewide agitation demanding the replacement of Parrikar as Chief Minister on health grounds. --IANS maya/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi, Dec 1 (IANS/Mongabay) John Allen Chau, a 26-year-old American missionary who "illegally" paddled his way to the remote shores of North Sentinel Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, was recently killed by the protected Sentinelese tribe. Experts apprehend that his "trespassing" to contact the North Sentinel islanders, the "uncontacted" and "isolated" inhabitants, may have further endangered the existence of the bow-wielding natives. Survival International, a global movement for the rights of tribal people, dubbed their rebuffing contact with the outside world a "wise choice". "Neighbouring tribes were wiped out after the British colonised their islands, and they lack immunity to common diseases like flu or measles, which would decimate their population," it said in a statement. After Chau's death, the Andaman and Nicobar Police noted that "access to the North Sentinel Island and its buffer zone is strictly restricted under the Protection of Aboriginal Tribe (Regulation) 1956 and Regulations under Indian Forest Act 1927" and "the Ministry of Home Affairs through its recent circulars also restricts movements of foreigners in these areas". "This is a wake-up call for the so called 'foreign adventurists' to stop entering 'out of bounds' and 'non-permissible' areas for the sake of encountering 'exoticism'," said Professor Anvita Abbi, a veteran linguist who has studied the tribal languages of the Andamans. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are inhabited by six indigenous tribal populations. The Nicobar Islands are home to two 'Mongoloid' tribes -- the Shompen and Nicobarese. Of the dozen linguistically distinct tribes who populated the Andaman islands in the early 20th century, only four survive, the Sentinelese, Jarawa, Great Andamanese, and Onge, with a combined population of 400 to 500 individuals. They are believed to have arrived in the islands from Africa up to 60,000 years ago. The Sentinelese population is placed at a scant and contested 15 according to the 2011 Census of India. The Andamanese earned a reputation for ferocity due to their violent resistance to foreign intrusions. They remained comparatively isolated from the outside world until the establishment of a British penal settlement in the islands, after the of First War of Independence in 1857. The British befriended one of the tribes, the Great Andamanese, and employed them as bush police to recapture escaped convicts. The Great Andamanese suffered the brunt of colonialism, and, in the 19th and 20th centuries, their number collapsed from several hundreds to a few dozen individuals. "Any outsider-contact has brought diseases, subjugation, sexual assault, and ultimately decimation of the tribal culture, tribal life and tribal language. The standing example is Great Andamanese. For years, Jarawas maintained the same isolation and now they regret the interaction with us," explained Abbi. The notion of "hostility" is a "colonial construct", as Kanchan Mukhopadhyay, a former Anthropological Survey of India researcher, who was stationed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, put it, and is a licence to kill. Madhumala Chattopadhyay, an anthropologist, was the first one to make a friendly contact during an expedition of the Andaman administration with the Sentinelese in January 1991, also advocates leaving them alone. She was also a part of the second contact expedition of the Andaman administration that made a friendly contact with them in February 1991. In the aftermath of the Chau affair, Survival International has flayed the Indian government for lapses in protection and for easing the restricted area permit (RAP) to visit 29 inhabited islands, including North Sentinel. These islands, which were removed from the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) regime notified under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, till December 31, 2022, included the North Sentinel Island. However, the government had clarified that separate approvals of the competent authority would continue to be required for visiting reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries and tribal reserves. The exotic location and the tourism potential of the islands has for long been a topic of discussion and on the central government's agenda. In June 2017, an Island Development Agency (IDA) headed by India's home minister was constituted and Indian government's think tank, NITI Aayog, was mandated to steer the holistic development of Islands programme. Under this programme, in the first phase, it was decided that 10 Islands in the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep will be taken up for holistic development. The IDA had reviewed 11 anchor tourism projects of which six are in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. For enhanced connectivity, the airport at Diglipur in Andamans is expected to be made operational for civilian aircraft by December 2018. In August 2018, NITI Aayog's Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant, while speaking at an investors' conference on developing new islands, remarked that Indian government was looking to offer about 100 islands in the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep for tourism purposes. He had also stated that foreign tourists would not need separate permission to visit these islands as the government is focusing on increasing the tourism inflow. During the same month, India's home ministry announced that foreign tourists will now be able to visit 29 inhabited islands in the, which were prohibited for visitors, without any restrictions and 11 uninhabited islands (only for day visits). The decision, the government said, was taken to promote tourism and overall development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Port Blair, which is capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, on December 30 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first flag hoisting day by Indian revolutionary Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (December 30, 1943) on Indian soil. It was reported that Modi is expected to announce major projects but it may not happen in the wake of the criticism against opening up of areas in the Andamans after Chau's death. According to a report, the home ministry may consider reimposing the restricted area permit system in North Sentinel island and other islands. Sumit Mukherjee, a former Anthropological Survey of India researcher, who specialises in human ecology, questioned whether these tribes need "our kind of development"? "The 'development' planning we have so far done for them since our contact with them (tribes in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago) have sadly resulted in more damage than welfare to their society. So we should agree that we have failed to understand what is effective development for them. They never asked for it," Mukherjee said. "What I recommend is we should keep close and careful watch to save every life of those populations and may provide required protective measures and certain carefully prescribed medical services if absolutely required," Sumit Mukherjee added. (In arrangement with Mongabay.com, a source for environmental news reporting and analysis. The views expressed in the article are those of Mongabay.com. Feedback: gopi@mongabay.com) --IANS sahana-mayank/vm (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 Saturday campaigned for TDP founder N.T. Rama Rao's granddaughter N. Suhasini who is contesting for Telangana Assembly. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president participated in the road show in Kukatpally constituency, from where Suhasini is contesting as the party candidate. Naidu, who campaigned for People's Front candidates in and around Hyderabad throughout the day, addressed meetings at various places. He recalled the role he played in development of Cyberabad, the information technology hub, when he was chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh. At all the meetings the TDP chief criticized Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrshekhar Rao and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "TRS leaders are asking me why I am coming to Hyderabad. This is the reply to them," he said pointing to the crowd. Terming Chandrashekhar Rao a 'junior Modi', Naidu said he the TRS chief had no contribution in development. "He has not built anything except his farm house and Pragati Bhavan (CM's official residence)," said the TDP president. Suhasini assured people that she will follow into the footsteps of her grandfather NTR and father Harikrishna to serve people. TDP, a constituent of Congress-led People's Front, is contesting 13 seats in the December 7 election Ato 119-member Telangana Assembly. --IANS ms/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Police on Saturday arrested three officials of a private company for allegedly duping investors, officials said. A case in this regard has been registered under sections of 409, 420 and 120 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) in EOW (economic offence wing) police station. The investigators have found the company officials allegedly diverted a fund of Rs 191 crore deposited by the investors. Besides, they were also accused of failing to complete the project within the given period of time. The accused have been identified as Surpreet Singh, Vijay Bahadur and Nirmal Singh. All of them hold the position of director in M/s Hacienda Project Pvt Ltd. The company had booked apartments in a residential group housing project named Lotus 300 which comprises of 6 towers, at Sector 107 in Noida. "The company had lured home buyers for an attractive offer to book residential flats. It also promised to complete the project in 39 months from the date of allotment letter in 2010. As the location of the project is ideal, a total of 328 home buyers invested in the project," said an EOW official. During investigation, it was found the company had extracted Rs 636 crore from investors and Rs 191 crore was diverted to its subsidiary company for another project. "The company has started the construction of the project in 2010 with stipulated completion time of 39 months. The project is yet to be completed and delayed by more than four years," the official said. --IANS sp/pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The much-revered Dharmacharya of the Hindu community in Trinidad and Tobago, Pundit Uttam Maharaj, has died at the age of 70 years following a brief illness. He served for 13 years as the spiritual leader of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha(SDMS) which is the major Hindu group led by Satnarayan Maharaj, secretary general. He served the people of this country with great distinction and respected all religious groups with great respect and distinction and dignity. Pundit Maharaj had a special love for the children of all religious groups and was an educator and teacher of the Hindi, Sanskrit,arts, music and culture, himself being an accomplished sitar player, and adjudicated in several competitions with the Ministry of Education. He served as President of the Hindu Parishad Council, an arm of the SDMS. Pundit Maharaj was married to Indra, daughter of the late Pundit Krishna Maharaj whom he succeeded as Damharmacharya. Tributes continue to pour in from different sections of the religious fraternity, civic, cultural, and government officials. Pundit Maharaj hosted a weekly programme of Radio/TV Jaagriti highlighting the virtues and mechanics of Hinduism. Former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar noted that Pundit Maharaj will be sadly missed not only in the Hindu community, but in the nation at large. "Pundit Maharaj will be missed, and it is my hope that his legacy of devotion to his faith and service to the people will live on. "As a religious and spiritual leader, he called on people of all faiths and background to live in harmony, peace and love as dispensed by the creed of Hinduism. His message is important, as there is a great need for our citizens to unite and work together to develop our nation and shape a brighter future for us all." Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and now Professor in International Affairs at the University of the West Indies, Winton Dookeran hailed Pundit Maharaj , "as a nation builder through his religious and humanitarian work for the people. He has become one of our nation's top icon." Surujdeo Mangaroo, Public Relations Officer of the National Council of Indian Culture(NCIC) hailed Pundit Maharaj who never wavered in the pursuit of his religious commitment. "Pundit Maharaj was totally dedicated to uplifting the spiritual and secular status of all peoples," Mangaroo said. There are over 350,000 Hindus here and almost 500 Hindu mandirs across the nation, and that all religious festivals such as Divali, Nau Rattan, Shiva Raatri, Phagwa, Kartik Nahan among several others. Pundit Mahaarj was given a big send-off with top officials of every sector of the national landscape on Saturday morning at Mosquito Creek, a couple miles from his Rousillac home where he lived all his life. --IANS paras/vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump on Friday met with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in to discuss the recent development regarding the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Trump's plans to hold a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. According to a statement issued by the White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders, Trump and Moon met on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit "to discuss the latest developments regarding the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." For his part, Trump discussed his intention to have a second US-DPRK summit, and restated with Moon their commitment to closely coordinate on next steps, Xinhua news agency reported. Trump and Moon also reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearisation of the DPRK, and agreed on the importance of "maintaining vigorous enforcement of existing sanctions to ensure the DPRK understands that denuclearisation is the only path to economic prosperity and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula." Trump also met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday, when they reviewed the recent developments in the DPRK and discussed how best to work with the international community, including South Korea, to maintain pressure until the DPRK implements its commitment to denuclearise. After Trump and Kim met in June in Singapore, negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have been stuck due to bilateral differences on key problems over the scale of denuclearisation, US sanctions, and whether to issue a war-ending declaration, among others. On November 7, the State Department announced that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's meeting with Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, which had been scheduled for November 8 in New York, would "take place at a later date." Trump said earlier in October that his meeting with Kim would be held after the midterm Congressional elections, and the venue of his second meeting with Kim had been narrowed down to "three or four" locations. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump extended a brief greeting to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this Friday in Buenos Aires, a week after Washington considered the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Riyadh agents to be a case closed. Trump's short conversation with Bin Salman came while the plenary session of the G-20 Summit, which has brought together in Buenos Aires the leaders of the world's 20 major economies, was closed to the press. The two men "exchanged pleasantries," a senior White House official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity, Efe reported. Asked about the encounter, Trump said they hadn't talked about anything important. "We had no discussion. We might, but we had none," Trump said during a trilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US president said last week that he would have a bilateral meeting with Bin Salman if both attended the G-20 Summit, but the White House decided not to program that meeting due to ostensible scheduling conflicts. That meeting would undoubtedly have raised hackles in the US Congress, where the controversy continues about the October 2 murder of Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Turkey by a group of Saudi agents, including some known to be close to the crown prince. Trump issued a long statement last week saying that Bin Salman's possible implication in the journalist's death was of little importance and that he had no plans to take punitive action against Riyadh because of the slaying. The CIA has "nothing definitive" on the crown prince's involvement in the killing, Trump said, adding that "It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event - maybe he did and maybe he didn't! That being said, we may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi." The president went on to say that the US "intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region." --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Paul Manafort, former campaign chairman of US President Donald Trump, will tentatively face sentencing on March 5, a federal judge ruled on Friday, media has reported. US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said Mueller's team must submit a report to the court on December 7 on Manafort's alleged breach of the terms of his plea agreement with federal prosecutors. Jackson also said she would hold a hearing about it in January. The ruling came days after special counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the Russia probe, accused Manafort, 69, of repeatedly lying to federal investigators, breaching his plea deal he signed in September, Xinhua news agency reported. The special counsel is considering whether to file new charges against Manafort, said US Attorney Andrew Weissmann, a prosecutor with the Mueller team, during a hearing in federal court in Washington DC on Friday morning. "That determination has not been made," Weissmann said. Currently in jail in Alexandria, state of Virginia, Manafort had waived his right to appear in court on Friday. Manafort's attorneys said earlier this week that he disagreed with Mueller's claim that he had lied to the FBI and the special counsel's office, and that he "has provided information to the government in an effort to live up to his cooperation obligations." Manafort was convicted in August in a trial in Virginia on eight counts of financial fraud related to his work as an unregistered lobbyist for Ukraine -- prior to his time with the Trump campaign. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 8 for that conviction. In September, Manafort struck a deal to cooperate with Mueller's team to avoid a second related trial in the District of Columbia. Since then, he had been meeting with Mueller's team for the ongoing inquiry. Trump has tried to distance himself from Manafort, who joined the Trump campaign team in March 2016 and spent about two months working as campaign chairman before resigning following exposure of his Ukrainian lobbying work. The past week has been filled with new developments in the Russia probe, which is looking into the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election and any potential collusion between the Trump presidential campaign and Moscow. Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen reached a guilty plea with Mueller on Thursday to a count of making false statements to Congress about an aborted Trump Tower development project in Moscow. Cohen has been in discussions with Mueller's team, beginning in August and continuing through last week. Trump slammed Cohen as "a weak person" who was lying to get a reduced sentence, as he has defended the legality of his business dealings. The US president has recently escalated attacks against the Mueller probe that he has frequently slammed as a "hoax" or "witch hunt." He has denied any wrongdoing or trying to shut down the investigation but has urged Mueller to wrap it up. Russia has repeatedly denied meddling in the US elections. Trump cancelled a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled in Argentina, the host of the ongoing Group of 20 (G-20) summit. The White House on Friday said the cancellation was because of Russia's confrontation with Ukraine, but admitted that the Mueller-led investigation "probably does undermine" the Washington-Moscow relations. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UK's Minister of Universities and Science Sam Gyimah has resigned from Prime Minister Theresa May's government over her agreement with the EU, calling it a "deal in name only" and seeking a second referendum. Conservative MP Gyimah said the inability of May's government to secure continued participation in Galileo, the EU's strategic satellite navigation system, was only a foretaste of disappointments to come under her deal. Gyimah resigned on Friday and became the seventh minister to quit May's government over He called for a vote to gauge the public's mood if the Prime Minister loses the vote in Parliament on December 11, the Guardian reported. "I cannot support the government's deal and as such, I have tendered my resignation," Gyimah said in a statement made public on Saturday, adding May's withdrawal agreement was "a deal that leaves us poorer, less secure and weaker". Gyimah said the deal could lead to "potentially crippling ourselves politically and economically for decades to come". "There is a blocking minority in the House of Commons for almost every possible option which means that letting the people decide, now that we know more, might be the most sensible path for both leavers and remainers," Gyimah told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. "We don't actually have a deal, we have a deal in name only... What we have is a series of principles of what we want to achieve as a country, a set of negotiations after we have left the EU and given up our voice, our veto and our vote." "Our interest will be hammered during these negotiations, we have no leverage. They (the EU) set the hurdles you have to clear." The UK had wanted to remain within Galileo after Brexit, but the EU said it would be banned from the extra-secure elements of the programme. Galileo is to become the EU's replacement for the US-inspired Global Positioning System which helps people locate geographical points on mobile phone maps. Galileo will be a much more ambitious system that will also form part of a new and much more precise guidance system for cars and other transport. May confirmed on Friday that the UK was withdrawing from the project despite having invested vast amounts of money in it. Gyimah said that a second referendum on remaining part of the EU should not be ruled out. "We shouldn't dismiss out of hand the idea of asking the people again what future they want, as we all now have a better understanding of the potential paths before us." The UK's minister for universities and science Sam Gyimah has resigned in protest at Theresa May's Brexit deal, it was reported here on Friday. Local newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported that Gyimah called the Brexit deal "naive" and said any deal struck with Brussels will be "EU first", reports Xinhua news agency. The Conservative MP has become the seventh member of the Government to quit since May unveiled the draft Withdrawal Agreement. Gyimah said the plan was "not in the British national interest" and that voting for it would "set ourselves up for failure" by surrendering "our voice, our vote and our veto". He said that May should not rule out holding a second referendum, The Daily Telegraph reported. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leaders of India, China and Russia at a trilateral meeting held here had an in-depth exchange of views on expanding mutual cooperation in international forums and to encourage greater interaction among the three countries under new circumstances. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Friday agreed on the importance of reform and strengthening of multilateral institutions which have benefitted the world, including the UN, World Trade Organisation (WTO) and well-established as well as new global financial institutions, a statement from the External Affairs Ministry said. They underscored the benefits of a multilateral trading system and an open world economy for global growth and prosperity. Calling it an excellent meeting, Modi said a wide range of subjects were discussed which would further cement the friendship between the three nations and enhance world peace. The three leaders agreed to have regular consultations at all levels to jointly promote international and regional peace and stability, to strengthen cooperation through BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and East Asia Summit (EAS) mechanisms, to address global challenges such as terrorism and climate change, and to encourage peaceful resolution of all differences. They also acknowledged the importance of cooperation in Russia-India-China format and agreed to hold further such trilateral meetings on multilateral occasions, the Ministry said. On the sideline of G-20 Summit here, US President Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister also held a trilateral meeting, the first ever of its kind. --IANS vv/ksk (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former chief minister Saturday wrote to Prime Minister seeking opening of the Shardapeeth pilgrimage site across the (LoC). Mehbooba said Shardapeeth in Pak-administered is an outstanding relic of Kashmir's glowing history. "The initiatives taken by (the) government of India under your distinguished predecessors in office have resulted in the opening of Muzaffarabad and Rawalkot routes. Though their full potential has yet to be realised, the opening of Kartarpur has presented as with another window of opportunity," she said. The PDP president said her party has always considered people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan a confidence-building measure. "Though it generally connects the people here with their cultural and intellectual roots, for the (Kashmiri) Pandits it is an important place of pilgrimage which was frequented by them till independence. Their urge to open it to pilgrimage has been projected ever since the reopening of Srinagar Muzaffarabad Road," she said. "Kartarpur has encouraged the (Kashmiri) Pandit community to see a possibility of the Pilgrimage to Shardapeeth in the same spirit and our belief is strengthened by the reported offer of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to allow it along with pilgrimage to Katas Raj," the PDP president said in the letter. Mehbooba said a few members of the Kashmiri Pandit community discussed the issue with her and urged her to take up the matter with the prime minister. "I am sure you would kindly have this request considered on priority. Though it will be a measure specific to the Pandit community, I have no doubt it would be welcomed by every citizen of the state and would considerably help in addressing the feeling of despondency in a major section of population," she said. Mehbooba said it would "fit very well in the vision of pulling out of its miseries through diplomatic and political means away from death and destruction we witness with unending regularity". Hasmukh Adhia, who retired as finance and revenue secretary on Friday, is moving to Ahmedabad quite unusual for a top bureaucrat whos been at the centre of things from demonetisation to the goods and services tax (GST). Known to be among the favourite officers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 1981 batch Gujarat cadre IAS has surprised many by not sticking around in the capital waiting for a plum post-retirement posting. The man once tipped to be the Cabinet secretary is clearly looking to break away from the past. People who know him describe Adhia as quiet and ... A septuagenarian man was killed and over 170 people injured Saturday in a clash between supporters of two factions of Tableeghi Jamaat, a India-based Sunni Muslim organisations, over establishing dominance at a congregation organised here, police said. The factional clash disrupted the traffic movement on a major highway linking Dhaka with northwestern regions, they said. The Tableeghi Jamaat is one of the largest organisations of Sunni Muslims in the Indian subcontinent with its headquarters, referred to as the Markaz, in New Delhi. The organisation was founded by Indian Islamic scholar Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalvi in 1920. According to police, a 70-year-old man was killed and over 170 people injured as the clash erupted among the supporters of the two factions while they were rallying at the Ijtema (congregation) ground in the morning. "The violence continued for hours despite our efforts to prevent them...It went out of our control," a police officer present at the scene told PTI. Attempts to establish dominance on the ijtema ground on the banks of the Turag river at Tongi district on the outskirts of Dhaka triggered the clash, he said. While, 150 injured were rushed to a nearby government hospital, 20 critically wounded were taken to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, doctors said. According to police, the clashes erupted as followers of one of the factions led by Tabligh Jamaat's Delhi Markaz leader Moulana Mohammed Saad Kandhalvi began to march towards the Ijtema ground for a five-day congregation ahead of the annual main event earlier planned for January. The Bangladesh's Election Commission had banned any kind of congregation at Tongi Ijtema field till the December 30 general election, following a petition by the opponent Deoband group. The members of the Deoband faction led by Moulana Zubayer took up positions around the Tongi field and the nearby areas to prevent supporters of the other group from entering into the main ground, prompting the clash. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra government has told the Legislative Assembly that 101 persons died of swine flu in the state till September this year. As many as 1,167 persons were detected with swine flu till September, Health Minister Deepak Sawant said in a written reply, adding that instances of dengue, cholera and gastroenteritis were also on the rise. The minister informed the House that an Epidemic Management System was set up in April 2015. In a written reply to another question, Sawant said infant mortality rate due to malnutrition in the state had come down by 11 points from 24 in 2008 to 13 in 2016. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Army personnel were killed and as many injured in an accidental blast along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, an officer said. A landmine exploded near the anti-infiltration obstacle system when an Army column was on patrol duty along the LoC in Akhnoor sector of Jammu district late this afternoon, the officer said, quoting preliminary information. Two personnel were killed and as many injured in the explosion. The condition of one of the injured is stated to be critical, the Army spokesperson said. Further details are awaited, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) About 24 per cent of the total water supply in Mumbai is unmetered and it is more than the national average of 15 per cent, the Maharashtra government told the state Legislative Assembly. Unmetered water is that part of total supply which, due to various reasons, is not tracked by devices like water meters. Responding to a calling attention motion Friday, Maharashtra Minister of State for Urban Development Ranjit Patil said apparent losses such as illegal connections, water theft and metering inaccuracies were some of the reasons for the high unmetered percentage in the metropolis' water supply. The estimated population of Mumbai is 1.34 crore and an average 3800 million litres per day (MLD) of water is supplied to city, he informed the House, adding that there was, at present, a 10 per cent cut in supply due to deficit rains this monsoon. Patil said about 22 per cent of Mumbai's population live in slums. The BJP's Parag Alvani said it was unfortunate that the percentage of unmetered water was higher in Mumbai in comparison to the national average. He also criticised the minister's reply that 15 per cent of total supply to any city can be unmetered, non-revenue water. Non-revenue water is the part of supply that does not earn the utility producing and supplying it any money. Patil said the civic body would be asked to reduce the percentage of unmetered non-revenue water. "The civic body would be asked why the leaks are not reducing despite the use of leak detectors. This year, 24,654 leaks were found and fixed in different parts of the city. This is less that the 34,390 leaks that were found and plugged last year," Patil said in the Assembly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five states of the Northeastern region on Saturday signed separate MoUs with the Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL), a central PSU, to develop mechanisms relating to the Smart City projects in those states, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said. The Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed in presence of Puri, the Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, and Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb. Seven cities of the five states would come in the purview of the MoU signed with BEL for developing cloud based Integrated Command and Control Centre for implementation of the Smart City Mission, the sources said. The seven cities are Imphal in Manipur, Itanagar and Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh, Kohima in Nagaland, Namchi and Gangtok in Sikkim and Shillong in Meghalaya, Puri told a press conference. "Namchi in Sikkim has made tremendous progress in implementation of the Smart City Mission. Tripura has also done excellent work by sanctioning 100 percent of the demand, among which 60 percent houses were grounded," Puri said. Tripura has been working on the Smart City Mission since 2016 with a loan of Rs 400 crore from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Deb said a Rs 35 crore sewage treatment plant would be set up near the Indo-Bangla border at the Agartala-Akhaura Integrated Check Post to treat the sewage water before it passes into Bangladesh. Bangladesh had raised objections several times on dirty water flowing from Agartala to the low lying terrain of the neighbouring country, the chief minister said. "Earlier the central government sanctioned Rs 19 crore for the project, which was not adequate. So, we sent a proposal of Rs 35 crore which was agreed on principle by the union minister. The project is likely to be completed in one-and-a-half years years after it is commissioned," he said. Deb expressed gratitude to the Union minister for agreeing in principle to revise fund sharing system for NE states in centrally sponsored projects to 90:10 ratio instead of the existing 60:40 ratio. The memoranda were signed in presence of Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri and Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb after A two-day review meeting on five flagship schemes of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs concluded on Saturday. The schemes are Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation for Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart City Mission, Swacch Bharat Mission and the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission. The meeting also discussed progress in making the NE states Open Defecation Free (ODF). "Four states in the region are currently ODF. Others have assured us to become ODF by December 31. However, Meghalaya said it will become ODF by January next year," Puri said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The administrative officer of a naval housing colony in Mumbai has been arrested by the CBI for allegedly taking bribe for allowing a tuition to run from the colony. Mohammed Hussain Mujawar, the accused, is Commander and Administrative Officer of Naval Civilian Housing Colony (NCHC) in suburban Kanjur Marg, a CBI release said Saturday. Mujawar was caught Friday while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000, it said. He had allegedly demanded Rs 25,000 from a person to allow him to run tuition classes in the colony, and later agreed to accept Rs 20,000, it said. Following a complaint, the CBI laid a trapand caught Mujawar red-handed. Further probe is on, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A conference on several aspects of military medicine was organised here Saturday, officials said. The Directorate General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) Military Medicine Conclave here was attended by top military doctors. "Upgradation of the qualitative benchmarks is an ongoing process which cogently addresses the changing disease burden, harnessing of modern technology, optimal availability of resources and the ever-evolving operational milieu," the statement said. "These contemporary challenges, which lie at the crossroads of finite manpower and financial resources including clientele expectations, were extensively deliberated at the conclave," it added. The conclave saw a confluence of former director generals as well as the current innovations and futuristic vision of the AFMS fraternity. The network of AFMS medical units and establishments comprises the largest healthcare organisation in the country with a disciplined, dedicated and professionally competent workforce it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stirring up a controversy, Congress State president Mullappally Ramachandran has alleged that DGP Loknath Behara, a former senior NIA officer, had given "clean chit" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah in cases relating to the Gujarat riots and Ishrat Jahan alleged fake encounter. Ramachandran, who had served as minister of State for Home Affairs for five years in the Manmohan Singh cabinet in 2009, made the allegation at a meeting of the Youth League in Vatkara in Kozhikode district last night. Reacting to the allegation, BJP Rajya Sabha MP, V Muraleedharan told PTI "if Behara had done anything wrong as Ramachandran has claimed, why was no action taken?" .. which means, he supported the wrongdoing when he was a minister." "Besides, by revealing an official secret, he had now breached the oath of office," Muraleedharan said. Ramachandran said as a Union minister for five years, he had gone through several files. This included "those relating to the biggest riots the country has seen-- the Gujarat violence, Ishrat Jahan case (relating to the "encounter" killing of a 19-year-old woman and three others on the outskirts of Ahmedabad) and lots of other cases in which Modi, (who was then Gujarat chief minister) and Amit Shah, were co-accused," he said Modi was accused of initiating and condoning the violence. In 2012, he was cleared of complicity in the violence by a Supreme court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) which had questioned him for over 9 hours in the post-Godhra Gulberg society massacre case. Zakia Jafri, widow of former congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was among the 69 persons killed in the Gulberg society carnage, had moved the court against Modi and other accused. Ramachandran alleged that Behara was one of the officers of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), who had prepared the report "giving clean chit" to Modi and Shah. The congress leader said the report had "amused all of us." As a quid pro quo, Ramachandran alleged, Behara was appointed Kerala DGP on the directions of the Prime minister. Taking a dig at chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Ramachandran said Modi had directed his "new found companion" to appoint Behara as DGP and he had obliged. Former state home minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said if Ramachandran has said he had seen the particular files, there was no reason to disbelieve him as he was then the minister of state for home. Behara, who is out of station, could not be reached for comment. Ishrat Jahan, a 19-year-old woman from Mumbra area of Thane district near Mumbai and three others -- Javed Shaikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Amjadali Akbarali Rana and Zeeshan Johar -- were killed by the police in an "encounter" on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on June 15, 2004. Police had claimed that the four had terror links and had plotted to kill then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. A CBI probe held that the encounter was fake. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stirring up a row, Congress State president Mullappally Ramachandran has alleged that IPS officer Loknath Behara was made Kerala police chief at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he as senior NIA officer gave him and BJP president Amit Shah a 'clean chit" in Gujarat riots and Ishrat Jahan alleged fake encounter cases. Ramachandran, who had served as minister of State for Home Affairs for five years in the Manmohan Singh cabinet in 2009, made the allegation at a meeting of the Youth League in Vatkara in Kozhikode district last night. Reacting to the allegation, BJP Rajya Sabha MP, V Muraleedharan told PTI "if Behara had done anything wrong as Ramachandran has claimed, why was no action taken?" .. which means, he supported the wrongdoing when he was a minister." "Besides, by revealing an official secret, he had now breached the oath of office," Muraleedharan said. Ramachandran said as a Union minister for five years, he had gone through several files. This included "those relating to the biggest riots the country has seen-- the Gujarat violence, Ishrat Jahan case (relating to the "encounter" killing of a 19-year-old woman and three others on the outskirts of Ahmedabad) and lots of other cases in which Modi, (who was then Gujarat chief minister) and Amit Shah, were co-accused," he said Modi was accused of asking police to go soft on rioters targeting the Muslims. In 2012, he was cleared of complicity in the violence by a Supreme court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) which had questioned him for over 9 hours in the post-Godhra Gulberg society massacre case. Zakia Jafri, widow of former congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was among the 69 persons killed in the Gulberg society carnage, had moved the court against Modi and other accused. Ramachandran alleged that Behara was one of the officers of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), who had prepared the report "giving clean chit" to Modi and Shah. The congress leader said the report had "amused all of us." As a quid pro quo, Ramachandran alleged, Behara was appointed Kerala DGP on the directions of the Prime minister. Taking a dig at chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Ramachandran said Modi had directed his "new found companion" to appoint Behara as DGP and he had obliged. Former state home minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said if Ramachandran has said he had seen the particular files, there was no reason to disbelieve him as he was then the minister of state for home. Behara, who is out of station, could not be reached for comment. Ishrat Jahan, a 19-year-old woman from Mumbra area of Thane district near Mumbai and three others -- Javed Shaikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Amjadali Akbarali Rana and Zeeshan Johar -- were killed by the police in an "encounter" on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on June 15, 2004. Police had claimed that the four had terror links and had plotted to kill then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. A CBI probe held that the encounter was fake. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister and senior BJP leader Jitendra Singh Saturday said his party respects Governor Satya Pal Malik's decision of dissolving the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, as it believes in maintaining the sanctity of the country's constitutional institutions. The Assembly was abruptly dissolved by the governor on the night of November 21, hours after the PDP staked claim to form a government with the backing of rival National Conference and the Congress followed by another bid from the two-member People's Conference which claimed the support of the BJP and 18 legislators from other parties. "The decision of the governor (to dissolve the Assembly) is paramount for us. Keeping in mind the sanctity and honour of the institution he heads, we will accept his decisions in the future as well," Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function here. The Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office was replying to a question about former BJP MLA from R S Pura, Gagan Bhagat, reportedly challenging the governor's decision in the Supreme Court by filing a writ petition on Thursday. Bhagat, who was suspended for six months by the disciplinary committee of the party following allegations of extramarital affairs in July, had also caused embarrassment for the BJP in August when he supported Article 35A of the constitution providing special rights and privileges to the people of the Jammu and Kashmir. Downplaying Bhagat's move, the Union minister said the BJP does not interfere in constitutional institutions and will always maintain the sanctity of the Raj Bhavan. "The Congress, which ruled the country and even the state for over 40-50 years, is habitual in interfering with constitutional institutions like the Raj Bhavan. Because of this guilt consciousness, the Congress was expecting us to do the same during our rule. But this is the difference between them and us," Singh said. On protests by opposition parties over the Governor's decision to convert J&K bank into a Public Sector Undertaking, he said the BJP whole-heartedly supports the move. "The bank was formed to benefit the poor and not a few families or the cooks working in their kitchens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working to bring transparency in the country. If they (opposition) are against transparency that means they have something to hide," Singh said. About a Jammu University professor allegedly referring to freedom fighter Bhagat Singh as a "terrorist", the Union minister said the agency concerned will take cognizance about it. But, a bottom line has to be drawn to maintain the patriotic and nationalistic integrity in India, he said. While delivering a lecture at the department of political science on Thursday, Prof Mohammad Tajuddin allegedly made the reference. Taking immediate action, Vice Chancellor Prof Manoj K Dhar ordered a probe and ordered disassociation of Prof Tajuddin from teaching. However, Prof Tajuddin has said that his remarks were taken out of context and a 25-second clip was made from his two-hour lecture. Singh, on Saturday, said, "I am personally in favour of free flow of ideas, thoughts and ideologies. In fact every student in any university or teaching institution should have an opportunity to expose himself or herself to all streams of thought so that he can grow his thought through spontaneity." "But the bottom line has to be commitment to the integrity and supremacy of the nation and this is observed even in some of the most developed democratic countries such as the United Kingdom and the USA." "Those who go to these countries and acquire the citizenship, they too do not utter a single world directly or indirectly which would hurt the integrity of the country where they have settled," Singh said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BSF and Pakistani Rangers Saturday exchanged sweets along the International Border (IB) in Jammu as the Indian border guarding force celebrated its 54th raising day, officials said. "On the occasion of BSF's 54th raising day, both border guarding forces of India and Pakistan-- Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers-- exchanged sweets and greeted each other in Samba, Hiranagar, Ramgarh, R S Pura and Pargwal sectors of IB in Jammu region," a BSF official said. Both the sides committed to maintain peaceful atmosphere and harmonious relation on the occasion, the official added. BSF observed the 54th raising day at all its camps and headquarters across Jammu region with pomp and show, the official said further. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker hailed US president George HW Bush on Saturday for the part he played in bringing unity and peace to Europe after the Cold War. "I will never forget the role he played in making Europe a safer and more united place following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain," Juncker said of Bush, who died on Friday aged 94. Bush's "calmness, leadership and close personal relationships with (German chancellor) Helmut Kohl and (Soviet Russian leader) Mikhail Gorbachev were decisive in restoring peace and freedom back to so many people across our continent," the former Luxembourg prime minister added. "We Europeans will forever remember this," Juncker said. European Parliament president Antonio Tajani in a tweet said that "Europe has lost a champion of its freedom and unity during the Cold War. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 'Armed Forces Flag Day Fund' (AFFDF) has been constituted by the Centre for the welfare and rehabilitation of the ex-servicemen (ESM) community, the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. The aim of the campaign is to generate awareness about the fund and encourage people to contribute generously. Several cashless payment methods have been setup and made available. You can send your contributions via PayTM number '8800462175' and UPI code: armedforcesflagdayfund@sbi To contribute using Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking log on to ksb.gov.in/armed-forces-flag-day-fund.html, ksb.gov.in/armed-forces-flag-day-fund.htm, the statement said. There are more than 30 lakh ex-servicemen and around 60,000 ex-servicemen are added every year due to early superannuation. Contributions received from prospective donors of AFFDF are utilised to provide basis sustenance needs of the ESM community through a medium of welfare schemes. Since 1949, December 7 is observed as Armed Forces Flag Day throughout India to honour the martyrs as well as men and women in uniform, who valiantly fight on our borders to safeguard the country's honour. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Facing reverses in their traditional stronghold, Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bastar have come up with a new strategy, apparently based on the Vietnamese model of guerrilla warfare, wherein effigies with fake guns are positioned strategically in the forest to take on the troopers. Naxals have suffered heavy casualties in a string of encounters with security forces in the restive zone in the last few months. The security forces had recovered 13 such effigies planted by Naxals from three different places in the dense forests of the insurgency-hit Sukma district in the last eight days, a police official said Saturday. According to the police, the ultras are using the human body dummies to mislead and distract the security forces when they conduct anti-Maoist operations in their core areas. "As a part of their operational strategy, Naxals have for the first time used such effigies that resemble a person to mislead the security forces in the forests," Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Meena told PTI. He said the 13 effigies, along with the dummy guns, were recovered from Amapenta and Rasapalli in the Kistaram area and from Chintagufa. "In the case of Chintagufa, where five such effigies were recovered on November 29, an IED (improvised explosive device) was also found placed near one such dummy", the SP added. These effigies, made with paddy straw and dried grass and clad in civilian clothes, were found positioned behind trees, he said. Meena added that "wooden firearms" were found placed in the hands of the effigies, which made those appear from a distance as men armed with guns hiding in the forest. "Naxals seem to have devised this strategy with two-three purposes. They might be using these dummies to ambush the security forces and to create an impression that ultras are present in large numbers at a given spot," the SP explained. He said distracting the attention of the security forces and creating a psychological pressure on them could be another strategy behind planting the dummies. "Moreover, the planting of IEDs along with the effigies indicates that causing damage to the security forces through bomb explosions could also be a motive," Meena said. Responding to a query on how the ultras could have possibly derived the new idea, the SP said though such tactics were used in several traditional wars, it was used by Naxals for the first time. "In the Vietnam war, the Viet Cong guerrilla fighters had used such tactics against the American forces. Naxals, who had been following the guerrilla warfare tactics used in that war, have probably taken a cue from there," he said. Meena added that the security forces had recovered a large number of documents of the "military commission" of the Maoists during two recent encounters in Sakler and Muler villages of Sukma, which were being studied. "An analysis of the documents is likely to reveal several military strategies of Naxals. This experiment of using effigies might have been mentioned in those," he said. Security forces were instructed to be cautious in dealing with such effigies in the forest, Meena said. Meanwhile, a security expert said Naxals kept on experimenting new strategies to assess the reaction of the security forces. "Naxals keep on experimenting with tactics after watching war and action films as well as documentaries, especially those made in Hollywood. "They want to see the reaction of the security forces to their new tactics, in a bid to chalk out a complete military strategy," Girishkant Pandey, Head of the Department, Defence Studies at the Government Science College here, said. The idea of planting effigies to divert the attention of the security forces was a part of the same strategy, he added. "Apart from the Vietnam War, the German troops had used effigies, dummy weapons as well as tanks to distract their opponents in north Africa during the Second World War," Pandey said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) S Chikkarangappa couldn't replicate his solid show of the first two days but did enough to remain three shots off the leaders after a round of 71 on the penultimate day of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on Saturday. The third round belonged to South African Justin Hardin, who hit a bogey free 8-under 64 to share the pole position with United States' Kurt Kityama, who shot 70 on the day. Chikkarangappa is currently tied third with Frenchman Matthieu Pavon and Japan's Masahiro Kawamura, with aggregate scores of 13 under 203. After a creditable 12 under in the first two days, Chikka failed to break the par during the first seven holes in the front nine. To make matters worse, he bogeyed on the 8th but restored parity with a birdie on the 9th for a par score at the halfway stage. Chikka started the back nine with a birdie on the 10th before he had bogeys on 14th and 16th, which led him to briefly slip to sixth place. However, the Indian redeemed himself in the final two holes with a double birdie to maintain his under-Par card and was placed tied 3rd. A top 5 finish in an European PGA tour event will be a creditable finish for the 25- year-old. World no 90 Hardin had a hat trick of birdies on 2nd, 3rd and 4th hole while he added two more on the 6th and 8th respectively. In the back nine, Hardin had three more on the 11th, 13th and 18th hole as he caught up with Kityama who had three birdies and a bogey in his 70. Among other Indians, Ajeetesh Sandhu had the best third round with four under 68 that included seven birdies and three bogeys. Sandhu is currently tied 12th and would be bracing for a top 10 finish with a good final round. Udayan Mane had a poor day as he shot a 73 to slip to 54th position while Viraj Madappa brought up the rear with a disappointing round of 75, that saw him slump to tied 60th. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has extradited from Bulgaria a former official accused of taking bribes, the first such return from a European Union country, the country's top graft buster said. A former official in eastern China's Zhejiang province, Yao Jinqi, 62, was on Friday returned to China where he could face the death penalty. "The law enforcement agencies of China and Bulgaria worked closely together and Yao Jinqi, a suspect who fled to Bulgaria, was extradited," the National Supervision Commission said in a statement. "It is also the first time that we have successfully extradited a bureaucrat suspected of work-related crimes from an EU member state." During a court hearing in Sofia on Monday, Yao had asked to be extradited, his lawyer Yanko Alexiev told Bulgarian public broadcaster BNT. Since Yao could face the death penalty, the court could have rejected China's extradition request, Alexiev said. "However, given the firm position expressed by my client of an immediate extradition to China, I do not see how the Bulgarian court could have refused," he added. China's official Xinhua agency said Yao had fled the country in 2005 when he was accused of graft, living in central and south America and the Philippines before settling in Bulgaria where he was last month arrested after being put on an Interpol Red Notice. "There is no true freedom fleeing overseas, finally I still needed to come back to explain myself and accept the consequences," he told Xinhua. As part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive, Beijing has sought the return of overseas fugitives accused of corruption or economic crimes. But it has seen limited success with many western governments including the United States and Canada unwilling to cooperate because of what they say a lack of transparency and due process in China's legal system. This is the first extradition since the NSC, a new super anti-graft agency, was set up in March. The commission works alongside the Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), which has punished more than one million officials since 2012. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to look into complaints of excessive billing by Adani Electricity in Mumbai, a BJP legislator said. The company said that higher bills were the result of seasonal change in electricity consumption patterns. Local MLA Ashish Shelar said he met Fadnavis Saturday to convey people's concerns over sudden and steep increase in power bills in suburban Mumbai, where Adani Electricity is the electricity distributor. "The chief minister immediately ordered the energy minister to conduct an inquiry," Shelar said. Shelar demanded that an audit of past three months' billing process be carried out, and the company be asked to provide evidence that billing was based on actual meter reading and not on average consumption. If there is excess billing, the money should be immediately refunded with interest, Shelar said. The Legal Metrology Department should carry out random audit of electricity bills, and the government, on its own, should approach the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) over this issue, he demanded. Adani Electricity, in a statement, justified higher bills for October and November saying that the city witnesses a change in climate during this period, resulting in a change in patterns of electricity consumption. Its rates were as per the tariff determined by MERC, it said. Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited is a subsidiary of Adani Transmission, formed after acquisition of Reliance Infrastructure's generation, transmission and distribution utilities in Mumbai. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bharatiya Janata Party lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Congress leader Raj Babbar on Saturday for allegedly using "derogatory words" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah. Addressing a rally in Udaipur on Friday, Babbar had reportedly said two people from Gujarat were running a gang in Delhi to "kill" the poor people. The BJP has lodged a complaint with the commission demanding strict action in the matter, the party said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Raising concerns over the security of EVMs, the Congress moved the Election Commission on Saturday, demanding adequate measures to ensure free and fair results during counting of votes polled in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh elections. While a delegation of senior Congress leaders met the poll body and raised concerns over the security of EVMs inside strong rooms, party spokesperson Manish Tewari later held a press conference and said Electronic Voting Machines have been found in hotel rooms in Chhattisgarh. He sought a probe into the issue. Senior party leader and treasurer Ahmed Patel offered suggestions to the poll body separately for holding a free and fair counting of votes. Tewari alleged that the BJP was resorting to malpractice as it feared defeat in these two states. "Now what were EVMs doing in hotel rooms? After an election is over, an EVM is supposed to be kept in the strong room. Rather than the strong room, it was found in a hotel room. On one hand, the Election Commission says that officers have been suspended, on the other the State Election Commission says EVMs have not been tampered with," he said. "The fact that they are in an unauthorised place is evidence of tampering itself," he asserted. Patel suggested to the EC that it should allow representatives of all political parties to accompany officials transporting EVMs to counting centres from strong rooms, cross check if postal ballots were received from eligible voters, review conduct of senior officials in three districts Rajnandgaon, Kondagaon and Bilaspur and initiate a second round of counting only after completion of the first round. Earlier Saturday, the Congress delegation which met the EC also alleged that names of voters were deleted in Uttar Pradesh. Talking to reporters after meeting the Election Commission, AICC's Chhattisgarh in-charge P L Punia said suspicious activities were reported in Dhamtari constituency. He claimed people with laptop computers and mobile phones were seen roaming around strong rooms, where Electronic Voting Machines were kept after polling, on the pretext of repairing the CCTVs. The party has filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer in Raipur regarding this, Punia said. Congress lawmaker Vivek Tankha claimed there was no electricity in a strong room in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal city for over an hour during which CCTV cameras had also stopped functioning. He claimed that 48 hours after the closing of polls in the state, a school bus bearing no number plate and carrying EVMs had reached the Sagar district collector's office. "The objective of this was ostensibly to deposit these machines with the office of the collector. These spare EVMs were to be deposited two hours after the polls and not after two days. This happened in the Khuria seat from where the state home minister is contesting the polls," Tankha told reporters. Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi alleged that in Uttar Pradesh's Sarhanpur district there were discrepancies such as erroneous deletion of names of voters on booth number 44. He said glaring anomalies were found in 98 of 100 forms on this booth and names of people of a particular community were deleted, so they could not vote against the ruling party. "The Election Commission has assured us that they will look into it," Singhvi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala Saturday moved a vigilance court here and sought a probe against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Excise Minister T P Ramakrishnan, alleging graft worth crores of rupees while issuing licenses to set up brewery and distillery units in the state. Chennithala, who is the opposition leader in the state assembly, appeared in person before the Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, D Ajith Kumar, and contended that he had evidence on record to prove that the chief minister and the minister had not consulted the cabinet and acted in secrecy. He has also arraigned Excise Commissioner Rishiraj Singh as an accused in the matter. Chennithala said there was "actually no environmental assessment study" on the availability of water resources and without identification of the land for the project, a feasibility report was considered and accepted. "The criminal conspiracy hatched in secrecy is readily gatherable from the face of record which inspires confidence to conclude that there was kickback in this deal for the dishonest performance of public duty to obtain undue pecuniary advantage to the company and the accused," Chennithala's plea said. Earlier, Governor P Sathasivam had rejected the plea seeking his approval under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for an inquiry against the chief minister and the minister. Chennithala told reporters that moving the court was the only way to "catch the culprits". The Left government came under attack for its decision to issue licences to various companies to set up distillery and brewery units in three districts of the state - Kannur, Palakkad and Ernakulam. However, the government cancelled all the licences after the row erupted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Saturday accused the Congress of pushing seven Hindi-speaking states into the "BIMARU category". BIMARU is an abbreviation for Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and coined in the early 1980s, reportedly to convey the dismal state of these states. At an election rally in Rajasthan, Adityanath said the Congress ruled major Hindi-speaking states including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand for maximum duration and alleged that its "mis-governance" pushed them into the "BIMARU category". Yogi, a star campaigner of the BJP, addressed rallies in Anta, Baran, Ramganj Mandi, Masuda and Jamdoli on Saturday. He alleged that the Congress did not focus on development and governance and worked to create a divide in the society. "Congress divided the country for its greed, for power. Later, the party divided the country on the basis of caste, region and language," he alleged. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not have had to open bank accounts of 32 crore people had the Congress worked to ensure their participation in the banking system. He said the BJP government at the Centre is working to provide home to every poor in the country by 2022. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Saturday compared the Congress with an automated teller machine (ATM), saying that it was a machine of "lies". "The Congress is an ATM of lies, whereas the BJP is an ATM of development," Shah said, while addressing an election rally in Balotara town in Rajasthan's Barmer district. He said the saffron party was a "development ATM", where problems were resolved once it was brought to notice. Asking the Congress to clear its stand on the Ayodhya dispute, the BJP chief said: "I want to make it clear that the BJP wants to build a grand Ram temple at the earliest (at the disputed site). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Pollution Control Board has sent show cause notices to municipal bodies SDMC and EDMC for failing to check air polluting activities under their jurisdiction, asking why their commissioners should not be prosecuted for inaction. In two separate notices issued on November 29, the watchdog asked for an explanation as to why action should not be initiated for prosecution of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) commissioners for "failing to effectively control air polluting incidences" under their jurisdiction. CPCB chairman S P Singh Parihar sought response to the notices within 48 hours. The Supreme Court had on Monday asked the CPCB to prosecute government officials for not acting on around 250 complaints received by it from citizens. Why don't you prosecute these officials? You should prosecute them. "Let these people realise what they have done, the SC had told the CPCB. In its notice to SDMC, the CPCB said that out of the 866 complaints received by citizens and teams deployed by the pollution watchdog, till now only 200 complaints have been resolved, 334 complaints were being investigated and 332 were not yet attended. In its notice to East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), the CPCB said that out of the 534 complaints received by citizens and teams deployed by the pollution watchdog, till now only 133 complaints were resolved, 272 complaints were being either investigated and 129 were not yet attended. Parihar said that time and again the CPCB has urged these bodies to open social media accounts to address these complaints. "CPCB's meetings with nodal agencies were also held on Nov 14, 19, 22 and 23 wherein agencies were directed to join the social media platform," he said in the notices. Parihar noted that the deterioration of air quality is a matter of serious concern and the CPCB has deployed teams that are sending alerts by means of directly informing the responsible agencies. "It is the responsibility of the nodal agencies concerned to attend incidents of air pollution and take measures to mitigate problem in a time-bound manner," it added. The CPCB, earlier in its meetings with public authorities including SDMC and EDMC, had termed their action on complaints "grossly inadequate". Last week, the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority Chairperson Bhure Lal also lashed out at enforcement agencies, alleging that Delhi's civic and urban bodies are "not properly implementing" the directions issued to curb pollution. Delhi has been battling alarming levels of pollution for over a month where the air quality has been oscillating between poor and severe category, prompting authorities to adopt a slew of measures. These include the CPCB opening social media accounts for public to register their complaints. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Renowned Indian fashion designer Rocky S believes every city in India has a different fashion trend. The designer, however, believes the trends created by Bollywood stars binds the Indian fashion scene together. "I think fashion in our country keeps changing. Every city has a different fashion trend and it is not that our country has one fashion trend. "But Bollywood is one thing that drives everybody. It dictates fashion. Bollywood actors are fashion icons so whatever actor wears people follow that," Rocky told PTI. The designer said he is always juggling between fashion and films. And as a creative person, he looks for work that challenges him. "Whatever drives me I take that. I am just expecting new and different stuff be it for films or my label. Work is work." After having done 350 films for little over two decades, Rocky decided to go slow with his film projects. But when director S Shankar offered him "2.0" he grabbed the offer immediately. "I took a break from films because it was getting too stagnated. For me it is about quality work. At this stage in my life as a designer, I focus more on my brand and when the project is challenging and different than only I take it up. I don't need to do every film that comes my way," the designer said. Rocky, who headed the costume and styling for "2.0" said he was both excited and nervous to be part of the mega budget sci-fi film. "You rarely get to work with a legend like Rajini sir, it was a dream to work with him. It was a challenging film. This film took two years of mine. "I did get scared as it is larger than life film and is the most expensive films to have been made, besides this, the characters were complex," he said. The film, a sequel to 2010 film "Robot" has Rajinikanth reprising the role of a scientist named Vaseeharan and a robot named Chitti. While, Akshay Kumar is the antagonist, named Pakshirajan, an ornithologist and professor who is against the telecom industry. The ace designer said he alone should not get the credit for the costumes of Rajinikanth and Akshay. "Each look took four hours to create from make-up to hair. There is a team that came from LA, who specialises in these metal and rubber costumes. The whole team was flown down to Chennai. It was a team effort." According to Rocky, Shankar did all the research work but the team working on costumes also watched quite a few Hollywood films to see how superheroes are created on screen. He said, "We did lot of research and looking at how the other superhero films looked like and what kind of costume will be required for a normal person getting transformed. Shankar had done homework for two years, before we met him. His vision was very strong and he was clear what he wanted to create." Rocky said Indian cinema has reached a level where films like "2.0" can compete with Hollywood, in terms of look and technology. He believes today everything has become universal and there is always a need to have a right team on board for a project. "The technical part is very important in such films. It is a project where you can go wrong if not done correctly as it can look unreal. There is lot of money that is required to do a film like this. "See the amount of money invested in '2.0' (film's budget is Rs 543 cr). How many people are making this kind of high budget films? A film like '2.0' has opened doors to try and do something like this." The film released on November 29. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after he quit from the ruling TDP in Andhra Pradesh, Former minister Ravela Kishore Babu joined the Jana Sena party Saturday. Formally welcoming Ravela into the party, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan said the latter rendered good services to the Scheduled Castes. Ravela quit the ruling Telugu Desam Party and also his Assembly membership Friday. The development came as a jolt to the TDP as Ravela was the first legislator to walk out of the ruling party since 2014. A first time legislator, Ravela served as social welfare minister in the Chandrababu Naidu Cabinet from June 8, 2014 to April 1, 2017. He was sacked for non-performance and his controversial behaviour. He represented Prathipadu Assembly constituency in Guntur district but never maintained cordial relations with the local party leaders. Speaking after admitting Ravela into his party, Kalyan denounced the growing caste in the state and stressed on the need to put an end to it. He also expressed concern over the widespread corruption in the state. "I supported TDP in 2014 with the hope that it will stay away from caste and root out corruption. Sadly, the two did not happen," Kalyan lamented. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former senior employee of an infrastructure firm was arrested for allegedly blackmailing and extorting Rs 3.50 crore from its directors, Thane police said Saturday. Kaveshwar Aadhav (42), a former general manager with Pratibha Industries, was Friday arrested for extortion by Vartak Nagar police on the complaint of the firm's managing director Manohar Kulkarni, an official said. According to the complaint, the firm had bagged a Rs 406 crore contract from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation between 2009 and 2014 for laying a water pipeline from Tansa Lake to Shahapur, police said. Aadhav, the complaint alleged, was taking decisions that were detrimental to the firm and was therefore shifted to a housing project in Kalyan and then to one of the company's sites in Rajasthan. Aadhav was then forced to quit the firm in October 2014, police said quoting the complaint. Taking advantage of his knowledge of the internal working of the firm and its projects, Aadhav started filing Right to Information pleas related to works carried out by the firm and began lodging complaints against them with relevant authorities, the complaint stated. He then demanded Rs 5 crore from the directors of the firm to withdraw these complaints, and over a period of time starting January 2016 extorted Rs 3.50 crore, the police said. Vartak Nagar police arrested Aadhav Friday and the Thane police's Anti-Extortion Cell is conducting a parallel probe into the case, an official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) George H.W. Bush -- the upper-crust war hero-turned-oilman and diplomat who steered America through the end of the Cold War as president and led a political dynasty that saw his son win the White House -- died Friday. He was 94. George W. Bush called his father a "man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," in a statement announcing his death. "The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens." Bush's passing comes just months after the death in April of his wife and revered first lady Barbara Bush -- his "most beloved woman in the world" -- to whom he was married for 73 years. The 41st American president was a foreign policy realist who navigated the turbulent but largely peaceful fall of the Soviet Union in 1989 and assembled an unprecedented coalition to defeat Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein two years later. But the decorated war pilot and former CIA chief suffered the ignominy of being a one-term president, denied a second term over a weak economy when he lost the 1992 election to upstart Democrat Bill Clinton. His favouring of stability and international consensus stands in sharp contrast to the provocative bluster of fellow Republican and current White House occupant Donald Trump, a man whom Bush did not vote for in 2016. Bush presided over economic malaise at home, and infuriated his fellow Republicans during a budget battle with rival Democrats by famously breaking his vow: "Read my Lips: No new taxes." But he was the respected patriarch of a blue-blood political dynasty -- son George spent eight years in the White House, and son Jeb served as governor of Florida. At the time of his death, Bush was the American president to have lived the longest. Jimmy Carter was born a few months later, so he could quickly reset the record. "America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude," former president Barack Obama said in a statement. George H W Bush was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty -- the son of Prescott Bush, a successful banker and US senator for Connecticut. Bush had a pampered upbringing and attended the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover, but delayed his acceptance to Yale in order to enlist in the US Navy on his 18th birthday and head off to war. He flew 58 combat missions during World War II. Shot down over the Pacific by Japanese anti-aircraft fire, he parachuted out and was rescued by a submarine after huddling in a life raft for four hours while enemy forces circled. Bush married Barbara Pierce in January 1945, shortly before the war ended, and the couple went on to have six children, including one, Robin, who died as a child. Instead of joining his father in banking upon graduation from Yale University, Bush headed to bleak west Texas to break into the rough-and-tumble oil business. He surprised many with his success, and by 1958 had settled in Houston as president of an offshore drilling company. In the 1960s, Bush, now independently wealthy, turned to He was a local Republican Party chairman, and in 1966 won a seat in the US House of Representatives. He served there until 1970, when he lost a bid for the Senate. Over the next decade, he held several high-level posts that took him and Barbara around the world: head of the Republican National Committee, US ambassador to the United Nations, envoy to China and director of the Central Intelligence Agency, where he was praised for restoring morale after revelations of widespread illegal activity. He served as vice president to Ronald Reagan after losing to him in the 1980 Republican primary, an eight-year period of hands-on training for the top post he would go on to win by a solid margin in 1988, as the Cold War was coming to an end. In a major test of the post-Cold War order, Saddam's million-man army invaded Kuwait in 1990 and looked set to roll into Saudi Arabia, which would have given the Iraqi strongman more than 40 percent of the world's oil reserves. Bush famously vowed: "This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait." He assembled a coalition of 32 nations to drive Iraqi forces out in a matter of weeks with a lightning air and ground assault. Some 425,000 US troops backed by 118,000 allied soldiers took part in Operation Desert Storm, decimating Saddam's military machine without ousting him from power -- a task that would be accomplished 12 years later by Bush's son. Buoyed by his victory in the Gulf, Bush and his hard-nosed and widely respected secretary of state James Baker cobbled together the 1991 Madrid Conference to launch the Arab-Israeli peace process. The conference was mainly symbolic, but it set the stage for the Oslo Accords two years later. In late 1989, Bush sent US troops to Panama to oust strongman Manuel Noriega. He also set the groundwork for the North American Free Trade Agreement. Domestically, however, the economy stalled and Bush broke his pledge not to raise taxes in order to reach a budget deal with Democrats -- a cardinal sin in the eyes of Republicans. In 1992, Bush lost his re-election bid to Clinton -- whose aide coined the now famous slogan "It's the economy, stupid" -- as eccentric third-party candidate Ross Perot syphoned off conservative votes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) George H W Bush, the 41st president of the US who led America during the collapse of the Soviet Union and the turning back of an Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, died on Friday. He was 94. His death, which was announced by his office, came less than eight months after that of his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," George Bush Jr, who went on to serve as the 43rd US president, said in a statement. He was "a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens," Bush Jr added. President Bush was suffering from Parkinson's disease that forced him to use a wheelchair in recent years, and he had been in and out of hospitals in recent months as his health declined. There were fears that after his wife, Barbara, died in April, Bush might die, too. He was admitted to a hospital with a blood infection on April 23, one day after the funeral for the former first lady, and remained there for 13 days. He was hospitalised again in May for low blood pressure and fatigue a week after arriving in Maine to spend the summer. He was released a few days later and celebrated his birthday on June 12 - making history by becoming the first former president to reach the age of 94. The decorated war pilot and former CIA chief was elected president on November 8, 1988. He was sworn in on January 20, 1989, and served until January 20, 1993. During his term in office, a revolution of human liberty swept the globe, emancipating tens of millions of people and unleashing a series of transformative events: collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War; the Berlin Wall "fell", and Germany united within NATO following 45 years of postwar division. From Eastern Europe to the Baltic States to Latin America to the former Soviet republics, many liberal democracies supplanted totalitarian regimes. During this "historic period of cooperation" as he called it, President Bush worked with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and other key global figures to end the Cold War peacefully and usher in a new geopolitical era marked by political self-determination, the spread of market capitalism, and the opening of closed economies. In August of 1990, after Iraqi troops under dictator Saddam Hussein invaded neighbouring Kuwait, President Bush forged an unprecedented coalition of 32 countries to restore Kuwaiti sovereignty and uphold international law. He subsequently convened the Madrid Peace Conference in the Fall of 1991, bringing Israel and her Arab neighbours together in face-to-face discussions for the first time in history. President Bush also drastically reduced the threat of nuclear attack by signing two Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties in 1991 and 1993, and negotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1992 which President Bill Clinton later signed into law. Bush Sr was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty. He married Barbara Pierce in January 1945, shortly before the War War II ended, and the couple went on to have six children, including one, Robin, who died as a child. President Bush, or "41" as he was informally known after George W. was elected president, considered Houston, Texas his home - and Walker's Point, the family home where he spent a part of every summer except 1944 (when he was serving in World War II), as his "anchor to windward. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons died on the spot in a collision of two trucks on Nagpur-Raipur highway in Maharashtra's Gondia district Saturday, police said. One of the trucks, carrying cement pipes, was going to Raipur from Nagpur, while the other truck, carrying rice sacks, was heading for Gujarat, Deori police in the district said. Around 3.30 AM, driver of the Gujarat-bound truck, Arif Natha Shama (26), tried to cross to the other side to drive to a petrol pump near Sirpur village, eight km from Deori, police said. The driver of the other truck, Ravi Pitamber Yadav (25), could not stop his vehicle which led to a collision, police said. Yadav, cleaners Visheshwar Pemanlal Verma (30) and Sarvan Ramprasad Yadav (34), all residents of Mehrumkala in Khairagarh tehsil of Rajnandgaon, and cleaner Javed Ramjan Aala (24) who was in the other truck, died on the spot. Arif Natha Shama was admitted to a hospital where he was undergoing treatment. Police had to use gas cutters to remove the bodies. The traffic on the NagpurRaipur highway was disrupted for some time due to the accident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A strong supporter of Indian democracy, former President George H W Bush talked about dealing with Indian government with respect and quality and wished for a lasting India-Pakistan peace in his capacity as the 41st US president. Bush, 94, died on Saturday. It was under his administration that India and the US signed the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). At a time, India was undergoing through a phase of political uncertainty-had four prime ministers during one term presidency (January 20, 1989 to January 20, 1993) - Bush expressed his full faith in Indian democracy, but tended to ignore nuclear proliferation concerns of the international community with regard to Pakistan and echoed Islamabad on Indian peaceful nuclear activities. Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination during an election rally in Tamil Nadu in May 1991 was a personal loss to him. "Barbara and I have had a friendship, a real friendship, with Rajiv Gandhi and his wife, and it's on a personal basis I mourn the loss," he told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 21, 1991. As Vice President to Ronald Regan from 1981 to 1989, Bush had developed a personal friendship with Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi. "When you look at his contribution to international order and when you think of his decency, it's a tragedy," he said. "And that people resort in a democratic country or anywhere to violence of this nature--it's just appalling. And I don't know what the world's coming to, but it's a sad thing for this young man to have lost his life in this way. It's a tragedy," Bush said. A few days later he drove to the Indian Embassy in Washington DC to sign the condolence book. "India's democracy is strong, steadfast, and it has the full support of our country. It always has, and it always will. And this is a terrible tragedy. It tests the souls of India, and it tryst the hearts of all of us. But I fear not for India's democracy, he told reporters at the Indian Embassy on May 24, 1991. "The US will deal with the Indian Government with respect and quality," Bush said as he urged people of India "for calm, for peaceful resolution" to differences. "If anybody ever stood for that, it was Rajiv Gandhi and his family," he said. "Rajiv Gandhi. And we knew him well. Barbara and I knew him well. I just talked to his wife this morning. Here was a man, he was out campaigning, and a terrorist got him. Allegedly a bomb in a flower basket--he goes by and somebody pushes a button. So, there's a lot of stupid people out there that think you can change things by terror. We have to be on guard in this country, even though we've been blessed by having less of it," Bush told reporters a day after Gandhi's assassination in St Paul, Minnesota. During his presidency, his several remarks reflected that he wanted lasting peace between India and Pakistan. At a White House press conference with the then Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Bush said the two leaders discussed and reviewed their efforts to enhance stability in South Asia. "I expressed our strong support for Pakistan's efforts, and India's as well, to improve relations, and stressed the critical importance of avoiding a regional nuclear arms race in the subcontinent," he said on June 6, 1989. "And she assured me that Pakistan's nuclear programme is committed to peaceful purposes...," Bush said. At a luncheon with White House reporters he referred to Pakistan's concerns on India's nuclear proliferation. "The US held talks separately with India and Pakistan in the hope of stemming a nuclear arms race in South Asia," he told the Congress in a letter on January 19, 1993, a day before he was succeeded by Bill Clinton as the 42nd president of the US. It was under during his administration that the India-US Convention on Taxation was signed. "The convention would be the first tax treaty between the US and India. It includes special provisions that take into account India's status as a developing nation and that reflect changes in US tax treaty policy resulting from the Tax Reform Act of 1986," Bush said in a letter to the Senate seeking its Congressional ratification. But, he took a tough stand against India on trade issues. His administration started Super 301 investigations on India citing investment barriers and restrictions in the insurance sector. "I have continued the identification of India as a trade liberalization priority," Bush said in a statement on international trade on April 27, 1990; at a time when India was faced with massive economic crisis. India's economic liberalisation started over a year later when P V Narasimha Rao was elected as the Prime Minister who appointed Manmohan Singh as his Finance Minister in June 1991. In May 1990, he decided against intervening in the possible acquisition by CMC Limited, a firm owned by the Government of India, of UniSoft Group Ltd. (UGL), a British computer software firm with a subsidiary in the US. He also approved sale of some of the high-tech computers to India at that time. As president, Bush met only one Indian Prime Minister--P V Narasimha Rao--on January 31, 1992. The meeting took place at Waldorf Astoria, as against his several meeting with Pakistani leadership. Bush was also a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi and he quoted him quite often during his interaction with school and college students. At some places he narrated some of the stories of Mahatma Gandhi to prove his point. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Saturday praised former US president George HW Bush for his role in ending the Cold War, calling him a "true partner". Gorbachev, 87, expressed his "deep condolences" to the family of the 41st US president and the entire American nation. Bush died at age 94 on Friday, his family has announced. The two men famously declared an end to the Cold War at the Malta Summit in December, 1989, weeks after the fall of the Berlin Wall, with Bush declaring support for Gorbachev's "perestroika" reforms. "A lot of my memories are linked with this man. We had the chance to work to gether during the time of enormous changes," Gorbachev said in comments carried by Interfax agency. "And this was a dramatic time which called for huge responsibility from everyone. The result was the end of the Cold War and the arms race." The last Soviet leader praised Bush senior for his contribution "to this historic achievement". "He was a true partner," he added. In 1991, Gorbachev and Bush signed the Strategic Arms Reductions Treaty, known as START I, committing the two superpowers to cut their stockpiles of long-range nuclear weapons. It was the first agreement to call for deep reductions of US and Russian strategic nuclear weapons. There was no immediate reaction from officials in Moscow or the Kremlin. President Vladimir Putin was in Argentina attending a G20 summit of world leaders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A leopard on the prowl that killed three persons in Dhanpur taluka in Gujarat's Dahod district last month might have crossed into neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, a senior Forest official said Saturday. Despite their efforts, the forest personnel in Gujarat could not capture the "man eater" big cat, even ten days after it killed two children and an elderly woman in different forest areas in the taluka, the official said. "Based on the pug marks, we suspect that the leopard has crossed into Madhya Pradesh. We have informed the forest staff there to stay alert as the leopard had killed three persons here (Dahod district)," said Deputy Conservator of Forests (Dahod) J L Zala. Forest officials in the neighbouring state have been informed about the movement of the big cat. Responding to a query, he said the Forest department in Gujarat will continue with its effort to capture the feline. As many as 120 forest personnel have been deployed in the area and eleven cages are set up to capture the leopard, he said. Apart from this, two personnel have been deployed with tranquilliser guns, he said. A local MLA had earlier sought permission requesting that the forest personnel be allowed to gun down the big cat. The leopard had killed Asmita Pasaya (10) from Dumka village on November 21 and Jyotsna Parmar (11) from Khalta village the next day. In another attack, it killed a 64-year-old woman in Vasiya Dungri forest. Meanwhile, one Manjuben Patel (26) was injured when she was attacked by another leopard in Antela village in Baria forest range in Dahod district last evening, a Forest official said Saturday. She was shifted to Baria civil hospital with injuries in her thigh and a hand, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A trial court here has acquitted two accused in the case related to 1998 kidnapping of Gautam Adani, founder-chairman of Adani Group, giving them the benefit of doubt. Sessions Judge D P Gohil acquitted Fazl-ur-Rehman and Bhogilal Darji on Friday. Adani did not turn up to give his statement against them, saying that his deposition regarding six other accused who were tried earlier may be taken into consideration. Also, none of the witnesses in the case could identify the duo. As per the charge sheet filed by police, on January 1, 1998, Adani and Shantilal Patel were abducted at gun point after they left Karnavati Club here in a car and headed for Mohammadpura Road. They were taken to an unknown place in a car before being released, the charge sheet said. While Rehman was arrested from the Indo-Nepal border in 2006, Darji was arrested and deported from Dubai in 2012. The court had in 2005 acquitted six other accused in the case for lack of evidence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A district court here Saturday directed the Gurgaon Police to register an FIR against seven revenue officials and over a dozen builders following allegations of a scam in the land registration procedure, misappropriation of government funds and misuse of power, an RTI has revealed. The court of Judicial Magistrate Naveen Kumar passed the order to file a criminal complaint against seven revenue officials, seven land registry clerks, fourteen builders and three computer operators at Manesar Police Station. All the accused, posted at Manesar tehsil between 2009 and 2013, allegedly committed the crime at the behest of the builders. Ramesh Yadav, a Right To Information (RTI) activist, approached the court after police did not register a First Information Report (FIR) even after an Assistant Commissioner of Police accepted in his probe that the officials and builders were guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The matter came to light after the accused registered various plots in Sihi village here in sector 83. "Builders and revenue officials showed the plots in Sihi village outside Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) during the land registration and after the registration, authorities again put the registered plot under the MCG jurisdiction," Yadav said. "Registration fee under the MCG area was seven per cent, while outside the MCG was five per cent. The accused committed a scam of over Rs 5 crore," the complainant said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Observing that conjugal visits lead to strong family bonds and keeps the family functional, the Madras High Court granted parole of two weeks to a 29-year-old life convict from Tirunelveli district. A division bench of justices CT Selvam and P Ramathilagam Friday permitted Perumal, arrested in connection with a murder in 2008, to go on two weeks' leave from December 15 to 29, to visit his family, on a petition by his wife, Muthumari (23). It also directed the authorities to provide appropriate escort to the prisoner during his parole. Referring to a recent Madurai bench order of this court, the judges said, "Conjugal visits lead to strong family bonds and keep the family functional rather than the family becoming dysfunctional due to prolonged isolation and lack of sexual contact." They said, quoting from the order, that man was a social animal and he needed a family as well as a society to live in. "Being human beings, prisoners also would like to share their problems with their life partner as well as with the society. Just because, they are termed prisoners, their right to dignity cannot be deprived," the bench said. In 2010, an additional sessions court convicted Perumal alias Petha Perumal for murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Subsequently, he filed an appeal in the high court challenging the conviction, which was dismissed. The second appeal is currently pending before the Supreme Court. In May this year, Perumal got married while on parole. Claiming that her husband was eligible for emergency leave under Tamil Nadu Suspension of Sentence Rules the petitioner approached the court to grant him parole for a conjugal visit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A petition was filed in the Madras High Court seeking the removal of railway unionist N Kanniah, alleging he was "illegally" occupying the post of chairman of Railway Employees Cooperative Credit Society Ltd for the past 20 years. Admitting the plea by A Janakiraman, Justice V Bharathidasan Friday issued notice to the society, Kanniah, and the central registrar of the Multi State Cooperative Societies, returnable by four weeks. The petitioner submitted that Kanniah had held the position of society's chairman since 1998 and this was a 'blatant violation' of the Multi State Cooperative Societies Act. Referring to section 44(2) of the act, the petitioner claimed that if any person was the chairman when the act came into force in 2002, then that term would be considered as one term for the purpose of calculating the number of terms in office. Kanniah was the chairman when the act came into force in 2002. Therefore, he had served one term as chairman for the purpose of this act, he said. Even after the second term, Kanniah was still holding the post for more than 20 years which was a blatant violation of the act, he contended. Highlighting that the act provided for arbitration in such issues, the petitioner said arbitration was not an effective alternative remedy as it was not affordable. Hence, the petitioner prayed the court to direct the registrar to ensure that Kanniah demits office of chairman and the post was filled in accordance with the law. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi Saturday expressed hope that the proposed anti-trafficking bill would be passed by the Rajya Sabha in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. The bill provides for confidentiality of victims, witnesses and complainants, time-bound trials and repatriation of the victims. "We are waiting for the anti-trafficking bill to come. The Lok Sabha has already passed the bill, and I am hoping that the Rajya Sabha will pass it," Gandhi told reporters when asked about her ministry's bills coming in the Winter Session. The Lok Sabha had passed The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018 during the Monsoon Session of Parliament in July,. Gandhi had said the legislation did not intend to harass sex workers and it was intended to go after human traffickers and not the victims. "This is a bill that has a compassionate view of people who have been victims of sex rackets," Gandhi had said. The legislation proposes to create institutional mechanisms at the district, state and central levels. It calls for punishment ranging from 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine not less than Rs 1 lakh. Besides prevention, rescue and rehabilitation, it covers aggravated forms of trafficking such as forced labour, begging and marriage. At the event organised at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts on Saturday, the Union minister also interacted with school children about her upcoming book - 'There's a Monster Under my Bed! and Other Terrible Terrors' which is expected to release in January. The book, inspired by her granddaughter, talks about children's fears and how to deal with them. Talking to reporters about her book, Gandhi said, "Children are scared of many things and we need to deal with those fears..." She said parents should identify the things their children were scared of as it would enable them to deal with them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police here on Saturday claimed to have busted an ammunition smuggling racket with the arrest of one person from whose possession more than 400 cartridges were recovered. According to a release issued by the district police headquarters, Sarfaraz Alam was arrested from his residence in ITC colony, Shankarpur, under Mofussil police station area late Friday night. A search of his house led to the recovery of a huge cache of ammunition - 239 cartridges of 9 mm bore and 199 of 7.65 mm bore. Alam's maternal uncle Manzar Alam is a notorious arms smuggler and the duo was named in a case relating to recovery of an AK 47 rifle in Delhi four years ago in connection with which the latter had also been arrested and sent to Tihar jail, the release said. Notably, the district had recently been in for the recovery of dozens of automatic rifles over a span a few weeks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to submit the details of the action taken by it against the illegal private constructions along the beaches in Alibaug in Raigad district within two weeks. The directions of the court, hearing a petition filed by an activist, came after the government submitted that it had failed to demolish most of such structures due to pending litigation. Several private parties have constructed residential bungalows, farmhouses and multi-storeyed houses in the said area, according to the petition. Fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi, who is wanted in the alleged multi-crore-rupee Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, also has some illegal properties in the area. On a previous occasion, the court had directed the state government to demolish or take other appropriate action against such illegal structures. In an order passed on November 29, a bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice MS Karnik directed the state to submit the above details within two weeks. The directions came after the government, in its response to the court's query on the action taken so far, submitted that it had failed to demolish most of the illegal structures. Government counsel PB Kakade told the bench that the owners of most of the structures identified as illegal by the state authorities had moved various courts, challenging the state's demolition notices. "In most cases, there exist stay orders from various courts. Therefore, we have been unable to take any demolition or other punitive action against the illegal constructions," Kakade said. At this, the bench directed the state authorities to submit the details of the action undertaken by them as well as the details of the illegal properties that had secured stay orders from courts and also the status of the pending cases. "Also inform us of the action taken against those illegal properties whose status is not sub-judice," the bench said. It was hearing a petition filed by activist Surendra Dhavale. The petitioner has sought the high court's directions to the authorities concerned to demolish all unauthorised constructions located within "the low and high-tide areas" in many villages of Alibaug. The petitioner has alleged that such constructions were carried out in violation of the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority rules and the land laws of the state government. According to the plea, around 175 private residences "belonging to several wealthy persons, including Nirav Modi and several businessmen and film actors," fall under the CRZ (Coastal Regulatory Zone) areas in Varsoli, Sasvane, Kolgaon, and Dokvade villages in Alibaug taluka. On a previous hearing, another bench of the court had directed the Konkan region divisional commissioner to initiate an inquiry to ascertain how the illegal structures were permitted to be constructed along the beaches in Alibaug. It had also directed the district and state authorities to take appropriate punitive action. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Ritah Kemigisa. The East and Horn of Africa Election Observers Network has chosen Ugandas Cryspy Kaheru as its head. The decision to choose Kaheru who is the coordinator of the Citizens coalition for electoral democracy in Uganda was agreed on during the 3rd council meeting of the Network which was held in Nairobi. Kaheru is now mandated to carry out various tasks among them; Activate country forums in all the member countries, Support joint regional election observation and technical mission, Promote partnership with relevant regional bodies and organizations. He is also supposed to establish contact with prospective members in Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, Somaliland, Puntland, Eritrea and Djibouti Leaders of India, China and Russia have called for reforming multilateral institutions, including the UN and WTO, as they underscored the benefits of a multilateral trading system and an open world economy for global growth and prosperity during a trilateral meeting they held after a gap of 12 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held the trilateral meeting, the second among the three countries after a gap of 12 years, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here to discuss cooperation in various areas. "Excellent meeting of the RIC (Russia, India, China) Trilateral. President Putin, President Xi Jinping and I discussed a wide range of subjects that would further cement the friendship between our nations and enhance world peace," Modi said. The Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting came hours after Prime Minister Modi, his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump held their first trilateral meeting on the margins of the summit. "Deepening engagement with valued development partners. President Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping and PM @narendramodi participate in the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral in Buenos Aires. @KremlinRussia," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted. In a statement, the External Affairs Ministry said the three leaders exchanged views on expanding mutual cooperation in international forums, and to encourage greater interaction among the three countries. "They agreed on the importance of reform and strengthening of multilateral institutions which have benefitted the world, including the United Nations, WTO and well-established as well as new global financial institutions. They underscored the benefits of a multilateral trading system and an open world economy for global growth and prosperity," it said. The three leaders agreed to have regular consultations to jointly promote international and regional peace and stability, to strengthen cooperation through BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) and the East Asia Summit (EAS) mechanisms, to address global challenges such as terrorism and climate change, and to encourage peaceful resolution of all differences, the statement added. They also acknowledged the importance of cooperation in RIC format and agreed to hold further such trilateral meetings on multilateral occasions. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the meeting was characterised by warmth and positivity. The three leaders discussed cooperation and coordination in various areas which could contribute to global peace and stability, Kumar said, adding that the 'RIC' trilateral summit took place after a gap of 12 years. Earlier, India, Japan and the US discussed major issues of global and multilateral interests in their first trilateral meeting, which assumed importance in the wake of China flexing its muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. At the meeting, India underscored its firm commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic growth. Asserting that India will "continue to work together on shared values", Modi said, "When you look at the acronym of our three countries -- Japan, America, and India -- it is 'JAI', which stands for success in Hindi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister on Saturday announced that India will host the summit in 2022. The is a grouping of the world's 20 major economies. made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the two-day summit held here in Argentina's captial. was to host the international forum in 2022. Thanking for allowing India to play the host, invited leaders to India in 2022, which also marks the 75th anniversary of India's Independence. "In 2022 India completes 75 years since Independence. In that special year, India looks forward to welcoming the world to the G-20 Summit! Come to India, the world's fastest growing large economy! Know India's rich history and diversity, and experience the warm Indian hospitality," the prime minister tweeted after making the announcement. G-20 members comprise Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK and the US. Collectively, the G-20 economies account for nearly 90 per cent of the gross world product, 80 per cent of world trade, two-thirds of the world population, and approximately half of the world land area. is a permanent guest invitee. The body of an Indian man, who was missing for weeks, has been recovered from a canal in the city of Leicester, police said. Paresh Patel, 48, had been last seen walking along Belgrave Road in the heart of Leicester on November 10. Leicestershire Police said that they are not treating the death as suspicious. "The man has been formally identified as 48-year-old Paresh who was last seen on the evening of Saturday November 10 when he left his home address. A post-mortem examination has been conducted. Further tests are being carried out. The death is not being treated as suspicious," Leicestershire Police said in a statement. Patel's worried family had led the search for him, with his wife Kalpana issuing an emotional video message to urge him to return home. Their sons, 12-year-old Kiyan and nine-year-old Harshal, also led a walk retracing the steps of their father while carrying a banner reading "Come Home Daddy". Around 500 members of the local community had joined in with the family to retrace Patel's steps, Leicester Mercury reported. Following the confirmation by the Leicestershire police, Patel's family issued a statement thanking the authorities. "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we inform you that our Son, Husband, Father, Brother, Nephew, Cousin & Friend: Paresh has been taken from us. We wanted to thank you all with everything that we have, for every single moment of your time, that you gave to us, to help us find Paz," the family said in a statement. Leicestershire Police had deployed extra resources to visit local residents and businesses and hand out thousands of leaflets and posters as part of the search operation. An inquest is likely to be opened into Patel's death, which will establish the cause and circumstances surrounding his death. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The IOC has set up an advisory committee on human rights chaired by Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, the former United Nations commissioner for human rights. President Thomas Bach said Saturday at meetings in the Japanese capital that "human rights standards" will be included in Olympic host-city contracts beginning with the 2024 Olympic in Paris. Bach was asked if the committee would look at human rights in China, where the ruling Communist Party has been criticised for the interment of hundreds of thousands of Muslims in western China. Beijing is the host of the 2022 Winter Olympics, and spent USD 40 billion to hold the 2008 Olympics. Bach said the IOC would not question China because it "has not the mandate nor the authority to solve the human rights problems" that are clearly "political issues." A recent report by Human Rights Watch said the interment centers in western China involved "arbitrary detention, torture and mistreatment." "These rampant abuses violate fundamental rights of freedom of expression, religion, and privacy and protections from torture," Human Rights Watch wrote. Bach suggested the committee would focus on issues like the rights of transgender athletes. "We should concentrate on what we can really achieve and what we can really do," Bach said. The IOC has been faulted for overlooking human rights abuses in countries that spend billions to host the Olympics. "Promoting humanistic values in sport has been a core feature of the IOC since its beginning," Bach said in a prepared statement. "Our mission, to put sport at the service of humanity, goes hand in hand with human rights, which is part of our DNA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran said Saturday it had finalised a deal with South Korea to trade oil for goods, skirting renewed US sanctions. "A mechanism has been devised for returning oil export revenues from South Korea, by which Iran's oil export revenue will be bartered with imported goods," Hossein Tanhayi, head of the Iran-South Korea chamber of commerce, told state agency IRNA. Washington unilaterally reimposed a crippling oil embargo on Iran last month following its withdrawal in May from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal. South Korea -- a close political ally of the United States -- has cut Iranian oil purchases to zero from an estimated 285,000 barrels per day in the first six months of the year, according to Bloomberg figures. The sanctions also target Iran's banking sector and its ability to bring dollars into the country, but leave open the possibility of trade in goods. Tanhayi did not give details of the mechanism, but said a "joint fund" could be opened between their respective central banks. South Korea is Iran's third largest trade partner after China and the United Arab Emirates. Bilateral trade has dropped from $12 billion in 2017 to $5.7 for the first 10 months of 2018, according to the chamber of commerce. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump's recognition of as Israel's capital has set off an increasingly visible battle in the city's eastern sector with an emboldened Israel seeking to cement its control over the contested area and Palestinians pushing back to maintain their limited foothold. In recent weeks, Israel has arrested dozens of Palestinian activists for alleged illegal political activity. It demolished Palestinian shops for failing to have permits, a court has cleared the way for settlers to move in to an Arab neighborhood and the city's outgoing mayor is trying to close the east operations of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, in turn, has boosted efforts to protect its claim on Jerusalem, attempting to block east Palestinians from selling properties to Jews a major taboo that it is largely powerless to prevent. "The change in the US position on Jerusalem under Trump's administration has unleashed the Israeli hands to increase and escalate its measures that aim to change the features of the city from a Palestinian city to an Israeli one," said Walid Salem, a Palestinian analyst in Jerusalem. "The Palestinian Authority feels the heat and is stepping up measures to resist this Israeli policy." The conflicting claims to east Jerusalem lie at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel captured the area, home to the city's most sensitive religious sites, in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it, claiming the entire city as its capital. But the annexation is not internationally recognized, and the Palestinians seek east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. A year ago, Trump upended decades of American policy and recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital. "We finally acknowledge the obvious: that Jerusalem is Israel's capital," Trump said at the time. Several months later, he moved the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, thrilling Israel and enraging the Palestinians. Speaking at the embassy dedication ceremony in May, Netanyahu said: "We are in Jerusalem and we are here to stay." Although Trump has said his decision would not determine the city's final borders, it has been seen by both Israel and the Palestinians as taking sides. Israel's hawkish government has been energized by the backing of its American ally in its quest to keep Jerusalem what it considers to be its eternal, undivided capital. The Palestinians have for years accused Israel of taking steps to fortify its hold on the city, primarily by encircling Arab neighborhoods in east Jerusalem with Jewish settlements. These settlements, considered by Israel to be neighborhoods of its capital, are now home to over 200,000 Israelis. Criticism from previous US administrations has often held Israel back in the past. With the reins removed, Israel has carried out a flurry of moves, often jostling with Palestinians along the way. "Around 300, 000 Palestinian live in east Jerusalem," said Adnan Husseini, the Palestinian minister of Jerusalem affairs. "They have always resisted the Israeli occupation measures in the city and they always will." In an unusual step, Israel arrested the top Palestinian official in Jerusalem this week along with over 30 Palestinian Jerusalemites, accusing them of the rarely enforced offense of serving in the Palestinian security forces in violation of previous agreements with Israel. Most were released on bail, but the governor, Adnan Ghaith, remains in custody. The arrests appear to have been prompted by the detention of a Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem who allegedly sold property to Jews a punishable offense under Palestinian law. That detention was a bold move by the Palestinians because, also according to previous accords, they cannot arrest Jerusalem residents. The Palestinians have also zeroed in on the Bedouin hamlet of Khan al-Ahmar. Israel says the West Bank encampment, just outside of Jerusalem, was illegally built and is trying to uproot the village. A planned demolition was postponed following heavy European pressure, but it could still happen at any time. Critics say the demolition is meant to make way for Israeli settlement homes, a step the Palestinians fear could cut off the West Bank from their hoped-for capital in east Jerusalem. While Khan al-Ahmar residents avoided eviction for now, haven't. After a lengthy legal battle, Israel's Supreme Court this month rejected an appeal by residents of the Silwan neighborhood in east Jerusalem who claimed their land was illegally granted to a pro-settler group. The decision could lead to the evictions of hundreds of longtime Palestinian residents. "A huge mechanism of displacement has been set in motion, allowing settlers and the government to work hand in hand," said Yudith Oppenheimer, executive director of Ir Amim, an Israeli advocacy group that promotes coexistence in the city. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jet fuel produced at the Reliance Refinery in Jamnagar from American and Mexican crude oil is of Indian-origin for the purpose of procurement by the US government, a federal agency has determined. As such Long Beach, California-based Anoi Inc, which produces a specific kind of jet fuel, identified as J5, to be sold to the US Defense Logistics Agency, would now require waiver from the current "Buy American" restrictions. In a federal notification, the US Customs and Border Protection overruled the request by Anoi Inc that the jet fuel being produced by it at Reliance Refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat, be considered to be of US and Mexican origin, which was the source of the petroleum crude oil. The notification would be issued on December 3. At the refinery, Anoi Inc said in its application that "there will be a 'one-step' transformation of crude to straight-run distillate." The process consists of desalting and heating the crude, and then distilling out the sulfur from the middle distillate kerosene with the use of a Merox Oxidation unit that removes the sulfur from the kerosene jet fuel. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) also requires certain additives to achieve JP5 jet fuel MILSPEC, it said. Overruling the argument by Anoi Inc, US Customs and Border Protection in its federal notification determined that a substantial "transformation occurs" in the petroleum crude oil imported from the US and Mexico at the Jamnagar refinery. "In this case, we find the JP5 specification jet fuel is clearly a new and different article with a new name, character, and use from that of the petroleum crude oil from which it was refined," the CBP said. Although there may be no double substantial transformation, the process to create jet fuel from straight crude oil to straight-run distillate still involves desalting and the application of heat distillation coupled with the utilization of the Merox Oxidation unit to remove sulfur, which results in the creation of jet fuel, it noted. According to the CBP Laboratories and Scientific Services Directorate, the forensic and scientific arm of US Customs and Border Protection, the petroleum crude oil is substantially transformed into JP5 by the petroleum refining process of distillation, said the federal notification. As such, CBP determined that the "country of origin of the produced JP5 will be the country in which the substantial transformation (distillation) occurs, namely India," the notification said. CBP took about an year to give its determination on the application in this regard by Anoi Inc. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Rajasthan court has directed the police to register an FIR against Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and begin an investigation for allegedly "hurting sentiments" of the Brahmin community. The metropolitan magistrate's court in Jodhpur gave these directions while allowing a petition moved by a right-wing group. Rajkumar Sharma, vice-president of the Vipra Foundation's youth wing, had moved the petition on November 22 against Dorsey for allegedly "hurting sentiments" of the Brahmin community on the microblogging platform. Dorsey had posted a picture on his Twitter account, where he is posing with a poster carrying a message: 'Smash Bahminical Patriarchy', said petitioner's counsel, H M Saraswat. "We had moved this petition under Sections 295 A, 500, 120 B and other appropriate sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) for registration of case against Dorsey," Saraswat said, adding that the court had allowed the petition and directed the police to register the FIR and begin investigation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Due to lack of a robust innovation ecosystem, Indian policymakers and industry need to look at collaborative standard development process for technology development to face global competition, non-profit consumer body CUTS has said in its latest report. It said patents that exist for present communication technologies -- technically called standard essential patents (SEPs) -- are prone to abuse by their owners, and lack of patent among Indian firms has pushed large number of domestic mobile manufacturers into assembling. "...instead of mulling sub-optimal regulation of SEPs, there is a need for policymakers and domestic players in India to utilise the collaborative standards development process as a ladder for growth and leverage it fully to compete in the global market," the CUTS report released on Friday evening said. Studies have concluded that Indian mobile manufacturers invest little in research and development (R&D) and have almost negligible returns from patent royalties due to a general lack of patent ownership, it added. The telecom ministry has allocated Rs 500 crore to encourage 5G ecosystem development in the country. CUTS said the government's 5G initiative is a welcome step and the funds allocated therein should be utilised to further encourage and incentivise local firms to develop their internal capacities and compete in voluntary standard setting activities. "Alongside this, the present market players as well as the government should think about how to collectively invest in R&D, so that Indian firms become globally competitive," the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tribute to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose "misleading and motivated", five left parties Saturday demanded that the freedom fighter's birthday on January 23 be declared as 'day of patriotism'. The Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, All India Forward Bloc, Revolutionary Socialist Party and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)-Liberation also asked the Centre to compile authentic data on Netaji's Provisional Azad Hind Government, his Indian National Army and their contribution to the freedom movement. Stressing that Bose's inclusive exemplified the fighting spirit of the freedom movement uniting people of all faiths, castes and gender, the group accused the Modi government of "communal polarisation". "Narendra Modi heads a government that is patronising sharpening of communal polarisation. The consequent alarming growth of hate and violence has led to barbarous attacks on Muslims, Dalits and religious minorities," the parties said in a statement. "It is thus both hypocritical and futile for PM Modi to pay respect to Netaji and INA," the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Imphal-based journalist has been arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) for allegedly uploading videos criticising the BJP-led governments in Manipur and the Centre for observing Rani Jhansi's birth anniversary. Kishorechand Wangkhem is a journalist of a local TV channel and the videos which he had uploaded on November 19 in both English and Meitei were not related to his official work, officials said. November 19 is the birth anniversary of Laxmibai, the Rani of Jhansi, who was one of the leading figures in the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. In his video clips, Wangkhem had purportedly said he was saddened and shocked to learn that the present government in Manipur was observing the birth anniversary of Rani of Jhansi, according to media reports. He reportedly said Rani of Jhansi's deeds had nothing to do with Manipur and the state was observing her birth anniversary because the Centre had asked it to. In this context, he allegedly called Biren Singh a "puppet of the Centre" and a "puppet of Hindutva", the reports said. The chief minister had claimed that it was being done as she had played a role in the unification of India. Wangkhem was arrested on November 20. The chief judicial magistrate's court had granted him bail on Monday, but he was arrested the following day under the NSA and sent to jail. An order issued by the district magistrate of West Imphal on Tuesday had said Wangkhem was detained under Section 3(2) of the NSA till further orders. Wangkhem's wife, E Ranjita, has claimed that she had come to know about his arrest only on Thursday. She appealed to the government to release her husband, saying there was no reason for his arrest under the NSA. The court had ruled that his remarks were an expression of opinion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and could not be termed seditious. The journalist's arrest under NSA has led to a political slugfest between the ruling BJP and the Congress in the state. Defending Wangkhem's arrest, BJP spokesperson Ch Bijoy claimed he was arrested not for a single crime and he had been remanded in judicial custody in the past too. Congress spokesperson Kh Joykishan has challenged the state government to arrest him too if it was determined to put all the citizens who speak against it behind bars. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Public and private sector companies such as the Indian Space Research Organisation, Microsoft, Google and Apple have made job offers to candidates as the placement season in IIT-Madras began here Saturday. As many as 85 offers were made by 19 (private) companies during the first phase of the placement season, which include six international job offers, a press release said. Microsoft Ltd led the pack offering jobs to 25 candidates followed by Apple (8) and Goldman Sachs (7), the release said. Apart from these companies, the Indian Space Research Organisation and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation offered jobs to seven candidates, it said. "We had premier companies in the first slot, which made a good number of offers to our candidates. The number of finance offers has been excellent in the first slot with 29 offers being made by such firms," advisor of IIT-Madras (training and placements) professor Manu Santhanam said. One of the shortlisted candidates Alekhya Reddy said,"It has been an exhilarating experience of attending interviews of software giants, answering back-to-back coding questions." "I'm experiencing a sense of satisfaction that all my hardwork has paid off upon getting selected by Microsoft, Redmond campus, USA," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping concurred that there had been a "perceptible improvement" in bilateral ties after the Wuhan Summit as they discussed a wide range of regional and global issues during their meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here. During their fourth meeting this year, Modi and Xi on Friday discussed joint efforts to further enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two giant neighbours. The two leaders have met twice after their informal summit in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late April -- once at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held in June in China's Qingdao and the second time at the BRICS summit in South Africa's Johannesburg in July. Asserting that the Wuhan meet was a milestone in the Sino-India ties, Modi told Xi that he was looking forward to host him for an informal summit next year. "Such initiatives are helpful in maintaining the momentum," Modi said, adding that there "have been two review meetings -- in Qingdao and in Johannesburg". He said the ties between the two countries have made huge strides over the last one year. The relations between the two neighbours were strained last year following a 73-day standoff in Doklam in the Sikkim sector of the border. The chill between the two sides later improved resulting in an informal summit between Modi and Xi at Wuhan where the two leaders decided to issue "strategic guidance" to their militaries to strengthen communications to build trust and understanding, a move aimed at avoiding a Doklam-like situation in the future. Modi said Friday's meeting will strengthen further the partnership between the two nations. "Today's meeting will be important in providing a direction in terms of strengthening our relations," he said. "I express my heartiest thanks to you (President Xi) for taking out time for this meeting," the prime minister said. Modi later tweeted, "Had a wonderful meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Argentina. The talks revolved around a wide range of bilateral and global subjects. Our regular interactions have added significant strength to India-China ties." Later, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told reporters that the two leaders said that there had been a perceptible improvement in bilateral relations. "Both of them had a very detailed review of what they agreed to in Wuhan and how it was progressed. Both of them said that progress has been made on the economic side," he said. President Xi referred to enhanced imports of rice and sugar from India, spoke of possibility of greater import of soyameal and rapeseed. He also expressed the hope that India would import more agricultural products from China, Gokhale said. The president also indicated that in the pharmaceutical sector there would be greater trade between the two sides, he said. "On the political side, they welcomed the visit of the Chinese defense minister, of the holding of the counter-terrorism military exercise next week in India and the recently concluded special representative talks. "Both leaders (said) that there had been a positive improvement in border management along the India-China border areas following the Wuhan summit," the foreign secretary said. Modi and Xi also said they were looking forward to the first meeting of the high-level mechanism on people-to-people exchanges in New Delhi in December. "Both sides also specifically mentioned that the first bilateral cooperation that had begun in Afghanistan which is the training of Afghan diplomats, had been successful and that they were looking for further such opportunities," Gokhale said. "Both leaders felt that as a result of the Wuhan Summit and the meetings taking place after that, strategic communication had been enhanced between them, trust had been built between them. There was a personal relationship and both sides were optimistic that 2018 was a good year but 2019 would be an even better year," the foreign secretary said, describing the meeting as "very successful". During the meeting, Xi told Modi that many important consensus reached on the development of China-India relations are being implemented and the ties are steadily improving, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing. Referring to the talks between the Special Representatives on the boundary as well as defence and various other delegations, he said the two sides should work together to build an open world economy and make globalisation more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all, it said. "We should oppose protectionism and unilateralism, uphold the core values and basic principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)," Xi said. His call for joint action came ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump, who has asked China to cut down the USD 375 billion trade deficit in their bilateral trade and slapped additional tariffs on over USD 250 billion Chinese exports to US. China too retaliated sparking a trade war between the two countries. Xi said it is necessary for India and China to deepen pragmatic cooperation, expand bilateral trade, strengthen cooperation in investment, medical and health, poverty reduction, environmental protection, disaster prevention and reduction, and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stressing on the need for multi-faceted and multi-sectoral response to eliminate HIV/AIDS, Union minister said Saturday the AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) had signed an MoU with 16 key ministries to augment a comprehensive AIDS response. In addition to this NACO has signed MoUs with more than 250 industries of public and private sectors to mobilise their support, Patel, who is the minister of state for health, said at a function to mark World AIDS Day. "The government is not only fully funding the programme but also increasing the resource envelope in accordance with the programme needs," she said. At the function, Patel also released the operational guidelines on HIV/TB intervention in prisons and the NACO calendar for 2019. She said the programme had focused on more than one million people from high-risk group and kept the infection in control through comprehensive and intense targeted interventions services. "The programme has also given attention to eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis by 2020. Under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan complete ante-natal check up facility is provided to all pregnant women across the country, including HIV testing," she said. Patel said in 2017-18 more than two crore pregnant women were tested for HIV. Reiterating the commitment to end the epidemic by 2030, Patel stated that the programme had laid great emphasis on counselling and testing among general clients and the NACO has initiated community-based screening of HIV to reach first 90 out of the target 90:90:90 by 2020. She said with the launch of 'Test and Treat' in 2017, every person living with HIV (PLHIV) is eligible to be put on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) as soon as he/she is detected and that today 70 per cent of PLHIV, who know their status, are on ART. The minister further said that in a historic move, the (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 was unanimously passed by the government and it had also come into force. "This act provides an enabling environment to HIV affected and infected population where they get a seamless access to services and a comprehensive grievance redressal mechanism with ombudsman at the Centre and Complaints Officer at establishments, she added. Patel also paid tributes to all the lives lost to HIV/AIDS not just in India but globally. The event concluded on the note of renewed commitment to the cause of HIV by the government and each and every partner who have contributed to the successful halting of the HIV epidemic in the country. Nagaland on Saturday celebrated the 55th statehood day with cultural regale besides parade, drill and arms handling show by the police personnel and an air show by the Indian Air Force. On this day in 1963, Dr S Radhakrishnan, then President of India, declared Nagaland as the 16th State of the Indian Union. In his address during the colourful celebration at Secretariat Plaza here, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio remembered the sacrifice and struggle of the founding fathers who conceptualised the idea of Naga nationalism and sovereignty. Maintaining that it is important to remember the history of statehood, he said armed conflicts between Naga groups resulted in the loss of many lives. The government of India recognised the Naga history "unique" and that the unresolved Naga political issue needed settlement as soon as possible, Rio said. Nagas now stand at the threshold of peace, he said and appreciated the Naga groups that are engaged in peace talks. The CM said that the yearning for lasting peace and an all-inclusive honourable, acceptable and an early settlement to the vexed Naga political issue is the top priority. Nagaland Governor PB Acharya also extended best wishes for a prosperous Nagaland. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Saturday inaugurated the 10-day long annual Hornbill festival of Nagaland and said the event showcased the true spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat'. The festival got a colourful start at the picturesque Naga heritage village Kisama, about 12 kms from the state capital. Hornbill festival is an annual tourism promotional event of the Nagaland government. The event also known as "festival of festivals" started in the year 2000. In his address to thousands of celebrants, which included foreign and domestic tourists, Singh said the spectacular event showcases the rich ancient culture and civilization of the people of Nagaland. It is a festival that offers unique opportunity not only to the different tribes of the state to interact with each other and exhibit their cultural heritage but also with those from the neighbouring and other states in the true spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat', Singh said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had initiated the concept of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. It powerfully demonstrates the cultural diversity and civilizational unity of the Naga people, he said, adding that each tribe is proudly unique in its cultural richness and yet there is an overwhelming sense of unity among all. This spectacular demonstration of unity in diversity is what India is all about, the home minister said, while opining that at the Hornbill festival he gets a glimpse of the Indian spirit of happy, peaceful co-existence of the multiplicities. While we must celebrate the past at the Hornbill, we should also celebrate the present and the future with several festivals of skills and creativity of our youth, he said. Stating that Nagaland was geographically located at a vantage point, being the gateway to the southeast Asia, he said the northeast was the pivot of the Central governments Act East policy. Government of India was determined to build and improve connectivity and engagement with southeast Asia, he said, adding that India and ASEAN were partners in growth. With the restoration of peace, northeast was emerging as a favoured destination for business and tourism, he said, adding that steps were also being taken for speedy development of the region, including Nagaland. He further said that the nation can prosper only when all the states develop at a faster pace. US Ambassador to India, Kenneth I Juster also attended the inaugural function as the guest of honour, while Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde was the special guest. Nagaland Governor P B Acharya and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio were the chief host and host respectively. Rev. Zelhou Keyho, general secretary of Nagaland Baptist Church Council invoked gods blessings while village chief Shikuto Zalipu pronounced traditional blessings. Day one saw the inauguration of bamboo pavilion, handloom and handicraft, craftscape, hortiscape, NAAME adventure activities and International photo festival among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday appealed to the people of Nagaland to create a conducive atmosphere for rapid economic growth as the state has suffered a lot for long. Without referring to the decades-old insurgency problem of Nagaland, Singh said everyone has the responsibility to create conditions so that the country can progress. "Nagaland has suffered for a long time. On the 56th anniversary of the state, I call upon all my friends of this state to take long strides for the rapid economic growth of the country as well as that of Nagaland and make all of us proud Indians contributors in making India a world power," he said inaugurating the annual Hornbill Festival near here. Singh said nearly 50 per cent of Nagaland population is below 25 years of age and it is they who will shape the future of India and of Nagaland. "We have to create conditions where their creative and entrepreneurial potential is unleashed to the optimum," he said. Nagaland has witnessed insurgency which started soon after India's independence in 1947. However, aframework agreement was signed on August 3, 2015, by NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and the government's interlocutor R N Ravi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to find a lasting solution to the insurgency. A final pact is yet to come. The framework agreement came after over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years, with the first breakthrough made in 1997 when a ceasefire agreement was sealed. The home minister said people must realise that the forces of change are inevitable and will not wait for anyone. "We have to be prepared for it. If we are prepared for it, we will shape the future according to our wish. "If we are not prepared for it, we will be shaped by these forces, may be even against our wish. The challenge of the day is to grasp and master these forces," he said. Singh said the Hornbill festival offers unique opportunity to the different tribes of the state to interact with not only each other and exhibit their cultural heritage but also with those from the neighbouring and other states in the true spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat'. "It powerfully demonstrates the cultural diversity and civilisational unity of the people," he said. "The festival shows how each tribe is proudly unique in their cultural richness and yet there is an overwhelming sense of unity among all. "This spectacular demonstration of unity in diversity is what India is all about. At the Hornbill festival, I get a glimpse of the Indian spirit of happy peaceful co-existence of the multiplicities," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Workers of the National Conference Saturday took out protest rallies across the Jammu division, seeking revocation of the decision of Governor S P Malik-led state administrative council to treat the J&K bank as a public sector undertaking (PSU). The main rally was taken out from NC headquarters at the Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan with dozens of workers carrying the placards in support of their demand for immediate rollback of the decision for the larger interests of the state which enjoy special position, a party spokesman said. The protesters led by district president Dharamveer Singh Jamwal staged a sit-in dharna at busy Raghunath chowk. They criticized the decision and expressed apprehensions that this would adversely impact the functioning of the bank and shake the confidence of its huge clientele. The agitators also castigated the administration for eroding the special status of the state, saying such decisions are detrimental to the interests of the people. Former minister of state for home and MLC Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo led a protest in Kishtwar district and alleged that the decision reflects the "anti-people" mindset of fiddling with the basic characters of the special status of the state. "The decision has put a question mark on the special status of the state. All these attempts will be fought tooth and nail and nobody will be allowed to fiddle with the special entity of Jammu and Kashmir," Kichloo said. The protests were also held at Samba, Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Ramban, Banihal, Udhampur, Billawar, Reasi , Gool-Gulabgarh, Bishnah, R S Pura and other places of the Jammu division, the spokesman said. Leaders of the NC presented a memorandum to authorities against the government's decision and called for its immediate rollback. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Commission for Women Saturday accused the Catholic Church of not protecting the interest of a nun, who has alleged that Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mullakal raped her in 2014. The church was in the process of "glorifying" the Bishop arrested for raping her, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma alleged. She slammed the church for not implementing its directive to constitute internal complaint committees in their institutions where many nuns are serving, saying such a mechanism was a must for protecting them from harassment. "In churches we don't have any internal complaint committees," she told reporters here. Sharma said nuns who came up against Jalandhar Bishop could never get justice from the Church because of the absence of such a mechanism in their institutions. "There was nobody she (victimised nun) could go and complain. We have also written to the church, urging them to constitute internal complaint committees where women can complain," she said. She alleged that "till now the church has not come clean" in the nun rape case. Mulakkal, who was Bishop of Jalandhar diocese, was arrested in September for allegedly raping the nun at Kuravilangadu in Kottayam district. In her complaint to the Kottayam police in June, the nun had alleged that Mulakkal raped her at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and later sexually exploited her on several occasions. However, Mulakkal has denied the charges. He was later granted conditional bail in the case. He had given up his pastoral duties of Jalandhar diocese of the Missionaries of Jesus and transferred his administrative powers to Bishop Agnelo Gracious. "We should have internal complaint committees in all the religious places--especially in churches where many nuns are serving. Not many women are serving in the temples or other religious organisations. But in Christianity... in Churches... many nuns are there," Sharma said. "They (the Church) are glorifying the accused Bishop," Sharma said. Sharma alleged he was getting security from the Church and his picture was displayed in its calendar. Sharma said she has got a representation from an organisation working for nuns in which they have alleged that the church was not ready to provide security for the victimised nun. They have alleged that the Church has urged the police to shift the victim to a shelter home. "That is how these religious places are working, they are totally against women," she said. The NCW chairperson also criticised Kerala MLA P C George for not appearing before the commission in a case of allegedly using abusive language against the nun. The Commission had issued a notice to George asking him to appear before it but he sent his lawyer citing health reasons. "I am not satisfied with the lawyer's reply. So we are writing to the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly. Speaker is also liable to take action against him (MLA)," she said. "He never said sorry to us. He just send an explanation through his lawyer. I want him to come. We want him to say sorry..," Sharma said. Asked whether the Commission had powers to arrest him, Sharma said, "we have the powers to arrest him. NCW is above MLA or MP." Sharma also flayed the ruling CPI(M) for not forwarding a woman member's sexual harassment complaint against its MLA P K Sasi to the police. "They have reprimanded him, suspended him for six months but they have not reported the matter to the police. Complaint should have gone to the police," she said. The CPI(M) has said Sasi was suspended from the party's primary membership for six months after it was found that he had conversed with the woman "in a manner not befitting a party leader. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nepal wants to develop friendly ties with neighbouring countries on the basis of "equality and justice", Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said Saturday while inaugurating a summit attended by countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including India. The Asia-Pacific Summit 2018 organised by the South Korea-based Universal Peace Federation and supported by the Government of Nepal will be attended by the leaders from the Asia-Pacific region, including India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Pakistan and Philippines. Climate change has emerged as a major threat to humanity and we need to forge cooperation and collaboration to fight it back, Oli said, while inaugurating the four-day summit on the theme "Addressing Critical Challenges of Our Time: Independence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values." "Nepal wants to develop friendly relations with neighbouring countries on the basis of equality and justice," said Oli and sought support and cooperation from friendly countries for establishing peace and stability and attaining prosperity. The biggest challenge of our time is essentially the threat of terrorism and climate challenge, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda said and pointed out that these two are "posing threat to humanity irrespective of national border, religion and gender." He called upon developed countries to extend financial assistance as well as technical support to mitigate the effect of climate change. "All people in the world should live like a family as we all are the children of the omnipotent and omniscient God, so as to maintain sustainable peace and harmony in the world," said HJ Han Moon, founder of Universal Peace Foundation. A host of other prominent speakers, including state counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi, Prime Minister of Camdoia ST Hunsen and Vice president of Philippines Maria G Robredo and BJP leader Vijaya Jolly spoke on the issues of world peace, social justice, human values, universal brotherhood and climate change. The summit will conclude on December 3 by adopting a Kathmandu Declaration. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A judge banging his gavel, blindfolded Lady Justice, arguments and counter-arguments by lawyers, and standing amidst all of this an exhausted and helpless litigant. A setting such as this one brings to mind the solemn image of a courtroom, and a famous saying in Marathi, "Wise men do not climb the steps of courts". That said, these courts -- 24 High Courts, its 12 benches and the Supreme Court -- historic as they are, have a distinct aesthetic appeal to them, which can now be appreciated by all and sundry through a latest book "Architecture of Justice: A Pictorial Walk-through of the Supreme Courts and High Courts of India". The 223-page coffee-table tome, authored by father-son duo Vinay Thakur and Amogh Thakur, was Friday released by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi at the Indian International Centre here. Speaking at the book launch, the CJI said the book reminded him of the lines of famous poem 'Leisure' by poet WH Davies, "What is this life full of care, when we have no time top stop and stare". "If there is something common to the litigants, the judges and the lawyers it is this lack of leisure...the great merit of this work is that it forces one to stop and stare. It forces us to look at court buildings in all the grandeur and majesty. "...Since the work of justice is not ordinary, its space and architecture cannot be either. Like jurists, photographers capture this extraordinary history and tradition through their own unique lenses," the CJI said. The book, a sequel to Vinay's earlier book 'The Courts of India Past to Present' (2016), is not about photographs alone, and is replete with interesting trivia and anecdotes about the monumental buildings. "The book 'The Courts of India -- Past to Present' is a master piece on Indian judicial history. However, it was my dream to show the grandeur of theses magnificent buildings in their true perspectives in large fold out panoramas. Hence this statement coffee-table book of only images was thought of. "In 'Architecture of Justice', I have included 20 such panorama which fold out to almost 24 inch pictures images and they do justice to our images," photographer Vinay Thakur, who is also a lawyer, said. Of course, the task of capturing all the courts in the country through a lens was never going to be an easy one. And the author, during the event, shared some of the challenges he had to face, like how in the absence of an aerial shoot permission he had to "go up 130 feet in the basket of a fire brigade snorkel to get aerial picture of the exterior of the SC which resembles the scales of justice". "The shot was so appreciated that on 14 August, 2016 I was called back to take another shot when the building was illuminated," he added. Justice SA Bobde, who was head of the SC Editorial Committee that compiled 'The Courts of India Past to Present', said, "It is the only book which has the photographs of all the High Courts in the country and Vinay is the only man I think who has seen all the High Courts. "I don't know any other judge and lawyer who has seen all of the high courts," said Justice Bobde, who also accompanied Thakur on the eve of independence day in the fire brigade snorkel to click the picture of fully illuminated SC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Minor girls of a shelter home here have accused its in-charge of sexually abusing them following which he was arrested on Saturday, police said. The incident came to light when some of the girls while speaking to the media had recently accused the home in-charge, the police said. The girls had alleged that the in-charge, Simanchal Nayak, had been harassing them sexually, physically and mentally for last two years and they did not tell anyone about it out of fear and shame. The shelter home accommodates more than 80 girls and boys, the police said. Acting on the media reports, the district child protection officer Anuradha Goswami and members of the Child Welfare Committee of the district had raided the shelter home located at Beltikiri at the outskirts of Dhenkanal town on Friday, a police officer said. Goswami had also lodged a complaint at the Sadar police station in this connection and Nayak was arrested, he said. The DCPO said the shelter home violated provisions under the Juvenile Justice Act and was operating illegally in a secluded place at Beltikiri. An investigation has been initiated into the case and efforts are on to apprehend the home's owner and managing director Fayaz Rahman, Dhenkanal sub-divisional police officer Abdul Karim said. Meanwhile, Nayak has denied the allegations levelled against him by the girls and said they had done so as he had tried to enforce discipline at the shelter home. The central government had earlier directed the states to inspect all child care institutions in the aftermath of the alleged sexual abuse of 34 minor girls at a shelter home in Bihar. A similar case had also surfaced in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh this year. As many as 539 child care institutions were shut down by the Women and Child Development Ministry across the country for various irregularities after the inspections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who has been making efforts to put together an anti-BJP front, Saturday said the parties would meet on December 10 to prepare an agenda for the coalition. Observing that there are many experienced leaders who are capable of becoming the Prime Minister, Naidu said he does not aspire to occupy the top post as his task is to develop Amaravati, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh coming up near Vijayawada. "Some said who is the Prime Minister (in anti-BJP front). There are many with experience in the front. I don't have desire. I don't want to be (Prime Minister). I said politely. The reason for that is, I have to develop Amaravati. I have to develop the new state," he said. "There are many competent persons in this. We will contest together. We will jointly take responsibility to select a competent Prime Minister. On (December) 10th, we are again having a meeting. We will sit in the meeting and decide the agenda," he said. Alleging that the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi disappointed the country despite having absolute majority, Naidu alleged that Modi was an "elections PM" who criticised all at the time of polls. "That's why we don't need elections PM. (We) need a PM who governs. Prime Minister (should) be changed and a good PM put in place," he said. Naidu, who was addressing a roadshow at Kukatpalli in Hyderabad in support of TDP candidate N Suhasini for the December seven Assembly polls in Telangana, also asked in which front Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar Rao is. "At the national level. There are only two fronts. One, BJP. Second, anti-BJP front. Telugu Desam, Congress, we will be in anti-BJP front. I am asking KCR, which front you are in," he said. He alleged that there was a tacit understanding between the BJP and TRS. "Voting for KCR is voting for BJP," Naidu said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The outcome of the upcoming UN climate summit in Poland should be "balanced and inclusive", Union Minister Harsh Vardhan Saturday said. The minister also asserted that India expects the conference to frame guidelines, which are pragmatic and give due consideration to the challenges and priorities of developing nations. The 24th meeting of Conference of Parties (COP-24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held at Katowice, Poland from December 2-14. COP-24 is very significant as it is expected to finalise guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. "India expects that COP-24 should give due consideration to challenges of developing countries inter alia different starting points as compared to developed countries, their vulnerabilities, development priorities like eradication of poverty, food security, energy access, providing health infrastructure etc," the minister said. "COP-24 should give equal focus to all agenda items, and its outcome should be balanced, inclusive, comprehensive and consistent with the principles and provisions of the convention and its Paris Agreement," he added. India strongly supports the objective of the Paris Agreement to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping the global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. "India would like to demonstrate the same spirit of commitment and leadership shown in the past during the COP-24. India's expectation from COP-24 is that the decisions should be in consonance with the principles of UNFCCC, its Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement including equity, CBDR-RC, and climate justice," an official statement said. The Ministry further said during COP-24, India would like to emphasise its concern for climate change and reaffirm its commitments to finalisation of the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP). India would also like to ensure that Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), in the light of different national circumstances, are operationalised in all elements of the PAWP. "The outcome of the PAWP should support the enhancement of ambition without backsliding," it said. The key concern for India is to ensure that no undue burden is shifted onto developing countries in the post-2020 period, it said. "The issue of pre-2020 commitments under Kyoto Protocol, particularly higher mitigation action of developed countries and the need for developed countries to fulfil their climate finance commitments of mobilising USD 100 billion per annum by 2020, will remain a priority for India in COP-24," the statement said. Similarly, on the issue of adaptation, the statement said, India is of the view that enhanced provision of new, adequate and predictable finance, technology development and transfer, as well as capacity-building support, are key enablers for developing countries to achieve higher ambition in their climate actions, in the context of sustainable development. "Therefore, PAWP must have mechanisms to ensure new, adequate and predictable support for developing country parties," it said. The final political phase of 2018 Facilitative Talanoa Dialogue (which shares the best practices of nations) and stock take exercise on Pre-2020 implementation and action are also scheduled during COP-24. "India will be looking forward to a rich exchange of views during the high-level Talanoa dialogue at COP-24, with consideration of pre-2020 actions and support as a crucial element, and its successful conclusion in 2018 as per the agreed modalities. "India will be working together with all Parties in an open, transparent, inclusive and Party-driven manner to achieve a balanced and comprehensive outcome in the form of final PAWP at COP-24," the statement maintained. "India's climate actions are synchronised with its development goals and simultaneously reflect its bold vision for combating climate change," the statement said. On the sidelines of COP-24, India will be setting up a pavilion to create awareness about its positive climate actions in various sectors of the economy. The theme of this year's India Pavilion is 'One World One Sun One Grid' as highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the first assembly of the International Solar Alliance on October 2, 2018, the statement said. Harsh Vardhan will inaugurate the pavilion on December 3 and will also release India's second Biennial Update Report, it added. India will also hold side events from December 3-13 at the pavilion, it said. There will be around 20 sessions, covering issues related to sectors important for climate change adaptation and mitigation, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) Saturday objected to Army chief Bipin Rawat's remark about women in combat roles and accused him of having an "orthodox" view. Speaking in Pune earlier this week, Rawat had said that the Indian Army is not yet ready to have women in combat roles. "We are not yet ready for that (women in combat roles) as facilities have to be created within... Women also need to be prepared for that kind of hardships," he had said. The NFIW "strongly" expresses its objection to the reported statement of the Army chief, the outfit said in a statement. "NWIF is of the opinion that the Army chief having orthodox world view is surrendering to gender discrimination," it said. The NWIF has demanded that the central government create conditions for women to join in combat roles too, the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan on Saturday said the Kartarpur Corridor initiative was taken solely to fulfill the longstanding wishes of "our Sikh brethren" and criticised the "negative propaganda campaign" against the historic move. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who completed 100 days in office, on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Kartarpur Corridor linking two revered gurdwaras on both sides of the border in Kartarpur in Punjab province. Khan used the ceremony, also attended by two Union ministers from India, Harsimrat Kaur and Hardeep Singh Puri, along with Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, to call for steps to resume bilateral talks, including on the Kashmir issue, receiving a sharp reaction from New Delhi which regretted that he used the pious occasion to make unwarranted references to Kashmir, an integral and inalienable part of India. Also, on Thursday, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi claimed that Khan bowled a "googly" to ensure the presence of Indian government at the groundbreaking of the Kartarpur Corridor, which invoked sharp reaction from Kaur and other BJP leaders. "We are deeply dismayed at the relentless negative propaganda campaign being waged by a section of the Indian media against Pakistan on the 'Kartarpur Corridor' Initiative," the Foreign Office said in a statement. The much-awaited corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib, which was established in 1522 by Guru Nanak Dev. The Kartarpur Corridor, which will facilitate the visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, is expected to be completed within six months. Pakistan categorically reaffirmed that the initiative to open this corridor was taken solely in deference to the longstanding wishes of "our Sikh brethren" and especially in the wake of the forthcoming 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan has booked several leaders of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), including its chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi, under the charges of treason and terrorism for causing unrest and damage to public life and property during a nation-wide protest following the release of Christian woman Asia Bibi in a blasphemy case. Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, was released from Multan jail early November after the Supreme Court in its landmark decision acquitted her of blasphemy charges. She was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. Bibi always maintained her innocence, but spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement. Following the release of Bibi, TLP disrupted daily life across Pakistan by staging widespread protests. "A case has been registered against Tehreek-e-Labbaik leader Khadim Rizvi on charges of sedition and terrorism at a police station in Lahore Similar charges have been levied against Pir Afzal Qadri, Hafiz Farooq ul Hassan and others," Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary said. Last month, the police arrested Rizvi and more than 3,000 other activists and now formal case of sedition and terrorism has been registered against them, he said. Chaudhary said that massive operation was launched with the help of intelligence agencies and 2, 899 people were taken in protective custody in Punjab, 139 in Sindh and 126 in Islamabad. They were involved in ransacking the properties, torching the vehicles and misbehaving with people, including women and children. He said that those activists who were not involved in any disruptive activity will be released but will be fined heavily so that they avoid taking part in such protests in future. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Press Council of India has called an "extraordinary" meeting on December 18 to discuss the issue of reconstitution of the Central Press Accreditation Committee (CAPC), a PCI official said Saturday. The meeting, which will be held in Mumbai, has been called after a joint letter signed by the members of the Press Council of India representing different unions, associations of all categories -- editors, reporters and owners of newspapers -- was submitted to the chairman earlier this month demanding to convene an "extraordinary" meeting on this issue. "Since the last CPAC's term expired a year ago the same has not been reconstituted despite demand from most of the leading journalist unions and associations," said a joint release by journalist unions and associations, demanding reconstitution of CPA. Many applications for accreditation are pending with the Press Information Bureau (PIB), it noted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An organisation representing the families displaced from PoK Saturday demanded facilitation of their visit to religious places across the Line of Control, days after India and Pakistan laid foundation stones for the Kartarpur corridor. "We were displaced from PoK over seven decades ago and craving for a visit to our religious places. Priority should be given to us so that we pay obeisance at our gurdwaras and temples," SOS International chairman Rajiv Chuni told reporters here. He said he was surprised over the demand by Kashmiri Pandits for opening of Sharada Peeth temple for them. "When they (pandits) used to visit the Sharada Peeth prior to their displacement from Kashmir? It belongs to us, the people of PoK, and we will shed our blood if such a thing (passage to the temple for Pandits) happens. We will not allow anyone to play with our sentiments and our history," he said. India laid the foundation stone of the Kartapur corridor in Punjab to facilitate Indian Sikhs in visiting the 16th-century Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan on November 26. Two days later, Pakistan held a ground-breaking ceremony for the corridor. The two countries will build the corridor on their respective sides. Chuni asked political parties to clear their stand on restoring eight legislative assembly seats reserved for the residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Criticising the BJP, he said its slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' was "farce" as it "focussed" on Kashmiri migrants only. He also slammed the Congress and said it turned a "blind eye" towards their problems. Taking a dig at National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah for his statement that PoK belongs to Pakistan and India should retain this side of Jammu & Kashmir, he said, "PoK belongs to us and nobody has a right to take a decision on this". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met his Netherlands counterpart Mark Rutt, Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Michael Holness on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here and discussed several issues of bilateral interest like climate change, river rejuvenation and renewable energy. The G-20 is a grouping of the world's 20 major economies. Calling Rutt as his "friend", Modi said they discussed issues related to economic and cultural ties between India and the Netherlands. He also invited Netherlands to participate in river rejuvenation and inland waterways infrastructure projects in India. "Happy to meet my friend, @MinPres Mark Rutte. Our talks today focussed on boosting economic and cultural ties between India and the Netherlands," Modi tweeted. Following the meeting between the two leaders, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Ravish Kumar tweeted, "Nurturing warm relations...PM invited Netherlands to participate in river rejuvenation & inland waterways infrastructure projects, and shared views on climate change and regional situation." Modi and the Spanish prime minister discussed ways to further develop the bilateral relationship between the two nations. In a tweet, Kumar said the two leaders discussed "issues of bilateral interest and explore potential for further development of bilateral relationship." Modi and his Jamaican counterpart discussed issues related to renewable energy and climate change among others. "The Caribbean connect. PM @narendramodi met with PM of #Jamaica @AndrewHolnessJM on the margins of #G20Argentina. Discussed range of bilateral relations including development partnership, renewable energy and climate change. Jamaica represents the Caribbean Community at G20," Kumar tweeted after the meeting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former American President George H W Bush was a leading statesman at a critical juncture of world history and passionate about strong Indo-US relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday. Bush, the 41st president of the US who led America during the collapse of the Soviet Union and engineered the defeat of an audacious Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, died in Houston on Friday. He was 94. Modi, who is currently in Argentina to attend the G-20 summit, expressed condolence on the death of the former US president. "Condolences to the Bush family and the people of USA on the passing away of former President George H .W. Bush. He was a leading statesman at a critical period of world history," Modi tweeted. "Former President George H W Bush was passionate about strong relations between India and USA. His presence will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace," the prime minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here and invited him to be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations next year, which also marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The South African leader accepted the invitation to grace the occasion. "Glad to have met President @CyrilRamaphosa. At a time when India is marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it is our honour to welcome President Ramaphosa as the Chief Guest for the 2019 Republic Day celebrations. Bapu's close link with South Africa is well known," Modi tweeted after the meeting. He said Ramaphosa's visit to India will further cement bilateral ties between the two countries. "The upcoming visit of President @CyrilRamaphosa, and that too during the special occasion of India's Republic Day will further cement business and people-to-people ties between India and South Africa," Modi tweeted. Following the meeting between Modi and Ramaphosa, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Ravish Kumar tweeted, "150 years of Mahatma & 100 years of Madiba!" He was referring to July 18 this year, which marks 100 years since the birth of the global icon Nelson Mandela, also popularly known as Madiba, who died in 2013 at the age of 95. Kumar further tweeted, "Good meeting between PM @narendramodi & South Africa President @CyrilRamaphosa on margins of #G20Summit. President Ramaphosa accepted India's invitation to be the Chief Guest at Republic Day during 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met Argentinian President Mauricio Macri and held extensive discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in areas like defence, nuclear energy and agriculture. The two leaders met over a breakfast hosted by Macri in a special gesture to Modi. Modi also thanked the president for hosting the two-day G-20 summit. The G-20 is a grouping of the world's 20 major economies. "Had a productive meeting with President @mauriciomacri. We had extensive discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Argentina. Also thanked President Macri for hosting a wonderful G-20 Summit," Modi tweeted after the meeting. The prime minister also said he is looking forward to welcome Macri in India. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Ravish Kumar also tweeted, "Starting the day on a bright note! In a special gesture, President of Argentina @mauriciomacri hosted PM @narendramodi over breakfast at his official residence. Good discussion on cooperation in agriculture & food processing, space, defence, oil & gas & civil nuclear energy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and German Chancellor Angela Merkel here and discussed ways to strengthen the India-EU relations, including joint effort to counter terrorism in all forms. India and EU had vowed to step up cooperation in effectively dealing with terrorism, extremism and radicalisation during the India-EU annual counter terrorism and political dialogue held in Brussels in November. Both the sides had agreed to find ways to enhance cooperation to counter violent extremism and radicalisation as well as to deal with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats. "PM @narendramodi held a meeting with President of @EU_Commission @JunckerEU & @eucopresident Donald Tusk on margins of #G20Summit. Discussion focused on strengthening India-EU relations, including joint effort to counter terrorism in all forms," External Affairs spokesperson Ravish Kumar tweeted after Modi's meeting with the EU leaders. Following the prime minister's meet with Merkel, Kumar tweeted, "Strengthening strategic partnership. PM @narendramodi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met on the sidelines of #G20Summit. Leaders exchanged views on importance of multilateralism in a rapidly changing world and the need to strengthen cooperation in counter terrorism." Modi is in Argentina to attend the G-20 summit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Praise for former President George HW Bush, who died Friday: (He) "was a man of the highest character. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad." - Former President George W. Bush. "George HW Bush's life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good along the journey." - Former President Barack Obama. "The legacy of George HW Bush will be forever etched in the history of America and the world. It is a lifelong record of selfless patriotic service to our nation." - James A Baker III, secretary of state in the Bush administration. "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service to be, in his words, "a thousand points of light" illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world." - President Donald Trump. "I will be forever grateful for the friendship we formed. From the moment I met him as a young governor invited to his home in Kennebunkport, I was struck by the kindness he showed to Chelsea, by his innate and genuine decency, and by his devotion to Barbara, his children, and their growing brood." - Former President Bill Clinton. "The world has lost a great leader; this country has lost one of its best; and I have lost one of my dearest friends. I am heartbroken." - Brent Scowcroft, Bush's national security adviser. "Texans are genuinely honoured that he (Bush) called the Lone Star State home and we collectively grieve this monumental loss. - Texas Gov Greg Abbott. (George HW Bush) tried to "create a new international order based on justice and equality among nations" ... he never "forgot the Kuwaiti people and will remain in their memory." - Kuwait's ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah "Remembering President George HW Bush and the Americans With Disabilities Act. Millions of with Disabilities and who are Deaf or HOH (hard of hearing) lives have been changed for the better as a result of his signing this landmark legislation. My condolences to his entire family RIP #georgehwbush." - Actress Marlee Matlin, who herself is deaf, via Twitter. "President George HW Bush was the real deal. We fought but he was gracious enough to accept my apology. Through his daughter Dorothy, my friends Ron Kaufman and Mary Matalin, I got to know him. Rest in Peace #georgehwbush" - Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile. "I will never forget George HW Bush and President Clinton meeting me in my old hometown of New Orleans to show support and raise money after Hurricane Katrina. I send my love to his family tonight." "As an American envoy to Beijing, as CIA Director, as Vice President for eight years and then four years as President, George HW Bush's statesmanship played a key role in helping to end the Cold War, which bought democracy to millions of people in Europe and diminished the threat of nuclear war. George HW Bush was a strong supporter of the international rules-based system, the rule of law and democratic values." - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. "It was a time of great change, demanding great responsibility from everyone. The result was the end of the Cold War and nuclear arms race. (My wife, Raisa, and I) "deeply appreciated the attention, kindness and simplicity typical of George and Barbara Bush, as well as the rest of their large, friendly family." - Former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev. "He was in fact the first American President that I was privileged to meet. I recall being deeply touched by your father's concern for the Tibetan people and the situation in Tibet. It is truly admirable to have lived over 94 years. While nothing can replace the loss of a father, we can rejoice in the fact that his was a meaningful life, dedicated to public service. I commend your parents for encouraging their children, including you my dear friend, to devote yourselves to the service of others." - Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. (President George HW Bush was) "a great statesman and a true friend of our country" whose "ethos of public service was the guiding thread of his life and an example to us all ... in navigating a peaceful end to the Cold War he made the world a safer place for generations to come." - British Prime Minister Theresa May. (He) "saw America's obligation to the world and honoured it. I feel privileged to have worked with him, and even more privileged that he became a lifelong friend. He was, quite simply, one of the most deep-down decent people I have ever known." John Major, British Prime Minister from 1990-1997. "We are mourning a great statesman and a friend of Germany ... (Bush) courageously seized the opportunity to end the Cold War ... he is also an architect of German unity. He supported it from the beginning without reservations. We will never forget that." - Heiko Maas, German foreign minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several people complained of nausea, headache and sore throat following leakage of waste acid at the High Explosives Factory (HEF) in Khadki near Pune Saturday morning. The fire brigade section of the factory brought the situation under control quickly, an HEF release said. "A minor incident took place today morning in the factory in one of the production sections at around 10.10 am during routine maintenance work. The incident was caused by minor leakage of waste acid," it said. Local police said the leakage gave off fumes which spread to nearby areas, causing panic. Some residents in the area and workers at the neighbouring Ammunition Factory Kirkee complained of headache, sore throat and nausea. Thirty-six persons including 14 women were admitted to the factory hospital, a police official said. All of them were discharged later. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Raninder Singh has become the first Indian to be elected one of the four vice-presidents of the International Shooting Sport Federation. The 51-year-old Raninder also heads the National Rifle Association of India. In the elections held on Friday during the General Assembly meeting in Munich, Raninder secured 161 votes to make it to the coveted position. Kevin Kilty of Ireland received 162 votes, USA's Robert Mitchell got 153 votes and China's Wang Yifu was re-elected with 146 votes. Raninder said, "More than myself I am happy that this was a moment of great honour for the country. India's efforts in growing the sport have been widely recognised and this is a reflection of this recognition. "I thank all those members who voted for me as well as my other elected colleagues and promise to do my level best to live up to their aspirations. "I also want to thank my team at NRAI, the Government of India and the entire shooting fraternity, without whose continuous support and best wishes, this would not be possible." Last year, Raninder was re-elected president of the NRAI for a four-year term with an overwhelming mandate in Mohali. In 2014, Raninder got 22 out of 25 votes in the General Assembly meeting in Munich, becoming the first from the country to be elected as a member of the global body representing the sport of shooting. On Friday, the NRAI president was awarded the ISSF diploma of honour gold medal at the General Assembly. He was presented with the diploma and medal by the outgoing longest serving president of the ISSF, Olegario Vazquez Rana, who was at the helm for 38 years. Raninder took the opportunity to congratulate the new ISSF president Vladimir Lisin, who was elected as the seventh chief, and Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, who was honoured with the prestigious Blue Cross, the highest recognition of the ISSF. Russia's Lisin beat Italy's Luciano Rossi by 148 votes to 144 in a close contest. Alexander Rather was elected as the new secretary general of the apex body. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Retired judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court Justice Kothapalli Punnaiah died of ill health in Visakhapatnam Saturday. He had been on ventilator support for the past few days and breathed his last Saturday morning, family sources said. He was 95. He had been ailing for some time now and admitted to a private hospital in the port city in October, they said. Punnaiah served as an MLA from 1955 and also vice-chairman of Srikakulam Zilla Parishad. His daughter and senior TDP leader K Pratibha Bharati served as a minister in the Chandrababu Naidu Cabinet in the 1990s and became the first woman Speaker of the erstwhile united AP Assembly. She also served as an MLC. Punnaiah quit politics in 1962 and became a practising lawyer in the AP High Court and became a judge in 1974. He served in that capacity till 1985. In the year 2001, he was made Chairman of the state SC, ST Commission. Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and several other leaders condoled the death of Justice Punnaiah and extended sympathies to the bereaved family. "In Punnaiah's death, not only AP but also the country lost a legal luminary and a social reformer. As Chairman of SC, ST Commission, he came up with valuable recommendations for the uplift of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He also fought against caste discrimination," Naidu recalled in a statement. In his condolence message, YSRC president Jaganmohan Reddy said Punnaiah was a legal luminary and well respected. State Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said Punnaiah made significant contribution for the development of the backward Srikakulam district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Bangladeshi diplomat Saturday stressed the need for international help to overcome the Rohingya refugee crisis in the country and said being the largest nation in South Asia, India had a huge role to play in building trust in the region. Shahanaj Akhter Ranu, the political counsellor of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in the city, said political stability was necessary for economic growth and the non-state refugee issue was having an impact on the neighbouring country. "We need international help and cooperation to repatriate the Rohingya people to their homeland," she said at the MCCI Logistics Forum. India had more responsibility in building trust in the region, being the largest country in South Asia, Ranu added. Bangladesh had in the past also sought India's support in handling the Rohingya issue by mounting pressure on Myanmar to take back the refugees who had taken shelter in the country. According to the United Nations (UN), nearly seven lakh Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar's Rakhine state to Bangladesh since August, 2017. Bangladesh has accused the Myanmar government of failing to tackle the concerns over the Rohingya Muslims who fled the country and urged the UN Security Council to take action to ensure their safe return home. Ranu also called for a faster implementation of the BBIN MVA (The Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement) for a greater economic growth in the region. Bangladesh, India and Nepal have already given their nod to the operating procedures for the movement of passenger vehicles in the sub-region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thousands turned out Saturday to celebrate 100 years since Romania became a modern-day state, amid concerns about rule of law and the state of democracy. Romanians waving the country's flag attended huge military parades Saturday in Bucharest and Alba Iulia, the Transylvanian city that symbolizes Romania's 1918 reunification. Crowds braved temperatures of -5 C (23 F) to watch tanks and military vehicles driving under the Triumphal Arch built after World War I. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday thanked Romania for contributing to global and Black Sea security as a NATO member and participating in missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. A statement said Washington stands with Romania "in its efforts to uphold democratic values and the rule of law...which are ... the foundation of economic growth and prosperity." The US and the European Union are among those criticizing a judicial overhaul initiated by the ruling Social Democrats that they claim will undermine the fight against government corruption. Some Romanians planned to celebrate the day with the traditional dish of cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat and rice and polenta. Others, however, will stage an anti-corruption protest in the capital Saturday evening demanding the government scraps the judicial overhaul. Romania entered the war siding with the Allies in 1916 but capitulated to the Central powers. It re-entered WWI in 1918, and doubled its territory after its conclusion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said Saturday that it is the "job" of the RSS to help the BJP by raising the pitch on Ram temple issue as elections draw closer. Asked about the RSS taking out 'Sankalp Yatra' to press for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, Kharge said, "It is their job, elections are three months away". "It is but natural for them to raise such issues for polarisation of votes. RSS has always been with the BJP. "It used to call itself a cultural and neutral organisation, but it is not a neutral organisation anymore. They are doing their job to help the BJP," said Kharge, the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha. Earlier speaking at a programme organised by United Christian Congress, Kharge referred to a purported statement by BJP lawmaker Gopal Shetty that Christians did not contribute to the freedom struggle. "I want to ask how many RSS or BJP people committed sacrifice for freedom. It is now important that all sections of society protect the Constitution to safeguard the fundamental rights," he said. "Hindu religion is for all and does not believe in attacking others. But a new Hindu philosophy is being pursued which is creating tension and division in society," he said. The Christian community has contributed a lot to nation-building through its work in education and health services, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the hours leading up to journalist Jamal Khashoggi's brutal killing, Saudi Arabia's crown prince sent at least 11 messages to his closest advisor who was charged with overseeing the murder, the Wall Street Journal said Saturday quoting a CIA assessment. Mohammed bin Salman also told associates in August last year that if he failed to persuade Khashoggi to return to Saudi Arabia, "we could possibly lure him outside Saudi Arabia and make arrangements" -- a communication the Central Intelligence Agency said "seems to foreshadow the Saudi operation launched against Khashoggi." The Journal said it had reviewed excerpts of the highly classified intelligence document, which relied on electronic intercepts and other clandestine information. Khashoggi, a trenchant critic of the crown prince who relocated to Virginia and wrote op-eds for the Washington Post, was killed by Saudi operatives inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate on October 2, triggering global condemnation. After initially denying the murder, Saudi Arabia acknowledged some liability but blamed his death on a "rogue" operation. The Journal reported in November that the CIA had concluded Prince Mohammed had likely personally ordered the killing. President Donald Trump, who has been accused of covering for the Saudi leadership, appeared to challenge that assessment about the prince, saying "maybe he did, maybe he didn't". The newspaper said that excerpts of the assessment it had not previously reported state that the CIA has "medium-to-high confidence" that Prince Mohammed "personally targeted" Khashoggi and "probably ordered his death" -- but added: "To be clear, we lack direct reporting of the Crown Prince issuing a kill order". The electronic messages were said to have been sent by Prince Mohammed to Saud al-Qahtani, who supervised the 15-man team that killed Khashoggi, the paper said. The contents of the messages weren't known, it added, citing the assessment, which also did not reveal the format of electronic communication. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two days after the Maharashtra legislature cleared Maratha quota bill, the Shiv Sena Saturday took a veiled dig at the ruling BJP saying a political mileage should not be derived out of the issue. In an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Sena said the Marathas should get the reservation with "due respect". The Uddhav Thackeray-led party, which is a ruling constituent in the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, also said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis handled the Maratha quota issue "cleverly' and with patience. "All political elements were taken into confidence before providing reservation to Marathas," the editorial said. On November 29, the state legislature passed a bill proposing 16 per cent reservation in education and government jobs for the Marathas under specially created Socially and Economically Backward Class (SEBC) category. State Governor Vidyasagar Rao Friday gave his nod to the bill. "We were saying from Day One that reservation should not be given to the Marathas only as a show-off measure. They should get it with respect and that political arithmetic and benefits should not be sought. Many a times, announcements are made but final decisions languish in courts," the Sena said. Sena further said reservation to any community reflects the importance that particular bloc enjoys in the state's politics and culture. "While the Marathas account for 30 per cent of the total population of Maharashtra, 70 per cent of the community members are living in huts or mud houses," it said, adding that 91 per cent of the (Maratha) community members have an annual income of less than Rs one lakh. According to Sena, 24.2 per cent of the Maratha population falls under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category and over 70 per cent of the community members are small farmers. The Sena said a large chunk of thousands of farmers who have committed suicide in Maharashtra due to agrarian distress in the last few years were Marathas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Going beyond the slur used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Punjab minister Navjot Sidhu Saturday said even the watchman's dog was into stealing. Addressing an election rally at Khairthal in Alwar district, Sidhu alleged corruption in the Modi government's deal with France to purchase 36 Rafale military aircraft, a charge repeatedly denied by the Centre. He claimed the plane worth Rs 500 crore was being bought for Rs 1,600 crore. The crowd chanted, chowkidar chor hai (the watchman is a thief). The slogan was given by Gandhi who had earlier mocked Modi's claim that he will act like watchman against graft in the country. Even the watchman's dog is involved, Sidhu then said. He claimed the BJP government's 'Make in India' slogan had not yielded results, saying the government had a deal on Rafale with France and on the bullet train with Japan. He claimed the Sardar Patel statue recently installed in Gujarat was bought from China. Will the people of the country fry pakodas? he said. Sidhu said he will quit if his allegations are proved false. You have broken the back of farmers. You do not belong to the poor farmers but to Ambani and Adani. You have become puppet of the industrialists, Sidhu charged, targeting Modi. He also lashed out at Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. The maharani is sitting in the fort and ruling the state, he said. He said women are not safe in the state which records a high number of rapes. Assembly polls will be held in Rajastghan on December 7. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday lashed out the Narendra Modi government for denial of permission for his Austria visit to speak about the 'Happiness Curriculum' introduced by AAP government in Delhi schools. "They did not give any reason for denying permission to my Austria visit for the three day conference," Sisodia, who had to leave on Saturday night, said at a press conference. Sisodia's case comes days after another Delhi Minister, Satyendar Jain, alleged that the BJP-led central government had denied him permission to travel to Australia on the invitation of a university in Sydney. Sisodia said that the Happiness curriculum introduced in Delhi government run schools has started showing positive results with teachers and principles reporting increased attendance of students, focus on study, peaceful behaviour of children and overall improvement in "It would earn fame for the country, if I spoke about our model but the Centre due to petty politics did not permit my visit," he said, adding that the world wanted to know about the curriculum. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari claimed that Sisodia's Austria visit was perhaps denied permission because he was not going to attend any government function there. "Manish Sisodia has himself stated that it was not a government programme and it was sponsored by a British agency, that too in Austria. That is why the entire tour appeared to be under the cloud of doubts," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russia is putting on a brave face after US President Donald Trump abruptly junked a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It's all about internal US and "anti-Russian hysteria," Russian officials shrug. But Trump's snub was a clear kick to Putin just as he arrived at a Group of 20 summit where Western leaders banded together to denounce Russia's actions in Ukraine. So Putin turned elsewhere for attention. He subbed in Turkey's president for the time slot he had reserved for Trump, and sought to strengthen his alliance with China and other non-Western economies. And he cozied up at Friday's round-table talks to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, somewhat of a fellow outcast at the G-20 over his suspected role in the killing of a dissident Saudi journalist. Putin and Trump "said hi to each other," according to the Russian leader's spokesman but didn't shake hands or otherwise interchange, even during the "family photo" when leaders rub elbows as they get into place and usually exchange small talk. Putin himself hasn't publicly addressed Trump's rejection, but hinted at the potential fallout if the leaders of the world's two biggest nuclear powers can't talk to each other: Putin said in Buenos Aires that the US intention to opt out of a Cold War-ear nuclear pact "creates risks of an uncontrollable arms race." As the summit opened, European leaders lined up to criticize what one called Russia's "aggression" on Ukraine the weekend seizure of Ukrainian ships and crew members near Crimea. The Group of 7 foreign ministers issued a statement demanding the seamen's release. The standoff was the official reason that Trump cancelled his meeting with Putin, calling what's happening in Ukraine "very bad." The Russian interpretation of the cancellation, however, echoed that of some of Trump's critics at home, who noted the move came amid new challenges for Trump in the probe into Russia's alleged role in his 2016 election campaign. "If the domestic situation and the pressure from Russophobes like Ukraine and its sponsors prevents the US president from developing normal ties with the Russian president ... we will wait for another chance," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, adding "love can't be forced." Prominent Russian lawmaker Leonid Slutsky called Trump's cancellation announced unexpectedly on Twitter just hours before the G-20 kicked off "a show." He said Trump probably fears that if he meets with Putin, his domestic rivals "will call him a Russian agent." Isolated by Western democracies, Putin pushed instead to inject new strength into the so-called BRICS grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. "The five can, for a good reason, play a more significant role in the global financial system, strive to continue the reform of the IMF and strengthen our influence in the Fund," Putin said at a BRICS meeting. He wasn't avoiding Western critics, though. Putin met France's president Friday carefully drawing a map of Ukraine's coastline to explain Russia's claims that its seizures of the Ukrainian ships was justified and will see Germany's chancellor Saturday. Still, what Putin really wants is to make a deal with Trump. The Russian leader, who views global as a cynical power play, sees himself as a consummate negotiator who can advance Moscow's interests through strong personal contacts with foreign leaders. He repeatedly voiced a belief that Trump sincerely wants to improve ties with Russia but has been prevented from doing so by his political foes. "Playing the Russian card has become a convenient tool for solving internal political problems," Putin said recently. "I hope it will end someday. Maybe it will happen in 2020 when the next US presidential election is held and he will no longer have to constantly look back at those who engage in anti-Russian rhetoric." Putin's wish list is topped by a desire to see an end to crippling anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the US and its allies for Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, its support for separatist insurgents in eastern Ukraine and other actions by Moscow. Putin also wants to talk to Trump about his intention to opt out of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty over alleged Russian violations. Putin strongly denied any Russian breaches of the pact. The Russian leader has warned that if the United States deploys intermediate-range missiles that are currently banned under the treaty to Europe, Russia will have to target the nations that would host them. Such weapons are seen as extremely destabilising as they take just a few minutes to reach targets, leaving virtually no time for decision-makers and dramatically increasing the possibility of a nuclear conflict over a false attack warning or technical glitch. There was a risk that the Trump-Putin meeting could have worked out badly for both of them. After the summit with Putin in July, Trump was widely criticised for failing to publicly denounce Russia's interference in the 2016 US election and appearing to accept Putin's denials of such activity. More anti-Russian sanctions followed and relations soured further. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terrorism is the biggest stumbling block to world peace, stability and progress and the magnitude of threat multiplies when it is state-sponsored, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said on Saturday. Addressing the Asia-Pacific Summit-2018 here, he said that India has been a victim of state-sponsored terrorism for a long time and emphasised that terrorism or terror groups should not be glorified. The four-day summit, on the theme "Addressing Critical Challenges of Our Time: Independence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values", has been organised by the South Korea-based Universal Peace Federation and supported by the Government of Nepal. The former prime minister said that terrorism is the biggest stumbling block in the world peace, stability and progress and the magnitude of threat multiplies when terrorism is state-sponsored. "Terrorism has emerged as a biggest challenge in today's world, which does not makes any distinction between the borders, gender or religions," he said at the conference being attended by leaders from the Asia-Pacific region, including India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Pakistan and the Philippines. "In the recent times, the world has become aware about the terrorism and steps have been taken in the recent times to break the network of terror-funding, but an international law on terrorism is to be made," Gowda said. "There is need for an international to check spread of terrorism. A proposal to make a law against terrorism is yet to be passed in the United Nations, as the member states have failed to reach a consensus on the definition of terrorism," he added. Former Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, addressing the summit, said he agrees with what former Indian prime minister has said that "there is no good or bad terrorism." He claimed that Pakistan is also affected by terrorism for a very long time, as many people came to his country during the Afghan war as a refugee and were still living in the country. He said during his regime, action was taken against terrorism, as many innocent people were killed in terror attacks and also Pakistan's economy was affected. Highlighting the importance of ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said this corridor not exclusive which will increase connectivity in the region. The USD 60 billion CPEC is part of China's multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping when he came to power in 2013. It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes. India is opposed to the BRI as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Gilani also alleged that misinformation was being spread about the CPEC in the region when it is being promoted as part of the projects like development of ports, establishment of special economic zones and setting up of other basic infrastructure needed for development. Meanwhile, addressing the summit, Myanmar's special counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, called for cooperation between nations to seek peace and mutual prosperity. In her keynote address, she said, the world today is facing the dangers of terrorism, poverty, natural calamity, and conflict. "Only by promoting a culture of peace in this world of interdependence will it be possible to create harmony between diverse countries and societies," she said. "At the basis of conflict is ill-will which seeks to hurt and to destroy and thus to open the way to conflict, which in turn spews out an ever-renewing cycle of hate and fear, snuffing out the light of peace," Suu Kyi, who is facing international criticism for her alleged inaction amidst the Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar, said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Local officials in a Washington neighborhood have voted to rename a street outside Saudi Arabia's embassy in honor of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. If approved by the city council, the advisory commission's measure means a stretch of road going past the expansive embassy building in the upscale Foggy Bottom neighborhood would be ceremonially renamed "Jamal Khashoggi Way". Khashoggi, a US resident, was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. After initially denying the murder, Saudi Arabia has acknowledged Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate but blamed his death on a "rogue" operation. Top officials from the administration of President Donald Trump have said they've seen no direct evidence linking the murder to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but the CIA reportedly has found a connection. According to CNN, the idea to change the street's name started about a month ago following an online petition. "We suggest renaming the street address of the Saudi Embassy into Jamal Khashoggi Way to be a daily reminder to Saudi officials" that such killings are "totally unacceptable and as an expression of Washington's unstinting support for freedom of the press," the petition states. A similar action was taken outside the Russian embassy, where a street was this year renamed in honor of prominent Vladimir Putin critic Boris Nemtsov, who was assassinated in Moscow in 2015. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Korean President Moon Jae-in, center, arrives for the opening of the Group of 20 summit at the Costa Salguero Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, early Saturday (KST), Dec. 1. AP-Yonhap Leaders agree to maintain NK sanctions By Kim Yoo-chul BUENOS AIRES President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump have agreed to maintain sanctions on North Korea until complete and verifiable denuclearization of the North. Trump, however, said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Seoul, if realized, would be a positive factor in creating new momentum for the denuclearization talks. On Sunday, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One his next meeting with Kim is likely to be in January or February. Moon and Trump had bilateral talks for 30 minutes on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in the Argentine capital, Saturday. Only translators were allowed to attend the Moon-Trump meeting, and there was no joint statement after the talks. "The summit was mainly about how to advance the stalled denuclearization process," Moon's chief press secretary Yoon Young-chan said. "They agreed that sanctions should remain until final, fully verifiable denuclearization (FFVD) is achieved." This contradicts earlier thoughts and expectation that the Moon-Trump meeting would encompass the phased and reciprocal denuclearization of the North. Rather, the meeting apparently failed to resolve differences between Washington and Pyongyang over this. Trump's apparent refusal to accept Moon's "sanctions-easing" pitch shows that the United States and North Korea still remain far apart on the pace of denuclearization and possible sanctions relief. Washington and Pyongyang aren't prepared for major concessions at this time, another presidential aide said. President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump before the start of their informal 'pull-asides' meeting at the Costa Salguero Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, early Saturday (KST), Dec. 1. Yonhap After his "ultimatum" to the BJP for finalizing seat-sharing among NDA constituents in Bihar by November 30 went unheeded, Union minister and RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha on Saturday fired a fresh salvo at the BJP leadership, saying a person who heads towards doom loses his reasoning. Kushwaha claimed he was not given an appointment by BJP chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The president of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) when on to recite a stanza in Hindi composed by poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, "Jab nash manush par chhatha hain, pahle vivek maar jatha hain" (as a person heads towards doom he loses his reasoning). He was talking to reporters in Motihari, headquarter of East Champaran district, where he is expected to make a big announcement at a public meeting on December 6. The party is holding a two-day brainstorming session at Valmikinagar on December 4-5 in West Champaran. " I do not know why neither Shah (Amit) nor Modi (Narendra) gave me an appointment.They may have had other preoccupations. But there are other modes of communication. There could have been at least a phone call. The situation reminds me of Dinkar's line," he said before reciting the stanza from the epic Rashmirathi. After serving an ultimatum to the BJP on November 17 to formalise seats among NDA partners in Bihar for the next year general election by November 30, Kushwaha, whose efforts to meet BJP president Amit Shah did not materialise, had said that he would meet only the Prime Minister on the issue. Ever since the announcement by the BJP president that his party and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) will contest equal number of seats out of the total 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar, Kushwaha has been publicly showing his unhappiness. He had said that the BJP had offered RLSP two seats which his party rejected and sought a "respectable" number instead. Kushwaha's party had won all the three seats it had contested in 2014 in Bihar with the BJP. But, with the return of Nitish Kumar's JD(U) in the coalition, the equation changed. Kushwaha came into political prominence after Nitish Kumar backed him as the leader of opposition in Bihar assembly in 2004 despite the fact that it was his first outing as an MLA, but later fell out with the JD(U) chief and floated RLSP. Kushwaha aligned with the BJP in the last Parliamentary election, while the JD(U) was part of the grand alliance with Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress. His remarks have further fuelled speculation that he may quit the NDA in favour of 'mahagathbandhan' comprising RJD, Congress and HAM of former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. The Congress, which is the second largest constituent of the opposition Grand Alliance, urged Kushwaha to make haste and come out of the NDA. "It is now amply clear that the BJP is going to give short shrift to Kushwaha. On the other hand, the Mahagathbandhan has been waiting with open arms. The RLSP chief must not drag his feet now," Congress MLC Prem Chandra Mishra said. He also claimed there will be a "stampede-like" situation within the NDA once the results of assembly polls in five states are out on December 11 and it "becomes clear that the BJP is a sinking ship". BJP MLA and Bihari unit vice-president Mithilesh Tiwari, however, asserted that Kushwaha is not going to quit the NDA. "Setting up frequent deadlines and extending the same say a lot about his inclination. I cannot comment on his grievances.... But we do have just one complaint against Kushwaha. He keeps airing his grievances before the media, though he has no need to do so. He is a member of the Union Council of Ministers. He is bound to have meetings with the Prime Minister where he can express his concerns," Tiwari added. Meanwhile, divergent opinions emerged from within the five-year-old party of Kushwaha "I met Sharad Yadav, the Loktantrik Janata Dal with whom our party has ideological affinity. Our exit from NDA is only a matter of time," RLSP working president Nagmani said in Delhi. However, party vice-president Bhagwan Singh Kushwaha said Upendra Kushwaha got a ministerial berth despite having just three MPs. "He should not go on alleging disrespect within the NDA. Would it be proper for a leader of his seniority to accept the supremacy of Tejashwi Yadav (RJD leader)," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Saturday came down hard on her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi for his "googly" remark, saying it "exposed" him and that Pakistan has no respect for Sikh sentiments In as series of tweets, Swaraj said,"Mr.Foreign Minister of Pakistan - Your 'googly' remarks in a dramatic manner has exposed none but YOU. This shows that you have no respect for Sikh sentiments. You only play 'googlies'." "Let me explain to you that we were not trapped by your 'googlies'. Our two Sikh Ministers went to Kartarpur Sahib to offer prayers in the Holy Gurudwara", she said. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who completed 100 days in office, on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Kartarpur Corridor linking two revered gurdwaras on both sides of the border in Kartarpur in Punjab province. Union ministers from India, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri, along with Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, attended the event in Pakistan Punjab province's Narowal area. On Thursday, Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi had said Prime Minister Khan bowled a "googly" to ensure Indian government's presence at the groundbreaking ceremony of the landmark Kartarpur Corridor. Qureshi's remarks came a day after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj categorically ruled out the possibility of resumption of bilateral talks with Pakistan unless it stops cross-border terror activities against India. However, Pakistan on Saturday said the Kartarpur corridor initiative was taken solely to fulfil the longstanding wishes of "our Sikh brethren" and criticised the "negative propaganda campaign" against the historic move. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lanka's main Tamil party - Tamil National Alliance (TNA) - said that President Maithripala Sirisena has assured that he will resolve the ongoing political crisis when Parliament meets again next week even as the talks between the two sides ended without any breakthrough Friday night. President Sirisena had invited ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Front (UNF) and the TNA for talks Friday night amid speculation that Sirisena may opt to restore the pre-October 26 status quo. However, the talks on Friday night ended without any breakthrough. "President admitted that Mahinda Rajapaksa has no majority. He wants another motion to be approved in parliament to prove the issue," M Sivamohan, one of the TNA parliamentarians who attended Friday night's talks, told reporters. The President, however, said that there are enough examples of minority governments functioning around the world, he added. TNA leader R Sampanthan said the President assured he will resolve the issue when Parliament meets again next week. The UNF team, which met Sirisena without their leader Wickremesinghe, said that the President has promised another round of talks Sunday. "We are hopeful and we will attend the talks," said Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, the UNF general secretary. Lanka is witnessing a political crisis since October 26 when President Sirisena sacked Wickeremesinghe and replaced him with former strongman Rajapaksa. Sirisena later dissolved Parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end, and ordered snap election. The Supreme Court overturned Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls. Both Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa claim to be the prime ministers. Wickremesinghe says his dismissal is invalid because he still holds a majority in the 225-member Parliament. The UNF has moved three no trust motions against Rajapaksa, who has refused to step down. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has officially conveyed that the House does not recognise Rajapaksa as the legal prime minister until he proved his majority in the House. Analysts say Sirisena was buying time until the island's Supreme Court could deliver its ruling on the dismissal of the parliament by him. Political parties and civil society organisations challenged his order which they claimed was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court on November 13 issued a temporary stay order on parliament's sacking while setting the dates for its final ruling for early this month. As many as 13 petitions have been filed. The TNA has pledged to help restoration of the pre-October 26 status by helping Wickremesinghe to prove majority in the House. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Accusing the NDA government of harassing political rivals through agencies life the CBI and the Income Tax department, TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said he joined hands with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders to work in national interest. Speaking during a roadshow in the city, Naidu criticised the NDA government for demonetisation, "faulty implementation" of GST and price rise and alleged that there was a feeling of insecurity. "Today, the government led by Narendra Modiji in the country is indulging in attacking political rivals. They are harassing rivals as per will. "If anyone questions, (they) send Enforcement Directorate, CBI, Income Tax. Attacks on media. Attacks on political leaders. By carrying out attacks on business organisations, creating fear, (they) wish to see that nobody speaks," the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister said. Therefore, he said, he spoke to all political parties in the country, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in spite of differences between the TDP and the Congress for over 30 years, to work together in national interest. "The country should be protected. Democracy should be safeguarded. Then only we will have future. If you don't have the freedom to speak, I am asking, what is the value of democracy," he said. Naidu, who was speaking in Rajendranagar assembly segment here as part of his roadshow in the city in support of TDP candidates, accused the NDA government at the Centre and the TRS government in Telangana of letting down people. "One thing is common between big Modi and small Modi. That is magic trick with words. He (Modi) speaks well. Our KCR also speaks very well," he said. Rao kept mum on NDA government over "attacks" on minorities, SCs and STs in the country, Naidu alleged. He said that the international airport, Cyberabad (the IT hub in Hyderabad), Outer Ring Road, Krishna river water and other major development projects in Hyderabad became a reality at his initiative. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister claimed that the TRS government did not implement its election promises, including double bedroom houses for poor. Naidu's Telugu Desam Party is part of the 'People's Front' also comprising Congress, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). Asserting that a Congress nominee would be the chief minister if the Front wins the December seven elections, he said the TDP would fully cooperate in the endeavour. Telangana Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on December 7 and the results would be declared on December 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid loudspeakers blaring poll slogans in this high-profile constituency of Telangana chief minister K Chadrashekar Rao's son K T Rama Rao, weavers are more concerned about the fate of a government scheme that helped them overcome the scourge of suicides and improve their earnings. There is a fear among some sections that the scheme could be scrapped if the ruling TRS party fails to retain power in the crucial December 7 assembly polls. The Telanagna Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government's 'free saree distribution scheme' has boosted production since last one year, giving a fillip to the powerloom industry in this constituency. "There used to be approximately 90-100 weavers suicides in a year till 2013. The awareness camps, counselling efforts and the government's schemes has brought a change," Mindcare and Counselling Centre's consulting pyschologist K Punnam Chandra told PTI. Powerloom weavers fell into a debt trap as they gradually increased the looms from initial two to 16, hoping to earn more. Although the production increased, they could not find any market, resulting into high debt and stress, he said. Adding to their woes was low quality polyster they produced that fetched them only Rs 5-6 per metre in the market. Weavers could not make payment to labours, Chandra said. The stress of debt and lack of sleep due to working in double shifts led many of them to become alcoholic, he added. However, the scheme to distribute free sarees to the poor women, pension and upgradation fund have helped improve the condition of weavers in Sircilla, Chandra said. In the first year of the scheme in 2017, the TRS government placed orders for one crore sarees, which was distributed to the women through ration shops irrespective of caste, community and religion. This year, it is planning to distribute 95 lakh sarees and placed orders for production. Stating that the government order has not only provided employment to the weavers and workers but also increased their livelihood, Veldandi Narayan, owner of PT Textile in Venkatanagar, said, "If the scheme is scrapped, we will have to shut down our business." The weavers suicides have come down as labourers' income has improved to Rs 14,000-16,000 per month now, from Rs 8,000-9,000 earlier, he said. "We don't have fear of marketing now because of the government orders. We strongly desire the TRS comes to power," Narayan said and added that the business has affected by implementation of the goods and services tax (GST). For labourer Narsayya working with Warpin Textiles, the scheme has come as a boon as his daily wage has increased to Rs 1,500 now, from Rs 300-400 early. Another labourer Samala Kachayya, 63, said that the situation has improved a lot as weavers are getting pension of Rs 1,000 a month. According to Polyster Manufacturers Association President Dudam Shankar, "The government has geo-tagged all looms in the state monitor the production and payment given to labourers." About 28,000 people, especially Padmasale caste, are dependent on the powerloom industry in Sircilla which has 2.22 voters at present. "Had such schemes were implemented 20 years back, my husband would have been alive today. He committed suicide as he was jobless because the industry was very down," said R Latha, 44, a social worker working at the Mindcare and Counselling Centre after husband's death. The Centre has set up suicide prevention teams in each weavers' colony in the constituency and Latha visits door to door to create awareness and identify people who need counselling. "What I fear is that our weavers' plight will go back to the square in the absence of government's help," she said hoping that whichever party comes to power in the state need to ensure the existing schemes meant for weavers continue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The students' wing of the ruling Trinamool Congress on Saturday urged the state minister to find out a solution as students in several colleges in the city are agitating after they were not allowed to appear for an examination due to shortage of attendance. The students were to sit for first semester examination of the Calcutta University but only those with a minimum of 60 per cent attendance were allowed. Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) president Trinankur Bhattacharya said the organisation leaders met Minister Partha Chatterjee and requested him to find out a solution which would bring normalcy in academic functioning in colleges and be acceptable to all sides. He said student representatives from six-seven colleges asked TMCP leadership "to find an way out to the present impasse" over the decision of the authorities to strictly enforce the 60 per cent attendance rule. A TMCP source said the union also urged Chatterjee to see if there could be relaxation to the attendance rule for this year. Chatterjee did not speak to reporters after the meeting. Heramba Chandra College was one of the affected institutes and its Principal Nabanita Chakraborty met the minister during the day. Chakraborty told reporters that the college has decided to reduce the cut off figure for attendance from 60 per cent to 55 per cent. Students of the college blocked road at Golpark area on Saturday, for the second consecutive day on Friday demanding that they be allowed to sit for the examination. Students of Shibnath Shastri College, Gurudas College, Jaipuria College and Behala College had demonstrated over the decision to implement 60 per cent attendance rule in Calcutta University affiliated colleges as per the Choice Based Credit System. The minister had earlier asserted that the government will not allow lawlessness taking over in colleges and urged students to ensure academic atmosphere was maintained in cooperation with college authorities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The former right hand man of notorious Mexican druglord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was sentenced Friday to life in prison, judicial sources said. Damaso Lopez Nunez, known as "The Lawyer" when he worked for the ultra-violent Sinaloa cartel, had been convicted of trafficking by a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. The 52-year-old was captured in Mexico in May last year and extradited to the United States two months later. He was considered a potential witness against Guzman, who is currently on trial in New York. According to the US Department of Justice, Lopez was the deputy head of a Mexican maximum security prison in 2001 when he helped Guzman escape. He then joined the cartel as Guzman's lieutenant. In that role he took part in the production and shipment to the United States of tons of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and marijuana, according to the US Justice Department. He also directed some of the killings and kidnappings associated with the Sinaloa gang. And he was linked to the May 15, 2017 murder of Mexican journalist Javier Valdez, an AFP contributor. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Trump Administration on Friday proposed major changes to the H-1B application process, including a new rule requiring companies to electronically register their petitions in advance, aimed at awarding this popular American work visa to the most skilled and highest paid foreign workers. The H1B visa, popular among Indian IT companies and professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. Under the new proposed merit-based rule, a notice for which was issued on Friday, companies employing foreign workers on the H-1B visa - under the Congressional mandated annual caps - would first have to electronically register with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) during a designated registration period. The H1-B visa has numerical limit cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year as mandated by the Congress. The first 20,000 petitions filed on behalf of beneficiaries with a US master's degree or higher are exempt from the cap. Under the new rule, the USCIS would also reverse the order by which it selects H-1B petitions under the H-1B cap and the advanced degree exemption. This is likely to increase the number of foreign workers with a master's or higher degree from a US institution of higher education to be selected for an H-1B cap number. As such the proposed rule will introduce a more meritorious selection of beneficiaries, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement. The DHS said public comments on the proposed rule may be submitted starting December 3, when the proposed rule publishes in the Federal Register, and must be received on or before January 2. "Currently, in years when the H-1B cap and the advanced degree exemption are both reached within the first five days that H-1B cap petitions may be filed, the advanced degree exemption is selected prior to the H-1B cap. "The proposed rule would reverse the selection order and count all registrations or petitions towards the number projected as needed to reach the H-1B cap first," the DHS said. Once a sufficient number of registrations or petitions have been selected for the H-1B cap, the USCIS would then select registrations or petitions towards the advanced degree exemption. "This proposed change would increase the chances that beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from a US institution of higher education would be selected under the H-1B cap and that H-1B visas would be awarded to the most-skilled and highest-paid beneficiaries," it said. The proposed process would result in an estimated increase of up to 16 per cent (or 5,340 workers) in the number of selected H-1B beneficiaries with a master's degree or higher from a US institution of higher education, the DHS said. The USCIS said it expects that shifting to electronic registration would reduce overall costs for petitioners and create a more efficient and cost-effective H-1B cap petition process for the agency. The proposed rule would help alleviate massive administrative burdens on the USCIS since the agency would no longer need to physically receive and handle hundreds of thousands of H-1B petitions and supporting documentation before conducting the cap selection process, it said. "This would help reduce wait times for cap selection notifications. The proposed rule also limits the filing of H-1B cap-subject petitions to the beneficiary named on the original selected registration, which would protect the integrity of this registration system," it added. President Donald Trump, who insists on the 'Buy American and Hire American' strategy, last year instructed the DHS to propose new rules and issue new guidance to supersede or revise previous rules to protect the interests of US workers. He had directed DHS and other agencies to "suggest reforms to help ensure that H-1B visas are awarded to the most-skilled or highest-paid petition beneficiaries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he saw no end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine "as long as the current authorities remain in power". "The current Ukrainian authorities have no interest in resolving the conflict, especially by peaceful means," Putin told reporters at the end of the G20 summit in Argentina. "As long as they remain in power, the war will continue," the Russian leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Andhra Pradesh Anti Corruption Bureau Saturday hit back at the CBI over its charge that the state government had leaked secret information to trap some corrupt officials, saying it had gone by the rules in nabbing a Central Excise Department superintendent in a bribery case. The ACB also said it was well within its jurisdiction in dealing with the case, while the CBI ceased to enjoy that authority since the state government last month withdrew the general consent (under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act) The Director General of Police Ram Prawesh Thakur, who is also the acting chief of ACB, maintained that they had all material evidence to prove they had acted as per the rules. "We have the call data, voice-recording and other material in the case. The complainant had approached the ACB on November 22, much before he went to the CBI. According to the procedure, we first established the veracity of the complaint and then proceeded accordingly to trap the accused official," he told a press conference here. The CBIs request for consent was made on November 28, he said. In its first strike on a Central government official after the Chandrababu Naidu government barred entry of the CBI into the state, Central Tax and Central Excise Superintendent M K Ramaneswar was caught red-handed Friday while accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 for doing an official favour to a businessman in a GST (Goods and Services Tax) matter. The CBI had accused the Andhra Pradesh government of leaking secret information to trap some corrupt officials, saying this resulted in nabbing of just one person, while the others escaped. Asked about this, Thakur said "its your imagination. The CBI never said that." He, however, praised the CBI for its efforts to root out corruption and said the ACB works in tandem with the central agency. "The ACB is serious about eliminating corruption. We are dedicated and determined to end corruption among all officials, be they from the state or the Centre," he said. "There is, and will be full cooperation to any agency, including the CBI, in curbing corruption. The ACB has faith and trust in CBI and appreciates its sincerity," he said. At the same time, the effort and sincerity of ACB is praiseworthy, he added. Earlier, the state Principal Secretary (Home) A R Anuradha had said in a statement that the CBI Superintendent of Police from Visakhapatnam did not agree to a joint operation by the two anti-corruption agencies to nab the culprits in the case. "But in the interest of swift action against the accused, the SP shared the information about the complainant, including the mobile number and sought immediate action by the ACB so that the opportunity for action against a corrupt official was not lost. Accordingly, the information was shared with the ACB and swift action was taken against the corrupt official," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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LynchWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congressional Democrats on Friday warned that other associates of President Donald Trump may have lied to Congress, a day after his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to doing so as part of a probe of Russian meddling in U.S. politics.Lawmakers did not level direct accusations at individuals, but the Cohen plea elevated their interest in the veracity of past statements by Trump allies and Trump himself, who was attending the Group of 20 global leaders summit in Argentina.The Russian meddling probe, led by Special ... BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - All the leaders of the Group of 20 industrialized nations, including U.S. President Donald Trump, have agreed on the need to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO), Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Saturday.Siluanov said there was also consensus among G20 nations to reduce trade barriers. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Daniel Flynn)(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Francesco Guarascio and Robert MullerBRUSSELS/PRAGUE (Reuters) - Billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis faced renewed pressure over his business dealings on Saturday after an EU legal document said he has a conflict of interest due to links to agribusiness companies that received European funds.The document, which was seen by Reuters, could stir up political turmoil in the Central European country, where massive protests took place on Nov. 23 after the minority government survived a no-confidence vote over an alleged fraud involving EU funds.Babis, who before becoming premier in ... (Reuters) - Stability in Saudi Arabia is the cornerstone for prosperity and progress in the Gulf, and China firmly supports Riyadh in its drive for economic diversification and social reform, President Xi Jinping told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Meeting in Buenos Aires, host of the G20 summit of industrialized nations on Friday, Xi said China has always attached great importance to its relations with Saudi Arabia, China's official Xinhua news agency reported."China firmly supports Saudi Arabia in its drive for economic diversification and social reform, and will continue to stick ... By Aditya KalraNEW DELHI (Reuters) - Employees of Indian company Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) taken hostage by local staff in Ethiopia say they fear for their safety, with some confined to a company campus north of the capital Addis Ababa. India has asked the Ethiopian authorities to investigate and help the seven IL&FS employees who were held by local staff due to non-payment of salaries by the debt-laden firm, an Indian government official said on Saturday. A group of four employees had not been allowed to leave an IL&FS campus in Bure town, 400 km (250 miles) north ... BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has a conflict of interest over EU funds received by companies in which he is a beneficiary and should cut ties with the firms, according to a European Commission legal opinion seen by Reuters.Babis, who before becoming premier in Dec. 2017 served as finance minister since 2014, denied any wrongdoing on Saturday following publication of media reports about the confidential document, which is meant to inform decisions by the European Union's executive.The legal opinion said "the situation of Mr Babis qualifies as a conflict of ... By Caroline Stauffer and Maximilian HeathBUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Global leaders were expected to back an overhaul of the world body that regulates international trade disputes at a summit on Saturday, delegates said, ahead of high-stakes talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at defusing a trade war.A consensus appeared to be emerging at the two-day gathering of the Group of 20 industrialized economies for a joint statement that would back reforms to the crisis-stricken World Trade Organization amid growing global trade tensions, according to ... NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India has asked Ethiopian authorities to investigate a report that employees of an Indian company, Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS), have been taken hostage by staff in Ethiopia, an Indian government source said on Saturday.Seven Indian employees of the debt-laden IL&FS company have been held hostage by Ethiopian staff because of non-payment of salaries, according to messages posted on Twitter by those saying they were being held.An Indian foreign ministry official said India was discussing the matter "on priority" with Ethiopian authorities and the ... By David ShepardsonWASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. judge in California has granted preliminary approval to a $48 million settlement for investors who said Volkswagen AG made false and misleading statements over its excess diesel emissions.Lawyers for the investors, who include police and other municipal pension funds, had estimated that the maximum they could have recovered was $147 million. But Judge Charles Breyer said the settlement agreed in August appeared "fair, adequate and reasonable."VW, in a statement, said on Friday that the "proposed settlement agreement eliminates the uncertainty ... news, latest-news A lot has happened in the fashion world over the last 40 years. Styles, tastes, consumption habits, even physiques have changed. But one thing, at least, has remained constant: there will always be special occasions requiring a dress. Its a fact of life that has kept Gloria Grady in constant work since the late 1970s, coasting through the decades with her mouth full of pins, adjusting hemlines and draping silks. An old-school dressmaker, with a tiny, cluttered studio filled with piles of fabric, racks of dresses and stacks of photographs, Grady has been dressing women in Canberra for decades. She has made more wedding dresses and evening gowns than she can count, but she also has clients who require entire wardrobes, or a suite of outfits for a race meet. Nothing surprises, fazes or stresses her out, particularly, not after 44 years. But even after all this time, she cant resist a beautiful fabric and a challenge, from panicking brides to diplomats requiring a years worth of clothes for an overseas posting. Although shes been based in Canberra since the 1980s, Grady has clients of all ages all over the place. Some have been coming back to her for years, and almost all of them have come to her via word of mouth. I like it like that, because people know what to expect, she says. Shes also known for her diplomacy; for every woman who comes to her studio clutching a photograph of a Hollywood starlet in a jaw-dropping Oscars gown, she will counter, gently, with an alternative suggestion. But she wont send someone with an impossible dream away empty-handed. I don't say, I'm not a plastic surgeon, but at times you'd like to, she says. People sometimes come to me for weddings and I think, this is going to look terrible. And so I say, Go and try some things on and then we'll talk about it. You don't want people to look awful. She developed an intuition for designing and making dresses at an early age, through watching her own mother do exactly what she does today. Born in Mackay, Queensland, her parents were part of the first wave of Italian migrants - her mother arrived in 1924 at the age of two. Part of a big, rural Italian family, the Bulgarellis, she spent her high school years in boarding school in Brisbane, and went on to study law - for a short period - at the University of Queensland. She didnt finish the degree, and instead moved to Sydney, where did some finishing courses at the University of Melbourne. She and a friend set up a fashion business in South Yarra called Je - French for 'I'. It was the height of what she called tat shops, and designers cutting old dresses and swathes of lace. Je got on the bandwagon, but also starting supplying clothes for chain stores, and corporate designs for airlines and hotels. Under the label Atlantic Ethel, they made the first uniforms for Parliament House, and for the airline Air Caledonie. We didnt start out doing one-offs, she says. But we used to supply shops all over Australia, and they would ask us to do one-offs for some of their clients, because we had clients who'd buy all our stuff. Grady eventually moved to Canberra - she had, by then, met her future husband, the artist and former gallery owner Ben Grady - and began working with the House of Merivale, the fashion boutique modelled on Londons Biba and owned by the Hemmes family. She ran the Canberra branch in Civic until it closed in the 1990s. Then I just decided I would just go back to doing clothing, she says. My mother was a designer. I sort of grew up with it, never thinking I'd do it, because of all the deadlines. She first set up an atelier in Griffith, and in the intervening years moved between Fyshwick and Manuka, lately settled in a tiny workshop on Bougainville Street. She began her own business by making clothes for other shops, but it was her one-off designs that eventually took over. I preferred that, because I didn't like chasing, she says. In the week of this interview, the 71-year-old is more flat-out than usual (a near-constant state) because of the wedding and racing season. We do a lot of Melbourne Cup stuff, she says - we being herself and two staff. "They're my Sydney clients - they go to all the meetings, because they own a lot of horses, and so we've got to make seven outfits, and coordinate them. For one event. Although the peak times coincide with distinct seasons - parties, awards, weddings, racing - she has cut back her workload in recent years, so that she can help her 37-year-old daughter Sybilla with her two sons. I've scaled back a lot, because I want to be available, and I don't want to work as hard as I did, she says. But still, I have workers, and I've got to keep them working. Her clients - none of whom she will name - run the gamut of needing one-off wedding or formal gowns, to entire work wardrobes for corporate high-flyers. She even has a client - a very, very wealthy client - who regularly flies her to Sydney for fittings for her and her daughters. They go overseas, and they hire these wonderful places and bring their children and staff to look after the children and everything else, Grady says. When she last went overseas, a few years ago, she bought a Valentino lace that was $4000 a metre. She was having a long dress, and it was extremely difficult. She maintains an uncomplicated process that involves taking measurements and creating a calico - a shape cut from simple calico that conforms to the clients body, and from which almost anything can be made. Most people don't even approximate the shape of their parents, because other genetics come into it. I don't know if it's nutrition, I don't know what it is, but shapes have changed a lot. We find that girls have gotten squarer, generally, without the tiny little waist, but then we used to have to wear tight undergarments, so I think your body developed to that shape that you were wearing. Those who seek Grady out wont arrive expecting to pay fast-fashion prices; she pays her staff in Australian wages, and thus has never bothered to compete with the international market. Its a fact of life that she wishes she could impart to many fashion design graduates she has seen come through her shop, completing their practical assessment or doing internships. The same goes for customers; she is often asked to adjust otherwise well-made garments that have been made overseas and purchased online. But while its clear that a client should expect higher prices for a bespoke garment, she gives short shrift to the exorbitant amounts people will pay for wedding dresses. Stuff happens and people are vulnerable. I don't know what it is, people sometimes think if I spend this much, it's going to be fabulous. And it sometimes isn't," she says. The most expensive dress she can ever remember making was around $18,000, but she says people seem to be much more sensible these days. You've got to be careful. Some of them are very grand and they can be gorgeous, but simplicity is always beautiful, she says. Although she has made countless wedding dresses in a vast array of styles, she maintains her favourite is the dead-simple silk sheath worn by Carolyn Bessette when she married John Kennedy Jr in 1996. She also - controversially, perhaps? - preferred Meghan Markles dress over Kate Middletons. In fact, while shell make almost anything a client asks for - the customer is always right - her mantra when it comes to style could well boil down to one statement: for gods sake, keep it simple. And after 44 years, its safe to say she knows of what she speaks. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/bd37ed93-29f2-44f9-9cc1-89b87761a42e/r0_49_4210_2428_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news A 21-year-old man has been killed by a falling tree while he was clearing a fire break on his family's property at Rolleston, a town near the Carnarvon Gorge bushfire in Central Queensland. Emergency services were called to an O'Briens Road property following reports the man had become trapped under a tree about 7.30pm on Friday. Police said investigations suggested the man was trying to cut the tree with a chainsaw when the tree fell and trapped him. Three other men on site at the time tried to help him but he was found dead at the scene. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has offered her sympathies to the family. "It goes to show that everyone is doing all they can to save their homes and properties," she said. "This tragedy brings home the serious dangers of the bushfires and the courage of those fighting them." Investigations were continuing and police would prepare a report for the Coroner. The news of the man's death comes as Queensland Fire and Emergency Services urge landowners to construct fire breaks. This was due to a bushfire that has been burning in the Carnarvon National Park for more than two days. "This fire is posing no threat to property at this time," a QFES spokesman said. "QFES crews are working with landowners to construct fire breaks. "Firefighters will continue to work to contain the fire with help from aerial support. "Due to firefighting operations, the Carnarvon Road into the Carnarvon Gorge Visitor Area remains closed to the public." Following reports of residents believing there was not enough preventive burns, fire commissioner Katarina Carroll said a hazard reduction program was in place throughout the state. These, she said, included "mitigation burns, putting in containment lines, and that is targeted to the high-risk areas around the state and all that work is conducted before the fire season. I think we achieved most of that around the state. However, what happened this year and what we're seeing is that the fire season started some several weeks earlier than we expected and certainly put a challenge on us. We didn't really finish all of the hazard reduction that we would wish to have achieved. Ms Carroll said that after speaking with volunteers, further hazard burns and containment lines would be considered as part of their future planning. We knew it was going to be a very, very serious fire season, she said, "the weather prediction is an El Nino, hotter and drier than usual. However, even the bureau and everyone involved in this did not anticipate what we saw two days ago. To think that Queensland could get to catastrophic was unheard of so there are many learns to this. - with Felicity Caldwell /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/12e9ee1f-c906-4337-85ab-e3fad9dfcec8/r0_209_960_751_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news It was the most bizarre, ambitious, imaginative, reckless, possibly illegal, successful failure in policing history, effectively gifting millions in untraceable cash to organised crime and then helping to solve a murder mystery even as it created another. It involved honest police masquerading as corrupt, and bent detectives pretending to be honest. There were rip-offs, shootings, abductions, a cold-blooded Mafia hit and a mysterious insider who persuaded police to let him grow thousands of cannabis plants under their noses. Indeed, the police encouraged him to keep growing even when the plantations were no longer secret. Even now, it remains linked to the assassination of Australian Federal Police assistant commissioner Colin Winchester, who was the prime mover behind the operation. Winchester was shot dead outside his Canberra home on January 10, 1989. A local Treasury public servant, David Eastman, was charged and convicted of the murder. He served 19 years in prison before his conviction was quashed when key forensic evidence was found to be hopelessly flawed and deliberately biased towards the prosecution. Earlier this month he was acquitted in a retrial. The second theory, explored and dismissed by the investigators, was that Winchester was shot on the orders of senior Mafia figures because of his involvement in a massive marijuana sting, codenamed Operation Seville. According to that theory the Mafia dons believed, quite wrongly, that Winchester had been bribed to protect the plantations, only to have ultimately betrayed them. The job was certainly riddled with corruption, but Winchester was a cleanskin. In 1980, the AFP was just over a year old and their first commissioner, the empire-building Sir Colin Woods, wanted a big scalp. There was none bigger than solving the 1977 murder of anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay, who was killed in his hometown of Griffith. Enter Giulio Guercino*, a former plumber with political ambitions who wanted to become the next president of the Italo-Australian Club. To do so he cultivated friendships with several Mafia marijuana cultivators who were powerbrokers in the club. He had even discussed growing a crop with them, but was wary of being caught. Somehow he ended up going up the AFP food chain until, in October 1980, he had a meeting with Winchester in Canberra. Seven years later he told me: The project [Seville] was my idea. Mr Winchester wanted to solve the murder of Donald Mackay. Project Seville did not come out of the mind of Colin Winchester but out of the ambitions of Sir Colin Woods. He wanted to show the need for the federal authorities to increase their role by solving something very important. It began when Guercino offered his own land in Bungendore to the Mafia men for a giant cannabis plantation, telling them 10 per cent of the sales would be given to corrupt police to protect the crop. The aim was to trap and compromise those involved in the Mackay murder and also identify the major cannabis buyers connected with the syndicate, culminating in chopping the heads of the leaders of the Mafia families in NSW, Victoria and South Australia. The secret operation, run jointly by AFP and NSW Police, ran for nearly four years and included crops at Bungendore (1981, worth $6 million) Tallaganda State Forest (1982, worth $24 million and known as Bungendore II) and Armidale (1984, worth $50 million). During the operation, police: The operation also cost a life. When Mafia man Giuseppe Monteleone reneged on a promise to buy the bulk of the crop, coupled with a false rumour he was talking to police, he was put up against the wall and shot. It was a forced redundancy, Calabrian-style. But there was one incredibly lucky result that almost justified the risk. Almost. In March 1982 Gianfranco Tizzoni and Robert Lawson met to make plans to sell some of the harvested crop. They hired a van and headed off with just under 100 kilos of dried product, with police believing they would head to Sydney the same route taken with an earlier shipment. But they turned off and headed towards Melbourne, Tizzoni in a gold Mercedes and Lawson in the van. It was scramble time. Winchester rang an old contact, Detective Sergeant John Weel of the Melbourne Drug Squad, to tell him of the two-vehicle convoy, urging him to follow and not make arrests. It was only because Victoria Police were too cheap to do the job properly that a sliding door to the Mackay case opened. The head of the Bureau of Criminal Intelligence, Detective Superintendent Jim Williams, wanted to use a helicopter to track the two vehicles, but was knocked back on cost. Almost certainly the crooks were heading to a country property owned by Tizzoni, but Lawson missed the turn. Heading into Melbourne around peak hour, Weel felt they may lose them and made a decision to intercept. Police found bales of marijuana in the van and the boot of the Mercedes. There must be a reason, not immediately apparent, why all the cannabis was not in the van. Facing serious drug charges, Tizzoni eventually said he had something bigger to offer he knew what had happened to Donald Mackay. He was secretly taken to his asparagus farm at Koo Wee Rup (five new tractors on the property indicated he was growing more than just the tasty spring vegetable). Eventually he became the star witness, telling police he helped facilitate the murder of Mackay and of drug couriers Isabel and Douglas Wilson on behalf of Griffith-linked Mafia bosses. The Mackay case was clearly a NSW crime but as the planning was done in Melbourne the hitman, James Frederick Bazley, was charged in Victoria with conspiracy to murder. Bazley was convicted in 1986 and sentenced to nine years' jail. He died earlier this year, still protesting his innocence and feigning ignorance over the location of Mackays body. To allow Tizzoni to be bailed would have raised suspicions to the Mafia that he had changed sides, and so the story was circulated that the gun barrel-straight Weel had copped a bribe to let him out. If Seville had been closed then it would have been judged a success, but Guercino convinced Winchester they should continue growing crops. It was a disaster. The crops were in such remote locations that they couldnt be kept under surveillance and they were ripped off. The whole job was jeopardised when there was a gunfight between Sydney crooks and Mafia workers. Guercino was shot in the leg and about 10 workers tied up during one raid. One of the properties, with a sophisticated irrigation system, was split into two camps, each with 15,000 plants, its own supervisor and separate workers who were kept in slave-like conditions. The drug rip-offs were not conducted by opportunistic locals. These remote properties could not be found by fluke and Sydney criminals arrived in a fleet of vehicles, knowing exactly where to go along tiny back roads that were little more than tracks. They left with 5000 plants, worth a small fortune.They had been directed there by corrupt NSW detectives who had been alerted by those inside Seville. The job finally collapsed when honest local police raided the Armidale property, unaware it was a sanctioned plantation. Much later, 11 men were arrested over Operation Seville, including many from infamous crime families. But the case collapsed when Guercino refused to give evidence. I was told by police it was an intelligence-gathering operation. I was assured I would never have to give evidence in court. The coppers tried to break that agreement, he said. After Winchester was murdered, the finger was pointed at Guercino, who immediately denied any involvement. Colin Winchester was the best of every gentleman put together - he was number one. I had no grudge. The people in the project know I did my job. I did not double-cross anyone. My work was dangerous. I could have been killed. There are many people I have known who have accepted bribes. Mr Winchester was not one of them. He was less complimentary towards others. I was betrayed by some police who were protecting the racketeers we were trying to expose. Now David Eastman has been acquitted, leaving Colin Winchesters family devastated. After the jurys verdict, the family released the following statement: We are extremely disappointed given the significant volume of compelling evidence. Today Eastman is a free man and is taking legal action over the 19 years he served in prison. During the Winchester murder investigation, many of the main Mafia mens phones were bugged. They were secretly recorded asking each other if they were involved in the hit. All said it wasnt them. Most of the Mafia figures implicated in Seville are dead or in jail and those who ordered Mackays murder are also dead along with the killer, James Frederick Bazley. The last word belongs to Guercino, the insider: I was given the OK to head the operation, which ended in the arrest of Gianfranco Tizzoni, and the rest is history." * not his real name /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/c1bd47be-4835-4d23-b038-4cd21c2d951e/r0_271_5338_3287_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news Inevitably MP Julia Banks decision this week to abandon the Liberal Party has reminded her detractors (and even cartoonist Cathy Wilcox in Tuesdays Fairfax papers) of the notion of rats leaving a sinking ship. Today this analogy is usually meant to say something unflattering about the human rat doing the defecting. But when the adage was first invented (and it has been in English language use for at least 500 years) it pointed to the uncanny, intuitive intelligence of those rodents. And Ms Banks is surely doing an intelligent, if cunning, thing. Originally, the adage was not about rats leaving ships but about them fleeing from decaying houses that they, the canny rats, sensed were about to collapse. It is only in the last 300 years or so that these same rats (with their psychic ability to foresee the future) were put aboard ships to serve our metaphorical purposes. My other problem with using the analogy in todays Australia is that it flatters todays parliamentary Liberal Party to call it something as substantial as a ship. It seems like more of a desperate raft. Have a Google at Gericaults great, tragic painting The Raft of the Medusa, which although painted in 1818 could almost be a depiction of 2018s parliamentary Liberals. And, uncannily, strengthening my analogy, there are no women aboard Gericaults raft of sufferers, just as there are almost no women aboard the parliamentary Liberal Party. Watching question time in the House of Reps this week, one finds that the almost womanless Coalition has put a quite lifelike female doll-robot immediately behind the prime minister so that whenever he is speaking this Liberal-bot is in the picture, offering the illusion of there being actual women in the Coalition. But alas, the unrealistic, programmed way in which this robot nods its head at every opinion the PM utters gives away the truth that it is only a contraption. No, the Liberal Party is not much like a true ship, although perhaps, in its out-of-touch make-believe frivolity, the parliamentary Liberal Party resembles The Good Ship Lollipop in the famous song lisped by little Shirley Temple. On The Good Ship Lollipop It's a sweet trip to a candy shop Where bon-bons play On the sunny beach of Peppermint Bay. See the sugar bowl do the tootsie roll With the big bad devil's food cake. If you eat too much, ooh-ooh You'll awake with a tummy ache. DRONE ENVY As chief executive, president and GIW (Grand Imperial Wizard) of AGRA (the Alternative Garran Residents Association), I am following with envy the saga of the Bonython drones. Concerned residents of Bonython are lobbying and petitioning to have their suburbs drone flights stopped. Photographs of them, their faces etched with concern, have appeared in The Canberra Times. Meanwhile Bonythons unconcerned and perhaps even drone-welcoming residents get on with their contented lives and, since they seek no publicity, fly below the radar of the news media. Here at AGRA we sense that Garrans contented, fulfilled people (AGRAs virtual members) feel a mild envy of Bonython and its drones. We cant be absolutely sure of this, since it is the essence of contented, fulfilled people that theyre never cranky enough to give their local residents associations any feedback whatsoever. But here at AGRA we sense, intuitively, that Garrans contented would quite enjoy the occasional glimpse of these 21st-century wonders (the drones) in Garrans usually uneventful skies. They, Garrans serene, probably feel quite sceptical about concerned Bonythoners repeated assertions that drones terrify wildlife since they, Garrans sanguine, notice how Garrans teeming wildlife never even notices the Southcare Toll rescue helicopter that is always window-rattlingly roaring and clattering across Garran skies on its mercy dashes to and from that famous Garran landmark, the Canberra Hospital. I have a dream, just hinted at above, of Canberras present kinds of residents associations being countered by CRAs (contented residents associations). Most usual, active residents associations are by definition made up of twitchy, disgruntled people with axes to grind. But my imagined CRA members would only ever meet (and infrequently, for they have busy, fulfilled lives) to gratefully rejoice together about what is wonderful about their lives in their lucky, privileged suburbs in this metropolitan paradise. At their joyful meetings someone would move that they all have absolutely nothing to complain about to the government or to The Canberra Times and unanimously everyone would agree that, yes, first world life in Canberra is just a bowl of cherries that most of unhappy mankind (with real problems to confront every day) would love to be able to share. These sorts of appreciative CRAs will surely blossom in Canberra in the very near future and the old-style residents associations of the disgruntled will wither and disappear. And I am Marie of Romania. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/c43a0090-ce7b-4334-b1b3-72167559c15b/r0_57_2000_1187_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. Members of the Filipino Inventors Society Producers Cooperative ( FISPC ) headed by Francisco Popoy Pagayon (fourth from left) showcases the Portasol solar dryer during the 25th National Inventors Week in Batac City, Ilocos Norte. The Filipino Inventors Society Producers Cooperative urged the Department of Agriculture and local government units to tap a locally developed technology to dry palay (unmilled rice) more efficiently, after Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar asked farmers not to use the national highways as a post-harvest facility.FISPC president Francisco Popoy Pagayon said his invention called Portasol solar dryer could help small rice farmers and upland growers to dry palay faster using minimal space in their backyard, instead of using portions of concrete roads that result in accidents and post-harvest losses. Portasol has been available in the country for many years. It is a much better solution to dry palay and other crops, compared to the primitive and inefficient method of using the national highways as a drying facility that affect the quality of the produce and block vehicular traffic in the provinces, Pagayon said. Portasol consists of aluminum thermal trays which are assembled in a rack format and covered with a net to preserve the heat from the sun and efficiently dry palay, corn, high-value crops, fish and other food products. The net also protects the products from pests, bacteria, fungus, and the elements. Pagayon said he used aluminum as a material because it is a good conductor of heat which makes the drying process faster even during the rainy days. The Portasol tray drying system is more effective, efficient and reliable as it is two to three times faster in drying crops compared to the conventional practice of pavement drying, said Pagayon. Pagayon endorsed Portasol after Villar called on the Department of Agriculture to provide facilities where farmers can dry their palay and other produce. Villar said that as drying palay along national roads is prohibited, Filipino farmers should be provided with facilities specifically designed for post-harvest activities. We should build agriculture infrastructures so that the farmers dont have to use our roads. Of course, on our part, we discourage the farmers from using the road, Villar was quoted as saying in a report. The Department of Public Works and Highways issued Department Order No. 41 in 2013 prohibiting the drying of palay and other farm produce along national highways. Farmers who violate the order face a penalty of up to P1,000 or imprisonment of up to six months. Sen. Ralph Recto said farmers were using national roads to dry their harvest because of the absence of drying equipment and infrastructure. Pagayon said the best solution is the Portasol solar dryer which can avoid the problem of post-harvest grain losses amounting to P15 billion a year mainly because of the wasteful and unsanitary drying practices. FISPC has been offering Portasol as a better solution for palay drying for many years. We want to help small and upland farmers so that they could improve the quality of their produce and thus command better prices, he said. Drying palay on concrete roads is not only unsanitary, but also wasteful. The grains are broken into smaller pieces because of the use of raker and whenever the wheels of trucks, jeepneys and other vehicles roll over the grains. Imagine the large amount of stones and soil that mix with the grains. Farmers also spend a lot of time transporting the grains from the farms to the highway and the work is repeated every time it rains, said Pagayon. Farmers are also exposed to the danger of being bumped by vehicles, he said. He said that in comparison, farmers can easily assemble the Portasol solar dryers on the farm itself or in the backyard. The grains dry faster in a safer means that does not compromise their quality. It is also much easier to transfer the grains from the trays into sacks, said Pagayon. Portasol is now being used in many barangays in Region 2, after the Department of Science and Technology found it useful not only for farmers, but also fishers, he said.More importantly, Portasol is a Filipino innovation that addresses a major problem. It is among the products developed and invented by FISPC to help our people, Pagayon said. Portasol is displayed at the FISPCs showroom and business center at the Delta Building on Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena earlier endorsed Portasol as a solar drying option for various crops and products that can avoid unnecessary vehicular accidents. The FISPC aims to introduce Portasol nationwide to revolutionize the entire post-harvest system. The FISPC led the celebration of the 25th National Inventors Week in Batac, Ilocos Norte, in cooperation with the DOST and theTechnology Application Institute on Nov. 20 to 23. The celebration featured an exhibit of Filipino inventions and related activities. The Mariano Marcos State University, Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, the City of Batac and other institutional partners joined and supported the four-day activities that included science and technology forums and entrepreneurship seminars. FISPC pushes its InventrePinoy program, an initiative to encourage Filipino inventors to develop their entrepreneurial skills and commercialize their inventions. During the NIW event, MMSU president Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis said investors struggle is real and the academe sector shares the same vision in transforming young people to be productive and proactive and to road track their capacity. Dela Pena, for his part, said encouraging collaboration of various sectors, to get them together to come up with new inventions should be an aspiration. Bannered by the theme InventrePinoy for sustainable growth and prosperity, the celebration showcased unique and marketable Filipino inventions that can be competitive even in the world area, Pagayon said. InventrePinoy was initiated by Pagayon to help bridge the gap between inventors and entrepreneur. Together with the help of the academe, public and private institutions, the media, the government, and the business sector, we can make Inventrepinoy, a big success. Let us encourage and support entrepreneurs Pagayon said. Pagayon has to his credit eight inventions, all backed with patents. His most recent invention is the cannon-type electronic firecrackers that are designed to replace the harmful and risky pyrotechnics. With our cannon-type electric firecrackers, you can bring the celebration of New Years Eve inside your home without any risk to health and property, said Pagayon. Photo: Microsoft Microsoft's big bet on cloud computing is paying off as the company has surpassed Apple as the world's most valuable publicly traded company. The software maker's prospects looked bleak just a few years ago, as licenses for the company's Windows system fell with a sharp drop in the sales of personal computers. But under CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft has found stability by focusing on software and services over the internet, or the cloud, with long-term business contracts. That 1990s personal-computing powerhouse is now having a renaissance moment, as it eclipses Facebook, Google, Amazon and the other tech darlings of the late decade. Apple had been the world's most prosperous firm since claiming the top spot from Exxon Mobil earlier this decade. Microsoft surpassed Apple briefly a few times this week, but didn't close on top until Friday. Microsoft hasn't been at the top since the height of the dot-com boom in 2000. Microsoft became a contender again in large part because Apple's stock has fallen sharply this month, while Microsoft hasn't done any worse than the rest of the stock market. But the fact that it hasn't done poorly is a reflection of its steady focus on business customers in recent years. Microsoft lost its lustre as people were shunning PCs in favour of smartphones. In 2013, PC sales plunged 10 per cent to about 315 million, the worst year-to-year drop ever, according to research firms Gartner and IDC. It didn't help that Microsoft's effort to make PCs more like phones, Windows 8, was widely panned. But a turnaround began when the Redmond, Washington, company promoted Nadella as CEO in 2014. He succeeded Microsoft's longtime CEO, Steve Ballmer, who initially scoffed at the notion that people would be willing to pay $500 or more for Apple's iPhones. That bet paid off. Windows is now a dwindling fraction of Microsoft's business. While the company still runs consumer-focused businesses such as Bing search and Xbox gaming, it has prioritized business-oriented services such as its Office line of email and other workplace software, as well as newer additions such as LinkedIn and Skype. But its biggest growth has happened in the cloud, particularly the cloud platform it calls Azure. Cloud computing now accounts for more than a quarter of Microsoft's revenue, and Microsoft rivals Amazon as a leading provider of such services. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said Azure is still in its early days, meaning there's plenty of room for growth, especially considering the company's large customer base for Office and other products. "While the tech carnage seen over the last month has been brutal, shares of (Microsoft) continue to hold up like the Rock of Gibraltar," he said. The British government has said it will add six African countries to its "red list" for the trip. According to... "We want to make sure that every Filipino has our smartphone in their pocket, or whatever item we sell." Argomall Inc. chief argonaut Karel Holub With 65 million Filipinos online and 12 million individuals shopping through the internet daily, the Philippines still has a big potential for e-commerce, according to Karel Holub, chief argonaut of online retailer Argomall Inc.Argomall is the first e-commerce platform focused on selling smartphones tablets, laptops, smartwatches, audio devices, and related accessories online. Holub, one of Argomalls pioneers, is an expert in mobile phone marketing, having worked with the Nokia brand for a long time. Opportunities and prospects via the web is exponential. The idea back in 2015 was very simple. The Philippines then had the lowest penetration of smartphone in Asia, so theres a lot of opportunity for growth, he said. Compared to physical stores which are mostly dominated by promoters trying to sell their products without consideration for customers preference or how much they are willing to spend, Argomall is more of a straight forward on the net store focused on selling smartphones and delicering happiness to customers, he said. The start-up has been around for three years but has already introduced innovations particularly in payment options and logistics. The platform welcomes all forms of payments whether cash, credit card, G-cash, and other payment facilities. It also widened options for delivery, utilizing in-house and third-party couriers. The archipelagic nature of the Philippines, its terrain and its climate pose a challenge to delivering items purchased over Argomalls website, Holub said. We are, to a certain extent, the best-kept secret in the Philippines. We are focused on holistic service. We build relationships with each of our customers. The entire experiencefrom browsing our website to enjoying easy and secure transactions, chatting with our sales personnel about which item suits your needs best and comparing specifications, to receiving the items we deliver and getting good after-sales servicesshould build trust between our customers and Argomall, he said. Human touch Argomall keeps its customers on its website by offering human support for browsing shoppers. Company staff engage clients with informative and helpful chat. They walk each customer through the process of opening an email account and other online accounts needed to complete the transactions with Argomall easily and quickly. It also includes assistance to applying for a Home Credit account, a payment option that allows monthly installment for purchased products. The entire Argomall customer experience revolves around the customer, he said. The site offers the best authentic items at the best prices, with several options for payment, including payment by installment that Filipinos have become accustomed to over the past decades. As a security guarantee, the entire process is trackable online and via SMS. We have people who chat with customers who may not yet have decided which item they really want to buy. We ask what it is theyre looking for in a smartphone, or TV, for example, and do the specification comparison for various items in real time with them. We do not want to become a marketplace that sells everything to customers and yet is nothing to them. We want to have a meaningful relationship with our customers. We have to be true to our brand, true to our values, Holub said.Building trust is central to Argomalls values and brand, he said. People usually only get a smartphone once every three years, so gaining customer loyalty, in this context, is about building trust. We want to be the shopping site that our customers return to because they trust us. Every product featured in our gallery is always available and can be ordered or pre-ordered, he said. Argomall offers the widest and up-to-date choices of official and genuine products customers may compare and choose from. Argomalls focus is all about being true to our customers, caring about them and learning about them, Holub said. This is the most important thing we can do. For some reason, when something goes wrong with the delivery, we are responsible for that. We chose the delivery partner. We are the people from whom the item was bought. So we do our best to ensure the items are delivered in good condition and, when an item gets lost or damaged, we take responsibility for that, Holub said. When delays do happen, Argomalls argonauts maintain close coordination with customers via email, SMS and private message chats on Facebook Messenger. Delivery personnel are also briefed on the Argomall corporate culture of personalized service. Theres a balance between finding a delivery person who fits our culture and ensuring that our items arrive on time. Our delivery partners and their personnel are trained on how they should greet the customer. We are still learning from the feedback we get, and we keep working on improving this important part of the delivery process using that feedback, he said. If you buy an item from us and it needs repair while under warranty, we pick it up, ship it to the repair shop, and return it to youfor free. If it is no longer under warranty, we tell you the cost of repair and ship it back and forth by COD [cash on delivery], he said. Argomall guarantees that all the products they sell come from the official brand manufacturers and distributors. The biggest challenge for Argomall is delivery, according to Holub. So Argomall strives to keep improving this part of their business. Despite this, they still offer the best after-sales service they can, even where pickup and delivery of items for repair may not be the easiest thing to do. We eventually want to carry larger appliances, like refrigerators and washing machines among the products we offer. So we are also looking at how we can make that happen and how we can incorporate the installation of items that do need to be installed by professionals after they are delivered, he said. Argomalls focus is on solid growthstrengthening its customer base that will also help push for bigger returns. Building our brand with our customers, suppliers, and partners is very important to us. We want to make sure that every Filipino has our smartphone in their pocket, or whatever item we sell, Holub said. The lack of funding for its implementation is one of the challenges that the Universal Health Care measure could face, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said. The bill, which is awaiting the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte to become a law, seeks to enroll all Filipinos under a state-backed health insurance program both as paying and non-paying members. For its first year of implementation, Duque said UHC would need a funding requirement of P257 billion, but was appropriated only with P217 billion under the proposed national budget for 2019. Duque said the funding gap of P40 billion would mean that not all hospitals or health centers as envisioned under the bill would be constructed. The UHC is not a silver bullet. It is not a panacea. We have to manage our expectations. Everything is not for free, he said. We know that we dont have infinite resources that is why we have to start from the ground up. He said construction of barangay health units in fourth to sixth class municipalities would be prioritized so that patients would not have to troop to hospitals for minor ailments. Only 50 percent of our barangays have functional barangay health units. Under the UHC, we would have one barangay health unit for every 3,000 to 4,000 patients and one city or rural health unit for every 20,000 patients. We would have health services at the lower level so that there would be congestion in hospitals, the Health chief said.A barangay health unit is manned by at least two healthcare professionals, which include a nurse and a midwife, while rural and city health units are manned by around 13 to 14 healthcare professionals, including doctors. Duque said they are banking on the passage of a measure increasing tobacco taxes as well as the government meeting its annual target of 10 to 12 percent growth in tax collection for the funding of the UHC. The Department of Budget and Management, he added, likewise gave an assurance that it would restore the DOHs proposed P33-billion budget for its Health Facilities Enhancement Program for 2019. This restoration is good news and we are looking forward to it, Duque said. PhilHealth independent director Anthony Leachon echoed Duques sentiments, saying the UHC, without sustainable funds, is a hollow law. We will fail the Filipino people and the government, Leachon said. Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde on Saturday said the infamous hit squad of the New Peoples Army, the Special Partisan Unit (SPARU), no longer exists. The alleged presence of SPARU assassins prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare that he will form a death squad to counter that of the communist rebels. Right now, we have not monitored (any SPARU presence). There have been instances in the past years and killings recorded, about 136. But we have monitored those and indeed, the SPARU has long ceased to exist, Albayalde said in an interview with dzBB. On Tuesday, Duterte said he wanted to form a Duterte Death Squad to counter SPARU members. I will create my own SPARU Duterte Death Squad against the SPARU. I will match their talent also for assassinating people. They will have firearms for sure. Thats my plan, the President said. They will do nothing but look for idlers who are prospective New Peoples Army members and take them out, Duterte added. Albayalde said the President may have his own sources as to the presence of the hit squad of the communist rebels. The PNP chief, however, clarified that the Palace has yet to make an official order on the proposed formation of the Duterte Death Squad.We are talking with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in anticipation of the order. We need to discuss the composition of such a a groupwhether it will be from the military or the PNP, Albayalde said. Dutertes proposal was immediately shot down by his own political ally, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, president of the Presidents ruling party, PDP-Laban. That cannot be done. Im sure the President will not create such [a] squad, Pimentel said. Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison said Dutertes proposal was just to cover up his administrations widespread use of summary executions. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they will thoroughly study the proposal even as he admitted that the plan could lead to cases of abuse. We will study it very closely. Who will compose it, who will supervise it, who will be the targets, who will be accountable? Because there is great danger of abuse or mistakes in these undercover operations, Lorenzana said. A legislator has opposed the plan of the National Food Authority to increase the price of NFA rice from P27 per kilo to P33 to P35 per kilo. Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao said that the proposed increase will deliver a staggering blow to poor consumers who are still reeling from the price spikes of goods and services in the last 11 months. It is unjust and basically anti-poor. NFA is very wrong to assume that a P6 to P8 increase in its products is acceptable, he said. That agency was created mainly to cater to the needs of the poor, those who cant afford to buy commercial rice. The proposed increase is against its basic mandate, Casilao added. Casilao joined consumer group Bantay Bigas in accusing the NFA of setting the stage for a shortage of its rice supply to justify raising rice prices. During the height of rice crisis this year, the NFA was found to have refused to procure palay from rice farmers, creating a shortage of rice in the local market that forced consumers to buy rice from commercial outlets at higher prices, the lawmaker said. I cannot understand where the NFA is coming from and heading to. Early on, they said, lets flood the market with rice imports to lower rice prices. Now that the rice imports have arrived, the NFA is proposing to increase the price of its rice. The logic behind all these escapes me, Casilao said.Last week, the congressional bicameral committee passed the Rice Tariffication Bill which government said would tame price increases in rice. But Bantay Bigas claimed the enactment of that enrolled bill will only open the local market to unlimited imported rice, thus adversely affecting millions of local rice producers. Once enacted into law, the NFA will stand to lose P160 million in revenues as well as the removal of the agencys regulatory powers. Around 400 NFA employees will also be left jobless. Casilao said local farmers and consumers are the biggest losers under the Rice Tariffication Bill even as there is no assurance of affordable and steady rice supply in the market. The NFAs mandate is to ensure affordable price of rice. It should follow its mandate of catering ordinary Filipinos, mostly the poor who cannot buy commercial rice in the market. Despite its GOCC character, NFA should continue to sell cheaper price of rice, Casilao said. The art of catching up is an attempt at an artful few words and speaks to both the challenge and the promise of public education. My rural school housed K-12 in one building. The "big kids" were upstairs and the "squirts" were downstairs. I began there at age five and left at age 18. The state gave two high school graduation certificates. One Regents (college-bound) and Vocational/Agriculture. Kids graduating could enter the world world nearly immediately after high school, or college, or the military. The community had three factories that ranged from children's sleepers to knives and oil tanks. Dairy farms aplenty and the farm kids graduating had a place to go usually. This tiny community was first a farm community with general store and blacksmith. The schools were one room and located near the farms. K-6 (8th) and was open much like school calendars today. Reason, farm kids needed to be home for spring planting and summer harvest. There was little or no education for the farm kids beyond the 6th, possibly 8th. Ditto for the factory needs. The school played catch up. The school systems in the nation cannot educate beyond the basis of the known vs. the imagined. There have been lots of words of anger or worse towards the school system here in Chattanooga. Kids are not prepared for after high school. Why? They cannot read well enough. Serious issue? You bet, but again are the schools catching up. Is the goal of every child reading on grade level or close reasonable? Oh boy, those with magic education lamps know better? So do I. The goal of every child reading at unattainable goal is just that. It is unattainable. But we are and will continue to be "behind" the next Apple phone or computer. But to close, not a single institution can do what the public schools do. If you know one, please share. Robert Brooks TVA says a deal for former Chattanooga businessman Franklin Haney to buy the unfinished Bellefonte Nuclear Plant in Alabama for $111 million is off. TVA officials said, On Nov. 30, 2018, the parties were unable to complete the sale of the Bellefonte property after Nuclear Developments lack of progress in meeting its legal obligations related to future ownership of the site. Nuclear Development did not complete the necessary NRC license transfer prior to the closing date as required by the Atomic Energy Act. Mr. Haney responded by filing suit against TVA for breach of contract. TVA scrapped the plant in 1988 after saying the cost was too great to continue. Chattanooga firefighters prevented a house from being destroyed by fire Saturday afternoon. The firefighters were dispatched around 1 p.m. to a reported vehicle fire in a garage at 2111 Cleveland Ave. Upon arrival, Lt. John Meadows with Engine 5 said the garage was fully engulfed in flames, and was beginning to spread to the adjacent house. As additional fire companies arrived on the scene, Battalion Chief Chris Willmore, the incident commander, said they attacked the fire aggressively and managed to contain the fire to the car and garage area. Chief Willmore said there was only minor fire damage to the house itself. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire will be ruled accidental. Chief Willmore said the adult man who lived there was in the process of removing the fuel tank from the vehicle when fuel spilled out, came into contact with a flood light, and ignited. Volunteers with the American Red Cross were called in to provide assistance to the man who lived there. The loss was estimated at roughly $20,000. In a second fire, shortly after 2 p.m., Chattanooga firefighters were dispatched to an apartment fire at 314 W. 38th Street. There was initially no sign of a fire when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. Once inside, however, Lt. Mack Ridge with Quint 14 confirmed that there was a fire in the kitchen. Battalion Chief Chris Willmore, the incident commander, said the firefighters made a quick interior attack and contained the fire to the kitchen area. No one was home and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry might seem like the perfect couple, but they werent each others first serious relationship. Harry was committed for years to Chelsy Davy, the daughter of a wealthy Zimbabwean safari operator. And believe it or not, Meghan was actually married to producer Trevor Engelson for less than two years. But what caused this couples divorce? Meghan met Trevor back in 2004 Trevor and Meghan met about seven years before they tied the knot. Engelson is a Hollywood film producer who has worked on movies such as Remember Me, License to Wed, and All About Steve. Hes five years older than Meghan, and although how the two met is a bit murky, they appeared to hit it off right away, considering they spent seven years in a committed dating relationship. The couple married in Jamaica in 2011 but divorced after less than two years The two dated from 2004 to 2011, when they finally decided to tie the knot in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The wedding was casual, with rum punch and barbecue. According to Elle, Meghan wore a strapless gown while Trevor wore a white button down. A lot about their relationship isnt well known because realistically, neither of them were too high profile at the time. However, despite the years they spent dating, their marriage didnt last. Meghan filed for divorce in August 2013, citing irreconcilable differences. Lies and dishonesty may have been a cause for the divorce Meghan has never widely discussed her divorce from Trevor, but she took to her lifestyle blog, The Tig, after the announcement was made. She quoted a Portuguese self-help author in her post, which fans assumed was largely aimed at Trevor. Some of the lines read, I no longer spend a single minute on those who lie or want to manipulate. I decided not to coexist anymore with pretence, hypocrisy, dishonesty and cheap praise. The quote seems to suggest that there was some lying and dishonesty going on in the relationship, although it was never confirmed that Trevor had stepped out on his wife. Others suggest the long distance became a major struggle for the couple. Right around the time that Meghan and Trevor wed, Meghan was cast as Rachel Zane in Suits and immediately had to begin filming in Toronto quite the distance from Los Angeles where Trevor lived. It could have been that the constant traveling got the best of them, and ultimately caused their divorce. But Trevor claims Meghan divorced him out of nowhere Although Meghan hasnt discussed the divorce much, Trevor seemed to think it was completely unwarranted. According to Cosmopolitan, Andrew Morton, a royal biographer who profiled the Duchess of Sussex, suggested in a book that Trevor had no idea the divorce was going to happen. A friend close to Trevor said he went from being the most important person in Meghans life to being nothing more than an annoyance. Supposedly, Meghan mailed back her wedding and engagement rings; thats how abrupt the divorce was. Meghans career was headed to new heights with Suits while Trevors career didnt seem to be going places, and those close to Trevor have suggested this may have contributed to Meghan leaving him. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Rhylee Gerber from Below Decks home state of Alaska was hit with a 7.0 earthquake, which had a direct impact on family and friends. Gerber posted shocking images from home. Thankfully, the reality personality indicated she is not currently in Alaska. The state experienced more than 190 earthquakes since Friday, November 30, CNN reports. The 7.0 quake knocked residents off the power grid, as roads and land ripped open and splintered. The terror may not be over. These numbers can change by the minute, Seismologist Randy Baldwin told CNN. People can be expected to feel aftershocks for some time. Quakes impacted residents in areas approximately 10 miles northeast of Anchorage. Gerber has spent many years working on fishing boats in Alaska, which Bravo states as being her home state. Gerber said her family was safe Initially, Gerber updated Twitter followers about family back home when a follower asked how she was doing after the earthquake. Thank you! My family is safe. Shaken up and some road damage but all good! she tweeted. She continued to interact with Twitter followers and added, My home state was hit pretty hard this morning with a 7.0 earthquake. Still experiencing aftershocks. Pray for the safe keeping and the speedy recovery 4 all involved. Witnesses told CNN the quake was simply terrifying. It was very loud when it came, Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz told CNN. It was very clear that this was something bigger than what we normally experience. We live in earthquake country but this was a big one. Another resident said, It was absolutely terrifying. It just didnt stop. It kept going and got louder and louder, and things just fell everywhere everything off my dressers, off my bookcases, my kitchen cupboard. Just broken glass everywhere. And she posted more specifics on Instagram Gerber took to Instagram to include both images and specifics on where the quake hit. My home state was hit pretty hard this morning with a 7.0 earthquake just south of Palmer. Palmer is the town I was born in and grew up in the surrounding Anchorage area. My companys boat is located down in Seward and all surrounding areas were affected. Still experiencing aftershocks but at the moment, checking with my friends and family, everyone so far is OK. Shaken up for sure and plenty of damage. Pray for the safe keeping and the speedy recovery for all involved. Wish I were there to hug everyone!! Estimated damage could range between $100 million and $1 billion, The Washington Post reports. Initially, 50,000 lost power, but that number has since been reduced to about 25,000. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Liberal Lutheran pastor to melt purity rings into vagina sculpture to 'take down' church teachings about sex Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Liberal Lutheran pastor and author Nadia Bolz-Weber has encouraged women to send her their purity rings to be melted down and recast into a golden vagina in protest of evangelical purity culture. On Twitter, Bolz-Weber, founding pastor of Denvers House for All Sinners and Saints, issued a call for people to send her those rings for a massive art project. Beginning November 12th, until December 17th, youll have the opportunity to send in your purity rings to be melted down and recast into a golden vagina, she explained on her website. This sculpture will be unveiled at the 2019 Makers Conference. The website states that those who send in their rings will then receive a certificate of Impurity as well as a SHAMELESS, impurity ring. In some evangelical Christian circles, purity rings, also known as promise or chastity rings, were given to young girls as symbols of a promise they made to abstain from sexual activity until marriage. The controversial pastor first announced her art project at the 2018 Makers Conference, where she explained she wants to take down the church's teachings around sex and evangelical purity culture. This thing about women that the church has tried to hide and control and that is a canvas on which other people can write their own righteousness its actually ours, Bolz-Weber told HuffPost. This part of me is mine and I get to determine what is good for it and if its beautiful and how I use it in the world. Pastor Tom Brock, who left the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America over its stance on abortion, homosexuality and universalism, has denounced Bolz-Weber's comments and the ELCA for not disciplining her. Bolz-Weber said she has never been criticized by her denomination. She is scheduled to have a new book published next January titled Shameless: A Sexual Reformation, in which she argues that church teaching on sexuality has caused harm to many people. Earlier, she sparked controversy after she said there should be no shame in consuming pornography, especially if it is "ethically sourced." The purity movement of the 1990s and 2000s was spurred in part by Joshua Harris 1997 book I Kissed Dating Goodbye. The book, which sold millions of copies worldwide, argues that romantic relationships should exist only as a means to preparing for marriage and highlights the problems with contemporary "recreational dating," presenting "biblical courtship" as an alternative. Harris has since apologized for his book and discontinued its publication, explaining that while it promotes some good ideas like the fact that "you don't have to be in a dating relationship to be a whole person" it also presents a damaging and unhelpful view of sexuality, relationships and dating. "I didn't leave room for the idea that dating could be a healthy way of learning what you're looking for in a long-term relationship, that it could be a part of growing personally," he admitted. "I gave the impression that there was one formula that you could follow, and if you followed that, you'd be happily married, God would bless you, and you'd have a great sex life and marriage. Obviously, the real world doesn't work that way." "Fear is never a good motive," he said, adding, "Fear of messing up, fear of getting your heart broken, fear of hurting somebody else, fear of sex." Tim Challies, an author and pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Toronto, Ontario, recently praised Harris for his apology and urged the Church to find ways to address sex and purity in a healthier and more biblical way. There are times, he said, when a kind of weirdness settles over evangelicalism, when for a while people are swept away by strange and flawed ideas. This usually happens when Christians are attempting to counter ideas that are prevalent outside the church. Instead of reacting in a measured way, we collectively over-react. I think the purity and courtship movements were two examples or perhaps one example, since they were so closely aligned, he said. Challies concluded: The dating and courtship movements represented a weird phase in evangelicalism and, as they finally fade, I think we are in a position to speak in much healthier and much more biblical ways about sexuality, about purity, about marriage, and about relationships. This time, lets try to do so with wisdom, balance, and discernment instead of those radical extremes that simply lead to more error. Relentless Church Pastor John Gray knocks pulpit pimps, lets members in need take from offering baskets Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In an emotional service Sunday, Pastor John Gray of Relentless Church in Greenville, South Carolina, allowed members in need to take cash from the churchs offering baskets while knocking "pulpit pimps" who only ask churchgoers to give, give, give. For too long people have stood in a pulpit and told you to give, give, give. Very rarely have I seen churches stop and said leave the baskets out, let the people get what they need. Weve got too many pulpit pimps who want to get fat off people but dont want to meet the needs of the poor people. And Jesus said thats who you supposed to be taking care of. We got widows, we got orphans, weve got single moms in here. We might not be able to do everything but we can do something. I wish we could do more but its the best we can do right now, Gray said near the end of his sermon titled Leftovers. Gray, who had asked his congregants to withhold their offering until they felt a connection to what was being preached that day, prefaced the invitation to his members in need to take from the churchs offering baskets by reminding them of the churchs role. The role of the church, elder, is not only to receive from the people of God but to meet the needs of the people of God. I asked you to hold your offering until something in your spirit connected with the Word. Did you all hear me when I said that? But the role of the church is also to meet the needs of the people in the house, he said. Are there any single mothers in here? You had an orange light in your gas tank when you pulled up, where are you? Come to the altar. Hurry. Single mothers. Are there any single fathers and you had less than a quarter tank of gas, where are you? Come to the altar, come to the altar, he said. Scores of people streamed to the altar and he told them to stand before the offering baskets. Heres what I want you to do. Theres some money in these baskets. You get what you need for you and the kids to eat and get some gas, he said to cheers from the congregation as a churchgoer approached him and stuck what appeared to be more cash offering in his hand. Several of the members receiving the help were visibly weeping. Are there any single fathers? Youre raising your kids by yourself where are you, sir? You have primary custody of your kids, he continued. Gray then called for widows and veterans. He then explained that even though his young church wasnt yet financially secure, he was simply following what God asked him to do. These people dont know what it took for me to do this. We are a six-month-old church with no savings account. We believe God every week but the Lord told me to do this because if I trust Him, whatever is left over would have to be enough, he said. He then explained that as God blessed the church they will make it their mission to continue blessing those in need. Just know as the Lord keeps blessing us, were going to do it more and more. Were going to start buying cars for women who are catching the bus. Were going to buy houses for people whove been renting. Were going to have more than what we need and Gods going to raise up entrepreneurs and theyre going to have so much that theyre going to sow into the vision. And we wont have to worry about offering. Offering will be extra, he said. The Immigration bureau has started the deportation process against a Turkish national who assaulted a traffic enforcer in Makati City last week. Makati City chief information officer Romulo Salgado Jr. said the suspect, Yuksel Ibrahim, 24, will also be deported for overstaying and for being an undesirable alien. Salgado said the Makati City police station released Ibrahim from detention after posting bail, but authorities again placed him under arrest for violating the Immigration law. After posting bail, he was immediately arrested again by the Bureau of Immigration, said Salgado. Mayor Abigail Binay earlier asked the agency for the immediate deportation of Ibrahim who was caught driving without license and later assaulted a local traffic enforcer along Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue Thursday last week. Investigation showed that Ibrahim was driving a black Honda car at the corner of Gil Puyat Avenue and Bautista Street in Barangay Palanan around 5 pm when he hit the arm of Michael Orcino, who was directing traffic in the area. Binay said Ibrahim, a businessman and residing at Teachers Compound in Barangay West Rembo, Makati, blatantly disrespected Philippine laws by driving a vehicle without a license. Since he had none, Ibrahim tried to escape but Orcino maneuvered his motorcycle in front and block the Turkish nationals vehicle. Ibrahim alighted from the vehicle and dragged the motorcycle off the road. He also physically assaulted Orcino when the traffic enforcer refused to let him through. Orcino was wearing a body camera when the altercation took place. It was knocked off after Ibrahim shoved and pushed him several times.The suspect was initially charged by the police with direct assault, threat, resisting arrest, and malicious mischief. Yuksel Ibrahims video, which was recorded by a netizen, went viral on social media, We immediately conducted an investigation on his status after we received information about the incident, said BI Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr. We found out that he is already overstaying, and his blatant disregard for the law and disrespect for law enforcers show that he is an undesirable alien, he added. Manahan said further verification also revealed that Ibrahim was also engaged in various activities in the country without a proper visa. Immigration commissioner Jaime Morente reiterated his warning against illegal and undesirable aliens. Respect our laws, and respect our law enforcers. We will not tolerate this behavior. His actions show that he is a risk to public safety, and must be deported, he said. Ibrahim is currently detained at the BI Detention Center in Bicutan, Taguig pending his deportation proceedings. United Methodist Churchs Capitol Hill building posts 'I was a stranger, and you tear gassed me' sign Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Washington, D.C. building belonging to the United Methodist Church that is located on Capitol Hill has posted a message on their sign reading in part 'I was a stranger, and you tear gassed me. A parody of the words of Jesus Christ found in Matthew 25:35, the message came in response to the recent news of border patrol agents using tear gas to stop the migrant caravan from crossing into the United States. The incident added to the heated debate over the treatment of the migrant caravan, with many criticizing President Donald Trump and Border Patrol for their reaction to the immigrants as they attempted to enter the United States illegally. The United Methodist Building serves as headquarters for the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, an agency of the mainline denomination that engages in advocacy. Warren Gill, spokesperson for the GBCS, provided The Christian Post with a statement on Thursday explaining that the sign sought to highlight the disconnect between the words of Jesus and the actions of the U.S. government. We have seen the photograph of a mother running away from a tear gas canister with her two children. One of those children is barefoot. I think Jesus was clear. We are called to love our neighbors and protect children. We must welcome the stranger, stated Gill. There were barefooted babies at the U.S.-Mexico border this weekend, and the U.S. government threw tear gas at them. Its shocking, and its immoral. Gill explained to CP that GBCS frequently uses their sign to convey messages about current issues and to celebrate seasons. Within the next few days, an Advent message will go up. When situations get out of hand, we expect the people with the most power to remain calm and level-headed. Thats not what happened. The use of chemical weapons like tear gas is banned in war, continued Gill. Using tear gas against civilians, especially children, should similarly be prohibited, whether in Ferguson, Missouri, or along the U.S.-Mexico border. It is never a proportional response. President Donald Trump defended the Border Patrol's decision to use the tear gas, stating at a recent event in Mississippi that it was used in a "very safe" and "very minor form" against those trying to cross the border. "Here's the bottom line: Nobody's coming into our country unless they come in legally," stated Trump, as reported by the BBC. Border Patrol Agent Joshua Wilson, spokesman for the union that represents Border Patrol agents, also defended the usage of the tear gas, explaining that at the time "our agents were being subjected to assault by bottles and rocks by a very large group of people" and that it was never directly aimed at women and children. John Lomperis of the Institute on Religion & Democracy, a voting member of UMC General Conference, told CP that he believed the sign reflected selective outrage on the part of the GBCS. I am not aware of the GBCS ever specifically criticizing the use of tear gas at the Southern border under the Obama administration, said Lomperis. The usual pattern of the GBCS has been to reflexively parrot the talking points of the left wing of the Democratic Party, with little to no genuine theological grounding, aside from sometimes lifting biblical commandments directed to the church and sloppily applying them to the U.S. federal government. Lomperis also told CP that he believed that the GBCS was an echo chamber of its own monolithically liberal programmatic staff. The only group authorized to speak officially for The United Methodist Church is the General Conference, explained Lomperis. Relevant positions adopted by General Conference include the statement All nations have the right to secure their borders. Stephen Colbert talks about his favorite Old Testament figures Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Liberal comedian Stephen Colbert recently explained who his favorite people in the Old Testament are, on a recent episode of CBS' "The Late Show." Colbert was interviewed by Jon Stewart, who served as the main anchor of the long-running Comedy Central series "The Daily Show" while Colbert worked as a recurring on-screen personality. When asked by Stewart about who his favorite character from the Old Testament was, Colbert initially said that it was Aaron, the brother of Moses. Aaron did so much and gets no credit. Moses gets all the ink, but Aaron actually led everybody because Moses had the stutter, said Colbert. Stewart responded that he expected Colbert to say Isaac, jokingly pointing out that Isaac was almost sacrificed by Abraham, calling it the foundation of Judaism: being rejected by your father. Colbert then decided to change his answer to the question from Aaron to Job, noting that he respected how the Old Testament figure never cursed God. He does not curse God, Colbert explained. He endures all even though his neighbors are saying curse God and die! What are you doing? Colbert referenced the play J.B. by Archibald MacLeish, which was a modern theatrical retelling of the Book of Job, which included the line I heard upon his dry dung heap, That man cry out, who cannot sleep. And that is the gratitude you have to have in life no matter what dung heap you lie on, stated Colbert, getting an applause from the studio audience. A Roman Catholic, Colbert talked earlier this month with the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor at America magazine, about how during his youth he identified as an atheist. Colbert explained to Martin that while he had lost his faith due to personal tragedy, it was reignited when at age 22 he read the Sermon on the Mount. I stood on the street corner in the cold and read the sermon. And my life has never been the same, Colbert told Martin, noting that he was absolutely, immediately lightened by Christs words. During his hosting of the Late Show, Colbert has been critical of both atheist celebrities like Ricky Gervais and conservative Christian leaders like megachurch pastor Robert Jeffress. After Jeffress suggested last year that God gave President Donald Trump the authority to "take out" North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, Colbert featured a skit where God suggested that he agreed with Jeffress. "Oh yeah, I'm always on America's side when it comes to blowing stuff up," said the spoof version of God. When Colbert pointed out, "But that goes against your whole message of peace and forgiveness," the character replied that such ideas come from his "hippy" son Jesus. Christian doctor recalls 'indescribable evil' he witnessed in Iraq; how God worked through medical missions Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Dr. Paul Osteen will never forget the horrors he witnessed in Mosul, Iraq. I've never seen such indescribable evil in my life, he told The Christian Post. I thought I'd seen evil, but nothing compared to what I saw in Mosul: A sniper shot through a mother, killing her baby. Little ones, 2 and 3 years old, with legs and arms blown off. Just terrible, horrific stuff. A general and vascular surgeon, Osteen worked for two months at an emergency field hospital located 12 miles outside the Iraqi city during a time when hundreds of thousands of civilians were trapped by ISIS. As part of a joint venture between the World Health Organization and Samaritans Purse, Osteen, the older brother of Joel Osteen, served as the hands and feet of Jesus to those devastated by war. Osteen recalled the story of one particular patient, a young man who needed a leg amputation due to injuries he suffered during the conflict. Every day, he would sit outside the ICU, and we would just greet him and touch him and let him know we were concerned, Osteen said. Before he was ready to leave our hospital to be transferred to a tertiary care facility, he said, I want to experience the same God that you guys have. We couldnt proselytize; we couldnt really push our faith in any way, he continued. But just showing the love and kindness of God to those in an area where theyve never seen that made a tremendous difference, whether it was to an ISIS warrior or just a civilian that was injured. Osteens work extends beyond the Middle East. In addition to serving on the pastoral staff at Lakewood Church, for four to six months each year, he, along with his family, travels to under-resourced countries in sub-Saharan Africa to relieve missionary doctors and surgeons while they go on furlough. While in Western Zambia one year, a local physician told Osteen he was the only qualified surgeon in an area the size of Louisiana. In fact, many African countries, he said, have just one doctor for every 30,000 to 40,000 people. That struck me, Osteen told CP, because, for the majority of the year, these people cant travel due to flooding. What happens when a 15-year-old has a complicated pregnancy? Nobodys going to put her on a statistic anywhere. Shes going to die, and the baby is going to die. In that moment, Osteen said God spoke to him, telling him to use his experiences on the mission field to start the Mobilizing Medical Missions (M3) Conference. The annual event, which will be held Feb. 2223, 2019, at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, brings together doctors, nurses, dentists and other health care professionals, as well as anyone who has a desire to use their skills to meet pressing global health care needs. More than 70 global mission organizations, including World Vision, will be at the M3 Conference. The conference has three goals, Osteen said. Number one is to connect people that have a heart to help people in remote parts of the world. Number two is to inspire attendees when they hear from men and women who are in the trenches with their fingernails dirty doing the work of global missions. Third, we hope people will get plugged into global health care missions. One keynote speaker at this years event is Dr. Jon Fielder, co-founder and chief executive of African Mission health care, a nonprofit strengthening mission hospitals to aid those in greatest need. Fielder, who works as a consultant physician at Maua Methodist Hospital and has helped mission hospitals establish HIV clinics across Kenya, told CP that the need for adequate health care is really, really overwhelming and over-matches the resources available. He cited statistics revealing that much of the functioning health care in Africa is provided by Christian medical missionaries from the West and their African Christian colleagues not government NGOs or other state-sponsored organizations. Mission hospitals tend to be more reliable, more competent, and more compassionate than those in the government system, he said, adding that many of these hospitals train young Africans to be doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals, allowing them to better serve their local communities. They're training them both to be competent and qualified health care professionals, but also in a Christian context with Christian ethics and a Christian heart, modeling what it means to witness Christ as a health care provider, he added. These mission teaching hospitals have an outsized impact above and beyond the immediate numbers of people that they treat. Christian medical missions, Fielder emphasized, needs to be primarily about the long-term. There are so many problems that cannot be solved in a week, from high blood pressure to HIV and tuberculosis to need for a surgery and follow up, he said. Christian institutions that make a difference have been there for the long-term. I would encourage believers to think about how they can get involved and support a place that's well established. Christians are uniquely positioned to care for those in remote regions of the world, Osteen contended, because they are willing to go the last mile to care for the least of these. Theres something for every Christian in global missions, he said. You dont have to be a health care provider; some of the greatest needs Christian mission hospitals have right now are for leadership training, for staff development, for diesel mechanics or electricians. Theres a world out there that is hurting, and there are real things that we can do to make a difference, Osteen continued. I would invite everyone to come to the conference and see that there are real opportunities out there for everyone. This is a great way to put your foot into the water and see if God might move your heart to become involved with global missions. More than 70 global missions organizations will be at the M3 Conference organizations that change lives, communities and nations. From healing the sick to drilling for clean water, caring for orphans, and fighting human trafficking. The M3 conference is about connecting expertise, interest and passion to the worlds needs. To learn more, visit M3missions.com. Evangelical leader expresses concern over mother forcing son to identify as a girl Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Many, including evangelical leader Al Mohler, are expressing their concerns over the circumstances surrounding a 6-year-old boy who's being compelled by his mother to identify as a girl. Recently, it was reported that a Texas man named Jeff Younger, who objects to his ex-wife pushing their 6-year-old son, James, into identifying as a girl, was in danger of losing custody of him after he was accused of abusive behavior. The charge of abusive behavior reportedly stemmed from his engaging in non-affirming actions with James, namely treating his son like a boy by cutting his hair short and having him wear boys' clothes. Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, described the custody battle and the possibility of James being forced to undergo gender transition as a truly scary story. At the base, the story is about the very lie of the transgender revolutionaries who want to tell us that when you're talking about a 6-year-old boy, who at least at times at his mother's house takes on the identity of a girl named Luna, we are told that we are to abandon all concern, said Mohler. We are to throw away all restraint and under the demands of the new sexual revolutionaries, we are to celebrate this transition and declare that it must be so simply because in every case presented along these lines, it must be so. Mohler added that he believed this showed that the new mandate is that transgender identity wins over everything else including all reason. A website named Save James was set up by people identifying themselves as friends of Jeff Younger, with them calling for prayer, awareness and action. If you are moved by concern to support or take action in some way, I ask that you write our lawmakers and representatives about the great need for the protection of our children, reads an entry on the site. We love this family and desire in all things to be loving and above reproach. I do hope that you will share my desire for the best for all involved. According to the father, the sons transgender identity was a decision that was made by his mother when he was 3. Youngers supporters claim that the mother began dressing the twin boy as a girl and calling the child by the name Luna. The mother then took the child to a therapist, where he was diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The child was then enrolled in social transitioning therapy to prepare him for chemical castration, which is being performed on children as young as 8 years old. Walt Heyer, who used to identify as a transgender woman but is now an outspoken critic of the push for children to identify as transgender, helped spread greater awareness of the controversy surrounding the 6-year-old boy in an op-ed published by The Federalist. Younger told Heyer that when his son is not with his mother, he refuses to wear girls' clothes. According to Heyer, eyewitness accounts from friends have corroborated the fathers claims. Based on the three occasions Ive spent time with [James], Id say he acts and looks unmistakably like a healthy 6-year-old boy, Heyer quoted Bill Lovell, the senior pastor of Christ Church Carrollton, as saying. I am praying for James, an average 6-year-old boy, a sweet-natured, intelligent, lovable and at this point particularly vulnerable young man, caught up in a titanic clash of worldviews. Heyer argued that "the glaring disparity between a childs preferred identity when in the presence of one parent versus the other should cause a therapist to reassess, perhaps nullify the diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and terminate any steps toward transition. But in the case of James, this hasnt happened. James has no idea what he is in for or how his gender journey will play out, but with an incorrect diagnosis it will be ugly. I became very concerned about James because he is not exhibiting the diagnostic attributes of gender dysphoria. Former President George HW Bush Dies Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Former Republican President George Herbert Walker Bush, who served a term that saw the collapse of the Soviet Union and the first Gulf War, has died. He was 94 years old. Former President George W. Bush released a statement through the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation confirming that the former Commander in Chief passed away on Friday. Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died, said W. Bush. George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens. Born in Milton, Massachusetts, in 1924, Bush served as a U.S. Navy pilot during World War II, flying 58 combat missions. In January 1945, he married Barbara Pierce. The couple had six children, including former President George W. Bush and former Republican presidential hopeful and former governor of Florida Jeb Bush. Moving to Texas to work in the oil industry, Bush eventually turned to politics, serving two terms in Congress and a series of high level federal posts including ambassador to the United Nations and director of the Central Intelligence Agency. From 1981 to 1989 he served as vice president under President Ronald Reagan before being elected president in 1988. His administration oversaw the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union with the fall of the Berlin Wall that separated East and West Germany. The Soviet Union ceased to exist; and reformist President Mikhail Gorbachev, whom Bush had supported, resigned. While Bush hailed the march of democracy, he insisted on restraint in U.S. policy toward the group of new nations, explained the White Houses official website. In other areas of foreign policy, President Bush sent American troops into Panama to overthrow the corrupt regime of General Manuel Noriega, who was threatening the security of the canal and the Americans living there. Noriega was brought to the United States for trial as a drug trafficker. In 1991, Bush oversaw Operation Desert Storm, in which a U.S.-led coalition of nations liberated the Middle Eastern nation of Kuwait after Iraq, under dictator Saddam Hussein, invaded. Despite the foreign policy successes, Bush lost re-election in 1992 to Democrat challenger Bill Clinton due to a poor economy and a strong showing from independent candidate Ross Perot. After leaving the White House, Bush maintained an active presence in politics and kept an active lifestyle. In 2009, to celebrate his 85th birthday, he went skydiving. In 2001, Bush became the first president since John Adams to have a child elected commander in chief when his son, George W. Bush, was sworn in for his first term. Raised in The Episcopal Church, Bush was known to be a devout Christian, according to historian Gary Scott Smith, retired chair of the history department at Grove City College. Bush saw God as active and all-powerful and the Bible as divinely inspired and authoritative. One cannot be America's President, the Republican frequently asserted, without the strength that your faith gives to you, wrote Smith in a 2017 piece for The Christian Post. The Bible, which had helped shape America's values and institutions, Bush attested, has always been a great source of comfort to me. He affirmed that Jesus was God's divine Son and frequently referred to Christ as our Savior. Moreover, Bush peppered his speeches with biblical quotations, precepts, and stories to underscore his positions. In 2012, Bush was diagnosed with vascular Parkinsonism, a condition similar to Parkinsons that left him wheelchair bound. On April 17, Bushs wife, Barbara, died. According to a family spokesperson, the former president was by her side to the very end. He held her hand all day today and was at her side when [she] left this good earth, said former chief of staff Jean Becker, as reported by The New York Post. The day after Barbaras funeral, Bush was sent to intensive care at Houston Methodist Hospital due to a blood infection. A statement released April 23 by the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation said that the former president was responding to treatments and appears to be recovering. Bush was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, as well as their daughter, Pauline Robinson Bush, who died of leukemia in 1953 just shy of her 4th birthday. God could use 'Satan's arrows' that killed John Chau to light worldwide missionary fire: pastor Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The death of American missionary John Chau on a remote Indian island could be used by God to light a missionary fire around the world, a Christian pastor and author has said. We cannot know for sure what God is doing. But might He be stoking the hearts of His church with a fresh fire to reach the unreached peoples of the world? Could God be using the death of John Chau to stir the souls of more missionaries to take the Good News of Jesus to the Sentinelese people? wondered Garrett Kell, an author and pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Writing for desiringGod.org on Friday, Kell positioned some further questions: Is it possible that God might be working to bring them the message of forgiveness for killing the missionary as well as healing from the injustice done to them generations ago? Could God be plotting a reunion of forgiveness in months, years, even centuries from now that will magnify His mercies before the world? Can you picture that moving ceremony on the shores of North Sentinel Island? Chau was reportedly killed by arrows on Nov. 17 after approaching the beaches of North Sentinel Island on a mission to share the Gospel with the isolated tribespeople, a mission that he had been preparing for. Pam Arlund, a member of the International Leadership Team at All Nations, the missionary group that Chau belonged to, told The Christian Post in a phone interview on Wednesday that the 26-year-old listened to the voice of God and had been following the calling of God since the age of 17." Arlund said that the Oral Roberts University graduate was one of the greatest learners I have ever had the pleasure of working with." To prepare for it, he took many short-term mission trips. I know he went to short-term mission trips in South Africa, and more difficult places, like Kurdistan and Iraq, she told CP. Still, some secular news coverage of Chaus efforts have sought to portray the missionary as foolish and over-zealous. Some Christian sources have also criticized his methods. As an American, as a person who was funded by Americans, he represented that in many ways to the people he was trying to missionize, wrote Southern Methodist University history professor Kate Carte. It looked to me like a violent act. They did not want him there, and he came anyway. We should think carefully about how our actions are perceived in the world. Lets just say his actions didnt sit well with me, she added. In his desiringGod.org article titled "What God Might Do with Satans Arrows," Kell pointed to several other dangerous missionary efforts in the past that have resulted in tragedy, but have since seen previously unreached locals embrace the Gospel. As an example, he named missionaries John Williams and James Harris, who were killed and cannibalized in 1839 by natives on the island Erromango in the New Hebrides, or modern day Vanuatu. Roughly 20 years later, another missionary named John G. Paton set sail with his family to take the Gospel to the people of Erromango. Moved with compassion for their souls, Paton was convinced that God was at work, even through the martyrdom of Williams and Harris, Kell wrote. This conviction proved true, as the Lord used Patons ministry to help many of the people of Vanuatu embrace the grace, healing, and forgiveness of Jesus. Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church to Host 3rd Annual Global Medical Missions Conference Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Televangelist Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church will host its third annual medical missions conference on Friday and Saturday to help bridge the gap between the thousands of doctors in the Houston area with missionary organizations that need help serving God's vulnerable children around the world. The Medical Mobile Missions Conference (also known as the M3 Conference) will feature as many as 75 missionary organizations and will have about 50 to 60 active mission hospitals worldwide represented who are all looking for more doctors, nurses and support staff. Dr. Paul Osteen, the event's organizer and a surgeon who spends about four months a year serving in missions hospitals across the globe, told The Christian Post that he expects as many as 1,500 people to attend this year's conference. Osteen, the brother of the famous televangelist, explained that the inspiration for the conference came a few years ago when he was working in a missions hospital in Zambia. "A Zambian doctor told me, 'Paul, do you realize that you are the only qualified surgeon in an area the size of Louisiana.' Two weeks later, I flew into Houston and realized that there are 12,500 doctors in Houston alone," Osteen said. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to say, 'What would happen if we tried to help this disparity? Let's connect some needs with some people who have a heart to help.'" The conference has been instrumental in years past when it comes to connecting medical professionals who feel God calling them into the missions field with groups looking for helping hands. Lauren Raschke, a pediatric nurse who left her job of eight years to become a full-time missionary for an organization called Mission of Hope: Haiti, is one of M3's success stories. Raschke has just completed her first year in full-time ministry with the organization and has already signed up to do her second year as a full-time missionary. "Now as I end this year and start year two, I'm so excited to see where God leads me," Raschke wrote in a post on the M3 website. "Doing God's will and knowing you're exactly where you're supposed to be is the best place to be." New to this year's conference will be a Samaritan's Purse field hospital set up inside the church. The field hospital is able to treat more than 100 patients and perform 15 to 25 surgeries per day. The field hospital was first deployed in April 2016 after 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador. The goal is to show medical professionals just how missions organizations have been able to bring much needed medical technology to the frontlines of some of the world's worst humanitarian situations. Osteen spent two months last year serving in the Samaritan's Purse field hospital in Mosul, Iraq. The field hospital was set up just miles from the frontlines of the military offensive against the Islamic State terrorist organization. As many as 400 doctors and medical professionals rotated in and out of that facility, Osteen said. "Being in Mosul, Iraq, just last year helped me understand the value of Christians out on the front lines, right where the real needs are," he said. "The goal is to bring awareness to the opportunities for medical professionals, for IT people, for logisticians, for mechanics, for all the support people, and what it takes to pull off a disaster relief operation." "Perhaps in walking through that tent and seeing the operating rooms set up and seeing the beds set up and the anesthesia machines and the monitors and all that, perhaps it will just tug on someone's heart to be a part of this." Osteen explained that although medical missions is seen as a global field, it can also be done locally in one's own community. "One of the thing we do as a church is we support and are involved with Casa El Buen Samaritano [House of the Good Samaritan] in providing free healthcare to low income, mostly Hispanic patients that have no access to healthcare in the United States," he said. Osteen stressed that the conference is not just for doctors, nurses and medical professionals. "You have to have people that are good in logistics, you have to have people with administrative skills, you have to have guys who can set up IT and keep IT running," Osteen said. "There is a place for anybody in world missions. We believe we can be a catalyst to help you find your place. There is something for everybody to do." Missionary Says God Used Year-Long Abduction to Plant Seeds That Helped Bring Captors to Christ Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment VIENNA, Virginia Over 15 years after she was rescued from a year-long abduction by Islamic terrorists in a Philippine jungle, Kansas missionary Gracia Burnham says her time in captivity showed her how faithless she was as she couldn't see the bigger plan that God had for her time of trial. Burnham along with her deceased husband, Martin, both served for New Tribes Mission (now Ethnos360) when they were taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants on May 27, 2001. The Burnhams were among a group of 20 hostages kidnapped by the terror group from the Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan. After 376 days of captivity, Burnham was freed in June 2002 following a gun battle with the Filipino military that resulted in the death of her husband. The 59-year-old author of two books detailed her experience in captivity with hundreds gathered at the Voice of the Martyrs Advance Conference held at McLean Bible Church outside Washington, D.C. "I want to thank you for your prayers. Thank you for praying for this loving couple you have never even met before. It seemed like our trial lasted forever and that is how a trial is, isn't it?" she asked the crowd. "There were days where we felt like everyone had forgotten us and there were days I felt forsaken." Burnham said the hardest part of her captivity was not the fact that her feet painfully bled and oozed from the long hikes with no socks and was not the fact that she was forced to sleep at night with only a dirty old rice sack separating her from the creatures crawling around on the jungle floor. "The hardest thing for me was seeing myself for what I really was," she said. "When everything was gone, the real me surfaced that I didn't even want to believe existed. I saw a hateful Gracia. I saw a faithless Gracia. It was shocking." In a time of desperation and despair, Burnham said she cried out for God to change her and cried out to ask God how long the trial would last. "I was such a mess that I wasn't even sure God could change me," she explained. "But God can do anything, and He promised to change us. He said He would change us so much that we would start looking like Jesus. Isn't that how we want to live?" Burnham assured that God took "an angry hostage and put love in her heart." "God started changing me. He can bring peace to the broken hearted," she said. "He can bring good things out of pain. He keeps giving us a day of grace to serve Him again." One of the most frustrating parts of the abduction occurred in the days before Easter 2002 when a ransom was paid for their release but Abu Sayyaf leaders decided to hold out for more money. "I begged them not to do that. I said, 'This is not going to turn out well. We are sick of this, you are sick of this, just take the money and let's go home.' They were greedy and they asked for more money,'" Burnham explained. "You can imagine how defeated we felt that night when we laid down on our rice sacks to get rest." "Just as I was drifting off to sleep, Martin kind of nudged me and said, 'Gracia, I am so glad that when Jesus paid a ransom for us, it was enough,'" Burnham recalled. "Jesus' payment for us was sufficient. It satisfied God and there doesn't need to be anymore sacrifice for sin." Although Burnham's trial lasted more than a year and ultimately resulted in her losing her beloved husband, she told the crowd that she knows God had a purpose not only for their detention but also for her husband's untimely death. Burnham said that little did they know that they were able plant seeds for the Kingdom of God inside the hearts of some of the very terrorists who forced them to march relentlessly around the jungle as they tried to avoid the firepower of the Filipino military. Now that several of the Abu Sayyaf members who held the Burnhams hostage are now sitting in a maximum security prison in Manilla for the rest of their lives, Burnham says that she has been able to reconnect with a number of them. "God has raised up a military couple in the Philippines who have a heart for ministry. I wish I had an hour to tell you the story of how they ministered to the very men who held us captive and how I got to be part of that," Burnham said. "The good news is that so far, four former Abu Sayyaf have come to know Jesus as their Savior." After her speech, Burnham confirmed with The Christian Post that the four Abu Sayyaf members who came to Christ were militants who they had marched with in the jungle. "Had I known while we were going through our hard year in the jungle that one day even one of those guys would come to know Jesus because of our experience, the days would have been easier to bear," Burnham said. "I can kick myself now and say, 'Would it not have been enough to trust the good God with the days of my life?'" Burnham challenged the audience to believe that God puts people through hard trials not to "crush us" but to use us to do "a good work." "It is always good because God's good. I have been encouraged that there can't be a harvest without seed planters," Burnham asserted. "Maybe planting seeds isn't always fun. We have heard some stories [today] of hard seed planting. Maybe planting seeds for you is uncomfortable and you don't see any fruit for your labor. You might wonder why you were called to plant seeds because you are not even good at it. But all of a sudden you see what God is doing." "I have been reminded that the seed we planted in the jungle wasn't wasted. Others are reaping what we sewed ever so long ago. God is Almighty, and He can do anything," she added. "God can use anything. I really believe that. Maybe the length of our captivity ... and Martin's death is what it took to work in some Abu Sayyaf's hearts." New Poverty Figures Raise Questions on Role of Church, Christians Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In the final months of the presidential election, both major candidates mentioned the term "middle class" countless times in any effort to mobilize the country's largest voting bloc. What they rarely, if ever, mentioned were those who live below the poverty line and what role the government and the Church should play in helping these 46.2 million Americans. When broken down to numbers that are easier to grasp, roughly 1-in-7, or 15 percent of Americans, are poor, up slightly from the previous year's total of 43.6 million. But what constitutes as a poor family in America? The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty as a hypothetical family of two adults and two children living on an income of $23,021 or less in 2011. The median household income in the U.S. in 2011 was $50,054. Yet the more poignant question is what is the primary cause of poverty and what role should the Church and the government play in reducing this number? Pastor Phillip Meek leads Love and Truth Church in Savannah, Tenn., a rural area located just above the Mississippi-Alabama state line. The region's major employer is a paper mill and a handful of other manufacturing plants located in neighboring communities. Retail, service and government jobs comprise the majority of employment opportunities in the area. Meek feels the church is better equipped to help the area's poor, but sees the underlying issue is caused by a breakdown in the family structure. "What is the major cause of poverty? If you ask me it's the breakdown of the family," Meek told The Christian Post. "Once the family breaks down, nothing functions properly, including the church." Meek looked back on his own upbringing in rural West Tennessee and recalled that his childhood was absent of many material possessions, but had an intact family with a father who adhered to financial discipline. "I grew up poor; you could call it dirt poor. We didn't have an indoor bathroom for a while and this was in the '60s," he said. "But we had food on the table and decent clothes on our backs. My dad would not buy anything on credit. If he could not pay cash for something he would not buy it. He died owing absolutely no one." But that type of mentality is not evident in many of today's poor households. For example, nearly two-thirds of "poor" households have cable or satellite TV and at least one DVD player. More than half of poor families with children have a video game system, and over one-third have a wide-screen plasma or LCD TV. More interesting is that 96 percent of poor parents stated that their children were never hungry at any time during the year and 83 percent of those poor families had enough to eat during the year. Others are asking if what the government is doing in terms of entitlement programs is in reality giving people little to no motivation to improve their lifestyle. Government statistics show that over 100 million people in the U.S. are receiving some form of federal welfare. Food stamps and Medicaid make up a large and growing chunk of the group that receives federal welfare, which includes not only citizens, but non-citizens as well. For comparison purposes, in 1964 when President Lyndon Johnson declared an "unconditional war on poverty in America," the rate was around 19 percent and falling, reaching its lowest level at 10.5. Over $12 trillion dollars in federal dollars not included. The Obama administration has increased spending on welfare programs by more than $193 million. According to a CATO Institute study, seven different cabinet agencies and six independent agencies administer at least one anti-poverty program. Meek says the issue of poverty in America is not so much an issue of starvation, but rather a motivation to improve a family's ability to provide for themselves. "The mindset of a poor person today is different than it was a few decades ago. Some people are not motivated to improve their situation and are only looking for a handout. Many are trying to find a job but struggle in an area like ours that has little to no new employment opportunities. Still the church and those who subscribe to Jesus Christ are tasked with the responsibility to help others." He also sees "giving" as a major problem within the church. "If Christians gave anywhere close to the 10 percent asked of them by God, not only would the church have ample resources, but in my opinion we would have enough to go around to help those who are really needy." "Because the church has not done what it is supposed to do, the government has taken over and as we all know, government has to have total control of anything they have their hands in," explained Meek. "The government never looks for way to cut back and ask individual to shoulder more of that responsibility. In addition, Meek says his church is trying to become more of a community-based church and with God's help they will break the status quo. "We have spent so much time fighting against one another that we have not done all we are asked to do by God to help our fellow man. There has been too much division between churches and that's what we are trying to change in our community," Meeks said. "I believe in James 1:27 when he tells us 'to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.'" Pastor John Gray draws praise, caution after allowing congregants to take cash from offering Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Pastor John Gray's recent move to allow members of his church to take cash from the offering baskets has stirred discussion, with some applauding him for helping those in need and others expressing caution. Praising Gray, Bishop Alphonza Gadsden of Cummins Memorial Theological Seminary in Summerville, South Carolina, told The Christian Post on Friday that he believes the church should be doing more to help the needy. Having felt as if he is led by the Spirit of God to do this then I think its a great gesture, Gadsden commented. I believe that the church needs to play a more active role within the community and if it means helping those who are indigent and dont have a means of support then by all means the church should be able to do that. In his sermon on Sunday, Gray, who leads Relentless Church in South Carolina, reminded his congregation that the role of the church is not only to receive from the people of God but to meet the needs of the people of God. He then invited members of his church in need to help themselves to only what they need from the cash offerings donated that day. For too long people have stood in a pulpit and told you to give, give, give. Very rarely have I seen churches stop and said leave the baskets out, let the people get what they need. Weve got too many pulpit pimps who want to get fat off people but dont want to meet the needs of the poor people. And Jesus said thats who you supposed to be taking care of. We got widows, we got orphans, weve got single moms in here. We might not be able to do everything but we can do something. I wish we could do more but its the best we can do right now, Gray said. While admitting that the church needs money to operate and not every church can afford to help members and their community in all the ways that they would like, Gadsden agrees with Gray that too many churches have abandoned the call to serve those in need. I realize that the church needs finances to operate but I say this with much reservation because I dont think that churches are designed to build up great bank accounts and build financial empires. What I believe God intends for us to do as a church is not to build empires but to meet the needs of Gods people, he said. Of late, I think the church has relinquished that role to the government or the state and what have you and I believe that we as part of the church should be helping to meet the needs of the people. Zachary Groff, director of advancement and admissions at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in South Carolina, also praised Grays gesture but cautioned against reckless administration of assistance to the needy. Here at Greenville Seminary and in the Presbyterian and Reformed theological tradition, we have a very high regard for the diaconal function of the church. We take very seriously the example set by the Apostolic church in caring for widows and orphans and those in need both within the community of faith, but also outside of the church, in our local communities. And so I can applaud the intentions behind what Mr. Gray has done in terms of showing in a very emotionally moving picture of how the church helps those in need, Groff said. He noted that while he did not know much about Gray or his ministry he would not have advised allowing people to just take money from the offering baskets. I would seriously caution against doing that kind of distribution method in the church, he said. It looks like a free for all, and I really think that the example were given in the New Testament and even in the Old Testament in terms of the administration of funds and caring for the flock and those in need is one of orderliness and accountability and responsibility. I dont see any of that in what Mr. Gray has done. Now there might have been some things behind the scenes where leaders in his church had things planned and knew this was coming but on the face of it, it looks like a pretty reckless move in Relentless Church. A corporate and nonprofit tax law expert agreed that it would be better for the church to have a more formal process to assist the needy. In principle, providing support to needy single mothers, widows, etc. is consistent with a church's 501(c)(3) charitable purposes. Applicable Treasury regulations define charitable to include relief of the poor and distressed or of the underprivileged, John Montague, senior associate at leading global international law firm Hogan Lovells, told CP. However, the practice of allowing church members to simply take money from the offering basket on the basis of self-declared need is, at the least, not consistent with best practices. Instead, churches that want to provide such relief would be well-advised to establish formal procedures for overseeing and directing donations to needy individuals. For instance, such procedures might include a written application for funds, methods to verify and document the individual's need, and a designated body to oversee approval and distribution of the funds. In the absence of formal procedures, the system is open to abuse, and the church has no means of tracking money coming in or going out, he continued. Many churches have benevolence or deacons' funds that are administered by a committee of deacons or other members of the congregation. These funds might lack the flashiness of allowing congregants to come to the front and take money from the offering basket, but they are able to meet congregational needs while ensuring that the church is acting consistently with its 501(c)(3) purposes." In explaining his decision on Sunday, Gray said he was simply following what God asked him to do. These people dont know what it took for me to do this. We are a six-month-old church with no savings account. We believe God every week but the Lord told me to do this because if I trust Him, whatever is left over would have to be enough, he said. He then explained that as God blesses the church they will make it their mission to continue blessing those in need. Just know as the Lord keeps blessing us, were going to do it more and more. Were going to start buying cars for women who are catching the bus. Were going to buy houses for people whove been renting. Were going to have more than what we need and Gods going to raise up entrepreneurs and theyre going to have so much that theyre going to sow into the vision. And we wont have to worry about offering. Offering will be extra, he said. Gadsden said Grays effort to obey the Holy Spirit is a very valid one. He said while he would not have advised Gray to allow congregants to take money from the offering baskets, if that was what God told him to do it wasnt his place to dispute it. I dont know how God spoke to him or how God directed him to do this but I feel that if he is led by the Spirit, heard the voice of the Lord telling him to do it then God has a plan and a purpose directing him in that manner, Gadsden said. If God directed him to handle it that way then who am I to say that he did it incorrectly? Still, he also would advise a different manner of distributing funds. From a personal standpoint, I think we as human beings have a tendency to legislate too many things. At the same time, I have come to understand that there are people who are needy and there are people who are greedy. So when you look at it from that standpoint, from that perspective, I think that an organized manner of handling it would be far more efficient than just allowing people to come to the basket and take out what they need. Two party-list lawmakers on Saturday hailed the imminent appproval on third and final reading a bill declaring the first day of February of every year as National Hijab Day. AMIN party-list Reps. Amihilda Sangcopan and Makmod Mending Jr. said House Bill 8590 which is principally authored by Rep. Mauyag Papandayan Jr. of Lanao del Sur, said that once enacted, the bill shall promote and deepen understanding among non-Muslims about the wearing of hijab, a veil that covers the head and neck of a Muslim woman as an act of modesty and dignity. The bill encourages Muslim and non-Muslim women to wear the hijab and experience the virtue in wearing it. It will remove the misconception that wearing the hijab is a symbol of oppression, terrorism and lack of freedom. It intends to also stop discrimination against Muslim women, or hijabi, Sancopan said. Instead, she said it will promote appreciation for the diversity in expressing ones self and ones faith and religion and to promote tolerance and acceptance of other lifestyles among Filipinos. The bill acknowledges the State policy recognizing the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination and or preference, shall be forever allowed. Hijab is defined in the bill as a veil that covers the head and chest, which is particularly worn by a Muslim female beyond the age of puberty, in the presence of adult males outside of their immediate family. It is any head, face, or body covering worn by Muslim women that conform to a certain standard of modesty. Maricel V. CruzOnce enacted, government institutions, the private sector, and schools shall be encouraged to observe the National Hijab Day in a manner that promotes understanding and awareness among their employees and students as to the objective of the campaign. The bill mandates the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) to observe this event, being the lead agency in the promotion and raising consciousness about hijabis in the Philippines. The NCMF shall conduct activities that aim to deepen understanding of the hijab as a lifestyle choice among women. The NCMF may conduct fora, information dissemination campaign and other educational drives to effectively meet the objective of the Act. The bill substituted House Bill 968 authored by former Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman. It was referred to the plenary by the Committee on Muslim Affairs chaired by Rep. Bai Sandra Sinsuat Sema of Maguindanao. New $100 million White House AIDS relief investment to include faith-based orgs Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The White House has announced a new investment by the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) of $100 million, which will include faith-based organizations. Vice President Mike Pence announced on Thursday that the $100 million investment will deal with certain gaps in fighting HIV, including using various faith-based groups and communities. Honored to speak today at the @WhiteHouse to commemorate the upcoming 30th annual World AIDS Day, tweeted Vice President Pence on Thursday. We have made great progress in recent years, but our work is far from over. And that work will continue until we end the scourge of HIV/AIDS once and for all. The investment will go to outreach efforts, as well as preventing sexual violence against children and expanding services with both current and new PEPFAR partners. Ambassador Deborah L. Birx, M.D., U.S. global AIDS coordinator, said in a statement released Thursday that religious organizations have been a key part of the effort to combat HIV/AIDS. Every step of the way, faith leaders and communities of faith have been cornerstones of PEPFARs efforts, stated Ambassador Birx. They have unique health care delivery capacities and deep relationships of trust with individuals and families in need, both of which are vital to helping us achieve our goals. Earlier this week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that PEPFAR was responsible for saving more than 17 million lives since it was created in 2003. As of September 30, 2018, PEPFAR is supporting over 14.6 million people on lifesaving antiretroviral treatment, including over 700,000 children. This is compared with the 50,000 people who were on HIV treatment in Africa when PEPFAR began in 2003, explained the State Department in a press release. PEPFAR has also enabled over 2.4 million babies to be born HIV-free to mothers living with HIV and supported over 6.8 million orphans, vulnerable children, and their caregivers. For years, PEPFAR has made an effort to better utilize faith-based organizations and communities as part of their effort to combat HIV. In a report released in 2005, PEPFAR noted that local and faith-based groups were an underutilized resource for expanding the reach of quality services despite being among the first responders to community needs. Faith-based groups are priority local partners, continued the 2005 report. In many focus countries, more than 80 percent of citizens participate in religious institutions. In certain nations, upwards of 50 percent of health services are provided through faith-based institutions, making them crucial delivery points for HIV/AIDS information and services. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Are humans free or are they programmed to make the choices they do? This issue is prevalent within Christian theology. Calvinists and Arminians, and Thomists and Molinists continue to debate these ideas today. But this question is not limited to Christian theology. Jewish theologians of the first century held differing ideas pertaining to the limitations of human freedom. Sadducees believed that people had total freedom with little to no interaction from God. The Essenes and the Sadducees were polar opposites. They contended that God had predetermined all things and that everything was left to fate regardless of what one may decide to do. The Pharisees held to varying views in the middle which embraced both Gods sovereignty and human freedom. Even in the scientific world, people debate how much freedom people have as opposed to what is programmed in them by nature. The following points list out four views that people hold concerning human freedom: determinism, compatibilism, concurrence, and libertarian free will. Determinism: Fate with No Freedom. Determinists hold that humans have no free will and that everything is left up to Gods sovereign choices (Christian theism), fate (other religious perspectives), or natures hardwiring (naturalism). In Christianity, this view is held by hardcore Calvinists. Some Calvinists even argue that such a belief extends past what one would call classical Calvinism. Nevertheless, in determinism, free will is an illusion. No one has the power to change ones fate. Of ancient Jewish sects, the Essenes best fit this category. Compatibilism: Freedom within Fate. The compatibilist view is sometimes called soft determinism. Most Calvinists, especially moderate Calvinists, and Thomists fit this category. Compatibilists hold that people have free will, but that freedom is restrained by previous events that limit the freedoms that people have. Compatibilists hold to an idea called event causation which holds that, like a series of dominoes falling, a persons choices are determined by previous causes that preceded them. Thus, God determines the paths of every person by limiting what choices a person can make. A persons choices are also limited by the persons inclinations and desires to do certain things. So, determinists do believe that people are free, but that the persons choices are limited and dictated by God and by ones desires. For compatibilists, a person can freely choose whatsoever they can within restricted confines, but their choice is already predetermined. The Pharisaical Jewish sect fell somewhere between compatibilism and concurrence, which is the next view to be discussed. Concurrence: Fate within Freedom. Concurrence is a soft version of libertarianism. Molinists best fit the concurrent philosophical framework. Concurrent ideas are very comparable to compatibilism in many ways, however, concurrents maintain that people are responsible for their own actions despite what may have happened in the past. In other words, they are not simply a domino falling into a pattern, they are free moral agents. Concurrent advocates hold that people do have limited choices, but God works through what he knows people will choose. Concurrence argues five principles: 1) ultimate responsibilitymoral agents are responsible for their own actions; 2) agent causationa person is the origin for his or her own sins and not God; 3) principle of alternative possibilitieseach person has the possibility of choosing or refraining from a particular task; 4) will-setting momentsseparating concurrence from hardcore libertarianism, concurrence holds that certain choices limits, reduces, or withdraws future free choices; 5) distinction between freedom of responsibility and freedom of integrityfreedom is a permission granted to a person by God, but that freedom (freedom of integrity) is not the same for all people; therefore, a person who is redeemed will have a greater range of possibilities from which to choose than a person who is not because of the infusion of the Holy Spirit. A persons freedom of integrity is greatly limited in some people more than others. The more a Christian is sanctified, the greater range of spiritual possibilities the person holds. The perfected saint of God in heaven will have the greatest range of positive choices without any negative choices. Looking at the overall sphere, concurrent advocates would hold that God sovereignly operates by granting people the best opportunities to make the best available choices while knowing completely what the person will choose. His knowledge of their choices does not impede upon their freedom to make their choices. Furthermore, God is still sovereignly moving but does so while allowing people to have the freedom to make choices, albeit limited choices on some occasions. A persons desires may limit ones options, but the person maintains the freedom to choose within certain parameters. As mentioned earlier, Pharisees fit somewhere between compatibilism and concurrence. Libertarianism: Freedom with No Fate. In stark contrast to determinism, libertarianism (or libertarian free will, LFW) argues that if people are to be free, then they must have complete freedom to make any and all choices. If people are completely free, then God must not limit our choices in any way. Some branches of Arminianism and open theism best fit into this category. For those who hold to hardcore versions of LFW, God does not interfere in a persons choices. This is another area of distinction separating LFW from the milder concurrence ideology. Concurrent advocates argue that God may interfere to provide better choices for individuals. The Sadducees and Samaritans both held to LFW. We have examined four views of free will. What one believes about the choices people can make shapes how the person views Gods sovereignty, his interaction in the world, and human responsibility. Both determinism and LFW are problematic. Determinism removes human responsibility for sinful actions and places the blame at a holy Gods feet. LFW resolves the issue of human responsibility, but greatly restricts Gods power and knowledge. Compatibilism and concurrence are both able to handle the balance of divine sovereignty and human freedom in ways that determinism and LFW cannot. Both compatibilism and concurrence hold many strengths, but in my estimation, concurrence might hold a slight advantage to compatibilism. 2018. BellatorChristi.com. Brian G. Chilton is the founder of BellatorChristi.com and is the host of The Bellator Christi Podcast. He received his Master of Divinity in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); and received certification in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. Brian is enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University. Brian has been in the ministry for over 15 years and serves as a pastor in northwestern North Carolina. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A little more than 40% of millennials today say they prefer socialism. To me, this is the most troubling indicator of a dark future for America if its not turned around. What would make this younger generation unimpressed with freedom or the great costs paid by so many brave souls to secure it? They must not want freedom or appreciate it. They would rather trade it for a socialistic dream and the empty promises of a man-made utopia, something which has always historically ended in a nightmare and dystopia for dozens of countries. Although I would not venture to portray myself as a sage, Im confident that I know whats at the heart of this foolishness. It is because, generally speaking, millennials and their parents possess little or no understanding of the intense spiritual nature of freedom. Liberty wasnt born out of the United States Congress but from the heart of God. It is an inalienable right a God-given right a right which belongs to all men everywhere and in every age. The government doesnt grant inalienable rights. Its task is to protect them. No person, no group, no government, is authorized by our Creator God to infringe upon what is the absolute inherent privileges of being made in the image of God or might interfere with ones duty to God. When we try to separate liberty from the spiritual, when we base it in human definitions and objectives alone, freedom is corrupted, counterfeited, and dies. The renowned Methodist minister, the late J. Wallace Hamilton, explained the fantastic spiritual nature of liberty by suggesting a paraphrase of Jesus words, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Mt. 4:4). Hamilton paraphrased the text to read, Man does not live by freedom alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God, which is to say that freedom is not an end in itself. Hamilton said, If men are disillusioned about freedom, it is not freedom that has failed us but false freedom, freedom divorced from the great words of GodEvery attempt to find freedom at the expense of other compelling ideals leads to famine, futility, and disillusionment. Charles Spurgeon also spoke along these same lines and admonished: We do well to look upon the word of the Lord [The Bible] as though it were newly spoken into our ear; for in very truth it is not decayed by years, but is as forcible and sure as though newly uttered. Precepts are prized when it is seen that they come forth from the lips of our Father who is in heaven. The same lips which spoke us into existence have spoken the law by which we govern that existence. Whence could a law so sweetly proceed as from the mouth of our covenant God? Well may we prize beyond all price that which comes from such a source. It's somewhat another subject. But if pastors and the churches they lead are unwilling to take up politics, if they are unwilling to faithfully teach the multitudes concerning the way civil liberty and the Christian reality of spiritual liberty interlock, liberty cannot be preserved. I will say it again, and without apology, freedom cannot survive because it is intensely divine in nature. Like Hamilton, I suggest a paraphrase of my own. Lets take the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 10:14 about salvation: How shall they call on the Lord if they havent believed? How shall they believe in Him, or experience the liberty He gives, or comprehend the true meaning and foundation of freedom if they havent heard? And how shall they hear these things without a preacher? King David, whom the Scripture references as a prophet, priest, and king, says in Psalm 119: Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth for I have put my hope in your laws. I will always obey your law, forever and ever. I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame, for I delight in your commandments because I love them (vs. 43-47) David knew the tendency of leaders to sacrifice the truth of their faith to pomp, statecraft, and the political correctness of the day; but he says that he would not have the word of truth snatched from his mouth. Instead, he would sanctify politics, and make those who were commissioned to govern know who really runs the world. David might have thought it more prudent not to touch upon religion and politics in the same breath, especially in the presence of people from another faith. He might have been tempted to rationalize that his life and conduct should be enough. But he concludes, I will speak, for the source of freedom and hope is only in the Lord and his statutes. This message is most needful for kings and those that administer the affairs of state. There is no sense in fearing the messenger might be shamed when the dishonor is for the one who rejects the word of the Lord. What a great vacuum silent preachers have created that now the socialists would fill, nevertheless, socialists choose to trade the rights given by a gracious and benevolent Heavenly Father for the mass mind and the mass will. Socialism gives away ones birthright for a mess of pottage. It is a poor trade a monumentally poor trade - one that inevitably leads to bondage and tyranny. There is no slavery or oppression, however, in sanctity - only liberty. For Christs sake fellow believers, if you truly know the Savior, you should know this is true. Speak up! Weekly Briefing: Religious persecution, Twitter ban, gene editing Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Religious persecution gets worse Persecution against religious minorities has worsened around the world, according to a newly released report by Aid to the Church in Need. Over the last two years, the situation has declined in more countries (18) that have significant religious freedom violations. ACN also documented ultra-nationalism, or aggressive nationalism, in several countries, including China, Russia, India and Myanmar (Burma). The group lamented that the plight of faith minorities is being ignored by a religiously illiterate West and that religious freedom is slipping down the human rights priority rankings, being eclipsed by issues of gender, sexuality and race. Twitter bans misgendering Social media giant Twitter has updated its hateful conduct policy to prohibit users from misgendering or deadnaming transgender individuals. Feminist journalist Meghan Murphy was banned for such comments as men arent women. Even online I think transactivists are trying to make it look like the vast majority of people are on board and they are doing this in part by shutting down other voices but also by taking over social media because social media now really is our public square. This is where we are having public debates. And so they're taking over the conversation in those arenas so it appears that nobody disagrees with them except for evil bigots, said Murphy. First genetically edited babies A researcher in China announced the birth of the worlds first genetically edited babies in this case, twin girls whose DNA was altered during fertility treatments. The goal was to increase resistance to possible future infection with HIV. He Jiankuis claim of successful gene editing has not been independently confirmed by other experts but many have condemned the experimentation on humans as ethically wrong and irresponsible. China has suspended the scientists work. Xu Nanping, Chinas vice minister of science and technology, said, We are resolutely opposed to it. Debate on John Chaus missions approach Following the death of John Chau, a 26-year-old U.S. missionary who was killed by an isolated tribe he tried to approach earlier this month, many in the Christian community have debated whether his mission was noble or ill-conceived. Leaders of the missions group he was a part of, All Nations, have revealed that Chau was well-prepared and that he had long wanted to reach the people of North Sentinel Island with the Gospel. One thing is clear: Christians have a conviction and a mandate to share their faith. For Chau, it made sense to take risks when peoples eternity is at stake. But to the rest of the world, its becoming more incomprehensible, said Thomas S. Kidd of Baylor University. Misconceptions about Christians work Many Christians have the misconception that Jesus is happy if they drown themselves in their Gospel-inspired work and never enjoy their lives, according to Gary Haugen of International Justice Mission. But God actually wants us to enjoy our lives, even if we're involved very intimately in the work of justice and in the intersection of human hurt, he said. Pray for A Nigerian Christian, a former imam, who is seeking asylum in the U.S. after his family was attacked and pursued by Muslims numerous times A pastor in India who was beaten but has vowed to continue to preach New releases Albums: Emmanuel EP by Embassy (Nov. 30) Resurrection Letters Anthology by Andrew Peterson (Nov. 30) Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? By Peter J. Williams (Nov. 30) The Crucible's Fire: A Story of God's Faithfulness by Matt Parker Slaughtered like animals, burned to death: pastors tell Nigerian President Buhari of massacres Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Nigerian church leaders met with President Muhammadu Buhari earlier this month, but condemned the evil massacre of Christians and the falsehoods surrounding it. Rev. Dacholom Datiri, president of the Church of Christ in Nigeria, said that he delivered a report to Buhari on November 6, describing the killing of 646 Christians in Plateau state alone between March and October of this year. The devastation in terms of massacre of lives and destruction of property is unimaginable. Pastors and members in their thousands have been killed in cold blood, either shot dead or slaughtered like animals or burned to death. Houses and businesses have been burned or looted and farmlands have been destroyed, he said, speaking of the years of suffering the church has suffered. Thousands of other Christians have been massacred in the country since the start of 2018, prompting ongoing outcry from watchdog groups, demanding that the Nigerian government do more to protect citizens. The narrative has been that these people are killed by unknown gunmen, or suspected herdsmen, or that there have been farmer-herders clashes, Datiri said in his report, as shared by Morning Star News. All these are deceptive narratives deliberately framed to conceal the truth and continue to perpetrate the evil. After the attacks, it is the Fulani herders that settle and graze their cattle on the farms of the victims, he continued. The proficiency and mode of operation in all of these attacks, as testified by the surviving victims, leaves us in no doubt of the complicity of the military being used as hired mercenaries by the Fulani militias. On this, we are disappointed, and sadly so, that the government has not delivered on her constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property. As evidence he pointed to the heavily armed militants with sophisticated guns, including AK-47's, machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades, that have been killing Christians. A very similar point was made in August by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Board Chairman of the International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law, who told The Christian Post that the government and many news organizations are spreading such a false narrative. Umeagbalasi told CP at the time that all the evidence, including the great disproportion in the number of Christians killed, and reports of churches being converted for Islamic purposes, show that the thousands of deaths are not simply the result of farmer-Fulani hersdsmen clashes. "How many Muslim farmers are being killed by Fulani herdsmen? How many Muslim homes have been destroyed or burned? The answer is in the negative. It has nothing to do with herdsmen-farmer clashes. It is false," he added. "We don't like to use the [term] 'Fulani herdsmen', we like to use 'Fulani jihadists,' who are under the guise of herdsmen." In his statement to Buhari, Datiri further pointed out that as many as 38,000 Christians were forced to flee to camps for displaced people, with 30 church buildings and 4,436 Christian homes destroyed in the state, all in the space of half a year. The Church of Christ in Nigeria president accused Nigerian military forces of not only failing to contain the radicals, but of being complicit in some of the attacks. Are we to believe that the armed forces sent to keep peace go with the instructions to protect them? he asked. The implication is that they protect the aggressors and leave the victims mercilessly helpless. On his part, Buhari did not dispute the statistics of violence in Plateau state, but said that the different communities must live together in harmony. It is not all Muslims that are against Christians, and neither are all Christians against Muslims, the president said. In our security arrangement, the police are in the frontline in making sure that communities irrespective of ethnic or religious bias live together in peace. 2,000-year-old ring discovered bearing name of Pontius Pilate A ring discovered 50 years ago has reignited excitement among archaeologists after new research revealed a possible connection to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea who tried Jesus. The 2,000-year-old stamping ring bears the inscription 'of Pilatus' in Greek letters and was one of many artefacts found during excavations at Herod's burial tomb half a century ago. Professor Gideon Forster from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem discovered the copper ring during a dig in the 1960s but it is only recently that researchers using advanced photography were able to decipher the inscription, reports the New York Times. The ring, which was also etched with the picture of a wine vessel, would have been used by officials to seal and stamp documents. The newspaper reports that it is only the second artifact to have been discovered from that period bearing Pilate's name. The location of the discovery at Herod's fortress, near Bethlehem in the West Bank, makes the clue all the more tantalising as Roman officials stationed at Jerusalem may also have been buried at the site. Professor Danny Schwartz told Haaretz that the name 'Pilatus' was not common at the time. 'I don't know of any other Pilatus from the period and the ring shows he was a person of stature and wealth,' he said. The report, published last week in the Israel Exploration Journal, held back from stating a direct link with Pontius Pilate. 'We think it implausible that a prefect would have used a simple, all-metal, copper-alloy personal sealing ring with a motif that was already a well-known Jewish motif in Judea before and during his rule,' the report says. However, Roi Porat, one of the authors of the report commented to The Times of Israel, 'But in practice, we have a ring inscribed with the name Pilate and the personal connection just cries out.' Mission to Seafarers expands into Panama after signing historic agreement Mission to Seafarers has become the first seafaring welfare charity to operate in Panama after signing a deal with the Panama Maritime Authority. Under the terms of the agreement, the Christian charity will provide seafarer welfare services to the crews of ships docked in Panama's ports. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in London by the Rev Canon Andrew Wright, Secretary General of Mission to Seafarers, and Jorge Barakat Pitty, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP). The agreement allows Mission to Seafarers to provide welfare services at Panama's major ports, including the Panama Canal, one of the busiest waterways in the world connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Speaking after the signing ceremony, Rev Wright said: 'We are proud of our global network of seafarers' centres, which spans over 200 ports and 50 countries, and today's agreement is a vital piece in this jigsaw, given the importance of Panama as a maritime hub and the essential role of the Panama Canal in international shipping. 'We are grateful to the Panama Maritime Authority for their support for seafarer welfare and their commitment to ensuring that all crews in Panamanian waters have access to welfare and wellbeing services. 'This agreement between the Mission and the Panama Maritime Authority will enable the many thousands of seafarers who pass through the Panama Canal and who call at Panama's ports to have access to our wide range of professional chaplaincy services, whenever they need it.' Peers say UK's position on Asia Bibi is a 'serious betrayal' Peers have strongly criticised the Government over its handling of Asia Bibi's plea for asylum. The Christian mother-of-five is being persecuted by hardliners in Pakistan after being freed from death row last month. The UK is among several Western countries that her family has sought asylum from but so far, no concrete offer has been made and she remains in Pakistan. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Theresa May denied reports that she had refused to offer Bibi asylum on the grounds that it would stir up tensions among British Muslims. Responding to a question from Zac Goldsmith, she said the Conservative MP 'should not necessarily believe everything he reads in the papers'. 'The position that the Government take is very clear: our prime concern must be the safety and security of Asia Bibi and her family, and we want to see a swift resolution of the situation,' she said. 'Obviously, there is a primary function for the courts and Government in Pakistan. The Prime Minister, Imran Khan, has publicly supported the Supreme Court and has promised to uphold the rule of law, while providing continued protection for Asia Bibi. 'We could approach this in two ways. We could go out there and say something, just to show that the UK is doing that, or we could ask what is right for Asia Bibi. We are working with others in the international community and with the Pakistani Government to ensure that our prime aimthe safety and security of Asia Bibi and her familyis provided for.' But on Friday, several peers including Lord Alton of Liverpool and Baroness Cox wrote in The Times that a failure to offer her asylum would be a 'serious betrayal'. 'Britain's position indicates a serious betrayal of our time-honoured commitment to offer asylum to those in need,' they said. 'It also undermines our belief in justice, human rights, the rule of law and religious freedom, and risks us falling foul of, and succumbing to, blackmail.' The Government has previously come under fire from former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who said Bibi had an 'overwhelming claim for compassion from the British government'. 'I am well aware, as a former Foreign Secretary, of the constant threat to our overseas missions, but we cannot allow the threat of violence to deter us from doing the right thing,' he said in a letter to Home Secretary Sajid Javid. The failure to offer asylum also prompted the resignation of Rehman Chishti as Conservative Party Vice Chairman and the Prime Minister's trade envoy to Pakistan. 'What I found shocking, is that the British Government is failing to put into practice the core values that our country stands for; religious freedom, justice, morally doing the right thing, and that when we see injustice where an individual's life is in clear danger and they have been persecuted for their faith, we do all that we can to help them,' he wrote in his resignation letter. 'The Government should not wait to see if another country offers sanctuary, we should have had the conviction to lead on this matter and offer sanctuary ourselves straight away.' Lubys on Friday said its board of directors will vote their shares in support of the companys current leadership and strategy, setting up a proxy fight with an activist investor seeking to wrest control of the struggling restaurant chain. The Houston company said it is reviewing a letter submitted this week by Bandera Partners, a New York hedge fund and longtime Lubys investor concerned with the companys direction amid growing competition from fast-casual restaurants. The hedge fund nominated five candidates to improve the board with fresh, independent faces, according to its letter. Members of Lubys nine-member board of directors are elected to a one-year term every year at the companys annual shareholders meeting, which is expected to take place in January or February. Lubys in its statement Friday said it was surprised by Banderas nominations, which came a few days after the hedge fund approached the restaurant chains board demanding that it replace a third of its members and appoint Banderas co-founder Jeff Gramm; his father and former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm; and one of Banderas close business associates to the board. Related: Lubys stock falls as it misses regulatory filing deadline The restaurant chain said Bandera didnt give its board enough time to review and discuss the hedge funds proposed candidates. Bandera gave the board only 48 hours to agree to their demands, Lubys said. Lubys has hired Sidley Austin, a Chicago-based law firm as it prepares for a proxy fight with Bandera. The hedge fund earlier this week nominated five board candidates: Jeff Gramm; Phil Gramm; Stacy Hock, chairwoman of Texans for Education Opportunity; Savneet Singh, a partner at New York asset management firm CoVenture; and Brian Wright, the CEO of Massachusetts-based Bertuccis Italian Restaurants. Bandera declined to comment pending a formal proxy statement. In its public letter on Tuesday, Bandera said it had reached out to Lubys CEO Christopher Pappas and several directors about getting its candidates on the board and only received a response from one director. To date, almost four weeks after I responsibly engaged with the company, Lubys has evaded substantive discussion, Jeff Gramm wrote in the letter. Lubys, founded in San Antonio in 1947, is known for its cafeteria-style restaurants serving comfort foods, such as the LuAnn Platter. Luby's has struggled in recent years to draw diners to its cafeteria concept. The company reported a loss of $33.6 million this fiscal year, which ended in August, and its stock has lost two-thirds of its value since January. Luby's stock ended the trading day Friday at $1.52 a share, down from its peak of around $25 in 1993. The company has a stock market value of around $45 million. Since 2001, the chain has been led by Christopher Pappas and and his brother, Harris, founders of Houston-based Pappas Restaurants. The company moved to Houston in 2004. Related: Lubys closes 21 restaurants amid lackluster sales The Pappas brothers control more than 35 percent of the Lubys stock. Lubys in a statement Friday said each of its board members has committed to vote their shares in accordance with the boards formal recommendations on candidates, which is expected in the coming weeks. Christopher Pappas and Harris Pappas and the entire Board continue to support the Company's strategy and plans as have been previously disclosed, Lubys said. Bandera, which has invested in restaurant chains such as Famous Daves BBQ, has owned Lubys stock for more than a decade and currently owns 8.9 percent of Lubys outstanding shares. Its impending proxy fight with Lubys would be the first the hedge fund has led. Jeff Gramm is the author of Dear Chairman, a book on activist investors. He sits on the board of Indiana-based Morgans Foods with James Pappas, an activist investor and son of Lubys CEO Chris Pappas. Last year, Bandera joined Jeff Pappass Houston-based fund, JCP Investment Management, in a proxy fight against Fiesta Restaurant Group, a Dallas-based company that owns Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana. That proxy fight was ultimately unsuccessful. paul.takahashi@chron.com twitter.com/paultakahashi New rules allowing a greater number of liquefied natural gas tankers to pass through the Panama Canal per day are expected to boost the development of the multibillion dollar industry along the U.S. Gulf Coast. The rules went into effect in October. Canal officials now allow two LNG tankers traveling in opposite directions to be in the waterways central lake at the same time. The canal opened to LNG tankers in June 2016, but administrators had limited that traffic to one tanker per day during daylight hours. Jorge Barakat, minister of maritime affairs for the Panama Maritime Authority, said that as many as four to five LNG tankers have passed through the canal in a single day. The Panama Maritime Authority registers ships traveling through the canal. LNG is very important for the Panama Canal, said Barakat, while in Houston for Panama Week Texas, an annual event to promote business ties between the state and Central American nation. Its increasing the amount of vessels that transit through the canal. The new rules come ahead of the LNG industrys anticipated expansion along the U.S. Gulf Coast. The Houston company Cheniere Energy has emerged at the canals top customer among LNG exporters, moving cargoes from its Sabine Pass processing plant in Louisiana through the canal to customers in Asia. Cheniere moved 62 shipments going through the Panama Canal last year. Cheniere declined to comment. Chenieres Corpus Christi LNG export terminal and one in Brazoria County owned by Freeport LNG of Houston are expected to begin commercial shipments in 2019. Nearly a dozen other companies, including another Houston company, Tellurian, are seeking permits to build even more export terminals. The LNG plants are getting built to take advantage of flood of natural gas from U.S. shale formations and growing demand from power plants in Asia. Barakat said the majority of LNG tankers passing through the canal are headed to destinations in China, Japan, South Korea and the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Panama always strives to support that activity, Barakat said. The most important role we have is to support more transit through the Panama Canal. sergio.chapa@chron.com @SergioChapa on Twitter ParisJournalists are increasingly becoming easy targets for organized crime, with more than 30 killed worldwide over the last two years, a media watchdog warned Thursday. The Mob has spread its tentacles around the globe faster than all the multinationals combined, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in a new report on the dangers. From Beijing to Moscow, from Tijuana to Bogota, from Malta to Slovakia, investigative journalists who shed light on the deals that involve organized crime unleash the wrath of gangsters, whose common feature is an aversion to any publicity unless they control it, said the reports author, French investigative journalist Frederic Ploquin. He said the only way to counter the threat was for reporters to work together to protect each other. The biggest danger was in investigating corruption, Ploquin said, now that ruthless crime groups had established a kind of pact with the state in many countries, to the point that you cannot tell where one stops and the other begins. How is it possible that Mexicos drug cartels sprout like mushrooms without the support of part of the states apparatus? asked RSF after nine of the 14 journalists murdered worldwide in 2017 by organized crime groups were killed there.Eight more have already died so far in 2018. Three reporters were also killed this year in Brazil and three more elsewhere in Latin America. An Indian journalist who was investigating his countrys sand mafia was run over by a truck. The toll has also become worrying in Europe, the report said, with journalists assassinated in Russia, Slovakia, and Malta since 2017. Both Daphne Caruana Galizia, killed last year by a car bomb in Malta, and Jan Kuciak, shot with his girlfriend in Slovakia in February, had been looking into the Italian Mafia and its links with local politicians. In 2017 alone, 196 Italian journalists were said to have had some kind of protection, with a dozen including Roberto Saviano, the author of the bestselling book Gomorroa on the Naples crime syndicate the Camorra, living under permanent police guard. Hundreds of lawyers are involved in the opioid crisis. Each represents various corporate interests or injured plaintiffs seeking to sue, and all of them expect to be paid big money. Then there is Kerstin Arnold, who may be the single most important Texas lawyer involved in the opioid epidemic. As general counsel of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, Arnold is arguably the most influential and knowledgeable attorney on issues of public health and the pharmaceutical industry in Texas. During the past two decades, she helped rewrite state regulations for pharmacies and pharmacists, guided cutting-edge reforms through the Texas Legislature, led a crackdown on illegal internet prescription operations and presided over thousands of investigations and enforcement actions. Now, Arnold says she and her agency are in a battle of a lifetime involving opioid abuse. It is bad - it causes me to lose a lot of sleep, she said. Between 170 and 190 people are dying daily [in the U.S.]. Thats the equivalent to a 737 jetliner crashing every day. But legal industry analysts say that Arnold and her team are quietly enacting significant reforms to the state's prescription drug databases and monitoring programs that are showing definite signs of success. Kerstin is passionate about protecting the public health and safety of the citizens of Texas, said Gracie Renbarger of the Texas General Counsel Forum, which recently honored Arnold for her two decades of legal work at the state Pharmacy Board. Arnold oversees a staff of six lawyers and 10 legal assistants. She and her office receives more than 6,000 complaints annually and handles more than 500 disciplinary cases a year against pharmacies, pharmacists and technicians. About half of the disputes involve pharmacists or their technicians engaging in illegal activity, such as stealing drugs or falsifying records. Another 25 percent of the cases deal with various forms of malpractice, including dispensing errors or failing to provide proper counseling. Since joining the state Pharmacy Board in 1999, Arnold has faced several huge challenged. In 2002, the internet turned the pharmaceutical world upside down, as hundreds of websites started popping up selling prescription drugs. Most of the pharmacy websites first focused on selling Viagra and hydrocodone, she said. It seemed like the crooks were ahead of us every step of the way. As soon as we figured out what they were doing and shut them down, they would change their method of operation. Arnold and her team conducted scores of undercover sting operations by ordering drugs from these websites to see if the drugs arrived from a Texas pharmacist or a pharmacist licensed in Texas. "If they, she said, "we shut them down." In September 2012, Arnold received reports of an outbreak of fungal meningitis in Texas after receiving steroid injections. People in Texas and everywhere started dying, she said. We discovered that the steroid injections from one specific pharmacy, the New England Compounding Center, were contaminated and mislabeled. I had to learn everything I could as quickly as I could about sterile compounding. Arnold became one of the nations leading experts on the legal issues and regulations regarding sterile compounding. Seventy-six people died. More than 800 others were severely sick. NECC was shutdown and paid a $200 million settlement to the victims. Fourteen of the companys employees, including its president and chief pharmacist, went to federal prison. For six to nine months, it was huge - one of the worst public health tragedies in U.S. history, she said. But everything else pales in comparison to the opioid crisis. The opioid crisis is a huge crisis beyond comprehension, she said. We have seen people hurting their pets so that their vets would give them the drugs. In 2015 and 2016, Arnold worked with the Texas Legislature to move the states Prescription Monitoring Program from the Texas Department of Safety to the Texas Board of Pharmacy. The difference is that we look at the monitoring program as a clinical tool and approach the problem as a healthcare focus instead of a law enforcement focus, she said. It was a big challenge to get the program working as we needed it, but we have improved the program dramatically, she said. Doctors, dentists, veterinarians and others are able to more easily review electronically the substances prescribed to the patients. Arnold also helped Texas implement the NarX Score, which provides pharmacists a quick summary of patient histories of drug prescriptions and evaluates potential abuses or even a likelihood of overdose. NarX is simply designed to provide analytics or a score to pharmacists indicating whether the patient may have a problem, she said. Legal industry analysts say that Arnold's experience and reputation as a national expert on pharmacy law qualifies her for elite legal positions in the private sector that would pay her up to 10 times her current $130,000 salary. Im happy where I am, Arnold told The Texas Lawbook in an exclusive interview. It is extremely rewarding to do what I am doing, trying to change the world for the better. For a longer version of this article, visit TexasLawbook.net. Over 30 million Mexicans voted for Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in the countrys July 1 presidential election, handing the former Mexico City mayor a landslide victory over three opponents with 53 percent of the vote. Lopez Obradors agenda to root out corruption, reduce violence, rethink Mexicos gas and energy policy, welcome migrants and spur growth in impoverished areas is ambitious in this traditionally conservative Latin American nation. Lopez Obrador has run for president twice on a similar platform, in 2006 and 2012. He lost both times. To win this year, Lopez Obradors young Morena party joined forces with several smaller parties from both right and left to build a triumphant but strange electoral coalition called Juntos Haremos Historia, or Together Well Make History. The people now charged with turning Lopez Obradors promises into policy when he takes office in December will come from wildly disparate backgrounds, including social progressives, pragmatic business tycoons, evangelical Christians and committed Marxists. The coalition even made room for high-level defectors from all three mainstream Mexican political parties, including the Institutional Revolutionary Party of the outgoing current president, Enrique Pena Nieto. Lopez Obrador has promised to transform Mexico. With such a wildly varied team behind him, can he actually deliver? The PRI's pragmatic legacy Mexican voters punished Pena Nieto and his party, called el PRI for its Spanish acronym, for promoting corruption, allowing deep inequality to fester and turning a blind eye to the countrys ferocious violence. PRI candidate Jose Antonio Meade received just 16 percent of votes on July 1. But, as a political analyst born and raised in Mexico, its hard not to notice that Lopez Obradors new ideologically muddled Morena party looks an awful lot like the old PRI. Until the disastrous presidency of Pena Nieto, who is finishing out his six-year term with a 21 percent approval rate, the PRI was an extraordinarily powerful, adaptable and resilient political machine. It ruled Mexico almost uncontested for nearly a century. The PRI emerged from the unrest that followed the Mexican Revolution, which ended in 1920. Ten years of civil war left Mexico with a devastated countryside and perhaps 2 million dead. For years afterward, dozens of powerful militia-backed strongmen, or caudillos, vied for power. To stabilize the country, President Plutarco Elias Calles in 1929 created a political party, the National Revolutionary Party, with the explicit aim of distributing power among the surviving revolutionary caudillos. It would later rebrand as the Partido Revolucionario Institucional, or PRI. Calles wanted his party to be ideologically indeterminate, because he thought a broad-based political organization would discipline and unify the caudillos without threatening their personal political interests. So he instructed aides drafting the new partys platform and bylaws to synthesize fascism, communism and the ideological principles behind the American, English and French political systems. Calles particularly admired how Benito Mussolini organized Italian workers and business owners into state-sponsored labor collectives to prevent class conflict and quash social unrest. Versatile and authoritarian This model allowed Calles to establish a versatile, hybrid governance system. The PRI successfully incorporated, moderated and controlled different interest groups. The PRI was the party of workers and peasants, of professionals and bureaucrats. When political conflicts occurred, such as two party members vying to lead the same state, party leaders would mandate an internal arbitration. The losing party was rewarded for his loyalty with hard cash or political favor. Backroom negotiations and corruption became the governing style of Mexico. It was a winning strategy. The PRI ran Mexico uncontested from 1929 until 2000. Political scientist Giovanni Sartori called the PRI a pragmatic-hegemonic party a regime that dominates by being practical and operative. Its only ideology was power. The PRI was also authoritarian, sometimes brutally so. During its nearly 80-year reign, dissidents disappeared and student protesters were gunned down. Journalists were bought off. In 2000, Vicente Fox, of the center-right National Action Party, became modern Mexicos first non-PRI president. The PRI soon returned to power, putting Pena Nieto in office in 2012. Very strange bedfellows Superficially, Lopez Obradors Morena party looks nothing like the PRI. Morena nominally has a clear ideology. According to party literature, it is a left-wing political organization. The president-elects promises to govern for the poor and to respect human rights are classically leftist. So it made sense when Lopez Obrador recruited the Mexican Labor Party, a collection of Maoist activists who revere the Chinese Communist Party, to join his electoral coalition earlier this year. More difficult to understand was his decision to appoint as advisers high-level defectors from Foxs conservative National Action Party and from the PRI itself. Those who thought of Lopez Obrador as a leftist were most troubled by Morenas alliance with another party, the Social Encounter Party. This fundamentalist evangelical party opposes legalizing same-sex marriage and abortion in Mexico both issues Lopez Obrador says he supports. When questioned about his alliances, Lopez Obrador simply responds that Morena welcomes all women and men of goodwill who want to transform Mexico. Mandate for change Together, the parties in Lopez Obradors coalition won 69 of 128 Senate seats, giving it a narrow majority. Seven of those seats belong to the Social Encounter Party. Morena-affiliated candidates won 307 of 500 seats in Mexicos lower house, the Chamber of Deputies. Of those, 55 went to the Social Encounter Party. The Morena candidates for mayor of Mexico City and four state governors were also elected. Morena now dominates most state legislatures. (continue below...) Constitutionally, Lopez Obrador will have the power to replace up to two justices on Mexicos Supreme Court and to pass Constitutional amendments almost unopposed. Recently, aides to Lopez Obrador suggested that truly transforming Mexico might require rewriting its Constitution. That requires a two-thirds legislative majority, which Lopez Obrador could attain by winning over just a handful of deputies and senators outside his coalition. Critics fear that Lopez Obrador might seek to abolish the single six-year presidential term limit established in Mexicos Constitution a suggestion the president-elect denies. But most Mexicans seem more excited than concerned about Lopez Obradors strange bedfellows and substantial powers. Back in April, 89 percent of Mexicans believed the country was on the wrong track, according to IPSOS polling. Post-election, a survey by the newspaper El Financiero found, 65 percent feel optimistic about Mexicos future. Is Morena the new PRI? The president-elect ran as a political outsider, but he is a career politician. Like most Mexican politicians of a certain age, Lopez Obrador was once a member of the PRI, from 1976 to 1983. He ran for president as a candidate of another party, the Revolutionary Democratic Party. He understands exactly how the PRI dominated Mexican politics for so long. Like PRI founder Calles before him, Lopez Obrador has built a hybrid political machine designed to unite powerful political elites regardless of ideology. According to Morenas declaration of principles, the party is an open, plural and inclusive space for the participation of Mexicans from all social classes and diverse thought currents, religions and cultures. The only requirement for joining Morena, notes Mexican political theorist Jesus Silva-Herzog, is to obey Lopez Obradors leadership. Where will that leadership take Mexico? *** Luis Gomez Romero is a Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory at the University of Wollongong. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. For comments or to pitch to this blog, write to Olivia P. Tallet. The 71st annual United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots toy drive kicked off Oct. 1, but local coordinator Morris Diehl of Conroe said there is a shortage with the holiday quickly approaching. The Conroe Salvation Army reported it is also low on funds for Christmas. Diehl said Toys for Tots is about 5,000 toys short to provide a goal of about 47,000 toys to 11,500 children in five counties due to a lack of donations. About 80 percent of those children reside in Montgomery County. On his local campaign page, he has already received 1,000 applications for Montgomery County children, although he said there are numerous more applications that have been received outside of his webpage. This year, $36,000 has already been spent out of the local Toys for Tots account. There are a lot more applications that I cant supply toys to right now, he said Friday. We are going to have to deny some children because we dont have the toys. There is nothing worse at Christmas than looking and seeing you have nothing, because I have been there before. The first week of October, Diehl reported he received 99 applications for almost 400 children, who will receive four toys each. After being inundated with applications following Harvey last year, the Toys for Tots drive provided 47,500 toys to children in Montgomery, Walker, San Jacinto, Liberty, and Polk counties. While there has not been a hurricane this year, he said there is still an increase in the need. I dont know if the economy is bad for those on the fringe but I am getting them from places I never have before, Diehl said. Each year he sees more than a 5 percent increase in need and anticipates more applications again this year. While Diehl prioritizes donations to the county it is made in, he said if there is a shortage in other counties, some of the toys may be distributed elsewhere in an effort help children in those other areas. However, he said there is additional need this year as Toys for Tots has lost a big partner, Toys R Us, also resulting in a loss of both toy and cash donations. He emphasized selecting the local option on the toysfortots.org website to ensure funds go toward the local need, otherwise the funds will go toward the national campaign. If you can donate either monetarily or with new toys, our local campaign can be found at toysfortots.org, Diehl stated. It will provide you with directions on where to donate toys or donate monetary gifts to help purchase new toys locally. Diehls contact information is provided on other local websites. Business and organizations can also sign up to be a donation site or host an event to collect toys. Toys for Tots also teams up with partners such as the Salvation Army in Conroe, Intercept Ministries in Magnolia, social services, foster care, and other partners including in Cleveland, Coldspring, Shepherd, and The Woodlands. While the Salvation Army in Conroe provides a shelter and meals throughout the year, it also serves Christmas to more than 4,500 children and 500 seniors in need. In previous years, the community has helped raise more than $400,000 to help the Salvation Army provide Christmas and avoid making difficult budget decisions to be able to accomplish the annual holiday goal. Major Don Wildish said there are currently about 3,500 applications and $125,000 raised out of the $425,000 goal this year. He said that is only about 80 percent of the applications as he anticipates, similar to last year, another 900-1,000 applications of children will be received. We still have a long-ways to go to reach our goal and meet the overwhelming amount of need here in Montgomery County to provide Christmas to every child we know about, Wildish said. The fear my wife and I have each Christmas is that there will be a child that will wake up on Christmas morning and simply wont have anything-- no gift, no Christmas tree, nothing that will share with that child that you are important and somebody cares about you. this time of year every child needs to know that somebody cares about them. He asks the community to consider helping by adopting an angel that can be found at the Angel Tree in The Woodlands Mall or at private corporations, and encouraged asking businesses whether or not they are involved in the Angel Tree Program. Monetary donations can be mailed to the Salvation Army at P.O. Box 897, Conroe, TX 77305. For more information about the Angel Tree Program and the Salvation Army, call 936-760-2440 or visit http://salvationarmyhouston.org/conroe. mellsworth@hcnonline.com Malacanang assured the public the Duterte administration would continue to make significant stride to, noting the latest Social Weather Stations survey on crime victimization was much higher by 0.7 percent compared to the second quarter SWS survey. Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo said despite the slight increase, Filipinos felt much safer now because of the governments stance against criminals and drug pushers. We take note of the 2018 3rd quarter survey showing 6.1 percent of families reporting crime victimization within the past six months. This figure is identical to the statistic for the same period in the previous year, Panelo said in a statement. The Palace official said significant strides had been made by the current administration through its war against criminality, including those related to illegal drugs. While noting the SWS report, Panelo said President Rodrigo Dutertes campaign against criminality and illegal narcotics shall be pursued until the last day of his term to ensure that our streets are completely safe from criminals, drug personalities and other rogue elements. The Palace official said those disagreeing against the Presidents policies were either people connected with illegal activities or politicians belonging to the opposition, as well as their blind followers, who could not accept the feats of the government. This achievement, however, will not render us complacent, he added.According to the SWS report, about 1.4 million families or 6.1 percent said they were victimized by common crimes such as pickpocketing or robbery, break-ins, carnapping, and physical violence in the past 6 months. This is higher than the 1.2 million families or 5.3 percent that reported victimization by common crimes in June this year. More families at 1.3 million also said they were victimized by property crimes such as street robbery, burglary, and carnapping, within the past 6 months, higher than the 1.2 million families in June. Majority were victims of street robbery at 1.1 million families, higher than the 930,000 in June 2018. SWS added more families at 159,000 also reported physical violence within the past 6 months, higher than the estimated 50,000 families reported in June. For the fifth time in less than 2 years, inspectors flagged the Harris County jail for failing to meet state standards after a week-long visit revealed lukewarm food and bug-infested cells. While the last few compliance failures centered on shortcomings in inmate observation and supervision, Friday's finding stemmed from a surprise annual inspection at the 9,000-person local lock-up - which was still out of compliance from the last bad review. "We take the care, custody and control of our inmate population seriously, and our team is committed to bringing the jail back into full compliance in the very near future," Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in statement. "We respect the jail commission's findings and will work diligently to correct each issue identified by the inspectors." The latest Texas Commission on Jail Standards inspection included 23 areas of review - everything from intake to education to visitation procedures. In 21 of those areas, the jail met the state's minimum standards. But when it came to sanitation and food service, inspectors found that the jail fell short. During facility walk-throughs, inspectors spotted debris-strewn cells with "excessive trash," according to a state report. At one of the buildings - the Inmate Processing Center - the state team found ant and roaches in some of the cells. Then, during a visit to the 1200 Baker Street building, officials fielded numerous inmate complaints about lukewarm food. After sampling temperatures in a few trays, inspectors discovered the hot meals weren't hot enough - a finding that echoed the results of an inspection in January. Now, the county jail's compliance team will be required to conduct daily tray inspections. READ MORE: State finds Harris County jail out of compliance after 2nd suicide in a month Though it didn't rise to the level of non-compliance, officials also noted problems with the fire alarm panels in the 701 San Jacinto building. The issue was corrected on-site before inspectors finished out their week. To address the unfavorable findings, Gonzalez ordered an internal review, according to a sheriff's office release. The string of non-compliances started back in February 2017 with the suicide of 32-year-old Vincent Dwayne Young. Jailers hadn't checked on Young for over an hour when they found him in his cell hanging from a bed sheet. Afterward, the sheriff's office sought funding to install more surveillance cameras in health services cells and put in place a new policy requiring random weekly audits to make sure jailers were really doing rounds as often as required. But the facility was still in non-compliance when the state chastised them again in April 2017, this time for leaving inmates in a transport van overnight. Then in December, the jail racked up another non-compliance when Maytham Alsaedy killed himself in his cell just a week before he was scheduled to plead guilty to capital murder. The mentally ill stabbing suspect was already housed in a unit for inmates with serious and persistent mental illnesses, but the facility failed to meet minimum standards because a jailer doing rounds didn't bother to make the 26-year-old remove newspaper covering a cell window - so staff didn't actually lay eyes on the man or see what he was doing. Then in August, Debora Lyons hanged herself with a bed sheet in a common area of the jail, marking the second suicide in a matter of weeks. She'd been locked up on a theft charge and couldn't make the $1,500 bail set by Judge Jim Wallace. According to a source familiar with the case, she had threatened suicide at least once in the days before her death. Afterward, the county submitted a corrective action plan, but state officials hadn't yet marked the jail compliant with that plan when they showed up Monday for an annual inspection. By the end of the week, officials decided the lock-up had come into compliance regarding the earlier bad finding - but instead reviewers found the sanitation and food service issues that sparked the latest non-compliance. Now, the jail has 30 days to file a corrective action plan with the state. Though there are roughly two dozen jails currently out of compliance with state standards, Jail Commission Executive Director Brandon Wood said that five such findings in two years is "higher than normal." A state district judge Friday evening granted a temporary restraining order blocking the implementation of a voter-approved charter amendment requiring the city of Houston to grant its firefighters pay parity with police officers of similar rank and experience. State District Judge Kristen Brauchle Hawkins granted the TRO Friday night at the request of the Houston Police Officers Union, which filed a lawsuit earlier in the day against the city and the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association. The judge set a hearing for Dec. 14. The fire union opposed the TRO request, but lawyers for the city did not. The HPOU lawsuit seeks to block Proposition B, arguing it amounts to an unconstitutional amendment to Houstons charter and was void from the start. Despite dire warnings that the amendment would cost the city between $85 and $100 million, requiring drastic cuts to city services, including fire fighters and police, the measure passed, HPOU attorney Kelly Sandill told the judge. The police unions lawyer also said firefighters do not have the same skill set as police, and they should not be lumped into the same pool, adding theres nothing fair and equitable about the pay-parity amendment. The 25-page lawsuit argues the charter amendment is unconstitutional because it directly conflicts with state law requiring firefighters be paid comparable to private sector employees. It also contends that the measure conflicts with state law because it ties firefighter compensation to those of other public sector employees, and notes that policing and firefighting do not require the same or similar skills, ability, and training. The measure undermines and interferes with HPOUs right to collectively bargain, because both HPOU and the City are forced to consider the economic effect of a third-partys interjecting interests, the lawsuit states. It also argues the requirements of Prop B put the HPOU in the position of representing firefighters who had not chosen the union to represent them and who do not have the same responsibilities as police. The suit also claims Prop B runs contrary to Local Government Code mandates that say police and fire departments are separate collective bargaining units unless they voluntarily join together for collective bargaining with a public employer. We would have preferred to address these issues in court prior to Proposition B being voted on, but under state law, this is the earliest opportunity we have had to assert these claims, HPOU President Joe Gamaldi said in an emailed statement. Regardless, we believe that it is critical to stop the implementation of Proposition B. Its sudden and drastic financial impact puts all essential city services at risk, including fire and police protection. In response to the lawsuit and TRO, the firefighters union issued a statement blasting Mayor Sylvester Turner and the HPOU. This throw-down lawsuit by the Houston Police Officers Union proves again that it is a willing political pawn of a vindictive mayor, said HPFFA President Marty Lancton. Sylvester Turner simply refuses to respect the will of the voters and now the HPOU is forcing its members into costly litigation that follows their expensive, failed anti-Prop B campaign. The fire unions statement notes that earlier this week, city council approved $500,000 for outside lawyers to advise the city on legal issues surrounding Prop B after saying the city attorneys office did not have the resources. In court today, the city had at least six staff attorneys on hand, along with outside counsel, to defend the HPOU litigation, it said. This cynical, Sylvester Turner-orchestrated legal play proves that the mayor, the eight city council members that voted to spend taxpayer funds on this wasteful litigation, and HPOU President Joe Gamaldi apparently will do almost anything to defy the will of the voters. After voters approved the parity measure Nov. 6, the fire union and Lancton publicly have urged Turner and the city to return to the negotiating table to work out a contract that could phase in the firefighter raises. Turner has rejected the idea, saying the city needed a judge to decide whether a collective bargaining agreement could supersede a voter-approved charter amendment. The fire union and some legal experts say it can. Cris Feldman, the firefighter unions attorney, called the lawsuit a ruse. Its not a real lawsuit, he said. Its an attempt to circumvent the true adversarial process that the courts are in place for and for the city to flop once the police sue over this charter amendment. This was an utter waste of taxpayer money. Fridays court proceedings were delayed for several hours after 234th District Judge Wesley Ward interrupted HPOUs attorney mid-argument to make a phone call and then indicated he would have to withdraw from the case. Ward, a Republican who lost his reelection bid Nov. 6, reportedly told attorneys in his chambers that he had a conflict of interest because he planned to join the law firm where a lawyer representing the city in the case works. Hawkins replaced Ward, and ruled in HPOUs favor following about an hour of arguments. The Turner administration says the pay parity referendum, which passed decisively after a bitter campaign that pitted Turner and the HPOU against the fire union, will cost the city an additional $100 million a year to bring firefighter salaries in line with those paid to police of corresponding rank and seniority. The police union was among the most vocal opponents of Prop B, pouring thousands of dollars into political ads urging voters to reject the measure. RELATED: Mayor Turner seeks law firm to advise on possible Prop B litigation For months, Turner has warned that the city would need to lay off hundreds of employees, including firefighters, if voters approved the measure. It passed with 59 percent of the vote. In the wake of the amendments passage, Turner announced HFD would hire no new firefighters and ordered Fire Chief Sam Pena to draft a plan to move the department from four shifts to three, perhaps eliminating hundreds of positions. In a statement issued by the mayors office Friday, Turner reiterated the possibility of layoffs. Let me remind everyone there is at least a $100 (million) cost every year to the passage of Prop B, which the city cannot afford, Turner said. It would lead to significant layoffs and a reduction of services. Some of those layoffs could involved police officers and firefighters. The city cannot afford to lose one first responder for public safety purposes, he continued. I believe people understand that. Placing the matter in court will clear up the issue of whether state law makes the proposition invalid. gabrielle.banks@chron.com st.john.smith@chron.com brian.rogers@chron.com Presley Babb was named third runner up in the Miss Tomball pageant in 2017. After competing again this year, she won. A senior at Tomball High School, Babb, 18, said she was nervous when she first competed in front of a large crowd of people, but wanted to have fun the second time. After competing for two years, my confidence levels have skyrocketed. Im not nervous talking in front of people anymore. I think its been a great experience to build up those skills, she said. One of the highlights of the pageant was getting to know the other 26 girls who also competed, she said. The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce awards scholarships to winners and four other participants. Babb said that she is currently applying to universities and intends to major in biology or pre-medicine. She hopes to eventually pursue a career in medicine. Im actually really interested in surgery. I think I would like to go into pediatrics, maybe, she said. Part of Babbs duties as Miss Tomball will include making appearances with the chamber and highlighting volunteer opportunities. While part of her title includes being an ambassador for Tomball, she said she also wants to encourage her friends and others to compete in the pageant. Even after Im Miss Tomball, I hope that the kids I visit will want to be Miss Tomball one day. I just hope to leave a positive impact on people and represent Tomball in a positive light, she said. mayra.cruz@chron.com Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., a former member of the House of Representatives, took to Twitter Saturday to express his dismay over theon kidnapping and human trafficking charges. Human trafficking? Bullsh*t, Locsin said in a tweet. READ: Ocampo nabbed for transporting 14 minors At the same time, the Commission on Human Rights said it had launched an inquiry into the alleged detention of Ocampo and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro in Talaingod, Davao del Norte since Wednesday. CHR chairperson Chito Gason told a news conference in Quezon City the agency had sent quick-response and fact-finding teams in Talaingod to investigate whether or not the rights of Ocampo, Castro, and their colleagues were violated. There was no immediate comment from the security and police authorities. Locsin vouched for Ocampo, saying the 79-year-old activist had been hounded by warrants of arrest since they were lawmakers. I wont even bother to get the other side. I know Satur. We protected him in our Congress against warrants of arrest, he said. In related developments: Ocampos wife Carolina Malayon charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. Ocampo, a former Bayan Muna Party-list lawmaker, along with Castro were charged Friday with kidnapping and human trafficking over the transport of minors in Davao del Norte.Malay said in Filipino: Everyone is laughing at the absurdities of our government but we have to do more than just laugh. Ocampo, Castro, and 15 others were stopped at a police checkpoint in Talaingod town around 10 p.m. on Wednesday after they were found carrying 14 minors, reportedly students of the Salugpungan Learning Center, a school for Lumad children. Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao slammed Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo for saying that due process was being accorded to those arrested. On Friday, Panelo said due process was being accorded to Ocampo and Castro to give them the opportunity to file counter affidavits to refute the allegations against them. Casilao said Saturday countercharges would be filed against military and police who, he claimed, attached and detained Ocampo et al. The Palace spokesman also reminded critics that the rule of law must always prevail in a democracy. Both Locsin and Ocampo were members of the House of Representatives from 2001 to 2010. Locsin was elected as Makati representative for three consecutive terms, while Ocampo was Bayan Muna Party-list representative. Ocampos group said it was delivering school supplies to indigenous communities, but police officials said the arrest stemmed from complaints of parents and tribal leaders in the province, said Chief Supt. Benigno Durana, Philippine National Police spokesperson. You cannot bring anybodys children without the authority or consent of the parents, Durana told ANCs Early Edition. READ: Saturs wife says detention illegal ParisThousands of anti-government protesters are expected Saturday on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, a week after a violent demonstration on the famed avenue was marked by burning barricades and rampant vandalism that President Emmanuel Macron compared to war scenes. The avenue will be closed to traffic and protesters will be searched by police and subject to ID checks before being allowed access to the area to avoid a repeat of last weeks violence that made headlines across the world. More protests were due around the country for a third straight Saturday as Macrons administration faces a wave of grassroots anger, originally sparked by an increase in fuel tax which has morphed into a multi-faceted outcry against the high cost of living. Macron has sought to douse the anger by promising three months of nationwide talks on how best to transform France into a low-carbon economy without penalising the poor. He also vowed to slow the rate of increase in fuel taxes if international oil prices rise too rapidly but only after a tax hike due in January. On Friday, the government triedmostly in vainto talk to representatives of the yellow vest movement, named after the high-visibility jackets which motorists are required to carry in their cars. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe invited eight representatives to join him in his office. But only two turned up, and one walked out after being told he could not invite TV cameras in to broadcast the encounter live to the nation. Asked later by reporters what his demands were, Jason Herbert said: We want our dignity back and we want to be able to live from our work, which is absolutely not the case today. Emerging from an hour of talks with the second protester, Philippe said they mainly discussed spending power and that his door is always open for further dialogue. One of the chief difficulties faced by the government in talking to protesters is their reluctance to appoint leaders. The movement, organized through social media, has steadfastly refused to align with any political party or trade union. The yellow vests include many pensioners and has been most active in small urban and rural areas where it has blocked roads, closed motorway toll booths, and even walled up the entrance to tax offices.Two people have died and hundreds have been injured in the protests which opinion polls suggest still attract the support of two out of three French people. The anger has reached out to French overseas territories, especially on the Indian island of Reunion. The minister for overseas territories, Annick Girardin, who was dispatched to the island to talk to protesters, was forced to cut short a meeting Friday with demonstrators after they booed her and shouted Macron, resign! Left-wing leader and former presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon and right-wing leader Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, also a former presidential candidate, have said they will attend the latest Paris rally. The first day of protest in France on November 17 saw some 300,000 people turn out nationwide to man roadblocks, with sporadic protests continuing through the week. Last Saturday the government suggested that only about 100,000 took part, prompting suggestions that protests were on the wane. But many suggested that Macrons speech on Tuesday rekindled opposition. What we need is something tangible, not just smoke and mirrors, said Yoann Allard, a 30-year-old farm hand speaking of Macrons peace offers. Trade union leaders, who met Friday with Philippe, have called for a moratorium on Januarys tax hike, a suggestion which some pro-Macron members of parliament have started to endorse. The movement has spilled across to neighboring Belgium, where anti-riot officers used water cannon Friday to disperse stone-throwing yellow vest protesters who burned two police vehicles in the centre of Brussels. SeoulA North Korean soldier defected to South Korea across the eastern land border on Saturday, the Souths military said. Defections across the closely guarded inter-Korean frontier are rare, and this one comes as the neighbors pursue a delicate reconciliation process. A North Korean soldier was detected crossing the military demarcation line by South Korean troops using surveillance equipment, the military Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. The soldier is safely in our custody, it said. Related agencies plan to investigate him regarding the details of how he came to the South. Even as talks on denuclearisation between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled, the two Koreas are pushing ahead with a reconciliation process, taking steps to ease tensions along their heavily fortified border. They have begun work to reconnect their railway systems, removed landmines and destroyed military bunkers at parts of the frontier.More than 30,000 North Korean civilians have fled their homeland but most flee across the porous frontier with China, and rarely across the inter-Korean border which is fortified with minefields and barbed wire. The last defection involving North Koreans occurred in May when two civilians aboard a small boat defected to the South across the Yellow Sea. In November last year, a North Korean soldier drove to the heavily guarded border at speed and ran across under a hail of bullets from his own side. He was hit multiple times in the dramatic defection at the Panmunjom truce village. In 2012 a North Korean soldier walked unchecked through rows of electrified fencing and surveillance cameras, prompting Seoul to sack three field commanders for the security lapse. The Republic of Benin and Seychelles have ended this year in the top spot of the Africa Visa Openness Index Report 2018. According to the report, Benin introduced a visa-free policy for all nationals of African countries, joining Seychelles in the category of most visa open nations on the continent. The Visa Openness Index assesses the progress African countries have realized in relaxing their visa regimes. Overall, Africans do not need a visa to travel to 25% of other African countries (up from 22%). Visas on arrival can be obtained in 24% of other African countries (same as last year). Africans need visas to travel to 51% of other African countries (down from 54%) The index, developed by the African Union and the African Development Bank, shows that African countries are becoming more open to each other. As infrastructure expands across Africa, and tangible trade and investment opportunities are put on the table, Africans will need to travel with greater ease. Solutions such as the African passport, visa-free regional blocs, multi-year visas, or visa-on-arrival schemes should continue to be promoted, the report reads in part. The top ten of the most open countries include: Seychelles, Benin, Rwanda, Togo, Guinea-Bissau, Uganda, Ghana, Cape Verde, Kenya, and Mozambique. The report also said 2018 is a landmark year in Africas regional integration efforts, especially with the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Single African Air Transport Market. The European Union on Thursday announced a support package to support Ethiopia in the area of justice and rule of law. The 10 million package was unveiled after a meeting between Ambassador of the EU to Ethiopia, Johan Borgstam, and Ethiopias Chief Justice, Meaza Ashenafi. According to Meaza Ashenafi, the EU boost was part of its continuous partnership and support to ensure rule of law in Ethiopia. The two parties also held fruitful discussions on areas of importance and of mutual interest, Meaza Ashenafi said. The Government of Ethiopia has embarked upon a path of political and economic transformation. In addition to measures that build peace with Eritrea, the Government has recently broadened the political space to include opposition parties. Ethiopias government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been championing political reforms, reaching out to opposition parties. Abiy has said his ultimate ambition is to organize democratic elections and pledged to conduct a smooth transition if the ruling coalition loses in 2020. The Ethiopian government likewise engaged actively in regional diplomacy, and announced a range of economic reforms designed to revitalize the economy of Africas second most populous nation. Ethiopia is among the countries that benefit from the initiative that allows least developed countries to export to EU except armaments duty-free and quota-free. Zimbabwes information minister on Friday said Chinese officials have pledged $46 million for a new parliament building, to be built on a plot of farmland outside the capital Harare. The building, extending over a total floor area of 33,000 square meters, will replace the current parliament building, built in the colonial era. An artists impression of the building has been shared by the information ministry on Twitter. The construction of the 650-seat parliament is expected to take 2 years. Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping in a Message to his Zimbabwean counterpart, said China and Zimbabwe are good friends, partners and brothers. He emphasized that bilateral relations have withstood the test of time and changing international situation. Xi added that China values the traditional friendship with Zimbabwe and stands ready to strengthen all-round cooperation and advancing bilateral ties. China financed and built the Zimbabwean National Defense College, the countrys first military higher education academy. In 2015, state-owned Power Construction Corporation of China signed a $1.2 billion deal to expand the Hwange Thermal Power Station, Zimbabwes largest thermal power plant. Zimbabwe also awarded three solar power projects to Chinese companies or local firms with Chinese partners. China built a supercomputer center at the University of Zimbabwe with a zero-interest loan of about 33 million yuan (US$5 million), according to Xinhua. The facility made Zimbabwe the fifth African country to host a supercomputer, which would be used in life science, agricultural and climate research. China also granted Zimbabwe a $100 million medical loan facility in 2011 and the Chinese government has also built a 130-bed hospital in rural Zimbabwe. The Chief of Industrialization and Infrastructure at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Soteri Gatera, has urged African countries to sign the Luxembourg Protocol because railways are the key to open and free trade across Africa and their development is critical to the continents sustainable development agenda. Speaking during the fourth Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Week held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Soteri said Africa badly needs an integrated railway network, especially as its roads cannot contain the growing strain from trucks transporting goods across the continent, reported the Africa Business Communities website. Lack of integrated African rail networks is holding back African growth and intra-continental trade, he said, adding moving passengers and freight onto high speed rail networks was vital for environmental, social and economic reasons. Doing this requires billions of dollars in investment infrastructure and rolling stock but States resources are limited. There is an urgent need for more rolling stock. It is clear that States cannot carry this burden alone and private entrepreneurs and private capital is needed to ensure the dream comes true, said Mr. Soteri in his presentation titled The Luxembourg Rail Protocol: Railway Rolling Stock Financing A new solution for Africa. The Luxembourg Protocol will support African economic integration and high speed rail networks through the provision of common rules covering cross border operation of rolling stock, said Mr. Soteri, adding for public and private operators, the protocol opens up new capital sources and new ways of doing business operating leasing leading to a larger, more dynamic, efficient, transparent and competitive industry Experts say the protocol will also encourage foreign inward investment and support non-discriminatory infrastructure use at a time when new rail projects and technology will require unprecedented investment in railway equipment in Africa. The Luxembourg Protocol, which was adopted in 2007 but is still not in force, creates a new global legal regime for securing creditors, facilitating more and cheaper asset based financing of railway equipment without state support. Entry into force needs four ratifications and an international registry ready to begin operations. The European Union, Gabon, Luxembourg and Sweden are the only ones who have ratified to protocol so far. Italy, Germany, France, Mozambique, Switzerland and UK have signed but are yet to ratify the text. Finland and Malta have signaled that they would be signing shortly. The protocol is expected to enter in force in contracting states by late 2019. During the 4th PIDA Week, held under the theme: Realizing Africas Integration through Smart Infrastructure and Good Governance, participants stressed the need to accelerate solutions to Africas infrastructure gaps if Africa is to realize the aspirations of its people as enshrined in the continents blueprint for development, Agenda 2063 and the global agenda for sustainable development. The meeting also noted the need to increase projects under construction from the current 32 to 50 percent if Africa is to achieve its developmental aspirations. Furthermore, the continent should create an enabling environment for the private sector to have space to buy into the continents key priority projects. There was consensus on bankable and smart infrastructure with cross border orientation, which would propel socio-economic growth. Governments were urged to proactively involve all stakeholders, in particular communities to make the projects inclusive and true enablers for development. On his 18th birthday he enlisted in the armed forces. He was the youngest pilot in the Navy when he received his wings and he flew 58 combat missions during World War II. On one mission over the Pacific as a torpedo bomber pilot he was shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire and was rescued from the water by a U. S. submarine. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action. The Presidency Goes to the Georgian Dream candidate By Messenger Staff Georgian Dream backed independent presidential candidate Salome Zourabichvili leads in the presidential run-off competing exit polls say. According to exit polls conducted by Edison Research and Gallop Zourabichvili leads with 55% and 58% of the votes respectively.Watchdog organizations report no major violations that could impact the outcome. Transparency International Georgia (TI) said the voting process was held in largely peaceful environment. TI Georgia, which was represented at 300 precincts across Georgia, also said there were 70 minor and relatively serious violations. Party activists and coordinators created tense atmosphere around the polling stations.ISFED, which was represented at over 600 polling stations, said that mobilization of party coordinators was widespread and could equate to some undue influence on voters.The watchdog organizations enumerate the cases of hindering work of elections watchdogs and breaching of voting secrecy among other violations in the voting process. A preliminary log of what was seized during the search at the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston included at least three of Cardinal Daniel DiNardos computers but was mistakenly made public Friday, according to Montgomery County officials. The document shows investigators on Wednesday took multiple files on accused priest Manuel La Rosa-Lopez and several other clergy members, including Alberto Maullon, who is a judge on the Diocese Tribunal, and who pleaded guilty to indecent exposure charges related to an adult bookstore sting in 2010. Documents on Terence Brinkman, who was sued in 2010 for allegedly molesting a boy in the 1970s and still serves as a pastor at St. John the Evangelist in Baytown, were also seized by investigators. Authorities who executed a sweeping search warrant for one of the largest dioceses in the nation also sought records related to La Rosa-Lopezs counseling at the Shalom Center in Splendora, the target of a prior search warrant. Investigators were also looking for a diary that he was required to keep while working as a priest at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe and St. John Fisher Church in Richmond, both of which were searched. It was not clear from the document if investigators located the diary inside the archdiocese. Efforts to reach the archdiocese Friday evening were unsuccessful, but Archdiocese spokesman Jonah Dycus in a statement on Wednesday acknowledged the search warrant and the ongoing investigation. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston continues to cooperate, as we have since the outset, with this process, according to the statement. In fact, consistent with Cardinal DiNardos pledge of full cooperation, the information being sought was already being compiled. Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Tyler Dunman on Friday verified the handwritten document but, even though he said its now in the public record, he cautioned that it is not the final inventory of what was taken from the church headquarters on San Jacinto Street. Retrieved from vault The record included the location of where evidence was found and which investigator seized it, which Dunman said would have never been included in the formal version. An official log of evidence in search warrants can take days, if not weeks to compile. Some of the computers of DiNardo, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, were taken from the third floor out of what was described as a vault. A computer used by DiNardos predecessor, former Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, was also taken from the downtown Houston office of the archdiocese. Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon said Wednesday that members of Texas Rangers joined their search and they would take control of evidence of additional victims and accused priests believed to be outside his jurisdiction. At least two boxes labeled in the inventory as sexual allegation files were seized in the search, the document states. Depth of scandal Fiorenza led the then-diocese in 2002 as the Boston Globe reported on the depth of the priest sex abuse scandal. Two years later, he revealed the diocese had found 22 priests and four deacons to be credibly accused of child sex abuse dating back several decades while participating in the John Jay Report, a survey commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The tally only accounted for allegations deemed credible after internal investigations. The Chronicle found nearly 20 clergy members publicly accused of child abuse in news accounts and court records, suggesting that additional cases of credible accusations were never made public. La Rosa-Lopez has been charged with four counts of indecency with a child for incidents that began in 1998 and spanned three years. Massarah Mikati contributed to this report. nicole.hensley@chron.com A Houston man on trial for capital murder was part of a violent holdup crew that committed four armed robberies on the same day including a purse snatching resulting in the fatal shooting of a 4-year-old, a homicide detective testified Friday. Philip Battles, 20, faces life in prison without parole if he is found guilty in taking part in the November 2016 a robbery with two other men who allegedly sprayed an apartment parking lot with 13 bullets, killing Ava Castillo and wounding her mother and sister. Battles defense team rested Friday without calling a witness, and both sides are expected to argue their case before jurors begin deliberating his fate Monday. Throughout the trial, prosecutors have presented evidence to how that on the day Ava Castillo was killed, Battles, along with two other Houston youths, committed a total of four violent armed robberies. Key testimony came Friday from David Crain, a Harris County Sheriffs homicide detective who was able to link all four crime scenes through an assortment of items that the alleged robbers left behind. I recovered a whole lot of items that I saw significance in, said Crain, referring to dropped bullets, a credit card, a shell casing and Swisher Sweet cigarillo packages recovered from a stolen car found near Battles north Houston home. He also found matching items inside Battles home and was able to piece together a timeline of the days armed robberies. The description of the vehicle was the same, said Crain, referring to the robberies. And the suspect descriptions three black males all fit the info we were getting. Crain testified the crew of three men first pistol-whipped a man and took his black Honda Accord about 6:45 p.m. near Cypresswood. That car had a set of keys with a Bluetooth GPS locator and a phone, both of which police were later used to plot the vehicles path. Once they had highjacked the car, the group then went to the Greenspoint-area apartment complex where the girl and her family was unloading groceries in the parking lot. Witnesses, including Avas mother, Diana Gomez, said three men tried to take her purse and allegedly opened fire killing the 4-year-old girl about 8:45 p.m. At that crime scene, the robbers left a backpack that had been in the stolen car. Two hours later, investigators said, the crew was near Crosswinds and Sam Houston Parkway where they allegedly robbed two men who were working on a car, stealing among other things, a credit card later found in the stolen car. While striking one of the robbery victims with a gun, bullets were dropped that later matched the caliber and manufacturer of the bullets in the weapon that killed Castillo. Minutes after that assault, they allegedly pistol-whipped a man while robbing him. It was during that assault, that the gun was fired again, leaving behind a spent shell casing that matched the casing found at the complex where Castillo was killed. Crain also testified cellphone records, including videos and texts, connect the three men. It tells me that two days prior to the murder, two of them were out buying the same kind of bullets used in the murder, he said. Two days after the shooting, the police released information related to the case that was distributed by the media which lead to a tip, Crain said. Crains testimony was the last presented to the jury on Friday and capped the prosecutions case against Battles. Earlier in the day, jurors where shown autopsy photos of the child. Harris County forensic pathologist Merrill Hines told the jury he determined the wounds inflicted on the right side of the young girls scalp above her forehead had left her brain dead. This sort of injury would carry immediate loss of consciousness, and death would follow quickly, Hines said. While reviewing images on the witness stand, Hines explained that two separate fragments of a bullet perforated Avas brain, which would have caused bleeding. She was removed from life support within two hours of being shot. Battles has also been charged in the 2016 shooting deaths of Ignacio H. Ortega, 62, on Nov. 7 and Melvin Enrique Bonilla-Fuente, 31, on Nov. 8. Officials have also confirmed an eyewitness reported seeing Battles during an unrelated September 2016 fatal shooting. The killings took place during armed robberies. Battles is considered a suspect in more than 20 armed robberies, sources said after he was charged with Castillos death. Earlier this year, Dardar pleaded guilty to 60 years in prison and will be eligible for parole in 30 years. Miller is awaiting trial. Battles trial, which has lasted a week, is scheduled to resume Monday in the court of visiting state District Judge Leslie Yates. More than 5,000 voters had cast ballots as of Friday in the special election to replace Sylvia Garcia in Senate District 6. The Harris County Clerks Office reported 1,580 in-person votes and 3,788 returned mail ballots, bringing the total through the first five days of early voting to 5,368 ballots cast. Four candidates Democratic state Reps. Carol Alvarado and Ana Hernandez, Democratic consultant Mia Mundy and Harris County Republican Party precinct chairwoman Martha Fierro are seeking the seat. Garcia, a former Harris County commissioner, resigned her state Senate seat after she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 6. Though Gov. Greg Abbott waited to announce the special election until Nov. 9, jockeying for the expected vacancy began months ago, since Garcia was expected to win easily in her race for Texas 29th Congressional District. She ultimately captured 70 percent of the vote in the contest to replace Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston, who had announced more than a year ago that he would not seek reelection. University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus said Alvarado is most likely to win, since she has out-raised her opponents and secured key endorsements. She has more geographic overlap with her district, and she was on TV with ads, he said. In a race like this its going to be a sprint to the finish line, and thats going to go to the best-prepared candidate. Hernandez and Alvarados House districts occupy portions of Senate District 6. If either wins, Harris County must hold another special election to fill the House seat she will vacate. The new senator likely will be a Democrat, since the district was drawn to benefit the party and more than two-thirds of voters there supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. This marks the second time in six year that District 6 will get a new senator via special election. In January 2013, Garcia beat seven other challengers, including Alvarado, after Sen. Mario Gallegos died in office at age 62. Only 5.6 percent of nearly 300,000 eligible voters participated, typical of elections held at unusual times. This past August, despite a public campaign urging voters to show up at the polls, just 6.7 percent of voters cast ballots on the $2.5 billion Harris County flood bond proposal. After Harris County voters shattered early voting records this fall, Rottinhaus said voter fatigue may contribute to dismal turnout in the S.D. 6 race. Hector de Leon, spokesman for Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart, estimated that just shy of 20,000 voters would turn out. Early voting will continue daily through Friday, Dec. 7 at nine locations. Regular balloting will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Residents can find their polling place at HarrisVotes.com. zach.despart@chron.com twitter.com/zachdespart WASHINGTON - The new world order that George H. W. Bush proclaimed in 1990 during the dusk of the Soviet Union would be a place free from the threat of terror, stronger in the pursuit of justice and more secure in the quest for peace A series of American presidents, including his eldest son, have struggled to attain that vision, but the global response to Bushs death Friday at 94 served to confirm his place as one of the leading statesmen of the 20th century. His death hung over the G-20 meeting Saturday in Buenos Aires, where President Donald Trump found himself locked in a series of high-stakes encounters with the leaders of Russia, China, Germany and Japan current and past adversaries still sorting out their interlocking interests three decades after Bush helped broker the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the reunification of Germany. Hes the father, or one of the fathers, of the German unification, and we will never forget that, said German Chancellor Angela Merkel, standing beside Trump at a brief meeting with reporters. Out of deference to Bush, the summit leaders put off a more formal news conference scheduled at the summit, which has been dominated by trade tensions between the U.S. and China and military clashes between Russia and Ukraine. Related: Former president George H.W. Bush dies at the age of 94 Trump called Bush a very fine man, but did not reply to questions about whether he regrets any of his past comments about Bush and his family, a reminder of the two mens very different places on the world stage. Criticized at home in the midst of a faltering economy and rising deficits, Bushs single term in office from 1989 to 1993 won him praise internationally for the restraint he showed at a time when the Iron Curtain was falling and the U.S. was emerging from the Cold War as the worlds only superpower. While it was his predecessor, President Ronald Reagan, who had famously called on Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down this wall in Berlin, it was Bush who was left to navigate the unforeseen popular uprising that actually dismantled the wall. Far from antagonizing his communist adversaries and provoking a possible backlash, Bush is generally credited with laboring to assure a peaceful transition to a world in which, as he saw it, nations recognize the shared responsibility for freedom and justice. A world where the strong respect the rights of the weak. Gorbachev recognized Bushs negotiating skill in a statement Saturday recalling a fraught time that knew both 21st century-style random terror as well as the mid-20th centurys constant preoccupation with nuclear annihilation. We had a chance to work together during the years of tremendous changes. It was a dramatic time that demanded great responsibility from everyone, Gorbachev told the Interfax news agency. The result was an end to the Cold War and the nuclear arms race. Related: How the Bush family became a political dynasty Bushs foreign policy legacy was built up not only in the Oval Office but also as a CIA director and vice president for eight years under Reagan, his 1980 presidential rival. U.S. allies also recalled Bushs role in the defining moment of his generation: World War II. Throughout his life he dedicated himself to his country and to the fight for freedom, Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, said in a statement. From becoming the youngest Navy pilot in history during the Second World War, to his ambassadorial roles at the United Nations or China, he always served his country with honor, bravery and dignity. This also defined his presidency that came at a time of enormous change and instability across the world. Bush, a former oil man, also developed deep ties in the Middle East, where he presided over a 100-hour war to push Saddam Husseins Iraqi army out of Kuwait. Some criticized it as a partial victory, because it left Saddam in power; others again praised him for his restraint, evident a decade later when his son, President George W. Bush, found himself bogged down in a bloody and chaotic occupation of Iraq. For many diplomats, more striking than Bushs show of American power often viewed as a resurgence from the agony of Vietnam was the 30-nation coalition he assembled, backed by a United Nations mandate that included several Arab nations. Kuwaits emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, issued a statement praising both Bushs historic stand and his pivotal role in forming an international coalition, mandated by the U.N. to liberate the state of Kuwait. To some foreign policy experts, Bushs multilateral approach to world affairs stood in contrast to that of his son after the 911 terrorist attacks and, more recently, to Trumps aggressive rhetoric on trade and NATO funding, and his courting of global autocrats like Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Less often remembered is the work Bush did with Secretary of State James Baker another Houston figure to revive the Middle East peace process. Even as he clashed with then-Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir over the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Bush brought opposing Palestinian, Arab and Israeli leaders to Madrid in 1991 for what was then seen as a groundbreaking effort to hold a multiparty peace conference. The people of Israel will always remember his commitment to Israels security, his important contribution to the liberation of Soviet Jewry, and his efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East at the Madrid Conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. Whatever Bushs international successes or failures, world leaders memorializing his life emphasized the qualities of decency and integrity that they saw in his approach to the world. In a statement to the Associated Press, former British Prime Minister John Major said Bush saw Americas obligation to the world and honored it. He added, He was, quite simply, one of the most deep-down decent people I have ever known. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] We are now totally into the holiday season. The whole world is talking about Melania Trumps White House Christmas decorations, which feature a bunch of trees of a sort of terrifying crimson color. Do you think its some kind of metaphor for the Wall? Her mood? Everybody is making travel plans. Donald Trump is going to Argentina for a big international confab. In an exciting preview earlier this week, Trump said that whenever he meets with foreign leaders, they walk in and they say: Mr. President, its incredible whats happened with your country in such a short period of time. America is respected again. Which countries foreign leaders do you think he was quoting? Saudi Arabia? Papua New Guinea? Or maybe he mistook the desk clerk at a European hotel for a prime minister? The midterm elections are finally over. Cindy Hyde-Smith won that last Senate race, and shes become the first woman ever elected to Congress from the state of Mississippi. How does that make you feel, people? A) Good. B) Bad. C) There are more than 900,000 other women Mississippians could have chosen. Well, if youre going to start quoting statistics on me ... Hyde-Smith was certainly a memorable contender. She reluctantly agreed to a single debate, standing behind a pile of notes so formidable it looked as if she was defending a Ph.D. dissertation. She kept checking them rather desperately, but still managed to get a bunch of things wrong. I kind of loved the fact that she referred to the notes before announcing that the audience had heard two clearly different opposite differences between the candidates. Especially given that Hyde-Smith had refused to allow any actual audience in the room. Everybody presumed that Hyde-Smith was going to beat the Democrat, African-American former Congressman Mike Espy. Its usually a bad sign whenever the commentary on someones campaign begins with Not since 1870 ... Hyde-Smith succeeds the ailing Thad Cochran, a veteran who was famous for his ability to Get Stuff for his state. As a result, Mississippi moved into the 21st century receiving $3 in federal aid for every dollar it sent to Washington, including funding for about a quarter of the public schools budgets. This is all fine, given that Mississippi is a very needy state. However, it would be nice if its politicians refrained from saying thank-you by demanding that the federal government stay out of Mississippi when it comes to policies. As Hyde-Smith did during her one and only debate. Really, Mississippians. It can get kind of ... annoying. Now that the elections are over well have time to talk about ... the elections! Sure, its more than a year until the first presidential primaries, but dont tell me you havent been thinking about them. The Democratic hopefuls are popping up everywhere. Sen. Kamala Harris of California has a memoir coming out, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has a new childrens book on the history of suffrage. As candidate publications go, I can really recommend Gillibrands, which is only 18 pages, with very big pictures. On the other side of the coin, Bernie Sanders is publicizing a 288-page chronicle of his visits to 32 states over the last two years. And hes not resting! This week Sanders gave a speech in which he demanded that the nation start examining the problems of income and wealth inequality et cetera et cetera. It was a message to the nation: America is now on the cusp of the et cetera season. Just this week, Beto ORourke announced he was not ruling out running for president. This was big news because ... Beto ORourke. But there are actually at least several thousand other politicians who have not ruled out running, either. Face it, almost every Democrat who has ever been elected to anything is mulling the possibility. Your state representative may be dreaming about it this very day. The chairwoman of the Zoning Board of Appeals is working out a strategy while she hangs Christmas lights. Actually, ORourke is a bit different in that he had publicly ruled out a presidential race, something Ill bet your state representative never did. At the time, he was trying to get elected to the U.S. Senate and swearing that if he won, no siren call from the White House could lure him away from his job. Nobody really takes those promises seriously. During his re-election campaign, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said hed stick around for his entire four-year term unless God strikes me dead. This is an advantage to Cuomo: interesting quotes. Plus, of course, that vision of a lightning bolt striking the campaign headquarters. Feel free to discuss whether Andrew Cuomo would be a better presidential nominee than Beto ORourke. Also, you can throw in Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Jerry Brown, Sherrod Brown, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and former HUD Secretary Julian Castro. That gets us pretty much through C. This can be an excellent mental exercise for the long winter months. When I have trouble falling asleep, I frequently try to see how many former vice presidents I can name. I can usually get to 45, which I realize is truly pathetic. Please, dont mention it to anybody. But candidates are au courant. And Ill bet you would nod off long before you made it to Elizabeth Warren. Collins is a New York Times columnist. The leaders of Japan and Russia are holding talks in Argentina. They are expected to discuss a mechanism to speed up negotiations on a peace treaty. Shinzo Abe and Vladimir Putin are meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Abe is hoping to reach an agreement on the mechanism. Last month, Abe and Putin agreed to accelerate the negotiations, based on the 1956 joint declaration. It says Moscow will hand over to Japan 2 of 4 Russian-held islands after the conclusion of a peace treaty. A treaty was never signed after World War Two. The stumbling block has been a territorial dispute over the 4 Russian-controlled islands. Japan claims them. Its government maintains they are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says they were illegally occupied after the war. Russian officials have suggested Moscow may not automatically hand over the islands. Its government has said long and complex discussions need to take place on the islands' sovereignty. Moscow has also said it wants to make sure American troops will not be deployed on them. For two seasons, Slates Slow Burn podcast has delved at length into the half-forgotten personalities and plotlines of American political dramas first, Watergate, and, in a second season, the Clinton impeachment proceedings with an eye towards helping listeners sort through the uncertain present. Helmed by Slate staff writer Leon Neyfakh, who on Tuesday announced plans to leave Slate and produce podcasts independently, Slow Burns excavation of history won the show rave reviews and installed it as a crown jewel in Slates wide podcast portfolio. Neyfakh, alongside Slate Executive Editor Allison Benedikt, spoke with Professor Keith Gessen on Wednesday evening, as part of Columbia Journalism Schools Delacorte Lecture Series. He offered insights on his podcasts development, as well as takeaways from its detailed treatment of historical scandals. How did it feel to live through Watergate? Neyfakh said of Slow Burns concept. And is it reasonable to think that it felt similar to living through today? The first season of Slow Burn was originally conceived as a written cover story for Slate, Neyfakh said, early in the Trump administration, when themes of conspiracy and intergovernmental warfare seemed here to stay. As the idea evolved and editors settled on a narrative audio format, Neyfakh, who was then covering the Justice Department for Slate, was an easy choice to host. But, at first, Neyfakh worried there might not be much left in Watergate to mine. I thought, Everyones seen the movie, what are we really going to add to this? he said. As Neyfakh began researching, he said, he realized how much was missing from the popular narrative, including major characters and subplots which made recurrent headlines in their day. (Think the Michael Cohens and Roger Stones who we might also one day forget.) In revisiting details of the Watergate scandal which would seem lost to time, Neyfakh found that he could cast a new light on the vacillations of the current scene, even without drawing explicit parallels. While today, Nixons downfall might seem inevitable, Neyfakh said, he was struck as he dug into the details by how many accidents, moments of chance, and unforced errors on the part of the former president came into play. It was not a reassuring story, because to me it just sort of happened to go the right way, he said. Sign up for CJR 's daily email In Slow Burns second season, Neyfakh enjoyed bringing nuance to characters who even less than two decades on seem overly simplified and categorized. In interviews with the likes of Ken Starr and Linda Tripp, for instance, he said he wanted to draw out where interview subjects were coming from, as opposed to whether they were right or wrong, good or bad. Experiencing ambivalence is to me more interesting than experiencing conflict with total certitude, he said, adding that this has become a rarity at a time when political discourseand journalismhas become largely black and white. As Benedikt added, The best journalism has complicated characters and complicated moral questions. It doesnt have to land. It has to trust to reader, or the listener, to figure it out. Slow Burn was Slates first foray into narrative podcasting, complete with the high production values found in shows like This American Life and Serial. But Slate was an early pioneer of podcasting in journalism; it went live with Political Gabfest in 2005, when the concept was a relative oddity. The sites lucrative podcast portfolio has since expanded into the dozens, and today the 22-year-old Slate is best thought of as half-news commentary site and half-podcast production outfit, Benedikt said. Its an identity that site leadership has only recently come to understand and embrace, she added, but one consistent with Slates spot in the digital media landscape. One thing Slate has always done is create a real loyalty between our readers and listeners and our voices, Benedikt said. And with podcasting, this just works really well. You have someone in your ear and you care about them. On his own decision to leave, Neyfakh said he looks forward to the opportunity to work with a larger team, a greater degree of creative control, and ownership of the intellectual property, or IP. The first season of Neyfakhs new podcast, which will be entitled FIASCO, is slated for the first half of 2019. It will take a similar approach to history as Slow Burn, with an eye towards Bush v. Gore and the 2000 presidential election. Slate will remain devoted to narrative podcasts, and podcasts of all kinds, Benedikt said, including a third season of Slow Burn, with a presently unidentified host. Speaking of IP, she said, affecting a playfully competitive tone, we own the name. We own the feed, with the, whatever, 10 million subscribers, so yeah Its not 10 million, Neyfakh said, laughing. Its a bunch, Benedikt replied. Its more than youre starting with. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Andrew McCormick is an independent journalist and former CJR Delacorte Fellow. His work has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, the South China Morning Post, and more. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewMcCormck. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) When President Donald Trump sits down for dinner Saturday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, their table talk will undoubtedly have a global impact. What they agree on or dont will determine whether stock markets rise or fall, whether the world economy gets some relief from destabilizing trade tensions, and cast judgment on the wisdom of the American leaders hard-nosed trade tactics. Trump and Xi will be seeking a way out of a trade war between the worlds two biggest economies, while also saving face for their domestic audiences at home. Trump Friday expressed optimism about a deal. Theres some good signs, he said. Well see what happens. The Trump-Xi meeting is set to be the marquee event of Trumps whirlwind two-day trip to Argentina for the Group of 20 Summit after the president cancelled a sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin over mounting tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Trump also canceled a Saturday news conference, citing respect for the Bush family following the death of former President George H.W. Bush. Trade analysts and administration officials acknowledge it wont be easy. The United States and China are locked in a dispute over their trade imbalance and Beijings push to challenge American technological dominance. Washington accuses China of deploying predatory tactics in its tech drive, including stealing trade secrets and forcing American firms to hand over technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market. Trump has imposed import taxes on $250 billion in Chinese products. If he cant get a deal with Xi, hes poised to more than double most of those tariffs Jan. 1. And hes threatened to expand tariffs to virtually everything China ships to the United States. China, which has already slapped tariffs on $110 billion in U.S. goods, is likely to retaliate, ramping up a conflict that is already rattling financial markets and causing forecasters to downgrade the outlook for global economic growth. U.S. officials insist that the American economy is more resilient to the tumult than Chinas, but they remain anxious of the economic effects of a prolonged showdown as Trump has made economic growth the benchmark by which he wants his administration judges. Its unlikely the two countries will reach a full-blown resolution in Buenos Aires; the issues that divide them are just too difficult. Whats more likely, analysts say, is that they reach a truce, buying time for more substantive talks. Whether such a cease-fire would be enough to get Trump to delay higher or expanded tariffs is unclear. President Donald Trump and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel shake hands during their meeting at the G20 Summit, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Growing concerns that the trade war will increasingly hurt corporate earnings and the U.S. economy are a key reason why U.S. stock prices have been sinking this fall. Joining other forecasters, economists at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development last week downgraded their outlook for global economic growth next year to 3.5 percent from a previous 3.7 percent. In doing so, they cited the trade conflict as well as political uncertainty. Trump met Friday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a rare trilateral meeting. The symbolism ahead of the Xi meeting was clear: the Trump administration has looked to find common cause with both nations in countering Chinas regional hegemony. Earlier that day, Trump signed a revamped three-way trade deal with Canada and Mexico, fulfilling a longstanding pledge, though the agreement could face headwinds in Congress. He also held a series of formal and informal meetings and will continue those sit-downs Saturday, including with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Last spring, it looked like Beijing and Washington might have found a peaceful resolution. In May, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declared the trade war on hold after Beijing agreed to increase its purchases of U.S. soybeans and liquefied natural gas a move that could have put a dent in Chinas massive trade surplus with the United States. But the cease-fire didnt last. Facing criticism that hed gone soft on China, Trump backed away from Mnuchins deal and decided to proceed with tariffs. Now a lasting peace is likely to require the Chinese to scale back their ambitions to become a technological power. Or at least curb the strong-arm tactics. Kudlow said the administration has been extremely disappointed by Chinas engagement in trade talks but the meeting between Trump and Xi on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit could be a game-changer. Perhaps we can break through in Buenos Aires or not, he said. Kudlow added that if the U.S. doesnt get satisfactory responses to its trade positions more tariffs will be imposed. He said Trump is not going away. I hope they understand that, he said. Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania is skeptical: This has been their business model for a while, Toomey told reporters this week. Theyre not going to abandon it lightly. ___ Wiseman reported from Washington. RUSSELL TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Assistance, Chillicothe Road: A resident asked police for assistance in retrieving his laptop computer from a Fox Hollow woman's home at 9:45 a.m. Nov. 19. He said she had stolen it from his vehicle while it was parked in Bainbridge Township, and the GPS now showed it at her home. He was advised to contact Bainbridge Township police since the incident occurred in that township. Mutual aid, Kinsman Road: Police assisted Geauga County Sheriff's Office deputies in response to an attempted break-in at a business shortly before 1 a.m. Nov. 20. Further details were not available. Noise complaint, Twin Lakes Trail: Police responded to a report of a loud noise at 11:29 a.m. Nov. 20. A contractor was onsite sandblasting the swimming pool at the home. Suspicious, Kinsman Road: An auto body shop reported someone taking items from cars in the parking lot at 10:45 p.m. Nov. 20. It turned out that the suspect was a customer removing things from his totaled car. The shop said the man has not paid his bill yet and was forbidden to retrieve items. Police advised that it was a civil matter. Suspicious person, Chillicothe Road: While on patrol at 6:19 p.m. Nov. 25, an officer encountered a man who was walking, dressed in black and difficult to see. He said his vehicle had broken down in Solon and that he was walking home to Akron, but got lost. His cell phone was dead and he did not have money for a cab. The officer took him to the police station, gave him some food and arranged for a relative to pick him up. Disturbance, Music Street: Several people called police at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 23 to complain about loud explosions, possibly from Hemlock Hills or Chillicothe Road. Police checked the areas, but did not hear anything. PERRY TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Police in Stark County are investigating after a middle school student died Tuesday. Officers responded 9 p.m. Tuesday to a home on the 4800 block of Glenhurst Street SW to assist the Perry Township Fire Department in administering first aid, police said in a press release. After officers arrived, a child was brought to a local hospital for medical treatment, police said. Officers and detectives inevitably began an investigation into the death of a minor child, police said. The investigation is ongoing and no determinations have been made, police said. It is with great sadness that I can confirm the sudden passing of one of our Edison Middle School students, Perry Local Schools Superintendent Scott Beatty said. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the students family and friends. Counselors are available to assist students and staff with the grieving process, Beatty said. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A man died Friday night after he was shot in his home on Clevelands East Side, police say. Officers responded about 6:15 p.m. Friday for a report that someone shot a man at a house on the 13000 block of Durkee Avenue in the citys Corlett neighborhood, according to Cleveland police. Police and EMS administered first aid to the victim, a 41-year-old man with gunshot wounds to his torso area, police said. He was brought by EMS to University Hospitals where he died, police said. Investigators learned that a neighbor heard gunshots, saw the victims door open and went to check on him, police said. The victim had been shot in the front living room of his home and asked the neighbor to call 911, police said. The investigation is ongoing. Police listed the suspect in the shooting as unknown on Saturday morning. To comment on this story, visit Saturdays crime and courts comment section. BRUNSWICK, Ohio The savage fires that raced through Northern California deeply affected Randy Thatcher of West Branch Malts. When Thatcher was in fifth grade, his childhood home in Strongsville burned. No one was injured. His mother and stepfather were out of town, and he was staying with a friend nearby. "You could see the flames for a couple of streets away in the neighborhood," Thatcher said. "It was a crazy thing to see. It was very surreal to see my childhood home I had grown up in and to walk in and see everything black and without power." He realized quickly everything his family owned was gone. "I had never experienced anything like it." It also was something he didn't discuss much as time went by. "Honestly I didnt talk about it through the years," he said. "But when I heard about this, when the opportunity came up and I had become friends with Shawn at Akronym, knowing his day job, I thought about the fact I was too young to thank anybody. Especially after seeing the pictures from out West." Thatcher, 45, is referring to Shawn Adams of Akronym Brewing Co. in downtown Akron. Adams is a firefighter. The thanks that Thatcher is paying is part of a national effort spearheaded by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Death toll from the fires that ravaged the town of Paradise, California, hit 88 this week. Hundreds of people remain missing. The Chico, California, brewery is less than 15 miles from Paradise, which was destroyed. Sierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman's brewery made Resilience Butte County Proud IPA with all proceeds going to the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund. Sierra Nevada kickstarted the fund with a $100,000 donation. Then he put the call out to craft breweries everywhere: Make our beer. More than 1,000 breweries - 50-plus in Ohio - have answered the call. "They put out the recipe," said Thatcher, who runs the malt house in Brunswick with his father, Tom. Brewers who want to help donate their time, use their own equipment, and sell the ale in their taprooms. The proceeds go to the fund. "It's pretty amazing for a company their size to reach down to some of the smallest breweries and say 'Hey, everything matters. If everyone does a little bit no one is going to have to do a lot'." Sierra Nevada is a vanguard in the craft-brewing industry. It has been a steady force since its first beers rolled off the line in 1980, a few years before the craft-brewery wave hit for good. For his part, Thatcher joined forces with Magic City Brewing Co. in Barberton, Akronym and the planned Eighty-Three Brewery scheduled to open in 2019 in Akron. They made beer at Akronym with malts the Thatchers donated. Thatcher remains humble when thinking of what happened to him and what the residents of California are going through. Giving now is a way to say thanks to people who helped his family years ago, a way to "pay it backward." "We were just one family," he said, "and they are grieving." Previous coverage: About West Branch Malts - story, photos, video Breweries are using #ResilienceIPA to share their moments. SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Shaker Heights police are asking for the publics help in locating an endangered man who went missing Friday. Abdullah Haqq Mohammed, 72, left his assisted living facility apartment on the 3500 block of Northfield Road in the mid-morning hours, police said. He left without taking his medications. Mohammed attended a doctors appointment about 12:30 p.m. Friday at a Cleveland Clinic express care facility and has not been seen since, police said. Mohammed stands at about 5-feet 8-inches, weighs about 165 pounds and has gray hair and brown eyes, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Shaker Heights police at 216-491-1234. To comment on this story, visit Saturdays crime and courts comment section. CLEVELAND, Ohio Hackers have broken into part of Marriott Internationals hotel reservation system and may have stolen personal information for 500 million people worldwide, the company announced Friday. The data breach involves Marriotts Starwood brands, which include Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton and other chains. Marriott said the stolen information includes 327 million customer names, along with phone numbers, email addresses, passport numbers, dates of birth, and arrival and departure information. Credit and debit card information may have been stolen for tens of millions of other customers, Marriott said. This is one of the most significant data breaches in history given the size about 500 million people are affected and the sensitivity of the personal information that was stolen, CreditCards.com industry analyst Ted Rossman said in a statement. He noted that exposure of passport numbers and birthdates is more worrisome than hacking of payment information, which was encrypted and can at least be changed, unlike dates of birth. Maryland-based Marriott bought the Starwood brand in 2016. Marriott said thieves hacked into Starwoods reservation database in about 2014. but it was alerted to a problem only in September and figured out the extent of the breach last week. Consumers who made a reservation at a Starwood property on or before Sept. 10, 2018 may have been affected. Any time there is a breach that has gone undetected for this long and affected this many people, its very concerning, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said in a statement. Were hoping Marriott will step up to help those affected. Were also encouraging individuals to take steps to protect themselves. People who used debit cards could face bigger risks than those who used credit cards, because thieves with someones debit card information can steal money from a checking account. Plus, credit cards carry greater protections under federal law. If theres any good news, its that Social Security numbers werent involved, although SSNs are already out there for half of the U.S. adult population after last years data breach at the Equifax credit bureau. Marriott deeply regrets this incident happened, the company said in a statement, adding that its working with security experts and law enforcement. We fell short of what our guests deserve and what we expect of ourselves, Arne Sorenson, Marriotts president and CEO said in a statement. We are doing everything we can to support our guests, and using lessons learned to be better moving forward. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Marriott said it doesnt yet know how much this will cost the hotel chain, but said it does have insurance, including cyber insurance. Marriott said it will start emailing affected customers from this email address: starwoodhotels@email-marriott.com Marriott noted that other thieves undoubtedly will try to take advantage of this breach by sending out fraudulent emails that may appear to be from Marriott, and may use the companys logo. We also want you to be aware that when other companies have provided notifications like this, other people used it to try to trick individuals into providing information about themselves through the use of links to fake websites (phishing) or by impersonating someone they trusted (social engineering), the company said. Please note that the email you may receive from us will not contain any attachments or request any information from you, and any links will only bring you back to this webpage. The company is offering customers the ability to enroll in WebWatcher free for one year. WebWatcher monitors various online sites that are notorious for sharing or buying and selling personal information. If a persons information is detected to be in play, the consumer will get an alert. To enroll in WebWatcher, go to info.starwoodhotels.com and click on your country. Consumers who have questions in the interim can call Marriott at 1-877-273-9481. U.S. businesses have been hit by a dizzying number of data breaches in the last five years, starting with Target in 2013, and including Home Depot, Sears, Anthem, Equifax, and universities and government offices. Even the IRS said it was hacked in 2015. Marriott customers who worry their information may have been stolen can take other steps to protect themselves: * If you used a debit card at a Starwood hotel, get a new one ASAP. If the debit card involved your primary bank account, consider opening a secondary account with little money in it and connecting the debit card to that account. * Contact the financial institutions where you have accounts. Make sure your contact information is current so the company can reach you if necessary. * Freeze your credit files with all four credit bureaus. Bad guys dont necessarily need your SSN to open an account in your name. You can freeze all of your files in about 20 minutes. To freeze or thaw your files by phone, you can reach the bureaus at: Equifax, 800-685-1111; TransUnion, 888-909-8872; Experian, 888-397-3742; Innovis 800-540-2505. * Put security alerts on your existing financial accounts. Make sure you are signed up to get email or text notifications if there are any transactions outside parameters you set, such as withdrawals above a certain amount, any online transaction, or a balance that falls below a certain amount. * Get your free credit report from at least one of the bureaus. You can get one free per year per bureau. Stagger your free ones every four months. Call 877-322-8228 or go to www.annualcreditreport.com Youll be asked to provide your name, address, Social Security number and date of birth. If theres any inaccurate information on your credit reports, use the dispute process to get the information removed or corrected. Dont google free credit report. Youll end up on a sleazy site. * Be hyper-paranoid about unsolicited calls, texts or emails that claim to be from Marriott or your bank or credit card and ask for personal information. Remember that Marriott said all emails will come from this address: starwoodhotels@email-marriott.com Never ever provide information to unsolicited inquiries. If someone claims to be from Marriott or your bank or theFBI, look up a phone number independently or call the number on the back of your card or on your account statement. Watch out too for odd calls or letters, such as a rejection for an account you didnt try to open or a customer service satisfaction survey from a company you didnt call. * Monitor your bank, credit card and investment accounts regularly. At least every week, if not every day. Yes, sign up for online access for your account before someone else does. * If you encounter any issues involving the fraudulent use of your name or information, file an identity theft affidavit with the Federal Trade Commission https://www.identitytheft.gov(it will provide you with pre-written letters to send to creditors) and file a police report. Or call the FTC at 1-877-382-4357. Ohioans can get help with identity theft issues by contacting the attorney generals office at 800-282-0515 or www.OhioProtects.org. * Remember that 88 percent of identity theft involves existing accounts. Ask your banks, creditors and investment firms whether you can put additional PINs or verbal passwords on your accounts that dont involve any public record data such as your date of birth or your mothers maiden name. You want to make sure someone cant access your accounts for wire transfers or to change your contact information without your secret password. * For more information from Marriott, go to http://news.marriott.com/2018/11/marriott-announces-starwood-guest-reservation-database-security-incident/ and https://answers.kroll.com Dont distract Ohios General Assembly with facts: Black babies born in Ohio die at a greater rate than white babies do. General Motors is throwing Northeast Ohioans out of work. Maumee Valley agribusinesses are making Lake Erie their septic tank. And, statewide, Ohios a Dumpster for retail litter. No, the General Assemblys lame-duck legislators have more important things on their minds. One of them is making it harder for voters to amend the Ohio Constitution. Another is ducking a bid to abolish Ohios 25-year statute of limitations on rape prosecutions. A third among House Republicans at least is playing lets-make-a-deal to re-elect Speaker Ryan Smith, of Gallia Countys Bidwell, or replace Smith with former Speaker Larry Householder, of Perry Countys Glenford. Horse-trading, anyone? The speaker, whoever she or he happens to be, appoints committee chairs and assigns House members to the Controlling Board, which oversees some state spending. An Ohio House members salary is $60,584 a year. If a House member is appointed to chair the budget-writing Finance Committee, hes paid an extra $10,000 a year, a 17 percent raise. Other committees chairs are paid an extra $6,500, an 11 percent raise. Controlling Board seats pay three House members and three state senators each a $150 per-day stipend no matter how brief a board meeting is plus necessary traveling expenses. Yet the Ohio Constitution says legislators shall receive a fixed compensation and no other allowance or perquisites. (Emphasis added.) Oh, well, whats the constitution among Statehouse pals? There can be a sincere debate about extending the 25-year statute of limitations on rape, abhorrent as rape is. Witnesses can be hard to locate, evidence lost. Legal arguments aside, such a debate would and should open up a legislative can of worms over time limits on civil lawsuits seeking damages for sexual abuse. Someone who is age 18 or older when abused has two years to file a lawsuit. Someone younger than age 18 has until age 30 to file a lawsuit. Extending that time limit would empower Ohioans sexually abused long ago to seek compensation via lawsuits. Extending the limit could also subject potential defendants (examples: the Catholic and other churches or, in the case of the late Richard Strauss, M.D., once a wrestling team physician, Ohio State University) to a wave of unanticipated lawsuits. (Full disclosure: I am a Catholic and I earned an OSU degree.) Proposals to extend the time limit on sexual abuse lawsuits would mobilize the relentless Statehouse insurance lobby, which doesnt lose many fights. Insurers would argue that theyd priced liability insurance based on the current lawsuit time limits. Still, the Ohio Constitution makes this guarantee: Every person, for an injury done him in his land, goods, person, or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law, and shall have justice administered without denial or delay. The constitution doesnt say, unless she or he was sexually abused more than two years before filing a lawsuit. Meanwhile, the legislature is considering whether to toughen the required statewide majority for state constitutional amendments that Ohios voters (rather than legislators) propose. To become part of the Ohio Constitution, a voter-initiated amendment now requires a simple majority of the statewide vote cast on it. But House Joint Resolution 19, introduced Wednesday by Reps. Sarah LaTourette, a Chesterland Republican, and Glenn Holmes, a suburban Youngstown Democrat, would require a 60 percent majority for such petition-initiated amendments. The stated aim of HJR 19 is to protect the constitution against big-money, special-interest issues, such as last months (rejected) drug-crime-sentencing amendment. That seemed to irk GOP legislative leaders, who think theyre the best judges of Ohios needs. A 60 percent minimum wouldnt have blocked Ohios1992 (wrong-headed) legislative-term-limits amendment, or 2004s (bigoted) gay-marriage ban. But requiring a 60 percent statewide majority likely would block future state constitutional amendments that rank-and-file Ohioans propose to curb corporate polluters, marketplace gougers or ever-pricier utilities. The odds against winning approval of voter-proposed pro-consumer, pro-environment, pro-ratepayer constitutional amendments are tough enough now in Ohio. Requiring a supermajority yes vote of 60 percent would make it even tougher. HJR 19, whatever its stated goals, is functionally anti-consumer and pro-status quo the last things that Ohioans need. Thomas Suddes, a member of the editorial board, writes from Athens. To reach Thomas Suddes: tsuddes@cleveland.com, 216-999-4689 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. SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Aggravated robbery, Van Aken Boulevard: At 4:15 p.m. Nov. 25, a Euclid woman, 42, was in her car in a residential driveway in the 3000 block of Van Aken Boulevard when she was approached by two males, one with a gun. The suspects demanded and stole the woman's car. Shortly after, the car was involved in a crash in the 1600 block of Glenmont Road in Cleveland Heights. Cleveland Heights police detained the only suspect who was in the auto, a Cleveland boy, 17. The weapon used in the crime was recovered. The second suspect has not been apprehended. The boy was charged with aggravated robbery. Theft from auto, Kemper Road: At 10:30 a.m. Nov. 23, a resident living in the 2000 block of Kemper Road reported that someone broke into their locked car and stole personal property, including about $200 in cash. Theft from auto, Winchell Road: At 10:05 a.m. Nov. 24, a Euclid resident reported that someone entered her unlocked parked car and stole her purse. Burglary, Chagrin Boulevard: At 3:20 a.m. Nov. 27, police were alerted to a break-in that occurred at Chagrin Wine & Beverage, 16814 Chagrin Blvd. Burglars entered through a back door and stole merchandise and money. Police are investigating. Theft from auto, Van Aken Boulevard: At 8:30 a.m. Nov. 28, someone damaged and entered an unsecured car parked in the 16000 block of Van Aken Boulevard. The thief damaged the car's interior while rummaging through the vehicle. Electronics were stolen from the vehicle. Theft from auto, Lee Road: At 1:20 p.m. Nov. 28, someone damaged and entered a locked vehicle parked in the 3000 block of Lee Road. A small amount of money and an iPad were stolen. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. Trade talks and the latest data on U.S. employment will color the week ahead for the stock market, CNBC's Jim Cramer said Friday as stocks rallied on high hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal at the weekend's G-20 summit. President Donald Trump is planning to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Buenos Aires, Argentina gathering on Saturday to discuss what has amounted to an ever-escalating trade war between the two nations. Next Friday, a Labor Department report on U.S. job creation will bookend what Cramer expects to be an "exciting" week for stocks. "Between Trump's meeting with President Xi over the weekend and the employment number on Friday, there's a whole lot going on next week. Let's just hope it's not too exciting," the "Mad Money" host said. With Saturday's market-defining meeting in mind, Cramer turned to his game plan for the week ahead: Monday: Coupa Software Spending-focused cloud player Coupa Software reports earnings on Monday. The Federal Reserve's slight step back from its initial plans for raising interest rates created a better environment for growth stocks like Coupa's, Cramer said. "Speaking of the Fed, I sure wish they'd start thinking not just about the raw data interpretation, but also about outfits like Coupa, which save companies a fortune ... by cutting back on people the most expensive part of a business and allowing them to rely on software to handle procurement," he said. "That means all of these cloud-based enterprise software companies are inherently deflationary," Cramer continued. "So [Fed Chair Jerome] Powell might want to listen in on Coupa's conference call, which, by the way, I expect to be a good one." Tuesday: Dollar General, Autozone, HD Supply, Toll Brothers Dollar General: Cramer expected a strong earnings report from Dollar General, which will issue its quarterly results Tuesday morning. "The best-performing portions of retail this week were the bargain basement operations: Ollie's, TJX and Burlington Stores. Dollar General fits that bill," he said. "I see an upside surprise coming." Autozone: Auto parts retailer Autozone will also report earnings. Cramer is a fan of the company's share buyback program, which he said was as good a reason as any to buy Autozone's stock after its report. "Even if the company delivers slightly off numbers, just a little bit of slippage, it's usually a great buying opportunity," he said. "These days, people are keeping their cars longer and longer, which means they need more maintenance and spare parts, a real boon to all of these ... auto parts companies." HD Supply: HD Supply's earnings will give Cramer a sense of how small businesses are faring in this country because the company provides industrial services to roughly 500,000 smaller-scale professional customers. "It's all part of the pastiche that I like to put together to take the temperature of the economy in real time," he said. Toll Brothers: Homebuilder Toll Brothers will add to that pastiche. Cramer expected the company's earnings report to "tell a tale of both strength and weakness." "Remember, I'm not saying the economy overall is weak, I'm saying it's weaker than it's been, and one of the reasons is the slowing housing market," he explained. "I bet Toll confirms my view, particularly on the coasts." Wednesday: Lululemon Athletica, Five Below Two Cramer-fave retailers, Lululemon and Five Below, will report earnings on Wednesday. The stocks of both companies have been struggling of late, Lululemon's "in sync with ... the rebellion against high-priced apparel" and Five Below's on worries about trade with China, Cramer said. "I think both sell-offs are overblown at this point," he argued. "However, I'm mindful of how hard it is to own retailers right now, [now] that people think the economy's shifting to a lower gear." Thursday: Kroger, Broadcom Kroger: The largest U.S. supermarket chain will also issue its quarterly results. The "Mad Money" host harbored concerns about the company's slew of formidable competitors. "While I think, certainly, that Kroger can spin a good yarn about remodeled stores, that merely makes it an OK house in a very bad neighborhood," he said. "I'm going to have to say no, thank you." Broadcom: After Wednesday's closing bell, investors will get results from chipmaker Broadcom. Cramer said there was a lot to be learned from the company's conference call. "I want to know about its quizzical acquisition ... of a software company called CA that works with mainframes, not to mention the exposure to China, 5G and Apple, although the latter is not to be named," he said. "At most, you make some cryptic reference, say, [to] a major customer. Still, there's a lot to learn from Broadcom." Friday: Non-farm payrolls On Friday, Cramer will be eyeing the U.S. Labor Department's non-farm payroll report, which measures job creation and is a key indicator for the Fed when it comes to raising interest rates. "I think it will give us our last strong set of employment numbers because I think it's tailing off giving the Fed [the] justification ... that it needs for one more tightening, December tightening, before it waits to see how its rate hikes have impacted the economy," Cramer said. "Now that Powell has chosen prudence over dogma, there's a good chance this once red-hot economy can get the soft landing that it so sorely deserves." WATCH: Cramer's game plan for the week ahead "Clearly the fundamentals are better for Microsoft in terms of which space they're in the cloud space, the growth they're experiencing but I'm not willing to walk away from Apple at these levels," the chief investment officer at Heartland Financial said on " Closing Bell ." Microsoft may have replaced Apple as the most valuable U.S. company, but don't count Apple out, investor Nancy Tengler told CNBC on Friday. Tim Cook, chief executive office of Apple Inc., speaks during an event at Lane Technical College Prep High School in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Apple is making announcements in a bid to win back students and teachers from Google and Microsoft Corp. Tengler, who owns shares of both Apple and Microsoft, said she's closer to selling Microsoft and buying Apple right now. "This is an interesting time to be adding." "We have to get used to the recalibration of iPhone flat sales, no transparency, what's the next big thing," she said. "We're going to find it's services and something we haven't thought of yet. Look at the Apple Watch, it's just kind of been a stealth outperformer." Apple shares have had a few rough weeks, releasing disappointing earnings on Nov. 1. The tech giant also announced it would no longer break out iPhone, iPad and Mac sales figures, which garnered a swift response from Wall Street. However, Tengler dismissed analysts' concerns. "Wall Street gets embarrassed. They're like a woman scorned. When they don't get the information they want, then they begin to pile on," she said. She is betting that Apple will make the successful transition to the next big thing and will bring the Street along. It just may take some time, she added. Therefore, for patient investors, they are getting paid to wait, said Tengler. CNBC's Jordan Novet and Sara Salinas contributed to this report. Disclaimer BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - DECEMBER 1: (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) during their bilateral meeting at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 1, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump has cancelled his meeting with Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit in Argentina planned on Saturday. The leaders of the world's largest economic powers on Saturday backed an overhaul of the global body that regulates international trade disputes, ahead of high-stakes talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at defusing a trade war. The Group of 20 industrialized nations called for reforms to the crisis-stricken World Trade Organization amid growing global trade tensions, in a final statement from a two-day gathering in Argentina. The communique, which was finalized after delegates worked through the night on Friday, recognized trade as an important engine of global growth but made only a passing reference to "the current trade issues," without providing any details. "We recognize the contribution that the multilateral trading system has made," the statement read. "The system is currently falling short of its objectives and there is room for improvement. We therefore support the necessary reform of the WTO to improve its functioning. We will review progress at our next Summit," it said. The WTO is on the verge of becoming dysfunctional, just when it is most needed to fulfill its role as umpire in trade disputes and as the watchdog of global commerce. The United States is unhappy with what it says is the WTO's failure to hold Beijing to account for not opening up its economy as envisioned when China joined the body in 2001. To force reform at the WTO, the United States has blocked new appointments to the world's top trade court. The European Union is also pushing for reform at the WTO. G20 delegates said that negotiations on the final summit statement proceeded more smoothly than at a meeting of Asian leaders two weeks ago that ended without a consensus thanks to a decision to avoid any reference to protectionism and unfair trading practices. On climate change, the United States once again marked its differences with the rest of the G20 by reiterating in the statement its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and its commitment to using all energy sources. The other members of the group reaffirmed their commitment to implement the Paris deal, taking into account their national circumstances and relative capabilities. "We will continue to tackle climate change, while promoting sustainable development and economic growth," the statement said. With the United States and China locked in growing disputes over commerce and security that have raised questions about the future of their relationship, global financial markets next week will take their lead from the outcome of talks between Trump and Xi over dinner on Saturday. The first day of the G20 summit offered glimmers of hope for progress between Washington and Beijing despite Trump's earlier threat of new tariffs, which would increase tensions already weighing on the growth of the global economy. But ahead of what is seen as the most important meeting of U.S. and Chinese leaders in years, both sides said differences remained, and the outcome of the talks were uncertain. This year's summit has proved to be a major test for the G20, whose leaders first met in 2008 to help rescue the global economy from the worst financial crisis in seven decades. With a rise in nationalist sentiment in many countries, the group, which accounts for two-thirds of the global population and 85 percent of the global economy, faces doubts over its ability to deal with trade tensions and other geopolitical differences among its members. Apart from trade and climate change, Russia's seizure of Ukrainian vessels has drawn condemnation from other G20 members, while the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the summit has raised an awkward dilemma for leaders. Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, who arrived amid controversy over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has been ignored by other leaders at public events, although he has had a series of bilateral meetings with them in private. Saudi Arabia has said the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder. President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive for a joint press conference after their summit on July 16, 2018 in Helsinki, Finland. (Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images) MUNICH There are few better places in the world than here to reflect on the need to end Western appeasement of Vladimir Putin and his growing list of international crimes. The latest was last Sunday's Russian attack on Ukrainian naval vessels in the Black Sea and its purpose of asserting Kremlin control over its still-sovereign neighbor. This Bavarian city of beer halls and baroque beauty has another claim it would rather shake, one that made its name synonymous with appeasement. On Sept. 30, 1938, when the perils posed by Adolf Hitler were already apparent, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, French Premier Edouard Daladier, and Italian leader Benito Mussolini signed the Munich Pact, which handed Nazi Germany large parts of Czechoslovakia in the name of peace. There's an unwritten rule among serious historians and journalists: No one and nothing should be compared to Hitler and the Third Reich, a singular personality and episode of evil. No direct comparison is reasonable or useful. Russians suffered more fatalities than any other people from what became known as the "Munich Betrayal" and the world war that was to come. Still, there is a Munich lesson for how to respond to Putin today. Appeasement's price is always high. It encourages malevolent actors to escalate their ambitions as they calculate what they wish to achieve against reduced risk and resistance. Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008, and the de facto annexation of its two breakaway provinces, was followed by the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, the first forceful changing of European borders since World War II. Then there was Moscow's intervening in Syria to prop up murderous dictator Bassar al Assad in 2015, which was followed by Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. elections. Western intelligence services mostly caught by surprise by these events have been gaming what the Russian leader might do next. It was a safe bet that it would fall within his campaigns to rebuild regional influence or to undermine the United States, its European allies, and their democracies and primary institutions, NATO and the European Union, while blocking their ability to accept new members from Moscow's neighborhood. Part of the answer came last weekend. Two aspects of Russia's military action were significant. First, it was the first time that Putin had so brazenly used his own conventional military forces against Ukraine, where he has acted mostly in the shadows or through proxies. Second, by firing upon Ukrainian vessels, he must have factored in a potential chain of events that might have led to a wider war. President Donald Trump's tweet on Thursday that he wouldn't meet with Putin this weekend on the margins of the G-20 in Argentina was encouraging but insufficient. In an interview with the German-language Bild Zeitung, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko this week warned, "The only language [Putin] understands is the solidarity of the Western world. We can't accept Russia's aggressive policies. First it was Crimea, then eastern Ukraine, now he wants the Sea of Azov." Here's a brief guide to what has happened and what should be done, providing context and a range of responses recommended by Atlantic Council experts: In 2003, Russia and Ukraine reached agreement on cooperation in the shared waterways of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, which runs between Russia and Crimea as the only entrance to the sea. After Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, it used its new control of both sides of the strait to build a $3.7 billion bridge connecting Crimea to mainland Russia. Its low height of 115 feet cut off access of larger ships to the Ukrainian ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk, resulting in a sharp decline of port revenues. In May of this year, following the bridge's completion, Russia moved naval vessels, including warships from its Caspian Flotilla, to the Sea of Azov. Since then, Russia has detained some 150 Ukrainian and foreign merchant ships and interrogated their crew members, according to a Ukrainian official and port authorities, deterring more ship traffic and further cutting revenues. Last Sunday, Russian forces opened fire and seized three Ukrainian naval ships after rebuffing their attempt to travel from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait. Russian troops detained 24 Ukrainian crew members, six of whom were injured, and have now transferred them to Moscow for criminal prosecution. The United States, European allies, the European Union, and NATO have condemned the Kremlin's aggression against Ukraine. Without more than that, however, Putin won't be deterred. Atlantic Council experts favor a three-pronged, diplomatic, economic, and military response, including but not limited to the following: - Diplomatically, the U.S., NATO, the EU, and other western allies should not only condemn the Russian actions but also detail how they violate specific international conventions. There should be demands that Russia apologize, punish those responsible, and immediately release the Ukrainian sailors. Russia should permit Ukrainian shipping free access to the Sea of Azov, in accordance with the 2003 agreement. The NATO and EU should jointly send a fact-finding mission to the Sea of Azov. - Economically, the United States and Europe should more stringently enforce the already existing sanctions imposed following Russia's annexation of Crimea, since that is the source of the problem. They should then prepare new sanctions on Russian financial institutions and shipping interests, to be implemented if Russia doesn't reverse course. To impose even greater costs, the U.S. should push Germany to suspend the ill-conceived Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. Once operational, Nord Stream 2 which bypasses Ukraine will cost Ukraine a 3 percent drop in GDP. Russia's multiple provocations undermine European efforts to obtain guarantees of continued gas transit through Ukraine after Nord Stream 2 comes on line. - Given the more direct Russian military involvement, it's also time to increase surveillance and other monitoring of the Sea of Azov by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and Western drones. A stronger message would be to widen NATO and U.S. military presence in the eastern Black Sea by increasing freedom of navigation operations. Finally, the U.S. and allies should provide additional defensive naval armaments to Ukraine, including coastal defense surface-to-ship missiles, patrol boats, radar, and additional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets. Critics might argue that such actions would be provocative. History has taught us, however, that appeasement is the most inflammatory action. That is the lasting lesson of Munich. Frederick Kempe is a best-selling author, prize-winning journalist and president & CEO of the Atlantic Council, one of the United States' most influential think tanks on global affairs. He worked at The Wall Street Journal for more than 25 years as a foreign correspondent, assistant managing editor and as the longest-serving editor of the paper's European edition. His latest book "Berlin 1961: Kennedy, Khrushchev, and the Most Dangerous Place on Earth" was a New York Times best-seller and has been published in more than a dozen languages. Follow him on Twitter @FredKempe and subscribe here to Inflection Points, his look each Saturday at the past week's top stories and trends. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter. Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal attorney who sent shock-waves through Washington this week with a guilty plea over lying to Congress about Trump's 2016 efforts to build a tower in Russia, is hoping to avoid prison time. With a sentencing hearing looming on the horizon, Cohen's legal team filed a memorandum Friday night in a lower Manhattan court. His team is arguing that Cohen took responsibility for his past crimes by fully cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. According to the legal filing, Cohen says that he informed Trump about a conversation he had with the Kremlin, seeking help to build a skyscraper in Moscow in 2016 during the U.S. presidential campaign. Since August, the New York lawyer has pleaded guilty twice on charges related to campaign-finance crimes, and on Thursday copped to lying to Congress about Trump's dealings with Russia. Mueller is also looking into potential coordination between Trump campaign-related figures and Russia, as well as possible obstruction of justice. Cohen's lawyers say the president's former personal lawyer has met with New York state officials who are also probing Trump. The Department of Taxation and Finance is investigating fraud allegations against Trump, and the NY attorney general's office has filed a lawsuit against Trump and his charitable foundation. Cohen has reportedly met with Mueller's team seven times for interviews that total more than 70 hours of participation a commitment that his attorneys say speaks to his "fortitude and fundamental character" as he seeks to "re-point his internal compass true north toward a productive, ethical and thoroughly law abiding life." His team also argued that the 52-year-old has been forced to "begin his life virtually anew" in the wake of FBI raids on his office and residence in April. His "greatest punishment," the lawyers write, has been the "shame and anxiety he feels daily from having subjected his family to the fallout from his case." Cohen's decision to cooperate required "singular determination and personal conviction," the attorneys said, in light of Trump's "raw, full-bore attack by the most powerful person in the United States" on the special counsel. "Michael is cooperating in a setting in which the legitimacy of the [Russia probe] and the rationale for its very existence is regularly questioned publicly and stridently by the President of the United States," they said, citing Trump's numerous tweets and public statements blasting Mueller and the probe. The memo linked Cohen's crimes to Trump, a client to whom Cohen was once intensely loyal. It said Cohen "acted on his client's instructions" when he was involved in making hush-money payments in 2016 to two women who allege they had had affairs with Trump years before he ran for president. Cohen took those actions, the memo said, to stop the women "from disseminating narratives that would adversely affect" Trump's presidential campaign and "cause personal embarrassment to [Trump] and his family." The White House has denied the allegations of extramarital affairs. On Thursday, Cohen pleaded guilty to one charge of lying to congressional committees about plans for a Trump Tower development in Moscow. Among other claims, the special counsel says Cohen falsely told the Senate Intelligence Committee that the Moscow proposal "ended in January 2016 and was not discussed extensively with others" in the Trump Organization. Mueller's team wrote in a court document that Cohen had discussed the Moscow project with another individual as late as about June 2016, and briefed Trump on it more times than he had claimed to the Senate committee, the special counsel wrote. Mueller's team adds that Cohen "briefed family members of [Trump] within the Company about the project." Cohen is set to be sentenced on Dec. 12 by Judge William Pauley in federal court in the Southern District of New York. --Reuters contributed to this article. WATCH: Here's how presidential pardons work President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before walking to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House November 29, 2018 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump postponed a Saturday press conference designed to tout the "great success" of the Group of 20 meeting in Argentina, citing the death of former president George H.W. Bush. Via Twitter, the president said in Buenos Aires that he would wait until after his return to the United States to brief the press on the outcome of the confab between the world's largest industrialized nations. Tweet 1 Tweet 2 The president's move came as markets were hopeful about a detente, or at least signs of progress, between the U.S. and China on trade. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at a rescheduled dinner, at which Xi reportedly told the president that the two countries should cooperate more and bolster ties. G-20 leaders have agreed to address reform in the World Trade Organization (WTO), maintain current efforts on climate change, and progress taxation of the digital economy. However, the group sidestepped "taboo words" in drafting the communique that referenced protectionism or unfair trade practices. This was seen as important given the ongoing tensions between the United States and China. Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump greet attendees waving American and Chinese national flags during a welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on Nov. 9, 2017. Cooperation is the best choice for China and the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump during a Saturday dinner meeting in Argentina, state news agency Xinhua reported. Xi said he would like to exchange views on issues of common concern with Trump and jointly chart the course for China-U.S. relations in the next stage, Xinhua added. Trump struck a positive note in brief remarks to reporters before the dinner, despite the U.S. president's earlier threats to impose new tariffs on Chinese imports. "Well be discussing trade and I think at some point we are going to end up doing something great for China and great for the United States," Trump said. He suggested that the "incredible relationship" he and Xi had established would be "the very primary reason" they could make progress on trade, though he offered no specifics on how they might resolve the main issue dividing the world's two biggest economies. John J. Sie addresses the crowd of politicos, philanthropists and other dignitaries at the opening of the Global Down Syndrome headquarters in Cherry Creek. At his right is his wife, Anna, and at right is Gov. John Hickenlooper, alongside Sie's granddaughter Sophie Whitten and daughter Michelle Sie Whitten. (Photo by Jared Wilson, courtesy of Global Down Syndrome Foundation) Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. Latest Android security hole shows why IT should consider a mobile app allow list Google Fi, a mobile service aimed at consumers, is potentially one of the best things that ever happened to businesses and enterprises. Ill tell you why in a minute. But first, Ill tell you whats good about Fi generally, and also whats new. Why Fi? Google Fi is not for everybody or every business. Its an odd service, by which I mean that its very different. Google Fi, which launched as Project Fi in April 2015, is a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, which means that it rebrands and resells mobile phone services. Google Fi-supporting phones have special software and antennas that automatically switch between U.S. domestic carriers (T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular) and Wi-Fi on the fly, depending on signal strength. When connecting to Wi-Fi, Google Fi uses an automated virtual private network (VPN) for security. The company recently added the option to automatically connect with VPN through cellular connections as well. Another benefit is international coverage. Google claims that users can automatically connect in more than 170 countries. The unique and appealing aspect of this (especially to this frequent flier) is that you get LTE speeds where available (whereas most international plans offered by U.S. carriers throttle data abroad to 2G speeds). On a practical level, this is gold. You just land in, say, India and continue using your phone like you did in Indiana. You dont have to change or configure anything. Better still, you can use your phone to set up a Wi-Fi hotspot for your laptop and other devices while youre in India instead of rolling the dice on public Wi-Fi networks in airports, hotels and cafes. Fi costs $20 per month, giving you unlimited domestic calls and messages, plus $10 per gigabyte for data up to a maximum of $60 for the data (at which point all additional data is free via a feature Google calls bill protection). Data used above 15GB may be throttled to 256 Kbps, which users can avoid by waiving bill protection and paying full price for all data. Calls outside the U.S. cost 20 cents per minute. Google Fi also increasingly supports Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) as part of what I believe is Googles intention to move people off the phone system and onto the internet. (The support is slowly being rolled out to more users in more situations over time.) You can request extra SIM cards for your other devices. These data-only Fi cards can be used on many phones and tablets, and the data used is added to the data total you use on your main Fi phone. Googles Group Repay feature lets you add additional people to your account at $15 per user. All the data is added together under the same pricing plan. Another great feature of Fi is control and transparency. Google Fi does not require a contract, and there are no hidden fees. You manage your Fi account with a mobile app (newly updated this week with a full Material Design aesthetic), which enables you to pause service, during which time you dont have to pay for it. You can also track exactly how much time is left in the current billing cycle and exactly how much data youve used. The main downside of Google Fi had been that you had to own one of only 13 of phones in order to use it or, at least, to access most of the benefits. All that changed this week. Whats new with Fi Google this week changed the name of the service, but more importantly, it announced that Fi is available on 84 additional phones, including iPhones. (The iPhone support is in beta, according to Google.) Available doesnt mean these newly added phones can do the fancy auto-switching between carriers and Wi-Fi. Only these phones, designed with custom antennas, can do that: Android One Moto X4 LG G7 ThinQ LG V35 ThinQ Moto G6 Nexus 5X Model LGH790 Nexus 6_ Model H1511 Nexus 6 Model XT1103 Pixel 3 Pixel 3 XL Pixel 2 Pixel 2 XL Pixel Model G-2PW4100 Pixel XL Model G-2PW2100 The good news is that other features are available to most or all 97 of the phones. For example, for Android phones running version 9, all Fi data can be automatically routed through the VPN. Why Fi is best for business One of the best and worst trends in enterprise IT in the past decade has been the BYOD (bring your own device) movement. When mobile phones first emerged, companies wanted to issue phones to employees. But employees pushed back, saying they didnt want to carry two phones, and the phone they did carry would have to be one that they had chosen. So BYOD. This has turned out to be a boon for employees and a rotten deal for IT departments and companies. Under most BYOD regimes, employees get to choose the phone, the carrier, the apps, the Wi-Fi networks to connect to and more and the costs and security resulting from those often careless or ill-informed choices are ITs problem. Its time to change this rotten deal. Instead of a free-for-all on the employee side and a stacked deck for IT, companies should stipulate that if employees want to use their own devices, they must use Google Fi. Employees should be required to turn on the all-VPN, all-the-time feature of Google Fi, for added security (the cellular VPN is optional; the Wi-Fi VPN is both more valuable and also the default setting). Google Fi will give domestic traveling executives the best coverage wherever they go because of the automatic switching between three carriers and Wi-Fi. And it provides international traveling executives easier and better data performance while abroad, plus a secure Wi-Fi hotspot to connect to wherever they go. Google Fi will greatly reduce costs by putting the burden of managing those costs on employees. Instead of a free-for-all, where employees choose their carriers overpriced and underperforming international roaming plans (and then expense those costs to the company), employees will have to either justify why theyre opting out of Googles bill protection and paying $10 per gig for 200GB of data for watching YouTube and Netflix or theyll have to manage their data use to avoid throttling under the bill protection plan. Google not IT handles the VPN. Employees not IT manage the costs. Every BYOD request should be a negotiated settlement, where the employee agrees to use Google Fi and in exchange the company agrees to allow access to the company network and the apps that employees need to do their jobs. This arrangement doesnt solve all problems. For example, employees will still install malware apps. But its something. This idea wasnt desirable or feasible until very recently, when Google expanded to all-the-time VPN support and widened support to 97 smartphone models. But now that it has, its time for businesses to get a little help with BYOD programs, courtesy of Google. The Noble Liar: How and Why the BBC Distorts the News to Promote a Liberal Agenda by Robin Aitken Do we need a book to tell us the BBC is biassed in favour of every progressive nostrum? One of my many weaknesses as a conservative is that I cannot bring myself, except on rare occasions, to get really angry about the Corporations coverage of current affairs. It seems to me that it is not so difficult to detect and discount the preconceptions which inform its coverage, and to appreciate the work of the many excellent journalists who are employed there. Robin Aitken, who worked for the BBC for 25 years, is made of sterner stuff. He is in a state of bubbling indignation with the bias he finds: The BBC has wholeheartedly thrown its lot in with the liberal reformers; there has been no impartiality on any of the big moral issues of the past half-century. In every instance, the socially conservative argument has been depicted as callous, reactionary and dogmatic. Any counterargument to the prevailing liberal consensus is now ignored altogether; social conservative voices are conspicuous by their absence on mainstream current affairs programmes. Aitken accuses the Corporation of maintaining an elaborately constructed pretence of neutrality, while acting as a strident cheerleader for globalisation, immigration and diversity (a quality which, in BBC usage, is always to be applauded, even though academic studies have shown that too much diversity lessens community cohesion). He suggests that in BBC-world we are all liberals now, and posits the existence of a nexus of media interests which is militantly liberal in outlook, and which has systematically destroyed the foundational beliefs and practices which informed the lives of previous generations. This process started in the post-war years, gathered strength in the 1960s and, since then, has enjoyed virtually uninterrupted success in the furtherance of its goals (the EU referendum is the exception and, at the time of writing, it is not clear whether the wishes of the voters will actually result in Britain leaving the EU, such is the ferocity of the fightback against Brexit). He illustrates his thesis with many striking observations. It is true, as he says, that BBC people quite often go on nowadays to be heads of Oxbridge colleges by his count there are now six of these. And it is also true that our universities and schools contain a far smaller proportion of teachers who think of themselves as conservative than was the case only a generation or two ago. There has been a long march by self-righteous liberals through many of our institutions. Divorce, feminism, mental health, abortion, euthanasia, Christianity, Islam: on all these questions, the BBC tends to promote whatever the latest progressive orthodoxy may be, and to ignore the huge volume of evidence which contradicts that orthodoxy. Aitken examines these issues in turn, and points to the inconvenient facts. In Aitkens view, the BBC propagates a series of noble lies in pursuit of a political agenda, but sooner or later people will realise they have been duped, which will be a moment of great peril for the established order. One of the errors he makes here is to exaggerate the credulity of the public. Go into any pub in the land and one has always been able to find people who do not believe a word either politicians or journalists (even BBC journalists) tell them. A second error is to exaggerate the influence of the BBC. Towards the end of the book, he glances across the Atlantic: When President Trump was merely Candidate Trump on the campaign trail, he hammered home one message in particular; he turned on the mainstream US media and accused it of peddling fake news. As anyone who has had any experience of US journalists will know, they do not, as a group, lack self-esteem; on the contrary, American media folk are monumentally self-important. Trumps assault on their profession was bitterly resented and dismissed as the words of an inveterate liar who lacked the righteous virtues they see themselves possessing. But as Aitken points out, proving the facts in a story are correct something over which The New York Times and other liberal American newspapers take inordinate pains does not in itself exonerate the media from the charge of printing fake news: Trump wasnt saying that the press and the TV networks were getting the facts wrong, rather, they were telling the wrong stories. And Trump had a good point: its a question of fairness, not facts. A report can be accurate and yet deeply unfair whether by selection or omission. Fake news is not so much about factual inaccuracy as about ideological bias Aitken often implies there can be such a thing as journalism written without bias. That strikes me as a very dubious assumption. Whether one is a historian or a journalist, one can to some extent be aware of ones own assumptions, and can try to admit these to the reader. But one cannot write without preconceptions, or bias as it will be called by ones critics. He also tends to underestimate the extent to which egregious errors, though they may persist for a long time, do eventually tend to be noticed and perhaps even corrected. So immigration, which for a long time was a suppressed subject, is now quite openly debated. And the oddity of Western feminists standing up for Islamic dress codes is more and more noted, even though the discrepancy has not been resolved. Part of Aitkens horror is at the trashy, tawdry and shallow culture which we inhabit, and which he believes to be in large measure the creation of our media. But he does admit, on page 128, that the collapse in the prestige, influence and centrality of Christianity in Britain has its roots a long way before the BBC. Arnold wrote Dover Beach, about the melancholy, long, withdrawing roar of the Sea of Faith, in 1867. The French Revolution, for which the men of letters of the Enlightenment had created the intellectual climate, was a more savage onslaught on the Church than anything perpetrated by the errant successors of Lord Reith. To this day, one can establish someones political outlook by asking whether they are for or against the Revolution. Burke wrote a great counterblast to the Revolution. Who in recent years has written a great counterblast to liberalism, or a great defence of conservatism? It is no good blaming everything on the liberals. When the conservative case is not made, it is likely to go by default. Michael Wharton, who worked at the BBC for ten years before Colin Welch recruited him in 1957 to write the Peter Simple column for The Daily Telegraph, made wonderful, despondent jokes about the whole left-wing package deal, personified in a range of ludicrous characters. There are virtually no jokes in Aitkens book, but it maps a world of self-obsessed and irresistibly comic liberals against whom the pendulum may already have begun to swing. At first glance, Theresa Mays push for a television debate with Jeremy Corbyn looks understandable as part of her drive to be seen doing everything she can to persuade people of the merits of her Brexit deal. The Prime Minister wishes to demonstrate she will leave no stone unturned and spare herself no exertion between now and the vote on 11th December. She is also confident she has a far greater command than Corbyn of the meaning and detail of her proposals, so has good chances of showing him up as a lazy thinker who has not gripped the subject. But the more one examines how the debate might actually work, the odder it looks, and the less surprising it has become a stumbling block, with no agreement even about whether the BBC or ITV will host it. Brexit is a horribly complicated subject, with a wide range of mutually contradictory outcomes being canvassed by devoted adherents, ranging from No Deal to the Norway option to a second referendum. It is obvious May and Corbyn have no interest in doing justice to these different ideas. The Prime Minister is determined to frame this as a choice between her deal and chaos. She is entitled to push that line, but the broadcasters cannot allow themselves to become mere tools in Downing Streets propaganda offensive. So the BBC proposed a panel of 20, half of whom would back the PM and half of whom would canvass other options. It then agreed to reduce the panel to ten, split the same way. What scope for rancour there is in this proposal. No one is likely to feel that in the small amount of time available, his or her cherished ideas about the best way forward have been represented as well as they deserve to be represented. Happily, there exists a better way of having this debate. A chamber exists in which 40 hours have already been set aside for it, with over 600 members on hand to represent the different points of view. This chamber has rules of debate which have evolved over a long period, and which enable opposing points of view to be expounded and challenged. It can and does oblige the Prime Minister to attend for hours on end, in order to answer every possible question, not just from the Leader of the Opposition but from the Scottish and Welsh Nationalists, the Democratic Unionists, the Liberals and from many Conservative and other backbenchers who have important and often inconvenient points about which they wish to inquire. The Members of this House, who have been elected under clearly understood rules by the whole nation, feel themselves under pressure to be intelligible, and if possible to make their arguments in pithy and witty form, for there is then the greatest chance of getting what they have to say across to the wider public. They can be lobbied by their constituents, and find it prudent to remain aware of local opinion, while also exercising their informed judgment on the often very intricate and contentious questions which need to be resolved. The House has a quick-witted chairman whose duty is to facilitate this process, learned clerks who know how to give legal form to the different options, and voting procedures which enable decisions to be taken. There are also press and public galleries from which the debate can be watched and reported, and the proceedings will, incidentally, be televised. Why hold the other, much shorter television debate, under improvised and inevitably unsatisfactory rules of procedure, when this far superior forum, known as the House of Commons, already exists? 100% Website kaerntnermessen.at uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 197304 bytes (192.68 kb uncompressed) and 24832 bytes (24.25 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-11-03, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. We are analyzing the site. Please wait a few seconds.. 96% Website myanmarupdatechannel.com uses latest and advanced technologies like: Php. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 29620 bytes (28.93 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2020-07-12, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 71% Website thea.at uses latest and advanced technologies like: Boostrap. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 38870 bytes (37.96 kb uncompressed) and 11150 bytes (10.89 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-08-25, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. Coral Expeditions has announced a one-time only circumnavigation of Australia aboard the new Coral Adventurer to mark its 35th anniversary. The 60-day voyage roundtrip from Darwin will depart Nov. 7, 2020, visiting 35 places described to be of maritime, cultural and natural significance that have shaped Australia. Many of these locations are hard to reach by land. The journey will also feature overnight stopovers and events in coastal centers including Fremantle, Adelaide, Hobart, Sydney and Cairns. According to Coral, a further highlight are several special experiences included in the cruise fare: On Christmas day, guests will disembark in Cairns and fly by private jet to a special Australian Christmas dinner under the stars at Uluru. At historic Cape Leeuwin, guests will disembark to enjoy a private winemakers dinner at Leeuwin Estate vineyards. And in Sydney, an afternoon on the harbor will be made special by a private charter of the historic barque, the James Craig. We are excited to deliver this expedition voyage around Australia to celebrate our 35 years, said Mark Fifield, group general manager at Coral Expeditions. It is a significant milestone, an ambitious adventure and is in keeping with our spirit as pioneers of the expedition experience. The year 2020 will not only be a milestone for Coral Expeditions, but it also aligns with other significant events including the 250th anniversary of Captain Cooks exploration and discovery of Australia, the 200th anniversary of Sir Philip Parker Kings landing at Careening Bay on his great northern explorations and it coincides with the 75th year commemoration of the end of the Second World War. Master of the Coral Expeditions fleet, Captain Gary Wilson, has led the development of a detailed passage plan offering a diverse array of shore excursions along the way, including visiting the pre historic Stromatolites on the Western Australian coast; immersive explorations of indigenous history at the Wessels Islands and through Arnhem Land; retracing the first contact between Europeans and Aborigines at the Pennefather River, aboard the Duyfken in 1606; and excursions to key sites of the famous voyages of Captain James Cook in 1770 and Phillip Parker King in 1820. Other experiences include a service commemorating the loss of HMAS Sydney in WW2 at the resting place of her remains, a crossing of the Great Australian Bight, and excursions through the rarely seen archipelago of the Recherche. Australian Geographic, who are expedition partners with Coral and share a heritage and love of exploration and conservation around Australia, will play an important role in enhancing onboard educational content and shore excursion development for the voyage and in the attraction of keynote guest lecturers and experts to join the journey. The 120-passenger Coral Adventurer has been specially designed by Coral Expeditions to suit this style of extended expedition cruising, the company said in a prepared statement. The ships lightweight dual Xplorer expedition tenders, a trademark feature of all of its vessels, will extend the capabilities of the ship by allowing fast transit for passengers with open views on shore excursions and deeper exploration into the visiting regions. A new multi-purpose space, the Barralong Room, will host interpretive activities and projects. The voyage is marketed in Australia and in key global markets such as the UK/Europe and North America. Prices start from $38,860.00 per person (twin share) and limited single staterooms. The voyage has been on sale to the public since Nov. 1, 2018. WASHINGTON - The Trump administration took an important step toward future oil and natural gas drilling off the Atlantic shore, approving five requests allowing companies to conduct deafening seismic surveys that could harm tens of thousands of dolphins, whales and other marine animals, according to studies. In an announcement Friday, the National Marine Fisheries Service, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, declared that it issued final "incidental take" authorizations permitting companies conducting the surveys to harm wildlife if its unintentional. "NOAA Fisheries is clear in the documentation related to [incidental take authorizations] that we do not expect mortality to occur as a result of these surveys," said a spokeswoman, Katherine Brogan. But numerous scientific studies show acoustic sound can harm or potentially kill animals. The decision is likely to further antagonize governors in states along the Eastern Seaboard who strongly oppose the administration's proposal to expand federal oil and gas leases to the Atlantic. The authorizations clear the way for surveys across a stretch of ocean between Delaware and Florida. Every state executive on the coast below Maine opposed the plan. Federal leases could lead to exploratory drilling for the first time in more than a half-century. Several Democrats representing those states in the House and Senate decried the authorizations. In addition to harming sea life, acoustic tests - in which acoustic waves are sent through water 10 to 12 seconds apart to image the sea floor - can disrupt thriving commercial fisheries. Governors, state lawmakers and attorneys general along the Atlantic coast say drilling threatens beach tourism that has flourished on the coast in the absence of oil production. Seismic testing maps the ocean floor and estimates the whereabouts of oil and gas, but only exploratory drilling can confirm their presence. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill that soiled the Gulf of Mexico resulted from an exploratory drill. Another gulf disaster that looms almost as large has spewed oil for more than 14 years. The Taylor Energy spill of up to an estimated 700 barrels a day started when a hurricane ripped up production wells and could continue for the rest of the century, according to the Interior Department. The fisheries service announcement comes just a week after the Trump administration released a new report by the U.S. Geological Survey showing that excavating and burning fossil fuels from federal land made up nearly a fourth of all carbon dioxide emissions in the United States over a decade ending in 2014. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, the administration published a much larger report by 13 federal agencies projecting the severe economic costs of climate change as coastal flooding and wildfires worsen, and hurricanes are becoming more severe. After the administration's critics accused it of trying to bury the report with a release on Black Friday, President Donald Trump dismissed it out of hand. "One of the problems that a lot of people like myself, we have very high levels of intelligence but we're not necessarily such believers," Trump said during a freewheeling 20-minute interview with Washington Post reporters. Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., the senior Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, blasted the administration's decision to permit acoustic testing as "an alarming sign of [its] indifference to the fate of coastal communities and marine life, including the endangered north Atlantic right whale." He bemoaned the timing of the announcement shortly after the climate report's release, saying, "There is nothing this administration won't do for the fossil fuel industry, including destroying local economies and ruining endangered species habitats." Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., called for congressional action to regulate seismic testing in a tweet Friday. "Since Donald Trump has decided to ignore the concerns of residents and stakeholders directly impacted by seismic blasting and offshore drilling," he said, "it is time for Congress to step in and put a stop to this by passing my bill, the Atlantic Seismic Airgun Protection Act." Numerous other Democrats, including Sen. Ed Markey, Mass., and Rep. Donald McEachin, Va., criticized the administration's decision in tweets. According to one model prediction used in a 2014 study by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in 2014, nearly 2.5 million dolphins would be harassed or possibly killed by acoustic sound blasts each year in the middle and southern Atlantic, and nearly a half-million pilot whales would be affected. Six of the impacted mammals in the study area were endangered species, the report said, including four types of whales. The species most impacted would be humpback whales, 12 of which could be killed each year it said. However, BOEM has asserted that there is no confirmed evidence that animals are actually harmed by seismic mapping and considers the threat of incidental take "negligible." But that assessment has not comforted opponents of seismic activity. Fewer than two weeks ago, the National Marine Fisheries Service pleaded with commercial fishermen to be careful not to harm Atlantic right whales after an unprecedented 20 deaths in 2016 and 2017 reduced their numbers to a mere 400 in the wild. "We are very concerned about the future of North Atlantic right whales," Barb Zoodsma, right whale biologist for NOAA Fisheries, said in a Nov. 15 statement. "We lost 20 right whales in U.S. and Canadian waters since 2017 during an Unusual Mortality Event. The number of right whale deaths is troubling for a population of a little more than 400 animals, particularly because we estimate that there are only about 100 breeding females who are producing fewer calves each year." The Obama administration denied six permits for seismic testing weeks before Trump took office in 2017 out of concern for wildlife and fisheries. "In the present circumstances and guided by an abundance of caution, we believe that the value of obtaining the geophysical and geological information from new air-gun seismic surveys in the Atlantic does not outweigh the potential risks of those surveys' acoustic pulse impacts on marine life," said Abigail Ross Hopper, BOEM's director at the time. Shortly after that decision, the American Petroleum Institute condemned it as wrongheaded, saying it would increase energy costs for consumers and shut the door to job creation. The institute, a lobby for the oil and gas industry, pinned its fortunes on the incoming president. "We are hopeful the incoming administration will reverse this shortsighted course and base its decisions on facts so that we can have a forward-looking energy policy to help keep energy affordable for American consumers and business, create jobs and strengthen our national security," spokesman Eric Wohlschlegel said at the time. In November, API trumpeted studies that purported to show that southern Atlantic states could reap billions of dollars in revenue from oil and gas reserves. API welcomed Friday's decision in a statement provided by a spokesman, Reid Porter. "The U.S. needs to know what energy resources exist off of our shores and we are hopeful that permits for surveying for offshore oil and natural gas and a full national offshore leasing plan to explore and develop the outer continental shelf will move forward soon." Not surprisingly, conservation groups denounced it. "This action flies in the face of massive opposition to offshore drilling and exploration from over 90 percent of the coastal communities in the proposed blast zone," said Diane Hoskins, campaign director at Oceana, a nonprofit. "President Trump is essentially giving these companies permission to harass, harm and possibly even kill marine life." The Natural Resources Defense Council echoed Grijalva's observation. "Just one week after issuing dire warnings on the catastrophic fallout of climate change . . . the Trump administration is opening our coastlines to for-profit companies to prospect for oil and gas - and is willing to sacrifice marine life, our coastal communities and fisheries in the process," said Michael Jasny, director of the group's Marine Mammal Protection Project. An alliance of businesses and chambers of commerce aligned to protect the Atlantic coast, known as BAPAC, also condemned the decision. "The Outer Banks business community depends on a clean and beautiful coast to support our multi-billion dollar tourism, recreation and fishing industries," said Karen Brown, president and chief executive of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. "The release of these permits puts us one step closer to oil-covered beaches and economic disaster." Darien's Scott Pelley, a veteran journalist, provides an exclusive view on the state of journalism today to The Darien Times. Recently, I received a warning from the FBI. A special agent in the New York office told me that a man charged with mailing a dozen bombs to high profile figures had a file on me in his computer which included my home address. The Florida suspect was arrested before he could mail a bomb to my family. The warning reminded me of a lunch I had with the president about a year before. At that time, I was managing editor of the CBS Evening News. President Trump had tweeted that CBS News was an "enemy of the American people." In the State Dining Room of the White House, I suggested to the president that his rhetoric might incite some mentally ill person to open fire on a small-town newspaper or television station. Mr. Trump thought for a moment and replied, "I don't worry about that." Many others do. In light of Mr. Trump's attacks on the media, a viewer stopped me on the street and said with genuine concern, "This must be a terrible time to be a reporter." "Ohhh, no," I told her. "This is the best time to be a reporter." The president has given all Americans a priceless opportunity to reflect on how essential free speech and a free press are to our beloved country. There was a brief, dark, moment in our history when the government took away our freedom of expression. The Sedition Act of 1798 made it a crime for anyone to "utter" criticism of the House, Senate or the president. (1) This was the tyranny James Madison had been determined to prevent when he wrote the First Amendment in our Bill of Rights: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (2) The Sedition Act outraged Madison. In his rebuttal, entitled, "Report on the Virginia Resolutions" (1800), Madison wrote that Congress had assumed a power that is... ...expressly and positively forbidden by one of the [constitutional] amendments thereto: a power, which more than any other, ought to produce universal alarm; because it is leveled against that right of freely examining public characters and measures, and of free communication among the people thereon, which has ever been justly deemed the only effectual guardian of every other right. (3) What Madison meant by "press" was every American and his or her right to say what they want to say, write what they want to write, read what they want to read. Don't be misled. Any constraint on "the press" applies to every citizen's voice. "Enemy of the American people," in President Trump's phrase? We are the American people. Journalists bring vitality to the national conversation. We bridge differences, serve public safety, expose corruption, constrain power and give voice to the voiceless. As Madison might say today, Freedom of the Press is the right that guarantees all our rights. No mail bomb, no president, no Congress, can alter one enduring fact of freedom there is no democracy without journalism. Scott Pelley is a 60 Minutes correspondent and author of the forthcoming memoir, Truth Worth Telling. 1 "An act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States," Fifth Congress Session II, 1798, Chapter LXXI, Section 1, Library of Congress. 2 The Constitution of the United States, Amendment I, National Archives, presented in New York City 1789."Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." 3 "The Report of 1800," National Archives (January 7, 1800). Pa. election audit: Private company vows to protect voters' information The company contracted by state Senate Republicans pledged to be fair and protect voters' sensitive information in its election, but didn't elaborate. We waited six-and-a-half years to have children, and within seven months we became a family of four. That has been the real-life experience of Malka Groden and her husband, Mendel; they gained an instant family, much like Mark Walberg and Rose Byrne in the movie Instant Family currently playing in theaters. (The movie is based on director Sean Anders own familys story.) The Grodens children came to them last year, after a lot of struggle, heartache and financial expense. The Grodens are members of the Chabad Lubavitch community in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. They married young and expected to have a big family quickly, as many in their community do, but encountered the anguish of infertility. After costly failures with fertility treatments, they started looking into international adoption. Practically speaking, though I didnt really know what to do or what steps to take, Malka recently shared at a National Review Institute forum on adoption and foster care at the Tikvah Fund in New York City, everyone had an opinion and advice on what I should do, and I just spent hours studying the State Department site on inter-country adoption trying to understand it, which was not easy. Soon, they decided to focus on domestic adoption options instead. Entering the world of domestic adoption exposed me to an alternate reality that Id never known, Malka said. Poverty, prostitution, drug addiction and incarceration are commonplace. In these environments, the risks of violence and sexual abuse for the children are high. Thats the world many birth mothers come from, Malka shared. You start to learn about adoption, and automatically begin to think theres no way I can be open to a child who was exposed to heroin before birth or who might go through withdrawal or whose birth father is a sexual predator. After a mental adjustment, the Grodens were open to this radical new world. We were officially in the books waiting to be placed with a child in early February 2017, and exactly two weeks later, we got the call that we were matched with our son, who was born a few days later, Malka says. That summer, we received a call about a baby girl, and on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, of 2017, we were blessed with our daughter. She quickly realized that no one really knows anything about adoption (my words, not hers) including maybe even especially in her community. (The more I learn about adoption and foster care, the more I think about its similarity to the military: Its often only the relatively few who serve who have any idea what goes into it, what the life is like and what the hurdles and struggles are.) Malka confesses: At first, it irritated me and I thought I really would just like to be left alone and not have to explain all of this to people all the time, but then I began to realize that if I spoke about it I could address peoples curiosity and questions on my own terms and maybe build some awareness. Ive heard Malka tell her familys story three times in the last three weeks including at a White House listening session on adoption and foster care on Nov. 29 and each time I cant help but think that she was made, in some ways, for these weeks, that she sets an example especially needed in these fraught times. Trees, wreaths and Christmas lights are just about everywhere now. Some places, youll see the Holy Family, too Mary, Joseph and the Christ child. And a Jewish mother from Brooklyn implores us to make more room in our hearts for children in need of stable, loving families. (Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review Online and founding director of Catholic Voices USA. She can be contacted at klopez@nationalreview.com.) A few months ago, I was surprised to get a message from the office of the International Development Secretary, Penny Mordaunt. Would I come in for a chat? The Cabinet minister, it was explained, had just begun her new job. She was aware that I took an interest in her department's work and she was eager for ideas. I duly met Ms Mordaunt, who was accompanied by an official. My principal advice to her was this: beware your civil servants who will, as night follows day, obstruct everything that you try to do which goes against their world-view. In addition, if she defied their wishes, the Civil Service would probably brief viciously against her in private and leak harmful stories about her to the media. Penny Mordaunt was warned by Peter Oborne about previous foreign aid scandals. Oborne told her of the money given to the Marxist government of Ethiopia, who then put Communist propaganda in school textbooks I then warned Ms Mordaunt that I believed the foreign aid budget was out of control. I pointed to a number of scandals. They included the disgraceful episode when the Marxist government of Ethiopia was given millions of pounds of British taxpayers' money to put Communist propaganda in school textbooks, and there was also the apparent funding of jihadi militants in Syria. As a result of a host of other examples of mis-spending such as more than a quarter of a billion pounds used to build a runway for a South Atlantic island where planes can't land public confidence in Ms Mordaunt's department was at rock bottom. To rebuild confidence, I suggested a major audit of how the tens of billions of public money had been spent on the overseas aid budget. Though the minister herself said nothing, her official looked concerned and took copious notes. Mordaunt visited Africa earlier this year. She is pictured in the village of Marsabit in northern Kenya, one of the poorest regions in the country I then counselled Ms Mordaunt that she should learn from what had happened to her predecessors, Priti Patel, Justine Greening and Andrew Mitchell. They had all become enthusiastic drivers of the foreign aid gravy train pouring billions into projects abroad at a time of austerity, when Britain was borrowing huge sums and our elderly care system teetered on the brink of collapse through lack of funds. This dismal trio of Tories wedded to a flagship policy of spending 0.7 per cent of GDP on foreign aid failed to tackle the endemic corruption and waste that was a byword for the euphemistically named Department for International Development (DfID). I told Ms Mordaunt there was an obvious reason for her predecessors going native. This time last year, Penny Mordaunt visited refugee camps in Bangladesh. She is pictured listening to Yasmin 15, in Kutupalong refugee camp Mitchell and Patel, in particular, had come from the Right wing of the Conservative Party and were keen to ingratiate themselves with the Left by championing a cause close to the hearts of those who want foreign aid to be a tool for expiating guilt over the British Empire. Needless to say, I didn't expect Penny Mordaunt to take my advice. Indeed, I'm afraid she has been a disappointment as International Development Secretary. She has been in her post just over 12 months and there has been no sign of that desperately needed audit of the scores of billions of pounds spent on overseas aid. What's more, the whole overseas aid sector is catastrophically out of control. Among several scandals, most egregious has been that concerning Oxfam probably Britain's best known charity. It received 31.7 million from the Government in 2017. Meanwhile, it was revealed that DfID officials had turned a blind eye to claims that staff used sex workers while delivering aid in Haiti, and there have been allegations of paedophilia. Last month, the Mail exposed a disturbing story that raised huge questions about potential mismanagement and conflict of interest at Oxfam. Penny Mordaunt is also known for appearing on TV while a contestant on the diving reality show Splash! The charity has quietly moved the bulk of its operations from Oxford to Kenya, while the head of Oxfam International, the charity's global HQ, is a Ugandan who is fast becoming the most powerful female African political figure in the world. When we asked for a response from DfID, there was no reply from Ms Mordaunt. The only interpretation for this silence was that this was fresh proof of her reluctance to offend the powerful interests which benefit from Britain's foreign aid budget. This week, her failings were proved beyond any doubt. New figures showed that UK spending on foreign aid has soared to 14.1 billion, up from 13.4 billion in 2016. That works out at 742 per family in Britain a year. A prodigious amount of money when our national debt is at a mind-blowing 1.79 trillion. Some of this money contributed by hard-working British families was spent on supporting the fracking industry in China, the second largest economy in the world. Almost 100 million goes to India, a country so wealthy that it has spent a similar amount on a lunar probe. Billions are given as a blank cheque to bloated organisations such as the World Bank, which use our money without our control. I must stress that I strongly support foreign aid spending if used in a sensible way. But not if millions are handed to a dodgy Who's Who of corrupt countries where proper oversight is nigh impossible. Most worrying, none of the poorest five countries in the world (as measured by GDP per capita) are among the top five beneficiaries of UK aid. It would, of course, be wrong to blame Penny Mordaunt personally for all of this grotesque mismanagement and waste of public money. It was David Cameron, who, in a cynically calculated attempt to shed the so-called 'nasty party' tag some had wickedly attached to the Conservative Party, committed a Tory Government to spend 0.7 per cent of the national budget on foreign aid. Mordaunt is pictured viewing a tiger in London Zoo to announce a 6million fund to counter the poaching trade. Oborne writes: 'I must stress that I strongly support foreign aid spending if used in a sensible way' Nor is Ms Mordaunt helped by the presence of Matthew Rycroft as her Permanent Secretary. At his previous job as the UK's representative at the United Nations, this misguided mandarin watched on as world leaders did little to stop the genocidal killing of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar or deal adequately with famine in the Yemen the two greatest humanitarian catastrophes of the 21st century. With inevitable talk of possible future Tory leaders, Penny Mordaunt, 45, has been suggested as a fresh face capable of selling a modern form of Conservatism to the electorate. To most voters, the former paratrooper's daughter is best known for appearing on TV doing a belly-flop into a swimming pool while a contestant on the diving reality show Splash!. Sadly, her failure to confront the chronic problems involved with foreign aid show that she is badly out of her depth. The promise No.10 must keep I was one of the earliest supporters of Theresa May's EU exit strategy. But I believe her aides are mistaken in the way they have issued apocalyptic warnings that national security would be at risk if Britain leaves the EU without a deal. Also, I am disturbed by officials' refusal to honour No. 10's promise to publish the Government's full legal advice on Brexit rather than just a summary. Doing so would not only show the Tories believe in open government it would also remove the threat of ministers being in contempt of Parliament. Portillo: The Reinvention As a preening Tory minister in the Nineties, Michael Portillo had a reputation for overweening personal ambition. But time has mellowed the old Thatcherite. This week, at a question and answer session at Warwick Arts Centre entitled Life: A Game Of Two Halves, he came across as warm and self-deprecating. What a reinvention! Perhaps it's time he returned to the political front line. Facial rollers, clay masks and every kind of glitter make-up may have defined 2018, but there's a whole raft of quirky new beauty trends waiting in the wings for the year ahead. Global data analysts JWT Innovation has revealed the top trends we can expect to see next year, including holistic skincare brands from China making their way across the globe, and 'superfood' ingredients for hair. Following a year which saw Kylie Jenner's lipkits land her the position of youngest female 'self-made' millionaire on the Forbes Rich List, lips are set to continue to dominate the beauty industry in 2019. As well as lipstick that changes colour according to your skin's pH levels, the statement 'it' lip will also feature heavily. And with the uber-perfect 'Barbie' look prominent in the world of selfies, experts predict a backlash- with 'grotesque' beauty emerging among influencers, and pubic hair grooming products breaking taboos. Meanwhile in the world of influencers, virtual models are set to become more common, while an environmental edge sees companies pledging to use less water in their products. Here, Lucie Greene, Director of JWT Innovation tells Femail what trends will rule 2019. Transformer makeup Colour-changing make-up such as Winky Lux's lipstick (seen) which goes on clear but transforms into a pink shade according to your lips' pH balance will be among the beauty trends big in 2019 'As a new beauty product can live or die by its success on Instagram, brands are creating makeup and cosmetics that have a fun-to-use, exhibitionist element. 'Lately, they've been zeroing in on formulations that have a transformative, color-changing effect, whether that's achieved through layering with other products or in reaction to the skin's pH. Lipstick Queen, a company founded by beauty industry veteran Poppy King, counts transformative lip colors among its bestselling products. Since launching Frog Prince in 2015 a lipstick that's green in the tube, then transforms into a sheer rosethe brand has unveiled a rainbow of color-changing formulations. Various brands have followed suit with color-changing products of their own, including Winky Lux's Watermelon Jelly Balm, which goes on clear but turns pink on the lips, with the exact tone depending on the wearer's pH levels. The idea is moving beyond lips, with contract cosmetic manufacturers developing a wider selection of makeup products that employ color-changing elements. At the 2017 MakeUp in Paris trade show, Italian manufacturer Crystal Moda showcased Color Perfection Pigment, drops that are designed to be blended with foundation to make its undertones more beige or more pink, to suit different wearers' complexions.' Lipstick Queen, a company founded by beauty industry veteran Poppy King, counts transformative lip colors among its bestselling products. Frog Prince (seen) is a lipstick that's green in the tube, then transforms into a sheer ros Hair food Superfood ingredients have migrated into skincare products, and now they're making their way into haircare, too. One food-inspired haircare launch that created a splash in 2018 was Briogeo's Be Gentle, Be Kind range, formulated with 'superfood-infused cleansers 'Superfood ingredients have migrated into skincare products, and now they're making their way into haircare, too. Andrew McDougall, a global haircare analyst at Mintel, comments that 'as consumers become more aware of the ingredients they eat, drink, or use for beauty purposes, interest in natural and food-based ingredients is rising,' adding that food ingredients rich in antioxidants can position hair products as protecting against the effects of pollutiona pressing beauty concern among global city-dwellers. One food-inspired haircare launch that created a splash in 2018 was Briogeo's Be Gentle, Be Kind range, formulated with 'superfood-infused cleansers. Elsewhere, the much-touted benefits of apple cider vinegar are blended into DP Hue's ACV line for colored hair, with the brand's Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse designed to remove impurities from colored hair without stripping its protective oils.' The 'it' lip 'It lips' are big for 2019 and are increasingly becoming a new creative canvas for makeup influencers, thanks to Rihanna and Kylie who have highlighted statement lips to their loyal fan base 'Lips are increasingly becoming a new creative canvas for makeup influencers. MAC and Korean Vogue have partnered on lip features, exploring elaborately graduated candy pinks laden with gloss. Makeup artist Kanako Takase has also been experimenting with various lip embellishments. During New York Fashion Week she created punkish, marbleized lips with blue flecks atop high clear gloss for the Eckhaus Latta spring/summer 2019 show; for a shoot in September 2018's V Magazine she used metal rings and other trinkets to create dramatic lips. Pat McGrath Lip Fetish lipsticks and Kylie Lip Kits had a lot of anticipation and quick sellout rates and lip filler has become one of the most popular non-surgical procedures among millennials and the next generation.' Gesture-based packaging Brands are bringing newness to beauty packaging by taking their cues from tech, employing swiping and scrolling gestures to make their products stand out. Popular brand Glossier has incorporated a swipe gesture into the packaging for their You Perfume Solid 'Brands are bringing newness to beauty packaging by taking their cues from tech, employing swiping and scrolling gestures to make their products stand out. Popular brand Glossier has incorporated a swipe gesture into the packaging for their You Perfume Solid. This balm version of the fragrance is housed in a pale pink, weighted metal compact, which the brand says is designed to 'fit the curve of your palm and thumb' and open and close 'with an addictively flippable hinged swivel.' This swiping motion echoes the way in which consumers are used to flipping through their smartphone content.' Proprietary packaging Brand Glossier has a logo and simple graphics make it eye-catching, and includes stickers with each purchase that can be used to decorate and personalise the packaging, which will be big in 2019 'In the age of Instagram, product visuals are becoming just as enticing as the products themselves. Social media has a huge impact on beauty purchases with 72 per cent of Instagram users have made a beauty or style-related purchase after seeing an item featured on the platform. To stay relevant in this visually driven environment, brands are prioritizing package design and developing original, attention-grabbing packaging as a central part of their marketing strategy, creating unique package interactions. Brand Glossier has a logo and simple graphics make it eye-catching, and includes stickers with each purchase that can be used to decorate and personalise the packaging, which then, of course, can be shared on Instagram. Kylie Cosmetics, the viral beauty brand from the youngest member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, has also focused its brand experience heavily on packaging design. The reality star is no stranger to the importance of visuals and social media and takes to Instagram regularly to promote her products. Her 2018 Halloween-themed release featured 3D packaging for a novel interaction.' C-Beauty In China, a powerful, emerging beauty market is beginning to rewrite the rulebook for cosmetics brands altogether- referred to as C- Beauty 'Consumers have traded in the glittery serums and cute packaging popularized by K-Beauty (an umbrella term for skin-care products that derive from South Korea) for a more refined, centuries-old approach to holistic skincare that defines J-Beauty (products from Japan). But in China, a powerful, emerging beauty market is beginning to rewrite the rulebook for cosmetics brands altogether- referred to as C- Beauty. Little more than a few decades ago, beauty and skincare were reserved for China's elite few. But today, the market is one of the fastest growing in the world, with makeup sales soaring in value by 30 per cent in 2017, according to Kantar Worldpanel. Local beauty brands are redefining lifestyles through creative collaborations. Shanghai-based skincare label Pechoin is nearly a century old, but it's finding a younger following thanks to millennial-friendly design and storytelling through its partnerships with HeyTea, a hip beverage company with major social media clout.' Waterless future Driven by sustainability concerns, brands are looking to reduce and even eliminate water from their products and production processes. L'Oreal has committed to reducing 60 per cent of water consumption per finished product by 2020 'Driven by sustainability concerns, brands are looking to reduce and even eliminate water from their products and production processes. L'Oreal has committed to reducing 60 per cent of water consumption per finished product by 2020, compared to the amount used in 2005, and Unilever has launched a water-smart initiative which aims to develop products across its brands that reduce its water footprint. Beauty parlours are also embracing going waterless. For instance, New York-based nail salon chain Glosslab makes a point of 'going dry' and offers waterless pedicures, explaining that water is a breeding ground for bacteria.' Breaking taboos Brands are breaking the silence on vaginal grooming, with Fur and Lady Suite are bringing attention to vaginal health with oils formulated specifically to moisturize and soothe sensitive pubic skin 'Brands are breaking the silence on vaginal grooming and erectile dysfunction. The intimate skincare market is exploding, with indie brands like Fur, Lady Suite, Bawdy and Anese normalizing the nether regions. According to WGSN, the intimate-health industry is set to grow 7.2 per cent by 2024, reaching $35.3 billion. Fur and Lady Suite are bringing attention to vaginal health with oils formulated specifically to moisturise and soothe sensitive pubic skin, especially after hair removal, and to prevent ingrown hairs and soften pubic hair. This frank approach is being adopted in the men's grooming arena as well, with brands such as Hims and Roman embracing an open discussion around erectile dysfunction.' Grotesque beauty In a backlash against the traditional notions of conventional, pristine beauty, artists and influencers are exploring a darker side by hacking the human form, and unconventional expressions of beauty are set to dominate 2019 'In a backlash against the traditional notions of conventional, pristine beauty, artists and influencers are exploring a darker side by hacking the human form. 'Men and women are starting to step totally outside the prescribed ideal aesthetic into something much more about self-expression,' Alexia Inge, co founder of online beauty store Cult Beauty, tells the Innovation Group. 'They've been through three years of digital makeup education, from the basics to layering and detail, and now they're starting to experiment.' 'Beauty is not looking its normal self as bold new forms of self-expression transform it into something daring, unusual, grotesqueand beautiful. What beauty represents is being redefined and brands need to take note of the 'imperfect' aesthetic highlighted by a subculture of experimental artists.' Virtual influencers An army of virtual models was summoned by luxury fashion house Balmain in summer 2018 as brands turn to computer-generated (CG) personalities for inspiration, a presence that is set to be big in 2019 An army of virtual models was summoned by luxury fashion house Balmain in summer 2018 as brands turn to computer-generated (CG) personalities for inspiration. In collaboration with British artist Cameron-James Wilson, Balmain has introduced three new CG members to front runways and campaigns. The Balmain Virtual Army includes Shudu, aka 'the world's first digital supermodel', Margot and Zhi. 'The idea of computer-generated models or celebrities we have seen in the last five years or so,' Bunny Kinney, editorial director at Dazed Media said. 'Now it's more prominent and it's an exciting development in culture.' Elsewhere Dazed Beauty recruited popular virtual artist Lil Miquela as its contributing arts editor in October 2018. ' Lil Miquela has established her presence in the fashion and beauty world since she was created in 2016. She has collaborated with Prada and Chanel, among other brands, had garnered over 1.5 million Instagram followers as of November 2018.' This is no time of year to have a family fall-out. Put yourself in the Queens position her Christmas lunch in the planning stage as usual and the air thick with gossip about the strained relationship between two of her granddaughters-in-law. So is this really the kind of spat between Kate and Meghan that prompts a shuffling of the table places? Undoubtedly there has been stress between these two very different women. One with a charmingly English reserve in public, the other a glossy American and a performer. One is restrained by the knowledge that she is destined to be Queen, the other is comfortable in front of a microphone speaking out about womens rights. Two very different duchesses: Meghan (right) apparently doesn't get on with the Duchess of Cambridge (left) They are not natural chums, admits a royal aide cautiously. It is an observation with an eerily familiar echo of what was happening in the Royal Family some 80-odd years ago when another American divorcee captured the heart of a glamorous prince. This was Wallis Simpson, a twice-married adventuress, and the princes obsession with her led to Edward VIII giving up his throne. Harry, of course, is not heir to the throne he is sixth in line and Meghan is no Mrs Simpson. But there are uneasy similarities in the frosty relationship between Meghan and the Duchess of Cambridge as there were between Wallis and the then Duchess of York, later the Queen Mother. This time it is hardly a constitutional issue, the throne is not threatened, but royal disharmony can be dangerously destabilising as we have found in recent times. This week it was announced that instead of living side by side with William and Kate at Kensington Palace, Harry and the pregnant Duchess of Sussex, 37, have decided to make their home in Windsor, 25 miles away. In doing so Harry has chosen to abandon Palace life in much the same way Edward (at that time Prince of Wales) established himself in Windsor at Fort Belvedere, a turreted mini-castle with tall windows and battlements. It has happened after a well-reported accumulation of incidents involving Kate and Meghan. These do not, of course, mirror the embittered schism between Mrs Simpson and sister-in-law Elizabeth, whose husband reluctantly took the throne as George VI. But could they harm the endearing closeness of the brothers, as happened in the Thirties? Tensions: Kate and Meghans froideur recalls that of the Duchess of Windsor (left) and the Queen Mother (right) William and Harry have an unusually strong brotherly bond, forged by the tragedy of their mothers early death. Certainly no one following the fortunes of these two young couples would have expected to read about tantrums and tears. Yet, with unfortunate timing, it has emerged that in the spring Kate was in tears after taking three-year-old Princess Charlotte to a fitting of her bridesmaids dress for Meghan and Harrys wedding. The clear implication is of uncomfortable tensions between the two young royal wives. On top of this there was that story of Palace conflict in the lead-up to the Windsor Castle wedding, over which of the Royal Familys tiaras Meghan would wear. With a choice from half-a-dozen, the bride-to-be, whose previous wedding to a Hollywood producer was on a beach in Jamaica, set her heart on one decorated with emeralds. But having made her choice it transpired that this was a tiara with a foggy provenance, possibly from Russia, which it was thought unwise to wear. Family divid: From left, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey on November 11 There is said to have been a blazing row with one of the Queens closest personal aides in which an indignant Harry was forcefully involved. He allegedly told staff in a raised voice: What Meghan wants, Meghan gets. When this altercation reached the Queen, she put Harry firmly in his place, according to Robert Jobson, whose recent biography of Prince Charles was serialised in the Daily Mail. The Queen made the final decision, choosing the diamond lozenge bandeau tiara, made for Queen Mary in 1932 and last seen in public on the head of Princess Anne in 1965. So stressed out were the couple that they resorted to acupuncture. But the Queens message was clear: however trying the circumstances, royals must always treat staff with courtesy. Undoubtedly, within Palace walls the weeks before the wedding were seen as fraught. As one close figure puts it: It was a very stressful time for everybody involved. It seems Kate was not immune. In many ways she is reminiscent of the young Queen Mother, dutiful, committed and cautious. Shes also, it must be said, tough. Friends were surprised to learn of her tears. As one puts it: Shes a steel marshmallow and her emotions are usually under control. How intriguing, for this was the very nickname bestowed by photographer Cecil Beaton on the Queen Mother, whose toughness was vital to reinforcing her husband, George VI. So tongues are wagging. But then dont they always wag, these days, when there is an easy target? Prince Harry is leaving Kensington Palace home of his brother Prince William to start his married life at Frogmore House (pictured) But the parallels, while unhelpful, are there; dashing young prince falls in love with American divorcee who then falls out with his brothers wife. Kate and Meghan are not there yet, but there has been a history of fallings out between royal sisters-in-law. Elizabeth famously blamed Wallis for hastening the early death of her husband after the Abdication obliged him to come to the throne. The King died in 1952, aged 56. Elizabeth was a widow for 50 years. The differences were clear: Wallis the ambitious American divorcee with a well-connected social circle falling out with the homely Scottish aristocrats daughter who preferred quiet nights in while remaining acidly protective of her husband. Fast forward eight decades and Meghan is unable to escape comparison with the royal wife next door, the poised, uncomplicated Kate. Even for a woman used to being in the public eye as a successful TV actress, it hasnt been easy. Meghan is clearly finding being the Duchess of Sussex a tough role. Adjusting to her new life has been harder by her fractured relationship with her unconventional father Thomas Markle and embittered relatives, a sad state of affairs for the Duchess, who is expecting her first child in the spring. Meanwhile, Meghan suddenly lost her personal assistant, French-born Melissa Touabti, 39, who quit. High-powered Melissa, who we can reveal previously worked as a nanny for Madonna and Guy Ritchie and for billionaire property developer Ian Livingstone and his wife Natalie, has also worked for pop star Robbie Williams. All in all, it would be surprising if the froideur between their wives wasnt affecting the close bond between William and Harry. Since their parents marriage collapsed so dramatically, we have got used to viewing the two princes as an unbreakable pair, with William always looking out for his younger brother when they were small and later resolving lifes difficulties together. That is why Harrys decision to break away from the Palace and start his long-desired family life beyond Williams shadow is so significant. As a senior Palace aide puts it: They are still brothers, not business partners. Brothers, it must be said, with very different destinies, so why should we be so surprised that they have very different wives? A long time ago, when travelling in the back of their mothers car with Princess Diana at the wheel, the two were arguing and she heard Harry say: Its all right for you, William, youre going to be king. But I can do anything I want. Whether this indicated his envy or relish, she was never quite sure. But for Harry, at 34, this now means escaping from the goldfish bowl that is Kensington Palace (something his mother always dreamed of doing) and setting up home in Frogmore Cottage, once used as accommodation for royal servants within the grounds of Windsor Castle. How fortunate it seems now that the vast, 21-room Apartment 1, next door to William and Kate and currently the home of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester needed so much remedial and structural work before Harry and his young family would have moved in. The renovation, we understand, was likely to have gone on for at least two years. Meghan and Kate are simply very different people, although sources insist there has been no dramatic fight. Pictured from left, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess and Duke of Sussex This made Harry think hard about the future and, ultimately, to realise that for many reasons, breaking away from his brothers influence was for the best. Frogmore Cottage was mentioned to him only a couple of months ago. Until then he didnt know it even existed. Windsor and Frogmore are symbols of two very different worlds, part of the royal sphere, but separate from it. Windsor, where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will now make their homes, is after all the name Harrys great, great-uncle chose after giving up his throne and becoming Duke of Windsor. Geographically, each prince can now develop the scope and character of their separate courts. William is, of course, already in training to become Prince of Wales this week he had a place at the table at a meeting of the board of the Duchy of Cornwall, which he will one day run and which provides his father, Prince Charles, with around 25 million a year. Harry has inherited his mothers informal style helping the disadvantaged, and Meghan wants to be involved with him. One area where the two women will simply have to get along is in the work all four do closely together on their charitable foundation, which supports mental health, service veterans, conservation and the vulnerable young. Meanwhile, as Meghan prepares for birth of their baby, she and Harry are living a surprisingly quiet life, suppers at home in cosy Nottingham Cottage while slipping out to the West End theatre as often as possible, taking their seats when the lights go down. The visits of Meghans mother, Doria Ragland, will increase when her grandchild is born, but she has no plans to move here permanently from her home in LA. Doria would miss her own home too much and, anyway, she wouldnt want to get under their feet, says one close figure. For the moment at least, Harry and Meghan are also keeping their rented farmhouse on the Great Tew estate in Oxfordshire for weekends away. What happens next? That, frankly, is anybodys guess. But Meghan is hardly the first young woman to find the fairy-tale dream of being transformed into a princess anything but painless. She is merely the latest on the list. Even Princess Diana, with her aristocratic pedigree and long family links to the royals, found the transition hard. As a newlywed, she was capricious and wilful, but many put this down to her being affected by the unique predicament of living an unnatural life of mass adulation in public and bleak loneliness in private. On her first major tour to Australia in 1983, when Di-mania was born, she told an Aussie housewife in the crowd: I would trade places with you any time. She really did mean it. Putting aside the onrushing difficulties of her marriage to Charles, she was hugely unsettled by the very thing which should have propped her up friendships. She was troubled not knowing which were genuine and which came about because of who she was. Sarah Ferguson found the privileges of royalty irresistible after marrying Prince Andrew in 1986. Before long, the Duchess of York was flying home from a trip to America with 53 pieces of excess baggage containing some 33,000-worth of clothes, and presents for her new baby, Beatrice. For Sarah it wasnt so much a case of anxiety and uncertainty in a new world, but of using her elevated royal status to enjoy herself. Simple pleasures for her, perhaps, but for the Royal Family, being seen to over-indulge is not done. For most of their years in the family Sarah and Diana shared a bond of jollity: they laughed at the same things and could talk about their husbands to each other. Both, of course, were stripped of their royal titles upon divorce, yet even that could not maintain their friendship and for the last year of her life Diana was not on speaking terms with Fergie. But, one way and another, the royal newcomers came successfully through their early trials. Fergie, 59, and living under her ex-husband Andrews roof these past years, is back in favour, a regular guest of the Queen and widely acknowledged as an admirable mother to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Diana emerged, after her divorce, as one of the most admired women on earth. Wallis got her prince only to spend the rest of her long life exiled from the Royal Family. (How piquant that the Rolls-Royce in which she was driven to her husband the Duke of Windsors funeral in 1972 was the same car which took Meghan Markle to her Windsor wedding with Harry.) One startling comparison is that Meghan is a star who is loved by the public witness her brilliant success on tour in Australia last month whereas Wallis was not accepted and never loved. That is Meghans golden card. She and Kate are young enough to overcome their differences, and wise enough to make sure that their husbands brotherly bonds remain strong. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been massively underestimating the number of annual deaths caused by antibiotic resistance, a new report reveals. Superbugs are bacterial infections that are untreatable by most or all antibiotics. The CDC had estimated that about 23,000 people died of resistant infections in the US each year. But a new study from Washington University St Louis (WUSTL) found that that number is actually more than 153,000 - 6.6 times higher than the CDC had thought. The CDC estimates that antibiotic resistant infections kill 23,000 Americans a year, but a new study suggests the death toll from superbugs is at least 6.6 times higher than that Antibiotic resistance is considered a top public health priority by the US as well as the World Heath Organization, and it's getting worse. Much worse, according to the new review of death records. Researchers at WUSTL examined records of deaths from 2010. Using the known rate of antibiotic resistance in the various kinds of infections - 28.8 percent - they determined that at least 70,837 deaths in hospitals were from these superbugs. Applying the same rate to outpatient deaths, they found that that between 82,276 and 91,207 deaths were due to antibiotic resistant infections. That brought the total of superbug-related deaths to 153,113 for the year. In 2010, antibiotic resistant infections didn't even make the top 10 leading causes of death, according to the CDC's math. But, recalculated, antibiotic resistant infections would now rank as the third leading cause of death that year. With antibiotic resistance rapidly spreading, the death toll from superbugs was likely far higher last year than the 153,000 lives it claimed in 2010 - and will kill more again this year. The numbers are horrifying, but not surprising, to lead study author Dr Jason Burnham. WHAT IS ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE? Antibiotics have been doled out unnecessarily by GPs and hospital staff for decades, fueling once harmless bacteria to become superbugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously warned if nothing is done the world is heading for a 'post-antibiotic' era. It claimed common infections, such as chlamydia, will become killers without immediate solutions to the growing crisis. Bacteria can become drug resistant when people take incorrect doses of antibiotics or if they are given out unnecessarily. Former chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies claimed in 2016 that the threat of antibiotic resistance is as severe as terrorism. Figures estimate that superbugs will kill 10 million people each year by 2050, with patients succumbing to once harmless bugs. Around 700,000 people already die yearly due to drug-resistant infections including tuberculosis (TB), HIV and malaria across the world. Concerns have repeatedly been raised that medicine will be taken back to the 'dark ages' if antibiotics are rendered ineffective in the coming years. In addition to existing drugs becoming less effective, there have only been one or two new antibiotics developed in the last 30 years. In September, the WHO warned antibiotics are 'running out' as a report found a 'serious lack' of new drugs in the development pipeline. Without antibiotics, C-sections, cancer treatments and hip replacements will become incredibly 'risky', it was said at the time. Advertisement He says that the low-ball numbers from the CDC are due largely to the way records of deaths are kept and reporting requirements - or rather lack thereof. Tracking antibiotic resistance deaths closely is 'not mandatory,' says Dr Burnham. 'You can submit this information but it's not mandatory, so the data doesn't capture 100 percent of infections.' And even if it was mandatory to submit this information, antibiotic resistance deaths often get masked by lazy record-keeping. 'The people signing the death certificates are interns and residents,' says Dr Burnham. 'So there's a lot of time pressure, and I think that's one of the main reasons,' these He references a University of Michigan study that found that about 20 percent of deaths involved an infection that 'contributed to that death.' 'But the certficate might just say 'cancer, because it's a more major disease, but the infection was actually the main driver. 'So what gets put on the death certificate is no always 100 percent of the story.' If that's the case, then even Dr Burnham's new estimates are low. 'We chose a middle ground' of what the death toll could be. 'If we go with the high end, it's way high. 'If we go with the low end, it's still double.' These are scary but absolutely necessary revisions to what we thought we knew about antibiotic resistance and Dr Burnham says that awareness is necessary to combating it. 'A lot of drug makers are pulling out of antibiotics,' he says. Public health officials are urging doctors to prescribe less antibiotics. So if a drug company were to make a new antibiotic to which there is not yet resistance, we would want it to be used very sparingly. But drug companies 'want to make something people have to use for a long time,' which is part of why research on diseases that are chronic or recurring - like heart disease and cancer - are well-funded. So new, better antibiotics 'are not something they want to make.' About a year ago I noticed a strange, dark mark on my cheek. It was no bigger than a grain of rice and very faint, but it still bothered me. I have a family history of skin cancer and knew I should get it checked out . . . and I meant to. But the days turned into weeks. I will make an appointment, Id say to myself. Tomorrow. It was six months before I saw a GP, who immediately referred me to a dermatologist. Thankfully it turned out to be a tangle of tiny blood vessels that had popped through the skin and would disappear with time. But why on earth did I wait? With hindsight, it was an unbelievably stupid thing to do. If it had been cancer, then six months might have been the difference between me sitting writing this column for today and not being here at all. And Im a doctor, for goodness sake! NHS psychiatrist Dr Max Pemberton says dont stick your head in the sand see your GP ASAP! (stock image) I was displaying a well-known psychological trait dubbed FOFO or Fear of Finding Out and we Brits are horribly susceptible, as confirmed this week by two reports. According to a review of the past 20 years of cancer care by the Health Foundation charity, survival rates in the UK lag behind many other countries. This is despite countless public health campaigns, a national cancer tsar, and the NHS 14-day rule (if a GP suspects cancer, the patient should be referred to a specialist within two weeks). Around 17,000 people are dying annually because their cancers are being picked up too late. The NHS has to take some of the blame. Staff shortages and a lack of diagnostic equipment are an important factor. But patients, too, are culpable. Another report found that a record five million women are overdue their smear test because they are embarrassed about being examined. The truth is too many people with worrying symptoms delay seeking medical help. Superheroes make people more likely to help others It's official: superheroes really are a force for good. Psychologists in the U.S. report that seeing images of Spiderman, Thor, Wonder Woman etc makes people more likely to help others. And reading or hearing about real-life heroes the police, military, lifeboat crews triggers the same response. From an evolutionary psychology perspective, I wonder if this is why superheroes have endured across cultures? They serve an important function because they encourage us to aspire to be better people for the good of all. Advertisement The reasons given, according to the Health Foundation, include embarassment or because they dont want to bother their GP. That may be true for some, but I suspect and there is research to prove it that the vast majority are suffering from FOFO. I saw it regularly when working in cancer care. Despite being anxious about their symptoms, people chose to ignore them, hoping they would magically vanish. In reality, if cancer was the cause, it would have probably progressed by the time they did see a doctor, necessitating more invasive and intense treatment. FOFO is understandable. No one likes bad news, so denial is a way of coping. It is one of our brains defence mechanisms, a strategy for managing difficult, upsetting or stressful situations. But while denial in the short term might be beneficial mentally perhaps helping us towards gradual acceptance of bad news in the long term it can result in far bigger problems, not least living with constant anxiety. If what I have written here strikes a chord, make an appointment with your GP now. Then write down what youre concerned about before visiting the surgery and hand it over as soon as you walk into the consulting room. Your GP will be able to tell more or less immediately if its a priority problem. Whatever you do, dont Google your symptoms and self-diagnose. Ive seen too many people gain false reassurance by doing this, and too many needlessly scared. Above all, remember that we all have a propensity to bury our head in the sand but ultimately it helps no one and it can make things much worse. Facing your anxieties head on may be anxiety-provoking in the short term, but ultimately you will gain peace of mind. Charge patients who miss appointments I wish we didnt have to resort to this, but the time and money thats wasted makes me weep (stock image) In A bid to save 17 million annually, doctors will no longer be able to prescribe silk stockings or bath emollients on the NHS for people suffering from certain skin conditions. Well, thats one way of saving money, I suppose. But another has huge support from the public more than 70 per cent according to Ipso Mori poll and thats charging for missed appointments with GPs or consultants. Each appointment issued by my department costs the NHS at least 170. Now, every letter we send out has that fact writ large in red and it does seem to have had an effect, with the number of missed appointments falling. However, the only way the NHS can make a significant impact is by charging a cancellation fee a nominal sum that is a proportion of the cost of the appointment: say 5 for a GP and 30 for a specialist. No NHS appointment would be issued without credit card details being taken. I wish we didnt have to resort to this, but the time and money thats wasted makes me weep. Dr Max prescribes... The School of Life Youtube videos If you're interested in psychology then I wholeheartedly recommend The School Of Life videos on YouTube. They include brilliant, bite-sized introductions to the main theories underpinning psychology and psychotherapy, and they also offer interesting insights into relationships and how we think. Each one is just a few minutes long, and I and my colleagues regularly use them as a refresher. Why those hospital volunteers DO make a difference Today the Mail launches its Hospital Helpforce campaign, and it has my full support. Volunteering is something I feel passionately about and Ive seen the extraordinary impact volunteers make in the health service. They really are the glue that keeps the NHS together. Join the hospital helpforce Whatever your skills or experience, you can make a valued and lasting impact. You will join the volunteers working in hospitals or with organisations that support the NHS, such as the Royal Voluntary Service, Marie Curie, British Red Cross, and others. Join us by pledging your time in 2019 at www.hospitalhelpforce.com and clicking on the pledge now box. Thank you and welcome aboard! Advertisement Once, while working on a childrens cancer ward, I had a young, black teenager in my care. She had an aggressive tumour and had been an inpatient for months. Throughout her gruelling treatment during which shed lost her hair one particular volunteer sat with her regularly, holding her hand when she was scared, in pain or simply feeling alone. Sadly, it became clear the cancer was terminal. What seemed to be upsetting my patient most was the hospitals failure to find her an afro-Caribbean wig. I dont want to die bald, she told us. It was heartbreaking. Then the volunteer, a prim but tenacious woman with a cut-glass accent, came into her own. She would not be deterred and after hours on the phone, found a wig maker who agreed to make one for free. It made the last few weeks of a young girls life that bit better. Put fatcats on wards Yet another sign this week that those at the top of the NHS have taken leave of their senses! Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the military will be drafted in to help train NHS managers in a bid to boost leadership skills. This is plain daft. In my experience, what NHS managers really need is a reminder of what life is like for patients and staff. While many have a clinical background, they seem to forget what frontline life is like once they join the fatcat bureaucracy. Such people are responsible for some atrocious practices Ive seen elderly patients discharged from wards in the middle of the night or policies which lead to children, often in distress, being turned away from A&E because they arent sick enough. To remedy this, every manager should work at least one shift a week in a department under pressure and where they are exposed to patients and staff. At the least, it might limit some of the mad schemes they come up with to boost efficiency or save money without thinking through the consequences. A foot massage releases the 'cuddle hormone' oxycotin A ten-minute foot massage could be the way to your loved ones heart, according to new research that shows squeezing and rubbing the feet causes a surge in the feelgood cuddle hormone oxytocin. In the study, 40 adult males received ten minutes of light foot massage, either by hand or a massage machine. Blood samples were taken before and after, and levels of oxytocin were measured. It is released by the body during childbirth and breastfeeding, when we cuddle, and during orgasm. Levels were boosted in the blood by up to 51 per cent after the hand-administered massage, compared to 18 per cent after machine-administered massage. The concentration of nerves in the feet is thought to be a reason they are so sensitive. Saunas dont just help you relax but can slash the risk of dying of heart disease or stroke, a new Finnish study has found. Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Jyvaskyla discovered that people who visit saunas at least four times a week are four times less likely to die of cardiovascular disease than those who use them once a week or less. Saunas a national pastime in parts of Scandinavia have been shown to lower blood pressure and trigger an increase in heart rate equal to that from low- to moderate-intensity physical exercise. The Finnish research, published in the journal BMC Medicine, suggests that the benefits of a sauna are far greater if you spend at least 45 minutes a week in one. A happy home is a healthy home Liking where you live is vital for good health, according to new research. Experts from University College London, Edinburgh University and Sussex University studied 11,000 adults aged over 50. Their findings, published in the journal Health And Place, showed that more than a third of those dissatisfied with their neighbourhood had poor health, compared with fewer than a quarter of those who were happy with their home area. New test for lung cancer Lung cancer patients are to be offered a new blood test that can tell doctors whether their treatment is working or if the disease is likely to spread. It replaces invasive biopsies, where tumour pieces are removed from the lungs using a needle fed through the chest. The test, called EGFR mutation testing, looks for fragments of tumour DNA in the bloodstream. By studying specific alterations in this DNA, doctors can see how the disease is reacting to cancer therapies. The test gives results within a week, meaning that doctors can quickly switch drugs if necessary. Doctors at private hospitals in Manchester, Cardiff, London and Cambridge are using the breakthrough test, which also has the backing of NHS spending watchdog NICE. Eight years ago I stopped drinking. Not because I hated it but because I loved everything about it the anticipation of the first sip, the ritual of choosing a glass and even the clink of the ice as it tumbled into it. The problem was, one was never enough but the ten or 12 Id had by the end of the night were definitely too many. Working in the frantic world of television, booze was my antidote of choice to its stresses. On top of that, I used to be very overweight, and I think drinking helped me overcome my shame of being fat. I was an alcoholic, like my mother (I do think there is a genetic element) but a functioning one. When I stopped drinking I started functioning much better: Ive worked on Bafta-winning television series such as The Island with Bear Grylls and Derren Browns Apocalypse. Recovering alcoholic Fi Cotter Craig warns booze-free spirits are not a good idea for teetotal friends this Christmas Now Im alcohol-free, you might think a zero-alcohol drink that looks like the real thing but has none of the toxic ingredient that used to do so much damage would be top of my festive season shopping list. But it isnt. In fact, numerous addiction experts, along with other friends who have alcohol problems, all agree: it should be the last thing you give someone whos teetotal this Christmas. The dangers were brought home to me last New Year when an old friend came to stay at my home in Fort William. He is insanely generous and brought enough alcohol to keep a small hotel going for a month and, as a special treat for me, a case of alcohol-free wine. Surely the perfect Hogmanay present for someone who doesnt drink because theyre an addict and for roughly half a million Britons like me? I hadnt realised such a thing as alcohol-free wine existed, or that there was a growing market in such drinks created for people who want something a bit more grown-up than orange squash to sip at a party. And its not just wines and beer. In recent years, a slew of gin and rum-a-likes have launched, with sophisticated marketing campaigns and beautiful bottles that look just like the real thing. The herbal, or spiced concoctions they contain also have that complex, often bitter bite that booze brings to a G&T or cocktail. Alcohol free wines are a danger to recovering alcoholics as they look and taste like the real thing What I failed to anticipate was the effect that bottle of non-alcoholic wine, given to me by my well-meaning friend, would have on me, even before the snap of the screw-top. In every possible way it looked like the real thing: attractive bottle, clever name Eisberg and realistic labelling. To say I spent that whole afternoon looking forward to that first drink, and being part of the party in a way I hadnt been for years, would be an understatement. Behaviour patterns that had lain dormant for almost eight years were back, that wine packaged and labelled like the real thing had an effect that was a visceral, possessive, almost sexual power. I became obsessed, fetishising about the ritual that lay ahead, thinking about what glass Id drink it in and the taste of the tart, chilled liquid. Later, I took a bottle with me into a room and drank the whole thing in secret something I used to do with real booze. I gulped down the first glass, closely followed by a second, third and fourth. Then I rejoined the party and opened another bottle, pretending it was my first. Although I didnt feel drunk, of course, I felt good. And then the penny dropped. Had I continued, Id have been on the gin by midnight. I had reverted to my alcoholic self without a millilitre of alcohol passing my lips. Most people think about alcoholism as being a consumption issue and, yes, thats part of it. But it also comes with substantial behavioural baggage. Cognitive behavioural therapist Anna Albright says: Id never recommend zero-alcohol wines and spirits to any of my patients with alcohol addictions. They are a perfect reminder of unhappy times as well as the struggles of giving up. When alcohol is used as an unhealthy coping mechanism it takes a huge amount of strength and determination to give up, so the very last thing thats needed is a reminder of painful times. The anticipation of having a non-alcohol wine or spirit could lead to an alcoholic falling off the wagon But there may be more going on here than a simple psychological response. In 2013, scientists at Indiana University School of Medicine scanned the brains of 49 men as they tasted either beer, or a non-alcoholic fizzy drink. The results showed that the taste of beer alone, long before the alcohol in it had the chance to take effect, instantly triggered the release of dopamine, a feelgood chemical in the brain. In other words, that first sip of a wine or beer even if its alcohol-free reminds us of the thrill and reward we used to get from booze, something that can only make it harder for the likes of me to remain on the wagon. You might argue its a good thing that alcohol-free drinks dont just taste like the real thing but provide the same sort of pleasure. But for those trying to abstain, thats not a healthy message. And heres why: scientists found once the volunteers had tasted the beer, they craved more of it. Breaking an addiction is often about addressing that 30 seconds or so where you feel the temptation to revert, says psychotherapist Phillip Hodson, a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Its what you do at that moment that matters. Some people will feel an increased urge to have a real drink if they taste a non-alcoholic one. For others, having a lookalike drink lets them fit in with their friends who are drinking. Those of us with difficult relationships with alcohol have absolutely no desire to revisit our drinking days. If youre thinking any of these sexy new drinks would make a great present for the non-drinkers in your life they wont. Chocolates would be a safer bet, but not the liqueur variety theyre forbidden too. Educated Tara Westover Windmill 8.99 Tara Westover spent her childhood up a mountain in Idaho preparing for the End of Days. Her parents were Mormon survivalists who stockpiled weapons and ammunition, food and fuel. The agencies of government and wider society everything from birth certificates to penicillin to a classroom education were banned. Any attempt to be a normal girl ballet, lip gloss, a skirt above the knee was met with accusations of biblical sin and violent attacks from one of her brothers. Her parents were so devout that neither a car crash that left her mother with a brain-injury nor an industrial fire in which her father was seriously burnt saw them reach for help from the outside world. Tara Westover spent her childhood up a mountain in Idaho preparing for the End of Days Yet when Tara was 17, she abandoned her familys lifestyle to seek an education without ever having had one. From a local university where her first term saw her put up her hand in class to ask what the Holocaust was, she went to Cambridge to study for a doctorate. Her memoir, Educated, tells the story of this extraordinary shift from hillbillies to hallowed halls of learning and, finally, Harvard. Educated, tells the story of an extraordinary shift from hillbillies to hallowed halls of learning and, finally, Harvard Its a journey she made alone her parents begged her to undergo an exorcism and come home. Today the family is estranged. I have many good memories of my childhood, breaking horses with my brother, making herbal tinctures with my mother and the zip wire my father built between a crane and a tractor, says Tara, 32. The cost of leaving that life was high. People with different parents might imagine reconciliation is right around the corner but the hardest thing about estrangement is genuinely not knowing the future. Her book has received widespread acclaim: Barack Obama has described her work as remarkable. Ive still got gaps in my knowledge, says Westover, modestly. I only found out who James Dean was recently. Theres a lot of pop culture missing. If God exists, His ears will be burning. Early Christianity was as bad as Isis, says Bernard Cornwell with a wicked grin. They were dreadful. They set about deliberately destroying all the beauty of the ancient world, and ancient philosophies. Its a history that got written out. The author of the blockbusting Sharpe and The Last Kingdom series of novels is just getting started. His views on modern-day Christianity are equally scathing. I have very strong feelings based on my own experiences. Its a religion based very much on fear: unless you obey these rules youll spend eternity being tortured by devils. I will admit that a lot of the fun I have in my writing is a smack at my childhood. Cornwells vivid tales of derring-do in the Napoleonic Wars and power struggles between the Vikings and Saxons have sold 30 million copies worldwide. Alexander Dreymon and Harry McEntire in the TV version of The Last Kingdom. The Last Kingdom has transitioned from the BBC to Netflix for its third series Like his wayward hero Richard Sharpe, Cornwell was born to an unmarried mother in Londons East End. In 1943, Dorothy Cornwell became pregnant during a short relationship with a Canadian air force man. Shortly after his birth in February 1944, Cornwell was adopted by the Wiggins family, who belonged to an extreme Protestant sect called the Peculiar People. It was grim, he shudders. With fundamentalist Christians, its all about thou shalt not. I remember my adoptive mother said to me at seven years old, and this is seared into my brain: I wish we hadnt adopted you. I thought, actually, I agree with you. It was a curious childhood. The absolutely unyielding nature of having religion thrust upon you has a warping effect. He gleefully recalls the day he banished God from his life. Evangelical Christians talk about that wonderful moment of conversion: let Jesus into your heart and life is all daisies and sunshine, he smiles. Well, I can remember the moment of MY conversion. I woke up one morning and thought, there is no God, this is ridiculous. Boom! With one bound I was free. It was a feeling of great relief, to know that youd been sold a pup. Nowadays I get lovely letters from Anglican clergymen, and Im married to an Episcopalian whom I love dearly, but for me? Nah! He shakes himself. Come on, Im 74 now! I shouldnt be moaning about when I was eight. Lounging in the library of a London hotel, Cornwell is fascinating company. He flew in to Britain last night from America, where he has lived for almost 40 years with his second wife, Judy, splitting their time between a 17th-century village in Cape Cod and Charleston, South Carolina. Yet there remains something quintessentially British about him. He swears liberally, has a vaguely theatrical air and would no doubt be highly entertaining company holding court in the lounge bar of a country pub. At seven my mother said, 'I wish we hadnt adopted you' Cornwell first made his mark as Bernard Wiggins, working as a producer for the BBC in Northern Ireland. Life changed when he met visiting American Judy in an Edinburgh hotel in 1979 and fell madly in love. She was divorced with three young children; he had a daughter from his first marriage. I suppose it was all quite traumatic, he nods. I didnt want to leave Britain and live in America, although Im glad I did were still married after 40 years. I couldnt get a job over there, they wouldnt give me a green card. When I first started writing Sharpe, it was in desperation. Inspired by C S Foresters Hornblower yarns, Cornwell reverted to his birth name and created a no-nonsense hero who rose through the ranks of the British Army, putting plenty of noses out of joint along the way. I finished the first book, Sharpes Eagle, and an agent I knew told me no one was interested in books about the British Army. Then I sent it to a publisher Id met through television. He made me an offer of 3,000, which I knew was utterly insufficient to keep me for a year. I didnt know what to do. We scraped by. His fortunes changed on Thanksgiving Day, 1979. At a party in New York, Cornwell met an English agent whom he begged to read his novel. Having reluctantly agreed, the agent called back within 24 hours, asking: How much do you want? Within a month the broke British exile had signed a seven-book contract and has never looked back. The recently published War Of The Wolf, already a bestseller, is his 56th novel. He chuckles. I sometimes look at the shelves and think, Where the hell did they come from? Im completely unregimented. I cant plan. I have literally got to the end and not known how a books going to finish. Its an incredibly stupid way of working. He is equally direct regarding the appeal of his books. My job is not to educate, its to entertain. Exposure on television has certainly helped. Sharpe, with Sean Bean in the title role, ran on ITV between 1993 and 1997, returning for specials in 2006 and 2008. The books were bestsellers before Bean came long, but of course TV helps, says Cornwell. Im not an idiot, and Im deeply grateful. The Last Kingdom, meanwhile, has transitioned from the BBC to Netflix for its third series. Bernard Cornwells vivid tales of derring-do in the Napoleonic Wars and power struggles between the Vikings and Saxons have sold 30 million copies worldwide Fifteen years ago, Cornwell finally reunited with his biological parents. I was doing a lecture in Toronto when a girl came up to me and said, I know who your father is and, by the way, Im your cousin. I met my father many times, and it was fine. I looked just like him and I laughed just like him. In a final twist worthy of his books, when he subsequently met his mother he discovered she was a huge fan of his work. Historical novels were her passion. That gene came through without touching the sides! She was in a book shop one day and saw Bernard Cornwell on the shelf. She took it down, looked at the authors photograph. She told me, I was looking at your father. I said, Well, why didnt you write? She said she wasnt sure if Id welcome it. He puffs his cheeks and sighs. Hell, these things happened 75 years ago. Time to forgive. I was pleased I met them. I liked them both enormously. By the time they met, Cornwell was in his late 50s and had finally found a place to call home. I know all the prejudices Brits have about America, and theyre almost all wrong except if you hate Trump, in which case Im with you 100 per cent. I genuinely love it. Its weird. To this day when I fly into Boston, I think Im home. He laughs. How did that happen? The Lord does indeed move in mysterious ways. War Of The Wolf (HarperCollins 20) is out now. The Last Kingdom is on Netflix For those facing a tough time, be it a struggling student or a person drowning in debt, having the chance to talk to a supportive stranger can make all the difference. No one has to feel alone, thanks to the women who selflessly devote their time sometimes while grappling with problems of their own to take those all-important calls Nicki Durbin with children Alicia and Luke in 1998 I dont tell callers that I have a missing child myself When Nicki Durbin began working as a helpline adviser for the charity Missing People, she had a fair idea of the heartache some callers could be enduring: her own son Luke went missing in 2006, aged 19, after a night out in Ipswich, where Nicki lives. He appeared to have everything going for him friends and family who loved him; dreams of recording the music he composed. He was last sighted heading to a taxi rank at 3.45am. After that, nothing. His bank account wasnt touched, his wages remained uncollected. Nicki has worked tirelessly to keep Lukes name in the public eye, and has been with the charitys London call centre since June 2017. Losing a child for any reason is the loneliest place in the world, but when theyre missing its just so unusual. You feel so isolated. Ive been in contact with Missing People ever since Luke disappeared. Among other things, the charity works to raise the profile of missing people in the hope that theyll be found, and to support those left behind. Losing Luke has given me an understanding of what families go through when someones missing, but I dont disclose to callers that I have a missing child. Its all about the callers situation. For those facing a tough time, be it a struggling student or a person drowning in debt, having the chance to talk to a supportive stranger can make all the difference Theres no typical call. They can last for ten minutes or over an hour, and come from everyone you can imagine, from people who havent seen or heard from a loved one and are concerned because its out of character (we encourage them to report them as missing to the police); from people whose lives have become intolerable and whove chosen to go missing. It could be a young person in care whos too unhappy to stay, or a middle-aged person whos suicidal or found themselves homeless. We can point them towards various organisations such as Samaritans, Calm or Shelter. People also call if theyre thinking about going missing, and we can talk through their options. Its fantastic when you get a call from a mum to say her child has come home, or when the police let you know someones been found safe and well. Sometimes, after a long call with a young person whos so desperate that he or she is thinking of taking their life, they contact our text service to say, Thanks for talking to me, and you know youve made a difference to someones world. Although I dont believe Lukes alive, I still have hope that Ill find him, whatever the circumstances. I cant change whats happened, but working as a helpline adviser has given my life a sense of purpose. Retired headteacher Carole Gumbley, 68, has been a volunteer counsellor with Childline (the counselling service provided by the NSPCC) for nine years At Childline We have to earn the trust of the caller Retired headteacher Carole Gumbley, 68, has been a volunteer counsellor with Childline (the counselling service provided by the NSPCC) for nine years. She works one shift a week, taking calls and online chats from many of the under-19s (around 300,000 of them annually) who contact the organisation last year the charity saw a 14 per cent rise in children contacting them about loneliness. Carole also mentors new volunteers. We volunteers are a varied bunch, of all ages (the youngest Ive worked with was 17) and from all walks of life, but we genuinely want to be there for young people. We have to put ourselves in their shoes, and gently give them the space to talk for as long as they like. Often the problem theyre calling about doesnt get mentioned until they begin trusting you, and thats when they say, The thing thats really bothering me Theres a vast range of reasons why people ring homelessness, exam stress, bullying, abuse They may be self-harming or feeling suicidal. Calls may be from a young mother, a youngster finding out shes pregnant, or someone struggling to fit in at university. Increasingly were contacted by younger teenagers who are unsure about their gender or sexual identity. The most satisfying calls are where I feel Ive helped to change someones mindset; where theyre in a better place emotionally at the end of the call. Sometimes its hard to switch off after your session. We debrief with the supervisor, offloading anything we want to leave behind, which is usually enough. But occasionally, after talking to a child whos vulnerable, Ive called the supervisor the next day to ask, That youngster did you manage to involve the police or an ambulance? I look forward to my shift; its an important part of my week and feels really worthwhile. Michelle Drury, 52, works in a paid position on the RSPCAs emergency line Sometimes people struggle to look after their animals For the past two years, Michelle Drury, 52, has worked in a paid position on the RSPCAs emergency line at its national control centre in Rotherham, South Yorkshire five days a week. Most calls we receive are about cats and dogs, but we do get them about other things, too, such as young birds that have left the nest and are on the ground. If theyre uninjured, our advice would be to leave them alone; its quite normal and the parents are usually around. If theyre hurt, wed try to arrange treatment or get the caller to take the fledgling to a vet on our behalf. No question is too minor. People might say, Its just a pigeon, but a pigeons no different to any other animal that is suffering. Many are wary about reporting things such as organised dog-fighting, badger-baiting or a neighbour whos keeping dogs inhumanely. Theyre glad that I can take information anonymously. Advisers have to know what issues the RSPCA is able to help with; these dont include accidentally imported spiders, barking dogs (best dealt with by the local authoritys department on noise issues, as long as there are no welfare concerns) or animals abroad. Sometimes people worry about someone keeping too many animals, but thats not necessarily a bad thing as long as theyre well cared for. I once took a call from a man whod found two abandoned french bulldog puppies in a back lane as he was driving to work. They were in a terrible state, with a really bad skin condition, and were collected by our officers. Months later, I saw the case on the TV programme Dog Rescuers, and was delighted to see they were healthy and happily rehomed. No one has to feel alone, thanks to the women who selflessly devote their time sometimes while grappling with problems of their own to take those all-important calls Another call was from a woman who hadnt long to live, and was concerned about whod care for her animals. Usually wed ask callers concerned about rehoming to contact a local branch run by volunteers but, in such special circumstances, after making the necessary arrangements we were able to reassure her that her pets would be taken care of. It was heartbreaking. Its not all deliberate cruelty. Sometimes peoples circumstances change and they struggle to look after their animals. We just try to help wherever we can. Sophie Blumenthal, 25, works in digital marketing as well as writing a beauty and travel blog. She applied to become a listening volunteer for Samaritans in January 2017 Many callers to Samaritans feel very alone in the night Every year, some five million people in emotional distress call Samaritans. Sophie Blumenthal, 25, works in digital marketing as well as writing a beauty and travel blog. She applied to become a listening volunteer for Samaritans in January 2017, working one shift a week and stepping in at other times if needed. Like most people, I knew about Samaritans and knew people whod called them. When I told my parents I wanted to volunteer they were concerned I might not cope because of my age, but I thought hard about it and decided to do it. You need to be a good listener, have patience, resilience and be able to remain open-minded. Calls come from all kinds of people, with all sorts of problems. They may be silent or really emotional, and calls can vary depending on the time of day. Many feel very alone during the hours of darkness when we get deep, emotional calls from people who maybe cant sleep, are afraid of sleep or cant switch off their own thoughts. The calls that stay with me most are those I can relate to say, a young person whos struggling at university. I cant talk about specific calls confidentiality is vital but its hard when a caller is either very distressed or feeling hopeless and talking about ending their life. It occasionally happens that people call having already taken measures to end their life. In one way its a privilege to be able to offer any kind of emotional support at this point, even by being at the end of the phone. Youre just glad they werent completely alone at such a difficult time. The best calls are when a caller barely speaks at first, and gradually, as you focus 100 per cent on them and what theyre saying, the problem unravels. When the call comes to a natural end, they may say, Thank you for being there; youve really helped. That feels great. I think everyone thinks theyre a good listener but now I feel that I really am a good listener. Id like to continue doing this for a long while. Neve Timms, 43, is employed as a team leader for GamCares frontline services It doesnt matter how smart you are: Nothings a Safe bet Neve Timms, 43, is employed as a team leader for GamCares frontline services, including the National Gambling Helpline and NetLine, as well as their online forum and chatrooms (funded by GambleAware). The helpline receives more than 40,000 calls a year from people concerned about problem gambling. Like other GamCare advisers, Neve works from home. A friend began gambling supposedly as a way of making money. I only found out when she started charging her phone at work because debts had led to her electricity being cut off at home. It made me think it would be worthwhile to work for GamCare. Callers are often at crisis point when they reach out a high proportion feel hopeless, sometimes suicidal. We want people to phone as soon as theyre concerned about their own or a loved ones gambling they dont have to wait until its really bad. Were here to listen, to help keep them safe and find ways to improve their situation. Theyve already taken the first step by phoning. We can direct people to organisations that help with financial difficulties such as StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice as well as our own nationwide partner treatment services, and suggest ways of changing gambling behaviour. I focus on the caller, let them know that theyre being listened to, that they can be honest and wont feel judged. Gambling becomes a problem when someones preoccupied with it and spending money thats not meant for gambling. Theres no typical caller; I talk to men and women who gamble on all sorts of activities, and come from every age group, class, ethnic, religious and educational background. Many callers are embarrassed and say, Im not a stupid person. It doesnt matter how smart you are. A PhD in maths isnt going to protect you from developing a gambling problem. Its treacherous to think, This is a safe bet, because nothing is. Calls also come from affected others parents, siblings, husbands, wives and friends who see their loved one acting out of character, and say, I dont know this person any more. Some want to help by bailing them out, others by tough love. No one can make someone else stop gambling, but there are many ways to support the gambler (and the person whos supporting the gambler) and GamCare offers guidance with this. There are plenty of unforgettable calls, such as the single dad, heartbroken because his ex didnt want anything to do with their children, who gambled to try to make money to lavish on them. We talk to people whove lost their marriage, house, car, kids, jobs, or been in prison because of debt and theft; who are left not only with financial problems, but shame and embarrassment. I do hear some very distressing calls during my shift. As an adviser you have to be able to switch off afterwards, so I unwind by taking my dog for a long walk, or by crocheting a hobby I often recommend to callers as a way of relaxing and taking their mind off gambling. Cosy meets contemporary is the simple idea behind interior stylist Holly Vaughans home, which dates back to the 18th century Holly in the living room. We Photoshopped the colour of the fireplace wall on to a picture I took of the living room before deciding to paint it. It was such a big decision for us as it involved colouring the original brickwork, says Holly THE FAMILY Holly lives with her husband Will, their two-year-old son Finley, plus their dog Mabel, cat Didier and four lively chickens, in a restored and revamped five-bedroom cottage in the Hampshire countryside. Advertisement This timber-framed cottage dating back to 1763 has been given a new chapter to its life, something that its owner Holly knows about very well. When Holly and her husband Will moved into the property in the tiny Hampshire village of Steep Marsh four years ago, it was in much need of love. Everything was falling apart, but the house was so full of character that it drew us in we havent looked back since, says Holly. The dining table was designed by Holly and constructed by Will. The base was made at a local forger and the top from recycled scaffolding planks. The rug is from House Doctor (housedoctor.com) The office gallery wall is a mix of family photographs and botanical postcards designed by Brie Harrison (brieharrison.com) We wanted to make a bold statement in an otherwise neutral bathroom, says Holly. The bath is from William Holland (williamholland.com). Fired Earth (firedearth.com) sells similar marble wall tiles The bed was built by Will. We took our inspiration from the amazing woodworker Ariele Alasko and created our own design. Its in the centre of the room as it doesnt fit anywhere else, she says. The cushions are from Kaekoo (kaekoo.com) The move enabled the couple to switch tracks from life running a shop in London to a rural escape. This led to the reinvention of Hollys online shopping site hollys-house.com, which always had a strong interiors focus, into a blog, design consultancy and event-planning service. Curating a close friends wedding was just the extra push I needed to take on a new challenge and refresh my business, she says. It has been great to look at it with a fresh pair of eyes. The familys wirehaired vizsla Mabel has taken to country life like a walk in the park While striving to attain a better work-life balance, Holly took the time to strip back the cottage, sanding down walls and varnishing the original wooden beams so she could start with a clean canvas, which she subsequently painted in teal tones. I wanted to fuse touches of the modern with the traditional to lift and update the interior, she says. We kept the original architecture and wooden elements, but breathed new life into the space with modern patterns and punches of colour. The couple also ripped out the kitchen and overhauled the master bedroom, which allowed Hollys style influences to come into their own. My hero is British interior designer [and founding editor-in-chief of Elle Decoration] Ilse Crawford; I admire her ethos, says Holly. Nods to Ilses signature style are seen throughout the cottage, such as Scandinavian-inspired minimalism paired with traditional country comforts in the dining areas and bedroom. Natural materials and simple shapes are teamed with modern industrial flourishes in the form of bare-bulb pendant lights and galvanised metals, creating an environment that is both airy and intimate. My style tends to evolve and change depending on the character of the space, explains Holly. At home, I love using vintage pieces, but for other projects I tend to be bolder with my design choices. For Hollys blog and more information on her design consultancy, go to hollys-house.com SHOP THE LOOK PENDANT LIGHT, from 93, urbancottageindustries.com BRASS ROLL-TOP BATH, from 5,500, catchpoleandrye.com PRINT (42cm x 33cm), 65, kingandmcgaw.com Brexit has given UK investors a lot of food for thought. While the pound dropped after the referendum, as traders tried to digest what leaving the EU would mean for the economy, the effect on the stock market has been more subtle. The FTSE 100 index fell sharply in the aftermath of the 2016 vote, but recovered to hit a record high in May. Although it has fallen 10 per cent since then, it is still 12 per cent above where it was before the referendum. Likewise the FTSE 250 has slumped 13 per cent since its high in June this year as Brexit crept closer, but is 9 per cent higher than it was before the vote. Yet the generally positive performance masks differences between the sectors. Whole industries have seen their shares depressed amid fears that any type of Brexit could shake the UK economy. Cutting ties with continental Europe could stunt economic growth, so the argument goes, making consumers less willing to spend. Big High Street banks have also struggled to buck up their shares for similar reasons, as they are largely at the whim of consumers and businesses. With political turmoil gripping Westminster, as MPs debate whether to back Theresa Mays withdrawal deal, many investors are wondering what to do. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, when all economic fears would be amplified and the pound could plunge, big international companies which make chunks of their earnings in other currencies are buffered on two counts. Firstly, they are less dependent on the UK consumer, and secondly, if the pound falls, this would make their foreign earnings more valuable when converted back into sterling. Danny Cox, of Hargreaves Lansdown, says stocks such as drugs giant Glaxosmithkline, oil firm BP and Marmite-maker Unilever should be reliable in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Patrick Thomas, investment manager at Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, recommends funds such as Scottish Mortgage Trust or Polar Capital Healthcare. Both have international exposure and are focused on tech and healthcare respectively areas which are likely to keep growing regardless of Brexit. Steve Davies, manager of the Jupiter UK Growth Fund, has also been reducing exposure to domestically focused stocks and ploughing it back into international businesses. Davies emphasises that he hasnt sold any of his bread-and-butter UK companies entirely. In fact, he believes their fundamentals to be strong, but that adding diversity is prudent. Poll Are UK shares a value opportunity? Yes No Are UK shares a value opportunity? Yes 267 votes No 73 votes Now share your opinion James Klempster, head of investment management at Momentum, is wary of trying to predict politics. But though he too has been weighting towards overseas-focused companies, he believes many UK firms are looking strong beneath the sterling risks. Indeed if a Brexit deal is agreed, the same companies which have taken a battering could see shares shoot up. Firms such as Lloyds Bank, Taylor Wimpey and brick maker Ibstock could be good bets for investors confident of a more orderly Brexit, Cox says. For anyone who is completely negative on their outlook, Thomas suggests the so-called absolute return sector of investment funds. Options such as the Personal Assets Trust and Ruffer Total Return can hold assets like gold and currencies, and though they tend to be on the back foot when markets are rising, volatility and uncertainty is often their friend. One of the big fallers this week on AIM was oil explorer Petro Matad, which sank 57 per cent to 2.50p after its Wild Horse well in Mongolia failed to find any oil. The dry well, a second disappointment following Matads Snow Leopard well news in September, will now be plugged and abandoned as the company pauses production for the winter. Meanwhile, oil & gas explorer Lekoil was also on the slide, dropping 5 per cent over the week to 8.30p after it requested an extension to its OPL 310 offshore licence in Nigeria. Oil explorers: Petro Matad and Lekoil have seen shares plunge this week The firm is hoping to extend the license in an effort to recover the three years and one month that it said it had lost due to regulatory delays. Elsewhere, investment fund Amedeo Resources lost around two-thirds of its value as its shares crashed 67 per cent lower to 3p after it proposed the cancellation of its shares on AIM. The company cited the costs of maintaining trading and the limited liquidity of the shares as key reasons for the cancellation. Concierge services provider Ten Lifestyle Group was another hefty plunger, falling 55 per cent to 28.20p after reporting a wider annual loss and net revenues that missed expectations. The company said the launch of its enhanced proprietary digital platform took place later than planned, affecting its revenue expectations, while its loss widened to 8.1million compared to 1.6million in 2017. Back with resource stocks, Altona Energy shares slumped by 18 per cent over the week to 102.50p as it temporarily halting activities at its Westfield Tenement in Australia. The specialist coal miner said the suspension would allow it explore ways to exploit its exclusive license for the use of pyrolysis, a method of making coke and charcoal from coal, in China and Australia. But a coal player seeing better fortunes was GCM Resources as its shares soared 70 per cent higher to 20.50p on the back of a memorandum of understanding with the Power Construction Corporation of China. The MoU is based on plans for both firms to develop GCMs proposed coal mine in Bangladesh as well as power plants generating up to 4,000 megawatts at the mine site. Elsewhere in the mining sector, gold explorer Oriole Resources jumped 25 per cent higher to 0.41p after hitting bonanza grade gold at its Bibemi project in Cameroon. Over the week, the AIM All-Share moved slightly higher, up 0.2 per cent to 933 points, while the FTSE 100 was less lucky falling 0.7 per cent to 6,989. Back with the AIM risers, forex trading platform TechFinancials was also raking it in, adding 8 per cent in the week to 7.0p as it launched the beta version of its Cedex blockchain diamond exchange. Cedex allows investors to securely and easily trade in digitized diamonds while enabling diamond holders to liquidate their assets. GCM Resources shares soared 70 per cent on the back of a memorandum of understanding with the Power Construction Corporation of China Meanwhile, Quadrise Fuels jumped 23 per cent to 3p over the week after it signed a memorandum of understanding with an unnamed European multinational integrated oil and gas company. Quadrise said under the deal the two companies would seek to identify potential clients for its MSAR emulsion fuel, a substitute for heavy fuel oil used in diesel engines and power generation. Also on the up, shares in smoke alarm maker FireAngel were heating up, rising 15 per cent to 41p after it clinched a supply contract with a housing association in Glasgow. Under the deal the firm will supply the Queens Cross Housing Association with more than 12,000 battery-powered smoke and heat alarms for more than 3,500 properties. And pawnbroker Ramsdens added 8 per cent to 165.50p after hiking its interim dividend by over 9 per cent to 2.4p per share. The move came despite a fall in the groups profits for the first half caused by higher administrative expenses. A tycoon once dubbed the 'British Bill Gates' is clinging on to a string of tech jobs despite facing criminal charges in the US. Mike Lynch has been accused by American prosecutors of overseeing a massive fraud at his former software company Autonomy before it was sold to Hewlett Packard (HP) for 8.5 billion. The 53-year-old denies the charges. But the crisis has plunged the future of his 780m investment fund, Invoke Capital, into doubt and rocked some of Britain's most promising start-ups. Allegations: Mike Lynch has been accused by American prosecutors of overseeing a massive fraud Invoke is a significant backer of several technology stars, including cyber-security firm Darktrace, legal tech specialist Luminance, machine learning company Neurence and data analytics firm Featurespace. Lynch remains a director at Darktrace, Luminance and Featurespace. But he has resigned from Prime Minister Theresa May's council for science and technology and from committees at the prestigious Royal Society, where he is a fellow. The Cambridge University graduate has dismissed the allegations against him as a 'travesty of justice' but faces the prospect of being extradited to the US to face trial if he does not go voluntarily. Lynch is one of Britain's best-known tech entrepreneurs, having built Autonomy from a Cambridge-based start-up into a software giant. He made hundreds of millions of pounds from its sale to HP in 2011. But just a year after the deal he was sacked and three-quarters of Autonomy's value written off. HP later made fraud allegations against Lynch and other former executives, saying they cooked the books to make it appear more valuable than it was. Lynch's lawyers said: 'There was no conspiracy at Autonomy and no fraud against HP. HP has sought to blame Autonomy for its own crippling errors, and has falsely accused Mike Lynch to cover its own tracks. Mike Lynch will not be a scapegoat for their failures. He has done nothing wrong and will vigorously defend the charges.' Earlier this year, Autonomy's former finance director, Sushovan Hussain, was convicted in the US of fraud. He appealed against the ruling and has had his passport taken away while on bail. Now Lynch and former Autonomy vice-president Stephen Chamberlain also face fraud charges brought by the US Department of Justice. If found guilty they could be jailed for up to 20 years. Along with Hussain, Lynch is grappling with a separate 3.7 billion damages claim in the UK's High Court over the alleged fraud, brought by Hewlett Packard Enterprises (HPE). Proceedings could be delayed by those happening abroad. Yesterday, Lynch was understood to be in the UK and had not been arrested. But he could be extradited to the US under an agreement between British and American authorities. His lawyers said: 'The claims amount to a business dispute over the application of UK accounting standards, which is the subject of a civil case with HP in the courts of England, where it belongs.' A spokesman for British Virgin Islands-registered Invoke Capital declined to comment when asked what impact the charges against Lynch would have. The company has made more than 390m of investments to date. Its offshore legal base means its accounts are not publicly available. It is the majority-owner of Luminance and Neurence, and owns nearly 42 per cent of Darktrace, according to Companies House. Invoke also has a host of other investments. The US Department of Justice said: 'Allegedly, the defendants, and their co-conspirators, made false and misleading statements about the nature of Autonomy's products, concealed Autonomy's non-appliance hardware sales, and made other false and misleading statements during HP's 'due diligence' of Autonomy.' Lynch and Chamberlain have been charged by a grand jury with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 13 counts of wire fraud. No dates for when court hearings will take place have been announced yet. A Darktrace spokesman declined to comment, while Luminance and Featurespace referred inquiries to Lynch's spokesman. Competition bosses in Brussels are preparing to probe Vodafone's 16 billion takeover of a European cables network. A deal would see the world's second-largest mobile operator absorb Liberty Global assets in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania, strengthening its hand in a battle with rival Deutsche Telekom. Investigation: A European Commission probe could ratchet up pressure on Vodafone to offer concessions unless it can show the deal is no risk to competition But a European Commission probe could ratchet up pressure on Vodafone to offer concessions unless it can show the deal is no risk to competition. A combined Vodafone-Liberty business would be Europe's biggest provider of broadband, cable and mobile services, with 54m customers. It would have about 30 per cent of the German consumer broadband market. Deutsche Telekom would still be ahead with 40 per cent but it has criticised the deal, urging regulators to block it. The Commission is due to wrap up a preliminary review by December 11. Vodafone declined to comment. Liberty Global said: 'We are in constructive discussions and are confident of a positive outcome in due course.' Keys that belonged to murdered Brazilian woman Cecilia Haddad have reportedly been recovered from Sydney Harbour. It follows claims this week that a witness reportedly told police they saw the 38-year-old's former boyfriend Mario Marcelo Santoro throw a set of keys off a bridge. The ABC reported on Thursday night that the keys have been recovered and that a source has told the ABC Mr Santoro was travelling to Sydney Airport to board a flight to Rio de Janeiro when the witness saw him throw away the keys. It follows earlier reports a witness had apparently given a statement to police in which they claim they saw him threw the keys into the Parramatta River from Gladesville Bridge, The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday. Cecilia Haddad's fully-clothed body was found dumped in Lane Cove River in Woolwich on April 29 There a reports keys belonging to Cecilia Haddad have been recovered after a witness reportedly told police her ex-lover threw them off Anzac Bridge (pictured) New South Wales Police has confirmed they are following a number of leads but declined to comment further. Police believe Ms Haddad died in her Ryde apartment the day before a group of shocked kayakers found her fully-clothed body in Lane Cove River in Woolwich on April 29. The next day her ex-boyfriend Mario Santoro - who is now a suspect - flew home to Brazil where he remains as police fight to extradite him with an arrest warrant. No charges have been laid against Santoro. Police are reportedly investigating several crime scenes including her unit, the building's garage and her red Fiat 500 car, which was found locked at West Ryde railway station. Cecilia's ex-boyfriend Mario Marcelo Santoro (pictured) is officially a suspect of interest the murder of Cecilia Haddad following a warrant for his arrest being secured by NSW Police, but no charges have been laid Ms Haddad and Mr Santoro (pictured together) first met in 1995, studying together at a university in Brazil Police are understood to have submitted a request to the federal Attorney-General's Department to have Mr Santoro, 40, extradited. The federal government is also understood to have been asked for assistance to contact Brazilian authorities to see if they can help with the investigation. Mr Santoro would now become a fugitive if he arrives in Australia. Complications surrounding Brazil and Australia's extradition agreement could draw out the process. Mr Santoro and Ms Haddad (pictured together) had previously been in a relationship, but separated in the weeks before her death Kayakers found Ms Haddad's body in the Lane Cove River (pictured) at Woolwich Earlier this week, Ms Haddad's mother recalled the last words of warning she spoke to her daughter, only hours before she vanished. Milu Muller's last phone conversation with her daughter was cut abruptly short by her daughter's ex-boyfriend knocking at the door, The Daily Telegraph reported. 'I was alarmed by what I was hearing. I said to her 'be very careful with this man', 'Ms Muller told the publication In her final conversation with her daughter on April 28, Ms Muller said the mining executive was assisting her in filling in her tax returns before the conversation was interrupted by Mr Santoro banging on the front door. 'I heard Marcelo's voice outside, saying he wanted to come in,' Ms Muller recalled. 'Cecilia told him to go away, but he carried on banging and shouting for her to let him in. So she told him that if he didn't go away she would call the police.' Brazilian-born Cecilia Haddad (pictured) had been in Australia for more than 10 years Police found Ms Haddad's distinctive red Fiat 500 (pictured) parked at West Ryde train station Ms Haddad cut the conversation off shortly after the dispute, telling her mother she had to get ready for a lunch date with a friend. Ms Haddad and Mr Santoro had first met in 1995, studying together at a university in Brazil. Almost two decades later, she moved to Australia with her husband Felipe Torres and took up a role with mining giant BHP. She lived in Western Australia for close to a decade before moving to Sydney in 2016. Mr Santoro and Ms Haddad had previously been in a relationship, but separated in the weeks before her death. Friends, family and homicide detectives gathered on the banks of the Lane Cove River in Woolwich last month, for a final memorial to Ms Haddad. At the exact spot where her body was found they told stories and threw flower petals into the water. They also hope to one day have a plaque remembering her 'legendary smile and love'. Dozens gathered by the water at Woolwich to share stories and throw flower petals into the river last month to pay tribute to Cecilia The notorious 'Hot Chocolate Rapist' Harry Barkas died of an overdose with his head stuffed down a prison toilet. Barkas terrorised a generation of Melbourne women during the 1990s with laced cups of hot chocolate. When Barkas was finally jailed for a minimum of nine years in 2010, it was for raping three women he knew who could clearly identify him. John Xydias (pictured) was a mate of Harry Barkas before he was convicted of sickening rapes himself Josie Francoli (pictured) dobbed in her ex-boyfriend John Xydias to police, which led to his arrest He was suspected of raping many more. Barkas was 45 years old when he was charged with 24 of the hot chocolate rapes. Six other victims would come forward after reading of his arrest. He died under mysterious circumstances in 2016. A source close to the Barkas investigation has told Daily Mail Australia Barkas was found dead in a pile of his own vomit with his head down the toilet. He had somehow overdosed while being held in a prison in Lara - most likely Marngoneet Correctional Centre, in the shadow of the notorious Barwon prison. But police claim there was nothing suspicious about the way Barkas met his demise. Detectives prepared a report for the coroner on October 7 that year, but the outcome of that investigation remains a mystery. A spokesperson for the Coroner's Court of Victoria confirmed the matter was 'currently being investigated'. Josie Francoli - the former girlfriend of rapist John Xydias who was best mates with Barkas at the time of his offending - was shocked to hear of Barkas' demise. 'You live by the sword, you die by the sword,' she said. 'No-one much would have shed a tear for him.' Ms Francoli, who brought about the arrest of Xydias who also drugged and raped women, said Xydias claimed Barkas was a loathed inmate. 'How does someone die of an overdose in prison?' she said. Ms Francoli claimed Barkas was despised both in and out of prison and questioned why he would have killed himself with only months left to serve. 'You've got to wonder whether someone got to him. I doubt anyone would have investigated his death too much,' she said. It was mid-1995 when the Hot Chocolate Rapist embarked on a four year campaign of sexual assault on Melbourne's streets. He preyed on at least 22 young women leaving nightclubs early in the morning and offered them a lift home. Barkas would then stop at a convenience store and buy them a hot drink and slip drugs into the cup. Once they had passed out he would attack them. Many woke in their own beds with no memory of how they got there, or what had happened to them. Harry Barkas was believed to have used cups of hot chocolate to drug and rape his victims (stock image) Victims were picked up in South Yarra, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, Prahran and the CBD. Most were teenagers or in their early 20s. History will say police never caught the Hot Chocolate Rapist. But on May 2, 2008 they charged the number one suspect. Barkas had worked for 10 years as a receptionist in a doctors' surgery in Prahran where he had access to blank prescriptions and various narcotics and anti-depressants, including date-rape drug Rohypnol. The effects of the drugs used on the Hot Chocolate victims meant they struggled to positively identify their attacker. The charges over the Hot Chocolate Rapist attacks were all dropped. It was a painful decision by prosecutors that tormented the detectives who worked tirelessly to bring Barkas to justice. The case file remains open, but without further information coming forward, the crimes are likely to remain unsolved. Barkas may have never been arrested at all if it weren't for his friendship with Xydias. Xydias's arrest in 2007 after vile videos of his crimes were unearthed led police straight to Barkas. In a series of now notorious jailhouse letters to his former lover Josie, Xydias branded his close friend Barkas a 'predator'. 'He always hangs out with a few old men who are paedophiles - his case is heaps worse than mine. Everybody says that at least the women accusing me came to see me, I never went to see them,' he wrote. Harry Barkas had access to the powerful sedative Rohypnol, which he is believed to have used to rape unsuspecting women (stock image) Xydias was 46 when jailed in 2009 for a minimum of 20 years. The rapist is now believed to be jailed at the Hopkins Correctional Centre in Ararat - 200km west of Melbourne. It's not quite the free-roaming prison Xydias hoped for in his rambling letters, but he's getting closer. In the 2010 letters, Xydias wrote that he had his heart set on a transfer to Langi Kal Kal prison, where he believed the convicts roamed like free range jailbirds. Ms Francoli said she still believed Barkas was an even greater monster than Xydias, who she was instrumental in bringing to justice. 'Harry was the ringleader. How do you think John got the drugs?' she said. Advertisement Riviera Nayarit has only been welcoming tourists for just over a decade with more and more luxury resorts opening up When it comes to Mexican beach resorts, in the past Cancun or Cabo was always the destination of choice with its wide sands and long line of big budget hotels. However, the country's west coast is often overlooked as a choice for travelers - but not any longer. Riviera Nayarit enjoys similarly tropical temperatures but at much more tranquil level. The area recently celebrated its 11th anniversary as a tourist destination, and it is easy to see why it is attracting sun-seekers to this previously neglected part of the country. Nicknamed 'Mexico's Pacific Treasure', the the region boasts 200 miles of beaches set against a backdrop of lush rainforest. We decided to experience this perfect nature combo at the W Punta de Mita. The hotel has only been open since 2016 which means everything within still feels new and shiny. However what the hotel captures so perfectly is the colors and flavors of Mexico. From the moment you arrive at the 119-room resort, guests are welcomed by a colorful tapestry of Huichol art - a bright blue and green tiled walkway that appears to lead all the way from the front door straight into the Pacific Ocean. The colors and scenes depicted within the design are inspired by the Huichol people who are indigenous to this area of Mexico. The W Punta de Mita exudes the luxury that epitomizes the W brand, except with colorful Mexican flair Much of the artwork around the hotel is Huichol in origin. The Huichol are an indigenous people of Mexico living in the area The hotel occupies a location nestled in between lush tropical rainforest, the beach with the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean Guests to the hotel have the choice of either staying by the beach or overlooking the resorts lake and rainforest The resorts main pool almost appears to touch the Pacific Ocean with the beach and warm waters just steps away The swimming pool is designed to that sunseekers can sit in the shallows around the edges while soaking up the rays The pool's design allows for swimming but also for people to stand up in every single section of the refreshing blue water A Huichol tapestry runs from the front entrance to the beach Guests are greeted with whimsical scenes true to Mexican culture. Mexican wrestling masks (Lucha Libre); historical figures with surfboards; mariachi instruments; sayings such as 'Mexico es Amor' and 'Canta y No Lllores' translating to Sing and Don't Cry are artfully embedded into the hotel's design. The room is similarly decorated with a blast of Mexican colour from beautifully hand-stitch cushions to stunning silver tin around the bed - giving the room a unique and charming local feel. The design is apparently inspired by that found in local churches The walls are also quirky, decorated with the occasional figure from Mexico's revolutionary war, although instead of carrying a rifle, they're depicted carrying surfboards or boomboxes. Some of the pictures show historical figures such as Frida Kahlo - only she's carrying a surfboard instead of an artists pallette. What a twist! The resort has several different settings for its rooms of which I got to experience two types. The first is that of a jungle setting. Individual rooms are set among the foliage making for a very green and shady retreat. However, we found the room hard to reach with a small baby and so were moved to a more preferable location overlooking the ocean. The hotel is rich in Mexican colors and old world charm with a tin bed head and bright, vivid colors elsewhere The hotel has Mexican charm that gives the room a unique feel from its design that embraces the country's heritage The tapestry that runs throughout the resort is made up of 750,000 tiles giving the impression it flows right into the ocean Even the hotel's main buildings are painted in a vivid bright green to blend in with the rainforest that surrounds the resort The beach plenty of sunbeds, while the blue pickup truck doubles as a cevicheria Mexican artwork and sayings are plastered around the hotel adding to the quirkiness of the entire resort The ocean front room was different again. Colorful and quirky only with an enormous terrace and private swimming pool. From the bed I could see the Pacific glistening away in the sunshine with a couple of palm trees swaying back and forth in the gentle breeze. Each morning I merely had to press a button to have the automatic curtains draw back to reveal the stunning vista. The breakfast buffet is mere steps away with a superb array of offerings from fruit, meat and cheeses to other Mexican dishes such as chilaquiles (nacho chips cooked in red or green salsa) or even quesadillas (cheese and vegetables cooked in a tortilla). Although the resort appears to vast in size, the rooms are situated around a lake or the beach which means the the restaurant, pool and beach are all very close to one another. During the day, I was able to pick between slumbering on my balcony with the plunge pool or sitting on a daybed by the long swimming pool. Just a few feet further and the soft sands of the beach were just feet away. The ease with which you can move between the beach and pool is definitely a plus. The cevicheria and poolside bar has been formed partly out of an old 1950s pickup truck. It found the perfect place to park up On the weekend I stayed there was a huge rave going on with 800 guests, the majority of whom were not staying at the hotel It was a Mexican holiday weekend on the dates were were at the resort. It meant there was a DJ by the pool on the Saturday night followed by a ten-hour 'rave' on the Sunday. It made for a particularly loud couple of days, so just check that no events like this are scheduled if you're looking for total peace and tranquility. That said, the entire W brand ethos is to appeal to the party-goer type of guest. There were numerous families with young children at the hotel and there is even a 'kids club' so children are certainly expected here. On the Monday following the all-day party, the scene at the swimming pool couldn't have been more different. it was quiet, calm and serene making for a very relaxing time to enjoy the beach, pool and perfect weather. Although I didn't make it to the hotels Away Spa, the setting is lush and tropical. All kinds of amazing treatments are available but a massage on the beach by one of the locals is always an option for around half-an-hour for $20. Guests who decide not to stay along the golden sands can enjoy the rainforest view and that of the adjacent lake Even from the roadside, the W sign welcomes guest with Huichol designs. The beach faces west allowing for perfect sunset Spice Market, the hotel's restaurant, offers a tasty array of Asian dishes including chicken skewers, left, and lentil crisps, right The samosa's didn't disappoint, while a chocolate cake complete with plantain and ice cream also tasted as good as it looked The drinks were as vibrant a color as the rest of the resort! For dinner, one night, we headed to Spice Market where the food was of an excellent quality with Asian and Indian influences. At one point there were outposts of the chain in London and New York, but now only Doha and this one remain. The restaurant is both regal and exotic serving a variety of Southeast Asian dishes. The food is inspired by traditional street foods found throughout Thailand and China. The restaurant's interior is luxurious and ornate, designed in an oriental fashion. Spice Market is a great place to enjoy an intimate meal or celebrate a special occasion in a chic environment. I enjoyed deliciously fresh appetizers such edamame and chicken samosas. Rather than a bread basket, an endless supply of lentil chips with tomato Indian jam was hard to avoid. For entrees, my roasted 'catch of the day' fish was succulent and juicy. It came with quite the punch in terms of spices as it was served in Malaysian Chili sauce, while my wife enjoyed some traditional pad Thai which didn't disappoint. A side of shrimp dumplings also made for a tasty dish. From the air the hotel's location can be truly appreciated with its perfect position between the rainforest, beach and ocean Ceviche was served poolside in a deliciously spicey sauce One of the great benefits of staying at a resort like the W Punta de Mita is that there really is no explicit reason to have to leave the property for the entire duration of your stay although there are some nearby towns worth exploring including Sayulita about half-an-hour away. But we found no need to leave with everything at the hotel catered towards fulfilling guests needs. Room service runs 24 hours if visitors don't fancy the Asian or the Mexican restaurants on site. By the pool, there is also a cevicheria serving food and drinks out of an a vintage pickup truck. Nestled under some palm trees along the sands, it really does feel as though the driver simply pulled up and stopped when they saw a good place set up shop. The food was always of a consistently high quality with a nice Mexican 'kick' when it came to the flavor. Coupled with the idyllic year-round weather, it makes the transition back to reality when it is time to leave all the more difficult - but I would definitely return when in need of some true Mexican charm in the most beautiful of locations. The resort was a peaceful place to relax and unwind but it pays to check that there isn't weekend rave scheduled to take place Police say a four-year-old central Indiana girl was critically injured after being accidentally shot in the head by her two-year-old brother. Lebanon police say the shooting occurred Thursday morning while the children were being cared for by their grandparents. Police say the girl was transported to an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition. Her name wasn't immediately released. A four-year-old girl was taken to hospital in critical condition after she was accidentally shot in the head Thursday by her younger brother, police say The shooting happened at the children's grandparent's house Police spokesman Justin Fuston says the weapon involved in the shooting was not in a secure location. At the time of the shooting police say the kids were being cared for by their grandparents, which neighbors say took place every day. 'The grandmother always kept the kids. She babysat them during the day. I always saw them out playing and having a good time,' said neighbor Paula Harvey to Fox59. 'These people are really nice people. The kids are good kids. It's just tragic to see it happen,' said neighbor Ron Harvey. Lebanon Police Department and representatives from the Department of Family and Child Services are investigating the incident 'People need to be more aware about how they're storing guns. If you're going to have guns and children, lock the guns up.' Its not known how the little boy got his hands on the weapon, but police say these types of accidents can easily be avoided. 'I can't stress how important it is if you own a firearm to make sure it is safe at all times. A child doesn't know everything about firearms and it doesn't take much to have an accident like this,' said officer Fuston. China has faced strong criticism recently for its treatment of members of the Muslim Uighur community. According to the ruling Communist Party's official newspaper, as of the end of September, 1.1 million local government workers have been deployed to ethnic minorities' living rooms, dining areas and even Muslim prayer spaces. The chilling intrusion at the hands of the government are taking place in China's far west region of Xinjiang, home to the predominantly Muslim, Turkic-speaking Uighurs. The community have long reported discrimination at the hands of the country's majority Han Chinese. While government notices about the 'Pair Up and Become Family' program portray it as an affectionate cultural exchange, Uighurs living in exile in Turkey said their loved ones saw the campaign as a chilling intrusion into the place they once felt safe. This photo provided by Ablikim Abliz, shows his uncle's family posing with an unknown Han Chinese man (second from the right) in Istanbul, Turkey. Mr Abliz heard the Han Chinese man was part of a government homestay program meant to monitor his relatives Ablikim Abliz holds up his phone displaying a photo of his uncle's family with an unknown Han Chinese man in Istanbul, Turkey. He later heard that his uncle's front door was boarded up and sealed with police tape, and has not been able to contact them since While government notices about the 'Pair Up and Become Family' program portray it as an affectionate cultural exchange, exiled Uighurs living in Turkey said their loved ones saw the campaign as a chilling intrusion into their private lives. Pictured: Mr Abliz praying at his home in Istanbul They believe the program is aimed at coercing China's 10 million Uighurs into living secular lives like the Han majority. Anything diverging from the party's prescribed lifestyle can be viewed by authorities as a sign of potential extremism - from suddenly giving up smoking or alcohol, to having an 'abnormal' beard or an overly religious name. Under Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Uighur homeland has been blanketed with stifling surveillance, from armed checkpoints on street corners to facial-recognition-equipped CCTV cameras steadily surveying passers-by. Now, Uighurs say, they must live under the watchful eye of the ruling Communist Party even inside their own homes. 'The government is trying to destroy that last protected space in which Uighurs have been able to maintain their identity,' said Joanne Smith Finley, an ethnographer at England's Newcastle University. Under Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Uighur homeland has been blanketed with stifling surveillance In one photo provided by Ablikim Abliz of his uncle's family, an unknown man is seen standing next to them. Mr Abliz heard the Han Chinese man was part of a government homestay program meant to monitor his relatives and part of a broader crackdown on religious expression in China's far western region of Xinjiang. The Associated Press spoke to five Uighurs living in Istanbul who shared the experiences of their family members in Xinjiang who have had to host Han Chinese civil servants. These accounts are based on prior communications with their family members, the majority of whom have since cut off contact because Uighurs can be punished for speaking to people abroad. The Uighurs abroad said their loved ones were constantly on edge in their own homes, knowing that any misstep - a misplaced Quran, a carelessly spoken word - could lead to detention or worse. In the presence of these faux relatives, their family members could not pray or wear religious garbs, and the cadres were privy to their every move. Halmurat Idris holds up a picture of his elder sister on his phone at his home in Istanbul, Turkey. Mr Idris says his sisters were monitored as part of a government homestay program Tensions between Muslim minorities and Han Chinese have bubbled over in recent years, resulting in violent attacks. The fierce government crackdown on broadly defined 'extremism' has placed as many as one million Muslims in internment camps, according to estimates by experts and a human rights group. Uighurs say the omnipresent threat of being sent to one of these centers, which are described as political indoctrination camps by former detainees, looms large in their relatives' minds when they are forced to welcome party members into their homes. Last December, Xinjiang authorities organised a 'Becoming Family Week' which placed more than one million cadres in minority households. Government reports on the program gushed about the warm 'family reunions,' as public servants and Uighurs shared meals and even beds. Another notice showed photos of visitors helping Uighur children with their homework and cooking meals for their 'families.' More than a million Chinese civil servants have been assigned to move into the homes of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities, spending weeks as uninvited guests. Pictured: Uighurs seen outside a restaurant in Kashgar in China's western Xinjiang province The caption beneath a photo of three women lying in bed, clad in pajamas, said the cadre was 'sleeping with her relatives in their cozy room.' A different photo showed two women 'studying the 19th Party Congress and walking together into the new era' - a nod to when Xi's name was enshrined in the party constitution alongside the likes of Deng Xiaoping and Mao Zedong. Becoming Family Week turned out to be a test run for a standardized homestay program. The Xinjiang United Front Work Department said in February that government workers should live with their assigned families every two months, for five days at a time. The United Front, a Communist Party agency, indicates in the notice that the program is mandatory for cadres. Cadres, who are generally civilians working in the public sector, are directed to attend important family events such as the naming of newborns, circumcisions, weddings and funerals of close relatives. They must have a firm grasp of each family member's ideological state, social activities, religion, income, their challenges and needs, as well as basic details on immediate relatives, the notice said. A February piece on the Communist Party's official news site said: 'The vast majority of party cadres are not only living inside villagers' homes, but also living inside the hearts of the masses.' Overseas Uighurs said the 'visits' to their relatives' homes often lasted longer than five days, and they were closely monitored the whole time. An Uighur woman rests near a cage protecting heavily armed Chinese paramilitary policemen on duty in Urumqi in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang. Now, Uighurs say, they must live under the watchful eye of the ruling Communist Party even inside their own homes The cadres would ask their family members where they were going and who they were meeting whenever they wanted to leave the house. 'They couldn't pray,' said Abduzahir Yunus, a 23-year-old Uighur originally from Urumqi, Xinjiang's capital. 'Praying or even having a Quran at home could endanger the whole family.' Yunus, who now lives in Istanbul, said his father used to lament to him about being visited three to four times a week by the administrator of his neighborhood committee, a middle-aged Han Chinese man. The surprise house calls began in 2016, and it was 'impossible to say no,' Yunus said. Uighurs said they were particularly repulsed by the thought of male visitors living under the same roof as their female relatives and children - a practice contrary to their faith. Women and kids are sometimes the only ones left at home after male family members are sent to internment camps. In recent years, the government has even encouraged Uighurs and Han Chinese to tie the knot. Pictured: A Uighur woman shuttles school children on an electric scooter as they ride past a propaganda poster showing China's President Xi Jinping joining hands with a group of Uighur elders in Hotan, in western China's Xinjiang region. Under Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Uighur homeland has been blanketed with stifling surveillance Starting in 2014, Han-Uighur spouses in one county were eligible to receive 10,000 yuan ($1,442) annually for up to five years following the registration of their marriage license. Such marriages are highly publicised. Thousands of miles away, in Turkey, Uighur relatives in exile watch what is happening with dread. Earlier this year, Ablikim Abliz studied a photo of his uncle's family gathered around a table. Clad in thick winter jackets, his uncle and the smiling Han Chinese man beside him both held chubby-faced children in their laps. His uncle had posted the photo to his WeChat page along with the caption 'Han Chinese brother.' The 58-year-old Abliz said his entire extended family in China has been sent to internment camps. When he saw his uncle's photo, his first reaction was relief. If his uncle had been assigned a Han family member, Abliz thought, that meant he was safe. But the consolation was short-lived. A friend who tried to visit his uncle in Turpan this summer told Abliz that his uncle's front door was boarded up and sealed with police tape. Abliz has not been able to reach any of his family members since. A mother was allegedly caught driving almost five times over the alcohol limit with three young children in the car. Multiple people called police to report the Toyota Tarago driving dangerously along the Pacific Highway on the NSW Mid-North Coast on Wednesday. Patrols looked for the car and eventually found it about 5.50pm near Boolambayte, after it crashed into a B-double truck truck. A mother was allegedly caught driving almost five times over the alcohol limit with three young children in the car (stock image) A four-year-old girl and two boys, aged two and six, who were passengers in the vehicle, were uninjured. The 45-year-old woman allegedly blew over the limit and was arrested and taken to Bulahdelah Police Station where testing allegedly gave a BAC of 0.241. She was given a notice to face Forster Local Court on December 19 and Family and Community Services was notified. The leaders of the United States, Mexico and Canada on Friday signed a huge regional trade deal to replace the old NAFTA, denounced by President Donald Trump as a killer of USA jobs. In contrast, the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations concluded in 1994 created the World Trade Organization and was signed by 123 countries. Before the start of the G20 summit, President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and outgoing Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto officially signed a new trade agreement. In May this year, President Trump slapped increased tariffs on Canadian and Mexican steel and aluminium coming into the US. While Trump hailed the revised trade pact, Trudeau was more measured and used the event to call on Trump to remove the steel and aluminium tariffs the USA slapped on Canada and Mexico. He also addressed the president as "Donald" in arguing the tariffs need to be removed. Trump praised the deal in the lavish language he uses when touting one of his administration's accomplishments. "Our objective has always been to sign this agreement on November 30 and we are on track to hit that objective", Freeland said shortly after the Canadian delegation arrived in Argentina for the two-day summit. Trump also denounced Nafta saying "the factories were leaving, the jobs were leaving, people were being fired" as a result of the deal. Under updated side letters released Friday, Canada and Mexico will have the power to "monitor and otherwise administer" how many cars produced by specific companies are protected from tariffs, but will have to "consult" with the United States on this. The signing by the three leaders was a formality - it was the three of them issuing a directive to their trade representatives to finish the final pact. Now that the it has been signed, the agreement will head to Capitol Hill, where Republican lawmakers hope to get it approved before the new Congress takes over in January. 'It's been so well reviewed I don't anticipate much of a problem, ' he said. Friday marked an important deadline for the trade pact. However, Russia on Friday questioned whether the crisis in the Black Sea was the reason behind the cancellation of the meeting. Trump accused Trudeau of holding a press conference that bashed him right after he left the summit. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters here on Thursday that there was still some fine tuning to do on the new trade pact before they would sign. There are a few areas still to iron out. Both countries responded with retaliatory tariffs - which remain in effect, despite the leaders having signed the agreement. In March, Trump - who has has repeatedly called NAFTA "the worst trade deal ever" - tweeted that the steel and aluminum levies would "only come off if new & fair NAFTA agreement is signed". "A vast number of technical details need to be scrubbed and wrapped up", she added. A new Mexican president takes over Saturday, who might not honour the tentative deal struck by his predecessor. Mr Pena Nieto, who will be replaced on Saturday with Mexico's newly-elected president, has sold the deal to his people as a victory, saving free trade from a U.S. president who wanted to see it killed. Vows to scrap NAFTA and replace it with a better deal also were staples of Trump's campaign rallies across the industrial Midwest in 2016. "We've known each other a long while", Trump said, noting he worked with Macri's father on real estate developments. Canada, meanwhile, is resisting quotas, offering instead to beef up its cooperation with USA efforts to prevent low-cost Chinese steel from entering the American market, according to Eric Miller, president of Rideau Potomac Strategy Group. The final text of the deal also clarifies how vehicle exports from Canada and Mexico will be protected if President Donald Trump follows through on threats to impose 25-per-cent tariffs on autos brought into the United States. Advertisement Shocking aerial images of shown the devastating impact the earthquakes in Alaska had on the roads and landscape. The tremors that struck the state on early Friday morning decimated stretches of road, and made them impassible, Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 also rocked buildings Friday in Anchorage and the surrounding area, sending people running into the streets and briefly triggering a tsunami warning for islands and coastal areas south of the city. This aerial photo shows damage on Vine Road, south of Wasilla, Alaska, after earthquakes Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 shattered highways and rocked buildings Friday in Anchorage and the surrounding area This aerial photo shows damage at the Glenn Highway near Mirror Lake after earthquakes in the Anchorage area This aerial photo shows damage on Vine Road, south of Wasilla, Alaska, after earthquakes Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 In this photo provided by Jonathan M. Lettow, people walk along Vine Road after an earthquake, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Wasilla, Alaska A tow truck holds a car that was pulled from on an off-ramp that collapsed during a morning earthquake on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. The driver was not injured attempting to exit Minnesota Drive at International Airport Road No tsunami arrived and there were no immediate reports of deaths or serious injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey said the first and more powerful quake was centered about 7 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, with a population of about 300,000. People ran from their offices or took cover under desks. The 5.7 aftershock arrived within minutes, followed by a series of smaller quakes. 'We just hung onto each other. You couldn't even stand,' said Sheila Bailey, who was working at a high school cafeteria in Palmer when the quake struck. 'It sounded and felt like the school was breaking apart.' A large section of an off-ramp near the Anchorage airport collapsed, marooning a car on a narrow island of pavement surrounded by deep chasms in the concrete. Several cars crashed at a major intersection in Wasilla, north of Anchorage, during the shaking. A ramp from International Airport Road to Minnesota Drive was damaged in an earthquake on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska Gov. Bill Walker says it will take more than a week or two to repair roads damaged by the powerful earthquake Dennis Keeling measures for a broken window at an auto parts store in Anchorage, on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 An employee walks past a damaged aisle at Anchorage True Value hardware store after an earthquake, Friday morning, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Tim Craig, owner of the south Anchorage store, said no one was injured but hundreds of items hit the floor and two shelves collapsed in a stock room Randy Van Ness mops an aisle at Andy's Ace Hardware after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 Anchorage Police Chief Justin Doll said he had been told that parts of Glenn Highway, a scenic route that runs northeast out of the city past farms, mountains and glaciers, had 'completely disappeared.' Traffic in the three lanes heading out of the city was bumper-to-bumper and all but stopped Friday afternoon as emergency vehicles passed on the shoulder. The quake broke store windows, knocked items off shelves, opened cracks in a two-story, downtown building, disrupted electrical service and disabled traffic lights, snarling traffic. It also threw a full-grown man out of his bathtub. Flights at the airport were suspended for hours after the quake knocked out telephones and forced the evacuation of the control tower. And the 800-mile Alaska oil pipeline was shut down while crews were sent to inspect it for damage. Anchorage's school system canceled classes and asked parents to pick up their children while it examined buildings for gas leaks or other damage. Fifteen-year-old Sadie Blake and other members of the Homer High School wrestling team were at an Anchorage school gymnasium for a tournament when the bleachers started rocking and the lights went out. People started running down the bleachers in the dark, trying to get out. This aerial photo shows a landslide on the northwest side of Knik Arm after earthquakes in the Anchorage area, Alaska, Friday A car is trapped on a collapsed section of the offramp of Minnesota Drive in Anchorage, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 Highway workers and spectators look at a car stuck on a section of an off-ramp that collapsed during an earthquake Friday morning, Nov. 30, 2018 in Anchorage A car is trapped on a collapsed section of the offramp in Anchorage, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 'It was a gym full of screams,' said team chaperone Ginny Grimes. When it was over, Sadie said, there was only one thing she could do: 'I started crying.' Jonathan Lettow was waiting with his 5-year-old daughter and other children for a school bus near their home in Wasilla when the quake struck. The children got on the ground while Lettow tried to keep them calm. 'It's one of those things where in your head, you think, 'OK, it's going to stop,' and you say that to yourself so many times in your head that finally you think, 'OK, maybe this isn't going to stop,'' he said. Soon after the shaking ended, the school bus pulled up and the children boarded, but the driver stopped at a bridge and refused to go across because of deep cracks in the road, Lettow said. At Chugiak High School, acting principal Allison Susel said ceiling tiles came down, books and other items fell from shelves, and water line breaks caused damage. A customer at Anchorage True Value hardware store shops in the partially cleaned-up paint aisle after an earthquake Friday morning, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage This photo provided by David Harper shows merchandise that fell off the shelves during an earthquake at a store in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 Damage is shown to the library at Chugiak High School in Chugiak, Alaska, following earthquakes Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Acting Principal Allison Susel said ceiling tiles came down, books and other items were thrown off shelves in the library and there was water damage, but there were no injuries to students or staff at the suburban Anchorage school Staff begin the clean up process after an earthquake caused damage at the Alaska Institute of Oriental Medicine in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin tweeted that her home was damaged: 'Our family is intact - house is not. I imagine that's the case for many, many others.' She posted a video of the inside of her parents' home, with broken dishes littering the kitchen floor. A large set of antlers appeared to have fallen off a wall of the living room. Gov. Bill Walker issued a disaster declaration. He was in an elevator in a high-rise Anchorage office building and said it was a 'rough ride' coming down. He described the quake as a 7.2, though it was unclear why his figure differed from that of the USGS. Walker says it will take more than a week or two to repair roads damaged by the earthquake. 'This is much more significant than that,' he told reporters at a news conference. Walker leaves office on Monday, and he said members of Gov.-elect Mike Dunleavy's staff had been involved with the earthquake response to ensure a smooth transition. 'This isn't a time to do anything other than take care of Alaskans, and that's what we're doing,' he said. In Kenai, southwest of Anchorage, Brandon Slaton was home alone and soaking in his bathtub when the earthquake struck. Slaton, who weighs 209 pounds, said it created a powerful back-and-forth sloshing that threw him out of the tub. A car is trapped on a collapsed section of the offramp off of Minnesota Drive in Anchorage, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 Traffic outbound from Anchorage on the Glenn Highway was at a standstill after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake caused damage in the Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday Snow slid from the bluff at Point Woronzof, near Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport when a 7.0-magnitude earthquake caused damage in the Anchorage Allison Susel, the acting principal at Chugiak High School in Chugiak, Alaska, surveys damage following the magnitude 7.0 earthquake Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 His 120-pound mastiff panicked and tried to run down the stairs, but the house was swaying so much that the dog was thrown into a wall and tumbled down the stairs, Slaton said. Slaton ran into his son's room after the shaking stopped. The boy's fish was on the floor, gasping, its tank shattered. Slaton put the fish in a bowl. 'It was anarchy,' he said. 'There's no pictures left on the walls, there's no power, there's no fish tank left. Everything that's not tied down is broke.' Alaska was the site of the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the U.S. The 9.2-magnitude quake on March 27, 1964, was centered about 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Anchorage. It and the tsunami it triggered claimed about 130 lives. The state averages 40,000 earthquakes a year, with more large quakes than the 49 other states combined. Southern Alaska has a high risk of earthquakes because the Earth's plates slide past each other under the region. Alaska has been hit by a number of powerful quakes over 7.0 in recent decades, including a 7.9 last January southeast of Kodiak Island. But it is rare for a quake this big to strike so close to such a heavily populated area. David Harper was getting coffee at a store when the low rumble began and intensified into something that sounded 'like the building was just going to fall apart.' He ran for the exit with other patrons. 'People who were outside were actively hugging each other,' he said. 'You could tell that it was a bad one.' A 90-year-old woman was viciously attacked and sent flying to the ground after her granddaughter was sucker punched and fly kicked by a thug. The pensioner, known only as Carmen, was withdrawing money from an ATM in Kardinya, in Perth's south in March, when 36-year-old Troy Andrew Sargent came up behind her. He began to act suspiciously, with footage showing him reaching towards Carmen's back pocket as she withdraws money. Scroll down for video A 90-year-old woman was viciously attacked and sent flying to the ground after her granddaughter was sucker punched and fly kicked by a thug Worried for her grandmother, 29-year-old Jacqui runs up and asks Sargent if he'd taken any of her money, Nine News reported. Within seconds the 36-year-old snaps and punches the young woman in the face before he begins to walk away. As the 90-year-old begins to console her granddaughter, Sargent runs at the pair and delivers a fly kick to Jacqui's head. Jacqui is sent flying towards her grandmother and they clash heads, before the 90-year-old falls backwards and brutally hits her had on the pavement. 'I couldn't believe it was happening and then I was knocked out, my head on the pavement and I couldn't remember much,' Carmen said. The court was told Sargent, who is a paranoid schizophrenic, was under the belief the two women were witches and used sorcery on him. Sargent was sentenced to 11 months in prison for the violent assault that left Carmen with two black eyes and a wound on her face that required several stitches. Carmen was withdrawing money from an ATM in Kardinya, in Perth's south in March, when 36-year-old Troy Andrew Sargent came up behind her Doctors confirmed the 90-year-old is lucky to be alive as the fall could have killed her. The brutal assault was just one incident the 36-year-old was caught up in over a three day violent rampage that occurred because he didn't take his medication. Sargent also chased a neighbour while holding a metal pole and punched a hospital worker. Although the magistrate was sympathetic due to his mental illness, it's believed monitoring Sargent while in the community wasn't effective. Calls are growing for a crackdown on sales of nitrous oxide which has been linked to more than 20 deaths in the past eight years. Nitrous oxide, known as nangs or 'laughing gas', is a legal high which results in a momentary high lasting around 20 seconds. Earlier this week it was reported that Hamish Bidgood, 18, inhaled laughing gas at a Schoolies celebration on the Gold Coast, before plummeting 11 storeys his death from a hotel balcony. Calls are growing for a crackdown on a potent yet dirt cheap drug which can be purchased from your local convenience store: nangs The danger of the drug was highlighted after the recent death of teenager Hamish Bidgood, 18, (pictured) who tragically died after inhaling laughing gas at a Schoolies celebration and falling from his apartment balcony Teenagers looking for a cheap thrill can get their hands on a canister of laughing gas - which contains nitrous oxide - for just $1 Medical experts and drug counsellors believe that the drugs should not be so widely available to naive young people and can even cause long-lasting damage to the brain. Dr Andrew Dawson of The Children's Hospital at Westmead told the Daily Telegraph that the drug can shrivel the brain. The doctor stated he had seen 20-year-olds who had inhaled the laughing gas with shrivelled brains like that of a 40-year-strong drinker. There have been two recorded deaths from recreational use of the drug since 2010 in Australia and the drug was linked to 18 deaths in the UK between the years 2013 - 2016. Nangs is a popular choice of drug at Schoolies celebrations because it is so easy to obtain. Whipped cream canisters have since been pulled from Surfers Paradise supermarket shelves on Thursday following the 18-year-old's death Nangs, also known as 'laughing gas', is a legal high which works by depriving the brain of oxygen for a few seconds, resulting in a dizzy and momentarily exhilarating 20-second high Medical experts and drug counsellors believe that the drugs should not be so widely available to naive young people Teenagers looking for a cheap thrill can get their hands on a canister of laughing gas - which contains nitrous oxide - for just $1. Whipped cream canisters have since been pulled from Surfers Paradise supermarket shelves on Thursday following the 18-year-old's death. A spokesperson from IGA Surfers Paradise told Daily Mail Australia the store had being told by police to stop selling the canisters because they were being abused. 'We're not selling it anymore, we've being told by police that it's being used the wrong way,' the IGA spokesperson said. Last year, a Sydney university student was left with potentially irreversible damage to her spinal cord after inhaling 360 canisters of nitrous oxide a week. Toxicologist Dr Andrew Dawson told the ABC's 7.30 program at the time: 'Very recently I had a 20-year-old patient whose brain appeared to have the same level of damage as an alcoholic who had been drinking for 40 years.' 'We have had a doubling of the number of calls from hospitals about significantly affected people from nitrous oxide exposure.' Dr Andrew Dawson of The Children's Hospital at Westmead said the drug can shrivel the brain Deaths from inhaling laughing gas have doubled in the last 12 months in the UK and there have been more deaths caused by the drug in the last four years than the previous 20 years combined Teenagers in the UK are also using the laughing gas, making use of a loophole in the law that provides an exemption for the drugs medicinal use. Shocking figures from the Office for National Statistics show that fatalities from recreational use of the drug are on the rise in the UK. The drug was linked to three British deaths in the years 2013 and 2014, four in 2015 and double that amount in 2016 - resulting in 18 overall for those four years, The Sun reported. Aircraft engineer Matthew Barnett, 23, from Ashton-in-Makerfield in England died after taking 'hippy crack' in his room and suffocating to death in November 2017. A bipolar woman who used a picture of Kate Upton as her LinkedIn profile picture and lied on her CV managed to secure a highly-classified job that paid more than $240,000. Veronica Theriault, 45, faced the District Court on Friday over defrauding the South Australian Premier's department, the ABC reported. A falsified resume and a deceptive LinkedIn page featuring the American model helped her secure a job as the department's chief information officer in May 2017. Veronica Theriault (pictured), 45, faced the District Court on Friday over defrauding the South Australian Premier's department A falsified resume and a deceptive LinkedIn profile photo of model Kate Upton helped her secure a job as the department's chief information officer in May 2017 The position was advertised with an attractive salary of $244,000 a year. Theriault was exposed following an Independent Commissioner Against Corruption's (ICAC) investigation. Suspicions about Theriault first surfaced when, two months after she started, she falsely claimed there had been three major cyber-security incidents. The department placed Theriault, who had by this point already earned $33,000, on leave and her qualifications and background were re-checked. Following a police investigation charges of deception, dishonestly dealing with documents and abuse of public office were brought against her. She pleaded guilty to all charges in August. Defence barrister Stephen Apps said during the sentencing submissions that his client had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder almost a decade ago. He argued that Theriault had stopped taking her medication and was 'off with the pixies' when she duped the government. 'At all relevant times, she was suffering from her bipolar conditions and she is still receiving treatment,' he said. Mr Apps pinned the blame on the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) for not picking up on his client's deception. He said a simple phone call to her listed employer Wotif would've stopped the blunder. Under her LinkedIn profile, Theriault claimed she worked as 'chief geek' for Melbourne-based accommodation booking company Wotif, between 2011 and 2017. Theriault was exposed following an Independent Commissioner Against Corruption's (ICAC) Bruce Lander investigation Under her LinkedIn profile, which also sported a picture of US Model Ms Upton, Theriault claimed she worked as 'chief geek' for Melbourne-based accommodation booking company Wotif, between 2011 and 2017 In fact, she had actually never worked for the company and they had never heard of her, the court heard. 'All they had to do was ring the employer, instead of the fraudulent number she gave,' Mr Apps said. Prosecutor Sarah Attar labelled Theriault's actions as a 'calculated and elaborate web of deceit'. While she conceded the fraudster was unwell, she said there was no suggestion her mental health condition had anything to do with her deceitful actions. 'This was a high-ranking position in the Department of Premier and Cabinet with access to sensitive information,' Ms Attar said. Recorded phone conversations and text messages with her brother are said to show Theriault planned to use her mental health as exonerating evidence if she was ever caught. The court heard how despite her inexperience, colleagues said she was 'incredibly impressive in her first 10 days in the role.' Theriault's co-accused brother Alan Hugh Melville Corkill has also been charged. Mr Corkill gave Theriault a fake reference and also took a well-paid job within the department, which his sister had organised. He pleaded guilty to deception and agreeing to accept a benefit. He will be sentenced next week. Theriault's is due back in court in December while lawyers continue to collect reports on her mental health. Theriault's matter will be picked up again later in December as lawyers continue to collect reports on her mental health Advertisement The son of two holocaust survivors and the author of a book based on his parents life are having 'issues' over factual inaccuracies in the bestselling war novel. The Tattooist of Auschwitz held the number one spot on Australia's fictional titles list for nine months and was also a bestseller in the UK and US. The book is based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov who met and fell in love while imprisoned in Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. The fictionalised memoir is 'based on a true story', but according to The Australian, author Heather Morris and the Sokolov's son Gary have fallen out over claims that parts of the book are incorrect. Based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov (pictured, with their son Gary), the book tells the story of how the two met and fell in love while imprisoned in Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau The fictionalised memoir is 'based on a true story', but now author Heather Morris (pictured right with Lale Sokolov) and the Sokolov's son Gary are having 'issues' The book details how Lale - known then as Ludwig - was taken from his family to work in Auschwitz as a labourer and was branded with the serial number 32407. After he came to the attention of the SS guards due to his ability to speak multiple languages, he was asked to be the tatowierer, or tattooist, of Auschwitz. Each day he would brand every person arriving at the camp with a serial number. He met Gita after she was sent to him as hers was fading. Lale told Ms Morris that as he pushed the needle into the woman's arm and retraced the number 34902, he felt an immediate connection. 'I tattooed her number on her left arm, and she tattooed her number in my heart,' Lale told Ms Morris in an interview. The pair survived the war but were separated when prisoners from the camp were released. Lale spent two weeks waiting day and night at the train station in Bratislava for Gita to arrive. Miraculously the pair were reunited in Bratislava despite having no way of contacting each other or knowing for sure that the other would be there. They got married soon after the war ended and moved to Melbourne when they realised Europe was still in danger. The book details how Lale - known then as Ludwig - (pictured with Gita) was taken from his family to work in Auschwitz as a labourer and was branded with the serial number 32407 Auschwitz concentration camp was a network of concentration and extermination camps built and operated by Nazi Germany in Poland Ms Morris and Gary, Lale and Gita's only son, were once close, but since the book's wide success the relationship has gone south. Some of the issues are believed to be about the confidential financial agreement between both parties before the book rose to number one. Not only did the book become Australia's top fictional title for nine months, it also reached the top spot on the paperback fiction bestseller lists in both Britain and the United States. The author claims Mr Sokolov supported the book in its entirety when it was first released but he and Ms Morris have since drifted apart. 'I don't think it's Gary; I think it's his wife. She's become fixated on what she says are some mistakes, but I've said from the start, all I'm doing is telling the story that Lale told me,' the author said. In 1990 Gita and Lale agreed to give oral testimony for the USC Shoah Foundation and the interview can only be watched in person in three locations Auschwitz survivor Mr. Leon Greenman, prison number 98288, displays his serial number tattoo he got upon his entrance to Auschwitz Ms Morris has always asserted that the book is a novel, not a memoir. She agreed to write the book when she met Lale in 2003, while working as a social worker in Melbourne. She was introduced to the family after hearing his son Gary Sokolov was looking for someone to tell his father's story. As Gita had only just passed away, Ms Morris became friends with Lale and never wanted to make him discuss anything he wasn't comfortable with, especially the traumatising memories of being in the camps. 'But he was 87, and he kept saying he really wanted to hurry up and join Gita, but he wanted somebody to tell his story first,' she said. In the year since the book's release many have come forward saying Gita's serial number in the book is inaccurate, as women who entered the camp in 1942 were only given four-digit serial numbers. In 1990 Gita and Lale agreed to give oral testimony for the USC Shoah Foundation and the interview can only be watched in person in three locations - Yad Vashem in Israel, at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin and at the Sydney Holocaust Museum. Children who were held in Auschwitz and were victims of experiments by Joseph Mengele beginning of the 1940s, Joseph Mengele also gave Lale strife as is detailed in the book In the interview, Gita talks for two hours and explains how she was taken to Auschwitz and states clearly that her serial number was: '4562'. A vast difference from Ms Morris' recollection of 34902, but the author insists she wrote down what Lale told her. 'Since the book came out, I've heard that the number in the book can't be her number, that she had a four-digit number, but I'm not writing the official history, I'm writing Lale's story, and that is what he told me, that he tattooed her with that number, so it could be that he tattooed her a second time,' she said. Many have questioned whether it was even true that it was her husband who tattooed the number on her, but her two hour tape confirms the fact. Although issues have risen since the book rose to success, the novel ends with an afterword by the pair's son, who praises Ms Morris and thanks her for bringing the story to life. Since then Mr Sokolov's wife has found a piece of paper Lale wrote on and found he spelt his name with an 'i' instead of an 'e' - and has allegedly accused the author of inaccuracies. Ms Morris said the claims don't bother her as she recounted the story just as Lale told it to her. The trial of James Alex Fields Jr entered its fifth day in Charlottesville on Friday A jury will be allowed to see Instagram posts depicting a car running people over that were allegedly made by the driver charged with killing a woman at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Judge Richard Moore ruled on Thursday that prosecutors will be allowed to show jurors the two Instagram posts during the trial of 21-year-old James Alex Fields Jr, which entered its fifth day on Friday. Fields faces 10 charges for his role in the violence at the 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville in August 2017, including for the murder of Heather Heyer, who died when his Dodge Challenger struck a crowd. In opening arguments, Fields' attorney argued he had acted in self defense after his car was mobbed by counter-protesters. The Instagram memes from May 2017, one sent as a private message and the other posted publicly, show a car striking a group of bicyclists, and a variation the message: 'You have the right to protest...But I'm late for work'. The Instagram memes from May 2017, one sent as a private message and the other posted publicly, show a car striking a group of bicyclists Courtroom artwork shows James Alex Fields Jr during jury selection earlier this week Fields, second from left, sits along with his attorneys, Denise Lunsford, left, and John Hill, front right, as Judge Richard E. Moore, top right, reads charges earlier this week Prosecutors argued that the images show 'intent, motive and state of mind' in their motion requesting the admission of the memes as evidence. Heather Heyer, 32, died after Field's car struck the crowd she was marching in On Friday, Fields' trial continued with testimony from prosecution witnesses, including a photographer who captured the crash, and victims who were injured in the chaos. 'I heard screeching tires and an engine revving as it sped past me up the street,' photographer Ryan Kelly testified. Kelly, who now does publicity shots for a brewery, was on his last day at work for local newspaper The Daily Progress and won a Putlizer prize for a photograph showing one of the people launched flailing into the air. 'It was faster than any car I've seen on that street. It was speeding, going directly into that crowd,' Kelly said. He said he ran and began shooting photographs of the chaotic scene. He heard the sounds of thuds, screams and cries. The jury also heard from several people who suffered debilitating injuries when they were hit by Fields' car. Fields' car is seen moments before it struck a crowd last year, killing one and injuring 19 Photographer Ryan Kelly won a Pulitzer for this image showing the car striking the crowd of counterprotesters. He testified about the events at Fields' trial on Friday The drivers of the other two stationary vehicles that were hit from behind in the crash (above) also testified at the trial in Charlottesville on Friday Jeanne 'Star' Peterson said she was walking with a crowd of counterprotesters who were feeling 'celebratory' after violent clashes between white nationalists and antifa earlier in the day prompted police to declare the 'Unite the Right' rally an 'unlawful assembly' and forced the crowds to disband. 'The alt-right didn't get to have a single one of their horrible hate speeches,' Peterson said. She said she remembers hearing three bumps and realized later that two of the bumps were the sound of Fields' tires driving over her leg and then backing up over it. She said she saw a woman thrown into the air when she was struck by the car. 'I remember seeing her eyes,' Peterson said, adding that she thought to herself, 'that's what someone looks like when they are dead.' She later realized the woman was 32-year-old Heyer. Peterson said her right leg was crushed by the car. Since then, she has had five surgeries and expects to have a sixth surgery next year. She used a cane to get into the courtroom and a wheelchair to leave, assisted by a sheriff's deputy. Witness Wednesday Bowie is seen sitting left above in the aftermath of the crash. She testified on Friday that she was struck when Fields reversed Another counterprotester, Wednesday Bowie, said she was walking with the crowd when she saw a flash of silver out of the corner of her eye. She recalled hearing a crash, 'a loud booming noise,' she said. She started running and then saw a car in front of her start to back up. She said she got caught on the trunk of the car, was slammed into a black truck parked nearby and then thrown to the ground. 'I remember people screaming the word 'medic' over and over and over again, basically from every direction,' she said. Bowie said her injuries included a pelvis broken in six places, three cracked vertebrae in her back, a broken tailbone and a broken orbital socket. Fifteen months later, she still cannot walk long distances or sit for a long period of time without being in pain. James Alex Fields Jr (second from left with shield) is seen attending the 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville before being arrested and charged last year Under cross-examination, defense attorney John Hill asked Bowie about violence earlier in the day, advancing his theory that Fields feared for his safety. 'The violence I saw was almost exclusively perpetuated by those who were in the park,' she said, apparently referring to the white nationalists. A forensic detective also testified earlier in the morning, saying that he had found blood on the windshield of Field's Challenger that later matched to Heyers' DNA. Jurors also heard from the drivers of two cars that were stopped in the crowd and were struck from behind by Fields' challenger, the Daily Progress reported. Lizete Short said she got out of her van on Fourth Street to take a picture of the second group, saying it felt like 'a moment in history,' when something struck the van from behind, throwing her onto the hood. Tadrint Washington says her car was stopped by the crowd and the van in front of her. She saw the car behind her back up, and then he next thing she knew she heard a bang and blacked out. Washington and her sister, Micah, who was in the car with her, filed a $3 million civil suit soon afterwards, alleging civil conspiracy, negligence and emotional distress. Democratic socialist wunderkind Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Friday that her surprising election victory, and those of other liberal congressional freshmen, are on a par with a series of landmark moments in American history. During a press conference hosted by the Sunshine Movement, an advocacy group that leverages youth protests to oppose global warming, the 29-year-old Ocasio-Cortez said her Nov. 6 achievement ranks with the 1969 Moon landing and the 1964 Civil Rights Act. 'We've done what we thought was impossible,' she told a small crowd who braved 40-degree weather. 'We went to the moon. We electrified the nation. We established civil rights. We enfranchised the country. We dig deep, and we did it. We did it when no one else thought that we could. That's what we did when so many of us won an election this year.' During an environmentalist event on Friday with other freshman Democratic lawmakers, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said their victories compared with watershed moments in American history The 29-year-old Democratic socialist cited the 1969 moon landing as a paradigm-shifting event that compares to her surprising defeat of a 10-term incumbent congressman Ocasio-Cortez included the 1964 Civil Rights Act, too, among a group of milestones that now include her introduction to national politics as America's youngest-ever female lawmaker Ocasio-Cortez has claimed before that the her party was responsible for the moon landing. 'We are the party of King, of Roosevelt, of the ones who went to the moon,' she told the liberal Netroots Nation conference in August. While Democratic President John F. Kennedy advocated strongly for a moon-targeted space program, Republican President Richard Nixon was in office when NASA succeeded. Ocasio-Cortez and other young environmentalists are pressing for what they call a 'Green New Deal,' including what she demanded in her campaign platform: 'transitioning the United States to a carbon-free, 100-percent renewable energy system, and a fully modernized electrical grid by 2035.' She is also calling on members of Congress to refuse political contributions from companies that mine, pump, refine or sell fossil fuels. At least 15 incoming House Democrats have endorsed an Ocasio-Cortez plan to create a new legislative committee dedicated strictly to global warming issues. Ocasio-Cortez's heavily liberal district includes 214,750 active registered Democratic voters; fewer than 16,000 voted for her in the June primary that made her November win a foregone conclusion The creation of America's first electric grid and the success of sufragettes 98 years ago also made Ocasio-Cortez's list of national turning points that now includes her own election She shocked the Democratic establishment in June by defeating Rep. Joe Crowley, a 10-term incumbent, in a primary election plagued by anemic turnout. Her victory in the November general election was a foregone conclusion in New York's 14th Congressional District, where 77 per cent of voters chose Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016. But in an area of the Bronx and Queens that's home to 214,750 active registered Democratic voters, only 27,744 cast ballots in the primary. The district's U.S. Census-estimated population in 2016 was 691,715. Fewer than 16,000 voted for Ocasio-Cortez. US President Donald Trump has praised his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison after the two met for the first time at the G20 summit in Argentina. The prime minister spoke to the president ahead of a key meeting at the summit between Mr Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. 'Just getting to know each other and so far so good, I think it's going to be a great relationship,' Mr Trump said in the meeting in Buenos Aires on Friday local time. Scroll down for video US President Donald Trump's has praised his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison after the two met for the first time (pictured) at the G20 summit in Argentina 'I know you've done a fantastic job in a very short period of time. 'You've done a lot of the things that they've wanted over there and that's why you're sitting right here.' The escalating China-US trade war is overshadowing the meeting of the world's key leaders, which began overnight, but Mr Morrison said the US is pursuing a clear course ahead of its meeting with China on Saturday night local time. 'Whether they come to an agreement tomorrow, really only they can discern that,' Mr Morrison told reporters after he met Mr Trump. Mr Morrison (pictured to the right of Russian President Vladimir Putin) also met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the navy submarine contract, reforming the WTO and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific 'But ... the suggestion the path the United States is pursuing has a protectionist motivation, I think is false.' The New York Times has described Mr Trump as 'lonely' at the world summit and said his only friend was Mr Morrison. The column read: 'If you want a friend in politics, get an Aussie.' The prime minister said he also took Mr Trump through the process of how Mr Turnbull was replaced and how he became prime minister in August. 'We just ran through what the events were,' Mr Morrison said. Mr Turnbull visited the White House in February, posing for smiling pictures with Mr Trump and successfully pressing him to exempt Australian steel from tariff hikes. The US has been pushing China hard on intellectual property theft, and World Trade Organisation rules that still give China developing nation status. As part of his negotiating tactics, Mr Trump has slapped hundreds of billions of dollars of tariffs on Chinese goods, sparking similar tariffs in response. 'In the past they've sought to take a fairly orthodox approach ... what we've seen more recently you wouldn't describe as orthodox, but that doesn't mean the objective isn't the same,' Mr Morrison said. The G20 started with a group photo and a warm handshake between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, who is accused of ordering the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mr Morrison told a group meeting of leaders Australia's economic success was built on multi-lateral, open trade. The two exchanged a joke and the prime minister said he also took Mr Trump through the process of how Mr Turnbull was replaced and how he became prime minister in August Angus Livingston to declare global trade is in its worst crisis since 1947. The US has been undermining the World Trade Organisation by refusing to appoint new trade judges, leading WTO boss Roberto Azevedo to declare global trade is in its worst crisis since 1947. The European Union has proposed changes to the WTO in a bid to appease the US, but so far no resolution has been found. Mr Morrison also met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the navy submarine contract, reforming the WTO and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The G20 includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and the European Union. Lawyers for the Republican-run House Judiciary Committee are ridiculing former FBI Director James Comey for a 'grandiose' demand to 'dictate' the terms of his testimony after getting a subpoena. The lawyers responded Friday to a motion filed by Comey's lawyers seeking to resist a subpoena to appear behind closed doors in Congress by claiming lawmakers were likely to leak the contents to his own disadvantage. 'Putting aside the procedural and constitutional infirmities of Mr. Comeys ill-conceived litigation, Mr. Comey has identified no colorable basis to object to his deposition,' write three lawyers for the House General Counsel in response to Comey's suit. 'Instead, he wishes to dictate the terms of his appearance by demanding a public hearing,' the House lawyers add in one of many passages seeking to torch his claims in highly personalized terms. Lawyers for former FBI Director James Comey argue a subpoena to appear behind closed doors is 'abusive to witnesses' due to likely leaks 'No other witness involved in this investigation has made such a grandiose demand, and this Court should not countenance Mr. Comeys temerity in attempting to dictate the terms on which he will deign to comply with his constitutional obligations,' argue the attorneys, Thomas Hungar, Todd Tatelman, and Kimberly Hamm. The filing is laced with terms that disparage Comey's position, saying he 'brazenly demands' the court grant his request, and terms his effort 'extraordinary and frivolous.' 'As far as undersigned counsel is aware, no district court in the history of the Republic has ever granted such a request,' the lawyers write. Lawyers for the House Judiciary Committee responded to Comey's request to quash a subpoena The legal filing blasts Comey's 'grandiose demand' in personalized terms Judge Trevor McFadden postponed a ruling until Monday, giving both sides the weekend to bolster their arguments, The Hill reported. No other witness involved in this investigation has made such a grandiose demand, and this Court should not countenance Mr. Comeys temerity in attempting to dictate the terms on which he will deign to comply with his constitutional obligations. - House Judiciary Committee lawyers The lawyers site the authority and jurisdiction of the House Judiciary Committee, and say the federal court lacks jurisdiction to rule on a 'legislative act' protected by the Constitution's 'Speech or Debate Clause,' which provides for Congress to exercise its power outside of interference from other branches. The lawyers claim Comey made 'fatal concessions' in his own filing when he said the FBI, which he used to head, and the Justice Department are 'appropriately subject to congressional oversight.' They also cite the Constitution's stipulation that each House of Congress 'may determine the Rules of its Proceedings' something properly delegated to committees. A declaration by the general counsel and parliamentarian for the House Judiciary makes the case for why Comey's testimony is in bounds while also spelling out how Republicans plan to use it to try to go after the origins of the Russia probe as well as his handling of the Clinton email scandal. The statement notes that Comey 'ultimately made the decision' and was the 'primary author of the press statement' announcing the decision not to prosecute Clinton. And it says he was 'personally involved' with the Russia probe and 'signed off' on the surveillance warrant for Trump advisor Carter Page, who came under scrutiny for his Russia ties during the campaign. The furious response came after Comey filed a motion to quash a House subpoena ordering him to testify in private arguing the conditions would lead to 'selective leaks' and is 'abusive to witnesses.' Comey, who has previously gotten grilled by both the House and Senate in public over his handling of the Clinton email scandal and his firing by President Donald Trump, has been ordered to appear December 3. The GOP-run House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform committees are demanding he appear as part of their probe into decisions not to prosecute Clinton, as well as FBI conduct during the Russia investigation. But Comey argues that a closed hearing would allow for 'selective leaks, is abusive to witnesses, and furthers no legitimate congressional purpose,' according to a court filing by his lawyers. The filing cites what it calls the 'abusive pattern of the selective leaking' by the joint committee. His legal team also argues that Trump's criticisms, a combination of leaks and his tweets have created a 'corrosive narrative' that could harm his credibility. The narrative, they claim, is that Clinton has 'committed serious crimes but was given unwarranted leniency', whereas the president has been 'been saddled with unwarranted scrutiny, for purely partisan political reasons, by the same FBI and DOJ'. It cites a Supreme Court case that grew out of the McCarthy hearings, and a ruling that if a subpoena is 'issued solely for sake of exposure or intimidation, then it exceeds the legislative function of Congress.' It was unclear how much weight Comey's arguments would carry against Congress, which has compelled cabinet officials and corporate chiefs to appear at numerous hearings in the past, even if those on the other side of the dais considered it grandstanding. Comey is resisting the subpoena, but says he will appear at a public hearing. If the matter gets delayed until January, Democrats will take over the committees The lawyers cite committee leaks, including leaking of the testimony of former deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, who was fired after a report cited him for leaking Comey's lawyers are fighting the subpoena LETS DO THIS IN PRIVATE: Comey got a subpoena to appear before the GOP committees Dec. 3 Comey says he would be willing to appear in public to testify where the public and the media would be present and his views could get aired in full. 'Today my legal team filed court papers to try to get transparency from House Republicans. Let the American people watch,' Comey wrote. President Trump has attempted to brand Comey a 'leaker' and a 'liar' for having kept copious private notes during his time at the FBI and then passing them on to a friend. Bombshell stories of Trump demanding what Comey said was a pledge of 'loyalty' from Trump made it into the New York Times following a leak. Comey also tweeted about the subpoena over the holiday weekend. 'Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. I'm still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions,' he wrote on Thanksgiving. 'But I will resist a 'closed door' thing because I've seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Let's have a hearing and invite everyone to see.' Comey's lawyers, Vincent Cohen, Brett Kohlhofer, David Kelley, Jeffrey Brown, and Kaitlyn Walsh of Dechert LLP, also cited numerous leaks from closed testimony that ended up in the press. Among them are snippets from fired FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe, FBI lovers Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, and Justice Department official Bruce Ohr. Former attorney general Jeff Sessions fired McCabe following an IG report that faulted him for leaking. Comey's lawyers even quote Oversight panel chairman Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, who said: 'I don't get the chance to say this very often, but I do think Jim Comey is right. Leaks are counterproductive whether Jim Comey is doing it, whether the FBI is doing it, or whether Congress is doing it.' Tech tycoon Mike Lynch once hailed as the UKs answer to Bill Gates is facing the possibility of 20 years in a US jail in one of the biggest fraud cases ever to embroil a British businessman. The 53-year-old has been charged on multiple counts of conspiracy and fraud over the 8.5billion sale of his successful software firm Autonomy. The indictment from the US department of justice was filed in San Francisco. It claims that Mr Lynch, and former finance executive Stephen Chamberlain, inflated Autonomys performance from 2009 until it was sold to Hewlett Packard in 2011. Founder of Autonomy Mike Lynch has been charged on multiple counts of conspiracy and fraud over the 8.5billion sale of his successful software firm The US authorities are trying to force father-of-two Mr Lynch to hand over the 640million he made from selling Autonomy to HP. Yesterday, Mr Lynch stood down from several committees of the prestigious Royal Society and reluctantly resigned as a Government science and technology adviser to concentrate on clearing his name. Britain's answer to Bill Gates? Mike Lynch, the founder of Autonomy A balding, stocky figure, Mike Lynch is a proudly self-made man who lives in a Georgian manor house set within a 70-acre estate in East Anglia. The fruits of his success include an ivy-clad, five-storey townhouse in Chelsea, worth more than 20million. He is also said to have bought a $30million yacht. Mr Lynch, the son of a nurse and a fireman, grew up near Chelmsford, Essex. As a ferociously bright boy, he won a scholarship to private school and went on to read natural sciences at Christs College Cambridge. He formed Autonomy with mathematician Richard Gaunt in 1996, based on his observation that equations formulated in the 18th century by an obscure Presbyterian minister, Thomas Bayes, could be used to sift and organise masses of data. It was this insight that revolutionised the British tech industry, fuelled Autonomys rise and led to comparisons with Bill Gates. Advertisement His lawyers said: HP has sought to blame Autonomy for its own crippling errors and has falsely accused Mike Lynch to cover its own tracks. Mr Lynch will not be a scapegoat for their failures. He has done nothing wrong and will vigorously defend the charges against him. Mr Lynch is accused of artificially inflating revenues at Autonomy and making false and misleading statements to cover it up. In 2012, it was clear the deal had turned toxic when HP wrote off three-quarters of the British firms value, accusing Mr Lynch and his colleagues of mismanagement. The ensuing battles have pitted him against Meg Whitman, 62, the formidable HP boss, who stood down this year. She has said HP did a whole host of due diligence checks when it bought Autonomy to check for any hidden problem but that when youre lied to, its hard to find. Mr Lynchs camp says HP has a track record of terrible takeovers that have gone badly wrong, costing its largely American investors billions of dollars. His defenders also argue the dispute boils down to nothing more than differences in US and UK accounting standards and is not a criminal matter. Mr Lynch is also fighting HP Enterprise, a successor of HP, in a civil suit in this country filed in 2015. It claims Autonomy wrongly booked 8.3million of revenues relating to a project to digitise the Vatican Library in 2010. The US company filed a claim for $5.1billion dollars and Mr Lynch has counter-sued for $150million for damage to his reputation. He was scheduled to speak again at the conference on Thursday, but left Hong Kong and through a spokesman sent a statement saying: "I will remain in China, my home country, and co-operate fully with all inquiries about my work". When pressed by some of his peers at the conference, he noted: "For this case, I feel proud". Speaking to the Human Genome Editing Summit at the University of Hong Kong, he said the girls were "born normal and healthy" and they would be monitored over the next 18 years. All couples he recruited for this study had an HIV-positive father, and a non-infected mother. He said there had been "another potential pregnancy" involving a second couple, but when questioned further agreed it had been a chemical pregnancy - a term referring to a very early miscarriage. But he apologised that his research "was leaked unexpectedly", and added: "The clinical trial was paused due to the current situation". Most scientists in the field, however, have chosen not to jump the gun and begin performing the work on human embryos with the intention of producing modified babies. He is being accused of unduly experimenting on humans with an unproven and potentially unsafe technology. If reporting, only use content published by authoritative departments, do not independently gather or edit news, do not highlight with screen pop-ups, and tightly control harmful commentary. University professor He, based in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, said the twin girls, born a few weeks ago, had their DNA altered to prevent them from contracting HIV. A medical team's quest to edit the genes of babies has been stopped by the Chinese government. But He took to the stage on Wednesday to justify his work and was bombarded with questions as he told the audience that the parents were aware of the potential dangers when they signed up. Conference moderator Robin Lovell-Badge said organisers were unaware of the story until it broke this week. Lovell-Badge called He's trial a "backward step" for the science industry, but described the babies' birth as "momentous" nonetheless. China's science ministry on Thursday ordered that anyone conducting research in gene editing halt their activities. "Its flaws include an inadequate medical indication, a poorly designed study protocol, a failure to meet ethical standards for protecting the welfare of research subjects, and a lack of transparency in the development, review, and conduct of the clinical procedures", they said in a statement on Thursday. Southern University of Science and Technology distanced itself from He, saying he had been on unpaid leave since February and had "seriously violated academic ethics". He Jiankui says he made the goals clear and informed them of risks and that this was never tried before; He also said he would provide insurance coverage for any child conceived through the project until they reach 18 and longer if they agree once they are adults. In September 2017, the practice of altering human embryos' blueprint for life was successfully carried out in the United Kingdom for the first time. Many other scientists were astounded to hear his claims with some strongly condemning it and others interested to hear more, especially in terms of gene editing for HIV. A downy white substance that recently sprouted in a Revolutionary War battlefield site in South Carolina has been identified by park officials as 'hair ice'. The South Carolina State Parks shared incredible photos Thursday of the unique frost occurrence captured by a ranger. 'Is that litter in the woods? Not even close! Due to the recent cold morning temps, you can see "hair ice" or "ice flowers" in places!,' the parks said in a social media statement. 'This happens during humid winter nights when the temperature drops just below the freezing point. 'The textures and forms are a result of the fungus Exidiopsis effusa. Have you ever seen this? Thanks to Ranger Dawn at Musgrove Mill for the pics and the info!' A downy white substance that sprouted in a Revolutionary War battlefield site in South Carolina has been identified by park officials as 'hair ice' The South Carolina State Parks shared photos of the unique frost occurrence Thursday The process behind the formation of 'hair ice' was revealed by a team of researchers in Germany and Switzerland in 2015 The process behind the formation of 'hair ice' was revealed by a team of researchers in Germany and Switzerland in 2015 after remaining a mystery for 100 years. Christian Matzler, a physicist at the Institute of Applied Physics at the University of Bern in Switzerland, determined the cause of the cotton candy-like substance in 2015 with the help of colleagues. The researchers discovered in their study that the fungus Exidiopsis effusa facilitates the growth. '[The] driving mechanism responsible for producing ice filaments at the wood surface is ice segregation,' a press release by the European Geosciences Union states. 'Liquid water near the branch surface freezes in contact with the cold air, creating an ice front and sandwiching a thin water film between this ice and the wood pores. 'Suction resulting from repelling intermolecular forces acting at this "wood-water-ice sandwich" then gets the water inside the wood pores to move towards the ice front, where it freezes and adds to the existing ice.' 'Is that litter in the woods? Not even close! Due to the recent cold morning temps, you can see "hair ice" or "ice flowers" in places!,' the parks said in the social media statement. Matzler teamed up with chemist Diana Hofmann and biologist Gisela Preu and performed a series of experiments to figure out hair ice's particular properties. They said the ice grows on the rotting branches of certain trees when the conditions are just right, usually during a humid winter night when the temperature drops below 0C (32F). HOW THE MYSTERY OF HAIR ICE WAS SOLVED Preu studied samples of hair-ice-bearing wood. She analyzed the wood samples using microscopic techniques and identified fungus Exidiopsis effusa colonised all of the hair-ice-producing wood, and in more than half of the samples, it was the only species present. Matzler did experiments on the physics of the ice, finding the driving mechanism to be a phenomenon called ice segregation. The same amount of ice is produced on wood with or without fungal activity, but without this activity the ice forms a crust-like structure. Hofmann then studied the hair ice itself. Her chemical analyzes of the melted ice showed the water contained fragments of the complex organic compounds lignin and tannin. Since these are metabolic products of the fungal activity, this finding further confirmed the biological influence on hair ice. Advertisement In 1918, Alfred Wegener studied hair ice after noticing a white substance resembling a cobweb coating the wood upon which hair ice was found. His assistant identified it as fungus mycelium - the mass of thin threads from where mushrooms grow, and suggested some unknown relation between the ice and the fungus. Then, 90 years, later Gerhart Wagner, a retired Swiss professor found further evidence of a relation, realizing that treating wood with fungicide suppressed the growth of the ice. But the fungus species and the mechanism that drives the growth of hair ice was yet to be identified up until three years ago. Preu studied samples of hair-ice-bearing wood collected in the winters of 2012, 2013 and 2014 in forests near Brachbach in western Germany. She analyzed the wood samples using microscopic techniques and identified eleven different species of fungi. 'One of them, Exidiopsis effusa, colonized all of our hair-ice-producing wood, and in more than half of the samples, it was the only species present,' she said. Matzler did experiments on the physics of the ice, finding the driving mechanism to be a phenomenon called ice segregation. 'Since the freezing front is situated at the mouth of the wood rays, the shape of the growing ice is determined by the wood rays at their mouth,' Matzler said. 'The same amount of ice is produced on wood with or without fungal activity, but without this activity the ice forms a crust-like structure. 'The action of the fungus is to enable the ice to form thin hairs - with a diameter of about 0.01 mm (0.0004 inches) - and to keep this shape over many hours at temperatures close to 0C (32F). 'Our hypothesis includes that the hairs are stabilised by a recrystallisation inhibitor that is provided by the fungus.' Hofmann then studied the hair ice itself. Her chemical analyzes of the melted ice showed the water contained fragments of the complex organic compounds lignin and tannin. Since these are metabolic products of the fungal activity, this finding further confirmed the biological influence on hair ice. 'These components may be the ones preventing the formation of large ice crystals at the wood surface,' said Hofmann. The researchers said a reason why it took almost 100 years to confirm Wegener's hypothesis is that hair ice is a somewhat rare and fleeting phenomenon, spotted mainly in broadleaf forests at latitudes between 45 and 55N. 'Hair ice grows mostly during the night and melts again when the sun rises. It's invisible in the snow and inconspicuous in hoarfrost,' Preu said. The white substance grows on the rotting branches of certain trees when the conditions are just right, usually during a humid winter night when the temperature drops below 0C (32F) Facebook users expressed their awe over the peculiar substance in the comments of the South Carolina State Parks' post. One wrote: 'How very interesting!! All the time I have spent in the woods at my relatives farms, and now on this one where I've lived for 18+ years, I have never seen that phenomenon!!' Another said: 'Beautiful, Mother Nature is a wonder.' Someone else added: 'I have always heard it called hoar frost... I like ice flowers better.' Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner joined President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump on the world stage Friday night, taking part in a meet-and-greet with the Argentina president and looking glamorous during an event at the city's posh Teatro Colon opera house. They looked the part: Ivanka in a shiny white, off-shoulder pants suit and towering black heels with Jared next to her in a dark suit. They shook hands, they kissed on the cheek, they posed in a photo op - in other words, they got the world leader treatment during a cultural event for the G20 summit. President Trump invited his daughter and son-in-law to join him on the world stage Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner chat with Argentina first lady Juliana Awada The three couples chatted on the red carpet of posh Teatro Colon opera house Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner joined President Trump and first lady Melania Trump at a cultural performance for world leaders at the Teatre Colon opera house It was President Trump who invited his daughter and son-in-law to join him and his wife at the official meet-and-greet with Argentina President Mauricio Macri and his wife Juliana Awada. He waved them up to the red carpet. Trump has know President Macri for years - Macri's father sold Trump some land in Manhattan in the 1980s - and the Macri's visited the Trumps at the White House in April so it's possible the couples are all old friends. There was the requisite small talk as the cameras flashed. Jared and Ivanka spoke to the first lady of Argentina, while next to them, the president and Melania Trump, in a sleeveless dark purple dress with a gold belt and gold high heels, chatted with President Macri. After a few minutes of small talk, the Marcis and the Trumps posed for an official photo. Once the foursome got captured for the cameras, Jared and Ivanka joined the first couples for a six-person photo shoot. It all took place at the Teatre Colon, which is considered one of the ten best opera houses in the world and one of the the five best concert venues in existence. The setting fit the occasion: the horseshoe-shaped auditorium is decked out in scarlet red and gold while the ceiling is painted with frescoes by Raul Soldi. The couples - and the rest of the G20 leaders and their spouses - were treated to a program of dancing, including the traditional Argentina tango. Ivanka gets a kiss from Argentina President Mauricio Macri Ivanka wore a shiny white, off-shoulder pants suit and towering black heels First lady Melania Trump wore a sleeveless purple dress with a gold belt and gold high heels Afterward, they adjourned for dinner. The Teatre Colon is one of the the five best concert venues in existence Ivanka and Jared joined the Trumps for the performance, which included the tango Jared and Ivanka have been getting kudos through the first day of meetings at the annual G20 summit. Earlier in the day, Jared was awarded with Mexico's highest honor for a foreigner by outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto - The Order of the Aztec Eagle. President Trump made a surprise stop at the ceremony. He sat in the front row next to his daughter, Ivanka, as Pena Nieto presented her husband with the award. Pena Nieto honored Kushner for the work he did to bring a modernized trade deal between the two countries and Canada across the finish line. He put a pin symbolizing the nations' friendship Kushner's blazer and delivered remarks in Spanish as President Trump, Ivanka Trump, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, National Security Advisor John Bolton, Office of Management and Budget head Mick Mulvaney, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, economic adviser Peter Navarro and other senior White House staff looked on. It's ceiling is painted in fresco The horseshoe-shaped auditorium is decked out in scarlet red and gold Jared Kushner was honored with the Order of the Aztec Eagle earlier in the day by outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto; President Trump joined him and daughter Ivanka at the ceremony Ivanka Trump was spotted with her father at a lunch with world leaders when he 'exchanged pleasantries' with Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who is said to have masterminded the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi President Trump gives Argentina first lady Juliana Awada a kiss President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pose with Argentina's President Mauricio Macri and his spouse Juliana Awada at a G20 'cultural event' The world leaders at the G20 and their spouses posed for a group photo at the opera house The world leaders attended a performance and then adjourned for dinner He also presented Kushner with a medal and a diploma, which Kushner proudly held up for his audience, which included a pack of photographers trailing the president. 'I am very honored by the recognition that youve given me here today,' Kushner told the exiting leader. 'While there has been a lot of tough talk, I have seen the genuine respect and care that President Trump has for Mexico and the Mexican people and I do believe we have been able to put that in the right light.' He also gave a shout out to his wife, Ivanka, who serves as an unpaid adviser to her father in the White House, just as he does. She put up with late-night trade talks at their Washington, D.C. home, he said. During the signing of the trade deal, Trump thanked his son-in-law by name for his work. And Ivanka Trump was spotted with her father at a lunch with world leaders when he 'exchanged pleasantries' with Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who is said to have masterminded the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Police forces are to get a 600 million cash boost in a bid to crack down on violence in Wild West Britain paid for with a council tax hike. Home Secretary Sajid Javid has thrashed out a deal with Chancellor Philip Hammond and Communities Secretary James Brokenshire to double the amount that local authorities can add to council tax bills for policing. The amount police and crime commissioners will be able to impose will rise from 1 a month to 2 a month from April 2019. It means an extra 24 per household each year. It is intended to allow forces to pay for more frontline officers in a bid to halt the sickening violence engulfing Britain. If all 43 police forces in England and Wales raise the precept by 24 for each Band D household, it will generate a total of 450 million. The amount police and crime commissioners will be able to impose will rise from 1 a month to 2 a month from April 2019 Critics will blast the move as a stealth council tax rise at a time when crimes recorded by police have risen to 5.6 million, the highest for more than a decade. On average a crime is committed every six seconds. As well as the increase in council tax, it is understood the Home Office and Treasury could also commit another 170 million to general police funding. It comes on top of an extra 160 million for counter-terrorism announced by Mr Hammond in the Budget last month. Police chiefs have warned ministers that forces are struggling to cope following deep cuts to funding which has seen it fall 19 per cent in real terms since 2010-11 to 12.3 billion this year. And since 2009, the number of police and PCSOs has plummeted from 160,000 to 132,000. In September, a damning report found that forces were struggling to keep the public safe following funding cuts and an upsurge in crime. Chief constables were finding it increasingly difficult to deliver an effective service, said Britains spending watchdog. Home Secretary Sajid Javid (left) thrashed out a deal with Chancellor Philip Hammond (right) and Communities Secretary James Brokenshire Spiralling low-volume, high-harm crime such as sex attacks, gun and knife offences, and the heightened terror threat, was ramping up pressure on police budgets, according to the National Audit Office. After last months Budget, Mr Javid said he was deeply worried about the street violence as he hinted at a funding boost in the annual financial settlement. He said: I think resources is part of the issue, making sure that police as they deal with more of these complex situations have the resources they need. What we saw in this Budget was a Chancellor that was listening. He listened to the needs of the defence service and health and others and he set out quite rightly that hes going to listen to the needs of the police, so I am very confident that hes listening. The new settlement could be announced as early as next week, but has yet to be signed off by the Home Office. One Government source said Mr Javid had been pushing for a 30-a-year precept on council tax bills. leep-deprived volunteers taking part in an experiment had worse balance than those who slept well We all know a string of sleepless nights can make us a bit wobbly during the day. But now researchers have found just one bad nights sleep can put you at greater risk of falling over. Sleep-deprived volunteers taking part in an experiment had worse balance and were less able to control their posture than those who slept well. Although the research was conducted on healthy adults, the scientists said the main implications were for the elderly. Sleep-deprived volunteers taking part in an experiment had worse balance and were less able to control their posture than those who slept well. The scientists said the main implications were for the elderly [File photo] Falls can cause pain and misery particularly among older people and are a huge cost to the economy. The annual cost to the NHS of falls among the elderly was estimated to be 2.3billion in 2015, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). While chronic deprivation is known to affect balance, less attention has been paid to the effects of one or two bad nights sleep. Researchers from Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick fitted 20 healthy adults with sensors to monitor their sleep and test balance over two days. Volunteers who reported sleeping badly wobbled around twice as much as those who said they slept well, the study in journal Scientific Reports found. Lead researcher Dr Leandro Pecchia said: We all have direct experience of this. When we do not sleep well, we may feel a little dizzy and our capability to control our posture and balance is somehow diminished. When we are fit and in good health, our body is able to adapt and we develop a strategy to keep our balance, avoiding falls and incidents. This ability is reduced with ageing or when there are other concomitant conditions that may compromise our ability to adapt. Falls can cause pain and misery particularly among older people and are a huge cost to the economy. The annual cost to the NHS of falls among the elderly was estimated to be 2.3billion in 2015 [File photo] Professor Francesco Cappuccio, a co-author, said: The results obtained in healthy normal volunteers are surprising, given the ability at younger ages to compensate for such acute and short-lived sleep disruptions. We would expect more dramatic effects when these experiments are replicated in older people. A paper published by Kings College Hospital and the University of the Arts London this month found 40 per cent of patients find it difficult sleeping in hospital. Dr Pecchia added: These results could contribute to the understanding of in-hospital falls. 'Hospitalised older patients find themselves in a frail condition, sleeping in an unfamiliar environment. One of the problems in fall prevention is that we know a frail subject will fall, but it is very difficult to predict when. Our study is the first step towards finding a solution. An embattled county elections official at the center of Florida's recount has been suspended. Governor Rick Scott issued an executive order Friday immediately suspending Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes from office for misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty. Snipes, 75, has been the top elections official in the south Florida county since 2003 when then-Governor Jeb Bush appointed her. She came under withering criticism for her handling of this year's elections, as well as its legally required recount in close races for governor and U.S. Senate. Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes (above earlier this month) was suspended from office on Friday for misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty Governor Rick Scott (above) won the election to the US Senate after a painful and protracted recount process. On Friday he suspended controversial election supervisor Brenda Snipes Snipes' career 15-year career as elections supervisor has been dogged by repeated accusations of incompetence, bias, legal disputes and botched elections. She came under fire again this year after the county missed the deadline - by two minutes - in reporting results in the contested Senate race, which Scott ended up winning. Broward struggled with its infamy again when officials revealed on Saturday that 2,040 ballots had been either misplaced, misfiled or mixed in with another stack. President Donald Trump even weighed in on the controversy in a sarcastic tweet calling Snipes 'a fine, very honorable and highly respected voting tactician!' Florida's Republican party erected this mocking protest outside of the Broward election office Snipes, who is black, said afterward racism was 'probably' a factor in the backlash against her. When asked specifically if she believed her heritage could be playing a part in the hostile response she declined to elaborate but told the Guardian, 'Probably. Probably'. Snipes previously indicated she planned to step down in January. Scott said in a statement that taxpayers shouldn't have to pay an official who has already announced her resignation. Scott appointed Enterprise Florida President and CEO Peter Antonacci to replace Snipes. Voters will have a chance to elect a new supervisor in 2020. Supermarkets are vying for their share of Britains 22.5 billion Christmas groceries market The shops have been overflowing with festive foods since September, as supermarkets vie for their share of Britains 22.5 billion Christmas groceries market. In their bids to fill festive coffers, retailers routinely bring out weird and wonderful food and drink, designed to grab shoppers attention and, with any luck, drop into their trolleys. Some of the most stomach-churning offerings over the years have included Christmas dinner popcorn (thanks, Selfridges), a chocolate-cherry sandwich at Tesco and a green smoothie made from Brussels sprouts courtesy of M&S. This year, supermarkets have gone further than ever in their twists on traditional dishes. From pigs-in-blankets tea to pine tree-flavoured crisps, SARAH RAINEY tried the ghastliest festive foods on offer, so you dont have to. Some were a pleasant surprise while others are guaranteed to give you nightmares before Christmas . . . CHRISTMAS TREE CRISPS 1 for 180g, iceland.co.uk The tree flavour is pine oil, made by distilling tree stumps, needles and twigs WHAT THEY SAY: Some bright spark was clearly feted by Iceland for coming up with the novelty of putting the essence of pine needles into a bag of crisps. The packet, billed as pine salt flavour hand-cooked potato crisps features an unappetising picture of a pine cone and some needles. The tree flavour is pine oil, made by distilling tree stumps, needles and twigs in a steam bath, and is commonly used in household cleaning products! TASTE TEST: Generally, taste testers have been far from impressed. I have never had any desire to eat my Christmas tree, wrote one critic on Twitter. Neither have I. They may look like ordinary salted crisps, but the smell eau de toilet cleaner and the taste, like licking a forest floor, are anything but. There is nothing moreish, appealing or even palatable about them. A sixth of a pack contains nearly 9g fat, 12 per cent of your recommended daily intake so theyre very unhealthy, too. REPULSIVE RATING: 5/5 BRUSSELS SPROUTS PIZZA 5.25, Co-op stores If you ignore the fact that its topped with all the bits of Christmas dinner nobody likes, this isnt a bad option WHAT THEY SAY: For those who think eating Christmas dinner off a plate is passe, why not eat it off a pizza base instead? This pizza (pictured above) is made with hand-stretched Italian sourdough and delicious, festive-inspired flavours. What this boils down to is shredded Brussels sprouts, chestnut puree and cranberry and port chutney, as well as mozzarella, pancetta and tomato sauce. The limited-edition pizza natale (Christmas pizza) from the Co-ops premium Irresistible range serves two and packs a hefty 513 calories per portion. TASTE TEST: If you ignore the fact that its topped with all the bits of Christmas dinner nobody likes, this isnt a bad option. The sprouts have been roasted and shredded so finely that even sprout-haters like me would struggle to identify them, while the chestnuts and ham are a nice balance of sweet and salty. The base crisps up well and cooks in only 12 minutes. REPULSIVE RATING: 2/5 PIGS-IN-BLANKETS TEA 1 for 20 teabags, sainsburys.co.uk WHAT THEY SAY: Theres very little information on this bizarre product other than that it can make a lovely stocking filler. But who on earth wants a steaming, sausage-flavoured cuppa? Not me. Mercifully, at least theres no pork or any meat in the tea itself. Instead, its a blend of lapsang souchong, apple pieces, sage and rosemary. The aroma is like week-old roast dinner, wafting out of my mug in meaty waves TASTE TEST: I love pigs in blankets. And tea. But putting them together in one product is not a winning combination. The aroma is like week-old roast dinner, wafting out of my mug in meaty waves, while the taste is what I imagine to be the flavour of smelly feet. REPULSIVE RATING:5/5 CHRISTMAS PUDDING CHEESE 2.50 for 200g, tesco.com Its incredibly sweet theres a generous portion of raisins, ginger and peel but perhaps too much pudding and not enough cheese, as I can barely taste the Stilton WHAT THEY SAY: This truckle of white stilton, shaped like a Christmas pudding with wax icing, contains raisins, crystallised ginger, candied orange peel and rum. Its a nice idea but badly executed: they seem to have taken a black-waxed Stilton, added a layer of white wax and adorned it with a crude sticker of some holly. A six-year-old couldve done it better. Dark rum goes well with hard crystalline cheeses, such as gouda, but mixing it with crumbly stilton is a peculiar first. TASTE TEST: The stench of alcohol hits me the moment I cut the truckle (pictured right) and thats pretty much all I can taste. Its incredibly sweet theres a generous portion of raisins, ginger and peel but perhaps too much pudding and not enough cheese, as I can barely taste the Stilton. REPULSIVE RATING: 3/5 MINCE PIE MARTINI 10 for 35cl, Marks & Spencer stores WHAT THEY SAY: M&S have been bringing out unusually flavoured Christmas spirits for years, some more successfully than others. The mince pie martini, designed to be shaken and served over ice, is infused with all the flavours of a festive pastry. Its essentially mulled wine but, at 20 per cent alcohol by volume, twice as potent. The ingredients list doesnt contain gin (the usual boozy component in a martini), but simply alcohol, diluted with demineralised water. TASTE TEST: Distilling buttery pastry and juicy mincemeat into a glass is no mean feat, and Im rather sceptical. What pours out of the opaque bottle is a caramel-coloured liquid. The first sip is overwhelmingly alcoholic but it goes down easily (far too easily, actually), and Im left with a lovely aftertaste of Christmas spices. A hit if youve got a sweet tooth. REPULSIVE RATING: 0/5 MARMITE SPROUTS 1.50 for 400g, iceland.co.uk As a devout sprout-sceptic and lifelong Marmite-hater, these are a double whammy of disgustingness WHAT THEY SAY: These frozen sprouts, intended to push the much-maligned veg to a younger generation, come with pellets of Marmite-flavoured butter. They can be pan-fried in 12 minutes and supposedly have a unique flavour profile that is a combination of umami, salt and yeast. Food technologists at the supermarket say this boosts the taste by making the sprouts sweet and suppressing their bitterness. TASTE TEST: As a devout sprout-sceptic and lifelong Marmite-hater, these are a double whammy of disgustingness. The pros the sprouts are easy to cook, stay firm and keep their vibrant green are vastly outweighed by the cons, including the unpleasant salty taste, the bitter aroma that fills my kitchen, and the soggy puddle of brown butter that congeals around the pan. REPULSIVE RATING: 4/5 GINGERBREAD STUFFING BALLS 3.30 for 12, Co-op stores The chunks of apricot are too big and the ginger flavour so pungent that my eyes water WHAT THEY SAY: I had high hopes for these gingerbread and apricot stuffing balls, which come from the same Irresistible range as the Brussels Sprouts Pizza. Theyre made from outdoor-bred Hampshire pork (which makes up a not-too-shabby 69 per cent of each ball), mixed with ginger puree and dried apricot, as well as sage, parsley and cinnamon. TASTE TEST: The first bite is pleasant enough succulent and packed full of herby flavour but it quickly gives way to an unexpected sweetness. The chunks of apricot are too big and the ginger flavour so pungent that my eyes water. These would be more at home on a dessert platter. Repulsive rating: 4/5 FESTIVE YORKSHIRE PUDDING WRAP 7.99 for 800g, lidl.co.uk WHAT THEY SAY: This is the Frankensteins monster of festive food, comprising an entire Christmas dinner turkey, sausage, gammon and pork, sage and onion stuffing sandwiched inside a rather stodgy Yorkshire pudding. The box suggests it serves six, but its tempting to pick it up in your hands like a giant burrito and scoff the lot. TASTE TEST: Despite two hours, 15 minutes in the oven, the Yorkshire pud is soggy and sodden with oil. The sausages are an unappetising grey colour and I cant tell the many different meats apart. The nutritional information is the stuff of nightmares: each serving contains a third of your recommended daily intake of salt. REPULSIVE RATING:4/5 GIN AND ORANGE CHEESE 13 for 1kg, Waitrose deli WHAT THEY SAY: This huge slab of Yorkshire Wensleydale is a proper indulgence, weighing half as much as my turkey. Its creamy, crumbly and studded with caramelised orange, as well as being infused with dry gin from an award-winning family distillery. TASTE TEST: Perfect if youve got cheese-loving guests coming over. Its worth keeping an eye on the best-before date, though: mine expires on December 21. It tastes smooth, mellow and nicely tangy, thanks to the orange peel. The gin is unnecessary, though; Id rather have booze with my cheese than in it. REPULSIVE RATING: 2/5 GLITTERY GINGERBREAD GIN LIQUEUR 12.00 for 50cl, asda.com Looks more like a perfume bottle than a spirit, and the glitter tends to settle at the bottom until its shaken through the gin WHAT THEY SAY: Sparkling with pearlescent edible glitter, this over-the-top liqueur is made by combining premium gin with ginger and cinnamon. Asda hopes it will become a staple at festive parties, with serving recommendations including drinking it straight (hic) or adding it to a glass of fizz. TASTE TEST: Looks more like a perfume bottle than a spirit, and the glitter tends to settle at the bottom until its shaken through the gin. Its perhaps a little tacky, but it cant be faulted for lack of sparkle. The smell does everything it says on the tin, but the flavour is pretty insipid. REPULSIVE RATING: 2/5 CARAMEL AND COCOA TORTILLAS 1.90 for 190g, tesco.com WHAT THEY SAY: Tescos new festive nibbles finally catch up with the sweet-and-savoury trend of five years ago. Theyre made from maize flour tortillas, rolled up and dotted with dark chocolate nibs, then dusted with salted caramel seasoning. TASTE TEST: Neither sweet nor savoury, nor particularly crisp, nor even that interesting, these are no match for crisps and dips. I cant work out whether theyre supposed to be eaten before a meal or after and the caramel seasoning gives them the distinct whiff of stale cinema popcorn. REPULSIVE RATING:4/5 SALTED CARAMEL CHEESE 1 for 90g, asda.com WHAT THEY SAY: Competing for the crown of most ridiculous Christmas cheese is Asdas Wensleydale with salted caramel and white chocolate. Both Waitrose and Morrisons have flavoured Wensleydale with salted caramel before, but this takes it one saccharine step further, with fudge pieces and white chocolate chips. TASTE TEST: This is the smallest wheel of cheese Ive ever seen, and once you take the wax off theres even less to go around. This is no bad thing one small bite is enough for me, and I cant find any other takers. The taste is just as strange, syrupy and downright disgusting as I expected. When, or why, anyone would ever want to eat this is beyond me. REPULSIVE RATING:5/5 An Argentine TV channel used an image of Asian shopkeeper Apu from The Simpsons as the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi flew in for the G20 summit. Cronica known for its tasteless quips wrote the headline Apu arrives combined with an image of the character and music from India-based movie Slumdog Millionaire. The Simpsons shopkeeper, voiced by a white actor who puts on a heavy Indian accent, has been accused of promoting outdated racial stereotypes. An Argentine TV channel used an image of Asian shopkeeper Apu from The Simpsons as the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi flew in for the G20 summit Cronica known for its tasteless quips wrote the headline Apu arrives combined with an image of the character and music from India-based movie Slumdog Millionaire Indian-American comic Hari Kondabolu, who made a documentary about Apu last year, said of Cronicas coverage: This couldnt be true, right? Cronica also flashed words from the Slumdog song across an image of Mr Modi. The channel has already offended Turkey and Rwanda at the summit with jokes about their leaders. A Labour frontbencher has been accused of misleading the public over her sons drug offences. Kate Osamor found herself at the centre of a nepotism row when it was revealed she had made Ishmael her senior communications officer in April 2016. And when the 29-year-old was found guilty of drug offences in October Miss Osamor again found herself in the spotlight. She defended keeping him in his 50,000-a-year job by claiming she had been unaware of his crimes at the time. But it can now be revealed that Miss Osamor was aware of her sons legal situation and even wrote to the judge for leniency and stressed his remorse, according to The Times. Ishmael Osamor (left) and his MP mother Kate Osamor (right) Ishmael was found with drugs worth 2,500 at the Bestival music festival in Dorset in 2017 and was given a community sentence on October 19. When approached by reporters at her house last night, Miss Osamor, who is Labours international development spokesman, said she should have come down here with a bat and smashed your face in. She threw a bucket of water at a journalist and called police. Calls are now being made for Miss Osamor, who voted for Jeremy Corbyn to become Labour leader, to disclose what she knew about her sons arrest in June last year and subsequent court hearings. Former international development secretary Priti Patel last night demanded that the parliamentary standards commissioner launch an inquiry into what Miss Osamor knew and about the continued employment of her son. She said: There are many questions outstanding here and Kate Osamor and the Labour Party must make a full statement about what they knew about this case and why he continued to be employed on the public payroll at Westminster. Kate Osamor (right) voted for Jeremy Corbyn (left) to become labour leader Serious questions must be asked about whether she has misled the public in her account so far of what she knew and when she knew it. Ishmael, who works full time in his mothers office and lives with her in a 700,000 housing association property near Turnpike Lane in North London, pleaded guilty to four charges of possession with intent to supply cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine and cannabis on September 18. His case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports. The prosecution accepted he was looking after the drugs for friends and not selling. Ishmael Osamor (pictured above) was previously sentenced to community service after being found with up to 2,500 worth of Class A and B drugs On October 19 Judge Stephen Climie said he had received five references that played a significant part in determining Ishmaels sentence 200 hours of unpaid work. The details emerged after a legal application was successfully made to the courts by The Times and other media outlets. Arguing that the information about Ishmaels sentencing decision was in the public interest, they asked for publication of the five letters written in his support. Judge Climie responded: I accept that the public are entitled to understand the reasoning for a sentence being passed. Although the letters were not released, Judge Climie did identify three of their authors, which included Ishmael, his partner and his mother, who is the MP for Edmonton in north London. The Labour Party had repeatedly claimed Miss Osamor, 50, did not know about the case until October 26. Both the party and Miss Osamor were contacted for comment last night. A majority of voters prefer Theresa Mays deal to crashing out of the EU, a poll suggests. Asked to choose between the PMs proposal and no-deal, 42 per cent opted for the agreement, compared to 32 per cent who thought it should be rejected. The poll also suggested there was growing momentum among the public for the negotiated deal, with support nearly doubling in a fortnight. Asked to choose between the PMs proposal and no-deal, 42 per cent of Brits opted for the agreement. Pictured: May at the G20 summit in Argentina yesterday And despite the huge uncertainty around Brexit, voters still prefer the Tories to Labour. Some 40 per cent back the Conservatives while 35 per cent favour Jeremy Corbyns party, according to the latest YouGov research. In a glimmer of hope for the PM, support for her deal has increased from just 15 per cent two weeks ago to 27 per cent earlier this week. Asked who would make the best Prime Minister, the poll, for the Times newspaper, found 36 per cent of people prefer Mrs May while 23 per cent favour Mr Corbyn. Another 38 per cent said they were not sure. The figures appeared to back up claims from a senior Cabinet minister that the public mood was moving in Mrs Mays favour. Dr Liam Fox urged Conservatives to do their duty and back the plan. The Trade Secretary told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I think the Prime Minister is changing the public mood. If you look at what is happening with polling, theres clearly a shift there. Members of Parliament need to make decisions for themselves, but they have to compare this particular deal against the alternatives. Those who dont want us to leave the EU without a deal need to consider that this would increase the chance of that. Asked who would make the best Prime Minister, the poll found 36 per cent of people prefer Mrs May while 23 per cent favour Mr Corbyn Mrs May continued to push for her post-Brexit vision of Britain by vowing to press ahead with a clampdown on low-skilled migrants. The Governments immigration plans have been delayed by a Cabinet split, with Chancellor Philip Hammond and Business Secretary Greg Clark both arguing that the economy will continue to need some lower skilled migrants after Brexit. But, speaking to reporters on the way to the G20 summit in Argentina, the PM insisted she would not back down from introducing a skills-based system. Some employers have criticised the plans as ignorant and elitist but Mrs May said it was up to business to provide better training for British youngsters, rather than continuing to rely on a steady flow of migrants. Asked about complaints from business about potential labour shortages, she said: What I hope to see and what Im sure we will be seeing is opportunities for young people in the UK, opportunities for training and skilling young people in the UK. But we recognise that there are businesses who want to bring people in from the rest of the world particularly in highly skilled areas and our immigration system will reflect that. A record number of 4,590 pupils were excluded from schools for racist bullying last year, analysts have found. The figure has prompted urgent calls for government intervention to tackle prejudice and racism in classrooms across the UK. The number was up from 4,085 in 2017 - meaning more than 500 more children were excluded from schools this year. This year's figure was up from 4,085 in 2017 - meaning around 500 more children were excluded from schools (file photo) This is the highest leap in a decade, following a relatively stable period from 2008 - 2009, when the figure remained around 3,950. The number of exclusions for racial abuse is, therefore, rising at a much faster rate than student population growth, the Guardian found. There have now been calls for the Department for Education and Ofsted to intervene from teachers, charities and MPs. But experts believe the surge in racist incidents is down to a growing number of hate crimes in society - with some also alleging the decision to remove a duty on schools to monitor incidents of racist bullying may have had an impact. Others believe the spike could be due to a zero-tolerance approach to racism in schools. Chris Keates, the general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Woman Teachers, said: '[Our] own research shows that overt and covert instances of racism are a daily fact of life for far too many black and minority ethnic pupils and teachers.' This is the highest leap in a decade, following a relatively stable period from 2008 - 2009, when the figure remained around 3,950 (file photo) But Labour MP David Lammy said the figures may reflect the Conservative government's own attitude towards migrants. He said: 'The governments hostile environment is driving migrants to overdoses, suicide attempts, fainting and chest pain We need to radically reform our immigration system in a way that is just and humane.' This new data is similar to that recently gathered by Childline, which details how children as young as nine are contacting the service because they are being bullied about their race or religion. It was also recently revealed that the number of racist incidents in schools has risen dramatically from 2,702 in 2014 to 3,660 in 2017. Until recently, British schools had a duty to monitor racist bullying but this obligation was removed under the coalition government. Anti-racism charity the Runnymede Trust said this did nothing more than 'bury the problem' of racist-fuelled bullying in schools. Zubaida Haque, the deputy director at the trust said: 'Teachers have told the Runnymede Trust that they do not feel equipped to address the growing prejudice and racism in schools, which by the way is also directed at them. Schools need to be discussing issues about racism, intolerance, identity, migration and our colonial history more openly and urgently. 'Children should not feel isolated.' For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. Two senior US Cabinet members have urged senators not to downgrade relations with Saudi Arabia over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but members of Congress from both political parties said they could not ignore reports that Saudi's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was involved in last month's killing. The vote showed a significant number of Republicans were willing to break with Trump to express their deep dissatisfaction with Saudi Arabia and with the US response to Khashoggi's brutal killing in Turkey last month. For his part, U.S. President Donald Trump has defended his country's ties to Saudi Arabia following Khashoggi's murder. The Senate vote came after a closed-door briefing by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said on Wednesday there was no hard evidence that bin Salman was behind the killing, apparently contradicting an assessment by the Central Intelligence Agency about Khashoggi's death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2. He went on to thank Saudi Arabia on Twitter for the current low oil prices and also compared the low prices to a big tax cut for the U.S. He implored Saudi Arabia to go lower in terms of oil prices. It would be largely a symbolic move, however, as House Republican leaders have given no indication they would take up the war powers measure before the end of the year - the end of the current Congress. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he would withhold his vote on any key issue, including a government spending bill, until he gets a briefing on the topic from the Central Intelligence Agency. He even threatened to withhold his vote on key measures if that didn't happen and declared, "I'm not going to blow past this". Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch last week accused Saudi Arabia of subjecting several activists - including some female human-rights defenders detained since May - to torture and sexual harassment, allegations denied by a Saudi official. Mike Lee of Utah and Independent Sen. Asked whether Canada believes the Crown Prince was involved in Mr. Khashoggi's death, Ms. Freeland did not directly answer the question but implied the Canadian government lacks sufficient evidence to say that. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., voted against moving ahead with the resolution but said a day earlier that "some kind of response" was needed from the United States for the Saudis' role in Khashoggi's death. The debate, which may take place next week, would centre on a measure to restrict U.S. support for the Saudi military campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen, where a humanitarian disaster is unfolding. President Trump said he would meet with him, but there was nothing on the schedule. The U.S., Germany and France have already done something similar. A vicar has been accused of 'crazy political correctness' after the three Wise Men were omitted from a children's Christmas performance. Church of England Canon Freda Evans asked parents to dress their children as 'wise people' instead of the men who came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for Jesus. Anita Neale, 49, who has a ten-year-old daughter, said: 'You can't change something that's hundreds of years old. They are being silly. Where do you stop?' Church of England Canon Freda Evans asked parents to dress their children as 'wise people' St Barnabas Church in Erdington, Birmingham, where children were asked to dress up as wise children instead of wise men And Debbie Makinde, 41, who has three children at the school, said: 'To be honest, I think it's absolutely stupid. The Wise Men were men. 'I pray we are not heading for gender-neutral Father Christmas and Jesus. It's getting crazy.' A wave of complaints came in after a poster for the Christmas Eve service went up in St Barnabas Church in Birmingham, and on its website. The poster read: 'Children are invited to come along to the service dressed as angels, shepherds, sheep or wise people!' A wave of complaints came in after a poster for the service on Christmas Eve went up in St Barnabas Church in Birmingham, and on its website Canon Freda said in a statement: 'They are small children and they determine who they want to be whether they are boys or girls they make the choice. 'In fact the early biblical word would have been 'Magi' which means followers of Zoroaster, so it is later translations which used the wording.' Canon Freda Evans was ordained 20 years ago following a 'multi-faceted background working in politics', according to the church website. Church of England Birmingham said she would not be making any further comment. Dramatic dash cam video shows an 18-year-old girl begging for her mother after she led authorities on a 100mph chase while allegedly driving drunk and then fled on foot as deputies tried to arrest her. Marissa Lucero, 18, of Milwaukee was arrested early Tuesday morning for driving under the influence of alcohol for the second time this year. Lucero was first noticed by traffic officers driving 71mph in a zone where the speed limit was 50, according to WITI-TV. Dramatic dash cam video shows an 18-year-old girl begging for her mother after she led authorities on a 100mph chase while allegedly driving drunk and then fled on foot as deputies tried to arrest her Marissa Lucero, 18, of Milwaukee was arrested early Tuesday morning for driving under the influence for the second time The Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office said that deputies found a half bottle of vodka on the front passenger floor of her car Law enforcement officials say that in May of this year Lucero was also arrested and convicted of operating while intoxicated Lucero is alleged to have violated the terms of her sentence by getting behind the wheel of a car Dash cam video shows Lucero driving at excessive speeds. Officers say that she was going more than 100mph on Interstate 43 in Milwaukee. Lucero exited at Capitol Drive. It was there that she slammed into a curb, causing damage to a front tire and axle. Lucero is a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is seen above in an undated mug shot The car then came to a stop on a median, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office. The video shows deputies driving toward the median. As they approach, Lucero is seen getting out of the car and running away. In the next frame, a law enforcement official is seen giving chase. Moments later, Lucero is seen detained as she is led back to the deputies cruise. Dash cam video shows her crying and screaming for her mother. The Sheriffs Office said that deputies found a half bottle of vodka on the front passenger floor of her car. Two deputies suffered minor injuries. Law enforcement officials say that in May of this year Lucero was also arrested and convicted of operating while intoxicated. Lucero is alleged to have violated the terms of her sentence by getting behind the wheel of a car. She was initially spotted driving more than 70mph in a 50mph zone on Interstate 43 in Milwaukee Lucero exited at Capitol Drive. It was there that she slammed into a curb, causing damage to a front tire and axle The car then came to a stop on a median, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office The video shows deputies driving toward the median. As they approach, Lucero is seen getting out of the car and running away In the next frame, a law enforcement official is seen giving chase Moments later, Lucero is seen detained as she is led back to the deputies cruise She faces felony charges that include evading arrest, endangering the safety of others, and resisting arrest Authorities also plan to charge Lucero with a misdemeanor operating a vehicle after a prior OWI conviction in addition to other citations for speeding If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years and nine months in prison She faces felony charges that include evading arrest, endangering the safety of others, and resisting arrest. Authorities also plan to charge Lucero with a misdemeanor operating a vehicle after a prior OWI conviction in addition to other citations for speeding. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years and nine months in prison. Her bail has been set at more than $6,000. While Australia's housing market has taken hit after hit over the last year, things are looking up for a few suburbs in some of the country's most prominent areas. Potential homebuyers should look to suburbs in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast - where there are several suburbs which are expected to grow in the next year. Chief economist from realestate.com.au Nerida Conisbee says there are many factors that contribute to why these suburbs boom compared to others. While Australia's housing market has taken hit after hit over the last year, things are looking up for a few suburbs in some of the country's most prominent areas (stock image) Industrial and residential hub 4 kilometres south of Sydney's CBD, Waterloo, is due to become one of Sydney's 'reborn residential hot spots', according to Mr Driscoll. Talking to news.com.au, Ms Conisbee said factors include construction and infrastructure projects, lifestyle factors, price and how the suburb looks to young people. One of the suburbs on the rise is Upwey, 32 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD due to its affordability. Upwey attracts first homebuyers as Ms Consibee said beautifully designed homes can be found for under $700,000. Park Orchards, 23 kilometres north-east of Melbourne's CBD, has a higher median price but the houses are much bigger and found on acreages of land with similar prices to inner-city Melbourne 'shoebox' apartments. Middle Park, a beachside suburb of Melbourne, is extremely popular with homebuyers despite having a high median price of $2.6 million. In Adelaide's south, Unley has always been a booming suburb and Ms Coonisbee said there's no signs of it slowing down in the new year. The entire Adelaide Hills area, located east of the city has growing interest as it holds bigger blocks of land and offers rural living while still being close to Adelaide's CBD In Adelaide's south, Unley has always been a booming suburb and Ms Coonisbee said there's no signs of it slowing down in the new year The entire Adelaide Hills area, located east of the city has growing interest as it holds bigger blocks of land and offers rural living while still being close to Adelaide's CBD. Paddington, an affluent residential suburb located in Brisbane's inner north, appeals to both younger and older homebuyers as it is affordable and close to the CBD. Located in Brisbane's outer south-east, Chandler offers homebuyers homes that are big with large acreage, with median house prices floating around $1.5 million. In the Gold Coast, Tallebudgera Valley is booming due to buyers from Sydney opting to invest in beach houses that are a fraction of the price. Paddington, an affluent residential suburb located in Brisbane's inner north, appeals to both younger and older homebuyers Chief economist from realestate.com.au Nerida Conisbee says there are many factors that contribute to why these suburbs boom compared to others SUBURBS TO LOOK OUT FOR: Upwey, Melbourne Park Orchards, Melbourne Middle Park, Melbourne Unley, Adelaide Adelaide Hills Paddington, Brisbane Chandler, Brisbane Tallebudgera Valley, Gold Coast Eveleigh, Sydney Brookvale, North Sydney Waterloo, Sydney Advertisement Dubbed to be Australia's Silicon Valley, inner-city Sydney suburb of Eveleigh is expected to take off in 2019 as a new technology and innovation project will bring businesses to the area. Chief Executive officer of Starr Partners Douglas Driscoll said this project will raise the prices in the suburb, as it also has more developments in the works. Northern Sydney suburb Brookvale has a cheaper median house price than its surrounding affluent suburbs but developers are planning to turn it into a 'vibrant precinct', which will have it rise in popularity. Industrial and residential hub 4 kilometres south of Sydney's CBD, Waterloo, is due to become one of Sydney's 'reborn residential hot spots', according to Mr Driscoll. He said the suburb is currently undergoing a skyline transformation with the implementation of apartment buildings as well as a new metro line. Industrial and residential hub 4 kilometres south of Sydney's CBD, Waterloo, is due to become one of Sydney's 'reborn residential hot spots', according to Mr Driscoll A letter was sent by Australia's leading film body to Geoffrey Rush pleading for him to be their president again just weeks after the organisation asked him to step aside following a complaint of inappropriate behaviour. It was announced Mr Rush, 67, had stood down from his role at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts at the end of last year. The move came despite the Oscar-winning actor strongly denying an allegation reported by News Corp he had acted inappropriately towards a co-star, later revealed to be Eryn Jean Norvill, on November 30 and December 1 last year. A letter was sent by Australia's leading film body to Geoffrey Rush (pictured on final day of defamation trial) pleading for him to be their president again a matter of weeks after he stepped down following a complaint of inappropriate behaviour The complaint related to behaviour during a 2015-16 Sydney Theatre Company production of King Lear. On the same day the second report was published, AACTA chief executive Damian Trewhella asked Mr Rush to stand aside from the role he had held since 2011. Just three weeks later the body offered him a heartfelt apology, according to The Australian, saying 'we want you back'. Just three weeks after asking him to resign the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) sent an apology telling Mr Rush 'we want you back' The letter read: 'At a time when you needed and deserved our full support, we failed you, our president and patron There are no excuses, other than erroneous judgment on our part Your standing as the 'prez' of AFI/AACTA could not be higher Put simply Geoffrey: We Want You Back under any terms you may like to propose.' The apology was sent despite the fact it did not include the signature of board member Anita Jacoby, the newspaper reports, who called the apology 'grovelling' and 'obsequious'. Mr Rush decided to hold-off on accepting the invitation to return, however, choosing to see how the future panned out. When the AACTA originally received word that Mr Rush would step aside, the body said it supported his decision. The AACTA said in a statement: 'We have been deeply concerned about the situation and support a course of action that both respects Geoffrey's rights to the presumption of innocence and due process, but also acknowledges good corporate governance in these circumstances.' The original move to ask Mr Rush to step aside came despite the Oscar-winning actor strongly denying an allegation reported by News Corp he had acted inappropriately towards a co-star, later revealed to be Eryn-Jean Norvill, on November 30 and December 1 last year Mr Rush took legal action against The Daily Telegraph's publisher Nationwide News and journalist Jonathon Moran over two articles and a newspaper poster published in 2017. He claimed the Telegraph portrayed him as a pervert and a sexual predator. After a three-week hearing, the high-profile case ended last month, when Justice Michael Wigney said he would 'love to start writing his judgment tomorrow' but his workload precluded him delivering the decision this year. A mysteriously-worded appeal has been put out by police searching for a 17-year-old boy in relation to an 'extremely serious offence'. Victoria Police issued a light-on-detail statement on Saturday afternoon asking for information as to the whereabouts of a teenager. Authorities said he is known to frequent the Collingwood, Sunshine and Werribee areas of Melbourne. A spokesman for Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia they would not be able to provide any more information on the matter. Detectives are appealing for the teen to come forward to help them with their enquiries. Those who know the whereabouts of Kuol should call triple zero, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au. Victoria Police have since released a statement saying they are no longer looking for the boy. President Donald Trump's administration has authorized five companies to move forward with seismic testing that may harm mammals in the Atlantic Ocean, in furtherance of oil and gas exploration. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fishers division issued the final authorizations to CGG, ION GeoVentures, Spectrum Geo Inc., TGS-NOPEC and WesternGeco, LLC on Friday. The authorizations permit the companies to 'incidentally harass marine mammals during geophysical survey activities in the Atlantic Ocean' by using airgun arrays, the agency announced on Friday. Airgun arrays work by transmitting sound waves to the ocean floor, which reflect in patterns that can indicate the presence of hydrocarbons (such as petroleum and natural gas) reserves. The sound waves may affect marine mammals behaviorally and may cause physical harm at close range. The authorizations may take effect any time between now and November 30, 2019, and are valid for one year from the time they take effect. President Donald Trump's administration issued five companies authorizations to conduct seismic testing in the Atlantic Ocean in hopes of finding oil and gas reserves, which may hurt marine mammals. Trump is shown during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, on Friday Each of the authorizations allow for specific numbers of certain species of marine mammals to be harassed by each company at either Level A or Level B, as defined by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Level A harassment under the MMPA is an action that 'has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild.' Level B harassment is an action that 'has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering but which does not have the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild.' Each of the authorizations allow for specific numbers of certain species of marine mammals to be harassed by each company at either Level A or Level B, as defined by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). A Baleen Whale is shown Pursuant to the authorizations, CGG may potentially injure two Humpback Whales, four Minke Whales, four Fin whales, two Kogia, and three Harbor Porpoises. ION GeoVentures may potentially injure twoHumpback Whales, two Minke Whales, two Fin whales, two Kogia, and three Harbor Porpoises. Spectrum Geo Inc. may potentially injure two Humpback Whales, two Minke Whales, two Fin whales, three Kogia, and eight Harbor Porpoises. TGS-NOPEC may potentially injure four Humpback Whales, four Minke Whales, four Fin whales, five Kogia, and three Harbor Porpoises. WesternGeco, LLC, may potentially injure four Kogia and three Harbor Porpoises. Pursuant to the authorizations, CGG may potentially injure two Humpback Whales, four Minke Whales, four Fin whales, two Kogia, and three Harbor Porpoises ION GeoVentures may potentially injure twoHumpback Whales, two Minke Whales, two Fin whales, two Kogia, and three Harbor Porpoises Spectrum Geo Inc. may potentially injure two Humpback Whales, two Minke Whales, two Fin whales, three Kogia, and eight Harbor Porpoises TGS-NOPEC may potentially injure four Humpback Whales, four Minke Whales, four Fin whales, five Kogia, and three Harbor Porpoises WesternGeco, LLC, may potentially injure four Kogia and three Harbor Porpoises Representative Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, called the Trump administration issuing the authorizations 'an alarming sign of [its] indifference to the fate of coastal communities and marine life, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale.' The Marine Mammal Commission, an independent agency of the federal government, has warned of the dangers airgun arrays pose to marine mammals, and Baleen Whales, in particular. 'Seismic airguns emit a high energy, low-frequency impulsive sound that travels long distances. Marine mammal response to seismic surveys can cause disruption of important marine mammal behaviors, andat close rangephysiological injury,' the agency said. 'Sound from airguns can also mask biologically important sounds, including communication calls between individuals of the same species. Baleen Whales (e.g., North Atlantic Right Whales), may be affected by seismic survey activity more so than other cetaceans because of their sensitivity to low-frequency sounds. However, other cetaceans also may be affected.' Airgun arrays work by transmitting sound waves to the ocean floor, which reflect in patterns that can indicate the presence of hydrocarbons (such as petroleum and natural gas) reserves. The sound waves may affect marine mammals behaviorally and may cause physical harm at close range Just before Trump took office, the Obama administration denied six permits for seismic testing in January of 2017. 'In the present circumstances and guided by an abundance of caution, we believe that the value of obtaining the geophysical and geological information from new air-gun seismic surveys in the Atlantic does not outweigh the potential risks of those surveys' acoustic pulse impacts on marine life, Abigail Ross Hopper, director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management at the time, said. Efforts to explore for hydrocarbons using the technique were renewed on April 28, 2017 with Presidential Executive Order 13795, 'Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy,' NOAA said. The companies each provided charts in their applications, showing the areas where they anticipate conducting the seismic testing. CGG has plans to conduct its testing along the coast of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland. ION GeoVentures included much of the same area, but extended its map north to Delaware and south to Central Florida. Spectrum Geo Inc. mapped out virtually the same area as ION GeoVentures. The companies each provided charts in their applications, showing the areas where they anticipate conducting the seismic testing. CGG has plans to conduct its testing along the coast of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland ION GeoVentures included much of the same area, but extended its map north to Delaware and south to Central Florida Spectrum Geo Inc. mapped out virtually the same area as ION GeoVentures Virtually the same could be said for TGS-NOPEC and WesternGeco, LLC. The authorizations issued on Friday require monitoring, reporting, and mitigation measures to reduce the impacts of survey activities on marine mammals. The authorizations require: 'Observers on board geophysical survey vessels to listen and watch for marine life and alert operators if a protected species comes within a certain distance; 'Operational restrictions designed to eliminate or reduce impacts to sensitive species in their preferred habitats. 'Acoustic monitoring to detect marine mammal vocalizations beneath the ocean surface; 'Gradual increases of seismic activity to alert animals in the area and reduce potential for exposure to intense noise; 'Required shutdowns when certain sensitive species or groups are observed; [and] 'Vessel strike [of mammals] avoidance procedures.' Virtually the same could be said for TGS-NOPEC, covering the full area Virtually the same could be said for WesternGeco, LLC, covering the full area But the risk of harm from the use of airgun arrays is only the beginning. Once a likelihood of hydrocarbon presence is detected, the next step in geophysical surveying is exploratory drilling, which the US hasn't conducted in half a century according to The Los Angeles Times. 'Exploratory drilling in offshore waters generally involves a single well and can occur over weeks, months, or even years, depending on the depth of the well and other geophysical features, weather, availability of equipment or personnel, safety concerns, or other issues. After exploratory drilling has ceased, wells are capped and abandoned either temporarily or permanently,' the Marina Mammal Commission said. 'Exploratory drilling may impact marine mammals based on disturbance by sound emitted during drilling, during seismic profiling of the well, and from support vessels or aircraft. Drilling can also result in oil spills, which can affect marine mammals directly by contact, inhalation, or ingestion, or indirectly by affecting marine mammal prey or habitat.' Diane Hoskins, campaign director at Oceana, a non-profit conservationist group told the Times the authorizations are widely condemned in her field. 'This action flies in the face of massive opposition to offshore drilling and exploration from over 90 percent of the coastal communities in the proposed blast zone,' Hoskins said. 'President Trump is essentially giving these companies permission to harass, harm and possibly even kill marine life.' Advertisement Australia was stunned when photos of enormous 1.4-tonne steer Knickers dwarfing the other cattle on his farm circulated online. The 6ft 4in (194cm) Holstein-Friesian, who is so huge he was spared from the slaughterhouse and will live out his days as king off the herd on his farm south of Perth, makes a strong claim as Australia's biggest. However, the gentle giant has some serious competition for that title with at least two other steers possessing similarly gigantic proportions. Scroll down for video Knickers the 6ft 4in (194cm) Holstein-Friesian, who is so huge he was spared from the slaughterhouse and will live out his days as king off the herd on his farm south of Perth, makes a strong claim as Australia's biggest Knickers was only slightly shorter than Mr Pearson's son Tex, 17, (left) who stands at 6ft 7in (204cm), and is even taller when measuring to the top of the massive beast's head Knickers is so big, double the weight and half a metre taller than an average Holstein Friesian steer, that he was too big to be made into steaks and lives out his life as king of the herd Big Moo, long thought to be the country's biggest bovine, is an eight-year-old Guernsey steer on a farm in Glencoe, South Australia, standing at 6ft 2in (190cm), just 4cm shorter than Knickers. The much-loved animal enjoys the limelight and raises huge amounts for charity from visitors who pay $10 to play with him at regular open days, and has his own Facebook page. His owner Joanne Vine in October challenged other farmers with huge cattle to bring forward an animal who could dethrone Big Moo - wagering a steak dinner on the outcome. Ms Vine this week admitted it was time to pay up and offered to take Kickers' owner Geoff Pearson out to celebrate his steer's newfound fame. 'I'll have to get in contact [with Mr Pearson] and offer him a pub meal,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Big Moo (pictured with owner Joanne Vine), long thought to be the country's biggest bovine, is an eight-year-old Guernsey steer on a farm in Glencoe, South Australia, standing at 6ft 2in (190cm), just 4cm shorter than Knickers His owner Joanne Vine in October challenged other farmers with huge cattle to bring forward an animal who could dethrone Big Moo - wagering a steak dinner on the outcome Big Moo's legion of loyal fans were most upset at their favourite bovine being knocked off his perch, but Ms Vine said she wasn't 'getting her knickers in a knot' about it Big Moo's legion of loyal fans were most upset at their favourite bovine being knocked off his perch, but Ms Vine said she wasn't 'getting her knickers in a knot' about it. 'We love Moo because of his temperament, even before he grew so big,' she said. 'It's his personality that saved him. Calves can get a bit annoying and knock you around, but Big Moo has always been a gentle giant. 'I'd love to send a cardboard cutout of myself around and photograph it with the other cows so you can see how big they are. It's all a good bit of fun.' But both bovines could soon be surpassed by a third challenger that has come out of the woodwork in the wake of Australia's national fascination with huge cattle. Godfrey is another Holstein-Friesian steer who lives at Redwing Farmstay in Moonta on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula entertaining children who come to visit every day The black-and-white steer is slimmer than his competition at about 220lbs (1,000kg) but is the same 6ft 2in (190cm) height as Big Moo 'Everyone loves him to bits, he's so gentle and loves kids. He'll be here until the day he dies and then we'll have to dig a swimming pool-sized hole,' Godfrey's owner said As a growing boy his appetite is even more insatiable than his competition, putting away 15kg of grain and 25kg of hay every day Godfrey is another Holstein-Friesian steer who lives at Redwing Farmstay in Moonta on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula entertaining children who come to visit every day. The black-and-white steer is slimmer than his competition at about 220lbs (1,000kg) but is the same 6ft 2in (190cm) height as Big Moo. He could soon be the biggest of the bunch and take the title as at just four years old he is still growing and expected to add at least another few inches and pack on a whole lot of weight. As a growing boy his appetite is even more insatiable than his competition, putting away 15kg of grain and 25kg of hay every day. 'He eats more than all our other animals together - he gets through a lot of food. We might have to feed him a few more bales after this,' his owner Nicola Adams told Daily Mail Australia. Knickers may be biggest, but JR has the longest horns While Knickers and the other steers compete to be the biggest in Australia, one bull already knows he has everyone in the country beat in his best attribute - his horns. JR, a Texas Longhorn bull, has massive horns characteristic of his breed measuring more than three metres long that were until recently certified to be the longest in the world. Though he was beaten out by an American rival since entering the Guinness Book of Records in 2013, he's still a sure bet for longest horns in Australia. JR, a Texas Longhorn bull, has massive horns characteristic of his breed measuring more than three metres long that were until recently certified to be the longest in the world Though he was beaten out by an American rival since entering the Guinness Book of Records in 2013, he's still a sure bet for longest horns in Australia He is descended from the millions of Longhorns that made the trek from the U.S. in the late 1800s and lives out his life as a tourist attraction at Texas Longhorns Wagon Tours and Safaris in Charters Towers, Queensland. The park takes visitors back in time to the era of horse-drawn wagons in the Old West, including a genuine cowboy chuck wagon. JR's playmates on the 1,100-acre property include Water Buffalo, American Bison, African Watusi and Scottish Highland cattle. He is descended from the millions of Longhorns that made the trek from the U.S. in the late 1800s and lives out his life as a tourist attraction at Texas Longhorns Wagon Tours and Safaris in Charters Towers, Queensland Advertisement Schoolteacher Daniel Nicholson found Godfrey at a bucks party where he was the star attraction as a small calf, and rescued him from the chaos as a pet, naming him after a pizza delivery man at the event. Eventually the 'cute' calf found his way to Redwings when he grew too big for Mr Nicholson and Moonta Area School to handle. 'Everyone loves him to bits, he's so gentle and loves kids. He'll be here until the day he dies and then we'll have to dig a swimming pool-sized hole,' Ms Adams said. 'He once picked up a kid who crawled between his horns, before putting them back down again.' If Godfrey grows as much as his owners expect he could overtake Canadian bull Dozer, who his owners claim is 6ft 5in (198cm), an inch taller than Knickers. Karl Schoenrock and wife Raelle claim to have an even bigger cow than Knickers on their farm in Canada - a 6ft 5ins steer named Dozer He could even challenge the world record-holder - an Italian chianina ox called Bellino that stands just over two metres. He would have to eat a lot of hay to beat the all-time record for the heaviest bovine though, a massive steer that weighed 5,000lbs (2,267kg). Whether Knickers keeps his title or stays on top, he's unlikely to be too worried. 'He's just getting on with his job, which is basically just eating and sleeping,' Mr Pearson said. A Republican lawmaker in Arizona is facing backlash over racial remarks for the second time this year, after a recording was released of him saying that black people 'don't blend in'. State Representative David Stringer resigned on Friday as chair of the Arizona House Sentencing and Recidivism Reform Committee after audio of the new remarks was released by the Phoenix New Times. Stringer made the remarks on November 19 after attending a lecture on the midterm election results at Arizona State University, where several students confronted and debated him in the hallway afterwards and apparently secretly recorded the conversation. Stringer is heard telling the students that 'diversity in our country is relatively new,' to which one student, ASU sophomore Stephen Chumra, responds citing Irish and Italian immigration, as well as his own Polish immigrant great-grandfather. Arizona State Representative David Stringer (seen in June) is under fire again over secretly recorded remarks that black people 'don't blend in' and 'always look different' 'They were all European,' Stringer replied. 'So after their second or third generation, everybody looks the same. Everybody talks the same. That's not the case with African-Americans and other racial groups because they don't melt in. They don't blend in. They always look different.' Chumra asked, 'Why does looking different matter?' Stringer responded: 'I don't know. Maybe it doesn't. Maybe it doesn't to a lot of people. It seems to matter to a lot of people who move out of Detroit, who move out of Baltimore. You know we have white flight in this country.' Stringer went on to say that Somali immigrants don't look like 'every other kid' as previous European immigrants did. He also called Spanish-speaking students a burden on society because he said educating them costs more. Incoming Republican House Speaker Rusty Bowers called the comments 'vile' and 'unacceptable' and told Stringer to resign from a plum committee chair assignment. Some Democrats called the comments racist, but Bowers declined to go that far. 'I don't want to do there,' Bowers said in an interview with AP. 'I think they're just reprehensible. Racist is so hot it can go beyond.' Stringer didn't immediately return a call seeking comment. David Stringer told the Yavapai County Republican Men's Forum in June (left) that integration in schools was hindered by the lack of white children. He is seen on the right in a photo posted on his Facebook Democratic Rep. Reginald Bolding, who is black, called the comments insensitive. 'Whether or not Rep. Stringer is racist or not is something that he has to answer for himself,' Bolding told the AP. 'I think the words that he uses, the things that he says, absolutely it sounds like that they are racist comments. But whether or not they are that's something he has to answer for.' Stringer faced calls to resign from Republican Gov. Doug Ducey and the state Republican Party chairman in June after he said that immigration had made integrating schools impossible. He refused, saying his comments were cherry-picked and that the immigration question 'cries out for honest and open public discussion.' 'Sixty percent of public school children in the state of Arizona today are minorities,' he said in a video clip from a political event made public. 'That complicates racial integration because there aren't enough white kids to go around.' He also said immigration is 'politically destabilizing' and 'represents an existential threat to the United States.' Stringer went on to make an awkward public apology to black and Latino community members at Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles, a location that was criticized as itself racially insensitive, but was selected by community activists. Stringer was handily re-elected November 6 to represent his heavily-Republican Prescott-area district. After the latest controversy, Representative-elect Raquel Teran, a Democrat, had no trouble calling out Stringer. 'I am beyond appalled by Mr. Stringer's racist comments (AGAIN),' she said in a Twitter post. 'This is unacceptable and we should be hearing a loud and clear ask for his resignation from all parties and leaders.' Bowers said he told Stringer to resign from his newly-assigned post as chair of a committee looking at sentencing and recidivism reform. 'This isn't David Stringer, this is Representative Stringer. This isn't Rusty Bowers, it is Speaker-elect Bowers,' he said. 'And it's in those contexts that I have to operate. And it's unacceptable speech, and he accepted it and apologized, but he was still released' from his committee chair post. Neil deGrasse Tyson has been accused of making unwanted sexual advances by two women - one of whom says the popular astrophysicist and TV host was looking for Pluto in her dress. Dr. Katelyn N. Allers, a physics professor at Bucknell University, alleges that Tyson felt her up at an after-party following an American Astronomical Society conference in Long Beach, California in 2009. The after-party was a social function in which astronomers mingled and socialized, according to Patheos. Tyson was there, and he was dancing and drinking and all of that at the party, so a friend and I decided to get pictures with him, Allers said. Neil deGrasse Tyson (seen above on November 8 in New York City) has been accused of making unwanted sexual advances by two women - one of whom says the popular astrophysicist and TV host was looking for Pluto in her dress Allers and Tyson were snapped in two photographs together. The first photo seems innocent with both Tyson and Allers looking into the camera and smiling. After that photo was taken, Allers said Tyson began to take keen interest in her tattoo, which depicts the solar system. The tattoo extends from Allers arm to her back and collar bone region. Allers said: After we had taken the picture, he noticed my tattoo and kind of grabbed me to look at it, and was really obsessed about whether I had Pluto on this tattoo or not and then he looked for Pluto, and followed the tattoo into my dress. Allers said Tysons behavior was not severe enough to warrant a complaint about sexual assault. Still, she said she was shocked to see him capable of creepy behavior. My experience with him is hes not someone who has great respect for female bodily autonomy, she said. Four years after the encounter, Allers told a colleague at Bucknell, Dr. Michele Thornley, about what took place. Katelyn described the earlier incident to me in the fall of 2013, after she was invited to attend a dinner with Dr. Tyson when he was to be on campus in spring 2014 as a speaker in Bucknells Tech/no series, Thornley told Patheos. Dr. Katelyn N. Allers, a physics professor at Bucknell University, alleges that Tyson felt her up at an after-party following an American Astronomical Society conference in Long Beach, California in 2009 Allers said Tysons behavior was not severe enough to warrant a complaint about sexual assault. Still, she said she was shocked to see him capable of creepy behavior My experience with him is hes not someone who has great respect for female bodily autonomy, she said Allers told Thornley that she did not want to attend the dinner. Thornley says Allers indicated that she also had no desire to go public with the allegations. Thornley says she also tried to make sure that female students did not meet with Tyson unless there were a group of people around. Another woman, Ashley Watson, told Patheos that she quit her job as Tysons assistant after her boss made inappropriate sexual advances toward her. She says Tyson invited her to his apartment at 10:30pm one night to share a bottle of wine and unwind for a couple of hours. Watson, who says she felt pressure to impress her boss, agreed to have a glass of wine. When she arrived at his apartment, things got awkward. Tyson, 60, who is a married father of two children, took off his shirt and shoes and walked around in a tank top undershirt, Watson says. He then put on romantic music. Watson says Tyson then took out a cutting board and knife to cut cheese for the both of them. She says that before he started slicing the cheese, he took the knife and made a stabbing gesture toward her, which she took as a bad joke that was nonetheless intimidating. It was definitely a very weird power move, she said Ashley Watson (above) told Patheos that she quit her job as Tyson's assistant after he allegedly invited her to his apartment and propositioned her for sex Watson says Tyson continued making suggestive comments that contained sexual innuendos. He allegedly began talking about human beings needing certain releases. Tyson also spoke of the difficulty of being away from home for months at a time. When Tyson asked Watson if she needed releases, Watson says she told him a story about her being sexually harassed. Watson says he was unmoved. It was like talking to a wall, she says. As she got up to leave, Tyson stopped her and asked her to engage in a Native American handshake in which both of them hold hands tightly, make eye contact, and feel for each others pulse, she says. Tyson told Watson that the handshake was a spirit connection. When Watson tried to leave, Tyson said he wanted to hug her and that afterward he would just want more. Watson says that at that point she left Tysons apartment quickly. The next day, Watson says, she confronted Tyson. She says she told him that she felt betrayed since she considered him to be a mentor. Tyson is said to have responded to her by saying that she would never succeed professionally because she was too distracting. Watson says she complained to one supervisor about Tyson. She also called a harassment hotline. In 2014, a former classmate of Tysons at the University of Texas in Austin wrote a blog post in which she accused him of rape, which she alleges took place in 1984. In 2014, Tchiya Amet, a former classmate of Tysons at the University of Texas in Austin wrote a blog post in which she accused him of rape, which she alleges took place in 1984 Tchiya Amet, a musician and teacher who studied galactic astronomy in the graduate program, alleged that Tyson drugged and raped her. He offered me a glass of water, she wrote in 2014. I accepted a liquid in a cup made out of a coconut shell. I recall coming back to consciousness briefly, then next thing I remember is seeing him in the hallway the next day. I have lived in this nightmare for 30 years, and it stops today. Watson says she reached out to Amet to express her support. I just wanted to reach out [and] say that Neil deGrasse Tyson...tried to seduce me into having sex with him and it was super messed up and I had to quit my job, Watson wrote to Amet. Watson told Amet she was worried that Tyson would try to do the same to other women. Fox and National Geographic, the television entities behind deGrasse's popular series Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, told The Hollywood Reporter that they are investigating. 'We have only just become aware of the recent allegations regarding Neil deGrasse Tyson. We take these matters very seriously and we are reviewing the recent reports,' Fox and National Geographic said in a statement. The producers of Cosmos also released a statement of their own which read: 'The credo at the heart of COSMOS is to follow the evidence wherever it leads. 'The producers of COSMOS can do no less in this situation. 'We are committed to a thorough investigation of this matter and to act accordingly as soon as it is concluded.' A carer who tied up and beat the body of a disabled pensioner with a belt killed the man after he was groped, a court heard. Terrance Barallon faced Cairns Supreme Court on Friday over the death of disabled pensioner Robert Duffy in his Mooroobool home at Cairns, Queensland in February last year. He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but not murder, despite admitting he killed the 'flamboyant' pensioner, the Cairns Post reported. Terrance Barallon (pictured) faced Cairns Supreme Court on Friday over the death of disabled pensioner Robert Duffy in his Mooroobool home at Cairns, Queensland in February last year Barallon argued the 62-year-old sexually assaulted him after he helped the elderly man to his bedroom on February 17. 'He proceeded to grab my arse, he grabbed a handful. I thought, Jesus, he's trying to rape me,' he said. Barallon told the court he fatally struck the man. The day after the death, Barallon proceeded to wrap a belt around the dead body so he could carry Mr Duffy to the ensuite. When the belt broke he tied the man's legs together and taped his hands, in a 'praying position'. 'He died at my hands and I wanted to give him his last rites,' Barallon said. The 44-year-old said he prayed alongside the dead man when he suddenly began to belt the man. He also yelled a mix of 'gibberish' and swear words. Barallon said he stayed with the body for three days and put a cologne-sprayed doona against the door to mask the bad smell. He added he had 'done the worst thing you can do' and that he was going 'to hell'. The former carer was arrested in Port Douglas in far north Queensland on February 23. Barallon told the court he was a raped at the age of five and had been subjected to sexual harassment at the hands of Mr Duffy. The jury is expected to hand down a verdict on Monday. Terrance Barallon told Cairns Supreme Court (pictured) he stayed with the body for three days and put a cologne-sprayed doona against the door to mask the bad smell In less than two years, President Trump has unleashed a trade war with China, launched economic attacks on some of America's closest allies, pushed the global rules-based system to the brink and pulled his country towards the exit. Security concerns also weighed on the two-day talks in Buenos Aires. Summit of G20 in Buenos Aires, Argentina turned out to be not only the place for making serious decisions and resolving world problems, but also the place where high-level officials faced organizational problems they have to cope with. Although the new pact inherits key features from the old one, Trump has declared it a victory for the USA workers he claims were cheated by Nafta and yesterday called it the most "modern and balanced agreement in history". That had led to greater confidence among some advisers that Saturday's dinner with Xi could produce a breakthrough, even though no official has been willing to explicitly say they expect the two men to come to an agreement. Argentina's presidency voiced cautious optimism that consensus would be reached, but a White House official said the United States would walk away from any statement that prejudiced US interests. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about the closed-door discussions. "All issues being discussed at the summit have the same relevance", he told reporters. Amid the Ukraine crisis, European Union president Donald Tusk said he was "sure" that the EU would roll over its sanctions on Russian Federation next month. Argentinian President Mauricio Macri, who is also the term president for the summit, welcomed the guests including 19 world leaders and European Union representatives. European Council President Donald Tusk urged G-20 leaders to discuss "trade wars, the tragic situation in Syria and Yemen, and Russian aggression in Ukraine". Trump aid that there have been positive signs when it comes to reaching an agreement with China. Trump has cancelled a head-to-head meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, ostensibly in light of a naval clash between Russian and Ukrainian ships last weekend. Russia's foreign minister regretted the move, but said "love can't be forced". The presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the summit also raised an awkward dilemma for leaders, and Saudi Arabia's de facto leader cut a lonely figure standing at the edge of the G20 family photo. Prince Mohammed arrived under swirling controversy over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. President of Argentina Mauricio Macri speaks to the press as President Donald Trump holds his translation device before during a meeting ahead of the G20 Summit 2018 at Casa Rosada on November 30. Trump was attacked for destroying the group's past unity on trade and climate change. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has admitted that the US President asked him about Australia's recent leadership change during their short meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina. It must still be ratified by lawmakers in all three countries, and passage in the US could face a tough road in the House of Representatives after Democrats won a majority in November midterm elections. Economic troubles could spread much further if Trump goes through on a threat to impose auto tariffs on trading partners including Europe and Japan, the International Monetary Fund warned in a pre-G20 report. A young man has died while trying to defend his family home from raging bushfires. The 21-year-old had been cutting a tree with a chainsaw near his Rolleston property, in central Queensland, when it fell on top of him on Friday night. He was cutting the tree during a break in the fires at about 7.30pm when it unexpectedly pinned him to the ground. Three other men desperately tried to free him, but he died at the scene. A 21-year-old man has become the first casualty of the devastating Queensland bushfires (pictured earlier in the week) He was cutting a tree with a chainsaw during a break in the fire to protect his family's home. Pictured is another home destroyed in the flames Wild weather has handcuffed authorities ability to fight the fires, with 40C temperatures only spurring on the 110 fires still burning. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk offered her condolences to the victim's family. 'My heartfelt sympathies go out to a Rolleston family after the death of their son,' she wrote on social media. 'This tragedy brings home the serious dangers of the bushfires and the courage of those fighting them.' Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFES) Deputy Commissioner Mike Wassing confirmed the 21-year-old's death was the first as a result of the blazes. 'I do know that it is under investigation with police, and our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends. Its an absolutely tragic event and circumstance. 'Everyone will go above and beyond, but "everyone comes home" is our motto.' The damaged tree fell and pinned him to the ground as friends desperately tried to free him. Pictured is a firefighter tackling a fire threatening homes The fires have been devastating Queensland for almost a week, with no relief coming over the weekend. 'We've got a heatwave still with us for the next four days. We've got thunderstorms that interfere with how the fire spreads ...We have never seen this in our state before,' QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said. With more than 1,000 firefighters deployed state-wide, authorities are hoping for a break in the weather by Thursday to help get the blazes under control. 'We are not out of the woods.' A woman has been charged with the assault of a paramedic in north Queensland. The woman was being treated for injuries by paramedics and was about to be transported to hospital just after midnight on Saturday morning, a police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. Before she could be driven to receive further treatment the woman allegedly slapped a 58-year-old male paramedic across the head. Police are investigating yet another alleged assault of a paramedic, this time in Townsville in Queensland's north (stock image) The paramedic was not seriously injured in the alleged assault. The woman, 21, who was allegedly intoxicated, was arrested by police outside The Ville casino. She was charged with serious assault of a public officer and public nuisance and will face court at a later date. District Duty Officer Senior Sergeant Darren Randall told the Townsville Bulletin would maintain 'zero tolerance' for people who attacked emergency service responders. It follows a spate of attacks on paramedics across Australia earlier this year. Melbourne paramedic Stacey Heaney penned an emotional letter in May calling for stronger laws to protect emergency services workers. She shared her story of being ambushed by a knife-wielding man. The woman was arrested outside The Ville Resort Casino (pictured) in Townsville These messages on ambulances vehicles prompted the Victorian government to pass tough new laws in June 'We parked our truck and began walking towards the patient when a bystander frantically ran down the street screaming "it's a trap leave now they attack emergency services all the time!! They have a knife!' Ms Heaney wrote. 'At that point the patient jumped up and started charging us trying to punch me in the face.' Ms Heaney claims the man was never charged because the paramedics were not hurt. Around the same time, ambulance vehicles in Victoria were plastered with protest graffiti by angry paramedics in response to the spate of alleged attacks. The messages written on Victorian ambulances earlier this year after a spate of alleged attacks Fair Go paramedic posted photos of ambulance vehicles displaying the message in pink and white writing: 'It's not OK to assault paramedics', while a #itsneverok hashtag went viral on social media. It prompted the Victorian government to pass tough new laws in June, where courts now have to impose a custodial sentence and can't sentence anyone found guilty of attacking emergency workers to a community correction order or other non-custodial outcome. Preschoolers as young as four are being taught about life on Nauru for young refugees and encouraged to embrace advocacy by teachers at daycare. Pupils of Brunswick Kindergarten, in Melbourne's inner north hosted a #BlueForNauru day at school, where parents were encouraged to dress their children in blue to represent the sadness and despair those living on Nauru face. The World Vision Australia initiative describes its mission as a call 'for Australians to 'go blue' in solidarity with the children and families our nation has trapped on Nauru.' Thousands of students across Australia walked out of class to protest a lack of action on climate change Pupils of Brunswick Kindergarten (pictured), in Melbourne's inner north hosted a #BlueForNauru day at school, where parents were encouraged to dress their children in blue to represent the sadness and despair those living on Nauru face The programme's introduction comes as thousands of students across Australia walked out of class to protest a lack of action on climate change - much to Prime Minister Scott Morrison's dismay. 'The blue can symbolise sadness and depression - which is appropriate given the suffering these people are enduring in our name.' Teacher Catherine Sundbye informed parents of the discussions in a newsletter, The Australian reported. Parents were supportive of the decision, and were informed that the children were shocked and upset to learn of the living conditions in the refugee holding facility off the coast of Australia. Children were asked: 'What would you say to the politicians who won't let the refugees in?' Teenagers and older students rallied together in droves to protest inaction toward climate change issues on November 30 The 'Strike 4 Climate Action' involved students from capital cities as well as upwards of 20 regional towns across Australia Their responses were both inquisitive and accusatory, Mr Sundbye noted the standout comments included 'you are mean to the guys that can't come and live here', 'why aren't they allowed in Australia? I don't think they will destroy the country', and 'I don't like this rule'. Ms Sundbye said her intentions weren't to run a scare campaign, but to educate her students. 'It's never too early to get them to be part of the conversation. This is their world, their planet,' she said. Hundreds of students skipped school and gathered in Sydney's Martin Place, holding handmade posters condemning Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his political party Students aged between five and 18 rallied together in droves to protest inaction toward climate change issues on November 30. The 'Strike 4 Climate Action' involved students from capital cities as well as upwards of 20 regional towns across Australia. Hundreds of students skipped school and gathered in Sydney's Martin Place, holding handmade posters condemning Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his political party. Mr Morrison told students to stay in class earlier in the week, saying children should be learning about science, math and literacy rather than advocating. A mystery witness who is attempting to fight a grand jury subpoena from special counsel Robert Mueller's probe will get a closed-door hearing next month. Court filings on Friday revealed that lawyers for the unidentified witness will make oral arguments before the DC Circuit Court of Appeals on December 14 in a secret closed-door hearing. The identity of the mystery witness has baffled Beltway observers since the existence of the case was revealed last month. Some initially speculated that it could even be President Donald Trump, whose lawyers have previously vowed to fight any subpoena from Mueller. But Trump's lawyers deny that he is party to the case, and legal experts say it is extremely unlikely that he is the witness. A mystery witness who is attempting to fight a grand jury subpoena from special counsel Robert Mueller's (above) probe will get a closed-door hearing next month Still, the limited information available in the court docket highlights some highly unusual aspects of the case. Since it was filed in August, the sealed case has moved with extreme speed back and forth between the DC District Court and Circuit Court of Appeals. 'At every level, this matter has commanded the immediate and close attention of the judges involvedsuggesting that no ordinary witness and no ordinary issue is involved,' former federal prosecutor Nelson W. Cunningham wrote in an op-ed for Politico. Cunningham notes that when the witness lost the first appeal in Circuit Court, he (or she) immediately petitioned for rehearing en banc, the 'very unusual action' of convening all 10 judges on the Circuit to review the order. On the order disposing of that petition, the sole recusal was Judge Gregory Katsas - Trump's only appointee to the Circuit. However, Katsas' recusal doesn't necessarily mean that the witness is Trump or someone close to him, as Katsas has previously said he would recuse himself from issues related to the Mueller probe due to prior work he had done on Russia issues. The case's link to Mueller was only publicly revealed in late October, when a Politico reporter staking out the appeals court clerk's office overheard a man asking for 'the special counsel's latest sealed filing' so his firm could craft a response. The man refused to identify himself or his client. Then, on November 14, the mystery witness filed a sealed 6,487-word brief with the Circuit Court. As speculation about the case has mounted, many have tried to make the case that Trump is the mystery witness. However, his attorney Jay Sekulow has denied it. Others have asserted that Trump and his other attorney, Rudy Giuliani, would be unlikely to refrain from talking publicly about the legal battle if they were involved. Experts say that in some sealed cases, even the decision is kept secret. If that happened with this case, the world may never discover the mystery witness's identity. A vegan activist who stormed a steak house and Tesco meat aisle is the daughter of a millionaire meat selling CEO. Morgan Kayleigh Giampaolo raided the Touro steak-house in Brighton to play animal slaughter noises to diners last week. She also attended a Tesco in Hove with 'Direct Action Everywhere' as they held a 'silent disruption' event, standing in the meat aisle with signs saying: 'It's not food it's violence' and graphic images of abattoirs while mothers pushed toddlers past them in prams. Morgan's father, American businessman David Giampaolo, runs Pi Capital and is Chairman of Gousto, where customers can buy steak, sausage and lamb. Scroll down for video Morgan Kayleigh Giampaolo raided the Touro steak house in Brighton to play animal slaughter noises to diners last week, but is the daughter of a wealthy meat seller The group posted about their demonstration on Facebook, pictured, and said they were highlighting the 'mass killing of innocent animals' in a 'public and non violent way' David Giampaolo cited Bill Clinton, David Petraeus and Colin Powell as some of his biggest influences in an interview with the Financial Times Customers can order 'recipe boxes' online and receive four recipes of their choosing for 47.75; recipes include 'Moor-ish Lamb & Sweet Potato Tagine,' 'Sausage Burger & Sweet Onion Mayo,' and 'Venison, Fondant Potato, Carrot Puree & Shallot Jus.' According to the Sun, Morgan attended her father's wedding this year and lives with her mother, David's ex-wife, Kendra McConnell, in Hove. Last week Direct Action Everywhere entered Touro Steakhouse in Brighton and got into a chanting match with a carnivorous stag party who yelled back 'Stand up if you love meat.' Members of the stag party, including a 250 'Oompa Loompa impersonator', started chanting back at them and even persuaded fellow diners to join in. Most of the diners at the Brazilian-themed restaurant appeared unmoved by the protest and carried on talking and eating, even when the activists played the noise of a cow being killed and shouted 'It's not meat, it's violence' repeatedly. A group of vegan activists, including David Giampaolo's daughter stormed the steakhouse in Brighton, pictured, and played sounds of cows being slaughtered to the diners After the group started shouting an anti-meat chant, a stag party stood up and sang back 'Stand up if you love meat' as members danced around, pictured left and right Some customers appeared to be laughing, pictured, as the protest carried on around them Protesters also waved graphic images of animal slaughter and placards with anti-meat messages, left and right, and remained at the restaurant for around 20 minutes A month ago the group were also out in force at a Tesco in Sussex where they occupied the meat aisle, this time a silent demo. They held emotive and distressing signs of animals in front of meat aisles as people tried to get on with their shopping Despite it being a silent demo, the group still had a speaker who used used language charged with Marxist rhetoric as they paraded through the Tesco Dan Holmes, 30, who was part of the stag party, told MailOnline: 'A protest is fine, but they overstayed their welcome and were becoming annoying. If they had just had signs then that's one thing, but playing sounds of animals being killed was going over the top.' A month ago the group were also out in force at a Tesco in Sussex where they occupied the meat aisle, this time a silent demo. They stood before the meat aisle with pictures of animals being slaughtered and blocked shoppers off, including mothers with toddlers in prams. In a video posted to the group's Facebook page one of the demonstrators says, 'You create the demand, you fund these industries and perpetuate this animal cruelty.' The speaker in the video uses the quote, often attributed to the communist tyrant Joseph Stalin: 'A single death is a tragedy a million deaths is a statistic.' On the Pi Capital website, David's profile describes his financial successes in health and fitness companies, as well as being a senior adviser and sitting on various company boards, he is Chairman of Gousto. The Telegraph reported that he had raised 56.5m in investments for the luxury ready-meals company, based in London. The boss cited Bill Clinton, David Petraeus and Colin Powell as some of his biggest influences in an interview with the Financial Times. Kate Middleton had a furious row with Meghan Markle after the former actress 'b*****ed' a member of her staff, it has been claimed. The Duchess of Cambridge allegedly told Meghan, 37, it was 'unacceptable' to target her aides before May's royal wedding in Windsor. Kate, 36, is reported to have told Prince Harry's bride-to-be: 'They're my staff and I speak to them,' The Sun reported. The reported row comes amid rumours of a rift between the two Duchesses, which have emerged since it was announced that Harry and Meghan would move out of Kensington Palace. Kate Middleton (far right) and Meghan Markle (second right), pictured with their husbands at Westminster Abbey for an Armistice service, reportedly had a row before the royal wedding A source told the newspaper: [Meghan] and Kate fell out when she b******ed Kate's staff. 'It's a tricky situation but it was a one-off and they are determined to maintain a positive relationship even though they are obviously very different in their approach.' Kensington Palace has reportedly denied the claims. Kate is also claimed to have been left crying in a stressful dress fitting in the lead-up to the wedding in May. In addition sources have also told the Mirror that insiders are concerned about Meghan's 'authoritative' and 'abrupt' style. It comes after claims from royal sources that Meghan clashed with Buckingham Palace over the smell at St George's Chapel, where she married Prince Harry. Insiders claimed that Meghan wanted air fresheners to be used in the 15th-century chapel but was told it was not appropriate. The Palace is said to have told her that the chapel was a regular place of worship for the Queen and that it would be good enough for Meghan. The reported row is the latest in a series of claims of a rift between Meghan (pictured left on the carriage procession after the wedding) and Kate (pictured right in the chapel) The source said: 'Apparently Meghan didn't like the smell of the chapel, which, as you would expect, is a little musty. 'It's not unpleasant at all, though. It just smells how you would expect an old building to smell. And that's something the Royal Family are particularly used to. 'Meghan wanted staff to go around with these atomisers, like spritzer guns, and spray the chapel with scent before anyone arrived. 'Royal Household staff stepped in and told her office politely, but firmly, that this was the Queen's Chapel and it simply wasn't appropriate. I don't believe they said no because they thought it could affect the chapel in any way. It was simply the principle of the thing. 'This is a place that has held royal weddings, funerals and even contains the Royal Vault. I don't believe a request of that nature had been made before.' Following the death of George H.W. Bush, his five children are expected to announce shortly whether there will be a state funeral held - a privilege entitled to all presidents and former presidents. The 41st president of the United States, Bush, 93, died just eight months after the loss of his wife Barbara, whom he had been married to for 73 years. And while some former leaders including John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan have been honoured with state ceremonies in Washington in a process steeped in tradition, others families have eschewed the pomp and ceremony of the event. Scroll down for video Following the death of George H.W. Bush, his five children will now decide whether to hold the state funeral entitled to all presidents and former presidents.Traditionally five days in length, presidential state funerals are meticulously choreographed and involve significant protocol The 41st president of the United States, Bush, 93, died just eight months after the loss of his wife Barbara, whom he had been married to for 73 years (pictured together at a 2006 event) While some former leaders including John F. Kennedy (left) and Ronald Reagan (right, with George H.W. Bush) were honoured with a state ceremony in Washington in a process steeped in tradition, others families have chosen to eschew the pomp and ceremony of the event While Bush's body will likely lie in state in the US capitol, he will be buried alongside his beloved wife, who died in April this year, aged 92 Traditionally five days in length, presidential state funerals are meticulously choreographed and involve a large amount of protocol. Kennedys funeral in November 1963 was modelled after Abraham Lincolns, as requested by his wife Jacqueline Kennedy in her first public statement after her husbands assassination. The rich tradition of US state funerals Traditionally five days long, the ceremony involves a funeral procession in in the state capitol, while a presidential proclamation will be issued allowing for the flag outside of the White House, and all other governmental buildings, to be flown at half-mast. On the day of interment for a president, a 21-gun salute traditionally is fired starting at noon at all military installations. State leaders from around the world are invited to the service and burial, while there is the option for a funeral procession down Pennsylvania Avenue. Eight presidents have opted for this including the four who were assassinated in office. Advertisement Richard Nixon's wishes were to hold a simple service at the Nixon Library in California, after which he was buried alongside his late wife Patricia. Coordination for the events is conducted by the armys Military District of Washington and former presidents will have given some indication toward their preference while in office and following their administration. While Bush's body will likely lie in state in the US capitol, he will be buried alongside his beloved wife, who died in April this year, aged 92. That will be at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Texas. Barbara's grave was opened to visitors three weeks after her burial, prompting visitors from all over the country to pay their final respects. For nearly 80 years, the couple had been side-by-side, supporting one another through good times, and bad, facing spectacular triumphs and heartbreaking sadness together. 'Still in love with the man I married 72 years ago,' Barbara said of her incredible relationship with George \shortly before she passed away at their home in Houston on April 14. An exam 'lottery' means that nearly half of GCSE and A-Level grades could be wrong, according to a new study. The shock figures revealed that students taking more subjective subjects were more likely to receive incorrect grades than those taking subjects such as maths. The new report by The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation and entitled Marking Consistency Metrics, revealed a number of inconsistencies in marking. Students taking subjects such as English and History are more likely to get an incorrect grade than students taking subjects such as Maths, the report found It found that the probability of a student getting the correct grade in subjective subjects such as English and Art is around 52 per cent to 58 per cent. Meaning that four in ten - some 40 per cent - of grades could be graded incorrectly. This is compared to subjects more objective answers, such as maths and science, where the chance of getting a correct grade rises to 90 per cent. The report, seen by The Telegraph, reads: 'The probability of receiving the definitive qualification grade varies by qualification and subject, from 0.96 (a mathematics qualification) to 0.52 (an English language and literature qualification).' Overall, the study analysed 19 different subjects across four exam boards and found the subjective subjects were more likely to yield incorrect grades. It continued: 'Consistency of marking for mathematics components and qualifications is higher than that for more subjective English language components. 'Mathematics questions are generally low mark tariff questions with an objectively correct answer. 'Whereas for more subjective questions, there may be some legitimate differences in the marks awarded in applying mark scheme between different examiners resulting in less agreement between examiners.' Students are often seen celebrating their grades at schools across the country when results are released in the summer - but some may have the incorrect grade The study, which terms the correct grade as a 'definitive' grade found that subjects including English Language, History and Sociology were all the least likely to achieve the correct grade. Whereas subjects including Mathematics, Spanish, and Physics were the most likely. Prior to the release of the report on November 27, Ofqual produced a summary of areas in which it thought marking could be improved. Addressing its new research on marking consistency metrics, it noted: The paper considers how minimum acceptable levels of marking consistency might be defined, which would help exam boards to channel additional resource and support. A graph in the Marking Consistency Metrics shows the probability of getting a definitive grade in various subjects 'We note that these thresholds would need take into account the subject and/or forms of assessment, but importantly, would need to be understood and accepted by the public.' Another report also considered hard to mark responses, noting that 'uncertainty in the definition of what is to be assessed' could lead to variation in marking. It read: 'For example, in biology, inferential uncertainty is more common, while in English language definitional uncertainty is more likely.' Headteachers have been digesting the results of the study ever since it was released, and have expressed some concern with the findings. Mike Buchanan, executive director of the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference, told The Telegraph 'It is extremely worrying around a quarter of exam grades are not reliable. 'This directly affects hundreds of thousands of young people every year. The unreliability is most extreme in the humanities, meaning girls, who are the majority of those taking these subjects, are particularly disadvantaged.' Mike Buchanan, executive director of the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference, raised some concern over the research Sally Collier, Chief Regulator at Ofqual, noted however that the quality of marking in general was good. But said: 'We will reflect further on our own rules and expectations in the light of this work. 'And we also want exam boards to consider todays findings and take both concerted and independent actions in response. 'This will ensure public confidence in these qualifications, that are taken by more than a million students each year, is maintained or enhanced.' Advertisement A World War II memorabilia auction that included Nazi medals and a portrait of Hitler has drawn criticism from the Jewish community. The auction, which was held in Bredbo in south-east New South Wales on Saturday, featured more than a dozen Nazi medals, helmets, jewellery and a portrait of Adolf Hitler. Spokesman for the auction company, David Smith Auctions, Don Mahoney defended the items, saying they formed a small part of a large sale of military items. A WWII memorabilia auction that included Nazi medals and a portrait of Adolf Hitler (pictured) has drawn criticism from the country's Jewish community The auction, which was held in Bredbo near Queanbeyan on Saturday, featured more than a dozen Nazi medals, helmets (pictured), jewellery and a portrait of Adolf Hitler himself. Mr Mahoney said some Australian politicians were even known to be keen collectors of Nazi memorabilia. 'I can't mention names, but you would be shocked. I have sold Nazi memorabilia to solicitors, bank managers, accountants, politicians over the years,' he said. 'They collect it because it's part of history.' But NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Viv Alhadeff questioned why the items needed to be auctioned off. 'The Nazis were pure evil and grotesque,' Mr Alhadeff said. 'We question why an auction house and its buyers would think that that's worth celebrating by trading and profiting from.' Among the items up for auction was an Imperial German WWI helmet with Nazi decals, its original liner and strap rivets still remaining, which was predicted to fetch between $595 and $750. A cased dagger along with a photo of a Third Reich officer, enamel badges, skull and crossbones badges, and various arm bands and patches was expected to bring between $575 and $650. Among the items up for auction were pins (pictured left and right), broaches and other pieces of original Third Reich jewellry A selection of Nazi posters, signage (pictured left and right) and books were also part of the World War II memorabilia auction Another WWII item was a signed and framed watercolour painting of Adolf Hitler in full military dress uniform, wearing an open-claw officer's belt, which was estimated to fetch between $375 and $495. But according to the website, one of the more pricey items was a German Third Reich army bayonet engraved with the words 'Zur Erinnerung An Mein Dienstzeil', which was expected to bring between $2,400 and $2,995. Mr Mahoney said the items formed part of history, and he didn't believe they were bought by current neo-Nazis. 'It's terrible what happened to the Jewish people, absolutely shocking, but it happened in Europe, I'm fifth generation Australian, I care what happened to Australians,' he said. 'The people who I tend to find hype it up, which is pretty sad, I find it's nearly always Jewish people. A spokesperson for the auction company said Australian politicians were known to be keen collectors of Nazi memorabilia 'People drive Mitsubishi cars in Australia, Mitsubishi airplanes bombed Australia and yet we're supposed to go 'oh no it's terrible to sell a Swastika but its ok to sell anything Japanese'.' The NSW National Party recently expelled about 20 young members amid an investigation into the infiltration of neo-Nazis into the organisation. Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich said the sale of the Nazi memorabilia was outrageous. 'At a time when white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups, and racist violence are on the rise in Australia, this auction is particularly disturbing,' Dr Abramovich said. A public post featuring photographs of the Nazi items on Facebook drew both interest and criticism. 'Anyone who would want the Nazi rubbish should seriously look at their morals,' one person wrote. 'Third Reich items should be destroyed. Glorifying an evil regime that poisoned many with its ideology,' another person said. A third person added: 'Memorabilia from all sides of the great war are awesome and some of these items are very rare.' A new EU ruling will mean customers wishing to buy products online will need to ensure they have a good mobile phone signal. Under the new security rules many online shoppers without a decent signal may face difficulties purchasing their items in the run up to the festive season. As part of a EU directive already adopted by the UK, those intending to make purchases online will need to have a good signal in order for transactions to be processed. A new directive under the EU will mean that customers wishing to buy products online in the run up to the festive season will need to have a good mobile phone signal The new Payment Services Directive (PSD2), which is already being introduced by some UK banks, will be introduced across the UK by September 2019. However some argue the directive, which is designed to combat fraud, is likely to bring about disruption to many shoppers. James Daley, the managing director of Fairer Finance, told the BBC: 'Banks are not yet great at looking after people at the margins - because they're disabled, or because they live with no mobile coverage. 'These systems are designed for the 95% - while the remaining 5% are hung out to dry.' The Payment Services Directive (PSD2) is already being introduced by some UK banks and is designed to combat fraud Under the new move, online shoppers who spend more than about 27 in one transaction will need to provide further details confirming their identity. This will involve passwords being sent to the user's mobile phone. The retailer may also ask for further verification if they think the shopper's purchase is too low. The directive, which will see banks send a password to the person's phone, will be adopted across the country by September 2019 While banks will try to make purchases run as smoothly as possible under the new EU directive, the security feature may disrupt many shoppers. It could also potentially cause major issues for people in rural communities with poor mobile coverage. Bank First Direct has already begun introducing the password versification feature for its customers. "I get Yemen. I understand the strategic relationship between us and Saudi Arabia, but I'm not going to blow past this". Clinton kicked off a paid speaking tour in Toronto by hitting the president over his response to the killing of Khashoggi in a Saudi Arabian consulate last month, saying that Trump and "those closest to him" have their "own personal" interests, The Hill reported on Thursday. Germany has moved to halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia over the Khashoggi killing and Denmark has suspended future approvals of weapons and military equipment exports there. The Trump administration launched a furious last-minute lobbying campaign aimed at stopping the resolution, including a briefing in the Senate on Wednesday morning with Defense Secretary James Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. An Argentine judge reviewing a Human Rights Watch complaint against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) asked the foreign ministry on November 29 to seek information from Turkey, Yemen and the International Criminal Court. Modi invited Saudi Arabia to join the initiative of the International Solar Energy Federation and the crown prince announced the Kingdom's acceptance of the invitation. "I can not recall a briefing on such a sensitive nature where we have been denied access to the intelligence agencies of the United States". Leading Democratic senators said the intelligence they had seen convinced them of the crown prince's role in murder of Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist and USA resident. Canada has imposed sanctions on 17 Saudi nationals allegedly linked to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "There will be another opportunity next week to decide whether we proceed to it", Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker said. And Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) of SC, who is often strongly allied with Trump, voted to move forward with the resolution and said he would insist on a briefing from Haspel. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said on Thursday the trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be held towards the end of the Trump-Abe talks. When the Senate voted on the same resolution back in March, it failed 55-44, with 10 Democrats voting against it. Wednesday's procedural vote got the support of every Senate Democrat and 14 Republicans, including Sen. The block on USA military support for the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen was an "unprecedented setback for the Saudis and the Trump administration", Bruce Riedel, of the Brookings Institution, said. He was killed in what US officials have described as an elaborate plot at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, which he had visited for marriage paperwork. Trump has said it may never be known who was responsible for the killing, and in public comments - and a long and unusual statement last week - he reinforced the United States' long-standing alliance with the Saudis. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince sent 11 messages to an aide overseeing the Jamal Khashoggi hit squad in the hours surrounding the journalist's murder, it is claimed. Mohammed bin Salman was allegedly in touch with Saud al-Qahtani immediately before and after Khashoggi went missing in Istanbul on October 2. Qahtani is believed to have supervised the 15-man murder squad and was in touch with them at the same time as he was communicating with the prince, according to a CIA assessment reported by the Wall Street Journal. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly denied that Prince Mohammed knew about the murder or played any part in it. Mohammed bin Salman, pictured at the G20 summit in Argentina yesterday, was allegedly in touch with the supervisor of a 15-man hit squad which killed Jamal Khashoggi The report claims that the prince sent at least 11 electronic messages to his adviser, although the CIA does not know what they said. It is also alleged that Prince Mohammed had spoken in August 2017 of 'making arrangements' to lure him to a foreign country if he could not be returned to Saudi Arabia. The CIA assessment reportedly said that the discussion 'seems to foreshadow the Saudi operation launched against Khashoggi'. Qahtani has since been sacked but his influence in the kingdom has led many to believe he could not have overseen the operation without the prince's knowledge. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Riyadh, was killed and his body dismembered by a team of 15 Saudi agents on October 2. The killing has strained Saudi Arabia's ties with the West and battered Prince Mohammed's image abroad. The prince is alleged to have sent at least 11 messages to Saud al-Qahtani, left, who oversaw the hit squad that travelled to Istanbul and murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi, right Street near Saudi embassy in U.S. could be named 'Jamal Khashoggi Way' By AFP Local officials in a Washington neighborhood have voted to rename a street outside Saudi Arabia's embassy in honour of Jamal Khashoggi. If approved by the city council, the measure means a stretch of road going past the embassy building in upscale Foggy Bottom would be ceremonially renamed 'Jamal Khashoggi Way.' Saudi Arabia has blamed his death on a 'rogue' operation. Top officials from the administration of President Donald Trump have said they've seen no direct evidence linking the murder to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but the CIA reportedly has found a connection. According to CNN, the idea to change the street's name started about a month ago following an online petition. 'We suggest renaming the street address of the Saudi Embassy into Jamal Khashoggi Way to be a daily reminder to Saudi officials' that such killings are 'totally unacceptable and as an expression of Washington's unstinting support for freedom of the press,' the petition states. A similar action was taken outside the Russian embassy, where a street was this year renamed in honor of prominent Vladimir Putin critic Boris Nemtsov, who was assassinated in Moscow in 2015. Advertisement Turkey has said the hit was ordered at the highest levels of Saudi leadership, and the CIA assessed the prince was directly behind it, despite vehement Saudi denials. Washington has imposed economic sanctions on 17 Saudi officials, including Qahtani, the prince's senior aide. But Donald Trump has largely stood by the crown prince, defying intense pressure from lawmakers to impose broader sanctions on Saudi Arabia. Prince Mohammed is today at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires as the controversy over Khashoggi's killing continues to dominate the West's relations with Saudi Arabia. Human Rights Watch has asked Argentine prosecutors to investigate him for human rights abuses. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir are said to have 'discussed the importance of making progress' in the investigation into Khashoggi's killing during talks. British PM Theresa May told the prince that the killers of Khashoggi should be held to account, her office said after the two leaders met. French President Emmanuel Macron told the prince in a separate meeting that Europeans will insist on international experts being part of the investigation into Khashoggi's killing. Western nations are also calling for an end to the Saudi-led military campaign in neighbouring Yemen, which was launched by Prince Mohammed, as a humanitarian crisis there worsens. Google Maps users have been spotting swastikas appearing on points of interest around the world - and they are very confused. The startling symbol has been cropping up in locations such as Dublin, Edinburgh, Las Vegas and even on London's Savoy Hotel. And many have been taking to Twitter to express their bemusement over its appearance. Andy Ingram took to Twitter yesterday (pictured) to express his confusion over the appearance of swastikas on Google Maps. He told MailOnline they disappeared after he rebooted the app The symbol appeared on locations including London's Savoy Hotel, the Imperial and Thistle Bloomsbury Park Hotel London (left and right) One user, called Andy Ingram, tweeted to ask Google: 'Why are your maps showing London hotels with swastikas on the pins?' He told MailOnline: 'I was looking at the area on Google maps because I'm in London for the weekend. Saw the icons on the hotels and wondered why they were there. 'I closed the app for a short time and when I opened it again they were back to the usual hotel icon. 'At the time I just presumed it was some hackers having fun, because you hear of things like that happening.' Another, called Liana, also noticed the symbol and tweeted The Balmoral in Edinburgh, saying: 'Noticed this very strange thing on Google maps today. 'Your symbol appears as a swastika. However, it's only when you zoom in that it changes to a hotel symbol. Seems extremely weird.' Katie, from Dublin, also took to Twitter yesterday (pictured) confused as to why hotels including the Merchant House appeared to have the swastika as their icon Google Maps in Edinburgh was also caught up in the technical hitch, which Google says led to the symbol appearing on places it shouldn't The swastika was most notably adopted by the Nazi party prior to WWII and under Adolf Hitler became a symbol of antisemitism and terror. But it originally had a far more positive meaning, having been around for thousands of years as a symbol of divinity and spirituality in Indian religions. For many, however, it is that symbol of terror that first springs to mind when viewing the swastika - leading to concern among Google Maps users. Katie, from Dublin, just yesterday tweeted: 'Google Maps, can you tell me why the hotels in Dublin have swastika signs on them?' In an interview with HuffPost, she said: 'I opened my maps and was looking for hotels in the surrounding area, when I noticed the swastikas. 'I thought it very strange so I took a screenshot. Thats when I tweeted Google maps questioning.' The symbol has been used by many different cultures and is seen here being used on a Japanese shrine as a symbol of peace Some suggested possible reasons for the appearance of the symbol, with David Griffith claiming on Twitter that it was not a swastika at all. He said: 'Nazi swastikas point clockwise and usually appear diagonally. This is a Manji. 'That swastika points counter-clockwise, has appeared on temples in southern and eastern Asia for millennia, and is often used there as a map icon to mark temples.' Indeed, Google confirmed to HuffPost that the image appearing on maps was not a swastika, but instead a 'Buddhist symbol of worship.' Although the tech company did admit that the symbol was being used incorrectly in some places. The spokesman said: 'Were aware that these religious symbols are incorrectly displaying for certain hotels, and are working on a fix to restore the correct hotel icon to these places.' A man has been arrested at a railway station for trying to smuggle 50 human skeletons, including 16 skulls, from India to China. The shocking incident took place at the Chhapra Junction Railway Station in the district of Saran in the north-eastern Indian state of Bihar, bordering Nepal. Suspect Sanjay Prasad was arrested by Government Railway Police officers who found 34 skeletal remains and 16 skulls in his luggage, reports the Telegraph. A man has been arrested at a railway station in India after police found 16 skulls and 34 skeletal remains in his luggage (file picture) According to police sources, there is a huge demand for human skeletons among medical students. They added that Mr Prasad was part of a gang who supplied skeletons to 'tantrics and occultists' in the Himalayan Kingdom. Officials believe that the skeletons were being brought in from Balia in Uttar Pradesh with the intention of smuggling into China via the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan. Police have confirmed that they are holding the suspect and checking his mobile phone for evidence. Police superintendent Mohammad Tanvir said officers also found Nepalese and Bhutanese currencies, credit cards, fake IDs and phone SIM cards with Nepalese numbers on Mr Prasad. Police said there is a huge demand for human skeletons among medical students (file picture) The superintendent also said they will ask to keep the suspect on remand when he goes before the court in the coming days. Officers want to quiz Prasad about his alleged connections with clients based in Nepal and Bhutan. Mr Prasad was stopped during a routine inspection against liquor smuggling across state lines when officers spotted 'suspicious movement.' In a similar case from 2009, cops confiscated 67 skulls from a bus passenger in the same district as Prasad. In 2004, 1,000 human skulls were seized in the holy city of Gaya, also in Bihar State. Advertisement Kim Jong Un was wrapped in a luxurious double-breasted trench with a fur collar as he inspected fisheries in chilly North Korea. The beaming dictator walked through corridors of frozen fish piled high as he visited the fishermen on the eastern coast. December temperatures in the isolated communist state average -3 C, but smiling Kim appeared to warmly greet his loyal subjects and chuckled with his military personnel in the freezers. The North Korean leader is reported to have a love of fish in the form of sushi, which he washes down with Cristal champagne, often followed by a cigarette. Kim Jong Un's ruddy face beams with laughter as he and his men find something to chuckle about in the frosty warehouse The communist dictator laughs as he steps through the corridor of frozen fish piled high, wearing his trademark black Mao suit beneath his overcoat Loyal fisherman wave their arms as Kim Jong Un smiles, sporting his Western style tortoise rimmed spectacles on the eastern coast of North Korea Kim Jong Un discusses the facility with his military personnel who take notes in the frigid warehouse as Kim dons a luxurious double-breasted trench with a fur collar Despite his cheery demeanour, a North Korean soldier defected to South Korea today across his heavily fortified land border. The rare defection came as the two Koreas push ahead with a process of reconciliation in an effort to ease tensions, despite talks between Pyongyang and Washington on the North's nuclear weapons programme stalling. The incident did not trigger any gunfire, unlike last year when a North Korean soldier ran across under a hail of bullets from his own side. 'A North Korean soldier was detected crossing the military demarcation line' by South Korean troops using surveillance equipment, the military Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. 'Related agencies plan to investigate him regarding the details of how he came to the South,' it said. Kim Jong Un gestures to his staff who deligenetly keep a note of his remarks, as a group of fisherman in Russian ushanka hats stand aboard a dock on the icy waters of the eastern coast Banks of fishermen in orange life-jackets wave to the North Korean leader who is flanked by commanders in ushanka hats emblazoned with the communist red star Fisherman toil as Kim Jong Un, whose hair is closely cropped on either side, talks to his men as the military attache scribble down his statements The JCS gave no further details, such as the exact location of the defection, the soldier's name, rank or unit or whether he was carrying a weapon. 'The soldier is safely in our custody', the JCS said. The last defection involving North Koreans occurred in May when two civilians aboard a small boat fled to the South across the Yellow Sea. In November last year, a North Korean soldier drove to the heavily guarded border at speed and ran across under fire from his own comrades. He was hit multiple times in the dramatic defection at Panmunjom truce village, a major tourist attraction and the only place on the frontier where forces from the two sides come face-to-face. Three other soldiers reportedly crossed the land border last year in separate incidents. In 2012 a North Korean soldier walked unchecked through rows of electrified fencing and surveillance cameras, prompting Seoul to sack three field commanders for a security lapse. More than 30,000 North Korean civilians have fled their homeland since the peninsula was divided at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Most flee across the porous frontier with neighbouring China and it is very rare for them to cross the closely guarded inter-Korean border, which is fortified with minefields and barbed wire. In recent months, however, the two sides have begun to remove landmines and destroy military bunkers at parts of the border as part of efforts to improve long-strained relations. They have also begun work to reconnect a train line and repair another rail link across the border. Kim Jong Un's 1950s style suit features wide hemmed trousers which billow over his signature black heeled shoes, as he keeps his hands tightly stuffed inside his coat for warmth Kim Jong Un is presented with a tray of frozen fish which he gestures to as the military personnel take notes of his analysis Kim Jong Un is flanked by advisers wearing black Mao suits as he holds his arm out in discussion with his men in the frozen fish warehosue Despite the warming ties, it remains unclear whether the North's leader Kim Jong Un will make his first-ever visit to the South this year, as Seoul is hoping. Kim agreed to travel to Seoul after hosting his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang in September for their third summit but prospects of a fourth Moon-Kim meeting have recently dimmed, with negotiations on denuclearizing the North grinding to a halt. In an apparent bid to encourage a hesitating Kim to commit to a trip, Moon elicited an expression of support for such a visit from US President Donald Trump at a summit in Buenos Aires on Friday. 'The two leaders agreed Chairman Kim Jong Un's visit to Seoul would provide additional momentum to their joint efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula,' Moon's chief press secretary Yoon Young-chan said. Despite standing on opposite sides of the political lines, George H.W. Bush and Barack Obama became close friends forming an unlikely bond before his predecessor's death. Former president Obama met with Bush at his home in Houston on Tuesday afternoon, three days before the 41st presidents death. Obama then went on to conduct a statesman's discussion at a Rice University gala with Bush's former chief of staff and Secretary of State James Baker. Despite standing on opposite sides of the political lines, George H.W. Bush and Barack Obama became close friends forming an unlikely bond before his predecessor's death Former president Obama met with Bush at his home in Houston on Tuesday afternoon, three days before the 41st presidents death (President George H. W. Bush and President Barack Obama attend an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington) Obama then went on to conduct a statesman's discussion at a Rice University gala with Bush's former chief of staff and Secretary of State James Baker During the discussion, Obama lauded the former president for his diplomacy America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family tonight and all who were inspired by George and Barbaras example During the discussion, Obama lauded the former president for his diplomacy. 'When it comes to foreign policy, the work that President George H.W. Bush did with Jim (James) at his side was as important and as deft and as effective a set of foreign policy initiatives as we saw in recent years, and deserve enormous credit for navigating the end of the Cold War in a way that could have gone sideways, all kinds of ways,' Obama said. Obama said a challenge of working in the White House is not always getting credit 'when nothing happens.' 'And nothing happening is good,' Obama added. The Bush and Obama relationship has been hinted at in the past when a touching clip of George W Bush and Michelle Obama sharing a piece of candy during Senator John McCain's memorial service. Police searching for a missing couple whose car was discovered washed up on a beach have found the bodies of a man and woman. James and Susan Kenneavy's Ford Kuga was found empty on Drummore beach near Stranraer in the south of Scotland at around 7.30am on Thursday, after Storm Diana battered the coast, causing heavy rain and 80mph gales. Heavy rain had led to flooding on Drummore coastal road on Wednesday. Police Scotland said the body of a woman was found at the edge of the water in Port William, Newton Stewart, in Dumfries and Galloway, at around 8.15am on Saturday. A man's body was found nearby a short time later. In a statement, the force said: 'Although formal identification has still to take place, it is believed to be the missing couple and their next of kin has been informed. 'A full report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal. 'Our thoughts are with their family at this time.' More follows Police searching for a missing couple whose car was discovered washed up on a beach have found the bodies of a man and woman. James and Susan Kenneavy's Ford Kuga was found empty on Drummore beach near Stranraer in the south of Scotland at around 7.30am on Thursday, after Storm Diana battered the coast, causing heavy rain and 80mph gales Police are searching for the couple as Storm Diana battered the coast, causing heavy rain and 80mph gales. The search resumed at first light the next morning The beach where the couple's car was found washed up in southern Scotland is pictured Heavy rain had led to flooding on Drummore coastal road on Wednesday and the coastguard are helping with police searches The couple's Grey Ford Kuga (not pictured, file photo) was found washed up on Drummore beach near Stranraer in the south of Scotland A rare common brushtail possum has gone viral on social media, thanks to her uncanny resemblance to a popular Pokemon character. The baby orphan possum was recently brought into a Melbourne vet clinic and has since been nicknamed Pikachu for her similarity to the famous animated rodent-like creature. 'We recently had a very special possum brought in to the clinic,' Boronia Veterinary Clinic And Animal Hospital posted on its Facebook page. This adorable golden brushtail possum (pictured) is rare and unlikely to be returned to the wild The possum has a striking resemblance to the popular Pokemon character Pikachu (pictured) 'The golden colour occurs due to a mutation which causes a low level of the pigment melanin which gives them their normal colour. They are so rare in the wild as although their bright colour makes them look special to us, they also stand out to predators! Luckily for this baby brushtail, she's gone to carers to be raised and then will end up in a wildlife sanctuary so she can live a long happy life.' The photo of the adorable marsupial has since attracted more than 1300 shares and sparked hundreds of comments on Facebook. 'Pretty sure that's a Pokemon,' someone commented. Another added: 'What a very special and gorgeous little creature.' The possum (pictured wearing a photoshopped Santa hat) has been dubbed Pikachu and is currently been well looked after by a wildlife carer The possum's fame has extended to social media platform Reddit in recent days. 'Why does Australia get all the cool animals?,' one posted. Another added: 'Attention all Pokemon gamers. Go to Australia and stay there.' There are four colour variations of the common brushtail possum- silver-grey, brown, black and golden, which is the rarest type. A photo of the possum has gone viral on social media thanks to her resemblance to Pikachu The photo of the adorable marsupial has since attracted more than 1300 shares and sparked hundreds of comments on Facebook Golden brushtail possums are uncommon in the wild as their appearance makes them easy prey for predators. Boronia Veterinary Clinic And Animal Hospital vet Stephen Reinisch told Fairfax Media the possum was found lying on the ground by a member of the public in reasonably good health and is believed to be five-months-old. The possum spent a night at the clinic and is now being looked after by a wildlife carer, who will decide on her future. 'If she becomes [a little] more out there and a bit feisty she might be released, but if she stays anxious she will remain in long-term care,' Dr Reinisch said. Many people saw the possum's striking similarity to the popular Pokemon character Golden brushtail possums are mostly found in small pockets in Tasmania where there are fewer wild predators but others are known to live on Melbourne's outskirts. 'When I lived in Bayswater north (in Melbourne's east), we had a female young adult golden possum living in out backyard. I wonder if this was one of her babies,' one woman posted on Facebook. Wildlife Victoria Caroline Dazey told Fairfax Media: 'We do get calls about them, there are little pockets of them in Victoria and we try to keep their location secret to keep them safe.' The rare possum has also been spotted in New Zealand. Sir Terry Morgan (pictured), 70, could leave his role as head of both HS2 and Crossrail within a few weeks following reports Prime Minister Theresa May is poised to sack him The 'world class' HS2 boss has admitted he expects to be sacked within days. Sir Terry Morgan, who also works on London's delayed 15bn Crossrail project, started working on HS2 in August. He told BBC Radio 4's PM there was disappointment within Westminster about the delays Crossrail has incurred. Sir Terry's admission follows reports he is expected to leave both jobs after a series of recent disclosures about problems at the projects and doubts were raised about his performance. The 70-year-old could leave both jobs in just a few weeks amid reports Prime Minister Theresa May is poised to sack him. It comes following suggestions from both Chris Grayling, transport secretary, and Philip Hammond, chancellor, that Sir Terry be removed from his post. And is just months after the transport secretary hailed Sir Terry as 'world-class' when he appointed him to the top position. The Financial Times has revealed that the HS2 rail project could now be facing a setback following the shock news. It is reported that Sir Terry, who started work at HS2 in August, may leave amid fears that costs are spiralling out of control. The line is set to create a new high-speed rail linking London, West Midlands, Leeds and Manchester. HS2 (High Speed 2) is a plan to construct a a new high-speed rail linking London, West Midlands, Leeds and Manchester. Pictured is an artist's impression of how the new line might look once up and running Phase one, between London and Birmingham, is currently due to open to passengers by 2026. While phase two is scheduled for full completion in 2033 It was initially estimated to cost 56billion, but several senior ministers are said to privately fear it could exceed 100billion. It is to be built in a 'Y' configuration. London will be on the bottom of the 'Y', Birmingham at the centre, Leeds at the top right and Manchester at the top left. Work on Phase One began in 2017 and the government plans envisage the line being operational by 2026. It has prompted fears of potential cuts to infrastructure spending from unions and criticism from the Stop HS2 Campaign who branded HS2 as 'a mess, it's always been a mess'. What is HS2 and when did work first start on the project? HS2 (High Speed 2) is a plan to construct a a new high-speed rail linking London, West Midlands, Leeds and Manchester. The line is to be built in a 'Y' configuration. London will be on the bottom of the 'Y', Birmingham at the centre, Leeds at the top right and Manchester at the top left. 2009 The idea for a second high-speed line was proposed in 2009 by the Department for Transport under the Labour Government. It was to be developed by a new company, High Speed Two Limited (HS2 Ltd). 2013 Early in this year, the government confirmed the route the new line would take. It also announced that the work would be completed in two phases, from London to the West Midlands and from the West Midlands to Crewe. 2017 Work on Phase One began in 2017 after the project was given royal assent. The government plans envisage the line being operational by 2026. 2024 The first trains scheduled to be used on the project are set to arrive for testing. 2026 The first passengers are scheduled to travel on HS2. How much has the project cost? The project has a projected cost of 56 billion ($77 billion), up from the initial cost of 32.7 billion ($45 billion) in 2010. Last year's annual report showed that the company established by the government to build the railway spent 500 million in the year to March 31 - up almost 30 per cent from 352.9 million the year before. It takes the total amount spent by HS2 so far to more than 1.9billion since 2009. Separate accounts published by the Department for Transport also showed it had spent another 366 million on HS2. The bulk of this was on compensating individuals and businesses who own property and land near the planned line. Advertisement Downing Street, the Department for Transport and HS2 declined to comment. A Transport Department spokesman said it 'did not comment on speculation nor on personnel matters.' Reacting to the reports, unions warned of cuts to spending on rail projects. Manuel Cortes, leader of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, said: 'My big fear is that blaming 'spiralling costs', is Tory code for more infrastructure cuts to come. 'It was always nuts to have one person responsible for heading up both these enormous infrastructure projects. More so now that both are not on target.' Stop HS2 Campaign manager Joe Rukin suggested it would be 'bizarre' to sack Sir Terry now as opposed to any other time in the project. He said: 'The bottom line is that HS2 is a mess, it's always been a mess, and imagining that this is the fault of a man who has only been in charge for four months is a delusional attempt by politicians to absolve themselves of the reality that it is their lack of scrutiny and objectivity that is responsible for HS2 being a disaster.' Sir Terry has been chairman on the Crossrail project since June 2009. It was announced on August 31 that the capital's new east-west railway will open in autumn 2019 rather than December this year to complete infrastructure and testing. Addressing the delay, a spokesman for Crossrail Limited said in August: 'The revised schedule is needed to complete the final infrastructure and extensive testing required to ensure the Elizabeth line opens as a safe and reliable railway.' The project's budget was increased from 14.8 billion to 15.4 billion in July due to 'cost pressures'. It is being predominantly funded by Transport for London (TfL) and the Government. The hugely complex ten-year project is bringing together multiple infrastructure contracts, new trains and three different signalling systems. The Elizabeth line will add 10 per cent to central London's rail capacity, and the project is estimated to boost the economy by an estimated 42bn. Once open it will allow journeys between Reading in the east and Shenfield in the west - all the way to Essex. Another journey could take people from Heathrow Airport in the east to Abbey Wood in the west. The autumn opening will only see the central section of the Elizabeth line open. The focus remains on opening the full Elizabeth line, from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, as soon after the central tunnels open as possible. Work is scheduled to continue on the Crossrail line until autumn next year, as bosses say extra time is needed for testing An Elizabeth line train at Abbeywood train station in London as hundreds of angry commuters deal with the news Crossrail will be delayed by nine months An artist's impression of the trains that will run on the Crossrail project when it opens in the autumn of next year. More work needs to be completed on the Reading station before it opens to the public An artist's impression of how stations might look on the Elizabeth line once open to the public. Londoners will have to wait a little longer for the futuristic stations, as the line has now been delayed A map of the new Elizabeth line which will take commuters from Reading and Heathrow Airport in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. Angry commuters have been taking to Twitter (below) to share their thoughts following news of the delay Simon Wright, Crossrail Chief Executive said in August: 'The Elizabeth line is one of the most complex and challenging infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK and is now in its final stages. 'We have made huge progress with the delivery of this incredible project but we need further time to complete the testing of the new railway. 'We are working around the clock with our supply chain and Transport for London to complete and commission the Elizabeth line.' The new Elizabeth line trains are already operating between Shenfield and Liverpool Street and between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington, in readiness for the full opening. In October, it was announced both TfL and the Department for Transport had commissioned an independent review of Crossrail's governance and a separate review of its finance and commercial position. Former Prime Minister John Major has paid warm tribute to George H.W. Bush, whose presidency overlapped with his own leadership from 1990 to 1993. Sir John, who worked with Bush in the coalition to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait in the 1991 Gulf War, said the former president 'raised America's standing in the world' during his time in the White House. In a statement released shortly after the 41st presidents of the United States' death, Sir John said: 'Sometimes people think politics is tawdry. You could have never have said that about the way George Bush behaved in politics. Sir John, who worked with Bush in the coalition to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait in the 1991 Gulf War, said the former president 'raised America's standing in the world' during his time in the White House 'He had opponents but never enemies,' he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. 'He certainly was a man who made sure politics was a respectable profession and he understood its obligations to everyone, not just the powerful, not just the rich, not just the mighty, but to the people who were absolutely at the bottom of the heap as well.' Sir John paid tribute to the way Mr Bush had recognised the need to assemble an international coalition to eject Saddam following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. 'The war would never have been so successful without the Arab members of the coalition. I cannot think of any president more likely to have drawn together such a coalition,' he said. Meanwhile Theresa May said Mr Bush's ethos of public service had been 'the guiding thread of his life and an example to us all 'To make sure it was cemented he also went to the United Nations to get a United Nations resolution. 'That meant that it wasn't a Western imperialist, as people might have said, attacking Iraq after their invasion of Kuwait. It was an attack by people representing every part of the world, and, in particular, Middle Eastern members of the coalition 'That was a remarkable piece of diplomacy I think very few presidents would have been able to achieve.' Sir John said their alliance had led to a lifelong friendship which continued for years after they had both left office. Former prime minister Tony Blair said: 'President Bush was an extraordinary and exemplary public servant, a man dedicated to his country, the values it stands for at its best and to making the world better, more stable and more peaceful' 'The first phone call I had as prime minister was from George Bush,' he said. 'The first phone call I had seven years later when I was defeated was from George who said 'Come over to Maine, the blue fish are biting, come and spend a few days with us'. So it did become a personal friendship.' Meanwhile Theresa May said Mr Bush's ethos of public service had been 'the guiding thread of his life and an example to us all. 'In navigating a peaceful end to the Cold War he made the world a safer place for generations to come. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: 'I was deeply sorry to hear of the death of President George H W Bush. President Bush was a true ally of the UK, from his service with the US Navy during World War II, to his commitment to the transatlantic alliance while in high office during a time of dramatic change in the world' 'At each stage of his remarkable career, the president worked side by side with his friends, colleagues and counterparts in the United Kingdom,' she said. 'Today Britain remembers a great statesman and a true friend of our country. We send our deepest condolences to the American people and to the family he leaves behind,' the prime minister said. Former prime minister Tony Blair said: 'President Bush was an extraordinary and exemplary public servant, a man dedicated to his country, the values it stands for at its best and to making the world better, more stable and more peaceful.' Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: 'I was deeply sorry to hear of the death of President George H W Bush. Former prime minister David Cameron tweeted: 'So sad to hear that George HW Bush has passed away. He was a very good man, a great President & a warm hearted, generous American patriot who was a strong ally & friend of the UK' 'President Bush was a true ally of the UK, from his service with the US Navy during World War II, to his commitment to the transatlantic alliance while in high office during a time of dramatic change in the world. 'He will be remembered for his dedication to public service and his pledge to use American strength as a force for good. 'I send my sincerest condolences to his family, and to the American people.' Former prime minister David Cameron tweeted: 'So sad to hear that George HW Bush has passed away. He was a very good man, a great President & a warm hearted, generous American patriot who was a strong ally & friend of the UK. 'Receiving 'Bush 41' & his wonderful wife Barbara at No10 was a huge honour that I will never forget.' The military is warning the U.S. government to prepare for a potential electromagnetic pulse weapon attack, as countries like North Korea, Russia and Iran develop the special arms. The shocking report, published by the Air Force's Air University, reveals that the U.S. is dismally unprepared for such an attack that could wipe out all electricity, kill 90 percent of the East Coast, and lead to utter chaos. And it could take 18 months to restore the electricity grid and social order. 'Based on the totality of available data an electromagnetic spectrum attack may be a threat to the United States, Democracy and world order,' the 2018 report says. An Air Force report reveals the U.S. is utterly unprepared for an electromagnetic pulse weapon attack that could be launched by Russia, Iran or North Korea. The U.S. has also been developing t heir own EMP weapons such as Boeing's Champ, or Counter-electronics High-powered microwave Advanced Missile Project, which is under construction (above) The shocking 2018 report (above) reveals how unprepared the U.S. is for a potential attack that could kill off 90 per cent of the East Coast, displace 4.1million people, and it could take 18 months to restore the electricity grid and social order EMP weapons use light, lasers, invisible microwaves and electromagnetic energy to cut off electricity. Natural sources of EMS appear in solar storms or artificially in hardware like radar or nuclear weapons. North Korea, Russia, Iran as well as the U.S. have been developing such weapons. But, the report warns, the U.S. needs to start preparing against an attack. What will happen to the U.S. after an EMP attack A foreign attack by an EMP weapon will shut down electricity in the U.S. Military will be cripped as weapons will be downed, military and commercial jets will be degraded, bases cut off and power and GPS will go dark Military may also be unable to identify who launched attack without electricity Nuclear reactors will melt down and 4.1million people living near them will be displaced 90 per cent of East Coast population will die after a year No electricity will interfere with transportation, food, and healthcare Cell phone service will go out Civil unrest would start within hours It'll take 18 months to restore order Advertisement If the U.S. suffered an EMP hit, electricity would be lost, the military's weapons would be downed, 99 nuclear reactors would likely melt down without electricity to cool them, and 4.1million people living near nuclear reactors would be displaced as radioactive cloud spread, according to the Washington Examiner. 'An EMP would cause instantaneous and simultaneous loss of many technologies reliant on electrical power and computer circuit boards, such as cell phones and GPS devices,' the report says. Military and commercial jets would be degraded, bases would be cut off, and power and GPS would go dark making defense and counter-attacks virtually impossible. The U.S. would be unable to determine who even launched the attack as they would be deployed via satellite. The attack would dismantle or interfere with electricity, affecting transportation, food processing and healthcare. In fact, 90 per cent of the population on the East Coast would die in a year of the attack. 'Failures may include long-term loss of electrical power (due to loss of emergency generators), sewage, fresh water, banking, landlines, cellular service, vehicles,' the report says. Civil unrest is predicted to start within just 'hours' of the attack. The report notes that keeping the mobile 5G network is key and must be protected, especially because China is its biggest investor. HOW EMP WORKS EMP, or electromagnetic pulse weapons use missiles equipped with an electromagnetic pulse cannon. This uses a super-powerful microwave oven to generate a concentrated beam of energy. The energy causes voltage surges in electronic equipment, rendering them useless before surge protectors have the chance to react. The aim is to destroy an enemy's command, control, communication and computing, surveillance and intelligence capabilities without hurting people or infrastructure. Advertisement 'Because control of 5G is roughly equivalent to control of the Internet, open 5G is critical to freedom and free-market economics. Meanwhile, access to the 5G-millimeter wave bandwidth will be critical to operations in all war-fighting domains, in particular, space command & control,' the report says. 'As electromagnetic technologies fuse in new and often dangerous ways, its critical that the military and industry make honest evaluations of present and future conflict states to ensure were proactive rather than reactive,' Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast said. The report's authors Air Force Maj. David Stuckenberg, former CIA director James Woolsey, and Col. Douglas DeMaio want the government to declare a potential EMP attack as a critical issue. 'The potential for an adversary to inflict damage on states through EMS attack has grown significantly. An EMP attack affects all devices with solid-state electronics and could render inoperative the main grid and backup power systems, such as on-site generators,' the report says. During the G20 summit in Argentina, Russian President Vladimir Putin high-fives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who most of the world has castigated after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The pair spoke in hushed tones and kept their heads close together as they tried to have the private conversation on the sidelines of the summit. Although the excerpts do not directly state that the order to kill Khashoggi came from the crown prince, the USA intelligence agency apparently had "medium-to-high" confidence that the crown prince had targeted the dissident writer and to the point of "probably ordering his death", the Journal reported. At the end of the video, Mr Macron can be heard saying: 'I am a man of my word'. Report Claims CIA Has "Smoking Gun Phone Call" Linking Saudi Crown Prince to Jamal Khashoggi Killing. Mohammed bin Salman also told associates in August past year that if he failed to persuade Khashoggi to return to Saudi Arabia, "we could possibly lure him outside Saudi Arabia and make arrangements" - a communication the Central Intelligence Agency said "seems to foreshadow the Saudi operation launched against Khashoggi". "We've been very clear, very clear about that since literally the very beginning". It is the prince's first significant appearance overseas since the killing. The only other prime minister to visit the country was Tony Blair, who went to Puerto Iguazu in 2001. Mrs May's presence at the talks between world leaders is likely to be dominated by the issue of Brexit and the UK's future global trade as it prepares to leave the European Union in March 2019. The newspaper said that excerpts of the assessment it had not previously reported state that the Central Intelligence Agency has "medium-to-high confidence" that Prince Mohammed "personally targeted" Khashoggi and "probably ordered his death" - but added: "To be clear, we lack direct reporting of the Crown Prince issuing a kill order". He was referring to Saudi Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King Salman's brother and bin Salman' uncle, who was said to be afraid to return to the kingdom since he had made public comments critical of the crown prince. 'The Saudi Arabians need to ensure that their investigation is a full investigation, that it's credible, that it's transparent, and that people can have confidence in the outcome of it, and that those responsible are held to account, ' the prime minister said. Advertisement Australian's most notorious playboy has been hit with a massive fine for a controversial statue erected in his own backyard. Travers Benyon, better known as 'The Candyman', drew the attention of the Gold Coast council when he had a three-metre statue of a red-veiled and bare-chested woman resembling the Virgin Mary built behind his waterside mansion. The statue, which can be seen from across canals surrounding his home, was built in anticipation of his annual Secret Society-themed party starting on Saturday. But after locals complained about the scantily-clad religious figure, the city council slammed Benyon with a $13,000 fine. A controversial Virgin Mary statue (pictured) has landed Australia's most notorious playboy in hot water Despite a hefty fine being handed to him, Travers 'Candyman' Benyon (centre) went ahead with his 'party of the year' Scantily-clad girls are pictured at Benyon's waterside mansion with the controversial statue in the background Angry residents who can see the statue have demanded it be taken down. But as thousands prepared to flock to Benyon's mansion for the annual rave, the council was forced to issue a fine instead of demanding the removal of the statue. 'Officers determined the owner did not have the necessary permits to build what is an assessable structure,' a city council spokesperson told the Gold Coast Bulletin. 'The claim that it is a temporary structure brought in for a party this weekend is irrelevant. 'Regardless of changes the owner said he would make to the structure, it remains uncompliant and the fine will be enforced.' Pictures of the statue drew mixed reactions from fans on social media, with some calling it sexist and others deeming it 'just a bit of fun'. 'Isnt it in his backyard! If so, so what? Yea (sic) its tacky but that his lifestyle, get over it!' one punter wrote. 'Let him have his private party and fun alone. Their (sic) not hurting anyone are they,' said another. Don't fall in! As the afternoon wore on the party cranked up a few notches, revellers letting loose With the theme set as 'Secret Society', some opted for face masks to match their attire while other girls donned bikinis The event was free, but only to those who had been handpicked by Candyman himself, and the entrance was fiercely guarded Married at First Sight's Telv Williams (centre) was in attendance for the raucous party, alongside other reality television stars Girls opting for fewer clothes in the summer sun were snapped arriving at one of the biggest parties of the year on Saturday Red carpet and black carpet running side by side, guests at the Candyshop Mansion got VIP treatment on arrival at the venue Not one to be shy, Candyman, who has been compared to Hugh Hefner and Dan Bilzerian, walked on water en route to his party With the summer sun shining and the drinks flowing freely, partygoers quickly got in the mood for a long afternoon Neighbours complained the statue was visible from every angle, but that didn't stop partygoers dancing on its platform Candyman became infamous for photos on social media of him leading lovely ladies by leashes attached to choker collars While fireworks roared in the background partygoers strutted their stuff in and around the pool Others weren't so accommodating. 'Whats his point in doing this! There is no need to disrespect the beliefs of others,' wrote one. 'I feel so sorry for the idiot who calls himself the Candy Man. He is a sick puppy looking for recognition and approval and all he is doing is proving he is a misogynist.' The Candyman's annual celebration kicked off at midday on Saturday, with or without the approval of his neighbours. Those hoping to go to the tobacco mogul's shindig have to fulfill a strict criteria; sending in selfies and social media links for Benyon himself to judge whether the punter deserves an invite. Should they be successful, the thousands invited are treated to free food, drinks and witness a music proudction on a four storey high stage with accompanying fireworks. But even those who aren't physically at the party can take it in online, with the entire proceedings being live streamed on his website here. Benyon's 'Secret Society' themed party left some girls choosing to don masks as they posed for a photo Travers 'Candyman' Benyon was the man of the hour - the tobacco tycoon holding court surrounded by his gorgeous guests Those hoping to go to the tobacco mogul's shindig have to fulfill a strict criteria; sending in selfies and social media links for Benyon himself to judge whether the punter deserves an invite Advertisement Theresa May has revealed she called for a credible and transparent investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi when she met the Saudi crown Prince yesterday. The Prime Minister said she reiterated the need for those responsible to be 'held accountable' during a sit down with Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 summit in Argentina. But Mrs May avoided questions on whether she specifically quizzed the Saudi leader on his involvement in the murder. She said: 'It is absolutely the case that our relationship with Saudi Arabia means that we are able to raise issues that are difficult issues and to be clear with them on our views and concerns. 'What I said to the crown prince yesterday was the importance of a full, credible transparent investigation that identifies those who were involved, and the importance of ensuring those involved are held to account.' Saudi Arabia has denied that bin Salman played a role in Mr Khashoggi's death, but US intelligence agencies concluded he ordered the killing. It is the prince's first significant appearance overseas since the killing. Theresa May revealed she called for a credible and transparent investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi The Prime Minister said she reiterated the need for those responsible to be 'held accountable' during a sit down with Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 summit in Argentina Mrs May sported a stern expression as she sat down with the Saudi royal yesterday in Buenos Aires - the prince's first significant appearance overseas since the killing. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded that Saudi officials extradict the suspects responsible for the killing of Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia announced 18 people had been apprehended and vowed to probe the killing of Khashoggi, a royal condifidant turned critic who was killed and dismembered in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate. Erdogan said: 'It's essential that these people are tried in Turkey in order to eliminate any question marks that the international community may have. 'Whoever has ordered and implemented this violent crime should be found out at once. Unless the perpetrators are found out, the whole world and the Islamic community shall not be satisfied.' Erdogan said the Saudis refused to help Turkish prosecutors who sought information on the case. The Islamist-oriented Turkish leader, who has been vying for influence in the region with Saudi Arabia, said he did 'not wish to cause any damage' to the royal family. Speaking at the end of the G20 summit, Mrs May also said she was determined to deliver on the EU referendum result. 'The next nine days are a really important time for our country leading up to the vote on this deal,' she told her closing press conference. 'I will be talking with Members of Parliament obviously and explaining to them why I believe this is a good deal for the UK. 'Why it is a deal that delivers on Brexit but it is also a deal that protects jobs and the economy and why passing this deal in the vote that takes place in the House of the Commons will take us to certainty for the future, and that failure to do that would only lead to uncertainty. 'What I've been hearing here at the G20 is the importance of that certainty for the future.' Asked if this could be one of her last overseas trips as Prime Minister, Mrs May said: 'There is a lot more for me still to do, not least delivering on Brexit and being the Prime Minister that does take the United Kingdom out of the European Union.' Mrs May said she had used the summit to brief the other leaders on the Brexit deal agreed with the EU. 'That this deal sets a path for the UK to a brighter future has been affirmed by the discussions I have had on trade over the past two days, with friends and partners making clear they are keen to sign and implement ambitious free trade deals with us as soon as possible,' she said. She added: 'Of course I have been listening to and talking to businesses across the UK, and indeed across the European Union, including Japanese businesses that are invested in the UK. 'One of the key messages they have given is about the importance of being able to maintain a good trade relationship with the European Union once we've left. That is what the deal that has been negotiated delivers.' It comes after Mrs May was warned by Japan's Prime Minister to avoid a no-deal Brexit amid warnings from the country's car manufacturers. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shake hands during a bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires on Saturday. The Japanese leader warned his UK counterpart against a no-deal exit from the EU Prime Minister Theresa May, left, and Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison shake hands during a bilateral meeting at the G20 in Buenos Aires where they discussed Brexit and trade between the two countries Shinzo Abe made the appeal to his British counterpart during talks at the G20 summit in Argentina, as Mrs May looks for partners to help her deliver the promised trading benefits of Brexit. It follows warnings from Honda and Nissan that their UK operations would face huge extra costs and bureaucracy in the event of a cliff-edge Brexit in March 2019. Earlier Britain's PM spoke to Australian leader Scott Morrison who praised Mrs May's 'resilience and determination' on Brexit and signalled a new trading relationship could be on the cards. Honda has said a no-deal Brexit would cost it tens of millions of pounds in additional tariffs and would damage the competitiveness of its Swindon plant. Nissan, which employs 7,000 at Britain's biggest car factory in Sunderland, has said that a sudden change to World Trade Organisation rules would have 'serious implications for British industry'. Meeting Mrs May for talks on the margins of the summit, Mr Abe said: 'I would like to take this opportunity to express my tribute to your leadership in realising the Withdrawal Agreement as well as the EU's agreement on the Political Declaration. 'Also I would like to once again ask for your support to avoid no deal as well as to ensure transparency, predictability as well as legal stability in the Brexit process.' Mrs May said the agreement she has reached with the EU 'is a good deal for the UK, it is a good deal for businesses in the UK, including the many Japanese companies who have made significant investment into the UK and who will be able to continue on the basis of our deal to trade well with the European Union from the UK'. She faces an uphill battle to force her divisive withdrawal agreement through the House of Commons where many Conservative MPs have vowed to vote against the deal. If Parliament rejects the deal there will be little time for Mrs May to prevent a no-deal departure before exit day on March 29 next year. Earlier Australian PM Mr Morrison told Mrs May: 'I think you've shown great resilience and great determination on one of the most vexed issues I think there is.' The Australian leader praised her 'determination to do that in typical British fashion with clear sight of the end goal and to bring some stability on what is a very difficult issue for you and your colleagues.' He said: 'I think you know you have our strong support in continuing to bring it to a good resolution.' Referring to BAE Systems' 20 billion contract to build new Australian naval frigates, Mr Morrison said: 'Trade relationships and our opportunity to work together post-Brexit in a very important trade relationship. Britain's PM met Scott Morrison for face-to-face talks (pictured) and hailed the 'great relationship' between the two countries while her Australian counterpart signalled a new trading relationship could be on the cards after Brexit Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, as world leaders grapple with issues including climate change, trade and the killing of Jamal Khashoggi 'We look forward to that, whether it's on defence procurement at the moment where we have a very important procurement under way now with the British, that is proceeding very, very well.' After shaking hands, Mrs May joked that the relationship was not always friendly when it came to sporting events, saying: 'I should have worn my MCC scarf'. The PM was also meeting Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Chilean president Sebastian Pinera. Leaders will face tricky negotiations on the final day of the G20 summit as President Donald Trump meets Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping amid threats of a trade war while leaders grapple with addressing climate change despite Mr Trump's withdrawal from an international deal. A later meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to focus on Ankara's investigation into the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul in October. On Friday, Mrs May delivered a 'robust' message to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the UK expected his country to co-operate fully with the Turkish probe and to conduct its own investigation in a 'credible and transparent' way. British officials said trade was not on the agenda for the talks with the Saudi heir apparent, known as MBS. Mrs May shook hands with the Saudi prince, who was also berated by French president Emmanuel Macron in a terse conversation captured on video. European leaders said all-night talks at the summit had resulted in a possible 'breakthrough' on fixing the global trading system. Countries are making progress on a final statement that will acknowledge problems with the World Trade Organization but commit to reforming it, amid fierce criticism from President Trump, EU officials said. France's President Emmanuel Macron and South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa shake hands at the G20 today. Mr Macron is in Argentina while back home protesters clash with riot police on the Champs-Elysees in Paris Vladimir Putin and his aide Yuri Ushakov walk together ahead of a meeting with Angela Merkel. Putin was among those to pay tribute to former U.S. President George Bush senior who died on Friday evening Mr Trump will meet the Chinese leader amid an escalating trade war, with new U.S. tariffs on China goods set to take effect a month from now. The U.S. President has sought to use the gathering to make his own trade deals, signing a pact with Mexico and Canada to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. One EU official told reporters that the G20's final statement is likely to reflect 19 members supporting the Paris climate accord with the U.S. stating its opposition to it. The American delegation is also said to have held up discussion of how to manage refugees and migrants, but that the final statement is expected to mention the need to manage migration on a global level. Also looming large amid dozens of bilateral meetings in Buenos Aires was the gruesome slaying of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate. Many countries suspect Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of having ordered the killing. The prince is at the summit but denies any knowledge of or involvement in Khashoggi's death. World leaders did have a brief moment of unity early on Sunday as tributes poured in for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush who died on Friday evening. Mr Trump hailed his predecessor, saying he had 'inspired Americans' with his 'essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country'. Vladimir Putin joined the tributes, saying: 'A distinguished man has passed away. One who served his country for his entire life, with a weapon in his hands during wartime and in high office during peacetime.' A glamorous bikini model has had a string of drug trafficking charges dropped after she struck a deal with prosecutors to give evidence against her co-accused. Gold Coast Instagram model and swimwear designer Raquel Yasmine Petit, 25, was accused of being part of an alleged international steroid importation syndicate while she was living in Melbourne in 2015 and 2016. She was facing 47 charges including trafficking a commercial quantity of steroids and dealing with $46,920 suspected of being proceeds of crime. Bikini model Raquel Petit has had a string of drugs trafficking charges against her dropped Petit was also facing additional charges relating to making, using and producing false documents including a fake Queensland drivers licence. The drugs charges were withdrawn in Victoria's County Court this week after Petit agreed to become a police informant, News Corp reported. Petit pleaded guilty to five lesser charges: using a false document and four counts of producing a false document to a reporting entity. Raquel Petit (pictured) was told by a Melbourne judge this week she would have been jailed for 18 months if it wasn't for her guilty pleas and willingness to become a police informant Court documents allege she and two co-accused, Eden Turkovic and Paul Millan were part of an alleged operation between 2015 and 2016 to import steroids and have them delivered to a number of post office boxes. Police alleged in court in October that Petit sent $46,920 to the Ukraine and China, from where the steroids were sourced. Defence counsel Amie Hancock told the court her client was a 'young, naive woman' and that Petit made no financial gain from her offences, News Corp reported. Raquel Petit (pictured) was facing 47 charges including trafficking a commercial quantity of steroids when she appeared in a Melbourne court in October But Judge Gavan Meredith said Petit's involvement resulted in the more serious criminal conduct of alleged drug importation. 'She's not charged with any role in the drug offending. (But) a number of post office boxes have been open. It's continuous,' he said. He told the court the statement Petit made to police last month was of 'substantial value'. Instagram model Raquel Petit (pictured) also has her own swimwear line and 145,000 followers on her private Instagram page Petit was placed on a five-year good behaviour bond on the provision she continue to assist the prosecution. But Judge Meredith refused to drop the conviction against Petit and told her she would have been jailed for 18 months if it not for her guilty pleas and willingness to become a police informant. Turkovic and Millan will face trial next February on charges in relation to the alleged drug syndicate. Another minister has spoken in favour of Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton facing the High Court in relation to his eligibility as an MP. Victorian MP Julia Banks spoke for the first time about Mr Dutton's alleged conflicting interest in daycare centres that receive government payments. The crossbencher, who announced her defection from the Liberal party on Tuesday, told Fairfax Mr Dutton had a 'very clear' case to answer based on legal advice from the week he conspired to oust former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull from the top job. 'I think Peter Dutton should do the decent thing and refer himself to the High Court,' she said. Yet another minister has spoken in favour of Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton facing the High Court in relation to his eligibility as an MP The daycare centres registered under the Dutton family trust threaten to force the ambitious politician out of parliament under section 44 of the constitution. Section 44(v) states any person who 'has any direct or indirect interest in any agreement with the Public Service of the Commonwealth' is ineligible from sitting as a member of parliament. But Mr Dutton insists he has no concerns, and shouldn't heed to the requests of some of his colleagues to refer himself to the High Court. 'These issues are being raised for political purposes. It was raised, as I say, by the Labor Party in October of last year and they didn't raise it again so I am very confident in my position,' he said in a statement in October. The move to see Mr Dutton front the High Court gained momentum during the Liberal leadership spill, but was rejected the first time the Labor Party put it forward due to a lack of support. Former Liberal MP Julia Banks spoke for the first time about Mr Dutton's conflicting interest in daycare centres that receive government payments Since then, more MP's have familiarised themselves with the situation. At present, all 69 Labor MP's have voted in support of the referral. Another four crossbenchers appear to be in support, including Ms Banks, Rebekha Sharkie, the member for Mayo in South Australia, member for Denison in Tasmania, Andrew Wilkie and Adam Bandt, the federal member for Melbourne. Labor needs at least two more votes in favour of the referral to force Mr Dutton into facing the High Court. While Ms Banks has been critical of Mr Dutton in the past, and voted firmly against him when he attempted to seize control of the Liberal Party, she insists her decision comes after a thorough examination of evidence. 'I have to leave aside my personal feelings with regard to Peter Dutton and look at this objectively,' she said. Pope Francis has said that 'fashionable' homosexuality 'is something that worries me' and claims there is no place for gay priests in the Catholic church. Quoted in a soon-to-be published book, Francis remarked that some societies are considering homosexuality a 'fashionable' lifestyle. Francis was quoted as describing homosexuality within the walls of seminaries, convents and other religious places where clergy live as 'a very serious question.' Pope Francis has said that 'fashionable' homosexuality 'is something that worries me' and claims there is no place for gay priests in the Catholic church Italian daily Corriere della Sera's website Saturday ran excerpts of the book in the form of an interview that Francis gave on religious vocations. In the interview with Spanish-born missionary priest, Fernando Prado, he was quoted: 'In our societies, it even seems homosexuality is fashionable. And this mentality, in some way, also influences the life of the church.' The book, based on four hours of conversations the two had in August at the Vatican, will be published in 10 languages next week. Francis reiterated past Vatican pronouncements about the attention that must be given to selecting men for admission to seminaries, saying 'we must very much take care of human and sentimental maturity' when training future priests. Quoted in a soon-to-be published book, Francis remarked that some societies are considering homosexuality a 'fashionable' lifestyle Separately, quoted Francis in the book as commenting on a clergyman who had told him that having gay people in Catholic religious housing 'isn't so grave' because it's 'only an expression of affection', according to Italian news agency ANSA. That reasoning 'is in error,' Francis said. 'In consecrated life and priestly life, there is no place for this kind of affection.' He said candidates with 'neuroses or strong unbalances' should not be accepted 'to the priesthood nor to (other forms of) consecrated life.' But Francis, as he has in the past, stressed that gay Catholics contribute to the life of the church. He said candidates with 'neuroses or strong unbalances' should not be accepted 'to the priesthood nor to (other forms of) consecrated life' Catholic teaching considers homosexual activity sinful, and that everyone, except married heterosexual couples, should abstain from sex He said the church must always remember that 'they are persons who will live in the service of the church, of the Christian community, of the people of God. Let's never forget this perspective.' Francis in his papacy has sought to stress that while obeying church teachings, the faithful must also be compassionate and open to others with different views. Catholic teaching considers homosexual activity sinful, and that everyone, except married heterosexual couples, should abstain from sex. Advertisement Jenna Bush Hager shared a pair of touching tributes to her beloved grandfather George Herbert Walker Bush as the family and the nation grieves the passing of America's 41st president. The Second World War hero passed away at the age of 94 at 10.10pm CT on Friday at his home in Houston,Texas, his office confirmed in a statement. On Saturday morning, one of his twin granddaughters, Jenna, posted two joyful photos with her grandfather on Instagram with the caption: 'Waking up missing this giant of a man who gave me everything. 'He taught me and my family about service, family, decency, the power of gentle words and a beautiful heart. I will miss him desperately but so happy he and my Grandmother are back together.' One photo shows Jenna and her twin Barbara, both 37, flanking their grandfather as they all wear giant grins on their faces. The second photo shows a young Jenna standing beside her cousins saluting a Christmas tree as the then-president smiles alongside them. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Jenna Bush Hager shared a pair of touching tributes to her beloved grandfather George Herbert Walker Bush as the family and the nation grieves the passing of America's 41st president. She is pictured with him and her twin sister Barbara Jenna wrote on Instagram: 'Waking up missing this giant of a man who gave me everything. 'He taught me and my family about service, family, decency, the power of gentle words and a beautiful heart. I will miss him desperately but so happy he and my Grandmother are back together' Jenna then shared another post with a comic published this morning that shows Bush Snr arriving in heaven via a WWII fighter jet and being greeted by his wife of 73 years Barbara, who passed away eight months ago, and the three-year-old daughter they lost to leukemia in 1953. A speech bubble above Barbara says: 'We waited for you' Jenna then shared another post with a comic published this morning that showed Bush Snr arriving in heaven via a WWII fighter jet and being greeted by his wife of 73 years Barbara, who passed away eight months ago, and the three-year-old daughter they lost to leukemia in 1953. A speech bubble above Barbara says: 'We waited for you.' In the Instagram caption Jenna wrote: 'This brought me such comfort this morning. I had the opportunity to talk with my grandpa about the afterlife. This is what he said: He answered without any hesitation. "Yes, I think about it. I used to be afraid. I used to be scared of dying. I used to worry about death. But now in some ways I look forward to it."' Jenna continued: 'And I started crying. I managed to choke out, "Well, why? What do you look forward to?" And he said, "Well, when I die I'm going to be reunited with these people that I've lost." And I asked who he hoped to see He replied, 'I hope I see Robin, and I hope I see [Barbara]. I haven't yet figured out if it will be Robin as the three-year-old that she was this kind of chubby, vivacious child or if she'll come as a middle-aged woman, an older woman. 'And then he said, "I hope she's the three-year-old." Robin was the daughter of this giant of a man lost years before to leukemia. The little girl he held tightly, who spoke the phrase I have heard Gampy repeat for my entire life, forever knitting Robin's voice into the tightly woven fabric of our family: "I love you more than tongue can tell."' Lauren Bush also paid tribute to her grandfather is a touching tribute on Saturday, posted on Instagram The American flag flies at half-staff at the White House, on Saturday in honor of the 41th president's passing The 41st president, who presided over the final days of the Cold War and the breakup of the Soviet Union is seen above in 2013 Portrait of the Bush family sitting in front of their home in Kennebunkport, Maine in 1986 Bush Snr is pictured with wife, Barbara, and their children Pauline and George W on horse at their ranch in Midlands, Texas Bush embraces former first lady Barbara Bush in 2006 after she introduced him at a Mother's Day Luncheon in Dallas Bush Snr and his son George W Bush wave to the crowd before the Texas Rangers' baseball team play in the 2010 World Series The statement announcing Bush Snr's passing did not specify the cause of death, but he had long suffered from a form of Parkinson's disease and had been hospitalized several times for pneumonia and other infections in recent years. Days before his death, Bush Snr was reportedly being treated for low blood pressure. His eldest son George W Bush, the 43rd president, paid tribute to his father and the head of their political dynasty on behalf of his siblings, saying: 'Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died. 'George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared for and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens,' the younger Bush added. Jenna Bush Hager on her grandfather's passing In the Instagram caption of two joyful photos with her grandfather, Jenna wrote: 'Waking up missing this giant of a man who gave me everything. He taught me and my family about service, family, decency, the power of gentle words and a beautiful heart. I will miss him desperately but so happy he and my Grandmother are back together.' In a second post, Jenna shared a comic that depicted her father arriving in heaven to meet his deceased wife and daughter: 'This brought me such comfort this morning. I had the opportunity to talk with my grandpa about the afterlife. This is what he said: He answered without any hesitation. "Yes, I think about it. I used to be afraid. I used to be scared of dying. I used to worry about death. But now in some ways I look forward to it." 'And I started crying. I managed to choke out, "Well, why? What do you look forward to?" And he said, "Well, when I die I'm going to be reunited with these people that I've lost." And I asked who he hoped to see He replied, 'I hope I see Robin, and I hope I see [Barbara]. I haven't yet figured out if it will be Robin as the three-year-old that she was this kind of chubby, vivacious child or if she'll come as a middle-aged woman, an older woman. 'And then he said, "I hope she's the three-year-old." Robin was the daughter of this giant of a man lost years before to leukemia. The little girl he held tightly, who spoke the phrase I have heard Gampy repeat for my entire life, forever knitting Robin's voice into the tightly woven fabric of our family: "I love you more than tongue can tell."' Advertisement Brent Scowcroft, the national security adviser during Bush's presidency, said: 'The world has lost a great leader; this country has lost one of its best; and I have lost one of my dearest friends. I am heartbroken.' President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania also paid tribute to Bush in a statement. 'Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service - to be, in his words, 'a thousand points of light' illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world,' the statement said. 'His example lives on, and will continue to stir future Americans to pursue a greater cause.' First daughter Ivanka Trump retweeted her father's statement, writing: 'As I join a grieving nation in honoring the legacy of our 41st President, George Herbert Walker Bush, we remember with gratitude his lifetime of service and commitment. May he rest in peace reunited with his beloved wife and daughter.' The White House released a statement on Saturday that said: 'The President and First Lady were notified late last night of President George H.W. Bushs passing. President Trump is scheduled to speak with President George W. Bush this morning and offer his condolences on behalf of himself, the First Lady, and the entire country. A state funeral is being arranged with all of the accompanying support and honors. The President will designate Wednesday, December 5th as a National Day Of Mourning. He and the First Lady will attend the funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.' Other former presidents also weighed in with condolences on Bush's death. Barack Obama said in a statement: 'America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush.' 'While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family tonight and all who were inspired by George and Barbara's example,' he added. Bill Clinton, who defeated Bush in the 1992 election, said in a statement: 'I will be forever grateful for the friendship we formed. From the moment I met him as a young governor invited to his home in Kennebunkport, I was struck by the kindness he showed to Chelsea, by his innate and genuine decency, and by his devotion to Barbara, his children, and their growing brood.' 'Few Americans have beenor will ever beable to match President Bush's record of service to the United States and the joy he took every day from it; from his military service in World War II, to his work in Congress, the United Nations, China, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Vice Presidency and the Presidency, where he worked to move the post Cold War world toward greater unity, peace, and freedom,' Clinton added. His wife Hillary Clinton wrote on Twitter: 'George H.W. Bush was a beloved father & grandfather, a war hero, a public servant, & a class act. In my experiences w/ him, I always valued his desire to listen, look at evidence & ask for ideas, even from people w/ different beliefs. My heart goes out to the entire Bush family.' Bush Snr gives his acceptance speech for the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 18, 1988 George H.W. Bush takes the oath of office as he is sworn in as 41st President of the United States at the US Capitol in 1989 Bush Snr and First Lady Barbara Bush walk down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, during the 1989 Inaugural Parade A number of international leaders have also extended their condolences in the wake of Bush Snr's passing. Addressing George W, his Holiness the Dalai Lama said: 'I am saddened by the passing away of your father, President George H.W. Bush. I offer my profound condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. He was, in fact, the first American president that I was privileged to meet. I recall being deeply touched by your fathers concern for the Tibetan people and the situation in Tibet.' From across the pond, Queen Elizabeth said: 'It was with sadness that I learned of the death of President George H.W. Bush last night. President Bush was a great friend and ally of the United Kingdom. He was also a patriot, serving his country with honour and distinction in Office and during the Second World War. 'Prince Philip and I remember our days in Texas in 1991 with great fondness. My thoughts and prayers are with President Bushs family and the American people.' UK Prime Minister Teresa May reacted in a similar fashion, writing on Twitter: 'President George H.W. Bushs ethos of public service was the guiding thread of his life and an example to us all. It took him from service in World War II to his stewardship of the CIA and his direction of the Gulf War as commander-in-chief. And in navigating a peaceful end to the Cold War, he made the world a safer place for generations to come. A number of international leaders have also extended their condolences in the wake of Bush Snr's passing 'At each stage of his remarkable career, the President worked side-by-side with his friends, colleagues and counterparts in the United Kingdom. Today, Britain remembers a great statesman and a true friend of our country. We send our deepest condolences to the American people and to the family he leaves behind.' French President Emanuel Macron tweeted: 'On behalf of the French people, I convey all my condolences to the American nation for the loss of former President George Bush. He was a world leader who strongly supported the alliance with Europe. Our sympathy to his family and beloved ones.' German Chancellor Angela Merkel wrote a letter to President Trump saying America had lost 'a great patriot and statesman'. 'The German people had in him a true friend who recognized the significance of this historic hour and gave us his trust and support,' Merkel wrote, adding that 'the courageous and peaceful revolution by people east of the Iron Curtain met with the courage and skill and of a statesman who, together with others, led Europe and the trans-Atlantic partnership through this upheaval and ushered in a new era.' Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also tweeted: 'George H. W. Bushs exemplary service and deep commitment to his country informed everything he accomplished over his decades in public life. Sophie and I offer our condolences to his family and the American people on his passing.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: 'On behalf of the people of Israel, I send heartfelt condolences to the Bush family and the American people on the passing of a great American patriot, President George H.W. Bush. 'His wise leadership at the end of the Cold War helped steer the world to a peaceful transition and the spread of democracy. The people of Israel will always remember his commitment to Israels security, his important contribution to the liberation of Soviet Jewry, and his efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East at the Madrid Conference.' Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed his condolences to the former president's son, writing in a statement on the Kremlin's website: 'Dear George, please accept my deepest condolences over the passing of your father, former U.S. President, George Herbert Walker Bush. 'An outstanding politician, he devoted his entire life to serving his country, both as a serviceman during wartime and in high-ranking public posts in peacetime. As U.S. president during one of the most important periods of world history, he showed political wisdom and foresight, and always sought balanced decisions even in the most difficult situations. 'George Bush Sr. was well aware of the importance of a constructive dialogue between the two major nuclear powers and took great efforts to strengthen Russian-American relations and cooperation in international security. I had the good fortune to have met with him several times. I recall with particular warmth him organizing our meeting at your wonderful summer home in Kennebunkport. 'My fellow citizens and I will always cherish the memory of George Bush Sr. In this sad time, I would like to pass worlds of heartfelt sympathy and support to all members of your large family. May you have endurance during this time of grievous and tragic loss.' Bush Snr is remembered fondly for his decades of service to America and the international community. Flowers sit at the base of his statue outside his Presidential Library in College Station, Texas, on Saturday morning George Herbert Walker Bush was born June 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts, into the New England elite, a world of prep schools, mansions and servants seemingly untouched by the Great Depression. His father, Prescott Bush, the son of an Ohio steel magnate, made his fortune as an investment banker and later served 10 years as a senator from Connecticut. George H.W. Bush enlisted in the Navy on his 18th birthday in 1942, right out of prep school. Lean and athletic at 6-foot-2, Bush became a war hero while still a teenager. One of the youngest pilots in the Navy, he flew 58 missions off the carrier USS San Jacinto. He had to ditch one plane in the Pacific and was shot down on September 2, 1944, while completing a bombing run against a Japanese radio tower. An American submarine rescued Bush. His two crewmates perished. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery. He returned home to marry his 19-year-old sweetheart, Barbara Pierce, daughter of the publisher of McCall's magazine, in January 1945. They were the longest-married presidential couple in US history. She died on April 17, 2018. After the war, Bush took just two and a half years to graduate from Yale, then headed west in 1948 to the oil fields of West Texas. Bush and partners helped found Zapata Petroleum Corp. in 1953. Six years later, he moved to Houston and became active in the Republican Party. In politics, he showed the same commitment he displayed in business, advancing his career through loyalty and subservience. George H.W. Bush enlisted in the Navy on his 18th birthday in 1942, right out of prep school. He is seen left as a Naval aviator cadet in 1943 and right as a young Navy pilot sometime between 1943 and 1945 One of the youngest pilots in the Navy, Bush Snr (pictured in 1944) flew 58 missions off the carrier USS San Jacinto George and Barbara were the longest-married presidential couple in US, having been together for 73 years before her death After the war, Bush took just two and a half years to graduate from Yale, where he was a first baseman and captain of the baseball team. He played in the first-ever College World Series in 1947 The son of a senator and father of a president, Bush was the man with the golden resume who rose through the political ranks: from congressman to U.N. ambassador, Republican Party chairman to envoy to China, CIA director to two-term vice president under the hugely popular Ronald Reagan. He was first elected to Congress in 1966 and served two terms. President Richard Nixon appointed him ambassador to the United Nations, and after the 1972 election, named him chairman of the Republican National Committee. Bush struggled to hold the party together as Watergate destroyed the Nixon presidency, then became ambassador to China and CIA chief in the Ford administration. Bush made his first bid for president in 1980 and won the Iowa caucuses, but Reagan went on to win the nomination, picking Bush to be his running mate. In the 1988 presidential race, Bush trailed the Democratic nominee, Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, by as many as 17 points that summer. He did little to help himself by picking Dan Quayle, a lightly regarded junior senator from Indiana, as a running mate. But Bush soon became an aggressor, stressing patriotic themes and flailing Dukakis as an out-of-touch liberal. He carried 40 states, becoming the first sitting vice president to be elected president since Martin Van Buren in 1836. He took office with the humility that was his hallmark. 'Some see leadership as high drama, and the sound of trumpets calling, and sometimes it is that,' he said at his inauguration. 'But I see history as a book with many pages, and each day we fill a page with acts of hopefulness and meaning. The new breeze blows, a page turns, the story unfolds.' George H.W. Bush entered the White House in 1989 with a reputation as a man of indecision and indeterminate views. One news magazine suggested he was a 'wimp.' Bush, the son of a senator, joined the Republican Party in the late 1950s and quickly rose through its ranks. He is pictured while being sworn in as director of the Central Intelligence Agency under President Gerald Ford in 1976 Bush was elected as the 41st president of the United States in 1988. He is seen standing in the White House Oval Office But his work-hard, play-hard approach to the presidency won broad public approval. He held more news conferences in most months than Reagan did in most years. The Iraq crisis of 1990-91 brought out all the skills Bush had honed in a quarter-century of politics and public service, and his popularity gained as a result. After winning United Nations support and a green light from a reluctant Congress, Bush unleashed a punishing air war against Iraq and a five-day ground juggernaut that sent Iraqi forces reeling in disarray back to Baghdad. The small, oil-rich nation of Kuwait, which was freed from Iraq in in the 1991 Gulf War, offered its condolences to loved ones of the late president on Saturday. Kuwaits ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, noted Bushs efforts to 'create a new international order based on justice and equality among nations' and said Bush never 'forgot the Kuwaiti people and will remain in their memory'. After the Gulf War, Bush basked in the biggest outpouring of patriotism and pride in America's military since World War II, and his approval ratings soared to nearly 90 percent After the Gulf War, Bush basked in the biggest outpouring of patriotism and pride in America's military since World War II, and his approval ratings soared to nearly 90 percent. The other battles Bush fought as president, including a war on drugs and a crusade to make American children the best educated in the world, were not so decisively won. He rode into office pledging to make the United States a 'kinder, gentler' nation and calling on Americans to volunteer their time for good causes - an effort he said would create 'a thousand points of light.' It was Bush's violation of a different pledge, the no-new-taxes promise, that helped sink his bid for a second term. He abandoned the idea in his second year, cutting a deficit-reduction deal that angered many congressional Republicans and contributed to GOP losses in the 1990 midterm elections. An avid outdoorsman who took Theodore Roosevelt as a model, Bush sought to safeguard the environment and signed the first improvements to the Clean Air Act in more than a decade. It was activism with a Republican cast, allowing polluters to buy others' clean-air credits and giving industry flexibility on how to meet tougher goals on smog. He also signed the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act to ban workplace discrimination against people with disabilities and require improved access to public places and transportation. Bush failed to rein in the deficit, which had tripled to $3trillion under Reagan and galloped ahead by as much as $300 billion a year under Bush, who put his finger on it in his inauguration speech: 'We have more will than wallet.' Seven years of economic growth ended in mid-1990, just as the Gulf crisis began to unfold. Bush insisted the recession would be 'short and shallow,' and lawmakers did not even try to pass a jobs bill or other relief measures. Bush's true interests lay elsewhere, outside the realm of nettlesome domestic politics. 'I love coping with the problems in foreign affairs,' he told a child who asked what he liked best about being president. He operated at times like a one-man State Department, on the phone at dawn with his peers - Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union, Francois Mitterrand of France, Germany's Helmut Kohl. Communism began to crumble on his watch, with the Berlin Wall coming down, the Warsaw Pact disintegrating and the Soviet satellites falling out of orbit. He seized leadership of the NATO alliance with a bold and ultimately successful proposal for deep troop and tank cuts in Europe. Huge crowds cheered him on a triumphal tour through Poland and Hungary. Bush's invasion of Panama in December 1989 was a military precursor of the Gulf War: a quick operation with a resoundingly superior American force. But in Panama, the troops seized dictator Manuel Noriega and brought him back to the United States in chains to stand trial on drug-trafficking charges. Months after the Gulf War, Washington became engrossed in a different sort of confrontation over one of Bush's nominees to the Supreme Court. Clarence Thomas, a little-known federal appeals court judge, was accused of sexual harassment by a former colleague named Anita Hill. His confirmation hearings exploded into a national spectacle, sparking an intense debate over race, gender and the modern workplace. Thomas was eventually confirmed. In the closing days of his 1992 campaign, Bush fought the impression that he was distant and disconnected from the people In the closing days of the 1992 campaign, Bush fought the impression that he was distant and disconnected, and he seemed to struggle against the younger, more empathetic Clinton. During a campaign visit to a grocers' convention, Bush reportedly expressed amazement when shown an electronic checkout scanner. Critics seized on the moment, saying it indicated that the president had become disconnected from voters. Later at a town-hall style debate, he paused to look at his wristwatch - a seemingly innocent glance that became freighted with deeper meaning because it seemed to reinforce the idea of a bored, impatient incumbent. In the same debate, Bush became confused by a woman's question about whether the deficit had affected him personally. Clinton, with apparent ease, left his seat, walked to the edge of the stage to address the woman and offered a sympathetic answer. He lost his bid for re-election to Clinton in a campaign in which businessman H. Ross Perot took almost 19 percent of the vote as an independent candidate. Bush said the pain of losing in 1992 was eased by the warm reception he received after leaving office. 'I lost in '92 because people still thought the economy was in the tank, that I was out of touch and I didn't understand that,' he said in an AP interview shortly before the dedication of his presidential library in 1997. 'The economy wasn't in the tank, and I wasn't out of touch, but I lost. I couldn't get through this hue and cry for "change, change, change" and "The economy is horrible, still in recession".' Bush complained that media-created 'myths' gave voters a mistaken impression that he did not identify with the lives of ordinary Americans. He decided he lost because he 'just wasn't a good enough communicator.' Eight years later he would watch his son, George W, be twice elected to the presidency - only the second father-and-son chief executives, following John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Eight years after he left office, Bush Snr watched his son, George W, be twice elected to the presidency The pair became the second father-and-son chief executives in history, following John Adams and John Quincy Adams Once out of office, Bush was content to remain on the sidelines, except for an occasional speech or paid appearance and visits abroad. He backed Clinton on the North American Free Trade Agreement, which had its genesis during his own presidency. He visited the Middle East, where he was revered for his defense of Kuwait. And he returned to China, where he was welcomed as 'an old friend' from his days as the U.S. ambassador there. He later teamed with Clinton to raise tens of millions of dollars for victims of a 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean and Hurricane Katrina, which swamped New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in 2005. During their wide-ranging travels, the political odd couple grew close. 'Who would have thought that I would be working with Bill Clinton, of all people?' Bush quipped in October 2005. In his post-presidency, Bush's popularity rebounded with the growth of his reputation as a fundamentally decent and well-meaning leader who, although he was not a stirring orator or a dreamy visionary, was a steadfast humanitarian. Elected officials and celebrities of both parties publicly expressed their fondness. After Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, Bush quickly began building an international military coalition that included other Arab states. After liberating Kuwait, he rejected suggestions that the US carry the offensive to Baghdad, choosing to end the hostilities a mere 100 hours after the start of the ground war. 'That wasn't our objective,' he told The Associated Press in 2011 from his office just a few blocks from his Houston home. 'The good thing about it is there was so much less loss of human life than had been predicted and indeed than we might have feared.' But the decisive military defeat did not lead to the regime's downfall, as many in the administration had hoped. 'I miscalculated,' Bush acknowleged. His legacy was dogged for years by doubts about the decision not to remove Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi leader was eventually ousted in 2003, in the war led by Bush's son that was followed by a long, bloody insurgency. Once out of office, Bush remained in the political arena but watched mainly from the sidelines, except for an occasional speech or paid appearance and visits abroad. He and Bill Clinton grew close in the decade after they'd been in competition Bush Snr (left) watches as his son (right) gives an address following the election of 44th President Barack Obama (center) Bush approached old age with gusto, celebrating his 75th and 80th birthdays by skydiving over College Station, Texas, the home of his presidential library. He did it again on his 85th birthday in 2009, parachuting near his oceanfront home in Kennebunkport, Maine. He used his presidential library at Texas A&M University as a base for keeping active in civic life. He became the patriarch of one of the nation's most prominent political families. In addition to George W. becoming president, another son, Jeb, was elected Florida governor in 1998 and made an unsuccessful run for the GOP presidential nomination in 2016. Bush is survived by five children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two siblings. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Barbara, his second child Pauline Robinson 'Robin' Bush, and his brothers Prescott and William 'Bucky' Bush. Two masked thugs wielding a shotgun and a hammer have been caught on camera brazenly holding up a pub employee before making off with a bag of cash. CCTV footage captured the break-in at Pub Lane Tavern at Greenbank in Logan City, Queensland about 3.30am on Saturday. The dramatic video shows the two masked men enter through the front door of the licensed premises before demanding cash and making their way to a staff area. CCTV footage captured the terrifying moment when the bandits marched into Pub Lane Tavern at Greenbank in Logan City, Queensland about 3.30am on Saturday The dramatic video shows the two masked men enter through the front door of the licensed premises before demanding cash and making their way to a staff area The bandits are then seen making their way back through the tavern with a bag in hand, past the 24-year-old employee who is lying on ground, and out the front door. The two armed thugs then fled the scene in a vehicle that was parked outside with a substantial amount of money. Police investigating the armed robbery believe one of the masked bandits was wielding a hammer while the other was armed with a shotgun. The two men are similarly in appearance - about 180cm tall, medium build, wearing runners, dark coloured track pants and long-sleeved hooded jumpers. According to police, both of the men allegedly had Australian accents. No one was physically injured as a result of the robbery. Police are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage of the area around Teviot Road at the time of the robbery to come forward. Former President George H.W. Bush will be honored with a state funeral and he lie in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, it was announced on Saturday. There remains of the former president will arrive at the Capitol building at 5 pm ET on Monday, Congressional leaders said. The public will be welcome to pay their respects from 7:30 pm ET on Monday until 7 am ET on Wednesday. Scroll down for video There will be a state funeral for George H.W. Bush and Dec. 5 will be a National Day of Mourning Flags in Washington flew at half-staff on Saturday, with the U.S. Capitol dome seen in the mist President Trump and Melania Trump will attend Bush's funeral, a date for which has not been announced Bush's remains will lie on the Lincoln catafalque, so named as it was constructed for Abraham Lincoln to lie in state after his assassination in 1865. The casket is usually guarded at each of its corners by a serviceperson from each of the branches of the armed forces. The former president will have a state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral, the White House announced on Saturday, and President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend. Wednesday, Dec. 5, was declared a national day of mourning and President Trump issued an order closing the federal government that day while allowing an exemption for essential services. That will be the day of his service at the cathedral. He will be buried in Houston on Thursday. Additionally, Trump spoke with Bush's sons - former President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush - on Saturday morning to offer his condolences. 'I expressed my deepest sympathies,' the president told reporters at the G20 summit on Saturday. The president and first lady Melania Trump were notified late Thursday night of the former president's passing, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement on Saturday. Bush's funeral will take place at the Washington National Cathedral Melania attended Barbara Bush's funeral in April However, Wednesday, Dec. 5, will be a National Day of Mourning. 'The President and First Lady were notified late last night of President George H.W. Bush's passing. President Trump is scheduled to speak with President George W. Bush this morning and offer his condolences on behalf of himself, the First Lady, and the entire country,' Sanders said. 'A state funeral is being arranged with all of the accompanying support and honors. The President will designate Wednesday, December 5th as a National Day Of Mourning. He and the First Lady will attend the funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.' The 41st president of the United States, Bush, 93, died just eight months after the loss of his wife Barbara, whom he had been married to for 73 years. The funeral will take place in the same cathedral where the late Sen. John McCain's memorial service was held in September. McCain was also the last person to lie in state in the Capitol building, a honor accorded to former presidents and former lawmakers. The Trumps were pointedly not invited to that event although Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump attended. Melania Trump attended Barbara Bush's funeral in April. State funerals typically involve a military presence, ceremonial pomp, and religious observance. Bush, who is the last veteran to serve as president, will be expected to receive full military honors. The last state funeral at the cathedral was the late Sen. John McCain's in October State funerals, like Sen. McCain's above, have a heavy military presence; as the last veteran to serve as president, Bush's likely will too President Trump and Melania Trump were not invited to McCain's funeral but Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner (above) were In an official proclamation announcing the former president's death, Trump ordered flags on all public buildings, grounds and military vessels to be at half-staff for 30 days after Bush's death. The president was criticized for not offering a similar offer to McCain, when the senator died in August. Trump also officially ordered the National Day of Mourning and called on the public to 'assemble on that day in their respective places of worship' to honor the late president. 'NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, in honor and tribute to the memory of President George H.W. Bush, and as an expression of public sorrow, do hereby direct that the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions for a period of 30 days from the day of his death,' Trump proclaimed. 'I also direct that, for the same length of time, the representatives of the United States in foreign countries shall make similar arrangements for the display of the flag at halfstaff over their embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.' 'I hereby order that suitable honors be rendered by units of the Armed Forces under orders of the Secretary of Defense.' 'I do further appoint December 5, 2018, as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States. I call on the American people to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President George H.W. Bush. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance,' his proclamation read. President Trump also praised Bush as a 'high quality' man who 'loved his family.' 'He was a very fine man. I met him on numerous occasions. He was just a high-quality man who truly loved his family. One thing that came through loud and clear was that he was very proud of his family. And he very much loved his family. He was a terrific guy and he'll be missed and he led a full life and a very exemplary life too,' the president said at the G20 summit. Trump, in an official proclamation, ordered flags at half-staff Trump and Bush pose for a photo at a Waldorf Astoria event when Trump was a real estate mogul who hadn't yet stepped into the world of politics and Bush was a VP hopeful in April 1988 The leader's morning tweet said he 'led a long, successful and beautiful life' Trump, 72, tweeted about the former president, mentioning their time spent together, Bush's pride in his family, and the American leader's accomplishments. 'President George H.W. Bush led a long, successful and beautiful life,' he posted on Twitter Saturday. 'Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all!' Trump met Bush at a campaign event when the late American leader was a Vice President hopeful in April 1988. The pair posed for a photo at a Waldorf Astoria event when Trump was a real estate mogul who hadn't yet stepped into the world of politics. On Friday night Trump praised the 41st president's 'essential authenticity,' 'disarming wit,' 'unwavering commitment to faith' and said he always 'set the bar higher' early on Saturday morning. 'Melanie and I join with a grieving Nation to mourn the loss of former President George HW Bush, who passed away last night,' Trump wrote. Trump and Bush did not have the best relationship. In July, at a campaign rally in Montana, Trump took a mocked Bush's signature phrase 'a thousand points of lights' from the 1988 presidential campaign. 'What the hell was that, by the way, thousand points of light? What did that mean? Does anyone know,' said Trump. 'I know one thing: Make America Great Again, we understand. Putting America first, we understand. Thousand points of light, I never quite got that one.' Former first lady Laura Bush, former President George W. Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State and first lady Hilary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, former President George H. W. Bush, former first lady Michelle Obama and current first lady Melania Trump pose for a group photo at the funeral ceremony for the late first lady Barbara Bush The 41st president of the United States, Bush, 93, died just eight months after the loss of his wife Barbara, whom he had been married to for 73 years (pictured together at a 2006 event) A date for President George H.W. Bush's funeral has yet to be announced The elder Bush did support Trump's candidacy - Bush's son Jeb lost to Trump in the 2016 Republican primary - and was reported to have voted for Hillary Clinton. Additionally, Bush called Trump a 'blowhard' in a book about him and his son, fellow former President, George W Bush. In historian Mark Updegrove's book titled 'The Last Republicans,' H.W. said of Trump, 'He's a blowhard.' His son, 43rd President George W Bush, joined his dad in criticizing Trump. 'This guy doesn't know what it means to be president,' he said. Trump hit back at the time, through a statement made to CNN by a White House official. 'If one presidential candidate can disassemble a political party, it speaks volumes about how strong a legacy its past two presidents really had,' the official said. 'And that begins with the Iraq war, one of the greatest foreign policy mistakes in American history.' That was all forgotten on Saturday though, when Trump took to Twitter to deliver a message of condolence for the loss of 41. 'Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service - to be, in his words, 'a thousand points of light' illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world,' Trump said. 'President Bush always found a way to set the bar higher,' the current president went on to say. 'As a young man, he captained the Yale baseball team, and then went on to serve as the youngest aviator in the United States Navy during the Second World War. Later in life, he rose to the pinnacle of American politic as a Congressman from Texas, envoy to China, Director of Central Intelligence, Vice President of eight years to President Ronald Reagan, and finally President of the United States. 'With sound judgment, common sense and unflappable leadership, President Bush guided our Nation, and the world, to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War. As President, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed. And through all that he accomplished, he remained humble, following the quiet call to service that gave him a clear sense of direction. 'Along with his full life of service to country, we will remember President Bush for his devotion to family - especially the love of his life, Barbara. His example lives on, and will continue to stir future Americans to pursue a greater cause. Our hearts ache with his his loss, and we, with the American people, send our prayers to the entire Bush family, as we honor the life and legacy of 41.' While some former leaders including John F. Kennedy (left) and Ronald Reagan (right, with George H.W. Bush) were honoured with a state ceremony in Washington in a process steeped in tradition, others families have chosen to eschew the pomp and ceremony of the event While Bush's body will likely lie in state in the US capitol, he will be buried alongside his beloved wife, who died in April this year, aged 92 Traditionally five days in length, presidential state funerals are meticulously choreographed and involve a large amount of protocol. John F. Kennedy's funeral in November 1963 was modeled after Abraham Lincoln's, as requested by his wife Jacqueline Kennedy in her first public statement after her husband's assassination. The rich tradition of US state funerals Traditionally five days long, the ceremony involves a funeral procession in in the state capitol, while a presidential proclamation will be issued allowing for the flag outside of the White House, and all other governmental buildings, to be flown at half-mast. On the day of interment for a president, a 21-gun salute traditionally is fired starting at noon at all military installations. State leaders from around the world are invited to the service and burial, while there is the option for a funeral procession down Pennsylvania Avenue. Eight presidents have opted for this including the four who were assassinated in office. Advertisement Richard Nixon's wishes were to hold a simple service at the Nixon Library in California, after which he was buried alongside his late wife Patricia. Coordination for the events is conducted by the army's Military District of Washington and former presidents will have given some indication toward their preference while in office and following their administration. While Bush's body will likely lie in state in the US capitol, he will be buried alongside his beloved wife, who died in April this year, aged 92. That will be at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Texas. Barbara's grave was opened to visitors three weeks after her burial, prompting visitors from all over the country to pay their final respects. For nearly 80 years, the couple had been side-by-side, supporting one another through good times, and bad, facing spectacular triumphs and heartbreaking sadness together. 'Still in love with the man I married 72 years ago,' Barbara said of her incredible relationship with George shortly before she passed away at their home in Houston on April 14. The pair met early on Saturday morning on the sidelines of the G20 summit Merkel expressed concern over the escalation of violence in the Kerch Strait This is the moment Angela Merkel appeared to scowl at Donald Trump during a tense meeting at the G20 Summit today. The two world leaders have clashed on trade, the European Union and Nato during Trump's time in the White House, and the pair appeared unhappy as they sat down together in Buenos Aires. Trump was scheduled to talk trade and other prominent international issues with Merkel, a leader he said is 'highly respected by everybody, including me'. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia will be high on the agenda, as will Putin's violation of a landmark nuclear arms treaty deal which the US plans to exit. Angela Merkel looks less than impressed with Donald Trump during a meeting at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires President Donald Trump, right, listens as Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, speaking to media about the death of former President George H. W. Bush U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend a meeting during the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires The pair shook hands as Trump said Merkel was a 'highly respected by everybody, including me' Merkel has come under pressure after Trump questioned traditional trans-Atlantic ties with his announcements of trade tariffs. The German Chancellor has walked a tight-rope between criticising some of Trump's decisions and emphasising the relationship with Washington which is central to her government. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also voiced concerns with Russian President Vladimir Putin over a military flare up in Ukraine at breakfast on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The pair were all smiles as they shook hands before sitting down to a business breakfast on Saturday morning in Buenos Aires, Argentina. But Putin is facing growing pressure from the West as he ramps up his military action in Ukraine. Merkel's spokesman says the German leader expressed concern about rising tensions in the Kerch Strait off Crimea and pushed for 'freedom of shipping into the Sea of Azov' at their breakfast meeting. Scroll down for video Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) shakes hands with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel (right) as they sat down to an early breakfast before meeting with other leaders at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Saturday According to Angela Merkel's spokesman she expressed concern about rising tensions in the Kerch Strait off Crimea and pushed for 'freedom of shipping into the Sea of Azov' at their breakfast meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives after her breakfast with Vladimir Putin for a bilateral meeting on the final day of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives at the G20 conference centre for a meeting with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the full session on Saturday morning President Vladimir Putin in discussion with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan (not seen) after his early morning breakfast with Angela Merkel US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel sit down together at the summit on Saturday morning Donald Trump and Angela Merkel shake hands as they attend a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit The German and US leaders smile as they shake hands for the cameras at their meeting on Saturday The pair also discussed the Syrian conflict, according to the spokesman, Steffen Seibert. French President Emmanuel Macron was also said to have had a sideline discussion with Putin over recent events in the Crimea, according to the Russian President's spokesman. They both implored Putin to free the sailors who were captured when their ships were seized by the Russians. On Friday Ukraine barred Russians of combat age from entering the country as martial law was declared after Russia fired at and seized three Ukrainian naval ships off Crimea last weekend. President Donald trump cancelled his meeting with the Russian President just an hour after he said he would be meeting with him, citing concerns over manoeuvres in the Kerch Strait. The move was applauded in Kiev as the Russian rouble slumped with the markets showing volatility over fears of fresh sanctions. The Russian interpretation of the cancellation, however, echoed that of some of Trump's critics at home, who noted the move came amid new challenges for Trump in the probe into Russia's alleged role in his 2016 election campaign. In a further boost to Ukraine, the EU released 500 million euros in financial backing and European Council President Donald Tusk predicted Brussels would continue sanction on Russia at a summit in mid-December. Angela Merkel and Donald Trump exchange words before members of the press at a bilateral discussion President Donald Trump talks to reporters as Angela Merkel sits back in her chair and watches Angela Merkel attends the final session of the G20 summit, as she listens attentively through interpreter headphones Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MbS) takes his seat at the full session of the leaders on the final day of the G20 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during the plenary session of the G20 summit, at which all of the leaders attend to hold talks French President Emmanuel Macron (standing) jokes with Argentina's President Mauricio Macri (seated) as he arrives to take his seat at the final meeting Argentina's first lady Juliana Awada (right) welcomes U.S. first lady Melania Trump (left) at the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires during the leaders summit this morning Argentina's first lady Juliana Awada (left) welcomes U.S. first lady Melania Trump (right) at the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires on Saturday morning The EU has propped up Ukraine's war-scarred economy since the Crimea annexation while prodding the pro-Western authorities to pass reforms and tackle corruption. 'Europe is united in its support to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is why I am sure that the EU will roll over the sanctions against Russia in December,' Tusk told a news conference in Argentina. British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday said London would push for 'appropriate sanctions' and called on Russia to release the Ukrainian vessels and crew. The United States and the EU have imposed sanctions on Russia since 2014, when Moscow annexed Crimea after a pro-Russian leader was toppled in Kiev. But despite global tensions increasing, today - after all-night talks at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires - European diplomats claimed to have reached a possible 'breakthrough' on fixing the global trading system. Despite deep divisions going into the summit and resistance from the United States, European Union officials were optimistic and said countries were making progress on a final statement that will acknowledge problems with the World Trade Organization but commit to reforming it. Russia's President Vladimir Putin (centre) and Russia's Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin (right) at the 2018 G20 summit China's President Xi Jinping attends the plenary session at the G20; he is expected to meet President Donald Trump later in the day Chiles President Sebastian Pinera (centre) during the plenary session on the second day of the G20 summit The US was the main holdout on nearly every issue, officials claimed. With trade tensions between the US and China dominating, the Europeans sought to play mediator. They also scaled back their expectations, cutting out mention of rising protectionism - mainly aimed at Trump - and agreeing to language on climate that says 19 leaders support the Paris climate accord and international efforts to reduce emissions, but the US doesn't. The six-page draft statement says the 20 countries support the international trading system but acknowledge that the current system doesn't work and needs fixing, via reform of the WTO. The European diplomats called this the 'main breakthrough.' China's President Xi Jinping (left) and France's President Emmanuel Macron (right) shake hands during a bilateral meeting on the final day of the conference Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez greets South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday morning India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for a bilateral meeting on the final day of the G20 summit Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (left) shakes hands with the Managing Director the International Money Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde (right) at the final day of talks On climate, the statement notes a recent UN report that warned damage from global warming will be much worse than previously feared, and expresses support for an upcoming U.N. climate meeting in Poland meant to nail down how countries will meet promises made in the Paris accord. On migration, the US negotiator said too much talk about migration would have been a 'deal-breaker' for Trump, the European officials said. So they came up with 'minimalist' language that acknowledges growing migrant flows and the importance of shared efforts to support refugees and solve the problems that drive them to flee. The statement also shows a commitment to a 'rules-based international order,' despite Trump's rejection of many of those rules. 'There were moments when we thought all was lost,' one European official said, 'moments when we spent two hours on one sentence.' The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing closed-door discussions. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) posing with President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (right) and President of European Council Donald Tusk (left) at the G20 summit Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit Spouses of the G20 leaders met at the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires while the leaders' meeting is taking place US First lady Melania Trump (front centre), Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's spouse Akie Abe (front left), Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan (front right) and European Council President Donald Tusk's spouse Malgorzata Tusk (back left), gather at a museum on Saturday morning Perhaps surprisingly, one country that was seen as particularly constructive was Russia, the officials said. Despite tensions over its military actions on Ukraine and political interference abroad, Russia supports international efforts on trade and climate. Saturday will also see a highly anticipated meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose nations have been embroiled in an escalating trade war with new U.S. tariffs on China goods set to take effect a month from now. 'The trade war between the United States and China does not favor international commerce. ... A fight between two big players does not benefit,' said Dante Sica, Argentina's minister of production and labor. 'If they are able to begin to agree, it would be a good signal that would reduce the impacts on international commerce.' The divisions among the world's leading economies were evident from the moment Argentina's president opened the summit Friday with a call for international cooperation to solve the planet's problems. On Friday, a U.S. official said progress was being made on the joint statement and the White House was 'optimistic' about the document as a whole. A 75-year-old patient died in agonizing pain after she was accidentally administered a fatal dose of the wrong medication last year in Tennessee. The horrific mix-up has led the unidentified victim's family to file a wrongful death suit and launched an investigation into Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee. The deadly mistake took place on December 26, 2017 when a nurse, who remains unidentified, was treating a patient who was admitted to the hospital for headaches, swelling of the brain, vision loss, and other related symptoms. A 75-year-old female patient died in agonizing pain after she was accidentally administered a fatal dose of execution drug Vecuronium on December 26, 2017 (stock image above) The victim was stable and was scheduled for a PET scan. Prior to the scan a physician ordered she be served two milligrams of Versed, a drug used to treat anxiety, according to Fox17. But the nurse accidentally gave the patient 10milligrams of Vecuronium, which is used as a muscle relaxant during surgeries. It's also used as a part of lethal injection drug cocktail for prisoners sentenced to death to paralyze inmates and stop their breathing. 'The nurse who went to retrieve the Versed in this case instead retrieved the lethal injection drug. Its the drug used in the lethal injection protocol in Tennessee and other states to execute murderers and serial killers,' Brian Manookian, the Nashville attorney handling the case, said to WSMV. The nurse reportedly had difficulty finding Versed in the medical cabinet and retrieved the bottle of Vecuronium after typing the first two letters 'VE' into the hospital's computer system. The patient was moved to the PET machine right after she received the drug so her symptoms went unnoticed. The paralytic drug likely kept the patient conscious as she endured pain. The dose was so large that she suffered cardiac arrest leading to her death several days later. 'She would have fully experienced torturous, searing pain as her lungs shut down and she was unable to verbalize what was occurring being fully awake and aware the entire time,' Manookian said. Another nurse at the hospital flagged the medication error the same day and doctors were then informed of the mistake. The patient was treated for another day before she was deemed beyond help and brain dead and taken off a breathing machine. She then died the following day, two days after the drug was administered, according to the Tennessean. And according to a report, the incident was never reported to the Tennessee Department of health. The fatal error led to an investigation by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which could have potentially cut the Medicare insurance program from the hospital. The patient's family launched a wrongful death suit, according to The Sun. An onsite survey was conducted from October 31 to November 8 of this year. The horrific incident took place at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee and led to an investigation by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 'She would have fully experienced torturous, searing pain as her lungs shut down and she was unable to verbalize what was occurring being fully awake and aware the entire time,' attorney Brian Manookian said The survey found 'the hospital failed to ensure all patients received care in a safe setting and staff followed standards of practice and utilized their nursing skills and training to ensure the correct medications were administered to all patients'. Furthermore the survey found the hospital 'failed to ensure patients were free from neglect', according to the report. Now the hospital must submit a 'plan of correction' to prevent similar mistakes from happening. Vanderbilt released a statement in light of the survey. 'In reviewing the event at the time it happened, we identified that the error occurred because a staff member had bypassed multiple safety mechanisms that were in place to prevent such errors. We disclosed the error to the patients family as soon as we confirmed that an error had occurred, and immediately took necessary corrective actions (including appropriate personnel actions),' John Howser, Chief Communications Officer of VUMC, said. 'We will continue to work closely with representatives of Tennessee Department of Health and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assure that any remaining concerns are fully resolved within the specified time frame,' he added. George Herbert Walker Bush, America's 41st president, has died. Bush had also been a World War II hero, Texas congressman, Central Intelligence Agency director and Ronald Reagan's vice president. Son George W. Bush likewise described his fellow USA president and father as a "man of the highest character". He was also the father to George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States. Bush's passing comes just months after the death in April of his wife and revered first lady Barbara Bush - his "most beloved woman in the world" - to whom he was married for 73 years. Funeral arrangements of the veteran Republican leader will be announced soon, media reports said. He became a wheelchair user after he was diagnosed with a form of Parkinson's disease and he also struggled with bronchitis in 2013. In a statement from his office, Bush was described as a naval aviator, oil pioneer and the nation's 41st president. George H.W. Bush enlisted in the Navy on his 18th birthday in 1942, right out of prep school. He had to ditch one plane in the Pacific and was shot down on September 2, 1944, while completing a bombing run against a Japanese radio tower. A submarine rescued him. An Egyptian actress could face five years in jail after appearing on the red carpet wearing a see-through dress that showed off her legs. Rania Youssef attended the closing ceremony of a film festival in Cairo on Thursday wearing a black leotard with a transparent over-dress embellished with a sequined criss-cross pattern and a bow belt. Youssef, who is in her 30s, has now been charged with public obscenity and is set to stand trial on January 12 following a complaint by a group of lawyers to the chief prosecutor. Rania Youssef, who attended the closing ceremony of a film festival in Cairo on Thursday, has been charged with public obscenity Youssef wore a a black leotard with a transparent over-dress embellished with a sequined criss-cross pattern The actress could five up to five years in prison if she is convicted. Egypt, which has a population of 100 million, is a conservative country with a Muslim majority. The Arab country has retained some secularism despite decades of growing religious conservatism. This comes after an Egyptian novelist was convicted on charge of obscenity in 2016 for referencing sex and drugs in his book. Youssef (pictured left) receives the best actress award from Egyptian Minister of Culture Mohamed Saber Arab for her role in the film 'One who's True' Youssef, who is in her 30's, is set to stand trial on January 12 following a complaint by a group of lawyers to the chief prosecutor The actress could five up to five years in prison if she is convicted of public obscenity He was sentenced to two years in prison, sparking outrage amongst human rights activists. He was soon released after 120 prominent writers and artists, including Woody Allen, signed a letter demanding his release. His sentence was suspended following an appeal to a Cairo court. Advertisement Christmas shoppers are braving the rain as heavy downpours and gale-force winds batter the United Kingdom, with more on the horizon - and even snow forecast for next week. Brollies were out on London's Oxford Street today, with people determined to make the most of their weekend despite the inclement weather. Raincoats were on and hoods were up as the rain drenched shoppers from the early hours, with the Met Office predicting no let up for the rest of the weekend. Christmas shoppers braved London's Oxford Street today (pictured), despite the wet weather and strong winds. Brollies and raincoats were on with people determined to make the most of their weekend As the rain fell on London's Oxford Street, puddles formed on the ground leaving eager shoppers having to jump across them to avoid getting their shoes wet. The Met Office is predicting the wet weather to continue over the weekend, and is even forecasting some snow for next week Raincoats were on and hoods up as Londoners got out and about despite the wet and windy weather. Rain is set to spread from the south west of England across the rest of the UK tonight - bringing a damp start to Sunday The wet weather didn't stop people getting on with their shopping (left), or going about their usual weekend business (right). Puddles formed on London's Oxford Street this morning as heavy rain and strong winds battered the UK Alex Burkill, meteorologist at the Met Office, told MailOnline: 'Most places will see some rain tonight, but the worse will be in the south west of England where it will be heavy. 'Despite this temperatures will remain above average across the country with some places seeing highs of around 12C to 13C, which is around 6C more than usual.' This further rain will move from the south west across most areas overnight. However, northern Scotland will escape most of this - staying largely dry with some frost. Tomorrow morning, as people start to wake up the weather will become a lot drier. Although it will still remain windy in the south. Temperatures again, Mr Burkill said: 'Will remain above average, with a few places hitting double figures overnight.' This will continue on Monday with bright spells and showers across the country. Any rain is likely only to affect Wales and southwest England. As people open the first day on their advent calendars, the weather this weekend is looking pretty grim - with rain set to continue until early on Monday morning The Met Office is predicting a very wet evening for southern England tonight (pictured), with rain forecast for the vast majority of the area On Monday night, however, temperatures will start to become a lot cooler and will herald the start of some potentially snowy weather. Mr Burkill said: 'Monday night will be a relatively clear night, and as a result of the general temperature will be a lot colder. Heavy rain fell over much of the United Kingdom this morning (pictured), leaving people having to crack out their raincoats and brollies 'At the same time, wet weather will start to spread from the south west and when it hits the colder air some snow is likely to fall on higher ground. 'This is only likely to fall in the Pennines and Hebrides and temperatures will becomes milder again soon after this.' Asked what the next couple of weeks holds in store for the UK, Mr Burkill said that temperatures will continue to be above average only turning colder in the latter half of December. The Met Office long range forecast is indeed predicting an unsettled festive period with wet and windy weather affecting all areas of the UK. According to the long-range prediction: 'This will bring heavy rain and gales or severe gales, with a chance that it may even turn stormy at times. 'Overall, it is likely to be mild across much of the country with snow tending to be confined to hills in the north. However, in any drier interludes it will turn colder.' As Advent got underway, many were tempted to get some of their Christmas shopping done early. They had to bring their brollies though, as wet weather hit much of the country including London's Oxford Street (pictured) There were a number of umbrellas out in London today, as locals were determined to get outdoors despite the wet weather. After this weekend however, the weather is expected to turn a lot drier There was a gorgeous sunrise in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside this morning, ahead of a wet start for many across the country However, it is still too far to accurately predict conditions on the big day, although bookmakers have slashed odds on a White Christmas, with Ladbrokes claiming there was a 6/5 chance of a dusting of snow in Aberdeen or 9/2 for London. However, Storm Diana which has been battering the country with 80mph winds has already claimed several lives. But while temperatures at the start of December normally average 9-10C (48-50F), it could reach 15C (59F) in central and southern areas on Sunday. The family of the 'Yorkshire Ripper' who was strangled to death before dumped in a park have pleaded with Peter Sutcliffe to confess to the crime before he dies in jail. Gloria Booth, 29, was strangled to death and dumped near naked in a park in Ruislip, West London, in June 1971. At the time police did not connect the murder to Peter Sutcliffe but Gloria's sister, Elsie Cowen, 62, came forward in 2014 and said she believed he was responsible. Gloria Booth (left), 29, was strangled to death and dumped near naked in a park in Ruislip, West London, in June 1971. At the time police did not connect the murder to Peter Sutcliffe but Gloria's sister, Elsie Cowen (right), 62, came forward in 2014 and claimed he was responsible Cousin Sheila Brown, 63, told the Sun: 'There is strong evidence linking the Yorkshire Ripper to Gloria's murder. 'I am 100 per cent convinced that Sutcliffe killed Gloria in the most horrible way. The police are effectively letting him get away with murder.' Gloria's young sister Elsie, 67, added: ' I fear the police have forgotten Gloria's case because it's more than 40-years ago. 'Gloria would have been 77 years old this year and she is never forgotten. Her murder stays with our family and we think about her often.' When she was found, Gloria had been viciously attacked. A post-mortem suggested she had been lying face-down for at least half an hour after she was hit over the head, garotted and mutilated. Then her body was posed: her bra and blouse had been pushed up to reveal her breasts and she had several nasty-looking wounds to the abdomen evidence that the crime was far from a 'typical' rape. In all, the murder of Gloria Booth showed eight of the 11 often-seen characteristics of the Ripper's MO, more than any of the murders he admitted Sutcliffe used a knotted garotte on his last two 'official' victims and was carrying a 3ft length of knotted nylon rope when he was finally caught in January 1981. The partial removal of Gloria's clothing was similar to the staging noted in all of the murders for which Sutcliffe was eventually convicted. The mutilation of her pubic region had a strong parallel with several acknowledged murders. And police discovered distinctive bite marks as found in at least one other murder made by a man with the same gap in his front teeth as Sutcliffe. In all, the murder of Gloria Booth showed eight of the 11 often-seen characteristics of the Ripper's MO, more than any of the murders he admitted. The uncanny parallels between the deaths of Gloria Booth, Jackie Ansell-Lamb and Barbara Mayo and the known victims of the Yorkshire Ripper are far more than a coincidence. Individually, the aspects of the Ripper's MO are rare; together, they make it extremely unlikely that the killer was anyone else than Sutcliffe. Yet all remain unsolved. A Harvard student was advised to move out of her Massachusetts accommodation after her roommates complained they felt uncomfortable with her legally owning two guns that she kept in her bedroom. Leyla Pirnie, 24, is currently in a battle with her peers and landlord, claiming she should not have to incur additional expenses as a result of being asked to leave, when she is fully within her right to bear firearms. In an October letter to their property manager, the roommates asked for mediation after Pirnie allegedly agreed to go but later decided to stay. However Pirnie is appalled the group searched her private space to find the weapons after becoming suspicious when they saw she owned a Make America Great Again cap. Leyla Pirnie's roommates searched her room and found that she keeps guns in their student accommodation. The anxious students wrote to the landlord asking for mediation Pirnie is appalled the group searched private belongings in her room to find the weapons 'A few weeks ago, I came back to my apartment from a weekend trip and was confronted by one of my roommates who asked if I had guns in the house,' she told the Free Beacon. 'After being told far too many lies to count, my roommates finally admitted that they searched my closet, under my bed, and all of my drawers in pursuit of finding my guns. 'When I asked them why they were in my room to begin with, they each came up with completely contradicting stories (none of which made any sense), but one comment struck me in particular: "We saw that you had a MAGA hat and come on, you're from Alabama so we just kind of assumed that you had something".' Although her recently-deleted LinkedIn profile showed she was in Fairhope High School's class of 2009 and graduated from the University of Alabama where she studied International Relation and Affairs, French and Political Science, her also vanished Facebook page said she was from Izmir, Turkey, reports Heavy.com. The students wrote to the landlord asking for mediation stating that the Harvard student agreed to move out but later changed her mind. The students said in the communication they were comfortable with her staying if Pirnie secures the guns in a 'safe or container'. They became suspicious she may have firearms after noticing she had a MAGA hat, according to Pirnie Pirnie says she owns guns because she was in a physically abusive relationship when she was an undergraduate student 'What I find uncomfortable is coming home to find out that six people I barely know went into my bedroom without permission and went through every single one of my drawers, without any regard to my privacy whatsoever,' Pirnie said to the Free Beacon. Law enforcement checked that Pirnie had taken the necessary safety measures to have guns on the campus but it's not clear what those precautions are as the group later complained they still did not feel comfortable. In a letter from Avid Management President Lewis, he noted the checks and that one tenant in particular felt especially anxious after a traumatic event. The students said Pirnie agreed to move out but later changed her mind in October Lewis mentioned in a letter that of Pirnie's six roommates, a Parisian female named Aurelie, suffers from PTSD after her friend was recently killed in a shooting in France The Parisian female named Aurelie suffers from PTSD after her friend was recently killed in a shooting in France, the landlord claimed in the communication. The students felt uncomfortable with the legal firearms on the property in case someone broke in and used it or it was accidentally fired. 'Since it's clear that Leyla wants to keep her firearms, it would be best for all parties if she finds another place to live,' Lewis typed in the letter. Landlord Dave Lewis said he suggested Pirnie leave because she would have to pay for the vacant rooms of the students who would leave But Pirnie says she owns guns because she was in a physically abusive relationship when she was an undergraduate student. 'My landlord's e-mail, though carefully crafted, showed tremendous prejudice against my right to legally have firearms. 'Nobody has bothered to question, 'Well, why do you want to have protection? Could it be because you've experienced something where you need to protect yourself as you see fit?' I have a real and legitimate reason as to why I want to protect myself.' When Pirnie and her father refused to disrupt her preparation for finals exams with a relocation, the landlord warned she may have a hefty bill on her hands if she couldn't find replacements for all roommates quickly. He explained his reasoning behind suggesting she found a better suited apartment was to avoid a financial burden. 'If the other roommates were to move out, Leyla would need to find roommates to share the place or foot the entire $6000+ monthly rent herself,' Lewis wrote in an email to the family. 'Obviously it would be much easier for the others to stay and just fill one room (and I'm confidentwere this to happenthat the remaining housemates will release Leyla from any further responsibility under the lease) and that's why I proposed what I did.' The group said they were comfortable with the Harvard student staying if she secures the guns in a 'safe or container' but still felt uncomfortable after checks from law enforcement Pirnie delete her LinkedIn and Facebook profile recently but some of her public activities are still searchable Before she got rid of the social media page, her profile stated that she joined Harvard in September, according to Heavy.com. Some of her previous public activity is still visible in searches and indicate she is of the Christian faith. While her Twitter account shows it was suspended, her last activity appears to have been in 2015. Now Pirnie feels she is being 'threatened' out of the apartment. 'Not only is this a blatant violation of my privacy, but it's also a violation of my rights,' she added to the Free Beacon. A mother-of-two has racked up medical bills of 35,000 after her father spent three months in a Turkish hospital when he fell off his mobility scooter. Jackie Nicholson - who had holiday insurance - says she lost her job in the UK after the freak accident in Marmaris, Turkey, which tragically led to her father's death. Their trip in August turned into a nightmare when former pub landlord Joe, 68, fell off his mobility scooter and broke his hip after hitting the kerb. Although an operation to fix Joe's hip was successful, Jackie says he caught pneumonia and spent the next few months sliding in and out of consciousness. Jackie Nicholson has been left with medical bills of 35,000 after her father Joe (pictured together) spent three months in a Turkish hospital when he fell off his mobility scooter Three months after the fall, and still in hospital, Joe suffered multiple organ failure and died on November 21. Jackie, 34, from North Shields, is still in Marmaris and is 'desperate' to return home. Speaking to ChronicleLive from Turkey, she said: 'I've hit rock bottom. I'm desperate and I don't know what to do. I've not got a penny to my name.' Paying tribute to her dad, she added: 'He was so lush and was my whole world.' Before going on holiday Jackie secured insurance with a travel company, which paid the 13,000 operation fee. However, Jackie claims it is not paying the 35,000 worth of treatment Joe received after the operation. She says the firm said a long-standing medical problem was not disclosed, which Jackie denies. As well as her own flights, Jackie was initially struggling to fund the 2,900 cost to get her dad's body flown home. Ms Nicholson is now trying to find the money to fly back to the UK and says she has lost her job. Pictured is a letter from Ahu Hospital, where Joe was treated, explaining the medical costs However, she says the insurance company agreed to give her the cash on the condition she pays back 1,400 of it. Joe's body has now arrived in Manchester but Jackie is still in Turkey trying to raise money to book her own journey home by next week. The mum-of-two says staying with her father in Turkey has resulted in her losing her job as a desk clerk in a taxi office, meaning she has no income. It has also meant she has not seen her 14-year-old and six-year-old sons in months. 'I speak to them every night on FaceTime, but it's not the same', she said. Jackie said the time her father spent in Ahu Hospital was an emotionally turbulent period as his health fluctuated regularly. She said: 'His condition got worse then it got better then it got worse again. He was put on a life support machine for a while and went into a coma. 'I had to say goodbye to him about three times but each time he managed to get better. 'On the weekend before he died he seemed fine and was talking to me. But all of his organs just packed in and he died at about 9.30pm that night [November 21].' The hotel Jackie has been staying at has sympathised with her situation and given her a room at a heavily discounted price, she said. She has also been given some money by her cousin and a family friend but neither can afford to pay the cost of her flights home. Jackie has been liaising with an independent medical assistance company acting under delegated authority from the insurer. The insurer has declined to comment, citing privacy reasons. President Donald Trump cancelled a scheduled press conference at the G20 on Saturday, writing in a tweet that it was done 'out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George H.W. Bush.' But the president has many questions to answer about his domestic and foreign affairs. Tropics likely to come up include what he as accomplished during his time here, including the status of critical trade negotiations with China, his relationships with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman at his meetings here plus there remain many questions to answer about his business deals, including the new guilty plea from his former personal attorney Michael Cohen and the questions he answered from special counsel Robert Mueller. The president told reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that he would hold a press conference after Bush's funeral. 'We decided, as you know, we were going to have a big press conference today, which I actually looked forward to because we made tremendous progress at the G20 with many nations and we were going to have a very big press conference and, out of respect for President Bush, we've cancelled here and we'll have it back in Washington sometime in the near future, after the funeral service' he said. President Trump cancelled his press conference scheduled for Saturday at the G20 Trump said it was done out of respect for the Bush family in the wake of the death of former President George W. Bush The president had announced the cancellation in tweets earlier in the day. 'I was very much looking forward to having a press conference just prior to leaving Argentina because we have had such great success in our dealing with various countries and their leaders at the G20.... ....However, out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George H.W. Bush we will wait until after the funeral to have a press conference,' he wrote in a pair of tweets on Saturday morning. But the optics that would come out of Saturday's press conference would likely not paint the White House in a good light. There are the personal problems that have consumed the president's thoughts and twitter account while he's been here. Trump began his first day at the G20 summit defending his business dealings and casting himself as a victim of Mueller in a series of tweets. 'Oh, I get it! I am a very good developer, happily living my life, when I see our Country going in the wrong direction (to put it mildly). Against all odds, I decide to run for President & continue to run my business-very legal & very cool, talked about it on the campaign trail... ....Lightly looked at doing a building somewhere in Russia. Put up zero money, zero guarantees and didn't do the project. Witch Hunt!,' the president wrote in a pair of tweets on Friday morning. President Trump, in a Saturday meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said he would hold a press conference after the late President Bush was buried Trump has little to tout from his G20 session; he's seen here with his fellow world leaders in their photo with spouses His Twitter blast came after Cohen admitted to lying to lawmakers about about his business talks withRussia during the 2016 campaign. Trump has been in a defense posture since Cohen's latest plea deal was revealed on Thursday. Adding to the pressure are reports that name his daughter Ivanka Trump and son Donald Trump Jr. as being more involved in looking at the Trump Tower Moscow project than previously revealed. The Trump Tower project in Moscow never got off the ground, but the Trump Organization didn't shelve it until June 2016, long after the future president had locked up the GOP's White House nomination. One detail in the Cohen case could be especially damaging to the president: Mueller's team charged that Cohen had promised Trump would visit Moscow personally to pitch the building project, but not until after the 2016 Republican National Convention when he would have the security of being the GOP's presidential nominee. Cohen admitted falsely telling House and Senate Intelligence Committee investigators earlier this year that the Moscow project didn't extend past January 2016. The president would likely be asked about all of this at his presser. He also does not have a lot to announced after nearly two days at the G20. Even before he arrived one of his major meetings - with Putin - was cancelled and two other meetings with U.S. allies were down graded to 'pull asides' - a term for more information conversations. The press conference was scheduled before his dinner meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday night, leading to questions about why the administration would hold such an event before the dinner, where a trade deal was to be discussed. Trump has remained optimistic that a trade deal can be reached with Beijing but no concrete details have emerged. 'Were working very hard. If we can make a deal thatd be good. I think they want to, and I think wed like to,' he told reporters during a meeting with Japan's Shinzo Abe. 'Theres some good signs. Well see what happens.' But he also said as he was leaving the White House on Thursday for Buenos Aires that he's 'open' to an agreement with China, but he'd be content with the 'deal' that's already in place between the nations, in an apparent reference to the $250 billion in tariffs he's slapped on the rival power since June. National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow had warned this week that 'certain conditions have to be met with respect to fairness and reciprocities' in order for an a detente to be reached. 'The president said, there is a good possibility that we can make a deal,' Kudlow told White House reporters said at a televised briefing on Tuesday outlining the goals of the United States at the G20. 'But on the other hand, if these conditions I mentioned a few moments ago are not met and not dealt with you know, the president said, look, hes perfectly happy to stand on his tariff policies.' The one trade deal the president did sign - with Mexico and Canada - was overshadowed by the obvious unhappiness of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who wouldn't confirm his attendance to the event until late the night before. Trudeau used the occasion to chastise the president over steel and aluminum tariffs and pointedly called the agreement the 'new North American Free Trade Agreement' - instead of the USMCA, which is Trump's preferred moniker. He made a personal plea to Trump during the ceremony to get rid of the tariffs, saying the recent closures of auto plants by General Motors in the United States and Canada made it more important for cooperation. And he used the president's first name in his remarks, a sign of informality that can irk Trump. 'Donald it's all the more reason we need to remove the tariffs on steel and aluminum between our two countries,' Trudeau said. After Trump, Trudeau, and outgoing Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto signed the agreement, Trump held his up and said: 'We might as well hold that up.' Nieto did so. Trudeau did not but sat there smiling for the clicking cameras. President Donald Trump and Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto hold up copies of the trade pact for the photo op while Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not on Friday The prime minister's schedule for Buenos Aires did not initially list the ceremony. He ended up attending and said the deal maintains stability for Canadas entire economy and removes the dangers associated with the U.S. threat to withdraw from trade relations. Thats why Im here today, he said. The new agreement lifts the risk of serious economic uncertainty that lingers throughout a trade renegotiation process. President Trump was also likely to face questions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, who Trump canceled a meeting with when he was in route to Argentina, and questions about his run in with Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Both men are in the middle of international scandals of their own making. Trump said it wasn't the 'right time' for him to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin given the country's seizure of Ukrainian ships and noted 'I can't read his mind' when it comes to his counterpart's actions. 'I cant read his mind, and nobody can,' Trump told Voice of America when asked why Putin directed Russia's military forces to take three Ukrainian vessels. 'He knows what he wants to do, but we cant allow certain things to happen, you know, it happened, and I just cant be a part of it,' Trump added. Russia's aggression toward the Ukraine sparked international outrage and was the reason Trump gave for canceling his scheduled sit down with him at the G20 summit. 'Frankly, in light of what happened with Ukraine with the ships and the sailors, it just wouldnt be the right time, but I will meet with him. I think we have a very good relationship, and I think were going to have a very good relationship with Russia, and China, and everyone else. I mean, I think its important. So Ill meet with him at the appropriate time,' the president told Voice of America. And White House officials had to deny that the two men would engage in a 'pull aside' - State Department term for informal, unscheduled talks between world leaders that can happen at summits - during their two days in Argentina. The denial came after he Kremlin told Reuters the president will speak with the Russian leader after all - a story the White House scrambled to denounce. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders also used that opportunity to slam special counsel Robert Mueller and his investigation for undermining U.S.-Russian relations but claimed President Trump nixed the Putin meeting over Ukraine. She made the notable attack on the special counsel amid speculation that the president pulled out of his planned meeting with Putin in part due to blowback from the stunning guilty plea by his former lawyer Michael Cohen to an additional charge. 'The Russian Witch Hunt Hoax, which is hopefully now nearing an end, is doing very well. Unfortunately, it probably does undermine our relationship with Russia. However, the reason for our canceled meeting is Ukraine. Hopefully, that will be resolved soon so that productive conversations can begin,' Sanders said. The president gave Putin and the prince the side-eye at a family photo event on Friday and did not speak to either one. President Trump side-eyed Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Saudi prince at a family photo event on Friday President Donald Trump did have an encounter with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman at the G20 on Friday as first daughter Ivanka Trump looked on Trump did end up 'exchanging pleasantries' with Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman at the G20 on Friday after avoiding talking to him during the 'family' photo session that afternoon. Cameras at the summit caught the president talking with the prince during a luncheon after the photo taking. 'They exchanged pleasantries at the leaders session as he did with nearly every leader in attendance,' a senior White House official said on background. But the president said he did not talk to the prince, who faces international condemnation for his role in the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. 'We had no discussion. We might, but we had none,' he said during a photo opportunity with Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe of Japan and Narendra Modi of India. Camera footage from the luncheon event shows Trump with the prince as Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and first daughter Ivanka Trump look on. Ahsanullah Nawazai, 20, who has been described as 'a lovely kid' by his family was found collapsed from stab wounds in London Colney, Hertfordshire on Wednesday night. He later died in hospital and a 30-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder A 30-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 20-year-old man found stabbed to death and reportedly barefoot outside a primary school on Wednesday. Ahsanullah Nawazai, 20, had travelled to London Colney, Hertfordshire from his home in Walthamstow, London on November 28 before he was knifed repeatedly. He was found by a member of the public at around 7.15pm on Walsingham Way before being rushed to hospital. Despite the desperate attempts of paramedics, he later passed away. Today police said they had arrested a 30-year-old woman, who is believed to live near the scene, on suspicion of murder. Confirming the arrest, a spokesman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: 'A 30-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a man in London Colney. 'The woman, who is from London Colney, is currently in police custody. 'The arrest follows the death of 20-year-old Ahsanullah Nawazai, who was found seriously injured in Walsingham Way. 'He had suffered a number of stab wounds and was taken to hospital, where he later passed away.' Mr Nawazai was found seriously injured in Walsingham Way, London Colney on Wednesday. Paramedics rushed to the scene, but despite their desperate attempts he later died in hospital Neighbours have spoken of their shock following the incident in their usually quiet neighbourhood. One said: 'It is the last thing you expect, really unbelievable' Detectives from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit are all working together to establish the circumstances around Ahsanullah's death. Neighbours have spoken of their shock at the incident in the normally quiet town, and suggested that Mr Nawazai was found barefoot by paramedics. One resident, who declined to give her name, said the victim was found lying in the middle of the road and without footwear. Another neighbour, who also did not wish to be named, said: 'He was found without shoes on apparently.' Detectives refused to confirm or deny whether Mr Nawazai was found barefoot to MailOnline today adding that it was inappropriate to comment on details of the investigation. Local residents in the group of terraced houses, which back onto acres of fields, spoke of their shock at the murder which unfolded just yards from their front doors. One said: 'Police came around and said a young man in his 20s was found with injuries and unfortunately he succumbed to his injuries. My son said he heard they think the victim came from London. 'It is normally so quiet around here - it is the last thing you expect, really unbelievable.' Police were seen in Walsingham Way, London Colney the morning after the stabbing on Wednesday, November 28. A cordon was set up while investigation work was carried out The family of Mr Nawazai released a tribute earlier this week, saying: 'He was a happy person, a lovely kid and much-loved member of the family. He always had a smile on his face.' Anyone who has information which could help the police investigation is asked to call 101, quoting crime reference number 41/60757/18. You can also report information online on the Hertfordshire Constabulary website, or anonymously through Crimestoppers. This is the harrowing moment lifeguards and surfers lose the battle to save a 94 stone ox from drowning off the coast of Brazil after it escaped from an cattle fair. Video shows rescuers trying to drive the Nellore bull back to the shore in a bid to prevent it from wading further into the strong currents on Thursday 29 around 11am. However the animal appeared to have a death wish and refused to return to the Stella Maris beach in Salvador, in the north east state of Bahia. Lifeguards spent more than two hours struggling to persuade the ox to get out of the water. They used surf boards, buoys and threw a rope across its path to stop it from going deeper and lassoed it in an effort to pull it clear. Witnesses said the bull was 'very scared and stressed' at the beach in Salvador, Brazil Lifeguard Januario Brito said: 'We managed to get it to the sand three times, but he kept going back into the water. As if he knew what the outcome of his life was so it didn't matter anyway. 'We had no choice but to surround it to see if we could get him to the coast, but he was very scared and stressed. He even got angry and tossed his head and made a run for us even in the water.' Despite all efforts, the confused creature ploughed on and was eventually pulled under by the current and overcome by the waves Video taken on the beach shows dozens of rescuers hauling the beast out of the sea on surfboards with a rope attached to its muzzle and attempting to resuscitate it by raising its head and administering side compressions. As it lay on the ground, there was an almost imperceptible twitch of its ear, but the massive ox had swallowed too much water and passed away seconds later. Surfers and lifeguards spent more than two hours using buoys and lassoing the bull in an effort to pull it clear of the waves but struggled to move it The bull was pulled back three times but kept on going back to the water despite rescue efforts The half-tonne animal, normally considered a docile domestic breed and worth around around 4,500 reais (approximately 950/$1200), broke loose last Saturday shortly after being unloaded at the Fenagro international cattle fair. A team of cattle farmers tried to capture the three-year-old bull, but it escaped into bushes and disappeared. It was later spotted roaming around the back of Deputado Luis Eduardo Magalhaes, Salvador's International Airport on Wednesday but made a bolt for freedom when military police officers on horseback and cattle hands tried to corner it. The hefty creature headed for the sea and was finally found already shoulder deep in water on the Stella Maris beach. One eye witness, Douglas Pedrosa, told local media: 'To see an ox in the ocean was unbelievable. 'He went into the surf and was out there [in the sea] just walking. I know these animals are built to swim across rivers and such, but I've never seen one attempt this at sea.' Fenagro issued a statement regretting the outcome and explained that as soon as the ox fled on Saturday 'a team from the fair tried to capture him, but the animal disappeared into a patch of vegetation which prevented the rescue. 'An operation to capture of the animal was restarted on Thursday morning by cattle handlers with the support of military police and mounted cavalry. 'During the exercise the animal escaped in the direction of the beach and entered the sea,' the statement said. Fior Pichardo de Veloz, 55, (pictured in her mug shot) was booked into a Miami prison as a man on November 4, 2013 A grandmother who was mistakenly booked into Miami jail as man is now she's suing prison workers who forced her to spend nearly 10 hours in a male cell where she was so tormented she wet herself. Fior Pichardo de Veloz, 55, was booked in the Metro West Detention Center in Miami on November 4, 2013. Pichardo was an attorney and elected official in the Dominican Republic and came to Miami to witness the birth of her grandchild. But her plans went awry when she was arrested at the airport for an old drug case she didn't know was outstanding, according to the Miami Herald. After a strip-search she was classified as a woman, but the jail doctor and nurse wrongly booked her as a man, claiming she was transgender with male genitalia. They saw her menopause pills and Dr. Fredesvindo Rodriguez-Garcia and nurse Fatu Kamara Harris wrongly thought she was taking hormone tablets because she was transgender. The decision went against the arresting officer who listed Pichardo as female and against a female officer strip search, where her private areas were examined. She previously filed a lawsuit against the jail, which was thrown out. This month a federal appeals court reinstated her lawsuit against the jail doctor and nurse who booked her as male After she was reclassified as male, despite never receiving an examination from the doctor, she was taken to Metro West Detention Center, an all male prison in Miami where she was leered at for 10 hours until her family came to her rescue Still, the Nurse Harris told the jailer that some male inmates take hormone pills to enhance their breasts. Harris even asked Pichardo her gender, to which she said she was a woman. Yet Rodriguez-Garcia reclassified her as a man, without conducting a physical examination. Then she was taken to the all-male jail Metro West Detention Center where she insisted she was a woman, to which an officer replied 'You are a woman. Good luck if you're alive tomorrow'. That decision led to 10 hours of torment in a jail cell with 40 men who jeered at Pichardo yelling 'Mami! Mami!' She was so petrified to even use the bathroom she 'urinated on herself instead', according to a recently released appeals court opinion. No one realized the blunder until her family members went to Turner Guilford Knight, where she was originally taken by police. Then Pichardo was removed from the all male cell for a new examination. She said several male officers laughed at her during that examination and someone took a photo. A nurse then realized the mistake and she was taken to Turner Guilford Knight. She's sued the medics for negligence and 'cruel and unusual punishment' but the case was thrown out by a judge who said the jail staff were protected from a trial for negligence. But this month a federal appeals court reinstated the lawsuit against the jail doctor and nurse who booked her as a man. 'Every reasonable prison officer and medical personnel would have known that wrongfully misclassifying a biological female as a male inmate and placing that female in the male population of a detention facility was unlawful,' Judge Frank Hull wrote in an unanimous opinion on November 21. Picardo's lawyer said 'we are pleased' with the court's decision. 'The opinion correctly held, as we believed, that the defendants could not be so struthious as to ignore the overwhelming evidence in front of them that Mrs. Pichardo was in fact female,' lawyer Ryan Marks said. Fynn Ajani Arthur, a 21-year-old black lacrosse player at Goucher College in Maryland, has been accused of scrawling racist N-word and swastika graffiti targeting himself and others in a campus dorm A black college lacrosse player has been arrested in connection with two incidents of racist graffiti found in a dorm on the Goucher College campus in Maryland. Fynn Ajani Arthur, a 21-year-old from Brunswick, Maine, was charged with two counts of malicious destruction of property on Thursday night in Baltimore County. His arrest came after graffiti aimed at black and Latino students was found on the second floor of a campus dorm, one floor above where similar graffiti had been found on November 14, Goucher College administrators said in a statement. Both incidents that shook the Towson campus involved backward swastikas and targeted specific individuals, according to the statement. Thursday's graffiti depicted swastikas, the letters 'KKK' and appeared to include the last names of four black students, including Arthur. The previous graffiti reportedly said all 'n*****s' on campus would be killed. Racist graffiti targeting black and Latino students was discovered on the Goucher College campus in Towson, Maryland on November 14 and again on Thursday Arthur was released his own recognizance after a bail review hearing on Friday, according to jail records. He has been banned from campus pending a student conduct review. Goucher Public Safety officials worked with Baltimore County Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Baltimore Field Office to investigate both of graffiti incidents. They determined that Arthur was responsible for the messages based on evidence found Thursday, police say. Arthur - pictured in his lacrosse team photo - has been banned from the Goucher campus pending a student conduct review Goucher vice president and dean Bryan Coker condemned the racist incidents during a Friday press conference, according to the Baltimore Sun. 'These acts of hate have consumed our community and we feel strongly that the suspect should be prosecuted with the strongest charges, which reflect the seriousness of these crimes,' Coker said. He criticized Baltimore County police for not charging Arthur with a hate crime, though in Maryland the specific charge of 'hate crime' does not exist, Officer Jennifer Peach, a department spokeswoman, said. Instead, any evidence that a crime was motivated by bias is directed to the state's attorney's office for consideration during prosecution. Sentencing for crimes that were motivated by bias carry harsher penalties. 'It's become like common jargon to call it a hate crime,' Peach said. 'There's no such law that says hate crime. It has to do with sentencing if hate is the motive.' Minority students at Goucher have said the graffiti incidents are only a symptom of a larger problem on campus. The school's black student union group Umoja also designated a common area on campus for students to gather, debrief and vent (pictured in that area on November 16) Officials said the college has reached out to the individuals targeted in the graffiti to offer support, yet many minority students have expressed ongoing concerns despite Arthur's arrest. Senior Cydnii Jones told the Sun the graffiti incidents were merely symptoms of Groucher's larger issue of racism on campus. Some black students recently started a buddy system for walking in pairs around campus at night. Goucher's black student union group Umoja also designated a common area on campus for students to gather, debrief and vent. A number of students flocked to the space on Friday afternoon to sign a list of seven demands. The demands included the hiring of more black staff on campus, the installation of security cameras in residence halls and the requirement that incoming students take a class on cultural competency. 'We had to mobilize when we were just trying to get an education,' Jones said. 'It's just really disappointing and draining.' Jones said the list itself - which was recycled from a similar one in 2014 - serves as evidence that race tensions on campus have persisted. 'My concern is [officials] will be like: "We got him, we've solved all your problems,"' Jones said. 'But this is just the tip of the iceberg.' President Donald Trump did speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit here but the White House said it was 'one of a number of informal conversations' he had at a dinner for the world leaders Friday night. Trump, Putin, and other G20 leaders - plus their spouses - attended a cultural event at the posh Teatro Colon opera house Friday evening with a dinner afterward. It was there the two spoke, although the White House did not provide details on what the two talked about or any other leaders Trump spoke to during the evening. Putin, however, revealed Trump asked him what happened with the Ukrainian ships. 'I answered his questions about the incident in the Black Sea. He has his position. I have my own. We stayed in our own positions,' Putin told reporters at the G20. He said he hoped to have a proper sit down with Trump soon. 'I hope that this meeting will be held eventually, when the U.S. side is ready for it,' Putin added. At Friday night's dinner, Melania Trump talks to Chinese President Xi Jinping, while Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan sits next to him and Vladimir Putin sits next to her; President Trump is beside his wife and looks to be speaking to German Chancellor Angela Merkel Another view of the dinner table: Merkel and Trump can be seen chatting, while Melania Trump is turned toward Putin, whose back of head can be seen Although first lady Melania Trump was part of his conversation with Putin. 'As is typical at multilateral events, President Trump and the First Lady had a number of informal conversations with world leaders at the dinner last night, including President Putin,' White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. Trump canceled his scheduled meeting with his Russian counterpart while he was on Air Force One in route to Argentina on Thursday, citing Russian aggression against the Ukraine as the reason. And the White House denied a report from the Kremlin that Trump and Putin would speak at some point during the G20. The two men would not engage in a 'pull aside' - State Department term for informal, unscheduled talks between world leaders that can happen at summits - during their two days in Argentina, a White House official said on Friday. And, on Friday, Trump said it wasn't the 'right time' for him to meet with Putin given the country's seizure of Ukrainian ships and noted 'I can't read his mind' when it comes to his counterpart's actions. The president talked tough on Russia, saying 'we can't allow certain things to happen.' It was a notable difference in demeanor given criticism Trump has faced in the past about appearing too deferential to Putin. President Donald Trump said on Friday wasn't the 'right time' for him to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump has stayed away from Putin, including at photo opportunities such as the one above with world leaders and their spouses The president talked tough on Russia in a Voice of America interview Melania Trump sat next to Putin at the dinner at last year's G20 in Hamburg, Germany 'I can't read his mind, and nobody can,' Trump told Voice of America when asked why Putin directed Russia's military forces to take three Ukrainian vessels. 'He knows what he wants to do, but we can't allow certain things to happen, you know, it happened, and I just can't be a part of it,' Trump added. Russia's aggression toward the Ukraine sparked international outrage and was the reason Trump gave for canceling his scheduled sit down with him at the G20 summit. 'Frankly, in light of what happened with Ukraine with the ships and the sailors, it just wouldn't be the right time, but I will meet with him. I think we have a very good relationship, and I think we're going to have a very good relationship with Russia, and China, and everyone else. I mean, I think it's important. So I'll meet with him at the appropriate time,' the president told Voice of America. The president has been keeping his distance from Putin - literally - during the first day of the G20 summit here. In group photos during two different sessions during the day, Trump neither stood next to nor acknowledged the Russian president. Friday evening, at a cultural event for the leaders and their spouses, Trump stood next to first lady Melania Trump and Argentina first lady Juliana Awada. The president talked to Awada while Melania Trump turned around to talk to Brigitte Macron, the first lady of France, who was standing behind her. Putin, who arrived at the event after Trump, stood next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who finally made it to Buenos Aires after being delayed by plane problems. Trump also pointedly ignored Putin earlier in the day at the 'family' photo session - a G20 tradition where all the leaders gather for a group photo The president gave Putin the side-eye as he walked by him but didn't stop to speak to him. 'I can't read his mind, and nobody can,' Trump told Voice of America when asked why Putin directed Russia's military forces to take three Ukrainian vessels Earlier in the day President Trump side-eyed Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Saudi prince at a family photo event Trump did 'exchange pleasantries' with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman as Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Ivanka Trump looked on After the 'family' photo, the leaders moved into a separate room for lunch, where they all sat around a round table, each of them with screens and microphones in front of them. Trump sat two seats with British Prime Minister Theresa May to his left and a German official, sitting in for a missing Chancellor Angela Merkel, to his right. Putin sat on the other side of table next to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. The two men, both facing international crisises of their own making, exchanged a high-five. White House official said Trump and Putin would not speak during their two days in Argentina. The denial came after the Kremlin told Reuters the president will speak with the Russian leader after all - a story the White House scrambled to denounce. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders also used that opportunity to slam special counsel Robert Mueller and his investigation for undermining U.S.-Russian relations but claimed President Trump nixed the Putin meeting over Ukraine. She made the notable attack on the special counsel amid speculation that the president pulled out of his planned meeting with Putin in part due to blowback from the stunning guilty plea by his former lawyer Michael Cohen to an additional charge. The prince and Putin exchanged high fives when they sat next to each other at a luncheon Putin and MBS also shared a laugh 'The Russian Witch Hunt Hoax, which is hopefully now nearing an end, is doing very well. Unfortunately, it probably does undermine our relationship with Russia. However, the reason for our canceled meeting is Ukraine. Hopefully, that will be resolved soon so that productive conversations can begin,' Sanders said. But there will be plenty of opportunities for the two men to bump into each other over the next two days, including Friday night's cultural event and the dinner for leaders afterward at the Teatro Colon. Trump did end up 'exchanging pleasantries' with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman at the G20 on Friday after avoiding talking to him during the 'family' photo session that afternoon. Cameras at the summit caught the president talking with the prince during a luncheon after the photo taking. 'They exchanged pleasantries at the leaders session as he did with nearly every leader in attendance,' a senior White House official said on background. But the president said he did not talk to the prince, who faces international condemnation for his role in the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. 'We had no discussion. We might, but we had none,' he said during a photo opportunity with Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe of Japan and Narendra Modi of India. Camera footage from the luncheon event shows Trump with the prince as Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and first daughter Ivanka Trump look on. And later in the day the president was asked if he would exchange pleasantries with the other controversial leader at the G20: Putin. 'I don't know,' he said. 'Not particularly. I don't know.' Advertisement Mischievous parents have been getting creative this festive season with elaborate Elf on the Shelf pranks. The cheeky adults have taken to social media to share photographs of the dolls in hilarious situations - waiting to be discovered by their unsuspecting children. Elf on the Shelf is a relatively new Christmas tradition inspired by a children's book released in 2005. One cheeky Elf on the Shelf toy, known as Elvis, was photographed lifting makeshift marshmallow weights on December 1 Another elf, wearing a pair of sunglasses, collapsed in a bowl of popcorn on a brown sofa next to a television remote control A pair of the elves, Evie and Elfie, were pictured nestled together inside a cereal box as another mischievous parent placed theirs at the bottom of a Christmas tree The picture book, written by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell, describes the antics of 'scout elves' who hide in people's homes on the run up to Christmas. But before their family surfaces each morning, the elf flies back to the North Pole to report on whether the children have been good or bad throughout the day. It then appears in a different location in the house when the children wake up. An extremely relaxed elf returned to its home lounging in a toilet paper hammock in the bathroom of an unsuspecting child's home Someone even decided to glue the Elf on the Shelf toy to the ceiling above a brightly coloured, glittering Christmas tree In another Instagram post, an Elf on the Shelf toy appeared to help a Barbie doll dye her hair by placing a strand in a tiny bottle The book comes alongside a toy which allows parents to recreate the story in their own homes - and the hilarious tradition has now made its way from the US to stores like John Lewis in the UK. Most families welcome the elf into their homes on the first day of December, and continue moving it around in the house until Christmas Day. This year, many pranksters have started the countdown to Christmas as they mean to go on - with hundreds of elaborate tricks posted to Instagram on Saturday. One account posted a photograph of a cheeky elf sat on top of a Chow Chow dog in front of a glittering Christmas tree. Another prankster took a simpler approach - merely placing the bright red elf on top of the boot of a car in the pouring rain Elf on the Shelf is a relatively new Christmas tradition inspired by a children's picture book first released in the US in 2005 But one elf took a very different approach, and sat perched on a light-up box displaying the message 'Ho Ho Ho, I'm back!' above a pile of gifts for twin boys Mr Kenny the elf, which belongs to the junior class of the MK School of Performing Arts in Hastings, was perched on the baffled pup with one arm raised. The caption read: 'Our MKPA elf arrived in style this morning. Mr Kenny shall be gracing our junior classes from Monday through to the end of term ensuring that all students make it to the top of the nice list this year.' Another post pictured a mischievous elf sitting at the bottom of a Christmas tree wrapped in toilet paper - while a third sat inside an ice box next to the sign 'just chilling.' A further cheeky pair of the elves were pictured hidden in rolls of toilet paper for children to find on Sunday morning The elf is said to fly back to the North Pole each night to report on whether children have been good or bad throughout the day The book comes alongside a toy which allows parents to recreate the story in their own homes - leading to scenes such as this Zippy the zoo elf hid in a cardboard tube in Lincoln Children's Zoo on Saturday - and a bush baby was pictured peering at the newcomer One post even pictured a mischievous elf lounging on a makeshift beach towel in sunglasses and with a copy of 'Elves Illustrated' But one elf took a very different approach, and sat perched on a light-up box displaying the message 'Ho Ho Ho, I'm back!' above a pile of gifts for twin boys Ethan and Harley. 'Elfie the elf' had even written his name on a wooden chopping board with red and green M&Ms. A cheeky pair were photographed hidden together inside a box of cereal while another found itself surrounded by a small army of toy soldiers. Though parents clearly have fun creating scenes around the small dolls, children are told in the book that if they touch the puppet it will 'disappear forever.' One Instagram account posted a photograph of an elf sat on top of a Chow Chow dog in front of a glittering Christmas tree Most families welcome the elf into their homes on the first day of December, and continue moving it around in the house until Christmas Day Many pranksters have started the countdown to Christmas as they mean to go on - with hundreds of elaborate tricks posted online on Saturday Mohammed bin Salman and Vladimir Putin were photographed shaking hands before a formal sit-down meeting at the G20 Summit, just a day after the pair were seen greeting each other with a high five. Salman, who has been accused by the international community of ordering the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and Putin, who has faced claims he ordered the nerve attack on Sergei Skripal in Britain, were pictured hand-in-hand during the second day in Buenos Aires. The Russian leader has also been put under increasing pressure in recent days after warships rammed, fired on, then seized three Ukrainian boats in the Kerch Strait in a serious escalation of tensions around Crimea. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman smile for the cameras as they shake hands before a meeting at the G20 Summit Putin looks on at bin Salman as they shake hands with one another The pair sat either side of their nation's respective flags for a meeting at the G20 Summit Russian leader Putin looks on at a meeting with bin Salman in Buenos Aires today President Vladimir Putin (right) and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (left) high five one another when meeting each other on the first day of the G20 Summit It did not appear to affect pair as the pair could not resist a rye smile ahead of their meeting, where they discussed oil, according to a Kremlin spokesman. Earlier, bin Salman met with Argentinian president as controversy over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi continues to linger. The Saudi de-facto leader was facing political exile over his alleged involvement in the killed of Khashoggi, although he appears to have been embraced by a number of world leaders at the G20 Summit. The Saudi Press Agency released pictures of Prince Mohammed talking to Mauirci oMacri, but gave no details of what they discussed. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (furthest row away, second from left) meets with Argentinian president Mauircio Macri (closest row, middle) at the G20 Summit The flags of the two respective nations were on show as other delegates gathered around in a circle in a meeting room. Bin Salman and Macri had met on Friday evening at a cultural event to cap off the end of Friday's events. The pair were photographed sharking hands as Macri's wife looked on next to her husband. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (right) and his entourage which includes Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid al-Qasabi (second right) meeting with Argentine President Mauricio Macri (left) at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires Coming into the two-day meeting between the heads of state, it appeared that bin Salman would face widespread condemnation and isolation for his alleged involvement in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. A meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to focus on Ankara's investigation into the death of Khashoggi at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul in October. Coming into the two-day meeting between the heads of state, it appeared that bin Salman would face widespread condemnation and isolation for his alleged involvement in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi On Friday, Mrs May delivered a 'robust' message to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the UK expected his country to co-operate fully with the Turkish probe and to conduct its own investigation in a 'credible and transparent' way. British officials said trade was not on the agenda for the talks with the Saudi heir apparent, known as MBS. Mrs May shook hands with the Saudi prince, who was also berated by French president Emmanuel Macron in a terse conversation captured on video. Mauricio Macri (left) and his wife Juliana Awada (second left) greeting the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohamed bin Salman (right) during a cultural event President Donald Trump's administration is touting the G20 summit as a 'resounding success' after the member nations agreed to reform the World Trade Organization in its official communique. 'I think across the board it was really a resounding success,' a White House official said on Saturday. 'For the first time ever, the G-20 recognized the WTO is currently falling short of meeting its objectives and that it's in need of reform,' the official said. President Donald Trump's administration is touting the G20 summit as a 'resounding success' World leaders signed on to an official communique at the end of Saturday's session It was also one of the few items left on the agenda as Trump shifted his summit schedule yet again on Saturday. The president canceled a press conference for Saturday, citing the death of former President George W. Bush as the reason, and moved up his dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping by hour. Even before he arrived in Buenos Aires, Trump down graded his time at the G20, canceling a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin - citing Russian aggression toward the Ukraine - and down grading two meetings with U.S. allies to 'pull asides' - a diplomatic term for an more informal gathering. But trade was one of President Trump's top priorities here although administration's lauding comes before a crucial dinner with the Chinese president where trade will be the top topic. Trump has blamed WTO policies for letting Beijing get a leg up on America in trading. The multilateral trading system is 'falling short of its objectives and there is room for improvement,' the official communique reads. But International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde issued a stern warning Saturday that trade tensions are threatening world economic growth. 'Pressures on emerging markets have been rising and trade tensions have begun to have a negative impact,' she said. Trump also used the summit to show off his last trade deal - the signing of a pact between the United States, Canada and Mexico. But that even was almost upstaged by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who didn't announce he was coming until late the night before, and used the occasion to berate the president over his steel tariffs. G20 leaders posing for their 'family photo' on Friday Trade was one of the president's biggest priorities at the summit He also ignored a presidential urging when the time came to put pen to paper. After Trump, Trudeau, and outgoing Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto each signed their copy of the agreement, Trump held his up and said: 'We might as well hold that up.' Nieto did so. Trudeau did not but sat there smiling for the clicking cameras. For all the touting of success, the U.S. opted out of one part of the G20 communique - the official document signed at the end of the meeting. It is not legally enforceable but an agreement of policy. While the other 19 nations agreed to support the Paris agreement on fighting climate change, the United States reaffirmed its position to withdraw from that accord. 'The U.S. position on the Paris agreement was well-known. So, there really wasn't any disputing that the U.S. was going to recognize it's position,' the White House official said. 'But what was interesting is that this was one of the last issues to close because the countries who typically might agree couldn't agree with each other. What you're starting to see is you're seeing a little bit of the coalition fraying. Countries like Turkey, like Saudi Arabia, like Russia might be second-guessing some of that,' the person added. In his closing remarks, Argentine President Mauricio Macri said the G20 countries had overcome 'a number of challenges' in agreeing to the communique. 'We have agreed on a statement that reflects the necessity of revitalizing trade, of revitalizing the WTO,' he said. The next G-20 summit will be held in Osaka, Japan, in June 2019. Ivanka Trump dazzled in an all white ensemble while with Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials in Mexico for the inauguration of President elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The First Daughter beamed in a white jumpsuit as she and the other delegates arrived at the ceremonies held in Mexico City. Today I will be accompanying @VP Pence, @SecondLady and members of the Presidential Delegation for the inauguration of President @lopezobrador_,' she said in a tweet on Saturday. The First Daughter beamed in a white jumpsuit as she and the other delegates arrived at the ceremonies held in Mexico City Today I will be accompanying @VP Pence, @SecondLady and members of the Presidential Delegation for the inauguration of President @lopezobrador_,' she said 'Congratulations to the people of Mexico. It is an honor to join you in celebrating this historic day.' Ivanka accessorized her look with a intricate turquoise broach. The First Daughter and assistant to President Donald Trump smiled brightly as she greeted various dignitaries who were there to honor the new Mexican president. She added: 'Congratulations to the people of Mexico. It is an honor to join you in celebrating this historic day.' Ivanka accessorized her look with a intricate turquoise broach The First Daughter and assistant to President Donald Trump smiled brightly as she greeted various dignitaries who were there to honor the new Mexican president Obrador reached out to the U.S. and Canada in his inaugural speech to Congress. Ivanka and Pence were the first foreign dignitaries he greeted from the podium Saturday. He also said that since the day he was elected 'I have received respectful treatment from President Donald Trump.' Ivanka and Pence were also joined by his wife, Karen. Karen wore a black dress with a black blazer and belt to tie it all together. Pence sported a dark blue suit with a white tie. Ivanka and Pence were the first foreign dignitaries he greeted from the podium Saturday Genial: But general practitioner Marc van Hoey says he has legally killed about 140 patients since 2002 With his genial manner, check shirt and careful choice of words, Marc Van Hoey seems like any other general practitioner. But then he tells me about the death of one of his patients after she suffered a stroke. She was a good friend as well as a patient whom I had known more than 15 years, he says. She was a beautiful old lady. The day of her death, she did her hair at the hairdressers, put on her make-up and drank champagne with us then we gave her the injection and she died. Van Hoey talks about another friend, riddled with pancreatic cancer, whom he despatched with another strong dose of barbiturates. He was really suffering badly. Others who have died at his hands include the elderly mother of a fellow doctor who had dementia and ate her favourite meal of eel in herbs washed down with fine wine for her last supper, and a 34-year-old woman with chronic depression. As we sit in his cosy first-floor surgery in Antwerp, surrounded by books and mementos of his life in medicine, I ask this music-loving 57-year-old physician and president of Right To Die Flanders how many people he has personally killed since Belgium made euthanasia legal in 2002. Maybe 140, he concludes after a quick calculation, adding that he has advised perhaps another 500 on euthanasia procedures. But they did not all go through with it and die, of course. This astonishing toll is even higher than attributed to Jack Kevorkian, the infamous American right-to-die advocate who became known as Dr Death after he claimed to have helped 129 ailing people end their lives before being convicted of second degree murder for his 130th. Its never easy, insists Von Hoey, who became an advocate of euthanasia through his work in palliative care. That would make me sound like a terrible sadist. It is an act of pity. An act of empathy. The Flemish doctor cannot carry out any more mercy killings as he is being investigated by police over the euthanisation of an elderly woman in 2015 who was threatening to commit suicide after the sudden death of her daughter Yet the Flemish doctor could like Kevorkian end up in prison. He cannot carry out any more mercy killings as he is being investigated by police over the euthanisation of an elderly woman in 2015 who was threatening to commit suicide after the sudden death of her daughter. If the case goes to court, he could be charged with poisoning his patient. It is like the Sword of Damocles hanging over me, he said. Its very worrying but my conscience is clear. The case highlights the delicate dilemmas on this difficult issue, even in the worlds most permissive societies such as Belgium, the second country in the world to legalise euthanasia after Holland and the first to authorise it for children of any age. It coincides with a formal criminal investigation into three Belgian doctors over the death of a 38-year-old woman called Tine Nys that made headlines around the world last week. She was diagnosed with a mild form of autism just two months before she was killed, and her sisters allege there were irregularities leading up to her death, while questioning the validity of the sudden diagnosis. Last week, Noel Conway, a British man with motor neurone disease, lost a legal battle at the Supreme Court in the latest challenge by campaigners to overturn British restrictions on assisted death. In most places where it is already legal, including Canada, Colombia and parts of the United States, such actions are restricted to adults with terminal illness. But boundaries are being pushed wider in Europes pioneering nations. Belgium, along with Holland, is unique in allowing people to request death when suffering from psychiatric conditions if they can prove their mental pain is unbearable, untreatable and their decision is backed by psychiatrists. Yet many doctors and ethicists fear their country is sliding down a slippery slope towards death on demand rather than only under tight medical regulation. Crucial case: Tine Nys, centre, with her sisters, Lotte, left and Sophie, who argue that her mental health issues did not warrant her death Almost 15,000 people have been officially euthanised since laws changed in this country of 11 million people. Latest data disclosed 2,309 incidents in 2017, more than double the number seven years earlier and almost ten times the first-year figures. Controversial cases to have hit the headlines include a person with botched gender reassignment surgery, deaf twins who feared going blind and a jailed murderer. There has also been a sharp rise in older people with non-terminal conditions seeking euthanasia. Three children are known to have died since the law was changed to permit minors in 2014. A nine-year-old with a brain tumour and an 11-year-old with cystic fibrosis became the first people under 12 legally euthanised in the world. Its impossible to keep the door open just a bit you end up with hardly any control, Tienen psychiatrist An Haekens told me. I am against it for psychiatric suffering since it is subjective to say someone is untreatable, that there is no hope left for them. Haekens told me of a recent case she came across in a nursing home of a woman in her 80s who said she was tired of life and wanted to die which is permitted if there is grievous and irremediable illness. Her demand was supported by her son. Then it became clear the son was visiting weekly to ask for money, so he was probably being supportive because he wanted her money, she said. A similar sharp rise has been seen in neighbouring Holland, where assisted dying now accounts for one in 25 deaths. Supply has created demand, complained one prominent academic after resigning from the regulatory board. Some medics in both countries refuse to participate in euthanasia. Now, right-to-die campaigners in the Netherlands are pushing for tired of life legislation that would permit any person over 85 to obtain a fatal drug dose on request. Coincidentally, it has also emerged that a Dutch doctor faces prosecution after allegedly putting sleeping drugs in the coffee of a confused woman aged 74 with dementia, then asking her family to hold her down when she struggled during the injection of a lethal dose. Meanwhile, Belgium has become a magnet for some desperate people. Von Hoey told me of a gay Hungarian artist who turned up at his door, saying his partner had died so he had sold his house and possessions since he did not want to live alone. I said it was ridiculous coming here with your problems. We have legal procedures. The more profound legacy of reform is a palliative care system entwined with euthanasia and a rising tide of requests but the key controversies, symbolised by the police probes, surround lonely or jaded old people and patients with mental health issues. It is very different when it is a terminal patient with just a few weeks to live, said Joris Vandenberghe, professor of psychiatry at KU Leuven university and a psychiatrist at Leuven university hospitals. The difficulties are much greater if they could have life expectancy of several decades. He has been actively involved in several such cases, including a woman in her 50s who endured anorexia for 30 years. The drop-in assisted death clinic: Vonkel, a walk-in clinic for patients wanting to discuss dying, sits down a bustling shopping street in the Flemish city of Ghent. It has seen about 450 patients since 2015, of whom about 50 have died Death comes quickly, said Vandenberghe, but he admitted: It is weird when you are watching someone with a healthy body. His hospital, among the biggest in Belgium, sees about ten deaths from euthanasia each year, although it receives many more requests and some patients opt to die at home. I have witnessed many cases when I feel people have thought it through and the issues are clear-cut, said the professor. But in one case it turned out a middle-aged man with motor neurone disease was simply scared of becoming a burden on his family as his condition deteriorated and he withdrew his request when he was given reassurances by his wife and children. Vandenberghe also told me of a young parent with complex medical problems that led to a failed organ transplant who demanded euthanasia rather than go through the debilitating and drawn-out process a second time with low survival odds. It was a reasonable, ethical decision and they knew what they were talking about, he said. But from my point of view as a father, I think I would have overcome my fear and taken any chance to give my children just a few more years of parenting. Vandenberghe, who fears some doctors lack sufficient caution and that patients have died when options were available for treatment, has helped draft tighter rules for the Flemish Psychiatric Association. It is stricter to get consent for deep brain stimulation, an experimental treatment, than it is for euthanasia, he said. This is incomprehensible when nothing can be more invasive or irreversible than death. But others argue that if euthanasia is seen as playing a role in relief of suffering, there should be no distinction between physical and psychological pain, even if mental agony is harder to detect and more reliant on the word of patients. Amy de Schutter, left, is only 32 but after fighting mental health issues for two decades has been granted euthanasia. Her psychiatrist is Lieve Thienpont, right, a leading advocate of euthanasia who runs the walk-in clinic and now faces criminal charges in another case I learned of one woman, just 21 years old, who is undergoing euthanasia evaluation on psychiatric grounds. Here in Belgium, it happens that young people die like this but it is very difficult when they are so young, said a doctor involved with the case. These issues will be tested in the looming legal cases. It is not a trial of euthanasia law but of the application of the law, said Fernand Keuleneer, the lawyer for Sophie Nys, sister of Tine Nys. The case will trigger debate on the boundaries of euthanasia legislation. And the stakes are high. Euthanasia involves a toxic substance that causes death, said Keuleneer. It is poisoning, so that is manslaughter if illegal. The maximum sentence for that is life. Sophie Nys said last year that while her sister had long-term mental health issues, it was unthinkable they warranted her death. She claimed the doctor performing the euthanasia asked her parents to hold the needle in place during the procedure. At the heart of this landmark case is Lieve Thienpont, who was accused by nine fellow psychiatrists in a letter to the British Medical Journal in 2015 of being responsible for probably close to 50 per cent of euthanasia cases for psychiatric disorders. In one leaked email, she complained to a colleague about the Nys family. We must try to stop these people, she wrote. It is a seriously dysfunctional, wounded, traumatised family with very little empathy and respect for others I am starting to better understand Tines suffering. Thienpont declined to discuss the case with me. But she denied claims there was any slippery slope, saying euthanasia for psychiatric patients involved just one in 50 cases and claiming this figure had remained stable. She operates Vonkel, a walk-in clinic in Ghent that has seen 450 patients mostly elderly or with mental health problems discussing euthanasia since 2015, of whom about 50 have died. Many come to us without hope, she said. We offer something humane. If possible, a humane perspective for ways forward in their lives, and only if this is not possible do we prepare them for a humane farewell and almost always surrounded by their family, which is impossible with suicide. Among the strangest aspects of Belgiums euthanasia liberalisation is how it has ended up saving some lives by giving patients control of their death, something I heard from several experts in the field as well as Amy de Schutter, a 32-year-old scientific researcher and patient of Thienpont. She suffered mental health anguish from the age of 12, which was intensified by five brutal years locked in a secure adult hospital, during which she was forcibly sedated and often secluded. Only recently was she diagnosed with possible autism. De Schutter carefully planned suicide methods during her years of torment, using her skills to calculate the best bridge for jumping and overdose methods. People can think about suicide for years, planning it and I did this, she said. Yet she felt relieved when her request for euthanasia was granted two years ago. It offers another way. I know I can just call my GP and we can make an appointment for my death and from that moment, I have never talked about suicide. So, I ask nervously, will she ever make that fateful call? At this moment, I am doing everything I can to live, she replies. But it is really difficult to know the future. A holidaymaker who launched a bogus 2,500 claim for food poisoning has been referred to police by the judge who threw out his spurious case. In whats believed to be a first, deputy district judge John Josephs asked officers to investigate whether Tom Oakeys dishonest allegations about a five-star Bulgarian hotel constitutes a crime. The sheet metal worker had claimed that bad food and poor hygiene at the resort had left him so ill with diarrhoea and abdominal cramps that he had been unable to leave his room for two days. Thomas Oakey, 30, and his then-partner Claire Fursey, both from Northampton, went on an all-inclusive holiday to the Hotel Helena Park, Sunny Beach, Bulgaria But his claim collapsed when investigators found Facebook pictures of the 30-year-old and his girlfriend Claire Fursey, 31, sipping cocktails and dining at restaurants when he claimed he had been unwell. The couple, from Northampton, had also posted positive messages about their break in July 2015. One read: Its been an amazing two weeks. Bulgaria, its been a pleasure. Oakey, who engaged a no win, no fee firm to bring his case, also claimed that he had to postpone a boat trip, but snaps on Furseys Facebook page showed the pair enjoying a sunset cruise the day after he said he had become ill at Hotel Helena Park in Sunny Beach. The then-couple posing on the holiday at Sunny Beach. The sheet metal worker (left) had claimed that bad food and poor hygiene at the resort had left him ill As well as being referred to police, Oakey was ordered by Northampton County Court to pay holiday operator Tui almost 9,000 in costs. Andrew Flintham, managing director of Tui, said: Not only has Mr Oakey been found to be fundamentally dishonest and ordered to pay our costs but, in a new move, the court has also referred the matter to police for them to make any inquiries about any criminal offences which may have been committed. We hope that this sends out a clear message to anyone else considering making fraudulent sickness claims. The number of holiday sickness claims has soared by 434 per cent since 2016, a rise holiday firms blame on no win, no fee lawyers. An ABTA spokesman said the surge in claims had cost the travel industry millions of pounds, as well as doing great harm to the reputation of all British holidaymakers. A transgender charity is giving girls as young as 13 potentially dangerous breast-flattening devices without telling their parents. The ultratight garments can cause horrendous health problems including breathing and breastfeeding difficulties, chronic back pain and broken ribs, increasing the chance of a punctured lung. They are used by a growing number of girls who believe they are the wrong sex to disguise their breasts and make them look like boys. The 'Flat Chest Breast Binder' can be purchased online for as little as 4 Now a Mail on Sunday investigation has exposed how a publicly funded organisation is secretly sending the controversial chest binders to schoolgirls in unmarked packages so that parents are kept in the dark. An undercover reporter posing as a 13-year-old schoolgirl contacted Manchester based MORF, part of the LBGT Foundation, after an angry mother told us that the group had sent her 14-year-old daughter a chest binder without consulting her. After two short phone calls to the helpline number on its website, our investigator was told a chest binder would be sent in the post free of charge and with no indication of what the package contained. Last night Conservative MP David Davies compared the charitys activities to child abuse, demanded an urgent inquiry and insisted the bodys funding is suspended immediately. He said: Its a scandal that were allowing a publicly funded organisation to send out breast-binding kits without parental consent or knowledge. Ill be writing to the Womens Minister Victoria Atkins to get this organisation investigated immediately, suspend public funding to them and hold an inquiry into how many children have been encouraged without their parents permission to wear these chest binders. MORFs website describes it as a support group for trans-masculine people those who were born female but believe they are men. It clearly states that it is a service only for those aged over 18 and advises younger people to contact other groups that deal with children and teenagers. The binders (pictured above) can cause severe health problems But when our reporter told a helpline adviser she was just 13 he had no qualms about discussing her chest size and even suggested that while wearing the binder she should avoid too much exertion during PE lessons. MORF is based at the Manchester headquarters of the LGBT Foundation which has received close to 1.2 million from the Department of Health and a 500,000 grant from The Big Lottery Fund. The mother whose 14-year-old daughter received the chest binder from MORF, told The Mail on Sunday: I only found out they had sent her the binder because I opened a package that was addressed to her. Popular YouTube stars such as Ayla Fallows (pictured above) have posted tutorials on the binders Alex Bertie (pictured above) posted a YouTube video titled 'Binding for beginners' I hid it so she wouldnt find it. But she had previously been sent one without me knowing and had already started wearing it. Then I realised that it was because of the binder that she had stopped exercising and was having trouble breathing. Campaigners concerned about the increase in girls claiming they are transgender say an alarming number are wearing chest binders. Vulnerable youngsters can get instructions on how to use binders from transgender YouTube stars who make demonstration videos, which are often accompanied by adverts for breast-flattening devices costing as little as 4. Binders can damage teens' chances of breast-feeding Comment by Dr Lucy Griffin, Psychiatrist Those secretly sending chest binders in the post might think they are doing teenage girls a favour. But they should reflect on the physical damage these very tight garments can do. Most obviously, the restriction causes chronic chest and back pain. More seriously, binding the chest can result in broken ribs and dangerously restricted breathing. Whats more, when these girls grow up and decide they want to have babies as many surely will they may find out they cant breastfeed because long hours of tight binding will have crushed their breast tissue. Research on the health impact of chest binding is scarce. But a study by US researchers who surveyed 1,800 users of the garments makes for sobering reading. Three-quarters reported pain and more than half believed they had suffered rib fractures, which increases the chance of a punctured lung. If the chest is restricted during the healing process the ribs may not fix in the right position, leaving these girls with lifelong musculoskeletal problems. Many experience shortness of breath, which fits parents reports that daughters give up all exercise when they start binding. That isnt healthy. I am also extremely concerned about the damage these girls are doing to their breasts. Breast tissue is fragile and does not like to be disturbed. In parts of Africa, pubescent girls undergo breast ironing with hot rocks to stop them developing. The practice, condemned as gender-based violence by the UN, leads to breastfeeding problems. Yet here a publicly funded institution is supporting a practice that may have similar consequences. It is unconscionable. Teenage girls have always experienced complicated emotions during puberty, and always will. Today, many seem to be convincing themselves they are gender dysphoric. We should examine these feelings in greater depth such as asking why many girls seem afraid of turning into women rather than acquiescing to their immature desires to mould their bodies into something else. Advertisement The binders, which often look similar to a vest or crop top, are typically made of nylon and spandex. When worn, the extremely tight-fitting undergarment compresses the breasts to create the illusion of a flat chest. But medical experts have highlighted their dangers. One senior doctor warned that they can cause fractured ribs and chronic chest and back pain and may even stop girls from breast feeding in later life due to the damage to breast tissue. Stephanie Davies-Arai of the campaign group Transgender Trend, which is receiving a rising number of calls from parents worried about their children wearing chest binders, said: The health effects of wearing binders are horrendous and well-documented. To promote binders and supply them free to children behind their parents backs is a gross dereliction of duty towards girls and a cynical exploitation of teenage girls vulnerability to latest fads. When our reporter posed as a schoolgirl to ask if MORF could send her a chest binder without her mother finding out she was promised complete confidentiality. The helpline operator, who identified himself as Barry, assured her there would be nothing on the package to let her mother know it contained a binder. He said: It wont have LGBT Foundation on it and it will be quite a small package. Barry also questioned our reporter, believing he was speaking to a 13-year-old, on her bra size. Obviously Im not massively familiar with bra sizes so you might have to help me out here, he said. Have you looked at the sizing around binders on the internet do you know what size you might be? During the reporters second call to the helpline, Barry advised her on some of the health risks which chest binders carry, then asked if she was doing PE at school. When she said yes, his advised her to refrain from over-exerting herself. Youve got to be careful doing extreme physical activity wearing a binder, he said. Astonishingly, when we confronted MORF about their decision to send a chest binder to a 13-year-old girl behind her parents back, they defended their actions. Speaking on MORFs behalf, the chief executive of the LGBT Foundation, Paul Martin OBE, said: Were proud of how we responded to your reporter because we provided sensible, compassionate advice to someone pretending to be in need. Controversial transgender charities including Allsorts Youth Project, Mermaids and Gendered Intelligence have received more than 1 million in public money in the last five years, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Other activists have been criticised for promoting gender fluidity to children as young as two. Advertisement A longtime friend of George Herbert Walker Bush (pictured in 2016) has painted a peaceful picture of the 41st president's final days on earth before he passed away aged 94 surrounded by family at his home in Houston, Texas A longtime friend of George Herbert Walker Bush has painted a peaceful picture of the 41st president's final days on earth before he passed away aged 94 surrounded by family at his home in Houston, Texas. James A Baker III, both Bush's friend and former secretary of state, told the New York Times that the 94-year-old had been fading over the last week - spending most of his time sleeping, not eating and never getting out of bed. Baker said that although the former president had defied death multiple times over the years - struggling with a form of Parkinson's and being hospitalized with pneumonia several times in recent months - this time felt different. Baker stopped by the Bush home on Friday to check on his old friend - or perhaps to say goodbye. He said as soon as he entered the room, Bush perked up, asking: 'Where are we going, Bake?' Baker answered: 'Were going to heaven.' 'Thats where I want to go,' Bush replied. Within 13 hours, the 94-year-old was on his way. Friends and family flocked to Bush's bedside on Friday evening as it became clear that the end was near. His final conversation was a speaker phone call with his son, George W. Bush, who praised him as a 'wonderful dad' and told him that he loved him. 'I love you, too,' the father said - his last words on earth. James A Baker III, (left, with him in 2012) both Bush's longtime friend and former secretary of state, spent a considerable amount of time with the former president at his home in Houston, Texas, over the past week as his condition deteriorated rapidly The 94-year-old died on Friday evening surrounded by friends and family (pictured together in August 2018) after expressing that he was ready to say goodbye In his final moments he called loved ones to say goodbye. His final words were on a speaker phone call with son George W (right), whom he told: 'I love you, too' Speaking with the Times in a phone interview on Saturday, Baker said of Bush's final moments: 'I cant even hardly talk about it without welling up. It was as gentle a passing as I think you could ever expect anyone to have. And he was ready.' In the room at the time of Bush's death at 10.10pm CST were his son Neil Bush and his wife Maria along with grandchildren Pierce and Marshall Bush. Baker's wife Susan was also there, along with Jean Becker, the former presidents longtime chief of staff; and the Rev Dr Russell Jones Levenson Jr, rector of St Martins Episcopal Church in Houston, and some nurses and doctors. After Bush lost his wife of 73 years, Barbara, in April, he told friends he wasn't ready to die yet, despite his Parkinson's taking a severe toll on his ability to walk and speak. He spent the summer at his family home in Kennebunkport, Maine, but was 'somewhat diminished' when he returned back to Houston in the fall. Baker said the pair went out for oysters two weeks ago and 'things sort of went downhill from there'. Lauren Bush also paid tribute to her grandfather is a touching tribute on Saturday, posted on Instagram The Bush family home in Houston, where the former president spent much of his final days sleeping, is circled above in red This portrait shows the Bush family sitting in front of their home in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1986 Former President Barack Obama visited him on Tuesday while in town for an event with Baker, but Bush struggled to get out of bed. By Thursday, he had stopped eating and was losing weight - but insisted on not going back to the hospital - a place he'd become all too familiar with. When Baker stopped by for a visit on Friday morning, he said Bush seemed to be on the rebound as he began eating again, enjoying three five-minute soft-boiled eggs, a bowl of yogurt and two fruit drinks. 'Everybody thought this is going to be a great day and hes back and hes bounced back again,' Baker told the Times. Baker left around 9.15am but returned in the evening as he and his wife were on their way to dinner. 'He was sitting up in bed and was able to converse with people,' Baker said. However, it wasn't long before they were on their way home from dinner and the Bakers received a phone call urging them to stop back by the house as Bush had 'slipped considerably' around 8.15pm. Acclaimed Irish tenor Ronan Tynan also asked to pay a visit, during which he sang 'Silent Night' while the former president mouthed the words. Baker held his dear friend's hand and rubbed his feet while prayers were said and children were called to tell their father goodbye Bushs hand and rubbed his feet. Prayers were said. The other children were called so they could tell their father goodbye. 'If those things could be sweet,' Baker said, 'it was sweet.' Jenna Bush Hager shared a pair of touching tributes to her beloved grandfather on Saturday morning. In one photograph she and twin sister Barbara are standing on either side of Bush as all three of them flash wide grins Jenna wrote on Instagram: 'Waking up missing this giant of a man who gave me everything. 'He taught me and my family about service, family, decency, the power of gentle words and a beautiful heart. I will miss him desperately but so happy he and my Grandmother are back together' Granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager shared a pair of touching tributes to her beloved grandfather on Saturday morning, posting two joyful photos of them together on Instagram with the caption: 'Waking up missing this giant of a man who gave me everything. 'He taught me and my family about service, family, decency, the power of gentle words and a beautiful heart. I will miss him desperately but so happy he and my Grandmother are back together.' One photo shows Jenna and her twin Barbara, both 37, flanking their grandfather as they all wear giant grins on their faces. The second photo shows a young Jenna standing beside her cousins saluting a Christmas tree as the then-president smiles alongside them. Jenna then shared another post with a comic published this morning that shows Bush Snr arriving in heaven via a WWII fighter jet and being greeted by his wife of 73 years Barbara, who passed away eight months ago, and the three-year-old daughter they lost to leukemia in 1953. A speech bubble above Barbara says: 'We waited for you' In a second Instagram post she shared a comic published this morning that showed Bush arriving in heaven via a WWII fighter jet and being greeted by his wife of 73 years Barbara, who passed away eight months ago, and the three-year-old daughter they lost to leukemia in 1953. A speech bubble above Barbara says: 'We waited for you.' In the Instagram caption Jenna wrote: 'This brought me such comfort this morning. I had the opportunity to talk with my grandpa about the afterlife. This is what he said: He answered without any hesitation. "Yes, I think about it. I used to be afraid. I used to be scared of dying. I used to worry about death. But now in some ways I look forward to it."' Jenna continued: 'And I started crying. I managed to choke out, "Well, why? What do you look forward to?" And he said, "Well, when I die I'm going to be reunited with these people that I've lost." And I asked who he hoped to see He replied, 'I hope I see Robin, and I hope I see [Barbara]. I haven't yet figured out if it will be Robin as the three-year-old that she was this kind of chubby, vivacious child or if she'll come as a middle-aged woman, an older woman. 'And then he said, "I hope she's the three-year-old." Robin was the daughter of this giant of a man lost years before to leukemia. The little girl he held tightly, who spoke the phrase I have heard Gampy repeat for my entire life, forever knitting Robin's voice into the tightly woven fabric of our family: "I love you more than tongue can tell."' The American flag flies at half-staff at the White House, on Saturday in honor of the 41th president's passing The statement announcing Bush Snr's passing did not specify the cause of death, but he had long suffered from a form of Parkinson's disease and had been hospitalized several times for pneumonia and other infections in recent years. Days before his death, Bush Snr was reportedly being treated for low blood pressure. His eldest son George W Bush, the 43rd president, paid tribute to his father and the head of their political dynasty on behalf of his siblings, saying: 'Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died. 'George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared for and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens,' the younger Bush added. The White House issued a statement on Saturday confirming that the former president will have a state funeral. 'The President and First Lady were notified late last night of President George H.W. Bushs passing,' the statement said. 'President Trump is scheduled to speak with President George W. Bush this morning and offer his condolences on behalf of himself, the First Lady, and the entire country. 'A state funeral is being arranged with all of the accompanying support and honors. The President will designate Wednesday, December 5th as a National Day Of Mourning. He and the First Lady will attend the funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.' Bush Snr is remembered fondly for his decades of service to America and the international community. Flowers sit at the base of his statue outside his Presidential Library in College Station, Texas, on Saturday morning George Herbert Walker Bush was born June 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts, into the New England elite, a world of prep schools, mansions and servants seemingly untouched by the Great Depression. His father, Prescott Bush, the son of an Ohio steel magnate, made his fortune as an investment banker and later served 10 years as a senator from Connecticut. George H.W. Bush enlisted in the Navy on his 18th birthday in 1942, right out of prep school. Lean and athletic at 6-foot-2, Bush became a war hero while still a teenager. One of the youngest pilots in the Navy, he flew 58 missions off the carrier USS San Jacinto. He had to ditch one plane in the Pacific and was shot down on September 2, 1944, while completing a bombing run against a Japanese radio tower. An American submarine rescued Bush. His two crewmates perished. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery. He returned home to marry his 19-year-old sweetheart, Barbara Pierce, daughter of the publisher of McCall's magazine, in January 1945. They were the longest-married presidential couple in US history. She died on April 17, 2018. After the war, Bush took just two and a half years to graduate from Yale, then headed west in 1948 to the oil fields of West Texas. Bush and partners helped found Zapata Petroleum Corp. in 1953. Six years later, he moved to Houston and became active in the Republican Party. In politics, he showed the same commitment he displayed in business, advancing his career through loyalty and subservience. George H.W. Bush enlisted in the Navy on his 18th birthday in 1942, right out of prep school. He is seen left as a Naval aviator cadet in 1943 and right as a young Navy pilot sometime between 1943 and 1945 One of the youngest pilots in the Navy, Bush Snr (pictured in 1944) flew 58 missions off the carrier USS San Jacinto George and Barbara were the longest-married presidential couple in US, having been together for 73 years before her death After the war, Bush took just two and a half years to graduate from Yale, where he was a first baseman and captain of the baseball team. He played in the first-ever College World Series in 1947 The son of a senator and father of a president, Bush was the man with the golden resume who rose through the political ranks: from congressman to U.N. ambassador, Republican Party chairman to envoy to China, CIA director to two-term vice president under the hugely popular Ronald Reagan. He was first elected to Congress in 1966 and served two terms. President Richard Nixon appointed him ambassador to the United Nations, and after the 1972 election, named him chairman of the Republican National Committee. Bush struggled to hold the party together as Watergate destroyed the Nixon presidency, then became ambassador to China and CIA chief in the Ford administration. Bush made his first bid for president in 1980 and won the Iowa caucuses, but Reagan went on to win the nomination, picking Bush to be his running mate. In the 1988 presidential race, Bush trailed the Democratic nominee, Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, by as many as 17 points that summer. He did little to help himself by picking Dan Quayle, a lightly regarded junior senator from Indiana, as a running mate. But Bush soon became an aggressor, stressing patriotic themes and flailing Dukakis as an out-of-touch liberal. He carried 40 states, becoming the first sitting vice president to be elected president since Martin Van Buren in 1836. He took office with the humility that was his hallmark. 'Some see leadership as high drama, and the sound of trumpets calling, and sometimes it is that,' he said at his inauguration. 'But I see history as a book with many pages, and each day we fill a page with acts of hopefulness and meaning. The new breeze blows, a page turns, the story unfolds.' George H.W. Bush entered the White House in 1989 with a reputation as a man of indecision and indeterminate views. One news magazine suggested he was a 'wimp.' Bush, the son of a senator, joined the Republican Party in the late 1950s and quickly rose through its ranks. He is pictured while being sworn in as director of the Central Intelligence Agency under President Gerald Ford in 1976 Bush was elected as the 41st president of the United States in 1988. He is seen standing in the White House Oval Office But his work-hard, play-hard approach to the presidency won broad public approval. He held more news conferences in most months than Reagan did in most years. The Iraq crisis of 1990-91 brought out all the skills Bush had honed in a quarter-century of politics and public service, and his popularity gained as a result. After winning United Nations support and a green light from a reluctant Congress, Bush unleashed a punishing air war against Iraq and a five-day ground juggernaut that sent Iraqi forces reeling in disarray back to Baghdad. After the Gulf War, Bush basked in the biggest outpouring of patriotism and pride in America's military since World War II, and his approval ratings soared to nearly 90 percent. The other battles Bush fought as president, including a war on drugs and a crusade to make American children the best educated in the world, were not so decisively won. He rode into office pledging to make the United States a 'kinder, gentler' nation and calling on Americans to volunteer their time for good causes - an effort he said would create 'a thousand points of light.' It was Bush's violation of a different pledge, the no-new-taxes promise, that helped sink his bid for a second term. He abandoned the idea in his second year, cutting a deficit-reduction deal that angered many congressional Republicans and contributed to GOP losses in the 1990 midterm elections. After the Gulf War, Bush basked in the biggest outpouring of patriotism and pride in America's military since World War II, and his approval ratings soared to nearly 90 percent An avid outdoorsman who took Theodore Roosevelt as a model, Bush sought to safeguard the environment and signed the first improvements to the Clean Air Act in more than a decade. It was activism with a Republican cast, allowing polluters to buy others' clean-air credits and giving industry flexibility on how to meet tougher goals on smog. He also signed the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act to ban workplace discrimination against people with disabilities and require improved access to public places and transportation. Bush failed to rein in the deficit, which had tripled to $3trillion under Reagan and galloped ahead by as much as $300 billion a year under Bush, who put his finger on it in his inauguration speech: 'We have more will than wallet.' Seven years of economic growth ended in mid-1990, just as the Gulf crisis began to unfold. Bush insisted the recession would be 'short and shallow,' and lawmakers did not even try to pass a jobs bill or other relief measures. Bush's true interests lay elsewhere, outside the realm of nettlesome domestic politics. 'I love coping with the problems in foreign affairs,' he told a child who asked what he liked best about being president. He operated at times like a one-man State Department, on the phone at dawn with his peers - Mikhail Gorbachev of the Soviet Union, Francois Mitterrand of France, Germany's Helmut Kohl. Communism began to crumble on his watch, with the Berlin Wall coming down, the Warsaw Pact disintegrating and the Soviet satellites falling out of orbit. He seized leadership of the NATO alliance with a bold and ultimately successful proposal for deep troop and tank cuts in Europe. Huge crowds cheered him on a triumphal tour through Poland and Hungary. Bush's invasion of Panama in December 1989 was a military precursor of the Gulf War: a quick operation with a resoundingly superior American force. But in Panama, the troops seized dictator Manuel Noriega and brought him back to the United States in chains to stand trial on drug-trafficking charges. Months after the Gulf War, Washington became engrossed in a different sort of confrontation over one of Bush's nominees to the Supreme Court. Clarence Thomas, a little-known federal appeals court judge, was accused of sexual harassment by a former colleague named Anita Hill. His confirmation hearings exploded into a national spectacle, sparking an intense debate over race, gender and the modern workplace. Thomas was eventually confirmed. In the closing days of his 1992 campaign, Bush fought the impression that he was distant and disconnected from the people In the closing days of the 1992 campaign, Bush fought the impression that he was distant and disconnected, and he seemed to struggle against the younger, more empathetic Clinton. During a campaign visit to a grocers' convention, Bush reportedly expressed amazement when shown an electronic checkout scanner. Critics seized on the moment, saying it indicated that the president had become disconnected from voters. Later at a town-hall style debate, he paused to look at his wristwatch - a seemingly innocent glance that became freighted with deeper meaning because it seemed to reinforce the idea of a bored, impatient incumbent. In the same debate, Bush became confused by a woman's question about whether the deficit had affected him personally. Clinton, with apparent ease, left his seat, walked to the edge of the stage to address the woman and offered a sympathetic answer. He lost his bid for re-election to Clinton in a campaign in which businessman H. Ross Perot took almost 19 percent of the vote as an independent candidate. Bush said the pain of losing in 1992 was eased by the warm reception he received after leaving office. 'I lost in '92 because people still thought the economy was in the tank, that I was out of touch and I didn't understand that,' he said in an AP interview shortly before the dedication of his presidential library in 1997. 'The economy wasn't in the tank, and I wasn't out of touch, but I lost. I couldn't get through this hue and cry for "change, change, change" and "The economy is horrible, still in recession".' Bush complained that media-created 'myths' gave voters a mistaken impression that he did not identify with the lives of ordinary Americans. He decided he lost because he 'just wasn't a good enough communicator.' Eight years later he would watch his son, George W, be twice elected to the presidency - only the second father-and-son chief executives, following John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Eight years after he left office, Bush Snr watched his son, George W, be twice elected to the presidency The pair became the second father-and-son chief executives in history, following John Adams and John Quincy Adams Once out of office, Bush was content to remain on the sidelines, except for an occasional speech or paid appearance and visits abroad. He backed Clinton on the North American Free Trade Agreement, which had its genesis during his own presidency. He visited the Middle East, where he was revered for his defense of Kuwait. And he returned to China, where he was welcomed as 'an old friend' from his days as the U.S. ambassador there. He later teamed with Clinton to raise tens of millions of dollars for victims of a 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean and Hurricane Katrina, which swamped New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in 2005. During their wide-ranging travels, the political odd couple grew close. 'Who would have thought that I would be working with Bill Clinton, of all people?' Bush quipped in October 2005. In his post-presidency, Bush's popularity rebounded with the growth of his reputation as a fundamentally decent and well-meaning leader who, although he was not a stirring orator or a dreamy visionary, was a steadfast humanitarian. Elected officials and celebrities of both parties publicly expressed their fondness. After Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, Bush quickly began building an international military coalition that included other Arab states. After liberating Kuwait, he rejected suggestions that the US carry the offensive to Baghdad, choosing to end the hostilities a mere 100 hours after the start of the ground war. 'That wasn't our objective,' he told The Associated Press in 2011 from his office just a few blocks from his Houston home. 'The good thing about it is there was so much less loss of human life than had been predicted and indeed than we might have feared.' But the decisive military defeat did not lead to the regime's downfall, as many in the administration had hoped. 'I miscalculated,' Bush acknowleged. His legacy was dogged for years by doubts about the decision not to remove Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi leader was eventually ousted in 2003, in the war led by Bush's son that was followed by a long, bloody insurgency. A Bush family portrait taken in the East Room of the White House in 2005 is seen above Bush approached old age with gusto, celebrating his 75th and 80th birthdays by skydiving over College Station, Texas, the home of his presidential library. He did it again on his 85th birthday in 2009, parachuting near his oceanfront home in Kennebunkport, Maine. He used his presidential library at Texas A&M University as a base for keeping active in civic life. He became the patriarch of one of the nation's most prominent political families. In addition to George W. becoming president, another son, Jeb, was elected Florida governor in 1998 and made an unsuccessful run for the GOP presidential nomination in 2016. Bush is survived by five children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two siblings. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Barbara, his second child Pauline Robinson 'Robin' Bush, and his brothers Prescott and William 'Bucky' Bush. The number of lion body parts including heads, skulls, skins and feet shipped to Britain by trophy hunters has soared in the past three years, despite a Government pledge to ban the controversial imports. Ministers said they would halt all lion trophies in 2015 following a global outcry over the killing of Cecil the lion by a US dentist in Zimbabwe. But the ban is still not in force and official figures show more than half of the lion trophies imported to the UK in the past decade have come in the last three years. Ministers said they would halt all lion trophies in 2015 following a global outcry over the killing of Cecil the lion (pictured) by a US dentist in Zimbabwe Hunters have shipped 59 such grisly mementoes to Britain since Cecil's death. This compares to 52 between 2007 and 2014. Wildlife campaigner Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: 'Our Government has sought to present itself as a leader on issues around animal welfare and conservation. If it really does take these issues seriously, it can't dilly-dally any more.' Eduardo Goncalves of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting said: 'Dozens of Cecils could have been saved if the Government had acted when it said it would.' Hunters have shipped 59 grisly mementoes to Britain since Cecil's death - this compares to 52 between 2007 and 2014 There are fewer than 20,000 lions left in the wild compared to 450,000 in the 1950s. Speaking in the Commons last week, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: 'I find the idea of trophy hunting a difficult one to contemplate as anyone's idea of a wise use of time or resources. 'However, it is the case that the current regime allows trophies to be imported provided that there is no impact on the sustainability of species. We keep these rules under constant review.' Click the photo to write a caption and have a chance to win a free subscription to the Norfolk Daily News. President Donald Trump has reached a 90-day agreement to avoid new tariffs and allow negotiations with China to proceed, the White House said. The agreement was the culmination of a two and half hour dinner with Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina, temporarily heading off further escalation of the trade war. As part of the truce, Trump revoked a plan to raise tariffs on certain Chinese goods to 25 per cent on January 1, the White House noted in a statement. U.S. officials touted the meeting between the two delegations as 'highly successful.' The dinner between President Trump and President Xi went 'very well' a White House adviser said The dinner was Trump's last event of the G20 summit The White House also said that China has agreed to label the deadly opioid fentanyl, which is behind tens of thousands of overdose deaths in the U.S., as a controlled substance. Trump praised the meeting as 'amazing' and 'productive.' And he touted his friendship with Xi, with whom he had worked well with until the trade war began. 'This was an amazing and productive meeting with unlimited possibilities for both the United States and China. It is my great honor to be working with President Xi,' he said in a statement. The White House also touted Beijing's agreement to buy U.S. agricultural products as a win for farmers - a group that heavily supported Trump in the presidential election. Farmers - and the lawmakers who represented them - worried they would suffer the most under the trade war, which saw China tax products like soybeans and oranges. 'President Trump has agreed that on January 1, 2019, he will leave the tariffs on $200 billion worth of product at the 10% rate, and not raise it to 25% at this time. China will agree to purchase a not yet agreed upon, but very substantial, amount of agricultural, energy, industrial, and other product from the United States to reduce the trade imbalance between our two countries. China has agreed to start purchasing agricultural product from our farmers immediately,' White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement Saturday night. There were no details immediately available as to what products Beijing would start purchasing. 'Very importantly, President Xi, in a wonderful humanitarian gesture, has agreed to designate Fentanyl as a Controlled Substance, meaning that people selling Fentanyl to the United States will be subject to Chinas maximum penalty under the law,' she added. Trump and Xi met with their respective delegations for almost two and a half hours The two leaders also agreed to work together to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula - although no further details were released on that matter. The dinner meeting between Trump and Xi went 'very well,' said White economic adviser Larry Kudlow to reporters before Air Force One left Argentina to return to Washington. Reports on what that 'very well' meant trickled out more than three hours later. Trade was the top topic on Trump's mind going into the summit. On Friday he signed a trade pact with Mexico and Canada to replace NAFTA, which he calls the USMCA. Before the food was served Saturday night Trump told reporters he and Xi had 'established an incredible relationship' and he believed it would help as the two super powers looked to cease the trade war between them. And Xi said the meeting - the first face-to-face between the two since the show down started - was a 'manifestation of a personal friendship.' The dinner capped Trump's 48 hours in Buenos Aires for the G20 summit and was one of the most important items on his agenda amid worries about what a rising trade war would do to the U.S. economy. He and first lady Melania Trump - who did not attend the dinner - left for the airport as soon as it ended. Trump opened his dinner with Xi with a tribute to the late President George H.W. Bush and announced he's sending Air Force One to Houston to bring the leader's remains to Washington D.C. 'It's a special honor he deserves very much,' Trump said. He noted he and the American delegation will return to Washington D.C. after the dinner with Xi and, from there, Air Force One - the president's signature plane - will fly to Houston to bring the late president's remains to the capital city, where he will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol building and have a state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral. President Trump opened his trade dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping with a tribute to the late President George H.W. Bush Trump, Xi and their delegations are having a critical dinner as a trade war rages Former President George H.W. Bush died on Friday 'Air Force One will be taking myself and a group of our people back to Washington. It will then be reset and it will be sent to Houston to pick up the casket of President Bush and it will be sent back to Washington,' he said. Trump called it a 'special tribute.' 'He'll be missed. He'll be greatly missed,' the president added. The 41st president of the United States, Bush, 93, died just eight months after the loss of his wife Barbara, whom he had been married to for 73 years. Grilled Sirloin with red onions, goat ricotta, and dates was on the menu and trade was the main item on the agenda, but it barely garnered a mention from the president. Trump started his remarks by talking about his predecessor in the Oval Office. 'We'll be spending three days of mourning and three days of celebrating a really great man's life,' he said. 'He certainly deserves it.' He also thanked Xi for his words of condolence for the Bush family. The late President Bush was the one-time ambassador to China. Bush boarding Air Force One when he was president Air Force One will fly to Houston to bring Bush's remains to Washington D.C. Then Trump finally turned to the topic at hand: his dinner with Xi. He said he was planning to press the Chinese president about fentanyl. China is believed to be a major source of synthetic pain killer, which has been popping up in heroin, causing a spike in over doses. Trump also said they'd be talking trade. China and the United States are in the midst of trade war with billions of dollars in tariffs at play against one another. 'We'll be discussing trade and I think at some point we're gong to end up doing something that's great for China and great for the United States,' he said. Trump pointed to the leaders' great relationship: 'That's going to be a very primary reason that we'll probably end up getting something that is good for China and good for the United States.' Trump-Xi Dinner Menu First Course Seasonal Vegetable Salad Basil Mayonnaise Dressing Parmesan Emulsion Catena Zapata Adrianna White Stones Chardonnay 2009 Main Course Grilled Sirloin with red onions, goat ricotta, and dates Dessert Caramel Rolled Pancakes Crispy Chocolate Fresh Cream Catena Zapata NicolAs Malbec 2014 Advertisement Xi, speaking via a translator, said it is a 'great pleasure' to have the meeting. 'It has been quite a while since our previous meeting,' he said. 'A lot of things have taken place in the world.' The two leaders are meeting face-to-face for the first time since the trade war began between the two economic super powers. Trump and Xi were seated across from each other in the middle of the table, surrounded by their respective delegations on their left and right. The guests were arranged around a long rectangular table. A crystal chandelier hung over it and a row of flowers ran down the middle. Two American flags and two Chinese flags stood at the end of the room. Joining the president in the American delegation were: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Chief of Staff John Kelly, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, National Security Advisor John Bolton, White House adviser Jared Kushner, White House adviser Peter Navarro, and economic adviser Larry Kudlow. Trump on Friday revealed willing to double and even quadruple tariffs on China as he shrugged off the economic competitor's enhanced global influence. The president told Voice of America in an interview on the margins of the G20 summit that he doesn't want to bear down on China further, but he will, in order to reign in the country that has expanded it footprint to Latin America. 'I think they're going to have less money than they have right now,' he said of the $250 billion in tariffs he's already slapped on Beijing. 'We're going to be taking in billions and billions of dollars, plus I can double that up, and then I can double it again.' Trump has expressed optimism the two leaders can come to a deal. 'We're working very hard. If we can make a deal that'd be good. I think they want to, and I think we'd like to,' he told reporters during a meeting with Japan's Shinzo Abe. 'There's some good signs. We'll see what happens.' New case is now being brought against Epstein by lawyer representing victims Andrew became involved in 2015 when he was named by victim Virginia Roberts Prince Andrew faces being dragged back into a scandal surrounding his shamed former friend Jeffrey Epstein in a courtroom drama about to unfold in the US. Epstein, an American billionaire, was jailed on child prostitution charges in 2008. The hedge fund tycoon served just 13 months of an 18-month jail term after reaching an extraordinary 'non-prosecution deal' with prosecutors in Florida. He had pleaded guilty to two counts of soliciting girls as young as 14 for prostitution. Prince Andrew became involved in the scandal surrounding his former friend Jeffrey Epstein in 2015 when he was named by victim Virginia Roberts (pictured with the Prince) in a civil court claim The Prince, who has reportedly known Epstein since the 1990s, was photographed strolling through a New York park with him in 2011 but has since severed all ties. But Andrew became embroiled in the scandal in 2015 when he was named by a victim of Epstein, Virginia Roberts, in a civil court claim against the billionaire. The Prince vehemently denied allegations made by Ms Roberts, which a judge described as 'lurid' and 'immaterial' and ordered to be struck out of the case. Now a new case is being brought against Epstein by a lawyer representing his victims, and will open next week in Palm Beach County Court in Florida. Among the exhibits which are listed for the proceedings is a photograph of Prince Andrew with his arm around Ms Roberts, believed to have been taken in London in 2001. At the time she would have been about 17. Ms Roberts, now 35 and a mother-of-three, claims she was forced to have sex with Epstein from the age of 16 the legal age of consent in Florida is 18 and was 'loaned out' by him to engage in sex acts with his wealthy friends at his Palm Beach mansion and homes in New York and the US Virgin Islands. Other possible exhibits at next week's trial include a receipt from online retailer Amazon for books including Training Miss Abernathy: A Workbook For Erotic Slaves And Their Owners and Slave Craft: Roadmap For Erotic Servitude Principles, Skills And Tools. Epstein, an American billionaire, was jailed on child prostitution charges in 2008 Other items which could be shown to the jury include flight logs and passenger logs from Epstein's private jet and a massage table. The case is being brought by lawyer Bradley Edwards, who is suing Epstein after the billionaire accused the lawyer of pursuing civil damages claims in which high-profile figures including Bill Clinton were named in order to fund a criminal financial scheme. The scheme was run by Edwards's former law firm partner Scott Rothstein, who was jailed but insists that Edwards was not involved in any way in the fraud. If called as a witness, Ms Roberts is expected to recount her story about allegedly being 'recruited' by Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of disgraced newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell and a former girlfriend of Epstein, when she worked as a 15-year-old pool girl at Donald Trump's Mar A Lago Hotel in Palm Beach. Ms Roberts claims she was 'groomed' as a sex slave by Epstein and recruited other young girls who were also allegedly sexually molested by him. As many as 60 other women have come forward claiming they were coerced by Epstein into having sex. One says she was just 13 when she was allegedly raped by him. Ms Maxwell has vehemently denied Ms Roberts's allegations. After being jailed, Epstein had to register as a sex offender. He paid restitution to dozens of victims but, with the agreement of then US Attorney Alexander Acosta now President Trump's labour secretary he escaped far more serious charges that could have resulted in a life sentence. Prosecutors also dropped cases against alleged 'potential co-conspirators'. In return, Epstein provided federal investigators with 'unspecified information'. In a separate trial for which a date has yet to be set, Edwards is suing the US government on behalf of two girls in the sex investigation. He claims the government violated the Crime Victims' Rights Act, which states victims should be kept informed of a possible hearings and 'reasonably heard' over pleas and sentencing. None of Epstein's accusers were informed of his plea deal. Epstein could be stripped of his criminal prosecution immunity if the second case succeeds, possibly leading to a federal trial for the sex crimes. Edwards's lawyer, Jack Scarola, said: 'If the case is successful and with the agreement cancelled, Epstein's immunity from federal criminal prosecution will be revoked. 'That means he, plus his named co-conspirators and his unnamed co-conspirators will face the possibility of federal prosecution. 'In a subsequent criminal trial it is very likely that many of the victims will be called to give evidence and have their stories heard.' Asked if Prince Andrew would be drawn into the second case he said: 'There is a reasonable likelihood that would occur.' Lord Wolfson (pictured above) is the Chief Executive of UK retailer Next I have long believed that leaving the European Union is the right way forward for Britain. I have spoken out in favour of Brexit and I voted for it because I believe an independent, outward-looking, free-trading, democratic UK can be more successful than one shackled to a remote and sclerotic bureaucracy. The past two years of tortuous negotiations have highlighted how far the European Project has strayed from the interests of the people it serves. At the same time, however, I am clear that the Prime Minister's divorce deal is not the one I had hoped for. If we accept it, we will still be locked into a customs union, for now at least. We will be unable to set our own tariffs for the moment, or strike trade deals with other countries. Our future relationship with Europe will remain uncertain. Yet we are where we are and we should face the facts. As things stand, the UK has only three choices: to crash out of the EU, to crash back into it, or to accept Mrs May's deal. And however imperfect it might seem, there is only one clear answer: we must take the deal on offer. The alternatives are chaos and disorder or, worse still, the collapse of Brexit itself. The first issue to tackle is the myth of an easy no-deal exit. There are some who honestly believe we can simply leave next March with no arrangements in place. Yes, there are companies, such as my own, that have made detailed preparations for leaving without a trade deal, depending instead on international trade tariffs. MY company would be ready for a no-deal Brexit and we are confident that our costs would be minimal. Given time, others could have done the same. Lord Wolfson says he is clear that the Prime Minister's (pictured) deal is not what he had hoped for In fact, the Open Europe think-tank has calculated the effects of a no-deal Brexit and found that surviving on World Trade Organisation terms would cost the UK just two per cent of growth in Gross Domestic Product up to 2030. Until recently, the term 'crash out' irritated me. No-deal did not have to be a 'crash' of any sort. But talking privately to friends in the Civil Service, in Government and in other businesses, I know the country as a whole is simply not ready. The huge changes in legislation, administration and IT systems needed for a smooth transition cannot be delivered in just three months. I am sad to say it, but the moment for a well-ordered, no-deal exit has all-but passed. Why do we find ourselves in this unfortunate situation? A generous interpretation is that our lack of readiness has been caused by incompetence. A more cynical view would be that the Government has contrived to under-prepare so its deal stood more chance of success. It is a deal that David Cameron (pictured above) could not have hoped to have achieved in 2016 when he was Prime Minister, says Lord Wolfson What, then, of those who say that we should simply abandon Brexit and return to the grip of the European bureaucrats? This, too, is unthinkable. Over many years, the EU's institutions and aspirations have become incompatible with democracy. In any case, remaining is barely an option it would require fresh legislation, which in today's parliament would be no mean feat. Which brings us to Mrs May's offer. Although it is a long way from perfect, it has a good deal to offer. The terms are decisively better than those we have at present. First and foremost, it means the United Kingdom will leave the EU. It will take us across that most basic constitutional line. The EU is an unelected power that can strike down Acts of Parliament made by a democratically elected Government. A divorce treaty is a very different thing and the importance of the distinction cannot be stressed enough. We will be free. Then there is the infamous 'backstop'. This is the arrangement that keeps the UK and, in particular, Northern Ireland, inside the customs union until a full trade deal is finally negotiated with Brussels. True, the backstop has no firm end-date, conjuring an unpleasant spectre that the UK will be trapped in the customs union for all time. But, far from fearing it, we should welcome the backstop as a step in the right direction. In fact, compared with our current membership, it has some big plus points. The backstop allows us to retain privileged access to EU markets without compulsory financial contributions, for example. We gain unprecedented freedoms from EU law-making. We can determine our own immigration policy. We will be allowed to regulate our own service industries. And we will be free to determine our own social, environmental and employment laws. True, we would have to maintain an existing floor of protections in areas such as employment law and environment standards, but we would be free to achieve these in new ways that better suit our economy. Vitally, there would be no compulsory financial contributions. Bear in mind that Europe has not had things all its own way. The member states will not like the deal Mrs May has negotiated, with its combination of tariff-free access to EU markets, freedom to compete and zero contributions. Lord Wolfson (pictured above) had previously warned that the British economy is 'finished' if the Government pursues an isolationist Brexit course In fact, they will find it uncomfortable. It is a deal that David Cameron could not have hoped to have achieved in 2016 when he was Prime Minister. And remember this: we can always walk away from a treaty. In contrast, the EU is a government of governments. A treaty is like a contract of employment, which means we are at liberty to leave. Belonging to the EU is a bond of serfdom. So the answer seems obvious we should accept Mrs May's proposal and work towards a better future, although for that, of course, we are in Parliament's hands. The deal is up against a toxic alliance between those who wish to remain at any cost and those who want to leave regardless of cost. And if either of these factions has their way, then one side will have inevitably engineered its own worst nightmare. Extreme Remainers are in danger of bringing about the unprepared, chaotic, politically destabilising Brexit they most fear. Extreme Brexiteers, meanwhile, could find themselves responsible for the collapse of Brexit itself and the retreat to EU membership they have fought so hard to oppose. We might even face the appalling prospect of another referendum something few of us in the real world want to go through again. That is why both sides need to listen to reason and compromise a little. Good decisions are rarely made in anger. Talking to friends and colleagues outside Westminster, it is clear there is a sense of bewilderment over the behaviour they see in Parliament. Why, they ask, must each side in the debate summon up worst-case scenarios? Why are the politicians ruled by the sum of all their fears? The process of leaving the EU might be longer than many of us had hoped, but at least we will be taking the first and most decisive step. In simple terms, Mrs May's deal hands back our sovereignty. The chance to cross that all-important dividing line is within our grasp. The UK's independence beckons and with it the path to a better future. We must take it. Samantha, wife of former PM David Cameron, unveiled her new fashion campaign on Friday They say Christmas is all about family and Samantha Cameron has clearly taken the message on board this year, roping in four of her sisters to plug her latest fashion collection. She hopes her new models will turn up the glamour on a set of festive frocks from her Cefinn label. Samantha, 47, unveiled the glossy new selection on Friday along with her well-heeled brand ambassadors, all of whom have impeccable social credentials. The new creations for the brand, which describes itself as being for interesting, hardworking and inspirational women with busy lives, cost around 300 each. An email to Cefinns subscribers last week gushed: Four of Samanthas sisters join us for a special Cefinn Story to turn up the glamour, showcase our new arrivals and kick-off the festive season. The campaign features Samanthas half-sisters Alice Cadestin and Lucy Jackson, born to her father Sir Reginald Sheffield and his second wife Victoria Walker. Also featured are Canadian sister-in-law Lohralee (left) who is married to William Astor (Sam Cam's half-brother) and his sister Flora Astor. Flora and William are the children of Samanthas mother Lady Annabel Astor and her second husband William Astor, 4th Viscount (right) Another model is half-sister Flora Astor, daughter of Samanthas mother Lady Annabel Astor and her second husband William Astor, 4th Viscount. They are joined by their sister-in-law Lohralee Astor who is married to Floras brother William. Samanthas only full sister, Emily Sheffield, does not appear. Earlier this year, Samantha wife of former PM David Cameron modelled for her brand in a 320 sleeveless maxi dress. Sam Cam's half sisters from her father Sir Reginald Sheffield's second marriage to Victoria Walker - Lucy Jackson (left) and Alice Cadestin (right) - both feature in her campaign Schools are abandoning foreign exchange trips because of the burden of doing background checks on the British host families, headteachers have warned. The rules are designed to protect pupils from abusers, but their impact on exchange programmes has been described as catastrophic. Many long-running schemes are being axed, with other UK schools accommodating foreign pupils in hotels or hostels, only allowing them to practise their language skills in hosts homes during the day. Schemes across schools in the UK are being axed and foreign exchange trips are being abandoned According to the British Council, the proportion of independent schools running language exchange programmes has fallen from 77 per cent in 2014 to 53 per cent this year. Meanwhile, just 29 per cent of state schools run such schemes. New Department for Education guidelines recommend that British schools ensure all adults in a host family undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before they take in a foreign pupil. The service uncovers criminal convictions and checks whether names are registered on any database which bars them from working with children. While the guidelines are not a legal requirement, schools cannot ignore them for fear of being sued later if a foreign pupil ends up being abused during an exchange. Bernard Trafford, a former head teacher of 28 years and now an education campaigner, said teachers are reluctant to ask parents to undergo the intrusive checks, which also impose a huge administrative burden on schools. The guidelines have had a catastrophic impact on school exchange programmes, he said. Parents are reluctant to do the checks as they are just too intrusive. It has led to so many schools abandoning exchange programmes. Also, although parents in Britain have to undergo DBS checks, parents in Germany or France do not have to undergo a similar one. Nobody can think of a case where a foreign pupil was abused in a British home when they were staying here on exchange. Mike Buchanan (pictured above), of the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference said children will miss out on language learning Experts warn that the guidelines still cannot guarantee a child will be safe because they do not cover other adults visiting the host family. Tiffin School in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, is one of the latest to change its exchange programme. Instead of placing pupils from Germany in British homes, the all-boys grammar school will put them up them in local hotels. However, its pupils who go to Germany will be allowed to stay in their hosts homes. The school declined to comment, but a source said teachers did not even approach parents to do a DBS check, knowing it would be too intrusive and put a colossal administrative burden on the school. The source said: We know it is not a legal requirement, but we did not want to take the risk. Nick Mair, former head of the Independent Schools Modern Languages Association, warned that abandoning exchange programmes will mean fewer students taking up modern language A-levels, adding: When you have pupils coming over to stay in hotels, it diminishes the experience. Mike Buchanan, of the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference, added: The inevitable decrease in exchange visits means children are missing out on irreplaceable language learning. Tens of millions of pounds donated by British taxpayers and other countries to help refugees in Uganda have vanished into thin air, according to a damning investigation by the United Nations. Confirming the findings of a Mail on Sunday investigation earlier this year, the UN internal review exposes an astonishing catalogue of dodgy land dealing, lack of invoices, overpayments, expenses fiddles and untraceable workers. It points the finger at Uganda's Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), which was the source of a major fraud six years ago but insisted on controlling relief efforts as up to 8,000 refugees a day poured over borders from conflicts in neighbouring countries. Tens of millions of pounds donated to help refugees in Uganda have vanished into thin air (Pictured, the Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in Northern Uganda) Conservative MP Nigel Evans, who visited Uganda last month with the International Development Committee, said: 'What seems to be happening at every level is stealing from some of the poorest people on the planet, with government officials or agencies that are either culpable or inadequate for this vital job.' He demanded International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt hold urgent talks with the UN over the findings, adding: 'Otherwise people will question whether it is worthwhile spending this money.' The vast sums sent to Uganda are part of the British Government's decision to spend 0.7 per cent of the nation's wealth on foreign aid 14 billion a year. The UN probe by its Office of Internal Oversight Services reveals multiple instances of mismanagement by UNHCR, its refugee agency, over the 18 months from July 2016 despite previous warnings. UN chief Antonio Guterres begged donors to help Uganda deal with 'the biggest refugee exodus in Africa since the Rwandan genocide'. Britain led the way, offering an extra 40 million on top of the 111 million already spent in the East African nation. The UN internal review exposed an astonishing catalogue of dodgy land dealing, lack of invoices, overpayments, expenses fiddles and untraceable workers (Pictured, Aid Minister Penny Mordaunt at a distribution centre in Djibouti, East Africa) This helped UNHCR spending in Uganda to soar from 98 million in 2016 to 161 million last year. An investigation by this newspaper in June revealed rampant corruption, theft of aid, manipulation of data and sexual abuse of refugees in Uganda. At the heart of the scam lay huge numbers of fake refugees. The audit confirms that for almost three years the OPM refused to share data on refugee registrations. After the scandal erupted, Uganda was forced to carry out an 8.5 million re-registration process that found 24 per cent fewer refugees than the 1.4 million being claimed. The audit also discovered that UNHCR handed the OPM 280,000 to buy land for 'refugee registration activities'. Yet the government's own valuation for the plot was 123,000. It is currently a car park. The OPM recommended use of three local charities that were underqualified yet accepted by the UNHCR even though one had previously defrauded it. Other instances of mishandling funds include 250,000 spent annually on 72 civil servants who could not be traced and another 130,000 paid in cash last year to temporary workers without documentation. The audit found 6.8 million disappeared on 'potential overpayment' to trucking and bus firms due to lack of paperwork. 'Weak controls by OPM and the lack of action to hold them accountable increased the risk to UNHCR of financial lost, fraud and other irregularities,' it said. The study also raised concerns over the UN's own car fleets, saying the agency operated 450 vehicles with a 3.1 million fuel expenditure yet there was no 'needs assessment or justification' for 230 of the vehicles. The review confirmed the findings of a Mail on Sunday investigation which took place earlier this year (Pictured, Ian Birrell in Yumbe Village, Northern Uganda) It found dire management of supplies with more goods stockpiled than actually distributed. One distribution point held goods worth more than 3 million but lacked an inventory, while solar lamps worth 250,000 were missing from another. The Mail on Sunday found scores of UN-branded items on sale in local markets. The UNHCR is already investigating fraud, theft and corruption over its operations in Uganda, while the PM has suspended four officials pending further inquiries. A UNHCR spokesman said the audit showed 'clear gaps and weaknesses' at a time when its staffing capacity in remote regions was very low, then rapidly expanded with new partners. 'We have accepted the recommendations of the auditors and have been working to address them well before this report was issued.' He added they were pursuing 'full recovery of funds from any project partners of concern' while also holding 'high-level dialogue' with the OPM on the findings. The Department of International Development said it had given no more cash to UNHCR in Uganda after claims of corruption emerged apart from emergency funds for Ebola virus prevention, and would only resume donations when confident the body had addressed issues raised by the audit. A spokesman said they had 'a zero-tolerance approach' to fraud and corruption: 'Where taxpayers' money is misused, we expect our partners to take firm and immediate action.' Scientists say they are 'very sure' that Dr He Jiankui, the doctor who claims to have created the first gene-edited babies, was successful in his heinous endeavour. The Chinese researcher garnered worldwide condemnation when he revealed the birth of twin girls who had their DNA altered to make them resistant to HIV. Dr Jiankui claims he used the powerful gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to alter the genetic code of the babies, known as LuLu and Nana. Dr Helen O'Neill of the University College London was present when the controversial scientists gave a speech on his widely criticised research. The esteemed lecturer in reproductive and molecular genetics said the beleaguered Chinese researcher 'gave quite an impressive presentation on quite extensive and thorough research'. Medical scientists fear the uproar over the reported births of the gene-edited babies could jeopardise future research on hereditary diseases. Scroll down for video He Jiankui, a Chinese researcher, speaks during the Human Genome Editing Conference in Hong Kong, where he made his first public comments about his claim to have helped make the world's first gene-edited babies Dr O'Neill told the New Scientist she and other scientists are now very sure that the babies really were gene-edited. 'Among the scientific community we're very sure,' she said. 'He gave quite an impressive presentation on quite extensive and thorough research that he had done both in animal and human embryos.' Mr Jianhkui's claims received widespread scepticism from some scientists who condemned the work as 'not morally or ethically defensible'. 'The initial shock meant people went 'Surely not he has to prove it.' But I never had any doubt,' said Dr O'Neill. At the summit, Mr Jianhkui also revealed that he is testing the gene-editing tool on a woman who is in the early stages of pregnancy. Since the first International Summit on Human Genome Editing was held in 2015 in Washington, D.C., research has continued to advance rapidly. However, many questions remain about the science, application, ethics, and governance of human genome editing. This graphic reveals how, theoretically, an embryo could be 'edited' using the powerful tool Crispr-Cas9 to defend humans against HIV infection Researchers are learning how to edit DNA to fight such conditions as Huntington's, Tay-Sachs and hereditary heart disease. Academics are conducting a wide range of legally permissible experiments on animals and embryos around the world but none include the ethically reprehensible step of creating gene-edited babies. These experiments, unlike that of Dr Jiankui, abide by the ethical guidelines set by various international bodies. Editing the DNA of a human embryo is not currently allowed in the US thanks to a 2017 ruling by the international committee of the National Academy of Sciences. Crispr-based experiments on human embryos were approved in the UK in 2016 with the stipulation they are never transplanted to create a pregnancy and mus be destroyed after a week. Scientists are now concerned that the severe backlash following the announcement from Dr Jiankui may have dire consequences for their work, too. A microplate containing embryos that have been injected with Cas9 protein and PCSK9 sgRNA is seen in a laboratory in Shenzhen in southern China's Guangdong province. The uproar over the unproven report of gene-edited births in China has researchers elsewhere worried about a backlash One fear is that such experiments could inadvertently damage genes that could then be passed on to future generations. Kyle Orwig, a reproductive specialist at the University of Pittsburgh, hopes to eventually alter sperm production to treat infertility. He says there is a clear public demand for the kind of research he is doing. 'Families contact me all the time, men who can't produce sperm and aren't helped by today's reproductive care,' he said. China has ordered a halt to the seemingly underground experiments by Dr Jiankui and his team. Zhou Xiaoqin installs a fine glass pipette into a sperm injection microscope in preparation for injecting embryos with Cas9 protein and PCSK9 sgRNA at a lab in Shenzhen in southern China's Guandong province 'This is what we're afraid of: Not legitimate scientists - it's crazy people that would just try it without even worrying about consequences,' said Shoukhrat Mitalipov of the Oregon Health and Science University. 'If the outcry results in more restrictions being added to the current patchwork of rules on what can be studied and how, the field 'will be, probably, thrown back for decades,' he added. The challenge, said Pittsburgh's Orwig, is to 'convince the community that this is one bad apple but it doesn't reflect what most people are doing.' How to prove that gene editing is safe enough to legitimately try in human pregnancies is a conundrum, said University of Pennsylvania bioethicist Jonathan Moreno. WHAT IS CRISPR-CAS9? Crispr-Cas9 is a tool for making precise edits in DNA, discovered in bacteria. The acronym stands for 'Clustered Regularly Inter-Spaced Palindromic Repeats'. The technique involves a DNA cutting enzyme and a small tag which tells the enzyme where to cut. The CRISPR/Cas9 technique uses tags which identify the location of the mutation, and an enzyme, which acts as tiny scissors, to cut DNA in a precise place, allowing small portions of a gene to be removed By editing this tag, scientists are able to target the enzyme to specific regions of DNA and make precise cuts, wherever they like. It has been used to 'silence' genes - effectively switching them off. When cellular machinery repairs the DNA break, it removes a small snip of DNA. In this way, researchers can precisely turn off specific genes in the genome. The approach has been used previously to edit the HBB gene responsible for a condition called -thalassaemia. Advertisement He Jiankui, a Chinese researcher, centre, speaks during the Human Genome Editing Conference in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. He made his first public comments about his claim to have helped make the world's first gene-edited babies 'No regulator follows that child over a lifetime, much less their progeny,' he noted. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) can be expensive and parents can pay extra to have the embryos genetically tested - and implant only those free of well-known dangerous mutations. This screening procedure allows people to avoid passing on genetic defects to their offspring but manipulation of existing genes is currently not permissible. Preimplantation diagnosis isn't an answer for everyone, Dr Johnston cautioned. IVF doesn't always produce enough embryos for couples to choose among. As testing uncovers more and more disorders, people will have to understand 'there's not going to be a perfect embryo,' she said. A popular porn site is retaliating against Starbuck's move to ban porn from its stores. YouPorn, which hosts free adult videos, has announced that it will no longer allow Starbucks products to be used in its offices. The site informed its employees of the move in an internal email on Thursday. Scroll down for video A popular porn site is retaliating against Starbuck's move to ban porn from its stores. YouPorn has announced that it will no longer allow Starbucks products to be used in its offices 'Dear YouPorn Team, In light of the news that Starbucks has blocked customers from searching and viewing adult content within their establishments, Starbucks products will officially be banned from the YouPorn offices, effective January 1st 2019,' Charlie Hughes, vice president of YouPorn, wrote in the letter, according to Forbes. 'See your direct manager for any questions.' A YouPorn spokesperson confirmed to Forbes that the letter is real. However, it isn't yet clear how or if YouPorn employees will actually be reprimanded if they walk into the offices carrying a grande frappuccino. Entrepreneur reported that YouPorn is really trying to hit Starbucks where it hurts most by urging its employees to buy coffee from Dunkin' instead. It comes after Starbucks announced earlier this week that it will launch a content-blocking tool to prevent customers from watching pornography in its stores. The firm plans to roll out the filter by 2019 nearly three years after it initially vowed to do so, and long after other chains including McDonalds, Subway, and Chick-fil-A made the move. Advocacy groups have been putting the pressure on Starbucks for years to block explicit content on its free, public WiFi. In addition to pornography, some argue it allows patrons to access illegal content such as child pornography without fear of repercussion. File photo Starbucks has so-far remained tight-lipped on the solution itself, and how it will weed out offensive content from acceptable material, but the company says its tested several tools, Business Insider reports. To ensure the Third Place remains safe and welcoming to all, we have identified a solution to prevent this content from being viewed within our stores and we will begin introducing it to our US locations in 2019, a Starbucks representative told Business Insider. Advocacy groups have been putting the pressure on Starbucks for years to block explicit content on its free, public WiFi. In addition to pornography, some argue it allows patrons to access illegal content such as child pornography without fear of repercussion. Just days ago, Enough is Enough launched a petition demanding Starbucks take action. And, its already been signed by more than 26,000 people. Starbucks now plans to roll out the porn-blocking filter by 2019 nearly three years after it initially vowed to do so, and long after other chains including McDonalds, Subway, and Chick-fil-A made the move. File photo While Starbucks told CNN back in 2016 that it was working on a solution, no such filter has appeared in the time since. Apparently, Starbucks cares more about providing paper straws to protect the environment than protecting kids and patrons on its public WiFi, EIE wrote in the petition. By breaking its commitment Starbucks is keeping the doors wide open for convicted sex offenders and patrons to fly under the radar from law enforcement and use free, public WiFi services to view or distribute graphics or obscene pornography, child pornography (an illegal crime), or engage in sexual predation activity, the petition adds. EIE is once again calling on all concerned to sign our new petition calling on Starbucks to follow through on its promise to filter. While the firm admitted as recently as this summer that it hadn't yet found the solution, according to BI, Starbucks now says the tool will roll out across the United States next year. Nielsen could be spying on what you watch to deliver personalized ads during live TV. The TV ratings and data company will study demographic information like consumers' age and gender to determine which advertising spots would be most effective. After looking at that information, Nielsen would insert targeted ads between live programming on smart televisions, replacing generic cable TV ads in the process. Scroll down for video Nielsen could be spying on what you watch to deliver personalized ads during live TV. The TV ratings and data company will study demographic information like consumers' age and gender to determine which advertising spots would be most effective HOW DOES IT WORK? Your smart TV may be spying on you to serve up better ads. The process is referred to as dynamic ad insertion. Dynamic ad insertion relies on chips in smart TVs, as well as content recognition software, to serve up targeted ads. The content recognition tech is able to determine when a user is watching a commercial, in order to replace it with an ad catered to their demographic. Advertisement For now, it's functioning as a pilot program that'll be limited to five U.S. markets, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Tampa, according to AdWeek. The program uses a process referred to by those in the advertising industry as 'dynamic ad insertion.' It relies on a combination of technologies to serve up the targeted ads, including chips in smart TVs and content recognition software. In this case, Nielsen says it has partnered with chipmaker MediaTek, which the company said are in half of the world's smart TVs. Nielsen is also taking advantage of the automatic content recognition technology created by Gracenote, which it acquired in 2017. For now, the targeted ad trial will be limited to five U.S. markets, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Tampa, as well as networks CBS and A+E Content recognition technology involves using algorithms to analyze and identify when an advertisement might be playing on a certain television. When the algorithm detects that an advertisement is playing, it would replace the cable TV ad with one that's been selected to fit the viewer's specific demographic. Nielsen first announced that it would be running dynamic ad insertion pilots in May. At the time, it said the trial would be limited to CBS, which planned to run the ads during live national broadcasts. Now, Nielsen is adding A+E Networks to the dynamic ad insertion trial as well. The firm has couched the technology as a way for advertisers to get the most out of their ad inventory, while marketers deliver more personalized ads and potentially generate a higher return on investment. DO SMART TV MAKERS HAVE TO HAVE YOUR PERMISSION TO 'SPY' ON YOU? An analysis from Consumer Reports has described the amount of data smart TV manufacturers - and companies that work with them - can access about you and your family. One of the television makers evaluated in the report, Vizio, has already been in trouble because of this trend. In 2017 the company was sued by both state and federal regulators because it had not asked for users' permission before gathering their data. Vizio had to shell out $1.5million (1.1 million) to settle a case brought against it by the Federal Trade Commission. Television manufacturer Vizio has been sued for 'spying' on users. It had to shell out more than $2million between a federal and a state lawsuit last year (file photo) Additionally, it paid $700,000 (530,000) to settle with the state of New Jersey. The Federal Trade Commission has been clear about the fact that companies have to ask you before accessing your data. Five television manufacturers were evaluated in the new Consumer Reports study: Vizio, TCL, Sony, LG and Samsung. The report said that all of the companies were following this Federal Trade Commission rule. 'Every smart TV we evaluated asked for permission to collect viewing data and other kinds of information,' the report said. Advertisement It also claims it will result in a better experience for consumers while they watch TV. 'Nielsen recognizes the huge opportunity addressable TV presents for our clients,' Kelly Abcarian, senior vice president of product leadership for Nielsen, said in a statement. 'Marketers will be able to better realize the value of their advertising inventory, achieve maximum return on their ad spend and viewers will see messages that are most relevant to them.' It's not the first time smart television makers have been found to spy on consumers. Many smart TV sets have apps and other technology installed in them that can track what shows people are watching, how long they're watching ads for and whether or not that lead to them purchasing something. U.S. lawmakers have increasingly pushed back on these practices, however, as they argue that consumers don't necessarily want their TV watching habits to be fair game for advertisers. It is the real-life Avator robot. Toyota has revealed the latest version of its T-HR31 humanoid robot. Human operators have been able to successfully control the human-sized bot remotely through 5G communication from roughly 6 miles away. Eventually, Toyota is hoping to create a robotic system that can work alongside humans in the home and other settings, such as healthcare institutions. Scroll down for video Toyotas T-HR31 humanoid robot has taken another major step forward. The bot can mimic the actions of a human operator, allowing it to do everything from balancing on one foot to squeezing a balloon without popping it. The firm will demonstrate its 5G controls next week THE T-HR3 ROBOT Toyota has unveiled its third-generation humanoid, dubbed T-HR3. The bot connects to a human operator using a Master Maneuvering System and a virtual reality headset. Each joint is connected to the chair through motors, reduction gears, and the torque sensors. This directly communicates physical actions to the robot; when the operator moves their hands, for example, the robot will do the same. In the VR headset, the operator can see exactly what the robot is doing in 3D and real-time. Advertisement Toyota says it will demonstrate the technology between Tokyo Big Sight and Tokyo Skytree as part of the DOCOMO Open House 2018 next week. The firm first unveiled its third-generation humanoid last year. The bot can mimic the actions of a human operator, allowing it to do everything from balancing on one foot to squeezing a balloon without popping it. According to Toyota, the system relies on a remote control Master Maneuvering System, which uses an array of sensors to directly communicate physical movements to the robot. The creators say this could be used to assist people at home, hospitals, or one day, even in space. The system allows the operator to control the robot remotely from the Mastering Maneuvering System a large chair equipped with movable arms and dozens of sensors. Toyota has revealed that its successfully controlled the human-sized bot remotely through 5G communication from roughly 6 miles away Toyota's third-generation humanoid, dubbed T-HR3, is equipped with 29 Torque Servo Mudles to create distinct movable body parts. Each joint is connected to the chair through motors, reduction gears, and torque sensors. And, the chair itself contains 16 master controls. This, according to Toyota, allows for whole body coordination and real remote manipulation of the robots actions. The bot has been compared to the technology in the film Avatar, which saw humans take over another body Footage of the bot in action shows how its movements directly correspond to those of the operator. When the operator moves their arms, the robot does the same. It can even transition through several positions while standing on one foot. The remote control system also uses a head mount display in this case, an HTC Vive virtual reality headset. The system allows the operator to control the robot remotely from the Mastering Maneuvering System a large chair equipped with movable arms and dozens of sensors. Toyota's third-generation humanoid, dubbed T-HR3, is equipped with 29 Torque Servo Mudles With this, the operator can see exactly what the robot is seeing in 3D and real-time, to enable more precise actions. According to the creators, this type of system could have a slew of possible applications. According to Toyota, the system allows for whole body coordination and real remote manipulation of the robots actions It could be used in homes or medical settings to assist people with daily tasks. Or, it could be used in construction sites, disaster-stricken areas, or even in space, to help explore or carry out work in environments that are potentially dangerous for a human. Despite its clunky stature, the robot is even able to take on gentle tasks. Guided by the human operator, the video shows how it can squeeze a balloon and roll it around between its hands without popping it. The Partner Robot team members are committed to using the technology in T-HR3 to develop friendly and helpful robots that coexist with humans and assist them in their daily lives, said Akifumi Tamaoki, General Manager, Partner Robot Division. Looking ahead, the core technologies developed for this platform will help inform and advance future development of robots to provide ever-better mobility for all. Thomas Farr. Photo: Alex Brandon/AP/REX/Shutterstock Senator Tim Scott announced on Thursday that he would oppose the judicial nomination of Thomas Farr, who President Donald Trump had tapped to become a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The news ended a suspenseful four days of deliberation for Scott, whose decision cited Farrs past efforts to undermine black suffrage. His opposition paired with Arizona Senator Jeff Flakes effectively killed Farrs bid, which would have secured the Raleigh-based lawyer a lifetime on the federal bench. Theres a lot of folks that could be judges in states throughout the nation, including North Carolina, besides Tom Farr, Scott told reporters earlier this week. Farrs abysmal record on black voting rights is well-documented. As a lawyer for United States Senator Jesse Helms who, in 2001, Washington Post journalist David S. Broder described as the last prominent unabashed white racist politician in this country Farr was the coordinator of a racist 1984 ballot security initiative spearhead by the North Carolina GOP. It included a postcard mailing to voters in predominantly black precincts which was designed to serve as a basis to challenge [them] on election day, according to a 1991 Justice Department memo. The cards featured an endorsement for Helms who was running for reelection that November and the instruction, address correction requested, so they would be returned if undeliverable. As Farr explained in a later meeting with Helms 1990 reelection campaign managers and consultants, a postcards return qualified as prima facie evidence that a voter no longer lived at the residence. This made the voters eligibility vulnerable to challenge on election day. But when the state legislature changed this rule in 1985 so returned mail was no longer sufficient grounds, Helms responded in 1990 with even more underhanded tactics. His campaign sent 125,000 mailers to black voters falsely claiming they were barred from the ballot box unless they had lived in that precinct for at least 30 days, and would face jail time if they voted. The result was his successful reelection against then-Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt, a black man. The DOJ recommended the North Carolina GOP be sued for its conduct that November. But Farrs efforts to thwart black voters continued well into the 21st century. In 2013, he represented the Republican-controlled state legislature defending a voting law that a federal appeals court eventually overruled, saying it had [targeted] African-Americans with almost surgical precision. The law imposed stringent voter ID requirements, curtailed election day registration and early voting, and ended other procedures favored by black voters, according to the New York Times. Tellingly, legislators had enacted the law almost immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act that year, allowing several North Carolina counties to change their voting laws without federal preclearance for the first time since 1965. It should surprise no one that none of this was disqualifying for the Senate GOP. On the contrary, the vast majority still backed Farrs nomination, with only a handful besides Scott and Flake signaling their reservations in light of his record. This is a feature of modern conservative politics, not a bug. The moral stench engulfing Republicans efforts to suppress nonwhite votes is detectable from Georgia to North Dakota. But black political participation has alarmed racist white North Carolinians for far longer. Though it prompts ID laws, early voting restrictions, and roll purges today, 120 years ago, this fear sparked the deadliest race riot in state history. The ultimate goal [of the 1898 Wilmington riot] was the resurgence of white rule, historian LeRae Umfleet wrote in 2005, according to the Times. Efforts to suppress black political power may have been bloodier before, but they are not new. The legacy Farr would have advanced on the bench and the GOP support he amassed en route is enough to sour any relief generated by his narrow failure. That black North Carolinians have endured such a history only to have Republicans subject them to a man like Farr is remarkable, and even more so considering said historys enduring relevance. Anti-black voter suppression may have narrowed its scope and obscured its intentions in light of strengthening civil rights legislation of late, but for decades, its most effective means physical violence was sanctioned gladly by a kleptocratic white elite. Alfred Moore Waddell used this to his political advantage in 1898. A reluctant secessionist who opened a law firm in Wilmington after serving in the Confederate army, Waddell embarked on a career in politics as the effects of Reconstruction were growing increasingly apparent around him. Black emancipation paved the way for black suffrage, which in turn led to the empowerment of Republicans, the party that facilitated most black political gains during the period. Waddell spent years as a congressman, but by the time he ran for mayor as a white supremacist Democrat in 1898, he and many of his fellow white Wilmingtonians had become furious with biracial rule. That November, Waddell won a dubious election marked by his supporters stuffing ballot boxes and intimidating black would-be voters. According to the Times, Democrats insisted control of the city be handed over to them immediately instead of waiting for an orderly transfer of power. Republicans demurred, so Democrats rioted. A mob 2,000-strong rampaged through the city, firing on black neighborhoods and other perceived Republican strongholds, shooting black people in the street, and forcing black leaders into exile. Other black residents fled into the surrounding swamps to hide. Pregnant women gave birth to babies who died shortly after, unable to withstand the autumn chill. Estimates vary, but state officials say as many as 100 were killed, none white. Waddell, backed by armed men, successfully demanded the resignation of the citys entire board of aldermen, including the mayor, and took office in what historians describe as the only successful coup detat against a local government in American history. The fear that drove Waddell endured. North Carolinas black population share has fallen dramatically since the era of the coup, from 49 percent in 1897, to 44 percent in 1900, to 26 percent in 2000, to just over 18 percent today. But the progressive resurgence and ballot access reforms that helped Barack Obama carry the state in 2008 spurred Republicans to tighten their grip on power, using means both brazenly partisan, racist, and anti-democratic. The GOPs redistricting efforts in 2010 paid special attention to North Carolina, gerrymandering the state so ruthlessly that, in the 2018 midterms, Democrats won just three seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to Republicans 10 despite the parties garnering a comparable share of the statewide vote (48.3 percent and 50.4 percent, respectively). Since May 2017, federal judges have deemed no fewer than two GOP-led redistricts in North Carolina unconstitutional due to their racism. Republicans 2013 efforts to restrict ballot access, aimed unambiguously at black voters, preceded a dramatic power grab targeting the states Supreme Court, which became majority-Democrat in the 2016 elections. The state GOP went so far as to abolish partisan judicial primaries in a likely effort to split the Democratic vote, to trying to end judicial elections altogether. These efforts failed, and voting-rights attorney Anita Earls was elected in November anyway, increasing the Democrats state Supreme Court majority to 7-2. This history should matter when considering a nomination like Farrs. The racist and anti-democratic urge that propels efforts like those he spearheaded in 1984 and advised in 1990, on behalf of Helms, further delegitimizes the electoral process and should be disqualifying. In reality, it is often rewarded. Georgias gubernatorial race saw suppression architect Brian Kemp claim victory after seeking to disqualify black voters and refusing to recuse himself from oversight, as secretary of state, in an election where he was a candidate. That Farr came up short attests to Tim Scotts brief flirtation with morals, as his partys only black senator. But that may not matter in 2019, when Republicans control two more senate seats and Trump can re-nominate. A key difference is that Kemp can be voted out in a few years. Farrs judgeship would last until his death. The significance of a lifetime appointment is its name. Black North Carolinians may be used to such incursions from Republican officials by now. But they deserve better, and always have. A bizarre bug has hit Google Maps that has made swastikas appear at locations around the world. The issue seems to be primarily affecting the Google Maps icons for hotels in Europe. Reports of the bug began surfacing on Friday when users submitted complaints to Google via Twitter. Scroll down for video A bizarre bug has hit Google Maps that made swastikas appear at different locations for users around the world. The issue seems to be primarily affecting hotel icons in Europe 'I opened my maps and was looking for hotels in the surrounding area, when I noticed the swastikas,' a woman named Katie from Dublin, Ireland, told HuffPost. 'I thought it was very strange so I took a screenshot. That's when I tweeted Google maps questioning it. 'I've since closed the app and reopened it and it's back to normal with the bed. This is the only time I've ever noticed it,' she added. Users outside Europe also encountered the bizarre bug. 'Hey @sheratonhotels and @googlemaps I'm in San Juan, Puerto Rico,' one user tweeted. 'On Google maps at the moment I'm seeing swastikas marking Sheraton properties. What's going on here?' The woman from Dublin shared what the bug looked like in a series of accompanying tweets. A screenshot shows two hotels in Dublin, one named The Merchant House and another called Kelly's Hotel, that have the traditional bed icon replaced with what appears to be a swastika. The swastika has become synonymous with Nazi Germany, racism and anti-Semitism. But before the swastika was co-opted by the Nazis in the 1930s and, later, some far-right groups, it represented spirituality, well-being and even good luck in Buddhism, as well as many regions in Asia and Africa. The reason stems from a feature in Google Maps that lets users view locations by 'points of interest.' Each type of point of interest has its own designated icon - for example, a dolphin icon designates an aquarium, while the 'M' icon represents a subway station. As it turns out, what users believed to be a swastika icon actually isn't one. The icon is meant to represent Buddhist temples, particularly in places where the swastika is still viewed as a religious symbol. As it turns out, what users believed to be a swastika icon actually isn't one. The icon is meant to represent Buddhist temples, in places where the swastika is still viewed as a religious symbol Still, Google has confirmed that the Buddhist symbol isn't supposed to be showing up as the icon for hotels. 'This image is not a swastika, but a Buddhist symbol of worship,' a Google spokesperson told Mashable. 'We're aware that these religious symbols are incorrectly displaying for certain hotels in Dublin and are working on a fix to restore the correct hotel icon to these places.' The producer behind the film adaptation of Philip Reeve's novel Mortal Engines has defended her team's decision to tone down the lead character's iconic facial scarring. In the novel, Hester is described a young woman who was left with a hideously scarred cheek, half a nose and one eye after being attacked with a sword as a child. However, after trailers surfaced for Peter Jackson's film adaptation, viewers were left wondering why Hester Shaw (played by Hera Hilmar) was given two eyes and a far less horrific scar than previously described. 'A lot of people think it was an aesthetic choice': Mortal Engines producer has explained the REAL reason why the book's lead character's scar was reduced for screen adaptation 'A lot of people think it was an aesthetic choice, that we were too afraid to show a disfigured woman, which was absolute crap. Or that she had to be pretty, which again is absolute crap,' the film's producer and scriptwriter Philippa Boyens told the The Daily Telegraph on Sunday. Philippa explained that the decision to tone down the scar was a practical one, saying that Hester would have had 'issues with the way she talks' if the creative team were to follow the book's description of her face. 'If you don't have a nose, she would not have been able to say half the lines she does,' she explained. 'If you don't have a nose, she would not have been able to say half the lines she does': Philippa explained that the decision to tone down the scar was a practical one Rising star: Actress Hera Hilmar (pictured) plays the lead role of Hester Shaw in the upcoming flick Mortal Engines is set in a post-apocalyptic steampunk world where cities have been mounted on moving wheels and prey upon each other like animals. Meanwhile, a young assassin named Hester Shaw emerges as the only one who can stop the predator city of London from devouring everything in its path. Motivated by her mother's death and the struggles of dealing with her facial disfigurement, Hester joins forces with Tom Natsworthy, an outcast from London, and Anna Fang a dangerous outlaw to fight London. A machine-eat-machine world: Mortal Engines is set in a post-apocalyptic steampunk world where cities have been mounted on moving wheels and prey upon each other like animals 'Society has rebuilt a semblance of what it used to be, except the cities are now actually moving,' director Peter Jackson said in a press release. 'You are always looking for stories with humanity. Mortal Engines has that,' he said. Other stars set to appear in the the film include Hugo Weaving Robert Sheehan, Jihae, Ronan Raftery, Leila George, Patrick Malahide, and Stephen Lang. Mortal Engines hits cinemas from December 6. Roxy Jacenko and Oliver Curtis are set to reveal all in a no-holds-barred interview with Seven's Melissa Doyle on Sunday Night. And ahead of the tell-all talk, the PR powerhouse told Daily Mail Australia that the chat was not a walk in the park. 'It will be raw, real and honest,' the 38-year-old confessed. 'It will be raw, real and honest': Roxy Jacenko (left), 38, admits her upcoming Sunday Night interview alongside husband Oliver Curtis (right), 'will be challenging without question' 'Without question it's the most challenging interview I have ever done,' Roxy added. In a preview for the in-depth interview scheduled to run on Sunday, an emotional Roxy is seen admitting that she had a 'nervous breakdown' following Oliver's incarceration for insider trading in 2016. 'I couldn't cope. I had a nervous breakdown,' the mother-of-two says in the clip. Candid: Roxy and Oliver are set to reveal all in a no-holds-barred interview with Melissa Doyle on Sunday Night. 'I couldn't cope. I had a nervous breakdown,' Roxy says in a preview 'How has this happened to me?' she asks herself, before Melissa says that the business mogul 'went off the rails.' Roxy has previously said that raising her two children, Pixie, four, and Hunter, six, alone while managing her business empire, made her 'lose her marbles'. 'I had a nervous breakdown. I had cancer in 2016, 2017. My husband went to jail. I was raising two children on my own, [I had] four businesses I was running. I lost my marbles,' she candidly told the crowd at a Business Chicks event. Help: The PR mogul also admitted to the Financial Review that she was given anti-depressant medication when she 'reached a 'breaking point' 11 months after husband Oliver (right) was imprisoned, and she continues taking it to this day Seeking help: Roxy (pictured) said she begged a doctor to 'admit her to a clinic' following the imprisonment of her husband And more recently, Roxy told the Financial Review, that following Oliver's imprisonment, she begged a doctor for help. Roxy told the publication that she said to her GP: 'You need to admit me to a clinic.' At that time she was prescribed the antidepressant Effexor, which the Sweaty Betty founder has continued to use. Candid about her experience, Roxy said that receiving the help she needs is nothing to be ashamed of. 'It's not something to be ashamed of. If that's what I need to do to make sure that I am a good mother, a good boss, I deliver on the job that I have to do, and that I'm happy and confident, so be it,' she told the publication. It's okay: 'It's not something to be ashamed of. If that's what I need to do to make sure that I am a good mother, a good boss,' Roxy says She's the savvy businesswoman who often documents her lavish lifestyle on social media. And during an interview with Channel Seven's Sunday Night, Roxy Jacenko defended posting photographs of her daily designer outfits to Instagram while her husband Oliver Curtis was on trial for insider trading in 2016. After being accused of 'turning the courtroom into a fashion show,' the 38-year-old PR maven confessed that she had to upkeep her online image. 'I took umbrage to that. I'm known for my lift selfies': PR Queen Roxy Jacenko defended 'turning the courtroom into a fashion show' when husband Oliver Curtis was on trial for insider trading two years ago Speaking to journalist Melissa Doyle, Roxy said: 'I really took umbrage to that. I had clients who were expecting me to show that it was business as usual.' 'I was known for my lift selfies. My lift selfies didn't stop, and they certainly didn't start when Ollie's trial started,' the mother-of-two stated. Roxy explained that the act of posting to social media daily was used by her as a coping mechanism, adding that she had to 'pretend' life was 'normal'. Roxy said: 'I had clients who were expecting me to show that it was business as usual. Roxy (left) appeared on Sunday night with husband Oliver (right) 'I wanted to maintain the consistency that was life as normal. Sure, it wasn't normal, but in my mind, I needed to pretend it was,' she candidly revealed. In June 2016, Oliver was convicted of conspiracy to commit insider trading and was sentenced to two years in jail. While supporting her partner, Roxy made stylish statements at court, often turning up in outfits that cost thousands of dollars. 'I was known for my lift selfies. My lift selfies didn't stop, and they certainly didn't start when Ollie's trial started,' the mother-of-two stated. Pictured Left: Wearing a matching Louis Vuitton knit and skirt in 2016 Dressy: While supporting Oliver at the time, Roxy made stylish statements at court, often turning up in outfits that costs thousands of dollars (Pictured in 2016) Roxy told Daily Mail Australia: 'I do a lift selfie everyday, so today is no different maintaining day to day life as normal is important' In September 2016, the blonde beauty shared one of her famous elevator selfies showing off her matching Louis Vuitton knit and skirt, writing in the caption below it: 'Day 1'. The Sydney socialite teamed the look with strappy black Yves Saint Laurent heels and her black leather Hermes Birkin handbag, reportedly costing up to $17,659 AUD. After posting the elevator selfie, Roxy told Daily Mail Australia: 'I do a lift selfie everyday, so today is no different maintaining day to day life as normal is important.' Two years on from their first date, and Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are married. But before the two fell for one another, they had both enjoyed their fair share of romance, and indeed the occasional broken heart. Here we look at the newlyweds romantic history, and examine how love for Nick, 26, has changed the formerly private Priyanka, 36 - who is now happy to share her big day with the world. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas: From Miley Cyrus to Bollywood legends, here we examine the two stars dated before they found love together; the couple are pictured this week in Mumbai at their Puja ceremony ahead of their wedding Interestingly in an interview withVogue to mark her upcoming marriage, she admitted Nick was the first lover who she had ever been willingly photographed with. 'Ive had that rule my whole life,' she told Vogue. 'Never publicly acknowledge a relationship. Ever. What is happening? Ive not known myself like this. This guy turned me into such a girl! If I could blush, Id be tomato red right now.' Despite the lack of photos, plenty of column inches have been devoted to Priyanka's love life over the years, particularly in India, where speculation has always been rife about the huge Bollywood star. With few pictures of her with romantic interests, fans naturally speculated about her links to her male co-stars. Love interests? Aseem Merchant, thought to be Priyanka's first famous lover, and Shahrukh Khan a Bollywood co-star of Priyankas - fans wondered if the romance onscreen was genuine Her first famous lover is rumored to have been Asseem Merchant, the actor known for his appearances in films such as Wanted, Aseema: Beyond Boundaries and Singh Saab the Great, but it is not known when exactly they dated and for how long. She then was thought to be in a relationship with Harman Baweja, 38, of Love Story 2050 fame in 2008 before being seen with fellow actor Shahid Kapoor, 37, from 2009. They were linked for two years. Co-stars turned lovers? She then thought to be in a relationship with Harman Baweja, right, of Love Story 2050 fame (pictured in 2008) before being seen with fellow actor Shahid Kapoor from 2009, left There has also been speculation about her relationship with Akshay Kumar, 51, after they appeared in many films together. According to a report on Trend Unplugged, fans wondered if Priyanka had the hots for Shahrukh Khan, 53, when the pair were filming the 2006 film Don, after she repeatedly professed her love for the actor in multiple interviews. His wife, Gauri Khan, is even said by some to have banned her husband from talking to Priyanka. Speculation: Priyanka, left, with her co-star Akshay Kumar and actress Lara Dutta People talk: Before her relationship with Nick Jonas was revealed, rumors were rife she was dating British actor Tom Hiddleston after the pair were spotted at a few awards ceremonies Before her relationship with Nick Jonas was revealed, rumors were rife she was dating British actor Tom Hiddleston, 37, after the pair were spotted at a few awards ceremonies together in 2016 - the year she enjoyed her first date with Nick. Meanwhile former teenage heartthrob Nick Jonass first high profile girlfriend was Miley Cyrus, 26, and their relationship was revealed in her 2009 book Miles To Go. She even wrote the song 7 Things about him. After his split with Miley, Nick made his feelings about Selena Gomez clear in 2008 and she appeared in his music video for Burning Up. Dating time: Teenage heartthrob Nick Jonass first high profile girlfriend was Miley Cyrus and their relationship was revealed in her book Miles To Go; the two are pictured in 2009 Rumors also circulated about his Jonas L.A. co-star Nicole Anderson, 28, before he dated Samantha Barks, 28, in 2010 and later, Delta Goodrem, 34. Nick was also spotted on a few dates with Gigi Hadid, 23, but she went on to date his older brother Joe Jonas. Nick and Rita Ora, 28, managed to keep their relationship under wraps until he released the song What Do I Mean To You, which included her name in the lyrics. Rumors circulated about Nick and his Jonas L.A. co-star Nicole Anderson before he dated Samantha Barks, right in 2010 Found out: Nick and Rita Ora, 28, managed to keep their relationship under wraps until he released the song What Do I Mean To You, which included her name in the lyrics; pictured 2015 He was then linked to Olivia Culpo after meeting her when hosting Miss USA in 2013. After being spotted with Kendall Jenner, he was also rumored to be spending time with Tinashe, especially after she was featured on his track, Jealous. Nick was also linked at various times to Kate Hudson, Barbara Palvin, Lily Collins, Cherry D and Georgia Fowler. Romance rumors began after they attended the 2018 Met Gala together in May of this year. But Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas's love story actually began way before, when the Jonas Brothers star first slid into the actresses DMs in 2016. Revealing all, the couple shared an indepth account of the origins of their love story for the first time in their new Vogue article. February 26, 2017: After weeks of texting one another, Nick Jonas spotted Priyanka Chopra across a crowded room at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party; this was their first meeting And it all started when the former teenage heartthrob direct messaged the Quantico star. 'It was Nick who sent the first message,' she said. But there is a story behind that. He first sent a text to Graham Rogers, Chopras costar on Quantico, that read: 'Priyanka. Is. Wow.' But Nick said that is not the way he usually talks. Then he sent a message to Priyanka on Twitter: 'Im hearing from a few mutual friends that we should meet,' the note said. May 1 2017: With Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra both signed up to wear Ralph Lauren at the Met Gala, the pair enjoyed one date before walking the carpet together He asked her out and gave a date: September 8, 2016. 'She responded day of with a message that said, "My team can read this. Why dont you just text me."' Chopra laughs, 'Boy got the number!' Armed with Priyanka's digits, Nick began texting, and the two began to get to know one another. May 7, 2017: It was a whole year before the two met again, at the Met Gala; this time they connected, sparking their whirlwind romance But it was a while before they met - after Nick spotted Priyanka at the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscars party. 'I put my drink down... get on one kneethis is in front of a bunch of peopleand I say, "Youre real. Where have you been all my life?" Like, loud.' The two fitted in just one drink that night, before Priyanka had to leave. But not before Nick scheduled another drink at the Carlyle hotel in New York the week before the Met Gala in May 2017, on the pretext that both would be wearing Ralph Lauren. June 12, 2018: Two dates quickly followed, with the two pictured exiting a performance of Beauty And The Beast in Los Angeles 'We hung out for a couple of hours,' Chopra says of the date, which ended when Nick escorted her back to her apartment. 'He patted my back before he left.' 'There was no kiss. There was nothing,' Jonas said. 'There was a back pat,' Chopra says. 'Shes still upset about that,' Jonas said, adding: 'Your mom was in the house! I thought it was a respectful first night.' Priyanka replies: 'It was too respectful if you ask me.' June 7 2018: Quickly inseparable, the LA-based pair are seen jetting to New York The two did not see one another for a year, until they reconnected at this year's Met Gala on May 7. And it was there sparks flew. Meghan had a busy few weeks ahead, during which she notably attended her best friend Meghan Markle's wedding, solo, in London on May 19. But once back in Los Angeles two dates quickly followed, to a performance of Beauty And The Beast and a Dodgers game. By June Nick was Priyanka's date as she visited her hometown of Mumbai in India. Then a birthday trip to celebrate Priyanka turning 36 followed in July, and is was there Nick proposed on July 19th this year - to his love's shock. June 22, 2018: After the two reconnected, their love quickly grew serious and they were pictured visiting Mumbai in India June 30, 2018: Priyanka was in the audience as Nick performed in Goiania, Brazil 'I got down on one knee, again, and I said: "Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?"' he admitted. 'No joke - she took about 45 seconds. Forty-five seconds of silence.' Eventually, Nick took the initigvaie and slid the ring onto Priyanka's finger. In the interview, Priyanka revealed when she first fell in love with Nick. July 16 2018: The couple are pictured in London, three days before Nick shocked his future bride with a proposal September 7: The couple pose together at a Ralph Lauren show, as they plan their wedding She was on a date in LA with Jonas and he said: 'I love the way you look at the world. I love the drive you have.' She added: 'As a girl, Ive never had a guy tell me, "I like your ambition." Its always been the opposite.' After announcing their engagement to the world, the couple embraced wedding planning, and set a date - December 1, 2018. Ready to wed: A romantic selfie posted by Priyanka on November 22, as the two reconnected when Nick arrived in India on November 22 ahead of their wedding They have been married for 22 years and it is clear that they are going stronger than ever. And on Saturday, Hugh Jackman, 50, took to Instagram to post a heartwarming birthday message to his wife Deborra-lee Furness, who has just turned 63. In the selfie, Australian star Hugh looks dapper in a black tie outfit, alongside Deborra-lee in a similarly smart black outfit. Scroll down for video 'Happy birthday to my smart, sassy, sexy bride': Hugh Jackman, 50, posts a heartwarming message to wife Deborra-lee Furness as she turns 63 'Happy birthday to my smart, sassy, sexy bride. I love you with my entire heart,' Hugh captioned the snap. The X-Men actor added the hashtag: 'My Debs.' Hugh's legion of followers flocked to the post to wish Deborra-lee a happy birthday, with one follower writing: 'One of the most inspirational ladies on this earth!' Sweet: 'Happy birthday to my smart, sassy, sexy bride. I love you with my entire heart,' Hugh captioned the snap Fans: Hugh's legion of followers flocked to the post to wish Deborra-lee a happy birthday, with one follower writing: 'One of the most inspirational ladies on this earth!' The couple - who share adopted children Oscar, 18, and Ava, 13, together - have been enjoying a very loved-up month in November. Hugh paid tribute to Deborra-lee for creating charity organisation Hopeland, via Instagram a few weeks ago. Hugh shared a photo of himself clad in a slim-fit shirt and tailored suit, embracing Deborra-lee. 'So proud of Deb for creating this incredible organization - HOPELAND is finding better ways to keep children in families. @ourhopeland.' Big love: Hugh paid tribute to Deborra-lee for creating charity organisation Hopeland, via Instagram a few weeks ago Deborra-lee co-founded Hopeland in 2014, alongside Nicholas Evans. Hopeland aims to find innovative solutions and build new partnerships to prevent family separation, as well as reunify children with their families. The organisation also supports children outside of family care. 50 Cent has reignited his feud with son Marquise Jackson. The In Da Club rapper took to Instagram on Thursday to comment on a photo of the 21-year-old posing with the son of longtime rival Kenneth 'Supreme' McGriff. 'If both these little n*****s got hit by a bus, I wouldn't have a bad day,' wrote the 43-year-old Get Rich Or Die Tryin' star. Now, one day later, and 50 has taken to Instagram again to elaborate on his scathing comment. 'I have zero ill will towards anyone living on this Earth,' the rapper-turned-entrepreneur began. Bad blood: 50 Cent -aka Curtis Jackson- took to Instagram on Thursday to comment on a photo of his son Marquise [R] posing with the son of longtime rival Kenneth 'Supreme' McGriff 'The people Shaniquas (50's baby mother) son looks up to and associates with is a reflection of the negative energy he embraces towards me,' 50 added in the caption of a promo photo from his Starz crime series Power, that shows him with a gun. 'I paid his mother $1,360,000 in support to afford him the opportunities I never had. They just spent it, over the years I repeated get a job now they have to figure it out.' The dispute dates back to 2000, when 50 Cent was shot nine times outside his grandmother's former home in South Jamaica, Queens, New York. Another take: 50 took to Instagram on Friday to elaborate on his scathing comments: 'I have zero ill will towards anyone living on this Earth... The people Shaniquas (50's baby mother) son looks up to and associates with is a reflection of the negative energy he embraces towards me' Happier times: The rapper clearly didn't take kindly to his own flesh and blood posing with McGriff's son - especially given the pair already have a strained relationship. 50 Cent seen here with Marquise in 2007 Federal investigators at the time believed the mastermind behind the attack was New York drug kingpin Kenneth 'Supreme' McGriff. The rapper survived the attack, despite being shot in the hand, arm, hip, both legs, chest and left cheek. And 50, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson, clearly didn't take kindly to his own flesh and blood posing with McGriff's son - especially given the pair already have a strained relationship. 'Father's Day Lunch lol': On Father's Day 2018, Marquise trolled his dad with an Instagram post in which he posed while sitting alone at a restaurant behind two empty plates On Father's Day 2018, Marquise trolled his dad with an Instagram post in which he posed while sitting alone at a restaurant behind two empty plates. The post was captioned 'Father's Day Lunch lol,' in an apparent jab at his absent father. 50 Cent shares his firstborn with Shaniqua Tompkins, 43, who famously sued the actor for $50 million, over her claims they had made an oral agreement that he would take care of her financially for life. The suit was tossed in 2009. Got rich: 50 Cent shares his firstborn with Shaniqua Tompkins, 43, who famously sued the actor for $50 million in 2009. 50 seen here in October 2018 The dispute dates back to 2000, when 50 Cent was shot nine times outside his grandmother's former home in South Jamaica, Queens, New York in an attack orchestrated by Kenneth 'Supreme' McGriff, according to federal investigators. McGriff seen here in 2007 Marquise spoke about his strained relationship with the I Get Money artist in a 2017 interview with Rap Up. 'It completely went south when I was probably like 10 or 11. He wasnt really around enough,' revealed the aspiring rapper. And things have since gone from bad to worse between the pair. 'Hes still alive but I cant tell you our last conversation or the last time we even had a dialogue,' said Marquise. 50 Cent also has another son, six-year-old Sire Jackson, with actress Daphne Joy. Kim Kardashian is usually at the center of the spotlight. But after a successful cameo in an Ariana Grande music video, it was Kris Jenner's time to shine. The 63-year-old momager made sure all eyes were on her as she arrived for a Keeping Up With The Kardardashians filming session with her famous 38-year-old daughter in Sherman Oaks, California. Wow factor: Kim Kardashian opted for casual chic in athleisure with heels as she arrived for a Keeping Up With The Kardardashians filming session in Sherman Oaks, California Stealing the show: Though Kim is a megastar no doubt all eyes were on Kris Jenner who donned a bright yellow checked blazer As if: Kris looked like a total Betty as she donned a yellow checked blazer much like Alicia Silverstone's character in Cher in 1995 hit comedy Clueless Kris looked like a total Betty as she donned a yellow checked blazer much like Alicia Silverstone's character in Cher in 1995 hit comedy Clueless. Kim also looked fashionable as she sported a blue long sleeved Nike top cropped just enough to show off her abs along with matching leggings. It was an interesting choice in athleisure as her husband Kanye West has a partnership with Adidas. Curvaceous: Kim, 38, also looked fashionable as she sported a blue long sleeved Nike top cropped just enough to show off her abs along with matching leggings Rocking it: Kris teamed the bright blazer with black leather trousers, with matching boots and a turtleneck Strut: Kim looked every inch the Instagram model Bonding time: Kim shared a snap of her mother with the caption: 'Mommy and me' The Kimoji founder added a bit of edge to the gym-ready look with a pair of black suede heeled booties. Her brunette tresses were worn down in a middle-part as she accentuated her looks with nude lip and smokey eye. Kris teamed the bright blazer with black leather trousers, with matching boots and a turtleneck. Back in black: The two were not alone as Khloe Kardashian also joined them for filming These boots were made for: She donned all black including black trench coat and leather miniskirt On-the-go: Kourtney also showed up as she was filmed by the crew Relaxed: She sported a v-neck sweater with ripped boyfriend jeans and python leather heels Chill: Her ex Scott Disick was also spotted arriving Her signature pixie cut was worn down and disheveled as she accessorized with designer shades. The two were not alone as joined by Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian as well as Scott Disick. Earlier in the day Kris was the talk of Twitter as she starred in Ariana Grande's highly-anticipated music video for Thank U, Next. Proud: Kris was featured in the Ariana Grande music video for Thank U, Next as Kim shared this video on Instagram Story Happy: Kris showed Kim and company the video oh her phone Pleased: Kris seemed happy about her appearance as she had a big smile on her face She played Ariana's pushy stage mom - originally played by Amy Poehler; the Kardashian/Jenner momager rocking a pink tracksuit with a camcorder in her hand. Soon after the video features scenes from the iconic female driven films: Bring it On, 13 Going On 30 and Legally Blonde. Kris seemed to be proud of her cameo in the video as Kim shared a video of her mom showing her the music video on her phone. Hilarious: Kris played Ariana's pushy stage mom - originally played by Amy Poehler; the Kardashian/Jenner momager rocks a pink tracksuit with a camcorder in her hand She recently reunited with her rarely-seen ex Adam Horsley for their daughter's birthday party. Yet Imogen Thomas was flying solo as she headed to The Never Fully Dressed VIP festive dinner at Nobu, London on Friday. Braving the cold and going bare-legged, the Big Brother star, 35, dazzled in a tiny mini skirt for the outing. Flying solo: She recently reunited with her rarely-seen ex Adam Horsley for their daughter's birthday. Yet Imogen Thomas was flying solo at a festive dinner at Nobu, London on Friday Flaunting her tanned and toned pins, the brunette beauty rocked a tiny PVC mini skirt that she teamed with heeled white ankle boots. Imogen added to the glamour by donning a stylish silver jacket in an eye-catching jacquard jacket that she layered over a Victoria Beckham T-shirt. Imogen kept her accessories simple, finishing off the look by slinging a patent white handbag over her shoulder Chirpy: Despite the chill, Imogen seemed in high spirits as she headed out on the town Leggy lady! Braving the cold and going bare-legged, the Big Brother star, 35, dazzled in a tiny mini skirt for the outing Imogen's outing came days after she proved to still be on amicable terms with her ex Adam as they put on a united display at their youngest daughter Siera's third birthday party on Saturday. She confirmed she had split from the father of her two children in April, following a six-year relationship. The model and the Australian business man, 31, pulled out all the stops for the youngster with a lavish Disney-themed celebration. Stunning: Imogen was all-smiles as she sauntered into the party with a grin Stunning: Flaunting her tanned and toned pins, the brunette beauty rocked a tiny PVC mini skirt that she teamed with heeled white ankle boots Imogen revealed in a statement sent to MailOnline in April that read: 'Imogen is completely heartbroken and devastated about the break up, however she has amazing friends and family who are very supportive and will help to get her through this difficult time. 'Her two beautiful children are her priority moving forward, and she will continue to focus on the positive things in her life such as her business Chasing Summer.' Prior to this, Imogen had shared a cryptic post hinting at the split on her Instagram, it said: 'Nothing hurts more than being disappointed by the one person who you thought would never hurt you.' Yet the couple appeared to have put the break-up behind them as they put on an amicable display for their daughter's birthday party. Stylish: Imogen kept her accessories simple, finishing off the look by slinging a patent white handbag over her shoulder Last month, Imogen revealed she's on the search for love once again after she appeared on ITVBe's Celebrity Dinner Date. Meanwhile, the bombshell was recently spotted passionately kissing foreign exchange investor Tony Keterman during a romantic evening out in Hampstead. It's not the first time the TV personality has enjoyed a steamy embrace since splitting with her former partner Adam in April. In May, she was spotted getting cosy with hunky businessman, Will Corlass, two weeks after her break-up. Glamour polo couple Delfina Blaquier and Nacho Figueras certain move in high places, counting celebrities and royals among their exclusive circle of friends. As the duo prepare to head to Australia for the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo event in January, Delfina has shared some of her memories of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May this year. 'It was a beautiful experience,' Delfina, 37, told The Daily Telegraph on Saturday. 'We were very happy to be there for our friends and to share that very special moment.' Scroll down for video Inside the royal wedding: On Saturday Delfina Blaquier (right) revealed details about Prince Harry and Meghan's nuptials... as she and her polo player husband Nacho Figueras (left) prepare to visit Australia She added: 'Their love story is very inspiring and it is beautiful to see them both so happy.' Blaquier will join 41-year-old Nacho - real name Ignacio - on the Gold Coast in January for the Magic Millions polo match ahead of the yearling sales and race day. The couple are parents to Hilario, 18, Aurora, 13, Artemio, nine, and Alba, five. 'It was a beautiful experience,' Delfina, 37, told The Daily Telegraph on Saturday. 'We were very happy to be there for our friends and to share that very special moment.' Pictured: Delfina and Nacho at the royal wedding in May this year Prince Harry and Meghan married at St Georges Chapel in Windsor in May this year. The momentous event was attended by more than 200 people. Nacho, who models for Ralph Lauren, became friends with Prince Harry in 2007 when they played together at a polo match. Delfina added: 'Their love story is very inspiring and it is beautiful to see them both so happy' Big day! Prince Harry and Meghan (pictured) married at St George's Chapel in Windsor in May this year. Nacho became friends with Prince Harry in 2007 when they played together at a polo match The strength of their friendship was revealed when Nacho and his wife were invited to Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle, blagging an invite to both the ceremony and the exclusive after party. Speaking before the couple's wedding, Nacho said on Good Morning America: '[Harry] is going to be an amazing husband. He hopefully will be a great father.' He added: 'I can't wait for him to go into this stage of his life. I think he's been ready for this for a while and the best part of his life is about to come.' The polo star has been married to model Delfina for 18 years. After rising to fame on TV in 2013, she's set to return to Channel Ten in the new year. As a recent newlywed, the blonde and her hunky beau have cemented themselves as one of Australia's most iconic reality star couples. While eagle-eyed fans often spot the 31-year-old around Sydney's Bondi, do you recognise her from her teenage modelling years? Guess who! The newlywed reality star is returning to TV screens in the new year... but do YOU recognise the blonde from her teenage model days? The blonde looks almost unrecognisable as she posed in a form-fitting black frock with smokey blue eye shadow. The throwback snap was posted her husband, who is also a Neighbours actor. The teenage model is in fact Bachelor star Anna Heinrich. Her husband Tim Robards shared the nostalgic polaroid in honour of his wife's 32nd birthday. 'Happy b'day to this little glamour,' the actor wrote in this caption. '[You] haven't changed a bit since your teenage modelling years.' 'Happy b'day little glamour!' Her husband Tim Robards shared the throwback in honour of his wife's 32nd birthday He then joked that it was almost like his birthday coming across the retro snap of Anna. 'It's been a big year! Getting married, buying a house together and some new jobs,' he wrote, before saying he couldn't wait to spend the next year with her. Tim and Anna met during the first season of The Bachelor, with the lawyer winning over the 36-year-old's heart in 2013. From 2013 to now: 'It's been a big year! Getting married, buying a house together and some new jobs,' he wrote, before saying he couldn't wait to spend the next year with her The pair made it official in June this year, tying the knot in an intimate wedding in Italy. Tim and Anna also purchased a home in Rose Bay for an incredible $1.9million earlier this month. They settled on a three-bedroom harbourside pad, according to The Daily Telegraph. Dawn French revealed she has named each of her boobs after Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly in a hilarious chat on The Graham Norton Show on Friday. The comedian, 61, cheekily explained she come up with the idea because one of her breasts is smaller than the other just like Ant and Dec. She informed viewers: 'My boobs are Ant and Dec because one is slightly smaller.' So funny: Dawn French, 61, revealed she's named her breasts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly because one is smaller than the other (just like the presenters) during Graham Norton show However, her cleavage isn't the only part of her body that Dawn has named as she candidly confessed to calling her more intimate areas Mumford and Sons. The Vicar of Dibley star quipped she gave her private parts the same name as the musicians because they are 'beardy'. She remarked: 'And my more intimate areas are called Mumford and Sons because they are beardy.' Hilarious: The comedian, 61, cheekily explained she come up with the idea because one of her breasts is smaller than the other just like Ant and Dec As well as making the very revealing details about her intimate areas and her breasts, Dawn discussed her new book Me. You. A Diary. She said: 'It's a bit of wisdom about the things I've learnt and some questions I've still got about life. It's to remind you throughout the year to like yourself.' Dawn joined forces with Michael B Jordan, Ruth Wilson and Steve Carell on Graham Norton's trademark red couch. Raunchy: However, her cleavage isn't the only part of her body that Dawn has named as she candidly confessed to calling her more intimate areas Mumford and Sons The comedian has been focusing on acting, writing and presenting over the last year. Elsewhere on the show, Cheryl was accused of miming when she performed her latest hit Love Made Me Do It. The Graham Norton Show aired on Friday on BBC One at 10:35pm. She always keeps her social diary busy with plush events. And Amber Le Bon made a stunning arrival at Brasserie of Light to celebrate the the Issue 7 launch of Sunday Girl Magazine on Friday. The fashionista, 29, proved her style credentials when she looked phenomenal in her flirty cold-shoulder black dress. Slave to style: Amber Le Bon pulled off a flirty vibe in a cold shoulder LBD as she attended glitzy magazine launch in London on Friday Accentuating her sensational shape, a thick PVC belt was wrapped around her incredibly slender waist and tied in a bow. The socialite slung a pretty bag over her shoulder which was embellished with a pretty floral petal design. Brasserie of Light is a new traditional brasserie re-imagined for contemporary London, decorated with colourful and light interiors. What a figure! Accentuating her sensational shape, a thick PVC belt was wrapped around her incredibly slender waist and tied in a bow How to accessorise: The socialite slung a pretty bag over her shoulder which was embellished with a pretty floral petal design Amber kept fashionable company at the fun-filled party as she rubbed shoulders with Zara Martin and Olivia Grant. Sabrina Percy, Whinnie Williams, Camilla Carril, Sydney Lima and Portia Freeman also all made an appearance at the glittering gala. Amber is close with her family and is often seen out and about with her mum Yasmin, and her sisters Saffron, 26, and Tallulah, 23. Leggy lady: Whinnie Williams looked sensational in her mustard yellow mini dress and her thigh-grazing stone coloured boots On trend as ever: Zara Martin, who hosted the event, kept up with the fashionable trends in her glittering animal print mini dress Looking elegant! Olivia Grant was a vision on arrival in her floor-length black dress when she mingled among her pals But she has previously admitted that it is hard to build an individual brand when coming from such a famous family. She said: 'I do feel I had to work extra hard. You have to work to create your own persona and you have more to prove. 'It took me a while to be able to say to myself, "Okay, youre good at this". I have been working a long time. If I wasnt doing something right, people wouldnt still be hiring me'. As a true homebody, Amber recently revealed that the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her was surprise by her inviting her family along on their dinner date. Casually cool: Sabrina Percy looked incredible when she slipped into her skintight trousers In season! Sydney Lima layered up with her velvet coat and she accessorised with her metallic bag at the occasion Paris Hilton is spreading a positive message with a new long-sleeved shirt as she runs errands in Beverly Hills on Friday. The 37-year-old socialite was spotted rocking a Life Is Beautiful tee on Friday, stopping to grab lunch to-go in Beverly Hills. Hilton was also seen carrying her tiny dog Diamond Baby, who was wearing a little pink sweater for their outing. Life is beautiful: Paris Hilton stepped out wearing a Life is Beaitiful shirt while heading to a doctor's appointment and lunch in Beverly Hills on Friday Hilton was wearing a long-sleeved navy blue shirt which had the message, 'Life is Beautiful' printed on it. She was also wearing loose-fitting black pants while carrying Diamond Baby in one hand and her cell phone in the other. Hilton completed her look with a pair of sunglasses and black shoes during her outing in Beverly Hills. Paris and Diamond Baby: Hilton was wearing a long-sleeved navy blue shirt which had the message, 'Life is Beautiful' printed on it After her doctor's appointment, Hilton was seen getting lunch to go at Judi's Deli in Beverly Hills. This comes just weeks after Hilton and her fiance Chris Zylka called off their engagement. She also told E! News that she's doing fine, and she isn't even focusing on dating again, at least not for the time being. Paris' lunch: After her doctor's appointment, Hilton was seen getting lunch to go at Judi's Deli in Beverly Hills 'I'm amazing,' Hilton said. 'I am busy being a boss-babe, running an empire. That is all I have time for.' 'I barely have time for myself, let alone anything else,' Hilton added. 'I am not even thinking about [dating] right now. I am literally so busy.' 'I hardly have time to see my own family, let alone do that,' Hilton added. 'I am so happy. I just love my life. My advice is to always be happy and feel good about yourself - because life is truly too short.' Not dating: 'I barely have time for myself, let alone anything else,' Hilton added. 'I am not even thinking about [dating] right now. I am literally so busy' Hilton and Zylka had been dating for a year before the actor popped the question with a $2 million engagement ring in January 2018, during an Aspen vacation. After pushing the wedding date into 2019, it was announced that the engagement was called off in November 2018, Hilton just recently launched her new fragrance line, Platinum Rush. Oscar nominee Josh Brolin and his third wife Kathryn Boyd were spotted for the first time publicly with their precious newborn daughter Westlyn Reign at the Malibu Lumber Yard on Friday. Like most infants who sleep 16-17 hours a day, the May-December duo's 26-day-old baby girl - who 'growls like Nick Nolte' - snoozed peacefully in her carrier. At 50, the Sicario action star is nearly 20 years older than his former personal assistant, who showcased her enviably flat post-baby belly in a snug pair of black leather pants. Doting dad: Oscar nominee Josh Brolin and his third wife Kathryn Boyd were spotted for the first time with their newborn daughter Westlyn Reign at the Malibu Lumber Yard on Friday Nicknamed 'Bean': Like most infants who sleep 16-17 hours a day, the May-December duo's 26-day-old baby girl - who 'growls like Nick Nolte' - snoozed peacefully in her carrier Josh was at the luxury store-packed strip mall helping Kathryn set up her very first pop-up shop for Midheaven Denim, which opens this Saturday afternoon (through the holidays). 'It feels like I'm having two babies! Not just one but two. This [shop] being the other baby,' Boyd said over Insta-story on Friday. 'I'm so excited! And everybody's welcome. Please come! A percentage of the proceeds go towards victims of the Woolsey Fire. So, it's a great cause too. Come and check out our jeans!' However, not 'everyone welcome' will actually fit into the 5ft10in former model's jeans line specifically made for tall women, which she first launched in January. Post-baby body: At 50, the Sicario action star is nearly 20 years older than his former personal assistant, who showcased her enviably flat tummy in a snug pair of black leather pants Opening Saturday! Josh was at the luxury store-packed strip mall helping Kathryn set up her very first pop-up shop for Midheaven Denim, which stays opens through the holidays Boyd said over Insta-story on Friday: 'It feels like I'm having two babies! Not just one but two. This [shop] being the other baby! I'm so excited! And everybody's welcome. Please come! A percentage of the proceeds go towards victims of the Woolsey Fire. So, it's a great cause too' Perhaps Brolin's stepmother - the legendary EGOT champ Barbra Streisand - will stop by to support her daughter-in-law, whom she threw a 'beautiful' baby shower for on September 22. 'The kid has a great Jewish grandmother and she's appropriately manifesting like she should,' the Deadpool 2 actor told ET back in June. 'She's into it, she calls every day, she follows the apps. It's amazing. It's amazing. Look, it could've been the opposite and it's not so we love that people are involved, family's involved, friends are involved. It's a good thing.' 'She calls every day': Perhaps Brolin's stepmother - the legendary EGOT champ Barbra Streisand (R) - will stop by to support her daughter-in-law, whom she threw a 'beautiful' baby shower for on September 22 Father-of-three: The Deadpool 2 actor also has two children - son Trevor, 30; and daughter Eden, 24 - from his first marriage to Alice Adair, whom he divorced in 1994 (pictured June 17) The Goonies alum also has two grown children - son Trevor, 30; and daughter Eden, 24 - from his first marriage to Alice Adair, whom he divorced in 1994. Josh will resume his motion-capture role as the Infinity Stone-powered Titan despot Thanos in the untitled fourth Avengers flick, which hits UK theaters April 26 and US theaters May 3. The directing duo the Russo Brothers announced via Twitter that they wrapped production on the highly-anticipated four-quel on October 12. Infinity Stone-powered Titan despot: Josh will resume his motion-capture role as Thanos in the untitled fourth Avengers flick, which hits UK theaters April 26 and US theaters May 3 Jordan Barrett is no stranger to the spotlight. And the 22-year-old fashion bad boy certainly had all eyes on him as he attended the Dior pre-Fall 2019 fashion show in Tokyo, Japan on Friday. The Australian model looked dapper in a black suit, which he stylishly teamed with black sneakers. Suits you! Fashion bad boy Jordan Barrett looks dapper as he steps out at the Dior Homme show in Tokyo... after he was spotted kissing Jasmine Yarbrough's sister Jade in Sydney He paired the classic ensemble with a collared shirt that was partly sheer, showing off his toned physique. Jordan dressed down the formal look with a pair on sneakers with bright white shoe laces. He accessorised with with gold jewellery, including a very chunky gold ring on his left hand. Looking good: He paired the classic ensemble with a collared shirt that was partly sheer, showing off his toned physique His long blond locks appeared to be wind swept as he looked stoic in front of the media wall. Last week meanwhile, Jordan packed on the PDA with Jasmine Yarbrough's topless sister Jade. The pair were seen relaxing and kissing on the balcony of a Sydney home. Style icon! He accessorised with with gold jewellery, including a very chunky gold ring on his left hand Ladies man! Last week meanwhile, Jordan packed on the PDA with Jasmine Yarbrough's (right) topless sister Jade (left) Jordan was unable to keep his hands off the interior stylist, affectionately placing a hand on Jade's back and kissing her as they lazed in the sun. Jade went topless in order to maximise her sun time, sporting just a pair of Brazilian-cut green briefs that revealed her pert derriere and lean legs. Her sister Jasmine is due to marry Today' Karl Stefanovic in Mexico on December eight. He's currently starring in the blockbuster film, Creed II. And now, Michael B. Jordan, 31, has revealed why the Rocky spin off/sequel has been welcomed with open arms by fans of the franchise. On Saturday, speaking in BW magazine, Michael said it was his character Adonis 'Donnie' Creed's 'realness' that audiences loved. Scroll down for video 'I think people like his realness': Actor Michael B Jordan, 31, (above) has revealed why he thinks his Creed films have been so wildly popular with Rocky fans. Pictured in Creed II 'I think a lot of people just got in touch with the realness of Creed. The character they loved,' he told the publication. He continued: 'The relationships between Adonis and Rocky, Adonis and Bianca and Adonis and himself. A lot of the movie was him battling himself.' Explaining his role in the film, Michael said he wanted to explore the complexity of Adonis and who he really is. 'The relationships between Adonis and Rocky, Adonis and Bianca and Adonis and himself. A lot of the movie was him battling himself': Michael described the complex interplay of the film 'I wanted to explore everything that Adonis stands for and built so far,' he told the publication. A follow up to Creed, the film is already gaining rave reviews for rising star, Michael B Jordan - who also starred in Black Panther, the highest grossing film of the year. In the hit film, he stars opposite love interest Tessa Thompson, who reprises her role as deaf musician Bianca, and of course Sylvester Stallone, 72. Sylvester, reprises his role of boxer Rocky Balboa, with fans also pleased to see the former star of the eight-film franchise, who first starred as Rocky in 1976. He'll be back: Michael B. Jordan admitted that he's 'pretty sure' Sylvester Stallone will return as Rocky Balboa to the next film in the series, on Graham Norton earlier this month Earlier this month, Michael appeared on the UK's Graham Norton Show, saying he thought the Hollywood star would reprise his role in the franchise again. 'On the last day of filming everyone gave their wrap speech and he segued into passing the torch to me and I got really emotional really fast because I wasn't expecting it from him whatsoever. 'It's a character that he has played for 40 plus years - longer than I have been alive. It was pretty special. It's not over: Sylvester had called on Michael to 'carry the mantle' now, but the actor admitted, 'We'll see what happens with 'Creed III'. I'm pretty sure he'll be back' Iconic: Sylvester has played the pugilist in eight movies over 42 years, after first taking the role in the Oscar-winning film 'Rocky' in 1976 But Michael was quick to add: 'We'll see what happens with 'Creed III'. I'm pretty sure he'll be back.' Sylvester took to Instagram earlier this week to share a video where he passed the torch to Michael, giving an emotional speech as he did so. 'I couldn't be happier as I step back because my story has been told, there's a whole new world that's going to be opening up with the audience, with this generation. Now you, have to carry the mantle.' Sylvester has played the pugilist in eight movies over 42 years. Tyler Baltierra admits he thinks about other women in a sneak peek of next week's episode of Teen Mom OG. The clip, which comes courtesy of US Weekly, begins with his father Butch asking if Baltierra, 26, planned on having his latest kid with girlfriend Catelyn Lowell. 'F**k no,' Baltierra said. 'Im not gonna bring no f**king innocent kid into this s**t,' he added. Other women: Tyler Baltierra admits he thinks about other women in a sneak peek of next week's Teen Mom OG 'Does this stop or hinder what process were doing? No. So yeah, just because the babys here, just because youre pregnant, that does not mean that anything is gonna change,' he added. This comes after last week's episode, where Catelynn and Tyler Baltierra agreed to temporarily separate as they discovered she is pregnant with their third child. They made the decision to live apart after returning from couple's therapy in Sedona, Arizona, as they found out they were expecting a baby girl. Temporary separation: Catelynn and Tyler Baltierra agreed to temporarily separate in a bid to save their marriage on Monday's episode of Teen Mom OG Tyler adds in the clip that, 'this house has got to be done, because once that happens, we're gonna do our trial separation where we're gonna live separate.' 'It's kind of a big thing,' Baltierra adds, before his father Butch chimes in, bringing up that he's only been with two women in his young life, asking if he thinks about other women. 'Yeah,' Baltierra said enthusiastically. 'The thing is, I want Cate when we were like 20, 21, 19 Im trying to, like, figure out how I can be supportive to Cate without being destructive to me,' Baltierra added as the clip came to an end. New addition: The couple also were coping with an unexpected pregnancy In last week's episode Catelyn revealed they had been going to a therapist and that they're going to try out a trial separation. 'I know Tyler has been frustrated in our marriage for a while and has been seeing a therapist. 'He decided he wanted to try living separately for a month. I was devastated, at first, but now that I've started my own therapy, I'm more comfortable with the idea,' she said. Couples therapy: Tyler and Catelynn during couples therapy in Arizona discussed separating Catelynn, 26, then explained the situation to an MTV producer, Kerthy. 'All I want to share with the cameras is that me and you learned that we have been together for so long that it's like who are you as a person by yourself?',' she said. Tyler said he told Catelynn during the retreat that he wanted them to live apart. 'Am I jumping of joy for it? No. In that moment it did trigger me, it did bring up wounds, it was scary, it was sad, it was hurtful. The things that I've been through, when people saying they want to separate and leave, it seriously does feel like somebody died,' Catelynn said. 'It's like bringing up the old wounds from my miscarriage, it is traumatic,' she added. Tyler said he knew 'it was the worst possible thing you could hear.' Gender reveal: Catelynn recruited daughter Nova to help her with gender reveal party cupcakes Catelynn admitted that the idea of dealing with the pregnancy and raising three-year-old daughter Nova while living apart was stressful for her. 'In my mind, it makes it harder for a mom to do that, and take care of a three-year-old and being pregnant it is just a lot of stress,' she told Tyler. 'I know, I get it,' he told her. Got it: Tyler assured Catelynn that he understood her point of view about the separation The couple then got ready for a gender reveal party as MTV producer Kiki asked: 'There's never been any discussion of, ''Lets go see other people?'' 'No, we've had that discussion where we're both like, ''We don't want to see other people'',' said Catelynn. 'We're not getting a divorce or anything. I was getting super triggered form my childhood trauma stuff. Feeling like he was going to abandon me. Other people? MTV producer Kiki asked Catelynn if they discussed seeing other people 'I even texted him and asked him ''Is there somebody else?'' He said ''What the f***? Do you think that I would cheat on you?'' 'In my heart of hearts, no, but it was just so blindsiding. Like what the f*** is going on?,' she said. 'I feel like the separation thing is going to be hard but it'd be good for me in a way. Then I have time to really focus on me and Nova. It's always just been like Cate and Ty, Cate and Ty, Cate and Ty. It gives each of us some room to grow on our own,' Catelynn said. Half full: Catelynn said the temporary separation would give her time to focus on Nova Later at the party it was revealed they were having a girl together. Catelynn's grandmother then asked her how she was coping with the pregnancy and her earlier miscarriage. She told her she had dug into her childhood trauma and had made progress with her therapist. Making progress: Deborah asked her granddaughter Catelynn how she was coping Tyler's mom, Kim, asked him what the plan was and he told her they would continue marriage counseling and she would see a new therapist. 'I'll work at my stuff and she will work at her stuff,' said Tyler. 'After the month Catelynn can come home to a brand new house, nice and fresh,' he added. The new episode of Teen Mom OG airs Monday, December 3 on MTV. Acclaimed actress Natalie Portman has graced the red carpet of the National Gallery of Victoria's prestigious annual gala. The 37-year-old, attending the event as a special guest on Saturday, was the epitome of elegance in a stunning gown. Her dusty pink dress featured a low cut neckline and a pleated detailed that crossed over the bodice. Epitome of elegance! Actress Natalie Portman has graced the red carpet of the National Gallery of Victoria's annual gala in a stunning dusty pink gown The full-length skirt of her frock also featured mini pleated that showcased off her petite figure. For hair, the brunette beauty's locks were styled in a simple straight look that cascaded down her delicate shoulders. She kept her accessories to a minimum with rings on her left hand and statement earrings. Her look was elevated with a pair of strappy white heels just seen under her skirt. Red carpet ready: The full-length skirt of her frock also featured mini pleated that showcased off her petite figure. For hair, the brunette beauty's locks were styled in a simple straight look that cascaded down her delicate shoulders Natalie opted for an understated makeup look to show off her glowing complexion with a hint of blush on her cheeks, defined brows, lashings of mascara and mauve hued lips. The Vox Lux star was all smiles for the cameras as she posed on the red carpet and displayed her outfit. She also posed for a photo with the Director of National Gallery of Victoria Tony Ellwood who looked dapper in his tuxedo. Simply stunning: Natalie opted for an understated makeup look to show off her glowing complexion with a hint of blush on her cheeks, defined brows, lashings of mascara and mauve hued lips Picture perfect: She also posed for a photo with the Director of National Gallery of Victoria Tony Ellwood (left) who looked dapper in his tuxedo. The Dior ambassador also spoke to E! News presenter Ksenija Lukich (right) and posed for a photo with her The Dior ambassador also spoke to E! News presenter Ksenija Lukich and posed for a photo with her. Aside from attending the NGV's gala, Natalie is currently on holiday in Australia with her husband of six years, Benjamin Millepied, 41, and their two children, son Aleph, seven, and daughter Amalia, one. The family were recently spotted holidaying in Byron Bay on the far north New South Wales coast. Advertisement There is already much buzz surrounding eight-episode fantasy-noir series, Carnival Row, despite the fact it won't be released until 2019. And Orlando Bloom looked virtually unrecognisable as he got to work on an extremely gory scene in Prague, Czech Republic, on Friday. Throwing himself into the action, the 41-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean star donned a dapper look in a bowler hat and vintage suit, while sporting a goatee he grew for the part. Bloody set: Orlando Bloom looked virtually unrecognisable as he got to work on an extremely gory scene in Prague, Czech Republic, on Friday, for the highly-anticipated programme Carnival Row As the cameras roll, what seems to be a very bloody, dead body was removed from the set, while Orlando, who plays a detective in the programme, investigated the scene. Cast members were also captured milling around the muddy scenery as the Lord of the Rings star spoke to an actor dressed in police gear. No doubt hard at work, Orlando couldn't resist stealing a moment to himself in between takes when wrapping up warm in a glaringly modern puffer jacket. Looking the part: Throwing himself into the action, the 41-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean star donned a dapper look in a bowler hat and vintage suit, while sporting a goatee he grew for the part Hard at work: The Lord of the Rings star, who plays a detective in the programme, was captured investigating the murderous scene What a puzzle! Working his best moves, the English actor appears confused and downcast as he stares at the blood-ridden body The eight-episode series, directed by Paul McGuigan, is believed to be set in a neo-Victorian city where mythical creatures have gathered. Orlando plays a human detective named Rycroft Philostrate, who's investigating a series of murders that take place on Carnival Row. 'Like Cara (Delevingne), I was drawn to playing this interesting, dark character that inhabits this world, he said in an interview with The Express, 'The world of Carnival Row is like nothing Ive ever read before.' Taking a break: Orlando couldn't resist stealing a moment to himself in between takes when wrapping up warm in a glaringly modern puffer jacket Urgent! Orlando appeared concerned when filming for the eight-episode fantasy-noir series, which will be released in 2019 Filming: Cast members were also captured milling around the muddy scenery as the Lord of the Rings star spoke to an actor dressed in police gear He added: 'Theres these mystical creatures that weve seen in different fantasy things but its a sort of Dickensian steam-punk kind of world with the remarkable and beautiful creatures. But then theres also darkness.' Supermodel turned actress Cara Delevingne also stars in the show as Vignette Stonemoss - 'a fairy fleeing persecution'. Not seen on set, but also starring in the Amazon series are David Gyasi (Interstellar), Karla Crome (Misfits), Indira Varma (Game of Thrones), and Tamzin Merchant (Salem). Action! As the cameras roll, what seems to be a very bloody, dead body is removed from the set Practising the character: Bloom plays a human detective named Rycroft Philostrate, who's investigating a series of murders that take place on Carnival Row Playing the part: 'Like Cara (Delevingne), I was drawn to playing this interesting, dark character that inhabits this world, he said in an interview with The Express , 'The world of Carnival Row is like nothing Ive ever read before.' The series, which has been written and executive produced by Star Treck's Rene Echevarria, while Luke Cage's Paul McGuigan is set to direct and executive produce, along with Travis Beacham of Pacific Rim fame, has been snapped up by Amazon. In a statement that followed the news, head of comedy at Amazon Joe Lewis said: 'There has never been a series like Carnival Row before. 'The scope of the storytelling combined with the uniqueness of the world, themes and aesthetics haven't been on TV before. 'A simple police investigation will lead us down a remarkable journey in a world where humans and creatures co-exist. We're so excited about what Rene, Travis and Paul are creating and we can't wait to bring it to customers.' A work in progress: The series, which has been written and executive produced by Star Treck's Rene Echevarria, has been snapped up by Amazon She was spotted soaking up the sun in Tenerife last month. And Kayleigh Morris looked sensational as she stripped down for a visit to the beach in Cape Verde, Africa on Saturday. The Ex On The Beach star, 30, showcased her hourglass figure and gym honed abs as she took a casual stroll along the shore. Enviable figure: Kayleigh Morris looked sensational as she stripped down to her bikini for a visit to the beach in Cape Verde, Africa on Saturday The reality TV personality donned a baby pink bikini with aptly placed shells. The scanty cups just about contained her assets while a pair of high bottoms showcased her pert derriere. Her brunette locks tumbled down her back in loose waves and the glamorous star highlighted her eyes with plenty of mascara and perfectly drawn eyebrows. After strolling down the beach the brunette beauty enjoyed a brief frolic in the water. Stunner: The Ex On The Beach star, 30, showcased her hourglass figure and gym honed abs as she took a casual stroll along the shore Beaming: She had a radiant smile on her face as she lapped up the cold water Posing: Her brunette locks tumbled down her back in loose waves and the glamorous star highlighted her eyes with plenty of mascara and perfectly drawn eyebrows She had a radiant smile on her face as she lapped up the cold water. Kayleigh recently told fans on Instagram that she had undergone rhinoplasty after years of feeling insecure about the shape of her nose. The Big Brother star who was famously attacked for her 'wonky nose' by her co-star Jemma Lucy, proudly flaunted the rhinoplasty results as she praised the surgery for making her 'finally feel normal'. Sun kissed: After strolling down the beach the brunette beauty enjoyed a brief frolic in the water Confident: Kayleigh recently told fans on Instagram that she had undergone rhinoplasty after years of feeling insecure about the shape of her nose She captioned the image: 'The weird feeling of being able to post a pic in 14 years without editing the Nose!!! '2 weeks after surgery @elitecosmeticsurgery Work of the miracle worker @dr.aliuckan'. She shared another snap as she gushed: 'Finally can feel normal again'. She is one of the most desirable women in the world. And Elsa Hosk was hard at work as she posed away in a tiny pink bikini during a photoshoot in Miami on Friday. The blonde bombshell, 30, was joined by her fellow Victoria's Secret Angel Barbara Palvin, 25, who also wasn't shy in showing off her fabulous form. Bombshell: Elsa Hosk, 30, was hard at work as she posed away in a tiny pink bikini during a photoshoot in Miami on Friday Swedish beauty Elsa proved proved primped and preened to perfection with a glamorous blowdry and a striking coat of make-up. The catwalk queen stripped off to expose her envy-inducing statistics in a minuscule bikini as she worked her angles for the photographer. Meanwhile, Barbara was in her element as she showed off her figure in a pink lace swimsuit. Babe: The blonde bombshell was joined by her fellow Victoria's Secret Angel Barbara Palvin, 25, who also wasn't shy in showing off her fabulous form Work it! The catwalk queen stripped off to expose her envy-inducing statistics in a minuscule bikini as she worked her angles for the photographer Striking: Meanwhile, Barbara was in her element as she showed off her figure in a pink lace swimsuit The Hungarian star proved to be in high spirits as she continued on about her day with her model pals. On November 8, the women were among the slew of models who hit the runway for the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Pier 94 in Midtown Manhattan. This marked the extravaganza's homecoming to the United States - it took place in Shanghai last year and in Paris the year before that. Like a pro! Elsa was also joined by British model Alexina Graham as they effortlessly modelled some products The new show was also the Victoria's Secret swan song of Adriana Lima, the longest-serving Angel, who announced her retirement from the brand that day. 'Dear Victoria, Thank you for showing me the world, sharing your secrets, and most importantly not just giving me wings but teaching me to fly,' she wrote on Instagram. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will be televised by ABC on December 2. She paraded her phenomenal figure in a series of bikinis on Love Island over the summer. But Laura Anderson was wrapped up for winter when attending the London Eye Elves Eye View experience on Saturday. Piling on the layers, the 29-year-old Scottish stunner looked sensation in a cream, teddy-bear coat and a white hoodie. Cosy: Laura Anderson was wrapped up for winter when attending The London Eye Elves Eye View experience on Saturday She teamed her ensemble with black leggings and edgy matching boots as she posed up a storm in one of the capsules. Keeping up with her glamorous looks, the personality applied heavy smokey make-up to enhance her youthful complexion. The reality star framed her features with her blonde locks, which were styled in tight curls for the festive occasion. Glam: Laura was in good company at the event, with former-Strictly star Kate Silverton, 48, also attending Stylish: Piling on the layers, the 29-year-old Scottish stunner looked sensation in a cream, teddy-bear coat and a white hoodie Family affair: The journalist donned a black dress with thigh-high boots to accentuate her slender frame as she attended the event with her husband and their two children Laura was in good company at the event, with former-Strictly star Kate Silverton, 48, also attending with her husband and two children. The journalist donned a short-sleeved black dress with grey, thigh-high boots, to accentuate her slender frame. Adding a pop of colour to her ensemble, Kate sported a vibrant red lipstick for the festive experience. Love Island star Ellie Brown, 20, looked the epitome of cool as she attended the event in a black fur coat. All in the details: Adding a pop of colour to her ensemble, Kate sported a vibrant red lipstick for the festive experience Pals: Love Island star Ellie Brown, 20, joined her friend Laura for the festive occasion Fun times: The pair put on a very animated display as they both wore elf hats Gorgeous: Ellie looked the epitome of cool as she attended the event in a black fur coat The blonde beauty joined her fellow Love Island alum as she commanded attention in a skin-tight cream dress. She teamed the wool ensemble with a pair of black knee-high boots and a matching trendy cap. Looking every inch the star, Ellie opted for a glamorous make-up look with Hollywood-style eyelash extensions, a pale peach lip and heavy strokes of foundation. Finishing touches: She teamed the wool ensemble with a pair of black knee-high boots and a matching trendy cap Looking every inch the star: Ellie opted for a glamorous make-up look with Hollywood-style eyelash extensions, a pale peach lip and heavy strokes of foundation Happy times: Danielle Lloyd also attended the event with her partner and child Comfy: The former glamour model sported a bright red jumper for the experience Family affair: Blue Peter star Konnie Huq attended with her husband Charlie Brooker and their adorable sons Covey and Huxley They're said to have been secretly dating for months. And Susanna Reid and her millionaire beau Steve Parish looked loved-up as they cheered on his team Crystal Palace in a match against Burnley on Saturday. The Good Morning Britain anchor, 47, and the Crystal Palace chairman, 53, cosied up in the stands at Selhurst Park Stadium, Croydon. Cute couple: Susanna Reid and her millionaire beau Steve Parish looked loved-up as they cheered on his team Crystal Palace in a match against Burnley on Saturday The chemistry between the pair, who were introduced by Piers Morgan, 53, in New York two years ago, was clear to see. Susanna warded off the December chill in a pale pink coat which cinched in her waist thanks to the tie-belt. Boasting an all-over sunkissed glow, Susanna styled her dark tresses in simple waves and framed her features with minimal make-up. Steve, meanwhile, cut a dapper figure in a navy checked suit and printed tie as he watched his team from the stands. Sweet: The Good Morning Britain anchor, 47, and the Crystal Palace chairman, 53, cosied up in the stands at Selhurst Park Stadium, Croydon Loved-up: The chemistry between the pair, who were introduced by Piers Morgan, 53, in New York two years ago, was clear to see The Good Morning Britain presenter an ardent Palace supporter previously accompanied Parish as the south London side took on Premier League rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. A source told The Sun on Saturday: 'They have real chemistry.' Susanna is said to have been on a number of dates with Steve, rumoured to be worth around 45m, and it's thought they've been on a romantic mini-break together. Chic: Susanna warded off the December chill in a pale pink coat which cinched in her waist thanks to the tie-belt Glam: Boasting an all-over sunkissed glow, Susanna styled her dark tresses in simple waves and framed her features with minimal make-up The pair are said to have gone out for dinner together, as well as enjoying cinema trips and dates in Selhurst Park to show their support for Crystal Palace FC. Susanna separated from her partner Dominic Cotton in 2014, after being with him since 1998, and following her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013. Shes been a single mother to sons Sam, 16, Finn, 14, and Jack, 13 since splitting with her ex in 2014 after 16 years together. Dapper: Steve, meanwhile, cut a dapper figure in a navy checked suit and printed tie as he watched his team from the stands Going strong: Susanna is said to have been on a number of dates with Steve, rumoured to be worth around 45m, and it's thought they've been on a romantic mini-break together They are rarely seen out all together as a family of four. But Charlie Brooker and his wife Konnie Huq were spotted out with their children at festive star-studded London Eye experience on Saturday. The Black Mirror creator, 47, and his ladylove, 47, showed they were a close family as they huddled around their two sons Covey, six, and Huxley, four. Family time: Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker and Konnie Huq enjoyed a rare outing with their kids at festive star-studded London Eye experience, in London on Saturday Konnie went for a casual style in her tan corduroy trousers and trainers which she paired with her striped yellow and blue shirt. Covey and Huxley wrapped their arms protectively around their mother's legs which showed their incredibly close bond as they joined her on the red carpet. Charlie layered up for the cold with a jumper, a zip-up jacket and a mid-length coat when he braved the chilly temperatures. Looking good: Konnie went for a casual style in her tan corduroy trousers and trainers which she paired with her striped yellow and blue shirt The family joined a whole slew of stars at the London Eye experience day including Love Island's Laura Anderson and Strictly's Kate Silverton. Lovebirds Charlie and Konnie have been married for eight years. The couple were romancing for nine months before Charlie got down on one knee and popped the question to his stunning then-girlfriend. Over there: Charlie pointed out the various sights as he ascended with children Covey and Huxley They were married in a romantic ceremony at the Little White Wedding Chapel, in Las Vegas, Nevada in July 2010. Earlier this year, Konnie's husband paid tribute to the TV star and their two sons, revealing his whirlwind romance with her and becoming a parent changed him for the better. The talented writer told BBC 4's Desert Island Discs that marrying Konnie in a Las Vegas ceremony after just nine months together in 2010 and deciding to become a dad was 'the best decision' he had ever made. Happy couple: Lovebirds Charlie and Konnie have been married for eight years Of the loved-up pair's marriage he said: 'That was absolutely the right time. 'It was weird because, for years, I'd not known if I'd wanted kids or a family, that seemed like something that other people did, I couldn't perceive of that as a future. 'And then Konnie came along and quite early on she said "I want kids and a family" and this sort of thing, and I heard myself going "OK", and sort of thought, "oh, right, why have I said that?" It was the best decision I ever made.' Black Mirror fans eagerly await Season Five of the much-in-demand Netflix show. They are enjoying their elaborate wedding functions at the sumptuous Umaid Bhawan palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan this weekend. And Priyanka Chopra, 36, and Nick Jonas, 26, have evidently pulled out all the stops when it comes to making sure their guests enjoy themselves. The couple have set up a pop-up-shop-like room full of Indian designer clothes at the palace, according to the popular Bollywood gossip site PinkVilla. Lap of luxury: Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas have evidently pulled out all the stops for guests at their wedding functions in a Jodhpur palace over the weekend Only the best: The couple have set up a pop-up-shop-like room full of Indian designer clothes at Umaid Bhawan, according to the popular Bollywood gossip site PinkVilla A Nick and Priyanka fan account on Instagram has posted a video of what purports to be the pop-up, offering closer looks at some of the items on offer. Apparently, guests will get clothes by Punit Balana, a designer based in Jaipur, and the duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, who have been acclaimed for their work in Bollywood and who kitted out Priyanka for her Mehendi ceremony on Friday. Held the day before the wedding, the Mehendi is when the bride, as well as female guests at the wedding, have henna tattoos applied to their hands. Punit Balana joins a number of brands connected with the opulent wedding. Priyanka partnered with Amazon to create a registry guide, in return for a hefty charity donation, and after she said Nick shut down a Tiffany's to pick out her ring, she held her bridal shower at the Blue Box Cafe in TIffany & Co.'s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Touch of dazzle: A Nick and Priyanka fan account on Instagram has posted a video of what purports to be the pop-up, offering closer looks at some of the items on offer Names, names, names: Apparently, guests will get clothes by Punit Balana, a designer based in Jaipur, and the duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla Meanwhile, Nick's bachelor party last month featured sponsorships from the bicycle-share company Lime and the Stolichnaya offshoot Elit Vodka. At Sunday's Hindu wedding, Priyanka will reportedly wear an outfit by the highly regarded designer Sabyasachi Mukherji, who was glimpsed arriving in Jodhpur on Friday. Her Christian ceremony, which was officiated by Nick's pastor father Paul, saw her decked out in Ralph Lauren - a romantic touch, considering they both represented that fashion house at the 2017 Met Gala more than a year before their engagement. This is reputedly the first time Ralph Lauren has put together a wedding dress for a bride who is not a member of his family. Pedigree: Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla have been acclaimed for their work in Bollywood and who kitted out Priyanka for her Mehendi ceremony on Friday (pictured) Cozying up: Held the day before the wedding, the Mehendi is when the bride, as well as several female guests at the wedding, have henna tattoos applied to their hands Priyanka and Nick's wedding happens to fall on the same weekend as the star-studded Bombay reception of Bollywood film star couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who wore Sabyasachi to their wedding in Como last month. The celebrity guests at Priyanka's wedding functions include her film star cousin Parineeti Chopra, The Only Way Is Essex alumna Jasmin Walia, Armie Hammer's wife Elizabeth Chambers and Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani, the richest man in Asia. Before her whirlwind relationship with Nick, Priyanka was notoriously tight-lipped about her love life, but her name has been attached to famous men in the past. She is rumored to have dated Aseem Merchant when she was a model, and her Love Story 2050 co-star Harman Baweja confirmed speculation they were once an item. Throwback: Before her whirlwind relationship with Nick, Priyanka was famously tight-lipped about her love life, but she was linked to her three-time onscreen leading man Shahid Kapoor Priyanka was also linked to her three-time onscreen leading man Shahid Kapoor. Built during the British Raj for the ruling family of the princely state of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan's name means 'Umaid's Mansion,' a reference to Umaid Singh, the Maharajah of Jaipur from 1918 until his death two months before independence. Indian royalty was abolished under Indira Gandhi's government in the 1970s and the palace became a hotel, since when it has reportedly played host to Mick Jagger and been the site of a Sting concert. It joins several other Indian palaces in this respect, including the 18th century Lake Palace in Udaipur, now a fashionable spot for weddings and honeymoons. History: Built during the British Raj for the ruling family of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan's name means 'Umaid's Mansion,' a nod to Umaid Singh, the Maharajah of Jaipur from 1918 to 1947 Jessica Springsteen, 26, looked every inch the champion as she competed at the Longines Paris Masters in Villepinte, France, on Friday. The show jumper daughter of Bruce Springsteen dazzled in her riding gear, on the second day of the competition. She chose a perfectly tailored indigo jacket, which showcased her slender waist. Star power: Jessica Springsteen, 26, looked every inch the champion as she competed at the Longines Paris Masters in Villepinte, France, on Saturday Jessica - who is the second child and only daughter of Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa - looked flawless as she added minimal make-up to her porcelain skin. Expertly groomed brows framed her eyes, which appeared to only have a little kohl around her lash line. Her brunette tresses were neatly confined into her riding hat, as she rode her 11-year-old chestnut Oldenburg beauty, Tiger Lily, representing the United States. Stunning: She chose a perfectly tailored indigo jacket, which showcased her slender waist Her father Bruce speaks lovingly of her mum, Patti, 64, to whom he has been married since 1991 in an upcoming documentary. Springsteen On Broadway, which debuts December 16 on Netflix, shows Bruce explaining the first moment he saw his wife-to-be. 'This red head shows up,' he begins, clearly still smitten with the musician. Good genes: Jessica - who is the second child and only daughter of Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa - looked flawless as she added minimal make-up to her porcelain skin Well-tressed: Her brunette locks were neatly confined into her riding hat Team-work: She rode her 11-year-old chestnut Oldenburg beauty, Tiger Lily See See Rider: Jessica was representing the United States Stunning pair: Expertly groomed brows framed her eyes, which appeared to only have a little kohl around her lash line He then praises her and adds she is 'tough but fragile.' 'This is what you build together,' he continues as he references their life with kids. Bruce Springsteen has sold more than 135 million records worldwide, including 64 million in the United States alone, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999 and was granted the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2016. Springsteen on Netflix: Netflix has released the first trailer for their special Springsteen on Broadway, debuting just as his Broadway show comes to a close Bruce and Patti: While the two-hour Broadway performance is largely a one-man show, most of his performances feature appearances from his wife, Patti Scialfa, who he's been married to since 1991 Blanca Blanco touched down in Marrakech just days after she returned to her Malibu home which had been severely damaged in the California wildfires. The actress, 37, put her devastating woes aside as she landed in the country ahead of the Marrakech International Film Festival on Saturday. Blanco, who's been married to actor John Savage, 69, since 2008, started her trip to the Moroccan country in style, wowing in a thigh-skimming floral frock. Moving on: Blanca Blanco touched down in Marrakech just days after she returned to her Malibu home which had been severely damaged in the California wildfires Her stunning dress, which featured cut out detailing around the bust, was adorned with a vibrant floral pattern across her chest and waist. She teamed it with a pair of towering sky-scraper heels, which gave her willowy frame some further inches. Around her neck she wore an open-ended necklace with gold accents, sporting a matching bracelet on her wrist. Back to her best: The actress, 37, put her devastating woes aside as she landed in the country ahead of the Marrakech International Film Festival on Saturday Leggy: Blanco, who's been married to actor John Savage, 69, since 2008, started her trip to the Moroccan country in style, wowing in a thigh-skimming floral frock Posing against a tiled backdrop, Blanca wore her ombre locks in natural waves and opted for a glamorous coat of make-up including a swipe of black liner. While most of Blanca's possessions were all destroyed in the fire, she managed to save a few things including her college diploma, some paintings and a director style chair with her name on the back. She was allowed to return to her home for the first time following the devastating Woolsey Fire just a couple of weeks ago. Speaking to DailyMail.com she shared her frustration of not being allowed to enter the premises even though there were looters everywhere. Beauty: Her stunning dress, which featured cut out detailing around the bust, was adorned with a vibrant floral pattern across her chest and waist 'We are hoping to be allowed back to Malibu so we can see our place and get closure. I have some hope maybe I show up and some family pictures aren't burnt,' she said. 'In addition looters in my neighborhood has been an issue - they are everywhere. A neighbor has been securing property with riffles to protect from looters so that's scary.' 'Insurance mentioned we got hit hard in our neighborhood and they are talking rebuilding too - that is hard to digest yet.' 'PCH and Kanan area still has not been open so we are hopeful by this weekend.' Sensational: She teamed it with a pair of towering sky-scraper heels, which gave her willowy frame some further inches Blanca told her harrowing story to DailyMail.com last week about she had just minutes to pack up before fleeing the fire. She revealed that she had just minutes to pack up their house and wake up John, who was sleeping, to flee the property. The pair got out safe and were also about to save their pet bunny, Star. The Dog Of Christmas star also added that she thinks they'll be moving away from Malibu, but may move back after 'a couple of years'. Devastating: Blanca returned to her Malibu home for the first time after it was completely destroyed in the Woolsey Fire Details: Around her neck she wore an open-ended necklace with gold accents, sporting a matching bracelet on her wrist 'I felt trapped and claustrophobic when I was trying to escape so not sure I want to live in Malibu again. We are considering living in Beverly Hills or Brentwood,' she dished. 'Now we are in a hotel in Beverly Hills. John and I have moved to three hotels since Malibu. It's stressful but lots of hotels do not have long stay since many evacuees are renting. Hotels are increasing prices since fires so that is a shame.' 'For me, I have been having a hard time sleeping and having nightmares.' Posing: Posing against a tiled backdrop, Blanca wore her ombre locks in natural waves and opted for a glamorous coat of make-up including a swipe of black liner Blanca continued: 'Finally in the last two days I slept four hours straight. Stress level is high but I work everyday on reminding myself how lucky I am to be alive and John too and our bunny.' 'I am aware I can be happy or sad during this situation but I choose happy. Being optimistic will help me get through these stages,' she continued. 'I want to focus on the solution rather than the problem. It is okay to rebuild life. We all do it since life is not linear.' Returning: She was allowed to return to her home for the first time following the devastating Woolsey Fire just a couple of weeks ago 'John is in good spirits too. His positive attitude is motivating. His stress level is high but every day he works on himself too to maintain calm and being proactive.' 'We meditate and take walks to relieve stress and clear our minds. We are going to get a gym membership this weekend since that was our normal morning routine in Malibu- we want to continue with our normal routine.' Blanca added: 'We are both going to be looking for more work. We are not taking time off from this, we will continue with our schedule as planned and of course with self care being our priority.' They have each other: Blanca is married to fellow actor John Savage, 69 A tough day: Blanca was heading to a meeting in LA when she learned her neighbourhood had to be evacuated so she returned home to save her boyfriend John and their bunny 'I will reach out to executive producers I know and send my acting resume so I work on booking more films and help rebuild my life.' 'My goal next year is to do a studio film in addition to independent films I have been doing. So I will continue to work on that.' I am feeling hopeful. We are beyond thankful for all the people that reached out and provided emotional support. The kindness and sweetness of people during this challenging time is beyond words. Growth and strength is what I am gaining from this experience.' They've just tied the knot in a romantic traditional Western ceremony on Saturday, in her native India. And to celebrate the occasion Vogue magazine has released an intimate video of Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, playing the newlywed game. In it the actress, 36, and the musician, 26, sit side by side as they coyly answer questions about their relationship, from her diva tendencies, to his celebrity crush - Shania Twain. Priyanka Chopra says Nick Jonas loves 'cuddling with his head on my tummy' as they play Newlywed Game... while he is quizzed on her diva moments in two new Vogue videos 'You're perfect': The two played the newlywed game in the Vogue video, and according to Nick, Priyanka has zero diva tendencies, although he did admit she can't cook Asked their 'favorite activity' they do together, Nick replied 'mine is obviously alone time,' and proceeded to list talking, hanging out and 'stuff'. 'I think 'and stuff' is great. Yes stuff,' Chopra shared, deciding her own reply was 'too intimate'. 'Cuddling with his head on my tummy,' she had written - with the two both asked to scribble down their answers at the same time. If only: Nick and Priyanka had no trouble selecting his celebrity crush - Shania Twain Intimate: Priyanka says Nick Jonas loves 'cuddling with his head on my tummy' 'That falls in the 'and stuff' category,' Nick reassured her. The two were in total agreement about where they met - an Oscars afterparty - and their first kiss - her hotel balcony. And indeed her most annoying habit was also an easy one - 'being late'. But thinks got harder when Nick was asked to list Priyanka's 'most diva tendencies'. Seemingly delighted by the question, Bollywood beauty Priyanka joked: 'You have a list for this one, don't you?' The two were in total agreement about where they met - an Oscars afterparty - and their first kiss - her hotel balcony. And indeed her most annoying habit was also an easy one - 'being late'. Another illuminating question came when Nick was asked about his first date with Priyanka Nick amused her by turning his card sideways, pretending he has so much to write he needed more space. But when they flipped the cards, he had simply written 'You;re perfect'. As for Priyanka, she had selected her lack of cooking ability as her most diva-like moment, admitting she always 'orders takeout'. Another illuminating question came when Nick was asked about his first date with Priyanka. Quizzed about what she wore, he replied: 'blue jeans, white tank top, black leather jacket, hair parted down the middle and a red lip, of course.' Priyanka had written simply 'pants and a tee'. 'Details, baby details,' Nick told her. Dancing queen: A second video, also released Saturday, shows Priyanka dancing sultrily to Nick's song Close In love: After she tried a variety of dance styles, Nick puts down his guitar to join her on the dance floor, before the two walk off hand in hand The two tied the knot at the glamorous Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan on Saturday just four months after their July engagement. On Sunday they will reconfirm their wedding vows in a traditional Hindu ceremony. The newlyweds cover Vogue's January issue, and have talked in detail to the magazine about their relationship for an accompanying article. A second video, also released Saturday, shows Priyanka dancing sultrily to Nick's song Close. After she tried a variety of dance styles, Nick puts down his guitar to join her on the dance floor, before the two walk off hand in hand. Cover couple: The two front the first ever digital cover for Vogue Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra romance timeline: From sliding into her DMs to going down on one knee Romance rumors began after they attended the 2018 Met Gala in May of this year. But Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas's love story actually began way before, when the Jonas Brothers star first slid into the actresses DMs in 2016. Revealing all, the couple shared an indepth account of the origins of their love story for the first time in their new Vogue article. February 26, 2017: After weeks of texting one another, Nick Jonas spotted Priyanka Chopra across a crowded room at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party; this was their first meeting And it all started when the former teenage heartthrob direct messaged the Quantico star. 'It was Nick who sent the first message,' she said. But there is a story behind that. He first sent a text to Graham Rogers, Chopras costar on Quantico, that read: 'Priyanka. Is. Wow.' But Nick said that is not the way he usually talks. Then he sent a message to Priyanka on Twitter: 'Im hearing from a few mutual friends that we should meet,' the note said. May 1 2017: With Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra both signed up to wear Ralph Lauren at the Met Gala, the pair enjoyed one date before walking the carpet together He asked her out and gave a date: September 8, 2016. 'She responded day of with a message that said, "My team can read this. Why dont you just text me."' Chopra laughs, 'Boy got the number!' Armed with Priyanka's digits, Nick began texting, and the two began to get to know one another. May 7, 2017: It was a whole year before the two met again, at the Met Gala; this time they connected, sparking their whirlwind romance But it was a while before they met - after Nick spotted Priyanka at the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscars party. 'I put my drink down... get on one kneethis is in front of a bunch of peopleand I say, "Youre real. Where have you been all my life?" Like, loud.' The two fitted in just one drink that night, before Priyanka had to leave. But not before Nick scheduled another drink at the Carlyle hotel in New York the week before the Met Gala in May 2017, on the pretext that both would be wearing Ralph Lauren. June 12, 2018: Two dates quickly followed, with the two pictured exiting a performance of Beauty And The Beast in Los Angeles 'We hung out for a couple of hours,' Chopra says of the date, which ended when Nick escorted her back to her apartment. 'He patted my back before he left.' 'There was no kiss. There was nothing,' Jonas said. 'There was a back pat,' Chopra says. 'Shes still upset about that,' Jonas said, adding: 'Your mom was in the house! I thought it was a respectful first night.' Priyanka replies: 'It was too respectful if you ask me.' June 7 2018: Quickly inseparable, the LA-based pair are seen jetting to New York The two did not see one another for a year, until they reconnected at this year's Met Gala on May 7. And it was there sparks flew. Meghan had a busy few weeks ahead, during which she notably attended her best friend Meghan Markle's wedding, solo, in London on May 19. But once back in Los Angeles two dates quickly followed, to a performance of Beauty And The Beast and a Dodgers game. By June Nick was Priyanka's date as she visited her hometown of Mumbai in India. Then a birthday trip to celebrate Priyanka turning 36 followed in July, and is was there Nick proposed on July 19th this year - to his love's shock. June 22, 2018: After the two reconnected, their love quickly grew serious and they were pictured visiting Mumbai in India June 30, 2018: Priyanka was in the audience as Nick performed in Goiania, Brazil 'I got down on one knee, again, and I said: "Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?"' he admitted. 'No joke - she took about 45 seconds. Forty-five seconds of silence.' Eventually, Nick took the initigvaie and slid the ring onto Priyanka's finger. In the interview, Priyanka revealed when she first fell in love with Nick. July 16 2018: The couple are pictured in London, three days before Nick shocked his future bride with a proposal September 7: The couple pose together at a Ralph Lauren show, as they plan their wedding She was on a date in LA with Jonas and he said: 'I love the way you look at the world. I love the drive you have.' She added: 'As a girl, Ive never had a guy tell me, "I like your ambition." Its always been the opposite.' After announcing their engagement to the world, the couple embraced wedding planning, and set a date - December 1, 2018. Ready to wed: A romantic selfie posted by Priyanka on November 22, as the two reconnected when Nick arrived in India on November 22 ahead of their wedding Advertisement Her single Thank U, Next has set the Internet ablaze. And Ariana Grande finally revealed the story this Saturday behind how her latest pop culture phenomenon was born. The 25-year-old began: 'well 'twas a pretty rough day in nyc. my friends took me to tiffanys. we had too much champagne. i bought us all rings.' She went on: 'it was very insane and funny. & on the way back to the stu njomza was like "b****, this gotta be a song lol". so we wrote it that afternoon.' Cat's out of the bag: Ariana Grande finally revealed the story this Saturday behind how her her chart-busting new song Thank U, Next was born Ariana is known for her friendly interactions with fans on Twitter, and she told this story in response to one who asked: 'who had the idea?' She had already revealed on her Insta Stories last month that she and a group of pals - seven people in all - had gotten rings together. In the new music video to Thank U, Next - which is now the most-viewed YouTube video in the first day after coming out - eagle-eyed fans can catch a glimpse of a car with a license plate reading: '7 RINGS'. 'i bought us all rings': Ariana related that on 'a pretty rough day in NYC,' her pals comforted her with a trip to Tiffany's, where 'we had too much champagne' '3/7': She had already revealed on her Insta Stories last month that she and a group of pals - seven people in all - had gotten rings together On Twitter Saturday, Ariana revealed the recipients of the rings: Victoria Monet, Courtney Chipolone, Alexa Luria, Tayla Parx, Njomza and Kim 'Kaydence' Krysiuk. Victoria and Tayla are among the people with writing credits on Thank U, Next, and Kaydence has songwriting credits on Ariana's most recent album Sweetener. Ariana shared that she also got rings for her mother Joan Grande and grandmother Marjorie Grande, 'so technically nine but they got theirs after song was done'. The song looks back on her past relationships with such men as Pete Davidson, Big Sean, Ricky Alvarez and the late Mac Miller, and sees Ariana express gratitude for what she has learned through her exes before moving on. 'so we wrote it that afternoon': She went on: 'it was very insane and funny,' dishing that 'on the way back to the stu njomza (right) was like "b****, this gotta be a song lol"' It has been a consistent record breaker - two days after the single dropped, Forbes reported it was the most-streamed song in one day by a female artist on Spotify, dethroning Taylor Swift's Look What You Made Me Do. Thank U, Next passed 100 million Spotify streams within two weeks of its release, quicker than any other song in the service's history, according to NME. Upon its debut, it instantly sailed to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, the first time Ariana has ever reached this position in the United States. The music video is chockablock with references to such movies as Legally Blonde, Mean Girls, Bring It On and 13 Going On 30, and features cameos with celebs ranging from Kris Jenner to Jennifer Coolidge. She's just enjoyed a romantic break in the British Virgin Islands with boyfriend Wells Adam. And Sarah Hyland put on a cheeky display as she wistfully wished she was still in the Caribbean. The 28-year-old actress shared a naked picture of herself skinny dipping in the pool, on Saturday. Skinny dipping: Sarah Hyland put on a cheeky display on Saturday as she wistfully wished she was still in the Caribbean The Modern Family star flaunted her bare bottom in the picture, which sees her looking out to sea with her hair in a high ponytail. She was clearly without a scrap of clothing, as she posed gracefully at the edge of the infinity pool at their luxury villa. She captioned: 'Skinny dipping over the ocean. This is 28. Already missing @batubvi' and then she credited her boyfriend Wells Adam for taking the photo. Birthday girl! Hyland marked her birthday by posting a sun-drenched snap of herself over the weekend The happy couple had been staying at the Batu Villa, on Virgin Gorda, where rates start at $1800 per night. However, the pair revealed on social media that they very nearly did not make it to their exclusive destination. They shared their horrific tale of travel woe on Instagram, revealing it ended up taking them 36 hours to get to their correct destination. Travel nightmare! Sarah and boyfriend Wells Adams revealed on social media they were sent to the wrong island during their current vacation 'We made it!' Hyland rejoiced after finally making to their correct destination Sarah and Wells were travelling to the islands to celebrate the actress' 28th birthday. The Bachelor In Paradise star and Sarah have been going strong for a year now, and Wells posted a touching birthday tribute for his girlfriend in honor of her big day. 'Its that can't-eat, can't-sleep, reach-for-the-stars, over-the-fence, World Series kind of stuff. Happy birthday @sarahhyland! Youre perfect and I love you most. Now pack your bags, cus baby, were jumping on a plane and heading down to the islands tomorrow!' Senior Victorian Liberal John Pesutto faces a wait of several days to learn his parliamentary future. The shadow attorney-general held Hawthorn with a 8.6 per cent margin but is in doubt to be returned, with the Victorian Electoral Commission confirming on Sunday that his is one of four seats that will go down to the wire. The electorates of Ripon, Brunswick and Bayswater complete the list of seats where a result is not expected until mid to late week, a spokesman told AAP. Inner-Melbourne's Brunswick, relinquished by former Labor minister Jane Garrett who is moving to the upper house, is a contest between ALP candidate Cindy O'Connor and the Greens' Tim Read. After confirming Labor's resounding majority in Victoria's lower house, the commission will on Sunday turn its attention to counting the lengthy legislative council ballots. Final results for the upper house can often take weeks to finalise. Already more than 70 per cent of first preference votes for the lower house have been counted. Scrutineers will turn their attention to counting postal votes for the legislative assembly later in the week. Gladys Berejiklian says there's no doubt the Liberals face a tough few months in the lead-up to the NSW election but she's used to being the underdog. The NSW premier was speaking after the Liberal Party was trounced in the Victorian election on Saturday which saw the Labor Party returned to government with a majority of 16 in the 88-seat parliament. Ms Berejiklian said she didn't know enough about Victoria's internal politics to know how much the ousting of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull contributed to the result. "But I'll say this: People don't like to see instability. People don't like to see politicians focused on themselves, we know that," she told reporters in Sydney on Sunday. Former Cronulla playmaker Jeff Robson has denied receiving any third-party payments while at the club after his name was linked to the NRL's salary cap investigation into the Sharks. A report on Sunday claimed the NRL integrity unit had found the Sharks had allegedly used a fake invoice and loan to pay two players in 2015, according to News Corp Australia. Former chief executive and current Manly boss Lyall Gorman is expected to be quizzed by the NRL this week, after the Sharks self-reported their concerns earlier this year. According to the report, the Sharks were issued an invoice for $100,000 to bring their phones across the the now deregistered company Compare Communications. A five-year loan was allegedly taken out to cover the cost of the 'goods' but the telecommunications company's owner John Barker said no payment was made after the phones ended up not being brought across. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing from Barker or Gorman, or that the then-CEO was aware of the situation. The report also claimed the concerns were over payments made to the now-retired Chris Heighington and Robson, with also no suggestion they knew or were involved in any wrongdoing. Regardless though, Robson took to social media on Sunday to insist it was not possible for him to have been caught up in the scandal at all. "Just to clear things up, I have never received one dollar from John Barker or any of his companies," Robson tweeted. "I didn't receive any money from 3rd party deals for the 4 years I was at the Sharks, and left at the end of 2015." Heighington also declared in August any third-party deal he was part of was signed off on by the NRL, his manager and the Sharks. Third-party deals are legal in the NRL, as long as they are agreed to at arm's length from the club and approved by the governing body. The NRL are continuing their investigations into the Sharks, after new chief executive Barry Russell reported historic irregularities in his first season on the job this year. However, it's not believed any possible punishments will have an impact on the Sharks' maiden premiership triumph in 2016. A convicted rapist has been arrested accused of sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl at a dance studio in Sydney's south. The 54-year-old man was arrested by detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad on Sunday afternoon. It's alleged he physically and sexually assaulted the girl in the toilet of a dance studio in Kogarah earlier this month. Police expect to lay a number of charges in relation to the incident. It follows comments from NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller on Sunday that his priority is to ensure the man dies in jail. Appearing with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Police Minister Troy Grant to announce the deployment of 91 police officers to tackle drugs and crime in the state, Mr Fuller said he was determined the 54-year-old should remain behind bars for life. "My number one priority is making sure that (the accused) dies in jail and I will make sure that the investigation, that all of the evidence that goes before the court sees him never back on our streets again," he told reporters. Mr Fuller said police needed to focus on what they are good at, and that is protecting the NSW community. "I need to make sure that every officer is reminded of that every day," he said. The Australian government will rake in $9.2 billion more revenue in 2018/19 than it forecast in the May budget, according to a leading economist. But the windfall won't be quite enough to deliver a surplus at the end of the year, ahead of schedule. Deloitte Access Economics partner Chris Richardson says tax revenues are "coming thick and fast", delivering 10 per cent more to government coffers now than at this time last year. That comes as the global economy is growing at its fastest rate since 2011. The Australian economy is expanding at its quickest pace since 2012, the height of the mining boom. Profit taxes are responsible for much of the boost to revenues, with company tax raising almost $100 billion this year, up by $8.4 billion from what was forecast in the latest budget. Superannuation revenue is also expected to raise $1 billion more than allotted. The petroleum resource rent tax will prove less profitable in 2018/19, delivering a $0.5 billion shortfall in the year, while the results will be so-so on personal income tax, as wages growth remains stagnant. The following year could deliver less revenue from company tax, Mr Richardson believes, as China's growth weakens, along with bank profits as they tighten their lending purse strings. "That combo could be kryptonite for company tax," the economist said in Deloitte's latest Budget Monitor, released on Monday. Revenues will still climb $2.1 billion higher than forecast in 2019/20. The coalition's plan to get back in the black by 2019/20 remains on track, with a surplus just out of reach for the current financial year. Deloitte are expecting an underlying cash deficit of $4.9 billion in 2018/19, followed by a small surplus of $4.2 billion the following year. "It has taken the current virtuous cycle of surging revenues and some modest spending restraint to get us this close," Mr Richardson said. In 2020/21, Deloitte is tipping revenues to outperform forecasts by $1.6 billion, before falling $1.6 billion below expectations in 2020/21. Weaker commodity prices and bank profits have been factored into that decline. Nonetheless, 2020/21 will bring a surplus of $14.1 billion, while the following year will give $16.1 billion, if there are no further policy changes. On spending, policies announced since May have already cost an extra $0.4 billion this financial year, with their costs to grow to $1.4 billion in 2019/20. A swag of former judges are hoping their appeal to Scott Morrison to establish a national anti-corruption watchdog will rally support for the authority within his government. In an open letter, 34 former judges on Sunday urged the prime minister to support the creation of a National Integrity Commission. Confidence in government and public institutions is at an "all time low", according to the group, which includes former High Court chief justice Gerard Brennan and former justice Mary Gaudron. That is largely because of the suspicion that corruption permeates many government decisions and actions, the group believes. "Governments ignore at their peril demands by citizens to combat corruption with vigour," they say in the letter published on Sunday. "We urge you to immediately establish a strong, effective and independent National Integrity Commission." The letter comes after the opposition last week goaded Mr Morrison to declare his position on creating the authority, which Labor has vowed since January it will do if it wins the next election. Attorney-General Christian Porter responded by saying Labor's plan includes too little detail. But he said the coalition is weighing up its options on strengthening the national integrity framework and is open to all potential policies. "As I have said repeatedly, I am not closed-minded as to options for a future integrity framework," Mr Porter said. Laws to set up a commission are set to be debated in the lower house on Monday. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has said he will seek support from the crossbench on the issue when parliament resumes this week, but would rather Mr Morrison get behind the idea. The resounding re-election of Labor's Daniel Andrews as Victorian premier will likely be on the minds of Australia's lawmakers as they return to Canberra for the final sitting of parliament. But federal politicians won't have too long to contemplate Saturday's vote, amid debate over anti-terrorism laws and energy policy. In the wake of recent terrorism events, Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants the parliament to urgently pass laws to help police and intelligence officers access encrypted communications in terrorism investigations. As well, the government will seek Labor's support for laws to strip Australian citizenship from convicted terrorists. Energy policy is expected to feature in question time, with Labor outlining its support for the National Energy Guarantee, which the coalition formerly supported. The minority-held federal government could also face greater difficulty passing laws, once independent MP Kerryn Phelps - who won Malcolm Turnbull's former seat of Wentworth - is sworn in. Dr Phelps will pursue laws to set up a national integrity commission, which are set to be debated in the lower house on Monday. Labor may seek to exploit the minority parliament to seek the referral of Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and Liberal colleague Chris Crewther to the High Court over eligibility issues. If Labor is able to add the six crossbench voters to its 69, referral motions could be successful. Mr Dutton argues his family's interest in childcare centres does not represent a breach of the constitution. Mr Crewther says he is in the clear, despite his investment in a pharmaceutical company that was associated with a university research grant. Expected to pass parliament are laws to reform the aged care system; powers to call out the defence forces during terrorism events; improvements to indigenous rights; and a new entitlement to five days of unpaid family and domestic violence leave in a 12-month period. National Australia Bank's CEO and chairman are the next bank bosses in the hot seat at the financial services royal commission. NAB will kick off the second and final week of the royal commission's last public hearing, which is focusing on why misconduct occurred and what can be done to prevent it in the future. NAB CEO Andrew Thorburn and chairman Dr Ken Henry, a former Treasury secretary, will both appear at the Melbourne hearing. The inquiry last week heard the corporate regulator may now take action against NAB over home loan fraud involving its "introducer" program that pays people outside the bank for successful lending referrals. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission previously focused on the 60 bankers who committed the misconduct, only expanding its investigation to include the bank itself after the case featured at the royal commission. ASIC is re-evaluating every case aired during the inquiry. AMP's acting CEO Mike Wilkins, ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank chairman Robert Johanson and Australian Prudential Regulation Authority chairman Wayne Byres will also appear before the royal commission this week. A fees-for-no-service scandal revealed at the inquiry in April led to the departure of AMP's CEO and chair, as barristers for the royal commission suggested Australia's largest wealth manager face criminal charges for lying to the corporate regulator. The heads of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac, Macquarie Group and ASIC were questioned at the royal commission's sitting in Sydney last week. Hundreds of residents have reportedly evacuated their homes north of Bundaberg as a large out-of-control bushfire threatens properties. A emergency situation has been declared, with firefighters urging Deepwater residents to follow their bushfire survival plan or leave the township on Sunday night. Police, fire crews and State Emergency Service volunteers went from door to door in Deepwater and Baffle Creek to make sure people knew to leave, The Courier-Mail reported. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Katarina Carroll said about 600 people were tipped to evacuate from Deepwater Creek plus 200 from Baffle Creek. ""The intensity of this fire covers some 9000ha and the flames are more than 10 to 12m high," she told the newspaper. At 8.15pm on Sunday the "dangerous and unpredictable" fire at Deepwater National Park was moving south-southwest toward Deepwater and "could have a significant impact on the community", QFES said. An evacuation centre has been set up at nearby Miriam Vale, with police assisting with evacuations from the community. The Wartburg State School at Baffle Creek is closed due to the fire, the Department of Education said. Residents to the north of the national park around the suburb of Round Hill are being advised to prepare to leave. At 8.20pm on Sunday the fire was moving north-northeasterly towards homes, with firefighters warning they would not be able to protect individual houses. To the southwest, firefighters were monitoring a blaze at Lowmead and other fires at Mt Urah, southwest of Maryborough, Googa Creek, south of Blackbutt, and Injune, north of Roma. All posed no threat to property. Another fire south of Brisbane near Undullah is burning within containment lines and residents are being advised to keep up to date with the blaze. Hot westerly winds, high temperatures and low humidity are making most of the state like a tinderbox, fire authorities said. Residents in rural areas have been urged to take the usual precautions, including avoiding using machinery and power tools if possible, and to call triple-0 immediately if they spot a fire. US foundation Pew Charitable Trusts is behind a new advocacy group that will lobby the federal government to increasing funding and improve services to remote communities. The Outback Alliance, which includes the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Kimberley Land Council, is demanding the federal government include more residents of isolated and Aboriginal communities in program-decision making. The group's ultimate goal is for a bipartisan policy covering everything from infrastructure and broadband to education in the nation's red centre. Pew's Australian director Barry Traill is critical of policies where desk-bound bureaucrats control the distribution of services and funding. "It is difficult to retrofit policy designed for more populated areas to the outback's remote communities, it is time-consuming and often produces less effective results," he said in a statement. The group will showcase existing partnerships at its federal parliament launch on Monday, including the Indigenous Ranger program run collaboratively by the three tiers of government that fulfils employment, environment and educational outcomes. It comes as the Northern Territory government inked a deal last week granting autonomy to the people on the Groote Eylandt in Gulf of Carpentaria. Over a nine-year transition period, the Anindilyakwa people will run their government-funded schools, health clinics and other services, the first of 11 possible agreements with the NT government. The fine imposed on the South Australian police force over the "tragic" workplace death of a woman who was trapped in a freezer will go directly to boost SafeWork SA's investigations, the government says. Lawyers representing the force in the employment tribunal have indicated a guilty plea will be entered over the death of cook and cleaner Debra Summers in 2016. Police face a fine of up to $1.5 million for breaching health and safety laws and Treasurer Rob Lucas says rather than that money going into general government revenue, it will go directly to improve SafeWork SA's investigative processes. Former prime minister Tony Abbott says it is "absolutely nauseating" his Liberal colleague Jim Molan has missed out on a safe Senate spot at the next election. Mr Abbott derided a "factional power play" at the weekend, which saw Hollie Hughes and Andrew Bragg placed ahead of Senator Molan on the Liberal Party's NSW Senate ticket. Mr Abbott told 2GB radio on Monday he was "a little bit bamboozled" as to how Senator Molan, a former major general in the Australian Army, was relegated to an unwinnable spot. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road rage stabbing incident in Sydney's west which left another man requiring emergency surgery. It is understood a 42-year-old man was driving a Toyota Hilux on the M7 motorway southbound in the suburb of Glendenning around 4.40pm on Friday when the driver of a Toyota Corolla threw something at his vehicle. When both men stopped to confront each other the Corolla driver produced a knife and stabbed the other man in the stomach before driving southbound at high speed, police said. The victim attempted to drive to Blacktown Hospital but was forced to pull over on Bungarribee Road, Doonside, until the arrival of an ambulance. He was taken to Westmead Hospital for emergency surgery and is reportedly in a stable condition. Police are appealing to anyone who saw the incident or who may have dashcam footage of the incident or the attacker's vehicle to come forward. Egypt unveiled on November 24, 2018 an ancient tomb and funerary items discovered at the necropolis of Al-Assasif in the southern city of Luxor Egypt on Saturday unveiled an ancient tomb, sarcophagi and funerary artifacts discovered in the Theban necropolis of Al-Assasif in the southern city of Luxor. In a ceremony in front of the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Anani announced that French and Egyptian archaeologists had discovered "a new tomb... with very nice paintings". Located between the royal tombs at the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings, the Al-Assasif necropolis is the burial site of nobles and senior officials close to the pharaohs. Among the finds in the tomb are sarcophagi, statues and some 1,000 funerary figurines called "Ushabtis" made of wood, faience and clay. The tomb dates back to the Middle Kingdom, which spanned the 11th and 12th dynasties, and belonged to "Thaw-Irkhet-If", mummification supervisor at the Temple of Mut in Karnak, according to the ministry. Separately, archeologists from the French Institute of Eastern Archeology (IFAO) and the University of Strasbourg have discovered two sarcophagi dating back to the 18th dynasty, Anani told a news conference. Egyptian Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Enany inspects a sarcophagus at the Al-Assasif necropolis in the southern city of Luxor on November 24, 2018 One of the two contains the "well-preserved" mummified remains of a woman named Thuya, the antiquities ministry said in a statement. But ministry spokeswoman Nevine Aref told AFP later that work was still ongoing to definitively identify the name of the mummy. Egyptian authorities regularly announce archaeological discoveries with great fanfare, although the country is often accused of a lack of scientific rigour and neglect of its antiquities. Archaeological sites, particularly in Luxor, make Egypt a major draw for foreign tourists. Hit by the turmoil that enveloped Egypt after the 2011 uprising that ousted longtime president Hosni Mubarak, the tourism sector has picked up this year. President Donald Trump has announced that asylum seekers hoping to enter the US will have to wait in Mexico while they are assessed Asylum seekers hoping to enter the US via its southern border will have to wait in Mexico while they are assessed, President Donald Trump announced Saturday, appearing to confirm a report about a bilateral deal published by The Washington Post. The move was cautiously welcomed by some refugees currently at the border, even as Mexico's incoming interior minister Olga Sanchez Cordero, who was quoted by the Post as confirming the agreement, later issued a denial. "Migrants at the Southern Border will not be allowed into the United States until their claims are individually approved in court," Trump wrote on Twitter. He added that the US "will allow those who come into our Country legally" and emphasized: "All will stay in Mexico." The deal, which would overhaul US border policy, comes with Trump outraged over the presence of thousands of Central American migrants who marched to Mexico's border city of Tijuana hoping to enter the US for a better life free from the poverty and gang violence in their homelands. "For now, we have agreed to this policy of Remain in Mexico," the Post quoted Sanchez Cordero as saying. The government of new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will enter office on December 1. But her office later issued a statement saying: "There is no agreement of any type between the future federal government of Mexico and that of the United States of America." Trump has sent almost 6,000 soldiers to the Mexican border in support of Customs and Border Protection agents and National Guard troops already there, to forestall what Trump has called an "invasion" by "very bad people." After a trek of more than a month from Honduras, nearly 5,000 migrants -- including women and children -- are now in Tijuana living in a makeshift shelter. - A potential breakthrough - Trump "is within his right. He is in his government," but he is not like other presidents in his views of migrants, said a resident of the shelter, Carolina Flores, 38, of Honduras. Central American migrants -- mostly from Honduras -- line up for food outside a shelter in Tijuana, Mexico, near the US-Mexico border fence "He sees us as a bug that is going to eat there," she added. "We come for an opportunity!" Another Honduran in the shelter, Orlinda Morales, 31, a housewife, said the reported new asylum rules seem "very good" because migrants will not be in limbo. "We will get work here," she said. Hundreds of the migrants lined up this week at a special jobs fair set up for them in the manufacturing city, but others remain determined to reach the US. No formal agreement has been signed, the Post said, but US officials view the deal, which would see would-be refugees' cases heard by US courts in Mexico, as a potential breakthrough in deterring migration. US asylum officers will begin implementing the new procedures in coming days or weeks, Homeland Security officials cited by the Post said. Asylum seekers will be given an initial screening to determine whether they face imminent danger by staying in Mexico, where violence is widespread. - Deportation to the homeland - American officials will be able to process at least twice as many asylum claims under the new system because they would not be limited by detention space at US ports of entry, the Post report said. Central American migrants struggle for fruit given by volunteers outside a temporary shelter in Tijuana, Mexico, on the US border It added that under the new rules, an applicant whose asylum claim is denied would not be allowed to return to Mexico but would remain in US custody pending immediate deportation to his or her home country. In a statement issued on Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made no mention of a deal but said that he and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen had "a constructive meeting" with Mexico's future foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard over the caravans. "We have affirmed our shared commitment to addressing the current challenge. The caravans will not be permitted to enter the United States. There are real dangers to the safety and human rights of migrants from those who would prey on them," Pompeo said. He added that he was looking forward to working with Mexico's new government, including on ways to spur job creation "to benefit the government and people of Mexico." Nearly 5,000 migrants have been living in a makeshift shelter in Tijuana In 2018, border patrols registered more than 400,000 illegal crossers, according to Homeland Security, and in the last five years, the number of those requesting asylum has increased by 2,000 percent. Less than 10 percent of cases result in asylum being granted, the government says. Last week, a US federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from denying asylum to people who enter the country illegally. The president issued a proclamation earlier this month saying that only people who enter the US at official checkpoints -- as opposed to sneaking across the border -- can apply for asylum. The US embassy in Kinshasa said it has received information about a "possible terrorist threat" against its facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With four weeks to go until a crucial election in the crisis-gripped central African nation, the American authorities urged its citizens to "keep a low profile" and said the embassy would be closed on Monday. "The United States Embassy in Kinshasa has received credible and specific information of a possible terrorist threat against U.S. Government facilities in Kinshasa," a statement posted on its website on Saturday said. "U.S. citizens in Kinshasa and throughout the DRC are strongly encouraged to maintain a heightened level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness. Monitor local media for updates." After two years of setbacks, broken promises and delays, the DR Congo on Wednesday kicked off the campaign for a crucial election that could alleviate -- or perhaps worsen -- the decades-long crisis. Voters on December 23 will choose a successor to outgoing President Joseph Kabila, who has constitutionally remained in power as caretaker leader even though his second and final elected term ended nearly two years ago. At stake in the vote is the political future of a mineral-rich country that has never known a peaceful transition of power since independence from Belgium in 1960. Eastern DR Congo is ravaged by decades of inter-ethnic bloodshed and militia violence, as well as a deadly Ebola outbreak, testing a large UN peacekeeping mission deployed in the country. The United States has called on the African nation to seize its "historic opportunity" to hold a "credible election" that could ease its humanitarian problems and boost stability. Companies in Singapore have already started testing drones for commercial use Hi-tech Singapore is planning to roll out a swarm of drones for tasks that include delivering parcels, inspecting buildings and providing security, but safety and privacy concerns mean the initiative may hit turbulence. Companies have already started testing the devices for commercial use, mainly in an area of over 200 hectares (500 acres) dotted with high-rise buildings and shopping malls, specially designated by the government for the trials. It is part of the affluent city's drive to embrace technological innovation, as well as an effort to tackle a manpower shortage in a country of just 5.6 million, which relies on foreign migrant workers in many low-paying sectors. Commercial use of unmanned aerial vehicles is already taking off around the world, in areas as diverse as crop-spraying and surveying for insurance claims, but Singapore's push represents a particularly ambitious bet on the technology. Singapore's civil aviation authority has got behind the project, saying it recognises the potential for drones "to transform mobility and logistics", and is working with industry players as it seeks to shape regulations for the sector. During recent tests, a drone buzzed through the air, snapping pictures of a tower block's facade, trials for a system that could see laborious human inspections of the city's ubiquitous high-rises replaced by automated checks. An engineer monitors a live video feed sent by a surveillance drone at a command centre in Singapore "Today's existing building inspection process is extremely slow, expensive, tedious, prone to accidents, fatigue and human error," said Shawn Koo, chief technical officer of H3 Zoom, a unit of the firm H3 Dynamics, which is behind the tests. Such inspections are typically carried out by workers from South or Southeast Asia, who hang precariously outside buildings on platforms suspended by ropes. The new system will see high-resolution images taken by drones and analysed to check for defects, with inspections taking a few days rather than a few weeks, as they do at the moment. H3 Zoom hopes to fully launch the inspections next year. - Robotic guards - Drones are also being tested as robotic guards by local firm ST Aerospace. Singapore is planning to roll out a swarm of drones for tasks that include delivering parcels, inspecting buildings and providing security At its command centre, screens show a simulated security breach in a fence. A black drone is deployed, which chases an intruder while transmitting live images that direct security officers towards him to make an arrest. Tests have also been carried out for drone parcel delivery while a hospital operator plans to use the devices to transport blood samples and specimens between its hospitals and central laboratory. But transforming the futuristic vision into reality faces hurdles. The prospect of having a drone suddenly whizz by your apartment or office has sparked privacy concerns in the land-scarce city. Angry Singaporeans called for police to investigate after a video circulated on social media in September showing a recreational drone flying close to a residential building, while some private condos have banned the devices. Koo from H3 Zoom conceded that many people still had "misconceptions" about drones: "Some might view it as a spying vehicle, others might think drones are out there to do harm." - Safety concerns - Flying recreational drones is popular in Singapore, although permits are required in certain circumstances. But commercial drones present more challenges when it comes to safety, as they often fly over longer distances well beyond the sight of their human "pilots". This requires flight paths to be planned and the use of private communications channels, while takeoff and landing sites must be built. Some residents are regulating against the use of drones, fearing an invasion of privacy as drones fly close to apartment buildings "The main challenge is to address the risks to people on the ground and the risks to airplanes flying in the air, and the risks of colliding with a building," Teong Soo Soon, programme director of the UAV business unit at ST Aerospace, told AFP. Despite the ambitious plans, it will be some time before all the ideas currently being tested are rolled out. Simpler tasks like building inspections and security surveillance look set to be launched commercially next year. But for situations where drones need to fly safely across Singapore -- such as with parcel delivery -- it could take three to four years as regulations are put in place, Teong said. Industry players nevertheless see a bright future and are already getting inquiries from as far afield as South America about their technology. "A successful Singapore story will help us promote our (drone system) internationally," said Teong. Scores of commuters are propelled to their destinations daily in Manila by so-called "trolley boys" As soon as the train rumbles past, the men heave their home-made pushcarts back onto the tracks and passengers hop aboard -- cheating death and beating Manila's notorious traffic. Scores of commuters in the city of about 12 million are propelled to their destinations daily by so-called "trolley boys" pushing metal carts that ply a few segments of the sprawling capital's railroads. Passengers save time and money -- paying just 10 pesos (20 US cents) a trip -- but must face the constant risk of being crushed by a passing locomotive if they or the trolley boys don't move fast enough. Passengers save time and money, paying just 10 pesos (20 US cents) a trip, but there is constant risk "Our job here is very dangerous, you need to know what time the train will pass by," said 57-year-old Rene Vargas Almeria, who has been at it for nearly 20 years. Commuter trains travel nearly two dozen times a day along this 1.2-kilometre (one-mile) stretch of rail in the Santa Mesa district, where authorities grudgingly tolerate the carts due to their popularity. The trolley boys also ply a few other stretches of Manila's battered rail system, that carries an average of 45,000 passengers a day. Incredibly, casualties are relatively rare. Police do not keep statistics, but said they couldn't remember the last time a fatality occurred. Incredibly, casualties are relatively rare and police say couldn't remember the last fatality The same cannot be said of close calls -- anyone who spends time pushing or riding the carts seems to have a hair-raising story to share. Rodolfo Maurello's scariest near-miss in almost two decades as a trolley boy came when he failed to notice the train behind him as he was pushing a cart packed with passengers. "The train was just metres away," the 60-year-old said, recalling how he turned around with only seconds to spare and waved it to a stop. "The sound of its brakes screeching was very loud." - 'I trust them' - Almeria has a similar tale, which happened one day when his mind wandered and his sole passenger was looking the other way. "I swung my head around and saw the train coming and yanked my trolley off the tracks," he added. "It was really close." On a good day the trolley boys can make up to $10, ferrying passengers seeking to escape Manila's infamous gridlock On a good day the trolley boys can make up to $10, ferrying passengers seeking to escape Manila's infamous gridlock -- a collision of poor infrastructure, weak public transit and an increasing number of cars. Even as Manila's population grew 50 percent from 1995-2015, investment in the city's creaking transport system has not kept up, opening a gap for informal options like the pushcarts to fill. Most journeys lack life-or-death drama, with workers in office attire and students clutching their lunch bags and pecking at their smartphones, a tattered beach umbrella providing the only protection from the burning sun or frequent downpours. "There is no traffic," 46-year-old Noemi Nieves told AFP. "It is convenient for us and the fare is just right for our budget." Despite the risks and minimal comforts, commuters say the trolley carts offer a welcome shortcut to spending hours in traffic only to travel a few kilometres. Danica Lorraine, 25, shaves nearly an hour off her daily commute, spared from having to take two additional buses each way. A "trolley boy" couple waits for passengers in Manila, where investment in the city's transport system has not kept up with population growth "You just need to be cautious -- very, very, very cautious," she said. Kerkleen Bongalon, a teacher, has -- for the most part -- gotten over her unease at riding the carts. One stretch of her journey passes over the Pasig river -- with a 15-metre (50-foot) plunge between the rail tracks and the water below. "At first it was scary," she said. "I don't know how to swim so if something happens while we are on the bridge I really don't know what would happen." "But nothing will happen because the trolley boys know the time the train will pass by," she added. "I trust them". Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen is battling for her political future after her ruling party suffered defeats in local elections LGBT activists in Taiwan fear their newly won right to marriage equality is under threat, while the president is battling for her political future after a wide-ranging vote that saw the island swing towards conservatism. Rival referendums on same-sex unions saw "pro-family" groups defeat pro-gay campaigners in what Amnesty International called a "bitter blow and a step backwards for human rights in Taiwan". The referendums ran alongside local elections in which the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered a massive loss in city and county seats, prompting President Tsai Ing-wen to resign as party leader and sparking questions over whether she will be able to run for re-election in 2020. The Beijing-friendly main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) made gains in the face of China's increasing pressure on the island, which it sees as part of its territory to be reunified. Tsai has promoted Taiwan as a beacon of democracy in the region since she took office, pitching it as a counterpoint to China's authoritarianism. Pro-gay marriage campaigners say they fear Taiwan's new laws on it will be weakened as the government faces conservative opposition Rights activists worldwide also lauded Taiwan after its top court voted to legalise gay marriage last year, the first place in Asia to do so, with the change due to be implemented next year. But analysts said Saturday's vote showed mainstream sentiment was still uncomfortable with such reforms. "Taiwan is a conservative society and not quite ready for the progressive label it's been given in some quarters," said Jonathan Sullivan, director of China programmes at Nottingham University. Pro-gay marriage campaigners say they fear the new laws will now be weakened as the government faces conservative opposition. "The Taiwanese government needs to step up and take all necessary measures to deliver equality and dignity for all, regardless of who people love," said Amnesty, urging authorities not to use the referendum as an "excuse" to undermine rights. - 'Protest vote' - Observers said the DPP's shock defeat in local polls was an indictment of policies they felt had not helped ordinary people. Taiwan's Beijing-friendly main opposition Koumintang made gains in the Saturday vote Although GDP is rising in Taiwan, voters say they are not seeing the benefits and many have been incensed by cuts to pensions and public holidays. Some traditional DPP supporters had said ahead of the elections that they would punish the party as they felt tensions with China were damaging their businesses. The DPP leans towards independence and Beijing has upped military and diplomatic pressure since Tsai took office, unilaterally cutting all official relations. Tsai and the DPP repeatedly accused China of a "fake news" campaign ahead of the vote, which Beijing denied, and authorities are probing Chinese influence through campaign funding of candidates. Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese Studies at King's College London, framed the result as a protest vote. "This is not a wholehearted endorsement of anyone else -- just a sign of how much like other countries Taiwan now is -- divided, very frustrated and looking for chances to protest," he told AFP. Rights activists worldwide had lauded Taiwan after its top court voted to legalise gay marriage last year, the first place in Asia to do so Observers agreed Tsai's re-election prospects had been severely weakened although some said she still had a chance to run, in the absence of an obvious successor. Tsai had described the vote as a chance for Taiwan to stand up to China, while the KMT pitched it as a no-confidence test. Analysts said that Taiwan's sense of separateness from China was ingrained, but that voters wanted a cross-strait relationship that did not damage the island economically, a balance that successive governments have found difficult to strike. "(The electorate) remain attached to Taiwan's de facto independence and democracy," said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, professor of political science at Hong Kong Baptist University. "They want to see their purchasing power increase and their government to show more competence." Rain falls on a the charred remains of home destroyed by the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, where at least 87 people have been killed and 475 are missing The death toll in northern California's so-called "Camp Fire" rose to 87, officials said late Saturday, adding that the blaze was almost fully under control. Cal Fire, the state fire authority, said in its latest bulletin that the fire - which broke out on November 8 - was 98 percent contained. The office of the Butte County Sheriff said that 249 people remained unaccounted for - a steep drop from 474 missing reported earlier in the day. It added that only 54 of the fatalities have been identified. More than 153,000 acres have been torched, with nearly 14,000 homes and hundreds of other structures destroyed by the powerful blaze, California's deadliest and most destructive fire ever. Previously the death toll had been put at 84. Rain that soaked the Butte County fire area in the past days helped douse the remaining flames, but also made it more difficult for crews searching for bodies. "Areas experiencing significant rainfall following a wildfire are at risk for debris flow and flash flooding," the Sheriff's office warned. Cal Fire said that the remaining uncontained fire "is isolated in steep and rugged terrain where it is unsafe for firefighters to access due to the heavy rains." Ben Stokes helped dig England out of a dangerous hole after another top order collapse against Sri Lanka, surviving two catches overturned on replay Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler dug England out of a dangerous hole after another top order collapse saw the tourists in trouble against Sri Lanka on Sunday as they sought a winning lead. Stokes and Buttler took England's second innings from 39-4 to 110-4 at lunch on the third day, building a strong 204-run lead despite some heart-stopping escapes that may cost Sri Lanka the match. Buttler was unbeaten on 38 and Stokes 32, having been the beneficiary of two basic blunders by Sri Lankan spinner Lakshan Sandakan. Left-arm spinner Sandakan had Stokes caught at cover on 22, then at slip on 32, only for replays to show he had overstepped the bowling line on each occasion. Stokes was on his way back to the dressing room when he was recalled both times. He shook his head in disbelief as he walked off for lunch. Buttler was given out lbw on 27 to part-time off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva, but the decision was overturned when the ball was projected to be travelling over the stumps upon review. Sri Lanka started the day brilliantly with Dilruwan Perera taking Keaton Jennings lbw with the first ball of the day when England resumed on three for no wicket. Perera soon had Rory Burns lbw for seven and first-innings centurion Jonny Bairstow caught at short leg by substitute fielder Kaushal Silva. Left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara took England captain Joe Root caught and bowled for seven leaving the tourists in trouble. Buttler made 38 off 39 balls, while Stokes went to lunch on 32 off 53. They struck three boundaries each, but went for sweeps and reverse-sweeps that brought valuable runs and left Sri Lanka facing a mountain when they bat. It is not uncommon for ferries to capsize on Lake Victoria and the number of fatalities is often high due to a shortage of life jackets and the fact many local people cannot swim Twenty-two people have died and more than 60 are feared drowned after a pleasure boat sank on Lake Victoria, Ugandan police said Sunday. The vessel carrying close to a hundred revellers sank during bad weather on Saturday in the latest deadly incident to affect passenger boats on Africa's largest lake. "Twenty-two bodies have been recovered and 26 people rescued," said Asuman Mugenyi, director of operations for the Uganda police. "According to one of the survivors there were more than 90 people on board." The boat, on which party-goers were drinking, dancing and listening to music, sank a short distance from the shore off Mutima in Mukono District, close to the capital Kampala. Mugenyi said overloading and bad weather were likely to blame. "We expect (the number of passengers) is beyond the capacity of the boat. It was overloaded and unfortunately people were drunk," Mugenyi said. "We suspect the mechanical condition of the boat and the weather contributed to the sinking." "A big storm hit," said local government official Richard Kikongo. "It can be fine on land but bad weather on the lake." Kikongo said first responders were among the victims. "Fishermen on two small boats could see that the boat was sinking and went to help. People tried to jump onto the boats but they were too many and those sunk. The rescuers died too," he said. Nearby residents said the vessel was hired out for parties every weekend and often overloaded with revellers. The Mutima Country Haven resort had been converted to a triage centre and morgue on Sunday morning where police were collecting the swollen bodies of victims Police spokesman Emilian Kayima said rescue efforts were continuing. Lake Victoria is the site of many boat disasters. In September, hundreds died when the MV Nyerere passenger ferry sank on the Tanzanian side of Lake Victoria. With a surface area of 70,000 square kilometres (27,000 square miles), oval-shaped Lake Victoria is roughly the size of Ireland and is shared by Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. It is not uncommon for ferries to capsize on the lake and the number of fatalities is often high due to a shortage of life jackets and the fact that many local people cannot swim. In 1966, more than 800 people lost their lives on Lake Victoria when the MV Bukoba sank off the mainland town of Mwanza, according to the Red Cross. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen faces a battle to win back the confidence of her electorate after bruising mid-term elections A massive defeat for Taiwan's ruling party in mid-term polls Saturday was seen as an indictment of President Tsai Ing-wen and called into question her approach to China, as well as unpopular domestic reforms. Tsai has pitched herself and her party as champions for democracy in the face of rising pressure from China, which sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified. But some voters say worsening relations with Beijing have harmed business, while others believe she has been too conciliatory. - Why are voters angry? - Cuts to pensions and a reduction in public holidays have compounded frustrations over a stagnant economy where salaries have not kept up with the rise in cost of living. Analysts agree domestic issues were the main reason behind voters' punishment of Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which saw its key seats more than halved while the Beijing-friendly opposition Kuomintang more than doubled their share. However, concern that business is being dented by deteriorating relations with Beijing also played a part, including a dramatic drop in tourists from China since Tsai took office in 2016. Beijing has sought to punish Tsai and her pro-independence leaning party by ramping up military drills, poaching allies and successfully persuading international businesses including airlines to list the island as part of China on their websites. - What next for China-Taiwan relations? - With pressure from Beijing at play in the vote result, analysts say Tsai will need to recalibrate her policy. But while voters want assurances of stability and economic prosperity, they will not want Taiwan to move too close to Beijing -- the previous KMT government was ousted after widespread public concerns over its rapprochement with China. "Striking a balance between productive economic relations with China while maintaining a pro-Taiwan stance in terms of identity and status, is elusive," said analyst Jonathan Sullivan of Nottingham University. Tsai also needs to appease pro-independence factions in her own party who dislike her official stance which seeks to maintain the cross-strait "status quo". - How will China respond? - Beijing said the vote results showed "the strong will of the public in Taiwan in sharing the benefits of the peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait" in quotes attributed to Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, by state news agency Xinhua. Analysts believe Beijing may see the result as proof of the success of its carrot-and-stick approach, which has offered economic incentives to Taiwanese entrepreneurs and businesses and perks to cities and counties that support the notion Taiwan is part of "one China". Huang Kwei-bo, political analyst at National Chengchi University, said China would likely see the KMT triumph "as its propaganda tactics being very effective", and predicted Chinese sabre-rattling could ease. - Dirty tricks campaign? - Accusations of Beijing meddling dominated Tsai and the DPP's pre-election campaigning as they accused China of a "fake news" onslaught, which Beijing has denied. Taiwan's Investigation Bureau is probing Chinese influence on the elections through campaign funding of candidates. "Chinese influence in Taiwanese elections reached a new level of intrusiveness," said Nottingham's Sullivan, adding that interference would be a factor to watch going into the 2020 leadership vote. - What about the US? - Relations with the United States, Taiwan's most powerful unofficial ally and major arms supplier, have warmed under Tsai, another sore point for Beijing. Analysts said the US would not be worried about the outcome of the elections, as issues of reunification or independence had not played a major role. However, National Chengchi University's Huang said Washington may flag the issue of possible China interference in future after the US-based chairman of America's de facto embassy in Taiwan warned of "attempts by external powers" to influence debate and spread false information. Gay couple Wang Tien-Ming and Ho Hsiang had never considered getting married until Taiwan's top court ruled that same-sex marriage must be legalised After more than three decades together, Wang Tien-ming and Ho Hsiang finally decided to tie the knot when Taiwan's top court ruled last year that same-sex marriage must be legalised. But those wedding plans are on hold after conservative groups won a referendum battle over equal marriage which couples fear could water down their newly won rights. The original landmark court decision in May 2017 made Taiwan the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage -- it ruled the change must be implemented within two years and sparked a wave of optimism in the LGBT community. But almost 18 months have already passed as the government drags its feet in the face of conservative opposition. A referendum on whether marriage should only be recognised as between a man and a woman in Taiwan's Civil Code won more than seven million votes Saturday, as did another calling for same-sex unions to be regulated under a separate law. Gay rights activists had proposed that the Civil Code should give same-sex couples equal marriage rights, but only garnered three million votes. Ho said that after the original court ruling he believed he and Wang would be granted rights given to heterosexual married partners, including recognition as next of kin. This made the couple think they could at last buy a house together, Wang told AFP, assured that if one of them died the other would inherit. Wang, 57, is also the main carer for Ho, 75, who suffers from Parkinson's disease. He describes their relationship as "love at first sight". "I want to get married because I want to say to the world: 'I don't want to be deprived of what is my basic right'," Wang said. - 'Second class citizens' - Although the government has made clear the referendum results would not impact the court's original decision to legalise gay marriage, which should automatically be implemented next May, pro-gay marriage campaigners worry that their newly won rights will be weakened. The court did not specify how it wanted gay marriage to be brought in, leaving room for conservative groups to call for separate regulations. As Saturday's conservative referendums passed the threshold of 25 percent of eligible voters, the government must by law take steps to reflect the result. Ho said he would not accept anything less than the amendment of the existing marriage law as laid out in the Civil Code to put gay couples on an equal footing with heterosexual couples. "Having a special marriage law (for gay couples) means we are like second class citizens," he told AFP, adding that having a two-tier system would dent Taiwan's reputation as a trailblazer for equal marriage rights on the international stage. "The Taiwanese value equality and freedom. If the gay community is been treated like second class citizens, where's the equality? This is our soft power," he said. Taiwan's government has not yet responded to the referendum result and what impact it will have. Kuo Huai-wen and her partner of 13 years had also been hoping to marry on the first day that the court's decision was implemented -- a day that is yet to come. Kuo, 40, said she was "saddened and disappointed" over the referendum result, but still felt encouraged that three million people had backed the pro-gay marriage vote. Kuo is pregnant with the couple's second child and said they would be forced to accept a union under a separate law for the sake of their children, even though they do not agree with it and want equal marriage rights. "We have to be practical as we have kids and we can't afford to have all or nothing," said Kuo. "We will register even if it's under a separate law, not because we are satisfied with that but because we need immediate protections." Myanmar's Buddhist monks have held a march to protest against the planned repatriation of Rohingya Muslims from Bangladesh Protesters in Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state demonstrated Sunday against the planned repatriation of Rohingya Muslims from Bangladesh, referring to them as "runaway refugees". About 100 people led by Buddhists monks marched through the state capital Sittwe holding red banners and chanting slogans. "There will be no benefits to us or our country if we accept the Bengalis," one monk said, according to a live video streaming of the protest. Bengali is a derogatory term for the Rohingya in Myanmar that falsely implies they are newcomers from Bangladesh. The demonstration comes 10 days after Bangladesh and Myanmar were supposed to officially start repatriating members of the Rohingya minority who had fled violent military operations in August 2017. Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh said Myanmar's armed forces raped women, murdered their relatives and burned down their houses in a bid to drive them permanently out of the country after decades of persecution. The deal to bring them back was struck a year ago but Rohingya in the Bangladesh camps fear returning without guarantees of citizenship, safety, and equal access to healthcare and education. They also are wary of hostility from the non-Muslim residents in Rakhine. The Buddhist protesters in Sittwe on Sunday reflected that view, holding signs that included calls for authorities to not "allow resettling (of) the runaway refugees" in parts of northern Rakhine state. "The government should take precise action against illegal immigrants from Bangladesh," said Kyawt Sein, a member of the protest committee. UN investigators have called for Myanmar's top brass to be prosecuted on charges of genocide at the International Criminal Court or an ad hoc tribunal. Myanmar denies almost all claims of atrocities and says it was defending itself against Rohingya militants. Demonstrations against the Rohingya are not uncommon in Sittwe, where intercommunal violence broke out in 2012, killing hundreds and sending more than 120,000 Rohingya into internal displacement camps where most remain today. Cars queue at one of the entrances to Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone on November 24, 2018 The partial reopening of Baghdad's high-security Green Zone to through traffic, planned for Sunday, has been postponed for several days, a government official said. The enclave has been home to Iraq's parliament, government offices, United Nations agencies and western embassies since the US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. Earlier this week, Iraqi authorities began removing concrete barriers to ease access to a key route that cuts across the enclave, ahead of a planned opening on Sunday, reportedly at the orders of Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi. But on Sunday morning, a government official told AFP that "the reopening will not take place before the next two days, or perhaps by the end of the week". "An important thoroughfare will be opened, but we must secure its surroundings and seal access to perpendicular streets," the official said on condition of anonymity. The road leads from the banks of the Tigris River northwest through the Green Zone and into other parts of Baghdad. Authorities say allowing through traffic would ease congestion in other parts of the city. But on either side of the route lie the offices and homes of Iraqi officials and international diplomats. The UK embassy and the UN informed staff members they were implementing tougher safety measures inside the zone from Sunday, citing an "elevated threat level." The US embassy has declined to comment on the reopening. The sun sets behind a crane in Baghdad's Green Zone on June 28, 2018 The Green Zone, ringed by blast walls topped with barbed wire and guarded by Iraqi security forces, remains inaccessible for most Iraqi citizens. Even if the planned opening goes ahead, Baghdad residents would not be able to access the rest of the zone by car or on foot. Abdel Mahdi, who was appointed premier in October, is keen to portray Iraq as fully secured, nearly a year after the Islamic State group was ousted from its last urban strongholds. Previous prime minister Haidar al-Abadi had also ordered the zone reopened in 2015, but it was sealed off again after only a few days. It was rumoured at the time that objections by the US embassy -- which has the tightest security regulations of all in the Green Zone -- were the reason. On Saturday, Baghdad's residents voiced scepticism that this time would be different. "It's been years, every day they say 'tomorrow, tomorrow' -- and nothing," said Ryad Ahmed as he passed one of the planned entrances to the zone. "We hope they'll reopen it, now that they've removed some t-walls, but we still don't know if it's true or not." Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena waves to supporters at a rally in Colombo on November 5, 2018 President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday reignited the power struggle that has crippled Sri Lanka's government for more than a month, vowing never to reappoint arch-rival Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister. Wickremesinghe's party has a majority in parliament and Sirisena's bid to bring back the country's former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse has already failed. But Sirisena choked back tears in a meeting with foreign correspondents as he accused Wickremesinghe, who he sacked on October 26, of being "highly corrupt". "Even if the UNP has the majority I told them not to bring Ranil Wickremesinghe before me, I will not make him prime minister," he said, referring to Wickremesinghe's United National Party. "Not in my lifetime," he added. Sirisena dismissed Wickremesinghe following a host of personality and political clashes since they formed a coalition in 2015. He named Rajapakse as new premier and tried to dissolve parliament but the Supreme Court and legislators blocked the president's moves. Wickremesinghe, who occupies the prime minister's residence, and Rajapakse, who has the premier's official offices, have both refused to back down. But the country officially has no prime minister, heightening international fears about Sri Lanka's stability and looming foreign debt repayments. Sirisena told foreign correspondents at his official residence that he will appoint a commission to investigate corruption under Wickremesinghe since January 2015. "He is corrupt. His economic policies are not good for local industries. He pursed an extremely liberal form of government that is not compatible with our culture." Sirisena fought back tears as he recalled how he asked Wickremesinghe to step down in February when their respective parties were beaten in local council elections. "I told him that we lost the election because his economic policies had failed. I told Ranil in this very room to step down, but he refused," Sirisena said. He added that there had been "over 100 instances" of open clashes between the two and that their power struggle had become an open secret in the cabinet. Sri Lanka's parliament meets on November 27 and 29 to discuss a motion by the UNP to cut off government spending. Government finances will stall on January 1 unless a 2019 budget is passed. If the UNP wins the vote, it could force Rajapakse to withdraw his claim to the leadership, and make Sirisena to name a prime minister from the party. "If the UNP shows a majority, I believe Mahinda will do the right thing (and stand down)," said Sirisena, although he reiterated that he would still not reappoint Wickremesinghe. Sirisena insisted that it was not a personality clash but a "disagreement over policy." Asked if he could constitutionally ignore the leader of the largest single party in parliament, Sirisena said he would rely on tradition. "There is a tradition that the person appointed PM should be able to work with the president. I cannot work with Ranil. The UNP will have to bring somebody else." A Syrian boy receives treatment at a hospital in regime-controlled Aleppo on November 24, 2018 Around 100 Syrians have been hospitalised with breathing difficulties in Aleppo, state media and a monitor said Sunday, after allegations rebels fired "toxic gas" on the regime-held city the previous day. A rebel alliance in nearby Idlib denied any involvement in the alleged attack. State news agency SANA reported "107 cases of breathing difficulties" in an updated toll on Sunday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said a total of 94 people were hospitalised, but most had been discharged and the 31 cases that remained were not critical. Late Saturday, state media accused rebels of launching an attack with "toxic gas" on the northern city in what health official Ziad Hajj Taha said was a "probable" chlorine attack. On Saturday, an AFP photographer saw men, women and children being treated at an Aleppo hospital for breathing difficulties. Some were sitting, while others lay down, breathing through with oxygen masks. The regime controls Aleppo city, but rebels and jihadists are present to the west of the city in the country's last major opposition bastion of Idlib. Map locating Aleppo, where around 100 Syrians have been hospitalised with breathing difficulties But a rebel coalition there on Sunday denied involvement. "We at the National Liberation Front deny the criminal, lying regime's allegations that revolutionaries targeted the city of Aleppo with any missiles and especially not any containing chlorine gas," it said. Other groups in the area include the jihadist-dominated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance and the Al-Qaeda-linked Hurras al-Deen group, neither of whom have commented on the alleged attack. Over the course of Syria's seven-year war, international human rights groups have repeatedly accused belligerents -- especially the regime -- of carrying out chemical attacks. The conflict has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions, according to the Observatory. Right-wing Hindu nationalists rally to call for the construction of a grand temple on the site of a former mosque Tens of thousands of Hindu hardliners rallied Sunday for a temple to be built at a disputed Indian holy site, where an ancient mosque was razed in 1992 sparking deadly riots. Huge crowds of saffron-clad protesters, some waving swords and chanting "Praise Be to Ram", massed in Ayodhya in northern Uttar Pradesh state where right-wing Hindu groups want a grand temple to their god constructed. Organisers had expected 300,000 demonstrators to attend rallies in Ayodhya and two other Indian cities, with protesters arriving by bus and train throughout the day. Security measures were beefed up, with some 5,000 additional police deployed to protest areas, especially in Ayodhya. Many Hindus believe a spot there marks the birthplace of Ram and that a medieval mosque that stood there for 460 years was only built after the destruction of an earlier temple. Hindu zealots reduced the Babri Mosque to rubble in 1992, kicking off riots across India that left thousands dead, most of them Muslims. Indian Sadhus attend the 'Dharam Sabha' Hindu congregation held to call for the construction of a grand temple of Lord Rama on the site of a former mosque The site remains a flashpoint between Hindus and India's sizeable Muslim minority and the show of force by hardliners comes two weeks before the 26th anniversary of the mosque's destruction. Huge banners bearing images of the mosque being torn down by sledgehammer-wielding radicals hung at the protest, where hardline leaders called for parliament to pass a law allowing for the temple's construction. Uttar Pradesh's chief minister Yogi Adityanath, a firebrand monk who has long campaigned for the temple, unveiled plans Sunday to build the world's largest statue in Ayodhya -- a 221-metre bronze likeness of Ram. - Flashpoint - The temple controversy has been tied up in courts for decades but some hardline groups are applying pressure to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue ahead of general elections in the next six months. Modi, who is running for a second term, has faced some disquiet from his core supporters who feel that he has not done enough for the cause, despite his parliamentary majority. Many Hindus believe a spot there marks the birthplace of Ram and that a medieval mosque that stood there for 460 years was only built after the destruction of an earlier temple The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) he rules is a Hindu nationalist outfit with ties to some of the hardline groups rallying in Ayodhya, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Shiv Sena. "The emotions of Hindus should not be taken for granted," said Uddhav Thackeray, the head of Shiv Sena, as quoted by the Press Trust of India. VHP leader leader Champat Rai told demonstrators they would only accept "the entire area" for the Ram temple and would not consider sharing the site with Muslims. Riaz Ahmed, a 50-year-old businessman from Ayodhya, said it was understandable that religious leaders would lobby for a temple in the holy city. "But what's worrying is that all this is being given a political colour," he told AFP. More than 2,000 died in widespread riots after the mosque was torn down in 1992. Indian security forces stand guard as tens of thousands of Hindu hardliners joined the rally Ten years later, the murder of Hindu pilgrims returning by train from Ayodhya triggered revenge attacks on Muslims in Gujarat that left more than 700 dead by government estimates. The BJP was on the margins until the 1980s when it backed the movement for construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The promise for a temple has prominently figured in several BJP campaigns, especially in the bellwether Uttar Pradesh state, which it rules with an absolute majority. Hindu groups have lobbied India's highest court to consider their claim but the case been adjourned until January. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) shakes hands with Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno as they deliver joint statements in Jerusalem November 25, 2018 Chadian leader Idriss Deby Itno on Sunday became the first president of his country to visit Israel and pledged a new era of relations when meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decades after ties were severed. Both leaders called the visit "historic" as they met in Jerusalem with security issues high on the agenda. Netanyahu said as they spoke to journalists after their meeting that "we never fully stopped our contacts ... but we are now expanding them at a very rapid rate". "And we wish to do so in all areas, first of all in fighting terrorism." He said he hoped to visit the Muslim-majority central African nation. Deby spoke of the two countries committing to a new era of cooperation with "the prospect of reestablishing diplomatic relations". But Deby also highlighted the Palestinian cause, saying pursuing relations with Israel did not change his country's concern for the long-stalled peace process. Chad remains "deeply attached to the peace process between Israel and Palestine", he said. The two men were to hold further discussions over dinner. In a meeting Sunday evening with Israel's President Reuven Rivlin, Deby said he wanted to "restore diplomatic relations" with the Jewish state. "Your country is an important partner in our eyes," he told Rivlin. - Warming Arab ties? - Chadian security sources say the country has acquired Israeli equipment to help battle rebels in the country's north. Chad is also one of several African states engaged in Western-backed operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State jihadists in West Africa. Earlier this month, the United States donated military vehicles and boats worth $1.3 million (1.1 million euros) to Chad as part of the campaign against Islamist militancy in the country. Netanyahu portrayed the visit as the result of hard-won diplomatic efforts, referring to his three visits to Africa over the last couple years and his surprise trip to Oman in October. The visit to Oman, a major coup for Netanyahu, was an apparent sign of Israeli progress in improving ties with Gulf countries. Frozen peace efforts and Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian territory have been obstacles to Israeli attempts to win official recognition from countries in the Gulf. But there has long been talk of under-the-radar contacts, particularly over Iran, which is the enemy both of Israel and Gulf states. Netanyahu said "there will be more such visits in Arab countries very soon", without providing details. Jordan and Egypt are the only two Arab nations with peace treaties with Israel. Pressure from Muslim African nations, accentuated by the 1967 and 1973 wars between Israel and its neighbours, led a number of African states to drop their relations with the Jewish state. But in recent years, Israel has held out the prospect of cooperation on a range of issues, from security to technology and agriculture, to improve ties on the continent. Diplomatic relations between Israel and Chad, a country of some 15 million people, were severed in 1972. Deby is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders. He took over the arid, impoverished nation in 1990 and won a disputed fifth term in April 2016. stb-jjm-mib-mjs/dco/del Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena waves to supporters at a rally in Colombo on November 5, 2018 President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday reignited the power struggle that has crippled Sri Lanka's government for more than a month, vowing never to reappoint arch-rival Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister. Wickremesinghe's party has a majority in parliament and Sirisena's bid to replace him with the country's former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse has already failed. But Sirisena choked back tears in a meeting with foreign correspondents as he accused Wickremesinghe, who he sacked on October 26, of being "highly corrupt". "Even if the UNP has the majority I told them not to bring Ranil Wickremesinghe before me, I will not make him prime minister," he said, referring to Wickremesinghe's United National Party. "Not in my lifetime," he added in comments that the UNP said showed the president uses Sri Lanka like his own "private coconut estate". Sirisena dismissed Wickremesinghe following a host of personality and political clashes since they formed a coalition in 2015. He named Rajapakse as new premier and tried to dissolve parliament but the Supreme Court and legislators blocked the moves. Wickremesinghe, who continues to occupy the prime minister's residence, and Rajapakse, who has the premier's official offices, have both refused to back down. That has left the country officially without a prime minister, heightening international fears about Sri Lanka's stability and looming foreign debt repayments. - 'Private coconut estate' - Sirisena said at his official residence that he will appoint a commission to investigate corruption under Wickremesinghe since January 2015. "He is corrupt. His economic policies are not good for local industries. He pursued an extremely liberal form of government that is not compatible with our culture." Wickremesinghe's UNP hit back at the former ally. "He can choose any superintendent for his private coconut estate, but in government he must recognise the leader of the largest single party in parliament," UNP spokesman Harsha de Silva told AFP. De Silva said the UNP welcomed any corruption investigation, but insisted that existing inquiries into high profile murders and corruption under Rajapakse should be pursued with vigour. Close family and associates of Rajapakse face allegations of murder and siphoning off millions of dollars of public money. Sirisena almost lost his voice as he recalled how he asked Wickremesinghe to step down in February when their respective parties were beaten in local elections. "I told him that we lost the election because his economic policies had failed. I told Ranil in this very room to step down, but he refused," Sirisena said. He added that there had been "hundreds" of clashes between the two that had become an open secret in the coalition government. Sri Lanka's parliament meets on November 27 and 29 to discuss a motion by the UNP to cut off government spending. Government finances will stall on January 1 unless a 2019 budget is passed. If the UNP wins the vote, it could force Rajapakse to withdraw his claim to the leadership, and compel Sirisena to name a prime minister from the UNP. "If the UNP shows a majority, I believe Mahinda will do the right thing (and stand down)," said Sirisena, although he reiterated that he would still not reappoint Wickremesinghe. Asked if he could constitutionally ignore the leader of the largest party in parliament, Sirisena said he would rely on tradition. "There is a tradition that the person appointed PM should be able to work with the president. I cannot work with Ranil. The UNP will have to bring somebody else." Air strikes hit the edges of Syria's last major rebel stronghold west of Aleppo, a monitor said, a day after an alleged toxic attack on the regime-held city Air strikes hit the edges of Syria's last major rebel stronghold west of Aleppo on Sunday, a monitor said, a day after an alleged toxic attack on the regime-held city. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said regime ally Russia "likely" carried out the air strikes on a planned buffer zone around the opposition bastion of Idlib. They were the first to hit the area since Moscow and rebel backer Ankara agreed to set up the demilitarised area around Idlib in September to prevent a massive regime attack to retake the area. The attack came after Russia seemed to accuse Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an alliance led by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, of carrying out Saturday's chemical attack on Aleppo city. Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said "terrorist groups" in an area of buffer zone held by HTS fired shells filled with chlorine on a residential area of the city. The Observatory said the attack left around 100 struggling to breathe, though more than half had been discharged by Sunday morning. Syria's state news agency SANA reported "107 cases of breathing difficulties". A rebel alliance denied any involvement, but HTS did not immediately issue a statement. The September 17 deal was intended to protect three million inhabitants in the Idlib region, more than half of which is held by HTS. But its implementation has stalled after jihadists including HTS failed to withdraw from the planned buffer zone by a mid-October deadline. Syria's regime has insisted that the buffer zone deal is temporary and that Idlib will eventually revert to government control. Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 people since it erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. Palestinian governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith (C) is brought handcuffed to a remand hearing on November 25, 2018 Israeli police arrested the Palestinian governor of Jerusalem for the second time in as many months on Sunday after an investigation related to a land sale. Adnan Gheith was arrested in east Jerusalem overnight, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said in a statement, without providing further details. Jerusalem magistrate's court extended his remand until Thursday at noon. Judge Chavi Toker was presented with secret evidence and said the reason for his arrest was unlawful collaboration with Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces, which Israel says violates the Oslo accords. No further details were given. On October 20, Gheith was detained for two days of questioning before being released, with Israel's Shin Bet domestic security agency saying it was over "illegal activity by the (PA) in Jerusalem". He was also taken for questioning a number of times in recent weeks and his office was raided on November 4. The PA's Jerusalem affairs minister, Adnan al-Husseini, has also been given a three-month travel ban by Israeli authorities, according to Palestinian officials. Israeli media have reported that authorities have been investigating the governor following the PA's arrest of a man in October accused of being involved in selling property in east Jerusalem to a Jewish buyer. Such sales are considered treasonous among Palestinians concerned with Israeli settlers buying property in east Jerusalem. But among Israelis, there have been calls for authorities to free the man arrested by the PA over the sale. Israeli newspaper Haaretz has reported that the man is a Palestinian with US citizenship. A US embassy official had not immediately responded to a request for comment on Sunday. Fuad Hallaq, a senior advisor to the Palestine Liberation Organisation in Jerusalem, told AFP that he believed the latest arrest was part of Israeli efforts to pressure the Palestinian leadership to release the man. The judge said in court Sunday that the arrest of the governor was connected to the land sale investigation, but that there were new allegations which she did not publicly detail. A lawyer for Gheith said that the governor had committed no crimes, adding that "the feeling is that the police are trying to prevent the defendant from functioning in his position". Israel occupied east Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. It considers the entire city its capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state. PA activities are barred from Jerusalem by Israel. As a result, the PA has a minister for Jerusalem affairs and a Jerusalem governor located in Al-Ram, just on the other side of Israel's separation wall from Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank. A Syrian girl receives treatment on November 24, 2018 at a hospital in Aleppo where the regime accused armed groups of carrying out a "toxic gas" attack Syria's regime has accused armed groups of carrying out a "toxic gas" attack that left dozens of people struggling to breathe and prompted government ally Russia to launch retaliatory air strikes on Sunday. Around 100 Syrians were hospitalised with breathing difficulties after the alleged chemical attack in the regime-held city of Aleppo on Saturday, state media and a monitor said. Russia accused "terrorist groups" of being behind the alleged chlorine attack, and carried out the first air raids in months on the outskirts of a major rebel bastion west of the city. It was the latest accusation of a chemical attack in Syria's grinding seven-year civil war, which has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions. State news agency SANA reported "107 cases of breathing difficulties", after what health official Ziad Hajj Taha said was a "probable" chlorine attack on Aleppo city. Syria The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said a total of 94 people were hospitalised after "the smell of chlorine" was reported in the city, but most were discharged. On Saturday, an AFP photographer saw dozens of civilians, including women and children, stream into an Aleppo hospital, some on stretchers or carried in by their relatives. The injured seemed to be dizzy and breathing with difficulty. Staff gave them oxygen masks, through which they breathed for 15-minute sessions, either sitting or lying down. - Rebel denial - The regime controls Aleppo city, but rebels and jihadists are present to the west in the country's last major opposition bastion of Idlib. On Sunday, Russian air raids hit a planned buffer zone on the edges of that stronghold, the Observatory and Moscow said. They were the first air strikes to hit the expected demilitarised area since a September deal between Moscow and rebel backer Ankara to protect Idlib from a massive regime assault. A Syrian boy receives treatment at a hospital in regime-controlled Aleppo on November 24, 2018 On Sunday, Moscow said "terrorist groups" based in that buffer zone carried out the alleged toxic attack in Aleppo. Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said they fired shells filled with chlorine on a residential area of Aleppo. He said the shelling came from an area of the buffer zone controlled by the jihadist-dominated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) alliance. Syrian state media accused "terrorists" of carrying out a "toxic gas" attack on Aleppo, using a term it uses to mean both rebels and jihadists. A rebel coalition on Sunday denied any involvement. "We at the National Liberation Front deny the criminal, lying regime's allegations that revolutionaries targeted the city of Aleppo with any missiles and especially not any containing chlorine gas," it said. Neither HTS, nor the Al-Qaeda-linked Hurras al-Deen group present in the area, have commented on the alleged attack. - 'Pretext' - The Russia-Turkey buffer zone deal on September 17 intended to prevent a major regime attack on Idlib, which is home to some three million people. But its implementation has stalled after jihadists refused to withdraw from the planned demilitarised zone on time, and sporadic shelling and clashes have rocked the area. On Sunday, Turkey's defence minister and his Russian counterpart spoke on the phone about the "latest provocations" in the Idlib region, Ankara reported, without providing more details. A Syrian woman receives treatment on November 24, 2018 at a hospital in Aleppo where the regime accused armed groups of carrying out a "toxic gas" attack Syria's regime has insisted that the buffer zone deal is temporary and that Idlib will eventually revert to government control. After the alleged toxic attack, Nasr al-Hariri, who heads Syria's mainstream opposition, accused Damascus of seeking a "pretext to launch a military offensive in northern Syria". Over the course of Syria's war, international human rights groups have repeatedly accused the regime of carrying out chemical attacks. Last year and in April, the allegations caused the United States to carry out punitive strikes in Syria. A joint commission of the United Nations and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has also accused the Islamic State group of using toxic weapons. The Damascus regime on Sunday called on the UN Security Council to denounce the attack. A Syrian boy receives treatment on November 24, 2018 at a hospital in Aleppo where the regime accused armed groups of carrying out a "toxic gas" attack "The Syrian government demands the UN Security Council immediately and harshly condemn these terrorist crimes," the foreign ministry said. Syria's war has evolved into a complex conflict including world powers and jihadists, since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. Members of Egypt's security forces stand guard at the site of a car bombing that killed state prosecutor Hisham Barakat in Cairo on June 29, 2015 An Egyptian court on Sunday upheld death sentences for nine people convicted of the murder of a top prosecutor in a car bombing three years ago, a judiciary source said. Hisham Barakat was killed in June 2015 when a bomb struck his convoy in Cairo after jihadist calls for attacks on the judiciary to avenge a crackdown on Islamists. Two years later an Egyptian criminal court sentenced 28 people to death for their involvement in his murder, with only 15 defendants present in court for the verdict at the time. On Sunday, Egypt's court of cassation confirmed the death sentence for nine of the 15, while reducing the sentences of the six others to life imprisonment, the judicial source said. The verdicts of the other defendants were not considered because they had been sentenced in absentia. No one claimed the attack against Barakat but the authorities pointed the finger at members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood of ousted president Mohamed Morsi. Since Morsi's overthrow by the military in 2013, Egypt has struggled to quell a jihadist insurgency and cracked down on Islamists who backed him. Hundreds of Morsi supporters have been sentenced to death, while the former president and top Brotherhood figures have also faced trial. The Muslim Brotherhood was outlawed and branded a terrorist organisation in December 2013, months after Morsi's ouster. The port in the rebel-held city of Hodeida in Yemen, which serves as a crucial supply line for basic necessities for the country's impoverished civilians A Saudi-led military coalition resumed air strikes against rebel supply lines around Hodeida on Sunday, two days after a UN envoy visited the lifeline Yemeni port city, pro-government military officials said. The raids came as firefights on the eastern and southern edges of the rebel-held city killed 26 insurgents in the past 24 hours, the officials and doctors in two different hospitals said. Five pro-government fighters were killed in the clashes with the Iran-aligned rebels and by landmines, the officials told AFP. The air strikes targeted convoys of rebel reinforcements at the northern entrance to Hodeida and south of the city, they said. The renewed violence came after UN envoy Martin Griffiths visited Hodeida on Friday to assess the humanitarian situation ahead of peace talks planned for December between Yemen's coalition-backed government and the rebels. Rebel spokesman Mohammed Abdessalam said on Twitter there had been "35 air raids over the last 12 hours on Hodeida, accompanied by artillery bombardments". "This escalation destroys the efforts of the UN envoy", he said. Under heavy international pressure, the Yemeni government and the coalition had until Sunday largely suspended a five-month offensive against the port city. Fighting had intensified in early November as Yemeni forces backed by the coalition attempted to enter Hodeida, but calm returned after Griffiths arrived in Yemen on Wednesday. After visiting Hodeida on Friday, Griffiths on Saturday met Mohammed Ali al-Huthi, head of the rebels' Higher Revolutionary Committee, in the insurgent-held capital Sanaa. The rebel leader on Sunday described the renewed air raids and other hostilities in Hodeida as "an insult" to the UN envoy. Griffiths is due to hold talks with Yemen's internationally recognised government in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Monday, according to a UN source. UN agencies say up to 14 million Yemenis are at risk of starvation if fighting closes the city's port, from which nearly all imports and humanitarian aid pass. According to UN figures, nearly 10,000 people have been killed since the coalition joined the conflict in 2015 to reinforce the government, triggering what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Rights groups fear the actual toll is far higher. US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the military via teleconference from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2018 Democrats intend to probe US President Donald Trump's financial ties to determine whether they are the "hidden hand" driving US foreign policy on Russia and Saudi Arabia, the incoming chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Sunday. Adam Schiff, currently the ranking Democrat on that committee, accused Trump of being "dishonest" about the role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. A Republican senator privy to the intelligence also challenged Trump's denial this week that the CIA had concluded that the crown prince ordered the October 2 assassination. "What is driving this?" Schiff asked, questioning "whether there's a financial motivation; that is, his own personal finances." "Is his personal financial interest driving US policy in the Gulf? Vis-a-vis the Russians? We don't know, but it would be irresponsible not to find out," he said on CNN's "State of the Union." Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, was a Washington Post columnist who lived in Virginia; he was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a special team flown in for the job. The Saudis, who changed their version of events as evidence was made public in Turkey, have insisted that Prince Mohammed had no prior knowledge of the assassination -- an interpretation which Trump has accepted. "The CIA doesnt say they did it," Trump said Thursday. "They do point out certain things, and in pointing out those things, you can conclude that maybe he did or maybe he didnt." Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah, an opponent of US involvement in the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen's civil war, said Trump's assessment was "inconsistent with the intelligence I've seen." "The intelligence I've seen suggests that this was ordered by the crown prince," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Democrats, including Schiff, will have power of subpoena to pursue questions about the CIA's findings as well as about Trump's financial ties when they assume leadership of the House in January. "I think others will also have responsibility of looking at: Are there financial entanglements with the Gulf? Are there financial inducements that the president has to not want to cross the Saudis? That cannot be allowed to drive US policy." Schiff declined to comment on a report that the committee is recruiting money-laundering and forensic accounting experts in preparation for those probes. But he said that among the issues that had not been investigated under the Republican leadership of the House "is whether the Russians have been laundering money through the president's businesses and this is the financial hold that the Russians may have." "Is this the hidden hand in American foreign policy? We ought to be able to tell the American people, yes, it's true or no, it's not." A burnt car at a gas station on November 11, 2018 after the "Camp" fire tore through the region near Pulga, east of Paradise, California The deadliest and most destructive fire in California's history was finally brought totally under control by firefighters, more than two weeks after it erupted, authorities said on Sunday. "#CampFire ... is now 100% contained," Cal Fire, the state fire authority, said in its latest bulletin on Twitter. The fire, which broke out on November 8, is so far known to have killed 87 people although another 249 people remain unaccounted for. That figure has fallen sharply over the weekend, having stood at 474 on Friday. Only 54 of the fatalities have been identified, according to the local sheriff's office in Butte County, around three hours drive north of San Francisco. A total of 153,336 acres were affected by the fire, with nearly 14,000 homes and hundreds of other structures destroyed. A home is overshadowed by towering smoke plumes on November 8, 2018 as the Camp fire races through town in Paradise, California Heavy downfalls that have soaked the firezone in the past days helped douse the remaining flames, but also made it more difficult for crews searching for bodies. The Camp Fire was the second major blaze to hit California in recent weeks with a fire in the Malibu area near Los Angeles also killing three people. The smoke from the Camp Fire was so intense that schools in San Francisco had to close at one point earlier this month as did the city's famed cable car and Alcatraz Island. Firefighters battle flames at a burning apartment complex in Paradise, California on November 9, 2018 California's governor, Jerry Brown, has warned that the state can expect a growing number of major fires as a result of global warming. US President Donald Trump, who visited one of the worst-hit towns called Paradise last weekend, caused some consternation by saying that the fires were due in part to forestry mismanagement. Ahead of the announcement that the fire has been totally tamed, authorities had already begun letting residents return to some of the worst hit areas to inspect the damage to their homes. In a joint bulletin posted on Saturday, the police and fire service said evacuation orders that had in place for some areas over the last fortnight were being lifted for both residents and non-residents, while warning that essential services were still "very limited". Noah Fisher (R) and Dusty Cope (L) look through the remains of their home that was destroyed by the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, in a photo taken on November 22, 2018 "Prior to returning home, residents are encouraged to take steps to ensure they have food, water and fuel for their vehicles," said the statement. While Brown has warned that mega fires such as those in Butte and Malibu will cease to be "abnormal" events, the state has allocated about $1 billion over the next five years for fire prevention. Much of the cash will go on education and suppression activities such as clearing grasses and other vegetation, according to officials. But many experts are calling for more restrictions on housing being built in forests as a means of eliminating danger before the blazes even break out. A recent study found that one third of all US houses now are located in what researchers refer to as the wildland-urban interface, where houses and forest vegetation intermingle. While Trump has repeatedly expressed skepticism about global warming, a new report by his administration warned Friday that climate change will cost the US hundreds of billions of dollars annually by century's end unless drastic action is taken to cut carbon emissions. A Syrian Kurdish woman bangs drums as she marches with others during a demonstration in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli on November 25, 2018 to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Hundreds of female protesters took to the streets of the Syrian Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli on Sunday to call for an end to violence against women. Some banging large drums and others ululating, they marched through the streets, an AFP correspondent said. "Underage marriage is a crime," said one sign held up by a protester, on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Another demonstrator held up the picture of a woman with a swollen eye, her mouth covered with one hand. "We must take part in this day in large numbers," said Hanifa Mohammed, 47, wearing a green jumper and a dark-coloured headscarf. "Women must organise and reach decision-making positions," she said. "They must determine their future." Women of all ages carried the portraits of fighters in the Women's Protection Units (YPJ), the all-female branch of the Syrian Kurdish militia. Syrian Kurdish women raise a banner reading in Kurdish and Arabic "woman's freedom is by revolution, protect your revolution" during a demonstration in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli on November 25, 2018 Syria's Kurds have largely stayed out of the country's seven-year war, instead setting up semi-autonomous institutions in areas they control in its north and northeast. Local institutions are usually co-directed by a man and a woman. Syria's Kurds pride themselves in promoting equality of the sexes even in combat, as the YPJ play a key role in the battle against the Islamic State jihadist group. Some protesters lashed out at neighbouring Turkey, which considers the Syrian Kurdish militia to be "terrorists". Ankara and its Syrian proxies have led two campaigns inside Syria against the Kurds, most recently seizing the northwestern enclave of Afrin in March. Organisers dedicated the protest to the women of the enclave, now under control of pro-Turkey rebels. Journalists follow the progress on a television screen of the trial of British investigator Peter Humphrey (C) linked to beleaguered pharmaceutical giant GSK and his wife, at the Shanghai Intermediate Court on August 8, 2014 A British fraud investigator has asked the country's media regulator to revoke Chinese state media's broadcast license for helping to stage his allegedly forced confession and subsequent jailing in China. Peter Humphrey, who was sentenced to over two years in prison by a Shanghai court in 2014 but released seven months early and deported, wants the British watchdog Ofcom to punish China Central Television (CCTV) for its alleged role in the episode. "CCTV journalists cooperated with police to extract, record, make post-production and then broadcast his confession," the letter of complaint states. Humphrey accuses Chinese authorities of drugging him and locking him in a chair inside a small metal cage to conduct the confession. "China Central Television (CCTV) journalists then aimed their cameras at me and recorded me reading out the answers already prepared for me by the police," his complaint added. It added the images were then released worldwide through its international channels. Humphrey told AFP this was the first legal action he has launched against any of the Chinese entities involved in his incarceration. "It will not be the last," he added. A spokesman for Ofcom confirmed it had "received a complaint which we are assessing as a priority". "If, following investigation, we find our rules have been broken we would take the necessary enforcement action," he added. Ofcom has the power to fine broadcasters for breaching British rules, and can revoke their licenses in the most serious cases. Humphrey's complaint notes Ofcom previously revoked the license of Iranian state media after ruling it had collaborated with police to record and then broadcast the forced confession a Canadian-Iranian journalist. Humphrey and his wife Yu Yingzeng, a naturalised US citizen, were linked to a corruption case in China involving pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The couple ran an investigative firm which was hired by GSK to probe a sex tape of the company's then China boss and other issues shortly before the British pharmaceutical company itself became the target of a Chinese government investigation. Kinshasa's new archbishop, Mgr Fridolin Ambongo, urged voters to cast their ballot in the name of national unity and reject violence The influential Catholic Church joined the electoral fray Sunday as the Democratic Republic of Congo gears up for next month's watershed presidential election to chose a successor to veteran leader Joseph Kabila. Addressing several thousand attending mass, new archbishop of Kinshasa, Fridolin Ambongo, made a "vibrant appeal to the patriotic conscience of our people ... not to succumb to provocation and, above all verbal, violence during this presidential campaign." Instead, he called for national unity ahead of a crucial poll in a volatile, poverty-stricken nation which outgoing President Kabila has ruled with an iron fist since 2001 Ambongo, who three weeks ago succeeded charismatic Laurent Monsengwo, used his open-air mass to urge voters they should have no truck with discrimination in any form, be it ethnic or political. Two of the three main candidates to replace Kabila were in the congregation -- Kabila's hand-picked successor Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary and Martin Fayulu. Little-known Fayulu had been set to be a unity opposition candidate until a fortnight ago when Felix Tshisekedi, son of DRC's most well-known oppositionist Etienne Tshisekedi who died last year, announced he would stand on a ticket with former National Assembly president Vital Kamerhe. That decision leaves the opposition weakened. - 'Campaign in God's hands' - Catholics have long been pressing for the departure of Kabila, who has clung on to office despite his mandate officially expiring in December 2016. Three Catholic Church-organised rallies earlier this year saw a total of 15 deaths. The election has already been postponed twice but next month a 40-million-strong electorate will have to choose between 21 candidates, who generally lose no opportunity to stress their pro-church credentials. Shadary notably described himself as a practising Catholic when he announced he was standing on August 8. "Comrade Ramazani Shadary is first and foremost a fervent Christian. He has placed his campaign in God's hands," said Jean-Claude Kazembe Musonda, an official with the pro-Kabila Common Front for Congo (FCC). Catholic priests preparing to celebrate Independence Day martyrs last January in a country where most profess various forms of Christian faith and where the church exercises strong influence But God does not have to take the ruling side, says Kamerhe, who indicated that "before God and the Congolese people I have decided to give my support to Felix Tshisekedi. Tshisekedi has promised a return to the rule of law, to fight corruption and to bring peace to the east of a country whose east has been ravaged by decades of inter-ethnic bloodshed and militia violence, and has recently been hit by a deadly Ebola outbreak. - Bishops not backing a candidate - At stake in the vote is the political future of a mineral-rich country that has never known a peaceful transition of power since independence from Belgium in 1960. Though Tshisekedi and Fayulu may be representing rival opposition strands of opinion they pray at the same protestant church in Kinshasa. Friday saw Congolese bishops urge "credible elections for a real democratic alternative" while stressing they were not backing any particular candidate, only seeking a leader who would "respect fundamental laws and be a man of his word, honest and of good morality who does not expropriate the country's resources." The bishops said the country has long been suffering from abuse of powers "to the detriment of the collective well-being." Around 40 percent of people in DR Congo are Catholic, a similar proportion are Protestant and around 10 percent are Muslim while others are "Kimbanguists," following a prophet in the southwestern city of Nkamba. The church's influence came to the fore when in late 2016 the episcopal conference brokered a peace accord which provisionally kept Kabila in power pending an election which is now finally just weeks away. Kabila had a trenchant view on the church's influence when he opined in January that "nowhere in the Bible did Jesus Christ oversee an electoral commission. Render unto God what is due to God and to Caesar what is due to Caesar," the strongman said as he prepared his final year in office. Kabila himself is married to a Catholic, Olive, and their marriage was celebrated at a joint Catholic and Protestant mass. Archbishop Ambongo noted Sunday that "Christ the King delivers us a prophetic message -- power is a service, humble services to fothers for their accomplishment. An Uzi pistol (C) is displayed next to the larger Uzi submachine gun models, at the Israeli Military Industries (IMI) in Ramat Hasharon on 11 November 1997 Israel has finalised the sale of state-owned IMI Systems, maker of the Uzi submachine gun, to defence firm Elbit Systems for some $495 million, Elbit said Sunday. The government began the process of privatising IMI Systems, formerly known as Israel Military Industries, in 2013. The firm manufactures the iconic Uzi submachine gun and the Galil assault rifle. It also manufactures armoured vehicles and trains security agents. The $495 million price (1.8 billion shekels, 435 million euros) will be supplemented by a further $27 million if IMI meets agreed performance goals, Elbit said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed completion of the deal. "Today we are at the end of a long and important process that began several years ago," Netanyahu said in a statement. "The sale of IMI to Elbit will facilitate the advancement of the Israeli defence industry, will leverage Israel's technological abilities, and will increase defence exports. All of these will directly contribute to the Israeli economy." Elbit CEO Bezhalel Machlis said "the synergy between the capabilities of the two companies and the global positioning of Elbit Systems will enable us ... to realise the potential of the technologies of IMI in the international arena". Israel was the world's sixth-largest defence exporter in 2017, according to industry analysts IHS Markit. This picture taken on February 25, 2014 shows Israeli General Aviv Kochavi whose appointment as the army's new chief of staff was confirmed by the government on November 25, 2018 Israel's cabinet on Sunday approved the appointment of Aviv Kochavi, a former military intelligence head, as the army's new chief of staff, a government source said. Kochavi will take up his new position at the start of 2019, succeeding General Gadi Eisenkot. He was selected for the job by now former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman in October. Kochavi has served as head of the army's northern command and as military intelligence chief during the 2014 war against the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza. He was also deputy chief of staff since 2017. Kochavi, 54, is a graduate of the prestigious universities of Harvard and John Hopkins in the United States and holds a degree in international relations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had welcomed the choice of Kochavi after his selection by Lieberman in October, saying he was "the most worthy candidate" to become the next chief of staff. And Eisenkot had also congratulated him at the time and described him as "a distinguished officer with extensive combat experience from multiple combat theatres". There were reports that a 6.4-magnitude earthquake in western Iran November 25, 2018, was also felt across the border in Iraq A strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit Iran's western province of Kermanshah late Sunday, Iran's institute of geophysics said. The epicentre of the quake was 17 kilometres southwest of the city of Sarpol-e Zahab, according to the institute, which said it struck at a depth of 7 kilometres. At least 115 were injured in Sarpol-e Zahab and the neighbouring Gilan-e Gharb city where the quake was also felt, Kermanshah governor Houshang Bazvand told Fars news agency. The region was rocked by seven weaker aftershocks an hour after the initial tremor, the strongest of which had was magnitude 5.2, the geophysics institue said. There were also reports that the quake was felt across the border in Iraq. Morteza Salimi, an official with the red crescent society of Iran, told semi-official news agency ISNA that the quake rocked areas "just reconstructed" after a major tremor last year. Kermanshah was hit by a devastating 7.3-magnitude quake last November which killed 620 people, mostly in Sarpol-e Zahab. It left more than 12,000 people injured and damaged some 30,000 houses, with huge numbers made homeless at the start of the cold season in the mountainous region. Local officials said the estimated cost of reconstruction would be measured in billions of dollars, at a time when Iran was struggling to cope with a tanking economy. The western province was also hit by a 6.0-magnitude quake in August that killed two people and injured more than 250. Iran sits on top of two major tectonic plates and sees frequent seismic activity. The country's deadliest quake was in 1990, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in northern Iran that killed 40,000 people, injured 300,000 and left half a million homeless, reducing dozens of towns and nearly 2,000 villages to rubble. Six elected lawmakers, including pro-democracy activists, were disqualified from parliament in 2016 Hong Kong's democracy camp lost out Monday in a critical by-election as the city's pro-Beijing establishment further cemented its grip. The result is another blow to the democratic movement as room for opposition in semi-autonomous Hong Kong shrinks under an assertive China. Its representation in the legislature took a hit in 2016 when six elected lawmakers, including pro-independence activists and former protest leaders, were disqualified following an unprecedented intervention from Beijing. After the count ended in the early hours of Monday, the democratic camp was left with 26 seats out of 70, meaning they will continue to be outgunned on most bills under the legislature's "split voting system" as they failed to regain the veto power they lost due to the disqualifications. In earlier by-elections in March the democracy camp only managed to take back two of the four contested seats. The Kowloon West seat contested Sunday had been vacated by pro-democracy activist Lau Siu-lai, one of the legislators ousted from parliament, who was barred last month from trying to win back her seat because of her support for self-determination for Hong Kong. She was the latest candidate to be blocked from standing as Beijing says it will not tolerate any challenges to its territorial sovereignty. Others who have advocated independence or self-determination have also been barred previously. Veteran former pro-democracy lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan was defeated by pro-establishment candidate Rebecca Chan, a former journalist who has drawn criticism for suggesting that she would not interview pro-independence activists as it would mean providing a platform for their beliefs -- a view shared by Beijing. Chan last month said the government's refusal to extend the work visa of senior Financial Times journalist Victor Mallet after he chaired a talk by an independence activist at the city's press club had nothing to do with press freedom, local media reported. The authorities' effective blacklisting of Mallet, a British national who was also barred from entering the city as a tourist this month, was widely seen as an unprecedented attack on Hong Kong's press freedom. Following his loss, Lee said: "we need to reflect on today's defeat, but we must stand up again and continue fighting for Hong Kong people and Hong Kong's future!" Hong Kong has rights unseen on the mainland, protected by an agreement made before the city was handed back to China by Britain in 1997, but there are fears they are being steadily eroded. Earlier this year, young pro-democracy leader Agnes Chow was barred from standing in by-elections because her party advocates self-determination for Hong Kong. The six lawmakers ousted from office were removed from their posts for inserting protests into their oaths. The legislature is fundamentally weighted towards Beijing as only around half the 70 seats are elected. The rest are selected by primarily pro-establishment interest groups. Earthquake in Iran A strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit Iran's western province of Kermanshah late Sunday, the country's institute of geophysics said, with local officials reporting some 260 people injured. The epicentre of the quake was 17 kilometres southwest of the city of Sarpol-e Zahab, according to the institute, which said it struck at a depth of 7 kilometres. At least 260 people were injured in Sarpol-e Zahab and the neighbouring city of Gilan-e Gharb, close to the Iraqi border, Kermanshah governor Houshang Bazvand told state television. "We've had no reports of fatalities so far. The situation is currently under control," Bazvand said. "There were power and water cuts in both cities, but they lasted only a few minutes." The head of Iran's emergency medical services Pirhossein Kolivand said in televised comments that most of the injuries were due to "people panicking and fleeing their homes". The number of those hurt could rise as 18 emergency teams dispatched from neighbouring provinces were still assessing the damage, he said. Sarpol-e Zahab resident Fariba Babayi described the fear that swept the city when the quake hit. "Lights went out, walls looked as if they were going to fall and all the neighbours were screaming," Babayi, 36, told AFP by telephone. "I didn't run this time, even though my mother was out calling to me." Those living in the city are all too familiar with the devastation earthquakes can bring after it bore the brunt of a 7.3-magnitude termor last November that killed 620 people and injured thousands more. Partial rebuilding work on Babayi's house finished just a month ago after it was razed in that quake and her family are still paying construction costs. "We cannot go back to normal life anymore. There are all the bad memories, the trauma people live with," she told AFP. There were no official details of any damage to buildings and infrastructure after the latest earthquake. The region was rocked by seven weaker aftershocks an hour after the initial tremor, the strongest of which was magnitude 5.2, the geophysics institue said. There were also reports that the initial quake was felt across the border in Iraq. - 'Just reconstructed' - Morteza Salimi, an official with the red crescent society of Iran, told semi-official news agency ISNA that the quake rocked areas "just reconstructed" after the tremor a year ago. The quake last November damaged some 30,000 houses, with huge numbers made homeless at the start of the cold season in the mountainous region. Local officials said the estimated cost of reconstruction would be billions of dollars, at a time when Iran was struggling to cope with a tanking economy. There was criticism that new social housing built as part of a scheme championed by ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had failed to withstand the tremor. The western province of Kermanshah was also hit by a 6.0-magnitude quake in August that killed two people and injured more than 250. Iran sits on top of two major tectonic plates and sees frequent seismic activity. In 2003, a 6.6-magnitude tremor struck the southeast of the country, decimating the ancient mud-brick city of Bam and killing at least 31,000 people. The country's deadliest was a 7.4-magnitude quake in 1990, that killed 40,000 people in northern Iran, injured 300,000 and left half a million homeless. Medtronic Chairman and CEO Omar Ishrak speaks at CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, in 2016 A world leader in medical technology, the American firm Medtronic, may be linked to as many as 9,300 deaths and 292,000 injuries in the US alone, according to an analysis published Sunday by an international journalists' group. Reports submitted to US regulators last year indicate that one in five medical implants using Medtronic products proved problematic, twice the rate of any competing firm, according to a wide-reaching analysis by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). The ICIJ inquiry, titled "Implant Files" and drawing on contributions from reporters in 36 countries, found that authorities in Japan, Norway and Australia had also identified Medtronic products as the source of the largest numbers of complaints over the past five years. Among the findings: Since 2008, insulin pumps or their component parts produced by Medtronic for diabetics have been potentially implicated in more than 2,600 deaths and 150,000 injuries in the US. ICIJ reporters interviewed patients or family members of victims in Finland, Germany, Canada, India and the United States who said Medtronic was slow to provide answers about problems with insulin pumps -- and did not always inform them about their risks. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which oversees such products, said that it should not be surprising that the leading producer of medical instruments would also be the subject of the largest number of complaints since it makes the most devices, the ICIJ noted. But in a lengthy article on its internet site, the consortium lists numerous cases in which Medtronic has been accused of legal or ethical breaches, either over debatable uses for its implants, or for questionable relationships with doctors who use the products or who are behind favorable studies about them. In a written response to the ICIJ, a Medtronic spokesman, Rob Clark, insisted that patients' welfare was the company's top priority and that Medtronic respected "the highest standards of ethical practice." "Allegations are not facts and should not be interpreted to suggest that Medtronic violated our legal, ethical or regulatory obligations in any way," Clark said, while adding that any medical product carries a degree of risk. Medtronic makes devices to help control diabetes, manage chronic pain and alleviate Parkinson's disease, and has invented a wireless pacemaker the size of a vitamin pill. The ICIJ credited the $400 medical device industry with developing lifesaving products, while saying it had also "pushed against or broken legal and ethical boundaries." The Washington-based ICIJ brings together ad hoc collaborations of journalists from around the world to investigate issues of global interest. It won a Pulitzer Prize in 2017 for a series titled the "Panama Papers," an expose on offshore tax havens. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L to R) met on the sidelines of the summit of the G20 economic powers in Buenos Aires The leaders of the United States, Japan and India met jointly Friday for the first time and called for open navigation in Asia, a show of unity with China clearly in mind. The three right-leaning leaders -- US President Donald Trump, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe -- met on the sidelines of the summit of the G20 economic powers in Buenos Aires. With the meeting lasting around 15 minutes, the three-way summit was more about symbolism than planning strategy, but it comes as all three share concerns on China's rising clout. Japan and India both have longstanding territorial feuds with their neighbor, while Trump has been pressing China hard on trade and reiterating concerns over Beijing's assertive posture in the dispute-ridden South China Sea. "Japan, the US and India share fundamental values and strategic interests," Abe said. "By having three of us working together, we'll bring more prosperity and more stability in the region, as well as globally," he said. Modi noted that Japan, America and India made out the acronym "Jai" -- Hindi for "long live." White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement that the summit "reaffirmed the importance of the free and open Indo-Pacific vision for global stability and prosperity, and pledged to deepen trilateral cooperation." The Trump administration has increasingly spoken of a "free and open Indo-Pacific," a catchphrase long favored by Abe as he insists that all of Asia remain open to navigation and trade. But Modi and Abe also both met separately with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump is set to meet Xi on Saturday for talks focused on trade disputes. India, despite decades of territorial disputes with China, has historically shied away from joining alliances with major powers. And tensions have also been easing between Japan and China, with Abe in October paying the first official visit in seven years by a Japanese premier to Beijing. 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 The fact that President Donald Trump announced the US would withdraw from the Paris climate accord signed by his predecessor, Barack Obama, has not ended American participation in climate talks Next week in Poland, a discreet delegation of American diplomats will settle in for two weeks of international climate negotiations along with their European, Chinese and other counterparts they've mixed with for years. The fact that Donald Trump announced in June 2017 that the US would withdraw from the Paris climate accord signed in 2015 by his predecessor, Barack Obama, has not ended US participation in continuing climate talks. The US pullout won't take effect until 2020. In the meantime, the Americans are not leaving their seats empty and remain heavily involved at the technical, rather than political, level. "Among developed countries, the US is hardly isolated on those issues," said Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, noting that the US has maintained a united front with Europe and other rich nations when it comes to technical subjects that are indispensable to the effective rollout of the Paris deal. The Conference of Parties number 24 (COP24), is the follow-on to COP 21 in Paris. This time, 197 signatories are meeting to agree on the rules of applying their commitments under the 2015 pact, making a "rulebook" to follow. "Paris has to be brought to life in an operational sense," said Todd Stern, who was President Obama's chief climate negotiator. One page on transparency might need 15 or 20 pages of technical definitions, he said. For example, countries must agree on a common method of counting emissions so that progress can be compared equally. Should they use international guidelines from 2006, and allow flexibility to some countries? If so, which ones? Who will review nations' progress? On the ground, or from the secretariat in Bonn? And when? And what should be done if a country does not stand by its pledge? On these subjects, the Americans have some very precise goals. They are refusing to allow any developed country to be subject to stricter rules than a developing country -- the same position that has been held by the prior administrations of George W. Bush, Barack Obama and the present one of Donald Trump. - After Trump - Why are other countries cooperating with the United States? Because they are laying the groundwork for a possible future US tie-in to the Paris accord. Everyone knows that Washington's pullout formally takes place November 4, 2020, the day after the next US presidential election. It's still even possible that Trump could decide to stay in the accord. "Most countries I talked to have tried to separate the Trump administration from the US long term," said Meyer. "They want to maintain the ability for the US to either stay in Paris if President Trump can be convinced to change his mind or to re-enter Paris after President Trump leaves office," he said. "There is some sympathy for some of the US positions in the negotiations because other countries don't want to make it more difficult for a future president to come back in." According to Ovais Sarmad, deputy executive secretary at the UNFCCC, which oversees the talks, 183 other countries ratified the Paris accord. "We hope that that position (of the US) will change over time," said Sarmad. The US delegation will not be led by a high-ranking official, but rather a career diplomat, Judith Garber, who is not widely known in the larger public. Garber is principal deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. "The team that represents the United States is made up of career diplomats, you have negotiated these issues for many years, and have earned considerable credibility and trust among their colleagues from other countries," said Elliot Diringer, executive vice president of the think-tank C2ES in Washington. Proof of Washington's weight: the US blocked talks in Bangkok in September on the question of green financing that developed countries are meant to free up to help poorer nations make a transition to greener energy, observers said. Alongside the technical negotiators, a more political delegation arrives the second week, with a representative from the White House, Wells Griffith, according to Meyer. As soon as he arrives, the energy advisor to Donald Trump will preside over an event to promote fossil fuel and carbon. A provocation for some, to be sure, but not one that is off-putting enough to derail the negotiations which are taking place in private. "The Americans are continuing to negotiate in a constructive manner," said a source close to the talks. "Of course, we have to put up with the fact that they are coming in support of coal, but in the meantime, we can work quietly." Defections along the closely guarded inter-Korean border are rare A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea across the eastern land border on Saturday, the South's military said. Defections across the closely guarded inter-Korean frontier are rare, and this one comes as the neighbours pursue a delicate reconciliation process. "A North Korean soldier was detected crossing the military demarcation line" by South Korean troops using surveillance equipment, the military Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. "The soldier is safely in our custody," it said. "Related agencies plan to investigate him regarding the details of how he came to the South." Even as talks on denuclearisation between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled, the two Koreas are pushing ahead with a reconciliation process, taking steps to ease tensions along their heavily fortified border. They have begun work to reconnect their railway systems, removed landmines and destroyed military bunkers at parts of the frontier. More than 30,000 North Korean civilians have fled their homeland but most flee across the porous frontier with China, and rarely across the inter-Korean border which is fortified with minefields and barbed wire. The last defection involving North Koreans occurred in May when two civilians aboard a small boat defected to the South across the Yellow Sea. In November last year, a North Korean soldier drove to the heavily guarded border at speed and ran across under a hail of bullets from his own side. He was hit multiple times in the dramatic defection at the Panmunjom truce village. In 2012 a North Korean soldier walked unchecked through rows of electrified fencing and surveillance cameras, prompting Seoul to sack three field commanders for the security lapse. Members of the Yemeni pro-government forces gather in front of the May 22 Hospital on the eastern outskirts of port city of Hodeida on November 15, 2018 UN aid chief Mark Lowcock warned Saturday that Yemen was "on the brink of a major catastrophe", as the world body pushes for peace talks in the impoverished and war-wracked country. His comments came after renewed deadly clashes between Huthi rebels and pro-government forces in the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, which is vital for the flow of humanitarian aid. "Yemen is on the brink of a major catastrophe," Lowcock said, as he wrapped up a visit to the country. He said conditions had deteriorated alarmingly since his last visit in October 2017 to Yemen, which the United Nations has termed the world's worst humanitarian crisis. "In Aden, I met emaciated children so malnourished they could barely open their eyes," Lowcock said in a statement. "Humanitarian assistance helps many of these children recover. But I also heard heartbreaking stories of children relapsing again and again because their families simply can't afford food or proper medical care," he said. Lowcock reiterated the UN's readiness to help ensure that the rebel-held Hodeida port, a key entry point for imports and aid, can remain open. Under heavy international pressure, Saudi-backed pro-government forces have largely suspended an offensive launched in June to take the port city. Sporadic fighting has however continued since a fragile truce began on November 13. - Peace talks face 'setbacks' - Clashes on Friday in the east and south of Hodeida left 10 fighters dead, an official and medical sources told AFP on Saturday. Medical sources confirmed the bodies of eight rebels had been transferred to hospitals, and that two fighters with pro-government forces were also killed. Intermittent clashes continued on Saturday, Hodeida residents told AFP by phone. Saudi Arabia accused the Huthis of launching a "military projectile" across the border Friday, saying it hit a house and injured two people in the kingdom, the official SPA news agency reported. The violence follows a visit to Hodeida last month by UN envoy Martin Griffiths to press for talks. The proposed peace talks have been backed by both the rebels and the Saudi-led government and were expected to take place in Sweden next week. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, however, has played down the early December schedule and said he hoped talks would start "this year". "But, as you know, there have been some setbacks," he said on Thursday. Previous talks planned for September in Geneva failed to get underway as the Huthi delegation never left Yemen's rebel-held capital Sanaa, arguing that the United Nations could not guarantee their safe return. Lowcock said it was "not too late" to pull back Yemen from the brink but warned that more resources were needed. "Yemen is the worlds largest humanitarian operation, but in 2019 it will need to be substantially bigger," he said. Donors this year have provided $2.3 billion (two billion euros) for the 2018 response plan, or about 80 per cent of requirements, he added. The latest warnings come as President Donald Trump's administration faces mounting pressure over its backing for the Saudi-led military campaign, with the US Senate on Wednesday voting to consider a resolution that would end this support. The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul on October 2 has shone a harsh spotlight on the kingdom. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo acknowledged the humanitarian crisis in Yemen had reached "epic proportions", but insisted that US backing for Riyadh's actions would continue. "The programme that we're involved in today we intend to continue," Pompeo told CNN Saturday when asked about military assistance to the Saudi-led coalition. According to UN figures, nearly 10,000 people have been killed since the Saudi-led coalition joined the conflict in 2015 to bolster the government against Huthi rebels. UN agencies say that 14 million people are at risk of starvation in Yemen. Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed Al-Sabah (R) receives former US president George H.W. Bush during a visit in December 1998 Kuwait paid tribute to former US president George H.W. Bush on Saturday, saying his support during the first Gulf War "will not be forgotten". Kuwaitis have long expressed their gratitude to the late 41st president for backing the tiny Gulf Emirate following Iraq's 1990 invasion. In the wake of the war, many stuck bumper stickers on their cars of Bush standing in front of an American flag, and a few even named their children after him. "Bush was an icon," said Farida al-Habib, a cardiologist who says she smuggled medicine to Kuwaiti forces during the invasion. "I cried when I heard the news about his death," she added. Bush died on Friday at the age of 94. In a letter to US President Donald Trump, Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah praised Bush's "historic and courageous stance... and his rejection of Iraq's occupation of Kuwait from the early hours". His support "will remain in Kuwait's collective memory and will not be forgotten," he added. "On behalf of the Kuwaiti government and people, I express my deepest condolences and utmost sympathy." After dictator Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, Bush deployed hundreds of thousands of US troops to the neighbouring kingdom of Saudi Arabia -- urging other countries to do the same. A US-led coalition expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait in a lightning campaign at the beginning of 1991. Abu Fahad, a Kuwaiti army officer during the invasion who declined to give his full name, said he was "very saddened" by Bush's death. "He stood by us even though he was not a Muslim," he said. Bush visited oil-rich Kuwait in 1993 and was hailed as a "guest of honour". Tributes have poured in online for Bush following news of his death. "We will never forget you," Twitter user Manal wrote. Lights at the landmark Kuwait Towers were set to be shut off Saturday evening and replaced with an image of Bush with Kuwaiti and American flags, the emirate's information ministry said. The Gulf nations of Qatar, the United Arab Emriates and Oman also sent letters of condolence to Trump and Bush's son, former president George W. Bush. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - Taiwan's ruling party was handed a major defeat in local elections Saturday that were seen as a referendum on the administration of the island's independence-leaning president amid growing economic and political pressure from China. Soon after the results came in, President Tsai Ing-wen resigned as head of the Democratic Progressive Party. She will remain as president and her resignation will have no direct effect on the business of government, although the results bode ill for her re-election chances in two years. Rival China said the results reflected a desire of Taiwanese for better relations with the mainland. Ma Xiaoguang, the spokesman for Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office, said his government will continue to treat Taiwan as part of China and "resolutely oppose separatist elements advocating 'Taiwan independence' and their activities," according to the official Xinhua news agency. In another victory for China, voters rejected a proposal to change the name of its Olympic team to Taiwan from the current Chinese Taipei. They also approved a referendum opposing same-sex marriage in a setback to LGBT couples, though ballot initiatives in Taiwan are non-binding. The DPP lost the mayoral election to the Nationalist party in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, where it had held power for 20 years. The Nationalists also defeated the DPP in the central city of Taichung, home to much of Taiwan's light industry, while Ko Wen-je, the independent mayor of Taipei, the capital, narrowly won a second term. The Nationalist candidate in Taipei has asked for a recount. At a brief news conference at DPP headquarters late Saturday, Tsai announced she was stepping down as DPP chair and said she had refused Premier William Lai's resignation, saying she wanted him to continue her reform agenda. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen waits to cast her ballot at a polling station, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Taipei, Taiwan. Taiwanese began voting in midterm local elections Saturday seen as a referendum on the independence-leaning administration of President Tsai, amid growing pressure from the island's powerful rival China. (Chang Haoan/ Pool Photo via AP) "Today, democracy taught us a lesson," Tsai said. "We must study and accept the higher expectations of the people." The elections for mayors and thousands of local posts were seen as a key test for Tsai's 2-year-old administration, which has been under relentless attack from Beijing over her refusal to endorse its claim that Taiwan is a part of China. Tsai and the DPP won a landslide victory in 2016, but China swiftly responded by cutting all links with her government. Beijing has been ratcheting up pressure on the island it claims as its own territory by poaching its diplomatic partners and barring its representatives from international gatherings, while staging threatening military exercises and limiting the numbers of Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan. The Nationalists, known also as the KMT, had campaigned on their pro-business image and more accommodating line toward Beijing. Since her election, Tsai has walked a fine line on relations with China, maintaining Taiwan's de facto independent status that the vast majority of Taiwanese support, while avoiding calls from the more radical elements of her party for moves to declare formal separation from the mainland. Taiwanese officials had warned that Beijing was seeking to sway voters through the spread of disinformation online similar to how Russia was accused of interfering in U.S. elections. Although domestic concerns were in the foreground, China played a major factor in voter sentiment, analysts said. "I think part of the reason for the vote on Saturday was concern about relations between Taiwan and mainland China," said Huang Kwei-bo, vice dean of the international affairs college at National Chengchi University in Taipei. "Their relations have slid backward." Saturday's results also throw Tsai's political future into question. While the DPP still controls the national legislature, local politicians are crucial in mobilizing support among grass-roots supporters. "I'm afraid it will be a big challenge for her in 2020," said Gratiana Jung, senior political researcher with the Yuanta-Polaris Research Institute think tank in Taipei. Economic growth, employment and pension reforms were among key issues in the elections, which drew high turnout from the island's 19 million voters. Government employees who feel slighted by pension cuts that took effect in July probably mobilized against Tsai's party, Jung said. Nationalist Party Chairman Wu Den-yih told reporters Saturday that his party would keep trying to avoid diplomatic friction with China and ensure smooth two-way trade. "We hope the two sides will soon go back to a peaceful and stable trend in relations," he said. Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists rebased their government to Taiwan in 1949 amid the civil war with Mao Zedong's Communists. They ruled under martial law until the late 1980s, when the native Taiwanese population began to take political office, mostly through the DPP. The vote against changing the name used in international sporting events to Taiwan was seen as a test of support for independence. It was symbolic in nature, as the International Olympic Committee had ruled out a name change, which would be opposed by China. Though referendums are only advisory, the vote in favor of restricting marriage to male-female couples will likely put lawmakers in a difficult position. They face both a court order to make same-sex marriage legal by 2019 and elections in 2020. Supporters of Taipei city mayor and city mayoral candidate Ko Wen-je cheer in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. Taiwan's ruling party suffered a major defeat Saturday in local elections seen as a referendum on the administration of the island's independence-leaning president amid growing economic and political pressure from China. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying) Taipei city mayor and city mayoral candidate Ko Wen-je celebrates his victory with supporters in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday early morning, Nov. 25, 2018. Taiwan's ruling party suffered a major defeat Saturday in local elections seen as a referendum on the administration of the island's independence-leaning president amid growing economic and political pressure from China. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying) HOOVER, Ala. (AP) - The Latest on the fatal shooting at an Alabama mall (all times local): 9:50 p.m. The father of a black man killed by a police officer during an Alabama mall shooting says his son had a permit to carry a weapon for self-defense. Twenty-one-year-old Emantic "EJ" Bradford Jr. was fatally shot by a police officer responding to the Thanksgiving night shooting that wounded an 18-year-old and 12-year-old. Hoover police initially thought Bradford, who was carrying a handgun, was responsible. Authorities later said it was unlikely that Bradford had done the shooting. Bradford's father, Emantic Bradford Sr., spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday night from his family's home. He said it was hurtful that police portrayed his son as the shooter. The family wants to know if there is police body camera footage from the shooting. Hoover police have not confirmed to the Associated Press whether such footage exists. Protestors carry a sign reading "Justice for E.J." during a protest at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. A police shot and killed 21-year-old Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford, Jr. of Hueytown while responding to a shooting at the mall on Thanksgiving evening. Police said Bradford was fleeing the scene with a weapon. Hoover police initially told reporters Bradford had shot a teen at the mall, but later retracted the statement. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler) ____ 2:25 p.m. About 200 people marched through an Alabama shopping mall to protest the shooting death of a man whom police erroneously believed was the gunman who shot and wounded two people. The protesters gathered at the spot at the Riverchase Galleria mall in suburban Birmingham where 21-year-old Emantic "EJ" Bradford Jr. was shot and killed by a police officer who was responding to reports of gunfire. Police initially thought Bradford was responsible for shooting two people at the mall but later retracted that statement. They later said it was unlikely that Bradford had done the shooting. Police are now searching for a gunman who they believed shot and wounded an 18-year-old male and a 12-year-old bystander. The protesters held a moment of silence for Bradford at the spot where he was killed. Bradford's stepmother Cynthia described him as a respectful young man and said he was the son of a Birmingham police officer. ____ 10 p.m. Police say a man shot and killed by a police officer at an Alabama shopping mall was "likely" not the person who shot a teenager that evening. Twenty-one-year-old Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford was shot and killed by a police officer responding to the Thanksgiving night shooting that wounded an 18-year-old and 12-year-old. Captain Gregg Rector said in a Friday news release that new evidence suggests that while Bradford "may have been involved in some aspect of the altercation, he likely did not fire the rounds that injured the 18-year-old victim." Police said that an officer shot Bradford because he was seen "brandishing a handgun" while fleeing the scene. Rector said they now believe that more than two individuals were involved in the altercation that started the shooting and a gunman is at large. ____ 6:39 a.m. A man was shot and killed by a police after a fight at an Alabama mall resulted in gunfire that injured a teen and a 12-year-old girl. A police statement said the shooting occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, outside Birmingham. The statement said two Hoover officers in the mall confronted a 21-year-old man from Hueytown with a gun and one of the officers shot and killed him. His name has not been released. An 18-year-old was taken to a Birmingham hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Capt. Greg Rector said in a news conference a 12-year-old girl struck by gunfire was hospitalized. She was reported in stable condition at Children's Hospital. A mall security officer said the mall reopened at 6 a.m. Friday. ___ This story corrects dead man's age to 21. This undated image provided by Emantic Bradford, Sr. shows Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford, Jr., 21, posing for a picture at his father's home near Birmingham, Ala., in his senior year of high school. About 200 people marched through an Alabama shopping mall to protest Bradford Jr.'s death, whom police erroneously believed was the gunman who shot and wounded two people. The protesters gathered at the spot at the mall in suburban Birmingham where he was shot and killed after reports of gunfire. Police initially thought Bradford Jr. was responsible for shooting two people but later retracted that statement. (Emantic Bradford, Sr. via AP) Elijah King holds a sign during a protest at the Riverchase Galleria mall in Hoover, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, over the police shooting of 21-year-old Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford, Jr. of Hueytown. Police were responding to a shooting that wounded an 18-year-old and 12year-old. Police initially said Bradford shot the teen that evening, but later said he was not the gunman. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler) In this Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018 photo, people walk outside the Riverchase Galleria mall after gunfire erupted on the mall's second floor concourse area Thanksgiving night in Hoover, Ala. Police responding to a fight inside the mall shot and killed a man who had brandished a weapon, authorities said Friday. Several other people were injured, including a 12-year-old girl. (Carol Robinson/Press-Register/AL.com via AP) In this Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018 photo, police respond to a fight inside the Riverchase Galleria mall after gunfire erupted Thanksgiving night in Hoover, Ala. Police shot and killed a man who had brandished a weapon, authorities said Friday. Several other people were injured, including a 12-year-old girl. (Carol Robinson/Press-Register/AL.com via AP) PARADISE, Calif. (AP) - The catastrophic wildfire in Northern California is nearly out after several days of rain, but searchers are still completing the meticulous task of combing through now-muddy ash and debris for signs of human remains. Crews resumed the grim work Saturday as rain cleared out of the devastated town of Paradise. Some were looking through destroyed neighborhoods for a second time as hundreds of people remain unaccounted for. They were searching for telltale fragments or bone or anything that looks like a pile of cremated ashes. The nation's deadliest wildfire in a century has killed at least 84 people, and 475 are on a list of those reported missing. The flames ignited Nov. 8 in the parched Sierra Nevada foothills and quickly spread across 240 square miles (620 square kilometers), destroying most of Paradise in a day. The fire burned down nearly 19,000 buildings, most of them homes, and displaced thousands of people, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. The two-week firefight got a boost Wednesday from the first significant storm to hit California. It dropped an estimated 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain over the burn area over a three-day period without causing significant mudslides, said Hannah Chandler-Cooley of the National Weather Service. The rain helped extinguish hotspots in smoldering areas, and containment increased to 95 percent. Despite the inclement weather, more than 800 volunteers kept searching for remains. After a brief delay to let a downpour pass, volunteers resume their search for human remains at a mobile home park in Paradise, Calif., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. A team from Orange County in Southern California is among several teams conducting a second search of a mobile home park after the deadly Camp wildfire torched part of Butte County in Northern California. Task force leader Craig Covey, in blue jacket at center, says his team is doing a second search because there are outstanding reports of missing people whose last known address was at the mobile home park. (AP Photo/Kathleen Ronayne) Crews worked on-and-off amid a downpour Friday. While the rain made everybody colder and wetter, they kept the mission in mind, said Chris Stevens, a search volunteer who wore five layers of clothing to keep warm. "It doesn't change the spirits of the guys working," he said. "Everyone here is super committed to helping the folks here." His search crew went home to Orange County on Saturday after completing its assignment. Authorities also lifted evacuation orders for certain sections of Paradise. In Southern California, more residents have returned to areas evacuated in a destructive fire as crews repaired power, telephone and gas utilities. Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said they were in the last phase of repopulating Malibu and unincorporated areas of the county. At the height of the fire, 250,000 fled their homes. Flames erupted Nov. 8 just west of Los Angeles and burned through suburban communities and wilderness parklands to the ocean. Three people died, and 1,643 buildings, most of them homes, were destroyed, officials said. ___ Associated Press journalists Olga Rodriguez and Daisy Nguyen in San Francisco and John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed. Steven McKnight, right, and Daniel Hansen saw through large pieces of sheet metal so they can be moved to allow cadaver dogs to search beneath them for signs of human remains at a mobile home park in Paradise, Calif., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. They said the mobile home park had already been hand searched, so they were re-examining it with search dogs. (AP Photo/Kathleen Ronayne) Search team members move sheet metal to allow cadaver dogs to search beneath them for signs of human remains at a mobile home park in Paradise, Calif., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. They said the mobile home park had already been hand searched, so they were re-examining it with search dogs. (AP Photo/Kathleen Ronayne) Craig Covey, task force leader for the Orange County search team, left, with David Harper, middle talk to resident Stewart Nugent outside his Paradise, Calif., home on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. Covey and several team members took two giant brown bags full of lunch to 64-year-old Stewart Nugent, who stayed in his home and fought off flames. Rough is among the thousands of people whose homes burned down when the deadly wildfire ripped through Paradise and surrounding communities. At least 84 people died, and more than 13,000 homes were destroyed. (AP Photo/Kathleen Ronayne) CORRECTS NAME TO CHRIS STEVENS INSTEAD OF CRAIG STEVENS - National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Orange County CATF-5 team members Imelda Cordova, third from right, talks to Andrew Ricker and Chris Stevens, far right, as their team takes cover from the rain in Paradise, Calif., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. High winds and heavy rains are temporarily halting the work of some search teams out looking for remains of people caught up in the deadly wildfire. The Camp Fire, which destroyed the historical mining town of Paradise, is the most deadly in state history, with 84 fatalities as of Friday, according to statistics from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It's also the deadliest in the U.S. in a century. (AP Photo/Kathleen Ronayne) Eric Darling and his dog Wyatt are part of a search team from Orange County in Southern California who are among several teams conducting a second search of a mobile home park after the deadly Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. The team is doing a second search because there are outstanding reports of missing people whose last known address was at the mobile home park. They look for clues that may indicate someone couldn't get out, such as a car in the driveway or a wheelchair ramp. (AP Photo/Kathleen Ronayne) National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Orange County CATF-5 team members take cover from the rain in Paradise, Calif., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. High winds and heavy rains are temporarily halting the work of some search teams out looking for remains of people caught up in the deadly wildfire. The Camp Fire, which destroyed the historical mining town of Paradise, is the most deadly in state history, with 84 fatalities as of Friday, according to statistics from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It's also the deadliest in the U.S. in a century. (AP Photo/Kathleen Ronayne) Resident Stewart Nugent who stayed in his home and fought off the flames of a deadly wildfire stands outside his surviving home in Paradise, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. The Camp Fire, which destroyed the historical mining town of Paradise, is the most deadly in state history, with 84 fatalities as of Friday, according to statistics from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It's also the deadliest in the U.S. in a century. (AP Photo/Kathleen Ronayne) In this Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, photo, scorched trees and foliage stand on rain-soaked, burned-over terrain near Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas, Calif., following the Woolsey Fire. In Southern California, more residents were allowed to return to areas that were evacuated due to the 151-square-mile (391-square-kilometer) Woolsey Fire as crews worked to repair power, telephone and gas utilities. A storm on Thanksgiving Day passed without causing significant mudslides, but forecasters said more rain was possible next week. (AP Photo/John Antczak) BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union removed the last major obstacle to sealing an agreement on Brexit after Spain said it had reached a deal Saturday with Britain over Gibraltar on the eve of a summit where EU leaders will sign off on the divorce papers. British Prime Minister Theresa May, who held preparatory talks with EU leaders Saturday evening, will then have the momentous task of selling the terms of the deal to a recalcitrant British Parliament and a nation still fundamentally split over whether the U.K. should leave the EU on March 29 and under what conditions. May vowed to campaign "with my heart and soul" to win Parliament's backing for the deal." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who had threatened to oppose the deal, announced Saturday that Madrid would support the divorce agreement after the U.K. and the EU underscored Spain's say in the future of the disputed British territory of Gibraltar, which lies at the southern tip of the Mediterranean nation. Spain wants the future of the tiny territory, which was ceded to Britain in 1713 but is still claimed by Spain, to be a bilateral issue between Madrid and London, not between Britain and the EU. In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk assured Sanchez that Spain's "prior agreement" would be needed on matters concerning Gibraltar. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, right, greets British Prime Minister Theresa May prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. British Prime Minister Theresa May is kicking off a big Brexit weekend by traveling to EU headquarters in Brussels for talks on Saturday with key leaders. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys) Spain claimed a major diplomatic victory. "Europe and the United Kingdom have accepted the conditions imposed by Spain," Sanchez said. "Therefore, as a consequence of this, Spain will lift its veto and tomorrow will vote in favor of Brexit." But Britain said the statement merely clarified the existing state of affairs. May said Britain had conceded nothing on the sovereignty of Gibraltar. "I will always stand by Gibraltar," May said. "The U.K. position on the sovereignty of Gibraltar has not changed and will not change." The move should allow EU leaders speedily to sign off on the Brexit agreement at a special summit Sunday morning. May hopes to leave EU headquarters on Sunday with a legally binding agreement on the withdrawal terms for Britain's departure from the EU on March 29, as well as an ambitious but vague political declaration on future relations between the two sides. Winning warm greetings from her 27 fellow leaders on Sunday will likely be easier for May than getting friendly treatment from her colleagues in government and Parliament once she returns. The British leader is under intense pressure from pro-Brexit and pro-EU British lawmakers, with large numbers on both sides of the debate opposing the divorce deal and threatening to vote it down when it comes to Parliament next month. Brexiteers think it will leave the U.K. tied too closely to EU rules, while pro-Europeans say it will erect new barriers between Britain and the bloc - its neighbor and biggest trading partner. The leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, on which May relies to get her government majority, on Saturday reinforced her party's rejection of the Brexit deal. The DUP opposes plans for keeping the border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland open after Brexit, saying it weakens the ties binding the U.K. by creating separate trade rules for Northern Ireland. Arlene Foster said in Belfast that the agreement leaves Northern Ireland "open to the perils of increased divergence away from the rest of the United Kingdom." The DUP has said it may drop its backing of the government because of the Brexit plan. May insists her deal delivers the on the things that matter most to pro-Brexit voters - control of budgets, immigration policy and laws - while retaining close ties to the U.K.'s European neighbors. She plans to spend the next couple of weeks selling it to politicians and the British public before Parliament's vote in December. In a "letter to the nation" before Sunday's summit, May said she would be "campaigning with my heart and soul to win that vote and to deliver this Brexit deal, for the good of our United Kingdom and all of our people." She said Britain's departure from the EU "must mark the point when we put aside the labels of 'Leave' and 'Remain' for good and we come together again as one people." "To do that we need to get on with Brexit now by getting behind this deal." ___ Joseph Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain. Gregory Katz in London contributed to this report. ___ See the AP's Brexit coverage at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit A member of protocol carries the Union Flag, right, and EU flag prior to the arrival of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May at EU headquarters in Brussels, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. British Prime Minister Theresa May is kicking off a big Brexit weekend by traveling to EU headquarters in Brussels for talks on Saturday with key leaders. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, right, shakes hands with British Prime Minister Theresa May prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. British Prime Minister Theresa May is kicking off a big Brexit weekend by traveling to EU headquarters in Brussels for talks on Saturday with key leaders. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez delivers a speech at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says Spain will agree to support the Brexit deal after Britain and the European Union agreed to give it a say in the future of the disputed British territory of Gibraltar. (AP Photo/Paul White) A member of protocol walks by the Union Flag, left, and EU flag, right, prior to the arrival of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May at EU headquarters in Brussels, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. British Prime Minister Theresa May is kicking off a big Brexit weekend by traveling to EU headquarters in Brussels for talks on Saturday with key leaders. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, right, greets British Prime Minister Theresa May at EU headquarters in Brussels, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. British Prime Minister Theresa May is kicking off a big Brexit weekend by traveling to EU headquarters in Brussels for talks on Saturday with key leaders. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement outside 10 Downing Street, London, Thursday Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Party leader Arlene Foster speaking during the DUP annual conference at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Belfast, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. The leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party has used her keynote speech at the annual conference to reject the British government's planned Brexit deal. Arlene Foster said in Belfast on Saturday that the deal agreed by Prime Minister Theresa May is unacceptable and must be improved upon in the weeks ahead. (Michael Cooper/PA via AP) Party leader Arlene Foster speaking during the DUP annual conference at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Belfast, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. The leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party has used her keynote speech at the annual conference to reject the British government's planned Brexit deal. Arlene Foster said in Belfast on Saturday that the deal agreed by Prime Minister Theresa May is unacceptable and must be improved upon in the weeks ahead. (Michael Cooper/PA via AP) BRUSSELS (AP) - The Latest on Brexit negotiations (all times local): 5 p.m. The leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party has used her keynote speech at the annual conference to reject the British government's planned Brexit deal. Arlene Foster said in Belfast on Saturday that the deal agreed by Prime Minister Theresa May is unacceptable and must be improved upon in the weeks ahead. Foster's view is important because the DUP provides crucial votes that help keep May's Conservative Party in power despite its minority position in Parliament. She said that the draft agreement raises constitutional questions that can't be ignored. A member of protocol walks by the Union Flag, left, and EU flag, right, prior to the arrival of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May at EU headquarters in Brussels, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. British Prime Minister Theresa May is kicking off a big Brexit weekend by traveling to EU headquarters in Brussels for talks on Saturday with key leaders. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys) Foster said the DUP insists on "an outcome that does not leave Northern Ireland open to the perils of increased divergence away from the rest of the United Kingdom." The DUP has said it may drop its backing of the government because of the Brexit plan. ___ 4:20 p.m. Former British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has slammed the proposed Brexit deal and urged the Democratic Unionist Party not to abandon the Conservative Party. Johnson told the DUP conference in Belfast Saturday that the Northern Ireland party's support is crucial to the government. He said that "I hope that you agree that it is absolutely vital that we keep this partnership going." Johnson warned of the dangers of weakening the Conservatives so much that the Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn comes to power. The DUP is threatening to break with the government over Brexit. Johnson said that Prime Minister Theresa May's government is "making a historic mistake" if it goes forward with its Brexit plan. He said it would greatly reduce Britain's influence and ability to make independent trade deals. ___ 3:45 p.m. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says Spain will agree to support the Brexit deal after Britain and the European Union agreed to give it a say in the future of the disputed British territory of Gibraltar. Sanchez says Saturday that the U.K. and the EU have agreed to include language in the Brexit divorce deal that Spain could deal with London directly on the issue of Gibraltar. Sanchez says "this is going to allow us to have direct negotiations with the U.K. regarding Gibraltar." The issue had become a late stumbling block in the Brexit talks. Sanchez had said on Friday he wouldn't back the divorce deal U.K. and European Union leaders are supposed to vote on during Sunday's summit in Brussels, saying a draft agreement did not include clear language regarding Gibraltar. ___ 3 p.m. The European Union is close to reaching an agreement to ease Spanish concerns about the future of Gibraltar in Brexit talks. EU spokesman Preben Aamann said on Twitter Saturday that after a phone conversation between Spanish Premier Pedro Sanchez and EU Council President Donald Tusk, "we are closer" to an agreement ahead of Sunday's EU summit in Brussels. The future of tiny territory of Gibraltar - ceded to Britain in 1713 but which is still claimed by Spain - was the only dispute left hanging ahead of Sunday's summit. On Friday, Spain pushed for a cast-iron guarantee of its say over the future of Gibraltar as a condition for backing a divorce agreement between Britain and the EU. ___ 2:45 p.m. The deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland has used a party conference speech to try to persuade Prime Minister Theresa May to change course on Brexit. Nigel Dodds told the conference in Belfast Saturday that it is not too late for May to alter her Brexit plan. He says her proposed Brexit agreement reached with the European Union would leave the U.K. in a "pitiful and pathetic place." The small DUP has an outsize role because its support has been crucial to May's shaky government, which doesn't enjoy a majority in Parliament. The party is threatening to end its support over the Brexit plan favored by May. That would imperil May's already difficult challenge in winning parliamentary support for her proposal. ___ 2:20 p.m. Portugal's foreign minister is in support of the Brexit deal including Spain's request to have its say on the future of the disputed British territory of Gibraltar. Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva says that the original Brexit guidelines laid out last year that included assurances to Spain that it could deal with London directly on the issue of Gibraltar were "wise." Spain said Friday it wouldn't back the divorce deal U.K. and European Union leaders are supposed to vote on during Sunday's summit in Brussels after language regarding Gibraltar didn't appear in a draft agreement. Santos Silva says the impasse has an "easy resolution because the heads of state of the 27 had already agreed (.) that any agreement between the U.K. and the EU regarding Gibraltar would require previous agreement from Spain, and that appears to be a very wise line." ___ 11:05 a.m. British Prime Minister Theresa May is kicking off a big Brexit weekend as she travels to the European Union headquarters in Brussels for talks on Saturday with key leaders. Spanish objections over the status of Gibraltar - the tiny territory ceded to Britain in 1713 but is still claimed by Spain - is the only dispute left hanging ahead of Sunday's summit of EU leaders. May will meet with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Council President Donald Tusk in the evening. May hopes to leave Brussels on Sunday with a firm agreement on the withdrawal terms for Britain's departure from the EU on March 29, as well as a comprehensive negotiating text on how future relations should look like once both sides agree on a trade agreement. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives to make a statement outside 10 Downing Street, London, Thursday Nov. 22, 2018. Theresa May says Brexit deal's approval "is within our grasp" and she is determined to deliver it. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) FILE - In this Wednesday, March 1, 2017 file photo, a Barbary macaque, the only free-roaming monkeys in Europe pauses, with the Rock of Gibraltar looming in the background, in the British territory of Gibraltar. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a press conference on Wednesday Nov. 21, 2018 that his government is "annoyed" that the divorce agreement being prepared for Britain's exit from the European Union doesn't specify that Gibraltar's future must be decided directly by officials in Madrid and London. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza, File) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement outside 10 Downing Street, London, Thursday Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) PARIS (AP) - The Latest on protests in France (all times local): 8:05 p.m. French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned violence by protesters at demonstrations against rising fuel taxes and his government. Macron said in a strongly worded tweet: "Shame on those who attacked (police). Shame on those who were violent against other citizens ... No place for this violence in the Republic." At least 20 people were hurt in the protests, including one with more serious injuries. Dozens of people have been arrested. ___ Demonstrators, called the yellow jackets, use a construction barrier to repel a police water canon, during clashes on the famed Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, France, as they protest against the rising of the fuel taxes, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. France is deploying thousands of police to try to contain nationwide protests and road blockades by drivers angry over rising fuel taxes and Emmanuel Macron's presidency. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu) 3 p.m. Violent clashes between police and protesters are ongoing in the French capital, with demonstrators angry about rising fuel taxes and President Emmanuel Macron's government. Protesters burned large plywood sheets and other material in the middle of several streets in central Paris, sending up large columns of smoke. Demonstrators also hurled rocks and other projectiles at police, who responded by firing tear gas and bursts from water cannons. Police tried to push back the protesters, at times beating back demonstrators with baton strikes and dragging them away. ___ 2:35 p.m. French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner has accused the far right of encouraging acts of violence and clashes with police in Paris. Marine Le Pen, the head of the National Assembly party, called on protesters to head to the Champs-Elysees earlier this week despite authorities banning all demonstrations on the avenue. Castaner's comments came as French police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse angry demonstrators in Paris, as protests and road blockades, led by drivers opposing rising fuel taxes and Emmanuel Macron's presidency, swept the nation. Castaner said that 5,000 protesters flooded the Champs-Elysees alone, with 23,000 protesters in total nationwide. But Castaner told journalists in Paris that the protest was "weakening," ___ 1 p.m. French police have fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Paris, as thousands gathered in the capital and staged road blockades across the nation to vent anger against rising fuel taxes and Emmanuel Macron's presidency. Thousands of police have been deployed nationwide to contain the demonstrations, including a tense protest at the foot of the Champs-Elysees where protesters upturned a large vehicle. Six people have been arrested. ___ 8:25 a.m. France is deploying thousands of police to try to contain nationwide protests and road blockades by drivers angry over rising fuel taxes and Emmanuel Macron's presidency. Tensions have been mounting around the grassroots movement that drew more than a quarter million people a week ago to protests across France, from Provence to Normandy and in between. A new wave of protests is planned Saturday, including beneath the Eiffel Tower. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner called for calm and promised tough police measures against unruly crowds. Paris alone is deploying some 3,000 security forces, notably around tourist-frequented areas like the Champs-Elysees, after an unauthorized attempt last week to march on the presidential palace. Two people have been killed and hundreds injured in the week of protests. Demonstrators, called the yellow jackets, gather around the Arc de Triomphe as they protest against the fuel taxes, in Paris, France, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. French police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Paris Saturday, as thousands gathered in the capital and staged road blockades across the nation to vent anger against rising fuel taxes and Emmanuel Macron's presidency. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu) A demonstrator wearing a yellow jackets sits on the Champs-Elysees avenue near the Arc de Triomphe during a demonstration against the rising of the fuel taxes, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in Paris. French police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Paris Saturday, as thousands gathered in the capital and staged road blockades across the nation to vent anger against rising fuel taxes and Emmanuel Macron's presidency. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) A huge explosion is seen on the famed Champs-Elysees avenue, after protesters, called the yellow jackets, set on fire a construction trailer during clashes with riot police as they protest against the fuel taxes, in Paris, France, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. French police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Paris Saturday, as thousands gathered in the capital and staged road blockades across the nation to vent anger against rising fuel taxes and Emmanuel Macron's presidency. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu) A protester is dragged away and arrested by a police officer after she was seen with others blocking the traffic in Sainte Marie, while protesting against the rising of the fuel and oil prices, in the Indian Ocean island of Reunion, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. France is deploying soldiers to stem violence in the Indian Ocean island of Reunion after protests over fuel tax hikes degenerated into looting and rioting. (AP Photo/Fabrice Wislez) LONDON (AP) - Nicolas Roeg, a director of provocative and otherworldly films who gave Mick Jagger and David Bowie enduring screen roles, has died. He was 90. The British director of "Don't Look Now" and many other films died Friday night, his son, Nicolas Roeg Jr., told Britain's Press Association. "He was a genuine dad," Roeg Jr. said Saturday. "He just had his 90th birthday in August." He didn't provide details about his father's death during a brief telephone call with the association. During the 1970s, Roeg sent Jenny Agutter and his son Luc Roeg on the Australian Outback odyssey "Walkabout;" gave Jagger a big-screen role in the thriller "Performance," which was co-directed with Donald Cammell; and plunged Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland into psychological horror in the Venice-set "Don't Look Now." "Don't Look Now" became famous for its realistic depiction of sex. Roeg said later that rumors the sex had been real were "very flattering" because that meant people felt the film was authentic. FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 file photo, Nicolas Roeg arrives for the Film Critics Circle Awards at a central London venue. The son of Nicolas Roeg says the prominent British film director has died. He was 90. Nicolas Roeg Jr. told Britain's Press Association that the director of "The Man Who Fell to Earth" and "Don't Look Now" died Friday, Nov 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Jonathan Short, file) Sutherland said Roeg was "a fearless visionary." "He was a liberating joy to work for," Sutherland said in a statement. "I fell in love with him then and will love him forever." In "The Man Who Fell to Earth," Roeg directed Bowie - perfectly cast and sublimely strange - as an alien who crashes on Earth looking for a way to save his own planet. Bowie's son, filmmaker Duncan Jones, wrote on Twitter: "Just heard another great storyteller, the inimitable Nicolas Roeg left us today. What an incredible body of work he's left us with!" Roeg's later films include the intellectually playful "Insignificance," in which Albert Einstein matched wits with Marilyn Monroe. His last major film was "The Witches," in 1990, a Roald Dahl adaptation which starred Anjelica Huston. The British Film Institute has named "Don't Look Now" and "Performance" as two of the greatest films in Britain's Top 100 film poll. The institute paid tribute to Roeg in a tweet: "RIP to Nicolas Roeg, a pioneering force of cinema who created some of the most affecting moments of beauty, terror and sadness ever seen. A true great if ever there was one." Born in London in 1928, Roeg worked his way into directing after winning acclaim as a cinematographer. He began his career as an editing apprentice in 1947 - among his duties was serving tea. Roeg worked on major films including "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Fahrenheit 451" before he entered the directing ranks in 1970. He said he couldn't understand how someone could become a director without first working in cinematography. Roeg didn't believe in meticulous planning when it came to scripts and shooting schedules, preferring to give himself room to maneuver and improvise as needed. He was fond of saying that God laughed at people who made too many elaborate plans. "I shoot a lot of stuff," he once said in an interview for the book "Talking Movies." ''I think that's probably come from not having gone to film school. Things work themselves out. You've lost the showmanship thing, the fairground barker, come-see-what's-inside aspect of filmmaking when you try to plan everything for the audience." Roeg was married three times and had six children. ___ Jill Lawless contributed to this story. Betty Bumpers, a former Arkansas first lady who advocated for childhood immunizations nationwide and pushed for limiting nuclear arms proliferation, has died. She was 93. Bumpers, long married to former Arkansas governor and four-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers, died Friday at her home in Little Rock following a recent fall and complications with dementia, according to her daughter, Brooke Bumpers. After her husband became governor in 1971, Betty Bumpers pushed childhood immunizations in Arkansas and later advised other states on her efforts. She worked with former first lady Rosalynn Carter on a national childhood immunization program during the late 1970s, and later with fellow former Arkansas first lady Hillary Clinton. In 1982, she founded Peace Links with other congressional wives. The organization sought to bring together women in the United States and in the then-Soviet Union to help reduce the proliferation of nuclear weapons and to promote non-violent resolutions to world conflicts. "She just felt strongly she should take advantage of the opportunities presented to her," Brooke Bumpers told The Associated Press on Saturday. "Children were particularly important to her, both in her immunization efforts and for peace." Brooke Bumpers said Peace Links was the result of conversations prompted by a question she asked her mother after she left for college: "If there's a nuclear war, how would we all find each other?" FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2005 file photo, Betty Bumpers speaks after being inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, N.Y. Fellow-inductee Hillary Clinton is pictured to the right. Bumpers, the wife of former Arkansas governor and four-term U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers has died at her home in Little Rock. The daughter of Bumpers, Brooke Bumpers, said her mother died Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, of complications from a recent fall and dementia. She was 93. (AP Photo/Kevin Rivoli, File) "At the time there were (nuclear) missiles in Arkansas," she said. "She was just so horrified she had a child that was growing up with these fears and thoughts, and she thought it was just insane." Former President Bill Clinton, also a former Arkansas governor, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement calling Bumpers "a remarkable person." "She and Hillary worked together in Arkansas and across the country to expand early childhood immunizations," the Clintons said. "Betty was an early, effective voice against nuclear proliferation, a cause she championed when it was popular and when it wasn't." Along with her daughter, Betty Bumpers is survived by her sons, Brent and Bill, and seven grandchildren. Dale Bumpers died on Jan. 1, 2016. DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - The Latest on the Syrian conflict (all times local): 12:45 a.m. Syrian rebels have dismissed government accusations they used poison gas to attack government-held Aleppo city. Rebel commander Abdel-Salam Abdel-Razak says the opposition doesn't possess poisonous gases or the capabilities to lob them. Abdel-Razak served in Syria's chemical weapons program before defecting to join the opposition in the early years of the conflict, which began in 2011. Abdel-Razak tweeted that "These are lies" soon after reports emerged of an attack in Aleppo that injured dozens of people. Rebel spokesman Mustafa Sejari dismisses the poison-gas claims. He says they came after government shells landed in rebel-held areas, violating a Russian-backed cease-fire. He says the government is trying to undermine the cease-fire. In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows a man receiving treatment at a hospital following a suspected chemical attack on his town of al-Khalidiya, in Aleppo, Syria, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. At least 41 civilians were being treated following a suspected poison gas attack by Syrian rebel groups on government-held Aleppo city in the country's north, according to Syrian state media. (SANA via AP) ___ 12:25 a.m. A Syrian official says that at least 50 civilians were being treated Saturday following a suspected poison gas attack by Syrian rebel groups on the government-held Aleppo city in the country's north. Syrian state TV previously said that 21 people had been injured, but people continued to arrive at a hospital in Aleppo where state TV was airing live. Health official Haj Taha says at least 50 civilians have been injured. Head of Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdurrahman said there was a stench of gas in Aleppo city after projectiles were fired. __ 10:30 p.m. Syrian state media is reporting that 21 civilians have been treated for breathing problems following a rebel attack it said involved projectiles filled with poisonous gas on the government-held city of Aleppo. Syrian state TV aired footage late Saturday of the injured lying in hospital beds as doctors administered oxygen and other treatments. State news agency SANA quoted a police officer in Aleppo saying the attack hit al-Khalidiya neighborhood. Syrian state TV later said the attack has also hit two other areas in the city and said a total of 21 people had been injured. State TV interviewed doctors in a hospital who said most people were suffering from breathing problems and blurred vision. In the past, rebels have accused the government of using chlorine gas to attack opposition-held areas. A joint team from the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons accused Syria's government of using chlorine gas in at least two attacks in 2014 and 2015, and using the nerve agent sarin in an attack in April 2017 in the town of Khan Sheikhoun that killed about 100 people. The UN-OPCW team also accused the Islamic State extremist group of using mustard gas twice in 2015 and 2016. CHICAGO (AP) - Friends and family attended funeral services Saturday for a security guard who was fatally shot by a suburban Chicago police officer outside the bar where he worked. Jemel Roberson was killed on Nov. 11 while holding at gunpoint a man who'd been involved in an earlier shooting at the bar in Robbins, just south of Chicago. Investigators said that Roberson, who was black, was not wearing any clothing that identified him as a guard. But some witnesses claimed Roberson was wearing a hat emblazoned with the word "Security" when he was shot by a white officer from nearby Midlothian who was responding to the initial shooting. Some mourners who attended Saturday's funeral at the House of Hope in Chicago's Pullman neighborhood wore shirts reading "Security" and "#JusticeforJemel," while others wore security uniforms, WGN-TV reported. Friends said that Roberson, 26, was a father, had another child on the way and that he wanted to become a Chicago police officer. Since his death, Roberson's family has filed a lawsuit against the Midlothian Police Department and there have been protests calling for the firing of the officer, whose name has not been publicly released. A group of clergy and activists also called for an independent investigation into the fatal shooting. Beatrice Roberson, the mother of Jemel Roberson speaks at Jemel's funeral, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Chicago. Friends and family attended funeral services for the security guard who was fatally shot by a suburban Chicago police officer outside the bar where he worked. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) "We deserve to know the name of the police officer," said Rev. Marshall Hatch of The Leaders Network. "We don't necessarily trust the police to police the police, and therefore, an investigation on the part of the Illinois State Police is not going to clear the air." ___ Information from: WGN-TV, http://wgntv.com/ Learahteen Bridges, the sister of Jemel Roberson, speaks at Jemel's funeral, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Chicago. Friends and family attended funeral services for the security guard who was fatally shot by a suburban Chicago police officer outside the bar where he worked. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Officer Joseph McNeal a mentor of Jemel Roberson speaks at Jemel's funeral, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Chicago. Friends and family attended funeral services for the security guard who was fatally shot by a suburban Chicago police officer outside the bar where he worked. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) People attend the funeral for Jemel Roberson, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Chicago. Friends and family attended funeral services for the security guard who was fatally shot by a suburban Chicago police officer outside the bar where he worked. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Pallbearers hoist the casket with the remains of Jemel Roberson into the hearse, after his funeral, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Chicago. Friends and family attended funeral services for the security guard who was fatally shot by a suburban Chicago police officer outside the bar where he worked. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) A woman holds up a sign with Jemel Roberson's image at his funeral, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Chicago. Friends and family attended funeral services for the security guard who was fatally shot by a suburban Chicago police officer outside the bar where he worked. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Friends and family comfort each other after the funeral for Jemel Roberson Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, at House of Hope Church in Chicago. Friends and family attended funeral services for the security guard who was fatally shot by a suburban Chicago police officer outside the bar where he worked. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune via AP) JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The Latest on a U.S. Senate runoff election in Mississippi (all times local): 5 p.m. A black Democrat running for U.S. Senate in Mississippi says he would bring experience of "diversity" and "inclusion" to the job, and he thinks the Republican he's trying to unseat has a different background. Democrat Mike Espy spoke Saturday about how he and his twin sister were among the 17 black students who integrated the all-white Yazoo City High School in 1969, graduating in 1971. An independent newspaper, the Jackson Free Press, reported late Friday that Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith attended a white private school founded in 1970, the year many Mississippi public high schools integrated. She graduated from Lawrence County Academy in 1977. Hyde-Smith campaign spokeswoman Melissa Scallan responded to the report about Hyde-Smith's high school attendance by saying, "the gotcha liberal media has taken leave of their senses." Several dozen people stand in line outside the Hinds County Courthouse in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, waiting to cast absentee ballots in a U.S. Senate election runoff between Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy. Saturday was the deadline for people to cast absentee ballots at circuit clerks' offices, and it is unusual to see lines on the absentee deadline day. The runoff election is Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, and the winner will serve the final two years of a six-year term started by longtime Sen. Thad Cochran. Mississippi's Republican governor appointed Hyde-Smith to serve temporarily when Cochran retired because of health concerns. (AP Photo/Emily Wagster Pettus) ___ 4:30 p.m. More than 43,000 absentee ballots have been requested ahead of a Mississippi runoff election, which includes a hard-fought U.S. Senate race. The secretary of state's office says Saturday that the number could increase as circuit clerks continue compiling information. The total includes absentee ballots that were requested by mail and absentee ballots that were cast at circuit clerks' offices. Saturday was the deadline for in-person absentee voting, and people waited in line at some courthouses, including Hinds County. People 65 or older are allowed to vote absentee, as are people who will be away from their home county on Election Day. About 69,000 absentee ballots were requested before Mississippi's Nov. 6 election. There's typically a large decrease in ballots cast between the first election and a runoff. ___ 2:25 p.m. Several dozen voters in Mississippi's largest county have been waiting in a line stretching outside the courthouse to cast absentee ballots in a U.S. Senate runoff. The contest is between white Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who is the first woman to represent Mississippi in Congress, and Democratic challenger Mike Espy, a former U.S. agriculture commissioner who is seeking to become the first African-American senator from Mississippi since Reconstruction. The runoff is Tuesday. Saturday was the deadline for people to cast absentee ballots at circuit clerks' offices. People 65 or older are allowed to vote absentee, as are people who will be away from their home county on Election Day. A 92-year-old voter from Jackson, Illinois Cox Littleton, says she voted for Espy because she considers him "a highly intelligent man." DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Two North Carolina congressmen are slamming the Trump administration as "callous" and "cruel" after an immigrant who sought refuge from deportation in a church was arrested after arriving at an appointment with immigration officials. Democratic Reps. David Price and G.K. Butterfield said Mexican national Samuel Oliver-Bruno appeared to have been entrapped by federal officials when was detained Friday at a Raleigh-area immigration office. The advocacy group Alerta Migratoria NC said Oliver-Bruno went to have fingerprints taken so he could apply to stay in North Carolina with his wife and son. He spent 11 months in a Durham church to avoid immigration authorities. Price and Butterfield they will fight to keep Oliver-Bruno with his family and have received assurances from ICE that he will remain in U.S. while his case is adjudicated. In this Dec. 13, 2017, photo Samuel Oliver-Bruno glances back before preparing for interviews after the press conference held at CityWell United Methodist Church in Durham, N.C. Oliver-Rruno, who sought refuge from deportation at the church for 11 months was arrested Friday after arriving at an appointment with immigration officials. (Casey Toth/The Charlotte Observer via AP) A demonstrator is arrested after Samuel Oliver-Bruno, 47, an undocumented Mexican national, was arrested after arriving at an appointment with immigration officials, in Morrisville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. He had been living in CityWell United Methodist Church in Durham since late 2017 to avoid the reach of immigration officers, who generally avoid making arrests at churches. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP) A demonstrator is arrested after Samuel Oliver-Bruno, 47, an undocumented Mexican national, was arrested after arriving at an appointment with immigration officials, in Morrisville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. He had been living in CityWell United Methodist Church in Durham since late 2017 to avoid the reach of immigration officers, who generally avoid making arrests at churches. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP) A nonprofit group and three Georgia voters are challenging the results of the lieutenant governor's election, arguing that there may have been tens of thousands of votes never recorded in the race. The Coalition for Good Governance alleges that an accurate result in the Nov. 6 election can't be determined because of flaws and malfunctions in the electronic voting system, according to a lawsuit filed Friday in Fulton County Superior Court. The conduct of the election "was so defective and marred by material irregularities as to place in doubt the result of the election under Georgia law. This court should therefore declare the contested election invalid and set the date for a second election between the same candidates," the lawsuit states. It said the large difference in votes for all other statewide races and the low reported participation rate in the lieutenant governor's race also are factors in the lawsuit, which names Secretary of State Robyn Crittenden and the Election Boards of Fulton, Gwinnett and DeKalb counties as defendants. Crittenden's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The declared winner was Geoff Duncan, who had 1,951,738 votes to Sarah Riggs Amico's 1,828,566. The suit seeks a new election for the office and asks that it be conducted on paper ballots read by optical scanners. "Citizens must not permit flawed elections to stand," said Bruce Brown, an Atlanta-based attorney representing the plaintiffs. "Otherwise our democratic process fails. Until Georgia election officials commit to conduct fair and verifiable elections, the courts must intervene on behalf of Georgia voters. We look forward to a prompt resolution to this case and a new election conducted in a responsible and legal manner." The lawsuit notes the lieutenant governor's race reported only 3,780,034 votes, while every other statewide race tally exceeded 3.843 million votes. The plaintiffs allege that "this high under-vote rate is a likely result of the touchscreen voting system malfunctions, and that the un-auditable system does not permit a reliable determination of the vote count." Georgia's election practices have been challenged repeatedly in court this year. Democrat Stacey Abrams, who ran for governor, has promised to file a federal lawsuit over the way Georgia elections are run. She accused Brian Kemp, the state's new governor, of using his then-secretary of state's office to aggressively purge the rolls of inactive voters, enforce an "exact match" policy for checking voters' identities that left thousands of registrations in limbo, and enact other policies to tilt the outcome in his favor. The claims in the election contest filed Friday reflect many of the issues raised in the Curling v. Kemp lawsuit regarding Georgia's flawed electronic voting system. The Coalition for Good Governance also organized that 2017 lawsuit now pending in federal court. The Secretary of State and the State Election Board have appealed the case, which is expected to be tried in 2019. "Georgia voters must not be forced to accept election outcomes that cannot be verified and in which they have no confidence. The anomalies in this race, combined with the thousands of voters' complaints of malfunctioning machines, erroneous voter registration files, improperly rejected ballots, and irregularities in vote counts, cast tremendous doubt on the election," said Marilyn Marks, executive director of Coalition for Good Governance. "Every Georgia voter deserves to have confidence her vote is counted as cast," said Morgan County voter and plaintiff Jeanne Dufort. "Our Secretary of State and election officials are supposed to guard that trust - instead, the people of Georgia have had to rely on the courts to make sure our elections are fair and secure. We demand better. It's time for voter-verified paper trails with postelection audits and secure, accurate voter rolls." LUMBERTON, N.C. (AP) - Authorities in North Carolina are asking the public to be on the lookout for shoes belonging to a missing 13-year-old girl who was kidnapped earlier this month. The FBI said Saturday Hania Aguilar owned distinctive shoes that her kidnapper could have tried to get rid of. The shoes are white Adidas sneakers with colorful stitching on the back heel. Aguilar was kidnapped Nov. 5 from a mobile home park. Relatives say the eighth-grader went outside to start a relative's SUV to prepare to leave for the school bus stop. Police say a man then forced her into an SUV and drove off. The SUV was later found in Lumberton, several miles from the mobile home park. SEFFNER, Fla. (AP) - Eighteen months after Sinatra the brown and white Husky disappeared from his home in New York, he ended up wandering in a Florida neighborhood where 13-year-old Rose Verrill took him in. Turns out, Sinatra once belonged to 16-year-old Zion Willis, who died in a gun accident in Brooklyn, New York, in 2015. He'll be reunited with her family in Baltimore on Sunday. The Tampa Bay Times reports that while the dog has been found, no one knows how it traveled 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers) from New York to Seffner, which is near Tampa. But this much is known. Sinatra was a 14th birthday gift for Zion, who was an avid dancer and an animal lover. The blue-eyed dog loved to chase raccoons and squirrels, the teen's father told the newspaper. One day, a year-and-a-half after Zion's death, the dog never came home. It was a tragic loss for Zion's grieving parents. Some 18 months passed before the Florida teen found Sinatra near her home. "He's been such a wonderful guest and such a sweet dog," said Rose's mother, Denise Verril. "I can see why they love him so much." In this Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018 photo, Rose Verrill, 13, rubs the head of a brown and white Husky named Sinatra at her home in Seffner, Fla. Eighteen months after the dog disappeared from his home in New York, he ended up wandering in a Florida neighborhood where Verrill took him in. Turns out, Sinatra once belonged to Zion Willis, 16, who died in a gun accident in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 2015. He'll be reunited with her family in Baltimore on Nov. 25. (Bronte Wittpenn/Tampa Bay Times via AP) The Verills and family friend Jeanne Baldi started trying to find Sinatra's owners. They took him to a veterinarian who was not able to retrieve much from an identification chip. They turned to the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, which came up with a possible name - Willis Les - and a phone number that was off by one digit. That's when Baldi took to social media. She reached out to Lesmore Willis with the information she had. "I never would have thought he was from Brooklyn," Baldi said. "I messaged Lesmore over Facebook and didn't think it would lead to anything when I saw where he was from." A few days later, Willis messaged back. As they compared notes, they both spoke of a dog that had a problem with its right foot. Baldi sent along a photo and Willis confirmed it was Sinatra. "I told him that he was safe and well taken care of with Denise," Baldi said. Willis spoke of his daughter's love for the dog. "That was her dog and their bond was strong," he said. "She loved to take him on her walks to the store. The love was obvious. When he was gone, it was like losing a part of her." After Sinatra disappeared, they put up flyers and spent months searching. Now, they'll be reunited. A friend of Verrill's is taking Sinatra to Baltimore for the Thanksgiving weekend reunion. In this Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018 photo, Rose Verrill, 13, rubs the head of a brown and white Husky named Sinatra at her home in Seffner, Fla. Eighteen months after the dog disappeared from his home in New York, he ended up wandering in a Florida neighborhood where Verrill took him in. Turns out, Sinatra once belonged to Zion Willis, 16, who died in a gun accident in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 2015. He'll be reunited with her family in Baltimore on Nov. 25. (Bronte Wittpenn/Tampa Bay Times via AP) In this Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018 photo, Sinatra, a brown and white Husky, sits at the feet of Gregory Verrill at his home in Seffner, Fla. Eighteen months after the dog disappeared from his home in New York, he ended up wandering in a Florida neighborhood where Rose Verrill, 13, took him in. Turns out, Sinatra once belonged to Zion Willis, 16, who died in a gun accident in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 2015. He'll be reunited with her family in Baltimore on Nov. 25. (Bronte Wittpenn/Tampa Bay Times via AP) In this Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018 photo, Rose Verrill, 13, rubs the head of a brown and white Husky named Sinatra at her home in Seffner, Fla. Eighteen months after the dog disappeared from his home in New York, he ended up wandering in a Florida neighborhood where Verrill took him in. Turns out, Sinatra once belonged to Zion Willis, 16, who died in a gun accident in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 2015. He'll be reunited with her family in Baltimore on Nov. 25. (Bronte Wittpenn/Tampa Bay Times via AP) In this Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018 photo, Rose Verrill, 13, rubs the head of a brown and white Husky named Sinatra at her home in Seffner, Fla. Eighteen months after the dog disappeared from his home in New York, he ended up wandering in a Florida neighborhood where Verrill took him in. Turns out, Sinatra once belonged to Zion Willis, 16, who died in a gun accident in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 2015. He'll be reunited with her family in Baltimore on Nov. 25. (Bronte Wittpenn/Tampa Bay Times via AP) TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - Voters in Taiwan passed a referendum asking that marriage be restricted to one man and one woman, a setback to LGBT couples hoping their island will be the first place in Asia to let same-sex couples share child custody and insurance benefits. The vote on Saturday, organized by Christian groups that make up about 5 percent of Taiwan's population and advocates of the traditional Chinese family structure, goes against a May 2017 Constitutional Court ruling. Justices told legislators then to make same-sex marriage legal within two years, a first for Asia, where religion and conservative governments normally keep the bans in place. Although the ballot initiative is advisory only, it is expected to frustrate lawmakers mindful of public opinion as they face the court deadline next year. Many legislators will stand for re-election in 2020. "The legislature has lots of choices on how to make this court order take effect," said referendum proponent Chen Ke, a Catholic pastor in Taiwan and an opponent of same-sex marriage. Ruling party lawmakers backed by President Tsai Ing-wen had proposed legalizing same-sex marriage in late 2016, but put their ideas aside to await the court hearing. Opposition to same-sex marriage crested after the court ruling. Opponents have held rallies and mobilized votes online. FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2016, file photo, a couple kiss and hold their marriage certificate during a rally supporting a proposal to allow same-sex marriage in Taipei,, Taiwan, on the World Human Rights Day. Voters in Taiwan passed on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 a referendum asking that marriage be restricted to one man and one woman, a setback to LGBT couples hoping their island will be the first place in Asia to let same-sex couples share child custody and insurance benefits. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, File) Courts will still consider local marriage licensing offices in violation of the law by May 2019 if they refuse same-sex couples, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said last week. "The referendum is a general survey - it doesn't have very strong legal implications," said Shiau Hong-chi, professor of gender studies and communications management at Shih-Hsin University in Taiwan. "One way or another it has to go back to the court." Voters approved a separate measure Saturday calling for a "different process" to protect same-sex unions. It's viewed as an alternative to using the civil code. A third initiative, also approved, asked that schools avoid teaching LGBT "education." Amnesty International told the government it needs to "deliver equality and dignity." "This result is a bitter blow and a step backwards for human rights in Taiwan," Amnesty's Taiwan-based Acting Director Annie Huang said. "However, despite this setback, we remain confident that love and equality will ultimately prevail." Taiwanese also elected candidates from the China-friendly opposition Nationalist Party to a majority of mayoral and county magistrate posts, reversing the party's losses in 2014. ISLAMABAD (AP) - Two Indian ministers have accepted an invitation to attend the opening of a new Pakistani border crossing for Sikh pilgrims, in a rare sign of cooperation between the two nuclear-armed rivals. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had invited his Indian counterpart, Sushma Swaraj, to attend the Nov. 28 opening of the Kartarpur crossing, which will facilitate pilgrimages from India to a shrine to Guru Nanak, the 15th century founder of Sikhism. She declined, but said Sunday that two other ministers will attend. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947, two of them over the disputed Kashmir region, where the two sides still regularly exchange fire. Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan has pledged to improve ties. BRUSSELS (AP) - After months of hesitation, stop-and-start negotiations and resignations, Britain and the European Union on Sunday finally sealed an agreement governing the U.K.'s departure from the bloc next year. So much for the easy part. British Prime Minister Theresa May must now sell the deal to her divided Parliament - a huge task considering the intense opposition from pro-Brexit and pro-EU lawmakers alike - to ensure Britain can leave with a minimum of upheaval on March 29. It's a hard sell. The agreement leaves Britain outside the EU with no say but still subject to its rules and the obligations of membership at least until the end of 2020, possibly longer. Britons voted to leave in June 2016, largely over concerns about immigration and losing sovereignty to Brussels. EU leaders were quick to warn that no better offer is available. "I am totally convinced this is the only deal possible," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said. "Those who think that by rejecting the deal that they would have a better deal will be disappointed the first seconds after the rejection." European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, center, kisses European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, right, as European Council President Donald Tusk looks on after a media conference at the conclusion of an EU summit in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union gathered Sunday to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) For once, May was in complete agreement. "This is the deal that is on the table," she said. "It is the best possible deal. It is the only deal." Acknowledging the vast political and economic consequences of Brexit, May promised lawmakers their say before Christmas and said that it "will be one of the most significant votes that Parliament has held for many years." She argued that Parliament has a duty "to deliver Brexit" as voters have demanded. "The British people don't want to spend any more time arguing about Brexit," she said. "They want a good deal done that fulfils the vote and allows us to come together again as a country." Not all agree. Main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn called the deal "the result of a miserable failure of negotiation that leaves us with the worst of all worlds," and said his party would oppose it. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, whose Scottish National Party is the third-largest in Parliament, said lawmakers "should reject it and back a better alternative." Pro-Brexit former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said May should insist on new terms because the deal "has ceded too much control" to Brussels. On the EU side, the last big obstacle to a deal with Britain was overcome Saturday when Spain lifted its objections over the disputed British territory of Gibraltar. So it took EU leaders only a matter of minutes at Sunday's summit in Brussels to endorse the withdrawal agreement that settles Britain's divorce bill, protects the rights of U.K. and EU citizens hit by Brexit and keeps the Irish border open. They also backed a 26-page document laying out their aims for relations after Brexit. Still, the event was tinged with sadness on the European side at Britain's departure, the first time a country will leave the 28-nation bloc. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her feelings were "ambivalent, with sadness, but on the other hand, also some kind of relief that we made it to this point." "I think we managed to make a diplomatic piece of art," she said. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the deal - the product of a year and a half of often- grueling negotiations - was regrettable but acceptable. "I believe that nobody is winning. We are all losing because of the U.K. leaving," Rutte said. "But given that context, this is a balanced outcome with no political winners." May said she wasn't sad, because Britain and the EU would remain "friends and neighbors." "I recognize some European leaders are sad at this moment, but also some people back at home in the U.K. will be sad at this moment," she told reporters, but insisted that she was "full of optimism" about Britain's future. The European Parliament, meanwhile, will be in full campaign mode a few months ahead of the EU elections when Europe's lawmakers sit to endorse the agreement, probably in February, but perhaps as late as March, according to the assembly's president, Antonio Tajani. Still, Tajani said a "large majority" of European parliamentarians support the deal. Many predict it will fail in the British Parliament. No one can be sure whether that would lead to the fall of the government, a new referendum, a postponement of Brexit or a chaotic "no deal" exit for Britain. But Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said he thought May's chances of getting the agreement through Parliament were strong. He said British lawmakers would see that "the alternative is a no deal, cliff-edge Brexit, which is something of course that we all want to avoid." "Any other deal really only exists in people's imaginations," he added. ___ Associated Press writers Gregory Katz in London and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed. ___ See the AP's Brexit coverage at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit British Prime Minister Theresa May, right, and European Council President Donald Tusk attend a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, left, kisses European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier during a media conference at the conclusion of an EU summit in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union gathered Sunday to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, right, embraces European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier during a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) British Prime Minister Theresa May walks past the EU flag at the conclusion of an EU summit in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders gathered Sunday to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, left, gestures as he arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) British Prime Minister Theresa May arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP) German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, speaks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) A member of protocol carries the Union Flag, right, and EU flag prior to the arrival of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May at EU headquarters in Brussels, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. British Prime Minister Theresa May is kicking off a big Brexit weekend by traveling to EU headquarters in Brussels for talks on Saturday with key leaders. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, right, shakes hands with British Prime Minister Theresa May prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. British Prime Minister Theresa May is kicking off a big Brexit weekend by traveling to EU headquarters in Brussels for talks on Saturday with key leaders. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, right, shakes hands with British Prime Minister Theresa May prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. British Prime Minister Theresa May is kicking off a big Brexit weekend by traveling to EU headquarters in Brussels for talks on Saturday with key leaders. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, walks ahead of European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier prior to a meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at EU headquarters in Brussels, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. The European Union removed the last major obstacle to sealing an agreement on Brexit after Spain said it had reached a deal Saturday with Britain over Gibraltar on the eve of an EU summit. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys) Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) European Parliament President Antonio Tajani arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, left, arrives for an EU summit in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys) European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) French President Emmanuel Macron arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (Piroschka van de Wouw, Pool Photo via AP) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) British Prime Minister Theresa May arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP) British Prime Minister Theresa May arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union leaders are gathering to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP) BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - Tens of thousands of Romanians braved hours of cold weather Sunday for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. The event was marred after three people were hospitalized when scuffles broke out between riot police and Orthodox believers. Believers from all over the country and beyond stood outside the Salvation of the People cathedral to watch the service transmitted on giant screens on a misty morning in the capital. But tempers frayed after believers tried to push their way through police lines after lining up for hours to visit the cathedral. Riot police spokesman Georgian Enache called for calm, saying believers "due to tiredness, impatience had forced their way" past police lines on the cathedral steps. Authorities said 83 people required medical attention during the day. They said most cases were because of fainting, after they stood for many hours in cold, damp weather. Earlier, the Ecumenical Istanbul-based patriarch Bartholomew I and Romanian Patriarch Daniel led the morning service, broadcast live on television, joined by 100 priests dressed in white and gold cassocks. The 120-meter (394-feet) high cathedral towers over a giant palace nearby built by late Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu. Six bells rang out after the blessing. Riot police officers assist a woman after extracting her from the crowds trying to push through fences to visit the newly blessed National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) The church says the unfinished building has cost 110 million euros ($125 million), three-quarters of which was public money. Critics say the money would have been better spent on schools and hospitals. The state pays priests' salaries and for church building maintenance. About 86 percent of Romanians are believers in the Orthodox church, which enjoyed a revival after communism ended in 1989. But its popularity has declined in recent years, particularly in cities. Builder Constantin Dumitrescu, 47, an Orthodox believer, said he believed the cathedral was "a much too big investment for a poor country." Building work began on the neo-Byzantine structure in 2010. It was voted Romania's most kitsch architectural structure in Romania in a 2017 online survey. The cathedral aims to "honor Romanian heroes of all times." Romanian King Carol I passed a law for the cathedral to be built in 1884, but two world wars and decades of communism meant it never happened. A group of ethnic Romanians from Ukraine dressed in colorful popular costume also attended the event. "This is our faith, our soul," said Elena Nandris, mayor of the southern Ukrainian village of Mahala, with tears in her eyes. "This is a once in a lifetime event." Worshipers and clerics attend the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A priest speaks on the phone next to empty seats after the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) The Ecumenical Istanbul-based patriarch Bartholomew I, left, and Romanian Patriarch Daniel arrive for the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A priest holds the box containing the remains of Holy Hand of St. Andrew, in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, a day before the dedication of the national cathedral. The "Salvation of the People" cathedral, still unfinished, has cost, according to the church, 110 million euros ($125 million) and will be consacrated Sunday. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A woman touches the box containing the remains of Holy Hand of St. Andrew, in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, a day before the dedication of the national cathedral. The "Salvation of the People" cathedral, still unfinished, has cost, according to the church, 110 million euros ($125 million) and will be consacrated Sunday. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A priest holds the box containing the remains of Holy Hand of St. Andrew, in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, a day before the dedication of the national cathedral. The "Salvation of the People" cathedral, still unfinished, has cost, according to the church, 110 million euros ($125 million) and will be consacrated Sunday. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A priest holds the box containing the remains of Holy Hand of St. Andrew, in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, a day before the dedication of the national cathedral. The "Salvation of the People" cathedral, still unfinished, has cost, according to the church, 110 million euros ($125 million) and will be consacrated Sunday. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) The Ecumenical Istanbul-based patriarch Bartholomew I, left, and Romanian Patriarch Daniel arrive for the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100-years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) The Ecumenical Istanbul-based patriarch Bartholomew I, third from left, and Romanian Patriarch Daniel, right, arrive for the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100-years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) The National Cathedral is reflected in the sunglasses of a monk during the blessing service, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Girls wearing traditional northern-Romanian outfits attend the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Worshipers visit for the first time the inside of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A woman receives the Holy Communion after the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A man waves a flag in the Romanian colors as worshipers attend the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Women wearing traditional costume attend the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100-years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Man talk back dropped by engraved doors during the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A priest walks back dropped by engraved doors during the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Worshipers and clerics attend the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) The Ecumenical Istanbul-based patriarch Bartholomew I, left, and Romanian Patriarch Daniel, perform the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A priest speaks on the phone next to empty seats after the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A man carries a baby to receive the Holy Communion during the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Women attend the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) The Ecumenical Istanbul-based patriarch Bartholomew I, performs the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Priests arrive to attend the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) The Ecumenical Istanbul-based patriarch Bartholomew I, left, and Romanian Patriarch Daniel arrive for the blessing service of the National Cathedral, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Tens of thousands of Romanians gathered for the blessing of a grandiose Orthodox cathedral, also called the "Salvation of the People" cathedral, consecrated to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Polish national prosecutors said Sunday that they are dropping a criminal investigation into a reporter for a U.S.-owned broadcaster on suspicions of propagating fascism for having gone undercover to film neo-Nazis. TVN, owned by Discovery, broadcast undercover footage in January that showed members of a Polish neo-Nazi group celebrating Adolf Hitler's birthday in a forest in 2017. The private broadcaster reported that agents with Poland's Internal Security Agency on Friday evening visited the home of the cameraman who had gone undercover, Piotr Wacowski, and gave him the summons to appear in the investigation. TVN said on Saturday that it considered the state action "an attempt to intimidate journalists," and other commentators also criticized the move as an attack on media freedom. On Sunday, national prosecutors issued a statement saying that it was "premature to prosecute the TVN operator" and that it was moving the investigation from the local prosecutor's office in Gliwice to another city, Katowice. The move against Wacowski comes amid rising concerns about the state of media freedom in Poland, where the populist ruling party has turned tax-funded public media into a propaganda tool and is looking for a way to limit foreign ownership of media companies. TVN has been critical of the government and is seen as particularly vulnerable. FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2017 file photo, satellite dishes sit on top of the headquarters of the TVN independent and popular TV network in Warsaw, Poland. Polish national prosecutors said Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 that they are canceling a criminal investigation into a reporter for a U.S.-owned broadcaster on suspicions of propagating fascism for having gone undercover to film neo-Nazis. TVN, owned by Discovery, broadcast undercover footage in January that showed members of a Polish neo-Nazi group celebrating Adolf Hitler's birthday in a forest in 2017. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski, file) The ruling party, Law and Justice, has faced international condemnation for a string of moves seen as un-democratic - from a Holocaust speech law passed this year, which was seen as an attack on freedom of speech and academic inquiry, to attempts to take control of the courts. U.S. Ambassador Georgette Mosbacher warned Polish authorities last week that any attempt to restrict media freedom would harm the U.S.-Polish relationship. TVN was bought for $2 billion by the U.S. company Scripps Networks Interactive, making it the largest U.S. investment ever in Poland. Scripps has since been bought by Discovery, Inc., which is based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Last year, Poland's media regulator slapped TVN with a fine of nearly 1.5 million zlotys ($395,000 at today's exchange rate) for what it alleged to be biased coverage of anti-government protests, a move some saw as an attack on media freedom. The regulator called it a "warning" to commercial TV stations, though in the end the fine was rescinded. The party has also been making conciliatory moves toward extremist right-wing groups. On the Nov. 11 Independence Day holiday, top officials marched in Warsaw with far-right groups. Government officials have also publicly attacked independent monitors of xenophobia who have noted a rise of hate speech over the past year. JUBA, South Sudan (AP) - After coming face to face with "unpredictable" gun-waving children almost 25 years ago, the former commander of the failed U.N. peacekeeping mission during the Rwandan genocide dedicated his life to eliminating the use of children as weapons of war. In an interview with The Associated Press in civil war-torn South Sudan, Romeo Dallaire, who is widely known for warning the U.N. about Rwanda's massacre in 1994, said the current approach to combatting child soldier recruitment is not "sufficient." Local security forces must be part of the solution, he said. "My personal experiences of having to negotiate with, having to face children with weapons ... may not have been the right way of doing it," Dallaire said. His visit marked the launch of a three-year-program by the Canada-based Romeo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative. The $2.2 million project funded by Global Affairs Canada aims to work with at least 1,200 South Sudanese soldiers, police and prison personnel. The first round of training will include 50 senior army officers. With 19,000 children associated with armed groups, South Sudan has one of the world's highest rates of child soldiers, according to the U.N. Almost 6,000 child soldiers were recruited by government and opposition forces in the past four years of fighting, according to a U.N. report released in September. FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018 file photo, former child soldiers stand in line waiting to be registered with UNICEF to receive a release package, in Yambio, South Sudan. In an interview with The Associated Press in civil war-torn South Sudan, Romeo Dallaire, the former commander of the failed U.N. peacekeeping mission during the Rwandan genocide, says the current approach to combatting child soldier recruitment is not "sufficient". (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File) "The figures are unacceptably high," Virginia Gamba, the new U.N. chief for children and armed conflict, said during a recent visit. South Sudan leads the world with the highest number of child soldiers released, but rapid rates of recruitment are stifling progress. In the last two years UNICEF facilitated the release of over 900 child soldiers yet more than 1,650 children were recruited by armed groups over approximately the same period, according to the U.N. "These kids' families were poor when they left and they're still poor when they go back, so kids return to the army once released," William Deng Deng, chairman for South Sudan's national disarmament, demobilization and reintegration commission, told AP. While it's not government policy to recruit children, Deng said it happens because youth socialize with armed groups in their communities. In an attempt to break this cycle, the Dallaire initiative keeps in mind the realities that both soldiers and children face in conflict. By providing guidance to soldiers on how to interact with children in specific scenarios, the training focuses on behavior change, said Shelly Whitman, the executive director. "We don't come in to do the finger-pointing. We come in to say, 'How can we help change that?'" Whitman said. One expert said that while persuading armed groups not to recruit children is an important step, the issue can only be addressed as part of a broader protection strategy. "That's the mistake that international donor governments continue to make, to believe that complex development challenges like the phenomena of child soldiers can be addressed with one-off interventions and innovations over a short funding cycle. It can't," said Samantha Nutt, founder of War Child USA, an organization that supports children and families in war zones. The Dallaire initiative comes during South Sudan's latest fragile attempt at peace, with opposition leader Riek Machar once again to serve as President Salva Kiir's deputy in their third attempt at working together since the country gained independence in 2011. Dallaire said he hopes his initiative, which already operates in several countries and plans to launch in Nigeria, Sudan and Congo, will advance the peace efforts. He said any force in South Sudan that even considers working with child soldiers should instead see children as a "liability to their engagement in the peace process." ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018 file photo, a young child soldier sits on the ground at a release ceremony, where he and others laid down their weapons and traded in their uniforms to return to "normal life", in Yambio, South Sudan. In an interview with The Associated Press in civil war-torn South Sudan, Romeo Dallaire, the former commander of the failed U.N. peacekeeping mission during the Rwandan genocide, says the current approach to combatting child soldier recruitment is not "sufficient". (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File) GENEVA (AP) - Swiss voters on Sunday rejected a national referendum on a cattle farmer's proposal to have the government subsidize herders of goats and cows if they let their animals keep their horns, official results showed. The Swiss federal chancellery said 54.7 percent of voters opposed the measure, which proponents had said would improve the happiness and well-being of the animals, while 45.3 percent cast ballots in favor. Opponents, like a key federation of cattle raisers as well as the federal government, said the measure would cost as much as $30 million a year, and drain funds from other activities. Armin Capaul, the small-scale cattle herder who had spearheaded the proposal, told Swiss public television RTS that he had "achieved something great, by making people sensitive to the condition of cows. It's sensational." The greatest percentage of support for the initiative among Swiss cantons, or regions, came in Geneva - one of the most urban cantons - where nearly three in five voters supported it. The impact of the issue was more spectacle than substance. Three-fourths of cows raised in Switzerland don't have horns, and many are born naturally without them. The Swiss were also called to vote on two other referendums as part of Switzerland's form of direct democracy. Referendums, often held several times a year, follow petition drives mustering at least 100,000 signatures to bring issues up for a vote and ultimately change the constitution. FILE - In this April 13, 2014 file photo two cows fight during the traditional "Combats de Reines" ("Battle of the Queens"), a cow fight in Bussy-Chardonney, western Switzerland. During the combat the cows simply push forehead against forehead. They also use their horns in different ways. Swiss will decide on Sunday whether to ban farmers from removing cow horns. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP, file The electorate solidly approved a measure that will allow insurance providers to secretly monitor people suspected of insurance fraud: It passed by nearly 65 percent to just over 35 percent. Voters quashed the last measure on the federal ballot: A "self-determination" proposal to ensure Switzerland's constitution precedence takes over international treaties agreed by the government, an idea supported by the country's leading right-wing populist party, the Swiss People's Party. Roughly two-thirds of those balloting rejected that plan. Approval could have, in particular, had an impact on Switzerland's multifaceted, multi-accord relationship with the European Union. Switzerland is not a member of the EU but is all but surrounded by four members of the bloc: Austria, France, Germany and Italy. Overall turnout was just under 47 percent. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - Sri Lanka's president on Sunday assured non-interference in ongoing investigations into abductions, killings of journalists and other crimes allegedly committed by those connected to the new prime minister and his Cabinet. President Maithripala Sirisena said that the courts and police would continue to function independently despite Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa joining his government. He said "no one can interfere" with the police and courts. Sirisena's remarks to foreign media correspondents came amid growing fears that investigations into alleged killings and malpractices mostly blamed on the immediate family members of Rajapaksa and his Cabinet ministers would be stalled with Rajapaksa's appointment as prime minister last month. "With a political change of this nature, there could be different thoughts, but my policy is that they should not change," Sirisena said when asked about the fate of the investigations with Rajapaksa, a former strongman president, now in control of the government. Rajapaksa is considered a hero by some in the ethnic Sinhalese majority for ending Sri Lanka's long civil war by crushing ethnic Tamil Tiger rebels. However, his time in power was marred by allegations of wartime atrocities, corruption and nepotism. FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2015 file photo, Sri Lanka's then-incoming President Maithripala Sirisena waves to supporters as he leaves the election secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's president on Sunday assured non-interference in ongoing investigations into abductions, killings of journalists and other crimes allegedly committed by those connected to the new prime minister and his Cabinet. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena, File) Sri Lanka has been in a political crisis since Oct. 26, when Sirisena abruptly fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed Rajapaksa. Both claim to be the legitimate officeholder, with Wickremesinghe saying he has majority support in Parliament and his firing was invalid. On Friday, lawmakers opposed to Rajapaksa won control of a key committee that sets Parliament's agenda, dealing a severe blow to his leadership. Previously, Parliament had passed two confidence motions against Rajapaksa. As a result, the parliamentary speaker, Karu Jayasuriya, said the prime minister and the government do not exist. The votes on the no-confidence motions were taken by voice votes as Parliament turned violent, with rival lawmakers exchanging blows. Meanwhile, lawmakers supporting Rajapaksa threw books, chairs and chili powder mixed with water to try to block the proceedings. Rajapaksa rejected the results of the vote, saying important issues should not be decided by voice. He also insisted the speaker had no authority to remove him and said he is continuing to work as prime minister. Tensions had been building between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe for some time, as the president did not approve of economic reforms introduced by the prime minister. Sirisena has also accused Wickremesinghe and another Cabinet member of plotting to assassinate him, a charge Wickremesinghe has repeatedly denied. MUKONO, Uganda (AP) - Ugandan divers retrieved 31 bodies and expected to find more in a capsized vessel in Lake Victoria, making it one of the country's worst maritime disasters and prompting the president to call for more stringent safety regulations. The vessel was believed to be overcrowded with nearly 100 passengers, said Zurah Ganyana, a senior police officer at the scene. At least 27 people were rescued overnight, lower than earlier reports, she said. The boat, on a routine pleasure cruise and full of mostly youthful revelers, overturned and sank at about 7 p.m. on Saturday, she said. Among the many tragic stories was one of a man who went out to help rescue people and drowned when he was dragged underwater by a desperate passenger. The MV Templa was in poor condition, had been grounded for some time and lacked a valid license to operate, authorities said. Marine police tried to prevent the boat from embarking on the cruise, but they were overwhelmed by the presence of two local princes among the passengers, they said. "Such boats cannot carry more than 50 people," said lawmaker Johnson Muyanja, who represents part of the district of Mukono, the site of the accident. "Here we don't have limits. Our problem is that we don't have control. The number of people on board was too much compared to the size of the boat." Ugandan police carry away a body of one of the victims of a boat which capsized in Lake Victoria near the capital, Kampala, Uganda, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Police say dozens died when the boat, which was carrying more than 90 passengers on a pleasure cruise, capsized Saturday evening. (AP Photo/Stephen Wandera) The steel-built narrow vessel was said to have recently undergone repairs, including patching up holes in the hull. It was in and out of business, its operators allegedly dodging inspectors who wanted to impound the boat, said Aggrey Bagiire, the state minister for transport. "Out of this calamity we can now take some steps that are solid and punitive," he said. "Someone just buys a yacht and puts it on the water, without having registered it, without taking it for inspection. There is impunity." The boat had gone about half its journey when the captain noticed the hull was "taking in water very quickly from welded spots," said Henry Ategeka, Uganda's principal marine inspector, citing findings from a preliminary investigation. The disaster has shocked many in this East African country where a cruise on Lake Victoria is an increasingly popular weekend activity for young people in Kampala. The boat capsized close to shore, near a Mukono beach resort. Witnesses said they heard people calling for help as they tried to stay afloat and others tried to swim ashore. Many were women. "They were shouting 'Help us! Help us!' and the boat was sinking very quickly," said Sam Tukei, one of several local men who used fishermen's canoes to rescue people. "By the time the police came we had saved many people." A stampede ensued when the rescue boats arrived, and at least one man in the rescue party was drowned by the people he had come to help. "They took him down with them. In the morning, when they found his body, another dead man was still grabbing him," said Maureen Nagawa, speaking of her drowned cousin. Early Sunday a police helicopter hovered low over the spot where the boat sank, as a team of divers searched for bodies under calm waters. As the death toll rose, so did the crowd of onlookers at the beach abutting a quiet village surrounded by agricultural fields. Police carried victims in tarpaulins and hauled them into a waiting truck, occasionally drawing loud wails from some of the onlookers. One young woman, seeing a victim she apparently recognized, fainted and was rushed to hospital. One reason many people died so close to shore was likely "intoxication," said Asuman Mugenyi, national director of police operations. Citing the accounts of some survivors, he said there was a good number of life jackets aboard the doomed vessel that passengers neglected to wear. The boat's passengers, in a party mood, likely panicked when the vessel started to sink, he said. Other officials said that the captain's emergency commands may have been drowned out by loud music. Among the victims were the couple who owned and operated the boat, according to police officer Ganyana. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said on Twitter that he had ordered the electronic registration and monitoring of all boats "so that we can know who is where on the lake and why." "Obviously, the operators of this boat will be charged with criminal negligence and manslaughter, if they have not already been punished for their mistake by dying in the accident," he said. "Let everybody take the warning from this tragedy." Boat accidents are increasingly common on East Africa's major lakes, including Lake Victoria, which is surrounded by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. More than 200 people were killed in a Tanzanian ferry disaster in September, with officials saying it had been dangerously overcrowded. ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa Ugandan divers look up as a helicopter searches for victims of a boat which capsized in Lake Victoria near the capital, Kampala, Uganda, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Ugandan diving teams are retrieving bodies from Lake Victoria where police say dozens died in a boat accident Saturday evening. (AP Photo/Stephen Wandera) Relatives look on as police search for the victims of a boat which capsized in Lake Victoria near the capital Kampala, Uganda Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Ugandan diving teams are retrieving bodies from Lake Victoria where police say dozens died in a boat accident Saturday evening. (AP Photo/Stephen Wandera) A helicopter searches for victims of a boat which capsized in Lake Victoria near the capital, Kampala, Uganda Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Ugandan diving teams are retrieving bodies from Lake Victoria where police say dozens died in a boat accident Saturday evening. (AP Photo/Stephen Wandera) Onlookers observe the scene as Ugandan police carry away the bodies of victims of a boat which capsized in Lake Victoria near the capital, Kampala, Uganda Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Police say dozens died when the boat, which was carrying more than 90 passengers on a pleasure cruise, capsized Saturday evening. (AP Photo/Stephen Wandera) DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Russian warplanes attacked rebel-held areas in northern Syria for the first time in weeks on Sunday, as Syrian officials said more than 100 people were treated at hospitals for a suspected poison gas attack in the northern city of Aleppo that Damascus and Moscow blamed on rebels. The rebels, who have denied carrying out any poison gas attacks, accused the government of trying to undermine a truce reached by Russia and Turkey in September during a summit in the Russian city of Sochi. The targeted area is rebel-held and home to extremist groups opposed to the truce such as the al-Qaida-linked Horas al-Din, which has described the deal as a "great conspiracy," and the Ansar al-Din Front. Russian military spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov told reporters in Moscow that Russian warplanes destroyed militant positions in northern Syria blaming them for the attack with poison gas on Aleppo. The latest wave of shelling and airstrikes in northern Syria is the most serious violation of a truce reached by Russia and Turkey that brought relative calm to the country's north for the past two months. "The planes of Russia's Aerospace Defense Forces carried out strikes on the detected artillery positions of terrorists in the area, from where the shelling of Aleppo civilians with chemical munitions was conducted late" Saturday, Konashenkov said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Thiqa News Agency, an activist collective, said warplanes pounded rebel-held areas west and south of Aleppo city. The airstrikes were the first since the truce went into effect on Sept. 17. In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows a woman receiving oxygen through respirators following a suspected chemical attack on her town of al-Khalidiya, in Aleppo, Syria, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. Some 50 civilians were being treated following a suspected poison gas attack by Syrian rebel groups on the government-held Aleppo city in the country's north, according to Syrian state media. (SANA via AP) Syria's Arab News Agency, SANA, said Syrian troops pounded rebel positions near Aleppo "inflicting heavy losses among terrorists." SANA said the alleged chemical attack late Saturday was carried out by "terrorist groups positioned in Aleppo countryside" that fired shells containing toxic gases on three neighborhoods in Syria's largest city. Human Rights Watch's Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa Lama Fakih said "serious reports of suspected chemical weapon attacks should not be left without investigation." She added that all parties, including the Syrian government and Russia, should facilitate an investigation by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons into the suspected attack in Aleppo. Konashenkov said earlier that Russian chemical weapons specialists have been dispatched to Aleppo. Russia is a close ally of President Bashar Assad and has intervened in recent years to turn the tide of the civil war in his favor. "According to preliminary data, particularly the symptoms shown by the victims, the shells that bombarded residential areas of Aleppo were filled with chlorine gas," Konashenkov said. Syria's forensic medicine general director, Zaher Hajo, told The Associated Press that all but 15 of the 105 people who were treated have been discharged. He said two people who were in critical condition have improved. The Observatory said 94 people were treated, with 31 remaining in hospitals. Turkey's defense ministry in a statement said Sunday Minister Hulusi Akar spoke with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu about the recent developments in northern Syria. The statement said the two exchanged views on "recent provocations that have been evaluated as aimed to undermine the Sochi agreement may continue and the need to be ready." A joint team from the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons accused Syria's government of using chlorine gas in at least two attacks in 2014 and 2015, and the nerve agent sarin in an attack in April 2017 in the town of Khan Sheikhoun that killed about 100 people. The UN-OPCW team also accused the Islamic State extremist group of using mustard gas twice, in 2015 and 2016. The Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of activists and contacts throughout Syria, said the airstrikes hit the Rashideen district on the western outskirts of Aleppo and the village of Khan Touman south of the city. The truce brokered by Russia and Turkey, which supports the rebels, has been repeatedly violated, but until Sunday there had been no airstrikes. Syrian state media meanwhile reported that rebels shelled the Christian village of Mahradeh in northwestern Syria, causing material damage but no casualties. In Jordan, local media reported that troops opened fire on six people trying to infiltrate the border from Syria killing four and wounding two. ___ Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press writer Matthew Bonder in Moscow contributed to this report. In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows medical staff treating a boy following a suspected chemical attack on his town of al-Khalidiya, in Aleppo, Syria, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. Some 50 civilians were being treated following a suspected poison gas attack by Syrian rebel groups on the government-held Aleppo city in the country's north, according to Syrian state media. (SANA via AP) In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows a man receiving oxygen through respirators following a suspected chemical attack on his town of al-Khalidiya, in Aleppo, Syria, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. Some 50 civilians were being treated following a suspected poison gas attack by Syrian rebel groups on the government-held Aleppo city in the country's north, according to Syrian state media. (SANA via AP) BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union has formally approved a divorce agreement with Britain, the first country ever to leave the 28-nation bloc. The deal consists of a legally binding withdrawal agreement that runs more than 580 pages, and a 26-page political declaration on future relations. Some key points: WITHDRAWAL AGREEMENT Transition period: Britain will leave the EU on March 29 but remain inside the bloc's single market and be bound by its rules until the end of December 2020, while the two sides work out a new trade relationship. The transition period can be extended for up to two years before July 1, 2020, if both parties decide more time is needed. Irish border: The deal commits the two sides to a "backstop" solution to guarantee the border between EU member Ireland and the U.K.'s Northern Ireland remains free of customs posts or other obstacles. It keeps the U.K. in a customs arrangement with the EU, and will last until superseded by permanent new trade arrangements. Both sides say they hope to have a new deal in place by the end of 2020, so the backstop is never needed. Divorce bill: Britain agrees to pay about 39 billion pounds ($50 billion) to cover contributions to staff pensions and commitments to EU programs the U.K. made while a member for the funding period that runs to 2020. European Council President Donald Tusk, left, shakes hands with European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier during a media conference at the conclusion of an EU summit in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union gathered Sunday to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Citizens' rights: EU citizens living in Britain, and Britons elsewhere in the bloc, will continue to have the rights to live and work. ___ POLITICAL DECLARATION The two sides commit to "an ambitious, broad, deep and flexible partnership across trade and economic cooperation, law enforcement and criminal justice, foreign policy, security and defense and wider areas of cooperation." But many of the details will only be worked out after Britain leaves the EU on March 29. Trade: Britain and the EU seek a "comprehensive" economic relationship, including a free-trade area. There will be common customs arrangements to provide tariff-free trade, and the two sides commit to "build and improve on" the temporary single customs territory set out in the withdrawal agreement. The U.K. "will consider aligning with Union rules in relevant areas" to ensure a friction-free economic relationship. But the document acknowledges that closeness will be limited by the EU's need to protect the integrity of its single market, and by Britain's desire for an independent trade policy. Irish border: Britain and the EU commit to replacing the "backstop" with a permanent solution "that establishes alternative arrangements for ensuring the absence of a hard border on the island of Ireland." This could include as-yet undeveloped technological solutions. Financial services: The two sides should explore whether they can declare the other's regulatory regimes "equivalent" in order to facilitate cross-border financial services. They should aim to conclude their assessments by the end of June 2020. Fishing: One of the most contentious issues - who has access to U.K. and EU territorial waters - is deferred. The declaration says only that the two sides should "establish a new fisheries agreement," ideally by July 1, 2020. Security: The two sides will try to maintain law-enforcement cooperation at the same level as now, "as far as is technically and legally possible." There should be "timely exchanges of intelligence and sensitive information between the relevant Union bodies and the United Kingdom authorities." Travel: Citizens of the U.K. and the EU will not need visas for short visits. ___ NEXT STEP British Parliament: The biggest hurdle to implementing the agreement reached Sunday will be the upcoming vote in Britain's Parliament. That vote is expected before Christmas and will likely be preceded by days of impassioned debate in the House of Commons. Prime Minister Theresa May is lobbying hard for passage, but she faces an uphill battle in Parliament in part because her own Conservative Party contains a group of disgruntled legislators who say they will oppose the deal. The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, which usually supports the government, is also opposed to the deal, as are the leaders of the main opposition Labour Party and the much smaller Liberal Democrats. May has several weeks to muster support. European leaders are adamant that they will not make further concessions to make it easier for her to gain Parliament's approval. British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves the stand after a media conference in Brussels, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. European Union gathered on Sunday to seal an agreement on Britain's departure from the bloc next year, the first time a member country will have left the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Formula One has reached a new four-year deal with Pirelli as its tire supplier from 2020-23 inclusive. F1 chairman and CEO Chase Carey says "we are delighted to have reached this agreement, which guarantees a long-term stable future." The current partnership expired at the end of 2019. As from 2021, F1 will move toward narrower front tires. Governing body FIA also wants its tires to degrade more slowly to encourage more aggressive driving. ___ Pirelli CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera, center, poses for a picture with his staff behind the new Pirelli tyre during a presentation ahead of the Emirates Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. Formula One has reached a new four-year deal with Pirelli as it tire supplier from 2020-23 inclusive. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) More AP auto racing: https://racing.ap.org ___ KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Hundreds of protesters have clashed with police in the Afghan capital after the arrest of a Shiite militia commander. Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid says three policemen were shot and wounded and another 20 were hit by stones thrown by the protesters, who torched two police checkpoints. The demonstrations erupted after the arrest of Alipoor, who leads a Shiite militia in the western Ghor province and who goes by one name. It was not immediately clear what he is charged with, but state-allied militias are often accused of extortion and other mafia-like behavior. During a previous attempt to arrest Alipoor, in June, security forces in Ghor clashed with his followers, leading to the deaths of seven civilians and four police. ISLAMABAD (AP) - The assault on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi was the latest in a series of attacks on China's growing influence in Pakistan, where Beijing is financing tens of billions of dollars' worth of megaprojects that critics fear will plunder the country's resources and leave it with crippling debt. Friday's attack, which killed two police and two Pakistani civilians, was claimed by ethnic Baluch separatists who have long accused the federal government of unfairly exploiting the oil and mineral-rich Baluchistan region. But concern about China's growing involvement in Pakistan is more widespread. The relationship has come to be defined by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, a sprawling package that includes everything from road construction and power plants to agriculture - and has an estimated cost of up to $75 billion. The largest component is a 3,200-kilometer (2,000-mile) road linking China to Pakistan's deep-water port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea, a highway running directly through Baluchistan. ONE ROAD, MANY PROJECTS CPEC, also known as the One Road Project, is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, a global endeavor aimed at reconstituting the Silk Road and linking China to all corners of Asia. In Pakistan, it has been billed as a massive development program that will bring new prosperity to the South Asian nation, where the average citizen lives on just $125 a month. Chinese firms have been contracted to build a number of coal-fired and hydro-electric power plants, as well as wind and solar projects. Other firms will be building new road and rail links between Pakistani cities and mass transit systems within them. China is also helping to expand and develop the Gwadar port. FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 2, 2018 file photo, Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. The assault on the consulate in Karachi, Friday, Nov. 13, 2018, was the latest in a series of attacks on China's growing influence in Pakistan, where Beijing is financing tens of billions of dollars' worth of megaprojects that critics fear will plunder the country's resources and leave it with crippling debt. (Thomas Peter/Pool Photo via AP) In addition to the big-budget items, China is also installing cross-border fiber-optic cables, an early warning system for the Pakistan Meteorological Department and experimental agricultural projects. ___ SOARING COSTS The full cost of all the projects, and the exact terms of the Chinese loans, have never been made public. A recent report in the English-language Dawn Newspaper raised the estimated cost of the power and infrastructure projects from $46 billion to $57 billion. Pakistan is already mired in a financial crisis, and is seeking an $8 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund. The United States, which exerts heavy influence on the global lender, has said it will not support a bailout package that feeds Chinese coffers. Weeklong talks with the IMF in Islamabad earlier this month ended without a deal being reached, although negotiations are ongoing. Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan, who visited China earlier this month, has acknowledged the balance of payments crisis and vowed to renegotiate agreements that are not favorable to his country. But it's unclear if China is willing to extend more favorable terms. ___ LOCAL ANGER The projects have inflamed longstanding grievances in Baluchistan and other areas, where residents accuse the central government of favoring the country's Punjab province. Punjab is home to some 60 percent of the country's 200 million people, and is home to most of the political elite. Baluchistan has long been the scene of a low-level insurgency by ethnic Baluchs, who want autonomy or outright independence. The attack on the Chinese Consulate was claimed by the Baluch Liberation Army, which has carried out a dozen attacks against Chinese-linked projects this year alone. Earlier this year its gunmen opened fire on two Chinese nationals in Karachi, killing one. In an August letter the group threatened more attacks if China does not halt "the exploitation of Baluchistan's mineral wealth and occupation of Baluch territory." Other militant groups have also issued threats, and in October 2017 the Chinese Embassy requested additional security after a threat against the ambassador. ___ A SECURITY CHALLENGE China's footprint has grown considerably in Pakistan, with some estimates saying about 700,000 Chinese nationals are currently in the country, directly or indirectly connected to the One Road Project. The International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank, says a special security division comprising 15,580 soldiers and a maritime force has been tasked with protecting Chinese workers and Chinese projects. But that too could end up angering local residents. "From the project's entry point, Gwadar, to its exit point, in Gilgit-Baltistan, the state's response to local dissent and alienation has been an overbearing security presence, marked by army checkpoints, intimidation and harassment of local residents and crackdowns on anti-CPEC protest," the Crisis Group said in a June report. FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2016 file photo, then Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, center left, prays during the inauguration a new international trade route at the Gwadar port which links to China's western region, west of Karachi, Pakistan. The assault on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, was the latest in a series of attacks on China's growing influence in Pakistan, where Beijing is financing tens of billions of dollars' worth of megaprojects that critics fear will plunder the country's resources and leave it with crippling debt. (AP Photo/Muhammad Yousuf, File) FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 file photo, people comfort a family member of a police officer killed during a shootout at the Chinese Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan. The assault on the consulate in Karachi Friday was the latest in a series of attacks on China's growing influence in Pakistan, where Beijing is financing tens of billions of dollars' worth of megaprojects that critics fear will plunder the country's resources and leave it with crippling debt. (AP Photo/Shakil Adil, File) FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2016 file photo, a Pakistan soldier stands guard while a loaded Chinese ship prepares to depart, at Gwadar port, about 700 kilometers (435 miles) west of Karachi. Pakistan. The assault on the consulate in Karachi, Friday, Nov. 13, 2018, was the latest in a series of attacks on China's growing influence in Pakistan, where Beijing is financing tens of billions of dollars' worth of megaprojects that critics fear will plunder the country's resources and leave it with crippling debt. (AP Photo/Muhammad Yousuf, File) In this Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 photo, people carry caskets of Pakistani civilians killed in a shootout during an attack on Chinese Consulate by militants in Karachi, in Quetta, Pakistan. The assault on the consulate in Karachi Friday was the latest in a series of attacks on China's growing influence in Pakistan, where Beijing is financing tens of billions of dollars' worth of megaprojects that critics fear will plunder the country's resources and leave it with crippling debt. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt) FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2017 file photo, a Pakistani police officer stands guard at the site of Pakistan China Silk Road in Haripur, Pakistan. The assault on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, Friday, Nov. 13, 2018, was the latest in a series of attacks on China's growing influence in Pakistan, where Beijing is financing tens of billions of dollars' worth of megaprojects that critics fear will plunder the country's resources and leave it with crippling debt. (AP Photo/Aqeel Ahmed, File) NEW YORK (AP) - The New York trial of a prominent Hong Kong businessman charged in a United Nations-linked bribery conspiracy is set to begin with jury selection Monday. The trial of Dr. Chi Ping Patrick Ho begins a year after he was arrested on charges accusing him of paying bribes so a Chinese energy conglomerate could secure business advantages. He has been held without bail. His lawyer has said Ho is looking forward to clearing his name. Ho was once Hong Kong's home affairs secretary. Ho has insisted he is not guilty of charges that he conspired in October 2014 to bribe the president of Chad and the Ugandan foreign minister. Prosecutors say Ho's former co-defendant, Cheikh Gadio, will testify at trial that Ho arranged a $2 million bribe to be delivered to Chad's president in gift boxes. Last Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska overruled defense objections, saying Gadio can testify that he understood Ho's $2 million cash payment to President Idriss Deby to be a "bribe." FILE - In this July 2015, file photo, Dr. Chi Ping Patrick Ho, former Hong Kong home secretary, deputy chairman of an non-governmental organization funded by CEFC China Energy poses during an interview in Hong Kong. Jury selection starts Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, in New York for the prominent Hong Kong businessman's bribery trial. Ho was arrested in 2017 on charges he paid bribes so a Chinese energy conglomerate could secure business advantages. (AP Photo/File) Ho's lawyers had argued that Gadio's testimony as to whether the $2 million was a "bribe" was lay opinion and should be kept out of evidence the jury can consider. Preska said she agreed with arguments by prosecutors that it would be difficult for Gadio to convey his understanding about the payment to the jury without using the word "bribe." She said banning him from use of the word would risk confusing the jury. The judge said she will also let prosecutors show jurors evidence that Ho would only contribute money to a former U.N. official if the official agreed to take actions to benefit the energy conglomerate. And she said she'll let jurors see evidence of Ho's brokering Iranian transactions and arms transactions. She said she'll ban other evidence though, including arguments about the merits of projects Ho sought to advance through bribery or good causes toward which the officials he bribes could have used the bribe payments. Preska also noted that defense lawyers have said they will not try to argue that the U.S. brought the case against Ho as part of a broader campaign against China or that the timing of the prosecution was part of a broader political agenda. WASHINGTON (AP) - Call it the chaos theory for picking the next House speaker. Those Democrats trying to stop California Rep. Nancy Pelosi from reclaiming the job say they don't need a rival candidate just yet. Instead, they plan to show that Pelosi lacks the votes to win the race. And then, they say, new challengers will emerge. It's strategy that has other Democrats cringing at the prospect of their new House majority in disarray. They say voters swept them to office in this month's elections to govern, not become bogged down by the kind of Republican infighting that sent Ohio Rep. John Boehner to an early exit as speaker and weakened his successor, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan. The last thing they want is a floor fight over the leadership post when Congress opens work in January. "If the first Democratic value they see is chaos, I don't think that's very good," said Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., who recently wrote an op-ed with colleagues supporting Pelosi. "I don't think it's a good look at all." The chaos theory will be put to a test this coming week when House Democrats meet in private for a vote nominating Pelosi to become speaker in January. She held that post from 2007 to 2011, the first woman to serve as speaker. FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2018, file photo, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, smiles as she meets with reporters on Election Day at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington. Those trying to stop Pelosi from becoming House speaker say they don't need a rival now, but instead plan to show she lacks the votes to win, and at that point, they say, challengers will emerge (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) After one potential rival stepped aside, Pelosi is expected to easily win the majority from her ranks. But opponents have hopes of denying her the broader support she needs when the new Congress holds a vote in January. One of those organizing against her, Rep. Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y., said recently that the lack of a sure-fire challenger is beside the point. The goal is to force the question. "The whole concept of you can't beat somebody with nobody is a Nancy Pelosi talking point," she said. As Rice and others in the group led by Reps. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts and Tim Ryan of Ohio see it, it's all in the math. At the moment, there are at least 15 Pelosi opponents, making for a razor-thin vote. House Democrats won a 233-seat majority in the 435-member House in the November midterm election, with a few races still uncalled. Pelosi needs 218 to win the job, if all Republicans oppose her, which is likely. The margin could expand slightly with absences or if lawmakers simply vote "present." "The first step is showing that she cannot get to 218," Rice told reporters, "and then I believe the challengers will emerge that can allow new members to say, Ok here's another possibility, now I get it." Moulton, a Marine veteran, said earlier he hopes it will be "a chaotic debate" for new leadership because "that would be healthy for the party." But after the election delivered Democrats the House majority, it's an approach that may require a leap of faith that other lawmakers are unwilling to take, especially as Pelosi amasses an outpouring of support from advocacy groups, labor unions and even former President Barack Obama in a display of raw power. Trying to head off that debate, Pelosi sent a letter to colleagues thanking "so many of you for the strong support you have given me" and asked that "we all support" the party's nominee for speaker when the full House votes. "Our unity is our power," she wrote. At one point Pelosi's opponents counted 17 Democrats on a letter against Pelosi and were hoping for more. But one by one, some of them started standing down. A potential rival, Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, decided against a challenge, agreeing instead to lead a new subcommittee on voting integrity. Pelosi revived that panel and recommended Fudge for the post, elevating an issue important to the Congressional Black Caucus, especially after close races this month in Florida and Georgia. Another opponent, Rep. Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., dropped his opposition after he said Pelosi agreed to have him take the lead on his proposal to expand Medicare as an option for those age 50 to 65. As opponents regrouped, Pelosi was home for the holiday recess in California, working the phones and doling out the kinds of perks that show the potential power of being speaker in ways it hasn't been wielded on Capitol Hill. Boehner and Ryan struggled to corral their majority since Republicans gained control of the House in 2011. The revolt from within the GOP ranks started with the 2010 tea party election and continued with the Freedom Caucus that pushed Boehner to early retirement. Ryan was able to pass the GOP tax bill into law but the right flank repeatedly flexed its muscle including during California Rep. Kevin McCarthy's recent election as minority leader. Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., said she remembers being in the House chamber as the Boehner speaker's race teetered, and thinking the dysfunction on display wasn't good for Republicans or Democrats. She wrote the op-ed with Beyer in part because she cannot imagine facing voters in the St. Paul suburbs back home if a floor fight emerges as the Democratic majority's first order of business. "People in Minnesota would be very, very disappointed - from disappointed to outrage - that we are blowing an opportunity," she said. "Those voters aren't looking for chaos. They're looking for effective, responsible governing." Newly elected members, especially those who pledged to oppose Pelosi and make way for a new generation of leaders, are caught in the middle. One who supports Pelosi, Rep.-elect Katie Hill of California, said Democrats "need to minimize any internal party strife" and "hit the ground running day one." Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said in a tweet: "I hope that we can move swiftly to conclude this discussion about party positions, so that we can spend more time discussing party priorities." She backs Pelosi. Seasoned lawmakers, including Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., say now is not the moment for a public split. "I wouldn't want to see it come to the floor, in front of the nation," Cleaver said. "I don't want to shake the confidence of the millions of people who stepped out to vote." ___ Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report. ___ Follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/lisamascaro and https://twitter.com/AP_Politics HOOVER, Ala. (AP) - The father of a black man killed by a police officer during a shooting at an Alabama mall said his son had a permit to carry a gun for self-defense, adding it was hurtful police initially portrayed his son as the shooter. Emantic "EJ" Bradford Jr., 21, was fatally shot by the officer responding to the Thanksgiving night shooting that wounded an 18-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl bystander. Hoover police initially said they thought Bradford, who was carrying a handgun, was responsible but later retracted that statement. They subsequently said it was unlikely that Bradford had done the shooting. Bradford's father, Emantic Bradford Sr., speaking Saturday night with The Associated Press, said the family wants to know if there is police body camera footage from the shooting. Police have not confirmed to AP whether such footage exists. Hoover Police Captain Gregg Rector said investigators now believe that more than two people were involved in the initial fight ahead of the shooting, and that "at least one gunman" is still at large who could be responsible. Police said while Bradford Jr. "may have been involved in some aspect of the altercation, he likely did not fire the rounds that wounded the 18-year-old victim." Rector said police regret that their initial statement about Bradford was not accurate and added the shooting remains under investigation. About 200 demonstrators marched Saturday evening through the Riverchase Galleria mall in suburban Birmingham and held a moment of silence for Bradford at the spot where he was killed. The slain man's stepmother, Cynthia Bradford, described her stepson, who went by E.J., as a respectful young man whose father worked at a jail for the Birmingham Police Department. She also said of the initial police account: "We knew that was false." This undated image provided by Emantic Bradford, Sr. shows Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford, Jr., 21, posing for a picture at his father's home near Birmingham, Ala., in his senior year of high school. About 200 people marched through an Alabama shopping mall to protest Bradford Jr.'s death, whom police erroneously believed was the gunman who shot and wounded two people. The protesters gathered at the spot at the mall in suburban Birmingham where he was shot and killed after reports of gunfire. Police initially thought Bradford Jr. was responsible for shooting two people but later retracted that statement. (Emantic Bradford, Sr. via AP) The unanswered questions surrounding the shooting have stirred emotions in the suburb of the majority-black city of Birmingham. Demonstrators on Saturday included several relatives, and they chanted "E.J" and "no justice, no peace" as they marched past Christmas shoppers at the mall. Family members described their horror of finding out from social media that Bradford was dead. Video circulated on social media of Bradford lying in a pool of blood on the mall floor. Bradford's father called his son, "a good kid, a very good kid." Bradford Sr. said his son had a permit to carry a weapon in self-defense. He said he doesn't know exactly what happened at the mall but added: "They were so quick to rush to judgment. ... I knew my son didn't do that. People rushed to judgment. They shouldn't have done that." Carlos Chaverst, an activist in Birmingham who organized Saturday's protest, said that when authorities acknowledged that the person killed was not the actual shooter, "that sent us in an uproar." He said more protests will be held in the future to hold officials accountable. "When we found out about this incident, there were questions from the jump. People were upset because a man was shot and killed by police in our own backyard," he said. The incident began Thanksgiving night with a fight and shooting at the Riverchase Galleria, a mall crowded with Black Friday bargain hunters, according to authorities. An 18-year-old man was shot twice and a 12-year-old female bystander was shot in the back. Hoover police said Friday morning that the girl was in stable condition. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating the incident since it is an officer-involved shooting. The Hoover Police Department is conducting its own internal investigation. The officer who shot Bradford was placed on administrative leave while authorities investigate the shooting. The officer's name was not released publicly. The officer was not hurt. Video posted on social media by shoppers showed a chaotic scene as shoppers fled. A witness, Lexi Joiner, told Al.com she was shopping with her mother when the gunfire started. Joiner said she heard six or seven shots and was ordered, along with some other shoppers, into a supply closet for cover. "It was terrifying," Joiner said. ___ Associated Press writer Chevel Johnson in New Orleans contributed to this report. Protestors carry a sign reading "Justice for E.J." during a protest at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. A police shot and killed 21-year-old Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford, Jr. of Hueytown while responding to a shooting at the mall on Thanksgiving evening. Police said Bradford was fleeing the scene with a weapon. Hoover police initially told reporters Bradford had shot a teen at the mall, but later retracted the statement. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler) Elijah King holds a sign during a protest at the Riverchase Galleria mall in Hoover, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, over the police shooting of 21-year-old Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford, Jr. of Hueytown. Police were responding to a shooting that wounded an 18-year-old and 12year-old. Police initially said Bradford shot the teen that evening, but later said he was not the gunman. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler) This Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, image made from a video provided by ABC 33/40, authorities respond after reports of shots fired at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, a Birmingham, Ala., suburb. A man was shot and killed by police after a fight at the mall ahead of Black Friday shopping resulted in gunfire that injured several. (ABC 33/40 via AP) CHICAGO (AP) - Dashcam video showing Jason Van Dyke pointing his gun at black teenager Laquan McDonald and firing 16 times was key evidence in the murder conviction of the white Chicago police officer. The same video will be at the forefront again this week, as three more officers stand trial, accused of lying to protect Van Dyke in the aftermath of the killing. The trial starting Tuesday of David March, Joseph Walsh and Thomas Gaffney won't receive nearly as much media attention as Van Dyke 's, but there's no understating the significance of using that same video to underscore what prosecutors call the Chicago Police Department 's unofficial code of silence, in which officers cover for each other. "When you go out and talk to people who are living in communities that have experienced police abuse, what really makes them feel betrayed and lose faith in the system is the officers who cover up what they've seen or don't say anything," said Christy Lopez, a Georgetown University law professor who led a federal probe of the city's police force. "So, yes, this is very significant." Jim Pasco, executive director of the National Fraternal Order of Police, agrees but for a very different reason. "This is going to have a chilling effect on appropriate, aggressive policing," he said. The charges of conspiracy, misconduct and obstruction of justice boil down to the accusation that March, Walsh and Gaffney falsified their reports about the October 2014 shooting and didn't interview witnesses who could have provided accounts they didn't want to record. FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2018 file photo, from left, former Detective David March, Chicago Police Officer Thomas Gaffney and former officer Joseph Walsh appear at a pre-trial hearing at Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago. Prosecutors have laid out their case against the three Chicago police officers accused of participating in a cover-up of the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald. The trial of officers charged with lying in their reports to protect Van Dyke is set to begin on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool File) Prosecutors contend that Walsh, who was Van Dyke's partner and Gaffney, a patrolman, wrote among other things that McDonald assaulted Van Dyke. Gaffney claimed Van Dyke and other officers had been injured. Further, Walsh supported Van Dyke's claim that McDonald lunged at the two of them with a knife and, even after bullets knocked McDonald down, he "attempted to get up while still armed with a knife." None of these details was apparent on the dashcam video that captured the shooting and has been shown on news shows countless times since a judge ordered the city to make it public a year after the shooting. Prosecutors say March - a detective who investigated the shooting and who along with Walsh has since left the department - not only cleared Van Dyke of any wrongdoing by saying the video matched witness accounts, but also told another officer to include false information in her report. Gaffney remains on the force but has been suspended. While no other officers have been charged, the special prosecutor, Patricia Brown Holmes, said it is clear that others on the force, including brass, wanted Van Dyke to be cleared. "We should be applauding him, not second guessing him," wrote a sergeant identified only as March's supervisor in an email to a lieutenant. Prosecutors contend police also shooed witnesses from the scene, and that the defendants and others met at a station to "conceal the true facts" of the shooting. Not surprisingly, attorneys for the three dismiss any talk of conspiracy. "The whole indictment is a sham, based not on evidence, but on politics," March's attorney, James McKay, said at a recent hearing. Lopez, the law professor, said a conviction would send a powerful message to police officers all over the country that, "You can be held accountable, even if you didn't pull the trigger." But Robert Weisskopf, a retired Chicago police officer and former president of the lieutenants' union, said that message has already been sent. "Are you really going to work that hard and do anything more than the bare minimum if you think you could go to prison, lose your mortgage, have protesters in front of your house?" he asked. "They're going to say, 'Screw that.'" Others say the lessons of the shooting are less about politics and changing attitudes toward police, and more about the growing role of technology in policing. "You have a partner who screws up, you cover for him. That's not going to change," said Terry Ekl, a lawyer whose lawsuit in a videotaped beating of a female bartender by an off-duty Chicago police officer led the jury to conclude there was a code of silence in the department. "The use of the video, that's what's going to be a strong deterrent to condoning misconduct." Chicago's second trial in a matter of weeks to rely on the same explosive video will, he said, only remind everyone of that. WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal judge on Sunday rejected a last-minute bid by former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos to delay his two-week prison term and ordered him to surrender Monday as scheduled. Papadopoulos sought the delay until an appeals court had ruled in a separate case challenging the constitutionality of special counsel Robert Mueller's appointment. But in an order Sunday, U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss said Papadopoulos had waited too long to contest his sentence after it was handed down in September. Moss noted that Papadopoulos had agreed not to appeal in most circumstances as part of his plea agreement and the judge said the challenge to Mueller's appointment was unlikely to be successful in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Four different federal judges have upheld Mueller's appointment as proper. "The prospect that the D.C. Circuit will reach a contrary conclusion is remote," Moss wrote. Tweeting in response Sunday, Papadopoulos said he looked forward to telling the full story behind his case. In recent months, he has spent many nights posting on Twitter, as has his wife, venting anger about the FBI and insisting he was framed by the government. He has also offered to testify before the Senate's intelligence committee, which is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, if he's granted immunity or other conditions. "The truth will all be out. Not even a prison sentence can stop that momentum," Papadopoulos wrote Sunday. "Looking forward to testifying publicly shortly after. The wool isn't going to be pulled over America's eyes forever." FILE - In this Oct. 25, 2018, file photo, George Papadopoulos, the former Trump campaign adviser who triggered the Russia investigation, arrives for his first appearance before congressional investigators, on Capitol Hill in Washington. A judge has rejected an effort by former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser Papadopoulos to delay his two-week prison term and says Papadopoulos must surrender Monday, Nov. 26, as scheduled. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) Papadopoulos had filed an initial motion on Nov. 16, nearly two months after the deadline for appealing his conviction or sentence. He followed up with a request to delay his sentence pending that motion on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. "Papadopoulos waited until the eleventh hour to seek relief; indeed, he did not file his second motion - the stay request - until the last business day before he was scheduled to surrender to serve his sentence," Moss' 13-page order states. "He has only his own delay to blame. Papadopoulos pleaded guilty last year to lying to federal agents about his interactions with Russian intermediaries during the 2016 presidential campaign. He also forfeited most of his rights to contest his conviction. His lawyer argued that the appellate case could constitute new evidence that could allow him to mount a challenge. That case was brought by a witness refusing to comply with a Mueller grand jury subpoena. Papadopoulos' sentence, issued by Moss on Sept. 7, was far less than the maximum six-month sentence sought by the government but more than the probation that Papadopoulos and his lawyers had asked for. Moss at the time noted that many similar cases resulted in probation but said he imposed a sentence of incarceration partly to send a message to the public that people can't lie to the FBI. Papadopoulos, the first campaign aide sentenced in Mueller's investigation, triggered the initial Russia investigation two years ago. Memos written by House Republicans and Democrats and now declassified show that information about Papadopoulos' contacts with Russian intermediaries set in motion the FBI's counterintelligence investigation in July 2016 into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. That probe was later taken over by Mueller. The White House has said that Papadopoulos was a low-level volunteer on the campaign. PARIS (AP) - France's finance minister has said he will meet with the country's employers' federation and retailers to assess the economic impact of violent clashes with police over fuel tax hikes. Police bulldozers and garbage trucks cleaned up rubble on the Champs-Elysees on Sunday, a day after 8,000 people demonstrated against the fuel tax. Some of the protesters torched barriers and plywood boards. Paris police have said that 24 people were injured. Bruno Le Maire told BFMTV that on Monday he will meet with representatives "from retailers, merchants, craftsmen, chambers of commerce and the employers' federation" to estimate the protest's "impact on sales and on our economy." Paris' most iconic boulevard and its surrounding streets were littered with piles of charcoal debris. A bulldozer levels the barricade in the aftermath of a protest against the rising of the fuel taxes at the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, France, Sunday, Nov 25, 2018. French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned violence by protesters at demonstrations against rising fuel taxes and his government. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) Police officers patrol at the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, France, Sunday, Nov 25, 2018, in the aftermath of a protest against the rising of the fuel taxes. French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned violence by protesters at demonstrations against rising fuel taxes and his government. Tag on the shop window reads, "Macron it's time to pay the bill". (AP Photo/Michel Euler) A bulldozer cleans the street from a barricade in the aftermath of a protest against the rising of the fuel taxes at the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, France, Sunday, Nov 25, 2018. French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned violence by protesters at demonstrations against rising fuel taxes and his government. Tag on the barricade reads, "Macron resignation". (AP Photo/Michel Euler) A bulldozer levels the barricade in the aftermath of a protest against the rising of the fuel taxes at the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, France, Sunday, Nov 25, 2018. French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned violence by protesters at demonstrations against rising fuel taxes and his government. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) A demonstrator waves the French flag onto a burning barricade on the Champs-Elysees avenue with the Arc de Triomphe in background, during a demonstration against the rising of the fuel taxes, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in Paris. French police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Paris Saturday, as thousands gathered in the capital and staged road blockades across the nation to vent anger against rising fuel taxes and Emmanuel Macron's presidency.(AP Photo/Michel Euler) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A massive wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes in Northern California has been fully contained after burning for more than two weeks, authorities said Sunday. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the Camp fire had been surrounded by firefighters following several days of rain in and around the devastated town of Paradise. The nation's deadliest wildfire in a century killed at least 85 people, and 249 are on a list of those unaccounted for. The number of missing dropped in recent days as officials confirmed that more people were alive. Crews continued sifting through debris and ash for human remains. "It's certainly good to be done with the containment of this fire, even though there's still a lot of work to be done moving forward," fire spokeswoman Jennifer Erickson said. The blaze began on Nov. 8 in the parched Sierra Nevada foothills and quickly spread across 240 square miles (620 square kilometers), destroying most of Paradise in a day. FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, sheriff's deputies recover the remains of a victim of the Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif. The massive wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes has been fully contained after burning for more than two weeks, authorities said Sunday, Nov. 25. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File) Nearly 19,000 buildings, most of them homes, are gone. The firefight got a boost last week from the first significant winter storm to hit California. It dropped an estimated 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain over the burn area during a three-day period without causing significant mudslides, said Hannah Chandler-Cooley of the National Weather Service. In Southern California, more residents returned to areas evacuated in a destructive fire as crews repaired power, telephone and gas utilities. Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said they were in the last phase of repopulating Malibu and unincorporated areas of the county. At the height of the fire, 250,000 fled their homes. The fire was fully contained Nov. 21 after burning for two weeks. Three people died, and 1,643 buildings, most of them homes, were destroyed, officials said. ___ Follow Weber at https://twitter.com/WeberCM ___ Associated Press journalists Kathleen Ronayne in Paradise, California, and Daisy Nguyen in San Francisco contributed. FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2018, file photo, a firefighter searches for human remains in a trailer park destroyed in the Camp Fire, in Paradise, Calif. The massive wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes has been fully contained after burning for more than two weeks, authorities said Sunday, Nov. 25. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2018, file photo, after a brief delay to let a downpour pass, volunteers resume their search for human remains at a mobile home park in Paradise, Calif. A massive wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes in Northern California has been fully contained after burning for more than two weeks, authorities said Sunday, Nov. 25. (AP Photo/Kathleen Ronayne, File) FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2018, file photo, residences leveled by the wildfire line a neighborhood in Paradise, Calif. The massive wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes has been fully contained after burning for more than two weeks, authorities said Sunday, Nov. 25. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File) AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Tractor trailers carrying over a quarter of a million balsam wreaths will travel from Maine to the national veterans' cemetery in Virginia. The annual weeklong journey begins Saturday, Dec. 8. The convoy featuring volunteers and tractor trailers is set to arrive Dec. 15 at Arlington National Cemetery. The caravan stops at schools and memorials along the way. The convoy will stop in Augusta Sunday, Dec. 9 for a rally honoring veterans. A free mobile center serving veterans readjusting to life after deployment will be on-site. The Wreaths Across America caravan travels each year from Columbia Falls, Maine, where the wreaths are made. The tradition began when Maine wreath maker Morrill Worcester donated 5,000 wreaths to Arlington Cemetery. The grand marshal is American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. National President Becky Christmas. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck western Iran near its border with Iraq on Sunday night, injuring more than 500 people and sending fearful residents running into the streets, authorities said. The Sunday temblor hit near Sarpol-e Zahab in Iran's Kermanshah province, which was the epicenter of an earthquake last year that killed more than 600 people and where some still remain homeless. Dr. Mahmoud Reza Moradi, the head of Kermanshah's university of medical science, told Iranian state television that 513 people were hurt. Most of the injuries appeared to be minor; the semi-official ISNA news agency reported that only 33 people needed to be hospitalized. Authorities said dozens of rescue teams were immediately deployed after the quake stopped and the country's army and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard were responding. Officials reported damage at buildings both in town and in rural Kermanshah, as well as to some roadways. The temblor also downed power lines and caused power outages into the night as temperatures hovered around 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit). The quake struck just after 8 p.m. in Iran, meaning most were still awake at the time and able to quickly flee. The 6.3 earthquake had a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Iran state TV gave the depth as 5 kilometers (3.1 miles). Such shallow earthquakes have broader damage. The earthquake was felt as far away as the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, about 175 kilometers (110 miles) southwest. Iran is located on major seismic faults and experiences an earthquake per day on average. In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake flattened the historic city of Bam in southern Iran, killing 26,000 people. Last year's earthquake near Sarpol-e Zahab, a predominantly Kurdish town, had a magnitude of 7.3 and injured more than 9,000 people. The region, nestled in the Zagros Mountains, largely rebuilt in recent decades after Iran and Iraq's ruinous 1980s war, saw many buildings collapse or sustain major damage in the 2017 quake. Sarpol-e Zahab, some 520 kilometers (325 miles) southwest of the Iranian capital of Tehran, suffered half of the 2017 earthquake's casualties. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. WASHINGTON (AP) - The top Democrat on the House intelligence committee says President Donald Trump isn't telling the truth when he says a CIA report lacks evidence to blame Saudi Arabia's crown prince for the killing in Turkey of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi (jah-MAHL' khahr-SHOHK'-jee). Trump said Thursday the CIA report had "feelings certain ways" but no clear conclusion. Asked Sunday about Trump's characterization, California Rep. Adam Schiff, who was briefed on the classified report, told CNN: "I think the president is being dishonest." Schiff, the committee's incoming chairman, said the panel will look into the Trump family's business ties with Saudi Arabia and whether "personal financial interests" drive U.S.-Middle East policy. Schiff says Trump is telegraphing to despots he will have "their back" if they praise or do business with him. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The federal agency that oversees offshore petroleum leasing has received comment on Arctic Ocean drilling from a surprise source - NASA. Alaska's Energy Desk reports that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management asked for comment as the Trump administration considers a 2019 lease sale in the Beaufort Sea. A letter from NASA says Beaufort Sea drilling rigs could be affected by launches from its only high-latitude rocket range. The space administration funds Poker Flat Research Range outside Fairbanks. The high-latitude rocket range for decades has been operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks. "What we're known for is doing research on the aurora," Poker Flat director Kathe Rich said. Scientists launch rockets that pass through the aurora and sometimes land great distances from the launch site. "If we're looking for something that's fairly far north, it's going to come down in the Beaufort Sea or the Arctic Ocean, one or the other," Rich said. The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in April sent a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management estimating that 70 rocket parts have landed in the Beaufort Sea since the 1960s. NASA expressed concern that future oil and gas development in the Beaufort Sea could result in the need to protect additional people and property during launches. As scientists use higher-performing rockets nowadays, more could land in the Beaufort, according to NASA. The chance of rocket parts crashing onto oil rigs is extremely unlikely, Rich said. Scientists would not launch them if they thought people or infrastructure would be in danger. What's more likely is that more Beaufort Sea activity could limit research opportunities, Rich said. "The downrange area that we have, it can be kind of like threading a needle with all the various things that we need to avoid," Rich said. "So every time that you have to add something else in that can be avoided, that can result in fewer launch opportunities for us." Rich is optimistic that NASA and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will reach an agreement. The research is important because the aurora is like a visual manifestation of the sun's energy entering the earth's upper atmosphere. That energy can affect cellphone communications or the electrical grid Bureau spokesman John Callahan said by email the agency will work with NASA to explore the best options. "We're happy they've reached out to us to talk about safe operations in the Beaufort," Callahan said. "It's a great example of good lines of communication between federal agencies here." Few medical devices hold as much potential for explosive growth as spinal-cord stimulators , especially in the United States, where they are being pushed as the answer to the country's opioid epidemic. The global market for spinal-cord stimulators has grown from $300 million in 2001 to nearly $2 billion in 2017, according to an estimate by Nevro, a Redwood City, California, company that manufactures the devices. The financial services firm Canaccord Genuity Inc. has estimated that the market could approach $20 billion, saying the current market penetration represents only about 7 percent of potential customers. The U.S. is by far the biggest market for the stimulators. Medicare, major insurance carriers and a majority of states' worker compensation programs cover implantation of the devices. The top four manufacturers are Abbott, which got into the market in January 2017 with the $23.6 billion purchase of St. Jude Medical Inc.; Boston Scientific Corp.; Medtronic, and Nevro. Medtronic is among the world's largest manufacturers of medical devices overall. Its pain therapy products had net sales of just over $1 billion in fiscal year 2017. This combination of Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 photos shows demonstration models of implantable neurostimulators, top row from left, the Medtronic Intellis and the Boston Scientific Spectra WaveWriter SCS. Bottom row from left are the Abbott/St. Jude's Proclaim 7 Implantable Pulse Generator and Proclaim DRG Implantable Pulse Generator. For years, medical device companies and doctors have touted spinal cord stimulators as a panacea for millions of patients suffering from a wide range of intractable pain disorders. But the devices, surgically placed inside the back, that use electrical currents to block pain signals before they reach the brain _ are more dangerous than many patients understand, according to an Associated Press investigation. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Boston Scientific said net sales of its neuromodulation products, which include spinal-cord stimulators, was $635 million, or 7 percent of net sales last year. Abbott combined figures for its neuromodulation and cardiovascular products, showing net sales of $8.9 billion in 2017. Before being acquired by Abbott, St. Jude reported that its neuromodulation products, including spinal-cord stimulators, had net sales of $475 million in 2015. Only Nevro exclusively produces spinal-cord stimulators, making its market estimates the clearest indicator of the device's growing gains in the United States. Nevro's stimulator has been available in some European markets since 2010 and in Australia since 2011. The company's revenues soared after it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and launched U.S. sales in May 2015: Nevro reported total revenue of nearly $33 million in 2014. By 2017, revenue had skyrocketed to about $327 million. Like opioids, spinal-cord stimulators mask pain, but that's where the similarities end. The stimulators use electrical currents to block pain signals before they reach the brain. Pain medications, such as OxyContin and Percocet, instead change brain chemistry and are highly addictive. With physicians facing increasing criticism for writing narcotic prescriptions, the device manufacturers hope the opioid crisis can drive future sales and have reached out to powerful allies in Congress to try to ensure that. Lobbying records show that Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Abbott and Nevro have spent more than $22 million combined since 2017 trying to influence legislation that would benefit their overall business, which extends beyond just stimulators. Abbott has spent about $9.6 million, Medtronic $9.4 million, and Boston Scientific $3 million, according to an analysis by NBC, AP's partner in the reporting collaboration. Nevro spent at least $160,000 on lobbying firms with ties to former high-ranking government officials, the data shows. Device manufacturers have worked through the industry association AdvaMed to lobby Congress for legislation that includes spinal-cord stimulators as an answer to the opioid crisis. AdvaMed declared in February that "safer alternatives to opioids are already here," specifically mentioning stimulators as an effective treatment for pain. The association's president, Scott Whitaker, wrote Senate lawmakers that Congress should require government agencies to "provide increased educational opportunities" to doctors about medical devices that treat pain. His letter also said the government should do a better job paying for pain devices through Medicare, the federal program that provides health care for 60 million seniors and Americans with disabilities. This summer, senators adopted the industry's request in instructions accompanying a massive spending bill, expressing concern that "some non-opioid alternatives may not be adequately reimbursed by the Medicare program." More than 250 journalists in 36 countries representing more than 50 media organizations, including The Associated Press, spent nearly a year examining the safety of medical devices , such as how they are tested, approved and monitored by regulatory agencies. Led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, the group found that more than 1.7 million injuries and nearly 83,000 deaths suspected of being linked to medical devices had been reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over a 10-year period. The U.S. agency has the most sophisticated adverse event reporting system in the world but acknowledges that its data is inconsistent and incomplete. Anchoring the probe was an analysis of more than 8 million device-related health records, including death and injury reports and recalls. AP and ICIJ used the FDA's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database, or MAUDE, to analyze device problems, going back more than three decades. They eliminated reports that stemmed from academic literature reviews or studies, and largely focused on reports from 2008 through 2017. For some devices, they also analyzed the most-recent data available for the first half of 2018. To analyze the MAUDE data, the partners standardized as much as possible the names of device manufacturers - correcting misspellings, fixing irregularities and tracing back subsidiaries to their parent companies. Cases were tracked by the date they were reported to the U.S. health agency. Reporters also used FDA device approval datasets to help understand the issues involving devices reviewed under the agency's less stringent approval process, which covers the vast majority of devices that enter the market. In this Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 photo, sales representatives for Medtronic and Boston Scientific work their booths at the NYC Neuromodulation Conference in New York. For years, medical device companies and doctors have touted spinal cord stimulators as a panacea for millions of patients suffering from a wide range of intractable pain disorders. But the devices, surgically placed inside the back, that use electrical currents to block pain signals before they reach the brain _ are more dangerous than many patients understand, according to an Associated Press investigation. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) The FDA's product categorization system was used to cluster similar devices by their general purpose. Spinal-cord stimulators, a focus of AP's reporting, all fall into one product category; in the case of other devices, multiple product categories were combined to encompass the universe of devices. For instance, insulin pumps fall into five product categories; breast implants fall into two. Using a machine-learning algorithm to search the millions of FDA reports, the reporting group also found 2,100 cases over a five-year period in which people died but their deaths were misclassified as malfunctions or injuries. Due to incomplete and inconclusive data, only 220 of those could be directly linked to the medical device. The global reporting team made more than 1,500 Freedom of Information requests and interviewed patients, doctors, manufacturers and regulators around the world. It also examined whistleblower claims in federal lawsuits, studied academic papers and scrutinized the outcomes of device trials. Because no such global resource exists, ICIJ created the International Medical Devices Database , a publicly available research tool which gathers more than 70,000 recalls and safety notices from 11 countries. The tiny balloon was supposed to stretch open a blocked artery on Charles Riegel's diseased heart. Instead, when the doctor inflated the balloon, it burst. The patient went on life support but survived. His lawsuit against the manufacturer of that arterial balloon did not. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Medtronic, among the world's largest makers of medical devices, setting a precedent that has killed lawsuits involving some of the most sophisticated devices on the market. ___ WHAT DID THE SUPREME COURT DECISION DO? The device that harmed Riegel had cleared the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's most rigorous review, known as "pre-market approval." To reach consumers, Medtronic provided regulators with documentation that the Evergreen Balloon Catheter would be safe and effective. In this Oct. 31 2018 photo, George and Brenda Davis look at his nerve stimulator and medical documents at their home in Milton, Fla. George Davis had three Medtronic spinal-cord implants between 2003 and 2007 after a car accident mangled his back. They temporarily reduced some of his pain, but he said the non-rechargeable batteries that were supposed to last for years never did and he tired of multiple surgical removals. In 2015, he decided to try a Boston Scientific device. But he said he soon started feeling pain shooting down his back and legs and a burning sensation at the implant site. Brenda Davis said Boston Scientific disregarded her complaints after her husband suffered a life-threatening infection following implant surgery. (AP Photo/Holbrook Mohr) In Riegel v. Medtronic Inc., the justices grappled with whether Medtronic had any liability. They ruled that devices that have received pre-market approval are effectively immune from product liability lawsuits in state courts, where juries can award huge sums. The reasoning: Congress wrote that states couldn't add safety requirements beyond what the FDA imposes. Since the Supreme Court ruling in 2008, rare is the case when a manufacturer must pay suffering, lost wages and other compensation to patients who claim they were injured by a pre-market approved device. Patients who believe they've been harmed can still sue device makers in federal court. ___ WHY IS THIS LEGAL PRECEDENT GOOD PUBLIC POLICY? Because manufacturers can produce new devices without worrying about big lawsuits. "There's a huge social benefit to encouraging medical technology innovation," said Joe Winebrenner, a Minnesota attorney who has represented medical device companies. "It saves lives, it lengthens lives, it improves lives." ___ WHY IS THE PRECEDENT BAD PUBLIC POLICY? Because manufacturers can produce new devices without worrying about big lawsuits. Legal exposure is a powerful incentive to maximize safety, noted Dr. Hooman Noorchashm, a heart surgeon who stopped practicing to form a patient-advocacy group. Noorchashm criticized the Supreme Court precedent as fundamentally flawed, saying it places too much faith in the FDA's pre-market review. "That's just a deadly assumption," he said, "because there's no such thing as perfection." ___ WHO'S GETTING SHUT OUT? People like George Davis, who runs a small furniture company in Pensacola, Florida, with his wife, Brenda. To help relieve chronic back pain, Davis was implanted in 2016 with a spinal-cord stimulator made by Boston Scientific, another major manufacturer. The devices are supposed to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain, but the battery in Davis' device would overheat and burn his skin. Sharp pains would shoot up and down his spine, he said, and a massive infection broke out at the surgical site. Doctors removed the device, but not before debilitating damage had been done, Davis said. He wanted to sue, but lawyers declined to take on his case, citing the Supreme Court ruling. "The attorneys said it would cost too much money, the companies were too big, and they didn't think we'd win," Brenda Simpson-Davis said. "That case has had a chilling effect." PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A small amount of New England shrimp has been available to the public despite a fishing shutdown in recent years, but that will not be the case this winter. The next few years of a shutdown of the New England shrimp industry will extend to a limited, research-based fishery that has helped provide a small amount of the shrimp to retailers in the past, interstate fishing regulators have said. The managers recently decided to extend a moratorium on Northern shrimp fishing until 2021. In some previous years of the moratorium, New England's shrimp trawlers and trappers have been able to bring some of the popular winter seafood item to market via a program called the "research set aside." The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has ruled that the population of the shrimp, which is jeopardized by a warming ocean, is so low that even the research program isn't going to be implemented this time around. Canadian fishermen harvest the same species, but their product is difficult to find in the United States, rendering the shrimp essentially off the market for U.S. consumers. The shutdown has been a pain for consumers and fishermen, said Joe Leask, a shrimper out of Portland who previously participated in the research fishery. Many fishermen harvest different species during different times of the year, and the loss of shrimp has hurt them economically, he said. "It's a shame to lose the infrastructure they've built up," said Leask. "There are a lot of fishermen who depend on each season." FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2012 file photo, northern shrimp lie in a pile aboard a trawler in the Gulf of Maine. A small amount of New England shrimp has been available to the public despite a fishing shutdown in recent years, but that will not be the case in the winter of 2018-19. In some previous years of the moratorium, New England's shrimp trawlers and trappers have been able to bring some of the winter seafood item to market via a program called the "research set aside." The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has ruled that the population of the shrimp, which is jeopardized by a warming ocean, is so low that even the research program isn't going to be implemented this time around. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) The shrimp population has fallen as the Gulf of Maine has warmed, and the fishery was first shut down in 2013. Scientists have said the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than most of the world's oceans. The Atlantic States commission said in a statement earlier this month that "long-term trends in environmental conditions have not been favorable for" the shrimp. Fishermen from Massachusetts, New Hampshire and especially Maine formerly harvested the shrimp. Maine declined to participate in the research fishery last winter. The Atlantic States commission has said annual surveys will continue to be used to provide data about the status of the shrimp stock. WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Department of Defense officials say a 25-year-old soldier from Leavenworth, Washington, was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan. Army Sgt. Leandro A.S. Jasso died Saturday in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Army spokesman Lt. Col. Loren Bymer said Sunday that Jasso was wounded by small arms fire and was immediately treated and evacuated to the nearest medical treatment facility, where he died of his wounds. The incident is under investigation. Jasso was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. He was on his third deployment to Afghanistan after enlisting in the Army in 2012. In this undated photo released by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)/Department of Defense shows Sgt. Leandro Jasso, 25, who was assigned to Company A, 2d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Sgt. Jasso was wounded by small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan. He was immediately treated and medically evacuated to the nearest medical treatment facility, where he died of his wounds. (United States Special Operations Command/Department of Defense via AP) Lt. Col. Rob McChrystal, Commander 2nd Battalion, said Jasso was a humble professional who will be deeply missed. BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) - Relatives of a man whose body was used by the Bellingham Fire Department for intubation practice have filed claims against the city totaling more than $15 million, a newspaper reported. Eleven fire department employees - including two office workers - acknowledged practicing inserting and removing breathing tubes on the body of Bradley Ginn Sr. while waiting for it to be transported to a funeral home on July 31, The Bellingham Herald reported . A review by a Seattle attorney determined it had been an accepted practice for department paramedics to meet certification requirements by practicing on patients who had just died, the newspaper said. The fire department said in October that such "tube checks" were not to be performed without the consent of the patient's next-of-kin. Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville declined to comment on the litigation. Twelve employees were disciplined. One paramedic was suspended for a week without pay. A captain with nearly three decades of experience with the department retired rather than face demotion, and a division chief resigned, the department said. The state Department of Health is investigating the nine members of the department who participated and were credentialed health care providers. Records from the Bellingham City Attorney's Office show that Ginn's wife, Jai Ginn, filed a $15 million claim for damages on Oct. 4, saying she had suffered physical and mental pain from the "intentional and negligent care of a body and abuse by city of Bellingham employees." She also made claims for the unauthorized invasion and desecration of a dead body and possible wrongful death. One of the claims was filed by Bradley Ginn Jr. and seeks $200,000, the records show. Ginn Jr.'s lawyer said the intubations took place as family members were trying to locate Ginn Sr.'s body. Ginn Sr. had a do-not-resuscitate directive, which prohibited the use of invasive procedures such as intubation, the records state. ___ Information from: The Bellingham Herald, http://www.bellinghamherald.com DAVIE, Fla. (AP) - Police say one bicyclist has died and another has been critically injured after a car crashed into a group of 14 cyclists in South Florida. Davie police Sgt. Mark Leone tells news outlets that five cyclists suffered minor injuries Sunday morning. The group was riding along a state road in Davie, near Fort Lauderdale, when they were hit. According to authorities, the driver told police she was distracted but doesn't remember from what. Leone says speed, alcohol or drugs aren't believed to be a factor. Leone also says the driver reported that the sun was in her eyes just before the crash. ISTANBUL (AP) - Protesters in cities across Europe and elsewhere marked the U.N. International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Sunday, with tens of thousands turning out in Madrid and demonstrators in Istanbul greeted by tear gas. Hundreds of women gathered in Istanbul's Tunel Square to march on the city's main pedestrian Istiklal Avenue. Dozens of police formed a barricade and prevented the group from marching, saying their demonstration was not permitted. Police fired several rounds of tear gas to stop the group. The activists instead continued their demonstration in the square with a sit-in. They chanted slogans and dispersed peacefully. Rights groups say violence against women is widespread in Turkey, and an online database called the Monument Counter says at least 337 women were killed by domestic violence in 2018. Protests in Turkey have been especially restricted since 2013 after a wave of anti-government demonstrations, extremist attacks and a two-year state of emergency declared following a failed coup in 2016. The women's activist group Mor Cati said Turkey is more concerned with stopping protests than "preventing male violence." Candles burn and female silhouettes are placed during a rally to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, outside the Parliament in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (Zoltan Balogh/MTI via AP) Activists marched in more than 40 cities and towns in Spain, with tens of thousands in Madrid joining a feminist group and shouting "no more victims, we want freedom" as they marched through the Spanish capital's center. Official figures show 44 women have died this year in Spain at the hands of their current or former partners. Since 2003, when Spain started keeping records, the total number of victims has been 999 - 972 women and 27 children. Spain is training more than 600 judges on gender violence and preparing to reform the country's laws on sex crimes following outrage over recent court decisions. In Brussels for the E.U. Brexit summit, European Parliament President Antonio Tajani sported a red swipe under his left eye as he addressed the media. In Italy, his home country, the mark stands for support of the U.N. day. Tajani said on Twitter that "Nothing can justify violence against women. My mother taught it to me. I taught it to my children." A Phalanx of Turkish police officers in riot gear, right, block protesters during a rally in central Istanbul's Istiklal Avenue, the main shopping road of Istanbul, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 to mark the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) People take part during a protest against sexism and gender violence in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. More than 40 marches are being held across cities and towns in Spain to mark the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) A young boy holds banner reading, ''living women, I want my mother alive'' while protesting male violence against women, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, during the International Day Against Male Violence. Activists are marching in more than 40 cities and towns in Spain to mark the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) Protesters, displaying placards, chant slogans during a rally in central Istanbul, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, to mark the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Protesters, mostly women, display placards and chant slogans during a rally in central Istanbul, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, to mark the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) A participant holds banner reading,''Not one less'' as people gather at Plaza del Castillo square to protest male violence against women, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, during the International Day Against Male Violence. Activists are marching in more than 40 cities and towns in Spain to mark the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) A phalanx of Turkish police officers in riot gear, block protesters during a rally in central Istanbul's Istiklal Avenue, the main shopping road of Istanbul, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, to mark the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Protesters, display placards and chant slogans during a rally in central Istanbul, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, to mark the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) The Farnesina Italian foreign ministry headquarters are illuminated in red on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, in Rome, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Protesters display banners and placards and chant slogans during a rally in central Istanbul, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, to mark the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The placard left, reads in Turkish: 'Women are strong together'. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The magnitude 7.0 earthquake that rattled Alaska's largest city cracked roads and collapsed highway ramps, but there were no reports of widespread catastrophic damage or collapsed buildings. There's a good reason for that. A devastating 1964 Alaska earthquake - the most powerful on record in the United States - led to stricter building codes that helped structures withstand the shifting earth Friday. "Congratulations to the people of Alaska for being really prepared for this earthquake," U.S. Geological Survey Geophysicist Paul Caruso said Saturday. "Because a magnitude 7.0 in a city like that, you know, it could have been significantly worse." Gov. Bill Walker said sometimes people, including himself, grouse about stringent building codes. But he's "really glad" they were in place as he only had minor water damage at his home. "Building codes mean something," he said Friday. Al and Lyn Matthews show structural cracks in their home in south Anchorage, Alaska, following earthquakes Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) The quake was centered about 7 miles (12 kilometers) north of Anchorage, which has a population of about 300,000. People ran from their offices or took cover under desks. A 5.7 aftershock arrived within minutes, followed by a series of smaller quakes. The two big back-to-back quakes knocked items off shelves, disrupted power, broke store windows and briefly triggered a tsunami warning for islands and coastal areas south of the city. Walker issued a disaster declaration, and President Donald Trump declared an emergency, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief. There were no reports of deaths or serious injuries. Still, aftershocks Saturday continued to fray nerves, with people worrying about being caught in more massive shakers. "They're disturbing, and I'm not putting anything away that could fall until they calm down," Randall Cavanugh, an Anchorage attorney, said following a restless night at home. "I kept waking up." By mid-morning, there had been about 550 aftershocks, including 11 with magnitudes of 4.5 or greater, Caruso said. The aftershocks should be weaker and less frequent in the coming days, but officials can't say for sure when they'll stop, he said. Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz said the extent of damage was "relatively small" considering the scale of Friday's earthquake. He also credited building codes for minimizing structure damage. "In terms of a disaster, I think it says more about who we are than what we suffered," he said Saturday at a press briefing, adding that Anchorage was prepared for such an emergency. "People pulled together. We followed the plans that were in place. We looked after one another. And when people around the country and around the world look at this, they're going to say, 'We want to do things in the Anchorage way because Anchorage did this right," Berkowitz said. After the first earthquake, Alaska's largest hospital activated its incident command center, but the trickle of patients into the emergency room at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage was more like a normal workday and not a mass casualty event. The injuries were described as minor, and there were no patients with life-threatening conditions. "The flow of patients into the emergency department was similar to a typical Monday," hospital spokesman Mikal Canfield said Saturday. "It wasn't a situation where there was a mass rush of people." Roads didn't fare so well, as reports of extensive damage came in. The Alaska Department of Transportation counted about 50 sites with damage, including eight considered major. Most of the damage was to highways north of Anchorage. The agency also was planning to conduct bridge inspections Saturday. Transportation officials said in a release that the aftershocks continue to contribute to settling and additional cracking. Rock falls exacerbated by the aftershocks were causing some problems on the Seward Highway south of Anchorage. Normal operations resumed at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport after flight operations were suspended Friday, Transportation Department spokesman Meadow Bailey told The Associated Press. The 800-mile (1,287-kilometer) trans Alaska oil pipeline was shut down for hours while crews were sent to inspect it for damage. Anchorage's school system canceled classes through Tuesday while it examined buildings for damage. Alaska's 1964 earthquake, with a 9.2 magnitude, was centered about 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Anchorage. It and the tsunami it triggered claimed about 130 lives. The state averages 40,000 earthquakes a year, with more large quakes than the 49 other states combined. Southern Alaska has a high risk of earthquakes because the Earth's plates slide past each other under the region, but it is rare for major quakes to strike so close heavily populated areas. ___ Associated Press writers Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska; Dan Joling in Anchorage; Gillian Flaccus in Portland, Oregon; Gene Johnson in Seattle; Jennifer Kelleher, Audrey McAvoy and Caleb Jones in Honolulu; Rachel La Corte in Olympia, Washington; and John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report. ___ Follow Rachel D'Oro at https://twitter.com/rdoro This aerial photo shows damage on Vine Road, south of Wasilla, Alaska, after earthquakes Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 shattered highways and rocked buildings Friday in Anchorage and the surrounding area, sending people running into the streets and briefly triggering a tsunami warning for islands and coastal areas south of the city. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) A dump truck and excavator work on a temporary fix of an off ramp that collapsed after an earthquake on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. A driver attempting to exit Minnesota Drive at International Airport Road was not injured when the ramp sank. Two strong earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 ripped apart highways, cracked buildings and rattled people's nerves around Anchorage. (AP Photo/Dan Joling) Energy Services North employees prepare to replace a fallen street light Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska, one of the effects of the morning's earthquake which caused extensive damage to the local area. Scientists say the damaging Alaska earthquake and aftershocks occurred on a type of fault in which one side moves down and away from the other side. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) Anchorage resident C.J. Johnson stocks up on water and bread at a local grocery, after the morning's 7.0-magnitude earthquake which caused extensive damage to the local area in Anchorage, Alaska, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The earthquake that shook Anchorage and damaged roadways also knocked many traffic lights out of service and has snarled traffic. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) This aerial photo shows damage at the Glenn Highway near Mirror Lake after earthquakes in the Anchorage area, Alaska, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 shattered highways and rocked buildings Friday in Anchorage and the surrounding area, sending people running into the streets and briefly triggering a tsunami warning for islands and coastal areas south of the city. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) Tristan Covina helps clean up broken glass in the offices of the Institute Alaska, following an earthquake, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen) Adriel Matavo, left, and Aisoli Lealasola work in a walk-in cooler to clean up fallen cases of beer at a liquor store, Value Liquor, after an earthquake on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Owner Mary Funner says beer, wine and other bottled alcohol was strewn throughout store aisles after the quake. She considered closing Friday until customers began lining up. They were allowed to come in in small groups. "We're still in business, but we're only open only a little bit at a time," she said. (AP Photo/Dan Joling) Allison Susel, the acting principal at Chugiak High School in Chugiak, Alaska, surveys damage following the magnitude 7.0 earthquake Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Susel said ceiling tiles came down, books and other items were thrown off shelves in the library and there was water damage, but there were no injuries to students or staff at the suburban Anchorage school. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) Damage is shown to the library at Chugiak High School in Chugiak, Alaska, following earthquakes Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Acting Principal Allison Susel said ceiling tiles came down, books and other items were thrown off shelves in the library and there was water damage, but there were no injuries to students or staff at the suburban Anchorage school. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) Damage is shown to the library at Chugiak High School in Chugiak, Alaska, following earthquakes Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Acting Principal Allison Susel said ceiling tiles came down, books and other items were thrown off shelves in the library and there was water damage, but there were no injuries to students or staff at the suburban Anchorage school. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) JERUSALEM (AP) - President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital has set off an increasingly visible battle in the city's eastern sector - with an emboldened Israel seeking to cement its control over the contested area and Palestinians pushing back to maintain their limited foothold. In recent weeks, Israel has arrested dozens of Palestinian activists for alleged illegal political activity. It demolished Palestinian shops for failing to have permits, a court has cleared the way for settlers to move in to an Arab neighborhood and the city's outgoing mayor is trying to close the east Jerusalem operations of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, in turn, has boosted efforts to protect its claim on Jerusalem, attempting to block east Jerusalem Palestinians from selling properties to Jews - a major taboo that it is largely powerless to prevent. "The change in the U.S. position on Jerusalem under Trump's administration has unleashed the Israeli hands to increase and escalate its measures that aim to change the features of the city from a Palestinian city to an Israeli one," said Walid Salem, a Palestinian analyst in Jerusalem. "The Palestinian Authority feels the heat and is stepping up measures to resist this Israeli policy." The conflicting claims to east Jerusalem lie at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel captured the area, home to the city's most sensitive religious sites, in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it, claiming the entire city as its capital. But the annexation is not internationally recognized, and the Palestinians seek east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. A year ago, Trump upended decades of American policy and recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital. In this Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018. photo, Israeli authorities destroy shops in the refugee camp of Shuafat in Jerusalem. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem has set off an increasingly visible battle in the city's eastern sector _ with an emboldened Israel seeking to cement its control over the contested area and Palestinians pushing back to maintain their limited foothold. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) "We finally acknowledge the obvious: that Jerusalem is Israel's capital," Trump said at the time. Several months later, he moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, thrilling Israel and enraging the Palestinians. Speaking at the embassy dedication ceremony in May, Netanyahu said: "We are in Jerusalem and we are here to stay." Although Trump has said his decision would not determine the city's final borders, it has been seen by both Israel and the Palestinians as taking sides. Israel's hawkish government has been energized by the backing of its American ally in its quest to keep Jerusalem what it considers to be its eternal, undivided capital. The Palestinians have for years accused Israel of taking steps to fortify its hold on the city, primarily by encircling Arab neighborhoods in east Jerusalem with Jewish settlements. These settlements, considered by Israel to be neighborhoods of its capital, are now home to over 200,000 Israelis. Criticism from previous U.S. administrations has often held Israel back in the past. With the reins removed, Israel has carried out a flurry of moves, often jostling with Palestinians along the way. "Around 300, 000 Palestinian live in east Jerusalem," said Adnan Husseini, the Palestinian minister of Jerusalem affairs. "They have always resisted the Israeli occupation measures in the city and they always will." In an unusual step, Israel arrested the top Palestinian official in Jerusalem this week along with over 30 Palestinian Jerusalemites, accusing them of the rarely enforced offense of serving in the Palestinian security forces in violation of previous agreements with Israel. Most were released on bail, but the governor, Adnan Ghaith, remains in custody. The arrests appear to have been prompted by the detention of a Palestinian resident of east Jerusalem who allegedly sold property to Jews - a punishable offense under Palestinian law. That detention was a bold move by the Palestinians because, also according to previous accords, they cannot arrest Jerusalem residents. The Palestinians have also zeroed in on the Bedouin hamlet of Khan al-Ahmar. Israel says the West Bank encampment, just outside of Jerusalem, was illegally built and is trying to uproot the village. A planned demolition was postponed following heavy European pressure, but it could still happen at any time. Critics say the demolition is meant to make way for Israeli settlement homes, a step the Palestinians fear could cut off the West Bank from their hoped-for capital in east Jerusalem. While Khan al-Ahmar residents avoided eviction for now, others haven't. After a lengthy legal battle, Israel's Supreme Court this month rejected an appeal by residents of the Silwan neighborhood in east Jerusalem who claimed their land was illegally granted to a pro-settler group. The decision could lead to the evictions of hundreds of longtime Palestinian residents. "A huge mechanism of displacement has been set in motion, allowing settlers and the government to work hand in hand," said Yudith Oppenheimer, executive director of Ir Amim, an Israeli advocacy group that promotes coexistence in the city. Israeli police demolished 18 stores in east Jerusalem last week in what it called a "large-scale" operation against illegal structures that it said was prompted by Palestinian residents' complaints. Meanwhile, in a move coordinated with the national government, Jerusalem's municipality plans to evict the U.N. agency responsible for Palestinian refugees and shift its services - schools, sanitation and others - over to Israeli authorities. Jerusalem's outgoing mayor, Nir Barkat, said a decision by the Trump administration to cut $300 million in funding to UNRWA prompted the move. The Israeli steps in east Jerusalem come ahead of the promised release of Trump's long-awaited peace plan. The Palestinians have already said they will oppose it, accusing Trump of being unfairly biased in favor of Israel. Yitzhak Reiter, a senior fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research, said Israel may be trying to skew the American plan toward its vision for the city. "It seems that this plan will not completely satisfy Israel, let alone the Palestinians," Reiter said. "The Israeli government is making an attempt to create facts on the ground that will manifest its ideal plans and policies." ___ Daraghmeh reported from Ramallah, West Bank. Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre contributed reporting. In this Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, photo, Israeli authorities destroy shops in the refugee camp of Shuafat in Jerusalem. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem has set off an increasingly visible battle in the city's eastern sector _ with an emboldened Israel seeking to cement its control over the contested area and Palestinians pushing back to maintain their limited foothold. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018 photo, Israeli policeman watches over a Palestinian governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghatith during a court appearance following his arrest in Jerusalem. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem has set off an increasingly visible battle in the city's eastern sector _ with an emboldened Israel seeking to cement its control over the contested area and Palestinians pushing back to maintain their limited foothold. In recent weeks, Israel has arrested dozens of Palestinian activists for allegedly illegal political activity. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) In this Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, photo, police stands guard as Israeli authorities destroy shops in the refugee camp of Shuafat in Jerusalem. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem has set off an increasingly visible battle in the city's eastern sector _ with an emboldened Israel seeking to cement its control over the contested area and Palestinians pushing back to maintain their limited foothold. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) - About 300 West Papuan demonstrators calling for independence for the restive Indonesian region faced off with counterprotesters Saturday in the country's second-largest city. The demonstrators in Surabaya chanted "Freedom Papua" and held banners demanding a referendum for independence to mark Dec. 1, which many West Papuans consider the anniversary of what they say should have been their independence. "We are demanding the truth of our history," a speaker shouted at the crowd at the rally, which was organized by the Papua Students Alliance. "Referendum for independence is the right solution for the people of Papua." The crowd, including many wearing headbands with the morning star flag as a separatist group symbol, was blocked from marching to the city center by scores of counterprotesters from several youth organizations in Surabaya, the capital of East Java province. Some confronted the pro-independence protesters with sharpened bamboos. "You may rally to voice your aspiration, but don't bring the separatist issue," said a speaker from the rival group. "Papua is a part of Indonesia forever, and we are willing to die to defend the unitary state of Indonesia." Members of the two camps pushed each other, but several hundred anti-riot police prevented the two groups from clashing, said East Java police spokesman Frans Barung Mangera. A Papuan activist with his forehead painted with banned separatist flag the "Morning Star" marches with others during a rally commemorating the 57th anniversary of the failed efforts by Papuan tribal chiefs to declare independence from Dutch colonial rule, in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Indonesia took over West Papua from Dutch colonial rule in 1963 and formalized its sovereignty over the region in 1969 through a vote by about 1,000 community leaders, which critics dismissed as a sham. A separatist group called the "Free Papua Movement" has battled Indonesian rule ever since. (AP Photo/Trisnadi) The protest ended after about two hours. No one was detained by police, Mangera said. The Free Papua Movement, a separatist group in Indonesia's restive Papua province, declared independence from Dutch rule on Dec. 1, 1961. That was rejected by the Dutch and later by Indonesia. Papua, a former Dutch colony in the western part of New Guinea, was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a U.N.-sponsored ballot that was seen as a sham by many. A small, poorly armed separatist group has been battling for independence since then. For years, a low-level insurgency has plagued the mineral-rich region, which is ethnically and culturally distinct from much of Indonesia. Indonesia's government, which for decades had a policy of sending Javanese and other Indonesians to settle in Papua, is now also trying to spur economic development to dampen the separatist movement. BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Two leaders of Catalonia's separatist movement who have spent the last year in prison started a hunger strike on Saturday to protest what they claim is the unfair treatment by Spanish courts. Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Turull, regional lawmakers in northeastern Catalonia, said in a statement distributed by the Catalan government that "we will never give up on our right to a fair trial." Spain's government responded by saying that they and other separatist leaders will be treated just like any other citizens brought before the law. The government led by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a statement that "like all citizens who are subject to and protected by the rule of law, the separatist leaders will receive a fair trial." Sanchez and Turull are two of nine separatist leaders who are in pre-trial custody for their role in an illegal secession attempt by Catalonia's leaders last year. Spain's state prosecutors will pursue charges of rebellion against both, asking for sentences of 17 years for Sanchez and 16 years for Turull. Sanchez and Turull are being held in a prison near Barcelona, the largest city in the Catalonia region. FILE - In this March 23, 2018 file photo, Catalan presidential candidate Jordi Turull walks past Spanish police officers as he arrives to the Supreme Court after a break for lunch in Madrid. Spanish authorities said on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, that Turull and Jordi Sanchez, both leaders of Catalonia's separatist movement who have spent the last year in prison, are starting a hunger strike. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File) They have been kept behind bars with authorities saying they pose a risk of continuing to push for secession and fleeing Spain like other separatist leaders, including former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont. The trial is expected to start in the coming months. Catalonia's current separatist leaders insist they won't desist in their effort to break away from the rest of Spain. Election results and polls show that the 7.5 million resident of the wealthy Catalonia region are roughly equally divided by the secession issue. KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - Russia is building up its land forces and weapons along the border, Ukraine's president said Saturday as German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Russia not to block Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine were still escalating a week after a naval clash in the Black Sea on Nov. 25 in which Russia fired on three Ukrainian naval ships then seized them and their 24 crew members. Speaking at a Ukrainian military event, President Petro Poroshenko said Russia has deployed "more than 80,000 troops, 1,400 artillery and multiple rocket launch systems, 900 tanks, 2,300 armored combat vehicles, 500 aircraft and 300 helicopters" along their common border. These numbers, which have not been verified, would account for the vast majority of men and hardware assigned to Russia's Western Military District. The naval clash came as the Ukrainian ships sailed to the Kerch Strait, the only waterway leading into the Sea of Azov and the site of a new key Russian bridge linking occupied Crimea with the Russian mainland. Russia accused the Ukrainian vessels of violating Russian territorial waters, a charge Ukraine has denied. Ukrainian officials say Russia has now imposed a de facto blockade on its two main ports in the Sea of Azov by allowing only ships destined for Russian ports through the strait. A Ukrainian border guard checks documents of a man who is going to cross the border to Russia at the checkpoint at the border with Russia in Hoptivka, Ukraine, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Ukrainian officials announced earlier on Friday that all Russian men aged between 16 and 60 will be barred from entering Ukraine for the duration of the 30-day-long martial law. (AP Photo/Pavlo Pakhomenko) Merkel criticized that Russian move, speaking to reporters Saturday on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires after holding a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Free shipping into the Sea of Azov to the Ukrainian coast and harbors must be ensured" by Russia, she said. A 2003 Russia-Ukraine agreement designates the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait as shared internal waters. But following Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, Moscow has asserted greater control over the passage. "The Kremlin is further testing the strength of the global order," Poroshenko said Saturday, alleging that Moscow is waiting to see whether the international community will allow Russia to assert that the Sea of Azov and Black Sea are Russian territorial waters. Poroshenko said Russia is also increasing its presence at sea. "In the waters of the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Aegean Sea, more than 80 ships and 8 submarines are on patrol - including 23 combat vessels and 6 submarines," he declared. In response to the seizure of the ships, Poroshenko convinced the Ukrainian parliament to implement martial law in ten border regions. Many in Ukraine and abroad have criticized the martial law order, noting that playing up the Russian threat is politically beneficial to Poroshenko, who faces re-election in March. The martial law order included a ban on entry to Ukraine of all Russian males aged 16 to 60, a move Poroshenko said is designed to prevent undercover Russian military units from infiltrating the country. Poroshenko said this tactic was used after Russia seized Crimea and began to support separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, sparking a conflict that has left more than 10,000 people dead. An unsteady cease-fire has been in place there since 2015. The Ukrainian border service said Saturday that around 100 Russian citizens had been denied entry since the border restrictions went into effect Friday. "The vast majority of (them) could not confirm they purpose of their trip to Ukraine," Ukrainian border guard spokesman Andrei Demchenko told Ukrainian television on Saturday. A Ukrainian border guard speaks to a driver of a car from Russia at the checkpoint at the border with Russia in Hoptivka, Ukraine, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Ukrainian officials announced earlier on Friday that all Russian men aged between 16 and 60 will be barred from entering Ukraine for the duration of the 30-day-long martial law. (AP Photo/Pavlo Pakhomenko) Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko addresses the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the military airfield in Vasylkiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, as Poroshenko transferred new aircraft and military equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of his working visit. Russia and Ukraine traded blame as tensions between the neighbouring countries have escalated over recent days. (Mykola Lazarenko, Presidential Press Service via AP) Bolshoi Theater soloist Andrei Merkuriev speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Merkuriev said he was barred from entering Ukraine as part of martial law restrictions barring entry to all Russian men aged between 16 and 60. He was expected at the ballet Scream choreographed in Odessa. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) Local people walk through at Saturday's market in Milove, a small town at the border between Ukraine and Russia, in Luhansk region, eastern Ukraine, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) Bolshoi Theater soloist Andrei Merkuriev speaks during an interview with The Associated Press with the Bolshoi Teather in the background, in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Merkuriev said he was barred from entering Ukraine as part of martial law restrictions barring entry to all Russian men aged between 16 and 60. He was expected at the ballet Scream choreographed in Odessa. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) A view of the 1000-year old Monastery of Caves in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The Ukrainian intelligence agency is searching the home of the father superior of Kiev's biggest and oldest monastery which is part of the Russian Orthodox Church. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) A view of the 1000-year old Monastery of Caves in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The Ukrainian intelligence agency is searching the home of the father superior of Kiev's biggest and oldest monastery which is part of the Russian Orthodox Church. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) An entrance of the Lefortovo prison, in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Kogershyn Sagiyeva, a member of the Moscow oversight council, told the television station Dozhd that 21 seamen are already at the Moscow Lefortovo jail while three other seamen are in a hospital in another jail. She said she met with some of the seamen and they appeared to be in good shape. (AP Photo/Vladimir Kondrashov) A porter helps passengers with their luggage as they arrive by a train from Odessa, Ukraine at Kievsky (Kiev) railway station in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Ukrainian officials announced earlier on Friday that all Russian men aged between 16 and 60 will be barred from entering Ukraine for the duration of the 30-day-long martial law. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) Porters wait for incoming train from Odessa, Ukraine at Kievsky (Kiev) railway station in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Ukrainian officials announced earlier on Friday that all Russian men aged between 16 and 60 will be barred from entering Ukraine for the duration of the 30-day-long martial law. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) MEXICO CITY (AP) - The latest on the inauguration of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (all times local): 5:45 p.m. Mexico's newly inaugurated president has been formally anointed leader by indigenous groups at a ceremony at Mexico City's main square hours after he took the oath of office at Congress. Mexico has more than 70 indigenous communities, and new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has pledged to end centuries of poverty and marginalization for them. Traditional healers brushed Lopez Obrador with bunches of herbs and blew incense smoke over him to purify him. They then invoked the spirits of their ancestors and the land to liberate him from any bad influences, turning to the four cardinal points with individual prayers. Indigenous activist Carmen Santiago Alonso then handed the president a ceremonial wooden staff denoting leadership. It is the first time a Mexican president has ever taken part in this kind of ceremonial inauguration by indigenous groups. Mexico's newly sworn-in President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes part in a traditional indigenous ceremony at the Zocalo, in Mexico City, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Mexicans are getting more than just a new president Saturday. The inauguration of Lopez Obrador will mark a turning point in one of the world's most radical experiments in opening markets and privatization. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) ___ 12:40 p.m. New Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador reached out to the U.S. and Canada in his inaugural speech to Congress. The first foreign dignitaries he greeted from the podium Saturday were U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump. He also said that since the day he was elected "I have received respectful treatment from President Donald Trump." Lopez Obrador said he wants to reach an agreement with governments and companies in the U.S. and Canada for investment to develop Central America and southern Mexico, so people there won't have to emigrate. ___ 11:20 a.m. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been sworn in as the first leftist president in Mexico in over 70 years. Lopez Obrador took the oath of office at Mexico's Congress, in a ceremony attended by Vice President Mike Pence, leaders from Latin America and British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. Lopez Obrador pledged "a peaceful and orderly transition, but one that is deep and radical." Lopez Obrador's inauguration marks a turning point in one of the world's most radical experiments in opening markets and privatization. 10:10 a.m. British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is getting an especially warm welcome at the inauguration of Mexico's new leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Corbyn was among a few people hosted by Lopez Obrador at his home in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas the day before the inauguration. He's also attending the inaugural ceremony at Mexico's Congress on Saturday. Corbyn is a veteran socialist whose wife is from Mexico. A Labour Party statement issued from London said the new president "faces huge challenges in his mission of transforming Mexico, but Jeremy hopes his election will offer Mexico's poor and powerless a real voice and a break with the failures and injustices of the past." It adds that the new president "has shown that a progressive agenda for change can win power and take on the status quo." The party statement, however, botched the new president's name, referring to him only by his maternal surname - calling him President Obrador instead of Lopez Obrador. ___ 9:50 a.m. One of the first official acts of the administration of Mexico's new president has been to throw open the gates of the secretive, sprawling presidential residence located in a corner of Mexico City's largest park. Incoming President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says he won't live there and will use it as a cultural center instead. Only a few people showed up Saturday in the hours before the opening of the Los Pinos compound, which has been closed to the public since the first parts were built in the 1930s. Among them was retired secretary Gabriela Barrientos, a Lopez Obrador supporter. She says, "This is a day that will never come again." ___ 9:30 a.m. Conservative legislators in Mexico are using their country's presidential inauguration for a protest against Venezuela's socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Several lawmakers have taped a banner reading "Maduro, you're not welcome" to the podium in the lower house of Congress, where leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is soon to be sworn in. Maduro has been invited to the inaugural ceremony, but it's not clear if he'll arrive. Mexico's conservative National Action Party has voiced objections to the invitation because of the economic and political crisis in Venezuela and they accuse Maduro of veering toward a dictatorship. Critics of Lopez Obrador have long attempted to associate him with Venezuelan-style socialism, despite little evidence he favors such policies. ___ 8:20 a.m. Mexico's new president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, hasn't yet been sworn, but new cabinet secretaries have already taken over key security posts. The midnight handover is part of a tradition meant to ensure there's always someone at the helm of the Army, Navy and Interior Department, the country's top domestic security agency. New Interior Secretary Olga Sanchez Cordero said in a post-midnight ceremony that the new government will "listen to everybody, the majority and the minorities, because in a democracy all opinions can be expressed." Similar ceremonies were held at the Navy and Army headquarters. Lopez Obrador plans to rely heavily on the military to form his new anti-crime force, the National Guard. ___ 2 a.m. Mexicans are getting more than just a new president. The inauguration of leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will mark a turning point in one of the world's most radical experiments in opening markets and privatization. Mexico long had a closed, state-dominated economy, but since entering the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs in 1986, it has signed more free trade agreements than almost any other country. It's also privatized almost every corner of the economy except oil and electricity. Now, though, Lopez Obrador is talking a talk not heard in Mexico since the 1960s: He wants to build more state-owned oil refineries and encourages Mexicans to "not to buy abroad, but to produce in Mexico what we consume." Ivanka Trump, the daughter and assistant to President Donald Trump, arrives at the National Congress to attend the inauguration of President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, in Mexico City, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) Colombia's President Ivan Duque, center left, and Vice President Mike Pence wait for the start of the inauguration ceremony for President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, at the National Congress in Mexico City, Saturday, Dec 1, 2018. The inauguration of Lopez Obrador will mark a turning point in one of the world's most radical experiments in opening markets and privatization. Energy Secretary Rick Perry is pictured left. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) Mexico's new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, left, receives the presidential sash as Porfirio Munoz Ledo, president of the Congress, right, looks on during the inaugural ceremony at the National Congress in Mexico City, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) A legislator walks past a banner reading "(Nicolas) Maduro, you're not welcome" taped to the a wall in the lower house of Congress, just a couple of ours before the Venezuelan leader is scheduled to attend the inauguration of President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, at the National Congress in Mexico City, Saturday, Dec 1, 2018. Mexico's conservative National Action Party has voiced objections to Lopez Obrador's decision to invite Maduro to the ceremony, because of the economic and political crisis that has marked Maduro's regime. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2018 file photo, Mexico's President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador greets supporters as he kicks off a nationwide tour after his election in Mazatlan, Mexico. Lopez Obrador is folksy, plain-spoken, and spontaneous, perhaps too much so for financial markets, which have been roiled in advance of his inauguration on Saturday. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File) Legislators fill the lower house of Congress as the wait for inauguration ceremony of President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, at the National Congress in Mexico City, Saturday, Dec 1, 2018. The inauguration of Lopez Obrador will mark a turning point in one of the world's most radical experiments in opening markets and privatization. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) Boris Johnson joined with senior Democratic Unionists to demand the scrapping of the Irish border backstop at a party conference dominated by the draft Brexit deal. The former foreign secretary, who was guest speaker at the annual DUP gathering in Belfast, also stressed the need for the Tories to protect their faltering confidence and supply agreement with the Northern Ireland party amid ongoing Brexit uncertainty. Addressing the DUP faithful, Mr Johnson echoed calls from party leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds for the Prime Minister to bin the proposals that could see the region operate under different regulatory rules to the rest of the UK post-Brexit. Unless we junk this backstop, we will find that Brussels has got us exactly where they want us a satellite state, said the Tory MP. He warned the draft Brexit deal is in danger of turning Northern Ireland into an economic semi-colony of the EU. The backstop proposal in the Withdrawal Agreement would see Northern Ireland adopt a different regulatory regime to Great Britain in the event a wider UK/EU trade deal fails to materialise in talks on the future relationship. It has been included to ensure a free flowing Irish border regardless of what sort of Brexit unfolds. The DUP is vociferously opposed to it, claiming it would divide up the UK. In her leaders speech, Ms Foster told DUP delegates that while she believes Theresa May is genuine in her desire to protect the Union, the draft deal fails to do that. The Prime Minister has not been able to guarantee an outcome that eliminates the risk of the introduction of the so-called backstop arrangements, she said. The DUP conference appeared more understated than in previous years. The was a markedly different tone, with no party singsongs or mass distributions of Union flags for delegates to wave usually familiar sights at the annual gatherings. Boris Johnson and DUP leader Arlene Foster shake hands during the conference in Belfast (Michael Cooper/PA) Ms Foster had also used her speech to apologise for her partys role in Stormonts botched green energy scheme the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) after a catalogue of failings by senior DUP figures were laid bare at a public inquiry. Some of our past decisions and actions have left a lot to be desired and I know that they have personally hurt and offended many of our members, voters and the public, she said. I make no excuses. Today, as leader of the party, I apologise. As a party we are deeply, deeply sorry for the mistakes we made and for the things we got wrong during that period. Turning to Brexit, Ms Foster acknowledged the frustration of many in Northern Irelands business community with the pace of negotiations. Her DUP has prided itself on its relationship with business leaders, but those links have been strained by the support many of them have voiced for the draft UK-EU deal in recent days. Ms Foster said the constitutional implications of the deal could not be ignored. We are not campaigning for a no-deal exit nor do we want barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and our neighbours in the Republic, she said. The choice is not between this deal and no deal, despite what the Government spin machine may say. The reality is that if we are to secure a better outcome than is currently on offer, then the only option is to look beyond this current draft Withdrawal Agreement and work in the time ahead for an improved outcome. Mr Johnson watched on as Ms Foster gave her own address to conference (Michael Cooper/PA) The days and weeks ahead will be challenging. We will continue to work in Parliament to achieve the best possible deal for Northern Ireland and the UK as a whole, guided by our principles and objectives. In media interviews ahead of the conference, Ms Foster, a strong critic of Jeremy Corbyn, claimed Ms Mays deal would be a worse outcome for the UK than a Labour government led by him. But she also warned the DUP would revisit its confidence and supply deal to support the Conservatives at Westminster if the Brexit agreement is voted through Parliament. After a week that saw the DUP refuse to support the Government in Commons votes to signal their anger at the draft withdrawal text, Mr Johnson stressed the need to maintain the crucial confidence and supply deal going forward, warning of ruinous consequences for the UK if Mr Corbyn came to power. And so to our allies in the DUP, I hope that you agree that it is absolutely vital that we keep this partnership going and that we are not so complacent as to abandon the government of this country to a man whose avowed policy is to break up this country, he said. And we should work together to ensure that the whole UK Northern Ireland included can seize the opportunities of Brexit. In his conference speech, Mr Dodds insisted it is not too late to bin the Brexit deal. He urged Mrs May to change course, warning the proposed Withdrawal Agreement would see the UK assume a pitiful and pathetic place. The partys Westminster leader insisted the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is non-negotiable. He said: It is still not too late for the Prime Minister to change course. Dont believe the propaganda that its too late it isnt. The DUP wants a deal with the European Union, we understand that businesses, families and communities want certainty. But it is not this deal. It is not a deal at any price. The Prime Minister used to say that. We still say that. So Prime Minister, the message from this conference, from every section of this party, is bin the backstop. The position of Gibraltar had been one of the issues facing EU states attempting to agree a common position on UK withdrawal, as Spain pressed for guarantees over its say on the future of the British territory. On Saturday morning, a government minister from Gibraltar told the DUP conference it will not fold in the face of Spains Brexit demands. Samantha Sacramento was given a rousing reception by DUP members as she insisted Gibraltar will not be bullied by any bid from Madrid to undermine its sovereignty. Housing and equality minister Ms Sacramento was standing in for Gibraltars chief minister, Fabian Picardo. He had been due to address the party conference but the renewed focus on the British territory in the Brexit talks forced him to pull out to concentrate on the negotiations. Protesters have marched through an Alabama shopping centre where police killed a black man they later acknowledged was not the gunman in a shooting that wounded two people. An officer shot and killed 21-year-old Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr of Hueytown while responding to the shooting on Thursday. Police said Bradford was fleeing the scene with a weapon. Hoover Police initially told reporters Mr Bradford had shot a teenager at the shopping centre, but later retracted the statement. We knew that was false, said stepmother Cynthia Bradford when she heard police were blaming him for the shooting. She described her stepson, who went by the name EJ, as a respectful young man who is the son of a Birmingham police department officer. Hoover Police Captain Gregg Rector said investigators now believe that more than two people were involved in the initial fight ahead of the shooting, and that at least one gunman is still at large who could be responsible. Rector said police regret that their initial statement about Mr Bradford was not accurate. More than 200 demonstrators, including several relatives, chanted EJ and no justice, no peace as they marched past Christmas shoppers at the shopping centre. They held a moment of silence at the spot outside a shoe store where Bradford was killed. They should never have killed him, Emani Smith, seven, Mr Bradfords half-sister said, while other family members cried. Family members described their horror of finding out from social media that Mr Bradford was dead. Video circulated on social media of Bradford lying in a pool of blood on the shopping centre floor. Police responded to a fight inside the Riverchase Galleria mall (Carol Robinson/AP) The incident began with a fight and shooting in suburban Birmingham at the Riverchase Galleria, a shopping centre crowded with Black Friday bargain hunters. An 18-year-old was shot twice and a 12-year-old bystander was shot in the back. Police said while Mr Bradford may have been involved in some aspect of the altercation, he likely did not fire the rounds that injured the 18-year-old victim. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating the incident since it is an officer-involved shooting. The Hoover Police Department is conducting its own internal investigation. The officer who shot Mr Bradford was placed on administrative leave while authorities investigate the shooting. The officers name was not released publicly. The officers were not hurt. Mr Bradford is shown in photos on Facebook in an Army uniform and he described himself as a combat engineer. A spokesman for the US army, however, told The Washington Post that he never completed advanced individual training, and so did not serve. Video posted on social media by shoppers showed a chaotic scene as shoppers fled the shopping centre, which closed for the remainder of Thursday night. Theresa May issued a direct plea to the public to support her Brexit deal as European Union leaders prepared to endorse the package. The Prime Minister will meet the other 27 EU leaders in Brussels after they have given their backing to the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration thrashed out by negotiators. In a letter to the nation, Mrs May said leaving the EU on March 29 2019 would mark a new chapter in our national life and there would be a moment of renewal and reconciliation after the bitter battles over Europe. The almost 800-word message is an attempt to speak directly to the public to build support for her deal, which faces widespread opposition at Westminster including from both wings of her Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party which props up her administration. Eurosceptic Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, a prominent critic of the Prime Minister, said: With regard to the Withdrawal Agreement and the proposed future relationship never in the history of our great nation have so many been betrayed, so deliberately, for so little. But Mrs May said the deal will honour the result of the referendum by allowing the UK to take back control of its money, laws and borders. It is a deal for a brighter future, which enables us to seize the opportunities that lie ahead, she said. She promised she would be campaigning with my heart and soul to win the vote in the Commons. And with Brexit settled the UK will be able to focus on the economy, NHS, building homes and tackling the burning injustices in society, the Prime Minister added. With regard to the Withdrawal Agreement and the proposed future relationship Never in the history of our great nation have so many be betrayed, so deliberately, for so little Andrew Bridgen (@ABridgen) November 24, 2018 The summit in Brussels is only taking place after Spain claimed the UK and EU had given into its demands for concessions over the future of Gibraltar. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez claimed the UK and European Union had agreed to its demands for guarantees over the status of Gibraltar in future negotiations. Madrids foreign minister Josep Borrell went further, saying the agreement is highly positive for Spain and the most important since the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 under which Gibraltar was ceded to the UK. (2/2) before the #EU and all diplomatic staff and civil servants who were part of Spains negotiating team for their effort, dedication and professionalism, in order to achieve such a satisfactory result for our interests. @HablamosdEuropa @UeEspana Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) November 24, 2018 But Mrs May told reporters in Brussels: The UKs position on the sovereignty of Gibraltar has not changed and will not change. I am proud that Gibraltar is British and I will always stand by Gibraltar. And Gibraltars Chief Minister Fabian Picardo used a live TV address to dismiss Mr Sanchezs claims: What you have heard from the Spanish Prime Minister today was not a reflection of any new position, however much he tried to present it as such. The clearest, firmest support EVER by a British Prime Minister iro #Gibraltar by @theresa_may. Also the most timely. Mrs May has fully supported us, our British sovereignty & our economy. She has never let us down! Her #WithdrawalAgreement works for us! @10DowningStreet https://t.co/9ZJ2FWr1TS Fabian Picardo (@FabianPicardo) November 24, 2018 The developments came ahead of elections in Andalusia, southern Spain, in December with speculation that Mr Sanchez was trying to use the situation for internal political reasons. In an effort to resolve the row a letter from the UKs ambassador to the EU Sir Tim Barrow confirmed the Withdrawal Agreement imposes no obligations regarding the territorial scope of future agreements Spain wants to make sure it has a veto over how any UK-EU trade deal applies to the Rock. But the UK has also made clear it will negotiate future agreements on behalf of all territories for whose external relations it is responsible including Gibraltar. May has capitulated to every single EU demand. Shes abandoned NI, and now Gibraltar. At no time does she push back. As Barnier said, they have given May the deal she asked for and she has given them everything they have asked for. Its almost beyond words how bad this is. Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) November 24, 2018 Tory Eurosceptic Nadine Dorries said: May has capitulated to every single EU demand. Shes abandoned NI, and now Gibraltar. At no time does she push back. Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake claimed the Prime Minister had caved in and appears to have cast the people of Gibraltar aside. I will recommend that we approve on Sunday the outcome of the #Brexit negotiations. No one has reasons to be happy. But at least at this critical time, the EU27 has passed the test of unity and solidarity. https://t.co/N3EexasL2n Charles Michel (@eucopresident) November 24, 2018 Following the resolution of the row, Mr Tusk sent out formal invitation letters to EU leaders for the summit, saying the Brexit deal reached by negotiators from the UK and Brussels found the best possible compromise and he would recommend that they approve it. The 27 remaining EU leaders will meet on Sunday morning, with the Prime Minister joining them once they have decided on their approach. Mrs Mays political difficulties at home show no sign of abating, with speculation that Remain-leaning Cabinet ministers have begun secret talks on a Brexit Plan B if the deal is rejected by MPs. The Sunday Times reported that Chancellor Philip Hammond who warned on Saturday of economic chaos if there is no deal is working with David Lidington, Amber Rudd, Greg Clark and David Gauke on trying to persuade Mrs May to adopt a softer Brexit which may be able to get through Parliament if her plan is rejected. The Sunday Telegraph also reported that several senior ministers were working on plans for a Norway-style relationship with the EU. French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned violence by protesters at demonstrations against rising fuel taxes and his government. Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Paris as thousands gathered in the capital and beyond and staged road blockades. Thousands of police were deployed nationwide to contain the eighth day of deadly demonstrations that started as protests against tax but morphed into a rebuke of Mr Macron and the perceived elitism of Frances ruling class. Two people have been killed since November 17 in protest-related tragedies. Demonstrators, dubbed `yellow jackets face riot police during clashes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, as they protest against fuel tax hikes (Kamil Zihnioglu/AP) Tense clashes on the Champs-Elysees that ended by dusk on Saturday saw police face off with demonstrators who burned plywood, wielded placards reading Death to Taxes and upturned a large vehicle. At least 19 people, including four police officers, were slightly hurt and one person had more serious injuries in the day of unrest in Paris, according to police. Mr Macron responded in a strongly worded tweet: Shame on those who attacked (police). Shame on those who were violent against other citizens No place for this violence in the Republic. Police said that dozens of protesters were detained for throwing projectiles, among other acts. By nightfall the Champs-Elysees was smouldering and in the Place de la Madeleine, burned scooters lay on the streets. Protesters flee as police fire tear gas during clashes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris( Kamil Zihnioglu/AP) The famed avenue was speckled with plumes of smoke and neon due to the colour of the vests the self-styled yellow jacket protesters wear. French drivers are required to keep neon security vests in their vehicles. Interior minister Christophe Castaner said that 8,000 protesters flooded the Champs-Elysees at the demonstrations peak and there were nearly 106,000 protesters and 130 arrests in total nationwide. Mr Castaner denounced protesters from the far-right whom he called rebellious, as he accused National Assembly leader Marine Le Pen of encouraging them. Fuel tax protesters also took to the streets in Lyon (Laurent Cipriani/AP) But the Interior Ministry played down the scale of the demonstrations by highlighting that up to 280,000 people took part in last Saturdays protest. The unrest is proving a major challenge for the embattled Mr Macron, who is suffering in the polls. The leader, who swept to power only last year, is the focus of rage for the yellow jacket demonstrators who accuse the pro-business centrist of elitism and indifference to the struggles of ordinary French people. Mr Macron has so far held strong and insisted the fuel tax rises are a necessary pain to reduce Frances dependence on fossil fuels and fund renewable energy investments a cornerstone of his reforms of the nation. He will defend fresh plans to make the energy transition easier next week. The Trump administration has been labelled callous and cruel after an immigrant who sought refuge from deportation in a church was arrested after arriving at an appointment with immigration officials. Democratic congressmen David Price and GK Butterfield said Mexican national Samuel Oliver-Bruno appeared to have been entrapped by federal officials when he was detained on Friday at an immigration office in Raleigh, North Carolina. This morning, Samuel Oliver-Bruno was abruptly arrested by ICE agents as he visited local immigration offices to check-in on his status. My full statement with @GKButterfield can be viewed here: https://t.co/4k26pinK2g pic.twitter.com/uEe88Ap6vB Rep. David E. Price (@RepDavidEPrice) November 24, 2018 The advocacy group Alerta Migratoria NC said Oliver-Bruno went to have fingerprints taken so he could apply to stay in North Carolina with his wife and son. He spent 11 months in a Durham church to avoid immigration authorities. North Carolina representatives Mr Price and Mr Butterfield said they will fight to keep Mr Oliver-Bruno with his family and have received assurances from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that he will remain in the US while his case is adjudicated. Almost 600 babies have been born addicted to drugs in Scotland since 2015, figures released using Freedom of Information have revealed. Data from health boards showed 584 infants the equivalent of almost four a week were delivered suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) over the period. The Liberal Democrats, who obtained the figures said the showed why Scotland needed to have a more progressive policy for dealing with drug abuse. Their health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: On average, a baby is born every other day in Scotland addicted to harmful substances. These are terrible circumstances under which to take your first breath. Babies born with NAS, which is caused by drugs passing from the mother to her unborn child during pregnancy, can suffer from a range of symptoms, including uncontrollable trembling, hyperactivity, and high pitched crying. The number of infants recorded as being affected by this fluctuated from 2013 in 2015-16, to 190 in 2016-17 and 191 in 2017-18. Almost 600 babies were bron addicted to drugs in Scotland over three years (Dominic Lipinski/PA) The problem was worst in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, with 178 infants born addicted to drugs over the three years. Meanwhile there were 120 such births in the Grampian region over this period, and 63 in NHS Lothian between 2015 and 2017 having only provided data for that period. NHS Tayside gave figures for births in the calendar years 2015, 2016 and 2017, with the number of infants born addicted totalling 61 over this period. Mr Cole-Hamilton said the problem of having babies born already hooked on drugs could be avoided with the right combination of policies and support to help those misusing drugs, protecting them and future generations. He argued: If the Scottish Government is committed to giving every Scottish child the best start in life it needs to take a progressive approach to drug policy and tackle the horrendous levels of drug misuse, life-long addictions and unnecessary deaths. Alcohol and drug partnerships were set back massively by the Scottish Governments brutal 20 million funding cuts. It was rightly overturned two years later but the sector is still in recovery, local facilities are depleted and these distressing statistics show just how misjudged and dangerous that decision was. It cant happen again. We also need a new national strategy that is finally focused on treating drug misuse as a health issue, supporting people instead of criminalising and penalising them. A Scottish Government spokesman said: We are committed to giving every child the best start in life. Our new combined drug and alcohol strategy, publishing in the coming weeks, will focus on how services can adapt to meet the needs of those most in need including those not ready to abstain from drug use. We have recently released further funding to reduce the harms caused by alcohol and drugs, bringing the total provided to more than 70 million this financial year. This is in addition to the 746 million we have invested to tackle alcohol and drug use since 2008. An action plan to tackle violence against women in Scotland is to be expanded. The Equally Safe strategy launched last year included measures to teach school children the importance of consent and healthy relationships. Now as part of a United Nations campaign of 16 days of activism around violence against women, the Scottish Government has highlighted actions taken and schemes to be expanded. The Caledonian Programme that works with men convicted of domestic abuse-related offences is to be extended to help cut re-offending, while the Rape Crisis Sexual Violence Prevention Programme will also be taken to more schools. Additional funding for rape crisis centres was announced last month. Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said: The UN campaign provides an opportunity to focus on violence against women and girls, which remains a very real problem in societies across the world. PICTURE POSED BY MODEL A project to tackle domestic abuse and violence against women is to be extended in Scotland (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Along with other ministers, I will be taking part in a number of events over the 16 days to highlight the actions being taken to tackle this issue. Our progress report provides evidence of the work undertaken so far and the work planned for the future. This includes running a campaign to raise awareness of coercive control and domestic abuse to coincide with the implementation of the Domestic Abuse Act, and convening a roundtable on what more can be done to tackle online abuse and misogyny. We are determined to work with others to create a Scotland to be proud of, where all of our citizens are Equally Safe and violence against women and girls is consigned to history. Dr Marsha Scott, chief executive of Scottish Womens Aid, said: One woman experiencing domestic abuse is one too many. To know that across Scotland there are many thousands living in fear is not something as a country that we can tolerate or accept. Sixteen Days of Action is an international campaign with an important message. A message that each and every one of us can and should be part of the movement to end violence against women and girls. Though we have come a long way and in many ways Scotland leads in efforts to eliminate violence against women we have a long way to go before womens equality is achieved. For as long as that inequality exists so too will the harassment, abuse and violence that we experience. And so too will the work of Scottish Womens Aid, and the wider sector, so that women in Scotland have equal opportunity to explore all their ambitions and aspirations, and live their lives free from fear, violence and abuse. British military personnel have been recognised for their efforts in the wake of two devastating hurricanes which pummelled the Caribbean. Barrelling through the region and unleashing life-threatening winds, category five Hurricane Irma tore a destructive trail and sparked a major UK aid operation in September last year. Anguilla and Turks and Caicos were impacted while the British Virgin Islands bore the brunt of the damage, with buildings reduced to their foundations, lush green hillsides stripped of foliage, and a state of emergency declared. The most powerful storm in decades was followed less than two weeks later by category five Hurricane Maria, which decimated the islands of Dominica and Puerto Rico. Flight Lieutenant Alexander Eveson has been awarded the Queens Commendation for Valuable Service (MoD/PA) At the peak of relief efforts, more than 2,000 UK troops were in the Caribbean with some being decorated in the latest round of operational military honours announced by the Ministry of Defence. Flight Lieutenant Alexander Eveson has been awarded the Queens Commendation for Valuable Service after he saved the life of a seven-month-old baby girl on September 22 last year. The RAF Chinook pilot and his crew were tasked with flying to the island of Dominica to rescue the child, who was struggling to breathe and it was feared she would die without medical attention. With no other aircraft available for the mission, the two pilots, two aircrew and two medics flew to the island through treacherous conditions, at a very low level over the sea. It was a bit sketchy en-route, obviously the weather was still pretty poor lots of tropical rainstorms and heavy clouds in the area, he told the Press Association. It was quite a lonely and frightening flight because all the air traffic controllers and radar services were down on the islands because they had to reduce power because of the hurricanes. We were very much on our own out there it was weather that on anything other than a lifesaving mission, you probably would not think twice about returning to base in. The Chinook crew flew in extremely challenging conditions to rescue the baby girl (MoD/PA) The 34-year-old, who is part of 27 Squadron and based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, said his daughter Olivia was around the same age as the baby they rescued, which made him relate to the situation on a personal level. Describing receiving the award as an incredible honour that took him by surprise, he stressed the rescue was undoubtedly a crew effort, and that he is pleased to see the efforts of the Chinook detachment recognised. Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Amy Gilmore has also been recognised for her efforts during the relief work named Operation Ruman. Also handed a Queens Commendation for Valuable Service, she was in charge of a dozen-strong team of air and ground crew maintaining and operating the Wildcat helicopter from RFA Mounts Bay. The helicopter flew 90 hours of missions, delivering 37 tonnes of aid, food and water to inaccessible areas, and also assisted in the rescue of three people from a capsized boat. Major Tom Quinn and Sergeants William MacFarlane and James Oldale from the Royal Marines 40 Commando based in Taunton, Somerset, have also been given the Queens Commendation for Valuable Service for their leadership efforts on the ground during Operation Ruman. Ending freedom of movement with Brexit could cost Scotland 2 billion in tax revenues, the Scottish Government has said. Nicola Sturgeon has been making the case for permanent single market and customs union membership in meetings with Westminster leaders as Theresa May continues to detail her deal. With Scotlands population growth over the next 25 years predicted to come from migration, the Edinburgh government has also been calling for the area to be devolved. The Scottish Government said each EU citizen coming to live and work in Scotland contributes, on average, 10,400 per year in tax and that analysis shows there would be a 4.7% (2 billion) reduction in Scotlands revenue by 2040 under a 50% reduction in EU migration population projected following Brexit. External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: People from other EU countries bring huge economic and social benefits to Scotland. However, the UK Governments Brexit deal to end freedom of movement fails to take into account our distinct needs and now risks a worrying 2 billion cost to Scotlands tax revenues. The Scottish Government says ending freedom of movement with Brexit could cost Scotland 2 billion in tax (Jane Barlow/PA) With all of Scotlands population growth over the next 25 years predicted to come from migration, EU freedom of movement is vital for our nations future prosperity and essential public serves, such as schools and hospitals. It is clearly in Scotlands best interests to stay in the EU or, if that is not possible, the European Single Market and Customs Union. Equally, the Scottish Government should have devolved responsibility for migration so we can have a migration policy tailored to Scotlands needs. Irelands premier has said issues remain to be ironed out with the Brexit withdrawal agreement but he is confident that Europe will give it the green-light. Leo Varadkar described the draft deal as the next best thing to the UK staying in the European Union. He made the comments before travelling from Dublin to Brussels with European Affairs Minister Helen McEntee to attend a special EU Council summit on Sunday. The Taoiseach said: There are a few issues to be ironed out but I am confident that we, as 27 countries, will be able give the green light on behalf of Europe to the withdrawal agreement. The summit will go ahead after Spain claimed the UK and European Union had agreed to its demands for guarantees over the status of Gibraltar. British Prime Minister Theresa May held meetings with EU chiefs Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk on Saturday evening to finalise details. UK Prime Minister Theresa May and EU President Jean-Claude Juncker (Etienne Ansotte/EU) While not necessary, the deal was approved in the Irish parliament on Wednesday. Mr Varadkar said it protected Irelands interests and gave people and businesses much needed certainty. He added that there was no other deal on the table. Ms McEntee thanked the EU for its unwavering support in ensuring the Good Friday Agreement was protected. She described the unity of the member states throughout the negotiations as outstanding. No matter what happens anywhere else, Ireland will remain a fully committed member of the European Union. It is our home and it is where we will stay, she said. A chalk drawing by 19th century artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti which was bought from a second-hand bookshop for 75 is to go on display at Cambridges Fitzwilliam Museum. The artwork, called Ricorditi Di Me, Che Son La Pia (from Dantes Purgatorio), has not been exhibited in public in 150 years. Rossetti featured the model Alexa Wilding, whom he first met in the street, in the 1868 study for a painting he completed in 1881. Ricorditi di me che son la Pia (from Dantes Purgatorio) by 19th century artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti, goes on display at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. (Joe Giddens/ PA) He used his better-known muse Jane Morris, wife of arts and crafts designer William Morris, for the final painting, La Pia DeTolomei, which is now in the Spencer Museum of Art in Kansas. The drawing, bought by Sir Ivor Batchelor, is part of the Sir Ivor and Lady Batchelor Bequest, made to the Fitzwilliam in 2015, with highlights of the collection to be displayed from December 4. Henrietta Ward, assistant keeper for paintings, drawings and prints, said: The fact that he found it in the bookshop was quite a fluke. Sir Ivor wrote in an essay: It was in the tiny second-hand bookshop of Robert Aitken in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh, in the years immediately after World War Two that I found drawings and prints which were within our miniscule budget and which were often of real quality. Aitken was a dealer of exceptional knowledge and discrimination. It was a red letter day in 1956 when off the floor in Aitkens shop, with a windfall of royalties from a book, we bought for 75 Rossettis very fine and very large drawing for La Pia. Sir Ivor Batchelor said it was a `red letter day when he found the artwork in an Edinburgh second-hand bookshop for 75. (Joe Giddens/ PA) Museum workers inspecting the piece found a typewritten note from Rossetti on the reverse, with his instructions for care. It read This drawing not being set it will require the greatest care if ever removed from its frame, and was followed by Rossettis address. Its quite nice that he put that little warning note, said Ms Ward. She said Rossetti was quite famous for his use of models, he had very obsessive relationships with his models. He had an affair with Jane Morris and absolutely loved her, Ms Ward said, and had been obsessed with Wildings bright auburn hair and her beautiful face. The exhibition, called Collecting And Giving: Highlights From The Sir Ivor And Lady Batchelor Bequest, features 86 objects from the overall collection of 461 items including drawings, bronzes, glass and pieces of English pottery. Also in the display is a 26.7in (68cm) bronze statue of Perseus by Sir Alfred Gilbert, who famously sculpted Eros in Piccadilly Circus. Gallery technician Tim Matthews dusts a bronze statue of Greek hero Perseus by Sir Alfred Gilbert. (Joe Giddens/ PA) Perseus, who killed the snake-haired Medusa in Greek mythology, is portrayed as thoughtful by Gilbert, with one winged sandal off as he equips himself. Sir Ivor Batchelor, who was Professor of Psychiatry at Dundee University from 1967 to 1982, died in 2005 aged 88. Lady Batchelor died in 2014. The couple first made contact with the Fitzwilliam Museum in 1990 and generously donated objects from their collection over the following decade. This will be the first time items from the Batchelor bequest are exhibited together, and they will be displayed at the Fitzwilliam Museum from December 4 2018 to March 3 2019. A man has been charged with the attempted murder of a police officer over an alleged knife attack at an east London station. Daniel Adeyemi is accused of trying to kill the officer at Ilford railway station on Friday night. The 24-year-old will appear before magistrates in London on Monday, British Transport Police (BTP) said. A man has been charged with the attempted murder of a Police Officer, possession of bladed article and common assault against another Police Officer. https://t.co/ezpFLA7kX6 pic.twitter.com/gVVCEjDHzU British Transport Police (@BTP) November 25, 2018 Adeyemi, of Bedford Road, Ilford, has also been charged with possession of a bladed article and common assault against another police officer. He is said to have set upon an on-duty BTP officer at the station at around 9.45pm before being arrested at the scene. Witnesses described seeing a bloodied officer outside the station as it was put on complete lockdown. The scene outside Ilford Station in east London on Saturday (PA) The alleged attack comes amid concerns over the treatment of officers in the city. Theresa Mays direct plea to the public to back her Brexit deal has provoked impassioned responses from those on both sides of the debate. Prominent physicist Jon Butterworth issued a fiery reply to a tweet of the letter, which was published on social media. I want freedom of movement for me and my children, and it will be a cold day in hell before I unite behind you & the party you lead, said the Large Hadron Collider scientist, who is a professor at University College London. I will never forgive those who brought my country down in this shameful manner. I want freedom of movement for me and my children, and it will be a cold day in hell before I unite behind you & the party you lead. I will never forgive those who brought my country down in this shameful manner. #backthebrexitdeal #stopbrexit Jon Butterworth (@jonmbutterworth) November 24, 2018 Minister for Sport, Civil Society and Loneliness Mims Davies, a Conservative, backed Mrs May, saying it was time to unite & progress. She tweeted: @theresa_may has written to us ALL.I believe like PM its time for us all to be ready to listen & all move forward.Lets not just re fight referendum forever more, lets not focus on a divide,use incendiary language,argue more than we look for common ground. Prime Minister Theresa May wrote a letter on her Brexit plan (Christopher Furlong/PA) @theresa_may has written to us ALL.I believe like PM its time for us all to be ready to listen & all move forward.Lets not just re fight referendum forever more, lets not focus on a divide,use incendiary language,argue more than we look for common ground.Time to unite & progress https://t.co/1XRnVw2ylS Mims Davies MP #KICKSTART #JOBS #PROGRESSION (@mimsdavies) November 24, 2018 Welsh Labour MP Stephen Doughty, supporter of the Peoples Vote campaign, fired off a quick reply to the PM. Not thanks. Not buying it, it said. Lets have a Peoples Vote instead to let the people of this country have a final say, with the option to stay. Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, chairwoman of the Commons Health Select Committee, rejected the PMs assertion that hers is a deal for a brighter future. Not a brighter future, just dimmer & diminished. There is no valid consent to this Deal without a #PeoplesVote, she tweeted. Not a brighter future, just dimmer & diminished. There is no valid consent to this Deal without a #PeoplesVote https://t.co/jZbmbOsitf Sarah Wollaston (@sarahwollaston) November 25, 2018 Scottish Labour MP Ged Killen likened Mrs Mays pledge to end free movement of people once and for all to comments US president Donald Trump might make. He tweeted: Feels like something Trump might tweet. Still breaks my heart to think my nieces and nephews wont grow up with the same freedom I had to live, work and study across the EU Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said Mrs May cannot be trusted. She tweeted: You have let us down so badly, you have let Gibraltar and its citizens down too, they looked to you and the Tory party for support but you failed them when they needed us in their hour of need, they have been totally discarded, what a mess Voters in Taiwan have voted to restrict marriage to being between a man and a woman in an advisory referendum. The referendum result has been seen as a setback to LGBT couples who were hoping their island would be the first place in Asia to let same-sex couples share child custody and insurance benefits. The vote on Saturday, organised by Christian groups that make up about 5% of Taiwans population and advocates of the traditional Chinese family structure, goes against a May 2017 Constitutional Court ruling. Justices told legislators then to make same-sex marriage legal within two years, a first for Asia where religion and conservative governments normally keep the bans in place. Although the ballot initiative is advisory only, it is expected to frustrate politicians who are mindful of public opinion as they face the court deadline next year. Many legislators will stand for re-election in 2020. Voters line up at a ballot station to vote for the city mayor in Kaohsiung (AP) The legislature has lots of choices on how to make this court order take effect, said referendum proponent Chen Ke, a Catholic pastor in Taiwan and an opponent of same-sex marriage. Ruling party politicians backed by President Tsai Ing-wen had proposed legalizing same-sex marriage in late 2016, but put their ideas aside to await the court hearing. Opposition to same-sex marriage rose after the court ruling, as opponents held rallies and mobilised votes online. Courts will still consider local marriage licensing offices in violation of the law by May 2019, if they refuse same-sex couples, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said last week. The referendum is a general survey, it doesnt have very strong legal implications, said Shiau Hong-chi, professor of gender studies and communications management at Shih-Hsin University in Taiwan. One way or another it has to go back to the court. Voters approved a separate measure on Saturday calling for a different process to protect same-sex unions. Amnesty International told the government it needs to deliver equality and dignity. This result is a bitter blow and a step backwards for human rights in Taiwan, Amnestys Taiwan-based Acting Director Annie Huang said. However, despite this setback, we remain confident that love and equality will ultimately prevail. Mexicos incoming government has denied a report that it plans to allow asylum seekers to wait in the country while their claims move through US immigration courts. The deal was seen as a way to dissuade thousands of Central American migrants from seeking asylum in the US, a process that can take years. In effect, Mexican border towns are already acting as waiting rooms for migrants hoping to start new lives in the US due to bottlenecks at the border. There is no agreement of any sort between the incoming Mexican government and the US government, Mexicos future interior minister Olga Sanchez said in a statement. Hours earlier, The Washington Post quoted her as saying the incoming administration of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador had agreed to allow migrants to stay in Mexico as a short-term solution while the US considered their applications for asylum. Mr Lopez Obrador will take office on December 1. The statement shared with The Associated Press said the future governments principal concern related to the migrants is their wellbeing while in Mexico. A seven-year-old Honduran migrant waves an American flag at US border control helicopters flying overhead near a temporary shelter for migrants, in Tijuana, Mexico (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) The Washington Post reported on Saturday that the administration of US President Donald Trump has won support from the Mexican president-elects team for a plan dubbed Remain in Mexico. The newspaper also quoted Ms Sanchez as saying: For now, we have agreed to this policy of Remain in Mexico. Ms Sanchez did not explain in the statement why The Washington Post had quoted her as saying there had been agreement. White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said: President Trump has developed a strong relationship with the incoming (Lopez) Obrador Administration, and we look forward to working with them on a wide range of issues. Stephanie Leutert, director of the Mexico Security Initiative at the University of Texas at Austin, described the Remain in Mexico plan as a strategy to take away the ability of migrants to live and work in the US while cases are processed. The hope is that asylum seekers will not want to live in (Mexico) for months/years and wont come, Ms Leutert said via Twitter. US officials have said for months that they were working with Mexico to find solutions for what they have called a border crisis. One variation, called Safe Third, would have denied asylum claims on the grounds that asylum seekers had found haven in Mexico. President Enrique Pena Nieto offered thousands of Central Americans asylum on October 26 if they agreed to remain in southern Mexico. Close to 3,000 migrants took Mexico up on the offer. Ms Sanchez said that the next government does not plan for Mexico to become a Safe Third country. The pre-Christmas sales are now in full swing and retailers are bombarding us with their so-called too good to miss offers. But now can also be a particularly dangerous time for people being tipped into debts by festive spending which they could spend much of 2019 trying to pay off when bills thud onto doormats. Previous research from the Money Advice Trust charity suggests more than a third (37%) of people put last Christmas on credit, and 13% of people say they regularly worry about money in the run-up to Christmas. While for some, their money problems may simply stem from not sticking to their budget, there may be other factors at play too, such as a sudden change in circumstances which means that a bill you thought you could cover is now going to be a struggle. Sue Anderson, a spokeswoman for StepChange Debt Charity, says: Among StepChange clients, debt often occurs as a result of a change in circumstances that causes people to lose some or all of their usual income. Debt help bodies often see a surge in cries for help around the start of a new year. And StepChanges figures show that January 2018 was a particularly busy month for people calling and seeking debt help on its website. Is blowing the budget really worth it? (Thinkstock/PA) But there are steps you could potentially take now, to help lessen the chances of a post-Christmas debt hangover in January. Here are some tips from Anderson and StepChange Debt Charity If you havent begun thinking about Christmas yet, you really should. Here are 10 essentials to add to your Christmas budget now.https://t.co/hJsPGmVLpl pic.twitter.com/oh1zWRQmkc MoneyHelper (@MoneyHelperUK) November 19, 2018 1. Set a budget and stick to it It can be difficult to resist falling into the generosity trap, spending money we cant really afford because we want to treat our loved ones to special presents, food, festive decorations and the whole works. But think of it a different way by setting an affordable budget and sticking to it, theres more chance of being able to afford the little treats that can satisfy our generosity urges for loved ones throughout the year ahead as well, rather than finding the new year has to be all about belt-tightening to pay for the aftermath of Christmas. Are you planning to bag a bargain this #BlackFriday? If you are, here are our 13 golden rules to make sure your 'deal' is not a dud https://t.co/Kj075XjlcY Which? (@WhichUK) November 19, 2018 2. Dont forget to include hidden costs Budgeting for things like the cost of travel to get to wherever youre going at Christmas, the cost of joining in the work Christmas do, contributions to Christmas activities that children might be involved in at school, or the Secret Santa, are easily overlooked. Before you know it, theyve blown your budget. So try to sit down and make a plan of everything you need to factor in not just the cost of food and presents. If something has to give, then at least you have a chance to think about which area of spending youre most prepared to cut back on. We helped over 300,000 people with debt problems last year. This #TalkMoneyWeek find out how you can get advice from wherever you are https://t.co/ape4lsDy3b CitizensAdvice (@CitizensAdvice) November 16, 2018 3. Beware of the pressure to pay later or just put it on plastic Making good memories (or even good presents!) doesnt have to be about spending lots of money. Your childrens home-made Christmas biscuits may be just as welcome (and more fun). For the items you do buy, think about the consequences of pay later or putting it on plastic. Its still real money in the end. Your friends and family wouldnt want you to get into difficulty for the sake of buying them stuff. 4. Plan ahead Although theres not long to go until Christmas, you can still plan the load a bit. That can help you spread (or even reduce) costs. If you have a freezer, making food you might otherwise buy can prove cheaper than buying ready-made versions. Looking further ahead, if you start a savings plan from January to save up all year for the following Christmas may mean a borrowing-free Christmas a year from now. To celebrate @YourMoneyAdvice #talkmoney week we can reveal new evidence about how debt advice is helping our clients feel better, sleep better, and feel more confident. https://t.co/50ma6Reak3 pic.twitter.com/SfpfeSUmwi StepChange (@StepChange) November 17, 2018 5. And if you do overspend dont panic, but dont ignore it either Go back to basics and make sure you draw up a budget that will get you back on track. If that isnt enough to solve the problem, then one of the reputable free debt advice charities will help you. The sooner you tackle any debt issue, the better. For further free advice and support, visit stepchange.org. Theresa Mays Brexit deal has been backed in Brussels, with leaders of the remaining 27 EU nations approving two documents that have been two years in the making the Withdrawal Agreement and a Political Declaration about the future relationship between the EU and the UK. EU27 has endorsed the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on the future EU-UK relations. Charles Michel (@eucopresident) November 25, 2018 After clearing that major hurdle, here is what lies ahead for the deal, the Prime Minister and Britains exit from the EU. Battle for parliamentary approval Many thought it would be near-impossible for Mrs May to secure consensus among all of the EUs leaders back when Article 50 was triggered on March 29 2017. Furthermore, few predicted that one of the biggest threats to the deal would eventually come from Brexiteer MPs when, in the early stages of the negotiations, Remain campaigners took the Government to the highest court in the land in order to secure a meaningful vote for MPs. This Commons vote is the major hurdle Mrs May must now overcome if her hard-won deal is to be enshrined in UK law. The vote is expected to take place before MPs break for Christmas in December. Eurosceptic rejection Boris Johnson speaking during the DUP annual conference in Belfast (Michael Cooper/PA) Led by figures including Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg, a swathe of Brexiteer Tories have rejected Mrs Mays deal and called for it to be renegotiated. This raises the prospect of some of Mrs Mays own MPs voting against the agreement when it goes before the Commons. Appearing at the DUP conference on Saturday, Mr Johnson said the deal will leave the UK a satellite state of the EU. In the Sunday Express Mr Rees-Mogg said the deal does not deliver on Brexit and instead of taking back control, in some areas it will leave the United Kingdom with even less control than it currently has: the vassal state. DUP opposition LIVE: Watch Rt Hon Arlene Foster MLA - Party Leaders Address at the #DUP18 Party Conference in Belfast > https://w https://t.co/yhGY7iTE4N DUP (@duponline) November 24, 2018 The Eurosceptics rejection of the plans stems in large part from the deals backstop provision for the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Hardline Brexiteers say it risks the UK being unable to ever fully leave the EU. The DUP say the backstop would see Northern Ireland adopt a different regulatory regime to Great Britain if a wider UK/EU trade deal fails to materialise. DUP leader Arlene Foster said the draft deal fails to protect the Union. With 10 MPs in the Commons, their support could be crucial for Mrs Mays deal to pass. Labour opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Labour repeatedly warned that they would vote against any deal that does not pass six tests. Among the requirements are that it delivers the exact same benefits, fair management of migration and the protection of workers rights and protections. On Wednesday Jeremy Corbyn branded the deal as botched and a leap in the dark. (It) breaches the Prime Ministers own red lines and does not meet our six tests, he said. Uncertain future There is growing speculation that the deal will be voted down by MPs in its current form, although the PM is expected to have several weeks to build support. Aware of the widespread opposition among MPs, Mrs May is appealing directly to the public. On Saturday she issued a letter to the nation in which she urged Britons to get behind the deal. She has also sought the backing of business in an effort to encourage MPs to support the deal. What happens if it is voted down? MPs rejection of Mrs Mays plan would open up several possibilities Britain crashing out of the EU with no deal on March 29, Mrs May having to return to the EU to ask for further talks or a so-called Peoples Vote that could see Brexit halted altogether. On Saturday Chancellor Philip Hammond warned that rejecting the deal would leave Britain in uncharted territory, while he said a no-deal Brexit would unleash economic chaos. Could another deal be struck? The Sunday Telegraph front page: Secret 'Plan B' for Brexit #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/o0ciuKaMbw The Telegraph (@Telegraph) November 24, 2018 EU leaders have warned they will not return to the negotiating table, however a no-deal Brexit would have damaging consequences for both the UK and EU countries. If talks are re-opened it will likely mean extending the Article 50 period well beyond March 29. According to reports, officials in Westminster and Brussels are continuing to work on plans for alternative arrangements. The Sunday Telegraph reported that several senior ministers were working on plans for a Norway-style relationship with the EU. Brexit: Part two Negotiations on how the UK will trade with the EU could run until 2022 (Jane Barlow/PA) Negotiations up to this point have related to the arrangements for how Britains divorce from the EU will take place. If Mrs Mays divorce deal is passed by Parliament, next comes the long process of agreeing on how the UK will trade with the bloc in the future. Negotiators have until the end of the transition period, which could run until the end of 2022, to strike a deal. If they fail to do so that could mean the imposition of the backstop to ensure no disruption to the Irish border. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has warned Britain cannot expect to get a better Brexit deal if Parliament rejects the agreement hammered out by Theresa May. His warning came as EU leaders gathered in Brussels endorsed the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration finally agreed with the commission last week. Mr Juncker told reporters: This is the deal. Its the best deal possible and the EU will not change its fundamental position when it comes to these issues, he said. The announcement that the remaining 27 EU leaders had backed the plan came in a tweet from European Council president Donald Tusk barely 40 minutes after the meeting started. EU27 has endorsed the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on the future EU-UK relations. Charles Michel (@eucopresident) November 25, 2018 Shortly after the news broke, Mrs May arrived at the council building in the Belgian capital to join the other leaders. Mr Junckers comments were echoed Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte who urged MPs to give their approval in next months expected meaningful vote in the House of Commons. This is the deal on the table. I dont think there is anything more now. I dont want to contemplate a no vote. I think there will be a yes vote, he said. Theresa May arrives for the EU summit (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP) I think this is the best we can all do both Theresa May and her Government as well as the European Union. I do think she has everything now to argue for a yes vote in the British Parliament. .@JunckerEU #EUCO #Article50 #Brexit #UK leaving the #EU is a tragic moment. Not a moment to celebrate. But we have negotiated the best deal possible. I am in favour of this deal. pic.twitter.com/ipbgQbR4ZH Mina Andreeva (@Mina_Andreeva) November 25, 2018 The EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the deal was a necessary step to prepare for the next phase of negotiations which the Government hopes will result in a wide-ranging free trade agreement. Now it is time for everybody to take their responsibility. This deal is a necessary step to build the trust between the UK and the EU we need to build, Mr Barnier said. The next phase is an unprecedented and ambitious partnership. We will remain allies, partners and friends. German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks with Michel Barnier (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP) Ahead of the meeting Mrs May issued a direct plea to the public to support plan. In a letter to the nation, she said leaving the EU on March 29 2019 would mark a new chapter in our national life and there would be a moment of renewal and reconciliation after the bitter battles over Europe. The almost 800-word message is an attempt to speak directly to the public to build support for her deal, which faces widespread opposition at Westminster including from both wings of her Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party which props up her administration. She said the deal will honour the result of the referendum by allowing the UK to take back control of its money, laws and borders. It is a deal for a brighter future, which enables us to seize the opportunities that lie ahead, she said. She promised she would be campaigning with my heart and soul to win the vote in the Commons. And with Brexit settled the UK will be able to focus on the economy, NHS, building homes and tackling the burning injustices in society, the Prime Minister added. The summit in Brussels is only taking place after Spain claimed the UK and EU had given into its demands for concessions over the future of Gibraltar. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez claimed the UK and European Union had agreed to its demands for guarantees over the status of Gibraltar in future negotiations. Meanwhile Mrs Mays political difficulties at home showed no sign of abating, with speculation that Remain-leaning Cabinet ministers have begun secret talks on a Brexit Plan B if the deal is rejected by MPs. The Sunday Times reported that Chancellor Philip Hammond who warned on Saturday of economic chaos if there is no deal is working with David Lidington, Amber Rudd, Greg Clark and David Gauke on trying to persuade Mrs May to adopt a softer Brexit which may be able to get through Parliament if her plan is rejected. The Sunday Telegraph also reported that several senior ministers were working on plans for a Norway-style relationship with the EU. Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes rode their luck during a vital partnership as England stretched their lead to 306 on the third afternoon of the final Test against Sri Lanka. The pair came together at 39 for four but quelled the prospect of collapse in Colombo, adding 89 before both fell in the afternoon session as England reached tea on 210 for seven. Their stand hinged on several instances of good fortune, with Stokes particularly fortunate to make 42 after twice being caught off Lakshan Sandakan no-balls. Buttlers 64 was a more secure knock by some distance but he still had to overturn an lbw verdict which looked plumb in real time and saw a tough chance dropped at the wicket on 38. England began 99 in front but lost both openers cheaply. Keaton Jennings succumbed lbw to the first ball of the day, Dilruwan Perera willing a wicket-to-wicket delivery into the front pad, and Rory Burns fell for an identikit dismissal. Perera needed some assistance to add first-innings centurion Jonny Bairstow to his collection, with Kaushal Silva on hand to hold a firm chance at short-leg, and when captain Joe Root fed a leading edge back to left-armer Malinda Pushpakumara just nine balls later England appeared to be in a tailspin. Ben Stokes was given two reprieves by Sri Lanka (Eranga Jayawardena/AP) Stokes and Buttler tipped the scales back in their sides favour, knocking Sandakan off his length with the wrist spinner releasing the pressure with two costly overs. Sri Lanka could scarcely believe their fate when Sandakans wandering front foot twice cost them, Stokes summoned back to the middle on 22 and 32, while Buttler gambled and won after being given lbw. He had 27 when Dhananjaya De Silva wrapped him on the knee roll in front of middle only for ball-tracking to show it skipping over the top. When Niroshan Dickwella spilled a thin edge down leg-side from the first ball after tea, the fates appeared to be conspiring against the hosts. Stokes luck eventually expired when he failed to clear long-on off the probing Perera but Buttler continued to nudge, push and steer his way to a busy half-century that featured almost none of the fireworks he is known for. He had used his feet adroitly throughout but eventually ventured too far, stumped as Sandakan dragged one down leg side. Sri Lanka needed Englands resistance to go with him but Moeen Ali (22), Ben Foakes (20no) and Adil Rashid (21no) continued adding to their forthcoming chase. Irelands premier has said the approval of the draft Brexit withdrawal agreement by EU leaders at a special summit will allow the talks to move on. Leo Varadkar said he was pleased to be in Brussels to sign off on the deal, which he said represented the culmination of nearly two years of work. The Taoiseach made the comments as he arrived at the Europa building for the European Councils special meeting on Sunday morning. EU leaders from 27 member states approved the draft Withdrawal Agreement and a Political Declaration about the future relationship between the EU and the UK. Speaking ahead of the meeting Mr Varadkar said: It was a very difficult deal to negotiate. I anticipate that in the next couple of hours that agreement will get the assent of the 28 governments, 27 member states that are staying and also the government of the UK and that will allow us to move on. Mr Varadkar said he still regretted the fact that the UK was leaving the European Union. The best outcome for Ireland, and I think for Europe and Britain, would be for the UK to stay in the European Union, to stay in the single market and customs union, but we respect their decision not to do that, he said. (PA Graphics) Mr Varadkar added: We spent two years trying to negotiate an agreement that protects our interests, our citizens and our economy. I believe we have that: an agreement which allows for an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, an agreement which protects the freedoms and rights of citizens, particularly the Common Travel Area, an agreement which provides a transition period during which we can negotiate a future relationship. He added: If that isnt successful then a backstop that kicks in that assures us that there will be no hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. And well continue to have tariff free and quota free trade between Britain and Ireland which is very important for our economy. The summit went ahead after Spain claimed the UK and European Union had agreed to its demands for guarantees over the status of Gibraltar. British Prime Minister Theresa May held meetings with EU chiefs Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk on Saturday evening to finalise details. While not necessary, the deal was also approved in the Irish parliament on Wednesday. Swansea have expressed their sadness at the death of former defender Kevin Austin at the age of 45. Austin, who made 150 appearances for the Swans between 2004 and 2008, died on Friday after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. During his time with the club, Austin won promotion from League Two in 2005 and was a part of Roberto Martinezs League One-winning squad in 2008. Swansea said in a statement: Everyone at Swansea City is desperately saddened to hear of the passing of former defender Kevin Austin. The Swans have been in touch with Kevins family, who wished to convey that the club always had a special place in his heart. Nicola Sturgeon has hit out at Theresa Mays public plea for Brexit support, saying almost nothing in this desperate letter is true. In a letter to the nation published before the Prime Minister met the other 27 EU leaders in Brussels, Mrs May said leaving the union on March 29 2019 would mark a new chapter in our national life. The 800-word message said that the result of the EU referendum in 2016 would be honoured and that freedom of movement would end. It also stated that the UK would take back control of laws and money which, it suggested, could be spent on the NHS. Scotlands First Minister described the letter as desperate and reiterated her calls for alternatives such as staying in the single market and customs union or holding a second referendum. Ms Sturgeon tweeted: I dont say this lightly, but almost nothing in this desperate letter is true. Nicola Sturgeon hit out at Theresa Mays Brexit letter (Jane Barlow/PA) I dont say this lightly, but almost nothing in this desperate letter is true. This is a bad deal, driven by the PMs self defeating red lines and continual pandering to the right of her own party. Parliament should reject it and back a better alternative - SM/CU or #PeoplesVote https://t.co/TSsXQtVUAZ Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) November 25, 2018 This is a bad deal, driven by the PMs self defeating red lines and continual pandering to the right of her own party. Parliament should reject it and back a better alternative SM/CU or #PeoplesVote. As EU leaders endorsed the deal on Sunday, SNP MSP Brexit secretary Mike Russell said it does not work for Scotland. It takes Scotland out of the European Union against our democratic wishes, it removes us from the single market against our economic interests, and it would put us at a competitive economic disadvantage compared to Northern Ireland, he said. The only thing it guarantees is years of damaging uncertainty, which will cost jobs and hit living standards and, by ending freedom of movement, will make it harder to attract the staff we need for our NHS That is why the Scottish Government will now work with others to get a better deal for Scotland within the European single market and customs union, which is eight times bigger than the UK market alone, and why we support another referendum on EU membership. Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Conservative deputy leader, said: The Prime Minister has shown remarkable tenacity and resilience in securing an agreement with the European Union and deserves congratulations for doing so today. As with every negotiation, nobody has got everything they wanted. But this deal does offer the prospect of delivering Brexit and allowing the country to move on. Nicola Sturgeon has already come out to pronounce her opposition to the deal. It is hardly a surprise given that she decided to oppose whatever the Prime Minister came back with weeks ago. Her plan is to take us back into the CFP, and push through not one, but two more referendums. The EU has made clear today: this is the only deal on the table. It will protect jobs, it is backed by business, and it will allow us all to move on. By contrast, Nicola Sturgeon wants to take us back to yet more constitutional chaos and we will oppose that every step of the way. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: Now we know the deal that the PM thinks is good enough, now is the time for the people to decide whether it actually is good enough. This is too important to leave to a bitter, divided Conservative Party. We urgently need a Peoples Vote. His schedule for Buenos Aires did not initially list the ceremony. He opted to attend anyway, saying the deal maintains stability for Canadas entire economy and removes the dangers associated with a threatened United States withdrawal. Thats why Im here today, he said. The new agreement lifts the risk of serious economic uncertainty that lingers throughout a trade renegotiation process. Mr. Trudeau pointedly referred to the accord as the new North American Free Trade Agreement and described it as modernizing Nafta, despite Mr. Trumps effort to rebrand it as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The Canadian leader also used the occasion to press Mr. Trump on steel and aluminum tariffs, which remain unresolved. Make no mistake, we will stand up for our workers and fight for their families and their communities, Mr. Trudeau said. And Donald, its all the more reason why we need to keep working to remove the tariffs on steel and aluminum between our two countries. The signing came shortly after a separate ceremony, hosted by Mr. Pena Nieto, presenting Jared Kushner, Mr. Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser, with Mexicos highest award for foreigners in honor of his role in negotiating the trade agreement. DUP leader Arlene Foster has called for a Brexit third way, insisting the choice is not between the current draft agreement and no deal. As EU leaders endorsed the proposed withdrawal treaty in Brussels, Mrs Foster made clear there were no circumstances under which her party would vote for it when it comes before the House of Commons. I believe we should use the time now to look for a third way, a different way, a better way, she said. A short clip of my interview with @AndrewMarr9 - Withdrawal Agreement is a bad deal for the UK. - Does not let us take back control. - Very little enthusiasm for the Withdrawal Agreement across the House of Commons. - Time for a better deal. https://t.co/mHBCYQXuDS Arlene Foster #WeWillMeetAgain (@ArleneFosterUK) November 25, 2018 She added: We shouldnt just accept an outcome for the sake of it we should try to get a deal that is good for everybody. Appearing The Andrew Marr Show on BBC One, Mrs Foster said the current deals Irish backstop a measure that would align Northern Ireland with a number of EU regulations in the event a wider trade deal failed to materialise was not acceptable. Were not advocating a no deal, were advocating a better deal, she said. We want to see the Irish backstop gone. There is no need for the Irish backstop so lets get rid of it. (PA Graphics) Mrs Foster insisted the DUPs confidence and supply agreement with the Conservatives remained live. But she again warned that her party would review the arrangement if the Brexit deal gained parliamentary support, though stopped short of saying she would definitely end the relationship with the Tories in those circumstances. We have to see where we are when that vote is taken, she said. Asked if she would support the Prime Minister if a parliamentary defeat triggered a confidence vote in the Government, Mrs Foster added: We will have to see what happens at that time. I think this last couple of weeks should tell all of us that you shouldnt jump ahead of ourselves. What we should do is wait to see what develops in that respect. Mrs Foster was also non-committal when asked whether the DUP would support a Norway-style relationship with the EU, with the UK joining the European Economic Area (EEA). Im not going to be proscriptive with the Government, she said. Theresa May with European Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels (Olivier Hoslet/AP) What Im saying to the Government is this deal, this current deal, does not allow us to take back control. Certainly not in terms of Northern Ireland, because we stay within the European Union structure and we will have no say on those rules we will have a democratic deficit, we have to take the rules but we have no way of influencing those. She rejected claims of inconsistency in regard to divergence with Great Britain, given the DUP advocates different laws in Northern Ireland on social issues such as gay marriage and abortion. Those matters are devolved to Northern Ireland to make decisions on, Mrs Foster said. But international trade, customs, the single market, those things stay at Westminster. Those things are kept in the national parliament and what this document does, what the international treaty that has just been agreed today does, is make a difference between us in terms of those international issues and I think thats very important to us. Asked if the Prime Minister had let her down, the DUP leader replied: We are disappointed with the way this has progressed, I have to say. I really do understand that she is a unionist, that she wants to get the best deal, but actually what this deal does is go against everything she has said around all of that. Pressed on whether a defeat of the EU deal in Parliament would spell the end of Mrs Mays tenure as Prime Minister, Mrs Foster said: Thats not a matter for me, thats a matter for her own party. Police have named a man they urgently want to speak to over the murder of a 29-year-old woman who was repeatedly stabbed. Detectives say Adam Brettle, 23, from Warrington, may have vital information to help them with their inquiries into the death of the victim from St Helens, Merseyside. The public have been warned not to approach Mr Brettle directly if they see him but to call 999 immediately. Officers were called to an address in Swan Avenue, Derbyshire Hill, at 11.40am on Saturday to a report of an assault. On entering the property they found the 29-year-old victim had suffered multiple stab wounds and she was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. Detectives, who believe the offender was known to the victim, have now appealed for Mr Brettle to come forward. Police want to speak to Adam Brettle (Merseyside Police/PA) Detective Chief Inspector John Williams, of Merseyside Police said: Brettle is someone we are very keen to speak to as soon as possible, as our investigation into this tragic murder continues. I would advise the public not to approach Brettle directly if you see him, but to call police on 999 immediately so that we can take the necessary action. I also want to make it clear that having any current association with Brettle will bring police officers to your door, so I would encourage anyone with information to do the right thing and come forward as soon as possible. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. Alternatively call 101 quoting incident reference 18400045065 , or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will hold further talks with his United Arab Emirates counterpart over the fate of a British academic jailed for life on a spying charge. Diplomatic efforts to free PhD student Matthew Hedges are being led by Mr Hunt amid an outcry after the 31-year-old was handed the sentence earlier this week. The Durham University researchers wife, Daniela Tejada, has lobbied for his release and won assurances from Mr Hunt that the Government is now standing up for her husband, after she claimed it had initially put foreign relations above his liberty. Mr Hunt told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show that he thinks Ms Tejada is being incredibly brave in challenging circumstances, and that he is optimistic a way through can be found. The UAE is a very long-standing friend of the UK, and I have had very good conversations with their foreign minister. I am going to speak to him again this afternoon, Mr Hunt said. I am very much hoping we can find a way through that. Mr Hunt held talks with foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed on Friday and said he believed the Emirati authorities were working constructively to find a solution to this problem. United Arab Emirates ambassador Sulaiman Almazroui makes a statement about Matthew Hedges (Dominic Lipinski/PA) In a statement at the UAE embassy in London on the same day, ambassador Sulaiman Almazroui praised the closeness between the two nations as he said clemency is being considered for the extremely serious case. Mr Hedges family have made a request for clemency and the government is studying that request, he said. Because of the strength of that relationship we are hopeful that an amicable solution can be reached. He also made efforts to defend the judicial process, denying it was a five-minute show trial and claiming three judges evaluated compelling evidence over three hearings to make their ruling. He did not address whether the academic was given adequate legal representation throughout the process, which Ms Tejada has said he lacked. Our thoughts are with Matthew Hedges, his wife Daniela and his family today. We will do everything we can to get him home as soon as possible pic.twitter.com/hE4systClL Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) November 21, 2018 She swiftly rebuked the ambassadors defence, saying her husband had been held in solitary confinement for more than five months without charge or lawyer, and when he did receive consular access he was not able to talk openly. The judicial system in the UAE and the UK cannot be compared, she said in a statement. We have asked for clemency, we will wait to see what happens. Mr Hedges, originally from Exeter, was arrested at Dubai Airport as he tried to leave the country on May 5. Professor Stuart Corbridge, vice-chancellor of Durham University, said there is no reason to believe that Matt was conducting anything other than legitimate academic research. Mr Hedges was given 30 days to challenge the court ruling, and Ms Tejada has launched a petition on Change.org which has so far garnered more than 238,000 signatures. An art centre devised a shrewd way to pay homage to artist Banksy for Christmas this year, by creating a shredded Christmas tree. The display at Parkersburg Art Centre in West Virginia, in the United States, is inspired by the anonymous English artists shredding of his piece Girl With Balloon after it was sold at auction this year. The tree was created by volunteers and art-loving moms Kelley Cartwright and Kasey Snyder, as part of the art centres annual Artist Tree Display. Kasey told the Press Association: There are a variety of artist-inspired trees on display including Yayoi Kusama, Peter Max, Leon Zernitsky, Helen Frankenthaler and Banksy. A picture of the Banksy tree has gone viral on Reddit, with some of those commenting on it commending details such as the red bauble in the top right-hand corner which echoes the red balloon placement in Banksys piece. Girl With Balloon was partially destroyed by a shredder built into its frame by Banksy after it was auctioned for 1.04 million at Sothebys in London in October. (Kasey Snyder and Sothebys) I just love how many people dont get it. user strangeloop527, who posted the picture to Reddit, said. Its hilarious. Reddit user meltingintoice commented on the Banksy-inspired tree: I think this sort of thing is proof that the remnant of the destroyed Banksy painting (actually performance art) is now probably the most famous and thus the most valuable Banksy in existence. Another, Ripamaru, wrote: The attack on Christmas continues!!! The art centre wrote in a Facebook post about its Artist Tree Display. Ever wonder how Klee, Calder or Picasso would have decorated their Christmas tree? We did! Local artists and school groups come together each year to imagine what this classic holiday decor would have looked like in the hands of famous (or not so famous) artists. If you would like to keep up to date with Kasey and Kelleys creations, check out Parkersburg Art Centres Instagram and Facebook pages or visit its website. England were on the brink of a memorable overseas whitewash in Sri Lanka, ending day three of the third and final Test in complete control in Colombo. Following victories in Galle and Kandy, Joe Roots side have two full days to finish off their beleaguered hosts who will resume on 53 for four chasing a ground record 327. Jos Buttler became the latest member of the touring team to weigh in with a crucial contribution, arriving at the crease on 39 for four and playing against type for a mature 64 his best knock of the series to usher England to a healthy 230 all out. Buttlers half-century guided England towards their total (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) Buttlers 89-run stand with Ben Stokes (42) was the turning point of an innings that had threatened to enter tailspin, with Lakshan Sandakan playing the role of enabler with two grievous self-inflicted wounds. The left-arm wrist-spinner twice had Stokes caught at cover on 22, at slip on 32 only for replays to show he had overstepped the no-ball line on each occasion. England were afforded 17 overs to make inroads into Sri Lankas batting lineup and rammed home their advantage with zeal. Moeen Ali, on new-ball duty, accounted for both openers as Danushka Gunathilaka nicked a sharp off-break to slip and Dimuth Karunaratne exposed his off stump with a loose shot. Jack Leach had Dhananjaya De Silva lbw on a smart review and Stokes landed one more before stumps, goading Angelo Mathews into a brainless pull to midwicket. "You beauty!" Six wickets needed tomorrow for a 3-0 series win! Scorecard: https://t.co/7n0JYExtvS pic.twitter.com/iGJn9qF4qL England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 25, 2018 England began the day 99 ahead but quickly managed to turn a hard-won position of strength into a flimsy top-order procession. Keaton Jennings succumbed lbw to the first ball of the day, Dilruwan Perera coaxing a wicket-to-wicket delivery into the front pad, before picking off Rory Burns in identikit fashion. The duo have had moments of success in the first series of the post-Alastair Cook era but ended on a low here and will look forward to resuming their union away from the exaggerated spin of Sri Lanka. Pereras probing saw him pick up first-innings centurion Jonny Bairstow next, with Kaushal Silva on hand to hold a firm chance at short-leg, and when Root fed a leading edge back to Malinda Pushpakumara just nine balls later England were wobbling badly. Stokes and Buttler combined to nudge the scales back in the opposite direction, adding 71 before lunch and 18 more afterwards. There was much to be impressed by in their work, with big swings of the bat shelved for more conservative strokes and Buttler consistently leaving his crease to knock the bowlers off their lengths. When that ploy worked best they cashed in, milking 20 runs from two ragged Sandakan overs. Yet their stand still hinged on several instances of good fortune, Sandakans wandering front foot giving a disbelieving Stokes second and third lives. Buttler was much more controlled but still had to overturn a tight lbw verdict, rapping the knee roll in front of middle but apparently skipping over. He might also have fallen to the first ball after lunch, when a thin edge down leg side failed to stick in Niroshan Dickwellas gloves. Stokes luck eventually expired when he failed to clear long-on off the probing Perera but Buttler continued to nudge, push and steer his way to a busy half-century. Englands Adil Rashid, left, and Ben Foakes added valuable late-order runs (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) Buttlers willingness to advance eventually cost him, stumped as Sandakan dragged one down leg, but it had also enabled him to find consistent scoring shots throughout his innings despite just three boundaries. Buttlers departure left England 264 ahead with four more wickets and Sri Lanka eyeing a swift clean up job. Stuart Broad obliged by lasting just five balls but the resistance continued elsewhere, Moeen and Adil Rashid adding 22 and 24 respectively valuable lower-order runs at the business end of a match. Ben Foakes ended unbeaten on 36 not out, bringing his average to 69.25 in a standout maiden series, with three referrals all going against the hosts before Leachs nick completed Pereras five-for. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said the return of imprisoned Briton Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to the UK would be the best Christmas present for her and the country. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian mother who works for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested at Tehrans Imam Khomeini airport in April 2016. The 39-year-old, from Hampstead, North London, was later sentenced to five years in jail after being accused of spying, a charge she vehemently denies. Thanks @Jeremy_Hunt on Andrew Marr for standing firm against Nazanins imprisonment & calling her release this Xmas. The Foreign Sec asked @JZarif to give Nazanin a personalised copy of Mandelas Long Road To Freedom, promising hell do everything to bring her home #FreeNazanin pic.twitter.com/yP0IggRxFG Free Nazanin (@FreeNazanin) November 25, 2018 Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, has campaigned exhaustively for her release, saying she is suffering extreme mental and physical hardship at the notorious Elvin prison. Appearing on the BBCs Andrew Marr Show, Mr Hunt who visited Iran on Monday, said his message to the hardline Islamic regime was to allow her access to medical treatment adding it is very, very important. Highlighting the annual campaign of Mr Ratcliffe to try and get his wife home for her birthday on December 26, Mr Hunt said: If she could come home, wouldnt that be the best Christmas present, not just for her but for the whole country? Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Mr Hunt pressed his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Zarif about her case in September when they met in New York on the fringes of a United Nations General Assembly. The month before she had been granted a three-day release but her request for an extension was denied and she was forced to say goodbye to her four-year-old daughter, Gabriella, and return to jail. Asked whether there are any grounds for optimism in the case of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Mr Hunt said it is a more challenging situation. He said during his visit to Tehran he was refused a meeting with her, and instead met Gabriella, who he revealed drew a picture of him in a bow tie and that she probably thinks he is a Tory toff. My request to Iran: please please get Nazanin the medical treatment she needs and allow her home for her birthday on 26 Dec https://t.co/kwT5liXDe3 Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) November 25, 2018 Mr Hunt also held a doll that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe had made for his own daughter, despite suffering from numbness in her shoulder and hand, which made the process difficult. During his appearance on The Marr Show, Mr Hunt also reiterated an earlier warning to the regime. Iran is one of the great civilisations of the Middle East, it wants to be a great regional power, the Foreign Secretary said. If they want respect then do not start locking up innocent people as a tool of diplomatic leverage it is totally and utterly unacceptable. Asked whether they are listening to him, Mr Hunt said he thinks they are, but that whether they are going to do anything is a different matter. Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the Brexit deal brokered between the European Union and Prime Minister Theresa May is a diplomatic piece of art. Mrs Merkel, speaking in Brussels, said: its a historic day, which triggers very ambivalent feelings it is tragic that the UK is leaving the EU now after 45 years, but we have to, of course, respect the vote of the British people. Angela Merkel speaks with European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP) She praised the deal struck in an extremely difficult situation, in a situation without any precedence because we havent had it before that a European country leaves the EU. Mrs Merkel said, while the agreement was based on very hard negotiations, it considers both sides interest. A police chief who branded austerity cuts to frontline officers too deep has one of the best-staffed forces in the country, analysis by the Press Association has revealed. Cleveland Police Chief Constable Mike Veale said on Friday that despite having brilliant people doing a brilliant job there were not enough officers to tackle crime because cuts were too deep and had gone on for too long. But analysis by the PA found Cleveland is one of the best-staffed forces in the country, with one full-time officer for every 450 people in its 566,000 population. (PA Graphics) Neighbouring forces Durham and North Yorkshire appeared to fare worse, with the equivalent of 552 and 607 people per officer respectively. Cleveland, which covers the Middlesbrough and Hartlepool region of the North East, has the seventh-best ratio in the country of full-time officers to people. But the force has still seen its budget cut by 25.5 million and lost nearly 400 frontline officers since 2010. While the force has a total of 1,257 full-time officers in March 2018, Home Office statistics show its number of frontline officers has fallen by nearly a third from 1,512 to 1,099 since 2010. (PA Graphics) The City of London force, which polices the smallest population in England and Wales of about 7,650, topped the list with one officer for every 11 people. Outside the City of London, the Met was the best-staffed force with one officer for every 290 of its 8.8 million population. Wiltshire Police, where Mr Veale previously served as chief constable before joining Cleveland in April, was at the bottom of the list with one officer to every 721 people. The analysis used Home Office data on full-time officers at every police force and compared it to Office for National Statistics population estimates from mid-2017. Mr Veale said his force did not have enough staff and resources to protect communities and called on the Government to give us the tools and we will do the job. He added: These are complex issues and while simply crying austerity is not good enough, no one in policing today can claim it isnt a factor. I would not be exhibiting the courage that my officers and staff deserve if I continue to say we have enough resources, if I continue with this commentary that things in policing are OK. Chief Constable Mike Veale - The cuts created and caused by #austerity are too deep and have gone on for too long. Things are not okay. https://t.co/cVRVbitQJv pic.twitter.com/93dRjpixpP Cleveland Police (@ClevelandPolice) November 23, 2018 They are not OK. The cuts created and caused by austerity are too deep and have gone on for too long. We have brilliant people doing a brilliant job but we do not have enough of them and the facts speak for themselves. Shadow policing minister Louise Haigh told the Press Association that communities were being left unprotected because the Government has cut police forces for the last eight years in a row. She said: With police numbers at record lows its little wonder that were seeing violent and sexual crimes soaring year on year whilst conviction rates plummet. This is the only Government in modern history that has cut officer numbers every year it has been in office and the crime we are now seeing is on their heads. A Home Office spokesman said decisions about how police deploy their resources, including the size of the workforce, were operational matters for their chief constables. But Giles York, the National Police Chiefs Council lead on workforce, stressed that a forces effectiveness cannot be measured on officer numbers alone. The Sussex Police Chief Constable said that while police forces are providing good services, policing was significantly overstretched and needed greater investment. Mr York added: Effectiveness of forces cant be measured on officer numbers alone. It is the service we deliver that matters to the public. The latest inspection of police forces in England and Wales found that this was good. But it also highlighted that forces have less money than before and are under strain as they deal with rising crime, demand that is more complex and an unprecedented terror threat with fewer officers. Some chief constables have already made it clear that police can only prioritise their resources against the greatest harm. The Police Federation of England and Wales vice-chair Che Donald said officers were having to do more and more with less and less due to funding cuts since 2010. .@PFEW_Chair on @SkyNews We have been accused of scaremongering but things we warned about are happening - officers are suffering and the service is in crisis pic.twitter.com/NixJlEvpNX Police Federation (@PFEW_HQ) November 23, 2018 He added: Forces are facing increasingly limited resources and tough decisions have to be made about what is prioritised. It is unrealistic for the Government to think this is sustainable. Even the Home Affairs Select Committee has backed us in calling for an urgent injection of funds into the police service or face dire consequences. French President Emmanuel Macron has said the European Union must learn lessons from Britains decision to leave it. Speaking from Brussels, Mr Macron said that the exit of a major member state for the first time in the blocs history showed Europe is fragile and the EU is not a given. The French leader said European leaders have a duty to protect it against all those who forget that it is a guarantee of peace, prosperity and security. Mr Macron said the EU was not a given (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys) Mr Macron also paid homage to Prime Minister Theresa May for seeking a path to durable co-operation with the EU, while defending UK interests during negotiations. Twenty-seven EU leaders have endorsed a deal that sets out the terms of Britains departure on March 29 and sets a framework for future ties. Meanwhile, Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel described the deal as a diplomatic piece of art. Mrs Merkel, also speaking in Brussels, said: Its an historic day, which triggers very ambivalent feelings it is tragic that the UK is leaving the EU now after 45 years, but we have to, of course, respect the vote of the British people. Angela Merkel speaks with European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP) She praised the deal struck in an extremely difficult situation, in a situation without any precedence because we havent had it before that a European country leaves the EU. Mrs Merkel said, while the agreement was based on very hard negotiations, it considers both sides interest. European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said the UK could not hope to negotiate better terms before its departure in March. He said: I am totally convinced this is the only deal possible. Those who think that by rejecting the deal that they would have a better deal will be disappointed the first seconds after the rejection. Mrs May was in agreement, saying: This is the deal that is on the table. It is the best possible deal. It is the only deal. Theresa May has urged MPs to embrace a brighter future and back her Brexit plan as EU leaders finally signed off on the deal hammered out in Brussels. On a historic day in Brussels, the Prime Minister insisted the agreement delivered on the promises of the EU referendum as she set the stage for a Commons showdown with her critics. After the leaders of the remaining 27 member states, meeting in the Belgian capital, took less than 40 minutes to approve the deal, she confirmed she would now put it to a vote of MPs before Christmas. And as EU leaders lined up to insist that there could be no renegotiation, Mrs May said the public was fed up of wrangling over Brexit and wanted to move on. It will be one of the most significant votes that Parliament has held for many years. On it will depend whether we move forward together into a brighter future or open the door to yet more division and uncertainty, she said. The British people dont want to spend any more time arguing about Brexit. They want a good deal done that fulfils the vote and allows us to come together again as a country. I will take this deal back to the House of Commons, confident we have achieved the best deal available and full of optimism about the future of our country. In Parliament and beyond it, I will make the case for this deal with all my heart and I look forward to that campaign. 40 reasons to back the Brexit deal [tap to expand] #BackTheBrexitDeal pic.twitter.com/Twx7KGvn2Z UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) November 25, 2018 However, with more than 80 Tory MPs declaring publicly that they intend to vote against the plan, Mrs May faces an uphill battle to make the parliamentary arithmetic add up. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt insisted she could carry on as Prime Minister if she was defeated. Absolutely she can, he told BBC1s The Andrew Marr Show. Jeremy Hunt told Andrew Marr it was possible for Theresa May to continue as Prime Minister if her Brexit deal is rejected by Parliament (Jeff Overs/BBC) However pressed on whether the Government could collapse, he acknowledged: Its not possible to rule out anything. Jeremy Corbyn confirmed that Labour would be voting against the agreement, denouncing it as a bad deal for Britain. It is the result of a miserable failure of negotiation that leaves us with the worst of all worlds, he said. This is a bad deal for the country and Labour will oppose it in Parliament. pic.twitter.com/JXoMp19n2l Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) November 25, 2018 Mrs May refused to be drawn on whether she would stand down if she lost the vote, despite being repeatedly pressed during her end of summit press conference. I am focusing on ensuring that I make a case for this deal to MPs, she said. Meanwhile, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker led the warnings that there could be no return to the negotiating table if the deal comprising the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration of future EU-UK relations was rejected. This is the deal. Its the best deal possible and the EU will not change its fundamental position when it comes to these issues, he said. Those who think by rejecting the deal that they would have a better deal will be disappointed in the first seconds after the rejection of this deal. Taoiseach @campaignforleo and European Affairs Minister Helen McEntee speaking on their arrival at the Europa building for the EU Council special #Brexit summit meeting @PA pic.twitter.com/vZeoY7oYiF Michelle Devane (@michelledevane) November 25, 2018 Irish premier Leo Varadkar said: There isnt a plan B. Whats being put in front of EU parliament and House of Commons is a deal. Any other deal really only exists in peoples imagination. Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte added: This is the deal on the table. I dont think there is anything more now. French president Emmanuel Macron warned that the EU would use the issue of continued access to UK fisheries to exert pressure on Britain during the next phase of the negotiations on a future free trade agreement. It is leverage because it is important as to our future relationship, he said. Meanwhile opponents of the deal on the Government benches continued to make clear they were ready to defy the Prime Minister and vote against it when it comes to the meaningful vote. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith told Sky Newss Sophy Ridge on Sunday; I campaigned and voted to leave the EU. I dont believe that, so far, this deal delivers on what the British people really voted for. EU chiefs @JunckerEU, @eucopresident and @MichelBarnier speaking at a press conference following the approval of the draft #Brexit deal by the EU27 @PA pic.twitter.com/gFdlguIhgR Michelle Devane (@michelledevane) November 25, 2018 DUP leader Arlene Foster, whose 10 MPs prop up Mrs Mays minority Government in the Commons, said could not support the provisions on the Northern Ireland backstop intended to prevent the return of a hard border with the Republic. There is very much a border down the Irish Sea as a result of this and thats way we cant support this deal, she told The Andrew Marr Show. At number of leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, expressed sadness that they were setting the seal on the UKs withdrawal from the EU. Asked whether she shared their sadness, Mrs May said: No, but I recognise that others do. I recognise some European leaders are sad at this moment, but also some people back at home in the UK will be sad at this moment. JOHANNESBURG: Amid the fanfare marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, little has been said about crucial participants in the conflict: Africans. More than 1 million African soldiers, labourers and porters were vital actors in the war in Europe and especially in battles on the African continent, yet little commemorates their role. This is slowly changing as historians and artists highlight contributions made by Africans in the war from 1914 to 1918. African troops played a vital role fighting for the French on the Western Front in Europe because French troops suffered very heavy casualties early in the war, said Alan Wakefield, head of First World War and Early 20th Century Conflicts at the Imperial War Museums in London. Britain relied heavily on Africans for labour on the Western Front and during the Egypt and Palestine campaign. Their role was to carry supplies and ammunition, construct camps and dig trenches. The campaigns in Africa could not have been fought without the contributions of Africans on both sides. This is not well known, but that story is starting to be told. As part of the move toward honouring Africans role, Britains Prince Harry last week met with military veterans in Zambia, where some say World War I truly ended with German troops laying down arms on Nov 25, 1918. Marking that anniversary last week, Germanys ambassador said he was deeply moved to lay a wreath with his British counterpart at the commemoration of the real end of the war. With Mimesis: African Soldier artist John Akomfrah created an installation highlighting the role of Africans and honouring their sacrifices. The work, at the Imperial War Museums until March 31, is projected on three screens and blends archival material with new footage filmed by Akomfrah around the world. The most important thing for me, the takeaway, is that African soldiers fought in this war, that they played a variety of roles in the war as foot soldiers, as carriers, Akomfrah said on the museums website. Every facet, every avenue, every job in the war, if you look long enough, you will see someone of either Asian or African origin/heritage in that role. More than 25,000 black South Africans served in the South African Native Labour Corps, shoring up Britains acute labor shortage during the war. South Africas white minority colonial rulers refused to allow blacks to carry arms or serve on an equal basis with whites, but they agreed to allow them to work as porters to deliver supplies and weapons to the front line. The black South Africans were praised for their productivity and efficiency, but they were kept in conditions similar to prisoner of war camps, according to contemporary observers. With Kaboom! and the film installation The Head & The Load South African artist William Kentridge also pays homage to Africans service and asks why Africans served in the war of their colonial oppressors. In charcoal drawings Kentridge depicts haunted African landscapes with bits of text such as The poems are not our own and They hope we will die and not return. The film installation explores the contradictions and paradoxes of colonialism that were heated and compressed by the circumstances of the war, Kentridge wrote in a program for the exhibit at the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg. The Head & The Load was shown earlier this year at the Tate Modern in London and will be shown in New York at the Park Avenue Armory in December. One of the most tragic WWI events involving Africans was the sinking of the SS Mendi. The ship was carrying black South Africans from England to France, where they were to deliver supplies to the front line. On a foggy night in February 1917, a much larger British mail ship struck the Mendi, which quickly sank, killing 607 men. It was the largest single loss of life for black South African non-combatants in the war. The deaths of those on the Mendi brought South Africas all-white House of Assembly to stand in silence in March 1917, as a mark of respect. More than 100 years later, the Africans who died on the Mendi were honored again when visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May gave South African President Cyril Ramaphosa the ships bell that had been recovered from the wreck. Irelands premier has said there is no plan B if the draft Brexit deal is rejected by the UK parliament and that all those concerned need to get on with the ratification process and start negotiating the future. Leo Varadkar said the best outcome for everyone would be if the Britain remained in the EU, but given that was not going to happen, the draft agreement was next best thing. Mr Varadkar made the comments after the 27 EU member states and the UK government endorsed the draft withdrawal text at a special meeting of the EU Council in Brussels on Sunday. #EU27 endorsed the #Brexit draft withdrawal agreement & approved the political declaration on future EU-UK relations. PM @theresa_may joined the meeting to consider the next steps with the EU27 leaders. #EUCO Find more details + documents here: https://t.co/Rq9FTYJge7 pic.twitter.com/03cHkZi6fw EU Council (@EUCouncil) November 25, 2018 There isnt a plan B, he said. The truth is what we have here is the best deal that is available both for the United Kingdom and for the European Union. He added that the agreement was the only one on the table and people should not be looking for alternative options. Lets not forget what we have here. We have an agreement that took between 18 months and two years to negotiate, it is in several parts, is over 500 pages long and as of today has the support of 28 governments, he said. Anyone can have a better deal or an alternative deal in their own minds, but an agreement 500 pages long that 28 member states can sign up to, nobody has that. Whats on the table is the only deal thats on the table. (PA Graphics) Mr Varadkar said the entire European Union was of the view that the deal could not be renegotiated. It wasnt easy to get to this point, he said. The Taoiseach said he had always believed the best outcome for Ireland and for Europe and indeed the United Kingdom would be for the UK to stay in the European Union, the customs union and the single market, but the Irish Government respected the decision of the British people and the UK parliament not to do that. [It] is the next best outcome, he said. It protects the peace, affirms the rights and freedoms of European Irish and British citizens, ensures there will be no hard border and also insulates our economy from major disruptions in trade. He added: What we need to do now is to get on with it and get on with the ratification of this agreement by the House of Commons and also by the European Parliament and when thats done, from March, April onwards, to get busy negotiating the future relationship treaty. The summit was thrown into jeopardy last week over the status of Gibraltar but it went ahead after Spain said the UK and European Union had agreed to its demands for guarantees. Prime Minister Theresa May held meetings with EU chiefs Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk on Saturday evening to conclude the negotiations. Mr Varadkar said the case of Gibraltar demonstrated the difficulty of coming to an agreement. Once you start opening one issue, you can potentially open up other issues as well, he said. We saw in the last couple of days the extent to which Gibraltar could have become an issue. The Taoiseach accused those Brexiteers who were continuing to seek alternatives of not knowing what they want. They dont agree among themselves what that better deal could be, he said. He added that realistically he didnt see anyone coming up with an alternative deal that would have the same level of weight behind it. Despite the UK and EU being much closer to a deal being agreed than they have been, Mr Varadkar said they still had to continue contingency planning for a no-deal scenario. Asked whether EU leaders had discussed what they would do if the vote in the House of Commons rejected deal, he said the EU 27 had made a conscious decision not to discuss what may happen in such a scenario because it took so long to reach the deal. He stressed that EU leaders wanted to move onto the future relationship. In addition to the draft Withdrawal Agreement being approved, a Political Declaration on the future relationship between the UK and the EU post Brexit was also agreed during the hour-long meeting in the EU Councils Europa building. Mr Varadkar said the UK would be more than a third country once it leaves the EU given its close links to the union. We are determined to make sure that the United Kingdom isnt just another third country that we have a special relationship with the EU and UK afterwards, he said. Theresa Mays Brexit deal is a miserable failure of negotiation which will put jobs at risk, Jeremy Corbyn said. Labour will oppose the package in Parliament and work with MPs from other parties to block a no-deal Brexit, Mr Corbyn said. His comments came as former prime minister Tony Blair stepped up calls for a second referendum and suggested Labour was shifting towards that position. This is a bad deal for the country and Labour will oppose it in Parliament. pic.twitter.com/JXoMp19n2l Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) November 25, 2018 As EU leaders signed off the package thrashed out by negotiators in Brussels, Mr Corbyn said: This is a bad deal for the country. It is the result of a miserable failure of negotiation that leaves us with the worst of all worlds. It gives us less say over our future, and puts jobs and living standards at risk. Jeremy Corbyn (Aaron Chown/PA) Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon said: Theresa May needs to is wake up and smell the coffee, ditch this deal and come back with something better. Labours policy is to reject the deal and call for a general election. Challenged on BBCs Andrew Marr Show about the prospect of an election being unlikely, Mr Burgon said: I think the age of the experts is over. The age of political certainty is over. If there is not an election, Labour is keeping all options open including the possibility of another referendum on Brexit, although it has not specified what question would be asked. Mr Burgon suggested another referendum may not even take place until after the UK has left the EU. He said: We dont know when such a referendum, if it takes place, would take place. Would it take place before we left the EU? Would it take place after we left the EU? Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Tony Lloyd told Sky News Sophy Ridge on Sunday there could be a coalition behind a softer Brexit involving a customs union and close single market links. The British Parliament almost certainly has a coalition of the willing that would work round a customs union, work round single market standards of the kind that Labour has advocated but so have a broad swathe of other parties including a large number of Conservatives, he said. Speculation about Labours position on another referendum has been stoked by a Sunday Times report that shadow chancellor John McDonnell held talks with Tom Baldwin and Alastair Campbell, the former spin doctors to Ed Miliband and Mr Blair, who are now campaigning for a so-called Peoples Vote. Mr Blair told the Andrew Marr Show I think its moving that way, adding: I would be really surprised if the Labour Party doesnt end up in the position of supporting another vote, because theres no other proposition that can get through Parliament. He suggested another referendum with the choice between remaining in the EU and a proper Brexit of the kind sought by Leave campaigners such as Boris Johnson would settle the issue. Both the Remain campaign and the Leave campaign should jointly agree that this vote is final, doesnt matter how marginal it is, its final, he said. Once this is resolved then thats it for a generation. I have respect for Theresa May, says Tony Blair He tells #marr that shes a decent person surrounded by unreasonable ones But the former PM says the #Brexit deal is a dodo Read more: https://t.co/Osi5wVXy4c pic.twitter.com/mlqEiM4XnN BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) November 25, 2018 He added that he thought Mrs May was a decent person, frankly surrounded by a lot of pretty unreasonable ones but the deals a dodo. But former minister Caroline Flint hit out at Labour colleagues calling for another referendum. It is clear. There is an 11th hour attempt to overturn the result of the EU Ref 2016. Even if it means siding with Johnson, Rees-Mogg et al to stop any deal & leave us crashing out. The consequences are dire & a 2nd Ref will lead to far right resurgence, discord & distrust Caroline Flint (@CarolineFlint) November 25, 2018 It was an 11th hour attempt to overturn the result of the 2016 referendum and would mean siding with Tory Brexiteers to reject Mrs Mays deal leaving the UK at risk of crashing out without a deal. She warned the consequences are dire and another referendum would lead to the a far-right resurgence, discord and distrust. Lisa Nandy MP tells @SophyRidgeSky it's "inconceivable" that she will vote for the PM's #Brexit deal - saying it's "too big a gamble to take" with the futures of her constituents #Ridge Get live updates from the EU summit: https://t.co/7H6rGWyTEf pic.twitter.com/29IhYzWWfi Trevor Phillips on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) November 25, 2018 If the Prime Ministers deal is going to get through the Commons, she may be forced to rely on the votes of Labour MPs from Leave-supporting areas. But Wigans Lisa Nandy said it was inconceivable that she would back the deal, instead telling Sky News that Article 50 should be extended for a process of dialogue and consensus with the public. Sinn Fein has accused the Taoiseach of leaving behind Irish citizens from Northern Ireland by not allowing them to vote in European elections post-Brexit. MEP Martina Anderson said the Irish government could change its electoral rules with the flick of a pen to enable people north of the border to vote in future European parliament polls. Mrs Anderson said more than 20 other member states allowed citizens residing outside their jurisdictions to vote. The Irish government are one of the few member states who deprive their nationals from the right to vote who dont reside in the member states 22 other member states do this, she said. The Irish government could do this at the flick of a pen if they so wanted. Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee has defended the Governments efforts to represent Irish citizens north of the border (Niall Carson/PA) The Sinn Fein Euro MP, in an interview with RTE Ones The Week In Politics, referred to a vow by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last year that he would not leave behind Northern Ireland-based Irish citizens in the Brexit process. What we heard today is that the Irish government intends to leave the people of the north behind and theres going to be a democratic deficit and its going to be the first right removed from people in the north of Ireland who are Irish citizens under EU Law, she said. Mrs Anderson added: Its not in the gift of the Irish government, or the British government for that matter, to remove a fundamental right from the people of the north. The Irish Republic is getting two additional MEPs when the UK leaves Brexit bringing its total representation to 13 while Northern Ireland will lose its three seats in the European parliament. Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee confirmed the two seats would represent areas south of the border. Also appearing on The Week In Politics, Mrs McEntee declined to be drawn on the Sinn Fein demand for the extension of voting rights north of the border What we know is that Ireland has received two additional MEPs on the basis and the fact that the UK is leaving, however they will not apply to Northern Ireland, she said. What we do know is we have been fighting throughout these negotiations to ensure that people in Northern Ireland, whether they associate as being Irish or British or European, that they can continue to do that into the future and their rights will still be maintained and that has very much been part of this overall discussion. Mrs McEntee said the Irish government would seek to represent the interests of all Irish citizens in Ireland. We represent everybody on the island in the best way we can, she said. Russia has blocked passage through the Kerch Strait, a narrow body of water nestled between Crimea and the Russian mainland. The move came after three Ukrainian navy ships made what the Russian coast guard has called an unauthorised crossing through Russian territorial waters. It follows months of growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, which annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has steadily worked to increase its zone of control around the peninsula. The Kerch Strait is the only passage into the Sea of Azov beyond it. The strait is crossed by the recently completed Kerch Bridge, connecting Crimea to Russia. Transit under the bridge has been blocked by a tanker ship and dozens of cargo ships awaiting passage are stuck. The Ukrainian navy says a Russian coast guard vessel rammed one of its tugboats near Crimea, damaging the ships engines and hull (Ukrainian Navy Press Service/AP) The incident began earlier on Sunday when the Ukrainian navy claimed a Russian coast guard vessel rammed a Ukrainian navy tugboat. It was travelling with two Ukrainian navy artillery boats from Odessa on the Black Sea to Mariupol in the Sea of Azov, via the Kerch Strait. Russian coast guard vessels carried out openly aggressive actions against Ukrainian navy ships during the transit, the Ukrainian navy statement said. It said a Russian coast guard ship damaged the tugboats engine, hull, side railing and a lifeboat. The statement added Russia was informed in advance about the planned transit. Russias Federal Security Service, known as the FSB, told Russian news agencies the Ukrainian ships held their course and violated Russian territorial waters, which were temporarily closed. The FSB accused the Ukrainian navy of staging a provocation against Russia. Their goal is clear, an FSB statement said, to create a conflict situation in the region. The statement did not mention ramming a Ukrainian tugboat. Though a 2003 treaty designates the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov as shared territorial waters, Russia has been asserting greater control over the passage since 2015. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry in a statement said Russias actions were a violation of the UN Charter. Cabinet ministers and loyal MPs have joined a social media campaign in support of Theresa Mays Brexit deal. Using the Twitter hashtag #BackTheBrexitDeal, senior ministers joined the co-ordinated online effort. But other Tories were not happy, with Eurosceptic Conor Burns claiming at least one outwardly loyal MP believed it was a dreadful deal and their public comments must eat at their soul. I'm genuinely sorry to see colleagues who have told me in person that this is a dreadful deal with the EU tweeting out the supportive line to take. That must eat at the soul. Conor Burns (@ConorBurnsUK) November 25, 2018 The online effort was led by Downing Street, with a video selling the benefits of the deal to the public. It is part of an effort which included an open letter to the nation and the Prime Ministers statement in Brussels directed to members of the public to bypass MPs and speak directly to voters. The Prime Minister faces a battle to win support for her deal in the Commons, and hopes that winning public backing will persuade MPs to fall in behind the Brexit agreement. Prime Minister Theresa May (Matt Dunham/PA) David Lidington, the de facto deputy prime minister, said the deal was a good compromise and it was time for the country to come together. Today's agreement is a good compromise. The 52% get control of laws, money, borders + out of CFP; the 48% get closer trade partnership with EU than Canada or any advanced economy + cooperation on police & security. Time for country to come together & #BackTheBrexitDeal David Lidington (@DLidington) November 25, 2018 Both Mr Lidington and Chancellor Philip Hammond along with Amber Rudd, Greg Clark and David Gauke have threatened to quit the Cabinet rather than support a no-deal Brexit, according to a Mail on Sunday report. The Chancellor said the deal endorsed by EU leaders in Brussels will provide certainty for business. Now is the time to back the Prime Ministers deal. It is in the nations interest and will provide certainty for business - supporting the economy and securing jobs. #BackTheBrexitDeal Philip Hammond (@PhilipHammondUK) November 25, 2018 Business Secretary Mr Clark said firms needed an agreement not the disorder of no deal. For jobs & prosperity businesses need: an agreement - not the disorder of no deal; a transition period; a single change; and to continue to trade with EU free of tariffs, quotas & frictions at borders. Todays agreement can provide these which is why I #BackTheBrexitDeal Greg Clark (@GregClarkMP) November 25, 2018 Mr Gauke said the deal was pragmatic, and Ms Rudd said it was sensible in their supportive tweets. Among Cabinet Brexiteers, Environment Secretary Michael Gove retweeted supportive comments but did not add his own #BackTheBrexitDeal remark. There were no comments by 4pm on Sunday from International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt or Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom. PM has secured a deal which respects the referendum result, ends free movement, gives us control of our money, laws and borders, and maintains the ability to strike trade deals around the world #BackTheBrexitDeal Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) November 25, 2018 But Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said it was a deal which respects the referendum result. Scottish Secretary David Mundell, who was reported to have had concerns about the deal over fisheries policy, said there was no credible alternative on offer. There is no credible alternative Deal on offer, only the threat of chaos or more division. And thats what @theSNP want as the backdrop for their #indyref2 agenda. So No Deal Brexit wouldnt just be a disaster for Scotland but also threatens integrity of the UK #BackTheBrexitDeal David Mundell MP (@DavidMundellDCT) November 25, 2018 Backbench Eurosceptics were forthright in their condemnation of the deal. Henry Smith said it unnecessarily cedes key sovereignty, denying true self-determination. The EU Council and Commission may have just signed a post 29 March 2019 agreement with the UK Government but Parliament still has to endorse. This MP will vote no, like I suspect a majority of others because it unnecessarily cedes key sovereignty, denying true self-determination. pic.twitter.com/tdoJ8p7at2 Henry Smith MP (@HenrySmithUK) November 25, 2018 Mr Burns said: Im genuinely sorry to see colleagues who have told me in person that this is a dreadful deal with the EU tweeting out the supportive line to take. That must eat at the soul. Spain has signalled it is preparing a fresh push over the sovereignty of Gibraltar as the Brexit talks enter a new phase of negotiations. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez claimed the Withdrawal Agreement, signed off by EU leaders in Brussels on Sunday, represented a win for his country in the 300-year-old dispute over the Rock. With the departure of the UK we all lose, especially the UK. But in relation to Gibraltar, Spain wins, and Europe wins, he told an end-of-summit press conference. Mr Sanchez had earlier threatened to scupper the special summit to approve the deal unless he received fresh assurances on the status of the Rock in the forthcoming talks on a free trade deal between Britain and the EU. The Spanish leader was pressing for Madrid to have a veto over how any UK-EU trade deal applies to Gibraltar. In an effort to resolve the row, the UKs ambassador to the EU Sir Tim Barrow issued a letter on Saturday confirming the Withdrawal Agreement imposed no obligations regarding the territorial scope of future agreements. Theresa May has said Gibraltar will remain British (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP) Theresa May again insisted that it made no difference to constitutional status of the Rock. Let no one be in any doubt. For the future partnership the UK will be negotiating for the whole UK family, including Gibraltar, she said. I am proud that Gibraltar is British and its constitutional position will not change. But asked whether Spain would now seek co-sovereignty of Gibraltar during the negotiations, Mr Sanchez said that his government planned to talk about everything. There were signs of irritation among other EU member states at the way Mr Sanchez had raised the issue at the eleventh hour, threatening to derail Mrs Mays hopes of putting the deal to Parliament before Christmas. The move came ahead of elections in Andalusia, southern Spain, in December with speculation that Mr Sanchez was trying to use the situation for internal political reasons. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker acknowledged they had had a difficulty with our Spanish friends at the end of the process. He added: The agreement we have obtained here today is an agreement which is good for Spain, so we are with Spain. A childhood friendship has been rekindled 12 years after it began, thanks to tens of thousands of Twitter users. Student Brianna Cry, 19, tweeted a photo of herself and her friend Heidi together on a cruise in Hawaii, where they met in 2006, asking for people to share it so they can be reunited. Hey twitter, I met this girl on a dinner cruise in Hawaii in 2006. We were basically bestfriends for that night so I need yall to help me find my bestfriend cause I miss her and I need to see how shes doing now. Please retweet this so we can be reunited. pic.twitter.com/LRtk6ClvV3 Santas Fav Helper (@briannacry) November 24, 2018 Remarkably, it took just one day for the picture to be shared tens of thousands of times and for Heidi to be found. Heidi, also a student, replied to Briannas tweet with a photo of herself with a family picture from the same cruise, and the caption: Heard you were looking for me. Heard you were looking for me~ pic.twitter.com/Dz4z1wapRv heidi (@adelheid_jpg) November 24, 2018 I was going through old scrapbooks and watching vacation videos and I saw her, Brianna told the Press Association. So I was like wow lets see if Twitter can find her for me and they did! It truly is a small world after all. (@briannacry/Twitter) OMG OMG HEY GIRL HEY GIRL HEY!! https://t.co/elWi5t1bPq Santas Fav Helper (@briannacry) November 24, 2018 Heidi said on Twitter that her friends from school recognised her from the viral post and notified her, adding I dont think I changed much in the time span between elementary and middle school. Brianna said she and Heidi have been messaging since, talking about college and life, and they plan to meet again once they can gather enough funds. Brianna is from Jackson, Mississippi and goes to Hampton University in Virginia, whilst Heidi is from California. The pair have turned down offers of money from people wanting to help the pair meet up, and warned that some GoFundMe donation pages set up for that cause are fake. To my knowledge, neither @briannacry or I have set up/been contacted about a gofundme. Please be careful about links everyone, and keep your muns close to your huns uwu pic.twitter.com/bRXItgPJDU heidi (@adelheid_jpg) November 25, 2018 The story has also inspired other fraudulent claims which are more entertaining than damaging however. Actor Demetrius Harmons tongue-in-cheek post saw him share a photo of himself with a 100 dollar bill, asking for people to retweet to help reunite him with it. Mick McCarthy has returned to the Republic of Ireland to take over as national team manager, 16 years after his first spell in charge ended. Here, Press Association Sport looks at five high-profile bosses who have gone back to somewhere familiar. JOSE MOURINHO (Chelsea, June 2004-Sept 2007; June 2013-December 2015) Mourinho established Chelsea, in each of his spells, as Englands top side. But the Portuguese completed just three full seasons in his first stint and two campaigns second time around, after dips in form. Jose Mourinho had two stints as manager of Chelsea (PA Archive) KEVIN KEEGAN (Newcastle, Feb 1992-Jan 1997; Jan 2008-Sept 2008) The Magpies challenged Manchester United all the way for the 1995-96 Premier League title, but Keegans flamboyant team fell short. More than a decade later, his reign was less impressive. Kevin Keegans first spell at Newcastle was more successful than his second (PA Archive) HARRY REDKNAPP (Portsmouth, Mar 2002-Nov 2004; Dec 2007-Oct 2008) After leaving for arch-rivals Southampton, Redknapp returned and won the 2008 FA Cup before departing for Tottenham, leaving the sinking ship that was Portsmouth. Harry Redknapp with a manager of the month award at Fratton Park in 2004 (PA Archive) HOWARD KENDALL (Everton, Aug 1981-May 1987; Nov 1990-Dec 1993; Aug 1997-May 1998) Had three spells in charge of the Toffees, leading them to two league titles, one FA Cup and the Cup Winners Cup in the first. The two returns were underwhelming. Howard Kendall was a hit first time around at Everton (PA Archive) STEVE COPPELL (Crystal Palace, 1984-1993; 1995-1996; 1997-1998; 1999-2000) Coppell kept coming back for more and managed Palace on four occasions. A team featuring Ian Wright, Mark Bright and Geoff Thomas reached the 1990 FA Cup final, losing in a replay to Manchester United. World number seven Marin Cilic secured Croatias second Davis Cup title with a comprehensive victory over Frances Lucas Pouille in front of a partisan Lille crowd. The hosts entered Sunday looking to become the first country since 1939 to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the final, having lost both matches on the opening day, but Cilic gave them no chance. France had given themselves a lifeline at 2-1 after Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herberts victory in Saturdays doubles but Cilic snuffed out any hopes of a comeback with a 7-6 6-3 6-3 win to give his side an unassailable 3-1 lead. Its not every day that you become a world champion, said the 30-year-old in his post-match interview after guiding his country to their first Davis Cup triumph since 2005. For us its a dream come true, for this nation. You can see the fans are so passionate and they are here enjoying themselves. In Croatia its going to be incredible too. Cilics win meant the scheduled fifth match between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Borna Coric was a dead rubber and therefore not played. Marin Cilic has won Croatia the Davis Cup title (John Walton/PA) This was the final staging of the team competition in its current format before it changes next year. The huge wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes in northern California has been fully contained after burning for more than two weeks, US authorities have said. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the blaze had been surrounded by firefighters after several days of rain in the Paradise area. The nations deadliest wildfire in a century killed at least 85 people and 249 are on a list of those unaccounted for. The number of missing dropped in recent days as officials confirmed more people were alive. Crews continued sifting through ash and debris for human remains. Eric Darling and his dog Wyatt searching a mobile home park in Paradise on Friday (Kathleen Ronayne/AP) The fire began November 8 in the parched Sierra Nevada foothills and quickly spread across 240 square miles (620 square kilometres), destroying most of Paradise in a day. Nearly 19,000 buildings, most of them homes, are gone. Firefighters got a boost last week from the first significant winter storm to hit California. It dropped an estimated seven inches (18 centimetres) of rain over the burn area over a three-day period without causing significant mudslides, said Hannah Chandler-Cooley of the National Weather Service. In southern California, more residents returned to areas evacuated in a destructive fire as crews repaired power, telephone and gas utilities. Los Angeles County sheriffs officials said they were in the last phase of repopulating Malibu and unincorporated areas of the county. At the height of the fire, 250,000 fled their homes. Three people died and 1,643 buildings, most of them homes, were destroyed, officials said. Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. SNc Channels: Search About Salem-News.com Nov-30-2018 20:20 TweetFollow @OregonNews Herbal Remedies Dispensary Has Deep Oregon Roots An exclusive interview with Jered DeCamp, owner of Herbal Remedies LLC. Jered DeCamp, Herbal Remedies owner, has been a cannabis advocate for most of his life. Photos: Bonnie King, Salem-News.com (SALEM, Ore.) - Herbal Remedies Dispensary is housed in an understated block building between McDonalds and the Shutterbug in South Salem. Dont let the outward appearance fool you. Inside, the sharp design with a woodsy, northwest feel is instantly impressive. Entering one of the largest showrooms around, the products are easy to see, the menus easy to read. Budtenders welcome you in the door. The stores aesthetics are a reflection of its Oregon roots, and the products available are top-notch, in keeping with Oregons long-lasting marijuana reputation: its the best. BONNIE: Jered, tell me how you got started in the cannabis industry. JERED: Well actually, I didnt picture myself where I am today. In fact, I started off on the wrong foot. Jered got busted at 18 for (marijuana) distribution. After that, he promised his grandmother hed never do anything to land him in trouble again. Then, his grandfather got colon cancer and he asked Jered to grow medicine for him. Jered didnt want to disappoint his grandmother, so they had a family meeting, and agreed that he should began growing- legally. In the beginning of OMMP, medical growers were allowed to be reimbursed for their excess by medical patients. The idea of owning and operating a dispensary was not something I wanted, it was too complicated, and seemed high risk to my family. I just wanted to grow medical for patients. I was mentored by some of the Oregon old guard, who taught me how to farm cannabis. He met author/activist Jack Herer in 2000 at Condes Cannabis Carnival, and Jack explained the history and value of hemp. He says that was life changing. It was an honor. From there, I learned a lot from Jack Herers book, Emperor Wears No Clothes. That explains everything about cannabis prohibition, and whats behind it. To say that it is an important book is an understatement. It wasnt long before Jered and his brother Brandon were opening a dispensary of their own. We evolved with the industry. My network of friends and family became vendors and business owners. It was almost a natural move for us to open a store. In 2012, they opened the first Herbal Remedies, on Center & 17th. They were in that location about a year, when the city enacted a temporary ban on dispensaries, shutting them down for a year. They spent that down time re-grouping, growing legal medical cannabis and helping patients. They also prepared for the future. They bought a building and improved it. Eventually the ban was lifted, and on June 25, 2014, Herbal Remedies opened on South Lancaster in Salem. It was Jereds birthday. By the time we opened the Lancaster store, wed put everything we had into it. They embraced the cannabis business, filling their shelves with products of local Oregon vendors and farmers, and raising funds for the needy, like Salem Pediatrics at Christmastime. We knew the store had great potential. We were right. Once we were established, we averaged $10,000 a day in sales. A successful business, indeed. In the first year, they made $4 million in sales, with a $2 million profit margin. BONNIE: What sets Herbal Remedies apart from other dispensaries? JERED: No holds barred truth. Our budtenders care. Its not just a job for them, they believe in the products we sell. They believe in the positive qualities of cannabis. My store is the type that your grandmother can come into, even if shes right-wing republican with massive preconceptions about cannabis use. She can get an education. We will listen to her. One of our budtenders will give her the time to explain what and why it works. Cannabis isnt the cure for everything, but does it help with many ailments? Yes. Has it saved lives? Yes. Other retailers may tell people what they want to hear, push certain products etc. Weve got rules. If any budtender lies to a client, theyre fired. We have earned our reputation for knowing what were talking about. Plus, the owner is on site. I think our clients appreciate knowing that. The Power of an Invisible Boundary Line They were in place about a year and a half, then the vote happened. In November 2016, the failure of Measure 24-405 meant sales of recreational marijuana in unincorporated Marion County were barred. That wouldnt have been a bad thing, had there been no businesses adversely affected. Unfortunately for Jered and Brandon DeCamp, their location at 340 Lancaster Drive NE was outside Salem city limits. Sitting on the east side of Lancaster Drive, the Herbal Remedies building was six properties from the county line. Physically, it appeared to be in the city, but technically was outside of it. They stayed open temporarily, but for medical patients only. They lost the majority of their sales. It was a real hardship. Losing that location after the vote was devastating. But the vote was over. They had to close. Sell the property. Move on. BONNIE: What was it like, pulling up stakes and re-establishing Herbal Remedies? JERED: Tough. We knew the new location would be an uphill climb in the beginning. Our main client base was several miles away, and competition had increased. The location at 3940 Commercial St SE opened in April 2017. Once we opened, out the gate, we were bringing in about half the daily sales, but we were on our way. BONNIE: What can you tell me about your product line? JERED: We are a weed-based shop. Primarily, we carry Oregon products. We strive to support Oregon businesses, so we promote Oregon first. Oregon farmers have a great reputation for decades of quality cannabis. Ive been around the nation, going to events, I know national-level people and the overall feel of the country is: Oregon has the best weed in the U.S. BONNIE: What do you see for the future? JERED: I want to open more stores. Definitely open a lounge, hopefully in the near future. The biggest thing is community. We are a cannabis community, and I'd like to see it grow stronger. It's our responsibility to share what we know with others, including our politicians. "Herbal Remedies tries to bring out the best in Cannabis for our clients. This is my life, my dream. I love it. Leaving the building, I noticed the customers as they exited. Happy faces. People sharing information and comparing their choices. And it occurred to me, thats just not something you witness everywhere. That positive experience is yours to be had. Herbal Remedies is open every day 9a-10p. Check them out here: herbalremedies503.com #HerbalRemediesDispensary #OregonCannabis #CannabisDeClassified #PotShopStops #MarijuanaIsSafer _________________________________________ Prohibition | Marijuana | Marijuana | Oregon | Most Commented on Articles for November 30, 2018 | Articles for December 1, 2018 A rejection of Theresa Mays Brexit deal threatens chaos or more division, according to David Mundell. The Scottish Secretary has urged MPs to support the EU Withdrawal Agreement when it is put to a vote in the House of Commons. More than 80 Tory MPs so far have publicly declared they intend to vote against the plan. EU leaders signed off on the deal in Brussels on Sunday, following extensive negotiations. There is no credible alternative Deal on offer, only the threat of chaos or more division. And thats what @theSNP want as the backdrop for their #indyref2 agenda. So No Deal Brexit wouldnt just be a disaster for Scotland but also threatens integrity of the UK #BackTheBrexitDeal David Mundell MP (@DavidMundellDCT) November 25, 2018 Mr Mundell wrote on Twitter: There is no credible alternative Deal on offer, only the threat of chaos or more division. And thats what @theSNP want as the backdrop for their #indyref2 agenda. David Mundell says there is no credible alternative to Theresa Mays Brexit plan (Jane Barlow/PA) So no-deal Brexit wouldnt just be a disaster for Scotland but also threatens integrity of the UK. The Prime Minister made clear earlier today, the UK will be an independent coastal state once again, in full sovereign control of our waters, able to decide for ourselves who we allow to fish in them, with that access not tied to any other aspect of our economic partnership. The key point is that we are NOT leaving the EU with a deal on fisheries already in place. There will be a future deal on fishing to be agreed. The PM has been clear that she will defend UK fishing interests robustly in that negotiation, just as she has in the Brexit Deal. Mr Mundell has been criticised in recent weeks after he threatened to quit the Cabinet if the UK remains tied to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) at the end of the Brexit transition period. Ill be interested to hear David Mundell explain how this - existing reciprocal access and quota shares - can be squared with the promises made to the Scottish fishing industry. (Hint - it cant). https://t.co/9sO8TBsLVh Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) November 25, 2018 Scottish Conservative MP Ross Thomson earlier this month called for Mr Mundell to join other senior Conservatives in quitting the Cabinet over the deal, telling him no unionist could support the proposal. Mr Thomson described the EUs position on a new fisheries deal with the UK as deeply troubling. Speaking on BBC Sunday Politics Scotland, he said: That (EU statement) does deeply trouble me. The current arrangement is very good for the EU, the arrangement we have on fisheries has been devastating for fishing communities across Scotland and the UK. Its in the interests of the EU to keep it going and they want to build on those existing arrangements so to my mind that can only mean the continuation of some form of the CFP. It may not be called that but if it looks like the CFP and behaves like the CFP then it is the CFP and thats why we need to resist it as we go into these negotiations. Police have named a 16-year-old murder victim who was stabbed in a horrific and deeply tragic attack in Coventry. Jaydon Washington James died in hospital a short time after being injured in the Wood End area of the city late on Saturday. Police said two friends who were with Jaydon were also seriously injured and remain in hospital. In a statement released by West Midlands Police, his family said: The family are deeply saddened by what has happened, we urge anyone to come forward with any information regarding the person responsible for taking our boy JJ. Thank you for all the support we have received. A forensic officer near the scene (Matthew Cooper/PA) Detective Chief Inspector Edward Foster, from the forces homicide unit, said: We have officers working around the clock to find those responsible for this horrific and deeply tragic attack. Jaydon had only just turned 16 with his whole life ahead of him. Words cannot describe the anguish that his family are going through, and we will leave no stone unturned in the hunt for his killer. We have several lines of enquiry, but I would still urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible. In a post on Facebook thanking the local community for their support, Jaydons sister, Jayda James, described him as the sweetest, funniest most kind hearted boy who was friends with everyone and tried to keep the peace whenever he could. On behalf of me and my family I would like to thank everyone for all the kind posts and messages we have read them all and it has brought us some happiness to know how loved Jaydon was, she said. Police forensic and search teams examined drains, as well as areas near bins and vehicles in Deedmore Road, Wood End, on Sunday. Searches also took place in the grounds of the nearby St Patricks Catholic Church where bunches of flowers had been left against a wall and close to the nearby Moat House and Castle Wood schools campus. A woman who visited the scene, Rebecca Rushton-Nesbitt, described Jaydon as a lovely boy. The 18-year-old said: I heard about what happened. Its so sad, I cant believe hes gone to be honest. He was just an ordinary young boy. He wouldnt do anything to hurt anybody. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has had constructive talks with his United Arab Emirates counterpart over the fate of a British academic jailed for life on a spying charge. Diplomatic efforts to free PhD student Matthew Hedges are being led by Mr Hunt amid an outcry after the 31-year-old was handed the sentence earlier this week. The Durham University researchers wife, Daniela Tejada, has lobbied for his release and won assurances from Mr Hunt that the Government is now standing up for her husband, after she claimed it had initially put foreign relations above his liberty. Jeremy Hunt discussed the case on BBCs Andrew Marr Show (Jeff Overs/PA) Mr Hunt told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show that he thinks Ms Tejada is being incredibly brave in challenging circumstances, and that he is optimistic a way through can be found. After Mr Hunts latest talks with UAE counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said: They had constructive talks and agreed to keep in close contact over the coming days. United Arab Emirates ambassador Sulaiman Almazroui makes a statement about Matthew Hedges (Dominic Lipinski/PA) In a statement at the UAE embassy in London on Friday, ambassador Sulaiman Almazroui praised the closeness between the two nations as he said clemency is being considered for the extremely serious case. Mr Hedges family have made a request for clemency and the government is studying that request, he said. Because of the strength of that relationship we are hopeful that an amicable solution can be reached. He also made efforts to defend the judicial process, denying it was a five-minute show trial and claiming three judges evaluated compelling evidence over three hearings to make their ruling. He did not address whether the academic was given adequate legal representation throughout the process, which Ms Tejada has said he lacked. Our thoughts are with Matthew Hedges, his wife Daniela and his family today. We will do everything we can to get him home as soon as possible pic.twitter.com/hE4systClL Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) November 21, 2018 She swiftly rebuked the ambassadors defence, saying her husband had been held in solitary confinement for more than five months without charge or lawyer, and when he did receive consular access he was not able to talk openly. The judicial system in the UAE and the UK cannot be compared, she said in a statement. We have asked for clemency, we will wait to see what happens. Mr Hedges, originally from Exeter, was arrested at Dubai Airport as he tried to leave the country on May 5. Professor Stuart Corbridge, vice-chancellor of Durham University, said there is no reason to believe that Matt was conducting anything other than legitimate academic research. Mr Hedges was given 30 days to challenge the court ruling, and Ms Tejada has launched a petition on Change.org which has so far garnered more than 238,000 signatures. Theresa May will challenge MPs to back her Brexit plan or risk crashing out of the European Union without an agreement. The Prime Minister will face the Commons after EU leaders endorsed the deal and made it clear it was not up for renegotiation. Mrs May will tell the Commons with absolute certainty that there is not a better deal available. The Prime Minister, who will chair a meeting of her Cabinet on Monday morning, will warn rejecting her deal will open the door to more division and uncertainty, with all the risks that will entail. Meanwhile, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker led the warnings there could be no return to the negotiating table if the deal comprising the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration of future EU-UK relations was rejected. This is the deal. Its the best deal possible and the EU will not change its fundamental position when it comes to these issues, he said. Those who think by rejecting the deal that they would have a better deal will be disappointed in the first seconds after the rejection of this deal. Taoiseach @campaignforleo and European Affairs Minister Helen McEntee speaking on their arrival at the Europa building for the EU Council special #Brexit summit meeting @PA pic.twitter.com/vZeoY7oYiF Michelle Devane (@michelledevane) November 25, 2018 Irish premier Leo Varadkar said: There isnt a plan B. Whats being put in front of EU Parliament and House of Commons is a deal. Any other deal really only exists in peoples imagination. Half of people who are HIV positive have faced discrimination, a new poll suggests. Sexual health charity the Terrance Higgins Trust (THT) called for an end to the stigma faced by people living with the virus. A new survey of 1,350 people with HIV conducted by the charity, released to mark the 30th World Aids Day, found 50% of people said they had experienced discrimination because of their HIV status. It also found fear of discrimination made 59% of those polled feel unable to talk openly at work about living with HIV. It comes after Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle announced that he is HIV positive during an emotional speech in the House of Commons. The Brighton Kemptown MP is the second ever MP to openly disclose he is living with the virus. Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown (Yui Mok/PA) Labour MP @lloyd_rm has told the House of Commons he is HIV positive. The MP for Brighton Kemptown said he had a duty as an MP to speak publicly about living with HIV. pic.twitter.com/92fZ3XQgQm PA Media (@PA) November 29, 2018 He told the Press Association that there were low level elements of stigma [surrounding HIV] in every day life. The new survey found that many people with the virus said they had faced stigma across a number of settings. THT said that this is despite the medical progress over the last 30 years which means that people with the virus can live a long and healthy life. And effective treatment means that the amount of virus in the body can be shrunk to undetectable levels which stops the damage the virus can cause to the body and means the virus cannot be passed on to anyone else. The charity said that misinformation around HIV still causes stigma, which impacts many people living with HIV. The charity has launched its Zero HIV campaign to mark World Aids day, with the aim of ending new cases of HIV and eliminating stigma surrounding the illness. We now have the tools to end HIV transmission here in the UK a combination of regular testing, PrEP [pre-exposure prophylaxis medication], condoms and treatment as prevention and its vital we continue to ensure people are aware of those tools, know how and are able to access them, said THT chief executive Ian Green. However, as ending HIV transmissions in the UK becomes a reality, we must support those living with the virus to thrive, and end the stigma they face. We must not just focus our efforts on reaching zero transmissions, but also zero stigma. The results from our polling are extremely saddening. This World Aids Day, as we mark 30 years since the first, we will remember the many loved ones weve lost. We will celebrate the progress weve made in their memory, and we will stand shoulder to shoulder and continue to work together with one another to hit zero HIV transmissions and zero HIV stigma for good. Next year I'll be marking an anniversary of my own: 10 years since I became HIV positive, says @lloyd_rm MP. Lloyd, from all the Terrence Higgins Trust family, we are so proud to call you a friend. Your leadership and openness today will help transform attitudes about HIV. pic.twitter.com/4qD7DlEJad Terrence Higgins Trust (@THTorguk) November 29, 2018 In an interview with the Press Association, Mr Russell-Moyle discussed ending HIV transmissions. He said: The power is in our hands, we have the science. It is one of the scientific miracles or medical miracles that we have achieved in the last 20 years. People talk about the abolition of polio as a disease we could do something as miraculous as that for HIV, we really could but we could only do it if we put those resources in. On the stigma surrounding HIV, Mr Russell-Moyle added: Of course there are low level elements of stigma in every day life, in terms of just lack of knowledge, people reacting with guttural reaction. Those 1980s campaigns play heavy in a lot of peoples minds that this is some sort of death sentence, and so immediately you are facing a wall of hatred but its a wall of fear and worry. There is some legal discrimination that still exists, for example if you are a pilot you cant get a full pilots licence to fly a plane in this country. There is also the discrimination around how sexual partners might view you and do view you and how employees view you. He added: In some ways Im incredibly lucky, Im a white gay man in a very liberal open city, and so out of all of the groups of people I will probably fair one of the better. If you are not in that same category, if you live in a rural area, if you find it difficult to access services, if you are black or older or a woman then those things mean your stigma is much higher so its much harder to talk about it. Talking about that is really important. Sir John Major has led tributes in Britain to former US president George Bush senior, who has died at the age of 94. The former prime minister, who worked with Mr Bush in the coalition to expel Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein from Kuwait in the 1991 Gulf War, said it was a privilege to have known him. Sometimes people think politics is tawdry. You could have never have said that about the way George Bush behaved in politics. He had opponents but never enemies, he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. He certainly was a man who made sure politics was a respectable profession and he understood its obligations to everyone, not just the powerful, not just the rich, not just the mighty, but to the people who were absolutely at the bottom of the heap as well. Theresa May said Mr Bushs ethos of public service had been the guiding thread of his life and an example to us all. At each stage of his remarkable career, the president worked side by side with his friends, colleagues and counterparts in the United Kingdom, she said. Then prime minister Sir John Major and former US president George Bush (PA) Today Britain remembers a great statesman and a true friend of our country. Former prime minister Tony Blair said: President Bush was an extraordinary and exemplary public servant, a man dedicated to his country, the values it stands for at its best and to making the world better, more stable and more peaceful. "President Bush was a true friend to the UK and the trusted counterpart and confidant of two Prime Ministers. His statesmanship, wisdom and friendship will be much missed and today we send our deepest condolences to his family and to the American people." PM @Theresa_May UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) December 1, 2018 Sir John paid tribute to the way Mr Bush had recognised the need to assemble an international coalition to eject Saddam following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The war would never have been so successful without the Arab members of the coalition. I cannot think of any president more likely to have drawn together such a coalition, he said. To make sure it was cemented he also went to the United Nations to get a United Nations resolution. That meant that it wasnt a Western imperialist, as people might have said, attacking Iraq after their invasion of Kuwait. It was an attack by people representing every part of the world, and, in particular, Middle Eastern members of the coalition That was a remarkable piece of diplomacy I think very few presidents would have been able to achieve. Sir John said their alliance had led to a lifelong friendship which continued for years after they had both left office. The first phone call I had as prime minister was from George Bush, he said. The first phone call I had seven years later when I was defeated was from George who said Come over to Maine, the blue fish are biting, come and spend a few days with us. So it did become a personal friendship. Former prime minister David Cameron tweeted: So sad to hear that George HW Bush has passed away. He was a very good man, a great President & a warm hearted, generous American patriot who was a strong ally & friend of the UK. Receiving Bush 41 & his wonderful wife Barbara at No10 was a huge honour that I will never forget. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: President Bush was a true ally of the UK, from his service with the US Navy during World War II, to his commitment to the transatlantic alliance while in high office during a time of dramatic change in the world. He will be remembered for his dedication to public service and his pledge to use American strength as a force for good. I send my sincerest condolences to his family, and to the American people. Theresa May has said she will be the Prime Minister to take the UK out of the European Union. But she indicated she does not believe her premiership will end with Brexit, insisting theres a lot more for me still to do. Mrs May was speaking at the end of a G20 summit in Argentina at which she said world leaders had expressed their desire for certainty about the UKs future position. She set the scene for an intense week of efforts to shore up support in Parliament for her Brexit deal ahead of the crucial December 11 vote. The next nine days are a really important time for our country, leading up to the vote on this deal, she told a press conference in Buenos Aires. I will be talking with Members of Parliament obviously and explaining to them why I believe this is a good deal for the UK, why it is a deal that delivers on Brexit but it is also a deal that protects jobs and the economy, and why passing this deal in the vote that takes place in the House of the Commons will take us to certainty for the future, and that failure to do that would only lead to uncertainty. I think what people want, and what Ive been hearing here at the G20 is the importance of that certainty for the future. G20 leaders including Theresa May attended a performance of dance and music at the Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires on Friday evening (G20 Argentina/PA Images) Asked what she would like her legacy to be if she is forced out of her job as a result of Conservative divisions over Brexit, Mrs May replied: There is a lot more for me still to do, not least delivering on Brexit and being the Prime Minister that does take the United Kingdom out of the European Union. Opportunities for trade in the wake of Brexit were at the top of Mrs Mays agenda for the two-day summit in which she held face-to-face talks with leaders of key targets for deals, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Turkey and Chile. The Prime Minister said the summit had been productive, with friends and partners making clear that they are keen to sign and implement ambitious free trade agreements with us as soon as possible. Japanese PM Shinzo Abe issued an appeal to avoid a no-deal withdrawal from the EU, urging her to ensure transparency, predictability as well as legal stability in the Brexit process. His plea follows warnings from Japanese companies with operations in the UK, such as Honda and Nissan, of the additional costs and bureaucracy they would face from a no-deal outcome. "As our relationship with Argentina is developing and growing, Im particularly pleased to be the first serving British Prime Minister to visit Buenos Aires." - PM @Theresa_May at #G20Argentina pic.twitter.com/213gJYmBrC UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) December 1, 2018 Asked whether she had been able to reassure Mr Abe that she would not allow no-deal to happen, Mrs May said only that she believed she had negotiated a good deal which would allow UK-based Japanese firms to maintain trade relations with Europe. She said she had spoken with Japanese investors in the UK, adding: One of the key messages they have given is about the importance of being able to maintain a good trade relationship with the EU when we have left. Thats what the deal that has been negotiated delivers. Earlier in the day, Mrs May used a meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss Ankaras investigation into the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul in October. On Friday, Mrs May shook hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before delivering what she described as a robust message on the importance of a credible and transparent investigation into Mr Khashoggis death. At the press conference, Mrs May declined to say whether she had directly confronted Mohammed over whether he was personally involved in planning or ordering the journalists murder. She said: It is absolutely the case that the relationship we have with Saudi Arabia means we are able to raise issues that are difficult, to be clear with them on our views on things and our concerns about things. What I said to the Crown Prince yesterday was the importance of a full, credible and transparent investigation that identifies those who were involved and the importance of ensuring that those who were involved are held to account. That is the message we have consistently given since the terrible murder of Jamal Khashoggi and it is a message we will continue to give. Theresa May speaks during a plenary session at the G20 summit (G20 Argentina/PA) Mrs May was the first serving Prime Minister to visit Buenos Aires, and she said the trip marked an important milestone in the relationship between the UK and Argentina. She welcomed last weeks announcement of a new air link between the Falklands and Argentina as a sign the relationship is developing and growing 36 years on from the Falklands war. Thanking her host, president Mauricio Macri, for the warm welcome offered to her, she said: We are looking forward to developing our trade relationship with Argentina once we have left the European Union. This is a developing relationship and it will continue to grow. Diplomats from the Group of 20 countries were haggling hard over a final summit statement on Friday, with deep divisions over what language to use on the Paris climate accord and the World Trade Organisation, according to two European officials involved in the discussions. Facing the prospect of a no-statement summit, European delegations were trying to create a common front and may come out with their own separate declaration if they cant get the US or others on board. European leaders were meeting in the morning at the summit venue in the Argentine capital to stake out common positions on trade, climate and the killing of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. France is seeking to build coalitions on certain issues or ad hoc partnerships to try to salvage the spirit of the G-20 even if all countries cant agree, according to a French official. The officials werent authorised to be named speaking about the closed-door discussions and spoke on condition of anonymity. The G-20 was supposed to focus on issues like development, infrastructure and investment, but as the gathering officially kicked off, those themes seem like afterthoughts, overshadowed by contentious matters from the US-China trade dispute to the conflict over Ukraine. European Council President Donald Tusk urged G-20 leaders to discuss trade wars, the tragic situation in Syria and Yemen and Russian aggression in Ukraine. He said the European Union is expected to extend sanctions on Moscow over its totally unacceptable seizure of Ukrainian ships and their crews near Crimea. Europe is united in its support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, Tusk said, calling the standoff a cause of great concern. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Buenos Aires on Friday morning, is among the leaders involved. Russia and Ukraine have traded blame over the ship incident. Also expected to loom large amid dozens of bilateral meetings in Buenos Aires: the gruesome slaying of Khashoggi in Saudi Arabias Istanbul consulate and how the Saudi crown prince, who is alleged to have ordered the killing, is received by world leaders. He didnt mention the killing itself, but stressed the importance of the basic safety of journalists and said its our obligation to press our partners to respect these basic principles. Saudi Arabia has denied that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman played a role, but some leaders may be cool toward him to avoid seeming to legitimize a man who US intelligence agencies concluded ordered the killing. US President Donald Trumps administration has made clear it does not want to torpedo the longstanding US relationship with Riyadh, however. It is the princes first significant appearance overseas since the killing. The assessment of elections depends on two factors: Personal or anecdotal evidence and media or academic narratives. The first has its obvious limitations since it is physically impossible to cover even a single State in its entirety, never mind the country. Personal assessments can at best be extremely patchy. This means that a collation of media accounts is the only means of coming to terms with the logic of any electoral decision. In the past month, the reports from Rajasthan invariably speak of a recurrent theme running through all the regions: The alleged arrogance of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. It is said that this is weighing down the BJP campaign and negating some of the undeniable achievements of her administration. Of course, the supposed personal imperfections of Vasundhara isnt the only factor. Reports speak of the alienation of Jat and Rajput communities both of which were supportive in 2013 from the BJP. This corresponds with the larger disquiet of the dominant farmer communities such as Marathas in Maharashtra, Jats in western Uttar Pradesh and Patidars in Gujarat from any ruling dispensation. This has got to do with those groups sensing an erosion of political power and lack of Government jobs owing to reservations. It is doubtful if any political party can satisfactorily resolve this issue. However, the question of personal style is a different matter altogether. I have often been quite baffled over how impressions and there is no doubt that these impressions are real are formed. How and why does the apparent aloofness of a leader become a liability? Equally why and how does this become, at times, an advantage? The questions are relevant for an obvious reason. Most voters have no direct contact with a Minister or Chief Minister. They also dont expect to be in direct contact and it is rare for an ordinary individual to go knocking at a Chief Ministers door seeking the redressal of a grievance. It is more likely that their contact will be with either the local administration or the local MLA or even MP. Why should the vote of a voter in the districts be swayed by whether Vasundhara Raje has been standoffish with some BJP karyakarta or an RSS functionary? The matter becomes more intriguing because supposed inaccessibility is often not inimical to political appeal. In Odisha, to take an example, Naveen Patnaik has been governing uninterruptedly since 1999 and winning election after election. Although there are often reports of anti-incumbency, it has not manifested itself in any significant way. At the same time, despite having lived uninterruptedly in Bhubaneshwar a quintessential small town for the past 19 years, Patnaik remains very much an outsider. He is an understated, private person who often appears detached from the routine humdrum of politics. By convention you may even say that he is inaccessible the accusation now being hurled at Vasundhara Raje. However, this aloofness of Patnaik hasnt affected him politically. The political class may grumble that their Chief Minister is not given to the bonhomie one associates with say, Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. But it is the public adulation of him which allows him to remain an outsider and still be a remarkably successful politician. Ironically, I used to find the same complaint of aloofness levelled at Narendra Modi when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. During the 2007 election, the standard assessment of those who used to hang around the BJP office in Ahmedabad was that the BJP would cross the majority mask, but only by a whisker. It was said that the top brass of the Gujarat RSS too was very unhappy with him and wouldnt help out in the campaign. Yet, the public connect of Modi was spectacular. And it was this public connect that gave him his political authority. That trend persists to this day. There is no template governing the most appropriate conduct of a politician. What seems a very successful style for Modi the ability to rise above daily concerns could, under different circumstances, become a liability. Rahul Gandhi at one time lost the Congress the services of an important politician in Assam because he was seen to be attending to his pet dog rather than listening to the State leaders concerns. If Mamata, for example, was somehow to shed her deep involvement in everything from the management of procession routes to dictating her partys daily strategy in Parliament, she would be a very different politician. In any case, that she is over-involved has not been to her disadvantage. Still, the question as to how the impression that Vasundhara Raje is arrogant and inaccessible gained so much public currency is worth a thought. It just cant be that she is inaccessible because she still commands the loyalty of many important local leaders, as was demonstrated when the BJP leadership tried to oust her as Leader of Opposition in 2009. Even now, from all accounts, she has managed to get her loyalists tickets and the public response to her rallies hasnt been discouraging. Yet, nearly every media report I have read talks about how the anti-incumbency has personalised against her. No one seems to have explained what has brought this about if indeed the dislike for her is that widespread among ordinary voters. Now there is even talk of a late swing in favour of the BJP a theory I instinctively discount because people tend to make up their minds before the campaign starts, unless something dramatic intervenes. Whatever the reality, we will know on December 11. However, even the outcome wont solve the mystery of how and why this impression entered the popular discourse. To end violence among children, school-based comprehensive sex education is a must. It's high time we change mindsets Over the past many decades, ignorance and a conscious inhibition to prevent the young generation from accessing correct information have been persistent. While the pre-Internet generation was left on their own to deal with physical and emotional aspects of growing up and starting relationships, the present generations are left to explore the most important aspects of growing up through readily available information over the Internet, which may not always be correct. There can be no denial to the fact that young people are naturally curious about sex and sexuality and it is a right of every young person to receive Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) that facilitates well-informed choices in relationships and sexual lives. Unlike popular myth, CSE does not increase sexual activity, sexual risk-taking behaviuor or STI/HIV infection rates but focuses on young peoples well-being and their ability to make healthy decisions. This involves empowering the young ones, especially girls, so as to address gender norms and power dynamics. Access to CSE has been a much-debated subject in India ever since the launch of the Adolescent Education Programme (AEP) that was vehemently opposed and immediately banned by almost 12 States, some of which had the highest adolescent fertility and gender-based violence rates. Access to sexual and reproductive health services and information for the young people is largely governed by the crude dichotomy of married and unmarried. A recent report by UNICEF (2018) said that there has been a significant drop in the number of child marriage in India but the country also accounts for the highest number of child marriages. In addition, the fourth National Family Health Survey (NFHS 4) reflected that 33.6 per cent of Indias population is born of adolescent pregnancies. Yet, owing to cultural and social barriers, our decision-makers do not support full implementation of CSE. Are our young ones too young for sex education but old enough for marriage? The struggles of the young ones who are forced into child marriage or those who face reproductive or sexual health-related issues can be prevented manifolds just by ensuring timely and correct information. At present, there is no mandate for a compulsory curriculum for sexual education, which makes it difficult to monitor its progress. The attitude of teachers and trainers is another challenge in providing whatever limited information made available. The lack of skills and personal inhibition to talk about sensitive subjects such as relationships, lack of encouragement to question prevailing social and cultural norms that support unequal gender and power structures, often leads to violence. The absence of sex education and counseling increases the risk of acquiring Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and even HIV among the young and adolescent. Estimates from NFHS 4 suggest that around 31 per cent of Indias AIDS burden is contributed by young population between 15-24 years. Growing sexual aggression accompanied by the absence of CSE further increases vulnerability of young people, especially girls. Growing number of cases of gender-based violence and child abuse are becoming chronic issues and it is an indicator of a systemic failure and existing mechanisms to promote gender equality. High-quality, age-appropriate, and evidence-based comprehensive sexuality education is the only true, long-term solution to end gender-based violence. Sexual violence doesnt start with rape but is any kind of violence or aggression that is sexual in its expression or intention. This includes coercion within and outside relationships, withholding affection or threatening violence until unwanted sex is agreed to, abuse of power for sexual ends, forced sexual touching, et al. What we need is stronger preventive strategies which include an education system that promotes health and well-being, respect for human rights and gender equality, and empowers children and young people to lead safe lives. UNESCOs International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education outlines the key concepts, topics and learning objectives to help education, health, and other relevant authorities to develop and implement sexuality education programmes. There are also several other guidelines and toolkits from various Government, UN and international organisations for the implementation of CSE in different settings. All we need is a commitment from national and local authorities to recognise the importance of CSE, strong monitoring and feedback mechanisms for teachers and students as well as a well-funded programme. (The writer is a Senior technical advisor - Advocacy and Accountability, International Planned Parenthood Federation - South Asia Regional Office) For India to be able to reap the benefits of digital financial services fully, it is essential that the accompanying risks are understood and adequately addressed A new dimension to financial inclusion is digital finance which is being powered by Fintech or financial technology. Technology is now the new mantra which India has embraced vigorously. At the recent Fintech festival in Singapore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proclaimed that India will be the new destination of financial technology or Fintech. Three major technological developments have changed financial services in profound ways: 1) The capability of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence to process huge amounts of data at ever-greater speeds and ever-lower costs. 2) The possibility to move that data back and forth through the Internet almost for free. 3) The ability to download and upload that data stream through smartphones. Fintech stands for financial technology or technology used for the financial sector, and comprises of multiple things Artificial Intelligence, virtual reality, blockchain, cloud-based software, machine learning all of which provide a mantra for financial institutions as they are powering them with limitless reach. Fintech refers to the use of innovative technology to provide, enable and enhance financial services such as payment, money transfer, insurance, fund raising and so on. Fintech is a combination of the words "financial and technology. According to the World Economic Forum, it involves the innovative use of technology in the design and delivery of financial services and products including things like cryptocurrency, blockchain, mobile and Internet banking. Fintech is enabling us to shift towards a future where communities are empowered to drive their own financial security, resilience and freedom. Innovations in technology are enabling previously unbanked people to gain access to financial services at an unprecedented speed and scale. Global revolution in mobile communications, along with rapid advances in digital payment systems, is creating opportunities to connect poor households to affordable and reliable financial tools through mobile phones, and other digital interfaces .Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) has emerged as a new wave with hopes that it will reach the last mile consumer in the most convenient and affordable manner. Innovations in technology, such as mobile banking, mobile payments and borrower identification using biometric data (fingerprinting and iris scans among others), is make it easier and less expensive for people to use financial services, while also increasing financial security. Novel mechanisms have broadened financial inclusion. ATMs, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, handheld computers and smart cards are attempting to dramatically reduce the cost of service provision in rural areas. Financial institutions are using social media data, bill payment patterns, mobile call data records and psychometric testing to establish credit profiles and target previously invisible consumers. India has to contend with a geographical and cultural divide of a great magnitude. The aversion of the 'other India' to digital finance has more to do with their aversion to everything that has to do with technology. And this stems from their lack of trust in it. It is also partly on account of lack of comfort with technology and literacy needed to fully use these services. Women often face additional barriers: Less access to mobile phone, lower literacy levels, less confidence in using technology and restrictions on travel or social interaction. When we design solutions that recognise everyone as an equal partners, we will have a real chance of achieving our aims. Each society is at a different stage of digital financial inclusion and, thus, the solutions needed to bring it up-to-date must be appropriate to the social, cultural and economic context. By respecting the cultural outlook of the people and embracing their concerns we enlist their support for the change, and that is what will pave the way for lasting and sustainable success. The race to digitalisation, therefore, cannot be a sprint. India culturally believes in cash and a paradigm shift in thinking will need time and resources. It will actually involve a migration to new social and cultural patterns and habits. There are marked demographic and class issues built into India's cashless transition. The tech class will have to get a better grasp of the impact on the ground. India speaks 438 languages, according to The Economist, each with multiple dialects and scripts. A new dimension to financial inclusion is digital finance which is being powered by Fintech or financial technology. Technology is now the new mantra which India has embraced vigorously. At the recent Fintech festival in Singapore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proclaimed that India will be the new destination of financial technology or Fintech. Three major technological developments have changed financial services in profound ways: 1) The capability of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence to process huge amounts of data at ever-greater speeds and ever-lower costs. 2) The possibility to move that data back and forth through the Internet almost for free. 3) The ability to download and upload that data stream through smartphones. Fintech stands for financial technology or technology used for the financial sector, and comprises of multiple things Artificial Intelligence, virtual reality, blockchain, cloud-based software, machine learning all of which provide a mantra for financial institutions as they are powering them with limitless reach. Fintech refers to the use of innovative technology to provide, enable and enhance financial services such as payment, money transfer, insurance, fund raising and so on. Fintech is a combination of the words "financial and technology. According to the World Economic Forum, it involves the innovative use of technology in the design and delivery of financial services and products including things like cryptocurrency, blockchain, mobile and Internet banking. Fintech is enabling us to shift towards a future where communities are empowered to drive their own financial security, resilience and freedom. Innovations in technology are enabling previously unbanked people to gain access to financial services at an unprecedented speed and scale. Global revolution in mobile communications, along with rapid advances in digital payment systems, is creating opportunities to connect poor households to affordable and reliable financial tools through mobile phones, and other digital interfaces .Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) has emerged as a new wave with hopes that it will reach the last mile consumer in the most convenient and affordable manner. Innovations in technology, such as mobile banking, mobile payments and borrower identification using biometric data (fingerprinting and iris scans among others), is make it easier and less expensive for people to use financial services, while also increasing financial security. Novel mechanisms have broadened financial inclusion. ATMs, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, handheld computers and smart cards are attempting to dramatically reduce the cost of service provision in rural areas. Financial institutions are using social media data, bill payment patterns, mobile call data records and psychometric testing to establish credit profiles and target previously invisible consumers. India has to contend with a geographical and cultural divide of a great magnitude. The aversion of the 'other India' to digital finance has more to do with their aversion to everything that has to do with technology. And this stems from their lack of trust in it. It is also partly on account of lack of comfort with technology and literacy needed to fully use these services. Women often face additional barriers: Less access to mobile phone, lower literacy levels, less confidence in using technology and restrictions on travel or social interaction. When we design solutions that recognise everyone as an equal partners, we will have a real chance of achieving our aims. Each society is at a different stage of digital financial inclusion and, thus, the solutions needed to bring it up-to-date must be appropriate to the social, cultural and economic context. By respecting the cultural outlook of the people and embracing their concerns we enlist their support for the change, and that is what will pave the way for lasting and sustainable success. The race to digitalisation, therefore, cannot be a sprint. India culturally believes in cash and a paradigm shift in thinking will need time and resources. It will actually involve a migration to new social and cultural patterns and habits. There are marked demographic and class issues built into India's cashless transition. The tech class will have to get a better grasp of the impact on the ground. India speaks 438 languages, according to The Economist, each with multiple dialects and scripts. A major headway has been made largely due to the JAM trinity (Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and mobile phone respectively). Block chain technology holds the potential to streamline land records and asset registries. To create the right conditions and context to facilitate a seamless transition in digital financial services we have to enable the following: i) Balancing the regulatory framework to support innovation and competition while ensuring safety, stability and soundness of the financial system. ii) Supportive regulations and openness to banks and non-banks, including fintechs, telecom-supported financial players, crowd funding, and big data analytics. iii) Regulatory sandboxes to test new digital ideas and initiatives. iv) Adequacy of digital infrastructure. v) Government support for digital financial service adoption vi) Efficient and fast settlement systems between financial service providers vii) Good national identification systems and the role of biometrics and tiered know-your customer digital solutions. Indias Aadhaar is the worlds most revolutionary concept in this direction. For the financial inclusion industry to be able to capitalise fully on the benefits of digital financial services, it is important that the accompanying risks are understood and adequately addressed. Though these risks cannot be eliminated, they can be mitigated. We need to keep in mind the concerns of security, affordability, and safety of these new financial channels. With many opportunities provided by groundbreaking technology and innovative business operations also comes new risks. The risks related to implementing digital financial services extend far beyond operational and technical risks. The fintech revolution is no different. Loss of privacy is the most obvious risk; indeed, despite efforts to create safeguards, it is all but inevitable. Changing the financial framework is also not enough. Consumers will have to walk that extra mile if they want to reap the harvest of these new financial tools. The new revolution will have better chances of success if it is driven less by financial punditry and more by empathetic governance. People take to new technologies when they see clear benefits; have greater confidence in the markets and services; find it convenient; and can afford it. The painful reality is that providers, too, often focus on short-term incentives at the expense of long-term consumer trust and loyalty. The Reserve Bank of India has been rightly espousing a cautious approach in addressing concerns around consumer protection and law enforcement. The key objective of the regulator has been around creating an environment for unhindered innovations by Fintech, expanding the reach of banking services for the unbanked population, regulating an efficient electronic payment and providing alternative options to the consumers. Building inclusive digital economies requires the collective action of Governments, industry, financiers and the civil society. Before speeding ahead, we need to build the infrastructure, align the policies and create the tools that will enable the poor to comfortably board the digital train. As Ghanaian diplomat Kofi Annan had said in 2004, In managing, promoting and protecting the Internet's presence in our lives, we need to be no less creative than those who invented it. Clearly, there is a need for governance, but that does not necessarily mean that it has to be done in the traditional way, for something that is so very different. (The writer is Member, NITI Aayogs National Committee on Financial Literacy and Inclusion for Women)A major headway has been made largely due to the JAM trinity (Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and mobile phone respectively). Block chain technology holds the potential to streamline land records and asset registries. To create the right conditions and context to facilitate a seamless transition in digital financial services we have to enable the following: i) Balancing the regulatory framework to support innovation and competition while ensuring safety, stability and soundness of the financial system. ii) Supportive regulations and openness to banks and non-banks, including fintechs, telecom-supported financial players, crowd funding, and big data analytics. iii) Regulatory sandboxes to test new digital ideas and initiatives. iv) Adequacy of digital infrastructure. v) Government support for digital financial service adoption vi) Efficient and fast settlement systems between financial service providers vii) Good national identification systems and the role of biometrics and tiered know-your customer digital solutions. Indias Aadhaar is the worlds most revolutionary concept in this direction. For the financial inclusion industry to be able to capitalise fully on the benefits of digital financial services, it is important that the accompanying risks are understood and adequately addressed. Though these risks cannot be eliminated, they can be mitigated. We need to keep in mind the concerns of security, affordability, and safety of these new financial channels. With many opportunities provided by groundbreaking technology and innovative business operations also comes new risks. The risks related to implementing digital financial services extend far beyond operational and technical risks. The fintech revolution is no different. Loss of privacy is the most obvious risk; indeed, despite efforts to create safeguards, it is all but inevitable. Changing the financial framework is also not enough. Consumers will have to walk that extra mile if they want to reap the harvest of these new financial tools. The new revolution will have better chances of success if it is driven less by financial punditry and more by empathetic governance. People take to new technologies when they see clear benefits; have greater confidence in the markets and services; find it convenient; and can afford it. The painful reality is that providers, too, often focus on short-term incentives at the expense of long-term consumer trust and loyalty. The Reserve Bank of India has been rightly espousing a cautious approach in addressing concerns around consumer protection and law enforcement. The key objective of the regulator has been around creating an environment for unhindered innovations by Fintech, expanding the reach of banking services for the unbanked population, regulating an efficient electronic payment and providing alternative options to the consumers. Building inclusive digital economies requires the collective action of Governments, industry, financiers and the civil society. Before speeding ahead, we need to build the infrastructure, align the policies and create the tools that will enable the poor to comfortably board the digital train. As Ghanaian diplomat Kofi Annan had said in 2004, In managing, promoting and protecting the Internet's presence in our lives, we need to be no less creative than those who invented it. Clearly, there is a need for governance, but that does not necessarily mean that it has to be done in the traditional way, for something that is so very different. (The writer is Member, NITI Aayogs National Committee on Financial Literacy and Inclusion for Women) Three days after the Governments decision to allow the State-run oil marketing companies to distribute dealerships for 55,649 new petrol pumps across the country, the All India Petrol Dealers Association (AIPDA) said on Wednesday that the dealers would move the court against the Centres latest move. Expressing his strong disapproval about the Centres latest move which went against its petrol distribution policy, AIPDA President Ajay Bansal said that the aggrieved petrol pump dealers would contest the Governments decision to allow distribution of 55,649 new petrol pumps across the country. While on one hand, a Union Minister announces that the Government would close down all petrol pumps in the country and replace them with alternative fuel outlets by 2025, while on the other the Petroleum Ministry and oil companies publish advertisements seeking bids for the dealerships of 55,849 new petrol pumps second string of new petrol pumps. The Centres decision to allow State-run oil marketing companies to distribute dealerships for 55,649 new petrol pumps across the country is contrary to its own policy, Bansal said. The Centre had on Saturday allowed the State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) to go for a massive expansion by doubling the number of fuel outlets over the next five years a decision that the State-run oil marketing PSUs Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation to invite collectively bids for 55,649 petrol pumps dealership across the country. The Government had said that an independent agency would carry out the bidding process for petrol pump dealerships. Currently, the three State-run oil marketing companies have 56,000 retail outlets (petrol pumps), while 6,000 outlets are owned by private companies. The average monthly sales of these outlets are 120 to 130 kilograms (1000 litres = 1 kilo litres). There is a disturbing fact that approximately 80% of the total retail outlets are under sales. A committee set up by the government itself, which can get profit after selling 170 kgs of any month in any retail outlet, has declared in its report. Because of the limited sale standards, 80% of the dealers are losing financially. The debt burden of the bank is increasing every year, Because of this a large number of dealers are willing to opt out of this business, Bansal said. But there is no provision to get out of this business according to the prevailing rules. If the company does not want to do business, the oil companies do not return the possession of the land to the dealer by sending the dealer home, he said. It is not possible to live in this business and the amount of money immersion in the effort to increase sales by making a lump sum for the survival is very large. There is an annual increase of 4% on petrol and diesel demand. However, the government has announced 100% increase in the cost of new pumps, Bansal added. In a related development, Federation of All Maharashtra Petrol Dealers Association (FAMPEDA) President Uday Lodh said with the proposed doubling of retail outlets, the average sales volumes of both existing and new dealers would fall, putting them in great peril. There is already a huge battle going on for adequate margins of the existing dealers, he said. Thousands of farmers from across the country carrying flags of different colours and wearing their traditional dresses, including green turban and kurta pyjama, began their march to Parliament Street around 10.30 am on Friday. The farmers, who were campaigning at the Ramlila Ground since Thursday, converged near Parliament Street police station after they were denied permission by the Delhi Police to march towards Parliament. Over 3,500 police personnel were deployed on the route of the farmers march to maintain law and order. Women protesters from Madhya Pradesh performed their traditional dance on way towards Parliament. Some other women were seen walking with photographs of their dead husbands, who committed suicide due to farm distress. Widows of farmers, who committed suicide after they did not get adequate compensation from Telangana and Centre Government, were carrying yellow flags and human skulls on their bodies. About 1,300 members of the National South Indian River Interlinking Farmers Association reached the national Capital in the early hours of Thursday and were carrying seven skulls and bones, said their leader P Ayyakannu. He said the skulls and bones were of the farmers who committed suicide. Nine farmers, without clothes, lay down in front of the stage by keeping bones on their bodies, and demanded profitable price for agricultural produce, waiver of loans, interlinking of rivers and pension for farmers over 60 years. Five Gurdwaras in the Delhi region have extended their help to the farmers. Also students from various universities turned out in large numbers to lend support to the farmers. It is the second major farmers protest in the national Capital in two months. Volunteers, including doctors, lawyers, professors and artists, all came out in large numbers to help the farmers. Around 600-700 volunteers of a solidarity group Nation For Farmers carrying their red flags marched with the protesters from the four assembly points. Small farmers have been hit by rising costs of living. They have benefited little from increased Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugarcane as a web of middlemen in Indias agricultural markets, gobble up the profit, said Sukhpal Singh, from Barwala village in Muzaffarnagar. Diesel prices have shot up by more than 40 per cent and power tariffs have surged by more than 20 per cent in the past two years. We want the Government to take some action that can benefit farmers, said Dinesh Sahu, another farmer who had come from Jind in Haryana. The Delhi march comes just a week after farmers from all across Maharashtra marched to Mumbai to reiterate their demands for loan waiver and land rights among others. Under the banner of All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) farmers from several States, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh gathered at the Ramlila Ground on Thursday evening. Farmers are demanding that the Government should call a special session of Parliament to discuss the agrarian crisis. Farmers are also demanding the clearance of two bills that have already been introduced in both Houses of Parliament. At least 20 people, including police personnel, were injured in a clash between protesters and security personnel on October 2 at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh gate border on National Highway-24 when Delhi Police denied entry to thousands of farmers into the city. A Delhi Court on Friday convicted ex-coal secretary HC Gupta in a corruption case relating to allotment of coal blocks in West Bengal during the previous UPA regime at the Centre. Five others, including one retired and another serving public servant KS Kropha and KC Samria were held guilty for various offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the IPC. Gupta, who was the Coal Secretary from December 31, 2005 to November 2008, has already been convicted before in two other cases of coal block allocation in which he has been sentenced to jail for two and three years respectively. He is out on bail in both the cases. Kropha, who was then the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Coal, retired in December 2017 as the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya. He has also been convicted and sentenced to two years in another coal block allocation scam and has been on bail. Samria then held the rank of Director in the Ministry of Coal and is now working as a Joint Secretary in Ministry of Minority Affairs. He has already been convicted and sentenced to two years jail term in another case and has been out on bail. All the convicted persons were taken into the custody on the order of the court. They have been sent to judicial custody till December 3 when Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar will hear the arguments on sentence which entails maximum punishment of seven years in jail. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of Moira and Madhujore (North and South) coal blocks in West Bengal to Vikash Metals and Power Limited (VMPL). An FIR was lodged by the CBI in September 2012. VMPL, its managing director Vikash Patni and authorised signatory Anand Mallick were also convicted. All have been held guilty for the offences under Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC, including sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy). Prosecutors said Gupta has been accused in 12 cases of alleged irregularities in coal block allocation scam. The CBI has filed charge sheets in connection with alleged irregularities in 40 cases of coal block allocations during the UPA-1 and UPA-2 regime. On July 25, 2014, the Supreme Court had approved appointment of Additional Sessions Judge Parashar as special judge to exclusively deal with all coal scam cases. Till now the special court has decided six such cases. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is accused in one case relating to the allocation of the Talabira II/III coal blocks in Odisha, in 2005 to Aditya Birla Group company -- M/s Hindalco. On March 11, 2015, the special court had summoned Singh and five others as accused. Besides Singh, former Coal Secretary PC Parakh, Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla and two others were also summoned. The trial court order, however, was stayed by the Supreme Court on April 1, 2015, after Singh approached the top court for the relief. His plea is still pending before the apex court. In the present case, the court had on August 19, 2016 framed charges, including cheating and criminal conspiracy against Gupta, the two public servants, the firm and its two officials. They all had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. All the accused are out on bail. It had said, Charge for the offences under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servants), 420 (cheating) of IPC and also under sections 13(1)(c) and 13(1) (d) (criminal misconduct by public servants) of the PC Act has been framed against all the accused... The court had put on trial all the accused in the case in which the CBIs closure report was earlier rejected by the court, asking the probe agency to further investigate the matter. The other two coal scam cases in which Gupta was earlier convicted related to Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd (KSSPL) and Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd(VISUL). Kropha and Samria were also convicted in KSSPL case. India is facing a problem of accommodating thousands of foreign national detainees even as deporting them to their respective countries of origin remains a cumbersome process. Over 70,000 foreign nationals from as many as 58 countries are under detention for illegally overstaying in India after the expiry of their visa with Bangladeshis, Africans, Americans, Pakistanis and Afghans forming the chunk of them. Against this backdrop, the Centre has asked States and Union Territories (UTs) to hire more suitable accommodation and build more detention centres for such foreign nationals. While Uttar Pradesh and Haryana do not have detention centres, Tripura has converted old age homes into detention centres. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has told the State Governments that they can incur the expenditures and claim reimbursement from the ministry. The Centre has asked the States to restrict the movement of foreign nationals awaiting deportation. The Governments concern stems from the millions of Bangladeshi nationals who have become untraceable in the past several years. Detention centres are managed by State Governments and house foreigners who overstay or dont have valid travel documents or illegally cross over into India. Officials said foreign nationals of more than 58 countries have been found violating visa norms and overstaying in many parts of the country. At a high-level meeting chaired by the Special Secretary (Border Management) of MHA, States and Union Territories have expressed concern over increasing number of illegal foreign nationals who overstay on their visa. At the meeting, officials of Haryana Government said that the state does not have a detention centre and foreign nationals are sent to detention centre in Delhi while the officials of Uttar Pradesh said they had earlier proposed to set up a centre at Gautam Budh Nagar but the idea was dropped. Now it has planned to set up a centre at Ghaziabad. Inspector General of Police of Tamil Nadu said they have set up a temporary centre while Gujarat said a temporary centre at Bhuj has been set. Officials of Chandigarh pointed out about a centre for the foreign immigrants having been set up in Amritsar. The Inspector General (Prison) of Assam informed the Ministry that the State has six detention centres where over 1,000 illegal foreign nationals are lodged. They have already completed their sentence and not willing to return their countries. The majority of them are from Bangladesh who have been kept in detention centre for the last six years. There is a need of more such centres with better facilities, officials said. They stated that the issue was raised with Bangladesh officials through the Ministry of External Affairs but tedious deportation process takes too much time. The Joint Director of Bureau of Immigration said most of the detainees are notorious in nature and do not want to return. Such detainees can be deported only after the concerned country completes the nationality verification and issues related documents. As per statement made by Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju in the Rajya Sabha last year, around 2 crore illegal Bangladeshi migrants have settled in India which marks an increase of 67 per cent from the figures laid down in Parliament by the UPA regime in 2004 but later withdrawn. Leaders of India, China and Russia have called for reforming multilateral institutions, including the UN and WTO, as they underscored the benefits of a multilateral trading system and an open world economy for global growth and prosperity during a trilateral meeting they held after a gap of 12 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held the trilateral meeting on Friday, the second among the three countries after a gap of 12 years, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here to discuss cooperation in various areas. Excellent meeting of the RIC (Russia, India, China) Trilateral. President Putin, President Xi Jinping and I discussed a wide range of subjects that would further cement the friendship between our nations and enhance world peace, Modi said. Modi said, Its Indias 75th Independence Day in 2022 & we had requested Italy if we can get '22 instead of '21 (for hosting G20 summit).They accepted our request, others accepted it too.I'm grateful & I invite leadership from across the world to come to India in 2022. The Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting came hours after Prime Minister Modi, his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump held their first trilateral meeting on the margins of the summit. Deepening engagement with valued development partners. President Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping and PM @narendramodi participate in the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral in Buenos Aires. @KremlinRussia, the Prime Ministers Office tweeted. In a statement, the External Affairs Ministry said the three leaders exchanged views on expanding mutual cooperation in international forums, and to encourage greater interaction among the three countries. They agreed on the importance of reform and strengthening of multilateral institutions which have benefitted the world, including the United Nations, WTO and well-established as well as new global financial institutions. They underscored the benefits of a multilateral trading system and an open world economy for global growth and prosperity, it said. The three leaders agreed to have regular consultations to jointly promote international and regional peace and stability, to strengthen cooperation through BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) and the East Asia Summit (EAS) mechanisms, to address global challenges such as terrorism and climate change, and to encourage peaceful resolution of all differences, the statement added. They also acknowledged the importance of cooperation in RIC format and agreed to hold further such trilateral meetings on multilateral occasions. Briefing the media about the RIC meeting, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale later said the trilateral was a very positive meeting. Prime Minister thanked President Putin for initiating this effort and all three leaders felt that given our respective roles as emerging economies and emerging markets, given our respective roles and influence in the world in terms of maintaining peace and stability in the region that it was perhaps important that the three countries should cooperate and coordinate in various areas in order to contribute to global peace and prosperity, Gokhale said. The views expressed by all three leaders were very similar and they all felt that we should work together to steer global economic governance, he said. They felt that the three countries should work together where we could promote peace and stability in regional crisis, the foreign secretary said. The three leaders felt that we should work together on terrorism, we should work together on disaster relief and humanitarian assistance and in general the effort would be, not that the cooperation would be directed against anybody but that the cooperation would be based upon how these three countries, each having their own strengths in the world could contribute to global good, Gokhale added. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the meeting was characterised by warmth and positivity. The three leaders discussed cooperation and coordination in various areas which could contribute to global peace and stability, Kumar said, adding that the RIC trilateral summit took place after a gap of 12 years. Earlier, India, Japan and the US discussed major issues of global and multilateral interests in their first trilateral meeting, which assumed importance in the wake of China flexing its muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. At the meeting, India underscored its firm commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic growth. Asserting that India will continue to work together on shared values, Modi said, When you look at the acronym of our three countries --Japan, America, and India -- it is JAI, which stands for success in Hindi. Army chief says our position is clear: Terror, talk cant go together Days after Prime Minister Imran Khan renewed his offer for restarting the stalled dialogue process with India, Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday said Pakistan cannot stay together with India as long as it is an Islamic state. He also said India has taken the first step many times and now it is Islamabads turn to show some concrete action against terror. The Army chief made these remarks while responding to Khans statement that Pakistan will take two steps forward if India takes one. There is a contradiction in what they are saying. One step from there should come in a positive manner, we will see if the step has an effect on the ground. Till then our nation has a clear policy-terror and talks cant go together, the Army chief said. He said, India has always maintained that Pakistan-sponsor terrorism was its core concern and unless Islamabad takes action to stop it, the dialogue process cannot be resumed. In fact, External Affair Minister Sushma Swaraj made it very clear while rejecting Pakistans invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the SAARC summit in Islamabad. She said on Wednesday dialogue can start the moment Pakistan stops terrorist activities in India. It is perhaps for the first time that Rawat has expressed an opinion about the religious character of the neighbouring country apparently responsible for the strained India-Pakistan ties. On earlier occasion, he has always conveyed his concerns over cross-border terror emanating from Pakistan. If they (Pakistan) have to stay together with India, then they have to develop as a secular state, Rawat said on the sidelines of the Passing Out Parade of the 135th course at National Defence Academy. See this staying together, staying separate, ispe Pakistan ko apni andruni halat dekhni hogi. Pakistan ne apne state ko Islamic state bana diya hai. Hum log secular state hai (Pakistan has to look at its internal situation. They are an Islamic state, we (India) are a secular state), he said. Rawat said, How can we stay together if you say I am an Islamic state and there is no role for anybody else, adding If they are willing to become secular like us, then they seem to have an opportunity. Pehle dekhe, karte hai ki nahi karte (Let us see if they do so or not). During a Press conference in Islamabad on Thursday, Khan said he was ready to hold talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and for the first time admitted that it was not in the interest of his country to allow its territories to be used for terror activities in other countries. India has always maintained that Pakistan-sponsor terrorism was its core concern and unless Islamabad takes action to stop it, the dialogue process cannot be resumed. Asked about Khans statement that Islamabad would move two steps forward if New Delhi took one step, Rawat said, I would like to tell Pakistan to initiate that first step (of ending terror emanating from its soil). In the past, India has taken several steps. When we say terror is being harboured in your country, show some action by curtailing terror activities which are used against India. On Imran Khans contention that why India and Pakistan could not be friends when Germany and France could be good neighbours, the Army chief said the neighbouring nation first needs to see its internal condition. This is for boozers, illicit liquor producers, traders and suppliers in dry Bihar. For the last five months, an army of 20 Labrador sniffer dogs is being trained at Moinabad in Telangana to detect liquor and narcotics. The dogs are expected to arrive in Patna in the first week of February and play their role in implementing total prohibition in Bihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is unhappy with the police and excise officials for their slackness in catching the big fish in this trade and, as he said publicly, they were only arresting drivers and khalasis of the vehicles smuggling the liquor from other neighbouring States and Nepal. The admission of the CM that liquor was being smuggled in and home delivery was still rampant has exposed the agencies involved in enforcing total prohibition. The home department is now expected to pin more hopes on canines than the army of officials in bid to satisfy Nitish, whose brainchild total prohibition has earned him bouquets and brickbats alike. These 20 dogs had been purchased for Rs 35 lakh when they were six months old in July last. Since then they are undergoing rigorous training at Moinabad under the supervision of professional. Bihar has also deputed 30 handler policemen there to keep a close watch on their training to sniff out narcotics and liquor. Additional Director General of Police (CID) Vinay Kumar said, These dogs are being imparted special training to search and find out all kinds of narcotics, liquor and spirit even if they are buried deep. They can also catch people who have consumed even a little. Sources in excise department said that in the first phase, these dogs would be deployed in border areas where they would be on duty on check posts with cops. They will check the vehicles entering Bihar from other neighbouring States. The sources said this would effectively check the smuggling of narcotics and liquor. For the first time, our dog squads will have services of sniffer dogs trained to catch liquor and this will help us effectively check the smuggling and smugglers, said dog squad chief Om Prakash Srivastava. In Bihar only 10 districts have dog squads. Nitish suspects that police and excise officials are hands in glove with bootleggers and that was the reason that they were getting away. Civil society members on Friday demanded the Central Vigilance Commissions (CVC) intervention for an early completion of CBI investigations in chit fund scam and Black Rose ship issue in the greater interest of people of the State The members sent a memorandum to the CVC, New Delhi through the local CBI SP in this regard after completion of their five-day relay hunger strike at the CBI officer here on Friday. We staged a five-day hunger strict exerting pressure on the CBI to complete the investigation into chit fund scam and the Black Rose ship issue pending for the last years. Acting on the Supreme Court direction, the CBI had successfully conducted investigation and arrested number of powerful people, including owners of chit fund firms like Seashore and Artha Tatwa and MPs and MLAs of the ruling Biju Janata Dal and former Advocate General, and interrogated many more, including a few IAS and IPS officers. But astonishingly, the CBI inquiry turned sluggish after CBI officials questioned Saroj Sahu, an employee in the office of the Chief Minister's residence in November 2014. Now, duped depositors have expressed unhappiness and concern over ominous silence of the CBI, read the memorandum. The memorandum further mentioned that the then tainted CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana, who was in charge of CBI investigation into chit fund scam, was alleged to have association with bribe-givers. The CBIs silence for the last two years has attributed possible unholy nexus among Asthana, chit fund culprits and BJD politicians , bureaucrats and IPs officers who were all involved in chit, it alleged. Former Minister Dr Damodar Rout has alleged that there was a Rs 100-crore deal between the State Government and CBI officers to suppress the scam. It has come to our notice that Nageswar Rao, present in-charge of Director of the CBI is also hand in glove with corrupt leaders of the ruling party, alleged the memorandum. It further mentioned that the CBI has not started investigation into the Black Rose ship case even as a few months have passed since Union Minister Dharmenda Pradhan declared that the Central Government handed over investigation into Black Rose ship issue to the CBI. In context of above, we urge the Commission to intervene into the matter and direct the CBI to complete inquiry into chit fund scam and Black Rose ship issue in the greater interest of people of Odisha, demanded civil society members in the memorandum. Among others, OSAA Jagatsinghpur district convenor Prasanta Routray, lawyer Sudhir Mohanty, Prasant Kumar Behera, Monaj Kumar Panda, Kailash Chandra Mallick, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Jitendra Sahoo, Seikh Abdul Wali and Ashdok Parida undersigned the memorandum. Experts in the field of farm and related technologies expressed their agreement over use of the Internet of Things (IOT) which can bring a win-win situation both for entrepreneurs and farmers. Vinod Kumar who is promoting IOT for farm sector by using internet and latest technology in his address into sectoral seminar on agriculture startups held during the Agriculture and Food Summit on Friday informed about two of the devises developed. Scope of aqua-culture is immense in Jharkhand. We have developed a device that can monitor level of dissolved oxygen in water, pH and ammonia content in the water where cage culture is being taking place. This would send a message to farmers mobile alerting him in case of any deficiency and even switch on the feeding machines attached. Another sensor is to monitor soil moisture, pH and soil quality into farms and update the farmers, said he. Vinod Kumar also informed about introduction of drones for examining level of pest attack and sprinkle pesticides in case of any need. Kunal Prasad of Corpin Technologies stressed over working collectively with the farmers while digitising all their farm data. We have technology which can alert our associated farmers about sudden weather changes, pest invasion etc along with supplying information to the purchases across the globe about availability of any particular crop at any particular place even remotely located. Nipunj Sabaarwal of Mahindra Top informed about technology of his company to setup protected farming technologies such as green houses. Abdul Ahmed of Farm Fresh and representatives of Moreish Bread also took part. Deputy Director of Soil Conservation with Department of Agriculture talked about initiatives in the form of agri startup policy, incentives of the Government for organic farming and other measures in the form of subsidy. In yet another incident people taking law into their hands, a man was beaten to death by mob that allegedly caught him stealing from a residence in Outer districts Laxmi Nagar Prem Nagar area on Friday, police said. Three persons including the house owner and two neighbours have been arrested. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Seju P Kuruvilla said, A police control room (PCR) call was received at 7:30 am on Friday at Aman Vihar Police Station regarding a thief being caught by public and beaten to death. On reaching the spot, police revealed that the man was taken to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial (SGM) Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Upon enquiry the deceased was identified as one Rajesh resident of Laxmi Vihar, Prem nagar 3rd. He had trespassed into the house of one Mahender also residing in the same locality. Rajesh was caught at the spot and beaten up by public, said the DCP. A case under sections 304 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has also been registered regarding death of Rajesh and a case under sections 451, 380 and 511 of the IPC has been registered on the statement of Mahender against the deceased thief Rajesh. It may be noted that earlier on November 24 last, an auto-driver was lynched to death by a mob in Dwarkas Uttam Nagar area on the suspicion that he was a battery thief. The voice of hundreds of Delhi University student lost connection on Friday as the Delhi University Community Radio (DUCR) buzzed for the last time. Though the varsity did not officially announce the closure of the community radio but the in-charge of DU Radio directed the members of DUCR to pack their bags and leave. DUCR 90.4 MHz was started under former Chancellor Deepak Pental and was inaugurated by the former Minister of Science and Technology Kapil Sibal in 2007. More than 1,000 students coming from different colleges of DU were associated with as volunteers. Though its reach was not as big as compared to the other radio stations but with a 50 watt transmitter within a 13 km radius it became a stepping stone for thousands of students to have career in broadcasting. The students created discussion programme on Prime Minister Narendra Modis Mann Ki Baat to gender issues, legal and LGBTQ. However, assistant consultant of DUCR Issac John, said The infrastructural status of the station has become very poor and also the instruments such as transmitter, headphone and laptops were beyond repair. Students used to come from very far and enthusiastically participated through broadcasting programmes on internet link and DUCR application. Even after my age did not support me to work, I continue my work when asked to but then also nothing was repaired and provided. John, who was working with the varsity since, it was launched is running from pillar to post daily to get a relieving and pending salary but neither he got a formal relieving from his responsibility nor he got his salary for the last one year. I was requesting to release my salary but I got nothing. I requested the in-charge Anju Gupta who is also the Director, Non-Collegiate Womens Education Board (NCWEB) to relive me from the post but she always ignored. When I requested Gupta to relieve me, she directed me to lock down the radio station and submit the keys at registrar office and so I did, said John. However, when the volunteers went to submit the keys at Registrar office, the staff members refused to accept the keys by saying, The keys cannot be taken without any instructions from the senior authority. After that the volunteers reached Guptas office at Art Faculty where she also refused to take the keys by saying I cannot do anything, said the official. When The Pioneer asked the in-charge about the closure of the radio, she said, No, I did not hear any news about it and also I am not aware what you are talking about. Also, I am not an in-charge of this station. DUCR started with two consultants with more than 500 volunteers who broadcast programmes on different issues from 9 am to 4:30 pm from Monday to Friday. Apart from the regular schedule, the volunteers made awareness programme on legal rights in association with Delhi State Legal Services Authority and National Skill Development Course (NSDC). It was one of the places that gave a chance to the students open school and many of them have made a career in print, broadcasting and television. It is a very bad news for every student of this varsity a learning platform will shut. Inspired by the DUCR and its students, many colleges started its own community, said a senior volunteer, who is currently working with Akashwani. The DUCR has endeavoured to keep the community radio relevant in modern technology environment while providing students an opportunity to build skills. However, over the years the university has failed to take care of its own baby and complete neglect must have led to it deemed closure now with non -payment of salaries to employees, said Mohit Kumar Gupta, former student of DU, who started the legal awareness programme. DUCR can never be closed, it is one of the vital parts of the DU and learning platform for the students. There was a problem with the instruments and re-designing of the station is also on a talk. We will take a look up on the issue, said Tarun Das, Registrar, DU. The chief of army staff, General Bipin Rawat accorded his consent to the States request for the army to operate the Srinagar medical college. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat met the army chief in the national capital on Friday. During their meet, they discussed the proposed operation of the Srinagar medical college by the army. General Rawat expressed his consent to this proposal. A memorandum of understanding will be signed in the near future between the State and the army regarding the Srinagar medical college. Army officers will visit Dehradun and discuss the details of the MoU with officials of the State Government, according to Government sources. Samajwadi Party national general secretary and former UP minister Mohammad Azam Khan castigated Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his statement that Lord Hanuman was a Dalit. I am at my wits end to comment on this issue. I do not know whether to laugh or cry. It appears that the Chief Minister has donned the mantle of a historian, he commented. The SP leader said that it seemed that Yogi had done a PhD from Oxford or Cambridge University or from Nalanda University and his statement should be welcomed. Khan, who attended a meeting of SP workers in Moradabad on Saturday, said that the CM should also clarify as to which Dalit caste did Lord Hanuman belong as there were several sub-castes within the community. The SP leader said that some leaders were in the habit of creating controversy over gods and goddesses. A senior BJP leader of UP had earlier said that Goddess Sita was the first test tube baby of the universe, he reminded. When asked that the UP government has restricted the use of marriage halls and guesthouses in Prayagraj during Kumbh Mela from January next, Khan said: The Yogi government could even bring a new law that no children could be born or no one could die during the mela period. The SP leader claimed that Kumbh Mela was organised in the past too, but since elections were round the corner, hence such orders were being passed for political reasons as the Yogi government had failed to fulfill the promises made to the people during 2017 UP Assembly elections. With the municipal polls in Haryana seen as a popularity test for the Manohar Lal Khattar Government, the ruling BJP has geared up for the key election in December, just few months ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The saffron party has convened a meeting of its election committee on Saturday in New Delhi to chalk out a strategy for polls to five municipal corporations and two municipal committees in Haryana on December 16. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Haryana BJP incharge Anil Jain, Haryana BJP president Subhash Barala, Union Ministers Birender Singh, Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar, Haryana Cabinet Minister Ram Bilas Sharma, Captain Abhimanyu, Anil Vij, and OP Dhankar among others are scheduled attend the meeting. The BJP, which is contesting on its party symbol, is likely to announce its candidates after the meeting on Saturday. It would be for the first time that direct election to the post of mayor would be held in five civic bodies in the state. The election is for the seats of mayor and members of all wards of five Municipal Corporations including Hisar, Rohtak, Yamunanagar, Panipat and Karnal and of two Municipal committees including Jakhal Mandi (Fatehabad) and Pundri (Kaithal). The result will be announced on December 19. Discussions will be held on names shortlisted by the BJP for the post of mayor and members in MCs. The names are likely to be finalized at the meeting and the list of candidates will be released accordingly, said a senior party leader. The party leader said that the BJP would also chalk out its election strategy during the meeting. The issues which would be raised during the campaigning would also be discussed, he added. The Chief Minister, his cabinet colleagues and party MLAs will be aggressively campaigning during the next fortnight for the MC polls. The BJP election committee, in its previous meeting held on November 26 at Chandigarh had constituted a three-member committee each for five MCs to submit feedback for candidates in the election. The party had also announced that a manifesto or a vision document will be released for the MC elections, to carry forward the development works of BJP led Central and Haryana Government. The polls are seen as a popularity test for the ruling BJP, which has completed its four years tenure in Haryana recently while it would be a golden opportunity for the main opposition partyIndian National Lok Dal to prove itself ahead of Lok Sabha and assembly polls scheduled next year. The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party have already announced not to contest on party symbol in these polls. The nominations for the corporations and committees going to polls will be filed from December 1 to 6, except December 2 when it is a holiday. As many as 1401157 voters including 746126 males, 655021 females and 10 transgender would exercise their franchise in these elections. The high-stake electoral battle will see BJP and INLD attempting to put up an impressive show in Jat belt of Rohtak, Panipat, Hisar and Chief Ministers constituency Karnal. Issue of contesting MC polls on party symbol is under discussion, claims Tanwar. A day after the AICC general secretary incharge for Delhi, PC Chacko announced that the Congress will not contest the civic body polls on its symbol in Haryana, the state party chief Ashok Tanwar on Friday claimed that the matter is still under consideration. Tanwar also announced to approach Congress President Rahul Gandhi or party leader PC Chacko again on the issue. After holding a meeting with senior leaders of Haryana Congress in New Delhi on Thursday, PC Chacko had said that the Congress will not contest on its symbol in the polls. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, his son Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, state Congress chief Ashok Tanwar, CLP leader Kiran Choudhry, Rajya Sabha MP Kumari Selja were present at the meeting. The decision had come as a major blow to state Ashok Tanwar who wanted the party to contest on its symbol and had even initiated process to shortlist candidates for mayoral post from five MCs. Tanwar while talking to the mediapersons in Sonipat on Friday said that the issue of contesting elections on party symbol has not been finalized and is under consideration of the party high command. The Congress leader said that he will be meeting PC Chako again in this matter. Tanwar said that the views of those people who had struggled at the ground level are being ascertained. These workers have expressed the view that these elections should be contested on the party symbol, so that BJP and its B team INLD are silenced, he added. Tanwars detractor, former Chief Minister Bhupinder was of the opinion that the party should not contest on its symbol. Infact, all senior leaders present at Thursdays meeting in New Delhi backed Hoodas viewpoint. The Congress has had a tradition of not contesting the local body elections on its symbol. Also, with several candidates approaching for contesting these elections, this could lead to resentment among party workers over the issue of selection of candidates, this was stated by the party leaders while stressing on not to contest on party symbol. A day after Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) granted sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute him, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Friday hit out at the Centre and claimed that charges against him were laughable and beyond comprehension. Even if they file 100 cases against me, I will not be cowed down and I will keep working in the same manner. Jain said and added that regularisation of the unauthorised colonies will not benefit him, but the people residing in these colonies. Refuting allegations against him , Jain targeted the Prime Minister Narendra Modi again. Modiji wants to raze down unauthorised colonies in Delhi and render the poor people homeless. Being the Urban Development Minister of Delhi, I am under oath to get the unauthorised colonies authorised, Jain said addressing media. Jain further said that the latest action of Narendra Modi led Central Government makes it clear that they are against the idea of residents of unauthorised colonies getting a better life, The Modi government is against the idea of regularising these unauthorised colonies.There are around 1,700 unauthorised colonies across the national capital, he said. The present Delhi Government faced huge roadblocks in its attempts to uplift these colonies and give a better life to the residents of these colonies. These roadblocks were created by the political opponents - BJP and Congress. They are against these colonies getting better facilities, Jain said. Till date the Delhi Government, through different agencies, have spent or spending around Rs 2,500 crores for the construction of roads and drains in the unauthorised colonies in Delhi. This amount is covering around 650 colonies/works in Delhi, quoted a statement from Chief Minister Office. They have been visiting the sites of construction at regular interval to take stock of the ground situation and the quality of work being carried out. The Modi Government fears of huge political loses due to the upliftment and development works in these unauthorised colonies and thus has been targeting the Minister through various agencies, Jain said. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also hit out at the BJP-led central government, alleging that the MHAs approval to prosecute Jain shows that the Centre is trying hard to stop regularisation of unauthorised colonies. It is a conspiracy against Jain. The PM, who says Delhi to be made like Singapore, does not want regularisation of unauthorised colonies, senior AAP leader Atishi said while addressing the media. Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of blatantly misusing the State Government machinery in the recently concluded urban local body elections, the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee president Pritam Singh averred that the despite this the Congress had performed quite well in the polls. Addressing the media at the Congress Bhawan, the PCC chief averred that despite the BJP trying to influence the poll results, the Congress had performed better than the BJP in the urban local body elections. Of the 1064 posts of councillors and ward members, the Congress had won 423 compared to the 323 won by BJP. In 53 of the 84 local bodies for which the polls were held, the Congress did not field authorised candidates for the posts of councillors and ward members. However, a large number of the independent candidates who had won have stated in writing to the Congress state in charge Anugrah Narayan Singh that they are Congress workers. Reacting to the decision of the State Government to also open a Chief Ministers office in Nainital, Singh questioned it and said that the Congress opposes this decision. He further said that the State Government should clarify its stand on the issue of making Gairsain the State capital. Referring to the alleged sting operation conspiracy, he also questioned why the said CD had not been made public so far. Singh said that these issues will be raised prominently by the Congress in the winter session of the Vidhan Sabha slated to start from Tuesday. The junior section of Olympus High organised an English debate competition in their school premises on Saturday. The competition was won by Udit Kamboj from class IV and Ahana Malla from class V, the school authorities said. Six students from each class participated in the debate competition, three for the motion and three against the motion. The topic for class IV was Should physical education be compulsory in school? and the same for class V was Do violent video games trigger violent behaviour in kids? Speaking on the occasion, the managing director Kunal Shamshere Malla said that all the students who participated have presented their views confidently. Such competitions help the children develop confidence and improvise on their public speaking skills, he said. The principal of the school Anuradha Malla was also present during the debate. In another episode that hints towards the uneasy relationship between the Centre and the AAP Government, the Union Government has reportedly denied permission to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to visit Austria. As a result, Sisodia who also hold education portfolio canceled his proposed visit. Sisodia was to visit Austria to showcase Delhi Governments spectacular performance in the field of education. The purpose of the visit as per Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was to showcase Delhis Education Model, Sisodia Tweeted. Meanwhile, AAP led Government blamed the Centre for the cancellation of the deputy Chief Ministers visit. As the mega event Global Agriculture and Food Summit concluded on Friday, the farmers and other visitors like students, buyers were very happy with the products displayed in the exhibition as a large numbers of companies related to field of agriculture and food industries put their stall at the venue. Speaking about the objective to put stall at the venue IB Group Sales Manager Ravi said, It is a great opportunity to show our products among masses. As we know that a large numbers of people are coming to join the programme it will be a great platform for us. As our company is growing so it will give opportunity to get distributors and dealers. It is providing us to spread our business from a single platform. Many of the 10,000 farmers, who had come to join the mega event from every corner of the State, for the first time, saw some innovative machines as a large numbers of farmers in the State are still doing farming by traditional methods. Union Bank Manager, Alok Kumar Kashyap said, Many farmers have problem of funding, most of them get loan from local lenders on very high rates. As we know that many government banks are providing easy loan in the farm sectors. Some farmers have met me here and I have provided some information to them regarding easy loan. . It was a huge awareness dissemination platform. There were stalls of organic manure, innovative drip irrigation system, various kinds of hybrid seeds, seed sowing machines, crop cutting machines, milking machines for dairy industry, floating fish feed, innovative kinds of fish nets, small and big poly house farming, small and big cold storage facility etc. Many farmers even dont know about reading the materials but by they were asking about the products. One of them Jhunni Devi said, Small tractor is looking good and it is easy to run. As I alone cannot buy it so will try to buy it in a group. A numbers of students also visited the venue to watch the mega event one of them from Birsa Agriculture University Ranchi, Anjani Kumar said, We are enjoying here. It is very good platform to see new things related to our course in such a large numbers. The Crime Branch of Delhi Police on Friday busted a gang indulging in pilferage of medicines designated to be supplied to Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) dispensaries in Delhi. Two members of the gang were apprehended red handed with recovery of large cache of medicines bearing ESI stamps. The accused have been identified as Chandra Prakash 33) resident of Greenfield Colony, Faridabad, Haryana and Praveen Mangla (40) resident of Lal Kuan in Badarpur, Delhi. One of the accused Chandra Prakash is a serving pharmacist with ESIC in Delhi. According to Dr G Ram Gopal Naik, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Crime Branch, the police received specific inputs regarding a gang indulging in pilferage of medicines designated to be supplied to ESIC dispensaries in Delhi following which there movement was traced and duo was apprehended red handed from Badarpur while they were delivering the medicines illegally procured from ESI dispensary. During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused Chandra was posted at ESIC dispensary, Okhla, Delhi from where he illegally procured medicines and then sold the same to prospective buyers in Delhi-NCR. Whereas accused Parveen came in contact with co-accused Chandra Prakash and started purchasing medicines from him, which were illegally procured from ESIC dispensaries and further sold the same in market, said the DCP. Total 87 packets of medicines bearing stamp ESI supply Not for Sale with market value around Rs 2.25 Lakh were recovered in their possession. Further investigation is going on, Dr Naik added. Gumla police have arrested four members of banned PLFI organisation including an area commander Yakub Kerketta from Dwarseni forests of the district. Among the other arrested extremists are Etwa Barla, Rohit Topno and Suraj Kumar Singh. Three pistols, several cartridges, a bike, 13 mobile phones and sim cards have been recovered in the operation. Gumla SP Ashwani Kumar on Saturday stated that Yaqub Kerketta was wanted in several serious crimes committed under various police stations of the district. The state government had announced two lakh rupees for his arrest, he added. Kumar said a police team comprising a strike unit was sent to Dwarseni forest to verify intelligence inputs regarding presence of extremists in the area. When police came near the ultras the latter started fleeing away but four of them were nabbed. The extremists had gathered on the spot to commit crime, police said. Police informed that Kerketta was accused in at least 10 criminal cases including murder, loot, police encounter and sticking posters. Most of his cases were lodged with the Kamdara and Basia police stations of Simdega district. To put pressure on the State Government for the construction of Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the Indian National Lok Dal and its alliance partner Bahujan Samaj Party will launch Jan-Adhikaar Yatra on December 1 from Kurukshetra. The first phase of Jan-Adhikaar Yatra will continue till December 5 and issues of employment, Swaminathan report, crop insurance scheme among others would also be raised during the yatra. This would be INLDs first mega event after its split recently. Many senior party leaders have joined the breakaway faction of the INLD led by Ajay Chautala and his two sons Hisar MP Dushyant and Digvijay. Gearing up to stage a show of strength at the launch of the yatra on Saturday, the INLD has directed all current MLAs and MPs and ex-MLAs, ex-MPs, senior party leaders to remain present at Kurukshetra. The INLDs yatra will begin on December 1 from Kurukshetra and cover Ganaur and Rai on December 2, Pataudi on December 3, Sohna and Rewari on December 5. The second phase of the yatra would begin after the completion of municipal polls on December 16 in Haryana. Leader of opposition and INLDs senior leader Abhay Chautala has held several party workers meeting across the state to mobilize people for the yatra. The second day of the ongoing Military Carnival being held here in run-up to the much awaited Military Literature Festival 2018saw sound and light show along with equestrian and polo events lined up on Friday. The three-day Carnival is aimed at fostering a feeling of patriotism amongst youngsters while offering them a peep into the Army culture and legacy. Inspired by Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh's book Rs Saragarhi and the Defence of the Samana Forts: The 36th Sikhs in the Tirah Campaign 1897-98, on the historic battle, the synchronized fusion of Light and Sound show brought alive the Battle of Saragarhi against the backdrop of a digital set, showcased on a 50 feet LED screen. The most famous Last Stand etched in the annals of Indian Military History had witnessed 22 gallant men of 36 Sikhs, now 4th Batallion of Sikh Regiment, choosing death over surrender in the attack by more than 10,000 Pashtun Orakzai tribesmen. The one-hour light and sound show, choreographed by 45 artistes/actors, is predominantly in rural Punjabi language, which the soldiers who fought the Battle mainly spoke. The Pashtun soldiers are seen speaking rustic Urdu while the British use a mix of English and Hindi in the show. Besides several retired Army officials, the show were attended by Major General Army Service Core Western Command R S Purohit. Also evoking a sense of pride and achievement, especially amongst youngsters, was the Weapons Display at the Carnival, which showcased the artillery, armoured and engineering marvels of Indian Armed Forces, ranging from the 2008 Commissioned T 90 tank, Sweden make Bofors Gun, Howitzers and Medium Machine Guns (MMGs). Underlining the pace of technological advancement and defence preparedness of our forces were a host of equipment, including Quantum Sniffer, Non Linear Juncket Detectors, and amphibious Indian Combat Vehicle, which had played a significant role during the Kargil War. A 12 seater pneumatic boat, employed by the Army during wartime, besides the non radioactive based explosives detector used to identify the type of blast material, further evoked a sense of amazement and awe among the audiences. In another attraction of the day, gutsy horse riders of Army, NCC, Punjab Police, besides local city clubs, enthralled both the young and the old as they flamboyantly galloped past the fire fence, motorbikes and gypsies during the Equitation Show. Riding at breakneck speed of 800 meters per minute, Punjab Armed Police jawans, in the backdrop of piper band tunes played by 8 Sikh, showcased immaculate horse controlling skills during the Tent-pegging, drawing huge praise and appreciation from the audiences. The events are an endeavour to make the younger generation imbibe the spirit of courage and sacrifice made by the Indian soldiers in the line of duty, said Colonel Chahal, a member of the organizing teams. He described MLF as yet another product of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh's visionary leadership. Launching an all out against Prime Minister Modi over the issue of farmers, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of stabbing the farmers in the back by not fulfilling the promises made to them and warned him that they would wreak havoc in 2019 general elections if those promises are not kept. Kejriwal, who is also the convener of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), took to the stage with senior leaders from Opposition parties at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where thousands of farmers from across the country have gathered to press for their demands, including debt relief and remunerative prices for their produce. Kejriwal claimed that the Centre had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying it would not implement the MS Swaminathan Commission report. The Government had made a number of promises to farmers in the last election (2014), but it has not fulfilled those promises. By not implementing the Swaminathan Commission report, Modi ji has stabbed the farmers in the back (kisano ke peeth mey chhura bhonka hai), he alleged. He said the Union Government should implement the report in five months. The affidavit filed in the court should be withdrawn and the report should be implemented, otherwise, farmers would wreak havoc in 2019 elections (kisan agle election mey qayamat dhah denge), he said. The debt of farmers should be waived and they should get the full price for their produce. Farmers are not asking for alms, they are demanding their right. If farmers get the full price of their produce, they would not come back to ask for waiving their loans, he said. Kejriwal said though the Government assigns a Minimum Support Price, no one actually buys their produce at that rate. The Fasal Beema Yojna is fraud and is cheating farmers. The insurance companies withdraw money from farmers without their permission and thousands of crores have been withdrawn in this manner. When farmers lose their produce, these companies impose condition that compensation would be given only if 70 per cent of the produce has been destroyed, he claimed. This insurance scheme should be stopped as it is BJPs daka (dacoity) yojana and instead kisan muawza yojna (farmers compensation scheme) must be brought in to give them the right compensation. A country whose farmers are starving can never witness development, he said. Kejriwal demanded that farmers be compensated within two months if their produce is destroyed. He alleged that the prime minister was showing concern only for corporates and was not worried about the agrarian distress. If you do not address their (farmers) concerns, then next time ask for votes also from Adani and Ambani, do not ask farmers to vote for you, Kejriwal said. Modi has said he was not afraid of being seen with industrialists who are playing a key role in the nations development as his his intentions are clear. Uttar Pradesh government will launch industrial and infrastructure projects totalling Rs 1 lakh crore in the next two months and ground-breaking ceremony for projects worth Rs 50,000 crore across different sectors will be conducted this month. The government has also announced that the policy for opening the agriculture sector for the organised retail industry will be formulated soon and also the policy for the electric vehicles. Industries Minister Satish Mahana on Saturday reviewed the preparation for the second ground-breaking ceremony to be held this month. He said so far 340 MW of power had been made available to entrepreneurs under the open access regime where they could buy power from any power generator. He said the government was in the process of formulating a new policy for the service sector for promoting investment in this sector. The minister, addressing a meeting of investors and officers of the department, directed that NOC of fire safety and other regulatory approvals be issued from the single window portal Nivesh Mitra. The projects to be launched during the ground-breaking ceremony in December and next month are part of the Rs 4.68 lakh crore worth of memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with public and private sector companies during the UP Investors Summit on February 21-22 this year. On July 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 60,000 crore. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has been busy campaigning in poll-bound states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh over the past few week, on Tuesday night reviewed the progress of projects lined up for the second ground-breaking ceremony slated for the second week of December in Lucknow. According to sources, the CM expressed displeasure over the slow pace of follow-up for these projects. Earlier, the state government had announced it would lay the foundation of projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore in December. However, now it will be near impossible to achieve this target due to pending land acquisition and other clearances hurdles. The CM directed senior officials to ensure that the preliminary grounds works were completed and projects of Rs 50,000 crore were launched in December. Another ground-breaking ceremony will be organised in February 2019 to launch projects totalling Rs 50,000 crore . Modi will be invited for these ground-breaking ceremonies as well in order to provide a platform to the ruling Bharatiya Janata party government for amplifying its self-acclaimed pro-industry, development and employment agenda before the crucial 2019 Lok Sabha poll to defeat the spectre of a joint Opposition and anti-incumbency. Madhya Pradesh Congress has demanded that responsibility of administration officials be fixed for closure of CCTV cameras and action should be taken against them. State Congress Media cell Deputy In-charge Bhupendra Gupta told media persons here on Friday stated that the CCTV cameras remained off for one and half hour. He demanded from the Election Commission that it should be clarified that in that one and half hour what happened inside and around the premises. The Bhopal District Collector informed that CCTV cameras were shut after power supply was interrupted while the contractor of electrical system Gowardhan Mishra accepted that district collector instructed to close CCTV cameras and ADM was present at the time of giving instructions, Gupta added. The two versions are contradictory and raises fingers towards administration that is responsible to work fair as there are clear instructions of Election Commission that every strong room has to be equipped with invertors for operating CCTV cameras round the clock. The aim of installing CCCTV camera was checking of entry of suspicious people and activities near and inside the premises of strong room but unfortunately for one and half hour what happened and who came or left the premises is not recorded. In Chhattisgarh, a Tehsildar and a Patwari have been suspended after they were found doing work against instructions given by Election Commission and in case of the CCTV camera at strong room of state capital if something against instructions of Election Commission has been done who would be held responsible. Gupta alleged that District Election Officer served as Sehore district collector in the past and is presently Bhopal district collector and has good rapport with chief of the ruling party. Congress demands to maintain security of EVM and power supply at strong room should be maintained and an inverter should be kept for the purpose. A newborn baby was found abandoned in a bucket near a dustbin in east Delhis Radhu Palace on Friday. According to Pankaj Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), east district, the baby boy was spotted at around 2 pm on Friday by a sanitation worker who informed Police Control Room (PCR) regarding the abandoned baby lying in a bucket at Radhu Palace near V3S Mall in Preet Vihar area. A team rushed to the spot and the baby was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where the condition of the newborn is stated to be stable, said the DCP. A case was registered in this connection and the matter was being probed. Police team is also looking for the babys parents in adjoining areas. We are also scanning CCTV footage in the area to identify the person who left the baby here, said the DCP. The police team is also scanning through missing complaints related to babies that have been registered in various Police Stations. It is also being probed if the child was abandoned by an unwed mother. Hospital records are being checked for details of missing babies, the DCP added. Holding the global agriculture and food summit in Ranchi shows that Jharkhand is finally on the right path and has started focussing on tapping the inexhaustible natural resources of the state. Jharkhand stores 40 per cent of mineral reserves of India, but iron ore, coal and bauxite are exhaustible! With the state embarking upon the right track, one expects soon global summit for other untapped yet inexhaustible natural resources of Jharkhand like tourism, herbal medicines, films and education! Government incentives in these fields can do the magic! Till now the focus in Jharkhand was on the steel and iron ore. Despite poor law and order iron ore and coal attracted attention of all because of their indispensable need for industries and also because of the huge profit margin they entailed. Exploitation and distribution of booty among others to Naxals followed. Lesser said the better about who others benefited. Due to various reasons these natural resources were used like cash crops, but for sustainable development, priority has to shift to unexplored sectors, which thankfully is finally taking shape in the state. Jharkhand has been endowed in abundance with divine bestowings--- its pristine beauty and climate. But, if climate and natural beauty were boons, law and order situation especially because of Naxals was a bane earlier. Now majority of Naxals have either returned to the mainstream or have been eliminated. With extremism majorly under control with just four districts partly affected and law and order not remaining a concern or deterrent anymore, this is the right time to tap the so far untapped fields where the state can do wonders! Agriculture is the beginning! If God has been kind to us by blessing us with panoramic beauty, lively hills, lovely waterfalls and lush jungles, we must give a great credit to the English missionaries also who turned this distant and remote part of Bengal and Bihar into a seat of education. Name a mission and you will find its school in Jharkhand. From the prestigious Loreto Convent to Sacred Heart to St Xavier's to St Anna and Ursuline Convent. Much water was expected to flow down the Subarnrekha after creation of Jharkhand in the field of education. But, we failed to even create replicas of Netarhat or Sainik School Tilaiya or the Indira Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya of Hazaribagh till now. Better late than never ! Education can be yet another sector to be boosted especially in the backdrop of the fact that even now lakhs of students keep on flocking to Delhi, Pune and other metros for higher studies. Jharkhand has many good schools, but it wants more and as far as colleges are concerned, it lacks majorly! It is for the government to mull how to attract investments to turn Jharkhand into a education hub! The natural beauty of the state makes if perfect for film shooting. With one of the best film policy and incentives, Jharkhand is already attracting lot many renowned Bollywood producers. Now the need is to attract globally while focusing on Bollywood bigwigs. Instead of giving 20 to 50 lacs to many, good incentive to a few big names will give the needed fillip to turn the state into a favourite destination for Hindi cinema producers and directors. And then the film City at the beautiful Patratu is already in the making which will be an icing on the cake! Tourism is yet another sector that is waiting in Jharkhand to be tapped properly! The state has been charming visitors especially from the neighbouring West Bengal so much so that the legendary Satyajit Ray shot many films here while many permanently settled in the state or constructed their houses here to use as a summer resorts. Adding facilities at the tourist spots with private participation will be the key to success! Besides these, herbal medicine is another sector that can change the economy of the state and its people. It is said that Jharkhand can match China in producing herbal medicines. You name a herb and it is found in the state. Now with Naxals almost wiped out from all but four districts the time is opportune to grow the other fruitful sectors one of which has already hogged government limelight and gained momentum as well! The National Students Union India (NSUI) has alleged that the Ayurveda colleges based in the State have not refunded the excess fees they had taken from the students in gross violation of the Uttarakhand High Court (HC) order. Addressing the media persons at the State party office on Saturday, the NSUIs national general secretary Nikhil Kamble said that the Uttarakhand High Court had directed all the 16 Ayurveda colleges based in the State to refund the extra fees they had made the students to pay. But they are still not acting on the court order asking them to pay back the excess fee, he said and added that the students of these colleges would hold a march to the Vidhan Sabha on December 4 on the issue. NSUI has extended its full support to the agitated students, he said. Lalit Tiwari, a final year student of Ayurveda, said that on July 9, the bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia of Uttarakhand High Court had quashed the Government order (GO) dated 14 October, 2015 on the basis of which the colleges had hiked their fees. The court directed these colleges to refund the excess fee they had taken from the students. The order of the single bench was later challenged by the association of Ayurveda colleges in the double bench, but on October 9, it dismissed the appeal and upheld the order of the single bench. The Ayurveda colleges raised their tuition fees from Rs 80,000 per year to a staggering Rs 2.15 lakh. The court endorsed our stand, but the colleges are not implementing its order. We would file a contempt petition in the court and also launch an agitation. More than 2000 students are waiting for the fee refund which amounts to Rs 3.5 lakh per student, he said. The State NSUI president Mohan Bhandari and other student leaders were present during the media conference. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Friday said that a policy concerning logistics, warehousing, retail, outlet and pharmaceuticals would be formulated for encouraging entrepreneurs of these fields and also to create maximum job opportunities for the youth. Apart from this, the policy in the field of Air Defense and Aerospace would also be formulated, said the Chief Minister while addressingthe members and industrialists during the National Council meeting of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), here. He said that several steps have been taken by the present state government to ensure all round development of the state. In this direction, five new cities similar to Gurugram would be developed as Economic Corridor around Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway for which Panchgram or KMP Authority would be formed. In these cities, the entrepreneurs from all over the country and abroad would invest in different fields, he said. The Chief Minister also said that the state government had orgainsed Happening Haryana Global Summit in Gurugram, in which 350 MoUs worth investment of Rs 5.5 lakh crore had been signed. So far various works and clearances are taking place on the investment of Rs80,000 crore, which would create more than one lakh job opportunities. In Ease of Doing Business, Haryana is at third place in the country and at first place in North India, he added. He further said that besides implementing Haryana Enterprises Promotion Policy, an Enterprise Center has also been developed, where 70 types of services of 17 departments are being provided under one roof. Services have been provided on 53,000 applications out of 75 thousand applications received. Similar, the state government has also formed textile policy and food processing policy. The Chief Minister said that under the Common Application Form (CAF), 25,000 clearances have been given which is likely to generate investment of about Rs 3 lakh crore, creating employment opportunities for five lakh people. He said that Haryana ranks fifth in the export sector. He said that under Delhi-Mumbai Corridor, a logistics hub is being developed on 1000 acres in Mahendergarh. Similarly, Smart Global City will also be developed on 1300 acres in Gurugram, Manohar Lal said. IMT Sohna and IMT Kharkhoda is being developed on 1400 acres and on 3300 acres, respectively, he said. He added that footwear park and marble trading will be preferred in IMT Kharkhoda. Terming the Investors Summit in Lucknow as a waste of public money, Rashtriya Lok Dal vice-president Wasim Haider said that the BJP government spent about Rs 2.5 crore on the decoration of the venue where industrialists converged during the programme. He demanded a CBI probe into the plunder of public money and asked the BJP government to make public the expenses incurred on the function. The fact is that Rs 65 lakh were spent on the decoration and the remaining Rs 1.5 crore were siphoned off. This is small example of a scam that hit the state and has exposed the BJPs claim of being a crusader against corruption. In the state-sponsored programme, the BJP government spent several lakh rupees on arrangements for guests, campaign and other counts, Haider pointed out. The RLD leader further charged that several firms, in the good books of political leaders and bureaucrats, were given contract for the arrangements. It is also possible that the bills were cleared without a firm not doing any work for the function, he added. Haider said that the BJP hosted the function to showcase its efficiency and intent and the programme was not aimed to address woes of farmers, unemployed and workers. Meanwhile, in Jaipur, RLD leaders, led by national general secretary Trilok Tyagi, made public the party manifesto for Rajasthan Assembly election on Saturday. The document coined Hamara Nischay - Rajasthan ka Navoday was dedicated to the people of the state in the presence of senior RLD leaders, including UP president Masood Ahmad and party leaders of the Rajasthan unit. In the manifesto, the RLD had assured strict action against those spreading caste/communal canards, security for women, employment for youths, redressal of farmers issues, increasing budget for medical education from 8 per cent to 18 per cent, safeguarding the poor from malnutrition, end of manual scavenging and encouraging tourism. Sewerage treatment plant will be set up under the Namami Gange Project, Phase II, in three municipal areas of Jharkhand situated on the banks of Damodar River. The plants will be set up at Dhanbad, Ramghar and Phusro. Work has been initiated in this direction. A review meeting was conducted under the chairmanship of Secretary, Urban Development and Housing department Ajay Kumar Singh, at Project Bhawan on Friday. Under the project a PowerPoint presentation of Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) in the three towns was shown and discussed along with the review of the construction of the underground structures. Singh instructed the officers to constitute a team and ensure the availability of land from the concerned Deputy Commissioners of Dhanbad, Ramghar and Bokaro for the construction of sewerage treatment plant. Construction of STP in all three cities will be done by Namami Ganga Project while construction of sewerage network would be done by the State Government either with the help of World Bank, Asian Development Bank or District Mining Fund Trust. With an estimated cost of Rs 400 crore a sewerage treatment plant would be constructed at Dhanbad while at Rs 120 crore at Phusro, said Amit Kumar, Director, State Urban Development Agency. DPR for Ramgarh is yet to be ready, he added. Along with Ganga, Damodar and Sone are also connected with Namami Ganga project in Jharkhand. Health facilities in Odisha, especially in the remote villages, are in a pathetic state. The imperative today is for people to access health centre. Lakhs of people, especially from far-flung villages, struggle because they do not have access to health centres. Even those who access these centres have a bitter experience. Our villagers suffer much more than others. There are no ambulances and private vehicles tend to over-charge. And it takes hours before they reach the health centres having to drive over the worst roads. On reaching the health centre, they dont find a doctor, which is the case in many hospitals, PHCs, CHCs, etc. Doctors attend only once a week. When the sickness is serious what is the answer from the concerned doctor and the Government? Even if doctors attend to patients their records are maintained in fat registers which are unintelligible. Doctors dont usually have the time to go over the reports because they are in a hurry to attend to their private clinics. Another deficiency is that patients dont get medicines from the hospitals, PHCs, CHCs, etc. They have to buy them from private drug stores at expensive rates. There are some tests in Government hospitals which are more expensive than in private hospitals. Prices of numerous essential drugs have gone up and this hit the common man hard. As a concerned citizen, I strongly demand from the concerned authorities to revamp the Health Department. These difficulties can be overcome by better planning, supervision and monitoring by the State Government. Many patients from the State spend huge amounts in expensive private hospitals outside the State as there is no proper hospital to treat their ailments here and no modern technology for critical operation. We are still backward in this sector and we cannot keep pace with other States in India. This has affectedly mostly the poor citizens especially those living from hand to mouth. Who will take care for them? Who will support their financial needs? Health-based start-ups can handle many problems and connect patients with the health centres in Odisha. The health sector is undergoing a sea change and smart-phones will shortly replace doctors for more than 87 per cent of health problems. We are living in a society where you can get a PIZZA within 20 minutes but you cannot get a doctor in four or five hours. With regard to a study of WHO, India is placed at 112th position among 191 countries of the world. It is shameful for us to know that Bangladesh is ahead of India. (The writer, a Bhubaneswar resident, is a freelancer and also a regular contributor to the Letter to Editor column) The students seeking admission in the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, Garhwal would have to submit an undertaking that they would not demand shifting of the institute outside Srinagar and would not take mass leaves from the next academic session. On demand of shifting of the institute, the students of the prestigious college have been on a path of agitation. The Minister of State for Higher Education Dhan Singh Rawat told The Pioneer here on Friday that the demand of the students is unjustified. On an emphatic note, he said that there is no question of shifting the elite institute outside Srinagar. The Union Human Resource Development Minister, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and I have categorically stated that the institute would not be shifted anywhere, he said. The Minister further said that an inquiry would be constituted to look into the conditions under which the 300 acre of land allotted for the institute had been rejected. He added that the Government has also provided 122 acre of land at Jaletha village to house the institute. The student agitation in NIT had erupted on October 3 when two girl students were hit by a speeding car on the National Highway. The girls had been on their way to the lab from their hostel while passing the bustling National Highway. Following the incident, the students had launched an agitation, demanding shifting of the institute to a safer location in the plains. On October 22, the students had taken an extreme step of leaving the institute en masse. The students had dispatched e-mails to President, Prime Minister, CM and Governor in which they demanded that the campus should be shifted to a place which ensures their safety, medical help, corporate exposure and accessibility to technological advances as per the standards. On November 28 and 29, the NIT students had also held a protest meeting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to press for their demand. Set up in the year 2010 in Srinagar in Garhwal, the NIT has been functioning from a temporary campus. The administrative block and the labs are situated in the old ITI campus while the students go to the Poly-technique college campus for classes. For hostels of students, the administration has rented a hotel. The Ganatantra Surkshya Manch organised a protest meeting against strangling of the voice of media and physical assault on Utkal Bharat president and former MP Kharabela Swain here on Friday. The meeting presided over by former Union Minister Brajakishore Tripathy was attended by BJP leader Bishwabhusan Harichandan, CPI (M) leader Jagannath Mishra, Paradip MLA Dr Damodar Rout, Congress spokesperson Aryakumar Jnanendra, Samajwadi Party State secretary Sudarshan Pradhan, freedom fighter Padma Charan Nayak, CPI leader and former MLA Narayan Reddy and others. The leaders strongly condemned the attack on Swain during a public meeting at Kashipur in Rayagada district on November 24. They said that physical assault on an upright politician like Swain indicates that there is little rule of democracy in the State. Alleging that corruption and mismanagement have grown in the State under the BJD Government, Harichandan said the democracy is being attacked and, thus, the campaign would continue to protect it. Reddy said his party would take this issue as a political agenda during the upcoming elections and urged all other parties to take the same to oust the ruling BJD Government. The opposition has the right to raise voice against the State Government in a democratic setup and the ruling party must accept this, said Utkal Bharat chief Kharabela Swain. Rout said that nowadays politicians are coming to fight elections not to serve people but to earn money to lead a luxurious life, and this is the reason behind the attack on Swain. Alleging that the State Government has turned into a dictatorship, Rout urged everyone to unite and take to the streets to get rid of autocratic attitude of the present Government. Uttar Pradesh BJP alleged that the statement of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Lord Hanuman during an election rally he addressed in Rajasthan was misquoted. The CM never made a remark about the caste of Lord Hanuman and the media misquoted him and twisted the issue, said state BJP spokesperson Chandramohan on Friday. Election Commission (EC) had already served a notice on UP CM over his reported statement while several organisations criticised the saint-turned-politician for giving a casteist turn during his poll campaigning for Rajasthan Assembly election. Yogi Adityanath reportedly had said at a rally in Alwar on Tuesday: Bajrang Bali (Hanuman) is such a god that he is a forest-dweller, lives in the mountains. He takes everyone along, including Dalits, from east to west, north to south, and unites them all. He urged the crowd to take a Bajrangi sankalp (vow) and vote for the BJP candidate. Chandramohan clarified that the CM had only said that Lord Hanuman took every along, including dalits and deprived, but it was wrongly reported that he said that Hanuman was a Dalit. On the outskirts of Kuwait City, the love Kuwaitis have for former US President George H.W. Bush could be seen in 2016 on a billboard one Bedouin family put up to announce their son's wedding. That son being Bush al-Widhan, born in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War that saw US-led forces expel the occupying Iraqi troops of dictator Saddam Hussein. "He was a real man, a lion," said Mubarak al-Widhan, the father of the Kuwaiti Bush, of the American president. "He stood for our right for freedom, and he gave us back our country." With Bush's death , his legacy across the Middle East takes root in that 100-hour ground war that routed Iraqi forces. That war gave birth to the network of military bases America now operates across the Persian Gulf supporting troops in Afghanistan and forces fighting against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. However, Bush ultimately would leave the Shiite and Kurdish insurgents he urged to rise up against Saddam in 1991 to face the dictator's wrath alone, leading to thousands of deaths. That mixed picture only extends to the presidency of his son, George W Bush, who ordered the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq that overthrew Saddam, whom he once famously described as "the guy who tried to kill my dad one time." "I feel tension in the stomach and in the neck ... But I also feel a certain calmness when we talk about these matters," the elder Bush once said about the 1991 Gulf War, according to biographer Jon Meacham. "I know I am doing the right thing." Iraq invaded Kuwait on Aug. 2, 1990, angry that the tiny neighbor and the United Arab Emirates had ignored OPEC quotas, which Saddam claimed cost his nation $14 billion. Saddam also accused Kuwait of stealing $2.4 billion by pumping crude from a disputed oil field and demanded that Kuwait write off an estimated $15 billion of debt that Iraq had accumulated during its 1980s war with Iran. A World War II fighter pilot shot down fighting against the Japanese, Bush came to view Saddam as similar to Adolf Hitler, a madman who seized neighboring Kuwait and could plunge the world into conflict if he continued into Saudi Arabia. With Vietnam still a potent memory, Bush rallied together a coalition of nations to back the US as it deployed troops to the region and began bombing runs. He talked Israel out of retaliating for Iraqi Scud missiles attacks for fear of alienating Arab allies. "This will not stand. This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait," Bush famously warned. And it didn't. On February 24, 1991, US troops and their allies stormed into Kuwait. It ended 100 hours later. America suffered only 148 combat deaths during the whole campaign, while over 20,000 Iraqi soldiers were killed. In the aftermath of the campaign, some called for Bush to continue into Iraq and topple Saddam. Bush in speeches encouraged Iraqis to rise up against the dictator, while privately hoping someone within his own military would depose him. "To occupy Iraq would shatter our coalition, turning the whole Arab world against us, and make a broken tyrant into a latter-day Arab hero," Bush later said. "It would have taken us way beyond the imprimatur of international law, ... Assigning young soldiers to a fruitless hunt for a securely entrenched dictator and condemning them to fight in what would be an unwinnable urban guerrilla war." That hesitation allowed Saddam to regain the upper hand against insurgents and caused a refugee crisis in Iraq's northern Kurdish region. The dictator tauntingly installed a tile mosaic of a scowling likeness of the president at the door of Baghdad's al-Rashid Hotel, which forced entering foreign dignitaries to often step on his face just above its "Bush is criminal" caption. Even Iran, which hated Saddam for starting their 1980s war, remained suspicious of Bush despite his pledge of "good will begets good will." Iran leaned on Lebanon's Shiite militants to help win the release American hostages like Terry Anderson of The Associated Press, but relations went no further. One of Bush's last acts as president, pardoning former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and others for their role in the Iran-Contra scandal, an offshoot of that hostage crisis. Still, Bush's decisions in the 1991 war and its aftermath echo even now. The Kurdish crisis gave birth to the U.S.-imposed no-fly zone in northern Iraq that allowed the Kurds to flourish into the semi-autonomous region now demanding independence. Defence agreements with Gulf nations grew into a series of major military installations across the region. And the presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia, home to the Muslim world's holiest sites, served as a chief complaint of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden ahead of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. His son would launch the 2003 invasion of Iraq after 9/11 and become so hated in the Arab world an Iraq journalist would even throw a shoe at him during a news conference. But the elder Bush remained beloved, perhaps nowhere more than Kuwait, where Americans even today can get hugged while walking down the street. A group of Kuwaiti officials including the country's National Assembly speaker met with the former president in October 2017 to wish him well. Today, the former president's Kuwaiti namesake Bush al-Widhan is happily married and works in the country's National Guard. His name still fascinates others. "I went with my father to Cleveland, Ohio, last year ... And the passport control clerk asked me about the name," al-Widhan recounted. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for a new legislation to effectively deal with offences related to money laundering and other corrupt practices that are negatively impacting the cash-strapped country's economy. The law, to be finalised within a week's time, would further strengthen existing laws to effectively check hawala, hundi and other illegal and corrupt practices, The Express Tribune reported. The decision was taken during a high level meeting at Prime Minister's Office on Friday, where the PM further approved package to incentivise remittance through legal channels, the report said. It was decided during the meeting that the State Bank of Pakistan, being regulatory authority in the banking sector, would take action against elements involved in facilitating the opening and operation of fake bank accounts in the country. During the meeting, it was decided that the necessary amendments would be introduced in existing laws, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Act 2010 to further strengthen them for effectively dealing with cases of money laundering and other illegal practices. Meanwhile, secretary Interior informed that taskforces, at national as well as provincial levels, have been constituted with an aim to identify legislative and administrative constraints in effective implementation of the AML activities and to suggest corrective measures towards its eradication. The provincial taskforces have been mandated to take timely action against those involved in activities falling within domains of hawala, hundi while the national taskforce will submit monthly report to the Prime Minister's Office on performance, including coordinated actions undertaken and recoveries made. Khan has stated on several occasion that corruption money worth billions of rupees was being laundering and promised to take measures to stop it. The government is making all-out efforts to prevent stolen money from flowing out of the country. Cash-strapped Pakistan urgently needs a capital boost in order to avert a looming balance of payments crisis. Foreign reserves held by the central bank dropped below USD 8 billion in late October, raising concerns about Islamabad's ability to finance monthly import bills. Iran said Friday the European Union must be given more time to set up a trade mechanism meant to circumvent reimposed US sanctions on Tehran, but warned it could not wait forever. Brussels is working on a payment system to continue trade and business ties with Iran after the US ditched a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran earlier this year and reintroduced a raft of sanctions on the country. Europe's efforts for implementing a financial mechanism are continuing despite mounting US pressure, Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told the official IRNA news agency. We believe that Europe must be given more time ... They have so far been unable to introduce operational measures, but we are not supposed to wait forever, he added. The US sanctions aim to cut off Iran's banks from international finance and significantly reduce its oil exports. The EU hopes its special purpose vehicle (SPV) announced in September will keep the nuclear deal alive and pursuade Tehran to stay on board by giving companies a way of trading with Iran without fear of US sanctions. But Brussels is struggling to find a host for the SPV and many EU countries are fearful of repercussions from US President Donald Trump's administration. There is not enough analysis data for Centennial Mining. 5.0 Community Rank Outperform Votes Centennial Mining has received 57 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Centennial Mining has received 17 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Centennial Mining has received 77.03% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Centennial Mining and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe CTL will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe CTL will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. 9 hours ago Coal mine fire in Russia's Siberia kills 14, dozens missing MOSCOW (AP) Russian authorities late Thursday called off a search for dozens of people still missing about 250 meters (820 feet) underground, following a coal mine fire in Siberia that killed at least 14 miners and rescuers. Rescue teams were rushed out of the mine for safety reasons because of a buildup of explosive methane gas and a high concentration of toxic fumes from the fire. Read Article 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 Dairy Crest Group plc processes and markets branded dairy products in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company offers cheese products under the Cathedral City, Davidstow, and Chedds brands; butters, spreads, and oils under the Clover, Country Life, Utterly Butterly, Vitalite, Willow, and Frylight brands. It also provides soy sauces, salad dressings, mustards, and Worcester sauces; and produces and sells demineralized whey and galacto-oligosaccharide, as well as other dairy ingredients, including whey butter. The company was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Esher, the United Kingdom. Read More Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. engages in the mining of copper, gold and molybdenum. It operates through the following segments: North America Copper Mines, South America Mining; Indonesia Mining, Molybdenum Mines, Rod and Refining, Atlantic Copper Smelting and Refining and Corporate, Other and Eliminations. The North America Copper Mines segment operates open-pit copper mines in Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita and Miami in Arizona and Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico. The South America Mining segment includes Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. The Indonesia Mining segment handles the operations of Grasberg minerals district that produces copper concentrate that contains significant quantities of gold and silver. The Molybdenum Mines segment includes the Henderson underground mine and Climax open-pit mine, both in Colorado. The Rod and Refining segment consists of copper conversion facilities located in North America and includes a refinery, rod mills, and a specialty copper products facility. The Atlantic Copper Smelting and Refining segment smelts and refines copper concentrate and markets refined copper and precious metals in slimes. The Corporate, Other and Eliminations segment Read More Indonesian authorities have deployed an army of staff and a fleet of boats to help clear the rubbish-infested shorelines and surrounding waters in an attempt to combat the Southeast Asian archipelagos mammoth marine waste problem. This weeks cleanup operation is centred around a string of islands known as the Thousand Islands, a popular destination for day trip from the traffic-clogged capital. Residents of one island have reported dead turtles in the area, although Yusen Hardiman, head of the regions environmental department, said it was not yet clear if this was a result of ingesting rubbish. Last week, a sperm whale was found dead in a marine park off Sulawesi island with 115 plastic cups and 25 plastic bags in its stomach. Some 264 sanitation workers are involved in the ongoing cleanup of the Thousand Islands, while 13 boats regularly patrol the trash-choked areas of the archipelago, with 10 others set to be added to the fleet next year. Home to over 17,000 islands, Indonesia faces serious environmental pollution. It has pledged to reduce marine plastic by 70 percent by 2025. However, poor waste-processing infrastructure and low awareness among its inhabitants have proven to be major obstacles. Last year, popular tourist destination Bali island declared a garbage emergency after its beach was inundated with a rising tide of plastic waste. VNA The following companies are subsidiares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise: 3Com International Inc., 3PAR Inc., Apogee, Aruba Networks Inc., Aruba Networks International Cayman, Aruba Networks International Limited, BlueData Software, Cloud Cruiser, Cloud Technology Partners, Cloud Technology Partners Inc., Compaq Computer (Mauritius), Compaq Trademark B.V., Cray, Cray Inc., EDS World Corporation (Far East) LLC, EYP Mission Critical Facilities Inc., H3C Holdings Limited, HP Enterprise Services Australia Pty Ltd, HP Financial Services (Australia) Pty Limited, HP Financial Services (Chile) Limitada, HP Financial Services (Japan) K.K., HP Financial Services Arrendamento Mercantil S.A., HP Financial Services Company (Korea), HP Financial Services International Holdings Company, HPE Government LLC, HPFS Global Holdings I LLC, HPFS Global Holdings II LLC, HPFS Rental S.R.L., Hangzhou H3C Technologies Co. Ltd, Hewlett Packard Caribe BV LLC, Hewlett Packard Colombia Ltda., Hewlett Packard Enterprise (China) Co. Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise B.V., Hewlett Packard Enterprise B.V. Amstelveen Meyrin Branch, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Co., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Co. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Cie, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Costa Rica Limitada, Hewlett Packard Enterprise GlobalSoft Private Limited, Hewlett Packard Enterprise India Private Limited, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Ireland Limited, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Luxembourg SCA, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Polska sp. z o.o., Hewlett Packard Pathfinder LLC, Hewlett Packard Taiwan Ltd., Hewlett-Packard (Israel) Ltd., Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn. Bhd., Hewlett-Packard (Nigeria) Limited, Hewlett-Packard (Schweiz) GmbH, Hewlett-Packard (Tanzania) Limited, Hewlett-Packard (Thailand) Limited, Hewlett-Packard ApS, Hewlett-Packard Argentina S.R.L., Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Australia Pty Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Belgium SPRL/BVBA, Hewlett-Packard Bermuda Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard Brasil Ltda., Hewlett-Packard Bulgaria EOOD, Hewlett-Packard Caribe B.V., Hewlett-Packard Caribe Y Andina B.V. LLC, Hewlett-Packard Chile Comercial Limitada, Hewlett-Packard Cyprus Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Hewlett-Packard Egypt Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Financial Services (India) Private Limited, Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Canada Company, Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Company, Hewlett-Packard France SAS, Hewlett-Packard G1 SPV (Cayman) Company, Hewlett-Packard Gesellschaft mbH, Hewlett-Packard Ghana Limited, Hewlett-Packard GmbH, Hewlett-Packard Guatemala Limitada, Hewlett-Packard HK SAR Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Hellas EPE, Hewlett-Packard Holdings Ltd., Hewlett-Packard International Bank Designated Activity Company, Hewlett-Packard International Bank Public Limited Company, Hewlett-Packard International Sarl, Hewlett-Packard Italiana S.r.l., Hewlett-Packard Japan Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Korea Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Leasing Limited, Hewlett-Packard Limited, Hewlett-Packard Luxembourg Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard Macau Limited, Hewlett-Packard Manufacturing Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Marigalante Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Hewlett-Packard Middle East FZ-LLC, Hewlett-Packard Mocambique Limitada - Sociedada em Liquidacao, Hewlett-Packard Nederland B.V., Hewlett-Packard New Zealand, Hewlett-Packard Norge AS, Hewlett-Packard OY, Hewlett-Packard Operations Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Hewlett-Packard Peru S.R.L., Hewlett-Packard Philippines Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Portugal Lda., Hewlett-Packard SARL, Hewlett-Packard SIA, Hewlett-Packard Servicios Espana S.L., Hewlett-Packard Singapore (Sales) Pte. Ltd., Hewlett-Packard South Africa (Proprietary) Limited, Hewlett-Packard Sverige AB, Hewlett-Packard Technology Center Inc., Hewlett-Packard Teknoloji Cozumleri Limited Sirketi, Hewlett-Packard The Hague B.V., Hewlett-Packard Venezuela S.R.L., Hewlett-Packard Vision Limited, Hewlett-Packard d.o.o., Hewlett-Packard s.r.o., Limited Liability Company Hewlett Packard Enterprise, MapR Technologies, New H3C Technologies Co. Ltd., Niara Inc., Nimble Storage, Nimble Storage Inc., Nimble Storage Israel Ltd, Nimble Storage Japan GK, Nimble Storage UK Limited, Plexxi, RedPixie, SGI (Silicon Graphics), Sapphire Holding Co, Scytale, Shanghai Hewlett-Packard Co. Ltd., Silver Peak, SimpliVity, Sinope Holding B.V., Trilead, UAB ES Hague Lietuva, and Unis Huashan Technologies Co. Limited. On the Beach Group plc operates as an online retailer of short-haul beach holidays under the On the Beach brand name. It operates through four segments: OTB, International, Classic, and CPH. The company provides its services through onthebeach.co.uk, sunshine.co.uk, and onthebeachtransfers.co.uk websites in the United Kingdom. It also provides its services through eBeach.se website in Sweden and eBeach.dk website in Denmark, as well as through eBeach.no website in Norwegian; and operates online business to business portals, such as classiccollection.co.uk and classic-package.co.uk. In addition, the company offers transport brokerage and property management services. On the Beach Group plc was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Manchester, the United Kingdom. Read More The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless. The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well. By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism. Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. engages in the management of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It operates through the following segments: Asset Management, Real Estate, Renewable Power, Infrastructure, Private Equity, Residential Development, and Corporate Activities. The Asset Management segment includes the management of its listed partnerships, private funds and public securities. The Real Estate segment is comprised of the ownership, operation and development of core office, core retail, LP investments and other properties. The Renewable Power segment encompasses the ownership, operation and development of hydroelectric, wind, solar, storage and other power generating facilities. The Infrastructure segment consists of the ownership, operation and development of utilities, transport, energy, data infrastructure and sustainable resource assets. The Private Equity segment refers to the broad range of industries, and is mostly focused on business services, infrastructure services and industrials. The Residential Development segment represents homebuilding, condominium development and land development. The Corporate Activiti Read More 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 Baker Hughes, a GE company provides integrated oilfield products, services, and digital solutions worldwide. Its Oilfield Services segment offers drilling, wireline, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention services; and drilling and completions fluids, completions tools and systems, wellbore intervention tools and services, artificial lift systems, pressure pumping systems, and oilfield and industrial chemicals for integrated oil and natural gas, and oilfield service companies. The company's Oilfield Equipment segment designs and manufactures products and services, including pressure control equipment and services, subsea production systems and services, drilling equipment, and flexible pipeline systems; and onshore and offshore drilling and production systems, and equipment for floating production platforms, as well as provides a range of services related to onshore and offshore drilling activities. Its Turbomachinery & Process Solutions segment provides equipment and related services for mechanical-drive, compression, and power-generation applications across the oil and gas industry, as well as products and services to serve the downstream segments of industry. Its product portfolio includes drivers, compressors, and turnkey solutions; and pumps, valves, and compressed natural gas and small-scale liquefied natural gas solutions. This segment serves upstream, midstream, onshore and offshore, industrial, engineering, procurement, and construction companies. The company's Digital Solutions segment provides sensor-based measurement, non-destructive testing and inspection, turbine, generator and plant controls, and condition monitoring, as well as pipeline integrity solutions for a range of industries, including oil and gas, power generation, aerospace, metals, and transportation. It serves through direct and indirect channels. The company is based in Houston, Texas. Baker Hughes, a GE company is a subsidiary of General Electric Company. Read More Avient Corp. engages in the business of thermoplastic compounds. It specializes in polymer materials, services, and solutions with operations in specialty polymer formulations, color and additive systems, plastic sheet and packaging solutions and polymer distribution. The firm is also involved in the development and manufacturing of performance enhancing additives, liquid colorants, fluoropolymers and silicone colorants. It operates through the following segments: Color, Additives and Inks; Specialty Engineered Materials; and Distribution. The Color, Additives and Inks segment provides custom color and additive concentrates in solid and liquid form for thermoplastics, dispersions for thermosets, speciality inks, plasticols, and vinyl slush molding solutions. The Specialty Engineered Materials segment makes polymer formulations, services, and solutions for designers, assemblers, and processors of thermoplastic materials. The Distribution segment distributes engineering and commodity grade resins, including PolyOne-produced solutions, principally to the North American, Central American, and Asian markets. The firm's products include polymer distribution, screen printing inks, and thermoplastic elastomers. Its services include IQ design and color services. The company was founded on August 31, 2000 and is headquartered in Avon Lake, OH. Read More iShares Russell 2000 ETF's stock was trading at $125.92 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, IWM shares have increased by 83.9% and is now trading at $231.58. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Carnival Co. &: 1972 Productions Inc., 6348 Equipment LLC, A.C.N. 098 290 834 Pty. Ltd., A.J. Juneau Dock LLC, AIDA Kundencenter GmbH, Adventure Island Ltd., Air-Sea Holiday GmbH, Alaska Hotel Properties LLC, Barcelona Cruise Terminal SLU, Bay Island Cruise Port S.A., Belize Cruise Terminal Limited, CC U.S. Ventures Inc., CCL Gifts LLC, CSSC Carnival Italy Cruise Investment S.r.L, Carnival (UK) Limited, Carnival Bahamas FC Limited, Carnival Bahamas Holdings Limited, Carnival Corporation & plc Asia Pte. Ltd., Carnival Corporation Hong Kong Limited, Carnival Corporation Korea Ltd., Carnival Corporation Ports Group Japan KK, Carnival Finance LLC, Carnival Grand Bahama Investment Limited, Carnival Investments Limited, Carnival Japan Inc., Carnival License Holdings Limited, Carnival Maritime GmbH, Carnival North America LLC, Carnival Port Holdings Limited, Carnival Ports Inc., Carnival Support Services India Private Limited, Carnival Technical Services (UK) Limited, Carnival Technical Services Finland Limited, Carnival Technical Services GmbH, Carnival Technical Services Inc., Carnival Vanuatu Limited, Costa Crociere PTE Ltd., Costa Crociere S.p.A., Costa Cruceros S.A., Costa Cruise Lines Inc., Costa Cruise Lines UK Limited, Costa Cruises Shipping Services (Shanghai) Company Limited, Costa Cruises Travel Agency (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Costa Cruzeiros Agencia Maritima e Turismo Ltda., Costa Group Digital & Strategic Services GmbH, Costa International B.V., Costa Kreuzfahrten GmbH, Cozumel Cruise Terminal S.A. de C.V., Creative Travel Lab Ltd., Cruise Ships Catering & Services International N.V., Cruise Terminal Services S.A. de C.V., Cruiseport Curacao C.V., D.R. Cruise Port Ltd., Ecospray Technologies S.r.L., F.P.M. SAS, F.P.P. SAS, Fleet Maritime Services (Bermuda) Limited, Fleet Maritime Services Holdings (Bermuda) Limited, Fleet Maritime Services International Limited, GXI LLC, Gibs Inc., Global Experience Innovators Inc., Global Fine Arts Inc., Global Shipping Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Grand Cruise Shipping Unipessoal LdA, Grand Turk Cruise Center Ltd., HAL Antillen N.V., HAL Beheer B.V., HAL Cruises Limited, HAL Maritime Ltd., HAL Nederland N.V., HAL Properties Limited, HAL Services B.V., HSE Hamburg School of Entertainment GmbH, Holding Division Iberocruceros SLU, Holland America Line Inc., Holland America Line N.V., Holland America Line Paymaster of Washington LLC, Holland America Line U.S.A. Inc., Ibero Cruzeiros Ltda., Iberocruceros SLU, Information Assistance Corporation, International Cruise Services S.A. de C.V., International Leisure Travel Inc., International Maritime Recruitment Agency S.A. de C.V., Milestone N.V., Navitrans S.R.L., Ocean Bahamas Innovation Ltd., Ocean Medallion Fulfillment Ltd., Operadora Catalina S.r.L., P&O Princess American Holdings, P&O Princess Cruises International Limited, P&O Princess Cruises Pension Trustee Limited, P&O Properties (California) Inc., P&O Travel Limited, Prestige Cruises Management S.A.M., Prestige Cruises N.V., Princess Bermuda Holdings Ltd., Princess Cays Ltd., Princess Cruise Corporation Inc., Princess Cruise Lines Ltd., Princess Cruises and Tours Inc., Princess U.S. Holdings Inc., RCT Maintenance & Related Services S.A., RCT Pilots & Related Services S.A., RCT Security & Related Services S.A., Roatan Cruise Terminal S.A. de C.V., Royal Hyway Tours Inc., Santa Cruz Terminal S.L., SeaVacations Limited, SeaVacations UK Limited, Seabourn Cruise Line Limited, Shanghai Coast Cruise Consulting Co. Lda, Ship Care (Bahamas) Limited, Sitmar Cruises Inc., Spanish Cruise Services N.V., Sunshine Shipping Corporation Ltd., T&T International Inc., Tour Alaska LLC, Transnational Services Corporation, Trident Insurance Company Ltd., Westmark Hotels Inc., Westmark Hotels of Canada Ltd., Westours Motor Coaches LLC, Wind Surf Limited, and World Leading Cruise Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.. The following companies are subsidiares of Vodafone Group: 360 Connect S.A., [email protected] Telecom, A-ccelerator B.V., A-ccelerator Holding B.V, AAA (Euro) Limited, AAA (MCR) Limited, AAA (UK) Limited, Acorn Communications Limited, Africonnect (Zambia) Limited, Ag Mercantile Company Private Limited, Al-Amin Investments Limited, Amsterdamse Beheer- en Consultingmaatschappij B.V., Apollo Submarine Cable System Limited, Array Holdings Limited, Asian Telecommunication Investments (Mauritius) Limited, Aspective Limited, Astec Communications Limited, Autoconnex Limited, Aztec Limited, BelCompany BV, Bluefish Apac Communications Pte. Ltd, Bluefish Communications, Bluefish Communications Limited, Business Serve Limited, C&W Worldwide Nigeria Limited, C.S.P. Solutions Limited, CCII (Mauritius) Inc., CGP India Investments Ltd., CGP Investments (Holdings) Limited, COOP Mobil s.r.o, CT Networks Limited, CWGNL S.A., CWW Operations Limited, Cable & Wireless Access Limited, Cable & Wireless Americas Systems Inc., Cable & Wireless Aspac Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless CIS Services Limited, Cable & Wireless CIS Svyaz LLC, Cable & Wireless Capital Limited , Cable & Wireless Communications Data Network Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Communications Starclass Limited, Cable & Wireless Communications Technical Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd (Beijing Branch), Cable & Wireless Europe Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless GN Limited, Cable & Wireless Global (India) Private Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Business Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Holding Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Telecommunication Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Holdco Limited, Cable & Wireless Networks India Private Limited, Cable & Wireless Trade Mark Management Limited, Cable & Wireless UK Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless UK Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Waterside Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Pension Trustee Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Voice Messaging Limited, Cable & Wireless a-Services Inc, Cable & Wireless a-Services Limited, Cable and Wireless (India) Limited, Cable and Wireless (India) Limited Indian Branch Office, Cable and Wireless Nominee Limited, Cable and Wireless Worldwide South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cavalry Holdings Ltd, Celfocus Solucoes Informaticas Para Telecomunicacoes S.A, Cellops Limited, Cellular Operations Limited, Central Communications Group Limited, Central Telecom (Northern) Limited, Centurion GSM Limited, Chelys Limited, City Cable (Holdings) Limited, Cobra do Brasil Servicos de Telematica ltda., Commnet Cellular Inc., Complete Network Technology, Connect (India) Mobile Technologies Private Limited, Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited, Dataroam Limited , Device Insight, Digital Island (UK) Ltd, Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, East Africa Investment (Mauritius) Limited, Emtel Europe Limited, Energis (Ireland) Limited, Energis Communications Limited, Energis Holdings Limited, Energis Local Access Limited, Energis Management Limited, Energis Squared Limited, Erudite Systems Limited, Esprit Telecom B.V., Eudokia Limited, Euro Pacific Securities Ltd., Eurocall Holdings Limited, Europolitan Holdings AB (now Europolitan Vodafone AB), FB Holdings Limited, FM Associates (UK) Limited, FinCo Partner 1 B.V., FireFly Networks Limited, Flexphone Limited, GS Telecom (Pty) Limited, Gateway Communications Africa (UK) Limited, Gateway Communications Tanzania Limited, General Mobile Corporation, Generation Telecom Limited, Ghana Telecommunications, Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, Global Cellular Rental Limited, Globe Limited, GrandCentrix GmbH, Grupo Corporativo ONO S.A.U., H3ga Properties (No 3) Pty Limited, HBO Nederland Cooperatief U.A., HBO Netherlands Channels sro, HBO Netherlands Distribution B.V., Hellas Online, How2 Telecom Limited, Hutchison Essar Ltd, Indus Towers Limited, Intercell Communications Limited, Internet Network Services Limited, Invitation Digital Limited, Ipergy Communications NV, Isis Telecommunications Management Limited, Jaguar Communications Limited, Jaykay Finholding (India) Private Limited, Jupicol (Proprietary) Limited, KABELCOM Braunschweig Gesellschaft Fur BreitbandkabelKommunikation Mit Beschrankter Haftung, KABELCOM Wolfsburg Gesellschaft Fur BreitbandkabelKommunikation Mit Beschrankter Haftung, Kabel Deutschland, Kabel Deutschland Holding, Kabel Deutschland Holding Erste Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Holding Zweite Beteilgungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Neunte Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Siebte Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabelfernsehen Munchen Servicenter GmbH & Co. KG, LG Financing Partnership, LGE HoldCo V B.V., LGE HoldCo VI B.V., LGE HoldCo VIII B.V., LGE Holdco VII B.V., LLC Vodafone Enterprise Ukraine, Le Bunt Holdings Limited, Legend Communications Limited, Liberty Global, Liberty Global Content Netherlands B.V., London Hydraulic Power Company, M-PESA Foundation, M-PESA Holding Co. Limited, ML Integration Group Limited, ML Integration Limited, ML Integration Services Limited, MV Healthcare Services Private Limited, Mannesmann AG, MetroHoldings Limited, Mezzanine Ware Proprietary Limited (RF), Mirambo Limited, Misrfone Trading Company LLC, MobiFon S.A., Mobile Commerce Solutions Limited, Mobile Phone Centre Limited, Mobile Wallet VM1, Mobile Wallet VM2, Mobile by Sainsburys Limited, Mobiles 4 Business.com Limited, Mobileworld Communications Pty Limited, Mobileworld Operating Pty Ltd, Mobilvest, Motifpros 1 (Proprietary) Limited, Multi Risk Indemnity Company Limited, Multi Risk Limited, ND Callus Info Services Private Limited, Nadal Trading Company Private Limited, Nat Comm Air Limited, National Communications Backbone Company Limited, Navtrak Ltd, Netforce Group Limited, Netgrid Telecom SRL, Number Portability Company (Proprietary) Limited, ONO, Omega Telecom Holdings Private Limited, Oni Way Infocomunicacoes S.A, Oskar Mobil S.R.O., Oxygen Solutions Limited, P.C.P. (North West) Limited, PPL Pty Limited, PT Network Services Limited, PTI Telecom Limited, Peoples Phone Limited, Pinnacle Cellular Group Limited, Pinnacle Cellular Limited, Plex Limited, Plustech Mercantile Company Private Limited, Prime Metals Ltd., Project Telecom Holdings Limited, Quickcomm Software Solutions, Radio Opt GmbH, Rian Mobile Limited, SBC SMART CITY 1517 B.V., SMMS Investments Pvt Limited, Safaricom Limited, Safenet N.P A., Sarmady Communications, Scarlet Ibis Investments 23 (Pty) Limited, Scorpios Beverages Pvt. Ltd, Silver Stream Investments Limited, Singlepoint (4U) Limited, Singlepoint (4U) Ltd., Singlepoint Payment Services Limited, Siro Limited, Spar Aerospace (Nigeria) Limited, Sport TV Portugal S.A, Starnet, Stentor Communications Limited, Stentor Limited, Storage Technology Services (Pty) Limited, T.W. Telecom Limited, T3 Telecommunications Limited, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern Beteiligungs GmbH, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG, TNAS Limited, TSM NZ Limited, Talkland Airtime Services Limited, Talkland Australia Pty Limited, Talkland Communications Limited, Talkland International Limited, Talkland Midlands Limited, Talkmobile Limited, Tele2 Italia SPA, Tele2 Spain, Telecom Investments India Private Limited, Telecommunications Europe Limited, Ternhill Communications Limited, The Cobra Group, The Eastern Leasing Company Limited, The Old Telecom Sales Co. Limited, Thus Group Holdings Limited, Thus Group Limited, Thus Limited, Thus Profit Sharing Trustees Limited, TnT Expense Management LLC, Tomorrow Street GP S.a r.l., Tomorrow Street SCA, Torenspits II B.V., Townley Communications Limited, Trans Crystal Ltd., UMT Investments Limited, UPC Nederland Holding I B.V., UPC Nederland Holding II B.V., UPC Nederland Holding III B.V., Unified Communications, Uniqueair Limited, Urbana Teleunion Rostock GmbH & Co.KG, Usha Martin Telematics Limited, VAPL No. 2 Pty Limited, VBA (Mauritius) Limited, VBA Holdings Limited, VBA International (SL) Limited, VBA International Limited, VEI S.r.l., VM SA, VND S.p.A, VSSB Vodafone Shared Services Budapest Private Limited Company, Verwaltung Urbana Teleunion Rostock GmbH, Victus Networks S.A., Vizzavi Finance Limited, Vizzavi Limited, Voda Limited, Vodacall Limited, Vodacash s.p.r.l., Vodacom (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Business (Angola) Limitada, Vodacom Business (Ghana) Limited, Vodacom Business (Kenya) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa (Nigeria) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa Group (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa Group Services Limited, Vodacom Business Cameroon SA, Vodacom Business Cote Divoire S.A.R.L., Vodacom Congo (RDC) SA, Vodacom Financial Services (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Group Limited, Vodacom Insurance Administration Company (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Insurance Company (RF) Limited, Vodacom International Holdings (Pty) Limited, Vodacom International Limited, Vodacom Lesotho (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Life Assurance Company (RF) Limited, Vodacom Payment Services (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Properties No 1 (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Properties No.2 (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Tanzania Limited Zanzibar, Vodacom Tanzania Public Limited Company, Vodacom UK Limited, Vodafone (NI) Limited, Vodafone (New Zealand) Hedging Limited, Vodafone (Scotland) Limited, Vodafone 2, Vodafone 4 UK, Vodafone 5 Limited, Vodafone 5 UK, Vodafone 6 UK, Vodafone Albania Sh.A, Vodafone Alternatif Telekom Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Americas 4, Vodafone Americas Virginia Inc., Vodafone And Qatar Foundation L.L.C, Vodafone Asset Management Services S.a r.l., Vodafone Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Automotive Deutschland GmbH, Vodafone Automotive Electronic Systems S.r.L, Vodafone Automotive France S.A.S, Vodafone Automotive Iberia S.L, Vodafone Automotive Italia S.p.A, Vodafone Automotive Japan K.K, Vodafone Automotive Korea Limited, Vodafone Automotive SpA, Vodafone Automotive Technologies (Beijing) Co Ltd, Vodafone Automotive Telematics Development S.A.S, Vodafone Automotive Telematics S.A, Vodafone Automotive UK Limited, Vodafone Belgium SA/NV, Vodafone Benelux Limited, Vodafone Bilgi Ve Iletisim Hizmetleri AS, Vodafone Business Services Limited, Vodafone Business Solutions Limited, Vodafone Canada Inc, Vodafone Cellular Limited, Vodafone Central Services Limited, Vodafone China Limited (China), Vodafone China Limited (Hong Kong), Vodafone Connect 2 Limited, Vodafone Connect Limited, Vodafone Consolidated Holdings Limited, Vodafone Corporate Limited, Vodafone Corporate Secretaries Limited, Vodafone Czech Republic A.S., Vodafone DC Pension Trustee Company Limited, Vodafone Dagitim Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Data, Vodafone Distribution Holdings Limited, Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications S.A.E., Vodafone Elektronik Para Ve Odeme Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Empresa Brasil Telecomunicacoes Ltda, Vodafone Empresa Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Vodafone Enabler Espana S.L., Vodafone Enterprise Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Austria GmbH, Vodafone Enterprise Bahrain W.L.L., Vodafone Enterprise Bulgaria EOOD, Vodafone Enterprise Chile SA, Vodafone Enterprise Communications Technical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Corporate Secretaries Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Denmark A/S, Vodafone Enterprise Equipment Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited Czech Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited DubaiI Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Finland OY, Vodafone Enterprise France SAS, Vodafone Enterprise Germany GmbH, Vodafone Enterprise Global Businesses S.a r.l., Vodafone Enterprise Global Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Global Network HK Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Global Network Pte. Ltd., Vodafone Enterprise Hong Kong Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Italy S.r.L, Vodafone Enterprise Korea Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Luxembourg S.A., Vodafone Enterprise Netherlands BV, Vodafone Enterprise Norway AS, Vodafone Enterprise Regional Business Singapore Pte.Ltd., Vodafone Enterprise Singapore Pte.Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Spain S.L.U. Portugal Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Spain SLU, Vodafone Enterprise Sweden AB, Vodafone Enterprise Switzerland AG, Vodafone Erste Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Vodafone Espana S.A.U., Vodafone Euro Hedging Limited, Vodafone Euro Hedging Two, Vodafone Europe B.V., Vodafone Europe UK, Vodafone European Investments, Vodafone European Portal Limited, Vodafone Finance Limited, Vodafone Finance Luxembourg Limited, Vodafone Finance Sweden, Vodafone Finance UK Limited, Vodafone Financial Operations, Vodafone Financial Services B.V., Vodafone Fixed Ltd, Vodafone Foundation, Vodafone Foundation Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Gestioni S.p.A, Vodafone Ghana Mobile Financial Services Limited, Vodafone Global Content Services Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise (Hong Kong) Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise (Italy) S.R.L., Vodafone Global Enterprise (Japan) K.K., Vodafone Global Enterprise (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Vodafone Global Enterprise Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise Russia LLC, Vodafone Global Enterprise Taiwan Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise Telecommunications (Hellas) A.E., Vodafone Global Network Limited, Vodafone Global Network Limited Slovakia Branch, Vodafone Global Services Private Limited, Vodafone GmbH, Vodafone Group (Directors) Trustee Limited, Vodafone Group Pension Trustee Limited, Vodafone Group Services GmbH, Vodafone Group Services Ireland Limited, Vodafone Group Services Limited, Vodafone Group Services No.2 Limited, Vodafone Group Share Trustee Limited, Vodafone Hire Limited, Vodafone Holding A.S., Vodafone Holdings (Jersey) Limited, Vodafone Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Vodafone Holdings Europe S.L.U., Vodafone Holdings Luxembourg Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Finance Pty Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Receivables Pty Limited, Vodafone IP Licensing Limited, Vodafone India Digital Limited, Vodafone India Limited, Vodafone India Services Private Limited, Vodafone India Ventures Limited, Vodafone Institut fur Gesellschaft und Kommunikation GmbH, Vodafone Intermediate Enterprises Limited, Vodafone International 1 S.a.r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone International 1 S.a r.l., Vodafone International 2 Limited, Vodafone International Holdings B.V., Vodafone International Holdings Limited, Vodafone International M S.a r.l., Vodafone International Operations Limited, Vodafone International Services LLC, Vodafone Investment UK, Vodafone Investments (SA) Proprietary Limited, Vodafone Investments Australia Limited, Vodafone Investments Limited, Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone Ireland Distribution Limited, Vodafone Ireland Ltd., Vodafone Ireland Marketing Limited, Vodafone Ireland Property Holdings Limited, Vodafone Ireland Retail Limited, Vodafone Italia S.p.A., Vodafone Jersey Dollar Holdings Limited, Vodafone Jersey Finance, Vodafone Jersey Yen Holdings Unlimited, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland Field Services GmbH, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland GmbH, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland Kundenbetreuung GmbH, Vodafone Kenya Limited, Vodafone Leasing Limited, Vodafone Libertel B.V., Vodafone Limited, Vodafone Luxembourg 5 S.a r.l., Vodafone Luxembourg 5 S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone Luxembourg S.a r.l., Vodafone Luxembourg S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone M-PESA SH.P.K., Vodafone M-Pesa S.A, Vodafone M.C. Mobile Services Limited , Vodafone Magyarorszag Mobile Tavkozlesi Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Vodafone Malta Limited, Vodafone Marketing UK , Vodafone Maroc SARL, Vodafone Mauritius Ltd., Vodafone Mobile Commerce Limited, Vodafone Mobile Communications Limited, Vodafone Mobile Enterprises Limited, Vodafone Mobile NZ Limited, Vodafone Mobile Network Limited, Vodafone Mobile Operations Limited, Vodafone Mobile Services Limited, Vodafone Multimedia Limited, Vodafone Nederland Holding I B.V., Vodafone Nederland Holding II B.V., Vodafone Nederland Holding III B.V., Vodafone Net Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Network Pty Limited, Vodafone New Zealand Foundation Limited, Vodafone New Zealand Limited, Vodafone Next Generation Services Limited, Vodafone Nominees Limited1, Vodafone ONO S.A.U., Vodafone Oceania Limited, Vodafone Old Show Ground Site Management Limited, Vodafone Overseas Finance Limited, Vodafone Overseas Holdings Limited, Vodafone Panafon International Holdings B.V., Vodafone Panafon UK, Vodafone Partner Services Limited, Vodafone Payment Solutions S.a r.l., Vodafone Portugal Comunicacoes Pessoais S.A., Vodafone Procurement Company S.a r.l., Vodafone Property Investments Limited, Vodafone Pty Limited, Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C., Vodafone Retail (Holdings) Limited , Vodafone Retail Limited, Vodafone Roaming Services S.a r.l., Vodafone Romania S.A, Vodafone Romania M - Payments SRL, Vodafone Romania Technologies SRL, Vodafone Sales & Services Limited, Vodafone Satellite Services Limited, Vodafone Servicios SL.U, Vodafone Servizi E Tecnologie S.R.L, Vodafone Servicos Empresariais Brasil Ltda., Vodafone Shared Services Romania SRL, Vodafone Specialist Communications Limited, Vodafone Stiftung Deutschland Gemeinnutzige GmbH, Vodafone Technology Solutions Limited, Vodafone Teknoloji Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Tele-Services (India) Holdings Limited, Vodafone Telecel-Comunicates Pessoais S.A., Vodafone Telecommunications (India) Limited, Vodafone Telekomunikasyon A.S, Vodafone Towers Limited, Vodafone UK Content Services Limited, Vodafone UK Investments Limited , Vodafone UK Limited1 , Vodafone US Inc, Vodafone Ventures Limited1 , Vodafone Vierte Verwaltungs AG, Vodafone Worldwide Holdings Limited, Vodafone Yen Finance Limited , Vodafone m-pesa Limited, Vodafone-Central Limited Vodaphone Limited, Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Company S.A., VodafoneZiggo Group Holding B.V, Vodata Limited , Vouchercloud SA (Pty) Ltd, Wataneya Telecommunications S.A.E, Waterberg Lodge (Proprietary) Limited, Wayfinder, Wheatfields Investments 276 (Proprietary) Limited, Wireless Interactions & NFC Accelerator 2013 B.V., Woodend Cellular Limited, Woodend Communications Limited, Woodend Group Limited, Woodend Holdings Limited, XB Facilities B.V, XLink Communications (Proprietary) Limited, Your Communications Group Limited, ZUM B.V., ZYB, Zelitron S.A., Zesko B.V., Ziggo B.V., Ziggo Bond Company B.V., Ziggo Deelnemingen B.V., Ziggo Finance 2 B.V., Ziggo Financing Partnership, Ziggo Holding B.V., Ziggo Netwerk B.V., Ziggo Netwerk II B.V., Ziggo Services B.V., Ziggo Services Employment B.V., Ziggo Services Netwerk 2 B.V., Ziggo Zakelijk Services B.V., and Zoranet Connectivity Services B.V.. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF's stock was trading at $158.09 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, IWF shares have increased by 93.3% and is now trading at $305.64. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. (WB) With World AIDS Day approaching, the White House recognized the occasion on Thursday with an event hosted by Vice President Mike Pence, who during his remarks praised HIV/AIDS programs Trump sought to cut during his administration. Crediting President Trump with bringing a renewed energy and focus against HIV/AIDS, Pence made faith-based organizations work a cornerstone of his remarks, saying those efforts have made the United States closer today than ever before to ending the AIDS crisis in our time. Now, the credit for this achievement is widely shared, but faith-based organizations and faith communities like those represented here have played a preeminent role, Pence added. And the leaders in this room have inspired countless others to put hands and feet on their faith and bring hope and healing to literally millions of people around the world suffering with HIV/AIDS. Pence said the Trump administration will invest $100 million in new resources to expand our engagement with faith-based organizations and communities of faith on the frontlines of the fight against HIV/AIDS. This new investment of $100 million in faith-based organizations will increase the funding to those organizations by a full third, Pence said. And this will make a world of difference, we believe, in countless lives affected by this disease. Pence acknowledged HIV/AIDS has infected more than 77 million people worldwide and claimed no less than 35 million lives, devastating countless families and communities around the world. In response to this health crisis, the American people did as we always do: We mobilized the resources of the nation to fight this epidemic, not just in our own nation, in our communities, but ultimately in every corner of the world, Pence said. But no where during his speech did Pence mention the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on LGBT people, even though the LGBT community has endured the brunt of the epidemic. In 2016, gay and bisexual men accounted for 67 percent of the 40,324 new HIV diagnoses in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Pences omission is similar to the lack of mention of LGBT people in Trumps World AIDS Day statement last year. Pence also touted the Ryan White CARE Act, a federal program that provides health coverage for low-income people with HIV/AIDS, asserting the program continues to provide vital medical services to more than 1.1 million people in the United States living with HIV. The vice president also praised PEPFAR, a U.S. initiative that seeks to distribute antiviral drugs globally, primarily in Africa. Pence recalled his support in 2003 as U.S. House member for the program when then-President George W. Bush created the initiative. Thanks to the generosity of the American people and the efforts of the organizations that are so well represented here today, its humbling to think, in just 15 years, this American effort has helped save more than 17 million lives and prevented millions more from contracting HIV/AIDS to begin with, Pence said. And AIDS-related deaths have been cut in half since their peak in 2004. Touting the work of the Trump administration, Pence pointed out the State Department last year developed a PEPFAR Strategy for Accelerating HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control and said Trump would soon sign a bill reauthorizing the program in the aftermath of congressional approval this week. Weve made great progress, but our work is far from over, Pence said. And as evidenced by the Congresss action and the presidents renewed leadership, that work will continue until we end the scourge of HIV/AIDS once and for all. It should be noted Trumps most recent budget proposal for fiscal year 2019 called for a drastic reduction of PEPFAR, down from $4.65 billion in FY-17 to $3.85 billion. That would have been a 17 percent reduction compared to existing funding levels. The budget request also sought a decrease of $2.26 billion in funds for the Ryan White Care Act, which is a 2 percent reduction compared to existing funding levels. Present during the event and mentioned by Pence was Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), whom the vice president credited with supporting PEPFAR in its early stages. Earlier this year, Smith faced intense scrutiny for a Washington Blade report on his remarks at a high school event in which he suggested orphanages are better for children than same-sex parents. Pence faced criticism for speaking out on HIV/AIDS despite his record as a U.S. House member and Indiana governor, when critics say he backed policy that enabled the spread of the disease. For example, as a result of foot dragging on renewal of his states needle exchange as Indiana governor, rural Scott County in 2015 faced one of the biggest outbreaks of HIV in decades. More than 20 new cases were reported each week at the height of the outbreak. Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, took to Twitter to criticize Pences speech as the height of hypocrisy. Carl Schmid, deputy director of the AIDS Institute, thanked Pence for recommitting our governments goal to end HIV as a public health threat, but also said he made important omissions. While we know that many parts of the federal government work day in and day out on addressing HIV in the United States, we wish he would have made mention of their work and those of the many states, cities, local organizations, and advocates that are fighting HIV throughout the U.S within the communities most impacted, including gay men, people of color and in the South, Schmid said. If we going to end HIV in the U.S. all communities and populations must prioritized. iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF's stock was trading at $48.15 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, IPAC shares have increased by 37.3% and is now trading at $66.11. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through four strategic business units: Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; and Capital Markets. The company offers chequing, savings, and business accounts; mortgages; loans, lines of credit, student lines of credit, and business and agriculture loans; investment and insurance services; and credit cards, as well as overdraft protection services. It also provides day-to-day banking, borrowing and credit, investing and wealth, specialty, and international services; correspondent banking and online foreign exchange services; and cash management services. The company serves its customers through its banking centers, as well as direct, mobile, and remote channels. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of TransDigm Group: 1711 Waterview Pkwy LLC, ARA Deutschland GmbH, ARA Holding GmbH, Acme Aerospace, Adams Rite Aerospace GmbH, Adams Rite Aerospace Inc., Advanced Inflatable Products Limited, Aero-Instruments, AeroControlex Group Inc., Aerosonic, Aerosonic LLC, Air-Sea Survival Equipment Trustee Limited, Airborne Acquisition Inc., Airborne Global Inc., Airborne Holdings Inc., Airborne Systems, Airborne Systems Canada Ltd., Airborne Systems Group Limited, Airborne Systems Holdings Limited, Airborne Systems Limited, Airborne Systems NA Inc., Airborne Systems North America Inc., Airborne Systems North America of CA Inc., Airborne Systems North America of NJ Inc., Airborne Systems Pension Trust Limited, Airborne UK Acquisition Limited, Airborne UK Parent Limited, Aircraft Materials Limited, AmSafe, AmSafe Aviation (Chongqing) Ltd., AmSafe Bridport (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., AmSafe Bridport (Private) Ltd., AmSafe Bridport Ltd., AmSafe Global Holdings Inc., AmSafe Global Services (Private) Limited, AmSafe Inc., Angus Electronics Co., Arkwin Industries, Arkwin Industries Inc., Auxitrol SAS, Auxitrol Weston Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Auxitrol Weston Singapore Pte. Ltd., Auxitrol Weston USA Inc., Aviation Technologies, Aviation Technologies Inc., Avionic Instruments LLC, Avionics Instruments, Avionics Specialties Inc., AvtechTyee Inc., Beta Transformer Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Beta Transformer Technology Corporation, Beta Transformer Technology LLC, Breeze-Eastern Corporation, Breeze-Eastern LLC, Bridport Erie Aviation Inc., Bridport Holdings Inc., Bridport Ltd., Bridport-Air Carrier Inc., Bruce Aerospace Inc., Bruce Industries, CDA InterCorp LLC, CEF Industries LLC, CMC Electronics Inc., CMC Electronics ME Inc., Champion Aerospace LLC, Cobham, DDC Electronics K.K., DDC Electronics Ltd., DDC Electronics Private Limited, DDC Electronique S.A.R.L., DDC Elektronik GmbH, Darchem Engineering Limited, Darchem Holdings Limited, Data Device Corp., Data Device Corporation, Dukes Aerospace Inc., EST Defence Company UK Limited, Edlaw Limited, Electromech Technologies LLC, Elektro-Metall Export GmbH, Elektro-Metall Paks KFT, Esterline, Esterline Acquisition Ltd, Esterline Europe Company LLC, Esterline Foreign Sales Corporation, Esterline International Company, Esterline Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Esterline Services China Ltd., Esterline Technologies Acquisition Ltd, Esterline Technologies Corporation, Esterline Technologies Europe Limited, Esterline Technologies France Holding SAS, Esterline Technologies French Acquisition Limited, Esterline Technologies Global Limited, Esterline Technologies Holdings Limited, Esterline Technologies Management France SAS, Esterline Technologies SGIP LLC, Esterline Technologies Unlimited, Esterline do Brasil Assessoria e Intermediacao Ltda, Extant Components Group Holdings Inc., Extant Components Group Intermediate Inc., GQ Parachutes Limited, Guizhou Leach-Tianyi Aviation Electrical Company Ltd, Harco, HarcoSemco LLC, Hartwell Corporation, ILC Holdings Inc., Irvin Aerospace Limited, IrvinGQ France SAS, IrvinGQ Limited, Janco Corporation, Johnson Liverpool LLC, Jupiter SAS, Kirkhill Elastomers, Kirkhill Inc., Kunshan Shield Restraint Systems Ltd., Leach Holding Corporation, Leach International Asia-Pacific Ltd, Leach International Europe S.A.S., Leach International Mexico S. de R. L. de C. V., Leach International UK Ltd, Leach Technology Group Inc., MarathonNorco Aerospace Inc., McKechnie Aerospace, McKechnie Aerospace (Europe) Ltd., McKechnie Aerospace DE Inc., McKechnie Aerospace DE LP, McKechnie Aerospace Holdings Inc., McKechnie Aerospace US LLC, Mecanismos de Matamoros S.A. de C.V., Militair Aviation Ltd., Norco, Nordisk Asia Pacific Limited, Nordisk Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Nordisk Aviation Products (Kunshan) Ltd., Nordisk Aviation Products AS, North Hills Signal Processing Corp., North Hills Signal Processing Overseas Corp., Norwich Aero Products Inc., Pascall Electronics Limited, Pexco Aerospace, Pexco Aerospace Inc., PneuDraulics, PneuDraulics Inc., Pressure Systems International Ltd, Racal Acoustics Inc., Racal Acoustics Limited, Rancho TransTechnology Corporation, Retainers Inc., SSP Industries, Schneller, Schneller Asia Pte. Ltd., Schneller LLC, Schneller S.A.R.L., Schroth Safety Products, ScioTeq LLC, ScioTeq Ltd., ScioTeq Pte. Ltd., ScioTeq SAS, ScioTeq bvba, Semco Instruments, Semco Instruments Inc., Shield Restraint Systems Inc., Shield Restraint Systems Ltd., Signal Processing Matamoros S.A. de C.V., Skandia, Skandia Inc., Skurka Aerospace, Skurka Aerospace Inc., Symetrics Industries, Symetrics Industries LLC, Symetrics Technology Group LLC, TA Mfg Limited, TDG ESL Holdings Inc., TDG France Ultimate Parent SAS, TDG Germany GmbH, TEAC Aerospace Holdings Inc., TEAC Aerospace Technologies Inc., TREALITY SVS LLC, TTERUSA Inc., Tactair Fluid Controls Inc., Takata Protection Systems, Technical Airborne Components Industries SPRL, Telair International, Telair International AB, Telair International GmbH, Telair International LLC, Telair International Services PTE Ltd, Telair US LLC, Texas Rotronics Inc., TransDigm (Barbados) SRL, TransDigm Canada ULC, TransDigm European Holdings Limited, TransDigm Ireland Ltd., TransDigm Receivables LLC, TransDigm UK Holdings plc, Transicoil (Malaysia) Sendirian Berhad, Transicoil LLC, Wallop Industries Limited, Weston Aerospace Ltd, Whippany Actuation Systems, Whippany Actuation Systems LLC, XCEL Power Systems Ltd., Young & Franklin, and Young & Franklin Inc.. Pierrette J. Cazeau knows first hand what it feels like to be singled out. In 1990 she marched on the Brooklyn Bridge to protest the Food and Drug Administrations ban on blood donations from Haitians. According to media reportsduring those days, the FDAs discriminatory ban singled out Haitians in the U.S. because scientists said then they had found high numbers of AIDS cases transmitted by heterosexual contact among Haitians. Today Cazeau is the president and founder of Haiti Cholera Research Funding Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs [and] to respond rapidly to emergency situations withdiseases such as Cholera, HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB. On Dec. 1 HCRFF will host Walk Palm Beach, a 3-mile walk in Riviera Beach. Its goal is to raise $20,000 to assist individuals living with HIV throughout Palm Beach County that lack access to transportation for their medical appointments. Cazeau said because of what happened in the 1980s Haitians in the U.S. have been stigmatized for decades as having HIV. Haitians that are HIV positive are ashamed to tell their families that they are HIV positive, Cazeau said. The first Haitian blood ban was limited to those Haitians that came to the U.S. after 1977. It went into effect in the mid-80s but in the beginning of 1990 the 1977 time limit was eliminated. That change was what prompted the Brooklyn Bridge march that Cazeau took part in. The ban was finally lifted at the end of 1990. Even today that stigma can still be felt. Earlier this year Politico Magazine theorized that President Trumps comments calling Haiti and other nations shithole countries while also saying all Haitians have AIDS, dates back to those early days of the widespread panic surrounding AIDS. In 1983 the Centers for Disease Control identified four risk groups, which become known as the Four-H Club and included homosexuals, hemophiliacs, heroin users and Haitians. According to the above mentioned Politico article doctors were seeing cases in other nationalities at the time, but reported only on the Haitians because they did not see them as having the same privacy rightsbecause they were poor, black refugees. While Haiti is a main focus of HCRFF, Cazeau also said its a foundation to not only serve Haiti, not only serve Haitians, but all [who live with HIV]. The deadline to register for the event is Nov. 30 fees vary based on age groups. There will food trucks as well as face painting for any kids attending. There will also be free health screenings. Sponsors for the event include AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Palm Beach Food Bank, Florida Health, Ian the Barber and the cities of Riviera Beach and West Palm Beach. Visit WalkPalmBeach.orgfor more info. The following companies are subsidiares of Valero Energy: AIR BP-PBF DEL PERU SAC, BELFAST STORAGE LTD, CANADIAN ULTRAMAR COMPANY, COLONNADE TEXAS INSURANCE COMPANY LLC, COLONNADE VERMONT INSURANCE COMPANY, DIAMOND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY LLC, DIAMOND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY OF CANADA INC., DIAMOND GREEN DIESEL HOLDINGS LLC, DIAMOND GREEN DIESEL LLC, DIAMOND K RANCH LLC, DIAMOND OMEGA COMPANY L.L.C., DIAMOND SHAMROCK REFINING COMPANY L.P., DIAMOND UNIT INVESTMENTS L.L.C., DSRM NATIONAL BANK, ENTERPRISE CLAIMS MANAGEMENT INC., GCP LOGISTICS COMPANY LLC, GOLDEN EAGLE ASSURANCE LIMITED, HAMMOND MAINLINE PIPELINE LLC, HUNTWAY REFINING COMPANY, MAINLINE PIPELINES LIMITED, MAPLE ETHANOL LTD., MICHIGAN REDEVELOPMENT GP LLC, MICHIGAN REDEVELOPMENT L.P., MRP PROPERTIES COMPANY LLC, NECHES RIVER HOLDING CORP., NORCO METHANOL LLC, OCEANIC TANKERS AGENCY LIMITED, PARKWAY PIPELINE LLC, PENTA TANKS TERMINALS S.A., PI DOCK FACILITIES LLC, PICKARD PLACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, PORT ARTHUR COKER COMPANY L.P., PREMCOR USA INC., PROPERTY RESTORATION L.P., PURE BIOFUELS DEL PERU S.A.C., PURE BIOFUELS HOLDINGS L.P., Parkway Pipeline, Premcor, Pure Biofuels Del Peru, SABINE RIVER HOLDING CORP., SABINE RIVER LLC, SAINT BERNARD PROPERTIES COMPANY LLC, SUNBELT REFINING COMPANY L.P., THE PREMCOR PIPELINE CO., THE PREMCOR REFINING GROUP INC., THE SHAMROCK PIPE LINE CORPORATION, TRANSPORT MARITIME ST. LAURENT INC., ULTRAMAR ACCEPTANCE INC., ULTRAMAR ENERGY INC., ULTRAMAR INC., Ultramar Diamond Shamrock, V-TEX LOGISTICS LLC, VALERO (BARBADOS) SRL, VALERO (PERU) HOLDINGS GP LLC, VALERO (PERU) HOLDINGS LIMITED, VALERO ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO ARUBA ACQUISITION COMPANY I LTD., VALERO ARUBA FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LTD., VALERO ARUBA HOLDING COMPANY N.V., VALERO ARUBA HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL LTD., VALERO ARUBA MAINTENANCE/OPERATIONS COMPANY N.V., VALERO BROWNSVILLE TERMINAL LLC, VALERO CANADA FINANCE INC., VALERO CANADA L.P., VALERO CAPITAL CORPORATION, VALERO CARIBBEAN SERVICES COMPANY, VALERO COKER CORPORATION ARUBA N.V., VALERO CUSTOMS & TRADE SERVICES INC., VALERO EAST BAY LLC, VALERO ENERGY (IRELAND) LIMITED, VALERO ENERGY ARUBA II COMPANY, VALERO ENERGY INC., VALERO ENERGY LTD, VALERO ENERGY PARTNERS GP LLC, VALERO ENERGY PARTNERS LP, VALERO ENERGY UK LTD, VALERO ENTERPRISES INC., VALERO EQUITY SERVICES LTD, VALERO FINANCE L.P. I, VALERO FINANCE L.P. II, VALERO FINANCE L.P. III, VALERO FOREST CONTRIBUTION LLC, VALERO GRAIN MARKETING LLC, VALERO H2 PIPELINE COMPANY LLC, VALERO HOLDCO UK LTD, VALERO HOLDINGS INC., VALERO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC., VALERO LIVE OAK LLC, VALERO LOGISTICS UK LTD, VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY (PANAMA) LLC, VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY COMPANY, VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPY INTERNATIONAL LTD., VALERO MARKETING IRELAND LIMITED, VALERO MKS LOGISTICS L.L.C., VALERO NEDERLAND COOPERATIEF U.A., VALERO NEDERLAND COOPERATIEF U.A., VALERO NEW AMSTERDAM B.V., VALERO OMEGA COMPANY L.L.C., VALERO OPERATIONAL SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO OPERATIONAL SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO OPERATIONS SUPPORT LTD, VALERO PARTNERS CCTS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS CORPUS EAST LLC, VALERO PARTNERS CORPUS WEST LLC, VALERO PARTNERS EP LLC, VALERO PARTNERS HOUSTON LLC, VALERO PARTNERS LOUISIANA LLC, VALERO PARTNERS LUCAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS MCKEE LLC, VALERO PARTNERS MEMPHIS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS MERAUX LLC, VALERO PARTNERS NORTH TEXAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS OPERATING CO. LLC, VALERO PARTNERS PAPS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS PORT ARTHUR LLC, VALERO PARTNERS SOUTH TEXAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS TEXAS CITY LLC, VALERO PARTNERS THREE RIVERS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS WEST MEMPHIS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS WEST TEXAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS WYNNEWOOD LLC, VALERO PAYMENT SERVICES COMPANY, VALERO PEMBROKESHIRE LLC, VALERO PEMBROKESHIRE OIL TERMINAL LTD, VALERO PLAINS COMPANY LLC, VALERO POWER MARKETING LLC, VALERO RAIL OPERATIONS DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO RAIL OPERATIONS DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO RAIL PARTNERS LLC, VALERO REFINING AND MARKETING COMPANY, VALERO REFINING COMPANY-ARUBA N.V., VALERO REFINING COMPANY-CALIFORNIA, VALERO REFINING COMPANY-OKLAHOMA, VALERO REFINING COMPANY-TENNESSEE L.L.C., VALERO REFINING-MERAUX LLC, VALERO REFINING-NEW ORLEANS L.L.C., VALERO REFINING-TEXAS L.P., VALERO RENEWABLE FUELS COMPANY LLC, VALERO SECURITY SYSTEMS INC., VALERO SERVICES INC., VALERO SKELLYTOWN PIPELINE LLC, VALERO TEJAS COMPANY LLC, VALERO TERMINAL HOLDCO LTD, VALERO TERMINALING AND DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, VALERO TERMINALING AND DISTRIBUTION DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO TEXAS POWER MARKETING INC., VALERO ULTRAMAR HOLDINGS INC., VALERO UNIT INVESTMENTS L.L.C., VALERO WEST WALES LLC, VRG PROPERTIES COMPANY, VTD PROPERTIES COMPANY, WARSHALL COMPANY LLC, and ZELIG COMMERCIAL INC.. 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 Exelon Corp. operates as a utility services holding company, which engages in the energy generation, power marketing, and energy delivery business. It operates through the following segments: Mid Atlantic, Midwest, New York, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and other Power Regions. The Mid-Atlantic segment represents operations in the eastern half of PJM, which includes New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, the District of Columbia and parts of Pennsylvania and North Carolina. The Midwest segment operates in the western half of PJM, which includes portions of Illinois, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee, and the United States footprint of MISO, excluding MISO's Southern Region, which covers all or most of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, the remaining parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio not covered by PJM, and parts of Montana, Missouri and Kentucky. The New York (NY) segment provides operations within ISONY, which covers the state of New York in its entirety. The ERCOT segment includes operations within Electric Reliability Council of Texas, covering most of the state of Texas. Read More Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF's stock was trading at $46.36 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, VGK stock has increased by 45.0% and is now trading at $67.20. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Owens Corning: 0979301 B.C. ULC, AS Paroc, Asahi Glass - Composites Business, Crown Mfg. Inc., Deutsche Foamglas GmbH, Dutch OC Cooperatief Invest U.A., European Owens Corning Fiberglas SRL, FOAMGLAS (Italia) SRL, FOAMGLAS (Nordic) AB, FiberTEK Insulation, Fibreboard Corp., Finefiber (Shanghai) Building Material Co. Ltd., Finefiber Insulation Co. Pte. Ltd., IBCO SRL, IPM Inc., InterWrap, InterWrap (Hong Kong) Ltd., InterWrap (Qingdao) Trading Co. Ltd., InterWrap Corp., InterWrap Corp. Private Ltd., International Packaging Products Pvt. Ltd., Inversiones Owens Corning Chile Holdings Limitada, Northern Elastomeric, OC Canada Finance Inc., OC Canada Holdings General Partnership, OC Celfortec Company, OC Latin American Holdings GmbH, OC NL Invest Cooperatief U.A., OC PRO CV, OC Steklovolokno AO, OCCV1 Inc., OCCV2 LLC, OCV (Thailand) Co. Limited, OCV Chambery France, OCV Chambery International, OCV Finance LLC, OCV Intellectual Capital LLC, OCV Italia Srl, OCV Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., OCV Servicios Mexico S.A. de C.V., OOO Paroc, Owens Corning (Australia) Pty Limited, Owens Corning (China) Investment Company Limited, Owens Corning (Guangde) Rock Wood Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Owens Corning (Guangzhou) Fiberglas Co. Ltd., Owens Corning (Hangzhou) Fiberglass Co. Ltd., Owens Corning (India) Private Limited, Owens Corning (Nanjing) Building Materials Co. Ltd., Owens Corning (Shanghai) Fiberglas Co. Ltd., Owens Corning (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Owens Corning (Tianjin) Building Materials Co. Ltd., Owens Corning (Xian) Building Materials Co. Ltd., Owens Corning Alloy Canada GP Inc., Owens Corning Alloy Canada LP, Owens Corning Argentina Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Owens Corning Automotive LLC, Owens Corning BM (Korea) Ltd, Owens Corning By LLC, Owens Corning CV GP LLC, Owens Corning Canada GP Inc., Owens Corning Canada Holdings B.V., Owens Corning Canada Holdings ULC, Owens Corning Canada LP, Owens Corning Cayman (China) Holdings, Owens Corning Celfortec Canada GP Inc., Owens Corning Celfortec LP, Owens Corning Composite Materials Canada GP Inc., Owens Corning Composite Materials Canada LP, Owens Corning Composite Materials LLC, Owens Corning Composites (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Owens Corning Composites (China) Co. Ltd., Owens Corning Construction Services LLC, Owens Corning Corporate Services LLC, Owens Corning Elaminator Insulation Systems LLC, Owens Corning Enterprise (India) Pvt. Ltd., Owens Corning Fabrics (Changzhou) Co. Ltd., Owens Corning Fiberglas (U.K.) Pension Plan Ltd., Owens Corning Fiberglas A.S. Limitada, Owens Corning Fiberglas Espana SL, Owens Corning Fiberglas France, Owens Corning Financial Services ULC, Owens Corning Finland Oy, Owens Corning Foam Insulation LLC, Owens Corning GlassMetal Services (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Owens Corning Global Holdings II Limited Partnership, Owens Corning Global Holdings Limited Partnership, Owens Corning HOMExperts Inc., Owens Corning HT Inc., Owens Corning Holdings 1 CV, Owens Corning Holdings 3 CV, Owens Corning Holdings 4 CV, Owens Corning Holdings 5 CV, Owens Corning Holdings Holland B.V., Owens Corning Hong Kong Limited, Owens Corning Industries (India) Private Limited, Owens Corning Infrastructure Solutions LLC, Owens Corning Insulating Systems Canada GP Inc., Owens Corning Insulating Systems Canada LP, Owens Corning Insulating Systems LLC, Owens Corning Intellectual Capital LLC, Owens Corning InterWrap Canada GP Inc., Owens Corning InterWrap Canada LP, Owens Corning International Holdings C.V., Owens Corning Japan LLC, Owens Corning Kohold B.V., Owens Corning Korea, Owens Corning Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Owens Corning Mineral Wool LLC, Owens Corning Non-Woven - Blythewood LLC, Owens Corning Non-Woven Technology LLC, Owens Corning Receivables LLC, Owens Corning Reinforcements (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., Owens Corning Remodeling Systems LLC, Owens Corning Roofing S. de R.L. de C.V., Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt LLC, Owens Corning Sales LLC, Owens Corning Science and Technology LLC, Owens Corning Supplementary Pension Plan Limited, Owens Corning Technical Fabrics LLC, Owens Corning Treasury Services LLC, Owens Corning U.S. Holdings LLC, Owens-Corning Britinvest Limited, Owens-Corning Cayman Limited, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Deutschland GmbH, Owens-Corning Funding Corporation, Owens-Corning Veil Netherlands B.V., Owens-Corning Veil U.K. Ltd., Paroc AB, Paroc GmbH, Paroc Group, Paroc Group Oy, Paroc Limited, Paroc Oy Ab, Paroc Polska Sp. Z o.o., Pittsburgh Corning, Pittsburgh Corning (Suisse) SA, Pittsburgh Corning (United Kingdom) Limited, Pittsburgh Corning (Yantai) Insulation Materials Co. Ltd, Pittsburgh Corning Asia Limited, Pittsburgh Corning CR S.R.O., Pittsburgh Corning Europe N.V., Pittsburgh Corning France, Pittsburgh Corning Gesellschaft m.b.h., Pittsburgh Corning LLC, Pittsburgh Corning Nederland B.V., Pittsburgh Corning Singapore Pte. Ltd, Qingdao Novia Polymer Co. Ltd., SIA Paroc, Soltech Inc., The Modulo /ParMur Group, Thermafiber, Thermafiber Inc., Transandina de Comercio S.A., UAB Paroc, UC Industries, and Vitro Fibras. Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza. Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres. Genesis Healthcare, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates skilled nursing facilities and assisted/senior living facilities in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Inpatient Services; Rehabilitation Therapy Services; and Other Services. It also provides a range of rehabilitation therapy services, including speech-language pathology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and respiratory therapy. In addition, the company offers other specialty medical services, such as physician, staffing, and other healthcare related services. As of December 31, 2020, it provided inpatient services through a network of approximately 341 skilled nursing facilities and assisted/senior living communities in 24 states; and supplied rehabilitation and respiratory therapy to approximately 1,400 healthcare locations in 42 states, the District of Columbia and China. The company was formerly known as FC-GEN Operations Investment, LLC and changed its name to Genesis HealthCare, Inc. in February 2015. Genesis HealthCare, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Read More GlaxoSmithKline Plc is a healthcare company, which engages in the research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceuticals; Pharmaceuticals R&D; Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare. The Pharmaceuticals segment focuses on developing medicines in respiratory and infectious diseases, oncology, and immuno-inflammation. The Pharmaceuticals R&D segment focuses on science related to the immune system, the use of human genetics and advanced technologies, and is driven by the multiplier effect of Science x Technology x Culture. The Vaccines segment produces pediatric and adult vaccines to prevent a range of infectious diseases including, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, typhoid, influenza, and bacterial meningitis. The Consumer Healthcare segment develops and markets brands in the oral health, pain relief, respiratory, nutrition and gastro intestinal, and skin health categories. The company was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Middlesex, the United Kingdom. Read More iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF's stock was trading at $158.09 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, IWF shares have increased by 93.3% and is now trading at $305.64. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. HDFC Bank Ltd. engages in the provision of banking and financial services, including commercial banking and treasury operations. The firm also provides financial services to upper and middle income individuals and corporations in India. It operates through the following segments: Treasury, Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking and Other Banking Operations. The Treasury segment consists of bank's investment portfolio, money market borrowing and lending, investment operations and trading in foreign exchange and derivative contracts. The Retail Banking segment provides loans and other services to customers through a branch network and other delivery channels. The Wholesale Banking segment provides loans, non-fund facilities and transaction services to large corporates, emerging corporates, public sector units, government bodies, financial institutions, and medium scale enterprises. The Other Banking Business segment includes income from para banking activities such as credit cards, debit cards, third party product distribution, primary dealership business, and the associated costs. The company was founded by Aditya Tapishwar Puri in August 1994 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India. 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.. iShares MSCI India ETF's stock was trading at $28.76 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, INDA stock has increased by 69.1% and is now trading at $48.62. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. 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 Procter & Gamble: "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, Agile Pursuits, Agile Pursuits Franchising, Arbora, Arbora & Ausonia, Arborinvest, Billie, Braun (Shanghai) Co., Braun GmbH, Braun-Gillette Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Celtic Insurance Company, Compania Procter & Gamble Mexico, Compania Quimica S.A., Corporativo Procter & Gamble, Cosmetic Products Pty. Ltd., Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., Eurocos Cosmetic GmbH, FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Fater S.p.A., Fountain Square Music Publishing Co., Gillette (China) Ltd., Gillette (Shanghai) Ltd., Gillette Aesop Ltd., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette Canada Holdings, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Gruppe Deutschland GmbH & Co. oHG, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Nova Scotia Company, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Poland S.A., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay, Giorgio Beverly Hills Inc., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, LLC "Procter & Gamble Novomoskovsk", LLL "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", Laboratorios Vicks, Liberty Street Music Publishing Company, Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', Limited Liability Company with foreign investments Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, New Chapter, New Chapter Canada Inc., Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G Prestige Service GmbH, P&G South African Trading (Pty.) Ltd., PGT Health Care (Zhejiang) Limited, PGT Healthcare LLP, PPI ZAO, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Procter & Gamble (Chengdu) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (East Africa) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Egypt) Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble (Enterprise Fund) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Jiangsu) Ltd. China, Procter & Gamble (L&CP) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble (Manufacturing) Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble (Shanghai) International Trade Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Acquisition GmbH, Procter & Gamble Administration GmbH, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Australia Proprietary Limited, Procter & Gamble Azerbaijan Services LLC, Procter & Gamble Bangladesh Private Ltd., Procter & Gamble Blois S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Brazil Holdings B.V., Procter & Gamble Bulgaria EOOD, Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company, Procter & Gamble Canada Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Chile , Procter & Gamble Chile Limitada, Procter & Gamble Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Commercial LLC, Procter & Gamble Commercial de Cuba S.A., Procter & Gamble Czech Republic s.r.o., Procter & Gamble DS Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Danmark ApS, Procter & Gamble Detergent (Beijing) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Deuttschland GmbH, Procter & Gamble Distributing (Philippines) Inc., Procter & Gamble Distributing New Zealand Limited, Procter & Gamble Distribution Company (Europe) BVBA, Procter & Gamble Distribution S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe, Procter & Gamble Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana, Procter & Gamble Europe SA, Procter & Gamble Export Operations SARL, Procter & Gamble Exportadora e Importadora Ltda., Procter & Gamble Exports, Procter & Gamble Fabricacao e Comercio Ltda., Procter & Gamble Far East, Procter & Gamble Finance (U.K.) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Procter & Gamble Gulf FZE, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Procter & Gamble Hellas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Holding (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Holding France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Holding GmbH, Procter & Gamble Holding S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Holdings (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong Limited, Procter & Gamble Hungary Wholesale Trading Partnership (KKT), Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Inc., Procter & Gamble India Holdings, Procter & Gamble Indochina Limited Company, Procter & Gamble Industrial - 2012 C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Industrial S.C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Costa Rica, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Guatemala, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Panama, Procter & Gamble International Operations Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, Procter & Gamble International Operations SA-ROHQ, Procter & Gamble International S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Investment Company (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Investment GmbH, Procter & Gamble Italia, Procter & Gamble Japan K.K., Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan Distribution LLP, Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan LLP, Procter & Gamble Korea, Procter & Gamble Korea S&D Co., Procter & Gamble Lanka Private Ltd. Sri Lanka, Procter & Gamble Leasing LLC, Procter & Gamble Levant S.A.L., Procter & Gamble Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Marketing Romania SRL, Procter & Gamble Marketing and Services doo, Procter & Gamble Maroc SA, Procter & Gamble Mataro, Procter & Gamble Mexico Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Mexico Inc., Procter & Gamble Middle East FZE, Procter & Gamble Nederland B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Investments B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Services B.V., Procter & Gamble Nigeria Limited, Procter & Gamble Nordic, Procter & Gamble Norge AS, Procter & Gamble Operations Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Overseas India B.V., Procter & Gamble Overseas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Pakistan (Private) Limited, Procter & Gamble Partnership LLP, Procter & Gamble Peru S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals France SAS, Procter & Gamble Philippines, Procter & Gamble Polska Sp. z o.o, Procter & Gamble Portugal - Produtos De Consumo, Procter & Gamble Product Supply (U.K.) Limited U.K., Procter & Gamble Production GmbH, Procter & Gamble Productions, Procter & Gamble Productos de Consumo, Procter & Gamble RHD, Procter & Gamble RSC Regional Service Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Retail Services BVBA, Procter & Gamble S.r.l., Procter & Gamble SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Satis ve Dagitim Ltd. Sti., Procter & Gamble Seine S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, Procter & Gamble Services (Switzerland) SA, Procter & Gamble Services Company N.V., Procter & Gamble Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Share Incentive Plan Trustee Ltd., Procter & Gamble South America Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Spol. s.r.o. (Ltd.), Procter & Gamble Sports and Social Club Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology (Beijing) Co., Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Verwaltungs GmbH, Procter & Gamble Vietnam, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil S/A, Procter & Gamble do Brazil, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Redmond Products, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Richardson-Vicks do Brasil Quimica e Farmaceutica Ltda, Riverfront Music Publishing Co., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Scannon S.A.S., Series Acquisition B.V., Shulton, Surfac S.R.L., Sycamore Productions, TAOS - FL, TAOS Retail, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving - FL, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble GBS Company, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon (Shanghai) Academy, Vidal Sassoon Co., WEBA Betriebsrenten-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Walker & Company Brands, and iMFLUX Inc.. The following companies are subsidiares of 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 Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trustee Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories Uruguay S.A., Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises, Abbott Laboratories d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories de Chile Limitada, Abbott Laboratories de Colombia S.A., Abbott Laboratories de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Abbott Laboratories druzba za farmacijo in diagnostiko d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories(Hellas) Societe Anonyme, Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Abbott Laboratuarlari Ithalat Ihracat ve Ticaret Ltd.Sti, Abbott Laboratorios Lda, Abbott Laboratorios do Brasil Ltda., Abbott Limited Egypt LLC, Abbott Logistics B.V., Abbott Management GmbH, Abbott Management LLC, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, Abbott Mature Products International Unlimited Company, Abbott Mature Products Management Limited, Abbott Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Abbott Medical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc., ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of traditional and non-traditional life and health reinsurance products. It operates through the following segments: U.S. and Latin America; Canada; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; Asia Pacific; and Corporate and Other. The U.S. and Latin America segment markets individual and group life and health reinsurance to domestic clients for a variety of products through yearly renewable term agreements, coinsurance, and modified coinsurance. The Canada segment offers individual life reinsurance, and to a lesser extent creditor, group life and health, critical illness and disability reinsurance, through yearly renewable term and coinsurance agreements. The Europe, Middle East, and Africa segment serves individual and group life and health products through yearly renewable term and coinsurance agreements, reinsurance of critical illness coverage that provides a benefit in the event of the diagnosis of a pre-defined critical illness and underwritten annuities. The Asia Pacific segment comprises individual and group life and health reinsurance, critical illness coverage, disability, and superannuation thr Read More Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and creditor and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its field sales force, advice centers, and online, as well as through independent insurance advisors and affinity relationships. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset, cash management, transaction banking, and treasury services to institutional clients; correspondent banking and trade finance services for financial institutions; and short-term funding and liquidity management services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, governments, and central banks. Royal Bank of Canada has a strategic partnership with Royal College Of Physicians & Surgeons Of Canada to support the needs of Canada's medical specialists. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited develops and invests in properties for sale and rent in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and internationally. It develops and sells properties, including residential estates, offices, shopping malls, industrial buildings, and hotels and serviced suites. As of June 30, 2020, the company's land bank comprised 57.5 million square feet of gross floor area in Hong Kong; and 68.1 million square feet of gross floor area in Mainland China. It also provides property management services; construction-related services, including landscaping, electrical and fire prevention systems, and construction plant and machinery leasing; and insurance products to individuals and businesses comprising householder's comprehensive, fire, employees' compensation, travel, personal accident, motor vehicles, contractors' all risks, third party liability, and property all risks. In addition, the company offers voice, multimedia, and mobile broadband services; and data center services, including infrastructure, facility management, server co-location, and other value-added services. Further, it manages car parks, tunnels, bridges, and toll roads; offers transport facilities for private and the public sectors; operates an expressway; provides public bus transportation services; and offers airport freight forwarding and aviation support services. Additionally, the company provides container handling and storage, container freight station, and other port-related services; operates department stores and supermarkets; and offers mortgage and other loan financing facilities, as well as asset and project management, architectural and engineering, cleaning, and secretarial services. It also engages in club and road management activities. The company was formerly known as Sun Hung Kai (Holdings) Limited and changed its name to Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited in March 1973. Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited was incorporated in 1972 and is based in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Read More 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 BCE Inc., a telecommunications and media company, provides wireless, wireline, Internet, and television (TV) services to residential, business, and wholesale customers in Canada. It operates through three segments: Bell Wireless, Bell Wireline, and Bell Media. The Bell Wireless segment offers wireless voice and data communications products and services. The Bell Wireline segment provides data, including Internet access and Internet protocol television; and local telephone, long distance, satellite TV service, and connectivity, as well as other communications services and products. This segment also buys and sells local telephone, long distance, data, and other services from or to resellers, and other carriers. The Bell Media segment provides conventional TV, specialty TV, pay TV, and streaming services; and digital media, radio broadcasting, out-of-home advertising services. It owns and operates approximately 35 conventional TV stations; 27 specialty and four Pay TV channels; 3 direct-to-consumer streaming services; 109 licensed radio stations; and websites. The company was formerly known as Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. BCE Inc. was founded in 1880 and is headquartered in Verdun, Canada. Read More Temple Bar Investment Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Ninety One Fund Managers UK Limited. It is co-managed by Ninety One UK Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It seeks to invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in stocks of companies across all market capitalizations, which are constituents of the FTSE 350 Index. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the FTSE All-Share Index. Temple Bar Investment Trust PLC was formed in 1926 and is domiciled in the United Kingdom. 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, underwriters and any insiders that worked on the IPO are prevented from issuing any research reports for the company because of SEC regulations. Following the expiration of the company's quiet period, the brokerages that served as underwriters will likely initiate research coverage on the company. White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. engages in the acquisition of businesses and assets in the insurance, financial services and related sectors. It operates through the following segments: HG Global/BAM, NSM, Kudu, and Other Operations. The HG Global/BAM segment refers to the White Mountains's investment in HG Global Limited, and the consolidated results of Build America Mutual Assurance Company (BAM). The NSM segment comprises of full-service managing general underwriting agency and program administrator for specialty property and casualty insurance. The Kudu Segment provides capital solutions for boutique asset managers for a variety of purposes including generational ownership transfers, management buyouts, acquisition and growth finance and legacy partner liquidity. The Other Operations segment comprises of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary, WM Capital, its wholly-owned investment management subsidiary, WM Advisors, and its other intermediate holding companies, as well as certain consolidated and unconsolidated private capital and other investments. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Hanover, NH. Read More Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. provides technical, professional, and construction services. The company's Aerospace, Technology, Environmental and Nuclear segment offers scientific, engineering, construction, nuclear, environmental, and technical support services to the aerospace, defense, technical, and automotive industries. Its Buildings, Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities segment develops/rehabilitates plans for highways, bridges, transit, tunnels, airports, railroads, intermodal facilities, and maritime or port projects; develops or rehabilitates critical water resource systems, water/wastewater conveyance systems, and flood defense projects; and provides engineering design, construction management, design build, and operations and maintenance. This segment also designs and constructs buildings; offers consulting, engineering, procurement, construction management, and delivery services for life sciences clients; and provides services relating to modular construction and other consulting and strategic planning services, as well as offers services in containment, barrier technology, locally controlled environments, building systems automation, off-the-site design, and fabrication of facility modules. The company's Energy, Chemicals and Resources segment offers services relating to onshore and offshore oil and gas production facilities, processing facilities, gathering systems, and transmission pipelines and terminals; feasibility/economic studies, technology evaluation, conceptual engineering, front end loading, detailed engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance, and commissioning services; and engineering, procurement, and construction solutions. This segment also provides services, such as manufacturing complex, expansions, modifications, and management of plant relocations; construction management and field construction services; and services to operate and maintain facilities. The company was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Read More As we begin December, this week's edition of 'Rewind' covers a number of names, faces and facts from the decade of the 1980s. Robert Smith has assembled a variety of topics for the ongoing monthly feature Years Ago. 1980 - Canadians Dominate The Little Brown Jug In 1980 Niatross and Canadian born driver Clint Galbraith started the decade off in grand style winning that year's Jug in record time. The pair are shown here on Jug day. In 1980 Niatross and Canadian born driver Clint Galbraith started the decade off in grand style winning that year's Jug in record time. The pair are shown here on Jug day. During the entire decade of the 1980's, Canadian horses and drivers were prominent in the winner's circle each year at Delaware during Little Brown Jug day. In no less than eight of the 10 years, either a Canadian-owned horse or a Canadian-born driver were involved when the coveted Jug was presented. The 1980 event won by the great Niatross was considered one of the greatest ever at the time and many observers wondered if a horse could ever go much faster than the 1:54.4 he recorded back then. By the middle of the decade in 1985, a son of Niatross named Nihilator had lowered the mark to 1:52.1. 1981 - Ice Racing On The Rideau Canal A great day of ice racing on Ottawa's Rideau Canal drew an enthusiastic crowd of at least 30,000 onlookers who joined in to enjoy watching the third such annual event. In addition to the harness races a number of other attractions such as ice sculptures and good old fashioned games being played by children in the snow highlighted the beautiful day. Officials from all of the organizing bodies were indeed pleased with the outcome. A trio of photos below underscore the success of the event and also show what extra efforts are required to race on the ice. A smiling John Campbell accepts the Canadian Club trophy as the winner of the driving competition. On the right is C.T.A. Pres. John Hayes Sr. while an unidentified official is on the far left (Hoof Beats) A smiling John Campbell accepts the Canadian Club trophy as the winner of the driving competition. On the right is C.T.A. Pres. John Hayes Sr. while an unidentified official is on the far left (Hoof Beats) A group of children play in the snow seemingly unaware of the icy temperatures (Hoof Beats) A group of children play in the snow seemingly unaware of the icy temperatures (Hoof Beats) The starting car equipped with chains to provide proper traction for the icy racing surface on the Rideau Canal (Hoof Beats) The starting car equipped with chains to provide proper traction for the icy racing surface on the Rideau Canal (Hoof Beats) 1983 - Borne Golden Wins Fallis Memorial The final of the 18th annual Orville Fallis Memorial Pace for three-year-old pacers was contested at Kawartha Downs on August 18. This race was held to honour Mr. Fallis, a supporter of area racing activities for many years and a longtime advocate for night racing. A field of seven paraded to the post in search of the winner's share of the $8,850 purse. There had been three separate winners in the preliminary legs but one -- Town Lady -- was a scratch due to illness. The other two winners Borne Golden and Senor Dupp were part of the field. Driver Stu Cochrane and Senor Dupp cut all of the early fractions and still held the lead at the three quarters in 1:30 flat. Around the final turn Borne Golden and driver Harry Leatherdale made a huge move and overtook the leader and held on to the lead reaching the wire in 2:00 flat. This equalled her personal best for winning owners Orland and Olive Tank of St. Agatha and trainer Wayne Hussey. An outsider Minto Property got up in the final strides to claim the second spot for driver Guy Larush while the betting favourite Senor Dupp retained the show spot. A crowd of 1,669 wagered just over $90,000 on the evening's card. What was the inspiration for this filly's name? Yes she was a chestnut sired by Strike Out. 1986 - O.J.C Drivers To Meet And Greet at Royal Winter Fair Six harness drivers currently competing regularly on the Ontario Jockey Club track circuit were on hand at that year's Royal to meet with fair goers and better inform them about the harness sport. In an arrangement between the fair, the OJC and the Ontario Sires Stakes Program these fellows were happy to answer questions and help fans of racing to better understand the sport. See photo below. This will serve as this week's Who Is It? 1988 - Eagle Attack Set To Retire During the 1988 racing season a total of 52 horses were still racing at the age of 14. By rule they were required to retire from racing other than at the fair level. One of the most recognizable "retirees" was Eagle Attack. The old fellow was still racing at a respectable level and certainly paying his keep. In an era when horses often change ownership and geographical area, this horse had just one owner throughout his entire lifetime. Clure Archdekin bred and raised him and also P M Eagle, his dam. Eagle Attack was a veteran of 65 career victories and earned a total of $147,784. He took his lifetime best of 1:58.3 as a ten-year-old at Orangeville, a place where he often won the Preferred on Sunday afternoon. He made his money "the hard way" racing in overnights at spots like Orangeville, Barrie and Flamboro. In a statement about his retirement owner Clure Archdekin said "He's like the rest of us - old age is catching up with him but he's going to a good home, the only one he's ever known." Who Is It? Can you identify the six drivers pictured above who are discussed in the 1986 item above? The correct answers will be given during the upcoming week. New Delhi: Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu has held a series of meetings this week with global sovereign wealth funds including those from Australia, Canada, Singapore, and Korea to attract investments in India, an official said. "In the last two days, the minister separately met global pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and other large funds from Australia, Canada, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Norway and the European Union and the US. All are looking at India for good investment opportunities," the government official added. Last month, the minister met the chairman of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, and sought investments in various sectors including infrastructure. ADIA has shown interest in setting up an India desk, and the ministry is facilitating this initiative. "On December 7, the ministry is also organising a meeting of global funds in Goa," the official added. Over 350 delegates are expected to participate in the meeting in Goa. According to the data of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), foreign direct investment in 2017-18 grew by 3 per cent to USD 44.85 billion. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is important as India would require huge investments in the coming years to overhaul its infrastructure sector to boost growth. Overseas inflows help maintain pressure on the country's balance of payments and value of the rupee. Mumbai: A day after Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) claimed that the makers of Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi are yet to clear dues of approximately Rs 1.5 crore to workers and junior artists, producer Kamal Jain refuted the allegations. The producer said that all the legitimate and due payments have been made, except of one vendor, who is arm-twisting them. According to FWICE, the makers of Kangana Ranaut-starrer film, have been shooting some portions of the movie at Filmcity in suburban Mumbai. The shoot was halted Wednesday afternoon mid-way because of non-payment of dues of workers, technicians and junior artists. "It has been three months but they have not cleared dues of daily wage workers, which is about Rs 40 lakh. About Rs 90 lakh is to be paid to light vendor and Rs 25 lakh to junior artists. The producer (Kamal Jain) had promised to make the payment by October but he has not fulfilled his commitment," Ashok Dubey, General Secretary of Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had told PTI on Thursday. Jain, on his part, said, they have filed a complaint with the Film & TV Producers Guild of India against Film and Allied Union over one disputed vendor. According to Jain, the shoot got over on October 13, and "all legitimate and due payments were made." "One disputed vendor, who has already been paid 70 percent of his dues, is illegitimately now using the union authority to arm twist us and disrupted our film shoot, which is completely illegal, untenable under the law and clearly is harassment to us and our team. This is one vendor whose payment is under dispute and is being tackled professionally and in a businesslike manner," Jain said in a statement here. Jain said the matter is being handled by Producers' Guild and they will abide by their process. He added, "As a production house we are absolutely clear on not holding back any ones payment which is legitimate and due, as we immensely respect everyone's hard work that has gone into this film. We are thankful to each vendor/individual who has helped us on making this film." Kulmeet Makkar, Chief Executive Officer Producers Guild of India said they are looking into the matter and will take the necessary action. "We have been formally informed by our member Kairos Kontent that film and allied union and a specific vendor have been misusing their authority to stop film shooting. This is indeed unfortunate and extremely unhealthy trade practice. This is a commercial matter between producer and a vendor hence should be amicably resolved. We will be looking into the complaint made by our member to take the next course of action," Makkar said. Reacting to Jain's statement, Dubey, told PTI, "The film takes a long time to get made. The makers have made some payment but there are dues that are pending to workers, junior artists." The film is due to be released on January 25 next year. Shah Rukh Khan with Suhana in London, after her play where she played the character of Juliet. New Delhi: Seems like superstar Shah Rukh Khan's daughter Suhana Khan is prepping up to be just like her father. The doting dad, who often showers love and praises on his kids, again took to social media to laud Suhana after watching her play 'Juliet' in London. The Badshaah of Bollywood even commended the entire team for the exceptional work. "With my Juliet in London. What a wonderful experience and exceptional performances by the whole cast. Congratulations to the whole team," wrote the 'Raees' star. SRK's darling daughter made her entry into the glamour world by becoming Vogue India's cover star for their August issue. It is also well known that Suhana is keen on becoming an actor, however, her parents - Shah Rukh and Guari Khan have insisted that she completes her education first. Meanwhile, King Khan is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film 'Zero'. Also starring Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma, the Aanand L. Rai-directorial is slated to release on December 21. Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan have a history with the actress. Salman Khan cannot see eye to eye with PeeCee. His sister Arpita who reached Jodhpur on Friday afternoon did try to persuade Salman to accompany her for the wedding, but Salman refused to budge. Ranveer Singh is Priyankas pal. But hes busy with his own wedding reception in Mumbai. As for the other A-list leading men, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn and Ranbir Kapoor were never on her speed dial. A friend of the actress who isnt attending the wedding says, PeeCees wedding will have a massive turn-out on Monday and Tuesday. But none of the major actors, or for that matter, actresses will show up for it. We have it from reliable sources that while three of Priyankas favourite directors Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Vishal Bhardwaj and Rakesh Roshan are expected in Jodhpur, an impressive turn-out of big actors doesnt seem possible as of now. According to a source, Priyanka has not really maintained a warm relationship with Bollywood during the past few years. She has been busy projecting herself in the West as the desi face of India. In fact the turn-out in Jodhpur from America, courtesy her husband Nick Jonas, would be far more impressive, the source feels. We also hear that Akshay Kumar is heading for foreign shores on the eve of Priyanka Chopras wedding in Jodhpur ostensibly to attend a very close friends sons wedding. Is it a coincidence or did he want to avoid awkward questions about his presence at PeeCees wedding? Well never know. Seems like superstar Shah Rukh Khan's daughter Suhana Khan is prepping to be just like her father. The doting dad, who often showers love and praise on his kids, again took to social media to laud Suhana after watching her play Juliet in London. The Baadshah of Bollywood even complimented the entire team for the exceptional work. With my Juliet in London. What a wonderful experience and exceptional performances by the whole cast. Congratulations to the whole team, wrote the Raees star. SRKs darling daughter made her entry into the glamour world by becoming Vogue Indias cover star for their August issue. It is also well known that Suhana is keen on becoming an actor, however, her parents Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan have insisted that she completes her education first. Meanwhile, King Khan is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Zero. The film also stars Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. The Aanand L. Rai-directorial is slated to release on December 21. The new Thums Up ad featuring Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu is not just a treat for his fans, it is also a full-on adventure story. The superstar, who stars in the miniature epic, is seen dodging bullets, jumping down cliffs and plunging down a waterfall. The ad left him exhausted but energized, the soft spoken superstar says. Shooting for it was a challenge and an adventure. We shot it in Kuala Lumpur in some really tough locations where there was only jungle and no place to take a breather, let alone chill. We shot the film with high-action stunts. It was like a shooting full-fledged action film, the actor reveals. Mahesh Babu The ad has been directed by Navzar Irani and Mahesh Babu says he hasnt had so much fun shooting action in a long time. All the action was shot in natural light. No filters were used. We wanted to capture the raw rugged mood of the jungle, and I think we succeeded in that, he believes. A 27-year-old woman has lodged a police complaint alleging that her doctor husband administered her an HIV-infected saline a year ago. (Representational Image | Pixabay) Pune: A 27-year-old woman has lodged a police complaint alleging that her doctor husband administered her an HIV-infected saline a year ago. According to Wakad police in the city, the woman claimed that her husband, a homoeopathic doctor, and his parents were harassing her for dowry since the couple got married in 2015. When she fell sick in October 2017, her husband administered her saline at home, she told police. "In February this year, when she again fell sick, she got some tests done and found out that she was HIV positive," said a police officer. The woman alleged that her husband, who is now seeking divorce, had infected her with HIV through the saline. "We made both husband and wife undergo HIV tests at a private laboratory and found that both were HIV positive. However, tests at a government-run research institute showed that only the woman was HIV positive," said the officer. "We have registered a case under sections 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and 498 (dowry offences) of IPC and are seeking medical opinion," the officer said. No arrest has been made yet, he said. The police said that he recently came out of jail and resumed committing thefts and with his arrest the police have solved 13 theft cases in the city. (Representation image) Bengaluru: Koramangala police have arrested a notorious thief involved in house theft cases in the city and recovered valuables worth Rs 31 lakh. The accused has been identified as Kantharaj alias Morikantha, 42, a resident of Peenya and a native of Chikkaballapur. The police said the accused later came to the city and settled down in Peenya. He was previously arrested and was booked in over 10 criminal cases in the city. According to the police, with the number of house thefts increasing in South East division, the police had formed a special team to crack down the cases. Based on credible information, the team arrested the accused and recovered 1.19 kg of gold ornaments and 900 grams of silver articles worth Rs 30.97 lakh from him. The police said that he recently came out of jail and resumed committing thefts and with his arrest the police have solved 13 theft cases in the city. As for how Kantharaj earned the name Morikantha, a senior officer said that once while committing robbery he was chased by the public and he hid in a sewage pipe to save himself. Since then he started hiding his booty inside a sewage pipe and gained a name of Morikantha. The accused used to recce the area in the morning, identify locked houses and break into them in night. He used to sell stolen articles in bits and pieces whenever he needed money, he added. The police said that he used to commit thefts to live a lavish life. However, after he got bail, he resumed robberies, but this time it was to pay off the lawyer fees! Even when the TN Assembly passed the Lokayukta Bill in July, the opposition had dubbed it as "toothless". Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has notified rules under the Lokayukta Act providing for inquiries to be held in-camera and precluding disclosure of the identities of the complainant as well as the public functionary under scrutiny. Predictably, opposition parties and leaders have slammed these provisions and demanded they be scrapped. Throwing a thick blanket of secrecy over the Lokayukta proceedings, the government said these cannot be disclosed to the media or to the general public. Reacting sharply, the main opposition party DMK alleged that the TN rules for Lokayukta would only end up facilitating corruption rather than curtail it. The rules must be struck down, the DMK said. Even when the TN Assembly passed the Lokayukta Bill in July, the opposition had dubbed it as "toothless". "Every inquiry shall be conducted in private and in particular the identity of the complainant and of the public functionary affected by the inquiry shall not be disclosed to the public or the press or published in any manner whether before, during or after the inquiry," Section 26 of the rules says. The rules notified in a state government's gazette recently, however, make it clear that the norm of in-camera proceedings will be "subject to the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005". The RTI Act promotes transparency and access to information under public authorities and it is not clear which aspects of the Lokayukta inquiry or proceedings will be covered under the transparency law. Justifiably, DMK president M.K. Stalin has demanded in a tweet that the secrecy provision be rescinded. The institution of Lokayukta envisaged by the government is "without power", he said. Chennai: I explained the entire incident in detail, but the police paid no heed and have failed us, said Malar, as she broke down in front of presspersons on Monday, as she recounted the brutality that her daughter Nila (name changed) who died at the government hospital in Dharmapuri after being gang-raped on November 10 had to undergo. She, along with her husband Annamalai arrived at Chennai and addressed presspersons along with All India Democratic Womens Association (AIDWA) on Friday. On November 17, a special fact-finding team of five persons including a journalist, activists and an AIDWA member travelled to Chitling village in Arur taluk to unearth the facts of the case. The team concluded its report, stating that grave injustice was done in the legal proceedings of the case. The same day, we filed an eight-page report and submitted it to the Kottaipatti inspector who did not even open it, said P. Suganthi, state general secretary, AIDWA. Kottaipatti police filed a report on their own, calling it attempt to rape, without a medical check or any corroborative evidence. We were asked not to tell anyone else, especially not even to doctors. They will make fun of you, the investigative officer had told the victims mother. Dharmapuri District Superintendent of Police, pointing fingers at the victim, said that she had multiple sexual relationship with men, and even had the callousness to call her a prostitute, Malar added. Another report was drafted by the fact-finding team, and was attested by the victim's parents. The report condemned the action of the police, and demanded that a case be filed against inspector Muthukrishnan. Section 166A of the IPC, which is public servant disobeying direction under the law should be slapped on him. However, so far no action has been taken on any police officer in the state on whom this section had been slapped, said Suganthi. Section 166B, punishment for non-treatment of the victim should be slapped on the medical officers at the Arur government hospital also, since the medical officer did not provide medical care to the victim, because she hailed from a scheduled tribe community. They did not even touch my daughter, but submitted a fake medical report, Malar added. Also, the FIR was changed to Section 376D - gangrape, only after Nila died on November 10. Apart from their case findings, the fact-finding team also made a few suggestions to the government. Chitling village had no usable toilet facilities. The ones built by the government only four months back, are all in a dilapidated state, and these do not have doors. Due to this situation, our daughter had to go to the forest to defecate, said Malar. There is no road, and we do not even have a Primary Health Centre in Chitling. Where are all the facilities we were promised, and what has happened to the funds which were allocated for us? she asked. The fact-finding team, along with AIDWA members demand that the two accused in the case - Ramesh (23) and Satish (24), both be given death sentences. The reason that the duo was not dealt with an iron hand, is that their mother sells illegal liquor in the village. She and the police have an understanding, because of this business connection, accused Malar. Seventeen-year-old Nila died at the government hospital in Dharmapuri prompting a massive protest at the hospital by Arur residents, who expressed outrage at what they termed as multiple accounts of apathy on the part of the police and the medical staff. Two youths, identified as Ramesh (23) and Satish (24) , belonging to the same village teamed up and raped Nila, a class-12 student of a school in Pappireddypatti, who was staying at the government hostel for SC/STs, but had come to the village to spend the three-day Deepavali holidays with her family. The girl was on her periods and had gone out to the fallow land near her house to dispose of her waste clothes when the two who were reportedly drinking there, caught hold of her. The girl, while trying to flee them, was hit in the back of her head by one of the men with a log, totally rendering her immobile. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) is setting up Startup Facilitation Centres to assist startups in building up ventures. According to a statement from the Startup Mission, in the initial phase facilitation centres will be set up at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode and it would be expanded to other districts in a phased manner. The centres will offer support for registration, funding advisory, marketing, statutory compliance and HR services. Meanwhile, the KSUM is offering incubation space for startup at Space Technology Application Development Eco System (STADE) in KINFRA Film and Video Park here, ACE Incubator at Technopark and Technology Innova-tion Zone at Kochi. Applications for space will be scrutinised by a team of experts. Selected startups will get facilities including fully furnished co-working space with basic amenities. All startups registered with the portal of the KSUM can apply for the space to scale up their operations.Details are available on the website: https://startupmission.kerala.gov.in/programs/infra_scaleup/. KOCHI: The Kochi Corporation has proposed projects worth Rs. 148.38 crore for the 2019 2020 financial year. During a development seminar organised here on Friday, the civic body presented the rough draft of development projects for discussions. The projects in 20 different sectors will be carried out during the 2019 2020 fiscal using annual Plan funds and funds from other agencies including Central and State government agencies. The seminar was inaugurated by K.V. Thomas, MP. Mayor Soumini Jain. Unlike previous years, the Corporation has given prominence to rebuild Kerala projects in the post-flood scenario. In the draft proposal, prepared after discussing at ward sabhas and working groups, the civic body has given priority to projects in biodiversity management, climate change, environment conservation and disaster management. Thanjavur/ Pudukkottai: As an urgent relief measure, steps had been taken after discussing with union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan to supply kerosene through trucks from at least five centres in each of the Gaja cyclone affected districts from Saturday evening, said Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Defence minister at Peravurani near Pattukottai, one of the affected areas on Friday. The minister heard the grievances of cyclone affected persons at a meeting held here. Later speaking to them, she said that they can get the usual kerosene supplied for ration cards. Besides this quantity they can also get additional kerosene from the truck loads of kerosene sent by central government. I spoke to State Food Minister R. Kamaraj that kerosene will arrive on Sunday evening and that state government should arrange for its distribution to people in cyclone affected areas, she said. She also said that steps would be taken to build houses for cyclone affected people below poverty line, people above poverty line and in villages and towns under Prime Minister Awaz Yojana (PMAJ) scheme. Tamil Nadu chief secretary, Ms. Girija Vaithiyanathan has told me that she had written a letter to central government for a special order to build houses under the PMAJ for people above poverty line as now the scheme is applicable to people below poverty line only. This matter will be pursued and steps would be taken to get the special order so that all affected in cyclone including people above poverty line may get houses under the scheme, Ms. Sitharaman said. On waiving of interest on loans borrowed by farmers, the minister said it would be discussed with the Union Finance minister, Arun Jaitley. The State government has been asked to pay the premium payable by farmers for crop insurance and deduct that from the compensation given to farmers in the cyclone-hit areas, she said. Several coconut farmers poured out the woes to the visiting Minister. The BJP state president, Dr Tamizhisai Soundararajan, State ministers, K A Sengottaiyan, R. Duraikannu, Udumalai Radhakrishnan, and Kadambur Raju, besides MP R Vaithilingam and Thanjavur collector, Mr. A. Annadurai, were among those present on the occasion. IN PUDUKKOTTAI: The Defence minister also the Gaja cyclone-hit areas of Pudukkottai district, including places like Neduvasal and assured the affected farmers, particularly coconut growers, that the Centre will make necessary arrangements for sending coconut saplings from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha to the affected farmers in Tamil Nadu. Besides State BJP leaders, Tamil Nadu Health minister, C. Vijayabaskar accompanied Dr Nirmala Sitharaman. She also assured that Naval ships will bring coconut saplings from Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Thoothukudi from where it will reach places like Neduvasal. The previous Congress-led UPA government acceded a separate Telangana only because of the fight put up by TRS, TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao claimed. (Photo: PTI) Hyderabad: TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday hit out at Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi over his comments that irrigation projects in Telangana have been redesigned for commissions. Rao, who addressed election rallies at Illendu and other places, said that the state government has taken up redesigning of Sitarama and other irrigation projects in the interests of the state. He alleged that Congress leaders have not been able to serve Telangana's interests in the irrigation sector. "Whether that Rahul Gandhi has intelligence or not, God has given intelligence or not, speaks like a joker. (He says) we have redesigned (irrigation projects) for commissions. Rahul Gandhi, would you come, do you have guts, shall we go to Rudramakota. Shall we see...named after your father, how Rajiv Sagar, Indira Sagar are? I will take you there....Not making worthless allegations," he said. Alleging that Congress leaders in previous governments (in undivided Andhra Pradesh) have put in place 'ineffective' irrigation projects, Rao asserted that his government was constructing projects that are needed for the state. "We are building projects what we need... Do we need commission? I will give you commission if you want. Who needs commission? Ours is not a life of commission like you. Our life is one of fighting," he said. The previous Congress-led UPA government acceded a separate Telangana only because of the fight put up by TRS, Rao claimed. He spoke about the various welfare measures of his government, including investment support scheme and insurance scheme for farmers. Alleging that the NDA government did not respond to the request to set up a steel factory at Bayyaram in Khammam region, a matter mentioned in the AP Reorganisation Act, Rao said the government would start the steel factory on its own, if necessary. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's criticism against the TRS government during his recent BJP campaign rallies, he asked if any of the 19 BJP-ruled states implemented schemes like investment support and insurance scheme for farmers and Rs 1,000 social security pensions. Also Read: 'Khao Commission Rao': Rahul Gandhi jibes at KCR in Telangana Punning on chief minister KCR's initials, Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called him "Khao Commission Rao" who promised that he would "redesign" the state but instead redesigned irrigation projects, which resulted in cost escalation and burdened the people, only to benefit members of his family and contractors. A woman confided with Bill Gates on how she had hidden the fact that she was a sex worker from her daughter, who was then in high school. (Photo: File | AP) New Delhi: Bill Gates during one of his several visits to India as part of the AIDS prevention programme of the Gates Foundation couldn't hold back his tears on hearing the story of a sex worker whose daughter committed suicide after being harassed and ostracised by her schoolmates, says a new book. Ashok Alexander, who headed the Gates Foundation's HIV/AIDS prevention programme Avahan for over 10 years, has come out with a book A Stranger Truth: Lessons in Love, leadership and Courage from India's Sex Workers in which he talks about the country's sex workers, their lives, how India is a success story in the epidemic and what leadership skills and life lessons can be learnt from them. The author mentions true stories of the lives of sex workers in India that are about finding hope and redemption amid heartbreak and despair. During their visits, Bill and wife Melinda had the ability to completely shut out everything extraneous and focus on the community of sex workers, the author says. "They sat cross-legged on the floor, facing the community members who were sitting in a small circle. Melinda asked some of them if they would relate their stories. All the tales were sad ones - of rejection, utter poverty, and then somewhere a spark of hope. They were brutally honest and raw." One of the stories is about an incident that took place during Gates' visit to India in the early 2000s. A woman confided with Bill Gates on how she had hidden the fact that she was a sex worker from her daughter, who was then in high school. When her classmates found out the truth, they relentlessly teased, harassed and ostracised the girl, who soon went into deep depression. "One day her mother came home to find her child hanging from the ceiling fan, and a note left behind saying she could not take it anymore. I noticed that Bill, next to me, had his head down and was crying quietly," Alexander recalls in the book, published by Juggernaut. When Alexander left a high-profile corporate job to head Avahan in 2003, he was plunged into an India far removed from the comfort zones he had lived and worked in all his life. It was a grinding place where women sold themselves for Rs 50 and 14-year-olds injected drugs. It was the shadow world of transgenders and of young gay men in a country that criminalised same-sex love then. It was the strange world of truckers, lonely journeymen along forgotten highways. Above all, it was a place where valiant battles for a barely decent life were being fought every day. Targeting Modi on demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Gandhi said the prime minister had a confusion that people in the world do not know anything and he had a sense that all knowledge came from his mind. (Photo: File) Jaipur: Congress president Rahul Gandhi said Saturday Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not understand the foundation of Hinduism. "What is the essence of Hinduism? What does the Gita say? That knowledge is with everybody... Knowledge is all around you. Every living being has knowledge," Gandhi said at an interactive session in Udaipur, Rajasthan. "Our prime minister says he is a Hindu, but he doesn't understand (the) foundation of Hinduism. What kind of a Hindu is he?" the Congress chief said. Targeting Modi on demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Gandhi said the prime minister had a confusion that people in the world do not know anything and he had a sense that all knowledge came from his mind. Soon after his comments, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah gave a sharp reaction while addressing an election rally in Balotara town of Barmer district. "The Congress is now preaching us about Hinduism... They are giving us lessons of Gita," Shah said. The EVMs were being carried in a school van, requisitioned by election commission, from the polling booth under Bandri police station in Korai, to district collectors office in Sagar after the assembly elections in the constituency were over on November 28. Bhopal: Congress on Saturday demanded scrutiny of all the 43 reserved EVMs which took two days to reach collectors office in Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh from a polling booth under Korai assembly constituency, barely 25 km away, after voting on November 28. The EVMs were being carried in a school van, requisitioned by election commission, from the polling booth under Bandri police station in Korai, to district collectors office in Sagar after the assembly elections in the constituency were over on November 28. The undue delay in ferrying of the reserved EVMs to the strong room has raised doubts among the Congress men. However, the local district administration has clarified that they were reserved voting machines sent to the polling booth as standbys to replace the faulty machines, a normal procedure followed in the elections. Randomization tests were conducted on seven of the 43 EVMs. It has been found that there were no data in these seven voting machines. But, we demand scrutiny of all the EVMs which reached late in the strong room, Congress spokesman Sandeep Nablok told this newspaper. In a separate incident in the constituency, after the polling on November 28, two buses carrying 12 EVMs broke down near Jarukheda in the midnight. It took some time to arrange another vehicle to carry the voting machines to Sagar district collectors office, raising doubts among the Congress men. Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi alleged that in Uttar Pradesh's Sarhanpur district there were discrepancies such as erroneous deletion of names of voters on booth number 44. He said glaring anomalies were found in 98 of 100 forms on this booth and names of people. New Delhi: India is doing a tight rope-walk, straddling its ties with US and Japan on one hand, and with time-tested friend Russia and China on the other. Hours after attending a trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Argentinas Capital Buenos Aires, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held another trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Predictably, the discussions at the two separate meetings were of a very different nature. While the trilateral RIC (Russia, India, China) meeting sought to focus on global economic issues, ensuring regional peace and stability as well as counter-terrorism efforts, the JAI (Japan, America, India) meeting focused on their strategy in the Indo-Pacific region and a common belief that a free, open, inclusive and rules based order is essential for the regions peace and prosperity. Experts have seen this Indo-Pacific strategy as a way of dealing with the immense military and economic clout of China in the region. While the US and Japan have been historical allies after the second world war, Russia and China have forged a new partnership with each other to challenge what they see as the dominance of the US globally. Indias ties with both the US and Japan have strengthened enormously under the Modi Government. At the same time, India has taken care to strengthen defence cooperation with time-tested friend Russia and repair ties with China significantly after the Doklam military face-off last year. On the RIC meeting, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told reporters in Buenos Aires, It was a very warm meeting, it was a very positive meeting.... The Prime Minister thanked President Putin for initiating this effort and all three leaders felt that given our respective roles as emerging economies and emerging markets, given our respective roles and influence in the world in terms of maintaining peace and stability in the region that it was perhaps important that the three countries should cooperate and coordinate in various areas in order to contribute to global peace and prosperity. Lucknow: In a bizarre order issued by the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, weddings will not be allowed in Prayagraj a day before, on and after the main bathing dates during the Kumbh Mela next year between January and March. The order copies have been sent by the district administration to all the wedding hall owners and hoteliers, asking them to cancel all the bookings during the said time. Five key bathing dates during the holy pilgrimage include the two Makar Sankranti and Paush Purnima in January, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchmi and Maaghi Purnima in February and Maha Shivratri in March. Devotees are expected to turn up in large number for a holy dip in the holy rivers during these dates. Those who had made advance payments for guest houses, lawns and caterers are in a fix over the new government diktat. They will either have to change the marriage dates, which are often fixed months in advance, or explore the possibility of shifting the venue to another district. Suyash Saxena, who is scheduled to get married on January 21, said, All bookings for the venue and caterers have been made, the cards have been printed and even the travel bookings have been done. After this order, we do not know what to do. We cannot shift to another district in such a short time. The government order has thrown everything out of gear. People in the wedding business are equally perplexed as they are dependent on the marriage season for their earnings. A senior district official said that the order would help in dealing with crowds that are expected on bathing dates. It may cause some inconvenience but in the end, will help the people, the official said. Earlier, the chief minister had ordered for a closure of all tanneries in Kanpur from December 15, 2018 to March 15, 2019 in order to keep river Ganga clean during the Kumbh in Prayagraj. Bengaluru: The state BJP seems to have learnt a lesson from its debacle in the recent Lok Sabha and Assembly bypolls and has decided to consult its workers before giving tickets to outsiders in future. State party chief, B S Yeddyurappa has reportedly confessed he made a mistake in fielding Mr Chandrashekar, who quit the Congress to join the party, to contest from the Ramanagara Assembly constituency as he withdrew from the contest just a couple of days before polling , leaving the BJP high and dry. Mr Yeddyurappa is said to have admitted to his lack of judgement during the BJP legislators' meeting at the party office on Thursday. Congress leader, Chandrashekar joined the BJP with an ulterior motive. If we had given a ticket to a local BJP leader from Ramanagara district, we may have performed impressively, he is said to have told the meeting. Senior BJP leader, K.S. Eshwarappa revealed the party had discussed the reasons for its defeat in the byelections at the meeting without playing a blame game. "The party leadership admitted it had mistakenly thought the Congress-JD(S) alliance would not work at the grassroots. The bypolls have taught us a lesson. We will not repeat our mistake in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and will defeat the alliance," he asserted. Mr Eshwarappa also blamed the BJP's poor performance on the Congress and JD(S)'s alleged use of money power to woo voters and misuse of government machinery in Shivamogga, Ballari and Jamakhandi. We will discuss the bypolls at length at the core committee meeting of the party and take corrective steps, said senior leader of the BJP, C.T. Ravi. Speaking during a roadshow in the city, Naidu criticised the NDA government for demonetisation, "faulty implementation" of GST and price rise and alleged that there was a feeling of insecurity. (Photo: File) Hyderabad: Accusing the NDA government of harassing political rivals through agencies life the CBI and the Income Tax department, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said he joined hands with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders to work in national interest. Speaking during a roadshow in the city, Naidu criticised the NDA government for demonetisation, "faulty implementation" of GST and price rise and alleged that there was a feeling of insecurity. "Today, the government led by Narendra Modiji in the country is indulging in attacking political rivals. They are harassing rivals as per will. If anyone questions, (they) send Enforcement Directorate, CBI, Income Tax. Attacks on media. Attacks on political leaders. By carrying out attacks on business organisations, creating fear, (they) wish to see that nobody speaks," the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister said. Therefore, he said, he spoke to all political parties in the country, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in spite of differences between the TDP and the Congress for over 30 years, to work together in national interest. "The country should be protected. Democracy should be safeguarded. Then only we will have future. If you don't have the freedom to speak, I am asking, what is the value of democracy," he said. Naidu, who was speaking in Rajendranagar assembly segment here as part of his roadshow in the city in support of TDP candidates, accused the NDA government at the Centre and the TRS government in Telangana of letting down people. "One thing is common between big Modi and small Modi. That is magic trick with words. He (Modi) speaks well. Our KCR also speaks very well," he said. Rao kept mum on NDA government over "attacks" on minorities, SCs and STs in the country, Naidu alleged. He said that the international airport, Cyberabad (the IT hub in Hyderabad), Outer Ring Road, Krishna river water and other major development projects in Hyderabad became a reality at his initiative. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister claimed that the TRS government did not implement its election promises, including double bedroom houses for poor. Naidu's Telugu Desam Party is part of the 'People's Front' also comprising Congress, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). Asserting that a Congress nominee would be the chief minister if the Front wins the December seven elections, he said the TDP would fully cooperate in the endeavour. Telangana Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on December 7 and the results would be declared on December 11. 'KCR had gone to Delhi many times in name of medical tests. In fact, his Delhi visits were not for any medical treatment, but to get rid of his name from that scam. KCR was directly involved in that case; there are documentary statements in that regard,' TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy said. (Photo: File) Hyderabad: Telangana grand alliance partners, namely the Congress, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) have accused caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao of colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in order to get rid of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case against him in the ESI housing scam. The grand alliance alleged that there is a nexus between Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the BJP, as when the Nationalist Democratic Alliance (NDA) came to power, Rao's name went missing from the CBI charge sheet in the alleged scam. TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy said UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who visited Telangana after four years, expressed displeasure to see a lack of development in the state in a dignified manner. He went to ask Rao why he did not pressurise Prime Minister Narendra Modi in getting things done to the state of Telangana like Tribal University. "When Rao, commonly known as KCR was a Labour Minister in the Centre, a big scam took place in the then united Andhra Pradesh. A contract for ESIC constructions was given to V Surya Narayana, who was already an accused of corruption charges. National Building Construction Company was given the contract first, later it was changed to Narayana, with the pressure of the then Labour Ministry," Reddy explained. "The CBI charge sheet is very clear. That case is still pending. However, the name of KCR was deleted from the charge sheet surprisingly. KCR had gone to Delhi many times in the name of medical tests. In fact, his Delhi visits were not for any medical treatment, but to get rid of his name from that scam. KCR was directly involved in that case; there are documentary statements in that regard," he noted. He further said that this exposes a direct nexus between Prime Minister Modi and KCR, and asked the BJP and TRS to justify why the Prime Minister had to safeguard KCR. Meanwhile, TDP Telangana President L Ramana said, "KCR has been speaking nonsense about Sonia Gandhi and Chandrababu Naidu. We had spoken of KCR's misdeeds when he was union labour minister, however, they were not heard as the Telangana agitation was at its peak. The TRS and KCR have looted public money through commissions, and are now spending that money in elections. People are saying that the TRS has already spent Rs 1,000 crores and another Rs 1,000 crores will be spent. Where did all this money come from?" Continuing their tirade against KCR, the alliance said that in Sahara case, nearly Rs 7000 crores were swindled, a portion of which, they claimed, went to KCR. "The Congress, TDP, TJS and the CPI are fighting against the misrule of TRS. In order to expose the matters of those cases, we called on this press meet," Ramana said. Retaliating to the remarks of the grand alliance, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh said the "unholy" alliance was formed to stop the BJP from gaining power in the state, and not for undertaking developmental activities. "The alliance of Congress and TDP is an unholy alliance. These parties have formed a coalition, not for the development of the country, but to stop BJP and (Prime Minister) Modi," he had said at a rally in Warangal district. The Legislative Assembly election in Telangana is scheduled to be held on December 7, while counting of votes will take place on December 11. Hyderabad: MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said Telangana state was the most progressive in India and the safest place for Muslims, Dalits and women. Addressing public meetings at Maqta Madar Sahab, Khairatabad and Musheerabad in support of TRS candidates, Mr Owaisi said that when Muslims and Dalits were targeted across India, no such incident was reported here. The MIM chief said incidents of mob lynching had sent the message that Muslims and Dalits were not citizens of the first category; you are not shareholders but the renter. Mr Owaisi said Hyderabad is free from riots and no Muslim was targeted in the name of beef. In Hyderabad any woman can return home at midnight. Muslims are safe here, he said. He said that when the MIM supported the TRS, TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy asked him to reveal details of the deal. Yes a pact was executed. We asked KCR to remove educational backwardness and the government opened more than 200 residential schools where 50,000 students are provided quality education, one lakh poor Muslim girls were helped with monetary aid on their wedding, he said. George Bush Senior dies at the age of 94 Former US President George HW Bush has died at the age of 94, his son George W Bush has announced. George Bush Sr passed away at 22:10 local time on Friday (04:10 GMT Saturday), a family spokesperson said. He served as the 41st US president between 1989 and 1993, his term defined by the end of the Cold War and the first Iraq war against Saddam Hussein. Bush's health had been failing in recent years but he still managed to make public appearances. In April, he was admitted to hospital with a blood infection but had since been discharged. President Bush died seven months after his wife, Barbara. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," his son George Bush Jr, who went on to serve as the 43rd US president, said in a statement. "[He] was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for." Who was George HW Bush? Bush Sr's single presidential term in office was dominated by foreign policy - the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. With the end of communism, Bush declared at his inauguration: "A new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn." Bush was instrumental in building the international military coalition that forced Iraq's Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. He became president after serving two terms as vice-president to Ronald Reagan - the first since 1836 to be elected from there into the top job. But despite achieving popularity ratings of 90%, Bush was accused of neglecting domestic affairs and was defeated by Bill Clinton in the 1992 election. His famous 1988 campaign promise - "Read my lips. No new taxes" - came back to haunt him when he felt compelled to reverse policy. Bush entered politics in 1964 after starting a Texan oil business and becoming a millionaire by the age of 40. During World War Two, he was an aviator before being shot down by the Japanese in September 1944 while on a bombing raid. Following his honourable discharge from the navy in 1945, Bush married then 18-year-old Barbara Pierce. Their marriage would last 73 years and they would have six children together. He is survived by five of his children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two siblings. -- bbc.com Hyderabad: An essential part of the election process is the release of manifestoes to outline the vision and ideas of the parties and what they will do if they are voted to power. The usual practice was to go to campaign on the basis of the manifestoes. Pamphlets explaining the salient features of the manifesto were distributed at public meetings. In the ongoing Assembly campaign, almost all main parties released their manifestoes in the middle of the campaign. The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti till date has not issued its manifesto. TRS chief and caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced the partys partial manifesto on October 16. Briefing the media, Mr Rao said, Since our party candidates are electioneering and facing questions from the people about what the TRS would do, we decided to announce some things for now. This in itself highlighted the importance to manifestoes. The Telugu Desam, Congress and BJP manifestoes and the Peoples Front common minimum programme are out. Asked about the delay with the TRS document, party manifesto committee chairman K. Kesava Rao said, The manifesto means what you intend to do. It can be oral or it can be written, or it can be in publicity (material). Speaking to this newspaper, the party MP said in the past the Congress had released its national-level manifesto just three days before to polling. He said there was no old system or new system as far as the release of manifestoes was concerned. The election manifesto can sometimes change the fate of political parties. In 2014, the Telugu Desam announced waiver of farm loans. YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy did not agree to match the announcement despite pressure from senior leaders. The issue sealed the fate of the party. After the results, YSRC leaders said that they could have come to power if they had announced the measure in their manifesto. The manifesto, however, is not a legally mandated document. TS Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar said there was no need for the Election Commission to release the manifesto of any political party. Speaking to this newspaper, he said that according to the Supreme Court direction political parties after releasing the manifesto have to submit three copies to the Election Commission and file an undertaking. Hyderabad: Telugu Desam president and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday termed Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao a liar. Addressing road shows in Rajendranagar constituency, he said that Mr Rao and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were known for their loose tongue. He said that fearing defeat Mr Rao and his team were targeting him. Referring to the TRS criticism that he would run Telangana state by remote control from Amaravati if the Peoples Front government was elected, he said, If the Mahakutami wins the Telangana elections, the Chief Minister will be from the Congress and the TD will extend its full support to the Chief Minister. He said the TD was contesting from only 13 constituencies and alleged that the TRS was creating fear in the name of Andhra control and Amaravati rule. Mr Naidu, who is likely stay on in the city for the campaign, made it clear that he may enter national politics but not Telangana politics. I am not greedy for power and my aim is to protect democracy which is in danger, he said. He criticised the NDA government for demonetisation, faulty implementation of GST and price rise and alleged that there was a feeling of insecurity. He said, Today, the government led by Narendra Modi is indulging in attacking political rivals. They are harassing rivals as per will. If anyone questions, (they) send the Enforcement Directorate, CBI, and income-tax. They attack the media and political leaders. By carrying out attacks on business organisations, creating fear, (they) wish to see that nobody speaks. He said one thing was common between Senior Modi (the Prime Minister) and Junior Modi (Mr Rao) and that was creating magic with words. Modi speaks well. Our KCR also speaks very well, he said. He alleged that Mr Rao had never uttered a word against attacks on minorities, SCs and STs. Addressing a road show at Kukatpally, where party candidate Nandamuri Suhasini is contesting, he clarified that he had never said that he had built Hyderabad, he had always claimed proudly of building Cyberabad. He said that the international airport, Cyberabad, Outer Ring Road, Krishna river water and other major development projects in Hyderabad had become a reality at his initiative. Mr Naidu alleged that the TRS government has failed in implementing its election promises, including 2BHK houses. One of the Naga sadhus said that they had brought the blessings of Kasi Viswanath. No one, not even BJP leaders, knew much about them, even their names. Khammam: Scores of BJP workers are flooding Khammam and Bhadradri-Kothagudem constituencies to campaign for the December 7 elections. Among the most unique campaigners were four Naga sadhus from Varanasi. The sadhus campaigned in favour of BJP candidate Uppala Sarada, blessing her and then touring along with her in a van. One of the Naga sadhus said that they had brought the blessings of Kasi Viswanath. No one, not even BJP leaders, knew much about them, even their names. While the voters were surprised at seeing the Naga sadhus. Ms Sarada said she was fortune that they had come to bless her. At Yellandu, Union minister Jual Oram said the BJP government at the Centre would give pattas to podu farmers. He said the Modi government had introduced various schemes for the welfare of the adivasis and he had constituted a commission for the development of tribals. About Rs 5,000 crore funds were allocated to the commission and they are being spent for the development of adivasis, he said, adding that BJP was the only party in India which was committed for the progress of tribals. Mr Jual Oram also said that the BJP was the first party that had adopted resolution in favour of Telangana and the statehood would not have happened without the support of the party. Hyderabad: The total money seized ahead of the December 7 touched Rs 104 crore on Saturday. With five days left to go for the elections, it exceeds the total money confiscated in undivided Andhra Pradesh in 2014 by Rs 28 crore. Rajat Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer linked this to voter apathy, saying, Money and mafia are playing a vital role in elections as voters are not playing their role. Elsewhere, he warned that equipment would be seized if any ad was displayed on electronic media in favour of a candidate or a party without clearance from Media Certification and Monitoring Committee. He appealed to voters to participate in the democratic process. If any one offers cash, refuse it outright. From our side, we are working hard to control the role of money and mafia, he said. He lamented that a sizeable chunk of the educated and urban voters were not going to the booths, thereby letting democracy down. In rural areas, the voting was reaching 80 to 90 per cent. He said the Election Commission had given a thrust to help people with disabilities (PwDs) cast their vote. Hyderabad: Caretaker minister K.T. Rama Rao on Saturday cautioned that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao would interfere in AP politics, if required, to teach AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu a befitting lesson. Even ants will not tolerate if anyone pokes a stick into their anthill. Likewise, since Mr Naidu is trying to interfere in political matters here, KCR would, if need be, return the act in the same measure, Mr Rama Rao told a Mana Hyderabad, Mana Andari Hyderabad programme here on Saturday. His remarks gain significance in view of the BJPs claim that the TRS would support non-BJP non-TD parties in the 2019 AP elections. The minister said that any encroachment by Mr Naidu on Telanganas political turf would be reciprocated in the same measure or in such a way that his political career would end once and for all. Mr Naidu rated himself highly for raising two or three buildings in Hitec City, Mr Rama Rao said. By those standards, where does Mr Chandrasekhar Rao who fought for Telangana statehood and achieved it stand, he asked. No one is better than K. Chandrasekhar Rao to teach Mr Naidu a lesson and to even ensure his political end, Mr Rama Rao said. He alleged that Mr Naidu had made good use of money and the media throughout his political career. He said that when Mr Naidu made an attempt to destabilise the Telangana government by offering Rs 50 lakh to MLAs, he was thrashed and packed off to Amaravati. The minister said that this time the people would show Mr Naidu and his party their place. Decades ago in the heat of the McCarthyite period, scientist Robert Oppenheimer was being interrogated by the United States congressional committee. He was asked why did he produce the atom bomb. Oppenheimer explained it away by saying the atom bomb was a scientific experiment, a technical answer to a technical question. Yet this same man, a few months earlier, claimed in Los Alamos, when the bomb was first tested, that he had known sin. He recited a piece from the Bhagavad Gita: I am death, the conqueror of worlds. The poignant story of this great atomic scientist reveals that science often tends to be reductionist, avoiding questions of ethics, anthropology and philosophy. When science faces a crisis it has to go beyond the rigidity of paradigms and examine context and ecology. Sadly, most scientific professionals are not equipped to do this. This is what prompted British scientist John Ziman to say that the scientists know as much about science as a fish knows about hydrodynamics. It does not mean that he cannot swim. It is just that when the waters turn muddy, he is at a loss. He needs to go back to the roots, the cosmology and epistemology of a question. I am emphasising these narratives because as one confronts the issue of climate change, one sees the same syndrome of technical answers to technical questions. One senses the absence of myth, philosophy and ethics in the resolution of the problem. If there is a political issue, it is one of a hysterical nationalism, which confronts the injustices of the past rather than the responsibilities of the future. The developing nations, including India, want the industrialised West to take the major burden, claiming it is now their turn to develop. This narcissism of development blinds us to the vulnerabilities we are imposing on our own people. In this context, Gandhis ideas of Swadeshi and Swaraj go far beyond the parochial nationalism of our time. Swadeshi captured the sense of the local, the vernacular and the neighbourhood. It was a concern for the oikos and the region, a sense of what could be created and sustained locally. It was an attempt to sustain local languages, skills and livelihood, protect local competence against obsolescence. Swaraj was a more encompassing term, where the neighbourhood expressed a link with the cosmos, a care, a trusteeship of the planet, emphasising the connectivity with the world. Such a sense of interconnection was caught beautifully in a statement that British philosopher Alfred North Whitehead made during a Harvard lecture. He knocked his head gently and claimed: Gentleman, I have disturbed the most distant star. Gandhi represents a similar sense of connectivity in his idea of the oceanic circles where a dew drops and the ocean were connected through a spiralling cosmos. Here scale becomes central to morality, responsibility and trusteeship. The ideas of Swadeshi and Swaraj transcend the European parochiality of borders, of security as a grid emphasising locality, hospitality and a sense of the planetary commons. As climate change practitioners we need to go beyond idiot ideas of Gandhi as a mere luddite and see how his ideas fit seamlessly into an ethics for the future. In fact, in a more playful way, we can visit the debates between Gandhi and Tagore on the Bihar earthquake. When the earthquake struck Bihar, Gandhi first set up a relief system under Rajendra Prasad, which worked with care and efficiency. Reflecting on the earthquake, Gandhi claimed that the Bihar earthquake was a punishment for the crime of untouchability. Tagore asked Gandhi how could he confuse the moral and geological. Gandhi said he knew the difference but he was concerned with the systems of erasure and forgetting that follows a disaster. He wanted a connect between nature and man, which would lead to some moral creativity to a citizenship of responsibility and reform. This is precisely what is missing in the debates on climate change despite Pope Francis insistence that climate change was an ethical issue. Gandhi could combine the ethical, the political and the cognitive in new and experimental way. The ashram was a laboratory of the future and it is precisely such ethical and scientific experiments that the debate on climate change needs and lacks. The Gandhian paradigm can be applied creatively to climate change not by picking superficial slogans but reading it and living it out as a method. In this context, we need to borrow a philosophical distinction between the idea of system and lifeworld. A system is a statement of abstract formal properties but a lifeworld is a lived world, a world of the body and the sensorium. One needs the complementarity of both to understand the ecological problems of today. Gandhi thought of himself as a scientist; treated his body as a test tube for his moral and physiological experiments. The body becomes the site for resistance, for ethical innovations regarding consumption. Gandhi also provided a critique of the idea of progress and the concept of vulnerability so central to the understanding of disasters it resonates his concern for the last man, his idea of trusteeship as a sense of caring. Climate change has been read in arid, secular anthropocentric terms. In fact, it reminds one of the biologists Lynn Margulis comment that historians and scientists are so preoccupied with man as the centre of history and the cosmos, that she was prompted to set up a trade union to emphasise the role of bacteria in history. Margulis collaborator James Lovelock coined the idea of Gaia to capture this systemic interdependence; this needs to combine myth and science today. Climate change provides a moral challenge to India to create new experiments, to read nature and industry. The question is whether we have the courage to accept the challenge. There is something seriously wrong in the quality of our public discourse. A certain coarseness has pervasively invaded it that does little credit to our claim of being one of the oldest and most refined civilisations. People talk at each other, not to each other. Abuse, slander, malice, innuendo and below the belt diatribes, flourish. There is a brittleness in public life that recognises only absolute black and whites, cutting out all shades of grey, or doubt, or the possibility of another equally valid point of view. In short, the great art of civilised dialogue appears to be mostly dead in the worlds largest democracy. How has this come to pass? It is not something that has always been our tradition. In fact, far from it. In the 8th century CE, the great Adi Shankaracharya had emphatic differences with another scholar of great eminence, Mandana Mishra. To resolve these, they agreed to have a Shastrartha, a discourse or a dialogue. The points of divergence were fundamental. The Jagad Guru believed in the jnana marga, or the path of knowledge as the way to salvation. Mandana Mishra, was a follower of the Purva Mimamsa school of Hinduism, that believed in karma kanda, the practice of rituals as prescribed by the Vedas, as the path to redemption. But, in spite of this divide, they were willing to have a civilised dialogue. Shankaracharya even agreed to Mandana Mishras wife, Ubhaya Bharati, to be the umpire in the debate, which continued in a civilised way for weeks, with the whole of Bharat even in the days of no TV and social media following its progress by word of mouth. Mandana Mishra lost the debate, and became the Jagad Gurus most prominent follower, as did his wife. The Upanishads were a dialogue between a guru and a disciple. The Bhagavad Gita was, in many senses, a dialogue too, between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. The Brahma Sutra, which along with the Upanishads and the Gita comprises the three foundational texts of Hinduism, is not a dialogue per se, but the extensive commentaries or bhashyas written on it, are. The commentaries including the seminal one written by Shankaracharya invariably include the viewpoint of the opponent, or the one who is in disagreement. This disagreement is not disdainfully dismissed, but is sought to be countered by reason and argument. This dialogic aspect of our civilisational history is not confined only to ancient India. The great Mughal ruler, Akbar, began a series of debates under the awning of his dialogic forum, Din-i-Ilahi. In this platform, the proponents of Islam had to face the viewpoints of those of other faiths, with the ultimate aim of finding a meeting point of synthesis that would combine the best in all faiths. More recently, our freedom movement is a shining example of the primacy of civilised dialogue. The letters of Nehru and Gandhi wrote to each other show on how many vital issues the two were in disagreement, but, while these were voiced without inhibition, they were always civil. This is also seen in the letters between Nehru and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Here the ideological points of divergence were even more pronounced, but both argued their case with great respect for the other. After Independence, there was a phase when some of the finest debates took place in Parliament, where speakers with firmly entrenched views were willing to listen with respect to the opposing argument. In fact, there is the famous incident when Prime Minister Nehru, after listing to a young Atal Behari Vajpayees scathing indictment of his policies, went to congratulate Vajpayee, and even predicted that he had the material to become the PM one day. What has happened to this civility, this generosity of spirit, this ability to listen to the other with respect, even if you are emphatically in disagreement? The kind of debased vocabulary of people in public life today we get to hear is nothing short of shameful. There is no notion of linguistic restraint. The only aim is to score an immediate hit at the opponent, irrespective of the language, and the veracity of facts. Are our leaders suffering from a terminal sense of insecurity that becomes disgustingly accentuated every time an election is imminent? Or, is this kind of discourse par for the course? Is political acrimony even rivalry so great that it removes all barriers to public civility? Is there a lack of political supervision, or even worse, is there complicity on the part of those who are in a position to counsel their subordinates to speak in a more dignified manner? The worst aspect of this situation is that one undignified jibe, provokes another of the same ilk, until the entire national discourse is hijacked by linguistic anarchy. The malaise is contagious. When our political leaders are culpable in taking discourse to its lowest common denominator, TV channels do the same. Or, perhaps it is the TV discussions that influence the public discourse. There are very few TV channels where one can watch a civilised discussion. Most have fallen prey to shouting matches, with panellists outdoing each other in the simultaneous display of lung power, with full encouragement of the anchor. The social media, while certainly democratising public debate, has also legitimised abuse. The press of a button on your mobile phone can send into cyber space filthy expletives and innuendoes, and trigger hate campaigns and troll armies amplifying this garbage. There are honourable exceptions to this narrative who need to be lauded. Nitish Kumar is one such person, and I dont need to say this because I belong to the same party. Not once have I heard him using undignified language, and that sets the template for those who are his spokespersons too. Such examples need to be replicated. All of us need to reflect on what can be done, before we go further down the drain of the endless name-calling that goes about in the name of public debate. At a personal level, I, along with some others, have set up a public platform called Shastrartha, whose sole aim is to further, through public programmes, the dying art of civilised dialogue. We seek your support and participation. If you wish to know more about this I am always available. In the last year and a half, batches of farmers have arrived in the nations capital as many as four times to draw the attention of Parliament and the government to the crisis in agriculture and to the miserable lives they lead. Tens of thousands of farmers, from practically every corner of India, marched on the streets of New Delhi on Friday to highlight the very difficult conditions of their lives, and to underscore that the crisis in Indian agriculture is for real, but the government wasnt listening. No official functionary came forward to formally take note of the agriculturists demands or offer assurances in any form, once again underlining that the countrys policy-making elite do not really include agriculture in their overall calculus in any dynamic manner, ready to look at structural questions and make the necessary adjustments for unfavourable events that impact output and incomes. This makes the 60 per cent of the population that resides in the rural areas a mass to be remembered only at election time, and even then to be appealed to principally in the name of caste or religion. Promises regarding livelihood betterment are made during elections but seldom kept. In 2014, the BJP and its candidate for Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, promised the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations, the principal of which is that prices of agricultural commodities should be set 50 per cent higher than the comprehensive cost of production. First the Narendra Modi government told the Supreme Court it was unable to do this. Next it publicly claimed it had met its promise. But farmers complain that even partial announcements made lie unimplemented. In the absence of irrigation and other infrastructural budgetary outlays, the commitment of the Modi government in Parliament and outside to double farm incomes by 2022 is so obviously a chunavi jumla, or enticing statement to catch votes, an expression given currency by BJP president Amit Shah. In the last year and a half, batches of farmers have arrived in the nations capital as many as four times to draw the attention of Parliament and the government to the crisis in agriculture and to the miserable lives they lead. So serious has become the suicide rate among farmers that the National Crime Records Bureau has, since 2016, stopped issuing suicide statistics for this category. Given the magnitude of the crisis, the farmers who sought to address Parliament earlier this week have demanded a three-week special session of Parliament to discuss the farm sector threadbare and arrive at key policy recommendations. Whether this is done or not, it is evident that indifference is no longer an option. Higher farm prices and freedom from indebtedness, which leads to suicide, through a one-time loan waiver has become inescapable. Key Opposition parties, including the Congress, joined the farmers in protest, trying to set the stage for the next Lok Sabha election. But let them make a small beginning from the states they administer. Is the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) dragging its feet on its audit reports on demonetisation and the Rafale deal to save the Modi sarkar some blushes before the general elections? Several retired bureaucrats seem to think so and have written to the CAG Rajiv Mehrishi expressing concerns over the delay. According to sources, among the signatories to the letter are former IPS officer and ex-DGP of Punjab Julio Ribeiro, former IAS officer turned social activist Aruna Roy, former Pune Police commissioner Meeran Borwankar, former CEO of Prasar Bharti Jawahar Sircar, former envoy to Italy K.P. Fabian, senior bureaucrat V. Ramani, and many officers from Central and all India services. They have urged the CAG to table the reports on demonetisation and the Rafale deal in the winter session of Parliament. However, some whispers suggest that the CAG will release the Rafale report in December, but officially there is no clarity on when the reports will actually be released. Previous audit reports of the CAG have vastly influenced public perception of the government, hence the growing concern about the CAGs silence on these issues. The general election, after all, is barely six months away now. For better governance In a move to take governance closer to the public, but one that may raise questions on federalism, the Modi sarkar is planning to set up Central secretariats in all state capitals to house its offices. These secretariats will ensure ease of business for the public and faster interaction between departments and ministries. Usually, state governments have their own secretariats where offices of different departments are housed, but there is no centralised space for Central government offices in the states. The plan is to develop dedicated zones in state capitals to house Central government offices along the lines of the Central Secretariat and the CGO complex in Delhi. According to sources, the government is moving with speed on the proposal. After the discussion in the Cabinet, a formal proposal was sent by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) to the central public works department (CPWD), which has been entrusted with identifying land that can be used. The director-general of the CPWD, Prabhakar Singh, has now sought details from zonal officials about the requirement of available land for office space with it. Different strokes Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnaviss government has been stern with its babus, penalising those who overstay in their government accommodation. But the rule is not binding for all babus, it appears. It has emerged that the Fadnavis sarkar has been benevolent to 15 bureaucrats, including 12 IAS and three IPS officers, who have been allowed to flout the rule imposed on their peers. Some senior babus including IPS officer Rashmi Shukla and Surendra Bagade have been posted out of the government but allowed to retain their accommodation. Similarly, Vinit Agarwal, Baldev Singh and Sanjay Chahande have been allowed to retain their official residences even though they are on Central deputation. Some officers like J.P. Dange and V. Giriraj have not vacated their residences even after retirement. Others like K.P. Bakshi and Dilip Jadav have been reappointed after retirement and therefore allowed to retain their official residences. Not surprisingly, by playing favourites it has caused much heartburn and resentment within the state babu circles. In the past four years, sources say, while the Fadnavis government has amended rules to levy stiff penalty on those not vacating the allotted flats after the period ends, it has also gone out on a limb to overlook the transgressions by those considered close to the powers that be. Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot has his task cut out to bring his party back to power in the state. With less than a week left for polling, Mr Pilot takes time out from his hectic campaigning schedule and speaks to Ashhar Khan. Polling is just around the corner. How do you see the chances of the Congress? It is not for me to say but for you to see. I have seen several elections in the state but the desire of the people to replace the current government is acute. Never in the history of the state has the public been so disenchanted. We, that is the Congress, has been the principal Opposition party in the state, we have held yatras, dharnas and rallies against the anti-people policies of the state government. But in its arrogance, the state government paid no heed to the issues of the people at large raised by us. So now it is clear from every nook and corner of Rajasthan that the Congress will form the government on December 11 when the results are announced. Our template is very simple deliver what you promise and take everybody along on the path of progress and development. This will ensure that we decimate the BJP in the state. The Congress did not manage to sew up an alliance with the BSP in the state. Does it bother you? Well, we have given five seats to our alliance partners in the state. These include Ajit Singh jis RLD, Sharad Yadav jis party and the NCP. This rainbow coalition will easily defeat the NDA. The fact of the matter is that the current chief minister Vasundhara Raje ji has betrayed the trust of the people of Rajasthan even after getting a huge mandate. People have decided to vote for the Congress and it is not merely anti-incumbency. It is a positive vote on the basis of the hope that people have from us. We have reached out to people in every booth and heard their grievances. The Congress has done the Mera Booth Mera Gaurav programme in 196 constituencies. We have done district-level meetings, Sankalp Rallies, roadshows, farmers rallies. Rahul Gandhi has visited the state several times. It is now amply clear that the people want the Congress firmly back at the helm in the state. The top national leaders of the BJP are campaigning. Some of them are raking up the issue of the Ram Temple. Do you think they are trying to polarise the state? The BJP realises that it does not have answers to the questions being raised by the people. Attempts (to polarise) will always be there because these are desperate times for the BJP. They will leave nothing to chance, they will try and polarise, they will try and communalise, they will rake up issues of irrelevance and twist statements. The young generation of today wants opportunities and the days of communal and caste politics are gone. If you remember that there was a parliamentary by-election in Alwar earlier this year, the BJP tried to polarise once again. The result was that its candidate lost by over two lakh votes. You were at the forefront of the farmers agitation in the state. How do you propose to solve the problems of farmers when you come to power? Presently there is a lot of stress on the farming community. This includes farmers, landless farmers, farm workers and labourers. Also the ancillary industries associated with it. This has been aggravated by the hasty roll out of the GST or Gabbar Singh Tax and Demonetisation. As it is, the farming community was facing hardships and this has come as a rude shock to them. I have been touring the state intensively. There is no district or town that I have not visited, the situation is the same for farmers all along. The BJP in its manifesto had promised Minimum Support Price plus 50 per cent. Now where is the MSP and where is the 50 per cent. The farmer is not getting a fair price for his yield so how does he pay for his expenses? If you go and see our manifesto you will see a detailed roadmap for agriculture and farmers. We have to give them relief from the financial crisis that farmers are currently facing in Rajasthan. But it has to be done right in the beginning and the whole ecosystem of access to credit and market, agricultural imports, seeds, fertilisers and technology has to be recalibrated. We will do that as soon as we take charge in Rajasthan. You have now been the party chief in the state for almost five years. Do you see changes in the fortunes of the Congress? When I started out, in the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, the difference between the BJP and us as far as vote share is concerned was 26 per cent. Presently, after the local body elections and the by-elections of the Parliament and the state Assembly that were recently concluded, we have bridged the gap. I want to tell the BJP that propaganda and advertisements can only take you so far. As far as the BJP is concerned, they have nothing to show for their five years in power. Apart from farmer issues, your state Rajasthan has become a hotbed of violence in the name of Gau Raksha and hate crimes. Whats your take? Unfortunately, certain incidents have taken place that have raised a lot of questions on the state of law and order prevailing under the present BJP government in Rajasthan. This is nothing but a complete failure of the state government for not reining in the fringe elements. In fact, it seems that the chief minister Vasundhra ji is not being able to control these elements or they have a tacit understanding with these groups who are loosely attached to the ruling dispensation. In both cases, the state government has much to answer as these incidents are reported internationally and it brings negative effects on our tourism and business sentiment. Usually the Prime Minister does an action packed last round of campaigning that tilts the scales in favour of the BJP. How are you going to counter that? Well, both the Prime Minister and the BJP national president are campaigning in the state. The fact remains that they have to answer to the people about the track record of the Vasundhara Raje government. You cannot attack the Congress here because at some point he has to defend the CMs record. Her report card is there for people to see. When Amit Shah ji comes to Rajasthan, he knows that he has no way of defending Vasundhara jis report card of five years. Therefore, alleging things about other parties is a very common tool of the BJP, as they have no answers for the current CMs five years of misgovernance. For 75 days, the BJP in Rajasthan was headless because Amit Shah and Vasundhara Raje couldnt agree on the name for the partys state president. So all this last minute heavy artillery by the BJP will not break much ice with Rajasthan voters. NASA's contracts with the companies require them to maintain a program for achieving a drug and alcohol free workforce. NASA is clear about its approach to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and marijuana. The two organizations are collaborating to fly astronauts to the International Space Station. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that Musk is committed to safety as anybody and he understands that smoking pot publicly was not appropriate. He further that Musk won't be seen doing that again, Cnet reported. Musk irked NASA when he appeared on a podcast last month smoking pot. The space agency then initiated a review of the workplace cultures of both SpaceX and Boeing. NASA's contracts with the companies require them to maintain a program for achieving a drug and alcohol free workforce. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. US firms PayPal, Google, Facebook and Amazon, and Chinas Alibaba and Tencent currently dominate such services in Europe. The European Central Bank launched on Friday a new system aimed at letting banks settle payments instantly across Europe, helping them to compete with PayPal and other global tech giants. Developed in just over a year, the ECBs TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) system will let people and companies in Europe transfer euros to each other within seconds and regardless of the opening hours of their local bank. US firms PayPal, Google, Facebook and Amazon, and Chinas Alibaba and Tencent currently dominate such services in Europe. This has worried European policymakers in recent months following a string of cyber attacks on financial infrastructure and fractious economic and diplomatic ties with US President Donald Trump. So far, however, just eight mostly medium- or small-sized banks from Spain, Germany and France have signed up. We need to address the reasons for the scarcity of major European players in the payments market, ECB director Yves Mersch said unveiling TIPS in Frascati, Italy. If there is a lack of investment capacity...we should not shy away from pooling resources and volumes and creating bigger players. A spokesman for PayPal said the firm welcomed TIPS and called for more collaboration across the payments industry. Similar ECB efforts have not always gone well. Its platform for settling financial transactions has not reached the expected volumes, forcing the central bank to raise fees by a half. The first payment via TIPS took place on Friday between a customer of Spains CaixaBank and one of French bank Natixis, the ECB said. Spains BBVA is the only banking giant to have joined so far. The other participants are Spains Abanca Corporacion Bancaria, Banco de Credito Social Cooperativo and Caja Laboral Popular Cooperativa de Credito, and Germanys Berlin Hyp and Teambank. Payments take 10 seconds or less to process and cost the payment provider a fifth of a euro cent, or 0.002 euro. TIPS is open only to providers that have an account at a central bank connected to the euro zones TARGET 2 network, meaning it is effectively restricted to European Union banks. It will settle transactions only in euros at first, but the ECB said it can support other currencies too if there is demand. The platform was developed by the Banca dItalia - in cooperation with the central banks of Germany, France and Spain - which is now also managing it. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Marriott said for 327 million guests, compromised data could include passport details, phone numbers and email addresses. For some others, it could include credit card information. Marriott International confirmed this week that hackers managed to steal about 500 million records from its Starwood Hotels reservation system in an attack that began four years ago. The attack exposed personal data of customers including some payment card numbers. The hack began in 2014, before Marriott offered to buy Starwood for $12.2 billion in November 2015, acquiring brands including Sheraton, Ritz Carlton and the Autograph Collection to create the worlds largest hotel operator. The company closed the Starwood deal in September 2016. Marriott said for 327 million guests, compromised data could include passport details, phone numbers and email addresses. For some others, it could include credit card information. Marriott said it first found out about the breach after an internal security tool sent an alert on Sept. 8. Marriott said it would inform affected guests about the breach, starting Friday, and that it had reported it to law enforcement and regulatory authorities. John Shier, senior security advisor for Sophos commented on the hack by stating, "The potential fallout from the Marriotts Starwood data breach should be alarming to anyone who has stayed at a Starwood property in the last 4 years. Not only are guests at risk for opportunistic phishing attacks, but targeted phishing emails are almost certain, as well as phone scams and potential financial fraud. Unlike previous breaches, this attack also included passport numbers for some individuals who are now at increased risk for identity theft. At this point, however, it's unclear what level of exposure each individual victim has been subject to. Until then, all potential victims should assume the worst and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from all manner of scams. Sophos recommends these tips: Be on alert for spearphishing: Marriott has said that personal details associated with the Starwood Preferred Guests accounts have been compromised, and personal email addresses are vulnerable. This creates the perfect scenario for cybercriminals to actually spearphish consumers because they have this type of detailed information Be on alert for opportunistic phishing: Marriott has said it will email Starwood Preferred Guests those who may be impacted. Do not click on links in emails or other communication that seem to have come from Marriott or Starwood hotels. Its possible that criminals will try to take advantage of this by sending malicious tweets or phishing emails that look like theyve come from the company. Hover over URLs and links to see the address before you click. Look at the email address to see where it is from Monitor your financial accounts: Reports indicate the attackers may have access to some members encrypted credit card information, but its not clear as of yet if this information can be decrypted; in general, monitor your credit card for suspicious activity. As a safety precaution, change the password to your online credit card account. If you use the same password for similar financial management websites, immediately change the password on those websites. As a best security practice, always choose a different, strong password for each sensitive account Change passwords, as a precaution: Its not clear as of yet if the attackers have access to Starwood Preferred Guest account passwords, but as a safety precaution, consumers can change their password. If this password is also used for any financial accounts, change those immediately. Monitor your Starwood Preferred Guest account for suspicious activity Dont Google Web Watcher: Marriott is offering victims in the USA, UK and Canada a free, one year subscription to something it calls WebWatcher, which it describes as a service that monitors "internet sites where personal information is shared." Don't Google it. If you Google WebWatcher you won't find the monitoring service, you'll find lots of links to spyware of the same name. Don't sign up for that. Do follow the links to country-specific versions of the official breach site. You cannot sign up for monitoring from the main breach page, you have to go to the all-but-identical versions of the page for the US, UK or Canada. With inputs from Reuters. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Methodically inspecting Butler's winter wheat crop for weeds and pests, the laborer doesn't complain or even break a sweat. That's because it's a four-wheel robot dubbed "Tom" that uses GPS, artificial intelligence and smartphone technology to digitally map the field. (Photo: AP) Faced with seesawing commodity prices and the pressure to be more efficient and environmentally friendly, farmer Jamie Butler is trying out a new worker on his 450-acre farm in England's Hampshire countryside. Methodically inspecting Butler's winter wheat crop for weeds and pests, the laborer doesn't complain or even break a sweat. That's because it's a four-wheel robot dubbed "Tom" that uses GPS, artificial intelligence and smartphone technology to digitally map the field. Tom's creator, the Small Robot Company, is part of a wave of "agri-tech" startups working to transform production in a sector that is under economic strain due to market pressures to keep food cheap, a rising global population and the uncertainties of climate change. Most robots are still only being tested, but they offer a glimpse of how automation will spread from manufacturing plants into rural areas. "If we can keep our costs to an absolute minimum by being on the leading edge of technologies as one method of doing that, then that's a really, really good thing," said Butler, one of 20 British farmers enlisted in a yearlong trial. Next year, the British startup plans to start testing two more robots controlled by an artificial intelligence system that will work alongside Tom, autonomously doing precision "seeding, feeding and weeding." The aim is to drastically cut down on fertilizer and pesticide use to lower costs and boost profits for struggling farmers. As such, it not only helps economically, but it also lowers the environmental impact of farming. "What we're doing is stuff that people can't do," said Ben Scott-Robinson, co-founder of the Small Robot Company . "It's not physically possible for a farmer to go round and check each individual plant and then treat that plant individually. That's only possible when you have something as tireless as a robot and as focused and accurate as an AI to be able to achieve that." Commercial sales of the full, multi-robot system is still years away, with larger-scale testing planned for 2021. They represent the next step in the evolution of automation for farms. Self-driving tractors and robotic milking machines have been in use for years and, more recently, unmanned aerial drones that monitor crops have gone into service. Eventually, farms "will be able to automate virtually everything," said Tim Chambers, a fruit farmer who's not involved in the trial. Some jobs are harder to automate, such as harvesting delicate raspberries or strawberries by hand, but even that is coming, said Chambers, a member of Britain's National Farmers Union. Florida's Harvest Croo Robotics, Spain's Agrobot , Britain's Dogtooth Technologies and Belgium's Octinion are all developing berry-picking bots. California startup Iron Ox and Japan's Spread grow vegetables in automated indoor farms. Bosch startup Deepfield Robotics is working on a weeding robot that punches them into the ground. Last year, British researchers planted, monitored, tended and harvested a barley crop using only autonomous machines, in what they said was a world first. A more fundamental problem "will be the cost of building those robots and the research that has to go into making them," Chambers said. The low cost of air freight could still make it cheaper to, for example, fly in fruit from other countries where labor is cheaper, he said. To ease financial pressure on farmers reluctant to make big one-off investments in equipment, the Small Robot Company plans to sell its services as a monthly subscription, charging 600 pounds ($765) per hectare a year. With a bright orange 3D-printed body, and beefy all-terrain wheels, Tom resembles an oversized roller skate. Their light weight means these robots won't compact soil the way tractors do, Scott-Robinson said. On Butler's farm, Tom trundles along crop rows taking hundreds of thousands of high-resolution pictures during the growing season. The images are fed to Wilma, the artificial intelligence platform, which is being trained to tell the difference between wheat and weeds. In 2019, the company will start trials for two more robots, Dick and Harry. Dick will deliver fertilizer directly to soil around roots, instead of wasteful blanket spraying, and use a laser or micro-spray chemicals to kill weeds. Harry will insert seeds into the earth at a uniform depth and spacing, eliminating the need for tractors to plow furrows. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The first day of the G20 summit offered glimmers of hope for progress between Washington and Beijing despite Trump's earlier threat of new tariffs, which would increase tensions already weighing on global financial markets.(Photo: AFP) Buenos Aires: US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will wrap up a global summit today with high-stakes talks expected to determine whether they can begin defusing a damaging trade war between the world's two biggest economies. With the United States and China locked in growing disputes over commerce and security that have raised questions about the future of their relationship, Trump and Xi are due to sit down for dinner at the end of a two-day gathering of world leaders in Buenos Aires. The first day of the G20 summit offered glimmers of hope for progress between Washington and Beijing despite Trump's earlier threat of new tariffs, which would increase tensions already weighing on global financial markets. But on the eve of what is seen as the most important meeting of US and Chinese leaders in years, both sides said differences remained, and the outcome of the talks were uncertain. This year's summit has proved to be a major test for the Group of 20 industrialized nations, whose leaders first met in 2008 to help rescue the global economy from the worst financial crisis in seven decades. With a rise in nationalist sentiment in many countries, the G20, which accounts for two-thirds of the global population, faces doubts over its ability to deal with trade tensions and other geopolitical differences among. G20 nations were still struggling to agree on the wording for the summit's communique on major issues including trade, migration and climate change, which in past years have been worked out well in advance. Looming large at the summit is the trade fight between the United States and China, which have imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars on each other's imports after Trump began an effort to correct what he views as China's unfair commercial practices. With the trade war weighing on the global economy, world financial markets are hanging on every development and will be watching closely to see if any compromise can be struck between Trump and Xi. The meeting will also be a test of the personal chemistry between the two leaders, which Trump has hailed as a warm friendship. Another big unknown, however, may be Trump's personal unpredictability and his penchant for injecting drama into his appearances on the world stage. A deal would be good Trump was typically coy on Friday even as he noted some positive signs. "We're working very hard. If we could make a deal that would be good. I think they want to. I think we'd like to. We'll see," he said, speaking during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. A Chinese foreign ministry official in Buenos Aires said there were signs of increasing consensus ahead of the discussions but that differences persisted. Beijing hopes to persuade Trump to abandon plans to hike tariffs on USD 200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 per cent in January, from 10 per cent at present. Trump has threatened to go ahead with that and possibly add tariffs on USD 267 billion of imports if there is no progress in the talks. Trump has long railed against China's trade surplus with the United States and Washington accuses Beijing of not playing fairly on trade. China calls the United States protectionist and has resisted what it views as attempts to intimidate it. The two countries are also at odds militarily over China's extensive claims in the South China Sea and US warship movements through the highly sensitive Taiwan Strait. Xi and leaders from the BRICS group of leading emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - called in a statement on Friday for open international trade and a strengthening of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Trump cited Russia's seizure of Ukrainian ships last week as the reason he canceled a planned bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the summit also raised an awkward dilemma for leaders, and Saudi Arabia's de facto leader cut a lonely figure standing at the edge of the G20 family photo on Friday. Prince Mohammed arrived under swirling controversy over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Saudi Arabia has said the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder. Human Rights Watch asked Argentine prosecutors to investigate him for human rights abuses. The USMCA - the new NAFTA trade agreement - was signed in Buenos Aires on November 30, 2018 by (L to R) Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (Photo: AFP) Washington: The leaders of the United States, Mexico and Canada on Friday signed a huge regional trade deal to replace the old NAFTA, denounced by President Donald Trump as a killer of US jobs. "This is a model agreement that changes the trade landscape forever," Trump said at the signing ceremony in Buenos Aires, on the sidelines of a G20 leaders' summit. Trump said negotiating the deal known in Washington as the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, had seen the leaders take "a lot of barbs and a little abuse." But he insisted that the "incredible milestone" would aid US workers, especially in the auto industry, while putting in place "intellectual property protection that will be the envy of nations all around the world." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was less effusive about the renegotiated pact, but said the USMCA would resolve the threat of "serious economic uncertainty" that "would have gotten more damaging." While praising the "historic" nature of the deal, Trudeau also told Trump that the progress gave "all the more reason why we need to keep working to remove the tariffs on steel and aluminium between our countries." Mexican President Pena Nieto, on his last day in office, called the revamped version of NAFTA important in shoring up "the view of an integrated North America with the firm belief that together we are stronger and more competitive." For Trump -- whose G20 diplomacy is overshadowed by legal troubles back home and his abrupt cancellation of a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin -- the signing was a victory. He said he did not foresee a problem in getting congressional approval. "It's been so well reviewed I dont expect to have very much of a problem," Trump said. On Saturday, he will meet with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to address the trade war triggered by Trump's insistence on China ending what he says have been decades of unfair trade practices. - 'Polluting legacy' - While the leaders presented a united front, Trump's tearing up of the old NAFTA, which he has repeatedly ridiculed, was a shock to the system that prompted months of severe tensions between the long-peaceful neighbours. Trump himself acknowledged that it hadn't been easy, but said "battles sometimes make great friendships." Even at the signing ceremony, there were echoes of the uncomfortable background to the USMCA, which Trump has made exhibit number one in his case to voters that he is putting "America first." All three leaders stood at lecturns adorned with the US presidential seal, with Trump taking the middle position. But while Trump proudly refers to the USMCA -- a title that again puts the United States in the leading position -- Trudeau pointedly called the deal being signed the "new North American Free Trade Agreement" and the "modernising NAFTA." Mexico has its own version in Spanish, accentuating its name first. For the Sierra Club, a US environmentalist group, the "hastily sealed" deal will promote Trump's "polluting legacy for years after he leaves office (via) special handouts to corporate polluters like Chevron and ExxonMobil." But in a statement, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the updated pact "marks a critical step in modernising and rebalancing North American trade." "The new agreement secures strong outcomes for farmers, ranchers, businesses, and workers across North America, including in areas such as auto manufacturing and intellectual property." Their embrace comes amid reports that Russia and Saudi Arabia have reached a pact to cut oil production when the OPEC cartel meets on December 6 in Vienna, to help shore up collapsing crude prices. (Photo: AFP) Buenos Aires: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman showed himself to be no pariah Friday at the G20 summit, with a beaming Vladimir Putin welcoming him but European leaders warning him over the killing of a dissident journalist. Less than two months after Saudi Arabia outraged allies when a hit team murdered Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, Prince Mohammed flew into Buenos Aires to take his place among leaders of the top 20 global economies, a sign that he intends to remain firmly in charge. In an image that quickly went viral online, Russian President Putin and the 33-year-old prince grinned broadly and gave each other an effusive handshake as if they were long-lost friends reunited at the G20. High five between Russia's President Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman at the G20https://t.co/q0Z9qmye51 pic.twitter.com/uVC4pfggwu BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 30, 2018 Their embrace comes amid reports that Russia and Saudi Arabia have reached a pact to cut oil production when the OPEC cartel meets on December 6 in Vienna, to help shore up collapsing crude prices. Kirill Dmitriev, the chief of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, told reporters that Putin would meet the prince Saturday and discuss boosting Saudi Arabia's USD 2 billion investment in Russia. But the prince appeared to receive a more critical reception from French President Emmanuel Macron, who was overheard on a microphone voicing concerns. "Don't worry," Prince Mohammed is heard saying in English to the French leader, who responds, "I do worry. I am worried." The clip was partially inaudible and the context of the exchange was not entirely clear. But it received wide traction on social media, with Macron telling the prince, "You never listen to me," to which Prince Mohammed replies, "I will listen, of course." The French presidency said that Macron spoke to the prince about the killing of Khashoggi and the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen, where millions are on the brink of starvation in what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Macron told the prince that Europeans wanted international investigators to take part in the probe on Khashoggi's death and stressed "the necessity of a political solution in Yemen," the Elysee Palace said. The prince was also seen chatting with President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka, although in a nod to US domestic outrage over Saudi Arabia, the White House downplayed the encounter. "They exchanged pleasantries at the leaders' session as he did with nearly every leader in attendance," a senior White House official said. Trump, meanwhile, said "we had no discussion. We might, but we had none." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, however, separately met with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, the State Department said. Until Khashoggi's killing, Trump had been an unabashed fan of the prince as the young leader who portrays himself as a reformist consolidated power and detained prominent Saudis, with the heir apparent forging a particularly close relationship with Ivanka's husband Jared Kushner. Trump has since voiced sadness over the killing of Khashoggi, who lived in the United States and wrote for The Washington Post. But, in an exclamation point-heavy statement before the summit, Trump said it did not matter whether Prince Mohammed knew about Khashoggi's death because Saudi Arabia was important for US business and for its hostility to Iran. The US Senate nonetheless moved this week to end support for the Saudi-led war against rebels in Yemen amid outrage over attacks on civilian sites including a school bus and hospitals. British Prime Minister Theresa May, speaking to Sky News before the summit, said she would press the crown prince both on Yemen and Khashoggi at the G20. "The Saudi Arabians need to ensure that their investigation is a full investigation, that it's credible, that it's transparent, and that people can have confidence in the outcome of it, and that those responsible are held to account," May said. The de facto Saudi ruler got a warmer audience in Buenos Aires with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who "firmly supports" Riyadh's reform drive, the Xinhua news agency reported. China "will continue to stick together with the Arab country on issues involving their core interests," Xinhua quoted Xi as telling the prince. A 48-year-old doctor killed his mother and sister by injecting an high-dosage of insulin and tried to commit suicide in the same manner at their residence in Bengaluru late on Friday night. The deceased have been identified as Mookambika (75) and her daughter Shyamala (40). Mookambikas son Dr Govind Prakash has been admitted to a private hospital and is said to be critical, the police said. The family were staying at Ideal Homes layout in Rajarajeshwari Nagar. The police suspect that it could be a suicide pact as a suicide note written by Dr Govind states that all three decided to end their lives as they were suffering from migraines and disk prolapse. The letter also states that no one is responsible for their death. An overdose of insulin kills a person and it is a very old tactic, said Dr Sharda A, a consultant Endocrinologist at Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru. If you inject a high dose of insulin, the sugar level comes down drastically and glucose is required to revive the person. If the person is denied of any glucose, the persons health deteriorates as the brain requires sugar to function. High dosage of insulin kills the person in minutes, Dr Sharda added. The incident came to light on Saturday morning when Dr Govinds father Subbiah Bhatt saw his wife and daughter lying motionless and his son behaving abnormally. With help from neighbours, Bhatt rushed his son to a hospital. The neighbours later informed the police who shifted Mookambikas and Shyamalas bodies to Victoria Hospital. Preliminary investigation has revealed that Dr Govind had stopped medical practice two months ago and was at home taking care of his ailing mother and sister. Dr Govind was an MD, a general physician and a diabetes specialist, the police said. Shyamala was a divorcee and though she had graduated in law, she was not practising, the police said. The Rajarajeshwari Nagar police have considered the incident a case of murder and are awaiting Govinds recovery to record his statement. Further investigations are underway. A 39-year-old software engineer who returned from London to the city after 17 years has gone missing since November 9. A day after his missing, the family of Prasanna Raghavendra had filed a complaint with the Banashankari police. Prasannas family said the techie, who lives in Banashankari Second Stage, went for a walk at the Lakshmikanth park near Padmanabhanagar around 8 pm and did not return. His wife Hamsa later received a text message saying Prasanna has been kidnapped. The message also warned the family not to approach the police, assuring them that further communication will be made the next morning. Another message the next morning told Hamsa that her husband was unharmed and would soon return home. Hamsas calls to Prasannas mobile phone only returned the message that it was switched off. The communications were in Hindi. Preliminary inquiries by the Banashankari police revealed that Prasanna was injured after falling from a flight of stairs a week before his disappearance. He posted a YouTube video three days before going missing that he injured his head while falling from the stairways and lost his eyesight. He said he visited Manthralaya with his uncle and found his eyesight restored after receiving blessings there. I got my eyesight back when doctors lost hope on me, Prasanna had said in the video. Prasanna and Hamsa have two daughters respectively aged eight and four. Having spent 17 years in the UK, the techie had returned home only last year. A senior police officer further added that Prasanna wanted to take a years break before launching a start-up company of his own. A police team that set off to trace Prasanna has found that the techie had stayed in a lodge in Karwar for two days and paid Rs 2000. Were trying our best to track him down, the police added. India, Japan and the US have agreed that a "free, open, inclusive and rules-based" order is essential for the Indo-Pacific's peace and prosperity as the leaders from the three countries held a trilateral meeting for the first time, amidst China flexing its muscles in the strategic region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a "very good" and "friendly" meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit on Friday, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said. "JAI (Japan, America, India) trilateral marks the coming together of three friendly nations. Today's historic JAI meeting was a great beginning. PM @AbeShinzo, @POTUS and I held fruitful talks aimed at furthering connectivity, maritime cooperation and a stable Indo-Pacific," Modi tweeted after the meeting. Asserting that India will "continue to work together on shared values," he said, "When you look at the acronym of our three countries -- Japan, America, and India -- it is 'JAI', which stands for success in Hindi." The prime minister said the 'JAI' meeting was a convergence of vision between the three nations. "This is a very good occasion for the three countries -- countries which have shared values, democratic values...We will continue to play a big role together for world peace, prosperity and stability," he said. Modi underscored India's firm commitment to make the Indo Pacific a region for shared economic growth and common prosperity. The prime minister articulated five action points that would serve the common interest of promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. He assured all countries of the inclusiveness and openness of this framework and highlighted the importance of working jointly in areas such as connectivity, sustainable development, disaster relief, maritime security and unfettered mobility. Modi also underlined the importance of building consensus on an architecture in the Indo-Pacific region based on principles of mutual benefit and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Foreign Secretary Gokhale later told reporters that the three leaders exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific. "They all agreed that a free, open, inclusive and rules-based order is essential for the regions peace and prosperity," Gokhale said. He said Prime Minister Modi offered some ideas on how to take forward the concept of the Indo-Pacific, how the three countries can work together to promote this concept. "Prime Minister, in particular, felt that it is necessary for the three countries to reach out to all the stakeholders to explain the benefit of the Indo-Pacific strategy and their advantages to these countries," the Indian diplomat said. The Japanese premier said he was happy to participate in "the first ever 'JAI' meeting" and hope that it would reinforce the trilateral partnership and its close cooperation "towards realising a free and open Indo-Pacific". "By having three of us working together, we'll bring more prosperity and more stability in the region, as well as globally," Abe said. Appreciating India's growth story during the meet, Trump said, "The relationships between our three countries is extremely good and extremely strong...with India, maybe stronger than ever...We are doing very well together. We are doing a lot of trade together. We are doing a lot of defences together, a lot of military purchases." The leaders emphasised the importance of cooperation among the three countries on all major issue of global and multilateral interests such as connectivity, sustainable development, counterterrorism and maritime and cybersecurity. The trilateral meeting took place at a time when China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and with Japan in the East China Sea. Both the areas are said to be rich in minerals, oil and other natural resources. China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims in the waterway, which includes vital sea lanes through which about USD 3 trillion in global trade passes each year. The US has been conducting regular patrols in the South China Sea to assert freedom of navigation in the area where Beijing has built up and militarised many of the islands and reefs it controls in the region. Prime Minister Modi, in his keynote address at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore in June, expounded India's stand on the strategic Indo-Pacific region. "India does not see the Indo-Pacific Region as a strategy or as a club of limited members. Nor as a grouping that seeks to dominate. And by no means do we consider it as directed against any country. A geographical definition, as such, cannot be," he had said. Modi, Trump and Abe also agreed to cooperate in various ways and together with other countries. The leaders agreed on the central role of ASEAN and they also agreed to work on maritime and connectivity issues and to synergize efforts in this regard, Gokhale said. All three leaders felt that such meetings are useful and they should continue in the margins of the subsequent G20 meetings, he said, adding that the outcome of this first trilateral has been "very encouraging." White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement that the trilateral summit "reaffirmed the importance of the free and open Indo-Pacific vision for global stability and prosperity, and pledged to deepen trilateral cooperation." Noting that 2018 had been a good year for India-China relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday expressed hope that the 2019 would be even better. Modi and Xi had a bilateral meeting on the sideline of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires on Friday. They reviewed the progress India and China made in 2018 in mending the ties, which had hit a new low in 2017 over the 72-day-long military face-off at Doklam Plateau in western Bhutan. The meeting between the two leaders in Buenos Aires was the fourth between the two leaders this year, beginning with the informal summit at Wuhan in central China on April 27 and 28. They also met on the sidelines of multilateral conclaves at Qingdao in China in June as well as at Johannesburg in South Africa in July. Prime Minister and Chinese President underlined that their informal summit in Wuhan and the follow-up meetings at Qingdao and Johannesburg had led to a perceptible improvement in bilateral relations, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said. Modi and Xi reviewed the progress in implementation of the decisions they had taken in Wuhan in April. They noted that progress had been made in the area of economic cooperation. Xi referred to the rise in import of rice and sugar by China from India. He also hinted at the possibility of China importing soya milk from India. Chinese President expressed the hope that India would also import more agricultural products from China. He also indicated that India might be able to export more pharmaceutical products to China, said Gokhale. They also noted the positive development in management of the disputed boundary after the summit in Wuhan. India and China had a series of engagements this year. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited China. Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan visited New Delhi and held meetings with his counterpart Suresh Prabhu. Sitharaman and Home Minister Rajnath Singh hosted Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe and Chinese Public Security Minister Zhao Kezhi in New Delhi. Prime Minister's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held boundary negotiations with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Both Doval and Wang Yi are Special Representatives of both the governments for boundary negotiations. Swaraj will host Wang in New Delhi next month for the launch of an India-China mechanism for people-to-people exchange. The Netherlands and Karnataka government are looking at co-development of technology solutions in healthcare via Living Labs. Interacting with DH on the sidelines of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2018, the Netherlands Ambassador to India Marten Van Den Berg said his country is looking to partner with the state government to explore opportunities in the healthcare segment. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Taskforce for Applied Research (SIA) and Government of Karnataka had signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) during the visit of Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade Sigrid Kaag in May 2018 to set up Living Lab in Bengaluru, he said. Berg said the Netherlands wants to improve access to affordable healthcare via means of eHealth and medical devices. The Living Lab at Bengaluru will help in connecting ecosystem of government, industry, and academia to co-create innovative solutions for shared societal challenges, he said. The Living Lab is a technology partnership and three pilot projects will be jointly selected for co-funding opportunities. The Netherlands government will part fund the initiative, which will be a seed funding in the range of 25,000-75,000, said the ambassador. The Dutch governments Living Lab initiative is also present in other emerging economies such as China, Brazil, Indonesia. The Living Lab will take up projects for developing tools for health literacy application, diagnostic tools for urinary illness, to come up with biomarkers for mass screening of population at risk. The Netherlands is also ready to join hands with Karnataka in the areas of information technology and cybersecurity. The Dutch Ambassador also announced Orange Tulip Scholarships for Indian students. We have 19 Dutch universities who will participate in the programme, offering around 55 scholarships in bachelors and master courses, he said. As many as 2,021 Indian students went to the Netherlands for higher education in 2017 clocking 30% increase over 2016 in enrollments. Senior Congress leaders on Saturday moved the Election Commission to voice concern over the security of electronic voting machines inside strong rooms in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Party leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Vivek Tankha and Panna Lal Punia met Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat and also flagged concern over the counting process in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and the alleged deletion of voters in Uttar Pradesh. Punia claimed that suspicious activities were being reported in the Dhamtari Assembly seat in Chhatisgarh where people with laptops and mobile phones were seen around the strong rooms in which EVMs were kept after the voting. The intruders claimed they were there to repair CCTVs. The party has also lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer in Raipur regarding this, Punia said. Congress MP Vivek Tankha claimed there was no electricity in a strong room in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal city for over an hour during which the CCTV cameras had also stopped functioning. Home minister suspect He also claimed that 48 hours after the closing of polls in the state, a school bus bearing no number plate and carrying EVMs had reached the Sagar district collector's office. The objective of this was ostensibly to deposit these machines with the office of the collector. These spare EVMs were to be deposited two hours after the polls and not after two days. This happened in the Khuria seat from where the state home minister is contesting the polls, Tankha told reporters. However, Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V L Kantha Rao made it clear that the EVM referred to by Congress leaders were kept as 'Reserve' at some police stations. He said these EVMs were to be used as replacement for malfunctioning machines during the poll. Such machines were to be stored separately from polled EVMs. Strong rooms having polled EVMs were neither opened nor were supposed to be opened, Kantha Rao said. Names deleted Senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi alleged that in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district there were discrepancies such as erroneous deletion of names of voters in booth number 44. He said glaring anomalies were found in 98 of the 100 forms in this booth and names of people of a particular community were being deleted so they could not vote against the ruling party. The Election Commission has assured us that they will look into it, Singhvi said. India has asked Ethiopia to investigate a report that employees of an Indian company, Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS), have been taken hostage by staff in Ethiopia, a government source said on Saturday. Seven Indian employees of the debt-laden IL&FS company have been held hostage by Ethiopian staff because of non-payment of salaries, according to messages posted on Twitter by those saying they were being held. An India's foreign ministry official said India was discussing the matter "on priority" with Ethiopian authorities and the management of IL&FS. "We are doing our best to ensure a settlement of this matter," said the official, who declined to be identified. An IL&FS spokesman in India declined to comment. The Indian government took control of IL&FS last month after it defaulted on some of its debt, triggering wider concerns about risk in the country's financial system. The infrastructure financing and development company had over the years developed road, township and water-treatment projects in India and abroad. Neeraj Raghuwanshi, who said he was one of the seven employees held hostage, has been calling for help on Twitter since Nov. 27. "Situations are beyond our control, please #help before mishappening," Raghuwanshi said late on Friday in a tweet, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the foreign minister to intervene. Raghuwanshi said the seven IL&FS employees were held in three different locations in Ethiopia, following delayed salaries to staff and non-payment of local government taxes. Another IL&FS member of staff who said he was being hostage, Khurram Imam, wrote on Twitter they were facing "lots of problems like foods, water, electricity". Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the tweets or claims made by people saying they were held hostage. Raghuwanshi did not respond to an email seeking comment while Imam could not be reached for a comment. With another contentious election behind us, how do we get back to being neighbors? How do we unify and strengthen our community despite our differences and disagreements? Sawubona is an African Zulu greeting that means I see you. It has a long oral history, and it means more than our traditional hello. It says, I see your personality, I see your humanity and I see your dignity. In the African village context, where everyone knows one another, its an exceedingly powerful representation of welcoming and understanding. Recently, a young woman was touring the battlefield at Gettysburg with a group of her friends. As she approached the Robert E. Lee Memorial a busload of men followed their guide to the monument. Immediately, the young woman felt uncomfortable. The men were wearing hunting outfits, some in camouflage. They wore ball caps and were a bit older than the ladies, who were stylishly dressed. Based on sight only, the young woman immediately connected the men to a political party and a set of beliefs that were different from hers. She also had been taught to be very careful around groups of men and saw them as unsafe. When we spoke with her, she had already thought about her view of these men. Instead of fathers and sons, husbands and friends, she saw a set of beliefs that had no basis in fact. The young woman did not see them as happy or sad, getting over an illness, working on a relationship, or loving their kids and family. She saw them for what they wore and how they looked and not for who they really were. We talked about why she failed to see them differently. Could it be the media that portrays groups with a very broad brush? Or does social media set us up to only see things and people we like? We told her that we recently attended a retreat with psychologist Dr. Bill Crawford and a group of CEOs and their spouses. He discussed neuroscience with us. He suggested to us that our thoughts tend to live in that emotional fight or flight zone. When we react emotionally, it is hard to jump into the neocortex where we can think and reason. In that lower brain we react with anger, stress, adrenaline, frustration and cortisol. Our reactions and responses are quick and usually angry. The neocortex houses clarity, confidence, compassion, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. The young woman questioned why we dont spend more time with our thoughts in the neocortex. The reason is that our brain is wired for survival, and it is set up for self-protection. When we have a belief that things will hurt or injure us, we stay firmly rooted in the survival mode or the lower brain. This is where the concept of Sawubona can help. If we make small adjustments in our outlook and learn to really see each other as mortal and fragile beings worthy of dignity and respect, we can begin to see and function differently. In this way, our heightened emotions subside, and we begin to see things clearly and will create the potential to work and solve problems together. Albert Einstein said, Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them. So, a shift of outlook can bring understanding, respect and friendship. Finally, a dose of humility can truly bring people together, as no one is without fault. Mahatma Gandhi said, When you point a finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at you. Humility, therefore, is not about thinking less of yourself, it is about thinking of yourself less. When we have humility, we are agile and flexible. When we are rigid, we are like a dried tree branch that breaks with the first wind. We are reminded of a story about Abraham Lincolns respectful outlook toward others. Lincoln always saw himself as a servant of the people and the Constitution. Once, a White House servant went into the basement to fetch some supplies. He was surprised to find President Lincoln sitting on a bench, shining his boots. Mr. President, the servant said, why are you shining your own boots? Lincoln looked up and replied, Whose boots should I be shining? Sawubona. WASHINGTON While America remains divided on issues of politics and culture, one thing unites them: the importance of family. A majority of Americans say their identity within their family is very or extremely important more than those who say the same about their religion, race or political party, according to the 2018 American Family Survey, released this week by the Deseret News. Yet even under this unifying tent, Americans diverge when it comes to the best path to building a family and other issues of national import, according to a panel of scholars who convened Friday at The Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., to discuss the survey and its findings. Most striking to the panelists were revelations about the connection between marriage and partisanship, the significance of race as a measure of personal identity, and the gap between how women and men define sexual harassment. Panelist Brad Wilcox, director of The National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, noted the survey found a real marriage gap when it comes to support of President Donald Trump. What it tells us is that we focus a lot on things like education and gender in looking into the Trump phenomenon, but the marriage gap is about as large as the gender and education gap," he said. Wilcox also noted that Republicans are 17 percent more likely than Democrats to be married, theyre less likely to report their marriage is in trouble, and more likely to say that marriage is an essential part of a fulfilling life. There is a partisan divide when it comes to marriage in America, and I wish this were not the case, he said. The survey revealed an undercurrent of tribalism in the respondents assessment of their own marriage as compared to the marriage of others. People consistently say that their own marriage is a happy marriage, but everyone elses is in trouble, said Doug Wilks, editor of the Deseret News, in opening remarks. But it makes clear that marriage remains important to Americans across demographic lines. Few people said that marriage is old-fashioned or out-of-date, and large majorities said it's important to be married or in a committed relationship before having children. "Marriage is something that people aspire to and hope to experience themselves and want to hold onto once they enter a marriage," said panelist Marcia Carlson, a sociology professor and director of the Center for Demography and Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. And Carlson noted the survey's finding that both higher incomes and college degrees are associated with being married. This is interesting and important, and points to a double advantage for children whose parents are married. Race and identity Randall Akee, the David M. Rubenstein Fellow in economic studies at Brookings and an associate professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, said he was intrigued by the responses about personal identity. Large majorities across all demographic lines said that being married and being a parent is important to their personal identity. When it comes to race, however, few white respondents said that their race was part of their identity, whereas 46 percent of blacks report that race is important to their identity, and similarly, 18 percent of Hispanics. I found that fascinating, Akee said, adding that he would be interested in learning if race as a component of identity is internal, or imposed by society, and suggesting that this might be a future area of inquiry for the American Family Survey. Akee also noted racial differences that were evident when respondents were asked about stressful family events that had occurred within the past year. What they find here is incredibly striking, Akee said. For white families, 16 percent had had an immediate family member die; for black families, its much higher, 25 percent, he said. Similarly, 8 percent of white respondents said they had experienced a layoff or job loss in their family; for blacks and Hispanics, the number who had experienced this was 12 percent and 11 percent, respectively. These are stark differences that deserve scrutiny by policymakers, Akee said. This should double our efforts for understanding why that is the case, he said. While the panelists were generally in agreement, Carlson, the University of Wisconsin sociologist, said she interpreted the results differently from Wilcox when it comes to partisanship and marriage. Partisanship isnt as enduring as it has been in previous generations, Carlson said, and economic factors have a big effect on who gets married. The people who are getting married are the ones who can make that happen. Its not the difference in what you say about marriage, but your ability to get there. Not that there isnt a partisan difference, but to me, that doesnt seem to be driving it, she said. Pursuit of an ideal One area of pronounced partisan difference surfaced when respondents were asked about the ideal steps to building a family. But in this case, the difference was only found among white Democrats. Black Democrats, like white Republicans, believe that sex, marriage and cohabitation should occur at roughly the same time, with children coming later, even if their actual practice doesnt always live up to that ideal. White Democrats, however, are more likely to say that people should have sex, then live together, then get married before having children, and their ideal largely matches their practice. Moderator Richard V. Reeves, a senior fellow at Brookings and co-director of the Center on Children and Families, asked the panel whether the ideal professed by Republicans and black Democrats is outdated, or if society should take action to enable more people to achieve that ideal. Should we shatter the illusion, or should we try to help people live up to the ideal? Reeves asked. Wilcox said Americans expect their politicians to abide by ideals, even as they recognize that in the real world, this often doesnt happen. Similarly, Relationships are messy, families are messy, marriages are messy we all know this and weve all experienced it in some way or another, but the question is, do we want to lift up the messiness as our aspiration, or do we want to try to continue to try to figure out ways of helping ordinary Americans, helping our kids realize the path to a strong and stable family life? The steps, Wilcox said, are clear. Young adults who at least get a high school degree and then work full time and then marry before having kids are much more likely to avoid poverty and much more likely to realize the upper or middle class lifestyle and have a stable family. America needs to make this path more accessible, to calibrate into the culture and public policy ways to make that path possible, he said. Finally, in response to a question from the audience, the panelists discussed the surveys findings that women and men often differ sharply on what they consider to be sexual harassment, and that women are significantly more likely than men to report having been subjected to inappropriate behavior or words. Carlson said she expects that gender differences in what constitutes harassment will become more synchronous over time. Were in a time of real change, she said. But what isnt changing is a fundamental affection for the family, which was found on issues as diverse as immigration, where 82 percent of respondents said detained parents and children should not be separated, to marriage, which most respondents believe is important to the well-being of children. The ongoing value and importance of marriage really comes out in this study, Carlson said. The American Family Survey is an annual, nationally representative study of 3,000 Americans for the Deseret News and the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at Brigham Young University and conducted by YouGov. This year's poll was conducted in August. The Deseret News launched the survey four years ago because of the need for a reliable measure of what is happening to the American family, Wilks, the newspapers editor, said at the forum. Being "a watchdog for the American family" is a unique role that the Deseret News can play, he said. The top new stories this week ranged in topic from Mars and the holiday season to climate change and General Motors. NASA's InSight probe landed on Mars Monday. According to NASA, the probe will study the interior of Mars and listen for Marsquakes. Migrants from a Central American caravan made a run for the border Sunday, resulting in that portion of the Mexico-U.S. border being shut down for several hours. The border can only process about 100 migrants a day, which could result in months of waiting. The use of tear gas on the immigrants has been controversial and many are criticizing President Trump's treatment of the migrants. General Motors announced major changes this week. The automaker will be closing five factories across the U.S. and Canada and cutting 14,000 jobs in the next two years. The company places the blame for the decision on consumers not buying enough cars, and the president's steel tariffs, which have reportedly cost GM $1 billion. In retaliation, lawmakers say GM received millions in corporate tax cuts that were not invested in the workers, and Trump has threatened to cut those subsidies for the company. A new congressionally mandated climate change report was released last week, finding that climate change would have a large, negative affect on the U.S. economy and kill thousands by the end of the century. The White House said the report was not based on fact and more research is needed. Other stories this week included ongoing developments in the Mueller investigation and the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. Max, right, drops some chocolate chips in Henry's mouth as students fill bags with the dry ingredients for "Brownies-in-a-Bag" at The McGillis School in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The "Brownies-in-a-Bag have been pre-sold by students for $5 each, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Utah Food Bank. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Fifth-graders Emerson, Mia and Will, left to right, joke around while filling bags with the dry ingredients for "Brownies-in-a-Bag" at The McGillis School in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The "Brownies-in-a-Bag" have been pre-sold by students for $5 each, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Utah Food Bank. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Students fill bags with the dry ingredients for "Brownies-in-a-Bag" at The McGillis School in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The "Brownies-in-a-Bag" have been pre-sold by students for $5 each, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Utah Food Bank. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Students fill bags with the dry ingredients for "Brownies-in-a-Bag" at The McGillis School in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The "Brownies-in-a-Bag have been pre-sold by students for $5 each, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Utah Food Bank. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Students fill bags with the dry ingredients for "Brownies-in-a-Bag" at The McGillis School in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The "Brownies-in-a-Bag have been pre-sold by students for $5 each, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Utah Food Bank. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Second-graders Finn and Cece fill bags with the dry ingredients for "Brownies-in-a-Bag" at The McGillis School in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The "Brownies-in-a-Bag have been pre-sold by students for $5 each, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Utah Food Bank. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Bags filled with the dry ingredients for "Brownies-in-a-Bag" are set aside at The McGillis School in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The "Brownies-in-a-Bag have been pre-sold by students for $5 each, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Utah Food Bank. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Greysen, a seventh-grader at The McGillis School, plays with flour while students fill bags with the dry ingredients for "Brownies-in-a-Bag" at the school in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The "Brownies-in-a-Bag have been pre-sold by students for $5 each, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Utah Food Bank. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Seventh-grader Ethan, center, plays with brown sugar while students fill bags with the dry ingredients for "Brownies-in-a-Bag" at The McGillis School in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. The "Brownies-in-a-Bag have been pre-sold by students for $5 each, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Utah Food Bank. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News GORE, Okla. More than 10,000 tons of radioactive waste that had been in northeastern Oklahoma is now in Utah. Officials with the Oklahoma attorney general's office, the Cherokee Nation, state environmental officials and city of Gore officials announced Friday that the waste from the former Sequoyah Fuels plant near Gore has been sent to the White Mesa Mill in Blanding. The material will be recycled and reused. The waste is the byproduct of the production of fuel for nuclear reactors. It was kept at the former plant site near the confluence of the Arkansas and Illinois Rivers. The plant was closed in the 1990s following an accident that injured dozens of workers. SALT LAKE CITY Gov. Gary Herbert made it official Friday, issuing a call for a special session of the Utah Legislature on Monday to replace the medical marijuana ballot initiative just passed by voters. The agenda announced by the governor also includes mechanisms for funding the ongoing construction of the new state prison and making changes to Utah drivers' licenses to comply with federal identification requirements. The special session is set to begin at 10 a.m. Monday. Hearings have already been held on a proposed compromise to Proposition 2, which legalized the use of medical marijuana in Utah. Legislative leaders, who worked on the compromise with a wide range of organizations, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Utah Medical Association, have said it will avoid unintended consequences. The legislation that will be considered was announced before the Nov. 6 election and the governor had said he would call lawmakers into a special session to consider it regardless of whether Proposition 2 passed. The bill that legislative leaders have pledged to get passed differs from Proposition 2 in ways affecting how Utahns would be able to qualify for, buy and use medical marijuana. For example, it decreases the number of places where marijuana may be legally sold, excludes a provision that would allow the personal growing of plants for Utahns living more than 100 miles from a dispensary, and requires patients under 21 years old to get secondary approval for their medical cannabis card from a state-appointed board. Two other issues are on the special session agenda. The driver's license issue dates back to 2010, when lawmakers decided to push back against what they viewed as an unfunded mandate from the federal government dealing with new U.S. Department of Homeland Security requirements. Because the state decided then not to take further action on the Real ID Act without federal funding, Utah drivers' licenses do not have a gold star later deemed necessary by October 2020 to comply with the federal law. If the law isn't changed to ensure Utah's driver license is in compliance by that deadline, Utahns would no longer be able to use their license to board planes or in other instances where a federally recognized ID is mandated. Utah Driver License Division Director Christopher Caras has told lawmakers in October that every month the state waits to change the law so the stars can appear costs about $80,000. Caras estimated the price tag then at between $2 million to $3.4 million, if lawmakers waited until the 2019 Legislature to take action and started issuing the new licenses in March or April. Paul Edwards, the governor's deputy chief of staff, said prison funding is on the agenda so surplus funds can be spent on a portion of the project rather than using bonding. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. SALT LAKE CITY The State Bureau of Investigation and the Utah Highway Patrol are looking for a man who they say punched another driver during a road rage incident. About 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, two vehicles were headed west on 2100 South from State Street to the I-15 on-ramp. The driver of one vehicle cut off the other, prompting the other vehicle's driver to react by cutting off the victim, forcing that driver to slam on his brakes, said State Bureau of Investigation Sgt. Scott Pugmire. As the aggressor got onto the I-15 on-ramp, he pulled off into an area between the ramp and the freeway. The victim, a man in his 30s who was driving with a woman in her 20s in the passenger seat, also pulled off into that area and rolled down his window. "He wasn't really sure why he did. He was like, 'I shouldn't have.' He said the whole situation seemed bizarre," Pugmire said. The driver in the vehicle ahead of him then got out of his car, walked back to the victim, punched him in the face and attacked him with an undisclosed weapon, Pugmire said. The victim was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and was later released. The attacker is described as a Hispanic or Polynesian man in his mid-20s with long, curly black hair, possibly in cornrows or a ponytail, Pugmire said. He was driving a four-door Chevrolet with a temporary Utah tag. Anyone who may have driven by the incident or have information about the suspect is asked to call the Utah State Bureau of Investigation at 801-965-4747. SALT LAKE CITY The Utah Wildlife Board OKd several new hunts in 2019, as well as a change to fishing regulations at Flaming Gorge Reservoir during a Nov. 29 meeting in Salt Lake City. The new hunts are: Bison hunts on the Henry Mountains in southeastern Utah and the Book Cliffs in eastern Utah. New muzzleloader and archery pronghorn sheep hunts in northeastern Utah. A Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunt on the Oquirrh-Stansbury unit in north-central Utah. The hunt will be the first bighorn hunt held on the unit since 2015. Once-in-a-lifetime archery bighorn sheep hunts. The hunt for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep will be held on the Newfoundland Mountains unit in northern Utah. An archery hunt for desert bighorn sheep will be held on the Zion unit in southwestern Utah. In addition, the board approved four extended deer archery hunt changes along the west slope of the Wasatch Mountains to reduce the number of deer that are making their way into cities and towns in Salt Lake and Utah counties. Three of the changes are in Utah County: A new extended archery hunt will be held in the mountains near Herriman. A new extended archery hunt will be held in areas around Utah Lake. The boundary of the Wasatch Front extended archery area has been extended to American Fork Canyon. The boundary now runs from the Weber/Davis County line to American Fork Canyon. A new South Wasatch extended archery area has been established. The boundary for the area extends from American Fork Canyon south to Hobble Creek Canyon. In addition to the big game hunting rules, members of the board also approved a rule stating anglers who are not residents of Utah or Wyoming but want to fish both the Utah and Wyoming sides of Flaming Gorge Reservoir must buy a nonresident fishing license from both states starting Jan. 1. In the past, those who were not residents of either state could buy a nonresident license from one state and a reciprocal fishing permit from the other state. All of the rules the seven-member board approved will be available in the 2019 Utah Big Game Application Guidebook, which should be available wildlife.utah.gov by the end of December. SOUTH SALT LAKE A candlelight vigil will be held Sunday for the South Salt Lake officer killed in the line of duty last weekend. Police detective Gary Keller said the memorial will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Columbus Senior Center, 2531 S. 400 East, for officer David Romrell. Keller encouraged people to arrive early and be prepared to park on the street and walk as parking at the center is limited. Romrell, 31, was killed the night of Nov. 24 after he was hit by a fleeing vehicle during a burglary investigation. A funeral service for Romrell will be held Wednesday at the Maverik Center in West Valley City. There will be a public viewing from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. A procession will then take Romrell's body to his burial site at Larkin Mortuary, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road. Felix Calata, the driver of the vehicle that hit Romrell, was shot and killed by police. His passenger, Jeffrey Black, 43, was arrested two days later for investigation of aggravated murder, aggravated assault, burglary, obstruction of justice, three counts of failure to stop for a law enforcer and interfering with an arrest. Unified Police Sgt. Melody Gray said on Friday that officers are scheduled to screen formal charges with the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office Monday afternoon. investigators will seek to have Black formally charged with the counts he was arrested on, she said. SALT LAKE CITY Gov. Gary Herbert criticized President Donald Trump for being "petty" about Rep. Mia Love's narrow loss that came after she declined to embrace offers of election help from the White House. "I think it was just bad to throw her under the bus," the governor told Politico. "She's the first African-American woman Republican elected to Congress in American history, and we're proud of that. And she was doing some good things." Love, R-Utah, didn't concede her 4th Congressional District seat to Democratic Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams until nearly three weeks after the Nov. 6 election. McAdams, who won by less than 700 votes, had claimed victory a week earlier. But Trump declared the race over on Nov. 7 during a White House news conference. The president included Love in a list of Republican candidates he said were defeated because they spurned his offers of help. Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost, Trump said. Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia. Herbert, who was interviewed Thursday by Politico during a meeting of the Republican Governors Association in Scottsdale, Arizona, described the president's behavior as petty. "There's no need to be petty about it, and that's part of the challenge we have with this administration," he said. "Sometimes they seem to have a tit for tat and are petty." But the governor told the online political news source based in the Washington, D.C., area that he has not yet brought up his concerns about Trump's tone directly with the White House. However, he suggested that could happen during an upcoming meeting with Vice President Mike Pence. He considers Pence, a former Indiana governor, a personal friend. "I think he recognizes the strengths and the weaknesses we have as a party, and what we can do to minimize the weaknesses and amplify the positives," Herbert said. Paul Edwards, the governor's deputy chief of staff, said Friday that there had been discussions about Pence coming to Utah, "but we just learned that hoped-for visit isnt going to happen now." Love, whose campaign did send a robocall Trump recorded to about 1,000 voters on Election Day, said in her concession speech that his comments help demonstrate "the problems Washington politicians have with minorities and black Americans." The president reportedly offered to make a campaign stop for Love in Utah during a national tour on behalf of Republican candidates that included an Oct. 20 appearance in Elko, Nevada. SALT LAKE CITY Utah lags behind every other state in the country when it comes to offering men and women equal pay for equal work, and leaders from the state's business community are urging local employers to level the playing field sooner rather than later. On Friday, the Salt Lake Chamber, along with the Women's Leadership Institute, released the "Best Practices Guide for Closing the Gender Wage Gap." According to the American Association of University Women, Utah is the worst state in the nation for the gender wage gap when it comes to equal compensation. While the matter of pay equity in the workplace has been an issue of concern for years, the guidebook offers policies, programs and actions companies can implement to help close the gender wage gap, explained Salt Lake Chamber President and CEO Derek Miller. "We know that no business leader sets out to intentionally pay female employees less than their male counterparts. However, the gap exists and, despite our best intentions, persists," he said. "Our hope is that companies and individual business owners use this document to identify areas where they can improve and create individualized plans for closing the gender pay gap within their own organization." He added that while the gender pay gap will not be fixed in one day or with a single resource, policy change or training, every step in the right direction helps to narrow the gap. Noting that some critics may question the validity of the findings regarding pay equity, Miller said failing to address the matter may create a significant issue for business leaders who are trying to attract quality workers in an economy that has exceptionally low unemployment and a desperate need for employee talent. "Whether you think we're worst or 10th worst, there's room for improvement (so) let's focus on fixing the problem," he said. "In an economy like we have in Utah, the company that can show they are taking proactive steps to address the gender pay gap will set themselves apart." He said companies that can distinguish themselves by showing that they are going to be proactive in being fairer will reap the benefit of attracting better quality talent of any gender. The guide is divided into five sections: evaluation, education, recruitment, retention and advancement. The sections are designed to work in collaboration and build upon each other, listing short-term actions that businesses can take and long-term policies that can be adopted over time, explained Patricia Jones, CEO of the Women's Leadership Institute. "We have an amazing opportunity before us to be leaders in closing the gender wage gap," she said. "We believe members of Utah's business community are willing and able to not only take the necessary steps to ensure the work Utah women perform is valued fairly, but also prove that we can be leaders in creating solutions that result in an equitable pay environment." Jones said tackling the problem of gender pay equity is a multifaceted problem that will take a time and effort to address properly. But figuring out why Utah is so low on the gender wage gap is something that businesses should look into intently. She noted that the guide offers suggestions on what employers can do in the short term to address the pay gap, including to conduct a landscape analysis of a company's pay distribution by role, level and gender; provide unconscious bias training for all staff; set company goals to hire and promote more women; look at the distribution of men and women among projects and high-level responsibilities; and set short-term, attainable goals for closing gaps. "A lot of companies are surprised to learn there are inequities," she said. "It's really about looking internally at your own reflection, having a discussion and making amends by creating the processes needed to make the adjustments." Additionally, she said companies can be more transparent about their wage scales so that prospective employees know what they are getting into. She also noted that most work environments and business communities are designed to favor men, which is something that has helped to create the wage inequality that currently exists. "Our corporate and political system was built by and for men," Jones said. "In our (institute), we really make it a point that men are allies and advocates of women. Men can work with women knowing that the ultimate goal is that we will all benefit from it." Meanwhile, Laura Bogusch, general manager at Boeing Salt Lake, was a participant in a focus group as a member of the local business community familiar with the employee hiring process. She said companies need to concentrate on hiring, retaining and promoting qualified women as part of an overall effort to develop a more diverse and ultimately more productive workforce. "Our business is going to be more successful when we have women and other minorities in place within the company where we have more influential jobs," she said. "(Closing the gender wage gap) is something that's going to take time. But starting the conversation and admitting there are some things we could do differently to make a change is really a great first step." SALT LAKE CITY Jason Chaffetz, a former Utah congressman turned Fox News analyst, says outgoing Rep. Mia Love can't blame her election loss on how Republicans view minorities. "There are lots of reasons that she did well and lots of reasons why she didn't do well. But I don't think the minority card held her back," Chaffetz told the Deseret News. "She broke a lot of barriers." Utah GOP Chairman Rob Anderson also disagreed with Love's assessment, saying the state Republican Party is already reaching out to the Hispanic community with a town hall meeting in West Valley City planned before the 2019 Legislature. "I don't want this to come across as we're catering or pandering to minorities as much as I want every single voter in the state to have a voice," Anderson said. But he didn't fault Love for expressing her opinion. "She just got done with a campaign that was particularly harsh and brutal. It was full of sour grapes," he said. "Elected service comes with a lot of sacrifice and dedication and commitment. I appreciate that and I look forward to supporting Mia in her future endeavors." Love, the first black Republican woman elected to Congress, made national news earlier this week by delivering a concession speech that took on President Donald Trump and other members of her party about their attitudes on race. Those comments come as Love's political future is in question after her narrow loss to Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams in the 4th Congressional District became final nearly three weeks after the Nov. 6 election. The two-term congresswoman has not offered any details about her plans once she leaves office, telling CNN recently that's going to be between "Heavenly Father, my family, and I'm leaving all options open." In her speech, she appeared to suggest race may be the reason that Trump publicly mocked her earlier this month for losing before McAdams was declared the winner because she hadn't accepted his support. When Trump said at a White House news conference that the congresswoman "gave me no love and she lost. Too bad. Sorry about that, Mia," Love said that helps show "the problems Washington politicians have with minorities and black Americans." The relationship, she said, is "transactional. It's not personal. You see, we feel like politicians claim they know what's best for us from a safe distance, but they're never willing to take us home." Daryl Acumen, chairman of the Utah Black Republican Assembly, said he appreciates what Love had to say about the party's relationship with minorities, even though he sees that as an issue only with some members of the GOP. "When she first started, I thought, 'I don't know if that was the speech I would have given if you want to run again,'" Acumen said. "When she started talking about blacks and how the party treats us, I liked that part." He said her statements reflect the trouble he's run into with a faction of the Utah GOP that's continuing to battle the law allowing candidates to bypass the party's traditional candidate nomination process. "I see where she's coming from. The Republican Party tends to keep blacks I don't want to say at arm's length but it's the kind of thing, 'We like having you around. It's great you've convinced people we're not racist,'"Acumen said. But black Republicans are treated differently "if you open your mouth and try to make some changes," he said, citing what he feels has been a "racial undertone" to his role in the ongoing rift within the GOP. "We'll talk about it among ourselves. We generally don't talk about it with white folks. It's not a Republican issue, I don't think. But there is a group of people, they have this attitude," Acumen said. Those people, he said, aren't likely to get the message that Love was trying to deliver. Still, Acumen said he sees her finding a platform like Fox News to continue to speak about her concerns rather than running again. "I think it's going to be too intoxicating for her to put the muzzle back on," he said. "I think she can do a lot more good getting out there and preaching the word, 'It's OK to be a black conservative.'" Chaffetz, a former House Oversight Committee chairman who stepped down to join the conservative cable news network six months into his fifth term in 2017, said he doesn't see that Love was treated differently because of her race. "She was very well-embraced by the entire cross-section of Congress," he said, noting he and other Republicans regularly had dinner with Love. "She was just well-integrated, as she should be. There was no holding her back." Love was also given "a plum committee assignment, the one she wanted," on the House Financial Services Committee, Chaffetz said, while outgoing House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., "was a friend and helped her immensely with fundraising." He said he doesn't believe Trump singled Love out for criticism because she's a minority. "Absolutely not. Donald Trump does that equally, across the board. There was nothing special about that," Chaffetz said, adding that her re-election chances may have been hurt by her not embracing the president and his agenda. "That may have caused the problem. It probably did," he said, along with other factors including ballot initiatives that brought out more liberal voters, particularly Proposition 2 that legalized medical marijuana in Utah. Chaffetz joked that while Love shouldn't "be waiting by the phone for a call from Donald Trump to be an ambassador," there are plenty of doors open to her in both the private and public sector, even possibly joining him as a TV commentator. "She still has a bright political future if that's the way she wants to go," he said, noting that many Utahns did want her to stay in Congress. "No doubt, some of those statements may pop up again if she chooses to go back in public life." Chris Karpowitz, co-director of BYU's Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, suggested Love's concession speech may have missed the mark if it was intended to signal she'll be back in 2020 to try to win back her seat. "If what she hopes to do is be a voice for people of color in the Republican Party, that speech was a good springboard," he said, because it "expressed the frustration that she has felt with her role in the Republican Party and in Congress." But he said if Love was taking a first step to another run in the 4th District, "it was a little more curious" to hear her say after losing her seat, "I am unleashed, I am untethered and I am unshackled, and I can say exactly what's on my mind." Karpowitz said it's not clear why she couldn't talk about her concerns sooner. "If she wanted to be that powerful voice, why didn't she do those things when she was a member of Congress?" he asked. "Many people thought she would play that sort of role as the first African-American Republican woman elected to Congress." However, he said, that's not what Love did. "Whether that was her choice, whether there were individuals within the party encouraging her not to play that role or something else, is a question I'd like to know the answer to," Karpowitz said. He believes Love still has time to figure out her future. "It's early enough that she doesn't have to decide at this moment," Karpowitz said. "I could imagine her playing a more prominent public role in some way that doesn't involve being an elected official." For now, he said, "the Republican Party is the party of Donald Trump. That's not the speech you give if you have a future lined up in Republican politics or want to play a role in Republican politics at the national level." Jason Perry, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, said Love sounded to him like she was more interested in becoming an advocate, using "a position or a microphone or a podium" to help reshape the GOP. Love is likely looking "for an opportunity to have a voice, whether that's through national TV channels or some other organization that she starts or joins" that's relevant to her cause, he said. "If she does intend to run for some office in the future, I think there are some fences to mend. She'll have to spend some time with the party she claims to be loyal to," Perry said. "I think it will take some time for voters to forget this election." Editor's note: The Deseret News asked for experiences of those whose trips have helped them connect with their family roots and how families have incorporated their history into summer vacations. Here is one of the experiences. It has been edited for length and clarity. My father was Walter Jenkinson Poelman, born in 1898 of a Scottish mother and a Swiss father. His inheritance from his birth father was the given name Walter, a photograph of Walter Roggen, and a postcard mailed in 1901 from St. Petersburg, Russia, where Walter Roggen was working in a hotel, to Utrecht, Holland, where my fathers mother, Mrs. J(ane) Poelman was then residing. (She had married Hermanus Poelman in 1899.) After years searching, digging into the Roggens of Switzerland, I learned of Oscar Roggen and found his email address. He is an interesting man, born in Murten, Switzerland, who moved to New Zealand in 1977 where he went into business as a dental technician. He returns to Switzerland periodically to visit family and to compete in yodeling competitions with his Swiss Kiwi Yodel Group. Oscar Roggens sister resides in a convent in Switzerland under the name Sister Benedicta. His brother Hans was for 20 years a member of the Popes Swiss Guard, the first member of the Swiss Guard to marry an American. Retired, Hans lives with his wife in a Zurich suburb. Oscar Roggen was the man who knew the beginnings of an answer to the question: Who was the Walter Roggen who was my fathers father, and how did he fit into the Roggen family? Murten is the ancestral home of the Roggens of Switzerland. Described as a mini-Bern, the old town is surrounded on three sides by a medieval wall, on the fourth by a lake of the same name as the town. Roggen descendents were invited to a reunion held at Murten in September 1987, where copies of a Roggen family tree were presented to those in attendance. It was a copy of that 1987 family tree plus a copy of an older tree specific to his family that Oscar Roggen mailed to us in May 2013. There were two men from Murten named Walter Roggen on that 1987 family tree, one born in 1872, the other born in 1873. At first Oscar and Hans and I thought it was the one born in 1872, died in 1909, no children listed, close cousin to the brothers. On that same Roggen family tree from 1987, the wife of the Walter Roggen born in 1873 was listed as Fanny Rosenberg with a child named Rene and a grandson Beat Roggen. At BYU's Harold B. Lee Library's website at net.lib.byu.edu, I found a copy of a journal article transcribing marriage banns from St. Catherines Swedish Church at St. Petersburg, Russia. In April 1906, banns were proclaimed for Walter Heinrich Gottlieb Roggen, vardhusvard (host at an inn), and Fanny Rosenberger. One day in October 2013 at his home in Baden, Switzerland, Beat Roggen opened a package sent a few weeks earlier from Salt Lake City. He emailed this reply: Dear Blair Poelman, Thank you for your mail which reached my home during my absence last week. I just opened your envelope one hour ago. I was astonished to recognize my grandfather on the photo and the St. Petersburg hotel (pictured) on the postcard. And I was even more astonished to learn that my father had a half-brother. The attached photograph of your father shows an interesting resemblance to my father in young years. I shall try to give you a short summary of my familys history within two or three weeks. I would feel glad to get more information about you, your life and your family. For the moment I attached great importance to give you a soon answer to confirm that you got onto the right trail. Kind regards, Beat Rene Roggen. Beat Roggen greeted us at the Zurich airport when my wife, Bernice, my daughter Janae, my son-in-law Scott Preece, and I arrived there in May 2014. He showed us a bit of the older section of Zurich, then invited us to his home to meet his family and to share a meal. He found some family photos of his parents and grandparents and made copies for us. Most poignant was a picture of a bedroom in St. Petersburg with grandfather Walter Roggen, beaming with pride and love, holding and smiling at his infant son Rene. After a very pleasant visit in Baden, we bade goodbye to Beat and his family and drove on to Murten. We made good use of the Switzerland guidebook we had brought with us to find our way around Murten and see the sights in that picturesque, historic town: the walkway on top of the Ramparts or city wall, the castle, the German Church. We were particularly interested in visiting the French Church with its stained glass window depicting the Roggen family crest. One day while the other three were touring some of the Swiss countryside, I spent seven hours at the Archives de lEtat de Fribourg in Fribourg viewing microfilm of the Murten church registers and making copies of my great-grandparents' marriage record and their childrens christening records, including the one for grandfather Walter Roggen. One morning Beat met us in Bern, took us on a walking tour of that city, then drove with us the few kilometers to Murten. In Murten, Beat showed us the home located near the Bern Gate where he grew up and where his grandparents Walter and Fanny spent their final years. He also walked with us to the beautifully landscaped town cemetery. No gravestone there for grandparents as markers must be removed after 25 years. Beat had arranged a meeting with Murten town historian Markus F. Rubli. Herr Rubli presented Beat and me with copies of several documents from his Roggen file, including a brief report on the time Walter and his brothers spent in St. Petersburg and the hotel they had owned and operated there in the early 1900s before they began trading in commodities. Walters obituary from the Murten newspaper dated February 1953 noted that the Bolshevik Revolution of October 1918 led to a rupture in diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Soviet Russia. The large, formerly respected Swiss colony was notified to leave and leave behind all their possessions. Thus in June 1920 came Herr Walter Roggen with wife and son to Murten. Here in Switzerland was he, who had lived the splendid Petersburg years, forced to find a way to make a living. With Herr Walter Roggen has passed a plain, good, and always friendly townsman who maintained a splendid consistent character as he endured whatever fate dealt him. All who knew the beloved deceased will keep him in fond memory. Another treasure from Herr Rublis Roggen file is a family tree prepared in the 1930s, obviously by the same person who prepared one of the trees Oscar Roggen had forwarded a year earlier. It extends Walter Roggens pedigree another four generations beyond the three depicted on the 1987 chart, making nine generations in all from Beat Rene Roggen back to Niclaus Roggen of Murten who married Anna Barb. Mottet about 1723. The chart has more than 150 of Beats and my ancestors and cousins. After finding family treasure in Murten, visits to other tourist sites in Switzerland were interesting but something of an anticlimax. We keep in touch via email, considering our Roggen cousins cherished friends as well as relatives. On a sightseeing tour of the western U.S., Oscar and a friend stayed with us for a couple of nights in September 2017. We were delighted to share time with them at This Is The Place Heritage Park and on Temple Square. Oscar agreed to a rather impromptu Roggen-Poelman family reunion at a local stake center. He entertained those in attendance by teaching us the correct pronunciation of the Roggen name and a bit about how to yodel in the Swiss way We are grateful to be lead to warm, caring, delightful people who have put their arms around us, shared documents, and welcomed us into the Roggen family. Just as we were finding our way onto the right trail, censuses for Canton Fribourg including Murten began appearing online at the FamilySearch.org, 11 every-name censuses for select years between 1811 and 1880. We have been richly blessed to find family names in those censuses as well as in digitized Swiss newspapers, in addition to the many names on the Roggen family trees. SALT LAKE CITY A man who two years ago allegedly met a 16-year-old girl at a TRAX station, smoked heroin and had sex with her before she was found without a pulse in his home now faces criminal charges. David Oliver Glatzer, 42, of South Salt Lake, was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with manslaughter, a second-degree felony, as well as endangerment of a child or elder adult, and unlawful sexual conduct with a 16 or 17-year-old, both third-degree felonies. In November 2016, according to the charges, police responded to a home at 361 E. Georgia Circle in South Salt Lake and found the girl, who was not identified in court documents, "in a shower without a pulse." She was declared dead the next day in a hospital. When police first interviewed Glatzer, he told them he met the teen at a TRAX station but that "he had no idea how she got to his house." He said the girl had slept outside his home, knocked on his door in the morning and then became unconscious, according to the charges. In a later interview with police, Glatzer told them he and the girl went together to his house, where he showed her how to prepare and smoke heroin. He also told police that, to "relax her," he gave the girl three 800 milligram tablets of gabapentin, which is used to treat seizures. "Glatzer said he then had sex with (the girl)," police said. When the girl became ill, charges state, Glatzer told police he put her to bed. In the morning, he found her "turning blue and not breathing," according to the charges. "Glatzer did not call for help for approximately two hours, instead putting (the girl) in a cold shower to revive her," police said. An autopsy on the girl found that "smothering or non-accidental asphyxial injury and the combined effects of the very high level of gabapentin along with prior heroin use were possible causes of her death," charges state. Although her cause of death was undetermined, the state medical examiner's office ruled out accidental or natural causes. Additionally, medical examiners found seven times more gabapentin in the girl's system than Glatzer told police he'd given her. A $1 million warrant was issued for Glatzer's arrest. SALT LAKE CITY Nineteen-year-old Rhett Carbine has a rare genetic disorder that makes it hard for him to breathe. A personalized wheelchair carries his oxygen tanks, which give him some freedom. But that freedom was stolen two weeks ago when a thief swiped Carbine's personalized wheelchair out of his mother's SUV, which was parked in front of their home in the Avenues in the middle of the night. "It was like, 'What goes through your head when you're actually doing this and seeing there is a need and you're taking from that?'" Andrea Carbine, Rhett's mother, asked. Now, members of the community have reached out in hopes of restoring Rhett Carbine's independence. Carbine has short rib polydactyly syndrome type 2, or Majewski syndrome, which is a lethal, skeletal dysplasia. It's a genetic disorder that stopped the growth of his ribs and lungs at age 10. Doctors told his mother he likely wouldn't survive infancy. "The wheelchair gave him freedom," Andrea Carbine said. That's critical for a young man eager for independence. For the last 14 months, Rhett Carbine has been serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He serves two days a week at home, where he can breathe from the oxygen concentrator. On the other three weekdays, he needs the wheelchair to carry the oxygen tanks so that he can serve in downtown Salt Lake City. Since the theft, Carbine made do with a wheelchair on loan from Shriners Hospital for Children - Salt Lake City until the family could raise enough money to buy another one. In the meantime, friends set up a GoFundMe account to replace the wheelchair. The account surpassed its fundraising goal and raised $9,800 by Friday. "It's been a huge blessing," his mother said. But before the family could buy a wheelchair, Alpine Home Medical Equipment stepped in to provide Carbine with a brand new one. Rhett Carbine received the good news Thursday night. "Oh my gosh. Getting a new chair today was amazing," he said. He described his feelings as "gratitude. I felt that a lot yesterday." The chair is worth between $2,000 and $3,000, but Carbine's mother said you can't quite put a price tag on freedom and independence. Through their ordeal, she said her family has learned "there are people out there willing to help." Now, Rhett Carbine is getting used to his new wheels. "I might see the max speed of this later, see if it goes faster than the old one," he said happily. SALT LAKE CITY After news of President George H.W. Bush's passing at age 94 broke late Friday night, Utah politicians, religious leaders and others voiced their admiration for the nation's 41st president and offered condolences to his family. "President George H.W. Bush will be sorely missed. He was a great example, the patriarch of our country, and a devoted servant to all. He was loved and respected by everyone. He was a man of great character and integrity," Gov. Gary Herbert tweeted. Herbert ordered the lowering of both the U.S. and Utah flags to half-staff in Bush's honor, beginning Saturday and going for 30 days. On Wednesday, the lowered flags will also be in honor of South Salt Lake police officer David Romrell, who being laid to rest that day, Herbert added. Saturday morning, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expressed their gratitude for the life and service of the former president, who visited Utah to meet with church leaders multiple times. "We honor him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather, a man of deep conviction who dedicated his life in service to country, family and faith. We have been blessed by his legacy of service and devotion, and we pray they will be granted God's peace as they remember and celebrate his remarkable life." President Ezra Taft Benson and President Thomas S. Monson attended Bush's inauguration in 1989 and the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, then known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, sang. The 41st U.S. president met with Latter-day Saint leaders on numerous occasions, according to the book "Presidents and Prophets." Bush first met with church leaders in 1982 while vice president. In 1986, President Benson met the vice president in his office and presented a copy of the new LDS hymnbook. In 1989, after Bush became president, he awarded President Benson with the Presidential Citizens Medal by video during President Benson's 90th birthday celebration In 1992, during his third year as the nation's president, Bush traveled to Utah and met with President Gordon B. Hinckley and President Monson. During the trip, Bush spoke at BYU. "Americans need to understand something that you all know very, very well," he said before quoting late church President David O. McKay: "No other success can compensate for failure in the home." The World War II hero, who presided during the coalition victory over Iraq in Kuwait, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the final months of the Cold War, died late Friday night at his Houston home, said family spokesman Jim McGrath. His wife of more than 70 years, Barbara Bush, died in April 2018. Friday night, Sen. Orrin Hatch's office shared a photo of the president with the message "Rest in Peace, President Bush." In a statement Saturday, Hatch praised Bush as one of the greatest heroes of the American century and one of the finest gentlemen he ever knew. "The breadth and depth of his service are without parallel," Hatch said. "He was the man who pulled back the Iron Curtain, shining the warm sunlight of freedom where freedom had grown cold. His influence in global affairs, in American domestic policy, and in our hearts cannot be overstated. May God bless the Bush family, and may our 41st president rest in peace with his beloved Barbara." Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox tweeted, "Sending our heart-felt condolences to the Bush family. We are ever grateful for your legacy of leadership, service and family. Rest well gentle soul. You will be missed." "A unique sense of loss can be felt as people ponder President Bush's life and passing," former governor Mike Leavitt said in a statement Saturday. "His goodness and devotion were amplified in his post-presidential life." "We lost a great American today. Sue and I send our love to the Bush Family. Godspeed 41," Rep. John Curtis wrote Friday. While Im sad to learn of the passing of President George H.W. Bush, I cant help but smile at the thought of him being reunited with his beloved wife, Barbara," Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, said in a statement Saturday. So much more than just a president, he exemplified service to our nation and devotion to family. "A man of the highest character, George H.W. Bush dedicated his life to serving our nation. His grace and wisdom will be sorely missed," Sen. Mike Lee tweeted Saturday. Rep. Chris Stewart tweeted that he was "saddened" to hear of Bush's passing, but "grateful for his patriotism and long life of service," and called him an "extroardinary American." Ronald Fox, who did "advance work" making plans and arrangements before presidential visits in multiple administrations, said Bush was "one who liked to be with the people." "He would seldom, if ever, eat in his hotel room when he was staying in a city," Fox told the Deseret News Saturday. "He would go into a restaurant, he'd eat dinner, then go around and shake hands with everybody." Fox accompanied Bush and made advance arrangements for his 1992 visit to Salt Lake City, where they dined at a restaurant on Pierpoint Avenue and watched a Tabernacle Choir performance in addition to meeting with state and church officials. "He was kind, generous, very thoughtful," Fox said. "At the end of each day, he would have a list of all the people he met, and he would write thank you notes or just kind notes to those people. I'll bet he wrote 15 to 20 notes every night after doing an event, and he did that all of his life." Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes offered his prayers and condolences Friday as well, adding, his was "a long life and one well lived." "This year Heidi and I read George H.W. Bush's bio by (Jon Meacham) and found new appreciation for his great life of service, marriage, family and legacy. He'll be missed by many, remembered fondly for a full life and ultimately reunited with Barbara on the other side," Utah County Commissioner Tanner Ainge tweeted. Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, a Democrat who lost her Senate bid to Mitt Romney and announced her run for county mayor Friday, wrote, "I initially arrived in D.C. the very week President Bush was inaugurated. My early days there were under his tenure. While we are different parties, I have never questioned his commitment to the country nor his integrity. A loss for the nation." Evan McMullin, the Utahn who ran as an independent for president in 2016, tweeted, "George H.W. Bush personified the qualities an America aspiring to its ideals requires of its leaders: courage, honor, dignity, loyalty, humility, integrity, selflessness and knowledge. I hope American leaders of both parties will follow in his tradition for years to come." SALT LAKE CITY It looks like there isn't a chance that Salt Lake City could be awarded the 2030 Winter Games next year after International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach ruled out choosing hosts for two cities at the same time. I dont think that this is possible because we have a number of interested cities and (national Olympic committees) already for 2030, Bach told Around the Rings, an Atlanta-based online news source, at an Olympic meeting in Tokyo. You would need to give all of them a fair chance, Bach said. It had not been clear whether the IOC would repeat its unprecedented dual award decision in 2017 that gave Paris the 2024 Summer Games and Los Angeles the 2028 Summer Games. The IOC is set to name the site of the 2026 Winter Games in June 2019. There are two cities still in the running, Milan and Cortina d' Ampezzo, Italy, and Stockholm, Sweden, although both bids face opposition. Backers of Utah's efforts to land another Olympics Thursday raised the possibility the IOC could choose to also award the 2030 Winter Games then, leaving just six months to prepare an international bid. "It's just a ton of work," a leader of the bid effort, Fraser Bullock, told members of the state's Olympic Exploratory Committee. But Bullock, chief operating officer for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, said it could be done. Salt Lake City has yet to be chosen by the U.S. Olympic Committee to bid on behalf of the United States for a future Winter Games. Both Salt Lake City and Denver are competing to be the U.S. bid city. The USOC is set to consider a bid at its mid-December meeting and has not specified which Winter Games would be sought. Besides Salt Lake City, Denver remains in the running for the U.S. bid. Last month, USOC officials toured Olympic venues in Utah and are reviewing a detailed workbook for a $1.4 billion Winter Games without state or local tax dollars. The USOC will also conduct a public opinion poll to measure support for a Games. Bullock said Utahs first step is participating in the selection process for the USOC. We are hopeful to be selected as its candidate for a future Winter Games. One option is hosting in 2030, and as we indicated, it could take one of two paths, including the traditional path of being awarded in 2023. We would be honored to participate in any process outlined by the USOC and IOC. With Bach's announcement, the IOC is now expected to award the 2030 Winter Games in 2023. Other cities interested in bidding are Sapporo, Japan, the 1972 Olympic host city that withdrew from the running for 2026; Almaty, Kazakhstan, which narrowly lost the race for the 2022 Games to Beijing, Around the Rings reported. SALT LAKE CITY A South Korean train is entering North Korea for the first time since 2007. Whats going on: According to BBC News, the train will carry a team of South Korean specialists through the Demilitarized Zone and into North Korea to assess the state of the rail system. The team will work to see what needs to be done in order to bring North Koreas rails to an international standard and make it possible to reopen the rail between the two countries, The New York Times reported. between the two countries, The New York Times reported. As reported by The Washington Post, the trip will consist of two stages. First, the specialists will survey the central to northwestern rail. Then they will travel near the Mount Kumgang tourist region and up the east coast to a station near the Russian border. You will visit train stations and cross hills and rivers in North Korea no outsiders have visited, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon told the survey team, according to the Washington Post. According to CNN, President Moon Jae-in has long dreamed of building a trans-Korean railroad because of the economic benefits that would result in being more easily connected to China and Russia. The railway would also be a huge step in the relationship between the two countries. Complications: The Washington Post reported that in order for the trip to happen, South Korea had to receive special permission from the UN due to sanctions that are currently in place on North Korea. According to CNN, the team was given strict instruction that any food, fuel or water remaining at the end of the trip must return with them to South Korea. that any food, fuel or water remaining at the end of the trip must return with them to South Korea. Unless the North follows through on denuclearization, the sanctions will prevent the South from providing further resources to update the rail system, per The New York Times. The history of the inter-Korean railways: Before the Korean War, two rail systems connected the northern and southern parts of the Korean Peninsula, per AFP. SALT LAKE CITY Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement Saturday morning honoring former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, who died Friday night at 94. "We are grateful today for the life and service of President George H. W. Bush," said the statement, released by the church's First Presidency. "We honor him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather, a man of deep conviction who dedicated his life in service to country, family and faith. We express our love to the Bush family. We have been blessed by his legacy of service and devotion, and we pray they will be granted God's peace as they remember and celebrate his remarkable life." President Ezra Taft Benson and President Thomas S. Monson attended Bush's inauguration in 1989 and the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, then known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, sang. The 41st U.S. president met with Latter-day Saint leaders on numerous occasions, according to the book "Presidents and Prophets." Bush first met with church leaders in 1982 while vice president. In 1986, President Benson met the vice president in his office and presented a copy of the new LDS hymnbook. In 1989, after Bush became president, he awarded President Benson with the Presidential Citizens Medal by video during President Benson's 90th birthday celebration. In 1992, during his third year as the nation's president, Bush traveled to Utah and met with President Gordon B. Hinckley and President Monson. During the trip, Bush spoke at BYU. "Americans need to understand something that you all know very, very well," he said before quoting late church President David O. McKay: "No other success can compensate for failure in the home." Foldable smartphones seem to be the next big thing in smartphone technology, with Samsung already confirming its plans to launch a phone next year. It looks like Sony plans to launch a similar smartphone as well, but how it plans to do so is a little different, to say the least. The company has filed a patent which describes a method for a transparent display on a smartphone. First spotted by LetsGoDigital, the patent shows a smartphone with two displays. One on the front, and one on the back. These can be set to work in six different modes by being set to opaque, transparent, or translucent. The website has also posted a few renders of what the smartphone might look like. This is certainly a very unique take on how to use a dual-display phone. Hopefully, the new technology will help the company regain its foothold in the market. It should also be noted that just because Sony has a patent on the device, it does not guarantee that the company will implement it in a future device. 2019 is shaping up to be a very interesting year for smartphones. While Samsung is already planning to launch foldable devices, many other manufacturers seem to be gearing up for 5G. Check out this link to see which upcoming smartphones may offer 5G connectivity. Microsoft has unveiled new icons for it's Office 365 suite of apps like Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Skype and more. The new icons feature bolder, lighter hues, which are combined with simplistic visuals. These icons will replace the existing designs that were introduced back in 2013. In a post on Medium, Jon Friedman, Head of Microsoft Office Design explained the philosophy behind the new icons. Todays workforce includes five generations using Office on multiple platforms and devices and in environments spanning work, home, and on the go. We wanted a visual language that emotionally resonates across generations, works across platforms and devices, and echoes the kinetic nature of productivity today. Our design solution was to decouple the letter and the symbol in the icons, essentially creating two panels (one for the letter and one for the symbol) that we can pair or separate. This allows us to maintain familiarity while still emphasizing simplicity inside the app. Friedman notes that the new icons will begin rolling out in the coming months over all platforms, starting with mobile and the web. Back in September this year, Microsoft rolled out Office 2019 for the PC and Mac. Interestingly, Office 2019 is only supported on Windows 10 and not on older versions like Windows 8.1 and Windows 7. Office 2019s MacOS support, however, includes versions 10.14, 10.13, and 10.12. Office 2019 includes updated versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. The Windows edition includes maintenance-mode versions of Publisher, Access, Project, and Visio, which means theyre continuing to receive security fixes, but havent had any changes in the feature since Office 2016, the previous version. Bundoran is set host a brand new event Atlantic Irish Fest early in the new year it has been confirmed this week. The new event which is aimed at offering guests a unique take on Ireland and the chance to immerse themselves into the music and culture of Donegal. The festival will take place from January 19 to 23 and the four day event coincides with the Milwaukee Irish Festival trip to Ireland. Dr Niamh Hamill, cultural director of the festival and she said; Lots of visitors to Ireland don't want a tourist experience, they want to immerse themselves in the local atmosphere. The festival program includes The Logues, The Henry Girls, and Johnny Gallagher and the Boxtie band. The new event has been welcomed by Bundoran Tourism Officer Shane Smyth. We are delighted to have an event of this calibre in Bundoran in January, said Mr Smyth. Our festival guests can look forward to an enjoyable, authentic visit to our beautiful town and see exactly what makes the town tick mid winter. The programme that is lined up is an impressive one with activities that are bound to please everyone. A group of diverse but like-minded individuals, the members of ARC have come together in their common desire to fight hatred, bigotry, intolerance and violence because of the harm these antisocial behaviors cause to our society. In that effort, we will not use or sanction the use of illegal actions (such as violence or intimidation) in pursuit of our desired aims and if we learn of anyone who does use these unethical methods we will report those individuals to the authorities. Instead, we will use the guarantees found in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that ensure freedom of legal speech and expression. George H.W. Bush, who styled himself as the education president and spearheaded a historic 1989 summit meeting with governors that helped propel the standards-based education improvement movement, has died at age 94. Bush died in Houston on Friday night. Bushs wife of 73 years, Barbara Pierce Bush, died April 17 at age 92. George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for, his eldest son, former President George W. Bush, said on Instagram. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for the 41s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens. Bush served a single term as the 41st U.S. president, from 1989 to 1993, after years of government service that included member of Congress, ambassador, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and vice president for eight years under President Ronald Reagan. He was seeking to seize an issue for his 1988 campaign for the Republican presidential nomination when he stood before an audience of high school students in New Hampshire and declared, I want to be the education president. I want to lead a renaissance of quality in our schools, Bush said at Manchester High School in January of that year. The candidate would return to the theme and to the education president tagline throughout the primary season and the general election campaign, in which Bush defeated Democrat Michael S. Dukakis. Centerpiece Goals Upon taking office, Bush would soon begin planning a major policy summit on education goals, held in September 1989 on the campus of the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville. The two-day summit included the participation of 49 of the nations governors (Rudy Perpich, Democrat of Minnesota, was the lone absence), as well as business leaders and policymakers. It concluded with an agreement to develop national education goals and take other steps to improve the nations schools. The American people are ready for radical reforms, the president said after the two-day summit. We must not disappoint them. A key participant in the summit and the ensuing efforts to hammer out the details of the goals was Bill Clinton, then the 43-year-old Democratic governor of Arkansas who would go on to defeat Bush in the 1992 presidential election. After months of post-summit meetings that generally included Clinton, at that time a leader of the education task force of the National Governors Association, and Roger B. Porter, Bushs domestic-policy adviser, the goals became a centerpiece of Bushs State of the Union address in January 1990. By 2000, Bush told the country, every child in the United States would start school ready to learn, and the high school graduation rate would rise to at least 90 percent. Every American adult would be a literate and skilled worker. The nation would lead the world in math and science achievement. Schools would be safe and drug-free. And, most critically: Every student would leave grades 4, 8, and 12 having demonstrated competency in English, mathematics, science, history, and geography. Ambitious aims? Of course. Easy to do? Far from it, Bush said in the address before Congress. But the futures at stake. The nation will not accept anything less than excellence in education. Cocky and High Hat George Herbert Walker Bush was born June 12, 1924, in Milton, Mass., the second of five children of Prescott Bush and Dorothy Walker Bush. The elder Bush was a businessman who was elected to the U.S. Senate from Connecticut in 1952 to fill a vacancy created by the death of an incumbent. He was re-elected to a full term in 1956 and left office in January 1963. Among the wealthy familys homes was a compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, that George H.W. Bush would visit frequently during his White House years. Bush was 5 years old when he entered Greenwich Country Day School in Connecticut in 1929, starting 1st grade a year early so he could be with his older brother, Prescott Bush Jr., according to Jon Meachams biography of the president, Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush. The boys were chauffeured to school by the family driver to the elite private school, where they learned Latin. In 1937, Bush entered Phillips Academy, an Andover, Mass., boarding school founded in 1778 that extolled its motto of accepting youth from every quarter. Bush struggled there at first, according to Meachams biography, with a counselors report that the young student was not well measured in all respects and was cocky and high hat. By his second year, he had improved considerably. But Bush missed much of his junior year due to illness, which pushed his graduation back to 1942. His yearbook entry reflects an abundance of extracurricular activities: president of the senior class, captain of the baseball and soccer teams, member of the basketball team, chairman of student deacons, and treasurer of the student council. Bush visited Andover, as the school is sometimes called, as president in November 1989 to help the school mark the bicentennial of a visit by George Washington. The Andover Mission states that education has always been the great equalizer and uplifter, the president said. And that, public or private, large or small, the schools of America are precious centers of intellectual challenge and creativity. And yet, theyre more than that, he continued. For it is in school, as it was for me here at Phillips Academy, that we come to understand real values. The need to help the less fortunate, make ours a more decent, civil world. Bush was in his senior year at Phillips Academy when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on Dec. 7, 1941. He quickly decided he wanted to serve his country, and that he would join the U.S. Navy to become a pilot. In a 1944 attack on the Japanese in the Bonin Islands, the plane Bush was piloting took anti-aircraft fire and his engine caught fire. Bush opened a gash on his head as he parachuted out of the plane, and he was rescued from a life raft by a U.S. submarine. Bushs two fellow crew members were never found, a loss that had a profound effect on him. Bushs military service put off his college education, but not his marriage to Barbara Pierce of Rye, N.Y. They had met at a Christmas dance in 1941 in Rye while Pierce, then 16, was home from Ashley Hall School in Charleston, S.C., and Bush was at Andover. Bush and Pierce married in 1945. Bush enrolled in Yale University, where he studied economics, was captain of the baseball team, and graduated on an accelerated schedule after two-and-a-half years. The family moved to West Texas, where Bush pursued a career in the oil business, which he continued with a move to Houston in 1959. In 1964, Bush ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate, then won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1966. In 1970, President Richard M. Nixon convinced Bush to again run for Senate against Democrat Ralph Yarborough, who had defeated Bush in 1964. But Yarborough lost his Democratic primary to Lloyd Bentsen, who went on to defeat Bush. In the ensuing years of the Nixon and President Gerald R. Ford administrations, Bush served as ambassador to the United Nations, chairman of the Republican National Committee, envoy to China, and director of central intelligence. Bush retreated to private life during the administration of President Jimmy Carter, but he decided to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 1980. He defeated Ronald Reagan in the Iowa caucuses and declared that his campaign had gained the momentum, or Big Mo. But Reagan won the nomination, and he selected Bush as his running mate on the eve of the Republican convention. Bush had not shown a great interest in education policy as a presidential candidate or throughout eight years as Reagans vice president. He Seems to Feel It and Mean It In September 1988, Bush accepted the Republican nomination for president at the partys convention in New Orleans. In a forum during the convention, Terrel H. Bell, Reagans first secretary of education, declared that he believed Bush was sincere in his often-stated commitment to improve education based on evidence from his years as vice president. Every time education matters came up at Cabinet meetings, Bell said, Bush was on the edge of his seat, telling Cabinet members and the president that human resources is the whole ballgame. I believe he means it when he says I want to be the education president. Bell, who was at the helm of the Education Department when the groundbreaking report A Nation at Risk was released in 1983, joined his successor as secretary, William J. Bennett, in a coalition of educators in support of Bushs presidential campaign. Lamar Alexander, then a former governor of Tennessee with wide education-policy experience and now the chairman of the U.S. Senate education committee, was a member of Bushs education-advisory panel during the 1988 campaign. When he says he wants to be the education president, it is not a canned statement contrived by a consultant, Alexander told Education Week at the time. Thats one of the things that impresses mehe seems to feel it and mean it. The most discussed education issue during the 1988 campaign involved not standards or goals, but the Pledge of Allegiance. Dukakis, the Democratic presidential nominee, had in 1977 vetoed a bill as governor of Massachusetts requiring public-school teachers to lead their students in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. He was acting on the advice of the states highest court, which had pointed to the U.S. Supreme Courts 1943 decision in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, which struck down that states law requiring students to salute the flag and recite the pledge. (Massachusetts lawmakers overrode Dukakiss veto, though the law was never enforced.) Bush hammered Dukakis on the issue and announced that he would have signed the Massachusetts law, in keeping with the Republican platform promise to protect the pledge in schools. The debate dominated the campaign for weeks, to the consternation of many educators and policymakers. There are so many other things that they should be discussing, a Minnesota private school headmaster told Education Week. A Summit and Goals Meanwhile, the headline-generating Bennett had left the Cabinet late in the Reagan administration and been replaced by the low-key Lauro F. Cavazos, who was the president of Texas Tech University, a friend of Bushs, and the first Hispanic to serve in a presidential cabinet. When Bush won election, he announced that he would keep Cavazos as his education secretary. But by the time of the of the Charlottesville summit, Cavazos was reduced to introducing the president and standing by his side at news conferences. He was not viewed as an especially influential player. Bush felt most comfortable working with his White House domestic-policy aides, such as Roger B. Porter, and governors active in education policy such as Clinton, a Democrat, and Republicans such as Terry Branstad of Iowa and Carroll Campbell of South Carolina. At the end of the summit, Bush singled out a few of the governors, including Clinton, who looks a little tired, but took on an extra responsibility in hammering out a statement upon which there is strong agreement. This is the first time in the history of this country that we ever thought enough of education and ever understood its significance to our economic future enough to commit ourselves to national performance goals, Bush said at the close of the summit. And this is the first time a president and governors have ever stood before the American people and said ... we expect to be held personally accountable for the progress we make in moving this country to a brighter future. Before the president could announce those goals at his 1990 State of the Union address, much work remained to be done. Christopher T. Cross, who served as an assistant secretary of education under Bush, writes in his book Political Education: National Policy Comes of Age that weeks of often rancorous meetings were held in the White House office of Porter, with Clinton never missing a meeting. The goals were highly aspirational, policymakers agreed, and despite the creation of a National Education Goals Panel to work toward their fulfillment, there was no coherent plan for how to achieve the goals, Cross writes. In 1990, Bush pushed Cavazos out the door and soon nominated Alexander as secretary of education. Even before he was confirmed, Alexander had helped develop a presidential initiative called America 2000 , a mixed-bag program calling for higher standards, a new voluntary national system of achievement tests, and a nonprofit New American Schools Development Corporation, which would stage design competitions for innovative schools, with a plan for one in each congressional district. Chester E. Finn Jr., an assistant secretary of education under Reagan, writes in his memoir Troublemaker: A Personal History of School Reform Since Sputnik, that he accompanied Alexander to the White House to vet the proposal with aides and eventually with the president himself. This is the best thing Ive ever seen, Bush said, according to Finn. The initiative was launched, though Congress was uninterested in the elements that required legislative approval. Truth be told, Bush and Alexander didnt work Capitol Hill very hard on behalf of America 2000, Finn writes. The ADA and Supreme Court Picks There were other areas where Bushs time as president made a lasting impact on the nations schools. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which gave schools additional responsibilities for serving students and adults with disabilities. And Bush filled two vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court. Justice David H. Souter, who succeeded Justice William J. Brennan Jr. in 1990, disappointed some of Bushs supporters by turning out more liberal than they had hoped. Souter, who retired in 2009, was a strong supporter of strict separation of church and state in cases about school prayers and religious school vouchers. In 1991, Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to succeed Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American on the high court and the architect of the legal strategy to undo legal segregation in public education. Few believed Bushs insistence that Thomas, a federal appeals court judge and former Reagan administration official, was the best qualified candidate for the opening. Thomas, who became the longest-serving current justice upon the retirement of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy this summer, has been a reliably conservative vote for allowance of student prayers in public schools and for eliminating the consideration of race in education. He has written many iconoclastic opinions expressing his views about how students have limited rights in public schools. While Bushs role on the international stage, presiding over the end of the Cold War and leading an international coalition of countries against Iraqs 1990 invasion of Kuwait, led to a rise in the polls, a souring of the economy late in his term created political difficulties. Clinton, who had worked so closely with Bush and his White House on education matters, did not hesitate to criticize the president as he sought the Democratic nomination. I think we need a real education President, said in a campaign speech in January 1992. We need more than photo ops at schools, and rhetoric, and telling other people what to do. Bush, in his re-election campaign, amped up his support for school choice that included the possibility of the use of vouchers at private schools, including religious schools. An October 1992 presidential debate among Bush, Clinton, and independent candidate H. Ross Perot, at the University of Richmond, highlighted the presidents education themes, as well as his distinctive speaking style. The nation cannot improve its schools and create better jobs by doing it the old way, Bush said. You cant do it with the school bureaucracy controlling everything. And thats why we have a new program that I hope people have heard about. Its being worked now in 1,700 communitiesbypassed Congress on this one, Ross1,700 communities across the country. Its called America 2000. And it literally says to the communities: Reinvent the schools. Not just the bricks and mortar, but the curriculum and everything else. Think anew. Bush added that he believed that weve got to get the power in the hands of the teacher, not the teachers union. ... And so our America 2000 program also says this. It says lets give parents the choice of a ... public, private or religious school. And it works. It works in Milwaukee. Democratic woman up there taken the lead in thisthe mayor up thereon the program. And the schools that are not chosen are improved; competition does that. Clinton won the 1992 election with 43 percent of the popular vote, to just over 37 percent for Bush and nearly 19 percent for Perot. Clinton continued the push for national standards, with the 1994 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, moving the federal government farther into standards and testing. Bush would go on to see his son George W. Bush succeed Clinton and oversee another reauthorization of the main K-12 education law, this time under the name the No Child Left Behind Act, which put the federal government front and center in ensuring that assessments and federally mandated school improvement remedies were a feature of every states accountability system. To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020. Research shows more people are feeling anxious about the climate crisis and their numbers will only increase in the coming years. Experts are concerned it's taking a toll on mental health. Emine Erdogan come together with first ladies Leaders from the worlds leading countries are gathering for the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. Leaders from the worlds leading countries are gathering for the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to discuss issues including development, infrastructure and investment. Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan led the glamour as the world's First Ladies met at the summit. As President Erdogan attends the special session held as part of G20 Leaders Summit, First Lady Emine Erdogan also gathered with world leaders wives. Emine Erdogan had a heart-to-heart talk with first ladies at the museum of Argentine writer and intellectual Victoria Ocampo. First Lady Erdogan posed for a family photo as she visits the Villa Ocampo museum. Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan, Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus spouse Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, Chinese President Xi Jinping spouse Peng Liyuan, Argentinas first lady Juliana Awada, U.S. first lady Melania Trump, Singapores Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongs spouse Ho Ching, European Council President Donald Tusks spouse Malgorzata Tusk, French first lady Brigitte Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abes spouse Akie Abe, South Koreas first lady Kim Jung-sook. G20 Summit kicks off in Buenos Aires The world leaders are set to discuss the most important international economic and financial issues. The G20 Summit started in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The two-day summit is mainly focused on coordinating policies between the states in order to achieve economic stability and financial growth in the world while preventing global financial crises. President Erdogan arrives at G20 Summit WATCH Argentinian President Mauricio Macri, who is also the term president for the summit, welcomed the guests including 19 world leaders and EU representatives. Some 15,000 people are expected to attend the meeting, at least 3,000 journalists are following the meeting. The summit's first session will be about humane values, global economy, future of business life and women empowerment. The second session will cover sustainable development and climate, while the third will discuss infrastructure, energy and future of sustainable food. Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate visits Iran Turkey and Iran need to work together to find solutions to the problems of the Islamic world and for the unity of the Muslim Ummah, the head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate said Friday. Head of Turkish religious body, Ali Erbas made the remarks during a meeting with Ayatollah Mohsen Araki, Secretary General of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, in the Iranian capital of Tehran. "WE NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS" Turkey and Iran have a lot of work to do for the Muslim Ummah, Erbas said during an inter-delegation meeting. He noted that the Islamic world has been facing big problems such as conflicts, terrorism, Islamophobia, poverty and ignorance. What we need to do is work for the good of the Muslim Ummah by averting the obstacles through patience and a strong will, he said. We are responsible for the blood that is being shed in the Islamic territories, particularly in Syria. We are responsible for the Palestinian territories still being under occupation. We need to exert more effort to resolve these problems, he added. For his part, Araki said: If these two countries cooperate, I think there will be big impacts on the Islamic world. Iran and Turkey have had effective roles in the world for decades," he said. I think the same process can be carried out again with a common understanding. Turkish Red Crescent sends medical aid to Gaza The Turkish Red Crescent has announced plans to distribute 8.5 tons of medical aid to the Gaza Strip. Speaking to Anadolu Agency on Friday, Yigit Olcay, head of the Red Crescents Palestine delegation, said that two containers of medicine would be delivered to the blockaded enclave on Sunday. "GAZA CONTINUES TO SUFFER" The medicine, he said, would be distributed to local hospitals through Gazas Health Ministry. Blockaded Gaza continues to suffer from a chronic lack of medicine and medical supplies, Olcay said. On Sunday, we hope to restock Gazas hospitals with fresh supplies delivered by the Red Crescent, he added. In May, Turkish Red Crescent sent medical supplies worth some $100,000 to the Palestinian Red Crescent. The Gaza Strip continues to groan under a decade-long Israeli blockade that has gutted the territorys economy and deprived its two million inhabitants of many basic commodities, including food, fuel and medicine. Yellow Vest movement spread to the Netherlands Frances yellow vest movement spread to, The Hague, Netherlands, local media reports. For more than two weeks, the "yellow vests have blocked roads in protests across France, posing one of the largest and most sustained challenges Emmanuel Macron has faced in his presidency. So far, at least two people have been killed and over 780 people injured and 794 people have been detained during over a week of demonstrations. "WE WANT THIS MOVEMENT TO SPREAD" During Saturday's protests, the yellow vests entered the famous Champs-Elysees Street throwing stones and bottles at the police and setting public property ablaze. According to local media, 60 protestors were arrested during the demonstrations and 10 people, including three police officers, were wounded. In Brussels, around 300 people demonstrated near major EU buildings with at least 60 arrested for possession of box-cutters, smoke bombs or tear gas canisters. Now the protests spread to the Netherlands. The yellow vests in The Hague protested against higher price rates and increasing poverty and see the protests as a way to show society that the working class has trouble to pay their bills. We want this movement to spread, said Gilles, who did not want to give his surname. It began in France, it is here now, and we want it to continue to Germany and the Netherlands, across Europe, even to England. An event in Warsaw on 26 November to mark the 100th anniversary of the Polish Patent Office was attended by some 1 500 Polish and international guests. From right to left: President of the Polish Patent Office Alicja Adamczak, WIPO Director General Francis Gurry, Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the Polish President Andrzej Dera, EPO President Campinos, Deputy Speaker of the Polish Senate Adam Bielan, EUIPO Executive Director Christian Archambeau. 30 November 2018 A delegation from the European Patent Office led by EPO President Antonio Campinos participated in the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland organised in Warsaw this week. Mr Campinos met with the Polish Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology, Jadwiga Emilewicz, and the Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the President, Andrzej Dera. During the meetings both sides highlighted the importance of IP and patents for the economy and innovation, and the fruitful co-operation between the EPO and Poland. "On behalf of the EPO I would like to congratulate the Polish patent office on this landmark anniversary," Mr Campinos said. He added: "This is my first official visit to Poland as EPO President, a country that can look back at a long history of inventions and protecting intellectual property. We look forward to continuing our excellent co-operation aimed at supporting inventors, researchers and companies in Poland and beyond." The EPO President attended a number of events to mark the anniversary of the founding of the Polish patent office in December 1918, including a ceremony on Monday where some 75 Polish inventors, entrepreneurs companies and universities were honoured with a distinction from the Polish Prime Minister for their contributions to patenting and innovation. Poland has been a member of the European Patent Organisation since 2004. The EPO and Polish patent office are implementing a range of joint activities including professional training, qualification of professional representatives, strengthening of patent-related services to industry, patent awareness and improvement of patent information tools and services. For example, thanks to this collaboration, inventors and researchers anywhere can search in the EPO's free online database Espacenet for Polish patent documents, and translate patent texts from Polish into English and vice versa using the EPO's Patent Translate tool. Last year Polish inventors, companies and research institutions filed over 460 patent applications at the EPO, an increase of 14% over the previous year, and well above the EU average growth. During his visit to Warsaw, EPO President Campinos also participated in the 2018 DesignEuropa Awards ceremony. The Awards, for which the EPO President serves as a jury member, are organised by the European Union Intellectual Property Office to recognise companies and designers that have brought outstanding design to the market with the support and protection of Registered Community Design. This year's winners included the AirGo 2.0 bag drop system owned by Danish firm Marcus Pedersen ApS, and designed by Sara Clements (Small and Emerging Companies category), and the ARTIS pheno robotic C-arm angiography system from Siemens Healthcare, designed by Nadia Roth and Tobias Reese (Industry category). The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Hartmut Esslinger, a German designer known for his collaboration with Steve Jobs and Apple. Further information When it comes to international conflicts, ignorance is as much an ally as ill-will in their prolongation. The vested interests entrenched in profiting from conflict unsurprisingly seek to limit the range of possible political options that might lead to demilitarisation, dialogue, conciliation, a just peace, and eventually resolution. However, the means by which the conflicts are prolonged relate just as much to the usually effective embargoes on what kind of knowledge can be produced about the conflict, by whom, and with what kind of visibility. This is acutely so in the case of Kashmir, where ignorance and ill-will work synchronously to produce a simplistic understanding of the region that belies its complexity in terms of its history, politics, competing claims, traumatic memories, divided populations, lack of justice, denial of rights, loss of homes, and cycles of extremism, corruption, and occupation. The mainstream understanding of Kashmir outside the region and globally is predominantly through the prism of an Indian and Pakistani statist narrative. There is little space for Kashmiris and their knowing in their own ways; even less for Kashmiri women speaking about women and Kashmir. In that sense, the present Review of Womens Studies, with all its limitations, provides Kashmiri women this space. The word Kashmir is hypervisible in the Indian discourse today, but in specific and limiting ways. Most Indians and others internationally have a received understanding of Kashmir that is based mostly on media reports, which again tend to be significantly state-centric. Thus, the signifier Kashmir is a tremendously powerful one in the contemporary Indian imaginary and, depending on the qualifiers attached to it, it can be made to carry different political meanings and messages. For instance, when used in the public discourse, the terms Kashmiri Pandit, Kashmiri Muslim, Kashmiri men, and Kashmiri women will all perform different discursive functions. Kashmiri women, as part of that hypervisibility, are often presented as passive victims of their men and of the overarching political violence. Our remit and motivation, here, is to initiate the reader into a more complex understanding of women and Kashmirwomen of Kashmir, women in Kashmiras a way of further interrogating the significance of gender in questions of prolonged conflict. At the outset, we reflect on some of the issues of grouping the themes and the challenges we faced in putting together this review issue. As co-editors, being Kashmiris ourselves, our motive for this review issue was to include the herstories of Kashmir. We have, deliberately and with intent included only work by Kashmiri women. We do not claim to be representative of or speaking for all Kashmiri women, but our motivation is to bring a heightened visibility to at least some Kashmiri scholars who are actively thinking about the intersection of gender and the political dispute. The Kashmiri women writing in these pages are scholars, professionals, and activists who present their analysis in light of history, anthropology, law, and feminist studies. No doubt, there will be other endeavours where we can include a more diverse array of Kashmiri scholars and scholars of Kashmir across genders. We consider this review issue as part of an ongoing endeavour that will prioritise Kashmiri voices that have been usually sidelined. We are aware that in this review issue there is relative absence of gender concerns as they relate to Kashmiri Pandits and other Kashmiri minorities, the Kashmiri and Indian economy, as well as the disputed parts of Kashmir administered by Pakistan and China. It is not that we did not try to find some such voices, but it was not possible always to find or to retain them. In that context, much more work needs to be done, and this is only the beginning. Each paper in this review issue refers to the conflict, and relies on a wide range of narratives and sources. The aim here is not to provide a definitive account of what Kashmiri women think, or say, or want, or experience. Indeed, for us, as editors, selecting and finalising the papers was a tough balancing act. On the one hand, it is not always possible to request a citation for the experience of being marginalised or of witnessing marginalisation, and, on the other hand, scholarly work cannot rely entirely on assertions. We have tried, wherever possible, to walk this line between acknowledging the theoretical feminist insights and making sense of the empirical realities faced in the colonial periphery of the postcolonial nation. In a protracted conflict as the one in Kashmir, the life of people remains suspended often, in the time between the next encounter, killing, arrest or curfew. When men become direct victims of state violence, it falls to the women to hold the last vestiges of the community together. Samreen Mushtaqs (p 54) paper engages with the ways in which Kashmiri women are part of a more overt and wider political struggle, but also part of the everyday resistance where the binaries of home and outside do not hold, and where the home is not an indicator of safety. She looks at the ways in which everyday resistance can be understood through visibility, resilience, and dignity in the reproduction of the daily existence of Kashmiri life. Ordinary life also features in Mona Bhans (p 67) paper, but in an extraordinary manner. Bhan shows us how the daily life of ordinary Kashmiris is threatened as Indian policies increasingly weaponise nature. Bhan specifically locates her paper in the aftermath of the floods of 2014, when Kashmiris en masse challenged the notion that the flood was natural, and thus apolitical. Kashmiris linked the questions of nature, and ecological and resource sovereignties to their struggle for self-determination against Indian hegemony. Bhans paper situates Kashmiri womens narratives of dispossession and the proliferation of Indian investments in mega hydroelectric dams on Kashmirs rivers within this context. Uzma Falaks (p 76) paper is a lyrical analysis of affective female alliancesvyestoanand their liberatory potential. She theorises womens mobilisation in friendships that emerge during protests, demonstrations, and funeral processions of militants and civilians alike who are killed by the government forces. She analyses these linkages not just as a form of support, but also as the creation of a gendered resistance. In Inshah Maliks (p 63) paper, we see how funerals have become spectacular sites of feminist resistance. She challenges the myth of the grieving mother as a passive symbol of patriarchal nationalism, and meaningfully theorises Kashmiri womens agency in the public sphere. Mir Fatimah Kanth (p 42) excavates the history of gendered resistance, illustrating a continuity when it comes to women. She looks at women, politics, and subjectivity in relation to the state and its arbitrary exercise of power, and in relation to society and its gendered expectations of women. Kanths tracing of this history makes it clear that resistance to Indian authority is not a post-1989 phenomenon and certainly has not been bereft of womens participation. In the context of the empowerment of Kashmiri women, Hafsa Kanjwals (p 36) paper takes us back in time, alerting us to how state-sponsored women empowerment programmes in the early years of post-partition Kashmir resulted in feminist projects that were affiliated with the state, and, in time, became deeply contested and politicised. In this context, womens mobility and education were more geared in the service of consolidating the power and legitimacy of the state, rather than allowing indigenous movementspolitical or socialto grow and flourish. Essar Batools (p 60) paper tackles the issue head-on by focusing on sexual violence under intense militarisation and patriarchal norms. Batool, who is also a co-author of an important volume titled Do You Remember Kunan Poshpora?, analyses the sexual violence against women, men, and transgender persons in Kashmir at the hands of the governments troops, who are emboldened by the legal immunity provided by laws like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. While militarisation-related violence works differently on men and women, issues of shame, honour, and reprisals mean that fear results in under-reporting of such violence for both men and women. Batool also makes the important point of how the structure of patriarchy can act as an ally of state violence and oppression. Alliya Anjums (p 47) paper makes sense of how militarism and militarisation is linked to a denial and loss of rights, investigating the gendered effects of this in terms of how violence is experienced and why it is perpetrated. She thinks through the conflict-related sexual violence paradigm in the context of Kashmir, calls into question the government response towards human rights abuses in Kashmir, and urges the need for ending impunity, especially in the context of international legal policy, which is stringent and clear with regard to sexual violence in conflicts. Understanding Experiences of Women in Kashmir While the structure of a military occupation cracks down equally on all genders, feminist scholarship has shown us that the interlocking nature of militarism and masculinity means that competing patriarchies of oppression and resistance become mutually constitutive, and women are at the sharp end of both. Understanding and analysing the life experiences and agential potential of women in disputed zones like Kashmir becomes difficult as well as crucial. In addition to the complications of the globally ubiquitous patriarchy, there is the question of how war and occupation is an exercise in gendered hyper masculine power in the context of a conflict zone. Against this backdrop, Kashmiri women deserve to be recognised for their tremendous role in challenging the narratives and impacts of occupation; these are generational struggles, at once poignant and powerful. We think of inspirational women like Parveena Ahangar who is the co-founder and chairperson of the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), an organisation that brings together those searching for Kashmiri men who have disappeared in the custody of the Indian armed forces. We think of the 55 Kashmiri women who came together in 2013 under the banner of the Support Group for Kunan Poshpora, and have been key to the annual commemoration of 23 February as Kashmiri Womens Resistance Day. We think of the Kashmiri women of the past, the present, and the future who have spoken truth to power, stood up for their rights, braved all odds and persevered, disrupted both patriarchy and occupation, and have lived to tell their stories, to laugh, sing, and love. Yet, so many Kashmiris have had their lives brutally cut short by conflict and violence that has been orchestrated to humiliate them and render them bereft of relatives, homes, and hopes. Do you know how Kashmiris remember? Kashmiris, of any and all kinds, map their timelines not merely by running through the years chronologically, but by recalling the years through what they brought: the summers of massacres, months of mass blindings, humiliations of human shields, ceaseless curfews and bans, repeated uprisings, political upheavals, impositions of governors rule, IndiaPakistan border hostilities, rigged elections, mass exodus, and mass rape. Srinagar has flowers that grow on mass graves, lanes that are littered with ruined houses and torture centres that have been turned into official residences. There are soldiers and guns everywhere. In 2018, the United Nations produced a Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Kashmir: Developments in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir from June 2016 to April 2018, and General Human Rights Concerns in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The reception of this report in the Indian media was overwhelmingly one of rejection and ridicule. The illegitimacy of the Indian states actions in Kashmir is aided by a common-sense public opinion of the Indian majority, which only allows for seeing the Kashmiri struggle through the lens of paternalism or jingoism. What serious scholar of Kashmir could deny the simultaneous existence of human rights abuses and a political problem that needs a political resolution which must involve the Kashmiris themselves? Yet, even something as basic as this is hard to find being reflected in the Indian mainstream media, through which most Indians form their opinions on Kashmir. We urge the readers of this review issue to move beyond the comfort zone of merely acknowledging the vulnerabilities of the marginalised Kashmiris, by equalising the illicitness of the military and the militants, by thinking past the self-serving machinations of the Indian power brokers at the centre and Kashmiri mainstream politicians at the periphery, and by asking the difficult question: How long must ordinary Kashmiris suffer their traumatic history as endless memory before their calls for freedom and justice are taken seriously enough to warrant a political resolution? The Kashmiri women herein speak of myriad things: of spectacles and street protests; womens companionships and female alliances; womens movements and imaginaries of resistance; the links between militarisation, militarism, and the creation of impunity by the law; competing patriarchies and sexual violence as they seek to break Kashmiri communities; the infrastructures of control that limit their mobilities, bodies, and experiences; public grief at funerals as a challenge to Indian sovereignty over Kashmir; and autobiographies, oral histories, and the textures of political memories. In the powerful idiom of postcolonial criticality, the question we should ask is not Can the Kashmiri women speak? but rather Can you hear them? PHILADELPHIA - In an update to a global clinical trial stretching from Philadelphia to four continents, the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel, formerly CTL019) led to long-lasting remissions in patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The most recent results from the trial will be presented today at the 60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego (Abstract #1684). Stephen J. Schuster, MD, director of the Lymphoma Program at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, was the principal investigator on the trial, which is known as JULIET and has already led to approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as by the European Commission, Health Canada, and Swissmedic. Another data set from the JULIET trial with an earlier cut-off date will also be published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). JULIET included 27 sites in 10 countries across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. According to the data presented at ASH, 115 patients with r/r DLBCL received an infusion of CAR T cells. The overall response rate of evaluable patients was 54 percent, with 40 percent achieving a complete response. The median duration of those responses was not reached at a median follow-up of 19 months. "These findings are consistent with what we've shown in our single-site studies here at Penn, which is that the majority of patients who go into remission stay in remission," said Schuster, who is the senior author on the ASH abstract and is the lead author on the NEJM study. The data will be presented at ASH by Richard T. Maziarz, MD, a professor of Medicine at the Oregon Health and Science Knight Cancer Institute. Two-thirds of DLBCL cases are successfully treated with frontline chemotherapy. When that fails, a high-dose chemotherapy combined with an autologous stem cell transplant can potentially lead to long-term disease-free survival. However, only half of r/r patients are candidates for this approach, and for those who are, the expected three-year event-free survival rate is just 20 percent. "CAR T therapy represents a potentially life-saving alternative for these patients, who now have a therapy that can help them achieve durable remissions even after other therapies, including transplant, have failed," Schuster said. The treatment modifies patients' own immune T cells, which are collected and reprogrammed to potentially seek and destroy the patients' cancer cells. After being infused back into patients' bodies, these CAR-expressing T cells both multiply and attack, targeting cells that express a protein called CD19. Tests reveal that this army of hunter cells can grow to more than 10,000 new cells for each single engineered cell patients receive, producing high remission rates. They can also survive in the body for years. Grade 3/4 cytokine-release syndrome (CRS), a toxicity associated with CAR T therapy, which includes varying degrees of flu-like symptoms, with high fevers, nausea, and muscle pain, and can require ICU-level care, was reported in 23 percent of patients, 16 percent of whom required treatment with tocilizumab, which is the standard therapy for the toxicity. All patients recovered from their CRS. Other Grade 3/4 toxicities included infections (19 percent of patients), fever resulting from low blood count (15 percent), neurological events (11 percent), and a metabolic abnormality called tumor lysis syndrome (two percent). There were no treatment-related deaths. In May 2018, Kymriah was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adult patients with r/r large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including DLCBL, high grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma. In August 2018, it was approved by the European Commission, making it the first cellular therapy approved for two different cancer indications. The original FDA approval came in August 2017 for the treatment of patients up to 25 years of age with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that is refractory or in second or later relapse. Penn and Novartis formed a global research and development collaboration in 2012. ### The trial was supported by Novartis. Dr. Schuster's work is also supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (1R01CA165206), as well as through philanthropic support for the Lymphoma Program at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania from James and Frances Maguire and the Frances Maguire Lymphoma Research Fund, Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, and Sharyn Berman and the Richard Berman Family Funds for CLL and Lymphomas. Editor's Note: The University of Pennsylvania has licensed some technologies involved in these studies to Novartis. Some of the scientists involved in these trials are inventors of these technologies. As a result of the licensing relationship with Novartis, the University of Pennsylvania receives significant financial benefit, and some of these inventors have benefitted financially and/or may benefit financially in the future. Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $7.8 billion enterprise. The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top medical schools in the United States for more than 20 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $405 million awarded in the 2017 fiscal year. The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Medicine Princeton Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, a leading provider of highly skilled and compassionate behavioral healthcare. Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2017, Penn Medicine provided more than $500 million to benefit our community. Privacy Settings This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. You may change your settings at any time. Your choices will not impact your visit. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. Marilyn Redmond is the speaker for this millennium. Her radio show, "Love Never Fails", offers a wide range of information for curious listeners. Her experience, understanding, and insight bring answers to your problems and inquisitiveness. Hear all 20 shows of "Love Never Fails" for exciting programs with guests and topics to enhance your life for brilliant results. "Love Never Fails" has topics from all different situations. They include Holistic Health, Domestic Violence, Reiki, Anger/Resentments, Prison Program, Guilt/Shame, Tapping, Angels, Stress, Flower Essences, Relationships, Communications, Other side of the Veil, Past Lives, Dr. Norman Shealy, Grace, and Balance. Each show has tools and tips for your life. Her guests are experts in their field. She has unique knowledge and wisdom of the human dilemma and the solutions that will work for you, too. She shares her experience, strength, and hope to help you find your inner strength for health, healing, empowerment, and a higher consciousness. Her pioneering and innovative work in restoring traumatic lives, healing emotional causes of illness, and releasing negative energy restores health and reality. Marilyn is multi-talented and wishes to share all her abilities with everyone. Marilyn graduated from Western Washington University and attended the University of Washington for her graduate work. She is a retired school and college teacher and continues to teach metaphysical classes. Marilyn was ordained as a spiritual minister for spiritual counseling along with becoming a healer, regressionist, past life therapist, and other related proficiencies. She has found the dynamics to heal our conditions at the root cause. Marilyn is an Internationally Board Certified for Regression Therapy (IBRT), a member of the American Board of Hypnotherapy (ABH), and a lifetime member of Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment. (A.R.E.) She connects to the other side for the spiritual solutions to life's problems. Marilyn gives readings and speaks to your loved ones passed over on Skype or in person. She is an International award winning writer, author, and columnist. Marilyn has 10 paperback and EBooks at Amazon.com. Her monthly column is in "The Sussex Newspaper" http://www.thesussexnewspaper.com/about-adhd-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/ ,on the internet as their wellness and spirituality expert. Check out her website: http://angelicasgifts.com/ , her blog, http://marilynredmondbooks.blogspot.com/ and her 163 video interviews, lectures, and spiritual information on You Tube, "Love Never Fails" are listed on https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-M3-rwQ-y1qSL0_Lg1bf25gxT3UMLNQc . Her shows are entertaining, informative, and practical. Contact her today for your counseling or spiritual needs at marilyn@angelica's gifts.com CPS Energy officials say they want to boost the number of San Antonio households and businesses taking advantage of the utilitys solar rebate program as a way to promote clean energy. But solar-panel installers who benefit from the program say they have a big problem with how the city-owned utility plans to achieve its goal. CPS is slashing the rebates dollar amounts, even though it plans to kick in another $15 million in fiscal year 2019, beginning Feb. 1. The program, which received $15 million for 2018, has proved to be more popular than anticipated. This years funding helped pay for more than 3,000 projects and was depleted faster than the utility expected, said Rick Luna, CPS interim director of technology and product innovation, who manages the program. While the overall dollar amount $15 million will stay the same next year, the new rebates will halve the amount of money doled out to new solar projects, potentially allowing the utility to double the number of projects that can receive rebates. A new rate of $2,500 per project is set to go in effect Saturday. The incentive, which will eventually drop to $1,500, is less than half the average rebates of $4,857 for residential projects and $39,003 for commercial projects paid out since February. Ben Rodriguez, executive director of the San Antonio Solar Alliance, which represents the local solar industry, said the new, smaller rebates will kill solar panel installation jobs in San Antonio and be less effective at getting panels onto the rooftops of poorer residents. He expects the reductions to result in San Antonio panel installers cutting 390 jobs, or 40 percent of their workforce. CPS estimates the industry employs 976 people. On ExpressNews.com: Impact of solar tariffs may be overblown If the citizens of San Antonio were not using this program, we wouldnt have to continue to reallocate dollars into it, Rodriguez said. CPS board of trustees review the programs performance, but does not have to vote on its funding or plans. Rodriguez said CPS Luna had asked him to come to the utility with an industry-backed counterproposal to the flat rate. In documents Rodriguez shared with the San Antonio Express-News, the industry-backed plan called for keeping the current rebates of 60 cents a watt and an additional 10 cents a watt when using local modules made by San Antonio-based Mission Solar Energy before being reevaluated. While CPS and the local solar industry have clashed in the past, Rodriguez says CPS has worked well with the industry over the last few years. This time, though, he claimed utility officials ignored solar-panel installers. They gave me three hours notice that this would be announced, asked me for a counterproposal, told me to get industry support and then told me to go eat an egg -- were sticking with what we have, he said. Luna said he was caught off guard by the accusation that he ignored the industrys counterproposal. He said he hadnt seen Rodriguezs plan. The new system will give smaller solar installations a larger rebate, Luna said, and will reduce the amount of rebate dollars larger solar systems draw from the program. He believes this will encourage the installation of more systems overall. READ ALSO: Heat map of San Antonio conveys whats at stake in climate plan CPS trustee Homer Guevara said in an email that this new program will help support more projects and we see this as a good development. Not all installers object to the changes. Any rebate is better than no rebate, said Jonathan DAntonio, the San Antonio operations manager for Maryland-based panel installer American Sentry Solar. Im happy that CPS is still continuing an incentive at all, and I think its good for both local residents and the solar industry here, DAntonio said. Obviously, would I like it to be as high as possible? Most certainly, but Im realistic also. But Sean Yun, a consultant for Austin-based Alba Energy, which operates in San Antonio, said the new rebate will make selling solar systems locally more difficult by raising the cost for potential customers. He said the current rebates gives his customers between $5,000 and $6,000 back per system. For projects that use locally made panels from Mission Solar, the rebates have been even bigger. The solar rebate program has paid out $129 million for 13,680 projects since it began in 2007 with 110 megawatts of installed capacity in CPS Energys territory, which covers most of Bexar County. That can power around 22,000 homes at peak demand. The new $15 million allotment will be split into three tranches: $9 million for $2,500 rebates for residential projects; $5 million for $1,500 rebates; and $1 million for commercial projects. An incentive of 10 cents a watt for using Mission Solar Energy panels will switch to $500 a project. Austins city-owned utility, Austin Energy, has a $2,500 flat rate incentive for solar energy. Since the mid-2000s, CPS has signed power purchase agreements for 550 megawatts of utility-scale solar. The majority of that capacity is installed away from CPS territory. The utility also purchases excess power from residential and business customers whove installed solar panels. Rye Druzin is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering Texas energy. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | rdruzin@express-news.net | Twitter: @druz_journo Texas-style barbecue joints continue to open around the world, and thats good news for expatriate Texans, or those who travel internationally. If youre in London, you can drop by Texas Joes for a taste of legitimate Texas barbecue. Melt and The Beast in Paris offer similar smoked meat experiences just across the English Channel. On a recent trip to Como, Italy, I found a new outpost of Texas barbecue called Blacket. As I sat down to a plate of the Texas trinity brisket, ribs and sausage I again pondered the question, Why do Europeans love Texas barbecue? Based on my own experience traveling abroad and talking to European pitmasters and diners, Im certain that at least part of the answer can be found in the ingredient that defines Texas barbecue American-made beef. Europeans have a complicated relationship with beef, both in its consumption and production. In most European countries, eating beef is an afterthought the tradition of steakhouses that is so prevalent in the U.S. does not exist in most parts of Europe (Spain is something of an exception). If youve ever ordered a steak in Europe, you quickly realize the experience is quite different from the U.S. The most noticeable difference is how it is cooked the steaks Ive had are invariably extra-rare. European beef also lacks the high fat content marbling of American beef. This is because much of the beef produced in Europe is grass-fed, rather than the grain-fed or grain-finished beef that makes the American product much fattier, and therefore more flavorful. Indeed, beef production in Europe is highly regulated, mainly due to concerns of sustainability, animal welfare and food safety. The debate over beef production is complex, but clearly Europe as a whole has decided that these concerns are more important than producing, arguably, more tasty beef using the less-regulated American approach. In my own experience, the flavor and texture of American beef is better than European beef. I believe that many Europeans feel the same way. And thats a big reason why Texas barbecue has become so popular there. One of the common features of Texas-style barbecue joints in Europe is that they all procure imported American beef. At Blacket in Como, when my brisket order arrived I knew immediately that it was American beef. The generous marbling and fat cap were unmistakable. Pitmaster Vincenzo Enzo Cuccaro confirmed that he imports Creekstone Farms-brand beef out Kansas, when he can get it. Unfortunately, European barbecue joints cant always acquire American beef. Importing beef into the European Union is a complex process. First, there is a quota for the total amount of tariff-free beef that can be imported from all non-E.U. countries. American beef represents just a small sliver of that overall quota. Additionally, beef imported to Europe must adhere to the standards of sustainability and other requirements previously mentioned. For American beef, this mainly means that it must be hormone-free. Hormones are often used in American beef production to help the cattle grow faster. European regulators have determined that the use of hormones is unhealthy and unsustainable and bans the importation of beef made this way. American beef imported to Europe is thus labeled all natural, meaning it was produced without the use hormones or antibiotics. Creekstone Farms is one brand of American beef known for its all-natural product that satisfies European requirements. This, of course, creates a problem. The demand for high-quality beef in Europe is increasing and the quota, measured by quarter, is being exhausted sooner. European pitmasters have told me that it is often hard to find imported American beef toward the end of each quarter because the quota has been reached. Thats starting to change. American and European regulators are negotiating for larger quotas of imported American beef. Thats good news for Texas-style barbecue joints in Europe. Because there is clearly an increase in demand for the tastier, more tender style of beef produced in the U.S. For Europeans who crave American beef, they know that Texas-style barbecue joints are guaranteed to have that beef, cooked in a proper and traditional way (not too rare!). To paraphrase an American marketing slogan: Beef. Its why Europeans love Texas-style barbecue. jcreid@jcreidtx.com twitter.com/jcreidtx Filmmakers Kate Davis and David Heilbroner have built an awards-studded career often making documentaries about cracks in the criminal justice system where lives can slip through unseen. From The Newburgh Sting, about four men swept up in an FBI operation in an upstate New York Muslim community, to The Cheshire Murders, which dug into the investigative missteps in a gruesome Connecticut home invasion, theyre attracted to stories of struggle against civic authority. So its no surprise that the case of Sandra Bland, the 28-year-old African-American woman who was found hanging in her cell while in police custody in Waller County after a confrontational traffic stop with Texas state trooper Brian Encinia, snagged their attention when it hit the headlines in July 2015. That interest mushroomed into their latest project, Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland, debuting at 9 p.m. Monday on HBO. Blands death, which authorities designated a suicide while Blands family and their supporters raised the specter of racism, foul play, botched oversight and possible homicide, came at a time when the issue of African-Americans dying at the hands of the police was at the top of the news with fallout from the fatal shootings of Michael Brown in St. Louis, Eric Garner in New York City, Walter Scott in North Charleston, S.C., and Tamir Rice in Cleveland among others still reverberating through the media. RELATED: Sandra Bland museum exhibit inspires mother to continue daughter's legacy. Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland When: 9 p.m. Monday Where: HBO See More Collapse But something about Blands case jumped out to Davis and Heilbroner: She was a woman. There has been a systemic gender bias, Davis says in a phone interview, regarding media coverage. There have been women who have fallen at the hands of the police or in police custody. So, yes, that added a certain importance to me, to the story. There are other elements, too. There was a mystery enshrouding what the heck happened. All we really knew at the time was that she was brutalized at the roadside by a cop and, strangely and seriously, three days later, was found in her jail cell, so the authorities said. That led to so many questions. Both sides of the story Davis and Heilbroner, himself a former prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorneys office, managed to get incredible access, not only to the Bland family particularly her grief-stricken mother and sisters but to jailhouse photos, videos and autopsy evidence. They also devote a significant portion of the film to letting both the Blands as well as Waller County sheriff R. Glenn Smith and district attorney Elton Mathis tell their side of the story. It took nearly two years for the film to be completed as the filmmakers had to convince everyone to participate and wait for the case to be settled. In 2016, the Bland family received $1.9 million and changes in Waller County jail procedures from their wrongful-death suit. Subsequently, the Texas Senate passed the Sandra Bland Act which was designed to force local jails to increase mental-health supervision of their charges and suicide-prevention training for employees. I think the family could see that we really care about humanizing people who are pawns in a larger scheme ... and they knew this project would have the muscle of HBO, which is really something I never take for granted, Davis says. In terms of law enforcement, they couldnt talk to us for a long time because they were in the middle of gathering evidence and presenting their case. ... We held back and approached them once the case was settled ... I think the sheriff and the DA took this as an opportunity to have their voice heard because they felt so attacked and vilified. RELATED: 'Two Sides' documentary relives the death of Sandra Bland. We said, Look, tell us what you think happened. What mistakes may have been made. Speak for yourself, otherwise you get people speaking for you. Another part of it is my partner was a prosecutor in Manhattan. I think that helped that he would give law enforcement a fair shake, and let the audience think what they wish. Its an even-handed approach that has been criticized in some quarters, such as in a Los Angeles Times review, where they say the filmmakers should have offered more pushback on some of the claims made. Davis waves away such comments. We put (Smith and Mathis) in the hot seat on really critical issues, like the falsifying of the jail records, she says, referring to the guards who admitted to entering incorrect information on log entries to make it seem as if they had checked on Bland when he hadnt. Thats an egregious error on their part, and we did push them on camera to say that. ... We allow the public to see first-hand that both the sheriff and the DA admit fault, serious fault. If the jailers werent checking on Sandy, at the very least, its negligence. ... Had they done their job, they could have saved her life, potentially. ... The sheriff admits that he feels that the Waller County Jail is morally responsible for Sandys death. Thats the closest thing the familys ever gotten to an apology. If we had so-called push farther, they wouldve walked out, she continues. Wed never hear from them at all. (Then) we could just sit in our bubble and fill in the blanks but its not fair reporting. I dont think it gives the audience really a chance to think for themselves and get to know these guys. Whether you like them or not, whether you think theyre lying through their teeth, whether you think theyre playing to the audience there are many ways to read what theyre saying I think its the ethical way to go. Its not a gotcha film. On the other side, at least one critic the Hollywood Reporters John DeFore has also noted that they dont talk to Alexandria Pyle, the inmate in a cell adjacent to Blands who communicated with her and has said that she might have been distraught enough to kill herself, as authorities have maintained. We actually tried to reach her, says Davis. She was skittish and avoiding (us). We did try. Getting to know Bland One of the most striking elements about Say Her Name is how much of Blands personality percolates throughout. It opens and closes with clips from Blands Sandy Speaks YouTube channel in which she talks about police abuse and racism but also the need for blacks and whites to find common ground in this contentious time. When the directors discovered the videos, they knew they had to use them to help flesh out Blands personality and life, showing that she was more than just another victim and grim statistic. Its eerie. Its as if she speaks from the grace, Davis says. She speaks for so many of the fallen whose faces well never know. ... We dont get to know Eric Garner and Michael Brown the same way because its so astonishingly rare to find that kind of legacy of video blogs where the very person whose life was lost speaks to the issues that brought them down. Davis concedes that it may be never known with absolute certainty what happened to Bland within the walls of the Waller County Jail. There are some terrifying lapses or gaps of knowledge that will keep everyone wondering, she said. Then the question becomes why was she there in the first place, what other mistakes we know were made, and what can we learn from them. The Sandra Bland Act was one step toward change so that maybe somebody else wont go through the same thing. Finding uplift After dealing with so many heavy issues of death and injustice in many of their movies, Davis and Heilbroner are taking a detour with their next film, Born into the Gig, a look at the children of celebrity rock n roll parents. Im an amateur musician myself and it is nice to explore something thats life-affirming, Davis says. On the other hand, Ive got to say that Sandys own spirit did keep me going through (Say Her Name). As dark as this is, I think its something that surprises audiences. ... Some people just come up and go, Wow, this is about Sandy, this amazing woman who we get to know and sort of love, with her humor and her many different moods and messages. cary.darling@chron.com George H.W. Bush paid a touching final tribute to his late wife, Barbara Bush by wearing socks with books on them to her funeral on Saturday, April 21, but the viral moment wouldn't have been possible without John Cronin. It was the fall of 2016 and John a young man with Down Syndrome was in his last year of school when he told his father he wanted to be in business with him. LASTING LEGACY: Former President George H.W. Bush dies at age 94 John's dad, Mark Cronin, told Chron.com they thought of many potential business ideas, including a food truck, but ultimately decided on a sock business. "Right before Thanksgiving John came up to me and said, 'Dad, we should sell socks.' He came to me with a business name and even a drawing of what the website could look like," Cronin said. "John had always worn crazy socks because they are colorful and fun, and let John be John." So on Dec. 9, 2016, John's Crazy Socks was born. The pair decided to skip creating a business plan and just started selling a few pairs in their home state of New York to gauge the response. In the first month alone they made over $16,000 in revenue. Now Playing: John Cronin, the creator of John's Crazy Sock, reads a thank you letter sent to him by George H.W. Bush Video: Courtesy of John and Mark Cronin "We learned a few things from that," Cronin said. "People like to buy socks, and people like to buy socks from John." From there the business grew into a thriving "crazy sock" empire, with over 1,900 styles from different suppliers and several charity and awareness socks designed by John himself. In 2017 the business' first full year in business John came across an article about Bill Clinton gifting H.W. Bush some crazy socks and decided that he wanted to send Bush 41 socks as well. "John loves sending people socks, he has even sent some to J.J. Watt and Odel Beckham after they got hurt. We sent the former president a box of socks that John picked out," said Cronin. "In March, Bush's office called us back looking for more socks, so we sent another box. This time Bush sent a lovely thank you note and sent a pair of socks back. John was over the moon." Bush wore John's socks on several occasions including on World Down Syndrome Day (March 21), which featured a superhero John personally designed, but the most viral moment was for the funeral of Barbara Bush. "That Thursday before the funeral, we got a call from H.W. Bush's office asking for socks that would pay homage to the former first lady," Cronin said. "The call was short notice, so we didn't have time to personally design a pair, but after careful thought, John picked out 20 pairs of socks for him and his family that would honor Barbara Bush." They knew he would likely wear the socks, but they never expected to get as much attention as they have. "As soon as we realized how popular they were getting, we immediately made it so that 100 percent of the profits from those socks would go to the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation," said Cronin. "We sold about 1,500 pairs of book socks. The demand was so high that we wiped out the supplier, and the socks won't be back in stock until mid-August." While the book socks may be sold out, there are thousands of others to pick from on their website, and profits go to a variety of charities and organizations like The Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, Autism Speaks, Autism Society of America, and many more. "It may seem counter-intuitive, but the more we do for others, the more we give away, the better it is for our business," Cronin said. "We want people to look at what John is doing and see what is possible. We want the world to know that when you give people a chance, they can produce." Take a look through the gallery above to see other crazy socks George H.W. Bush has worn. Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli is a digital producer at Chron.com. You can read more of her stories here and follow her on twitter at @Dani_DiNapoli. In two major developments this week, President Donald Trump has been labeled in the parlance of criminal investigations as a major subject of interest, complete with an opaque legal code name: "Individual 1." New evidence from two separate fronts of special counsel Robert Mueller III's investigation casts fresh doubts on Trump's version of key events involving Russia, signaling potential political and legal peril for the president. Investigators have now publicly cast Trump as a central figure of their probe into whether Trump's campaign conspired with the Russian government during the 2016 campaign. Together, the documents show investigators have evidence that Trump was in close contact with his lieutenants as they made outreach to both Russia and WikiLeaks - and that they tried to conceal the extent of their activities. OBAMA: 'Nobody in my administration got indicted' On Thursday, Trump's longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress when he insisted that Trump was not pursuing plans to build a Trump Tower in Moscow after January 2016, casting Trump's repeated claims that he had no business interests in Russia in a new light. A draft special counsel document revealed Tuesday also indicates that prosecutors are closely scrutinizing Trump's interactions with a longtime adviser, Roger Stone, as he was seeking information about WikiLeaks' plans to release hacked Democratic emails. Legal experts said it's still unclear how much peril the president might face as a result of the new evidence Mueller has gathered about the Moscow project and WikiLeaks, but his prominence in the prosecutors' papers puts the president in an awkward starring role. "It's deeply troubling. It's not a place that anybody wants to be, or where you would want your friends or family to be," former federal prosecutor Glen Kopp said. "And it's certainly not a place that you would want your president to be." Trump, identified as "Individual 1" in Cohen's guilty plea, was said to have received direct updates from Cohen as he pursued a Moscow Trump Tower project with the Kremlin, up until June 14, 2016. The president also appears in the draft charging document for Trump ally Jerome Corsi, who allegedly told Stone about WikiLeaks' plans to release damaging Democratic emails in October of that year because he knew Stone was in "regular contact" with Trump. The Washington Post reported this week that Trump spoke with Stone the day after he got the alert from Corsi. In the draft documents, prosecutors sought to have Corsi plead guilty to lying when he said he didn't know about WikiLeaks' plans and urging others to visit WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to obtain emails damaging to Democrats. Trump has given slightly differing accounts of his Moscow business ties over time. In July 2016, he tweeted: "For the record, I have ZERO investments in Russia." A day later he claimed, "I have nothing to do with Russia." In January 2017, he told a reporter: "I have no deals that could happen in Russia, because we've stayed away." Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said Thursday that the president's written answers to Mueller about the Moscow project, which he submitted just before Thanksgiving, conforms with Cohen's version of events. They discussed a project, starting in 2015, continuing into 2016, and it went nowhere, he said. "The president, as far as he knows, he remembers there was such a proposal for a hotel," Giuliani said. "He talked it over with Cohen as Cohen said. There was a nonbinding letter of intent that was sent. As far as he knows it never came to fruition. That was kind of the end of it." IMMIGRATION: Trump officials defend using tear gas on migrants during border fracas Alan Dershowitz, a Trump ally and constitutional lawyer, said Cohen's confessions don't suggest Trump committed any crime but could suggest that Trump wasn't telling the public the whole truth about the Moscow deal. "This is politically damaging, but I'm not sure how legally damaging it is," Dershowitz said. "This is all about questionable political behavior. It's a good reason for people voting against Trump. But I don't see a crime yet." But Tim O'Brien, a Trump biographer and frequent critic, said the developments pose significant new challenges for the president. "This is part of the fact pattern that gets to the heart of whether there was collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin during the campaign," O'Brien said. "I think the unforgiving grinding force of the U.S. justice system, which he has tried to undermine since he became president, is encircling him. I don't think we know where he will land. But he is certainly mired in something that he is ill-equipped, legally and personally, to handle." CALL FOR CIVILITY: Houston Republican Dan Crenshaw's next mission: 'Make conservatism cool.' Some legal experts argued Mueller appears to be drawing a picture of a candidate who was beholden to the Kremlin. Emails released in the Cohen plea show Trump seeking a financial endorsement from the Russian government on a private project while Russian President Vladimir Putin was offering to say flattering things about Trump. "It creates the potential for Trump to feel an obligation to pay back President Putin, or Russia in general that . . . do not put the best interests of American forward." Kopp said. "You are creating a potential vulnerability for a future leader of America." Trump privately stewed as he followed news coverage of Cohen's plea early Thursday morning, a White House official said. A Justice official called the White House Counsel's Office on Wednesday evening to let personnel know that Cohen would be pleading guilty in a case the following day, according to one person with direct knowledge of the notice. They were not told the details, however, which they learned about shortly before Cohen's plea Thursday morning. Giuliani said the president believed the news development was a gratuitous slap from the Mueller team just as he was about to depart the White House for a trip to the Group of 20 summit in Argentina. In public, Trump was defiant, telling reporters that Cohen was a liar and a "weak person" who would do anything to save himself from fraud charges he faces related to his taxi business. Speaking before he stepped onto the Marine One helicopter for his trip, he also denigrated Cohen's intelligence, calling him "not very smart." "He was convicted of various things unrelated to us," Trump said. "He's a weak person, and what he's trying to do is get a reduced sentence. So he's lying about a project that everybody knew about. I mean, we were very open with it." He questioned the scrutiny of the Moscow project. "There would have been nothing wrong if I did do it," Trump said. "When I'm running for president, that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to do business." Trump often grows aggrieved seeing Cohen on TV, aides say. Among White House advisers, Cohen is seen as an existential threat - as much or more so than the Mueller investigation itself due to his longtime role as Trump's fixer. Trump's legal team did not learn until Thursday that Cohen had sat for dozens of hours of interviews with Mueller's office, according to a senior administration official. Trump was infuriated earlier this year when Cohen released tapes of him and asked his lawyers and advisers if anything could be done to stop him from releasing any more. The Trump legal team cast Cohen as a flawed character whose word is meaningless, as it had when he pleaded guilty in August to eight felony counts, including paying women for their silence about alleged affairs with Trump. Legal experts said prosecutors were not likely to build a guilty plea - a brick in the overall case - on the word of one person. The prosecutors' filings show they have corroborated and buttressed Cohen's account with contemporaneous emails, and people familiar with the probe say they have also obtained corroborating testimony from other witnesses. TEXAS POLITICS: Cornyn to seek cooperation on trip to inauguration of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador "This is obviously a significant plea and statement. It means that when the president was representing during the campaign that he had no business interests in Russia, that that wasn't true," said Rep. Adam Schiff, Calif., the ranking Democrat in line to become chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. " If the president and his associates were being untruthful in real time as they were pursuing this deal, what does it mean now about how much we can rely on what the president is saying about any continuing Russian financial interest?" Giuliani said the president and his business have not tried to hide his pursuit of a Moscow tower project, and voluntarily disclosed some of the documents Mueller's team used in its probe of Cohen for lying to Congress. According to a person familiar with the investigation, Cohen and the Trump Organization could not produce some of the key records upon which Mueller relies. Other witnesses provided copies of those communications. In the White House, two aides said Trump had complained more in recent days about Mueller's prosecutors and has kept close tabs on the comments of Corsi and Stone. Trump has praised his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, extensively for fighting Mueller's team, which accused Manafort this week of breaching a plea agreement by lying repeatedly to prosecutors as part of his pledged cooperation in the Russia probe. Cohen had not been on the front of Trump's mind, both of these aides said. Many in the White House try to avoid talking with the president about the Mueller probe, for fear they will be subpoenaed. And both of the aides said it was unclear why Trump was complaining more about the investigation recently. During the midterm campaign, the president occasionally told advisers that people had forgotten about the Mueller probe and remarked positively that it was no longer dominating TV headlines. - - - The Washington Post's Alice Crites contributed to this report. Last month, Harris County voters elected a socialist. Technically, Franklin Bynum is a Democrat, who was the partys nominee for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 8, a misdemeanor court bench held by Republican Jay Karahan since 2002. But Bynum is also a card-carrying member of the Democratic Socialists of America. He supported Bernie Sanderss bid to become president in 2016. And when I asked him if he would seriously like to end capitalism, he said yes. My colleagues on the Houston Chronicle editorial board are sanguine about Bynums election. They endorsed Bynum in part because they had concluded that Dan Simons, his Republican opponent, was unfit to serve as judge. As a Harris County prosecutor, Simons was reprimanded for mishandling evidence. And his campaign against Karahan, in the primary, succeeded by catering to some of the bases worst impulses. Karahan, a widely respected incumbent, had drawn the ire of social conservatives after deciding to perform same-sex marriages. Editorial: For County Criminal Court No. 8- Franklin Bynum But beyond that, the endorsement noted, Bynum, 36, has a reputation as an impressive criminal defense lawyer who cares deeply about his clients. Plus, my colleagues thought his election might be a fun experiment. He offers a clear alternative to the status quo and even people wary of his socialist credentials should be curious to see if he can deliver, the Chronicles editorial board said. I was curious about Bynum, too, because many of my Republican friends are convinced that America is facing an incipient socialist menace. Polls have shown that young Americans, in particular, are broadly skeptical of free enterprise. An August report from Gallup, for example, found that just 45 percent of Americans aged 18-29 have a positive view of capitalism, compared to 51 percent who said the same about socialism. And a number of young Democrats campaigned this year espousing proposals that would reduce the carceral state and expand the safety net. The most high-profile of them, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is about to be sworn into Congress as the U.S. representative from New Yorks 14th Congressional District. There are, of course, a number of progressive Democrats in the Texas Legislature and various local offices. But I would expect the state to be relatively insulated from the socialist trend, because Texas Democrats are, historically, relatively temperate. It would appear that the same could be said of Texass Democratic Socialists. Over breakfast at Baby Barnabys, Bynum told me that he supports goals such as Medicare for All for moral reasons. But he added that theres a common-sense case to be made for such proposals, even if he prefers the more idealistic arguments. Editorial: Why were calling for a judicial sweep in the misdemeanor courts And as a judge, he said, his priority will be insisting on basic due process protections, which Harris County judges have often ignored if not trampled. Bynum also startled me, at one point, by saying that he would prefer a federal job guarantee in conjunction with robust disability benefits to a universal basic income. Both ideas would seek to ensure that everyone has enough money to meet basic needs, but the former is better in Bynums view, because people want to work. Thats what I think, as it happens. But its not a line of argument Ive heard from many young leftists lately. Theres no one sitting around saying we dont want people to work, Bynum said. Are you sure? I asked. Yes, he said. I said that I had a different impression, based on my occasional encounters with socialists on the internet. The internets full of all kind of things, Bynum said. People that are actually out organizing, talking to people, know that people want to work, he continued. They want the dignity of work. They want the ability to go out in the world and make a difference. In fact, Bynum added, this is one of the reasons so many young people are getting involved with the Democratic Socialists of America, which is a small but rapidly growing political organization. Thats an astute observation, one that national Democrats should probably take to heart. And Republicans, for their part, should reflect on the fact that they are directly responsible for creating the incipient socialist menace that a Democrat like Bynum represents. Grieder: Texans have the right take on the First Step Act Texas has been a red state since the 1990s. So the next generation of Texas leaders will be those who grew up in that kind of political environmentand were directly exposed to its positive, and negative, effects. Bynum, for example, has always had a social conscience. But his life experiences, as a native Houstonian, led him to become a socialist. What radicalized me was growing up in Montrose, and seeing [the Houston Police Department] target my neighbors, and seeing Johnny Holmes, the Harris County DA, send dozens of people to their deaths every year, Bynum said. Im from here, he continued. This place created me. Many Harris County voters have had similar experiences, over the years. Its no wonder that they decided to put Bynum in office. erica.grieder@chron.com The Nov. 12 removal of a female student from a University of Texas at San Antonio classroom was the second time in weeks that a white professor called police on a student of color, and faculty members unhappy with UTSAs conclusion that race was not a factor are circulating an online petition seeking changes in how such incidents are investigated. It was not a classroom management issue, but rather yet another incident that reveals institutional racism on the UTSA campus and a climate that has historically refused to redress the problem, says the petition written by several faculty members and posted by Sonja Lanehart, a professor who holds an endowed chair in literature and humanities and is a member of the universitys Black Faculty and Staff Association. Lanehart said she was encouraged by a 75-minute meeting Friday between UTSA President Taylor Eighmy and about 30 association members. The discussion, which also included Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Andrews Espy and Police Chief Gerald Lewis, was mostly about how to change the racism and academic bullying that association members described from personal experience or in anecdotes picked up from peers and students, both Eighmy and Lanehart said afterward. Lanehart said several quality faculty have left UTSA for elite universities because of it. And students who have confided in professors have talked about dropping out of classes in which they felt they were being discriminated against, she said. I dont think its specific to UTSA but it happens at UTSA, Lanehart said. Eighmy said it happens in the wider society, not just academia. Lets just be very frank about it. Things are not right at UTSA, he said in an interview. We are on a path to make improvements. I think its fair to say we have implicit bias and endemic racism within our community. He called it a perfect moment in time to accelerate and catalyze how were going to tackle this going forward. I have to look forward about this. Only 5 percent of faculty and staff are black, and university administrators are making changes in how they recruit and retain faculty and staff of color, he said. What he was saying was very different from what we what we heard from previous administrators, Lanehart said. Before, the onus was being put on individual faculty. But Lanehart said students, faculty and staff have been dissuaded from pursuing action when reporting past incidents. She said association members told Eighmy the protocol used by the Office of Equal Opportunity Services, or EOS, to check on such incidents needed to be revised, and the president told the group the administration is making changes, Lanehart said. Lanehart pointed to an Oct. 9 incident in which a white male professor called police after an argument with two female students, one of them black. UTSA police officers arrived after the altercation and found that the dispute was over his office hours, according to a heavily redacted report released by the university Friday that did not identify the professor or the students. The professor told officers the students did not make threats or physical contact but said he felt uneasy about the exchange and was concerned they would disrupt class again. The students had left class, one of them in tears, the report said. The EOS contacted the students, who said they didnt believe the incident was related to race and declined to file a complaint, university spokesman Joe Izbrand said. Eighmy said he didnt learn of the incident until Friday. Eighmy did not express an opinion, Lanehart said, on the groups critique of the way the EOS handled the investigation stemming from a viral online video that showed police escorting a black female student from biology lecturer Anita Moss class on Nov. 12. Eighmy, however, said he listened to a list of things we need to tackle but said the meeting didnt discuss the Nov. 12 incident or the subsequent pair of investigations that concluded Moss didnt act out of racial bias but suspended her for inappropriately summoning officers to eject a student who posed no threat or disruption. Moss was suspended for the remainder of the semester after a classmate posted the video. The university has not identified the student, who is African-American, but she has spoken about the incident on social media, saying she and Moss exchanged apologies and that she has told everyone who asks if she considered her ouster racially motivated that, The answer is no. She declined to comment for this story. Eighmy defended the way the university investigated the incident. Ive met with the student and with the students mother and my staff have met with the family and my staff have spent a lot of time with the student. And repeatedly, its been shared with us by the family that their opinion is that this was not a racist event. What do you do with that? When the principal individual impacted by this, she and her family, have come forward and said this? What do you do when all of her peers in the class also said the same thing? The family, he said, appreciated how quickly both investigations were initiated so there was as little impact to their daughter as possible, so she could get back in the classroom. Eighmy, who has been the UTSA president for just 14 months, said professors have spoken to him about Moss and told him, That could have been me that day, with how I manage my class. More faculty are now being routed to a teaching and learning center on campus that specifically works with professors to help them be prepared to manage complex situations in the classroom, he said. A lot of the discussion on campus has now been with our faculty, Eighmy said. The police chief in the Friday meeting told association members that Moss had called 911, prompting dispatch to send three officers, Lanehart said. After speaking with the student, they determined the situation did not meet the criteria for a 911 response and allowed the student to return to class but Moss, by then, had canceled class. Krista Torralva covers several school districts and public universities in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | Krista.Torralva@express-news.net | Twitter: @KMTorralva As the world mourns President George H.W. Bush, we look at why and how the family ended up in Texas so long ago. The history of the Bush family in Texas, a state so intertwined with their shared legacy and pedigree to this very day, dates back to World War II. The pair met at a Christmas dance in 1941 back east in Greenwich, Connecticut when the future 41st president was 17 and Barbara was just 16. It was just days after Pearl Harbor the country's entrance into the second world war. The pair instantly clicked and became pen pals. By June 1943 Mr. Bush became the youngest pilot to receive his wings down at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi at just 19 years old. This would have been the Bush's first official taste of Texas. After earning his wings he went off to war, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals while completing 58 combat missions. Later, in January 1945, Bush would marry his sweetheart Barbara Pierce. Their marriage would last 73 years until she died this week at the age of 92. After being discharged honorably from military service in September 1945, Bush completed his interrupted education at Yale University in 1948. A LOVE STORY: George and Barbara Bush, a 'storybook' 73-year marriage It was after graduating from Yale that the couple moved to West Texas and Midland, with George hoping to make it in the oil field supply business. Oil, of course, could be a life-changer for a young smart man willing to put in the time, money and effort into the industry. Bush talked to family friend Neil Mallon about this next step after college. "What you need to do is head out to Texas and those oil fields," Mallon told the young entrepreneur. "That's the place for ambitious young people these days." Mallon hired Bush as a trainee at Dresser Industries where it was reported that he only earned $300 a month. For Bush, who already came from a wealthy family, it wasn't about the money but about the career experience. "There's not much salary, but if you want to learn the oil business, it's a start," Mallon told Bush, who was by then the father of a bouncing boy named George Walker Bush, future 43rd president. FAVORITES: How Barbara and George H.W. Bush became royalty in Houston From there the Yale graduate would start his own company, the Bush-Overbey Oil Development Company, which was later merged with another one to become Zapata Petroleum. Bush would become president of the Zapata Off-Shore Company, an offshoot of Zapata proper. Bush would bring that company and his young, growing family eastward to Houston in 1958 to be closer to the Houston Ship Channel. Soon, like many businessmen, Bush's interests turned to politics and he became chairman of the Harris County Republican Party in 1963. A failed bid for the U.S. Senate in 1964 would see Democratic Sen. Ralph Yarborough and his campaign paint Bush as a carpetbagger from up North. The defeat didn't deter Bush from politics though. He was later elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1966 and his lengthy, decades-long political career had begun. Craig Hlavaty is a reporter for Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com. MEXICO CITY - Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador became Mexico's president Saturday promising to bring sweeping change to its politics and economy in favor of the countrys impoverished population. Mexicos first left-leaning president in nearly four decades, Lopez Obrador, 65, takes power with a firm control of the national congress and a solid hold on legislatures in many of the 32 states. That potentially makes him the most powerful Mexican president since democracy took root here 18 years ago. Popularly known by his nickname, AMLO, Lopez Obrador vows that his six-year term will bring about a profound fourth transformation of Mexico in its two centuries as an independent nation. Unlike the previous three watersheds, he says, this one will be accomplished peacefully. It might seem pretentious or exaggerated, but today doesnt begin just a new administration, but rather a new political regime, Lopez Obrador told Congress in an 80-minute speech in which he declared the political and economic policies that have defined the past 35 years a disaster, a calamity for the public life of the country. We will govern for everyone, but we will give preference to the dispossessed, he said. For the good of everyone, the poor come first. The avowedly austere Lopez Obrador has promised fiscal discipline as he moves to dismantle what he calls a mafia of power - the political and economic elites that he and many Mexicans blame for deep corruption, enduring poverty, yawning inequality and hyper violent organized crime. Its going to be a very hectic sexenio, said political analyst and democracy advocate Sergio Aguayo, referring to Lopez Obradors term. But its better than the paralysis, corruption and expansion of organized crime we have had. As he tries to fulfill the sweeping promises of change, Lopez Obrador will need to mollify those very elites in order to maintain the private investment largely anchored by exports to the U.S. that in three decades have forged Mexico into an industrial power. He'll have to do that as he contends with an often vocally hostile President Trump, who has kept the pressure on Mexico over immigration, trade and public security issues. With its 1,200-mile border with Mexico and holding a lion's share of U.S. trade with the country, Texas has a lot riding on how it all plays out. Lopez Obrador already has supported the continuation of the trade pact with the U.S. and Canada that since 1994 has erased most trade and investment barriers between them. A renegotiated agreement USMCA was signed Friday by Trump, outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto and Canada's Justin Trudeau at economic talks in Argentina. While easy approval of the agreement is expected by lawmakers in Mexico and Canada, some analysts expect Trump to have a harder time winning approval of the pact next year when Democrats take control of the House of Representatives. Lopez Obrador also has shown flexibility in dealing with Washington over the immigration crisis thats been driven this fall by the thousands of Central Americans arriving by caravan on the border with California to request asylum. The two governments have been holding talks aimed at keeping the migrants in Mexico while their asylum claims work their way through the U.S. immigration bureaucracy. Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico's new foreign minister, is to hold talks Sunday in Washington with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He's willing to give things to Trump, said political analyst Federico Estevez. These guys understand each other perfectly. A jolt to financial markets Many human rights activists and security experts criticize his plan to create a National Guard to take on organize crime - a sharp reversal of a campaign pledge to return troops to their barracks. And still others have been dismayed by his decision not to prosecute past corruption while promising to go hard after any future cases. Still, Lopez Obrador takes office with a 63 percent approval rating, according to a poll published Friday in Reforma, a leading Mexico City newspaper. Nearly three-fourths of those polled expressed optimism about his administration's success. Lopez Obrador won election in July in his third run for the office in a dozen years with some 53 percent of the vote in a three way race, crushing the business-friendly political parties that have long dominated Mexican politics. Many expect his victory to mark the end of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, of Pena Nieto, which had ruled Mexico for most of the past century. Critics fear Lopez Obrador will attempt to return to the PRI's autocratic ways emboldened by the political dominance given him in the election. A few fret that his leftist intentions are signaled by the invitation of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to the inauguration, and the laudatory comments about Fidel Castro made by top Lopez Obrador aides. Such fears as well as Lopez Obrador's cancellation of a $13 billion new Mexico City airport, which is a third complete have been blamed for the nearly 10 percent devaluation of the peso in the past month and the 21 percent collapse of the Mexican stock market. Investors also worry that Lopez Obrador's suspension of auctions of oil field tracts indicate he plans to roll back or obstruct the Pena Nieto administration's privatization of Mexico's energy industries that began. There's certainly a fair number of folks running around here with their hair on fire, but I am a bit more circumspect," said Antonio Garza, the Bush administration's ambassador to Mexico who as a private lawyer splits his week between Mexico City and San Antonio. Let's give the new team some time to settle in. Seeking to calm the financial markets, the new president's economic team has spent much of the past week assuring the public that budget discipline will be maintained and the autonomy of Mexico's central bank will be respected. Lopez Obrador has nominated two well-regarded albeit left-leaning economists as deputy governors of the autonomous central bank. While promising sharp increases in spending on health, scholarships and other programs, Lopez Obrador in his speech Saturday once again vowed not to increase the deficit, to respect both the central banks independence and guarantee private investment. Rather, he said, the programs will be paid for with funds gained by cleaning up government and ending the privileges of Mexicos political and economic elite. From this moment a peaceful and orderly, but also deep and radical transformation begins, Lopez Obrador said. Because the corruption and impunity that impedes Mexicos rebirth will end. In Lopez Obradors telling, Mexicos first transformation as a modern nation was independence from Spain, the second was the mid-19th cntury reforms that broke the Catholic church's social dominance. The third was the 1910-17 Revolution. All entailed bloody and lengthy wars. Mexicos slow transition to democracy began in 1988, with the PRI candidates victory in a presidential election widely seen as stolen, and culminated with the election of conservative politician Vicente Fox 18 years ago. The PRI returned to power in 2012 with Pena Nietos election. But his dismal administration polls show him with a 28 percent approval might have consigned the party to history. Now Lopez Obradors political movement, Morena, and it allies, have emerged to replace the PRI in political dominance. No government since Fox has entered office with this kind of public backing and political power, said Estevez, whose career as a political analyst has tracked Mexicos path to democracy. It bodes better for Lopez Obrador than any president weve seen in the democratic era. Lopez Obrador will have to use that political capital to keep perpetually restless left leaning labor unions and social organizations satisfied. That may not prove easy. Central Mexico City's always fierce traffic became hopelessly snarled last Wednesday as thousands of farmers marched down main streets to commemorate a 1911 proclamation accusing the first president of the Mexican Revolutions of betraying poor farmers. We hope he brings a better deal, but we arent totally convinced, said Oscar Galan, 41, a tomato grower leading a 30 strong contingent in the march said of Lopez Obrador. At least things are beginning differently. We hope this time it continues. Affirming his street cred Following his swearing in at the federal Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Congress, Lopez Obrador traveled thronged streets to the Zocalo, Mexico City's sprawling central plaza that has been the nation's political heart since the Aztec Empire. Lopez Obrador has held numerous protest rallies in the plaza, including one in which he declared himself the country's legitimate president following the 2006 election that he lost by less than a half percentage point. He returned on Saturday in triumph. After meeting with foreign delegations inside the National Palace, which along with the Roman Catholic cathedral dominates the plaza, he presided over a few hours of dances, music speeches before addressing the nation once again. Lopez Obrador has said he intends by next summer to be living in a few rooms of the palace with a cot and a hammock and presumably will govern from there. In the meantime, he'll continue living in his family home in a middle-class neighborhood in the south of the capital. Los Pinos, the leafy, walled and heavily guarded compound across the city that has been the presidential residence and office complex since the 1930s, will be turned into a national museum. The presidential guard charged with the security of the compound an its occupants, is being disbanded. I have been with him since the beginning, said Ramon Najera, 59, who through half a century of shining shoes in the plaza has witnessed countless political protests against a system Lopez Obrador is now promising to end. He is going to help all the poor like us. He is going to live simply, like a common citizen. We have been waiting for this for a very long time, he said. AUSTIN Its been about a year since the first legally grown marijuana plants were harvested in Texas for their medicinal oils. But since then, fewer than 600 patients have seen any benefit out of the estimated 150,000 who suffer uncontrollable epileptic seizures that the medicine is meant to help. Roughly 45 doctors, mostly concentrated in urban areas, have signed up to prescribe the cannabidiol. Just three companies in Central Texas have been licensed to distribute the drug. One doesnt seem to have opened its doors, and another reports losing money with such a small client base. The way to assure the Compassionate Use Program has a future is by expanding access to more patients, said Morris Denton, CEO of Compassionate Cultivation in the Austin area. The worst thing that can happen is nothing gets done, because then we set the program back. Texas therapeutic marijuana program is among the strictest in the nation, giving only patients with intractable epilepsy access to cannabidiol thats low in THC, the element that gives pot users a high. Recent legislative efforts to expand the program failed. But some state lawmakers are trying again in 2019 with proposals to roll back restrictions on THC and give more patients access, including those with cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder and other serious medical conditions. This is not a liberal or conservative issue, this is a medical issue, said Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, who has filed a bill to expand the program. Why do we as a Legislature get to think we know better than the doctors? Why are we limiting this and keeping people that have glaucoma, MS, cancer, from having access? While the Texas House has been open to letting more patients use cannabidiol and marijuana for medicinal purposes, the state Senate and Gov. Greg Abbott have been resistant to such changes. Abbott has cited abuses in other states as cause for concern. I am still not convinced yet, Abbott said in an October gubernatorial debate, a position that hasnt changed, a spokesman said last week. Marijuana is illegal under federal law and considered a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and ecstasy. Thirty-three states, however, allow use of the drug for medicinal purposes, according the National Conference of State Legislatures. And 13, including Texas, let some patients use cannabidiol that is low in THC. The Texas Compassionate Use Act became law in 2015, but the rollout has been slow and rocky. Despite getting more than 40 applications, the Texas Department of Public Safety licensed just three companies last year to distribute cannabidiol, the minimum number allowed by the law. Month supply of medicine costs $380 Patients need sign-off from two doctors to use the marijuana-derived oil. But so far, fewer than 50 certified epileptologists and neurologists have registered to participate. None is in the Rio Grande Valley or West Texas, records show, meaning patients there must travel far to see a qualified physician. Related: Map of doctors registered to prescribe cannabidiol Some doctors are reluctant to enroll because Texas law requires they prescribe the drug instead of recommending it, a phrase other states use to sidestep federal marijuana prohibitions, advocates said. So far, 574 patients have been issued prescriptions, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which oversees the program. As we move forward, changing that language, Im sure we are going to see the number of physicians grow exponentially and very quickly, said Heather Fazio, with the Texas Marijuana Policy Project. Then theres the issue of getting the medicine. Patients must pay out-of-pocket for cannabidiol because health insurance wont cover it. Denton said the average patient at Compassionate Cultivation uses 30 milliliters a month, at a cost of roughly $380. Compassionate Cultivation and Knox Medical in Schulenburg, midway between Houston and San Antonio on Interstate 10, are taking patient orders. The third company licensed to distribute cannabidiol, Surterra Texas, doesnt appear to have started making sales. A branch of Surterra Wellness, which this month announced chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. would take over as CEO, didnt respond to requests for comment. Compassionate Cultivation has so far served roughly 450 patients, ranging in age from 6 months to over 60 years old, Denton said. Almost 95 percent of orders are for delivery, a costly prospect since Texas law requires the medicine be driven to customers by an employee. A delivery to a patients house in El Paso is a 16-hour round trip. New medicinal cannabis bills face steep odds Texas law enforcement groups have opposed loosening the restrictions on medical marijuana. And although a bill in 2017 to expand the Compassionate Use Program to more patients gained backing from nearly 80 state representatives more than half the 150 member House it never made it to the floor for a vote. A number of marijuana-related policies are on the docket for the upcoming legislative session, which begins in January. But its not clear which might emerge as top priorities. Recently, Abbott announced hes open to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of pot, a policy some Texas cities and counties have already adopted. Menendezs bill would expand the Compassionate Use Program to include some 20 other conditions, including Crohns disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and autism. It would also allow higher levels of THC. Though the House has been open to loosening marijuana restrictions, the Republican expected to be speaker has opposed such measures. Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, was one of about three dozen members who voted against the Compassionate Use Act in 2015. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the 31-member state Senate, didnt respond to a request for comment. amorris@express-news.net In 1941, on a morning in early December just like today, Japanese forces launched an attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor that led to Americas entry into World War II. In the internet age, the time frame can be easily Googled, vetted and reconfirmed in a few minutes. The attack came at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian time and continued for about two hours and 20 minutes. On San Antonio time, those planes began hitting their targets at 1:28 p.m. until around 4 that afternoon. One can imagine that news of the attack spread across that country on Sunday evening. President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war the following Monday. And the following Wednesday, a San Antonio native named William James Bordelon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. The Central Catholic graduate who had been the JROTCs top cadet, was 20 years old at the time, just shy of his 21st Christmas Day birthday. He wasnt the only 20-something who made that decision. A lot of young men with bright futures stepped up and put their lives on the line to serve their country in the days and weeks immediately after the attack. Patriotism and emotions, combined with the invincibility that comes with being 20 years old, has been sending young men and women to war since war began. A couple of years later at the Battle of Tarawa, an assault that has been called one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history, Staff Sgt. Bordelon took decisive action again. Accounts of the battle tell of Bordelon being one of only four survivors of the landing craft that took him to the tiny island in the Pacific Ocean that most modern 20-somethings couldnt identify without a smartphone. After making it to the beach through bloody waters amid rapid gunfire, reports tell of Bordelon taking quick action to save injured soldiers and disable three enemy posts, a move that was said to be critical to the costly American victory. He was killed while disabling one of those Japanese battle stations. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the first U.S. Marine from Texas to be awarded the highest military honor, and that medal is displayed in Fredericksburg at the National Museum of the Pacific War. In October 2009, signs went up along a part of Interstate 37 designating that section as the SSgt William J. Bordelon Freeway. Its just east of downtown, the highway that takes 20-somethings by the carload to Texas nationally known beaches every Spring Break. On Wednesday, the Samuel May WIlliams Squadron of the Texas Navy Association plans to remember Bordelon at the 75th Anniversary Commemoration of the Bloody Battle of Tarawa at Fort Sam Houston, where the war hero who might have turned 98 years old this Christmas if things had been different is buried. Things have changed since 1945. Some things changed because of technology, of course, but other things changed because of war. Some things dont change. Courage doesnt change. The urgency of doing what you can with what you have when action is most needed has not changed. The importance of doing the right thing the brave thing has not changed. Its a good time to remember that young man and to retell his story, especially to those whose invincibility is just beginning to unfold. Mariaanglinqwrites@gmail.com Its roughly the three-week anniversary of CNN reporter Jim Acosta repeatedly telling President Donald Trump at a press conference that the migrant caravan is hundreds and hundreds of miles away and not an invasion, and objecting to a campaign ad that showed migrants climbing border walls theyre not going to be doing that. Now, thousands of migrants from the caravan have arrived in the border city of Tijuana, Mexico.Last weekend, hundreds of them stormed a border crossing, climbing the fence and throwing rocks. U.S. border agents used tear gas to repel the mob. If the throng was too small to constitute an invasion, it certainly wasnt a rules-bound group of asylum-seekers. Trump relied too heavily on the caravan as an issue in the mid-term election, but the last week has shown how his critics were wrong to sneer. It was conventional wisdom in the press that the caravan was a concoction of Trumps fevered imagination. It soon would dissipate and even if not, take months to reach the United States. This widely repeated factoid was based on calculations of its movement on foot (it apparently didnt occur to anyone that the caravan also would travel by bus or truck). In the immediate aftermath of the election, when Trump didnt talk about the caravan as much and Fox News covered it less, liberal commentators were outraged. The diminished attention supposedly proved that the focus on the caravan had been entirely cynical electoral politics. But there was a genuine lull in the news. With the weekends border incident bringing new attention, liberal outlets are back again to complaining that Fox is covering the caravan too much. The latest once again puts the lefts radicalism on display. Its not just that Immigration and Customs Enforcement should be abolished; border agents cant defend themselves from an aggressive rabble. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz wondered on Twitter if the use of tear gas violated the Chemical Weapons Convention (the answer is an emphatic no, and he deleted the tweet). Rep. Barbara Lee of California described the gassing of women and children as an atrocity and called for U.N. inspectors. Progressive darling Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez compared the migrants to Jews fleeing Nazi Germany. All of this rending of garments, despite the fact that the tear gas was directed at the adult males who led the charge, similar crowd-control tactics were used at the border during the Obama administration and, of course, cops use tear gas during disturbances involving fellow U.S. citizens all the time. The larger issue at the border is the set of rules for Central American migrants. It allows adults with children and minors into the country while their (almost always rejected) asylum claims are adjudicated. They can easily abscond once admitted, and the laxity of the system is an incentive for more Central American family units to come. By working out a possible deal with the Mexican government for migrants to stay in Mexico while they apply for asylum and forbidding migrants who enter the U.S. illegally from applying the administration has hit on an approach to tighten up the current loopholes. But the deal with Mexico may not be final and a California district judge, in what looks like another instance of resistance jurisprudence, has put an injunction on the policy regarding illegal entrants. Trump has been wrong to portray the migrants as inherently threatening the overwhelming majority just want a better life but we have the sovereign right to decide who does and doesnt come to this country, and demand that it be an orderly, lawful process. If any significant portion of the caravan gains entry, it will send a message that large-scale movements of people are better than small groups. This could lead to even more pressure at the border, no matter how much it will be dismissed by the same people who insisted the caravan would never arrive at the border. comments.lowry@)nationalreview.com Re: U.S. ideals sold to highest bidder, Another View, by Otto Gallaher, Monday, and A bad bet on a bad man in Saudi Arabia, Editorial, Tuesday: The Express-News prints some outrageous commentary, including the rant by Otto Gallaher deriding President Donald Trumps views and leadership over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia. Mr. Gallaher had it all wrong from the start, asserting, Mr. Khashoggis unalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness was alienated by (Saudi Arabia). Such rights for the victim ended when he departed American soil, for our Constitution and its unalienable rights do not extend beyond American borders. Khashoggi was warned about the dangers facing him in a hostile country like Saudi Arabia, where retribution in the style of The Sopranos is the norm. That he was allegedly decapitated at the palace is stunning and very Soprano-like after which he reportedly was cut into pieces. Trump has shown remarkably pragmatic leadership in not sacrificing our diplomatic relationship with the Saudi prince by applying American standards on a foreign nation not evolved beyond Hammurabis Code. Our president has acted courageously, rather than cowardly, as asserted so wrongly by the writer. Greg Nussel Balance, please The picture of the mother and baby (with an oxygen mask) on the front page of the Nov. 27 edition brought two questions to mind. First, why does a mother bring a baby to a riot? Second, why doesnt your paper balance the coverage by publishing a picture of the Guatemalans and Hondurans throwing rocks and bottles at our protectors? Steve Weakley Vibrant judiciary Re: Judges too powerful, Your Turn, Nov. 25: This letter claims, with distorted facts, that the judiciary is filled with liberals holding the country hostage. The fact is, only stable democracies support a vibrant judiciary, though the current presidents stacking of it with staunch conservatives undermines that goal. Dictatorships thrive in the absence of an independent judiciary, as we can see from the relentless attack on any judge who holds the government to constitutional standards. If our fake president has his way, there is no hope for our democracy. Michael Aratingi Yes, Beto ORourkes loss in the U.S. Senate race was a sad and close thing. Naturally our thoughts turn to whats next? for him. Its natural we should cling to him. It is a long way down to the Castro Bros. So lets look at the Beto pros and sons. While Beto has that unfortunate drunken driving incident where one person on the police report said Beto attempted to leave the scene we can look to Ted Kennedy for hope. I mean, Beto didnt kill anybody before he bugged out, and Teddy still got re-elected forever. Beto told 60 Minutes he wont run for president in 2020. If he does, he will have lied. That doesnt matter either. Look at our president. Hes a liar and he still gets adoring support from his fan group. Beto ran a campaign with positions that should have knocked off a weaker man in Texas dump ICE, gun-grabbing, abortions just fine. Wow! Hes much better positioned now to win in, say, California or New York. The presidency makes perfect sense. And theres that thing about his language. Now Ive been known to use (expletive) in all its spendid forms at the right moment, so I dont hold it against the guy. But how are we going to handle the unfortunate bleeping in recorded public appearances of our candidate? Can you imagine a press conference recording in which every other sound is bleep? The only answer is positive spin. Use different tones for the bleeps so, if enough are strung together, it would sound out some subliminal tune, say, Happy Days are Here Again. The analogies to Barack Obama are very good. The IRS, under our first postpartisan president, scrutinized conservative groups, and his FBI spied on the Trump campaign. Making a sly misrepresentation about your heritage by adopting a Hispanic nickname like Beto pales in comparison. A drunk? As we know from the Kavanaugh hearings, thats no problem either. A wealthy heir? That means theres no need to be concerned about Hillary-style greed. Hes already got what he needs, presumably. So I agree with you. Lets line up behind Beto. We could sure do worse. Max Hensley Vaccinate kids As expected, there are consequences for not vaccinating young children as required by state law when a child is going to be enrolled in a licensed child care center. The child is not allowed to enroll in that center. Vaccinations have eradicated many childhood diseases in the U.S. Allowing unvaccinated children to enroll increases the probability of an outbreak of these diseases that would again affect our children in great numbers. No shots, no day care center! Very simple. Edward Esparza Tired, poor cost Re: Outdated words, Your Turn, Nov. 18: The writer gives Emma Lazarus quote on the Statue of Liberty (Give me your tired, your poor ), then criticizes our immigration system by asking, What happened? What happened is illegal immigration. When Ellis Island was still the entry point for immigration, those wanting to come to the United States were checked for disease, criminal records, the assurance that they wouldnt become wards of the state, and that they had enough money to support themselves until they could get a job ($500-$700 in todays money). If they failed any of these tests, they were immediately deported. With the illegal immigration we encounter today, we have no control over any of these things, and our taxpaying citizens cant afford the cost of the worlds tired, poor and huddled masses. AL Koppen, Fair Oaks Ranch On duty 24/7 I read several articles in newspapers disagreeing with President Donald Trump sending our military to the U.S.-Mexican border. By having our military there, it should minimize the probability of caravans illegally entering our country, as has been done in other countries. Those newspapers also mention that members of the military sent to our borders will not be with their families for the holidays. What apparently is not recognized is that service in all branches of the U.S. military is voluntary. When people enlist, they will be on duty 24/7 and could be sent away from home and not be with family. I am a disabled U.S. military veteran and spent many holidays away from my family. It is not a 9-to-5 responsibility! Raul Aguirre, Converse Make it happen Re: State benefits from middle-class Latinos, Another View, by Juan H. Flores, Nov. 19: We Latinos are back weeping and feeling sorry for ourselves for not reaching middle-class economic status. Flores commentary resurrects perpetual Latino excuses for our low economic conditions. Get over it. Lets not blame others. Lets stop weeping and feeling sorry for ourselves. We should seize the moment and make positive things happen. Anything worth having doesnt come easy. Ya no lloren (stop crying). I suggest we concentrate on getting a good education. Lets encourage our young people to assimilate into the American dream and make something of themselves. Above all, we should pursue a good education, and we should learn to speak and write fluent English. Good communication skills alone will go a long way to achieving success. Many Latinos can't even verbalize a clear and complete sentence. Their Spanish comingled with their poor English skills gets in the way. Good communication skills alone will yield enormous benefits leading to good-paying jobs. Enough of blaming others. Get off your duff. Make your own breaks and dont depend on others to pave the way for middle-class status and beyond. Mike Gonzales, Houston Information publiee le 1 dAcembre 2018 par Universite de Lausanne (source : Annonce du responsable Bourse d'etudes gradues (PhD) en etudes francaises Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA PRESENTATION Our graduate program offers a lively intellectual environment where students explore French and Francophone literatures and cultures across a broad chronological and topical range and through a wide variety of critical approaches. Our goal is to train scholars and teachers who have a solid grounding in all periods of French and Francophone literatures and who think, write, and teach creatively. Students work closely with faculty who provide individualized attention; from the moment of entry into the program they are paired with a faculty mentor who provides support and advice on an informal basis, assists students in preparing conference papers and articles for publication and gives careful guidance during the job search. Our program has a strong record of job placement, with graduates holding positions at prestigious universities such as Princeton, Oxford, and Notre Dame. Faculty: Justin Izzo, Youenn Kervennic, Virginia Krause, Ourida Mostefai, Stephanie Ravillon, Thangam Ravindranathan, Gretchen Schultz, Lewis Seifert, David Wills Sample of Course Offerings: La naissance du roman francais; Litterature et ecologie; Theories du texte; Queering the Grand Siecle; Theorie et fiction des Lumieres; Cinema et deconstruction; Politique et fiction en Afrique; High Culture: Intoxicants in 19th Century Literature 6 years of funding, including summers Financial support for research and conference travel Exchange programs with Dijon (Universite de Bourgogne) et Lyon (Louis Lumiere) Close faculty-student collaboration and interaction Annual international graduate student conference organized and hosted by students Superior pedagogical training and teaching experience in French language, and French and francophone literature and culture Mentoring throughout program with emphasis on professional development Year-round calendar of lectures, workshops and other intellectual activities Liaison with the intellectual community across the campus, for example the Cogut Institute for the Humanities, the Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research on Women, and the Center for Language Studies Access to world class library resources including John Carter Brown et John Hay libraries A data breach has struck as many as 500 million guest accounts of Marriott Internationals Starwood hotel group, the company announced Friday an infiltration that started four years ago, before Marriott bought the Stamford-based Starwood. In what may be one of the largest-ever cyber break-ins, Marriott said an unauthorized party copied and encrypted information from the Starwood guest-reservation database, with the intrusion dating to 2014. After a Sept. 8 security alert of an attempt to access the system, the company said it teamed up with cybersecurity experts and confirmed the affected data came from the Starwood repository after decrypting the information on Nov. 19. We fell short of what our guests deserve and what we expect of ourselves, CEO Arne Sorenson said in a statement. We are doing everything we can to support our guests, and using lessons learned to be better moving forward. The company has not finished identifying duplicate information in its database, but Marriott said it holds information on up to approximately 500 million guests who made a reservation at a Starwood property. For approximately 327 million of those guests, the data includes some combination of name, mailing address, phone number, email address, passport number, Starwood Preferred Guest account details, date of birth, gender, arrival and departure specifics, reservation date and communication preferences. For some, the information also covers payment card numbers and payment card expiration dates. Its an extraordinary breach at a variety of levels, said Suni Munshani, CEO of Stamford-based data-security firm Protegrity. All of this easily could have been prevented. None of this data should have been left unsecure and in the open, where somebody could steal it and leverage it. Email notifications to possibly affected customers began Friday. The company has also set up a related website and call center. In addition, Marriott has offered to enroll guests, free for one year, in the WebWatcher program, which monitors internet sites where personal information is shared. Those steps did not tamp down the criticism from a number of elected officials, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. The apparent failure to detect and remove hackers from its systems for four years calls into question whether Marriott took the security and privacy of its customers seriously, Blumenthal, ranking member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, said in a statement. American consumers expect that companies entrusted with their credit card information, passport numbers and other sensitive personal data are taking necessary measures to protect it from malicious actors. Starwood operates hotels under the brands W Hotels, St. Regis, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Element Hotels, Aloft Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton and Design Hotels and also runs Starwood-branded timeshare properties. Bethesda, Md.-based Marriotts approximately $13 billion acquisition of Starwood in September 2016 made it the largest hotel company in the world. When the two companies announced their merger in late 2015, Marriott had 54 million members of its loyalty program and Starwood had 21 million. Many travelers were members in both programs. But Marriott has struggled to integrate Starwoods system into its own. Both loyalty programs members have reported a litany of problems including missing points. I think theyre being transparent in that theyre not denying or obfuscating anything, said Kevin McEvoy, an associate professor of marketing at the University of Connecticut. Id be surprised if they did something like that because thats not the Marriott culture. Marriott has a conservative, forthright and standup type of a culture. Following the 2016 merger, Marriott has continued to maintain offices in Stamfords South End, at 333 Ludlow St., where Starwood was headquartered. In the following 15 months, the company would lay off about 330 local employees, as it consolidated operations. Marriott has not reported any mass job cuts in the state this year. This article contains reporting from the Associated Press. pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; Twitter: @paulschott BRIDGEPORT A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to collect funeral funds for a retired Bridgeport police officer who was taken off life support Thursday night. Herbie Mack, who served the city as a Bridgeport Police Officer for years, has died, city spokesman Av Harris confirmed Friday. During his time on the force, Mack served on the departments mounted unit. His wife had to make the hard decision last night to remove him off life support, said Joe Peryer, who said he is married to Macks niece. Herbie dedicated his life, for decades, to helping others as a proud member of the Bridgeport Police Department, Peryer added. Harris said said Mack was a devoted member of the citys law enforcement family and gave years of his life to prove the public safety and quality of life for residents in the city. He was a beloved member of our community and the entire police deparmtnet, Mayor (Joe) Ganim and the greater community of the city of Bridgeport mourn his loss deeply, Harris said. We will do all we can to support his family. With the costs of funerals, the family has created a GoFundMe campaign to relieve some of that financial burden. Officer Herbie Mack husband, father and dedicated retired police officer has suddenly passed away, reads the description on the GoFundMe page. Due to the unexpected passing, the family is experiencing financial hardships and can use any and all help offered. Donations will be used to give Herbie a proper burial. Mack leaves behind his wife, Zory; two children, Brandon and Cynthia; his sisters, brother, nieces and nephews, Peryer said. He was a true example of public service, Harris said. It is our hope and prayer that the family he leaves behind will forever be comforted by his memory. The campaign raised $1,210 of the $10,000 goal in the first five hours since the creation of the page. Donations can be made at https://bit.ly/2KJJwsJ. BRIDGEPORT Officials are hoping to demolish the Charles F. Greene Homes public housing complex in the Hollow after years of maintenance problems and violence. Mayor Joe Ganim and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., are calling on the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to support the decommissioning of the housing complex off of Highland Avenue, a Friday news release said. The living conditions at Greene Homes are unacceptable, Ganim said in a prepared statement. I made a commitment to improving the quality of life and public housing in Bridgeport and sometimes that means building, but in this instance, it means tearing down. The city is working with Park City Communities, formerly known as the Bridgeport Housing Authority, to vacate the complex because of current living conditions. These issues include recurring violence and damaged elevators that prevent many residents, especially those that are disabled, from leaving their homes, the release said. Police reports of shots being fired are called in to 911 in the area of Greene Homes frequently, though most times a gunshot wound victim is not found. Calls also come in about people using drugs in the stairwells. On Oct. 11, 2017, 18-year-old Jeri Kollock was forced to strip naked, and then was robbed and shot seven times in Building 1. He died after struggling through the building for about 45 minutes after being shot, police said. Jahmari Wack Cooper was charged with Kollocks murder on Sept. 28. For so many years, elected officials and community leaders have argued that the people of the Greene Homes deserve better than their current living conditions, said Alfredo Castillo, councilman and liaison to the Park City Communities board. HUD data shows there are 699 residents living in the Greene Homes apartment complex. There are 269 HUD units in the complex. A rule finalized in June 30, 1998, states that federally subsidized housing must meet physical condition standards. These standards are intended to ensure that such housing is decent, safe, sanitary and in good repair, according to HUD. Charles F. Greene Homes failed at least two inspections between April 2016 and February of this year, HUD data showed. Inspectors rank facilities on a 100-point scale. Any score below 60 indicates a failed inspection. Some factors that can cause an inspector to deduct points include mold, infestations, broken doors or windows, tripping hazards and graffiti, according to HUD. The average score for Connecticut hovers around 82.9 out of 100, HUD said. The February inspection at Greene Homes fell nearly 60 points below that average at 23. On April 25, 2016, Greene Homes received a score of 19 for an inspection. Cowlis Andrews, chairman of the board of Park City Communities, called the housing complex a functionally obsolete development. Its reached the point where its time to look at another use, for the space to better serve the people of Bridgeport, Andrews said, adding, Its an old, tired structure. Though its up in the air for what will fill the vacant land once the buildings are demolished, Andrews said a less-dense housing complex isnt out of the question. The city and Park City Communities are working closely together ... on keeping the people as safe as we can over there, Andrews said. Were trying to work on public safety issues and looking at the best use for the site. Yearly, Andrews estimated, anywhere from $170,000 to $200,000 is spent solely on elevator maintenance of the buildings at Greene Homes. On a monthly basis, based on fire and police dispatch reports, first responders are sent to buildings at Greene Homes multiple times for stuck elevators. Usually those stuck are freed within about an hour. Greene Homes dissolution could follow a pattern already in place; Marina Village residents were relocated during the replacement of the complex as part of a multiphase plan where developers demolished specific sections of the complex at a time. The last residents still living at the complex were moved earlier this year. The residents of Marina Village found new homes through a deal known as a Memorandum of Agreement and Uniform Relocation Act. And those in Greene Homes can expect something similar. It will follow the same rules as they did for the Marina Village, Andrews said. Were going to comply with all of the rights that the people have. The city is working to procure a firm to handle the application for the decommission of Greene Homes. Proposals can be submitted to the Purchasing Office, Margaret E. Morton Government Center, 999 Broad St. in Bridgeport, by 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6. To apply, visit https://bit.ly/2QrIW8d. STAMFORD A. Gordon Batiste had nearly given up on life when he came across Stamford CARES. Living with HIV, down on his luck, recovering from a serious drug habit, and spending his nights in a homeless shelter, Batiste found hope through a timely meeting with workers at the HIV/AIDS support organization. T he New Haven resident has since earned a degree in medical administration and gotten his life in order, even as he battled HIV for the last 25 years. Stamford CARES turned into a lifeline for Batiste, helping him find housing and work, and even paying his electric and medical bills. They have helped me and allowed me to believe in myself, Batiste said. They allowed me to be a human being again. One person at the organization had a major influence on Batistes life. Andre Campos, a senior medical case manager at Stamford CARES, has been Batistes counselor for the past decade. I can call up Andre and say, I dont know where to go, Batiste said. Hes a gift from God. Saturday is World AIDS Day, an annual commemoration to remember those who have died from the virus and raise awareness to how people can remain healthy and prevent contracting the disease. Nearly 37 million people worldwide have HIV, 1.8 million of whom are children, according to HIV.gov. About 5,000 people contract HIV every day and 1 million people die each year due to AIDS-related illness. Batiste is hoping World AIDS Day can help spread the message that HIV/AIDS is still very serious. People, we need to still be very aware of our health and also know that there is help out there for people who dont know where to turn or what to do, he said. His concern is that people are letting their guard down and being careless again about their sexual activity. I feel like there has been a lull and people are starting to get crazy again and its forming new strains of this disease, and its a killer, he said. About 10 years ago, Batiste moved back to Connecticut from Florida. At the time, he was a very ill man, he said, a result of a weak immune system and a bad crack cocaine habit. Batiste contracted HIV in Danbury, a result of sharing a dirty needle, in 1992. At one point, his CD4 count which tests the amount of white blood cells that fight infection in your body came back at an alarming tally of six. A normal range is 500 to 1,500. Batiste ended up at McKinney Stamford, a transitional shelter for homeless people, and eventually found help through Stamford CARES, getting access to health care and other services. Three years after his low CD4 test, Batistes count skyrocketed to 400. Over the years, Batiste has become an advocate for the HIV community, and has volunteered for the Stamford organization. The 59-year-old has gone to Washington, D.C. to speak to elected officials and advocate for funding for organizations such as Stamford CARES and other programs. The importance of Stamford CARES is that anybody who has AIDS or is HIV positive has a place to go to help cure their hurt, their wants, their needs, or find a way to direct them to someone who can help, he said. For more information about World AIDS Day, visit worldaidsday.org. ignacio.laguarda@stamfordadvocate.com The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 211 E. Russell Road LLC, Air-Relief, Belliss & Morcom Brasil, Belliss and Morcom, Boardwalk Enterprises, Charm Merger Sub Inc., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. 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Since then, EWL stock has increased by 39.1% and is now trading at $49.62. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Ormat Technologies, Inc. operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of geothermal and recovered energy power business. It operates through the following segments: Electricity, Product and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment focuses in the sale of electricity from the company's power plants pursuant to PPAs. The Product segment involves in the manufacture, including design and development, of turbines and power units for the supply of electrical energy and in the associated construction of power plants utilizing the power units manufactured by the company to supply energy from geothermal fields and other alternative energy sources. 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The Defense and Security segment engages in research, development, production, modification, and support for defense and security aircrafts, as well as other integrated products and solutions including satellites and information and communication systems. The Executive Jet Business segment deals with the development, manufacture, and sale of executive jets. The Service & Support segment provides after-service solutions and support to its customers through a comprehensive portfolio of innovative and competitive solutions to ensure operational efficiency of products manufactured by Embraer and by other aircraft manufacturers, extending the useful life of commercial, executive and defense aircraft. The Others segment refers to Read More The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. 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). The following companies are subsidiares of Sealed Air: A.P.S. (Holdings) Limited, AFP Trading (China) Co. Ltd., AFPTOH LTD, APS Automated Packaging Systems GmbH & Co. KG, APS Verwaltungs-GmbH, Air Ride Pallets Hong Kong Limited, Austin Foam Plastics Inc. (dba AFP Inc.), Automated Packaging Systems, Automated Packaging Systems Asia Holding Company Limited, Automated Packaging Systems Comerciale Importacao do Brasil Ltda., Automated Packaging Systems Europe, Automated Packaging Systems LLC, Automated Packaging Systems Limited, Automated Packaging Systems Southeast Asia Co. Ltd., B+ Equipment, B+ Equipment SAS, Beacon Holdings LLC, Biosphere Industries, BluPack (New Zealand), Blue Dot Packaging Pty Ltd., Cactus (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Cryovac (Malaysia) SDN. BHD, Cryovac Brasil Ltda., Cryovac Holdings II LLC, Cryovac International Holdings Inc., Cryovac LLC*, Cryovac Leasing Corporation, Cryovac Londrina Ltda., Cryovac Packaging Portugal Embalagens Ltda., Cryovac-Sealed Air de Costa Rica S.R.L., DELTAPLAM Embalagens Industria e Comercio, Diversey, Diversey J Trustee Limited, Diversey Trustee Limited, Entapack Pty. Ltd., Fagerdala (Chengdu) Packaging Co. Ltd, Fagerdala (Shanghai) Foams Co. Ltd., Fagerdala (Shanghai) Polymer Co. Ltd., Fagerdala (Suzhou) Packaging Co. Ltd., Fagerdala (Thailand) Limited, Fagerdala (Xiamen) Packaging Co. Ltd., Fagerdala Leamchabung Limited, Fagerdala Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Fagerdala Mexico S.A. de C.V., Fagerdala Mexico Supply Chain S.A. de C.V., Fagerdala Packaging Inc. (Indiana), Fagerdala Singapore Pte Ltd, Fagerdala Singapore Pte. Ltd., Getpacking.com GmbH, Invertol S. de R.L. de C.V., JSC Sealed Air Kaustik, KRIS Automated Packaging Systems Holding Company, Kevothermal LLC, Kevothermal Limited, Nelipak Holdings, Pack-Tiger GmbH, Polyrol Limited, Polyrol Packaging Systems LLC, ProAseptic Technologies S.L., Producembal- Producao de Embalagens LTDA, Reflectix Inc., SLD Air Packaging Paketleme Malzemeleri Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Saddle Brook Insurance Company, Sealed Air (Asia) Holdings BV, Sealed Air (Barbados) S.R.L., Sealed Air (Canada) Co./CIE, Sealed Air (Canada) Holdings B.V., Sealed Air (China) Co. Ltd., Sealed Air (China) Limited, Sealed Air (Israel) Ltd., Sealed Air (Korea) Limited, Sealed Air (Latin America) Holdings II LLC, Sealed Air (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Sealed Air (New Zealand), Sealed Air (Philippines) Inc., Sealed Air (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Sealed Air (Ukraine) Limited, Sealed Air Africa (Pty.) Limited, Sealed Air Americas Manufacturing S. de R.L. de C.V., Sealed Air Argentina S.A., Sealed Air Australia (Holdings) Pty. Limited, Sealed Air Australia Pty. Limited, Sealed Air Australia Real Estate Pty Ltd, Sealed Air B.V., Sealed Air Belgium N.V., Sealed Air Central America S.A., Sealed Air Chile SpA, Sealed Air Colombia Ltda., Sealed Air Corporation (US), Sealed Air Cyprus Ltd., Sealed Air Denmark A/S, Sealed Air Finance B.V., Sealed Air Finance II LLC, Sealed Air Finance Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Funding LLC, Sealed Air General Trading LLC, Sealed Air GmbH (Germany), Sealed Air GmbH (Switzerland), Sealed Air Hellas SA, Sealed Air Holding France SAS, Sealed Air Holdings (New Zealand) Pty. Ltd., Sealed Air Holdings South Africa Proprietary Limited, Sealed Air Holdings UK I Limited, Sealed Air Holdings UK Limited, Sealed Air Hong Kong Limited, Sealed Air Hungary Ltd., Sealed Air Investment and Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Sealed Air Japan G.K., Sealed Air LLC, Sealed Air Limited (Ireland), Sealed Air Limited (UK), Sealed Air Luxembourg (I) S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Luxembourg (II) S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Management Holding Verwaltungs GmbH, Sealed Air Multiflex GmbH, Sealed Air Netherlands (Holdings) I B.V., Sealed Air Netherlands (Holdings) II B.V., Sealed Air Netherlands Holdings V B.V., Sealed Air Norge AS, Sealed Air OY, Sealed Air Packaging (India) Private Limited, Sealed Air Packaging (Shanghai) Co. Limited, Sealed Air Packaging (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Sealed Air Packaging LLC, Sealed Air Packaging Materials (India) LLP, Sealed Air Packaging S.L.U., Sealed Air Peru S.A.C., Sealed Air Polska Sp. Zoo, Sealed Air Pty Limited, Sealed Air S.A S., Sealed Air S.r.l., Sealed Air South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Sealed Air Svenska AB, Sealed Air Taiwan Limited, Sealed Air UK Limited Partnership, Sealed Air US Holdings (Thailand) LLC, Sealed Air Uruguay S.A., Sealed Air Verpackungen GmbH, Sealed Air de Mexico Operations S. de RL. de C.V., Sealed Air de Venezuela S.A., Sealed Air s.r.o., Shanklin Corp, Shanklin Corporation, TTS-Ciptec, TXAFP Asia Pacific Ltd., TXAFP GP LLC, and Trigon Industries. Westpac Banking Corp. engages in the provision of banking and financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Bank, Business Bank, BT Financial Group (Australia), Westpac Institutional Bank, Westpac New Zealand and Group Businesses. The Consumer Bank segment covers consumer banking products and services under the Westpac, St. George, BankSA, Bank of Melbourne and RAMS brands. The Business Bank segment involves in sales and customer service of small-to-medium enterprise, commercial and agribusiness customers under the Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA brands. The BT Financial Group (Australia) segment manages wealth and insurance division. The Westpac Institutional Bank segment delivers a range of financial services to commercial, corporate, institutional, and government customers. The Westpac New Zealand segment comprises sales and service of banking, wealth, and insurance products for consumer, business, and institutional customers. The Group Businesses segment treasury which is responsible for the management of the Group's balance sheet, group technology which includes functions for the Australian businesses, and core support which covers Read More 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 Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in Asia, Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; And Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment provides mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, group retirement and savings products, and institutional asset management services through agents and brokers affiliated with the company, securities brokerage firms, and financial advisors pension plan consultants and banks. The Insurance and Annuity Products segment offers deposit and credit products; individual life, and individual and group long-term care insurance; and guaranteed and partially guaranteed annuity products through insurance agents, brokers, banks, financial planners, and direct marketing. The Corporate and Other segment is involved in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance businesses; and run-off reinsurance operations, including variable annuities, and accident and health. It also manages timberland and agricultural portfolios; and engages in insurance agency, portfolio and mutual fund management, mutual fund dealer, life and financial reinsurance, and fund management businesses. Additionally, the company holds and manages oil and gas properties; holds oil and gas royalties, and foreign bonds and equities; and provides investment management, counseling, advisory, and dealer services. Manulife Financial Corporation was incorporated in 1887 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More The 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. Vivint Solar, Inc. provides distributed solar energy primarily to residential customers in the United States. It owns and installs solar energy systems through long-term customer contracts. The company also sells photovoltaic installation products, as well as solar renewable energy certificates. As of December 31, 2019, it had an aggregate capacity of 1,294.0 megawatts covering approximately 188,300 homes. The company was formerly known as V Solar Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Vivint Solar, Inc. in April 2014. Vivint Solar, Inc. was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Lehi, Utah. Read More by Nathan Joyce | Braves Correspondent | Fri, Nov 30th 8:45pm EST The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Friday 7 p.m. CT deadline to tender two-time All-Star outfielder Marcell Ozuna a contract. The team now has six weeks to negotiate before each side is required to swap salary figures. (MLB.com) Fantasy Impact: Ozuna was deemed a bit of a letdown to fantasy players -- and Cardinals fans -- by compiling just 23 homers, 88 RBI and 69 runs (his lowest season total since 2015 when he scored 47) on the heels of his monstrous 37-homer, 124-RBI 2017 campaign. With the contract tender, it all but assures Ozuna, who is due a raise from his $9 million 2018 salary, will be back with the club in 2019. With the team searching for a power bat this offseason, there is a chance he'll be displaced from his usual cleanup-hitter role, which could see his counting stats fall off slightly. But if he's fully healthy heading into 2019, expect much of the same, if not better, production from the 28-year-old. MOUNT HOPE, Ohio The 2019 Mid-Ohio Growers Meeting will offer tips on everything from high-quality flowers to produce on any size operation. Now in its seventh year, the meeting will be held Jan. 10-11 at the Mt. Hope Event Center, 8076 state Route 241, Mount Hope. Monroe Yoder, a member of the planning committee, said the meeting will offer both educational sessions and an expanded trade show of more than 75 exhibitors. Session presenters include growers, university researchers and other industry insiders. We offer diverse sessions because we want to offer a complete package for the growers, Yoder said. We want to be a one-stop conference for them. This year, producers can learn about the secrets of keeping family involved in the business and satisfying customers during a Jan. 10 presentation on good business practices by Charles Kratzer, who is involved in the familys multi-generational Walnut Creek Planing. Another Thursday highlight will be a panel discussion on the benefits of growing and marketing through an auction by Elvin Martin, Bainbridge Produce Auction; Arthur King, Paragon, CSA, Farm Markets; and Lloyd Schrock, Lincoln County Produce Auction. Other Thursday sessions will cover such topics as weeds, high tunnels, flower production, apple production, soil minerals, cover crops, the Food Safety Modernization Act, berries and farmers markets. A Jan. 11 highlight will be a panel discussion, A Beginners Class for the Flower Grower, presented by Aaron Burkholder, Laura Bowman and Robert Hershberger. Other Friday sessions include farming with families, peaches, insects, pumpkins, soil borne diseases, beekeeping, and other production and marketing hot topics. Several sessions are approved for pesticide applicator training credit requirements. Registration The cost of the meeting is $20 if postmarked by Dec. 31. After Dec. 31, the cost is $25 and may be paid at the door. Participants 14 and under will be admitted free. The fee includes the trade show and materials. A food concession will be available during the meeting. For more information or to register, call or write: Mid-Ohio Growers LLC, PO Box 111, Mt. Hope, OH 44691, 330-275-7566 or e-mail midohiogrowersmtg@gmail.com. For a list of local hotels, contact the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau at visitamishcountry.com. The ex-wife of missing Hertfordshire farmer William 'Bill' Taylor has been charged with conspiracy to murder him. Angela Taylor, aged 52, of Charlton Road, Hitchin, has been charged with conspiracy to murder in connection with the disappearance of Mr Taylor from Gosmore in North Hertfordshire. Paul Cannon, aged 53, of Pirton Road, Hitchin, has also been charged. They remain in police custody at this time and are due to appear at Hatfield Remand Court on Saturday (1 December). An 18 year old man and a 23 year old man, both from Hitchin, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder have been released on police bail, while enquiries continue. Police conducted a search around William Taylor's farmland (Photo: Hertfordshire Police) All four were arrested by police officers earlier this week. Farmer William Taylor was last seen at his home in Gosmore on Sunday, June 3 at around 9pm shortly before his 70th birthday. He was reported missing to police the following day (Monday, June 4). Since then extensive enquiries and searches have been carried out in the effort to locate him before information led officers to launch a murder investigation. Police scoured an area within a 1.7km (1.05 mile) radius of William Taylor's farm in July. Mr Taylor's body has not yet been found and enquiries are on-going. A campaign spearheaded by a former boy band member turned farmer to encourage British millenials to take up farming has been launched. The UKs farming and agriculture industry is facing more challenges than ever in planning for the future. New research reveals that only 3% of 18-30 year olds would view farming and agriculture as a desirable career. The number of farmers over the age of 65 has increased by 70% over the last ten years, while the number of under-25s has dropped by almost two-thirds over the same period. Every industry, especially farming and agriculture, needs new talent to innovate and look to new markets, and the next generation will be vital as the sector strives to boost productivity and drive growth. Succession planning is an important topic, and many organisations are continuing to encourage Britains farmers to start having these conversations. To inspire the next generation of entrants to the industry, Barclays has launched #FarmtheFuture, a nationwide campaign encouraging farmers to kick-start their succession plan. By teaming up with JLS boyband member and TV presenter JB Gill, who has swapped a life of pop stardom for turkey and pig farming, the campaign hopes to inspire a younger generation to consider a career in agriculture. Millenial misconceptions The first step in the campaign is clearing up the misconceptions millennials hold about the barriers to working in the industry. Over half (59%) believe they wouldnt be able to afford to become a farmer and four in ten (44%) think they can only break in if they inherit land. While looking to bust these myths, research has found that farming and agriculture could provide millennials with their ideal career. Over three quarters (76%) saying staying physically fit and healthy while working was important to them and nearly half (48%) saying they would like to work with animals. 'Welcoming newcomers' JB Gill said there's a lot of misconceptions among young people about what a career in agriculture really means. Its hard, physical work so it keeps you fit, you get to work with animals, youre your own boss and you can keep up with the trends by posting everything on social media for everyone else to see, he said. The farming community is really welcoming, providing newcomers with knowledge on everything from tending to animals to financial advice. You dont need to have your own land to work in agriculture, there are many options from farm management through to the service industries and I would encourage anyone interested to give it some serious consideration its a life like no other. Significant new powers granted to the UK and devolved nations post-Brexit could be used to introduce a ban on live exports. As the UK develops its animal welfare standards in preparation for Brexit, significant changes to the law have been agreed this week. The Animal Welfare (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 formally hands powers over to the UKs devolved authorities which would allow them to set their own regulations on live transport. The amendment relates to the protection of the welfare of animals whilst being transported, kept at control posts or at the time of their killing. This will give the UK new powers to control more of its own animal welfare standards. By setting the country's own regulations, the UK and devolved nations could ensure transport conditions for livestock surpass those required under EU law, including the hours and distance the animals are allowed to travel within the UK and for any animals exported. These changes even give Government the power to ban live exports, something which the RSPCA is urging them to consider, despite the livestock sector's concerns. 'Landmark moment' The RSPCA said it would like to see the Government use these powers to ban live exports for slaughter. RSPCA Head of Public Affairs, David Bowles said: This is a landmark moment, and may be viewed as a significant step in the UKs journey to take back control of its own laws. We would urge the Government to grab this opportunity now and make animals lives better. Among the measures the animal charity would like to see introduced are more transparent pre-journey veterinary checks to avoid transporting animals which are unfit to travel. It would also be possible to set new journey times for animals being transported within the UK and to the continent and will mean that England - and Wales if it chooses - will be able to break away from EU law on these matters. But farmers have criticised proposals to ban live exports, with the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) saying such a ban could cut off an essential lifeline for sheep farmers. 'Short sighted' FUW President Glyn Roberts said the FUW's current position is that it would be short sighted to introduce a ban on live exports, as tariffs on meat exports to the EU might be introduced. Mr Roberts said: Given tariffs of around 50% of product value could apply on meat once we leave the EU, this would collapse the trade in sheepmeat exports, which currently represents around a third of Welsh lamb sales. We fully appreciate peoples concerns about live exports, but we must bear in mind that the EU has legal welfare standards which are the highest in the world, and these apply both here and on mainland Europe, he added. 'Disadvantage' Mr Roberts comments echo those of the Scottish Government, who also oppose a live export ban. Responding to a similar proposal earlier this year, Scotland's Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: Let me be absolutely clear, this is one UK-wide framework the Scottish government will not be participating in. I will not support anything that creates further challenges or difficulty for our farming sector or puts Scottish agriculture at a disadvantage. The Scottish government will therefore not support the banning of live exports of livestock, but will remain committed to the welfare of all animals during transport adhering to the current rigorous standards which apply - standards and regulations provided by the EU, that are already world class and protect us all through animal, plant and chemical health measures and enabling our produce to be traded around the world. Tips for farmers looking to take advantage of new grants 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 How Boman Overcame His Speech Defect "When I was a kid, I was very afraid to speak, because I had a speech defect. So because of that, I never spoke, and everyone used to feel very sorry for me. It was always the neighbour's mum, because she wants her kid to look better than me, she used to call me Bechara Boman. And since that day, I used to be called Bechara Boman. I kept saying, what's wrong with me? But there's nothing wrong with me, there's something wrong with you! Because the moment I came out of my shell, I haven't shut up since." Boman On How His Mom Helped Him To Recognize His Dreams "My mum wanted me to go see an Alfred Hitchcock film, I was only 11. She said go see it, I said but they're not letting me in. She wrote a letter to the manager saying I have no problem with my son seeing this film'. Can you imagine. She used to make me go watch movies every single day. And that ended up becoming my way to come out of my shell, and converting my shyness into boldness: the stage, the theatre," he said. "My big victory was the day I took the stage for the first time: my voice rang out, all my shyness was gone. This is what theatre, the stage, does for you." A Humble Begining When Boman couldn't get into any college because of his grades, he decided to become a waiter, and headed to the Taj Hotel, because if he was going to be a waiter, he wanted to be "the best damn waiter he could be". Later, he used to work at a potato chip shop named Golden Wafers, which was started by his grandfather when he moved to India from Iran. The First Break After working in plays for many years, Vidhu Vinod Chopra spotted him and after much persuasion from both him and Rajkumar Hirani, Boman agreed to do Munnabhai M.B.B.S and Bollywood found a rare gem. Priyanka Chopra Wore A Custom-made Ralph Lauren Wedding Gown It is reported that Priyanka Chopra wore a custom-made Ralph Lauren gown for the wedding and Nick Jonas wore a suit designed by the same label. Also, the entire groom and bride's side sported the same designer label. Nick Jonas' Father Officiated The Wedding Ceremony Nick's father Paul Kevin Jonas Sr., officiated the wedding as they exchanged their wedding rings, which was designed by the famed jeweller Chopard, reported People. The wedding took place at the back lawn of the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace and the men were dressed in black tuxedos and the women in pastel-coloured outfits. All Geared Up For The Hindu Traditional Wedding The entire venue and the surroundings of the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace are beefed up with security and will remain the same for a few more days until the wedding ceremony is over. The wedding was a close-knit affair and only Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' near and dear ones were present to bless the couple. The same crowd will be present to witness and bless the couple tomorrow in the Hindu-style wedding as well. The Wedding Menu Is Mouth-watering Also, the food at the wedding is mouth-watering as it includes Indian dishes like Hyderabadi, Rajasthani and Punjabi along with international cuisines such as Italian, Mexican, Continental and Chinese food. Congratulations Priyanka Chopra & Nick Jonas Here's wishing Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas a happy married life and may they live with lots of laughter, love and happiness all throughout their lives. 'I Am Feeling Quite Misty-Eyed Shonali wrote, "I form a deep umbilical cord between me and my actors for them to perform the difficult things I require them to - rendering them emotionally naked. Very quickly I formed an intense one with you my darling Pri. So, tonight on the eve of such a massive life altering journey that you are to embark on - I am feeling quite misty eyed." 'See You Very Soon Back On The Sets As Mrs PCJ' She further added, "You were courageous enough to shoot such heart wrenching things with me mere days before of the happiest days of your life. I will be ever grateful for that. Happy wedding day sweetheart. And all the very best for this new leg of life. See you very soon back on set as Ms PCJ." Awww, That's So Sweet Of Nick! Meanwhile, just like Ranveer Singh, Nick too applied mehendi on his hand. We wonder if he got PeeCee's initials written on his palm. Meanwhile, Guests Continue To Pour On Saturday, Elizabeth Chambers arrived at Jodhpur with her daughter to attend Priyanka-Nick's wedding. by Sumon Corraya The country has no Catholic museum. The first exhibit, which shows the objects used by the pope, will keep the memory of last year's pastoral journey alive. Dhaka (AsiaNews) - The Catholic Church in Bangladesh wants to open a museum to commemorate the historic visit of Pope Francis to Dhaka, which took place exactly one year ago (30 November-2 December 2017). "The museum will showcase the objects used by the pontiff during the visit, such as the chair, the rickshaw and the sacred texts, said Fr Kamal Corraya, pastor at the church in Tejgaon who last year hosted the Pope's meeting with the local clergy. Speaking to AsiaNews, the priest noted that the country has no Catholic museum. The one planned should be built in the Banani District (Dhaka), near the Holy Spirit seminary. The site will preserve objects associate with the pastoral visit and keep alive the memory of the event, marked by important moments, such as the meeting with Rohingya refugees and the Sisters of Mother Teresa. For Catholics, Francis pilgrimage to the sites of Bangladesh's history and its Catholic community is a sweet memory. "I have always wanted to meet Pope Francis. My dream came true last year when I could take his hand in mine, said Ms Puspo Rozario. "Pope Francis spoke to us, said Rakib Hasian, a young Muslim who was present at Notre Dame College for the meeting with young people. He told us to listen more to our grandparents, instead of wasting our time with mobile phones." For Joton Silvester Serao, who danced before the Pope, "it was a great honour. He really enjoyed our performance." UAE-based Dalma Capital Management Limited has announced that it has received approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to operate an Islamic Window, enabling it to offer products and services that are compliant with Islamic Shariaa principles in and from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). With this approval, Dalma Capital has become one of only a handful of alternative investment managers in the DIFC with the capability to offer, advise on and manage shariah-compliant investment products. CEO and Founder Zachary Cefaratti said: "The market for Islamic products has grown in recent years and is expected to continue its growth due to demographic trends and increasing investor appetite for Shariaa compliant investments." "Sukuks (Islamic bonds), in particular, have become an increasingly attractive source of funding for issuers. We are glad that we can now bring these products to our global clients and participate in this expanding market," stated Cefaratti. "Islamic financial products are focused on the global Muslim population that is expected to reach over 1.9 billion this year," remarked Dr Nasser Saidi, who serves as a non-executive director of Quencia Open-Ended PCC Limited. "The market for shari'ah-compliant financial products is growing at double digit percentages every year and could be worth $3.4 trillion by the end of 2018," he added. According to him, Dalma Capital was planning to launch a shariah compliant protected cell under the Quencia Open Ended PCC Limited fund structure operating under its platform. Majed Kabbara, the managing director (Asset Management) at Dalma Capital, said: "The Islamic Window allows us to proceed with our initial plan to launch a conventional and a shariaa compliant Saudi equity fund." "The conventional fund, Quencia Saudi Equity Open Ended PC, was succesfuly launched in April 2018 and given the large base of Shariaa compliant investors in the kingdom, launching a Shariaa complaint Saudiequity fund is a natural extension." Dalma Capital also plans to work with leading international asset managers, hedge funds and private equity houses to structure Shariaa compliant offerings of their existing products. "We have seen considerable interest on both the buy- and sell-side for an efficient solution to accessing/distributing Shariaa compliant products," remarked Saber Farooqi, COO and General Counsel at Dalma Capital. "As a regulated financial services platform with an Islamic Window, Dalma Capital is now well placed to provide such a solution," he added.-TradeArabia News Service ZURICH, December 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), in partnership with Balluun, officially unveiled CONEXPO Connect, an online B2B marketplace serving the global construction industry, at AEM's Annual Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. AEM is the leading international trade group enabling off-road equipment manufacturers to be successful globally. With over 1,000 members representing over 200 product lines, AEM manages one of the largest B2B events in North America, CONEXPO-CON/AGG. CONEXPO Connect, powered by Balluun's digital market network solution, is an online destination for the construction industry where equipment manufacturers and contractors connect and engage 24/7/365. Bringing the most valuable parts of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG event online, CONEXPO Connect provides unrivaled access to product information and industry connections, giving brands, buyers, producers, and operators a platform to work together and grow together as an industry. Nicole Hallada, VP of marketing and communications for AEM , stated: "After extensive review, we determined that Balluun had a feature-rich software platform that met all of our key criteria. Our goal is to extend everything that happens at our events, including networking, content-sharing, relationship-building, etc., throughout the year to bridge the gap between shows. Equally as important, we found that the Balluun team has the expertise, services, and high-quality standards to build, support, and rapidly grow our marketplace." Balluun is a one-stop solution provider for digital market network and marketplace platforms. Its cloud-based technology and full-suite of services - marketing, sales and customer success - enable trade associations and trade event organizers such as AEM to launch a new digital B2B platform quickly, and grow it successfully as a digital line of business within their organization. Roland Kumin, CEO of Balluun, commented: "Our teams are highly impressed by AEM's mission and people, the size of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG show, and the range of products AEM's members produce and trade. We are proud to partner with AEM and excited to launch CONEXPO Connect as it leverages new growth opportunities for our partner as well as obtaining new competitive advantage based on data and technology." Kumin continued "We have dedicated a team of skilled specialists in product development, domain management, marketing, sales, and customer success, working closely with AEM to successfully launch this new domain." To the CONEXPO Connect platform: https://www.conexpoconnect.com/ Watch the video: https://youtu.be/5CkBVs4a3M8 Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) About AEM The Association of Equipment Manufacturers is the North American-based international trade group representing more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining, and utility sectors worldwide. The equipment manufacturing industry in the United States supports 1.3 million jobs and contributes roughly $159 billion to the economy every year. About CONEXPO Connect Owned and operated by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the organization that manages CONEXPO-CON/AGG, CONEXPO Connect helps engage and connect contractors and other off-road equipment buyers with producers and manufacturers around the latest construction equipment and the jobsite of tomorrow. About CONEXPO-CON/AGG CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the international gathering place every three years for the construction industries, owned and produced by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Go online to learn more about the next edition of the show, to be held March 10-14, 2020 in Las Vegas - https://www.conexpoconagg.com. Balluun - Powering the future of business networks The leading provider of B2B social e-commerce worldwide. Since 2012 Balluun has been promoting B2B marketplaces and market networks around the world by launching industry-specific platforms connecting wholesalers, retailers, suppliers, brands, products and buyers 24/7/365. The Balluun365 platform allows trade-show organizers and trade associations to easily and cost-effectively create and scale their own online marketplaces, whereby expanding their business and engaging their industry audiences digitally. Our partnership model allows these organizations to build a competitive advantage with a low-cost investment and a high revenue opportunity. More about Balluun: http://www.balluun.com Contacts: Laura Mattiucci Domain Director Balluun lauram@balluun.com Sandra Mason Public Relations Director smason@aem.org PARIS, November 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of Japan has hosted a business roundtable in Paris with French and Japanese business leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators to discuss the opportunities for French startups to take advantage of Japan's evolving startup ecosystem and changing corporate innovation environment. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/790959/Government_of_Japan_Logo.jpg ) (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/790960/J_Startup_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/790961/Japan_France_business_start_up_roundtable.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/790962/Joanna_Kirk.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/792400/Kei_Shimada.jpg ) Titled "Open for Business: Taking Advantage of Japan's Growth Opportunities," the event was supported by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Paris and held in collaboration with Tech In France. The engaging roundtable discussion was moderated by journalist Christine Colmont, and featured Ren Ito, Chief Executive Officer of Mercari Europe; Kei Shimada, Director of Innovation and Leader of Digital Makers Lab, IBM Japan; and Joanna Kirk, co-founder of Startup Sesame, one of the largest alliances of Tech events in Europe. More than a dozen entrepreneurs and leaders from France's startup scene joined the conversation with their counterparts from Japan. The group discussed how Japan's startups are evolving and corporations are striving to strengthen their ecosystem for increasingly global collaboration, as well as how French startups can take advantage of the changing business climate in Japan. As the world's third largest economy, Japan has focused on strengthening innovation ecosystems to incorporate external dynamism beyond its borders. The business-friendly Abenomics policy initiative has developed a more effective regulatory environment for corporate transformation and startup support. This year, the Government of Japan also launched the startup support program named J-Startup, aiming to promote overseas development of Japanese startups and creation of unicorns. As demonstrated by the success of Mercari, a J-Startup company, Japan's startup scene is changing. Open innovation has been accelerated across the globe and IBM Japan, a J-Startup supporter company, is also taking actual steps by building a collaborative innovation ecosystem to supercharge the growth of global startups by matching their innovative products with IBM assets such as cognitive, analytics and cloud services, to cater to the needs of clients around the globe. The J-Startup program not only incubates globally competitive startups, but also invites and supports inbound startups and entrepreneurs. It aligns with the cooperative commitment to support startups signed in July 2018 between the Japanese and French governments. Ren Ito, Chief executive Officer, Mercari Europe, comments: "When Mercari was founded there was no large consumer to consumer market, so our approach was to create this new market and identify our core users. Working in partnership with these new markets and being part of an ecosystem where businesses could easily collaborate supercharged our growth. Our customers now spend as muchtime on our app as they do on social media, so we've become not just being a transaction site but also a social network where we add unique value to the consumer journey." Kei Shimada, Director of Innovation, Leader of Digital Makers Lab, IBM Japan, comments:"In addition to our highly successful accelerator IBM BlueHub, which is a partner in the J-Startup initiative, IBM Japan's newest innovation arm called Digital Makers Lab is now igniting a startup collaboration program, eyeing a holistic partnership with accelerators, venture capital firms and universities from around the globe to co-create new solutions for our clients. As France has a head start in nurturing startups that have global competitiveness, we look forwards to exploring opportunities that will mutually benefit clients in both countries as well as its startups." Joanna Kirk, Co-founder of Startup Sesame, Managing Director of StartHer and Chapter lead at Techfugees France, says: "The French start-up ecosystem is incredibly exciting. Paris has put itself on the map when it comes to startups and innovation, which is partly due to a change of mindset from French entrepreneurs and the business community and the many initiatives put in place by public organisations and the tech community. There is a real opportunity for increased business partnerships between French and Japanese startups, especially by building communities to coordinate key strengths and better understand new audiences and markets." The Government of Japan continues to transform its market into a high-quality business environment to meet the needs of worldwide businesses by providing world-leading, high-value business environment that enables companies to expand and thrive. The country is generating new and exciting opportunities in an economy that is aligning its regulations with those of other advanced economies to enable seamless transition for companies ready to expand into new growth markets. Please click here to learn more about the Government of Japan. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. judge in California has granted preliminary approval to a $48 million settlement for investors who said Volkswagen AG made false and misleading statements over its excess diesel emissions. Lawyers for the investors, who include police and other municipal pension funds, had estimated that the maximum they could have recovered was $147 million. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. judge in California has granted preliminary approval to a $48 million settlement for investors who said Volkswagen AG made false and misleading statements over its excess diesel emissions. Lawyers for the investors, who include police and other municipal pension funds, had estimated that the maximum they could have recovered was $147 million. But Judge Charles Breyer said the settlement agreed in August appeared "fair, adequate and reasonable." VW, in a statement, said on Friday that the "proposed settlement agreement eliminates the uncertainty and considerable costs of protracted litigation in the United States and is in the best interests of the company." The ruling was issued late Wednesday. In total, Volkswagen has agreed to pay more than $25 billion in the United States for claims from owners, environmental regulators, states and dealers, and has offered to buy back about 500,000 polluting U.S. vehicles. The buybacks will continue through 2019. The German automaker admitted in September 2015 to secretly installing software in nearly 500,000 U.S. cars to cheat government exhaust emissions tests. The vehicles had emitted up to 40 times the legally allowable pollutants. In 2017, VW also pleaded guilty to fraud, obstruction of justice and falsifying statements in a U.S. court. Under the plea deal, the automaker agreed to sweeping reforms, new audits and oversight by an independent monitor for three years. Federal prosecutors in Detroit unsealed criminal charges in May against former VW Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn, who remains in Germany. Two other former VW executives have pleaded guilty in the investigation and are in prison. In total, nine people have been charged in the United States. Breyer set a date for a fairness hearing to allow further comment on the August settlement for May 10, after which a final ruling will be issued. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall and Bill Berkrot) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. In the charge sheet, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that the AJL was allotted a plot of land in Panchkula in 1982, on which no construction took place till 1992. The HUDA had subsequently taken back the possession of the plot. New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Congress leader Motilal Vora Saturday in connection with the alleged irregularities in the re-allotment of an institutional plot in Panchkula, Haryana to the Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which is allegedly controlled by Congress leaders. The central agency, which filed the charge sheet in a special court, has alleged that the reallotment of the plot, C-17, has caused a loss of Rs 67 lakh to the exchequer. The agency charged the then Haryana chief minister Hooda, who was also the chairman of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), the then chairman of the AJL, Vora, and the company under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections related to criminal conspiracy and the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. In the charge sheet, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that the AJL was allotted a plot of land in Panchkula in 1982, on which no construction took place till 1992. The HUDA had subsequently taken back the possession of the plot. The charge sheet alleged that the same plot was re-allotted to the AJL at its original rates in 2005 by allegedly violating the laid down norms by the then HUDA chairman, Hooda. The AJL is reportedly controlled by senior Congress leaders, including members of the Gandhi family. The group runs the National Herald newspaper. US national John Allen Chau was killed by the Sentinelese tribe when he tried to enter their island. Madhumala Chattopadhyay, who was the first woman to visit this tribe, as well as the Jarawas and Onges, speaks about how she established friendly contact with them and learnt about their way of life In the Onge tribe indigenous to the Andaman and Nicobar islands, when a boy turns 16, he is sent off alone to hunt in the jungle. He has to kill enough wild boars so that the length of their severed heads arranged in a line matches his height. The community then washes the boy with boar blood and he is considered ready for marriage. A suitable girl is found, and the young pair is sent to the jungle to live together for a few days. If they agree to marry each other, they become a couple. If not, then another match is found. This is just one of the many tribes practices which then 27-year-old Madhumala Chattopadhyay, who was posted as an anthropologist with the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) at Port Blair, remembers vividly. She lived with the Onges for two months and studied them. But that was 30 years ago. Today, Madhumala lives in a dilapidated government type 4 quarters in south Delhi with her 71-year-old mother. Once a brave young woman who was part of expeditions that made history, she now passes files and overlooks research projects as a joint director with the ministry of social justice and empowerment. The numerous reports she filed from each of her visits to all six Andaman and Nicobar island tribes now remain buried in AnSIs database. At her home, she wades through heaps of files, papers and other household material tied up in bundles gathering dust and pulls out photographs from an album. In her salwar-kurtas buttoned to the top, she is seen passing coconuts to one of the most primitive tribes in the world the Sentinelese. That was the first and the only hand-to-hand contact anyone had ever established with the tribe, remembers Madhumala. The North Sentinel Island is in the news again after a 26-year-old American citizen, John Allen Chau, ventured into the territory and was allegedly killed by the tribes arrows and spears on 16 November. The Sentinelese have always fiercely protected their territory. Anyone approaching the island is showered with spears and arrows flying high up from the shore. The only friendly human contact with the tribe was in January 1991, and Madhumala was part of that expedition as the only anthropologist on the team. She was also the first woman to be on any such expedition. How it began Hungry for quality research work on tribal groups, she applied as a researcher with AnSI after completing her Masters in Physical Anthropology from the University of Calcutta. At the job interview, when she requested to be posted at Port Blair, the-then director general, Dr Kumar Suresh Singh, asked her to step outside the room, drink a glass of water, call her parents, rethink and come back after five minutes. No one wanted to be posted in Port Blair. Even those who were there were always looking for an opportunity to get out, she says. But Madhumala was clear about what she wanted from that cluster of 321 islands. She was 13 years old when she asked her father, an accounts officer with Indian Railways, to take her to see the Onge tribe in the Andaman and Nicobar islands on the familys annual vacation. The Onges were celebrating the birth of a new baby and she wanted to be a part of it. The family didnt take that trip. But in the years that followed, Madhumala found herself sifting through books in libraries and clinging on to university admission windows, enquiring about the right mix of subjects which would eventually take her to the Andamans. I didnt know what anthropology was. I read in the dictionary that it is the study of humans. That is exactly what I wanted to do. I took Botany, Zoology and Anthropology as my subjects, she says. Creating history I didnt drink that glass of water, she smiles, remembering the job interview. In 1989, she landed at Port Blair and in the next six years, not only the Onges, but the Car Nicobarese and even the Jarawas accepted her as their own and took her into their world. In the first three years of her posting, she conducted several field studies on the genetics, health, hygiene, demography and ethnicity of the Car Nicobarese and Onges. She picked up the language and the tribal women recognised her each time she visited. The tribe leaders offered her stay in the villages when she was occasionally kicked out of the government guesthouse to accommodate VIPs, the babies urinated on her, and she was granted beautiful insights into their communities. In 1991, as part of a regular gift-dropping trip to the islands to establish friendly contact with the tribals, the Andaman administration organised a visit to the North Sentinel Island, considered the most dangerous and hostile. Two anthropologists could accompany the team headed by the administration. Madhumala knew she had to be on that ship. First, the authorities tried to reject me, saying I was a woman, she says. Such expeditions could turn dangerous and women had never been part of them. But she insisted, and had to give in writing that if something untoward happened on the trip, including if clothes were torn by the tribals, or even death, her family should not claim anything from the government. She submitted a no-objection certificate signed by her parents and was on board. Little did the crew know that Madhumalas acquired skills would prove useful. The team of 13 left Port Blair on 4 January, 1991 and reached the shore of North Sentinel early next morning. They anchored their steamer at a safe distance and by 7 am saw smoke rising from one side of the islands, indicating human habitation. The team members sailed closer to the shore in a lifeboat. The past trips were limited to leaving sacks of tender coconuts on deserted sides of the island. If the tribals ever saw them, the team was attacked. In one such trip, an arrow came flying from the shore and pierced through the lieutenant governors chest, missing his heart by a few inches. He took months to convalesce. As the Sentinelese men appeared on the shore, the team started offering them coconuts. Instead of the usual practice of throwing away the gunny bag, the team decided to roll coconuts, one at a time, in the water. It was like encouraging them to play with us, Madhumala says. And it worked. There were no arrows or spears pointed at the team. Eventually, the men started coming closer to the boat and touched it. This was the first time in history that there was hand-to-hand contact with the Sentinelese. When the team returned in the afternoon with new sacks of coconuts, they saw a young boy aiming an arrow at them. A woman was behind him. Madhumala, in the few tribal words she had learnt, called out to her, asking her to come and collect her coconut. The lady diverted the arrow which the boy unleashed and asked him to take the coconuts, which he did. I have always believed that women can control violence, says Madhumala. She feels that the presence of a woman in the team really made a difference. In Delhi, Singh, overjoyed at the young researchers achievement, welcomed her. Your Sentinelese prince was waiting for you, he said to her. Their trip was a success. Her second visit to the island was on 21 February. She wore the same clothes, to be recognised easily. This time, there were temporary huts on the shore and the men had left their bows and arrows in the jungle. But the Sentinelese were in no mood to play. Two men jumped on their boat, picked up the sacks of coconuts and left. As they jumped onto the boat, they saw the rifles, which to them was mere iron. They tried to take that as well, but the cops on the boat prevented them, she laughed. The harmless contact with the Sentinelese suddenly turned tense when one of the crew members tried to snatch a set of leaves hanging from the chest belt of one of the Sentinelese to take home as souvenir. He became furious and out came his knife from his chest belt. He instructed us to leave, says Madhumala. The team departed immediately. Soon after, the government stopped the contact trips. It was decided that the tribals shouldnt be disturbed, unless absolutely necessary. Jarawa contacts While the Sentinelese were touch and go, the Jarawas opened their doors to her and took her in. On her first trip to the Jarawa settlement, Madhumala was dressed in five layers of clothes. Contact had been made with the tribespeople before and they were notorious for tearing off visitors clothes. When the team reached closer to the island, all other members boarded a boat and went to the shore. They asked Madhumala, the only woman in the team, to stay back in the ship. They assured her that they would come back to get her once it was safe. No one returned. Madhumala took another boat and, along with the boatman, started sailing ashore. As she inched closer, six Jarawa men swam towards her boat and climbed on to it. Fearing they would attack her, the boatman asked her to jump into the water. I am not a good swimmer, so I decided to stay in the boat, she says. Soon, they were pinching the exposed skin on her hands, comparing it with their thick, dark skin. They touched her hair, feeling the texture. I could see that they meant no harm. They were simply curious, she says. This was the first time the Jarawas were seeing a woman from the outside world. Their eyes popped and they kept staring at her in awe. Soon, a Jarawa woman entered the boat. She sat close to me and started explicitly showing her body parts, in a way, trying to tell me that she is a woman and asking me if I am too, she says. Madhumala embraced her. That was her gateway into the world of the Jarawas. The woman ordered all the men to leave, and they obeyed. Within minutes, Madhumala was surrounded by Jarawa women. One chubby one even came and sat on her lap. They brought her ornaments for her head and neck, made of jungle leaves, which Madhumala happily accepted. She made several trips to the Jarawa islands after that. Each time, the women would see her boat approaching, and they would start dancing. After her first trip, in anticipation that she would visit again, the tribal women had made ornaments of her size with sea shells and tree barks, which would last longer. These Madhumala later donated to a museum in Kolkata. She learnt about the Jarawas and most other tribes on the Andaman and Nicobar islands mostly through observation and sign language. She picked up knowledge of local words for gestures like thank you, come, take it and items like coconut, which proved useful wherever she went. For instance, the word for coconut in Onge is also understood by the Car Nicobarese, Jarawas, and even the Sentinelese. Madhumala could neither get permission to stay overnight with the Jarawas, nor venture into either the Sentinelese or Jarawa territories. Yet, she observed and documented how the mothers mouth-feed their babies, how the tribal babies can hold their necks straight within three months, unlike the ones in the world outside. And in all her working years on the islands, she never saw any child born with congenital deformities or disabilities. Her work gave deep insights into the practices of tribes of the islands, on how within each community, territory for hunting is marked and how each tribe has a king, mostly an elderly, able-bodied man whose command all obey. And how on a full moon night, Onge couples take turns to stay up and sing to the moon. On both the Jarawa and Onge islands she saw the same couples on different visits, sitting with their children, roasting food, which could mean that they were a family. When the Onges hunt a wild boar, they mix the fat with clay and apply patterns with the concoction on their faces and body parts. Its a sign to show that a boar was hunted. This mix also protects them from insect bites and acts as sun protection. The Car Nicobarese would kill the second child if twins were born. They believed that the second baby was an evil spirit. But now they give the second child to a relative who doesnt have a baby to take care of. She noted that the children who are given away grow up weaker than the twin who is with the mother. Madhumala fondly remembers how once in a Jarawa settlement, the women would just not let her return. Their king had to intervene. On his command, the women bid goodbye to me for the day, she says. In the absence of a common language, it was through their gestures of curling of lips, warm embraces and happy tapping of feet that the tribals expressed how much they liked Madhumalas presence among them. Madhumala reciprocated. Her forgotten past Despite her contribution to understanding the tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar islands, Madhumalas name remains lost. Today, with her timid, wavering speech and slow physical movements, it is hard to guess that in her young days she fiercely defied notions of patriarchy and fought gender discrimination at every step. She was constantly compared to her male counterparts. In her Masters programme, she was the only woman in a class full of men. She fought for her space on expeditions, which she feels she rightfully deserved. Even in the ministry, her colleagues sometimes chided her: You work just like a boy, alluding to her efficiency. I would pin up my dupatta and move swiftly to finish the work that was assigned to me, she says, pointing at the two safety pins holding her dupatta to her sweater. But perhaps she could never fight the hierarchy at her workplace. Madhumala found a mention in Singhs People of India surveys Andaman chapter. But her senior in Port Blair, Dr T N Pandit, never sent her name for commemoration, while the Andaman administration rewarded its team members after the successful North Sentinel trip. She has left the baggage in her past, calling it professional jealousy. She remembers her father's words with a calm smile: When people don't recognise your work, stay silent and save it. Because if your work is important, it will be relevant even after 100 years. Dr Pandit, however, claims that Madhumalas contributions were not sidelined. He says that the achievement on North Sentinel Island is the result of effort put in over several decades. It is not a one-day story. The outcome of 1991 is a series of visits which she (Madhumala) was not a part of, he said, referring to the January friendly meet with the Sentinelese. He adds that Madhumala, though a junior anthropologist in those days, is even a co-author with him in a paper published in one of the well-known journals in Kolkata where we wrote on the 1991 trips. Her name is very much there in all the reports, he says. Dr Pandit was part of several expeditions to the North Sentinel Island since 1967, but he was not part of the team that made the first friendly contact with the Sentinelese in January 1991. He was in the second team which went a month later on 21 February. Her mother, a Bengali poet, always insisted that Madhumala go to the US where her work would be recognised. She had offers from three universities, including Cornell and Michigan, but living and travelling would be expensive and she had two younger siblings to take care of after her father passed away in 1993. When I was leaving for my posting at Port Blair, I told my mother, Forget the US, I will go to places where no one has gone before, Madhumala says. She left Port Blair in 1996 and moved to the Nagpur centre of the AnSI. In 1998, she joined as a researcher with the ministry of social justice and empowerment in Delhi and accompanied the secretary, also a woman, to the Jarawa settlement where a measles epidemic had struck. A few old tribal women who recognised me tapped on my cheek, as a friendly gesture, she remembers. In 2001, her book Tribes of Car Nicobar was released. The first friendly contact with the Sentinelese was made at Allen Point. The American who is killed was also named Allen, she recalls the strange coincidence. She is sure that Allen force-entered their territory, which the tribals fiercely guard. Bringing his body back will be risky. There will be more killings if the authorities force their way into the island. The Sentinelese will attack them and the Sentinelese will also be killed, she says. She remembers the Sentinelese, slightly taller than the rest of the island tribes, as the strongest men she has ever seen. They can split a tender coconut into half with one hand-chop, and nothing will happen to their hands, she says. If sent to the Olympics, they will bring back gold medals for sure, as their arrows and spears fly high and far. The inhabited islands, she feels, should remain closed for tourists. Only those who want to study the tribes should be given access, she says. Looking back at the days where she would return from each trip, having lost at least 10 kilos of weight, she says, You feel that you are there to study them, but actually, they are the ones who study you. You are new in their lands. The Indian Army is not yet ready to have women in combat roles, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat said on Friday. The Army chief, however, said there are several other fields where the Army is thinking of inducting women, such as information and psychological warfare. Pune: The Indian Army is not yet ready to have women in combat roles, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat said on Friday. The Army chief, however, said there are several other fields where the Army is thinking of inducting women, such as information and psychological warfare. "We are not yet ready for that (women in combat roles) as facilities have to be created... Women also need to be prepared for that kind of hardships," he said. "It is not easy. Let us not compare ourselves with Western nations, which are more open," Gen Rawat told reporters on the sidelines of the Passing Out Parade of the 135th course at the National Defence Academy in Pune. "Yes, we may be more open in our big cities, but our Army personnel are not coming from big cities only. They are coming from rural areas too, where the inter-mingling, which is expected, is still not there," he said. "They are already there in education and law, so the other field we have identified for them is information warfare and psychological warfare. We are also considering the accounting field where women can be inducted," he said. "Women officers are being inducted into all the three services. But what we have to decide is whether some of them can be given permanent commissions," Gen Rawat said. "The Army has taken a call that there are some aspects and fields where "we need some kind of continuity and permanency," he said. "In a command-oriented army, male officers do not fit the bill everywhere. The Army needs language interpreters as military diplomacy is gaining ground. The basic requirement is understanding the language while talking to other nations, military to military. So we are looking for women as interpreters," he said. Tragedy did not strike Bhopal on the intervening night of 2-3 December 1984 but thereafter as horrible relief and rehabilitation measures including wrong medication killed thousands, reveal documents accessed from then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's office Editor's Note: More than 700 documents accessed from former prime minister Rajiv Gandhis office reveal how horrible relief and rehabilitation measures by the authorities, and a company determined to hide the truth led to more deaths in the aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy. This three-part series uncovers how a dysfunctional administration at the state and Centre failed to contain the crisis 34 years ago, and how it's taking lives even today. *** Tragedy did not strike Bhopal on the intervening night of 2-3 December 1984 but thereafter. The massive leakage of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas from the Union Carbide plant resulted in colossal loss of life and an estimated 8,000 died within two weeks and more than five lakh were affected. More than 700 documents accessed from the Prime Minister's Office during Rajiv Gandhi tenure reveals horrible relief and rehabilitation measures including administering wrong medication to the victims and a dysfunctional administration. The Bhopal gas tragedy was the biggest industrial disaster in terms of loss of human lives, in the history of the world. The tragedy, for the first time, made people aware of the magnitude of a peace-time calamity. The lingering impact of the tragedy is horrific and at least 20-25 victims are losing their life every month even now. Do the successive government's care about the 5,74,376 survivors? No. Was the then government's response to the lethal gas leak swift and accurate? The answer is an absolute No'. The facts buried in the secret files and the reality of present day is disturbing and shocking. The victims are forced to live on an island without a government. Confusion over medicines led to more deaths Immediately after the tragedy struck Bhopal, a doctor from Germany rushed to the grief stricken city. He advised that the gas affected victims should be given Sodium Thiosulphate. The drug had desired impact. But, within a week, government doctors as per recommendation from the Central Government on 11 December 1984 decided against it and instead steroids and bronchodialators were recommended. Almost three months later in March 1985, the government reversed the treatment by recommending Sodium Thiosulphate injection. But, it was disrupted again in June 1985. It was a callous decision and only 5 percent of the population could be given the right treatment. Then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi came to know about this cold blooded murder about nine months after the tragedy. It is hard to imagine how many people might have suffered and continue to be suffering due to wrong medication. The government and bureaucratic apathy was colossal. The then government however, argued they were not prepared to tackle such a situation and tried to play down the impact. They were totally clueless. Amidst the confusion over the correct medicines, then health secretary Sarla Grewal wrote on 18 March 1985 that long term complications were difficult to predict, though, rejecting the reports about victims losing their eyesight. Grewal letter (DO No. T-19011/7/85) said: The real crux of the problem was that a disaster of such magnitude caused by such a highly toxic chemical was unparalleled in living memory. The experts, both Indian and international, were unanimous in their opinion that while symptomatic treatment must go on there would be need to have long-term clinical and epidemiological follow up.... The long term complications are difficult to predict. There is not much of experience about this type of poisoning and the text books do not throw much light on this subject. Only a systematic and long-term follow-up would reveal the different facets of the problem. However, the available medical evidence does indicate that the reports about large number of people becoming blind or likely to become blind as a result of the gas poisoning is grossly exaggerated. Most of the people having temporary eye-ailments have recovered and only a small percentage of people, who were severely exposed could have corneal ulcer leading to opacity. However, the major problem is likely to be in the lungs. It does appear that a large number of severely exposed cases may develop permanent damage to the lungs due to fibrosis for which there is no effective cure. These conditions can worsen with super added infection." Sometime in August 1985, a committee constituted by the government under chairmanship of BJ Heerjee, then additional secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, informed the Prime Ministers Office that the medical opinion on the benefits of Sodium Thiosulphate therapy differs. "Since knowledge about the effect of poisonous gas on human and animal bodies, in fact, the nature of the poison itself was limited, the initial treatment has to be symptomatic, the report said further adding that the antidote supplied was more than one lakh but only 22,000 were used and number of persons covered must be smaller. On the issue of wrong treatment, the government was of the view that it happened due to lack of information from the Union Carbide that triggered considerable amount of confusion for the doctors, who had an opportunity to come in contact with the patients or carried out autopsies. Even from the early autopsy findings, a strong suspicion was entertained about the possibility (of) cyanide poisoning, causes apart. There were suggestions to a similar effect from a visiting German toxicologist, who not only advocated but promptly (provided) samples of Sodium Thiosulphate for treatment of the gas victims. However, there was a fairly big group of physicians who could not reconcile to such a possibility. They were rather hesitant about the utility of Sodium Thiosulphate as an antidote until and unless positive evidence of cyanide being present was established, report said. At least nine pages long, the report, which scrutinised the medical relief, minced no words in concluding that such confusion was regrettable. It also pointed out that despite the fact that sufficient presumptive evidence about the presence of cyanide in victims body was made available by middle of January 1985, the skepticism regarding the use of Sodium Thiosulphate continued. "It is rather regrettable that many unrelated considerations should have prevented the wider use of Sodium Thiosulphate in the primary detoxification of the symptomatic patients, with physical weakness and fatigability out of proportion to pulmonary signs, X-Ray findings and even lung function tests. No special care seems to have been taken to find out those who are likely to be benefitted from Sodium Thisulphate treatment. During the course of its deliberations on 9 and 10 August 1985, the group interviewed representatives of practically all shades of opinion, both professional as well as public. It was apparent, that apart from dissenting note of a few physicians, there was widespread feeling of a great relief and satisfaction following the administration of Sodium Thiosulphate injections, report further added. Union Carbide used money, power to keep cyanide poisoning under wraps The PMO files reveal that in spite of the lapse of several months, the stage was not ready for trouble-free functioning of baseline and sophisticated laboratory equipment in August 1985. There was an urgent need to provide essential equipment like spectrophotometers of indigenous make and get them standardised and operationalised by trained technicians. On 6 July 1985, 'Medico Friend Circle', an all India group of doctors wrote to Gandhi protesting against the wrong prescription of medicines to the Bhopal victims. However, the letter was merely marked to the then joint secretary to the prime minister and action taken on the communication remain in domain of speculation. In the letter, the group had informed that effort to provide Sodium Thiosulphate treatment to the gas disaster victim was forcefully closed by police action on 24 June, 1985. This action included arrest/harassment of the doctors, confiscation of medical records and equipment and closure of the health centre. We are shocked at the disgraceful treatment meted out to this group of voluntary doctors who had come from different parts of the country to Bhopal in response to the human tragedy that took place there. This action has resulted in discontinuation of essential and life saving medical treatment for hundreds of patients in the bastis (localities) of Bhopal, Ravi Narayan, convener of Medico Friend Circle wrote to Gandhi. Why the doctors trying to save lives were lathi-charged and thrown out of the medical camps? A confidential PMO note has all the answers. The note said: "It appears that a powerful lobby of Union Carbide has been active in Bhopal ever since the gas tragedy, to distort evidences of Cyanide poisoning and experiments earlier conducted on the Union Carbide premises. Many voluntary medical units have been driven away by police threats and intimidation of other kinds. Attempts have been made to sabotage the administration of Sodium Thiosulphate which would establish a case of Cyanide poisoning.... It seems that Union Carbide has persistently resorted to money power and pressure to distort realities of the tragedy, and to obstruct relief work to the detriment of the ailing persons. It would also seem that it is the objective of Union Carbide to safeguard its high stakes at any cost; and the future of all pesticide/herbicide/pharmaceuticals multi-nationals who are covertly behind Union carbide in this matter. Their manipulation/actual working need to be closely monitored. The state government, however, refuted these charges and argued that such reports were highly motivated and based on political consideration. During a meeting with the then cabinet secretary PK Kaul on 9 July, 1985, the state government said: Some doctors had be arrested because they were directly involved in inciting violence and disorder, and not in relief work. Exactly a year after the tragedy on 3 December, 1985, Dr CR Krishna Murti, Scientific Commission on Bhopal Gas Leakage, reiterated what the doctors initially said about the cyanide poisoning and use of antidote. In his letter to S Varadarajan, then director general for Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Murti said the cyanide content of serum samples of victims were measured through a sophisticated procedure. Autopsies done by Dr Heeresh Chandra very clearly reveal that the exposure to the toxicants has affected a multiplicity of tissues including lungs. The contraction of stomach, the curdling of blood in gastric mucosa are according to Chandra and published literature noticed in autopsies of cyanide poisoning. The hemorrhage pattern noticed in brain and liver was also typical of cyanide exposure effects. The clinical findings currently being reported on affected persons include not only ailments of the lungs but also of the gastroinfectinal (sic) system, neuro-behavioural changes particularly in children (3-15 years) and continuing eye irritation and photofobia in several cases. There is no published literature on autopsies of humans exposed to MIC, but published literature on phosgene and HCN do reveal the above kind of manifestations. We have been searching for actual evidence of exposure to the suspected entities in the Bhopal disaster. It will be obviously difficult now to get estimates of phosgene, MIC or HCN or other chemicals as they were present during the critical 4-6 hours after release of the toxic gases on 2-3 December 1984." The letter makes it amply clear that right prescription that was abruptly abandoned by the authorities could have saved many more lives and the injured could have received better treatment. A day later on 4 December, 1985, Varadarajan cautioned that in the absence of adequate animal studies which distinguish the effects of MIC and those of HCN or phosgene, to my mind, it is difficult to come to a definitive conclusion on the constituents of gas emission at Bhopal. Toxicological studies with rats, now in progress at ITRC, Lucknow, show that the material is highly toxic, causing immediate death. At all low concentrations, the first symptoms are high irritation in the eyes and foaming in the mouth and in some cases blood in mouth. After death or sacrifice in all animals stomach and intestines are bloated. Work carried out on hydrogen cyanide shows animals die with eyes open, Varadarajan wrote in his letter. Rajiv Gandhi government admits Union Carbides double standards In the last 34 years, the debate on Bhopal gas tragedy was centered on one man Warren Anderson who political parties accused, was allegedly assisted by the Rajiv Gandhi government to escape from the law. He couldnt be extradited to stand trial. The then government denied any wrongdoings, hiding the facts related to the tragedy or colluding with the most wanted accused, but a secret note by Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers under Gandhis administration squarely blamed Anderson and team for the biggest disaster. The three-page note said the management of Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) tried to minimise its responsibility by shifting the blame on its Indian subsidiary. But there is no doubt that (the) UCC owned and operated the Bhopal plant. The UCC was responsible for the designing of the plant and had warranted that the design was based on best manufacturing information available; and that they would provide the plant with the best and most up-to-date technical data and information in its possession for the manufacturing, processing, handling and storing MIC. There are several major flaws in the design of the Bhopal MIC plant, vis-a-vis the institute plant, Virginia, particularly on the safety aspects and installations. Let us realise that MIC as a chemical, is extraordinary toxic and inflammable. It is one of the most dangerous substance known to man. One would expect a large multinational such as UCC, to offer the best and most up-to-date technology available with them and not dilute them when it comes to developing countries. The theory they are not as good as us is pernicious and not acceptable, the note said. A 6-page secret note that was sent to Gandhi by then cabinet secretary Kaul also blamed UCC alleging they deliberately did not share the requisite information on lethal gas with the central and state government. The note said that the public was totally unprepared for the catastrophe and provision of full information would have led to the stopping of bulk storage and higher preparedness of government and of the public to meet consequences of any unexpected event. "The corporation has not supplied information it possessed on the serious damage that could be caused to human and animal population, even at low concentration of MIC in air. No details have been given by the corporation of remedial and therapeutic measures that could be taken in the case of affected persons. There have been more than 80 cases recorded of leakage of MIC in USA plants and ill-effects, as revealed by the company sometime after the tragedy at Bhopal. Yet no information on these had been made available to Bhopal medical professionals before the accident or even immediately after the accident. Even till date, the corporation has failed to reveal any details of possible effects and remedies, the note dated 19 March, 1985 said. Three decades of neglect Even after more than three decades, the state government is struggling to provide a healthy environment to the survivors. In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court on 27 August, 2018, the state government said: Construction of drainage system in the gas affected localities is being executed in 15 different packages and the work orders were issued in the months of May, July and August 2018. For the purpose of laying down sewage line in 42 gas affected localities in Bhopal, a detailed Project report for laying down sewerage lines and establishing sewage treatment plant for Bhopal city was submitted by WAPCOS Limited (a government of India undertaking) on 7 May, 2018. The state government has sanctioned the amount of Rs 145 Crores for laying down the sewage lines in the Bhopal city which includes the 19 gas-affected localities also. The work order was already issued on 5 May, 2018 and the work for laying down the sewage lines in these 19 localities is under progress. For the remaining 23 gas-affected localities also the budget will be sanctioned soon and the process is underway, the state government said. Under Chinese president Xi Jinping, the Uighur homeland has been blanketed with stifling surveillance, from armed checkpoints on street corners to facial-recognition-equipped CCTV cameras steadily surveying passers-by. Istanbul: The two women in the photograph were smiling, but Halmurat Idris knew something was terribly wrong. One was his 39-year-old sister; standing at her side was an elderly woman Idris did not know. Their grins were tight-lipped, mirthless. Her sister had posted the picture on a social media account along with a caption punctuated by a smiley-face. Look, I have a Han Chinese mother now! his sister wrote. Idris knew instantly: The old woman was a spy, sent by the Chinese government to infiltrate his family. There are many like her. According to the ruling Communist Partys official newspaper, as of the end of September, 1.1 million local government workers have been deployed to ethnic minorities living rooms, dining areas and Muslim prayer spaces, not to mention at weddings, funerals and other occasions once considered intimate and private. All this is taking place in Chinas far west region of Xinjiang, home to the predominantly Muslim, Turkic-speaking Uighurs, who have long reported discrimination at the hands of the countrys majority Han Chinese. While government notices about the Pair Up and Become Family program portray it as an affectionate cultural exchange, Uighurs living in exile in Turkey said their loved ones saw the campaign as a chilling intrusion into the only place that they once felt safe. They believe the program is aimed at coercing Chinas 10 million Uighurs into living secular lives like the Han majority. Anything diverging from the partys prescribed lifestyle can be viewed by authorities as a sign of potential extremism from suddenly giving up smoking or alcohol, to having an abnormal beard or an overly religious name. Under Chinese president Xi Jinping, the Uighur homeland has been blanketed with stifling surveillance, from armed checkpoints on street corners to facial-recognition-equipped CCTV cameras steadily surveying passers-by. Now, Uighurs say, they must live under the watchful eye of the ruling Communist Party even inside their own homes. The government is trying to destroy that last protected space in which Uighurs have been able to maintain their identity, said Joanne Smith Finley, an ethnographer at Englands Newcastle University. The Associated Press spoke to five Uighurs living in Istanbul who shared the experiences of their family members in Xinjiang who have had to host Han Chinese civil servants. These accounts are based on prior communications with their family members, the majority of whom have since cut off contact because Uighurs can be punished for speaking to people abroad. The Uighurs abroad said their loved ones were constantly on edge in their own homes, knowing that any misstep a misplaced Quran, a carelessly spoken word could lead to detention or worse. In the presence of these faux relatives, their family members could not pray or wear religious garbs, and the cadres were privy to their every move. The thought of it and the sight of his sister, the old woman and their false smiles made Idris queasy. I wanted to throw up, said the 49-year-old petroleum engineer, shaking his head in disgust. The moment I saw the old woman, I thought, Ugh, this person is our enemy. If your enemy became your mother, think about it how would you feel? ___ Tensions between Muslim minorities and Han Chinese have bubbled over in recent years, resulting in violent attacks pegged to Uighur separatists and a fierce government crackdown on broadly defined extremism that has placed as many as 1 million Muslims in internment camps, according to estimates by experts and a human rights group. Uighurs say the omnipresent threat of being sent to one of these centres, which are described as political indoctrination camps by former detainees, looms large in their relatives minds when they are forced to welcome party members into their homes. Last December, Xinjiang authorities organized a Becoming Family Week which placed more than 1 million cadres in minority households. Government reports on the program gushed about the warm family reunions, as public servants and Uighurs shared meals and even beds. Another notice showed photos of visitors helping Uighur children with their homework and cooking meals for their families. The caption beneath a photo of three women lying in bed, clad in pyjamas, said the cadre was sleeping with her relatives in their cosy room. A different photo showed two women studying the 19th Party Congress and walking together into the new era a nod to when Xis name was enshrined in the party constitution alongside the likes of Deng Xiaoping and Mao Zedong. Becoming Family Week turned out to be a test run for a standardized homestay program. The Xinjiang United Front Work Department said in February that government workers should live with their assigned families every two months, for five days at a time. The United Front, a Communist Party agency, indicates in the notice that the program is mandatory for cadres. Likewise, Idris and other interviewees said their families understood that they would be deemed extremists if they refused to take part. Cadres, who are generally civilians working in the public sector, are directed to attend important family events such as the naming of newborns, circumcisions, weddings and funerals of close relatives. They must have a firm grasp of each family members ideological state, social activities, religion, income, their challenges and needs, as well as basic details on immediate relatives, the notice said. Families were to be paid a daily rate of 20 to 50 yuan ($2.80 to $7.80) to cover the cost of meals shared with their newfound relatives. Some families might be paired with two or three cadres at a time, according to the notice, and the regularly mandated house calls could be supplanted with trips to the local party office. A February piece on the Communist Partys official news site said: The vast majority of party cadres are not only living inside villagers homes but also living inside the hearts of the masses. Overseas Uighurs said the visits to their relatives homes often lasted longer than five days, and they were closely monitored the whole time. The cadres would ask their family members where they were going and who they were meeting whenever they wanted to leave the house. They couldnt pray, said Abduzahir Yunus, a 23-year-old Uighur originally from Urumqi, Xinjiangs capital. Praying or even having a Quran at home could endanger the whole family. Yunus, who now lives in Istanbul, said his father used to lament to him about being visited three to four times a week by the administrator of his neighbourhood committee, a middle-aged Han Chinese man. The surprise house calls began in 2016, and it was impossible to say no, Yunus said. They often coincided with times traditionally designated for prayer. Their aim is to assimilate us, Yunus said. They want us to eat like them, sleep like them and dress like them. After Yunuss parents and older brother were detained, only Yunuss sister-in-law and 5-year-old brother remained in the house. Around the beginning of 2018, the Han Chinese man started staying with them full-time. Uighurs said they were particularly repulsed by the thought of male visitors living under the same roof as their female relatives and children a practice contrary to their faith. Women and kids are sometimes the only ones left at home after male family members are sent to internment camps. In recent years, the government has even encouraged Uighurs and Han Chinese to tie the knot. Starting in 2014, Han-Uighur spouses in one county were eligible to receive 10,000 yuan ($1,442) annually for up to five years following the registration of their marriage license. Such marriages are highly publicized. The party committee in Luopu county celebrated the marriage of a Uighur woman and a young lad from Henan in an official social media account in October 2017. The man, Wang Linkai, had been recruited through a program that brought university graduates to work in the southern Xinjiang city of Hotan. They will let ethnic unity forever bloom in their hearts, the party committees post said. Let ethnic unity become ones own flesh and blood. ___ Not all Become Family pairings involve Han Chinese visitors. A Uighur cadre named Gu Li said she regularly pays visits to a Uighur household, staying three to five days at a time. Weve already started calling each other family, she said in a telephone interview from Xinjiang. Chinas 56 ethnic groups are all one family. Gu said civil servants of many ethnicities Uighur, Han and Kazakh participate in the program. All government employees in the region are required to conduct such visits in order to better understand villagers needs, according to Gu: Because were always sitting in our offices, we dont know what they really need. Only through penetrating the masses can we truly serve them. As with many of the governments other initiatives in Xinjiang, the Pair Up and Become Family program is presented as a way to rescue Muslim minorities from poverty. Public servants show up at homes bearing bags of rice and gallons of cooking oil, and their duties include helping with chores and farm work. Xu Jing, an employee at Turpan citys environmental bureau, recounted her shock after entering her assigned relatives home. Xu said the only light in the residence came from a small window, and she realized that Xasiyet Hoshur wasnt lying when she said she lived on 3,000 yuan ($433) a year. But its OK, everything is getting better, Xu wrote in her reflection, published on Turpans government site. Hoshurs daughter was attending university on a 5,000 yuan ($722) national scholarship. On the one hand, China maintains that employment and living standards are key to warding off the temptations of religious extremism. On the other hand, official descriptions of the visitation and homestay program are laden with suggestions that the ethnic minority families are uncivilized and that their way of life needs to be corrected. One notice, first highlighted by University of Washington ethnographer Darren Byler, focused on a Uighur familys use of a raised, cloth-covered platform for eating and working. In traditional Uighur culture, this setup is preferable to a table, but the testimonial published by the Xinjiang Communist Youth League said frequent use of the platform was inconvenient and unhealthy. The post quoted a cadre saying: Even though we already purchased a TV and rice oil for our relatives, after living with our relatives for a few days, we still insisted on using our own money to buy our relatives a table and lamp. In the Peoples Daily, a Uighur baker in Kashgar named Ablimit Ablipiz was quoted praising the party for improving his habits. Ever since these cadres started living in my home, weve picked up a lot of know-how about food safety and hygiene, Ablipiz said. Uighurs must also conform culturally. Over the Lunar New Year, an important Chinese holiday not traditionally celebrated by Uighurs, cadres encouraged households to hang lanterns and sing red songs, ballads honouring the partys revolutionary history. Byler said families could not ask whether the meat was halal and acceptable to Muslims when they had to make or eat dumplings for the festival. ___ Thousands of miles away, in Turkey, Uighur relatives in exile watch what is happening with dread. Earlier this year, Ablikim Abliz studied a photo of his uncles family gathered around a table. Clad in thick winter jackets, his uncle and the smiling Han Chinese man beside him both held chubby-faced children in their laps. His uncle had posted the photo to his WeChat page along with the caption Han Chinese brother. The 58-year-old Abliz said his entire extended family in China has been sent to internment camps. When he saw his uncles photo, his first reaction was relief. If his uncle had been assigned a Han family member, Abliz thought, that meant he was safe. But the consolation was short-lived. A friend who tried to visit his uncle in Turpan this summer told Abliz that his uncles front door was boarded up and sealed with police tape. Abliz has not been able to reach any of his family members since. As for Idris, he fears that his sister is living under immense pressure with her Han Chinese mother. Shortly after her sisters first post about her new relatives, a friend responded on WeChat: I also have one! You guys better be careful! The same friend later posted photos of herself and a Han Chinese woman doing a Chinese fan dance, playing the drums and wearing traditional Han clothing. His sister would never have volunteered for such a program, Idris said. She and his younger sister had been trying to get passports to bring their children to Turkey and reunite with Idris, but their applications were not accepted. Last summer, both of his sisters deleted him on WeChat. A few months later, his aunt deleted him, too. For more than a year, Idris has not been able to communicate with his relatives. He wonders, with growing unease, how theyre getting along with their new family. The DAC approved procurements of about Rs 3000 crores including BrahMos Missiles for two Indian Navy ships, and ARVs for the Indian Army's main battle tank Arjun. New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC) on Saturday approved procurements of about Rs 3000 crore including BrahMos missiles for two Indian Navy ships, and Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs) for the Indian Army's main battle tank Arjun. The DAC meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. As a follow up of the Cabinet Committee on Security's (CCA) decision in October this year for the procurement of four P1135.6 Follow-on Ships, the DAC granted approval for procurement the indigenous BrahMos missiles for two Indian Navy Ships to be built in Russia as the primary weapon on board these ships. The indigenously designed BrahMos missile is a tested and proven supersonic cruise missile. The DAC also approved the procurement of ARVs for the Indian Army's MBT Arjun. These are designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and would be manufactured by Indian Public Sector Undertaking, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). ARVs ensure efficient and speedy repair and recovery operations during combat. The Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU) has outlined its new vision aimed at digital inclusion, knowledge-based legislative and technology infrastructure, and public and private frameworks that will boost security, welfare and prosperity for the Arab societies. A common vision for Arab Digital Economy is the bold plan driven by the council at the League of Arab States to boost political and social stability in the Arab World through Digital Economy. Dr Ali Mohammed Al Khouri, an advisor to the Council of Arab Economic Unity, said that the initiative received the support of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAEs Armed Forces. The UAEs support for the common Arab vision will promote a joint Arab action, he stated. Al Khouri stressed on the importance of the role of technology as a tool to achieve the objectives of sustainable development and economic growth rates through creation of investments opportunities, employment and opening of new markets. According to him, the UAE is renowned for its knowledge-based approach and youth empowerment. It has been fostering a number of initiatives for skills development like the one million Arab coders project and the e-learning platform offering over 50 million Arab students across the world access to education among other projects that support sustainable development for the Arab societies. The CAEU delegation met Mourad Wahba, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administration and Regional Director for Arab States at UNDP and with senior officials from the United Nations Division for public institutions & Digital Government. Al Khouri noted that the investments directed towards the Arab regions by UNDP is $1 billion. This initiative will be the foundation to promote the social and economic security for the Arab societies. That is why it is important to cooperate with international organizations and bring together Arab and International thinkers and practitioners for the development of the strategy. Such involvement will ensure global influence and introduction, stated Al-Khouri. This is a new model for developing Arab worlds economies to tackle global challenges. The UAE is putting its expertise to use to boost sustainable development in the Arab states, he added. The strategy will be presented in an international conference that will be hosted in AbuDhabi on December 16 and 17. The outputs will be presented to the Arab Leaders at the Arab Summit scheduled in March 2019 in Tunisia. The World Bank noted the importance of the strategy in paving the way for inclusive economic development opportunities in the Arab world. UN, UNDP and the World Bank support the initiative and CAEU for its work for comprehensive development and enhancement of cooperation between the Arab states.-TradeArabia News Service Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese premier Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday held a trilateral meeting, the second among the three countries after a gap of 12 years, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit Buenos Aires to discuss cooperation in various areas. Buenos Aires: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese premier Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday held a trilateral meeting, the second among the three countries after a gap of 12 years, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit Buenos Aires to discuss cooperation in various areas. The Russia-India-China meeting came hours after Prime Minister Modi, his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump held their first trilateral meeting on the margins of the summit. "Deepening engagement with valued development partners. President Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping and PM @narendramodi participate in the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral in Buenos Aires. @KremlinRussia," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted. "2nd Russia-India-China 'RIC' Trilateral Summit took place in Buenos Aires after a gap of 12 years. In a meeting characterised by warmth and positivity, leaders discussed cooperation and coordination in various areas which could contribute to global peace and stability," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Twitter. Earlier in the day, India, Japan and the US discussed major issues of global and multilateral interests in their first trilateral meeting, which assumed importance in the wake of China flexing its muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. At the meeting, India underscored its firm commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic growth. Asserting that India will "continue to work together on shared values", Modi said, "When you look at the acronym of our three countries Japan, America, and India it is 'JAI', which stands for success in Hindi." India will host the G20 Summit in 2022, the 75th year of Independence, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Buenos Aires on Saturday. India will host the G20 Summit in 2022, the 75th year of Independence, announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Buenos Aires on Saturday. PM Modi at #G20Summit: It's India's 75th Independence Day in 2022 & we had requested Italy if we can get '22 instead of '21 (for hosting G20 summit).They accepted our request, others accepted it too.I'm grateful & I invite leadership from across the world to come to India in 2022 pic.twitter.com/5vl6yFe2HP ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 Modi on Saturday met his Netherlands counterpart Mark Rutt, Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez and Jamaican prime minister Andrew Michael Holness on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires and discussed several issues of bilateral interest like climate change, river rejuvenation and renewable energy. The G20 is a grouping of the world's 20 major economies. Calling Rutt his "friend", Modi said they discussed issues related to economic and cultural ties between India and the Netherlands. He also invited Netherlands to participate in river rejuvenation and inland waterways infrastructure projects in India. "Happy to meet my friend, @MinPres Mark Rutte. Our talks today focussed on boosting economic and cultural ties between India and the Netherlands," Modi tweeted. Following the meeting between the two leaders, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Ravish Kumar tweeted, "Nurturing warm relations...the prime minister invited Netherlands to participate in river rejuvenation & inland waterways infrastructure projects, and shared views on climate change and regional situation." Modi and the Spanish prime minister discussed ways to further develop the bilateral relationship between the two nations. In a tweet, Kumar said the two leaders discussed "issues of bilateral interest and explore potential for further development of bilateral relationship." With inputs from PTI Following the trilateral meeting with Japan and the US, the Prime Minister met President Sebastian Pinera of Chile and is scheduled to attend an informal Russia-China-India summit later on Saturday. Buenos Aires: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Friday said that during their first-ever trilateral meeting, Japan, India and the United States of America, emphasising on the need for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, agreed that a free, open, inclusive and rules-based order is essential for the same. Speaking to ANI after the trilateral meet, Gokhale said, "They all agreed that a free, open, inclusive and rules-based order is essential for the (Indo-Pacific) region's peace and prosperity. Prime Minister Modi offered some ideas on how we should take forward the concept of Indo-Pacific and how the three countries can work together to promote this concept." Gokhale further stated informed "the leaders agreed on the central role of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)" for the peace and prosperity of the regions, adding that the leaders "also agreed to work on maritime and connectivity issues and to synergise efforts in this regard." While saying that meeting was "very good", the Foreign Secretary said that both US president Donald Trump and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe praised Prime Minister Modi for the reforms and the development work he has implemented in India. Prime Minister Modi is on a three-day official visit to Argentina to attend the ongoing G20 summit. Following the trilateral meeting with Japan and the US, the Prime Minister met President Sebastian Pinera of Chile and is scheduled to attend an informal Russia-China-India summit later on Saturday. The Syro Malabar Church in Kerala has received widespread condemnation from the Christian community for doubling down on a senior priest. The Syro Malabar Church in Kerala has received widespread condemnation from the Christian community for doubling down on a senior priest who has been a staunch critic of a bishop accused of raping a nun. On 12 November, Father Augustine Vattoly of Ernakulam-Angamaly Syro Malabar found himself in the eye of a storm after the church shot a letter blaming him for neglecting divine duties. The letter also warned him to stay away from a 14 November protest aimed to gather broader support for the nun. The letter threatened to take punitive action against Father Vattoly for allegedly failing to perform his divine duties regularly. The priest was told to respond to the allegations by 25 November, or else face disciplinary action. The letter sent by the church read: It is reported that you celebrate Holy Qurbana only rarely and that your public expression of priestly prayer life and faith is in question. Daily celebration of Divine office and Qurbana is strongly encouraged by ecclesiastical norms. It is reported that you are not commemorating the name of the Major Archbishop in the Divine Liturgy and in the Divine praises as per CCEOc91. Its violation is punishable in accordance with the Canon Law." "In your speeches and activities, you are reported to have incited sedition and hatred against ecclesiastical authorities and you are closely associating with anti-ecclesial, extremist and atheistic groups. Some of them are said to be groups which have plotted against the church." "Some of your activities are said to be refusal of subjection to the authority of the church and of communion with the hierarchy and faithful. The activities are offences in the Catholic Church as per the Canon Law." While Father Vattoly has responded to the charges, it is learnt that the church authorities are planning to take further action against him. Under fire However, the fiasco hasnt gone down well in large sections of the Christian community, who believe that the church has launched a witch hunt against Father Vattoly. The Archdiocesan Movement for Transparency (AMT) has put its weight behind Father Vattoly, warning that the matter may snowball unless the Syro Malabar Church takes a step back. Shyju Antony, the convener of AMT, felt that the apostolic administrator should wind up the issue because there was no need to issue a notice to Father Vattoly. Antony also warned of conducting large protests if the matter wasnt put to bed. The convener saw no wrong in Father Vattoly attending the 14 November protest meet that aimed to seek justice in the nun rape case. Pope Francis had issued Letter to the People of God, in which he said that the church must take serious action in sexual abuse-related cases. Father Vattoly was actually obeying the Popes direction, Antony said. The Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace (FORUM) also voiced its displeasure against the church, stating: When the members of the church come to know that something is rotten, dont they have the right to protest? Freedom of expression is the fundamental right of every Indian citizen. Former spokesperson of Syro Malabar Church, Dr Paul Thelekkatt, was of the opinion that the church had come under pressure from certain elements in the church to issue a notice to Father Vattoly. Heaping praise on Father Vattoly for getting involved in social issues in a very praiseworthy manner, Dr Thelekkatt didnt think that the senior priest would be punished further because it is justice he is fighting for. Churchs ire The Syro Malabar Church took a dim view of Father Vattoly because he spearheaded a Save Our Sisters (SOS) action meet, which was set up to intensify protests against Bishop Franco Mulakkal the accused bishop in the nun rape case. The SOS meet demanded that the bail granted to Jalandhar Bishop Franco be cancelled. It also sought a probe into the death of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, who was a witness against the bishop. Sixty three-year-old Kattuthara was found dead in his residence in Dasuya, a town close to Jalandhar in north Punjab. Bishop Franco was arrested on 21 September on the suspicion of raping a 45-year-old nun 13 times between 2014 and 2016. Pope Francis had suspended him a day before he was arrested. Fifty three-year-old Mulakkal has refuted the rape allegations and called it part of a conspiracy plotted by those who want to see the reputation of the church get sullied. The nun had made he allegations in June. But the police initiated formal questioning in September, only after it received huge public backlash. Five nuns also took part in the protest against police inaction, which was a rare show of dissent in the catholic church. The nuns raised the hackles of some of the senior members of the church. Some senior members also took to the streets to show their support for the accused bishop. Eviction pressure Weeks after the fault lines came out in public, the nuns including the one who has accused the bishop of rape are facing immense pressure to remain at the convent in Kuravilangad. The police have planned to step up security for the nuns, though the Mother Superior of the Missionaries in Jesus (MJ) said they had no further money to arrange for additional security. The Mother Superior gave the nuns an option to move to a government shelter, but that has been turned down by them. The nuns say: Church authorities are trying to throw us out from the Kuravilangad convent. But we are not ready to move from here. Days after the nuns held a protest march against the accused bishop, some organisations loosely associated with the catholic church started demanding the nuns ouster from the convent. One such organisation was the Changanassery-based Catholic Federation of India. The president of the Federation PP Joseph was hacked off by the protesting nuns. He felt that the nuns were being manipulated by those against the church, anti-social elements and some terrorist groups. The Federation also accused the nuns of staying at the convent without the necessary permission from the Missionaries of Jesus. The catholic church in India has been beset by reported misdemeanors of its clergymen and senior members in recent months. Earlier in July, two priests were arrested for raping and blackmailing a woman for over 20 years. The author is a member of The NewsCart, a Bengaluru-based media startup. Mehbooba Mufti said the hawks on the either side must be sidelined so that a new beginning in the Indo-Pakistan thaw could be made possible. Srinagar: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Thursday welcomed Pakistan's offer on opening several shrines, including Sharada peeth, to devotees from India, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi should consider the offer. "Great initiative of offering peace through these channels. PM @narendramodi ji should consider the offer by Pak PM (Pakistan Prime Minister) @ImranKhanPTI for opening of SharadaPeeth in Kashmir, Katasraj and other shrines too. This will certainly bridge the gap and usher peace in region," Mehbooba said in a tweet. Wrote to PM @narendramodi for opening of Sharda Peeth route for facilitating the Pandit community. I hope like Kartarpur, this too will be considered for better peace & prosperity in the region. Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) December 1, 2018 Her tweet came in response to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's interaction with Indian journalists, in which he reportedly said, "We can consider other proposals, including opening up travel for the Sharada Peeth in Kashmir, Katasraj and other Hindu shrines too." Mehbooba, later issued a statement, in which she said her party is sure that the offer will elicit a positive response from the Indian government. The PDP president said the hawks on the either side must be sidelined so that a new beginning in the Indo-Pakistan thaw could be made possible. "The prime minister must lead this process personally so that the hawks are not allowed to disrupt this new atmosphere of peace. Such initiatives of offering peace through these channels are worth to hail," she said. Two women an architecture student from Caracas, Venezuela, and a digital marketing professional from Morocco said they were sexually harassed by the top executives of real estate company Xrbia when they came to India for a global internship programme arranged by international youth organisation AIESEC Two women an architecture student from Caracas, Venezuela, and a digital marketing professional from Morocco said they were sexually harassed by the top executives of a real estate company when they came to India for a global internship programme arranged by international youth organisation AIESEC. Venezuelan national Belkis Campos, 23, and Houria (who asked to be identified only by her first name) from Morocco, were both interning at Xrbia Infrastructure Pvt Ltd under the AISEC programme, and say they were harassed by the firms bosses. Houria had been at Xrbia since 22 August, while Campos came to India on 30 September to start her internship with the company. The problems began even before Campos landed in India. She was informed that all other interns, except a Moroccan woman who was to be her roommate, had been fired. That struck her as odd. Xrbia further refused to share details of her future roommate with Campos, citing company policy. Unknown to Campos, Houria had been waging her own battles at Xrbia. The 23-year-old Moroccan national alleges that in the time she interned at Xrbia, the firms sales director Pritam Mutha repeatedly asked her to hug him. A week before Campos was due to arrive in India, Houria got into an argument with Mutha over the firms refusal to share (her roommate-to-be) Campos contact information with her. Coupled with the friction over the hug issue, Houria says she feared it would be used by Xrbia as a reason to fire her. Houria added that three days before she was to leave for India, Muthu allegedly called her to say that he had fired five of her predecessors. When I asked why he said, Oh its because they dont want to be friends with the company. When I asked him what it meant to be friends with the company, he said, You have to hug each other, and take our hands. I feared he would fire me so I was pushed to hug him. Once I said: Please Pritam you have to stop hugging me. I dont like this. I have a fiance'. To which he said, Were just sister and brother. I told him well, we are not sister and brother so you have to stop doing that, Houria said. Campos experience at Xrbia too began on a shaky note. Campos told Firstpost that when she landed in Mumbai on 30 September, she spent hours trying to contact her assigned driver and locating her living quarters because the arrangements that should have been in place to help her negotiate an unfamiliar city werent there. For her first three days at Xrbia, Campos said she was not given any actual work and then asked to research exotic plants of India. Then, on the night of 4 October, Xrbias top bosses showed up at the company apartment where Campos and Houria were staying. What happened on the night of 4 October At around 9.30 pm on 4 October, Houria and Campos came home to find that four senior executives of Xrbia were already at the company apartment. Among the men present were chairman Rahul Nahar, vice president (land) Akesh Bohra and Mutha. All the men had access to the company apartment. They had a few beers and dinner at the apartment, then asked the women if they would like to go out for ice cream. Campos and Houria agreed. Normally when I (would) hear they are coming home, I'd start stressing out. I was traumatised. I had already asked him (Mutha) not to hug me or take my hand. So I waved hi. Mutha came to my bedroom and said, Look what happened last week... Im sorry, give me a hug. I told him that I didnt want to hug him anymore. He said, You have to hug me, and I was forced to hug him, Houria recalled. After dinner, Campos and Houria accompanied the men in their car for the proposed ice cream trip. Along the way, the men informed the women that since ice cream shops would be closed at that hour, they should get drinks instead. Campos said they headed to Four Points by Sheraton in Navi Mumbai where they spent about an hour and a half. They kept ordering drinks for me, even though I didnt ask for them or drink them, Campos said. At the bar, Campos said she was witness to a conversation between Houria and Nahar. Later, Campos found out that Houria had recorded the conversation; Houria told Firstpost she made the recording after months of alleged sexual harassment at the hands of Mutha as proof she could present to AISEC's Internal Control Board (ICB). During this conversation, Nahar allegedly said Houria was hired because the sales director (Mutha) liked her and that they didnt even have a digital marketing department [where she had been placed for her internship]. Firstpost has access to the recording in which a man, whom both Campos and Houria identified as Nahar, can be heard saying: Tell Pritam clearly you dont like him. To which a woman, whom Campos identified as Houria, says: I told him I dont like him. Hes like my boss. He knows I have a fiance and nothing can happen. The man says: Did you indicate... You are saying that you thought that I would be his girlfriend when I come here? For me it was totally professional. If he has a crush on me I...uh...no I dont like him at alland hes my boss. The man says: He told me that you told him in the interview that you also would be like...a girlfriend. No, no. no. I never told him this. Its not a problem, tell him clearly. Just leave your job next month or in January whatever works for you. He just hired you because digital marketing was a position not open at all. You understand? The woman says: I can tell you now Pritam I dont like you and nothing can happen between us. The man says: Please go to your destination as soon as possible. I have to finish my work in four months and then go. You are telling me that I have to go because I dont like him back? Firstpost has not independently verified the authenticity of the recording. If you had to choose one of us which one will it be? At the hotel, Houria said the men were ordering sangria for Campos cup after cup. But Belkis just had one. They (the men) were getting so drunk, Houria said. Rahul got drunk and we could see he was getting so comfortable. He told me, pointing at Pritam, This guy next to me he likes you He was asking me to sleep with him, or pack my things and leave India. I told him I have a fiance who was coming to India in December. He said I dont care. Houria said Nahar kept insisting that she had to be with Pritam because she didnt tell him she had a fiance at her interview before coming to India. Houria objected to this conversation and said she was not aware she had to disclose the information for a job interview. However, she added that she did tell Mutha one week before coming to India that she had a fiance. Houria said Nahar continued to insist that she tell Mutha she didnt like him and if she wouldnt sleep with him, then (she should) leave the country. I said in front of everyone I didnt like Pritam, Houria told Firstpost. She said things got weirder soon after when she was asked: If you had to choose one of us, which one will it be? This she said, was not in the recording. I told them I dont like any of you, I work for you. They all were expecting me to choose one of them or something. That was weird, Houria said. We locked ourselves in the bedroom On the way back to the apartment, a little before midnight, Campos said Nahar put his arm around her in the car and proceeded to tell her that any of the executives in the company could have her. [He said] 'All my directors are very successful and any of them can have you but I wont let them'. I said 'excuse me', because I didnt think I heard properly. He said the exact same thing three times. I said, 'I dont think its your decision to have me or not'. Everyone was in complete silence in the car, Campos said. When they returned, Campos said they locked themselves in their room but the men remained in the apartment. Houria said the men didnt leave the house until 3 am. The men also kept knocking on the door of the room into which the women had locked themselves in fear. We were so afraid. They asked the cooks wife, who had a key to my bedroom, to open the door. She did so and said Rahul was asking us to come out. It was a nightmare, Houria said. Campos said she had a panic attack and was crying and throwing up by this time. The women then contacted the ICB and the AIESEC Pune team. Campos said they responded to her declaration with a did you set boundaries?. She told the AISEC Pune team she feared for her personal safety in a house provided by the company, where four men were waiting for us to come out of the room the next morning. The Pune team told Campos they would send a member of AIESEC Navi Mumbai, and I told her that she needed to come with the police because it was dangerous. This girl was just as scared as us. Campos alleged that the AIESEC team didn't show up until 11 am on 6 October. AISEC moved the women to a hotel at their request. Campos said she was clear that she wanted to go to the police and asked to be refunded for her stay, food, flight and visa fare. Instead, Campos and Houria say they were asked to sign an undertaking to the effect that they had no problem with the company (Xrbia) and were grateful for their hospitality. I was being forced to negotiate with my aggressor and to sign a document that said that nothing had happened, Campos said. But stranded in a foreign land with no help, she said she was compelled to do it anyway. Firstpost has seen screenshots of a group conversation between Houria, Campos and another former intern of Xrbia, which supports Camposs account of these events. The former intern also wrote about her discomfort with Mutha. Once he starts asking like do you like me as a person. And u literally in another country depending on this horrible man have no idea what to to [sic], the former intern wrote to the two women. Campos described the harassment by Xrbias bosses in her ethics case to AIESECs ICB against AIESEC Pune. Campos said she also lodged a complaint on Friday (30 November) with the Crime Against Women Cell in Lower Parel in Mumbai detailing her ordeal. Xrbia chairman dismisses the complaints When Firstpost contacted Nahar, he dismissed the allegations as motivated. These interns were hired by Pritam Mutha because there was a vacancy in the architectural and digital marketing department. One worked for two months and one had come only two days before. I had met her just once. Now, on 4 October, we went to have ice cream. It was a casual meeting in an open restaurant. It was a public space. We havent told anything amounting to harassment. They had willingly come there, Nahar told Firstpost over the phone. We never knew that they were recording the conversation. Understand one thing. When these two girls are joining us in the restaurant for a casual food...eating... nobody ever records these type of meetings but they were recording and they didnt tell us they were recording [sic]. So you can understand their motive. From those two hours of discussion they are picking and choosing whatever is beneficial to them, he said. There was some friction with Pritam and the Moroccan girl (Houria) about work so she wanted to leave. I was asking her whether she liked working with Pritam. It was in the context of work. She said no. I asked the same question to Pritam also. I told the Moroccan girl very clearly, if you dont like working with him, you should leave. They are now cutting and editing (the recorded conversation) and showing to the media, he said. Of the specific complaint against him, the Xrbia chairman said: Nothing of that sort happened. The restaurant to the flat is a five minute distance. We didnt invite them to sit in the car. There were four of us and two of them and six people cannot sit in the car. Still they said we will adjust and they sat in the back seat. I was sitting normally. I had to put my hand on the back of the seat because there was no space. There was nothing beyond that. Basically when she (Campos) came to India, it was her second day. She had read a lot of articles on the internet about India, just to make her comfortable I told her all my directors are powerful and they will take care of you. Even if something bad happens I will not allow that to happen. In fact I was saying that from the angle of protecting her, not harassing her, he said. Nahar said the women approved the draft of the undertaking that was sent to them by AIESEC. After that the amount was paid by AIESEC to them, not by Xrbia to them directly. They cant say today the draft was not approved by them. Even if they had dues from Xrbia or AIESEC they shouldnt sign anything that is wrong, he said. Houria, on her part reiterates that she recorded the conversation as evidence of harassment she faced. I never had proof. AIESEC would ask do you have proof of the harassment. I waited for the right moment so people can finally believe me. But AIESEC wanted to get rid of us, to leave the country. They wanted us to sign the undertaking, Houria said. AIESEC responds to allegations Karteek Hoshangabade, the national president of AIESEC, told Firstpost that the organisation has cut all ties with Xrbia. AIESEC has been in India for 35 years ago and we have never faced anything like this before, he said. Among the steps that AIESEC took to address the issue, he said, First, we sent a member from Navi Mumbai to the house, to make sure the girls are safe. Second, a team from Pune came to Mumbai and suggested that the girls can come to Pune and stay with the family of an AIESECer where they will be safe. The interns refused. We then offered to book them a hostel or a hotel and they chose to go with that. We booked the hostel and the payment was made by us. The email complaint that the women lodged with the ICB (which is the equivalent of an Internal Complaints Committee) was forwarded to us and we are following that. For us, the first priority was the company doesnt know where the interns are, we didnt want the interns to talking to them. We were the mediators, Hoshangabade said. He said, The company is where the harassment happened. I completely support the women and appreciate they have come forward. I myself met Belkis Campos with another woman from my team. In that meeting it was clearly communicated that if she wants legal support we will give access to our national lawyers. They chose not to go ahead with AIESEC lawyers. Hoshangabade said the company took a lot of time in clearing the womens dues. From our side, the company has been cut off our client list and we are more than happy to provide legal support to the women. However, Campos said that when the Pune AIESEC team came to Mumbai to meet them they were allegedly told that this happens all the time in India. AIESEC Pune discouraged me from filing a legal complaint saying we cant guarantee your security." An official at the Venezuelan embassy said he had no information about the case at the moment as he had only recently arrived in India but said they would get back in touch as soon as possible. Firstpost has reached out to Mutha for comment. This report will be updated once he responds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin, on Friday agreed on the importance of reform and strengthening of multilateral institutions Buenos Aires: Leaders of India, China and Russia at a trilateral meeting held in Buenos Aires had an in-depth exchange of views on expanding mutual cooperation in international forums and to encourage greater interaction among the three countries under new circumstances. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin, on Friday agreed on the importance of reform and strengthening of multilateral institutions, which have benefitted the world, including the UN, World Trade Organisation (WTO) and well-established as well as new global financial institutions, a statement from the External Affairs Ministry said. They underscored the benefits of a multilateral trading system and an open world economy for global growth and prosperity. Calling it an excellent meeting, Modi said a wide range of subjects were discussed that would further cement the friendship between the three nations and enhance world peace. The three leaders agreed to have regular consultations at all levels to jointly promote international and regional peace and stability, to strengthen cooperation through BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and East Asia Summit (EAS) mechanisms, to address global challenges such as terrorism and climate change, and to encourage peaceful resolution of all differences. They also acknowledged the importance of cooperation in Russia-India-China format and agreed to hold further such trilateral meetings on multilateral occasions, the Ministry said. On the sideline of G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, US president Donald Trump, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe and Modi also held a trilateral meeting, the first ever of its kind. Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, who is wanted by several probe agencies in India in connection with a Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, said that he will not return to India as he 'fears for his life'. Mumbai: Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, who is wanted by several probe agencies in India in connection with a Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, said that he will not return to India as he "fears for his life". Conveying this to a special court in Mumbai, advocate Vijay Agarwal appearing for the absconding jeweller, said the Enforcement Directorate is "guilty of committing a fraud on the court" by concealing Nirav Modi's communications with the agency. In one such mail, Nirav Modi told the ED that his "effigy was being burnt and feared mob lynching" if he stepped on Indian soil. Agarwal, backing his client's concerns, said all the information sought by the ED pertains to "finance" and Nirav Modi, being a jewellery designer, would not have them. He said his client was not in a position to give such information as the ED sealed his offices, took his employees into custody and computer servers were confiscated. Agarwal told the court that despite all this, Nirav Modi had continued communicating with the ED; as such, his client cannot be declared a Fugitive Economic Offender. In a mail to the ED on 25 February, accessed by IANS, Nirav Modi said: "In my last communication, I had pointed out that in view of the extensive media coverage, there are some personal security issues which I am facing...which have increased manifold." "I am being harassed to the extent possible, with multiple agencies hounding me and everything that is important to me, my safety, my reputation, my properties, etc are being put in jeopardy." "My security threats are genuine and considering the situation in India, wherein, me, without a full drawn trial have been conveniently named as a 'criminal', and being treated as if I am already convicted of the alleged offences", Nirav Modi told the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 7 March in a mail. "There have been reports that in Mumbai, a 50-feet effigy of mine was burnt on Holika Dahan, which threatens me to the core. I am scared," he said. In his mail to CBI, he said that he cannot return to India as his former employees, who have not been paid salaries, landlords who have not been paid rents, customers whose jewellery has been confiscated by the CBI and other agencies and several other people have threatened him. He further said that in fact, a lady executive of his organisation was arrested by the CBI illegally in complete disregard to and in violation of Section 46 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973. "When the liberty of a female is not" being taken into account by the investigating agencies, Nirav Modi said how could "my concern for my safety" be guaranteed. He added that he failed to see "the fairness in the process" and his fears were "not misplaced". The jeweller also pointed out that all his properties had been attached without any compliance to the law. In his mail to the CBI, Nirav Modi said that the "lightening speed" with which the Passport Authority acted by revoking his passport, "suggests that the action itself was pre-determined and my fate was already decided as there was no time to consider my reply and there was no apparent regard to the law". Earlier in July, his uncle and Gitanjali Group chief Mehul Choksi, who is a co-accused in the punjab National Bank fraud case, had cited the "mob lynching" trend in India as one of the main reasons for not returning. Nirav Modi and Choksi are under probe by both the CBI and the ED. The ED launched the money laundering investigation against Nirav Modi and others on 15 February on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI. Non-bailable warrants have been issued against them. The Interpol had issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Nirav Modi, his brother Neeshal and sister Purvi both Belgian citizens as well as Mihir Bhansali and Aditya Nanvati, his close associates. However, an RCN request against Choksi, who acquired Antiguan citizenship earlier in 2018, is pending with the Interpol. When it comes to a clash between self-interest and values, Modi has no compunctions in anchoring his foreign policy in realism; the Saudi episode at G20 Summit gives a clear view of this shift Worlds attention is rivetted on Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at the G-20 Summit currently under way at Buenos Aires in Argentina. After all, its not always that the trajectory of global markets is decided when two leaders meet over a dinner. But an equally interesting development took place on the margins of the G-20 Summit on Thursday when Narendra Modi met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the latters residence in Buenos Aires. The news might seem unexceptionable. Though G-20 is a multilateral event, bilaterals are the order of the day with world leaders packing in as many as they possibly can within a span of 48 hours. Modis meeting with Mohammed bin Salman (or MBS as he is referred to) could have been just another bilateral in a series of one-on-ones. Yet it is not, for the simple reason that MBS is at the centre of a controversy over the gruesome murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. A probe by US intelligence suggests that the order for the execution that took place inside the Saudi embassy in Istanbul on October 2, came from the very top. There have been wild speculations following Khashoggis disappearance. His body has still not been found. Saudi Arabia has shifted from an initial complete denial to Crown prosecutor blaming the murder on a band of "rogue operatives". Yet the CIA claims to have gathered enough evidence to conclude that under direct orders from MBS, a team of 15 assets "flew to Istanbul on a government aircraft and killed Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate, where he had gone to pick up documents that he needed for his planned marriage to a Turkish woman", Washington Post details in a report. Motivations for Khashoggis murder range from the journalist's dissenting opinion to a game of thrones within the House of Saud. Bin Salmans presence at the G20 his first outing for a major international event since the murder of the US-based journalist has created considerable unease among world leaders. Trump, who has decided to stand by MBS and defend US ties with Saudi Arabia (ostensibly to keep US arms sales going and oil price down), has faced stinging criticism back home for his moral vacuity. The Trump administration has refused to specify whether or not the US president will meet MBS on the G20 sidelines amid global outrage. British prime minister Theresa May plans to raise the issue of Khashoggis killing with the Saudi crown prince when she meets him and call for a full and transparent investigation in relation to what happened and obviously those responsible being held to account". Canada has slapped sanctions on 17 Saudi officials for their alleged involvement in the murder of Khashoggi joining France and the US to ramp up pressure on MBS. Meanwhile, host Argentina has launched a probe against the Saudi crown prince for the Saudi-led military intervention against Yemen and also for his alleged involvement in the killing and dismemberment of Khashoggi inside the premises of Saudi consulate. There is a possibility that MBS may face criminal charges during his visit though diplomatic immunity may shield him from arrest, reports New York Times. Whether or not Argentina bring charges, leaders of democratic regimes are loath to be seen schmoozing with the Saudi prince in public to avoid legitimising the actions of an authoritarian leader who sent mercenaries in a foreign country to kill a dissident citizen. As advocacy group Human Rights Watch said, A cloud of suspicion will loom over him (MBS) as he tries to rebuild his shattered reputation at the G20, and world leaders would do well to think twice before posing for pictures next to someone who may come under investigation for war crimes and torture." Democracies take these moral positions to separate themselves from dictatorial regimes such as Russia, whose leader Vladimir Putins extravagantly chummy behavior with MBS on Friday raised a few eyebrows. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at #G20Summit pic.twitter.com/AzvHXg2oWX CSPAN (@cspan) November 30, 2018 Therefore, in choosing to engage with MBS in a bilateral meeting that was described by foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale later as warm and cordial, Modi essentially laid down a marker that virtue-signaling wont dictate Indian foreign policy. This is an interesting deviation from the moralistic overtones that underwrote independent Indias foreign policy manoeuvres. This moral dimension, as author Aparna Pande writes in her book From Chanakya to Modi: The Evolution of Indias Foreign Policy, largely informed Indias choices as it was "driven by a desire to be seen as a global leader, albeit a moral one". Consequently, Indias policy priorities, especially under Jawaharlal Nehru, were often derided as preachy, or to quote Shashi Tharoor, a moralistic running-commentary on world affairs". Modis focus during the meeting with MBS was clear. New Delhi is hungry for investments and MBS assured him that Saudi Arabia would significantly scale up outlays in India. He promised an initial tranche in Indias National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, a quasi-sovereign wealth fund, to help accelerate the building of ports, highways and other projects, according to media reports. The Saudi crown prince is also interested in putting money in Indias tech, farm and energy sectors. While investments formed a specific part of the discussion, Modis real motivation was to ensure a modicum of stability in energy prices as India heads to general election in a few months. As worlds biggest crude supplier, Saudi Arabia can play a vital role in steadying the price of oil. Foreign secretary Gokhales statement on what transpired at the meeting, is revealing. Prime Minister, in particular, stressed about the importance of having stable and predictable energy prices and some discussions took place between the two leaders on how Saudi Arabia can contribute and help in stabilising energy prices particularly for India. In other words, Modi knew that MBS need for a sprucing up of image after the Khashoggi affair presents India with an opportunity to ensure its energy security and he was ready to do a little trade-off between idealism and realism to secure the deal. And for Modis gesture to meet him in a bilateral, MBS reportedly signaled his readiness to supply India with all of its needs of oil and petroleum products, as well as Saudi giant Aramcos investment in refineries in India, especially the large refinery on the western coast of India and in the field of crude oil storage, according a report by Saudi Press Agency. It is evident, therefore, that when it comes to a clash between self-interest and values, Modi has no compunctions in anchoring his foreign policy in realism. The Saudi episode gives a clear view of this shift, though we may interpret Indias silence over Russias seizure of Ukrainian naval vessels and crews through this prism as well. Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat demits office on Saturday after a rather hectic term in office. Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat demits office on Saturday after a rather hectic term in office. Rawat said his only regret as head of the poll panel is that the Election Commission was unable to recommend to the Law Ministry a fresh legal framework in tune with the changing times vis-a-vis the use of money and social media, especially since the time had come for there to transparency and a ceiling for expenditure incurred by political parties. Can you explain how a glitch in an EVM and VVPAT will not alter election results, especially since suspicions on this score continue? Political parties continue to express apprehensions about these glitches in EVMs and VVPATs. If it so foolproof, why do these apprehensions continue to crop up as is witnessed in one election after another? That question should be best put to them. I can only say that any machine whether, created by man or God, does develop malfunction some time or the other. There are hospitals for men and workshops and factories for machines which need rectification. These are machines and these need rectification at times. So, you are saying there is no integral problem with the machine? None whatsoever as has been certified by experts from across the country. Do you think a return to the ballot box is a good idea as is being demanded by some political parties? Voting by ballot box had many disadvantages. Booth capturing through muscle power is just one of them. But more than booth capturing, there is the whole issue of stigma being cast on voters. More than victory margins, invalid votes were known to be cast and there were allegations that people do not know how to cast votes. Maligning of voters over the issue of victory margins was a common refrain. All this has been done away with by the introduction of EVMs. In an EVM, it takes 15-20 seconds for every vote to be cast, so you don't have to be there for five to six hours. All that has been totally obliterated. You have emphasised that paid news and fake news are areas that Election Commission has to monitor in a much bigger way. We have all seen that the alleged misuse of social media has put the whole US presidential election under a scanner. What is the Election Commission's firewall to these kinds of attacks? All this will be on the increase unless effective regulatory mechanisms are put in place involving both election management bodies and IT regulatory bodies throughout the world. We are seized of the matter and have organised interactions with social media bodies such as Twitter, Facebook and others. These are all foreign organisations? Our officers interacted with their country heads who are all based in India and they have given us a commitment that their advertising spends and sponsorship money paid for both candidates and political parties will be given to us so we can tabulate it to the expenditure incurred by the candidate and the political party. We have tried this on a pilot project basis in the Karnataka elections and the process is continuing in the current Assembly elections on in four states. Whatever gaps are visible during this pilot will be discussed following these elections so that we can have more effective mechanisms put in place for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The idea of further discussions with them will be to plug the gaps. But this seems to be a gigantic exercise. It is but we have to deal with it. Technology is developing willy-nilly and we have to keep abreast. That is why we have created our own social media hub in the Election Commission. How many techies do you have in that hub? I dont have the exact figure but it is a good team who are working 24X7 in this area now. Are you convinced about the sanctity of electoral bonds? How exactly are you going to tackle the whole issue of political donations? The Election Commission had raised concerns about electoral bonds when the Finance Bill was passed in 2017 and these bonds were ushered in. We were then told raising this issue now was premature since the scheme had not been formulated. No details on this score had been revealed then. The scheme has been notified on 2 January and the commission has got greater details now, which our expenditure division is looking into. They have prepared a paper on this which should have been put up today (Friday). It will be discussed at the next commission meeting where the issues of how far our concerns have been addressed and what more needs to be done will be discussed. And on the basis of these discussions, these issues will be raised with the government. Political donations also remains a grey area, especially since Election Commission cannot monitor it. You are on record as stating that none of the Election Commission's demands in this area have been addressed. What should be done to address this issue? We are keeping a tab on expenses on the basis of contribution reports and audit accounts. But that depends on what they choose to reveal. Audited accounts will reveal all details, including money they have spent. But whether electoral bond scheme is addressing our concerns will be known in the next meeting that will be convened by the new CEC. When do you see the number of VVPAT lists being increased so that they can tally with EVM numbers? Once they are increased, do you see simultaneous elections being held both for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections? These are two separate matters. Synchronising VVPATs with EVMs is being done. Regarding simultaneous elections, these can only be done if there is a legal framework in place. No such legal framework is in place. We will need more VVPATs and greater logistical support but that is not the requirement now. For the present, we will continue on the mode of election after election and for that, we have enough machines. You have been quoted as saying that elections in Jammu and Kashmir have to be held within the next six months. Do you think the situation there is viable for holding elections? Panchayat elections were held, municipal elections were held, so why cant Assembly elections be held? Do you see simultaneous elections taking place there? I cant say. The new Election Commissioner will take a call at the appropriate time. All this will depend on the state of preparedness, the local situation, weather and so forth. The Model Code of Conduct is often violated by those who even occupy high offices. By the time you examine a certain case and act upon it, the damage is already done. The violation serves its purpose and by the time you act, the polls are usually over. How has the absence of a time-bound and result-oriented process affected the Election Commission's intent to keep polls free and fair? The Model Code of Conduct is quite an innovative idea which is being implemented only in India, though it does not have any statutory back up. Our political parties have come to a consensus and are all willing to adhere to this Model Code of Conduct. Wherever there is any complaint and violation, the Election Commission steps in and takes corrective measures. But most of the time, the Election Commission's steps come in too late. It becomes a fait accompli most of the time. On the contrary, we act within 24 hours of receiving notification. On two occasions, when the Election Commission's directives were flouted, were violated, we put the campaigners on silence mode and they had to adhere to it. What were their names? That should not be told by me. It's not wrong to call India a land of migrants. Why is a person, suppose from Agartala but working in Thiruvananthapuram, denied his or her legitimate right to exercise franchise? We have postal ballots but at a bare-bones level. How long will the country have to wait for the day when all its eligible citizens can vote no matter where they are? I agree with this entirely and we are working to find a solution to this so that we have a situation where the entire population can vote wherever they are. Now for the people in the armed forces, instead of postal ballot, we have the ETP VS (Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot), which is a one-way electronic journey which reaches them immediately. They then download, put in an envelope and send. In the last Himachal Pradesh elections, 67 percent voted. Earlier, the number of armed personnel voting was pathetic. For the others, some day, we will have the technology and secure system in place that will allow everyone to vote. But that is still in the lap of technology. We have to see. What is going to be the fate of voters of Assam who do not make it to the final list of the NRC? These are two different processes. NRC is for citizenship while enrollment is a judicial process. One thing is certain, if an individuals name is in NRC, his citizenship is established, he will be enrolled to vote. But if the name of an individual is not there, he will have to prove his citizenship before the Registration Officer, and if he can prove it, he will be enrolled. Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) yesterday (November 29) signed a revolving credit facility agreement with eight international banks for a maximum of $2.15 billion (equivalent to SR8.06 billion). The facility is divided into two tranches: the first with a maximum of $1.578 billion, which will mature after three years, and the second with a maximum of $573 million that will mature after five years, said a Saudi Press Agency report. SEC acting chief executive officer Fahd Al-Sudairy said: ''Saudi Electricity Company is the largest electricity service facility in the Middle East and North Africa region and one of the world's largest service facilities. It has managed to obtain funding without any guarantees from the company, stressing that the funding aims to spend on the company's public works." The major international banks include Abu Dhabi First Bank, Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Mitsui Sumitomo foundation, HSBC Bank - Middle East, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, JPMorgan Chase, and Natixis Bank. The Kerala Police Department has given cash prizes to women police officials who arrested Hindu Aikya Vedi (HAV) state unit president KP Sasikala at Marakkoottam on 16 November. Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police Department has given cash prizes to women police officials who arrested Hindu Aikya Vedi (HAV) state unit president KP Sasikala at Marakkoottam on 16 November. Sasikala, who is over 50 years of age, was arrested for continuing protests along with her group and Sabarimala Karma Samithi against the entry of menstruating women into Lord Ayyappa's shrine after the Supreme Court waived off age-related restrictions with regard to women's entry into the shrine. Sabarimala temple and surrounding areas witnessed a string of protests recently over the Supreme Court's decision to quash restrictions on the entry of females aged between 10 and 50 years into the shrine. The Supreme Court in 2015 struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, which had led to the revival of the collegium system for appointment of judges. New Delhi: The Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking review of its 2015 verdict striking down the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, which had led to the revival of the collegium system for appointment of judges. A five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, dismissed the review petition saying there was no merit in the plea. "We have carefully gone through the review petition and the connected papers. We do not find any merit in the same," the bench also comprising of Justices Madan B Lokur, Kurian Joseph, AM Khanwilkar and Ashok Bhushan said. The apex court also noted that "there was a delay of 470 days in filing the review petition for which no satisfactory explanation has been offered". The court also rejected an additional application seeking hearing of the review petition in an open court. As per the norm, a review petition at the Supreme Court is heard in the judges' chamber and not open to the public. The NJAC was a proposed body, which would have been responsible for the appointment and transfer of judges to the higher judiciary. The NJAC Act and the Constitutional Amendment Act came into force from 13 April, 2015. But the top court on 16 October, 2015, struck down the NJAC Act. The verdict brought back the primacy of the collegium system of judges appointing judges. The review petition against the 2015 verdict was filed by National Lawyers Campaign for Judicial Transparency and Reforms. The petitioner has contended that the 2015 verdict of the top court was "unconstitutional and void". Sushma Swaraj on Saturday evening reacted strongly to the statement of her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi that Imran Khan bowled a 'googly.' External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on late Saturday evening reacted strongly to the statement of her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi that Imran Khan bowled a "googly" to ensure the Indian government's presence at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor. In a statement on Twitter, she said: Mr.Foreign Minister of Pakistan - Your 'googly' remarks in a dramatic manner has exposed none but YOU. This shows that you have no respect for Sikh sentiments. You only play 'googlies'. /1 Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 1, 2018 Let me explain to you that we were not trapped by your 'googlies'. Our two Sikh Ministers went to Kartarpur Sahib to offer prayers in the Holy Gurudwara. /2 Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 1, 2018 India was represented at the events by Union ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri. On Thursday, Qureshi said that opening of the Kartarpur border was a "big achievement" of Imran Khan's government, which completed the first 100 days in office after winning the general elections in Pakistan. "Imran delivered a googly and India sent two ministers to Pakistan," he said. Qureshi noted that it was the same Indian government that had said it will not engage with Pakistan. He said a meeting with Indian counterpart Swaraj was fixed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last year but it was cancelled by India. Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is located across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. It was established by Guru Nanak in 1522. The corridor will facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur. With inputs from PTI A joint body of teachers and government employees organisations Saturday rejected Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami's appeal to desist from going on strike from 4 December and said they would reconsider it only if there was a firm commitment to fulfil their demands. Chennai: A joint body of teachers and government employees organisations Saturday rejected Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami's appeal to desist from going on strike from 4 December and said they would reconsider it only if there was a firm commitment to fulfil their demands. The chief minister, citing the ongoing relief efforts in Cyclone Gaja hit districts, assured the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers' Organisations and Government Employees Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) that their demands, which have scope to be met with, would be fulfilled. "I appeal to the government employees to not go on strike, continue to work for the people and extend full cooperation to expeditiously complete relief work without any slackness," he said in an official release here, adding that their demands have been brought to his notice. Negotiations between government representatives and JACTTO-GEO in Chennai on Friday over the employees' seven-point charter of demands did not see any progress. Scrapping the present Contributory Pension Scheme and implementing the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for those who joined service on or after 1 April, 2003, and release of 21-month salary arrears, vis-a-vis the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations, are the two key demands. Palaniswami said that during the talks, the government had pointed out that a state appointed one-man committee, headed by retired IAS officer TS Sreedhar to look into the scope for implementing the OPS, had submitted its report "only now" and it was being considered. Bringing the pay of state secondary grade teachers on par with their Central government counterparts and regularisation of the services of teachers, government employees and other grades of staffers appointed on consolidated pay between 2003 and 2004 forms part of the seven-point charter of demands. JACTTO-GEO is a 11-lakh member strong confederation of 165 government employee associations across Tamil Nadu, which has been staging several protests to press for its demands for quite some time now. Asked about the chief minister's appeal, the state spokesperson of JACTTO-GEO K Thiyagarajan, said: "There is no change in our stand. We will be going on an indefinite strike from 4 December. In the cyclone hit districts, our employees will take up relief work, albeit unofficially." Thiyagarajan said that teachers in the cyclone hit districts would, however, refrain from taking classes in schools and instead engage themselves in relief work. He said that the chief minister's appeal came up for discussion at their body's meeting Saturday. However, since there was no "element of assurance" in Palaniswami's statement, they felt that there was no point in considering it, he said. "If our chief minister comes forward to give a commitment and a firm assurance to implement our demands in a time bound manner, we are ready to reconsider our strike plan," he said. 1 December is marked as the World AIDS Day every year to spread awareness and unite people in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 1 December, marked as the World AIDS Day every year, is used as an occasion to spread awareness and unite people in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Started in 1988, the first World AIDS day was celebrated as the first ever global health day. And, it still holds significance given the world is yet to be free from the deadly disease. Thus, it becomes important to remind people and governments that there is still a need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve AIDS education. According to UNESCO, worldwide in 2017, there were approximately 2,50,000 new cases of HIV infections and 38,000 AIDS-related deaths among adolescents. This apart, 1.8 million adolescents globally are currently living with HIV. But even more startling is the fact that, that more than 9.4 million people who would test positive for HIV, still do not know their status. And therefore, to stress on the importance of making one aware of the possibility of contracting the virus, this year the theme of the World AIDS Day is Know your status. Jahnabi Goswami was just like any other woman, happy to start a new life after marriage, but her world changed after she was found positive for HIV/AIDS. Goswamis husband was also suffering from the disease and she had contracted it from him. She lost him to the disease, but determined to fight through the prejudices of society, Goswami not only talked openly about her condition but also continued to lead a normal social life, which she says was all thanks to the support of her mother. She is now associated with many Indian organisations and NGOs working for HIV+ people and is the president of the Indian Network for People living with HIV/AIDS (INP+). Even though, having come a long way since 1988, we now have easily accessible testing, treatment, a range of prevention options, and services that can reach vulnerable communities; access to confidential HIV testing remains an issue of concern. Goswami says that most of the stigma attached to the disease is because of its confidential nature. If I have TB, diabetes or cancer, I can say that in front of the people but why there is discrimination when it comes to HIV, questions Goswami. Since it was first detected, more than 70 million people have acquired the infection, and about 35 million people have died. Today, around 37 million people worldwide live with HIV, of whom 22 million are on treatment, according to the UN AIDS data. At the same time, there are many new opportunities to expand access to HIV testing. Self-testing, community-based testing services, and multi-disease testing are helping people know their HIV status. In India, by the end of 2017, there were an estimated 21.4 lakh people living with HIV (PLHIV). The adult (15-49 years) HIV prevalence was 0.22 percent and as many as 11.81 lakh people are on anti-retroviral treatment in the country, according to the India HIV Estimation 2017 report, released by the National AIDS Control Organisation. Goswami says there is much left to be done when it comes to the actual implementation for providing aid and support to HIV patients. We have doctors and medicines... but there is no proper follow-up on a patients case which leaves them in the lurch after being identified with the disease, she says. There were 87,590 new HIV infections and 69,110 AIDS-related deaths in Indian in 2017, according to the report. Interestingly, in five states Arunachal Pradesh (65%), Assam (37%), Mizoram (18%), Meghalaya (10%) and Uttarakhand (4%) new infections increased in 2017 as compared to 2010. In 2017, Mizoram showed the highest estimated adult HIV prevalence of 2.04%(1.57-2.56), followed by Manipur (1.43%, 1.17-1.75) and Nagaland (1.15%, 0.92-1.41). The reason for its rise in the North-East region, Goswami who belongs from the region, said was that there is a delay in the release of funds for the NGOs who are working for HIV+ patients in the area. A laid-back approach in implementing the policies and lack of basic requirements like condom-vending machines is what is causing distress for the community, she said. Therefore, on the 30th anniversary of the World AIDS Day, health organisations globally are urging people to come out, get tested and know their status so that the spread of the disease from "me to you" as Goswami puts it is reduced and more awareness is generated on acceptance of HIV+ patients. Surender, 42, is employed as a field coordinator for the NGO Saathi, which advocates for those affected by HIV Surender Kaur was only 20 when she contracted HIV from her husband. That was in 1995. Surender, who married a truck driver in 1993, received the diagnosis at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, (PGIMER), Chandigarh. She was told she had less than six months to live. After Surender's husband's passed away, her in-laws threw her out of her home. Now, after struggling for two decades, not only has she Surender come to terms with her disease and is living a normal life, but she has also been helping those diagnosed with the virus get their lives back on track. Surender, 42, is employed as a field coordinator for the NGO Saathi, which advocates for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Surender spends her work hours pouring over the personal details of patients of government and private hospitals and reaching out to them at their homes or over the phone to help them come to terms with their disease and help them obtain medication made available by the Haryana AIDS Control Society (HACS). Through counselling, I've helped thousands of people, said Surender. People call from all over the country and even around the world. Often, they're surprised to find that HIV patients can live for years and lead normal lives. Her struggle Surender had just cleared her 10th standard exams when she was married off to a truck driver in Haryana's Karnal district. Just seventeen months in to her marriage, she couldn't possibly have foreseen the struggles that lay ahead. My parents lived in Rajasthan's Alwar district, she remembered. They were the only ones who accepted me after my in-laws kicked me out. Surender did not have access to treatment. Nor was any affordable treatment available. Surender spent the next ten years without any medication. Worse, the people of her village treated her terribly, often cursing at her as she passed. As no affordable treatment was available till 2006, sometimes villagers would kill their HIV positive daughters, Surender said. There were many horrific nights where I contemplated ending my life in a similar manner. But somehow, I survived. Her rise After struggling for more than a decade, Surender contacted the Network for HIV Positive People, a Gurugram-based social organisation. I was counseled by a man named Jagbir Singh. He told me about free HIV medication offered by HACS. Not only was I given treatment (after reaching Gurugram), I was also given a job through which I could help others. Surender worked with the organisation as a social activist for four years. Her monthly salary (Rs 4,000) allowed her, for the first time, to stand on her own two feet and her job counselling HIV patients helped build her confidence. I told patients 'I survived without medication for 10 years. Imagine what you can do with medication. You can lead a normal life.' It worked like magic, she beamed. In 2010, Surender was offered a job as a field controller and a raise by VIHAAN, an NGO working to rehabilitate those infected with HIV. She later moved to Saathi. For her tireless efforts, in 2017 Surender was awarded an appreciation certificate from Veena Singh, project director of Haryana AIDS Control Society. Battling stigma Surender said most HIV patients whether they belong to urban or rural areas have one thing common: they have to battle the stigma associated with HIV. Though the treatment at government and private hospitals is confidential, patients often face discrimination at the hands of their friends and families. Patients are often given separate utensils in which to eat. They are barred from using toilets. Worse, they aren't even allowed to sleep near their relatives. Most of the patients are women, Surender said. They face these insults on a daily basis, she added. There are separate rules for men and women, Surender added. While women are mocked and berated, the men retain their status as long as they remain breadwinners. Surender said she's also faced discrimination while renting flats. The first time I rented an apartment, I didn't tell the landlord I was HIV positive. Not at first, anyway. Surender said. However, when I later disclosed my status, I was asked to vacate. Of course, I was never given a reason. On the second occasion, the landlord learnt of her disease through a social outreach programme. I haven't revealed that I am HIV positive to my third landlord, Surender said. I find that as soon as I tell someone, they begin distancing themselves. It's a lesson learnt the hard way. Ashok Alexander, the author of the book and founder-director of the organisation Avahan, spent a minimum of four days in the field every week, to understand and build relationships with sex workers In 2003, when the HIV epidemic was at its worst in India, an estimated 2.6 million people were infected. Today, 2.1 million people are HIV+ in the country, with a prevalence of 0.22 percent. The first overseas subset of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Avahan, was a key player in HIV prevention in India, credited by the Lancet with preventing an estimated 6,06,000 HIV infections from 2003-2013. Avahans founder and director, Ashok Alexander spoke to Firstpost about his ten years with the foundation, and his book A Stranger Truth. The book is published by Juggernaut and chronicles Alexanders journey from the corporate to the social sector, and the communitiesmostly led by female sex workersthat he learned to appreciate and organise with along the way. Although Alexander refuses to call his book an ethnography, the stories in it are drawn from the diaries he kept during his time at Avahan, suggesting a method more meticulous than simple reminiscence. He also wants his role in the book to be of a guide, leading the readers through a journey of community activism that focuses on the work of female sex workers. What struck me was how powerful these women were when together in groups as small as 12. It still makes me wonder and gets me excited that very marginalised, very poor, very disempowered women can actually come together and solve tough problems, says Alexander. The book is divided into two parts. The first, titled Far Far Away, touches upon Alexanders first few years establishing Avahan. The second, titled Learning to Fly, tells the story of Avahan finding its feet by facilitating the uptake of condom usage and community activism with the sex workers in the field. Alexander admits in the book that the initial years of Avahan were a complete culture shock for him, as he was quite out of depth. When I left McKinsey, it was not just a step out, it was two steps out, because I went from a kind of poverty we glimpse to an India I didnt know existed, says Alexander. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation didnt impose their organisational framework on their Indian office, which allowed Avahans team to interact extensively with sex workers and the MSM (men who have sex with men) population in the field. Nonetheless, the first couple of years were a struggle for Alexander and his colleagues. In part, this was because his team was primarily made up of McKinsey employees, who approached HIV from a corporate perspective, looking at immediate eradication rather than facilitating behavioural change. We had no tolerance to say, well why dont we talk about your culture and decide? he says. Over time, Alexander, along with his colleagues, realised that they had to approach the issue with humility and respect for the grassroots. He spent a minimum of four days in the field every week, to understand and build relationships with sex workers. The rest of his team basically lived on the field for the first three to four years of Avahan. While they all learned how to speak to communities in that time, Alexander admits he never developed patiencehe couldnt afford it when HIV was at its peakand at times bluffed threats of withdrawing funding to ensure results. But it all sorted itself out, and I learned something, and I daresay they learned something, he adds. Alexander wrote a version of the book in 2007, but never finished it because the story felt incomplete to him. He didnt have the perspective then, in the middle of his travels and work, that he says he has now. Time and perspective have resulted in a book that is grounded in empathy, which Alexander hopes will shake the apathy out of our cushy lives. I want the reader to feel a range of emotions. I dont want to speak for other people, so let me speak for myself, sitting in South Delhi, walking through malls, sitting in a car. Its an emotionless experience. [In the field] I was discovering feelings which, if Im honest, I really didnt have before, he says. Empathy doesn't develop without immense pain, Alexander warns. His book reflects this belief, particularly in the first half, with Alexander completely inundated by the volume of suffering that he encounters at first, and unable to cope with a lack of guarantee about the work being done. At one point in the book, Alexander meets a young man called Antheim, who doesnt have the means to continue his treatment, and who Alexander cannot help personally without violating the ethics of public health. Heartbreakingly, he says in the book, I tell myself Antheim is still alive, and he is healthy. But I have no way of knowing if thats true. Antheims story illustrates the helpless guilt of a public health worker struggling with the sheer depth of a problem as vast and stigmatised as HIV. In that moment, the reader is compelled, for a second, to understand the vast difficulty and pain involved in not only coping with, but working to eradicate HIV. There are several incidents like Antheims scattered across the first half of the book, dangerously tipping it towards a voyeuristic experience of poverty and suffering. However, the second half saves face, literally, by focusing entirely on the activism done by sex workers and those on the field to reclaim their agency, and bring about behavioural change in their communities. The journeys of two sex workers-turned-activists is highlighted in separate chapters, dictated by the workers themselves. Theyre really just more different from each other than people like us are different perhaps, says Alexander. Both workers mentioned in the book are employed by Ashodhya, a program started by Avahan in Mysore in 2003. The first sex worker and activist is a woman called Kavita, who went from struggling with alcoholism, abuse and being HIV+, to becoming an internationally known activist and public health worker. The second sex worker is Shahid, who is queer and for whom Ashodhya has provided the space to be out and to provide for his family, as well as live healthily with HIV. Both Kavita and Shahid continue to practise sex work to this day. Their stories negotiate with power and knowledge, sex and sexuality in a way that facilitates a more nuanced understanding of the field that Alexander wants us to see. Including their voices in the book shows the extent to which sex workers can exercise agency, in a field where they can be so easily exploited. Writing the book was a cathartic release for Alexander, as it gave him an opportunity to reflect on the work done. He proudly claims in the epilogue that Avahan and related communities efforts made HIV one of the two health conditions to meet the Development Millenium Goals of the UN in 2015. More importantly, he was relieved to see the sustainability of the process, with HIV prevalence lower in India at 0.22 percent than in the USA. He explains that organsiations working in the development sector usually dont focus on solutions that can be effective once the organisation has been dissolved or leaves. With Avahan, that isnt the case, because sex workers were able to disseminate the information on STIs and organising even after the organisation was dissolved. When asked about how he expects his book to be received, Alexander suddenly becomes bashful and unsure. He has never written a book before, but for him, doing things outside of his comfort zone is really important. He hopes that people will see the book not only as a story of activism to fight HIV, but a narrative of the adventure that lies ahead when one decides to go beyond their immediate surroundings. I feel like theres an adventure to be had inside every person, which means youre getting out of your comfort zone. I think one should have an attitude towards life such that the minute you get into your comfort zone, you should be planning to get out of it. Otherwise, youre ready to fail, he signs off. (Above image: Screenshot of the 7 Isles Unclaimed project online) The project starts with historical/archival research, looking at colonial records, maps and other accounts of and around the process of reclamation. If you can imagine the time before it was taking place, reclamation was just an idea, a speculation. That speculation lingers in our experience of the city now and its that speculative quality I use in thinking about and working on the city today, says Kandalgaonkar. Some works that make up the project (Telescope Periscope and Tide Machine by Gatne) are physical contraptions. They are tangible, kinetic machines that deal with the line between land and water. Other works approach the research to take on forms of storytelling, image and map-making (often adopting the language and imagery of the Victorian texts it draws from) that result in a dense network of little-known fact, historical could-have-beens, flights of fancy and concrete statistical data that reflect on ecology and the environment, science and technology, identity, power and politics in the city, then and now. Here are those stories. All images and text by 7 Isles Unclaimed. The Kodak Company Periscope (Above: An aquatic velocipede) Photographic studios appear in Mumbai in the early part of the 19th century. Reclamation is underway and its not long before the easily accessible inland water bodies are a thing of the past. While photography is changing and people can now use the daguerreotype to take portraiture photographs, an interesting event starts occurring in Bombay. People hear about 'joyrides for the public' that are gathering momentum in England. Some erudite and street-smart businessmen hatch plans to monetise and corner this market in Bombay and its endless possibilities when it comes to entertaining the public. Keeping the proximity of water in mind and its easy access, the Kodak Company-run photographic studios decide to invest in a small project and The Kodak Company Periscope is born. The plan is simple. To invest in hybridising a form of reverse-periscope with the aquatic velocipede(1). People sit in a velocipede and view aquatic life. Unlike a regular periscope, this one performs a reverse function, i.e. the capacity of looking into the water, hence unlocking the wonders of the ocean world. (1) Aquatic velocipede: The great success of the bicycle as a means of transportation on land spurred many backyard mechanics to invent an aquatic counterpart. By the 1890s, several of these inventions were showing up in Central Park and became quite popular as recreational machines, a niche that they retained throughout the 20th century. Getting to Mendham's Point The breach between Colaba and Old Woman's Island was unformidable and only covered by the sea at high tide. But between Old Woman's Island and Mendham's Point on Bombay Isle, there was a marginally deep channel, which in later years could be crossed on a ferry boat pulled by rope. Mendham's Point was the old British cemetery across the channel (Mendham being the first person buried there). Today, one would have to stand facing the north at Colaba Police Station next to Leopold Cafe in South Mumbai and imagine Mendham's Point somewhere close to the Prince of Wales Museum and the hand-pulled ferry transporting people across this channel. A stone commemorating the spot from where the ferry ran now lies within the confines of the Colaba Police Station. The northern stretch of the Colaba Causeway rests over this channel now, and the turtle population residing around the Old Woman's Island is long gone. Gone too are the Koli settlements that once thrived here and cast their fishing nets along the coast till Al-Omani and back, which is how Old Woman's Island got its name, albeit a corruption. The Submerged Forest (Above: The discovery of a submerged forest below the Prince's Dock) One of the city's most beloved biographers, Govind Narayan(2) mentions a certain Dr Buist(3) in his mid-19th century account of Bombay. "Many geologists, including Dr Buist, were of the view that the five or six islands, which currently make up Mumbai were once one large island that might have been separated during a major earthquake or other catastrophe, leading to the current shape of Mumbai."(4) "Further evidence of prehistoric eruption and depression is furnished by the discovery of a submerged forest below the Prince's Dock. The remains, which came to light during the excavation of the dock in the closing years of the nineteenth century, were 32 feet below the high water mark, and consisted of a thick forest of upright stump of trees of a species still existing in the neighbourhood of this island, the Khair (Arabia Catechu). There were in all 382 trees, 223 still standing erect and 159 prostrate, though still rooted in the soil. They were found on a decayed trap-rock soil, overlaid by the thick stratum of clay which forms the real bottom of the harbour.'(5) (2) Govind Narayan's Mumbaiche Varnan is, possibly, the first urban biography of Mumbai written in 1863 in Marathi by the Wilson College Professor. (3) George Buist LL.D. (18051860) was a Scottish journalist and scientist. (4) Narayan, G., Mumbai, edited and translated by Murali Ranganathan (5) Edwardes, S. M., The Rise of Bombay The Lone Sentry The lone sentry stands in rapt attention, his shoulders relaxed but his gaze alert and mien robust. He stands testament to the naval might of the Marathas (Marhatta), adapting well to life between the waves in the early 17th century. The Maratha Warrior: The Maratha (archaically transliterated as Marhatta or Mahratta) is a group of castes in India predominantly found in the state of Maharashtra. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, "The Maratha group of castes is a largely rural class of peasant cultivators, landowners, and soldiers. Some Maratha and Kunbi have at times claimed Kshatriya (the warrior and ruling class) standing and supported their claims to this rank by reference to clan names and genealogies linking themselves with epic heroes, Rajput clans of the north, or historical dynasties of the early medieval period. The Marathas primarily reside in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa and Tamil Nadu. Those in Goa and neighbouring Karwar are known specifically as Konkan Marathas as an affiliation to their regional and linguistic alignment. An Offering to the Sea-Goddess Upon hearing the news of the presence of a giant squid (or Genus Architeuthis) trapped in the gnarled mangrove roots due to the low tide off of the place that would be named Pydhonie(6); Kanhoji Angre(7) had his lieutenant send for three of his capable messengers. "Go!!" he cried, "and appease that poor dying creature, with an offering and a prayer. She will determine our fate in the coming months, for she is most assuredly an incarnation of the sea goddess who watches over this naval fleet." He was, of course referring to the impending Battle of Bicholim, which would decide the destiny of the power struggle between the Marathas and the Portuguese over Bombay and the Konkan coastline. The Marathas were fearless, and a constant niggling worry to the Portuguese as well as English fleets, but the wily naval commander would nevertheless deny no opportunity to allay the brewing hostilities. He was so convinced of this creature's appearance as an omen that he further instructed his men to make sure it was to be made as comfortable as possible by continuously bathing it in salt water till it passed on... Somewhere, somehow the gods seemed to be listening, and prayers were answered for as history would show, the Battle of Bicholim never actually took place. (6) Pydhonie: Etymologically the name is derived from the Marathi word Py which means feet, and dhoni which means to wash. Thus the name means "A place where feet are washed". This was probably the first land permanently reclaimed from the sea in Mumbai. "The name Pydhonie or "foot-wash" probably refers to a small creek that formed at high tide between the Great Breach (separating the islands of Bombay and Worli) and Umarkhadi (the creek between the islands of Mazagaon and Bombay). (7) Kanhoji Angre or Conajee Angria or Sarkhel Angre: (August 1669-July 1729) was the first notable chief of the Maratha Navy in 18th century India. Sarkhel is a title equal to Admiral of a Fleet. He fought against the British, Dutch and Portuguese naval interests on the coasts of India during the 18th century. As a result, his European enemies labeled him a pirate. Despite the attempts of the British and Portuguese to subdue Angre, he remained undefeated until his death. The Story of the Three Goddesses One other legend must be recorded. It is related to the construction of the Hornby Vellard, the causeway that would solve the problem of the tide breaching the channel; 'the Great Breach' which flooded the low lying mainland at high tide. It is to this effect that during the era of Mahomedan domination, the Goddess Mahalakshmi was so persecuted that she leapt from the shore into Worli Creek and remained there in hiding until after the Portuguese had ceded the island to the English. During the early stages of the attempt to dam the Great Breach, the Goddess appeared to one Ramji Shivji, a Prabhu(8) contractor, and to quote from The Gazetteer "promised that, if he tendered his services to Government for the construction of a causeway, she would remove all obstacles, provided that he first remove the images of herself and her two sisters goddesses from their watery resting place and established them in a proper shrine on land. Ramji acted accordingly to these divine instructions and eventually, after the Hornby(9) Vellard(10) had been successfully built, obtained from the Bombay Government a grant of the site upon which the temples still stand." It is an important history nevertheless because this event sparks what became the reclamation drive that was to grip the city for the next 300 years. (8) Pathare Prabhu: The Pathare Prabhu community is a caste of Mumbai which settled in that region in the 13th century, and had gained prosperity during the development of Bombay by the British in the 18th century. (9) William Hornby: Governor of Bombay 1771-1784. He is usually credited with having built the Hornby Vellard which was named after him. It is a contentious claim as there is no report of it in the Imperial Gazetteer as reported by a later and much respected historian Samuel Sheppard, who writes..."Not content with only crediting Hornby with this great work, writers like Maclean and Douglas adhere to the pleasing fiction that he built it in defiance of the Court's orders". J.M.Maclean, in his 'Guide to Bombay' writes..."about the time the Vellard was finished, Governor Hornby, opening with his own hand the despatches, found an order for his suspension which, his term of office being nearly expired, he put in his pocket until he had finally handed over charge to his successor. The Hon. Court of Directors were excessively irate, and an order came out which, we believe, has ever since been in force that the Governor should never open the despatches in future, but that they should first be perused by one of the secretaries of Government." Again, Samuel Sheppard scoffs at this account. "There is no record of any of this, or of any other quarrel about the Vellard with Hornby, in the India Office. It is one of the fictions of Bombay much like the story of the embezzlement of the funds for building the Cathedral- that have been handed down from one writer to another." (10) Vellard: Portuguese for embankment *** When a story recedes, there are always residuals. "Like in any other large infrastructure project, a few individuals discussing something in a room can have long-spanning implications. There are moments before reclamation that, had the discussion taken even slightly other turns, could have resulted in Mumbai being completely different to what we know it as today," Kandalgaonkar explains. What we, as readers do with these stories, discussed in this room, is multifold in possibility - use our own experience of the city to unpick the riddles, let them wash over us like tides on a tetrapod, or, none of the above. *** All text accompanying images by 7 Isles Unclaimed. The online platform 7 Isles Unclaimed can be accessed here. Website by Vinita Gatne, Karen Menezes, Sajjad Anwar and Sanjay Bhangar. *** Artists in focus: Ranjit Kandalgaonkar lives and works in Mumbai. His practice focuses primarily on unseen and ignored processes of urbanisation which he addresses in his project cityinflux. Vinita Gatne engages in explorations and interventions through design, pedagogical, artistic and research projects which allow her to elaborate on the marginalised conditions generated in the process of urbanism. The 6th Floor Collective is a collaboration between Polly Phipps-Holland and Tarek Salhany who live and work between the UK and Lebanon. *** Kush Badhwar is a filmmaker interested in media tectonics, collaborative practice and improvised and informal political engagement. More here. Khanabadosh is an itinerant arts lab founded by Gitanjali Dang in Mumbai in 2012. More here. The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government was unable to achieve much when it came to job creation, due to which it is facing anger from a large section of the youth. Twenty five-year-old Durgesh Varma, who completed his B.Tech a year ago, was going to Bhopal from Chhindwara by train after casting his vote on 28 November. He had to appear in an examination at Bhopal for a job at the Airports Authority of India. Durgesh is a BJP worker, and his father is the local sarpanch and also a BJP worker. Like many others, an enthusiastic Varma also attended the BJP rally on 18 November addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Varma has been an ardent admirer of the prime minister and in any case, a prime minister addressing a rally in the town was a major occasion. That was why he went to attend the rally with great enthusiasm. He heard the complete address of the prime minister that day. In his address, Modi criticised the MP of Chhindwara, Kamal Nath. But after the prime ministers address was over, Varma was unhappy because he didn't elaborate on the future plans of his government. The cause of Varmas unhappiness was the unemployment in the state. He said, The Madhya Pradesh government, under the leadership of the chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has worked on the ground. The state has made progress in the terms of roads, electricity and water facilities. The poor have been provided cheap food grains, and the government worked for farmers too. But the youth here require employment. After all, if the youth don't get employment, what will they do? Durgesh wasn't alone in raising such questions. Another youth, Ajay Tiwari, who was traveling from Bhopal to Pipariya by train, had the same question. During the 2014 general elections and afterwards, a large section of the youth seemed to hold a positive view of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP. Varma and Tiwari are not exceptions to this trend. Both are admirers of Modi and said that they would support the BJP in the next general elections. However, this time, both of them decided to vote for the Congress. In Madhya Pradesh, there has been a BJP government for the past 15 years. In the beginning, Uma Bharti and Babulal Gaur ruled the state. After the first two years, Shivraj Singh Chauhan took over the reins and remains at the post. He is the first chief minister of the state who has held the post for so long at a stretch. He is also the second BJP chief minister after Raman Singh who has ruled any state for so long. The very fact that Chouhan has been the chief minister for so long is an indication of his competence and efficiency. The BJP has had a strong presence in the state earlier as well. This is because of the strong presence of the RSS. It is important to note that before the BJP came into the existence, the Jana Sangh used to get a good share of the votes. The question then arises why has the BJP been getting weaker in the state for the last few years, despite having had a firm grip of the peoples pulse in the past? Most importantly, why are the youth considered the partys strength till now drifting away this time? To seek the answers to these questions, we must look back in time. Since 2003, the BJP government has paid significant attention to ensuring basic necessities such as electricity, building roads and water. Some people remarked that the duration of power supply during the Congress rule per day was equivalent to the power cuts during the BJPs rule. The condition of roads has also improved. During Chouhans tenure, there has been improvement in the work of constructing canals. However, the government was unable to achieve much when it came to job creation. Thereafter, party workers at the lower rung of the BJP became corrupt. Ordinary people came to believe that the senior leaders of the party were not corrupt, but local ones engaged in graft. Due to this, people conveyed their dissatisfaction with many MLAs, despite supporting the chief minister. Thus, the BJP denied tickets to 50 MLAs. Besides, the young generation is not willing to stick with any one party. In order to retain their support, parties have to adopt new and out-of-the-box strategies. While a lot of developmental work took place during Chouhans tenure, there were no major attractive projects which were carried out. Further, the rise in unemployment has driven many young people to seek change. The election results on 11 December will tell whether or not Chouhan has faced anger from young voters. Not very long ago, leaders of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana fought as if the two states were India and Pakistan. Not very long ago, leaders of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana fought as if the two states were India and Pakistan. Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh and made a separate state in 2014, and the memories of violence in Andhra Pradesh that opposed the bifurcation and in Telangana that demanded it are still fresh. So, the irony and drama of an Andhra Pradesh leader shouting Jai Telangana from the soil of Telangana cant be missed. And when that leader happens to be none other than Andhra Pradesh chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Chandrababu Naidu, it warms the hearts of some and raises the hackles of others. Thats precisely what is going on now as Naidu often concludes his election speeches in Telangana for the 7 December Assembly election with a Jai Hind followed by Jai Telangana. The one man who is rankled most by this is Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, known as KCR, who heads Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). He is petrified that Naidu may steal the votes of people who support Andhra Pradesh as well as those supporting Telangana. KCR is wary of the talk of Naidu swearing by Telanganas development leading to a victory for Mahakutami grand alliance comprising TDP, Congress, Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) and CPI. Not surprisingly, the campaign in Telangana has fallen somewhat into this pattern: KCR: Telugu Desam is an Andhra Pradesh party. Naidu is Telanganas enemy. He is needlessly poking his nose into Telanganas politics. He has written countess letters to the Narendra Modi government to stop development projects for Telangana. Naidus hypocrisy is also evident from the fact that he has teamed up with Congress, his arch enemy till now and a party that has done little for the regions development while it ruled for long periods earlier. Naidu: I never played spoilsport for Telanganas progress. I spent sleepless nights to put Hyderabad on the world map of IT and created lakhs of jobs. KCR rejected my suggestion that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana should work together for the development of the two Telugu states. He did nothing for Telangana during his rule. TDP is not an Andhra party. Its a party of Telugus wherever they are. Congress: It was Congress-led UPA government which turned into reality the long-pending demand for Telanganas creation. But the KCR government failed the state by not implementing the tall promises he made. Mahakutami is the answer to all the states development needs. Who built Hyderabad? In his rustic sarcasm that enthralls audiences, KCR has been repeatedly mocking Naidu for claiming to have built Hyderabad. Then what did Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (the sultan who founded the city 400 years ago) do? The TRS leader asks. Naidus reply to this is that he hadnt built Hyderabad but it was Cyberabad, which had been his manasa putrika (brainchild). Nobody can deny Naidu the credit for conceiving and developing Cyberabad, a large area to the west of Hyderabad that is the home for IT companies. During his first two terms as the chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh between 1995 and 2004, the tech-savvy Naidu had done everything he could to attract IT giants to set up shop in Hyderabad. Naidu became a hot favourite of Microsoft czar Bill Gates, earned himself the honour of south Asian of the year in 1999 from TIME magazine and the admiration of Wall Street Journal which called him a model for fellow leaders and countless other accolades including cyber Naidu. The IT boom that Naidu indeed triggered brought lakhs of jobs to Hyderabad, but he forgot that the state had villages which needed other things and that elections were fought on different calculations. So, he lost the 2004 election in the undivided state, but the good things he did back then, especially to Hyderabad, are not forgotten even now, despite the bad blood that flowed during the states division. Yet all this may not automatically guarantee votes for Naidu, whose TDP is contesting 13 of the 119 seats, with 94 being fought by Congress and the rest by the other alliance partners. Naidu can, however, pin hopes with reasonable confidence, on the voters of Andhra origin in Telangana. Nobody knows precisely how many of them are there, but estimates by the government and Andhra organisations indicate that settlers may account for some 60 lakh of the states 3.5 crore population, half of them being in Hyderabad and the rest scattered elsewhere. They form a substantial chunk of the electorate perhaps in 30 to 40 seats, out of which 24 are in the area covered by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GMHC) alone. All eyes on Hyderabad It was largely with the backing of settlers that, in the 2014 Telangana Assembly election held when anti-Andhra hostilities were at a peak, TDP won 15 seats, nine of them from the GMHC region. TRS won 63 Assembly seats in 2014 and formed the government but it won only three from GMHC region. But TRS swept the elections to the GMHC in 2016 and seized control of the corporation, which it couldnt have done without the support of Andhra settlers. Its likely that in the absence of any interest on Naidus part in these elections, civic issues and caste did the trick. With Naidu in the forefront of campaign now, he hopes to the mop up the Andhra votes in Telangana. But that isnt as easy as he thinks, because passions over state bifurcation have diminished a bit and the Andhra-origin population has no particular reason to complain of in the new state. Despite the harsh words hurled against them by KCR at the time of Telanganas formation and the threats to their jobs, businesses and even lives, and their expected exodus back to Andhra region, the settlers not only stayed on in the new state, but even more people are migrating to Hyderabad for jobs, especially in IT sector. Administratively, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh may have become two separate states, but there was no great organic division between the peoples of the two regions, with commercial, job and marital status remaining unaffected. And yet, the fact of TDP being an Andhra party will no doubt weigh on the minds of many so-called outsiders, but a good number of them will probably make their choices, after judging candidates and parties on their own merit or on caste considerations. The campaign by TRS that TDP is a pro-Andhra and anti-Telangana party may be offset a great deal by the presence in the Mahakutami of Telangana Jana Samithi, headed by M Kodandaram, a former political science professor, who had played a key role in the agitation for separate state and who enjoys a no-nonsense reputation. Congress too may get its own share of support from the settlers from its committed voters among them as well as on the considerations of caste and the fact that it was the party whose government at the Centre made a separate state possible. Though Andhra vote may thus be divided among parties, Naidu can still hope to corner a good chunk of it, but whether the seats that this will help the grand alliance get will be enough to win the election is still unclear in what increasingly looks like a neck-and-neck race. Author tweets @sprasadindia President Trump cancelled a planned press conference at the G-20 summit in Argentina on Saturday, citing respect for former President George H.W. Bush, who died on Friday at the age of 94. Trump's planned unilateral news conference for Saturday afternoon was expected to cap an eventful trip, amid domestic legal concerns and troubled international relations, reported CBS News. "I was very much looking forward to having a press conference just prior to leaving Argentina because we have had such great success in our dealing with various countries and their leaders at the G20," Trump said in the first of two tweets. "However, out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George H.W. Bush we will wait until after the funeral to have a press conference." Trump and the first lady will attend Bush's funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. next week. The press availability was supposed to occur after Trump's meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the day. Trump was expected to be asked about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid new developments in the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump canceled his meeting with Putin, which was intended for Saturday morning, on Thursday via Twitter, citing Russian aggression against Ukraine. His announcement came shortly after Michael Cohen, Trump's former private lawyer, pleaded guilty to lying to Congress as part of the special counsel investigation. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement that Trump's decision to cancel the news conference was in no way influenced by Cohen's plea deal. "The Russian Witch Hunt Hoax, which is hopefully now nearing an end, is doing very well. Unfortunately, it probably does undermine our relationship with Russia. However, the reason for our canceled meeting is Ukraine. Hopefully, that will be resolved soon so that productive conversations can begin," Sanders said. The BJP, which has been riling up the agitation against women's entry to the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala, was hoping to swing the Hindu votes in its favour. Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac slammed the BJP after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) soared through the keenly contested local body by-elections in the state. The BJP, which has been riling up the agitation against women's entry to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, was hoping to swing the Hindu votes in its favour. "Keralites shocked the BJP once again. The panchayat by-election results were announced on a day when the BJP leaders were disputing among themselves whether the Sabarimala agitation should be called off or continued," Isaac wrote on Facebook. He said, "Even though the BJP tried its best to highlight the Sabarimala issue, the results indicate that it has had no impact on the results. The United Democratic Front (UDF) which participated in the agitation also did not benefit from it. The foundation of the LDF has not been eroded by the Sangh Parivar or the efforts of the UDF. The communal card played by the BJP and Congress has been rejected by the voters. The stand taken by the LDF government over the Sabarimala issue has been accepted by the people including the devotees." The ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala Friday bagged 21 of the 39 seats in the keenly fought bypolls to the local bodies. The Congress-led UDF came second with 12 seats, the results of which were announced Friday. However, the BJP, which has led frenzied protests over the entry of women of all ages into Sabarimala, failed to make political dividends as expected and got only two seats. Initial results indicate that the BJP votes declined considerably as compared to the 2015 election. The BJP votes dipped to 9,869 in the seats to which the by-elections were held as compared to 11,118 votes it got in the same seats in the 2015 elections. Isaac said that the "fate of the agitation", if it is to be continued or not has been decided by the Kerala voters. "It looks like the agitation will have to be called off and they should seek the apology of the people, especially the Ayyappa devotees. This victory gives a big confidence to the LDF workers. We can evaluate that this victory is the indication of the wins in the forthcoming elections," Isaac wrote. The 29 November bypolls were held in 27 panchayats, five block panchayats, six municipalities and one corporation spread across 14 districts that had fallen vacant due to various reasons. The Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political outfit of Popular Front of India, reSturned two candidates, while Independent candidates won two seats. The UDF, though, lost five wards but was able to wrest four different wards from other parties. One of its candidates in Pathanamthitta municipality was defeated by a rebel Congress candidate. A political analyst said the LDF victory in the Kerala bypolls was the result of the strong stand that the state had taken on the Sabarimala subject. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had initially backed the Supreme Court verdict allowing the entry of women of all ages inside the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala, took a U-turn on its stand after devotees, including women, took to the streets in large numbers against the implementation of the ruling. The saffron party played this as a "golden opportunity" to consolidate the Hindus, who had withstood its Hindutva campaign and held firmly to their secular tradition so far. The results of the by-elections held this week to 39 local body wards across all 14 districts in Kerala show that the BJP went wrong with its calculations. The party, which took over the Sabarimala agitation and spread it across the state with the help of Sangh Parivar outfits, won two panchayat wards and lost one. The elections were held in 27 panchayat wards, five block panchayat wards, six municipality wards and one corporation ward. Curiously, the BJP could get only 19 votes in two wards in Pathanamthitta district, where the temple is located. The party candidate got just 12 votes in the Kadakkad ward of the Pandalam municipality, which has been the epicentre of the Sabarimala protests. In the adjacent Pathanamthitta municipality, the BJP candidate secured only seven votes in the Kulasekharapatnam ward. The party could also not make any gains in Tripunithura municipality, where it organised a series of aggressive protests against the Sabarimala verdict. The BJP candidate was pushed to the second position by the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the Maramkulangara division. The party won the two seats in Alappuzha district, where the protests were subdued. However, the Congress-led Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), which backed the devotee's stand against the entry of women in the age group of 10 to 50 inside Sabarimala, was the biggest loser. The Congress and its allies bagged 11 wards as against the 16 they held earlier. The LDF, which went to the polls in a defensive mode, put up an impressive performance, winning 21 wards. The coalition managed to sweep all seats in Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Palakkad and Kasargod districts and win two of four wards each in Kannur and Malappuram districts, one of the three wards in Thiruvananthapuram district and one of the five wards in Alappuzha. Although the by-election to the local bodies in Kerala are fought on local issues, the bypolls this time gained political significance as the main theme of the campaigns was women's entry inside the Sabarimala temple. While the UDF and BJP tried to cash in on the sentiments of the devotees against women's entry inside the shrine, calling it a battle between believers and non-believers, the LDF focused on its government's predicament and the gender equality implicit in the Supreme Court verdict. Political observers consider this a pointer to even the odds in the coming Lok Sabha elections. NM Pearson, a Left-leaning political analyst based in Kochi, said the LDF may sweep the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala if the trend continues. He said LDF victory in the bypolls was the result of the strong stand that the state government took on the subjtect. "The setback suffered by the BJP is a strong indication that the communal politics they experimented with in the North will not work in Kerala. Keralites may be orthodox in their religious beliefs, but they are not ready to mix religion with politics. The party has failed to realise this," Pearson said. He also said the Congress will lose ground in the state if it continues with the policy of trying to appease the majority community. The minorities, who have traditionally backed the UDF, will consolidate behind the LDF and the Hindus will go to the BJP if they continue with this policy. The gains that the LDF made in the minority-dominated Malappuram and Ernakulam districts are a strong indication of this change in the thinking among the minorities. The victory of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political arm of radical Popular Front of India (PFI), in two wards indicates a Muslim consolidation against the BJP's attempt to rally the Hindus communally. The BJP candidate even lost his deposit in the Kadakkad division of the Pandalam municipality, where the SDPI emerged victorious. State Minister for Industries EP Jayarajan believes this victory is a recognition to the Kerala government's decision to implement the Supreme Court verdict. "The BJP and Congress were destroyed in these election amid the Sabarimala issue. This shows the people have accepted our stand in this issue," Jayarajan was quoted as saying by India Today. CN Mohanan, CPM district secretary of Ernkulam, where the LDF won all the ive wards, said the Left victory in the by-elections was a sign of endorsement of the secular stance the government had taken on the Sabarimala issue and the rejection of the politics of hate and division pursued by both the Congress and BJP. The LDF government had apparently decided to implement the top court verdict with the calculation that the Hindu votes that the UDF traditionally wins may partially shift to the BJP, and that minorities would consolidate behind it. The gamble has paid off. This trend was visible in the local body elections in 2015 and the Assembly elections in 2016, in which the LDF won wherever the BJP made gains. Moreover, the UDF suffered major reverses in the wards where the BJP gained. The two seats that the saffron party won in Alappuzha district were from the UDF. Kerala BJP general secretary AN Radhakrishnan described this as a trend that will continue in the days to come. He said the party will replace the Congress as the main contender for power in the state. The electoral reverses have not deterred the BJP and Congress from continuing their resistance in Kerala against the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict. While the BJP has shifted its agitation to Thiruvananthapuram, the UDF has taken the protest to the Assembly, which is in session now. Even as the LDF is jubilant over the win, the growth of the BJP and SDPI in certain pockets has raised fear among a section of LDF leaders, who believe that the communal politics they play could destroy the secular fabric of the state in the long run. However, the LDF leadership seems to be concerned only about immediate gains. Opposition parties in Madhya Pradesh raised vociferous protests over alleged foul play with respect to EVMs and said that this was part of a 'major conspiracy.' Three days after people in Madhya Pradesh cast their ballots, Opposition parties in the state raised vociferous protests over alleged manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), claiming it was part of a "major conspiracy". On Friday, an EVM strong room in Bhopal was without electricity for about one and a half hours, due to which the live status of the machines was disrupted, News18 reported. Moreover, CCTV cameras were said to have been switched off a day earlier, and an official was quoted as saying that "safety norms" state there should be no power connection in the room where EVMs are stored. A few Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers protested outside the strong room in Satna after a viral video showed an unknown person carrying a carton inside the highly protected area. The workers claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government was trying to tamper with the EVMs. As part of the protest, they even deflated the tyres of the vehicles of the district administration. BSP's Pushkar Singh and Congress' Siddharth Kushwaha held a protest demanding action against the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Madhya Pradesh government. The Opposition also questioned why EVMs in Sagar had reached the collection centre 48 hours after the polling closed. The Congress alleged that the machines were taken to a hotel owned by Home Minister Bhupendra Singh, NDTV reported. The party also alleged that the EVMs were deposited in a bus without a registration plate. Ahmed Patel also urged the Election Commission to take "concrete action" on the issue. Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia lashed out at the BJP over the allegations, saying that they hint at a "conspiracy". "The BJP is staring at the possibility of defeat and has thus resorted to trampling democracy and the verdict of the people. Under this government, an attempt to murder democracy is underway. The Election Commission must take prompt and stringent steps, take action against the guilty and ensure security of the EVMs," he said. , Jyotiraditya Scindia (@JM_Scindia) December 1, 2018 However, the district administration has denied all the charges and said the EVMs were under the supervision of security personnel. On the controversy in Sagar, the Chief Electoral Officer of Madhya Pradesh said the machines in question were not used for voting but were among the ones that were kept on standby. Chief Electoral Office has tried to clarify the genuine concerns related to EVMs on this platform. This office assures the voters of Madhya Pradesh that all EVMs are safe, secure, sealed. We may not be able to give individual reply but we will try tokeep up the trust of people CEOMPElections (@CEOMPElections) December 1, 2018 A Congress delegation met the Election Commission on Saturday and raised concerns over the security of EVMs inside strong rooms, their handling during the counting process in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, as well as the alleged deletion of names from voter lists in Uttar Pradesh. Ahmed Patel made a number of suggestions to the poll panel, including allowing representatives of political parties while transporting EVMs to counting centres from strong rooms, and cross-checking if postal ballots were received from eligible voters. On the day of voting, as well, faulty EVMs had sparked protests from the Opposition in Madhya Pradesh. As many as 745 EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines had been replaced in the state. after which Scindia had written to the poll panel. "The incomplete arrangements of the commission jeopardised the democratic right to vote of thousands of voters, owing to the delay in start of polling in the respective booths," read his letter. With inputs from agencies Manmohan Singh, who preferred to keep himself at an arms length from all scandals is in no position to issue a certificate of propriety to anyone. The Congress unsheathes the "Manmohan Singh" weapon to browbeat the Narendra Modi government at periodic intervals. It is not as if the mild-mannered Singh possess a fiery temper or a formidable persona. His entire schtick behind carrying off the "Yoda" act is his moral authority. Which is curious, considering the corrupt cesspool that Singh inhabited during his two-term tenure as prime minister. Perhaps in a much-colonised nation, Singhs credentials as a noted economist and achievements as a technocrat (not to speak of his foreign degrees) not only hide his failings as a prime minister, but also lend his character the durability of Teflon and ensure that his moral halo remains undiminished. A lesser mortal would have been condemned by now to the nether regions of amoral universe. Armed with this free pass from a doting middle class in a country that confuses competence in one area with universal aptitude, Singh is the sagacious master of all that he surveys. Despite presiding over the most scam-ridden period in the history of India and letting huge corruption scandals happen under his watch (VVIP chopper scam, 2G Spectrum scam, Tatra truck scam, Commonwealth Games scam, cash-for-votes scam, Adarsh Housing Society scam, Satyam scam, coal block allocation scam to name a few), the former prime minister potters around in retirement and specialises in giving lectures to the NDA government on corruption. Once the laughter has subsided, lets look at some of the other things he has said. Singh recently advised Modi to exercise restraint in his speeches and adopt a manner becoming of the office of the prime minister. Speaking at a book launch in New Delhi last week, Singh said the prime minister of the country must set an example... he is the prime minister for all citizens of our country and his conduct must be worthy and consistent with the obligation that he/she has as prime minister. This is an interesting argument. Singh, who slept through his tenure while UPA went down in a blaze of scams, could not prevent his cabinet colleagues and secretaries from straying into the path of corruption, but he apparently believes that his miraculous ability to keep all scandals at an arms length gives him the power to set the standards of behaviour in high office. Does it? Did Singh behave in a manner becoming of the office of prime minister when he wanted the PMO to be kept at an arms length from 2G Spectrum allocations? The former prime minister had claimed in 2011 that Who got the licences... how first-come-first-served was implemented... this was never discussed with me nor was it brought to the Cabinet. This was exclusively the telecom minister's (A Rajas) decision, and yet, documents released under RTI indicate that the PMO, while being aware of Rajas actions, chose to look the other way. Was Singh, the then prime minister, setting an example through his conduct? Were his actions worthy and consistent with the obligations of his high office? These questions must be asked again not only because it brings out Singhs hypocrisy but also because politics involves both legal and moral dimensions, and a politician who seeks to ride the high horse of morality must be beyond reproach. On Friday, a Delhi court held former coal secretary HC Gupta and two other officials guilty of corruption and criminal conspiracy in another coal scam case relating to the 2012 allotment of blocks in West Bengal. Gupta, who was the coal secretary when the portfolio was under Singh, had earlier been convicted in several cases related to coal scam. While passing the judgement, the court said Gupta was acting on his own and he had mala fide withheld true and correct facts from the prime minister as minister in-charge There was no reason for the prime minister, as MoC, to presume that the guidelines issued have not been complied with. Special judge Bharat Parashar made a similar argument more than a year back in another judgement where he held Gupta guilty in a coal block allocation case in Madhya Pradesh, and had observed that there was no reason for the prime minister to presume that the guidelines had not been complied with. While the CBI special court has held Gupta guilty in several coal allocation cases, Gupta had told the court in 2016 that he didnt hide any information from Singh. A year later, a tearful Gupta stated before a CBI court that he would rather face trial from inside jail than be out on bail "since he could no longer afford his legal defence. Despite his conviction and sentencing, Gupta had received backing from IAS officers in Uttar Pradesh and from the IAS Association in 2016 who claimed that he was an honest bureaucrat and had been victimised due to a technicality in the anti-corruption law that needs to be changed to protect honest officers. Prominent bureaucrats such as former chief election commissioner SY Quraishi, a batchmate of Gupta, had called the conviction very unfortunate and proclaimed that the former coal secretary got entangled in a technicality of the anti-corruption law that serves to criminalise even routine administrative decisions taken in good faith. This may discourage bureaucrats from taking decisions, he was quoted as saying. NITI Ayog CEO Amitabh Kant called Gupta a man of impeccable integrity. This is a sad story of an upright, honest man handling a file. He is d most honest officer I have come across in my entire career.Real travesty of justice. Sad & tragic. https://t.co/vp7rEWsh4F Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) August 24, 2016 It does seem curious how a man who pocketed millions from a scam may reach a situation where he can no longer afford his legal defence. While the court verdict must be honoured, the larger question regarding Singhs conduct remains unanswered. Secretaries working under Singh were swindling millions from under his nose and the prime minister had not an inkling of any wrongdoing. This isnt a sign of innocence, but incompetence. At the very least, Singh should have put down his papers for failing to stop corruption under his watch. In an interview to Economic Times in 2011, former telecom minister Arun Shourie had said on Singhs innocence about 2G scam, You mean to say rivals would not have brought it to the attention of TKA Nair (principal secretary to the prime minister) and others in the PMO? Do you mean to say the Intelligence Bureau and CBI and others would not have brought this to their attention? I cannot believe that. Because our system is so structured that the prime minister and his office gets to know about every sparrow that moves in the government. That I can testify from personal knowledge. The court might have absolved the former prime minister of wrongdoings but a leader who preferred to keep himself at an arms length from all scandals is in no position to issue a certificate of propriety to anyone. Singh would be well advised to hold his silence. 'I pray to God that the day should never come when we have to learn the meaning of being Hindu from Rahul Gandhi,' Sushma Swaraj said. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday responded to Rahul Gandhi's assertion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not understand the "foundation of Hinduism." In a sharp attack on the Congress president, Swaraj said that he is confused about his religion and caste. "Rahul Gandhi said the prime minister doesn't know the meaning of being a Hindu. He said that because he and the Congress are confused about his religion and caste. For years, the party presented him as a secular leader, but with polls nearing, when they realised that Hindus are in a majority, they created this image," ANI quoted Swaraj as saying. "Earlier, he had stated that he is a janeudhari Brahmin. But I did not know that there has been such an increase in the janeudhari Brahmin's knowledge that we have to learn the meaning of being Hindu from him. I pray to God that the day should never come when we have to learn the meaning of being Hindu from Rahul Gandhi," she further said. Ravi Shankar Prasad also took a jibe at Rahul, calling him the "confused Gandhi." The law minister was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying, "(Rahul) keeps on changing his Hindu appearances for political purposes, not by way of commitment. He isnt a Hindu by commitment, he is a Hindu by political consideration." Earlier on Saturday, Rahul had said in Rajasthan's Udaipur "What is the essence of Hinduism? What does the Gita say? That knowledge is with everybody, knowledge is all around you. Every living being has knowledge. Our prime minister says he is a Hindu but he doesn't understand the foundation of Hinduism. What kind of a Hindu is he?" While speaking to business professionals in Rajasthan's Udaipur, Rahul Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's knowledge about Hinduism. He also accused the prime minister of turning 'military asset' into 'political assets' to win elections in Uttar Pradesh. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a fresh attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and questioned his knowledge about Hinduism. At a public meeting with business professionals in Rajasthan's Udaipur, Rahul claimed that Modi does not understand the "foundation of Hinduism". ANI quoted Rahul as saying: "What is the essence of Hinduism? What does the Gita say? That knowledge is with everybody, knowledge is all around you. Every living being has knowledge. Our prime minister says he is a Hindu but he doesn't understand the foundation of Hinduism. What kind of a Hindu is he?" The Congress chief, who is scheduled to participate in public meetings in Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Hanumangarh on Saturday, also accused the prime minister of turning "military asset" into "political assets" to win elections in Uttar Pradesh. "Modi actually reached into the army's domain and shaped their surgical strike, he turned their surgical strike into a political asset when it actually was a military decision," he said. "He is convinced he knows what needs to be done in the army better than them, knows what needs to be done in foreign ministry better than the foreign minister, and also knows what needs to be done in agriculture better than the agriculture minister, all because he thinks that all knowledge comes from his brain," ANI quoted him as saying. The Congress chief also slammed the prime minister over the Centre's surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in 2016. "Do you know, that like Narendra Modi's surgical strike, Manmohan Singh ji did that three times? When the army came to Singh and said we need to retaliate against Pakistan for what they've done, they also said they (army) wanted it to be secret," Rahul said. His comments have garnered criticism from the BJP's national information technology chief, Amit Malviya. Referring to a personal attack on the prime minister by Congress leader CP Joshi, Malviya tweeted: "Rahul Gandhi picks up from where CP Joshi left. Questions PMs Hinduism implying he is someone from lower caste and unworthy of holding the high constitutional office or even commenting on Hinduism! It also establishes that all personal attacks on PM are sanctioned by Rahul." Gandhi's comments, however, didn't imply that PM Modi is from lower caste. BJP president Amit Shah, who is also campaigning in the poll-bound state, also reacted to Rahul's statements. According to ANI, Shah said at a rally in Phalodi: "I was coming from Mangalore when I saw on TV that Rahul baba was saying that Congress will form a government in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. As soon as I heard it, I saw if it is day or night. No one is prohibited to dream, but do we dream in daylight?" Shah will also address rallies in Rajasthan's Balotra, Baitu, and Barmer today. The RSS' Sankalp Rath Yatra will include all RSS affiliates and will be spearheaded by Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), the economic wing of the Sangh. The RSS has divided Delhi into 8 regions and will visit a different region every day. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Saturday will start a 10-day 'Sankalp Rath Yatra' in Delhi, demanding an ordinance for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The RSS rath yatra aims to push for a decision on the construction of the temple at the disputed site ahead of the Supreme Court hearing, which is likely to begin in January 2019. The yatra will include all RSS affiliates and will be spearheaded by Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), the economic wing of the Sangh. The 10-day rath yatra will start on Saturday from Jhandewala Mandir, a few metres from RSSs Delhi headquarters, and culminate on 9 December at Ramlila Maidan in the National Capital. The RSS has divided Delhi into 8 regions and will visit a different region every day. We are part of the family and we stand with our family. We are taking out this rath yatra to press for Ram Mandir. It will kick off at 11.30 am from Jhandewalan Mandir. It will be flagged-off by Delhi Prant Sanghchalak Kulbhushan Ahuja, SJM leader Sushil Panchak told Financial Express. The development comes days after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)s massive rally in Ayodhya, which was attended by nearly 2.85 lakh people. The party has also planned an event in Delhi on 9 December, and has booked around 10,000 buses to ferry people from Meerut, Braj and Haryana. As many as 5 lakh people are expected to attend the Dharma Sabha. The Supreme Court had previously deferred the politically sensitive matter to the first week of January, refusing to accord an urgent hearing on the Ayodhya land dispute case. The apex court order has triggered a chorus of demands from within the BJP and various Sangh Parivar outfits for promulgating an ordinance, or enacting a law in the Winter Session of the Parliament, to build the Ram temple before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls without waiting for the verdict. With inputs from PTI tech2 News Staff At the centre of the ongoing dispute regarding privacy concerns between Apple and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the tech giant has finally relented and has started hosting the regulator's Do Not Disturb (DND) app on the iOS App Store. The DND app essentially allows users to report spam numbers and register to a do not call registry to be relieved from constant telemarketing calls. The app has been available for Andriod users since 2016. iOS users can install the app here. Though, in order to install the app, you must ensure that you have the latest version of iOS 12.1 installed. Interestingly though, as a report by Money Control points out, in the TRAI DND App on iOS, currently when you try to add a number to the 'Do not call' registry, it prompts you by saying, "Registration of mobile number under DND will take up to 07 days after putting the request with respective telecom service provider". Apple had earlier refused to put TRAI's DND app on its App Store, citing privacy concerns, since the app accesses people's messages and call logs. However, in July this year, the regulator threatened to ban iPhones from Indian networks if Apple didnt approve the app before January 2019. Apple is known for protecting its users' privacy rights even against the biggest of organisations. One example of that is the 2016 San Bernadino terrorist attack, when Apple refused a US government demand to unlock an iPhone used in the attack. Apple CEO Tim Cook had said at the time that the decision was a defense of civil liberties. tech2 News Staff Announced in August this year, India's new guidelines for remotely piloted aircraft or drones as they are commonly known, comes into effect today i.e. 1 December. The guidelines are aimed to help foster technology and innovation in the development of drones devices that have an extensive range of applications ranging from disaster relief to agriculture. Now, starting today, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has opened the registration process for users who want to operate drones. Users will be required to make one-time registration of their drones, pilots and owners on the platform, which will also allow for the online filing of a drone's specific flight path and use. Press Release on Drones: pic.twitter.com/6ZlPeLJpxB Ministry of Civil Aviation (@MoCA_GoI) August 27, 2018 Do all drones need to be registered Per the new Drone Policy, Nano drones that weigh less than 250 grams will not need to be registered. So if you have a tiny drone you can safely start flying it starting today. However, micro drones, which weigh more than 250 grams up to 2 kg, small drones, that weigh between 2 and 25 kg, and the medium drones, which can weigh up to 150 kg, and the large drones, that are over 150 kg heavy, all need to be registered before flight. Further, all operators flying larger than Micro drones, which fly over 200 feet, will also require to get a permit. It's somewhat like a driver's license. What all document do I need for registration If you own any of the above drone, you will have to register on www.dgca.nic.in, and get yourself a unique identification number or UIN. For getting a UIN, you need to have an address proof, a permit from the police and the department of telecom. Once youve submitted the relevant documents, you will get a UIN, which needs to be marked on a fire-proof plate. The plate has to be installed on your device, before your drone can set flight in the air. For other instructions for filing all applications you can refer the Digital Sky Manual here, or head to the Digital Sky portal homepage. Do I need to pay any fees for registeration For getting your UIN, you will need to a pay a fee of Rs 1000. In case you are getting a fresh Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP), that costs a bit helfty at Rs 25,000, and in case you have to renew your UAOP, that will cost you Rs 10,000. Where do I pay fees for UIN and UAOP for drone? If you are using the Digital Sky Platform, then you will be prompted for payment using a digital gateway. Or else, you can head to this page, where you will need to mention the transaction receipt number and upload copy of the payment receipt in Digital Sky Platform at the time of your application. What is the safe airspace to fly a drone? The new regulations has divided the airspace in three different zones: Red Zone: Flying not permitted Flying not permitted Yellow Zone: Controlled airspace permission required before flying Controlled airspace permission required before flying Green Zone: Uncontrolled airspace automatic permission Beyond these, there are also specific regions around the country that have been marked as 'No Drone Zones'. Some of these No Drone Zones that have been defined are areas around airports, those near the international border, Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, State Secretariat Complex in state capitals and what the ministry called "strategic locations/vital and military installations". As of now, drones are allowed to operate within visual line of sight, during daytime only, and up to a maximum altitude of 400 feet. Indo-Asian News Service Amidst the pressing issue of global climate change, a study conducted by a group of scientists at IIT Kharagpur has come up with new data that they claim confirm "healing' of Antarctic Ozone hole, a statement said on Friday. "A research team from the Centre of Oceans, Rivers, Atmosphere and Land Science (CORAL) at IIT Kharagpur has come up with new data confirming that the Antarctic Ozone Hole is on a healing path," said an IIT Khragpur statement. According to the premier institute, the research is the first of its kind, providing detailed long-term (over four decades) analysis of Antarctic ozone loss saturation in terms of its occurrence and timing, using high-resolution ozonesondes - a balloon-borne instrument that measures concentration of ozone - and satellite measurements inside the vortex (a whirling mass of fluid or air) for the said period. The researchers have collected data from 1979 to 2017. The saturation of loss at 12-21 km has significantly reduced over the period 2001-2017. "We have observed over the past four decades the Ozone layer depletion peaked during winters each year except the warm winters of 1988 and 2002. However, our analysis shows a clear reduction in the frequency of occurrence of ozone loss saturation over the period 2001-2017 consistently throughout various datasets," Prof Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath said. Pankaj Kumar, Prijitha J Nair and P C Pandey were also the part IIT Kharagpur CORAL team. Data were collected for various altitudes from autumn to spring, over the decades, from stations across Antarctica, including measurements from the Indian station Maitri, the statement said. Also, the reduction of ozone loss saturation in recent years ranged from 20 percent to 60 percent, across the data spread. Explaining if it will affect the existing protocols and regulations for industrial emissions of ozone-depleting substances, Kuttippurath said: "The recovery indicated in the loss saturation layer, robustly suggests that the Montreal Protocol has definitely saved the ozone layer and climate of the Southern Hemisphere". The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty to protect the ozone layer. He further said that since there are already significant changes in the southern hemispheric climate owing to the Antarctic ozone loss, the recovery from loss saturation is very likely to affect that. "The ozone recovery process is very slow and it will take a few decades to get back to the pre-ozone hole levels. However, the emergence of ozone recovery is very clear even at altitudes where the near-complete ozone loss occurs," said P C Pandey. Former US President George HW Bush has died at the age of 94, his son George W Bush has announced. George Bush Sr, as he was known, passed away at 22:10 local time on Friday (04:10 GMT Saturday), a family spokesperson said. Born into privilege and a tradition of service, Bush was a son of a senator, celebrated World War II combat pilot, student athlete, Texas oilman, Republican congressman, national party chairman, pioneering diplomat and spy chief, reported CNN. After his own 1980 presidential campaign came up short, he served two terms as Ronald Reagan's vice president before reaching the pinnacle of political power by winning the 1988 presidential election, soundly defeating Democrat Michael Dukakis. After losing the White House in 1992, Bush became a widely admired political elder who leapt out of airplanes to mark birthday milestones. Emphasizing the generosity of his soul, he forged a close - and unlikely - friendship with Democrat Bill Clinton, the man who ended his presidency, stated the report. He was president between 1989 and 1993 after serving two terms as vice-president to Ronald Reagan. Bush's death comes after his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush, passed away on April 17 at age 92. Before her funeral, Bush was pictured in a wheelchair gazing at his wife's flower-covered casket, in a moment that encapsulated their life-long love affair. In April, he was admitted to hospital with a blood infection but had since been discharged, reported BBC. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," George Bush Jr, who went on to serve as the 43rd US president, said in a statement. "[He] was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for." Tributes have started pouring in for the former republican as soon as the news broke. US President Donald Trump praised his "essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family and country." Bush entered politics in 1964 after starting a Texan oil business and becoming a millionaire by the age of 40. During World War Two, he was an aviator before being shot down by the Japanese in September 1944 while on a bombing raid, reported BBC. Following his honourable discharge from the navy in 1945, Bush married then 18-year-old Barbara Pierce. Their marriage would last 73 years and they would have six children together. The first sitting vice president to be elected to the presidency since 1836, Bush was also only the second person in US history to see his own son follow in his presidential footsteps when George W. Bush was elected in 2000. In addition to the 43rd president, Bush is survived by his son Jeb, the former Florida governor and 2016 presidential candidate; sons Neil and Marvin; daughter Dorothy; and 17 grandchildren. His daughter Robin died of leukemia as a child, a tragedy that still moved Bush deeply late in his life. He will be buried alongside her and the former first lady at his presidential library in College Station, Texas, reported CNN. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time, according to the statement released by Bush's spokesman Jim McGrath. Bush, alongside national security adviser Brent Scowcroft and Secretary of State James Baker, engineered a soft landing for the Cold War as the Soviet empire shattered and Germany unified and then prospered -- despite widespread distrust at the time of its history and motives. In another dangerous foreign policy test, Bush decided in 1990 to build a diverse international coalition, including more than 400,000 US troops, to eject Iraqi forces from Kuwait. "This will not stand. This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait," Bush vowed before getting to work on a successful mission that united US allies in Europe and the Middle East in a lightning war. Later, with Iraqi forces routed, Bush decided not to push on to Baghdad to oust Saddam Hussein. That instinct later came to look prescient, given the blood and resources expended by the US in his son's own war against Iraq. The 1990s Gulf War was the first time the world learned of the huge leaps in precision weaponry used by US forces and ushered in a brief era of unchallenged American hegemony after the dented confidence of the post-Vietnam war era. Also on his watch, Washington backed early diplomacy between Israel and the Palestinians, which led to the Oslo accords in the Clinton presidency. Indo-Asian News Service Climate change will widen the inequality gap in India. People exposed to natural hazards in low-income regions are seven times more likely to die, and six times more likely to be injured or displaced, compared to equivalent populations in high-income regions, a report said on Friday. This analysis by New Delhi-based climate research group Climate Trends comes a day after the release of the Lancet Countdown report that showed that in the last four years 200 percent more Indians were hit by heatwaves and India faced the worst impacts of the climate change. Climate change has already caused global temperatures to rise about one degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Unless emissions are rapidly reduced, temperatures are expected to rise 1.5 degrees by 2040, two degrees by 2065 and four degrees by 2100, leading to runaway climate change as early as next 10-12 years. "Climate change threatens to create a vicious cycle for the world's poor, as further warming pushes more people into poverty, increasing their vulnerability to climate impacts," the report said. In 2017, the total damage due to floods and heavy rains in India amounted to Rs 18,279.63 crore ($2.5 billion), including damage to crops, houses and public utilities, according to the Central Water Commission. Although 2018 national data on floods and heavy damage is not available, the estimated damage from the 2018 floods in Kerala alone (Rs 20,000 crore or $2.7 billion) has exceeded the damage from all floods and heavy rains in the country in 2017. In the 2018 floods in Kerala, an assessment of economic impacts in the state found that for the 4.13 million affected working individuals in the five most affected districts, around 3.3 million workers had their employment placed in jeopardy. The tourism sector's 2019 economic projection was lowered as a result of the widespread devastation. Tourism sector workers are susceptible to indirect damage, as tourist attraction spots are destroyed by flooding and tourists avoid visiting impacted areas, said the report. Exposure to extreme weather risks is also unevenly distributed between states. Some face heightened risks from multiple climate disasters, particularly Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. India is heavily dependent on the monsoon, which accounts for about 70 per cent of the annual rainfall. As climate change alters weather patterns, access to water in India faces an uncertain future. Six hundred million people in India already face acute water shortage, according to government think tank Niti Aayog, with 54 per cent of India's groundwater wells on a decline, and 21 major cities expected to run out of groundwater by 2020, affecting 100 million people. "As a disaster that gripped public attention, floods cost Kerala Rs 20,000 crore this year. From droughts to excess rains, and heat waves in between, extreme weather events are by far the biggest scam which the public and politicians need to heed," Climate Trends Director Aarti Khosla said. Reuters Global temperatures are on course for a 3-5 degrees Celsius (5.4-9.0 degrees Fahrenheit) rise this century, far overshooting a global target of limiting the increase to 2C (3.6F) or less, the UN World Meteorological Organization said on Thursday. Greenhouse gas concentrations are once again at record levels and if the current trend continues we may see temperature increases 3-5 degrees C by the end of the century, Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said in the WMOs annual statement on the state of the climate. If we exploit all known fossil fuel resources, the temperature rise will be considerably higher. Scientists say that it is vital to limit the rise in global temperatures to 2 Celsius to avert more extreme weather, rising sea levels and the loss of plant and animal species, although limiting the rise to 1.5C would have a far greater benefit. At the 2015 Paris climate conference, the countries of the world pledged to work to limit the rise to 2C, a step that will require a radical reduction in the use of the fossil fuels that are the primary cause of global warming. On Sunday, the most important UN climate conference since Paris opens in Katowice, Poland, in one of the most polluted coal-mining regions in Europe. The talks are intended to produce a rule book on how to implement the 2015 Paris Agreement, which the United States, at the behest of President Donald Trump, has announced it will quit. Success, according to the conferences Polish host, will need a miracle. Taalas said that the lower end of the range, a 3C rise in temperatures, came from a model assuming that countries acted on their pledges to meet the Paris targets. If all the countries were able to meet their pledges, we would be able to reach 3 degrees, which would mean a growing amount of disasters and difficulties with agriculture, he said. But he added that the economic and technological means already existed to limit the rise to 1.5C. Indo-Asian News Service Elephant deaths on railway tracks may be averted when a sensor built by a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-D) is put to test. If all goes well, it may be installed along the tracks frequented by elephants and prevent their cruel deaths. "The sensors are yet to be installed. This was to be tested in the monsoon season. Since this monsoon has passed, we are waiting for the 2019 season. Our system is functional. We have tested in a similar setting but not at the site. We have earmarked the Rajaji National Park as the test deployment site. It is the ideal place, kind of a controlled environment and good for experiments. It's where trains are known to travel at the correct speed," Subrat Kar, a professor at the department of electrical engineering at IIT-Delhi, told IANS. According to the Wildlife Protection Society of India, in last five years alone India has lost near 100 elephants in train-related accidents. Moving at a slow pace, complete with their calves, they fail to respond fast enough to avoid a train hurtling towards them. In 2018, 26 elephants have so far succumbed to such collisions, the most recent being in Odisha's Keonjhar where an elephant was killed after being hit by a goods train. Kar has been working on building a sensor device for close to a decade now in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun and funded by the Railways and Department of Science and Technology. Though there has been a buzz around the apparatus for years, it is only now slated to be tested in real conditions. So far Kar has tested the sensor only inside the IIT-Delhi campus and the results have been "satisfactory". The sensor detects from a distance the movement of elephants through a number of in-built devices. Once it detects the movement of the elephants, it sends a radio signal to the nearest station, which conveys the message to the driver to either stop or slow down the train. "We will install sensors at sensitive spots, and not everywhere. There are known paths along which the elephants move, so we install sensors on these paths, which detect them through bodyrays, cameras and vibration. Then we convey the information to the nearest station and from there we convey the information to the train driver. "In the engine there's a box that signals the engine to stop. If this warning is given to the driver at least three kilometres before the train reaches the spot where elephants are expected to come in their way, he applies the breaks and slowly comes to a halt," Kar explained. "The success of this preventive measure depends on detecting the elephants much before the train is there. Three kilometres before roughly translates to 3-4 minutes before," he added. The various sensors in the device corroborate whether the moving animals are indeed elephants and not any other, like a tiger, which can cross the track without needing the train to be slowed down. "A vibration detector, capturing heat rays coming from the animals, a camera to recognise the animals, and lasers -- the sensor has these all. So we have several sensors to detect the presence of animals. We use one sensor to check the outcome of the other sensor to corroborate the result... We have our own radio network with the sensors," Kar said. Although Kar has been working on the device since 2008, things picked up pace only in 2014 when the Railways came up with Rs 30 lakh in funding. On its part, the Railways have employed a variety of methods to keep the elephant deaths in check. "Various measures have been adopted, jointly by the Railways and the forest department, to prevent elephant deaths on the tracks. These include signage on the tracks to pre-warn train drivers, speed restrictions in elephant corridors and deputing forest officials in the control room," a senior Railways official told IANS. "All these measures are adopted at locations jointly identified by the forest department and railways in Assam, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Kerala and Odisha," the official added. Reuters Researchers in Singapore are seeking a patent for a new sound-proof and heat-resistant material made from recycled plastic bottles they say could help reduce plastic waste dumped in oceans and clogging landfills. The National University of Singapore team said it had found a way to convert bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into aerogels that have many potential uses from insulation and fire safety to cleaning up oil spills. Plastic waste is one of the hardest wastes to recycle, Hai Minh Duong, an associate professor at the universitys Department of Mechanical Engineering, told Reuters Television. The team had been looking for novel engineering applications to help reduce the global scourge of plastic waste, he said. Some eight million tonnes of plastic is dumped into oceans every year, killing marine life and entering the human food chain, according to the UN Environment Program. Five Asian countries China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand accounted for up to 60 percent of plastic waste leaking into oceans, according to a 2015 study. The PET aerogels made from plastic bottle waste are soft, flexible, durable, very light and easy to handle, the team said in a statement this month. One recycled bottle can produce an A4-sized aerogel sheet, the team said, and the material can be customized for various uses by adding surface treatments to enhance its ability to absorb and insulate. For example, a sheet coated with fire retardant chemicals was able to withstand temperatures of up to 620 degrees Celsius. That is seven times higher than a regular thermal lining in a firefighters coat, and only 10 percent of the weight. Versions of the material can also be used for heat and sound insulation in buildings, cleaning oil spills and in masks to absorb carbon monoxide. The team published its research in the scientific journal Colloids and Surfaces A in August earlier this year. It filed for a patent in March and is looking for partners to mass produce the aerogel. The cost of making a 1 meter by 1 meter by 1 cm sheet could be less than S$10 ($7.30), Duong said. As countries struggle to cope with growing piles of plastic and other waste, Duong said their invention showed that engineering and technology can offer solutions. In the future, my dream is that ... there will be no waste for me to recycle, he said. Dr Binita Priyambada Its that time of the year again when wearing a red ribbon is trendy: World AIDS Day. The ribbon is a show of support for those living with HIV, which affected 36.9 million people globally in 2017. And what the red ribbon has also done to different degrees in different countries is draw people's eyes, call attention to HIV, its causes and risks and how it can damage the immune system without proper care. 1 December 2018 marks the 30th anniversary of the World Aids Day, which all the UN member states have observed since 1988. This years theme: 'Know your status' intends to promote everyone to undergo medical testing to discover if the virus exists in them and to put those diagnosed positive towards the right treatment and care. As per data gathered by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in 2018, India after South Africa, and Nigeria has the worlds third largest HIV populations an estimated 2.1 million people. India, however, made steady progress as the epidemic slowed its progression between 2010 and 2017. Today, India has the second largest HIV treatment program in the world. There was a steep drop of 27 percent in cases of new infections and a drop of 56 percent in AIDS-related deaths in the country during this time. But that streak would end last year when the number of new infections rose again up from 8,000 to 88,000 a year, and HIV deaths remained roughly the same as before at 62,000. In 2017, the country switched to a Test & Treat strategy to deal with the challenges of HIV on the World Health Organization's recommendation. But before one is introduced to the rationale behind the strategy, it is critical to know how HIV and AIDS are connected. A HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection is considered serious because the virus attacks a type of immune cell, (CD4+ cells) that protect the body from all kinds of diseases. After an individual is infected with HIV, it doesn't just destroy the infected CD4+ cells but also multiplies to infect more cells. Timely treatment can reduce the viral load in the body and thus help in preserving immunity to a great extent. AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), on the other hand, is the final stage of HIV, which can today be avoided altogether with the right treatment. During this time, the resistant to fight infections is low and the risk of developing disorders becomes higher. Whereas HIV is a virus, AIDS is a medical condition. Symptoms of an HIV positive person and an AIDS victim are significantly different, and treatments can now reduce the progression of an HIV infection to AIDS almost entirely, with the right treatment regimen. How does HIV/AIDS spread? HIV can affect anyone. The HIV virus can be transmitted from an infected person to another not just from sex, but also contact with blood, semen, vaginal secretions, even breast milk from an infected mother. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection. HIV is largely transmitted through unprotected sex. Be it heterosexual or homosexual intercourse, anal or oral sex, there is a risk of transmission from an HIV-positive sexual partner that is not seeking treatment for his/her condition. Between the two, it has been understood that the rate of transmission is lower for oral than anal sex. Therefore, sex between HIV positive and negative individuals absolutely requires protection a physical barrier like a condom or dental dam (a piece of latex that covers the vagina), and prophylaxis (preventive medication for HIV negative people that have HIV positive sexual partners). However, this is not a widely known precaution. India accounted for 86 percent of new infections caused by STIs in 2017 and 2018. Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland are the three states with the highest HIV prevalence. HIV can be transmitted via blood. For instance, blood transfusions with infected blood person and reusing or sharing syringes for medical treatment or IV drug abuse are some obvious, high-risk examples of activities that can lead to HIV being transmitted. HIV also spreads through perinatal infection, i.e. from a mother to a child during pregnancy, delivery of the baby and breastfeeding. Cases of this form of transmission are on the decline, with the rates having lowered to just 2 percent from 25 percent with the medical treatments on hand today. The virus is also found in saliva, sweat, and tears. But the rate of transfer from contact with these fluids is much, much lower. There are no reported cases of anyone catching HIV from using the same toilet seats, shaking hands, even mosquito bites or sneezing. Hugging, kissing and shaking hands are warm gestures that infected and uninfected people can continue to share without worrying about contracting or spreading HIV. The virus also doesn't survive outside the warm, energetic environment of a living person, so there is also no threat from sharing a room, clothes or a cup of coffee with HIV-positive people. How to protect yourself from contracting an HIV infection Since neither HIV, nor AIDS, have a known cure, it becomes imperative to take some precautions: Use a condom every time. When using lubricant, make sure its water-based instead of oil-based. Also, having fewer sexual partners can bring down the risks of contracting STDs in general, but also a life-long infection (till a cure is developed) such as HIV. Make sure any needles and tattoos are handled by professionals. It is important to ask and ensure your provider that they are using clean (sterile/new/just-opened seals of) needles to injecting a medication, draw blood for a test, or ink a tattoo. Should you ever need blood or blood components transplanted, make sure the lab/blood bank has tested it for HIV (also some other infective agents like HBV, etc.) Why test and treat? The first symptoms of an HIV infection can appear 2-12 weeks after transmission. Some of the visible symptoms of an HIV infection tiredness, fever, a possible headache or diarrhea resemble the flu. Some may also experience pain in the joints, get a skin rash, night sweats or drop a few kilos in weight. Swollen glands and yeast infections can be seen in the mouth or vagina. HIV symptoms can be difficult to differentiate from a regular flu, or other viral ailments at first. Oddly, it is also possible that the infection comes on with little or no visible symptoms at all. In either case, if the infection is detected early, Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) can help an HIV positive individual live as long and as well as an unaffected person can. Even for AIDS, though there is no cure, ART can increase a persons immune cell count considerably, slowing down the spread of the disease considerably. There is now also a post-exposure prophylaxis (PrOP), an emergency prevention pill, to help concerned HIV-negative sexual partners reduce their risk after sex with an HIV-positive person completely. Both testing and treating are, therefore, oh-so-important! What HIV risk really means, and should you get tested? Before understanding who should get an HIV test done, getting it done anyway is important. There is no way for doctors to assess the risk from an HIV-positive individual that isn't under treatment. For sexually-active people and all their sexual partners, getting a test done periodically is the only way to know for sure and take action quickly if needed. There is currently no shortcut or science to predict HIV risk accurately. The Centre of Disease Control and Prevention states that anyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should once include this test as part of a routine checkup. If any of the below describes you, you should certainly get tested on a regular basis for HIV: If you engage in high-risk sexual behavior If you are a sexually-active gay or bisexual man, or a partner of one If you have had unprotected sex or shared a needle with someone who's HIV status you do not know. In this case, both you and your partners should get tested within 72 hours of the incident. If one partner tests positive, the other one can be offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PrOP). PrOP needs to be started within 72 hours and taken for 28 continuous days. If you are pregnant or in the middle of a pregnancy If you share needles or syringes to inject drugs If you are diagnosed with, or have been treated for, hepatitis, tuberculosis or any STDs before. Having HIV is no longer a death sentence a straight road leading to AIDS. Today, there are plenty of treatment options for HIV-positive people, some of which are even sold by NGOs at more affordable prices to them. The only hurdle India is still quite a distance away from crossing is the sociocultural one: we're in a country that still stigmatizes HIV and AIDS. While that could take years or decades to change, there's something else that can't be delayed: knowing for sure where we stand. Information is power in the case of an HIV infection The author is a Senior Consultant to the Medical Team at docprime.com The epicentre of the earthquake was about 13 kilometres north of Alaska's Anchorage at a depth of around 40 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey. Los Angeles: A powerful earthquake rocked Alaska's Anchorage on Friday, violently shaking homes and businesses, sending scared residents into the streets and damaging buildings in Alaska's largest city. The 7.0-magnitude quake struck at 8.29 am (1729 GMT), in the middle of the school run and as workers were heading out for the day. Several people were wounded, mainly from broken glass and falling objects, but no deaths were reported, according to US media. The epicentre of the quake was about 13 kilometres north of Anchorage at a depth of around 40 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey. Police in the city of around 300,000 said it had caused "major infrastructure damage." "Many homes and buildings are damaged," the police department said in a statement. "Many roads and bridges are closed. Stay off the roads if you don't need to drive." A tsunami warning was issued for the Cook Inlet and the Kenai Peninsula following the massive quake but was quickly lifted. Residents posted pictures and videos to Twitter of damage to their homes and stores belongings knocked off of shelves, broken windows and pictures scattered on the floor. Local CBS television affiliate KTVA posted a video of a room-shaking back and forth with panels falling from the ceiling and lights flickering on and off as people hid under desks. Video shows people scrambling to take cover during a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rattled Alaska on Friday https://t.co/WP5qgVM4wO pic.twitter.com/3d9MCNHabj CNN International (@cnni) November 30, 2018 "Everyone just sprinted out of the coffee shop I was at in Anchorage in the middle of a huge earthquake," Nat Herz, a reporter with news portal Alaska's Energy Desk, posted on Twitter. "Car alarms going off, etc. But not seeing any serious damage here aside from random stuff falling over. People going back to computers, meetings." Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said the authorities were worried about access to power following the quake. "It's winter. It's cold. It's dark. And we're not sure what the power situation is," she said. "We're worried about breaks in gas lines." University, airport closed ENSTAR Natural Gas asked residents to beware of gas leaks while the main water company said there had been water main breaks. Municipal Light and Power warned of possible downed power lines and said it was seeking to restore electricity to affected customers. About two and a half hours after the quake, the utility said approximately 7,000-10,000 customers were still without power. The company said there was no damage to electricity generation infrastructure. The University of Alaska announced it was closing for the day. "All non-essential personnel should go home," it said in a tweet. Anchorage airport temporarily halted inbound and outbound flights after the air control tower was evacuated. In an audio recording posted online, an air traffic controller could be heard telling a FedEx cargo plane to go around abort its landing as the quake hit. A video posted to Twitter showed a buckled road on a highway exit ramp leading to the airport and a stranded car. The Anchorage School District told parents to come pick up their children "when you feel it is safe to do so." The Trans Alaska Pipeline, one of the longest crude oil pipelines in the world, was shut down as a precautionary measure so crews could inspect the system, but returned to service after no damage was found. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said President Donald Trump had been briefed about the quake and was monitoring damage reports. "To the Great people of Alaska. You have been hit hard by a 'big one,'" Trump tweeted. "Your Federal Government will spare no expense. God Bless you ALL!" Trump declared a state of emergency in Alaska, releasing federal aid. Alaska was hit by a 9.2-magnitude earthquake in March 1964, the strongest ever recorded in North America. It left 139 people dead. By Kylie MacLellan BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May urged Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to hold those responsible for journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder to account and said he should take action to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, her office said on Friday. The G20 summit in Argentina is the first major international event Prince Mohammed has attended since the murder of the Washington Post columnist, a critic of the crown prince, in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. The killing has strained Saudi Arabias ties with the West and battered Prince Mohammed's image abroad. By Kylie MacLellan BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May urged Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to hold those responsible for journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder to account and said he should take action to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, her office said on Friday. The G20 summit in Argentina is the first major international event Prince Mohammed has attended since the murder of the Washington Post columnist, a critic of the crown prince, in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. The killing has strained Saudi Arabias ties with the West and battered Prince Mohammed's image abroad. Saudi Arabia has said the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder. "The Prime Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that those responsible for the appalling murder of Jamal Khashoggi are held to account, and that Saudi Arabia takes action to build confidence that such a deplorable incident could not happen again," May's office said in a readout of her meeting with Prince Mohammed. May had earlier pledged to be robust when she talked to bin Salman and said that the investigation into Khashoggi's killing must be full and credible. May is keen not to alienate allies around the world as Britain prepares to leave the European Union next year in its biggest foreign and trade policy shift in more than 40 years. French President Emmanuel Macron told the crown prince earlier on Friday that Europe would insist on international experts being part of the investigation into the murder of Khashoggi. May will also meet with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday, a senior British official said, with discussion likely to include Turkey's investigation into the killing. May also encouraged the Saudis to end the conflict in Yemen. Western nations are calling for an end to the Saudi-led military campaign, launched by Prince Mohammed, as a humanitarian crisis there worsens. "On Yemen the Prime Minister set out the urgent need to bring an end to the conflict and bring relief to millions threatened by famine," she said. She urged Saudi support for United Nations Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and for progress at the upcoming Stockholm talks. Britain has come under pressure to cease arms sales to Saudi Arabia because of the high death toll in air raids by the Western-backed Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, writing by Sarah Young and Caroline Stauffer; editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Hugh Lawson and Tom Brown) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. (This story corrects to show that Heydari was testifying on Thursday, in paragraph 5.) By Gary Robertson CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Reuters) - Before the car hit him, there was an upbeat atmosphere among those protesting a white nationalist rally in Virginia last year, a student has recalled in court. The next thing Aubtin Heydari, 22, remembered was being soaked in blood and wondering why he could not walk. (This story corrects to show that Heydari was testifying on Thursday, in paragraph 5.) By Gary Robertson CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Reuters) - Before the car hit him, there was an upbeat atmosphere among those protesting a white nationalist rally in Virginia last year, a student has recalled in court. The next thing Aubtin Heydari, 22, remembered was being soaked in blood and wondering why he could not walk. Heydari was testifying at the trial of James Fields Jr., the white nationalist behind the wheel of the gray Challenger car that struck the victims, killing one and injuring 19 others. Fields, 21, faces 10 charges for his role in the violence at the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville in August 2017, including for the murder of Heather Heyer, a counterprotester killed in the collision, which was captured in widely seen videos. "A lot of people were singing protest songs and hymns, there was a lot of optimism," Heydari testified in the Charlottesville Circuit Court on Thursday, describing the mood before Fields drove into the crowd. Field says he acted in self-defence, terrified by the crowds near his car. Heydari also suffered a concussion that left him with severe memory loss. "I remember something being wrong, and seeing blood, but I didn't remember how, when or why," he told the court. "I remember not being able to talk and blood running down my face." He later learned his leg was broken and that he would require multiple surgeries. Hundreds of white nationalists had gathered in Charlottesville to protest the planned removal a statue honouring the U.S. Civil War-era Confederacy from a public park. At a rally the night before the incident, they carried torches and chanted anti-Semitic slogans. Responding after the violence, U.S. President Donald Trump said there were "very fine people on both sides," drawing criticism from Democrats and fellow Republicans for equating the white nationalists with those who demonstrated against them. Hours before driving into the crowd, Fields was photographed carrying a shield with the emblem of a far-right group, although the group later denied he was a member. The government contends that Fields' killing of Heyer was pre-meditated murder, which he denies. His trial is expected to last three weeks. (Writing by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Bill Berkrot) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman shared a chummy, enthusiastic greeting, beaming widely and clasping hands in something of a cross between a handshake and a high-five at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina Buenos Aires, Argentina: All eyes were on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Group of 20 summit on Friday as he made his first major overseas appearance since the killing of a dissident journalist in his country's consulate in Istanbul. Would he be welcomed warmly? Or shunned after US intelligence agencies concluded he ordered the grisly slaying of Jamal Khashoggi, which his country denies? So far, it's been a mixed bag. Russian President Vladimir Putin and bin Salman shared a chummy, enthusiastic greeting, beaming widely and clasping hands in something of a cross between a handshake and a high-five. The crown prince patted Putin's hand three times for emphasis as the two leaders took their seats next to each other. High five between Russia's President Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman at the G20https://t.co/q0Z9qmye51 pic.twitter.com/uVC4pfggwu BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 30, 2018 Putin and bin Salman are among the two most controversial figures at the summit in Buenos Aires, having both come under international criticism recently, and they seemed to bond over the shared experience. In Putin's case, it was about his country's weekend seizure of Ukrainian ships and their crews near Crimea. However, French president Emmanuel Macron took a cooler, more confrontational stance when he came face-to-face with the Saudi crown prince. In a seemingly awkward and tense exchange, Macron pressed bin Salman on the Khashoggi investigation and the Saudi-backed war in Yemen. Bin Salman told Macron not to worry, but Macron replied, "I am worried." An official in Macron's office said the exchange captured on video and transcripts circulating on social media "show well the president's firm stance". She did not question the authenticity of the transcripts, which included Macron saying to the prince, "You never listen to me," "Because I told you..." and "I am a man of my word". Another French official said Macron confronted bin Salman as soon as he saw him enter, calculating that it was better to address his concerns than to ignore them or shun the prince. Both officials spoke on condition they not be named in line with standard French government policy. US president Donald Trump has made it clear that he doesn't want to jeopardise the longstanding relationship between Washington and Riyadh. Asked if he had talked to bin Salman on Friday, Trump replied: "We had no discussion. We might, but we had none." A senior White House official said the two exchanged pleasantries. Saudi-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya posted video on Twitter showing a cordial handshake between bin Salman and Chinese president Xi Jinping as the two held a bilateral meeting. The whole point of the G20 formed in the wake of the global financial crisis a decade ago is finding ways to solve global problems together, but diplomats in Buenos Aires struggled to find enough things all the leaders agree on. Buenos Aires: Divisions among the world leading economies emerged from the moment their leaders gathered Friday in Argentina: Donald Trump struck his own deals and angered allies, and the leaders of Russia and Saudi Arabia bonded amid criticism from European powers. US negotiators blocked progress at the Group of 20 (G20) Summit on managing migration, slowing climate change, and streamlining how world trade is governed, according to European officials involved in the discussions. Security concerns also weighed on the two-day talks in Buenos Aires. Argentinas security minister said eight gasoline bombs were discovered in an area of the capital several miles from the summit venue where a protest in the afternoon drew thousands of demonstrators who held up banners with slogans like Go away G20 and Go away Trump. The whole point of the G20 formed in the wake of the global financial crisis a decade ago is finding ways to solve global problems together, but diplomats in Buenos Aires struggled to find enough things all the leaders agree on. Trump sought to use the summit to make his own trade deals and angered the Argentine hosts by misconstruing their position on Chinas trade practices. Meanwhile, two men under heavy criticism from the West lately Russian president Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared to seek refuge in each other, bonding with a tough-guy hand grab as the leaders sat down around a huge round table for talks. Argentine president Mauricio Macri kicked off the summit by acknowledging divisions within the G20 while urging world leaders to have a sense of urgency and take actions based on shared interests. Diplomats from the G20 countries were haggling hard over a final summit statement, with deep divisions over what language to use on the Paris climate accord and the World Trade Organisation. Two European officials involved in the discussions said the US was stymieing progress on both. So an unorthodox solution emerged: An official in the French presidents office said the statement may have language that sets the US apart. For example, a draft says 19 of the participants agree on the importance of upholding the Paris climate accord, but the US doesnt. Asked about the European concerns, a US official said progress was being made on the joint statement and the White House was optimistic about the document as a whole. Later the Argentine official shepherding the G20 finance talks, treasury official Laura Jaitman, said Trump was very active and committed in the dialogue and said progress was made in Fridays talks on finance and trade. Theres a very positive message of how trade has been an engine of growth for the next decades and how it will continue in the future providing benefits for all citizens, Jaitman said. Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie said trade talks were moving forward and nations were continuing to work on climate change wording. Despite Trumps dismissal of concerns about global warming, China, France and the United Nations came together Friday to pledge their support for the Paris climate accord. Their declaration was meant to encourage other G20 members to do the same, and to provide a boost for an upcoming UN climate summit. Overall the G20 summit is meant to focus on issues such as labour, infrastructure, development, financial stability, climate sustainability and international commerce. However, as the gathering got underway, those themes seemed like afterthoughts, overshadowed by contentious matters from the US-China trade dispute to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russia and Ukraine have traded blame over the weekend seizure of Ukrainian ships and their crew which Trump cited in cancelling a much-awaited meeting with Putin at the G20. Russias foreign minister regretted the cancellation, but said: love cant be forced. Also looming large amid dozens of bilateral meetings in Buenos Aires: The gruesome slaying of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabias Istanbul Consulate and how the Saudi crown prince, who is alleged to have ordered the killing, is received by world leaders. As soon as he arrived, the crown prince was confronted by French president Emmanuel Macron, who pressed him on the Khashoggi investigation and the Saudi-backed war in Yemen. Bin Salman told Macron not to worry, but Macron countered, I am worried. Saudi Arabia has denied that bin Salman played a role, but some leaders were concerned about seeming to legitimise a man who US intelligence agencies concluded ordered the killing. Trumps administration, however, has made clear it does not want to torpedo the longstanding US relationship with Riyadh. It is the princes first significant appearance overseas since the killing. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been sharply critical of Saudi Arabia over the incident, is also in attendance. Leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico, meanwhile, met in the morning to sign a trade deal replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement that was struck following months of tough negotiations that analysts say left a bitter taste among the partners. It must still be ratified by lawmakers in all three countries, and passage in the US could face a tough road in the House of Representatives after Democrats won a majority in November midterm elections. While Trump cancelled his meeting with Putin, the US president was still scheduled to meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping, but analysts were not optimistic about prospects for a major breakthrough on the two countries trade disputes a month before US tariffs on Chinese goods are set to ramp up. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived late after her plane suffered a technical problem. British prime minister Theresa Mays attendance at the summit marked the first time a UK prime minister has visited Argentinas capital. The only other prime minister to visit the country was Tony Blair, who went to Puerto Iguazu in 2001. The two countries have long been at odds over the South Atlantic islands known as the Falklands in Britain and the Malvinas in Argentina. Faurie, the Argentine foreign minister, said the recent establishment of more flights to the disputed islands was a positive development. We are not withdrawing our historic claim, he added. The focus of this opportunity is in the reestablishment of trust. In downtown Buenos Aires, meanwhile, thousands of demonstrators flooded the 9 de Julio Avenue waving flags and holding up banners. Several marched topless with colourful national flags of summit countries painted on their chests. About 22,000 police officers and other security forces are guarding the leaders during the summit. Argentina is the first South American country to host the G20, and officials have the added challenge of ensuring that chaos is better contained than it was at last years meeting in Hamburg, Germany, where clashes broke out between police and protesters. Argentine authorities have said they will not tolerate violence or allow the gathering to be disrupted. Former US president George HW Bush, who helped steer America through the end of the Cold War, has died at age 94, his family announced late Friday. Former US president George HW Bush, who helped steer America through the end of the Cold War, has died at age 94, his family announced late Friday. BREAKING: Former President @GeorgeHWBush has died at the age of 94. pic.twitter.com/DYfeG6gg8K Gabe Fleisher (@WakeUp2Politics) December 1, 2018 "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," his son, former president George W Bush, said in a statement released on Twitter by a family spokesman. "George HW Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for." At 94 years and 172 days, Bush was the longest-lived president in US history. He is also the first former president to pass away since Gerald Ford in 2006. A World War II hero, Bush senior served his nation as President, Vice President, CIA Director, UN ambassador, envoy to China, and congressman. Tributes poured in for the war veteran from former presidents and international community. Former President Bill Clinton, who defeated Bush in the race of presidency in 1992, remembered him for his "great long life of service, love and friendship." In a statement issued early Saturday, Clinton said he would be "forever grateful" for the friendship he formed with the man he turned out of the White House after one term. Clinton says he was always struck by Bush's "innate and genuine decency" and by his devotion to his wife Barbara and his family. Clinton adds that Bush never stopped serving even after leaving office, working on tsunami relief in Asia and within the US after Hurricane Katrina. The two former presidents worked together on those relief efforts. The office of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama said Bush's life was "a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good along the journey." The Obamas credited him with "expanding America's promise to new immigrants and people with disabilities. Reducing the scourge of nuclear weapons and building a broad international coalition to expel a dictator from Kuwait. And when democratic revolutions bloomed across Eastern Europe, it was his steady, diplomatic hand that made possible an achievement once thought anything but - ending the Cold War without firing a shot." They said: "It's a legacy of service that may never be matched, even though he'd want all of us to try." The incumbent, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump also mourned the passing of Bush. In a statement, the Trumps praised Bush for his "sound judgment, common sense and unflappable leadership." The Trumps said that Bush "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service." They also praise the former president for guiding the nation and the world to a "peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War." The Trumps add that Bush remained humble despite his accomplishments, "following the quiet call to service that gave him a clear sense of direction." Bush's secretary of state and long time confidante, James A Baker III, said his friend's legacy "will be forever etched in the history of America and the world." He noted Bush's "lifelong record of selfless patriotic service to our nation," from being the youngest US Navy aviator in World War II to serving as a Texas congressman, United Nations ambassador, the first U.S. ambassador to China, CIA director, vice president and president. In a statement, Baker said that in each position, Bush "led with strength, integrity, compassion and humility characteristics that define a truly great man and effective leader." Baker added that, "with a singularly unique consistency, he always demonstrated these traits, whether on the global stage or interacting with people in his everyday life. His passion was a deep love of family and our country." Brent Scowcroft, the national security adviser during Bush's presidency, said "The world has lost a great leader" and "this country has lost one of its best." Scowcroft said in a statement that he was "heartbroken" at losing a man a man he called "one of my dearest friends." Iran took note of the death of Bush. A scrolling news bar on state television described Bush as being "like other US presidents who wished to see the collapse of the Islamic Republic." State television on Saturday morning announced Bush's death, citing international reports. Iran remained suspicious of Bush despite his pledge of "good will begets good will." Iran leaned on Lebanon's Shiite militants to help win the release American hostages like Terry Anderson of The Associated Press, but relations went no further. One of Bush's last acts as president was pardoning former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and others for their role in the Iran-Contra scandal, an offshoot of those hostage crises. With inputs from agencies The development comes after Washington unilaterally reimposed a crippling oil embargo on Iran last month following its withdrawal in May from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Tehran: Iran said Saturday it had finalised a deal with South Korea to trade oil for goods, skirting renewed US sanctions. "A mechanism has been devised for returning oil export revenues from South Korea, by which Iran's oil export revenue will be bartered with imported goods," Hossein Tanhayi, head of the Iran-South Korea chamber of commerce, told state news agency IRNA. Washington unilaterally reimposed a crippling oil embargo on Iran last month following its withdrawal in May from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal. South Korea a close political ally of the United States has cut Iranian oil purchases to zero from an estimated 285,000 barrels per day in the first six months of the year, according to Bloomberg figures. The sanctions also target Iran's banking sector and its ability to bring dollars into the country, but leave open the possibility of trade in goods. Tanhayi did not give details of the mechanism, but said a "joint fund" could be opened between their respective central banks. South Korea is Iran's third largest trade partner after China and the United Arab Emirates. Bilateral trade has dropped from $12 billion in 2017 to $5.7 for the first 10 months of 2018, according to the chamber of commerce. It is already known that Asus is working on a sequel to the Zenfone Max M1; the Max M2 (ZB631KL) and Zenfone Max Pro M2 (ZB633KL). These new phones are expected to pack huge batteries like the predecessor but the most important thing is the brand new design as well as upgraded hardware. The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC clocked at 2.2GHz Octa-Core processor, while the regular model will have the same Snapdragon 636 SoC clocked at 1.8GHz Octa-Core processor. Both the variants will post a 6-inch Full HD+ 19:5:9 notch display. The notch is slightly wider on the Max M2 than on the Max Pro M2. The ZenFone Max M2 comes in two variants; 4GB RAM and 32GB storage and another with the same 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. The Max Pro M2 comes with 4GB RAM and storage options include 64/128GB with support for the microSD card slot. The Pro variant will also have a 6GB RAM variant just like the Pro M1. The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 expected to pack a 12-megapixel Sony IMX486 sensor on the back, coupled with a 5MP secondary shooter. The regular Max M2 will have a 13MP sensor but no further information regarding the secondary unit. The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 will have the 5000mAh.While the Max M2 comes with a metal back, the Max Pro M2 packs a glass design. We should know more details on December 11th which is when Asus will launch the Asus Zenfone Max M2 and the Pro Max M2. Source Threatened by the TRAI, Apple is finally implementing the anti-spam measures for iPhones in India. TRAI has warned Apple to ban iPhones from the countrys cellular network if the company didnt approve a government-developed Do Not Disturb app by January 2019. With the deadline approaching fast, Apple has finally implemented and the app is available on App Store. The app is named TRAI DND Do Not Disturb promises to help users curb unwanted phone calls and text messages an issue that has become hugely problematic within the country. The app combats by letting users join a do not disturb registry and allowing them to report unwanted contacts. Google allowed the app in its Play Store back in 2016 and the app was being updated to 2.0 earlier this year. Citing the privacy concerns, Apple didnt allow the app to be released on the App Store though it agreed to cooperate on a version of the app that wouldnt share a users call or message logs with Indian authorities. At the moment, it is unclear the version of DND that is released in the App Store follows the additional privacy protections beyond what was originally devised by TRAI. The registration process appears to leverage the SMS/Call Reporting framework Apple recently introduced into iOS, as it ties reporting directly into the Phones and Messages applications. It only shares specific spam content with authorities. After users select spam calls or messages, DND will auto-create complaint text messages and send them to the appropriate carrier for processing. The TRAI-DND app is already available on App Store and requires iOS 12.1 or later. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Another American has gone missing in Costa Rica and the U.S. embassy still has no answers as to the whereabouts of 5Dimes owner Sean "Tony" Creighton. Carla Stefaniak of Broward County, Florida, vanished from the Central America nation while visiting over the past week. She failed to show up for her flight back home on Wednesday afternoon. "The U.S. Department of State and our embassies and consulates abroad have no greater responsibility than the protection of U.S. citizens overseas," a U.S. State Department official told 10News in Tampa, where Ms. Stefaniak is originally from. "When a U.S. citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment." Stefaniak was last heard from speaking on the phone to her sister-in-law Tuesday evening, stating that the power had just gone out in her villa during heavy rain. She was staying at the Villa Buena Vista, Calle Hoja Blanca, San Antonio de Escazu in San Jose, Costa Rica. Airbnb says the listing is no longer available. The disappearance comes just over two months after Creighton disappeared and has yet to be heard from. The Costa Rican Star initially reported his body had been found. Gambling911.com and other media outlets were later able to confirm that Creighton's body had not been received by any morgue in the region. The U.S. embassy advised that they were not aware of Creighton's disappearance until notified by a media outlet in the United States. None of Creighton's friends, colleagues at 5Dimes or immediate family members (both in Costa Rica and in the U.S) bothered to contact the embassy. Creighton was originally from Bridgeport, West Virginia. He had owned 5Dimes since 1999 at a time when Costa Rica was becoming a hot bed for sportsbook businesses. Officials tied to 5Dimes, including Creighton's attorney, have stayed mum on the disappearance following an initial cold statement. The Costa Rica Star will not comment any further. If you have any information about either Stefaniak or Creighton's disappearance, Costa Rican investigators urge you to call 800-800-0645 or use WhatsApp to call 8800-0645. by Vladimir Rozanskij The Russian Orthodox churches in Europe are left free to join Russian Orthodoxy, after the tensions between Moscow and Constantinople linked to Ukrainian autocephaly. The Russian Churches in Europe were formed in the first decades of the 20th century, around the Russian exiles of the Revolution. They gathered great personalities like Berdjaev, Bulgakov, Losskij. The best known Russian theologians of the 1900, such as Florovskij, Afanasev, Schmemann, Evdokimov, Clement worked at the Institute of Orthodox Theology "St. Sergius" in Paris. Moscow (AsiaNews) - The Patriarchate of Constantinople has dissolved the particular Russian ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Western Europe, which had formed after the 1917 revolution for Russian refugees and emigrants. The rather unexpected decision was communicated in a very essential form, creating perplexities among priests, faithful and observers. The dissolution was carried out during the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate held from 27 to 29 November in Istanbul, during which it was also decided to proceed for the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, drawing up a kind of Constitutional Charter of the new autocephalous Church. According to the November 28 communique, signed by Metropolitan John of Charioupolis, patriarchal administrator, the dissolution wants "to respond to the pastoral and spiritual needs of our era, respecting canon law and the responsibility that derives from it". The details and consequences of this choice will be discussed at the next meeting of the Constantinopolitan Synod, and Metropolitan John invites the faithful and priests to "remain calm, awaiting the identification of the best forms of pastoral care" for the faithful interested in sudden decision. This pastoral care of the Ecumenical Patriarchate dates back to the 1920s. Some Russian bishops and metropolitans had remained cut off from their homeland, where between 1918 and 1921 the Soviet regime took over, following the revolution and the civil war between "whites" and "reds". The defeat of the pro-Tsarist white armies, to which these bishops had given their blessing, imposed painful choices. Most of the bishops met in the Serbian town of Sremski Carlovci, seat of the Serbian Patriarchate under the Habsburgs, and founded the "Russian Orthodox Church Abroad", which remained throughout the Soviet period custodian of Russia's traditions and the pre-revolutionary tsarist sentiments. This part of the Russian Church did not recognize the legitimacy of what remained under the Soviets, accusing it of collaborating with the atheist state. This split was remedied by the reunification of 2004, achieved mainly thanks to the efforts of Metropolitan Kirill (Gundjaev), now Patriarch of Moscow, and the current Metropolitan of Pskov Tikhon (Shevkunov), then known as the "spiritual father" of the president Putin. One of the most influential metropolitans of the group of exiles, Evlogy (Georgievsky), did not resign himself to the division from Moscow and moved to Paris, as a patriarchal delegate for the Russians in Western Europe. Once relations with the homeland became impossible, Evlogij agreed with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, founding the Exarchate for the Russians in Western Europe. Around him formed the most prestigious group of Russians abroad, including the intellectuals of the "ship of philosophers" expelled from Russia in 1922, with personalities such as Berdjaev, Bulgakov, Lossky and many others. They gave life to the Institute of Orthodox Theology "St. Sergius "of Paris, at the church of St. Aleksandr Nevsky in rue Daru, where later the most well-known Russian theologians of the 1900s worked, like Florovskij, Afanasev, Schmemann, Evdokimov, Clement and many others. Evlogij always considered himself in communion with the Moscow Patriarchate, and this group of "Constantinopolitan" Russians always remained a bridge of mediation between "Soviet" Orthodox Russia and the rest of Orthodoxy, and of the Christian and Western world. In light of the rupture between Moscow and Constantinople, due to the announced Ukrainian autocephaly, the decision seems to affirm that the role of the "ecumenical" Russians, by right and by choice, is now exhausted. The priests and faithful belonging to this group, which in 1999 had been restructured in a special archdiocese, will now probably have to make a choice between the return to the jurisdiction of Moscow, or "to become Greek" to stay with Constantinople. In fact, the decision prevents the formal "steps" from one jurisdiction to another, what was already beginning to take place in recent weeks, because of the mutual discomfort of those who refer to one side or the other. In recent days, for example, the Russian community of Florence decided to join Moscow and break with Constantinople. Similar fluctuations are taking place in different communities. These passages, moreover, are not new: they also occurred during the Soviet Union, depending on the favorable or contrary positions of the Russians abroad against the regime. Today the alternative is no longer between red and white, but between patriots and ecumenists. Tbilisi Sketches: In the Court of the Khinkali Queen - GeorgianJournal Asus ZenFone Max M2, ZenFone Max Pro M2 latest leak hints specifications and features of both smart News oi-Sandeep Sarkar The smartphones are tipped to be fueled by a huge 5,00mAh battery unit. Asus, the Taiwanese tech giant's last budget offering the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 was one of the best in class offering which the company had released. The company is expected to soon bring the successor of its widely popular budget category smartphone ZenFone Max Pro M1 soon. We already have seen numerous leaks and rumors suggesting the specifications and features of the upcoming Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2. Now, some other leaks have made their way to the web suggesting what the device might offer in terms of specs. The latest leaks come from WinFuture's Roland Quandt and the leaks give us a full insight on the upcoming Asus ZenFone Max M2 and ZenFone Max Pro M2. Both the smartphones will be a mid-range offering by Asus and will offer some decent set of hardware and features. The latest leak by Roland Quandt shows both the Asus ZenFone Max M2 duo's high-resolution images and flaunts the devices in its full glory. Both the Asus ZenFone Max M2 and ZenFone Max Pro M2 feature a similar design pattern with the major differences being in their internal specifications. The primary difference in the design of the ZenFone Max Pro M2 as compared to the ZenFone Max M2 is the narrow notch and thick bottom panel. In terms of design, the ZenFone Max Pro M2 features a shiny rear panel whereas the ZenFone Max M2 will come with a metal back panel. Both the smartphones are said to pack a tall 6-inch display panel which will offer a screen resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. At its core, ZenFone Max Pro M2 is expected to be powered by a Snapdragon 660 chipset, whereas, the ZenFone Max M2 will be backed by a Snapdragon 636 chipset. The chipsets on both the smartphones will be paired with 4GB of RAM for multitasking. The smartphones are further tipped to be fueled by a huge 5,000mAh battery unit which is expected to last more than a day with a single charge. As for availability, the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2 is slated to launch on December 11th, 2018 and is said to carry a budget price tag. We will keep you posted with further information on the upcoming smartphones, so stay tuned for the latest updates on technology. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Apple store logos go red around the world for world AIDS day News oi-Karan Sharma Apple changed its store logo color to red on across the word for World AIDS Day. Today is December 1st which is also known for World AIDS Day, just like every year Apple is turning the logos of its retail stores to color red to commemorate the event. The company has also published some stories on App Store which highlights the company's partnership with RED and how people can help to save a life. When the clock turns 12 am, all the Apple retail stores turned their logos red in honor of World AIDS Day. Apple stores in Australia, Japan, and more have already made the changes. The Company CEO Tim Cook has also posted a tweet saying, "together, we can achieve an AIDS-free generation." As mentioned above Apple has published a pair of Stories on the App Store. The first story comes with the title "Choose (RED). Give Life." In the first story, the company touts its partnership with (RED), and how users help the company by purchasing RED products from Apple. According to the company it has over (RED) products which includes Apple Watch bands, iPhone cases and more. Over the past 12 years, your support of our partnership has raised more than $200 million globally for (RED) to fund programs that treat HIV/AIDS. This year, we have more than 20 (RED) products - from the iPhone and Beats headphones to Apple Watch bands and cases. The second story comes with a title, "Let's Do The Impossible," in this story Apple is offering statistics on the success of treating HIV, as well as commentary from Deborah Dugan, CEO of (RED). Both the stories are available in App Store you can read the stories on iOS devices. Apple has also refurbished its PRODUCT(RED) site in Japan for the event. Apple VP Greg Joswiak announced that from December 1 to December 7, the company will donate $1 to (RED) for every Apple Pay transaction in retail stores, online, and in the Apple Store app. Source 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 Apple implements Do Not Disturb app on iPhone, after TRAI's warning News oi-Karan Sharma Apple finally implemented the anti-spam measures for iPhones in India after getting a warning from TRAI. Apple has finally started implementing the anti-spam measures for iPhones in India after getting a warning from TRAI. The company was warned by TRAI to approve a government-developed Do Not Disturb app, and the deadline was January 2019. If the company fails to implement the same then TRAI will ban iPhone from the country's cellular network. Looking at the deadline Apple has finally implemented the new app and it is available on App Store. You can search the app as 'Trai DND-Do Not Disturb'. This app will help users to check unwanted phone calls and text messages. This app will combat against the unwanted contacts. Back in 2016 Google allowed the app in its Play Store. Earlier this year the app was also updated to 2.0 version. Because of privacy concern, Apple has denied releasing the app on App Store. But it has confirmed that it will cooperate on a version of the app which is not going to be share user's call or message logs with Indian authorities. Currently, it is unclear that the version of DND that is released in the App Store follows the additional privacy protection or not. The TRAI-DND app is already available on App Store and requires iOS 12.1 or later. This app will share specific spam content to with authorities. Once a user selects a spam call or messages to DND, it will automatically create a complaint text message and send them to the appropriate carrier for processing. Source 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 ACLU Sues CIA to Find Body of Man Agency Tortured to Death Sputnik News 01:05 01.12.2018 The ACLU filed two lawsuits on Thursday against the Central Intelligence Agency to gain more information on the agency's torture program. The lawsuits were filed under the Freedom of Information Act. The first lawsuit seeks answers in the case of Gul Rahman, a suspected Afghan militant who was tortured to death by the CIA in November 2002. The ACLU wants to help his family discover what became of his body. The second lawsuit seeks information regarding the confirmation of CIA Director Gina Haspel. "To date, the CIA has told" Rahman's family "nothing, and his daughter cannot even give her father a decent burial," the ACLU said in a statement. The CIA has "desperately tried to cover up its crimes," the ACLU says of the agency's handling of inquiries into its torture practices. The statement says that the CIA had already planned to hide its activities when it tortured its "very first prisoner," Abu Zubaydah. The rights group cites a 2002 cable that dictates that if Zubaydah dies while being tortured, his body should be cremated, effectively eliminating evidence. Still, the agency's torturers were cautious, demanding to headquarters that they be given "reasonable assurances" that the prisoner "will remain in isolation and incommunicado for the remainder of his life." Langley agreed that Zubaydah "will never be placed in a situation where he has any significant contact with others." Zubaydah is still held at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp. When victims of CIA torture sued, the agency tried to convince the federal court that they couldn't even entertain the claims of the plaintiffs, because doing so would reveal "state secrets." "Unfortunately, judges largely gave in to these tactics. As a result, our courts were diminished in their vital role as a check on executive power and a means of accountability," the ACLU says. Meanwhile, Haspel, who oversaw torture at a CIA blacksite in Thailand, was confirmed to the position of CIA director in May. The same month that Gul Rahman was being tortured to death, Haspel was overseeing the torture of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri. "To date, the CIA has told the American public nothing about Haspel's role in the agency's torture program," the ACLU says, adding that an "unprecedented propaganda campaign" was waged on her behalf in order to get her through the Senate nomination process. "If it appears CIA is being more robust than normal in supporting this nomination, that's because we are," CIA spokesman Ryan Trapani told the New York Times in May. Now, as director of the agency, Haspel "is effectively in control of whether her own record of torture remains secret," the ACLU says. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) wrote a "fifth time" to request declassification of Haspel's background back in April. Haspel was deputy director of the CIA between February 2017 and May 2018, but was acting director during her confirmation process. "Under the 'Get to Know our Deputy Director,' the CIA issued a press release that included a superficial narrative about Ms. Haspel without providing the public any information about her 33-year career at the CIA," the senators wrote, calling the propaganda campaign by former CIA officials and "anonymous 'current and former intelligence officials'" a "great disservice to the American people." Now, the ACLU is demanding CIA documents detailing the propaganda campaign. "The common thread linking the continued suffering of Rahman's family and the CIA's efforts to whitewash Haspel's history is the agency's use of extreme secrecy to avoid accountability for its shameful and illegal torture program," the group says. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AFCENT publishes October Airpower Summary By AFCENT Public Affairs, AFCENT Public Affairs / Published November 30, 2018 SHAW Air Force Base, S.C. (AFNS) -- "Our mission is to deliver decisive air and space power on behalf of U.S. Central Command for the security and stability of the region. We do this mission proudly, alongside our international, joint and interagency partners," said Lt. Gen. Joseph Guastella, Combined Forces Air Component commander. In October, the Afghan Air Force played a pivotal role in the country's parliamentary elections, delivering and retrieving voting materials to and from election centers throughout the provinces. Their crucial contributions reflect the developing professional and capable air force with whom Air Forces Central Command Airmen partner in NATO's Resolute Support Mission to train, advise and assist Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. As part of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, Airmen continued striking ISIS and supported Coalition clearance operations within the Middle Euphrates River Valley. Coalition Aviation Advisory and Training Team members worked with partners and allies to develop the Iraqi Aviation and Air Defense Enterprise. Chief Master Sergeant Shawn Drinkard, U.S. Air Forces Central Command chief, said that these partnerships are a key component to air operations in the AFCENT area of responsibility. "Coalition airpower requires teamwork. And a strong coalition represents our competitive advantage over our common adversaries," said Drinkard. "We remain coalition-ready and coalition-strong, presenting capable and credible air forces to help defeat violent extremists in the region, defend U.S. and Coalition interests, deter regional adversaries and firmly address great power competitors." The airpower summary is online at the following link: Airpower Summary - Oct. 2018 Operation Freedom's Sentinel in Afghanistan In October, CFACC-assigned aircraft flew 765 strike sorties in Afghanistan, releasing 769 weapons in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew 1,795 sorties, totaling 10,078 sorties this year. Tankers flew 478 sorties and offloaded 22 million pounds of fuel to 1,966 receivers. Meanwhile, airlifters flew 937 sorties including one C-130 airdrop. Our mobility team delivered 5,758 cargo short tons and 12,572 personnel in the month. Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria The airpower weight of effort in October for Operation Inherent Resolve was close air support in the Middle Euphrates River Valley with the U.S. and Coalition flying 1,237 strike sorties and releasing 876 weapons. Meanwhile, manned and unmanned ISR aircraft flew 526 sorties, providing battlespace awareness and target development. Tankers flew 629 sorties in October, offloading 37 million pounds of fuel to 3,727 receivers, extending aircraft range and loiter time over operating areas. Airlifters flew 660 sorties, delivering 3,643 short tons of cargo and transporting 5,159 passengers, all increases from September. C-130s flew two airdrop missions weighing a total of 50,000 pounds, contributing to the 310,040 pounds of supplies airdropped this year. U.S. and Coalition Airmen train Iraqi partners The Iraqi Air Enterprise continues to work towards milestones as they integrate with Coalition forces to defeat ISIS. The 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group air advisors conducted a non-destructive inspection class with Iraqi Army Aviation and U.S. Army to provide a crucial inspection on an Iraqi combat helicopter which was deemed non-operational. Through the inspection, Air Advisors were able to teach best practices and techniques and ultimately return the helicopter to flight operations. Meanwhile, the 447th Air Expeditionary Group continued enabling the fight to secure the lasting defeat of ISIS by Coalition partners through agile airfield management, cargo processing and personnel movement. "Through operations, exercises and inspections, we work alongside our Iraqi partners to bring more and more capability to the fight against ISIS. This strengthens our relationship as partners and ensures their growing and long-term success as a credible force," said Brig. Gen. Brook Leonard, Coalition Aviation Advisory and Training Team director. "Daily great decisions by every Airman and daily professional interactions between coalition and Iraqi service members exemplify the teamwork needed to win a lasting peace." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pax River F-35 ITF leaves HMS Queen Elizabeth after 'eclipsing aspirations' Navy News Service Story Number: NNS181130-06 Release Date: 11/30/2018 10:56:00 AM From HMS Queen Elizabeth Communications Team Public Affairs NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- F-35 Lightning jets from the Pax River Integrated Test Force left HMS Queen Elizabeth, Nov. 19, 2018, after eight weeks flying on and off the 65,000-tonne warship, helping to write the 'operator's manual' so the jets can fly from her deck on front-line operations. The success of the Westlant 18 deployment which has also included a very high-profile visit to New York allows the Portsmouth-based ship to move on to operational trials next year with British-owned F-35s flown by Naval and Air Force aviators based at RAF Marham. Two F-35B test jets, four test pilots and nearly 200 personnel based at the F-35 ITF at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, joined the carrier in late September. Since then they have performed 200 short take-offs, 187 vertical landings, and 15 'rolling' landings a technique unique to the UK which allows a Lightning to return to the carrier with a heavier payload and dropped 54 dummy bombs into the Atlantic. "This has been one of the most comprehensive flight trials at sea ever conducted," said Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Andy Edgell, FOCFT (FW) lead test pilot with the F-35 Pax River ITF. "I am very proud to have professionally executed every aspect of this trial and deliver for the UK a capability that can be exploited for years to come." Royal Navy Commander Nathan Gray, test pilot at the F-35 Pax River ITF and the first person to land a jet on HMS Queen Elizabeth, added: "It has been phenomenal to get through a high profile with such success. This is due to the skills of the designers of both the F-35 and the ship herself. "It is beyond question that without the vision of the Royal Navy and the unfailing support of the ship's company we would not have achieved what we have done today," he said. "I am proud to have delivered this future and enduring operational capability." Weapons experts loaded various configurations of bombs and missiles on to the Lightnings, making use of HMS Queen Elizabeth's unique automated munitions magazine. ITF scientists recorded masses of data from the ship and the jets; that data will determine the limits (weather, humidity, pitch and roll of the ship, aircraft weight) at which the Lightnings can safely launch from and land back on HMS Queen Elizabeth and her sister Prince of Wales. "It goes without saying that this was a phenomenally successful shipboard detachment," said Andrew Maack, F-35 Pax River ITF Chief Test Engineer and Site Director. "I could not be more proud of the collective team effort between the ITF and the HMS Queen Elizabeth crew to make this happen." U.K. Captain Nick Cooke Priest, HMS Queen Elizabeth's new Commanding Officer who was in command for the second phase of this current set of F-35 trials said this autumn's trials had marked "a significant milestone on the Royal Navy's journey back to big deck carrier operations. "The schedule has been busy and challenging and the results have eclipsed the aspiration; this success is largely due to the exceptional relationship that exists between the ship and her embarked staff, and the scientists, engineers and pilots of the F-35 Integrated Test Force, all of whom have shown exceptional professionalism, dedication and drive," Cooke Priest said. He continued: "This deployment has however delivered far more than the initial integration of fixed wing aircraft with the ship. It has re-introduced the true value that carrier capabilities bring to the UK and her allies, it has deepened our relationship with our closest ally, demonstrated our nation's engineering prowess and cemented our commitment to the future as a global navy." The carrier is now spending time in Norfolk, Virginia, offloading the ITF team and their equipment before heading back to Portsmouth in time for Christmas. She will come home, said U.K. Carrier Strike Group Commander Commodore Michael Utley, with a real buzz on board. "This is positive time to be a Royal Navy sailor, a positive time to be Royal Navy aircrew and a positive time for the UK-US partnership in providing a greater depth of security across the globe." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two-thirds of children in C. Africa need emergency aid: UNICEF Iran Press TV Fri Nov 30, 2018 05:11PM The United Nations children's agency UNICEF has warned that two-thirds of all children in Central African Republic, amounting to 1.5 million kids, need emergency aid. The UN agency said in a new report on Friday that the number of children in need of emergency assistance in the strife-torn country has increased by 300,000 to some 1.5 million nationwide, compared with 2016. Christine Muhigana, the UNICEF's top representative in the country, told journalists in Geneva that the situation in CAR is "probably even worse" than during the country's conflict of 2013. In March 2013, the Central African Republic plunged into chaos when then-president Francois Bozize was toppled and replaced by Michel Am-Nondokro Djotodia, the first Muslim to hold the presidency in the country. Djotodia's opponents then formed "anti-Balaka" vigilante units, drawn from the Christian majority, which began to target Muslims and commit widespread atrocities. In 2014, some 11,000 peacekeepers were deployed by the UN to the country as part of MINUSCA or the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic. Seleka and anti-Balaka representatives signed a ceasefire agreement later that year but the country has not yet fully emerged from its bloody past. Reports say there are at least 18 armed groups operating in the country, fighting for control of the natural resources. "What we are trying to do under these extraordinary circumstances is to keep children alive," Muhigana said. According to the UNICEF, one in four children are either internally displaced or have fled the country as refugees due to the conflict. Attacks on aid workers in CAR also increased fourfold this year, making responding to those in need increasingly difficult. Some 294 attacks targeting aid workers were recorded in the first eight-and-a-half months of this year, compared to only 67 such incidents through all of 2017, according to UNICEF. The UNICEF called the emergency in CAR "one of the most neglected" in the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US airstrike in Helmand killed 23 civilians, UN says Iran Press TV Fri Nov 30, 2018 11:27AM At least 23 civilians, most of them women and children, have been killed in a US airstrike in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, the UN says. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) pointed to a sharp increase in civilian casualties from the air operations in a Friday statement, emphasizing that it was particularly concerned about the high number of children impacted by the bombardment. "Initial findings indicate that the vast majority of the victims were women and children," said the statement following its probe of the attack on suspected Taliban targets. "The Mission is actively working to verify information indicating up to 10 children were killed along with eight women, and three children were injured, including an eight-year-old boy," added the UNAMA statement. Local residents insist that at least 30 people were killed as the result of the air strike, which was carried out amid a surge in US-led air operations as the US military claims to have adopted a more aggressive approach in its bid to force Taliban militants to "peace" talks. This is while the US military claims that it is also conducting its own investigation of the airstrike on Tuesday in which a helicopter hit a compound during a joint operation with American and Afghan forces in Garmsir district of the province. Elsewhere in Helmand, explosive ordnance struck residential units during clashes between the Taliban militants and Afghan security forces days ago, killing two civilians and injuring at least 14 others, including 10 children. According to the UN, those clashes occurred in the Nad-e-Ali district. The clashes broke out after the Taliban militants reportedly entrenched in the vicinity of civilian homes launched an attack on an Afghan National Army convoy. Pointing to the two incidents, UNAMA expressed major concern regarding the number of children that were disproportionately affected, comprising 55 percent of the civilian casualties. UNAMA further underlined that aerial attacks in Afghanistan in the first nine months of this year have caused nearly 650 civilian casualties, including 313 deaths. The figure includes the highest number of civilian casualties from aerial operations documented by the organization since 2009. According to UNAMA, the persisting war in Afghanistan caused more than 8,000 civilian casualties -- including 2,738 deaths between January 1 and September 30 in the current year alone. In the first nine months of the year, it maintains, US aircraft released 5,213 weapons, more than in any other year since 2011, when there were more than 100,000 American military forces in Afghanistan. The United States appointed Zalmay Khalilzad, its former ambassador to Iraq and Afghanistan, in September to lead the reconciliation efforts with the Taliban. Khalilzad has since been traveling to the region for discussions with the national government and the Taliban to renew the peace talks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthis vow to liberate southern Yemen on anniversary Iran Press TV Fri Nov 30, 2018 10:19AM A senior Houthi official says Yemen will liberate the country's south from the grip of separatists and aggressors led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Mahdi al-Mashat, the senior political leader of the popular resistance movement, made the remarks in a statement on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the country's independence from Britain. He likened the situation in the area to the one that existed under the colonial era, urging its liberation, Yemen's al-Masirah television network reported on Thursday. Separatists in southern Yemen, backed by the United Arab Emirates, have called for secession of the restive port city of Aden and other southern provinces, controlled by officials of the country's former Saudi Arabia-allied government. The separatists want to revive the former South Yemen republic, which merged with the north in 1990. Aden, Yemen's second largest city, used to be the capital of the once independent South Yemen. The UAE has played a key role in a Saudi military campaign, which was launched in March 2015 with the aim of reinstalling the government of former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. Yemen has no effective government for now, and the state affairs are now being run by Ansarullah, which also defends the country against the aggressors. Prior to the Saudi aggression, Hadi resigned and fled to Riyadh. The Saudi regime and its allies later managed to seize Aden from the Houthis and put it under the control of the ex-president's officials. Mashat said the Yemeni republic did not have any envoys at the United Nations, saying those alleging to be the country's ambassadors at the UN were not representing Yemen. However, the Houthi movement respects all efforts to resolve the country's crisis, he added. The official urged reconciliation based on mutual respect and demanded serious endeavors towards finding a clear and logical solution aimed at bringing different sides to the conflict back to the negotiating table. The UN peace envoy Martin Griffiths has been trying to help re-launch the talks in Sweden. The negotiations have fallen apart on several occasions over the past years due to Saudi Arabia's constant violation of provisional ceasefires. The Saudi war has killed thousands of people, while thousands others have died of the malnutrition resulting from a concomitant crisis. Nilesat move against al-Masirah Separately, Abdel Bari Atwan, the editor-in-chief of Rai al-Youm, a pan-Arab digital news and opinion website, took to Twitter, condemning Nilesat's move on Wednesday to take al-Masirah TV off the air. The Egyptian satellite company stopped broadcasting al-Masirah, accusing the Yemeni television channel of "sectarian programming," according to Saudi state television Al Arabiya. "Media empires, which spend billions of dollars, are afraid of a simple channel," Atwan wrote. Ibrahim al-Dailami, the director-general of the channel, told IRNA the company's move signaled that the invaders were prepared to perpetrate more atrocities against the Yemeni nation. Nilesat and Arabsat, he reminded, had previously targeted the Iran's Arabic-language channel Al Alam, Lebanese channels Al Mayadin and Al Manar, as well as such Yemeni channels as Saba, Yemen, Al Iman, and Al Sahat. In 2003, Nilesat jammed broadcast of Al Alam and pulled off the plug on Al Manar in 2016. "The enemies target independent and resistant media," Dailami said, adding it was the ninth time al-Masirah had been taken off the air. Al-Masirah Mubasher, which broadcasts live, has also been pulled three times so far, he said. Such moves, in addition to actions taken against the channel's pages and accounts on social media platforms and messaging applications, "only increase our determination and sacrifices aimed at reflecting the Yemeni nation's suffering and the heroism of the country's fighters and soldiers better." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban Infighting Leaves Dozens Of Militants Dead In Afghanistan By RFE/RL November 30, 2018 Afghan officials say clashes between two Taliban factions have killed dozens of militants in the country's west, underlying divisions in the militant group that has waged a deadly 17-year insurgency against the Western-backed government in Kabul. Jilani Farhad, the spokesman for the governor of Herat Province, said at least 28 Taliban fighters were killed and 25 wounded in the Shindand district, near the border with Iran, on November 30. Hekmatullah Hekmat, the district's head, said the clashes pitted fighters loyal to Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada against forces allied with Mullah Mohammad Rasul, a former militant commander who leads a breakaway faction in western Afghanistan. Mullah Rasul's faction has been engaged in deadly clashes with fighters from the mainstream Taliban in southern and western Afghanistan since 2015, leaving scores dead on both sides. In October 2017, at least 40 Taliban militants from the warring sides were killed in clashes in Shindand district. In June 2017, a Taliban suicide bomber riding a vehicle packed with explosives targeted supporters of Mullah Rasul in the southern province of Helmand, killing four fighters. Mullah Rasul's group is active in the provinces of Herat, Farah, Nimroz, and Helmand and is believed to be fighting the mainstream Taliban for control of drug-smuggling routes. Mullah Rasul is believed to receive arms and support from Afghan intelligence, which has attempted to divide the militant group. Mullah Rasul, who was believed to have been close to Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar, served as the governor of southwestern Nimroz Province during the group's rule from 1996-2001. Mullah Rasul has expressed willingness to reach a peace deal with Kabul, unlike the mainstream group, which has rejected calls for talks with what it considers a puppet government. The Taliban announced the death of Mullah Omar in 2015. But the Afghan government said Mullah Omar had died in the Pakistani port city of Karachi two years earlier. Some Taliban commanders like Mullah Rasul accused the leadership of covering up Mullah Omar's death and have not recognized subsequent leaders. With reporting by Tolo News and Khaama Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban- infighting-leaves-dozens-of-militants-dead-in- afghanistan/29630816.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bosnian Muslim Commander Oric Aquitted Of War Crimes Charges By RFE/RL's Balkan Service November 30, 2018 Naser Oric, the Bosnian Muslim commander who defended Srebrenica during the 1990s war, has been acquitted of war crimes charges. The Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sarajevo delivered the ruling on November 30. "Naser Oric and" his fellow fighter "Sabahudin Muhic are acquitted of charges of having committed during the war ... crimes against prisoners," Judge Tihomir Lukes said. The two men were tried again for the killing of three Serb prisoners in the Srebrenica area at the start of the 1992-95 war, which pitted the country's Serb, Muslim and Croat communities against each other. A Bosnian court in October 2017 acquitted Oric and Muhic of killing three Serb prisoners of war in the Bratunac and Srebrenica area during the conflict, in which more than 100,000 people were killed. Oric is seen as a hero by many Bosnian Muslims for his role in defending Srebrenica, which fell in July 1995 to Bosnian Serb troops who killed more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in what is considered Europe's worst atrocity since World War II. In a separate case in 2006, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague convicted Oric of failing to prevent men under his command from killing and mistreating Bosnian Serb prisoners in 1992-93. But he was immediately released because he had already served time in pretrial detention. In 2008, the UN court's appeals chamber overturned the verdict, ruling that prosecutors had not proved that Oric had control over the men in his command. Unhappy with the acquittal, Belgrade in 2014 launched an international warrant over the killing of Serb civilians near Srebrenica in 1992, leading to his arrest in Switzerland in 2015. Belgrade demanded that Oric be sent to Serbia for trial, but Swiss authorities extradited him to Bosnia, citing the fact that Oric is a Bosnian citizen. Oric and Muhic were acquitted of the charges in October 2017 when the judge ruled that the testimony of a protected witness lacked credibility and was contradictory. With reporting by AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bosnian -muslim-commander-oric-aquitted -war-crimes/29630435.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Says He Will Meet Putin At 'The Appropriate Time' By RFE/RL November 30, 2018 U.S. President Donald Trump says he has a "very good relationship" with Vladimir Putin, despite calling off planned talks after the Russian coast guard seized Ukrainian sailors and naval vessels, and will meet with the Russian president when the time is right. In a wide-ranging November 30 interview with the Voice of America (VOA) on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Trump also talked up a new trade deal with U.S. neighbors Mexico and Canada and suggested he is not very concerned about China's growing global reach. He indicated that he wants more beneficial trade ties with the European Union and others, saying that the United States has been "ripped off" by many countries for many years. Trump had been scheduled to meet with Putin on December 1 for talks that the Kremlin had said could last two hours -- the first major meeting between the two since a summit in Helsinki in July, after which he faced criticism for seeming to accept Putin's assertion that Moscow did not meddle in the election that he won in 2016. But the U.S. president abruptly called off the meeting, tweeting on November 29 that "it would be best for all parties concerned" to cancel because the naval craft and sailors seized by the Russian coast guard off Crimea four days earlier had not been returned to Ukraine. In the VOA interview, Trump said that "in light of what happened with Ukraine with the ships and the sailors, it just wouldn't be the right time, but I will meet with him. I think we have a very good relationship, and I think we're going to have a very good relationship with Russia, and China, and everyone else. I mean, I think it's important. So I'll meet with him at the appropriate time." Asked about Putin's possible motives and intentions regarding Ukraine, Trump said: "I can't read his mind, and nobody can, and he knows what he wants to do, but we can't allow certain things to happen, and you know, it happened, and I just can't be a part of it." In the confrontation on November 25, Russian vessels first rammed a Ukrainian navy tugboat and later opened fire before boarding three naval boats and taking all 24 crewmembers into custody, including six who were wounded -- three apparently seriously. The crewmembers were taken to Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that Russia seized from Ukraine in March 2014 after sending in troops, and Russian courts there ordered them held in custody for two months pending possible trial on border violation charges punishable by up to six years in prison. Lawyers, officials and media reports later said that the Ukrainians were taken to Moscow, where 21 were confined to the Lefortovo jail and the other three were in a hospital at another jail. The incident near the Kerch Strait, the only route from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov -- where Ukraine has major ports -- ratcheted up tensions between Kyiv and Moscow and prompted fears of a new front opening up after more than four years of war between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Western leaders have criticized Russia and called for the release of the Ukrainian sailors. On November 30, the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized countries and the European Union called the seizure of the vessels unjustified and demanded Russia free the sailors, saying that the standoff had "dangerously raised tensions." The foreign ministers of G7 members Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, as well as the EU's high representative, called on Russia "to release the detained crew and vessels and refrain from impeding lawful passage through the Kerch Strait." In an initial comment on November 30, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin regretted Trump's decision to cancel the meeting, stating that "discussion of important issues on the international and bilateral agenda will be postponed indefinitely," but that it would give Putin more time to talk to other leaders. Putin "is ready to have contacts with his American counterpart," Peskov said. Later in the day he made a more critical statement, saying that it is in the interests of "the whole world" for Moscow and Washington to discuss pressing issues and that "the longer these questions are not discussed, the more it leads to tension." Peskov had said that Putin and Trump would probably meet briefly "on their feet" during the summit, which ends on December 1, but there was no immediate evidence that they did so on its first day. News reports said they did not greet one another when leaders gathered at the start, and they stood far apart when leaders and their spouses posed for a photograph later in the day. With reporting by VOA, Reuters, AFP, CNN, RIA Novosti, RBC, Interfax, and TASS Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump- says-he-will-meet-putin-at-the- appropriate-time-/29631124.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Defends His Russian Business Efforts As 'Very Legal & Very Cool' November 30, 2018 U.S. President Donald Trump has defended his decision to seek a business deal in Russia in 2016 even as he pursued the Republican presidential nomination. In a series of tweets from Buenos Aires, where he is attending the G20 summit, Trump called his business deal "very legal" and "very cool," while adding that he had abandoned his project in Russia. "Oh, I get it! I am a very good developer, happily living my life, when I see our Country going in the wrong direction (to put it mildly). Against all odds, I decide to run for President & continue to run my business-very legal & very cool, talked about it on the campaign trail... Lightly looked at doing a building somewhere in Russia. Put up zero money, zero guarantees and didn't do the project. Witch Hunt!" Trump said on Twitter. Trump posted the tweets a day after his longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, admitted that he had lied to Congress about the timing and extent of his discussions with unnamed Russian officials about a proposed Trump-branded development in Moscow. Cohen had previously said that talks about the deal stopped in January 2016, but, according to Mueller's court filing, those discussions were ongoing as late as June 2016, as Trump was closing in on securing the Republican party's nomination to be U.S. president. Cohen admitted that he had misled the Senate Intelligence Committee about that and other details in testimony he provided to the committee in August 2017. Trump lashed out at Cohen after a plea deal was announced on November 29, calling him "a weak person" and a "not very smart person." The U.S. Special Counsel's Office is investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump's campaign. Trump has repeatedly called the investigation a "witch hunt." The White House said on November 30 that ties between Russia and the United States are likely being damaged by the investigation into whether Trump colluded with Moscow during his campaign. "Unfortunately, it probably does undermine our relationship with Russia," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. She referred to the probe as "the Russian Witch Hunt Hoax." "However, the reason for our canceled meeting is Ukraine. Hopefully, that will be resolved soon so that productive conversations can begin," Sanders added. Trump had said on Twitter that he canceled the meeting with Putin over Russia's seizure of Ukrainian ships and sailors. He announced the cancellation shortly after Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team has brought charges or secured convictions against more than two dozen Russian nationals and entities, as well as a number of Trump's associates, including his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, who will tentatively face sentencing on March 5, according to a November 30 ruling by a federal judge. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and the BBC Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-defends -his-russian-business-efforts-as-very- legal-very-cool-/29630853.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kosovo Spurns EU, U.S. Calls To Lift Heavy Tax On Serbian Imports By RFE/RL November 30, 2018 Kosovo has spurned calls from the United States and European Union to eliminate a new 100 percent tariff on Serbian imports, saying the levy will stay until Serbia recognizes Kosovo's sovereignty and reaches a normalization agreement with its neighbor. Kosovar Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said on November 29 that his government imposed the tariff to send a "message" to Serbia that it must not only accept the former republic's declaration of independence but it must stop blocking Pristina's efforts to join the United Nations, Interpol, and other international organizations. "Some people may think this decision will only last a few days, but they shouldn't assume that. It can stay in place for a very long time," Haradinaj said, "for as long as it takes for Serbia to recognize Kosovo, for us to get a comprehensive agreement that contains everything -- recognition, UN membership, agreement on debts, pensions, and missing persons, and the removal of tariffs." Haradinaj said Kosovo is "serious" about keeping the tariff in place until Serbia negotiates "a final package, a final agreement for mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia." Washington has called on Kosovo to lift the tariff, saying it is blocking efforts by both Pristina and Belgrade to normalize relations and join the EU, while the EU has warned that the customs tax violates the Central European Free Trade agreement. "This is a measure that does not help to build good neighborly relations and needs to be revoked," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told Kosovo President Hashim Thaci during a phone call on November 28. But Haradinaj rejected those overtures, saying the tax will stay in force for as long as it takes until Kosovo stops being "denied a place at the table." Kosovo seceded from Serbia in 2008 in a move recognized by more than 110 nations but not recognized by Belgrade, which has worked with its ally Russia to block Kosovo from joining the UN and an array of international organizations. Still, the two Balkan neighbors have been engaged in EU-sponsored talks aimed at normalizing relations and resolving their differences. The EU has made clear that such normalization is needed for either nation to succeed in their bids to join the Western bloc. Angry Reactions Kosovo instituted the 100 percent tariff on Serbian and Bosnian imports on November 21 in retaliation for what it said were Belgrade's efforts to undermine it on the international stage. The move drew angry reactions from Belgrade and Sarajevo, and also prompted the mayors of four predominantly ethnic Serb municipalities in northern Kosovo to resign. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on November 29 urged ethnic Serbs in Kosovo to keep up their peaceful protests against the tariff, which he said "destroys regional stability and peace" and has "horrible economic consequences." Serbia is Kosovo's top trade partner in the Balkans, with Serbian imports -- mostly food products -- topping more than 400 million euros a year. Still, the tariffs have as yet to trigger any significant food shortages or price surges. German government spokesman Steffen Seibert on November 28 criticized both Serbia's campaign to keep Kosovo out of Interpol and Pristina's subsequent decision to impose the tariffs, and said both sides should "avoid escalation." The U.S. State Department has also urged the two neighbors to stop feuding, saying that "normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia is the only way to clear the path to both countries' future integration into the Western community of nations." With reporting by AP, RFE/RL's Balkan Service, and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo -spurns-eu-us-calls-lift- tariff-serbian-imports-normalization- sovereigty-talks-haradinaj/29629531.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing Sends Warships to Warn US Over Its 'Provocation' in S China Sea Sputnik News 16:08 30.11.2018 The warning came after the US Pacific Fleet said that its guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville had sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea to challenge what it described as Beijing's "excessive maritime claims." Beijing has lodged a protest against a US navy ship sailing close to the disputed islands in the South China Sea, according to Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang. He said that the US ship had entered Chinese waters without permission and that Beijing had made its position known with its "stern representations". Geng added that the Chinese military "had sent its ships to watch the US vessel and to warn it to leave the area." "Beijing urges the American side to immediately stop such provocative actions, which violate China's sovereignty and threaten security," he underscored. Earlier on Friday, US Navy Commander Nathan Christensen, a spokesman for the US Pacific Fleet, told CNN that the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville "sailed near the Paracel Islands to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways, as governed by international law. Christensen added that the Chancellorsville conducted what is referred to as a "Freedom of Navigation Operation" in the vicinity of the Paracel Islands to challenge claims made by China. He noted that the US warship was shadowed by a Chinese vessel but that all interactions were deemed safe and professional. "US Forces operate in the Indo-Pacific region on a daily basis, including the South China Sea. All operations are designed in accordance with international law and demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows," Christensen stressed. Over the past few years, Beijing has cultivated a slew of military assets in strategic areas of the South China Sea for what it calls national defence purposes. The resource-rich sea, which is also enormously important for trade in and out of Asia, is contested by numerous southeast Asian nations, which each claim unique and frequently overlapping rights to reefs, islets and fishing waters within the area. Apart from China, the Spratly Islands and Paracel Islands, which are among the more frequently disputed territories, are also claimed by Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. China has exerted de facto control over the Paracels since 1974. US officials have long expressed alarm at Beijing's construction of industrial outposts and military facilities on artificial islands in the South China Sea but have mostly limited their reaction to verbal reproach. US Navy ships continue to carry out "freedom of navigation" operations in these areas, with US Air Force bombers sometimes conducting flyovers of the South China Sea. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthis Ready for Talks in Sweden, But Ask UN for Security Guarantees Sputnik News 13:36 30.11.2018 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Houthis are ready to take part in talks on Yemen in Sweden, but demand that the UN resolve the issue of providing the aircraft, issuing the permit for its departure and the delegation's security, a representative of the Ansar Allah Houthi organization told Sputnik. "There are preparations that the UN should do by the date [December 6], they are connected with the arrival of the delegation from Sanaa to Sweden in terms of providing the aircraft, permit and guarantees of security for the delegation, transportation of those wounded and other things," the member of the political bureau of the Ansar Allah Houthi organization Fadl Abu Talib said. Talib further noted that the prospective talks on Yemen in Sweden would last 7-10 days. The move comes after the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a resolution on Wednesday to end US support for the Saudi coalition's war against Yemen. The step brings the Senate closer to ending US support for the three-year war in Yemen, which has created a humanitarian catastrophe in the country, pushing millions to the brink of starvation and allowing cholera to thrive. Last week, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths said that Yemen's Houthi rebels have agreed to hold discussions aimed at providing to the United Nations the main role in the country's port of Hodeidah. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway Discovers 'Dramatic' Safety Errors on Sunken Frigate, Its Peers Sputnik News 09:15 30.11.2018(updated 09:22 30.11.2018) Amid their investigation of the Norwegian frigate KMN Helge Ingstad, which sank after NATO drills while formally under the alliance's command, experts have warned that the vessel's four sister ships in the Norwegian navy all suffer from the same defects and want answers from the Spanish shipyard that built them. An interim report presented by the investigation committee looking into the circumstances of the KMN Helge Ingstad's collision with a tanker on November 8 includes several 'safety-critical' findings, Norwegian national broadcaster NRK reported. First, the human factor was considered, as the frigate's crew is believed to have mistaken the tanker Sola TS for a 'stationary object'. Second and perhaps even more important, the commission identified 'safety-critical' conditions that must be 'immediately taken care of'. According to the report, the ship's three 'watertight' sections were filled with significantly more water than the extent of the damage, a 10-meter-long gash on the starboard side, would suggest. Propeller shafts were found to have leaked water to the machinery room, which was quickly filled up. From there, water filled other rooms in the hull. Former flag commander Jacob Brresen described the discovery of a possible error in the frigate's watertight sections as sensational. 'I want to characterise this as a dramatic discovery. In the event of an accident or collision this means that the ship is much more vulnerable than the premise was', Brresen told NRK, explaining that the fault potentially affects the largest rooms of the ship. 'The consequences of leaking water may be critical', he added. The report suggested that the critical error most likely applies to several other vessels of the same origin. All in all, there are five frigates of the same Nansen-class as the KNM Ingstad, all delivered by the Spanish shipyard Navantia. Brresen assured that a message has been sent to Navantia that they must review their designs and see whether this error occurs on other ships as well, calling the situation 'very special'. He also argued that the remaining Nansen-class frigates must be checked for errors as quickly as possible. 'If the other frigates all have the same defect, I assume there will be restrictions on which operations and sailing routes they can carry out before this is rectified', Brresen said. The same day the report was published, Norwegian Chief of Defence Haakon Bruun-Hanssen pledged to implement temporary measures on all frigates of the Nansen-class as a result of its findings, assuring that the KMN Helge Ingstad's sister ships 'will sail'. The Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates are the main surface combatant units of the Royal Norwegian Navy. The ships, ordered in 2000 and completed between 2006 and 2011, are named after famous Norwegian explorers, with the lead ship of the class bearing the name of Fridtjof Nansen, the Norwegian scientist, explorer and humanitarian. The five ships were ordered from Spanish shipbuilder Navantia (formerly known as Bazan). The ships are 134 meters long, 16.8 meters wide and have a cruise speed of 26 knots. The total projected cost for all five ships has been estimated at NOK 21 billion ($2.5 billion). Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNICEF: Children in CAR Face Lives of Desperation, Deprivation By Lisa Schlein November 30, 2018 A new report presents a dire portrait of the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in the Central African Republic. They live in a state of permanent crisis brought on by years of conflict and international neglect, a report by the United Nations Children's Fund on the "Crisis in the Central African Republic" found. The U.N. children's fund considers the Central African Republic to be one of the most difficult and dangerous places in the world to be a child. And the statistics bear this out. The new UNICEF report finds that 2 out of 3 children, or 1.5 million children in the C.A.R., need humanitarian aid to survive. It finds that tens of thousands of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition are at risk of death. It says children in this war-torn country live in a constant state of fear of being killed or subjected to abuse and violence. UNICEF's representative in the C.A.R., Christine Muhigana, says the children are in desperate need of the world's support. She says the country briefly made headlines five years ago when fierce fighting broke out in the capital, Bangui. Since then, she says, the C.A.R. has been forgotten, although the situation in the country has worsened. "Children are at risk of violence, recruitment into armed groups, sexual violence, forced labor; malnutrition is a grave concern," Muhigana said. "More children than ever are expected to need treatment for severe acute malnutrition next year because displaced families cannot farm." The lead author of the report, Marixie Mercado, notes that earlier this month, a UNICEF official warned of potential famine in the C.A.R. unless the security situation improves dramatically, and people are able to go home to cultivate their land. "C.A.R.'s children should not have to wait for a declaration of famine until the world acts and provides more resources to the country," Mercado said. "By the time famine is declared, if it is declared, untold numbers of children will already have died." UNICEF says it has received less than half of its $56.5 million appeal for C.A.R. funding this year. The aid agency says the money is needed to provide lifesaving food and medicine for severely malnourished children, as well as other needs like immunization campaigns and to provide clean water and sanitation. UNICEF says the money would also be used to set up learning and recreational centers, to provide a space for children where they can retrieve a sense of normalcy and feel what it is like to be a child again. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin Says Putin, Trump Will Meet on Sidelines of G-20 By Steve Herman November 30, 2018 Russian authorities said Friday that Vladimir Putin will have a brief meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. "There is no scheduled pull-aside," was the only response from a White House official when queried about a Kremlin spokesman saying there would be an "impromptu" meeting on the G-20 sidelines. The U.S. comment, however, leaves open the possibility there could, indeed, be an unscheduled encounter. On Thursday, Trump said he was canceling his scheduled meeting with the Russian leader following Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian vessels and their crews in the Black Sea region. "Based on the fact that the ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia, I have decided it would be best for all parties concerned to cancel my previously scheduled meeting in Argentina," Trump tweeted Thursday on Air Force One on his way to Buenos Aires. The announced cancellation also came hours after U.S. prosecutors revealed that Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, admitted lying to Congress about a Trump real estate deal in Russia. The revelation signaled the special counsel is focusing more closely on the Trump campaign's communications with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential campaign. When asked about the canceled Putin meeting Friday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders emphasized the move was about Russia's action in Ukraine, not the special counsel's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. "The Russian witch hunt hoax, which is hopefully now nearing an end, is doing very well. Unfortunately, it probably does undermine our relationship with Russia. However, the reason for our canceled meeting is Ukraine. Hopefully, that will be resolved soon so that productive conversations can begin," Sanders told reporters in Buenos Aires. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Report: Russia, China 'Stress-Testing' Resolve of West By Henry Ridgwell November 30, 2018 Russia and China are among several countries attempting to "stress-test" the resolve of traditional powers, according to a report from the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. It claims so-called "challenger" nations are persistently testing the tolerance of established powers for different forms of aggression, from proxy wars to cyberattacks. The researchers cite the seizure this week of three Ukrainian naval vessels by Russian forces in the Azov Sea off Crimea, the territory that was forcibly annexed in 2014. Moscow claims these are Russian waters, in contravention of a 2003 deal between Moscow and Ukraine, which agreed the Azov Sea would be shared. Ukraine warns its Black Sea ports are being cut off. A bridge built by Russia linking it with Crimea now limits the size of ships able to navigate the Kerch Strait. Probing for weaknesses The aim is to change the facts on the ground, said Nicholas Redman, co-author of the institute's "Strategic Survey" report. "They're testing tolerances, probing for weaknesses, getting a measure of the resolve of other states by acts that are generally aggressive but are below the threshold of something that would obviously require a military response," Redman told VOA. Iran is also accused of conducting "tolerance warfare" by using its Revolutionary Guard and proxies across the Middle East to destabilize other countries, such as Syria. Beijing's activities in the South China Sea are also seen as part of the strategy to test Western resolve in that arena. "China has used not its navy, but its coast guard or some other at-water capabilities in order to slowly push the envelope in the South China Sea. And obviously, the island-building campaign and the growth of infrastructure around there is about without directly confronting anyone nevertheless changing facts on the ground," Redman said. How to respond So how should those on the receiving end of "tolerance warfare" respond? The report's authors praise Britain's reaction to the attempted chemical poisoning of a former double agent on British soil earlier this year, which London blamed on the GRU, the intelligence branch of Russia's armed forces. "What we saw was a powerful, asymmetric response. Sanctions, a tremendous degree of allied solidarity over diplomatic expulsions, and then an information operation over several months to systematically expose GRU activity," Redman said. The report warns a new era of geopolitical competition urgently requires new rules governing international behavior but negotiating such a global framework is fraught with difficulty. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Administration Asks Pentagon to Extend Military Presence on Mexico Border By VOA News November 30, 2018 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has asked the Pentagon to extend the U.S. military presence at the Mexico border into next year. The Department of Homeland Security requested a 45-day extension of the deployment, which would stretch it until at least the end of January. The Defense Department is expected to approve the extension. The border deployment was supposed to wrap up by Dec. 15, but Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokeswoman Katie Waldman said in a statement Friday that an "ongoing threat" at the southern border requires continued military presence. Approximately 5,600 active-duty forces are currently supporting border agents at the U.S.-Mexico border in the states of Texas, Arizona and California. President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of active-duty troops to the border in response to a caravan of thousands of Central American migrants who were trekking toward the United States. Democrats criticized the move, saying it was political stunt ahead of mid-term elections in November. The Trump administration argued that the migrants were a threat to border security and supporters felt vindicated by the administration's decision after clashes broke out Sunday along the border fence. U.S. customs and border agents fired tear gas canisters into Mexico at a group of migrants in Tijuana who tried to rush the border fencing across from the U.S. city of San Diego, California. Officials at the Department of Homeland Security say U.S. troops did not directly engage with the migrants at the border, but instead provided back-up to border agents. Because military personnel are generally prohibited from engaging in law enforcement duties on American soil, the troops are providing support to U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. Much of their work so far has been to put up miles of barbed-wire fencing along the border and to transport border patrol agents. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters last week that some of the soldiers deployed to the border would be rotated out in the coming weeks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No mischievous act in Hormuz Strait: Commander IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Nov 29, IRNA -- Iran's navy commander says nobody will be allowed to commit mischievous acts in Hormuz Strait, which is a 'strategic' region for global energy. In an exclusive interview with IRNA, Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi added, "It is a strategic strait, as some 17 million barrels of oil are exported from the region each day." "Despite the US sanctions, Iran has safeguarded Hormuz Strait's security all the time and it will never allow anybody to create centers of insecurity and commit acts of mischief in the region," he said. "We have been standing in Hormuz Strait strongly and firmly," the commander said, noting that Hormuz Strait, Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman are among the safest maritime areas in the world. Iran's Navy Force is present in free water powerfully, he said, noting that it will continue escorting the ships as long as necessary. Sanctions have no impact on trade vessel escorting, he said. 8072**1420 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US: Iran Floods Unstable Regions With Advanced Weaponry By Jeff Seldin November 29, 2018 The United States is sounding more warnings about Iran's malign activities across the Middle East and beyond, urging countries to take action or risk growing instability and conflict. To back up its assertions, the U.S. on Thursday unveiled what it said was more evidence of Tehran's meddling: pieces of missiles, rockets, drones and other Iranian weaponry, either recovered from Iranian proxies or interdicted on the high seas. "The new weapons we are disclosing today illustrate the scale of Iran's destructive role across the region," U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook told reporters while standing in front of a section of a Sayyad-2C surface-to-air missile he said had been intercepted by Saudi forces earlier this year, before it could reach Houthi rebels in Yemen. "Tehran is intent on increasing the lethality and reach of these weapons to deepen its presence throughout the region," Hook said. "We are one missile attack away from a regional conflict." This is the second time in less than a year that the U.S. has publicly displayed weapons it claims Iran sent to proxies and terrorist groups. Last December, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley chastised Iran after showing off parts of missiles and drones recovered by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, calling the evidence "undeniable." Weaponry Since then, U.S. officials say the collection has grown to include the surface-to-air missile, long-range drones, anti-tank guided missiles, AK-47s, sniper rifles, grenades and even a second Qiam short-range ballistic missile, also known as a Burkan-2. U.S. defense officials said the ballistic missile was fired into Saudi Arabia by Houthi rebels in broad daylight Dec. 19, just days after Haley's rebuke of Iran. U.S. officials also said Tehran is making little effort to hide the origin of the weapons, even though Iran is prohibited from sending weapons outside the country without approval from the U.N. Security Council. "The conspicuous Farsi markings are Iran's way of saying they don't mind being caught violating U.N. resolutions," Hook said. Iranian officials have previously denied U.S. allegations of weapons transfer, deriding the display at a hangar at a U.S. military base in Washington as a fabrication when it was unveiled last year. Traced to Iran But U.S. defense officials said all of the weapons in the collection could be traced to Iran in multiple ways, including the presence of Iranian defense company logos, the type of serial numbers ingrained on the weapons, and design features that align perfectly with evidence from photos and videos that Iran itself has made public. With the drones, officials said all of them used a vertical gyroscope to help with stabilization. They said Iran is the only country in the world known to use vertical gyroscopes. In the case of a Shark 33 drone, an unmanned boat used by the Houthis to attack Saudi ships, U.S. officials found the GPS component listed 90 locations, two of which were in Tehran. One of those corresponded with the location of the Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization, a research arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Images captured on the Shark 33's computer showed images of a testing facility with an IRGC hat in the background. While much of the concern focused on Tehran's support for Yemen's Houthi rebels, U.S. officials warned that Iranian weapons such as AK-47 machine guns are also finding their way to Shiite militias in Bahrain, while guns and Fadjr rockets had been sent to support the Taliban in Afghanistan. Officials said there is also evidence Iran is sharing ballistic missile technology with Shiite militias in Iraq. "It's not just Saudi and Yemen," Pentagon spokeswoman Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich told VOA. "It's a story of how Iran is proliferating these various weapon systems across the region." Training in weapons use Defense officials contend it is more than just the weapons themselves. Oftentimes, groups getting arms from Iran are getting help, too, from experienced IRGC operators who can help make sure they can use missiles like the Qiam. "You would have to have an understanding of how to launch one of these," a defense official said, dismissing the possibility Houthi rebels could operate the missiles without training or guidance. Some U.S. officials and experts have also argued that Iranian efforts to develop and spread its weapons have only increased since Tehran, the U.S. and other powers initially agreed to the Iran nuclear deal in 2015, using the influx of cash from the deal to expand its reach. "Iran's proxy strategy is relatively low cost, but offers the regime a high reward," Behnam Ben Taleblu, a research fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told VOA by email. "Weapons like anti-tank missiles and rockets may not win conflicts in the Middle East, but can bleed adversaries and force a political solution to the region's myriad proxy war's in Iran's favor," he added. Critical time in Congress The new evidence presented by the U.S. Thursday comes at a critical time. There has been growing concern in Congress about the worsening humanitarian toll as a result of the Saudi-led efforts against the Houthis in Yemen. U.S. lawmakers and others around the world have likewise been critical of the Saudis for the death of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey in October. "I get Yemen. I understand the strategic relationship between us and Saudi Arabia, but I'm not going to blow past this," Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Wednesday. No 'political stunt' But officials, such as Hook of the State Department, denied the rollout of the new evidence against Iran was designed to help sway support for Saudi Arabia in the face of mounting criticism. "I haven't heard anybody say this is a political stunt," Hook said Thursday. "This is simply putting out in broad daylight Iran's missiles and small arms and rockets and UAVs and drones. "Our preference is to use all of the tools that are at our disposal diplomatically," he added, but warned, "We have been very clear with the Iranian regime that we will not hesitate to use military force when our interests are threatened." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 53 Iranian cruisers present in Aden Gulf, Bab-el-Mandeb Strait IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Hamedan, Nov 30, IRNA -- Iranian Deputy Navy Commander for Engineering and Civil Defense affairs says 53 Iranian dispatched cruisers are now present 24/7 in Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Addressing the Friday Prayers congregation in Hamedan, western Iran, Rear Admiral Hossein Ghahramani referred to safeguarding ships and oil tankers against piracy as one of the missions of the mentioned cruisers. Iranian navy forces are defending Iran's interests in the sea in order not to have any attack on imports and exports, he said. In addition to protecting Iranian ships, navy forces also have taken measures for safeguarding foreign ships, he added. Despite sanction which have been imposed on Iran after the Islamic Revolution, Iran has made important parts for destroyers and weapons to achieve self-sufficiency. Earlier Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said Iranian navy forces are slated to dispatch three destroyers by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (ends March 22, 2019) to the high seas. Iranian destroyers 'Sahand', 'Dena' and the modified 'Damavand' will be dispatched to the international waters, he said. Sahand destroyer will join southern fleet on the occasion of the Navy Day (November 28), he noted. Sahand is capable of transporting anti-mine helicopters and is able to move to farther distances than Jamaran destroyer, Khanzadi added. 9376**1420 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Commander lauds Iran naval power IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Nov 30, IRNA -- Iran's navy commander on Friday praised the country's naval capacities to carry out international operations. Iran's naval force is now constructing destroyers, missile launchers and submarines and what it needs for powerful presence in the sea, Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said in a local ceremony. Development of Makran coastline can reinforce Iran's naval power and will promote the collective security in the region, he added. Elaborating on Iran's role in fighting piracy in recent years, Khanzadi said that Iran dispatched 58 naval flotillas to the Gulf of Aden to counter piracy. 9191**1420 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy FM: Iran to Give EU Some More Time to Set Up Sanctions Evasion Mechanism Sputnik News 20:44 30.11.2018 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Iran is ready to wait some more as the European Union works on a mechanism that will allow trade between them to bypass US financial services, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday. The European Union suggested the special purpose vehicle (SPV) in September as a way to evade US sanctions on Iranian oil trade and banking. Russia and China are also involved in its creation. "The SPV is on the agenda in our talks with EU countries as they struggle to set up a payment mechanism We are not going to wait forever. But we believe we should give the Europeans more time," Araghchi said in an interview with the IRNA news agency. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions on Iran that were waived under the 2015 pact limiting Tehran's nuclear research. He told foreign firms in Iran to phase out operations or face penalties. The European Union vowed to continue trading with Iran outside the US financial system. After the reimposition of the US sanctions against Iran Abdolnassr Hemmati, the head of the country's Central Bank stated that Iran "considering the possibility of banks being disconnected from SWIFT, have considered alternatives to replace it". The SPV, proposed in September is one of those alternatives, which is expected to become a replacement of SWIFT. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan's Detention of TLP Cleric Draws Mixed Reactions By Madeeha Anwar November 30, 2018 Pakistanis have had mixed reactions to the government's decision to detain Khadim Rizvi, a radical Islamic cleric and founder of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a religious-turned-political party with extreme views on the country's blasphemy law. Authorities took Rizvi into custody in Lahore last week as part of a larger government crackdown on the group's leaders and members across the country, particularly in Punjab province, where the group has large followers. Hundreds of others associated with TLP have also been detained. "No one who halts the country, incites hatred and issues Islamic decrees to kill others should be spared. It is against the law and the constitution," Salman Abid, a Pakistan-based political expert, told VOA. Abid said Rizvi's detention is a reminder for all who would create a state within a state and play with people's religious sentiments. "TLP has repeatedly used derogatory comments for government institutions, the Supreme Court, judges and politicians. They were using politics as a tool for their own agenda. They were using media to promote their extreme ideology. The government has done the right thing," Abid added. Keeping quiet However, most who support the blasphemy law are keeping silent because of the government's crackdown on TLP supporters, analysts say. TLP staunchly supports implementation of the law and has used the issue as a platform to add followers, contest elections and launch widespread, often violent protests in the country. Since its emergence in 2017, TLP has arranged numerous protests, some of which have turned violent and paralyzed major cities across the country for weeks. Rizvi is from the Attock region in Punjab province. Prior to establishing Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, the cleric worked in a mosque in Lahore and delivered Friday sermons to the local community. Rizvi has also worked as a government employee in Punjab's religious affairs department. He lost his job after he continued to encourage violence in support of the blasphemy law. He has openly and repeatedly justified violence against those in the government who attempt to alter the blasphemy law. Rizvi was arrested after refusing a government's demand to withdraw a call for arranging a large gathering in the capital, Islamabad. Fawad Chaudhry, Pakistan's information minister, confirmed in a tweet last week that Rizvi had been taken into "protective custody and shifted to a guest house" to preserve public order. "The action was prompted by TLP's refusal to withdraw its call for protest on Nov. 25. It's to safeguard public life, property and order, and has to do nothing with [the] Asia Bibi case," Chaudhry said. Violent rallies Rizvi's arrest came weeks after TLP held violent rallies in Pakistan to oppose last month's acquittal of Bibi by Pakistan's Supreme Court. Bibi, a Christian woman accused of committing blasphemy, had served eight years in prison and was sentenced to death over accusations of insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad. Following her acquittal, TLP arranged large protests that paralyzed several cities across the country for three days. During the protests, TLP's leadership had openly incited its followers to kill the judges who ordered the release of Bibi. Rizvi ended the protests after the government agreed that Bibi would not leave Pakistan until a petition against her acquittal was reviewed. Ayaz Amir, a Pakistan-based journalist, said Rizvi had "become a danger for Pakistan's safety, and his arrest was necessary to avoid any fresh series of violent clashes and protests." "Rizvi had called [on TLP] followers to gather in Islamabad, which meant the closure of the capital, and the government wanted to avoid it at any cost. We have seen what happened after Bibi's acquittal. So, the government had taken a precautionary measure to avoid any violence, and rightly so," Amir added. The government has not yet said how long the TLP leaders and followers will be held, but legal experts in Pakistan said they could be legally be detained from 30 to 80 days. TLP members did not return multiple calls for comment. Before the crackdown, however, the group's spokesperson told VOA that they would not back down. Pardon 'is not permitted' "This is a religious matter. The Christian lady has committed blasphemy and admitted of using derogatory language against Prophet Muhammad," Ejaz Ahmad, the TLP spokesperson, told VOA. "According to Islamic law, it is not permitted to pardon her. We cannot allow this to happen. We will raise our voice and launch protests throughout the country," he added. Some analysts also saw Rizvi's detention as a rare sign of strengthening civilian-military relations and cooperation. Amir, the Pakistan-based analyst, said, "There is no division" between the civilian and military sectors, and that is "adding to the strength of Prime Minister Imran Khan, who makes tough calls without hesitation." Imran Malik, a retired Pakistani brigadier and security analyst, told VOA, "TLP's behavior is not justified. Look what they did after Asia Bibi's acquittal and how brutally everyone in the country criticized the government for not being able to stop them." Malik added that the government and the military could work together to deal with extremist elements like TLP. Inspired by Taseer's killer Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan was created in 2017 and is registered with Pakistan's Election Commission. The party was able to secure 2 million votes in the general elections held earlier this year. TLP has been inspired by the actions of Mumtaz Qadri, a security guard who in 2011 killed Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer because of his demands for reforms to the blasphemy law. Qadri was later sentenced to death and executed in 2017, and he has been seen as a hero by TLP members. VOA's Urdu service contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea train enters North for first time in a decade Iran Press TV Fri Nov 30, 2018 09:14AM A South Korean train has crossed into the North to officially launch a historic joint project to reconnect railroad tracks between the two nations. Footage of the landmark event Friday showed a red, white and blue train -- displaying a banner reading "Iron Horse is now running toward the era of peace and prosperity" -- depart from South Korea's Dorasan station. "This signals the start of co-prosperity of the North and the South by reconnecting railways," said South Korean Transport Minister Kim Hyun-mee. He said relinking the railway will facilitate expansion of South Korea's "economic territory" to Eurasia by land because the division of the Korean Peninsula has left his country geopolitically cut off from the continent for decades. Reconnection of the railway systems was among the agreements signed earlier this year during a crucial meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the South's President Moon Jae-in. According to local press reports, the six-wagon train is carrying 28 South Koreans, including railway engineers and other workers, as well as 55 tonnes of fuel and an electricity generator. After its arrival at North Korea's Panmun station -- the first terminal across the border -- the six wagons will be linked up to a North Korean train, and the South Korean locomotive will return back home. The South Korean rail workers and their counterparts in the North are due to stay in the train, inspecting two railway lines for a total of 18 days. One of the lines is linking the North's southernmost Kaesong City to Sinuiju City near the Chinese border, and the other is connecting Mount Kumgang near the inter-Korean border to Tumen River, bordering Russia in the east. According to South Korea's transport ministry, they will travel nearly 2,600 kilometers on railway tracks together for the project. The railway project has faced delays over concerns it could violate the US-led UN Security Council sanctions imposed on Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile programs. The Security Council, however, granted an exemption for the joint project last week, but it remains unclear whether it will allow more following the conclusion of the initial assessment phase. Seoul said the survey was purely intended for gathering information on the current state of the North's rail system, insisting that actual restoration work would take place only after securing the Security Council's consent. The study phase also comes amid emerging differences between South Korea and the US, which has deployed 28,500 military forces in the country as part of their decades-old alliance against the North. South Korean President Moon has long favored engagement with North and has set aside large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearization. The Friday rail trip marked the first time in a decade that a train from the South entered North Korea. From December 2007 until November 2008, freight services ran between the two Koreas to support factories in a joint economic zone at Kaesong in North Korea. The line, however, was cut in 2008 as relations deteriorated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany 'Convinced' by US Claims About Russian Violations of INF Treaty Report Sputnik News 20:45 30.11.2018 Earlier, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas urged the US "not to recklessly abandon" the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a landmark arms control treaty aimed primarily at reducing the risk of nuclear war in Europe. The United States has provided its European allies with intelligence regarding Russia's alleged violations of the INF Treaty, and the German government has found this evidence Spiegel Magazine reports. According to Spiegel, following a BND (German intelligence) analysis of the information provided by the US, the federal government "assesses the evidence as convincing" that Russia is violating the treaty. Furthermore, Spiegel noted, Berlin has agreed to a joint statement of NATO foreign ministers on the alleged Russian treaty violations. According to the magazine, ministers will release the joint statement at their upcoming meeting on December 4. The US intelligence was said to include trajectory data on Russia's RK-55 (NATO codename SSC-8 'Screwdriver') land-based cruise missile, as well as information about Russian defence companies allegedly involved in the design and production of missiles and launchers prohibited under the treaty. German officials have yet to comment on the veracity of the Spiegel report. German officials have been among the main critics of President Donald Trump's plans to withdraw from the INF. Last month, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stressed that the INF had served as "an important pillar of our European security architecture" for over thirty years, and that while Germany has appealed to Russia over its alleged violations, it would also "urge the US to consider the possible consequences" of withdrawing from the treaty. Last week, Maas reiterated his concerns, urging the US "not to recklessly abandon the INF Treaty," and saying that Germany does not want to see Europe "become a platform for debates about nuclear arms." The INF Treaty was signed by the Soviet Union and the United States in 1987, and prohibited either country from possessing, producing or testing ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of between 500 and 5,500 km. The treaty was aimed primarily at reducing the threat nuclear war in Europe, specifically due to the short flight time of nuclear missiles launched from European countries, which it was feared might push some military planners to propose first strike decapitation attacks against the other side. Moscow has called the US plans to withdraw from the INF very dangerous, saying it might draw "entire regions of the world into an arms race." Russian officials have said repeatedly that they were prepared to clarify any possible problems the US had with the treaty. Moscow has also said that US claims against Russia were based on "direct and obvious violations of the INF" by Washington itself. This, Moscow said, included the revent US deployment of dual-use missile defense shield components in Romania and Poland, which could theoretically be armed with ground-based nuclear-armed cruise missiles banned under the INF. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 30 civilians killed as US-led coalition warplanes strike eastern Syria Iran Press TV Fri Nov 30, 2018 01:35PM More than two dozen civilians, mostly women and children, have lost their lives when the US-led coalition purportedly fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group conducted an aerial assault on Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr. Local sources told Syria's official news agency, SANA, on Friday that the airstrike targeted residential buildings in the town of al-Shaafah, leaving at least 30 people dead. The sources added that the death toll is expected to rise as some people are still trapped under the debris of destroyed buildings. The development came only a few days after US-led coalition fighter jets bombarded the village of Abu Hassan, which lies close to the town of Hajin. Several civilians, mostly women and children, were killed and injured as a result. On November 13, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned a recent airstrike by the so-called US-led coalition against the eastern town of al-Shaafah, which left more than 60 people dead and injured, arguing that the massacre clearly pointed to the fact that members of the military alliance had no respect for moral values, international rules and regulations besides the lives of innocent civilians. The ministry, in two separate letters, addressed to United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the rotating president of the UN Security Council Ma Zhaoxu, called on the Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities and stop US-led aerial assaults. It also asked the world body to propose an international, independent and impartial mechanism to investigate the crimes being perpetrated by the so-called US-led coalition. The letters noted that the coalition was deliberately targeting Syria civilians and making use of internationally banned weapons, including white phosphorus bombs, in Syria. The ministry stressed that the so-called US-led coalition airstrikes were meant to kill as many Syrian people as possible, prolong the ongoing Syrian conflict, destroy the country's infrastructure and undermine its sovereignty and territorial integrity in flagrant violation of all UN Security Council resolutions on Syria. The letters concluded that the embarrassing silence of the Security Council had encouraged the coalition to kill more Syrian civilians and destroy their property. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan's cross-strait policy remains unchanged: President Tsai ROC Central News Agency 2018/11/30 14:59:48 Taipei, Nov. 30 (CNA) Taiwan will maintain its policy toward China in the wake of the Nov. 24 local government elections, President Tsai Ing-wen () said Friday, urging Beijing not to allow political issues to disrupt city-to-city exchanges between the two sides. In a meeting with delegates from the U.S. National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP), Tsai said her Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) losses in last Saturday's elections reflected widespread discontent with Taiwan's interior affairs, and her government will review such policies. The electorate, however, did not vote on relations with China, Tsai said, adding that her administration will therefore maintain its course on cross-Taiwan Strait policy. The administration's policy includes openness to cross-strait exchanges at the municipal level, Tsai said. "We hope there will not be any political preconditions set for city-to-city exchanges and such interaction will not be subject to disruption by political issues," she said. Soon after Taiwan's local government elections, a spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office said Beijing would stick to the "1992 consensus" and would welcome more exchanges and cooperation between cities in Taiwan and China. The statement was seen as an indication that China would engage in exchanges only with Taiwan cities that recognize the "1992 consensus." Among the newly elected local government chiefs, Kaohsiung Mayor-elect Han Kuo-yu () of the Kuomintang has openly accepted the "1992 consensus" and is planning to set up a "cross-strait working group" to promote trade with China. The "1992 consensus" is a tacit agreement that was reached in 1992 by officials of the then KMT government and the Communist Party of China at a meeting in Hong Kong. It agrees that there is only "one China," but each side is free to interpret what that means. Beijing has insisted on recognition of the "1992 consensus" as the sole basis for dialogue with Taiwan, a precondition Tsai's administration has refused to accept. (By Lu Hsin-hui and Chi Jo-yao) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA keeps eye on US ships in Taiwan Straits People's Daily Online (China Daily) 09:09, November 30, 2018 Good military relations can act as stabilizing factor, senior officer says The Chinese military is aware of the recent passage of two United States naval ships through the Taiwan Straits and will remain vigilant, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday. On Wednesday, two US Navy shipsthe guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale and supply vessel USNS Pecossailed through the Taiwan Straits in the third such operation this year. The previous trip was on Oct 22. "The People's Liberation Army is aware of the passage by US naval vessels, and we know their movements," Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang said at a news briefing in Beijing. "The PLA will remain vigilant and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity." Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Thursday that the Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive issue in China-US ties. "We hope the US side will carefully handle Taiwan-related issues, thus avoiding damage to China-US relations and to peace and security in the Taiwan Straits," he said. Commenting on recent developments in China-US military relations, Ren said the relationship is generally sound, adding that General Wei Fenghe, State Councilor and minister of national defense, had met with his US counterpart, James Mattis, three times in the last five months. "The frequency is testimony to the overall stability between the two militaries," Ren said. Both sides should maintain their strategic dialogue, increase institutional exchanges and practical cooperation, enhance mutual trust and properly manage risks, he said, adding that this would allow China-US military relations to be a stabilizing factor in bilateral ties. Li Haidong, a professor of US studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said it is typical for the US to try to drive a wedge between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan by sending warships through the Taiwan Straits and boosting its military presence in the region. Ren said the Chinese military opposes hyping up China-US confrontations, as done in the recent report by the US National Defense Strategy Commission, an independent agency whose board is appointed by the US House and Senate Armed Services committees. The report, published on Nov 13, claimed the US is facing a "crisis of national security" brought about by eroding military superiority, and might "struggle to win, or perhaps lose, a war against China or Russia". On Nov 17, military personnel from the PLA Eastern Theater Command and the US Army Pacific concluded the five-day Disaster Management Exchange 2018 in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. The exchange aimed to share each side's experience with humanitarian aid and disaster relief and to cultivate the willingness and capabilities of the two militaries in joint operations in this area. Ren said the exercise can enhance dialogue and cooperation among military personnel, and increase mutual trust and learning, thus injecting positive energy into the China-US military relationship. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Allies France, Poland Eager to Help Turkey Bypass Pentagon Chopper Engine Ban Sputnik News 19:28 30.11.2018(updated 19:29 30.11.2018) Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) was forced to look for a replacement to US and British-made LHTEC T8004A turboshaft engines for a defence order with Pakistan after the Pentagon refused to provide the company with an export license. Ankara and Islamabad have agreed to look for a replacement for the US and British-made engines which were set to be installed aboard 30 Turkish T129 ATAK multipurpose helicopters as part of a $1.5 billion defence order with Pakistan, Hurriyet has reported, citing defence industry officials. The two countries signed the chopper deal this summer, with Pakistan settling on the joint Honeywell and Rolls-Royce-made engines to meet performance requirements in high-altitude flight and poor weather conditions common in the Pakistani mountains. However, in a move which Turkish defence procurement officials described as "purely political," the Pentagon refused to provide Ankara with the engines amid escalating tensions between the two countries in recent months. The withheld engines were believed to be part of Washington's punishment of Ankara for its refusal to back out of its S-400 air defence system deal with Moscow, as well as tensions over US support for Kurdish militants in northern Syria, the Turkish refusal to support US sanctions against Iran, and other issues, such as Ankara's detention of a US pastor and Washington's protection for an Islamist cleric Ankara believes orchestrated the July 2016 coup attempt. Now, according to Hurriyet, engine makers in France and Poland have each expressed an interest in replacing the US and UK-built engines with French or Polish-made ones, with Turkish officials said to have received a "positive response" from both. Earlier, a senior Turkish defence official told Russian media that a Chinese engine maker was being considered as well. One of these countries could win the engine contract pending testing. Pakistan originally requested that the T129 ATAK helicopters' engines be tested in the Himalayan Mountains in poor weather at a height of up to 14,000 feet. If the tests prove successful and an agreement is reached with one of the countries, TAI hopes to complete the Pakistani defence order of 30 choppers in five years. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU rebuffs Ukraine call to send ships to waters off Russia Iran Press TV Fri Nov 30, 2018 06:47AM European leaders have rebuffed calls from Ukraine for greater support against Russia after Kiev urged NATO to send ships into waters disputed with Moscow. German Chancellor Angela Merkel instead asked Ukraine to be "sensible" following the request from President Petro Poroshenko, just hours after the EU failed to agree on new sanctions against Moscow. On Thursday, Poroshenko asked NATO members, including Germany, to send naval vessels to the Sea of Azov to back his country after Russian forces seized three Ukrainian ships off the coast of Crimea. "Germany is one of our closest allies, and we hope that states within NATO are now ready to relocate naval ships to the Sea of Azov in order to assist Ukraine and provide security," he told Germany's Bild newspaper. Merkel apparently dismissed the request for military support. "We ask the Ukrainian side too to be sensible because we know that we can only solve things through being reasonable and through dialogue because there is no military solution to these disputes," she said. Ukraine bans Russian men, mulls 'mirror actions' Ukraine on Friday limited entry for Russian men aged 16 to 60 after imposing martial law in border regions this week. "As of today, entry is restricted for foreigners -- in the first instance for male citizens of the Russian Federation age 16 to 60," the head of the border service Petro Tsyhykal said at a meeting with Poroshenko broadcast live. Russian lawmaker Frants Klintsevich said his country does not plan to ban Ukrainian men from entering the country in a tit-for-tat response. Ukraine is also considering whether to respond in kind with "mirror actions" to Russia, senior official at the state security service (SBU) Ihor Huskov told reporters. "Decisions are being considered with regard to the conduct of appropriate mirror actions as a response to the actions of the aggressor," Huskov said. Russian authorities arrested 24 Ukrainian sailors and seized their three gunboats on Sunday, saying they had deliberately trespassed into its territorial waters in the Sea of Azov. A Russian court in Crimea ordered the detained sailors and the vessels to be remained in pre-trial detention for two months until January 25, 2019. Some of the sailors have now been sent to a detention center in Moscow, one of their lawyers said. Dzhemil Temishev, one of the attorneys of the detained sailors, wrote in a facebook post on Thursday that some of the sailors "are being taken to Moscow's Lefortovo prison." Another attorney, Emine Avamilyeva, said they were "taken by plane" to Moscow. The sailors are charged with illegal border crossing by a group of individuals acting in collusion, or by an organized group, or with the use of or the threat to use violence, according to lawyer Aider Azamatov, who said they face up to six years in prison if convicted. Tensions, already high between Kiev and Moscow since some four year ago, entered a new phase following Sunday's incident. The two countries now risk being drawn into a wider conflict amid Western calls for more sanctions against Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Poroshenko of orchestrating the naval "provocation" in the Black Sea to bolster his popularity ratings ahead of next year's presidential election. Moscow has also said the United States is encouraging provocation between Russia and Ukraine. Turkey to play mediator role On Thursday, Turkish President Recep Teyyip Erdogan said Ankara could play a mediation role to ease tensions and that he had "discussed this with both sides." Erdogan held telephone conversation with both presidents on Wednesday and planned to bring up the issue in a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Buenos Aires where they are to attend the G20 summit. UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Thursday he was "greatly concerned" about the escalation, calling on "both parties to exercise maximum restraint and to take steps without delay to contain this incident and reduce tensions." The latest hostilities also affected a planned meeting between Trump and Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit, with the US president calling it off on Thursday. The Kremlin said Friday Trump's decision was regrettable. "We regret the US administration's decision to cancel the meeting," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies. "This means that discussion of important issues on the international and bilateral agenda will be postponed indefinitely." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Men Barred From Entering Ukraine Amid Escalating Crisis By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service November 30, 2018 Ukraine has barred Russian male nationals between 16 and 60 from traveling to the country, President Petro Poroshenko announced on November 30. The move comes amid escalation tensions between the two countries after Russian border guards on November 25 opened fire and captured three Ukrainian naval vessels and their 24-member crew off Crimea, which Russia forcibly annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The Ukrainian leader has called for a stronger NATO presence in the Black Sea region and for further Western sanctions against Russia. Poroshenko tweeted on November 30 that the restrictions on Russian travelers have been taken to prevent Russia from forming "private armies" fighting on Ukrainian soil. Russia has backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in a conflict that has killed more than 10,300 people since April 2014. Petro Tsygykal, head of Ukraine's border guard service, said border checkpoints were being bolstered, according to a statement on the presidential website. Border Guard Service spokesman Andriy Demchenko told Ukraine's Hromadske TV on November 30 that Russian male nationals would be barred from entering Ukraine during the period of martial law, which is now due to continue until December 26. Russia said it had no plans to mirror the Ukrainian move. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blamed the Ukrainian government for implementing a policy that hurts ordinary people. On November 29, Poroshenko said that Kyiv will impose "restrictions" on Russian citizens in Ukraine and the country's border guard said only Ukrainian nationals would be allowed to travel to Crimea in connection with the imposition of martial law for 30 days in parts of the country. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Kateryna Zelenko confirmed to RFE/RL by phone that foreign journalists are among those excluded from entering Crimea from Ukraine but said her ministry was discussing whether to grant them an exception. The official confirmation came hours after Anna-Lena Lauren, a Moscow-based foreign correspondent for the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter, was barred by Ukrainian border guards from entering Crimea through the what Ukraine deems the only legal route. Meanwhile, the European Court of Human Rights said Ukraine has filed a complaint against Russia in the court for firing on three of its ships and boarding them. A court statement on November 30 said Ukraine had asked it to intervene to ensure the well-being of its sailors. Moscow accuses them of illegally crossing the Russian border and failing to comply with orders to stop. "The Ukrainian government has asked in particular that Russia provide medical care to the wounded sailors and provide information on the state of health of the crew members. It also asks that the sailors be treated as prisoners of war," the statement said. The court said it had asked the Russian government for information about the condition of the sailors' detention. The complaint is the fifth filed by Ukraine against Russia since Moscow forcibly annexed Crimea in 2014. A Russian government-appointed ombudswoman in Crimea said the captured Ukrainian naval personnel are being transferred to Moscow, Russian state media reported on November 30. Russia says the Ukrainians had violated its border while Ukraine says its ships were acting in line with international maritime rules. A Crimean court earlier this week ruled to keep the Ukrainian seamen behind bars for two months pending the investigation. Earlier on November 30, the Kremlin said it regrets U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to cancel a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at an upcoming Group of 20 (G20) summit. "This means that discussion of important issues on the international and bilateral agenda will be postponed indefinitely," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state media. Putin, he said, "is ready to have contacts with his American counterpart." Trump said he was cancelling the meeting scheduled for this weekend at the G20 summit in Argentina over Russia's recent seizure of the Ukrainian vessels. "Based on the fact that the ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia, I have decided it would be best for all parties concerned to cancel my previously scheduled meetingin Argentina with President Vladimir Putin,"" Trump said in a tweet posted on November 29. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on November 30 that Budapest stands by Ukraine in the latest escalation of tensions with Russia. Orban, who is one of the few EU leaders to have good relations with Putin, said Hungary's position was clear despite the "anti-Hungarian government" in Kyiv. Hungary and Ukraine are at odds over the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. 'No Military Solution' In an interview with the German tabloid Bild published early on November 29, Poroshenko said he hopes European states will take active steps, including increasing sanctions and military protection against Russia, to help Ukraine after providing verbal support in the wake of Russia's capture of 24 Ukrainian crew members over the weekend. "We hope that NATO states are prepared to send naval ships to the Sea of Azov to support Ukraine and provide security," Poroshenko said. He claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin sees himself as a "Russian emperor" and Ukraine as a Russian "colony." "The only language he [Putin] understands is the solidarity of the Western world," Poroshenko said. "We can't accept Russia's aggressive policies. First it was Crimea, then eastern Ukraine, now he wants the Sea of Azov." Speaking at a German-Ukrainian economic forum in Berlin later on November 29, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she planned to press Putin at the G20 summit on November 30-December 1 this week to urge the release of the ships and crews. "We can only resolve this in talks with one another because there is no military solution to all of these conflicts," she added. While blaming Russia for tensions, Merkel showed no signs of being ready to back military support. "We ask the Ukrainian side, too, to be sensible because we know that we can only solve things through being reasonable and through dialogue because there is no military solution to these disputes," she said. Peskov on November 29 criticized Poroshenko's request for NATO to deploy naval ships to the Sea of Azov, alleging it was "aimed at provoking further tensions" and driven by Poroshenko's "electoral and domestic policy motives." Putin has claimed that the naval confrontation was a ploy to boost his Ukrainian counterpart's popularity ahead of an election in March. A NATO spokeswoman said the alliance already has a strong presence in the region, with vessels routinely patrolling and exercising in the Black Sea. "There is already a lot of NATO in the Black Sea, and we will continue to assess our presence in the region," Oana Lungescu said. The Sea of Azov is the body of water that separates the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, from the Ukrainian and Russian mainlands. Russia opened a bridge over the Kerch Strait connecting Crimea with Russia in May and has asserted control over the strait. The Kerch Strait is the only route for ships traveling between the Sea of Azov, where Ukraine has several ports, and the Black Sea, which is an arena usually patrolled by NATO. With reporting by RFE/RL correspondent Christopher Miller, AP, Reuters, Interfax, TASS, and Hromadske TV Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine -bans-russian-men-from-entering-ukraine-e scalating-crisis/29629790.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lawyer For Detained Ukrainian Sailor Decries 'Political Trial' By RFE/RL's Russian Service November 30, 2018 A lawyer for one of the Ukrainian sailors detained by Russia on November 25 off the Russia-occupied Ukrainian region of Crimea has said the case against the seamen was "a political trial." "We understand that this is a political case and not just some random person or ship that supposedly violated the claimed territorial waters of the Russian Federation," lawyer Edem Semdelyayev told RFE/RL on November 29. "It is precisely a political trial involving these sailors and ships. Why this has been done -- what the purpose is -- of course, we will find out eventually." Semdelyayev is representing Oleh Melnychuk, captain of the military tug Yani Kapu and one of 24 Ukrainian seamen detained by Russia in the incident, which ratcheted up tensions in the Sea of Azov region as an ongoing conflict simmers between Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russia has charged the men with illegal border crossing by a group of individuals acting in collusion, or by an organized group, or with the use of or the threat to use violence. Russian courts in the occupied Black Sea region of Crimea have reportedly ordered them all to be held pending trial for two months. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has demanded the handover of all three Ukrainian military vessels and their crew, and martial law has been imposed in 10 Ukrainian regions that mostly border Russia or the Sea of Azov to allow increased security measures that so far include a ban on entry to Ukraine for Russian men aged 16-60. Semdelyayev told RFE/RL his client plans to appeal both the charges filed against him and the order to hold the sailor in custody. "He considers himself completely innocent and is ready to prove that," Semdelyayev said. "He insists upon his innocence. He understands that they have ended up in this situation merely because of a confluence of circumstances." 'Like In Hollywood Films' The lawyer said that Melnychuk told him the Ukrainian vessels reached a staging point where the Russian Coast Guard promised to send them a pilot to guide them through the Kerch Strait passage en route to the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. "Having waited at the rendezvous point for nearly seven hours, they concluded that they were not going to be allowed to proceed and no pilot was coming, they were ordered to return to Odesa," Semdelyayev said. "When they had already begun to return and had traveled a certain distance, the pursuit and all the other events began, including the ramming and the capture of the ships." Semdelyayev added that Melnychuk told him the Ukrainians were detained "very roughly, like in Hollywood films." Russia and Ukraine concluded a treaty in 2003 that calls for sharing the Sea of Azov, but Russia has built up its naval forces in the region since occupying Crimea in 2014 and this year stepped up its harassment of Ukrainian shipping in the area. Semdelyayev confirmed that three injured Ukrainian sailors were being held in the Crimean city of Kerch. The other 21 were in the Crimean capital, Simferopol, where they had been examined by doctors and were said to be in "normal physical and emotional condition." He added that the detainees have had minimal contact with their relatives. "My client was allowed to say literally two or three words to his father after he was detained to tell him that he was OK," Semdelyayev said. "There have been no other [direct] contacts with relatives. They have been able to exchange some information through lawyers." U.S. President Donald Trump has canceled a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, due to take place during this weekend's summit for the Group of 20 industrialized nations in Argentina, over Russia's seizure of the Ukrainian vessels. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lawyer- for-detained-ukrainian-sailor-decries- political-trial-/29630420.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU, NATO React Coolly To Ukraine's Call For New Moves Against Russia By RFE/RL November 30, 2018 European leaders and NATO have reacted coolly to calls by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for new measures to strengthen defenses and penalize Russia over its capture of Ukrainian ships and crew off Crimea. A NATO spokeswoman said on November 29 that the military alliance already has a strong presence in the Black Sea region where the incident occurred, and it has no plans to send warships into the Sea of Azov, which lies between Ukrainian and Russian territory, as requested by Poroshenko on November 28. Oana Lungescu said NATO ships routinely patrol and conduct exercises in the Black Sea, with NATO ships already present in the region for 120 days this year as compared with 80 days last year. She said several NATO members routinely conduct air policing and reconnaissance flights in the region, and that members of the alliance which border the Black Sea -- Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey -- have staged their own military deployments in the area. "There is already a lot of NATO in the Black Sea, and we will continue to assess our presence in the region," Lungescu said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel rebuffed Poroshenko's call for increasing military pressure on Russia, saying "we can only resolve this in talks with one another because there is no military solution to all of these conflicts." Speaking at a business forum in Berlin on November 29, Merkel said she will urge Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting on the sidelines of a Group of 20 (G20) meeting this weekend to immediately release the 24 Ukrainian sailors detained by Russian forces last weekend, and will demand that Russia keep the Kerch Strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov open to normal commercial traffic. "We will take care of it. Nevertheless, we ask Ukraine as well to be sensible. We know that we can only solve things by being reasonable and holding dialogue," Merkel said. Addressing Poroshenko's demand that the European Union impose more sanctions on Russia or increase enforcement of existing sanctions against Russia and businesses and individuals in Russia-annexed Crimea, Merkel took a non-committal approach like that adopted by the EU on November 28 when it said it would "act appropriately" as it continues to monitor the situation. "We do not impose sanctions for the sake of sanctions, but we use sanctions to make it simply clear that countries must have the right to develop on their own, even when they are territorially close to Russia," Merkel said. The United States and EU have imposed sanctions on Russia since it illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and started backing Ukrainian separatists in a war against the government that has killed more than 10,300 people. 'Cavalier Use Of Force' Merkel also dismissed a U.S. and Ukrainian suggestion that the EU increase pressure on Russia by canceling the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project to funnel Russian gas directly to Germany through the Baltic Sea, bypassing a pipeline running through Ukraine. She said the pipeline would go ahead, but that Germany would "ensure Ukraine remains an important transit country" for Russian gas in the future. Even as she spoke, Ukrainian officials raised new alarms, claiming Russia was preventing Ukrainian ships from crossing through the Kerch Strait and that NATO should adopt a tit-for-tat response. Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan said on Facebook that two Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov, Berdyansk and Mariupol, were effectively blockaded by Russia and that 35 vessels were prevented from carrying out normal operations there. "As long as Russia blocks free navigation, the whole civilized world should take mirror measures against Russia," Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroysman told reporters on the sidelines of the Berlin business conference. Ukrainian Navy Vice Admiral Ihor Voronchenko, the commander in chief of the Ukrainian Navy, said Kyiv would ask Turkey to close the Bosphorus Strait between the Black Sea and the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, "so that the Russians pay the price for violating the norms of international law." The Kremlin denied that Russia was blocking traffic through the Kerch Strait. "I don't know of any restrictions at the moment. On the contrary, as far as we know the Kerch Strait is operating normally," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Peskov said delays did sometimes occur in the area as a result of bad weather. The Kerch authority said a weather advisory was posted in the area on November 29. Meanwhile, Poroshenko praised U.S. President Donald Trump's decision not to meet with Putin at the G20 meeting in Argentina this weekend out of concern that Moscow has not returned Ukraine's ships and sailors. "This is how great leaders act!" Poroshenko said in an English comment on Twitter. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis voiced his support for Ukraine for the first time in remarks to reporters at the Pentagon on November 29, saying Russia's actions were "a flagrant violation of international law"and "a cavalier use of force," and provided evidence that "Russia cannot be counted on right now to keep its word." With reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-nato- react-cooly-ukraine-poroshenko-call-new- moves-against-russia/29629488.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pantsir-S Missile Battalion Enters Service in Crimea After Kerch Strait Incident Sputnik News 14:34 30.11.2018 The deployment comes after three Ukrainian ships illegally entered Russian territorial waters as they sailed toward the Kerch Strait last Sunday. Moscow described the incident as a clear provocation in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and promised to suppress any attempts to challenge its territorial integrity. Russia has deployed a Pantsir-S missile and anti-aircraft artillery batallion to Crimea, according to the press service of the Russian Southern Military District. "The newest [Pantsir-S] air defence systems have entered service among the anti-aircraft missile units of the Southern Military District deployed in Crimea [] as part of the programme to re-equip the district's troops," the press service said. The deployment, which came after Pantsir-S's live-fire drills at the Kapustin Yar test site, followed the fourth battalion of S-400 missile systems being put into active service in the Crimean town of Dzhankoy near the border with Ukraine. Earlier this week, S-400 batteries were deployed near the Crimean cities of Feodosia, Sevastopol and Yevpatoria. The Pantsir-S and S-400 deployment comes after three Ukrainian ships illegally crossed into Russian territorial waters, attempting to enter the Kerch Strait, the entrance to the Sea of Azov, without Russian permission. The vessels were seized by Russia after failing to respond to a demand to stop; their crews were detained. The Pantsir-S system boasts the latest air defence technology, using phased-array radars for both target acquisition and tracking. The system is armed with a pair of dual 2AQ38M 30 mm automatic cannons and up to twelve 57Eb-E two-stage solid fuel radio-command-guided surface-to-air missiles capable of hitting targets up to 20 kilometres away and at altitudes of up to 15 kilometres. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO to Keep Monitoring Black Sea Following Ukraine's Kerch Strait Provocation Sputnik News 11:31 30.11.2018(updated 12:10 30.11.2018) Earlier, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called on NATO to deploy its warships to the Sea of Azov to support Ukraine in the wake of the incident in the Kerch Strait near Crimea last Sunday, when three Ukrainian vessels were seized by Russia after entering Russian territorial waters. NATO will "continue to assess its presence in the Black Sea region", where the alliance's ships are carrying out routine patrols and drills, NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu was quoted by Turkey's Anadolu news agency as saying. She said that "there is already a lot of NATO in the Black Sea" and that its vessels spent 120 days in the area this year, compared to 80 in 2017. "Several allies conduct NATO air policing in the region, and allies also conduct regular reconnaissance flights over the Black Sea. We also have a Romanian-led multinational brigade based in Craiova. [] Three NATO members Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey are littoral states, with their own national capabilities deployed in the Black Sea region," Lungescu added. Her remarks came after the Russian President's spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the Kremlin considers Poroshenko's request that NATO deploy its ships to the Sea of Azov to be an aspect of his strategy of provoking Russia in order to gain support in the run up to next year's Ukrainian elections. According to Peskov, the bottom line lies in "the electoral and domestic political interests of President Poroshenko". The statement followed Poroshenko's interview with the German tabloid Bild, during which he said that Kiev hopes that NATO will send its ships to the area in the Kerch Strait where three Ukrainian vessels were seized by Russia after entering Russian territorial waters on November 25. UK Admiral Lord Alan West, for his part, warned that if NATO makes such a move, it may fuel tensions in the region in the aftermath of the incident in the Kerch Strait. "You have to think very carefully about deploying forces close to Russia. If we send a huge NATO force there it will be seen as an aggressive posture but we could have a limited number of ships looking after freedom of navigation," he pointed out. Last Sunday, two Ukrainian frigates, the Berdyansk and the Nikopol, as well as the Yany Kapu, a tugboat, illegally entered Russian territorial waters as they sailed toward the Kerch Strait, the entrance to the Sea of Azov. The Ukrainian vessels were seized by Russia after failing to respond to a demand to stop. Moscow described the incident as a clear provocation in violation of Articles 19 and 21 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and promised to suppress any attempts to challenge its territorial integrity. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey and the EU Commission meet yesterday started negotiations on data sharing with the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) in line with the 2016 refugee deal between Brussels and Ankara that stipulated 72 benchmarks for Turkish citizens' visa liberalization. As Daily Sabah writes in the article Turkey, EU Commission meet to move forward on visa liberalization, "There are only six criteria left to be fulfilled. Consultations and negotiations with the EU are ongoing with an aim to fulfill the remaining criteria," Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yavuz Selim Kran said yesterday. Kran underscored that visa liberalization is a right of Turkish citizens stemming from EU law and added that they will continue to work towards implementing this right. Pointing out that the EU has not upheld some of its commitments laid down in the refugee deal, Kran stated that they will ensure the fulfillment of all the promises made by the EU. Turkey and the EU signed an agreement in 2016, to solve Europe's most pressing problem, the influx of refugees to the bloc. The agreement foresees that in exchange for Turkey stemming the refugee flow to Europe, the EU would pay Turkey 6 billion euros in financial aid to improve the living conditions for Syrian refugees in Turkey. The union also pledged to accelerate Ankara's EU membership process by opening five chapters and visa-free travel for Turkish nationals in the Schengen area, provided that Ankara fulfills a list of 72 criteria set by Brussels. Turkey fulfilled 66 criteria and has been working towards the remaining six regulations including, a legal cooperation agreement with EU member countries and reviewing anti-terrorism legislation. Yet, the EU has not taken tangible steps so far to implement its promises as negotiations near to an end. In relation to Turkey's progress, European Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos said on Wednesday that Turkish officials were very determined to complete them all in the shortest time possible. Avramopoulos stated that Turkey will continue to remain a strategic partner of the EU, underlining the cooperation between Ankara and Brussels on the fight against terrorism. Recently, Turkey and the EU have both signaled moves toward a period of normalization in ties that were strained following the 2016 coup attempt, stepping up contacts between officials and the stalled accession talks of Turkey. Accordingly, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and EU Council President Donald Tusk met in the Bulgarian Black Sea city of Varna on March 26, expressing their readiness to keep up the dialogue and consultations. The fourth meeting Reform Action Group (RAG) was also held on Aug. 29 in Ankara after a three-year break in a bid to mend ties. Most recently, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs, Faruk Kaymakc participated in a meeting of the Turkey-EU Association Committee on Wednesday. "I expressed Turkey's expectations from the EU regarding accession negotiations, visa liberalization, an update of Customs Union, financial cooperation, migration, counterterrorism, transport and energy to move forward Turkey-EU relations," he wrote on Wednesday on his official Twitter account. The high-level meetings, especially on energy, transport and the economy, are also expected to be intensified in the upcoming period, while a summit similar to the meeting in Varna is planned to be organized following the European Parliament elections in May The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that establishes the required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2019, and biomass-based diesel for 2020. The key elements of the action are: Conventional renewable fuel volumes, primarily met by corn ethanol, will be maintained at the implied 15-billion gallon target set by Congress for 2019. Advanced biofuel volumes for 2019 will increase by 630 million gallons over the 2018 standard. Cellulosic biofuel volumes for 2019 will increase by almost 130 million gallons over the 2018 standard. Biomass-based diesel volumes for 2020 will increase by 330 million gallons over the standard for 2019. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set annual RFS volumes of biofuels that must be used for transportation fuel for four categories of biofuels: total, advanced, cellulosic, and biomass-based diesel. EPA is using the tools provided by Congress to adjust the standards below the statutory targets based on current market realities. EPA implements the RFS program in consultation with the US Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Energy. Reaction from the various stakeholders was mixed, with concerns generally expressed about small refinery waivers. Under the RFS program, a small refinery may be granted a temporary exemption from its annual Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) if it can demonstrate that compliance with the RVOs would cause the refinery to suffer disproportionate economic hardship. The RFS regulations define a small refinery as one with an average crude oil input no greater than 75,000 barrels per day (bpd) crude in 2006. Additionally, the small refinery may not have an average aggregate daily crude oil throughput greater than 75,000 bpd in the most recent full calendar year prior to submitting a petition, and cannot be projected to exceed the 75,000 bpd threshold in the year or years for which it is seeking an exemption. Brent Erickson, Executive Vice President of the Biotechnology Innovation Organizations (BIO) Industrial and Environmental Section, said: We congratulate EPA for finalizing the rule for the Renewable Fuel Standards 2019 volumes and Biomass-Based Diesel Volumes for 2020 on time and applaud the agency for increasing advanced and cellulosic biofuel volumes from 2018. BIO is disappointed, however, that EPA missed this opportunity to reallocate gallons displaced from small refinery waivers, issued at the behest of the petroleum industry. From now on, EPA must take steps to ensure small refinery waivers are issued in accordance with the law, which states only in cases of disproportionate economic hardship. EPA also needs to approve new biofuel pathways and facility registrations to allow volumes of advanced and cellulosic biofuels to grow. Iowa Corn Growers Association President Curt Mether said: While were pleased to see the EPA finalize numbers at the statutory target for corn-based ethanol, Iowas corn farmers want the EPA to stop granting unnecessary waivers to obligated parties and not to include those waivers in its formula for determining annual volumes as required under the RFS. This intentional omission effectively cuts ethanol demand and works against the goals of the RFS program to the detriment of motorists, our environment, and Iowas corn farmers. Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, said: We are pleased to see the 2019 RVO numbers released on time and that they hold strong promise, with a 15-billion-gallon commitment to starch ethanol and 418 million gallons of cellulosic biofuels. But the latest EPA rule is also a missed opportunity to correctly account for billions of gallons of ethanol lost to refinery exemptions. Until these are addressed properly, were still taking two steps back for every step forward. The current Acting EPA Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, has a valuable opportunity to chart a new course for biofuels and rural America. To reverse the damage done by his predecessor, the EPA must follow the law and reallocate lost gallons, ensuring the ethanol targets set by Congress are actually met. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) criticized the ruling, saying that EPA is setting the advanced biofuel and biomass-based diesel volumes lower than what the agency acknowledges will be produced. Moreover, NBB said, the rule leaves open a backdoor to retroactively reduce required volumes through hardship exemptions. EPA recognizes that the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry is producing fuel well above the annual volumes. The industry regularly fills 90 percent of the annual advanced biofuel requirement. Nevertheless, the agency continues to use its maximum waiver authority to set advanced biofuel requirements below attainable levels. The method is inconsistent with the RFS programs purpose, which is to drive growth in production and use of advanced biofuels such as biodiesel. NBB CEO Donnell Rehagen In the final rule, EPA states that it has not received small refinery exemption petitions for 2019 and therefore estimates zero gallons of exempted fuel in its RVO formula. The agency has estimated zero gallons every year since 2015, even though it retroactively exempted more than 24.5 billion gallons of fuel between 2015 and 2017. The agencys own data shows that the retroactive small refinery exemptions reduced demand for biodiesel by more than 300 million gallons in 2018. "Any attempt of destabilization will be responded by law," Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze said at a press conference yesterday, InterPressNews reported. According to him, the government will not allow revolutionary scenarios or disorder in the country; the government will not allow the Georgian people to be threatened by irresponsible political leaders. "Of course, everyone has freedom of expression, which is protected by the constitution, but at the same time, any attempt of destabilization will be responded by law. Approximately, about two million voters participated in the elections, which once again demonstrates that we have a highly responsible society in Georgia and everyone should respect the choice of the Georgian people. We will not allow the Georgian people to be threatened by irresponsible political leaders. We will not allow revolutionary or revanchist scenarios. We will not allow any attempt to bring disorder into society. The state will safeguard the security of each citizen and protect the right to peaceful protest. The elections are over and the country has to return to normal rhythm of life. There are many things to be done and many challenges to be addressed," said Mamuka Bakhtadze. Mark Wilson/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- The Environmental Protection Agency's inspector general informed Congress this week that it has dropped investigations into former administrator Scott Pruitt's deal to live in a lobbyist's Capitol Hill condo and alleged abuse of office, saying that Pruitt resigned before he could be interviewed by investigators. The two investigations were demanded by outraged Democrats on the Hill who said Pruitt abused his position for personal benefit, including asking EPA employees to help him find housing and reportedly seek job opportunities for his wife. While the investigations continued after Pruitt resigned he was no longer required to cooperate. A spokeswoman for the inspector general's office said they do not comment on closed cases and declined to answer whether Pruitt declined to be interviewed. The inspector general's office also cleared appointee Samantha Dravis of allegations that she did not attend work for about three months, even though she was still being paid. Investigators said multiple witnesses and records show Dravis was working in the office and attending meetings during the time she allegedly wasn't working, so the allegations were unfounded. In another investigation, the watchdog determined that ethics officials were not pressured to approve the controversial condo deal, even though they did say they were only informed of the details of the arrangement after Pruitt lived there for several months. The results were announced in the inspector general's Semiannual Report to Congress, which details the offices work over the previous year. The EPA watchdog has published 52 reports in the 2018 fiscal year, including audits of Pruitt's security detail, failures that worsened the Flint water crisis, and the agency's management of asbestos in schools. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Daughter tells police she couldnt care for her father and that it would have been better for him to be sent to a nursing home after police found him. He couldnt remember his name or address. The incident highlights the old practice of abandoning sick elderly people to their death in a remote and desolate place. Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies) Police in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, arrested a 46-year-old unemployed woman for abandoning her father, a 79-year-old Alzheimer's patient, at a stop on the Chugoku Expressway near Kita, a suburb of Kobe. According to police, around 6:45 pm on 22 November, Ritsuko Tanaka took her father to the Akamatsu parking lot, some 70 kilometres from their home, and left him there. The police were called after staff noticed the man walking around and looking confused. The elderly man could not remember his name or home address, but managed to give his daughter's name to the officers. After she was arrested last Monday, in the evening, the daughter told police that she was unable to cope with her father and that it would have been better for him, once found by the police, to be placed in a nursing home. The case has been front-page news. For many, it is the latest example of ubasute, an old Japanese practice of abandoning the elderly to their death in a remote and desolate place. In recent years, several episodes have been reported. In March 2011, a 63-year-old man, Katsuo Kurokawa, from northeast Japan, left his disabled older sister in the mountains of Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, with some food. She is thought to have drowned in the Obitsu River soon afterwards. He eventually confessed after he was arrested three years later for breaking into a donations box at a shrine in Chiba. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a condolence letter to US President Donald Trump over passing of George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the US. I was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States, an outstanding statesman, Ilham Aliyev said in his letter, Trend reports. On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to you, the family of the late George Herbert Walker Bush, and the whole people of the United States. President Ilham Aliyev also expressed condolences to George Walker Bush, the 43rd President of the US. I was deeply saddened by the news of the death of your father George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States, an outstanding statesman, the Azerbaijani president said in his letter. Sharing your grief in this difficult time, I extend my deepest condolences to you and all the members of your family over this irreparable loss. The Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) of the Ministry of Investment and Development of Kazakhstan has announced a contest for 16 tourist routes. It is planned to be held in 16 subsidized directions connecting the regions of Kazakhstan, the CAC explained. "As a part of the instructions of the head of state, special attention is paid to the development of tourist air routes," Sputnik-Kazakhstan quotes message of the committee. The CAC drew attention to the fact that ten of the air routes announced for the contest will be aimed at increasing the accessibility of the tourist areas of Lake Alakol, Balkhash, the Bukhtarminsky Reservoir and the resort of Borovoe. On Tuesday, December 4, the best archers of Kuban will gather in Sochi: about 80 men and women will compete for the title of the best shooter of the region, the press service of the regional Ministry of Physical Culture and Sport informs. The competitions will be held on the basis of the Yug Sport facility (the martial arts hall) of the Olympic capital. Athletes of the region will compete for medals in the classic and block divisions in shooting at a distance of 18 meters, AiF-Yug reports. The best archers will enter the national team of the region, which will perform at the All-Russian tournaments. It's that time of year again. Santa is making his rounds in southwestern Connecticut. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. According to History.com, "it is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick." Central Greenwich The needs of the Greenwich community will be front-and-center as Greenwichs new state lawmakers attend a legislative breakfast and discussion Thursday morning. The Greenwich United Way hosts First Selectman Peter Tesei, who will be joined by state Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-36, as well as state Reps. Livvy Floren, R-149, Michael Bocchino, R-150, and Fred Camillo, R-151. State Sen.-elect Alexandra Bergstein and state Rep.-elect Stephen Meskers will also take part. Bergstein, who defeated Frantz in last months election, and Meskers, who beat Bocchino, will join Floren and Camillo in Hartford when the next legislative session begins in January. After about a half-hour for breakfast on Thursday, the hourlong discussion will begin. Greenwich United Way CEO David Rabin is collecting questions to ask of the legislators, who will get the queries in advance so they can prepare detailed responses. Some of the topics will include the need for safe, reliable and accessible public transportation as well as domestic violence and the opioid crisis. The topics tie into concerns from the most recent survey of Greenwich residents who are classified as ALICE, or asset limited income constrained and employed. ALICE residents are working but may be just a paycheck away from financial catastrophe. About 30 percent of working families in Connecticut face that hardship, and Rabin said he expects it to be a major part of Thursdays discussion. The number of ALICE residents in town has increased from 15 percent of the population to 22 percent and thats in addition to the 6 percent of residents who are living below the federal poverty line, he said. Rabin said he wants the crowd and the legislators to be aware of the most pressing human services needs in Greenwich and how it relates to Hartford. Greenwichs legislative delegation can make sure that leaders in Hartford understand the extent of the economic problem and are prepared to deal with it, he said. Rabin will be the moderator of the event, which will begin at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 6 in the meeting room on the first floor of Town Hall. It is free and open to all. Riverside Students are Riverside School are rallying this holiday season to help other children in a place far from town. On Nov. 16, there was a school-wide community service event called Holidays for Haiti. Kids in every grade brought in holiday gifts that will be sent to a school in Haiti called Danitas Children, which educates more than 300 children in kindergarten through 13th grade. The event was put together by Riverside School and its PTA to get the students involved in the community and encourage a culture of giving back. And it was heavily promoted at school, with classroom discussions and lunchtime presentations. It was a big success, Riverside School PTA co-president Kristin Duda said. They worked closely with Danitas Children to find out exactly what the Haitian children needed. The event was inspired by a Riverside School family who had recently volunteered there. We are thrilled with the success of this event, said Christopher Weiss, Riversides principal. This project allowed our students to give back in tangible ways, and impact those in need in a meaningful and lasting manner. The Riverside kids showed enormous enthusiasm and participation, said Duda. We do community projects that have an impact locally, nationally and internationally, Duda said. We want to do as many different kinds of projects as we can. More than 300 packets were assembled, with more toys and trinkets for the kids along with necessities such as toothbrushes and socks. The donations were worth more than $5,000. The students also made cards for the Haitian children. Everything is expected to be mailed to Danitas Children early this month. Duda said they hope the Riverside students learned a lasting lesson. We wanted the children to learn about other children in a different community and a different culture than them, Duda said. We want them to see they can impact others in a meaningful way. Downtown The Greenwich Library will celebrate the season with its Winterfest event on Dec. 15 with activities for the entire family. A Winterfest-themed story time will be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the library with songs and stories for toddlers, preschoolers and early elementary age children. A childrens crafts and activities event where kids can make playdough snowmen, snowflake sun catchers and picture frame ornaments will follow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. No registration required for either activity. At 1 p.m., the Paper Bag Players will perform their Stand Up and Cheer production. The family-friendly hour will be brimming with lively music and dance, raucous audience participation, larger-than-life characters, singalong songs, and hilarious stories, all wrapped in signature paper and cardboard costumes and sets. Registration is required for the performance at www.greenwichlibrary.org. The Winterfests final event is called Create a Winter Wire Loop Game, which takes place from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Kids will learn about basic circuity as they make a game that they can take home. Arrive five minutes early; the activity will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. Space is limited; advance registration is required. No experience in circuitry is needed, and all materials will be provided. Glenville Tickets are now on sale for the towns annual roller skating party, which is held on the day after Christmas at the Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center in Glenville. Space is limited, so residents should sign up in advance, the Department of Parks and Recreation said. The party, for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade, will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 26. The $7 fee covers the skate rental, but kids can bring their own skates or roller blades from home. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The event is run by Sherry Klein, who also runs the towns skating program at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. Tickets are on sale at www.greenwichct.org/webtrac, and by mail or in person at Town Hall. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com Commander of Iranian Navy said a new generation of Moudge-class destroyer and third generation of Jamaran destroyer will join the naval fleet in the Persian Gulf on Saturday, Mehr news agency reports. Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi made the remarks at Tehran Friday Prayers, a day after two Ghadir-class submarines capable of launching subsurface-to-surface missiles, torpedoes and mines joined Iran's naval fleet. Khanzadi noted that a 955-Ghadir submarine, and a next-gen Fateh-class strategic submarine, and a completely domestically-manufactured Sahand destroyer will join the southern naval fleet today. He added that a next-gen Moudge-class destroyer (Sahand) and a third generation Jamaran-class destroyer will also join the fleet in the Persian Gulf on Saturday. According to him, Dena-class destroyers and another Jamaran-class destroyer will be re-constructed in a few months and join the naval fleet. When Naomi Granger and Andrew Zucker first started their company, Dope CFO, it was to service actual cannabis clients such as dispensaries, grows, and edible makers, who were trying to understand and navigate the complex financials of the business. However, they quickly realized that there was another gaping void in the industry -- training other accountants and bookkeepers in the skills they'd amassed over the years. "There was a huge need for educated accountants in the space because in the last 10 years there have been basically none serving cannabis while it's been federally illegal," says Zucker. So Granger and Zucker put their heads together, did the research, and created the second part of their business: Online courses designed to educate future cannabis accountants/bookkeepers on the ways of weed. Here's there advice to those thinking about breaking into the often lucrative profession of cannabis accounting. Related: Know a Good Accountant? Cannabis Companies Are Looking 1. Have some basic training While you don't necessarily need to be a CPA to get into cannabis accounting, you do need to bring with you some sort of relevant skill set, such as a Quickbooks bookkeeper, an EA, or an MBA, before you just jump cold toking into the cannabis business. The industry is hard enough with years of experience under your belt so it helps to know the basics. 2. Don't expect it to be like other accounting jobs Even if you have prior expertise, don't expect cannabis accounting to be like any other job you've ever done. "You need someone to give you knowledge of the cannabis business because you won't have it," says Zucker. "It's not something you can just google. There's no industry guidance, there's no GAAP guidance, there's no Quickbooks guidance. You need the training." Cannabis training companies, like Dope CFO, can come in handy for this. 3. Educate yourself If you can't afford to take a course, you'll need to go on your own self-guided learning tour and make yourself an expert. Zucker suggests going to the myriad cannabis conventions and events in every major city. "It's a great way to meet people, learn about the legal rules, the state rules, the accounting rules," he says. "You will meet CEOs, attorneys, and other accountants." Related: 3 Trade-Show Tips for Meeting the Right People and Make a Memorable Impression 4. Find a niche Identifying an area of expertise will be your secret weapon, according to Zucker. "If you're an expert, the clients will find you. Trust me on that. And if you're an expert you're going to serve your clients way better. They count on me to bring them referrals, business and answer questions." 5. Find a community It takes a village to become a cannabis accountant. Says Granger, "You need to have a community of cannabis accountants with different expertise because you might not know something or you might need to partner with somebody to learn something and advance yourself." 6. Be flexible and fluid With all the moving parts in cannabis accounting, one thing remains certain: Things will always be uncertain. "It's not pretty. It's not easy. It's not cookie cutter," says Granger. "That's kind of difficult for accountants because we just want things to be pretty, in a box and work. But you're not going to see that in cannabis." Related: This is How to Navigate the Dreaded 280e Tax Code 7. Be overly-organized Because every state has its own system, you have to be on top of what's what and stay organized. You also have to be "on top of your clients," says Granger. "Because they're transitioning out of an illegal business, they're used to just doing it however they want to do it because it's illegal anyway. So you have to be able to train them and help them get used to keeping receipts and documenting every single dollar." Related: 7 Things You Need to Know Before Becoming a Dope Accountant From Fighting Terrorists in Syria to Delivering Sativa in Michigan She Was a Caterer. Now She's a Budtender. Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved MEXICO CITY - A leftist leader vowing to launch a "profound and radical" transformation of Mexico and improve the lives of the poor was sworn in as president on Saturday, opening an uncertain era in a country with deep economic and security ties with the United States. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, 65, known by his initials AMLO, took office as potentially the most powerful Mexican president in decades. Not only did he win 53 percent of the vote in a three-way race, but his party cinched a majority in both houses of Congress and gained control of numerous state legislatures. "Today, we begin a change of our political regime," Lopez Obrador said in an address to the nation, after donning the green, white and red presidential sash in Congress. "Starting from now, we will carry out a peaceful, steady political transformation. But it will also be profound and radical, because it will end the corruption and impunity that impede Mexico's rebirth." Lopez Obrador is the first leftist president since Mexico transitioned from a one-party authoritarian state to a full democracy in 2000. So far, he has given conflicting signals about whether he will govern as a centrist or more of an ideologue. In his speech, he launched a blistering attack on the free-market, pro-trade policies that Mexican governments have followed since the 1980s, saying they had been "a disaster, a calamity" resulting in tepid growth, rising income inequality and the migration of impoverished workers. Lopez Obrador took particular aim at the country's energy reforms, completed in 2013, which were meant to attract more foreign investment and expand the state-run industry. In his address, he called that policy a failure, raising questions about whether he would attempt to block future foreign contracts in the oil industry. International companies have already invested billions here, and Lopez Obrador's statements were seen by some as a harbinger of his broader economic policies. A longtime social activist known for his simple lifestyle, Lopez Obrador has promised to battle corruption and usher in a new era of government austerity, ending the opulence and perks enjoyed by past leaders. His inauguration marked a sharp break with tradition. Lopez Obrador was driven to the Congress in his simple white Volkswagen Jetta. Across town, the Mexican White House and its gardens were thrown open to the public as a newly established park. Lopez Obrador has given up the residence, known as Los Pinos, and plans to sell the presidential jet and travel commercially. Hundreds of people strolled through the landscaped grounds of the presidential estate on Saturday, gaping at a palatial residence they had only previously seen on television. "I feel like I'm dreaming," said Braulio Melquiades, 69, who owns an auto parts shop in the city. "We are poor people staring at these beautiful things for the first time." Lopez Obrador pledged a raft of programs benefiting the poor - who make up over 40 percent of the population - as well as young people and the elderly. They include doubling monthly payments to the elderly and offering paid apprenticeships to 2.3 million young people. The election of a leftist "is a historic, very important change for Mexico, and it's very healthy in a country with the grotesque inequalities that we have," said Jesus Silva-Herzog Marquez, a prominent political scientist who teaches at the Tecnologico de Monterrey University. Yet he and other Mexicans are unsure whether Lopez Obrador will govern as a practical-minded centrist - as he did as mayor of Mexico City from 2000 to 2005 - or an autocratic populist. While there are moderate, U.S.-educated academics in the new cabinet, analysts say power has shifted from the technocrats who have steered Mexican financial policy for decades. In November, the stock market tumbled 14 percent and the peso weakened after Lopez Obrador and his party proposed limits on bank fees and the cancellation of a $13 billion airport in Mexico City that was already under construction. The sell-off occurred as Brazil's markets soared on the election of a far-right politician. "There's just a lot of uncertainty," said Alfredo Coutino, director for Latin America at Moody's Analytics. The president has sought to reassure investors, saying he will respect the independence of the central bank and not expropriate land. Lopez Obrador has also embraced the previous Mexican government's efforts to preserve much of NAFTA in negotiations with the Trump administration. Another sign of Lopez Obrador's pragmatism is his warm relationship with Washington. In his inauguration address, the new Mexican leader made a point of welcoming President Donald Trump's envoys to the ceremony - Vice President Mike Pence and Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter and adviser. Since his election on July 1, Lopez Obrador said in his speech, "I have been treated with respect by Donald Trump." The relationship, which has been strained by Trump's insulting tweets and insistence on a border wall, may soon be tested. Trump has vowed to block thousands of migrants who have traveled to the U.S. border in a caravan from Central America. Lopez Obrador pledged during his campaign that he would not "do the dirty work of foreign governments" in deterring Central American migrants. But in a significant concession, his administration recently indicated its willingness to host the Central Americans as they await asylum interviews in the United States. Lopez Obrador, the son of a shopkeeper in the southern state of Tabasco, is a longtime opposition politician who won the presidency on his third attempt. He built his career as an outsider using mass demonstrations to pressure the government on issues like alleged electoral fraud. He has been highly critical of Mexico's democratic institutions, including courts, the press and the independent electoral authority, and has sought to use informal public referendums to rally support for his plans - raising concerns that he will pursue a personalistic, autocratic form of government. "It has become abundantly clear that AMLO's number one priority is to consolidate power," Duncan Wood, the director of the Mexico Institute at the Washington-based Wilson Center, wrote in a recent issue of Americas Quarterly. The new president, he wrote, feels that democratization and the decentralization of authority have "weakened the government's ability to bring order to the country" and contributed to soaring rates of violence. Lopez Obrador has denied seeking to rule as a strongman. He begins his six-year term with a 66 percent favorability rating, according to the newspaper El Financiero - while only 26 percent of Mexicans approve of the performance of outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto. But support for Lopez Obrador could flag if he can't fund his ambitious agenda. He has pledged to pay for social programs by reducing government salaries and fighting corruption, but economists question whether that will work. The new president also has appeared to retreat on some campaign promises, such as removing the military from their central role in fighting organized crime and violence. He recently announced that, given the weakness and corruption of the police, the military would command a new National Guard force to keep order. Juan Torres Aburto, 57, traveled from Acapulco to the capital for the inauguration. He was among the crowds at the former presidential estate watching Lopez Obrador's swearing-in on giant outdoor screens. "He's saying all the right things, but it's still a nervous time for me, a moment of uncertainty," Torres Aburto said. He pointed at the nearby statues of previous Mexican leaders. "I voted for them, too, and look at what happened. It was a mess." These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Armenias acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will visit Russia on a working visit, News.am reported. Pashinyan will participate in the regular meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council to be held on December 6 in Saint Petersburg. He is also expected to meet with the representatives of the local Armenian community. Haiti - Justice : Armed attack against the judge Dieunel Lumerant On the night from Thursday to Friday, November 30, 2018, around two o'clock in the morning, heavily armed individuals riddled with bullets, the home of the examining magistrate Dieunel Lumerant, who is in charge of the investigation on the shipment of illegal weapons seized in Saint-Marc in 2016 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18569-haiti-flash-worrying-seizure-of-weapons-from-the-usa.html . The magistrate as well as the members of his family came out safe and sound. The projectiles broke the windows of the judge's room, according to Jean Wilner Morin, president of the National Association of Magistrates of Haiti (ANAMAH), saying that this attack comes at a time when Judge Lumerant is preparing to make his Closing order on this file. The judge's vehicle also received several projectiles. After this "intimidation attempt", the police reinforced security around the house of Judge Lumerant. Wilner Morin calls other judges who work on sensitive files to be cautious, while calling on the authorities to take all measures to protect magistrates. Let's remember that on September 8, 2016, at the St-Marc customs car park, had been seized from Miami : 150 12-gauge shotguns, 9 shotguns 12-gauge double-barrel, 5 rifles M 4,15 pairs of handcuffs, 10 pairs of boots, 50 boxes of 50 units of caliber 38 bullets, 4 boxes of 1,000 units 9mm bullets, 10 boxes of 250 units of caliber 12 bullets, 7 holsters, 50 boxes of 50 cartridges 380, 2 boxes of 250 bullets 12,7 caliber 5,56 mm chargers, 1 M14 charger, 12 uniforms (blue pants, black shirt), 5 tactical vests, 1 Glock 9 mm pistol BCB2761 and one charger. For the moment Judge Lumerant has already indicted Godson Orelus, former director general of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25946-haiti-justice-godson-orelus-former-dg-of-the-pnh-arrested-and-imprisoned.html who is incarcerated in the civil prison of Saint-Marc, as well as Reginald Delva, former Minister of the Interior and Territorial Communities who is charged with complicity in transnational crime https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26111-haiti-justice-the-former-minister-of-the-interior-reginald-delva-charged-with-complicity.html , of illicit trafficking in firearms, ammunition and criminal conspiracy. Tansis that Vladimir Paraison, coordinator of the general security of the National Palace, recently resigned, is the subject of a mandate to bring in the context of this file. While Vladimir Paraison, coordinator of the general security of the National Palace, recently dismissed, is the subject of a warrant to bring in this case. For its part, the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) states in a note that the public service of justice should not be the object of any constraint of any kind whatsoever. "All the judges deserve protection and security in the exercise of their function," giving the guarantee that it will take all the necessary measures so that the Security of Magistrates is suitably assured. "I condemn the assassination attempt perpetrated against Me Lumerant, judge of instruction of Saint Marc, this November 30. I am at the side of all the magistrates of the republic in this ordeal. I invite the authorities to assume their responsibilities," reacted Me Andre Michel of the Democratic and Popular Sector. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : Jovenel Moise left the country... for Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba The President of the Republic of Haiti, Jovenel Moise left the country yesterday Friday to make an official visit to Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba. This Saturday, December 1, 2018, the Head of State will attend the inauguration of the elected President of Mexico, Mr. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. On Monday 3rd December 2018, Jovenel Moise will participate in an extraordinary meeting of CARICOM Heads of State and Government in Trinidad and Tobago on the unique market and economy. On the same day, the Haitian President will visit Cuba, as part of the celebration of twenty years of Haitian-Cuban cooperation; he will meet officially with the Cuban authorities and carry out other activities. According to the program, the head of state will hold official talks with the Cuban authorities and will pay homage to the national hero, Jose Marti, at the commemorative monument of the capital that bears his name. Moses announced last August his intention to travel to Cuba to visit the young people of his country who study in the largest island of the West Indies. On this occasion, the President thanked Cuba for its cooperation, saying that "Cuban cooperation, if it's not the best, is one of the best," adding that the island has helped Haiti in all areas. Recall that diplomatic relations between Cuba and Haiti were established in February 1904, and since then, ties of friendship have been strengthened, especially in recent years thanks to the help and cooperation provided by the Governmen and the Cuban people. In addition to medicine, Havana and Port-au-Prince have developed programs in areas such as agriculture, fisheries, education, water resources, construction and meteorology. HL/ HaitiLibre BRCC to award 500 $1,000 scholarships next fall Blue Ridge Community College plans to award 500 new $1,000 scholarships totaling $500,000 to graduating seniors in Henderson and Transylvania counties starting next fall, the college announced Saturday. IMPACT scholarships are available to students graduating from a Henderson or Transylvania County public, private, or homeschool in the 2018-19 academic year and enroll at BRCC in Fall 2019. Interested high school seniors with plans to attend Blue Ridge Community College in the fall of 2019 should visit blueridge.edu/scholarships to apply. The scholarships are part of the Impact Campaign launched in May of 2018, which has a goal of raising $2 million by June 30, 2019. A quarter of the $2 million raised goes toward the 500 new scholarships announced Saturday. Another quarter of the funds will go toward addressing critical needs, and half the money raised, or $1 million, fully funds the Pay It Forward Endowed Chair position started by Ellen Perstein in 2006. Blue Ridge Community College provided more than $370,000 in scholarships to students in 2017. The Board of Directors for Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation and the Board of Trustees for the College wanted to send more local students to Blue Ridge and made a commitment to increase that amount to $500,000 through the Impact Campaign. Our entire community benefits when we are able to remove financial barriers to higher education and training opportunities, BRCC President Laura Leatherwood said. We are so appreciative to our donors. They really stepped up to partner with the College to deliver on this goal. Presidential runner-up Peter Casey is set to take part in a new radio series for Newstalk. The 61-year-old Derry businessman became the most talked-about presidential candidate after expressing controversial views about Travellers. He is now expected to team up with Newstalk on a number of one-off pieces that will air within the station's existing schedule. Speculation that he would replace veteran broadcaster George Hook, who retired last week, has been dismissed. Ethnic "I'm delighted to be teaming up with Newstalk. More details on what I'm doing will be revealed soon," Mr Casey told the Herald last night. "Peter Casey will not present his own show on Newstalk or host a regular slot," said a Newstalk spokesperson. Mr Casey was bottom of all the polls before taking part in Independent.ie's political podcast, The Floating Voter. During the recording, he insisted that Travellers should not be considered an ethnic minority. As controversy raged, he doubled down and went on to complain about Ireland turning into a welfare state. He dominated public debate during the final days of the election campaign in October, and received more than 340,000 votes. While Michael D Higgins was the clear winner with 55pc of the votes, Mr Casey received 23pc of the votes. Sean Gallagher, who finished third, achieved just 6pc. This will not be the first time that Mr Casey has appeared on TV or the radio. He was previously an investor on RTE's popular Dragons' Den. Since the presidential election, he has regularly taken part in media interviews, including a controversial appearance on The Late Late Show, where he accused Ryan Tubridy of losing control of the audience. He has also claimed that he would like to run for the Dail whenever a general election is called. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Ankara a reliable partner for Moscow, thanking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the progress in solving of a number of problematic issues. I thank you for the fact that after our recent meeting in Istanbul, we see impulses on the issues that still need to be resolved, Putin said at a meeting with Erdogan on the margins of the G20 summit, RIA Novosti reports. The Centra store in Jobstown was looted during a snowstorm A convicted burglar who looted a shop during a snowstorm has been jailed. Lawyers for David Berney (37) told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that, like many people, Berney was "reminded of his childhood" when the Beast from the East weather system brought heavy snowfall to the capital last March. "But unlike others he was high on cocaine at the time," Eoin Lawlor, defending, told Judge Cormac Quinn. Habit Berney, of Suncroft Park, Tall-aght, pleaded guilty to burgling the Centra store in Jobstown last March 2. He was on bail at the time awaiting prosecution for a burglary at a home in Rock Lodge, Stepaside, in December 2014, and has since pleaded guilty to that offence. Berney's offending constituted "crimes of acquisition to feed his drug habit", the court heard. He had previous convictions for robbery, assault, burglary and making threats to kill or cause serious harm. Judge Quinn imposed a two-year prison sentence for the 2014 burglary and 18 months for the looting incident. However, he suspended the latter term on condition that Berney keep the peace and engage with addiction and social reintegration services. Berney was found hiding in a cash room at the rear of the shop. Another man, who is still before the courts, was in his company and they had used a sledgehammer to force their way into the back offices while others looted the store, the court heard. Det Gda David Jennings told Eoghan Cole, prosecuting, that gardai in Tallaght became aware of looting at the Centra store. At the time, most shops were closed due to a severe weather warning. Because of the storm, officers set out in an official 4x4 but were forced to get out before reaching the shop because the road was blocked by snow and abandoned vehicles. When they reached the shop, they spotted about 20 people running in and out, Det Gda Jennings said. A "con saw" had been used to cut a hole in the security shutters. Smashed People began shouting "Garda! Garda!" to alert others who were still inside, but the store alarm was ringing so the shouts could not be heard. He said Berney had entered the shop about 90 seconds before gardai arrived. While others were looting, he and two other men had gone to the rear storeroom. Another man smashed open the storeroom door and the three men then entered the cash room. Counsel for Berney said he was willing to work on his rehabilitation. A man who was sent to prison for damaging a 10m Monet painting has been jailed again after being convicted of hand-ling an oil painting stolen from a stately home. Andrew Shannon (54) of Willans Way, Ongar, Clonsilla, was convicted by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possession of a stolen painting valued at 5,000 at his home on January 31, 2014. Yesterday, Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced Shannon to two years in prison, which she backdated to last February 20, the day he went into custody. Sgt Eugene McCarthy told John Berry, prosecuting, that a painting of a desert scene by Frederick Goodall, dating from 1892, was stolen from Bantry House, Seafield, Bantry, Co Cork, in March 2006. Sgt McCarthy said gardai obtained a warrant to search Shannon's home on an unrelated matter in 2014 and noticed various pieces of art hanging on the walls, one of which was the Goodall oil painting. Violated Shannon was charged in September 2016 and released on bail, but violated his conditions by travelling to the UK. He was convicted by a jury on Wednesday following a two-day trial. Shannon had 51 convictions, 13 relating to matters in foreign jurisdictions, including for theft, burglary and handling stolen property, many related to the theft of antiques. He received a six-year sentence after being convicted of damaging a Claude Monet painting, Argenteuil Basin with a Single Sail Boat (1874), at the National Gallery of Ireland, Clare Street, on June 29, 2012. Justin McQuade, defending, said his client had health difficulties and had quadruple bypass heart surgery in 2013. Judge Ryan said mitigating factors were Shannon's ill health, age and a favourable governor's report. He had been about to adjourn the case until next week, only for Shannon to say he was under enough stress and ask her to "get it over with now." Sorcha Furlong, who plays Orla Molloy on Fair City, found her motherly instinct kicking in when she filmed the latest emotional scenes for the soap. Orla has found herself in the unenviable position of a mother with a child who is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. Neither she nor husband Wayne - played by Victor Burke - are a match for Junior, so Orla has decided to have a second "saviour" child through IVF with Junior's biological father, Tommy. "Orla is not really thinking things through. She's just thinking, 'What can we do?'," Sorcha told the Herald. "It's a human story, and we were conscious that people are going through this and you want to play the role in a truthful way. "It's our responsibility to do this justice. At the end of the day, when we finish, we get to go home to our family. "However, there are people out there who are dealing with this. God forbid, we could all be in that situation." As a mother to eight-year-old daughter Stella, Sorcha said it was a tough storyline to handle, but as an actress she said the emotional elements of the plot have been "amazing" to experience. Sorcha said she wanted to protect Charlie Duffy, the five-year-old who plays Junior. Crying "He will ask, 'Why are you crying real tears?' and I'll tell him that I'm having a bad day. "We all find ourselves bringing the scene down a bit - he's a brilliant actor, but we're all protecting him." While Fair City is usually shot out of sequence, the crew made things a little easier by shooting all the hospital scenes together. "It's challenging and heartbreaking - it all upsets you," she said. "We have a real nurse on set to make sure all the equipment is used correctly. "I just think there's a mam going through this for real in Temple Street." Sorcha, who's a close friend of Victor, said the actor has returned to Dublin after the devastating fires in Malibu destroyed his home. "They're all safe and sound - that's the main thing. It was all very surreal," she said. The Bluebell Youth and Community Centre has been forced to close because of vandalism Vandals caused "sickening" damage at a community centre described as the "heart" of a South Dublin neighbourhood. Bluebell Youth and Community Centre, in Dublin 12, was forced to close last Sunday after a break-in. It has yet to reopen. The centre is used for a variety of community events and classes. "Notice to all customers and clients, due to a second break-in in the centre, unfortunately the centre will not be in operation for a while," a statement read. Cash It is understood that the interior of the youth centre was damaged and a sum of cash was taken from vending machines. Councillor Daithi Doolan described the centre as the "heart" of Bluebell and called on any witnesses to come forward. "It's the very heart of this community, and that heart has momentarily stopped beating," Mr Doolan said. "It's an attack on the whole community, an act of sheer vandalism." Mr Doolan said he would raise with Dublin City Council the possibility of additional security measures. "We're calling on gardai to make sure the person is brought to justice for this incident. "Dublin has fewer gardai than ever and more demand - it's not a good cocktail," he added. "We need to look at CCTV and security preventions." Councillor Greg Kelly saw the damage on a visit to the centre. "This is not just an attack on a building but an attack on the community as a whole," he said. This DCC facility is used by every group in Bluebell, from children and youths, disability groups, mothers and fathers and the senior citizen. "Having seen the damage first-hand I can only express my shock that individuals would do this to the community." There was wanton damage to every part of the centre, he said. Meanwhile, one Bluebell resident said: "Absolutely sickened to hear this. So many different groups in the community benefit from the services." Gardai are investigating the break-in, which happened last Sunday between 3am and 4.30am, but are yet to make an arrest. A spokesperson said a large number of vending machines were ransacked, money taken and damage caused. Russian President Vladimir Putin has started the second day of his visit to Buenos Aires, where a G20 summit is taking place, with a working breakfast with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, TASS reported. Merkel came to a meeting with the Russian leader to the Alvear Palace Hotel, where the president is staying. Putin warmly welcomed the chancellor, invited her to breakfast and asked about Merkels further plans within the summit. The breakfast was held without the media. Earlier, The Indian Express reported that India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi Vladimir Putin and Chinese premier Xi Jinping for a trilateral meeting aimed at addressing various areas of cooperation among the three nations. This was the second trilateral meeting between India, Russia and China, which took place after a gap of twelve years. President Putin, President Xi Jinping and I discussed a wide range of subjects that would further cement the friendship between our nations and enhance world peace, the Prime Minister wrote on Twitter. Yesterday, Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte also briefly spoke ahead of a G20 session in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The two were spotted having an exchange in the room whereas world leaders were gathering for the plenary session after a photo opportunity. TASS also reported that Russian President will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his free time in lieu of his cancelled talks with US President Donald Trump. "Yes, there will be a meeting with the Turkish president on Sunday in the first half of the day," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday. NATO is amassing troops in countries bordering Russia, Russian Deputy Defense Minister, Colonel General Alexander Fomin, told reporters. "The NATO member-countries are arming themselves, with troops, heavy and armored vehicles being amassed in the Baltic countries, Poland and other countries under the guise of drills," he said, TASS reported. According to Fomin, among the countries building up their military presence are the ones that owe a great deal to Russia. "We lost over 600,000 lives for Poland. Now Poland is the key proponent of that plan and is ready to open a base and three command centers on its soil," he added. The de-escalation of the situation in the Kerch Strait and the liberation of Ukrainian sailors can only be achieved through the direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, Yuriy Boyko, the deputy of the Verkhovna Rada, founder of the Opposition Platform - for Life, said today. "We need to find a platform in the European Union and go to direct negotiations with the Russian Federation, unblock the passage of sea vessels and restore the economic cooperation. That's what needs to be done, rather than building up military rhetoric and saber-rattling, Boiko said, adding that the direct negotiations, preferably mediated by influential European leaders and the United States will indeed be the right step, RIA Novosti reports. It's our second pandemic Thanksgiving. How's it affecting you? It's Thanksgiving Day, and while it's the second COVID-19 Thanksgiving, more of us are traveling to celebrate the holiday with family and friends. Kiev authorities have decided to turn away all Russian men aged 16 to 60. Its apparently designed to prevent Moscow from forming private armies on Ukrainian soil, RT reported. The move was announced by the counrtys president Petro Poroshenko in a tweet on Friday. Kiev has imposed a blanket ban on all the Russian males aged between 16 and 60, effectively allowing only women and children to visit the country. Some men might be eligible for an exception over some sort of humanitarian reasons. The scale of the ban might be even larger, as some media outlets reported that the Ukrainian border guards are also denying entry to Russian women. The border guards are demanding women produce a bank statement to prove they have enough funds for their visit and generally deny entry if they lack such a document, Interfax has been told in regards to the situation unfolding at Kievs Borispol International Airport. Another woman told Meduza that shed been sitting in the airport for hours and she hadnt seen anyone with a Russian passport admitted. There are many women here, some of them with children, she added. The ban is supposed to prevent Russia from forming private armies, which are in fact representatives of the Russian armed force, as well as to prevent Russians from carrying out those operations in Ukraine which theyve planned back in 2014. The president did not elaborate what exactly Moscow had allegedly planned and why it had not managed to carry it out over the past four years. After the failed meeting between Russian president Vladimir Putin and US president Donald Trump, the representatives of the White House administration contacted the Kremlin administration and asked to continue the dialogue, presidential aide Yury Ushakov said today. "There were contacts. It was proposed to continue contacts on the both sides, including with Bolton," RIA Novosti quotes Ushakov as saying. The initiative of such contacts came from Americans, he added, having found it difficult to answer when it would be possible to talk about the preparations for the meeting of the leaders. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir yesterday, to discuss the upcoming Yemen peace talks and the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, All India Radio reported. According to a statement issued by the US State Department, the two officials met in Buenos Aires on the margins of the Group of 20 Summit, where they discussed a range of regional and bilateral issues. Dancers from South Korea, a drum opera from China and a rhythmic ensemble along with artist Akram Khan from India will all come together at the historic Purana Qila, this Saturday. This is just the beginning of the 10-day cultural extravaganza, Delhi International Arts Festival, in the Capital. The 12th edition of this festival will have about 1,000 artists from 20 countries perform in 92 events to be held at 20 venues across the city. Some of the artists travelling to Delhi for the festival from abroad, also have an Indian connect, and are elated to come here to perform. Anindita Neogy, a US-based Kathak dancer, says, I did my college from Delhi University, and during my college days while travelling to Mandi House for Kathak classes, I was always fascinated to see the DIAF posters. And now that I will be part of the festival as a soloist; its a unique opportunity for me. Such platforms help dancers like us to create a harmonious balance between fusion and pure approaches, and also helps us to share the work of both ends of the world. For example, this year I will present Lasya which is a sitar piece by Anoushka Shankar which will depict the carefree attitude of a girl in a bucolic surrounding. Such fusion Indian music with a touch of contemporary Kathak elevates the Indian art to a different altitude in global settings. But, ensuring all these acts come together without any hindrance isnt an easy task for the organisers. Prathibha Prahlad, founder and festival director, says, I almost gave up last year and even announced so, talking about the point when she decided to discontinue the festival. But, she goes on to share what inspired her to bounce back: After a couple of months, apart from the hundreds of messages and mails, I got a post card diligently handwritten. It was an 80-year-old lady who showered praises on me and said that I had changed the entire cultural landscape of Delhi. She blessed me and said that however difficult it was, I should continue for the future generations of Indians would benefit from this festival that reaffirmed their cultural identity. Many friends came forward and offered help and coaxed me into continuing this. Having overcome most major issues the festival director still feels that its difficult to invite artists from Pakistan, to be part of this grand global fest. Prahlad confesses, We had a Pakistani theatre group perform in DIAF in 2016. But, the leader of the group gave a press conference the day before their performance which had political overtones. We have always maintained that we are a cultural festival and that we dont recognize boundaries and are above politics. I have said that borders are artificial barricades between countries and peoples. India welcomed and supported Pakistani artistes. In fact, Pakistani artistes had a huge market in India. But, they do not welcome us with the same affection as we do them. I really want the Pakistani regime to realise that India sustains their country emotionally, fiscally and culturally. It is important for them to have good ties with India, not just us. There is huge deficit of trust and sadness in the manner Pakistan has conducted itself, more so recently. It is difficult in these circumstances to invite artistes from Pakistan. Catch It Live What: 12th Delhi International Arts Festival Where:For venues and timings, visit https://www.diaf.in/ When: December 1-10 A host of celebrities came to party under one roof at the Timekeepers Chopard Event Launch 25th Anniversary on Friday. Indias Got Talent judge and style diva Malaika Arora looked glamourous in a colour block dress by Berlin-based label, Lana Mueller. It however gave an impression of a full-sleeved silk top paired with a floor-length mermaid skirt. With her hair loosely tied in a rough ponytail, the Chaiya Chaiya girl paired the dress with pointed stilettos in matching pink. Kangana Ranaut, who is working on her upcoming film Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi also attended the event in Mumbai. The Queen actor sizzled in a baby pink Gauri and Nainika tulle dress with cute embellished flowers and sheer detailing. However, the star of the gala was Shah Rukh Khans wife and entrepreneur Gauri Khan. She was dressed to kill in a navy blue knee length dress with a thigh-high slit. With her hair swept aside in soft curls, the mother of three looked glamourous in the dress that had fur on the shoulders to add to the drama. She complemented her look with Christian Louboutin heels and a watch. Shilpa Shetty also raised the glam quotient at the event by stepping out in a bold look. The fitness freak sported a pantsuit by Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna and ditched the blouse for a risque look. With her hair combed back, Shilpa was one of the hottest celebs at the event. Race 3 actor Jacqueline Fernandez too attended the event in a demure look. The former Miss Sri Lanka was dressed in a white ensemble with a dramatic net detailing. Sacred Games star Saif Ali Khan too made an effort to look different at the event. The Nawab of Pataudi sported a ponytail and looked a dapper in a striped navy blue suit with a red rose in the buttonhole. Follow @htshowbiz for more As Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas tie the knot over this weekend in Jodhpurs Umaid Bhawan Palace, her The Sky is Pink director Shonali Bose penned a note for the actor on Instagram. Congratulating Priyanka on her wedding day, she wrote, I form a deep umbilical cord between me and my actors for them to perform the difficult things I require them to - rendering them emotionally naked. Very quickly I formed an intense one with you my darling Pri. She went on to write how she was feeling overwhelmed now that Priyanka is ready to take such a big step in her life. So, tonight on the eve of such a massive life altering journey that you are to embark on - I am feeling quite misty eyed. You were courageous enough to shoot such heart wrenching things with me mere days before of the happiest days of your life. I will be ever grateful for that. Happy wedding day sweetheart. And all the very best for this new leg of life. See you very soon back on set as Ms PCJ. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas in Jodhpur. Priyanka finished the Delhi schedule of the film before she left for Mumbai for her wedding celebrations. The films team had a small celebration where Nick was also present. Priyanka has been wonderful. She will be shooting with us right till the very eve of her nuptials, which I think shows a tremendous amount of professionalism, films producer Siddharth Roy Kapur had said earlier. Priyanka and Nick will marry this weekend in a two-day ceremony at a venue dubbed Indias most opulent royal palace. Chopra, 36, and 26-year-old Jonas were engaged this year after meeting at an Oscars after-party last year. The couple arrived with their families in Jodhpur on Thursday, and headed to the Umaid Bhawan Palace where the wedding will take place. People will need vacations after this wedding, Chopra said in an interview with Vogue magazine published on Thursday. A nights stay in the Grand Presidential suite can cost more than Rs 5 lakh, according to the hotel website. Details about the wedding have been scarce, but Hollywood actors Dwayne Johnson, Lupita Nyongo and talk show host Kelly Ripa are among those expected to attend, India media reported. Vogue said there would be two ceremonies - a traditional Hindu service and a Christian one that would be officiated by Jonas father. The groom will be dressed in royal attire and enter the wedding on a horse. 327pp, Rs 699; Harper Collins The shadow of a soldier stirred. He bent down to awaken another. The hour was up and it was time to change sentry duty. There was some grumbling from under the blanket that he was shaking. Wake up! Wake up! the soldier whispered. No response. Come on, his voice grew louder and more agitated. The lump under the blanket finally moved and somebody staggered out, mumbling their annoyance at being awoken. Would he fall asleep again on sentry duty? Despite this noise, there was no movement at all from any of the other sleeping men. I grew increasingly frustrated because I knew I desperately needed to rest to survive the next days of the march, for the end seemed nowhere in sight. Yet my mind just wouldnt shut down, and my thoughts kept racing back to Seema and Somwari. The contours of Gyanjis face stood out dark against the moonlit night. Kohli was between us, under Gyanjis blanket, his head and entire body huddled under the covers where it was warm. I watched Kohlis silhouette turn over under the covers. If he stayed with the Maoists, what kind of a man would he become? Would he eventually develop a more patriarchal attitude towards women than those that existed in the Adivasi households of Lalgaon where he had grown up? It felt as though I was upon a bed of rocks. I recalled that Gyanji and I had once had a conversation about the Muria and Gond Adivasi ghotul (a kind of dormitory a spacious mud hut for youth to gather) in Chhattisgarh and the dhumkuria, its equivalent in the Oraon and Munda Adivasi areas of Jharkhand. It was a sacred tribal hut for youth a childrens republic, Verrier Elwin had called it and existed in many villages, a place where girls and boys came to sing and dance, tell stories, plan village festivals, allot duties, and sometimes sleep together. Gyanji had said, As communists we dont approve of the ghotul; we are against premarital sexual relations because such relations dont seem to be about much more than freedom of choice. I had tried to defend the ghotul, saying that it was not a space of anarchy as he interpreted it; there were rules about what you can and cant do. And besides, what was wrong with premarital sexual relations? The Maoist Womens Liberation Front posing for a photograph in Jharkhand, 2009. (Courtesy Nightmarch by Alpa Shah) I wanted to awaken Gyanji and talk to him about these thoughts that were racing through my mind. To point out to him the potential virtues of the romantic liaisons between Adivasi youth who joined the Maoists, and to suggest that perhaps the guerrilla armies provided the space that the ghotul once had in Adivasi society. I wanted to make the case for the possibility that premarital and extramarital sexual relations, in fact, gave Adivasi women greater economic autonomy and respect in relation to their men than their higher-caste counterparts could enjoy. In a country which put so many constraints on women, I wanted to ask him about the many women who came to live with the guerrillas because of a man they had fallen in love with in the squads. And of the virtues of being able to leave their partners if they were unhappy with the relationship. So, I brought the subject up. Sexual anarchy, muttered Gyanji as he drifted in and out of sleep. I had realised that this was how he slept. I could talk to him all night long in his state of semi-sleep and in the morning he would remember the entire conversation, and also say that he had slept well. Annoyed, I asked him why he couldnt celebrate the Naxalites for inadvertently creating a space for voluntary sex-love relationships and why he had to be so moralistic about them. I cant understand, I continued, why as a Marxist you want to idolise family structures based on monogamous marriages. Werent they often about the subordination of women for the protection of private property owned by men? I asked. Dont you think Engels, one of your heroes, was right? That with the development of capitalism and the need to transmit wealth across generations, we have seen the increasing enslavement of women in monogamous family structures? Gyanji was clearly getting upset with me for confronting him with these questions and brushed them aside saying I didnt understand. I knew that the Maoist leaders were concerned about the widespread media propaganda against them. Male leaders were accused of sexually exploiting low-caste female cadres. They wanted to maintain a pure image of the movement, far from condoning casual sexual encounters. Any romantic liaisons were disrupted by the Maoists by assigning the couple into different platoons, by suspending one for a while, or, most commonly, by encouraging their marriage to make them legitimate. Author Alpa Shah (Courtesy Harper Collins) Although there were no Hindu rituals, a pledge of marriage was the only legitimate way in which a couple could be intimate amongst the Naxalites. Permission to marry had to be sought from the movements leadership and would be determined by showing that the desire to be together was not just sexual but would help the revolutionary cause. Once married, it was assumed that it was a lifelong partnership. The conjugal union was to be a democratic one, prohibiting inequalities of any kind between the husband and the wife. Couples had to be prepared to spend long periods apart due to the demands of war many of the leaders like Gyanji often didnt see their wives for six months or more. Wanting divorce without good reason amounted to irresponsibility and anarchy, a product of individualistic thinking that did not prioritise collective interest. If disputes arose between a couple, other comrades had the responsibility of settling them, ensuring that divorce would not be granted unless there really was an insurmountable problem. Ultimately, though, I said to Gyanji, what was or wasnt a problem would be decided by a male high-caste leadership and it seemed that the emphasis on marriage as the only legitimate way in which two people could be close was about controlling women. Using Marxist terminology, Gyanji accused me of being mechanical in my thinking. From his point of view, I knew this was a damning criticism. I wasnt sure exactly what he meant by mechanical in this context, except that I wasnt applying the art of discussing and examining opposing arguments and ideas in order to find the truth. Then teach me to be dialectical, I retorted. But he only responded with a deep sigh, indicating that he had drifted back into unconsciousness. I didnt have the heart to raise the question about the Naxalite perspective on same-sex unions. I think I knew that there wasnt one. Read more: Bappaditya Paul writes of the rebel who never returned in The First Naxal I was surrounded by all the sleeping men, huddled together under blankets they had amassed, piled up on top of one another, seeking bodily warmth from each other. I felt bitterly cold. I wished Seema were with me and that we could talk about these matters. Seema hadnt been able to come and stay with me in Somwaris house in the end. There must have been concerns about her security, but I wondered if part of the reason was that we needed the permission of the male leadership for that. This is the most uncongested city centre I have ever seen, but many Finns frown at Helsinki for being too crowded. Well, the Finns are famous for their leave-me-alone attitude and a fierce quest for privacy. For them, a lake-facing cottage (Finland has more than 1.87 lakh lakes) is more valuable than an apartment near the harbour-front market in Helsinki. So the Finns obsession for solitude and silence makes for great folklore as well as guffaw-inducing jokes. Both tourists and locals throng the Old Market Hall to taste Nordic cuisine (Saubhadra Chatterji) I hear this one in a Viking Line ship while crossing the Gulf of Finland: Two friends meet after ages and go for a beer. After the first pint, Aapo asks Paivio, How are you? Paivio mumbles. Aapo, after the second pint: Hows your family? Paivio mumbles again. Third pint over. Aapo asks, Youre still with Nokia? Paivio shouts: Perkele! Have we come here to talk or drink? Jari, our host in Helsinki, adds, Of course we are not like the Italians or those in Southern Spain. Theres a cultural difference. Vive le difference This difference makes Helsinki a fabulous place to visit, but only if you know how to tackle the cold gusts of wind. If its too chilly, go to the harbour-front market and check out the blue fox coats or wear a moose hide hat for five minutes. Helsinki offers a variety of fish (Saubhadra Chatterji) For heavens sake, dont complain about the cold weather. They say in Finland: Theres no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. We arrive at the Helsinki Airport Vantaa fully prepared. Our plan includes my morning walks for photography as my wife Ruchira has refused to wait endlessly during the day if I keep experimenting with my camera. Last year, she had to stand near Banco de Espana in Madrid for 45 minutes while I tried to capture the setting sun over the Gran Via. I will not talk about the consequences here. The first sight of Helsinki under a gloomy sky fails to inspire visitors. My romance with this Nordic outpost starts only when I delve deep into its narrow lanes and leafy corners. There are superb sculptures tucked behind trees. Take a turn and theres Huvilakatu a street full of art nouveau houses, reminding us of Finlands fabled world of design. Aged trams match the slow pace of this urban life. Pretty neighbourhoods such as Punavuori are full of small, cosy shops. Rocks were blasted to create the walls of this unique church (Saubhadra Chatterji) I barely start appreciating the charm of Helsinki when the unknown road brings me to the seafront. There, through the drapes of the morning mist, I see giant ships waiting to take wide-eyed travellers and beer-thirsty revellers to the fairylands of Stockholm and Tallinn. I am so happy that I return home and fall asleep. Ruchiras final warning that we will miss our planned tram tour somehow compels me to emerge from the layers of thick blankets. The sound of silence The deep green and pale yellow-coloured trams do not evoke as much nostalgia as their counterparts in Lisbon or Kolkata. Yet, they are the best option to reach important landmarks as well as simple residential areas. We hop off tram No. 2 near a local market at Hakaniemi to eat pork pie and reindeer meat chips. Half an hour later, we are at the entrance of the fabled Finlandia Hall with no intention to enter the place (everyone goes behind the hall to enjoy the serene Toolonlahti bay). We take another tram to the unique church in the rock amid rows of nondescript residential towers and an open space that looks like an abandoned quarry. Freshly grilled salmon with boiled potato is a must-try (Saubhadra Chatterji) Less adventurous visitors flock to the two most important places of worship: The white Lutheran cathedral and the golden-domed Orthodox cathedral. The peace-loving Finns, not entirely satisfied with such magnificent, historic churches, wanted better experiences. So, right next to the busiest commercial plaza, the Kamppi Centre, they built a chapel with a brilliant design to offer just one thing. Silence. Tired after a long meeting in office? Shopping for hours for the Christmas? Go to the Kampin Kappeli. I join the silent brigade for almost an hour. Staring at the emptiness and the curved wooden walls, I am so immersed in tranquility that I even forget to decide if I want a steak or grilled salmon for dinner. No decent Finn can imagine a visitor making dinner plans at 4pm. Many locals are not even halfway through their bottle by now. Here, people start drinking at 10am, Jari quipped during our introduction. The big gulp With a short summer (witty Finns call it a week) and a bitter and long winter, one needs to take ones drinks seriously. Thirsty locals guzzle craft beer and Koskenkorva vodka like the Rasna syrup. At the iconic Academic Bookstore (Akateeminen Kirjakauppa for those who want to learn new words) near Esplanadi, I pick up Pantsdrunk, a book on how to drink at home, alone in your underwear. And before you laugh at the subject, please remember that a few years ago, Finlands foreign ministry hailed the indigenous culture through emojis of a man and a woman, both drinking in their chaddis. The white Lutheran cathedral is one of the most important places of worship in the city (Saubhadra Chatterji) This fun-loving philosophy of life, the national obsession for sauna and silence, progressive mindset and the least corrupt tag are probably the reason that the 2018 World Happiness Report named Finland as the happiest country in this planet. Meanwhile, a meal in Juuri, a small restaurant near our apartment, can make me the happiest visitor here. Juuri specialises in Sapas, the bite-sized portions inspired from local traditions. We order boiled vendace fish with artichoke in orange mustard sauce, grilled salmon with parsnip and pork sausages. Juuri means just. So, just for the sake of enriching my happiness I wash down the food with two pints of craft beer. Lo and behold, the gloomy weather disappears. The sun is out in its full glory and Helsinki is beaming under the clear blue sky like a new bride. Its the result of our trips to those churches, I boast. The beautiful green patch of Esplanadi with the shops around it suddenly looks busier than before. The fancy buildings seem to have got fresh coats of paint. Theres love in the air. And you know its time to go to the Senate Square. Hurried husbands We reach the top of the stairs in front of the cathedral and soak in the full view of Europes best neoclassical square. Below us, the Prime Ministers office and the University of Helsinki face each other. The students clearly love this place more than their classrooms. The last bunch of cruise ship tourists are busy taking selfies before returning to the port. Fancy cars whizz past hop-on-hop-off buses that are waiting for passengers. The statue of Czar Alexander II, witness to this flurry of activities, waits for the night to fall. Huvilakatu has the best art buildings in the city (Saubhadra Chatterji) The harbour-front market comes alive in the morning. We have grilled salmon, moose meatballs with baked potatoes and some very expensive raspberries. And then, while I examine handicrafts, an old lady selling home-made jam persuades Ruchira to buy a bottle of lingonberry jam, and keeps on wooing her to buy lots of other products. Afraid of burning a hole in my pocket, I tell Ruchira in Bengali, Chalo, lets go to the other side. Helsinki has a good network of trams, which is the best way to tour the city (Saubhadra Chatterji) I didnt fathom that old hawkers are expert in understanding what husbands of shopaholic wives can say, even if its articulated in a language unknown in Nordic region. You are just like my husband. Always in a hurry. You should be as patient as your wife, she retorts, providing Ruchira the perfect incentives for buying two more bottles of jam from her. A man must never try to dissuade his wife from shopping. More so, when the couple is in the happiest land! From HT Brunch, December 2, 2018 Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch The UK government has confirmed an amendment to a new weapons bill going through Parliament to ensure that it would not impact the right of the British Sikh community to possess and supply kirpans, or religious swords. The Offensive Weapons Bill, 2018, completed its various readings in the House of Commons this week and has now moved to the House of Lords for approval. It involves a new offence of possessing certain offensive weapons in public and places new restrictions on the online sales of bladed articles and corrosive products in attempt to crackdown on rising knife and acid related attacks in the country. We have engaged closely with the Sikh community on the issue of kirpans. As a result, we have amended the Bill to ensure that the possession and supply of large kirpans for religious reasons can continue, a UK Home office spokesperson said on Thursday. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs led a delegation to the UK home office in recent weeks to ensure that the kirpan, a Sikh article of faith, remains exempt when the new bill becomes a law. I am pleased to see the government amendment and look forward to seeing an accompanying set of documentation, which reflects the importance of not criminalising the Sikh community for the sale or possession of large kirpans, said Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill, chair of the APPG for British Sikhs. Gill, the first woman Sikh MP in the House of Commons, was accompanied by APPG vice-chairs Pat McFadden and Dominic Grieve at a meeting with UK home secretary Sajid Javid and home office minister Victoria Atkins to discuss changes to the Offensive Weapons Bill, which would maintain status quo in continuing to legally safeguard the sale, possession and use of large kirpans. Her fellow Sikh MP, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, also made an intervention during the Offensive Weapons Bill debate in the Commons to seek assurances about the kirpan, given the Sikh communitys serious concerns. Large kirpans, with blades over 50cm, are used by the community during religious ceremonies in gurdwaras as well as for ceremonies involving the traditional Sikh gatka martial art. They would have fallen foul of the new bill on the possession of large blades without the amendment, which has now been agreed. The Offensive Weapons Bill, 2018, is aimed at strengthening existing legislative measures on offensive weapons, focusing on corrosive substances, knives and certain types of firearm. The Bill will give new laws to ban the sale of corrosive substances to anyone under the age of 18, to target people carrying acid, to make it more difficult for anyone under the age of 18 to buy knives online and to ban certain types of firearms. We live in times which can be called barbaric, crude and crassly commercial, times dominated by the making and spending of money. The market is king. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, it knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. What will it cost, how much is it worth, how much money can be made out of it, are the only questions which seem to matter. Money has undermined confidence in the medical profession and invaded academia. Culture is marketed, so is spirituality. The profit of developers takes precedence over the preservation of heritage. In his poem, Translation, the 20th century English poet, Roy Fuller, says, Anyone happy in this age and place is daft or corrupt. Better to abdicate from a material and spiritual terrain fit only for Barbarians. But where can we abdicate to which is not ruled by the dominant business culture? Its difficult to answer that one. Even fleeing to the Himalayas is no longer an answer because of the wounds the contractors and the speculator are inflicting on the mountains. I did, however, hear of two sources of solace and comfort in the distress caused by todays barbarity, at the recent Dehra Dun literary festival called The Valley of Words. Dehra Dun incidentally is a once-beautiful town ruined by contractors and speculators. One source is art. At Dehra Dun, Juliet Reynolds discussed the collection of essays and other writings she has edited about her late husband, the artist Anil Karanjai. Anil was an angry young man, angry at the exploitation and inequality he saw all around him. His art, with imagery Juliet describes as grotesque and confrontational, was an expression of that anger. However, Anil later turned to landscapes. They were an expression of a desire to heal the wounds inflicted by our brutal, dehumanised society. He emphasised the value of hope and solace. One of the features of the frenetic age we live in is the pressure on our time. Its become a commodity to be spent profitably and efficiently. Poetry can provide solace from this relentless pressure. Sumana Roy was one of the poets at Dehra Dun. Flicking through images on a smartphone with her thumb she said My thumb is acting like the tyres of an automobile propelling time forward at speed, never allowing any time for relaxation. Poetry stalls time, makes you stop and go back. Poetry is forever new. Its new every time you read it like a musician playing a raag. As the poet Robert Frost said, reading poetry provides a momentary stay against confusion. Aryaman Hakkar, a 17-year-old boy from Doon School, also read one of his poems at the festival. He told me he had turned to writing poetry to comfort himself, to find solace, when his three dogs died. If he doesnt understand a poem, he reads it aloud. He builds his own context about whatever the poem is said to mean. But even art and poetry are not immune to the all-pervasive power of money. Publishers and art dealers ask the question of how much is it worth before deciding to buy paintings or poems. In this way, they limit the art and poetry available to provide us solace. In the book she edited, Juliet Reynolds tells how her husband was cold shouldered by the art establishment in a later stage when he was painting landscapes to provide solace and hope. Just two small paintings were sold at his last exhibition, which was held in Mumbai. Sumana Roy finds herself unhappy with a culture in which authors are judged by their sales and they are expected by publishers to promote their own books. She rejects the literary groups and cliques of Delhi and continues to live in her home in Siliguri, feeling homesick whenever she goes away. Ones home is one place where we can abdicate from todays barbarity. Provided, of course, we dont regard our homes as assets accruing value in the property market. The views expressed are personal In what is touted to be one of the highest salary packages to be offered during the first phase of campus placements at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), app-based cab aggregator Uber will offer an annual gross salary of Rs 1.04 crore. However, at Rs 1.5 crore, sources claim that Microsoft is still offering the highest salary package. Last year, Microsoft had offered the highest package of ($2,14,600), which annually amounted to Rs 1.39 crore. This was followed by Uber which had offered a student Rs 99.87 lakh ($1,55,000) at IIT-B. The first phase of placements will take place across IITs over the next two weeks, starting December 1. The job offer by Uber is for the position of software engineer at the companys office in San Francisco, United States. However, those hired will be based at Ubers office out of India for a year before joining the US office, said a student from the institute on condition of anonymity. Uber will offer a gross salary of US $1,10,000 (US $ 1,49,900 (1.04 crore) cost-to-company). Over 1,650 students have registered for placements at IIT-B this year and the number of companies registered for the first phase has also increased by over 17% and stands at 364, compared to 310 last year. More and more students have been opting for summer internships, which automatically leads to more job offers. The total number of pre-placement offers (PPOs) has increased this year and we are hoping the same trend continues during placements as well, said a senior professor from the institute. This year, IITs across the country have ensured that students are aware and sure about what they want in terms of jobs. Be it making students wary of start-ups (some start-ups have offered jobs then backed out in the previous years) or getting rid of the graveyard shift wherein students end up sitting for interviews till 2-3am. IIT Madras stopped the graveyard shifts because it was putting too much stress on students, which is uncalled for. Our placement will run in two slots every day and the second slot will end at 11pm, said a spokesperson. IIT Delhi too avoids graveyard shifts, said an official from the placement team. Other than companies from the US, IITs are also expecting more Japanese companies to offer jobs at placements this year. Many students interned with Japanese companies this year, which has helped bring more companies on campus for the first phase of placements too, said the official from IIT-Delhi. At IIT-B, the top slot for the first four days have been allotted to leading international and domestic management consulting, core engineering, information technology (IT) and finance companies. International companies participating include Japanese, European, Singaporean, Taiwanese, and some American and Canadian companies by job location. The slotting of companies for each day is decided based on the student preference, which is governed by the job profile, reputation of the companies, alumni feedback, salary offered, and past relations with the IITS. Around 45 first-time recruiters are participating this year, which include firms in the area of semi-conductors, financial services, data analytics and IT. Highlights of first phase of placements at Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) 2017 *Total students registered for placements 1,620 *Total students offered jobs in first phase 1,011 *Pre-placement offers 100/142 (accepted/offered) *Number of companies visited the campus in the first phase 310 *Highest salary package offered to a student this year Microsoft offered Rs 1.39 crore to an IIT-B student. This was followed by app-based aggregator Uber with an offer of Rs 99.87 lakh per annum *International job offers in first phase 38 companies offered about 74 jobs in countries including USA, UK, Japan, Korea, Singapore and some European countries as well Placement 2018 at IIT-B: Total registered companies--364 Total registered students--1650 Placement dates--December 1 to 18 The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has earned more than 1,000 crore in 2017-18 and is all set to be the maximum gainer of political funding in the last financial year, according to its annual returns submitted to the Election Commission (EC). While the BJP has emerged as the richest party ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, four other national parties have gained financially in the year ending March 2018. Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has enhanced its corpus to 717 crore from 681 crore. Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress has a kitty of 291 crore, up from 262 crore in 2016-17. The two communist parties, too, have managed to enhance their corpus, even as they are reduced to being marginal forces in national politics. The income of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for 2017-18 stood at 104 crore, about 10% of the BJPs annual income, and that of the Communist Party of India at 1.5 crore. The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are yet to submit their annual returns to the EC, though rules mandate that all recognized, registered parties must do so. Also read | Madhya Pradesh election 2018: Congress complains to Election Commission alleging poll conspiracy in MP The BJP has also got the lions share from the electoral bonds notified by the Government of India on January 2 this year -- Rs 210 crore. In other words, it has bagged 95% of the Rs 222 crore worth of bonds issued by public sector banks. BJP spokesperson Gopal Agarwal said the partys large collection was the outcome of its efforts to make its financial dealings transparent. The party has made efforts to make every transaction transparent and it reflects in the audited reports that are submitted to the Election Commission. We collect money online and though cheques, now people are also paying through the NaMo App. Other parties do not report their entire collection of funds which is like keeping black money. We have ensured there is a single account for all transactions and get our records and finances audited, many parties do not even file their balance sheets, Agarwal said. Interestingly, the CPI(M) has been able to increase its income from fees and subscriptions and grants and donations. But income from party mouthpieces has fallen by 40%. Trinamool Congresss annual income has dipped to 516 crore from 609 crore in 2016-17, primarily because of a sharp reduction in corporate donations and contributions. From Rs 2.17 crore in donations in 2016-17, it got a meagre Rs 30 lakh in the last financial year. This is primarily because the party brass is cautious after Sarada and other chit fund scams in the state, said a Trinamool MP asking not to be named. Also read | Rajasthan assembly elections: EC notice to Congress CP Joshi over Brahmin remark Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath is now protected not just on land, but also on air as well as water routes. The state government has upgraded the chief ministers security after a decision on this was taken by the cabinet by circulation, wherein the members do not meet but state their views in writing. A senior UP government officer said, There have been some alerts about threats in recent times and as we give the utmost importance to CMs security, the security has been upscaled. The CM is already an NSG (National Security Guards) protectee and he will be under a security ring even when he is airborne or travels by a water route. We cannot share any more details about it as they are confidential yet. As of now, the UP CM is under security cover when he travels by road, but not when he is travelling by any other means. When he travels by air, his security guards accompany him till he boards an aircraft/helicopter and soon after he lands. A security team accompanies him to the airport or helipad and an advance security team receives him when he arrives at his destination. We cannot say if there will be any additional aircraft or any additional water vessel. But it is clear that a security ring will be around him on whichever aircraft or water vessel he travels in, the officer said. A senior police officer confirmed that the state government had amended the 2002 green book regarding the chief ministers security. Under the present system, when the chief minister travels by helicopter, he is accompanied by his day officer, some other officer, in some cases a minister and the crew members. There are no security personnel. Now, under the amended security norms, there will be his day officer and some security personnel. The government thinks in case of any unscheduled, urgent or an emergency landing by his helicopter at any unscheduled place, the CM will be without any security under the present kind of system Recently, the UP government has received security and intelligence inputs regarding threats to the chief minister. The state government has already tightened security at his residence, the office and when he travels by road. In August, the Madhya Pradesh police had issued an alert to UP government about the threat of an attack on Yogi Adityanath. Soon afterwards, there was an alert by central intelligence agencies about a possible attack on him during a two-day BJP state executive meeting. The BJP on Saturday hit back at Congress president Rahul Gandhi on questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modis understanding of Hinduism, saying that he himself was confused as to his own religion and caste. Rahul had, earlier in the day, questioned Modi on his Hindu quotient saying that he did not understand the foundation of Hinduism. What is the essence of Hinduism? What does the Gita say? That knowledge is with everybody, knowledge is all around you. Every living being has knowledge. Our PM says he is a Hindu but he doesnt understand foundation of Hinduism. What kind of a Hindu is he? Rahul Gandhi said at an interaction with members of business community and professionals in Udaipur. Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said that he had asked this question because he and the Congress both were confused about Rahuls religion and caste. Rahul Gandhi said PM doesnt know the meaning of being a Hindu. He said that because he and Congress are confused about his religion and caste. For years, party presented him as secular leader but near polls when they realised that Hindus are in majority, they created this image, she said. Bayan aaya ki wo janeudhari brahmin hai, par mujhe nahi maloom tha ki janeudhari brahmin ke gyan mein itni vridhi ho gayi ki Hindu hone ka matlab ab hame unse samajhna padega. Bhagwan na kare ki wo din kabhi aaye ki Rahul Gandhi se hame Hindu hone ka matlab janna pade (It was said that he is a janeudhari Brahmin but I didnt know that a janeudhari Brahmins knowledge about being a Hindu has progressed so much that well have to understand it from him. God forbid such a day should come that well have to understand the meaning of being a Hindu from him), she said. Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, referring to the Congress president said that he was the confused Gandhi and that his projection of being a Hindu wasnt out of commitment, but out of political consideration. Rahul Gandhis problem is, he is the confused Gandhi and he keeps on changing his Hindu appearances for political purposes, not by way of commitment. He isnt a Hindu by commitment, he is a Hindu by political consideration. His Hindu faith changes with political expediency, Prasad said. A Sikh girl in Jammu and Kashmir wants to donate one of her kidneys to save the life of her Muslim friend suffering from organ failure, but objections by her family and a hospital here are delaying the procedure, prompting them to approach court. Manjot Singh Kohli (23), a Sikh social activist from Udhampur area of the Jammu region, has decided to donate one of her kidneys to her 22-year-old friend Samreen Akhtar, a Muslim and a resident of Rajouri district. We have been friends for the past four years and I am emotionally attached to her. Also, it is my strong belief in humanity that is motivating me to donate my kidney, Kohli said. She said Akhtar has been involved in social activism with her for the past many years in Jammu. But, Akhtar never told me about her illness and I came to know through a mutual friend. She has been my friend and supporter in my tough times and I decided to donate a kidney to her when she needs it, Kohli said. Akhtar said she was grateful to her friend for the selfless act. She (Kohli) is an incredible person. I simply want to thank her for her selfless act of love and kindness. She was prompt to contact me and express her willingness to donate her kidney. At first, I did not believe my ears, but when she came to meet me and accompanied me before the authorisation committee, I was overwhelmed. It was really life changing for me, Akhtar said. Also read | Forced to lick spit off floor for son marrying Muslim girl, says Dalit man in UPs Bulandshahr They, however, said doctors at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura here were delaying the procedure by creating unnecessary hurdles. The SKIMS is creating hurdles and delaying the procedure even as the authorisation committee for organ donation has cleared both of us for the transplant procedure. I do not know why we are being pushed to the wall by doctors and administration at SKIMS, Soura, Kohli said. Director, SKIMS, Dr Omar Shah said the committee is looking into the issue and they would decide on it immediately. We will do whatever best we can. The authorisation committee has informed me that there are legalities involved and they need some more papers before they take a decision on the matter, Shah said. Kohli said while she thinks the SKIMS might be apprehensive about the procedure because of the donor belonging to a different religion, her family also has sent a notice to the hospital, saying there was no family consent. My family has sent a notice to the SKIMS and may never give the consent. But, I am a major and can take decisions for myself. I am legally eligible to donate and I do not need the familys consent, she said. She said they would approach court on Saturday to seek a direction to SKIMS to perform the procedure without any further delay. I have consulted a lawyer friend and we will go to court tomorrow (Saturday). There are court directions from previous cases and we hope to get a favourable judgement, Kohli said. Also read | National organ donors day: Pune now has 16 authorised hospitals for organ transplant Police divers have recovered the body of an Indian-origin man in the east Midlands city of Leicester following a major 20-day search for him involving Labour MP Keith Vaz and a large number of people, when his disappearance was described as out of character. Paresh Patel, 48, went missing on November 10, when he left his home. He was last seen walking along Leicesters Belgrave Road, the hub of Asian culture and business. Hundreds of people have since tried to retrace his steps and locate him. The Leicestershire police said: The body of a man was found by police divers in the canal within Abbey Park, LeicesterThe man has been formally identified as 48-year-old Paresh who was last seen on the evening of Saturday 10 November when he left his home address. The death is not being treated as suspiciousOfficers would like to thank everyone who shared our appeals to help find Paresh and assisted with our enquiries. Also read | Indian-origin couple allegedly kept man as slave for 4 years in UK Patels family praised the efforts of people involved in trying to find him. In a statement to Leicester Mercury,a leading local daily, Patels brother Nitin said: Tonight, it is with the heaviest of hearts that we inform you that our son, husband, father, brother, nephew, cousin and friend, Paresh, has been taken from us. We wanted to thank you all with everything that we have, for every single moment of your time that you gave to us, to help us find Paz. Patels wife Kalpana had put out an emotional video asking him to return home: Everyone is so worried about you, our boys have been asking about you, trying to text you and ring you. Your mum has constantly been crying, I dont know what to tell her to make her feel better. His two sons Kiyan, 12, and Harshal, 9, led a walk retracing the steps of their father while carrying a banner with Come Home Daddy! written on it. Leicester has a large community of Indian origin, many of whose members settled there after they were expelled from Idi Amins Uganda in the early 1970s. The community has since rejuvenated local economy and culture. The city is often cited as a symbol of Britains multiculturalism. Read | Indian-origin man killed for refusing to sell cigarette paper to teens in UK BJP president Amit Shah has responded to Rahul Gandhis statement that the BJP government used the surgical strikes to win the Uttar Pradesh Elections. Addressing a rally in Phalodi in Rajasthan, Amit Shah said that by making such a statement, the Congress president has insulted the sacrifice of the jawans. While you are happy that the Modi government conducted the surgical strike, Rahul Baba is saying that the BJP did this to win elections in UP. He should be ashamed of making such statements. You are insulting the martyrs of the country. You did not have the guts to do something like this, Shah said. Today, when a soldier stands on duty on the border, be in Rajasthan or anywhere along the countrys boundary, he is confident that the Indian goverment is standing behind him like a rock, Shah said continuing his speech. Click here for full coverage of Rajasthan elections 2018 He also said that before the Indian army conducted its surgical strike into Pakistan, there were only two countries which were known to avenge the deaths of their soldiers: America and Israel. Immediately after the surgical strike, Indias name was added to that list of two countries. This is what the BJP has done for its country. Earlier, speaking in Udaipur, Rahul Gandhi had said that the BJP had resorted to making public the details of the surgical strike so that it wouldnt lose the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. But Narendra Modi actually reached into Armys domain and shaped their surgical strike, he turned their surgical strike into a political asset when it actually was a military decision, Rahul had said while addressing a public interaction with members of business community and professionals in Udaipur. What the Army would have liked was well do it, its beneficial if nobody knows we did it. But Modi didnt want that. He was fighting an election in UP and he was losing it. So he did it to turn a military asset into a political asset, Rahul Gandhi said. PM is convinced he knows better than Army what needs to be done in Armys area, better than foreign minister what needs to be done in the foreign ministry, better than agriculture minister what needs to be done in agriculture because he has a sense that all knowledge comes from his brain, Rahul Gandhi said. A court in Rajasthans Jodhpur on Saturday ordered police to register a case against Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey whose picture holding a controversial poster had kicked up a row. Metropolitan Magistrate Rachna Bissa ordered Basni police station to file the FIR on a complaint by Rajkumar Sharma, the state vice president of the Vipra Foundations youth wing. Lawyer Hastimal Saraswat said that the photo of the Twitter CEO with a group of woman journalists and activists in which he was holding a poster saying smash Brahmanical patriarchy had hurt sentiments of Brahmins. He alleged that such a photo was posted to humiliate the community. According to Sharmas complainant, he saw this tweet on his mobile after which he submitted a written FIR in Basni police station, but the police did not register a case. When nothing happened even after he approached the police commissioner, he had filed a complaint in court. The picture, posted on Twitter on Sunday by a journalist who was part of group of women whom Dorsey met during his visit to India last week, had him clutching a poster of a woman holding up a banner with the line that has offended many Indians. Twitter had later apologised. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday dismissed her Pakistani counterparts contention that the Kartarpur corridor had forced New Delhi to engage with Islamabad, saying such remarks showed he had no respect for Sikh sentiments. Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that Prime Minister Imran Khans Kartarpur googly had forced India to send two ministers to the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kartarpur corridor. The India which was hesitating to engage was forced to send two of its ministers. They came to Pakistan and engaged with us. We are happy that they came as our message is one of peace, he said. n a set of tweets late on Saturday night, Swaraj rejected Qureshis contention and said, Your googly remarks in a dramatic manner has exposed none but YOU. This shows that you have no respect for Sikh sentiments. You only play googlies. Also read | Rahul Gandhis Hindu makeover wont help, Congress will lose all 5 polls: Sushma Swaraj Let me explain that we were not trapped by your googlies. Our two Sikh Ministers went to Kartarpur Sahib to offer prayers in the Holy Gurdwara. Indian ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri had participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pakistani section of the Kartarpur corridor on November 28. Qureshi had invited Swaraj to the ceremony but she was unable to attend due to prior commitments. Read | Health good but told to avoid dust: Sushma on decision to not contest 2019 polls A 52-year-old farmer from Maharashtra, who had participated in a two-day kisan rally in Delhi against the agrarian distress in the country, died early Saturday after accidentally falling off from a building in central Delhi, police said. Kiran Santapa, a resident of Kolhapur district, was found lying on the floor at Ambedkar Bhawan in Paharganj area around 3.15 am, a senior police officer said. Santapa was rushed to Lady Harding hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. He had come along with his fellow-villagers to participate in the farmers rally and was staying in room no. 29 on the third floor of Ambedkar Bhawan, the officer said. Read: Farmers Delhi protest: Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal share stage He said the victim had accidentally fallen from the third floor corridor on Friday night. Police said they do not suspect any foul play and the body would be taken to his home town after legal formalities. Thousands of farmers from across the country had gathered in Delhi on Thursday and on Friday, they marched through streets chanting slogans in support of their demands such as debt relief and remunerative prices for their produce. Also Read: Farmers march in Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal accuses Narendra Modi of betraying farmers The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, which claims to be an umbrella body of 207 organisations of farmers and agricultural workers, claimed the two-day rally was one of the largest congregation of farmers in Delhi. It claimed farmers from 24 states had joined the protest. A man was arrested 11 years after he reportedly kidnapped and raped a minor girl in Delhis Kapashera , police said Friday. Mohammed Akhtar, who committed the crime in 2007 and was carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 on his arrest, was held Thursday, they said. In June 2007, a man filed a complaint in Kapashera police station alleging that his 14-year-old daughter had been kidnapped by Akhtar, said A K Singla, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime). The girl was rescued from Bihar and handed over to her parents, but Akhtar managed to escape, he said. In May 2008, Akhtar was declared a proclaimed offender and in 2014, a reward of Rs 25,000 was declared on his arrest, police said. On Thursday, police received information that Akhtar would come to Samalkha to meet someone. Police laid a trap and the accused was apprehended. Akhtar told police that he had changed his name to Anand after the incident and was hiding in Gurgaon, Noida and Bihar. He worked as a private taxi driver, Singla added. The police on Saturday arrested a man believed to be mentally disturbed and suspected of killing a church security officer at Marthandam in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. The police identified him as M. Ravi, aged between 40 and 45 years, of Maathur village. The arrest took place after a video of Ravi dancing nude at the church on Wednesday night and then killing the security officer with a boulder had gone viral. Residents of district had been rattled by reports of a psycho killer on the loose. In the video, Ravi is seen walking towards the imposing CSI (Church of South India) building and dancing in front of the main door. Security officer Sundar Rajan, a retired sub-inspector, asks him what he is doing at the church at the odd hour and tells him to get out. A scuffle ensues and Ravi grabs a boulder and bludgeons the retired policeman, leaving him bleeding profusely. He later dumps the boulder in the bushes. Sundar Rajan was first.admitted to a government hospital and then referred to a private hospital in Kerala, where he died, Marthandam police said. On scrutinizing the CCTV footage, we found a middle-aged man posing nude at the church at around 1.30 am on Wednesday. Even after Sundar Rajan collapsed, the assailant danced in front of the fainted security officer, a police officer investigating the crime said on condition of anonymity. Also read | Two arrested for hurling stones at church priest Residents of Marthandam and its suburbs have complained in recent days about a naked man roaming around late in the night. A few people have even complained to the police about the man assaulting them. Ravi was caught by locals on Friday night in Thiruvattar while attempting to gain entry into a CSI church. When he started assaulting those who prevented him, he was overpowered and caught by the locals, who handed him over to the police. He is mentally disturbed and knows only to laugh and dance. He is not speaking much. We are about to produce him in a court. We are taking steps to get him admitted at the Institute of Mental Health at Kilpauk in Chennai, the police officer said Read | Man found hanging in church in Delhis Khan Market area, suicide suspected A day after the head of department of political science in Jammu University professor Muhammad Tajjudin was suspended for calling freedom fighter Bhagat Singh a terrorist, MoS PMO, Jitendra Singh, has said that a university cant be used as a platform for anti-India meeting and that there has to be commitment to national integrity. Universities cant be used as platforms for anti-India meetings. I am personally in favour of free flow of ideas, thoughts and ideology. But the bottom line has to be the commitment to national integrity, said MoS PMO J Singh on JNU incidents and Jammu University. Professor Tajjudin was suspended on Friday after a video showing him calling freedom fighter Bhagat Singh a terrorist went viral on social media. Jammu and Kashmir vice chancellor professor Manoj K Dhar has instituted a six-member committee to look into the incident. Lets wait for the outcome of the inquiry committee and based on that, well take further action, he said. Professor Tajjudin had later said, I was teaching Lenin in the class, whose brother was killed in a terror act and in that context I mentioned Bhagat Singh. Perhaps, it was not right on my part to say so. I am sorry for the remark. I called him a terrorist but those who believed in non-violence, especially Gandhians equated him with terrorism. He added, Probably, students were not mature enough to grasp the concept. I had no intention to hurt their sentiments. The students could have shared their concern with me rather than making a video and sharing it on social media. Probably, I went wrong and I am really sorry for it. The video was recorded by a student, Deepak Gupta. He could have given better examples of Afzal Guru, Ajmal Kasab, Hafiz Saeed and other terrorists... How can one call Bhagat Singh a terrorist, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the need for reforming and strengthening multilateral institutions, seeking to take the lead in global economic governance, when they met on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in the Argentine capital. The opening day of the summit on Friday was a day of hectic engagements for Modi who, hours earlier, took part in another powerful trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. At the summit, India also released a nine-point agenda, including a call for stronger cooperation between countries in efforts to catch fugitive economic offenders. The call comes against the backdrop of Indian efforts to secure the return of jewellers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, and businessman Vijay Mallya. All of them fled India for overseas before the law caught up with them over unpaid bank loans to the tune of thousands of crore. The Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting took place after a gap of 12 years, according to Raveesh Kumar, the spokesperson for the external affairs ministry, who said the interaction between the three leaders was characterised by warmth and positivity. Leaders discussed cooperation and coordination in various areas which could contribute to global peace and stability, he wrote in a Twitter post. Modi on Saturday met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the summit and invited him to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations next year. The South African leader accepted the invitation. Glad to have met President @CyrilRamaphosa. At a time when India is marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it is our honour to welcome President Ramaphosa as the Chief Guest for the 2019 Republic Day celebrations. Bapus close link with South Africa is well known, Modi tweeted after the meeting. Briefing the media about the RIC meeting, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said the trilateral was a very positive meeting. Prime Minister thanked President Putin for initiating this effort and all three leaders felt that given our respective roles as emerging economies and emerging markets, given our respective roles and influence in the world in terms of maintaining peace and stability in the region that it was perhaps important that the three countries should cooperate and coordinate in various areas in order to contribute to global peace and prosperity, Gokhale said. The views expressed by all three leaders were very similar and they all felt that we should work together to steer global economic governance, he added. They felt that the three countries should work together where we could promote peace and stability in regional crisis. In a message on his personal Twitter handle, Modi said he, Putin and Xi discussed a wide range of subjects that would further cement the friendship between our nations and enhance world peace. In what foreign affairs analysts described as a diplomatic balancing act, the meeting came only a couple of hours after Modi met Trump and Shinzo Abe, and held talks on extending cooperation in connectivity and maritime issues in the Indo-Pacific. The RIC is about multipolarity and multilateralism. It is about North Korea, Syria, climate and to block any Western intervention in the affairs of other countries. This is about the continental domain, said Srikanth Kondapalli, a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University and foreign affairs special. JAI (Japan, America, India) is about the Indo-Pacific and in the maritime domain. JAI provide some security following Chinas assertiveness in the South China Sea and the inability of any country to stand up to such action . Modi, Trump and Abe met for around 15 minutes. Japan, the US and India share fundamental values and strategic interests, Abe said. The three also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and Ukraine, according to a senior Indian official who didnt want to be named. A trade war between US and China, and a Russias naval skirmish with Ukraine have loomed over the gathering of the worlds top 20 economic powers. President Trump called off a scheduled meeting with his Russian counterpart in the days leading up to the summit. With markets watching nervously, Trump has described the G20 meeting as a deadline for China to meet his demands over trade or risk coming under greater pressure. India presented a nine-point agenda to G20 member-nations calling, among other measures, for strong and active cooperation among them to comprehensively deal with fugitive economic offenders. Presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the second session of the Summit on international trade, international financial and tax systems, the agenda said cooperation in legal processes such as effective freezing of the proceeds of crime, early return of the offenders and efficient repatriation of the proceeds of crime should be enhanced and streamlined. India also called for joint efforts by G-20 countries to put together a mechanism that denies entry and safe havens to economic offenders who seek to run away from their home countries to avoid prosecution and punishment. The opening of the Kartarpur corridor that will connect the Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan the final resting place of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith to Dera Baba Nanak in India faces several logistical challenges, apart from the obvious politico-diplomatic issues. Among these are the need to build two bridges, one across the fast flowing Ravi, and another, across a seasonal tributary of the Ravi, Begh Baein. The Ravi is about 1,200 ft and the Begh Baein about 400 ft in breadth. Both are in Pakistan. Pakistan will have to find a way to bridge the two water bodies before next years celebrations to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. No details are available on how it will go about doing this although, on November 28, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pakistan end of the corridor, Prime Minister Imran Khan said: The next year you come here, you will find every kind of facilities. India and Pakistan have to also to work out the modalities of documentation needed by pilgrims and the security protocol to visit the shrine. People familiar with the matter say that in all likelihood, the Kartarpur Corridor will be something like the Wagah-Artari border where a daily ceremony is held to mark the lowering of the flags and is attended by thousands on both sides of the border. The Wagah-Attari border is also manned by us. We have been doing this task on a large scale along the Attari-Wagah border crossing in Punjab for ages. This (Kartarpur corridor) is not a difficult thing to handle, Border Security Force director general Rajnikath Mishra said. On average 100-150 people cross this border every day, entering or exiting India. The Indian part of the Kartarpur corridor is being built in two parts with one stretch from Gurdaspur to Dera Nanak Baba and the second stretch from Dera Nanak Baba to the international India-Pakistan border, an official aware of the matter said on condition of anonymity. The part from Gurdaspur to Dera Nanak Baba is a 48 km two-lane paved shoulder road which has already been tendered and awarded and on which work has begun. The other is a four-lane 4.5 km stretch from Dera Nanak Baba to the international border which was not part of our national highway. We have to develop it more like a tourist corridor. We are planning to build sculptures with details of Guru Nanaks life along this. We have to make it till the international border beyond which the Pakistani side will take over. We will make it just like the way the Wagah border at Attari is built; the same structure with the gates, etc. The security and immigration will be taken care of by the home ministry, added this person, a senior official at the ministry of road transport and highways. At the foundation laying ceremony of the Indian end of the corridor on November 26, union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari announced that the corridor would be completed in four months. We have to first acquire the land (for the 4.5 km stretch) from the state government, after which the construction contract will be awarded. If the cost is not much we might club it with the first national highway package, the road transport ministry official added. An official at the National Highways Authority of India who asked not to be identified said that details of the land required are being worked out and that the blueprint for the 4.5 km stretch is yet to be finalized. India and Pakistan announced on November 15 that they would build corridors on their respective sides to let Sikh pilgrims visit the holy shrine without a visa,allowing them to effectively walk across the border and back. Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar is much improved and is recovering well, a minister said after meeting the ailing leader at his home here. Parrikar, who is battling a pancreatic ailment and is confined to his home every since his discharge from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi on October 15, held a meeting with BJP legislators including ministers on Saturday. To be very frank and without any exaggeration, he appeared in very good health and I must say from (among) all the times that I saw him, he certainly looks like a much improved person and that he is recovering very well, panchayats minister Mauvin Godinho told reporters after the meeting. He individually asked every MLA what his difficulty is; what he wants done; what he encounters because of the particular circumstances because he (Parrikar) is sick and cant be available day to day. So everybody expressed his problem and he gave a solution, he said. He actively participated and took very keen and grave interest in each query and also gave a solution. It was a very lively discussion that took place, Godinho added. Parrikar holds sporadic meetings either with individual ministers or officers, but has not been seen in public or left his residence at the state capitals Dona Paula locality. Prior to this, the chief minister held a cabinet meeting at his residence on October 31, with the Chief Ministers office releasing an image of an emaciated Parrikar on a couch while his cabinet colleagues gathered around. On Wednesday, ruling alliance partner Goa Forward Partys chief Vijai Sardesai called on Parrikar at his residence and reported that the impression outside is not true. We spoke about everything. It is not at all they are saying. What impression they are getting outside it is not at all (true). I have seen him with my own eyes now, Sardesai told Hindustan Times. With Parrikars illness keeping him out of active life and in and out of hospitals and the coalition partners yet to agree to an alternative arrangement, Goa has been without a performing chief minister for the better part of the last nine months. Earlier this year Parrikar spent three months in the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in the USA, besides spending time in Mumbais Lilavati Hospital, Goas Goa Medical College and Hospital as well as in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Buenos Aires, Argentina and discussed ways to strengthen the India-EU relations, including joint effort to counter terrorism in all forms. India and EU had vowed to step up cooperation in effectively dealing with terrorism, extremism and radicalisation during the India-EU annual counter terrorism and political dialogue held in Brussels in November. Read: Perceptible improvement in India-China relations, say PM Modi, Xi Jinping on G20 sidelines Both the sides had agreed to find ways to enhance cooperation to counter violent extremism and radicalisation as well as to deal with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats. PM @narendramodi held a meeting with President of @EU_Commission @JunckerEU & @eucopresident Donald Tusk on margins of #G20Summit. Discussion focused on strengthening India-EU relations, including joint effort to counter terrorism in all forms, External Affairs spokesperson Ravish Kumar tweeted after Modis meeting with the EU leaders. Following the prime ministers meet with Merkel, Kumar tweeted, Strengthening strategic partnership. PM @narendramodi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met on the sidelines of #G20Summit. Leaders exchanged views on importance of multilateralism in a rapidly changing world and the need to strengthen cooperation in counter terrorism. Modi is in Argentina to attend the G-20 summit. Also Read: Donald Trump scraps G20 news conference out of respect for Bush family American John Allen Chau, feared murdered by the Sentinelese on their isolated and off-limits island, was a member of a US-based missionary organisation that works to spread Christianity across the globe, and police are probing if he was sent on a task by the group to introduce religion to the last known uncontacted tribe in the world. The Andaman police have found proof that Chau was in regular contact with the Kansas-based organisation, All Nations, through handwritten notes and the confession of one of the people accused of helping him sneak into the island on November 17, when he was ostensibly killed. In one of the notes, Chau told a contact to hand over his diary describing an interaction with the tribe to an American woman from Tennessee so that she could forward the update to ALL NATIONS. These instructions were written in capital letters. The Washington Post first reported the 27-year-olds All Nations connection on November 28, although this is the first time the existence and details of his note to the organisation are being published. An investigator who asked not to be named said they first thought all nations was a generic reference to other countries, but realised after further investigation that it referred to a missionary group that Chau was part of. One of the investigators cited above said the note shows that he was in touch with them during his time in Andaman. The investigator said one of the people arrested in connection with the case a Port Blair resident named Alexander, who is referenced in Chaus notes as A told police that Chau was a member of the group. He also said two other US citizens the 53-year-old Tennessee woman and a 25-year-old man from Colorado, who held several meetings with Chau at a safehouse in Andaman between November 5 and 10, as reported by HT this week are part of same group. Read: American killed in Andaman made notes of how Sentinelese tribe lives, interacts Alexander told police that these two were trying to encourage Chau in contacting the tribe. HT is not writing the names of these American citizens because the investigation is ongoing. Alexander, who helped Chau get in touch with the fishermen, confessed that Chau and the two US nationals held meetings in his house, discussing their plans of entering the prohibited North Sentinel Island, the officer said. The Americans left a day before Chau was originally supposed to go to the island on November 11 a 50km boat ride in the Indian Ocean that takes about three hours from the nearest village. Indian laws do not allow anyone to venture within 10km of the island, where the Sentinelese have lived for centuries and repulsed all attempts to be contacted by modern world. Chau stayed in a hotel where the tariff is about Rs1,600. After checking out, he also stayed at Alexanders house. It is possible he was given money by someone to pay (Rs 25,000) the fishermen to take him to the island, the officer said, but added that Chau has not made any mention of mention of money in his notes. On Thursday, in response to a query by HT, All Nations sent a statement condoning the death of Chau and said it is in contact with the US state department and continue to cooperate fully with international, national and regional officials. The statement, issued by Jennifer Baldridge of All Nations, confirmed that Chau was one of its missionaries. It did not say, however, whether or not the group sent Chau on a mission to meet the islanders. In the statement, the group described itself as an international Christians Mission Sending and Training Organisation, committed to preparing Christians to share the gospel and establishing churches in parts of the world where the name of Jesus Christ is little or not known. The statement also quoted the groups global executive leader Mary Ho describing Chau as a gracious and sensitive ambassador of Jesus Christ who wanted others to know of Gods great love for them. Police said because Chaus mobile phone and other belongings are yet to be recovered, things are a little unclear. Investigators believe Chau hid the phone and other essentials somewhere on the island before meeting the Sentinelese when he first sneaked into the island on November 16. Alexander told the police that Chau had been to India three times in the past (twice in 2016 and once in January 2018). A day after a controversy erupted over Punjab minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhus visit to Pakistan for Kartarpur corridors opening ceremony , the cricketer-turned-politician clarified that party chief Rahul Gandhi had not instructed him to take the trip. Get your facts right before you distort them, Rahul Gandhi Ji never asked me to go to Pakistan. The whole world knows I went to Pakistan on Prime Minister Imran Khans personal invite, Sidhu tweeted late on Friday night. Get your facts right before you distort them, Rahul Gandhi Ji never asked me to go to Pakistan. The whole world knows I went on Prime Minister Imran Khans personal invite. Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) November 30, 2018 Meanwhile, at least two Punjab ministers on Saturday demanded that Sidhu step down after his statement in Hyderabad on Friday that Congress president Rahul Gandhi was his captain, as well as that of chief minister Amarinder Singh. The two ministers are Tript Rajinder Bajwa, who holds the rural development portfolio, and Sukhbinder Sarkaria, who holds the revenue portfolio. Both said that Sidhu had no moral right to continue in his post if he did not have faith in the leadership abilities of Amarinder, popularly referred to as Captain. Sidhu had made the comment when asked by journalists how he attended the groundbreaking ceremony despite Amarinders disapproval. Amarinder had declined Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans invitation, saying Pakistan must first stop sponsoring terror in India and Punjab. Bajwa, a known Sidhu-baiter and Amarinder loyalist, was the first to ask Sidhu to put in his papers. Rahul is the captain of entire Congress. But Amarinder is the undisputed leader of the Punjab Congress. The tone and body language used by Sidhu for the CM was humiliating and disgusting. He has no moral right to continue as minister, he said. Sarkaria said, I personally feel what Sidhu said does not behove a minister. The tone and tenor he used for the CM was insulting. Jails minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa did not demand Sidhus resignation but said, Showing disrespect to the CM cannot be condoned in any government or party. On Saturday, Sidhu distanced himself from a part of his remarks Which captain are you talking about? Captain Amarinder Singh ji, he is just an Army captain saying they were made off the cuff. But I stand by my statement that Rahul Gandhi is both my and Amarinders captain, he said. On the demand that he step down, Sidhu said, I am accountable to my conscience and people of Punjab... If someone distorts my statement, it is not my fault. I have also said in the press conference that Amarinder is like my father. A senior Congress leader familiar with the matter said efforts were on to defuse the situation. The Amarinder camp is believed to have requested the central leadership to field Sidhu from Amritsar in the 2019 Lok Sabha election to move him out of state politics and Amarinders way. With inputs from agencies Hitting out at the Congress, External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday said it was clear that the Congress party, beset by many dilemmas, is set to lose the assembly elections in all five states. Swaraj, who was in Jaipur for the BJPs campaign ahead of the December 7 Rajasthan assembly elections, alleged the Congress is facing several dilemmas. They are in a dilemma over whether there will be a coalition, and if (Congress president) Rahul Gandhi will be accepted as leader of the coalition. They are in a dilemma over his religion and caste, she said at a press conference. Surveys that show that Congress is winning due to anti-incumbency... Id like to tell the pollsters that an organization that is beset by dilemmas, which has lowered morale of workers... can never go with self-confidence to the people. Congress can never win in BJP-ruled states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, she said. The Congress would not win in Telangana and Mizoram either, she added. Also read | Confused Gandhi: BJP hits back at Rahul Gandhis question on PM Modis Hindu quotient Its the writing on the wall that a Congress party beset by dilemmas will lose elections in all five states. Attacking Gandhi, she said that a programme in Udaipur, the Congress chief had said that in the 21st century education and health services should be available at cheap rates. I would like to remind Gandhi that for the first 10 years of the 21st century their government was at the centre. He should have given an account of how cheap education and healthcare was in their tenure, she said. Also citing the Congress chiefs statement that if Congress wins in Rajasthan, the chief minister will be sacked if he does not waive loans of farmers within 10 days of coming to power, Swaraj said, But Rahul Gandhi failed to clarify what action has been taken against the Punjab chief minister who has been in power for more than 10 days and not announced any loan waiver. Swaraj also hit out at Gandhis comment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not know what it is to be a Hindu, alleging Gandhi and the Congress were in a dilemma over his religion and caste and the party tried to do a makeover for him. For years the Congress presented Gandhi as secular. Then they realized that majority of the votebank is Hindu so he needed a Hindu makeover, she said, adding that is why the Congress chief visited Kailash Mansarovar, the Peetambari Peeth in Madhya Pradesh and Pushkar in Rajasthan. Read | What sort of Hindu is PM Modi, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi asks When the question arose about his caste, he was presented as a Pandit as he is (first Prime Minister) Jawaharlal Nehrus grandson. And then he was presented as a janeyudhari (sacred thread wearing) Brahmin, said Swaraj. Now that janeyudhari Brahmin is telling us what it is to be a Hindu. I hope that day never comes when we have to learn the meaning of what it is to be a Hindu from Gandhi, she added. Refuting former finance minister P Chidambaram who had raised questions on the economic growth during the BJP rule, she said in 10 years of UPA rule, the average growth rate was 6.7% while in the BJPs first three years, it was 7.3% and this year, the growth rate has been 7.6% She said during the UPA rule, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank had placed Indian economy in the Fragile Five while now they have placed India among the fastest-growing economies. Under BJPs rule, India had jumped from 142 to 77 rank in the ease of doing business. Swaraj also accused Gandhi of lowering the morale of security forces and putting a question mark on his patriotism by questioning the surgical strikes. (It is) something that should be accepted with pride.... by raising questions on that he is not doing any good thing for the country. Also read | Insult to martyrs, says Amit Shah on Rahul Gandhis surgical strikes to win polls jibe As one enters Lalwandi village in eastern Rajasthan, two issues dominate voters minds the arrest of three people over the death of cow trader Rakbar Khan on July 21 and the lack of development. For some, the injustice to these youths is a political issue; for others, their vote in the December 7 elections will depend on the development work done by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and what the rival Congress promises. The BJP, which won 15 of the 17 seats in Alwar and Bharatpur in the 2013 state elections, has dropped 13 legislators. The Congress has also brought in at least nine new faces. Both parties are looking to attract the aspirational younger generation here, said retired Alwar College principal Jug Mandir Tayal. Lalwandi falls in the Alwar-Bharatpur belt of eastern Rajasthan, the focal point of clashes between the Meo-Muslims, engaged in cow business and the so-called cow vigilante groups. Before Rakbar Khan, two deaths were reported in 2017 that of Umar Mohammed in November and of Pehlu Khan in April. Till August 2018, 12 cases a month on average were registered against the so-called cow smugglers in Alwar and Bharatpur districts. Many of these incidents are not registered with police as the issue gets settled between the vigilantes and cow traders, said Shifat Khan, president of the Mewat Kisan Panchayat. Read: Unemployment dole, jobs in BJP manifesto for Rajasthan The Alwar and Bharatpur districts, bordering Haryana and Uttar Pradesh respectively, have special check posts to track cow smugglers. The BJP has promised to set up more. The Congress has promised cow shelters. According to Khan, the rise of cow protectors has adversely hit the finances of the Meo-Muslims, who constitute about 4% of the population and have influence in at least five of the 17 seats. The region has three dominant communities Meo-Muslims, Gujjars and Meenas. The Meo-Muslims and Gujjars are in cattle business, while the Meenas (a hunting tribe) became prosperous because of bigger land holdings and jobs under the Scheduled Tribe quota . Enter the Meo-Muslim dominated Islampur village in Dausa it was once the Lok Sabha seat of Rajesh Pilot, father of state Congress chief Sachin Pilot and one is greeted by cows and buffaloes. Niyat Ali, 82 , recalled the days when herding cows from his village to Nuh, in Haryana, was not a political issue. My grandchildren tell me they cannot take the cows to Nuh anymore, he said. There is nobody to speak for us. Read: Congress manifesto focuses on agrarian crisis, job creation However, Babulal Jangid, vice-president of Rajasthans Gau Raksha Dal, said, We want all, including Meo-Muslims, to take care of cows like we Hindus do. The real election issues, said Amit Kumar, 28, from Lalwandi, were condition of roads, lack of jobs and farm distress, not cow protection. For me, getting a job in the government is more important, he said. In Islampur village, Amin Ali, 24, could not agree more. Naukri milegi to ghar chalega (If I get a job, I will be able to run my house), he said. Development is an issue like elsewhere, not cow protection. The newer generation wants jobs and meeting their aspirations is the latest challenge for political parties, said analyst Jeevan Singh. Congress leader Jubair Khan, whose wife Sophia Khan is contesting from Ramgarh said, It (cow protection) is not working as the people will vote looking at how their incomes have dipped because of the policies of the Vasundhara government. Gyandev Ahuja, Ramgarh BJP legislator who was denied a ticket for backing so-called cow vigilantes, denied that a particular community was the target. We are fighting on the development done by the Vasundhara Raje government. A lot has been done for infrastructure development and the farm sector in the region. The Supreme Court on Saturday imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on some state governments for not cooperating with the Centre in filling up vacancies in Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL). The states include Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Assam and Goa. The court imposed the cost while hearing an ongoing case on delays in prison reforms. On Thursday, the court had come down hard on the government for the slow pace of criminal trials for which the judiciary has often been blamed. You dont perform your job but you always criticise judiciary for delay in Justice, Justice Madan B Lokur had told the governments law officer Aman Lekhi. In its previous hearing, the Centre had informed the court about the large number of vacancies in the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL) and the state forensic labs. Its very strange. Tell your people (Centre) stop criticising judicial system as they are not doing their job, the court had said. The Centre was supposed to submit a report on the steps it had taken to fill up the vacancies. On November 23, during the hearing, the court had been informed that 40 per cent posts in forensic labs were lying vacant. The matter had come up for hearing after deficiencies in jails were highlighted by two apex court judges during their visit to Faridabad jail and an observation home in June this year. The court had observed that delays in receiving forensic reports forced criminal cases to drag on for years. As per the affidavit submitted by the government last week, there are six Central Forensic Science Laboratories -- in Bhopal, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune. Of the sanctioned strength of 450, as many as 164 posts are lying vacant. At the Delhi forensic lab alone, 67 posts are vacant. Thirty-one units operate under state forensic laboratories where 3,685 appointments are yet to be made. The sanctioned strength is 7,582. The Supreme Court refused to intervene in the Ganga-Kashi Vishwanath pathway project and has asked petitioners who approached it with a plea to stay the on-going work on the project to not take any steps that would disrupt peace in the ancient city. The project involves building a broad tree-lined pathway from the river to the temple complex. The temple complex also includes a mosque and the fear in some quarters is that the demolition of properties around the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyan Vapi mosque complex is a precursor to an attempt to take over the mosque. The petitioners Jitendra Nath Vyas (who has rights to worship in the temple) and Moulana Abdul Batin Nomani of Gyan Vapi mosque approached the top court against the district administrations move to pull down the boundary wall between the two structures on October 25, claiming this would have far-reaching adverse consequences for peace, harmony and tranquility existing between the two communities for decades. The two religious shrines stand next to each other inside the Gyan Vapi compound and the respective sides have entered into various agreements and memorandum of understandings (MoUs) for the maintenance and upkeep of the complex, the petitioners told the top court. However, a bench of justices Arun Mishra and Vineet Sharan found no merit in the petition and said it was based on their apprehension. For the last 30 years it (Varanasi) has been a peaceful place. Do not disturb it with this kind of litigation. This may cause more sensation than peace. Notice on such matters could sensationalise the issue. Counsel for the petitioners, senior advocate Raju Ramachandran, attempted to impress upon the court and said the demolition of houses around the temple complex is being done in the garb of modernisation. I am not putting it on alarmist footing. The two communities have come together only asking that we be told what is the plan for securing this premises (Gyan Vapi compound) because two premises would be vulnerable and insecure if, apart from the five gates, any other access opens. Justice Mishra responded by commenting that the mosque is protected by 20-feet high iron girders and also a huge security force. He was also critical at the role of the petitioner, Vyas. Justice Vineet Sharan told Ramachandra that if the petitioners were keen to see the plan for the project, they could approach the authorities. They will never touch it (the mosque), Justice Mishra added, giving liberty to the petitioners to approach the court again if they have any such concerns Solicitor general Tushar Mehta also sought to dispel the apprehensions. Varanasi is the oldest city in the world. We are not acquiring houses but purchasing them at the double the price to construct a corridor, which is in larger public interest. The law officer said the authorities were willing to share the development plan with the petitioners, as and when it is ready. Varanasi is the parliemantery constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The petitioners termed the demolition of age-old boundary wall as illegal. Breaching the protected boundary wall raises serious apprehensions with regard to the entire Gyan Vapi Area. Immediate attention is required due to the grave security threats raised in light of the constant destruction and construction being carried out without consent. It also infringes on the customary and religious rights of both Hindus and Muslims, read the petition filed by advocate Fuzail Ayyubi. Police believe two American missionaries encouraged John Allen Chau to go to a forbidden island where he was killed by an isolated tribe he was trying to convert, a top investigator said on Saturday. Dependra Pathak, head of police in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, told AFP the suspects had left India, and that there was still no sign of the body of Chau -- who was killed last month in a hail of arrows fired by the Sentinelese tribe. We are investigating the role of at least two Americans, a man and a woman, who met with the man who went to the island, Pathak said. These other two, who have since left the country, were reportedly into evangelical activities and encouraged him to visit the island. Read: Cops probe if American killed by Sentinelese tribe in Andaman was on religious mission The police chief did not name the couple nor give details of the organisation they belonged to. Pathak said investigators had traced the two Americans through calls made to Chaus telephone phone. The Americans had local mobile numbers, he added. Chau, 26, was killed on November 17 on North Sentinel island in the Andamans in an incident that has cast a new spotlight on efforts to protect one of the worlds last uncontacted tribes whose language and customs remain a mystery to outsiders. Outsiders are banned from going within five kilometers (three miles) of the Indian Ocean island to protect the tribe from outside diseases. Also Read: American killed in Andaman made notes of how Sentinelese tribe lives, interacts Police have so far arrested seven people, including six fishermen who helped Chau get to the island. The fishermen reported Chaus death, and have since been helping to pinpoint the beach where the American missionary-adventurer was killed. So far, we have already done three reconnaissance trips near the island. We may yet go there again if needed to get a clearer picture of the sequence of events leading to the incident, said Pathak. Police have also been looking out to see if the Sentinelese may have exhumed Chaus body at the beach where he was killed. Two Indian fishermen were killed on the island in 2006 after their boat drifted onto North Sentinel. One week after their deaths, the bodies were put on stakes facing out to sea on the beach. One of the reasons we went there was to try to spot the mans body, especially if the Islanders exhumed it, Pathak said. Now it is about two weeks since the incident and it doesnt look likely that the Americans body will be exhumed, wherever the islanders may have buried it. Anthropologists and activists for isolated tribal communities have called on Indian authorities not to try to retrieve the body, saying such an operation would threaten the Sentinelese. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday asserted that the Indian Army had conducted three surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was in power, but those operations were kept under the wraps at the forces behest. Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public interaction at Udaipur in poll-bound Rajasthan, Gandhi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of turning the targeted September 2016 operation into a political asset to garner votes during the Uttar Pradesh elections. Do you know that like Narendra Modis surgical strike, (former PM) Manmohan Singh did that three times? When the army came to Manmohan Singh and said we need to retaliate against Pakistan for what theyve done, they also said we want it to be secret, for our own purposes, Gandhi said. Several senior serving and retired army officers Hindustan Times spoke to confirmed that cross-border operations had been carried out several times in PoK, but the surgical strike of September 2016 was different because the political leadership took ownership of the action and announced Indias muscular military response to the world. The operation was in retaliation for an attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri, Kashmir, the same month that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers. The suicide attackers had come from Pakistan. A defence ministry spokesperson refused comments on Gandhis statement, saying the matter fell in the political domain. The ruling BJP called Gandhis remarks an insult to the soldiers who died in Uri. I am not aware of the specifics he (Gandhi) is talking about. But yes, some cross-border operations were conducted in the past. The September 2016 strikes were different because the operation was on a much larger scale compared to the previous strikes and the Modi government acknowledged that we had gone across, said former Northern Army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda, under whose watch the 2016 surgical strikes were conducted. A former army chief, who did not want to be identified, said shallow cross-border raids have been conducted at the tactical level several times earlier, adding that these operations were planned and executed at the local level. The 2016 strikes stand out due to the depth we went to and the scale of the operations. And, of course, the big thing was that the government took ownership of the strikes. That never happened before, he added. The strikes were Indias first direct military response to the terror attack on an army base in Uri in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed. The suicide attackers had come from Pakistan. This is not the first time the Congress has said that surgical strikes were conducted earlier too. In a statement issued on June 18, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala enumerated the strikes conducted by the army since 2000. We are proud that our forces have successfully conducted multiple Surgical Strikes over last two decades, particularly post the year 2000 21st January, 2000 (Nadala Enclave, across the Neelam River), 18th September, 2003 (Baroh Sector, Poonch), 19th June, 2008 (Bhattal Sector, Poonch), 30th Aug-1st September, 2011 (Sharda Sector, across Neelam River Valley in Kel), 6th January, 2013 (Sawan Patra Checkpost), 27th-28th July, 2013 ( Nazapir Sector), 6th August, 2013 (Neelam Valley), 14th January, 2014, 28th-29th September, 2016 (DGMOs statement), he said in the statement. BJP president Amit Shah hit out at Gandhi for his claim that the Modi government had turned the surgical strike into a political asset, calling it an insult to the martyrs of Uri. You people are happy that Modiji avenged the deaths of our soldiers in Uri, but this Rahul Baba was just telling people that he (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) did the surgical strikes to win Uttar Pradesh polls. Shame on you (Gandhi), he said addressing an election rally in Jodhpur. You will not realise it Rahul baba what difference this surgical strike made. Every soldier of the country, whether he is from Rajasthan, Gujarat or Punjab or Kashmir, has a feeling that his government stands behind them, he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump had a brief meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit on Friday, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said. Ushakov said he met with US National Security Advisor John Bolton. Russia and the United States were ready to continue contact, he said. Read: Donald Trump reaffirms second North Korea summit plan in meeting with South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in Ushakov said he was unsure of when Putin and Trump might meet next. Meanwhile, all the leaders of the Group of 20 industrialized nations, including US President Donald Trump, have agreed on the need to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO), Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Saturday. Siluanov said there was also consensus among G20 nations to reduce trade barriers. Also Read: India, Russia, China hold 2nd trilateral meeting after 12 years on sidelines of G20 summit The existing structure for cross-service cooperation is weak and efforts for jointmanship in the military are proceeding slowly, resulting in duplication of efforts, wastage of resources and delay in decision making, said Lieutenant General Satish Dua, who was the senior-most military officer handling all tri-service affairs until a month ago. Since the chairmanship of the Chiefs of Staff Committee keeps rotating, it is weak. Sometimes the three chiefs cannot take a decision as they disagree over issues, said Dua, who retired as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee on October 31 after holding the top post for two years. Created 17 years ago, the Integrated Defence Staff is a single-point organisation for jointmanship that integrates policy, doctrine, war-fighting and military purchases. Jointmanship refers to a degree of co-ordination and integration in terms of strategy, capabilities and execution across the three services. The weak structure doesnt lead to effective decision making. Differences are bound to be there as the chiefs tend to keep their service interests first, Dua said in an interview to Hindustan Times. Inter-service issues, lack of tri-service structures and the reluctance of the three services to let go of their turfs are some of the biggest hurdles to achieving greater jointmanship, Dua said. Also read | Tech-savvy terrorists exploiting cyber space for their advantage: Army chief Bipin Rawat We have made some progress in the recent years. Cyber, space and special operations divisions are to be set up. The commander-in-chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (a tri-service command) has been given more powers. But a lot more needs to be done. On a scale of 10, I would give jointmanship, as it exists today, a 4, he said. He said officers being groomed to occupy higher positions should be given incentives to serve in tri-service organisations, a proposal that is being examined by the defence ministry. Today, people do not want to serve as instructors at the Defence Services Staff College (a tri-service institution). Nobody wants to go to Andamans (the first and only tri-services or theatre command in the country). They would prefer manning a post in the military operations directorate, a more glamourous job. But if career-advancing incentives are given, things will change, he said. Lack of jointmanship is leading to duplication and even triplication of efforts and resources. This is only natural, given that the easiest way to cut costs is standardization and scale. We are a developing country. Its criminal to waste money like that. Every service has its own air force. They have different workshops to repair the same cars in same cities. The army and the IAF (Indian Air Force) fly helicopters of different sizes to serve the same troops in Siachen. We need to create new structures. Theres a pressing need to synergise and optimise, Dua said. A defence ministry spokesperson said integration among the armed forces has been a priority for the government. Landmark steps taken towards this (jointmanship), include enhancing authority vested in the CINCAN (Commander-in-Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command), increased fund allotment, infrastructure development coordinated at HQ Andaman and Nicobar Command and the recent decision to include the CISC in all Army/Navy/IAF Commanders Conferences, spokesperson colonel Aman Anand said. Military affairs expert Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak (retd) said the true test of the jointmanship mantra is joint planning, which is our weakness. The planning aspect needs to be synergised for maximisation of joint power application, he said. Dua said the Indian militarys structure did not offer many opportunities to officers and men to serve in a tri-service environment, resulting in a limited understanding of jointmanship. He said creating joint structures was critical at a time when the Indian military was slowly moving towards theaterisation. Over a period of time, the three services have started growing in their silos. This has resulted in expensive overlaps. Take the case of air defence. Its primarily the air forces job. But the army has been buying all types of missiles, even the long-range ones. That is not needed, he said. Dua underlined the need to appoint a four-star officer as the permanent chairman, COSC, to further build and strengthen cross-service synergy in joint operations. He said the three chiefs had last year made a recommendation to the government to appoint a permanent chairman. This COSC has been very bold. Earlier ones did not agree, he said. He said the permanent chairman could don the hat of the chief of defence staff (CDS) after theater commands are operationalised in the years ahead. Dua said the military should ideally have three theatre commands: one each for the west, north and peninsular India. The army could be given west, the IAF north and the navy peninsular India. The CDS would be the operational head of the theaters. There will a strategic support theater too for logistics. So there will be a total of eight four-star generals, including the three service chiefs, he said. Dua gave the example of the 2016 terror attack on the Pathankot air force base to explain how such commands could be effective. The terrorists stormed into the base. There was an army division and a brigade beyond the boundary wall of the airbase, with fully battle-ready troops who had returned from Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. Yet, people were moved from Delhi to sort out the mess. If there were a theatre commander, he wouldnt have had to ask Delhi and would have ordered his squads to jump across into the base, he added. The IAF, however, does not support theaterisation. Kak said, It would be totally unwise for a mature military power like India to put all forces under the concept of theater commands. The critical point is that air power permeates all geographies by virtue of its of reach and has politically accepted strategic effect. Also read | Over 180 soldiers from Jammu-Kashmir join Indian Army Bill Gates during one of his several visits to India as part of the AIDS prevention programme of the Gates Foundation couldnt hold back his tears on hearing the story of a sex worker whose daughter committed suicide after being harassed and ostracised by her schoolmates, says a new book. Ashok Alexander, who headed the Gates Foundations HIV/AIDS prevention programme Avahan for over 10 years, has come out with a book A Stranger Truth: Lessons in Love, leadership and Courage from Indias Sex Workers in which he talks about the countrys sex workers, their lives, how India is a success story in the epidemic and what leadership skills and life lessons can be learnt from them. The author mentions true stories of the lives of sex workers in India that are about finding hope and redemption amid heartbreak and despair. Read: Bill Gates says India shining a light on sanitation During their visits, Bill and wife Melinda had the ability to completely shut out everything extraneous and focus on the community of sex workers, the author says. They sat cross-legged on the floor, facing the community members who were sitting in a small circle. Melinda asked some of them if they would relate their stories. All the tales were sad ones - of rejection, utter poverty, and then somewhere a spark of hope. They were brutally honest and raw. One of the stories is about an incident that took place during Gates visit to India in the early 2000s. A woman related to Gates how she had hidden the fact that she was a sex worker from her daughter, who was then in high school. When her classmates found out the truth, they relentlessly teased, harassed and ostracised the girl, who soon went into deep depression. One day her mother came home to find her child hanging from the ceiling fan, and a note left behind saying she could not take it any more. I noticed that Bill, next to me, had his head down and was crying quietly, Alexander recalls in the book, published by Juggernaut. Also Read: India cant be complacent in the battle against HIV/AIDS When Alexander left a high-profile corporate job to head Avahan in 2003, he was plunged into an India far removed from the comfort zones he had lived and worked in all his life. It was a grinding place where women sold themselves for Rs 50 and 14-year-olds injected drugs. It was the shadow world of transgenders and of young gay men in a country that criminalised same-sex love then. It was the strange world of truckers, lonely journeymen along forgotten highways. Above all, it was a place where valiant battles for a barely decent life were being fought every day. All India Congress Committee in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Friday alleged that the BJP government in Rajasthan has paid Rs 35,440 crore to private power companies helping them to profiteer. Addressing a press conference at Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee office, he said, Shocking revelations of profiteering by four private electricity companies in Rajasthan at the cost of State exchequer and 7.5 crore people of Rajasthan reek of a huge scam in power purchase. RTI (right to information) documents reveal the sinister game of the Vasundhara Govt which ensured that State-owned power companies suffer losses, even as power companies of crony friends of the BJP profiteer at their expense. He said according to the RTI documents, people of Rajasthan have suffered a whopping loss of Rs 6670 Cr by purchase of electricity at 100% above the contracted rates. Also, the Vasundhara Raje government has spent a whopping Rs 35,440 crore etc. on account of power purchase from Private Companies. Surejwala said, the BJP governments motto appears to be Let private electricity companies profiteer and let people and exchequer suffer. He said culture of Crony Capitalism perpetuated, propagated and promoted by the Vasundhara Raje government can be gauged from the fact that the BJP government purchased 94,188 million units power extra from the private companies by paying an astronomical amount of Rs 35,440.11 crore more. The Congress government from 2008-2013 purchased 17243.33 million units by spending Rs 6526.33 crore, while the BJP government from 2013-2018 purchased 111431.54 million units by spending Rs 41966.44 crore. He alleged that in five years, the Raje led government in Rajasthan spent Rs 25,951.75 crore of public exchequers money to buy power from three major private companies including Raj West Power Limited (a subsidiary company of Sajjan Jindal, a known friend of prime minister Narendra Modi.), Adani Power Rajasthan Ltd (another known friend of Modi) and Coastal Gujarat (owned by the Tatas). He further added that the power purchase agreement (PPA) of the Raje government with Raj West Power Ltd was Rs 2.089 per unit, but the government purchased power at the rate of Rs 4.06 per unit. Similarly, PPA with Adani Power was Rs 3.24 per unit, but purchased at Rs 3.66 per unit and there was no PPA with Coastal Gujarat Ltd,but the rate was much less at Rs 2.42 per unit. It shows that Rs 5406.50 crore was paid more to Raj West Pvt Ltd and Rs 1376.50 crore to Adani Power Raj Limited, which resulted in direct loss of Rs 6783 crore of people of Rajasthan. Surjewala also alleged that the Plant Load Factor (PLF) during the Congress government (2008-13) was 91, while PLF during the BJP government (2013-18) was 63, which was a conspiracy to buy private power at the cost of shutting down government owned power plants. He said the previous Congress government bought maximum power from Central government owned NTPC at lesser rates, while BJP purchased lesser units on higher rate. He said, As electricity prices spiral making it unaffordable for the ordinary Rajasthanis, the saga of management, bungling and corruption is out in the open. People will give a befitting reply in this election. BJP spokesperson Mukesh Pareek said Congress had left loss of Rs 76000 crore of power companies and made power companies bankrupt. During the Congress government villages were getting electricity for 4-6 hours and cities were getting electricity for 12 hours and now in BJP government power is being supplied for 22 hours especially in all villages. He said the loss of power companies has been reduced to Rs 10,000 crore. Power generation and quality has increased, despite that if Congress is calling it a power same, then it is certainly joking and speaking lies. The Congress party complained to the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday about an alleged conspiracy to distort election results in Madhya Pradesh, expressing concern over a perceived lack of sufficient security outside strong rooms storing electronic voting machines (EVM). Senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia urged the EC to ensure the security of EVMs and take strict action against anyone found tampering with the machines . Non-functioning of LED screen outside the strong room at Bhopal, reserve EVMs of home ministers constituency in Sagar district reaching 48 hours late and video of boxes being taken into strong room at Satna-Khargone indicated some big conspiracy, Scindia tweeted. He was referring to a set of videos doing the rounds in Madhya Pradesh. HT couldnt independently verify the authenticity of the videos. The Madhya Pradesh electoral office and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denied the charges. Read: Rajasthan assembly elections 2018: Losses in Alwar, Ajmer by-elections were eye-opener for us, says Om Prakash Mathur Chief electoral office again reaffirms that all EVMs are tamperproof. All EVMs are safely secured and sealed in strong rooms. More importantly they are under joint surveillance of police force and political parties, the state election commission tweeted. State BJP vice-president Vijesh Lunawat said, The Congress is in the habit of crying over EVMs whenever it faces defeat. The Congress leaders should have faith in democracy and constitutional bodies and before lodging any complaint, they must understand the system first. In two separate memoranda submitted to the poll panel in Delhi, a Congress delegation led by Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Manish Tewari demanded that necessary steps be taken for preventing any manipulation . Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Aam Admi Party (AAP) workers protested after a video clip went viral on Friday purportedly showing a man taking a box inside a strong room in Satna district. But the district administration denied that the video showed the gate of the strong room. In Khargone district, too, a video clip purportedly showing the entry of unauthorised people into the strong room went viral, triggering protests. In Sagar district, Congress claimed some EVMs reached the collection centre about 48 hours after polling because they were first taken to a hotel owned by a BJP minister. Also Read: Congress alleges power scam by BJP govt in Rajasthan Senior leader Ahmed Patel said the EC should allow representatives of all political parties while transporting EVMs to counting centres from strong rooms and review conduct of officials in certain districts. Chief electoral officer VL Kantharao said, There is no confusion about security of strong rooms. All the 51 strong rooms were sealed on November 28 and will be opened only on December 11. The strong rooms are under strict vigilance of para-military forces. Unused VVPAT, EVMs and batteries have been stored separately in warehouses. The videos which went viral were related to the warehouses only. VVPAT is short for voter verifiable paper audit trail, which, according to the EC, brings transparency to the voting process and acts as a tool to counter allegations of rigging . A day after the Maharashtra legislature passed a bill granting 16% quota in government jobs and education to Marathas, clamour grew for reservation to Muslims too. While the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) brought up the issue of a quota for the Muslim community, on Friday, an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) legislator Imtiyaz Jaleel announced his party will approach the high court, seeking the reservation. The previous Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra had granted the Muslim community a 5% reservation, while giving a 16 % quota to Marathas, by promulgating an ordinance in 2014. The decision was partially struck down by the Bombay high court. The high court had allowed a quota for Muslims only in education, taking into consideration the communitys educational backwardness. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, however, refused to grant the quota as they didnt want reservation on religious grounds. We are sceptical about state government doing anything for reservation to Muslims, said Jaleel. We tried to expose the government...on the MSCBC data based on which Maratha reservation decision was taken. The situation of Muslims is even worse than the Marathas and we have reports of three commissions...to prove that. We are now going to challenge the governments move for not providing reservation to Muslims... With the clamour for reservation growing, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said his government is not against giving reservation benefits to those backward in the Muslim community. The government can do so only if the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes (MSCBC) recommends it, said Fadnavis. MSCBC recommendation is mandatory to provide reservation to any community. The commission needs to be approached to get reservation benefits to the community whose recommendations are also binding on the government. I am ready to hold a meeting with Muslim legislators to discuss the modalities. The chief minister also told the Assembly that they cant give reservation on basis of religion. Islam has no concept of caste, whereas we provide reservation only on caste basis. However, some of the communities from the community, who had converted from Hinduism to Islam, were getting reservations on the basis of their caste under OBC category, Fadnavis said. Meanwhile, governor Ch Vidysagar Rao on Friday gave his approval to the legislation granting reservation to Marathas under a new Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) category. The states law and judiciary department has now begun the process to issue the notification to implement the reservation. Also, immediately after the quota legislation, the Maharashtra government announced the recruitment process for 72,000 posts in the state administration. The recruitment will have a quota for Marathas along with other reserved categories. With the state legislature clearing the Maratha reservation bill, the stage seems set for a Marathas versus Other Backward Class (OBC) tussle that is likely to first get played out in the court. The verdict is still out on whether the fracas between two of the most dominant communities will lead to political polarisation in 2019 polls. While the states legislation promises Marathas 16% quota over the existing 52% reservation in the state, OBCs are wary that such a provision will not pass judicial scrutiny, resulting in dilution of their own quota. OBC groups are now waiting for the state to issue the notification to implement the quota before they can move court. If they challenge the reservation, they will earn the ire of the Marathas. Anticipating legal challenge, Vinod Patil, one of the coordinators of the Maratha Kranti Morcha, on Friday filed a caveat in the Bombay high court. I filed a caveat to ensure the quota is not stayed without Marathas getting their representation. Some negative groups may move court even though most communities and sections of society have welcomed this reservation, said Patil. Until recently, OBC leaders had backed or taken a neutral stand over Maratha reservation, but with the bill getting a go-ahead, a section of community leaders are now openly antagonistic towards the 16% quota and the way the bill has been framed. Marathas make up nearly 30-32% of the state population (including Kunbi-Marathas, who come under OBC), while OBCs, including 346 castes along with nomadic tribes, are nearly 50% of the state population. We plan to move court against Maratha reservation. We are first waiting for the report submitted by the commission to be made public. There are many grounds on which the reservation can be challenged, said Chandrakant Bavkar, president of OBC Sangharsh Samanvay Samiti. One of the grounds to challenge the reservation is the population figures and other numerical data that OBCs say is half-baked. Sachin Rajurkar, general secretary, Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh, said community leaders had strong objection over the quantum of the Maratha population of 32% projected by the community. We have been demanding caste-based census, so the actual population is ascertained. It is only on the basis of this that a quota can be given, he said. No OBC politician across any party has openly objected to the Maratha reservation bill to avoid alienating the Maratha community, which has a decisive influence on nearly 75 of the 288 constituencies, ahead of polls. But several OBC leaders across party lines have panned the amendment, especially the quantum of quota, and are willing to indirectly support the legal challengers. Our problem with this bill begins with the way Marathas have been categorised as socially and educationally backward. This nomenclature is used for all backward class citizens in the Constitution, said an OBC politician. He said that once Marathas are branded backward, there was no going back. Despite the disquiet among OBCs, political observers are not sure whether this community, seen as support base of the BJP, will turn against it. It is too early to talk about possible political repercussions or polarisation as a lot would depend on the fate of the legislation in the courts. If it gets stayed, the BJP will face brickbats from Marathas. If it does not, the party will milk the issue ahead of polls, but may lose loyalty of some sections of the OBC, said political analyst Prakash Bal. A senior Congress leader said, We will lose a chunk of our Maratha support if the government is successful with their legislation. But if theres a legal hurdle like a stay, it may help us. OBCs generally dont vote en block, but we may be able to woo Dhangars (shepherds), who will be unhappy now. Dhangars have been demanding their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe category for reservation, but the government is yet to decide on it. He said the caste and community leaders had most to benefit in this wrangle, as all political parties will want to have a face from each of the prominent castes to protect their interests. After murdering his 80-year-old mother, Borivli resident Yogesh Shenoy sat with her body for more than seven hours before turning himself in to the police on Thursday morning. Shenoy, 53, has confessed to the crime and been booked for murder under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The police believe Shenoy may have been driven to murder because of financial stress and the tension of being his mothers caregiver. Senior police inspector of MHB Colony police station Pandit Thakare said, The murder took place because of the constant fights with his mother and due to her medical fees, which he was unable to manage. Two months ago, Shenoy left his job as an accountant at a hotel to take care of his mother, Lalita. The 80-year-old was a blood pressure and spondylosis patient. The two of them lived together in a chawl in Borivli. Shenoy is estranged from his wife, and his father and brother passed away a few years ago. Neighbours remember the mother and son as being devoted to one another. Shenoys landlord Darshana Ghone told HT, They have been my tenants for decades now. They did not interact much with anyone in the neighbourhood. The police said Shenoy has been short of money and not paid rent (35 a month) for the past two years. He was also not able to afford Lalitas medicines. According to Shenoys confession to the police, on Thursday at around 2am, Shenoy fed Lalita a high dosage of sleeping pills, hoping this would kill her. He then smothered her with a pillow. When Lalita survived both these attempts, Shenoy slit her throat with a paper cutter. Having killed her, Shenoy sat next to her dead body until 9.30am, when he called the police control room to turn himself in. He told the police that he did not know what else to do. Shenoy is in police custody. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of 24 restaurants in the city for failing to comply with cleanliness norms, absence of any record on the use of pesticides and storing of edible food materials in unhygienic conditions. Poor hygiene standards in the kitchen, failure to maintain and display health check-up record of the staff and failure to present record of pest control measures undertaken in the restaurants were among the reasons for suspension of licence. Prominent restaurants whose licences were suspended included Naivedyam at Mitra Mandal chowk, Hotel Panchami (Satara Road), The Teres Hotel at Kondhwa, Hotel Samrat on Shankarsheth Road, Hotel Kalpana (Sadashiv peth),and Gokul Pure Veg at Sukhsagar nagar. FDA inspectors found that the reezers used for storing raw materials were extremely dirty. At many restaurants, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items were kept together. It was also found that restaurant operators failed to keep waste bins in the kitchen as a result of which there was considerable filth in the kitchen in dirty condition. The kitchen staff was also found to be working without covering their head, food safety officer V V Rupanawar said. In the last two months, we carried out raids on a total of 472 restaurants in the city. We had issued notices to 449 restaurants and asked them to take corrective steps within the stipulated time. However, 24 restaurants failed to comply and hence we have taken action against them, Rupanawar, food safety officer, Pune. Suresh Deshmukh, joint commissioner (food) said, We have ordered inspection of every restaurant in the city. Restaurants which fail to comply will have their licences suspended, he said. There are a total of 17,049 restaurants in Pune and 8,166 in Pimpri-Chinchwad industrial township. Rajesh Shetty, owner of Naivedyam restaurant, Swargate, said , We have been serving Pune for the last 42 years. There has been no case related hygiene of food or food poisoning. It is true that we have failed to respond to the notice on time but now we have submitted all the documents demanded by the FDA officers. So, there is nothing to worry about the hygiene of the restaurant. As per the Food Safety and Standards Act, hotels and restaurants must ensure that the kitchen conditions, as well as the cleanliness and hygiene of the chefs should be maintained as prescribed by FDA. Routine health check-ups of the chef and staff are mandatory. A hotel, restaurant or food stall must cook and serve food in clean utensils. The kitchen serving areas must be kept clean and only potable drinking water must used for cooking. Those handling food must also be sure to cover their hair. FDA may act against food delivery apps Following the footsteps of Food and Drug Administration, Mumbai, the Pune branch of the body is also likely to take strong action against online food delivery aggregators for delivering food from unlicenced shops, said FDA officials. We have asked for a list of restaurants from where the online food aggregators collects food and delivers. On Monday, we received list from two online food delivery platforms. There is a possibility of the food delivering aggregators delivering food from unauthorised restaurants. After scrutinising, we will take action in a weeks time, said AJ Bhujbal, assistant commissioner (food) FDA, Pune. Earlier in October, FDA had issued stop work notices to more than 100 outlets listed on Swiggy, Zomato, Foodpanda and Uber Eats platforms. The action was taken under Food Safety and Standard Act (FSSA) 2006 as the restaurants were found selling food with required permissions. FDA officers said that online food delivery aggregators were also responsible for the quality of food delivered. In July 2018,Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a directive asking e-commerce sites to delist unlicenced and unregistered restaurants by September 30. Following this, FDA had inspected 347 food outlets in Mumbai where food was prepared. During the investigation, it was revealed that 113 food outlets were working without a license.These outlets were serving food through the food delivery aggregators which is proving hazardous to people. The maiden Pune Singapore flight which commences its operations from December 1 has registered over 50 per cent of passenger occupancy during its very first operation from Pune, while the incoming flight from Singapore has occupancy of over 80 per cent. The flight has also become the seventeenth direct flight connected to Singapore from India. Addressing a press conference at the Lohegaon Airport in the city Vinay Dube, chief executive officer, Jet Airways, said, The launch of the maiden flight between Pune and Singapore is a proud moment for us. Jet Airways is the first and the only carrier to provide direct connectivity between Pune and Singapore. He added, Currently, 36, 000 passengers fly to Singapore annually although there is no direct flight connectivity. With the direct flight connectivity the number of flyers will increase significantly. Also, we will be forthcoming in exploring the cargo opportunities from the Lohegaon airport. In the very first flight from Pune, a total of 500 kgs of sweets are being sent to Singapore, said Dube adding that this flight operation will create huge economic opportunities in the surrounding areas of Pune. City MP Anil Shirole thanked PM Narendra Modi and Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu for working towards boosting the civil aviation sector in the country. New Pune-Allahabad flight to start soon Pune airport director Ajay Kumar, said, Under the Regional connectivity scheme, a new Indigo flight to Allahabad from the Lohegaon Airport is likely to commence soon. While the date has not been confirmed yet, AAI, Pune has been informed that Indigo flight operations to Allahabad will be commencing soon. Maintaining that India has a clear policy on terror and talks, Army chief, General Bipin Rawat on Friday said that if Pakistan wants better ties with India, it should become a secular state rather than be an Islamic state. If they have to stay together with India, then they have to develop as a secular state. We are a secular state. If theyre willing to become secular like us, then they seem to have an opportunity for engagement , he said, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the passing out parade (POP) of the 135th course at the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla. When asked about Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans statement that Pakistan will respond with two steps for every step that India takes for peace, Rawat said, There is contradiction in what they are saying. One step from there should come in a positive manner, we will see if the step has effect on the ground. Till then, our nation has a clear policy - terror and talks cant go together. Speaking on other issues Gen Rawat highlighted the increasing role of women in the Army. Stating that several areas have been identified for expanding womens role in the Army, he said, You will see an increase in the role of women in the armed forces. We havent yet taken them in front-line combat role. We feel we arent yet ready. Western nations are more open. Boys and girls are operating together in big cities here, but people in the Army dont only come from big cities. Majority of them are from rural areas where mingling between men and women is still not very open. We are exploring how women can be given Permanent Commission, he said. He pointed out that permanency is needed in some fields and male officers in a command-oriented Army dont fit everywhere. Keeping women officers in fields like language interpreter, military diplomacy, information, cyber and psychological warfare will be beneficial. They are already present in the Armys education and law departments, General Rawat said. When asked about reports that defence cantonments may be merged with the local civic bodies, the Army chief said such possibilities were being explored, but only for civil areas of the cantonments. We want to increase military stations. Cantonments are a British legacy. There are 237 military stations and 62 cantonments. We are exploring the possibilities whether civil areas of the cantonments can be merged with local civic bodies for better services to people and remaining areas can be converted into military stations, he said. 261 cadets graduate from NDA On Friday, 261 cadets graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) as they passed through the portals of the prestigious Khetrapal parade ground. These included 186 cadets from the Army, 21 from the Navy and 54 from the Air Force, inclusive of 16 cadets from friendly foreign countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Mauritius, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat reviewed the passing out parade and in his address, complimented the cadets for their exceptional drill movements. Academy Cadet Captain Jaipreet Singh won the Presidents Gold Medal for standing first in the overall order of merit. Academy Cadet Adjutant Parimal Parasar won the Silver Medal for standing second in the overall order of merit and Squadron Cadet Captain Swapnil Gupta won the Bronze Medal for standing third in the overall order of merit. Charlie Squadron bagged the prestigious Chiefs of Staff Banner, for being the Champion Squadron which was presented during the parade. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked prime minister Narendra Modi on issues ranging from Hinduism and women empowerment to demonetisation, accusing the PM of not understanding the foundation of Hinduism. Speaking at an interaction with local residents in Rajasthans Udaipur, Gandhi questioned what kind of a Hindu the prime minister was. What is the essence of Hinduism? You please study Hinduism. What does the Gita say? That knowledge is with everybody, knowledge is all around youOur PM says he is a Hindu but he doesnt understand the foundation of Hinduism. What sort of Hindu is he? That is the contradiction, Gandhi said. Rajasthan goes to polls in less than a week and the Congress is locked in a largely direct fight with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the 200 seats in the assembly. Read: Narendra Modi shaped 2016 surgical strike into political asset, says Rahul Gandhi Gandhi praised former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his tone and language. We might disagree with and fight him politically but the man had character, he said. Gandhi said India needs to focus on linking agriculture to city and international markets and linking the banking system to skill at the local level. The main problem is that agriculture sector is seen as a liability, which is not true. It is an asset, Gandhi said. His party has promised a farm loan waiver of up to Rs two lakh in all poll-bound states. On the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, Gandhi claimed that farmers tell him that the contract has been given to one insurance company. Main problem of Ayushman Bharat is that the amount of money that should go in public healthcare is not being given. Only insurance companies are benefitting, he said. In the context of insurance companies, Gandhi said the farmers were not benefitting from farm insurance scheme as it has been given to two-three big insurance companies. The user has no choice to choose his insurance companies. What is happening is parceling out of assets to companies without any sense of competition, he said. Gandhi also said countrys GDP can grow at nine percent and called demonetisation of high-value currency notes in 2016 a scam that adversely impact millions of poor. Indias leadership thinks there is no job crisis. Joblessness is a serious threat to the country. We have to bring mental change in Indias leadership that we need to grow with jobs, he said. If we respect skill, instead of power, we will be able to leave behind China (in growth). The BJP dismissed the allegations with foreign minister Sushma Swaraj saying Gandhi and the Congress were confused about Rahuls religion and caste. Rahul Gandhi said PM doesnt know the meaning of being a Hindu. He said that because he and Congress are confused about his religion and caste. For years,the party presented him as secular leader but near the polls when they realised that Hindus are in majority, they created this image, she said. It was said he is a janeudhari Brahmin but I didnt know that a janeudhari Brahmins knowledge about being a Hindu has progressed so much that well have to understand it from him. God forbid such a day should come that well have to understand the meaning of being a Hindu from him, she said. Also Read: Insult to martyrs, says Amit Shah on Rahul Gandhis surgical strikes to win polls jibe Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad called Gandhi confused and said the Congress leaders projection of being a Hindu wasnt out of commitment, but political consideration. Rahul Gandhis problem is (that) he is the confused Gandhi and he keeps on changing his Hindu appearances for political purposes, not by way of commitment. He isnt a Hindu by commitment, he is a Hindu by political consideration. His Hindu faith changes with political expediency, Prasad said. If there is an assembly constituency in Hyderabad that is attracting everyones attentionpoliticians, political observers, film stars and even bookies - in the ongoing assembly elections in Telangana, it is Kukatpally. The reason for which is Nandamuri Suhasini, the granddaughter of legendary actor and former chief minister of erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh NT Rama Rao, who has thrown her hat into the electoral ring. Nandamuri Suhasini is contesting the polls on a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ticket. The 37-year old scion of the Nandamuri family is the first in the third generation of the family to contest elections. Nandamuris father late Nandamuri Harikrishna, who was killed in a road accident in August this year, was a Rajya Sabha member, a minister in the state cabinet and also a TDP politburo member. Her uncle Nandamuri Balakrishna, a senior actor in the Telugu film industry, is also an MLA from Hindupur in Andhra Pradeshs Anantapur. Suhasinis entry into the poll battle, a strategic move by TDP president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu just four days before closure of nomination process in Telangana, has now upped the stakes. I am not familiar with political rhetoric. But I assure the people that I will be available to them anytime to solve their problems, Suhasini said. Kukatpally had traditionally been a TDP bastion in the 2014 elections, it was one of the 15 seats won by the party in the 119-member assembly. TDPs Madhavaram Krishna Rao won the seat with a margin of 43,000 votes but in less than two years, defected to Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), along with 11 others. Now, TDP is aiming at regaining its hold in the constituency. One of the reasons why Naidu chose to field Suhasini from Kukatpally is the concentration of a large number of people from the Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, generally referred to as settlers in Telangana. Once a small suburban residential area, Kukatpally has grown into one of the busiest localities of the city. An estimate made by the Telangana Settlers Association, a local organisation, voters from Andhra and Rayalaseema constitute nearly 40% of the 338,000 voters. The TDP hopes these settlers will back Suhasini. For the TRS, Kukatpally is a prestige fight as Suhasinis defeat would dent Naidus image. TRS president K Chandrasekhar Raos son and IT minister K T Rama Rao are personally concentrating on this constituency. TDPs regional rival, the YSR Congress, which polled nearly 22,000 votes in 2014 elections, has openly supported TRS. On Friday, IT minister held road shows here. Why hasnt Naidu fielded his son Lokesh from Kukatpally? He knows it is a losing seat. He wants to make Suhasini a scapegoat and prevent her brothers Jr NTR and Kalyan Ram from entering politics, Rao said. The Congress, which polled 23,000 votes in the last elections, is supporting Suhasini. Congress president Rahul Gandhi is likely to hold a rally in the constituency soon. When the Youth Congress in Telangana started its war room in Hyderabad two months ago, the first thing it did was approach Telugu non-resident Indians (NRIs) to pep up its social media campaign in the poll-bound state. We did not seek funds from them but asked them to do research and use their contacts in disseminating our promises and programmes to the people through social media since they have the time, wherewithal and resources, said state Youth Congress secretary and war room in-charge, Venkat Gurijala. There are about two million people from Telangana residing and working in the Gulf nations and other countries, as per data available with state Congress. In November this year, Telangana Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy and central leader RC Khuntia visited Dubai to meet NRIs and migrant workers and seek their support for the party. Taking a lead over the parent organisation, the Youth Congress social media war room was set up on September 22. At present, it has 11 people working round the clock in a rented apartment. The main focus of its strategy is an aggressive WhatsApp-based campaign, and not Twitter. It has created 4,000 WhatsApp groups with 30-40 in each of the 119 assembly constituencies. Gurijala said the party has focussed on WhatsApp and Facebook because of the wider reach of the two media. We have connected over 800,000 people. Our strength is our content, said Gurijala, who was an assistant professor with a private college before joining the Youth Congress. Though the party has an official Facebook page, it relies mainly on unofficial pages and websites to reach out to neutral voters. While the official page has a reach of one million users, the unofficial pages have already crossed the 20-million figure, he said. The team has also compiled videos of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Raos pre-poll speeches in which he had made certain promises that remained unfulfilled during his tenure. These videos are continuously posted on social media. One such video is of KCR promising a Dalit chief minister if TRS comes to power at an election rally in the run-up to the 2014 assembly polls. We all know what happened to that promise, Gurijala said. The other focus is youth, especially the 1.2 million new voters, and unemployment. The Youth Congress has enrolled 250,000 new voters through its Project Ballot Campaign. Gurijala claimed that KCR had promised to create 100,000 jobs in the government sector in 2014 but failed to keep the promise. Of nearly 250,000 government vacancies, only 25,000 have been filled in the past four-and-a-half years. In fact, around 2.8 million youth had registered for government jobs in November 2014. That reflects the job scenario in Telangana, he said. To win over young voters, the Congress in its manifesto has promised ~3,000 as a monthly allowance to unemployed youth in the state. And under its Yuva Shakti programme, the Youth Congress has taken the party manifesto to 140,000 youth in the age group of 18-35 years. The team also verifies and monitors the door-to-door campaign through its volunteer management app. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent at least 11 messages to his closest adviser, who allegedly oversaw the team that killed US columnist Jamal Khashoggi, in the hours before and after his death in October, Wall Street Journal reported Saturday, citing a highly classified CIA assessment report. The killing of Khashoggi, a US resident who wrote for the Washington Post, has emerged as the most serious threat to American-Saudi ties since at least the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. US senators have demanded the White House be more forthcoming about intelligence gathered on Khashoggis killing in Turkey, and demanded to know whether the crown prince knew about in advance or ordered it. Read: Intending to speak to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Jamal Khashoggi, Yemen: UK PM Theresa May The Wall Street Journal said it had reviewed excerpts of the Central Intelligence Agencys assessment, which included electronic intercepts and other information. The excerpts state that the CIA had medium-to-high confidence that Prince Mohammad had personally targeted Khashoggi to the extent of probably ordering his death, the Journal said. However, the assessment stated that there is no direct reporting of the crown prince actually issuing a kill order, Wall Street Journal said. Prince Mohammed had sent the electronic messages to Saud al-Qahtani, who supervised the 15-man team that killed Khashoggi and was in direct communication with the teams leader in Istanbul, the Journal said, citing the CIA report. The content of the messages between Prince Mohammed and Qahtani isnt known. Also Read: US says no hard evidence Saudi prince ordered journalist Jamal Khashoggi killing The Wall Street Journal report is one of several in which the US intelligence community has concluded with high confidence that Prince Mohammed ordered the killing. American officials, including Trump, have publicly questioned whether the crown princes role will ever truly be known. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) US President Donald Trump reaffirmed on Friday in a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in that he wants a second summit with North Koreas leader, the White House said. Trump and Moon, meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea, Trump spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. They agreed on the need for maintaining vigorous enforcement of existing sanctions to ensure the DPRK understands that denuclearization is the only path, Sanders said, using the Norths official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. President Moon (@moonriver365) and President Trump (@realDonaldTrump) reaffirmed their commitment to closely coordinate so as to achieve their common goals at an early date. https://t.co/8jdvTOCpQH The Office of President Moon Jae-in (@TheBlueHouseENG) December 1, 2018 Read: Perceptible improvement in India-China relations, say Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping on G20 sidelines However, Trump made clear that he also wants to follow up on his historic June summit in Singapore as he tries to persuade the reclusive regime to give up its nuclear weapons. President Trump discussed his intention to have a second US-DPRK summit, Sanders said, and the two leaders restated their commitment to closely coordinate on next steps. Moons top press secretary, Yoon Young-chan, was quoted by Yonhap news agency saying that Trump asked that South Korea and the US closely cooperate so the next summit will be another historical milestone in the process of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was due to meet with a top North Korean official in early November, but the meeting was abruptly put off, with North Korea insisting that the United States ease sanctions. Also Read: G20 agenda should focus on developing nations priorities, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned news conference at the Group of 20 summit in Argentina Saturday, out of respect for the Bush Family after death of former President George HW Bush. In a tweet, Trump said he was very much looking forward to speaking with the news media before leaving the summit in Buenos Aires because we have had such great success in our dealing with various countries and their leaders at the G20. I was very much looking forward to having a press conference just prior to leaving Argentina because we have had such great success in our dealing with various countries and their leaders at the G20.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2018 Read: George HW Bush, 41st president of United States, dies at age 94 He adds: However, out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George HW Bush we will wait until after the funeral to have a press conference. ....However, out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George H.W. Bush we will wait until after the funeral to have a press conference. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2018 Bush, the 41st president, died Friday at 94 Trump is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chinese President Xi Jinping before returning to Washington. Also Read: George H W Bush: Great on experience, not as communicator Determined to erect monuments to a more diverse group of history makers than simply white men, New York announced Friday Americas first black congresswoman was getting a statue in Brooklyn. Shirley Chisholm, who was also the first woman to seek the Democratic nomination as president, will be honoured with a statue at Prospect Park. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholms legacy of leadership and activism has paved the way for thousands of women to seek public office, said Chirlane McCray, wife of New York mayor Bill de Blasio. She is exactly the kind of New York woman whose contributions should be honoured with representation in our public spaces. De Blasio, a progressive Democrat, ordered a review into public monuments after deadly violence at a neo-Nazi rally in Virginia in 2017 fuelled momentum to remove symbols of the pro-slavery Civil War-era South. Chisholm was born on November 30, 1924 in Brooklyn, the eldest of four daughters of a factory labourer from Guyana and a seamstress from Barbados. She got an MA in early childhood education from Columbia University and was first elected to Congress in 1968, representing New Yorks 12th congressional district until 1983. In 1972, she became the first woman to run for the Democratic Partys nomination for president of the United States. She died in 2005 at the age of 80. An artist will be selected to design the statue and announced in 2019, and the monument will be erected by the end of 2020. The citys department of cultural affairs has committed up to USD 10 million over the next four years to commissioning new permanent public monuments and commemorations, with others to be announced in due course. In April, New York removed from Central Park the statue of a 19th century gynecologist who experimented on enslaved black women without anesthesia. De Blasios review recommended that the statue of J Marion Sims be relocated to a Brooklyn cemetery, where Sims is buried, and steps be taken to explain the legacy of a man considered the father of modern gynaecology. New York has kept in place statues of Christopher Columbus and former US president Theodore Roosevelt, both seen in some quarters as symbols of racism. A plaque dedicated to Philippe Petain -- a World War I hero who later collaborated with the Nazis -- also remains in place, albeit with additional signs to provide context. South Africa President, Cyril Ramaphosa, accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modis invitation to be the chief guest for Indias Republic Day celebrations in 2019, reported news agency ANI. Earlier, US President Donald Trump had been invited to attend the Republic Day parade by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, Trump declined the invitation because of scheduling constraints, the White House had said, but stressed the strong personal rapport shared by them. The White House did not elaborate on the constraints but the Republic Day parade on January 26 is around the time when US presidents present their annual report to Congress, the State of the Union address, which is a statement of achievements of the last year and plans for the next. President Trump was honored by Prime Minister Modis invitation for him to be Chief Guest of Indias Republic Day on January 26, 2019, but is unable to participate due to scheduling constraints, a White House spokesperson had earlier said in a statement. Barack Obama, who became the first American president to attend the Republic Day parade in 2015, had moved up his address to January 20 from the usual end-of-month slot he had favoured thus far. But it was not clear if Trumps scheduling constraints included the address. Also read | Top African leader on shortlist for RDay chief guest, decision soon It was a Thursday evening in late August and a crowd had gathered at the Origami sushi restaurant in Minneapolis. One guest, a 21-year-old female Chinese undergraduate at the University of Minnesota, was initially expecting a dinner in honor of volunteers like herself. Instead, she found herself surrounded by more than a dozen Chinese executives, male attendees of a doctoral management program for which she had been volunteering. Among them was Charlie Yao, a Chinese businessman she had met days earlier -- and who had invited her to the dinner. Yao asked her to take a seat next to Richard Liu, one of Chinas wealthiest men and the CEO of e-commerce giant JD.com Inc. The students male guest was relegated to another table, alongside the executives assistants. This account is based on documents, the female students statement to the police and her WeChat messages to a friend, which were reviewed by Bloomberg. Her attorney, Wil Florin, also talked to Bloomberg. The role played by Yao in inviting the student to the dinner, outlined here for the first time, sheds new light on the events that unfolded on Aug. 30 and culminated early the following morning, when the young woman alleges that she was raped by Liu in her apartment. Liu has denied the allegations. Yao, who has not been accused of wrongdoing by authorities, couldnt be reached for comment. Over the course of the evening, wine flowed freely. Liu and other men at the table repeatedly toasted the woman, using the Chinese phrase ganbei, or dry cup, a strong encouragement in Chinese social and business settings to leave ones glass empty. To her mind, she was being forced to drink alcohol, she wrote to a friend via the WeChat messaging tool the following day. Why didnt one of these wealthy older CEOs act like a mature CEO and protect her, rather than culturally coerce her to drink?, Florin said. Liu, who was arrested the following evening and held for almost 17 hours before being released with no charges filed, returned to China soon after. This version of events is filled with unsubstantiated information, from sources who clearly have an agenda, said Jill Brisbois, Lius attorney. Because of the ongoing investigation, Richard cannot defend himself in the media. We would urge everyone to wait for the prosecutors determination instead of continuing to present a one-sided and inaccurate narrative. When all of the relevant evidence is disclosed, Richards innocence and the full story will become apparent. A JD.com representative didnt immediately respond to a request for comment and instead referred to a previously released statement, which says in part that Liu had been released without any charges, and without requirement for bail. The Minneapolis Police Department completed its investigation and in September turned the case over to prosecutors in the Hennepin County Attorneys office, the county attorney said at the time. Prosecutors are now weighing whether to file criminal charges. In a criminal case, prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, in legal parlance. In civil cases, the plaintiff need only show its more likely than not that the accused committed the wrongful act. News of the rape allegations has sent shock waves across the globe and adds to concerns surrounding the role of men in corporate leadership. In a little more than a year since the #MeToo movement took hold in the U.S., allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault have been lodged against more than 400 men, the majority of them Americans, and have ended the careers of prominent businessmen, journalists and entertainers. Investors in JD.com have taken notice, and the companys stock has dropped 33 percent since the end of August. Lius outsize control of voting rights closely links the companys fate to his own, analysts have said. When people think about JD, they think about Richard Liu because he is the visionary founder, said Mitchell Kim, an analyst at Kim Eng Securities in Hong Kong. Investors pay attention to the name and we all assume that hes the one that directs the strategic vision of the company. Kim added that, if he were to get indicted, there would be further backlash against the stock. Liu had been in the U.S. as part of a doctoral program, run by the University of Minnesotas Carlson School of Management and Chinas Tsinghua University, geared toward Chinese titans of industry. Much of the coursework happens in Beijing, with a culminating residential component in the U.S. The University of Minnesota declined to comment for this story. Another participant was Yao, Chairman of Shenzhen-based Jumbo Sheen Enterprises Group, an equity investment and fund management group, according to a document profiling students in the doctoral program. In her police report, the accuser said she met Yao earlier in the week through her role as volunteer coordinator of organized jogs. He earned her trust over several conversations and offered her a job at his company after her graduation, she said. Liu had asked Yao to ensure that the female student attend the dinner, according to Florin, of the law firm Florin Roebig. Yao didnt respond to emails seeking comment. A receptionist at Jumbo Sheens Shenzhen headquarters said that Yao is traveling and declined to say when he would return. Yao is also on the board of Rici Healthcare Holdings. A Rici representative said the company couldnt comment on this matter. According to the female students WeChat messages and her statement to local police, dinner attendees drank copious amounts of alcohol. Her friend and Lius assistant, neither of whom is fully identified in the materials reviewed by Bloomberg, were asked to make two wine runs over the course of the evening, purchasing 32 bottles in total, according to the students attorney and photos and documents reviewed by Bloomberg. At some point in the evening, the students male friend -- also a volunteer -- was called away to another dinner, a half-hours drive away, by another executive in the management program, Florin said. Later that night, she departed with Liu and traveled with him in a limousine to a location she couldnt identify. In the back of the car, he tried to kiss her and pull off her clothes, she said in her statement. You have wife, and you have kids, she told him. Dont do this, I dont want to do this. After she repeatedly asked him to take her back to her apartment, he relented. Some details in the police report were previously reported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Reuters. Upon arrival at her apartment, she exited the vehicle, followed by Liu, who told his driver and assistant to wait in the car. Once inside, he tried to take her clothes off and throw her on the bed, and she was able to escape from him briefly, she said. She told him no and resisted his advances several times, according to her statement. Liu then pressured her to take a shower with him. When she declined, he tried to pull her into the shower against her will. He emerged from the shower and proceeded to her bedroom, while she went into the restroom, locked the door and changed clothes that had become wet from the shower. When she came out, she found him naked on her bed. He refused to leave. Eventually, she said, he threw me onto the bed and he held my shoulders so that I cant move. From there, he proceeded to have intercourse with her against her will, she told police. She said she kept her bed sheets as evidence. The UN General Assembly will vote Thursday on a US-drafted resolution that would condemn the Palestinian Hamas movement, a measure championed by US Ambassador Nikki Haley. The United States won crucial backing from the European Union for the draft resolution that condemns the firing by Hamas of rockets into Israel and demands an end to the violence. If adopted, it would mark the first time that the assembly has taken aim at Hamas, the Islamist militant group that has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. All 28 EU countries agreed to support the measure after the United States included a mention of relevant UN resolutions in the text that does not however refer to the two-state solution. In a statement, the US mission to the United Nations said it had hoped to put the draft resolution to a vote on Monday but that the Palestinians had pushed for a delay until Thursday. The issue before the United Nations on Thursday is not whether it supports one form or another of a Middle East peace plan, the US mission said. Each country will be asked to vote for or against the activities of Hamas, along with other militant groups like Palestinian Islamic Jihad. If the UN cannot bring itself to adopt this resolution, then it has no business being involved in peace discussions, it added. The European Union, like the United States, considers Hamas a terror group, but the 28-nation bloc is divided over how to support peace efforts. Haley, who will step down as UN ambassador in January, has steadfastly supported Israel in its confrontation with Hamas and chastised the United Nations for criticizing both sides. The vote on Thursday will follow the adoption in the assembly of about a dozen resolutions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that condemn Israeli settlements and call for progress toward the two-state solution. Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly are non-binding, but they carry political weight and are seen as a barometer of world opinion. The United States put forward the resolution as it prepares to unveil new peace proposals that the Palestinians have already rejected. The Palestinians have severed ties with the administration of President Donald Trump after the decision nearly a year ago to move the US embassy to Jerusalem and declare the city Israels capital. The US administration has also cut more than USD 500 million in Palestinian aid. The Palestinians see the city as the capital of their future state. International consensus has been that Jerusalems status must be negotiated between the two sides. Christopher Mally served in the Air Force, lost two fingers in an attack on his aircraft in Iraq and became addicted to heroin as he tried to manage the pain, eventually getting a dishonorable discharge. Thats how he ended up at the intersection of Richmond Avenue and the West Loop holding a sign asking drivers and other passers-by for money. Mally, 37, said he nets about $25 a day, but now he faces new competition. Signs went up urging people not to give directly to panhandlers, but rather to donate the money to social service agencies that help the homeless. Two weeks after they went up, money just dropped, Mally said of the anti-panhandling signs. Its like somebody saying on that sign, Hey, you dont get to eat no more. The signs are part of an initiative, called Meaningful Change, launched last year by Mayor Sylvester Turner with the stated goal of supporting the services that help people break the cycle of homelessness. But the signs have sparked a debate on whether the real aim is to merely push panhandlers like Mally from Uptown, the home of the posh Galleria shopping district, and satisfy local businesses fearful of losing affluent customers uncomfortable with confronting poverty. The Meaningful Change campaign also raises questions about compassion and how best to help the homeless. The Turner administration argues that giving money to panhandlers, many suffering from addiction, helps maintain lifestyles that put them on the street and keeps them there. But other advocates say discouraging people from giving money directly to panhandlers only adds to their suffering. Tristia Bauman, senior attorney at the National Law Center for Homelessness & Poverty, said panhandlers are often trying to scrape together money for essentials such as soap, medication and public transportation, sometimes to get to a part-time job. We dont think of those needs, Bauman said. Anything that makes it harder for somebody to meet those basic needs is likely not going to be a good thing for ending homelessness. Signs along the West Loop The Meaningful Change campaign is part of 25-year effort by the city to curb panhandling. The Houston City Council in 1992 passed an ordinance aimed at stopping aggressive panhandling, prohibiting panhandlers from coming within 8 feet of someone who declines to give them money. The law was subsequently updated to bar panhandlers from coming within eight feet of ATMS, pay telephones, parking meters, mass transit stops and stations, gas pumps and sidewalk cafes. A law passed last year restricts them from impeding a roadway, sidewalk or doorway. The Galleria neighborhood has long been involved in the efforts to control panhandling. When the City Council approved the initial ordinance, the Houston Post reported that Galleria-area merchants strongly supported the ordinance, claiming panhandlers were bad for business. Uptown Houston is the management district for the area, which has some 400 stores and restaurants and draws more than 30 million visitors a year, according to the Galleria mall. Uptown Houston, funded by a tax assessment on commercial property owners, oversees traffic, public safety, beautification and economic development in the area. Meaningful Change allows businesses and commercial districts to download for free the graphics and designs needed to make signs that tell people its OK to refuse panhandlers. As an alternative, the signs suggest donations to The Way Home, a Houston-area collaborative of nonprofits, government agencies and religious communities that provide a network of services to the homeless. In summer 2017, Uptown Houston placed 3-by-6-foot signs along the West Loop at the intersections of Westheimer, San Felipe, Post Oak and Richmond. John Breeding, president of Uptown Houston , said the goal was not to drive panhandlers from the area, but rather to inform people that their generosity might have a bigger impact if they give to nonprofits that help the homeless. Its not about moving panhandlers, its not about relocating people, Breeding said. You dont attack the individual who needs help, you try to help shape the giver in giving more effectively and giving it to an organization that can make a difference. Thats why were involved. Michael Lee works at The Arrangement furniture store in the Post Oak Plaza strip mall. He said he supports the Meaningful Change campaign, recalling an incident two years ago. As he stepped into his car parked at the Center at Post Oak strip mall, a man approached him for money. Lee, who wasnt carrying cash, said no. The panhandler became irate, said Lee, who closed his car door and drove off, feeling rattled. On Post Oak you just dont assume anything is going to happen, he said, which is probably the stupid thing because thats when you have your guard let down. Open your heart Frank Lueth, director of sales at Zadok Jewelers at Post Oak Plaza, said he saw panhandlers almost daily until the signs went up. Now, he said, he hardly sees any. As a Muslim, Lueth said, he believes in directly giving money to the poor, including panhandlers. Youre supposed to open up your heart, he said. Still, the 40-year-old Lueth, who has worked in the Galleria area for 16 years, said the Meaningful Change campaign is probably good for business. With the Galleria being the number one tourist destination in Houston, he said, it is important to keep a clean image and sort of make people feel comfortable when theyre coming here to spend money. The Meaningful Change campaign doesnt end with a few well-placed signs. The outdoor advertising company, Clear Channel, is donating space on the billboards to carry the messages that its better to give to homeless agencies than the homeless. The broadcaster iHeartRadio has provided free airtime for radio ads. Metro provides ad space on buses. The campaign is even developing an app to make it easier for people to donate to The Way Home. Mustafa Tameez, an adviser to Meaningful Change, said the campaign doesnt aim to boost local businesses, but rather to address the root causes of homelessness and get people off the street for good. The campaign promises every dollar donated to The Way Home goes to helping people move into permanent housing, pay rental fees and deposits, and get furniture and other household basics. Houstonians are very generous, Tameez said. Our individual contributions should be to the larger system fix, rather than one-on-one help. Bauman, the senior attorney at the National Law Center for Homelessness & Poverty, is skeptical. Her group has joined with the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas to challenge the citys panhandling law in court, alleging it infringes on the First Amendment right to free speech. Directing more money to homeless services is a good and worthy cause, Bauman said, but the contention that denying panhandlers money will drive them to seek help is questionable. Panhandlers are not motivated by a desire to continue living on the streets, she said, and making it harder for them to scrape together some money only makes it harder for them to survive. This doesnt sound like a constructive solution to anything except excluding poor people from some rich parts of town, she said. The stereotype is, if you dont see people that make you feel sad or make you feel scared, then youre going to be more likely to stop at these businesses. The kindness of strangers The hardships of living on the streets are apparent on Mallys sun-worn face and gaunt frame. At night, he usually sleeps under a freeway bridge and by day holds his cardboard sign appealing for help. Some commuters throw things at him. Others spit on him. But he is quick to mention he has been afforded kindness by people who have prayed with him, given him hundreds of dollars and discussed possibly hiring him. Mally said he has nothing against efforts to increase donations to nonprofits that aim to eradicate homelessness over the long term. But that doesnt help him when he needs a meal to eat or just a bottle of water to drink. Drug-free today, he said he is trying to regain his footing but still needs to survive. Its tough, he said, sobbing. People do need to understand that some of us really are trying to make it to wherever we can make it. jose.gonzalez@chron.com twitter.com/jrgzztx Over 30 million Mexicans voted for Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in the countrys July 1 presidential election, handing the former Mexico City mayor a landslide victory over three opponents with 53 percent of the vote. Lopez Obradors agenda to root out corruption, reduce violence, rethink Mexicos gas and energy policy, welcome migrants and spur growth in impoverished areas is ambitious in this traditionally conservative Latin American nation. Lopez Obrador has run for president twice on a similar platform, in 2006 and 2012. He lost both times. To win this year, Lopez Obradors young Morena party joined forces with several smaller parties from both right and left to build a triumphant but strange electoral coalition called Juntos Haremos Historia, or Together Well Make History. The people now charged with turning Lopez Obradors promises into policy when he takes office in December will come from wildly disparate backgrounds, including social progressives, pragmatic business tycoons, evangelical Christians and committed Marxists. The coalition even made room for high-level defectors from all three mainstream Mexican political parties, including the Institutional Revolutionary Party of the outgoing current president, Enrique Pena Nieto. Lopez Obrador has promised to transform Mexico. With such a wildly varied team behind him, can he actually deliver? The PRI's pragmatic legacy Mexican voters punished Pena Nieto and his party, called el PRI for its Spanish acronym, for promoting corruption, allowing deep inequality to fester and turning a blind eye to the countrys ferocious violence. PRI candidate Jose Antonio Meade received just 16 percent of votes on July 1. But, as a political analyst born and raised in Mexico, its hard not to notice that Lopez Obradors new ideologically muddled Morena party looks an awful lot like the old PRI. Until the disastrous presidency of Pena Nieto, who is finishing out his six-year term with a 21 percent approval rate, the PRI was an extraordinarily powerful, adaptable and resilient political machine. It ruled Mexico almost uncontested for nearly a century. The PRI emerged from the unrest that followed the Mexican Revolution, which ended in 1920. Ten years of civil war left Mexico with a devastated countryside and perhaps 2 million dead. For years afterward, dozens of powerful militia-backed strongmen, or caudillos, vied for power. To stabilize the country, President Plutarco Elias Calles in 1929 created a political party, the National Revolutionary Party, with the explicit aim of distributing power among the surviving revolutionary caudillos. It would later rebrand as the Partido Revolucionario Institucional, or PRI. Calles wanted his party to be ideologically indeterminate, because he thought a broad-based political organization would discipline and unify the caudillos without threatening their personal political interests. So he instructed aides drafting the new partys platform and bylaws to synthesize fascism, communism and the ideological principles behind the American, English and French political systems. Calles particularly admired how Benito Mussolini organized Italian workers and business owners into state-sponsored labor collectives to prevent class conflict and quash social unrest. Versatile and authoritarian This model allowed Calles to establish a versatile, hybrid governance system. The PRI successfully incorporated, moderated and controlled different interest groups. The PRI was the party of workers and peasants, of professionals and bureaucrats. When political conflicts occurred, such as two party members vying to lead the same state, party leaders would mandate an internal arbitration. The losing party was rewarded for his loyalty with hard cash or political favor. Backroom negotiations and corruption became the governing style of Mexico. It was a winning strategy. The PRI ran Mexico uncontested from 1929 until 2000. Political scientist Giovanni Sartori called the PRI a pragmatic-hegemonic party a regime that dominates by being practical and operative. Its only ideology was power. The PRI was also authoritarian, sometimes brutally so. During its nearly 80-year reign, dissidents disappeared and student protesters were gunned down. Journalists were bought off. In 2000, Vicente Fox, of the center-right National Action Party, became modern Mexicos first non-PRI president. The PRI soon returned to power, putting Pena Nieto in office in 2012. Very strange bedfellows Superficially, Lopez Obradors Morena party looks nothing like the PRI. Morena nominally has a clear ideology. According to party literature, it is a left-wing political organization. The president-elects promises to govern for the poor and to respect human rights are classically leftist. So it made sense when Lopez Obrador recruited the Mexican Labor Party, a collection of Maoist activists who revere the Chinese Communist Party, to join his electoral coalition earlier this year. More difficult to understand was his decision to appoint as advisers high-level defectors from Foxs conservative National Action Party and from the PRI itself. Those who thought of Lopez Obrador as a leftist were most troubled by Morenas alliance with another party, the Social Encounter Party. This fundamentalist evangelical party opposes legalizing same-sex marriage and abortion in Mexico both issues Lopez Obrador says he supports. When questioned about his alliances, Lopez Obrador simply responds that Morena welcomes all women and men of goodwill who want to transform Mexico. Mandate for change Together, the parties in Lopez Obradors coalition won 69 of 128 Senate seats, giving it a narrow majority. Seven of those seats belong to the Social Encounter Party. Morena-affiliated candidates won 307 of 500 seats in Mexicos lower house, the Chamber of Deputies. Of those, 55 went to the Social Encounter Party. The Morena candidates for mayor of Mexico City and four state governors were also elected. Morena now dominates most state legislatures. (continue below...) Now Playing: Left-wing candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador looks set to replace the conservative Enrique Pena Nieto as president with at least 53% of votes, according to the electoral authority's official quick count. Both of his closest rivals, Jose Antonio Meade and Ricardo Anaya, conceded and congratulated Obrador on his victory. In a speech after the results were released, the former Mexico City mayor said he would seek a friendly relationship with the United States based on cooperation and development. Key points from Obrador's address In a speech made after the unofficial results were announced, Obrador made the following promises: His government will seek a friendly relationship with the united states based on cooperation and development; Aims that anyone who migrates from Mexico will do so because they want to, not because they have to; Eradicating corruption and impunity will be the primary mission of his government; The best, most humane way to confront violence comes from combating poverty; He will give preference to the "most humble and forgotten"; He will reduce current spending and raise public investment; He says there will be no need to raise taxes in real terms or indebt the country; He will convene on Monday representatives of the United Nations and human rights group to create a "reconciliation and peace plan" for Mexico. Mexico's election has been marred by some of the worst political violence in decades. More than 130 candidates and political workers have been killed since campaigning began in September. Millions of ordinary Mexicans are angry at the outgoing government of President Enrique Pena Nieto, particularly over the sluggish economy and widespread corruption and crime. Video: Euronews Constitutionally, Lopez Obrador will have the power to replace up to two justices on Mexicos Supreme Court and to pass Constitutional amendments almost unopposed. Recently, aides to Lopez Obrador suggested that truly transforming Mexico might require rewriting its Constitution. That requires a two-thirds legislative majority, which Lopez Obrador could attain by winning over just a handful of deputies and senators outside his coalition. Critics fear that Lopez Obrador might seek to abolish the single six-year presidential term limit established in Mexicos Constitution a suggestion the president-elect denies. But most Mexicans seem more excited than concerned about Lopez Obradors strange bedfellows and substantial powers. Back in April, 89 percent of Mexicans believed the country was on the wrong track, according to IPSOS polling. Post-election, a survey by the newspaper El Financiero found, 65 percent feel optimistic about Mexicos future. Is Morena the new PRI? The president-elect ran as a political outsider, but he is a career politician. Like most Mexican politicians of a certain age, Lopez Obrador was once a member of the PRI, from 1976 to 1983. He ran for president as a candidate of another party, the Revolutionary Democratic Party. He understands exactly how the PRI dominated Mexican politics for so long. Like PRI founder Calles before him, Lopez Obrador has built a hybrid political machine designed to unite powerful political elites regardless of ideology. According to Morenas declaration of principles, the party is an open, plural and inclusive space for the participation of Mexicans from all social classes and diverse thought currents, religions and cultures. The only requirement for joining Morena, notes Mexican political theorist Jesus Silva-Herzog, is to obey Lopez Obradors leadership. Where will that leadership take Mexico? *** Luis Gomez Romero is a Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory at the University of Wollongong. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. For comments or to pitch to this blog, write to Olivia P. Tallet. A feud between the head of the Interior Department and a congressional Democrat set to lead the committee overseeing the agency turned ugly on Friday, with public accusations of ethical lapses and drunken behavior. Rep. Raul Grijalva, who is poised to lead the House Natural Resources Committee, fired the first salvo with an opinion piece in USA Today calling on Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to resign over a series of "ethical and managerial failings." Hours later, Zinke shot back on Twitter impugning Grijalva and making allegations of "drunken and hostile behavior" involving a Capitol Hill bar. "It's hard for him to think straight from the bottom of the bottle," Zinke posted on Twitter. "This is coming from a man who used nearly $50,000 in tax dollars as hush money to cover up his drunken and hostile behavior. He should resign and pay back the taxpayer for the hush money and the tens of thousands of dollars he forced my department to spend investigating unfounded allegations." Grijalva has vowed that his committee will investigate Zinke's handling of the Interior Department, the agency's policy decisions and Zinke's alleged ethical lapses. In the USA Today piece, Grijlava highlighted mounting Inspector General investigations against Zinke. Zinke's silence is "insulting to the American people," Grijalva wrote. "We would hardly look the other way at the mayor of a small town, let alone a cabinet secretary, who faced unending ethical questions, formal investigations and substantiated claims of attempted nepotism," Grijalva wrote. Representatives for Grijalva and Zinke didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. According to a 2017 Arizona Daily Star article, Grijalva said that he worked with the House Employment Counsel to reach a "severance package" with an employee that included "an agreement that neither of us would talk about it publicly. The terms were consistent with House Ethics Committee guidance." The funds, he said, came out of his "committee operating budget." The article cited reporting by the Washington Times. According to the article, Grijalva was convicted of driving under the influence in 1985, while he was a member of the Tucson Unified School District board. "Whatever personal frailty I have drinking, it's something I have to deal with and come to grips with," he reportedly said at the time. While the two politicians sparred Friday, other lawmakers and advocates jumped into the fray. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, the top Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, also asked for Zinke's resignation, saying on Twitter that the Interior secretary "has brought a culture of corruption and corporate favoritism to an agency tasked with caring for our public lands and resources. The American people deserve better." Jennifer Rokala, head of the Center for Western Priorities advocacy group, cast Zinke's Twitter response as bizarre. "Even by Secretary Zinke's standards, this is a new low," Rokala said by email. "It's unbecoming of a cabinet secretary. It's also foolish to pick a fight with a member of Congress who will soon have oversight and subpoena power over your agency." The principal of Houston ISD's Lanier Middle School has been reassigned from her position at the Montrose campus, with district officials providing no details about the reasons for her unexpected ouster late Tuesday. Katie Bradarich, who has led Lanier since July 2017, has been replaced in the interim by Theresa Campos, according to a phone message left with parents Tuesday evening. Campos is listed in district payroll records as an "hourly principal," a title typically given to experienced administrators who temporarily fill in for principals during an absence. She also is listed as an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of St. Thomas, located about a mile southeast of Lanier. In a statement, HISD officials said they would not comment on Bradarich's reassignment "due to the fact this is a personnel matter." District officials did not disclose Bradarich's new assignment. Efforts to reach Bradarich Tuesday were unsuccessful. Lanier is HISD's fourth-largest middle school, serving nearly 1,500 children. About half of the student population lives in the school's zone, one of the wealthiest in HISD, while the other half transfer in from across the district. Bradarich joined HISD in 2016 as an assistant principal at Furr High School after spending 15 years as an educator in the Chicago, St. Louis and Houston areas. Although HISD officials have said former Furr principal Bertie Simmons oversaw widespread grade and records manipulation, leading to her placement on leave in October 2017, and eventual departure from the district in September, Bradarich has not been publicly linked to any wrongdoing there. District officials have not disclosed any evidence to validate their findings of misconduct and denied records requests for investigative reports generated by an outside law firm, calling them protected under attorney-client privilege. The timing of Bradarich's reassignment suggests it is unrelated to the Furr investigation. As children settled in on a recent Thursday morning at Pink Elementary School, home to 550 primarily lower-income students in Fort Bend Countys Lamar CISD, the schools ebullient principal, Tiffany Foster, embarked on her daily ritual: a power walk from class to class. Foster started in the lower grades, popping into Carmen Abiluceas second-grade bilingual class to peek over a girls shoulder at her worksheet. Several minutes later, Foster reached Pinks upper grade levels, crouching down in a hallway to whisper to a fifth-grader wearing a forlorn look. Finally, she arrived in the schools pre-kindergarten wing, quipping that the adoring 4-year-olds are where I go to get my self-esteem. Just saying hello can kind of change that kids day, said Foster, now in her third-year leading Pink Elementary. They come up wanting a hug, wanting a high-five. Just that connection means a lot. FINAL TEST: Students at a Houston high school battle extraordinary odds for one last shot at graduation As Foster makes the whirlwind walk, her shiny black heels clacking authoritatively on the tile floor, she makes quick but useful interventions with students and Pink Elementarys 40 teachers. These everyday gestures illustrate why Lamar CISD sees Foster as a potentially transformational leader for Pink Elementary, which this year ranked last among the districts 39 schools rated under Texas new academic accountability system. Principal Tiffany Foster dashes from classroom to classroom during her morning rounds at Pink Elementary School on October 25, 2018. Foster checks in with every classroom between the first tardy bell and morning announcements each morning. less Principal Tiffany Foster dashes from classroom to classroom during her morning rounds at Pink Elementary School on October 25, 2018. Foster checks in with every classroom between the first tardy bell and ... more Photo: Annie Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Photo: Annie Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Contributor Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close The Holdsworth Center hopes better principals produce better Texas academic results 1 / 12 Back to Gallery For decades, school districts across the country have not adequately invested in identifying and nurturing administrators like Foster, resulting in thinning ranks of high-quality public school leaders, education advocates say. A 2017 Gallup survey of about 2,100 U.S. public school superintendents backs up the claim: only 14 percent said the quality of new principal candidates is improving, while 49 percent said it remains the same and 36 percent said it is declining. That blind spot has borne one of Texas most closely-watched educational experiments: The Holdsworth Center, an Austin-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming how local school districts approach educational leadership. With an initial investment of $100 million by Charles Butt, CEO and chairman of grocery giant H-E-B, The Holdsworth Center has ambitious goals for improving academic outcomes for tens of thousands of Texas children by raising the quality of school administrators. Now in its second year, The Holdsworth Center plans to address this deficiency in dozens of school districts across Texas over the next decade, starting with a seven-district cohort that includes Greater Houstons Klein ISD and Lamar CISD. The Holdsworth Center will spend about $4 million over five years working with each district, providing two on-the-ground staff members, training from renowned management experts, and airfare and accommodations for visits to world-class institutions, among other perks. While education reformers have focused on myriad solutions for the nations lagging public schools improved teacher training, additional social services to students, expanded charter and choice options the Holdsworth Centers leaders and some education experts believe district and campus leadership plays an underappreciated role in academic performance. Research measuring the impact of effective leadership on student outcomes remains relatively scarce, but one analysis of multiple studies on the topic found that among factors controlled by school districts principal quality trails only teacher quality when it comes to impact on learning. Theres a field of educational leadership that has been shouting for a long time that this needs to be a focal point, said Jason Grissom, an associate professor of public policy and education at Vanderbilt University and faculty director of the Tennessee Education Research Alliance. I think people do believe that school leadership is an important topic, but the activity and investment has not matched the claims of importance. ON THE BRINK: Rock-bottom Worthing High School struggles to renew promise Ultimately, The Holdsworth Center and district leaders hope their work will filter down to teachers and students. Texas traditionally has ranked in the bottom 10 states for performance in math and reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, commonly known as the Nations Report Card, though its results are above-average in reading and exceptional in math when controlling for student demographics. Our goal is to maybe take a slightly more patient approach to change, in the belief that you can go deeper and it will last longer and, eventually, that it will impact more people, said Lindsay Whorton, The Holdsworth Centers managing director of district services. To date, The Holdsworth Centers first batch of school districts have dug into the often-unglamorous work. Administrators puzzle over the design of principal pipelines and evaluation rubrics. Principals huddle in meeting rooms to share experiences and craft plans for their campuses. Assistant principals attend training sessions focused on leadership over day-to-day minutiae. The gatherings often are peppered with educational and management buzzwords value alignment, professional development, core competencies. When the five-year cycle ends, districts will have installed new, business-inspired systems designed to identify and train future administrators. District leaders will have groomed replacements to transition into top jobs. Middle managers will have receive deeper feedback preparing them for higher roles. The Holdsworth process made us stop and blow the whistle on the day-to-day frenetic activity and say, What do you believe in? And how do you define a leader who can make that happen? said Valerie Vogt, chief academic officer of Lamar CISD. This has been like a dream come true. A different vision Butt named The Holdsworth Center to honor his mother, Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt, an educator and philanthropist. The 79-year-old grocery store magnate, long an advocate for the states traditional public schools, wanted to spend part of his vast fortune on a new venture, settling on improving the quality of school district leadership. He convened a group of prominent education, philanthropic and business leaders to provide guidance. The group researched organizations renowned for their leadership practices, including Southwest Airlines, Procter & Gamble Company and the U.S. Army War College. It also analyzed international education ministries that have invested heavily in educational leadership, including those in Singapore, the top-ranked performer on the most closely-watched international academic assessment, and Ontario, Canada, widely regarded for its academic progress over the past decade. The group also interviewed Texas superintendents about their needs. The Holdsworth Centers advisers and leaders settled on a structure for the nonprofit. The center would start with well-established, medium- to large-sized districts with stable governance. In the first year, each districts highest-ranking administrators would participate, analyzing leadership needs and outlining a vision for reform. Principals, assistant principals and top teachers would join the fold in the second year, beginning training collaborations with The Holdsworth Centers employees and consultants. More campus-level staffers would roll in each year, until the majority of schools were served. The Holdsworth Center invited 26 districts to apply for its first effort. The prospect enticed Thomas Randle, superintendent of Lamar CISD for the past 18 years, who saw room for improvement in his district despite numerous accolades during his tenure. When they laid it out to us, you knew there was something different here, Randle said. Ive watched several foundations throw money at the education system, but it wasnt structured in a way that impacted the entire system. In addition to Klein and Lamar, the centers leaders selected five districts: Arlington and Grand Prairie ISDs (located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area), Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (Rio Grande Valley), Round Rock ISD (Austin area), and Southwest ISD (San Antonio area). The districts enrollment ranges from about 14,000 to 61,000, with shares of economically disadvantaged students ranging from 26 percent to 91 percent. Hispanic students comprise the largest demographic group in six of the seven districts. Eye-opening to me Two years into the centers first class, each districts game plan looks similar. Most have crafted leadership profiles documenting the traits valued by administrators. Campus leaders attend regular training sessions emphasizing constructive communication and motivational techniques. Staffers have finalized evaluation tools for campus-level administrators and potential job candidates, valuing harder-to-measure soft skills. Foster, the Pink Elementary principal, said her work with The Holdsworth Center largely has focused on managing subordinates who lacked her drive. Early in her tenure, Foster said, she tried to solve everything for everyone. But with Holdsworth and that training, its more like, No, youre going to help them and equip them with the skills to problem-solve, Foster said. That has been really eye-opening to me. Fifty miles to the northeast, at Klein High School, Principal Jessica Haddox has worked with The Holdsworth Center on training her assistant principals to become campus leaders. To help prepare Brandon Baker, her associate principal in charge of curriculum and instruction, Haddox last year administered a three-hour, Holdsworth-crafted performance review to Baker. Rather than discussing technical skills and basic professionalism, Haddox and Baker reviewed the quality of his relationship with students, communication with parents and cultural responsiveness. It could have taken three, four, five years to learn everything Ive gotten in the past year and a half, Baker said. LATEST IN EDUCATION: Houston ISD trustees vowed to play nice, but the shouting has started again To drive home key points, The Holdsworth Center has integrated parts of H-E-Bs business ethos into its work. Allie Martin, principal of Klein ISDs Klenk Elementary School, said a September visit to a Dallas-area store owned by H-E-B highlighted how the companys employees had such clarity about exhibiting the companys values. Without a shadow of a doubt, my time in Dallas was the best professional learning experience of my career, Martin said. My biggest takeaway and its very simplistic in nature, but its complex at the same time is that people matter the most in the work we do. Measuring progress The Holdsworth Centers leaders expect tangible results, including improved test scores, from Butts $100 million investment, while acknowledging that change could come slowly. A similar education leadership endeavor, carried out by New York-based nonprofit The Wallace Foundation, could offer a baseline for expected outcomes in the coming months. From 2011 to 2016, the foundation coordinated with six large, urban school districts to establish systems for identifying and selecting high-quality principals. Researchers are expected to publish findings soon on the impact of the reforms on student academic achievement. In addition to raising student achievement in Lamar CISD, which generally ranks on par with districts of similar demographics, Randle said he expects to be better prepared for filling top jobs at new schools after working with The Holdsworth Center. Lamar is expected to add more than 20,000 students and several campuses over the next decade. HONORING HISTORY: New Washington H.S. honors historic past, offers hope for future Were going to be in a position where weve got 20 people that have spent almost two years going through a selection process and a curriculum thats designed to support the things were doing in our district, Randle said. At Pink Elementary, district administrators believe Foster will produce consistently strong academic results. Despite fluctuating accountability results during her tenure, Foster sees building blocks. Parents now fill the gymnasium for informational sessions. A full-time, on-campus social worker connects families with needed services. Teachers are adapting to higher expectations and more oversight. Better test scores definitely are a high priority, Foster said. But for me, when I come to work every day, I measure my success by: Are my kids happy? Are my kids wanting to come to school? When theyre here, are they engaged and able to come and tell me what theyre learning? When I think long-term, I want to be the best building principal ever. I want my kids to be successful. I want kids to be fighting to come to Pink. *** Jacob Carpenter covers K-12 education for the Houston Chronicle. Prior to joining the Chronicle in June 2017, he worked for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Naples (Fla.) Daily News. A native of suburban Detroit, he graduated from Michigan State University in 2010. Follow him on Twitter at @chronjacob. From the moment she arrived in the emergency department of the Texas Medical Center hospital, the red flags were unmistakable. The young woman had a broken finger and bruises. She was scared and uncommunicative. And she was accompanied by a middle-aged man who clearly didnt want her answering questions without him. Prodded after forensic nurses finally got her alone, the woman confirmed what the team had suspected: shed been assaulted for her resistance to engaging in an act of prostitution. The team alertly picked up on the signals thanks to training theyd recently received in human trafficking, which involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts or labor against his or her will. The new push in the medical center and in healthcare institutions around the nation is based on the premise that interventions in such settings can represent a lifeline to victims. Health care providers have a unique opportunity, says Kimberly Williams, a Baylor St. Lukes administrator who heads the medical centers human trafficking consortium. Recognize the warning signs, separate the patients from the perpetrators and we can get them out of slavery and onto the road to freedom and recovery. Modern-day slavery The training comes as the numbers continue to grow. There are now nearly 50 million people trapped in modern-day slavery, according to the International Labor Organization, and the U.S. Justice Department estimates that as many as 17,500 slaves are brought into the country every year. Worldwide, the industry generates an estimated $33.9 billion a year, according to the ILA. The issue is particularly acute in Houston and Texas, which experts attribute to its proximity to Mexico, major interstate highways and the port. The state ranks second only to California in the number of victims and Houston has more than any other city, according to a University of Texas study. The study estimated some 313,000 Texans are victims of labor and sex trafficking. Some are young children. Dr. Reena Isaac, medical director of the forensic nurse team at Texas Childrens Hospital. She says theyve identified trafficking victims as young as four and that most are 12 to 16. Healthcare institutions have a role to play because traffickings victims so often require medical treatment. A 2014 Annals of Health Law survey of human trafficking survivors found that some 88 percent saw a healthcare provider at some point during captivity. The problem was, few providers recognized the signs or knew how to intervene. Health care providers of all kinds in emergency wards, healthcare clinics and private practices are seeing trafficking victims but failing to identify them, thereby unwittingly contributing to continuing criminal activity and exacerbating both public and private physical and mental health problems for this segment of the population, Laura Lederer and Christopher Wetzel wrote in the Annals of Health Law paper. Experts say the missed signs include untreated chronic conditions; uncertainty about the city theyre in; a fearful and/or submissive demeanor often including avoidance of eye contact; malnutrition or signs of physical abuse or trauma; and a controlling companion who insists on answering questions. Trafficking awareness Hospital employees unfamiliarity with the signs led Melissa Graham, a nurse at Houston Methodist Hospital, to spearhead a trafficking awareness and intervention campaign. The result is the medical centers newest policy, which involves training in the telltale signs and the procedures to follow if trafficking is suspected. Graham was motivated by her own family experience, a niece lured into the world of trafficking at 18 years of age. Kidnapped from an Indiana mall during a visit with a man shed met online, Graham said her niece was forced to work as a prostitute for six months before the FBI rescued her in Oregon about 5 1/2 years ago. She doesnt talk about it much, but its clear it was rough she got one meal a day, had her hair dipped into bleach to change its color, says Graham. She was taken from Indianapolis to Oregon and was about to be shipped out of the country. It was an ordeal shes still working through. Hospitals now benefit from new diagnosis codes Catholic Health Initiatives, owner of Baylor St. Lukes, led the campaign for them that differentiate trafficking from other types of abuse. The codes, rolled out in October, will help track the number of victims and provide appropriate treatment. Methodist hasnt yet identified and treated a victim, but its a different story at Ben Taub Hospital, where an anti-trafficking program has been in place for more than a year now. In the first year, the safety-net hospital assessed 124 suspected labor and sex trafficking victims who were identified by staffers there or by hospitals or clinics or shelters in the area that then referred them to Ben Taub. Some couldnt be assessed because the patient would not submit to an interview, but 76 were confirmed to be victims of trafficking. The problem was that, prior to the program, employees werent asking basic questions that could have identified victims, said Dr. Asim Shah, Ben Taubs chief of psychiatry. Because there is such a perception that victims are immigrants or are kidnapped in other countries, people are surprised so many local people are affected. The program is funded by a number of grants, one from the office of Gov. Greg Abbott, who this year unveiled initiatives to increase penalties for human traffickers and to create regional squads to combat trafficking. Some states have gone further Florida and Michigan, for instance, recently passed laws requiring that healthcare workers receive human trafficking training as part of their regular licensing process. Still, Texas Medical Center efforts are already paying off. The woman assaulted for resisting prostitution is now out of the life and off drugs that her perpetrators used to control her, thanks to the hospitals intervention. Shah says all the Ben Taub patients confirmed to be victims of trafficking accepted basic treatment and half of them returned for outpatient psychiatric appointments after discharge. Just getting them in treatment is a success, Shah said. That half of them return for treatment is a huge success. todd.ackerman@chron.com twitter.com/chronmed BLACK REPUBLICAN BLOG - The Republican Party is the party of civil rights and the four Fs: faith, family, freedom and fairness. The Democratic Party is the party of the four Ss: slavery, secession, segregation and socialism (Quote By Author Michael Scheuer). Chasing Orion: This is the sixth in a series of stories leading up to the April 2019 launch of Orions launch abort system, which is managed by NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston. Social media of all things first alerted NASA officials to a problem with the mockup of Orion the spacecraft being built to take humans back to the moon on an early January morning in 2014. The test module was being transported home via truck after undergoing tests in San Diego. Pictures posted online showed that, while agency personnel slept, an enthusiast had clambered atop the 11-foot-tall spacecraft to capture a much sought after selfie. Needless-to-say, that was the last time NASA transported a vehicle across country with the agencys iconic meatball emblem on the side. So when a different Orion mockup left the gates of Houstons Johnson Space Center on Saturday embarking on a three-to-five-day journey to Floridas Kennedy Space Center where it will be launched in April to test its emergency abort system it was devoid of all signage and symbols. The incognito mockup is just one of many complicated steps NASA sets in place when transporting a spacecraft across the country. Others include protecting the vehicle from road hazards, getting transportation permits for each state and tracking weather patterns to ensure a safe delivery. With $256 million on the line and a worldwide reminder in October of why these abort systems are so important getting the vehicle to Florida in one piece is vitally important. Its a part of the overall attention to detail that you need to produce any of these things, said project manager Jon Olansen. Its all about all the different levels of effort required. Precious cargo The haul that sat atop the semi-truck pulling onto NASA Road 1 on Saturday morning was covered by an enormous purple tarp. To those driving by, it could be anything: a tractor or a backhoe, maybe even oil and gas machinery. It looks like a Darth Vader helmet, said Ken Nowak, Kennedys exploration ground systems logistics lead. We try to keep it quiet. Were all about public affairs at NASA but Its better to keep the public away until we get it there safely. In that sense, the tarp serves two purposes: providing some secrecy from the public about what is being hauled and, more importantly, protecting the mockup Orion module from road debris or inclement weather on its 1,000-mile journey to Cape Canaveral. The heavy-duty tarp, and the shrink wrapping that covers the module underneath, were chosen as the best means to protect the vehicle after numerous assessments, Olansen said. RELATED: Houston boat retailer shrink wraps NASAs Orion spacecraft We have multiple people looking at multiple aspects of every scenario to make sure were covering everything needed, Olansen said. Its not as simple as throwing a tarp over it, walking through and making sure thats sufficient. As the Saturday travel date approached, he added, NASA employees also were vigorously checking weather predictions, making sure the multi-million dollar vehicle would not be met with rain, hail or high winds. Additionally, NASA had to acquire numerous permits in order to traverse the roads. First, it needed a special permit for hazardous materials from the feds because of the pyrotechnics on the spacecraft: the part that allows the crew module to separate from the rocket in case of emergency. Then, it needed permits from all five states it will cross because each have different travel regulations for a load that large. In Texas, for example, the truck isnt allowed on highways, Nowak said, and in Louisiana, Alabama and Florida, the vehicle needs police escorts. Nowak will be in a separate car escorting the module as part of a cohort of NASA employees both in front of and behind the truck the entire trip, he said. Anything can happen on the highway, so I just wanted to have my eyes on it the whole time and I can report back if anything happens to it, Nowak said. And we have a radio, so we listen to the drivers. Theyll take a break at night in a hotel room to sleep off the hours of driving, he said. At that point, a security team steps in to stand guard over the vehicle. Another NASA team had to repeatedly test different ways to secure the vehicle to the truck transporting it, so it would remain in place and undamaged when faced with the vibrations of road travel or, of more concern, if the driver has to slam on the brakes along the way. And, in case the 18-wheeler breaks down, theres always a truck cab trailing behind so that the trailer can be attached and the journey to Kennedy can continue. And all this has to be completed in five days. The most challenging part is meeting the schedules, said Tom Hoge, the Assembly, Integration and Test lead for the project. When we say were shipping on a certain day, were bringing a lot of organizations together to make it happen, and getting everything ready for that precise day is probably the hardest part, Hoge said. A startling reminder The world was reminded of why spacecrafts need working emergency abort systems just two months ago. On Oct. 11, the Russian Soyuz spacecraft transporting an American astronaut to the International Space Station had to abort its launch after a rocket booster failed, forcing an emergency landing. The abort Russias first in 35 years was a success, leaving both NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin safe and in good condition. But the incident was a stark reminder of why such a system is so important especially for a vehicle tasked with hauling humans back to the moon for the first time in 50 years. RESHUFFLING: NASA astronaut Anne McClain says shes ready for flight to Space Station next month A return to the moon is a top priority for President Donald Trumps administration and his $19.9 billion proposed budget for the next fiscal year tasks NASA with launching an unmanned Orion flight by 2021, followed by a launch of Americans around the moon in 2023. But before humans strap into the spacecraft, the agency must test the vehicles primary safety feature, known as the launch abort system. If there is a problem with the rocket in the seconds after launch, this system separates the crew module from the boosters so those on board can escape a fiery death. Johnson personnel have been working on the test module since March. They outfitted it with flight computers, communication systems and about 800 data sensors. They also put it through flight simulations, as well as weight and center of gravity testing because it must have the exact measurements as the real Orion when humans are on board. Earlier this month, the mockup crew module returned to Johnson from NASAs Ohio-based Glenn Research Center, where it underwent four days of acoustic tests designed to ensure the capsule is structurally sound. The simplified module will not be reused once the test is complete. Additional capsules for the unmanned and crewed missions are under construction elsewhere. The Space Launch System the most powerful rocket NASA has ever built that will send Orion to space as well as the ground systems for launch, also are being developed simultaneously. From start to finish, the abort system test is expected to account for only $256 million of the programs more than $11 billion budget, according to NASA. alex.stuckey@chron.com AUSTIN Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the states first sanctuary cities lawsuit Friday, accusing San Antonio police of hindering federal immigration enforcement by releasing a dozen people suspected of being in the country illegally after finding them in a tractor-trailer last December. Paxton said a state investigation found Police Chief William McManus skirted protocol by ignoring Homeland Securitys requests to investigate the matter. McManus took custody of the passengers in the tractor-trailer and connected them with immigration attorneys and advocates who provided them with legal advice and a translator. They were interviewed by detectives and then released, according to a police report. Paxton seeks more than $11.6 million in fines and is requesting a court order to stop the city from enforcing policies thwarting federal immigration enforcement officials. Chief McManus called a private entity to take the aliens away from homeland security and their status remains unknown, Paxton said in a video statement Friday. No city in Texas should put the safety of police officers and the public at risk by defying state law. The lawsuit is the first under Senate Bill 4, a hotly-contested state law targeting so-called sanctuary cities viewed as being soft on illegal immigration. It draws more scrutiny to a series of judgment calls that McManus made after officers found the truck. Police union officials were outraged by the chiefs decisions on the case, and have called for disciplinary action against him. But city officials say they are confident neither the city nor the police chief did anything illegal. McManus, reached by phone Friday, referred all questions to San Antonio City Attorney Andy Segovia, who said in a written statement that neither the city nor McManus violated SB4. "The Attorney General's characterizations of what happened that day are clearly aimed at furthering a political agenda," he said. "The city has a long history of cooperating with federal authorities and we will continue to do so." A year later, no charges for truck driver McManus, who oversees more than 2,000 sworn officers, defended his decision in the days after the incident. He said his call to pursue the investigation under a state human smuggling statute was situational. His officers did not have authority to enforce immigration laws, he said. On the afternoon of Dec. 23, 2017, a passing motorist flagged down police after watching people unload from the 18-wheeler truck and climb into waiting vehicles, according to McManus and the lawsuit. Twelve people who were picked up from Laredo, including a 16-year-old minor, remained when police arrived at the scene. The driver of the truck, Herbert Alan Nichols, 58, of Houston, was arrested that day and initially charged with smuggling of persons, but was released from jail three months later because no criminal charges had been filed against him. Related: Truck driver in controversial smuggling case released "We were not able to indict within the 90-day period because we didn't have the evidence," Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood said Friday. "Because of the way the investigation was handled, we have issues with being able to gather what we need." While prosecutors have spoken on the phone to some of the immigrants, who were being represented by the immigrant advocacy group RAICES, LaHood said his office has been unable to establish who they are or where theyre from because prosecutors need to talk to them in person. "RAICES has not cooperated in that fashion," LaHood said. "If we're going to go forward with a case, we need evidence. If we don't have the people that were transported in front of us ... We can't present it to a grand jury and can't also take it to a (trial) jury." In the past, the director of RAICES has said his clients were interested in testifying but his efforts to arrange a meeting with prosecutors were ignored. The 12 are now spread out across Texas and the rest of the country, he told the Express-News. Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement complained that McManus erred by not letting them handle the investigation of Nichols, while McManus said ICE agents were on the scene and could have taken into custody the truck driver or any of the people who rode in back. Mike Helle, the president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association and a critic of McManus, called for the chief to be placed on administrative leave immediately. "We got a black eye because our boss stepped in doo-doo, said Helle. "Given the severity of this, given that you had to have the Texas Attorney General get involved, now the whole entire U.S. is watching. The City of San Antonio, its police department, McManus and City Manager Sheryl Sculley, who are named in the lawsuit, maintain policies that limit enforcement of immigration laws and prohibit officers from referring people suspected of being in the country illegally to federal immigration officials, according to the 25-page lawsuit filed in Travis County. Those policies include an ordinance allowing the city to spend $200,000 on services to help immigrants and people suspected of being in the country illegally navigate federal immigration laws and other issues, according to the suit. Texas law pushes crime victims into the shadows, foes say Gov. Greg Abbott signed the sanctuary cities bill into law in 2017 fresh off President Donald Trumps election that promised a hardline approach to illegal immigration and a push to build a border wall. Commonly known as SB4, the law requires local law enforcement to adhere to requests from federal immigration officials to detain people suspected of being in the country illegally. SB4 also prevents law enforcement agencies from forbidding officers from asking people about their immigration status during routine stops. Opponents argue SB4 is politically motivated and undermines trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. The law has attracted staunch critics within law enforcement, including Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, who argues the law pushes victims and witnesses of crime back into the shadows. San Antonio quickly challenged the law in court. A three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld almost all of the law. The court struck down a provision imposing civil penalties on local officials who endorse policies that limit immigration enforcement, ruling it would violate the First Amendment. Related: 5th Circuit upholds Texas "sanctuary cities" law SB4 and the lawsuit against the city are meant to demonize, frighten and intimidate immigrants in Texas while pressuring local governments to violate their constitutional rights, according to the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, commonly known as MALDEF. Of course, this trifecta of misconstruing the law, ignoring the Constitution, and targeting the vulnerable is nothing new for Paxton, but seems to characterize his entire flawed understanding of the rule of law in the United States, Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF president and general counsel, said in an emailed statement. Josh Baugh and Guillermo Contreras contributed to this story from San Antonio. Just before Donald Trump was sworn in, the U.S. Senate began an investigation into whether the recently elected president of the United States had conspired with Russia to steal the election. It was an astounding development, and one that plenty of Americans treated with skepticism. And yet at every turn, Trump himself seemed to invite scrutiny not just of his campaigns ties to Russia but also more broadly of the ways his companys vast international activities might become conflicts of interest for the man who was soon running the worlds largest economy. Since then, Muellers team has produced many indictments, and as each piece of evidence surfaces even the most loyal Trump supporters should have a diminishing sense of confidence that the president is telling the truth when he insists he did not know of or collude with Putins interference in the election. Developments this week produced yet another enormous blow to his credibility. Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen has admitted he lied to Congress on several occasions in 2017 about Trumps pursuit of a hotel deal in Moscow during the presidential campaign. To lower the pressure in Congress and in the press over Trumps ties to Russia, Cohen had told the Senate and House that all discussions about a proposed Trump-branded hotel in Moscow had ended long before the presidential primaries had begun. It was old news, and just business, he said. And no, the company had not been in conversations with Russian officials about help for the project, and neither he nor Trump had ever planned to go to Moscow to talk about the hotel. Of course, none of it was true. The conversations about the hotel continued through mid-year 2016, past the time Trump has secured the nomination a time when we expect candidates to put aside their private ambitions and dedicate themselves to public service. Plans for Cohen to meet Putin or the prime minister in Russia were made, and tentative plans called for Trump to fly to Russia after the GOP convention was over. For the past two years Team Trump has tried to conceal these facts from the American people. Now, with Cohens guilty plea, we know the truth. What else will we know by the time Muellers investigation is completed? Mueller must be allowed continue his work. The Republican leaders in Congress should shake off their shackles and resurrect Sen. Jeff Flakes bill that would give Mueller protection from being unceremoniously fired if his findings grow too uncomfortable for Trump. Predictably, the president has lashed out this week at Cohen. He called him weak and a liar. And by Friday, he was in full defense mode on Twitter, conveniently forgetting all the times he had denied any interest in Russia in 2016 and 2017. Proclamations of America First ring more and more hollow with each passing day. Selfish financial interest comes ahead of duty or truth for Trump and his well-heeled family. This deal, kept alive until just a few months ahead of the 2016 election, is only the latest and most brazen example. The midterm elections resulted in sweeping and historic changes to Harris County government. For the first time in nearly half a century, Democrats control every administrative office, a majority of the Harris County Commissioners Court, and the entirety of the judiciary. With this unprecedented level of control, Democrats are in a unique position to enact policy reforms that could dramatically affect the direction of our county and the lives of millions of residents. While its important to remember that these are independently elected officials with separate agendas and goals, there are clearly areas that have broad public consensus and demand immediate attention. Over their first 100 days, Harris County Democrats are in a unique position to make many of these a reality. First and foremost, flood mitigation has to be at the top of any list. Harris County has taken good initial steps to improve flood control infrastructure, and the passage of flood control bonds was badly needed. Those steps however, are only the beginning of what needs to be done. Development changes that prohibit growth and expansion in the floodplain, and ideas from experts like Rice Universitys Raj Makand to impose a moratorium on new municipal utility districts until the region has a comprehensive plan for flood mitigation should be considered. Infrastructure development in Harris County everything from toll road expansion to affordable housing construction should be factored into flood control efforts. Flood mitigation needs to be the countys top priority. Similarly, Harris County is in desperate need of comprehensive reform in its criminal and family judicial systems. Bail reform, led by Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis and with the vocal support of District Attorney Kim Ogg and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, had been stymied by Commissioners Court and the current roster of criminal judges. Settling the ongoing legal dispute and developing a fair and just bail system should be the top criminal justice issue. Additionally, injecting transparency and ethics into our criminal and family court system needs to become a priority. While Harris County has a strong public defender system, it can only work if its allowed to actually represent indigent clients. The practice of judges appointing lawyers (who might be political allies and contributors) to defend indigent clients should be prohibited, with the public defenders office responsible for indigent defense. The culture of pay-to-play by judges must end. Similarly, family courts can not continue to merely appoint political allies and contributors to serve as appointed lawyers through its ad litem system. The corruption that existed in the system has to be eliminated, not merely replaced with a new set of players. The need for ethics and transparency is also required at the Commissioners Court itself. Unlike Houston City Council or the Texas Legislature, Harris County government remains largely shrouded in secrecy. The lack of broad transparency and pro-forma meetings results in a policy process that is largely kept behind closed doors. Commissioners have wide latitude in how business is conducted within their precinct, but that should be governed by a strong ethics policy that requires lobbyists to register and places limits on campaign contributions. A strong government requires one grounded in ethics and transparency. Access to the ballot box and the integrity of voting process remains a major concern to all voters. Harris County needs a transparent and error-free voter registration process that works to actively register voters. Texas is eliminating straight ticket voting in 2020 and Harris County needs to start preparing for the longer lines and logistical strains that surround the longest electoral ballot in the country. This means expanding the number early voting locations throughout the county, as well as extending the hours of operation. Harris County also needs to follow other Texas counties and create election day voting centers that allow voters to cast a vote at location throughout the county not just at a precinct. Part of the improving voting means replacing the outdated machines. The current click-wheel electronic voting system is outdated and slow in handling our long ballot. Harris County needs to invest in modern, verifiable voting machines that can provide confidence in the electoral process while allowing voters to exercise their vote quickly and efficiently. County government has historically worked to make voting more difficult and cumbersome, and these reforms would be a good first step in reversing that. Finally, Harris County should also revisit initiatives around the expansion of early childcare. In 2013, the well-meaning pre-K training initiative Early to Rise, which called for a ballot initiative to expand pre-K training programs, was strongly opposed by outgoing County Judge Ed Emmett and the Republican majority of Commissioners Court. While that initial plan was limited in scope, the idea of a regional approach to expanding early child care is one that needs to be explored. Research indicates that investing in early education initiatives are the best way to mitigate the effects of poverty and improve long term educational outcomes. A countywide program may be the smartest long term investment that Harris County could make. This election cycle has given Harris County Democrats a unique opportunity to implement fundamental changes to county government. The choices they make and actions they take will give many Houstonians and Texans a glimpse of progressive governance. Aiyer is an assistant professor of political science and public administration in the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University. He is co-host of the weekly podcast Party Politics, on Houston Public Media. In a kindergarten classroom in Texas, 22 children spend their day participating in more than 10 different teacher-led activities in seven hours. They write in journals, do math, practice spelling and phonics, learn to read and more. They are just 5 years old. Across the country, kindergartners are being told what to do and how to do it, every single step along the way, all day long. They play less, and study more than they did 20 years ago. This is what kindergarten has become, and its not a good thing. Besides diminishing childrens sense of wonder and their ability to see themselves as learners, this constant push for children to learn academics through routinized activities can negatively impact their learning in elementary school and even through high school. So why is this happening, and what can we do to make kindergarten an engaging place for learning again? During the past few years, I and members of my research team have been interviewing education stakeholders: kindergarteners, their families, teachers, school administrators, university educators and researchers, policy analysts, policymakers and lobbyists. Weve done our research in Texas, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.. Our goal is to make sense of these changes in the classroom and how they might alter the kindergarten experience. . We found that almost everyone we talked to is worried about what kindergarten has become. A principal in Texas told us: Were killing their joy for school in kindergarten. We have to ask ourselves, What are we setting children up for later? To make kindergarten more engaging for children, these stakeholders offered a range of suggestions including more recess,more play, more conversation with and among the kids so that teachers build childrens creativity, sense of wonder, their inquiry and interest, and their engagement in learning for themselves,less testing, and ensuring that kindergarten should never be like first grade. That doesn't make any sense. While these stakeholders want change, they also know how important a good year in kindergarten is for childrens success in school. How can we help kindergarteners be little and successful? To make kindergarten engaging again requires reform of not only the kindergarten classroom but also of how we think about kindergarten itself. The stakeholders in our study want policymakers and school administrators to put in place reforms that provide more time across the day for social and emotional learning and for the children to have more opportunities to play and interact with one another. They also want to improve teacher training so that teachers have the professional knowledge to provide all kindergarteners with learning experiences that support their cognitive, emotional, physical and social learning while increasing their academic achievement. In terms of state and national policy change, they want new content and program standards to be developed and implemented across the entire K-12 education system. The standards should emphasize developing the whole child while limiting the impact of standardized testing on children, teachers and their schools. Based on our conversations, it would benefit everyone if we all stop thinking that being ready for kindergarten and school success means children must acquire specific academic skills and knowledge. Instead, we should think about how families, teachers and schools can work together with students to create an engaging learning environment that helps all children become and see themselves as competent, life-long learners. Brown is a professor of early childhood education in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin. If youre new to the parenting game, youve probably wondered, What the heck is Elf on the Shelf? Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition where a special scout is sent to your home from the North Pole to encourage kids to behave themselves. The idea is that Santas little helper watches the children by day, and each night, it returns to the North Pole to report on whether they were naughty or nice. Advertisement The Christmas tradition has just two rules. First, children are not allowed to touch the elf or it will lose its magic. If an elf is touched by mistake, the official Elf on the Shelf website advises children write a letter to Santa to apologize and sprinkle a little cinnamon beside the elf before bed. Cinnamon is like vitamins for scout elves, and it helps them get back to the North Pole, the website reads. Once they arrive, the North Pole doctors will check them out. The second rule of Elf on the Shelf is that the elf will not speak or move while the kids are awake. The elf only moves at night when it makes its trip back to the North Pole. Once it returns home, it then assumes a new position in the house. In the past, weve seen the elf get up to all sorts of crazy antics, from playing poker to taking selfies to sunbathing on the kitchen counter. Advertisement 30 Easy Elf On The Shelf Ideas See Gallery The world was first introduced to the Elf on the Shelf in 2005. That year, Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell published a childrens book called The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. They teamed up with Aebersolds other daughter, Christa Pitts, to market the book to kids. The story was based on the familys own holiday tradition that started in the 1970s. In their household, an elf would appear every year after Thanksgiving to keep an eye on the children and prevent them from misbehaving. In 2008, the book won a number of awards, including the Best Toy Award by Learning Express and Book of the Year Award from Creative Child Awards. Phenomenon continues Advertisement Today, the book has become a bestseller and inspired an animated TV movie called An Elfs Story: The Elf on the Shelf. The phenomenon has become so strong that the Elf on the Shelf is also now a regular at the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade. Kids can adopt an elf and register it online. They can even receive a personalized adoption certificate and letter from Santa. Usually, the Elf on the Shelf arrives at the end of November or beginning of December. Also on HuffPost: The hottest toys for the kids on your list. On mobile? Click on the gallery to bring the photos up full-size. Page Content ICAO and the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2017 to collaborate in developing and organizing a new ICAO-SAA Directors General of Civil Aviation Programme on Aviation Security, which was launched today. The Programme provides participants with specific knowledge pertaining to the international civil aviation security framework and its compliance. The underlying principles covered in the Programme will enable appropriate civil aviation authorities to carry out their responsibilities to ensure the effective management of aviation security in their States. It features a roundtable discussion on new emerging threats, challenges, considerations and international cooperation, as well as in-depth case study discussions. Presiding over the inauguration ceremony, ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu expressed her gratitude for the instrumental support of the Ministry of Transport of Singapores Senior Director for International Relations and Security, Mr. Bernard Lim, as well Singapores Representative on the Council of ICAO, Mr. Tee Chiou Ng. WITH PREMIUM QUALITY DETAILING SERVICES, THE GEORGIA-BASED COMPANY PROUDLY DETAILS AUTOMOBILES, BOATS & RECREATIONAL VEHICLES Cumming, GA, USA Lanier Mobile Detailing has proudly announced that it is offering a wide range of vehicle detailing services for automobiles, boats, and RVs. Based in Georgia, the mobile detailing company has been founded by an inspiring entrepreneur Tyler Bennett, who has been in business for about three years now. Moreover, the company takes great pride in offering premium detailing services for the Cumming, Dawsonville, Gainesville, and Lake Lanier area for many years. We take great pride in detailing your vehicles and our goal is to satisfy our customers and extend a quick, convenient and beneficial service for your vehicle, boat, and RV, said Tyler Bennet, the Owner of Lanier Mobile Detailing, while introducing the company. Our primary mission is providing the best-detailing service and customer experience for our customers and we are very grateful to our valued customers for their kind reviews and testimonials, he added. In addition, some of the most high in demand services offered by the mobile detailing company in Georgia are Sanding, Buffing, Pressure Washing, Waterline Removal, Deck Cleaning, and Interior Detailing. Moreover, the company primarily serves clients near Lake Lanier and the surrounding areas, and a lot of people coming to Georgia for their vacation can avail these services at reasonably affordable rates. Furthermore, Tyler never compromises on the quality of services and his company is now recognized as one of the best-detailing services for cars, boats, and RVs in Cumming and surrounding areas. For more information, please visit: www.laniermobiledetail.com Media Contact Company Name: Lanier Mobile Detailing Contact Person: Tyler Bennett Owner Email: Send Email Phone: (678) 296-7721 Address:7000 Crooked O Trail City: Gainesville State: GA 30506 Country: United States Website: www.laniermobiledetail.com/ iciHaiti - Economy : Konsome Lokal - 2nd Edition Already the 2nd edition of Konsome Lokal, the dates selected for this year are December 1st and 2nd and the theme chosen is "Sustainable development". Konsome Lokal, an appointment not to be missed on December 1st and 2nd from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Cane Park in Sucre, with 95 kiosks and products for all tastes. Konsome Lokal is a platform for promoting products made in Haiti. Their goal is to provide support to businesses and raise awareness of the importance of consuming locally ! Promote local buying with a unique showcase on the web. The objectives of Konsome Lokal are to allow consumers to discover a multitude of artisans and producers who produce their products with love and perseverance in Haiti. By encouraging Haitian entrepreneurship, Konsome Lokal hopes to create a positive impact on the Haitian economy and inspire entrepreneurs to promote local products. Their mission is to enable consumers, through a current web platform, to discover companies and entrepreneurs who make of "made in Haiti" a priority and thereby promote the country's economy. They want that through this platform, consumers are proud to encourage local production. Konsome Lokal wants to be the reference in regard to research and promotion of "Made in Haiti" products. Be a constantly changing repertoire. Entrance fee : b> 300 gourdes for adults 50 gourdes for children. IH/ iciHaiti iciHaiti - FLASH : Application Guide for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarships 2019-2020 As part of the Rencontres Universitaires de la Francophonie, from 19 to 21 November 2018 in Paris, the head of Campus France Haiti met with representatives of universities and Grandes Ecoles in order to facilitate the orientation of Haitian students in international mobility. Regarding the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program 2019-2020, new French institutions have said they are ready to receive Haitian applications. Remember that the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program is a tool developed by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs to enable French higher education institutions to attract the best foreign students to diploma courses of Master's and PhD level. Download school proposals and deadlines : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/2_guide_de_candidature___bourses_eiffel_2019-2020.pdf Following the information and orientation session on the financing of studies in France and in particular on the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program 2019-2020, you can now download the Practical Application Guide : Download the practical application guide for Haitian candidates : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/guide_de_candidature___bourses_eiffel_2019-2020.pdf IH/ iciHaiti Singapore Cards And Payments Market Singapore Cards And Payments Market By Cards (Debit Cards, Credit Cards, Prepaid Cards), By Payment Terminals (POS And ATMs), By Payment Instruments (Credit Transfers, Direct Debit, Cheques And Payment Cards) Transaction Value, Volumes, Historical Trends, Analysis And Forecasts (2017 -2021) Singapore Cards and Payments Market is one of the highly competitive and attractive among the Asia-Pacific countries. The payment cards market is gradually inching towards maturity with a high penetration rate of debit and credit cards. In terms of transaction value and volume, Singapores payment cards accounted for a share of 0.6% and 1% respectively in the Asia-Pacific region. During the review period, Singapore Cards and Payments Market changed rapidly and banks and card issuing companies are adapting to these changes, with the centre of innovation shifting from products towards channels and services. Although banks continue to develop new products, this happens merely in the form of fine-tuning segmentation and customizing products accordingly. Check out For Sample Report Here @https://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/Singapore-Cards-and-Payments-Market-6849/request-sample From new branch models catering the specific needs of the target segment, over-sophisticated mobile applications allowing customers to manage their entire banking relationship with a click or swipe of the phone to new means of payment through contactless technology banks in Singapore are introducing bespoke product and service offerings to capture a larger share of the payment cards. Singapore Cards and Payments Market is highly competitive and over-served, with a credit and debit card penetration rates of 1.7 per inhabitant and 2.0 respectively. With a comprehensive payment cards product line-up, product development for new payment cards products was very limited. Product differentiation is, therefore, a major challenge and success factor. However, most banks offer broadly similar value propositions, as product development circles have become very fast. In order to attract new customers and incentivize customers to spend with their own banks cards, banks are increasingly using micro-segmentation to cater to the specific needs of their target audience, with strategies such as personalized designs and segment-specific promotions and benefits. Integrated cards have been launched by several banks, offering not only credit or debit functions, but also value-added services such as prepayment functions for transport and micropayments, as well as contactless payments based on Visa payWave, MasterCard PayPass or NETS FlashPay. The Intelligent Nation 2015 masterplan, drawn up by the government of Singapore, is expected to provide support to the growth of the cards and payments industry over the period (20152019). The masterplan aims to achieve a 90% home broadband penetration rate alongside a computer in the house of every family with school-going children. Competition among domestic banks is expected to intensify over the forecast period due to a new law issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on June 28, 2012, requiring banks to locally incorporate their retail business. The new law permits locally incorporated banks to have 25 places of operation and is expected to result in an increase in the number of foreign banks operating in the country. Foreign banks are also expected to align their pricing and marketing strategies with that of domestic banks which will result in intense competition and an increase in marketing and promotional strategies to attract consumers. Access full Report Description @ https://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/Singapore-Cards-and-Payments-Market-6849/ Some of the Dominating Players in the Singapore Cards and Payments Market: DBS Bank United Overseas Bank Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited Citibank Singapore Standard Chartered Bank Table of Contents: Definitions Research Methodology Research Process Market Sizing Competitor Analysis Market Forecasting Quality Control Process Emerging Payment Technologies Growing E-commerce Market E-commerce Mix by Payment Method EMV Migration Contactless Cards Business Overview & Key Operators Regulatory Framework Technological Changes Cards for Students Cards for Travelers Cards for High-income Customers Cards for Frequent Shoppers Debit Cards Market Overview Scheme Providers Key Issuers Pay Later Cards Market Overview Scheme Providers Key Issuers Payment Terminals Market Payment Instruments Market Executive Summary Industry Benchmarking Market Attractiveness Industry Enablers Regulatory Framework Key Industry Events Merchant Acquiring Business Overview Market Segmentation Market Sizing Buy Now @ https://marketdataforecast.com/cart/buy-now/Singapore-Cards-and-Payments-Market-6849/ About Us: Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the areas of market research, business intelligence and consulting. We have rich experience in research and consulting for various business domains to cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. Media Contact Company Name: Market Data Forecast Contact Person: Abhishek Shukla Email: Send Email Phone: +1-888-702-9626 Address:2nd Floor, Lakeview Plaza, Kavuri Hills City: Hyderabad State: Telangana Country: India Website: marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/Singapore-Cards-and-Payments-Market-6849/ Imperial Valley News Center The United States Signs a Stronger Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada Washington, DC - "This new deal will be the most modern, up-to-date, and balanced trade agreement in the history of our country, with the most advanced protections for workers ever developed." ~ President Donald J. Trump REBALANCING OUR TRADE RELATIONSHIP: President Donald J. Trump kept his promise to deliver a modern and rebalanced trade deal to replace NAFTA. Today in Argentina, the United States is joining Canada and Mexico to sign a new trade agreement that will better serve the interests of American workers and businesses. This follows the Presidents announcement in October that a deal had been reached. The new United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement (USMCA) will replace the outdated, failed North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). With the signing of this agreement, President Trump has delivered on his promise to renegotiate NAFTA and protect American farmers, ranchers, businesses, and workers. SECURING A STRONGER DEAL FOR AMERICAN INDUSTRIES AND WORKERS: USMCA is a stronger deal for American farmers, ranchers, businesses, and workers. USMCA will help incentivize billions of dollars in additional vehicle and auto parts production in the United States. The agreement includes updated rules of origin that require 75 percent of auto content to be produced in North America. American autoworkers will benefit from rules that incentivize the use of high-wage manufacturing labor in the auto sector. This includes a requirement that 40-45% of a vehicle consist of content manufactured by North American workers making at least $16 per hour. USMCAs labor and environment chapters are fully enforceable and represent the strongest labor and environmental provisions of any trade agreement ever negotiated. Mexico agreed to historic labor reforms to provide for genuine collective bargaining. The agreement prohibits the importation of goods produced by forced labor. The agreement includes provisions that allow agriculture products to be traded more fairly. Canada will end its Class 6 and Class 7 programs that allow low-priced dairy products to undersell American dairy producers. Canada will increase market access for United States dairy products, eggs, and poultry. REFORMING TRADE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: USMCA modernizes our trade relationship with Canada and Mexico to reflect the realities of the 21st century. Imperial Valley News Center H.R. 1677 - Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2018 Washington, DC - White House Statement of Support: H.R. 1677 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2018: The Administration strongly supports the passage of H.R. 1677, the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2018. The bill would add to a robust set of tools at the Administrations disposal to help bring to an end the heartbreaking ongoing tragedy in Syria and to hold Syrian officials accountable for the slaughter of civilians and other atrocities. This bill will help provide additional leverage to achieve the United States governments objectives to de-escalate the military conflict and support the United Nations-led peace process and a transition to a government in Syria that honors the will of the Syrian people, respects the rule of law and human rights, and peacefully co-exists with its neighbors in the region. At its core, the bill provides additional tools designed to deny the Assad regime and its proxies access to the international financial system and to block the financial and other support that fuels the murder of innocent Syrians. In addition, it would facilitate the continued use of economic sanctions and visa restrictions to hold accountable members of the Assad regime who are responsible for or complicit in the serious human rights abuses and war crimes committed against innocent Syrians. As the President has said, every solution to the humanitarian crisis in Syria must also include a strategy to address the brutal regime that has fueled and financed it: the corrupt dictatorship in Iran. The Administration remains committed to our objectives in Syria of liberating remaining territory from ISIS control, enabling the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, de-escalating the violence, deterring the Assad regimes further use of chemical weapons, and advancing the United Nations-led political resolution track called for in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254. The President has made clear that United States partners and allies must share the burden in achieving these aims. The Administration would interpret the bill consistent with these objectives, which are in the national security interest of the United States. The Administration would also interpret the bill consistent with the protections provided under the American Servicemembers Protection Act of 2002. Imperial Valley News Center NIH to evaluate effectiveness of male contraceptive skin gel Washington, DC - A clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health will evaluate a male contraceptive gel for its ability to prevent pregnancy. The gel formulation was developed by the Population Council and NIHs Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The Population Council will collaborate with NIH to conduct the study in NICHDs Contraceptive Clinical Trials Network. Many women cannot use hormonal contraception and male contraceptive methods are limited to vasectomy and condoms, said study investigator Diana Blithe, Ph.D., chief of NICHDs Contraceptive Development Program. A safe, highly effective and reversible method of male contraception would fill an important public health need. The gel formulation, called NES/T, includes the progestin compound segesterone acetate (brand name Nestorone), in combination with testosterone. It is applied to the back and shoulders and absorbed through the skin. The progestin blocks natural testosterone production in the testes, reducing sperm production to low or nonexistent levels. The replacement testosterone maintains normal sex drive and other functions that are dependent on adequate blood levels of the hormone. Researchers plan to enroll approximately 420 couples into the study. Male volunteers will use the NES/T gel daily for four to 12 weeks to determine whether they tolerate the formulation and to ensure they do not experience unacceptable side effects. If sperm levels have not adequately declined, they will continue to use the formulation for up to 16 weeks. Once their sperm levels have declined to a threshold sufficient for contraception, they will enter the efficacy phase, which will evaluate the ability of the formulation to prevent pregnancy. This phase will last for 52 weeks, and the couple will rely on the male partners application of the gel as the sole method of contraception. Males will remain in the study for observation for an additional 24 weeks after they discontinue the formulation. The study will be conducted at two sites of NICHDs Contraceptive Clinical Trials Network: Los Angeles Biomedical Institute and University of California Los Angeles Medical Center Christina Wang, M.D., principal investigator Christina Wang, M.D., principal investigator University of Washington, Seattle Stephanie Page, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator The investigators at the CCTN sites will supervise the following collaborating study sites: University of Kansas, Overland Park Ajay Nangia, MBBS, FACS, collaborating investigator Ajay Nangia, MBBS, FACS, collaborating investigator University of Edinburgh, Scotland Richard Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., collaborating investigator Richard Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., collaborating investigator University of Manchester, United Kingdom Cheryl Fitzgerald M.D., collaborating investigator Cheryl Fitzgerald M.D., collaborating investigator Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden Kristina Gemzell Danielsson, M.D., Ph.D., collaborating investigator Kristina Gemzell Danielsson, M.D., Ph.D., collaborating investigator Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya John Kinuthia, MBChB, MMed, collaborating investigator John Kinuthia, MBChB, MMed, collaborating investigator Chilean Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Santiago Gabriela Noe, collaborating investigator Gabriela Noe, collaborating investigator University of Bologna, Italy Cristina Meriggiola, M.D., Ph.D., collaborating investigator Study Record Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Population Council. Study of Daily Application of Nestorone (NES) and Testosterone (T) Combination Gel for Male Contraception. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03452111 About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD conducts and supports research in the United States and throughout the world on fetal, infant and child development; maternal, child and family health; reproductive biology and population issues; and medical rehabilitation. Defend the Flock a new outreach campaign for bird owners Sacramento, California - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching a new outreach campaign focused on preventing the spread of infectious poultry diseases in both commercial and backyard poultry. Considering the devastating impact of the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in 2014-2015, as well as this years outbreak of virulent Newcastle disease in California, the timing is right for everyone in the poultry community to work together to protect the health of our nations flocks. The Defend the Flock campaign to promote biosecurity combines and updates two previous campaigns that were each targeted at a specific segment of the poultry population. USDA has introduced a web page for the campaign, www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/defendtheflock, where bird owners can find important information about protecting flocks from disease. The site also has a resource section, including a series of checklists each covering specific biosecurity principles. Bird producers, growers, workers and enthusiasts alike can use these as regular reminders for maintaining a high level of biosecurity. California bird owners are urged to call the State Bird Hotline if they have sick birds. 866-922-2473. Clinical trial of investigational Ebola treatments begins in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo - An international research team has begun patient enrollment in a clinical trial testing multiple investigational Ebola therapies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The randomized, controlled trial is enrolling patients of any age with confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD) at a treatment unit in the city of Beni operated by ALIMA (link is external) (The Alliance for International Medical Action), a medical humanitarian organization. The trial, which will expand to additional DRC districts, is organized through an international research consortium coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is led and funded by the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB), part of the DRC Ministry of Health (link is external), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and also involves several additional international partners. Combatting Ebola requires a comprehensive response that draws on the strengths of all areas of public health. Biomedical research can lead to critical new tools, such as potentially life-saving therapies, said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci., M.D. Through scientifically and ethically sound clinical trials, we hope to efficiently and definitively establish the safety and efficacy of these investigational Ebola treatments, offering new ways to save lives. On Aug. 1, 2018, the DRC Ministry of Health declared the countrys 10th outbreak of EVD. As of Nov. 25, 2018, 240 deaths out of 419 confirmed and probable cases of EVD have been reported in the northeastern provinces of North Kivu and Ituri. Under the leadership of the DRC Ministry of Health, the WHO has coordinated the outbreak response with several international partners. NIAID, along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other U.S. government partners, have provided guidance and support to the multi-sectoral outbreak response. We urgently need a safe and effective treatment for this deadly disease, said DRC Minister of Health Oly Ilunga Kalenga, M.D., Ph.D. As we face a 10th outbreak of Ebola, we hope this clinical trial will give us more information about how best to treat patients. The trial aims to compare mortality among patients who receive one of three investigational Ebola drugs with a control group of patients who receive the investigational monoclonal antibody cocktail treatment ZMapp, developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc. The therapies being tested include: mAb114, a single monoclonal antibody developed by NIAID, with early support from the INRB; and remdesivir (also known as GS-5734), an antiviral drug developed by Gilead Sciences, Inc. The trial has been approved to begin enrolling patients in these three groups, and plans are underway to amend the trial to include REGN-EB3 (also known as REGN3470-3471-3479), a monoclonal antibody cocktail developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The participating Ebola treatment units will continue to provide all participants with supportive care for EVD. Ebola care includes supportive oral and/or intravenous fluids, electrolyte replacement, maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure, and pain management. The investigational treatments have varying levels of data to support their use from testing in the laboratory, animals, and humans. However, none has been approved for treating EVD. ZMapp is the only investigational treatment previously tested in a randomized, controlled efficacy trial. Results from that study, conducted in the U.S. and West Africa during the 2014 to 2016 outbreak, suggested that ZMapp appeared to be beneficial, but as the outbreak waned, the trial ultimately could not enroll enough participants to definitively establish the drugs efficacy. The investigational treatments also have been administered to most of the Ebola patients in the current outbreak in the DRC under an ethical framework developed by the WHO called Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered and Investigational Interventions (MEURI). However, this emergency-use mechanism cannot yield generalizable evidence on how well the treatments work. A randomized, controlled clinical trial is necessary to obtain reliable data about the safety and efficacy of investigational Ebola treatments, said H. Clifford Lane, M.D., director of NIAIDs Division of Clinical Research. It is possible to conduct rigorous clinical research in an outbreak setting, and we anticipate this trial will provide useful data. Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, M.D., Ph.D., director-general of the INRB, and Richard T. Davey, Jr., M.D., deputy director of NIAIDs Division of Clinical Research, are co-principal investigators for the study. Trial participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of the investigational treatments by intravenous infusion. Site clinicians will monitor patients symptoms and take blood samples for laboratory tests. Patients will remain in the Ebola treatment unit until they fully recover from the disease. They will be asked to return to the clinic approximately two months after receiving treatment for a check-up and to provide additional blood samples for laboratory tests. Plans are underway to expand the trial beyond the ALIMA site in Beni to additional Ebola treatment units operated by medical humanitarian organizations, including International Medical Corps. The trial also may be adapted to continue across more than one outbreak and in several countries. The number of participants enrolled in the trial ultimately will depend on the evolution of Ebola outbreaks. The study is designed to enroll 112 patients per arm, potentially over multiple outbreaks. This clinical trial marks a significant and important step forward for the DRC and our international partners, said Dr. Muyembe. We are eager to learn more about each of these investigational treatments as we continue to work tirelessly to identify new cases, trace contacts and control the spread of disease. An independent data and safety monitoring board will regularly review the study data. For more information, visit ClinicalTrials.gov and search identifier NCT03719586. Bigfoot Festival Marion, North Carolina - The first annual Bigfoot Festival in the town of Marion, turned out to be a big deal recently. The event attracted more than 15,000 visitors from across the country who packed the streets of the town, which is home to little more than 7,800 residents, says the Association of Mature American Citizens. In addition to the usual paraphernalia, such as hats, T-Shirts, etc., Allie Webb manned a stand selling what she calls Bigfoot Juice. Its said to attract Sasquatch in addition to fending off insects. And, of course, Ms. Webb produced a witness, John Bruner, who organized the festival, who used the concoction to successfully find Bigfoot. A series of high-profile primary schools have hit the headlines over the past year for cheating during statutory exams and in many cases, pupils results have been annulled following investigations by officials. Now it has emerged that these cases are part of a growing trend where more and more primary schools are being examined over alleged maladministration of the national curriculum tests. So what is happening? Why are teachers in primary schools resorting to apparently desperate measures? And how are young children being affected by a narrow focus on Sats in some schools? The Office for National Statistics figures revealing that last winter was the deadliest since the 1970s have reopened concerns about seasonal preparedness as another December rolls around. Between December 2017 and March 2018 there were 50,100 extra deaths over and above the rates expected from the last five years and the biggest spike since 1975-76. The Kings Fund think tank has warned that these spikes could become a continual trend. The UKs population is steadily ageing and reductions in heart attacks and strokes which have reliably occurred for decades have begun to slow amidst the longest funding squeeze on record. Labour shadow minister Kate Osamor has resigned from the partys front bench, citing the difficult time her family is experiencing after her son was convicted of a drugs offence. Jeremy Corbyn said he had accepted the shadow international development secretarys resignation amid allegations the MP had threatened a journalist on her doorstep after being asked questions about her sons conviction. I am resigning my position as shadow international development secretary to concentrate on supporting my family through the difficult time we have been experiencing, Ms Osamor said in a statement on Saturday. Her decision to step down comes after her son, Ishmael, who is also employed by the MP in her parliamentary office, pleaded guilty in September to four charges of possession with intent to supply after he was found with 2,500 worth of drugs at Bestival music festival last year. Following the emergence of the case last month, Labour officials had claimed the shadow international development secretary was unaware of the incident until after Mr Osamor was given a community sentence of 200 hours of unpaid work in October. But raising questions over the claims on Saturday, The Times reported the MP for Edmonton had known about the case before sentencing, as she had written to the judge asking for leniency. And when approached by the newspaper outside her home in north London, the shadow cabinet minister allegedly threw a bucket of water at the journalist and said she should have come down here with a bat and smashed your face in. She was also reported to have called the police, after accusing the journalist of stalking her. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 24 November 2021 Migrants are helped ashore from a RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeboat at a beach in Dungeness, on the south-east coast of England, on November 24, 2021, after being rescued while crossing the English Channel. AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 23 November 2021 The coffin of Sir David Amess is carried past politicians, including former Prime Ministers Sir John Major, David Cameron and Theresa May, Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the requiem mass for the MP at Westminster Cathedral, central London PA UK news in pictures 22 November 2021 The scene in Dragon Rise, Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset where police have launched a murder probe after two people were found dead Tom Wren/SWNS UK news in pictures 21 November 2021 London-based midwife Sarah Muggleton, 27, takes part in a 'March with Midwives' in central London to highlight the crisis in maternity services PA UK news in pictures 20 November 2021 Police officers monitor as climate change activists sit down and block traffic during a protest action in solidarity with activists from the Insulate Britain group who received prison terms for blocking roads, on Lambeth Bridge in central London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 19 November 2021 A giant installation of Prime Minister Boris Johnson made from recycled clothing goes on display at Manchester Central, as part of Manchester Art Fair, in a 'wake-up call for the Prime Minister to tackle textile waste' PA UK news in pictures 18 November 2021 The scene at a recycling centre in Stert, near Devizes in Wiltshire after a large blaze was brought under control. The fire broke out on Wednesday night the fire service has said and local residents were advised to keep windows and doors shut due to large amounts of smoke PA UK news in pictures 17 November 2021 The sun rises over South Shields Lighthouse, on the North East coast of England PA UK news in pictures 16 November 2021 ancer Maithili Vijayakumar at the launch of 2021 Diwali celebrations at St Andrew Square in Edinburgh PA UK news in pictures 15 November 2021 Forensic officers work outside Liverpool Women's Hospital, following a car blast, in Liverpool Reuters UK news in pictures 14 November 2021 Wreaths by the Cenotaph after the Remembrance Sunday service in Whitehall, London PA UK news in pictures 13 November 2021 Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of detainee Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, is ending his hunger strike in central London after almost three weeks. Ratcliffe has spent 21 days camped outside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London without food. He began his demonstration on 24 October after his wife lost her latest appeal in Iran, saying his family was caught in a dispute between two states PA UK news in pictures 12 November 2021 Peter Green protesting outside the Cop26 gates during the official final day of the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2021 Seagulls fly around the statue entitled 'Tommy', a first World War soldier by artist Ray Lonsdale at dawn in Seaham, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 10 November 2021 Climate activists dressed as characters inspired by the Netflix series Squid Game protest as they ask Samsung to go 100% renewable energy, outside the venue for COP26 in Glasgow Reuters UK news in pictures 9 November 2021 A deer statue silhouetted at Loch Faskally in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 8 November 2021 Sunrise over St Mary's Lighthouse at Whitley Bay on the North East coast of England PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2021 Activists from Friends of the Earth during a demonstration calling for an end to all new oil and gas projects in the North Sea outside the UK Government's Cop26 hub during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2021 Protesters take part in a rally organised by the Cop26 Coalition in Glasgow demanding global climate justice PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2021 Final touches are made to a life sized Sir David Attenborough cake surrounded by animals as part of a display created by a group of cake artists during Cake International at NEC Birmingham PA UK news in pictures 4 November 2021 A spectacular display of the Northern Lights seen over Derwentwater, near Keswick in the Lake District PA UK news in pictures 3 November 2021 Police and demonstrators at a Extinction Rebellion protest on Buchanan Street, during the Cop26 summit in Glasgow PA UK news in pictures 2 November 2021 A person walks along the Basingstoke canal near to Dogmersfield in Hampshire PA UK news in pictures 1 November 2021 Sir David Attenborough delivers a speech during Cop26 in Glasgow Reuters UK news in pictures 31 October 2021 Extinction Rebellion activists protest in Edinburgh as the Cop26 conference begins in Glasgow Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2021 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon with Mapuche leader and Minga Indigena Lead Coordinator Claflin Lafkenche (right) alongside indigenous delegates at a ceremonial gathering at the Tramway in Glasgow in a symbolic gesture to mark a unified demand for climate justice PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2021 Ocean Rebellion put on a display of puking oil heads ahead of climate change conference COP26 in Glasgow EPA UK news in pictures 28 October 2021 A man dressed as Santa Claus outside Selfridges in London as the department store unveils its Christmas windows on Oxford Street PA UK news in pictures 27 October 2021 Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak during a visit to Fourpure Brewery in Bermondsey, London, after the chancellor announced a cut to beer taxes in his budget PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2021 Activist Steve Bray demonstrates with a toilet outside the gates of Downing Street, after MPs voted in Parliament against the Environment Bill, allowing companies to pump raw sewage into UK rivers and seas, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 October 2021 Second World War veteran James White, 96, at the opening of the Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance, marking the start of the remembrance period PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2021 Richard Ratcliffe holds up a photo of his wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe as he protests outside the Foreign Office while on hunger strike, part of an effort to lobby the UK foreign secretary to bring his wife home from detention in Iran Getty UK news in pictures 23 October 2021 Partner of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Stella Morris and Editor in Chief of WikiLeaks Kristinn Hrafnsson attend a protest ahead of the appeal hearing over Assange's extradition, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 22 October 2021 Palace Gardener Justine Howlett adds the finishing touches to pumpkins bearing the face of Henry VIII and his wives, at Hampton Court Palace. PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2021 Flooded fields near Lingfield in Surrey, after southern England was hit overnight by heavy rain and strong winds from Storm Aurore moving in from France PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2021 A wing surfer enjoys the strong winds as they surf in the sea off of Hayling Island in Hampshire PA UK news in pictures 19 October 2021 Actor Jude Law holds hands with Little Amal, a 3.5-metre-tall puppet of a nine-year-old Syrian girl, as it arrives in Folkestone, Kent, as part of the Handspring Puppet Company's 'The Walk' PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2021 A view over Southend-on-Sea in Essex, which is set to become a city in tribute to Sir David Amess MP, who spent years campaigning for the change Getty UK news in pictures 17 October 2021 Members of the Essex Bangladeshi Welfare Association pay their respects by floral tributes laid at the scene where Sir David Amess MP was killed at Belfairs Methodist Church, in Leigh-on-Sea Reuters UK news in pictures 16 October 2021 Boris Johnson, Sir Keir Starmer, Priti Patel and Lindsay Hoyle pay respects to Sir David Amess at Belfairs Methodist Church, in Leigh-on-Sea, the site of his death EPA UK news in pictures 15 October 2021 A person lays flowers at the scene near the Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after he was stabbed several times at a constituency surgery. A man has been arrested and officers are not looking for anyone else PA UK news in pictures 14 October 2021 A red deer stag during rutting season in Bushy Park, Richmond, south west London, which is home to over 300 red and fallow deer PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2021 Police officers detain a man as Insulate Britain activists block a roundabout at a junction on the M25 motorway during a protest in Thurrock Reuters UK news in pictures 12 October 2021 The aerial climate installation by Swiss artivist Dan Acher 'We Are Watching' is unveiled at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2021 A young girl is helped by a Border Force officer as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel. PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2021 People walk past a life-size sculpture of British singer John Lennon entitled "Imagine", by sculptor Lawrence Holofcener, displayed to mark what would have been the 81st birthday for the former member of the Beatles in Carnaby Street Reuters UK news in pictures 8 October 2021 WW II veteran, 96-year-old Lorna Cockayne, who served in the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS), popularly and officially known as the Wrens, as a Bletchley Park codebreaker, poses for a photograph with the Legion d'honneur after receiving it during a ceremony at the Pear at Parley in Ferndown, Bournemouth PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2021 British comedian Jo Brand poses with cut-out silhouettes representing women outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters New Scotland Yard, to highlight violence against women by male police officers or former police officers AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 6 October 2021 A protester, wearing a mask of Johnson, holds a sign reading Question it all on the final day of the Tory conference Getty UK news in pictures 5 October 2021 Members of Insulate Britain outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, before a hearing over the injunction banning the environmental activists from blocking the M25 PA Ms Osamors office did not respond to these allegations when approached by The Independent, but she was condemned by the National Union of Journalists, who said: Journalists, like any other workers, need to be able to go about their work without fear of threats or assault. Its completely unacceptable to respond to legitimate press queries, however unwelcome they may be, with physical or verbal abuse. There is a disturbing and febrile international climate at the moment that is facilitating and legitimising the notion that it is open season on journalists such insidious and dangerous beliefs, particularly when they emanate from public figures in positions of authority, have to be challenged at every turn. The Labour leader said: I have accepted Kate Osamors resignation and would like to thank her for her work as our shadow secretary of state for international development. She brought a new dimension to the role by committing Labour to tackling global inequality as well as poverty as part of building a world for the many not the few. I know Kate will take this time to support her family, work for her constituents and support our partys efforts to rebuild Britain from the back benches. The Labour MP Dan Carden has been appointed acting shadow international development secretary on a temporary basis, the party added. Sam Gyimah has been considered a "rising star" for nearly two decades. The East Surrey MP was born in Beaconsfield, but split from his single mother aged six and was sent to live in Ghana, before returning to a state comprehensive to complete his GCSEs and A-Levels. The 42-year-old credited "good schools with great teachers" as he earned a place at Somerville College, Oxford, to read philosophy, politics and economics. His political teeth were cut at the Oxford Union, where he served as president, and sharpened as he stood for Camden council elections unsuccessfully. Initially employed by Goldman Sachs as an investment banker, where he worked on mergers and acquisitions, Mr Gyimah was added to the Conservative party A-List and selected as the prospective parliamentary candidate for East Surrey in 2010 following the retirement of Peter Ainsworth. He took the seat with a 17,000 vote majority and had only been in Westminster for two years when he was made parliamentary private secretary to then prime minister David Cameron. He pushed for a bigger role in government, becoming a whip in 2013 before holding various posts as a ministerial aide, before being appointed universities minister earlier this year. Outside Westminster circles, his following increased after he appeared to quote from Harry Potter during Question Time. When discussing US President Donald Trump's Britain First retweets and Theresa May's condemnation, he channelled Albus Dumbledore and said: "It takes great bravery to stand up to your enemies, it takes even more bravery to stand up to your friends. Ahead of the Conservatives' annual conference in 2018, he was one of several prominent MPs to issue a warning about the future direction of the party, suggesting they had lost their way with business. He also pleaded with his colleagues that while attacking Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party was "necessary", it was "not sufficient", as he called for a "true renaissance on the right", with people coming forward with new ideas to make the case for open markets. "Yes, we need to be honest about the failings of capitalism, while making the case that it's not the best system we've got," he said on the eve of the Conservatives' gathering in Birmingham. But he decided to walk away from government on Friday over the negotiated UK-EU agreement that MPs are expected to vote on in ten days' time. He has been unequivocal: he will vote down the deal. The final straw for the now ex-minister, who voted Remain at the 2016 referendum, appeared to be Theresa May abandoning efforts to remain party of the EU's Galileo satellite navigation project post-Brexit - following restrictions the bloc wanted to impose. He warned that this was a "foretaste of the brutal negotiations" to come over the future trading relationship, adding: They [the EU] set the hurdles you have to clear. It is like playing a football game against another team when they are the referee and they can make the rules as they go along. Describing the prime minister's agreement as a "deal in name only", he also became one of several Conservative MPs who have publicly voiced support for a fresh referendum over the deal, saying it will be the "most sensible" route should Ms May's agreement be voted down in the House of Commons. Trump officials are downplaying the dire warnings issued by his governments own climate change report by claiming it depicts a worst-case scenario. White House representatives assert that despite the weight of evidence, the conclusions reached by hundreds of top climate scientists are unlikely to become a reality. Some have even suggested that the Obama administration had a hand in exaggerating the results seen in the National Climate Assessment. Donald Trump himself has said he does not believe his own governments report, and that air and water in the US are at record clean. Recommended US to face devastating health and economic impacts from climate change Climate scientists have repeatedly emphasised that the assessment looked at a range of future scenarios, and is based on the most up-to-date science available. The report found that based on emissions growing at historic rates, financial losses in some sectors would reach hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century. Droughts, wildfires and flooding are all expected to increase in frequency in the coming decades across the US due to climate change. The assessment also predicted thousands of additional deaths every year due to heat stress and the spread of infectious diseases into areas that would formerly have been too cold for the mosquitos and ticks that carry them. But since its publication, White House officials have pushed back against the warnings of severe impacts for every area from healthcare to fisheries. Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Show all 25 1 /25 Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators block Westminster Bridge in central London to show anger at government inaction on climate and ecological issues AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges A pro environment protester is arrested by police on Lambeth bridge in London EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Organised by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Organised by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators on Blackfriars Bridge PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Police with demonstrators on Blackfriars Bridge PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges A demonstrator is led away by police on Blackfriars Bridge PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Reuters If you take the extreme case, youre right, its dire If you take the best case, its not much, Trumps interior secretary, Ryan Zinke, said on Fox News. Comparing the likelihood of the extreme outcomes outlined by experts to the threat of nuclear war, Mr Zinke pointed out that people were not going to go home to a bunker and wear a hazardous suit. These comments echo the official line from the White House released in the aftermath of the report last week. We think that this is the most extreme version and its not based on facts its not data-driven, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Tuesday. Acting Environmental Protection Agency administrator Andrew Wheeler went even further, stating the report was drafted at the direction of the Obama administration and he wouldnt be surprised if the Obama administration told the reports authors to take a look at the worst-case scenario for this report. The authors of the report stated that any risk assessment of the kind carried out in their analysis involved looking at a range of scenarios, and the doubts being expressed by critics were misguided. In fact, Pennsylvania University climate scientist Professor Michael Mann said that the reality of climate science was that the impacts have often been underestimated rather than exaggerated. Sea levels are rising faster, ice is disappearing sooner and the incidence of extreme weather events is increasing faster than our projections from just a few years ago suggested, he told The Guardian. He said there was no truth whatsoever in the claim that the report was being overly pessimistic about the future under global warming in the US. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events With a major climate summit taking beginning in Poland this weekend, the UN warned on Tuesday that nations must increase their commitments to cutting carbon emissions by five times to avoid the worst effects of global warming. In October the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change announced unprecedented changes to every aspect of human life will be required to keep warming below the ambitious 1.5C target included in the Paris climate agreement. However, far from tacking the problem, the US president has made his scepticism about climate change clear and announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. With an emphasis on beautiful, clean coal, the Trump administration instead seeks to promote fossil fuel operations in the US. Wildfires have scorched much of California in recent weeks, and many experts have made the link between rising global temperatures and the increased risk of such events. Mr Trump has said he believes that the fires are not connected with climate change, and that better forest management, including raking leaves, would reduce the chances of wildfire. All eyes will be on Donald Trump and China's leader Xi Jingping when the two men meet for a crucial dinner on Saturday as their respective countries wage a trade war. Mr Trump's administration imposed tariffs on $250bn- (195bn-) worth of Chinese goods earlier this year, only for China to retaliate with duties worth $110bn on US products. WTO officials have previously warned the rift poses a grave threat to the global economy, putting millions of jobs at risk. What the two men agree or disagree on during their meeting in Argentina will have a global impact, on both stock markets and future US trade policy. Mr Trump and Mr Xi will both want to find a way out of the escalating conflict, but each leader needs to save face with domestic audiences at home. "There's some good signs," said Mr Trump, on Friday, when asked about the prospect of a deal to end the conflict. "We'll see what happens." Officials in his administration acknowledge that striking an agreement will not be easy. The United States and China remain locked in a long-running dispute over their trade imbalance and Beijing's push to challenge the US' technological dominance. Washington accuses China of deploying predatory tactics in its tech drive, including stealing trade secrets and forcing American firms to hand over technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market. This has enraged Mr Trump, who has railed against China for what he sees as intellectual property theft, entry barriers to US business and a wide US trade deficit. After General Motors, a US car giant, announced earlier this month that it was cutting five factories in North America, Mr Trump attacked the firm for building plants in China and Mexico. The company is closing plants in Ohio, Maryland and Michigan, a move that will see 14,700 roles cut. The US leader also hinted that his administration could impose tariffs on imported cars in response to the plant closures. Mr Trump's dinner with Mr Xi is the most important event of his two-day trip to Buenos Aires for the G20 summit. If a deal is not struck the US leader is likely to more than double the existing tariffs on Chinese goods from 1 January. He has also threatened to expand the tariffs to virtually everything China ships to the United States. China is likely to retaliate if Mr Trump pushes on with the trade war, further rattling financial markets. The conflict is already causing forecasters to downgrade the outlook for global economic growth. It is unlikely a short dinner will resolve the myriad of disagreements between the two global leaders. Analysts say that the more likely outcome is that Mr Trump and Mr Xi reach a truce, buying time for further talks. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events But a lasting deal is likely to require the Chinese to scale back their ambitions to become a technological superpower. Larry Kudlow, the White House's top economic adviser, said that the administration been "extremely disappointed" by China's engagement in trade talks. He added that the dinner between Mr Trump and Mr Xi may still change the course of the declining relationship. As the two administrations exchange barbs, the trade war is having an impact on ordinary people in the US. Stock prices in the country have sunk this autumn and the conflict's effect is also being felt in the agricultural industry, after a 94 per cent cut in US soybean exports to China forced farmers in America's midwest to stockpile crops. "Perhaps we can break through in Buenos Aires or not," Mr Kudlow said. He added that if the US doesn't get "satisfactory" responses to its trade positions, more tariffs will be imposed. Additional reporting by agencies A white former police officer who gunned down her unarmed black neighbour in his own apartment, will face trial for his murder a grand jury in Dallas has decided. Amber Guyger fatally shot Botham Jean when she mistakenly entered his apartment instead of her own. She told investigators that on 6 September, she found the door open and believing it to be hers, and opened it to see someone standing in the dark. Recommended Dallas police fire officer who killed a man in his own home After she pulled out her gun, she said the 26-year-old failed to obey her commands and she shot him twice. Three days later she was arrested and charged with manslaughter. The recent indictment upgraded her charge to murder. Mr Jean, a native of Caribbean island St Lucia, graduated from a college in Arkansas and was working for the prominent consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Ms Guyger was fired from the Dallas Police Department, shortly after the shooting. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The victims family filed civil lawsuits against the city of Dallas and Ms Guyger. The federal lawsuit against Ms Guyger asserts she used excessive force against Mr Jean. It also claims that her police department did not give her adequate training as an officer. If found guilty of murder, Ms Guyger could be sentenced to life in prison Donald Trump and Barack Obama have led the tributes to former US President George HW Bush who has died aged 94. The current incumbent of the White House, Mr Trump, said in a statement that he and First Lady Melania Trump join with a grieving nation to mourn the loss of Mr Bush. With sound judgement, common sense, and unflappable leadership, President Bush guided our nation, and the world, to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War, the statement said. As well as the presidency, Mr Bush also served as vice president for eight years during Ronald Reagans two terms as president. He defeated former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, the Democratic nominee, in the 1988 presidential campaign, and lost his 1992 re-election bid to Democrat Bill Clinton. President Bush always found a way to set the bar higher, the current president and first lady said. His example lives on, and will continue to stir future Americans to pursue a greater cause. The office of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama said Mr Bushs life was a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good along the journey. The Obamas credited him with expanding Americas promise to new immigrants and people with disabilities. Reducing the scourge of nuclear weapons and building a broad international coalition to expel a dictator from Kuwait. And when democratic revolutions bloomed across Eastern Europe, it was his steady, diplomatic hand that made possible an achievement once thought anything but ending the Cold War without firing a shot. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty They said: Its a legacy of service that may never be matched, even though hed want all of us to try. The statement also mentioned Mr Bushs former wife, Barbara, whom he was married to for 73 years before she died in April at the age of 92. Senator Mitch McConnell: George Bush was the best of the best George and Barbara Bush are together again now, two points of light that never dimmed, two points of light that ignited countless others with their example the example of a man who, even after commanding the worlds mightiest military, once said I got more of a kick out of being one of the founders of the YMCA in Midland, Texas back in 1952 than almost anything Ive done, the Obamas said. Reuters contributed to this report A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea in the early hours of Saturday, military officials in Seoul have said. The man escaped from the north by crossing the heavily fortified demarcation line that separates the two nations and was found south of the eastern side of the line by South Korean soldiers He was escorted to safety and will now be questioned by officials in Seoul about the details of his defection. South Korea's joint chiefs of staff said that no unusual activity from troops in the North had been detected in the area where the escape happened. Escape from North Korea Show all 16 1 /16 Escape from North Korea Escape from North Korea Jeong Min-woo A hat belonging to Jeong Min-woo in Seoul. Min-woo is from Hyesan, on the border with China. He was a commissioned officer in the Korean People's Army, and left in his uniform. South Korean intelligence confiscated it, but he persuaded his North Korean military contacts to send him a new one. Reuters Escape from North Korea Jeong Min-woo Jeong Min-woo, 29, poses for a photograph in Seoul Reuters Escape from North Korea Kang Kang, 28, who wanted to be identified only by her surname, poses for a photograph in Seoul. The parents of Kang sent out a coat across the Chinese border after she reached the South in 2010. "I didn't ask my mother to send me this coat," said Kang. "But she knew I feel the cold easily and sent it to me. She sent some honey too, but it went missing on the way. The coat is made of dog fur. I don't know what kind of dog. In 2010, it cost about 700,000 North Korean won ($88 at the unofficial rate). It was really expensive. A North Korean friend went to China to pick it up for me. I liked this coat when I got it. I thought my mother must've spent quite a lot of money on it. Reuters Escape from North Korea Kang The dog fur coat belonging to Kang, "My father was a party officer. Our family had a car and we lived in a special apartment. Ordinary people couldn't afford to wear this kind of coat, not even soldiers. Commissioned officers could afford them. Border guards would wear them. It wasn't easy to buy this kind of coat, but as time went on, fake ones began to appear. The state often clamped down on this item. It's technically military supplies so the state monitored people who altered the design of the coat. I know just from looking at this coat that it's a counterfeit one, not the official version. The counterfeit ones look quite different from the original ones. Military officials preferred the fakes to the original because the design looked much better. The children of rich families would wear them. I look too chubby in this, so don't wear it here. I thought I could probably wear it if I altered it." Reuters Escape from North Korea Lee Oui-ryuk Lee Oui-ryuk is from Onsong, near the border with China. He defected in 2010, and brought his ID card with him. "I brought my ID with me when I left North Korea. Juche 95.11.7 (the date in the North Korean calendar, which equates to Nov. 7, 2006) is the date I was issued with my ID. It says here my blood type is "A", but I'm actually an "O." For the 23 years I lived in North Korea, I thought my blood type was "A." They wrote down my blood type without even doing a test. They just wrote whatever they wanted to. I was caught trying to defect to South Korea around Kim Jong Il's birthday. They strengthen border security just before and after that date." Reuters Escape from North Korea Lee Oui-ryuk "The bottom of the lamp is dark," as the saying goes, and I thought I'd be able to cross right under their noses. The soldiers shot at me as I tried to run away from the Tumen River. I managed to get away and hid, but someone reported me and I was caught. That's when I was taken to the bowibu (North Korean secret police) for three months of interrogation. The state ruled that I had tried to defect to South Korea, and I was sent to a camp for political prisoners. I escaped when they were transferring me to the camp. I hid and managed to make it to my big sister's house - that's when I grabbed these photos. I couldn't go home easily, so decided I had to hide in the mountains or somewhere remote. I needed my ID to move around without getting caught. and I took these 12 photos with me in case I wanted to look back and reminisce. I wrote on the back of them so as not to forget." Reuters Escape from North Korea Ji Sung-ho Ji Sung-ho, 35, from Hoeryong, near the border with China. He left North Korea in 2006 with a pair of wooden crutches. "I lived as a child beggar in North Korea. I was stealing coals from a train when I fell off and lost my leg and my hand. I had to bring the crutches with me. If I didn't have them, I wouldn't have made it here. The state doesn't help you in North Korea, and people who need crutches make their own. Mine are therefore not factory-made, so they're not perfect and break easily. I had several pairs of crutches but they all broke, and this was the last pair. I used these crutches for 10 years, until I was 25, when I arrived in South Korea. I would steal coal from moving trains and fall off, destroying my crutches. Or I would get beaten up by the police and they'd take and then break my crutches. When they broke, I would make new ones. When I had new ones, I could go back outside." Reuters Escape from North Korea Ji Sung-ho "When I first arrived in South Korea I thought about throwing them out. South Korea's intelligence agency gave me a prosthetic leg. My friends said I should throw the crutches out and not think about North Korea. They said I should show Kim Jong Il I was living a new life in South Korea and throw out everything I had from the North. Some asked if I got upset when I saw my crutches. But I couldn't just throw them out. To make my crutches, my friends had given me some wood that they had bought, and someone I knew in North Korea who had carpentry skills had made them. It was my father who added the final touches. There is a lot of love from my North Korean friends and family in these crutches. So I didn't throw them out. The South Korean government gave me some new crutches because the wood from my North Korean ones is hard and painful. But I still keep them, so as not to forget those memories." REUTERS Escape from North Korea Kim Ryen Hui Kim Ryen Hui, 48, is from Pyongyang. She says she never wanted to defect. In 2011, she says, a broker helped her go to China for treatment on her liver. But the broker tricked her, she said, and she ended up in South Korea. She is campaigning to return, which Seoul says would be against the law. "I miss my parents even more than I miss my daughter. They're everything to me. For the first few years, I couldn't even breathe properly when I thought of them. My little brother lives with them in Pyongyang now. My mother can't see out of one eye. The thing I fear the most is finding out they've passed away before I have the chance to go back. Reuters Escape from North Korea Kim Ryen Hui "My daughter and I have been writing letters and sending photos to each other. My cousin lives in China, so she's been sending them on. My daughter's name is Ri Ryon Gum. She was born on February 15, 1993. I don't want her to live out her life with me here. When she was young, she did taekwondo. She wanted to get involved in espionage operations against South Korea. She was so fearless. That's why she was doing taekwondo - to get involved in anti-South espionage. So I was really surprised to hear she became a chef. In a video of her I received, she explained why. She said that after I had left, she moved in with her father in Pyongyang and had been cooking for him. She said she decided to become a chef so she could fulfill my role at home. I was sad when I heard that." Reuters Escape from North Korea Lee Min-bok Lee Min-bok, 60, was a researcher at North Korea's Academy of Agricultural Science. He first tried to defect, unsuccessfully, in 1990. He eventually left North Korea in June 1991 and came to South Korea in 1995. His family sent him these diaries. "I have a bit of an academic side. According to Kim Il Sung's teachings, people are supposed to keep diaries. Everyone in North Korea should strictly follow Kim Il Sung's teachings, so I did as I was supposed to and kept a diary. Even though Kim Il Sung is a villain here, in North Korea he's above everything. We learned that he studied well and gave our lives purpose. I lived according to those teachings. I wrote these out of loyalty to the Leader. That was our ideology, and I lived my life in strict adherence to it. No one could think differently." Reuters Escape from North Korea Lee Min-bok "I got hold of these diaries 10 years after I arrived in South Korea. I had been sending money to my family in the North and they sent them to me. I didn't write any complaints in diaries. I would've been in big trouble if I did. My diaries are a record of my history in North Korea. I am thinking about turning these diaries into a book. I'd like to publish a book about how to change North Koreans' thinking when unification happens. These diaries show how North Koreans think and how their minds are constructed. People need to make these into a textbook, because they need proof. Talking is not as effective." Reuters Escape from North Korea Song Byeok Song Byeok was a propaganda artist. His father drowned trying to cross the Tumen river, in 2000. When the artist finally left North Korea in 2001, he brought photos of his family with him. "We left that August to find food," Byeok recalled, describing the first attempt. "We were from a town further inland, and we weren't sure where the river was high and where it was low. I didn't know at the time but the river was swollen because of the rainy season. I thought we had to cross it anyway. All I could think about was getting to China to buy food. I took off my clothes and tied them into a rope to strap us together. I told my father not to let go. As we approached the middle of the river, the strap felt lighter. I looked back and saw my father drifting away. I was devastated." Reuters Escape from North Korea Song Byeok "He was going under the water and couldn't get out. I rushed up to the (North Korean) border guards and asked them to save him but they just said why did I come out, why didn't I die too. They handcuffed me and took me away. It was Aug. 28. I was tortured by the "bowibu" (North Korean secret police) in Hoeryong, then jailed for four months in Chongjin prison camp. But after I was released from the camp I felt like I needed to survive and carry on living. Right before I tried to defect again, I went back home and grabbed my family photos. Even if I died trying, I thought, at least I would have this picture with me. I never found my father. After I came to South Korea, I went back to China in 2004 and held a memorial service for him by the river. My heart still aches." Reuters Escape from North Korea Baek Hwa-sung Baek Hwa-sung, 33, left Sinuiju, on the border with China, in 2003 and resettled in South Korea in 2008. He kept a diary as he defected. "In 2004, I started to write down all my thoughts in a diary. I didn't know if I'd get caught. I just wanted to let it be known where I was from, and where I wanted to go. After I left the North, I became very depressed, hiding in the mountains alone for a while. The people who were watching over me told me not to come down to the village and left me by myself in a mountain shelter. Alone, with no one to engage with or talk to, I felt like I would go insane. So I wanted to leave something behind in case I died there or got caught - that's why I started to write. Reuters Escape from North Korea Baek Hwa-sung "Alone in the mountains, I desperately sought something to talk to. That was my diary. My diaries are proof of my life's journey. I read them when I want to remember home. I can't return home, and I already have no memories of my hometown. But when I go through my diaries, there are notes which detail the vivid memories of that time. Sometimes I might forget my father's birthday, but when I go back to my diary, his birthday and my mother's birthday are there. My diaries are a record of my life. They prove I'm alive." Reuters The defection comes as officials in both countries push to implement a wide-ranging agreement, struck in September, which would reduce military tensions on the Korean peninsula. It is unclear how the North will react to the soldier's defection. The country's official media has yet to report on the incident, but Pyongyang frequently responds to such escapes by accusing South Korea of kidnapping its citizens or manipulating them into defecting. Around 30,000 North Koreans have fled to the South, mostly travelling through China, since the end of the Korean War in 1953. Just a few hours before the man was found, South Korea's presidential office also confirmed that Donald Trump had expressed a willingness to hold a second summit with Kim Jong-un. North Korea destroys 10 guard posts to lower tensions The US president told South Korea's Moon Jae-in that he would be open to meeting with the North Korean leader early next year. Mr Trump was speaking on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He also said that a planned visit by Kim Jong-un to Seoul, for Mr Trump's fourth summit with Mr Moon, would create momentum as the leaders aim to secure stability in the region. Seoul says the military agreement, which would create buffer zones along the Koreas' land and sea boundaries and a no-fly zone above the border, is an important step towards reconciliation between two nations that have technically remained at war for the past 65 years. Officials believe that the pact would help stabilise the region but critics say that the South is conceding some of its military strength before the North takes any meaningful steps on denuclearisation. There are concerns about nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, which are seemingly heading for a stalemate. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Defecting from North Korea can be perilous. In November 2017 a soldier was severely wounded after he fled to the South and was shot at from the North. Oh Chong-song survived the attack and told a Japanese newspaper last month he had broken through a checkpoint after drinking with friends. He said he kept heading towards the border in a military jeep because he feared he would be executed over the incident if he turned back. Additional reporting by agencies More than 100 people have been injured in Paris as France's most violent urban riot in more than a decade engulfed parts of the capital. Demonstrators angry about rising taxes started fires, sprayed graffiti on the Arc de Triomphe, looted stores and threw stones at officers. It was the third weekend in a row they had clashed with police. Paris police said at least 110 people, including 20 police officers, were injured in the violent protests and 224 others were arrested. Recommended Police fire water cannon and tear gas at fuel tax protesters in Paris A movement that began with motorists demonstrating against a hike in fuel tax now involves a range of demands relating to Frances high cost of living and opposition to President Emmanuel Macron. "Yellow jacket" protesters piled up planks and other material in the middle of a street near the Arc de Triomphe, and set the debris ablaze. Police fired tear gas and used water cannons to try to push back the protesters who gathered around the Arc, and some responded by throwing large rocks. Others removed the barriers protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First World War, under the monument, to pose near its eternal flame and sing the national anthem before being dispersed by police. Graffiti sprayed onto the Arc de Triomphe proclaimed Yellow jackets will triumph, in reference to the fluorescent vests protesters wear. French law requires drivers to carry them in their cars. Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Show all 29 1 /29 Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Water cannons are turned on the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police detain protesters EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A car is set alight in the protests AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures The Arc de Triomphe is graffitied with the slogan: 'he yellow vests will triumph' Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters barricade themselves on the Champs Elysees as police line the streets Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester fires at police with a slingshot AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester holds up a sign that reads 'your Europe ruins us' Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester gestures amidst burning cars EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters walk amidst tear gas near the Arc de Triomphe Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester runs amidst tear gas Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters on the Champs Elysees amidst tear gas AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters in yellow vests gather outside the town hall in Bordeaux EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather on the Champs Elysees after the police deploy tear gas AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters stand by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester waves a French flag Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police take formation AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A general view of the Champs Elysees in Paris today as protesters clash with police Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester wears a jacket reading 'Macron, thief, lier, crook, go away, the people banish you' AP Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather on the Champs Elysees AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters hold a French flag by a burning barricade AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather by a fire AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Water cannons are turned on the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester wears an adapted yellow vest reading 'Macron's cemetery: here lies your buying power' AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather by a burning car AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police advance through tear gas followed closely by their water cannon EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Tear gas is deployed to deter the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester waves a French flag amidst tear gas AP Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters walk amidst tear gas by the Arc de Triomphe Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester holds a sign asking for the reintroduction of ISF (an old French tax on wealth) AFP/Getty Mr Macron denounced the violence from the G20 summit in Argentina, saying those who attacked police and vandalized the Arc will be "held responsible for their acts". He said he will hold an emergency government meeting on Sunday on the protests. "(Violence) has nothing to do with the peaceful expression of a legitimate anger" and "no cause justifies" attacks on police or pillaging stores and burning buildings, Mr Macron said in Buenos Aires. He refused to answer any questions from journalists about the situation in Paris. French prime minister Edouard Philippe said some protesters attacked police forces with a rarely seen violence, leading to the arrest of hundreds. Speaking at Paris police headquarters, Mr Philippe said over 5,000 protesters were on and around the Champs-Elysees avenue. Authorities said 5,000 police were deployed in Paris to try to contain the protests. Meanwhile, several hundred peaceful protesters passed through police checkpoints to reach the Champs-Elysees behind a banner with the words: Macron, stop taking us for stupid people. Access to the Champs-Elysees was closed to cars and strictly monitored by police with identity checks and bag inspections. Rabah Mendez, a protester who came from a southern suburb to march peacefully in Paris, said: People say its difficult to reach the end of the month. People work and pay a lot of taxes and we are fed up. Paris resident Hedwige Lebrun said: Our purchasing power is severely diminishing every day. And then: taxes, taxes and taxes. And the state is asking us to tighten our belts, but they on the other hand live totally above all reasonable standards with our money. All subway stations in and around the famous avenue were closed for security reasons, Paris public transport company RATP said. The clashes in Paris contrasted with protests in other French regions, where demonstrations and road blockades were largely peaceful. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Last week, French authorities said 8,000 people demonstrated on the Champs-Elysees. Since the movement kicked off in mid-November, two people have been killed and hundreds injured in accidents stemming from the protests. Mr Macron has stated the plans to raise fuel costs were part of a wider transition to a low-carbon economy in an effort to tackle global warming. However, he said he understood the grievances expressed by protesters and promised to listen to proposals for ways to proceed without leaving people worse off. Other commitments made by the president included a pledge to close the last four coal-fired power plants and invest billions of euros in renewable energy. Additional reporting by AP A police assault rifle has reportedly been stolen by protesters amid violent clashes with officers in Paris. The protest, against rising taxes and the high cost of living, turned into a riot on Saturday as police fired tear gas and water cannon in street battles with activists wearing the fluorescent yellow vests of a new movement. Police said at least 80 people, including 16 police officers, were injured and 183 others arrested. Thousands of police were deployed in the French capital to try to contain the demonstrations. It was the third straight weekend of clashes in Paris, and the scene contrasted sharply with protests on Saturday in other French regions, where demonstrations and road blockades were largely peaceful. The clashes started early near the Arc de Triomphe and continued in the afternoon down several streets in the French capital's most popular tourist area. Pockets of demonstrators built makeshift barricades in the middle of Paris streets, lit fires, sprayed graffiti and threw rocks at officers. They also set fire to cars and trash cans. Some demonstrators removed the barriers protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First World War under the Arc de Triomphe, to pose near its eternal flame and sing the national anthem. They were then dispersed by police. Graffiti sprayed onto the Arc de Triomphe wrote: "Yellow jackets will triumph." Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Show all 29 1 /29 Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Water cannons are turned on the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police detain protesters EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A car is set alight in the protests AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures The Arc de Triomphe is graffitied with the slogan: 'he yellow vests will triumph' Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters barricade themselves on the Champs Elysees as police line the streets Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester fires at police with a slingshot AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester holds up a sign that reads 'your Europe ruins us' Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester gestures amidst burning cars EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters walk amidst tear gas near the Arc de Triomphe Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester runs amidst tear gas Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters on the Champs Elysees amidst tear gas AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters in yellow vests gather outside the town hall in Bordeaux EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather on the Champs Elysees after the police deploy tear gas AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters stand by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester waves a French flag Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police take formation AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A general view of the Champs Elysees in Paris today as protesters clash with police Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester wears a jacket reading 'Macron, thief, lier, crook, go away, the people banish you' AP Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather on the Champs Elysees AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters hold a French flag by a burning barricade AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather by a fire AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Water cannons are turned on the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester wears an adapted yellow vest reading 'Macron's cemetery: here lies your buying power' AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather by a burning car AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police advance through tear gas followed closely by their water cannon EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Tear gas is deployed to deter the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester waves a French flag amidst tear gas AP Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters walk amidst tear gas by the Arc de Triomphe Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester holds a sign asking for the reintroduction of ISF (an old French tax on wealth) AFP/Getty Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted her "indignation" and "deep sadness". saying that violence is "not acceptable". In addition to rising taxes, demonstrators are furious about Emmanuel Macron's leadership, saying his government does not care about ordinary people. The grassroots protests began with motorists upset over a fuel tax hike, but now involve a broad range of demands related to France's high cost of living. Some of the protests appear to have been hijacked by more radical far-right or far-left groups. French prime minister Edouard Philippe said some protesters attacked police "with a rarely seen violence", leading to the arrests. French authorities said they counted 36,000 protesters across the country, including 5,500 in Paris. Earlier on Saturday, several hundred peaceful protesters in Paris passed through police checkpoints to reach the Champs-Elysees. They marched on the famed avenue behind a big banner reading, "Macron, stop taking us for stupid people". Access to the Champs-Elysees was closed to cars and strictly monitored by police with identity checks and bag inspections. All subway stations in and around the avenue were closed for security reasons. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events "It's difficult to reach the end of the month. People work and pay a lot of taxes and we are fed up," said Rabah Mendez, a protester who came from a southern suburb to march peacefully in Paris. "Our purchasing power is severely diminishing every day. And then: taxes, taxes and taxes," said Paris resident Hedwige Lebrun. "The state is asking us to tighten our belts, but they at the contrary live totally above all standards with our money." Since the yellow jacket movement kicked off on 17 November, two people have been killed and hundreds injured in accidents stemming from the protests. Additional reporting by agencies A three- and four-year-old brother and sister scuttle around together on a patch of grass. At first glance they are a pair of happy children playing. But on closer observation, their skin is dry and their hair unwashed. Their clothes are dirty. The boy has a large wound on his forehead reaching to the side of his left eye and the girl has a swollen sore on her right cheek. The Kurdish siblings are among hundreds of refugees sleeping rough in a woods in northern France in makeshift camps controlled by smugglers. Along with their parents, they are among a growing number of families enduring the cold temperatures so they can leap into the back of lorries or set sail in small boats in attempt to cross to Britain. French maritime police say there has been a surge in attempted boat crossings, with 28 vessels holding an estimated 195 people having set sail from the French coast in October and November. The Home Office refused to give figures on how many people had arrived in the UK this way, but the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said there had been a sudden increase, with around a dozen boats arriving in the past week alone a number of which included young children. Charities in northern France warned that the number of families sleeping rough in Dunkirk had risen sharply over the summer, with dozens more people arriving with their children. In recent months, French police are said to have begun raiding the makeshift camps and confiscating items, including tents and sleeping bags, in a bid to prevent any form of permanent settlement. Police have also carried out a number of large-scale evictions, ordering people out of their tents and onto buses to be taken to accommodation centres in nearby towns. But charities said a lack of support and information for claiming asylum once they arrive in the centres meant families were returning to the woods within weeks or even days. My children are scared. They are traumatised. We have no family in Iraq (Adrian Abbott/Help Refugees) Currently, there are approximately 500 refugees in the main settlement, known as Grande-Synthe, including around 20 large families, with more expected to be sleeping elsewhere. Saman, the father of the two young children, carries his third child a baby who was born three months ago in a Greek refugee camp. The 30-year-old left his village in Iraq with his wife and children six months ago when they became subject to persecution. He explains that his eldest childs head wound was the result of the reckless driving of a smuggler who was taking them to the Greek border, and his daughters facial sore is caused by a contraction of impetigo. My children are scared. They are traumatised. I worry for them. We have no family in Iraq. We left because we were in danger of being killed. We had lots of problems in Kurdistan. The problems have followed us here, he said. We have tried to make it in a lorry but had no luck. Its not clean here. And you never know when police will come. There are knife fights, it is dangerous. We had money in Kurdistan, a house, a job. I worked in a bank. Its no good here. Josh Hallam, field manager for Help Refugees, said police hostility against refugees had reached new heights, with officers setting about to make living conditions worse for families in a bid to get numbers down. The police have started using this strategy of repeatedly coming into the camps and taking possessions, including tents. Theres a constant repetitive police presence which we havent seen in Grande-Synthe before, he said. There is an absolute zero-tolerance on any fixation point. They constantly keeping people moving and making sure they have no stability, not even the limited stability that a tent provides. Its been below freezing at night and people have been requesting blankets desperately. Mr Hallam said that the sheer desperation of refugees in the winter months led to a growing number taking huge risks to get across the Channel, an issue exacerbated by people smugglers who charge anything from 3,000 to 10,000 for a place in the back of a lorry or on a boat. Theres a constant repetitive police presence which we havent seen in Grande-Synthe before (Adrian Abbott/Help Refugees) He added: Theres clearly a human trafficking and smuggling presence there. And whenever theres desperate people and a prohibition there will be people trying to exploit people for that, and its really sad. Theres a lack of appropriate and authoritative information for governments and actual bodies that could bust these myths about the situation and help people access legal routes of travel. The vacuum is filled by people who are really exploitative and dangerous. One volunteer, with the Womens Centre in Dunkirk, said that although most attempts to get across to the UK illegally were unsuccessful, some managed to make it across, encouraging others to try. Families do get across, but not often. In the last two weeks, two families have contacted me personally to say theyve crossed, but thats out of the 150 we have track of, she said. Information going around the camp is controlled by a group that has a clear goal making money. And this might lead to misinformation and rumours being spread much more quickly. But people do see them as helpers, and they feel they would have no way of reaching the UK without them, so its a double-edged sword. Asked why families were so adamant on going to Britain, she said: Often people have family in the UK, often who they havent seen in years. Brothers, sisters, really close family. Or they speak English, so they believe their job prospects are much better in the UK. Or they have bad experiences with the police in France, so it creates the assumption that France is a bad country for refugees to settle in. The guns have been firing for four years already, Ukrainian military volunteer Galina Odnorog says in between shouting instructions to her team, and talking into the mobile phones seemingly pinned to either ear. Mariupol - a Ukrainian port city between mainland Russia and Crimea - is used to being on high alert, she said: We know Russia can attack us at any time. War has, indeed, never been far away from this town on the Azov Sea. The first lines of trenches, which appear just a few miles east of the city boundaries, speak of the current fighting. The damage and craters in buildings inside the town speak of the past fighting. Recommended Relatives of captured Ukrainian sailors say they feel abandoned But last Sundays skirmishes in the Kerch Strait which saw Russian forces block, ram and then fire on a Ukrainian flotilla trying to access the shared Azov Sea and Mariupol have put the threats facing the city back in focus. For a long while, locals assumed the main danger came from a direct invasion by land and by sea. In the event, the crisis has come from much less tangible threat a de facto blockade of merchant ships headed for the port. Friday was the sixth day that Russian border guards held boats at the Kerch Strait, the narrow channel that allows entry to the Azov Sea from the Black Sea. As of Friday morning, 20 boats bound for Mariupol and Berdyansk were believed to be waiting. Unconfirmed reports suggest that only boats headed to Russian ports in the Azov Sea have been granted permission to pass the Kerch Strait. So far, the blockade has had no notable impact on work in Mariupols 18-dock port. The Independent understands that on Friday, the port was working with near-normal volumes, loading the ships that were already in dock. Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Show all 32 1 /32 Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists of opposition parties burn flares during a rally demanding to break an agreement with Russia on the use of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait, in front of the parliament building in Kiev Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Volunteers with the right-wing paramilitary Azov National Corps light flares during a rally on the snowy streets in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev after Russia seized two of their armored artillery vessels and a tug boat in the Black Sea AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Ukrainian Nationalists demand to break the diplomatic relations with Russia and nationalization of Russian property in Ukraine EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Ukrainian activists burn flares during their rally in front of Russian Consulate in Kharkiv EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Seized Ukrainian ships, small armoured artillery ships and a tug boat, are seen anchored in a port of Kerch Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 The President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, announced, on 25 November, at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council that they will introduce martial law in Ukraine for a period of 60 days and appeal to the Parliament to consider the move Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Russia seized two small-sized 'Berdiansk' and 'Nikopol' armored artillery boats. The 'Yany Kapu' tugboat has forcibly been stopped Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Children from an orphanage volunteer to help the city defenders strengthen trenches on Ukraine's Army positions near the village of Rybatske 25 km from Mariupol AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Policemen guard at Russian consulate during a protest action in the Black Sea Ukrainian city of Odessa AFP/Getty Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 AFP/Getty Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 With relations still raw after Russias annexation of Crimea and its backing for a pro-Moscow insurgency in eastern Ukraine, the capture of three Ukrainian naval vessels risks pushing the two countries towards a wider conflict. Graphic explains how the naval incident unfolded on a map Graphic News Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists of far-right parties burn flares in front of the parliament building in Kiev during a rally to support the Ukrainian navy Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A Ukraine army APC moves toward on position at an undisclosed location in eastern Ukraine AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Ukrainian Nationalists sign a banner with a slogan reading like 'Not retreat and not surrendering!' EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 AFP/Getty Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists glue Ukrainian flag on the fence of Russian consulate AFP/Getty Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A volunteer with the right-wing paramilitary Azov National Corps during a rally on the snowy streets in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A National Guard serviceman extinguishes a torch thrown by a protester during a rally against the seizure by Russian special forces of three of the Ukrainian navy ships Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A protester throws a smoke grenade during a rally in front of the embassy of Russia in Kiev AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Protestors set up paper ships on the tires during their rally near of Russian embassy building in Kiev EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A man extinguishes a burning car of the embassy of Russia Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Paper boats are seen placed during a protest Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 EPA But without a resolution to the blockade, workers say they will be forced to wind down activities within the next few days. Parts of the neighbouring Berdyansk port were already reported idle on Thursday. If the blockade continues another week, real damage will be done, said Marina Pereshevalevo, a trade union leader in the port. Ive worked here 32 years and it breaks my heart. Pressure has been building in the region since the outbreak of the war in 2014. The port lost several key customers, especially coal mines, and a mainline railway when local territory fell to Russian-backed separatist forces. As a result, the port is operating below half capacity. If before the port handled a wide range of exports coal, metal, grain, clay now metal products from Mariupols three metal plants account for the vast majority (75 per cent) of its goods. Ive worked here 32 years and whats happening breaks my heart, says Marina Pereshevalevo But the real troubles began with the building of a bridge from annexed Crimea to the Russian mainland in 2016. Ukraine has never been happy with the bridge, but has also complained about construction getting in the way of shipping. In March 2018, with the bridge nearing completion, it struck an early blow by detaining a Crimean fishing ship sailing under a Russian flag. (Kiev refuses to recognise the annexation.) And Russia responded predictably enough by arresting several Ukrainian ships. Then, on 15 May, Russian President Vladimir Putin opened his bridge to a great fanfare, driving a big orange truck across it. Within two days, Russian border guards switched to a harsher regime of checking Ukrainian ships. Moscow said they were security checks, but in some cases, the checks lasted 10 days. The new bridge also introduced a new height restriction of 35m, instead of the 38m originally projected, meaning many of the larger boats using the Ukrainian ports could no longer pass. Russian ship rams into a Ukrainian navy tugboat Ukraine asserts that its ships have been demonstratively targeted by Russia in order to exert military control of the Azov Sea. Theyve only ever stopped Ukrainian boats, and theyve always done it in a most provocative way, says Maria Podybailo, a history lecturer turned military support activist in town. Some of the crews were forced to strip naked, supposedly because they may have had nationalist tattoos. Russia insists any delays to the passage of vessels were down to the weather. It denies restricting shipping. Since the skirmishes began, Mariupol has seen its traffic decrease by about 30 per cent. This equates to millions of dollars in trading losses. The situation remains delicate, but Ukraines response in the last week has been forceful, declaring martial law in 10 border regions, including the Azov Sea. It is unlikely to help the situation, says the local industrialist and politician Serhiy Taruta, nor reassure potential clients that Mariupol is open for business. As the man who governed Donetsk region when it descended into war in 2014, Taruta says he knows something about crisis management. He tells The Independent the Kiev government is repeating many of the same mistakes it made back then. We arent in any position to fight Russia, but for some reason we insist on testing them. We didnt need to arrest the Crimean boat. And we could have sent the three military ships by train last weekend. Instead we tried to make a point by sailing through Kerch. It seems nobody in the Ministry of Defence did a proper analysis of what might happen. Mr Taruta, a critic of the Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, said he believed Moscow had concluded Poroshenko was incapable of compromise, and would play politics with military escalation. For this reason, it was unlikely Moscow would start the major offensive that Poroshenko has been warning; the threat of a new military operation focused on Mariupol was no more than two or three per cent, he said. But if it happened, the Ukrainian front line would not stand a chance, martial law or no martial law. Soldiers are already demoralised by years of static trench warfare. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Rather than upping the militaristic ante, Ukraines government should focus on lobbying for an international forum to regulate merchant shipping in the region, he says. Tarutas positions are unpopular with Mariupols army of military activists. According to Maria Podybailo, Tarutas relaxed attitude to the Russian threat was one of the reasons Ukraine lost control of Donetsk. She said that she would not let the same thing happen again. The government in Kiev had taken a while to understand the threat this time, she added, and only after her intense lobbying. She says she believes the message got through. Kiev sent reinforcements and began working on a new naval base in Berdyansk. Ukrainian authorities remain coy about the scope and size of that new base, but The Independent understands several small gunships are now located there. Some of those ships came by the sea route, through Kerch, but others were, indeed, transferred by rail. What the base is not is a major military threat, given the dozens of large Russian battleships located in and around the Azov Sea. And that, says trade union leader Pereshevalevo, is what makes Mariupols 3,000 port workers very worried about their futures. Weve come through a war together, but this is is the hardest thing yet, she said. Whole families work here, whole generations. If people lose their jobs, it would be a complete catastrophe. Israeli special forces posing as medical aid workers used detailed but fake ID cards of real Gaza citizens in their botched intelligence raid in the strip last month, and may have entered through an official crossing, Hamas officials have claimed. The Gaza citizens whose identities had been stolen allegedly hail from across the tiny 25-mile-long enclave but not the area where the Israeli uncover operation was taking place. This was in case they were discovered by local residents, according to several officials within Hamas, the militant group which runs the strip. Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesman, said its security wing detained and questioned all the Palestinians whose identities appeared on ID cards that were discovered in around the wreckage of a vehicle used by the Israeli special forces squad who were 3km into south Gazas Khan Younis district when their cover was blown. The cards were very accurate, Mr Qassem added: they included the correct full names, ID numbers and details of the residents. Recommended Netanyahu is paying the price for his aggression towards Gaza Mr Qassem said that while several people had been arrested, to his knowledge those whose identities had been used were released as they genuinely knew nothing. He said that the Israeli soldiers were posing as aid workers when their car was stopped. They had detailed but fake ID cards of Gaza residents which were found [in the wreckage]. Those who the Israelis were posing as were detained but they had no idea their names had been used, he told The Independent from Gaza City. [The Israeli unit] were posing as NGO workers, there were women in the car as well. They used this to justify why they were stealing into Gaza and had a story prepared should they be questioned, he added. However, the Hamas official denied recent reports in Israeli news outlet Walla and the Israeli Television News Company that the Israeli squad had successfully set up and were operating a non-governmental organisation within Gaza. He would not go into details about what was believed to be the purpose of the Israeli raid in Gaza. The Israeli army declined to comment about any of the allegations. However, another Hamas official, who asked to remain anonymous as he is not permitted to speak to the media, said the Israeli forces were in Gaza to replace listening and surveillance devices that had been laid before. At least eight people, including an Israeli lieutenant-colonel and a local Hamas brigade commander, were killed on 11 November when Hamas operatives confronted a team of undercover Israeli male and female operatives in the southern Gaza district of Khan Younis. A firefight ensued, and Israeli warplanes and helicopters launched a wave of air strikes on the area apparently to cover their soldiers as they fled back to Israel. Gazas fighters hit back with the heaviest bombardment of rocket fire since the last conflict in 2014, prompting fresh airstrikes. Both sides were on the brink of another war, and a further eight people were killed until Egypt brokered a fresh ceasefire which remains in place. The Israeli army declined to comment about any of the latest allegations when contacted by The Independent. Earlier in the week, the army announced it was opening two separate investigations into the botched raid. A military gag on details of the probe is in place. At the time of the raid, the army said a special force was carrying out a lengthy operation and encountered a very complex reality without giving details. The military added that these kinds of operations were carried out regularly and were essential to the security of the country. But many now fear that foreign aid workers will be at risk, and their work in Gaza curtailed if it is proven that the Israeli special forces did, in fact, impersonate NGO workers. Security has certainly been tightened with the coastal enclave. The Independent noticed additional checkpoints throughout the territory, as well as more stringent questioning at the border upon entry. Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Show all 23 1 /23 Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures A ball of fire above the building housing the Hamas-run television station al-Aqsa TV in the Gaza Strip during an Israeli air strike AFP/Getty Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Israeli Iron Dome anti-missile systems firing toward missiles fired from the Gaza Strip near the southern city of Sderot, Israel. Israeli army report that approximately 300 missile launches were identified from the Gaza strip toward Israel. Dozens of launches were intercepted by the Iron Dome aerial defense system EPA Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Israeli soldiers take cover near the Israel Gaza border AP Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures A bus set ablaze after it was hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip. Israel's military said it was carrying out air strikes "throughout the Gaza Strip" on Monday after rocket fire from the Palestinian enclave towards its territory AFP/Getty Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Palestinians inspect a rubble of a destroyed internal security building of Hamas interior ministry after Israeli air strike in Gaza City EPA Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures A Palestinian girl walks up the stairs of her family house that was damaged in an Israeli air strike REUTERS Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Fire and smoke billow following Israeli air strikes targeting Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, near the border with Egypt AFP/Getty Images Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Missiles from Israel's Iron Dome air defence system in the south of Israel destroy incoming missiles AFP/Getty Images Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Israeli security forces and firefighters gather near abuilding set ablaze after it was hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in the southern Israeli town of Sderot AFP/Getty Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures EPA Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures AFP/Getty Images Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures A ruble of a destroyed building of Al-Aqsa channel belonging to Hamas movement EPA Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Israeli security forces and firefighters gather near a bus set ablaze after it was hit by a rocket fired from the Palestinian enclave AFP Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Relatives of Mohammed Ouda, killed in an Israeli air stike the previous day, mourn during his funeral in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP/Getty Images Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Missiles from Israel's Iron Dome air defence system in the south of Israel destroy incoming missiles fired at Israel from the Palestinian enclave AFP/Getty Images Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Israeli soldiers sit atop a Merkava tank stationed along the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip AFP/Getty Images Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Black smoke rises as an Israeli airstrike hits a residential building in Gaza City AP Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Palestinians look out of their house that was damaged in an Israeli air strike REUTERS Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures Palestinians hold placards and the Palestinian flag during a protest in solidarity with Gaza, in the West Bank city of Hebron EPA Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures An Israeli policeman inspects the damage in a building caused a day earlier by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in the southern Israeli town of Ashkelon AFP/Getty Images Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures A Palestinian boy inspects the rubble of a destroyed residential building after Israeli air strike in Gaza City EPA Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures REUTERS Gaza crisis: heavy cross-border fire in pictures AP Local officials did not grant The Independent permission to visit the site of the botched raid and warned the outlet against doing so without permits, saying the area was under investigation. Mr Qassem said, however, that the Gaza authorities were dedicated to ensuring the entry and freedom of movement of foreign aid workers and journalists into the enclave as they were needed amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by an 11-year-old Israeli-imposed siege on the strip. We are concerned that we want foreigners to keep coming in. They are helping with the humanitarian situation. We are dedicated to facilitating people coming in and out of Gaza. Any tightened security measures which are applied to everyone will be temporary, he added. One Hamas official, who asked to speak anonymously, offered further details about the ongoing Palestinian investigation into the incident. He claimed the Israeli team initially told the fighters at the checkpoint they were medical workers who worked on delivering patients back to their houses after treatment. He added there was a high possibility the team legally entered Gaza through an official crossing point such as Erez. The official said: They told the fighters at the checkpoint that they were delivering patients back from clinics to their homes and had a wheelchair in the back of the van. They presented their ID cars but the [fighters] manning the checkpoint were suspicious as their accents and voices did not match the areas where they said they were from. They told the fighters at the checkpoint that they we are delivering patients back from clinics to their homes and had a wheelchair in the back of the van Hamas official The official claimed that several senior officers were summoned until Noureddin Baraka, a local Hamas commander, was called in. He decided to take the undercover Israeli team in for further questioning at a nearby military camp which led the Israeli soldiers to open fire, killing Baraka and his deputy. There is a high possibility the Israeli team initially entered via an official entry point [with Israel] like Erez, but this is not confirmed, the Hamas source added. He echoed the Hamas spokesmans denial that the team were operating a functioning NGO within the strip. Local residents and prominent figures in the area, which is on the main street between the Khan Younis towns of Abasan Kabira and Khuzaa, told The Independent the Israeli soldiers were travelling in a Volkswagen minibus and had a wheelchair in the back of the van which they said they were using to deliver patients. They claimed Mr Baraka had known one of the specific cases they mentioned and was able to call the family that confirmed the disabled woman in question had in fact recently passed away. A grocery shop owner in the area, who asked to only be identified as Abu Ahmed for fear of reprisals, said he was first alerted to the incident when the firefight erupted, although at first he believed it be celebratory gunfire for a wedding. He said the Israeli army escaped through the farmlands belonging to a local Gazan man who is reportedly currently missing. None of the claims could be independently verified. For the moment, a tense ceasefire still holds in Gaza. Officials within Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which is listed as a terror group in the UK and has a powerful armed wing within the enclave, said they were committed to the truce should the Israelis respect it. However privately both Hamas and Islamic Jihad admitted they were not letting their guard down because they believed further air strikes in Gaza may be on the cards. Many in Israel, including residents under rocket fire near to the Gaza border, have urged Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue pounding Hamas targets to reduce its capabilities, fearing a ceasefire at this point would be a loss for Israel and only see more fighting down the line. Residents of southern Israel protest in Tel Aviv against the ceasefire with Gaza (Reuters) (Photo: Ammar Awad / Reuters) Mr Netanyahu, who has refrained from ordering further strikes, only just rescued his ruling coalition from the brink of collapse last week when he managed to convince Israels powerful education minister Naftali Bennett to stick with the alliance after they fell out over the ceasefire. The crisis was triggered two weeks ago when defence minister Avigdor Lieberman resigned and abandoned the coalition over the truce with Hamas, leaving Mr Netanyahu with a knife-edge one-seat majority in parliament. Mr Bennett was expected to follow suit but in a surprise statement said he would stick with the government and coalition if Mr Netanyahu was serious in his intention to make Israel win again and continue action against Hamas in Gaza. Dozens of rockets being fired from Gaza at Israeli civilians Back in Gaza, officials said they felt there was a cautious calm and so the fighters remained on guard. If the Israelis launch a new attack, the Palestinian [fighters] are ready to deal with this attack, Walid al-Qottati, a member of Islamic Jihads political wing, told The Independent. But we do not want a war, as it will only bring suffering to the people, he added. A Hamas official agreed. We are not lowering our guard yet. We do think the Israelis might do a sudden strike but for the moment, for now, at least things are moving the right direction, he added. Theresa May has refused to say if she challenged the Saudi crown prince over allegations he ordered the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, despite vowing to have robust talks. The prime minister courted controversy at the G20 summit by holding a lengthy private meeting with Mohammad bin Salman, just hours after he was confronted in public by Emmanuel Macron. Asked, ahead of leaving Argentina, if she had asked bin Salman if he was behind what she called the terrible murder in the Saudi consulate in Turkey, Ms May ducked the question. Instead, she again argued for a full, credible and transparent investigation by the Saudis themselves despite the French president insisting an international probe was needed. At the press conference, a beleaguered Ms May was also forced to fend off a suggestion that she was on one of her last trips abroad as prime minister, with MPs widely expected to vote against her Brexit deal in the Commons later this month. Asked what her legacy was, she hit back: Theres a lot more for me still to do not least delivering on Brexit and being the prime minister that does take the United Kingdom out of the European Union. Strikingly, Ms May did not set out the other policy areas she still hopes to pursue, perhaps underlining criticism that her government is consumed by the momentous task of Brexit. Brushing aside the resignation of universities minister Sam Gyimah, she pointed to the crucial vote on 11 December, saying: The next nine days are a really important time for our country. Emmanuel Macron and Mohammed Bin Salman meet at G20 in Argentina On Friday, Mr Macron raised the stakes over the killing of Mr Khashoggi, which the CIA believes was carried out on the personal instructions of the de-facto Saudi ruler, saying the EU would insist on international experts investigating. Asked if she had challenged bin Salman over claims that he was directly connected with the murder, Ms May ignored the question. It is absolutely the case that the relationship we have with Saudi Arabia means we are able to raise issues that are difficult issues for them and be clear with them on our views on things and our concerns about things," she said. What I said to crown prince yesterday was the importance of a full, credible and transparent investigation that identifies those who were involved and the importance of ensuring that those who were involved are brought to account. That is the message that we have consistently given since the terrible murder of Jamal Khashoggi and it is a message that we will continue to give. Earlier, Japan's prime minister appealed to Ms May to prevent a no-deal Brexit, after the two held a bilateral meeting in Buenos Aires. The plea follows warnings from Japanese companies with operations in the UK that the extra costs and bureaucracy they would face could force them to cut their investments. Ms May assured him that the agreement she sealed in Brussels a week ago was "a good deal for businesses in the UK, including the many Japanese companies who have made significant investment. Meanwhile, Donald Trump cancelled his planned news conference out of respect for the Bush family after the death of former president George HW Bush. The move allowed the US president to avoid questions not only on the G20 summit but also about damaging developments in the ongoing Russia investigation. His former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about work he did on an aborted project to build a Trump tower in Russia. Mr Trump also had a brief meeting with Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit, the Kremlin said despite cancelling official talks over the Ukraine crisis. Iraqi Shabak Security Forces Block Assyrian Church, Threaten Pastor On of the Shabaks who blocked access to St. George Assyrian church in Bartella, north Iraq. ( AINA) Bartella, North Iraq (AINA) -- For the second time in five months, Iraqi military forces have trespassed on St. George Assyrian Church in Bartella, and threatened its pastor, Fr. Behnam Benoka. On 10:30 this morning several cars containing a wedding party drove up to the church and parked in front of it, blocking access. The people in the cars identified themselves as Shabaks and claimed they were part of Iraqi Military Operation Forces. The group of Muslims claimed to have wedding and needed have to take photos in a photo studio in front of the church, and then they blocked the church with their cars and started shooting automatic weapons into the air for more than 30 minutes. When no security members of Bartella came to stop them Fr. Benoka was forced to go to the shooters to tell them to stop, but they screamed at him and threatened him and told him that nobody is going to stop them. On July 12th Iraqi forces broke into St. George and occupied it for several hours. Assyrians in north Iraq have repeatedly asked for Assyrian police and security forces to guard their towns and villages but Iraqi and Kurdish authorities have blocked the creation of Assyrian forces. Vladimir Putin and Mohammed bin Salman raised eyebrows when they shared an enthusiastic high-five at the G20 summit. The Russian president and Saudi Arabias de facto leader were seen smiling and laughing as they greeted each other at the meeting of world leaders in Buenos Aires. The crown prince was expected to arrive in Argentina as something of a pariah, thanks to Saudi military action in famine-hit Yemen and the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in October. Mr bin Salman has repeatedly denied ordering the death of the Washington Post columnist, a vocal critic of the Saudi regime, but US intelligence agencies have concluded he had direct involvement. Meanwhile, Mr Putin is also under scrutiny over the attempted nerve agent murder of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in March, which Britain accuses Moscow of orchestrating, as well as the seizure of Ukrainian ships amid the ongoing crisis in Crimea. Many Western commentators reacted with revulsion to the public display of camaraderie between Mr bin Salman and Mr Putin. Its actually a little stomach-churning, New York Times columnist Tom Friedman told CNN. One leader who is complicit in the murder and dismemberment of a moderate journalist and another leader who is complicit in the murder of Russian-exile spies. I found that chilling to watch, Washington Post writer David Ignatius told MSNBCs Hardball. If I was to write a caption for that scene we just saw it would be: You can get away with murder. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Activist Shaun King shared video of the greeting on Twitter, describing Mr Putin and Mr bin Salman as evil. Watch [Putins] GLEEFUL, happy, laughing embrace of Saudi Crown Prince MBS just now, he said. This man had @washingtonpost journalist Jamal Khashoggi murdered and cut in pieces and this is the loving embrace he gets. Despite the warm welcome from the Russian president, the crown prince has also been forced to endure some more tense exchanges during the summit. Video emerged on Friday of Mr bin Salman engaged in a hushed discussion with French president Emmanuel Macron. During the conversation, which covered both the Khashoggi affair and the war in Yemen, the crown prince can be heard to say Dont worry, to which Mr Macron responds I am worried. Emmanuel Macron and Mohammed Bin Salman meet at G20 in Argentina You never listen to me, the French leader says. I will listen, of course, the Saudi royal replies. An Elysee Palace official said Mr Macron had conveyed very firm messages to the prince at the summit over the murder of Khashoggi and the need to find a political solution to the conflict in Yemen. Theresa May also told Mr bin Salman that Khashoggis killers should be held to account, the prime ministers office said after the pair met on Friday. Christmas is unmistakably coming, and adverts are filling childrens heads up with gleeful anticipation of owning more stuff and eating anything spiced-fruit-filled. If you have already had quite enough of unbridled joy thank-you-very-much, then youre in for a thoroughly sobering treat, because we need to talk about grief. Last Friday, the musician Stephen Manderson better known as Professor Green started a petition to ask the government to create a National Grief Awareness Day. The petition is backed by Cruse Bereavement Care, a national charity that offers support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies and works to enhance societys care of bereaved people, and at the time of writing it is very much in need of signatures. Recommended Funding community arts centres is the first step to combat knife crime Grief and mourning in this country are often treated as very private things, perhaps largely because death itself is treated as a very private thing. On a day-to-day basis, we dont live with an awareness of the grief that people all around us are carrying, so when someone that we care about suffers a loss, we can find ourselves straining to hit the right emotional notes even as we frantically scramble to remind ourselves how the old song goes. When that loss becomes old news, it can feel almost intrusive to check how they are, or perhaps we dont ask for fear of rocking the boat. In the worst cases of stiff upper lip, we might even avoid the grieving friend or acquaintance through sheer awkwardness. There are, of course, other ways to deal with grief. While we were preparing to celebrate Halloween a month ago, Mexico was gearing up for its annual Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) a brightly coloured and often raucous celebration of lost loved ones. Some people sleep in graveyards. Others dress themselves up as the deceased, or write irreverent epitaphs for the living. There are parades. Theres dancing. Tequila may or may not be involved. The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 Show all 45 1 /45 The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 EPA The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 EPA The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 EPA The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 EPA The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AFP/Getty Images The best pictures from Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade 2018 AP In my birth-country, Iran, the close family of someone whos died will receive visits from friends, extended family, and mere acquaintances in the days after the death, to participate in the Azadari, or collective grieving ritual. Guests might choose to sit quietly in a circle, weep gently, or wail from the depths of their very souls, leaving the family free to make endless tea as they whisper in the kitchen: Do you know that man in the beige suit? No. Do you? No. Here give him some halva. Conversation about the dead is encouraged, however much time has passed. Stories are shared without anyone glancing down to nod earnestly at their shoes. This may sound quite alien to those who prefer to act out their love and care for the immediate family of the deceased by providing them with a sort of selfless, phlegmatic stability, but from another perspective it allows those closest to the loss to act as the comforter, not just the comforted, allowing them some time to process the shock and loss by offering hospitality to passing men in beige suits and others who drop by to pay their respects. After the immediate funerary rites have passed, some deeply affected mourners will wear black for as long as a year and shun all celebratory events perhaps one of the many reasons why I cant seem to land a gig there. Now, you might not like the sound of any of that. Theres always a temptation to assume that people elsewhere in the world do ritual better than we do, but of course all mourning practices are woven into a broader cultural tapestry and theres no guarantee that they could be tacked onto our own very different social fabric in a way that was helpful or satisfactory. Besides which, theres nothing fundamentally wrong with the very British funeral tradition of tearfully stifling a giggle at the local church organists cack-handed stumble through Amazing Grace. We dont need to throw the baby out with the bathwater. However, the fact remains that grieving takes time certainly a good deal longer than most of us can take off work. While the immediate shock of the loss will fade, the emotions, the grief itself, will come and go over a lifetime. Whatever the reason, we dont always allow people the opportunity to say, I still miss them or Im still not OK even years on, without them feeling like theyre imposing or being terribly gauche. There isnt a framework to keep telling stories about the dead, to smile and laugh and remember them joyfully. Many of us desperately need that, however bittersweet it may be. Id like to finish by quoting Nick Cave, writing beautifully about the tragic death of his 15-year-old son, Arthur: It seems to me that if we love, we grieve. Thats the deal. Thats the pact. Grief and love are forever intertwined. Grief is the terrible reminder of the depths of our love and, like love, grief is non-negotiable. Friends, were not about to stop loving, and although its heartbreaking, were not about to stop dying either, so we need to give ourselves and each other the best possible chance to grieve our losses well. An officially designated day for talking about grief wont take away the pain of losing someone we love of course it wont but it could make many people feel less alone in that experience. It may also give life to the conversation about how we approach death and whether that approach is working for all of us. With many about to spend their first Christmas without a beloved friend or relative, that might be among the most meaningful presents you could give or receive. The death of George HW Bush is a reminder that history matters. One thing leads to another. One obvious consequence of his presidency was biological, in that his son succeeded to his office eight years after he left the White House. This was an unexpected return of the dynastic principle to US politics in abeyance since John Quincy Adams, son of the second president, became president after the disputed election of 1824. The Bushes family succession seems likely to remain an aberration rather than a trend after Jeb Bush failed in his presidential campaign running as a pro-immigration Republican, and after Hillary Clinton lost two years ago. But that aberration does pose the question: would any other president than the former presidents son have taken the US into the war in Iraq in 2003? Bush Junior was asked by Bob Woodward at the end of 2003 if he had taken his fathers advice, and said: I dont remember. That was the time when he said: There is a higher father that I appeal to. It wasnt quite as cryptic as it seemed. The president thought the question was about advice on how to deal with the burden of sending troops into action knowing that some would lose their lives. Presumably, the son knew the father had his doubts about the invasion. It has long been assumed that Bush Senior opposed it but would not have presumed to tell his son what to do. Perhaps now we will find out for sure. Either way, the Iraq war was a consequence of the elder Bushs response to Saddam Husseins invasion of Kuwait in 1990. That seemed at the time to be a high point in American foreign policy. The sole superpower since the fall of the Berlin wall the year before, Bush exemplified responsible, collective leadership. The invasion of Kuwait was a straightforward annexation of a sovereign nation by force, and the United Nations responded by authorising, for only the second time in its history, the use by its members of all necessary means that is, including military action to right the wrong. (The only other time the UN did this was in its earliest days in Korea in 1950, when the Soviet Union made the tactical error of boycotting the Security Council meeting.) When the US-led troops retook Kuwait after seven months of occupation, a minority in the Bush administration wanted to pursue Iraqi forces to Baghdad to remove the Saddam regime. Bush decided against, but it meant that, for some, possibly including his son, he had left unfinished business. This group was strengthened in its conviction when Saddam launched a murderous campaign of repression against the Shia population in southern Iraq, some of whose leaders had convinced themselves the US would come to their aid. And it was strengthened further when a hit squad led by a colonel in Saddams intelligence service was sent to Kuwait in 1993 to assassinate Bush when he visited to commemorate the allied victory a plot foiled by the Kuwaiti defence ministry. Barbara Bush: life in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Barbara Bush: life in pictures Barbara Bush: life in pictures An infant George W. Bush with his mother Barbara Bush and his father George Bush posing for a portrait in New Haven, CT, April 1947. Barbara Bush: life in pictures George W. Bush (C) poses with father George Bush and his mother Barbara Bush in Rye, New York, summer 1955. Getty Images Barbara Bush: life in pictures George Bush, candidate for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, gets returns by phone at his headquarters in Houston as his wife Barbara, beams her pleasure at the news, in June, 1964. AP Barbara Bush: life in pictures George Herbert Walker Bush poses with his wife Barbara during his campaign for Congress in the 1960's. AFP/Getty Images Barbara Bush: life in pictures George Herbert Walker Bush poses with his wife Barbara in Beijing in 1974. AFP/Getty Images Barbara Bush: life in pictures First Lady Barbara Bush talking to her dog Millie as she and granddaughter Barbara Bush, age nine, wait for US President George Bush to return to the White House. September 1991, in Washington,DC. AFP/Getty Images Barbara Bush: life in pictures US First Lady Barbara Bush (L) as she prepares to throw a rugby ball. February 1992,in Washington,DC. AFP/Getty Images Barbara Bush: life in pictures First Lady Barbara Bush and her son George Bush Jr attend the 1992 Republican National Convention on August 17, 1992 in Houston. AFP/Getty Images Barbara Bush: life in pictures U.S. President George Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush work their way through a crowd gathered to welcome them in August 1992, in the Astroarena. AFP/Getty Images Barbara Bush: life in pictures First Lady Barbara Bush greets the delegates attending the Republican Convention before beginning her speech. August 1992, in Houston, Texas. AFP/Getty That was why, for Bush Junior, the Iraq war might have been personal. Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11 except that, in the mind of Osama bin Laden, the presence of infidel troops on Saudi Arabian soil for Operation Desert Storm to retake Kuwait inspired a grievance against America. But you can see why, for that president, the idea that he was finishing something his father had started might have taken hold. Which just goes to show how history never ends. Francis Fukuyama wrote his celebrated essay The End of History? in 1989. It turned out to be a question to which the answer was no. Just as Bush Senior seemed to be living up to the highest principles of global liberal democracy, he was sowing the seeds of the whirlwinds to follow. Although there was a minority on the so-called left who thought the counter-invasion of Kuwait was all about oil and Jeremy Corbyn voted in the House of Commons against British forces taking part Bush thought it was about Munich, 1938 and standing up to dictators, according to Tom Nichols, a US professor and a senate staffer at the time of the Gulf War. And for a while, Bush Senior seemed to have his reward in public opinion, in the US and worldwide. I vividly remember the Democratic primaries in 1992, when six unknowns, including Paul Tsongas who had bumper stickers saying Tsenator Tsongas to help people pronounce his name, and Jerry Brown, former governor of California, competed for the honour of being taken to the cleaners by one of the most popular presidents in American history. But the economy had turned, Bushs tax rises came back to bite him and the candidate who survived the Democratic primaries, Bill Clinton, turned out to be one of the best campaigners in recent politics. That meant it was left to the son of Bush to finish the fathers business, after one of the greatest what-ifs of history: Al Gores narrowest of defeats in 2000. And to remind us why dynastic politics is a really bad idea. George HW Bush was the last person elected president of the United States with any prior foreign policy experience. Bush, who has died aged 94, entered office with one of the most impressive resumes of any president, having served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency, ambassador to the United Nations and Ronald Reagans vice president. He left office with an impressive list of achievements, including managing the peaceful collapse of the Soviet Union and the unification of Germany. But a major high point of his presidency was also the harbinger of disappointments to come: the swift military victory that reversed Saddam Husseins invasion of Kuwait and seemed to herald a new era in world affairs but left Saddam in power. In 1991, it seemed America could do anything it wanted to in the world. Twenty-seven years after Bush decided against regime change in Baghdad, United States forces are still engaged in Iraq, and the US is far less confident of its global role. A month after Iraqs invasion of Kuwait, in September 1990, Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev issued a joint statement noting that no peaceful international order is possible if larger states can devour their smaller neighbours. That same month, Bush declared, Were now in sight of a United Nations that performs as envisioned by its founders. The problem was that while the United Nations was set up to prevent powerful states from invading weaker neighbours, as Germany and Japan had done in the 1930s and 1940s, the main challenges of the post-Cold War world prior to Russia invading Ukraine in 2014 were different. They were mainly internal challenges: failed states and civil wars in places like Somalia, Rwanda, the Balkans, Afghanistan and, eventually, Iraq after the disastrous US occupation following the 2003 war. The US effort to put together an international coalition against Iraq in 1990 was stunning. Secretary of State James Baker met with every head of state or foreign minister whose country held a seat on the UN Security Council. That meant not just meeting with those countries that had permanent seats, like the Soviet Union and China, but also those holding rotating seats such as Ivory Coast, Romania and even Cuba. Bakers efforts were successful. The Security Council passed UN resolution 678 on 29 November 1990 and established 15 January 1991 as the deadline for Iraq to withdraw its troops from Kuwait or face a US-led international coalition to force its withdrawal. The coalition made good on the threat. As Colin Powell told my co-author Derek Chollet and me in an interview for our book on the period, The Gulf War was the war against the Russians we didnt have. There were no trees and no hills, but thats what we were trained to fight. The Iraqis sat there and we kicked the shit out of them. For those who had suffered through the morass of Vietnam and the crisis of American confidence that followed, it was the ultimate feelgood moment. An estimated 800,000 people packed the National Mall to cheer their military heroes. Bush came out of the war with a 90 per cent public approval rating. In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 President Bush was visiting Emma E Brooker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida as news of the attack on the World Trade Center broke In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 The president and his staff, including Press Secretary Ari Fleischer (L) were then brought to a holding room at the school, where he prepared to address the nation In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 President Bush was then rushed onto Air Force One and was flown to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. He watched television coverage of the attacks from his office on the plane In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 President Bush talks on the telephone at the General Dougherty Conference Center at Barksdale Air Force Base In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 President Bush is seen with his senior adviser Karl Rove at Barksdale Air Force Base In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 The president with White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card at Barksdale Air Force Base. Before leaving the base, the president held a press conference at which he said, Make no mistake: The United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 The president was consoled by Lt Col Cindy Wright of the White House Military Office aboard Air Force One. After leaving Louisiana, the president was flown to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska before he headed back to Washington In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 President Bush arrived at the White House Presidential Emergency Operations Center around 7 pm. Here he is shown with his wife, First Lady Laura Bush, Vice President Cheney and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 At 8:30 pm, the president addressed the nation from the White House. In his speech, he set the tone for the wars to come in Afghanistan and Iraq In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 Ive directed the full resources for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and bring them to justice, the president said. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbour them In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 The presidents speech on the teleprompter In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 Immediately following the speech, the president had a national security meeting with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and others And yet, the following year, a candidate with no foreign policy experience who had avoided military service in Vietnam won the presidency. He defeated the incumbent president who was himself a war hero and had led the Gulf War coalition to such success. By 1992, the Cold War was over, and Bill Clinton campaigned with the mindset that it was the economy, stupid. But while Clinton defeated Bush, he inherited the Iraq problem from his predecessor, who had chosen not to remove Saddam Hussein in order to keep his UN coalition together. Clinton was faced for eight years with patrolling the no-fly-zones established over the north and south of Iraq to protect the Kurdish and Shiite populations. Clinton passed the Iraq problem off to George W Bush, who in the aftermath of the attacks of 9/11 went to war in 2003 this time without UN authorisation. Bush and his coalition of the willing removed Saddam Hussein, leaving the United States as an occupying power. And while Barack Obama promised a promise on which, for a fleeting moment, he seemed to deliver a US withdrawal from the country, he was forced to go back in militarily with the rise of Islamic State, handing off the Iraq problem to his successor to manage. Thus the promise of the Gulf War the US dominant like no other since ancient Rome, confident that it could rule the world on behalf of freedom and democracy gave way over time to doubt and confusion. In the post-Cold War world, the US military was largely called upon to handle internal conflicts in Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Libya and, throughout it all, Iraq and the results have proved deeply dissatisfying. In 1991, George HW Bush declared victory and celebrated with a parade. In 2011, there was no parade for Libya. There will be no parade for Afghanistan. Stability in Iraq remains elusive the US could not celebrate a clear-cut military victory there. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Its fitting that George HW Bush, Second World War military hero and Cold War veteran, was the last president to preside over what at the time felt awesome: a major military victory fought on behalf of the entire world against a dictator. Instead, his successors, none of whom served in the military and all of whom have wrestled with post-Cold War challenges, have been vexed not only by Iraq, but by challenges posed by nonstate actors while trying to manage regional threats emanating from China, Russia and Iran. While Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Barack Obama and now Donald Trump have each in their own way tried to define American leadership, George HW Bushs presidency represents the moment at the end of the Cold War when anything seemed possible for the United States in world affairs, and the underlying challenges were only just beginning to become visible James Goldgeier is a professor at the School of International Service and visiting senior fellow to the Council on Foreign Relations, American University School of International Service. This article was originally published on The Conversation Ive stuck black duct tape over the camera on my laptop to prevent Big Brother spying on me, and regularly Skype without pictures so that images of my surroundings cant be monitored in cyberspace. Is this fear a generational thing? Most young people arent bothered if iPhones know their exact locations, their browsing preferences, or even their intimate medical details. Apps which nowadays cater for everything from meditation tips to shopping know our innermost thoughts and desires better than our parents ever did. Now Apple plan to invade my last sanctuary: the bedroom. Theyve developed a smart bed covering imbedded with sensors linked to a camera(!) which measures movement, along with heart rate, temperature and breathing patterns. The company already include fitness monitoring devices in watches and phones, and this invention could be eventually be marketed for medical use. It could sound an alarm if there was an emergency, for example, and store vast amounts of data currently obtained using bulky machinery. I reckon there will be a domestic iBlanket on sale within a couple of years, and then you can say cheerio to any chance of privacy. Sleep has become our number one priority most of us reckon we dont get nearly enough. The main causes are noise: from traffic, city life and crowded homes, or snoring. Light pollution has increased not just from the exterior environment, but all the gadgets we take into our sleeping space. There could be a simple tech-free solution. Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered that women sleep better if they share their bed with a dog! Their study concluded that our four-legged friends disturb sleep less than humans do, because they feel cosy and reassuring. According to a large number of women, both men and cats are disruptive sleeping partners. Speaking from personal experience, a smelly male border terrier trying to flop down and position his testicles on your face at 3am is no better than taking 2mg of melatonin or counting backwards from 100. New recruits: Minister Charlie Flanagan, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris at the passing out ceremony in Templemore yesterday. Photo: Eamon Ward Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has admitted that the Government has no contingency plans for policing the Border in the event of a hard Brexit. Ruling out proposals to further increase the strength of the Garda force if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, he said Garda numbers were rising by an extra 600 compared to a year ago. He said it was up to the Garda authorities to determine where they should be deployed. "Obviously, our overriding plan and objective is to avoid a no-deal scenario and that's why we put so much work into negotiating a withdrawal agreement," he said. The best way to avoid a no-deal Brexit was to have a deal and "we have a deal on the table now", he added. "We're going to continue to expand the force over the next couple of years and how gardai are deployed is, of course, a matter for the commissioner. "But we will take into account any changes that may arise because of Brexit and we also need to make sure we have very close co-operation with the PSNI. That co-operation is as good as it ever has been." Mr Varadkar added: "We are not making any contingency plans for a hard Border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. But we do have to have regard for the fact that we could see an increase in smuggling and other illegal cross-border activities." The Taoiseach made his comments yesterday during his first visit to the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, where he saw 199 new gardai graduating. He said the extra personnel were helping people to stay safe and the increase in numbers was allied to a "really good reform programme now under way". He said: "We are now able to invest more in vehicles and equipment and have new leadership under Commissioner Drew Harris and also a plan from the Commission on the Future of Policing. "So, I think we are in a good space. We have a Garda force the public can trust and have enormous confidence in. I look forward to the years ahead and working side by side with them." Asked about the reductions in the overtime budget for the force at a time of rising crime, Mr Varadkar said the plan was to bring up the number of gardai and increase the civilian strength and that should allow for a reduction in overtime. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said overtime was a challenge but he was very pleased to secure "just under" 100m for Garda overtime in 2019. He said the strength of the force would be 14,000 by the end of the year, reducing the overtime demand. The commissioner would continue to monitor that. In the context of Brexit, Mr Flanagan said there were always challenges for policing on any border, such as organised crime and smuggling. In contrast to the stance taken by the Government in Dublin, PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton has asked the UK Home Office to fund 400 extra officers to allow him to deal with the repercussions of Brexit. And the Police Federation in Northern Ireland warned this week that it must receive assurances it would have financial resources to patrol the Border. What is the price of good service? What I'm really asking, is what is the value of having good back-up when you need it? We are looking at changing one of our machines and there is quite a price difference between all the options and I'm trying to work out what 'value' is the back-up. Could you put a price on it? Would you pay an extra 10pc for a machine because it had better service? All machinery should have good back-up, but the reality is that as a small island it would be uneconomical to have a lot of garages. So inevitably, some are closer than others and some are better than others. In the middle of the harvest, when there is rain forecast, a good back-up service is priceless. We have always been wary of bringing in machinery from Europe and the UK even though there are times when there is great value. Not only because of the risk of bringing in black grass and weeds but the bigger reason is the back-up. Most machinery dealers will look after their brand when imported, but obviously will give priority to their own customers. I also prefer the idea of buying Irish and keeping the benefit local. We have such pressure at times during the year, with short weather windows to get a lot of work done. It is really important that everything works when you need it. Every time we decide to change a machine I'm always shocked at the prices. With the poor yields this year after the drought and only a slight rise in prices, I worry about repaying the huge loans. If we decide to leave it for a few years, then we end up where we could have to change too many things in a short space of time, which is impossible. Nowadays almost all machinery dealers keep the minimum amount of stock in store, as it is so fast to courier parts from Europe and UK and because there are so many different parts, for so many different makes and models. Soon I'm told that will all be done away with and they will be 3D printing all the parts we need. I'm not sure that will be available any time soon. Paperwork As the cold weather blows through the yard, I have no excuse not to do the paperwork. I always put it off till the last minute, but it has to be done. I have written up the grain assurance book and said a small prayer of thanks that even during our very busy times, we write everything up on the calendar as it happens. It is amazing how fast I can forget once the sowing is finished. I like looking back over the last few years and having a look at what's changed. The varieties are very different, but so too are the sprays. How many of these will we have in the coming years and what changes will we have to make to comply with EU regulations? I do also worry about Brexit, but as I keep telling myself that if they don't know what's going to happen, there is no need for me to worry about it till it happens. We also start planning for the spring, including checking our soil tests and starting our Nitrates Plan. The concern at the moment is that the prices of fertiliser seems to have jumped quite dramatically this year. We tried to buy some in the autumn but there was no value in what they were offering. The price of diesel seems to be very erratic as well. Up one week, then down the next. We are also monitoring the grain in the sheds. We probe them weekly with a long grain thermometer. At the moment they are about 10oC but we still put on the pedestal fans when the air is cold and dry to keep the sheds and grain fresh. We have sold some for the end of the month so it won't be long before we are emptying them again. Philip and Helen Harris are tillage farmers in Co Kildare. Follow them on Twitter P&H Harris @kildarefarmer Dublin-based aircraft lessor SMBC Aviation has secured an A- rating from Standard & Poor's, making it the joint highest-rated company in the sector. It already had an A- rating from Fitch. Dublin-based lessor BOC Aviation also has A- ratings at both Fitch and Standard & Poor's (S&P). S&P upgraded SMBC from a BBB+ rating after the lessor received a $1bn capital injection from its Japanese owners. SMBC is owned by firms in Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui banking group. That capital boost included $700m of equity and a $300m subordinated loan. Speaking to the Irish Independent, SMBC Aviation CEO Peter Barrett said that there had not been a specific intention by the lessor to secure an additional A-level rating. However, he said that the rating did reflect the lessor's high-quality aircraft portfolio. He said the capital injection received last month had been a vote of confidence in the business, and welcomed the joint A-level rating from Fitch and S&P. "It's nice to be able to go to your suppliers and say that you're the strongest in the market," he said. He said the dual A-level ratings will also widen investor appeal for SMBC. "The stronger your rating, the broader the appeal," he said. SMBC raised $500m via a bond issue in July and now has three tranches of outstanding bonds, each of $500m, issued in 2016, 2017 and 2018. SMBC Aviation Capital is the world's fourth-biggest aircraft lessor, with an owned, managed, and on-order fleet of 663 jets. Its portfolio consists primarily of single-aisle jets. The United States has filed criminal charges against Mike Lynch over the $11bn (9.6bn) sale of the British software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard seven years ago, the 'Financial Times' has reported. The newspaper said that the charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and include 14 counts of conspiracy and fraud. Irish-born entrepreneur Mr Lynch, pictured, co-founded Autonomy in 1996 and served as its CEO. In 2011, the company was bought by HP for $11bn in a move that was supposed to form the central part of the US group's move into software. But the deal turned sour a year later when HP wrote off three-quarters of the British company's value, accusing Mr Lynch and his colleagues of financial mismanagement. Mr Lynch has always denied any wrongdoing. He could not be immediately reached for comment. The newspaper quoted lawyers for Mr Lynch as saying the indictment was a "travesty of justice" and that he would contest the charges. HP has tried to sue Lynch while he countersued HP in 2015, saying at the time that "HP was simply incompetent in its operation of Autonomy, and the acquisition was doomed from the very beginning." Those cases have been delayed by the criminal investigation in the US. The FT reported that Stephen Chamberlain, a former Autonomy finance executive, had also been charged. Mr Lynch sits on the British government's council for science and technology which advises Prime Minister Theresa May, the FT said. State-owned Permanent TSB has been accused of double crossing its customers by selling their mortgages. The loans are being moved out of the State-owned lender, despite a practice across the banks that people in arrears who engage do not have their mortgages sold. It is the second time this year the bank has disposed of mortgages. The complicated deal will see the mortgages put into a securitisation vehicle and serviced by Pepper Finance. Many of the 6,272 mostly residential mortgages had been taken out of another loan sale this summer after the bank came under sustained criticism. Some 66pc of them are split mortgages, where homeowners under financial pressure make payments on part of the loan, with the rest parked and dealt with at a later date. Consumer advocate Brendan Burgess said the move was "an absolute disgrace" as the mortgage holders were adhering to revised payment terms. He said he has supported the previous sales of non-performing loans to vulture funds. "But this transaction is very different. All of these loans have been treated and are performing in line with their treatment," he added. Mortgage arrears campaigner David Hall accused the bank of not acting fairly towards its customers. "The bank has double-crossed its customers by selling their loans after agreeing split deals with them," he said. And Fianna Fail finance spokesman Michael McGrath said people whose mortgages are leaving Permanent TSB would feel very let down. "These mortgage holders did all the right things," he said. "They entered into a restructuring arrangement and could reasonably expect that the bank would stay the course with them. They will feel very let down." He questioned if Pepper would take a different view to PTSB on the split mortgage arrangements in place. But Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has insisted mortgage holders whose loans are being transferred out of Permanent TSB will have revised payment agreements honoured. He said those affected should be confident the code of conduct on mortgage arrears will be "upheld rigorously" by the Central Bank. Asked if it had double-crossed the mortgage holders, a spokesperson for the bank said no promises had been made to anyone not to sell the loan. "On the contrary, the bank made it clear at recent Oireachtas Committee meetings that it would undertake a transaction like this before the end of the year," the spokesperson said." The bank said it was not ruling out further loan sales. Question: I have had medical insurance now for many years but I may have to travel outside of Ireland for essential medical treatment. The surgery is available in Ireland, but the leading expert in this field is based in Germany. Will I be covered by my plan? Answer: Most health insurance policies indicate that they will cover treatment abroad once it is medically necessary. However, all such claims are subject to pre-authorisation and full cover is never guaranteed, according to Dermot Goode of TotalHealthCover.ie. You will need to contact your insurer immediately and you will be sent the pre-authorisation documentation. This will need to be completed by your consultant indicating what treatment is necessary, why the surgery should be carried out abroad, what the prognosis will be in terms of further treatment, and the estimated cost etc. The health insurer will then assess the case on its merits and decide what benefit will apply, if at all. If the claim is to be admitted, the insurer will normally pay up to the level that it would pay if the procedure was carried out in Ireland. But you will be liable for your own travel and accommodation costs as well, Mr Goode says. Answer: Last year my wife and I entered a restructuring agreement with our mortgage lender on our home as we were struggling to meet our payments. We were offered a term extension for five years in order to reduce our monthly outgoings. My wife recently looked up our mortgage protection policy and realised that it only covers us for 30 years, not the 35 years of our new term. Can we change our policy at this stage to make sure we are not under-insured? Answer: The first thing you should do is have a broker assess your current financial circumstances. Depending on the type of policy you have, your existing policy may suffice. If not, then switching to another policy may be an option, assuming that you have no major health issues, says Mike Knightson, director of KM Financial Brokers. Both Royal London and New Ireland have mortgage protection convertible term policies and if you have one of these then it is straightforward to amend the policy, he says. If you have an Irish Life policy and it has been in place for less than five years you may be able to increase the term by up to five years. If you do not have a conversion option, then Mr Knightson recommends considering a replacement policy. A broker should be able to offer you an affordable option, the caveat being that a new policy would be dependent on medical underwriting. If your health has deteriorated, then this may not be an option. Question: I'm now 49 years of age and I am finally in a position to put decent money into a pension scheme. From the age of 25, I was a stay-at-home mother with three children and then opened my own business five years ago. Between raising my kids and starting my business I couldn't afford to save for my retirement, until now. Through hard work, my sole-trader business is going really well, so I assumed I would be allowed to make up for my lack of savings in previous years, but Revenue told me that I can't. Answer: We currently have a lifetime limit on the size of pension fund that you can accumulate over your lifetime. This is designed to limit the State support that workers receive in accumulating a pension. But we also have an annual pension limit rule which allows workers to claim tax relief up to a fixed limit each year. It is this pension rule that can be detrimental to certain working groups, the self-employed and women. Unfortunately, you fall into two of them, according to Jerry Moriarty, CEO, of the Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF). Women who take time out from paid employment to raise children automatically forgo their annual tax relief allowance for pension contributions during the period of years that they are not in paid employment. Returning to work after an extended absence, means women cannot make up for their lost contributions and they effectively miss out on the tax relief afforded to their male colleagues in their absence. While the amounts you can receive tax relief on increase as you get older, it isn't always enough for those workers who either begin saving late or have had to take a break in pension saving at some point, Mr Moriarty says. Consider setting up a company pension plan and the company can pay in, which would help you have an adequate pension in retirement. Do get independent financial advice. Most health insurance policies indicate that the insurer will cover treatment abroad once it is proven to be medically necessary Women who take time out from paid employment to raise children automatically forgo their annual tax relief allowance for pension contributions Matt Healy is so disarmingly open you almost feel like telling him to keep his guard up. He is chatting about the addictive aspects of social media when he drops a line - "I was a heroin addict, you know" - into the conversation. He's making the point that addiction to both Twitter and the rock star drug of choice aren't as far removed as one might think, but it's a jarring comparison nonetheless, especially when one is accustomed to witnessing celebrity creative types being so careful with the information they drip-feed. With a new album that looks - among many other things - at our increased obsession with social media, it's little surprise that the frontman and chief songwriter of The 1975 should want to talk about his own complex relationship with the online world, but few of his peers would be quite as transparent about their consumption of hard drugs. Healy says he was addicted to heroin for four years in his mid-20s but feels he has come out the other side now, helped in part by a seven-week stay at a posh rehab facility in the Bahamas. But he abhors the idea of glamorising it. "I really loathe that whole Williams Burroughs and Trainspotting thing - and I've always understood them for what they were: excuses to be a dickhead. "I don't want anyone to think that I was some countercultural hero who had done a bit of smack. That idea repulsed me, as did the idea of being like some kind of Pete Doherty kind of caricature. It's nothing like that. I didn't take heroin to be cool or edgy, it's more that I have an addictive personality..." His voice trails off. Healy, now 29, is unwilling to blame the business of being a rock star in a major, arena-playing, chart-topping band for his heroin problems. "I think it would have happened anyway," he says. "There's something very deep-seated in me. From quite a young age, I've had the desire to sedate myself." He says he is only willing to talk about heroin now that he is clean. "I have perspective now, and I wouldn't have had that when I was in that place [addiction]. And I sing about it on the new album, too." He's referring to the just-released third The 1975 album, A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, and to a particular song, 'It's Not Living (If It's Not With You)'. Although he sings about a character called Danny who has become dependent on drugs, he admits that the track is really about himself. "It's writing about it from a distance, because if you're writing a heroin song when you're on it, it's something else entirely. It could turn into a celebration - and I definitely don't see it that way." Early reviews for the new album have been ecstatic, with one critic suggesting it could be this era's OK Computer. It's high praise, but one that Healy is keen to distance himself and his band from. "I have huge respect for Radiohead and what they've done, but we never want to compare ourselves to other bands. We make the music that we want to make, but did we want to write about some of the big questions that we face today? Absolutely." Video of the Day He's as good as his word. A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships feels like an album that captures the business of being alive in 2018. And those advance notices aren't over-the-top: it's one of the standout albums of the year as well as being a hugely impressive song collection that's almost impossible to pigeonhole. "We make music in the way that we listen to it," he says. "It's eclectic. We don't want to be painted into a corner. So, just like I might listen to The Velvet Underground on Spotify one moment and Lil Peep the next, it's the same when it comes to writing songs and recording them. The influences are everywhere. "It's that magpie thing," he adds. "We're like that. A magpie will pick up a diamond or a piece of foil - it doesn't matter as long as it's shiny. And beautiful melody is my shiny. It doesn't matter whether it's a song by Ride or a song by John Coltrane." The album was produced by Healy and The 1975 drummer George Daniel. "We learned [to produce] the hard way," he says. "Back in the days, when we couldn't get arrested - when we were trying to get a record deal and nobody wanted to know - we had already started producing for other bands. We were bad producers at first, but over the years we became good producers and I now think that George is one of the best producers in the world and I'm very lucky to have him by my side at all times." Healy is close to his three bandmates and it's hardly surprising when one considers that they have been playing in some form or other since his early years in secondary school in the suburbs of Manchester. Those friendships and those of old classmates - one works in lighting for The 1975, another is an "assistant" - ensure that he keeps his feet on the ground. "And the fact that for the first 10 years nobody wanted to know us," he says. "But we were learning the ropes and having a really good time and just enjoying being able to make music and go out and play it. Then the venues started to get bigger and bigger." Healy says he has been creative for as long as he can remember - hardly surprising when one considers that both his parents are well-known actors. His mother, Denise Welch, was in Coronation Street for years and is a regular on the daytime panel show Loose Women. His father, Tim Healy, was one of the stars of the 1980s hit comedy drama Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. If The 1975's first decade together was inauspicious, they truly got noticed with the Sex EP in 2012. A rousing guitar anthem, the title track offered a hint of what would come the following year on their self-titled debut album. But it was their follow-up album, 2016's I Like it When You Sleep, For You are so Beautiful Yet so Unaware of It, that placed Healy and friends into a whole new realm - creatively and commercially. David Bowie and Peter Gabriel were just two of the iconic names that were bandied about by those who became seduced by songs that were smart, sophisticated and machine-tooled for widespread appeal. If their first album was a comparative sales success, the second was a sensation. Here was a British guitar band who weren't just enjoying a number one album in their own country, but in the US, too. And Healy, easy on the eye and with a yen for being shirtless in his videos, became a fully fledged star. Today, he says he enjoyed the meteoric rise even if it did coincide with some of his greatest heroin-related woes. When it came to working on its follow-up, he says he refused to put himself under pressure. "After I Like it When You Sleep, I was ready to make my best record. Every time you tour, every time you do an album, you finish it and you immediately look back on it and think, 'Fucking hell, that was the time of my life'. It's all good, man. I'm not one of these people that moans about being in a band that gets to play all over the world. "On this record, we let it happen organically. There was a lot of love going around and it materialised on the record. I try not to overthink things, to look back and wonder why such and such a song really connected. You can't think that way - you just have to write the song you want to write. Otherwise, it becomes a Sisyphean task. And maybe the very best stuff happens to be the unthought-out stuff." And yet, plenty of thought has clearly gone into the new album. "Every relationship that one has outside of face-to-face is mediated by the internet," he says. "Our relationship with the totality of the internet is now taken as a given. If you proposed these ideas to someone 10 or 15 years ago [before social media took hold], they would have a lot of questions... questions that aren't being asked now, like why the necessity for it? What it means? How it changes the way we communicate? How it changes our attention span? Whether it makes us needy?" Healy is a restless figure during our interview, his mind wandering into tangents - and there's some of that restlessness on the album, too. He's already working on its follow-up, a fourth album called Notes on a Conditional Form, which he describes as a "night-time album". He hopes it will be ready in time for release next summer. "As soon as I put Brief Inquiry down, I went away for a week with my girlfriend. And then I started Notes on a Conditional Form straight after. I'm in the middle of it at the moment." He pauses. "It's good," he deadpans, "to be busy." 'A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships' is out now. The 1975 play the SSE Arena, Belfast, and the 3Arena, Dublin, on January 9 and 10 respectively A man who was charged with murdering his partner, but maintained from the outset that she fell down the stairs, has been acquitted by a jury. Following the verdict at the Central Criminal Court, Justice Tara Burns told Renars Veigulis: "You are free to go." Mr Veigulis (32), of Bridge Street in Freshford, Co Kilkenny, had been charged with murdering his partner Rita Apine (29) at their home on or about May 14, 2017. Mr Veigulis maintained from the outset that he was playing with his daughter in the living room and heard a "boom, boom, boom" from the hall. When he looked into the hallway, he saw Ms Apine at the bottom of the stairs with blood coming from her head. A pathologist said Ms Apine's injuries were not consistent with a simple fall down the stairs and that she had never seen some of the injuries caused by such a fall. Mr Veigulis's defence barrister, Michael Bowman SC, instructed by Tony Collier Solicitors, asked the jury not to convict on the basis that the pathologist had not seen such injuries before. "You fall down stairs in as many ways as there are people who fall down stairs," he said. The jury took 10 hours and 21 minutes in its deliberations. Mr Veigulis wiped his eyes and hugged his lawyers following the not-guilty verdict. Gardai were alerted to Ms Apine's death after Mr Veigulis called emergency services and said: "Hello, can I talk with Kilkenny ambulance please, my wife has fallen down the stairs." Paramedics gave evidence of attending the scene at Ms Apine's "heavily bloodstained" home. Dr Stephen Doak of Forensic Science Ireland said: "There was more to the event than someone just landing at the bottom of the stairs. These blood-staining marks are significant and I felt there was a forceful event that occurred at the time." Dr Doak observed a large area of blood-staining on the wall beside the first step and there was blood-staining on top of the baby-gate at the bottom. Dr Doak said he also found hair swipe blood patterns on the wall of the stairs. But Mr Bowman said that the scientist had not considered the evidence given by the accused man, that he had moved the body and attempted resuscitation. This, Mr Bowman said, combined with the fall could have accounted for all the blood staining. Dr Doak also said he was of the opinion there had been an attempt to wipe out blood-stained patterns on interior walls behind the front door. Mr Bowman questioned a claim there was evidence of blood being cleaned from one wall, telling the jury that nobody found a "stitch of evidence" of any cleaning equipment being used. Mr Veigulis was in custody during his trial but is now free to go. A pensioner in Ennis, Co Clare, refused to fill out his 2016 Census form because of his 'strong feelings' over the Central Statistics Office (CSO) using a firm which has links to prisoner interrogations at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq for the census. At Ennis District Court, John Higgins (70), of Clancy Park, Ennis, explained that he didn't fill out his form over the CSO contracting CACI UK to help with the census. The UK company's parent company in the US had staff employed as interrogators in the notorious Iraq prison between August 2003 and 2005. In his letter to the census read out in court, Mr Higgins said he chose not to supply any household details based on the fact that such information when processed will ensure that CACI would profit from it. In his letter, Mr Higgins said that he didn't fill out the census as he was "a conscientious objector to war, warmongering and any mercenary actions involved in war". Mr Higgins said that CACI "is the subject of violation of human rights abuse charges in relation to actions at Abu Ghraib to prisoners in Iraq". However, Judge Patrick Durcan convicted Mr Higgins of not filling out his census form under the Statistics Acts and fined him 750. Judge Durcan told Mr Higgins's solicitor Tara Godfrey: "This court is being used as a political forum and I will not allow that. "Your client is now engaged in using and abusing this court in terms of spelling out the political position he has - and I won't have it. "I want no more about Iraq and what is happening out there." The country's largest hospice has received claims certain staff have been bullied and subjected to a hostile environment. The allegations were made in a document submitted to the board of Our Lady's Hospice and Care Services on behalf of a group of around 10 staff earlier this year, the Irish Independent has learned. It outlined a number of serious claims regarding alleged difficulties staff members had in raising issues of concern or making complaints. This included an allegation complaints were "sometimes orchestrated" against a staff member if they expressed certain views. It also alleged there had been boycotts, mobbing and isolation of staff members who spoke out on issues. The hospice, which is located at Harold's Cross and Blackrock in Dublin, has 600 staff and cared for 4,290 people last year. The allegations were initially made by the staff members to Stephanie Regan, a clinical psychotherapist who they approached following her previous involvement in highlighting bullying concerns at the National Museum. Ms Regan said she interviewed the group and found the allegations credible. She submitted a document, which she described as a protected disclosure, on their behalf to then-hospice chairman Sean Benton in February. This did not disclose the identity of the complainants, but said they could be validated by an agreed third party, such as a solicitor. However, the hospice board declined to accept the document as a protected disclosure. In a letter to Ms Regan, Mr Benton said the issues raised fell outside the scope of a protected disclosure and recommended staff avail of internal grievance procedures. The Protected Disclosures Act provides various protections against reprisals for staff who disclose information about wrongdoing, under certain circumstances. In response to queries from the Irish Independent, the hospice said that under the legislation a protected disclosure must be made by a worker to his or her employer or to an external regulator prescribed by the Health Minister. "Correspondence from an external party relating to concerns about staff was received by the board of directors in February, but it did not constitute a protected disclosure," the hospice said in a statement. "As with all correspondence of this nature, it was thoroughly reviewed and considered. A reply was issued advising that the internal staff grievance procedure was the appropriate route for the correspondence, and that an external investigator would be appointed, if required." However, the hospice could not say if any of the staff involved subsequently filed complaints under grievance procedures. It pointed out that their identities were not disclosed in the document submitted by Ms Regan. One of the staff members whose concerns were included in the document told the Irish Independent some staff did not have confidence in the grievance procedures. In its statement, the hospice said the concerns outlined in the document had not been raised with it by trade union representatives. It also defended the structures it has in place for dealing with staff concerns. "The hospice has established recognised representation for all staff, both internally and externally, in line with its industrial relations framework, and it encourages staff to avail of this should they wish to do so. It also has a comprehensive employee assistance programme in place providing free, independent and confidential advice and support to employees and family members," it said in a statement. Moving on: Dr Rhona Mahony is finishing her time at Holles Street. Picture: Collins Outspoken Dr Rhona Mahony, who finishes her seven-year term as Master of the National Maternity Hospital this month, has appealed for the new extended abortion service to be properly resourced. The privacy of women availing of the service and the staff involved must also be protected, she said. Dr Mahony, who was a prominent supporter of the Repeal the Eighth campaign, has revealed that 60 women attending the hospital during 2016, whose unborn baby was diagnosed with a fatal foetal abnormality, travelled to Britain for a termination. The Government has set January as a target for allowing these terminations in Ireland, as well as medical abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Maternity hospitals will also provide abortions in cases of risk to the life of the mother and if her health is assessed as at risk of serious harm. Writing in the hospital's annual clinical report, Dr Mahony said: "The introduction of wider availability of termination of pregnancy in Ireland will require careful implementation." She pointed out: "The specialty of foetal medicine is increasing in complexity and our ability to identify genetic and structural anomalies in the foetus in utero is increasing." The hospital had 8,619 births last year - an average of 700 babies a month, or 23 a day. "On the busiest day on July 26, we delivered 42 babies," Dr Mahony said. The smallest survivor weighed a mere 420 grams, and spent six months in the neonatal intensive care unit. "Two-thousand babies were admitted to our new neonatal unit. 149 babies weighed less than 1.5kg," she said. Over the first six years of her term, the hospital delivered 55,000 babies and cared for 60,000 pregnant women. The corrected perinatal mortality rate has been consistent at three to four per 1,000 live births. The maternal mortality rate stood at three per 100,000 maternities. "These are truly excellent outcomes for a tertiary institution but behind these figures are the individual losses and attendant heartbreak and we never forget that - nor do we ever take good outcomes for granted." Dr Mahony said there have been many demographic changes in the past decade. Over 30pc of patients attending the hospital are classified as high risk. "Almost 40pc of women attending for maternity care are over 35 years of age." While increases in body mass index in pregnant women are stabilising, one-third attending the hospital is overweight. And "one in eight is obese with all the attendant medical risk, including miscarriage, congenital malformation, gestational diabetes and increased and more complex obstetric intervention." The caesarean section rate last year was 27pc, a 1pc increase on 2016. The main driver is women presenting who had a previous caesarean section. There has also been a striking increase in prelabour caesarean section, which accounts for 16pc of deliveries. The most pressing risk is of postpartum haemorrhage, heavy bleeding after birth, of which there were 95 cases last year. Dr Mahony said that 1,200 women in Ireland are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer every year and 500 women die. "Despite this, services are patchy...Ireland sees some of the poorest outcomes in women with gynaecological cancer in Europe." There is currently huge demand for these services in Ireland and it requires significant development. She said the new national maternity hospital, to be built on the campus of St Vincent's Hospital, will have operational independence which will underpin all legal agreements. Some women who undergo cervical screening and have abnormalities can wait up to nine months for investigation, the Irish Independent has learned. Swamped clinics, where women who have an abnormal smear test result under CervicalCheck are referred to for examination, are now in some cases taking three to four months to provide appointments. It has already been revealed that pressure on laboratories servicing CervicalCheck has left thousands of women who have a test waiting up to five months for return of their result. It means a woman can wait five months for a test result - and then another four months for a diagnostic procedure. The strain is being felt by 15 public hospital outpatient colposcopy clinics where women, whose test results cause concern, are sent for further investigation. Colposcopy is carried out where a test finds abnormal cells in the cervix. The cells can often go away on their own, but sometimes there's a risk they could eventually turn into cervical cancer if not treated. The longest delays in the clinics were revealed at this week's meeting of the CervicalCheck Steering Committee, which includes Lorraine Walsh, who is among the group of 221 women caught up in the CervicalCheck controversy. Ms Walsh said information to the group indicated the referral to a colposcopy clinic could take 12 to 16 weeks. "This is really concerning for me and something I hope can be reduced considerably. Private clinics could potentially assist in dealing with the backlog," she said. "This would result in women being seen and receiving treatment quicker. We all know that earlier diagnosis and treatment give a better clinical outcome for recovery." A spokeswoman for the HSE said: "Colposcopy clinics nationwide have seen increases in activity due to increased demand from screening, and more referrals from general practice, in recent months. "Patients may be referred to colposcopy following an abnormal smear or on referral from their GP if they present with symptoms. Clinics have also seen a rise in demand due to increased anxiety and concern about cervical cancer." She said colposcopy clinics ensure "appropriate management of all referrals received" through the employment of a triage system which ensures that clinical need is prioritised appropriately in all cases. "In October, the number of weekly colposcopy sessions carried out was over 58pc higher than projected normal activity. By increasing activity in this way colposcopy clinics are making progress in seeing women as quickly as possible." She said that in the same month, some 89pc of women referred to colposcopy, classified as having high-grade abnormal cells, received appointments within four weeks, just below the target of 90pc. "Similarly, 92pc of those who had low-grade cells were seen within eight weeks, exceeding the target of 90pc. "We continue to work with colposcopy clinics to support them, and are contact with each clinic to see how we might help alleviate the current pressures." Some 500 million people around the world could be affected by a breach in the Marriott hotel chain's booking database. The "data security incident" hit the system for its Starwood portfolio. Work is continuing but the firm said the breached database contains the information of up to half-a-billion guests who booked before September 10. The database stored information including passport numbers, dates of births, names, addresses and phone numbers for 327 million guests. Payment card numbers and expiration dates were also stored for some. Marriott Hotels owns a number of hotel chains, including the Ritz-Carlton and the Sheraton. It also owns Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel - but it issued a statement yesterday saying it is not part of the Marriott's Starwood portfolio that has been affected. Marriott-branded hotels use a separate reservation system on a different network. Arne Sorenson, Marriott's president and chief executive, said the group deeply regretted the incident. "We fell short of what our guests deserve and what we expect of ourselves. "We are doing everything we can to support our guests, and using lessons learned to be better moving forward," he said. "Today, Marriott is reaffirming our commitment to our guests around the world. We are working hard to ensure our guests have answers to questions about their personal information, with a dedicated website and call centre. "We will also continue to support the efforts of law enforcement and to work with leading security experts to improve. "Finally, we are devoting the resources necessary to phase out Starwood systems and accelerate the ongoing security enhancements to our network." An investigation into the breach revealed that there was unauthorised access to the database on or before September 10, 2018. Marriott has reported this incident to law enforcement and has already begun notifying regulatory authorities. Personal finance exper, Laura Rettie from money.co.uk said that customers who were affected will be contacted, "however you should be super wary of anyone that says they're from either the Marriott or your bank or credit card provider". "Unfortunately, fraudsters might take advantage of this being in the news and use it to gain more personal information from you. "Stay on high alert and if you're suspicious hang up and call your bank or credit card provider directly. It's worth checking old bank statements and keep a close eye on future ones in the coming weeks and months for any activity you don't recognise." Stephen Allison (31) was imprisoned for a number of charges including assault, attempted robbery and driving offences Police have captured an unlawfully at large prisoner who breached his conditions during home leave. Stephen Allison (31) was imprisoned for a number of charges including assault, attempted robbery and driving offences. He went missing around 4pm on Tuesday November 27 in Belfast city centre. Police recaptured Allison on Bangor on Friday evening A PSNI spokesperson thanked the public for their assistance in locating Allison. Presidential runner-up Peter Casey is set to take part in a new radio series for Newstalk - but will not have his own show. The businessman became the most talked-about candidate during the presidential election after expressing controversial views on the Travelling community. He is now expected to team up with the broadcaster on a number of 'one-off' pieces. Speculation that he would replace George Hook, who retired from the station last week, have been dismissed. Hook had been presenting a weekend slot. "Peter Casey will not present his own show on Newstalk nor host a regular slot," a spokesperson for Newstalk said. "I'm delighted to be teaming up with Newstalk. More details on what I'm doing will be revealed soon," Mr Casey told the Irish Independent. He was bottom of all the polls before taking part in Independent.ie's political podcast 'The Floating Voter'. During the recording, he said Travellers should not be considered an ethnic minority. As controversy raged, he doubled down and went on to complain about Ireland turning into a welfare state. His comments dominated public debate during the final days of the election campaign in October, resulting in him receiving more than 340,000 votes. While Michael D Higgins was clear winner on 55pc, Mr Casey got 23pc. Sean Gallagher, in third place, achieved just 6pc. Mr Casey was previously an investor RTE's 'Dragons' Den'. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has blamed the courts for delays meaning women could die before their cancer diagnosis cases are heard. His remarks will be seen as an implicit criticism of the judiciary and the way they manage cases. Mr Varadkar said cases in Ireland were taking "much more time" than in other jurisdictions and that this needed to be examined. He was responding to comments by Mr Justice Kevin Cross, who called for more judges to be appointed as the High Court personal injuries list had been swamped with complex cases, including those related to the CervicalCheck controversy. Read More But Mr Varadkar hit back saying: "It's not just a case of appointing more judges, I think we need to manage cases better and improve in terms of case efficiency." Mr Justice Kevin Cross, who presides over the personal injuries list, called earlier in the week for more judges to be appointed to deal with these types of cases. He said the personal injuries list has been swamped with complex cases, including those related to the CervicalCheck controversy. Without more judges on the bench, he did not know how they could get all the cases heard. He warned that "great injustices will be caused" particularly for those victims "in extremis". The judge was dealing with the case management for a woman suing in relation to CervicalCheck and whose health is failing. Last July, in an update to TDs, the Dail Public Accounts Committee was told there were 35 active legal cases. The court heard yesterday the legal team for Ruth Morrissey (37), whose case was adjourned last July, is now seeking more discovery of documents from the defendant laboratories in the action. Ms Morrissey is suing over the alleged misinterpretation of her cervical smears taken under the CervicalCheck screening programme in 2009 and 2012. She and her husband Paul Morrissey, of Kylemore, Schoolhouse Road, Monaleen, Co Limerick, have sued the HSE and the US laboratory Quest Diagnostics Ireland Ltd, with offices at Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin, along with Medlab Pathology Ltd, with offices at Sandyford Business Park, Dublin. It is claimed that there was an alleged failure to correctly report and diagnose and there was an alleged misinterpretation of her smear samples taken in 2009 and 2012. A situation allegedly developed where Ms Morrissey's cancer spread unidentified, unmonitored and untreated until she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in June 2014. It is further claimed that a review of the 2009 and 2012 smears took place in 2014 and 2015 with the results sent to Ms Morrissey's treating gynaecologist in 2016. But she was not told until May this year of those review results which showed her smears were reported incorrectly. The HSE admitted it owed a duty of care to Ms Morrissey but not to her husband. It also admits the results of her smear reviews should have been made known to Ms Morrissey. The laboratories deny all claims. Mr Justice Cross fixed next week to hear the discovery matter and full hearings will resume at the end of January. Each year, at aviation shows around the world, manufacturers unveil all manner of quirky new cabin designs and innovations. Bigger luggage bins, LED lighting and larger windows have all come to fruition, while foldaway seats and shareable armrests could be next. Weve even seen an ambitious plan to turn unused parts of the cargo hold into some sort of relaxation area for passengers, complete with beds, play zones for kids and a bar. There is one modification that hasnt been proposed in recent years, however. And despite experts claiming it would make flying (or, at the very least, crashing) far safer it probably never will be. Rear-facing seats. For more than a century, ever since the first scheduled commercial flight, passengers have with very few exceptions faced forwards. But when sudden deceleration occurs, such as in the event of an accident or emergency landing, rear-facing seats provide far better support for the back, neck and head. Thats why rear-facing baby car seats are now the norm. Studies have suggested that, in the event of a frontal collision at around 30mph, a rear-facing seat reduces the stress inflicted on a small childs neck from the equivalent of 200kg to around 50kg. Expand Close The Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 is seen on the runway at San Francisco International Airport after crash landing / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 is seen on the runway at San Francisco International Airport after crash landing Occasionally the issue is raised. On July 6, 2013, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crashed on its final approach to San Francisco International Airport (above). Three died and 187 were hurt, many of whom suffered spinal injuries. This prompted commentators, including doctors who treated survivors, to suggest manufacturers consider rear-facing seats and three-point seatbelts. But none gave the idea any serious thought. Dozens of new aircraft have been introduced since then and many more are planned all of which will stick with the standard offering. So why wont manufacturers consider it? David Learmount, operations and safety editor at the aviation news website FlightGlobal.com and a former RAF pilot and flight instructor agreed that in the event of a crash rear-facing seats are safer, but said airlines would be unlikely to support such changes due to costs and customer preference. Lots of research has been done into it and the RAF has rear-facing seats on its transport aircraft because it is proven to be safer, he said after the San Francisco crash. The costs would be prohibitive to airlines, however. During an impact, the passengers centre of gravity would be higher and the seat would be taking more of the strain therefore the seat itself, the fittings and the floor of the aircraft would need to be strengthened. That would increase the weight of the aircraft, which would increase fuel consumption. He said the same issue would apply with the introduction of three-point seatbelts, as the centre of gravity would move from the waist to the shoulder. Mr Learmount also claimed that rear-facing seats would face opposition from passengers. People wouldnt want them, he said. British European Airways used to fly Trident jets with both forward- and rear-facing seats and people would kill for a seat facing the front. On trains its always the forward-facing seats that are worn out. Research into the issue of seat design includes a 1952 report by Naval Aviation News which suggested passengers in transport planes were 10 times more likely to survive in a backward facing seat, and a 1983 paper entitled Impact Protection in Air Transport Passenger Seat Design by Richard Snyder, a scientist at the University of Michigan. He concluded that data appears to overwhelmingly substantiate that the seated occupant can tolerate much higher crash forces when oriented in the rearward-facing position. Another proponent of changes to the industry standard is Bern Case, former director at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport in Oregon. He campaigned for the introduction of rear-facing seats throughout the Nineties and was interviewed by Air and Space Magazine about the issue. Airlines say passengers wouldnt like to face backward. But military airplanes and corporate jets have them and no problems are ever reported, he said. For nervous fliers hoping to improve the odds of survival in the unlikely event of a crash, take note: some planes do have rear-facing seats. Unfortunately, they will cost you a small fortune they are found in business class (or on private jets). Premium cabins on BA, American Airlines, Etihad and United sometimes feature seats that face in both directions. And tales of motion sickness appear few and far between. They might be safer, but thats not why airlines have them. Its about saving space, of course. This was the motivation too when Zodiac Aerospace an aircraft interiors firm patented a new seating plan in 2015 that featured a combination of rear and forward-facing seats. The design would increase the space available at the shoulder and arm area eliminating the elbow wars at 35,000 feet but would have forced passengers to (horror of horrors) make eye contact. It never saw the light of day. Aircraft of the past had them in economy class. The Hawker Siddeley Trident, used by BEA in the Sixties, had a particularly curious configuration half the plane facing one way and half facing another. And for years Southwest Airlines was known for its lounge seating with two rows at the front of the aircraft facing one another. It was the most sought-after, or avoided, seats on the plane, according to employees. Read more: Read More Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] After 35 years and a landmark vote we may have thought that the abortion debate had moved on beyond the realms of posturing and personal attacks. We were, it transpires, wrong. At least observers of the Dail chamber this week will be forgiven for drawing that conclusion. On Tuesday a row erupted between two former party colleagues: Louise O'Reilly of Sinn Fein and newly Independent TD Carol Nolan. There was a heated debate over an amendment to the law proposed by Ms Nolan which would prevent publicly funded abortions in most circumstances. During her discussion Ms Nolan employed graphic and emotive language, prompting Richard Boyd Barrett to complain of "the verbal equivalent of the horrible posters we saw displayed outside the Dail which were designed to induce trauma, fear and shock". The debate over the Eighth Amendment was never shy of such arguments between those on different sides. The content of the amendment also drew ire from various quarters in the House, with several deputies pointing out that it would make abortion the preserve of the rich and create a two-tiered health system. But it was her former colleague who hit a nerve. Ms O'Reilly said it was "a little bit sad that we have people coming in here to do the bidding of a certain well-known businessman". She claimed her former colleague was using "shock tactics" and lacking in compassion. Her comments would not change minds but upset people she said, urging the Offaly TD to withdraw her remarks. The Ceann Comhairle intervened, urging a respectful discourse, noting drily "the tone is well set" for the debate. The following day Ms Nolan was moved to tears when she protested against what she termed an attempt to destroy her character a day earlier. Hers was a conscientious objection, and she was "forced" out of "that party" because of it, she told the Dail. Her former party colleague Peadar Toibin, who also left the party over abortion, was patting her back. Theirs was not the only exchange that saw emotions run high; Kate O'Connell was out of her seat at one stage, hitting back at Mattie McGrath who was animatedly accusing her of "doing media" instead of listening to his contributions. Dublin West TD Ruth Coppinger lost her patience as it became clear the debate would not end on time: "People will have abortions. They do not like it. Let them do that and stop this shaming and punishing of women for making that decision." She accused pro-life TDs of tabling "handmaid's amendments", and implored: "There are women waiting on this legislation to be passed." There were several emotional pleas from those who oppose the legislation. It all felt a bit like deja vu: the debate felt like a rerun of the recent health committee where the legislation was well aired. And the committee had felt like a rehash of the referendum. And the referendum saw decades of discussion distilled into a few short months that in many ways felt interminable. Late in the evening on Thursday there was some confusion over what amendments were being discussed. "I'm repeating myself now," the Ceann Comhairle told the few deputies in the chamber at the time - he wasn't the only one. There were many contributions which sounded uncannily similar to those that went before. TDs on both sides of the issue took to their feet often - with many reading from prepared scripts. But they stuck to their time for the most part - it was the breadth of legislative work before the Dail that is ultimately causing the delay. There are dozens of amendments to be discussed and the possibility of a similar body of work when the bill moves to the Seanad. If only we'd had the foresight to spend 35 years talking about it. Stacey is not happy to see Martin spending time with Matt and Ross in EastEnders Coronation Street: Having listened to the evidence, Tim is once more of the belief that Sally may have had an affair. Sally is devastated. At the same time, Paula ends it with Sophie. Meanwhile, Kate and Rana attend the fertility clinic. Kate is giddy with excitement, while Rana does her best to appear enthusiastic. Kate and Rana agree between them that Kate will carry their baby. Kate is thrilled and tells Rana she can't wait to be pregnant. Elsewhere, Jenny secretly puts Liz's phone in water. When Liz realises it isn't working, Jenny says she is due an upgrade and offers Liz her old phone. What is she up to? Also, after a successful physio session, Jack announces that he wants to do some fundraising for the hospital. Kevin is proud of his son. Jack reveals his one-legged race fundraiser idea to Greg. Greg offers his full support. Finally, Michelle suggests to Robert that they should take the afternoon off, while Mary is upset when Angie explains that she's changed the locks at Number 3 because she wants to move on from Jude. EastEnders At the pub, Albert Square's residents discuss the article in the local paper, unaware that it's about Ruby. There's a debate about the topic of consent and Ruby tries her best to ignore the conversation. Later, Stacey reacts angrily when she sees Martin spending time with Matt and Ross. Stacey's outburst leads to everyone discovering that they're the men responsible. After Matt and Ross are forced to leave, Glenn arrives and defends his two friends. Ruby bravely stands up to Glenn, letting everyone know that she was the woman who Matt raped. Emmerdale Leanna convinces Bernice that she has made the wrong choice of dress for the gala, so Bernice rushes into town to amend her mistake. When Bernice later arrives in The Woolpack wearing an awful ball gown, she quickly realises Leanna has set her up and she's left upset when Liam sides with his daughter. Meanwhile, Pollard comes up with a plan and Rodney fakes an illness. Will Faith soon be on to the pair? Megan spots Graham Foster and attempts to talk some sense into him. Graham misinterprets Megan's kindness and tries to kiss her. She pulls away, leaving Graham utterly mortified. Meanwhile, Charity is left to entertain Moses and Johnny, but is horrified when she realises she's used permanent paint on the kids' faces. Marlon Dingle helps to find a way of getting the paint off before Vanessa arrives. Fair City Wayne struggles to accept Orla's decision. Decco is unsettled by a face from the past. Will gets the wrong impression when he sees Mairead and Damien together. Wayne makes a major decision. Decco starts down a dark road. Damien insists on Mairead telling Will the truth. Charlotte makes inroads in the Brennan household. Dundalk native Alan Fisher was presented with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce at their annual business awards dinner last week. A delighted Alan, who is originally from St. Gerard's Square said: 'It was very kind of them to recognize the hard work we've been doing. Thank you very much for the lovely gesture.' He dedicated the award to his 'best friend and lovely wife Ai Tamura'. 'I'd never have lasted this long were it not for your valuable insight and support.' Alan, who originally went to Japan to work for the tech company Fujisoft in Toyoko but left in December 2014 to pursue his dream of opening an Irish restaurant. He opened the Kyojin no Stewhouse (The Giant's Stewhouse) in February 2015 with the aim of serving up authentic Irish food such as Irish stew and Dublin coddle to his Japanese customers. He has also introduced Irish craft beers to the menu and is very much involved in promoting Irish culture, regularly holding music nights and taking an active part in the city's Irish Culture Week each November. The Kyojin no Stewhouse has featured regularly on Japanese television and in newspaper and magazine articles. Alan also turned his hand to literature when he wrote the Celtic fantasy novel 'The Giant's Dream' last year. The Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce presented the awards to the winners of the 2018 Ireland Japan Business Awards at the Conrad Tokyo in the company of the Ambassador of Ireland to Japan, Paul Kavanagh, last week. An update on the progress being made under Operation Enable is set to take place in Dundalk next week. Chief Superintendent of the Louth Garda Division Christy Mangan is set to address a meeting of Louth disability groups on progress made. Operation Enable was launched in Dundalk last April aimed at cracking down on motorists illegally parked in wheelchair accessible parking bays across the county. Operation Enable is a multi-agency initiative between An Garda Siochana, Louth County Council, Irish Wheelchair Association and Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland. The aim of the initiative is to remind motorists to respect wheelchair accessible parking bays in County Louth and to encourage permit holders to respect the conditions attached to their parking permits. Disability groups are welcome to attend the update although booking is essential by contacting 087 6172127. The Long Walk is set for a major regeneration after a 533,000 investment through Project Ireland 2040 was granted last week. Speaking on the funding announcement Cllr. McGahon said: 'The Urban Regeneration and Development fund (URDF) was established earlier this year under Project Ireland 2040. The fund is the largest urban regeneration initiative in Ireland for decades and was established to support more compact and sustainable development, through the regeneration of and rejuvenation of towns like Dundalk in line with the objectives of Project Ireland 2040.' He explained that the 533,000 investment for Dundalk will be 'funding a rejuvenation scheme to reinvigorate the Long Walk area to establish a new living and working quarter at the heart of Dundalk town centre. The funding will support street improvement and upgrade, creation of improved public spaces and promotion of cafe culture and incorporation of public art.' Cllr McGahon added: 'This is a great news story for Dundalk. We already have a full scale redevelopment in the works for Clanbrassil Street and now we have over half a million to drive regeneration and rejuvenation of a strategic and under-utilised area like the Longwalk. 'This funding is another clear example of the steps that are being take to make Dundalk an even more attractive and vibrant place in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest,' concluded Cllr. McGahon. Caoimhe McCormack, a fifth year student at St Louis Secondary School, is the regional winner of the Rotary Youth Leadership Challenge and will be travelling to Strasbourg to take her place at the prestigious Euroscola programme in Strasbourg Caoimhe from the Avenue Road had already won the Louth heat and now takes part in the national competition. She is keeping up the school's impressive tradition in the competition, with three wins at local level in five years, and national success in 2015 whem Annie Mc Aleer won the overall award. The judges were very impressed with Caoimhe's efforts which involved a number of testing interview stages. Her achievements include being a member of the school's Cairde team which helps first year students adjust to life in secondary school and she took part in the school's Peer Education programme during transition year. A manager of her transition year mini company Caoimhe also earned a Gaisce Award as part of her transition year programme. She is a member Comhairle na nOg Contae Lu, and has spoken about young people's attitudes on Brexit at Louth County Council and Newry City Council. Sshe was also involved in the design and development of a mental health booklet. She also raised 800 for the Irish Cancer Society by donating her hair to the Rapunzel Foundation. Congratulating Caoimhe on her wonderful achievement, Deputy Principal Mary Gilmore noted 'The school has a fantastic record in this competition. Time and again our girls are winners, which is testament to the leadership training they receive in our school, particularly during Transition Year. Ms Dara Mee and Ms Cora Rice were also instrumental in preparing our girls for this competition.' Katy Perry was the world's highest-paid woman in music in the past year, according to the annual list published by Forbes. Perry contributed to her $83m in earnings by grossing over a million per night on her 2018 tour and reportedly earning in excess of $20 million as a judge on ABC's American Idol. 1. Katy Perry ($83 million) 2. Taylor Swift ($80 million) 3. Beyonce ($60 million) 4. Pink ($52 million) 5. Lady Gaga ($50 million) 6. Jennifer Lopez ($47 million) 7. Rihanna ($37.5 million) 8. Helene Fischer ($32 million) 9. Celine Dion ($31 million) 10. Britney Spears ($30 million) Christmas market: The Greystones Tidy Towns Greystones Art and Photography exhibition (GRAPE) Christmas Market is coming to the Boatyard beside the Beach House at the harbour. The market will commence on the weekend of December 1 and 2 and run for each weekend until Christmas. The market is a major fundraiser for Greystones Tidy Towns, and all the proceeds are funnelled back into the town on projects, equipment and ongoing programmes to enhance and make the town a better environment. 'The success we achieved in this years Tidy Towns competition is has spurned us on to a different level and there are many exciting projects we hope to roll out in the New Year,' said a spokesman. 'The market has also been a significant fundraiser for the St Vincent de Paul, last year we raised 1,700 and we hope to increase on this significantly this year.' Men's shed Greystones Men's Shed is seeking new members. They open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will have new programmes starting in 2019. Their project for December is 'Get Ireland Walking'. They aim to gather at the men's shed in Greystones and walk for about 30 minutes around the harbour. All new members will receive a hat and hi-vis jacket. Active Retirement Greystones Active Retirement Association has a number of events planned for the coming weeks. On Friday, November 30 at 10.30 a.m. it's the monthly coffee morning at Kilian House family Centre, including a Christmas flower arranging demonstration and a raffle. This is the final coffee morning of 2018. On Wednesday, December 5, there will be a Christmas shopping trip to the Arboretum, Leighlinbridge, County Carlow. The bus will leave the Holy Rosary Church car park at 9.30 a.m. and the cost is 15. To book, contact Elsie at 087 7468426. GARA's Christmas lunch will take place at the Parkview Hotel in Newtown on Thursday, December 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are 25. The event will include a four-course lunch, music and dancing with Liam Garret and raffle with great prizes. The booking office is open each Tuesday morning at Kilian House Family Centre, from 10.30 a.m. to 12 midday, for membership renewal, information, and payments for outings. Coffee morning Stephen Donnelly will host a coffee morning in aid of Greystones Cancer Support on Friday, November 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each year the Fianna Fail Deputy runs a charity coffee morning, in his constituency office on the Mill Road in Greystones, beside the Railway Station. This year's coffee morning will be in aid of Greystones Cancer Support. The event will include tea and coffee, home-baking and plenty of chat with all donations very welcome. Film club Greystones Film Club continues on Sunday, December 2, with an afternoon Raymond Briggs double-bill of The Snowman and Father Christmas, To book tickets go to whaletheatre.ie. Dementia Friends Greystones Dementia Friends is a local group for those caring for someone with dementia. The group meets every Friday morning in the St Patrick's Parish Hall at 11 a.m. The group would love to welcome anyone caring for those with dementia. For more information contact Elaine on 086 8270105 or Fiona on 086 8455256. Badminton Bray Greystones badminton club welcomes new players every Thursday night at eight o'clock in BIFE Novara Road Bray. Beginners and back to badminton players welcome. Family badminton takes place every Sunday from 4 p.m. till 6 p.m. Adults and children welcome. If interested please contact Mary on 0894132070 Storytime at the library The popular children's storytime has moved to the slightly later time of 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings at Greystones Library. The session is suitable for babies up to children aged six years. All are welcome to come along for some super stories as well as the chance to meet other parents and carers. No booking is required for the event. Holy Rosary Holy Rosary Choir needs new members. The choir sings at 6 p.m. Mass in the Holy Rosary Church on the first and third Saturday of the month. For more information call 085 8801466. Parish social Holy Rosary parish social, hobby and craft afternoon will and take place on the first Sunday of each month. The event will take place at Kilian House Family Centre from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. each month. Refreshments are available at 1.50. The event is for people aged 18 and older. For more information go to greystonesparish.ie. Language groups A German conversation group meets each week in Greystones. The group meets at the library on Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. A French conversational group meets on Thursday mornings, also at the library, at 11 a.m. Policing clinic Kilcoole policing clinic takes place each Wednesday evening at Kilcoole Community Centre, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Garda Corbet and/or Garda Thompson will be in attendance. Drop in for crime prevention advice, get a form stamped, and most other garda station services. Bereaved support group Greystones Cancer Support will hold its bereaved group meeting on November 28, at 3.15 p.m. This group is for those bereaved in the past few years. Grieving is an ongoing process. Sharing with others has proven to help. The meetings are professionally facilitated by Liz Gleeson. Craft fair St David's school is inviting stall holders to take part in this year's craft fair. The event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost for one day is 45 for a single table or 70 for a double. For two days it's 80 for a single table or 120 for a double. To participate in the fair, email stdavidscraftfair@gmail.com. Christmas lunch outing Greystones Cancer Support's Christmas Lunch will take place at the Parkview Hotel in Newtown on Sunday, December 2, at 12 midday. There will be Christmas singing led by Canadh Le Cheile, and a special free raffle for all who attend. The GCS Christmas cards and Wicklow Calendars 2019 will be on sale. They are asking for a donation of 10 towards the lunch. Bookings can be made before November 28 by calling 01 2871601, or email info@greystonescancersupport.com. Course for development A free course entitled 'A Creative Approach to Personal and Social Development', continues on Wednesdays at the Charlesland Community Centre. The course is run by Greystones Family Resource Centre and Bray Area Partnership. Sessions during the course will begin with a guided relaxation/meditation. They will include creative activities such as the making of vision boards and life books. For details, call Greystones Family Resource Centre on 01 2557528. Soup and sandwiches Holy Rosary soup and sandwiches will take place at Kilian House Family Centre on Wednesday, November 28. The lunch will be served from 12.15 p.m. to 2 p.m. and will include tea or coffee and cake. A suggested donation of 5 will go to local charities. Gospel choir performance Unity Gospel Choir will perform for Tiglin on Saturday, December 1 at 8 p.m. at Hillside Evangelical Church. Tiglin provides treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. Admission to the concert is 15 for adults or 5 for children. Exercise for over 50s Exercise programmes for the over 50s take place each Wednesday at Shoreline Leisure at 12.30 p.m. The sessions help with flexibility, strength, confidence, balance, coordination and mobility. Admission is 5 per session and all are welcome. An extension and refurbishment to St David's School in Greystones could be delayed until 2021, with more than 100 pupils failing to get places each year. Wicklow County Council granted permission in 2016 for the works to go ahead, with the plans including a sports centre, five new classrooms, a new technology room and a media room. There were objections with locals concerned about height and traffic, but An Bord Pleanala gave the project the green light n July 2017, and funding was approved by the Department of Education in December of last year. Deputy Donnelly said that the school principal Mary O'Doherty is growing impatient at repeated delays to get the works started. She began the planning process back in 2012 and was told the building phase should take around 21 months to conclude. Since Deputy Donnelly's first request to meet the minister, there has been a cabinet reshuffle. 'We now have a new Minister for Education in Joe McHugh, and yet still no meeting,' said Mr Donnelly. A meeting planned for last Wednesday in the minister's office was called off. 'A phone call was offered in lieu with a mid-ranking official from the Education Department and during the course of that conversation I pressed for a time-line for construction. It appears now that contractors may not be on site until 2020 or 2021,' said Deputy Donnelly. He said that this delay is 'simply unacceptable 'Anyone who has been offered a place will still be enrolled, but more than 100 other pupils are being turned away each year. The Department of Education had not responded to a request for information at the time of going to press. Paul Costelloe with models at the Irish Fashion Collective Show in aid of St Josephs, Shankill, at the Conrad on Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin. Designer Paul Costelloe headlined this year's Irish Fashion Collective held recently in aid of St Joseph's, Shankill. Costelloe joined fellow designer Deborah Veale for the show which was held in the Conrad and hosted by Lorraine Keane. He showcased highlights from his international Autumn Winter 2018 womenswear collection, alongside a collective of other leading Irish designers. Top Irish and international designers, milliner Philip Treacy and couturier Don O'Neill have both been the guest designers in previous years. Paul was joined by Deborah Veale, Zoe Jordan, Louise Kennedy, Aideen Bodkin, Sarah Murphy, Roisin Linnane & Mellisa Curry, Electronic Sheep and the Design Centre. A special auction sponsored by Sherry Fitzgerald raised a further 10,000 supporting the charity, when prizes from Design Centre, Aidan Chadwick Private dining and flights with Turkish Airlines just a few of the sought after prizes. Cara Pharmacy Group wowed the guests with gift bags overflowing with luxury Irish beauty products. Not satisfied to just showcase his clothing, he wanted to raise more money for the charity. Paul spent time painting one off fashion sketches for the audience members willing to pay for a Paul Costelloe origin. All profits raised from the evening which totalled nearly 30,000 will go to supporting Saint Joseph's Shankill and their vision to lead the way in dementia care in Ireland. Saint Joseph's Shankill is the only care home in Ireland that solely cares for people living with dementia. The centre aspires to demonstrate excellence in how people with this very difficult illness are cared for and looked after. It is home to 60 people who live in one of the six lodges with others who are at the same stage of dementia. They are cared for together in a 'homelike' environment where the focus is on people's emotions and making them feel like they really matter, despite living with a diagnosis of dementia. The class from Powerscourt with their teacher. Powerscourt National School won first prize at the recent Galway Science and Technology Exhibition's 'ReelLife Science Primary Award'. Third and fourth class pupils created a short production on 'Skin' to win the 1,000 prize. Their teacher Rachael Kinkead is not new to the role of executive movie producer. Last year, her class came fifth in the competition. The classes and their teacher put in plenty of determination and hard work. They were very excited about carrying out the scientific investigation required for the project. 'This has been a really wonderful way for our children to engage in science in a fun, interactive and accessible way,' said parent Karin McLoughlin. 'A really positive way to learn and experience science for children, and adults.' Bray native Dara O'Briain was one of the judges. 'I was delighted to be a guest judge in this year's competition and see how much enthusiasm, knowledge and energy is pouring out of science classes across the country.' The competition challenges schools and community groups to communicate science and technology concepts via engaging and educational short videos. Since being launched in 2013 by Dr Enda O'Connell and a team of volunteer scientists, this challenge has been met by more than 10,000 participants in 350 schools and groups around Ireland. The videos are on reelLifescience.com along with rules and details for next year. Sea Life in Bray held a party last Monday evening to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The aquarium opened its doors in 1998 on the site of the former National Aquarium. The party was held for local businesses, local representatives, marine sector partners and current and former staff to celebrate the occasion and to thank the local community in Bray for its support. Minister Simon Harris was among those to attend the party. In the 20 years that it has operated in Bray, Sea Life has welcomed over 1.8 million visitors. Commenting on this number, Pat O Suilleabhain, who has been general manager for the last 16 years, said: 'These visitors, both domestic and international, have made such a fantastic contribution both to the development of the aquarium, and to the local economy. 'Their admission fees have allowed us to deliver world-class animal welfare, engage in research, develop educational programs, and carry out marine conservation work. We are so grateful to each and every one of them for their support over the past two decades.' The past 20 years have seen some huge changes in the aquarium, both in terms of appearance and the make-up of the animal collection. Initially, the aquarium displayed only native animals. But as the appetite for knowledge about global species grew, so the collection changed. 'Through this change,' said Pat, 'we had the opportunity and privilege to care for some amazing creatures down through the years: giant Japanese spider crabs (2002), black tip reef sharks (2005), giant pacific octopus (2010), leafy sea dragons (2011), and golden puffer fish (2016).' Today, Sea Life Bray has 26 displays which are home to over 70 different species of freshwater and marine animals from all over the world. 'We are so grateful to the community of Bray for its support over the past 20 years, and we look forward to caring for our animals, seas and oceans over the next 20 years,' said Pat. The early promise of a teenage DJ has blossomed into full blown success for Charleville man Cian Bowles (pictured) who is presently home from the clubbing island of Ibiza, and arguably the clubbing capital of the world, where he spends his summers spinning the discs in the island's night clubs. Cian is a member of the Utter Radio and Recording Studios team of DJ's having first been invited to join the organisation after he came second in a competition some years ago. He travelled to Edinburgh in Scotland to join their radio station there before travelling on to Denmark, to their studio in Cafe Hope in Hillerod near Copenhagen. There, he worked at their Utter recording studios or on the Utter radio station. He has also been the DJ at the Common Riding music festival in Hawick Mair near Edinburgh and is also a regular in the Square One Bar. When in Ibiza Cian has worked in clubs such as Pure, the Highlander and Kittie's Club in San Antonio and in Shenanigan's, the Irish bar on the island. He has also worked on Beach Cruise Radio live streaming with radio presenter Woody Van Eyden of Live from Ibiza Beach Grooves fame. He is on the decks for the summer season on the iconic holiday island, and is the only Irish man on a team of DJ's, who otherwise hail from Denmark and the UK. While he is at home Cian keeps abreast of the music trends and works every weekend at Geary's Bar in Charleville, and may also be seen operating the decks at O'Connell's Bar in Main Street, Charleville. But, come the summer season, he will jet off once again to the sunnier climes if Ibiza. The Ballincollig native who is the editor-in-chief of one of the world's most popular fashion magazines 'Glamour' is to be honoured by her alma mater. Samantha Barry, who was last January hired by Conde Nast to take over the top editorial role at the iconic fashion and beauty media brand, will be honoured at UCC's Alumni Achievement Awards on Friday. In her high-profile role Samantha, who graduated from UCC in 2002 with an Arts degree (English and Psychology, oversees all content development, production and consumer experiences across all of Glamour's digital, social, video and print platforms. Prior to taking over at the helm of Glamour, she served at the executive producer for social and emerging media at CNN Worldwide, spearheading their 2016 US election coverage across all platforms. She has also worked as a social media producer and journalist with BBC World News in London and as a reporter and producer for RTE and Newstalk - working in 25 countries along the way. Samantha said that the skills and passion discovered and nurtured during her time as an undergraduate at UCC had impacted on every job she has had since graduating. "The technology may have evolved as I jumped from Ireland to London to Papua New Guinea to New York, but at the heart of my job are the fundamentals that I learned at UCC and the newsroom of the University Examiner," said Samantha. "These are the ability to talk to people, share their stories and offer opinions," she added. During Friday's ceremony Samantha will among a group of five former UCC students to be honoured by the University. The others are Ireland's Professor of Poetry, Eilean Ni Chuilleanain; one of the country most successful entrepreneurs, Barry O'Sullivan; District Court judge Olann Kelleher and 104-year-old Mairin Hughes, who graduated with a BSc and HDE from UCC in 1930, becoming a role model for other female students to follow. The 1968/69 Mallow Presidents Trophy-winning team of(back row) Manus OCallaghan, Graham Morphy, Rory Barratt, and Jimmy Gyves (with trophy). Also pictured are Ita OLeary, Mallow Red Cross; and Pat Organ, water safety examiner The record-breaking Mallow team that became the first from Cork to win a prestigious national water safety award is set to set to be afforded one of the Rebel County's top accolades. The Mayor of County Cork Cllr Gerard Patrick Murphy will next Wednesday host a civic reception in County Hall to mark the 50th anniversary of the Mallow Red Cross - representing Cork - winning the President's Trophy. To this day, the team - consisting of Jimmy Gyves, Rory Barrett, Manus O'Callaghan and Grahame Morphy - remain the only one representing Cork city and county to have won the coveted trophy. The quartet were all members of the Mallow Red Cross water safety section: a river, lake and sea rescue organisation that, in the words of Manus O'Callaghan "pre-dated swimming pools, changing rooms, showers and all such luxuries." Back then, the group honed its skills on dry land before putting them to use at the Bulwarks, a well-known spot on the River Blackwater that has been used by generations of local swimmers. "The Red Cross 'blood and bandage boys' may have had their attractive uniforms, but we had our togs - and wore them with pride. In fact they inspired many to become instructors, helping to spread the water safety message throughout Ireland," said Manus. He said that competition played an important role, with the team winning numerous county and regional titles before they felt ready to take on "the big one" - The President's Trophy. "We were actually surprised that no Mallow team had won it before, given the calibre of people that had been part of the organisation over the years," admitted Manus. "Not only did we win the 1968/69 trophy, we also featured on RTE Nuacht - even though no-one recognised us as all were on screen was as a series of splashes in a blue swimming pool," he laughed. Manus also celebrated a prestigious double on that day by winning the best individual in competition award. He said that at the time water safety was "about as low profile an activity as you could get", so the team was not expecting any bands to greet them or civic receptions when they arrived back in Mallow. "And we weren't to be disappointed in that respect," he grinned. Tim Sheahan of the Mallow Development Partnership (MDP), said he had written to the county Mayor requesting the team finally be honoured for their win. "Although it might be five decades overdue, I think a civic reception would be a great way to remember what the team achieved and the fact they still are the only Cork team to have won the trophy," he said. The Mallow-based international water solutions giant EPS has added yet another string to its already impressive bow by securing a 28 million contact to deliver the Skibbereen Regional Water Supply Scheme. The company, which is this year celebrating its 50th year in business, is a global leader in the field of 'wet' infrastructure, with support service operations across Ireland, the UK, the Middle East and West Africa. The Skibbereen project - which will see the amalgamation of a number of smaller supply schemes and the upgrading of treatment plants - is the latest in a series EPS is conducting in partnership with Irish Water. The company already has a significant footprint in west Cork, with wastewater treatment plants in Dunmanway, Bantry, Clonakilty and Kinsale, as well as works currently underway in Bandon and further north in Millstreet EPS Managing Director Patrick Buckley said the latest project would result in a welcome jobs boost for the Cork region and that the company would be targeting professionals working abroad who may be returning home for Christmas and would like to secure a skilled position back in Ireland. "This contract will generate a significant jobs boost for the Cork region as we undertake an extensive search for civil and mechanical engineers, project managers, site managers and quantity surveyors," said Mr Buckley. "It's an opportune time for anyone considering relocation back to Cork from abroad or other parts of the country. Irish Water is investing heavily in our national water infrastructure and EPS is at the forefront of this activity," he added. Anyone interested in applying for the new positions can do so at www.epswater.ie/group/careers. A threat of closure to the An Post Mail Centre in Cork, with the potential loss of 200 jobs, was raised in the Dail by Labour Deputy Sean Sherlock. "I am asking the Minister if he can confirm that is the case. It would have a devastating effect on postal services in the southern region," he said. "Does An Post intend to close the Cork Mail Centre, with the loss of 200 jobs? We need confirmation on that." Deputy Sherlock said he also wanted to raise the issue of the promise that was made in respect of a new post office that was supposed to be tendered for in Kilworth which has not come on stream yet. Sinn Fein Deputy Pat Buckley said it was very worrying that there is a possibility that over 200 people will lose their jobs before Christmas. "The issue of new equipment was raised, but that will probably never happen now," he said. "There will be no investment in Athlone and Portlaoise, never mind the Cork mail centres. I did not want to bring it up here today because I respect people's privacy, but when the news breaks one has to be fair. This is a very worrying thing, especially in the run up to Christmas. Cork is such a big rural area, and if it is let it down in this manner it will be absolutely devastating." In response, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Richard Bruton said An Post is a commercial State body, and it has been under very severe financial pressure in recent years. "It has had to take steps, including increasing the prices of stamps, among other things, to ensure that it can continue to deliver a service," he said. "It has negotiated a settlement with the postmasters whereby some post offices will voluntarily close. It has also developed a protocol under which it has given assurances that there will be a maximum distance that people will have to travel. It is ensuring that pledge is honoured in the context of any closures that occur. It also seeks to ensure that where other commercial outlets wish to continue to provide the service there will be an opportunity to do so." Allocation of Home Help supports has dried up in County Cork Since last July the provision of Home Care packages and the allocation of additional Home Help supports for families throughout the country, especially in County Cork, have completely dried up, Fianna Fail Deputy Michael Moynihan told the Dail. He said it was now impossible to assist constituents who come to clinics for help to keep their loved ones at home and provide every support they can for families. "Families look at ways by which they can work around their work schedules and other family commitments to try to ensure they will have supports in place," he said. "Nurses and other health professionals recognise the chronic need for additional support, but it is not available. What we are being told by the HSE is that no additional Home Help hours are available. In some cases, the numbers of hours have even been reduced." Given the number in chronic need of help, Deputy Moynihan said he would dearly love to see the 550 Home Care packages recently announced by the minister for Health allocated. "In some cases an elderly husband or wife is caring for his or her partner or loved one and he or she is looking for extra support," he said. "The situation is simply not acceptable. I put it to the Minister of State that we will come back here in the first or second week of January to see whether any of the extra home care packages has been allocated. I believe they will not have been. We must be serious about this issue because there is a chronic need for help across services." Speaking during the same debate, Fianna Fail Deputy Aindrias Moynihan said day centres are of great benefit to carers and the people for whom they care and they should be available in every community. "There are a number of day centres in the areas surrounding Macroom but there is gap in this regard in the town, one which I have highlighted to the authorities a number of times," he said. "For example, on the hospital grounds there is a vacant HSE building that would make an ideal day care centre." He said that when a person leaves a job or moves to part-time employment to care for a family member that person is eligible for carer's benefit. However, it can take up to 18 weeks to have the benefit approved and it is a benefit based on one's stamps. "It is not means-tested," he said. "It should be very straightforward and approved to support carers in supporting their families at home." Eve Hewson and Taron Egerton as Maid Marian and Robin Hood in Robin Hood The men are far from merry in director Otto Bathurst's gung-ho action adventure, which canters through the blood-soaked origins of the English folk hero before he gives serious thought to riding through glens or stealing from the rich. 'Forget what you think you know. This is no bedtime story,' booms a superfluous voiceover narration which accompanies the derring-do on horseback and daredevil acrobatics in a bygone Nottingham torn apart by the unholy union of state and church. Action set pieces are reminiscent of the Assassin's Creed video games, employing slow-motion to excess as leading man Taron Egerton performs bone-crunching somersaults while firing arrows with his trusty bow. Bathurst delivers some decent thrills with these high-tempo sequences including a breathless chase in horse-drawn carts choreographed to resemble the chariot race from Ben-Hur, and the explosive theft of the Sheriff of Nottingham's war taxes. Away from the testosterone-fuelled destruction, Ben Chandler and David James Kelly's script allows Egerton to recycle his charm and swagger from the Kingsman films while co-star Ben Mendelsohn embraces the pantomime season as a suitably slippery Sheriff of Nottingham. Tim Minchin attempts to provide comic relief as Friar Tuck but there are few opportunities to play for genuine laughs. The Sheriff of Nottingham (Mendelsohn) issues a draft notice to Lord Robin of Loxley (Egerton) to fight in the Crusades in Arabia. During four gruelling years away from his sweetheart Marian (Eve Hewson), Robin is battle-hardened by his experiences wielding a bow and arrows under Commander Guy Gisbourne (Paul Anderson). He witnesses brutality perpetrated by the English against enemy prisoners and Robin defies his comrades to protect a Moor called John (Jamie Foxx), whose son is tortured by Gisbourne's underlings. Robin returns to Nottingham in disgrace and learns that the Sheriff has falsely reported his death and seized his assets. A grief-stricken Marian is now in the arms of impassioned community leader Will Tillman (Jamie Dornan), who speaks on behalf of the common folk in their disputes against the Sheriff. Heartbroken and enraged by the hand that fate has dealt him, Robin trains with John to overthrow the Sheriff, whose war taxes have impacted the poorest in society. 'Vengeance for you and justice for my son,' seethes the Moor. Robin Hood is a solid and well-executed romp, which is clearly intended as the opening chapter of a franchise. Egerton copes admirably with the physical demands of the lead role and he catalyses a gently simmering screen chemistry with Hewson, who is squandered as the sole female character with a voice. Foxx snarls his lines as the grief-stricken mentor, who transforms Robin into a buff killing machine via a slickly edited training montage. Unlike its dashing hero, Bathurst's film doesn't hit all of its intended targets but it comes close enough to entertain for almost two hours. Stacey is not happy to see Martin spending time with Matt and Ross in Eastenders Eastenders: At the pub, Albert Square's residents discuss the article in the local paper, unaware that it's about Ruby. There's a debate about the topic of consent and Ruby tries her best to ignore the conversation. Later, Stacey reacts angrily when she sees Martin spending time with Matt and Ross. Stacey's outburst leads to everyone discovering that they're the men responsible. After Matt and Ross are forced to leave, Glenn arrives and defends his two friends. Ruby bravely stands up to Glenn, letting everyone know that she was the woman who Matt raped. Coronation Street Having listened to the evidence, Tim is once more of the belief that Sally may have had an affair. Sally is devastated. At the same time, Paula ends it with Sophie. Meanwhile, Kate and Rana attend the fertility clinic. Kate is giddy with excitement, while Rana does her best to appear enthusiastic. Kate and Rana agree between them that Kate will carry their baby. Kate is thrilled and tells Rana she can't wait to be pregnant. Elsewhere, Jenny secretly puts Liz's phone in water. When Liz realises it isn't working, Jenny says she is due an upgrade and offers Liz her old phone. What is she up to? Also, after a successful physio session, Jack announces that he wants to do some fundraising for the hospital. Kevin is proud of his son. Jack reveals his one-legged race fundraiser idea to Greg. Greg offers his full support. Finally, Michelle suggests to Robert that they should take the afternoon off, while Mary is upset when Angie explains that she's changed the locks at Number 3 because she wants to move on from Jude. Emmerdale Leanna convinces Bernice that she has made the wrong choice of dress for the gala, so Bernice rushes into town to amend her mistake. When Bernice later arrives in The Woolpack wearing an awful ball gown, she quickly realises Leanna has set her up and she's left upset when Liam sides with his daughter. Meanwhile, Pollard comes up with a plan and Rodney fakes an illness. Will Faith soon be on to the pair? Megan spots Graham Foster and attempts to talk some sense into him. Graham misinterprets Megan's kindness and tries to kiss her. She pulls away, leaving Graham utterly mortified. Meanwhile, Charity is left to entertain Moses and Johnny, but is horrified when she realises she's used permanent paint on the kids' faces. Marlon Dingle helps to find a way of getting the paint off before Vanessa arrives. Fair City Wayne struggles to accept Orla's decision. Decco is unsettled by a face from the past. Will gets the wrong impression when he sees Mairead and Damien together. Wayne makes a major decision. Decco starts down a dark road. Damien insists on Mairead telling Will the truth. Charlotte makes inroads in the Brennan household. Local Fine Gael TD Fergus ODowd has welcomed news received from his colleague the Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan TD, that 18 newly qualified Gardai will be assigned to Drogheda and District for the Christmas period, with further additional resources from adjoining divisions on a temporary basis. According to Deputy ODowd, this will allow the local Gardai to saturate patrols in local estates and the town centre. I will continue to press both the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commisioner to provide these additional positions to Drogheda and District on a permanent basis. The fact remains that Drogheda has over 50 fewer permanent Gardai than Dundalk even though Drogheda is now the largest town in Ireland. I want to again commend the local Gardai for their exemplary action and bravery over recent weeks, he concluded. Sinn Fein TD for Louth Imelda Munster says that temporary additional resources are not the solution to the escalating gangland feud in Drogheda. I have been calling for additional resources for the Drogheda area for some time now, long before the escalation of the ongoing feud in the town. Any additional resources are to be welcomed, and I am glad to see Garda management taking action on this matter. It is long overdue and badly needed. Gardai locally have been starved of resources, and the only solution to this is the deployment of additional permanent Gardai. Had the force been sufficiently resourced all along it is likely that the current crisis would have been averted. Senator Ged Nash has said that the additional Gardai temporarily deployed to Drogheda must be permanent. This is a welcome development. I have been calling for more Gardai for Drogheda for some time now - well before the recent escalation in violence in the town. Objectively, Drogheda is under-resourced compared even to towns that are much smaller in size and scale. It is not good enough that the government and the Commissioner sees fit to police Drogheda as if it were a small provincial town. Cllr Pio Smith said the extra gardai were badly needed. In my opinion, this will greatly enhance the ability of the community policing unit to establish an ongoing presence in the parts of our town that currently suffer from anti social behaviour. Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan and Superintendent Andy Watters have done significant work in establishing a dedicated drugs unit in Drogheda and revitalising the community policing unit and this work will pay dividends in the months to come.' Uachtaran Chumann Lutchleas Gael, John Horan has travelled to Sydney and Boston in recent weeks, then headed to Kerry last Saturday but on Sunday morning found himself guest of honour on the Slane Road in Mell for a glorious day for the Oliver Plunketts. The weather was anything but friendly, but the head of the GAA said he was warmed by the reception he received, delivering on a promise made more than a year ago. He attended the launch of the Plunketts 5-year plan and declared that when the expanded clubhouse was finished, he'd be back to open it. So, at 9am on Sunday, he boarded a plane in Farrenfore and flew to Dublin and on to Drogheda to make sure he'd be there for noon. 'The founders will be looking down fondly on this day,' he stated. The facility, featuring a new meeting room and dressing rooms, is state-of-the-art and the club is determined it will become the focal point of the community. Fr John McAlinden blessed the new complex before Cathaoirleach Tomas O hEochaidh expressed his delight with the reaction to the clubhouse and the many people - both now and in the past - who made it happen. 'We want people to come in and participate with us,' he remarked. He was delighted to see so many young people attending, adding that two of them, the Lambe brothers, had been selected as Louth's under 14 and 15 players during the week. Louth Co Board chairman Des Halpenny said it was a huge day for the club and shows what can be done when community and club comes together. The Plunketts chairman added that there was a lot of land around the Plunketts field and would make an ideal home for a county ground - if the Dundalk project fails to go ahead. The Mell club has been on the Slane Road since 1983 and now have a meeting place to be proud of. For years, they hosted meetings in various locations, including the old nissan huts at the O'Raghallaigh's. Prior to the event, Mayor Frank Godfrey praised the role of the Plunketts in the area and said they do great work. On Saturday last, Drogheda & District Chamber held their 14th annual Drogheda Business Excellence Awards Ceremony and Dinner in the CityNorth Hotel, Gormanston. Once again, this was the social highlight of the year for the business community, full of glitz and glamour, celebrating small, medium and large enterprises from across the Greater Drogheda region. A packed attendance of over three hundred local business people and dignitaries were present to hear the winners announced in fourteen different categories, with Awards going to both new and well established businesses. Applicants for the Awards were assessed by an independent judging panel. As always, the judges were faced with difficult decisions. Shona McManus, Chamber President, expressed delight at the huge interest shown by local businesses and congratulated both the winners and all other participating businesses, wishing them continued success. "We are very grateful to the adjudicating panel for volunteering their time and expertise. Once again, they found the submissions to be of a very high standard and it was encouraging to see many new entrants this year", she said. Speaking about the Business Excellence Awards programme, Drogheda Mayor, Frank Godfrey said, "It was great to see so many new as well as long-standing businesses participate in this year's Awards programme. I congratulate all the category winners and the many other businesses who were nominated". He added, "Drogheda has a bright future and the Chamber are to be congratulated for promoting all that is good about businesses in the Greater Drogheda area - Ireland's largest town, and the biggest and best location for business in the North East !". In addition to the Business Awards, Harry McArdle was awarded this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented on the night by Sponsors, Flogas. Harry is the founder and chairman of Height for Hire, which has become the largest privately- owned MEWP access rental company in the UK and Ireland. Today, Height for Hire has over 2,000 machines in its fleet and 36 depots across Ireland, the UK, Hungary and Slovakia. Harry continues to play a key role in the business, attributing his success to hard work; the support of his family and having the right people on his team. Chamber President Shona McManus concluded by again thanking all participants; the adjudicating panel and the many sponsors for their support of the event. She encouraged all local businesses to engage with the Chamber in relation to next year's awards programme and the many activities and events organised throughout the year by the Chamber in support of local businesses. Category winners: SME of the Year (1-50 Employees) Grand Designs Kitchens & Bedrooms Ltd. SME of the Year (50 + Employees) WaterWipes. Health, Hair & Beauty, Simply Fit Food Limited. Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility, Indaver. Fleadh Award, Drogheda Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. Coffee Shop and Casual Dining, No. Three Old Bar & Restaurant. Tourism Business of the Year, CityNorth Hotel & Conference Centre. Retail Excellence, Malones Toyota Drogheda. Employee Training & Development, Louth Volunteer Centre. Start-up Business of the year, Listoke Distillery Ltd. Family Business of the Year, Smiths of Drogheda. Social Media & Digital Marketing Strategy, Anglo Printers. People's Choice Award, Hurley Bros. Lifetime Achievement, Harry McArdle. In a joint statement, Senator Ged Nash, Cllr Paul Bell and Cllr Pio Smith are proposing that a multi agency approach to addressing disadvantaged communities and anti social behaviour within council owned neighbourhoods be enacted asap. This will require the support of both Louth County Council and Central Government. The three Labour Politicians are presenting a proposal to LCC Chief Executive Joan Martin and Director of Housing Paddy Donnelly that will outline how the Council, Central Government, An Garda Siochana, Probation Services, NGO's, the HSE, Tusla and local residents, working collectively, can make a significant positive impact in creating communities that flourish rather than flounder. Senator Ged Nash said "I will be working at national level, speaking to Ministers, to get resources so that agencies can work collaboratively to develop hands on initiatives aimed at strengthening communities in our town" Cllr Bell said "Louth County Council working with members of local residents associations, active citizens , other interested residents and agency staff can partner An Garda Siochana to address ASB in council housing estates. " Cllr Smith added, "The principle aim of the multi agency approach should be to increase educational attainment, ensure a reduction in the number of young people with a low school attendance and a decrease in the number of young people at risk of suspension/exclusion from school or involvement in ASB. We need a long term strategy rather than a reactive one that can protect women, children and families and give confidence to communities that the Gardai can protect them" All three agree that by developing a coordinated collective response through the operation of the recommendations in this report, 'we will demonstrate the effectiveness of working together for a safer community". Pictured, from left, receiving the Bunclody award at the IPB Pride of Place awards ceremony were: Michael Sweeney (Wexford County Council); Cllr Anthony Donohoe; Una Murphy (Bunclody Tourist Office); Liz Hore (Enniscorthy District Manager); Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan; Peter Sheridan (CE Co-operation Ireland); Theresa Harte (Bunclody Town Team); Joe OReilly (Bunclody Town Team); George Jones (Chairman of IPB) and Tom Dowling (Chairperson of Pride of Place) Bunclody's win in this year's national Pride of Place competition has been described as being akin to winning an Oscar. The town won the award for the category catering for areas with a population of between 2,000 and 5,000 people. The annual competition is often referred to as the Oscars of the community sector and it celebrated the unsung work of community groups all over the country. Organised by Co-Operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance the initiative sees local authorities all over the country nominating outstanding projects they feel contribute to civic pride. At this month's meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy complimented everyone involved in securing the win for Bunclody. She said it brought an enormous amount of pride to the area and she complimented Local Link for providing a bus to the awards ceremony in Cork. As part of the competition Tom Dowling, who founded of the Pride of Place Completion in 2003, visited Bunclody on Thursday July 26, with his wife Alison. Cllr Murphy, who is the Chairperson of the Town Team for the competition, assisted by Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan gave a 45-minute presentation in ArtBank informing the visitors about Bunclody and community activism in the town. At the monthly meeting Cllr Codd-Nolan emphasised that the competition was a 32-county initiative and that a lot of people were involved in it. 'We should thank everybody who was involved in it because it was a huge achievement,' she said. They highlighted everything from the building of the first community owned swimming pool in the early 1970's to the volunteer led Tourist Office that's in the town today. The Dowlings were then taken on a two-hour tour of the community facilities available in the town. Marika Mahon, from Slaney Foods, prepared the power point presentation which was also shown to the visiting judges to highlight everything that is going on in the area. Bunclody was entered into the competition by Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy District Manager, Liz Hore, along with senior officials, Michael Sweeney and Ger Mackey, from the local authority's community section, attended the awards ceremony. The town itself was represented at the event by Cllr. Codd-Nolan, Teresa Harte, Una Murphy and Joe O'Reilly. In their summary the judges said 'Bunclody is a pretty town' which has a lot to offer locals and visitors. They highlighted hand-gliding, fishing, heritage trails, stunning scenery, culture, sports, food and drink as being among the many local attractions and activities available. They also noted the fact that the town was one of 10 chosen to feature in the prestigious Annual Architectural Biennale in Venice - under the banner of 'Freespace'. They said they were impressed from the very moment they entered the town and described the presentation to them as being 'first class'. 'This town has a strong partnership approach between community and sporting organisations, businesses, voluntary bodies and the local councils of two counties,' they said. 'The inclusion of all diverse groupings of residents is obvious.' Committee members from St Patricks Penny Bank which is closing because of regulatory demands from Central Bank: Pat Lambert, Paul Leacy, Andy Kildea, Donal Reid, chairman Jim Kearney, Daniel Hall, Pat Dempsey and Eddie Murphy The St Patrick's Penny Bank initiative in Enniscorthy is being forced to close its doors as a result of pressure being placed on it from the Central Bank. Speaking to this newspaper about the shock development one of the bank's committee members, Jim Kearney, said a number of issues arose as a result of the growth of the penny bank - which this year celebrated its 60th anniversary. 'We have 1.4m in savings from members,' said Mr Kearney. 'It was set up in 1958 by Fr Tony Scallon to enable people to save money for Christmas and each year it just got bigger,' he added. Such is the success of the initiative that this year the membership had to be reduced to 1,200 members. 'At its peak we would have had around 2,500 members,' said Mr Kearney. A very significant aspect of the penny bank scheme is that the interest made goes towards numerous different local charities such as St Vincent de Paul, the Hope Centre, the graveyard committee and St Patrick's Special School. 'The people nominate what local charity or organisation they want the interest to go to,' said Mr Kearney. 'It's a community initiative and we are open on Friday evenings in the IFA centre,' he added. In the beginning it was run from the Boy's Club and then the Athenaeum, however, for the last decade or so it's been operating out of the IFA centre on Millpark Road. 'We have had insurance for years to cover public liability and we also needed insurance to bring the money to the night safe - which was always under garda escort,' said Mr Kearney. The first year of the penny bank recorded savings of 57, however, this year it is 1.4m and that, ultimately, has led to a situation whereby the committee can no longer run it. They were notified by their insurance broker that the Central Bank required detailed information about people using the penny bank because it now regarded it as a financial institution. Among the requirements made from the central bank were requests for photo ID and proof of address of all people saving in the penny bank. 'We would have to go from voluntary to fulltime and that's just not possible,' said Mr Kearney. 'Our final collection took place last Friday night (November 16),' he added. The 10-member committee give their time for free to run the bank and everyone involved is very disappointed at the latest development. 'The insurance has also doubled and we just wouldn't be able to keep it going now [with the requirements],' he said. However, he praised the insurance brokers, Creane and Creane, who he said had enabled the initiative to keep going until the end of the year despite having had pressure put on it to close in June. 'The insurance ran out on June 1 and they wanted us to stop it then but the broker got it to the end of the year so we were grateful for that,' said Mr Kearney. A voluntary run organisation the committee members give their time on Friday evenings for people to put their savings into the bank. Mr Carney said nobody wanted to see the penny bank closing but the committee's hands are tied on the matter. 'We just want to thank everyone who has supported it down through the years,' he said. 'All of the people who assisted and all of the people who saved in the initiative for years,' he added. In addition to the savings benefits Mr Carney said it was also a vital social outlet for many people which will be very hard to replace. One hundred outgoing students at Enniscorthy Vocational College of Further Education have graduated at a ceremony in the school in front of management, staff and proud friends and family members. They were presented with their official QQI certificates by their respective Course Directors. They graduated across a range of academic disciplines including: Humanities; Science and Technology; Cosmetic Science; Performing Arts; Childcare and Business. Some graduates were absent as they are currently away in college in Ireland and in Aberyswyth, Wales, while a number of them have already gained employment. A number of speakers addressed the conferring ceremony including Principal, Dr Iain Wickham, Kevin Lewis, Chief Executive of Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB), Conor Dempsey, Chairman of the college's Board of Management, and Deputy James Browne, TD. Dr Wickham praised the students for their effort and commitment in reaching graduation day and spoke of the importance of up-skilling into the future. He also highlighted the importance of having respect, a positive outlook, and the resilience to deal with the ups-and-downs of everyday life. Mr Lewis congratulated all of the graduates and spoke of the WWETB's pride in their achievements while Deputy Browne told the attendees that education is a journey and that the most important quality needed on that journey is perseverance. 'People also need to understand that failure is an essential part of success,' he said. Mr Dempsey paid tribute to the students and also to the staff for their professionalism and dedication. The first Portmarnock Community School Careers Fair took place recently and was declared a 'huge success'. Over 60 Universities, Colleges,Courses and Careers Representatives gave their time to have meaningful conversations with the Transition Year and Sixth Year students and their parents. Thanks to the school's Guidance Department, Parents Association , teachers and volunteers many more of the students have, taken a significant step in their decision making around their futures. ONe student, Arianna Manassero, described her experience at the fair: 'The atmosphere is manic until we reach the hall, holding many college stands similar to those I once ogled at the Higher Options fair, two months prior. 'My eyes dart, searching for the brightest stand, The IADT table on the far side of the hall, the neighbouring stand being Colaiste Dhulaigh, across from the most entertaining of them, the Guards and their beer goggles. Along with Maynooth University, UCD, DCU, Trinity, DBS, the Irish Army and more to complete the plaza surrounding the assembly hall. 'Myself and my friends found ourselves chatting to the fashion designer turned interior designer, Siobhan with 25 plus years of experience in education and business ownership. 'We found her to be useful and equally entertaining. She advised us on why we shouldn't settle with anything less than what we love, this being why she had been career hopping since the nineties. Her inspirational quotes guided us back to the assembly area to pursue information on our passions. 'Everyone we spoke to was very helpful and well versed on each of their higher education vessels. 'At 4pm we left like a flock of sheep hoarding pens and prospectuses, the first and very successful Careers Fair in Portmarnock Community School.' Well done to all involved in the event and good luck to the students deciding their future. Style Warriors fashion and Entertainment Show which wowed an audience at the Wright Venue in Swords, earlier this year, has handed over a cheque to NECRET Cancer Research. Carina Cunningham of Style Warriors said: 'We were so excited to visit Professor Bryan Hennessy at Beaumont Hospital to hand over the funds raised from our fabulous show. 'Bryan introduced us to his two leading ladies who work along side him Angela Farrelly PHD and Sinead Toomey PHD are Clinical Cancer Researchers. 'They both assured me that this money will go to very good use. 'We were in the new Smurfit Building it was actually amazing to see. The most educated people there learning and teaching all about Cancer. 'But now Bryan tells me they are progressing much much quicker now with successful treatments than in years past regarding Cancer and all its various strains and illnesses connected. 'He's is one amazing person very young to actually be a professor and such a normal kind respectful gent it was an honor to meet him.' Carina added: 'I met him at the show as he did a few minute speech on the night his wife also attended and she walked the catwalk she was fantastic. They stayed for the entire show which I was so delighted to see.' 'This was a special night to remember. And my super models I could not have done this with out your very generous time not only for the show but for the fundraiser shoot I did in Ardgillan Castle. 'You guys and girls are so amazing I thank each and every single one of you. I would never take you for granted your simply fantastic and I thank you all. 'Make up artists and Hair stylists both your time and your products seriously you are so so kind and I did explain to the Cancer team how lucky I was to have you all donate your time and products, free.' She said: 'We all did this in our own little way to help with cancer. Designers you and your models looked amazing. Shop,s you and your models were fantastically professional and what a balance of interesting collections thank you for being part of my show. Thank you to Sponsor Ray Quinn Bathstore and last but not least huge thank you to my team of fantastic photographers led by Taz Smith and co and a huge thank you to Aerial Martin camera man and co from Go Production.' Carina also thanked the show's host, Noel Cunningham. The courage of Oldtown man, Ciaran Smith who was lost at sea off the Mayo Coast along with the crew of Coastguard Helicopter, Rescue 116 should be formally recognised by the local authority. That is according to Cllr Adrain Henchy (FF) who called for a formal recognition by the council of the Castguard winchman's extraordinary life. Cllr Henchy proposed the motion 'in recognition and in memory of'' winchman Smith, and in remembrance of Mr Smith's colleagues, Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, pilot Mark Duffy and winch operator Paul Ormsby, who also lost their lives during the rescue operation. Cllr Henchy said: 'The purpose of the motion is in recognising Ciaran - who was a proud Fingallian and originally from Swords - and his immense contribution. 'He made his life in Oldtown, in North County Dublin, with his wife Martina and three young children, and very much remembering his parents, and brother and sister as well, who of course remain devastated not only in terms of losing a son, a husband and a brother, but also the daily tragedy of his remains never been recovered.' He said: 'The hope here is, with the motion - and I very much recognise the sensitivities around the matter - that at some stage, maybe in collaboration with the Irish Coast Guard, the local authority, and absolutely with the family, for Fingal County Council to recognise Ciaran's remarkable bravery in terms of giving his life to save others, as he truly did on the night.' Cllr Cathal Boland (NP), supporting the motion, said: 'I very much welcome this motion, and I think it's long overdue. The contribution that these men and women make to the community is phenomenal. 'For them to lose their lives in providing a service, to the benefit of all of us, is something which is really to be admired. For people who have such courage, and commitment to their fellow man, to put their own lives at risk, is something that is to be applauded.' He said: 'Certainly in this instance, the council should take the opportunity to create something memorable, in Ciaran's case, and I think that the Executive should look at the possibility of finding some mechanism of putting a lasting tribute to Ciaran and his colleagues, and effectively to the service which they have provided.'' Following the passing of the motion, the council said it would contact the family, regarding the proposal. Donabate Portrane Community Council has expressed its 'disappointment' at a reply it got from the Education Minister about the provision of schools for the area. A recent Dail question put to Minister Joe McHugh on behalf of the community council inquired about the rationale behind the decision to provide the first of three new primary schools in Donabate on a site in Corballis. According to the community council, the Donabate Local Area Plan states that the first of four schools to be built is on the Spires East land near Ballymastone in the village. The land is owned by the council. But it now looks likely that the first of four new schools in the area is to be built on the Corballis lands on the peninsula. A community council spokesperson said: 'Minister McHugh was told the Corballis site is privately-owned and the taxpayer has to pay for the purchase of the site. He was also told the Fingal Schools Model was always best practice, with Fingal providing publicly owned sites for 50pc less of the market value with the monies raised then invested in the local community.' The Minister responded in his Dail reply that a site identification and acquisition process is currently underway for new school, with the assistance of Fingal County Council. No decision has yet been made regarding its location, the Minister said. But Mr McHugh went on to say that through engagement with Fingal County Council it has been indicated that the Corballis lands are likely to be developed ahead of those at Ballymastone, within which the Spires East site is located. The Minister said: 'As you may be aware, significant infrastructural works at Corballis are being funded under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund which are intended to facilitate the development of approximately 1,200 residential units by 2021.' The Minister said that would mean a demand for school places in the area and that is why the decision to develop the Corballis school is being pursued. While the community council welcomed a new school to the area, it argues that the Spire East site should be first. A spokesperson for the community council said: 'A business plan on the need for a school at the Spires East site has been submitted by Donabate Portrane Community Council to the Department of Education. This outlines the phasing of the LAP and rationale for putting the next school on the Spires East site.' The daughter of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan who was murdered in the driveway of his Dublin home has told the Special Criminal Court that the 'only thing' her dad was guilty of was 'showing his respect' at a childhood friend's funeral. Jason Keating (27), of Lower Main Street, Rush, Co Dublin admitted last month to participating in or contributing to activity intending to facilitate the commission by a criminal organisation or any of its members of a serious offence, namely the murder of Mr Kirwan at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 between December 20 and 22 2016, both dates inclusive. The offence is contrary to organised crime legislation brought in by Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. Keating was originally tried for the murder of Mr Kirwan but midway through his trial on October 18 he pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation in committing murder and this plea was accepted by the DPP. In her victim impact statement, Donna Kirwan said: 'People like this should remember it's not the people who are killed that suffer it's the families who are left behind.' Donna Kirwan described her dad as a 'grafter' and said that while some of his friends chose to make money the easy way by selling drugs, her father chose to work for a living because that was how he was raised. The three-judge court also heard that Mr Kirwan's son and daughter talked about ending their lives in the aftermath of their father's death because neither of them could see another way out of the pain and suffering. The testimony was heard as part of a victim impact statement read by a woman from victim support on behalf of Donna Kirwan to the court during Jason Keating's sentence hearing today. The non-jury court also heard that the defendant Jason Keating was present at the scene of the murder in Clondalkin and had facilitated the man who discharged the firearm. A 'Gotek7' tracking device was put under Mr Kirwan's car in the weeks leading up to his killing and this could be linked to Keating. Mr Kirwan was sitting in his new Ford Mondeo car on December 22, 2016 when a gunman shot him six times with a Makarov handgun which was later recovered at the scene. The 62-year-old suffered eight gunshot wounds in total to his head, right arm, chest and abdomen. The murder of Mr Kirwan arose from a 'notorious feud' between two criminal factions but the deceased had no connection with either side. Paul Greene SC, prosecuting, asked the court to enter a 'nolle prosequi' on the original charge of murder. This means the State will not be proceeding with the prosecution in relation to the count of murder. The deceased's partner, Bernadette Roe, was in the passenger seat of Mr Kirwan's car at the time of the attack. They had just returned from a Christmas lunch in a restaurant in Crumlin with Ms Roe's daughter. Donna Kirwan, Mr Kirwan's daughter, said in her victim impact statement today that December 22 started off as a normal day for the family but it turned into their 'worst nightmare'. Ms Kirwan said she was expecting a call from her father that day but instead she received a call from Bernadette's daughter, Carolyn, who sounded in a state of panic and told her she had to come straight out to Clondalkin as Noel had been shot. 'I just remember screaming for somebody to help and a man who works on my floor came running towards me, he grabbed his keys and we ran to his car. I felt like we were in traffic for hours because everyone was out doing their Christmas shopping. I rang Carolyn on the way and said they were working on him in the ambulance,"'she said. Ms Kirwan said she jumped from the car when they arrived at the scene and began screaming asking people to tell her dad that she was there. 'I asked them where my dad was and Carolyn said 'I'm so sorry Donna he didn't make it'. I couldn't take in what she was saying to me. I begged the police men to let me see him but they said they were sorry that they couldn't,' she said. A letter from King George V to the wife of an Irish WW1 veteran in 1918 has seen one Rush man being declared the owner of a 'National Treasure'. Sean Francis Byrne brought the family heirloom to a 'National Treasure' road show held in Dublin recently, where it was deemed of such historical interest as to be included in a new book, 'National Treasures - a People's Archive'. Here, Sean speaks of the history of the letter and of his great-grandfather, who fought so bravely during The Great War: 'When my granny died in 1950, my father took all the stuff out of the house and gave me one of the letters, because I was the eldest. 'He told me about my great-grandfather, how he had fought in WW1, was injured with mustard gas, and had fought in France and Belgium.' Sean's great-grandmother received the letter from Buckingham Palace in 1918, when his great-grandfather was released as a prisoner of war. Private Isaac Byrne had served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and the letter from King George V and the Queen spoke of the 'patience and courage' shown by the young Irish soldier, and of the 'miseries and hardships' he had endured. Sean said: 'I know that my great-grandfather and great-grandmother lived in Gardiner Street at the time, and that he joined the British Army, but we never really found out much else about him. I know he's buried in Canada, because that's where he went to after the war. My great grandmother would have gone with him, but she came back to Ireland later on her own. 'My great grandfather would have returned from the war when he was in his twenties. 'I was told he did about three or four years in the British Army, and that he was an engineer in the gas works in Dublin. I'm not sure exactly when he died, but he would have died in or around the date of the letter, when he was in his twenties.' Sean had kept the letter safe for years, and had never shown it before he brought it to the National Treasures road show. He says that although he had other similar items, National Treasures was particularly interest in the letter, as it was the first example of lithography to be issued by Buckingham Palace. He says: 'All they were really interested in was the letter, but I think if they had seen the other items, they would have been interested in them too. 'They were so busy with so many other people, they didn't have a chance to look at the other stuff. There'd be no value in the letter, but there's a lot of historical value in it.' Speaking of the pride he had in bringing to public attention such an historic family heirloom, he says: 'I was delighted to be in the book, and my father and my grandparents would have been delighted too. 'My great grandfather died for us, if you look at that way. 'I know there's a lot of stuff going on about the poppy and everything, but I have my own thinking on that. 'Only for the likes of my great- grandfather and thousands of others, we might be living in a very different world. It's thanks to him and so many others that we have the life we do today.' National Treasures, presented by John Creedon, is an RTE series exploring 'fascinating objects' belonging to ordinary people, that reveal the social history of Ireland over the last 100 years. When last did you pop into an art gallery and stroll around, looking at the paintings? Is it something you are inclined to do or is it that art galleries are places you would never dream visiting? From time to time I find myself walking around a gallery but it's usually to see some work that has been in the news or been recommended to me. And that's more or less what happened on this occasion. A work colleague told me about an exhibition of Methodist modern art at the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin's Ely Place. The RHA first saw daylight in Abbey Street in 1823, the current building was opened in 1970 and houses four galleries. A gem, quietly tucked away just around the corner from Hume Street off St Stephen's Green. On the evening of the opening of the Methodist Collection, RHA Director Patrick Murphy spoke of how people visit the gallery and simply stand in front of paintings, examining them. And how the artist keeps going back to her or his work trying to get it right. 'As to what's right, that's a mystery. I hope one person will come in here and have a personal epiphany,' he said. I went along to the opening of the Methodist Art Collection, which is on display at the gallery until December 21. On the opening evening Dr John Gibbs, who is the retiring chair of the Methodist Modern Art Management Committee, spoke of how his late father initiated the collection of 20th century paintings. Dr Gibbs had no trouble telling his audience how his father felt that Protestants in general had little appreciation of the link between art and faith and certainly in the early 1960s had little understanding of modern art. That's the genesis of the collection, which began with 35 works going on tour in England and Wales. It mainly went to schools in the following years. He told a story how in one Yorkshire school a girl took a fancy to a panting by Graham Sutherland, cut it out of the frame and brought it home. It was eventually retrieved and restored. The artist, Graham Sutherland did not sign it when he originally completed it but made sure to do so after its restoration. One of his works, 'The Deposition' is among the current collection on display at the RHA exhibition. The body of Jesus has been taken down from the cross, lying in a tomb in front of the cross. Two strips of linen run in a loop from the ends of the wall, either to, or behind the cross.It was painted in 1947 and there is something about it that reminds one of the terror of the Nazi concentration camps. Sutherland's works from the late 1940s were influenced by photographs he saw of victims of Hitler's terror. Another painting at the exhibition, 'Good Friday: Walking on Water' is the result of the artist, Maggi Hambling experiencing a terrible storm in November 2002. Looking at the paintings I was reminded of US Cistercian priest Thomas Keating, who died last month, who believed that God is within reality so expansively that being surrendered to the present moment is to be present to him. A gallery is a great place to relax in the now. Should you be anywhere near Dublin's Ely place before December 21, you might cast your eye over the 30 pieces on display. It might even tempt you to think about the Christian faith. Relevant today? Ava Pierce from Askamore has won this year's Aldi National Junior Baking Competition with her delicious lemon drizzle cake recipe that will be stocked in all 135 Aldi stores nationwide. The Gorey Community School transition year student also received a 1,000 bursary fund for herself after impressing the judges with her baking skills. The competition was sponsored by Aldi in association with Foroige and the National Ploughing Association. Ava is a member of Askamore Foroige Club. Anna May McHugh, National Ploughing Association Director, said the popularity and success of the baking competition is growing each year and they are delighted to once again have Aldi and Foroige working on it. 'It is wonderful to see the younger generation taking part and we look forward to seeing Ava's lemon drizzle cake on sale in Aldi store in 2019,' said Anna. The National Junior Baking Competition offers young people an opportunity to showcase their baking skills and win great prizes. County and regional finals were held nationally through Foroige, and the final was held last week in Cook's Academy in Dublin. Sean Campbell, CEO of Foroige said, the competition encourages young people to think about good produce, it helps them hone their baking craft and it exposes them to a whole new world of manufacturing. Aldi Group Buying Director John Curtin, said they are delighted to sponsor the Aldi Foroige National Junior Baking Competition for the fourth year in a row. He added this years' finalists have raised the bar even further. Creagh College will have to recruit additional teachers next year to meet with the unprecedented demand for places. Speaking to this newspaper, Declan O'Toole, acting principal of Creagh College, said they initially offered 132 places for First Years in 2019 but the Board of Management increased the number of spaces to 192 due to the demand. Mr O'Toole pointed out that despite accepting 192 new students they 'still have over 50 students on a waiting list of places'. 'We have 62 students leaving the school in sixth year and 192 students coming in so that increase of 130 students should see us recruiting six additional teachers,' said Mr O'Toole. Janet Wallace, deputy principal of Creagh College, said Creagh College is thriving because it is a safe, secure and challenging environment for girls and boys to learn and grow academically, emotionally and personally. Mr O'Toole pointed out that they are one of only three schools in Ireland selected to offer the new Leaving Certificate PE and Leaving Certificate Computer Science subjects. 'We are also offering the new Politics and Society programme as a Leaving Certificate subject this year,' said Mr O'Toole. 'These new subjects are bringing an entirely new, modern dimension to education and are opening new avenues for the futures of Creagh College students.' Currently, there are 673 students and 50 teaching staff in Creagh College but in 2019 that will change to 803 students and 56 teaching staff. The staff of Creagh College are very aware of the importance of a smooth transition for prospective students from primary to secondary school. In this regard, first year students in Creagh are supported from their first day in school by peer mentors who assist them in settling into school life. The school's comprehensive induction programme ensures all new students settle-in quickly into a happy, caring and respectful atmosphere where all students can achieve their full potential. It is through the delivery of a quality education service coupled with a strong emphasis on pastoral care and positive discipline that makes Creagh College a school where students are effectively learning, growing and thriving. Mr. O'Toole paid tribute to the dedicated and energetic teachers who adopt a student-centred approach to education. This ensures that each individual student's needs are catered for in the school. They believe in empowering and equipping students to achieve their potential whatever their aptitude. There is a vast range of after-school activities in which all students are encouraged to participate. The school is committed to the development and care of each and every person in the school community, where respect for one another is held in the highest regard. A former member of An Garda Siochana appeared before Judge Gerard Haughton at the District Court last week, accused of leading gardai on a lethal high-speed chase in a car that contained drugs paraphernalia, while above the drink driving limit. While the charge of drink driving was dismissed owing to paperwork not being in order and the possession of cannabis charge was also dismissed after 'the presumptive test did not suffice to sustain such a charge', Judge Haugton has taken time to consider the litany of dangerous driving charges against 33-year-old John Bowe from Kiltealy. Former garda Bowe was charged with a total of thirteen counts of dangerous driving, having led gardai on a chase that allegedly hit speeds of 140km/h on winding rural roads. Once he was finally caught, he was also charged with drink driving, non display of a tax disc and unlawful possession of drugs after gardai discovered a grinder, which contained cannabis herb, in the car he had been driving. The incidents took place on December 5 of 2014, a date which, according to the court records, would have been Bowe's 30th birthday. Speaking from the witness box, Garda Michael Dee gave frightening evidence of a chase which lasted some 15 minutes and covered 30km of country roads in the Bunclody, Clohamon and Ferns areas. He stated that on the night in question at around 8.45 p.m., he and Sgt Rory Sheriff were conducting a checkpoint in Bunclody, arising from reported burglaries that had taken place in the area earlier that day. He said that the vehicle connected with these offences, a silver coloured Audi A4, matched the description of the car being driven by the defendant when he pulled a u-turn ahead of the checkpoint and set off at speed. Garda Dee said that initially, they believed the car could be connected to the burglaries and immediately gave chase. He said Bowe got up to speeds of 140km/h in a 50km/h zone in the built up area of the town, before driving over the roundabout towards Carnew, forcing other cars to take urgent evasive action. At Graiguebeg, the vehicle forced a garda patrol car up on to the ditch to avoid a collision and a civilian car took similar evasive action. Garda Dee presented a litany of instances where Bowe had driven recklessly, all the while maintaining speeds of between 120 and 140km/h. He stated that at one point, the Audi A4 drove in around a private farm yard and around grassland there before emerging back onto the Clohamon road, forcing a car to swerve, and getting back up to speeds of 130km/h. He said that he maintained this speed as he passed Ballyroebuck National School, which thankfully was closed, but at least one car had to pull in to let Bowe pass. He added that during the course of the pursuit, the vehicle also hit speeds in excess of 120km/h passing Kilrush/Askamore GAA club where there was an under-age match going on at the time and people were also forced to jump out of the way as the defendant passed Coleman's Pub at speed. Garda Dee described it as 'some of the craziest driving I've ever seen' and stated that on a couple of occasions, sparks were even flying from the Audi's brake callipers as the defendant was taking bends so quickly. Eventually, Garda Dee said, the vehicle came to a stop after turning into a gateway at Ballyrankin. The gate was closed and the driver, now known to be Bowe, hopped the gate and electric fence and attempted to flee on foot. He said he noticed a long silver object, since established to be a bottle-opener keyring, glisten in the headlights and shouted 'knife, knife' to his colleague to warn him. Garda Dee said that he carried out a quick check to make sure that there was nobody else in the vehicle, while his colleague, Sgt Sheriff, pursued the defendant on foot. Having almost caught up, Garda Dee said his colleague and the defendant 'came together' up ahead and Sgt Sheriff was standing over him. Defence solicitor Mr Gerry Flynn had a whole series of questions for Garda Dee surrounding the injuries that his client had allegedly sustained in the melee. He showed the court photos of a nasty cut to Bowe's head and Garda Dee said it was possible that it had been the result of Detective Sgt Sheriff deploying his baton. However, he said that he had not directly seen this. Mr Flynn would go on to allege that his client had been dragged, unconscious, in handcuffs across the field to the squad car, something Garda Dee strongly denied, saying that Bowe had been 'relatively chatty' on his way back across the field. Mr Flynn also presented a number of pictures of bruising to his clients legs and feet and said that, it would be Mr Bowe's testimony that he was struck a number of times by someone on the legs and feet. Again this was something that Garda Dee strongly denied. Looking at the photos, he said: 'These look like old bruises to me. I've broken both ankles and I can tell you, it takes a couple of days before bruises go black like that. There is absolutely no way I would allow someone to assault a prisoner in my custody. (...) I can assure you that those bruises did not happen in my custody.' When asked at what point Bowe disclosed that he was a former member of An Garda Siochana, Garda Dee replied: 'When we got back to the car' after the initial chase. Upon being brought back to Enniscorthy Garda Station, Bowe provided a breath specimen which returned a reading of 34mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. Mr Flynn questioned why gardai had not sought immediate medical attention for his client, given that he had a head wound. Garda Dee responded that the wound was 'not that bad' and that Bowe was not bleeding heavily at this time. He said that the defendant rejected medical attention and said that he was 'grand'. Mr Flynn then put it to Garda Dee that he had told his client that 'if he played ball, he would be treated in a particular fashion'. Again this was something denied by the garda. Mr Flynn followed this up by asking: 'Did you say to Mr Bowe "there's no point in contesting the drink driving" and to stay away from a certain solicitor?' At this point, things became slightly uncomfortable as Garda Dee told the Judge: 'Mr Flynn's name came up in conversation alright Judge. I listed off the names of some solicitors who deal with these matters.' Mr Flynn then asked if the Garda had come across his client earlier that day while operating a different checkpoint. Garda Dee replied that he believed he had come across him at a checkpoint in the Tullow area earlier that day where he was a passenger in the rear seat of a jeep. However, he said he could not be sure of this, because Bowe had not confirmed to him that it was in fact him. Concluding his cross examination, Mr Flynn rather cryptically asked: 'Is it fair to say that by the time you were processing him, you regretted what had happened?' Garda Dee was strong in his reply. 'No, there were some very serious offences. It's some of the craziest driving I've ever seen. I don't regret the prosecutions at all.' At this point, with the case already running at nearly two hours and with evidence only heard from one witness, Judge Haughton opted to call a halt to proceedings for the evening. It was agreed that a special sitting would be held to hear the rest of the case and all matters were adjourned until the following week. As he stepped down from the witness box, Judge Haughton ordered that there be no contact between Garda Dee and the other garda witnesses who had been asked to leave the court while the first of the evidence was given. When proceedings got underway on the second day, solicitor Gerry Flynn said that he had misled the court when he suggested that photographs of his client's injuries had been taken on the night in question. He had been corrected by Michelle Kinsella who told him that the shots of bruising on the defendant's lower limbs were in fact taken over a period from December 7 to December 9. Detective Sgt Rory Sheriff was sworn in to confirm that he was on duty with his colleague Michael Dee at around 8.40 p.m. on the evening of December 5, 2014. Together they were manning a checkpoint at Ryland Road in Bunclody when he noticed a light coloured Audi perform a U-turn and speed away towards Bunclody. Then a uniformed officer, Detective Sgt Sheriff, gave similar evidence to Garda Dee about Bowe's erratic driving and added that gardai in Waterford, Dublin and Newbridge were attempting to assist and that a Garda helicopter had been activated. He gave evidence of a number of vehicles being forced to take evasive action as the Audi reached speeds of up to 140km/h, with sparks coming from the wheels. When the vehicle finally came to a stop, Sgt Sheriff said he heard his colleague shouting that the defendant had a knife as he made his way through a barbed wire fence in pursuit. The night was bright with moonlight and dry, the witness confirmed, recalling how he led the chase now on foot. A bright metallic object, later established to be a bottle opener key ring, could be seen as the fugitive ran and the sergeant decided to draw his baton. He closed to within five yards, at which point the suspect turned and lunged at him with his right hand. The sergeant's recalled that his reaction was to strike the man, who turned out to be John Bowe, with the baton. The defendant fell on to the ground where he was restrained. Within seconds, Michael Dee arrived and he formally arrested Bowe, whose hands were cuffed behind his back. He was placed in the patrol car and a 'cursory' search found a grinder and cannabis. The prisoner confirmed that it was 'weed'. He also informed the sergeant that he was a former member of An Garda Siochana and that he was sorry for his actions. Asked why he had acted in such a way, he said it was his 30th birthday and that he had no tax on the car. He was conveyed to Enniscorthy garda station where he declined medical assistance. Following the taking of a breath sample, he was brought to the Slaney Medical Centre. Sgt Sheriff reported that he declined treatment at the centre and left the premises. He reported that the accused stated on the night that he had drunk four pints. Questioned about his use of the baton, the witness insisted that he did not intend to hit Bowe to the head with the retractable steel baton. 'I struck down as he lunged at my midriff aiming at his upper body,' he told the court. He submitted a report on the use of the baton and later faced an allegation of assault. Judge Haughton interjected at this point to say he did not want to hear anything about the investigations into the assault allegation. The sergeant resumed his testimony by saying that what he witnessed that night was the most horrific example of dangerous driving he had ever seen. Under cross-examination by the defending solicitor Gerry Flynn, he confirmed that he feared for his safety when Bowe turned and lunged at his midriff with what he believed was a knife. The suspect received a single blow to the head and the sergeant stated that he (Bowe) did not put up his arms beforehand to surrender. The witness had no explanation to offer the court as photos were shown to him of what Mr Flynn called significant bruising to his client's lower limbs. 'He was struck once,' insisted Sergeant Sheriff who said the strike to the head was unintentional. 'I was in fear for my safety.' He disagreed when the solicitor suggested that there was no need to strike at all and added that the use of pepper spray was not considered in the circumstances. Brought back to the public road, the prisoner was helped over the gate where three or four patrol cars were now waiting. It was after 9 p.m. when he arrived with the arresting gardai at the barracks on Enniscorthy. According to this version of events, he was not rendered unconscious by what the sergeant now accepted was a serious injury. He told the member in charge at the barracks that he was 'grand' and that he had drunk three or four pints. Detective Garda Sergeant Noel McSweeney gave evidence of conducting a 'presumptive' test on green material seized by colleagues investigating the case. The test showed up positive for cannabis. John Bowe entered the witness box where he confirmed that he is now heading for 34 years of age and that he is resident in Bunclody with his partner and three children. He had no previous convictions of any kind and served as a garda during the period 2006 to 2008. He was posted to Sundrive Road and Cahir before resigning: 'The career was just not for me.' A carpenter by profession, he was employed on a refurbishment job in County Wicklow and living in Clohamon at the time in question. He got a lift back to Bunclody that evening and arrived in Redmond's pub around 6 p.m. He had a number of drinks, two or three pints of Heineken before getting fast food and setting off to drive home in his partner's gold coloured Audi. As he neared Clohamon, he realised there was a checkpoint, that he had alcohol taken and that there was no tax on the car. In a moment of madness, he made the U-turn. 'I regret my actions that night,' he told the court. 'I am not proud of myself.' His version of the chase in the field was that he had made it no more than 100 yards cross-country when he stumbled and was on the ground. He said he raised his hands and said 'you have me' before he sustained the blow to the rear of his head. He also stated that he was dragged through the field, receiving blows to the legs and digs in the chest on the way. The accused observed that he was apprehended so aggressively because his pursuers believed he was responsible for burglaries. He said he told the member in charge at the station that he was grand, but he was not. He said that, while there, he was told that if he played ball with the gardai, then they would play ball with him. He was advised not to worry about the motor tax and not to involve a solicitor in the drink drive matter with Gerry Flynn specifically named on the night. He confirmed that he left Caredoc in Enniscorthy without receiving any treatment, saying that he did not want to make too much of what had occurred. He was picked up by a friend who brought him to his partner's house. Ms Kinsella persuaded him to go with her to Caredoc in Gorey where he was seen at 1 a.m. The doctor there told him he could see the skull and the couple then went on the Wexford General. On the way, Bowe recalled, he was very confused, coming in and out of consciousness. The wound was stapled together there and he left only to be re-admitted after suffering headaches over the weekend. The court learned that he had not been able to return since to work as a roofing carpenter, instead enrolling in college with a view to finding a less physically demanding career. A report from a consultant neurologist was handed up to the judge. The defendant said he was still under treatment in Dun Laoghaire as the signals were not coming through correctly from his brain. He accepted the prosecution evidence of his dangerous driving. Michelle Kinsella told the court she was initially mad with her partner for what he had done when he was delivered to her home that night. However, she became concerned after noting that his hat was covered in blood and he would not let her touch his head. She took photos on her phone to persuade him how bad the injury actually was and then she made the 1 a.m. appointment with Caredoc in Gorey. Over the next few days, she noted that Bowe complained of pains in his legs and she took pictures of the bruising. Ms Kinsella's mother Bridget Kinsella also gave evidence. A professional nurse, she helped to dress the head injury, and she also recalled seeing bruises on leg and chest. She said that had been so much stress since the occurrences of December 5, 2014. 'He is a changed man and we are supporting him all the time,' she concluded. The defending solicitor maintained that the force used in this case was excessive and troubling. This tainted the legality of the arrest, suggested Mr Flynn. A steel baton was a potentially lethal weapon and using it to a suspect's head was only excusable in the most extreme circumstances, he argued. The blow received had catastrophic consequences for Bowe. The judge dismissed the cannabis possession prosecution, ruling that the presumptive test did not suffice to sustain such a charge. He also dismissed the drink driving charge after noting that the paperwork in an attempt to deal with the alleged offence by way of a postal fine was not in order. No decision was reached on the 13 dangerous driving charges, with judgement reserved until December 5. Victoria Fleming, Caoimhe Maguire and Savannah Heath at the What Lies Beneath Assessing the health of Irelands rivers and lakes talk at Gorey Library As part of Science Week, ecologist Hugh Feeley from the EPA discussed the wonderful web of life that exists just below the surface of Ireland's lakes, rivers and streams in Gorey Library. Hugh's 'What lies beneath? Assessing the health of Ireland's rivers and lakes' lecture covered the amazing world of animals, plants and other organisms that lie in Ireland's freshwaters. Hugh's expertise also helped to reveal the fascinating world to the audience members. Barbara Nolan, Gorey Librarian, said Hugh was happy to answer questions from the audience members, who described the lecture as interesting and very insightful. 'These organisms many of whom are dependent on good water quality can tell us much about our environment,' added Barbara. The event was part of the WexSci Festival, a week long innovative festival with many events organised throughout Wexford Libraries, organisations and resource centres. A Gorey based jeweller will be showcasing her work at Dublin's Gifted, a contemporary craft and design fair that attracts more than 45,000 people to the RDS over five days. Former accountant Aine Breen, founder and designer of Liwu Jewellery, will set up her stall along with 500 other designers on Wednesday, December 5, until Sunday, December 9. The pieces will include a line of meaningful accessories crafted to empower, uplift and celebrate the wearer. 'My brand name Liwu translates to gift, and this is at the heart of everything I do,' said Aine. 'The pieces represent meaning, thoughtfulness and kindness with those you love and care about.' Liwu Jewellery fuses traditional Celtic symbols and Chinese calligraphy with chic, understated designs to create pieces which are rich in history and modern in design. Spending time Beijing, Aine found herself fascinated with Chinese culture, and eager to learn more, took a calligraphy class. Inspired by what she learned, and reflecting on her Irish heritage, the former accountant created jewellery to celebrate the beautiful symbolism found in both Chinese calligraphy and Celtic images. She crafts each piece with thoughtfulness, incorporating ancient symbols that are not only beautiful but also display a subtle meaning designed to inspire and celebrate the wearer. In a time of mass-produced designs, Aine's collection stands out. Each piece is handcrafted and hallmarked in Dublin Castle, and every design comes with a special message to explain the symbol or character. Aine designs from a studio in the farmyard of her family home by the sea near Gorey where she resides with her husband and two daughters. Other local exhibitors will include bespoke interiors by Beveledge, along with Enniscorthy's Naturally Cordial. 'Gifted is a celebration of Christmas giving and will feature the country's largest collection of thoughtful gifts for your loved ones,' said organiser Patrick O'Sullivan. Gifted also features The Spectacular Christmas Food Emporium with over 100 artisan food producers. Jayne Mansfield's infamous visit to 1960s Kerry will be revisited in glorious, full technicolour fashion on the big stage in Listowel on Sunday week. 'The Goddess of Lust' by Tralee's Mike O'Donnell receives its 'world premiere' at St John's Theatre and Arts Centre on Sunday, December 9 next (7.40pm), in what's sure to be another brilliant night of drama in Listowel. Described as a comic drama, it mines the rich subject of the controversial 1967 visit of the Hollywood starlet to a Kerry starved of glamour and under the cosh of the Church. And, boy, how that old-style cosh was felt when it came to the Catholic Church's reaction to the Mansfield visit - in particular one Archbishop John Charles McQuaid. Bishop of Kerry Dr Denis Moynihan awoke one morning to an urgent letter from his superior directing him to do everything to halt the visit of Mansfield to perform at the Brandon Hotel. What followed can be enjoyed as comedy gold today in an event that made world headlines - the Church exerting its pressure in every possible way to avert the visit of a woman they dubbed the 'Goddess of Lust'. Not even a visit by Mansfield to the church in Castleisland - where she lit a candle - could defuse the Church's ire, forcing The Brandon Hotel to pull the plug on the act, but not before Tralee and Kerry came out in its droves to welcome the star to the Kingdom. Back in the 1970s I was conscious of a small Jewish community living in the South Circular Road/Clanbrassil Street area of Dublin. And then there was the synagogue in Terenure, which is fortunately still there. As a child I remember seeing men wear a skull cap (kippah) heading for prayer on Saturdays to their synagogue. It so happens that my dentist from the time I was 13 to my early 30s was a Jew. He was a great dentist and a wonderful man. Over the years I became friendly with him and we had many conversations about Judaism, Christianity and the horror of the Holocaust. In the early 1970s I met a German Jewish family living in Frankfurt-am-Main. It was my first time to meet German Jews. It was less than 30 years since the end of the Holocaust and the family had lost many members in concentration camps during the Hitler terror. We stayed in touch for a number of years and I was always conscious how fortunate we all were to live in the times in which we were living. At least from my perspective, there was great peace and harmony in the world I inhabited and my German Jews expressed the same feeling. In spite of all that had happened them, they had decided to stay and work in Germany and raise their children in a new open and prosperous Germany, which was finding its feet again after the turmoil and evil of the Hitler years. Yes, there had been sporadic outbreaks of violence in the 1970s. There were the terrible killings at the 1972 Munich Olympics where a Palestinian terrorist group killed 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team and a West German policeman. Germany's Baader Meinhof Red Army Faction group caused serious trouble and upset to the new fledgling West Germany. But it's fair to say there was no mass appeal for any sort of serious objection to the rule of law and the furtherance of democracy. The countries of what was then Western Europe were forging ahead with great verve and excitement the cause of European cooperation. With the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 a euphoria hit the streets of Europe. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was part of the new openness that was visible everywhere from the Atlantic to the Urals. It so happens on another November 9, this time 1938, Germans smashed the windows of synagogues and Jewish-owned shops across Germany. It is known as Kristallnacht because of the shards of broken glass strewn on the streets after the pogrom. We can never take our hard-earned peace for granted. A new nasty nationalism is showing its teeth across not just Europe but the entire world. French President Emmanuel Macron said in Paris on Armistice Day that nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. At the end of his speech the cameras showed us many world leaders applauding. But there was no handclap from US President Donald Trump. In a recent article in the English Catholic weekly 'The Tablet', Jewish writer Zaki Cooper argues that anti-Semitism is not just a problem for Jews. 'History has shown us that hatred of Jews is often a bellwether for wider social, racial and religious prejudice. There is something fundamentally ugly and dangerous in a society that harbours anti-Semitism.' Wise words and well worth paying heed to them in these strange times. The Nazis referred to the media as the 'Lugen Presse', meaning 'Lying Press'. Sounds very like 'Fake News'. Presentation Secondary School, Castleisland Transition Year student Siobhan Brosnan was invited to Brussels recently to meet local MEP Sean Kelly. As part of the 'Meet Your MEP Programme 2018' Siobhan submitted an entry in a Climate Change essay competition and she was one of the lucky few students to be selected for this trip of a lifetime. During the three-day trip to Brussels, Siobhan was shown the workings of the EU and learned about the work of an MEP. The agenda also included meetings and tours in the European Parliament and the European Commission; free time in Brussels; and several climate change-related activities. The following is Siobhan's trip-winning essay: The global fight against climate change impacts every single person on Earth. It matters to everyone, old and young, rich and poor. Every single nation must participate in this battle. Ireland may be a small nation, but the global fight against climate change is greatly important to each citizen. We as a nation must play our part in the fight to combat climate change. But how should we go about this? Before we examine what further action can be taken in this fight, we must remember what we are already doing. Ireland has ratified several actions on climate change with the EU as part of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement (PCA). These actions are the main way in which we can help in the global fight against climate change. These actions include reaching a range of targets before 2020, such as reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to 20 per cent below our 2005 levels, and generating 16 per cent of our energy from renewable sources. However, we are failing to meet these goals. A European Commission-supported report suggests that Ireland is only 21 per cent compliant with the PCA. So, how can we improve? Increasing the solid fuel carbon tax (SFCT) is one way in which Ireland can play its part. The SCFT is a tax on solid fuels that stands at rate of 20 per tonne of CO2 emitted by the fuel concerned. If this tax were doubled, importation of peat and coal would be discouraged, and the surplus money could be funnelled toward building renewable energy sites. Renewable energy is a great tool in the global fight against climate change. Ireland has yet to embrace solar energy, which could greatly reduce our CO2 emissions. If every household in Ireland used solar panels, emissions would drop by a staggering 17,571,970 tonnes yearly. This is equal to 30 per cent of Ireland's annual emissions! Tidal energy is also an untapped resource. If Ireland set up two tidal power stations equal to South Korea's Sihwa Park, energy levels equal to 1,724,000 barrels of oil could be generated. Doing all of this would ensure Ireland is actively reducing its contribution to the world's CO2 emission levels. But how can we help other nations? The answer is to be found in planting trees. A single tree can absorb just under a tonne of carbon dioxide in 40 years. If Ireland increased its number of trees by 10 per cent, 70,900,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide could be absorbed in 40 years, or 1,700,000 tonnes annually. This would be a great aid in the global fight against climate change. We must meet the agreements set out in the PCA and fight further. Ireland must take action. We must utilise our natural resources and spurn fossil fuels, plant trees and harness our seas. Above all, we must work together, every citizen of Ireland in conjunction with every nation in the world, to ensure a healthy, safe future for the children of tomorrow. We must play our part in the global fight against climate change." Citywest Hotel in Dublin was the venue as Killarney Nursing Home's Marie Moynihan collected her hard-earned Nursing Home Carer of the Year Award. Ms Moynihan previously trained and worked as a state-enroleld nurse in the UK, and she started working in Killarney Nursing Home in 2012. She describes herself as passionate about holistic care for those with dementia and is a major advocate of patient-centred care. Her win capped a fine evening for the Mowlam Healthcare home at the Nursing Homes Ireland Care Awards, as Barth Flynn was also a finalist in the Registered Nurse of the Year category. Speaking after the event, Nursing Homes Ireland CEO Tadhg Daly was full of praise for Killarney Nursing Home and, of course, Ms Moynihan and Mr Flynn. Congratulations to Marie for her magnificent achievement in winning the Carer of the Year Award," Mr Daly said. "Congratulations also to Barth for reaching the final and being recognised for his excellence in the nursing discipline. The residents and staff of Killarney Nursing Home and the wider Killarney community should be immensely proud of Marie and Barth for their fantastic achievements." It was a vintage year for Tidy Towns groups in Kerry and particularly Listowel, who became overall winners of the prestigious competition in the autumn. With that honour came further honours, and last week it fell to Listowel to host the SuperValu Mid-West and South-West regional awards in the Listowel Arms Hotel. Listowel again took plaudits for being Ireland's tidiest town and small town, as well as being honoured as winners of the Department of Rural and Community Development-sponsored Mid-West and South-West Regional award. Groups from around Kerry, Limerick and Cork were acknowledged also for securing gold, silver or bronze medals in 2018, including gold-medallists Tralee, Kenmare and Killarney. And on the night, it was Listowel MD Leas Cathaoirleach Councillor Mike Kennelly who presented the wide range of prizes while also offering more than a few kind words for all the groups present. "It is fantastic to have the opportunity this evening to meet Tidy Towns groups across this region," Councillor Kennelly said. "I want to give special mention to Listowel; congratulations on winning the regional title and being named Ireland's Tidiest Small Town along with the overall title of Ireland's Tidiest Town." Councillor Kennelly also congratulated Ballincollig in County Cork, gold medallists and winners of Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre 2018. At his party's Ard Fheis last week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar set out an ambitious plan for the future, the future of Fine Gael that is. In a speech that hearkened back the notorious give-away budgets of Fianna Fail in the Ahern era, Mr Varadkar promised that - if voters see fit to return Fine Gael to power - middle income earners will see their Income Tax bills slashed by up to 3,000 over five years. The 'squeezed middle' as it has become known - that generation still being hammered by negative equity and the hangover from the age of austerity - are seen as key to winning the next General Election. Mr Varadkar's Income Tax pledge was squarely aimed at this constituency and it is one of the most blatant pieces of auction politics we have seen since the boom days presided over by Bertie Ahern and his spendthrift administrations. Several eagle-eyed media observers also noticed another striking similarity between last week's Fine Gael extravaganza and previous Fianna Fail blow-outs. As Mr Varadkar announced his planned budget splurge to win over the middle class, he did so in front of the party's latest slogan: 'Fine Gael - Taking Ireland Forward Together'. If that sounds a little familiar, it should. Back in 2007 one of Fianna Fail's main slogans at that year's General Election, the party's last under Bertie Ahern, was 'Fianna Fail - Together lets take the next steps forward'. At that election Ahern's party took 42 per cent of the vote and clearly the Fine Gael advertising team were impressed by what they saw, both in terms of the slogan and their opponent's free spending electoral philosophy. As the confidence and supply negotiations rumble on, both Mr Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Michael Martin are jockeying for position as they try to find an excuse to pull the plug on the current Dail. No one knows exactly when the election will take place but now that the Government has gotten its chequebook out and played what could be its best hand, it looks like the FG/FF 'phoney war' is entering its endgame. Of course, as is almost always the case with political promises, the devil is in the detail. Just a day after Mr Varadkar revealed his plan to slash Income Taxes, it emerged that PAYE workers are set lose the tax deductions on flat rate expenses for work related costs. This could results in losses ranging from about 100 to 750 a year for workers across numerous sectors, including some of Ireland's lowest paid. 'What God giveth God taketh away' as the old saying goes. The opposition parties will surely be keen to hammer this point home and - along with Ireland's unsustainable dependence on Corporation Tax - it's sure to be key to any debate on Leo's give-away. Ten years after the madness of the boom and the devastation of the crash it's really starting to feel like we're right back where we started. Anthony OMahonys nephew James OMahony leaves the Criminal Courts of Justice complex in Dublin on Monday having delivered a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing of his late uncles killer Michael Ferris. Photo Mark Condren The family of slain Ballyduff farmer Anthony O'Mahony have told his killer's sentencing hearing of the agony they endured as they listened to their loved one's reputation getting "shredded" in court. Last month Michael Ferris of Rattoo, Ballyduff was found guilty of the manslaughter of his elderly neighbour Anthony O'Mahony of Ardoughter, Ballyduff at Rattoo, Ballyduff on April 4, 2007. Mr Ferris - who killed Mr O'Mahony by repeatedly ramming his car with a pronged teleporter - appeared before the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday for sentencing. The hearing heard powerful victim impact statements from Mr O'Mahony's grieving relatives, who sobbed as they spoke about their awful loss. James O'Mahony, the victim's nephew, read a statement on behalf of his father Seamus, Mr O'Mahony's brother. Mr O'Mahony said that his brother didn't "stand a chance" and had been "totally ambushed" by his killer, Mr Ferris. Seamus O'Mahony said that while the details of his brother's horrific death had been extremely hard to hear, the "shredding" of his brother's good name had been even more harrowing for the family. "Every story has two sides and there was only one side of the story told during this trial. People will remember my brother the way he was depicted in the trial and this hurts us greatly," he said. "First, we lost a brother, an uncle and a friend, in the most horrific way imaginable, then, we had to endure a two-week trial, which has devastated my family," Mr O'Mahony said. "As difficult as it was to hear the grotesque details of how Anthony's life was ended, the way his good character was shredded during the trial was even more harrowing and emotionally stressful," he said. The court heard that the O'Mahony family live in fear of the day Michael Ferris is freed. "He (Ferris) said he snapped once, what is to stop him snapping again and doing something similar," Mr O'Mahony said. "Never once has he or his family apologised for his actions. That speaks for itself really," said Mr O'Mahony. A second victim impact statement from Anthony O'Mahony's sister, Angela Houlihan, was read to the court by Ms Houlihan's daughter, Ann O'Carroll. "A sudden death is hard to cope with, an accident is devastating but what happened that morning is something we will never come to terms with." She decried her brother's portrayal during his killer's trial. "Anthony was physically torn apart that day and his character has been constantly attacked since. As his sister, I have to speak for the brother and person that I knew who deserved dignity and respect but even in death he did not receive that. We have not seen any evidence of remorse or regret from that day in April right through to today and I don't believe we ever will," she said. Defence Counsel Brendan Grehan - who said he had been instructed to express his client's remorse and to apologise to the O'Mahony family - described Mr Ferris as placid and easygoing. Mr Grehan said the killing was the result of something that had built up inside Mr Ferris over many years and he urged the court to be lenient. Ms Justice Carmel Stewart said she would impose sentence next Monday, December 2. She expressed her sympathies to the O'Mahony family and acknowledged how painful the criminal process must be for them. Lorraine OShea, Mary Clifford (seated) and Rosemary Mangan, Padraig Clifford, Noel OSullivan and David OShea in rehearsals for The Country Boy which will be on December 4, 5, 7 and 8 in the Beaufort Community Centre in aid of the Kerry Mental Health Association Killorglin branch. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Many painstaking hours of rehearsals are coming to a finale in Beaufort right now as the local drama group counts down the minutes to its staging of 'The Country Boy', a play by John Murphy. The staging coincides with an important milestone as it marks 25 years since Beaufort Drama Group first performed it. The anniversary performance takes place at the Beaufort Community Centre for four nights (December 4, 5, 7 and 8), and productions by the Beaufort group are always very well received by the community. The proceeds raised from this year's show will go to the Killorglin Branch of Kerry Mental Health Services. Padraig Clifford and his sister, Mary Nolan, starred in the production 25 years ago when it was produced by their late father, John. The late Debbie Joy was also part of that first production. "We've been at it since the start of September, rehearsing three or four nights a week. We look forward to it, especially the closer it gets. There is a buzz to it for sure. It's very well supported in Beaufort and by people in the surrounding parishes of Killorglin and Killarney," Padraig said. 'The Country Boy' is a comedy-drama set in a small Irish farmhouse in Mayo. Its themes are a traditional take on the Irish psyche and the longing to escape through the freedoms of emigration. It tells the story of a young man named Curly, who lives with his parents but dreams of going to the US, where his brother resides. But the play also exposes the harsh realities of alcoholism, human tensions and homesickness. Joining Padraig and Mary in the cast are Noel O'Sullivan, Rose Mangan, David O'Shea and Lorraine O'Shea. Admission prices are 10 for adults and 5 for students. This is an anniversary performance not to be missed. Low numbers were reported at the New Ross Christmas Market on Friday and Saturday, with a stronger turn-out on Sunday. The inaugural New Ross Christmas Market saw craftspeople travel from across the country to sell their goods in a covered market. There were also several food stalls. Poor weather on Friday and Saturday saw small crowds attend the market at Maher's Yard and amusement offering on the quay. Some of the food stall owners packed up and left for other markets on Saturday. Some of the other stall owners said they thought the market would have worked better on the quay, adding that the event could have been advertised better. A New Ross & District Chamber spokesperson said: 'We are happy with this, the first year of the new Christmas markets. The weather played a big part with people able to browse and buy in a covered market in Maher's Yard. A great selection of crafts from many parts of Ireland were showcased with local produce and it would be a great addition to the Christmas experience in the future.' The spokesperson said New Ross & District Chamber of Commerce RETC committee wish to thank all who generously sponsored the Christmas lights in New Ross, New Ross Municipal District Council, all the organisers, volunteers and supporters of the Christmas events. 'We wish all a happy Christmas and a prosperous 2019.' Dr. Jack Lambert, Consultant Specialist in Infectious Disease at Dublin's Mater Hospital, was joined on Monday by Fianna Fail TDs Marc Mac Sharry & Eamon Scanlon, Co-Chairs of the Cross Party Oireachtas Action Group on Lyme to launch Ireland's first Lyme Disease Resource in Dublin. In a joint statement, Mac Sharry & Scanlon speaking as Co-Chairs of the Lyme Disease Action Group which they founded in the Oireachtas said: "This is a very welcome development and we are delighted to be associated with it. "Dr. Lambert is to be commended in his proactive and compassionate approach to Lyme in Ireland. Much of the medical establishment have ignored what has become one of our nation's silent crises and taken refuge in outdated guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. The LRC launch under the stewardship of Dr Lambert is a watershed moment for Lyme disease in Ireland in terms of the provision of Education for GPs, Support for Patients and the crucial lobby for adequate recognition of the problem, better science and research, clinical diagnosis and appropriate care pathways. A start has been made but with the ambivalence of the establishment there is a long hard battles ahead " Also speaking at the launch was Jenna Luche-Thayer, a former Senior Adviser to the US Government and the United Nations. Ms. Luche-Thayer, pioneer of Lyme Disease Recognition and a former patient herself founded an All-Voluntary International Committee which executed a comprehensive approach which helped to successfully establish new codes for life-threatening complications from Lyme. The revised codes now include congenital lyme borreliosis. This is the first time in over 25 years these serious complications have been officially recognised by the World Health Organisation. Mac Sharry said "While as a group within the Oireachtas we will continue to fight for the progress required, this will be a difficult task. "In the meantime, the nature of the LRC is 'Opt in' that is to say non mandatory. For this reason we should all encourage our GPs to engage with the LRC and Dr. Lambert. If we can succeed in doing this it would represent a small but very significant step in the right direction in terms of education in diagnosis and treatment." Following the launch Deputy Eamon Scanlon said, in over 25 years in Public Life I have never witnessed such a rise in the prevalence of Lyme Disease in Ireland, it is incumbent upon us all to do all we can to assist Dr Lambert and the now countless Patients and Families nationwide afflicted by this debilitating disease. An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar came to Sligo last Friday to launch what he called was the money behind Ireland 2040, also brought to the public's attention from here last February much to great fanfare. It was ironic as the latest glossy literature was being handed out at The Model on Friday morning called 'Strengthening Rural Economies and Communities' that figures were released the very same day showing Dublin and the commuter belt was swallowing up more than 60 per cent of new jobs. That's the reality facing rural Ireland with a huge chasm being created between our capital city and the rest fo the country. We're said to be near full employment but many would say the 'live' register doesn't reflect the picture accurately with many tied into many schemes such as Jobpath which takes a person off the list. So, the reality on the ground when the Taoiseach came to Sligo on Friday to defiantly declare that not all roads lead to Dublin is that it is a place devoid of post offices and garda stations with banks shutting branches left right and centre. It could be said rural Ireland is shutting down. Broadband and road infrastructure is so poor, many businesses are struggling to keep going. While it was certainly good to see grants being provided for a surfing centre and towards signage for a Yeats Trail in Sligo, is it what we really expected? Surfing is very much a minority sport and so too is mountain biking and I'm really pleased to see the creation of national centres for both in the county. They will bring in much needed money and visitors. In conjunction with projects such as these why can't this new Rural Regeneration and Development Fund not be used for finishing off the N4 and or be pumped into rural broadband too? Leo is not an Enda Kenny or a Bertie Ahern, there's an aloofness about him that will always surround him and when you sit down to talk to him the seriousness kicks in immediately. No, said the Taoiseach, in fact 60% of all jobs over the past three years had been created outside of Dublin. The figures released on Friday, he asserted included Louth, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. "Every county has seen a significant fall in unemployment, in Sligo and Leitrim of about fifty per cent and every county has seen an increase in employment, that's the truth of the situation," the Taoiseach insisted but he did accept that the recovery has been uneven. "Some areas have benefited more than others and Sligo and Leitrim are among the areas that need to benefit more as we ensure that the prosperity and recovery gets to every part of the country and to every home and a lot of that is going to be investment in infrastructure and investment in the road network in particular, in rural broadband once we get there and announcements such as those today for the surf centre and the Yeats trail." In terms of the roll out of broadband the Taoiseach says by the end of this year three out of four premises will have access to high speed broadband, up from a half when this government took office. He admits it becomes more expensive to roll it out in more peripheral areas. He says he is determined to ensure that people aren't left out. He expects the review by Peter Smith into the handling of the tender process to date following the regisnation of Communications Minister Denis Naughten to be published in the coming days allowing a decision to be made then "whether we can go ahead with the project as planned." "There's a few variables such as the costings," he says but he is adamant that he believes it is as important as rural electricfication was in the 1950s. The new funding will not be extended to roads, no mini windfall to speed up work on the N4, a road he says he is very familiar with and its white crosses relfectng the many deaths the lethal stretch from Castlebaldwin to Collooney has witnessed. "I'm conscious of upgrading that both to bring more economic development to Sligo but also of the road safety issues. "Nobody can miss the white crosses as you drive along that road and the need to improve road safety too. It is in tender process and we are going to make sure that project gets done. I know people are a long time waiting. "I remember the project well when I was Transport Minister so it is one I have a personal interest in seeing over the line. "The money though won't come from the Rural Regeneration Fund. Roads are really expensive so we are going to continue funding those out of the Department of Transport's allocation." He pointed out that the Department's allocation for Sligo this year was 17.6 million up from 9.5 in 2017, most of the difference going into the N4. Regional roads funding for Sligo went from 8.4m in 2017 to 10.5m in 2018 and there'll be further increases in 2019. The Taoiseach was less forthcoming on the possibility of getting a Cath Lab in place at Sligo University Hospital. "It sounds like a good idea," he says, but went on to say: "there's a mobile one operating between Letterkenny and Sligo at the moment but we have to work out over the next period as part of the national review into cardiology services if there is a critical mass of patients to justify it. "Would we have a reasonable confidence to staff it? "As you know, increasingly as it comes to health care, you need a critical mass of patients in order to ensure safety. "Gone is the day where someone took out a gall bladder on a Monday, an appendix on a Tuesday and an operation on the heart on Wednesday so you need specialists seeing large volumes of patients and doing the one thing." And, shortage of staff is not just a problem in Ireland but across the World. Staff wish to centre themselves in large hospitals attached to universities, he says. The Taoiseach was right in the middle of Brexit concerns as he sat down on Friday lunch time with the deal brokered by Theresa May awaiting approval by Brussels but he says he is very conscious of what it will mean for border counties. "These are the foremost in my mind. We often talk about avoiding a border between Northern Ireland and Ireland but the areas which could be most directly affected would be the border counties. "We have a deal of the table that works. It is going to be very difficult I know for the Prime Minister to get Parliament to vote for that but she is lining up support from business and farmers, from people who are concerned about their jobs and economies and their rights and their freedoms. "I think as the date approaches and MPs have to vote, they are going to have to consider more and more what alternative deal they would actually manage to get through their parliament. Everyone accepts we cannot have a no deal scenario except for a very small number of radical Brexiteers. "So, if it shte case that this deal is not supported by MPs those not supporting it have to ask themselves what deal they would think would be acceptable to parliament and the 28 members States. "I think when you begin to think about the reality of that some people who are now waivering may vote yes in the end." A pressing concern too is is the future of his own government which all depends on his ability to get Fianna Fail to sign up to another Confidence and Supply Agreement. "I'm not going to set aany artificial deadlines. I wrote to Micheal Martin at the end of August and suggested that we agree that there shouldn't be an election until the summer of 2020, giving us lot of time to bring the country through Brexit and also setting out what I think a government could reasonably achieve in terms of health and housing and reducing taxes and growing the economy, education, all of the areas that are important to people. "Up to now Fianna Fail has only been willing to engaged in a review which largely focuses on the past, I'd really like to start talking about the future, what we can actually get done between now and the end of this Dail." The problem with plan launches is that they look good ont he day and it's all positive. Figures and statistics can be argued over for an eternity but it will always be results on the ground that matters. And, it there's an election early next year where does this leave all the plans and announcements. How come Sligo and rural Ireland always seem to get a mention towards the twilight of a government's term of office and never in the first year? The day after the Taoiseach's visit, a new phrase was coined, we in rural Ireland now have what is termed, 'boom envy'. It's where rural dwellers look on with green eyes at the continued rapid growth and expansion of Dublin. We live in hope that the 'boom envy' will be no more in the coming years. Rural imbalance needs to change and quickly. The trial continues today (Tuesday, 27th) at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court of a 43-year-old lorry driver charged with dangerous driving causing death and serious injury to three Council workers at Castlebaldwin three years ago. Vlastimil Zachar, a Czech citizen with an address at Connell Drive, Newbridge, Kildare, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which claimed the life of 62-year-old Padraig Noone and seriously injured Damien Davey and Anthony Fehily on 13th August 2015 at Ballyhealy townland, Hollybrook, Castlebaldwin. Ms Orla Crowe, SC, with Mr Pat Reynolds BL and instructed by Ms Elisa McHugh, State Solicitor, opened the case for the Prosecution last Friday before Judge Francis Comerford and a jury of eight men and four women. Ms Eileen O'Leary SC is defending Zachar, instructed by Mr Morgan Coleman solicitor and by Mr Pat O'Sullivan BL. Ms Crowe told the jury that the fatal crash happened around 11.20am that morning, which was a fine dry day. She said it will be alleged that Zachar drove his arctic truck in a manner, including speed, that was dangerous to the public and which caused the death of Mr Noone and injured Anthony Fehily and Damien Davey. She said the late Mr Noone ws a General Operative for Sligo County Council, a 62-year-old married man with two grown up children who worked part time for the Council and was also a small farmer. Senior counsel outlined that there was work being done by Sligo County Council on the grass verge that day - verge trimming, litter picking and drainage clearing. She said that 6.2km before the operation, there was a message sign warning of verge triming. There was another sign 270m further on and a third sign 160m before the scene and arrows pointing to the hard shoulder as one came upon the operation. Ms Crowe said the first vehicle at the operation was a Mitsubishi crew cab with a sign and warning lights driven by Gerry Glynn. The next vehicle was a caterpillar JCB, driven by Anthony Fehily, clearing drains. "Ahead of him, three abreast, were Thomas Colleary, Damien Davey and Padraig Noone, closest to the embankment. They were picking up litter," she told the jury. She told them they would hear evidence that Zachar veered off the road, into the hard shoulder, colliding with the crew cab, forcing it up on to the embankment, causing it to spin around. "The truck then continued and hit the JCB, shoving it up into the embankment. Padraig Noone was directly in the path of the JCB and was partially trapped underneath," she said. Forensic collision investigator Garda Gerard McAuley testified that he attended the scene the same day to assist Sgt PJ Gallagher, the lead forensic collision investigator. He said there were skid marks from the right front wheel of the arctic truck up to where they disappeared under the cab that were 28m long. Another skid mark from the front left wheel of the Scania truck was 23.2m long. Retired Sgt Ciaran O'Brien of Sligo Crime Scenes Unit showed photos he took of the crash scene to the jury. Many were taken using a fire bridage hoist. The trial continues today before Judge Comerford at Sligo Courthouse. It is expected to last two weeks at the least. Great-grandmother Vera Dwyer has been recognised as the longest surviving lung transplant recipient in the world. The 77-year-old from Keash was awarded a gold medallion from the Irish Heart and Lung Transplant Association to mark 30 years since she received her transplant. Diagnosed with an irreversible and chronic fibrotic lung disease, Vera was left bedbound. She received a single lung transplant in a life-saving operation in the UK in 1988. At the time such procedures were not available in Ireland. Speaking to The Sligo Champion, Vera said she hadn't heard of transplants at the time. "I was dying anyway so doctors said I should go to England. "On May 18th I got the transplant, I was so lucky. "When I got to London they told me I had only hours or days at most to live." At home Vera had four children ranging in age from 10 to 21-years-old, while she spent three months between Airfield Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital recovering, post transplant. Vera had to learn how to walk, talk and eat again. Flying home into the newly-built Knock Airport, Vera remembers crowds with banners and cars beeping on the way home. "It was very exciting, it was great to get home again to my own bed. At home I got better every day," she noted. Asked if she ever thought the transplant would be such a success, Vera admits, 'No, not at all'. "I'm in all the medical records for this and the Guinness Book of Records as well. "I don't really think about being the longest living," said the positive Sligo woman. Positivity has got Vera through since 1988, receiving a kidney transplant in 2009 and replacement hip surgery last May. Vera believes that others should receive medals instead of her, for looking after her throughout the last 30 years. "The man that looked after me was my husband Mike, he was my rock. "He died in 2014. It was him that should have gotten the medal. "He was so good to me, brought me to all the clinics. "People that looked after me should be getting the medals, not me." Thirty years ago, the mother of four was just hoping she would see her children reared, now, since becoming the world's longest living lung transplant survivor she hopes to continue to enjoy time with her family, the youngest of which is two-month-old great granddaughter Maisie. Vera also highlighted the importance of organ donation and hopes people register for organ donor cards. "Without my donors I wouldn't be here today. One thing I would say is if people could carry donor cards because it's so, so important. "For people waiting for a transplant or just had one, just keep going. "I have to think positive all the time and that will get you a lot of places." Gardai in Sligo are continuing their investigation into the serious assault of a woman in a house in Garavogue Villas last week. The Polish national was brought to Sligo University Hospital and was said to have been in a critical condition following an alleged assault at her home. The woman, a mother of two aged 42, was subsequently transferred to the Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where she underwent an operation for a bleed on her brain. It has been reported that the woman is slowly making a good recovery from her injuries. Gardai are understood to be making good progress into their investigation and are aware of who the alleged attacker is. Meanwhile, the condition of a woman in her 50's who was knocked down as she crossed the Inner Relief Road on Friday morning remains in a critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit at Sligo University Hospital. The accident occurred at approximately 9.10am. The female driver of the car was uninjured in the collision. The injured pedestrian was taken to Sligo University Hospital for treatment, her injuries were described as serious. Two lanes of the road was subsequently closed with diversions in place to allow for a forensic examination of the scene to be carried out by Gardai. This resulted in large tail backs and knock on traffic congestion throughout the city for most of Friday. Sligo Fire Service also attended at the scene and allowed use of its Aerial Platform for the Gardai forensics team. Later in the day, Grattan Street was closed briefly following a report of a gas leak. Units from Sligo and Ballymote Fire Brigade attended but it turned out to be a false alarm with no gas detected. There were also a number of minor accidents on Friday morning due to frosty and slippery conditions. Tubbercurry and Charlestown units attended a four vehicle collision at Achonry but no serious injuries were reported. On Saturdayevening three appliances two from Sligo and one from Ballymote attended a commercial fire at Sullivan's bar on The Mall. No one was injured but there was property damaged by fire and smoke, predominately the storage area next to the bar. The Sligo Family Resource Centre, which is adjacent, was smoke logged from the original fire but the building was not occupied at the time Rathdrum Historical Society will host its now traditional Christmas talk in the Brockagh Resource Centre on December 3, when Chris Corlett will discuss the monastic settlement at Glendalough. The talk will focus on St Kevin's world famous monastery, which was founded at the end of the sixth century. Over time, St Kevin's monastery became one of the most important church sites in Ireland, and today is considered one of the premier national monuments in the country. The talk will take the audience on a tour of the majestic valley of Glendalough, exploring the monuments, legends and history that make this one of the best preserved early Christian church sites in the world. Chris Corlett is a leading expert on the early history of Glendalough. As an archaeologist with the National Monuments Service, he has written, compiled and edited many books with subject matters ranging from archaeology, history, folklore and early photography. A prolific writer, Chris' books include Wicklow's Traditional Farmhouses, Here Lyeth, The 18th Century Headstones of Wicklow and his latest book Glendalough. He is also a frequent contributor to the quarterly magazine Archaeology Ireland as well as a variety of national and local journals. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. on Monday, December 3, and will be followed by tea, coffee and some mince pies. Take note of the change from the society's usual Rathdrum venue. There will be a charge of 3 at the door and all are welcome. The heart of Wicklow town will be transformed next year thanks to a cash injection of 1.6 million. The money which was announced on Monday is part of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund established under Project Ireland 2040. Three projects in Wicklow were earmarked for funding worth of a total of 6,721,000 in 2019. Wicklow Town will receive 1.626m for the regeneration of Fitzwilliam Square; Arklow will receive 1.645m for the development of the historic quarter at the Parade Ground while the Bray Public Transport Bridge will receive funding of 3.45m. The Wicklow Town Centre renewal project is a 4.9million project. It will include Fitzwilliam Square upgrade and street improvement, pedestrianisation of part of the historic square, enhancing the public realm in the area and making Bridge Street into a one way traffic system. As part of the project the Wicklow library will also be relocated from its current position on Kilmantin Hill to the former Ulster Bank premises on The Mall. The bank building has already been purchased by Wicklow County Council and the relocation will see the large building refurbished internally to make it suitable to house a library and make it accessible. Speaking yesterday (Tuesday) Cllr Irene Winters said she was delighted that the project would be getting under way next wee. 'The money will be used for the relocation of the library and the regeneration of Fitzwilliam Square. Several years ago a plan for Fitzwilliam Square was rejected by the town council. At that time the project was to be part of the bike network plan and we rejected it because we felt it took away the character of the town because we would have been losing the hedging and the railings there. 'When the second plan came before use we voted in favour of it because we felt it kept a lot of the character of the square and allowed the area between the coffee shop and Wardrobe to be pedestrianised. I welcome this first tranche of funding for the project. We put a lot of time and effort into the plan to make it as suitable as possible. 'As part of the overall project Bridge Street will also become a one way system which should help to ease traffic congestion in the area. 'The good thing about this funding is that it must be spent in 2019 and the Fitzwilliam Square project and library relocation project are shovel- ready in that there is a design in place and they are ready to go. 'I would hope that the project would be started as soon as possible next year with a view to having a lot of works undertaken by the summer. 'The overall project will cost 4.9million so it is anticipated that we will receive more funding over the coming two years to complete it in its entirety and really enhance the town centre.' Minister Andrew Doyle said the funding for Wicklow town and indeed Arklow and Bray is 'a huge boost to Wicklow and will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our towns. 'It will ensure that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest.' Minister Simon Harris said that the regeneration of Fitzwilliam Square is a key initiative for the development of the town. The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, as part of Ireland 2040, is the largest regeneration initiative in Ireland for many decades and will be a major driving force behind the rejuvenation of our rural towns. Concerns have been expressed over the potential privatisation of the 133 Bus Eireann service, which is the main commuter bus serving east Wicklow, including parts of Bray, Ashford, Wicklow town and Gorey. Wicklow Sinn Fein TD John Brady said the National Transport Authority had confirmed that they were proposing the route be included in a package that would be removed from Bus Eireann's contract and be competitively tendered. Deputy Brady remarked: 'I am very concerned for the future of the 133 Bus Eireann route. In October the NTA said that they intended to tender out another 10% of Bus Eireann routes with the intention of Direct Award Contracts for public bus services from December 2019.' They had, he said, recently seen the straightening out of the 133 route, with the bus no longer going through Bray town centre or stopping in places like Barrindarrig. 'I warned that the changes were being made so the route would be more attractive for the private sector; it certainly wasn't done for the public. Unfortunately that prediction now seems to be becoming a reality.' Wicklow East Sinn Fein representative Muireann Dalton said: 'The determination of the NTA, supported by the Thatcherite ideology of the Fine Gael-led Government, to aggressively attack semi-state jobs cannot be allowed to go unchallenged by those from across the political spectrum that profess to oppose the privatisation of State services.' Deputy Brady agreed, saying the party was opposed to the privatisation of public transport services. He added: 'As part of the consultation process, which is currently under way, we submitted a comprehensive submission outlining our opposition to the privatisation of more Bus Eireann routes.' Ms Dalton organised a public meeting in the Parkview Hotel in Newtownmountkennedy on Thursday last which she said was well attended. 'Everyone who attended was a commuter. We had young people on apprenticeships to workers, to elderly people. Many are annoyed and frustrated. There aren't enough 133 buses at peak hours and, as a result, people are finding themselves in trouble in work. This is messing with people's lives and livelihoods.' She said that she was against privatisation and felt that the changes to the 133 route in recent times were a case of 'making the public service bad so people would think a private service would be better.' She feared that privatisation of the service would remove any public service aspect of the route. She added that the community would band together to put pressure on the government and NTA to sort the issue. 'We're asking the NTA to listen to commuters, to halt the privatisation process, and to put on more 133 buses at peak times. If the buses are full, the customers are there.' Asylum seekers have already moved into the Grand Hotel in Wicklow town despite the massive opposition to the use of the hotel as a direct provision centre. Adrian Shanagher who owns a 50 per cent stake in Firebreak Hospitality, the company which purchased the Grand Hotel some 14 months ago, said 13 of the 33 bedrooms in the hotel are already being occupied. 'I already have 24 people in my hotel who are guests of the Department and they are lovely people. 'They are fleeing situations in their own countries. They are good people from Sudan, Syria and Pakistan,' he said. He said that despite the opposition to the centre some members of the clergy in addition to a number of local people had begun to 'reach out' with the asylum seekers. However Mr Shanagher said he had been left feeling frustrated by the views of people in the locality. He alleged that had received nasty emails and personal attacks since the news was announced adding that racism and bigotry were behind some of the nastier comments which had been made. The Department of Justice and Firebreak Hospitality agreed a deal in which the Grand Hotel will be used as a direct provision centre for 100 asylum seekers for a one year period. However it is possible that this contract may be extended and the hotel could continue to be used as a centre for a number of years leaving the town without a hotel. It is expected that a staff of 20 full time staff will be employed to operate the direct provision centre. Concerns about transforming the hotel into such a centre were raised at a public meeting last week and there were angry outbursts at various stages during the event. One man who attended the meeting said: 'I have a 27-year-old son, he goes out at the weekend with his friends, he has a few drinks around town, he can't get a taxi, so he walks home. Say he's walking past the Grand Hotel some night and next thing these people are there and they try to take his wallet off him or try to attack him. Maybe he could get knifed.' Another man said he was against the asylum seekers coming to Wicklow because 'we don't know who they are. If we knew who they were possibly it would be easier to take. If we knew that they were vetted it would be a lot easier. 'We've got kids here, we've got young girls here.' Most of us know Anna Daly as the bright and bubbly face of Weekend AM, the Virgin Media morning show she co-hosts with Simon Delaney. So when she arrived for our shoot to discover her usual beachy waves would be swapped for super-straight hair, accompanied by bold make-up and designer clothes, she found herself in unfamiliar territory. "It was very sleek and chic," she laughs, "I would never do luminous orange lips, but it's fun, and it's nice to be pushed out of your comfort zone." Anna (42) isn't afraid to step outside of her comfort zone - she just needs a little nudge sometimes. It was her husband of 10 years, businessman Ben Ward, who prodded her to reconsider screen work after she initially shot down the idea. She started at TV3 (now Virgin Media) in the sales department, and was promoted to marketing manager two years later, at which point a producer suggested she take a screen test. "I was like, 'God, not a hope'. I told my boyfriend that evening and he said, 'Why would you be so black and white about that?' I was afraid of making a fool of myself, and he said, 'If you don't take a chance, you'll never know. You could be 20 years down the line and go, 'Why did I not do that?' Sometimes you need a bit of a kick up the arse to tell you to do it," she says. Anna didn't run straight back to the producers, however. Instead, she signed up for a night course in television producing, directing and presenting at the Bill Keating Centre in Milltown. "That's a real me thing to do: I'll go and research it properly and then go back to them. It was in my own time with my own money, and I'd be driving to it after work and be really excited by it. About halfway through, I was like, 'This is for me, I really want to do this now'," she recalls. Expand Close Anna wears: Black and fuchsia sequin jacket, 100, River Island; matching trousers, 55, River Island; burgundy lurex top, 29.95, Pala DOro, Carraig Donn; gold sandals, 60, River Island. Photo: Daniel Holfeld / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Anna wears: Black and fuchsia sequin jacket, 100, River Island; matching trousers, 55, River Island; burgundy lurex top, 29.95, Pala DOro, Carraig Donn; gold sandals, 60, River Island. Photo: Daniel Holfeld Following a string of screen tests, Anna was offered a reporting role on Ireland AM, where she worked her way up from weather reports to covering the stories of the day, as well as filling in for co-anchor Sinead Desmond. "It was around the time I was covering for her that I thought, I want to do this, I want to do more," says Anna. "Sinead was very much the anchor and that was it, so I knew I needed to create something else. I pitched the idea of a Saturday morning show, and they liked the idea, but they said it's too expensive. "A year later, they came back and said, 'We will do that show, but we're going to do it on Sundays as well.' I always say, it's a case of be careful what you wish for! But any ambitious person isn't going to say, 'I'll just have one of them', of course you're going to do both." She adds: "It was a gamble, because there was nothing in the schedule to give us any kind of an audience inheritance, so you were starting from scratch. Now it's three years old, and we're thrilled." Anna's working week at Virgin Media runs from Thursday to Sunday. We speak on a Friday, when she's between meetings and filming items that will be slotted into the live shows. She's wearing what she calls her "mum on the run uniform": an oversized jumper, skinny jeans, ankle boots and a ponytail. "When you do a job like mine, you spend a lot of time in heels and you're in 'wardrobe', with your hair and make-up done, so when you're not, it's really nice to just be a bit slouchy and not worry too much about that," she explains. Anna has become a bit of a style sensation - so many people were emailing the show asking for details about her on-screen outfits that she decided to start posting them on Instagram. "That really surprised me, to be honest. There was a big response to what I was wearing, and I thought it was a very efficient way to tell people what you're wearing, but also I enjoy it," says Anna, who now has over 24,000 Instagram followers. Why do people like what she wears so much? "I think my style is relatable, it's real and it's affordable. I think people know that I have three little children and my life is busy," says Anna, referring to James (7), Euan (5) and Rhys (2). "I don't have a ton of time to be trawling shops and I don't have my own personal stylist. I'm running in and out of Topshop, Zara or River Island, or going online to Littlewoods and picking stuff myself. It won't work every time, but hopefully nine times out of 10 it all comes together and looks OK." On Saturdays and Sundays, Anna leaves her home in Delgany, Co Wicklow, at 6.45am to get to work for a 7.30am start. "It sounds early, but I spent five years on the weekday show. That goes to air at 7am, so you're in for about 5.30am - that's early. This is way more feasible from my point of view," she explains. "I get home at lunchtime, and that's when the real work starts. My husband works all week and then he has the kids on Saturday and Sunday morning. We're like a tag-team, as so many parents of young children are - I come home and let him go clear his head for a while and I take over with the kids. That's proper work, that's why I really take my hat off to women who are with the kids all week, because I think it's the hardest gig in the world." Video of the Day Anna, who grew up in Terenure, says her own mother left work when she and her younger brother David were born, and returned when they were old enough to walk to school. "She was a working mother, but I would also describe her as someone who was around a lot when we were young. She got the balance right," Anna recalls. "I'm around Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to do all the school runs and the homework, and it's lovely because when I go to work, I feel like I've a handle on things at home. By Thursday, I'm ready for adult company and a workplace where you can finish a cup of coffee." Expand Close Red jumpsuit, 498, Roisin Linnane, Emporium Kalu, Naas; pink shoes (just seen), 52, Faith, Debenhams. Photo: Daniel Holfeld / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Red jumpsuit, 498, Roisin Linnane, Emporium Kalu, Naas; pink shoes (just seen), 52, Faith, Debenhams. Photo: Daniel Holfeld Supporting working mothers is an issue Anna is particularly passionate about, and last month, she hosted a Women in Business networking event. "We have females that go through the education system in the same way that men do, and then they go out for maternity leave. It could be their first child or their third, but at some point, the sums don't add up, and they realise that it doesn't make sense for both to go back to work," she says. "I'm not saying I want everybody to go out to work, but if you want to stay in the workplace, I think there needs to be more encouragement. It shouldn't be a straightforward, 'mum's going to have to give up her career she spent 10-20 years building'. That's why we don't have women at the director level, women are falling out of the workplace because of the childcare costs." Anna took six months maternity leave with all of her children, and says she was eager to get back to work each time. "I've got friends who dread the thought of their leave ending. I've never felt like that; I was really looking forward to going back to work. I think I'm really lucky to feel like that, to go back to a team that you enjoy and a show that you love." Of course, three hours of live television must be stressful, but Anna is at pains to reiterate, several times, how happy and lucky she is to have the job she does. She mentions that she is often asked about gender discrimination at work, specifically with respect to equal pay, but she has no complaints. "I'm here on a very fair deal, as far as I'm concerned. I don't go around asking everybody what they earn or shouting what's on my contract, but I've been treated very well, and I've been granted amazing opportunities while I've been working here. I don't even know where the HR department is. But I can only speak for myself," she adds hastily. Anna is wary of saying anything that could be construed as arrogant, controversial or ungrateful - her answers are often prefaced with what she's not saying, a cautious introduction to the point she wants to make. It's understandable, given so much of her appeal lies in being relatable. "With three hours of live telly, there's no putting on an act. You have to be yourself. The producers tell us that the parts that rate the highest are when we chat off the cuff about some talking point that's in the papers, and hopefully that's the part the audience will relate to, because that's what they'll be talking about themselves, so you're part of the conversation in their kitchen," she says. The most difficult elements of the job tend to be the real-life stories of people dealing with illness and loss, and Anna admits that she occasionally finds herself welling up during interviews. "It's harder than ever now. When I started, we did loads of stuff with Temple Street and sick children, and I would be sad of course, but I'd bounce back very quickly. Now, I'm literally a mess for days. Weeks later, I'm thinking of one particular child. I keep seeing that little face," she says. "I'm not saying you can't have empathy when you don't have children, but I do think something changes when you have children and you start to personalise it. "Simon and I will have a little chat before anything that's serious, and we'll agree that one of us is driving the bus on that item. He knows that if I have a quiet lull halfway through a very emotional interview, he will just start driving the bus - he knows I've got a lump in my throat and I'm trying to move past it. Usually I do get to the end of it, but as soon as we go to the break, I'm kind of cut up by it. And then the producer will go, 'Over to fashion!' and you're like, 'Oh god, I want to have a proper cry'." Weekend AM might cover domestic violence or a child with severe disabilities in one segment, before moving on to eveningwear or 'lust-after properties' in the next. But Anna believes that mixture of moods is vital to the success of the show. "You can't bring people down and not have some lightness. There needs to be light and shade," she says. She cites a recent interview with Graham Norton as one of her highlights, and names the Obamas as her dream guests. Donald Trump, however, doesn't make the list. "There wouldn't be that level of excitement if he was to come on the couch. I know it would be interesting to ask him the questions that everyone wants to ask, but it wouldn't inspire me." While Anna is happy to cover current affairs on the show, it's not what drives her. Her real passion is for talking to people and hearing their stories. "I am looking to develop other ideas. I'd love to do a 'Saturday PM' where you might have a little more licence to be a bit cheekier and push boundaries a bit more," she says. Earlier this year, Anna launched her website, annadaly.com, to give herself a platform outside of Virgin Media to talk about the things she loves - namely, fashion, travel, interiors and wine. But in an increasingly crowded blogosphere, what makes her site stand out? "You need to be true to yourself. You could have digital companies say that there's a gap in that market and to talk about this, this and this, but there's no point if you're not interested," she says. "If you want an escape from the madness of parenting or work, that's when I would like people to look at my wine recommendation or outfit of the week. That's the way I would like people to see it, as their escape. Hopefully that's what makes it different." Expand Close Burnt orange jacket, 92, Jasper Conran, Debenhams; pink fluffy scarf, 239, Charlotte Simone, Gallery 9, Naas; fuchsia trousers, 65, Jasper Conran, Debenhams. Photo: Daniel Holfeld / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Burnt orange jacket, 92, Jasper Conran, Debenhams; pink fluffy scarf, 239, Charlotte Simone, Gallery 9, Naas; fuchsia trousers, 65, Jasper Conran, Debenhams. Photo: Daniel Holfeld Her 'wine of the week' posts certainly set her apart, making her something of an outlier among the clean-living enthusiasts. "I'm no expert on wine but I do a lot of research," she jokes. "There are #FitFam people that I follow on Instagram, and I take lots of inspiration from them, but I'm all about balance. I'm not telling people to get pissed every night of the week, I'm saying drink responsibly. It's nothing reckless, it's just a nice hobby." Anna studied marketing in college, and started out in marketing at TV3, something I'm reminded of each time she points out that she's not "driving an agenda": she's not gunning to be the next Miriam O'Callaghan or Claire Byrne, she's not trying to use her blog to voice political opinions, she doesn't want to host a property series during a homeless crisis. In spite of this, she's not entirely clear on what her personal brand is, a concept so vital to today's bloggers. "Even having a marketing background, I don't really know what the answer to that question is. I just want to work, to try to get the balance right," she explains. Balance, for Anna, means days with her kids, a weekend away with Ben, a satisfying work life, lunches with her girlfriends and, crucially, some time on her own doing yoga, not having to worry about anything or anyone else. "I joined the gym the other day," she says, genuinely excited. "With three children, it is tricky to find time for stuff like that, but I just thought, for my own sense of wellbeing, it's good to have that hour for yourself. You need to have that time for you." Photography by Daniel Holfeld King Felipe VI of Spain (L) and Queen Letizia of Spain (C) attend the Premios Fundacion Princesa de Girona on June 28, 2018 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Robert Marquardt/Getty Images) Crown Prince Felipe of Spain and Letizia Ortiz pose during an official engagement ceremony at the garden of El Pardo Palace November 6, 2003 at Palacio del Pardo in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) Queen Letizia of Spain (R) receives China's first lady Peng Liyuan (L) for an official dinner at the Zarzuela Palace on November 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) Queen Letizia of Spain (R) and China's first lady Peng Liyuan (L) attend the Royal Gala Dinner in honour of Chinese president at the Royal Palace on November 28, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) Queen Letizia (R), and the first lady of China, Peng Liyuan (L), during their tour of the Royal Theater of Madrid, on the first day of the State visit of Chinese President, Xi Jinping in Madrid, Spain on November 28, 2018 Queen Letizia of Spain (R) receives Queen Abdullah of Jordan (L) at the Barajas Airport on November 19, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) Queen Letizia of Spain (L) and Queen Rania Abdullah of Jordan (R) visit the Molecular Biology Center "Severo Ochoa" at the Autonoma University on November 20, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend a dinner in honour of 'Mariano de Cavia', 'Mingote' and 'Luca de Tena' awards winners at ABC on December 13, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, King Felipe VI of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia arrive to visit the retrospective of works by Spanish painter and sculptor Joan Miro (1893-1983) at Paris's Grand Palais, in Paris, France, October 5, 2018. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer Queen Letizia of Spain hosts a dinner gala for the President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Royal Palace on April 16, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Borja Benito - Pool/Getty Images) Queen Letizia of Spain attends several audiences at the Zarzuela Palace on January 23, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) Spain's new King Felipe VI (L) kisses his wife Queen Letizia during the swearing-in ceremony at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid Queen Letizia of Spain attends the opening of ARCO (Contemporary Art Fair) at Ifema on February 22, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) King Felipe VI of Spain (R) and Queen Letizia of Spain host a dinner gala for the President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Royal Palace on April 16, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Borja Benito - Pool/Getty Images) French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, King Felipe VI of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia arrive to visit the retrospective of works by Spanish painter and sculptor Joan Miro (1893-1983) at Paris's Grand Palais, in Paris, France, October 5, 2018. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer Queen Letizia of Spain attends the reception offered by Portugal president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (C) at El Pardo Palace on April 17, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Europa Press/Europa Press via Getty Images) Queen Letizia of Spain arrives at the Grand Palais to visit the Miro exhibition on October 05,2018 in Paris, France 2018 has been about Meghan. The wedding, the Australian tour, the baby and yes of course, the vast selection of Givenchy she gets to choose from. Weve been sucked into the Markle vacuum and its hard to escape given the constant coverage. But my royal style fascination extends back beyond the British Duchess. Marie Chantal of Greece, Queen Mary of Denmark, Queen Rania of Jordan; but one reigns supreme - Queen Letizia of Spain. She rivals Kate Middleton with her love of the high street (she recently wore a 100 dress from ASOS to meet the President of China) and her effortless style that, I believe is innate, not the product of a large royal budget. Shes the quintessential queen; poised and elegant but she has an independent and boundary-breaking style, which fools us into thinking shes younger than her 46 years. Long before Meghan emerged in a Givenchy tuxedo, Letizia was re-defining what we expect from royal style. In May 2017, she attended Madrids National library in a black leather pencil skirt. The following month it was a one-shouldered crimson gown in the Netherlands. Next a Literary event in a bardot-style white top and boot cut trousers. Expand Close Queen Letizia (R), and the first lady of China, Peng Liyuan (L), during their tour of the Royal Theater of Madrid, on the first day of the State visit of Chinese President, Xi Jinping in Madrid, Spain on November 28, 2018 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Queen Letizia (R), and the first lady of China, Peng Liyuan (L), during their tour of the Royal Theater of Madrid, on the first day of the State visit of Chinese President, Xi Jinping in Madrid, Spain on November 28, 2018 Her appeal is that she identifies no style rules that apply to her position as a monarch. Now I do need to mention her enviable figure - the woman can wear anything with a body like that. Take the Nina Ricci metallic stripe body con dress and slicked back hair in December 2016; form fitting and forward thinking. I dont think well see Meghan or Kate attending an official dinner in anything similar. They play it safe because royal protocol says so. Letizia sets the style protocol in Spain leaving us running to Zara to find a replica, not to mention the coats from the Spanish retailer that she loves. Her overriding style moment for me was a red ensemble while greeting Queen Rania of Jordan in 2015 and to the discerning eye, it's possible they even coordinated their outfits. If you were to compare Letizias style of those days as a newly wed, to the moment of coronation and beyond, she almost looks younger now. Perhaps having settled into royal life she, over time, has built up a confidence in her personal style. We assume as queen, she can make the rules rather than abide by them. Either way, Letizia has become the queen of her own catwalk with designers queuing up to dress her. A train bearing the words Peace train and DMZ train at Imjingang station in Paju, South Korea (Lee Jin-man/AP) A North Korean soldier fled across a heavily fortified border to defect to South Korea early on Saturday, the military in Seoul said, just as the rivals began taking steps to reduce military tensions. South Korean soldiers escorted the defector to safety after finding him moving south of the eastern side of the military demarcation line that bisects the Koreas, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. South Korean authorities plan to question the defector over the details of his escape. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it had not observed any unusual activity from North Korean troops in the area where the defection happened. It comes as North and South Korea have pushed to implement a wide-ranging military agreement reached in September to reduce tensions across their border. The North's official media has not reported about Saturday's case. Pyongyang has frequently accused Seoul of kidnapping or enticing its citizens to defect. About 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea, mostly travelling via China, since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Last November, a North Korean soldier was critically wounded in a jointly controlled area after he fled to the South amid a hail of bullets fired by his former comrades. The soldier, Oh Chong Song, survived and told a Japanese newspaper last month that he had been drinking after getting into unspecified trouble with his friends. He said he kept going after breaking through a checkpoint in a military jeep because he became fearful of being executed. South Korea says the military agreement, which also included creating buffer zones along the Koreas' land and sea boundaries and a no-fly zone above the border, is an important trust-building step that would help stabilise peace and advance reconciliation between the rivals. But critics say the South risks conceding some of its conventional military strength before North Korea takes any meaningful steps on denuclearisation, as the larger nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang seemingly drift into a stalemate. South Korea's Defence Ministry said on Friday that the Korean militaries completed removing 20 front-line guard posts and land mines from a border area where they plan to start their first-ever joint search for remains of soldiers killed during the 1950-53 Korean War. The Koreas and the US-led UN Command recently finished removing firearms and troops from the jointly controlled area at the border village of Panmunjom, and eventually plan to allow tourists to freely move around there. A protester wearing a yellow vest, a symbol of a drivers' protest against higher fuel prices, faces off with police during a demonstration in central Brussels. Photo: Reuters Belgian police fired water cannons and tear gas in central Brussels to drive back protesters inspired by France's "yellow vest" anti-tax movement who hurled rocks at the prime minister's office. Police made dozens of arrests and protesters destroyed at least two police vans as a peaceful but unauthorised demonstration - lacking clear leadership and largely promoted on social media - descended into violence as people, many masked or hooded, tried to breach police lines. For three hours, crowds complaining about fuel prices and a squeeze on living standards had disrupted traffic and walked the streets. Police said they arrested about 60 before the violence, mostly for blocking roads or carrying large fireworks. Several hundred people wearing the fluorescent safety vests drivers must carry in their vehicles eventually converged on the office of Prime Minister Charles Michel. Dozens, many of them masked, threw rocks, firecrackers and road signs at police who doused them with high-pressure water jets and fired gas rounds. Protests in Belgium took place notably around fuel depots in the French-speaking south, inspired by French demonstrations against increases in fuel duty imposed by President Emmanuel Macron's government as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions." Mr Michel voiced sympathy for people's troubles earlier, but added: "Money doesn't fall from the sky." G20 leaders and their partners pose for a group photo prior to a gala dinner (G20 Press Office/AP) The G20 summit has entered its crucial second and final day with hours left for diplomats to bridge divisions on major issues including world trade, climate change and tackling migration. The day will also see a highly anticipated meeting between US president Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, whose nations have been embroiled in an escalating trade war with new US tariffs on Chinese goods set to take effect a month from now. The divisions among the worlds leading economies were evident from the moment Argentinas president Mauricio Macri opened the summit on Friday with a call for international co-operation to solve the planets problems. Mr Trump sought to use the gathering to make his own trade deals. Here's a summary of the first day of the #G20Summit! pic.twitter.com/cLi33eUJyi G20 Italy (@g20org) December 1, 2018 Meanwhile, two men under heavy criticism from the West lately Russian president Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared to seek refuge in each other, bonding with a tough-guy hand grab as the leaders sat down for talks. Security concerns also weighed on the two-day summit in Buenos Aires. Argentinas security minister said eight petrol bombs were discovered in an area of the capital several miles from the summit venue where a protest drew thousands of demonstrators, who held up banners with slogans like Go away G20 and Go away Trump. Diplomats from the G20 countries are haggling hard over a final joint statement, with disagreement over what language to use on the Paris climate accord and the World Trade Organisation. Expand Close World leaders take part in a meeting at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (G20 Argentina/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp World leaders take part in a meeting at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires (G20 Argentina/PA) Two European officials involved in the discussions said the US is hampering progress on both matters. An unorthodox solution has emerged: because of resistance from the Trump administration, an official in the French presidents office said the statement may use language which sets the US apart. A draft said 19 of the participants agreed upon the importance of upholding the Paris climate accord, but the US does not. The officials said the US was also blocking any mention of migration in the final statement. Asked about the European concerns, a US official said progress was being made on the joint statement and the White House was optimistic about the document as a whole. Laura Jaitman, the Argentine treasury official shepherding the G20s financing talks, said leaders have made progress on finance and trade and was hopeful a joint statement would be possible. Ms Jaitman said: Theres a very positive message of how trade has been an engine of growth for the next decades and how it will continue in the future providing benefits for all citizens. Expand Close Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin (AP) Argentine foreign minister Jorge Faurie said trade talks were moving forward and nations are continuing to work on climate change wording. All issues being discussed at the summit have the same relevance, he told reporters. We are debating (trade and climate change) more closely because we want to reach the consensus of all the countries involved. Mr Faurie said the final communique does not require the signature of presidents. Argentine president Mauricio Macri kicked off the summit by acknowledging divisions within the G20 while urging world leaders to have a sense of urgency and take actions based on shared interests. European Council president Donald Tusk urged G20 leaders to discuss trade wars, the tragic situation in Syria and Yemen, and Russian aggression in Ukraine. Expand Close US president Donald Trump (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp US president Donald Trump (AP) He said the European Union is expected to extend sanctions on Moscow over its totally unacceptable seizure of Ukrainian ships and their crews near the Crimean Peninsula. Russia and Ukraine have traded blame over the weekend ship incident which Mr Trump cited as a reason for cancelling a much-anticipated meeting with Mr Putin at the G20. Russias foreign minister regretted the move, but said love cant be forced. Also looming large amid dozens of bilateral meetings in Buenos Aires was the gruesome killing of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabias Istanbul consulate, and the participation at the summit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is alleged to have ordered the murder. As soon as he arrived, Prince Mohammed was confronted by French President Emmanuel Macron, who pressed him on the Khashoggi investigation and the Saudi-backed war in Yemen. Prince Mohamed told Mr Macron not to worry, but the French president countered: I am worried. Saudi Arabia has denied that the prince played a role, but US intelligence agencies concluded he ordered the killing. Meanwhile, leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico, met on Friday morning to sign a trade deal replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement that was struck following months of tough negotiations which analysts say left a bitter taste among the partners. Mr Trump called the pact a model agreement that changes the trade landscape forever. The non-binding agreement was reached after difficult all-night talks by diplomats (G20 Argentina/PA) Leaders of the Group of 20 have agreed to fix the world trading system but only 19 of them will support the Paris accord on fighting climate change. Applause rose up in the hall on Saturday as the leaders signed off on a final statement at the end of a two-day summit. The statement acknowledges flaws in the world trading system and calls for reforming the World Trade Organisation (WTO) but does not mention protectionism because negotiators said the US had resisted that. The statement says 19 of the members reiterated their commitment to the Paris climate accord but the US reiterates its decision to withdraw. The non-binding agreement was reached after difficult all-night talks by diplomats. The US had been the main holdout on nearly every issue, officials previously said, as US President Donald Trump has criticised the WTO and taken aggressive trade policies targeting China and the EU. "As members of the #G20, we have tried to push for a global governance that is fairer, more prosperous and more inclusive" Pedro Sanchez, Spanish Prime Minister. G20 Italy (@g20org) December 1, 2018 China also pushed back in talks on steel, South Africa objected to language on trade, Australia did not want the statement to be too soft on migration and Turkey worried it would push too far on climate change, according to the officials. According to European officials, the US negotiator said too much talk about migration would have been a deal-breaker for Mr Trump. This led to them coming up with minimalist language that acknowledges growing migrant flows and the importance of shared efforts to support refugees and solve the problems that drive them to flee. The statement also shows a commitment to a rules-based international order, despite Mr Trumps rejection of many of those rules. There were moments when we thought all was lost, one European official said, moments when we spent two hours on one sentence. Perhaps surprisingly, one country seen as particularly constructive was Russia, the officials added. Despite tensions over its military actions on Ukraine and political interference abroad, Russia supports international efforts on trade and climate. Expand Close Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Russian President Vladimir Putin (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Russian President Vladimir Putin (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) While a statement is not legally enforceable, the Europeans see it as proof the G20 is still relevant and multilateralism still works. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: Everyone agrees that the WTO should be reformed. This is an important agreement. We will send a clear signal in any case, most of us for the success of global climate talks starting in Poland on Sunday, Ms Merkel added. Her spokesman said that during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, she also voiced concern about rising tensions in the Kerch Strait off Crimea and pushed for freedom of shipping into the Sea of Azov. Last weekend, Russia seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and their crews in an incident escalating a tug-of-war that began in 2014 when Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and supported separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. Germany and France have sought to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, and spokesman Steffen Seibert said Ms Merkel and Mr Putin agreed the four countries should hold further talks at the adviser level. Expand Close US President Donald Trump listens to Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp US President Donald Trump listens to Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Ms Merkel also said she hopes a meeting between the US and Chinese leaders will help resolve trade tensions between the two countries. Mr Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are due to meet on the sidelines of the summit in Buenos Aires. Ms Merkel told reporters it is important the talks hopefully bring solutions, because all of us see that we are affected indirectly when Chinese-American economic relations are not as frictionless as a world order requires. The divisions among the worlds leading economies were evident from the moment Argentinas president opened the summit Friday with a call for international cooperation to solve the planets problems. In closing remarks, summit host and Argentine President Mauricio Macri said the countries had overcome a number of challenges to reach the agreement. He said: We have agreed on a statement that reflects the necessity of revitalising trade, of revitalising the WTO. We ratify the concern of everyone over climate change. The next G20 summit is to be held in Osaka, Japan, in June 2019. The non-binding agreement was reached after difficult all-night talks by diplomats (G20 Argentina/PA) G20 leaders and their partners pose for a group photo prior to a gala dinner (G20 Press Office/AP) Leaders of the Group of 20 have agreed to fix the world trading system - but only 19 of them will support the Paris accord on fighting climate change. Applause rose up in the hall on Saturday as the leaders signed off on a final statement at the end of a two-day summit. The statement acknowledges flaws in the world trading system and calls for reforming the World Trade Organisation (WTO) - but does not mention protectionism because negotiators said the US had resisted that. The statement says 19 of the members reiterated their commitment to the Paris climate accord but the US reiterates its decision to withdraw. The non-binding agreement was reached after difficult all-night talks by diplomats. The US had been the main holdout on nearly every issue, officials previously said, as US President Donald Trump has criticised the WTO and taken aggressive trade policies targeting China and the EU. China also pushed back in talks on steel, South Africa objected to language on trade, Australia did not want the statement to be too soft on migration and Turkey worried it would push too far on climate change, according to the officials. According to European officials, the US negotiator said too much talk about migration would have been a "deal-breaker" for Mr Trump. This led to them coming up with "minimalist" language that acknowledges growing migrant flows and the importance of shared efforts to support refugees and solve the problems that drive them to flee. The statement also shows a commitment to a "rules-based international order," despite Mr Trump's rejection of many of those rules. "There were moments when we thought all was lost," one European official said, "moments when we spent two hours on one sentence." One country seen as particularly constructive was Russia, the officials added. Despite tensions over its military actions on Ukraine and political interference abroad, Russia supports international efforts on trade and climate. While a statement is not legally enforceable, the Europeans see it as proof the G20 is still relevant and multilateralism still works. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "Everyone agrees that the WTO should be reformed. This is an important agreement." "We will send a clear signal - in any case, most of us" - for the success of global climate talks starting in Poland on Sunday, Ms Merkel added. Her spokesman said that during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, she also voiced concern about rising tensions in the Kerch Strait off Crimea and pushed for "freedom of shipping into the Sea of Azov". Last weekend, Russia seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and their crews in an incident escalating a tug-of-war that began in 2014 when Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and supported separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. Germany and France have sought to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, and spokesman Steffen Seibert said Ms Merkel and Mr Putin agreed the four countries should hold further talks at the "adviser level". Ms Merkel also said she hopes a meeting between the US and Chinese leaders will help resolve trade tensions between the two countries. Mr Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are due to meet on the sidelines of the summit in Buenos Aires. Ms Merkel told reporters it is important the talks "hopefully bring solutions, because all of us see that we are affected indirectly when Chinese-American economic relations are not as frictionless as a world order requires". The divisions among the world's leading economies were evident from the moment Argentina's president opened the summit Friday with a call for international cooperation to solve the planet's problems. In closing remarks, summit host and Argentine President Mauricio Macri said the countries had overcome "a number of challenges" to reach the agreement. He said: "We have agreed on a statement that reflects the necessity of revitalising trade, of revitalising the WTO. "We ratify the concern of everyone over climate change." The next G20 summit is to be held in Osaka, Japan, in June 2019. US President Donald Trump walks past Russias President Vladimir Putin, Rwandan President and African Union chairperson Paul Kagame, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Brazils President Michel Temer as he arrives for a family photo during the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo: Reuters Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was sidelined during the official "family photo" of world leaders and other dignitaries at the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires yesterday, standing at the far edge of the group portrait and ignored. Prince Mohammed's presence at the international summit has been contentious following the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. The crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, quickly exited the stage without shaking hands or talking with other leaders. At centre stage was Argentine President Mauricio Macri, hosting this year's summit of G20 industrialised nations. Mr Macri has said accusations that Prince Mohammed was involved in Mr Khashoggi's death could be discussed by world leaders during the two-day gathering. Saudi Arabia has said the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prince Mohammed later exchanged a high-five and a handshake and laughed heartily as they took seats next to each other in the main meeting room. French President Emmanuel Macron told the Prince that Europe would insist on international experts being part of the investigation into Mr Khashoggi's murder. In a five-minute exchange on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina, Mr Macron conveyed "very firm" messages to the prince over the killing and the need to find a political solution for the situation in Yemen, an Elysee official also said. The 'Saudi Gazette' newspaper posted video of the meeting online, showing the two speaking in hushed tones with their heads close together, Mr Macron looking the crown prince in the eye and Prince Mohammed nodding his head and at times smiling. In the audio, it is possible to make out the prince saying "Don't worry", to which Mr Macron responds, "I am worried". Later in the one-minute clip Mr Macron says, "You never listen to me" and the crown prince replies: "I will listen, of course." At the end Mr Macron can be heard saying: "I am a man of my word." The Elysee said it was the first time the French president and the crown prince, known as MBS, had spoken since Mr Khashoggi's murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Mr Khashoggi, an opinion writer for the 'Washington Post' who was at one time a Saudi royal insider before becoming a critic of the leadership, was killed by lethal injection and dismembered by a group of Saudi men sent from the kingdom. Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor has said MBS knew nothing of the operation to kill Mr Khashoggi. Mr Macron's office said the meeting with the crown prince was justified because European nations wanted to send a united message about the need for probity in the investigation and were not going to sidestep an opportunity to reinforce that message during the G20. "We were not going to play hide and seek for 48 hours, it wouldn't make any sense," the official said. "If we're here and he's at the table, let's be frank and not indulgent. Things that need saying will be said." Earlier, the Elysee said the video showed "a sort of contrast between MBS's face sporting an embarrassed smile and the (French) president's face, which was rather stern, and was keen to convey these messages in a very firm manner". Overall the exchange appeared cordial, with Mr Macron attempting to get his point across, speaking with his hands in front of him and looking MBS in the eye. MBS nods repeatedly and appears accommodating and somewhat apologetic. Last Friday in the northern Syria town of Kafranbel began like any other. It ended with the news that Raed Fares, a local opposition activist who had brought Kafranbel to international attention through wit, ingenuity and an unswerving belief in his cause, had been shot dead. Raed Fares was the kind of Syrian Bashar al-Assad did not want the world to know as he sought to cast the uprising against his regime as a jihadist conspiracy. Fares was not a jihadist. In fact, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group formerly affiliated with al-Qa'ida, is suspected of murdering him. What Fares represented was all those ordinary Syrians who took to the streets demanding change in the early years of what they called their revolution, only to later find themselves caught between a regime that would stop at nothing to stay in power and extremists who rushed to take advantage. Fares had worked as a property agent before 2011, the year when a series of uprisings and revolutions toppled dictators in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, and threatened to do the same elsewhere, including in Syria. He had childhood memories of how the Assad regime had dealt with any challenges to it, witnessing security forces kill a neighbour and meeting people who had fled the infamous Hama massacre carried out by Assad's father in 1982. When Kafranbel came under the control of the opposition Free Syrian Army in 2012, Fares found what he considered his true calling. He organised demonstrations against the regime, ran a health centre, established a fund to help those struggling to survive, and oversaw a programme to train young people to become journalists. In between, he set up Radio Fresh, the first station to broadcast from opposition-held territory, and came up with the idea of creating banners with messages in English and Arabic aimed at telling the world about their cause. Made from gigantic white cotton sheets, the banners featured slogans in large black capital letters that were sometimes witty, sometimes caustic, and always eye-catching. At times, they included clever references to Western pop culture. Others were scathing about the failures of the international community - particularly the Obama administration - to do something about a war that has cost the lives of some 500,000 people. "Syria has two conflicting parties: people who try to survive, and a regime that tries to crush them," was one early example of the banners that often went viral on social media and earned Kafranbel the nickname "the conscience of the revolution". But as Fares's beloved revolution darkened with the emergence of extremist groups including Isil who saw opportunity in the bloody mayhem, the conflicting parties multiplied. "The truth is, Syrians are victims of two forms of terrorism," Fares told a gathering of human rights activists in Oslo last year. "From one side, Assad's terrorism, and, from the other, Isis (Isil) and other extremists' terrorism." The mild-mannered activist became a target of both. The civil society organisation he founded was bombed by the regime and raided by jihadists. He narrowly escaped an assassination attempt four years ago. He was later seized by al-Qa'ida affiliates and tortured before being released. Fares's response to the militants' efforts to crush the spirit of what had made Kafranbel known across the world was typically mischievous. After extremists demanded Radio Fresh stop playing music because they considered it contrary to religious teachings, Fares broadcast the sounds of farm animals and ticking clocks. When they told him it was unacceptable to allow women speak on the radio, he used software that distorted the women's voices to sound like men. No matter what pressure Radio Fresh and Fares came under, they always found a way. "The question is, was it worth starting a revolution and confronting Assad?" he asked in Oslo last year, going on to answer himself: "It was indeed important." Fares remained a true believer, despite the years of bloody horror and the threats against him. "We have decided to guide our future and our destiny with our own hands," he said. "Revolutions are ideas and ideas cannot be killed by weapons." Fares was driving around Kafranbel last Friday with his friend Hamoud Juneid, a reporter with Radio Fresh, when a van began trailing them. Gunmen in the van opened fire. The news of their deaths quickly swept social media, shocking fellow activists. "A part of our revolution died with Raed," one said. More than 2,000 people gathered for the funeral, including many who were inspired by Fares's belief that the civil society he tried to nurture would someday bear fruit. "If civil society keeps developing in the right direction, the military situation will become far less important," he said once. "If society is strong enough, then tyranny has no chance." The 41st president of the United States, George HW Bush, has died at the age of 94. The World War II hero, who also presided during the collapse of the Soviet Union and the final months of the Cold War, died shortly after 10pm on Friday, family spokesman Jim McGrath said. His wife of more than 70 years, Barbara Bush, died in April. Mr Bush's son, George W Bush, described his father as a "man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for". Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Mr Bush with son George W Bush at St Martins Episcopal Church for a funeral service for former first lady Barbara Bush (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) George HW Bush with Margaret Thatcher (Tim Ockenden/PA) Mr Bush as captain of the Yale baseball team in 1947 (AP Photo/File) Then-president-elect George HW Bush casts a line while fishing in Gulf Stream, Florida (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File) Mr Bush and his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) George HW Bush has died aged 94 (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File) George HW Bush makes a dramatic entrance to his presidential museum during a re-dedication ceremony in College Station, Texas (Sgt. 1st Class Kevin McDaniel/U.S. Army via AP, File) George HW Bush during a news conference at the White House in Washington in 1989 (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander, File) George HW Bush talks with a group of young people at a rally in Houston, Texas, in 1970 (AP Photo/File) Former US president George HW Bush has died (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson, File) Former presidents attend the memorial service for John McCain (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Former president George H.W. Bush arrives for an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts in Houston (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Bush with son George W Bush at St Martins Episcopal Church for a funeral service for former first lady Barbara Bush (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) In a statement, he added: "The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens." The former president served from 1989 to 1993, and eight years later watched his son George W became the 43rd president - only the second father-and-son chief executives, following John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Expand Close George HW Bush during a news conference at the White House in Washington in 1989 (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander, File) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp George HW Bush during a news conference at the White House in Washington in 1989 (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander, File) Read More The elder Mr Bush, the son of a senator, rose through the political ranks: from congressman to UN ambassador, Republican Party chairman to envoy to China, CIA director to two-term vice president under the hugely popular Ronald Reagan. He entered the White House in 1989 with a reputation as a man of indecision and indeterminate views. Statement from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush pic.twitter.com/qxPsp4Ggs7 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2018 America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family tonight and all who were inspired by George and Barbaras example. pic.twitter.com/g9OUPu2pjY Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 1, 2018 The Iraq crisis of 1990-91 brought out all the skills he had honed in a quarter-century of politics and public service. After Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, Mr Bush quickly began building an international military coalition that included other Arab states. Expand Close George HW Bush talks with a group of young people at a rally in Houston, Texas, in 1970 (AP Photo/File) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp George HW Bush talks with a group of young people at a rally in Houston, Texas, in 1970 (AP Photo/File) After winning United Nations support and a green light from a reluctant Congress, he unleashed a punishing air war against Iraq and a five-day ground juggernaut that sent Iraqi forces reeling in disarray back to Baghdad. He basked in the biggest outpouring of patriotism and pride in America's military since World War II, and his approval ratings soared to nearly 90%. Expand Close Mr Bush as captain of the Yale baseball team in 1947 (AP Photo/File) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Bush as captain of the Yale baseball team in 1947 (AP Photo/File) After freeing Kuwait, he rejected suggestions that the US carry the offensive to Baghdad, choosing to end the hostilities a mere 100 hours after the start of the ground offensive. The decisive military defeat did not lead to the regime's downfall, as many in the administration had hoped. Expand Close George HW Bush with Margaret Thatcher (Tim Ockenden/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp George HW Bush with Margaret Thatcher (Tim Ockenden/PA) His legacy was dogged for years by doubts about the decision not to remove Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi leader was eventually ousted in 2003, in the war led by Mr Bush's son that was followed by a long, bloody insurgency. The elder Mr Bush's prime interest was foreign policy. Under his watch, the Berlin Wall came down, the Warsaw Pact disintegrated and the Soviet satellites fell out of orbit. The other battles he fought as president, including a war on drugs and a crusade to make American children the best educated in the world, were not so decisively won. He rode into office pledging to make the United States a "kinder, gentler" nation and calling on Americans to volunteer for good causes, to create "a thousand points of light". Mr Bush lost his bid for re-election to Bill Clinton in a campaign in which businessman H Ross Perot took almost 19% of the vote as an independent candidate. Paying tribute to Mr Bush, current US president Donald Trump praised his "sound judgment, common sense and unflappable leadership". In a joint statement with wife Melania, he added: "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service - to be, in his words, "a thousand points of light" illuminating the greatness, hope and opportunity of America to the world. "President Bush always found a way to set the bar higher." He said: "Along with his full life of service to country, we will remember President Bush for his devotion to family - especially the love of his life, Barbara. "His example lives on, and will continue to stir future Americans to pursue a greater cause." Barack Obama, the 44th president of the US, said America had "lost a patriot and humble servant". He said: "While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. "George HW Bush's life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good along the journey... It's a legacy of service that may never be matched, even though he'd want all of us to try." Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar extended his sympathies to the Bush family. He said George HW Bush was "a notable President who left his mark on US politics". President Michael D Higgins said: "People in Ireland will have learned with sadness of the death of former President of the United States of America, George H.W. Bush. He said Mr Bush will be remembered "for his long life of public service to the people of the United States and as a President who led his country at a period of significant change at national and global level." Mr Higgins noted that the 1980s to the mid-1990s was a period of deep challenges to the multilateral institutions. He also said; "To his Presidency of the United States he brought all of the energy and the values he cherished, drawn from his Texas and Massachusetts roots." Mr Higgins said he will also be remembered "for the directness with which he expressed his policy principles and his efforts to achieve bipartisanship". He added: "On behalf of the Irish people I offer our deepest sympathies to his family and to the people of the United States." And, in the UK, John Major has paid tribute to President George HW Bush following his death. He said: "George HW Bush was above all else a family man and, for him, the American people were part of that family. "In public office he served as he lived, with compassion, courage, dignity and grace. As president, he saw America's obligation to the world and honoured it - and he remained committed to public service until the day he died. "I feel privileged to have worked with him, and even more privileged that he became a lifelong friend. He was, quite simply, one of the most deep down decent people I have ever known. "Our hearts go out to his family, but they will take great comfort in the knowledge that their brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather is now reunited with his beloved wife Barbara, and their daughter Robin." UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted: "Deeply sorry to hear of death of President George HW Bush. A true friend of the UK and a deeply wise man whose leadership made the world more safe and more free. Sincerest condolences to the Bush family and the American people from your friends in Britain." Donald Trump's former personal lawyer has admitted he was pursuing a project to build a Trump tower in Russia deep into the 2016 US presidential campaign and later misled Congress about the discussions. Michael Cohen, who once said he would take a bullet for Mr Trump, on Thursday pleaded guilty to misleading Congress and made a string of new revelations about the project in Moscow. Court documents showed that while Mr Cohen claimed the project ended in January 2016 - before the first primary vote in the Republican presidential campaign - he actually pursued it until June 2016. Mr Cohen admitted he talked to Mr Trump - identified as 'Individual 1' in court documents - about the building project more than the three times he had previously disclosed. He also said he briefed members of the Trump family. Emails showed that Mr Cohen agreed to visit Russia to discuss the deal in May 2016 and that there appeared to be a discussion about getting Mr Trump to also visit the country during the campaign. Mr Cohen gave the misleading statements, made to two congressional committees last year, in order to minimise the links between the Moscow project and Mr Trump and give the "false impression" that the project had ended before the first Republican primary vote in 2016, according to court documents. Taken together, the revelations show that the Trump team were pursuing a building project in Russia for months longer during the 2016 election campaign than had previously been admitted. That raises questions of whether there was a financial incentive to get close to the Kremlin, which could play a role in the approval of such a major building project in the country's capital. The proposal in question was a 100-storey building in Moscow that would have the word 'Trump' emblazoned on the top, according to an investigation by Buzzfeed News. It would have become the tallest building in Europe. A Kremlin spokesman confirmed that they had called Mr Cohen back when he reached out to discuss the deal during the 2016 election campaign, but said they explained Mr Putin's administration has "nothing" to do with the approval of building projects in the city. Mr Trump dismissed the developments, saying that Mr Cohen was lying in an attempt to reduce a previous criminal sentence. He also said there would be nothing wrong with pursuing a business deal while running for president. "[Cohen] is a weak person and not a very smart person," Mr Trump told reporters outside the White House. "He's got himself a big prison sentence. And he's trying to get a much lesser prison sentence by making up this story." Mr Trump added: "I don't know when I decided but somewhere during the period of time, I was never very enthused, somewhere during the period of time when I was running for president . . . But when I run for president, that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to do business. I was doing a lot of different things when I was running." During his surprise court appearance in New York on Thursday, Mr Cohen pleaded guilty to making false statements to Congress in written testimony he made last year about the Moscow project. Mr Cohen said that he discussed the Moscow 'Trump Tower' project with Mr Trump more than the three times he had previously disclosed, and that he had talked about it with Trump family members, who were not named. Mr Cohen also admitted that he had agreed to visit Russia to discuss the deal and was in discussion about a potential visit from Mr Trump himself during the 2016 election campaign. Mr Cohen told the court he made the "misstatements" to be consistent with Mr Trump's "political messaging" and "out of loyalty" to the president. Mr Cohen's comments came as part of a plea deal he struck with Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. It confirms that Mr Cohen is co-operating with the probe. ( Daily Telegraph London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] Smoke from an explosion rises as part of the dismantling of a South Korean guard post in the Demilitarised Zone dividing the two Koreas (Jung Yeon-je/Pool Photo via AP, File) A North Korean soldier fled across a heavily fortified border to defect to South Korea early on Saturday, the military in Seoul said, just as the rivals began taking steps to reduce military tensions. South Korean soldiers escorted the defector to safety after finding him moving south of the eastern side of the military demarcation line that bisects the Koreas, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. South Korean authorities plan to question the defector over the details of his escape. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it had not observed any unusual activity from North Korean troops in the area where the defection happened. It comes as North and South Korea have pushed to implement a wide-ranging military agreement reached in September to reduce tensions across their border. The Norths official media has not reported about Saturdays case. Pyongyang has frequently accused Seoul of kidnapping or enticing its citizens to defect. Expand Close Construction equipment destroys a South Korean guard post in the Demilitarised Zone dividing the two Koreas in Cheorwon (Jung Yeon-je/Pool Photo via AP, File) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Construction equipment destroys a South Korean guard post in the Demilitarised Zone dividing the two Koreas in Cheorwon (Jung Yeon-je/Pool Photo via AP, File) About 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea, mostly travelling via China, since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Last November, a North Korean soldier was critically wounded in a jointly controlled area after he fled to the South amid a hail of bullets fired by his former comrades. The soldier, Oh Chong Song, survived and told a Japanese newspaper last month that he had been drinking after getting into unspecified trouble with his friends. He said he kept going after breaking through a checkpoint in a military jeep because he became fearful of being executed. South Korea says the military agreement, which also included creating buffer zones along the Koreas land and sea boundaries and a no-fly zone above the border, is an important trust-building step that would help stabilise peace and advance reconciliation between the rivals. But critics say the South risks conceding some of its conventional military strength before North Korea takes any meaningful steps on denuclearisation, as the larger nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang seemingly drift into a stalemate. South Koreas Defence Ministry said on Friday that the Korean militaries completed removing 20 front-line guard posts and land mines from a border area where they plan to start their first-ever joint search for remains of soldiers killed during the 1950-53 Korean War. The Koreas and the US-led UN Command recently finished removing firearms and troops from the jointly controlled area at the border village of Panmunjom, and eventually plan to allow tourists to freely move around there. After never-ending series of dramatic turn of events, Divorcing Hollywood power couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a final agreement over the custody of their six children, Jolies lawyer said on Friday, after more than two years of often bitter negotiations. A custody arrangement was agreed weeks ago, and has been signed by both parties and the judge, Jolies lawyer Samantha Bley DeJean said in a statement to Reuters. The agreement, which is based on the recommendations of the child custody evaluator, eliminates the need for a trial. The filing and details of the agreement are confidential to protect the best interests of the children. Representatives of Pitt had no immediate comment. Reuters Jolie and Pitt, once one of Hollywoods most glamorous couples, separated in September 2016 after a more than 10-year romance and two-year marriage. Jolie, who filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences, had been seeking primary custody of their six children, three of whom are the couples biological children and three of whom are adopted. Fridays statement did not say how custody would be divided, and Jolies spokesperson declined to give details. A trial date in the custody case had been tentatively set for December 4 before a private judge in Los Angeles. A source close to Jolie said that she is very pleased to be entering the next stage and relieved with progress for the health of their family. AFP The 2016 divorce filing triggered a bitter custody dispute during which Pitt was investigated and cleared of child abuse, and both sides accused each other of trying to manipulate media coverage in their favour. The couple are yet to reach a final divorce settlement. AFP Moneyball actor Pitt, 54, and Maleficent star Jolie, 43, began dating in late 2005 and married in 2014. They are parents to Maddox, 17, Pax, 15, Zahara, 13, Shiloh, 12, and 10-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. Celebrations and joy double up when shared and Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone think exactly the same. After a dreamy fairytale wedding in Lake Como, Italy, Ranveer and Deepika are now celebrating this union in ways more than one. After two receptions-one in Bengaluru and one in Mumbai, the last leg of celebrations begins with film fraternity celebrating this wedding together. Tonight's party is for Deepika and Ranveer's friends from the industry and it consists of creme de la creme of the B-Town. While the guest list consists of SRK, Bachchan family, Farah Khan, Bhansali, Anil Kapoor and family and a lot of their other co-stars and people they have worked with. For this celebration, they ditched ethnic wear and sizzled in black and red for the final reception. The lovebirds looked adorable as they were again spotted giggling, smiling and looking at each other while posing for their pap friends. Have a look at the pictures that speak for itself. If Alladin's genie was real, many of us would wish to be invisible right now so that we can just fly down to Jodhpur to attend the royal Nick-Priyanka wedding. I mean come on, everything about the wedding screams royal and exquisite. From the helipad that has been made especially to ferry guests in and out to the wedding guests that the planners have customized for the guests, the preps for the wedding are on point. As if we were not feeling terrible enough already that now palace-turned-luxury hotel took to their social media accounts to give us a glimpse of what all is there inside the goodie kit. || Goodies thats being hand out at Nick and Priyankas wedding. Yes that one box is called The Oh Shit Kit pic.twitter.com/v50iNdvQ8n Nick Jonas Daily (@DailyNickJonas) November 30, 2018 Everyone who is attending the wedding gets a special goodie-package that included a package called an "The Oh Shit Kit." While the name already says it all, everyone is still curious about what all is inside this kit. The freebies also included multiple information packets for the couple's wedding extravaganza. The kit also consists of pamphlets called "Western Weddings for Dummies" and "Indian Weddings for Dummies," according to additional Instagram photos obtained by Daily Mail. Priyanka and Nick will also be handing out embellished Juttis to their guests as their takeaway present just like Ranveer and Deepika did. (also read: Priyanka Chopra Had No 'Aitraaz' And Took Just 45 Seconds To Say Yes To Nick's Proposal!) Daily Mail The couple is all set to solemnize their affair of 7 months by exchanging vows in a traditional Christian wedding, followed by a traditional Indian wedding this weekend. (Also read: From The Met Gala To Shaadi Ka Mandap, Here's A Timeline Of PC & Nick Jonas' Whirlwind Romance) Amidst Myanmar leader's "indifference" to the atrocities committed by the military against Rohingya Muslims, Paris city will strip Aung San Suu Kyi of her honorary freedom of the French capital. It is the latest in the string of awards, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner has lost since Myanmar's military drove 7,20,000 Rohingya out of the Buddhist majority country in what the United Nations has called an act of genocide. Also Read: Aung San Suu Kyi Wont Be Stripped Of Nobel Peace Prize Amid Criticism Over Rohingya Genocide This comes almost two weeks after Amnesty International stripped Aung San Suu Kyi of its highest honour. reuters Mayor Anne Hidalgo decided to revoke the honour because of the "multiple violations of human rights recorded in Myanmar and the violence and persecution by Myanmar's security forces against the Rohingya minority," the spokeswoman told AFP. The move, which follows similar decisions by Glasgow, Edinburgh and Oxford, would make Myanmar's de facto leader the first person to lose the freedom of the French capital, a purely symbolic award. Also Read: Suu Kyi Stripped Of Amnesty Honour For Remaining Silent While Rohingyas Were Being Butchered Nobel peace laureate Suu Kyi, once feted as a democracy icon in the mould of Nelson Mandela for leading opposition to Myanmar's military junta, has fallen out of favour in the West over her inaction in the face of the crackdown on the mostly Muslim Rohingya. ap More than 700,000 Rohingyas fled violence in the Buddhist-majority country last year, mostly to neighbouring Bangladesh. A UN rights team found evidence of widespread murder, rape, torture and arson and called for top generals to be prosecuted for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Hidalgo's office said the mayor wrote to Suu Kyi late last year to "express her concern and call for respect for the rights of the Rohingya minority", but that the letter went unanswered. The Congress Party in Madhya Pradesh has alleged EVM tampering after the voting machines reached the collection centre in Sagar on Friday, 48 hours after voting ended in the state elections on Wednesday. According to reports the EVMs were kept at a police station in Khurai city in the district, where sate home minister Bhupendra Singh, the sitting MLA was seeking re-election. BCCL The Congress alleged that EVMs were taken to a hotel owned by Singh before they were brought to the collection center, that too in a bus without a registration plate. The Chief Electoral Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh, however, rejected the allegations and said that the EVMs in question were not used for voting, were kept on standby. In a similar incident, an EVM strong room in Bhopal suffered a blackout for nearly one and a half hours on Friday. It is also reported that the CCTV cameras at the strong room were switched off. PTI Even before the state went to polls on Wednesday in the highly charged elections EVMs had raked up some stir after some video clips began circulating a day before the vote, in which a polling officer in Madhya Pradesh staying in a hotel room with Electronic Voting Machines kept in a corner. Four Election Officials reportedly stayed in a hotel owned by a BJP leader and they had two EVMs with them, which were said to be from reserve machines. BCCL Families in Prayagraj (or Allahabad) who had upcoming weddings scheduled between January and March next year have been caught off guard after the Yogi Adityanath government reportedly banned all such functions in the state during the time period. Read more Here's more top news of the day: 1) Finally, A Breather For Delhiites As City's Air Becomes Better Than The Last Two Years AFP Concerted pollution-control measures, coupled with favourable weather conditions, allowed Delhi to breathe easier albeit slightly in October and November this year compared with the same period in 2016 and 2017. Read more 2) General Bipin Rawat Says Unlike Western Countries, Indian Army Is Not Ready For Women In Combat Role Indian Army Chief General, Bipin Rawat, said that the is not yet ready to have women in combat roles. He said that there are several other fields where the Army was thinking of inducting women. Read more 3) After Amnesty Honour, Aung San Suu Kyi To Be Stripped Of Freedom Of Paris Award Over Rohingya Issue reuters Amidst Myanmar leader's "indifference" to the atrocities committed by the military against Rohingya Muslims, Paris city will strip Aung San Suu Kyi of her honorary freedom of the French capital. Read more 4) Racist Argentine TV Channel Compares PM Modi To Simpsons Cartoon Character Apu Cronica TV, an Argentine news channel has come under fire after it announced the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Buenos Aires for the G20 summit with an image of the Simpsons character. Read more 5) EVMs Reach Storage House 2 Days After Polling In MP, Politicians Fear Tempering BCCL The Congress Party in Madhya Pradesh has alleged EVM tampering after the voting machines reached the collection centre in Sagar on Friday, 48 hours after voting ended in the state elections on Wednesday. Read more Families in Prayagraj (or Allahabad) who had upcoming weddings scheduled between January and March next year have been caught off guard after the Yogi Adityanath government reportedly banned all such functions in the state during the time period. According to reports the Uttar Pradesh has cited the upcoming Kumbh Mela in the city, which will happen during the same time period as the reason for the ban. BCCL Times Now reported that the order states that no wedding will be allowed to take place a day before and after the Kumbh snan or Kumbh bath, which is slated to be held between January and March 2019. The district administration has sent copies of the order to all wedding hall owners and hoteliers, instructing them to cancel all wedding bookings during the specified time. Many families, who had planned weddings months in advance are reportedly planning to postpone the dates or moving the function out of Prayagraj. Earlier, the government had ordered the closure of all tanneries in Kanpur from December 15, 2018 to March 15, 2019 in order to keep river Ganga clean during the Kumbh in Prayagraj. BCCL There are also reports that following the renaming of Faizabad and Allahabad to Ayodhya and Prayagraj respectively the government is considering a demand by local seers to ban the consumption of non-vegetarian and liquor in there. BCCL The Kumbh Mela, which is scheduled to begin on January 15, will see large number of saints, seers and devotees from across the country converging at Prayagraj where they will undertake six important snaan or baths during the holy pilgrimage of Kumbh - Makar Sankranti and Paush Poornima snaan in January, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchmi and Maaghi Poornima snaan in Feburary and Mahashivtarti snaan in March. Tempest Brewing, a Scottish brewery which had come under criticism for its depiction of Lord Ganesha in one of its brands, has said that it is removing the reference to the Hindu God. The development came on Friday after objections by the US-based Universal Society of Hinduism, which protested the message inscribed on the bottle which read "channel your inner Ganesha and overcome all obstacles with our hoppy pilsner". The beer, part of Tempest Brewing Co's India Pils beer also had a colourful image of the Hindu God. "Tempest Brewing Co. as a whole embraces equality and diversity therefore, we are saddened to hear that our 'India Pils' has caused upset within the Hindu community and we would like to offer our apologies," said Gavin Meiklejohn, Founding Director of Tempest Brewing Co. "India Pils is one of our most popular beers and is already programmed into our schedule for next year. However, we are happy to immediately remove all written references to Ganesha from our marketing of this beer and will alter the artwork before its next release," he said. The company stressed that the colourful artwork used for its beer brand was chosen for its stand-out colours and not intended to cause offence. "We are not the first company to have been drawn towards Ganesha, as Mercedes, Reliance Mutual, Renault, IDFC bank have also utilised Ganesha for advertising and marketing, which is why, at the time, we did not think that there would be an issue," said Meiklejohn, who said the intention was not to stray into any religious territory and the route was taken in "all innocence". "Our artwork has always been bold and bright, and our inspiration has always been driven from many different avenues. Our passion is to create a product that people will enjoy together, not to cause upset along the way," he said. The company's website has already removed all references to Ganesha and refers to India Pils simply as a "delicious hoppy pilsner" with a crisp, fruity hop flavour and great drinkability. The central government has once again stalled the launch of the second phase of the FAME scheme that is supposed to propel the automobile industry towards an electric future within the country. With an objective of boosting the manufacturing and subsequent adoption of electric vehicles, the FAME scheme was first started in April 2015, post which, it has only seen extension of deadlines and is still stuck in its Phase-1. The FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric vehicles) scheme was supposed see the initiation of its second phase starting April 2017. Post 20 months of the date, the government of India is still silent on it, as the industry awaits any update anxiously. Through the phase 2, the auto makers are expecting to receive subsidies as well as set guidelines and policies from the Indian government for the production and operation of electric vehicles in the country. While the phase 2 has not been announced, the Central Government did increase the subsidies by Rs 100 crore taking the total to Rs 895 crore under the FAME scheme. Reuters The delay has, to date, led to the extension of Phase 1 of the FAME scheme four times now, which was previously supposed to end on April 2017. The new increase in budget still falls under the phase 1 of the scheme, which has now been extended till May 2019. Several auto makers have already announced their EV lineup for the country. Hyundai and Maruti Suzuki, for instance, will be bringing their EV offerings by as early as next year. In addition to the major players, several startups have been operating around the concept of electric vehicles. The government, however, has still not provided a set guidelines for all of these to operate, let alone the associated subsidies for easy and streamlined operations. Woman with fear of owls wins damages from religious quack Headline of the week appeared on the BBC News website: Owl phobia woman wins damages from religious doctor. Yep. Quack! Meet Sally Brayshaw, 54, of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. In pain following an operation, she was seeking relief. The Beeb says at a religious meeting locum doctor and Pentecostal Christian Thomas OBrien told Sally the devil was having a real go at her. It was suggested she was possessed by demons. She was advised not to see a psychiatrist. The pair met in August 2012: Over the next six months Dr OBrien engaged Mrs Brayshaw in a number of religious activities, taking her to services, giving her religious gifts and setting her television to the Gospel channel to soak her in religious content. On one occasion, Mrs Brayshaw said she was taken to a meeting where a preacher spoke of sacrificing an owl This left her so terrified of the birds she could no longer look at a picture of one without becoming terrified. Mr Justice Martin Spencer said it was foreseeable Mrs Brayshaw might react adversely, adding: By reason of his zealous promotion of the religious aspects, [Dr OBrien] became blind to the medical aspects and thereby caused or contributed to the deterioration in the claimants mental health. Ruling Dr OBrien was negligent, Spencer said Mrs Brayshaw was entitled to more than 12,700 in compensation from the doctor. The BBC notes: Dr OBrien took no part in the case and his whereabouts are unknown. He was struck off in 2015 after a General Medical Council investigation. Anorak Posted: 1st, December 2018 | In: Key Posts, Strange But True Comment | TrackBack | Permalink Loving Jamal: the righteous use bullied Syrian refugee to showcase their moral superiority Just when you thought the story could reach no higher, Theresa May sees the video of Syrian refugee Jamal being assaulted in the playground of his Huddersfield school and declares the outpouring of sympathy and cash for the lad the best of British. She didnt say this to an aide or to husband Phil when putting the bins out. She took a break at the G20 summit in Argentina to opine: I thought it was absolutely terrible what (he) went through. Our thoughts are with him. But I think if you look at what happened, the real spirit of Britain came in the response of the British people to that incident. As you say, most people were sickened and angered by it. The huge response of support that we have seen from the British people shows our true spirit and shows we are a welcoming people. In attendance at the huge meeting of global leaders, the subject at the forefront of Mays working brain is Jamal. Why? We already know the UK is a welcoming place for refugees. One yob behaving horribly doesnt change that. Jamal and his family arrived in the country from war-ravaged Homs in 2010. They were housed in a three-bedroom home in Almondbury on the outskirts of Huddersfield. They were placed with thought. The town has a higher than average number of residents from ethnic minorities. The largest (making up nearly 16 per cent of the population) describe themselves as Asian. Around 100 Syrian refugees, in particular, ended up in the Huddersfield area. What the Prime Minister means, of course, is that the teenager can be adopted as a cause by the right-minded to cement their authority and scare us into submission. Were told the bully has prejudices, but what of Mays bias? Refugees being beaten up at school will not be tolerated. We know that. The school has expelled Jamals attacker and other bullies. Its the incidents rareness that makes it newsworthy. But the moral message is what the elites enjoy: stay vigilant lest we all become Jamal, they tell us. The matter has not yet reached the UN but give it time. The contest to see who can shout Im not a racist loudest is well underway. From BBC DJs and TV presenters to a voracious press desperate for a cause, MPs, the far-Right and vested-interest groups, the nasty teenage twat pulling a smaller teenage boy to the floor and squirting water in his face has become a warning to us all. Mays not talking about Jamals terribleexperiences in Syria, where death gangs stalk the streets and skies; shes talking about the terror in a school playground in West Yorkshire. One is bit easier to deal with. The Sun recognises the hyperbole driving the story and seeks to give it some more solid ground, telling readers Jamal did not merely have water squired in his face he was waterboarded. Also, bullies allegedly pelted him with eggs and set his hair on fire. Jamal made the claims in an email to Kirklees councillor Bernard McGuin. It was, says the Mail, a Cry for help that shames Britain. But was he waterboarded, you know, like the US military does to detainees in the War on Terror? Jamal was attacked by a violent knob end. But tortured? And is one 16-year-old berk more shameful than selling bombs to Saudi Arabia so it can bomb the hell out of Yemen? Jamal seems to want things to end. I am very concerned about the violent comments going out on social media about the bully, he says. I dont want anything terrible to happen to him at all. I just dont want anything bad to happen to anyone. The scrotes ok. Hes fled the country. But the storys not about the bully. Its not about Jamal, not as an individual. Its about those who know best, the people who see in the white woking class a race riot-in-waiting. The 16-year-old bellend morphed into the exemplar of the prejudiced underclass. Its not only the bully who wants a piece of Jamal. Did the knowing high-five when the video went viral, allowing them to use Jamal to showcase their goodness through annihilating inferior humans? Surely they did. Anorak Posted: 1st, December 2018 | In: Key Posts, News Comment | TrackBack | Permalink (ANSA) - Alessandria, November 30 - A 24-year-old Brazilian woman was killed in her home in Alessandria on Friday and the case may be linked to that of a man who jumped into the Tanaro River earlier, police said. That would perhaps make it a case of murder-sucide, although the man's body has not yet been recovered, police said. The woman's body was found by her husband who had rushed home when she stopped answering her phone. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. A 7.2 earthquake hit Alaska on November 30, the United States Geological Survey said. Governor Bill Walker announced declaring state of emergency in Alaska. He said he is in constant contact with the White House. There are no reports on victims at the moment. US President Donald Trump promised to provide help to the Alaska people. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached an agreement over the custody of their children, BBC reported. Jolies lawyer said the couple reached an agreement two weeks ago, however, he did not say how custody would be divided. The couple separated in September 2016 after two years of marriage, with Jolie citing "irreconcilable differences" when she filed for divorce. The pair have six children - three biological and three adopted - aged between 10 and 17. The agreement means they will not have to go to trial over custody, but they have yet to reach a final divorce settlement. YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. US President Donald Trump issued a statement on the occasion of the passing of former US President George H.W. Bush, reports Armenpress. In the statement Trump said President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service. Melania and I join with a grieving Nation to mourn the loss of former President Georgia H.W. Bush, who passed away last night. Our hearts ache with his loss, and we, with the American people, send our prayers to the entire Bush family, as we honor the life and legacy of 41, the statement said. Former US President George Bush Senior has died at the age of 94, his Office said in a statement. He died on November 30. His Office said the funeral arrangements are yet to be scheduled. No further details about the circumstances of his death were immediately available. BBC reports the 41st US President was admitted to a hospital intensive care unit with an infection in April this year - a week after the death of his wife Barbara. But he was discharged 12 days later. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. For more than a month the preachers at a church in the Netherlands are holding a round-the-clock service to stop an Armenian family of being deported, Sky News reports. According to the Dutch laws, the law enforcement agencies have no right to enter into the church territory during liturgy, therefore, the church made a decision to hold a round-the-clock service aimed at stopping the deportation of Tamrazyan family - including the parents, their two daughters and son. This story is under the spotlight of both local and foreign media outlets. The family lives in the Netherlands for already nine years, the judicial procedures for granting an asylum continues for years. During this period the members of the family already managed to be integrated to the local society and acquire friends. But the court made a decision on October 25 according to which the family should return to Armenia, which is considered by the Dutch government as safe for them. Theo Hettema, chairman of the general council of the Protestant Church of The Hague, said: Its heartbreaking. We had compassion and we had good reasons and we thought it was the mission of our church to act like this. Lawyer Martine Goeman said there are about 400 children in a similar position in the Netherlands. The Dutch government introduced a rule in 2013, known by many as a children's pardon, that under special circumstances grants asylum to children who have been in the country for more than five years while their asylum application is processed. But the lawyer said appeals for such a pardon are rarely honoured. The Dutch justice ministry refused to comment on the Tamrazyan family case. As the familys asylum issue is still unresolved, the church preachers expressed readiness to continue the liturgy which is going on for more than 800 hours. KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. The trial of a woman accused of fleeing Oregon for 18 years after allegedly participating in the rape of a child may have to wait as the defense and prosecution assess her mental fitness, a statement from the Klamath County District Attorney's office indicates. Victoria Cravitz and her husband, Leon Shaw, were charged for the rape of several children back in January of 2000. However, they were not located until 2018 when authorities in Mississippi found and arrested Cravitz. It was Shaw's death in a Mississippi hospital that clued authorities toward his true identity, as well as that of Cravitz, who had been living under an assumed name. Since her arrest and extradition in August, Cravitz has been held in the Klamath County Jail with a trial date set for December 12, 2018. Now, the DA's office says, the court has granted a continuance for the trial date as the defense and prosecution determine Cravitz's mental fitness. "On November 28, 2018, defense counsel for Ms. Cravitz filed a Notice of Intent to Introduce Evidence of Disease or Defect in this case," District Attorney Eve Costello said in a statement. In response, the prosecution is looking to an expert at the Oregon State Hospital to conduct their own psychological evaluation of Cravitz. The results of this evaluation, the DA's office said, will "inform the resolution of this matter." "The District Attorneys office believes Ms. Cravitzs commitment is necessary for the protection of public safety," Costello said. - T. S. Eliot Thoughts After Lambeth "The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide." 181 Shares Share For several years now, Ive been the social media curmudgeon in medicine. In a 2011 New York Times op-ed titled Dont Quit This Day Job, I argued that working part-time or leaving medicine goes against our obligation to patients and to the American taxpayers who subsidize graduate medical education to the tune of $15 billion per year. But today, eight years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Im more sympathetic to the physicians who are giving up on medicine by cutting back on their work hours or leaving the profession altogether. Experts cite all kinds of reasons for the malaise in American medicine: burnout, user-unfriendly electronic health records, declining pay, loss of autonomy. I think the real root cause lies in our countrys worsening anti-intellectualism. People emigrated to this country to escape oppression by the well-educated upper classes, and as a nation, we never got past it. Many Americans have an ingrained distrust of eggheads. American anti-intellectualism propelled the victory of Dwight Eisenhower over Adlai Stevenson twice and probably helped elect Bill Clinton, George Bush, and Donald Trump. Dont make the mistake of thinking that American anti-intellectualism today is exclusive to religious fundamentalists and poorly educated people in rural areas. Look at the prevalence of unvaccinated children in some of Americas most affluent neighborhoods, correlating with the location of Whole Foods stores and pricey private schools. Their parents trust Internet search results over science and medical advice. Remember when physicians were heroes? For a long time, physicians were exempt from Americas anti-intellectual disdain because people respected their knowledge and superhuman work ethic. The public wanted doctors to be heroes and miracle workers. The years of education and impossibly long hours were part of the legend, and justified physician prestige and financial rewards. Popular TV series in the 60s and 70s lionized the dedication of Ben Casey, Marcus Welby, Dr. Kildare, and Hawkeye Pierce. In real life, heart surgeons Michael DeBakey, who performed the first coronary bypass operation in 1964, and Christiaan Barnard, who performed the first heart transplant in 1967, became famous worldwide. But over the next decades, greater opportunities for women to enter medicine coincided with a decline in public respect for physicians. Though many women in medical school and residency worked just as hard as men or harder to prove themselves, the money and prestige didnt follow. Women physicians working full-time today earn an average 28 percent less than men, a gender wage gap that persists across specialties. Could it be that the anti-intellectual tradition in America tolerates highly educated men in the doctors role, but cant quite stomach giving the same respect and pay to highly educated women? Nearly everyone has heard of the Apgar score for assessing the health of newborn babies, but how many people know that Virginia Apgar, who developed it in 1952, was a physician? Less formality, less respect Even as more women entered the medical profession, other social trends dimmed the public image of physician infallibility. The tragic Libby Zion case in 1984, in which exhausted residents made a series of errors resulting in the death of the 18-year-old college freshman, prompted the first-ever law to limit resident work hours. While Depression-era parents raised the baby-boomer generation to work hard without questioning it, their grandchildren in Generation X demanded extended parental leave, shorter work days, and more vacation time. Work-life balance became their mantra. Workplaces everywhere became more informal and dress codes more casual. Patients and hospital staff began to address physicians by their first names. (As a Baylor medical student, I would have loved to see the fallout if anyone in the operating room at Methodist Hospital had addressed Dr. DeBakey as Mike.) Younger physicians, especially women, went along with it so they wouldnt seem elitist or unfriendly; they started answering their phones saying, This is Emma, instead of This is Dr. Smith. It should come as no surprise that the line between physician and non-physician care providers began to blur. The trap of evidence-based medicine The concept of evidence-based medicine gained traction, mandating that every disease and procedure must be managed according to a standardized set of guidelines. Never mind that science evolves, and that early research findings often dont pan out in large-scale studies. Forget that some published research proves to be fraudulent or tainted by conflict of interest. Ignore the fact that a protocol that works well for one disease may be exactly the wrong treatment for another, and that many patients have multiple diseases. Individual physician judgment today is presumed wrong if it defies a standardized protocol. Compliance with checklists is viewed as proof of quality care. Ezekiel Emanuel, one of the architects of the Affordable Care Act, has even suggested that medical training be cut by 30 percent, as he believes healthcare by protocol makes all that book-learning unnecessary. In this view, all providers are interchangeable pawns. Today, young physicians start their careers in a world where their advancement and pay may depend on patient satisfaction surveys, and the Internet fuels distrust of medical advice. They spend their days functioning as data-entry clerks, with more face-time in front of a computer than with patients. Innovation is stifled. Their clinical decisions are reviewed for compliance with protocols, and their hospitals are run by administrators for whom the delivery of healthcare quickly and cheaply is the main objective. They fear replacement by mid-level providers who can be trained to follow a protocol without question. Todays medical students and residents see the dissatisfaction all around them, and they note the growing number of physicians who want to change careers. Many look for pathways out of clinical care from the start of their training, obtaining additional degrees in public health, information technology, bioengineering, or business administration that can lead to creative careers outside medicine. Some young physicians turn away from clinical care to become entrepreneurs, designing smartphone apps or using mobile vans to deliver IV therapy for hangovers. The dystopian future American anti-intellectualism is growing worse. Our national inability to debate political issues with reason rather than emotion is a symptom of this disease. So is the distrust of higher education and of experts in every field including medicine. I wonder every day if we are being honest with college students about the future when we encourage them to apply to medical school. The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts a shortage of up to 120,000 physicians in 2030, both in primary care and specialties. A third of currently practicing physicians will be older than 65 within ten years. Theyll be retiring soon, and too many young physicians already are looking for an exit strategy. Even if we train more physicians, if the malaise in American medicine doesnt get better we wont keep them in clinical practice. Unless something changes, we may find ourselves in a dystopian future with only ten physicians who spend all their time in Washington writing evidence-based protocols, while people without the education to realize the full implications of what theyre doing will decide at your bedside which protocol applies to you. Are you feeling lucky? Karen S. Sibert is an anesthesiologist who blogs at A Penned Point. Image credit: Shutterstock.com 186 Shares Share Medical crises come in many forms: from illnesses to sudden injuries. Most often the victims are unsuspecting. They may be gradual in onset or happen in seconds. There are many causes, from faulty drivers to electrolyte disturbances. Mine was caused by a squirrel, a routine yard rodent. In less than three seconds, I went from a practicing physician with a heavy patient load to temporarily disabled. Returning home from a busy Saturday morning seeing patients in the office, I decided to take my dogs outside for a brief walk. I just tossed my work bag down and put their leashes on. I was tired from work and just wanted to rest. Once down the steps, my ninety pound Bernese Mountain dog spotted a squirrel and took off at full speed. Previously having torn a meniscus in my knee, it gave out when she was at full speed, and I was pulled into the air and landed at the exact spot to fracture my shoulder (humeral head). The pain was severe and two ER visits later I was admitted to the hospital for intractable pain because oxycodone was not controlling it and causing me to vomit. I learned that orthopedists seem to specialize only in certain joints and that when you fracture your shoulder, most likely it will be the hip/knee guy who is on call. From the first view of my X-rays which showed a displaced, comminuted fracture, it was apparent to the orthopedists and the residents (the hospital had an orthopedics residency) that my fracture required surgery. However, finding the right orthopedist to do the job took some sleuthing. Eventually, I had the surgery done (a metal plate and ten screws to hold the bone in place so while it healed). I spent two nights vomiting in the hospital due to side effects of the IV pain medications they were giving me. But one thing that struck me is that, yes, patients need to be very strong advocates for themselves. As a doctor on staff at that hospital, I think I received VIP treatment, and I wonder if my patients receive the same level of care. Even as a VIP, there were things I had to speak up about. For example, I had to tell them not to give me insulin when my sugar was only slightly elevated, and I was not allowed to eat because I was scheduled for surgery. Knowing my diabetes, I know that I get hypoglycemic very fast when I dont eat. Would they have listened to me, I wonder, if I were not a doctor? What have I learned about coming back from my medical crisis? Patients need to be vocal advocates. If something doesnt seem right, speak up. Ask questions and demand answers. If the person you are asking doesnt know the answer, ask to speak to someone else. Listen to the medical advice. I have to admit that, despite my orthopedist telling me not to drive, I was tempted to try it one-armed. But, I know this can have a very bad outcome despite my desire to get back to normal. Educate yourself. Over these past weeks, I have learned more about shoulder fractures than I have ever known before. Shoulder fractures are particularly nasty because it is impossible to completely immobilize the shoulder. Take a deep breath and your shoulder moves. Try getting out of bed while lying flat and it is near impossible, like an overturned turtle. Take care of your mind as well as your body. It is stressful having your whole life stop and being out of work. I am fortunate enough to have a disability policy that covers some, not all, of my financial loss during the period I am not working. I imagine for many this could have disastrous financial consequences. Try to find something to fill your mind and reduce your stress as this will only delay the healing process. Make plans and be prepared. I am hoping to go back to work next week, but I am prepared if the orthopedist tells me I am not ready. It becomes a bigger crisis if you dont prepare yourself for all the obstacles you may face in your recovery. Tell others how to help you. It is only natural that people want to help you. Ive observed in my situation that people always go to support me on my injured side when they want to help me get up. It was excruciating for anyone to touch that side in the beginning. I had to tell them to grab the other hand and pull. While they want to help you, they feel horrible if they make you wince in pain. Rehab your body and soul. Ive had several orthopedists tell me that shoulder fractures are extremely painful. Yes, I know. They also tell me how difficult the therapy will be. But, I also know how important it is to get the full function back again. Any kind of medical problem leaves us weaker and we need to build up our strength again. Dont beat yourself up. I admit I am guilty of this. Many nights I lie awake telling myself I shouldnt have taken the dogs for a walk when I was tired, and my knee was bothering me. But, there is no way to go back in time and change any of this. I can only move forward. If you or a loved have or have had a medical crisis, take it slow and be patient. Also, understand that people undergoing these kind of things feel quite miserable and may not be acting themselves. Cut them some slack and help them make their comeback. Linda Girgis is a family physician who blogs at Dr. Linda. Image credit: Shutterstock.com 58 Shares Share This article is sponsored by Careers by KevinMD.com. As rewarding as working in emergency medicine can be, it also comes with some significant potential downsides. According to some recent studies, stress and burnout rates in the emergency room are some of the worst in the medical field. But dont let that dampen your enthusiasm. Managing the proper work/life balance is one of the keys to sustaining a long, satisfying career in the emergency room. These tips, supplied by experts in the field, can help you create and maintain the necessary, healthy balance between your vocation and your personal world. Define what this balance is How do you know when you have a healthy work-life balance? That varies from person to person, but there are some effective ways to measure it. Dr. Louise Andrew, former faculty in internal and emergency medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and former chairperson of the Personal and Professional Well-Being Committee for the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), says personal happiness is a good clue. Further, she adds, To quantify that balance, it would be a life that is not fully centered on work, but equally between a happy work life and a happy home life. Dr. David Farcy, chairman of the department of emergency medicine for Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Fla. and president of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM), says a proper balance involves being able to do what you like the most, for example working out, while still enjoying going to work, and not having stress from one aspect of your life affect the other. Dr. Randall Levin, chair-elect for the wellness section of ACEP, refers to the balance as a feeling of connection to all parts of your life your inner healing spirit, your calling and who you are outside of work, the adventurer, the family person. Be aware of the first warning signs of burnout Stress and then burnout are the products of an imbalance. Identifying them can sometimes be problematic, since stress is also part of functioning in a high-pressure environment like an emergency room. How do you tell when stress is taking a dangerous turn into overload? Levin says the first signs are feelings of disconnection, of being blocked from enjoying some part of work or personal life. You feel like youre just a cog in the machine, he says. Andrew points to the cardinal signs of burnout: Theres emotional exhaustion, depersonalization the suffering patient becomes the gallbladder in cubical C needing pain medication and a lack of sense of personal accomplishment. Levin warns that burnout happens slowly, gradually. For that reason, he recommends emergency medical staff regularly take personal inventory of themselves and their satisfaction with their work: If you feel youre being blocked from connecting with some aspect of one, something is wrong. Set your life balance Managing a personal life can be particularly challenging for many young professionals who also are starting married or family life at the beginning of their careers. Levin says its important to invest time in a significant others interests and build a healthy relationship that opens doors to other pursuits and creates a system of mutual support. When children enter the mix, these challenges can be even more daunting, but there are proven strategies to keep life manageable. Andrew says she and her husband (who was also an emergency physician) worked split shifts, with her working at night and him during the day. All of us were able to be together in the later afternoon and into the evening, she says. Dr. Rita Manfredi, associate clinical professor in the department of emergency medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine and chairperson for the ACEP Personal and Professional Well-Being Committee, recommends working part-time if possible. She also recommends part-time work at several different workplaces to give emergency workers greater control of their lives. Apart from family life, pursuing outside interests can be a healthy path. Levin supported an art gallery and Broadway productions and even took an interest in gold mining. Building friendships here are also important. Andrew says building a relationship with someone outside your medical community is vital: A friend, not a spouse, who is not in your fray. This is someone you can confide in and get a neutral opinion, someone who can explore problems with you and offer a different perspective. Andrew says this person is the missing element many professionals lack. She also notes that a therapist, priest, rabbi or counselor could fill this role, if necessary, but a friend is preferred. Farcy echoes this notion by also recommending open communication with a partner, especially someone not in emergency medicine, with whom you can discuss work issues. Set your work balance Farcy also recommends speaking with and opening up to colleagues to gain perspective. And Levin recommends finding a mentor and encourages hospitals and workers to develop mentoring programs. He also recommends offsetting the loss of control in the workplace thats often the source of work imbalances by becoming more involved. Become empowered through greater engagement, he says. Dont morph into the system. Become a leader or partner in change to help direct your specialty. Serving on hospital committees, he says, made him more resilient and connected to why he was working in emergency medicine. Manfredi says resiliency and control can be regained by making a point of connecting with each patient. In the first 30 seconds, find a way to think of this person as a friend or family member. It makes a difference and really works, she says. Creating a healthier work schedule also is beneficial, particularly in an area that depends on shifts. Farcy says his department utilizes schedules that cause the least interruptions in circadian rhythms. Employees move from day to afternoon to night shifts with time off in between each change to aid adjustment. If you still need help to avoid burnout territory, Andrew points to resources that many hospitals offer, especially online, confidential and anonymous help for employees who might otherwise shy away from asking for professional aid. Find a healthy workplace If one work environment simply cant be put into balance, compensate by locating another. Andrew recommends finding healthier workplaces by speaking with both the leaders and followers before signing on to determine if theyre happy. She and Manfredi also remind emergency workers how adaptable they are and to keep in mind they have a number of options in front of them and other fits for their lives. Ultimately, the decisions that will put your life in balance and sustain a medical career are in your hands. That all starts with the realization that maintaining your health and vitality are the keys to helping others regain theirs. Find jobs at Careers by KevinMD.com. Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now. Note: On July 15, 2018, dry thunderstorms across southern Oregon and northern California sparked hundreds of fires. Some of them were contained quickly, while others grew to consume thousands of acres, threatening lives and property. The story below is about the last of those fires, finally declared contained months later. MEDFORD, Ore. Of the many wildfires in Southern Oregon started by lightning strikes on July 15, the Klondike Fire at first appeared to be low-priority, but would grow to become one of the most threatening of those fires at 175,528 acres encroaching on the communities of Selma and Agness. Now the fire is officially 100 percent contained, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). We are pleased to report at this time that there is no Level 1 evacuation status and no closures in place for Taylor/Klondike. Southwest Oregon is enjoying clear skies with only occasional smoke impacts associated with our fall/winter prescribed burning program, said Fire Staff Officer Eric Hensel. When the fire began in July, it was fairly small and remote compared to other wildfires that directly threatened homes in the area namely the Hendrix, Garner Complex, and Taylor Creek and Miles fires, all of which prompted evacuation orders in the days immediately following the July 15 storm. However, as firefighting operations continued in earnest on those other fires, the largely unimpeded Klondike Fire became the greatest remaining threat to lives and property in Southern Oregon as it expanded both to the east and west. "Like the Silver Fire (1987) and Biscuit Fire (2002) which preceded it, the Klondike Fire was extremely difficult to suppress due to its location in the very steep and rugged terrain in and around the Kalmiopsis Wilderness," USDA said in a statement. "This, in combination with heavy fuel loading, limited road access and virtually no escape routes or safety zones for firefighters to retreat to when the fire became active, posed significant challenges to firefighters both on the ground and in the air." RELATED: Visit our FireWatch section for stories on how the 2018 Fire Season has shaped preparations for this year. USDA says that the rugged terrain proved a challenge for the larger air tankers to make "safe and effective approaches" for retardant drops on the fire. Moreover, particularly at its beginning, the fire's remote location in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness was near impossible for firefighters on the ground to reach. Air resources have their limits and the terrain will dictate some of those limitations. The Kalmiopsis Wilderness is a very challenging location to fight fire, said Forest Aviation Officer Amanda Lucas-Rice. Ultimately, the Klondike Fire cost more than $104 million for firefighting teams to suppress and contain. Comparatively, the nearby Taylor Creek Fire was declared contained in early October, burning 53,000 acres and costing $24 million. Our biggest success this year is the fact that everyone who came to help us returned home to their families and no residents were hurt. Our thoughts and prayers are with those communities and families who werent so fortunate this year, said Forest Supervisor Merv George. Despite the fire's containment, Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) activities will continue within the Klondike Fire area to limit the ecological damage of the fire and reduce the chances for erosion and landslides. USDA also reports "good progress" on road work, with an estimated 80 percent of the work completed in the Illinois River corridor out to the Josephine County Oak Flat residences. Some work was started in the Pearsoll Peak area but weather has been limiting access. Current work is occurring on Forest Road 2512 from Sam Brown Campground up to Flat Top. US President Donald Trump and his Canadian and Mexican counterparts signed a replacement NAFTA deal on Friday during a ceremony on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The ceremonial signing does not mean the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement -- the USMCA, as it has been rebranded -- will now go into effect. The deal still needs to win congressional approval in Washington, where key members of both political parties have already expressed significant concerns. "I don't expect to have much of a problem," Trump said during the ceremony. Top US officials were on hand for the signing, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, national security adviser John Bolton and the President's daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner. The signing ceremony in and of itself represented a political victory for Trump, who has been eager to mark the deal with a formal photo opportunity alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and outgoing Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. It was not clear until just a day earlier that the ceremony would go through amid ongoing Canadian protests over US-imposed steel and aluminum tariffs. "We need to keep working to remove the tariffs on steel and aluminum between our countries," Trudeau said, standing next to Trump at the ceremony. "With hard work, goodwill, and determination, I'm confident we will get there. Our shared interests, prosperity and security demand it," he added. Trump imposed the duties earlier this year to protect US producers, claiming it is in the US national security to protect those domestic industries. He can decide to lift them without making changes to the USMCA. The new trade pact was precipitated by Trump's decision to get rid of the original NAFTA, which he's called the "worst trade deal" ever signed. Negotiators from all three countries began talks on updating it more than a year ago. On Friday, Trump hailed the deal as a boon for the economies of all three countries. "In the US, the new trade pact will support high-paying manufacturing jobs and promote greater access for American exports across the range of sectors including our farming, manufacturing and service industries," Trump said. The USMCA differs from the 1993 NAFTA in several ways, and includes a brand-new chapter on digital trade. One of the most notable changes has to do with the way cars and trucks are manufactured. For a vehicle to be free from tariffs, more of its parts will have to be made in North America and by workers earning at least $16 an hour. Trump said he expects the new deal to stop jobs from moving overseas and bring back jobs lost under the original NAFTA. But some lawmakers from both parties are skeptical. Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican from Pennsylvania, has argued that the new requirements for auto production actually restrict trade and that the administration should lift the tariffs on steel and aluminum. In an interview this week with Bloomberg, Toomey said that the USMCA is "frankly, not really as good as the underlying NAFTA." But he said he could support it with a "few tweaks that move it in the direction of a more pro-trade agreement." Congress can suggest small changes to be made to the legislation without sending the three parties back to the negotiating table. But other changes might not be so easy. Some Republicans have come out strongly against a labor provision that aims to protect workers from sex-based discrimination. More than 40 GOP members signed a letter sent to Trump earlier this month, urging him not to sign the USMCA with this language in it, They argued that it threatens the country's authority to decide how to tackle civil rights. The administration will need Democratic support too, as the party takes control of the House next year. White House officials have expressed optimism that the new wage requirement, as well as a provision addressing Mexican workers' rights would bring Democrats on board. But some senior Democratic leaders have expressed concern that those new provisions aren't enforceable, including Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Richard Neal, who's set to take over the House Ways and Means Committee next year. He has said that "the bar for supporting a new NAFTA will be high." This week, Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren officially announced she would be voting against the deal. "As it's currently written, Trump's deal won't stop the serious and ongoing harm NAFTA causes for American workers. It won't stop outsourcing, it won't raise wages, and it won't create jobs," Warren said. Strengthening the enforcement language is something that could be achieved by tweaking the legislation without going back to the negotiating table. US labor groups have also withheld support so far over the enforceability of the new standards. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who Democrats have nominated for House speaker next year, called the deal a "work in progress" on Friday. She said it isn't something Democrats "can say yes or no to" just yet. Congress is likely to wait to vote on the deal until the United States International Trade Commission releases a report on the economic impact. The commission has 105 days after the signing, or until mid-March, to deliver its report to Congress. COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. -- The Cottage Grove High School music teacher accused of sexually abusing a student for two years was arraigned on Friday where a no contact order was issued. Police arrested Gabriel Dickinson Thursday on charges of sexual misconduct, sexual abuse and sodomy. Police said a school resource officer got information from high school administrators about the alleged abuse this week. Detectives said the abuse began two years ago when the student was 15 and in 10th grade, and it continued until this month. RELATED: Cottage Grove teacher arrested for alleged sex abuse of student KEZI spoke to one Cottage Grove High School student who never had Dickinson as a teacher but said his interactions with him were pleasant. He was nice. He was respectful. He would help you if you needed it, said Zak Hutchison. He was there to lend a helping hand. In a statement, the South Lane School District said: "We have a care plan in place at Cottage Grove High School to meet the needs of staff and students at this time... We can assure you that nothing is more important to this district than the safety and well-being of each of our students." Dickinson will be back in court in January. GIG HARBOR, Wash. (AP) -- Police in Washington state say they've found no evidence of a wrongdoing as they investigated allegations that relatives of radio personality Casey Kasem were responsible for his 2014 death. Gig Harbor Police Chief Kelly Busey said Friday that the administrative investigation didn't find evidence of a crime. The longtime "American Top 40" host died at the age of 82 at a hospital in Gig Harbor, near Seattle. Police opened the investigation last month after Kasem's widow, Jean Kasem, submitted a private investigator's report claiming her three adult stepchildren were responsible for Kasem's death. Busy said the investigation found Casey Kasem received appropriate care and no evidence of collusion between family and doctors. Kasem's two daughters told KOMO-TV they feel vindicated by the police findings. Jean Kasem didn't immediately provide a comment when contacted by the news station. The goodness and generosity of the people of Kilkenny was again to the fore, last Friday night, at the fundraising A Song for Alice concert. Organised to raise much needed funds for a young Kilkenny woman suffering from cancer, the special musical night went really well and has raised almost 4,000. The funds will be put to good use as Alice Taylor, from Ballycallan, has finally started on the drug Pembro in the last few days. At Friday night's event in The Set theatre, the Aluna choir were joined by Bold As Brass and Trilogy. Aluna choir director, Frances Ryan, thanked all those who supported the concert, especially band leader James Rice, Pat Ryan, Sylvie Knox, MC George Candler and all the performers. She said they couldn't have staged such a wonderful evening without the support of Langton's who allowed use of the venue, Frank Salmon and Essaness who provided all the electrical and musical equipment needed free of charge, and the generosity of the local businesses who provided prizes for the raffle. Good will is alive and well in Kilkenny, Frances said, thank you to everbody who supported us even in the smallest of ways. Frances and her choir have also fundraised by singing at Sunday evening mass in the Black Abbey, and will sing at an evening mass in the Friary soon. The Aluna choir will take part in the annual Christmas Carol Service, in the Black Abbey, on December 18. On Saturday, December 8th, one of Kilkennys leading hotels, Newpark Hotel, is organising a very special charity Christmas Craft Event in aid of Pieta House. The event, which takes place from 11am to 12.30pm, is part of the annual YuleFest Kilkenny festivities, and will be an opportunity for people to learn more about making their home even more festive this holiday season. Dutch florist extraordinaire, Lamber de Bie will demonstrate how to make festive inspired Christmas Wreaths, a Christmas bouquet-perfect to bring along when visiting family and friends this festive season and a beautiful Christmas inspired centrepiece which will be sure to impress all of your guests this year. The Kilkenny-based florist, known for his fantastic work on some of Irelands most high-profile weddings, said I am delighted to return to Newpark Hotel for this wonderful event in aid of such a worthy cause. Christmas is such a special time and there are some fantastic ways of adding personality and your own unique style to your Christmas decorations. I look forward to meeting everyone on the day and sharing my passion and knowledge for hand-crafting beautiful decorations. Commenting ahead of the event, Orla Murphy of the Newpark Hotel said We are delighted to host our Christmas Craft event for a second year running, with proceeds this year going to our 2018 charity partner Pieta House. Christmas is always a special time of year in Kilkenny and here in the Newpark, and we are honoured to support some really fantastic charities which is very important to us. Our Christmas Craft event will no doubt be a very enjoyable event and we look forward to meeting everyone on the day. To add to the festivities and master the craft of creating the perfect mince pies, one of Newparks exceptionally skilled chefs, Nicky Glendon will share secrets on how to make mouth-watering mince pies to indulge in this holiday season. Chef Nickys delectable mince pies will then be served afterwards with tea and coffee or a glass of mulled wine to really embrace the festive spirit. Commenting ahead of the event, Olive Ruane of Pieta House said We are extremely grateful to Newpark Hotel for organising this wonderful event. To have the backing of Flynn Hotels and the team at Newpark Hotel in helping us raise awareness around mental issues in Kilkenny and across Ireland is hugely positive and we hope as many people as possible can support this event. Without the support of Newpark Hotel and so many others, the work we do would not be possible To find out more about YuleFest visit www.yulefestkilkenny.ie ROCHESTER, Minn. - Seth Bayles has been a patient at the Mayo Clinic for the last 9 years as he battles rare auto-immune disorders and diseases. His family has spent some time at the Ronald McDonald House during his treatment, and now the Bayles often give back to the house. On Friday, after a 5-hour drive from Wisconsin and a medical appointment at Mayo, they brought a car-load of donations collected from their home community and a Chicago church. Donated items include winter clothing, pop can tabs for fundraising, and toys. All of the donations will be given to families staying at Ronald McDonald House. "Kids here that are staying here for medical treatment and just coming away from home, like I've been there; I've done that; I know how they feel," says Seth. "If you're concentrating on yourself, you can get into kind of a depressed place of many unknowns for the future and so this actually is pretty therapeutic and beneficial to be others-focused," adds Seth's mother Julie. The Bayles are working to collect blankets to donate to Mayo dialysis units. They'll be delivering them on December 19. If you'd like to donate items or follow Seth's journey, click here to check out his Facebook page. ALBERT LEA, Minn.- The Minnesota Department of Education 20118 enrollment report card shows that state wide the diversity is increasing. This year 884,852 students are enrolled in Minnesota schools, over 200,00 students throughout Minnesota identify as a race other than white. In Albert Lea Southwest Middle school is embracing the diversity. Staff place pictures of flags all throughout the school to make students feel welcomed. When you walk through the doors you want students, parents and community members to feel welcomed, said Angela Kroeger. Shes a teacher at the school and is one of the staff members who placed flags throughout the school. I always had the flags in my classroom, when students come in they feel a little more at home, she said. Chris Dibble is the principal, he tells KIMT anytime they can make students more comfortable they will. We didn't want them to feel like they were out of place. So, we want everyone to create a good relationship with someone at school and make school a place where they want to be this is one way, we thought we can make this happen, He said. ROCHESTER, Minn. - As part of their listening tour, Governor-Elect and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Peggy Flanagan are traveling across the state to listen to the concerns of community members. "There are huge disparities in academic achievement, economic success, and social success between our white population and our communities of color," Mary Gorfine stood and spoke to Walz at the meeting on behalf of the young people she works with through the Olmsted County Youth Commission. Other issues brought up include the environment, gun law, and the affordable housing crisis. Walz concluded the meeting with a message of his hope for Democrats and Republicans to work together the next legislative session. "How about we find the best ideas from both sides, piece them together, and move forward and understand that we're not all going to get what we want, but we can get some solutions." MASON CITY, Iowa A man involved in two fatal crashes is pleading guilty in one of them. Thomas John Parcher, 29 of Marble Rock, has entered a guilty plea in Cerro Gordo County District Court to homicide by vehicle by reckless driving. Authorities say he was driving on December 22, 2017, when he went off the road and rolled several times in the ditch in the area of 190th Street and Zinnia Avenue A passenger, Tonya Martin, 50 of Rockwell, was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene. The criminal complaint states Parcher was tested and found to have a blood alcohol content of .136 after the crash. A plea hearing for Parcher is now set for December 10. According to court documents, homicide by vehicle by reckless driving is a class C felony in Iowa, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Parchers prosecution was delayed after he was a passenger in two-vehicle collision on April 20 east of Charles City. Parcher was seriously injured in that crash while three other people were killed. MASON CITY, Iowa- On Friday, we continued to follow a shooting in Mason City that has one man recovering from a gunshot wound. It happened Thursday around 4:30 PM near the intersection of 9th street NW and Monroe Avenue. Police said a Union Pacific railroad special agent shot a male. They would not tell us why the shooting happened or the condition of the male despite placing several phone calls to the Mason City Police department, several DCI agents as well as the Union pacific Railroad. They said more information will likely be released sometime next week. We wanted to know more about the jurisdiction of the railroad special agents. The Union Pacific Railroads website says they employ 175 special agents for their 32,000 miles of rail. That includes the Mason City railroad near 9th St. NW. The UP did not return our phone calls or emails Friday about where the officers are based, how many are in Mason City or if they have body and vehicle cameras. The website does explain that officers are certified peace officers with authority on or off railroad property. One resident we spoke with who lives near where the shooting took place said that despite this now being closed off as part of the quiet zone people are still walking across the tracks. Ive seen people cross there, said Jim Manuel, of Mason City. Youd have to walk about a mile north to get around otherwise. Youre going to have people, especially kids, going through there. I didnt want it closed myself, but I didnt have any say in the matter. We will continue to bring you more information regarding the shooting as it becomes available. MASON CITY, Iowa- More than 100 employees at four Las Palmas restaurants in both Iowa and Minnesota are getting back pay after the US Department of Labor said the restaurant wasnt paying them properly. On Friday, one of the owners of the Mason City branch apologized to the employees and the community. I came from Mexico and always wanted to get in to the restaurant business, said Benjamin Alberto, part owner of the Mason City Las Palmas. I just worked the way I knew how. Alberto said he knew something was wrong before the US Department of Labor investigation, which is why he left the business for nearly a year. In partnerships, everybody thinks differently, he said. He explained that the US Department of Labor came in this last spring and told them they had too many salaried employees. They said you cant be salaried unless you are a manager, he said. Im glad we know that now. The investigation also showed that the restaurant was making employees pay for their uniforms out of their wages, but Alberto said once they were told to pay the nearly $130,000 in back pay they started making changes. Everybody gets regular wages now, he said. You get minimum wage up to 40 hours and time and a half after that. Attorneys we spoke with about the issue said this happens more often than people might think and the topic is always being discussed at the capital. The employers want to stay in business and want to make a profit, said Joel Yunek of Yunek Lawfirm. The employees want a living wage and need the employers to stay in business; it is very much a balancing act. Alberto said he is happy with how the business is being run now and apologizes to the community and his workers. Im glad it happened, he said. Everybody is getting paid the way they should. Alberto said they are already paying off the $130,000 in back pay to the Department of Labor. He also said all four stores were hit with a fine. He wouldnt say how much that was, but described it as hefty. Modi went on to say in an election rally that the constitutional provision of impeachment is being used to intimidate judges of the apex court. Poll campaigning that has evolved over the centuries focuses on civic engagement through political discourse; issues that need to be highlighted; and reconfirming the choices of voters based on their political awareness, likes and dislikes. Elections in India evoke descriptions like festival or carnival, in part due to the overwhelming numbers that participate in the process. In this country of over a billion people, approximately 80 crore voters will decide who rules the worlds largest democracy for the next five years in 2019. As the two main Opposition parties prepare to square off for the state Assembly elections, the results of which are to be declared on December 11, the long-term result would be the blood sport of a new low in electoral rhetoric beamed to Indian middle-class living rooms via television. Old convention and nic-eties of Indian political rhetoric have been given a go by. At times, political rivals bear closer resemblance to enemies rather than opponents. Maut ka saudagar, neech aadmi and chaiwallah are epithets that have been used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Similarly, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was likened to a Jersey cow, while Rahul Gandhi was termed a hybrid child and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, of all people, a Pakistani agent. Mr Modi went on to say in an election rally that the constitutional provision of impeachment is being used to intimidate judges of the apex court. The nadir of this rhetoric was when the irrigation minister of Telangana and nephew of Tel-angana Rashtra Samithi chief K. Chandrashekhar R-ao, T. Harish Rao, during an election speech, said that he would cut off the tongue of Revuri Ramesh from the Telugu Desam Party. As a last ditch effort, they are resorting to cheap tricks. If you continue sp-eaking like this, I will cut off your tongue, let me wa-rn you, Harish Rao had said. All of these remarks are a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The MCC guidelines, as per the Election Commission of India, say, Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of private life, not connected with public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided. BBC journalist Mark Thompson in his book Enough Said: Whats Gone Wrong with the Language of Politics? laments the falling level of language used in election debates the world over. Among his conclusions is that rhetorical rationalism is now under sustained attack and is failing, in crucial instances, to convince a public no longer prepared to grant it automatic respect in the rhetoric used in the election campaigns. In India, this seems all the more true. Poll campaigning that has evolved over the centuries focuses on civic engagement through political discourse; issues that need to be highlighted; and reconfirming the choices of voters based on their political awareness, likes and dislikes. In India what has happened of late, and especially after 1984 elections, is that elections and civic engagements have revolved around emotive issues, and all other agendas have taken a backseat. One can regret Indian election campaign tend to focus exclusively on the vote, which certainly is a climactic moment of the electoral process, but by no means the only interesting one, and the issue that needs to be highlighted has lost its focus. All measures are taken to be fair or unfair to influence the outcome of the elections. The inducement can vary from evoking caste or communal solidarity to distributing cash and liquor before elections. The level of political debate that happens is reflective of this understanding. Politicians across the spectrum have taken recourse to polemics and jargon besides casting aspersions on the character, conduct and morality of opponents. The elections are seen by most of political parties as the only democratic exercise that can be undertaken and seldom is an effort made by them to reach out to voters after that, and this is the main cause of the vitiation of the electoral process. Historian Ramachandra Guha, in his book India after Gandhi, argues the country is only 50 per cent a democracy, holding viable elections, but falling short when it comes to the functioning of politicians and political institutions. The time has now come for the Indian political system to take a call on the level of debates reinforced by effective laws and a proactive Election Commission, which acts on violation of the MCC in a free and imp-artial manner. The judiciary should also come down heavily on violations and must also take suo moto cognisance of the use of intemperate language during poll campaigns. President should urge early US-NK summit South Korea is stepping up as a chief negotiator amid a prolonged deadlock in U.S.-North Korea denuclearization talks. Cheong Wa Dae confirmed that President Moon Jae-in will be meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Nov. 30-Dec. 1 G20 summit in Argentina. It will be the sixth Korea-U.S. meeting since Moon took office in May 2017. There are rising hopes that the meeting will serve as an impetus to move along the stalled talks between the U.S. and North Korea. It is expected that Moon will bring up the need for an early U.S.-North Korea summit to build on the first one held in June in Singapore. A meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Kim Yong-chol, vice chairman of North Korea's Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, had been scheduled for early November in New York before the U.S. midterm elections but was scrapped at the last minute. There has been no headway in restarting bilateral negotiations since then due to the two sides' differences on denuclearization. With the stalled U.S.-North Korea negotiations, it is feared that Moon's peace process is at the brink of coming to a halt. Many Koreans had initially held his active engagement with North Korea in a favorable light. But more are starting to turn their backs on the President's failing diplomacy with the North after several summits with Kim Jong-un did not lead to visible progress in denuclearization. His approval rating dropped to a record low in the 40 percent range last week, showing the public's growing discontent with Moon's leadership. In particular, many people are getting more frustrated with the Moon administration's disastrous performance on economic issues. During these depressing times for President Moon, one of the few things he can still rely on for public approval is diplomatic achievements. That is perhaps one of the reasons that Moon is still strongly pursuing Kim's visit to Seoul this year. But Pyongyang has not made any clear moves on this yet, and Washington is also not forthcoming about it. Rather than focusing on this, Moon should, during the meeting with Trump, first reaffirm our government's commitment to work in tandem with the U.S. to achieve the two countries' shared goal of North Korea's denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula. The Moon administration's rush for economic cooperation with North Korea is also frowned upon by many Koreans at a time when Washington is still firm on sanctions against Pyongyang. On Friday, a South Korean train headed for North Korea for a joint railway inspection for ultimately reconnecting rail lines aimed at expediting reconciliation of the two Koreas. Although the U.S. expressed support for the inspection, Washington has shown concern about the swift progress in inter-Korean relations amid international sanctions. Moon should assure President Trump that Seoul will be consulting closely with relevant parties concerned when proceeding with inter-Korean projects. He should also urge President Trump to meet with Kim again at an early date for a breakthrough in denuclearization talks. By Baek Byung-yeul LS Group's magnetic wire-producing affiliate Superior Essex (SPSX) opened a new factory in Zrenjanin, Serbia, the group said Friday. SPSX invested 18.5 million euros ($21 million) in the 14,000-square-meter manufacturing facility on a 40,000-square-meter site. Zrenjanin is 90 kilometers from the Serbian capital Belgrade. It has been eight months since SPSX held a foundation stone laying ceremony for the plant in March. With completion of the plant, SPSX will produce about 12,000 tons of magnetic wire products from its 42 production lines, starting in 2019, to meet the demands of the auto parts and electricity components markets in Europe. The company has been part of the group since 2008. Magnetic wire, also known as winding wire, is an insulated copper or aluminum conductor. It is used in industrial motors, transformers and generators, automotive applications and electrical coils and controls. "SPSX added a new manufacturing base in Eastern Europe, which is an emerging market, to seek further development," LS Group Chairman Christopher Koo said during the opening ceremony. "The new plant will become a core production base in the magnet wire industry, as the plant was launched in only eight months thanks to support from government officials and other related officials in Serbia." SPSX plans to double the plant's production capacity to 24,000 tons by 2021, after investing an extra 12 million euros. LS Group said its affiliates LS Cable & System, LS Industrial Systems and SPSX provide products to the electricity infrastructure and energy markets in Europe. SPSX is the world's largest magnetic wire maker and fourth-largest communications cable maker in the U.S. in terms of sales. Its headquarters are in Atlanta and the firm recorded sales of $2.02 billion in 2017. SPSX is the sole magnetic wire supplier to electric vehicle maker Tesla. American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) Chairman James Kim, center, moderates a panel discussion between leaders of four other foreign commerce chambers in Korea, at a seminar at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Seoul, Friday. From left are British Chamber of Commerce in Korea CEO Sean Blakeley, European Chamber of Commerce in Korea President Christoph Heider, Kim, French Chamber of Commerce in Korea Chairman David-Pierre Jalicon and Korean-German Chamber of Commerce CEO Barbara Zollmann. / Yonhap By Nam Hyun-woo Five foreign chambers of commerce in Korea expressed concerns about the Moon Jae-in government's regulatory environment Friday, saying it needs to be more predictable and consistent. The chambers of the United States, Britain, the European Union, France and Germany held a seminar and adopted a joint statement. This is the first time the chambers have held a joint event and expressed their shared worries about the country's regulations. In the statement, the chambers stressed the government needs to "give greater weight to the predictability and consistency of regulatory environment" and "improve coordination between all government agencies to ensure consistent and predictable enforcement of rules and regulations." It continued that the government's announcement to potentially eliminate the flat tax benefit for foreign residents who have been in Korea for more than five years will create "economic disincentives for foreign companies, triggering relocations and involuntary repatriation of employees to lower-cost jurisdictions." "We believe it is beneficial for the economy to continue the flat rate even for those who have been in Korea for more than five years," the statement read. Seems like superstar Shah Rukh Khan's daughter Suhana Khan is prepping up to be just like her father. Shah Rukh Khan with Suhana in London, after her play where she played the character of Juliet. New Delhi: Seems like superstar Shah Rukh Khan's daughter Suhana Khan is prepping up to be just like her father. The doting dad, who often showers love and praises on his kids, again took to social media to laud Suhana after watching her play 'Juliet' in London. The Badshaah of Bollywood even commended the entire team for the exceptional work. "With my Juliet in London. What a wonderful experience and exceptional performances by the whole cast. Congratulations to the whole team," wrote the 'Raees' star. SRK's darling daughter made her entry into the glamour world by becoming Vogue India's cover star for their August issue. It is also well known that Suhana is keen on becoming an actor, however, her parents - Shah Rukh and Guari Khan have insisted that she completes her education first. Meanwhile, King Khan is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film 'Zero'. Also starring Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma, the Aanand L. Rai-directorial is slated to release on December 21. Mr Shah also told the Congress president to stop day dreaming while claiming that the poll-bound state of Rajasthan will again vote for the BJP. New Delhi/Nagaur: Targeting Congress president Rahul Gandhi for raising the issue of bank loans and non-performing assets (NPA) in the election rallies, BJP president Amit Shah on Friday said that the two issues were the results of the previous Congress-led UPAs misdeeds. Mr Shah also told the Congress president to stop day dreaming while claiming that the poll-bound state of Rajasthan will again vote for the BJP. The 200-member Rajasthan Assembly will go to the polls on December 7 and the results will be announced on December 11. The loans given through corrupt practices during the Congress government have turned into NPA. These are not loans given by the Narendra Modi government. These are the results of the misdeeds of the Congress government, said the BJP president, addressing an election rally at Kuchaman city of Nagaur district. Referring to a media report, Mr Shah alleged that Nehru-Gandhi familys son-in-law had received commissions after a loan of thousands of crores of rupees was sanctioned to a big company. A company got a loan of thousands of crores and its commission reached the Nehru familys son-in-law within a few months. With this, he bought 150 hectares of land in Bikaner at a throwaway price. I want to ask Rahul Gandhi if he can answer now, said Mr Shah. Chidambaram said GDP growth in the July-September quarter (Q2) of 2018-19 was a good one per cent lower than in the April-June quarter (Q1). 'Q1 number was on a very low base in the previous year. It did not signify a bump in growth and did not warrant the jubilation of the BJP three months ago,' he said. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Congress leader P Chidambaram poked fun at the BJP Saturday over the GDP growth data, saying it did not warrant any jubilation by the ruling party. In a series of tweets, the former finance minister said that as expected, the GDP growth in the July-September quarter (Q2) of 2018-19 was a good one per cent lower than in the April-June quarter (Q1). "Q1 number was on a very low base in the previous year. It did not signify a bump in growth and did not warrant the jubilation of the BJP three months ago," he said. As expected GDP growth in Q2 of 2018-19 was a good 1 per cent lower than in Q1. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 30, 2018 Chidambaram said going forward, it was likely that the October-December (Q3) and January-March (Q4) quarters would register similar growth rates unless there were unexpected shocks. "The new normal for the Indian economy is 7 per cent and 2018-19 will be a normal year," he said. India's economy grew at 7.1 per cent in the July-September quarter, lowest in three quarters, but still remained ahead of China to retain the tag of the world's fastest-growing major economy. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at constant prices (2011-12) had grown at 6.3 per cent in the July-September quarter of the last fiscal, according to government data released Friday. The size of the GDP in the second quarter of 2018-19 is estimated at Rs 33.98 lakh crore, as against Rs 31.72 lakh crore a year ago, showing a growth rate of 7.1 per cent, according to a statement of the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The Indian economy grew at 8.2 per cent in the April-June quarter of this fiscal. The GDP growth was 7.7 per cent in the January-March quarter. The march on Friday is the second major farmers protest in the national capital in two months. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal (third from left), CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Loktantrik Janata Dal president Sharad Yadav and CPI national secretary D. Raja during the Kisan Mukti March in New Delhi. (Photo: Bunny Smith) New Delhi: Thousands of farmers marched through the streets of the capital, chanting slogans, flashing flags and some carrying skulls of loved ones who committed suicide, to demand loan waiver and remunerative prices for their produce and were joined by social activists and leaders of non-BJP parties in a show of strength near Parliament here. The march, which caused snarls in Central Delhi, brought together Opposition parties of all hues showcasing how agrarian distress and farm loan waiver would be a major poll plank in the 2019 general elections. The tone for a united Opposition over farmers issues was set by Congress president Rahul Gandhi by showing solidarity with the protesters and saying, Farmers are not seeking free gifts but only their rights, Mr Gandhi shared the stage and shook hands with his bete noire, AAP chief and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, burying deep political differences between the two leaders. Other seniors leaders, including NCP chief Sharad Pawar, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, were also present and addressed at the farmers from over 207 organisations across the country. Mr Yechury called the Prime Minister Narendra Modi a pocketmaar (pick-pocket) to rhyme with the latters self-proclaimed status of publics chowkidar (watchman). He said that Mr Modi is a pocketmaar who takes all your money and gives back a little as a sop. The Opposition show of strength over farmers issue saw a quick reaction from the government with agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh sending out a series of 22 tweets explaining his governments stance in the matter. Mr Singh asked whether the Congress has woken up to farmers issues today. The agitating farmers are demanding passage of two private members bills The Farmers Fre-edom from Indebtedness Bill, 2018, and The Farm-ers Right to Guaranteed Remunerative Minimum Support Prices For Agri-cultural Commodities Bill in the coming session of Parliament and implementation of the Swami-nathan Committee report among other things to address agrarian distress. Addressing farmers at Jantar Mantar where they had assembled after they were stopped on their march to Parliament, almost all leaders, including Mr Gandhi, Mr Kejriwal and Mr Pawar, called for a complete waiver of farm loans, failing which the people would remove the BJP government in the next elections. The Congress president hit out at the Prime Minister for favouring 15 of his favourite industrialists by waiving off their loans worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore while not doing the same for farmers who are in deep distress. Today there are two major issues in front of India. One is the issue of the farmers and the other is the issue of jobs for youth. The fight is for the future of youth and farmers. In the last four-and-a-half years Modi and BJP have waived off `3.5 lakh crore loans of 15 favourite businessmen. If `3.5 lakh crore can be waived off for 15 people then farmers loans should also be waived off, he said. The farmers of the country are not asking for any free gift, but just their rights. Your (farmers) loans are not waived offyou are not given remunerative prices and given fake promises. We (Opposition parties) might have differing ideologies but for the future of the farmers and youths we stand together on this dais, Mr Gandhi said. Till they address the concerns of the youth and farmers then they cannot survive. If anybody insults farmers and youth then the youth will remove them, he said. In the same vein, Mr Kejriwal accused the Prime Minister of stabbing farmers in the back by not fulfulling the promises made to them. Mr Kejriwal claimed that the Centre had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying it would not implement the M.S. Swaminathan Commission report that deals with farmers welfare. The government had also made a lot of promises to farmers in last elections (2014), but it has not fulfilled them. And, by not implementing the Swaminathan Commission report, Modi ji has stabbed the farmers in their back, he said. The Delhi chief minister said that the Centre should implement the report within five months, otherwise, the farmers will show their might in the 2019 elections. Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said that the earlier UPA government and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were much more sensitive to farmers problems than the current Modi-led BJP government. Pointing towards Parliament Street police station, Mr Yechury said, It is this very police station where Bhagat Singh was detained. He used bomb to force a deaf British government to hear. If this govt does not hear then there will be a bigger explosion. And we no longer need bomb, we have vote. At the protest venue, Kartar Singh, a sugarcane farmer from Uttar Pradesh, said, My wife and children have told me that I should fight and stay even for a week in Delhi, if needed. He was among the thousands of farmers who braved the chill on Thursdy night at Ramlila Ground, while preparing for Fridays march. The march was organised under the banner of the All-India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), a platform of 200 farmers groups. Farmers from different parts of the country, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh took part in the rally. The march on Friday is the second major farmers protest in the national capital in two months. At least 20 people, including police personnel, were injured in a clash between protesters and security personnel on October 2 at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border on National Highway-24 when Delhi Police denied entry to thousands of farmers into the city. The Delhi march on Saturday comes just a week after farmers from all across Maharashtra marched to Mumbai to reiterate their demands for loan waiver and land rights among others, eight months after they were promised reforms by the BJP government. Mufti said that Sharada Peeth is an outstanding relic of Kashmirs glowing history. Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti has sought Prime Minister, Narendra Modis, personal intervention towards imitating Kartarpur for the States minority Brahmins known as Kashmiri Pandits and other Hindus by allowing them to visit Sharada Peeth, a revered shrine of the community located near Muzaffarbad, the capital of PoK. Wrote to PM @narendramodi for opening of Sharda Peeth route for facilitating the Pandit community. I hope like Kartarpur, this too will be considered for better peace & prosperity in the region, she tweeted on Monday, a day after she met a delegation of Save Sharda Committee Kashmir (SSCK). In her letter to the Prime Minister, Ms Mufti congratulated him on the opening of Kartarpur corridor with Pakistan to facilitate the visit by Sikh pilgrims to theiir revered place of worship in Pakistan and hoped that it will turn out to be a new leaf in the painful history of relationship between the two countries and proves to be the first step towards rediscovering avenues of peace and prosperity in our region. She said that Sharada Peeth is an outstanding relic of Kashmirs glowing history and that though it generally connects the people in Jammu and Kashmir with their cultural and intellectual roots, for the Kashmiri Pandits it is an important place of worship which was frequented by them till independence. Their urge to open it to pilgrimage has been projected since reopening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, the letter said. Kartarpur has encouraged the Pandit community to see a possibility of the pilgrimage to Sharada Peeth in the same spirit and our belief is strengthened by the reported offer of Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan to allow it along with pilgrimage to Katas Raj, the letter said. While urging the Prime Minister to consider the request on priority, the former chief minister has said that though it will be a measure specific to Pandit community she has no doubt in her mind that it would be welcomed by every citizen of the state and would considerably help in addressing the feelings of despondency in a major section of population. She added, It would very well in the vision of pulling J&K out of its miseries through diplomatic and political means away from death and destruction we witness with unending regularity. As chief minister, Ms Mufti had urged the Centre to allow the Kashmiri Pandits to use the Srinagar-Muzffarabad bus for undertaking pilgrimage to Sharada Peeth. This was in response to the demand put forth by the SSCK headed by its founder member Ravinder Pandita that the ancient temple across the Line of Control (LoC) be thrown open to members of Kashmir Pandit community and also the cross-LoC permits be expanded to include religious and heritage tourism. The weekly cross-LoC bus rolled between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad and Poonch and Rawlakot in 2005 to facilitate travel by the members of the divided families. But strong voices are being raised on both sides of the de facto border including that from the SSCK that the service may be allowed to be used also for heritage and pilgrimage tourism. To visit Sharda for paying obeisance at the ancient seat of learning is something almost every Kashmiri Pandits craves for. Sharda is about 150-kms from Muzaffarabad and is a breath-taking green spot at an altitude of 1981 meters. Shardi and Nardi are actually the two mountain peaks overlooking the valley, named after legendary princesses Sharda and Narda. It has a captivating landscape with numerous springs and hillsides covered with thick forest. On one hand there is troop of patriots under Modi's leadership and on other hand there is troop without leader, policy, principles, he said. Amit Shah said that today Army jawans have developed a sense of pride that their government is standing behind them rock solid. (Photo: File | AP) Jaipur: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Saturday alleged that Congress president Rahul Gandhi was insulting slain Army soldiers by claiming that the 2016 surgical strike across the LoC was conducted to win the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. He said that today Army jawans have developed a sense of pride that their government is standing behind them rock solid. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi took revenge for Army martyrs. Rahul Gandhi is saying that surgical strike was conducted to win Uttar Pradesh election. You insult the martyrs of the country. You could not even show some courage," Shah said at a public meeting in Phalodi town of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan. Addressing a gathering at Udaipur in poll-bound Rajasthan earlier Saturday, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the surgical strike was made public as the BJP was fighting elections in Uttar Pradesh. He also told the gathering, "Like during the Narendra Modi government, surgical strike was conducted thrice during Manmohan Singh government. Are you aware of it? Modi actually reached into the Army's domain and shaped surgical strike into a political asset." Hitting out at the Congress, Shah said, "On one hand there is a troop of patriots under leadership of Narendra Modi and on the other hand there is a troop which doesn't have a leader, policy and principles." He also took a dig at Gandhi's party for not declaring its chief ministerial candidate, and wondered how can an "army" win which has not been able to finalise its leader. They had been demanding the dem-arcation of the Koliwadas since a long time. Mumbai: Revenue minister Chandrakant Patil told the Legis-lative Council Friday that the demarcation of the Koliwada at Cuffe Parade will soon be carried out. Mr Patil was replying to a calling attention motion tabled by NCP member Rahul Narvekar over the Koliwada demarcation. Mr Narvekar mentioned in the calling attention motion that despite the government's decision to demarcate the Koliwada and put the property cards of the lands in Koliwada on the names of the Koli brothers, nothing had been done so far. A large number of Kolis (fishing community members ) had been residing at Badhwar Park since many years. Despite this, the land had not been added in Koliwada. Hence, there was discontentment among the Koli community. They had been demanding the dem-arcation of the Koliwadas since a long time. The Council members deman-ded that taking into consideration the feelings of the fishing community, th-e government should put the property cards of the lands in Koliwada on the name of the fishermen. Mr Patil said that the committee constituted for implementing the survey and demarcation of the fishermens colonies in Mumbai had completed the work of measurement of external boundaries of seven fishermens colonies in the city. During the demarcation work, a sizeable fishermens locality was found at Cuffe Parade which would be declared a fishermens colony as a special case, with its measurement and demarcation being carried out. He said that officers from the fisheries department would be consulted and a decision would be taken after verifying the available records. Washington, Dec 1 (PTI) A strong supporter of Indian democracy, former President George H W Bush talked about dealing with Indian government with respect and quality and wished for a lasting India-Pakistan peace in his capacity as the 41st US president. Bush, 94, died on Saturday. It was under his administration that India and the US signed the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). At a time, India was undergoing through a phase of political uncertainty-had four prime ministers during one term presidency (January 20, 1989 to January 20, 1993) - Bush expressed his full faith in Indian democracy, but tended to ignore nuclear proliferation concerns of the international community with regard to Pakistan and echoed Islamabad on Indian peaceful nuclear activities. Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination during an election rally in Tamil Nadu in May 1991 was a personal loss to him. "Barbara and I have had a friendship, a real friendship, with Rajiv Gandhi and his wife, and it's on a personal basis I mourn the loss," he told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 21, 1991. As Vice President to Ronald Regan from 1981 to 1989, Bush had developed a personal friendship with Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi. "When you look at his contribution to international order and when you think of his decency, it's a tragedy," he said. "And that people resort in a democratic country or anywhere to violence of this nature--it's just appalling. And I don't know what the world's coming to, but it's a sad thing for this young man to have lost his life in this way. It's a tragedy," Bush said. A few days later he drove to the Indian Embassy in Washington DC to sign the condolence book. "India's democracy is strong, steadfast, and it has the full support of our country. It always has, and it always will. And this is a terrible tragedy. It tests the souls of India, and it tryst the hearts of all of us. But I fear not for India's democracy, he told reporters at the Indian Embassy on May 24, 1991. "The US will deal with the Indian Government with respect and quality," Bush said as he urged people of India "for calm, for peaceful resolution" to differences. "If anybody ever stood for that, it was Rajiv Gandhi and his family," he said. "Rajiv Gandhi. And we knew him well. Barbara and I knew him well. I just talked to his wife this morning. Here was a man, he was out campaigning, and a terrorist got him. Allegedly a bomb in a flower basket--he goes by and somebody pushes a button. So, there's a lot of stupid people out there that think you can change things by terror. We have to be on guard in this country, even though we've been blessed by having less of it," Bush told reporters a day after Gandhi's assassination in St Paul, Minnesota. During his presidency, his several remarks reflected that he wanted lasting peace between India and Pakistan. At a White House press conference with the then Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Bush said the two leaders discussed and reviewed their efforts to enhance stability in South Asia. "I expressed our strong support for Pakistan's efforts, and India's as well, to improve relations, and stressed the critical importance of avoiding a regional nuclear arms race in the subcontinent," he said on June 6, 1989. "And she assured me that Pakistan's nuclear programme is committed to peaceful purposes...," Bush said. At a luncheon with White House reporters he referred to Pakistan's concerns on India's nuclear proliferation. "The US held talks separately with India and Pakistan in the hope of stemming a nuclear arms race in South Asia," he told the Congress in a letter on January 19, 1993, a day before he was succeeded by Bill Clinton as the 42nd president of the US. It was under during his administration that the India-US Convention on Taxation was signed. "The convention would be the first tax treaty between the US and India. It includes special provisions that take into account India's status as a developing nation and that reflect changes in US tax treaty policy resulting from the Tax Reform Act of 1986," Bush said in a letter to the Senate seeking its Congressional ratification. But, he took a tough stand against India on trade issues. His administration started Super 301 investigations on India citing investment barriers and restrictions in the insurance sector. "I have continued the identification of India as a trade liberalization priority," Bush said in a statement on international trade on April 27, 1990; at a time when India was faced with massive economic crisis. India's economic liberalisation started over a year later when P V Narasimha Rao was elected as the Prime Minister who appointed Manmohan Singh as his Finance Minister in June 1991. In May 1990, he decided against intervening in the possible acquisition by CMC Limited, a firm owned by the Government of India, of UniSoft Group Ltd. (UGL), a British computer software firm with a subsidiary in the US. He also approved sale of some of the high-tech computers to India at that time. As president, Bush met only one Indian Prime Minister--P V Narasimha Rao--on January 31, 1992. The meeting took place at Waldorf Astoria, as against his several meeting with Pakistani leadership. Bush was also a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi and he quoted him quite often during his interaction with school and college students. At some places he narrated some of the stories of Mahatma Gandhi to prove his point. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Janakpur [Nepal], Dec 1 (ANI): Preparations have started in full swing in Mithilanchal in Nepal's Janakpur region for the upcoming 'Bibaha Panchami' celebrations - observed traditionally to honour the marriage of Lord Ram and Sita - which will be attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. "On the occasion of 'Bibaha Panchami', our neighbouring country, India's, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is 100 per cent sure to attend. For his gracious welcome, Province no. 2 already has started the preparations," Federal Minister for Internal Affairs and Law from Province No. 2, Gyanendra Kumar Yadav told ANI. Apart from Adityanath, priests and heads of the various temples will also attend the function. The Federal Government of Province 2 has already started the preparations for their welcome and stay and allocated a bounty of five million Nepali Rupees for the function. "'Bibaha Panchami' is one of the festivals which are celebrated in form of culture. This tradition of Lord Ram and Sita's marriage has been followed for a long time. Every year thousands of pilgrims come here for the festival. We have been celebrating this festival for a week annually in which thousands of people including saints, priests and pilgrims come here as 'Barati'," Deputy Mahanta of the Janaki Temple Ram Roshan Das said. "This year's biggest achievement is the participation of the representatives from the Nepal government and the Indian government as 'Barat' during this spiritual and cultural festival, the 'Bibaha Mahotsav'," Das added. Pilgrims and people from India and Mithilanchal from Nepal itself have started gathering in the premises and around Janakpur with less than two weeks left for the marriage ceremony. The week-long marriage ceremony which has been followed from a long time will formally start from December 7. The first day of the ceremony will witness the Janakpur Nagar Darshan, the second day is observed with the Fulbari Leela, the third day as Dhanus Yagya, the fourth day as Tilakotsav, the fifth day as Matkor and the sixth is for the engagement and marriage ceremonies. 'Bibaha Panchami' will conclude on December 13. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, December 1: In a big relief to cash-strapped Indian airlines, oil companies on Saturday slashed aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices by almost 11 per cent for December month. The price per kilolitre (kl) of jet fuel after the latest cut in Delhi, India's busiest airport, is Rs 68,050.97 in December, down from Rs 76,380 last month. In Mumbai, a kilolitre of jet fuel will cost Rs 67,979.58, down from Rs 76,013.2 last month. Following the reduction in prices of jet fuel, airlines may cut rates on tickets of some flights. The ATF cost had been on the upswing since July last year, spiking by nearly 60 per cent since then. Last month, oil companies raised the prices of aviation turbine fuel by 5.2 per cent. Following the hike, in Delhi, a kilolitre of jet fuel was priced at Rs 76,378.8 up from Rs 72,605. The hike brought ATF price in Kolkata Rs 81,441.06 per kl - breaching the Rs 80,000-mark for the first time since July 2014. Centre Hikes Import Duty on ATF. Meanwhile, the aviation ministry reiterated the long-standing demand to include ATF under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, which could ensure a "fair price regulation". We have requested the finance ministry for two things bring ATF under GST and for input tax credit for aircraft of Indian carriers being serviced abroad, aviation secretary R N Choubey said recently. Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu had told news agency PTI that bringing turbine fuel under GST could bring down the operational cost by 35-40 per cent approximately. In October, the central government had reduced the excise duty on aviation turbine fuel from 14 per cent to 11 per cent. The cut was announced in the backdrop of rising crude prices, combined with the plummeting rupee, which has pushed a number of flyers into losses. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 01, 2018 03:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Buenos Aires, December 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with a host of prominent international leaders during the second day of the ongoing G20 Summit in Argentina on Friday. Among the most notable of the leaders, the Prime Minister interacted with US President Donald Trump, with whom he also attended the first-ever Japan-India-US trilateral meet on the sidelines of the summit. On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both the leaders also participated in the Russia-India-China (RIC) Informal summit, the first such meet since the 2006 RIC summit held in Saint Petersburg. In India, the air quality in Delhi continued to be in the poor category on Saturday. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data, major pollutant PM 2.5 at 247 (poor) and PM 10 at 257 (poor), in Lodhi Road area. In Nepal, preparations are underway in Mithilanchal in Janakpur region for the upcoming 'Bibaha Panchami' celebrations. The festivities are observed traditionally to honour the marriage of Lord Ram and Sita - which will be attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. "On the occasion of 'Bibaha Panchami', our neighbouring country, India's, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is 100 per cent sure to attend. For his gracious welcome, Province no. 2 already has started the preparations," Federal Minister for Internal Affairs and Law, Gyanendra Kumar was quoted by ANI. Patna, December 1: Former Bihar minister Manju Verma and her husband Chandrasekhar Verma have been sent to jail in connection with Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Case. Both of them were produced before the Court on Saturday. The former social welfare Minister was booked under the Arms Act after police found fifty cartridges while searching her house in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case. Why Manju Verma Stepped Down as Bihar Social Welfare Minister. Reports inform that the Bihar Police had filed a First Information Report (FIR) under the Arms Act against Verma and her husband. She had resigned as the social welfare minister in August after allegations that her husband had links with Brajesh Thakur, who is the main accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case, where several women inmates of a shelter home were allegedly raped. Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Rape Cases: Supreme Court Lashes Out at Bihar Government Over Milder FIR, Says 'Act Fast or Face Consequences'. Arms Act case in connection with Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Case: Former Bihar minister Manju Verma and her husband Chandrasekhar Verma have been sent to jail after they were produced before the Court today. ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 On Thursday, Verma withdrew her bail plea from the Supreme Court saying she has already surrendered before a court. On November 22, Verma was remanded to one-day police custody by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Majhaul Sub-Division, Prabhat Trivedi. According to a report by PTI, more than 30 girls were allegedly raped and sexually abused at the shelter home. The issue first came to light in an audit report submitted by the TISS to the social welfare department of the Bihar government. Following the revelation, an FIR was lodged on May 31 against 11 people, including Thakur, who was running the shelter home. The CBI later took over the probe and arrested 17 people in connection with the case. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 01, 2018 02:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Mumbai, November 30: The Seventh Pay Commission for Maharashtra state government employees will be applicable from January 1, 2019. Deepak Kesarkar, the state junior finance minister, informed the Legislative Council about the government's decision in a response to a question posed by MLC Kapil Patil. 7th Pay Commission Latest News Today: Diwali Bonus Announced For Government Employees of This State. Kesarkar also added that the state government had appointed a committee led by retired bureaucrat KP Bakshi to look into the issue. 7th Pay Commission Latest News: Change in Fitment Factor Likely For Salary Hike Beyond 7th CPC Recommendations. The minister however added that the government will not wait for the committee's report and implement the seventh pay commission from January, 2019. When Patil asked if the state government employees will have five day working week, Kesarkar replied saying that would depend upon the Bakshi committee report. According to the Central government's norms, government staff have a five day week. The arrears of Seventh Pay Commission will be paid to the employees with effect from January 2016, and the dearness allowance will be given for the last 14 months. According to reports, the Maharashtra state government will need Rs 20,000 crore to pay the arrears of 7th pay commission. The Maharashtra state government has around 19 lakh employees working for it. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 30, 2018 07:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Jaipur, December 1: BJP chief Amit Shah Saturday alleged that Congress president Rahul Gandhi was insulting slain Army soldiers by claiming that the 2016 surgical strike across the LoC was conducted to win the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. He said that today Army jawans have developed a sense of pride that their government is standem rock solid. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi took revenge for Army martyrs. Rahul Gandhi is saying that surgical strike was conducted to win Uttar Pradesh election. You insult the martyrs of the country. You could not even show some courage," Shah said at a public meeting in Phalodi town of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan. Addressing a gathering at Udaipur in poll-bound Rajasthan earlier Saturday, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the surgical strike was made public as the BJP was fighting elections in Uttar Pradesh. Narendra Modi Shaping 2016 Surgical Strike Into Political Asset: Rahul Gandhi in Poll-Bound Rajasthan. Amit Shah in Phalodi, Rajasthan: I was coming from Mangalore when I saw on TV that Rahul baba was saying that Congress will form govt in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. As soon as I heard it, I saw if it is day or night. No one is prohibited to dream, but do we dream in daylight? pic.twitter.com/JqVWS7utHi ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 He also told the gathering, "Like during the Narendra Modi government, surgical strike was conducted thrice during Manmohan Singh government. Are you aware of it? Modi actually reached into the Army's domain and shaped surgical strike into a political asset." Hitting out at the Congress, Shah said, "On one hand there is a troop of patriots under leadership of Narendra Modi and on the other hand there is a troop which doesn't have a leader, policy and principles." He also took a dig at Gandhi's party for not declaring its chief ministerial candidate, and wondered how can an "army" win which has not been able to finalise its leader. When Jodie Marrie and her partner Lee Patrick's baby girl was born, doctors told them that she would have no 'quality of life'. Sussie Bea Patrick was born when she was just 22 weeks own in her mother's womb. She weighed just one pound and one ounce and they were told to expect the worst. But Sussie's parents were not ready to give up and kept her under supervision at the UK hospital. Sussie who was the size of the chocolate at the time of her birth is now ready to go home for Christmas! She was under care at the neonatal unit of Arrowe Park in Birkenhead, Wirral. Premature Baby: How Fathers Play an Important Role in Caring for Both Baby and Mom. Patrick told Liverpool Echo, "Everything was fine with mum all the way through. It was sepsis mum contracted it or baby contracted a bug and passed it on to Jodie. When it got to 11.30pm on June 27 I said we're going to the hospital, this isn't right. She was throwing up. Within 15 minutes she was giving birth in the back of the taxi to the hospital. Within about 15 minutes Sussie literally slid out." The couple were informed that there was hardly any chances of their daughter's survival and would have to big goodbye anytime. Lee said, "We were told it wasn't worth. They said she wouldnt have a quality of life but we said 'look that's something that we will have to deal with but if shes fighting we have to fight'. And shes here now." The baby spent three and a half months in the house and Lee says now she is 'perfect'. A fundraising page has been set up for Sussie's medical expenditure, you can donate by clicking here. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 01, 2018 06:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Argentine news channel, Cronica TV has come under fire for being racist. The media outlet announced the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Buenos Aires for the G20 summit with the photo of a character in the American show The Simpson, Apu. They aired the photo of Modi with the caption 'Apu arrives' garnering backlash from viewers. Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is an Indian shopkeeper in the Simpson series since 1990. It is voiced by Hank Azaria, a white actor, who talks for the character in a heavy Indian accent. Apu's character has been on scrutiny multiple times in the past. Simpsons has often created a stir with their different political takes on issues and topics. The character Apu is among one which has received flak by Indian viewers for being stereotypical. G20 Summit 2018: PM Narendra Modi Holds Trilateral Talks 'JAI' With Donald Trump And Shinzo Abe on The Sidelines of Global Event. In 2017, Indian-American comic Hari Kondabolu made a documentary about the character arguing that Apu's character was based on racial stereotypes. As Cronica's depiction of the Indian PM went viral, Kondabolu tweeted, "This couldn't be true, right?" Many Indians tweeted saying that it was disrespectful of the channel to compare a country's Prime Minister to an animation series character. Social media users stated that the Indian PM should be addressed with respect like any other dignitaries. Cronica TV referring to Narendra Modi as Apu: Here is Hari Kondabolu's tweet: Modi is on a five-day visit to Argentina to attend G20 summit. The summit is slated for November 30- December 1 and the PM is to return on Sunday. World leaders including US President Donald Trump, Russia's Vladimir Putin, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also attended G20 in Argentina. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 01, 2018 05:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Buying, selling, keeping any wildlife article or trophy is a violation of the Wildlife Protec-tion Act, 1972, which is a punishable offence. Mumbai: Acting on a tip-off, the Thane police confiscated deer horns and skin valued at around Rs 47 lakh from three people arrested in this connection Friday. The seizure was made in the early hours of Friday but the process of inquiry and possession of illegal property took a day, said police officials investigating the case. The arrested accused hail from Amravati in the Vidarbha region of eastern Maharashtra. Talking to The Asian Age, D.S. Swami, deputy commissioner of police (zone 1), said, On a tip-off, we got to know that some people were involved in illegal trade of skin, horns and nails of wildlife and were coming near the Global Park en-route to Mumbra town. We formed the police team which kept a vigil and intercepted the car in which they were travelling. After searching the car, we got to know that the occupants had concealed different kinds of deer horns and the skin of a protected animal in the vehicle, he said. The seized items had been kept in sacks, plastic bags and hidden in the cars boot, dumped so as to look like household stuff. Dozens of horns were seized valued at around Rs 47 lakh. An offence under the Protection of Wildlife Act, 1972, has been registered against the trio identified by the police as Mohammad Tousif Israel Saudagar (27), Sh-aikh Tousif Sheikh Na-sir (22), and Rizvan Ah-med Rajik Ahmed (23). Buying, selling, keeping any wildlife article or trophy is a violation of the Wildlife Protec-tion Act, 1972, which is a punishable offence. Kesarkar said that the Seventh Pay Commission will put an additional burden of Rs 40,000 crore on the state exchequer. Mumbai: The state government will have to bear an additional burden of Rs 40,000 crore as it has planned to follow the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission from January 1, 2019. Minister of state for finance Deepak Kesarkar told the Legislative Coun-cil that the state government employees would be paid in accordance to the Seventh Pay Commission from January 2019. Mr Kesarkar was replying to a query raised by Council member Kapil Patil during question hour. Mr Patil raised the question of the Seventh Pay Commission for employees of the state government, semi-government, and teachers of primary and secondary schools and junior colleges in the Legislative Council. They had gone on strike over the issue on August 9. Mr Kesarkar said that the salary as per the Seventh Pay Commission would be paid to government employees, including teachers. Mr Kesarkar said that the Seventh Pay Commission will put an additional burden of Rs 40,000 crore on the state exchequer. Mr Kesakar also said that since January, 2016, the arrears had been pending which would further burden the state by Rs 10,000 crore, which would be disbursed over a period of five weeks. Mr Kesakar said that the arrears would be paid retrospectively from 2016, while dearness allowance would be paid retrospectively for the past 14 months. Close to 20 lakh state employees are waiting for the Seventh Pay Commission as the Centre has already approved it. - The people of Kaduna state have been advised by Buhari Campaign Organisation to shun the move by some politicians to polarise them with religion - The group gave the advice in a reaction to Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria's criticism of Governor el-Rufai's Muslim/Muslim ticket decision - The group also commended the governor for his fight on security across the state Following the outcry that trailed the decision of Governor el-Rufai of Kaduna state to choose a Muslim partner for the 2019 governorship election, the Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) has urged Christians and other faithful in the state to accept the decision as a good move, Leadership reports. Legit.ng gathers that the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), had earlier berated the governor's decision and accused him of creating animosity along religious border among the people of Kaduna state. But in a reaction to the PFN's argument, the pro-Buhari group, through its director of communications and strategic planning, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, said el-Rufais decision does not have any religious colouration. The group warned the people of Kaduna state to be wary of politicians using ethnicity and religion to polarise them before 2019 general elections. It said: "The BCO is of the view that the governor of Kaduna state made his choice of a running mate in good faith. "Just like he rightly said, his picking a fellow Muslim is based on his strong belief in competence and the fact that governance has nothing to do with religion and tribe. Those claiming that the Muslim-Muslim ticket has pitched the governor against Christians and other citizens of Kaduna are the same mischievous politicians or their cronnies who hide under the cloak of ethnicity and religion to fan the embers of disunity among gullible Nigerians with spurious allegations. We all know that apart from the deputy governorship position, there are other sensitive positions in the state and the governor has promised that the minority indigenous people would be given political representation in the state, depending on their population. The group also praised Governor el-Rufai for his commitment on the security challenges in the state. It said: "This shows that the governor is not only proactive but is also concerned about the safety of lives and property in the state. "The state government, under el-Rufai, has been able to reduce incidences of kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of criminality along the Abuja/Kaduna highway to the barest minimum. "This is in fulfilment of the pledge by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government to tackle corruption." PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the three elected senatorial candidates from the three zones in Kaduna state were on Monday, October 8, issued certificates of return by the electoral committee set up by the national working committee of the APC to conduct primaries in the state. The candidates included Uba Sani for Kaduna central, Suleiman Abdu-Kwari for Kaduna north and Bala Bantex for Kaduna south. Southern Kaduna Killings: Part 2 | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng Troops of 3 Battalion Ngala on Thursday, November 29, following Lt.Gen Tukur Buratais directives, carried out massive attacks and offensive missions to the Boko Haram terrorists' locations, hideouts and enclaves. The troops carried out offensive patrols on two fronts: Ngala Bridge and Gamboru town towards Boko Haram terrorists' withdrawal routes along Wurge village in Borno state. Items recovered from the terrorists. Photo source: Nigerian Army Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Alleged new terrorist group takes control of local government in Sokoto According to a statement released on the Nigerian Army offiical Facebook page, the terrorists who were massing up for a possible attack abandoned their logistics stores and equipment and fled when they saw the army approaching. Vehicle recovered from Boko Haram terrorists, Source: Nigerian Army Source: Facebook Items recovered from the terrorists' hideouts include: One AK 47 Rifle with Reg No 819044, two AK 47 magazine, 443 rounds of 12.7MM, One Hilux vehicle, 2 motorcycles, 10 motorcycle spare tubes, other exotic weapons and some food. Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Gudaji Kazaure, a member of the House of Representatives for Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa/Yankwashi federal constituency of Jigawa state, accused Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) of aiding Boko Haram terrorists. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Kazaure said Boko Haram flourish in Nigeria because NGOs sometimes donate food and medications to the terrorists. The lawmaker made this statement while reacting to the killings of the soldiers at Melete, Borno state. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng upgrades to serve you better. Can Nigerian Soldiers really not deal with Boko Haram fighters?| Legit TV Source: Legit - Drones have been deployed in fight against insurgency in the northeast part of the country -The deployment of the drones followed an attack on the Nigerian forces in Borno by Boko Haram group - It was reported that the attack led to the killing of no fewer than 44 soldiers The federal government has deployed drones in the fight against insurgency in the northeast part of Nigeria. The deployment followed the recent killing of some Nigerian soldiers fighting insurgency in the region who were ambushed by the terrorist group, Boko Haram. The Nigerian delegation made the revelation in its Country report presented to the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Friday, November 30. READ ALSO: Though I am a Muslim, I am a descendant of Abraham like Ajayi Crowther - Buhari The report presented by Mr Sani Rano, also contained losses to the country from the incessant farmers/herders clashes. He said that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians had been devastated by the clashes with many displaced. The deployment of the drones followed an attack on the Nigerian forces in Borno by the insurgent group, an attack which led to the killing of no fewer than 44 soldiers, the report stated. The delegation, in their report, informed the parliament that the insurgent group killed 44 soldiers in three military bases in Borno state: Metele, Gajiram and Mainok. The report said that the country in reaction to the attack had deployed the drones to constantly survey the area, even as it had set up a multi-national joint task force to curb the menace. It is worth mentioning that Nigeria has constituted the Multi National Joint Taskforce (MNTF) made up of Chad, Benin, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria, in fighting Boko Haram. It is a multinational formation comprising of equipped units, mostly the military aimed at containing the ravages of terrorism and armed insurgency. Presently, drones are patrolling Nigerias borders with Chad, Niger and Cameroon as instruments for intelligence collection. The Nigerian government is working closely with the Cameroonian government with the aim of negotiating efforts in enabling more Cameroon Boko Haram members to surrender, the report said. The report however stated that before the recent attacks on military bases, the Nigerian troops had made good progress in tackling insurgency and reopening towns previously seized by Boko Haram. It said that Nigeria had gone into partnerships with other countries including the U.S. and UK, France, Germany, ECOWAS, AU and the UN which had led to the purchase of weapons including 12 Super Tucano Aircraft. On the herders/farmers clashes, Rano stated that no fewer than 1,300 persons were killed in Nigeria. The number according to the report was six times more than the number of persons that had been killed by Boko Haram as at the time of the report. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app He said that apart from the loss of lives, Nigeria as a country was also losing billions of Naira on importation of food which would have been produced locally if there were no crisis. An independent report from the international crisis group cited 1,300 deaths in the region, due to the conflicts between herders and farmers. The ongoing conflict between farmers and cattle herders is costing Nigeria at least $16 billion in potential revenues annually, he said. Rano explained that clashes were due to accusations made by the farmers against herdsmen of failing to control their cattle and allowing them to damage their crops. He said the herdsmen also accused the farmers of stealing and slaughtering their cattle, adding that the clashes that ensued led to the killing of many, including innocent bystanders. The report noted that the Nigerian government had, however, taken steps to address the crisis and the senseless killings. The Nigerian Army as well as the Police were said to have deployed intelligent and surveillance to avert any re-occurrence especially with the coming of the dry seasons when the herders would need to search for fresh pasture. Legit.ng had reported that Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman on Wednesday, November 28, said the Nigerian Army discovered that Boko Haram terrorists have started using drones and foreign fighters while combating the Army. Kukasheka said the Nigerian troops deployed in the northeast of Nigeria under Operation Lafiya Dole have come under series of attacks by large numbers of Boko Haram Terrorists. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better. Atiku versus Buhari: Who will win? | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - The senator representing Zamfara Central at the Senate, Kabiru Marafa, says he will remain in the ruling All Progressives Congress - Marafa, who is one of the party's governorship aspirants in the state, says he will fight injustice in the party - The senator also says he will remain in the party and support President Muhammadu Buhari's re-election bid Following reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in some states in Zamfara state are planning to defect from the party, one of the gubernatorial aspirants, Senator Kabiru Marafa has vowed to remain in the party Marafa, who is representing Zamfara Central at the Senate, said he would remain in the party and support the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as fight injustice in the ruling party. In a statement sent to Legit.ng, the senator said he would continue to be a loyal party member and work hard for the partys victory during the 2019 polls. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda He said: I will remain in the APC to support and lead President Buharis 2019 re-election campaign in Zamfara state and to ensure that Governor Yari fail woefully in his attempts to perpetrate injustice and impose his moles as candidates of the party in the state. The facts are clear that, Gov Yari has failed woefully and has lost the popular support of the people, he cant win any election in Zamfara today, he therefore choose to hide under the federal might to perpetrate criminality using his 8,500 recruited vigilante to rig the elections in his favour and his co-travellers. "We say No to that. I am going to remain in the APC to ensure that he and his cohorts are effectively retired. We have come this far together with all the people of Zamfara state, they have expressed there desire for change, they have given us their maximum support, and they have rejected Yari and all his chosen candidates. They have sacrificed their lives and health, some were killed while many others were injured during the botched and make-believe primaries in the state, all courtesy of Gov Yari. Having failed in his cruel attempt to impose his candidates through dubious means, he now wants to use the instrumentality of the courts to legalise his illegalities. We will block him and let him know that courts arent places for dumping of charade. Yari organised and conducted illegal, make-believe primaries in absolute violation of a subsisting court order and the directive of our partys National Working Committee (NWC). He thereafter ran to court to give his illegalities a legal backing, forgetting that our courts are not rubber stamp. Courts are homes of equity and if you are going to the courts, you must go with clean hands." PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, a governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara state, said members of the party were working with the partys national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to resolve the deadlock in Zamfara state. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had barred the APC from presenting candidates for elective positions in Zamfara state for the governorship, national and state assembly elections following the failure of the party to conduct primaries within a stipulated time. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better Is President Buhari Really Doing Badly As Nigeria's Leader? - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV Source: Legit Nigeria It is a copout to say that he cant be held responsible for the despicable 26/11 terrorist assault. It is a favourable sign that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has accepted with equanimity Indias stance of not responding favourably to his invitation to establish normal relations made from the Kartarpur Gurdwara complex earlier this week. But for this to have a constructive meaning and an authentic ring, the Pakistani leader should endeavour to take some meaningful steps to curb anti-India terrorism from his countrys soil and adopt a firm posture in dealing with Lashkar-e-Tayyaba chief Hafiz Saeed for his organisations culpability in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. It is a copout to say that he cant be held responsible for the despicable 26/11 terrorist assault. No one can hold him personally guilty. But he must find the resources to take charge of the situation as his countrys elected leader even if his election was facilitated in no small measure by the Pakistan Army, which did what it could to discomfit his opponents at election time. Mr Khan said at the Kartarpur ground-breaking ceremony that Kashmir was the only issue between India and Pakistan. To India, this seems a mischievous misreading of the situation and an attempt to block out Indias fundamental concern of terrorism emanating from Pakistan. To say, as Mr Khan has said, that his country does not gain from terrorism is of little concern to India. If under his leadership he can take effective steps to stamp out terrorism, that would help his country as well as India, besides eliminating the heat from the rest of the world which has at last begun to ask tough questions of Pakistan on this matter. That, in fact, is the nub of the American governments new South Asia Policy articulated last year. In fact, Pakistans all-weather friend China has also started to express its concerns on the question of terrorism from time to time, though Beijing may not be entirely displeased so long as the terrorists direct their energies mainly against India. In the specific case of the 26/11 accused, if Pakistans tutored judicial system has given relief to Hafiz Saeed and others, it is up to the Pakistan government to file fresh cases under the relevant provisions and marshal the evidence it has in a cogent fashion. To Indians, it appears that extremists and terrorists are getting an easy ride on account of their powerful links with the security establishment. It is true, as Mr Khan says, that the people of our two countries desire a friendly and cooperative relationship. Indeed, we have everything in common except the militarys quasi-dictatorship. And we have a common culture, above all, and a common emotional makeup. If the leadership in Pakistan wishes to harness this, it must take the needed steps, which are well known and well understood. A positive Indian response will then be guaranteed. - The EFCC has arrested a Lebanese identified as Abbas Lakis for alleged money laundering - Lakis was arrested by the operatives of the commission at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja - Apart from $2m gotten from the suspect, EFCC also recovered huge sum of money in different foreign currencies from him Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested one Abbas Lakis, a Lebanese for alleged money laundering. A statement by commission's head, media and publicity, said Lakis was picked up at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following intelligence report. Legit.ng gathers that the report said he had on him undeclared huge sums of monies aboard Egypt Airline from Malam Aminu Kano Airport enroute Lebanon. Abbas Lakis, a Lebanese, was nabbed with over over $2m at Abuja Airport. Photo source: EFCC Facebook Source: Facebook READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda The statement read: At the point of arrest, a thorough search on his luggage, uncovered $2,104,936, 163,740 and 144,680. Other currencies found with Lakis include Riyal 391,838 (three hundred and ninety-one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-eight Riyals), CHF 3,420 (three thousand four hundred and twenty Swiss Franc). He was picked up following intelligence report that he had on him, undeclared huge sums of monies. Photo cource: EFCC Facebook Source: Facebook Lira 435 (Four hundred and thirty five Lira), 109,000(one hundred and nine thousand Lebanese Pounds), Dirhams 10,135(ten thousand one hundred and thirty five UAE Dirhams) 10,000 (ten thousand Chinese Yuan) and Riyal 10 (ten Qatar riyal), in his possession. He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded." He had the huge sums of monies aboard the Egypt Airline bringing him from the Kano Airport en route Lebanon. Photo source: EFCC Facebook Source: Facebook Lakis will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. Photo source: EFCC Facebook Source: Facebook Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured a warrant to arrest four top officials of the Rivers state government in connection with N117 billion suspicious transactions. The suspects, Balogun Olumide Ojo and Augustine Opaso, were arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. They were arrested based on a petition by their victim, who alleged that the suspects deceived him into believing that he could access his family wealth through some special prayers that would offer him money medicine. One of the suspects, Ojo, was arrested at the reception hall of Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, where he was waiting to collect more money from the victim. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Investigation by the EFCC showed that the suspects were operating in Port Harcourt and Akungba, Ondo state. Ojo confessed that they were operating a shrine in Akungba where special money-making prayers were being offered. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better The EFCC stage a walk against corruption | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng News - The district head of Ruwan Jema in Bukkuyum local government area, Alhaji Mohammed Sani has been declared wanted - According to the state government, the traditional ruler was implicated in the onslaught of innocent citizens by bandits in the state. - Also, the village head of Gurbin Bore in Zurmi local government area, Alhaji Bello Magaji had been confirmed to have participated in the kidnap of seven family members Zamfara state government has declared wanted the district head of Ruwan Jema in Bukkuyum local government area, Alhaji Mohammed Sani, saying he has been on the run for months now. Speaking at a press briefing in Gusau on Friday, November 30, the state commissioner of local governments and chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bello Dankande said the traditional ruler was implicated in the onslaught of innocent citizens by bandits in the state. READ ALSO: Though I am a Muslim, I am a descendant of Abraham like Ajayi Crowther - Buhari According to him, investigations had proved that the district head was among the traditional rulers who refused to heed to several warnings by the state government on traditional rulers not to mingle with the bandits. He explained that the district head abandoned his royal house and his subjects for over three months when he learned that security operatives were planning to pick and question him over his involvement with the bandits. The commissioner noted that a drag net had already been spread to arrest the district head. Similarly, the commissioner said the village head of Gurbin Bore in Zurmi local government area, Alhaji Bello Magaji had been confirmed to have participated in the kidnap of seven family members of the states Commissioner of Youth, Alhaji Abdullahi Gurbin Bore. He said that the village head and his collaborators collected N10 million ransom before releasing their victims after two weeks in captivity. Dankande explained that in the course of investigation, it was discovered that the village head fell apart with his fellow kidnappers who only gave him N800, 000 instead of the agreed 10 per cent of the total sum which is N1 million. The village head had also been removed from his position and would be prosecuted in a court of law along with six other traditional rulers accused of the same offence. The commissioner said the state government in collaboration with security agencies were still investigating some traditional rulers suspected of banditry and if found guilty would be removed and prosecuted. The state government thanked the general public in the state for supporting security agencies with information leading to the arrest of bandits and dislodgement of their hideouts, he added. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the Nigeria Police Force on Friday, November 30, declared that it killed 104 armed bandits during an attack on Mahanga forest in Birnin Mogaji local government area of Zamfara state. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app A statement by the force spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, in Abuja said 50 hideouts in three camps belonging to the bandits were also destroyed. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better. Lagos Police Commissioner Parades Suspected Criminals (Nigeria News) | Legit TV: Source: Legit.ng - There are indications that Governor Wike could quit as the south-south campaign coordinator for Atiku - Report has it that the governor complained of not being carried along and would communicate his decision to the PDP presidential candidate - Uche Secondus had announced the appointment of Wike and some other PDP chieftains as coordinators of Atikus campaign, not long after he emerged presidential candidate Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state may quit being the south-south campaign coordinator for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, former vice president Atiku Abubakar. The Nation reports that sources disclosed the governor is not happy with how he is being treated by Atiku. He complained of not being carried along by Atikus campaign committee. Another of his worries was that some people were appointed to work with him without his knowledge. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda According to one of the governors aide, Wike is planning to communicate his decision to Atiku. Few days after Atiku emerged the presidential candidate of the PDP, the Rivers state governor was appointed by Uche Secondus, the national chairman of the PDP, as the south-south coordinator of his campaign. Others appointed were Senate President Bukola Saraki as the director general of the Atiku campaign organisation, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto was named as zonal coordinator for the northwest. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state was named as zonal coordinator for northeast, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue, north central; Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, southeast; and ex-governor of Ekiti, Ayo Fayose, southwest. In an earlier report by Legit.ng, Wike, on Sunday October 14, promised to support Atiku to electoral victory in 2019. According to him, the PDP has made a choice and he will stand by it as a loyal party man. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. We are honestly tired of Buhari and Atiku | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - The prolonged crisis in Imo APC has continued to be a cause for worry for members of the party both at the state and national level - The governor of Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Friday, November 30, spoke on President Muhammadu Buhari's worry on issue - Ganduje said that the party in the state cannot afford to go into the 2019 polls in disunity and be sure of victory The Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Friday, November 30, asked the All Progressives Congress factions (APC) in Imo state to settle their differences in order to ensure victory come 2019 general elections. Ganduje said that President Muhammadu Buhari was deeply worried and concerned about the level of crisis which had rocked the ruling party in Imo, Punch reports. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Speaking in Owerri in the company of his team who met supporters of the APC governorship candidate in the state, Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Kano state governor said that Imo State is very dear to President Muhammadu Buhari. In his appeal for an amicable settlement, Ganduje said that the party could not afford to go into the general elections in the state in disunity. Ganduje said: We are here for dialogue. We are here for peace. We are worried. But we are concerned and determined. We are here to see that those who are aggrieved are brought back to the party. After this meeting, we are going to meet with all the aspirants, of both sides. This is just to meet with members of the APC. The main meeting will be with the aspirants in the night. There could be some aggrieved members of the House of Representatives, senators and other members of the party. But we are pleading to all the members of the APC to come together and win the election. We are here to see you people so that we can discuss heart to heart and put the pieces together. All hope is not lost. Election is coming and you have to unite and make adequate arrangements for the election because the President is worried. He directed us to come for reconciliation. He wants all of you to be united. I am happy that all of you are for (President Muhammadu) Buhari. You look determined. You must do a lot of planning. You must sit down locally and win the election. As part of the delegation, Kayode Fayemi, the Ekiti state governor, said: You have heard from the chairman and Senator Godswill Akpabio, my own is going to be an addendum. You are not going to have an isolated election. On his part, Senator Godswill Akpabio said the crisis in Imo State APC could be resolved if the factions would put the interest of the party first. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Akpabio stated: This is a serious business. Whether you are factionalised or not, the victory of the APC in Imo State is assured. Even though we have not seen Hope (Uzodinma), I can see hope in your faces. Ganduje and his team had on Thursday, November 29, held a meeting with Governor Rochas Okorocha and his supporters in a bid to reconcile the rival APC members in the state. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Okorocha had said the current situation in the Imo state chapter of the APC had made reconciliation impossible. He said that Imo people were short-changed in their choice of who to govern them in 2019, stressing that it is too late in the day for the party correct the wrongdoing. Legit.ng gathered that while speaking when the Ganduje-led APC reconciliation committee visited the state on Thursday, November 29, Okorocha noted that Imo people have decided to move on. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better. Why Governors Steal? Rochas Okorocha of Imo State | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - A group has called for Willie Obiano to resign from his seat as governor of Anambra state - The group, a faction of APGA, accused Obiano of endorsing President Muhammadu Buhari of APC Authentic All Progressives Grand Alliance (AAPGA), a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has accused Governor Willie Obiano of fraternising with the enemeny after the governor allegedly endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for second term during the book launching of former president Goodluck Jonathan. The factional group said Obiano's statement is against his party's interest and called the governor to resign his seat as soon as possible. Daily Trust reports that the National chairman of the group, Chief Jerry Obasi, told reporters on Friday in Abuja that the governor has brought APGA to ridicule. READ ALSO: 2019: We'll not interfere in your elections - Britain assures Nigeria Obasi said: There is urgent need therefore, for loyal and genuine members of the party to embark on a programme that would bring back the party to the original ideas. This programme would involve the reconciliation and unification of all those that fought through thick and thin to ensure that APGA serves the purpose of political emancipation of all oppressed people." Obasi also accused the national chairman of the APGA, Dr. Victor Ike Oye, of failing to rule the party fairly and advised him to resign. The complaints from Imo, Abia and Anambra State chapters of APGA, to mention but a few, detailing the exchange of bribes in foreign and local currencies, are too weighty to be swept under the carpet, he said. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng earlier reported that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said that it would not support the 2019 re-election bid of the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari. The national chairman of APGA, Chief Victory Oye, on Wednesday, November 21, stated this at a press conference in Amawbia near Awka, the state capital. Legit.ng gathered that Oyes reaction came following the relationship between the state governor, Willie Obiano and Aso Rock, resulting in the governor accompanying Buhari to several trips abroad. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better. Is President Buhari Really Doing Badly As Nigeria's Leader? - Nigeria Street Gist | - on Source: Legit - The accountant-general of Imo state has been suspended by Governor Okorocha - Stella Udogwu was suspended for failing to obey the governor's directive to pay November salary of local government workers - The Imo state governor also ordered that the branch managers of the two banks where money for the payment was lodged be arrested Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state on Friday, November 30, suspended the accountant-general of the state, Stella Udogwu, over the non-payment of the November salary of local government workers. The governor also ordered the arrest of the branch managers of two banks where money for the payment was lodged, the chief press secretary to the governor, Sam Onwuemeodo, stated in a release on Friday. NAN reports that the governor said that the suspension of the accountant-general would take effect immediately and directed that the chief of staff appoint an acting accountant-general pending the appointment of a new person to the office. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Okorocha said before now, he had directed that the October and November salaries of workers in the state be paid at the same time in October. He said he was dismayed that the directive was not carried out until he was informed at the 40th Anniversary ceremony of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Owerri on Friday. I had released the salaries of every worker in Imo state since the second week of October and so if local government workers are being owed, then somebody must take responsibility for it and will be dealt with according to law. This is a criminal act aimed at disgracing this government; what they do is that they take the money and put in the bank and collect the interest," he stated. The governor said he assumed the directive was carried out but was surprised to be told by the leadership of NULGE during the celebration that the workers had not been paid. He further directed that the November and December salary of workers be paid on Monday since December 1 and 2 fell on a weekend. Your salary must be released and your December salary shall be paid immediately. All the interests from the salary kept in the bank must be collected and shared to the local government workers who are the owners of the money, the governor said. READ ALSO: Wike may resign as Atikus campaign coordinator Okorocha also announced that each worker would get N10,000 as Christmas bonus and that each local government director of administration and general services would receive N2.5m as car allowance. He also said that staff of Local Government Service Commission could rise to GL 17 without having to convert to be staff of the ministry to get to the grade. From today there wont be any need for any local government worker to try to convert to the Ministry to be able to get to level 17 or become a permanent secretary. Today, I have officially lifted the embargo on local government staff getting to level 17. Henceforth, staff of the Local Government Service Commission will be promoted to level 17 when they are due for it," the governor added. Earlier, the southeast vice-president of NULGE, Patrick Igwe, expressed appreciation for the reprieve granted 3,000 workers listed to be sacked. This is uncommon in our chequered history. When others were negotiating on how to pay N18,000 minimum wage, you went further to pay N20,000 and we know that once agreement is reached on the new minimum wage, you will be the first to pay," he said. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app The president of Imo state chapter of NULGE, Richard Eze, pledged the support of the local government employees in the state for Uche Nwosus governorship ambition in 2019. Nwosu is the son-in-law of the governor whom he has been insisting is the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the election. Okorocha had earlier hinted that Nwosu and all other aggrieved aspirants who lost the APC primary election, might join another party to realise their ambitions. According to him, he wont stop them. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Why Governors Steal? Rochas Okorocha of Imo State | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng News - Most Nigerians are not certain as to the real story of the Boko Haram attack on Nigerian soldiers in Metele village, Borno state - The horrible development which took place on Sunday, November 18, now has several versions, especially in terms of the number of casualties - However, the Nigerian Army, on Saturday, December 1, said that it is aware and has even identified those behind false news on the death toll The Nigerian Army said it has finally identified those who spread fake death toll on the Boko Haram attack on Metele village which claimed the lives of some soldiers. It also said that it is currently pressing legal charges against the culprits, adding that the suspects were collaborating with terrorists in order to cause national unrest and rubbish democracy in the country, Vanguard reports. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda The Nigerian Army, on Friday, November 30, through its spokesman, Brigadier General Sani Usman, said: "The Nigerian Army has noted with great concern the deliberate and concerted efforts to mislead the public by some people through misinformation. Thus creating erroneous impression of the Nigerian Army through inaccurate and false publication of casualty figures on the unfortunate attacks on some of its locations in the North East. The latest of this worrisome development was the attack on our troops location at Metele, Borno State, in which some persons and media outlets continued to circulate various wrong acounts and inaccurate casualty figures of own troops without efforts to verify from the military. This is coming at the heels of our release of 28th November 2018 in which we gave accurate details of the attacks and casualty figures in a bid to set the records straight and inform the public true account of things. "We also promised to continuously carry the public along through accurate and timely information dissemination on operations and other activities of the Nigerian Army in the release. However it was observed that the trend continued unabated. "Most of these inaccurate, false reports and fake news were aimed at denigrating the leadership of the Nigerian Army. Regrettably, the rate at which some mischievous persons ignorantly attack the Armed Forces of Nigeria, especially the Nigerian Army is very alarming and unfortunate. "This is deliberate attempt to demoralise the Nigerian Army which would have devastating consequences on troops will to discharge their constitutional duties especially in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, thus affecting national security. We would like to warn all those mischief makers to keep the Nigerian Army out of their politics and mischief. Journalists and media platforms should be professional and accurate in their reportage. "The achievements of the Nigerian Army within the last three years are glaringly obvious, therefore, whatever recent temporary setbacks we experienced in the course of the fight against terrorism and insurgency should not be the yardstick for condemning these laudable three and half years accomplishments. We have however identified the few unpatriotic harbingers of the fake news on the attack at Metele and would take appropriate legal actions against them. This is to ensure that the Nigerian Army is insulated from propaganda and ulterior motives of destabilising the country. The Nigerian Army is quite aware that the perpetrators through these acts are covertly supporting terrorists and their activities in Nigeria with a long term objective. We are also aware that they want to use insecurity to scuttle and subvert the democratic process in the country. Consequently, we would like to state unequivocally that no amount of mischief or pressure would circumvent the journey to a peaceful, free and fair general elections in Nigeria. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! "We therefore need the continued support, encouragement and understanding of well meaning Nigerians as we deal decisively with the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists hibernating at the fringes of our borders with contiguous countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic. We are committed to the defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria. We hasten to state that we will continue to be professional in our assigned roles and remain apolitical at all times. "Once more we warn mischief makers and proponents of misinformation and fake news to desist from the such practice and join other well meaning, law abiding Nigerians to support our Army to countering terrorism and insurgency in the country. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that many Nigerian soldiers were killed and many others sustained gun wounds when Boko Haram insurgents invaded their base at Matele Kukawa local government area of Borno state on Sunday, November 18. The incident occurred at remote village of Metele in Lake Chad Basin around 5:00pm. A security source said the insurgents subdued the soldiers and left with their ammunition. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better. Can Nigerian Soldiers really not deal with Boko Haram fighters?| Legit TV Source: Legit - Afenifere has described the death of OPC founder, Fasehun, as a shattering news - The group's publicity secretary said Fasehun's great works will continue to speak for him - The OPC founder died in the early hours of Saturday at the age of 83 The death of the founder of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasehun, has been described by Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, as a great loss to the nation. The Afenifere publicity secretary, Yinka Odumakin, said Fasehun dedicated his entire life to the service of humanity, The Punch reports. Expressing sadness over the death, he said the OPC founder will be greatly missed. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda He was a prominent Yoruba and Nigerian citizen who dedicated his entire life to the service of humanity. We will surely miss his great works, which will continue to speak for him forever. He lived for the cause of the poor. May God be with his family at this period and comfort them, Odumakin stated. Fasehun was admitted to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, on Tuesday, but passed on in the early hours of Saturday, December 1. The 83-year-old was born in Ondo town, Ondo state, in 1935. He studied science at Blackburn College and furthered his education at Aberdeen University College of Medicine. He also studied at the Liverpool Postgraduate School after which he had a Fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app He formed the OPC to actualise the annulled mandate of Chief MKO Abiola, widely reputed to have won the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Fasehun was responsible for the recent revival of the Unity Party of Nigeria, which was formed by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the 1970s. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Gani Adams reveals truth about burning house with egg, admits to pressure as Aare Onakakanfo On Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - The PDP's recent presidential campaign council meeting ended with a note of inconclusion - In the meeting which was supposed to produced only one spokesperson for the council, not less than eight names emerged - The development has thrown the opposition into a feat of tension and worry as many of its bigwigs eye the office During its meeting on Friday, November 30, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s presidential campaign council named eight persons as its spokespersons. According to a statement by Kola Ologbondiyan, the director of media and publicity of the council, the spokespersons are as follows: Buba Galadima, Akin Osuntokun, Osita Chidoka, Senator Dino Melaye, Nnenna Ukeje, Segun Sowunmi, Kazeem Afegbua and Umar Sanni. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Punch reported that the eight names emerged after a heated argument among members of the council, most of whom reportedly have vested interests. The Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign organisation, which was in place before he became the candidate of the party, had its desired candidate for the office. Also, Senator Bukola Saraki, the director-general of the council, was allegedly insisting that some of his loyalists be given some key positions in the circle. At the said meeting held in Abuja, the council was unable to reach a conclusive and amicable decision on the issue. However, Saraki told newmen after the meeting that the council would publish some names in no time. In the list that was later signed and released by Ologbondiyan, a former minister of youths and sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi was named as a member of communication and strategy unit. Also named was a former governor of Cross River, Senator Liyel Imoke as deputy director-general, operations while former presidential aspirant, Taminu Turaki, (SAN) was named as deputy director-general, administration. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! According to the statement, the other directorates include contact and mobilisation, which is headed by the national organising secretary, Colonel Austin Akobundu (retd.); Youth, Udeh Okoye; women, Mariya Waziri; finance, Abdullahi MaiBasira; media and publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan. Earlier, Legit.ng had reported that Melaye had been appointed as the director incharge of civil societies and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and campaign spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The high-profile appointment was made by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the opposition party on Thursday, November 29. In response to the development, Melaye, on his official Twitter page, expressed gratitude to the party, assuring it of victory in the forthcoming 2019 general elections. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better. PDP's Magnificent 7 For 2019 Election | Legit TV Source: Legit Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are due to sit down for dinner at the end of a two-day gathering of world leaders in Buenos Aires. The first day of the G20 summit offered glimmers of hope for progress between Washington and Beijing despite Trump's earlier threat of new tariffs, which would increase tensions already weighing on global financial markets.(Photo: AFP) Buenos Aires: US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will wrap up a global summit today with high-stakes talks expected to determine whether they can begin defusing a damaging trade war between the world's two biggest economies. With the United States and China locked in growing disputes over commerce and security that have raised questions about the future of their relationship, Trump and Xi are due to sit down for dinner at the end of a two-day gathering of world leaders in Buenos Aires. The first day of the G20 summit offered glimmers of hope for progress between Washington and Beijing despite Trump's earlier threat of new tariffs, which would increase tensions already weighing on global financial markets. But on the eve of what is seen as the most important meeting of US and Chinese leaders in years, both sides said differences remained, and the outcome of the talks were uncertain. This year's summit has proved to be a major test for the Group of 20 industrialized nations, whose leaders first met in 2008 to help rescue the global economy from the worst financial crisis in seven decades. With a rise in nationalist sentiment in many countries, the G20, which accounts for two-thirds of the global population, faces doubts over its ability to deal with trade tensions and other geopolitical differences among. G20 nations were still struggling to agree on the wording for the summit's communique on major issues including trade, migration and climate change, which in past years have been worked out well in advance. Looming large at the summit is the trade fight between the United States and China, which have imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars on each other's imports after Trump began an effort to correct what he views as China's unfair commercial practices. With the trade war weighing on the global economy, world financial markets are hanging on every development and will be watching closely to see if any compromise can be struck between Trump and Xi. The meeting will also be a test of the personal chemistry between the two leaders, which Trump has hailed as a warm friendship. Another big unknown, however, may be Trump's personal unpredictability and his penchant for injecting drama into his appearances on the world stage. A deal would be good Trump was typically coy on Friday even as he noted some positive signs. "We're working very hard. If we could make a deal that would be good. I think they want to. I think we'd like to. We'll see," he said, speaking during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. A Chinese foreign ministry official in Buenos Aires said there were signs of increasing consensus ahead of the discussions but that differences persisted. Beijing hopes to persuade Trump to abandon plans to hike tariffs on USD 200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 per cent in January, from 10 per cent at present. Trump has threatened to go ahead with that and possibly add tariffs on USD 267 billion of imports if there is no progress in the talks. Trump has long railed against China's trade surplus with the United States and Washington accuses Beijing of not playing fairly on trade. China calls the United States protectionist and has resisted what it views as attempts to intimidate it. The two countries are also at odds militarily over China's extensive claims in the South China Sea and US warship movements through the highly sensitive Taiwan Strait. Xi and leaders from the BRICS group of leading emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - called in a statement on Friday for open international trade and a strengthening of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Trump cited Russia's seizure of Ukrainian ships last week as the reason he canceled a planned bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the summit also raised an awkward dilemma for leaders, and Saudi Arabia's de facto leader cut a lonely figure standing at the edge of the G20 family photo on Friday. Prince Mohammed arrived under swirling controversy over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Saudi Arabia has said the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder. Human Rights Watch asked Argentine prosecutors to investigate him for human rights abuses. - The office of Nigeria's attorney-general Malami has written another letter to the police clearing Saraki of wrongdoing - Malami says the police did not have enough evidence to directly implicate Saraki and put him on trial and advises that only suspects apprehended should be put on trial - The attorney-general also demanded that the case should be returned to the Kwara state judiciary for prosecution rather than the trial being held in Abuja as preferred by the police The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami has again exonerated Nigerian Senate's president Bukola Saraki from any wrongdoing in the recent armed robbery case in Offa, Kwara state, Premium Times. Malami was said to have written a second letter to the Inspector-General of police Ibrahim Idris to tell him that there is not enough evidence to put Saraki on trial for his alleged part in the deadly robbery incident that saw loss of several police and civilian lives. READ ALSO: 2019: Obiano under fire for supporting Buhari According to the report, Malamis office sent a fresh legal advice to IG Idris on Friday, June 29, in which it strongly recommended that Saraki should not be identified as a suspect in the robbery case due to lack of evidence. The attorney-generals office said only prime suspects who took part in the robbery should be charged to court for armed robbery and murder and it also ordered that the case should be returned to Kwara State for prosecution. The second letter was prepared for the attorney-general by Mohammed Etsu, the federal director of public prosecution, who also wrote the first for him on June 22. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that five robbery suspects who allegedly took part in the Offa, Kwara state bank robbery on April 5, which led to the death of several people including nine policemen on Thursday, November 29, pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge preferred against them by the prosecution at a Kwara state high court sitting in Ilorin. The five accused persons brought before the court were Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salaudeen Azeez and Niyi Ogundiran. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng gathered that the prosecution charged the accused persons with alleged conspiracy, armed robbery, murder, culpable homic.ide and illegal possession of arms and ammunition. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng upgrades to serve you better Nigeria News: Offa Bank Robbery - The Untold Story (LEGIT EXCLUSIVE) - on Legit TV Source: Legit Nigeria - The Taiwanese government says it is interested in investing in Imo state - The country's promise is however tied to political considerations in the southeast state - Taiwan Head of Mission in Nigeria, Vincent Yang, says partnership will come to fruition depending on who emerges governor The Taiwanese government, through its Head of Mission in Nigeria, Vincent Yang, says it is interested in investing in Imo state. The diplomat's promise, however, seems to be tied to some political considerations in the southeast state. Yang during a courtesy call on the United Progressive Party (UPP) Imo governorship candidate; Honourable Tony Nwulu, on Saturday, December 1, said his country is ready to partner the lawmaker if he emerges governor in 2019. He said based on the track records of the federal lawmaker, the Taiwanese government will not hesitate to partner with Imo state by rolling in huge investments in the state. Honourable Nwulu and Vincent Yang discussing mutual areas of interest during the visit. Photo credit: UPP Source: Facebook PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app In his remarks, Honourable Nwulu, who represents Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency in Lagos state in the House of Representatives, but hails from Ezinihitte Mbaise in Imo state, highlighted the impressive role Taiwan has played in shaping the global economy, recalling how it emerged as one of the "Asian Tigers" that brought economic boom in Asia. He said there is need for Imo state to tap into the boundless economic benefits provided by Taiwan. He said if elected governor of Imo state, the UPP-led government, will engage Taiwan as a crucial partner that will invest in key sectors of the Imo economy. Honourable Nwulu who presented a document outlining his vision and plans for Imo state, told the Taiwanese Head of Mission in Nigeria, that with the aid of the Taiwenese government, key sectors of the Imo economy such as agriculture, tourism and industrialization will be revived for the overall benefit of the people of Imo state and Taiwan. He expressed optimism that such investment will strengthen the relationship between the good people of Imo state and Taiwan. He said the people of Imo state and Taiwan are enterprising, stating that there is need to harness such qualities for the overall benefit of Imo people and Taiwan. Honourable Nwulu however expressed worry on the dwindling state of infrastructure of the state, stating that Imo has great potentials in agro allied, tourism and solid minerals which the Taiwanese government can invest in. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Honourable Nwulu recently declined to celebrate his 40th birthday due to current happenings in Imo state. The federal lawmaker said his turning 40, has rather put him in a sombre and melancholic state. I thank all my well wishers, friends, supporters and families, who had plans to make this day, a day worthy of note for me. Thank you for your concern, and goodwill, but I'll rather pray and reflect on what needs to be done to make Imo great again, a said in a statement sent to Legit.ng on Wednesday, November 14. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have updated to serve you better. Is President Buhari Really Doing Badly As Nigeria's Leader? - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV Source: Legit - The youths say they found the call by the Ohaneze elders suspicious and caution against it - The youths spoke through their national president Ifeanyi Igwe in the group Igbo for Nigeria Movement - The group says the Ohaneze elders do not have the right to call for removal of service chiefs especially with their efforts in the ongoing war against Boko Haram in northeast Igbo elders in the Ohaneze Ndigbo group have come under fire from southeast youths over their call for removal of Nigerias service chiefs. The youths under the umbrella of Igbo for Nigeria Movement said the elders call was a deliberate attempt to distract the Nigerian military in its efforts at destroying remnants of Boko Haram terrorist in the northeast. READ ALSO: 2019: Obiano under fire for supporting Buhari The group made its claim in a statement issued by its national president Mazi Ifeanyi Igwe. The press release read in part: The call for the sack of the service chiefs is not only baseless; it was done in poor taste and with sinister motives. it is therefore consequent to state that since 2015, the business of kidnapping for ransom had been reduced to its barest minimum due to the presence of military personnel carrying out military operations in many parts of the country including the South East region. The Ohaneze Elders should be wary of been used as a conduit by some overzealous Igbo officers to advance their agenda for personal gains. Instead, it should dwell on promoting the unity of Nigeria READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda The Igbo for Nigeria Movement is in the know of the plot and wishes to advise members of the unsuspecting public of the plot orchestrated by some overzealous Igbo Officers in the military who are bent in whipping up ethnic sentiments in the buildup to the general elections. We at this moment wish to inform the Ohaneze Elders that such calls are not within their purview and as such, they should concern themselves with the business of their socio-cultural activities. We wish to state in empathic terms that the call for the sack of service chief is at best the hands of Esau and the voice of Jacob, and as such, it should be disregarded by the relevant political authorities. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigerias #1 news app In a separate event, Legit.ng reported that Ohaneze Youth Council on Tuesday, November 27, reportedly urged the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) to state in clear terms the number of terms he intends to spend if elected in the 2019 general elections. The youth group in a statement by its secretary general, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said Atikus six years master plan is suspicious as it seems like a ploy by the PDP candidate to go for a second tenure. The youths argued that the presidency is supposed to be given to the southeast in 2023 adding that Atiku may not get southeasts votes if he does not make a pledge to go for only one tenure. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng upgrades to serve you better Top 5 coolest facts about the Igbo people - on Legit TV Source: Legit Nigeria - The Nigerian police said the traditional ruler of a community in Zamfara is currently on the run - The ruler, who has been declared wanted, fled after he was linked with bandits in the community - He and his collaborators collected N10 million ransom from kidnapped victims Zamfara state government has declared wanted the district head of Ruwan Jema in Bukkuyum local government area, Alhaji Mohammed Sani, saying he has been on the run for months now. Speaking at a press briefing in Gusau on Friday, the state commissioner of local governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bello Dankande said the traditional ruler was implicated in the onslaught of innocent citizens by bandits in the state. According to him, investigations had proved that the district head was among the traditional rulers who refused to heed to several warnings by the state government on traditional rulers not to mingle with the bandits. READ ALSO: Breaking: OPC founder Frederick Fasheun dies in Lagos He explained that the district head abandoned his royal house and his subjects for over three months when he learned that security operatives were planning to pick and question him over his involvement with the bandits, NAN reports. The commissioner noted that a drag net had already been spread to arrest the district head. Similarly, the commissioner said the village head of Gurbin Bore in Zurmi local government area, Alhaji Bello Magaji had been confirmed to have participated in the kidnap of seven family members of the states Commissioner of Youth, Alhaji Abdullahi Gurbin Bore. He said that the village head and his collaborators collected N10 million ransom before releasing their victims after two weeks in captivity. Dankande explained that in the course of investigation, it was discovered that the village head fell apart with his fellow kidnappers who only gave him N800, 000 instead of the agreed 10 per cent of the total sum which is N1 million. The village head had also been removed from his position and would be prosecuted in a court of law along with six other traditional rulers accused of the same offence. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app The commissioner said the state government in collaboration with security agencies were still investigating some traditional rulers suspected of banditry and if found guilty would be removed and prosecuted. The state government thanked the general public in the state for supporting security agencies with information leading to the arrest of bandits and dislodgement of their hideouts, he added. Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigeria Police Force on Friday, November 30, declared that it has killed 104 armed bandits during an attack on Mahanga forest in Birnin Mogaji local government area of Zamfara state. A statement by the force spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, in Abuja said 50 hideouts in three camps belonging to the bandits were also destroyed. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better. Lagos Police Commissioner Parades Suspected Criminals (Nigeria News) | Legit TV: Source: Legit.ng - Former president Jonathan says he will meet with incumbent Buhari because of face-off between Nigerian Army and River state government over alleged training of militias - Jonathan notes that having neighbourhood watch for local security in a state is important - He recalls how the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) helped in the war against Boko Haram insurgents under his administration President Muhammadu Buhari and former Nigerian leader Goodluck Jonathan are set to meet over the disagreement between the Nigerian Army and the Rivers state government. Channels reports that Jonathan announced on Saturday, December 1 in Port Harcourt that he would meet with President Buhari to discuss over the face-off between the two sides. READ ALSO: 2019: Obiano faces criticism for supporting Buhari Jonathan said this during a condolence visit to Governor Nyesom Wike on the recent collapse of a 7-storey building where nine people died. He said: I have realised that without the locals you cannot succeed in terms of managing security anywhere in Nigeria. When I was the President, you would have heard about the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). When the Boko Haram (attacks) came to a point, we needed some locals to support the army. Yes, some died in the process, but it helped so much. So I will take it up with Mr President and if there is anything we could do because its always good for volunteers (young men) to help the state work with the security services. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda From my experience as a former Deputy Governor and Governor of Bayelsa State and as much as I know Rivers State, if we dont have that cooperation between our volunteers working with the security services, we will not be able to manage the security challenges of these states. Legit.ng had reported that the Joint Military Task Force on Thursday, November 29, stormed the training camp of about 3,000 new recruits of controversial Rivers state neighborhood and safety watch at Nonwa, Tai local government area of the state. Our reporter in Port Harcourt, Tony Ihunwo, reported that an eyewitness said some soldiers who drove into the camp, which is also used by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), asked the new recruits to vacate the camp immediately. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app It would be recalled that the controversial civilian outfit though backed by the Rivers state House of Assembly has been a subject of litigation at court, debates, accusations and counter accusations between the members of the two major political parties - the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng upgrades to serve you better Can Nigerian Soldiers really not deal with Boko Haram fighters? - on Legit TV Source: Legit The act of robbery in Nigeria takes different dimensions. One thing most robbers have in common, though, is that boldness to take down a person's house and raid it till there is no one drop of valuable item left. It has, however, been shown over time that boldness pass boldness. A Nigerian family recently experienced a set of robbers who demonstrated boldness at its extremity. These men of the night has gone to operate at a house at a three bedroom flat in Grace Estate, in Iyesi area of Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State. Normally, they had expected the residents to be at home but to their disappointment, they were away from the house at the time. Due to the fact that the building was empty at the time of their arrival, the robbers had to break in through the ceiling of an adjoining flat. In the absence of the owners of the house, these robbers had made themselves comfortable by stealing electronic devices that were in the living room. READ ALSO: Offa robbery: 5 suspects arraigned in Ilorin, plead not guilty But then, they could not go beyond the sitting room into the other more 'loaded' rooms. They tried to break in but the doors of these other chambers were too strong to penetrate. This caused the robbers to be frustrated, and due to their frustration, they performed a strange act of boldness. They left a note for the house dwellers behind. PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data and get more Nigerian News with Legit.ng News App Within the note, the robbers has just this to say:We are coming back o !!! Goodluck. One can't be sure if this is a prayer or some sort of ill wish for the victims. Whatever the case, it was very evident that the robbers were planning to show their 'real face' again at the apartment. Robbers angered by victims' absence from home leave a note behind Source: Lovablevibes Source: UGC Mr Dare Ogunyombo spoke with The Nation concerning this matter. He disclosed that he had gone away with his family for a few days when the incident happened. He also revealed several details about what damage the robbers caused to his house: READ ALSO: Personal letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Legit.ng (former NAIJ.com) I noticed that they fruitlessly tried to force their way into my apartment through the main door to the building. They however broke the ceiling of the next flat and entered my apartment through the roof, while they carted away a satellite television decoder in the living room. They also made attempt to enter my room but the door was too strong for them to unlock or break. I guess they were in a hurry to rob and because they were frustrated, they left a note on the table threatening to come back for me and my family. PAY ATTENTION: Love, relationship, marriage on Africa Love Aid This very strange case has been reported to the Obasanjo Farm Police Division. Also, the spokesman of Ogun State Police Command Abimbola Oyeyemi has weighed in on the issue by saying that he would sooner or later reveal further details about the incident. In the meanwhile, a robber who was toying around with a toy gun while trying to rob a woman in Ojota, Lagos. The 'fake' thief was nabbed by the police and his case is due for investigation soon. Great News! NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better Nigeria News Today: SS2 Student Arrested, Paraded by the Police Wants to Become an Engineer - Legit TV Source: Legit - President Buhari recalls Faseun's contributions to Nigeria's political development both under military and civilian governments - He commiserates with Ondo state government and people and the family of late Faseun on the huge loss - Tinubu says Faseun is a hero of democracy and his family must not let his legacies go to waste President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the Yoruba nation following the death of the founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasehun in the early hours of Saturday, December 1. President Buhari sent a condolence message through his spokesman Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Saturday. The president also condoled with the family of the late medical practitioner and the government and people of Ondo state. READ ALSO: Jonathan, Buhari to meet over Nigerian Army, Rivers feud News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Buhari recalled the prominent role Fasehun played as a member of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which campaigned against military rule in the country. The President prayed that almighty God would comfort all those who mourned the octogenarian and grant peace to his soul. In his own tribute, All Progressives Congress national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in a statement signed by his media officer Tunde Rahman, described late Fasehun "as a renowned pro-democracy and good governance activist, committed democrat, tested political player and Yoruba nationalist who left behind fine legacies". Tinubu charged the Fasehun family and other associates of the late leader not to allow his fine legacies to die. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Like Buhari, Tinubu saluted Faseun's 'war' with past military governments in Nigeria, his sympathy for the Alliance for Democracy and his undying love for Lagos state despite coming from Ondo. He was an extremely humble and modest man. I will miss him dearly. The Southwest, particularly Lagos and Ondo states, will miss him. Nigeria will miss him also. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigerias #1 news app I commiserate with the government and people of Ondo State. My sympathy and condolences particularly go to the Fasehun family at this moment. I hope and pray that God Almighty imbue them with the courage and strength to carry on. I enjoin them to continue with the fine legacies left behind by Baba. May Almighty grant Baba eternal rest, Tinubu added. Legit.ng had reported earlier today, December 1 that Frederick Fasheun, the founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), passed away after a brief illness. Fasheun, who had long been on sick bed, died around 1am on Saturday, December 1 at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja. Fasheun, a doctor from Ondo state, was 83 as at the tie of his death. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng upgrades to serve you better Gani Adams reveals truth about burning house with egg, admits to pressure as Aare Onakakanfo - on Legit TV Source: Legit The Peoples Democratic Party's presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has denied report that he had travelled to the United States of America. A report in The Cable had claimed that presidential candidate of the main opposition had reportedly been granted a United States visa. However, in a reaction, Atiku media aide Paul Ibe who spoke to Leadership denied reports he had travelled to the US but added the politician had gone on a private visit to the United Kingdom. He said Atiku is back and preparing for his campaign which starts on Monday December 3 in Sokoto state. According to an earlier report which appeared in The Cable on Saturday, December 1, Atiku was said to have recently got the visa and is expected to travel to the United States of America. The report which quoted a family source had confirmed the acquisition of the visa but said he has yet to travel to the US. READ ALSO: Jonathan, Buhari to meet over Nigerian Army, Rivers feud Atiku was reported to have left for the United Kingdom where he reportedly would be for some time before his purported US visit. While the report of US visit was denied by Paul Ibe, he did corroborate the UK visit but added it was a private visit. He further confirmed that Atiku was since back to the country for his campaign in Sokoto state. Former president Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku's one-time boss was alleged to have played a big role in getting the US to grant Atiku the said visa. While the reports of Atiku's UK-US travel is still the subject of controversy, secrecy and intrigues, Legit.ng could not immediately independently verify the authenticity of the report until the latest denial. However, the report comes just days after the federal government of Nigeria told the US to be cautious in granting visa to Atiku Abubakar, in order not to create the impression of endorsing him for the 2019 election. The minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, had gaven the government's position at an interactive session with media executives in Abuja on Thursday, November 29. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Mohammed said that the government was aware of the move by the former vice president to lobby the US to lift the visa ban imposed on him. Atiku's camp had been confident of him getting the visa. Recall Legit.ng reported that former senior special assistant on public affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, revealed that Atiku Abubakar would be travelling to the United States of America by the end of November. Okupe, who is a former spokesperson to former president Olusegun Obasanjo, disclosed this on his Twitter page on Sunday, November 4. Not long ago, Legit.ng also reported that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) alleged that former president Obasanjo was working on how to get an American visa for Atiku. The party said in a statement signed by its acting national spokesman Yekini Nabena on Saturday, October 13 that it has information that Obasanjo is trying to get the US to lift Atiku's entry ban into that country. The APC said Obasanjo's move to help Atiku enter the US where he is allegedly banned from entering because of a purported corruption case, is evidence of the former president's hypocrisy. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Atiku, the presidential candidate of the PDP and a former vice president of Nigeria for eight years on the same political platform between 1999 and 2007 has been involved in a controversy over his inability to go to the United States. Atiku was reportedly indicted in a corruption case that involved one of his wives Jennifer and some transaction with his American University of Nigeria in Yola, Adamwa state. Although FBI searches of his property in the US did not turn up anything suspicious, he was said to have been issued a travel ban to the US and the matter has since hung over his political career. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better OBJ Endorsement Of Atiku; Sign Of Good Tidings? - Nigeria Street Gist - on Legit TV Source: Legit An adult male rider on a mobility scooter was taken to the hospital in critical condition after being hit by two vehicles Friday night in Allentown, city police said. The rider, whom police did not immediately identify, was in a westbound travel lane in the 500 block of Hanover Avenue just before 6 p.m. when the collisions occurred, according to police Capt. James Keiser. The victim was hit by one vehicle, which pushed him into the path of a U.S. Postal Service delivery vehicle that also struck him, police said. Both drivers remained on scene and cooperated with investigators, Keiser said. An ambulance rushed the victim for treatment. There was no update on his condition available Saturday morning. Police shut down the busy four-lane road in the area of the crash for several hours to collect evidence and reconstruct what had happened. Authorities were continuing to investigate the crash, and no charges were pending as of Saturday, police said. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Six people were taken into custody before dawn on Saturday as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies entered four Easton area homes in a coordinated series of raids, city police report. A man and a woman in a townhouse on Olde Penn Drive in Palmer Township were picked up on federal arrest warrants but city police Lt. Matthew Gerould didnt say for what crimes the warrants were issued nor did he identify the suspects, citing the need not to compromise the ongoing investigation. The man was taken out first in handcuffs but the womans exit was delayed for some time until another woman arrived to take the four children, who ranged in ages from toddler to high school student, from the three-story brick home in the suburban Penns Grant development. Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. later said on Facebook that the raid took a major cocaine dealer off the streets. Authorities have not confirmed that assessment. The Easton police Vice Unit and the FBI headed the investigation into all the locations and were in charge at the Palmer Township scene. The operation was part of the Lehigh Valley Safe Streets Task Force, an FBI spokeswoman said later. Court papers were sealed by a judge dealing with the two arrests in Palmer, the spokeswoman said. They will likely be unsealed Monday during their arraignments before federal Judge Henry S. Perkin in Allentown, she said. Easton police Chief Carl Scalzo, without speaking specifically about the task force, said city officers have been involved in task force operations with the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration for a number of years. The FBI lists a Lehigh Valley Violent Gang Task Force and a Safe Streets Violent Drug Gang Task Force on its website. Four people at other locations in Easton were arrested on state charges, Gerould said. All the addresses -- located on Olde Penn Drive, the 200 block of Orchard Street, the 1000 block of West Wilkes-Barre Street and 100 block of South 12th Street -- are part of the same investigation and a federal search warrant was served at each location, Gerould said. At 8:30 a.m., authorities were still searching the Olde Penn and the South 12th Street addresses, but the other two by 9 a.m. showed no signs of police activity. It wasnt immediately clear where the man and woman arrested in Palmer would be held, but Lehigh County Jail is in Allentown. There isnt a federal prison in the Lehigh Valley. Northampton County records indicate the homeowner doesnt live at that address, so the residents were likely renters. At 8:30 a.m., authorities were still searching the Olde Penn and the South 12th Street addresses, but the other two by 9 a.m. showed no signs of police activity. The Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team assisted in the operations on Saturday morning and Palmer Township police were assisting on Olde Penn Drive. Gerould didnt say what evidence, if any, was recovered. FBI techs as well as Easton special response and vice officers wearing purple gloves were working the scene at the Palmer Township address. Neighbors came outside for a time after a chilly sunrise on a cloudy morning on Olde Penn Drive, some saying the police action just after 6 a.m. was unusual for the quiet neighborhood but others pointed to difficulties down nearby Freedom Terrace, where city police have been on more than one occasion. Neighbors said the man and woman at 9 Olde Penn hadnt been a problem in the past and most spoke about seeing the children but not being sure how many there were. The mayor and Administrator Luis Campos were at the scene in Palmer to support police, Panto said. Because it is a major operation to get drugs off the street, Panto said. Organizations such as the FBI, state police and other local departments like to team up with Easton police because they are so easy to work with, so efficient, Panto said. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. George W Bush called his father a 'man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for,' in a statement. 'America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude,' former President Barack Obama said. (Photo: AP) Washington: George H W Bush -- the upper-crust war hero-turned-oilman and diplomat who steered America through the end of the Cold War as president and led a political dynasty that saw his son win the White House -- died on Friday. He was 94. George W Bush called his father a "man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," in a statement announcing his death. "The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens." Bush's passing comes just months after the death in April of his wife and revered first lady Barbara Bush -- his "most beloved woman in the world" -- to whom he was married for 73 years. The 41st American president was a foreign policy realist who navigated the turbulent but largely peaceful fall of the Soviet Union in 1989 and assembled an unprecedented coalition to defeat Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein two years later. But the decorated war pilot and former CIA chief suffered the ignominy of being a one-term president, denied a second term over a weak economy when he lost the 1992 election to upstart Democrat Bill Clinton. His favouring of stability and international consensus stands in sharp contrast to the provocative bluster of fellow Republican and current White House occupant Donald Trump, a man whom Bush did not vote for in 2016. Bush presided over economic malaise at home, and infuriated his fellow Republicans during a budget battle with rival Democrats by famously breaking his vow: "Read my Lips: No new taxes." But he was the respected patriarch of a blue-blood political dynasty -- son George spent eight years in the White House, and son Jeb served as governor of Florida. At the time of his death, Bush was the American president to have lived the longest. Jimmy Carter was born a few months later, so he could quickly reset the record. "America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude," former president Barack Obama said in a statement. George H W Bush was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty -- the son of Prescott Bush, a successful banker and US senator for Connecticut. Bush had a pampered upbringing and attended the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover, but delayed his acceptance to Yale in order to enlist in the US Navy on his 18th birthday and head off to war. He flew 58 combat missions during World War II. Shot down over the Pacific by Japanese anti-aircraft fire, he parachuted out and was rescued by a submarine after huddling in a life raft for four hours while enemy forces circled. Bush married Barbara Pierce in January 1945, shortly before the war ended, and the couple went on to have six children, including one, Robin, who died as a child. Instead of joining his father in banking upon graduation from Yale University, Bush headed to bleak west Texas to break into the rough-and-tumble oil business. He surprised many with his success, and by 1958 had settled in Houston as president of an offshore drilling company. In the 1960s, Bush, now independently wealthy, turned to politics. He was a local Republican Party chairman, and in 1966 won a seat in the US House of Representatives. He served there until 1970, when he lost a bid for the Senate. Over the next decade, he held several high-level posts that took him and Barbara around the world: head of the Republican National Committee, US ambassador to the United Nations, envoy to China and director of the Central Intelligence Agency, where he was praised for restoring morale after revelations of widespread illegal activity. He served as vice president to Ronald Reagan after losing to him in the 1980 Republican primary, an eight-year period of hands-on training for the top post he would go on to win by a solid margin in 1988, as the Cold War was coming to an end. In a major test of the post-Cold War order, Saddam's million-man army invaded Kuwait in 1990 and looked set to roll into Saudi Arabia, which would have given the Iraqi strongman more than 40 percent of the world's oil reserves. Bush famously vowed: "This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait." He assembled a coalition of 32 nations to drive Iraqi forces out in a matter of weeks with a lightning air and ground assault. Some 425,000 US troops backed by 118,000 allied soldiers took part in Operation Desert Storm, decimating Saddam's military machine without ousting him from power -- a task that would be accomplished 12 years later by Bush's son. Buoyed by his victory in the Gulf, Bush and his hard-nosed and widely respected secretary of state James Baker cobbled together the 1991 Madrid Conference to launch the Arab-Israeli peace process. The conference was mainly symbolic, but it set the stage for the Oslo Accords two years later. In late 1989, Bush sent US troops to Panama to oust strongman Manuel Noriega. He also set the groundwork for the North American Free Trade Agreement. Domestically, however, the economy stalled and Bush broke his pledge not to raise taxes in order to reach a budget deal with Democrats -- a cardinal sin in the eyes of Republicans. In 1992, Bush lost his re-election bid to Clinton -- whose aide coined the now famous slogan "It's the economy, stupid" -- as eccentric third-party candidate Ross Perot syphoned off conservative votes. A founding member of the hip-hop collective A$AP Mob who is also in charge of the clothing company Vlone was arrested early Thursday on drug charges in Palmer Township, police confirm. The arrest was reported earlier by TMZ. Jabari H. Shelton, also known as A$AP Bari, 26, of New York City, was in a Mercedes with two other people that was pulled over by a township officer just past midnight after the car went south in the northbound lanes of Nazareth Road (Route 248) between Sales and Northampton streets, township Detective Jim Alercia said. During the vehicle stop, officers detected an odor of marijuana from the vehicle, Alercia said. After a search warrant was obtained, police recovered 24 canisters of marijuana in the car that were vacuum sealed for delivery, Alercia said. Additional marijuana was found during a strip search on Asap Bari Shelton, Alercia said. A$AP Mob co-founder A$AP Bari ARRESTED Posted by TMZ on Friday, November 30, 2018 Shelton was arraigned at 4:30 p.m. Thursday before District Judge Jacqueline Taschner on charges of possession with intent to deliver drugs, conspiracy to possess drugs with the intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance (two counts) and possession of drug paraphernalia, records show. He was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of 10 percent of $25,000 bail, records show. A $25,000 bond was posted Friday and Shelton was released, records show. His preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled 9 a.m. Dec. 13 in Taschners court. Court papers didnt list an attorney for Shelton and various websites that feature him or his products didnt have contact outlets. Also charged Thursday after the traffic stop were Ryan T. Mulry, 29, of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, and Isiah Owen McLaurin, 21, of Yonkers, New York, records show. Mulry was arraigned before Taschner on charges of conspiracy to possess drugs with the intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, records show. He was freed Friday when his bail was changed from 10 percent of $25,000 to unsecured $25,000, records show. McLaurin was arraigned before Taschner on charges of conspiracy to possess drugs with the intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, identity theft and driving while suspended, records show. He was freed when bond equalling 10 percent of $25,000 was posted on Friday. Their preliminary hearings are tentatively scheduled for the same time as Sheltons in Taschners court. If you want to learn more about A$AP Mob, A$AP Bari or the Vlone line, Mass Appeal interviewed Shelton in 2014. Alercia said Vlone designs clothing for Kayne West. Township police, linking to the TMZ story at 9 p.m. Friday, added on Facebook, Great work by the Officers of "C" platoon, Palmer K-9 unit, and criminal/vice detectives on a team investigation which resulted in the arrest of three individuals, which included identity theft as well as narcotics distribution. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. An insistence that data information control laws are not blocking community CCTV schemes has 'changed nothing' in relation to solving the issues holding back schemes in Laois, according to the county's chief executive. However, Laois TD and Minister for Justice & Equality, Charlie Flanagan, welcomed the guidance issued by the Office of the Data Protection Commission in relation to data protection and community-based CCTV. The Data Protection Commission Office moved in recent days to insist that the General Data Protection Regulation does not introduce new barriers. Minister Flanagan believes this clarifies matters. The guidance issued by the Data Protection Commissioners Office in relation to data protection and community CCTV is very welcome. It should assist in clarifying queries or concerns which communities and local authorities may have had; and provide further reassurance to them that community CCTV schemes, when duly authorised, have a clear legal basis. I am confident that local authorities will also be reassured by this confirmation that they are not required, as a result of their role as data controller, to monitor CCTV live feeds on a continuous basis. This has a real and very concrete impact on how local authorities carry out their role in relation to community CCTV, he said. A number of community schemes are held up in Laois where thousands of Euro have been raised to erect cameras. However, to proceed, Laois County Council must agree to be the 'data controller'. Laois County Council chief executive John Mulholland has gone on record on a number of occasions saying it was not in a position to fulfil such a role. He has pointed to legal issues and resources among the reasons for not taking on data management responsibilities. He told the Leinster Expres that the statement by the Data Protection offices changes nothing. "The statement by the Data Protection Commission does not, in fact, change anything. The local authority remains in dialogue with An Garda Saochana and other stakeholders as to a solution to the current impasse," he said. The Data Protection Commission statement said data protection legislation does not stand in the way of the roll-out of Community-based CCTV schemes that have been authorised by the Garda Commissioner. Once the local authority is willing to take on and deliver on its responsibilities as a data controller for the schemes concerned, there is no legal impediment under data protection legislation to the scheme commencing. Grants are available from the Department of Justice and Equality for community-based CCTV systems in their local areas. Eligible groups can apply for grant-aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up to a maximum total of 40,000. Such grants cannot be paid unless the local authority agrees to be the Data Controller and the schemes are authorised by the Garda Commissioner. Minister Flanagan said he has heard from many groups of their desire for CCTV in their local areas and urged them to apply. "I know the sense of security that it can bring to many communities. Responding to this demand, the Government has made significant funding available to assist groups wishing to establish community CCTV in their areas. The grant aid scheme administered by my Department is intended to run for 3 years, with 1million available each year. I would urge all interested groups, whether community groups or local authorities, to contact my Department if they wish to avail of the grant funding available, he said. Full details of how the scheme works are available at Department of Justice and Equality www.justice.ie and support and guidance is available to help interested groups through a dedicated email address communitycctv@justice.ie Families in Celbridge and Straffan, who had relations killed in World War 1 held a special commemoration day in Celbridge recently. Hundreds of school students at Salesian College and local families attended the unveiling of a memorial to their dead relatives in the 1914- 1918 conflict. Organised by Salesian history teacher, Kieran McManmon, a lot of work went into the event, which was attended by members of the Irish Defence Forces. Mr McManmon said; over the past few years, as part of school tours with students, I have visited several war graves in Europe. The age of those buried there, some as young as 16, has always stayed with me, they were known as the boy soldiers. They make you think of all the lost dreams and lives unfulfilled. All of you young men here today, have dreams for your own lives, to do well in exams, go to college, find work you enjoy, to meet someone special, to marry, have families. We wish this for all of you. The men we remember and honour here today had no opportunity to realise any of their hopes or ambitions. Among the attendance was Tony Leech and members of his family. His grandfather, James Leech, was a porter in the local Celbridge Union at the time. Tony believes that at the time the authorities were less likely to give jobs to those able to go to the front and he told us of a advertisement in the Leinster Leader in 1915, seeking a temporary replacement for his grandfather. I suspect there was a lot of coercion, said Tony of the recruitment campaign. Tony and his five brothers travelled for the 100th anniversary of the dead in the 3rd battle of Ypres in July 2017. Mr McManmon said that around 200,000 Irish people signed up to fight and over 30,000 were killed, including 44 from the parish of Celbridge and Straffan. The history teacher quoted one soldier after the war as saying: Irrespective of the uniform we were all victims. Maynooth resident, Willie Cusker, was in attendance with members of his family. His great uncle, George McGann, is buried in Celbridge graveyard. Dara and Eoin Killeen, students at Salesian College recalled their great uncle, James Glennon, died during the conflict. Teacher, Siobhan Sheehan, read from the Laurence Binyon poem, For the Fallen. Teacher, Sarah Standing, and students from Salesians, prepared war related art works. The road closed to facilitate repairs to a wall near the Leinster Aqueduct on the outskirts of Naas is to reopen soon. The wall was originally damaged about a year ago and then a second time after it was repaired and reopened earlier this year (pictured below). It is understood that the initial damage was caused by a passing truck and a tractor and trailer was involved in the second collision. It prompted calls from some politicians for vehicles other than cars to be banned from using the route between Digby Bridge and Osberstown. According to Kildare County Council engineer David Reel bridge and road repairs have been carried out. He told a Naas Municipal District meeting on Tuesday last that the route will reopen before the end of this year. Waterways Ireland was also involved in the repair project. The aqueduct carries the Grand Canal over the River Liffey. SEE ALSO: Temporary road crossing approved for Kill following massive local campaign Scoil Mhuire Junior and Senior Schools at Ballymany, Newbridge will celebrate the opening of a new Special Educational Needs Unit in the presence of Bishop Denis Nulty on Friday, November 30 at 11am. This shared co-operative vision on the Scoil Mhuire campus has been devised to accommadate the needs of a rapidly diverse and expanding pupil population and will support pupils and parents in developing their full potential and to use their diverse talents. This state-of-the-art, 2.2 millon extension was funded through the Department of Education and Skills and includes a new Special Educational Needs Facility, containing classes for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, as well as outdoor/indoor play areas for pupils with additional sensory needs and four rooms for pupils in receipt of Learning Support for pupils from both schools. The Home School Community Liaison Scheme and School Completion Scheme is an integral part of the DEIS initiative in both schools. This targeted intervention aimed at addressing educational disadvantage is underpinned by a shared vision that best practice education revolves around the partnership between child, home, school and the wider community, said Gerry King, principal of Scoil Mhuire Senior. The the inclusion of a new Parents Room and Homework Club highlights the commitment of both schools in making a conscious effort to involve parents as much as possible in order to maximise effective learning and help children reach their full potential. All children from both schools have been busy practising the song Cant stop the feeling by Justin Timberlake for November 30 and Caitlin O Connor, principal of Scoil Mhuire Junior added that, They couldnt have picked a more perfect song! SEE ALSO: Concerns raised over plans for 180 residential units in Newbridge Members of the Clane based Leinster Printmaking Studio now have links beyond both Kildare and Ireland. Recently members of the art project travelled to Bulgaria to show their work. They had just returned when they had to mark a date in the diary last Saturday week at the Kilcock Art Gallery for the opening of their 20th anniversary exhibition. The Studio, which has been supported by Kildare County Council Arts Services since it began, was founded by Margaret Becker, whose enthusiasm has been a key factor in its success. Twenty years after she left Dublin to live in Clane, Margaret set up the studio. That was in 1998. Today she works in both stained glass and printmaking. Amongst other things she extracted a stained glass window from Evie Hones long lost cartoon of the Deposition, which was recently installed in the Boys Chapel in Clongowes Wood College. Speaking to the Leader at the exhibtion launch about the LPS 20th anniversay, Margaret said: I think I am surprised it has lasted. There has been an enormous surge of new members. Brenda Brady, Kildare County Council, congratulated the members on behalf of herself and Arts Officer, Lucina Russell. Just recently, three members went to the Lessedra Gallery in Sophia, Bulgaria. They brought with them 50 prints from members of the Leinster Printmaking Studio. The exhibition is on show until December 8. Childrens Author Emma-Jane Leeson launched a special edition hardback version of her Johnny Magory stories at Barker and Jones, Naas, last Saturday. Some of the proceeds of the sale of each special edition will go to charity. The author from Prosperous met young readers and signed copies of The Adventures of Johnny Magory Collection. Emma-Jane, who has led the Clane St Patrick's Day parade, among other things, said proceeds from the sales of the book are going to CMRF Crumlin. The book retails at 16.99 and a donation of 1 from each book sale will go directly to CMRF Crumlin. Emma-Jane and her daughter Layla each have first-hand experience of Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. The author herself suffered from chronic asthma as a child and spent many lengthy stays in the hospital while her daughter, Layla was born with a cleft lip and has undergone surgery at the specialist Cleft Clinic in Our Ladys Childrens Hospital, Crumlin. She will require further surgery in time. The Johnny Magory series of books penned by Emma-Jane Leeson are based on the old Irish saying Ill tell you a story about Johnny Magory. Johnny Magory, the main character in the books, is just six years old and hes usually good, but sometimes bold! The book is available at all good bookshops or online at www.johnnymagory.com. Speaking of the launch Emma-Jane said I am very excited to launch this new publication in my home town of Naas and Im very grateful to the team at Barker and Jones for their goodwill and support. 1. The rapping Offaly farmer... In 2015, Kendrick Lamar met Marty Mone when Offaly's very own rapping farmer hit the screen. Fionn Dowling became a viral star and even released his own single after the show. 2. John Joe the horologist... In 2009, a young boy from Roscommon, John Joe Brennan, became the biggest Late Late Toy Show star of the hashtag age. From his insightful musings on Roald Dahl to his ambition to fix clocks, John Joe certainly captured the hearts of the nation. He was even invited back to a regular Late Late Show in the months that followed to show off some of his beloved clocks. 3. Joseph McCaul baffled by 'technical' toys... He would later rise to You're A Star and Eurovision fame on RTE, but before all that, Joseph McCaul appeared on the Late Late Toy Show as a young boy from Athlone baffled by the toys he was given. Asked about the electronic lab set he had played with, Joe admitted to not having the foggiest as to what it was all about. Having revealed the toy was designed for 10-year-olds, Joe gave the best reply when Pat asked, 'and what age are you then, Joe?' '12,' he replied and the crowd erupted in laughter. 4. The Toy Show's first Co-Host... In 2013, Cavan youngster Fergal Smith became a star as he was given the privilege of co-presenting the famous Toy Show alongside Ryan Tubridy. He arguably landed the spot during the best segment of the show, the bikes and trikes. After a few early nerves, Fergal hit his stride as he introduced each demonstrator, and kept his cool even when poor Billy nearly clocked himself off his scooter. 5. Little Danielle listing every county... In 2009, a four-year-old rolled onto the set and made us all feel very inadequate by rattling off all 32 counties without so much as a single flinch. Some adults would fumble trying this, be honest! 6. The Strypes get their start... In 2010, a bunch of fresh-faced lads from Cavan transported us back to the 60s with a swinging rendition of I Saw Her Standing There by the Beatles. The band went on to huge success before announcing their split in 2018. 7. Toby singing his heart out... Little Toby here got the shock of his life on the Toy Show back in 2003 when his powerful rendition of 'Jump' was rudely interrupted by Girls Aloud. Toby was far from impressed and after hitting every high note, he retreated into himself and refused kisses from the biggest girl band of the time. 8. The esteemed Junior Culchie of Ireland... A distinguished title in our book and an award well worth winning. Mark McSharry once again put Cavan on the Toy Show map in 2009 as he announced himself as the Junior Culchie of Ireland as if he was the King of Tory Island. And wouldn't you too if you held such a position!? 9. A very Dublin U2 review... In 1987, Gaybo was in his pomp and U2 fever was gripping the nation. So much so that Patricia Cullen was invited onto the Late Late Toy Show to give her very Dublin take on the band's gig in Croke Park in the summer of that year. "And Larry, I do be only rattling after that fella." Absolute Toy Show gold! 10. Noah and Leah melt our hearts... In 2015, Louth siblings Leah and Noah literally brought a tear to our eyes as they performed Titanium on the Late Late Toy Show. Leah and Noah's original video on YouTube had originally garnered over two million views. On this night in 2015, Noah, who has Downs Syndrome, and his big sister Leah were absolute stars. Leitrim students James Clancy and Justyna Twardock, were among the 125 students from across the island of Ireland awarded a 2018 All Ireland Scholarship last weekend, granting them full academic financial support for the duration of their third level studies by sponsor, JP McManus. Clancy from Lough Allen Community School and Twardock from Carrick-on-Shannon Community School were among the winners commended for their achievements at a ceremony in University of Limerick by guest of honour, Limerick Senior Hurling Manager John Kiely. Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell OConnor TD and the Permanent Secretary at the Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland, Noel Lavery presented the scholarship certificates to the students. Established in 2008, the scholarships are valued at 6,750 per annum in the Republic of Ireland and 5,500 in Northern Ireland and continue for the duration of the undergraduate programme chosen by each scholarship winner. Congratulating this years recipients, Minister for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell OConnor said; The 125 recipients of the All Ireland Scholarship deserve our heartiest congratulations. They are a credit to themselves, their school, their teachers and of course, their families. Their path to success through third level has been made smoother and they can face the challenges that await them with confidence. Sponsored by JP McManus, the educational scheme is awarded to a minimum of two high-achieving students from each of the 32 counties. This year, 50% of scholarship recipients in the Republic of Ireland scored 600 points or over in the Leaving Certificate. Mr. McManus said: To our successful scholars I offer heartiest congratulations. Their hard work and commitment has been rewarded and they will no doubt build on their success and continue to strive for excellence in their ongoing studies and future careers. It was wonderful to be joined by students, distinguished guests, by parents, principals and friends from across Ireland today as we celebrated the success of the young men and women who were recognised for their outstanding academic achievements. The programme is administered by the Department of Education & Skills and the Department for the Economy with support from the Department of Education, Northern Ireland. To date, 1,371 students have been awarded an All Ireland Scholarship. Previous Guests of Honour have included Irish Presidents Michael D. Higgins and Mary McAleese, 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, and sporting heroes AP McCoy, Paul OConnell and Martin ONeill. We're sorry that the ministry you were looking for is no longer available on LightSource.com. However, below are some great ministries that offer related content. Enjoy the inspiration, encouragement, and Biblical challenge from these LightSource.com ministry partners! There are currently no laws on how to treat or slaughter canines for meat in South Korea. A handout photo taken by US-based animal rights group the Humane Society shows the Taepyeong-dong dog slaughterhouse complex in Seongnam city, south of Seoul. (Photo: AFP) Seoul: South Korean officials on Thursday began to dismantle the countrys largest canine slaughterhouse complex, as animal rights activists push to end the custom of eating dog meat. About one million dogs are eaten a year in South Korea, often as a summertime delicacy with the greasy red meat invariably boiled for tenderness believed to increase energy. But the tradition has earned criticism abroad and has declined as the nation increasingly embraces the idea of dogs as pets instead of livestock, with eating them now something of a taboo among young South Koreans. The Taepyeong-dong complex in Seongnam city, south of Seoul, housed at least six dog slaughterhouses that could hold several hundred animals at a time, and was a major source for dog meat restaurants across the country. It will be cleared over two days and transformed into a public park, Seongnam city officials said. Slaughterhouse operators reportedly used the site for decades without proper authorisations, and after a years-long legal battle a Seoul court ruled the city council could force out the businesses. Animal rights campaigners slammed the operators for mistreating dogs and killing them cruelly, including electrocuting them before butchering them in the sight of other caged dogs. Activists found electrocution equipment in the complex and a pile of dead dogs abandoned on the floor when they visited the site on Thursday, according to US animal rights group Humane Society International. This is a historic moment, Korean Animal Rights Advocates (KARA) said in a blog post. It will open the door for more closures of dog meat slaughterhouses across the country, expediting the decline of the overall dog meat industry. According to a survey last year, 70 per cent of South Koreans do not eat dogs, but far fewer about 40 per cent believe the practice should be banned. It also found 65 per cent support raising and slaughtering dogs in more humane conditions. There are currently no laws on how to treat or slaughter canines for meat in South Korea. While farmers have urged Seoul to include dogs under livestock welfare regulations, animal rights groups oppose doing so, seeking complete abolition instead. ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Agency (EPA) inspectors attended Irish Cements plant in Mungret this week. It came on foot of reports given to Limerick Against Pollution (LAP), the main opposition group to its 10m plans, that there was alleged illegal burning of waste taking place on site. A spokesperson for the environmental regular confirmed that preliminary indications are the complaints have not been substantiated. And a spokesperson for the company has also confirmed that no unauthorised activities were taking place on site. We look forward to the publication of the EPA site visit report, they added. Tensions remain high between the company and many local residents, with almost 4,000 people registering their concern to the EPA over the companys plans, which would see the use of fossil fuels phased out in favour of solid recovered waste and used tyres. While there are concerns over pollutants, Irish Cement has always maintained the burning will take place at such a high temperature, the impact on the environment will be negligible. Tim Hourigan of LAP welcomed the fact that the EPA were quick to probe claims. He said: We had complaints from two different parties. We passed it to the EPA. We didnt claim to know. We said this is what we were told by two different people. But its good the EPA sent somebody so quickly. An EPA spokesperson said: A range of issues were investigated in detail. A report of the site visit is being prepared and will be issued in due course. A FESTIVE wreath workshop is to take place on Saturday December 8 in aid of Limerick homeless charity Novas. Irish Girl in Brooklyn, a new Limerick-based interior design company, is to host the workshop at Novas Head Office on OConnell Street. Irish Girl in Brooklyn specialises in homeware, interiors, and floral design. Christmas is all about giving and giving back, founder Amanda Sawyer said. We are glad to introduce the workshop with Novas. Novas is a voluntary organisation working with those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Novas is also an approved housing body. It promises to be a wonderfully festive occasion that will raise vital funds for our frontline services in the city, Novas head of policy Una Burns said. The event takes place from 10 am to 12:30 pm at the Novas Head Office, 87 OConnell Street, and costs 50, including Christmas treats and hot drinks. Each participant will take home a beautiful and unique wreath for the Christmas season. To reserve a place, please call 085 2254370 or call into Novas Head Office. Places are limited to 20, so pre-booking is essential. IN what has been a bonanza week for Limerick, with over 13m in government regeneration funds allocated to projects in the city and county, one of West Limericks landmark projects, the Great Southern Greenway, has been given a huge boost. Under the Rural Regeneration and Development scheme, 2.72m has been earmarked for major developments along the 40km greenway from Rathkeale to the Kerry border. And people will see that money put into action very quickly as work is expected to begin on the Barnagh underpass next Monday. The underpass at Barnagh however is just part of the upgrade planned for the greenway. The money will also finance the laying of a new, macadam surface along the length of the greenway, a re-alignment of the junction at Castlematrix, Rathkeale and a new access to the greenway at Ardagh. This new access will involve a long ramp, a new footpath linking the greenway to the Ardagh Community Centre and the installation of traffic lights at the bridge, making it single lane. The 2.72m spend is in addition to 500,000 allocated to the greenway under the Hinterland fund in 2017. The new funding has been hailed by Minister of State, Patrick ODonovan as a massive and historic investment in West Limerick. The money will be a game changer for the project, he said. The Great Southern Greenway offers massive potential from a tourism and recreational perspective. Our children and our grandchildren will be able to enjoy its rare beauty. Fine Gael TD Tom Neville said the regeneration money was transformative and would have a significant impact. I am extremely pleased to see this Government delivering on its promise to make sure that rural Ireland isnt left behind. This funding is intended to strengthen and develop our rural communities and develop smaller towns and villages. The chairman of Newcastle West Municipal District, Cllr John Sheahan also welcomed the funding for the greenway. We want to see value for money, he said. What I would like to see is stronger connectivity between the greenway and the towns and villages along the route. This weeks funding announcement means that the Barnagh Tunnel project, initially proposed last year, can now go ahead. The plan involves building an underpass at Barnagh which will re-instate the Barnagh Tunnel as part of the greenway. The tunnel was a key feature of the old railway line which is the backbone of the greenway but was cut off from the main greenway when the N21 was re-aligned some years ago. The underpass will be 24 metres long, three metres wide and almost three metres high and will have a slight gradient. The plan will also entail upgrading over a kilometre of trail passing by the Barnagh railway station and will allow walkers and cyclists to branch off onto this spur along a scenic stretch of the line, through the tunnel to the Barnagh viewing and picnic spot. Three projects in Co Limerick received funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Along with the Great Southern Greenway, 3.8m was allocated to Murroe Community Hub and 626,369 to Glenbrohane Local Hub bringing the total to 7.1m. In addition, the city has been allocate over 6m under the Urban Regeneration and Development Scheme. 3.49m is to be spent on three projects: the Opera Centre, OConnell St and the Digital District while 2.7m is to be spent on making further progress on four other projects including the Living Georgian Limerick project. These are projects, which are going to transform Limerick in the years to come, Mayor James Collins said, welcoming the funding. AN Bord Pleanala has given the go-ahead to Aughinish Alumina to begin blasting and extracting rock close to the mud ponds at the Askeaton plant. The decision has been described as reckless by veteran campaigner, Pat Geoghegan of the Cappagh Farmers Support Group who lodged an appeal, with An Bord Pleanala after Limerick City and County Council gave permission for the proposal to the company earlier this year. What this means is that the company can set explosives just meters from the existing mud ponds that store 50 million plus tonnes of toxic waste, Mr Geoghegan said this Wednesday. He also claimed that blasting will take place close to the gas line connecting Aughinish to the national grid. If the explosives breach any part of the embankment or the base of the mud ponds, he warned, you are looking at the destruction of the Shannon Estuary for decades to come, with the red toxic waste flowing straight from the ponds into the Shannon. Moreover, he added: This planning decision has taken no account of such an environmental disaster should it happen. And he pointed out that no separate financial bond or insurance bond had been demanded or put in place to cover such an eventuality. This could potentially expose the tax payer to millions of euro in damages and clean-up if an accident were to occur, he declared. He also claimed that permission to blast and extract rock would have a negative impact on those living close to the mud ponds and would further devalue their property. And he questioned what would happen when the rock had been extracted, to a maximum of 8.5 metres or over 26 feet.. The rock will then be used to heighten the embankments. Will this lead to the storing of even more toxic waste? he asked. And will the craters then be used for a third mud pond? He reiterated his concern that the red mud, when dried out, could blow on to farms and the wider community. Earlier this year, An Bord Pleanala refused to hold an oral hearing on the Aughinish proposal, which was requested by the Cappagh Farmers Support Group and supported by 1000 signatures and by Limerick Against Pollution. On November 13, the board granted permission for a borrow pit to be developed over 4.5 hectares of a seven hectare site for the blasting and extraction of 374 cubic metres of rock over ten years. But the permission comes with certain conditions including that blasting takes place between April and September and an undisclosed sum be paid in development levies to Limerick City and County Council before work can begin. In making its decision, the board said it had carried out an Environmental Impact Assessment and considered emissions to air, including dust, noise and vibration, setting out particular steps to mitigate these. If these are adhered to, the board stated, the effects on the environment would be acceptable. The company, An Bord Pleanala also stipulated, is required to seek a review of its Industrial Emissions Licence, which specifies limits and the EPA will carry out monitoring of this. A request for clarification and comment from Aughinish Alumina remained unanswered. A grand staircase erected in an English hospital in memory of a heroic Irish fighter pilot who died in World War 1 has been dismantled and returned to his hometown of Limerick. Major Edgar James Bannatyne was a decorated pilot with the Royal Flying Corps who died following a training exercise in England in 1917 after returning home from fighting in the Egyptian desert a few months earlier. The Limerick-born pilot climbed out on to the fuselage and jumped from the burning wreckage of his plane just before it crashed into the side of a house in the Cotswolds in England. He was rushed to Cirencester Hospital, north of London, with badly burned hands and legs but died from his injuries days later. His Irish parents paid for a grand staircase and lift to be erected in memory of their only son after hearing how his badly burnt legs had been banged against the original narrow stairwell while being carried to the ward on a stretcher in 1917. The story behind the installation in recent weeks of the staircase in the deconsecrated St Munchin's Church in the city, which is to be turned into a military museum, began with the discovery of letters written by Major Bannatyne home to Croom during his service. Local historian, Declan Hehir, began looking into the war hero after discovering four 101-year-old letters to the previous owners, the Brouder family, in a leather pouch in a drawer when he moved into a period house in County Limerick. He said: I found the letters he wrote to the Brouders, who worked for his family. They were quite personal so he must have been very close to that family. His death was tragic. He died of injuries in 1917 when he crashed into a house on a training mission. He was an only son. Its fitting that the staircase is back in the year that is in it and that Major Edgar is known as a hero in his native Limerick. They installed the staircase after they heard his badly burned legs and arms were banged against the sides stairwell when he was being carried up to the ward on a stretcher. In one of the letters, the decorated fighter pilot, who flew on missions in Africa during World War One, compared flying to riding a horse and thanked his familys employees for taking good care of his rifle. I have just got a new machine with an 80-horse power engine which goes 80 miles per hour and rises 1000 feet in a minute and it is like a riding a horse with a very good mouth as it is very light on the controls, wrote the 26-year-old pilot a year before his death. Documents reveal that the Limerick pilot was posted to Egypt in 1916 where he took part in the Darfur Expedition as a flight commander earning a Distinguished Service Order. When Declan discovered that Cirencester Hospital was set to be demolished this year, he wrote to them asking for the memorial stairs to be returned to his hometown of Limerick. I emailed the council in the Cotswolds and said we were very concerned about the stairs and he should be returned to Limerick, he explained. I went into David OBrien in the Limerick Civic Trust and I left it in his capable hands and in fairness they got it back. The whole stairs was dismantled and brought back. It is now fittingly installed in St Munchins Church in Limerick city, a deconsecrated church, which is currently being converted a military museum. David OBrien, from Limericks Civic Trust, said they had started making representations about the return of stairs to the English council in 2002 but the quest was revived when Declan Hehir approached them with Major Bannatynes letters. He said: They were fantastic to do it. Weird things happen. My predecessor, Denis Leonard, had been chasing this and I took up the cudgel and then out of nowhere Declan arrived in here with these letters saying wouldnt it be great to get these stairs? Declan was instrumental in getting it for us and those letters that were written back here reinforced the fact that Major Bannatyne was from here. It showed the connection. We had to write a number of reports justifying why Limerick rather than somewhere else in the UK would be the natural place for not only an artefact but what is registered as a war memorial. Eventually they dismantled it and the church it has been put into is where the family Bannatyne crypt is, added Mr OBrien. He said the stairs was bought for the hospital by the Bannatyne family in the aftermath of the pilots death. It was reckoned he suffered very badly when he was knocked about on a stretcher going up a narrow stairwell in the hospital So, the family decided to build them a decent one and the also built a huge lift. The idea was to move patients more freely and smoothly through the hospital. That was their gift. LIMERICK TD Niall Collins has described as alarming the fact that more than 300 million of funds under the TAMS II scheme for farmers remains unspent. Five years into a seven year Rural Development Programme, only 33% of the money has been spent. Minister Michael Creed has confirmed that of the 395million allocated to the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme 2 (TAMS II), only 92.4m in payments have issued. Deputy Collins said, serious questions have to be asked about the ability of the Minister and his Department to manage this vitally important scheme. The programme, which provides grant aid for farm buildings and equipment, is an essential revenue stream, which allows farmers to repair and upgrade their operations. This current programme only runs until 2020 and I have serious concerns that the money will not be spent in the time that is remaining. The scheme was launched in June 2015, but the online payment system only became operational a year later. This delay, combined with rigid bureaucracy in the application process, has resulted in large numbers of farmers growing disillusioned with the process and choosing not to lodge claims for approved works. Last year the Department of Public Expenditure carried out a spending review of the scheme and flagged issues with the ongoing underspend within TAMS II. Due to the inspections regime, the review said there is often a delay between applicants making a payment claim and a payment being made. This will come as no surprise to the thousands of farmers who are overburdened by paperwork. As we near the end of year 5 of the current programme, I am calling on Minister Creed to confirm that farmers will not lose out and that all efforts will be made to ensure that the 302.6m of unspent funding is allocated and paid out by the end of 2020. A MAN who drove at speed through a Limerick housing estate late at night is facing a two-year ban for drink-driving. Joe Ahern, aged 30, of Curragh Birin, Castletroy was also convicted of careless driving relating to an incident which happened at Cambridge Court, Castletroy in the early hours of March 16, last. During a contested hearing, Garda Barry Culhane said he was on duty at College Court, Castletroy at 3.35am when he observed a Grey Volvo S40 approaching at excessive speed. He said there were a number of people in the car which accelerated past his patrol car before turning sharply into Cambridge Close and coming to an abrupt stop in the cul-de-sac. Garda Culhane said there were a large number of people in the area at the time and that he noted several taxis which were dropping off fares. Limerick District Court was told after the Volvo stopped, Mr Ahern got out and ran down a narrow path. He was located a short time later hiding in undergrowth. Garda Culhane said he immediately smelt alcohol on his breath and that he noticed his pupils were dilated and his speech was slurred. Mr Ahern was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving at 3.40am and taken to Mayorstone garda station where he provided a sample of breath which confirmed he was almost three times the legal limit. While not contesting the facts, Kenny Kerins BL submitted there was absolutely no evidence whatsoever to support the careless driving charge and that the correct charge would have been one of dangerous driving. This is not a careless driving case, the wrong charge is before the court, he said. The barrister also questioned why garda Culhane had chosen to observe his client for 20 minutes at the garda station despite being satisfied he had not consumed any food or drink from the time of his arrest. The court has to ask whats the justification, he said submitting the decision to conduct the period of observation was completely unnecessary. Having considered the submissions, Judge Marian OLeary said she was satisfied the State had proven its case in relation to each of the charges. In addition to imposing a two year driving ban, she fined Mr Ahern a total of 700. Users can inform on people who hold unauthorised beliefs or unorthodox interpretations of the six religions recognised by the state. Human rights groups have criticised the software, arguing that it will only serve to undermine religious tolerance in the country. Jakarta (AsiaNews/Agencies) The Jakarta Prosecutors Office launched a new smartphone app that would allow Indonesian citizens to report suspected cases of religious heresy. Users of the app can report groups practising unrecognised faiths or unorthodox interpretations of Indonesias six officially recognised religions, (Islam, Hinduism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism and Confucianism). It features a list of religious edicts issued by the countrys top Muslim clerical body, information on blacklisted organisations and a digital complaints form, which replaces the former cumbersome process of submitting a written accusation to a government office. Information on the app will be updated every two months in accordance with data gathered from the religious affairs ministry, religious leaders and other sources of intelligence, the Prosecutors Office said. Human rights groups have criticised the app saying that streamlining the process will only serve to further worsen religious tolerance in Indonesia, which has seen anti-minorities movements led by Islamic supremacists gather pace in recent years. More importantly, rights defenders fear for the followers of traditional beliefs or new religious movements. Although the worlds most populous Muslim nation is largely secular, Islamic conservatism is on the rise. A recent study by the Indonesia Survey Institute showed that 38 per cent of Muslim respondents objected to non-Muslims performing their religious rites, a slight increase from 36 per cent last year. More than half of Muslim respondents also said that they objected to non-Muslims building religious facilities. The countrys national commission on human rights, known as Komnas HAM, is calling for the removal of the Smart Pakem app from online stores. However, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has said that further evaluation and assessment of public opinion is required before it can organise a meeting with the Prosecutors Office and Komnas HAM over the future of the app. The 26th Conference of the Patriarchs of the East, held for the first time in Iraq, came to an end yesterday. Participants called on the faithful to hold fast onto their faith and contribute to the regions development. In their final statement, the prelates look at the situation of each country and its challenges. The next meeting is set for November 2019 in Cairo. Baghdad (AsiaNews) The Patriarchs of the East held their 26th Conference from 26 to 30 November, in Baghdad, a first for the Iraqi capital. In their final statement, they note that young people are a sign of "hope" for the future of Christians and the whole Middle East, a region increasingly facing pressing "challenges". Following Pope Franciss example, Christian leaders expressed their "commitment" to ensure "the foundations" of the future of the Christian presence "in their land". In their message sent to AsiaNews for information, the leaders of the Eastern Churches urge young people to "hold fast onto their faith" and "contribute" to the regions development from a perspective centred on peace, love and justice. The patriarchs meeting sought to strengthen Christian unity in the East and meet the many challenges that threaten the survival of their communities, most notably persecution, extremism and emigration. The gathering brought together Maronite Patriarch Card Beshara al-Rahi, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan, the representative of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Mgr William Hanna Shomali and the host, Chaldean Patriarch Card Louis Raphael Sako, who delivered the opening address. At the venue, Christian leaders showed their concern for young people in a solemn Mass in Baghdads Cathedral of St Joseph. During the service, young people shared questions, concerns, fears, aspirations and challenges for their future with the cardinals, bishops and priests. The meeting also saw the patriarchs and leaders of the Eastern Churches meet with the President of the Republic of Iraq Barham Salih and Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, The 26th Conference ended this morning with a solemn Eucharistic concelebration in the capital. During the service, the final message was read. In addition to addressing young people, it also summarised the situation in various countries. The statement expressed "satisfaction" for the progressive stabilisation of many parts of Syria as well as hope that the nation as a whole can find peace. It also issued an appeal for a "quick return" of displaced people and refugees to boost "national unity". With respect to Iraq, the Patriarchs expressed their "appreciation" for the "positive" atmosphere that is beginning to emerge, as a guarantee of further "stability" even though this requires action against extremist ideologies that have not yet been completely eradicated. The prelates also called on young people to "stay" in order to contribute to reconstruction. Concerns were raised about the prompt formation of Lebanons new government, which is called to deal with the countrys problems and meet the needs of its citizens. Christian leaders note and praise the countrys great efforts to help displaced people and refugees from neighbouring war-torn Syria. The final statement also expressed solidarity with Palestine and its people, who continue to suffer under Israeli occupation in a situation that appears "frozen". The prelates reiterated their "total refusal" to view Jerusalem as Israels capital or accept the opening of foreign embassies in the city. "Stability" and "coexistence" in Jordan were praised, as were efforts in Egypt to renew the religious discourse through the elimination of hatred and the recognition of equality based on the principle of "citizenship". Finally, the Patriarchs announced the date of the next meeting set to take place in Cairo (Egypt) under the auspices of the Coptic Patriarchate from 25 to 29 November 2019. They also issued an appeal to all heads of state and government of the Middle East to ensure respect for the human rights of all citizens, as enshrined in the UN Charter. The Fox Broadcasting Company and the producers of the science-based series "Cosmos" are investigating host Neil deGrasse Tyson following claims of sexual misconduct by three women. The move follows a report on the claims by the religion website Patheos. In a statement provided to Space.com "Cosmos" producers said: "The credo at the heart of Cosmos is to follow the evidence wherever it leads. The producers of Cosmos can do no less in this situation. We are committed to a thorough investigation of this matter and to act accordingly as soon as it is concluded." Fox Broadcasting also issued a statement, citing its own effort to look into the allegations: "We have only just become aware of the recent allegations regarding Neil deGrasse Tyson. We take these matters very seriously and we are reviewing the recent reports." The statements by Fox and Cosmos producers follow a report on Patheos Thursday (Nov. 29) in which two women claimed deGrasse Tyson acted inappropriately during personal interactions. In one, Katelyn Allers, an associate professor of astronomy and physics at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, claimed Tyson inappropriately touched her in 2009 while admiring a space tattoo on her upper left arm. Another woman, Ashley Watson, claimed that she quit a position as Tyson's assistant due to inappropriate sexual advances. Those claims follow an earlier allegation by musician Tchiya Amet, who claimed Tyson raped her while both attended graduate school. On Saturday (Dec. 1), Tyson issued a lengthy response to the allegations on Facebook in a post entitled "On Being Accused." In the post, Tyson offered detailed accounts of the encounters referred to in the allegations by Allers, Watson and Amet. "In any claim, evidence matters. Evidence always matters," Tyson wrote. "But what happens when it's just one person's word against another's, and the stories don't agree? That's when people tend to pass judgment on who is more credible than whom. And that's when an impartial investigation can best serve the truth and would have my full cooperation to do so." Tyson said in his statement that the alleged groping of Allers in 2009 was an attempt to see if the solar system tattoo extended to her upper shoulder to include Pluto. Watson, he said, was assigned to him as a production assistant this past summer and departed after an evening of wine and cheese that ended in a handshake. Tyson said that when Watson later told him the evening made her uncomfortable, he apologized and she accepted his apology. Of Amet, Tyson said the two dated briefly in graduate school, but denied ever assaulting her. Tyson added that he welcomes the inquiry into the claims by Fox and National Geographic. "I'm the accused, so why believe anything I say? Why believe me at all?" he wrote. "That brings us back to the value of an independent investigation, which FOX/NatGeo (the networks on which Cosmos and StarTalk air) announced that they will conduct. I welcome this." Tyson, an astrophysicist, hosted the 2014 series "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" as a reboot of the original "Cosmos: A Personal Journey," hosted by famed astronomer Carl Sagan. The updated series aired on Fox and the National Geographic Channel, with a new series "Cosmos: Possible Worlds " scheduled to premiere in spring of 2019. Tyson's "StarTalk" science talk show also appears on the National Geographic Channel. Editor's note: This story was updated at 9 a.m. on Sunday (Dec. 2) to include a statement of response by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Originally published on Space.com. Surrounded by hundreds of miles of desert is Marfa, Texas, a small town that feels like a world away. West Texas' quirky art town has a population of 2,000 but attracts crowds of tourists, thanks to its culture, a combination of flashy art pieces and countrified rural Texas atmosphere. It's a small place but one packed with desert vistas to enjoy, offbeat shops to explore and diverse restaurants to discover. And most of that can be done in a weekend. Lodging: Sandra Ortiz, senior travel adviser at Woodlake Travel, recommends the restored 1930s Hotel Paisano (207 N. Highland), which she says is well known among fans of cult classic 1956 movie "Giant" because many of the actors (James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor included) stayed at the hotel. The classic, Spanish-style structure is a warm and quaint place. SEE ALSO: Best places to eat on a Texas road trip At the other end of the spectrum is the Thunderbird Hotel (601 W. San Antonio), which reflects Marfa's modern art scene more than its history. Clean lines and minimalist decor are punctuated by rustic accents and vintage features. There are even typewriters available for rent. Perhaps the best known and most character-filled place to stay in Marfa is El Cosmico (802 S. Highland Ave.), an 18-acre campground that offers a diverse collection of accommodations. Sioux-style teepees, refurbished airstream trailers and even authentic Mongolian yurts are all options to rest at this eclectic space. "It's off the beaten path and not for everybody," Ortiz cautions. But it's definitely a true-to-Marfa-style place to visit. To see and do: Have an evening picnic at a roadside park off U.S. 90 and see if you can spot the Marfa Mystery Lights, which are often attributed to supernatural beings but are most likely due to atmospheric trickery. Strike a pose in front of Prada Marfa, the art installation that resembles a Prada store (many still wander here hoping to see $2,000 shoes for sale in the desert). It's about 26 miles from Marfa, but it's still a symbol of the small town. Another popular art destination is the Chianti Foundation (1 Cavalry Row), a contemporary art museum founded by venerated artist Donald Judd. READ MORE: Romantic travel destinations in Texas For shopping, there's the Marfa Book Company (213 S .Dean), which has an edited selection of texts and hosts author and writer workshops. For fun, irreverent finds, there's Wrong Marfa, a gallery and shop that sells mostly locally made wares. It's housed within a former church and frequently hosts special events and exhibits. Visit the Cobra Rock Boot Company (107 S. Dean) to shop for handmade, full-grain leather boots. Where to eat: Food Shark (222 W. San Antonio) offers Mediterranean fusion and is among the area's most popular trailer. Marfa Burrito (104 E. Waco) is a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place that's drawn the likes of Matthew McConaughey. Stop in to get your breakfast taco fix. Cochineal (115 W. San Antonio) is a modern, sophisticated place to dine and is helmed by former Manhattan restaurateurs Toshi Sakihara and Tom Rapp. Reservations are encouraged at this upscale, 10-year-old spot. New Yorkstyle pizza can be had at Pizza Foundation (305 S. Spring), as well as frosty frozen lemonades. Jett's Grill (207 Highland) is an eatery inside Hotel Paisano. It's frequented by millennials in search of chips and salsa and strong margaritas; it's also popular among fans of the movie "Giant" (see above). Are there any recommendations you would add? Leave them in the comments below. With blowout races for senator and governor, Pennsylvania received much less attention in the recent midterms than the presidential battleground usually gets during hard-fought campaigns. Most of its races for the House were settled well in advance of Election Day, thanks to a court-drawn map more favorable to Democrats. But that's about to change now that the political calendar is turning toward the presidential season, particularly because President Donald Trump's biggest 2016 upset took a very sharp turn this year away from Republicans. Look at Sen. Robert Casey Jr.'s more than 13-percentage-point victory last month, only to be topped by Gov. Tom Wolf's 17-percentage-point re-election win. Those Democrats torched the four suburban counties surrounding Philadelphia and Allegheny County, home to Pittsburgh and its inner suburbs, by margins never before seen. Take Chester County, the wealthiest in Pennsylvania, due west of Philadelphia. Hillary Clinton broke through the traditional GOP stronghold in 2016, winning by 9 percentage points over Trump. Casey won there by 20 percentage points. "You can't attribute that just to a verdict on me," Casey said in an interview inside his Senate office, giving Trump's unpopularity much of the credit. Wolf won there by 24 percentage points, actually topping Clinton's raw vote total in Chester County from the higher-turnout 2016 race. "A ton of Republicans were voting for a Democratic candidate for the Senate and governor," Casey said. These results will make Pennsylvania, and its 20 electoral votes, the top target for the Democratic presidential nominee in 2020. Michigan, with 16 electoral votes, also saw a sharp swing away from Republicans. Democrats there won governor and Senate races by comfortable margins, though not quite as big as in Pennsylvania, while picking up a few House seats. If the Democratic nominee wins those two states, Trump's electoral total would drop to 270 based on states he won in 2016. That would leave him not one electoral vote to spare as Democrats would also fight to win back Florida, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Carolina and possibly Ohio. At this point, Minnesota appears to be Trump's only new offensive target for 2020. Republicans in Pennsylvania are quick to caution against any retreat, particularly if Democrats nominate someone whom rural voters view as a cultural elitist. In those Philadelphia suburban counties, Clinton topped Barack Obama's margin in his victorious 2012 bid in Pennsylvania - but she was crushed in rural counties. Clinton lost Cambria County, anchored by Johnstown, the onetime Democratic-leaning steel city, by 38 percentage points. She lost by twice as many votes as Obama had done in Cambria four years earlier, a shift replicated enough in other rural counties that added up to her 44,000-vote defeat. "That scenario can happen again," Christopher Nicholas, a Republican consultant in Harrisburg, said Friday. Still, Nicholas recognized that this year provided a forewarning. He ran ad campaigns for several state legislative Republicans outside Philadelphia - popular incumbents who had easily won in recent elections only to lose in November to unknown Democrats. "Half their vote was from people who had never heard of them," Nicholas said of the Democratic candidates in the suburbs. The broader problem was spelled out by G. Terry Madonna, who runs the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College, and Michael L. Young in a memo laying bare the Republican struggles: - Democrats have won four of the past five governor's races, each by more than 9 percentage points; - Republicans lost 11 seats in the state House and five in the state Senate, creating the chance for Democratic majorities after 2020; - Republicans performed even worse in down-ballot statewide contests: They have lost six straight races for state auditor, four straight for state treasurer and two straight for attorney general. "The problem now is Republicans don't have a bench," Madonna said in an interview. He said he questioned whether 2016 might have been an irregular blip on the state's political march toward Democrats. Of eight statewide races in the past three elections, Republicans won just two - Trump and Sen. Patrick Toomey, both in 2016. Two Pennsylvania Democrats, state Attorney General Joshua Shapiro and Treasurer Joseph Torsella, actually received more votes than Trump two years ago. The uncomfortable question for Pennsylvania Democrats is, what do their six statewide winners in 2014, 2016 and 2018 have in common? All were white men. Clinton and Katie McGinty, Toomey's opponent, were the lone Democrats defeated. "Isn't that a male-female story? It was on that day," Casey said. "But I'm not convinced yet that it would be, if you had another woman running for president, another woman running for the Senate. I'm not convinced that would be the case. There was something about that moment and those candidates." This year, Democratic women claimed four House seats, the first time Pennsylvania will ever send more than two women to Congress. Casey believes a Democratic presidential nominee, man or woman, can keep Trump's margin down in the rural towns if they follow the Wolf-Casey approach. "Get there physically, listen to them, show up and give a damn," he said. His first ad, run heavily in the western part of the state, showed coal miners talking about Casey's legislation to help with their health benefits. A second ad showed a mother talking about the opioid epidemic in that part of the state. Clinton devoted outsized attention to Pennsylvania, including an epic election eve rally outside Philadelphia's Independence Hall with Bruce Springsteen, Katy Perry and the Obamas. But her campaign focused heavily on liberal cultural issues, running ads that questioned Trump's fitness for office. She received just 26 percent of the vote in the rural areas and small towns, according to exit polls. Last month, Casey received 44 percent of that same region's vote. That came despite an ideological transformation in which he abandoned the culturally conservative views of his late father, former governor Robert Casey Sr.: The son now supports most gun-control proposals and in 2013 backed same-sex marriage. His message for 2020 contenders is to follow that same path. The nominee will not abandon Pennsylvania's urban or suburban voters, the new Democratic base. He or she does not need to win a majority in small rural towns, but must do better than Clinton. "You can do better than whatever we've been getting there," Casey said. The monk spent 33 years in Chinese prisons. He refused to repudiate the Dalai Lama. In exile he denounced the torture committed under Chinese rule. Dharamsala (AsiaNews) Tibetans mourn the death of Lama Palden Gyatso, who passed away yesterday at the age of 85 in a hospital in Dharamsala (India). The monk had survived 33 years in Chinese prisons during which he was tortured for refusing to repudiate the Dalai Lama. Palden Gyatso died at Delek Hospital, surrounded by the affection of other monks, said Losang Yeshe, spokesman for the Kirti Jepa monastery. He had been suffering from liver cancer for a long time and in the last period had refused further treatment because, despite decades of torture, his life had been long and full of blessings. The monk was born in 1933 in Panam, central Tibet. In 1943, at the age of 10, he entered Gadong monastery as a novice. At the invitation of the 14th Dalai Lama, he moved to Drepung to complete his studies of Dharma and be fully ordained as monk Gelugpa. In 1959, with Tibet under China, he was arrested and jailed for protesting against his country's occupation. Sentenced to seven years, he remained for 33. In detention, in regular prisons and labour camps, he was forced to work and was subjected to torture that cause permanent damages. Released in 1992, he joined the Tibetan diaspora in Dharamsala. From that moment he dedicated himself to denouncing the conditions under which he countrymen lived under Chinese domination and the violence that pervades communist prisons against Tibetans. In 1995, Palden Gyatso testified before a US House subcommittee on human rights. "We prisoners were yoked to plows like animals to till prison land. When we got exhausted, we were kicked and whipped from behind," he said. His book, The Autobiography of a Tibetan Monk, was published in 1997. In 2008, Japanese filmmaker Makoto Sasa made a documentary, Fire Under the Snow, about Palden Gyatso, after reading his autobiography. NORTH CHICAGO (AP) In his 82 years, Russ McCann claims he never had a nickname. But the Korean War veteran says Pops is fine with him. That handle was bestowed by Carrie Price, store manager at the Midwest Veterans Closet in North Chicago, where McCann has spent many weekdays for about the past four years volunteering wherever needed. They call me Pops because they think Im old. I can probably outwork all of them, he says in jest. Despite a variety of ailments, McCann has found a renewed sense of purpose at the nonprofit, which provides veterans and their families with clothing, household items, shoes, boots and other basic needs, as well as housing and employment assistance, at no cost. Every day I come in here and I can help a vet, its a plus for me, said McCann, of Des Plaines. Thats why Im still vertical its helped me physically and mentally. The personable McCann is considered a celebrity of sorts by the staff and clients, and hes known for corny jokes and quick rejoinders. But it wasnt always such. He never told any jokes when he first came, said Mary Carmody, the Midwest Veterans Closets president. He was very lonely and sad. With his wife of 54 years gone, McCann was paralyzed in a sense, according to his daughter, Debbie Dusckett. He was lost after my mom passed away. He had such a hard time, she said. Those who know him say the Navy veteran has a history of advocacy, volunteerism and good deeds. But it wasnt always enough. His volunteering goes so far beyond the vets, but its after my mom died (that) the closet became his purpose, Dusckett said. It helped to turn his life around. The facility is blocks from the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, where McCann also visits frequently. He found the Midwest Veterans Closet after being convinced it was time to part with his late wifes things, Carmody said. On one of the donation visits, he noticed Carrie and I struggling with heavy boxes and bags and decided he needed to be our man in shining armor. And he is, Carmody said. McCann comes in hours before the building opens to gather donations that have been dropped off, she said. He may have a snooze in the backroom, then hustles all day carrying bags and boxes, sorting and folding clothing, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms and providing general assistance. His work, she said, is a contagious example of how veterans watch each others backs, a hallmark of those who served. For McCann, that meant enlisting after graduating from Lane Tech in Chicago, which required a waiver from his mother because he was 17. He was a radar operator on the USS Cromwell, a destroyer escort, at the end of the Korean War traveling as high as Iceland and as low as the Caribbean, he said. McCanns firm handshake belies his own issues. The retired pipe fitter said hes had dozens of surgeries for skin cancer, battles Crohns disease and is being treated for PTSD. But he has a house, food and friends, and he considers himself lucky. McCann chokes up at the memory of a veteran he later learned lived with his wife in a van. I cried. I didnt know he was homeless, McCann said. Were here to help. Anything we can do, well do. WASHINGTON - The casket bearing the late president George H.W. Bush will arrive at the U.S. Capitol Monday evening and will be on public display as the 41st president lies in state in the Rotunda until Wednesday morning, congressional leaders said. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump declared Wednesday a national day of mourning and ordered flags on all public buildings to be lowered to half-staff for the next 30 days. Executive departments and federal agencies will be closed Wednesday "as a mark of respect" for Bush, according to an executive order. Under plans released Saturday night, the casket is to arrive at Washington National Cathedral at 11 a.m. Wednesday for a funeral service. Departure from the cathedral is to be at 12:30 p.m. The announcements came as plans for the pageantry of a state funeral were set in motion Saturday, with the capital city and nation preparing to honor Bush through events in Texas and Washington. Since 1969, a joint task force of nearly 4,000 military and civilian personnel in the capital region has coordinated the apparatus involved in several days of carefully observed traditions, protocols and ceremonies for the public memorial to an American head of state. "We, the men and women of the Department of Defense, are honored and proud to support the Bush family and will do so with the utmost respect," Maj. Gen. Michael Howard of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region said in a statement. "This state funeral is a culmination of years of planning and rehearsal to ensure the support the military renders President Bush is nothing less than a first-class tribute." The last state funeral occurred 11 years ago, when Gerald Ford, the 38th president, lay in state at the Capitol in 2007. Members of Congress will pay their respects in a bicameral arrival ceremony starting at 5 p.m. on Monday. Then the general public will be allowed to do the same beginning at 7:30 p.m., officials said. The late president will lie in state until Wednesday morning. A spokesman for the Bush family, Jim McGrath, said on Twitter that funeral information would be posted on a website established to pay tribute to the 41st president, Georgehwbush.com. Bush died late Friday. Though many details were not yet announced as of Saturday afternoon, the late president's final journey is taking shape to follow a highly choreographed pattern that has taken years to perfect. Planning for a state funeral begins the day a president is inaugurated, said retired Lt. Gen. Guy Swan, who commanded the U.S. Army military district of Washington and oversaw Ford's memorial. The bulk of the military operation is planned long in advance and rehearsed several times a year in coordination with Washington's federal and local law enforcement agencies. It typically takes place in three phases. "It is a multiagency effort that involves the Secret Service, D.C. police, U.S. Capitol Police, local police departments in Texas and lots of National Guard," Swan said. "You name any law enforcement agency and they will have some role in this, providing security or transportation or escorting VIPS." When Ford died the day after Christmas in 2006, Swan said he boarded a military plane within hours to the former president's California home while his deputy was setting things in motion at a Washington command center. Swan said Bush's ceremony will probably begin at the 41st president's home in Houston with private remembrances or prayers. Bush's children have gathered there - including the 43rd president, George W. Bush, and former Florida governor Jeb Bush. From there, the late president's body is expected to be flown on Air Force One along with family and staff on Monday to Joint Base Andrews. Then the second phase begins. The public and government will be able to honor Bush through a viewing in the Rotunda and service at Washington National Cathedral. By tradition, presidential families have been able to personalize the event, choosing the sequence and location of observances, which can include a military parade or having a horse-drawn caisson to transport the casket. Every detail the family chooses, including the service speakers and the motorcade route, tells a story about the individual being remembered. "A lot of former presidents keep the plans pretty modest because they know they are not the sitting head of state," said Matthew Costello, senior historian at the White House Historical Association. "They add these personal touches to show who they were as people and how they want to be remembered." Former president Lyndon B. Johnson's casket was brought into the Rotunda through the Senate entrance because he was an important figure in that chamber during his political career, Costello said. Typically, a late president's remains enter the Capitol from the east, but former president Ronald Reagan wanted to come in through the west. "It's speculated that he wanted to face and see California on his way in," Costello said. Ford's body lay in state in the chamber of the House of Representatives before heading into the Rotunda, to symbolize his service in that chamber. As his casket was rolled out, the doors of the Senate were opened for Ford "to say goodbye" to the chamber over which he once presided as the nation's vice president, Swan said. The Ford family arranged for his motorcade to drive by the World War II Memorial on the way out of Washington in honor of his service in that conflict. The third and final phase will take the late president to his final resting place. The tradition of burying a president's remains at presidential libraries began with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Costello said. Bush's wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush, and their daughter, Pauline Robinson "Robin" Bush, who died of leukemia at age 3, were both laid to rest at the Bush presidential library at College Station on the campus of Texas A&M University. "What the families want to do is use this very solemn occasion as a way to allow the nation to remember their" loved one, Swan said. "Each one of these is different." One of the biggest beneficiaries of the clash between the U.S. and China may turn out to be a gritty Taiwanese town called Taoyuan. The former Japanese enclave west of Taipei had long suffered as local companies shifted factories to the mainland to benefit from lower wages and globalizing trade. But with tensions escalating between the world's two largest economies, Taiwan's biggest tech firms are now moving some production back home and many are turning to this city of 2 million on the northwestern coast. The trend may have gained a boost after President Donald Trump signaled he'll likely push ahead with increased tariffs. Taoyuan doesn't offer much in the way of glitz. But it does boast an hour's drive to Taipei, hosts the island's primary international airport, and overseers who're aggressive supporters. That's why it's a hot destination as the manufacturing powerhouses behind the world's electronics scour the globe for alternatives. The moves threaten to splinter a decades-old supply chain, in which Taiwanese giants assemble devices out of sprawling Chinese bases that the likes of HP and Dell then slap their labels on. From iPhone assembler Pegatron Corp. to laptop maker Compal Electronics Inc., they're now preparing for an end to an arrangement that's served them well since the 1980s. Along with fellow Apple Inc.-supplier Inventec Corp., the trio are among those adding capacity in Taoyuan, with announcements coming as Washington and Beijing ramp up the rhetoric over trade and tariffs. Others like Quanta Computer Inc. are snapping up or seeking factory land. The city's population is now the fastest-growing in the country even as U.S.-Chinese tensions dampen the global economy. "Our operation model will see a major change from the past two decades," Pegatron Chief Financial Officer Charles Lin told analysts an earnings call on Nov. 8. "In the future, production will be spread out in different countries and we will not be able to build mega-plants in other places like those in China." Trump said Apple iPhones and laptops could be hit by new tariffs, according to an interview with the Wall Street Journal. Trump said he's prepared to impose tariffs on a final batch of $267 billion of shipments if he can't strike a deal with China's Xi Jinping when they meet at the Group of 20 meeting starting Nov. 30. Thirty years ago, many companies based in Taoyuan and elsewhere on the island decamped for China's lower costs, helping create the world's factory floor. While Taiwanese government data shows investments in China peaked around 2010, they remain a formidable presence. Fifteen of the top 20 exporters from the mainland to the U.S. in 2016 originated in Taiwan, according to a Chinese state-run customs data website. Now, increased tariffs threaten to compress already razor-thin margins. Higher wages will make it more expensive to produce in Taiwan, as will losing the efficiency gained by having the supply chain located close together in China. "With tariffs expected to rise to 25 percent, it will push Taiwanese companies to expedite their plans to go home or build operations in a new location," said Angela Hsieh, an economist at Barclays. "Yet there are still a lot of uncertainties surrounding a trade war, so companies tend to first add capacities in their existing facilities in Taiwan instead of spending a lot to build new plants." That's where Taoyuan comes in. While some of Taiwan's corporations are considering migrating as far afield as Southeast Asia, others prefer to move closer to home bases. The island's administration -- sensing an opportunity -- is cobbling together incentives such as tax holidays to entice their corporate citizens back into the fold. "The fastest way is to add capacity in existing facilities. Looking for new land and building new facilities elsewhere will be too slow," Elton Yang, chief financial officer of Taoyuan-based Quanta, told reporters on Nov. 13. To be sure, Taoyuan has always been pro-business. Steady lobbying and the proliferation of over 30 industrial parks helped produce spectacular results: its industrial output was estimated at close to $100 billion last year, outstripping even Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s base of Hsinchu to the south. The moves to Taoyuan defy a historical trend throughout the industrial era, which has seen manufacturing gravitate toward the lowest labor costs. The minimum monthly wage in Taiwan is about NT$22,000 ($713), which is more than double the 2,410 yuan ($347) a worker in Shanghai can expect. Taoyuan's courtship of manufacturers has accelerated this year amid the saber-rattling. The city has teamed up with real estate agents to help companies locate land, which has gotten progressively pricier. According to Savills Taiwan, costs for industrial land in certain locales have swelled as much as 75 percent from 2014. In the year to September 2018, there were 30 percent more companies asking for the government's help in securing land compared with a year earlier, city officials say. "Taoyuan is now the top choice for Taiwanese companies coming home," Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan, of Taiwan's ruling pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, said at a event to mark an investment there on Nov. 5. "Out of 10 looking to return, four or five say Taoyuan is their first choice." Taoyuan topped all cities in transactions for industrial land and factories from January to September, according to Taiwanese real estate company, Sinyi. Those deals totaled NT$12.65 billion out of NT$29.02 billion transacted by all the island's listed companies. Companies favor Taoyuan partly because Hsinchu is seeing a worse land shortage and sets a higher threshold when screening companies, Sinyi manager Michael Wang said. Even foreign companies have taken notice. San Jose-based Super Micro Computer Inc. is expanding server production capacity in Taoyuan, and proceeding with a separate plan to build a new facility that will take its investment in the city to NT$9 billion, city officials say. "It is cheaper than Taipei. With various types of industrial parks, Taoyuan is also easier for companies to build their operations in than Hsinchu," Wang said. The back of the pickup truck was filling up with garbage when the Miami police officer added Jewish scripture to the heap. Sgt. Roberto Destephan first tossed a case inscribed with the Star of David into the truck bed. Then, in the undated video first published by ABC Local 10 on Friday, he held the Tanakh - holy Jewish texts that include the Torah. "This crap, f--- this," he said as he threw the book into the truck. "Taking out the trash, dawg." The video prompted Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina to suspend Destephan, the department announced Friday, calling the officer's comments "anti-Semitic," disturbing and inconsistent with the department's values. "I would like to reassure our citizens of all faiths we stand in solidarity with them," Colina said. The department did not respond to questions seeking further comment about Destephan's status, and Destephan, a vice president with the local police union, could not be reached for comment. His organization, the Miami lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, called the video "heavily edited" and an effort to sabotage Destephan ahead of his reelection. John Cunill, a Florida attorney, told The Washington Post that his law firm obtained the video and provided it to ABC Local 10 but declined to say how the firm obtained the video. "It's just something that's wrong. It's morally wrong," Cunill said of Destephan's remarks. In February, the Anti-Defamation League reported that the number of anti-Semitic incidents rose 60 percent in 2017 compared to the previous year. About 630,000 Jewish people live in Florida, and most live in South Florida where Miami is located, according to the Miami Herald. In a lengthy and conspiratorial statement, the Miami FOP said the video was filmed years ago, and taken amid an organization office cleanup that involved mold and termites. The video "doesn't capture the full and entire conversation," the statement said without evidence. The group's attorney, Robert Buschel, did not return a call seeking comment. Lodge President Javier Ortiz also did not return a request for comment. Destephan, under the name "Robert," was still listed as the chapter vice president on the group's site Saturday. The union claimed that an email demanding Destephan's withdrawal from the race was sent anonymously, using the "doctored" video as blackmail. The alleged email was not provided in the release. Cunill said the video does not appear edited to him. "While the created video appears to be distasteful and insensitive at first glance, we believe when the entire story is fully investigated the sinister motivations behind its creation will become obvious," the statement read. The chapter is cooperating with investigators and does not condone discrimination, the chapter said. But an online message board for Miami officers simmered with similar conspiratorial language that often overlooked Destephan's speech in the video. Anonymous posters speculated that everyone from Destephan's competitors to Chief Colina and city officials were behind the video's release. There were some dissenters, however. "No matter how the attorneys spin the story now to defend this moron, it's another black eye to the department and union," one anonymous commenter said. The Chinese president met the heir to the Saudi throne on the sidelines of the G20. No reference was made to the Khashoggi affair. China firmly supports Saudi Arabia in its push for economic diversification and social reforms, a Chinese statement says. Buenos Aires (AsiaNews/Agencies) Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered his support to Saudi Arabias embattled Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the wake of the international outcry over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Xi, who met the prince on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, said China would back the kingdoms economic development, praising its stability as the cornerstone for prosperity and progress in the Gulf. China firmly supports Saudi Arabia in its push for economic diversification and social reforms, and provides mutual support on issues involving their core interests, Xi said in a statement released by Chinas Foreign Ministry. The statement did not mention the Khashoggi murder or the ongoing conflict in Yemen, where Saudi forces have played a leading role. The Saudi press agency also reported that the crown prince and Xi discussed the partnership between the two countries and ways to harmonise Saudi Arabias 2030 vision a plan to diversify the economy away from oil with Chinas Belt and Road Initiative. The two leaders also discussed Saudi energy supplies in China and mutual investment. Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest oil exporter, but has been surpassed by Russia as the top supplier to China in the past two years. However, the kingdom is set to expand its market share in China this year for the first time since 2012, as new Chinese refiners have increased demand for crude oil. Champaign-Urbana owes its prominence to the University of Illinois, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign owes its existence to Clark Robinson Griggs. If it hadnt been for Griggs probably the greatest political operator in Champaign Countys history U of I or, as it then was known, Illinois Industrial University, would have been in Jacksonville, Lincoln, Bloomington or perhaps Chicago. Yet, there is no Griggs Hall at the university, no statue of Griggs on campus. Even in Urbana, where he served a year as mayor, there is only a four-block-long street that bears his name. One can only guess why Griggs name has been forgotten by all but the history books. Perhaps the university is just a little bit ashamed of the man who could be called its father. You see, Griggs was a bit of a scoundrel. Much of the story of Griggs delightfully sly effort comes from an interview he gave to Allan Nevins who later became known as the father of oral histories shortly before his death. Historians have disputed some details of Griggs story, but there seems little doubt that he was an operator who would fit well in todays Statehouse. Griggs was a Massachusetts native who came to Champaign County in 1859. He bought land north of Philo on Yankee Ridge, a place so named because of all the New Englanders who settled there. At the start of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Union Army and served as a sutler, a man who sold food and drink to soldiers. After the war, Griggs was elected to the Illinois House. He already had served two terms in the Massachusetts Legislature and apparently had learned a lot there about political maneuvering. Griggs went to Springfield as a freshman lawmaker who didnt act like one. In a 1915 interview shortly before his death, Griggs told Nevins how he helped bring the university to a swampy, sparsely settled community. It started with $40,000 appropriated by the supervisors of the Champaign and Urbana townships and Griggs decision to travel most of the state (everywhere but Jacksonville, Lincoln and Bloomington), meet with other state representatives and build support for Champaign-Urbana. In five weeks, he said, he interviewed 40 House members and gained pledges from 15 of them. Next, he met with the governor, the lieutenant governor and the chairmen of the state Republican and Democratic parties. In those conversations he learned that the postwar Legislature would be occupied with a number of special interests. Southern Illinois wanted a prison; Peoria and Springfield were fighting over which would be the state capital, and Chicago wanted to deepen the Chicago River and develop a system of parks and boulevards. Such knowledge would be important in future vote-trading. When the Legislature went into session in January 1867, the Champaign County Committee moved into Springfields Leland Hotel, where for the next three months it held the principal reception room and a suite of parlors and bedrooms. The rooms were used to entertain legislators and their constituents with either drinks and light refreshments or sumptuous dinners of oysters or quail. Lawmakers were supplied with cigars and theater tickets. Late in the session, Griggs arranged for a special train to take legislators to Champaign-Urbana. None of the other communities seeking the university had a similar arrangement. Inside the House Chambers, Griggs showed his skill by running for speaker. For two days, the House was tied up in endless voting. On the night after the second day, an intermediary visited Griggs and asked what it would take to get him to drop out of the race. Griggs wanted the chairmanship of the Committee on Agriculture and Mechanic Arts the committee that would hear all the bills about locating the university and the right to choose its members. He got it, dropped out of the race for speaker and thus was able to control the legislation. As the session progressed, advocates for the other communities, particularly Jacksonville, wondered why the university location legislation wasnt being heard in the committee. Griggs would explain that he had called the committee together but that he couldnt get a quorum. Then hed publically announce another committee meeting but privately tell its members not to show up. This went on until late in the session, when Griggs was convinced he had the votes. Finally, on Feb. 20, the legislation which named Champaign as the site of the university reached the floor. An amendment was made to substitute Jacksonville for Champaign. It failed 61-20. Another motion was made to substitute Normal. It failed 58-26. A third motion was made to insert Lincoln for Champaign. It failed 60-21. Then the legislation naming Champaign was put to a vote and was approved 67-10. The Senate followed suit Feb. 25. Three days later, Gov. Richard Oglesby signed the legislation. Opponents charged that Griggs had bought legislators with a slush fund. Jonathan Turner, who had sought the university for Jacksonville, said the Legislature had exhibited a degree of corruption, hypocrisy, drunkenness and debauchery unparalleled in the history of Illinois. Former President George H.W. Bush drew praise for a decades-long career of public service from political leaders throughout the world and in his hometown of Houston, where he died Friday. The former president, CIA director and Navy aviator was 94. The 41st president's death, which was announced by his office, came less than eight months after that of his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush. A funeral is scheduled Wednesday at the National Cathedral, the White House said Saturday. Bush's presidential library in College Station said it had cancelled all upcoming events until further notice. Bush, throughout his life, maintained close ties to Houston. City Council voted in 1997 to rename Houston's largest airport after him. On Saturday, a memorial had been set up at the gate to the Tanglewood gated community where Bush lived. "George H. W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," his son, George W. Bush, said in a statement. "The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens." President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump said of Bush: "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit and unwavering commitment to faith, family and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service--to be, in his words "a thousand points of light" illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world." Mayor Sylvester Turner, who drew Bush's support in his ongoing bid to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Houston, said Bush was "one of our most esteemed and relatable neighbors." "He and his wife Barbara Bush were our sports teams' biggest fans, and boosters for everything Houston," Turner said in a statement. "The Bushes could have moved anywhere after his time in public office, but they chose to return to their beloved city where he started his political career as the chair of the Harris County Republican Party." Bush's death came three days after he met with former president Barack Obama at his Houston home, where they "rekindled what was already a very warm friendship," Bush's spokesman Jim McGrath said. Later that day, during a talk at Rice University, Obama lauded Bush's foreign policy acumen, saying Bush did work that was "as deft and as effective a set of foreign policy initiatives as we saw in recent years." Former Secretary of State James Baker in a statement said: "The legacy of George H.W. Bush will be forever etched in the history of America and the world. It is a lifelong record of selfless patriotic service to our nation." "He was the youngest Navy pilot in World War II, a Texas congressman, UN ambassador, America's first envoy to China, CIA director, vice president and president. In each and every one of these positions, he led with strength, integrity, compassion and humility -- characteristics that define a truly great man and effective leader," said Baker. County Judge Ed Emmett, who Bush nominated in 1989 as a commissioner at the Interstate Commerce Commission, called the former president's death "a loss almost beyond words." "Personally, I always considered him my model of public service. As a community, we viewed him and Barbara as treasures," Emmett said on Twitter. "All of us should take time to reflect and realize that a great man has left the Earth, but it is a far better place because he served us. I miss him already." In a statement, Gov. Greg Abbott called Bush one of the greatest presidents. "George H.W. Bush was an American hero and icon, he was a friend to all he met, he embodied class and dignity," Abbott said in a statement. On behalf of the Lone Star State, Cecilia and I offer our thoughts and prayers to the entire Bush family." Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Bush's "great legacy of leadership and love of homeland became a family tradition." "President Bush was the last of the Greatest Generation to sit in the Oval Office, but his resolve will not be lost to the past; it will triumph onward," Cruz said in a statement. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo tweeted "the men & women of @houstonpolice extend our deepest condolences to the Bush family & stand ready to serve our President one last time as our City, State, Nation & the free World honor his lifetime of service. May he rest in eternal peace & joy alongside (his wife Barbara) FLOTUS Bush." John Sharp, Texas A&M University System chancellor, said: Not only was George H.W. Bush one of the greatest presidents in our nations history, he also was one of the finest men to serve our country in so many ways. We are proud to call him a son of Texas A&M University and will do everything in our power, through his presidential library, to keep his memory and accomplishments alive for all time. Perhaps his grandson George P. Bush, commissioner of the Texas general land office, summed up his grandfather best, tweeting: "My grandfather was the greatest man I ever knew. His life spanned the American Centuryhe fought in World War II ... took part in the Texas oil boom ... served out a distinguished career in public service including serving as president during the final days of the Cold War. Along the way, he married the love of his life and was a father to six, including a president and two governors. But to me, he will always be Gampy. The man who taught me to fish in Maine, to throw a horseshoe and to swing a baseball bat lefty. "He was more than a great man; he was a good man. His courage was matched by his compassion; and his dedication to country was equaled only by his devotion to his family. Gampy, we love you and we will miss you. But we will never forget you." More children in Texas need to be immunized against childhood diseases. Any attempt to do otherwise presents a public health risk. For years, we have watched an alarming numbers of parents across the country opt out of vaccinating their school-age children against childhood diseases. Texas lawmakers havent helped by approving legislation making it easier for parents to keep their children from getting vaccinated but still enroll them in public school. Now there is a group that wants to ease the vaccination requirements for children in private day care. This is a step in the wrong direction and one that could carry serious health consequences. State law has always allowed public school students to forgo the required immunizations for medical or religious reasons. The rules became more lax in 2003 with the passage of legislation allowing an exemption for reasons of conscience. Many who mistakenly believe vaccinations will harm their childrens health have taken advantage of the exemption. There were 58,738 public school students with conscientious vaccine exemptions on record with the Texas Department of State Health Services in its most recent report. It is troubling to see efforts to make these numbers grow. Fifteen years ago, only about 3,000 exemptions from vaccination were sought in Texas public schools. There have been repeated attempts to further ease the immunization requirements for Texas schoolchildren during recent legislative sessions, but now one Texas group is looking to ease the requirements set by facilities that care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Texans for Vaccine Choice, a group focused on anti-vaccine policy, wants to give parents of children in day care the option of opting out of immunizing their children without fear of being denied enrollment by giving a broad interpretation to existing law. That was never the intent of that legislation, and if the wording is ambiguous, it needs to be addressed by lawmakers when they convene in Austin in January. The decision on whether to vaccinate a child is a matter for individual families, but their decision should not be allowed to adversely impact others. If kids are not vaccinated, herd immunity decreases and children get sick. In Texas, the vaccination rate among all students is just over 95 percent. That means an overwhelming number of families have chosen to immunize their children. If a small but growing number of parents feel their needs are not being met under the current rules, perhaps its time to create a day care model that meets their needs one that includes a very loose interpretation of state immunization laws. The debate over immunizations has been raging for almost two decades, initially fueled by a now discredited study that linked some vaccines to autism. Yet despite the debunking, some strongly hold on to that myth. There are no valid reasons for easing up on the vaccination regulations. Texas was among 25 states that suffered a measles outbreak this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of chicken pox, mumps, measles and whooping cough cases cannot be allowed to grow. The Texas Medical Association, the state health department, Metropolitan Health district and University Health System for good reasons continue to urge parents to immunize their children. We cannot afford to ignore the science when it comes to childrens health. A man who appeared before last weeks sitting of Longford District Court charged under the Road Traffic Act was ordered to pay 300 to Killoe GFC before the matter was struck out. David OConnor (42), Slieve Daneane, Cleveragh Drive, Sligo appeared before Judge Seamus Hughes charged with careless driving at Aughnadegnan, Longford on July 3, 2016. Meanwhile, John Hughes, who was driving along the N4 close to Rathowen with his wife and child at the time of the incident, provided direct evidence during the court hearing. He said that on the date in question he was travelling from Dublin back to Longford when he observed a car lurching from behind me. The driver was trying to overtake me at every opportunity; I was checking my rear view mirror and at one stage he was a couple of cars behind me, then the next thing was he was right up behind my car, Mr Hughes told the court, before pointing out that he was then forced to take evasive action and pull in along the route to let the vehicle pass. I pulled in and let him over take me; there was oncoming traffic and the cars were forced to pull over to the left hand side to allow him to pass by. He passed three or four more cars before I lost sight of him. The court then went on to hear that Mr Hughes subsequently rang the Gardai and made a complaint to them about the defendants driving. Meanwhile, in mitigation, Mr Hughes solicitor Brid Mimnagh said that her client was absolutely surprised and couldnt understand the complaint about his driving when Garda Lenehan brought the matter to his attention when he stopped the driver at Aughdegnan. The court also heard that Mr Hughes held no previous convictions for anything and worked in New Zealand with St Johns Ambulance a number of years ago. In his direct evidence to the court, Garda Aidan Lenehan said that he stopped the defendant in Aughdegnan and observed him driving a van. I made a legal requirement from Mr Hughes for his documents and then informed him that I had received a complaint about his driving, added Garda Lenehan. He was genuinely surprised by the allegation. The court then heard that Garda Lenehan later met with Mr Hughes and took a statement of complaint from him in respect of the matter at Longford Garda Station. In his direct evidence to the court, Mr OConnor said that he worked in the marine tourism industry. He also pointed out to Judge Hughes that at the time of the incident before the court he had finished work in Dun Laoghaire and was on his way back to Sligo. I wasnt in any particular hurry that day, he added, before pointing out that Garda Lenehan subsequently pulled him over close to Longford town and went on then to ask him a number of questions. Garda Lenehan told me that someone had made a complaint about my driving and I was shocked at that to be honest. Mr OConnor went on to say that he remembered overtaking at the time but he was also aware that he had not been breaking any speed limits by doing that. I overtook when it was safe at all times, he added. I never saw anyone flashing lights at me or anything like that." During his deliberations on the matter Judge Hughes said that it wasnt common for members of the public to report dangerous driving on the countrys roads. It is admirable when they do, he remarked. There was Mr Hughes driving along and was probably more conscious of driver behaviour because his wife and child were in the car with him. He phoned the Gardai about your driving Mr OConnor so he obviously had very good reason to do that. Judge Hughes went on to say that he had no doubt in his mind that the defendant was a very upstanding young man but that did not take away from the fact that his driving impacted on other road users that day. He also paid tribute to Mr Hughes for making the complaint in the first instance. Bot of ye are upstanding people and very important to the community, continued the Judge. I do want to commend Mr Hughes, though for the making the report. The Judge subsequently ordered the defendant to pay 300 to Killoe GFC where Mr Hughes is a referee. The matter was then struck out. A massive Garda operation in county Longford on Thursday led to recovery of 500,000 worth of stolen property. As part of a planned operation, Gardai from Granard, along with the local Regional Support Unit, the Garda Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit, The National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Longford Drugs Unit carried out a search of a large industrial lock up premises in Edgeworthstown. During the search, a large amount of suspected stolen industrial plant, tools, trailers, vans, cars, engines and car parts with an initial estimate of up to 500,000 (subject to examination) were recovered. Also read: Longford Gardai warn homeowners to be wary of bogus callers demanding bank details Some of the items have already been identified as being stolen in the UK over the past few months and Gardai continue to try and establish the origin of the rest of the property. The scene is currently preserved and the technical examination continues. There were no arrests and the investigation is ongoing. Also read: Man hospitalised following early morning stabbing incident in county Longford There is great anticipation among devotees of history and especially members of County Longford Historical Society as they await the forthcoming launch of the journal Teathbha in Longford Library on Thursday, December 6 at 7.30pm. Denis Glennon, historian and former principal of St Mels College, will do the honours. It is expected that a large attendance will wish to welcome this edition of the journal as it is full of interesting material and is unique in being the fourth in a row and the ninth edited by James MacNerney since he was appointed to the position of editor in 2006. Keith Millar and the editor are to be congratulated on the beautiful creations they have produced in the past twelve years, in conjunction with the master printers at Turners Print. This year marked the centenary of the 1918 Armistice (November 11), the end of the great slaughter and waste of young lives which was the Great War. So it is no wonder that we remember all those Longford soldiers who lost their lives or were injured in the conflict. The journals front cover reflects the signing of the armistice and there are several articles on the subject inside. The back cover reminds us of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Maria Edgeworth on January 1, 1768. Her letters are the subject of a major study by one of our esteemed contributors, who sees this correspondence, which has been edited by Valerie Pakenham, as a rich source of information for future researchers. The story of John Dungan, a man of taste and native of Granard, is told by someone new to the pages of Teathbha. Dungan acquired great wealth abroad in commerce and returned to Granard to sponsor three harp festivals in the 1780s. The Farrells of Annaly also ventured into Europe, playing an active part in political and military life, for which they were suitably rewarded. This detailed account is written by one of two new contributors to the journal. The history of Barry Castle, The Little Famine of 1878, Horse Racing in Co Longford, Toll Roads, The Crimean War, The Mystery of the Missing Stone, A Serious Miscarriage of Justice for a man from Ballinulty, the torpedoing of the steamer Leinster in the Irish Sea by a German submarine, the Forgotten Irish in Britain, a Carrickedmond man who made good in Australian politics and a man from Longford who walked across America in eighty days. These are just some of the main topics within the pages of Teathbha. Not surprisingly, there are two articles on the hero of Clonfin, General Sean MacEoin, both of which readers will find interesting, one of them giving new insights into the man. Dromard features in its wit and humour and in two deep studies of family and social history. The history of the INTO is told by a former teacher and Blind Tom Kiernan is again honoured for his musical importance. There is an obituary of a former active member of the society, a revered teacher. There are reviews of three books and the usual excellent snippets of history in Times Past. Finally there is an Author and Subject Index for Vol IV, Nos 1 4 compiled by the editor. If you think you will find something of interest here, be in the library at 7.30 pm on Thursday, December 6. There is excellent value to be had at 12 a copy, same as last year, with special terms on the night. There are family members abroad who would love to have a copy for Christmas, so mark your calendar now. Read Also: Longford Historical Societys launched its journal, Teathbha at Longford County Library In France, hundreds of thousands of people have participated since mid-November in the yellow vests movement to protest against the rise in fuel taxes and, in general, against the ever-increasing cost of living. This movement is the inevitable result of a palpable economic crisis, and the brutal austerity imposed by the current government. Between cuts to social services, tax increases and other austerity measures, the yellow vests testify to the suffocation of the French population given stagnant wages and the continual rise of living costs. Reunion: a movement that looks like a revolution On Reunion Island, the French overseas department, the movement of the yellow vests is especially large and radical, so much so that the government has imposed a curfew. Since the beginning of the movement, the island has been completely blocked; the roads and the harbour are barred, the schools and administrations are closed; the hospitals have been slowed down; and while some businesses are open in the morning, many have been closed altogether. Strong bonds of solidarity have been established among the demonstrators. Barricades are regularly maintained and protected and the movement is supported by a good part of the population. Thanks to social networking services, the protesters are able to assemble quickly and their roadblocks are very mobile. This is the greatest crisis that the island has experienced since the 1990s. So far, the demands of the movement are numerous, and no clear direction has yet been established. Reunionese are waiting for recognition of their grievances by the government, but for now, the state has only responded by sending in the police. The yellow vests must put on their agenda the overthrow of Macron's government / Image: Flickr, Erder Wanderer The fact that the yellow vests movement has found a greater echo among Reunion workers is not surprising. For several years now, the inhabitants of Reunion Island, although French, suffer much more acutely than their compatriots on the mainland. In Reunion, everything is 30 to 50 percent more expensive, partly because all products are imported. This is not to mention the fact that 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line and one-third of the working population is unemployed. For the youth, the unemployment rate is 56 percent. The Reunionese have the understandable impression that they are second-class citizens. Their island is mainly governed by metropolitans from the mainland, while the Reunionese themselves face mass unemployment. More than anything, they feel abandoned by the government. The fuel tax hike was a spark that ignited a long-simmering crisis. In response to the movement, the Minister of Overseas France, Annick Girardin, visited the island on 28 November. She promised that the price of fuel would drop immediately and talked about making "other announcements" regarding the cost of living. The yellow vests promised the minister a big welcome. They swore that 300 barricades would be erected, saying "No cars will pass". An appeal was launched on social networks to show this to the minister. Given the power of the Reunion movement, the Macron government may be forced to make concessions. But it will soon resume its offensive against the workers and the poor, and the Reunionese, already some of the most affected by the crisis of capitalism, will be among the first victims. The actions of the yellow vests in Reunion shows the way to follow for their comrades in mainland France. The whole movement must now put on its agenda the demand for the overthrow of the Macron government. This will only succeed if the movement on the mainland is as powerful as that on Reunion. Macrons empty promises Macron gave a speech at the Elysee on Tuesday morning that was one, long provocation. The yellow vest protestors are demanding, at a minimum, immediate measures against the high cost of living today. However, the president mainly talked about the situation that will face the world by 2050. Despite speaking of the need for the government to change [its] method, not a single concrete measure was announced. His promise to review gas taxes every three months was nothing but a vague proposal, offered without explanation or a timescale. In terms of immediate measures, he promised "consultations" that will be organised in the coming months. Of course, nothing positive can come from these, but that is not the goal. The hope was that by merely announcing consultations, the government could demobilise the yellow vests. Macron was saying: why bother mobilising, when weve already promised to talk? However, there is too much anger and exasperation in French society for this movement to be content with vague promises, delivered in a patronising tone. The fight will continue on Saturday, with an important step forward: the simultaneous mobilisation in the streets of the yellow vests and the CGT (among others). In several cities, joint demonstrations and marches have been announced. Ideally, this should be the case everywhere, under common slogans: against the taxation of the poor, against austerity policies, and so on. The role of the unions Why is the government not giving in? Because Macron fears, quite rightly, that any concession will encourage the struggle of the masses, which will lead workers to say to themselves: "to get something, you have to act like the yellow vests! But on the other hand, by refusing to give any ground, the government runs the risk of enraging and radicalising the movement. Experience shows that a government is confronted with this conundrum when the exasperation of the masses and their fighting spirit have reached such a fever pitch that they are on the threshold of a powerful social explosion. Certainly, no one can say if this explosion or rather, a second explosion (the yellow vest movement is already explosive) will actually take place. But the conditions are ripe. And now, the ball is in the camp of the labour movement: the unions first, but also parties of the left. They must intervene in this movement, support it and, above all, rely on its momentum to build a general offensive against the Macron government. Left to itself, the yellow vests may run out of energy and disperse in the long run. The government will probably not yield to the strategy of blockading roads, businesses and institutions. The government will "unblock" them, one by one, and will count on the movement to become fatigued. This is why the movement must increase in strength, and cross a decisive threshold. The strategy of blockages must transform into a vast movement of strikes. This is the route to victory. But in the immediate future, the yellow vests cannot organise these strikes themselves. This is the role, first and foremost, of the workers organisations. They must throw all their strength into this battle not in three months, but now. Embed from Getty Images Instead, union leaders have distanced themselves from the yellow vests and even attacked them (Laurent Berger, CFDT, has been the most virulent). Fortunately, the unions rank and file have reacted differently, especially in the CGT, where the position of the leadership is highly contested from below. And for good reason: it is scandalous. Philippe Martinez (general secretary of the CGT) initially refused to support the yellow vests action on 17 November, under the pretext of refusing "to march with the National Front" (whose organised presence was marginal). Then, he called for union members not to participate in the demonstrations of 24 November. Instead, the CGT called for demonstrations on 1 December. Finally, he still does not clearly support the cancellation of fuel tax increases. Instead, he prefers to ask for a salary increase as if these two demands were contradictory! While Martinez piled up excuses to stay away from yellow vests, the CGT's rank-and-file activists intervened in the movement, or at least expressed their support. Such examples of solidarity must increase. Wherever possible, the CGT activists must advise the yellow vests to organise general assemblies, where the question of strikes can be raised. The movement of the yellow vests can play an important role in organising a large movement of strikes. It will not be difficult to connect the two, because many yellow vests are workers. If they are won over to this strategy, they will become excellent advocates for this cause in their workplaces. It is necessary to rely on the extraordinary combativity this movement has aroused. General assemblies will also make the movement more democratic and more effective. The designation of eight spokespersons (by what mechanism and by whom, it is unclear) has put this issue at the centre of discussions. Democratic control of the grassroots movement is needed, with elected and recallable delegates at the local and then the national level. This would also displace the extreme, right-wing activists who seek to thrive on the current confusion. A clear, anti-capitalist stance will be much more appealing to the majority of yellow vests than the nationalist demagogy of the far right. "Apolitical"? Some will say, "No! The movement of yellow vests is apolitical and must remain so. The same people often object to the involvement of the unions. We must not give in to this call, which always favours the most right-wing elements. The yellow vests reject the current political system (rightly so), and are wary of both political and union leaders (again, rightly so). But their movement is not at all "apolitical". Some of their emerging demands such as the dissolution of the National Assembly are not only highly political but also very radical. And they need to find a clear expression in the left and the trade union movement. Despite some claims, the movement is not at all "apolitical", some of its demands are not only political but also very radical. And they need to find a clear expression in the left and the trade unions / Image: Flickr, Erder Wanderer The CGT and France Insoumise, in particular, must explain that we will not be able to overthrow the government without a strong movement of renewable strikes, because blockages and demonstrations will not be enough. At the same time, they must present a programme of breaking with the capitalist system, whose crisis is the fundamental cause of the high cost of living and all the masses suffering. Not to intervene politically in this movement would be to abandon the terrain to the right and the extreme right. We must not allow this. Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers or just, St. Vinnys as the locals called it was located on 12th and 13th Street and 7th/Greenwich Avenue in NYC. At one time St. Vincents was the 3rd oldest hospital in New York City after The New York Hospital and Bellevue Hospital. It was founded as a medical facility in 1849; and named for St. Vincent de Paul. The hospital was started by the Sisters of Charity by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who went to New York City to set up a charity hospital in the city to meet the demands of the poor and disadvantaged St. Vincents served the poor as one of the few charity hospitals in New York City and admitted patients regardless of religion or ability to pay. For more than 150 years St. Vincents was a beacon in Greenwich Village, serving poets, writers, artists, and the poor and the working-class. It treated victims of the cholera epidemic of 1849, to the Hudson River landing of US Airways Flight 1549. St. Vincents Hospital never strayed from its core mission to provide care with respect, compassion and dignity for the poor and displaced members of society and in 1981 when a mysterious disease began affecting gay men in New York City St Vincents stood strong to their mission. While many other hospitals turned patients away St. Vincents took them in and treated and diagnosed some of the first known cases of what would eventually become known as AIDS. St. Vincents was the epicenter of New York Citys AIDS epidemic. It housed the first and largest AIDS ward on the east coast and was ground zero for one of the worst events to happen in gay history. Dr. Dennis Greenbaum, Chairman of Medicine at St. Vincents, had been with the hospital for 42 years. He saw the horror that HIV/AIDS wrought in the early days. We didnt know how to protect ourselves. The ICU would be filled with crying families, Greenbaum says. There were funerals every week. I used to live on 13th Street. I had four next-door neighbors who lived in a huge loft and all of them died. I used to go to a lot of funerals. Then we lost our own doctors. We lost the chiefs of our HIV program During the height of the epidemic the flood of patients was so extreme, every available bed was taken and patients spilled out into the hallways, then throughout the surrounding corridors, where masking tape marked off virtual rooms. Sal Licata, a city AIDS specialist, spent his last days at H-01 (H for Hallway), waiting in vain for a room to die in. A few feet down the hall was pneumonia-weakened Aldyn McKean, his old friend, a hero of ACT UP. If you knew one patient at the hospital, you likely knew others. Thousands of people, mostly gay men died or were treated at St. Vincents for HIV/AIDS; and many more passed through to visit sick partners, friends and family members. Although there were other important AIDS wards and treatment centers in New York City, none treated patients with the caring, and human compassion that St. Vincents did. St. Vincents Hospital went bankrupt in April 2010 and closed it doors forever. For anyone familiar with that time news of St. Vincents demise was hard to accept. St. Vincents was a standing memorial to HIV victims and the memories of friends and family. The former hospital campus after a long battle are now luxury condominium. But that bland building along Seventh Avenue will always hold a place in the geography of the plague called AIDS. Its our ground zero, a museum of memories, a place haunted. We see the ghosts as we pass there even now, we hear their voices, and their last words. Memories of those who vanished from those rooms and our lives forever. And no matter how they changed the buildings they will always stand as a memorial to courage, compassion and dignity of those who were once within its walls/ GREENFIELD -- A four-year moratorium on new or expanded natural gas accounts in parts of Franklin and Hampshire counties won't be lifted any time soon. Berkshire Gas Co. president Karen Zink on Nov. 16 sent a letter to more than 300 people and businesses on a waiting list for service. The letter said the moratorium "will have to continue indefinitely due to the limitations on the capacity of the delivery system," and that investments to lift the moratorium would "drive our natural gas service rates well beyond those of competing fuels." Berkshire Gas in December 2014 imposed service moratoriums in Greenfield, Montague, Deerfield, Sunderland, and Whately, and extended it to Amherst, Hadley, and Hatfield the following March. The ban was criticized by members of the business community, who said it was impeding economic development. The Pioneer Valley is served by a lateral spur of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline, and utilities connected to that line say that it's already at capacity. Berkshire previously said to lift the moratorium, it would have to build its own 16-mile pipeline to the Tennessee Gas Pipeline system in Hampden County, or expand its liquefied natural gas storage in Whately, options that would cost $70 million to $100 million. Any such project costs would be borne by Berkshire Gas ratepayers. In filings with state utility regulators, the company rejected more modest options to lift the moratorium, including enhanced conservation, saying such measures wouldn't work. Four years ago, Berkshire Gas said its moratorium would stay in place until Kinder Morgan's Northeast Energy Direct pipeline was built. However, Kinder Morgan pulled the plug on that ambitious interstate project in 2016. The news about Berkshire Gas comes as Columbia Gas of Massachusetts seeks a major expansion in the lower Pioneer Valley. Columbia proposes new lines up either side of the Connecticut River to serve Springfield, Longmeadow, Agawam, West Springfield, Holyoke, Easthampton, and Northampton. Easthampton and Northampton are now under similar moratoriums. Columbia would work closely with Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., which now seeks state and federal permits for infrastructure upgrades in Agawam and Longmeadow. Those upgrades are being opposed by local climate activists. Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz said recently that his city, committed to a renewable energy pathway, doesn't want any more natural gas. However, much remains in the air. Columbia remains under investigation after explosions and fires rocked the Merrimack Valley in northeastern Massachusetts, killing one mane, injuring dozens, and damaging at least 130 homes. The Sept. 13 tragedy has been linked by the National Transportation Safety Board to problems with Columbia Gas operations. A young man who says he was abused by the staff at Casa Isla, a juvenile detention facility on Boston's Long Island, took the stand for the second day to speak about the alleged beatings he endured while living in the now-shuttered facility as a teenager. The man, A.B., who was 16 at the time of the alleged abuse in 2014, spoke about how he was desperate to leave the facility, run by the Department of Youth Services with Volunteer of America workers during a trial in Suffolk Superior Court on Friday. MassLive is not naming the men involved in the criminal case, as they were juveniles at the time of the alleged abuse. A.B., who faced cross-examination on Friday, said he put a deodorant stick in a sock and tried to beat staff workers with it in an area with cameras so he would be ousted from the facility. "The scheme was to stay on the unit on camera so I can be kicked out of the facility for my actions," A.B. said, adding "I couldn't be there anymore." Six men are being tried together on 41 charges relating to the assaults. They are: Jalise Andrade, 37, of Brockton; Silvio Depina, 40, of Brockton; Emmanuel Fedna, 33, of Everett; Hermano Joseph, 27, of Taunton; Ainsley Laroche, 44, of Roxbury; and Raymond Pizarro, 27, of Hyde Park. Judge Jeffrey Locke is presiding. All of the defendants are facing charges relating to physical assault. Joseph and Depina are also charged with indecent assault and Depina, Andrade and Laroche are accused of witness intimidation. Casa Isla was a locked facility for teenagers sentenced by the courts to the custody of the Department of Youth Services. It was located on Long Island, a now-unused island off Boston Harbor that, until a bridge was torn down in 2014, was home to various social services. A.B. said the employees, including Laroche, Depina and Joseph, would talk to the boys in the facility about "going to court." This meant they would have a mock hearing for a boy's alleged wrongdoing, and others would come up with an appropriate punishment. One such punishment was what the boys called "orange chicken." A.B. and prosecutors have said that the employees of Casa Isla would order boys to pull down their pants and underwear for beatings with a facility-issued orange flip-flop. They would often be handcuffed or otherwise restrained during these beatings, A.B. said. In court on Wednesday, Assistant District Attorney Sarah Stancato McEvoy passed around a sandal obtained from the facility and asked each juror to examine it. A.B. told the court that after being beaten and sexually assaulted by Joseph he didn't feel comfortable revealing the injury to the staff nurse. He feared he'd have a handprint on his backside, he said. After a different incident, he went to the hospital with what he called a "boxer's fracture" from one beating but lied and told the doctor he had slipped and fallen in the shower. "It would be embarrassing to go to a woman and say I was just assaulted on my butt," A.B. said. "Me as a man ... well, as a boy." Defense attorneys for the alleged abusers pointed out discrepancies in A.B.'s grand jury testimony from 2014 and the details he provided the court this week. The boy told the grand jury he was beaten with the orange sandal three or four times in 2014, but told the court it was 10 to 20 times. He also told the grand jury that he was touched on his genitals first and then his backside in 2014, but switched the order of events during his Thursday and Friday testimony, according to attorney Michael Tumposky. "Maybe I was mistaken about the order, but I wasn't mistaken about what happened," A.B. said. "I was not as comfortable [in front of the grand jury] as I am right here. I was shaken up from the situation." Defense attorneys focused on a gun charge from 2016, to which A.B. pleaded guilty in 2018. Edward Krippendorf, who is representing Depino, argued that the young man showed "little cooperation" in the Casa Isla case until he took a "plea agreement" in the more recent case. "You have one child and another on the way and were facing a five year mandatory minimum in state prison," Krippendorf said. "You are testifying here today because you have a deal." At the end of a series of intense questions, Tumposky said A.B. was acting out in revenge against the six former workers. "The problem was you isn't that right?" he asked. "Getting in fights, assaulting residents. These guys were trying to discipline you and keep you in line." The trial will continue on Monday at 11. An unidentified male pedestrian who was struck by a car as he walked on Route 1 in Malden was then struck a second time by the following car. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Massachusetts State Police said they are investigating the death of the as yet unidentified man. Authorities are trying to determine the identity of the deceased pedestrian. According to preliminary information, the adult male was walking in the southbound lane of Route 1 when he was struck by a 2001 Mercury driven by an 84-year-old man from Stoneham. As the victim lay in the roadway, he was struck a second time by a 2012 Ford Escape following the first car. A 20-year-old woman operated the Ford. Police are trying to find out why the man was walking in the travel lanes of the highway. The State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Crime Scene Services and the Digital and Multimedia Sections are in charge of the investigation. Fox and the producers of the television series "Cosmos" have opened an investigation into multiple sexual misconduct claims against the show's popular host, Neil deGrasse Tyson. "The credo at the heart of 'Cosmos' is to follow the evidence wherever it leads," the producers said in a joint statement to Variety. "The producers of 'Cosmos' can do no less in this situation. We are committed to a thorough investigation of this matter and to act accordingly as soon as it is concluded." Fox also issued a statement, saying, "We have only just become aware of the recent allegations regarding Neil deGrasse Tyson. We take these matters very seriously and we are reviewing the recent reports." Tyson has not commented publicly on the charges. The action follows a report Thursday on the website Patheos in which Katelyn N. Allers, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Bucknell University, claimed that Tyson groped her at an after-party following a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in 2009, while Tyson's former assistant Ashley Watson said she was forced to quit her job over his inappropriate sexual advances. Last year, musician Tchiya Amet accused Tyson of raping her while both were grad students three decades ago. Tyson hosted 2014's "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey," a science anthology in the vein of author Carl Sagan's 1980 series "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage." A sequel, with Tyson again set to host, is set to premiere in March on Fox and sister cable channel National Geographic. In its 96 year history Toy for Joy has brought smiles to children's faces through new toys on Christmas Day. Last year for the first time a book was added to each child's gift and it was a huge hit. Danielle LaTaille, social services director for the Salvation Army in Springfield, said many families were excited to have brand new books along with new toys for their children. "Our families really liked that the books were interactive and entertaining and hoped that this would make their child more interested in reading," she said. The Toy for Joy campaign is a collaborative effort by the Salvation Army, The Republican and MassLive. The goal is to raise $150,000 by Christmas Eve. Children will once again receive at least one toy and one book this year thanks to a collaboration with the Reading Success by 4th Grade initiative of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation. For a second year the foundation is ensuring each child receives a new book. "We know how important it is to get books in the hands of children as early as possible," said Sally Fuller, retired project director for Reading Success by 4th Grade. "We hope the books will be a way for families to spend time together this holiday season." The books will range from picture books for toddlers to chapter books for older children. This year the gift of a book is more relevant than ever after a study released by The Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership Thursday revealed that less than one in three black and Latino fourth graders in Massachusetts are reading at grade level. The children served by Toy for Joy come from low-income families and are often in school districts struggling to meet state standards in literacy. "Studies show that there is limited access to books in low-income neighborhoods. Through Toy for Joy we are able to get brand new books into these homes," Fuller said. For the third year in a row, Pride Stores is partnering with Toy for Joy. Pride locations in Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut will rally its customers in November and December to help contribute to Toy for Joy. Customers can go into any Pride in the area and purchase a $1, $5 or $10 donation card for Toy for Joy. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01101. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon which accompanies this story to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through noon on Dec. 21. Registration is now closed in Springfield and Holyoke, but will continue in Greenfield until Dec. 8. TOY FOR JOY REGISTRATION Here are the times for families to register at Salvation Army sites for the 96th annual Toy for Joy campaign. The Springfield citadel will assist families whose communities are not listed below: Greenfield: 72 Chapman St., Greenfield; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. until December 8th, for info, call (413) 773-3154, serves all Franklin County communities; Required documentation: Photo ID for parent/guardian, proof of address dated within last 30 days, birth certificates or passports for each child 16 years and younger and proof of financial need (MassHealth, WIC card, EBT card, current pay stub, or other acceptable documentation) , Mediapool.bg, , - . - , . 18:00 . by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, November 30, 2018 Search results on Google reveal that consumers miss the toy retailer Toys R Us. From April 1 through November 25, 2018, consumers searched on the keywords toys r us 73 million times, according to data from Kantar Media. This is the first holiday season in more than 60 years without the Toys R Us brand. Retailers may not consider capitalizing on the keyword term. Google does allow brands to bid on the brand search terms of other advertisers, but few retailers and brands are taking advantage of the term. They cant use the brand name within the ad copy, but advertising on the brand name is fair game for any advertisers. When you see 9 million searches per month for that brand, and no one is taking advantage of it, it seems like a missed opportunity, said Jim Leichenko, director of marketing at Kantar Media. Leichenko did notice one advertiser, a financial assistance fund for Toys R Us employees from the companys owners. Bain Capital and KKR put together a $20 million hardship fund to support former employees. The companies advertised on the keywords for three days to let people know. advertisement advertisement Kroger, the grocery store, also opened Toys R Us pop-up shops in 600 of their stores highlighting about 35 products unique to the Toys R Us store. It could have been an opportunity for them to drive people into the grocery store, Leichenko said. One of the only advertisers, other than Toys R Us, to advertise on its branded keywords in the last 12 months was Amazon in November 2017. At that time Toys R Us captured 98.8% of all U.S. Google clicks on their brand name for the month. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 30, 2018 Web users whose names may have been leaked by Google to outside publishers didn't suffer any concrete harms, and therefore shouldn't be able to sue, the company told the Supreme Court on Friday. The company's argument marks the latest turn in a legal battle dating to 2010, when Google was sued for allegedly violating users' privacy by including their search queries in "referer headers" -- the information Google automatically transmitted with outbound traffic. The users who sued said they had typed their own names into Google's search engines. They argued that Google's transmission of their names, combined with other information, could effectively identify them to the companies they visited. (Google no longer transmits search queries when people click on links in the results.) Google agreed to resolve the allegations by donating $5.3 million to six nonprofits and schools, and more than $2.1 million to the attorneys who brought the lawsuit. Ted Frank, founder of the Center for Class Action Fairness, challenged the deal. He argued that it should have been rejected because it didn't compensate Google's users. advertisement advertisement His challenge was heard by the Supreme Court on October 31. At that hearing, several judges questioned whether the people who sued suffered the kind of concrete injury that warrants a lawsuit. Several days later, the court took the rare step of requesting additional written arguments addressing that question. Google argues in its new court papers that the users should have never been allowed to proceed with the case, contending that it's not plausible for users to be identified by the information transmitted in the referer headers. 'Vanity searches' consisting solely of a name indicate only that someone is searching for information about that individual -- they do not reveal anything about the individual or about who is conducting the search, Google writes in its new court papers. Neither does the inclusion of an individuals name as one of several terms in a search plausibly support a conclusion that the search terms reveal personal information about the individual. The White House, which weighed in on the case, sided with Google on that point. Plaintiffs do not allege that Googles disclosure of their search terms would allow anyone to identify them as the users who conducted the searches, the Solicitor General argues. But lawyers representing the plaintiffs argue that data leakage in itself causes the kind of injury that justifies a lawsuit. For centuries, unauthorized disclosure itself has been sufficient injury to sustain an action in court, without proof of further harm, they argue. They add that search queries have previously been used to identify users, as happened in 2006, when AOL released three months of search queries from 650,000 users. AOL took steps to anonymize the users, but some people were nevertheless identified based on the patterns in their queries. Most famously, within days of the data release, The New York Times identified AOL user Thelma Arnold. The new round of papers comes in response to a rare request by the Supreme Court for arguments addressing whether the users should have been able to proceed with a lawsuit. The court made that request after an October 31 hearing that was expected to focus on a different matter. In 'MXP Body Love', we ask people with amazing bodies the key questions about how to achieve, maintain, and basically take care of our bodies in the best way possible, while seeking their guidance on the same. While we want to know hacks on seemingly superficial topics such as how to look good without clothes, we also want to delve deep and discuss bigger issues such as body positivity, acceptance, how to deal with insecurities, and also how to move past difficulties and strive to reach the best version of oneself. Our 'Body Love' expert here is actor Kunal Kapoor. Instagram/kunalkkapoor 1. One food item you should never, ever eat? I believe one should consciously avoid eating fried food. I grew up eating fried food, and the college I went to had the best Pav-Vada. I, however, have given it up completely, and haven't indulged in it since the past two years or so. Instagram/kunalkkapoor 2. The one body part you should never ignore when it comes to workout? Legs. Unfortunately, in our country, it's always somehow about 'looking fit' than actually being fit. It's always about looking muscular and filling up the T-shirts. So people don't really work on their legs - which is absolutely unhealthy, not to mention unaesthetic. Apart from legs, glutes are also important when it comes to overall fitness, not only to look hot in a pair of jeans, but to maintain a healthy core as well. Also, we should train the smaller muscles in our body regularly, that often gets ignored, thereby causing muscular imbalances and injuries. Instagram/kunalkkapoor 3. Natural fuzz vs. waxed/trimmed body hair? I'm absolutely comfortable with the natural fuzz, but I'm open to trimming or waxing if a role demands it. Instagram/kunalkkapoor 4. Grooming essentials - what are the products you can't do without? A good face wash, a good perfume (I have a huge collection of perfumes), and a nail-cutter. Instagram/kunalkkapoor 5. Shaving Vs. trimming? Shaving seems to be a lot of work. Trimming is far easier. Anyway I like my stubble, so trimming it is. Instagram/kunalkkapoor 6. Best lighting for clicking shirtless pictures? Till this point, honestly, I never thought about it. Instagram/kunalkkapoor 7. Did you ever face any insecurity about your own body? What did you do to deal with it? I did, of course. Even though the popular belief runs that only overweight people get body shamed, it's not true. I was skinny as a kid, was always conscious of it. I tried to deal with it by taking up physically demanding stuff, in order to prove myself in front of other kids. I discovered the magic of exercising and workouts when I was about 16, and have never looked back since. I started doing martial arts, push-ups, pull-ups, and also started going to the gym. Even though I did it mainly to just look good at that point in time, it proved to be life-changing. Instagram/kunalkkapoor 8. What is the toughest challenge according to you, when it comes to obtaining and maintaining a body in its peak shape? I have a terrible sweet tooth. I can finish off mithhai boxes or bars of chocolates in minutes. Even though I control it well now-a-days, it's still challenging for me. Also, I'm an overall foodie who comes from a family where everything is cooked in desi ghee and food is rich and delicious overall. Ghee is good for you, btw, provided you limit the consumption in case you're trying to build an aesthetically appealing physique. Instagram/kunalkkapoor 9. Not everyone is content with the way their body looks. How do you suggest one should deal with it? I think the only way to deal with that is to look at it with a different approach. One should of course try to look good, but that should never be the aim with which they should plan their workouts. The goal should be to always be stronger than what you were yesterday. That way, you remain consistent, and automatically gain a better physique. I have seen really strong looking, muscular people who can't even touch their toes. What's the point of such shallow satisfaction in terms of how your body looks if it's not strong and flexible enough? Also, you should have fun while working out. Remember how we used to do somersaults and cartwheels effortlessly as children, and can't seem to do it any more when we are adults? Perhaps that's just because we forget to have fun once we grow up. Instagram/kunalkkapoor 10. The lines are constantly thinning, when it comes to what is beautiful and what is not. Body positivity is slowly catching up, and the 'accepted standards' of beauty and fitness are getting questioned. What are your views about it? One should stop following trends, because they are just that - trends, and they will keep changing. What a body should look like will keep changing, and you can't keep up with that. What one needs to look at is their overall well-being. By that, I don't mean only physical well-being, but their mental and emotional well-being as well, and there can be multiple ways to achieve that. For example, I do an hour of meditation every morning, and that seems to help me out a lot in terms of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. So all one needs to focus on is what they feel about their own physique, and their own health, rather than focusing on what the world thinks about it. Lucky for you, it's 2018 and there are a plethora of applications that not only help you increase your productivity but also save both time and money. Selected below are some of those applications that'll help you glide through your college life. 1. Frapp Frapp We all know how difficult it is to manage expenses during college where new ways to spend money don't cease to exist. Frapp helps you with saving some cash, by giving you access to student-exclusive deals. And if you're looking to earn, Frapp also offers you the opportunity to intern for well-known brands or even become an ambassador of them in your college. Frapp is available for Android and iOS. 2. Evernote Evernote Sharing notes and taking them down is an integral part of college life. Every now and then we come across something that needs to be noted down for future reference, be it sources, exam schedule, important questions etc. Evernote lets you take down notes in various forms (text, images, audio memo, sketches, scanned documents, checklists, clipped web pages). What more? You can also easily search for text, even if it's in an image. Evernote is available on Android, iOS and various other platforms. 3. Mathway YouTube Going from school to college, your math problems only become tougher. With more constants and variables than ever, it is so easy to lose direction and land at a dead-end. But with Mathway you can either input your problems or just take a snap of it to get solutions! If you want step-by-step solutions, you can purchase a monthly or a yearly subscription. Mathway is available on both Android and iOS. 4. Forest Forest With more distractions than ever, you don't even have to try to distract yourself. And with phones being a major source of distraction, what if you could curb your phone usage and help the world become greener? A gamified timer lets you plant a seed that will eventually grow into a tree if you don't use your phone during that time. With the Pro version, you can also plant real trees. Forest is available on both Android and iOS. 5. My Study Life My Study Life The key to a stress-free college life is planning everything in advance. And since it's difficult to follow a routine, My Study Life will be more than happy to help. The app allows you to schedule & make a timetable for exams, assignments, and revisions. It also lets you set tasks & reminders to help get work done. Furthermore, the app is completely free and syncs across all your devices. My Study Life is available on Android, iOS, Windows & even the Web. 6. Udemy Udemy If you're one of those students who is looking to learn more than what their college has on the palette, then Udemy is something that you should definitely check out. One can learn & choose from more than 80,000 online certified courses from topics like Coding to Music. This app is the perfect example of how a smartphone can open doors to new opportunities. Udemy is available on Android, iOS) & Web. 7. Trello Trello Ever found yourself in a situation where managing a group project or assignment became a mess and it was difficult to ascertain who was doing what? Even if you didn't, Trello is here to make project management & organization really simple. Everything that has to be done or is to be done can be neatly stacked in cards that are easy to maintain. You can also integrate third-party apps like Evernote, OneDrive or Twitter to help you with the workflow. Trello is available on Android, iOS & the Web. JOURNALIST: The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs declared, during a recent interview to the Cypriot newspaper Politis, that Ankara is ready to discuss every method of resolving the Cyprus issue, including a confederation as well as the creation of two states. What is the stance of Athens? Is there any discussion beyond the framework of the bizonal and bicommunal federation? G. KATROUGALOS: The long-standing national stance, which is fully in line with Greek interests as well as the relevant UN resolutions and International Law is a bizonal, bicommunal federation with full sovereignty of the federal state. Clearly, the supposed solution of two states - as well as a confederation, as a preliminary stage of this solution, does not constitute a solution but rather the opposite, confirmation of the division and subsequent legitimisation of the Turkish invasion. JOURNALIST: How near or how far are we from restarting negotiations on the Cyprus issue? A cycle of talks is pending with Mrs. Lute. Is there any new information with regard to the timetable? G. KATROUGALOS: Indeed, there is another round of talks and I shall meet with Mrs. Lute on 12 December in New York. Our side's - and when I speak about our side, it goes without saying that I mean both Greece and the Republic of Cyprus - long-standing wish is for the Cyprus issue to be resolved, and we consider the perpetuation of the status quo as a continuous breach of International Law. It depends on the other side, and especially on Turkey, whether progress will be made in the negotiations. It will depend upon its will to participate in good faith in a substantial dialogue - among other things also through preliminary talks - if and when there will finally be a positive outcome. It does not depend on artificial timetables. JOURNALIST: Has Athens been informed about a potential reduction and or departure of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, in the event that talks do not recommence soon? G. KATROUGALOS: We have been informed that such thoughts exist, but we consider these counterproductive. It is especially important for the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force to be maintained. JOURNALIST: Recently, in Cyprus, the aspect of security is being discussed, accompanied by the possibility of incorporating a unified Cyprus into NATO, in the event of a solution. What is Athens stance on this issue? G. KATROUGALOS: Our long-standing position on eliminating the anachronistic system of guarantees and the withdrawal of the occupying forces was promoted with clarity at Crans-Montana, and we shall continue in this vein. Any security structure in a reunified Cyprus must be based on a Resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council and clearly presupposes an active role on the part of the UN. This will also have to be the main criterion for any discussion related to security in the Republic of Cyprus. JOURNALIST: Is Greece ready to face possible obstruction of the Republic of Cyprus energy programme? In what ways? G. KATROUGALOS: We are systematically coordinating, with sobriety and decisiveness, our action and the steps we shall take in this issue, as with all other issues, with the full support of the Republic of Cyprus. We have indeed together managed to support the self-evident sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus by the European Union and by other significant partners, for the first time so clearly and so firmly. Furthermore, the trilateral and other cooperations that we have developed in the region have especially strengthened our diplomatic and defence position. JOURNALIST: Does the fact concern you that the trilateral cooperations being developed by Cyprus and Greece in the region may perhaps create a feeling of isolation in Turkey, resulting in increased tension? G. KATROUGALOS: Turkeys current stance with regard to its neighbours is not a result of action on our part, but a result of it challenging International Law and its revisionist efforts by projecting power. Its restlessness most likely gives away the fact that this tactic is not successful. On our part, we shall continue to work towards dialogue with the neighbouring country as well as maintaining the necessary diplomatic channels. HURON COUNTY With marijuana becoming legal on Thursday, the countdown begins for local municipalities to make a decision to prohibit or allow pot-related businesses in their communities. And, whether communities approve or oppose of the businesses, they must create an ordinance picking a side. Josh Hovey, spokesperson for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, said the marijuana industry would bring jobs to the area, employing people and filling storefronts, as well as revitalizing properties. These are businesses that are professionally run, Hovey said. They want to make sure theyre doing the right thing, paying taxes and behaving responsibly. I think from a local standpoint, there are significant benefits to be gained, he added. Researchers from Colorado State University recently completed a study looking into the sales of recreational marijuana. Pueblo County, Colorado, saw an economic gain of $35 million last year, according to the study. Studies have also shown opioid-related deaths are reduced in counties that allow for legal or medical marijuana to be sold. Youre seeing a public health benefit by reducing opioid deaths, he said, adding some patients have found marijuana to be more helpful that prescribed medications. There were nearly 46,000 opioid-related deaths in the United States in 2017 alone, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention A downside to opposing businesses, Hovey said, is that local communities wont receive any of the local revenue sharing that is generated from legal sales. The initiative divides tax revenues between roads, schools and then local governments that allow for marijuana businesses to operate, he explained. If a community decides not to allow the businesses, then theyre basically saying they dont want to share that tax revenue either. The state will evenly divide funds for road and school improvements, but there will be a local revenue sharing of roughly 30 percent. That 30 percent is divided between counties and municipalities that allow marijuana businesses to operate within their borders, he said. If Huron County, and its municipalities, dont want to have any of those businesses, then they dont get to share of that 30 percent of tax revenue. The state has projected its first recreational marijuana businesses opening within the next two years. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs still needs to develop the rules and regulations. If a community does choose to ban marijuana businesses, theyre essentially continuing the black market, Hovey explained. Theres no secret marijuana is here in Michigan and in Huron County. If its not going to be regulated basically these elected officials are saying they want the black market to thrive. Huron County Prosecutor Timothy J. Rutkowski told the Tribune his office intends on sending information to local jurisdictions informing them to speak with their legal counsel about creating ordinances. Owendale Village officials are scheduled to discuss an opt-out ordinance for marijuana sellers in the village at its Dec. 11 meeting. Many dear readers sent me lovely notes about items that got thanked at their Thanksgiving tables. You were blessed in thinking of less-thanked and you have brought a blessing to us all. So before the spirit of Thanksgiving is swamped by other holiday tasks, here are some of my favorites ... *** Dear Rabbi Marc, Thank you for your column on Appreciation for those less thanked. I would like to add substitute teachers to that list. I have been a substitute teacher in my school district for 16 years. No benefits, relatively low pay, accepting assignments in a myriad of classes often at the last minute and expected to relate to students (most of whom you dont know), maintain discipline and teach the subject matter. More than once I have been called in for an assignment and at the last minute told that I wasnt needed for the day. I am treated well by other teachers, the staff and most students. However, to the administration, substitute teachers are a non-entity, have no rights and not are recognized in any way except when they are needed for the next school year. Ironically, I have grown to love the job and the experience with the students. Thank you for letting me share this with you. Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. K, from Valley Stream, N.Y. Substitute teachers are just exactly what I had in mind when I conceived my list of little-thanked people and things on Thanksgiving. They are essential to our educational system and they are absolutely taken for granted and often abused by students and staff. First, they remind us that so-called regular teachers are not machines. They are people who work very hard and are exposed to every single germ a child can procure. They get sick. They need help. Very few athletes play the entire game. I actually think that substitute teachers are misnamed. They are not substitute teaching. They are teaching. They should be called just teachers or perhaps, todays teacher. That way we can see them as part of the potentially immense group of people we meet each day who have something to teach us about life if we just open our eyes and our hearts to learn their lessons. M.G. *** Dear Rabbi Gellman, I loved todays column. Beautiful! Im thinking of something I am especially thankful for ... the marriage of my mom and dad, on Nov. 18, 1939. Mom died 30 years ago and Dad died in 1975. If not for their marriage I would not have been brought into this world, given birth to my three amazing children, Christopher, Diane and Patrick, who along with their loving spouses, gave me my magnificent seven grandchildren: Evan, Daniel, Ciara, Joy, Samantha, Thomas and Sam. I dont often remember the humble parents who started this whole marvel of family. God Bless them in Heaven, and Thank You! A, from Shoreham, N.Y. When I write about the Ten Commandments, many people write to me with anger or bewilderment about the commandment to honor our father and our mother. Many of these dear readers have had a contentious or even abusive relationship with their parents whom they believe deserve no honor or love. Your loving tribute to your parents reminds me and reminds us all that on one simple physical level our parents deserve honor (the commandment does not specify love just honor). They birthed us into life. Without them we would not be here. That is enough for deep thanks. M.G. *** Dear Rabbi Gellman, Hows this ... the most likely evolutionary purpose served by the blazing foliage of the fall is that the end of a living organisms life cycle is intensely more beautiful than any period of its living existence. How wonderful a thought about our transition into the afterlife if, in fact, this is exactly what fall foliage is trying to tell us. T, from somewhere called My iPhone I love this one because it teaches us to see the end of life as more beautiful than all lifes other stages. In a physical sense this may not be true. When we are old we are not always as fit and trim or healthy as we are in our younger years. However, in one way almost all of us are better the older we get. We are wiser. A person can be smart when he or she is young, but a person cannot be wise when young. Intelligence is a bestowed gift, but wisdom is an earned acquisition. Wisdom takes time. We are such a youth-obsessed society that we lose the capacity to see the beauty of the aged. Perhaps that is why the prophet Isaiah (46:4) reminds us in Gods name, And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. Who knows, maybe the red leaves of fall are wiser than the green leaves of spring? M.G. Send ALL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS to The God Squad via email at godsquadquestion@aol.com. Rabbi Gellman is the author of several books, including Religion for Dummies, co-written with Fr. Tom Hartman. OLD SAYBROOK The Town of Old Saybrook and the Borough of Fenwick are in the process of updating the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP). The purpose of the NHMP Update is to update the hazards risk assessment, the mitigation strategies, and the actions to reduce the loss of life and property resulting from natural and climate-related hazards. In addition, a key part of this update is to document the progress made in implementing actions outlined in the 2014 NHMP. As a part of the planning process, the Town and the Borough created a local planning team made up of local, state and regional officials to assist in leading the development of the plan. The Town has retained GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. to assist the planning team in the preparation of the NHMP Update. Funding for this activity is being provided by the Town of Old Saybrook. A critical component of the planning process is open public involvement where the Town and the Borough will provide the public with the opportunity to provide input and comments at two public meetings. The first public meeting will be held on Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m. in the First Floor Conference of Town Hall, 302 Main Street. The focus of the first public meeting is to present: 1) the planning framework 2) the critical assets identified in the Town and the Borough and 3) the natural and climate-related hazard characterizations for the Town and the Borough. A second public meeting will be held on Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m. in the First Floor Conference of Town Hall, 302 Main Street. The focus of the second public meeting will be to present the updated natural hazard mitigation strategy and actions for Old Saybrook and Fenwick. The updated strategy and actions will be designed to reduce the loss of life and property from natural and climate-related hazards including but not limited to coastal flooding, sea-level-rise, severe wind resulting from hurricanes, and severe winter weather. During each meeting, the public is invited to make comments or suggestions. All comments received from the public will be documented and considered for inclusion in the Plan. For information about the current NHMP and the recent Coastal Resilience Study, visit the Town Initiatives page at www.oldsaybrookct.gov. Region 17 holding kindergarten registration HADDAM Regional School District 17 will be holding kindergarten registration on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 9 a.m.- 7 p.m., and Jan. 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Thursday January 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at each of the three elementary schools. Parents must bring each child's birth certificate and proof of residency at the time of registration. A parent information night and an incoming student visitation day will be held in the spring. More information will follow. Children entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before January 1, 2020. Killingworth Elementary School, Dennis Reed, Principal, 860-663-1121; Burr District Elementary School, Eric Larson, Principal, 860-345-4584; Haddam Elementary School, Brienne Whidden, Principal, 860-345-4551. Shore Line Trolley Museum open Santa will be at the Shore Line Trolley Museum on weekends through Dec. 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy a tradition that has been a part of our community for over 20 years. Take a ride on a real vintage trolley car visit to visit Santas North Pole Trolley Yard. Face painters, hot chocolate and cookies, decorated trolley cars make your childs day complete. Bring your wish list (or make one here) and deposit it in Santas mail trolley. Santa is ready for photo ops and to listen to the must-have wish list for children of all ages. Every child also receives a small gift. Be sure to dress warm for this festive event. General admission for this event is $10 and tickets are available at the door or online at www.shorelinetrolley.org. and all activities are included in this price. Miller Melodies seeing piano player HAMDEN The Hamden Miller Melodies at the Miller Senior Center are looking for a volunteer piano player for the group, and new members to join the club. Members meet on Friday mornings at the center for practice and perform throughout the community. Contact the center at 203-287-2547 for more information. Water test results for 2017 available CLINTON The latest water quality reports are available to customers and others who drink the water produced by Connecticut Waters more than 60 water systems statewide. The report summarizes the results of 170,000 water quality tests, and includes information about the companys water systems and source protection measures. More than 400 tests are done daily for more than 120 potential contaminants and parameters that could affect the quality of tap water. Read and download the reports at http://www.ctwater.com/waterquality. Customers can get a free copy of the report by calling 800-286-5700 at 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays, except holidays. Information: www.CTWater.com. Help with fuel available in state HARTFORD Applications are accepted for Operation Fuels statewide winter energy assistance program. The nonprofits 107 fuel banks are taking applications from families and individuals who are struggling financially and need energy assistance. Call 211 to determine eligibility and find the closest fuel bank. For more information on Operation Fuel or to make a donation, go to www.operationfuel.org. Donations also can be sent to Operation Fuel, 75 Charter Oak Ave., Suite 2-240, Hartford 06106. For help with food and other basic needs, visit www.cafca.org or contact the Connecticut Association for Community Action, 144 Clinton St., New Britain 06053, 860-832-9438. The Defense Department is likely to meet a request from the Department of Homeland Security on Friday to extend the deployment of thousands of active-duty troops to the border through the end of January. The deployment for the more than 5,700 troops was initially projected to end Dec. 15, but the DoD said in a statement Friday that DHS had asked the military to "extend its support through January 31." The DoD statement said the extension is necessary to assist Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in meeting the "current threat" from thousands of migrant asylum seekers massing in Tijuana. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is expected to sign the DHS request for assistance this weekend, according to Pentagon officials. At the same time, he is expected to order that the number of active-duty troops deployed to the border be reduced to about 4,000. The active-duty troops began deploying to the border late last month, in line with President Donald Trump's demand to stop the "caravans" of migrants seeking to enter the U.S. In addition, about 2,100 National Guard troops have been on the border since last April. The active-duty troops were deployed to Texas, Arizona and California, but not New Mexico. Beginning last week, about 300, including military police and engineers, were shifted to California to assist CBP at the San Ysidro, California, port of entry across from Tijuana. Under federal law, the troops are limited to assisting CBP with communications, intelligence and transportation. They have no arrest or detention authorities. The troops have also been stringing concertina wire at vulnerable crossing points and shoring up barricades at ports of entry. Last week, Mattis told defense reporters that the troops would continue to be unarmed but might wear shields and carry batons in situations where they had to come to the aid of a CBP agent who was under attack. Trump critics have called the deployments a "political stunt" that was aimed at helping Republicans in the November elections, but Mattis has defended them, saying they are similar to previous border deployments in the administrations of Democrats and Republicans. Earlier this month, the commander of the deployed active-duty troops, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan of Army North, suggested they might all be home for Christmas. "We'll continue to support CBP's request for support up until Dec. 15, unless we're directed otherwise," he said. But the latest request from DHS appears to have scrapped that plan. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. China's Sub Force Is Growing More Powerful. This Is What the US Navy Needs to Do to Stay Ahead Several presidents have had aircraft carriers named for them, but former Navy. Lt. George H.W. Bush is the only commander-in-chief who flew and fought off one. Aboard the carrier George H.W. Bush, the message was posted Saturday that echoed that of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson in tribute: "Fair winds and following seas, Sir. We have the Watch." "Bravo Zulu," the naval signal for "well done," said B.J. Lawrence, national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, in honor of Bush, a life member of the VFW's Department of Texas. In a statement, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said of Bush that he "took his experience in war to build a better world as our commander-in-chief." "We will miss him, but at the going down of the day, his example will long guide our sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines for how to live life without regret," Mattis said. Related: George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States, Dead at 94 At the commissioning Saturday in Boston of the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the Thomas Hudner, Adm. William Moran, the vice Chief of Naval Operations, noted the similarities between Bush and the late Capt. Hudner, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War. Both were sons of New England and naval aviators who dedicated their lives to public service, Moran said. "They left the promises of their fathers, a New England home, college, loved ones, bright careers, to eagerly defend the promise of America," Moran said. He quoted Bush at the end of the Cold War: "As I look to the future, I feel strongly about the role of the United States and the role it should play in the new world before us. We have a disproportionate responsibility to use our power in pursuit of the common good. We also have an obligation to lead." Moran added: "And that is what this ship, her crew and the spirit of Thomas Hudner are all about." Those serving aboard the carrier Bush are called "Avengers," for the Grumman TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Bush piloted on 58 combat missions in World War II, and the ship's call sign is "Avenger." A silhouette of the Avenger is emblazoned on the ship's seal over those of the F-18 Super Hornet and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Joined Navy At Age 18, Right Out Of Prep School Six months after the Pearl Harbor attacks, Bush enlisted in the Navy, fresh out of Philips Academy. It was his 18th birthday. He trained for carrier operations aboard the USS Sable, and after 10 months received his wings and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Texas on June 9, 1943, three days before his 19th birthday. At the time, he was the youngest pilot in the Navy. His fellow pilots nicknamed him "Skin," for his lanky frame. Bush was assigned to Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51) aboard the carrier San Jacinto. In August 1944, he was promoted to Lieutenant junior grade (j.g.) and on Sept. 2, 1944, his Avenger and three others took off on a mission to bomb Japanese installations in the island of Chichi Jima. Aboard with Bush were Radioman Second Class John Delaney and Lt. (jg) William White. They would not survive the mission Over the island, Bush's plane took heavy fire, but he managed to bomb the targets and, with his engine on fire, fly out about seven miles to sea, where he bailed out. He was in the water for about four hours before he was picked up by the submarine Finback. He returned to the San Jacinto and saw more action in the Philippines before being honorably discharged in September, 1945. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation given to the San Jacinto. Bush resigned from the Naval Reserve in 1955 as a lieutenant. His DFC citation noted his "heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FIFTY ONE, attached to the U.S.S. San Jacinto, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Bonin Islands, on September 2, 1944." "Leading one section of a four-plane division in a strike against a radio station, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bush pressed home an attack in the face of intense antiaircraft fire," the citation said. "Although his plane was hit and set afire at the beginning of his dive, he continued his plunge toward the target and succeeded in scoring damaging bomb hits before bailing out of the craft. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Reserve," the citation said. In a 2007 interview with the U.S. Naval Institute, Bush recalled the attack on Chichi Jima: "The flak was very heavy. You could just see it and hear it almost around you." "It was when I saw the flame along the wing there that I said, 'I better get out of here,' " he said. "I told the crewmen to get out. I dove out onto the wing. I hit my head on the tail, a glancing blow, and [I was] bleeding like a stuck pig." "I dropped into the ocean, and I swam over and got into this life raft," Bush said. "I was sick to my stomach. I was scared. If somebody didn't pick me up, I would have been captured and killed. They were very brutal on Chichi Jima." "People talk about, 'Wow, you're a hero.' Well, there's nothing heroic about getting shot down," he said. "And I wondered -- why was I spared when two friends in the plane with me were killed? I don't know the answer." Bush was the last president to serve in World War II, and his experience would color his decisions through the rest of his life in public service, which he summed up as an effort to demonstrate that "Freedom works." In his inaugural address as president, Bush said "We know what works. Freedom works. We know what's right. Freedom is right." The carrier Bush has adapted his words for the motto on the ship's seal: "Freedom At Work." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI - No charges will be filed against a Grand Rapids schools teacher for allegedly choking a second-grader because of insufficient evidence, Kent County Prosecutor Christopher Becker said Friday, Nov. 30. The October allegation that Robert Spaeth choked an 8-year-old Kent Hills Elementary student was the second time he's been accused of physically assaulting a student. Last year, the prosecutor's office also didn't bring charges for lack of evidence regarding an incident with a fourth-grader at Kent Hills. "While examining these cases, there is not sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Spaeth choked either student as they allege,'' said Becker, in a statement. "This is why no charges were filed previously, nor will any be filed regarding the latest incident.'' The mother of the second-grader told police that on Oct. 6 that her son told her that Spaeth "choked him" earlier in that week and he "couldn't breathe.'' Last year, the parent said he placed his hands on her son's neck and choked him while removing from the classroom. Last year, Becker said the one student who may have supported the student's version of the incident, refused to speak with the police. Becker said this latest case contained even less evidence to present to a jury than the first one. "We have the single statement of one 8-year-old boy. The three other kids who he specifically identifies as being with him, do not support anything happening as he describes. No other students in the class report seeing anything like he describes,'' according to Becker. Spaeth, a longtime special education teacher, had been on administrative leave but was allowed to return to the classroom Nov. 6, after the school district's internal investigation also found that there was no evidence to substantiate the allegation. He was reassigned to Sibley Elementary. He had taught at Kent Hills since the 2008-09 school year. The district said he was not disciplined at all, unlike in 2017, when he was suspended for three days because of how he handled the incident was deemed unprofessional. This month, Becker also said no charges would be filed against a school security officer for allegedly slapping an 11-year-old Westside Middle School student in October who was reportedly being disruptive. Again, there was no evidence to support the allegation. Spaeth nor the mother of the student could be reached for comment. HOLLAND, MI -- A hanging loop at a Holland area manufacturer, perceived as a noose by a black employee, was actually a makeshift hoop for a game played by workers on an earlier shift. Leaders at Request Foods released a statement Friday, Nov. 30 about their findings from an investigation that began when a black worker complained a day earlier. She works in the area where the loop, made of tape, was hanging early Thursday. She was upset and frightened by the discovery. In the Friday statement, company President Steve DeWitt said the investigation showed that workers on an earlier shift made the loop for use in a game during downtime. "When the team member who constructed the hoop learned how it was perceived by a colleague on a later shift, he was extremely remorseful and distressed. He shared with management that it was not his intention to cause harm to anyone. Along with management, the team members sat down for a conversation this afternoon where the facts were shared and an apology was extended and accepted," DeWitt wrote. WYOMING, MI -- Two teens have been arrested after police executed a search warrant at a Wyoming hotel in connection with a sting of cell-phone store heists. Both teens are 17 and police say they're looking for others. Kent County sheriff's Sgt. Joel Roon said police detained six people at the hotel and recovered two handguns, cash and stolen property. Four of the people were released. Roon said at least one stolen phone also was recovered. The arrests came prior to two break-ins at separate AT & T stores, one in Plainfield Township and the other in Wyoming, that happened before midnight Thursday, Nov. 29. Police earlier this week said they believe many or all of the robberies and burglaries are related, including the following: -- A Nov. 12 robbery at Best Buy, 4830 Wilson Ave. SW in Wyoming -- A Nov. 27 burglary at Verizon, 5563 28th St. SE in Kent County -- A Nov. 27 robbery at T-Mobile, 705 28th St. SW in Wyoming -- A Nov. 28 robbery at T-Mobile, 5301 S. Division Ave. in Wyoming Wyoming police on Friday said they were looking for Marquis Thomas, 18, on a warrant for armed robbery, as well as a juvenile not being named. Of the two teens arrested Thursday, one was arraigned Friday in 63rd District Court in Grand Rapids Township on a charge of receiving and concealing stolen property and resisting and obstructing police. He was identified as Ziquadreon White. WALKER, MI -- A bridge on Walker Avenue NW, which passes over railroad tracks below, will be demolished as part of $3 million construction project that, state officials say, played a role in one company's decision to expand in the area. Work is expected to kick off July 1 on the project, which will replace the bridge with a traditional roadway railroad crossing, said Michael Leon, a program manager for the state's Transportation Economic Development Fund. The project is expected to be completed by Nov. 15. The bridge is located between Sharp Drive NW and Waldorf Street NW. TEDF awarded a $1.8 million grant for the project to the city of Walker, which is contributing $1.2 million. A news release from TEDF, part of the Michigan Department of Transportation, said the bridge removal was a "significant" factor in a decision by Bissell Homecare, 2345 Walker Ave NW, to invest $6.3 million to renovate its building at 2345 Walker Ave NW and create 99 jobs. The jobs, which have a weighted average salary of $75,000, are expected to be filled before the end of next year, according to information submitted to TEDF as part of the funding application. Leon said the bridge is "weight restricted" and "in need of repair," and that its location is problematic for Bissell because the only entrance to the business is located close to the structure. Vehicles coming down the hill at a high rate of speed after passing over the bridge can make it difficult for semi-trucks and other vehicles to pull out of Bissell's entrance, he said. In addition, by demolishing the bridge, the road will be widened to four-lanes. Walker Ave. NW, near Bissell, is four-lanes but narrows to two-lanes on the bridge. "BISSELL has been working closely with MDOT and the City of Walker on plans for a grade level railroad crossing on Walker Avenue," Mark Bissell, the company's chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "Our expansion plans continue to focus on our Walker facility, and we see this change as a positive step and an opportunity to create a safe environment for our associates." George H.W. Bush, who died Friday at the age of 94, undoubtedly leaves mourners in Michigan, the state where he launched his ascent into nationwide political office by being nominated as Ronald Reagan's Vice Presidential candidate at the 1980 Republican National Convention in Detroit. "I accept! I enthusiastically support our platform and I pledge to you my total dedication and energies in a united effort to see to it that next January 20th Ronald Reagan becomes our 40th president," he told that Detroit crowd in 1980. He died on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 at his home in Texas, according to The Associated Press. His wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush, died earlier this year. After gaining the vice presidential nomination in Michigan, Bush's visits to to the state spanned more than a decade, and he is the only president to have ever participated in the state's annual walk of the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day. He did it while campaigning in 1992, and he set a brisk pace. A Grand Rapids Press account at the time described his pace as "torrid," and said his wife and then-Gov. John Engler struggled to keep up. A Massachusetts native, Bush served in the Navy and attended Yale before founding an oil company and beginning his political career. He was an ambassador before being nominated as the Republican party's vice-presidential candidate in 1980. Michiganders voted for that joint ticket in 1980, and they won the state with 49 percent of the vote over then-president Jimmy Carter. Michiganders helped propel the ticket to the White House for a second term in 1984, choosing the Republican ticket with 59 percent of the vote over Democratic challenger Walter Mondale. And in 1988, when Bush topped the ticket in a presidential run of his own, Michiganders voted for him 54 to 46 percent over Michael Dukakis. He became the 41st president of the United States. In 1992 Bush campaigned in Michigan, but ultimately lost the state and the White House to former president Bill Clinton. Throughout all of those years Bush made campaign stops in the state by plane, train and automobile. He considered Michigan an important state to his election, he repeatedly said at campaign rallies. "This state, your state, is a critical, important state," he told those gathered at an event he held in Saginaw on Oct. 19, 1988. And while in office, he delivered a commencement address at the University of Michigan in 1991. Ann Arbor News accounts from that day indicate he drew large crowds, but also protests and controversy. Bush handled that dissent with diplomacy. "...the freedom to speak one's mind -- that may be the most fundamental and deeply revered of all our liberties," he said after a brief protester interruption at his commencement speech at the University of Michigan in 1991. The Bush family grew close to several Michigan dignitaries, including Attorney General Bill Schuette. In his book Big Lessons from a Small Town, Schuette cites inspiration from both George H.W. and Barbara Bush. In a glowing note on the book's jacket, Barbara Bush noted that she and George were proud to call Schuette a friend. Bush's son, President George W. Bush, visited Michigan but was unable to replicate his father's results from the 1980s. It wasn't until President Donald Trump won the state's presidential vote in 2016 that another Republican was able to do so. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Despite a loss on election night, many Michigan Republicans are hoping U.S. Senate candidate John James' political career in Michigan is only just beginning. James lost to Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow in Michigan's 2018 U.S. Senate race, but he came closer than Stabenow's previous challengers. In 2012, Stabenow won by 21 points over former U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra - James, by comparison, earned 45.8 percent of the vote to Stabenow's 52.2 percent. When conceding the election on social media, James wrote, "We elevated some important issues and our movement isn't going anywhere." According to Bloomberg, James visited the White House last week to discuss a possible administration post with President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and is being considered for the United Nations ambassador position. James has been mum so far about his future plans, although he joked on Twitter that he was consulting "a top advisor" on next steps, posting a picture of himself with a dog. Consulting a top advisor on next steps. #LetsFlyMI pic.twitter.com/XXjXRU6SuK John James (@JohnJamesMI) November 14, 2018 James might not have won the Senate seat, but the campaign could be labeled a success in terms of setting him up for a future race and earning attention from party leaders, said David Dulio, a political science professor at Oakland University. "People recognize that he's not done if he doesn't want to be, and the same sort of things that made him interesting to so many voters will still be there," Dulio said. Regardless of what James decides to do next or in upcoming election cycles, "his future is very, very bright," Michigan Republican Party spokesperson Sarah Anderson said. She said his 2018 performance showed that his message resonated with people, adding that he could benefit from better name recognition in a future run. "As long as he's staying visible in some capacity, he could pick up exactly where he left off," Anderson said. "It would be a loss to our party if he didn't stay involved. What we need is people like John James - he feels called to serve his state and serve his country." State Sen. Ken Horn, who supported James and joined him at several events on the campaign trail, said James is one of the most authentic candidates he's ever met: "John James is a bright, shining light for Republicans in the state of Michigan," Horn said. Without any statewide Republican officials in office starting next year, Horn said he sees James as a person who could keynote events and be a prominent face of the Republican party, but said he would remain an excellent statewide candidate should he choose to run again. "I think that the Republicans are really going to have to look at somebody who can get out there and isn't afraid of hard work," Horn said. "If it's going to be somebody like John James, why not John James?" James, of Farmington Hills, was new to the political scene when he announced his intent to take on incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow, who was first elected to represent Michigan in the Senate in 2000. Throughout his campaign, he marketed himself as an antidote to same-old, same-old in Washington D.C., promising to bring a fresh perspective and a skill set buoyed by his combat experience in the Iraq War and his work at the business founded by his father, James Group International. James' unique background and message helped make him an attractive choice for voters, Dulio said, and the freshness likely won't wear off anytime soon. "If he wants to run again, he obviously will, and he'll have a chance to win," he said. Adrian Hemond, partner and CEO of Grassroots Midwest, said James came closer to defeating Stabenow than most expected going into the election: "For a campaign against the senior senator in what was otherwise a very, very, Democratic year in Michigan, I think he did well." Hemond said a 2020 statewide campaign could be a bad move for James if turnout remains high in a presidential year, but noted James' unique biography could make him a formidable challenger in the next gubernatorial race should he decide to run. Hemond said Democrats "didn't lay a glove" on James during the 2018 cycle, correctly assuming Stabenow would come away with the victory. If James were to run again, however, his opponent would have to be less hesitant to criticize his candidacy, Hemond said. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - The man who killed his best friend and "brother" in a dark alley took the witness stand Friday and said he did so under fear he would lose his own life. Jossiah Fousse testified in the murder trial of Jeremy Morton, who is accused of ordering Fousse and another man to gun down Darnell Byrd on Sept. 5, 2015. The jury trial is being held in the courtroom of Muskegon County Circuit Judge Timothy Hicks. Darnell Byrd Fousse, 26, has already pleaded to second-degree murder in the shooting death of his good friend. His plea was part of an agreement with the prosecutor's office in return for his testimony against Morton. The other man who shot Byrd, Kierelle Burns, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder and is serving life in prison. The unarmed Byrd was shot 13 times by Fousse and Burns who trailed behind him in the Muskegon Heights alley as they walked to what Byrd thought was going to be a robbery. Throughout his testimony, Fousse referred to Byrd as "my brother" because of the closeness of their 10-year friendship. He testified on Friday, Nov. 30, that a plan was hatched to tell Byrd the three were going to commit a robbery in order to get Byrd "to willingly go somewhere to be murdered." Fousse said Morton supplied him a 9 mm handgun to "go through with the plan." As they walked down the alley, Byrd objected to the robbery plot, Fousse testified. "He was like 'I really don't want to do it. Can't we get somebody else to do it?'" Fousse said. "Mr. Burns yelled out, 'No, shut the f--- up. You doing it.'" Burns was the man who had brought Byrd and Fousse a couple weeks earlier to Muskegon, a town both men were unfamiliar with. "I waited for (Burns) basically to point his gun," Fousse said. "When he started shooting I turned my head and started shooting." Byrd grunted and fell, Fousse said, and Burns kept shooting. "Does that bother you?" defense Attorney Kevin Simowski asked Fousse. "Every day," Fousse responded. The whole thing was set up by Morton because he thought Byrd had talked to police about an earlier, fatal shootout at a Muskegon Heights public housing complex, Fousse said. Morton had driven Byrd and Fousse there to "take care" of a man who had been involved in a bar fight with some female friends of Morton's, he said. Both Fousse and Byrd had recently arrived in town from Cincinnati after meeting Burns, who has family in Muskegon, Fousse said. Burns had told them they could get better construction jobs in Muskegon, but instead they ended up dealing drugs for Morton who gave them food and a place to live in exchange, Fousse said. He repeatedly testified that he didn't know anyone in town, or even his way around. He said he was drunk much of the time, and after shooting a man at East Park Manor, he didn't know who his "enemies" were or where he might encounter them. When Simowski asked Fousse why he didn't yell out to Byrd to run rather than shoot him, Fousse responded, "I could've done it - and get killed myself," noting that Burns was carrying a gun. Fousse recalled a conversation he had with Morton the previous day, who told him Byrd had talked to police and had given them information about the earlier shootout. As a result, Morton told him Byrd's "got to go," Fousse said. At first, he thought Morton meant he needed to leave town, but later realized he meant more than that, Fousse said. "As the conversation got deeper, it was he gotta die," he said. Burns, who also was present for the conversation, also said "he got to go," Fousse said. "That's when Mr. Burns said, 'We were talking about killing both of you. I had to tell Mr. Morton you all aren't real brothers,'" Fousse said. "'I looked at (Morton) and he went like, 'yeah.'" Later, Fousse said "they told me they was going to kill me and Byrd." Matt Roberts, chief trial attorney for the Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office, asked Fousse point blank why he shot his best friend. "I didn't have a choice," Fousse responded. However, under cross examination from Simowski, Fousse admitted he was not directly threatened by Morton. He spoke in detail about the shootout at the East Park Manor complex that occurred Aug. 30, 2015. He said Morton had driven him and Byrd there after some female friends of Morton told him they had gotten into a fight at a local bar. Because they didn't know anyone in town, Fousse said it "didn't make sense" when Morton drove him and Byrd to East Park Manor, gave them guns and told Byrd they were to find an individual involved in the fight and "shoot him," Fousse testified. Fousse said he instead suggested to Byrd that they buy marijuana at the complex and shoot their guns in the air to make it seem like they tried to fulfill Morton's order. They hadn't taken more than 10 steps when a group confronted him and Byrd, mentioning they "weren't from around here," Fousse said. They then pinned him up against a wall and tried to rob him, Fousse said. He said he tried to shoot them but couldn't and then someone fired a gun "an inch" from his face but missed. "It went white for probably about half a minute," Fousse said. "All I remember there were gunshots. That's when they were trying to shoot at me and I tried to run...I started shooting because I was like, 'I'm not going to die right here.'" He ended up shooting one of the men, Marlon Gresham, Fousse said. He pleaded no contest for shooting Gresham as well, and is hoping for leniency in that sentencing in return for his testimony. As he scrambled to escape the shootout, Fousse said he saw Byrd shooting but kept on running. Later he learned Byrd was shot and taken to the hospital. Authorities believe that Byrd shot and killed Thedrick Bryant and injured another man during that shootout. Fousse said that at the time, he feared Byrd was dead. "In my mind, when they said he was in the hospital, everything terrible went through my head," he said. Byrd ended up being jailed on an ammunition charge upon his release from the hospital. Morton later arranged for him to be bailed out of jail, about a day before he died, officials have said. "I was happy to see he was alive and healthy for the most part," Fousse said of the first time he saw Byrd following his release from jail. But within 48 hours, Fousse had killed his friend and fled to Grand Rapids with Morton and Burns. The trio was arrested in a hotel room there on Sept. 17, 2015. In response to a written question from a juror - an unusual practice that is allowed in Hicks' courtroom - Fousse said the Ankh tattoo on his face is in memory of Byrd. The Ankh, which looks like a cross with a loop at the top, was an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic that means eternal life. Morton's trial will continue next week. DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers are cutting ties with James McCann, their primary catcher for the last four seasons, as they look to pare down costs and get more offensive production behind the plate. The Tigers declined to offer a 2019 contract to McCann by Friday night's deadline, making him a free agent. He would have been due about $3.5 million if the team had elected to go through the arbitration process. Instead, the Tigers will have a new primary catcher for the first time since 2014. The Tigers also elected to non-tender veteran right-handed pitcher Alex Wilson, who would have been due about $2.8 million in arbitration. Wilson, 32, has been among the Tigers' most reliable relievers over the last four seasons, posting a 3.20 ERA in 264 innings. The Tigers offered contracts to the rest of their arbitration-eligible players: outfielder Nicholas Castellanos; right-handed pitchers Michael Fulmer and Shane Greene; and left-handed pitchers Matthew Boyd, Daniel Norris and Blaine Hardy. The team will have several weeks to negotiate deals with those players. If they can't reach an agreement, the dispute will go before an arbitrator, although that rarely happens. John Hicks and Grayson Greiner will get the first crack at replacing McCann, although it's likely the Tigers will also sign a veteran catcher to provide depth in Detroit or Triple-A Toledo. McCann, 28, was drafted by the Tigers in the second round out of the University of Arkansas in 2011. He made his debut in 2014 and took over the No. 1 catcher role a year later. In 452 games with the Tigers, he's hit .240/.288/.366 with 40 home runs, 58 doubles and eight triples. He was known for his "cannon" arm behind the plate, throwing out 37 percent of base-stealers during his career. But his defensive ability was considered less advanced when it came to pitch-framing -- that is, inducing umpires to call strikes on borderline pitches. The decision to non-tender Wilson was a mild surprise. Although never an overpowering strikeout pitcher, Wilson was a consistent strike-thrower who rarely walked batters and got plenty of ground balls. Both McCann and Wilson could eventually re-sign with the Tigers if they find the free-agent market cool, but it's more likely that they will find new homes. The Tigers now have 38 players on their 40-man roster, including left-handed pitcher Matt Moore, whose signing has not yet been officially announced. They will be able to select as many as two players in next month's Rule 5 Draft. Indian bank customers will soon have to spend more to do banking. Certain services may become costlier as banks may not only ask customers with minimum-balance accounts to pay up for free services like chequebooks and ATM cards but also increase charges across the board to pay a retrospective tax. Thats because the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) refused to intervene after multiple meetings by Indian Banks Association (IBA) with the Finance Ministry failed to draw up a conclusion. Over the past two months, the tax department has issued preliminary notices to banks seeking to levy Goods and Services Tax (GST) on services such as issuing cheque books and additional credit cards, ATM usage and refund of fuel surcharge. The GST notices are separate from those served in April to recover about Rs 40,000 crore in service tax and penalties from all banks, reports said. IBA had sought PMO's help against this demand to pay GST on those banking services. In fact, the PMO has asked banks to respond to show-cause notices issued by the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence. Currently, banks charge customers with no-frills or zero-balance accounts for services like cheque books and ATM cards, but provide them free to those who have accounts that require a minimum balance. Most of the major banks have agreed to start charging 18 percent GST on the free services. However, each bank would look at charging their customers based on the demand for those free services. Tax authorities are of the view that banks need to pay tax on such a free service provided in the past. According to reports, the principal amount sought from all banks put together is Rs 15,000 crore and is expected to increase to about Rs 35,000 crore if interest and penalty is added. The IBA being the lobby entity for all banks, held several meetings with the Finance Ministry on the issue. Its representatives met PMO officials this week and the PMO seems to be keen on recovering the tax, said the official quoted earlier who was present in the meeting. IBA confirmed that banks have informed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that they will need to recover the tax from customers for the last five years and pay to the Government as there was no other alternative. This comes at a time when banks are also struggling to deal with their large pile of bad loans of over Rs 10.5 lakh crore, impacting their profitability. The service charges may ease pressure on the bank's but could pinch the customers. meeting,board room,meetings,meet,panel live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Independent Director of JM Financial ARC, Anil Khandelwal, has resigned from the company's board over governance differences, The Wire reported. Khandelwal is said to have got the impression that the company's perception of governance issues is in wide variance to his own understanding of a transparent governance process. His resignation comes at a time when several independent directors are resigning from India Incs corporate boards with the recent stormy exit being that of R Chandrashekhar from the board of Yes Bank. Opinion | Chandrashekhar's resignation at Yes Bank offers hope that independent directors have come of age Khandelwals resignation letter, reviewed by the news website, describes year-long conversations where independent directors expressed several concerns but they got no response from the rest of the board or the company management. In cases where they got a response, the hearing did not go well. In January 2018, the independent directors met and suggested an improvement in corporate governance standards at JM Financial ARC. The minutes of this meeting was circulated on April 26, the report said. Khandelwal, in a letter to the company secretary, objected to "several resolutions brought to the board such as authorising executive functions to non-executive chairman". In May, HN Sinor, another Independent Director, shared similar concerns in an email to the company Chairman VP Shetty. A month later, Shetty said the management was considering the issues raised by the independent directors. After nothing happened for four months, Khandelwal requested Shetty to arrange a meeting with the Kampanis, the promoter family owning about 57 percent of the ARC. On October 24, Vishal Kampani, son of Nimesh Kampani and Group Managing Director at JM Financial, met the independent directors, where Sinor raised the concerns of independent directors. A day after the meeting, on October 25, Sinor resigned with immediate effect. His resignation letter stated that he had completed 10 years on the board of the company and was stepping down "in true spirit of Companies Act guidelines", with immediate effect. As per the company law, independent directors can serve for a maximum of two five-year terms. The law, however, does not count time served prior to 2014, when the law came into effect. On October 27, Anil Khandelwal resigned from the board of JM Financial ARC, with immediate effect. "In the absence of any positive intent and assurance to take concrete steps on the issues raised by the IDs, I am constrained to resign from the Board of the company (guided by my conscience) with immediate effect. This is by no way any reflection on the general working of the company, which is by any standards very satisfactory," Khandelwals resignation letter said. While the resignations have raised eyebrows, the company said, in an emailed response to BloombergQuint, that there is no problem with current standards of governance. "The recent resignation of an independent director from one of our group companies (JM Financial ARC), wherein he has mentioned a few areas of suggestions for 'a notch above governance' appear to be causing a misunderstanding about the subject. Do note there is no criticism of current standards of governance in any of the communication," JM Financial spokesperson said. Most of the actionable points raised by the independent directors can only be implemented in the upcoming cycle of performance evaluation, the statement said. If this is the case, then the reason behind the resignation of two independent directors remain sketchy. The independent directors had made the following suggestions: Observations made by the independent directors in the board evaluation process be reviewed dispassionately and proper feedback system should be evolved.The Nominations and Remuneration Committee should have a role to play in matters of performance evaluation, payment of directors commissions, filling board vacancies and so on.Stop the current practice of asking some promoters or Group executives, who are neither board members nor company employees, to attend board and committee meetings.Stop granting executive powers to the non-executive chairman. Most of these suggestions come under the company's law, therefore, it is unclear why the independent director would make these requests. The suggestions, however, point at three issues, according to the report. 1. Adi Patels remuneration Adi Patel, who is the company's Sponsor Director and an ARC board member, received a remuneration 10 times that of what any director for the financial year 2017-18. Sinor's mail regarding consulting the Nominations and Remuneration Committee to formulate a policy on director remuneration raises questions as the independent director is also a member of the remuneration committee who would have approved Patels commission. Patel, who has been associated with the group for 24 years, joined the board in December 2017. 2. Vishal Kampani at JM Financial ARC board meetings One of the suggestions points at the company's practice to have group functional heads and the group Chief Executive Officer attend group company board meetings on an invitation. The independent directors also pointed to a Reserve Bank of India observation on the same at the ARC. 3. Executive powers to a non-executive Chairman VP Shetty Sinor said in the email that this is against good governance practices. Even Khandelwals resignation letter had a mention about it. The company, however, reportedly claimed that the Chairman had been given only procedural powers and consists of signing some agreements, documents, and cheques.JM Financial ARC, founded by veteran investment banker Nimesh Kampani, is Indias third-largest capitalised ARC, with a net worth of Rs 1,067 crore and assets under management of Rs 14,257 crore as per the September-end data on the companys website. Shishir Asthana Motivation speaker Jim Rohn says Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune. Fund management is a skill that most managers pick up on their job. Starting out as analysts, they hone their skills and grow up to be fund managers. Several traders are self-taught but few successful investors scale up on a professional level. One such self-taught investor Chetan Phalke, from Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, after a chance visit to a brokers office took to investing like fish to water. He took up courses which would help him in being a better investor apart from being. An MBA and a post-graduation degree in Economics could have been good to qualify for an analyst job, but Phalke completed his education in 2008, right in the middle of the biggest financial crisis since 1929. Rather than taking up any job available in the finance sector Chetan preferred to go it alone and sharpen his investing skills. He published his research on his website and soon found takers for it. And thus Alpha Invesco which took birth as a research publication entity transformed into an advisor. Since inception in November 2009, Alpha Invesco has compounded annual returns of over 32 percent. In an interview with Moneycontrol, founder Phalke speaks in detail about his investment philosophy and his self-taught journey in investing. Q: How did it start for you? A: I come from a middle-class family in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, where no one was even distantly associated with the stock markets. I moved to Pune to pursue my MBA from Symbiosis and a post-graduation in Economics from Fergusson College. I heard about stock markets in 2003-04 for the first time. During the first year of graduation (computers) I had accompanied a friend to a brokers office to deposit some share transfer slip. I knew that I was not cut out to pursue computers as a career option. I always wanted to do some sort of business. The visit to the brokers office triggered my interest in the subject. I started reading as much I could on the subject. My reading on the stock markets and how it works cemented my belief that there is no better business to be in that the business of businesses investing. From the beginning, I was not keen on the trading side of markets. My college library introduced me to Warren Buffett, Peter Lynch and others and their style of investing. I was hooked. I used to go to the broker's office once or twice a week to understand more about the markets. Meanwhile, I started investing in my small account and some of my family members account. I witnessed the rally from 2003-07 without getting my feet too wet. By 2007-08 I gained enough confidence in managing money. As far as I am concerned, the 2008-09 crash could not have been better timed. Stocks were available at 2-3 times their cash flow valuations at a time when I had just completed my education and was ready for my baptism by fire. Those were the days when there were few jobs in the broking industry. I was clear on what I wanted to do with my life so I did not venture into any other stream by taking a banking job or some other similar jobs that were available in those days. I preferred to continue on my journey of investing. I started Alpha Invesco in November 2009 with the aim of doing my own research and publishing it. The research publication platform took its own time to pick up but I continued on the journey undeterred. Finally, as the markets picked up and my stock recommendations did well subscriptions increased. I then decided to branch out to managing more money and give advisory service. Today Alpha Invesco has a strong research team which is supported by interns. Q: Without any on-the-job experience in research, how did you develop your investing philosophy? A: Reading investing books have guided me in my journey. Like Peter Lynch, I prefer to pick up simple companies where the business is easier to understand. My degree in Economics helps me in set a big picture to build my case. But having said that I am a bottom-up stock picker. I like to pick up companies that are dirt cheap and where there is a high degree of certainty in terms of business growth. For me, the formative years were very helpful. Between 2009 and 2011 I was able to pick up stocks that were cheap as markets were not interested in looking at them. But that changed as market picked up. Earlier, we were looking at smaller consumer-centric companies at good valuation but as markets moved up there were few opportunities in this space. We then went in for bigger companies and cyclical, but the underlying philosophy never changed. We were looking at sectors which were showing points of maximum pessimism. This point of maximum pessimism changes with the sector where no one is interested. The sector can be in trouble on account of any reason capital misallocation, promoters mistake or a cyclical downturn. Secondly, we like to look at companies where there is haziness in terms of earnings for the next four quarters. This is because the street is fixated with knowing what the earnings will be next year. Unless they have a clarity on this they are not willing to touch the stock. We are willing to overlook the near-term uncertainty. Here I must point out that there is a clear distinction between uncertainty and risk. We expand our horizon beyond the next four quarters of earnings. Another point I would like to mention here is that cheapness in a stock can be on account of valuation as well as the sector being out of favour. So we have two ways of picking up a stock. One is we look at a theme and then search for cheap stocks in them or we run screeners and check whether the stock fit into the theme of socio-economic relevance. Q: Can you elaborate your process? A: One sector that no one wanted to look at till recently was the steel sector. This sector was in a downtrend since 2008-09 when almost all companies announced huge expansions or went ahead and acquired companies. All these were debt funded. These capacities came on stream in 2012 just when the economy was going through a policy paralysis. Capacity utilisation dropped from 95 percent to 72 percent. China was also witnessing an issue of over-capacity at a time of global slowdown and their cheap imports only aggravated the situation. To cut a long story short, steel companies started defaulting on their loans. Analysts and fund managers took the sector out of their radar. We started looking at the sector when the government decided to interfere by introducing safeguard duties and anti-dumping duties. We expected that the government would be able to stabilise prices and help the industry. But the main logic was that the sector will benefit as the economy improves the steel sector will pick up. Infrastructure spending will help steel demand as infra accounts for 65 percent of steel demand, Further, the sensitivity of steel to GDP growth is high. When the GDP grows at 6 percent steel sector grows at 5 percent but when GDP grows at a higher 8 percent steel demand picks up to 8-9 percent. We expected that the steel sector would not see new capacities coming up anytime soon. Because of the default, no banks were willing to lend to the steel companies. This became a big entry barrier for the sector. Further, it takes nearly 4 years for a steel plant to be commissioned from the day of the announcement. Companies would be more focused on cleaning their balance sheet, improving capacity utilization before they announced setting up of new capacities. Our expectation was that the first such announcement should come in 2020 and the steel plants in 2024. Now that we had a good visibility on the sector we looked for a stock. We zeroed in on Steel Authority (SAIL). The stock was dirt cheap available at Rs 25,000 crore. Nearly 17-18 percent of Indias capacity was available at Rs 25,000 crore. Our rationale was that as the cycle turns the least efficient guy would have the maximum delta. SAIL was a story which had a combination of earnings, operational efficiency and sector dynamics behind it. The company was improving on its operating leverage. SAIL is witnessing a retirement of nearly 5,000 employees every year. Nearly 20 years back the company had a capacity of 10 million tonnes and had an employee strength of 1.8 lakh. In 2008 it had a capacity of 13 million tonnes with 1.3 lakh employees. Now with a capacity of 21 million tonnes the company employees 74,000 people. SAIL has also gone through a modernization exercise of its blast furnaces. As utilization in the company improves the EBIDTA (earnings before interest depreciation and tax) per tonne will be high. I am okay with buying a company that is in losses today as far as there is visibility of improvement going forward. Some sectors that are in a down-cycle will see a lot of companies in losses. I will look for companies that are trading at a significant discount to its peers and lower than their replacement cost. Q: Any recent themes you are looking at? A: We are looking at PSU banks that is one sector which many market participants would not look at. We are closely looking at the merged entity of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank, and Vijaya Bank. The combined entity is available at a market capitalization of Rs 35,000 crore. The combined entity will have around 8,000 branches but there is an overlap in 2,000 pin codes. The cost of operation of each branch is around Rs 50-60 lakh. Assuming that there is a phasing out only 1,000 branches the bank can save Rs 500-600 crore. There are other benefits of synergy like excess workforce. The banks would stop hiring and use the workforce for diversifying in services where they are not present like high yielding personal loans or car loans. Three headquarters will then be reduced to one. SBI saved Rs 1,200 crore in their first-year post their mergers with smaller banks. But our main bet is one the capex sector and renewed lending by these banks. Credit growth has been negative for the PSU Banks over the last three years but provisioning has been high. In the case of the combined entities that we are talking of provisioning has been to the tune of Rs 65,000 crore but lending was only Rs 60,000 crore. So the banks have not lent much fresh money but have provided for the old ones. Chances of slippages are low as the economy picks up. Further, if credit growth of these banks increases to 10-12 percent the impact on the bottomline will be high. The banks have almost finished providing for most of the bad loans. Thus chances are high that Return on Assets (RoA) which are around 0.1-0.2 percent can go up to 1 percent on an asset base of Rs 12-15 lakh crore. The potential of peak profit of the entity is Rs 15,000 crore. This may not happen over the next four quarters but over the next three years, the chances are good. Further, the bank is cheap and is available at 0.5 time its trailing book value. For us, the odds are in our favour and the entry price is good. We will start nibbling at the stock. There is one more thing that I have learned is that entry valuation is important and that will decide the money we make. We have now changed our way of buying into a company. Earlier I used to buy as soon as I liked a company after doing the research. Now we scale up only if our thesis is proven right. As the company behaves in the way we expected our allocation increases. We are also betting on the revival of capex cycle basically de-bottlenecking trades. Companies where volumes are high but they are moving up the value chain. Q: What is your exit strategy? A: Our holding period is normally around three years. We tend to give the management a long rope as the stories we play are structural in nature. There is either a new management, new product or an expansion which will have an impact over time. We decide to switch from the current investment to a new one or to cash if the theme that we envisaged is not working out. We also decide to switch if the stocks valuation has gone above its long-term valuation zone. If the story is intact and the company is growing with a stable cash flow we would continue with the investment. It is difficult to put a valuation number for the exit for such companies as the valuation matrix grows as the business grows. This is especially true when a small company with limited products decides to expand and bring more stability to its numbers. In the formative years of the company earnings are volatile but as the company grows, adds more product lines or expands there is a stability in its cash flows. The market then rewards these cash flows. Valuation band of the company also changes as it comes in the limelight. It is difficult to contemplate the valuation at which we want to exit when we are buying a stock. What I have realized is that it is difficult to get the timing right for the story to unfold but the thesis will play out sooner or later. So in such a case, we have to give the company and its management a long rope to play out. Q: How do you play the cyclicals? A: In cyclical we look at the supply side scenario rather than the demand side. A company operating in this space should have some sort of entry barrier which can be something like we discussed in the case of steel new capacities taking time to come on-stream. We then look at the valuations where the company should be at the lower end of some valuation parameters like replacement cost to enterprise value or peak profit potential to market capitalization. We would also like some external parameter to support like a global supply-demand mismatch. Such an environment will throw up interesting opportunities. We look for companies with the lowest multiple if all the parameter discussed are met. In the case of the steel sector we tracked the sector and companies for nearly a year before we made our first move. Q: What are the top three things that you look at in a company? A: What goes unsaid is that we would ideally look for companies with good management. But at the same time, we would not like to overpay for good management. We are okay with compromising a little on the management quality as long as the entry valuation is factoring in the worst case scenarios. For us the entry valuation is important. What we look for in a company is that it should have survived multiple business cycles and knows how to deal with the ups and downs. The company should be among the leaders in the sector and have scaled up its business regularly. The next criteria are that the company should have a balance sheet to survive tough times. Now there is three kind of balance sheets highly risky, moderately risky and with near-zero risk, measured on the basis of debt it carries in its books. While the highly risky ones are a complete no in our stock picking, we also do not invest in zero risk ones. What we have seen is that when cycles turn the company with zero risks do not have that much delta to reflect the overall improvement. A moderately risky balance sheet is our area of interest. An essential point is that there should be no solvency risk in the business. As the scenario improves the company will be generating enough cash flow to retire its debt. So even if the enterprise value remains same the reduction in debt will be taken care of by higher market capitalization. Q: What have been your hits and misses and what are you looking at now? A: Despite the entry criteria we have made our set of mistakes. Portfolio quality goes down towards the end of the bull market as investors tend to compromise on a lot of things while chasing momentum. The last purchase of the bull market will always teach you the costliest lesson. Very important to stay away from the hysteria. Fortunately, we stayed away from NBFC's & midcap/small cap pockets in the recent bull run. We transitioned from a diversified portfolio to a much more concentrated portfolio. During 2015-2016-2017, we added only 3 new stocks to our portfolios and exited almost 15-16 stocks. Though this resulted in a big underperformance over the last couple of years, it was okay since we managed to avoid blunders. In the current year 2018, as on date, we have added 4-5 stocks and few more are in the pipeline. We have made mistakes in selling our companies early. We sold out Future Retail, Venkys India and Edelweiss in 2016. We bought into these stocks much ahead of the market. However, the businesses picked up much faster than what we thought and all of them went on to go up by 5-7 times, Venky's India moved up more than 10x after we sold. On the other hand, our wins were IFB, Siyaram, Wim Plast, KRBL, Cera Sanitaryware, Amrutanjan, Take Solutions, Mirza International, among others. We bought into these companies when they were small and struggling but available at throwaway prices. We have exited all of them during 2016 and 2017. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The market ended on positive note with both the major indices Sensex and Nifty posted a gain of more than 3 percent each for the week ended November 30, 2018. The S&P BSE Largecap index rallied 2.91 percent, while S&P BSE Midcap and S&P BSE Smallcap Index rose 1.07 percent and 0.53 percent, respectively. The Sensex rose 3.5 percent this week, or 1,213 points, to ending at 36,194.30, while Nifty surged 3.3 percent, or 350 points, to close at 10876.76. Here is a list of 10 stocks which moved most in the last week: Videocon Industries | Up 20 percent The company's net loss for the quarter ended September 2018 declined to Rs 1225.06 crore from net loss of Rs 2,874.21 crore posted during quarter ended June 2018. Meanwhile, revenue was down 77.20 percent to Rs 186.33 crore against Rs 241 crore. Bharat Financial Inclusion | Up 5 percent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has provided liquidity relief and also relax norms for securitisation transactions for the companies. Minimum Holding Period (MHP) requirement has relaxed for originating NBFCs in respect to loans above 5 years, said RBI. The company completed the sixth securitization transaction of Rs. 289.14 crore in FY19. With this transaction, the company has completed six securitization transactions worth Rs 2,842.17 crore in FY19. Yes Bank | Down 9 percent Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Yes Bank's foreign currency issuer ratings to Ba1 from Baa3. The outlook, where applicable, has been changed to negative from stable. The rating agency ICRA has downgraded the domestic long term ratings of Senior Debt Instruments to ICRA AA from ICRA AA +and Subordinate Debt Instruments to ICRA AA- from ICRA AA. The ratings remain on watch with negative implications. Also CARE Ratings has downgraded the domestic ratings of Senior Debt Instruments to CARE AA + from CARE AAA and Subordinate Debt Instruments to CARE AA from CARE AA+. The ratings remain on credit watch with developing implications. The company acquired 45,91,123 equity shares, resulting in aggregate holding of 4,655,884 equity shares constituting 14.44% of the paid-up share capital, having nominal value of Rs 10 per share of Dion Global Solutions. Arvind | Down 66 percent Shares were down as much as 71 percent on Wednesday as it traded ex-demerger. The stock hit fresh 52-week low of Rs 90.25, but it is the value of demerged entity which hived off from the main company. In same month last year, Arvind had announced the demerger of branded apparel and engineering businesses into separate entities which would be listed in 2019. After demerger, Arvind will have the textiles business (denim, fabric and garments), advanced material (AMD) and other businesses. Arvind Fashions, which will be holding company for all companies under brand & retail; and the engineering segment will be handled by Anup Engineering. In October 2018, the National Company Law Tribunal had sanctioned the Composite Scheme of Arrangement amongst Arvind Limited and Arvind Fashions Limited and Anveshan Heavy Engineering Limited and The Anup Engineering Limited and their respective shareholders and creditors. Stampede Capital | Down 14 percent Longfin Corp, (LFIN) USA an associate company of Stampede Capital, in which Stampede has 37.14 percent stake has filed an assignment for the benefit of creditors (ABC) petition in the court of New Jersey, USA. Longfin in its filing with SEC has categorically said that the equity shareholders are not going to be paid anything out of the assets of the company in the ensuing ABC proceedings. REC and PFC | Down 13-17 percent Shares of REC and Power Finance Corporation (PFC) declined 13 percent and 17 percent respectively on the back of reports that the government is considering merger of these two companies. The government holds a 58 percent stake in REC and 66 percent stake in PFC. Vodafone Idea | Down 13 percent CRISIL downgraded its rating on non-convertible debentures of Rs 6,000 crore and has re-affirmed its rating on CP Programme of Rs 2,000 crore. Tata Consultancy Services | Up 6 percent The company announced an expansion of its ongoing 12-year old partnership with the Phoenix Group, Europe's largest life and pensions consolidator. It launched TCS Pace, a new brand identity for its research, innovation and digital transformation services that are at the core of customers' Business 4.01 journeys. With the new brand, TCS strengthens its positioning as an innovation partner to forward-thinking enterprises across the world. Also company acquired the business of BridgePoint Group, LLC, a US management consulting firm catering to the financial services industry, and specializing in retirement services, through the purchase of select company assets. Sun Pharma | Down 6 percent Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries have entered into settlements with certain plaintiffs in the In re Modafinil Antitrust Litigation matter pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pola Pharma Inc, a Japanese pharmaceutical company engaged in research and development, manufacture, sale and distribution of branded and generic products in Japan. Bank unions on December 1 called for a nationwide strike on December 26 to protest the proposed merger of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank. The government had in September approved the merger of the three public sector lenders. The strike will be organised by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine employee and officer unions. The government and the concerned banks were moving ahead with their decision for amalgamation and hence it was decided to give the call for strike, All India Bank Employees Association General Secretary C H Venkatachalam said. All unions under UFBU will participate in this strike call, said Ashwani Rana, vice president of the National Organization of Bank Workers. Following the government nod, the respective boards of these banks gave their approval for the amalgamation. The merged entity will be third largest lender of the country after State Bank of India (SBI) and HDFC Bank. As at June-end, the total business size of the three entities together was Rs 14.82 lakh crore. Pakistan on December 1 said the Kartarpur Corridor initiative was taken solely to fulfill the longstanding wishes of "our Sikh brethren" and criticised the "negative propaganda campaign" against the historic move. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who completed 100 days in office, on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Kartarpur Corridor linking two revered gurdwaras on both sides of the border in Kartarpur in Punjab province. Khan used the ceremony, also attended by two Union ministers from India, Harsimrat Kaur and Hardeep Singh Puri, along with Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, to call for steps to resume bilateral talks, including on the Kashmir issue, receiving a sharp reaction from New Delhi which regretted that he used the pious occasion to make unwarranted references to Kashmir, an integral and inalienable part of India. Also, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi claimed that Khan bowled a "googly" to ensure the presence of Indian government at the groundbreaking of the Kartarpur Corridor, which invoked a sharp reaction from Kaur and other BJP leaders. "We are deeply dismayed at the relentless negative propaganda campaign being waged by a section of the Indian media against Pakistan on the 'Kartarpur Corridor' Initiative," the Foreign Office said in a statement. The much-awaited corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. The corridor will facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib, which was established in 1522 by Guru Nanak Dev. The Kartarpur Corridor, which will facilitate the visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, is expected to be completed within six months. Pakistan categorically reaffirmed that the initiative to open this corridor was taken solely in deference to the longstanding wishes of "our Sikh brethren" and especially in the wake of the forthcoming 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on November 30 said the alliance of his party BJP and the Shiv Sena will emerge victorious in the 2019 elections. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, he said the election symbols of the two parties will together form a formidable winning combination at the hustings. "Shiv Sena's bow and arrow and BJP's lotus will win the 2019 elections," Fadnavis said, replying to an opposition sponsored motion moved last week in the Lower House. Besides the Lok Sabha polls, the Maharashtra assembly elections will also be held in 2019. Referring to the demand for a ban on the Sanatan Sanastha, Fadnavis said the proposal in this regard sent to the Centre by the previous (Congress-NCP) state government was "live". "Banning any organisation comes under jurisdiction of the Centre," said Fadnavis, who also handles the Home portfolio. The right-wing outfit has been accused of involvement in terror activities, a charge strongly refuted by the Goa- based organisation. Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil of the Congress sought to counter Fadnavis' assertion of unity among the saffron allies and referred to editorials in "Saamana", the Shiv Sena mouthpiece which often criticises the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra. However, Industries Minister Subhash Desai and PWD Minister Eknath Shinde, both belonging to the Sena, praised the Fadnavis government's policies. Shinde said the Samruddhi Corridor, an expressway linking Mumbai and Nagpur, was a game-changer which will put the state on the path of development. Till recently, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party was strongly opposed to the project. Speaking about the Navi Mumbai International Airport, he said the December 2019 deadline for its operationalisation is likely to be missed. One terminal building andone runwayare likely to be completedlatestby March-April 2020, he said. The CM highlighted implementation of Mumbai's city- wide CCTV surveillance network and metro rail project as among his government's achievements. The winter session, which ended on November 30, was the last of the present BJP-led government, whose terms ends in October 2019. The budget session of the state legislature will begin on February 18. Representative Image Congress leader Harish Choudhary has alleged the BJP is trying to incite caste conflicts in the Marwar region of Rajasthan and asserted voters will discard the ruling party's "politics of emotion" in the state assembly polls. He also said the Congress, if voted to power, will ensure that every section of the society lives in harmony. Talking to PTI, the Congress national secretary and the party's manifesto committee head for Rajasthan said, "The BJP has tried to incite caste violence in Rajasthan. They play politics with the people's emotions, whereas, the Congress talks about real issues. People will discard this kind of politics by the BJP." He said the Congress rather believes in working to unite the society. With barely a week left for the polls, caste issues seem to be in focus in the Jodhpur region and all parties are trying their best to benefit from the prevailing social equations. Speaking on the Congress manifesto, Rao said, "The manifesto is for everyone. We have taken care of every section of the society." He said the farmers in Rajasthan are in distress and within ten days of forming government, the Congress will announce a loan waiver. He asserted that the loan waiver promise has sent a strong message to farmers in the state. Rajasthan will vote for 199 seats of the 200-member assembly on December 7 and counting will take place on December 11. Congress President Rahul Gandhi being greeted by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu during election campaign in Khammam, Telangana- Nov 28, 2018 (Image- PTI) Accusing the NDA government of harassing political rivals through agencies like the CBI and the Income Tax department, TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu on December 1 said he joined hands with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders to work in national interest. Speaking during a roadshow in the city, Naidu criticised the NDA government for demonetisation, "faulty implementation" of GST and price rise and alleged that there was a feeling of insecurity. "Today, the government led by Narendra Modiji in the country is indulging in attacking political rivals. They are harassing rivals as per will," he said. "If anyone questions, (they) send Enforcement Directorate, CBI, Income Tax. Attacks on media. Attacks on political leaders. By carrying out attacks on business organisations, creating fear, (they) wish to see that nobody speaks [sic]," the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister said. Therefore, he said, he spoke to all political parties in the country, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in spite of differences between the TDP and the Congress for over 30 years, to work together in national interest. "The country should be protected. Democracy should be safeguarded. Then only we will have future. If you don't have the freedom to speak, I am asking, what is the value of democracy," he said. Naidu, who was speaking in Rajendranagar assembly segment here as part of his roadshow in the city in support of TDP candidates, accused the NDA government at the Centre and the TRS government in Telangana of letting down people. "One thing is common between big Modi and small Modi. That is magic trick with words. He (Modi) speaks well. Our KCR also speaks very well [sic]," he said. Rao kept mum on NDA government over "attacks" on minorities, SCs and STs in the country, Naidu alleged. He said that the international airport, Cyberabad (the IT hub in Hyderabad), Outer Ring Road, Krishna river water and other major development projects in Hyderabad became a reality at his initiative. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister claimed that the TRS government did not implement its election promises, including double bedroom houses for poor. Naidu's Telugu Desam Party is part of the 'People's Front' also comprising Congress, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS). Asserting that a Congress nominee would be the chief minister if the Front wins the December 7 elections, he said the TDP would fully cooperate in the endeavour. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Y K Koo of Hyundai was given an extension of one year in India and he made it count. As head of company, he pushed Hyundai to the number one spot in customer satisfaction index, launched several new cars and became the driving force of the company. He, however, has decided to move back to Korea, handing over the reigns to an outsider. But that was not the only big development. Read on to find out what made headlines during the week in the automotive space. Hyundai and Toyota appoint new heads for India South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Company announced Seon Seob Kim as the new head of its Indian arm as part of leadership rejig of its global operations. Kim, who is currently senior vice-president, head of Business Operations Strategy Division at Hyundai Motor Company, will take over from incumbent Y K Koo. Toyota Kirloskar Motor announced a top-level management change with its incumbent Managing Director Akito Tachibana being replaced by Masakazu Yoshimura. The formal appointment of the new managing director will be made at the company's board meeting scheduled for January 22, 2019. In the Roxor US launch case it is advantage Mahindra over Fiat Three months after Fiat Chrysler Automobiles dragged Mahindra & Mahindra to court over violation of intellectual property rights (IPR), the investigative staff appointed by the US Trade Commission has barred FCA from pursuing the investigation further. If the US Trade Commission accepts the findings of the Commission Investigative Staff, the Mumbai-based M&M will be allowed to import the Roxor off-road vehicle from India to market them locally in the US. This could prove to be a huge setback for FCA which had accused M&M of copying the Jeeps grille design for the Roxor. Skoda-Volkswagen to scout for engine buyers The combine of Skoda and Volkswagen will scout for buyers for their new family of engines to be manufactured at their India factory, as part of a plan to revive fortunes in the market from 2020. Part of the India mandate from their headquarters in Germany is to meet economies of scale and work towards a profitable long-term growth which has remained elusive for the most part of the groups presence here. The revival project is called India 2.0 JLR lays off workers to limit output Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) on Friday said it is undertaking adjustment of vehicle production at its plant at Wolverhampton, central England, as a result of which 250 temporary jobs will be affected. The company further said it will undertake a two-week production pause at the plant in December and has asked 500 workers to stay at home although they would continue to draw salaries during the period. Triumph to launch 6 bikes in India British superbike maker Triumph Motorcycles said it plans to launch six new products in India by June next year. The company, which has completed five years in India, also aims to grow its sales in the country by 10-12 percent annually going ahead. It would be a mix of new and facelifts of the current models. The company also intends to expand its sales network from the current 16 dealerships to 25 over the next 3-4 years. Carmakers line up prices hikes despite a slowing market A severe slowdown in sales notwithstanding, select car makers are threatening a price hike from January 1, 2019 to offset multiple cost pressures since the past several months. Increase in commodity and fuel prices, rupee depreciation, lower-than-expected sales during the festive period and a predicted boom in demand next year due to BS-VI, have prompted these companies to consider a price hike from next year. Will the Alturas G4 do for Mahindra what the Ssangyong Rexton couldnt? The declining acceptability of brand SsangYong forced its parent Mahindra & Mahidra to pull the brand out of India and launch a premium SUV under the Mahindra brand. Thus, the Ssangyong G4 Rexton was rebranded as Mahindra Alturas G4 as a bet by the SUV specialist to have a crack at the premium SUV segment. Priced at Rs 26.5 lakh, the Alturas G4 is the costliest product ever launched by M&M under its own brand. The SUV will compete against Ford Endeavour, Suzuki Vitara, Hyundai Santa fe, Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Pajero and the current market leader Toyota Fortuner. Introduced first in 2012 in India, M&M failed to popularize the SsangYong brand here even though there was lack of a strong competition. Though M&M contemplated launching at least two more products under the Korean brand (including a compact SUV) it was forced to abandon those plans following lukewarm response for the Rexton. Pushing a relatively unknown automotive brand in India has proved to be unfruitful for other car makers too. Nissan, for instance, revived a dead brand Datsun in India and launched three cars under it. Datsun has less than 1 percent share of the Indian passenger vehicle market. Toyota decided against launching the budget-friendly Daihatsu brand in India. The segment where the Alturas G4 is launched churns out volumes of less than 3,000 a month. M&M is hoping to grab 10 percent share of the premium SUV segment. The earlier generation Ssangyong Rexton generated volumes of less than 200 a month but in the final year its volumes dipped to under 50 a month. IL&FS Transporation Network, a subsidiary of the IL&FS group, is in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to rescue seven Indian employees. IL&FS Transportation Networks Limited (ITNL), a part of IL&FS Group, through its subsidiary Elsamex SA has been executing projects across three sites in Ethiopia. Also Read | IL&FS crisis stokes fears in Ethiopia, 7 Indian employees held hostage over unpaid wages: Report Seven of its Indian employees, based at project camp sites, were not being allowed to leave their respective camp sites by the local community on account of unpaid dues by the project company. One of the employees tweeted on Thursday and sought help from the Indian government. The IL&FS group, in their media release, mentioned, "The IL&FS Group has been making all-round efforts, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India and the Indian Embassy in Addis Ababa, to ensure safe and early return of its employees." Also Read | India checking report IL&FS employees held hostage by staff in Ethiopia ITNL had sought approval on November 16, 2018, through its authorized dealer bank, to remit funds overseas. However , they are waiting for approvals. However, as of now, two of the seven employees have been allowed to move out of camp and are now in Addis Ababa. Answer: Donald Trump. President Donald Trump on November 30 lauded "good signs" ahead of talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on resolving their trade war. "There's some good signs, we'll see what happens," Trump said in Buenos Aires, where he was attending the G20 summit and was to have dinner with Xi on December 1. "If we could make a deal, that would be good. I think they want to, and I think we'd like to." Trump has slapped punishing tariffs on more than $250 billion in Chinese imports so far this year, demanding that Beijing end allegedly unfair trade practices and reverse industrial policies criticized by other major economies. China responded with its own tariffs on $110 billion in US goods. But Trump has threatened to target the remaining $267 billion worth of Chinese imports as well, hitting Apple iPhones and laptops produced in China. Ahead of the G20, White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow detailed what Trump wants out of China. "China should change its practices and come into the community of responsible trading nations," Kudlow said, stressing that he considers the US economy in far better shape than China's to weather a prolonged trade war. "We are in a position to deal with it and handle it very well," he told reporters. China will have to give way on "fairness and reciprocity," he said, warning that US concerns over intellectual property theft and China's forced technology transfers "must be solved". Buenos Aires : Leaders attending the G20 Summit pose for the family photo at the Costa Salguero Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018.AP/PTI(AP11_30_2018_000301B) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese premier Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 30 held a trilateral meeting, the second among the three countries after a gap of 12 years, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here to discuss cooperation in various areas. The Russia-India-China meeting came hours after Prime Minister Modi, his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump held their first trilateral meeting on the margins of the summit. "Deepening engagement with valued development partners. President Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping and PM @narendramodi participate in the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral in Buenos Aires. @KremlinRussia," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted. "2nd Russia-India-China 'RIC' Trilateral Summit took place in Buenos Aires after a gap of 12 years. In a meeting characterised by warmth and positivity, leaders discussed cooperation and coordination in various areas which could contribute to global peace and stability," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Twitter. Earlier in the day, India, Japan and the US discussed major issues of global and multilateral interests in their first trilateral meeting, which assumed importance in the wake of China flexing its muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. At the meeting, India underscored its firm commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic growth. Asserting that India will "continue to work together on shared values", Modi said, "When you look at the acronym of our three countries -- Japan, America, and India -- it is 'JAI', which stands for success in Hindi." File Picture: Imran Khan Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for a new legislation to effectively deal with offences related to money laundering and other corrupt practices that are negatively impacting the cash-strapped country's economy. The law, to be finalised within a week's time, would further strengthen existing laws to effectively check hawala, hundi and other illegal and corrupt practices, The Express Tribune reported. The decision was taken during a high level meeting at Prime Minister's Office on November 30, where the PM further approved package to incentivise remittance through legal channels, the report said. It was decided during the meeting that the State Bank of Pakistan, being regulatory authority in the banking sector, would take action against elements involved in facilitating the opening and operation of fake bank accounts in the country. During the meeting, it was decided that the necessary amendments would be introduced in existing laws, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Act 2010 to further strengthen them for effectively dealing with cases of money laundering and other illegal practices. Meanwhile, secretary Interior informed that taskforces, at national as well as provincial levels, have been constituted with an aim to identify legislative and administrative constraints in effective implementation of the AML activities and to suggest corrective measures towards its eradication. The provincial taskforces have been mandated to take timely action against those involved in activities falling within domains of hawala, hundi while the national taskforce will submit monthly report to the Prime Minister's Office on performance, including coordinated actions undertaken and recoveries made. Khan has stated on several occasion that corruption money worth billions of rupees was being laundering and promised to take measures to stop it. The government is making all-out efforts to prevent stolen money from flowing out of the country. Cash-strapped Pakistan urgently needs a capital boost in order to avert a looming balance of payments crisis. Foreign reserves held by the central bank dropped below USD 8 billion in late October, raising concerns about Islamabad's ability to finance monthly import bills. A stranded vehicle is pulled out of a collapsed section of roadway near the airport after the earthquake. (Image: Reuters) A powerful earthquake shook southern Alaska on November 30 morning, buckling roads, disrupting traffic and jamming telephone lines in and around Anchorage, the state's largest city, but there were no reports of injuries. The 7.0 magnitude quake struck about 8 miles (13 km) north of Anchorage, a city of 300,000 residents accounting for about 40 percent of Alaska's population, and was followed by dozens of aftershocks. Roads and bridges appeared to have been hardest hit, but Anchorage was otherwise largely spared from major structural damage, authorities said. Power outages and disruption of phone service were widespread. "We did have a couple of reports of buildings collapses," Fire Chief Jodie Hettrick told reporters about three hours after the quake, adding that three structure fires also were reported, though details were not immediately available. "The fact that we went through something this significant with this minimal amount of damage says that we're a very well prepared community, that our building codes and our building professionals have done a terrific job," Mayor Ethan Berkowitz said. The initial quake produced strong shaking within a 30-mile (50 km) radius of its epicenter, with ground movement felt as far away as Fairbanks, 250 miles to the north as the crow flies, and Kodiak, roughly the same distance to the south, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). "Thought the house was going to come apart," Anchorage-based climatologist Brian Brettschneider wrote on Twitter, posting a photo showing his kitchen floor scattered with items that tumbled out of cupboards. A tsunami warning was issued for Cook Inlet, linking Anchorage with the Gulf of Alaska, but was later canceled. The Trans Alaska Pipeline, which carries crude oil 800 miles (1,300 km) from Alaska's North Slope to the marine terminal at Valdez, was shut down for about seven hours as a precaution, but no damage to the system was detected, said a spokeswoman for the operator, Aleyska Pipeline Service Co. The quake occurred nearly 27 miles (43 km) beneath the surface, apparently on an unnamed fault line, or fissure, inside a portion of the Earth's crust known as Pacific plate where it bends underneath the North American plate, USGS geophysicist Brian Kilgore told Reuters. "This is kind of an odd quake," he said, adding that only 15 or 16 quakes of magnitude 6 or greater have been recorded during the past century in the same region of Alaska. "SCARY DAY" Morning rush-hour traffic in Anchorage came to a standstill and jammed up heading out of town after the quake struck at around 8:30 a.m. (1230 EST/1730 GMT). Governor Bill Walker issued a disaster declaration, calling it a "scary day for Alaska." "We have been through earthquakes in the past. This one was different. This was very, very scary, damage that we dont fully understand,a Walker said in a video statement from outside a National Guard armory command center. President Donald Trump declared a federal emergency, ordering U.S. government assistance in the earthquake response and authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts, the White House said. Strong earthquakes are not uncommon in seismically active Alaska but tend to occur in remote, sparsely populated regions. Alaska has recorded earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 7 to 8 at least once a year on average since 1900, according to the state government website. Southern Alaska was hit by a devastating 9.2 tremor in 1964, the second most powerful earthquake on record. Images posted on social media showed supermarket floors strewn with spilled items. A photo posted by a reporter at television station KTVA showed a deserted newsroom, with scattered debris and a partially collapsed ceiling. CNN reported that TV station KTUU, an NBC affiliate, also was knocked off the air. KTUU's website featured a photo of a snow-covered highway that had buckled, with a car sitting between two deep fissures crossing the highway. The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport remained open, but arrivals and departure ramps were closed and there were reports of road damage, the airport said on Twitter. The city's schools were evacuated and parents were notified to pick up their children. U.S. President Donald Trump rallies with supporters in a hangar at Missoula International Airport in Missoula, Montana, U.S. October 18, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RC1ABB606CE0 US President Donald Trump reaffirmed November 30 in a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in that he wants a second summit with North Korea's leader, the White House said. Trump and Moon, meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, "reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization" of North Korea, Trump spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. They agreed on the need for "maintaining vigorous enforcement of existing sanctions to ensure the DPRK understands that denuclearization is the only path", Sanders said, using the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. However, Trump made clear that he also wants to follow up on his historic June summit in Singapore as he tries to persuade the reclusive regime to give up its nuclear weapons. "President Trump discussed his intention to have a second US-DPRK summit," Sanders said, and the two leaders "restated their commitment to closely coordinate on next steps". Moon's top press secretary, Yoon Young-chan, was quoted by Yonhap news agency saying that Trump "asked that South Korea and the US closely cooperate so the next summit will be another historical milestone in the process of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula". The United States, Canada, and Mexico signed a North American trade pact on November 30, with President Donald Trump brushing aside concerns that he could face difficulties getting the deal through the US Congress. The leaders of the three countries agreed on a deal in principle to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which governs more than $1.2 trillion of mutual trade, after acrimonious negotiations concluded on September 30. November 30's signing potentially ends a big source of irritation for the US administration as it pivots to a much bigger trade fight with China that threatens the global economy. All eyes are on a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday after a G20 summit in Buenos Aires. Trump had vowed to revamp NAFTA during his 2016 presidential election campaign. He threatened to tear it up and withdraw the United States completely at times during the negotiation, which would have left trade between the three neighbours in disarray. The three were still bickering over the finer points of the deal just hours before officials were due to sit down and sign it. "It's been long and hard. We've taken a lot of barbs and a little abuse and we got there," Trump said after the signing. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau still had a few barbs of his own on November 30. He called the deal by its old name NAFTA, prodded Trump over US steel and aluminium tariffs, and said General Motors Co's decision to cut production and slash its North American workforce, including in Canada, was a "heavy blow." "Donald, it's all the more reason why we need to keep working to remove the tariffs on steel and aluminium between our two countries," Trudeau said. Mexico's outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto was warmer. On his last day in office, he said the new deal was forged with the "firm belief that together we are stronger and more competitive." Legislators from the three countries must still approve the pact, officially known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), before it goes into effect and replaces NAFTA. But the US landscape will shift significantly in January when Democrats take control of the House of Representatives, after winning midterm elections in November. Presumptive incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi described the deal as a "work in progress" that lacks worker and environment protections. "This is not something where we have a piece of paper we can say yes or no to," she said at a news conference on Friday, noting that Mexico had yet to pass a law on wages and working conditions. Other Democrats, backed by unions that oppose the pact, have called for stronger enforcement provisions for new labour and environmental standards, arguing that USMCA's state-to-state dispute settlement mechanism is too weak. "There is still a ways to go to gain support in the new Congress for this agreement," said Representative Bill Pascrell, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means trade subcommittee. Still, Trump and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer expressed confidence that the NAFTA replacement would pass Congress. "It's been so well reviewed I don't expect to have very much of a problem," Trump said. Lighthizer said the pact was negotiated from the beginning to be a bipartisan agreement. "I think we'll get the support of a lot of Democrats," he told reporters. Trump had forced Canada and Mexico to renegotiate the 24-year-old agreement because he said the existing pact encouraged U.S. companies to move jobs to low-wage Mexico. US objections to Canada's protected internal market for dairy products was a major challenge facing negotiators during the talks, and Trump repeatedly demanded concessions and accused Canada of hurting U.S. farmers. Matt Blunt, the head of the main lobbying group for GM, Ford and Fiat-Chrysler , applauded the deal, saying it would keep north American automotive manufacturing competitive and included a first-ever provision to address currency manipulation. "However, we remain concerned that the continued imposition of steel and aluminium tariffs on Canada and Mexico will undermine the benefits of the USMCA," added Blunt, who heads the American Automotive Policy Council. Foreign brand automakers have expressed concerns that the new rules of origin, which require more high-value content be produced in the United States or Canada, will be too burdensome. BDI, Germany's main industry association, said in a statement that the autos rules of origin were "a retrograde step compared with NAFTA." Reabilitarea si eficientizarea energetica a Gradinitei cu Program Prelungit Motanul Incaltat Unitatea Administrativ Teritoriala Municipiul Galati a semnat cu Ministerul Dezvoltarii, Lucrarilor Publice si Administratiei, in calitate de Autoritate ... Pe masura ce toamna trece prin desertul muntos Hi-Desert, traseele suflate de vant sunt accentuate de lucrari de arta specifice regiunii: Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours este o sarbatoare anuala a artistilor care locuiesc in bazinul Morongo. De la Valea ... Comitetul de urgenta vulcanica din Insulele Canare (Pevolca) a ordonat izolarea locuitorilor oraselor si catunelor de coasta situate in apropierea locului in care lava a cazut in cascada in mare, pe insula La Palma. FOTO, mai jos! Houston area drug dealers looking to eliminate the competition are in luck. The Rosenberg Police Department is offering to help drug dealers save money and claim more territory by offering a free service through Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers. Drug dealers who want to report their competition can contact a narcotics detective or crime stoppers for free, according to a Facebook post from the RPD. All jokes aside, officials with the RPD said this is the first time they've run the creative crime prevention ad. "We are just reaching out to the community to try and liven things up [and] bolster attention to the police department," said RPD Lt. Justin Crocker. Crocker said as of Wednesday afternoon no suspected drug dealers have actually fallen for the prank and called to report any competition. His hopes are not set high that any will. CREATIVE COPS: Sheriff goes on 24/7 neighborhood watch after creating life-size, cutout signs "We don't expect any real responses," Crocker said. "We've just gotten a lot of engaged comments, a lot of positive comments. People understand its a joke and they appreciate it and think its funny." Crocker said the department might re-post the ad again once a year due to the community response it received. He added that despite the tongue-and-cheek ad, any resident aware of a suspected drug dealer should take the matter seriously. "Always if you suspect or see suspicious activity or are concerned with anything in your area, contact local law enforcement regardless of where you live," Crocker said. "We are always here to help." Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Chinese President Xi Jinping called on China and Turkey to strengthen cooperation and share development opportunities when meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, here on Friday. Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua] The two leaders held talks on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in the Argentine capital. Pointing out that both China and Turkey are emerging market economies, Xi urged the two countries to strengthen coordination and cooperation, share development opportunities and meet challenges and risks together. Xi said he and the Turkish president have kept close communication in recent years and jointly led the strategic cooperation between their countries to a higher level. He called on the relevant departments of the two countries to cooperate closely to fully implement the consensus achieved by him and the Turkish president and strive for tangible results. Xi said China supports the efforts by Turkey to maintain its steady development. The Chinese side is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Turkey to jointly oppose protectionism and unilateralism and safeguard the common interest of emerging market economies. Erdogan said he is pleased that Turkey-China relations have kept developing and deepening. The Turkish side looks forward to carrying out closer high-level exchanges with China, speaks highly of the Belt and Road Initiative, and is ready to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as trade and economy, investment, aviation and tourism within the Belt and Road framework, he said. The Turkish side is ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with China in international and regional affairs, he added. CARROLLTON With the internet and social media so prevalent and related dangers increasing as a result, the Federal Bureau of Investigations is reminding students to use social media wisely. Students in all grades in Carrollton schools heard Friday about the dangers of inappropriate internet and social media use. Social media and the internet is a very powerful thing, said Brad Ware, a public affairs specialist with the FBI Springfield division. When its used correctly, it can be used for wonderful things, but there is a dangerous element to it. The FBI is leading a campaign to raise awareness of hoax threats and the consequences of making threats whether real or as a prank. The maximum sentence for issuing a hoax threat is five years in a federal prison, Ware said, noting that there also are other potential consequences, including the distraction of law enforcement and first responders the day of the threat. Say someone has a heart attack across town, all the first responders are (at the school, responding to a fake threat), Ware said. Itll take longer for them to respond (to the heart attack victim) because of a false threat. Ware also cautioned students about those who use the internet to prey on others, whether through financial scams, as an attempt to gather inappropriate photographs or even to kidnap someone. Some in Wares audience were surprised to learn that a person could spend a day or years earning the trust of a potential victim on the internet. People can be patient, they work to gain your trust, Ware said. Then they ask you for a picture, then another one asking for something specific. Or, they ask to meet. Senior Josh Knight already knew some of the information Ware shared, but he didnt realize how easy it could be to become a victim of a cyber crime, he said. I didnt realize it was so easy for some people to steal information from you, Knight said. It isnt always about crimes, Ware said. In addition to the dangers presented by others on social media, Ware cautioned students to consider what kind of harm they might do to themselves in their online posting. It could impact their futures, he said. Sharing a story of an athlete who lost a full-ride scholarship because a photo of him with a beer ended up online, Ware told the students to make sure they portray themselves in a positive light. If its not something you would send to a parent, its something you should really think about the consequences of posting, Ware said. Ally Bland, a Carrollton senior, said the presentation made her think about what she posts. My college followed me, Bland said. It made me think about how I portray myself. Its a big thing to think about other people looking at how you portray yourself. While students in third grade and up learned about online safety, Ware talked with those in kindergarten through second grade about personal safety. I talked with them about being safe in their surroundings, Ware said. We went over the safety rules, which were check with a parents or adult before doing something; take a friend; its OK to say no; and to tell an adult if something makes you sad, scared or confused. While online safety is important, Ware said younger students who are not on the internet as much still need to know how to keep themselves safe. That includes learning to tell people no when something is not right, including a stranger asking for help or someone touching them inappropriately. We want all students to be safe, Ware said. We want to make sure they have good habits while on social media. Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNews_samantha. Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load A man is expected to be OK after being shot during Friday in southwest Houston. The man, in his 30s, got into an altercation with another man in the middle of the street along Ormandy Drive near South Main Street, according to Houston Police Department Lt. Carlos Miller. As We the People of the United States enter the year 2019, it is imperative that all citizens also enter into deep dialogue on the health of our nations democratic soul. The United States is a deeply troubled society, a deeply divided society lacking political trust. To a great extent, we have become a Hobbesian society in which citizenship is reduced to fear. The lack of trust is an indication of political failure and paralysis in efforts to respectfully and sincerely listen to others narratives. Our challenge, as a citizenry, is to construct opportunities to cultivate a political friendship that enables all to imagine a shared life with mutual benefits, what our Founding Fathers called the Commonweal and what Catholic social teaching calls the common good. Such friendship is essential to building trust, which serves as the foundation to overcoming our fear of the other and fear of the future. We need to imagine a community and nation in which we feel safe with one another. Prior to the midterm elections, I asked students in my St. Marys University sophomore honors class, called Practice of Citizenship, to anonymously write what they most feared politically, economically or culturally in the U.S. today. As honors students, they have academic scholarships and goals of becoming medical doctors, dentists, engineers, computer analysts, professional musicians, educators, lawyers, accountants, finance and risk managers, and entrepreneurs. These students and others like them are the hope for a more tolerant, just and less violent society. Their closely held fears included: Seeing their parents deported. Starting their own families in a violent society. Being around members of a different socioeconomic class or religion. Growing up in a country full of hate. Leaving climate change unaddressed. What it might mean to be white in 20-plus years. Not addressing the presence of easily acquired weapons. Further limitations for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, students. Not stemming the use of social media as a primary news source. Gun violence and mass shootings in public places. Being killed by someone for being openly LGBTQ. Being sexually assaulted while walking down the street. Living in a world where nothing matters except money and power. These are, academically speaking, the best and brightest students, those involved in campus organizations and governance, and engaged in serving the community. On the surface, they are the hope for the future. But underneath the veneer exist real fears that illustrate the dark side of our democratic soul. We must, as a nation, reflect on and acknowledge the root causes of distrust in our political and economic culture. It is distrust that leads to fear. Why, in the United States today, is it so difficult to imagine a future together? We must ask serious questions about the values, ethics and sense of belonging that shape our conception of what it means to be a citizen of our community and nation. Transcending the dark side of democracy is not about forgiving and forgetting past and present pains it is about remembering, recognizing and changing. Constructing healthy relationships is at the heart of social change that enables We the People to overcome our fears. Relationships that will enable us as a community and nation to build political friendship and trust require that we understand how and where we connect with one another. Such relationships are based on respect, which is friendship without intimacy and without closeness. Political respect conveys a commitment to equity, reciprocity and shared decision-making. Change processes that lead us to a shared identity (which does not negate our individual identity) are, unfortunately, generational. It first requires the awakening of a social conscience, oftentimes rooted in faith, followed by a sincere sharing of personal narratives with friends and strangers. Each narrative must be respected. One must listen to understand. Then, we can connect the dots between divergent narratives, creating a seamless garment of our fears. Mapping our fears will enable us to separate fact from fiction, which will build trust and strengthen relationships. At this point, dialogue can begin to address issues, such as safety, alienation, rivalry and scapegoating, while understanding our legitimate fears, as well as the fears of others. This dialogue path will lead us to acknowledging our interdependence, breaking the individualistic ways of defining our community and nation through simple me-you and us-them constructs. Continuing the dialogue can lead citizens to a political transformation that involves a fundamental shift in how we understand one another. It leads to political friendships and shared interests. At this point, we can begin a deep dialogue that is the beginning of understanding collective responsibility rooted in a positive shared identity. This will enable us to overcome the distrust that has resulted in our becoming a nation of political strangers. The path leading from a culture of political strangers to one of political friendship, from a nation of fear to one in which we experience political trust, gradually building collective identity is a journey of a lifetime. It requires a commitment, a passion, an understanding of citizenship that will create healthier communities that address the fears of these students and many more like them. We owe it to todays young adults, our children and grandchildren, to become engaged responsible citizens who will strengthen democracy and build communities in which the next generation feels safe. Larry Hufford, Ph.D., is chair of the Department of International Relations and professor of political science at St. Marys University. Are the media complicit in the plummeting downfall of Americas sense of decency and democracy? Yes, is the resounding answer not because the media are particularly fake or even intend to promote the abhorrent stagnation that is plaguing Americas moral compass. The media are complicit because, day after day, they give the American people nonstop exposure to the lies, deception, divisiveness, hate and crime that is the very character of the current administration. The media should stop providing the platform for pouring the putrid nature of the 45th president into homes across the country. What would happen if no press corps members showed up for news conferences? What would happen if breaking news every day was not about some additional affront leveled at America and its tottering state of democracy? What would happen if the nonsense that permeates the news stopped or at least was significantly minimized? Enough! Enough coverage of the senseless rallies that inspire those who are drawn to racism, bigotry and violence against people of any ethnicity, culture, religion or political beliefs contrary to a white nationalist ideology. The media give voice to the bully pulpit that incites horrific acts by the ugliest of humanity. Yes, the perpetrator igniting these horrors holds the most powerful position in the world but does not speak for or represent the majority who call themselves Americans. Americas position would have been unimaginable only two years ago. Other nations are laughing at us, and the respect that was once earned because of Americas principles of freedom, democracy, individual rights and reasonably just laws, and its fundamental mantra to offer equality to all its people has eroded, if not completely disappeared. Just stop. Tell America about whats good and decent and honest and forthright. Let the evening news open with what the families of the Sandy Hook victims have done to heal their pain and grief, and make the safety of other children a priority. Start with profiles of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students who seized the opportunity to let their voices be heard and are making a difference in amazing ways. Tell America how the congregation of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., has risen above the senseless horror that took the lives of its members in the middle of a midweek Bible study. Let the lead story profile the hundreds of thousands of immigrants whose loyalty and contributions are intricately woven into the fabric of America. The breaking news can highlight the many newly elected officials who were compelled to enter political arenas because enough is enough. Thousands of Americas military have been serving multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan; tell some of their stories. Survivors of shootings in Sutherland Springs, Las Vegas and far too many school campuses, the survivors of California fires and mudslides, victims and survivors of Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, Marie and Michael have stories of hope, survival and honor. Tell the stories of the first responders who place themselves in harms way for the very reason that makes America the special place that it is. Tell America how it has a responsibility to hold its elected officials accountable. Recognize and give voice to the millions of Americans who are appalled by the demise of Americas moral, intellectual and social conscience. Our children will be shaped by what is being done in this country, by what is being said, by what is being seen. Just stop. Let the media rise to a higher level of obligation and desist in spilling daily doses of the administrations venomous behavior into our homes. Let the media collectively decide to place themselves on the right side of history. Lynda Byrd of San Antonio is a retired executive with the General Agency of the United Methodist Church. Republicans latest excuse for ignoring climate change like all their other excuses gets the problem exactly backward. On Black Friday, the Trump administration tried to bury a congressionally mandated report on the consequences of climate change. This nonpartisan assessment, produced by scientists across 13 federal agencies and departments, detailed the observed changes in the climate so far and the dire and deadly risks that lie ahead if we remain on the same course. These include more frequent and intense natural disasters (hurricanes, droughts, floods, wildfires); huge public health costs (worse air quality, greater transmission of disease through insects, food, water); and devastating economic damage (to infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, tourism). The report refrained from making specific policy recommendations. But it did press the need for policymakers to do something to substantially curb greenhouse-gas emissions. Yet, as expected, Republicans instead offered multiple, sometimes contradictory cop-outs for why they plan to do nothing. (None of their excuses are related to the fact that the fossil-fuel industry donates big money to the GOP, of course.) Two days before the release, President Donald Trump again suggested that global warming wasnt real. Which the scientific consensus, as reflected in this report, unequivocally says it is. Others, such as former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., explained on the Sunday shows that the planet may be warming, but we dont know whether humans are the cause. But, as the report released Friday put it: The evidence of human-caused climate change is overwhelming and continues to strengthen. Alternatively, some Republicans suggest that, yes, the planet may be warming and, yes, humans may be the reason, but its too darn expensive to do much more than we are. Yet the impact to American industry and jobs will also be enormous if lawmakers take no action: The climate assessment report forecasts annual U.S. economic costs in the hundreds of billions of dollars by the centurys end. Which brings me to Republicans final, most confused excuse yet for ducking the most critical policy challenge of our time: The private sector will fix the problem for us, if only we leave markets alone to innovate. I think its clear that (the climate is) changing and its clear that humans are a contributing factor, Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said on Fox News Sunday. I think the real question, though, becomes, what do you do about it? Because you cant legislate or regulate your way into the past. We have to innovate our way into the future. On NBCs Meet the Press, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also acknowledged that the burning of fossil fuels isnt the healthiest for planet Earth. Asked if he supported a carbon tax, though, he said no. The reason: If were going to move away from fossil fuels, its got to be done through innovation. And innovation can be choked out through excessive government regulation. Heres the thing. Taxing carbon is exactly how you get faster innovation. Thats kinda the point. A carbon tax prices in, upfront, the hidden costs of burning fossil fuels, including pollution and the warming of the planet. In the near-term, a carbon tax disincentivizes the purchase of carbon-intensive products, of course. But over the longer-term, it also increases demand for and thereby incentivizes the development of cleaner, less-carbon-intensive technologies. Additionally, if Republicans truly want to walk the walk on reducing excessive government regulation, theres plenty for them to do. There are tons of regulations and subsidies that encourage use of fossil fuels and slow down innovation in greener technologies. There are, for instance, the enormous tax breaks and other subsidies for oil and coal. Or Trumps proposed bailouts for failing coal plants. Or his tariffs on solar panels. Policymakers could also take action to crush the NIMBY-ism that impedes offshore wind farms. Or they could discourage or even pre-empt lots of other stupid state and local rules and regulations. These include building codes that inhibit solar, or the unstandardized, jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction permitting process that makes installation more difficult. All of which is to say that prioritizing innovation and the cutting of red tape are not actually an excuse for inaction on climate change. In fact, theyre key to the solution. crampell@washpost.com Elections, in the short run, are great, but only if youre on the winning side. Can the insurgent winning side solidify gains, can City Hall respect the verdict, or will it continue to play hardball? There are two types of elections those which are considered and planned, and those that are imposed upon the government because of popular discontent. Preservation of the status quo versus an energized insurgency, wider in scope beyond the firefighters agenda, according to a visual map of voter sentiment turnout. The insurgents mostly won on Nov. 6. Rather than personalizing the actors on this stage, lets try to understand a deeper analysis at play here, suspending our gut feelings. Though led by the Firefighter Association around their union contract issues, they magnified broader voter discontent and the lack of influence at City Hall on matters affecting their quality of life affordability concerns, as well. Influencing City Hall on policy matters implies structural change. Is this possible? In fiscal, management and reputational terms, the policy choices to be made are consequential. This election was one in which voters wanted to get City Halls attention, to address issues and concerns more forthrightly and urgently. Voters remember past failings. The downtown street fiasco. The Hays Street Bridge fiasco. The lack of leadership to finally negotiate a large union contract. The failure to publicly discuss these three dangerous charter amendments at City Hall. The failure to articulate a vision to remove the city from national rankings in economic segregation. A city leadership too ensconced downtown, rather than mingling more often with constituents. The insistence of using the limited urban planning model to heavily subsidize the commercial real estate industry, focusing on the built environment, leading to scarcity, and thus the steady rise of property values and taxes. And other related cascading consequences. The avowed threat of Proposition A, lowering the signature threshold to put an item up for vote, from 70,000 to 20,000, was described as allowing special interests to handicap and jeopardize the citys AAA credit rating, injecting chaos and uncertainty. By less than 5 percent of the vote, this proposal failed, yet the amount of insurgent vote also raises its own red flag: What might future insurgent proposals bring to the fore? For a city of 1.5 million doubling in 2045 we dont have a mechanism to allow for real public engagement sufficient to influence policy direction. But even policy direction isnt of the same caliber, as actual adopted policies which include specific metrics, impacts, and outcomes. Currently, its like saying I want to go north, but offering no details. We have no real watchdog group. We have no think-do tank, no university department dedicated to socioeconomic public policy, no national policy affiliate, especially in economic public policy. The citys comprehensive plan its long-term vision is to continue with its annexation-growth agenda, with the objective to densify and to become a metroplex. This constitutes Chamber of Commerce success. Too many at City Hall see the glass half full, rather than half empty. Why not demonstrate how the half-full glass relates to the empty half, linkages which helps to lift more boats? Too many boats are left on the shoreline. Recent U.S. Census data reveals San Antonios population in poverty was the second highest among the top 25 largest U.S. metro areas in 2017. Since metro data involves a broader economic statistical area, our actual city profile is more dire, as a broader scope includes higher income areas, which waters down our true picture. Excluding New Braunfels, the citys actual poverty rate was 17.3 percent in 2017. This equates to about 260,000 residents, without even looking at those living in concentrated poverty. Obviously, the citys touted economic development efforts the past 30 years have not produced better results workforce productivity, professional credentials, for youth, young adults, women and non-college residents in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. Upward mobility remains a structural problem; linkages with the private sector remains weak. We need one key metric by which to determine whether the socioeconomic needle is moving in a positive direction, and at a reasonable rate. By doing so, we can learn what methodology and practices work best, as well as what isnt producing better results in our economys sectors and professions. The insurgent vote is also conveying other legitimate concerns. Allow for resident/taxpayer voices and priorities, and if need be, consider a Truth Commission to air out deep-seated, lingering issues. Get out into the neglected neighborhoods more often. Define key terms and concepts in the citys adopted long-term plan; discuss their implications. Explain the citys balance sheet and explain its financial forecasts, clarifying the pros and cons of any major policy direction taken. Now that Council members are well-paid, full time representatives, these recommendations seem realistic. Explain also the citys vision of subsidizing real estate development that has a regional focus. And how this policy decision affects rising costs of living, gentrification, displacement, utility fees, and property taxes. Include the implications and greater burdens to our environment, water resources, infrastructure, and air pollution. These are all ongoing bread-and-butter issues, constantly needing monitoring updates. As a reflection of connecting with all citizens, it would be advisable for the citys mayor to speak directly to the voters who got him elected during his Annual State of the City Address this to the citizens of San Antonio, rather than to the Chamber of Commerce, which is the custom. One municipal weak point: machinery of government that is geared for the provision of services, a large workforce operating to provide health, economic, and human services to an expanding safety net of unmet needs. These services are necessary, but we see no incentives toward reducing the role and scale of government; instead of rewarding efficiency and effectiveness, we see the opposite. Last year, the private sector raised a record $49 million to help the cause. Will they be challenged to break a new record? With respect to the largest insurgent vote margin of almost 60 percent, limiting the city managers term in office and capping the salary terms up to 10 times the lowest salaried city employee, there is merit to this idea for at least two reasons. Given the city managers rich contract (including performance bonuses), a clear majority of voters said no. This was their only opportunity to express their displeasure to a lucrative contract without understanding the cost-benefits involved. If the city manager is a visionary and effective chief of operations, why didnt voters appreciate it? Were previous popular city managers, paid a lot less, not visionary and effective? Is the city managers role a private one, or should the city manager become more publicly visible, explaining the merits of the citys vision, which includes a faster growth rate, density, and rising costs of living? Yes, the city manager takes direction from a council majority, but does this preclude the manager from actively engaging with the broader public of citizens and taxpayers? We need to see stronger communication linkages. A strong mayor system similar to those in large cities? This model does not merit serious consideration, in my view. This is a system whereby the mayor has administrative authority to appoint and dismiss staff, including department heads without consulting the city council or receiving public approval. The mayors chief of staff wields power over department heads and helps prepare the budget, acting like a city manager. On top of that, the mayor has veto authority over actions taken by the city council. Interest groups can achieve their goals by influencing the mayor rather than a majority of council members. Many view our current administrative structure as more professionalized than before. To the extent this is so, what is the yield curve in favor of better results for areas where needs are greatest? What are the returns on investment there? Will we see what is known as community or neighborhood balance sheets to better monitor the arc of progress or the lack thereof? The insurgent vote is asking for the city leaderships attention. They have questions, issues, and concerns. They want to be at the table where policy direction is discussed and The insurgent vote will re-energize again in May, when council elections and the mayors transit plan will be voted upon. At risk will be the citys vision is it too costly for the taxpayer? Will citizens see greater prosperity adding another 66 residents per day, doubling in size by 2040? One thing is for certain: todays policymakers will no longer be around to bask in the wisdom of their policy direction choices. Fernando Centeno specializes in community economic development strategies. He has a master's degree of education, and in administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University. He can be reached at fcenteno@satx.rr.com MDC deputy national chair Tendai Biti says the main oppositions peaceful protest Thursday helped strengthen its position that military intervention was not required on matters of maintaining public order in the country. This follows similar comments he made last week before the Commission of Inquiry into the August 1 post-election disturbances in which his party is fingered for causing violence that ended with six civilians gunned down by what is believed to be soldiers. Zimbabwean authorities are keen to justify army deployments into central Harare during the fateful day but the opposition has maintained police were capable of handling the situation on their own. In a Twitter comment, Biti said the peace which prevailed during the Thursday march should serve to convince all and sundry that his party was not associated with any violence. We have always maintained that we are a peaceful constitutional people. We have maintained that. Left on its own and free of the politics, the Zimbabwean police can maintain law and order. Today was Exhibit A for our decency, lawfulness, maturity, peace and determination, said MDC top official. He added, Today, just like 5 June and 11 July (during MDC marches) exposes 1 August. The truth is on 1 August, life was lost at the hands of a clique that used the military to unleash live bullets on an unarmed civilian population. 1 August 2018 was a new low for Zimbabwe even by non-existent standards of Zanu PF. Biti, as an individual, was accused of urging party youths to engage in the violence. He has denied that while the main opposition has also disowned the protesters on the day in question. The former finance minister said his party has been involved in demonstrations before, all ending peacefully. NewZimbabwe Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News National Patriotic Front (NPF) spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire says President Mnangagwa is lying about his predecessor Robert Mugabes health. Mawarire was responding to journalist Brezh Malabas tweet on the passing on of former United States president George H. Bush. Malaba compared Mugabe and Bush saying: A tale of two presidents. Robert Gabriel Mugabe and George Herbert Walker Bush. Bush, the 41st US President, died a few hours ago. Mugabe, Zimbabwes liberator-turned-despot, is seriously ill in Singapore. These gentlemen were once close buddies, sharing tea in Washington DC. When he was Reagans deputy, Bush invited Bob to DC. Bush agreed to fund healthcare but refused to fund land reform. Bob sulked. When Bushs son, George W, became 43rd President, he upheld his dads refusal to fund land reform. Zim deteriorated. US-Zim relations changed forever. However, Mawarire said Mugabe is not seriously ill in Singapore and told Malaba not to rely on Mnangagwa as a reliable source. Said Mawarire: This comparison is limping, Pres Mugabe isnt seriously ill in Singapore , dont use ED as a reliable source, you have been in journalism long enough to know ED lies more than he tells the truth. Mnangagwa told Zanu-PF supporters during a Thank You rally last Saturday that Mugabe is no longer able to walk. Mugabes successor said the 94-year-old has been in hospital in Singapore for the past two months. Pindula Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News The High Court has agreed to hear arguments challenging police ban of a demonstration by war veterans against President Emmerson Mnangagwas government for failing to honour other monetary promises dating back to 1998, and ex-liberation war fighters said they were optimistic it would be overturned. War veterans, who in the late 90s demanded and got a $50 000 gratuity each, triggering a serious economic recession lodged a High Court application against police officer commanding Harare Central District, seeking to be granted permission to go ahead with the protest. In the urgent chamber application, the applicants are the War Veterans Welfare Group, Amos Sigauke, Shoorai Nyamagodo, Digmore Ndiya, Daphne Kanoti, Fredrick Ngombe, Reuben Zulu, Joseph Chinguwa, Hazvinei Machingura, Willard Zviripi and Ignatius Mutsinze. According to Sigaukes affidavit, they have been consulting with the police since October this year, over their intended move to conduct a peaceful demonstration, but were only told on Tuesday that they can no longer go ahead with their protest which was planned for Wednesday. In June 2018, we sent a three-person delegation comprising Sigauke, Kanoti and Nyamagodo to engage the State president Mnangagwa as a follow up to his unfulfilled undertakings regarding our welfare concerns. The president again undertook to address our concerns with deserved urgency. Sensing no action from the president, applicants in September 2018 sent another strong delegation to engage the minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri who, however, said she was still new on the post and was to contact us under two weeks for consultations, Sigauke said, adding that Muchinguri-Kashiri never came back to them as promised. According to Sigauke, as war veterans, they are owed monthly pension arrears spanning from January 1998 in terms of Statutory Instruments 280 and 281 of 1997 which granted them a monthly pension of $2 000. He however, said government has only been paying them $234 only per month. He further said the government had failed to honour them with medical aid, funeral and resettlement benefits, while ignoring sickening corruption in government and society at large. Recalling that we succeeded in November 1997 to draw the States attention to our plight through peacefully exercising our fundamental right to demonstrate and petition and now in accordance with Section 59 of the Constitution, we have been engaging police, in particular through respondent and his other relevant security agents. The respondent has been aware of the planned peaceful march since October 2018 when we notified the police in writing and after which we held many consultative meetings with him and his team, the court heard. Sigauke said they have a right to demonstrate and petition in terms of the law and should be allowed to do so. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Posted on by By Kenneth Thomas. Originally published at Angry Bear Well, what did you expect? With 238 entrants and 20 finalists, the Amazon HQ2 location tournament resulted in a resounding victory for Amazon: Billions of dollars in subsidies and binders full of detailed information on the contestants. Plus, we got a surprise twist at the end, when Amazon announced it would choose two headquarters instead of one. Of course, I never thought that having two headquarters made economic sense (Doesnt that defeat the idea of a headquarters as a central coordinating site? I asked last year), and the same is even truer when you have three headquarters. Leaving aside how Amazon plans to coordinate three headquarters operations, the subsidies boggle the mind and insult our intelligence. Lets lay out what we know about the subsidies so far, remembering that there are other subsidy elements that are likely to be discovered as things play out. That is what happened with Foxconn, for example: Its subsidies in Wisconsin were originally reported as $3 billion in state subsidies plus local tax increment financing (TIF). By June of this year, Good Jobs First was reporting that further subsidies plus a huge TIF award brought the total to $4.8 billion (Megadeals spreadsheet, June 2018 update; download here). Something is likely to up the total incentives Amazon will receive, above what we know today. So, which cities got half of HQ2? Amazon split the project in half, with 25,000 jobs set to go to Long Island City, Queens, New York, and 25,000 to Crystal City, Arlington County, Virginia. This much leaked out the week before the official announcement, but the November 13th official notification added that Nashville would get a 5,000 job consolation prize (for $138.7 million in incentives) as well as the incentive packages from each of these three jurisdictions well, some of the incentives, anyway. As with Foxconn, this announcement was rapidly followed by the discovery of new incentives. Ill skip the various updates and skip straight to what is currently known. New York city and state both provided large incentives to the company. State benefits comprise mainly $1.525 billion in Excelsior employment tax credits, plus another $325 million based on the size in square feet of the Amazon offices, or a total state package of $1.85 billion. New York City will provide a job creation tax credit of $897 million over 12 years, plus a partial property tax abatement of $386 million over 25 years, according to a Good Jobs First analysis of the citys press release on the project. But wait, theres more! Good Jobs First reports that the city will also provide a subsidy known as a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) that could itself cost another $100+ million. Last, as far as we know, but not least, the project will be located in a federal Opportunity Zone, which will provide further, though not-yet-estimated, benefits to long-term capital investors like CEO Jeff Bezos. Total so far: $1.850 billion + 0.897 billion +0.386 billion = $3.133 billion, and likely more. While Amazon wants to emphasize the cost per job of its incentives, it only considers the first of these subsidies in its public calculation. But with just these three programs, we are already at a cost of $125,333 per job. While this doesnt sound horrible compared to some incentive packages weve seen recently, it completely omits that with such large numbers of jobs, there are diminishing returns in the value of each job due to the increasing likelihood of dumping thousands of workers and their families on a localitys infrastructure and educational system. Further, as I predicted in January, it normalizes the use of aid intensities* above 100%: $3.133 billion/$2.5 billion = 125%! Mind you, this is the nominal subsidy, not at present value, but with the 10-year Treasury note at 3.08%on November 16, the proper discount rate will be in that (low) vicinity, as has been the practice of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in estimating the present value of U.S. subsidies for over 20 years. To add a final insult to injury, the Amazon site will be in a federal Opportunity Zone, but the companys project is destroying one of the things that would be most welcome there, affordable housing. Politico (h/t Daily Kos) reports that the New York outpost of HQ2 will displace a planned 1,500 units of affordable housing from two developers. In Virginia, a second $2.5 billion investment, 25,000 job facility will be opened by Amazon as well. There, the company will receive $573 million in job creation tax credits. Virginia Tech University also plans to open a new Innovation Campus less than two miles from HQ2/Virginia. The $1 billion campus has been considered one of the biggest draws for Amazon in its location decision, and Good Jobs First includes the entire $1 billion as a subsidy for Amazon. I disagree; building new educational infrastructure will provide benefits to the students that they will always possess regardless of who their future employers may be, so I see the company as unable to capture much of the $1 billion as a subsidy. A university is a great economic draw, but this extends far beyond any single employer. If we exclude the new campus as a subsidy, the aid intensity in Virginia is only 22.92%. Combining the two locations, we now find, even without the new Virginia Tech campus, that Amazon will receive $3.706 billion in subsidies for the HQ2 project proper. For the combined project, that brings us to an aid intensity of 76.1% of the investment. Long-time readers know its time for a comparison with how this would be treated in the European Union under its regional aid guidelines. First, no region in the European Union is eligible for a 76.1% aid intensity, not even the poorest part of Bulgaria. Second, HQ2 is not going to the non-existent U.S. equivalent of Bulgaria, but to two of the richest places in the United States. What would Amazon get in state aid (=subsidies) for locating such a facility in London or Paris? Not one penny. Rich regions cant give investment attraction incentives, period. So the entire $3.7 billion and counting subsidy for the company would be disallowed if rational regulation of the bidding wars existed. Happily, these subsidies have come in for a great deal of criticism around the country. As The New York Times editorialized, New Yorks Amazon Deal is a Bad Bargain. And how does it know New York overpaid? The same way I recommended back in 2014, comparing to a similar deal. And theres no more similar deal than the other half of HQ2 that went to Virginia. Seeing that New York paid more than twice as much as Virginia for an equivalent project, the Times rightly concludes that New York paid more than it had to. Whether much political resistance to HQ2/New York develops or not, its great to see the press analyzing these deals well. To end on a down note, though, we need to recognize the harm the Amazon auction did to transparency. The company made the finalists sign non-disclosure agreements, although a couple did make it into the public eye (Newark, New Jersey, and Montgomery County, Maryland, two of the largest finalist offers, though it appears Pittsburgh topped them all). Hopefully some of the losers will now come forward. However, thats not the point; we need real-time transparency if there is to be any democratic oversight of the multi-billion giveaways that look to become more common than ever. * Aid intensity is a metric, first used in the European Union, that allows us to compare the size of subsidies regardless of the size of the project. It is calculated as subsidy divided by investment. An intensity of 100% at present value means that the government is paying the entire cost of the investment. Thanks to reader TM for pointing out that I should have clarified this in the original article. Yves here. Its been puzzling to see Labour fail to take advantage of Theresa Mays inept leadership, particularly the wide-spread loathing for her Brexit deal. This piece argues that Labours passivity reflects deeper-seated shortcomings. By Gerry Hassan, a writer, commentator and academic on Scottish and UK politics, power, democracy and social change. He has written or edited over two dozen books including Scotland the Bold and the newly published A Nation Changed? The SNP and Scotland Ten Years On (edited with Simon Barrow). His writing can be found at: www.gerryhassan.com. Originally published at openDemocracy This should be the moment for Corbyns Labour. They face a divided, incompetent Tory Government. A party that has lost nine Cabinet ministers in the last year, which has no domestic agenda to speak of, and is not even bothering with the pretence of a Queens Speech. The Government has no direction or purpose, no credo beyond continuing limpet-like in existence, clinging onto office and pursuing the project of Brexit. And yet at this moment of decision, when Labour should be harrying this government and holding them to account on Brexit and more, despite everything it is the Tories who consistently lead Labour in the opinion polls, rather than the other way round. As profoundly, the intellectual climate has turned against mainstream Conservatism, as well as moderate social democracy, opening up the terrain for Corbyns Labour. The zeitgeist of the age has finally turned against the assumptions that have dominated British politics for so long. The assertions that markets should be left unfettered, that deregulation is a good thing, that government and the state should just get out of the way of private initiative and believe in the super-rich, that making things doesnt matter, and that ownership is ultimately just an irrelevance, have all been shown to be bogus. Such dogmas were taken to breaking point, with no area of British public life left unchallenged by it. It resulted in such ridiculous ideas becoming government policy as the belief that it does not matter who owns the key strategic assets of your country whether nuclear power, nuclear weapon research establishments (Aldermaston), the electricity grid, water in England and Wales, and much more. It took a long while for such a grotesque set of ideas to finally fall apart. It did so on results. After decades of pursuing this dogma modern Britain has been made in its image: the fawning of the super-rich, huge inequalities socially and regionally, average living standards stalling over the last decade, and the trashing of public sector values and ethos. To give an example on the last point the expansion of the university sector on the back of student tuition fees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has dramatically changed higher education. It has made life good for a new class of super-remunerated Vice-Chancellors, but in England less than half the extra monies have been reinvested in student resources, while UK university borrowing has risen to 12 billion since the financial crash, not withstanding the 105 billion student debt which the state will end up writing off. The evolving Corbyn project has captured some of the anger, rage and discontent which has flowed from this. The party is the largest in Western Europe in membership; it has energy, dynamism and sense of possibility in its younger activists. The party has also disrupted the complacent cosy elite order which emerged post-Thatcherism: the Blair, Brown, Cameron (BBC) consensus which explicitly said this is the way things have to be: that little people outside of the elites have no choice but to knuckle down and show deference at the altar of the market and finance capitalism. It has numerous advocates and proselytisers in the public eye and media, and an emerging infrastructure of initiatives and platforms within and outwith Labour, from Momentum to Novara Media, the Canary, and in old-style media, the re-emergence of the left-wing paper, Tribune. Yet for all the advantages that Labour has going for it: Tory troubles, the political climate of ideas changing, the bankruptcy of the economic orthodoxies of recent decades, and a mass membership party, something critical is clearly missing in Labour. With the wind blowing in Labours sails, what is the nascent Corbyn programme for revitalising Britain economically, socially and democratically? On the economy, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell talks a radical talk, and occasionally the odd revolutionary soundbite, dreaming of overthrowing capitalism. Reality is somewhat different. McDonnell has supported Tory tax cuts and welfare cuts for the poor. And there is at the core of this Labours economic prospectus there sits a vacuum. This contrasts unfavourably with the previous period of left dominance in the party: the Bennite insurrection of the 1970s and early 1980s. This saw a mass of policy detail and on the economic front, whether one agreed with it or not, a comprehensive Alternative Economic Strategy (AES) with fleshed out policies and academic and intellectual buy-in from prominent figures. No such detail or comparable coalition building is evident today. The same is true on social policy with instead Corbyns Labour offering reassurance and monies to the middle classes and redistributing up the income scale and further away from the poorest. The party has at least made bold statements on environmental policy and climate change, but too much of the Corbyn Labour stance on the wider economy still has a hankering after traditional left economics that believes in growth as the solution. A similar picture can be found in constitutional affairs and the state of democracy in Britain. The UK political system is creeking and falling apart, and yet where is the Corbyn agenda to take that on, knock it down, and build something better? A key issue in the future of democracy is what happens to England the only nation in the UK which lacks a democratic voice and institution. When I asked in the summer a senior member of Corbyns leadership what they were thinking about England, they replied bluntly: We are not doing any thinking on England. There is a strange air of conservatism running through Corbynista Labour that undercuts its self-belief in its radicalism and unprecedented scale of its ambition and mission. A more nuanced assessment of Corbyns Labour would gauge that its supposed radicalism is not anywhere near as great as its chief advocates like to think. Indeed the Corbyn project in many respects sits within the tradition of Labour insularity and smugness, believing it is the only radical political force of any worth in the UK hence its patronising attitude towards the SNP, Plaid, Greens and others. The Corbyn project has had little to say about the multiple crises of government, state and public agencies that make up the unhappy state of Britain, and which is also a crisis of the actually existing capitalism, economic and business assumptions, and even, society. The party has it seems no convincing remedy for the hyper-fragmentation of the UK in its nations and regions or a recognition that the age of the all-powerful, enlightened centralist state are long over. Then there has been the partys abdication of responsibility leading up to the Brexit referendum and subsequently. Corbyn and McDonnell have managed a policy of constructive ambiguity on Brexit which seems to amount to saying and standing for as little as possible building a bridge between Labours pro-European sentiments and Corbyn and McDonnells Euroscepticism which has ended up offering sustenance to Theresa May and the Tories. This despite Labour members, voters and parliamentarians, all being emphatically pro-EU, pro-single market and customs union, and open to a Peoples Vote. On top of this there is a Corbynista complacency and even in places, worse an arrogance. The belief that the party can somehow repeat 2017 is used to excuse Labours current poor poll ratings. This states that once the party gets into a future election campaign it can repeat its performance and achievement of the 2017 election, and win significant new support. There is no guarantee of such an outcome and it is unlikely Labour will ever again face a campaign as inept as Theresa Mays last year. Then there are the sweeping assumptions of some of the new Corbynista adherents. Aaron Bastani of Novara Media recently savaged the British Legion and in the run-up to Remembrance Day called the Poppy racist and white supremacist, which is to put it mildly, over the top and counter-productive, and at best, just plain attention-seeking. Owen Jones, Guardian columnist, in the last week has railed against what he called the rigged electoral system. His basis for this was that on current predictions if Labour won the share of vote it did in 1997 it would win an overall majority of 32, rather than 179. In this he forgot that present day Labour has lost Scotland, and taking that into account could produce an overall majority of 102; plus there is the effect of what is a distortive electoral system and how it works in favour of the big parties. There is a wider problem of believing your own hype and soundbites. Too many Corbynistas believe it as self-evident that the existing order is rotten and will just collapse like a house of cards if pushed. One small example in many was provided on the BBC This Week last Thursday where the former IPPR economist Grace Blakeley talked of the broken British economic order. She was surprised when challenged by anchor Andrew Neil who asked her to provide details and costings for her policies, and who only offered as a guide the example of the Chinese Communist Party post-crash recovery programme. This is part of a bigger picture: of believing that saying socialism is possible will bring it about: an example of a sort of reverse neo-liberalism of the individual. Add to this the deliberate tribalism which now exists in Labour and on the left. Thus, John McDonnell can say: I could not be friends with a Conservative. There is a moral superiority in this, creating barriers between a left and those who are not on the left (which is after all most of humanity), and deliberately caricaturing your enemies: the Tories. The Corbynisation of Labour looks more than a transient phenomenon. It looks like a permanent revolution in Labour; a fundamental and irreversible shift in power and influence in the party. There are many positives to this change. It has acted as a disrupter of the way that Britain has been governed and who it is governed for, and our broken economic and political system. We are now over three years into the Corbyn project, and in a comparison Corbynistas would dislike, at this point the Blair New Labour project had won an election, were entering office and about to govern for over a decade. Despite this the Corbyn revolution is a curiously incomplete entity with little fully developed policies, a lot of attitude and self-belief, while being heavy on the rhetoric. On the major issues of the day: the economic and social malaise facing millions in Britain and the reality that the social compact between citizens, government and businesses is bust, Corbyns Labour has not much substance to offer. On Brexit, the greatest challenge to British statecraft since the 1930s, the Corbyn leadership has no strategy at all. The Corbyn project is a very English-centric project which is paradoxically silent and saying little on the state of England: that isnt a feasible proposition for reforming 21st century Britain. No one said radical change in a country like Britain was going to be easy. It isnt just an establishment stitch-up that there has never been a radical Labour Government: the 1945 Attlee one going with the grain of the Wartime coalition and public opinion. Corbynistas had better wake up to what the Blairites eventually did: that winning the party is one thing, but changing the country is something entirely different. Eagle huntresses challenge the patriarchy in Mongolia South China Morning Post. FWIW, I know a woman from Mongolia. She was educated in Chinese schools in Mongolia. She then got a PhD in Japan in medicine, and was hired by Yale to do oncology research. Now does oncology research in one of the NY teaching hospitals. Hard to think of anyone else who has undergone so many large cultural transitions. Roadkill deaths halved on Australian road thanks to a fence of sound New Scientist The virtual fence technology involves small devices, approximately the size of a mobile phone, mounted on a pole on the side of the road which are triggered by car headlights when they hit a sensor in the device, Samantha Fox, the researcher who led the project, told Digital Trends. This sets off blue and yellow flashing lights and a high pitched siren. These together warn local wildlife that a car is coming, and give the animal time to move away from the road. Over the course of a three-year trial, the technology has reduced roadkill on one particular road by a massive 50 percent. On this stretch of road alone, this has meant saving the lives of around 200 animals, ranging from wombats to possums. Former President George H.W. Bush dies at 94 The Hill Lambert: Let the hagiography begin: George H.W. Bush had the spirit this country needs today | By Julian Zelizer for @CNNOpinion https://t.co/vnYvozOqDX pic.twitter.com/6EpXm7O2Xx CNN (@CNN) December 1, 2018 Shocking Maps Show How Humans Have Reshaped Earth Since 1992 Motherboard Powerful quakes buckle Alaska roads, trigger tsunami warning Associated Press (David L). See 1964: Alaskas Good Friday Earthquake Atlantic (Kevin W) 2.4-Million-Year-Old Stone Tools Turn Up in an Unexpected Place Atlantic (Kevin W). Important if you are into this sort of thing This Swedish Mall Is The Worlds First Ever Secondhand Shopping Center Huffington Post (Kokuanani) Reading Minds with Deep Learning FloydHub Pentagon looks to exoskeletons to build super-soldiers Reuters. EM: Ever since we watched Aliens weve been itching to throw money at this. A cure for HIV is in sight as science chases the holy grail Guardian (UserFriendly) Dear parents of children who do not have cancer: a casual measles exposure in a grocery store caused the following things to happen when my child was in chemotherapy: Nicole Stellon ODonnell (@SteamLaundry) November 21, 2018 China? G20 Argentina: Rifts laid bare as world leaders meet BBC (Kevin W) G20 opens under clouds, threats and discord Asia Times Man finds himself sitting next to Germanys Angela Merkel on flight to G20 DW Brexit Something crazy happened in parliament last night, and no one is talking about it New Statesman. Windsock: Meanwhile, in Brexitannia, the Bonkers is now at pandemic proportions. Italian Workers Feel the Pain as the Eurozone Economy Sputters Wall Street Journal Big Brother is Watching You Watch Trump Transition The More Education Republicans Have, the Less They Tend to Believe in Climate Change New York Times (UserFriendly) Full Bernie Sanders Speech on Economic Justice, Healthcare, Opposing Trump & Ending the War in Yemen Democracy Now! (furzy) Rain triggers debris flows as storm rolls across fire-scarred regions of California Los Angeles Times (David L) Tensions rise as oil and gas flow to the Texas coastline Center for Public Integrity The Suburbs Are Changing. But Not in All the Ways Liberals Hope. New York Times Fake News Free the Free Press From Wall Street Plunderers FAIR (UserFriendly) Does Google harm local search rivals? EU antitrust regulators ask Reuters California judge condemns startup for giving secret Facebook papers to UK Guardian Facebook Discussed Using Peoples Data As a Bargaining Chip, Emails and Court Filings Suggest Washington Post Exclusive: Airbnb will start designing houses in 2019 Fast Company. Kill me now. Credit faces worst year since 2008 as strains intensify Financial Times Class Warfare Antidote du jour albrt: Rufus the Arizona basset hound seeks refuge under the slip cover when the temperature falls below 80 degrees. And a bonus video (Kevin W). Handsome beavers! See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. (Natural News) Around 300 billion pieces of plastic (or around 150 millions tons of waste) pollute the Arctic Ocean, concludes an international team of researchers after assessing the levels of plastic waste found east of Greenland and in the Barents Sea off Norway and Russia. Despite the relative isolation of these areas, the researchers say that man-made pollution has reached dangerous levels. Their report, which appears in Science Advances, labels these zones as polar graveyards and warns of the potential hazards these hot spots may have. In particular: the toxins in these plastic pieces can leak into the water, altering life forms and natural pH levels. Wildlife may also swallow the plastic or get entangled. The total load of floating plastic for the ice-free waters of the Arctic Ocean was estimated to range from around 100 to 1,200 tons, with 400 tons composed of an estimated 300 billion plastic items as a mid-range estimate, the study reads. The fragmentation and typology of the plastic suggested an abundant presence of aged debris that originated from distant sources. The team suggests that it is likely the waste was swept north by ocean currents; the Arctic becoming the dead end for waste dumped in the Atlantic Ocean off Europe and the United States. This would explain the confusing fact that a sparsely populated region could produce higher than expected waste. The authors write on Daily Mail, The northeastern Atlantic sector of the Arctic Ocean appeared as a dead end for the surface transport of plastic pollution. Researchers came to their conclusion after sampling 42 Arctic sites through the 2013 Tara Oceans circumpolar expedition. Their survey found hundreds of thousands of tiny bits of plastic in the northeastern Atlantic region. These pieces were evidently old and appeared to have originated from various places in Europe and North America. Lead author, Andres Cozar of the University of Cadiz in Spain says, Ninety-nine percent of the floating plastic in the Arctic was confined in the Greenland and Barents Seas.the plastic pollution in the rest of the Arctic Polar Circle was low or absent. Cozar surmises that marine plastic pollution may become more prevalent in the Arctic as societies continue to dump waste in the ocean. The potential ecological implications Earlier research from the World Economic Forum has already raised concern over the amount of plastic debris floating in the oceans. The study, entitled The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics estimates that eight million tons of plastic waste are dumped into the ocean every year. This is equivalent to one truckload of trash every minute. Authors of the study go even further, stating that 95 percent of plastic packaging is lost after only one use. The study concludes with, In a business-as-usual scenario, the ocean is expected to contain one ton of plastic for every three tons of fish by 2025, and by 2050, more plastics than fish. An article on One Green Planet says that around 100 million marine mammals are killed each year from plastic pollution. Animals mistake the debris for food and end up eating the plastic. As a consequence, their digestive systems become blocked and the animals die a very slow and painful death. A study of the Loggerhead species of sea turtles concludes that 15 percent of young turtles consume such large quantities of plastic that their digestive system are obstructed. Other mammals that are at risk include seals, sea lions, whales and dolphins, as well as seabirds. A report on Tech Times claims that 31 percent of cetaceans are ingesting plastic, leading to a 22 percent increased risk of death. Sperm whales, in particular, are especially vulnerable as plastic debris bear a strong resemblance to their main prey, the squid. Necropsies of sperm whales almost always reveal a piece of plastic in their system. Aside from mistaking these plastic pieces for food, larger mammals can get caught in plastic nets. Conservationists urge both local and international authorities to design better cleanup methods. Keep yourself informed about current events regarding our oceans at CleanWater.com. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Mirror.co.uk EllenMacArthurFoundation.org [PDF] OceanCrusaders.com OneGreenPlanet.org ConserveTurtles.org TechTimes.com What to Know HACKERS GOT DATA ON 500M PEOPLE FREE SERVICE MIGHT HELP YOU CAN ENROLL ONLINE The Starwood hackers got a treasure trove, just about every ingredient they need for identity theft. The good news is the companys response is different and maybe better than previous data breaches. When other big companies have disclosed big data breaches, theyve typically given consumers free "credit monitoring" service. It gives you a heads-up that a thief has opened an account in your name. Credit monitoring is helpful, but too late to stop the crooks. Starwood is giving guests something new for free: Identity Monitoring. It basically alerts you if your info is being bought or sold on the 'dark web.' That alert might allow you to quickly freeze your credit file and then, ideally, shut down the thieves before they use your good name in bad faith. If you stayed at a Starwood hotel like W, Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis, Le Meridien, or Four Points over the past few years, you should consider registering for the free service. HERES HOW: Enroll Online Also, heres an update on how you may now freeze your credit file: Its now free. The holiday spirit has arrived in San Francisco's Civic Center with the inaugural opening of the center's first ice rink. Friday morning, San Francisco Mayor London Breed helped open the Winter Park at Civic Center ice rink along with help from Olympic figure skater Brian Boitano. Located just across from San Francisco City Hall, the rink is just one of several features recently added to Civic Center Plaza, including a new playground and the Bi-Rite Cafe. "We have so many people who visit this area from all over the Bay Area and all over the country. And Winter Park at Civic Center is just really, I think, a jewel to add to what we already know is going to be an incredible holiday season," Breed said. Bay Area resident and Olympic skating champion Brian Boitano said, "It's not only beautiful, but it's also one of the best ice surfaces in the world by far." After opening the rink, some 200 kids from elementary schools in the nearby Tenderloin neighborhood as well as children from Boitano's youth skate program took to the rink, which is open through Jan. 6. The rink is being operated by Willy Bietak Productions and is modeled after the Wiener Eistraum in Vienna, Austria, the famed outdoor rink overlooking Vienna's City Hall. "There's a feeling about this that it's bigger and better than anything we've ever done before... This one is very special," Robert Keith of Willy Bietak Productions said. "Because of the location, we're expecting to see people who maybe never had the opportunity to go skating." Willy Bietak Productions is named after its president, a former skating champ from Austria. The company is also responsible for the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, now in its 11th year. The Winter Park at Civic Center rink will be open daily from noon to 10 p.m. with tickets at $20 for adults. Children under 8 years old can skate for $5 during the first two sessions, which start at noon and 2 p.m. After 4 p.m., tickets for children under 8 are $15. Tickets can be purchased at the ice rink ticket window or online at www.winterparkicerinksf.com. The Winter Park at Civic Center rink is also being put on with help from the San Francisco Recreation and Parks department, which runs Civic Center Plaza. In a statement, parks department manager Phil Ginsburg said, "San Franciscans deserve to experience holiday magic, especially those right here in the neighborhood. The Civic Center is coming alive and we want everyone to reap the benefits." Four candidates have filed to run against Ald. Ed Burke it was already shaping up to be a tough fight for the dean of the City Council. The brown paper taped up by investigators Thursday was down Friday and staffers are back at Burkes City Hall office -- but with law enforcement removing computers, how are they able to prepare for the December council meeting? The finance committee -- approves bond deals, housing related agreements and police settlements. "It's obviously significant but you have a lot of questions, I have a lot of questions, what I don't do is literally play guess work on this," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. Burke says hes a survivor. "I've been involved in previous investigations, I've always cooperated, nothing has ever come of any of those investigations, I'll fully cooperate in this one," he said. The mayor is asked if Burke should step down as the finance chairman. "It's not even been 24 hours," Emanuel said. "It's too quick to jump to anything in that effort." WVON radio host and former alderman Cliff Kelly who was convicted of corruption charges in 1987 said hed rather not weigh in on the Burke investigation. However, Cook County Clerk David Orr, who also served as an alderman reacts. "It's the traditional ... machine politics that's still around some that's made this city less than it could be," he said. With this new federal investigation hanging over Burke into his re-election -- Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker notes the correlation between Burke and the tax work he's done on Chicago's Trump Tower. "There was the Cohen plea, nationally, there was something going on with Deutsche Bank--which I know is an owner of the debt anyway around the Trump Tower," he said. "I really don't know what the purpose of that was." So while the guessing game continues -- next week Burke holds his annual holiday party which is also a fundraiser -- the question is -- will his many friends show up? George Herbert Walker Bush, who as the 41st president guided the United States out of the Cold War and led an international coalition into the Gulf War, died Friday evening at 94less than a year after his wife's passing. Several Chicago politicians recalled some of their fondest memories with the former president and went on to say his legacy will forever live on. Mayor Emanuel issued a statement Saturday morning saying, President George H.W. Bush will always be remembered for the hallmark humility, dignity and grace with which he served our nation. In public life and in private conversations, the Naval officer who fought in the last World War and the President who helped end the Cold War, never allowed policy disagreements or political differences to overshadow the fact that we are all Americans working towards a better country. When I was elected to Congress and placed on the Ways and Means Committee, President Bush called me - a rookie congressman who helped end his bid for re-election 10 years prior - to tell me how much he thought I would enjoy the post and the work. That's who President Bush was as a person and a patriot, and that is how he will forever be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bush family, and a grateful nation, as we honor President Bushs life of service to our country. [NATL-DFW] President George H.W. Bush: Through the Years in Photos In addition, Mayoral Candidate Bill Daley, who knew Bush well when he worked in Washington as U.S. Commerce Secretary and as President of SBC in Texas, reminisced some memorable moments he shared with his longtime friend. America has lost a great leader, a dedicated public servant and a true hero with the passing of President George H.W. Bush, he said in a statement. I had the privilege of knowing him personally and greatly valued his company and his insights on business, politics and global affairs. He was always thoughtful, warm and engaging. His love and service for his country and his devotion to his family are inspiring examples for all of us. My deepest condolences extend to the entire Bush family. [NATL]Influential People We've Lost in 2018 Governor-elect J.B. Pritzkers also tweeted Friday night, stating his condolences to the family. President George H.W. Bush dedicated his life in service to our country," he said. "His legacy will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Senate and House Republican leaders Bill Brady and Jim Durkin likewise, released a statement Saturday morning expressing their mourning of an extraordinary American hero. Whether it was flying fighter jets during World War II, serving as President of the United States, or simply talking about his children and grandchildren, President George H.W. Bush never sought to bring the focus upon himself, rather his actions and words reminded us of what true public service looked like, the statement read. Today, as we look back at his tenure as president, we are reminded of a time where political differences were respected, and where civility and decency were the norm. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bush family during this difficult time, and we thank them for sharing this amazing man with our nation. In a statement issued hours after Bush's death on Friday night, the Trumps said that Bush had "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service." They remembered him as a man of "sound judgment, common sense and unflappable leadership." President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump announced Saturday that they will attend his funeral in Washington and designate a day of mourning for the late leader. In a proclamation signed Saturday, Trump ordered American flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days to honor Bush and designated Wednesday as a national day of mourning. Trump encouraged Americans to gather in places of worship "to pay homage" to Bush's memory, saying, "I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance." The commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. Fifth Fleet has been found dead in his residence in Bahrain. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson says Vice Adm. Scott Stearney was found dead Saturday. Richardson says the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are investigating the death, but foul play is not suspected. Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, the deputy commander of the Fifth Fleet, has taken over Stearney's duties. Richardson described Stearney as a decorated naval warrior, a devoted husband and father, and a good friend. The Fifth Fleet includes the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. A groom encountered a surprising snag when trying to get a marriage license in D.C. last week: A clerk told him his New Mexico identification wasn't acceptable because it was from outside the United States. "She was so sincere. She said, 'I'm sorry, my supervisor says we can't accept international driver's licenses,'" recounted Gavin Clarkson, who went to get a license with his now-wife, Marina, at the D.C. Marriage Bureau on Nov. 20. Clarkson said that when he first presented his license to the clerk, she looked at it, went to talk to the supervisor and then asked to see his "New Mexico passport," he told NBC Washington on a phone call Friday. He said the clerk was embarrassed and apologetic once the matter was straightened out. After he informed her that New Mexico was indeed a state, she again went to speak with her supervisor, then told Clarkson, "'My supervisor and I have verified that New Mexico is a state,'" he recounted. "Basically, they went back and did a Google search," he said. At one point, the clerk also complimented him on his English, he said, noting that his now-wife, who is an immigrant, thought it was hilarious. Leah Gurowitz, spokeswoman for District of Columbia Courts, wrote in a statement, "We understand that a clerk in our Marriage Bureau made a mistake regarding New Mexico's 106-year history as a state. We very much regret the error and the slight delay it caused a New Mexico resident in applying for a DC marriage license." Clarkson said he's heard of other New Mexico residents having difficulty with people who believe the state is not part of the U.S. "I'd heard all those stories. It had just never happened to me," he said. The couple was in a bit of a time crunch that day; they had made plans to get married that same day, which was the bride-to-be's birthday. "We had our paperwork," he said. "We figured we'd be in there, we'd be out of there." While that wasn't quite what happened, Clarkson said the process only took an extra 20 minutes. "It wasn't a massive delay," he said. The couple was able to get married in D.C. that day as planned. While the newlyweds are still working out where to live, Clarkson will be commuting between New Mexico and the D.C. area for the time being. "But I do not have to go through customs," he joked. Ironically, some D.C. residents have also had trouble getting their licenses seen as valid. In 2014, Cox Media Group television reporter Justin Gray was on his way back to D.C. when, he said, a Transportation Security Administration agent at Orlando International Airport didn't recognize his license. He realized the agent was not aware of what the District of Columbia was. After that, security workers were shown copies of a D.C. driver's license to get them acquainted with it. Months earlier, D.C. resident Ashley Brandt was trying to fly home from Arizona when she also was questioned about the validity of her D.C. driver's license. "I got a little nervous," she said at the time. "I just wasn't sure if the TSA didn't think it was a valid ID or it was because D.C. wasn't a state." In 2017, the D.C. DMV discontinued use of "District of Columbia" at the top of its licenses and went back to using "Washington, D.C" to cut back on confusion. The new entity overseeing distribution of state funds to help Connecticut homeowners with crumbling foundations has finally received the $19 million it's been seeking for several months. Michael Maglaras, superintendent of the Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company, told The Associated Press on Friday the money was deposited Thursday and the captive insurance company is "poised to be operational as a result." Maglaras says the entity was "very much in danger of having to suspend our operations." Release of the bond funds had been delayed due to long-running negotiations with the state's Department of Housing. Maglaras says various state officials ultimately worked together to get the money released. New rules to make the distribution of funds more equitable will be posted online, Dec. 4-10. Applications will be accepted 30 days later. Connecticut's Department of Public Health is teaming up with local health departments to provide free and low-cost flu vaccine clinics. The state agency is urging all residents over the age of six months to get the flu shot. State flu clinics will be open Saturday in 15 communities. The list includes Cromwell, East Hampton, Hartford, Milford, New Milford, Newtown, Old Saybrook, Putnam, Southbury, Seymour, Stamford, Storrs, Torrington, Waterbury and Willimantic. Clinics will be open Saturday, Dec. 8, in 10 communities. They include Branford, Coventry, Danbury, Fairfield, New London, New Haven, Orange, Putnam, Stamford and Windsor. Some of the locations only offer flu shots for adults, so it's best to first check the Department of Public Health's website for clinic details. Residents may attend any clinic, regardless of where they live. Police said they stopped a school bus driver after receiving a report she was driving recklessly and running stop signs in Naugatuck with teens on the bus and they found her with marijuana. Police said they received a call just after 6 p.m. Thursday from someone who reported seeing two juveniles fighting on a bus that was parked at Breen Field Park, so the caller approached the bus, but the driver sped away. The caller then followed the bus and police were able to stop it on Spring Street, police said. In the bus, police found the bus driver, 48-year-old Grace McPhail, of Naugatuck, and two teens under the age of 18. As they investigated, police said they realized that neither of the teens were students who McPhail was responsible for transporting. One was a relative and the other was an acquaintance, according to police, and the three had been at Breen Field when the park was closed. McPhail told them she was off duty but was driving the bus with permission of her employer, First Student, and claimed she was driving fast and running stop signs because a car was following her and she was scared, according to a news release from police. Then, police smelled marijuana and they said McPhail was in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. She told police that she had not been smoking marijuana, but the kids had been smoking it. Officers contacted First Student, which confirmed she is a driver and has permission to drive the bus to and from work only but not for personal use, police said. An official from First Student told NBC Connecticut that they have begun the process to fire McPhail We are incredibly disappointed by the actions of our driver. Behavior such as this is completely unacceptable and totally at odds with what we stand for as a company. We have initiated the termination process, First Student said in a statement. Police arrested McPhail and charged her with sale of controlled substance, risk of injury to a child, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, third-degree criminal trespass and reckless driving. Bond was set at $5,000. Mcphail is due in court today. A new Department of Motor Vehicles "express" office has opened in Stamford. Located at 137 Henry Street, the site provides more opportunities for residents to renew driver's licenses and identification cards. Previously open two days a week and managed by the DMV, it will now be operated every weekday by The WorkPlace Inc., an agency that provides job-training, career service and employment assistance in southwestern Connecticut. Customers must schedule appointments online in advance. The express office in Stamford is similar to ones in Milford and West Haven, operated respectively by Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union and West Haven City Hall. The public/private partnerships are part of the DMV's efforts to make renewals more convenient while reducing the strain at other DMV locations. Others are planned in North Haven and Southington. Connecticut State Police are investigating an attempted robbery in Prospect that left one person dead on Friday night. Troopers were dispatched to Route 69 Auto Sales shortly before 7 p.m. after getting a report of an attempted robbery. Police said two men entered the store and began assaulting at least three people inside. During that time, one of the victims, who police said is a legal permit holder in Connecticut, fired at least one shot and both suspects fled on foot. According to police, one of the suspects was struck by at least one bullet and was found dead behind the store. The second suspect is still at large. "At this time, we're asking members of the public to stay vigilant, keep their doors and windows locked. If they see anyhting out of the ordinary, any person out of the ordinary in their neighborhoods, we ask them to contact Troop I or contact 911 to report this behavior," police said. Members of the Central District Major Crimes Division are canvassing the area to try and find video footage. The victims were transported to the hospital to be treated for non life-threatening injuries. A Chicago-bound jet crashed in southern Indiana shortly after taking off from a local airport Friday, and investigators believe everyone on board the small twin-engine plane was killed, according to police. Flight plans indicate that three people were on board when the plane left Clark Regional Airport on its way to Chicago's Midway Airport, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham said. It wasn't immediately clear who owned the plane, which the National Transportation Safety Board identified as a Cessna Citation. Indiana State Police Sgt. Jerry Goodin said he didn't expect officials on Friday to confirm the identities of those killed in the crash. Goodin said police were securing the crash site until federal investigators arrive. The jet crashed around 11:30 a.m. in a rural area near Memphis, Indiana, which is about 15 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky. Noel said it appears the plane crashed shortly after taking off from the airport, which is about 10 miles from the crash site. NTSB spokesman Eric Weiss said no information on a possible crash cause was immediately available. Federal investigators were expected to arrive at the scene Saturday. Texas State Troopers seized over 3,400 pounds of marijuana and over 2,400 pounds of THC products during a traffic stop Nov. 20. At about 7 p.m., a trooper stopped a 2014 Volvo RV traveling east on US Highway 287 near Clarendon in Donley County (east of Amarillo) for a traffic violation. The trooper then discovered multiple white boxes containing vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana and THC products inside the rear cargo area of the RV. The driver, identified as 52-year-old William Davis, of Sacramento, California, was arrested and charged with felony possession of marijuana. Davis was transported and booked into the Donley County Jail. His transport motive, whether in private interest or as an accomplice, is unkown. The drugs allegedly were being transported from Redding, California to Houston, Texas. A U.S. Army sergeant has been sentenced to life in federal prison for killing his wife, who was an Army soldier. A judge on Friday sentenced 37-year-old Sgt. Maliek Kearney to life without the possibility of parole. He was convicted in August. Kearney of San Antonio, Texas, traveled to Maryland in August 2015 to kill his wife, 24-year-old Pfc. Karlyn Ramirez. Prosecutors say Ramirez, assigned to Fort Meade in Maryland, was found fatally shot at her home with their 4-month-old daughter by her body, unharmed. The couple had separated and she had a protective order against Kearney. Kearney's girlfriend, Dolores Delgado, testified that she provided the gun. She allowed him to drive her car from South Carolina to Maryland. Kearney was also ordered to pay nearly $500,000 in restitution to his wife's family. Southern California natives Katy Perry and Gwen Stefani are among the list of household names scheduled to appear at the One Love Malibu festival on Sunday, with proceeds going to aid those affected by the Woolsey Fire. Other performers include Joe Walsh, Robin Thicke, Natasha Bedingfield, Rick Springfield and members of the band Incubus. One Love Malibu - organized by the Malibu foundation will be held at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. The Woolsey Fire burned nearly 97,000 acres, destroyed 1,643 structures and resulted in three deaths in November. As many as 295,000 people were evacuated due to the fire. One Love Malibu will also feature an auction with items including a motorcycle ride with actor Orlando Bloom. Tickets for the event have sold out, according to the foundations website. King Kong, ain't got anything on this list. Academy Award winning actor, Denzel Washington, visited the Los Angeles Lakers facility recently as part of the team's "Genius Series." The idea, which is the brainchild of Lakers president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka, is a series of lectures where guest speakers visit the Lakers to address and help inspire the team. Well on Wednesday, it was Washington's turn and after the talk, a hyped up LeBron James listed his favorite films that Washington has starred in. James listed "Man on Fire," and "He Got Game," as his top two, followed by "Remember the Titans" and "John Q." A member of the media suggest "Training Day," to which James agreed was in the top five as well. "Who could forget about him? Alonzo. Of course," said James. "So, there's so many. So many." Sure, LeBron's list was spur of the moment and off the top of his head, but his rankings (in our opinion) are questionable at best, and it got us thinking: What are Denzel Washington's greatest movies? So without further ado, here is our list of Washington's Top 10 best films: (Honorary mentions to "The Hurricane," "He Got Game," "The Manchurian Candidate," "Philadelphia," and "Antwone Fisher.") 10. American Gangster 9. Training Day 8. Unstoppable 7. Courage Under Fire 6. Inside Man 5. Devil in a Blue Dress 4. Malcolm X 3. Crimson Tide 2. Fences 1. Glory On the outskirts of Kuwait City, the love Kuwaitis have for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush could be seen in 2016 on a billboard one Bedouin family put up to announce their son's wedding. That son being Bush al-Widhan, born in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War that saw U.S.-led forces expel the occupying Iraqi troops of dictator Saddam Hussein. "He was a real man, a lion," said Mubarak al-Widhan, the father of the Kuwaiti Bush, of the American president. "He stood for our right for freedom, and he gave us back our country." With Bush's death, his legacy across the Middle East takes root in that 100-hour ground war that routed Iraqi forces. That war gave birth to the network of military bases America now operates across the Persian Gulf supporting troops in Afghanistan and forces fighting against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. However, Bush ultimately would leave the Shiite and Kurdish insurgents he urged to rise up against Saddam in 1991 to face the dictator's wrath alone, leading to thousands of deaths. That mixed picture only extends to the presidency of his son, George W. Bush, who ordered the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq that overthrew Saddam, whom he once famously described as "the guy who tried to kill my dad one time." "I feel tension in the stomach and in the neck ... but I also feel a certain calmness when we talk about these matters," the elder Bush once said about the 1991 Gulf War, according to biographer Jon Meacham. "I know I am doing the right thing." Iraq invaded Kuwait on Aug. 2, 1990, angry that the tiny neighbor and the United Arab Emirates had ignored OPEC quotas, which Saddam claimed cost his nation $14 billion. Saddam also accused Kuwait of stealing $2.4 billion by pumping crude from a disputed oil field and demanded that Kuwait write off an estimated $15 billion of debt that Iraq had accumulated during its 1980s war with Iran. A World War II fighter pilot shot down fighting against the Japanese, Bush came to view Saddam as similar to Adolf Hitler, a madman who seized neighboring Kuwait and could plunge the world into conflict if he continued into Saudi Arabia. With Vietnam still a potent memory, Bush rallied together a coalition of nations to back the U.S. as it deployed troops to the region and began bombing runs. He talked Israel out of retaliating for Iraqi Scud missiles attacks for fear of alienating Arab allies. "This will not stand. This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait," Bush famously warned. And it didn't. On Feb. 24, 1991, U.S. troops and their allies stormed into Kuwait. It ended 100 hours later. America suffered only 148 combat deaths during the whole campaign, while over 20,000 Iraqi soldiers were killed. In the aftermath of the campaign, some called for Bush to continue into Iraq and topple Saddam. Bush in speeches encouraged Iraqis to rise up against the dictator, while privately hoping someone within his own military would depose him. "To occupy Iraq would shatter our coalition, turning the whole Arab world against us, and make a broken tyrant into a latter-day Arab hero," Bush later said. "It would have taken us way beyond the imprimatur of international law, ... assigning young soldiers to a fruitless hunt for a securely entrenched dictator and condemning them to fight in what would be an unwinnable urban guerrilla war." That hesitation allowed Saddam to regain the upper hand against insurgents and caused a refugee crisis in Iraq's northern Kurdish region. The dictator tauntingly installed a tile mosaic of a scowling likeness of the president at the door of Baghdad's al-Rashid Hotel, which forced entering foreign dignitaries to often step on his face just above its "Bush is criminal" caption. Even Iran, which hated Saddam for starting their 1980s war, remained suspicious of Bush despite his pledge of "good will begets good will." Iran leaned on Lebanon's Shiite militants to help win the release American hostages like Terry Anderson of The Associated Press, but relations went no further. One of Bush's last acts as president, pardoning former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and others for their role in the Iran-Contra scandal, an offshoot of that hostage crisis. Still, Bush's decisions in the 1991 war and its aftermath echo even now. The Kurdish crisis gave birth to the U.S.-imposed no-fly zone in northern Iraq that allowed the Kurds to flourish into the semi-autonomous region now demanding independence. Defense agreements with Gulf nations grew into a series of major military installations across the region. And the presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia, home to the Muslim world's holiest sites, served as a chief complaint of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden ahead of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. His son would launch the 2003 invasion of Iraq after 9/11 and become so hated in the Arab world an Iraq journalist would even throw a shoe at him during a news conference. But the elder Bush remained beloved, perhaps nowhere more than Kuwait, where Americans even today can get hugged while walking down the street. A group of Kuwaiti officials including the country's National Assembly speaker met with the former president in October 2017 to wish him well. The former president's Kuwaiti namesake Bush al-Widhan ended up working in the country's National Guard. His name fascinated others. "I went with my father to Cleveland, Ohio ... and the passport control clerk asked me about the name," al-Widhan recounted. "I couldn't tell him the story. My English is bad. I said: 'George Bush, George Bush. Kuwait war.' Everyone thought it was a great name." A nurse who was deported to Mexico has won her improbable fight to return to her four children and job in California after winning a ticket in a visa lottery. Maria Mendoza-Sanchez told the San Francisco Chronicle she learned Friday her visa had been approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. "This is amazing," she said. "I could barely believe it." Mendoza-Sanchez, 47, and her husband were deported to Mexico last year amid the Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Her case drew support from political leaders and her colleagues at Highland Hospital in Oakland held a rally protesting her deportation. The hospital petitioned for her to get an H-1B visa, arguing her experience caring for cancer patients qualifies her as a high-skilled worker. Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein said she was pleased Mendoza-Sanchez was granted the visa, given the nurse's contributions to her community and the importance of reuniting her family. "This is the kind of common sense and compassion our immigration system desperately needs more of," Feinstein said. Mendoza-Sanchez entered the country in 1994 without a visa to join her husband. She obtained work permits in the early 2000s, studied and worked her way up to become an oncology nurse. The couple had been trying to obtain legal status since 2002, but their request was denied and in 2013 an immigration judge ordered them deported. President Barack Obama's administration, however, granted them two one-year stays, then adopted rules that focused on deporting criminals and allowed the couple to remain in the U.S. The rules required them to renew their work permits every six months. But last year, they were forced to return to Mexico under the Trump administration's immigration policy. "It's been a very tough year, the first year we were not together," Mendoza-Sanchez said about being away from her children. She said she plans to go back to work at the hospital and try to obtain a visa for her husband. It's Saturday, December 1st. Here are the top 6 stories you need to know about. Weather wise, expect a cloudy yet warm Saturday. Temperatures are set to reach the low 80s. Click here for your full forecast. No. 1 George H. W. Bush Dead at 94 Americas 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush, passed away late last night at the age of 94. No official cause of death has been released. Click here for more coverage on his life and legacy. No. 2 Police Search for Police Impersonator in Kendall A safety alert is in effect in Kendall. Police are searching for a man who posed as an officer to lure women at the Palms at Town and County Shopping Center. No. 3 Brush Fire in Broward County On Saturday, the Florida Forest Service will check to see if a brush fire is still burning in Broward. So far, 800 acres of land have burned. No. 4 Miami Woman Goes Missing in Costa Rica The search continues for a Miami woman who went missing while vacationing in Costa Rica. Families are heading there to help search for Carla Stefaniak. No. 5 Brenda Snipes Suspended Brenda Snipes has been suspended of her duties as the Supervisor of Elections in Broward County. Governor Rick Scott has appointed Peter Antonacci to fill the position for the remainder of the term. No. 6 Walmart Hosts Annual Toy Demo Today, Walmart is hosting its annual toy demo. Children will be able to try out select toys from the shelves, including popular items like Polly Pockets, Legos and more. The event is happening at your local Walmart. The fallout over Florida's turbulent recount is escalating after the state's outgoing Republican governor decided to oust a South Florida elections official. Gov. Rick Scott late Friday suspended embattled Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes even though Snipes had already agreed to step down from her post in early January. Scott replaced Snipes with his former general counsel even though Peter Antonacci has no elections experience. Snipes responded by rescinding her previous resignation and will now be "fighting this to the very end," her attorney said during a Saturday news conference. "We believe these actions are malicious, we believe that the allegations that are set forth in the governor's executive order are done for the purposes of embarrassing Dr. Snipes embarrassing her and tarnishing her record, and we will be fighting this. In addition to that, Dr. Snipes herby rescinds her resignation that was set forth which would have been effective on the fourth of January," Snipes' attorney Burnadette Norris-Weeks said in a press conference. Norris-Weeks said that Broward County voters should be concerned about what Scott is trying to do in the Democratic stronghold by putting in an ally who could oversee the office into the 2020 elections. Snipes has been the top elections official in the south Florida county since 2003 when then-Gov. Jeb Bush appointed her. She came under withering criticism for her handling of this year's elections, as well as its legally required recount in close races for governor and U.S. Senate. She had been elected three times and her current term was not scheduled to end until 2020. In his executive order, Scott said he was suspending Snipes due to misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty. His order cited problems during the recount, including reports of more than 2,000 ballots being misplaced. She also came under fire in 2017 after she destroyed year-old ballots in violation of law. Shortly after the recount started, Scott himself suggested possible fraud, but never offered any concrete examples. "After a series of inexcusable actions, it's clear that there needs to be an immediate change in Broward County and taxpayers should no longer be burdened by paying a salary for a supervisor of elections who has already announced resignation," Scott said in a statement. During his eight years in office, Scott has rarely suspended elected officials unless they were first charged with a crime. Florida law requires the state Senate to either remove or reinstate county officials who are suspended by the governor. Scott replaced Snipes with Antonacci, who has held a number of posts at the governor's direction. Antonacci also played a pivotal role in the controversial decision to force the ouster of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey in 2015. Antonacci has been president of Florida's economic development agency since last year. Snipes appeared at the start of the Saturday press conference, where she urged people to "have an open mind about this whole process." She maintained that "we have always done our work in an air of quality and integrity." Norris-Weeks expressed concern that the appointment of Antonacci was being done in order to push ahead with questionable actions ahead of the next presidential election. Scott's administration has been sued several times over election matters including lawsuits over early voting and attempts to purge voters from the rolls. Democrats in south Florida echoed some of those concerns. Cynthia Busch, chairman of the Broward County Democratic Party, questioned why Scott did not appoint someone from the community and appointed someone who is a "Republican Party stalwart." Rep. Shevrin Jones, a Democrat from Broward, called the suspension a "play on his politics on his part." Chris Smith, a former state senator from Fort Lauderdale, called the decision to suspend Snipes after she had agreed to resign as "spiteful." McKinley Lewis, a spokesman for Scott, did not respond to statements from Snipes or her attorney, saying that the governor's "executive order and statement speak for themselves." While Scott initiated the action against Snipes, his administration told Governor-elect Ron DeSantis about the pending move shortly before it happened. DeSantis will be sworn in as governor on Jan. 8. Here's a look at this week's top and trending stories on NBC6: Sentence Upheld for Miami Man Who Put Killing Photo on Facebook An appeals court has upheld the murder conviction and life sentence of a Florida man who shot his wife and posted a photo of her corpse on Facebook. An appeals court rejected Derek Medinas claims that he should have been allowed to put on evidence that he was a battered spouse and that his wife had been aggressive due to taking bath salts pills. Click here for the full story. A Florida man was sentenced to life in prison Friday for fatally shooting his wife eight times during an argument and posting a photo of her bloody body on Facebook. Finally Finished: 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season Comes to an End Friday The annual six month period that elicits fear across the Sunshine State ended Friday with the final day of hurricane season. A total of 15 systems became named storms with eight becoming hurricanes, two of those classified as major, during the 2018 season. Click here for a full break down of the 2018 hurricane season. NBC 6s Angie Lassman and Adam Berg recap a season that was more active than predicted, including one of the worst storms to hit the state of Florida. Unlicensed Contractors Nabbed in Broward County Operation Broward County investigators targeted a community they said has been hit hard by unlicensed contractors taking advantage of people. Investigators drove through a Deerfield Beach community to ask dozens of contractors if they hold the proper licenses to do the work being performed. If contractors didnt hold the proper licenses, they faced hefty fines. Click here for the full NBC6 Investigation. Only NBC 6 cameras captured Broward County investigators as they went in search of unlicensed contractors in a Deerfield Beach 55 and over community. Sasha Jones reports. Tight Christmas Tree Supply Will Have Shoppers Paying More This Season A tight supply of Christmas trees means some shoppers will be paying more and searching longer for that perfect Christmas tree this holiday season. Larger retailers are doing just fine, said officials. Its the smaller charitable organizations, school groups and mom-and-pop operators that have had to scramble for trees. Click here to find out what caused the yuletide market imbalance. Virgin Voyages Announces New Cruise Terminal at PortMiami Virgin Voyages announced Wednesday it will build a terminal for a fleet of new cruise ships at PortMiami. Virgin founder Richard Branson said Miami was a clear choice as the cruise capital of the world and because of its access to Cuba. Click here to find out where the new ships will sail to. Virgin founder Richard Branson announced a fleet of cruise ships will call the PortMiami home. Ana Cuervo reports. Divisions among the world leading economies emerged from the moment their leaders gathered Friday in Argentina: Donald Trump struck his own deals and angered allies, and the leaders of Russia and Saudi Arabia bonded amid criticism from European powers. U.S. negotiators blocked progress at the Group of 20 summit on managing migration, slowing climate change, and streamlining how world trade is governed, according to European officials involved in the discussions. Security concerns also weighed on the two-day talks in Buenos Aires. Argentina's security minister said eight gasoline bombs were discovered in an area of the capital several miles from the summit venue where a protest in the afternoon drew thousands of demonstrators who held up banners with slogans like "Go away G-20" and "Go away Trump." The whole point of the G-20 formed in the wake of the global financial crisis a decade ago is finding ways to solve global problems together, but diplomats in Buenos Aires struggled to find enough things all the leaders agree on. Trump sought to use the summit to make his own trade deals, and angered the Argentine hosts by misconstruing their position on China's trade practices. Meanwhile, two men under heavy criticism from the West lately Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared to seek refuge in each other, bonding with a tough-guy hand grab as the leaders sat down around a huge round table for talks. After Saudi media reported that Mohammed and Trump had a "friendly meeting," the White House insisted that the two leaders simply "exchanged pleasantries at the leaders session as he did with nearly every leader in attendance." When asked what he discussed with the crown prince, Trump told reporters, "We had no discussion. ... We might. But we had none." Argentine President Mauricio Macri kicked off the summit by acknowledging divisions within the G-20 while urging world leaders to have a "sense of urgency" and take actions "based on shared interests." Diplomats from the Group of 20 countries were haggling hard over a final summit statement, with deep divisions over what language to use on the Paris climate accord and the World Trade Organization. Two European officials involved in the discussions said the U.S. was stymieing progress on both. So an unorthodox solution emerged: An official in the French president's office said the statement may have language that sets the U.S. apart. For example, a draft says 19 of the participants agree on the importance of upholding the Paris climate accord, but the U.S. doesn't. Asked about the European concerns, a U.S. official said progress was being made on the joint statement and the White House was "optimistic" about the document as a whole. Later the Argentine official shepherding the G-20 finance talks, treasury official Laura Jaitman, said Trump was "very active and committed" in the dialogue and said progress was made in Friday's talks on finance and trade. "There's a very positive message of how trade has been an engine of growth for the next decades and how it will continue in the future providing benefits for all citizens," Jaitman said. Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie said trade talks were moving forward and nations were continuing to work on climate change wording. Despite Trump's dismissal of concerns about global warming, China, France and the United Nations came together Friday to pledge their support for the Paris climate accord. Their declaration was meant to encourage other G-20 members to do the same, and to provide a boost for an upcoming U.N. climate summit. Overall the G-20 summit is meant to focus on issues such as labor, infrastructure, development, financial stability, climate sustainability and international commerce. But as the gathering got underway, those themes seemed like afterthoughts, overshadowed by contentious matters from the U.S.-China trade dispute to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russia and Ukraine have traded blame over the weekend seizure of Ukrainian ships and their crew which Trump cited in canceling a much-awaited meeting with Putin at the G-20. Russia's foreign minister regretted the cancellation, but said, "love can't be forced." Also looming large amid dozens of bilateral meetings in Buenos Aires: The gruesome slaying of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia's Istanbul Consulate and how the Saudi crown prince, who is alleged to have ordered the killing, is received by world leaders. As soon as he arrived, the crown prince was confronted by French President Emmanuel Macron, who pressed him on the Khashoggi investigation and the Saudi-backed war in Yemen. Bin Salman told Macron not to worry, but Macron countered, "I am worried." Saudi Arabia has denied that bin Salman played a role, but some leaders were concerned about seeming to legitimize a man who U.S. intelligence agencies concluded ordered the killing. Trump's administration, however, has made clear it does not want to torpedo the longstanding U.S. relationship with Riyadh. It is the prince's first significant appearance overseas since the killing. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been sharply critical of Saudi Arabia over the incident, is also in attendance. Leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico, meanwhile, met in the morning to sign a trade deal replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement that was struck following months of tough negotiations that analysts say left a bitter taste among the partners. It must still be ratified by lawmakers in all three countries, and passage in the U.S. could face a tough road in the House of Representatives after Democrats won a majority in November midterm elections. While Trump canceled his meeting with Putin, the U.S. president was still scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but analysts were not optimistic about prospects for a major breakthrough on the two countries' trade disputes a month before U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods are set to ramp up. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived late after her plane suffered a technical problem. British Prime Minister Theresa May's attendance at the summit marked the first time a U.K. prime minister has visited Argentina's capital. The only other prime minister to visit the country was Tony Blair, who went to Puerto Iguazu in 2001. The two countries have long been at odds over the South Atlantic islands known as the Falklands in Britain and the Malvinas in Argentina. Faurie, the Argentine foreign minister, said the recent establishment of more flights to the disputed islands was a positive development. "We are not withdrawing our historic claim," he added. "The focus of this opportunity is in the reestablishment of trust." In downtown Buenos Aires, meanwhile, thousands of demonstrators flooded the 9 de Julio Avenue waving flags and holding up banners. Several marched topless with colorful national flags of summit countries painted on their chests." About 22,000 police officers and other security forces are guarding the leaders during the summit. Argentina is the first South American country to host the G-20, and officials have the added challenge of ensuring that chaos is better contained than it was at last year's meeting in Hamburg, Germany, where clashes broke out between police and protesters. Argentine authorities have said they will not tolerate violence or allow the gathering to be disrupted. Associated Press writers Almudena Calatrava, Debora Rey and Vladimir Isachenkov contributed to this report. A 76-year-old driver trying to park in a handicap spot in front of a CVS drugstore on Long Island slammed into the store, crashing through the glass windows and doors and knocking over displays inside, but no one was injured, officials said. The woman's son told News 4 New York that she accidentally stepped on the gas pedal in front of the store in Hicksville and went right through the front doors. Dramatic video from inside the store shows the car lodged in an aisle of beauty products, buried under shattered glass and plastic shattered and surrounded by scattered candy and merchandise. Fire officials said no employees or injured were hurt. Contractors on the scene said the doors won't be replaced anytime soon because they first need to get permits. The driver was taken to the hospital for observation. What to Know Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio have ordered government flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of George H.W. Bush On Twitter, de Blasio said Bush had "devoted his life to serving our nation" The 41st U.S. president died Friday at his Houston home. He was 94 New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have ordered government flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of George H.W. Bush. Cuomo, a Democrat, said in a statement Saturday that the Republican president was "a great unifier of Americans, always putting country before party." He said Bush showed "the compassion, decency and good humor that is often lacking in our politics today." On Twitter, de Blasio, also a Democrat, said Bush had "devoted his life to serving our nation." The 41st U.S. president died Friday at his Houston home. He was 94. Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.7 shattered highways and rocked buildings Friday in Anchorage and the surrounding area, sending people running into the streets and briefly triggering a tsunami warning for islands and coastal areas south of the city. No tsunami arrived and there were no immediate reports of deaths or serious injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey said the first and more powerful quake was centered about 7 miles (12 kilometers) north of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, with a population of about 300,000. People ran from their offices or took cover under desks. The 5.7 aftershock arrived within minutes, followed by a series of smaller quakes. "We just hung onto each other. You couldn't even stand," said Sheila Bailey, who was working at a high school cafeteria in Palmer when the quake struck. "It sounded and felt like the school was breaking apart." A large section of an off-ramp near the Anchorage airport collapsed, marooning a car on a narrow island of pavement surrounded by deep chasms in the concrete. Several cars crashed at a major intersection in Wasilla, north of Anchorage, during the shaking. Anchorage Police Chief Justin Doll said he had been told that parts of Glenn Highway, a scenic route that runs northeast out of the city past farms, mountains and glaciers, had "completely disappeared." Traffic in the three lanes heading out of the city was bumper-to-bumper and all but stopped Friday afternoon as emergency vehicles passed on the shoulder. The quake broke store windows, opened cracks in a two-story building downtown, disrupted electrical service and disabled traffic lights, snarling traffic. It also threw a full-grown man out of his bathtub. Midtown Anchorage resident Timothy Kirby, who has lived in the area since 1971, said he was asleep in bed with his bulldog when he was alarmed by strong back-to-back jolts. "We had two big jolts and the bed started swaying like a boat on a turbulent river," Kirby told NBC Los Angeles. "It threw us out of bed, and we hit the wall." Alaska Railroad reported "severe damage" at their Anchorage Operations Center according to a spokesperson. The center has lost power and is experiencing flooding. The Trans Alaska oil pipeline was also shut down as a precaution. The pipeline is 800 miles long and is located east of Anchorage. It is the only pipeline that transports oil across Alaska. Anchorage's school system canceled classes and asked parents to pick up their children while it examined buildings for gas leaks or other damage. Fifteen-year-old Sadie Blake and other members of the Homer High School wrestling team were at an Anchorage school gymnasium waiting for a tournament to start when the bleachers started rocking "like crazy" and the lights went out. People started running down the bleachers in the dark, trying to get out. "It was a gym full of screams," said team chaperone Ginny Grimes. When it was over, Sadie said, there was only one thing she could do: "I started crying." Jonathan Lettow was waiting with his 5-year-old daughter and other children for the school bus near their home in Wasilla when the quake struck. The children got on the ground while Lettow tried to keep them calm. "It's one of those things where in your head, you think, 'OK, it's going to stop,' and you say that to yourself so many times in your head that finally you think, 'OK, maybe this isn't going to stop,'" he said. Soon after the shaking stopped, the school bus pulled up and the children boarded, but the driver stopped at a bridge and refused to go across because of deep cracks in the road, Lettow said. At Chugiak High School, acting principal Allison Susel said ceiling tiles came down, books and other items fell from shelves, and water line breaks caused damage. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin tweeted that her home was damaged: "Our family is intact house is not. I imagine that's the case for many, many others." She posted a video of the inside of her parents' home, with broken dishes littering the kitchen floor. A large set of antlers appeared to have fallen off a wall of the living room. President Donald Trump tweeted that the federal government "will spare no expense" helping Alaska. The White House on Tuesday authorized FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts after Gov. Bill Walker issued a disaster declaration. He was in an elevator in a high-rise Anchorage office building and said it was a "rough ride" coming down. He described the quake as a 7.2, though it was unclear why his figure differed from that of the USGS. Walker says it will take more than a week or two to repair roads damaged by the earthquake. "This is much more significant than that," he told reporters at a news conference. Walker leaves office on Monday, and he said members of Gov.-elect Mike Dunleavy's staff had been involved with the earthquake response to ensure a smooth transition. "This isn't a time to do anything other than take care of Alaskans, and that's what we're doing," he said. In Kenai, southwest of Anchorage, Brandon Slaton was home alone and soaking in his bathtub when the earthquake struck. Slaton, who weighs 209 pounds, said it created a powerful back-and-forth sloshing that threw him out of the tub. His 120-pound mastiff panicked and tried to run down the stairs, but the house was swaying so much that the dog was thrown into a wall and tumbled down the stairs, Slaton said. Slaton ran into his son's room after the shaking stopped. The boy's fish was on the floor, gasping, its tank shattered. Slaton put the fish in a bowl. "It was anarchy," he said. "There's no pictures left on the walls, there's no power, there's no fish tank left. Everything that's not tied down is broke." Kirby, the Anchorage resident, said the that his house "looks like somebody took it and shook it like a salt shaker. There's busted glass. Threw all the cans out of the pantry. Emptied my refrigerator. The power's out. ... But, thank God we're alive, because at a couple of moments I really thought we were going to die." Anchorage lawyer Hank Graper was driving when the quake struck. He first thought his vehicle had a flat tire, then thought it was exploding. He realized it was an earthquake after he saw traffic poles swaying. Graper called it the most "violent" earthquake he's experienced in his 20 years in Anchorage. Alaska was the site of the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the U.S. The 9.2-magnitude quake on March 27, 1964, was centered about 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Anchorage. It and the tsunami it triggered claimed about 130 lives. The state averages 40,000 earthquakes a year, with more large quakes than the 49 other states combined. Southern Alaska has a high risk of earthquakes because the Earth's plates slide past each other under the region. Alaska has been hit by a number of powerful quakes over 7.0 in recent decades, including a 7.9 last January southeast of Kodiak Island. But it is rare for a quake this big to strike so close to such a heavily populated area. David Harper was getting coffee at a store when the low rumble began and intensified into something that sounded "like the building was just going to fall apart." He ran for the exit with other patrons. "People who were outside were actively hugging each other," he said. "You could tell that it was a bad one." AP writers Mark Thiessen, Becky Bohrer, Gillian Flaccus and Gene Johnson contributed. A state representative convicted of taking $4,000 in bribes from a confidential informant received probation Friday from a judge who was critical of the undercover investigation that snared her. Democratic Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to 23 months of probation and ordered to repay the money to the state attorney general's office. Neither Lowery Brown nor her defense attorney would say whether she intended to resign immediately. She was unopposed and won a sixth term in the Nov. 6 election, but officials say her felony bribery conviction makes her ineligible under the state constitution to hold office. "I'm deeply sorry and extremely remorseful that my actions have taken me from my community," Lowery Brown told Judge Scott Evans. She thanked the friends, family and supporters who packed the courtroom, and said, "I just take full responsibility for my actions." Lowery Brown, 52, who represents a west Philadelphia district, is the sixth black elected official from that city to face legal consequences for their involvement with Tyron Ali, who had secretly been working for the attorney general's office. Dauphin County prosecutor Michael Sprow argued for jail time, reminding the judge that she accepted $3,000 of the money while inside her state Capitol office. "The public placed its trust in this defendant to serve with integrity ... and she failed to do so," Sprow said. Prosecutors in the case previously netted guilty or no-contest pleas by four other onetime state lawmakers and a former traffic judge in the city, all Democrats, for taking cash or gifts from Ali. Three other sitting state lawmakers resigned as part of their pleas. A spokesman for House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, said his position is Lowery Brown's tenure as a state representative ended with her sentencing and she is not eligible to receive her salary or future pension and lifetime health care benefits. Turzai spokesman Neal Lesher said he hoped Lowery Brown did not seek to begin her next term in January. "We hope that she would not put everyone through that, but if she decides to, she likely would not be seated," Lesher said. Lowery Brown defense attorney Patrick Casey had no response to Turzai. "The issue of her seat is the next matter that she will get to," Casey said. A jury convicted Lowery Brown in October of bribery, five counts of conflict of interest and failing to properly file a financial disclosure form. She said outside the courtroom before sentencing that she planned to appeal. She had no comment afterward and left the courtroom with a coat over her head to avoid being photographed. Prosecutors persuaded a jury that she took the money in exchange for official favors, while her own lawyers had argued she was entrapped. Defense attorney Jack Dempsey described her efforts on behalf of residents in what he called a "poor, heavily challenged district," including food and clothing drives, and noted she had been a single mother and was raising a granddaughter. He said she has a job offer from a west Philadelphia housing and community development nonprofit agency. "She's just a wonderful person," character witness Bishop Benjamin F. Peterson Jr. told Evans. "She'll give you the shirt off her back. She has a heart of gold." Lowery Brown told a grand jury in 2014 she knew taking the money was wrong. She had previously agreed to plead guilty but backed out and went to trial. Then-state Attorney General Kathleen Kane abandoned the Ali-related investigation in 2013 after concluding it improperly targeted black officials, but the Philadelphia district attorney at the time, Seth Williams, revived the case. Kane, who is white, and Williams, who is black, have both since been convicted of criminal offenses related to their offices. Both Democrats are currently serving time in a county jail and federal prison, respectively. Evans said aspects of the investigation "were troubling, to say the least," referring to "racial overtones, political implications." "I found much to be disturbing in this investigation," Evans said. Casey said there was "significant evidence she was targeted based upon being a Democrat." When Evans announced his sentence, Lowery Brown's supporters applauded and cheered "hallelujah." Asked about the judge not ordering he jail time he sought, Sprow said he respected the judge's sentence. Control of Alaska state government, at least for the next two years, could hinge on a mystery ballot that an election worker found on a table in a Fairbanks voting precinct more than three weeks ago. The uncounted ballot could break a tie in an Alaska state House race. A decision on whether to count it is expected Friday. The elections office has said the ballot appeared to be marked for Democrat Kathryn Dodge. If Republican Bart LeBon wins, the GOP would control the House, Senate and the governor's office. If Dodge wins, it would set off a mad dash between the parties to build a caucus of at least 21 members needed for a majority in the House. Officials said the ballot was found by an election worker on a precinct table on Election Day in a gray secrecy sleeve. It was not counted at the time and was included among ballot materials that arrived in Juneau last Friday for an election review. Officials were investigating the ballot before deciding whether to count it. Dodge was tied with LeBon with 2,661 votes apiece heading into a recount Friday. Dodge attorney Patrick Munson, in a letter to elections director Josie Bahnke, said Alaska law sets a high threshold for disqualifying a ballot. He said there were 366 ballots issued at the precinct on Election Day but just 365 were run through the optical scanner. He said it's likely this ballot was validly issued and voted and should be counted for Dodge. He also wants the Division of Elections to count for Dodge a ballot with ovals marked for her and LeBon but with an "X'' over the oval next to LeBon's name. That ballot wasn't counted for either candidate. "People kept calling it close," Dodge said of the race. "I just didn't know it was going to be squeaky." If Dodge wins, the House would be split 20-20, between Republicans and the remnant of a coalition that is largely comprised of Democrats but includes two Republicans. For the candidates, it's been a three-week rollercoaster ride marked by lead changes before the tie was declared and by the appearance of the mystery ballot. Bahnke said she wants to ensure that every vote cast by an eligible voter is counted. LeBon, a retired banker, said he has questions about the handling of the ballot and expects a legal challenge from whoever loses the recount. He said questions about other ballots also could be raised during the recount. If the race remains tied after the recount and possible legal challenges, state law calls for a winner to be determined "by lot." A coin toss decided a tied House race in 2006. "I've come too far to have a coin toss settle this," LeBon said. The current House speaker, Democrat Bryce Edgmon, won the 2006 primary through the coin toss on his way to being elected to the chamber later that year. He said he didn't recall the race being stressful, pointing out that he also had a good job in the fishing community of Dillingham to focus on if he had lost. On the day of the coin toss, he said his son fell sick and had to be taken to the emergency room, which occupied his attention much of the day. Remembering the coin toss is exciting, he said, but the experience is "not something I would wish for anybody to go through." A Solana Beach man is breathing a sigh of relief after finding his sister who he thought may have died in the Camp Fire in Butte County. Up until this week, Bill Engfelts sister Mirella Harrison was on the Camp Fire missing persons list. He had made flyers and was planning to go to the Paradise area to search for his 56-year old sister. Harrison said she had to drive through flames to escape the fire. It didnt take her, but it did take her home. In the chaos and aftermath of the tragedy, she never called her brother to let him know she wasnt injured or killed. Of course I called my sister. 'Why didn't you call me?' She said she has PTSD from this, she had to drive through the flames, she was really upset, she just didn't think about it, Engfelt said. It turns out, Harrisons home was for sale at the time, and Engfelt found her through her realtor. Bill says he was upset, but relieved to learn his sister is OK. Right now, she's living in a hotel as she deals with insurance and tries to rebuild her life. What to Know University of Maryland freshman Olivia Paregol died November 18 of adenovirus complications. Health officials now say they are dealing with an outbreak of the virus, which has symptoms that can be confused with those of a cold. Nasal spray tests confirmed at least 22 students were sickened. At least 22 students at the University of Maryland were sickened by a strain of Adenovirus that killed one freshman at the school. Medical experts now say the university is dealing with an outbreak of adenovirus, which has symptoms similar to those of a cold, including a sore throat, fever or pink eye. The school says officials used a nasal test, the most reliable test available, to tally the number of cases. Several students got sick in early November and have since recovered, the university says. On Tuesday, the school said that nine cases of the virus had been confirmed. This figure includes the death of Olivia Paregol, who died of adenovirus complications on Nov. 18. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state and the county all are addressing the virus, said Prince George's County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter. "We're working with the University of Maryland, the CDC and the state to make sure that we identify the strains, understand how it is spreading and make sure we are getting the word out," he said. Adenoviruses are common viruses that can cause a range of illnesses, according to the CDC. The virus can pose serious complications to people with weakened immune systems, respiratory issues or cardiac disease. According to university officials, the CDC tested five specimens and four were confirmed as Adenovirus 7, which is associated with acute respiratory disease. Another sample came back inconclusive and will be tested again, the school says. Adenovirus is typically spread from an infected person to others through close personal contact such touching or shaking hands; through the air by coughing and sneezing; or by touching an object or surface with adenoviruses on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands. UMD is advising students and staff members to be conscientious about hygiene. It's true that a small act of kindness can go a long way. Gail Cook, a resident of Ferndale, Maryland, said one such act brightened her day when she came home on Wednesday. She discovered strong winds had brought down her family's flagpole. But when she reached her doorstep, she saw that someone had neatly folded their American flag and placed it in a box that sits on their front porch. When she pulled up the video from her Nest camera to see who she could thank, she saw her FedEx delivery driver Mike King. But the Cooks didn't have any packages delivered that day. King had gone out of his way to fold the flag. "I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I have to share this so people know what he's done,'" Cook said. She posted the video on Facebook and also reached out to King to thank him. "It's the Marine way," King said in the comments on her post. "I couldn't just drive by and do nothing." The post has garnered dozens of shares and positive comments from the Ferndale community. "How extremely thoughtful!" said one commenter. "Awesome act of patriotism," commented another. Cook said King has delivered packages to their home for several years. She said she and her husband got their Nest camera a few years ago as a way to keep tabs on the neighborhood and make sure their two children are safe. She said she never expected such a nice moment to come from having the camera. "We're just very grateful to him for stopping and, you know, taking the time out of his day because I'm sure this is a busy week for him," Cook said. "You know, Cyber Monday - I'm sure he had a ton of packages to deliver and he took the time to fold the flag and fold our other flag ... he even came back to make sure he put them in a safer place so the wind didn't continue to blow them that day." Cook said she reached out to FedEx and hopes they recognize King for his good deed. News4 has reached out to King for comment, but has not yet heard back. George H.W. Bush died Friday, prompting an outpouring of commendation for America's 41st president and condolences for his family. Bush was applauded for serving America not only as a president but a devoted husband and father, military member and public servant. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan each ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. President Donald Trump also ordered flags across the nation's capital and the country to be flown at half-staff. Decades ago, News4's own Jim Vance got the chance to spend six hours fishing with then-President George H.W. Bush. "President Bush is one heck of a fisherman," Vance said. "I will never forget that day." Hogan, a fellow Republican, issued a statement commending Bush's tenure as a Navy Pilot and World War II veteran. "The First Lady and I join all Marylanders in sending our deepest condolences to the Bush family as they and our entire nation mourn this great loss. We all take comfort knowing that he is joining his beloved wife, Barbara." Hogan said his father served in the House of Representatives alongside Bush. Maryland flags will be lowered through Dec. 30, the governor said. Northam lauded Bush for his commitment to public service, devotion to his wife of 73 years, Barbara, and unwavering decency. "May we all take a page from his book," Northam said in a statement. Flags should fly at half-staff for thirty days to mark Bush's death, Northam ordered. Bowser offered condolences to Bush's family and said, "President George H.W. Bush demonstrated a devotion to country and family that others will seek to emulate for years." Sen. Tim Kaine said in a statement, "He lived a long life devoted to his country, dying old and full of days. I am saddened by his passing, and my condolences go out to the Bush family." George H.W. Bush served our country with dignity, integrity, and a commitment to American valuesfrom his courage in WWII to many other positions in government to the White House. He understood the virtues of civility and mutual respect in public life. He will be greatly missed. Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) December 1, 2018 Rest In Peace to President George H.W. Bush. He was a devoted leader, role model and family man. The Metropolitan Police Department is forever honored to have assisted with your security and escorts. #MPD #DCPolice #Bush41 pic.twitter.com/N5oTkA3diU DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) December 1, 2018 President Bush will be remembered as a dignified, civil and thoughtful leader who led our country during a time of historic global change. John K. Delaney (@JohnKDelaney) December 1, 2018 A 19-year-old has died after being shot in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood. The victim, who has not been identified, was in the backseat of a Honda Civic on Norwell Street when the fatal shooting occurred. "It's a tragedy," Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said. "That could be a future leader. We dont know. Because a lifes taken too soon." Police received a call at 7:06 p.m. for shots fired on Norwell Avenue. Responding officers found the car on Talbot Avenue and Norfolk Street, with the 19-year-old victim sitting in the back seat where he was suffering from life-threatening injuries after having been shot in the upper torso. The victim was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say the suspect shot into the back seat of the car while trying to park on Norwell. That's when the driver took off. At the time of the shooting, Boston City Council President and District 4 Councilor Andrea Campbell was hosting a public safety meeting nearby. Those inside the meeting tell NBC10 Boston that they could hear the commotion just outside the Codman Square Health Center where the safety meeting was being held. Michael Folan was one of about 50 attending the meeting, and he says they were about an hour into it when all the police officers rushed out the door. Gross says this is an act of senseless violence, marking the 52nd homicide of the year. "Frustration with how many guns are on the streets," Commissioner Gross said of his reaction to the shooting. "It seems as soon as we take them off, more fall into the hands. In the last week or so weve had like 10 guns removed from the street but youll always hear me say this theres more people doing good than bad." At the same date last year, there had been 50 homicides, so the city is up two homicides for this time of year. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-800-494-TIPS. They say you can remain anonymous. The shooting is under investigation. A raised American flag, a ships whistle and a naval flyover signaled the completion of Saturdays commissioning of the U.S.S. Thomas Hudner. The event drew a packed house, which included dignitaries such as Gov. Charlie Baker. Be proud to operate a ship named after such a special man, Baker told the naval men and women who work on the ship. The event also attracted service members, veterans, family members and friends of Captain Hudner, including former naval officer Jack Kessler of Concord, which is where Hudner lived. Its such a great ship, we wouldnt miss this, Kessler said. Its quite terrific. The occasion at Bostons Black Falcon Terminal was also bittersweet as the nation mourned the sudden death of former President George H.W. Bush. Bush attended school with Hudner and Kessler. They both went to the same prep school. They went to Phillips Academy in Andover where I went, Kessler said. Hudner received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War. Hudner tried to rescue his friend and wingman, Jesse Brown, who was the U.S. Navys first African American aviator. When Browns plane was shot down, Hudner intentionally crash landed his own plane to try to save his friend. Hudners son said that is just the kind of person his father was. While many of us would say that was an extraordinary act, my father never thought of them self or that action is extraordinary, he said. Brown did not make it out alive, but his granddaughter said Browns friendship with Hudner survived intense racial tensions of the time. Face a lot of discrimination, a lot of tough times but threw that perseverance we have this great story, Browns granddaughter, Jessica Knight Henry, said. When they would run up against people who try to discriminate against Jesse, he and the whole group would all just get up and walk out on the place. Hudners legacy and friendship with Brown will now live on through the U.S.S. Hudner. This ship is the U.S. Navys newest commissioned warship. It will be homeported in Mayport, Florida, and it will serve in defense of the nation around the world on the open seas. Mark Wilson/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Special counsel Robert Mueller is pushing forward in his case against Paul Manafort after their cooperation agreement fell apart earlier this week, and prosecutors didn't rule out a second trial against the onetime Trump campaign chairman. That determination has not been made, special counsel prosecutor Andrew Weissman said, leaving the matter of a second trial open for consideration. Mueller, who is investigating Russian meddling during the 2016 campaign, accused Manafort earlier this week of lying to prosecutors after signing onto a plea agreement that mandated his full cooperation. But what Manafort is accused of lying about remains a mystery. In court on Friday, special counsel prosecutor Andrew Weissman told the court that Mueller would describe Manaforts breach of the plea agreement in a future court filing. Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC, set December 7 as the deadline for that filing. Manaforts legal team has disputed accusations that their client lied to prosecutors, telling Judge Jackson in a court filing earlier this week that Manafort believes he has provided truthful information and does not agree with the governments characterization or that he has breached the agreement. On Friday, Manaforts lead attorney, Kevin Downing, argued in court that defense counsel should be entitled to some form of discovery regarding claims that their client lied. Earlier this week ABC News reported that Manaforts legal team had been quietly briefing the presidents lawyers about the special counsel inquiry. The presidents lead attorney, Rudy Giuliani, told ABC News Wednesday that Manaforts legal team had shared pieces of information that pertain to our part of the case. The news reignited speculation that Manafort could be angling for a pardon from the president, a possibility that the president left open in an interview with the New York Post Wednesday. It was never discussed, but I wouldnt take it off the table, Trump told the New York Post. Manafort agreed to plead guilty to two counts of conspiracy in D.C. District Court in September. In exchange for leniency, Manafort was required to provide broad cooperation with the special counsel, including interviews, briefings, producing documents, [and] testifying in other matters. Already at that point, a jury in Virginia had convicted Manafort on eight of 18 federal counts of tax and bank-fraud charges. The jury gridlocked on the remaining 10 charges, though Manafort later admitted his guilt to those charges as part of his plea deal in Washington. During the Virginia trial, prosecutors invoked his past work as a political consultant for pro-Russia elements in Ukraine and payments from political figures there in connection with the money laundering allegations he faced. He maintained those overseas relationships both before and during his stint as then-candidate Trump's campaign chairman during the 2016 contest. Manafort joined Trump's campaign in March 2016 and was elevated to the campaign adviser position in May of the same year. He departed the Trump campaign in August 2016 after reports appeared in the New York Times and Associated Press that suggested he had engaged in illegal lobbying activities in Ukraine. Manafort did not appear at Fridays hearing. His last appearance was before the judge in his Virginia case was on Oct. 19. Then, he appeared in the courtroom in a wheelchair with his lead attorney citing "significant concerns" with his health. Manafort has been behind bars since the judge in his Washington case revoked his bail in June, and is currently being held in solitary confinement. He is set to be sentenced separately for charges in Virginia on Feb. 8, 2019. On Friday, Judge Jackson tentatively set March 5, 2019 as the sentencing date for the Washington, DC, charges against Manafort. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday that he would like to exchange views on issues of common concern with Donald Trump, his U.S. counterpart, and jointly chart the course for China-U.S. relations in the next stage. Chinese President Xi Jinping at a dinner with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump [Photo: Xinhua] Xi made the remarks at a working dinner with Trump. The Chinese president said he was glad to meet President Trump. Since their previous meeting, Xi said, the world situation has witnessed a lot of changes. As two major countries with great influence, China and the United States shoulder important responsibilities in promoting world peace and prosperity. Cooperation is the best option for the two countries, Xi said. The two leaders agreed to meet at the G20 summit in a telephone conversation early last month, in which Xi said that both he and President Trump have good visions for a healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations as well as for the expansion of economic and trade cooperation. Veterans who work for New Milford will now be able to have their first year of dues to the American Legion covered thanks to a residents donation. Stephen Looney donated the money, Mayor Pete Bass announced this week. The request came from New Milford American Legion Commander Jeff McBreairty at an earlier Town Council meeting as a way to introduce more veterans to the organizations benefits. At the time he said he believes he has a good chance of getting every town employee who is a veteran, especially if the town helps with the dues. Dues are $35 per veteran. It will become the veterans responsibility to pay the dues after that first year and maintain their good standing with the organization. McBreairty left 30 names with the mayors office. The Roxbury Public Library will offer a pop-up pub at Dec. 7 and a reading of The Shepherd Dec. 9 at Hodge Memorial Library in town. The pop-up pub for individuals age 21 and older will be held Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at the library and museum at 4 North St. The event will feature beers donated by Black Hog Brewing in Oxford, refreshments and live music. Proceeds from the sale of the beverages will support the Minor Memorial Library childrens programming and book purchases. All Aboard Pizza in New Milford will deliver pizzas with a minimum order of $35 to patrons of the pub who call in their orders. Menus will be available at the pub. Doug Schlicher of Woodbury will return Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. to read The Shepherd by Frederick Forsyth. The novella, set in post-World War II England, is about a young RAF pilot who is guiding his Vampire jet fighter high over the North Sea on Christmas Eve, 1957. Gradually realizing that his planes entire electrical system is malfunctioning, it seems certain that this is his last Christmas Eve. Schlicher is known locally for his annual reading pf Dickens A Christmas Carol at the Hurd House in Woodbury, now in its 28th year. Formerly a professional actor, Schlicher has performed onstage with the New York Shakespeare Festival, the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, and has performed at Lincoln Center, Off-Broadway, and at the Public Theater in New York as well as in Central Park. In addition to his stage work, he has appeared in more than 400 television and radio commercials and voice-over narrations. Locally, he has lent his talent to the Gunn Memorial Museum in Washington where he has narrated exhibit-related videos. BRIDGEPORT - A judge barred the secretary of the state from certifying a winner in Stratfords election for the state house of representatives. Now the contestants for the seat will bring their arguments to the House or the state Supreme Court their representatives said. This was a clear-cut win for us and a win for the voters of Stratford, Republican candidate James Feehan said after the judges ruling. The judge has ruled that we have a good chance of winning on the merits of our case and she did what was appropriate. But William Bloss, lawyer for Democratic Incumbent candidate Phil Young, said the judges decision will have no effect on the outcome of the election, which Young won in a recount. She agreed this case did not belong in court and this order stopping certification is fundamentally meaningless. This is still up to the House, which we said all along. Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis Friday afternoon granted a motion for an emergency injunction until the state house has a chance to decide who will represent the 120th assembly district. The court is ensuring the House has the opportunity to exercise its authority, the judge ruled. Feehan sued for a new election after a recount found he had lost to Young by 13 votes. He claimed an error by the election workers at the Bunnell High School polling place in which they gave ballots for the 122nd district to those voting in the 120th district cost him the election. Under state law the secretary of the state has to the end of November to certify the winners of the recent election for state offices. Bloss argued Friday that state courts dont have the jurisdiction to decide the outcomes of state elections. He said under the Connecticut Constitution, only the House can decide who is seated there and that there is a procedure in place to appoint a committee of two Republicans and two Democrats to decide election appeals. But Feehans lawyer, Proloy Das, said leaving the outcome of the election to the House would be a violation of the U.S. Constitution. He cited the court case of George Bush versus Al Gore that resulted in a federal judge upholding Bushs presidential victory. The voters of Stratford should decide who represents them in the House of Rrepresentatives, not the legislature, he told the judge. After taking a brief recess following arguments, Bellis agreed that the House, not she, should decide the elections outcome. The court is without jurisdiction, the court cannot and may not infringe on the Houses authority, she said. However, the judge continued that Feehan has no other remedy of law and would suffer irreparable harm if the secretary of the state is allowed to certify a winner before Feehan has a chance to appeal to the House. Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz of Berlin, a Democrat, said The separation of powers in our constitution makes the eventual outcome of this case pretty clear as the judge seems to indicate. The law is clear, he said, And also reflected in other state constitutions as well as our federal constitution. Whats important now is that this process is completed soon so we can ensure Stratfords residents are fully represented when the legislature convenes in January. House Republican Leader Themis Klarides said she and other pols will continue to pursue all efforts to make sure that none of the voters in the disputed House race in Stratford are disenfranchised. There are legal remedies available to accomplish that goal. As the vote count has yet to be certified, the outcome remains in dispute. Voting for both the 120th district and the 122nd assembly district was held at Bunnell High School. But around midday Nov. 6, a voter for the 120th district noticed he had been handed a ballot for the 122nd. Young and Feehan were not on the ballot for the 122nd. It was determined that a packet of ballots for the 122nd district had been given out to voters for the 120th. After the election, the Registrar of Voters discovered that in the 120th district, 1,575 voter names had been crossed off the official checklist but only 1,499 ballots had been processed, a difference of 76 fewer ballots than voters, according to court papers. In the checklist of the 122nd, 952 names had been crossed off the official checklist, but 1,031 ballots were processed, a difference of 79 more ballots than voters. The recanvas showed that, at Bunnell High School, a total of 859 votes were cast for Feehan, 608 votes for Young, 6 votes for Prez Palmer, and 27 ballots presented no votes in the race for the 120th Assembly District. The voter checklist for the 120th district showed that 1,575 voters at Bunnell High School received ballots. The recanvas showed that 75 voters at Bunnell High School were denied the right to vote in the 120th Assembly District. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Mumbai: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of politicising the surgical strike carried by Army in September 2016 to win the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. During his interaction with professionals in Rajasthans Udaipur as part of the Congress partys election campaign, Gandhi said that during the Manmohan Singh government, the Army had conducted similar surgical strike thrice but the action was not used for political gains. "Do you know that like Mr Narendra Modi's surgical strike, Manmohan Singh did that 3 times? When Army came to Mr Manmohan Singh and said we need to retaliate against Pakistan for what they've done they also said we wanted to be secret, for our own purposes," he said. Also Read | Marriage without groom: Rajnath Singh ribs Congress for not declaring CM candidate in Rajasthan The Congress chief said that PM Modi reached into the Armys domain and a military action into a political asset as to win the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. "Narendra Modi actually reached into Army's domain and shaped their surgical strike, he turned their surgical strike into a political asset when it actually was a military decision. What the Army would have liked was we'll do it, it's beneficial if nobody knows we did it. But Mr Modi didn't want that. He was fighting an election in UP and he was losing it," the Gandhi scion said. Taking a dig at the prime minister, Gandhi said that Modi has a sense that all the knowledge comes from his brain and he knows better than Army, foreign minister and agriculture minister about their respective fields. PM is convinced he knows better than Army what needs to be done in Army's area, better than Foreign Min what needs to be done in the foreign ministry, better than Agriculture Min what needs to be done in agriculture because he has a sense that all knowledge comes from his brain, he said. Also Read | Rajasthan Elections: Yogi Adityanath calls Hanuman a scheduled caste, gets legal notice The Congress leader also questioned Modis understanding of Hinduism and said, what is the essence of Hinduism? What does the Gita say? That knowledge is with everybody, knowledge is all around you. Every living being has knowledge. Our PM says he is a Hindu but he doesn't understand the foundation of Hinduism. New Delhi: Public and private sector companies such as the Indian Space Research Organisation, Microsoft, Google and Apple have made job offers to candidates as the placement season in IIT-Madras began here Saturday. As many as 85 offers were made by 19 (private) companies during the first phase of the placement season, which include six international job offers, a press release said. Microsoft Ltd led the pack offering jobs to 25 candidates followed by Apple (8) and Goldman Sachs (7), the release said. Also Read | Brace for these 5 changes that will affect your daily life from December 1 Apart from these companies, the Indian Space Research Organisation and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation offered jobs to seven candidates, it said. We had premier companies in the first slot, which made a good number of offers to our candidates. The number of finance offers has been excellent in the first slot with 29 offers being made by such firms, advisor of IIT-Madras (training and placements) professor Manu Santhanam said. One of the shortlisted candidates Alekhya Reddy said,It has been an exhilarating experience of attending interviews of software giants, answering back-to-back coding questions. Also Read | UIDAI asks banks not to discontinue Aadhaar payment system Im experiencing a sense of satisfaction that all my hardwork has paid off upon getting selected by Microsoft, Redmond campus, USA, she said. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh celebrate their third wedding reception on Saturday in Mumbais Grand Hyatt. The couple has been grabbing all hearts since they tied the sacred knot in November and the pictures from their wedding and receptions have made the fans drool over the fantasised dreamy celebrations. Post the Bengaluru reception on November 21 and another one in Mumbai on November 28, Ranveer and Deepika, host a star-studded reception tonight. Also Read | Priyanka Chopra's brother-in-law Joe Jonas soon to tie the knot with fiance Sophie Turner Donning in a gorgeous red shimmering dress, Deepika looked the fairy beauty, while Ranveer remained the dashing hunk in a handsome black tuxedo with a bow-tie. Deepika took to her Instagram account to share the pictures of their star-studded wedding reception. In the first picture, shared by the newlywed bride, Deepika looks breathtaking hot in a red veil covering her face, while in the second picture, the couple sits hand-in-hand, giving away major marriage goals. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh at their wedding reception in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/zvcOR7BQPn ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 Deepika's wedding to Ranveer has been the most discussed and celebrated events lately creating immense buzz across quarters. The Chennai Express actor, who essayed the role of the world's most beautiful woman in her last outing was recently being hailed as the most beautiful bride in the world by her fans. Fanclubs across Twitter had shared images of the beautiful bride from her wedding ceremonies and receptions captioning them as #WorldsMostBeautifulBride. Also Read | Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas get officially hitched in a Christian wedding While there had been roof high excitement for the picture, the security has been extremely tight leaving no room for any leaks. Thereby, only revealing the looks when the couple shared pictures. The Ram Leela stars, who tied the sacred knot on November 14 and 15, are now sailing in the epitome of their celebratory events, one party at a time. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh dated for six years before they made their relationship official and got married. The couple has done three films together, Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan, the Badshah of Bollywood, in a conversation with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, exclaimed that India is a land to many beautiful and interesting tales. The superstar was attending the Mumbai 2.0 event in Mumbai on Saturday. Shah Rukh has always been much more than a brilliant actor, be it his motivational oratory skills or witty sense of humour, the actor enjoys much love from his mammoth fan following. Also Read | Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas get officially hitched The Dilwale actor stressed upon the best stories that India has in its womb, which deserves to be told to the world. He believes that it is important to make sure that the younger generation knows about the rich cultural heritage and glorious past of this country. Shah Rukh said, "I believe India, Mumbai have best stories to tell. Our grandparents, parents used to tell us so many stories and we need to keep them alive. "Like, it is not about remixing a song it is about representing it to the younger generation to tell them about our culture and where it came from. Our stories are going to be the best stories in the world. Rather than stealing stories here and there and putting it back," added the 53-year-old actor. SRK motioned that it is essential to archive Indian films and convert it into digital content for coming generations to acknowledge. "I feel some things should be archived. We have film division and people are doing it. My wish is to have archival centre and it can develop digital content for children. We often lose old things. Film is a very impermanent medium and from the digital stuff we can retain, learn from it." Also Read | Disha Patani sizzles her way through some hot dancing moves, watch video The Zero actor talked about how he used to admire his teacher since childhood. He also revealed that he wanted to be a teacher himself. However, SRK feels that currently, he is in such a field that can inspire many individuals to do something and bring a change in this country, by discriminating between good and bad content. "With social media, media has become a larger platform than it was with television and films whether it was International films or shows. Social media is making everybody media savvy." The Dil Se actor later took to his Twitter handle to express his gratitude to the Maharashtra CM for making him a part of Mumbai 2.0. He wrote, Thank u sir @Dev_Fadnavis for making me a part of Mumbai 2.0. This is our city and we will do everything with you to make it more creative, competitive & culturally inclusive. Aamchi Magical Mumbai. Thank u sir @Dev_Fadnavis for making me a part of Mumbai 2.0. This is our city and we will do everything with you to make it more creative, competitive & culturally inclusive. Aamchi Magical Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/2pOMcyeGX7 Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 1, 2018 Shah Rukh lauded the resilience and patience of the city of Mumbai and it's people. He said he is thankful to the city for making him the star that he is today. Also Read | Shah Rukh Khan lauds his 'Juliet' star Suhana Khan Shah Rukh, on the work front, is sailing high with the promotions of his upcoming flick Zero. Zero presents the story of Bauua, a vertically challenged man essayed by Shah Rukh Khan. Set against the backdrop of Meerut, the film presents a unique as well as a rooted story. Bringing back the super hit trio of Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaifand Anushka Sharma, Zero offers interesting performances with an unconventional storyline. The Aanand L Rai directorial is slated to hit the theatres on December 21. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: The Border Security Force (BSF) which is responsible for protecting Indian frontier with Pakistan has surgically targeted enemy posts in the recent past, Director General Rajni Kant Mishra told reporters on the eve of the forces 54th raising day on Friday. Mishra said that Indias frontier force has indigenously developed bullet-proof bunkers to protect its troops from the sniper attacks from across the border by Pakistani forces. BSF responded in a targeted and deliberate manner as a result of which the Rangers (Pakistans border guarding troops) were pinned down and confined to their posts. Unable to contain the BSF assault, the Rangers were forced to open the entire front and a heavy exchange of fire started on the entire IB. BSF surgically targeted Pakistan posts in retaliatory firing which resulted in heavy losses to the adversary, Mishra said. Also Read | Pakistan needs to turn secular for good ties with India: Army Chief Bipin Rawat Referring to the very serious incident of a BSF soldier's brutal killing by Pakistani border action team (BAT) along the international border in Jammu, the DG said that the force is undertaking a scientific analysis of all such incidents that took place in the past five years along this border. We will come out with suggestions by which these actions or incidents can be prevented and if it requires to undertake some civil, mechanical or operational work, we will do that, DG Mishra said. The DG said that Indias frontier force has indigenously developed bullet-proof bunkers to protect its troops from the sniper attacks from across the border by Pakistani forces. We have demonstrated this new gadget before the Union home minister (Rajnath Singh) when he recently went to Jaisalmer and we will soon replicate it on other border fronts including in Jammu. This has been developed in-house by the BSF, he said. Also Read | Army soldier critically injured in sniper attack by Pakistan in Kupwara's Machil sector The BSF was raised on December 1, 1965, and it is primarily tasked to guard the country's 6,386-km-long borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday filed a chargesheet against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Congress leader Motilal Vora in connection with the re-allotment of a plot in Panchkula to Associated Journals Limited (AJL). In the chargesheet filed against Hooda and Vohra, the CBI has claimed irregularities in the re-allotment of the institutional plot to the AJL a company reportedly controlled by Congress leaders. The central probe agency, who credibility came under scanner after charges of corruption against its director and his deputy, alleged that the re-allotment of the plot caused the exchequer a loss of Rs 67 lakh. Also Read | CBI bribery case: 'Angry' Supreme Court says 'none of you deserves a hearing', defers matter to November 29 In the chargesheet, the CBI claimed that the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) had allotted a plot of land in Panchkula to AJL in 1982. However, the HUDA took back the possession of the plot after no construction work at the plot till 1992. The same plot, the CBI chargesheet alleged, was re-allotted to the AJL at its original price in 2005 by violating the laid down norms. The CBI has booked Hooda, the then chief minister, who was also the chairman of the HUDA, the then chairman of the AJL, Vora, and the company under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections related to criminal conspiracy and the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Reacting to the development, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi questioned the timing of the CBI action and said that the government is conveniently indulging in such acts as elections are approaching. Also Read | Being punished for trying to regularise unauthorised colonies: Satyendra Jain on DA case "As polls approach, govt indulges in such acts. Five years are about to get over, they have all powers but do they have any evidence? Their only aim is to use such tools as per convenience during polls," ANI quoted Singhvi as saying. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Congress leader PL Punia on Saturday met the Election Commission and suggested to ensure a secured counting process, news agency ANI reported. PL Punia alleged that some unidentified persons with laptops and mobiles were seen around the strong room which is not allowed.A Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Manish Tewari, Vivek Tankha, TS Singh Dev, Pranav Jha, Ashok Dhahariya were also the part of the Congress delegation. PL Punia, Congress after a meeting with EC: As voting is over in #Chhattisgarh, we've suggested EC to ensure a secured counting process&firm security measures for EVMs&strong room,as unidentified persons with laptops&mobiles were seen around the strong room which is not allowed. pic.twitter.com/RVAcfJiO3q a ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, that we have informed the Election Commission about a polling booth in Saharanpur, UP where process of deletion of names is being misused. Out of 100 forms, 58 were filled with wrong details. This may cause a difference of 16000 votes in Saharanpur. It can change poll results, he said. A Singhvi,Congress after meeting EC:We've informed EC about a polling booth in Saharanpur,UP, where process of deletion of names is being misused.Out of 100 forms, 58 were filled with wrong details.This may cause difference of 16000 votes in Saharanpur. It can change poll results pic.twitter.com/HfDi71Hte3 a ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 Earlier, a controversy has broken out in Madhya Pradesh over the delay in EVMs reaching the strong rooms in Sagar on Friday, a full 48 hours after voting ended in the state elections on Wednesday. "In Madhya Pradesh home minister's area, EVMs were deposited using a bus without a registration plate, 48 hours after polling. Is this a conspiracy by the government to ensure a BJP win?" the Madhya Pradesh Congress tweeted. Sensing a defeat in Madhya Pradesh & Chattisgarh, some are indulging in desperate measures by attempting to tamper with EVMas in strong rooms Urge the EC to investigate & take concrete action pic.twitter.com/y7QMD3MKqd a Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) December 1, 2018 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday while attending an ongoing international meet in Argentina's capital of Buenos Aires said India will host the G20 Summit In 2022, when the country will celebrate its 75th year of Independence. "It's India's 75th Independence Day in 2022, and we had requested Italy if we can get '22 instead of '21 (for hosting G20 summit).They accepted our request, others accepted it too. I'm grateful and I invite leadership from across the world to come to India in 2022," ANI quoted PM Modi as saying. PM Modi at #G20Summit: It's India's 75th Independence Day in 2022 & we had requested Italy if we can get '22 instead of '21 (for hosting G20 summit).They accepted our request, others accepted it too.I'm grateful & I invite leadership from across the world to come to India in 2022 pic.twitter.com/5vl6yFe2HP ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 Read | South African Prez Cyril Ramaphosa accepts PM Modi's invitation to Republic Day celebrations 2019 Early in the day, Modi extended invitation to South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, to be the chief guest for India's annual Republic Day celebrations in 2019, which mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and 100 years of 'Madiba'. G20 leaders including the presidents of the United States, Russia and China opened summit talks on Friday stalked by the deepest divisions in the group's 10-year history. Argentinian President Mauricio Macri convened the two-day summit in Buenos Aires, which was attended also by Saudi Arabia's beleaguered crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: After successful opening of much-awaited Kartarpur Border corridor in Pakistan, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to talk to his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan for the opening of Sharada Peeth pilgrimage in PoK for the members of the Kashmiri Pandit community in the state. The development came after Imran Khan on Thursday offered the opening of several shrines, including Sharada Peeth to devotees from India, saying his government "can consider other proposals including opening up travel for the Sharada Peeth in Kashmir...". "People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for opening of Sharada Peeth pilgrimage in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir," the news agency ANI reported. People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for opening of Sharda Peeth pilgrimage in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir pic.twitter.com/lvbfdHLe9e ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 Read | Rahul Gandhi sent me to Pakistan, he is my 'captain': Navjot Sidhu Mufti, who termed the opening of Kartarpur corridor between India and Pakistan a "new beginning" also met members of the Kashmiri Pandit community and expressed hope that PM Narendra Modi will take this matter up with Pakistan PM Imran Khan on priority. If it happens like the great Kartarpur corridor decision then it will be the best thing for the two nations, she added. Sharada Peeth is an abandoned Hindu temple and ancient centre of learning lie in Nilam Valley, 160 km from Muzaffarabad, and right across the Line of Control in the Pakistani administered territory of Azad Kashmir. Read | Imran Khan explains his 'small men occupying big offices' tweet, says did not target Narendra Modi The peeth was considered to be one of the foremost centres of higher learning in the Indian subcontinent between the 6th and 12th centuries and hosted several scholars, including Kalhana, Adi Shankara, Vairotsana, Kumarajiva, and Thonmi Sambhota. History suggests that great grammarian Paaini and Hemachandras completed and stored their Sanskrit writing at Sharada Peeth. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Manju Verma, the former Bihar social welfare minister, who has been arrested under the Arms Act in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home sexual abuse scandal, on Saturday alleged that she has been tortured for the last four months only because she is a woman and belongs to a weaker community. Verma's statement came after she was produced before a Begusarai court this morning. "Why am I being tortured for past 4 months? I am being victimised because I belong to weaker community, because I am from Kushwaha community and I am woman," ANI quoted the former Bihar minister. Former Bihar Min Manju Verma after being produced before court in Arms Act case in connection with Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Case: Why am I being tortured for past 4 months? I'm being victimsed because I belong to weaker community, because I'm from Kushwaha community & I'm a woman pic.twitter.com/55x0zfZB5B ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 Read | Muzaffarpur shelter home case: District Magistrate attaches properties of Brajesh Thakur's wife, six others On Tuesday, November 20, Verma surrendered before a Begusarai court which later sent her to a one-day police remand. She and her husband Chandrasekhar Verma were evading arrest following the recovery of a huge cache of arms ammunition from their Patna residence. The Arms Act case cropped up in course of a CBI probe into the Mauzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal. Last month, the Janata Dal-United (JDU) suspended Verma from the primary membership of the party after the court proclaimed her an "absconder" and also ordered the Bihar Police to attach her properties. Verma was forced to step down as the Bihar social welfare minister under relentless pressure to take moral responsibility for her husband's alleged links with Brajesh Thakur, the prime accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home case. Chandrasekhar had surrendered before a court on October 29. Read | Muzaffarpur shelter home case: Manju Verma declared 'absconder'; order to attach property Muzaffarpur shelter home case refers to the alleged sexual exploitation of over minor girls, aged among seven to 14 years residing at the Balika Grih of Bihar's Muzaffarpur. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently probing the case, which to the mental, physical and sexual exploitation of the girls at the state-funded NGO. So far, 17 people have been arrested in connection to the same. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Saturday hit back at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his remarks that Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the 2016 surgical strike across the LoC as a political asset to win the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and accused the later of insulting slain Army soldiers. Addressing a public rally in Phalodi town of Rajasthans Jodhpur district, Shah said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took revenge for Army martyrs. Rahul Gandhi is saying that surgical strike was conducted to win Uttar Pradesh election. You insult the martyrs of the country. You could not even show some courage. Also Read | Army carried out surgical strike thrice during UPA rule but never politicised like Modi: Rahul Gandhi The BJP leader said that today Army soldiers have a sense of pride knowing that their government is standing behind them rock solid. Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi had accused the prime minister of politicising the 2016 surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC) to win Assembly elections in the Uttar Pradesh. During his interaction with professionals in Rajasthans Udaipur, the Congress chief claimed that the Army had conducted surgical strikes thrice during the Manmohan Singh government, however, he added, the military action was no used for political gains like Modi. "Do you know that like Mr Narendra Modi's surgical strike, Manmohan Singh did that 3 times? When Army came to Mr Manmohan Singh and said we need to retaliate against Pakistan for what they've done they also said we wanted to be secret, for our own purposes," he said. The Gandhi further alleged that Modi reached into the Armys domain and turned a military action into a political asset to win the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Also Read | Marriage without groom: Rajnath Singh ribs Congress for not declaring CM candidate in Rajasthan "Narendra Modi actually reached into Army's domain and shaped their surgical strike, he turned their surgical strike into a political asset when it actually was a military decision. What the Army would have liked was we'll do it, it's beneficial if nobody knows we did it. But Mr Modi didn't want that. He was fighting an election in UP and he was losing it," he added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: After a gap of 12 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday participated in the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral meeting on the margins of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. During the trilateral meeting, the leaders of three countries held discussions on various issues of mutual interest and emphasised on increased cooperation and coordination towards achieving global peace and stability, the External Affairs Ministry said. The 2nd Russia-India-China RIC Trilateral Summit took place in Buenos Aires after a gap of 12 years. In a meeting characterised by warmth and positivity, leaders discussed cooperation and coordination in various areas which could contribute to global peace and stability, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar wrote on Twitter. Also Read | At G20 summit, PM Modis 9-point agenda on fugitive economic offenders The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said that the meeting saw Indias strengthening engagement with valued development partners Russia and China. Deepening engagement with valued development partners. President Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping and PM Narendra Modi participate in the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral in Buenos Aires the PMO tweeted. The Russia-India-China meeting came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, and US President Donald Trump held their first trilateral summit aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region where China has been flexing its muscles. Named as JAI (Japan, America, India), the trilateral meeting among the leaders of three powerful economies ended with all the partners agreeing on making the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic growth. When you look at the acronym of our three countriesJapan, America, and Indiait is JAI, which stands for success in Hindi, the prime minister said while asserting that India will continue to work together on shared values. Also Read | At JAI - Japan, America, India trilateral meeting, PM Modi bats for shared prosperity in Indo-Pacific The JAI meeting assumed significance amid Chinas incursion in free waters of the South China sea the minerals, oil and other natural resources-rich areas in Indo-Pacific regions. While China claims almost all of the South China Sea, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan overlap the Chinese claims in the waterway, which includes a highly strategic sea route through which about USD 3 trillion in global trade passes each year. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, on Saturday accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to grace India's Republic Day celebrations in 2019. Ramaphosa will be the chief guest at the annual celebration which take place every year at New Delhi's Rajpath before the President of India. The 2019 Republic Day celebrations also mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and 100 years of 'Madiba'. 'Madiba' refers to July 18, 2019 when India will observe the 100th birth anniversary of global icon Nelson Mandela, also popularly known as Madiba, who died in 2013 at the age of 95. Taking to Twitter Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the news of South African president's visit to India, saying Ramaphosa's visit will further cement bilateral cement between both the countries. "Glad to have met President @CyrilRamaphosa. At a time when India is marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it is our honour to welcome President Ramaphosa as the Chief Guest for the 2019 Republic Day celebrations. Bapu's close link with South Africa is well known," Modi tweeted. Glad to have met President @CyrilRamaphosa. At a time when India is marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it is our honour to welcome President Ramaphosa as the Chief Guest for the 2019 Republic Day celebrations. Bapu's close link with South Africa is well known. pic.twitter.com/mGnN0mDj0L Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 1, 2018 Read | After gap of 12 years, Russia, India, China, resume RIC trilateral summit "The upcoming visit of President @CyrilRamaphosa, and that too during the special occasion of India's Republic Day will further cement business and people-to-people ties between India and South Africa," the prime minister wrote in another tweet. The upcoming visit of President @CyrilRamaphosa, and that too during the special occasion of India's Republic Day will further cement business and people-to-people ties between India and South Africa. pic.twitter.com/0K6qH17SyO Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 1, 2018 Earlier, US President Donald Trump was also invited to be the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations in India but declined the same citing various "domestic commitments", including his State of the Union address, around that time. Read | Mehbooba Mufti writes to PM Modi, requests to consider Imran Khan's offer to open Sharada Peeth in PoK Both Modi and Ramaphosa were attending the 13th G-20 Summit in Argentina's capital of Buenos Aires. Early on Friday, Modi also met several other world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. During the two-day international summit, India also presented a nine-point agenda to G-20 countries, calling for "strong and active cooperation" among them to comprehensively deal with fugitive economic offenders. Modi presented the agenda in the second session of the G20 Summit on international trade, financial and tax systems. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The disastrous asteroid, which is larger than a two-story house in size, is expected to skim past Earth. The mammoth asteroid has been named as Asteroid 2018 WN by NASA. The space rock will make its closest appearance to our planet when it zooms past at 11.49am GST. Although NASA astronomers have estimated that the 90-foot asteroid is not on a trajectory to slam into Earth, its destructive potential is nonetheless catastrophic. Also Read | After InSight, Planet Earth working on three more Mars landers, orbiters A 65ft-wide space rock was erupted in 2013, injuring more than 1,000 people. The enormous space object landed in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk. It led to the destruction of windows, sending shards of glass into victims bodies. According to Dr Matija Cuk, Cornell University in New York, impacts with these smaller asteroids are rare and there are no known instances of them being lethal. The space expert said: Concerning smaller meteorites that hit the ground, they are a very low hazard and no human was ever reported being killed by a small meteorite. I heard a story that a dog was killed by a meteorite that fell in 1911 in Nakhla, Egypt, and there were also instances of material damage. Still, traffic, pollution and even flashes of lightning are much more dangerous than small meteorites, he further added. Also Read | Disha Patani sizzles her way through some hot dancing moves, watch video Many researchers from the University of Madrid tried to calculate the estimations of this large space object being fragmented into smaller pieces which would further prove risky to our planet. However, the results of this catastrophic collisions cannot be predicted as it is impossible to track their chaotic pre-impact orbits. If this enormous asteroid erupts in a trajectory with Earth, the collision would result in enormous damage, leaving no time to evacuate those in the danger line. As per reports published in UK Daily Express, the researchers wrote: Asteroids may deliver meteorites to the inner planets when their paths intersect those of the planets at the proper times, leading to an impact. On the Earth, meteorites collected after the observation of bright fireballs have sometimes been tentatively traced back to the near-Earth object population or collisional events in the main asteroid belt. In a recent incident, an object named 2018 LA, between nine and 12 ft wide collided Earth within few hours of its detection, as scientists discussed. The asteroid zipped with a terrifying speed of 38,000 mph, leaving behind a streak across the sky over Botswana. It is possible that 2018 LA formed during a massive collision between two or more rocks in the asteroid belt meaning more meteors are on their way. As stated in the daily, the researchers discovered well over two dozen asteroids which resemble 2018 LA in terms of their size, shape and orientation in space. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires. During the meeting, PM Modi reaffirmed Indias commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic prosperity. He also gave a new acronym JAI Japan, America and India to the first ever trilateral summit between the leaders of three powerful democracies. When you look at the acronym of our three countriesJapan, America, and Indiait is JAI, which stands for success in Hindi, the prime minister said while asserting that India will continue to work together on shared values. #WATCH PM Narendra Modi on meeting US President Trump and Japan PM Shinzo Abe says 'Both countries are our strategic partners and both leaders are my good friends. Japan, USA, India acronym is JAI, so Jai in India means success. This sends a good message.' #G20 #Argentina pic.twitter.com/VhHPVXd1dB ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2018 Terming the JAI meeting a good occasion, PM Modi said that the convergence of vision among the three nations will play big role in ensuring world peace and stability. Also Read | Russia pitches for India's participation in China's OBOR This is a very good occasion for the three countriescountries which have shared values, democratic values...We will continue to play a big role together for world peace, prosperity and stability, he said. Reaffirming Indias commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic growth and common prosperity, PM Modi presented a five-point agenda that would serve the common interest of promoting peace and prosperity in the area. JAI (Japan, America, India) trilateral marks the coming together of three friendly nations. Todays historic JAI meeting was a great beginning. PM @AbeShinzo, @POTUS and I held fruitful talks aimed at furthering connectivity, maritime cooperation and a stable Indo-Pacific, PM Modi wrote on Twitter after the meeting. What US President Donald Trump, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said at JAI trilateral meeting? Hailing Indias growth story in the past one decade, US President Donald Trump said, The relationships between our three countries is extremely good and extremely strong...with India, maybe stronger than ever...We are doing very well together. We are doing a lot of trade together. We are doing a lot of defence together, a lot of military purchases. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also expressed his happiness to participate in the the first ever JAI meeting. Abe said that the meeting would reinforce the trilateral partnership among India, Japan, and USA and its close cooperation towards realising a free and open Indo-Pacific. Also Read | Chabahar deal 'not finished'; Pakistan, China welcome: Iran JAI trilateral meeting sends a strong message to China The trilateral meeting has sent a strong message to China, which is aggressively flexing its muscles in the South and the East China Sea - the two minerals, oil and other natural resources-rich areas in Indo-Pacific regions. While China claims almost all of the South China Sea, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan overlap the Chinese claims in the waterway. China has built and militarised many of the islands in the region. Meanwhile, the US Navy has been conducting regular patrols in the South China Sea to assert freedom of navigation in the area which includes a highly strategic sea route through which about USD 3 trillion in global trade passes each year. (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Buenos Aires: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman showed himself to be no pariah on Friday at the G20 summit, with a beaming Vladimir Putin welcoming him but European leaders warning him over the killing of a dissident journalist. Less than two months after Saudi Arabia outraged allies when a hit team murdered Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, Prince Mohammed flew into Buenos Aires to take his place among leaders of the top 20 global economies, a sign that he intends to remain firmly in charge. In an image that quickly went viral online, Russian President Putin and the 33-year-old prince grinned broadly and gave each other an effusive handshake as if they were long-lost friends reunited at the G20. Their embrace comes amid reports that Russia and Saudi Arabia have reached a pact to cut oil production when the OPEC cartel meets on December 6 in Vienna, to help shore up collapsing crude prices. Kirill Dmitriev, the chief of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, told reporters that Putin would meet the prince Saturday and discuss boosting Saudi Arabia's $2 billion investment in Russia. ALSO READS | At G20 summit, PM Modis 9-point agenda on fugitive economic offenders But the prince appeared to receive a more critical reception from French President Emmanuel Macron, who was overheard on a microphone voicing concerns. "Don't worry," Prince Mohammed is heard saying in English to the French leader, who responds, "I do worry. I am worried." The clip was partially inaudible and the context of the exchange was not entirely clear. But it received wide traction on social media, with Macron telling the prince, "You never listen to me," to which Prince Mohammed replies, "I will listen, of course." The French presidency said that Macron spoke to the prince about the killing of Khashoggi and the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen, where millions are on the brink of starvation in what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Macron told the prince that Europeans wanted international investigators to take part in the probe on Khashoggi's death and stressed "the necessity of a political solution in Yemen," the Elysee Palace said. The prince was also seen chatting with President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka, although in a nod to US domestic outrage over Saudi Arabia, the White House downplayed the encounter. "They exchanged pleasantries at the leaders' session as he did with nearly every leader in attendance," a senior White House official said. Trump, meanwhile, said "we had no discussion. We might, but we had none." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, however, separately met with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, the State Department said. Until Khashoggi's killing, Trump had been an unabashed fan of the prince as the young leader who portrays himself as a reformist consolidated power and detained prominent Saudis, with the heir apparent forging a particularly close relationship with Ivanka's husband Jared Kushner. Trump has since voiced sadness over the killing of Khashoggi, who lived in the United States and wrote for The Washington Post. But, in an exclamation point-heavy statement before the summit, Trump said it did not matter whether Prince Mohammed knew about Khashoggi's death because Saudi Arabia was important for US business and for its hostility to Iran. The US Senate nonetheless moved this week to end support for the Saudi-led war against rebels in Yemen amid outrage over attacks on civilian sites including a school bus and hospitals. British Prime Minister Theresa May, speaking to Sky News before the summit, said she would press the crown prince both on Yemen and Khashoggi at the G20. "The Saudi Arabians need to ensure that their investigation is a full investigation, that it's credible, that it's transparent, and that people can have confidence in the outcome of it, and that those responsible are held to account," May said. ALSO READ | PM Modi meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman The de facto Saudi ruler got a warmer audience in Buenos Aires with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who "firmly supports" Riyadh's reform drive, the Xinhua news agency reported. China "will continue to stick together with the Arab country on issues involving their core interests," Xinhua quoted Xi as telling the prince. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Archdiocese of Santa Fe in New Mexico has announced to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy, a day after the citys attorney general executed a search warrant at the archdiocesan chancery in Albuquerque. The Archdiocese is facing dozens of ongoing lawsuits in New Mexico stemming from a sexual abuse committed by priests that stretches for decades, sources said. At the press conference on November 29, Santa Fe Archbishop John Wester said that filing for bankruptcy is an equitable way to meet its responsibility to sexual abuse victims. Also Read | After gap of 12 years, Russia, India, China, resume RIC trilateral summit The archdiocese had already paid millions of dollars to settle claims of child sex abuse committed over the years. The terms of most of those deals are confidential, said Archbishop Wester. Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows an entity to keep functioning as it undergoes reorganization while paying its creditors over time, the Archbishop said. Wester said there are around 35-40 active claims against the archdiocese, which is comprised of 300,000 Catholics in northwestern New Mexico. We could see where this was all leading and the trajectory wasnt changing. We just dont have the money. If were not here, we cant help anybody, Wester said. Its not a wealthy archdiocese. The churches, the parishes, the schools are going forward in their own way. The cases weve mediated and compensated have come from our reserves. Wester insisted that his first and foremost concern was abuse victims, and making sure they received just compensation. The archdiocese said in a statement that the Chapter 11 reorganization would allow for full financial transparency about its operations and properties. Read More | US proposes changes to H1B visas, to prefer highly skilled, paid workers Several American dioceses and archdioceses have filed for bankruptcy protection in recent years as they confront their own claims of clergy sex abuse, said the sources. The Catholic Church is battling an ongoing abuse scandal in numerous countries around the world, with new victims coming forward and church leaders accused of being slow in delivering an adequate response. (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. United Nations: The UN General Assembly will vote Thursday on a US-drafted resolution that would condemn the Palestinian Hamas movement, a measure championed by US Ambassador Nikki Haley. The United States won crucial backing from the European Union for the draft resolution that condemns the firing by Hamas of rockets into Israel and demands an end to the violence. If adopted, it would mark the first time that the assembly has taken aim at Hamas, the Islamist militant group that has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. Also Read | US proposes changes to H1B visas, to prefer highly skilled, paid workers All 28 EU countries agreed to support the measure after the United States included a mention of relevant UN resolutions in the text that does not however refer to the two-state solution. In a statement, the US mission to the United Nations said it had hoped to put the draft resolution to a vote on Monday but that the Palestinians had pushed for a delay until Thursday. The issue before the United Nations on Thursday is not whether it supports one form or another of a Middle East peace plan, the US mission said. Each country will be asked to vote for or against the activities of Hamas, along with other militant groups like Palestinian Islamic Jihad. If the UN cannot bring itself to adopt this resolution, then it has no business being involved in peace discussions, it added. The European Union, like the United States, considers Hamas a terror group, but the 28-nation bloc is divided over how to support peace efforts. Haley, who will step down as UN ambassador in January, has steadfastly supported Israel in its confrontation with Hamas and chastised the United Nations for criticizing both sides. The vote on Thursday will follow the adoption in the assembly of about a dozen resolutions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that condemn Israeli settlements and call for progress toward the two-state solution. Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly are non-binding, but they carry political weight and are seen as a barometer of world opinion. The United States put forward the resolution as it prepares to unveil new peace proposals that the Palestinians have already rejected. Read More | PM Modi, US President Donald Trump, Japan PM Shinzo Abe meet on sidelines of G-20 Summit The Palestinians have severed ties with the administration of President Donald Trump after the decision nearly a year ago to move the US embassy to Jerusalem and declare the city Israels capital. The US administration has also cut more than $500 million in Palestinian aid. The Palestinians see the city as the capital of their future state. International consensus has been that Jerusalems status must be negotiated between the two sides. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Trump Administration on Friday released a proposal to rework on H-1B visa application process that would relatively favour advanced US degree holders and skilled foreign workers. Under a new proposed rule released November 30, employers seeking to register H-1B visas for foreign workers would have to preregister for them, meaning companies would not require to file a full petition with supporting documentation for the visa lottery. Under a new proposed merit-based rule, companies employing foreign workers on the H-1B visa under the Congressional mandated annual capswould have to electronically register with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) during a designated registration period, the released said in a statement. Also Read | At first JAI trilateral summit with Trump, Abe, PM Modi bats for shared prosperity in Indo-Pacific region The H1-B visa has an annual numerical limit cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year as mandated by the Congress. The first 20,000 petitions filed on behalf of beneficiaries with a US masters degree or higher are exempt from the cap, it said. The new proposal, if things go down well by the next visa lottery in April, is expected to result in more advanced-degree holders obtaining H-1B visas than those with bachelors holders. Moreover, workers with advanced-degree holders from outside the US institution would be disadvantaged under the new process to obtain H-1B skilled guest worker visas. According to the Department of Homeland Security, a 30-day public comments period on the proposed rule can be submitted from December 3 to January 2. This is likely to increase the number of foreign workers with a masters or higher degree from a US institution of higher education to be selected for an H-1B cap number. As such the proposed rule will introducing a more meritorious selection of beneficiaries, DHS said in a statement. Currently, in years when the H-1B cap and the advanced degree exemption are both reached within the first five days that H-1B cap petitions may be filed, the advanced degree exemption is selected prior to the H-1B cap. The proposed rule would reverse the selection order and count all registrations or petitions towards the number projected as needed to reach the H-1B cap first, the DHS said. Read More | PM Modi, US President Donald Trump, Japan PM Shinzo Abe meet on sidelines of G-20 Summit This proposed change would increase the chances that beneficiaries with a masters or higher degree from a US institution of higher education would be selected under the H-1B cap and that H-1B visas would be awarded to the most-skilled and highest-paid beneficiaries, it said. The USCIS said it expects that shifting to electronic registration would reduce overall costs for petitioners and create a more efficient and cost-effective H-1B cap petition process for the agency. This would help reduce wait times for cap selection notifications. The proposed rule also limits the filing of H-1B cap-subject petitions to the beneficiary named on the original selected registration, which would protect the integrity of this registration system, USCIS said. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. WILTON When the Brubeck Brothers Quartet performs this weekend, it will be celebrating a landmark tour by the late Dave Brubeck that helped shape the creative genius of this musical icon and former Wilton resident. Two of Brubecks sons, Chris on bass and trombone, and Dan on drums, join guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb as the Brubeck Brothers Quartet and performs at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, as part of Wilton Librarys Hot & Cool: Jazz at the Brubeck Room series. The set list will consist of music from the Brothers latest recording TimeLine, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Dave Brubeck Quartets historic State Department tour of Europe, parts of Asia and the Middle East in 1958. The tour started in England, Wiltons Chris Brubeck said during a recent interview. It was the first time that the Dave Brubeck Quartet, with the famous members of it, had played in England. And they were a huge success. And then they did a couple Scandinavian countries, and then it got down into Germany, East Germany, West Germany, and got into Poland, then went down to parts of Asia and the Middle East. Besides Europe, the tours itinerary included Turkey, India, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq. They played ninety concerts in one hundred days, said Brubeck, and went to a lot of crazy places. The tour is memorable not only for the vast international audiences it reached the band members were considered Jazz Ambassadors for America by the Eisenhower administration it also marked a time when the elder Brubeck wrote some of his most famous compositions. As Chris Brubeck explained, his father was following advice given to him by one his teachers. When he got back from World War II, my father studied with Darius Milhaud, the French composer, who said to him, Whenever you travel, look at it as a huge opportunity to listen to the music of other cultures, and then try to incorporate those ideas into your music, your particular field, which in your case is jazz. The shining example of my father following Milhauds advice was when he was in Istanbul. He heard street musicians playing in 9/8 time, and that was the genesis of one of his greatest known compositions, Blue Rondo a la Turk. The Brubeck Brothers Quartets version of Blue Rondo begins the TimeLine disc; the CD closes with Thank You (Dziekuje), another Dave Brubeck original he composed on the tour. Dave got to visit Chopins home in Poland during the tour, said Brubeck. He heard Chopin all the time growing up, because his mother was a classical pianist. And it was very moving for my dad to think of this great music coming out of a country that was being occupied by the Communists. The band played a concert in Warsaw that same evening, and a member of the Polish Jazz Society came up to him and said, We are so thrilled that youre coming here, because weve heard your music broadcast over Voice of America. But look, we are going to pretend that we dont like it. Theres a lot of undercover police, and overt police, and soldiers in the audience, and they will stop the concert just to make our lives miserable, if they see we really love it. Thats just the way they operate. Dave played that piece, and it completely killed the audience. First of all, its just as a beautiful piece of music, continued the younger Brubeck. And beyond that, I think he played it as a solo piano piece, because he never had a chance to play it before. He had just written it that day. Chris Brubeck, himself, is a prolific and in-demand composer. One of his current works-in-progress is something hes calling the Time Out Suite. Its going to be Daves 100th anniversary, if he were alive, in 2020. So everyone in my family is trying to concentrate on getting world awareness up for that factor, and I thought one of the good ways is to write a new piece, because Time Out was such a significant record, he said. The Wilton Library is at 137 Old Ridgefield Road. Call 203-762-3950, or visit www.wiltonlibrary.org Mike Horyczuns Sound Surfing column appears every Saturday in The Hour. Mike can be reached at news2mh@gmail.com. For local leaders in the Jewish community, Hanukkah couldnt come at a better time. The celebratory eight-day festival of lights, symbolized by the candles of the menorah, arrives Sunday night amid a darkening climate of anti-Semitism in America. Theres no question that were putting our menorahs out, says Rabbi Ita Paskind of Norwalks Congregation Beth El. In fact, we are doubling down being out and proud about putting our religion on display. At the same time, there is no denying that some families are being pulled in opposing directions this holiday season, five weeks since the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in American history at a Pittsburgh synagogue. On the one hand, some families feel the practical need to be circumspect and conscientious about safety, with anti-Semitic hate crimes on the rise. On the other hand, families feel the spiritual need to be conspicuous about a Jewish tradition such as Hanukkah, which calls for celebrations to be public. I have been getting a lot of calls from people who are worried, asking Is there a danger? says Andy Friedland, associate director of the Connecticut chapter of the Anti-Defamation League. But there is something to be said about saying We wont go into hiding, and we will be proud of who we are. At stake is how free families feel they can be at a time in America when more people are being targeted for living their lives as themselves. The slaying of 11 people and wounding of seven others at the Tree of Life synagogue in October by a gunman who told police All these Jews need to die, punctuated an alarming set of recent statics about the rise of hate crimes in America. An annual FBI report in November showed a 37 percent spike in crimes against Jews and Jewish institutions in 2017, as part of an overall 17 percent jump in hate crimes, for example. The ADL followed that report with a study documenting a rise in anti-immigrant extremism in America over the last decade, and a correlating rise in anti-Semitism. Locally, swastikas have caused consternation in Wilton and Ridgefield. And in Woodbridge, educators are cracking down on what Jewish students called a climate of anti-Semitism at Amity High School. In New Milford, Matthew Abel says its hard to speak for every Jewish familys reaction to the rise of hate, except to say that it is not making families reluctant to put a menorah in the window. Just because we are Jews and there is this rise of anti-Semitism and hate crimes doesnt mean we are more fearful of who we are, said Abel, who attends Temple Sholom. We dont forget what happened to us in the past, and we wont sit by and let some extremist scare us into hiding. Holiday of defiance As a holiday, Hanukkah is not as important on the Jewish calendar as the high holy days of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. And on the popular culture level, Hanukkah is usually associated with the dreidel spinning toy, or traditional treats such as potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts. But the holiday is rooted in deeper traditions of resilience and deliverance. It dates 2,000 years ago, when Jewish patriots liberated the temple in Jerusalem from oppressors, and a menorah stayed lit for eight days on only one days supply of oil. In that spirit, says Rabbi Ari Rosenberg of New Milfords Temple Sholom, Hanukkah has always been a holiday of defiance. From its earliest inception over 2,000 years ago, when the Maccabees fought the Hellenists who had desecrated our holy Temple, Hanukkah has been a holiday to celebrate Jewish pride, Rosenberg said. We are all grieving in the aftermath of the tragedy at the Tree of Life synagogue, but we honor the memory of the eleven good people who perished there when we proudly observe traditions as they would. Rabbi Shlame Landa of Chabad of Fairfield agrees. Hanukkah is all about light: we kindle the light of the menorah because a little bit of light can dispel a lot of darkness, said Landa. Of course we have to take all safety precautions and take security seriously, but at the same time we cannot go into hiding - it is especially important for young people to see this. Chabad of Fairfield is among the scores of Jewish organizations and houses of worship here, across the United States and in 100 countries throughout the world that will host public Hanukkah events, starting at sundown on Sunday. In Danbury, the United Jewish Center will mark the first night of Hanukkah with an outdoor menorah lighting and a celebration. The light represents the hope and faith and the resiliency of the Jewish people in dark times, which is very fitting for what is going on in this country, said Rabbi Stefan Tiwy. He added that the goal was to find a balance between taking extra security precautions and preserving the openness of the holiday. At Chabad Lubavitch of Greenwich, Rabbi Yossi Deren agreed that the public menorah lighting dimension of the holiday was important to preserve, noting that before a movement to elevate Hanukkahs profile in the 1970s the 1980s, it was little known. What happened was every Jewish man, woman and child could look up in their city or their small town and see the shining light of the menorah brightening the dark winter night, literally, Deren said. Figuratively, what that did was spread the message of Hanukkah about the power of light to dispel the darkness. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 North Carolina officials voted Friday to continue investigating fraud in the 9th Congressional District election, potentially delaying certification of the results for weeks and leaving open the possibility that a new election could be called. The decision cast new uncertainty on the race between Republican Mark Harris and Democrat Dan McCready, who are separated by only 905 votes out of 283,317 ballots cast, according to unofficial returns. The Associated Press on Friday announced it was revoking its projection that Harris won the southeastern North Carolina seat. The inquiry further roiled a state already divided over issues of voting rights, voter suppression and fraud. Republicans spent the week in Raleigh drafting legislation to implement a new voter-approved requirement to present identification at the polls - an effort that the GOP has said is necessary to combat voter fraud. But they were mostly mum as evidence mounted that a different kind of election fraud may have taken place 100 miles south, other than to demand that the state board quickly certify Harris's narrow lead. "It's a big juxtaposition to focus on a non-problem and ignore a huge problem," said Gerry Cohen, a former counsel to the state legislature and an expert on election law. He noted that voter ID laws can't prevent the kind of absentee ballot fraud alleged in the 9th District. In a statement Friday, Harris accused the election board of a lack of transparency and called for the results to be immediately certified. "Make no mistake, I support any efforts to investigate allegations of irregularities and/or voter fraud, as long as it is fair and focuses on all political parties," Harris said. "But to date, there is absolutely no public evidence that there are enough ballots in question to affect the outcome of this race. Accordingly, the Board should act immediately to certify the race while continuing to conduct their investigation. Anything else is a disservice to the people of the Ninth District." The State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement has collected at least six sworn statements from voters in rural Bladen County, near the South Carolina border, who described people coming to their doors and urging them to hand over their absentee ballots, sometimes without filling them out. Others described receiving absentee ballots by mail that they had not requested. Among the allegations is that an individual who worked for the Harris campaign coordinated an effort to collect and fill in, or discard, the ballots of Democratic voters who might have otherwise voted for McCready. Several of the affidavits come from elderly African American voters. It is illegal to take someone else's ballot, whether to turn it in or discard it. Officials are also examining unusually high numbers of absentee ballots cast in some precincts in the 9th District - and unusually high numbers of ballots requested but never returned. Harris' narrow victory over incumbent Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-N.C., in the Republican primary is also under scrutiny, with new attention on the incredibly high proportion of absentee ballots - 96 percent - that Harris won in Bladen County. The nine-person state board, which includes four Democrats, four Republicans and one unaffiliated member, voted 7 to 2 in favor of holding a hearing by Dec. 21 "to assure that the election is determined without taint of fraud or corruption and without irregularities that may have changed the result." In the motion, the board cited "claims of numerous irregularities and concerted fraudulent activities related to absentee mail ballots." Two of the board's Republicans voted no. The board has the power to order a new election if it determines the irregularities could have made a difference in the outcome or were widespread enough to generally taint the election. The affidavits were submitted to the board and distributed to the m edia by the state Democratic Party, In one of the sworn statements, Bladen County voter Datesha Montgomery attested that a young woman came to her door Oct. 12 and asked for her ballot. Montgomery said she made her selections in two races and turned the form over to the woman. "She said she would finish it herself," Montgomery said. "I signed the ballot and she left. It was not sealed up at any time." Emma Shipman, 87, signed another affidavit, saying she gave a woman a filled-out absentee ballot. She said in an interview that the woman had come to her neighborhood, a predominantly African American cluster of homes in the town of Tar Heel. Republicans quickly accused the state board of having a partisan motivation in holding a hearing - even though two of the five votes in favor were cast by Republican members of the board. "Remember no public evidence in #CD9 shows vote tampering and mathematically this could not have changed the race," Dallas Woodhouse, executive director of the state GOP, said in a tweet. The state Democratic Party, meanwhile, urged the board to continue the investigation. "There is nothing Democratic or Republican in demanding light be shone on any illegal activity that may have gone on for years in Bladen County," John R. Wallace, an attorney for the state Democrats, wrote in a letter to the state board that accompanied the affidavits. "Nothing less than the people's faith in our democracy is at stake." The board's decision Friday delays certification not only of the Harris-McCready race but also a District Court race in Robeson County, which also has reported concerns about possible manipulation of absentee ballots. Johnson Britt, the district attorney in Robeson County, said the state board has not referred any allegations of fraud to his office, and no investigation is underway. The district attorney in Bladen County, Jon David, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. At the conclusion of the election board meeting, which was conducted via telephone, Chairman Andy Penry thanked other members of the board for their service. After a brief pause, he added: "OK, phew. Here we go." Adding to the uncertainty is a political battle over control of the board itself. State judges have thrown out two laws enacted by the GOP-controlled General Assembly intended to wrest control of the board from Gov. Roy Cooper, D. As a result, the current board is scheduled to dissolve early next week. That throws into doubt not only the fate of the fraud investigation in the 9th District but the timing of certification of the Harris-McCready results. - - - Ross reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. WALLINGFORD As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and a father of two young boys who attend public schools, Chris Murphy has more than a passing interest in good schools. So it came as no surprise to see Connecticuts Democratic U.S. senator down on his hands and knees Friday, despite being dressed in a suit, racing a wind-powered Lego car that he had built with the help of two seventh-graders at Dag Hammarskjold Middle School just a few minutes earlier. Murphy came to the school to learn more about how the school district approaches STEM education, which focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics Murphy was racing his car against one built by a seventh-grade boy. Both cars had paper sails designed to catch the breeze created by a small fan, but just as the race was about to start, Murphy gave his creation a hard push toward the finish line. You mean that wasnt how I was supposed to do it? the Cheshire resident deadpanned. Paul Bogush, a seventh-grade teacher, told Murphy the goal of the schools STEM education efforts was to make the students under stand that when something doesnt work, its not the end of the world. The biggest thing I want them to get out of this is that any problem they are confronted with, they can solve by themselves, Bogush said later. Murphy told students he wants schools to be places where were able to develop programs that make you excited about learning. The idea that a sitting U.S. senator was visiting the school excited both educators and students alike. Its a huge moment because there are only 100 of them (U.S. senators) , said Todd Snyder, principal of the middle school, after watching two of his students interview Murphy for a video newscast. No matter what happens to these girls for the rest of their lives, they are always going to have this moment. Wallingford Board of Education Chairwoman Roxane McKay said school officials feel fortunate that manufacturing companies in the community have been so supportive of the district STEM efforts. Funding is clearly the big issue, McKay said, noting the school board is in the early stages of considering how it wants to deal with its aging school buildings. These buildings dont lend themselves to doing robotics because the ceilings arent high enough. Murphy said later that he is troubled by the Trump administrations budget as it relates to STEM education. It really eliminates funding for a lot of these STEM programs, Murphy said. It seems like its their goal to gut funding to any programs that they dont see as critical. A report issued by the American Institute of Physics in March said the Trump administration fiscal 2019 budget prioritizes certain STEM education programs, while again proposing deep cuts to the (education) departments primary grant programs, which support STEM education at state and district levels. The administration would also mostly cut or maintain budgets for other STEM education programs across the federal government, the report said in part. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com NEW HAVEN With little more than two weeks left in open enrollment, Access Health CT CEO James Michel said Friday the health insurance exchange already has seen a roughly 2 percent to 3 percent higher turnout of customers than it had at this point last year. This years open enrollment period is about one week shorter, and runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15. As of this week, Michel said, about 101,000 were enrolled. Michel, who joined U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and state Rep. Patricia Dillion for a tour of Project Access in New Haven, said customers are relying more on the health insurance exchanges site than before. So we have less calls to our call center, which is a good indicator that our system is functioning more efficiently and is easier to navigate through, Michel said. Project Access, which coordinates free specialty care mainly for uninsured patients and helps locals navigate health care options during open enrollment, has enrolled 25 families so far during this years open enrollment. Program Coordinator Damaris Velez said the organization helped 45 families enroll last year. Project Access Executive Director Darcey Cobbs-Lomax said 84 percent of the organizations patients are uninsured. Cobbs-Lomax said the largest referral numbers involve the womens center at Yale New Haven Hospital, and orthopedic and dermatology needs. During their visit Friday, state officials zigzagged through different halls and rooms to talk to patients and staff members about the organization and the open enrollment season. Billy Nunes, a 33-year-old from West Haven, came to Project Health as a walk-in with his father on Friday to enroll in Access Health. Nunes said he came to the organization because he was running out of time and needed health insurance after losing his 15-year job at a local property management company. Murphy praised Access Health and local enrollment centers for helping Connecticut get ahead of schedule on enrollment this year. Nationally 13 percent less people have signed up this year than signed up at the same point last year, so once again Connecticut is outpacing the nation by far in implementing the Affordable Care Act, Murphy said. Michel said Access Health is also utilizing a number of enrollment centers in key cities across the state, where people can walk in to sign up. Access Health officials have scheduled five upcoming weekend enrollment fairs in Bridgeport, Waterbury, Hartford, Milford and Stamford. NEW HAVEN Local residents and advocates fought for changes to the civilian review board proposal before the Board of Alders Friday, seeking to delay a potential vote, strengthen the measure, and protect the community against police violence and misconduct. The collective action began on the steps of City Hall, in front of a banner decrying police brutality and bearing the image of Malik Jones, shot and killed by East Haven police Officer Robert Flodquist in April 1997. This a decisive moment for our city two decades in the making. Whether we form a civilian review board that is capable of holding police officers accountable or one (that) only bears the appearance of accountable will shape the future of racial justice in the city of New Haven, said Kerry Ellington, a community organizer with People Against Police Brutality, reading from a letter addressed to Mayor Toni Harp. It will determine, every day, whose lives are protected and whose lives will matter. Ellington said the current proposal would harm those most vulnerable by presenting a false path toward justice, and was unduly influenced by the New Haven police union. The group, as described in a flier, is seeking to ensure the review board has the power to independently investigate complaints; recommend disciplinary action, grand jury investigation, and appointing an independent prosecutor; that it be staffed by members of the community unaffiliated with the police; that the collection and reporting of data on the civilian complaint process be mandated; and that the boards funding be pegged to 1.5 percent of the police departments non-capital budget. This city has fought for far too long and worked far too hard and experienced far too much brutality to accept the proposal thats being pushed through by the Board of Alders on Monday. Its a toothless proposal, said Jenny Tumas of the Yale Law National Lawyers Guild. Were here to ask the mayor, to ask the Board of Alders, to work with us, to listen to us, to listen to people that have done hours and hours of research to know whats effective to, more importantly, listen to people in the city of New Haven who experience police brutality or police misconduct over and over again. It is telling that the citys proposal begins by emphasizing the importance of police and how difficult and demanding their job. Many of us have difficult and demanding jobs; none of us would be permitted to use this as justification for violence, said Camelle Scott-Mujahid of CTCORE-Organize Now!, who noted the fraught racial history of policing in this country. Not only is this plan lacking the power to hold the department accountable in any meaningful way, it is also attempting to rewrite history into law. This is an insult to everyone who has taken a role in this fight. It is an insult to the memory of all those we have lost and everyone who have been harmed by violent policing in this city. IV Stacklo of the Connecticut Bail Fund said they believed city leaders were unaware of the trauma wrought by the police and court system; Sade and Donny, homeless residents of the city who declined to share their last names, said they had been harassed for spending time on the Green; Luis Luna, who sued the city of New Haven for being arrested while filming police, described his experience. The group, numbering some dozens of people, then sought to enter City Hall and meet with Harp. They initially were barred from coming into the building, although business hours for the day had not concluded, by two bicycle-wielding New Haven police officers. The group, protesting this infringement on their rights, eventually went into an adjacent door that had been left open. Police followed them inside. Sgt. Brendan Borer later said the police have to facilitate the groups efforts to meet with the mayor if one or two people entered at a time, that would be different than a crowd of people seeking to come into the building at once. No one had been kicked out of the building, he said. I find it concerning that the police can block the doors as were talking about the (civilian review board), said Justin Farmer, a member of the Hamden Legislative Council, after the group made it inside. He noted that the department had dramatically exceeded its overtime budget for the year as several officers stood and watched the crowd gather around the mayors office. Members of the group, finding that Harp was not in the building, sought to set up a meeting. Director of Communications Laurence Grotheer explained that the Board of Alders currently was involved with creating the ordinance, which would then be brought to Harp for her consideration; Ellington said they wanted her to weigh in on the process. Esther Armmand, legislative assistant and policy analyst in the mayors office, spoke with Farmer, Tumas and other members of the group, as they called for a meeting with Harp ahead of Mondays Board of Alders meeting. After halting negotiations and discussion, the parties managed to set an appointment for 2:30 p.m. Monday. Ellington called for people to attend the Board of Alders meeting. I see them as (passionate) about their issue and (this) is a democracy, said Armmand, as the group made its way back downstairs and out of the building. But it is important to talk, rather than yell. As they walked toward the main doors, where they were greeted by the sight of the illuminated Christmas tree on the Green, some of the advocates sang Which Side Are You On? Ellington said it was ironic police had barred the group from entering the building, and that it illuminates the need for changes to the review board proposal. She said she wanted Harp to do everything in her power to make changes to the pending ordinance, as demanded by the community. When asked why the matter was important to her, Ellington pointed to people close to her. She raised the names of Zoe Dowdell, killed by New Britain police, and Jewu Richardson, a friend shot in New Haven, among others. Ive seen people in my life murdered or have to live with the trauma of having every one of their constitutional rights violated, Ellington said. william.lambert@ hearstmediact.com NEW HAVEN Aminah, a Syrian refugee chef who in two years has learned more than passable English and started her own catering business, will be joining the local Jewish community today to celebrate Hanukkah by demonstrating how to bake sufganiyot, Jewish jelly doughnuts. But she doesnt like the idea that shes a Muslim baking for Jews. To her, that emphasizes their difference, and if theres anything shes learned since arriving in America on Nov. 8, 2016, its that everyone Jewish or Christian or Muslim or people who have no religion are much more alike than they are different. Aminah, who prefers not to publicize her last name because her family back in Homs, Syria, who could be endangered, was co-sponsored by Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services and the Jewish Community Alliance for Refugee Resettlement, a group of five congregations, the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. She will be making the sufganiyot with Congregation Or Shaloms Hebrew school students Sunday morning in Orange and then at Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel in Westville that afternoon, just before Hanukkah, the eight-day festival of lights, begins at sundown. Nancy Kline is JCARRs team leader at Or Shalom. The doughnuts are similar to a pastry made for Ramadan. Just for us, with honey, but for Jewish with jelly, Aminah said. Her husband, Issa, adds that it looks different too. JCARR has become more than a welcoming sponsor to Aminah and her family her husband, and their children, Faisal, 10, Amal, 9, and Retaj, 4. The group, led by coordinator Jean Silk, has become her American family. But the owner of Aminahs Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine, who cooks for her business at CitySeeds kitchen, is excited to learn new cuisines. I am a chef, she said. I always try something new. I always like something different. Every country I learn more and more. Silk, a member of Temple Emanuel in Orange, said Aminahs catering business is successful enough that pretty much everything works through word of mouth. She gets calls from people [who] she doesnt even know how they heard of her. For Gilah Benson-Tilsen, JCARR team leader at BEKI and daughter of Rabbi Jon-Jay Tilsen, its only natural that the two cultures would come together. I think the Jewish community in general finds the refugee crisis to be very important to us, she said. Most of us came here as refugees. My ancestors came here from Eastern Europe and their family and their friends that stayed behind were killed, so this is an important family history to us. Its very important to us to welcome people. And beyond that, I just love Aminahs food; its just amazing. So I keep coming back, said Benson-Tilsen, a graduate student at the Yale School of Public Health. We are fortunate that American values validate cultural diversity, commented Rabbi Tilsen in an email. To live according to our own ways is now part of the American ideal. By right as Americans we can declare our Jewishness. By living fully as Jews, we get extra credit for living the American Way. Silk said JCARR, which also has sponsored a second Syrian family and one from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is more important than ever since the election of President Donald Trump, who stopped all immigration from Syria and has severely cut the number of refugees admitted to this country. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, 22,491 refugees were admitted in fiscal 2018, which ended Sept. 30, below the limit of 45,000 the Trump administration had set. The ceiling for 2019 is 30,000, according to the center. Only 62 arrived in the last year from Syria, which is in the middle of a brutal civil war. In 2017, when the cap was set at 110,000, the United States resettled only 33,000, according to the Pew Research Center. It was the first time the United States had resettled fewer refugees than the rest of the world combined. Referring to Aminah, Issa and their children, she said, They arrive on Election Day and we didnt know when we met them at 5 p.m. anything about the election [results]. The next morning, Issa called her and said, I brought my family here to be safe. Are we going to be safe here? That day the meaning of JCARR, the meaning of what we are doing took on some symbolic meaning that we didnt anticipate. The Jewish group and the Syrian family have become more than friends. We talk about everything, Silk said. Were different but were all open people that are interested in our differences. Theyre really becoming part of the community. They just work so hard in learning English, learning to drive. Issa said the JCARR members have helped in a host of ways. Its very good. We are in a different country, a different culture, a different religion, he said. In America, everything is different than our country. They teach us how to be in the community here. How to make an appointment, how to go to a clinic, how to go to the hospital. He said True Wolff, a volunteer with Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden and a retired teacher of English language learners, had helped him with his language skills. I told Jean I learn more from her than from the school, Issa said. Her husband, Cliff Wolff, has helped teach driving. Silk said one of the most difficult things for immigrants to learn is the many bureaucracies they must deal with, and members of JCARR have guided them along the way. They always want to do things right, especially with Aminahs business make it legal, abide by the laws, she said. If you need anything, just call Jean, Aminah said. One of Aminahs challenges has been having a kitchen to use for her catering business, since the landlady wont allow cooking for a business in their Westville apartment. CitySeed has been generous, but its kitchen is located on Grand Avenue, on the other side of New Haven. Aminah said that unlike some Muslim men, her husband, Issa, supports her in working outside the home. Out of work with a back injury, he helps with the business side of things, while she focuses on cooking. Hes also working on his GED. My husband, he gave me power. Some people dont like the women to work. My husband gave me power and hes behind me, Aminah said. She said her dream is to open a restaurant. And this year the family became familiar with a new American tradition. This year she cooked her first Thanksgiving herself, Silk said. She cooked her first turkey. When somebody is beginning to celebrate the holidays of the new culture, its a true sign of adaptation to the country. Aminah and Issa do practice their religion as well. They are members of the New Haven Islamic Center on Bull Hill Lane in Orange. Everyone loves food and I think food becomes kind of a link to trust, Silk said of the connection with the Syrian family. Its not just symbolic because were Jewish and theyre Muslim. To me its about the other. We see them as people, what theyre good at, what theyre interested in. They all have their stories. The world is in such a bad way, it gives me hope to have a positive connection to people from another culture, Silk said. We make the world better one family at a time. The JCARR congregations are Temple Emanuel, BEKI, Congregation Or Shalom, Congregation Mishkan Israel and Congregation Bnai Jacob in Woodbridge. To contact Aminah to cater an event or a private party, call 203-850-1882 or email issahmod999@gmail.com. Menus can be seen at https://aminahscuisine.wixsite.com/catering. edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382. ALBANY The 2001 Ford Excursion involved in the deadly Oct. 6 limousine crash in Schoharie County that killed 20 people repeatedly had its state registration revoked in the months leading up to the horrific tragedy. State Department of Motor Vehicles documents obtained by the Times Union show that the insurer of the stretch Excursion, Global Liberty Insurance of New York, canceled the insurance policy on the limo six times between January and September. The DMV automatically revokes the registration on limos and other "for hire" vehicles when liability insurance is dropped. The limo company must surrender the plates from the vehicle if the owner fails to obtain new coverage. DMV records show that the Excursion's owner, Prestige Limousine of Wilton, was able to get its policy reinstated each time by Global Liberty Insurance of New York. The last reinstatement was made on Oct. 5 the day before the limo hurtled into the parking lot of the Apple Barrel Country Store in Schoharie and plunged into a ditch. All 18 people aboard and two bystanders were killed. Officials at Global Liberty, which is based in Melville on Long Island, aren't talking. The company's CEO, Scott Wollney, did not return calls seeking comment. Wollney is also CEO of Atlas Financial Holdings, the insurer's parent company. It's unclear why the Excursion's liability insurance was repeatedly canceled. Insurance policies on commercial limos are expensive and can cost $5,000 to $10,000 a year. In the days leading up to the crash, the Excursion had been put up for sale on Craigslist with a $9,000 price tag. Prestige Limousine is owned by Shahed Hussain, a Capital Region gas station and motel operator who has a history of shady business deals. Hussain worked as an undercover informant for the FBI after being caught trying to get fake IDs through the DMV. Hussain is believed to be in his native Pakistan. His son Nauman Hussain, who also goes by Arslan, was operating the company in his absence. Arslan and his brother Haris grew up in Loudonville before the family bought a motel in Wilton in 2006. Their mother died in 2013. It's unclear if Shahed Hussain intends to return to the United States, although in the past he has regularly traveled to Pakistan, Dubai and London on business. Nauman Hussain was charged with one count of criminally negligent homicide in connection with the crash. State Police and the National Transportation Safety Board have not yet completed their investigations of the disaster. Although the criminal case is in the early stages, several of the of the families of the victims have started to bring civil lawsuits against Prestige and the Hussains, who are being represented in civil matters by attorneys from the firm Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker. Brian Del Gatto, a senior lawyer with Wilson Elser who is in charge of the case, declined comment Friday. READ FULL COVERAGE: Timesunion.com/schohariecrash DMV officials also won't explain what was happening with the limo's insurance and registration in the months leading up to the crash, and if its changes in status had anything to do with spot inspections that the state Department of Transportation performed on the Excursion in March and September. In both cases, DOT inspectors ordered the limo off the road, citing major safety violations involving the brakes and the emergency exits. A third inspection was done by State Police in August after a traffic stop. "In light of the ongoing criminal investigation ... it would be irresponsible to comment on any information that could compromise the integrity of that investigation," DMV spokeswoman Lisa Koumjian said. Like school buses, stretch limos are supposed to be inspected every six months by the state DOT, and the companies that operate them are supposed to obtain a special certification of "operating authority" from the DOT. The certification includes criminal background checks and financial assessments. Prestige never applied for operating authority from DOT, and was therefore not supposed to be driving passengers in the Excursion. Although the civil lawsuits being filed on behalf of the victims' families will likely seek compensation from Global Liberty, other insurance companies could be targeted as well, said Troy attorney E. Stewart Jones Jr., who is representing some of the families. "We hope to tag every insurance company that had anything to do with any component of that vehicle," Jones said. "Any insurer with any liability at all will be looked to for payment." Mike Dabbraccio gazed out at the Grand Avenue Bridge spanning the Quinnipiac River and noted it was high tide. Look at that current! He recalled the current was equally strong on that day long ago when he was a teenager and dived off the bridge. I wasnt a good swimmer, he said. I almost drowned. I was running out of gas. My buddies were arguing over who was going to grab me. But one of them did jump in and Dabbraccio lived to tell the tale. He recalled that another kid from that Fair Haven neighborhood wasnt so lucky. I wasnt there but he was up on the railroad trestle by Middletown Avenue. A train knocked him into the water. They found his body three or four days later. Dabbraccio, now 70, grew up in that neighborhood, on Pierpont Street, about five blocks from the Grand Avenue Bridge. Although he moved away, buying a house in East Haven when he was in his young 20s, he kept coming back to see his friends and to take photos of the unforgettable characters he saw in the streets. Dabbraccio worked at the New Haven Register in various departments from 1977-1991 but our paths never crossed there. I had not heard his name until he called me up one day and said, Ive got 40 years of New Haven area photos. Do you want to look at them? When I finally got around to taking him up on his offer, meeting him at Brueggers Bagels on Grove Street, I was amazed at what he showed me. Here was J.D. nicknamed for the notorious John Dillinger and he really did look like a gangster. His real name was Clarence Lane, Dabbraccio said. He hung out at the Chapel Square Mall and the bowling alleys at the Roger Sherman Theater. Here was Ricky, with a belt of fireworks draped around his chest, circa 1974. Every 4th of July in Fair Haven, about 15 guys got together and they closed off Exchange Street, Dabbraccio said. We called those guys shooters. They had their cigars and lit cherry bombs and M-80s, throwing them in the street. Everybody loved it. There was more: Neil the can man picking up cans in East Haven; a kid standing defiantly on East Pearl Street, looking like one of the characters from the Our Gang films of the 1930s; a scene from inside Pequot Drugs, which once stood at the corner of Grand Avenue and East Pearl Street. Thats Sidney Lowenthal smiling at the camera as he sits at the counter. And heres a group of old gents playing bocce at Fort Nathan Hale; heres Micky coming out of a bar, smiling, feeling no pain and holding a cigarette with his stubby fingers; heres Mike Cuzco, selling New Haven Registers downtown. I told Dabbraccio I remember seeing Cuzco standing at the corner of Church and Chapel streets in the 1970s, calling out the days headlines. He worked there 40 or 50 years, Dabbraccio said. I like to go around and look at people, he added. And I had a thing for the (Fair Haven) neighborhood. Anybody around here was fair game. I always felt my strong suit was my people photos, portraits. People stuff is where Im at. He told me he started taking photos when he was in the U.S. Air Force, from January 1968 to September 1971. For a long time he was stationed in Germany and he hung out with a guy who was nuts about taking photos. Nikon! Nikon! Thats all he talked about. Thats when I started taking pictures. (Dabbraccios license plate reads: Nikon.) When he came back home, Dabbraccio studied photography at the Paier College of Art. After he graduated, not immediately finding a photography job, he got work at the New Haven Register, then on Orange Street. I was hired to do maintenance: change light bulbs, empty the trash. Then I unloaded papers from the trucks for a year and-a-half. After that I did a four-year apprentice for the press room. I was a pressman, operating the printing presses. When a job opened in the photo department for a lab technician, Dabbraccio saw his chance. They didnt want to hire me at first. But I started doing that around 1984. I did portrait work in the lab. I remember doing the dogs for the kennel shows. I learned that if you want to see their tongues, you give them a little piece of ice. Because I had seen his fabulous photos from the streets, I told him I couldnt believe he was never hired to be a Register staff photographer. But he doesnt seem bothered about it. One day, he heard the Hospital of St. Raphael was looking for a photographer and he went for it. He remained there from 1991 until he retired in 2013. When Dabbraccio mentioned he had taken photos of open heart surgeries while working at the hospital, I remarked he must have a strong stomach. Oh yeah! I used to go eat after that. He still rides his motorcycle around town and is proud of the smokin paint job it recently received. But when Dabbraccio met me a second time, at the Grand Avenue Bridge, he arrived in a Subaru stuffed with his framed photos. New Haven Register staff photographer Peter Hvizdak, who remembers working with Dabbraccio years ago, was delighted to see him again and to view his work. Hvizdak told me later, Hes got this tough guy exterior. But hes a sweetheart. Sure, Dabbraccio likes to tell his tough guy stories. But he said he always steered clear of getting involved with those types. I grew up in this environment around gangsters, all kinds of people. I still kept my sanity, managing to stay out of that stuff. I have street smarts from those days, so I can deal with just about anybody. He said he was 13 or 14 when he got a Libra tattoo on his left hand. My father screamed at me: If the Lord wanted you to have that, youd have been born with it! Then he told another story from the neighborhood, although he admitted its folklore and might never have happened: Some guys hung a teacher out the window of Fair Haven Junior High School. I dont know if its true but that story has gone on forever. Somebody will say, It was my cousin who did it! Somebody else will say, No! It was my uncle! I remarked that it must have been a fun place in which to grow up. He paused for a few seconds, looking thoughtful, looking back out on the river. It was like that movie The Blackboard Jungle. There were a lot of rough people, lots of fights. A lot of wise guys. Now that hes retired and has more time, hes spending more time on his photography. Im trying to get a show somewhere, get someone to hang my stuff. Contact Randall Beach at 203-680-9345 or randall.beach@hearstmediact.com Authorities have charged a Deptford Township man with murder in the Wednesday night shooting death of a Woodbury resident. And the alleged shooters mother has also been charged in connection with the crime, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office. Police responded to a house on Andaloro Way shortly before 9:30 p.m. for a report of shots fired and found Jodeci Robinson, 22, on the ground in front of the home with a gunshot wound to his back. Love your children , friends , family while they are alive cause people are tragically dying everyday.. Rest in peace Jodeci Robinson Posted by Destinie Corry on Thursday, November 29, 2018 He later died at Cooper University Hospital in Camden. A 26-year-old Pine Hill resident was also wounded in the incident and survived, prosecutors said. A resident of that home, Marcel Steele, 22, was initially charged with drug offenses on the night of the shooting, but was charged Friday with murder, attempted murder, endangering an injured victim, obstruction and various weapons offenses, including possession a weapon while committing a drug crime. Steele was taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing. His mother, Shasta Steele, 41, also of the Andaloro Way address, was charged Friday with endangering an injured victim and obstruction. Neighbors reported hearing six to eight gunshots Wednesday night, followed by a man yelling for help. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact prosecutors office Detective Michael Bielski at 856-384-5645 or Deptford Township Police Detective Sgt. John Gigante at 609-929-7679. A candlelight vigil for Robinson is planned for Sunday in Deptford, according to a Facebook post. Destinie Corry said shes known Robinson since they were kids and noted that he was a rapper. He recorded his final single on Monday, she said. He was one of my brothers best friends growing up, Corry recalled. I loved his vibe he was one of the realist, funniest people Ive ever met. We grew up together in the neighborhood of Jericho and in Clayton where we both lived and went to school. I loved him as a brother and even family. Corry offered her condolences to his family. All of his friends are very devastated by this traumatic situation and we are wishing the best for his family, she said. Tight end Evan Engram will miss his second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury suffered prior to Sundays 25-22 loss to the Eagles, when the Giants host the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. Prior to his hamstring tightening up during pre-game warmups at Lincoln Financial Field last week, Engrams role had been reduced over the previous two games. Engram was only on the field for 17 total snaps against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and 36 the prior week against the San Francisco 49ers. By comparison, prior to the bye week, Engram played 62 snaps in Week 8 vs. Washington. Obviously you want to be out there more, and making more plays, Engram told NJ Advance Media this week. But, my mindset was just doing whatever I was asked. Not frustrated, but you definitely want to be out there more and be more a part of the offense. We were winning and doing our job, so it wasnt anything to complain about. In Engrams absence, Rhett Ellison has played a majority of the offensive snaps at tight end over the past two games, and will likely see an expanded role as an in-line blocker on Sunday against Chicago Bears linebacker/defensive end Khalil Mack. Joining Engram on the injury report is inside linebacker B.J. Goodson, who is out with a stinger. In Goodsons place, the Giants will likely turn to Tae Davis to start alongside Alec Ogletree. Rookie linebacker Lorenzo Carter is questionable for Sundays game, as well, due to a hip injury. Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoNFL The Pulaski Skyway will be closed in both directions Saturday for steel repairs, state Department of Transportation officials announced Friday. From 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. overhead steel repairs and the installation of concrete overlay will be performed on the 86-year-old span as part of the $1 billion Pulaski Skyway rehabilitation project. To avoid delays, southbound motorists are encouraged to use the NJ Turnpike-Hudson County Extension to all destinations west and south, including I-78, or to I-280/Route 7 and Route 1&9 Truck southbound. Northbound motorists will be directed to Route 1&9 Truck. Heavy congestion and delays are expected in the area in Tonnele Circle. The northbound closure will begin past Newark Liberty International Airport with the Route 1&9 Express Lanes being closed and all traffic directed onto the Local Lanes, officials said. Traffic will follow Route 1&9 Truck northbound to the intersection of Route 7 and Route 1&9 Truck in Jersey City. Northbound motorists heading to Hoboken, Jersey City or New York City also may use the New Jersey Turnpike-Hudson County Extension. The southbound closure will begin south of the Tonnele Circle, with the ramp from the Tonnele Circle to the Skyway closed. Traffic coming from Route 139 will be directed to the off ramp to I-280/Route 7 and Route 1&9 southbound. Traffic on Route 1&9 south heading toward Tonnele Circle is encouraged to stay right and use the ramp to Route 1&9 Truck. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check the DOT's traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information. In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome! Two middle schools and a high school just a few miles apart in Union County spent Friday grappling with incidents of hateful graffiti allegedly scrawled onto school property by students. A student in Westfield defaced school property with messages of hate directed at various groups, Edison Intermediate School principal Michael Bolton said in an email Thursday to families. A copy of the email was obtained by NJ Advance Media. We take this act very seriously and are working with this student, their family, and the Westfield Police Department to ensure that this student understands the significance of their behavior, he said. The school planned to hold meetings Friday with each grade to denounce the graffiti and restate behavior expectations, Bolton said in the note. A district spokesperson did not immediately return additional requests for comment. A Westfield Police Department spokesman was not immediately available to provide details on the incident. In Summit, schools were reportedly dealing with a three similar incidents that happened in less two weeks at Lawton C. Johnson Middle School and Summit High School. Swastikas were first found on a bathroom wall at the middle school before Thanksgiving break, and then again, along with other offensive graffiti, on Thursday, June Chang, superintendent of Summit Public Schools, said in a statement released Friday afternoon. Acts of hate of any kind in the Summit Public Schools will not be tolerated, June Chang, the districts superintendent, said in a statement. "We take pride in our continual efforts to make the Summit Public Schools a safe and welcoming place for all of our students and staff. We value our diversity, and are serious about promoting kindness, acceptance, and understanding within our community. The district and police are investigating the graffiti, but Summit Police Chief Robert Weck declined to provide details of the incidents through a spokesperson, citing the ongoing investigation. The recent drawings of swastikas and other offensive drawings found in the Summit Middle and High School are inexcusable," Summit Mayor Nora Radest said in a statement to NJ Advance Media. The immature and ignorant behavior is deplorable and will be addressed. I firmly believe that this incident does not define us as a community; we are compassionate and respectful," she continued. "We support one another and we must continue to stand up against hatred and bigotry wherever we see it. The incidents are the third and fourth of such a nature to occur in Union County schools over the past two months. In early October, misogynist, anti-Semitic and racist messages appeared on the outside of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. They included a swastika, the number 666, racial and ethnic slurs and drawings of genitalia along with hateful messages to former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. Around the same time, an elementary school student in Westfield allegedly etched a swastika in a school bathroom. Westfield Board of Education president Gretchan Ohlig said in a statement to NJ Advance Media at the time that "acts like this are unacceptable and the principal and her staff have and continue to handle the response to this event in a way that makes that clear. The district remains focused on educating our students on issues of diversity and inclusiveness and will continue to partner with families and our community in doing this work. This story has been updated with information from Summit Public Schools regarding vandalism at Summit High School. Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Find NJ.com on Facebook. When the first young victim of the deadly viral outbreak was finally taken to the hospital from the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, the facility stopped getting paid. Now, questions are being raised over whether that quick cutoff of Medicaid money created some kind of perverse incentive that prompted the facility to delay seeking outside medical help for desperately ill kids, even as their conditions became progressively worse. Wanaque Center officials strongly rejected any suggestion that treatment decisions in the outbreak that has so far taken 11 young lives might have been driven by Medicaid reimbursement rules. However, a federal lawsuit pending against the former owners of the nursing facility has alleged that administrators deliberately sought more out-of-state Medicaid patients specifically because the Medicaid reimbursement rates from New York made them more profitable. And while the Wanaque Center today is under new management, more than half of the kids currently receiving care there are from New York, which pays much higher Medicaid rates than New Jersey. New York also does not immediately cut off funding if a child is moved to an emergency room for medical treatment. Some New Jersey legislators, meanwhile, say they intend to specifically look into whether the elimination of what are known as Medicaid bed hold reimbursements played a role in the crisis at the Wanaque Center. The inquiry comes after two pediatric workers told NJ Advance Media that the facility delayed sending kids to the hospital over concerns that the state money would immediately stop flowing once they were moved out. Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, said the motive behind the delays in transferring patients will be among the issues he explores on Monday at a public hearing called to investigate the Wanaque outbreak. Assemblyman Lou Greenwald, D-Camden, who served as chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee when the state cut the bed-hold payments, said he had argued at the time against cutting the payments, likening the policy to someone selling your home while you are gone. Reversing that decision, he said, should become a budget discussion going into next year. Wanaque Center officials would not respond to specific questions regarding state funding, but said Medicaid reimbursement rates were not a consideration in the treatment of patients. Paul Fishman, who represents the facility, said in a statement that Wanaque patients have severe complications that require long-term specialized care. Every decision concerning that care is made by an experienced medical team, comprised of specialist physicians and nursing support, said Fishman, a former U.S. attorney for New Jersey. Reimbursement rates are never a factor, and financial arrangements are not discussed with medical professionals. AN EFFORT TO SAVE MONEY Allegations that Medicaid funding may have been a factor in the deadly toll at the Wanaque Center in Haskell were first raised several weeks ago by two pediatric center employees who claimed there was a delay in sending kids to the hospital after many started dying. You would be surprised how slow they were to send these kids out, even after the deaths, even after the media knew. They are still delaying, one employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity over fears of getting fired, said at that time. Its been known for a while that they try to keep the kids there and treat the kids there as long as possible before having to send them out to a hospital ... so they have the bed full, the worker said. Dorcase Ephraime Dolcin was among the first of 11 children who died in the viral outbreak at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell. (Photo courtesy of the family)(Photo courtesy of the family) Six years ago, New Jersey which requires the Wanaque Center to keep a bed open when kids require hospitalization stopped reimbursing the facility for the cost of the bed if the child was moved out of the facility to the hospital. The facility is required to hold the bed open for 10 days. If a patient from New Jersey is moved from the Wanaque Center to the hospital, the state immediately ends Medicaid reimbursement, according to the Department of Human Services, which administers New Jerseys Medicaid program. Wanaque would only get paid for the days the patient was in their facility, said Tom Hester, a department spokesman. However, he said the Wanaque Center was still required to keep open the empty bed for 10 days. While the state had once compensated long-term care facilities such as Wanaque for the cost of holding a slot open, that funding began to be phased out more than a decade ago, and was eliminated outright in 2012 under Gov. Chris Christie, according to the Health Care Association of New Jersey, the lobbying organization representing long-term care providers. Several former Christie administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the state had reached the conclusion that it could no longer afford to pay for two beds one at an acute care hospital treating a patient for a temporarily illness, and the nursing home bed to which the patient would ultimately return. They said no one ever suggested that ending the bed-hold payments would be harmful to patients. I never heard this issue raised that it would in any way compromise care, one of the officials said of the allegations of delays in moving kids to hospitals. Another former administration official declared that no one even argued it would create this perverse incentive to not render care. Thats beyond the pale. THE CRISIS STARTS The ongoing adenovirus outbreak at the Wanaque Center began on Sept. 26, as the first kids started getting sick with what was diagnosed as a respiratory ailment, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Adenovirus includes a number of respiratory virus strains that can cause mild or serious illness, though serious illness is less common. The strain identified in the New Jersey outbreak was adenovirus type 7, which health experts say in medically fragile children on ventilators, such as those at Wanaque, can be a killer. A physician who treated two critically ill kids who were brought to the emergency room said both were in irreversible shock and already dying when they arrived. Yet even in relatively healthy people, type 7 adenovirus can be deadly. An 18-year-old freshman at the University of Maryland at College Park died of complications from adenovirus Nov. 18. Olivia Paregol had developed a cough earlier in the semester and her condition worsened, as she contracted pneumonia, her family said. Taken to the emergency room multiple times, she died at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Her father said his daughter had been taking medication to combat Crohns disease, which weakened her immune system. A series of state inspections at the Wanaque Center in the days after the outbreak found serious deficiencies in infection control, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. MAXIMIZING MEDICAID Public funding figures prominently in the profitability of facilities like the Wanaque Center, which are largely dependent on state and federal Medicaid payments. John Indyk, vice president of the Health Care Association of New Jersey, said the loss of the bed-hold reimbursement had a definite financial impact. You still have to pay staff, pay for food, there is a cost to it, he said, referring to the costs needed to run a facility when patients are gone temporarily. But as revenues ran short in the state budget, Indyk said state officials argued the payments could not continue. You gotta accept it there was nothing we could do. We are a big part of the budget, Indyk said. Separately, court documents filed in connection with a whistleblower lawsuit against the former owners of the nursing facility alleged that administrators under that previous ownership prioritized admissions of pediatric patients from New York, forcing families from New Jersey to find other long-term care. That lawsuit against what was once the Wanaque Convalescent Center which was renamed the Wanaque Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after its sale to Continuum Healthcare in late 2014 alleged systematic Medicaid fraud. It claimed that the patient population was expanded and manipulated to maximize Medicaid funding including giving preferential treatment to applicants insured by New York Medicaid, which pays at a far higher rate than New Jersey. As a result, approximately 75 percent of Wanaque patients are New York residents, stated the lawsuit, now pending before a federal judge in Newark. The suit was filed by Frank Briglia, the former medical director of Wanaque Convalescent Center. Of Wanaques 92 pediatric beds, 52 last year were occupied by children from New York, according to New York Health Department officials. Currently, in the wake of the viral outbreak, nearly 70 of the facilitys pediatric beds are filled, with 35 occupied by kids from New York State, said health department officials. New York still pays more in reimbursement. The New York State Department of Health said it pays $742.62 a day in Medicaid assistance for pediatric patients at the Wanaque Center, a New York health spokeswoman said. By contrast, New Jerseys Medicaid rate for pediatric residents is far less, topping out at $518.46 a day, according to the state Department of Human Services. And unlike New Jersey, the law in New York allows for reimbursement to the facility even if the patient is sent to the hospital. This designation lasts as long as the patient is expected to return to the facility from the hospital, said Erin Silk, a state health department spokeswoman. New York officials said there was nothing unusual about sending children out of state for care. New York States Medicaid Program serves more than 2 million children annually, some of whose severe health issues make it necessary for them to receive care out of state, Silk said. A spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Health said there are no restrictions on out-of-state admissions. THE JERSEY IMPACT According to Frank Briglias lawsuit, every New York patient decreased the number of beds available for New Jersey kids. The lawsuit alleged that admitting a New York child over one from New Jersey meant that the New Jersey child has to remain in an alternate setting, such as in their home or at a hospital. Consequently, the state of New Jersey has to increase the bed-count cap because the in-state demand is artificially inflated, the lawsuit said. The Wanaque Center, where a viral outbreak swept through the pediatric ward, leading to 11 deaths. More than half the children being cared there are from New York. (NJ Advance Media map) Briglia, who now heads a pediatric emergency room at a New Jersey hospital, said the former operators of the facility also moved to drastically increase the number of kids dependent on ventilators, to take advantage of higher Medicaid billing. Eric Breslin of Duane Morris in Newark, an attorney for the former owners Wanaque Convalescent Center declined comment on Briglias allegations. But he said the lawsuit was a billing issue that had nothing to do with the standard of care. In motions seeking dismissal of the complaint, attorneys for the Wanaque Convalescent Center said the allegations were nothing more than speculation and guess work. Joseph Young, executive director of the nonprofit organization Disability Rights New Jersey, said New York has always spent more public money on people with developmental disabilities, who are among the patients served at Wanaque. His office has taken calls over the years from families requesting local placements, and with just four pediatric nursing homes available in the state, he said, New Jersey children ought to get those beds, he said. Whether we have an adequate network of services in the state for children has been a concern, Young said. As to the allegations that Wanaque had accepted more New York patients than New Jersey patients for monetary reasons, Young said if true, it would be immoral and unethical to base treatment decisions on that. Editors note: Do you have a family member on the pediatric unit at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, or a child who has been affected by the viral outbreak there? NJ.com would like to hear from you. You may reach us at (732) 902-4559, or write to Susan Livio at slivio@njadvancemedia.com , Spencer Kent at skent@njadvancemedia.com , or Ted Sherman at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com . Staff writer Spencer Kent contributed to this report. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com . Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL . Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter . Find NJ.com on Facebook . Three dogs were rescued from certain death and taken in by a South Jersey animal shelter on Thursday. The Animal Welfare Association, a no-kill animal shelter in Vorhees, took in the pooches after they were rescued from the Chinese dog meat trade, according to a Facebook post by the shelter. The dogs, Maggie, Shanbao and Aman narrowly escaped the fate of millions of canines that are killed in China each year for the dog meat trade, the shelter said. On Thursday, November 29th, AWA took in three dogs, Maggie, Shanbao and Aman, that had been rescued from the Chinese Dog... Posted by Animal Welfare Association on Friday, November 30, 2018 Maggie, a dachshund, was rescued from the back of a meat truck by an international rescue group and was fostered with the other two dogs until they were flown to the United States and eventually made their way to the Camden County animal shelter. Animal Welfare Association volunteer Lori Topiel recently rescued her dog from the meat trade and was able to connect the shelter with the rescue group that saved Maggie, Shanbao and Aman. Lori had recently rescued her own dog from the Chinese meat trade and she didnt want her impact to stop there so she reached out to us, Maya Richmond, the executive director of The Animal Welfare Association, told NJ Advance Media. We thought it was a really wonderful opportunity to bring attention to the issue. The three dogs were sponsored by Topiel who had connections with the international rescue group from her own adoption process, the dogs were accompanied by a human sponsor on their flight and were then driven to the shelter after arriving in the U.S., according to Richmond. The shelter had previously taken in dogs that were set to be part of the Cambodian dog meat trade, Richmond said. She also asked for donations to help continue their efforts to rescue dogs in similar situations. The dogs will soon be available for adoption. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook. Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips WASHINGTON -- New Jersey lawmakers of both parties remembered the late President George H.W. Bush, who passed away Friday at the of 94. President Bush will be missed, for his leadership, good humor and his many years of public and military service," said Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-11th Dist. Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd Dist., said Bush "inspired me to serve our country. " He was a family man, a war hero, and a dedicated public servant - a decent man who made this world a better place, MacArthur said. "His influence and impact will be remembered for generations to come. Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., was elected to the House in 1980, the same year Bush was elected vice president on a ticket headed by Ronald Reagan. As both president and vice president, he visited my district and the biggest takeaway from those experiences as well as working with him in Washington was how gracious and kind and humble he was, Smith said. Despite being the most powerful political leader on earth, he regarded the issues and solutions to problems as far more important than himself truly amazing. Describing Bush as a patriot and a statesman, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-9th Dist., said the late presidents entire life was defined by the honesty and duty to county forged in the lives of some many in the Greatest Generation. Rep, Leonard Lance, R-7th Dist., described Bush as "one of our nations greatest patriots - a war hero, public servant, humanitarian and leader of the free world. He was an example for each phase of life, Lance said. "And he was the right man each time our country called on him to serve. President Bush was a point of light that shined around the world. It was his style of leadership, politics of inclusion and vision that made me proud to be a member of his Republican Party. " Tweeted Rep. Donald Payne Jr., D-10th Dist.: Our politics werent the same, but we both love our country,. President Bush helped our country transition to the worlds sole superpower. He laid a foundation of peace and diplomacy in the post-Cold War era. Other lawmakers also weighed in via Twitter. President George HW Bush leaves a legacy we should all look up too. Rest In Peace Mr. President...you return to your beautiful wife Barbaras side once more. #RIPGHWB pic.twitter.com/FVvoQcMBbY Frank LoBiondo (@RepLoBiondo) December 1, 2018 So sorry to hear about the passing of George HW Bush. From the Navy to the White House, President Bush spent his entire life serving our country and all Americans should be thankful for his contributions. Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) December 1, 2018 President George H.W. Bush was a true patriot who worked earnestly for the American people. Regardless of politics, he will be remembered as a model for leadership, compassion, and public service. While the country mourns his passing, his legacy will live on far into the future. Albio Sires (@RepSires) December 1, 2018 Today we mourn the loss of our 41st President. In addition to his extraordinary career & devotion to his wife & family, George Bush will be remembered for his unyielding faith in America & its people. I extend my condolences to the Bush family on behalf of a grateful nation. pic.twitter.com/tUaMWLjXTv Donald Norcross (@DonaldNorcross) December 1, 2018 ...his unwavering patriotism, and his kindness toward all that knew him. Rep Josh Gottheimer (@RepJoshG) December 1, 2018 Reps.-elect, Andy Kim, D-3rd Dist., Tom Malinowski, D-7th Dist., and Mikie Sherrill, D-11th Dist., also weighed in. May you rest in peace, President George H.W. Bush. America will miss your decency and honor, and we will miss a time when presidents were made by promising to make us a "kinder, gentler nation." Tom Malinowski (@Malinowski) December 1, 2018 Thank you for devoting your life to serving our nation with dignity. Love and strength to your family. https://t.co/POtpNHONMU Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) December 1, 2018 President Bush served his country throughout his life. He was a warrior, a statesman, and in the truest sense, a gentleman. His brand of leadership serves as a continuing model for all of us. Mikie Sherrill (@MikieSherrill) December 1, 2018 New Jerseys two U.S. senators also offered words of praise. U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., called Bush a statesman who led the free world with a passion for democracy, and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker said the late president left an extraordinary legacy of service and lifelong dedication to our country that he loved. Bush, who reached across party lines to work with a Democratic-controlled Congress, was feted by leaders of both parties. President Bush loved his family, loved this country and his legacy will be a lifetime of service to the United States of America, Vice President Mike Pence said. "His example will always inspire and his lifetime of service will be enshrined in the hearts of the American people forever. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York agreed. President George H.W. Bush will be greatly missed in many ways," Schumer said. "He was a fine man and even when he opposed your views, you knew he was doing what he thought was best for America. His yearning for a kinder and gentler nation seems more needed now than when he first called for it. And President Donald Trump, who had been critical of both of Bushs sons, President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, during his run for the presidency, told reporters Saturday he had been in touch with both, according to White House pool reports. He proclaimed Wednesday as a national day of mourning and ordered flags flown at half-staff for 30 days. Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public serviceto be, in his words, 'a thousand points of light illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world, Trump said in a statement. President George H.W. Bush led a long, successful and beautiful life. Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2018 Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. New Jersey could legalize marijuana within the next year -- too soon for the Warren County freeholders. A resolution by the three-member county government board formally opposes marijuanas legalization for recreational use, according to a news release this week. They are also asking towns to enact ordinances barring marijuana facilities. The measure comes after a bill passed in Trenton that would legalize marijuana for adult use and create a weed industry. New Jersey has already established a medical marijuana program, and Phillipsburg -- Warren Countys largest town -- wants to be considered for a future dispensary. The state bill would make possession and personal use of small amounts of marijuana legal for people at least 21 years old. While its possible it could be passed as soon as December, it appears more likely that it will wait until 2019 as details are sorted out. But the freeholderss resolution says recreational use, though taxable, does not take into consideration the social costs of widespread marijuana use. Freeholder Jason Sarnoski said that if the legal weed bill is signed into law, towns would have 180 days to act if they want to prohibit marijuana facilities -- not enough time, he said, to go to a referendum. I think its just an accident waiting to happen, Freeholder Richard D. Gardner said in the county news release. Its very bad. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A pair of Hungarian nationals accused of using stolen bank account information to steal cash from Jefferson Parish bank ATMs pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft in federal court Thursday (Nov. 29), according to U.S. Attorney Peter Strassers officer. U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced Daniel Tanase, 39, and Gabriella Tekse, 31, to two years in prison and one year of supervised release. Metairie man shoots brother during fight over woman: JPSO Tanase and Tekse also have been charged with 80 counts of monetary instrument abuse in Jefferson Parish district court, according to court records. The Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office arrested Tanase and Tekse on June 20 at an apartment in the 1300 block of Carrollton Avenue in Metairie where the pair rented rooms through Airbnb, federal courts records said. Detectives had been investigating reports of suspicious ATM customers using several different debit cards to withdraw cash at local banks around the parish. Hancock Whitney Bank, 521 Veterans Memorial Blvd., turned over surveillance photos and the license plate number of a black Toyota Prius driven by a man and woman later identified as Tanase and Tekse who had looted the branchs ATM on June 19, court records said. Detectives discovered the Prius belonged to a U.S. Coast Guardsman who lived in New Orleans. The Coast Guard member told investigators that hed rented his vehicle to a man named Daniel Tanase through an app called Turo that allows owners to car-share, an alternative to using a formal rental company. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Investigators tracked the vehicle to the Carrollton Avenue apartment where they found Tanase and Tekse, along with 81 gift cards with PIN codes and $32,615 in cash, court records said. Tanase told authorities he found the cards and PIN codes on the ground and tried them at an ATM to see if they worked. Tekse admitted shed withdrawn money from bank ATMs at Tanases instruction, court records said. He had invited her to the United States and already had the cards when she arrived. Its not clear what effect Tanase and Tekses federal case will have on the charges in state court. The pair was scheduled to appear in Jefferson Parish court on Thursday. The hearing is likely to be continued. Just a few days before Tanase and Tekses arrests, JPSO booked another pair of foreign visitors with similar crimes. Natasha Mehra, 21, and Adlharan Aruljothy, 25, both of Montreal, were arrested on multiple counts of bank fraud and monetary instrument abuse after Mehra was caught withdrawing cash with several cards at an unincorporated Gretna bank. Deputies found her with 12 bank debit cards encoded with stolen bank account information, according to JPSO. She had withdrawn about $4,000 with pin number she said had been given to her by an unidentified man. Investigators later identified Aruljothy, Mehras boyfriend, and booked him in the case. The Jefferson Parish district attorneys office charged Mehra with 12 counts of bank fraud. Aruljothy was charged with three counts of bank fraud and one count of being a principal to bank fraud. Aruljothy and Mehra are scheduled to return to court on Dec. 3. The Sheriffs Office has said the two cases are not linked. New Orleans police are looking for a man accused of striking another man with a hammer at an apartment on Chef Menteur Highway earlier this month. Police believe the man met the victim in his apartment in the 9000 block of Chef Menteur Highway on Nov. 7 around 2:40 a.m. and hit him several times with a hammer following an argument. In surveillance footage, the man is seen wearing a red shirt, blue jeans and a black hat and walking with a bicycle while exiting the elevator. The man fled the scene on the bike heading east on Chef Menteur , according to an NOPD news release. Police are also looking for a man and woman who were both captured in video surveillance fleeing the scene with the man in the photo. Information about the victims condition was not available. Anyone with information regarding this incident or the pictured subjects is asked to contact NOPD Seventh District detectives at 504-658-6070, or anonymously contact CrimeStoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll free at 1-877-903-7867. DOYLESTOWN >> Bucks County on Nov. 24 released its preliminary 2022 operating budget of $474.1 million representing a 1.1 percent increase over 2021. With additional anticipated revenue sources, including funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, the Board of Commissioners expects to balance the coming years budget without raising taxes or dipping into the general fund. The county also will... Jeannot Franco Plessy named the church she and her husband founded more than a decade ago. Crossover Christian Fellowship, a Christian outreach ministry, gives help to those stuck in dark places in their lives, much like the place which both Plessy and her husband David Plessy had emerged from, he said, after they found God. The ministry started out simple, handing out socks and meals to homeless people at Washington Square Park on Elysian Fields Avenue in the Faubourg Marigny. I was homeless, in another town. Somebody gave me socks and a meal one day, said David Plessy, 53, referring to his former life. During darker times many years ago in Jeannot Plessys life, her husband said, she became a domestic abuse survivor. She recently returned from an evangelical trip to Samoa as the island recognized domestic violence awareness month. The 49-year-old had only been home from Samoa a few days when New Orleans police say a carjacker ran over her with the car that was stolen from her in Gentilly Tuesday night (Nov. 27), killing her. Person of interest sought in Gentilly carjacking that killed woman David Plessys recognition, he said, that the darkness of evil in the world is not uncommon to any one of us, has formed his thoughts about the person police say killed his wife. When I think about this person, I think about the wonderful invitation that would be available to him and pray that he would come to know ... Plessy paused, his voice breaking, The Lord that my wife patterned her life after and for. Crying, he continued, We may not have had to go to the depths and terrible choices that his sin and his hopelessness and mistaken identity of who he is in Gods eyes, but our hearts were the same as his. Theres not a difference in the human heart. Carjacker strikes, kills victim while fleeing in Gentilly: NOPD David Plessy said his wife was carjacked and killed as she arrived at the home of her oldest daughter, one of Jeannot Plessys two children from a previous relationship. She was there to pick up the couples two children, their 12-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter. Police responded about 8:25 p.m. Tuesday to the scene in the 2400 block of Prentiss Avenue, where NOPD said someone pulled a woman, identified by the New Orleans Coroners Office as Plessy, from a car and threw her to the ground. Her son-in-law tried to stop the carjacking, police said in a preliminary report, but the carjacker put the car in reverse and ran over the woman. The son-in-law remained hospitalized as of Friday from injuries to his head, according to Jeannot Plessys brother, Luis Franco. Plessy was taken that night by EMS to a hospital, where the coroners office said she died of blunt force trauma. The agency classified her death as a homicide. Police on Friday night announced a person of interest, 18-year-old Edwin Cottrell, was wanted for questioning in connection to the fatal carjacking. On Sunday, NOPD said three people, including Cottrell, were arrested in connection to the case. Cottrell and a juvenile face charges of principal to second-degree murder and principal to carjacking. A third person, 17-year-old Jontrell Robinson, faces a charges of second-degree murder and carjacking. An extremely extraordinarily special and unique person Jeannot Plessy grew up in New Orleans East, part of a large family, Franco said. Franco, a Brother Martin High School graduate himself, said his sister graduated from Marion Abramson High School, which never reopened after Hurricane Katrina. Franco and his sister, who him and others often called, Nonnie, share the same parents, but have nine half-siblings, Franco said. Growing up, Jeannot Plessy was like many young people sometimes rebellious, Franco said. It was later in life, he said, that his little sister found God and it changed her life. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up David Plessy first laid eyes on his wife at a church almost 15 years ago. Every measure of beauty that I think of uses her as a standard, he said. When they met he had four months left to complete of a Christian-based substance abuse program, which he started after he completed rehab. For those four months, Plessy said, he only knew her name, that she attended the church his program was based out of and that he felt a connection to her. She was not a participant in the substance abuse program, but romantic relationships of any kind were discouraged for David Plessy until he completed it. They did not speak for those four months, he said, though he wrote her letters that he later gave to her. Their first date was a small performance of the Nutcracker, within days of his completion of the program. Less than a year later, they were married with a baby boy on the way. Their daughter was born 13 months after their son. Jeannot Plessy wasnt famous, her husband said, but to him, she was an extremely, extraordinarily special and unique person. Most Mondays, Jeannot Plessy cooked red beans and rice, which they served to people in Central City near the corner of Magnolia and Philip Street. For his last birthday, Plessy said, she gave him a DNA test so he could learn more about his family. He had been adopted out of an orphanage in Brooklyn, which they visited together, and he yearned to know more. Because of my wife, I met two sisters and a brother I never knew I had, just recently, Plessy said. She lived out her life selflessly, he said. She was extremely loving, endlessly caring, unconditionally forgiving. Members of Francos family were still learning the news on Wednesday, he said. Nobody can even believe it, he said. Franco struggled, too, he said, to understand why someone would hurt his little sister such a petite woman -- in that way. Shes a really good person, just going to pick up her kids, Franco said. Along with her siblings, husband, four children and stepson, Jeannot Plessy is mourned by her church family, her husband said. Crossover Christian Fellowship, the ministry the couple founded and pastors, does not currently have a brick-and-mortar location but is comprised of a community that participates in weekly outreach and travel, Plessy said. She attended Victory Fellowship Church in Metairie, where Plessy said he invites the public to attend at 7 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 2), when he will share a message on behalf of his wife. She is also mourned at Celebration Church in Metairie, where her son-in-law serves as the facility manager. Jesus gave David Plessy and his wife a chance to embrace him and change their lives, David Plessy said. While the person who took his wifes life showed the lowest depths of human behavior, he said, that man is not so low that Jesus cant reach out to reach him. As long as hes alive on earth, he has a chance to respond, Plessy said. He was created for a purpose, not this purpose. Anyone with information about the fatal carjacking is asked to contact the cases lead investigator, Homicide Detective Rayell Johnson, at 504-658-5300 or leave a tip anonymously through Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. New Orleans Murder Map 2018 Note: This story was updated Monday (Dec. 3) with information about the suspects' arrests. A previous version of this story also misspelled Jeannot Plessys high school. It has since been corrected. In this weeks coastal news roundup, WWNOs Travis Lux talks with NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune reporter Tristan Baurick about a new federal climate change report and what it predicts for Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Also in the roundup, news about the Coast Guards crackdown on the 14-year oil leak at Taylor Energys well off Louisianas coast, and the recent legal setback for a rare and endangered frog. Listen to the discussion above. Catch the roundup on 89.9 FM every Friday during Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Read about this weeks topics in the links below. Climate report: Louisiana, Southeast at exceptional risk through end of century Coast Guard orders Taylor Energy to stop 14-year oil leak Supreme Court kicks St. Tammany dusky gopher frog case back to lower court If the previous nights murder victims had been children, then there probably would have been a collection of teddy bears and mylar balloons near the intersection of Claiborne and Louisiana on Sunday morning, July 29. But the seven victims who were injured and all three victims who were killed in Saturday nights mass shooting were adults. So the next morning, there was no sign of the tragedy that had taken place the night before. Things were by New Orleans standards, at least back to normal. Some of the seeming normality was by design. All the businesses in the 3400 block of South Claiborne were open for business that Sunday morning. The end of the month is coming up, and we have to pay the bills, Skipper Nichols, the owner of the restaurant Chicken & Watermelon, said. No one can afford not to have their shift today. More recently, though, there is a sign a literal one that something horrible happened at that intersection. Its a sign from Crimestoppers, offering $12,500 cash for information that leads to an arrest in that case. Obviously, the sign does not represent the first time Crimestoppers has offered witnesses money for information that might lead to an arrest. Theres a long history of the organization doing just that. Theyve run similar advertisements on radio, television and billboards. But the sign on the neutral ground on Claiborne Avenue, which is about at eye level for pedestrians and drivers, may be the most prominently placed, the most confrontational. The placement of the sign appears to be an act of desperation which is only fitting. For how desperate must the family members of 27-year-old Taiesha Watkins, 28-year-old Jeremiah Lee and 38-year-old Kurshaw Jackson be to see justice for their loved ones? Two months ago, on Sept. 25, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison held a press conference about the case at NOPD headquarters. Harrison said that the department had identified prime suspects in the mass shooting but that doesnt mean we have enough evidence. Harrison said information from the public could help police close the case. We have not lost focus, Mayor Cantrell said. She said the value of information the public could provide cannot be overstated. The police havent made any announcements regarding the case since then. In addition to the $12,500 Crimestoppers is offering witnesses for information related to the July mass shooting, the ATF is offering a $5,000 reward, and the FBI is offering a $10,000 reward. Thats potentially $27,500 total in reward money, and still there have been no arrests. According to police reports, Jeremiah Lee was the intended target of what became a mass shooting. Surveillance camera footage indicates that Lee was being chased by two people with guns before he ran into a crowd of people in the 3400 block of Claiborne. He may have believed that the gunmen wouldnt shoot him if he shielded himself with other people, but they opened fire on him anyway, even standing over him and firing additional shots after hed already fallen on the ground. If you had information that would lead to the arrest of the people who perpetrated that mass shooting, would the money matter to you? Wouldnt you, if you knew that your help would bring some measure of peace to grieving families, tell the authorities what you know without an expectation of compensation? If you were going to cooperate with authorities, wouldnt you do it because you believe that its the right thing to do? Also, if you had information about the crime, and you were afraid of what might happen to you if you shared it, is there any amount of money that would make you feel less afraid? This seems to be the paradox of offering award money: It shouldnt be necessary for those people who have a general concern about the safety and welfare of their communities. At the same time, it might never be enticing enough for those who believe their safety would be put at risk with their cooperation. The Crimestoppers website includes a depressingly long list of open cases. Most of those crimes are homicides a notable exception is the recent vandalism of a Mandeville synagogue and the rewards being offered range from a low of about $2,500 to a high of $50,000. What can we conclude from such a long list? That nobody has information about these crimes? Or that nobody feels safe enough to come forward? The sign on Claiborne is more visible than a list of open cases on a website could ever be. But will it actually lead to an arrest? Only time will tell. But the one thing the sign does do is force us to remember. Something horrible happened here. The victims families certainly cant forget that. We shouldnt either. Jarvis DeBerry is a columnist on the Latitude team at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Latitude is a place to share opinions about the challenges facing Louisiana. Follow @LatitudeNOLA on Facebook and Twitter. Write Jarvis at jdeberry@nola.com or @jarvisdeberry. An ugly fight over an audit that found the city of Zachary paid two vendors $3.5 million without having contracts in place has died down some, but the city councilman most upset about the matter has made clear he is not giving up on his quest for Friday, November 30, 2018 at 5:44PM Netflix With the recent cancellations of Marvel-Netflix shows, one cant help but think what else is next. For now, were getting assurance from those behind Stranger Things that were getting at least one or two more seasons. The latest one to confirm this news is actor Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin on the show. He gave an interview to De Telegraaf at the Heroes Dutch Comic Con in the Netherlands and talks about how hes heard that the magic number is either four or five. He goes on to add, We just finished up threethree is not the last one planned. Matarazzo talks about how he knows the creators Matt and Ross Duffer dont want to milk the show for as many seasons as it can. What he says lines up with what the Duffers has said before about the show going on for another season or two. What theyve been grappling with is whether theyre going with four or five, with the former feeling to short and the latter seemingly longer than they wanted. Matarazzo describes the upcoming one as scarier, its darker, its funnier with familiar evil from the Upside Down coming back. He adds, But theres also a completely new form of antagonization towards our heroes. What that is well have to wait to find out when the show lands this coming summer. Source: BGR The federal office said McKinsey had tried to make it appear as if the investment units decisions were made by independent staff members, avoiding any mention that Mr. Garcia received regular reports on its decisions and ratified them. McKinseys misleading representation and lack of transparency regarding Mr. Garcias role undermines the very purpose of the bankruptcy disclosure rules, Mr. Fitzgerald wrote. In a statement, McKinsey said its disclosures fully meet the terms of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. We have been transparent about the connections we were disclosing and the process utilized to identify those connections, the company said. It added, As always, McKinsey is committed to taking any guidance the U.S. trustee deems appropriate to give. McKinsey has made repeated statements, in court and on its website, that its investment division is walled off from its consulting business. That, McKinsey has said, precludes any possibility that the investments could taint the consultants advice. Since there is no risk of undue influence, McKinsey has said, it does not have to disclose its investment activities to the court when it works on a bankruptcy case. That argument was eventually challenged by Jay Alix, a retired bankruptcy restructuring expert. During the Alpha Natural Resources bankruptcy, Mr. Alix formed an investment partnership and became an unsecured creditor, giving him standing to challenge McKinsey over its disclosures. He eventually moved to have the bankruptcy reopened for an investigation of potential fraud. Aaron Klug, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1982 for devising ways to create three-dimensional images of biological molecules like proteins and DNA, died on Nov. 20. He was 92. His death was reported by British newspapers and by the Medical Research Councils Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England, where Dr. Klug had worked for decades. It did not say where he died. Trained as a physicist, Dr. Klug Lithuanian-born and raised in South Africa became interested in the 1960s in how techniques to discern the structure of crystals could be applied to biology. Initially he bounced X-rays off biological molecules, but in the mid-1960s he switched to electrons. Electron microscopy can make out tiny features as small as atoms, but it requires that samples be placed in a vacuum an unfriendly environment for almost all components of living organisms. By threatening to build a wall, and actually deporting large numbers of Mexicans from the heartland of the United States, Mr. Trump needlessly raised tensions on the border. By pressuring Mexico to intercept Central American refugees and dissuading or prohibiting them from requesting asylum in the United States and by radically slowing down asylum-processing at the border, he contributed to the creation of caravans. And by insisting on the war on drugs, he also accentuated Mexicos human rights and security crises, mainly created by the previous two Mexican presidents. Relations came to such a low point that AMLOs predecessor, Enrique Pena Nieto, didnt visit Mr. Trump in the United States or meet with him as president in Mexico. This was the first time in the modern history of bilateral relations. Mr. Lopez Obrador has to deal with this situation, and doing so will not be simple. He is restricted from the left by his old-style, chip-on-the-shoulder nationalism, his radical base and the perception in Mexico that the outgoing president kowtowed to Washington all too often. He is pressured from the right by politicians concerned with Mexicos weakening economy (a battered peso and a wilting stock exchange), its integration with the United States and the countrys vulnerability to any type of Trumpian retaliation for perceived or existing sins. The immigration dilemma will top AMLOs to-do list. It involves Mexicans in the United States, those still leaving Mexico in large, though smaller, numbers and mainly Central Americans, fleeing from violence and poverty in their countries. The Honduran caravan held up at Mexicos northern border is a symptom of this challenge. Mr. Lopez Obrador may accept Washingtons demands for Mexico to act as a de facto safe third country, that is, where those seeking asylum in the United States are indefinitely parked, even if they do not wish to remain in Mexico (and Mexico is anything but a safe country for them). Or else, he faces the threat of border closings or Mr. Trump ripping up the U.S.M.C.A., or both. Friday, November 30, 2018 at 6:26PM Spotifys out-of-home Wrapped campaign is here and we get to see some of the quirky listening habits of its users. Like how one user is listening to a clam meditation instead of a calm one to get through the year. This campaign is going to be launched across digital and social platforms and puts the spotlight on 50 artists including Ariana Grande, Post Malone, and Shakira. The campaign will be coming to different countries like Canada, Australia, the US, Brazil, and the UK. According to June Sauvaget, global head of consumer marketing for Spotify, the Wrapped campaign is a true representation of the companys proposition to be a platform for discovery. Its also the brands way of saying thank you to its users for its impact on shaping the platform this past year. Some of the fun takeaways from the campaign include 3,754 Laurel playlists created vs. 1,059 Yanny playlists created and for users God is definitely a woman with God is a woman fan-made playlists numbered at 28,802, while there are nine playlists that claim God is a man. Also, someone made an Its [sic] the royal wedding tomorrow!!! playlist 22 days after the wedding. Source: Taxi Wheres Sean Hannity when you need him to be embarrassed for his country? At least Obamas Russia policy was philosophically consonant with a longer liberal tradition of relative dovishness in U.S. relations with Moscow. And at least Obama came around, albeit much too late, to seeing Russia as the enemy that it is. The abiding mystery with Trump is why he continually attempts to ignore outrages, finesse differences and curry personal favor with Putin. Ideologically it makes no sense: Conservatives have been hawkish on Russia since the days of Warren Harding and V. I. Lenin. Politically it makes no sense: A pro-Russia policy has no domestic constituency. Policy-wise, it makes no sense: Trump has actively fought Senate Republicans and his own senior advisers over taking a tougher Russia line. (The sanctions enacted last year were forced on him over his fierce objections.) Psychologically, it makes no sense: If theres one thing Trump detests, its being mocked and derided as a weakling and the creature of stronger, smarter adversaries. Hence the only other sensical hypothesis namely, Trumps self-interest which even conservatives need to admit has become much more plausible following Michael Cohens guilty plea this week. The presidents former fixer now admits that he lied to Congress over the timing and extent of his efforts to make contacts and win contracts in Moscow on behalf of the Trump Organization, which lasted until at least June 2016, after Trump had essentially clinched the Republican nomination for president. By then questions about his Russia ties were fast becoming a political liability. Now the president and his apologists are mounting an astonishing defense accusing Cohen of being a liar while insisting there was nothing wrong with the very business dealings Trump previously lied about. If Cohen is lying, why does the president now freely admit to the truth of Cohens claims? If there was nothing wrong with the dealings, why did candidate Trump repeatedly deny them? The contradiction here would be too inane to mention if it werent also insidious. Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus. If the president tacitly admits to lying about his business interests in Russia, its unsafe to assume anything else he says about those ties is true. As President Trump prepares to meet his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, at the G-20 gathering in Argentina this weekend , tough American tariffs and a broader bilateral trade relationship are at the top the agenda. But what about concerns that the Trump administration has expressed in the past over Beijings repression and mass internment of Uighurs and other Muslims? Some of Mr. Trumps top lieutenants, like Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have called attention to the Uighurs plight, but given the presidents fixation on tariffs, he may well decide to hold his fire about the Uighurs to appease Mr. Xi in pursuit of a trade deal. So its no surprise that the White House is refusing to say whether the Uighurs will be on the agenda. The dilemma Mr. Trump faces has some faint echoes from 1989, when President George H.W. Bush had to figure out how to recalibrate relations with China after the Tiananmen Square massacre. Of course, Mr. Trump lacks the experience or subtlety that Mr. Bush a former director of the C.I.A. and envoy to China brought to that fraught diplomatic moment. Mr. Bush wanted to safeguard the underlying geopolitical relationship, his secretary of state, James Baker, wrote in October. Still, Mr. Baker added, The United States could not be viewed as a cynical paper tiger on human rights. HELENA, Mont. A wild wolf known as 926F, dear to the hearts of wolf watchers who visit Yellowstone, was killed by a hunter as it wandered just outside the park last weekend. A member of the Lamar Canyon pack in the national parks northeast region, 926F was the daughter of 832F, an alpha female that had become a celebrity, famous for her hunting prowess and for her frequent appearances along the road traveled by tourists in the parks Lamar Valley. While wolf biologists called the mother 832F, the she-wolf was famously known as 06 for the year she was born. The subject of the book American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West, she was killed by a hunter as well. Everybodys mourning, everybodys thinking about what to do to stop this madness, said Karol Miller, who founded a group of wolf lovers on Facebook called The 06 Legacy. People love the Lamar Canyon Pack and people know 06 from her New York Times obituary. These are the descendants of 06, her legacy. People love those wolves. Ms. Miller said that both candidates had five days to file a legal challenge to the results. And if the court decided the recount went as it should have, and the race was still a tie? The prevailing candidate would be determined by lot, Ms. Miller said. It could be a coin toss or some other way of deciding, as long as its random. It would not be the first time an Alaska race was determined by coin toss. In 2006, State Representative Bryce Edgmon, a Democrat from Dillingham, beat the incumbent, Carl Moses. Mr. Mosess name was drawn, so he got to make the call: Heads. The states elections director at the time flipped an Alaska Mint medallion the side with a walrus being heads and the side with the state seal being tails. It landed state seal side up. Ms. Miller would not speculate about when the recount would be complete, but said both candidates were present, along with observers and officials. Mr. LeBon did not respond to requests for comment on Friday. Sara Harriger, a spokeswoman for Ms. Dodge, said in a statement that during Fridays recount, one additional vote was found for Ms. Dodge and a challenged ballot was allowed for her opponent, Mr. LeBon, which meant that the tally stood at 2,662 apiece. Still tied. Ms. Dodge said in a statement that she believed every legally cast ballot should be counted. I just want everyone watching this process to take away a sense of confidence in our democratic system and a commitment to cast their votes in future races, she said, and knowing that their votes will matter. The continuing case of Mr. Low and 1MDB is complex, with federal prosecutors unsealing an indictment against him and an associate in November, and extracting a guilty plea from a former Goldman Sachs banker who was involved in bribes and kickbacks related to 1MDB bond work. Mr. Broidys involvement, which predates Mr. Lows indictment, underscores both Mr. Lows efforts to navigate the United States judicial system, and the far-flung nature of Mr. Broidys business pursuits in the early days of the Trump administration. In March 2017, Mr. Lows associates were looking to retain someone with political influence, according to a Friday filing. Their goal was to help him deflect efforts by American authorities to seize assets bought with money he was accused of siphoning from 1MDB, and to end the Justice Department investigation into his activities, according to the filings. They indicate that, after Mr. Low expressed interest in hiring Mr. Broidy and Ms. Rosenzweigs law firm, Mr. Michel met with Mr. Broidy and an associate and explained Jho Lows situation in the 1MDB matters. Mr. Broidy indicated to Michel that although he was willing to assist Jho Low, he would not take any compensation directly from Jho Low in exchange for his services, according to the filings. They indicate that Mr. Broidy wanted $15 million in compensation, but Michel negotiated the price down to approximately $8 million. At least $6 million was transferred to Ms. Rosenzweigs law firm through various accounts set up to disguise the true source, origin and purpose of the funds, and, specifically, to conceal from U.S. financial institutions Jho Lows ownership, control and affiliation with these funds and transactions, according to the filings. A draft agreement called for a $75 million success fee to be paid to Mr. Broidy if the investigation was resolved within 180 days, or $50 million if it was resolved within 365 days. Mr. Broidy traveled to Thailand in May 2017 to meet with Mr. Low and Mr. Michel, and he indicated that he would sit down with Jho Lows legal team and figure out the best way to get to a settlement on the 1MDB matters, according to the filings. Mr. Michel indicated that Mr. Broidy agreed to try to influence a potential nominee for a federal position that would have authority over the 1MDB forfeiture matters, according to the filings, which note that the potential office holder was not nominated. O.S.C.s guidance was not intended to prevent all discussions of impeachment in the federal workplace, the revised guidance said, adding: Merely discussing impeachment, without advocating for or against its use against such a candidate, is not political activity. For example, two employees may discuss whether reported conduct by the president warrants impeachment and express an opinion about whether the president should be impeached without engaging in political activity. However, it said, employees may not display in their offices posters that call for the impeachment of Mr. Trump, or place a Dont Impeach Trump bumper sticker on a government-owned vehicle. [Read the clarification and the original Hatch Act guidance issued this week.] The revised guidance also said that some uses of the resist slogan remained permissible, so long as it was being used in relation to an issue rather than to Mr. Trump. It offered, as acceptable uses of the slogan because the context was not a political campaign, the examples #ResistHate and #ResistKavanaugh. The clarification came as the agency issued findings that six members of the Trump administration had violated the Hatch Act for using Mr. Trumps Make America Great Again slogan in Twitter posts, based on its reasoning that the slogan amounted to endorsing his campaign. At the same time, the office cleared Mick Mulvaney, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, for using the term MAGAnomics in an opinion column, ruling that its context was Mr. Trumps economic program rather than his 2020 re-election effort. Against that backdrop, not all critics of the guidance initially issued this week were mollified. Among them, Austin Evers, the executive director of American Oversight, a nonpartisan watchdog group, said in a statement that the rules remained unclear and called on the office to withdraw all the guidance and start over. WASHINGTON Colin Allred of Texas brought his pink quartz from the campaign trail. Sharice Davids of Kansas dropped to the floor for a lightning round of push-ups. And Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, in her lucky jeans, paused to rub a colleagues bald head for an extra boost of support. (Hes got a lucky head, she said later of Max Rose of New York.) Of everything the 85 newly elected representatives had endured in the last two weeks of congressional orientation welcoming parties, the maze of Capitol Hill tunnels, leadership elections the lottery on Friday had perhaps the highest stakes. Who gets the best office? Forget coveted committee assignments and leadership positions. The concern of the hour was over who could land a picturesque view, or a spacious lobby to woo colleagues and constituents alike. Not to mention the quickest commute to votes or, more important, the Dunkin Donuts in the basement of the Longworth House Building. WASHINGTON The Department of Homeland Security formally asked the Pentagon on Friday to extend the mission of active-duty troops on the southwest border through the end of January. If Defense Secretary Jim Mattis approves the request, as one Pentagon official said was expected, at least some of the military forces will spend the Christmas holidays on the border. In a statement, Katie Waldman, a Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman, said the request would ensure the military mission remains aligned with the current situation on the border, where the troops have been building barriers ahead of an arriving caravan of migrants from Central America. The troops are also backing up Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents who might need protection even though most of the soldiers and Marines are not carrying guns. SEOUL, South Korea A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea on Saturday morning, fleeing across the countries heavily armed land border, officials said. South Korean soldiers guided the North Korean to safety after they found him walking across the eastern sector of the Demilitarized Zone, the buffer zone separating the Koreas, the South Korean military said in a brief statement. South Korean officials planned to debrief him to try to determine his motive for defecting, the military said. There was no unusual movement from the North Korean Army at the time the soldier crossed, it said. Although more than 32,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea, most have done so through China, eventually making their way to a South Korean embassy in another country. It is rare for defectors to cross the Demilitarized Zone, which is fortified by layers of barbed-wire fences, minefields and armed sentries on both sides. [Want the Canada Letter in your inbox every week? Subscribe here.] In the past, early retirement was often a ready and sometimes welcome prospect to major layoffs in the auto sector. But the wave of layoffs that followed G.M.s bankruptcy a decade ago means a majority of workers at the company today are nowhere near retirement age, according to Unifor, the workers union. Retraining has already been raised. General Motors said on Thursday that it will set up a program with schools in Oshawa to turn assembly line workers into mechanics for car dealerships. But while there is certainly a shortage of qualified mechanics, it seems unlikely that dealerships will need more than 2,500 of them. I think we have to view with suspicion plans to retrain employees, because weve heard that story before, Scott Aquanno, a political scientist at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, who has studied previous G.M. layoffs, told me. The opportunities for high-paying jobs are slim. And while Oshawa, like many Canadian cities, is trying to turn itself into a hub for technology industries, Mr. Aquanno said even if that effort is successful, its unlikely to help many G.M. workers. BAGHDAD The Iraqi authorities released a video on Friday with the confession of a recently captured Islamic State operative who was involved in a notorious incident in which captured Kurdish soldiers were put in cages and paraded around a northern Iraqi city by hooded Islamic State fighters. At the time, early 2015, the Islamic State was threatening to burn them to death much as they had done two months earlier to a Jordanian pilot who had been captured, caged and then set on fire in Syria. It is not clear how the Kurdish captives were killed. The captured operative, Jamal al-Mashadani, who was known by the nom de guerre Abu Hamza al-Kurdi, was an officer in President Saddam Husseins security apparatus before joining Al Qaeda in Iraq after Mr. Husseins fall. Mr. Mashadani later shifted his loyalty to the Islamic State. He is one of a relatively small number of midlevel and higher level officials to have been captured by the Iraqis, the Americans or through the combined efforts of American and Iraqi intelligence services. Five other Islamic State officials were captured in May. The Iraqis have also captured several thousand lower-level fighters. Many other Islamic State officials and fighters were killed in battle. Congo Tales, a new book published recently by Prestel, began as a call to action to save the Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the heart of the Congo Basin, which is the second-largest tropical forest in the world after the Amazon, from the threats of climate change. It soon became a book about the stories of the people who live there. Image Credit... Sonny Figueroa/The New York Times A team including Pieter Henket, a Dutch photographer; Eva Vonk, a Dutch producer; Steve Regis Kovo NSonde, a Congolese artist and philosopher; his brother Wilfried NSonde, a Congolese writer and musician; and a group of conservationists and researchers spent five years in the basin. There, they collected and translated the tales of the people of the Mbomo region. The stories were then edited by the NSonde brothers, a job suited to the pair who grew up with stories passed down from their grandmother. SUNDAY PUZZLE This is Paul Coulters first Sunday puzzle for The Times, and hes got enough theme to fill one of those giant puzzlerama things that we run every year in print (I think its due in two weeks). What he couldnt fit here he generously shares with us in his notes, so dont miss them, but dont skip to them either unless you got the gist of everything and are just coming here to weigh in yourself. O.K., is that too many weird rules? Sorry please enjoy. Tricky Clues There was plenty of interesting fill today, some of it very challenging. I liked the clues for TRIP, MANE, SILL, NEST, BREWER and a bunch of others. I also appreciated HERA and ARES crossing, and LEA and SWARD almost combining to make a meadow. I mixed up some tiny fill (ESP for PSI, notably, which made PEPA elusive; ANT, the clue for which I still dont get). 21A: I felt such consternation about this entry; I learned that spesso in Italian meant often, and it just didnt fit. The ARIA is frequently sung in Italian, though. He is a son of Patricia A. Mastrandrea and Vincent A. Mastrandrea of Villa Hills, Ky. The grooms mother is a clinical project manager at LBR Regulatory and Clinical Consulting Services in Florence, Ky. His father retired as a customer service agent for Delta Air Lines at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron, Ky. Considering that the couple met in Malaysia, though both were born in New York and she was living in Taiwan at the time while he was on an extended international backpacking trip, its probably not that surprising that a geographic misunderstanding surfaced early in their relationship. In 2013, their paths crossed at a hostel in Kuala Lumpur that is known for its rooftop bar and party atmosphere. She was on her way to Nepal for a hiking trip, and he was headed to Bali to celebrate his birthday. He told her he was from Cincinnati. She told him that she taught English to schoolchildren in Taipei. We had things in common were both originally from Long Island, we have similar world views, were outward looking and really progressive, we like minimalist living, and are interested in politics, she said, noting that the two stayed up until 3 or 4 in the morning talking. There was just something about him that reminded me of New York, and of home. The two commenced a friendship through Facebook messages, and some weeks later, when she was back in Taipei, he suggested that he might visit Taiwan for a week or so. When the World Health Organization declared Dec. 1 World AIDS Day in 1988, the disease was already a global pandemic. By the end of that year, 82,362 cases of AIDS had been reported in the United States, and more than 61,000 people had died nationwide. In the 30 years since, the disease has killed an estimated 35.4 million people in all, including more than 700,000 in the United States . Today, there are still some 36.9 million people living with H.I.V. and AIDS around the world. The war is far from over in the United States. If current trends continue, half of all black gay and bisexual men will be living with HIV during their lifetimes. The epidemic is hitting hardest in the South, the region of our country with the fewest resources to combat it. James Estrin, the co-editor of The New York Timess Lens blog and a senior staff photographer, was a young freelancer when he began covering the AIDS crisis for the paper. Being a photographer, what you hold on to is the hope that your image had an effect or changed things, he said recently. Thats what you want, but rarely can you measure that effect. What you can know is that if your images were published in The New York Times, people wont be able to say they didnt know. Thats good and thats enough. We asked three Times photographers and one reporter who covered the AIDS crisis as the epidemic escalated to reflect on how they navigated what was then an unknown and terrifying world. Hydroxyurea is already on the World Health Organizations essential medicines list, is available in generic form for about 50 cents a pill and can be stored at room temperature, Dr. Ware said. If this study raises interest in buying millions of additional doses for use in Africa, the drug could presumably be made far more cheaply, he added. Even though the study was fairly large, it had some limitations. It was intended to prove only that the drug was safe for children aged 1 to 10. It was not designed to test various dosages to find the ideal one, nor to determine how many lab tests are needed to monitor children taking the drug, nor to determine the long-term effects. So further work will be needed, researchers said. Also, the research was done without a placebo control a group of similar children not getting the drug. Oversight boards in the four test countries felt it would be unethical to deny the drug to any child, since it was known to work elsewhere, said Dr. Leon Tshilolo, a pediatric hematologist at the Monkole Hospital Center in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and the studys lead author. To compensate for the lack of a placebo group, the researchers watched children for two months before starting them on hydroxyurea. That established the baseline rates at which the children normally suffered pain crises, needed blood transfusions and got malaria or other infections. The results mean survival will be better even in very low-resource settings, Dr. Tshilolo said. Image Dr. Leon Tshilolo, a pediatric hematologist at the Monkole Hospital Center in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo with a patient. Hydroxyurea was originally developed to fight blood cancers like leukemia, and people taking it must be monitored to make sure that it does not dangerously lower their white blood cell and platelet counts. Starting over was not easy, and she has struggled in the years since. I was just lost, she said. She did not know the language and missed her family, she said. But as she began taking English classes, a new life began to emerge. The Bellevue program introduced her to a lawyer at the Davis Polk law firm who helped process her asylum request. She bounced from room to room, apartment to apartment, working odd jobs, from restaurants to the mailroom at Goldman Sachs, to survive. She also enrolled at City College of New York as a full-time student to study international affairs. In 2010, her grandmother, Therese Mboke, also won political asylum in the United States. In debt, out of work, and now with a newborn son and her grandmother to look after, Ms. Edjuku found herself in a homeless shelter for a year. The family moved into their current apartment in 2014. Ms. Edjukus son, Anthony, is now 7 years old. This summer, the YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood, a beneficiary agency of UJA-Federation of New York, one of eight organizations supported by The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund, used $2,675 in Neediest funds to help provide three weeks of summer camp for Anthony at Camp Twelve Trails in Pearl River, N.Y. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] As soaring crime overwhelmed New York Citys courts in the 1970s, state lawmakers came up with a fix to speed things up. The State Legislature decided that people facing less than six months in jail would have their cases decided by a single judge rather than a jury. That law has had the unintended effect of depriving immigrants in the city of jury trials for crimes like prostitution and harassment, even though they face the stiff punishment of deportation if convicted, advocates for immigrants said. This week New York States highest court carved out an exception to the law, declaring in a 5-2 decision that noncitizens are entitled to jury trials for deportable offenses under the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right to a trial by an impartial jury. Immigrant advocates and civil rights lawyers hailed the ruling as giving all immigrants, not just those charged with serious crimes, an avenue under the Constitution to fight charges that could lead to their removal from the country and permanent separation from their families. But critics said it gave them more rights than citizens have and might lead to bigger backlogs in the criminal courts. The Cohen memo offered no new revelations about alleged misconduct involving the president, but it shed new light on Mr. Cohens role in the various investigations being conducted into Mr. Trump and his inner circle, and on his frequent contact with the presidents legal counsel and advisers as he prepared for congressional testimony that he later admitted was false. The document provided a detailed, on-the-record glimpse of what took place between Mr. Cohen and Mr. Trump in relation to arranging payments to two women who said during the 2016 campaign that they had previously had affairs with the candidate. The memo refers to Woman-1, who appears to be Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who was paid by The National Enquirer for her story. The magazine, whose chief executive, David Pecker, is friends with Mr. Trump, then killed the story. The memo mentions that Client-1, as Mr. Trump is described throughout, did not reimburse the corporation that owns the tabloid for the payments to her, as he had agreed to. The document depicts Mr. Cohen as an unsophisticated and flawed man who was trying to please an exacting, demanding and powerful boss: Mr. Trump. Mr. Cohens lawyers wrote that he realized his guilt in lying to Congress about the duration of his involvement with a Trump Tower project he was exploring for Moscow. Mr. Cohen consulted with White House staff members and Mr. Trumps legal counsel as he prepared for his false congressional testimony, though it did not identify the lawyer, according to the memo. The document did not say if Mr. Cohen was asked to lie, nor did it identify which counsel he spoke with. But the lawyers wrote that Mr. Cohen had consulted with Mr. Trumps aides because he knew the president wanted to dismiss and minimize the merit of the special counsels inquiry, and that Mr. Trump and his aides were seeking to portray contact with Russian representatives in any form by Client-1, the campaign or the Trump Organization as having effectively terminated before the Iowa caucuses of Feb. 1, 2016. His guests were just about everything George H.W. Bush had never been, and never could be: ideological, hard edged and spoiling for a partisan revolution. It was the spring of 1989, and Newt Gingrich, a young congressman from Georgia, had been elected the House Republican whip, a key leadership post in the Washington of the 41st president. Mr. Bush, who was more comfortable in the fading moderate precincts of the Republican Party, didnt know Mr. Gingrich well, but the perennially hospitable president invited him and Vin Weber, the Minnesota Republican congressman who had managed Mr. Gingrichs whip campaign, down to the White House for a beer. The conversation was pleasant, but the visitors felt there was something Bush was not quite saying. Mr. Weber decided to put the question to the president directly. Mr. President, youve been very nice to us, Mr. Weber said as they were preparing to leave. Tell us what your biggest fear is about us. Well, Mr. Bush answered, Im worried that sometimes your idealism will get in the way of what I think is sound governance. In the most polite way possible, in a single sentence, Mr. Bush had summarized his anxiety that when politics and principle clashed, politics was going to win. Mr. Weber recalled that he appreciated the presidents use of the word idealism he hadnt said extremism or partisanship, though that was what he meant. The two congressmen represented a harsh new kind of politics that would, in five years time, lead to the first Republican takeover of the House in four decades. By then George Bush would be back in Texas, a one-term president done in by the right wing of his own party a conservative cabal that rebelled against Mr. Bushs statesmanlike deal with Democrats to raise some taxes in exchange for spending controls to rein in the deficit. Kinder. Gentler. Those were words that George H.W. Bush famously used in his inaugural speech, when he was sworn in as the 41st president of the United States. I say famously not because the verbiage was particularly visionary, but because it evolved, over the years, into a shorthand for his philosophy, for his character, for what the Republican Party needed to be and for what he wanted to make it. The words fell into a passage of the speech that, in relation to the American carnage of the current presidents oratory, seems both quaint and exotic and makes you yearn for an earlier time. America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle, Bush told the crowd arrayed in front of the Capitol on Jan. 20, 1989. We as a people have such purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the nation and gentler the face of the world. Kinder. Gentler. How often those of us who write about politics subsequently riffed off those adjectives so often that editors would strike them from our copy, telling us that they had been utterly played out, that they had tumbled from the realm of the descriptive into the dustbin of the cliched. They were our ignoble way to mock the dissonance between his and other Republicans gooey rhetorical flourishes and their actual actions. They were our yardstick for measuring the partys shortfall. They were our rod for flogging it. But in reality and in retrospect, Bush was a kinder and gentler breed of leader. He believed in courtesy, as any lawmaker who dealt with him and any journalist who repeatedly crossed paths with him can attest. He believed in manners, not merely as an outgrowth of his patrician background and not principally in a fussy way, but because he saw them as an expression of respect. To read his voluminous letters is to encounter a man who cared deeply about that about precedent, propriety, tradition. And, yes, about kindness. Along the banks of the Godavari River, near the city of Rajahmundry in the eastern India state of Andhra Pradesh, stands a museum built in the memory of Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton. As commissioner for irrigation there in the 1840s, Cotton brought water to Andhras parched lands, turning them into Indias rice bowl. An engineer in the East India Companys army, he did this by restoring and expanding an ancient network of dams and canals along Indias great southern rivers: the Kaveri, the Krishna and the Godavari. Motivated by a belief that science would pave the way for rural capitalism, he envisaged a landscape transformed. And so it was. But his dreams didnt stop with those projects. In the 1870s, Cotton proposed building a series of canals to connect Himalayan rivers to the southern tip of India and another to connect the Brahmaputra with the Yangtze through Assam and Yunnan. A stingy British colonial government dismissed his plans as unrealistic. Nearly 150 years later, the dream persists. It is like a ghost behind contemporary Indias plan to link some of its biggest rivers, at an estimated cost of nearly $90 billion. India is not alone in its ambitions. Hungry for energy and threatened by an acute shortage of fresh water, other Asian nations are competing to harness the power of the Himalayan rivers, on which more than half a billion people depend directly for sustenance. Reflecting on this change, in 1958 the Supreme Court, in Leng May Ma v. Barber, held that physical detention of aliens is now the exception, not the rule, pointing out that certainly this policy reflects the humane qualities of an enlightened civilization. How did we move so far away from the notion that detention and not just family separation and tear-gassing is inhumane? How did holding more than 40,000 migrants behind bars come to be seen as normal? The answer lies with the migration of Cubans and Haitians in the 1980s. The change was prompted by the Mariel Boatlift, when approximately 125,000 Cubans fled for the United States in a highly politicized migration that garnered national and international media attention and inspired fear among many Americans. The unfolding of these events can be seen in the stories of individuals like Alberto Herrera, who shared his experiences with Mark Hamm, a professor of criminology at Indiana State. During the 1980s, Americans came to see Mr. Herrera and hundreds of other Cuban exiles as such a dangerous threat that they once again turned to detention as an acceptable way to manage immigration. Born in Havana in 1952, Mr. Herrera was the eldest of seven children. Like many an elder sibling, he felt responsible for his familys well-being. But life in Cuba was hard and he was regularly unemployed. His family often went hungry. At the age of 18, he decided to do something about it: He walked into a government grocery store in Havana, hid two pounds of goat cheese under his jacket and fled. He did not get far. He was arrested and imprisoned for seven years. When he was released, he was even less prepared to find a job than he had been before spending time in prison. On Sept. 21, 1979, less than five months after his release, Mr. Herrera was sentenced to 13 years for stealing two pairs of pants. But on June 24, 1980, Mr. Herreras luck seemed to change. That day, a guard came to his cell and told him that he was going to be placed on a boat headed to the United States. Mr. Herrera didnt know it, but two months earlier, Fidel Castros government had announced that anyone who desired to leave Cuba could depart from the port of Mariel. In response, thousands of Cuban emigres who were living in Florida set out in shrimpers, yachts and sailboats to pick up their relatives. When the emigres arrived at the port of Mariel, however, the Cuban government informed them that if they wanted to take their relatives to the United States, they also had to transport anyone else the government wanted them to take. On some of those boats, government officials forcibly placed mentally ill individuals and prison inmates, including Mr. Herrera. After a period of quiet, the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation is seizing headlines yet again. In the past week, we learned that Paul Manafort, Donald Trumps former campaign chairman, broke the terms of his cooperation agreement by lying to Mr. Muellers investigators, all while his lawyer was briefing Mr. Trumps legal team on what Mr. Manafort told the special counsel. The conservative author Jerome Corsi, facing possible indictment, made public a potential draft plea agreement with Mr. Mueller that contains incendiary allegations of attempted coordination between Mr. Corsi and the Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone with WikiLeaks. We also learned that Mr. Mueller had reached a plea agreement with Michael Cohen, Mr. Trumps former lawyer, for lying to Congress about the Trump Organizations plans to construct a property in Moscow plans that extended into the 2016 campaign and reportedly involved an effort to give Vladimir Putin the gift of a $50 million penthouse apartment. Mr. Muellers team has given no hint of whats to come next. The National Archives recent unsealing of a road map by the Watergate special prosecutor Leon Jaworski provided to Congress in 1974 to inform potential impeachment proceedings against Richard Nixon has fueled speculation on what a Mueller report might look like, but the question remains: Just where is all this going? From the day the Mueller investigation began, opponents of the president have hungered for that report, or an indictment waiting just around the corner, as the source text for an incantation to whisk Mr. Trump out of office and set everything back to normal again. The evidence that the special counsel has so far made public is damning enough. Yet even as the investigation seems to gather momentum, it has become increasingly clear that whatever findings Mr. Mueller reaches will be only a small piece of a much larger political puzzle. But the more common reason a certain kind of Trump supporter accepted his anti-corruption pitch was less conspiratorial and more cynical. Hes bad but theyre all like that, the whole elite class is rotten, so why not send a grifter to catch a bunch of grifters? That hasnt worked out; it turns out that when you send a businessman-grifter into the world of political grifters he hires some of the worst of them to help him with the fleecing. But there is one odd way in which Trumps supporters have gotten what they wanted. Trump isnt draining the swamp himself, but the shock of his ascent has created swamp-draining conditions in which other corruptions have suddenly been exposed, and there have been many deserved falls from grace. This exposure has vindicated some of the public cynicism that made Trumps rise possible because in many cases the newly-exposed scandals were open secrets, known to those in the know, and in some cases they were as baroquely grotesque as any Reddit fantasy. (Like, what if Harvey Weinsteins whole movie empire was just a procurement agency, and what if he hired ex-Mossad agents to stalk one of the stars of Charmed ?) The story of rich-guy pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, just written up in exhaustive detail by The Miami Herald, is a perfect example a pedophilia scandal hidden in plain sight, in which a wealthy abuser got off with a slap on the wrist because he had a bipartisan group of allies and there was an incentive not to embarrass the powerful people who might have frequented his parties or taken rides on his plane. A crucial player, the prosecutor who let Epstein slide, is now the Trump administrations labor secretary but instead of being a seedy Trumpworld figure, Alexander Acosta is an eminently respectable, big-law figure. Not a grifter; just an exemplar of the American elite. In 2016, an American fertility doctor named John Zhang announced that he had gone to Mexico to quietly carry out the procedure on a woman from Jordan with a neurological disease called Leigh syndrome. She gave birth to a boy who appeared healthy. But she and her husband had no interest in letting scientists track the health of their child. We know nothing more of his fate. This history echoed loudly this week, when Dr. He, an assistant professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, told the world that he had made gene-edited babies by altering the DNA of human embryos with a new technology called Crispr. He cut out a small portion of DNA from a gene called CCR5. People who are missing this chunk of genetic material appear to be resistant to infections with H.I.V. Dr. He reasoned that genetically modified babies would resist the virus, too. On Sunday, MIT Technology Review broke the news, followed by a lengthy story by The Associated Press. Dr. He posted a series of triumphant videos online, and on Wednesday, he went to a major gene-editing conference in Hong Kong to show slides with some details of his work. Like the New Jersey fertility doctors before him, Dr. He was roundly condemned for his secretive recklessness. The organizers of the Hong Kong meeting issued a statement Thursday calling the birth of the twins irresponsible. They said Dr. He had designed the study poorly, and they labeled his ethical considerations a failure. Some scientists who watched Dr. He's talk wondered if he might have actually removed the wrong chunk of the CCR5 gene. The Chinese government called the procedure illegal and opened an investigation. I got in touch with Glenn Cohen, a professor at Harvard Law School who studies reproductive technologies, to ask him to guess what happens next. His forecast sounded like a repeat of the mitochondrial replacement story. My sense of what will happen is that across the world there will be strong regulatory action, Professor Cohen told me. He predicted a blanket ban of the technology. People are scared, and when they are scared they make decisions that are not so subtle. Last month, a video was released of two police officers in Elkhart, Ind., repeatedly punching a handcuffed man in the face. The episode was just the latest in a long-troubled police department where nearly all of its supervisors have disciplinary records. This is the sort of problem that Congress sought to address in 1994 when it authorized the Justice Department to overhaul troubled local police agencies under court-monitored consent decrees. These agreements lay out a reform plan negotiated by federal law enforcement officials and the local government. After seeing the videotaped beating, Elkharts mayor, Tim Neese, asked the Indiana State Police for a very thorough and far-reaching investigation of his police department. But the state police turned him down, so he asked the Justice Department for help. His timing could hardly have been worse. Less than three weeks earlier, Jeff Sessions, who was then the attorney general, had sharply limited the Justice Departments ability to use court-ordered agreements to address abuses by local police departments. It was one of his last actions before he stepped down. Mr. Sessions was a longtime opponent of these agreements, complaining that they damaged police morale and smacked of federal overreach. But his critics say his last-minute move is likely to further the Trump administrations efforts to impede police reforms nationally. For instance, the Obama Justice Department had wanted to revamp the police department in Ville Platte, La., where officers have a long history of jailing people without probable cause. But once Mr. Sessions took over, the Justice Department settled on a watered-down version of the ambitious reform plan Obama administration officials had envisioned. As ProPublica has reported , illegal arrests remain a reality of daily life in Ville Platte. The shows will go on. A judge has refused a request by one of the nations largest theater owners to block San Francisco productions of Dear Evan Hansen and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The ruling, issued on Friday in the Court of Chancery in Delaware, pauses, at least for the moment, a bitter dispute between two prominent families, the Nederlanders and the Shorensteins, that were once allied and are now at odds. The two families for decades jointly operated three big commercial theaters in downtown San Francisco, but have been sparring for several years. Now Carole Shorenstein Hays owns and operates the Curran Theater, while the Nederlanders make the decisions at the Orpheum and Golden Gate theaters (although, complicating matters, Ms. Hays still has a 50 percent ownership stake there as well). Nederlander San Francisco took legal action against Ms. Hays not for the first time, but most recently in September, seeking to block her from staging the two blockbuster shows at the Curran, arguing that doing so would violate an agreement between the families restricting competition. After the family of former President George Bush announced his death on Friday night, the tributes and condolences began pouring in. Within hours, students at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University in College Station, Tex., came together somewhat instinctually, according to the school newspaper The Battalion for an on-campus candlelight vigil in his honor. By Saturday, more formal funeral arrangements for the 41st president were taking shape. Mr. Bush, who died at home in Houston, will soon be taken to Washington. President Trump, speaking from the G-20 summit meeting in Buenos Aires on Saturday, said that the plane that is known as Air Force One when the president is aboard will transport Mr. Bushs coffin. Mr. Trump said it was a special tribute that he deserves very much. Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives announced that a bicameral arrival ceremony for Mr. Bush will be held at the United States Capitol in Washington on Monday at 5 p.m. The admiral overseeing American naval operations in the Middle East and Southwest Asia was found dead in Bahrain on Saturday, the Navy said. The officer, Vice Adm. Scott A. Stearney, was found in his residence in Bahrain, Adm. John M. Richardson, the chief of naval operations, said in a statement, noting that no foul play was suspected. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are cooperating on the investigation, Admiral Richardson said. Admiral Stearney, 58, took charge in May of the Navys Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, as well as a broader naval coalition there that includes more than 20,000 United States and allied maritime forces. This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at Fifth Fleet, and for the entire Navy, Admiral Richardson said in the statement. Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior. BUENOS AIRES Former President George Bushs legacy was on display just hours before his death. President Trump signed a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada that was the next generation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Mr. Bush first negotiated nearly three decades ago. As Mr. Trump scrawled his name on the document on Friday, however, he chose not to frame the accord as building on Mr. Bushs accomplishment, but as tearing it down. Rather than the natural update of Nafta, he characterized it as the replacement for a disastrous agreement. The terrible NAFTA will soon be gone, he declared on Twitter. If ever there was a moment when it was clear that Mr. Bushs America has given way to Mr. Trumps America, this is it. Mr. Bushs death at age 94 is the end of an era, the passing of the last of the World War II and Cold War generation to serve as president and the fading of an approach to public life overtaken by the politics of anger, grievance and polarization. [Read the obituary of former President George Bush.] Yet however much he wants to dismantle it, Mr. Trump is still operating within the framework that Mr. Bush helped establish. While he disparaged Nafta, Mr. Trump ultimately accepted Mr. Bushs fundamental concept of knitting together the three great nations of North America in a single, integrated trade bloc. The alliances that Mr. Bush built and bolstered remain in place, however frayed. And a host of civil rights, environmental and other Bush-era laws still govern America. The messages paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urge beneficiaries to check out Medicare Advantage and point to an online tool, the Medicare plan finder, to compare the different options. You may be able to lower your out-of-pocket costs while getting extra benefits, like vision, hearing, dental and prescription coverage, said an email sent to beneficiaries on Wednesday. With Medicare Advantage, says another email, one plan covers all of your care. In small print, the emails say they were created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to people who signed up for email updates from the Medicare team. Seema Verma, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the agency was not favoring private plans over the original government-run Medicare program. We are not steering any Medicare beneficiary anywhere, she said. But Richard S. Foster, who was for many years the nonpartisan chief actuary of the Medicare program, said the emails sounded more like Medicare Advantage plan advertising than objective information from a public agency. WASHINGTON When Michael D. Cohen admitted this past week to lying to Congress about a Russian business deal, he said he had testified falsely out of loyalty to President Trump. When he admitted this summer to lying on campaign finance records about payments to cover up a sex scandal during the campaign, he said it was at Mr. Trumps direction. Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, former senior Trump campaign officials, lied to cover up financial fraud. George Papadopoulos, a former Trump campaign aide, lied in hopes of landing an administration job. And Michael T. Flynn, another adviser, lied about his interactions with a Russian official and about other matters for reasons that remain unclear. If the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, has proved anything in his 18-month-long investigation besides how intensely Russia meddled in an American presidential election it is that Mr. Trump surrounded himself throughout 2016 and early 2017 with people to whom lying seemed to be second nature. They lied to federal authorities even when they had lawyers advising them, even when the risk of getting caught was high and even when the consequences for them were dire. One contestant, Elizabeth James of Tanzania, said she had been forced to change schools as a child when people, staring and pointing, started trailing her home. Another, Okwii Simon Peter, a 26-year-old Ugandan lawyer, said he was taking part to demonstrate that living with albinism does not make him different. Valencia Bosibori, 25, a customer care executive at a telecom firm in Kenya, said she wanted to reach people who dont have that knowledge of what albinism is. They all took part in a groundbreaking beauty pageant, the first Mr. and Miss Albinism East Africa pageant, on Friday night in Kenyas capital, Nairobi. SAO PAULO, Brazil For Natalia and Rubens Ortega, the only remaining question is: Glock or Taurus? The young couple signed up for a gun-training course at a shooting club in Sao Paulo just days after Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right former Army captain, was elected Brazils next president on the strength of his promise to upend the status quo and combat crime. For a population angered by the last few years of political and economic turmoil and worried by escalating violence, Mr. Bolsonaros vow to break with Brazils restrictive attitude toward weapons and make it easier for good guys to own guns was particularly resonant. We want to get back in practice so we can buy a pistol when it happens, said Mr. Ortega, who has joined a wave of Brazilians preparing for a widely expected relaxing of gun restrictions. We just cant decide which one. Mr. Bolsonaros tough-on-crime stance helped catapult him to the head of a splintered race in a country reeling from a record-level epidemic of violence. Last year there were roughly 175 homicides per day in Brazil, according to the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety. Often simulating gunfire with his fingers at campaign rallies, Mr. Bolsonaro said he would combat the homicide epidemic by easing firearm laws and giving the police more freedom to shoot suspects. You are not alone, she told Mrs. Shams. There are many women like you in Afghanistan. In the hours after her healthy daughter was born, Mrs. Shams broke down. I was in pain, but the loneliness of it was much stronger, she said. I cried a lot for being a woman, for being a widow at 22, for being the mother of two girls. I thought about the future, about Shams, about loneliness. She added, I think loneliness is the strongest pain in the world. For Sofia, her firstborn, the baby sister was a welcome distraction. But the older girl still struggled. Every time the phone rang, Sofia would think her father was on the line. She would cry and wanted to talk. More recently, Sofia has stopped asking about him. She hates the phone, and has started referring to her uncle as father. But the reminders of Mr. Shams will always be there, in the framed photos on the wall, in the visits to his grave, her hand in her mothers hand. And in something more personal, her birthday: On April 12, the day her father was killed, Sofia turned 3 years old. Mrs. Shams recently felt a glimmer of hope. A relative told her he could help her find a job as a vaccinator, a small step toward breaking the shackles of dependence and shaping her own future. Days later, the relative was killed in a suicide bombing outside a demonstration in Kabul. I just want to leave this country and go somewhere peaceful, she said. Somewhere where no one is killed and no one loses their life. The good-cop, bad-cop approach did not go over well. A large group of Yellow Vests in Paris marched peacefully with a banner that said, Macron, Stop Taking Us for Stupid People. Asked if this referred to the governments mixed messages, one of the marchers who was holding the edge of the banner said: Of course. Who does he think we are? A Yellow Vest representative from Indres, a department in the center of France, who was interviewed on BFM, a French television network, said that Mr. Macron had to take drastic steps to quell the unrest, recognizing that this is a serious moment for our country. The problem the government faces is that different factions of the Yellow Vests have different demands. While they all want a better standard of living, some are furious at Mr. Macron for what they see as unjust tax policies that help the rich but do nothing for the poor, and they want him out of office. Others are more focused on raising the minimum wage and reducing the amount taken out of employee paychecks to cover social security and related services. Added to that is the reality that many who say they are supportive have not yet come out to demonstrate. While it is possible that this reservoir of supporters will not become activists, if they did the government would be hard put to cope. Even on Saturday, the protesters managed to sustain a cat-and-mouse game with police, leaving the Arc de Triomphe when it was being sprayed with tear gas and water cannons, but popping up elsewhere in the city to spread havoc. For now, however, Mr. Macron sees mainly disadvantages to trying to strike a deal with protesters. Emmanuel Macron regards the presidents of the republic who preceded him as having failed in their reform projects because they gave in to the pressure of the street, said Gerard Noiriel, a historian at the School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences. BERLIN To Germans, the 41st president of the United States, George Bush, was the man who helped ensure the peaceful reunification of their country. To Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union, he exemplified great kindness. To many Kuwaitis, he was a hero for the 100-hour ground war that routed Iraqi forces from their country. On Saturday, as former and current leaders around the globe learned of Mr. Bushs death at 94 on Friday night, their condolences were steeped in praise for the depth of his abilities as a statesman and his refusal to grandstand which commentators noted was in sharp contrast to the tone of the current American administration. Germany owes a lot to George H.W. Bush, Chancellor Angela Merkel wrote in a telegram to President Trump. It was a stroke of luck in German history that he was at the head of the United States of America when the Cold War came to an end and Germanys reunification became possible. Ms. Merkel praised Mr. Bush for recognizing the significance of this historical hour and giving Germans his trust and support. We have a tremendous trade imbalance, but were going to get that straightened out, he said before meeting Ms. Merkel on Saturday morning. We all understand each other. American and Chinese officials conducted quiet talks about a compromise over the last several weeks. But the outcome remained in doubt until the end, when Mr. Trump, flanked by his top aides, sat down with Mr. Xi and his aides to a meal of grilled sirloin and bottles of Malbec. Mr. Trump had veered from optimism to wariness about a deal, sometimes in the course of a single statement. His economic team offered sharply conflicting advice, with moderates like Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin counseling compromise, while hard-liners like Peter Navarro, the White House director of trade, urged him to double down on his pressure. The moderates tried to exclude Mr. Navarro from the trip. But at the dinner in a Buenos Aires hotel, he was there at the table, seated between the national security adviser, John R. Bolton, and the chief of staff, John Kelly. He leaned forward to listen to the president as he urged Mr. Xi to crack down on illicit shipments of the deadly opioid fentanyl. The White House said that Mr. Xi, in a humanitarian gesture, had agreed to designate fentanyl as a controlled substance. China was quick to portray the agreement as a concession by Mr. Trump. Wang Shouwen, the vice commerce minister, said the president had agreed to revoke his plan to raise tariffs on certain Chinese goods to 25 percent, according to Reuters. The Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, said, China is willing to expand imports according to the needs of the domestic market and the people, which he said would gradually ease the problem of trade imbalance. The Trump administration cannot compel states and cities to cooperate with federal immigration authorities as a condition for receiving millions of dollars in federal law enforcement funds, a New York federal judge ruled on Friday. The ruling by Judge Edgardo Ramos of Federal District Court in Manhattan is a victory for New York City and the states of New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington, which had sued the administration over the conditions in July. Judge Ramos is at least the fourth federal judge to rule against the Trump administration on the issue. Judge Ramos ordered the administration to award the funds without conditions. Todays decision is a major win for New Yorkers public safety, Attorney General Barbara Underwood of New York said in a statement. The Justice Department could not immediately be reached for comment. The lawsuits concern Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, which provide federal funds for state and local law enforcement. Sheryl Sandber Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg may have known more about recent attempts made by a research firm to discredit the site's critics by linking them to George Soros than previously acknowledged, and personally requested that communications staff research the billionaire financiers financial ties, according to a Nov. 29 report by the New York Times. The latest development in the platforms worsening reputation woes focused on a series of emails exchanged between Sandberg and a Facebook senior executive in January, where the COO requested research into what Soros potentially stood to gain from criticizing the company. Those emails were later forwarded to other Facebook communications and policy staff. Soros in January had delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum, where he described Facebook as a menace and called for tightened government regulation of the platform after it became a hotbed for Russia-government-linked attempts to disrupt and influence the 2016 presidential election. Those emails seemed to contradict a blog post written by Sandberg earlier this month, where the COO initially said she did not know that Facebook had hired research firm Definers Public Affairs to discredit the sites critics or had any idea about the work they were doing, though, she admits, I should have. Sandbergs statement was in response to a bombshell Nov. 14 New York Times investigation that reveled the social media giant had hired Definers, a Republican-linked research consultancy, to explore any potential financial ties Facebooks critics may have to Soros. In response to the report, critics blasted Facebook for playing into long-running anti-Semitic conspiracy theories surrounding the liberal billionaire that have frequently circulated fringe corners of the web. Facebook quickly severed its ties with Definers following publication of the NYT article. Washington-based Definers was launched in 2015 by Matt Rhoades, who was formerly campaign manager to Mitt Romneys 2012 presidential run. Rhoades was previously VP at conservative D.C. lobbying and PR firm DCI Group. Definers, for its part, denied that it had conducting opposition research for Facebook, and said its primary goal consisted mainly of running a large-scale news alert service for the platform, which included media monitoring and public relations around public policy issues facing the company. Facebook in a statement yesterday said Definers had merely researched potential motivations into Soross attacks on Facebook. Specifically, whether Soros was betting against Facebooks stock. Mr. Soros is a prominent investor and we looked into his investments and trading activity related to Facebook, the company said. That research was already underway when Sheryl sent an email asking if Mr. Soros had shorted Facebooks stock. Facebook also said that while Sandberg takes full responsibility for any activity that happened on her watch, she did not personally direct any research on anti-Facebook groups, according to the Times report. Utica, N.Y. The Utica Municipal Housing Authoritys AmeriCorps Program has received an increase in grant funding that will double its size, enabling it to enroll up to 20 full-time members. The program will hold an AmeriCorps member recruitment fair on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 3-7 p.m. at the Chancellor Apartments Community Room, 417 Bleecker St., Utica. Attendees are encouraged to bring their resumes. Members will start their 11-month term of service starting in January 2019. The grant originally was awarded in 2012 in the amount of $136,252 per year for 11 full time members. To serve more community residents, the Utica MHA was approved for a new grant award of $264,514 which will deploy 20 full-time members. The program receives funding from the U.S. Corporation for National and Community Service, which is administered in New York State by the NYS Commission on National and Community Service as well as the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. The United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica also provides funding for it. In its seventh year of implementation, the UMHA AmeriCorps Program serves residents in the three county area of Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison counties. AmeriCorps is a program that engages more than 80,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country. AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance, fringe benefits, an education award, health insurance, childcare, and professional development opportunities. AmeriCorps members have the opportunity to gain personal and professional development skills, take on leadership roles, receive training and mentoring in paraprofessional case management and service coordination, work with community partners, and build professional networks. AmeriCorps members must be at least 18 years of age and the program is recruiting a wide range of members including seniors, young people, people changing careers, and others who want to make a difference in their communities. The program has both full and part-time slots available. In the Utica MHA program, AmeriCorps members help people move out of poverty by focusing on community needs such as economic opportunity, poverty reduction, human services, housing, financial literacy, job development, service coordination, youth, elderly and disabled, and veteran services. Members will also be assigned to work at local agencies serving the disabled, refugees, and immigrants as well as the Utica Public Library Outreach Center, public housing developments, and other locations through the UMHA Homeless Street Outreach Program. For more information on AmeriCorps, call 315-982-3731. Resumes may be sent to: applyamericorps@gmail.com or dropped off at 509 2nd St., Utica, N.Y. 13501. Applications are due Dec. 21, 2018. Members may also apply online through https://my.americorps.gov. Applicants should use Internet Explorer, select the Apply to Serve button, and search the listings for the Utica Public Housing AmeriCorps Program. The AmeriCorps Program is also seeking nonprofit organizations, colleges, schools, health care providers, Native American tribes, and government agencies in Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison Counties to serve as host sites for AmeriCorps members. For more information, contact John Furman at jfurman@uticamha.org or call 315-982-3731. Hamilton, N.Y. In November, Community Memorial Family Health Centers welcomed Marla Smith, certified family health nurse practitioner to the Morrisville Family Health Center, located at 3460 South St. Were excited to add Marla Smith to our Family Health Center teams, said Dr. Michael Walsh, DO, vice president of Provider Integrated Services. Smith is not only great for our organization, but has a strong passion for providing patient-centered care that embodies the whole person. Smith comes to the Community Memorial organization with more than 18 years of experience in primary care, case management and medical staff supervision. She completed her nursing degree and Masters in Family and Adult Nurse Practitioner program at SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica/Rome Campus and is certified as a nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Smith began her career as a registered nurse in the Emergency Room at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Utica and more recently as a family health nurse practitioner with Mohawk Valley Health Systems at their Hempden Place location in Utica. I love taking care of patients as a whole and I am interested in their entire health, said Smith. I have a holistic approach to the way I provide care including a complete health history, taking time to listen and getting to know my patients. It is very rewarding to help patients throughout their lifetime and this approach results in the best outcomes. The Family Health Centers in Cazenovia and Morrisville offer primary and preventative care for newborns to the young-at-heart. All services are directly connected to and supported by Community Memorial Specialties and Hospital Services, and are accessible to the Crouse Health network of services. For more information on the Family Health Center in Morrisville or to schedule an appointment with Marla Smith, contact 315-684-3117 or visit www.communitymemorial.org/healthcenters/morrisville. Canastota, N.Y. With the holiday season starting, those looking to make a donation gift to Wanderers Rest will see their gift matched cent for cent. The Staffworks Charitable Fund Save a Life campaign is matching donations made to Wanderers Rest until Dec. 31, up to a total of $10,000 from individual donors. In addition, the Staffworks Charitable Fund is also awarding a $10,000 bonus to the organization that receives the largest number of donations from individual donors and a $10,000 bonus to the organization that raises the most money during the campaign. Every organization participating in the Staffworks Charitable Fund Save a Life campaign has the opportunity to receive a total of $30,000 from the Staffworks Charitable Fund. Board President Lewis Carinci said the amount of money that can be raised for Wanderers Rest is substantial. While the shelter receives money from Madison County every year and Wanderers Rest is appreciative of it, Carinci said it is only a quarter of what is needed to run the shelter on a yearly basis. During the 2017 fundraising event, Wanderers Rest Humane Association raised $19,000 from the efforts and donations of the community. These contributions and the funds matched by Staffworks helped save more than 700 animals. For 2018, Wanderers Rest has set a goal of $50,000 with the anticipation of saving even more animals and assisting with placing them in their forever homes. Our euthanasia rate is so low, we could call ourselves a no-kill shelter, Carinci said. The only animals we put down are those that are so sick or very aggressive dogs that have a court order. Other than that, we hold onto every animal as long as we can. What weve done is reach out and develop a huge foster program, bigger than weve ever had, that lets us keep the animals longer than before so were not euthanizing for space. And to top it all off, we have a crew here bound and determined to get these animals adopted. Staffworks founder and owner Anita Vitullo created The Staffworks Charitable Fund at The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties out of her concern for animals and her belief in their right to life. The fund promotes humane communities by using company profits from branch office markets in central and southern New York to support organizations that provide care for at-risk animals. When you support or adopt from your local animal shelters and rescue organizations you are choosing to save an animals life, Vitullo said. Weve invested more than $10 million to reduce animal suffering and help make connections between animals and people. To make a donation, visit www.staffworkssavealife.com and select Wanderers Rest Humane Association. Online gifts can be made via Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit or debit cards. For gifts by check, please visit the website for complete details. UTICA, N.Y. On Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of a brand new medical office in the city of Oneida. The Oneida Medical Office is the first MVHS primary care office to open in Madison County. Dialysis and Lab services will also be provided at this location. The Mohawk Valley Health System is committed to improving access to primary care services throughout our region, said Michael Attilio, MD, vice president, MVHS Medical Group. Opening a Medical Office in the city of Oneida offers our neighbors in Madison County more options to obtain the care they need more quickly and conveniently. It is my privilege and pleasure as part of MVHS to be able to serve the community of Oneida and surrounding areas where there is a great need for primary care, said Andrea Finocchiaro, DO, Oneida Medical Office. I am proud to say we have a hard working, compassionate team here at the Oneida Medical Group. Kristy Russ, our nurse practitioner, has lived in the area her entire life and has many strong ties to the community. Oneida Medical Office providers Andrea Finocchiaro, DO, and Kristy Russ, MS, NP-C, are accepting new patients of all ages. Please call 315-366-3700 to make an appointment. Visit mvhealthsystem.org/oneida for more information. Verona, N.Y. Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Middle Schools Media Center has received $500 from the American Library Association (ALA) to help plan and implement coding activities during Computer Science Education (CS Ed) Week 2018 Dec. 3-9 and beyond. The VVS Middle School is one of 250 school and public libraries around the country to receive this microfunding from Libraries Ready to Code, an initiative of the American Library Association sponsored by Google. This grant will enable our students to have a hands on experience with coding and animating objects, said VVS Middle School Library Media Specialist Amy Austin. As our world becomes more technological, an increasing number of careers in the computer science field require coding. The activities provided by the grant will expose students to coding events, including sequencing and looping. Not only will this opportunity exercise our students thinking, creativity, and sharing skills but expose them to a possible future career they had not considered before. I am very excited to implement this grant during Computer Science week and to do it with our 1:1 Chromebooks, enabling every student in the room to participate. Libraries are the cornerstones of our communities, said Google program manager Nicky Rigg. We are proud to include VVS Middle School in our CS Ed Week activities this year. We hope these libraries will join the growing number of libraries excited to offer CS programs that help youth create, problem solve and develop the confidence and skills to succeed in their future careers. ALA is pleased to provide microfunding to VVS Middle School and other Ready to Code libraries, said ALA President Loida Garcia-Febo. We hope this microfunding will not only generate enthusiasm for CS Ed Week, but spark year-round programming to develop critical thinking and digital skills youth can draw on over a lifetime. The 250 libraries selected for CS Ed Week funding will each host activities based on Googles free CS First curriculum, which uses video-based instruction to introduce CS to kids through block-based coding. Libraries will pursue projects that reflect Ready to Code themes critical for advancing youth learning, especially for building computational thinking literacies. The Ready to Code team estimates that the CS Ed Week funding will support more than 60,000 youth all around the country taking part in coding activities throughout the week. For more information, contact the VVS District Office at 315-829-7425. 2.0 leaked: Why is it so hard to stop the Tamilrockers? India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Chennai, Dec 1: Nearly 12,000 websites were ordered to be blocked by the Madras High Court, which included 2,000 suspected sites of Tamilrockers. Despite this order, hours after the release of the movie 2.0 in theatres, the same was available on Tamilrockers. This is not the first instance and the big question is why is it so difficult to stop Tamilrockers. OneIndia spoke with a few cyber police officials to understand what makes it so hard to take down Tamilrockers. Firstly, there is a time lag between the order of the court and the action taken. Once the order is passed, it has to move through multiple channels before the websites are taken down. Secondly most of the leaked prints were sourced from Malaysia. Here the film is either recorded on mobile phones or sourced from labs during the post-production works. More importantly, the battle is not against one individual. Tamilrockers is not run by a single entity or an individual. There are several people behind this and are anonymous in nature. Further most of the sites are hosted on proxy servers which are based out of either Ukraine or Russia. Due to this there is a legal complication as the question of immunity arises. Officials explain that the battle is a never ending one. Cyber crime officials have to act within the ambit of the law and in this case under Sections 69(b) and 70 of the Information Technology Amendment Act of 2008. While courts order the taking down over 1000s of websites, it just takes a few minutes to create proxy URLs for these proxy sites. Last month, the anti-piracy division of the Kerala police had arrested 5 Tamil Nadu natives who were behind the hosting of Tamilrockers. Viluppuram natives Prabhu, Karti and Suresh were arrested for uploading Pulimurugan through the website Tamil Rockers that was being hosted from 19 domains including .in, .ac, .me, .ro and .co. There have been several occasions in the past when the websites have been blocked. However the administrators changed their domain names and resurfaced moments after the block. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 17:00 [IST] Implementation soon The Maharashtra government has decided to implement the recommendations of the pay panel, according to junior finance minister, Deepak Kesarkar. He said that a the state government had appointed a committee under retired bureaucrat, K P Bakshi and the report would come out soon. When will it be implemented The minister said that the recommendations would be implemented from January 2019 onwards. This means the good news for the employees is round the corner and it is just a month away. Five day week On the long standing demand by the employees that the five day week norm as adopted by the Centre is implemented in Maharashtra, the minister said that the final call would be taken by the Bakshi committee. Retrospective effect The minister said the the arrears of the 7th Pay Commission will be given with retrospective effect from January 2016 onwards. The DA allowance will be given retrospectively from the last 14 months. The state would need Rs 20,000 crore to pay the 7th Pay Commission arrears from January 2016 from which the pay band width was revised. The government would require Rs 5,000 crore annually to revise the pay band for the 19 lakh government employees. Andhra govt leaked information, didnt let us set trap alleges CBI India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Dec 1: The Central Bureau of Investigation has alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government did not allow it to lay a trap against a central government official who was seeking a bribe. A statement issued late on Friday said that rather than giving consent to lay the trap, the state government leaked information to its Anti Corruption Bureau, which acted on the complaint and laid the trap against the same government official. Such an attitude will hurt the fight against corruption, the CBI also said. Govt is destroying the CBI under the garb of protecting it, Kharge tells SC This allegation by the agency comes in the backdrop of the November 8 decision by the Andhra Pradesh government, which had withdrawn consent given to the CBI to act against central government employees working under the jurisdiction of the state government. The CBI said that its Visakhapatanam unit had received a written complaint by a resident of Machilipatanam on November 28 alleging that a officer posted in the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs was seeking a bribe of Rs 35,000 allegedly for not raising objections in the CGST returns filed by the complainant's firm. The SP of CBI immediately wrote a top secret letter to the principal secretary (home) and sent it by hand through a DSP rank officer of the agency. In the letter, it was requested to issue specific consent to CBI to lay a trap in this particular complaint. It was also requested to keep the information strictly confidential and not to share the information with any other party. The SP also personally called on principal secretary at her office at Velagapudy on November 29, and requested early action in issuing the specific consent, required under section 6 of DSPE Act to enable the CBI to register the case and lay the trap given Andhra government's withdrawal of general consent. CBI war: Only intent was to protect faith of people in agency, Centre tells SC Further another letter was sent to the principal secretary with a copy to the chief secretary seeking immediate issuance of consent. The government however did not accede to the CBI request, the statement added. Instead the details were shared by the home department with state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and state ACB laid a trap on the November 30 evening against the above central government public servant by using the contents of the above request letter. Further, state ACB also issued a press release as if the complainant has directly approached them, the CBI also said in its statement. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 6:09 [IST] Can't return to India, scared of mob lynching: Nirav Modi's mail to ED India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P New Delhi, Dec 1: Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi communicated to Enforcement Directorate (ED) through email that he cannot return to India citing security threat to his life. V. Aggarwal, Nirav Modi's lawyer, told media that his client expressed security concerns in emails to CBI and pointed out burning of his effigies, and mob lynching episodes in India. "He has been made a poster boy of bank frauds for no reason. He also quoted incident of suicide of Mr Bansal due to CBI's torture," said the lawyer. Nirav Modi loan default case: CBI registers DA case against retired PNB official The lawyer argued that Nirav Modi left on valid passport and visa when his accounts were not NPA. "There were fugitive proceedings in respect of Nirav Modi in PMLA court. ED seeks my client to be declared as fugitive on ground that he left India in suspicious circumstances. We argued he left on valid passport and visa when his accounts were not NPA," he said. The ED has claimed that Nirav Modi had refused to join the probe despite acknowledging emails and summons issued to him and that he doesn't want to return to India. "In a letter addressed to both the CBI and the ED, Modi had stated that he was not able to join the probe because of security threats (in India) from private persons, the families of those who have been detained (in the PNB case), landlords, the creditors who have not been paid and the customers whose jewellery was taken away by the ED," he said. The CBI had filed its first charge sheet in the Punjab National Bank financial scam worth over USD 2 billion in May. (With PTI inputs) For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 16:48 [IST] Congress accusing the government of tampering with EVMs in Madhya Pradesh India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Dec 1: War over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has started in Madhya Pradesh just after Assembly elections got over while counting will happen on December 11, 2018. The Congress is raising questions over the security of strongrooms made in the different part of the state where these machines are kept. The Congress has raised objection over the sudden closure LED screen installed outside the Bhopal strongroom and has lodged a complaint with the election commission. On the other hand, the din was created by the Congress for EVMs reaching on Friday at some places, however, election commission officers are denying any possibility of malpractices. EVM machines of the Bhopal Assembly constituencies are kept inside the old prison of Bhopal compound but on Friday morning suddenly LED outside the strongroom got shut and this has caused commotion and lights remained closed till one and half hours. So many questions are being asked about this incidence. Congress buoyant by the high turn out of Muslim votes in Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections Owing to closure of light of strongroom, lights of LED screens have also gone off. The Congress is accusing the BJP of some mischief with EVMs but the administration is calling it a general power failure. Madhya Pradesh had undergone elections on November 28 and after the elections, EVMs have been kept in the strongroom especially created inside the old jail of Bhopal. All security arrangements have been made besides that cameras have been installed to keep tab of every moment and these cameras are connected with LEDs installed outside the jail. So that anyone can watch what is happening inside by sitting outside. The Congress is also raising question over EVMs reaching headquarters after 48 hours. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 19:19 [IST] Congress delegation meets EC over unauthorised entry into EVM strongroom in Chhattisgarh India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Dec 1: A Congress delegation, led by PL Punia, approached the Election Commission today over complaints that a Tehsildar and few others entered the strong room where EVMs have been kept in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh. "As voting is over in Chhattisgarh, we have suggested the Election Commission to ensure a secured counting process and firm security measures for EVMs and strong room, as unidentified persons with laptops and mobiles were seen around the strong room which is not allowed," Punia told the media after meeting. Suspecting EVM tampering, a massive protest erupted outside a strong room, where Electronic. Over 71% voting recorded in 2nd phase of Chhattisgarh polls Voting Machines (EVMs) were kept after polling, in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh following complaints that a Tehsildar and few others entered the strong room on Tuesday. An independent candidate Anand Pawar sat on a dharna outside the strong room after the local tehsildar, two patwaris and technicians entered the strong room for replacing the CCTV monitor installed outside the strong room. Candidate's supporters raised slogans questioning their stay inside the strong room for long. However, the officials concerned sought to pacify the protesters saying that the CCTV footage would be made available to them. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 14:52 [IST] Final arguments in Sohrabuddin Shaikh case to begin on Dec 3 India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Mumbai, Dec 1: The final arguments in the Sohrabuddin Shaikh and Tulsiram Prajapati encounter cases will take place from Monday onwards. Let us begin the final arguments from December 3 onwards, S J Sharma, judge of the special CBI court in Mumbai said. The judge announced the date after completing the process of recording the statements of the accused under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. [I was under pressure to call Sohrabuddin encounter genuine says cop] The case of the prosecution was that Shaikh had connections with the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and was also conspiring to eliminate an important political personality. In all there were 38 accused in the case, but 16 were discharged. 15 were discharged by the special CBI court and one by the Bombay High Court. [Sohrabuddin case, a result of rivalry and politics, accused tell court] The trial saw a total of 210 prosecution witnesses being examined. 92 have however turned hostile. The case was transferred to Mumbai in 2010 following a request by the CBI for a trial. In 2013, the Supreme Court had clubbed the case relating to the killing of Prajapati with the Shaikh encounter case. In 2014, the special CBI judge in Mumbai discharged Amit Shah and 16 other co-accused while citing lack of evidence against them. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 8:23 [IST] Gujarat court acquits two in 1998 kidnapping of industrialist Gautam Adani India pti-PTI Ahmedabad, Dec 1: A trial court here has acquitted two accused in the case related to 1998 kidnapping of Gautam Adani, founder-chairman of Adani Group, giving them the benefit of doubt. Sessions Judge D P Gohil acquitted Fazl-ur-Rehman and Bhogilal Darji on Friday. Adani did not turn up to give his statement against them, saying that his deposition regarding six other accused who were tried earlier may be taken into consideration. Can't return to India, scared of mob lynching: Nirav Modi's mail to ED Also, none of the witnesses in the case could identify the duo. As per the charge sheet filed by police, on January 1, 1998, Adani and Shantilal Patel were abducted at gun point after they left Karnavati Club here in a car and headed for Mohammadpura Road. They were taken to an unknown place in a car before being released, the charge sheet said. While Rehman was arrested from the Indo-Nepal border in 2006, Darji was arrested and deported from Dubai in 2012. The court had in 2005 acquitted six other accused in the case for lack of evidence. PTI Held in UK, Mallya cant be declared a fugitive says his lawyer India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Mumbai, Dec 1: Can Vijay Mallya be termed as a fugitive economic offender? His lawyers say no as he was arrested in the United Kingdom and is facing an extradition trial there. The submission was made by Mallya's counsel Amit Desai before a special court which is hearing a plea by the Indian agencies to declare him as a fugitive economic offender. If the Indian agencies have their way in court then Mallya's properties can be confiscated before trial under the provisions of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. Mumbai special court rejects Mallya's plea seeking stay on declaring him fugitive Desai argued that since Mallya was arrested in the UK on the basis of an Indian warrant, an effort was clearly made to execute the warrant. Only when he is concealing himself from the execution, then one can say he is absconding, the counsel also argued. The ED however said that Mallya was already a proclaimed offender. I is true that we are considering the extradition treaty. Despite being a proclaimed offence, we have not been able to get him and this satisfies the reason that he be declared a fugitive, D P Singh, the counsel for the ED submitted. UK court rules in favour of Swiss bank UBS, Mallya may lose his Central London house Arguments in the case would continue further on Monday. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 6:36 [IST] Decision on new tariffs for China after G20 says Donald Trump India to host G20 Summit in 2022: PM Modi India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Buenos Aires, Dec 1: India to host G20 Summit in 2022 when he country celebrates the 75th year of Independence Day. "It's India's 75th Independence Day in 2022 and we had requested Italy if we can get '22 instead of '21 (for hosting G20 summit). They accepted our request, others accepted it too. I'm grateful and I invite leadership from across the world to come to India in 2022, " news agency ANI quoted PM Modi as saying. South Africa President to be chief guest for Republic Day 2019 Later, PM Modi made the announcement on Twitter, saying "In 2022 India completes 75 years since Independence. In that special year, India looks forward to welcoming the world to the G-20 Summit! Come to India, the world's fastest-growing large economy! Know India's rich history and diversity, and experience the warm Indian hospitality." In 2022 India completes 75 years since Independence. In that special year, India looks forward to welcoming the world to the G-20 Summit! Come to India, the world's fastest growing large economy! Know Indias rich history and diversity, and experience the warm Indian hospitality. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 1, 2018 Japan will be hosting the event in 2019. Italy was supposed to host the summit in 2022 but it will host the event in 2021. India vies for open, inclusive and rules-based order for peace and prosperity of Indo-Pacific India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Dec 1: Indo-Pacific region, maritime issues and connectivity have always been the big issue for India and for which the country has been seeking cooperation from various stakeholders but trilateral meeting of US President Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being considered as a forward looking movement towards achieving all this. Foreign secretary of India Vijay Keshav Gokhale said, "The three leaders exchanged view on Indo-Pacific and they agreed for free, open and inclusive and rules-based order is essential for the region's peace and prosperity." G20 Summit: Oops! French Prez Macron finds 2 airport workers to welcome him on arrival Gokhle said, "The Prime Minister offered in the trilateral meeting some ideas on how to take forward the concept of Indo-Pacific and how the three countries can work together to promote this concept. The Prime Minister in particular felt that it is necessary for the three countries that to reach out to all stake holders to explain the benefit of Indo-Pacific strategy and their advantages to these countries. The leaders also agreed on central role of ASEAN. They also agreed to work on maritime and connectivity issues and to synergies efforts in this regard." "All three leaders felt that such meetings are useful, they should continue at the margins and subsequent of G 20 meetings and overall there was a very positive atmosphere. The outcome of this first trilateral has been very encouraging the PM and other two leaders were very pleased with the outcome," he said. The Prime Minister has coinage the new world 'JAI' for Japan, America and India that stands for victory in Hindi. The US president and Japanese prime minister also made brief remarks. The US administration said in a statement after the meeting, "As a treaty ally of Japan and major defense partner of India, the US shares unique and exceptional relationships with both countries based on common democratic values. The three leaders reaffirmed the importance of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision for global stability and prosperity, and pledged to deepen trilateral cooperation." Modi's trilateral meetings with two different groups at G20 Summit is a foreign policy success Modi said, "the US, Japan and India will be playing a big role for world peace, prosperity and stability and both the countries are our strategic partners and they are very good friends." Interestingly Modi spoke in Hindi. "When you look at the acronym of the three countries Japan, America and India - it's JAI," the prime minister said. "JAI" is a good message that goes out; it's a good beginning. And together ... we will be playing a very big role .. for world peace, prosperity and stability." Trump said that the US ties with both India and Japan have never been better. And underlined "lots of trade" and military purchases between them. Prime Minister Abe said that the three countries shared fundamental values and strategic interests and stressed the importance of close cooperation between them towards realizing free and open Indo-Pacific". For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 14:29 [IST] Guided by ex-Pak army officials, operating in buddy pairs: Why the Poonch encounter has dragged so much Is the Indian Army ready for women in combat roles: Not yet says Chief India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Dec 1: The Indian Army is not yet ready to have women in combat roles, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat has. The Army chief, however, said there are several other fields where the Army is thinking of inducting women, such as information and psychological warfare. Peace possible only if Pakistan becomes secular like India: Army Chief "We are not yet ready for that (women in combat roles) as facilities have to be created... Women also need to be prepared for that kind of hardships," he said. "It is not easy. Let us not compare ourselves with Western nations, which are more open," Gen Rawat told reporters on the sidelines of the Passing Out Parade of the 135th course at the National Defence Academy here. "Yes, we may be more open in our big cities, but our Army personnel are not coming from big cities only. They are coming from rural areas too, where the inter-mingling, which is expected, is still not there," he said. "They are already there in education and law, so the other field we have identified for them is information warfare, psychological warfare and (we are) also considering the accounting field where women can be inducted,"he said. AAP leader Phoolka apologizes for remarks against Bipin Rawat "Women officers are being inducted into all the three services. But what we have to decide is whether some of them can be given permanent commission," Gen Rawat said. The Army has taken a call that there are some aspects and fields where "we need some kind of continuity and permanency," he said. "In a command-oriented army, male officers do not fit the bill everywhere. The Army needs language interpreters as military diplomacy is gaining ground. The basic requirement is understanding the language while talking to other nations, military to military. So we are looking for women as interpreters," he said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 6:44 [IST] Imran Khan's offer of dialogue should be seriously considered by new Modi govt: Mirwaiz Track II: With funds flowing from Pakistan, can Hurriyat be trusted with talks Better late than never says Mehbooba on Hurriyats willingness to talk J&K: Political leaders begin signing bonds to secure release, assure not to indulge in politics J&K: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq put under house arrest India pti-PTI Srinagar, Dec 1: Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was put under house arrest on Saturday as a precautionary measure and his outfit's one-day session was foiled, a police official said. In a tweet, Mirwaiz alleged that the separatists were not allowed any space for any kind of political activity and posted pictures of police personnel outside his Nigeen residence as well as the Hurriyat's Rajbagh office. "One day #Hurriyat workers /delegate session barred! Put again under #HouseArrest! Rajbagh office of Hurriyat sealed! Not allowed any space or scope for any political activity! So much for practising honest democracy Governor sahab!" he tweeted. PTI Reservation for Marathas: Is it legally tenable? India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Mumbai, Dec 1: The decision by the Maharashtra government to grant 16 per cent quota to the Maratha community will be up for a legal challenge. The question is whether this grant has taken the reservation beyond the Supreme Court mandated 50 per cent ceiling in 1992. As things stand, the state currently has a 52 per cent quota and the additional 2 per cent was introduced in 1994 in which the Gowari tribes were included as special backward class. If one were to add the new amendment for Marathas the reservation in jobs and education in the state touches 68 per cent. Maharashtra approves 16% Maratha quota in jobs and education The 1992 judgment of the Supreme Court which capped the reservation at 50 per cent, said that a hike can be allowed only in case of an extraordinary and exceptional circumstance. The state of Maharashtra would now have to demonstrate in court that the decision was taken under an exceptional circumstance. The state of Maharashtra justified the reservation on the basis of the Backward Class Commission report. The report which is not yet been made public had conducted various surveys to identify social and educational status of the Maratha community. While the state government may use this report to justify its decision, the problem however lies in the fact that the caste census figures have not been made public as yet. In the Bill the state has sought to justify the hike on the grounds that the overall backward population in the state is now at 85 per cent. Further while terming the amendment as exceptional, the government also said that if the Marathas who comprise 30 per cent of the state's population are accommodated within the existing OBC quota, it could lead to unwarranted repercussions in the harmonious co-existence of the state. Those who propose to challenge this move would also cite what Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar said in the constituent assembly. He had said act even if the backward class population is over 70 per cent or more, the reservation quota cannot exceed 50 per cent. Maharashtra cabinet approves reservation for Maratha community The Maharashtra government on the other hand says that when it had moved the Supreme Court to protect the earlier ordinance, it was told that the backwardness for a community can only be decided by the Backward Class Commission. It was following this that the commission was formed, which in turn said that the Marathas are backward and deserve reservation. The most likely challenge would come from the Other Backward Class groups. They would be wary of the fact that the new law may dilute their quota. RSS to organise Sakhas in the country on Makar Sankranti even in Muslim-dominated villages India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Dec 1: One one hand the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is getting ready for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, on the other the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will be organising Sakhas in every village of the country as Seva Diwas on Makar Sankranti that falls on January 14-15. The programme will also be called as Samrasta Diwas. Rashtra Sevika Samiti providing self defence training to girls in Mumbai slums Sources said that the RSS has been organising Sakhas on the of Makar Sankranti. Samarasta Diwas was started from the last year but this year it will be done in entirely different manner in which villages from across the country will be included. The senior RSS officials are preparing the list of people participating in this programme and who will be going where. Sources informed that this will be the biggest programme in term of the RSS reaching out to people. The organisation will not only try to fathom itself but also make others realise what its strength is? The RSS will also try to make the Central government and the BJP-ruled state governments the ground reality. After this programme, the RSS will prepare its report card for the Lok Sabha elections. Vijayan trains gun at Sangh Parivar, says won't let Sabarimala become Ayodhya Sources informed that this year the Seva Diwas will have people from every caste and religion of the country participating in it. Sakhas will also be organised in the Muslim-dominated villages. The RSS is trying to reach out to people of every section by organising such programmes across the country. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 14:43 [IST] Kumaraswamy to attend Ashok Gehlot's swearing-in on Dec 17: These are other leaders who would attend Surgical strikes were carried out 3 times during UPA regime: Rahul Gandhi India oi-Vikas SV Jaipur, Dec 1: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday lashed out at Narendra Modi for politicising the military decisions and accused the Prime Minister of interfering in Army's domain. Speaking in poll-bound Rajasthan's Udaipur, Rahul said that surgical strikes across the border were carried out even during former prime minister Manmohan Singh's regime, but the then Congress-led government chose to keep it a secret. Modi tears into Rahul Gandhi, stops short of calling him ignorant "Do you know that like Mr Narendra Modi's surgical strike, Manmohan Singh ji did that 3 times? When Army came to Mr Manmohan Singh and said we need to retaliate against Pakistan for what they have done they also said we wanted to be secret, for our own purposes," he said. "Mr Narendra Modi actually reached into Army's domain and shaped their surgical strike, he turned their surgical strike into a political asset when it actually was a military decision," he furher said. During the interactive session with business community and professionals in Udaipur, Rahul took a jibe at Modi and said that the Prime Minister thinks that he knows everything. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi thinks he knows better than the Army what needs to be done in their area, he knows politics better, he knows agriculture better. He thinks all the knowledge of the world comes from his mind," said Rahul Gandhi. Rahul attacked the Modi-led government over a range of issues. Speaking on unemployment, he said that joblessness in India is the most serious threat. He said the Congress would make employment generation for youth a priority if voted to power. "Creation of jobs for youngsters is the biggest challenge that the country faces today and the PM has failed in doing so. China, our biggest competitor is producing 50,000 jobs every 24 hours," he said. Telangana Election: 'PM Modi broke every promise he made,' alleges Rahul Targeting PM on his demonetisation move, Rahul Gandhi said "PM locked up the entire cabinet when he was announcing demonetisation on November 8, 2016." The 200-member Rajasthan Assembly is scheduled to go to polls on December 7 and counting of votes will take place on December 11. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 12:37 [IST] Why a Bangladesh based terror group is looking to revive the Indian Mujahideen India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Dec 1: The agencies have stepped up efforts to track down a top member of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh. The man in question is Idris and he has been tasked by the JuMB to revive the Indian Mujahideen which had gone bust after several of its top members were arrested in a series of operations undertaken by the police and the Intelligence Bureau. The action comes in the wake of the IB reporting that Idris has been tasked with reviving the Indian Mujahideen. The IB report also said that Idris has been getting in touch with operatives in West Bengal and Odisha. The intent is to have a strong home grown outfit, the IB also said. Why Kerala beats every Indian state in terms of radicalisation and affiliation to the ISIS The IM which had peaked between 2008 and 2013 witnessed a huge downfall following the arrest of Yasin Bhatkal and two of his accomplices. However the IM did make efforts to revive the outfit and had even sent Abdul Subhan, one of the founding members to India earlier this year. He was however arrested and during his interrogation said that his primary task was to revive the IM. Going by the IB report it appears as though the task of reviving the IM has now been handed over to the JuMB. This outfit has a strong presence in West Bengal and has been responsible for a spate of incidents. This was the same outfit which was preparing the bombs at Burdwan. Officials say that there is a sense of desperation and hence there are attempts being made to revive the IM. The IM was a home grown group, which carried out attacks at the behest of the ISI. However since the entire operation and execution took place in India, it gave Pakistan a deniability factor. In mystery killing of Indian Mujahideen ringleader, link to an Azamgarh Madrasa crops up It may be recalled that recently the IB had also said that several terror groups would come together to target various cities ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The attempt to revive the IM is also a step in that direction, the IB said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 14:36 [IST] Yogi Adityanath the main star campaigner in Rajasthan Assembly polls for many reasons India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Dec 1: The way Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has cornered the Congress during his campaign for Rajasthan Assembly elections, many candidates contesting the election are demanding his meetings in their constituencies. Even Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje wants him to give some more time in Rajasthan to address some more rallies. The way Yogi Adityanath is getting response in Rajasthan and tide is now seemingly turned against the Congress, the UP CM may sail the Rajasthan BJP through in this elections. He was constantly campaigning for the last three days in the state. The BJP strategists have realised the importance of Yogi Adityanath so he might address some more rallies but the issues is Yogi does not stay there in the night. He comes back to Lucknow every night so his own state is not neglected. Yogi Adityanath gets legal notice 'for calling Lord Hanuman a Dalit' Sources said that followers of Yogi Adityanath from the neighbouring states have also started reaching different Assembly constituencies of Rajasthan to help the BJP candidates on his call. The number is big and huge number of followers of Yogi have reached to Alwar and Bharatpur districts from Uttar Pradesh. The BJP has also promised to include life of Guru Gorakhnath in the syllabus of Rajasthan school to woo followers of Nath Panth sect. It has been promised to include ancient Yoga of Nath Panth in Syllabus and Yoga Practice. The BJP manifesto also promised to built a national memorial in the honour of Guru Gorakhnath and also promised setting up a library. The BJP is banking on Yogi Adityanath as he can polarise voters and this is the reason that most of his rallies are either in Muslim-dominated area or in the areas dominated by Nath Panth sect. Yogi to address his first six rallies in Rajasthan where Muslim population sizable The influence and presence of Nath Panth sect is spread from Bikaner to Badmer and several districts including Jalore. There is a huge support base in these areas. Nath Panth sect has sizable presence in Western Rajasthan. Considering this, it has been added in Sankalp Patra that places of Nath Panth sect will be rehabilitated and renovated. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 11:21 [IST] George H W Bush dies: Indias non-alignment came in jeopardy once during his tenure Former US president George H W Bush dead: Why people loved looking at his ankles As George H W Bush is laid to rest, his service dog Sully also mourns like million others Former US president, George H W Bush dies at 94 International oi-Madhuri Adnal Former American President George H.W. Bush Passes Away at the age of 94 | Oneindia News Washington, Dec 1: Former President of the United States of America, George H W Bush has passed away . He was 94. He served as the 41st president of the United States from 1989 to 1993. His death comes in less than 8 months of his wife Barbara's demise. They had been married for 73 years. Bush had vascular parkinsonism, a form of Parkinson's disease, and used a wheelchair or motorised scooter for the last six years. He had been admitted to the hospital in April 23, one day after the funeral of wife and former First Lady, Barbara Bush. He was in hospital for 13 days. He was once again hospitalised in May for low blood pressure and fatigue a week after arriving Maine to spend the simmer. He was released a few days later and celebrated his birthday on June 12. He made history by becoming the first former president to reach the age of 94. Statement by George W Bush on passing away of his father: Bush senior as he was often referred to as had spent a lot of time in public service before becoming president. He was a Navy pilot in the World War II, Texas congressman, CIA director and also the Vice President to Ronald Reagan. While Regan is credited with winning the Cold War, Bush successfully navigated the aftermath. Bush will also be remembered for the Gulf War. Following the August 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein, Bush had condemned the act. Early on the morning of January 17, 1991, allied forces launched the first attack, which included more than 4,000 bombing runs by coalition aircraft. This pace would continue for the next four weeks, until a ground invasion was launched on February 24, 1991. Allied forces penetrated Iraqi lines and pushed toward Kuwait City while on the west side of the country, forces were intercepting the retreating Iraqi army. Bush made the decision to stop the offensive after a mere 100 hours. Bush's approval ratings skyrocketed after the successful offensive. Additionally, President Bush and Secretary of State Baker felt the coalition victory had increased US prestige abroad and believed there was a window of opportunity to use the political capital generated by the coalition victory to revitalize the Arab-Israeli peace process. G20 Summit: Argentina capital Buenos Aires turns ghost city for 2-day event International oi-Shubham Ghosh Buenos Aires, Dec 1: This is the first time that the G20 has headed to South American with the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, hosting its maiden summit of the international grouping. The host nation has left no stone unturned for the two-day event, so much so, that the ever-buzzing capital city of 29 lakh people has virtually turned into a 'ghost town' overnight. According to a report in The Bubble which is based locally, over 20,000 city police personnel are patrolling the streets along with Prefecture and Border Patrol officials as the summit continues, Argentinian Security Minister Patricia Bullrich said. Mild earthquake hits Buenos Aires outskirts moments after G20 Summit inauguration As measures to ensure security of the dignitaries that have visited the city for the G20 summit, not only its main streets have been completely or partially closed but also the public transport services have been restricted. Even the pedestrians have come under strict scrutiny with their belongings made to undergo checking before moving into the area where the foreign heads of state are staying for the event. Even the air traffic has come under restrictions. The only airport which is in operation during the summit is Buenos Aires's Ezeiza Airport, while those at Aeroparque and El Palomar (mostly used by low-cost airliners) were shut till Saturday, the final day of the summit, The Bubble reported. Modi's trilateral meetings with two different groups at G20 Summit is a foreign policy success Ahead of the summit, the government had asked people to make use of the long weekend to go out of town. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 11:30 [IST] G20 Summit: Oops! French Prez Macron finds 2 airport workers to welcome him on arrival International oi-Shubham Ghosh Buenos Aires, Dec 1: It was a terrible diplomatic blunder ahead of the G20 Summit which is being held in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires on Wednesday, November 28, and the reaction has been big. G20 Summit: Argentina capital Buenos Aires turns 'ghost city' for 2-day event It so happened that French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte reached the Buenos Aires capital on Wednesday night but found there was no delegation on behalf of the host nation to receive them. After disembarking, the French first couple saw no officials around and the president walked towards two airport workers to greet them by shaking hands. It was only after the couple was preparing to leave, delegates led by Argentinian Vice President Gabriela Michetti arrived to welcome them. The lag was too big by then for the social media to fill in with reactions. Me muero de amor con el senalero chaleco fluo que razono: si nadie lo saluda, yo asumo la representacion de LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA y es mi deber saludar en nombre de la Nacion al dignatario que nos visita, juridicamente se llama "gestion de negocios" pic.twitter.com/4kClShnbil Gustavo Arballo (@GustArballo) November 29, 2018 "I'm overwhelmed with love for the florescent signalman that worked out that: if nobody is there to greet him, I must assume the role of the representation of the REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA and it is my duty to greet, on behalf of the nation, the dignitary who has come to visit us, legally it is called 'Business Management'," said one Twitter user after the incident occurred. Mild earthquake hits Buenos Aires outskirts moments after G20 Summit inauguration Also moments after the undesired incident, the Argentinian vice president was seen talking to Brigitte in what many believed was shaky French which also gave the Twitterati another big opportunity to enjoy. Confirmado: Michetti aprendio frances con Willy el escoces pic.twitter.com/Q9YE5uEtGn Juan Amorin (@juan_amorin) November 29, 2018 For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 11:43 [IST] G20 Summit: US, Mexico, Canada ink new pact replacing NAFTA International oi-Shubham Ghosh Buenos Aires, Dec 1: US President Donald Trump on Friday, November 30, signed a revised North American trade pact with the leaders of Canada and Mexico which he called "groundbreaking" and a benefit for the "working people". The new pact will replace the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA which Trump has been targeting for long and dubbed a "disaster". G20 Summit: Moscow disappointed over cancellation of Trump-Putin talks However, the new pact had his moments of concern as tensions over tariffs, the layoffs at General Motors and also questions over the pact's prospects in the Congress made the celebrations over it a bit hazy. Trump, his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed the agreement on the sidelines of the two-day G20 Summit that started in Buenos Aires on Friday. The pact was signed after two years of negotiations. It still has to be approved by the three nations' respective legislatures. G20 Summit: Putin-Trump talks are on, says Russia after US threat to cancel meeting On Saturday, Trump will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping after the meet and all quarters will be watching it closely expecting that it eases the ongoing trade war between the two big economies. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 9:55 [IST] Photo: RCMP On Nov. 30 at 1:18 p.m., 69-year-old Rostam Poulad was shot and killed at his home in the 4000-block of St. Georges Avenue in North Vancouver. It's been five years since a North Vancouver man was shot and killed in his home and his family is appealing for any information on the killer. On Nov. 30 at 1:18 p.m., 69-year-old Rostam Poulad was shot and killed at his home in the 4000-block of St. Georges Avenue in North Vancouver. Cpl. Frank Jang said the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) continues to actively investigate Poulads murder and needs public assistance to further its investigation. Poulad was well known and respected in the local Persian community. He was best known for his promotion of Iranian cultural events. We believe there are those in the North Shore community that have information about what happened to Rostam Poulad and we remind them that it is never too late to do the right thing, said Jang. Language should not be a barrier to solving murders and so we have Farsi-speaking police officers available for those in the Iranian community. Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448), or by email at [email protected] To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.solvecrime.ca Public plea from the family of Rostam Poulad It has been five long years since our beloved father, Rostam Poulad, was senselessly murdered at our family home in North Vancouver on November 30, 2013. We remember that day like it was yesterday and we are still hoping that those with information will step forward. Our dad was the pillar of our family. He loved his family unconditionally. He opened his home to all and befriended everyone. He loved his community and we know there are those in the North Shore community that have information about what happened to our dad. You can call IHIT or Crime Stoppers. But please do the right thing and come forward now. Rostam Poulad Family Regarding recent letters Not in any neighbourhood and What is City thinking. The writer of the original letter is not a resident of this area. While we thank her for her support, her comments have created the misconception that residents of the Ambrosi-Barlee neighbourhood are opposed to the BC Housing Agassiz Road proposal because we consider ourselves to be a high-end neighbourhood. This is not a high-end neighbourhood. Far-from it, it is a neighbourhood comprised primarily of hundreds of seniors living on low incomes. The average home price is about half Kelownas median. Secondly, our objections stem primarily from the decision of bureaucrats at BC Housing (without even visiting the site or neighbourhood) to house dozens of high-risk individuals next door to hundreds of seniors. There has been a refusal to rule out housing recently released high-risk offenders here, a refusal to rule out individuals with convictions for sexual offences and a refusal to restrict the building to over-55 residents. BC Housing has essentially said this is what we are doing and offered a middle finger to anyone who suggests they do something slightly different. This mix of building, operator and neighbourhood is rushed, amateurish, rose-blinkered urban planning that ignores all precedent from Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria and other cities that tells us clearly what works and what does not. We fully support getting homeless people off the streets and ensuring that those at risk of homelessness do not end up on them. We are more than willing to welcome a supportive housing building of some description to this neighbourhood and have proposed placing the recently announced Kelowna Womens Shelter second-stage housing project on the Agassiz Road site. Again, this was met with fingers in ears. Every citizen of Kelowna should be concerned about this unconscionable proposal, the dictatorial process behind it, and the precedent that it sets. Richard Taylor, Kelowna Photo: Contributed A police action that started in Kelowna ended with an arrest in Vernon. Vernon RCMP Const. Kelly Brett said on Nov. 30 at approximately 1:30 a.m., Vernon North Okanagan RCMP were advised of an unfolding police incident occurring on the Westside of Kelowna where an alleged stolen vehicle failed to stop for police. A multi-member response was initiated as the Kelowna RCMP requested the assistance of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP after attempts to stop the vehicle using a spike belt failed and the vehicle continued to travel northbound towards Vernon, said Brett. Vernon police spotted the suspect vehicle, a white Chevrolet Silverado, northbound on Highway 97 where it again failed to stop. A spike belt was deployed, disabling the tires on the vehicle bringing it to a stop on Highway 97 north of College Way. Once police made contact with the vehicle, the male attempted to drive away on just the four rims, but was unable to do so. Officers then pulled the driver from the vehicle and took him into custody without incident. A 40-year-old Alberta man remains in police custody and is facing numerous charges including possession of stolen property, theft of credit card, fraud and flight from police. As we know, crime is often cross-jurisdictional, however in this particular incident was cross-provincial, said Const. Kelly Brett. All police forces involved in this case did an outstanding job of communicating and locating this particular offender to safely remove him from the streets. Photo: Emile Claveau Emile Claveau couldn't believe his eyes as he drove to work along a busy highway in Quebec's Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region Wednesday morning. As he approached a transport truck about 250 kilometres north of Quebec City, he noticed a man perched on the back. "He was sitting, cross-legged, holding on to a door handle," Claveau said Friday. "I was shocked and I tried to get the truck driver's attention, but there was just too much traffic on the highway, so eventually I called police." Quebec provincial police got a call at 7:20 a.m. Wednesday reporting someone on the back of a tractor trailer, Sgt. Marie-Josee Ouellet said. When a patrol car caught up to the truck more than an hour later, the man had climbed down and was in the stopped car of another motorist. Truck driver Dave Tremblay, who unwittingly provided the man a lift, told radio station 98.5 this week the man was riding on about two feet of truck bed. He figures the unconventional hitchhiker hopped on at a rest stop and was on the Quebec City-bound truck for well over 100 kilometres before a motorist managed to alert Tremblay on Highway 175 in the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve. It's unclear where the man wanted to go, but he was clearly determined. Tremblay said there was a snowstorm and the rider was poorly dressed for the elements. "He was freezing. He was like a little snowman," Tremblay told the station. He wonders how long the man would have been able to hang on if he hadn't stopped when he did. Police say a 38-year-old man from Alma, Que. was treated for hypothermia and could face a $1,000 fine and be hit with a dozen demerit points for holding on to a moving vehicle. Claveau has never seen anything like it in Quebec. "I thought it didn't make any sense," he said. "That's why I tried to stop the truck. It's not something you see every day." Photo: Contributed Big White Ski Resort is pulling out all the stops and its debit card to make sure the Christmas spirit goes strong all December long. The resort reported Friday that this year it will spend upwards of $30,000 on the Christmas season. And the fun begins on Saturday. Growing up in Canada, theres always a debate whether July 1 or Dec. 25 is your favourite day of the year, Big White senior vice-president Michael J. Ballingall said in a press release. When you can expand Dec. 25 to last the whole month of December by building Canadas highest Santas Workshop, I think the answer is easy." For more on this story visit Okanagan Edge. Photo: Colin Dacre The Penticton RCMP already had their hands full when staff at a downtown beauty school called 911 Wednesday about a belligerent man that wouldnt leave the property. Instructors at the Okanagan Cosmetology Institute were critical of the 20 minute response time for police, given the many underage students at the school. Detachment commander Supt. Ted De Jager said when the call came in officers were already dealing with an Emergency Response Team call, a break-and-enter in progress and an assault. They cleared immediately when they could and came to the call only after bylaws officers followed the male into the store, he said in an email. The beauty school heaped praise upon city bylaw officers, which contained the situation until RCMP arrived, suggesting bylaw be given more tools to deal with these types of situations. Instructor Leanne OGrady said they have started to rely on bylaw because of their faster response, but De Jager stressed the police should be called. It was RCMP that eventually wrestled the man out of the business. It is vital that members of the public call us immediately if they feel unsafe or intimidated, De Jager continued. We have an excellent partnership with Penticton Bylaw however they do not have the authority to respond to these types of situations, even though they help us a great deal with their patrols and calls. We always prioritize calls for service and respond as quickly as possible, he added. Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - In this Dec. 18, 1970, file photo, newly appointed United Nations Ambassador George H. Bush smiles. Bush has died at age 94. Family spokesman Jim McGrath says Bush died shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, about eight months after the death of his wife, Barbara Bush. Praise for former President George H.W. Bush, who died Friday: (He) "was a man of the highest character. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad." Former President George W. Bush ___ "George H.W. Bush's life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good along the journey." Former President Barack Obama. ___ "The legacy of George H.W. Bush will be forever etched in the history of America and the world. It is a lifelong record of selfless patriotic service to our nation." James A. Baker III, secretary of state in the Bush administration. ___ "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service_to be, in his words, "a thousand points of light" illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world." President Donald Trump. ___ "I will be forever grateful for the friendship we formed. From the moment I met him as a young governor invited to his home in Kennebunkport, I was struck by the kindness he showed to Chelsea, by his innate and genuine decency, and by his devotion to Barbara, his children, and their growing brood." Former President Bill Clinton. ___ "The world has lost a great leader; this country has lost one of its best; and I have lost one of my dearest friends. I am heartbroken." Brent Scowcroft, Bush's national security adviser. ___ "Texans are genuinely honoured that he (Bush) called the Lone Star State home and we collectively grieve this monumental loss. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. ___ (George H.W. Bush) tried to "create a new international order based on justice and equality among nations" ... he never "forgot the Kuwaiti people and will remain in their memory." Kuwait's ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah ___ "Remembering President George H.W. Bush and the Americans With Disabilities Act. Millions of with Disabilities and who are Deaf or HOH (hard of hearing) lives have been changed for the better as a result of his signing this landmark legislation. My condolences to his entire family RIP #georgehwbush." Actress Marlee Matlin, who herself is deaf, via Twitter ___ "President George H.W. Bush was the real deal. We fought but he was gracious enough to accept my apology. Through his daughter Dorothy, my friends Ron Kaufman and Mary Matalin, I got to know him. Rest in Peace #georgehwbush" Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile, via Twitter ___ "I will never forget George H.W. Bush and President Clinton meeting me in my old hometown of New Orleans to show support and raise money after Hurricane Katrina. I send my love to his family tonight." Ellen DeGeneres, via Twitter ___ "As an American envoy to Beijing, as CIA Director, as Vice-President for eight years and then four years as President, George H.W. Bush's statesmanship played a key role in helping to end the Cold War, which bought democracy to millions of people in Europe and diminished the threat of nuclear war. George H.W. Bush was a strong supporter of the international rules-based system, the rule of law and democratic values." New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ___ "It was a time of great change, demanding great responsibility from everyone. The result was the end of the Cold War and nuclear arms race. (My wife, Raisa, and I) "deeply appreciated the attention, kindness and simplicity typical of George and Barbara Bush, as well as the rest of their large, friendly family." Former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev ___ "He was in fact the first American President that I was privileged to meet. I recall being deeply touched by your father's concern for the Tibetan people and the situation in Tibet. It is truly admirable to have lived over 94 years. While nothing can replace the loss of a father, we can rejoice in the fact that his was a meaningful life, dedicated to public service. I commend your parents for encouraging their children, including you my dear friend, to devote yourselves to the service of others." Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama ___ (President George H.W. Bush was) "a great statesman and a true friend of our country" whose "ethos of public service was the guiding thread of his life and an example to us all ... in navigating a peaceful end to the Cold War he made the world a safer place for generations to come." British Prime Minister Theresa May ___ (He) "saw America's obligation to the world and honoured it. I feel privileged to have worked with him, and even more privileged that he became a lifelong friend. He was, quite simply, one of the most deep-down decent people I have ever known." John Major, British Prime Minister from 1990-1997 ___ "We are mourning a great statesman and a friend of Germany ... (Bush) courageously seized the opportunity to end the Cold War ... he is also an architect of German unity. He supported it from the beginning without reservations. We will never forget that." Heiko Maas, German foreign minister ___ "The Palace is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former President George Herbert Walker Bush of the United States of America. Mr. George Bush, Sr. ... was credited for his foreign policy which saw the end of the Cold War. He stood for freedom and his words about the subject ring a bell until this day when he said, "The anchor in our world today is freedom, holding us steady in times of change, a symbol of hope to all the world. On behalf of the Filipino nation and people, we wish to convey our condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Mr. Bush, as well as to the government and the people of the United States of America." Salvador S. Panelo, chief presidential legal counsel and presidential spokesperson ___ "Former President George H. W. Bush was passionate about strong relations between India and USA. His presence will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via Twitter ___ "The President's life was one of service, to his country and to his family ... President Bush was the embodiment of the values of the United States, standing up for what was right and fighting throughout his life for freedom from tyranny and oppression in any guise. In fighting for these values so cherished by both our nations, he was a true friend to Australia and it was Australia's honour to host him at the Australian Parliament in 1991. The President's civility, charm and warmth endeared him to his nation and to people everywhere, making him loved as much as he was admired and respected. We join with the American people to mourn his passing." Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison ___ "Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened by the death of former President George H.W. Bush. His administration was marked by grace, civility, and social conscience. Through his Points of Light initiative and other projects, he espoused a uniquely American volunteer spirit, fostering bipartisan support for citizen service and inspiring millions to embrace community volunteerism as a cherished responsibility. We again extend our heartfelt condolences to the Bush family." Former President Jimmy Carter ___ "A distinguished man has passed away. One who served his country for his entire life, with a weapon in his hands during wartime and in high office during peacetime." Russian leader Vladimir Putin, via the Kremlin website ___ "Beginning with his posting as United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 1971 and continuing through his appointment as the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the South Asia Earthquake Disaster in 2005, George H. W. Bush worked productively with and through the United Nations. Across the years I was consistently impressed by his compassion, instinct for moderation and commitment to public service." U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ___ "President George H.W. Bush accomplished historic, great achievements by contributing to peace and stability of the international community." Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ___ "He will be long remembered in the hearts of our people for his dedication to world peace and safety while leading the efforts that brought an end to the Cold War and reconciliation between the East and West, and also for his strong efforts to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula and develop the alliance between South Korea and the United States." South Korean President Moon Jae-in, via Twitter ___ "President Bush's calmness, leadership and close personal relationships with Helmut Kohl and Mikhail Gorbachev were decisive in restoring peace and freedom back to so many people across our Continent. We Europeans will forever remember this." EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker ___ "The German people had in him a true friend who recognized the significance of this historic hour and gave us his trust and support." German Chancellor Angela Merkel ___ See AP's complete coverage of George H.W. Bush here:https://www.apnews.com/tag/GeorgeHWBush Dozens of people rallied by Kelowna's Parkinson Recreation Centre Saturday morning in support of the postal workers who were legislated back to work by the federal government this past week. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers began rotating strikes across the country on Oct. 22 after contract negotiations failed, but on Monday, the federal government passed legislation ordering the postal workers back to work. On Saturday, rallies in support of the postal workers were held in cities across Canada, including Kelowna. We're seeing a show of support from other unions, said Matthew Aitken, president of the Kelowna CUPW Local 760. The way that the Liberals have taken away our Charter rights, other unions they know that they're next. If they're in a fight with their boss about a collective agreement, they could have their right to strike taken away from them. They know that it's really important to be out here to support us because we fight for everybody and everybody fights with us. While Saturday morning's rally, which culminated on the pedestrian overpass near the Parkinson Recreation Centre, garnered many honks of support by passing motorists, not everyone agreed with their message. If you don't want your job, I'll take it, a man walking by told the crowd. If you think I should just be happy to have a job and I should just acquiesce to management's demands and not demand anything better for myself ... I say come with me, Aitken said. I can fill your bag with 35 pounds worth of weight, we can walk up snowy stairs, we can get really scared by dogs, we can deliver in the dark if you want ... we can do all the things that I do, just come with me. Aitken says he hopes the government learns its lesson, and won't take away workers' right to strike in the future. I hope it never happens to anybody else because it's not a great feeling when you have your rights taken away like that and it doesn't give you much hope for the future when all your bargaining rights are taken away from you like that, Aitken said. SIX students from Papua New Guinea University of Technologys Timber and Forestry Training College in Lae, Morobe, have secured three-year employment contracts in New Zealand. Principal Vagi Lovo announced this achievement at its 39th graduation yesterday in which 32 students graduated. The six students are Desmond Simbi, Gerhard Komndi, John Poka, Keith Ken, Norbert Gori and Bobby Oraing. Lovo said an official from Redco Forest Management Company based in Auckland, New Zealand, flew into Lae and interviewed the students. He said the company was determined to employ 20 students from Fiji and 10 from PNG, however, after interview, only six were selected. Their passports and visas are currently being prepared. Lovo said the company wanted to recruit more students from PNG and it was highly likely 20 would be selected next year. The 32 graduates this year acquired certificates in solid wood downstream harvesting and processing, timber felling and log scaling, conventional saw milling, saw doctoring, small sawmills and rural timber preservation, wood technology timber treating, wood machining and furniture manufacturing. The college also offers short courses designed to upskill workforce in all spectrums of the industry. It graduated another 32 students after eight weeks of training earlier this year The college was established as Timber Industry Training College on Nov 6, 1979, focusing mainly on training and imparting timber and log downstream processing skills. The National/ONEPNG Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 30) With the three-fold increase in the cases of measles in the Philippines attributed to the panic caused by the Dengvaxia scandal, the agency at the forefront of the legal battle against the anti-dengue vaccine clarified that it is "not against other vaccines." The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) called on the Department of Health to campaign for the safety of other vaccines instead of blaming the Dengvaxia victims and officials. "Lalong magagalit mga tao kapag sila ang sinisisi sa kagagawan din ng mali sa [People would get more angry if they are blamed over the wrongdoings in the] experimental Dengvaxia. They (DOH) should campaign for the safety of other vaccines. And not campaign against Dengvaxia victims and the government agencies tasked to investigate the scandal," PAO Chief Persida Acosta told CNN Philippines on Friday. Health authorities and doctors said fears of vaccination following the Dengvaxia vaccine scandal is one of the reasons for the spike in measles cases. Acosta said it is "natural" for the public to panic following the scandal surrounding the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, which may cause "serious disease" among those who have not yet been infected with dengue, according to its manufacturer, Sanofi-Pasteur. "The DOH (Department of Health) must not blame Dengvaxia. They must blame its spearheaders for conducting mass indiscriminate vaccination without blood test and screening," Acosta said. The PAO is representing several parents whose kids have died allegedly due to the vaccine in civil and criminal cases lodged against Sanofi-Pasteur officials and government officials, including former President Benigno Aquino III, former Health Secretary Janette Garin and Health Secretary Francisco Duque. The government law firm insisted that the anti-dengue vaccine, administered to over 800,000 schoolchildren before being suspended following Sanofi-Pasteur's disclosure, is the culprit behind hundreds of children's deaths, despite experts not having found a solid link between these and Dengvaxia. READ: Pathologist refutes PAO's claims linking Dengvaxia to children's deaths Still, the PAO filed corruption and murder charges against the pharmaceutical firms and public officials. But Acosta said, "I don't campaign versus Dengvaxia," noting that it was Congress which first started the probes on the vaccine. After a measles outbreak in Taguig City and Negros Oriental in March, the DOH confirmed reports of another outbreak of the disease in Sarangani. The measles vaccine has been available in the Philippines since 1963. Global Electric Motorcycle Market Top Players AIMA, Yadea, Sunra, BYVIN with register a 4.6% CAGR in terms of revenue, reach US$ 6980 million by 2023, from US$ 5330 million in 2017 Electric Motorcycle https://www.researchreportsinc.com/sample-request?id=174860 https://www.researchreportsinc.com/check-discount?id=174860 https://researchreportsinc.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=174860&&attribute_pa_choose-license=single-user&&quantity=1 Electric Motorcycles & Scooters can be classified as a combination of electric scooter, electric motorcycle, and so on. The power-assisted electric scooter with pedals is also called electric bicycle in China, and China is the largest producer of the Electric Motorcycles & Scooters products, about 90% of the global total production is from China in the past years. In the past several years, the global Electric Motorcycles & Scooters market is relatively stable with CAGR of 4.6% from 2013 to 2018. In 2017, the global actual consumption amount of Electric Motorcycles & Scooters was around 17368.3 K Units.Download Sample Report Of Electric Motorcycle Market @The global average price of Electric Motorcycles & Scooters is in fluctuation in 2013-2018, from about 260 $/Unit in 2013 to 277 $/Unit in 2017 The price will be in increase trend while demand is going to be saturated and the price of the raw material (e.g. Steel) will increase. The sales volume of Electric Motorcycles & Scooters will reach to around 23052.3 K Unit in 2024 from 18045.0 K Units in 2018 all around the world, with the CAGR of 4%.China is the largest sales market of Electric Motorcycles & Scooters in the world in the past few years and it will keep the same position in the next years. China sales volume took up about 80% the global market in 2017, but it has changed a lot in 2018 due to the saturated demand (means that the demand is relatively rated, but the production increased too fast and began to be oversupply). China sales share dropped to 79% in 2018. At the same time, the export to Europe and USA increased dramatically. Apparently, many Chinese producers of Electric Motorcycles & Scooters are trying their best to look for new growing-market, while Chinese market is in fierce competition and some small players have quitted this business especially in recent years.Grab Guaranteed Discount:Research objectives To study and analyze the global Electric Motorcycle consumption (value & volume) by key regions/countries, product type and application, history data from 2013 to 2017, and forecast to 2023. To understand the structure of Electric Motorcycle market by identifying its various subsegments. Focuses on the key global Electric Motorcycle manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years. To analyze the Electric Motorcycle with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market. To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). To project the consumption of Electric Motorcycle submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries). To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.We Also Can Offer Customized Report To Fulfill Special Requirements Of Our Clients.Purchase this Premium Report (Flat 20% off Apply Coupon Code DISC20):-Table of Contents2018-2023 Global Electric Motorcycle Consumption Market Report1 Scope of the Report1.1 Market Introduction1.2 Research Objectives1.3 Years Considered1.4 Market Research Methodology1.5 Economic Indicators1.6 Currency Considered2 Executive Summary2.1 World Market Overview2.1.1 Global Electric Motorcycle Consumption 2013-20232.1.2 Electric Motorcycle Consumption CAGR by Region2.2 Electric Motorcycle Segment by Type2.2.1 Electrical Polisher2.2.2 Pneumatic Polisher2.3 Electric Motorcycle Consumption by Type2.3.1 Global Electric Motorcycle Consumption Market Share by Type (2013-2018)2.3.2 Global Electric Motorcycle Revenue and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)2.3.3 Global Electric Motorcycle Sale Price by Type (2013-2018)2.4 Electric Motorcycle Segment by Application2.4.1 Automotive Repair Shop2.4.2 Automotive Care Shop2.4.3 Others2.5 Electric Motorcycle Consumption by Application2.5.1 Global Electric Motorcycle Consumption Market Share by Application (2013-2018)2.5.2 Global Electric Motorcycle Value and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)2.5.3 Global Electric Motorcycle Sale Price by Application (2013-2018)3 Global Electric Motorcycle by Players3.1 Global Electric Motorcycle Sales Market Share by Players3.1.1 Global Electric Motorcycle Sales by Players (2016-2018)3.1.2 Global Electric Motorcycle Sales Market Share by Players (2016-2018)3.2 Global Electric Motorcycle Revenue Market Share by Players3.2.1 Global Electric Motorcycle Revenue by Players (2016-2018)3.2.2 Global Electric Motorcycle Revenue Market Share by Players (2016-2018)3.3 Global Electric Motorcycle Sale Price by Players3.4 Global Electric Motorcycle Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product Types by Players3.4.1 Global Electric Motorcycle Manufacturing Base Distribution and Sales Area by Players3.4.2 Players Electric Motorcycle Products Offered3.5 Market Concentration Rate Analysis3.5.1 Competition Landscape Analysis3.5.2 Concentration Ratio (CR3, CR5 and CR10) (2016-2018)3.6 New Products and Potential Entrants3.7 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion4 Electric Motorcycle by Regions4.1 Electric Motorcycle by Regions4.1.1 Global Electric Motorcycle Consumption by Regions4.1.2 Global Electric Motorcycle Value by Regions4.2 Americas Electric Motorcycle Consumption Growth4.3 APAC Electric Motorcycle Consumption Growth4.4 Europe Electric Motorcycle Consumption Growth4.5 Middle East & Africa Electric Motorcycle Consumption Growth5 Americas5.1 Americas Electric Motorcycle Consumption by Countries5.1.1 Americas Electric Motorcycle Consumption by Countries (2013-2018)5.1.2 Americas Electric Motorcycle Value by Countries (2013-2018)5.2 Americas Electric Motorcycle Consumption by Type5.3 Americas Electric Motorcycle Consumption by Application5.4 United States5.5 Canada5.6 Mexico5.7 Key Economic Indicators of Few Americas CountriesAbout Us:Research Reports Inc. is one of the leading destinations for market research reports across all industries, companies, and technologies. Our repository features an exhaustive list of market research reports from thousands of publishers worldwideWith our expertise and research offerings, we ensure we deliver on all your requirements, whether youre looking for industry analysis or market trends or anything else, first time and every time!Email us sales@researchreportsinc.comCall: US / Canada Toll Free: +18554192424, UK : +4403308087757 LATAM Frozen Bakery Market 2018-2024 Prominent Players - Rich Products Corporation, Productos Ramo S.A., Patagonia, General Mills, PANIFICADORA ALCALA S.L., Europastry, Comapan S.A., Bimbo de Colombia S.A. (Grupo Bimbo), PAN PA' YA LATAM Frozen Bakery Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2962 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/LATAM-frozen-bakery-market https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2962 https://www.gminsights.com http://algosonline.com/news Rising economic growth resulting in an expansion of disposable income of the Colombian population has resulted in a vast increase in modern retail space across the country. This would further augment the demand for frozen bakery products in the coming years. The expansion of restaurant chains and fast food outlets are a key component of the sectors growth. According to the Colombian Chamber of Commerce, there were 32,000 restaurants registered in Bogota in 2016, the majority of which were fast-food outlets like Subway, Burger King, and McDonalds. This growth would further increase the demand for frozen dough as the products is widely used in these outlets. LATAM Frozen Bakery Market will surpass USD 5.7 billion by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc.Request for sample copy of this Report @Company Profiles1. Rich Products Corporation2. Productos Ramo S.A.3. Patagonia4. General Mills5. PANIFICADORA ALCALA S.L.6. Europastry7. Comapan S.A.8. Bimbo de Colombia S.A. (Grupo Bimbo)9. PAN PA' YA10. Dulcipan SA de CV11. H.E. Butt Grocery CompanyIncreased fluctuations in the energy costs could hinder the LATAM frozen bakery market growth during the forecast timeframe. Most of the edible items are perishable and requires preservation for long duration storage. Minimal temperatures reduce biological activity from bacteria and other microorganisms which are responsible for food decaying. Freezing is the only solution for storage of perishable edible products in longer run. As major fuel consumption takes place in freezing, storage, and cryogenic logistical requirements, fluctuations in energy cost would significantly affect the frozen bakery operations.Browse key industry insights spread across 92 pages with 83 market data tables & 19 figures & charts from the report, LATAM Frozen Bakery Market Size By Recipe (Bread, Viennoiserie, Patisserie, Savory Snacks), By Product (Ready-To-Prove, Ready-To-Bake, Fully Baked), By End-User (Convenience Stores, Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Artisans Bakers, Hotels, Restaurants, And Catering [HORECA], Bakery Chains) Industry Analysis Report, Country Outlook (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 2024 in detail along with the table of contents:In terms of volume, bread segment will be accounted for more than 63% of the overall LATAM frozen bakery market by 2024 owing to the increasing consumption of bread in the region. Significant consumption of bread across in all bakery products will positively influence the LATAM frozen bakery market.On the basis of product, ready-to-prove products will show the decent growth of more than 3% in forecast timeframe. This is all owing to surge in the usage of ready-to-prove products by artisan bakers in Mexico and Colombia. Rising number of artisanal bakers in the region will increase the consumption of ready to prove products in next seven years down the line.Hotels, restaurants, and catering (HORECA) captured close to 20% volume share of end-user base in 2017. Government initiatives to promote Mexico as a tourist destination has also led to an increase in the number of restaurants and hotels in the country. These restaurants sell a variety of bakery products include cakes, pastries, snacks, etc. Thus, developments in the restaurant industry in the country will drive product demand for use in HORECA during the forecast period.Based on country, Colombia will show the positive growth with more than 6% CAGR in forecast period. Advancement in different retail channels across the country will be crucial factor behind the frozen bakery market growth in Colombia. The increasing number of restaurants and hotels in the country has also led to sharp increase in the consumption of bakery products such as pastries, cakes, etc. These trends will propel the Colombia frozen bakery market by 2024.The major LATAM frozen bakery industry players are General Mills, Groupo Bimbo, BredenMaster, and Europastry. The industry ecosystem of LATAM frozen bakery witnesses strong supply chain of frozen dough supply to key end-users. Additionally, strategic mergers & acquisitions and new product development plays a key role across the industrys value chain.Inquiry before buying @ContinueAbout Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Explore Our Blog @ Novozymes, DSM Profiled in Brewing Enzymes Market 2018-2024 | Top Players - AB Enzymes, Amano, Danisco Foods B.V., DENYKEM LIMITED, Lyven, Dyadic International, Inc., Z.A. Biotech, Megazyme Brewing Enzymes Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2009 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/brewing-enzymes-market https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2009 https://www.gminsights.com http://algosonline.com/news Brewing Enzymes Market Worth Over USD 393 million by 2024. Surging demand for beer, wine, whisky & other beverages among the young population owing to the rising disposable income and changing consumer lifestyle will propel the brewing enzymes market size. Shifting consumer buying behavior, creation & rejuvenation of urban centers, and proliferation of the lifestyle centers will be a key impetus for the industry landscape. Economic regimes such as lowered tax rates & incentives, coupled with various government subsidies will promote new companies to invest significantly in brewing R&D and innovations.Request Sample Copy of this Report @Company Profiles1. Novozymes2. DSM3. AB Enzymes4. Amano5. Danisco Foods B.V.6. DENYKEM LIMITED7. Lyven8. Dyadic International, Inc.9. Z.A. Biotech10. Megazyme11. Jiangsu Boli Bioproducts Co., Ltd.12. Hobio Bioengineering13. Specialty Enzymes14. Customized Brewing Solutions15. Aumgene Biosciences Pvt LtdRising awareness pertaining to numerous health concerns, upsurge in the prevalence of sporty lifestyle & social gatherings among youth is fueling the demand for alcohol free beer. For instance, as per the recent beer industry trends, in 2018 alcohol free beer witnessed a 60% boost in the UK retail segment. Hence, it will promulgate the industry expansion over the projected timeframe.Key properties including effective catalytic properties and high stability during chemical reactions will provide notable gains for the brewing enzymes market in the forecast period. Upsurge in the demand for high performance enzymes owing to their easy availability and low cost will create new avenues for the manufacturers resulting in the enhancement of industry landscape.Browse key industry insights spread across 250 pages with 198 market data tables & 10 figures & charts from the report, Brewing Enzymes Market Size By Product (Amylases, Proteases, -glucanases, Xylanases), By Function (Amylases [Decotion vessel/ cereal cooker, Mashing, Fermentation], Proteases [Conditioning Tank], -glucanases [Decotion vessel/ cereal cooker, Mashing, Fermentation], Xylanases [Mashing]), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Poland, Netherlands, Ukraine, Belgium, Czech Republic, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 2024 in detail along with the table of contents:Amylases market is anticipated to surpass USD 137 million till 2024. Increasing demand for craft, low alcohol and alcohol-free variants will support the product application scope. Key properties including ability to bear diverse temperatures & pH levels during beverage production processes is further fuelling the brewing enzymes market demand. Alpha amylase is the major mash enzyme variant of the amylase that aids in the production of fermentable wort. Upsurge in the crops production including malt, barley, and wheat owing to the shifting preferences of the young population towards light beer variants will propel the brewing enzyme market growth.-glucanases segment in the brewing enzymes market will witness CAGR at over 7% in the forecast period 2018 to 2024. Positive application outlook of -glucanases in the beer production processes owing to its ability of viscosity reduction will foster product penetration. These chemicals help in the breakdown of beta-glucans that are present in the barley endosperm cell wall. High quantity of beta-glucans in the brewing process may cause problems during beer filtration process, thus propelling the demand for -glucanases across various breweries.Asia Pacific brewing enzymes market was valued at over USD 80 million in 2017. Increasing demand for innovative & improved beer variants among developing economies such as China, Japan, and India will fuel the high-quality product demand among several brewers in the forecast period. Also, shifting consumer preferences towards low-cost beer variants coupled with rising popularity of malt & wheat beer variants will further support the product penetration across the region.Europe brewing enzyme market is projected to surpass over USD 110 million in the forecast period 2018 to 2024. Rising number of craft breweries owing to exponentially growing demand for craft beer in the region will fuel the brewing enzymes market growth. As per Brewers of Europe Association, the number of active breweries in EU-28 were 8,490 in 2016 as compared to 4,035 in 2010, growing at over 13% CAGR from 2010 to 2016. The major industry players across the region include Koninklijke DSM N.V., Novozymes A/S, AB Enzymes, and Danisco.Global brewing enzymes market share has competitive nature owing to the limited players capturing major industry share. Key manufacturers include Royal DSM, Novozymes, Danisco, Lyven, Megazyme, Habio Bioengineering, Jiangsu Boli Bioproducts, Advanced Enzymes, and Enzyme Innovation. The manufacturers are involved in new product launches, production capacity expansions and mergers & acquisitions to gain competitive advantage. For instance, in January 2017, Danisco launched a new product Danisco Alphalase Advance 4000 which provided a robust solution for brewers in eliminating or reducing diacetyl content while beer fermentation.Inquiry before buying @ContinueAbout Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Explore Our Blog @Connect with us: Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter 3D Printing: Emphasis on Component, Material, Technology Insights and Forecast, 2018-2024 3D Printing https://www.grandresearchstore.com/report-sample/mena-2018-2024-47 https://www.grandresearchstore.com/ict-and-media/mena-2018-2024-47 https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-research-store/ The Middle East and North Africa 3D printing market is segmented based on component, sub-component, applications, and technology and industrial verticals. Product (industrial and desktop printer), material (polymer, plastics, metal & alloy, ceramic and other) and services are the types of components considered while analysing and defining the penetration of 3D printing technology in different geographies and countries. In 2017, product segment dominated the Middle East and North Africa 3D printing market with maximum share in terms of revenue. Based on estimation, the segment occupied for around 36.8% share in the same year. However, increasing demand for desktop printers would help the product segment to grow at a faster rate of 30.4% during the forecast period (20182024).Middle East and North Africa has displayed notable growth in 3D domain and is poised to spiral to new heights in years to come. Although 3D printing in Middle East and North Africa region is at nascent stage, countries as well as the companies of the region are in a pace to seize the opportunities arising from technological breakthroughs and which is witnessed among various industry verticals such as construction, healthcare and aerospace &defense. Apart from this, innovative and potentially transformative 3D printing deployments among medical suppliers, electronic manufacturers, and tools and components manufacturers also showcase rising acceptance.Download FREE Sample of this Report @3D printing offers integration of metals & alloys with other raw materials as per the requirement of the end-user industry, to create specified 3-dimensional objects. During 2017, polymer held prominent share of 33.5% followed by plastic which held 30.6% during the same year. Polymer market in MENA 3D printing was valued at US$ 31 Million in 2017 and is projected to derive US$ 191.1 Million revenues by 2024 witnessing astonishing CAGR of 29.9% during the forecasted period. Numerous industrial sectors are influenced by 3D printing solutions. In addition, Custom Design and Manufacturing held more than 50% share and garnered US$ 38.9 Million revenues during 2017. Based on technology, the Middle East and North Africa market is segmented into stereo lithography, selective laser sintering, electron beam melting, fused deposition modeling, laminated object manufacturing and others. In 2017, Fused Deposition Modelling technology dominated the regional 3D printing market, and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the analyzed period. It is projected to reach US$ 650.6 Million by 2024 showcasing significant CAGR of 28.4% during the analyzed period. Furthermore, depending on application type, the market is further classified into Functional Parts, Fit and Assembly, Prototype Modelling, Education, Metal Casting, Metal Casting, Visual Aids and Presentation Modelling. During 2017, functional parts occupied the largest share of 33.8% followed by Fit and assembly application type in regional 3D printing market.Moreover, benefits of 3D printing can also be witnessed among various industry verticals such as Education, automotive, aerospace & defense, healthcare, consumer goods, manufacturing, construction and others where the additive manufacturing has turned out to be a game changer. Automakers and raw material suppliers for manufacturing sector have realized the benefits of 3D printing solutions, eventually increasing the demand for 3D printing solutions in these industries. In the automotive industry, the use of 3D printing technology has been successful in bring about new shapes to the industry, allowing the industry to produce lighter and more complex structures at affordable price ranges. Manufacturing sector was accounted as the fastest growing industry vertical in terms of its applications in 3D printing. Based on estimation, the respective segment is projected to generate revenue of US$ 396.6 Million in by 2024 displaying tremendous CAGR of 28.5% during the forecasted period in MENA 3D printing market.3D printing has offered immense growth potential to the entire MENA region. The technology has portrayed its dynamism across various industrial sectors at a very high pace ranging from healthcare, education, construction to retail. In addition, lenient investment regulations by government bodies in developing countries such as MENA has allowed the companies to invest in the country?s 3D printing space. 3D printing has successfully transformed the world of business. It purposes to touch every industry and bring explosive transition in the same. 3D printing has offered numerous benefits to small scale and large scale manufacturing industry to drive more revenue in Middle East and North Africa region. However, high cost involved in 3D printing, lack of awareness and limited skills sets in the region encompass some of the obstacles that hinder the growth of 3D printing in Middle East Region. Furthermore, technological advancements in healthcare industry specifically the way medical devices are utilized to treat the patients and faster supply chain and reduced lead times form as an integrated services that have resulted into measurable impact thus aiding the manufacturers in developing precise 3D solution.Also, for better understanding of 3D printing market penetration, the market is analyzed in different geographies and countries comprising of Middle East and North Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Algeria and rest of MENA. Based on estimation, Middle East and North Africa accounted for revenue share of 6.6% in 2017. Ever expanding manufacturing domain, supportive government policies in regard to 3D printing coupled with increasing Research and Development in advanced technology has exorbitantly proliferated the 3D printing market in the region. Spending on 3D printing in MENA region is also set to increase from US$ 0.47 Billion in 2015 to US$ 1.3 Billion by 2019 registering astonishing CAGR of approximately 31% over 20152019 period outperforming the worldwide growth rate of around 27%. Countries such as Saudi Arabia and UAE are actively operating in 3D technology wherein several initiatives from research and development aspect have been undertaken to revolutionize the advanced technology applications in the region. United Arab Emirates led the Middle East and North Africa region and contributed around US$ 66.3 Million in 2017 towards regional 3D printing sales and is further projected to garner US$ 386.4 Million by 2024 registering substantial CAGR of 28.8% over the period.Considering the presence of 3D printing players in Middle East and North Africa region, 3D Systems Corporation, Arcam AB, Royal DSM N.V., ExOne Company, Autodesk, Inc., Stratasys Ltd., Organovo Holdings, Inc , Hoganas AB, Mcor Technologies Limited and Voxeljet AG, constitute as some of the prominent players operating in 3D space. The players consistently aim to focus on product development, launch new products and enhance their existing portfolios to expand their customer base and strengthen their market position through partnerships and collaborations which further offers them growth opportunities for geographic expansion.Get the Complete Report & TOC @Table of content1 MARKET INTRODUCTION1.1 Market Definition1.2 Objective of the Study1.3 Limitation1.4 Stakeholders1.5 Currency used in the Report2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY OR ASSUMPTION2.1 Secondary Data2.1.1 Key Secondary Sources2.2 Primary Data2.2.1 Sampling Techniques & Data Collection Methods2.2.2 Primary Participants2.3 Supply Side & Demand Side Analysis3 INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY5 MARKET OVERVIEW5.1 Introduction5.2 Market Dynamics5.2.1 Market Drivers5.2.1.1 Booming 3D technique in Various Verticals5.2.1.2 Rising Regulatory Support by National and Local Government Bodies5.2.1.3 Disrupting Manufacturing Sector5.2.2 Market Restraints5.2.2.1 3D Printing held back by High Cost5.2.2.2 Limited Resource Pool in 3D Printing5.2.2.3 Lack of Awareness5.2.3 Opportunities in the Market5.2.3.1 Technological advancement in Healthcare industry, especially Medical Devices5.2.3.2 Faster Supply Chain and Reduced Lead TimesGR-Store has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain..New York City Zone 01,2CONTACT US:276 5th Avenue, New York , NY 10001,United StatesInternational: (+1) 646 781 7170 / +91 8087042414Email: help@grandresearchstore.comFollow Us On linkedin :- Tactical Communications Market Revenue, Opportunity, Segment and Key Trends with Players 3M, Bose Corporation, Motorola Solutions, Sepura and INVISIO Communications Tactical Communications https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2069 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2069 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/tactical-communications-market www.gminsights.com/ The tactical communications market has penetrated industrial verticals such as oil and mining, logistics, and manufacturing, which generate high noise during normal operation. To protect the hearing capabilities of the workforce, organizations are mandated by the government to provide adequate hearing protection while retaining the ability to conduct effective conversation. The usage of protective earplugs and communication headsets separately can restrict the capabilities of the user. To combat this, manufacturers are integrating robust communication systems with protective, durable gear, such as 3M Peltor ballistic proof headsets, to ensure the safety of the device and the user while maintaining high quality communications.Get Sample Copy of This Report @Players operating in the global tactical communications market include CeoTronics, David Clark Inc., Silynx Communications, Invisio Communications, 3M, Sepura, Bose Coporation, Savox Communications, etc. The tactical communications market is characterized by high investments in R&D. In September 2016, David Clark Inc. announced the launch of DC ONE-XH Helicopter Headset which has improvements in the voice transition in terms of clarity.The need for advanced systems having high-quality audio capabilities to replace the legacy systems in the military is anticipated to drive the tactical communications market growth. Advancements in communication technology, such as bone conduction, ear canal equipment, penetration of LTE in professional mobile radios is contributing towards the growing adoption of these devices. Furthermore, wireless technology in headsets is gaining precedence as it allows users easier movement and greater flexibility. To tackle the issues of miscommunication, vendors operating in the tactical communications market are leveraging compression technology and digital signal processing for the provision of clear filters for ambient sound and voice communication in any environment. The rising trend of product miniaturization is anticipated to transform the tactical communications market.Make an Inquiry for purchasing this Report @The presence of government regulations in various economies such as the U.S and Europe are major factors contributing towards the high growth of the tactical headsets market. This equipment provides protection to the hearing of the customers from loud noises such as explosions and gunshot firings while filtering certain sounds of lower frequencies such as human speech to reach the user.The public safety applications in the tactical communications market dominated in terms of revenue share in 2016. This is attributed to the demand for covert and continuous communication channels during critical mission operations. Technological innovations such as magnetic ear canal technology allows for clear two-way communications in stealth and covert situations and are majorly adopted for usage by undercover operators and officers in the secret task forces.Browse Complete Report:Rapid growth of the industrial sector in the Asia Pacific region is a major factor contributing to tactical communications market demand. Furthermore, several economies in this region are increasing their military spending and investing heavily in the development and procurement of safe communication channels and protective gear. For instance, India is increasing their military spending by approximately 6% during the fiscal year 2017 and is also contracting the development of tactical communication systems to local organizations such as Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) under the Make in India' program.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb: BASF, Ashland, Eaton Profiled in Beer Stabilizers Market 2018-2024 Top Players - AB Vickers Limited, W. R. Grace & Co., Gusmer Enterprises, PQ Corporation, AEB, QINGDAO MAKALL GROUP https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2950 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/beer-stabilizers-market https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2950 https://www.gminsights.com http://algosonline.com/news Beer Stabilizers Market is estimated to surpass USD 65 million by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Extensive applications scope including enhanced beer shelf life and removal of chemical & biological haze is propelling the beer stabilizers market growth. The biological and non-biological molecules including proteins and yeasts are absorbed by stabilizers, thus preventing the haze formation. Benefits including microbiological stability and head retention is fueling the industry development. Also, ability to retain the original flavor by preventing the formatting of stale flavor carbonyls is surging the product demand globally. Technological advancements towards product development to extend the shelf life and enhanced flavor retention will boost the business demand during the forecast timeframe.Request for sample copy of this Report @Company Profiles1. BASF2. Ashland3. Eaton4. AB Vickers Limited5. W. R. Grace & Co.6. Gusmer Enterprises7. PQ Corporation8. AEB9. QINGDAO MAKALL GROUP10. Erbsloh Geisenheim AG11. Lehmann&Voss&Co. KG12. SINCHEMPenetration of alcohol-free & low-alcohol beer segment is supplementing the beer stabilizers business growth. Expanding demand for gluten -free and flavored beer will enhance the market development. Growing demand for craft beer supported by rising count of craft breweries is positively influencing the beer stabilizer market development. For instance, according to Brewers Association, the number of craft breweries in U.S. grew from 2,898 in 2013 to 6,266 in 2017. Rising count of microbreweries accompanied by necessity for enhancing the beer stability & the overall economics will develop new growth opportunities for beer stabilizer manufacturers.Browse key industry insights spread across 200 pages with 123 market data tables & 11 figures & charts from the report, Beer Stabilizers Market Size By Product (PVPP/R-PVPP, Silica Gel, Papain), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Mexico, Canada, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Poland, Netherlands, Ukraine, Belgium, Czech Republic, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2017 2024 in detail along with the table of contents:Silica gel dominates the global beer stabilizers market with sales at around 3,500 tons in 2017. Economic feasibility and easy availability are primarily driving the silica gel business growth. Ability to remove the most commonly found haze particularly polyphenols & polypeptides is stimulating the product demand. Ability to absorb the hydrophilic haze active proteins is strongly influencing the volume growth. Varied applicability of silica gel in the form of hydrogel & xerogel will support the segment sales over the next few years.PVPP stabilizers are projected to witness the fastest CAGR at over 5.0% from 2018 to 2024. Higher effectiveness at low contact time and relatively low dosage rates is fueling the product demand. Prolonged shelf life, negligible effect on beer flavor, along with the benefit of complete removal by filtration is augmenting the application scope. Product innovation including regenerable PVPP for improving the economics of large breweries will boost the business revenue globally.Asia Pacific beer stabilizer market was around USD 14 million in 2017. Highest contribution to global beer production owing to rising count of breweries and growing demand for beer in the region are propelling the beer stabilizers market growth. China, Japan, Vietnam and India are among the major producers in the region. According to Kirin Holdings, China is the leading beer manufacturer contributing around 21% of the global beer production in 2017. Rising demand for beer along with need for quick stabilization & improved economics will drive the product demand in Asia Pacific.Latin America is among the fastest growing regions with CAGR at around 5.0% during the forecast period 2018-2024. Brazil is the largest producer in Latin America and the third largest globally. Brazil and Argentina are among the fastest growing countries globally. According to Kirin Holdings, Brazil and Argentinas beer production grew by 5% and 4.8% resp. in 2017 as compared to previous year.Inquiry before buying @Global beer stabilizers market share is highly fragmented with large number of global and regional players. The key industry players include W.R. Grace and Company, PQ Corporation, Ashland, Eaton, AB Vickers, and BASF. Other prominent players in the industry are AEB, Gusmer Beer, QINGDAO MAKALL Group, SINCHEM, Lehmann&Voss&Co, and ERBSLOH. Merger & acquisitions along with product innovation are among the key strategies adopted by the manufacturers to expand their market share.ContinueAbout Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Explore Our Blog @Connect with us: Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Market Size, Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Forecast to 2025 | Abbott Laboratories, Addex therapeutics, Himalaya, Astellas Pharma, AstraZeneca, Ava Science, Bayer, Theralogix. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Market https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/25113 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/25113 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/buy/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-market https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/25113 www.upmarketresearch.com Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Industry research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period. It is a professional and a detailed report focusing on primary and secondary drivers, market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report.Get Free Exclusive PDF Sample Copy of This Report:The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Industry global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2018 2023.The scope of the report extends from market scenarios to comparative pricing between major players, cost and profit of the specified market regions. The numerical data is backed up by statistical tools such as SWOT analysis, BCG matrix, SCOT analysis, PESTLE analysis and so on. The statistics are represented in graphical format for a clear understanding on facts and figures.For Any Query Please Visit:The generated report is firmly based on primary research, interviews with top executives, news sources and information insiders. Secondary research techniques are implemented for better understanding and clarity for data analysis.UpMarketResearch offers a latest published report on Global Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Market Analysis and Forecast 2018-2023 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability. The report for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome market analysis & forecast 2018-2023 is segmented into Product Segment, Application Segment & Major players.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Market Analysis and Forecast 2018-2023 report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report also calls for market-driven results deriving feasibility studies for client needs. UpMarketResearch ensures qualified and verifiable aspects of market data operating in the real-time scenario. The analytical studies are conducted ensuring client needs with a thorough understanding of market capacities in the real-time scenario.To Buy This Report Directly and get it in PDF format within 24 hours, please visit:The key players covered in this study Bristol-Myers Squibb Theralogix Ferring Pharmaceuticals Teva Pharmaceutical GSK Sneha Natura Jarrow Formulas Merck Millendo Therapeutics MyOva Novartis Ogeda PCOS Diva Pharmasure Salveo LifecareMarket segment by Type, the product can be split into Diuretics Insulin sensitizing agents Antiandrogens Anti-depressants Ornithine decarboxylase inhibitors Anti-obesity Oral contraceptive pillsMarket segment by Application, split into Hospital pharmacies Drug stores Retail pharmacies Fertility clinics e-commerceMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers United States Europe China Japan Southeast Asia India Central & South AmericaThe Report covers in-depth analysis as follows: Chapter 1 Overview of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Chapter 2 Global Market Status and Forecast by Regions Chapter 3 Global Market Status and Forecast by Types Chapter 4 Global Market Status and Forecast by Downstream Industry Chapter 5 Market Driving Factor Analysis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Chapter 6 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Market Competition Status by Major Manufacturers Chapter 7 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Major Manufacturers Introduction and Market Data Chapter 8 Upstream and Downstream Market Analysis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Chapter 9 Cost and Gross Margin Analysis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Chapter 10 Marketing Status Analysis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Chapter 11 Report Conclusion Chapter 12 Research Methodology and ReferenceKey Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the Global Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Industry Analysis and Forecast 2018-2023 and its commercial landscape. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome market analysis and forecast 2018-2023.Customization of the Report:UpMarketResearch provides free customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.Grab Special Discount :You can also ask for region wise market research report, as below: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Global Market Status & Trend Report 2013-2023 Top 20 Countries Data Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-North America Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-South America Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Europe Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-EMEA Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Asia Pacific Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-China Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-India Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-United States Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023About UpMarketResearch:The UpMarketResearch () is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Contact Info:Name: Alex MathewsEmail: alex@upmarketresearch.comOrganization: UpMarketResearchAddress: 500, East E Street, Ontario, CA 91764, United States. A Multnomah County grand jury cleared a Portland police officer who shot a man holding his girlfriend hostage at knifepoint. Samuel Rice, 30, was killed by a single gunshot wound as police moved into the Del Rancho Motel room where Rice held his girlfriend. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officer Kelly VanBlokland was placed on paid leave while the grand jury decided whether he should be criminally prosecuted. Friday, they delivered a not true bill, which means that they said VanBloklands use of force was appropriate. VanBlokland, a 24-year bureau veteran and a member of the bureaus Special Emergency Reaction Team assigned to the training division, was part of a tactical team that responded to the hostage situation. In October, Rice, who had prior run-ins with police and had been on the Portland Police Bureaus radar as in need of mental health services, had pulled a knife on another customer inside a 7-Eleven store at Southeast Flavel Street and 82nd Avenue. A clerk ordered Rice out and called police. A short time later, Rice barricaded himself and his girlfriend into Room 16 of the Del Rancho Motel across the street, where they were living after allegedly getting evicted from their apartment. Rice told police that he would kill his girlfriend if they came inside. Eventually, a sniper shot once into the room, and then tactical officers moved inside. Rice was killed during that confrontation. The transcript from the grand jury hearing will be released by the Multnomah County District Attorneys officer unless VanBlokland appeals to have it remain secret. Fried chicken on a waffle. Sounds unusual at first, but dig deeper and youll find the dish on all sorts of Portland menus, from trendy brunch spots (even the vegan ones) to dive bars. This foodie city has welcomed Southern-inspired fare to its culinary table, and chicken and waffles seems as good a salute to Dixieland as fried catfish or hushpuppies. Upon closer inspection, the geographic origin of chicken and waffles is slightly controversial. No self-respecting Southerner is going to deny credit for fried chicken, but putting fried chicken on a waffle ... that's a different story. Southern kitchens have been cooking up fried chicken and biscuits since before George Washington was thought of, but waffles (and waffle irons) weren't commonplace until well into the 19th century. Like biscuits, waffles are a quick bread, so although there's not much documentation of chicken and waffles in early Southern kitchens, it's not hard to imagine the combo being whipped up from time to time. Regardless of who was the first genius to place fried chicken on a waffle, the dish was definitely made famous in urban areas outside the South. The trend started in New York's Harlem neighborhood, with the opening of Wells Supper Club in 1938. It gained notoriety as a late-night hotspot for jazz musicians, most notably Sammy Davis Jr. and Nat King Cole. Arriving too late for dinner and too early for breakfast, they got chicken and waffles as a compromise. Chicken and waffles made it to the West Coast in 1976, with the opening of Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles (owned by a Harlem native) in Los Angeles. So it seems Portland has a lot of people in a lot of places to thank for chicken and waffles. But let's focus on the important part: Where you should eat it. Po'Shines Cafe De La Soul, an ebullient eatery in North Portland's Kenton neighborhood, is attached to a non-denominational church, which Po'Shines' owners say is the source of the soul in the dishes it serves. (Eder Campuzano/Staff)Eder Campuzano/Staff Most traditional: PoShines PoShines is owned by Celebration Tabernacle, a nondenominational house of worship in the Kenton neighborhood in North Portland. The space has gone through several iterations but for the past 11 years has housed PoShines, a soul food restaurant that offers culinary and work experience for underserved youth. This was hands down the chicken and waffle dish most true to its Southern origins. The dish, three large fried wings atop a cornmeal waffle, is perfectly harmonious. The waffle has an amazing texture and flavor - a little hearty and a little sweet - that pairs perfectly with maple syrup, a kick of hot sauce and of course, those crispy wings. PoShines Chicken and Waffles is not that far removed from a fried chicken dinner with a side of cornbread. If you want a traditional Southern meal and experience, go to PoShines. $12, available all day, 8139 N. Denver Ave. poshines.com or 503-978-9000. Most inventive: Batter, Griddle and Drinkery Chicken and waffles from Batter, Griddle & Drinkery. (Kristi Turnquist/Staff)Kristi Turnquist/Oregonian/Orego This trendy brunch spot specializes in waffles, which make up 90 percent of the menu. Accordingly, the waffles are great: substantial yet fluffy and delicate, and toasted just enough. The Drinkery has two options for chicken and waffles: Asian and Country Fried. Both are excellent, but the standout is the Asian Fried Chicken and Waffles. One or two pieces (your choice) of spiced chicken are served on top of one of those delicious waffles with a side of garlic chile sauce and a melt-in-your-mouth mixture of butter, buttermilk and sugar. The boneless chicken breasts aren't the best fried chicken I've had, but the flavoring, combined with the sauce, combined with the touch of melted butter drizzled on the waffle, makes for a pretty incredible dish. $12-$14, available at brunch, 4425 N.E. Fremont St. batterpdx.com or 971-271-8784. Best from a brunch spot: Miss Delta Chicken and waffles from Miss Delta in North Portland. (Jamie Hale/Staff) Miss Delta, which really does Cajun-inspired fare justice, is firing on all cylinders when it comes to chicken and waffles. Miss Delta uses boneless breasts for fried chicken, which isn't the most authentically Southern preparation, but it's just so dang good that I didn't care. The cuts of chicken are thin enough that you get a good taste of perfectly executed buttermilk batter in every bite - it's crispy, just a little spicy and decadent without being overwhelmingly so. The waffle is just as good: lightly crispy and buttery, accompanied by delicious praline butter and classic maple syrup. The effect makes you understand why this seemingly odd dish was invented in the first place, and thank whomever there is to thank for it. $11-$16, available at brunch and happy hour, 3950 N. Mississippi Ave. missdeltapdx.net or 503-287-7629. Best from a neighborhood joint: Sckavones Sckavone's rendition of chicken and waffles. (Lizzy Acker/Staff)Lizzy Acker Sckavone's is a comfortable, inviting place that has a decidedly neighborhood hangout feel, with old photographs of the building and neighborhood on the walls. The chicken and waffles are just as successful as the ambience. Sckavone's isn't doing anything crazy but executes the classic dish very well. The chicken is a boneless breast and has the flavorful, crunchy crave-ability that chicken tenders lose after the first bite - except it lasts all the way through. The waffle pairs well with it and is sturdy enough to stand up to the chicken without losing its light, airy texture. Finish it off with cinnamon bourbon maple syrup, and Sckavone's does the dish justice and then some. $11.50, available at brunch, 4100 S.E. Division St. sckavones.com or 503-235-0630. Most happening: Screen Door One of Portland's signature dishes, the fried chicken and waffles at Screen Door. (Michael Russell/Staff)Michael Russell | The Oregonian Ahh, Screen Door, the most famed of Portland's chicken and waffles brunch scene. We went around noon on a Thursday and there was a 20-minute wait, accompanied by some pretty tight seating accommodations. While waiting, I had plenty of time to observe the vast quantities of chicken and waffles coming out of the kitchen. For the most part, Screen Door lived up to its reputation. The chicken and waffles is fairly traditional, with the main deviation being the sweet potato waffle. I was skeptical, but it was great. A little more moist and dense than a traditional waffle, it wasn't overpowering and it paired well with the chicken, though I'm not sure I would choose it over a fluffy Belgium waffle. Then there was the chicken: buttermilk-fried, boneless breasts with just enough breading to make them decadent but not over-the-top. The dish as a whole was very successful, though not transcendent enough to merit the wait time. $12.50-$16, available at weekday breakfast and weekend brunch, 2337 E. Burnside St. screendoorrestaurant.com or 503-542-0880. Each evening, Tina Castanares sits with her 97-year-old mother and reviews the next day. Castanares tells her mother who will wake her up in the morning and help her get ready for the day. Then her mother recites what she wants and doesnt want paramedics to do in case she has a heart attack during the night. Castanares knows that might sound morbid, but the ritual keeps her mothers mind sharp and comforts her to know that her mothers end-of-life wishes will be considered in an emergency. Thats why her mother filled out a Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment form, commonly called POLST. A recent study says that nearly half of all Oregonians who have died since the form was created had one filled out and the percentage of people doing so has only grown. The state leads the country how many people have a POLST form. About 31 percent of people who died from 2010 to 2011 had a POLST on file with the states registry. A group of Oregon Health & Science University researchers, along with one from Harvards Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, found that number had jumped to 45 percent between 2015 and 2016. In that same time frame, the number of deaths in Oregon by natural causes increased nearly 13 percent while the number of forms filled out by nearly 66 percent. Researchers say that indicates the popularity of the form has grown independent of the size of the population who would need it. Oregon has led the country in palliative care in several ways. One of the most high-profile is Oregons Death with Dignity law, passed by voters in 1994 and enacted in 1997, years before other states started to adopt similar physician-assisted suicide laws. But POLST is possibly the most impactful. The Center for Ethics in Health Care at Oregon Health & Science University put together a group of health care providers from the state to create the document, which allows anyone to say what kind of life-saving measures they want or dont want in an emergency. Every state now has some form of a POLST form. Oregon also has the most robust registry that any doctor or emergency worker can access in seconds. Paramedics in Oregon are allowed to start CPR or other resuscitation techniques on a person in a medical crisis at their own discretion. But the chance of it working can be as low as 3 percent for people who are permanent residents of a nursing home. So many frail and older people fill out a POLST form that refuses those resuscitations measures. Castanares mother is one of them. When an ambulance came twice, both times for non-life-threatening injuries, emergency crews were able to immediately look up her POLST form and see that she doesnt want to be evaluated for anything beyond the injury. She has also made it clear she doesnt want a breathing tube or other interventions other than those that would make her comfortable and able to be at home before she dies. She just really wants a natural death and really feels the POLST protects that, Castanares said. OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care Director Dr. Susan Tolle said that many people who fill out a POLST form do it for the same reasons. However, the number of people who want extensive medical care in emergency situations has increased, according to the study. About 13 percent of people who had a POLST form filled out when they died in 2015 to 2016 requested every life - saving measure, whereas only 8 percent did in 2010 to 2011. And sometimes those desires change over time. Many people fill out more than one POLST over the course of their life, Tolle said, as their diagnosis changes or they experience new ailments. This is like any other medical order: if the wishes and the values and the context change, the orders need to change so that the plan of care is clearly guided as someone moves from one care setting to another, Tolle said. Tolle was also surprised to find that many people fill it out earlier in life. The older an Oregonian is, the more likely they are to have a POLST form on file with the state. For people 95 and older, nearly 60 percent have a form -- an increase of 83 percent over the last five years. But even people in their 60s and 70s have filled out the forms at a growing rate. More than 31 percent more people between 65 and 74 had a POLST on file when they died than in 2010. That could change how doctors talk to patients about POLST forms. Many people who are frail or have weak immune systems die suddenly from pneumonia or complications relating to disease. Tolle also said that people with memory or dementia conditions have started to fill out forms years before they expect to die. Doctors tend to recommend POLST forms for people who are within months or a year of death. But Tolle said that might be excluding people who want to state their needs early and often. We didnt really think carefully enough or fully understand the special needs of those at the most advanced age and frailty, and especially those with cognitive impairment, Tolle said. SALEM Oregon regulators and a California winery accused of misrepresenting the Oregon origins of its bestselling pinot noir, an act which infuriated local winemakers, said Thursday after a preliminary meeting theyre hopeful they can resolve the dispute. The owner and a vice president of Napa Valleys Copper Cane winery flew to Portland to meet Wednesday with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission Executive Director Steven Marks. The commission earlier found Copper Cane had committed seven violations with labeling and that it wants to revoke its ability to sell within Oregon. Its pinot noir grapes are grown in three Oregon wine regions and trucked to California, where it is made into wine. At issue are labels on California winemaker Joe Wagner's Elouan Pinot Noir and Willametter Journal wines that refer to Oregon's winegrowing regions. Also at issue: Copper Canes wine is more pronounced than the more nuanced and delicate pinot noirs produced in Oregon, and has cheaper prices. Local winemakers say Copper Canes Oregon-centric marketing is going to confuse consumers and erode a growing industry here. Jim Blumling, Copper Cane's vice president of operations, said in a phone interview that he and Wagner had a "collaborative conversation" with Marks to come to an amicable solution. State liquor commission spokesman Matthew VanSickle agreed, saying "overall, it was a good preliminary meeting." Copper Cane has a right to a hearing to dispute the charges and the proposed revocation of its ability to sell its products in Oregon, but must request to reserve this right by Dec. 20, which it hasn't yet done. Blumling said both the commission and Copper Cane want the winery to keep buying grapes from Oregon vineyards. Rep. David Gomberg, a member of the Oregon Legislature and a critic of Copper Cane, said the winery is cutting into the "prestige" of Oregon pinot noir. Last year, 120,000 cases of Copper cane's Elouan wine the vast majority being pinot noir were sold nationwide, Blumling said. In comparison, 70 percent of Oregon wineries produce fewer than 5,000 cases of wine per year, according to the Oregon Wine Board. Oregon wineries also tend to charge more than other states, with the finicky pinot noir being the main seller. Consumers recognize and are willing to pay for that premium quality, the Wine Industry Advisor, an online industry publication, recently noted. Wagner's Elouan and Willametter Journal wines refer in labels and shipping and display cartons to Oregon's Willamette Valley, Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valley wine regions. The Oregon liquor commission says only wines "finished" in Oregon can claim association with an Oregon wine region. And a label may cite a wine region only if 95 percent of the grapes are from that particular region, according to the Oregon Wine Board. -- The Associated Press George H.W. Bush was legendary for his thank-you notes. He wrote thousands of them, expressing appreciation for kindnesses large and small. When it came to his gratitude, no one was left behind. In light of the consequential life Bush lived, lifting up this habit might seem to accentuate the trivial. After all, he served bravely in one war and, as president, led his country to victory in another. What's the big deal about thank-you notes that are politically shrewd and reflect the old-fashioned habits of a well-bred patrician? In fact, those missives of appreciation spoke to qualities that were fundamental to the 41st president of the United States. He was a much shrewder and tougher politician than we remember. He was a patrician, but of a very particular sort, a throwback to a time when elites felt a profound sense of public obligation. Being well-born entailed a commitment to duty and a requirement to live up to certain expectations. And if his privilege gave him good reason to be a sunny optimist, he shared his cheerfulness with others. Not for him a habit all too common among the wealthy these days of expressing irritation and resentment when others fail to see them as exemplars of greatness and virtue. For all these reasons, Bush represented a very different kind of Republicanism. He was a Burkean conservative who saw change and reform as necessary to the work of conserving what he believed to be a fundamentally good society. A fierce partisan when necessary, he refused to see cooperation with political adversaries as a form of ideological treason. As a product of the World War II generation, he did not dismiss government as merely a necessary evil. His two main domestic achievements as president, a new Clean Air Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, were broadly progressive and they passed with Democratic support. He cared about deficits in fact and not just in his rhetoric. So he was willing to violate his politically opportunistic 1988 "No new taxes" pledge to get a responsible budget deal two years later. Conservatives never forgave him, although his tax increase was smaller than the one Ronald Reagan signed. Conservatives were willing to forgive their hero almost anything; if the Gipper agreed to raise taxes, it must have been because he had no choice. The right never gave Bush any benefits of the doubt. And it's worth remembering that when Bush asked Congress to approve the military campaign to reverse Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait, he did not seek a war vote during the run-up to the 1990 midterm elections. He waited until afterward, thus keeping the war decision out of electoral politics. He showed both resolve and restraint, resisting calls to send American troops into Iraq after Kuwait was freed from Saddam's grip. It was a much-contested choice that looks better and better in retrospect. Bush was no saint -- but saints don't win elections. His 1988 campaign against Democrat Michael Dukakis, then the Massachusetts governor, carried a taint of racism. He attacked a Dukakis administration prison furlough program, which was a legitimate thing to do. But the criticism was linked to the release of Willie Horton, an African American and convicted murderer who raped a white woman and stabbed her husband while on a weekend furlough. Years later, when Bush's wily, engaging but also often ruthless campaign manager, Lee Atwater, was facing death from cancer, he apologized for having said he would "make Willie Horton [Dukakis's] running mate." Bush always seemed to see campaigning as the unpleasant prelude to the noble work of governing. If a willingness to separate politics from governing was often a Bush strength, it could also be a weakness. Nonetheless, our country would be better if elites were as public-spirited as Bush was and if conservatism reflected his Eisenhower style of balancing capitalism with public action, striving with compassion. One day many years ago, I found myself talking back to the television set in a rather partisan way (for what, I can't remember). I called my children over to say I didn't approve of what I had just done and that it was not good that our politics had become so divisive. And I told them of a president I had voted against but admired enormously for his stewardship of foreign policy and his basic decency. I hoped for a time when we did not have to become angry or fearful when the other side won an election. The man I was talking about was George H.W. Bush. E.J. Dionne is on Twitter: @EJDionne. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group All 15 Intel employees taken to Washington County hospitals after suffering breathing problems Thursday afternoon have been released, according to the company. Intel said authorities determined there was no hazardous materials release in the incident. Emergency responders reacted to reports Thursday of a possible toxic exposure at Intels massive Ronler Acres campus in Hillsboro. Intel said the employees reported respiratory irritation and minor breathing difficulty. Initial reports said ambulances took 11 employees to the hospital. Emergency responders said Friday that they transported four more later in the afternoon. The cause remains a mystery. Bruce Montgomery, public information officer for the Hillsboro Fire Department, said his department and Intel worked together to monitor the air quality in the facility and found nothing amiss. There was no sign of anything leaking or anything like that in the areas where they were checking it out, Montgomery said. Intel said it has launched an internal investigation to identify the root cause of the incident. Oregons Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it is looking into the case but would not comment while its inquiry is active. Though semiconductor production takes place in clean rooms, designed to prevent even microscopic contamination of computer chips, the manufacturing process involves many hazardous chemicals that can cause severe injuries if they escape containment. There have been several accidents in the regional chip industry since the 1980s. Most seriously, an Intel contractor servicing a manufacturing tool died last year when he was crushed inside the machine. -- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC recently announced the promotion of Traci Belt, CPA, CRCM, CBA to partner in its Saginaw office. Traci joined AHP in 2004 as a staff accountant in their Saginaw office. In her 14 years of accounting experience, she has earned the designations of Certified Public Accountant, Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager, Certified Bank Auditor, and a Loan Review Certificate through the Bank Administration Institute. As a leader in AHP's financial institution niche, Traci provides external audit, internal audit, loan review, and compliance services to over 20 financial institutions throughout Michigan. She coordinates and leads AHP's internal bank training seminars as well as customized trainings for clients and industry organizations. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Northwood University and a Master of Business Administration in Accounting from Oakland University. Traci is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, MICPA Financial Institution Task Force, Banking CPAs, Michigan Compliance Officers Association, and is a Community Banking Advisor Editorial Staff Member. Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC is a Michigan-based certified public accounting and consulting firm with offices in Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Bay City, Grand Rapids, Greater Lansing, Midland, Owosso, and Saginaw. AHP provides accounting, audit, tax, employee benefit plan administration, retirement planning, and business and IT consulting for individual and business clients. For more information, visit www.ahpplc.com. Local communications and public relations agency Trapani Communications Inc. expanded its team with the addition of Taylor Trapani, who joined the group as a copywriter and project manager. "We're thrilled to have Taylor join us," said Stacey Trapani, owner of Trapani Communications. "Taylor is a strong writer and excellent project manager. She will be instrumental in serving our clients and helping us expand our reach into new markets." It was quiet on the corner of Ashman and Main streets Friday afternoon. Then, there was a crowd of people dancing to Kenny Loggins' "Footloose." For 10 minutes, a group of people stopped their work day to meet on the corner in front of Pizza Sam's and danced to Mariah Carey, Pitbull, Ke$ha and House of Pain. And they were the first in Midland, and quite possibly Michigan, to join in on a new fad: #Lunchbeat. "It's an activity that anyone can join in on," said Grant Murschel, the mastermind behind bringing #Lunchbeat to Midland. "It's for anyone in the community." Murschel first learned about the activity on social media roughly two weeks ago, due to following the Instagram account of a Swedish coffee house. The business, da Matteo in Gothenburg, regularly hosts small weekly dance sessions for anyone who happens to walk by its location. For 10 minutes, patrons and passerbys alike have the ability to drop everything and enjoy a jam session provided by da Matteo. The idea to bring that to Midland, to help fight the winter blues by getting people outside and dancing, was enticing Murschel said. Between 12 to 14 people attended the first #Lunchbeat. The idea was sent around through an email blast and word of mouth. It eventually ended up reaching Midland resident Lucy Pagan, who said she loved the energy of the idea. She led a number of the dances and even encouraged some residents off the street to stop and join. "I love teaching people how to dance and it's fun to share that rhythm with everybody," Pagan said. "(#Lunchbeat) isn't meant to intimidate anybody. It's for people of all levels of dance, even if you just want to put your hands in the air or tap your foot." As for the future of #Lunchbeat, Murschel said he wants it to keep growing so that people from the community can use it as a fun break from their day. The next #Lunchbeat is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, Murschel said with a location to be determined. To keep up with where the group might groove to next, Murschel said to look for "#Lunchbeat" on social media. "The idea is just to bring people together in a public way, over music," he said. "We want to get anyone to come down, have more people join us for 10 minutes." Midland County has issued a statement on the arrest of Midland County Sheriff Scott Stephenson, who announced Thursday that he was arrested nearly two weeks ago for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in Kalkaska County. Here is the statement: WCMU Public Radio has launched its fifth annual Warm Hearts, Warm Homes campaign to fuel home-heating assistance across Central and Northern Michigan. The collaboration continues with Consumers Energy, Isabella Bank and WCMU Public Radio listeners. Through this season of giving, WCMU listeners will support their community two-fold with access to quality public radio programming, while triggering home-heating assistance through the matching funds from Consumers Energy and Isabella Bank. Matching funds will be distributed back to the listener's community through their local Michigan Community Action agency. "As winter weather settles in across Michigan, the generosity and compassion of WCMU Public Radio listeners, combined with the financial support of Consumers Energy and Isabella Bank, will allow us to address a critical need facing the people living in the communities we serve," said Ken Kolbe, general manager of WCMU Public Media. "It's sobering to think of having to choose between turning up the thermostat, and paying a car or medical bill. Any one of us could find ourselves in need of assistance through a series of unfortunate events. WCMU listeners should be proud to know that decision has been eased for thousands of families through the first four years of Warm Hearts, Warm Homes," said Rick Westover, radio director for WCMU Public Media. Listener donations supporting the programming on WCMU Public Radio will be matched dollar for dollar by Consumers Energy and Isabella Bank. Warm Hearts, Warm Homes has provided over $200,000 in matching funds to assist with winter heating bills in its first four years, and is on track this year to crest a quarter of a million dollars in matching support for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. WCMU Public Radio received the 2017 Community Service Award from MCA for the December 2016 campaign. Those wishing to contribute to Warm Hearts, Warm Homes should call 800-999-5656 or visit WCMU.org/WarmHearts. There was a clear spike in political songs since the presidential inauguration of he who shall not be named. Were not just talking about the overt, radical protest songs of Pussy Riot or some other punk band. Think of all the new music that vaguely or directly taps into the contentious social or political climate. Reflecting the worlds problems in art seems noble and necessary, and its been a historical tradition. Most people wouldnt imply that music in the current zeitgeist is inherently better, but is it more significant, is it more woke, is it more reflective or is it more powerful? Instead of answering with a simple yes or no, I think we need to reexamine what it means to dub a song political. Recent albums by Janelle Monae, Barbra Streisand, Idles, Superchunk and Christine and the Queens are sprinkled with timely themes that challenge power structures with direct or indirect references. As a black queer woman in America, Janelle Monae knows she has a target on her back and with Dirty Computer, she touches on feminism, queerness and race with defiance, a cool confidence and without having to justify her existence. Similarly, Christine and the Queens second full-length Chris sets out to subvert the male gaze and reclaim qualities of physical and sexual power that have historically been associated with men. Idles latest record Joy As an Act of Resistance takes aim at toxic masculinity, anti-immigrant rhetoric, nationalism and classism, but like the title suggests, they advocate for love and warn of the repercussions of fear (Fear leads to panic / Panic leads to pain / Pain leads to anger / Anger leads to hate). Superchunks latest offering What a Time to Be Alive doesnt refer to the current president directly, but instead the changing American landscape that he brought about and how to operate in dire times of conservative leadership. After all, as the band offers on Reagan Youth, weve seen the destructive reign of staunch, white male Republicans before. Then take Barbra Streisands latest album WALLSthe openly oppositional voice of the resistance. One track, Dont Lie To Me decries the presidents outright lies, megalomania and divisive nature (How do you win if we all lose). One of the best and most-talked-about tracks of the year was The 1975s new single, Love It If We Made It. Its all-encompassing lyrics address the social, economic and political strife that has plagued the globe as of late with things like the racist criminal justice system, self-medicating, fear-mongering, the lack of progress on climate change and the wide-ranging shortcomings of late capitalism. All of this music contains straightforward or slightly more ambiguous opposition to the social and political status quo, but what about all the other music without these references? Should those be considered apolitical? You may have noticed the recent barrage of depressed, anxiety-ridden, uber personal, emotionally and technologically exhausted, disconnected, disenfranchised, powerless songsa phenomena that appears to transcend genre. The music of Car Seat Headrest, Twenty One Pilots, Mitski, Logic, Lana Del Rey, Mac Miller and others evokes this candid pain and sadness in one form or another. As discussed in a recent Pitchfork feature, its not just happening in underground sceneseven the pop stars who we often look to for uplifting music to help us dance through the pain are singing about heavy topics like anxiety and suicide. Think of the popularity of songs like Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots or In My Blood by Shawn Mendes. Mendes calls for help while contemplating giving up and Twenty One Pilots reflect on their insecurities by reminiscing about carefree nature of childhood. The correlation between rising anxiety, depression and suicide rates with the rise of songs that discuss these same topics is no coincidence. When we think of the word zeitgeist, which translates to spirit of the times, we tend to think of politics, but songs that discuss these growing feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt should also fall under the zeitgeist umbrella. To go one step further, Id even argue that these songs are not just part of the zeitgeist, they are intrinsically political. The rise in depression and anxiety cannot not be detached from the failure of many national and international systems to deliver results that align with the values they are supposed to represent. Supposedly apolitical songsmeaning those that dont address social or political norms or feelings of existential gloomneed to be thought of in a different way. Not singing about politics or the social consciousness may be a deliberate decision to avoid those things. In a sense, those songs are a declaration that modern-day politics and the 24-hour news cycle are overwhelming and divisive, so many songwriters dont want to go there. That reasoning alone tells us something about politics. People have debated this question for yearsIs everything political? Im increasingly convinced that the answer is yes. Music about love, loss and relationships are likely viewed as the most apolitical songs, but Id implore you to dig deeper. If you can find solace in songs about something as pure as human relationships, on some level, youre trying to lead a functional life, and because of the times we live in, that feels like a political statement in itself. Some argue that by just functioning in this dysfunctional system, regardless of whether youre struggling or using coping mechanisms, is a rebellion in its own way. Typically people view rebellion as taking it to the streets and physically organizing and speaking truth to power, but I think rebellion is more broad than that. The American system has set many of us up for failureunaffordable healthcare costs, crippling student debt, underfunded schools, crumbling infrastructure. Despite these odds, every time you get out of bed in the morning and head to work or school in search of a better life, you are trying to evade the less than satisfactory future that is laid out for you. Thats not to say that songs that dont directly reference politics cant serve as a mental escape for peoplerather Im suggesting that art doesnt exist outside the bounds of society, the economy and politics because all artists exist in those systems. Whatever musicians are singing about in 2018, theyre making art against many odds. Think back to the feminist slogan, the personal is political. The fact that everyday life is still subject to power structures means that politics is not something that we can escape from, especially with recent developments like the #MeToo movement. Politics is rooted in norms, practices, values and beliefs, and those dont suddenly dissolve when youre not voting, participating in the political discourse or singing about how much you hate the current administration. Whether an artist is singing about nature, relationships or social or political norms, we all exist in a series of systems that decide the fate of peoples lives. Everything is political. A year ago there was hope that Apple's long battle with India's Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) over an anti-spam app was over. Though in fact it wasn't over as Apple tried to work around the issue due to security concerns which angered the head of the regulatory body R S Sharma. By July 2018 Sharma warned wireless carriers that if Apple's iPhone didn't provide India's anti-spam app as requested that they could be called upon to delist and deregister the iPhone from their networks. Today an Indian report is claiming that Apple has quietly complied with India's Telecom Regulatory Authority over an anti-spam app so as to avoid being delisted by wireless carriers in early 2019. Specifically, the report points out what the government's letter to carriers read in-part: "Every Access Provider shall ensure, within six months' time, that all smartphone devices registered on its network support the permissions required for the functioning of such Apps as prescribed in the regulations 6(2)(e) and regulations 23(2)(d). Provided that where such devices do not permit functioning of such Apps as prescribed in regulations 6(2)(e) and regulations 23(2)(d), Access Providers shall, on the order or direction of the Authority, derecognize such devices from their telecom networks." India Today's report headline reads: "Apple blinks, approves DND app made by TRAI for iOS store and iPhone users." While the report failed to explain or prove that Apple blinked and complied, we were able to find the new app on Apple India's App Store as our cover graphic presents. The India Today report specifically noted that the app is only available to those using iOS 12.1, which is currently running on 63% of iPhones going back to 2014. For the record, a session during Apple's WWDC 2018 hinted that they would be complying with India's request with the app when iOS for India was published. India's Telecom Regulatory Authority didn't trust Apple would actually comply this time around and sent out the notice to wireless carriers as a warning to Apple that excuses would no longer be tolerated. With Apple struggling as it is in the Indian market just to make the smallest dent, it was surprising that compliance took as long as it did. India's Telecom Regulatory Authority threatening Apple with being delisted by India's wireless carries is as serious as it gets. This seems to be one of many poor business decisions Apple has made in India which is reflected by the dismal market position held in that country. On Wednesday Patently Apple posted a report titled "Qualcomm's ongoing claims to be on the Doorstep of Resolving their Legal Battle with Apple remains a PR Ploy," and was the only site to contradict the lazy headlines of the day. Late yesterday Apple cemented that position by stating that there are no settlement talks, as the judge set April 15th as to when the battle with Qualcomm goes to trial. Apple attorney William Isaacson told Judge Gonzalo Curiel on Friday that a settlement wasnt in the cards, adding that "The parties are going to need a trial. There have been unfortunate articles lately that the parties are close to a settlement, and that is not true. There havent been talks in months." How close is that to calling Qualcomm's CEO Steve Mollenkopf a liar? The verbal slap-in-the-face could be heard in Anchorage Alaska. The San Diego Union-Tribune further reported that "Apple contends Qualcomm has concocted a scheme that allows it to overcharge for patents in violation of patent, contract and antitrust laws. According to Apple, Qualcomm is getting paid twice for its intellectual property once when it licenses its patent portfolio and a second time when its sells cellular modem chips." SaferVPN has good performance with more than 400 servers in 29 countries. Its privacy policy makes the right promises overall, but it probably wont appeal to the ultra privacy conscious. SaferVPN in brief: P2P allowed: Netherlands server only Netherlands server only Business location: Tel Aviv, IL Tel Aviv, IL Number of servers: 700 700 Number of country locations: 34 34 Monthly cost: $65.88 billed annually, or $78.96 for two years $65.88 billed annually, or $78.96 for two years VPN protocol: IKEv2 (default with OpenVPN as fallback) IKEv2 (default with OpenVPN as fallback) Data encryption: AES-256 AES-256 Data authentication: SHA-256 SHA-256 Handshake encryption: 2048-bit Editors Note: This review was updated November 29, 2018 to reflect changes to infrastructure, improved speed scores, and a new overall review score. A relative newcomer to the world of VPNs, SaferVPN got its start in 2013 with 150 servers in 24 countries. Over the past four years, the server count is now around 700 and its country list is 34. SaferVPN is a solid choice in terms of performance, but it doesnt quite rise to the gold standard that the extra privacy-conscious services offer. Still, the companys current privacy policy is an improvement. Note: This review is part of our best VPNs roundup. Go there for details about competing products and how we tested them. Features and services Ian Paul/IDG The Safer VPN interface with its various options revealed. SaferVPN has a very simple interface. The services desktop program for Windows features a single panel with a non-interactive map of the world with current status information when connected, such as your PCs current public IP address and time connected. If you click on the map marker to the right of the Connect button, a second panel shows up on the left with a list of SaferVPNs possible connections. The list includes 41 options including two U.S. connections, and U.S. and UK streaming servers. In the past the U.S. streaming server hasnt worked well to get around Netflixs regional restrictions; at this writing, however, it was working. The UK server also worked with Netflix in my tests, if youd like to experience the catalog available to folks on the other side of the pond. Ian Paul/IDG SaferVPNs settings view. For those who want to get a few extra features, click the hamburger menu icon in the upper right-hand corner and select Settings. From there, you can select a specific VPN protocol such as OpenVPN or IKEv2. If you dont choose your own protocol, SaferVPN opts for IKEv2 first and then falls back to OpenVPN if that fails. SaferVPNs settings also include the ability to auto-connect whenever youre on a Wi-Fi connection, as well as a safe list of Wi-Fi networks where you dont want to use a VPN. Theres also a kill switch to stop internet traffic when the VPN connection goes down. SaferVPNs app also fixed my quibble in a previous version of this review. Namely, that the desktop program did not leave the taskbar when you click the X in the upper-right corner. Instead, it just minimized to the taskbar. Now it does disappear, and you can re-open it by clicking on the SaferVPN icon in the System Tray. SaferVPN is available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. There is also a Chrome extension and the company sells routers with its services built in. Paid account holders can connect up to five devices at once. Performance SaferVPNs speeds were much improved in our tests, and, in some cases, very impressive. Overall, SaferVPNs average speed in my tests came out to nearly 48.75 percent of the base download speed, compared to around 33 percent last time. SaferVPN will definitely get the job done, and its speeds are currently among the fastest. Privacy, anonymity, and trust SaferVPN SaferVPN for Chrome. SaferVPN recently updated its privacy policy, and its a smidge better than it was. It does maintain some metadata about how you use the service, and those concerned with maximum privacy and anonymity should carefully consider whether they want to use this service. SaferVPN is up front about everything in its privacy policy. SaferVPN says it logs when and for how long you connect to its service, the amount of data transmitted, from which country youre connecting (your IP address is not logged), and the VPN country location you used (IP addresses are no longer logged as of August 2018). It does not monitor or log the data sent over its network or the websites you visit. Any records that are kept are anonymized after 30 days on average. SaferVPN begins by allowing you to run a 24-hour free trial. All it requires from you to start is an email and password. If you decide to sign up, SaferVPN accepts Bitcoin, PayPal, and credit cards, allowing for various levels of anonymity when paying. As far as the company itself, I have personally met with the team to discuss its service. Their offices are currently at 26 Nachmani St. in Tel Aviv. The company CEO is Amit Bareket, and co-founder Sagi Gidali is the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO). Conclusion For users who just want a VPN that works and gets you connected securely over public Wi-Fi or at home, SaferVPN is a good choice. The pricing is lower than the last time we looked but still a little higher than youll find with the other services weve looked at. Overall, SaferVPN is a good service that makes it easy to get started with a VPN but also has a few tweaks available for more advanced users. Editors note: Because online services are often iterative, gaining new features and performance improvements over time, this review is subject to change in order to accurately reflect the current state of the service. Any changes to text or our final review verdict will be noted at the top of this article. First, though, we talk about one heck of a graphics card. We crowned the Radeon RX 590 the new king of 1080p gaming when it launched a couple weeks back, and the highly customized Sapphire Radeon RX 590 Nitro+ makes it even better. Its awesome. Brad explains why. Then we turn towards a controversial practice that reared its head again during Black Friday: Stores advertising PCs as having higher amounts of RAM by combining the combined total of system RAM and Optane Memory. Heres the thing though: Optane Memory, despite the name, affects storage performance and isnt actually system memory. The debate rages pretty hard on this one. Be sure to check out Gordons article about misleading Optane PC ads, too. Finally, the gang shares their Black Friday hauls, and folks who turned in live chime in with their juiciest buys, too. You can witness it all in the video embedded above. You can also watch The Full Nerd episode 76 on YouTube (subscribe to the channel while youre there!) or listen to it on Soundcloud if you prefer the audio alone. Speaking of audio, you can subscribe to the Full Nerd in iTunes (please leave a review if you enjoy the show). Were also on Stitcher, Google Play, or you can point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader to: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:226190044/sounds.rss Have a PC- or gaming-related question? Email thefullnerd@pcworld.com and well try to answer it in the next episode. Be sure to follow PCWorld on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch to watch future episodes live and pick our brains in real time! Whether Vanessa Lowery Brown submits a letter of resignation or not, the presiding officer of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has determined she is effectively terminated with her sentencing earlier Friday on a felony bribery count. Brown, 52, who was sentenced to 23 months' probation plus restitution of $4,000 to the state, declined to respond Friday when asked if she will be resigning from the West Philadelphia seat she was re-elected to without opposition earlier this month. Her attorney Pat Casey also deflected questions about resignation, saying only that now that she has been sentenced, thatll be the next issue that she deals with. But others did have answers about Browns immediate future as a House member. It is the determination of House Speaker MIke Turzai, R-Allegheny County, that her (Browns) tenure in the General Assembly ended with her sentencing today, said Neil Lesher, Turzais legislative and policy director. Nor will she receive a paycheck for December, the nominal first month of the 2019-20 session. The state Constitution explicitly states that no person convicted of bribery is eligible to hold a seat in the legislative or other office of trust or profit in this Commonwealth. If Brown did come to the Capitol on Jan. 1 with the expectation of being sworn in for a sixth term, Lesher added, his expectation is that a formal objection to her seating would be raised by another member, leading to a floor vote on her qualification for service. The 190th District seat will be filled by special election sometime next year, Lesher said. One theory on Browns silence circulating around the Capitol Friday was that she is purposefully letting the clock run out on completion of her fifth term as a House member: Completion of 10 years' service in the House would leave her eligible for lifetime health care coverage. She has also already fully vested for a state pension that, based on Browns 10 years of state employment, would pay her about $25,730 per year. Brown wont qualify for either as of today. Bribery is one of the crimes that triggers a mandatory forfeiture of state pensions (except for initial contributions from Browns own paycheck, which are repaid without interest). As for the House-paid insurance benefits, which carry premium costs of about $1,773 for a member with a dependent child, Lesher said House leaders also consider Brown to have fallen short of a full 5th term requirement with the sentencing at mid-day today. But the strategy in resigning later, sources said, is that if Brown is successful in getting her conviction reversed on appeal - and we know she is appealing - she may be able to make a plausible case that she did serve the full 10 years and is entitled to a restoration of both the pension and health benefits. Former Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge first met George H.W. Bush in 1980 when he was a Republican campaign organizer in Erie for President Bushs first presidential bid. Ridge issued the following statement this morning on the passing of his dear friend: Michele and I mourn the passing of a great man who was beloved by a nation and respected by the world. A man guided by decency and humility. George H.W. Bush lived a life of service that few others ever have. A man who was the youngest to fly Navy jets as a teenager in World War II. Who skillfully guided the United States out of the Cold War. Whose deft political touch resulted in civil rights legislation that forever changed the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities. "But most of all, President Bush adored his dear Barbara and his beautiful family. And how they adored him! George H.W. Bush was the very definition of an American life well lived. And he was a dear friend to us, which is a gift we will forever cherish. MILTON - A Lycoming County man is facing numerous charges after Milton police said they found a loaded AR-style rifle and incendiary devices in his car Thursday afternoon. Eric R. Venema Eric R. Venema, 33, of Hughesville, was arraigned Friday on charges that include possession of weapons of mass destruction and jailed in lieu of $250,000 bail. Borough police said they were dispatched to a municipal parking lot near the YMCA about 2 p.m. Thursday for a report of a man and woman acting suspiciously in a car. During a search after observing drug paraphernalia, police said they found the loaded semiautomatic rifle with a round in the chamber in the car's rear wheel well. Also in the car was a large metal box that police said contained three homemade incendiary devices wrapped with painters' tape, packed with nails and with hobby fuses, they said. Several magazines for the rifle, black powder ad rocket ignitors also were found the ammunition-style carrier, they said. Venema claimed he used the devices, which were turned over to state police, to blow up pumpkins and wooden boxes, the arrest affidavit states. A pack of heroin, a loaded .380 pistol magazine and a knife were found on Venema, arrest papers state. Besides the weapons of mass destruction count, Venema is charged with person not to possess a firearm, risking a catastrophe, endangering another person and possession of prohibited offensive weapons. He also is awaiting a preliminary hearing on drug and driving influence charges from a Sept. 13 incident. Over decades of public service, President George H.W. Bushs work to improve the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities may be one of his more overlooked accomplishments. But it may be one of the most enduring legacies of Bushs presidency. And its gaining fresh attention in the wake of Bushs passing. He died Friday at age 94. On July 26, 1990, Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law which has helped millions of people. The law prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities and helps ensure opportunities for employment. According to the Census Bureau, there are about 40 million Americans with disabilities. Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down, Bush said when he signed the law in 1990. This historic act is the worlds first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities -- the first, Bush said when he signed the ADA. He also urged businesses to take advantage of untapped human potential by hiring those with disabilities. In a statement issued Saturday morning, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge said Bushs deft political touch resulted in civil rights legislation that forever changed the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities. In 2015, Bush spoke with Ridge to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the ADA. Ridge, the former homeland security director, serves as chairman of the National Organization on Disability. Ridge also served in Congress while Bush was president. In the conversation, Ridge noted that many have called the ADA the most extensive piece of civil rights legislation in American history. Bush told Ridge that signing the Americans with Disabilities Act is something Im very proud of, perhaps proudest of when I was president. The 41st president noted that the laws passage reflected the strong support of Republicans and Democrats, who worked together to pass the measure. If it had been just one party, it would have been less effective, Bush said. In the conversation with Ridge, Bush acknowledged that work remains to be done to expand employment opportunities for those with disabilities. I think people have a wrong impression sometimes, Bush told Ridge in 2015. They see disability and they think that person with disability is less able to do this job. Thats not fair and thats not right. Still, Ridge said the Americans with Disabilities Act has made a profound difference in the lives of millions. At the end of the day, there are 40 to 50 million Americans who have far more opportunity today than they would have had without your taking the leadership on that issue, Ridge told Bush. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Dick Thornburgh served as U.S. Attorney General while Bush was president. In a statement Saturday, Thornburgh said he took pride in helping Bush ensure the ADA becomes law. It was my privilege to act as his point man on the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the most important piece of civil rights legislation of the last half century, Thornburgh said Saturday. "The Presidents personal commitment to guaranteeing equal opportunity for children and adults with disabilities reflected his compassion and dedication to the rule of law. Lex Frieden, a professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, described Bushs importance to those with disabilities in an interview with a Houston television station in 2016. George Bush will be viewed by people with disabilities and their families as the Abraham Lincoln of their experience, Frieden told KHOU. In 2009, President Barack Obama spoke about the ADAs importance at the signing of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Proclamation. Obama said the ADA was a formal acknowledgment that Americans with disabilities are Americans first, and they are entitled to the same rights and freedoms as everybody else: a right to belong and participate fully in the American experience; a right to dignity and respect in the workplace and beyond; the freedom to make of our lives what we will. This year has been the wettest on record in some parts of Pennsylvania, but the Harrisburg area still has a ways to go before reaching its all-time precipitation high, according to a National Weather Service meteorologist. Still, nine of this years 11 months have seen above-average precipitation in Harrisburg, and this month, the 12th, is looking much the same, Meteorologist Aaron Tyburski said. Tyburski works out of the National Weather Services office in State College, where Saturday rainfall helped the area beat its prior precipitation record. The previous record was set in 1996, when the State College area received 59.30 inches, Tyburski said. By the beginning of the day Saturday, State College had already received a year-to-date total of 59.26 inches of precipitation, Tyburski said. By late afternoon, at least .25 inches had fallen, meaning a new record was set, he said. We have surpassed that, Tyburski said, adding that more rain is expected throughout the remainder of this month. Through Nov. 30, the Harrisburg area received 61.33 inches of precipitation in 2018. The record amount was set in 2011 at 73.73 inches, Tyburski said. It was not immediately clear how much rain fell in Harrisburg Saturday, but Tyburski said it would not be enough to set the record. We still have a ways to go through December to catch that one, he said. While the year-long record has not been met, Harrisburg has received above-average precipitation in nine months of 2018, Tyburski said, explaining March and October were the only months to see below-average totals. This years wet weather can be blamed largely on one factor: the jet stream. Tyburski described the jet stream as a railroad line for storms. The location of the jet stream is dictated by warring cold and warm air, Tyburski said. That location typically moves throughout the year. However, in 2018, the jet streams position has remained largely near or over Pennsylvania, bringing storms and precipitation to the Keystone State, he said. Weve kept getting these repeated waves of rain, Tyburski said. But it does look like well get a little break this week. A seven-day forecast from the National Weather Service for the Harrisburg area shows a chance of isolated showers through Sunday night followed by about five days without precipitation. To get a five-day stretch is actually kind of impressive, he said. Following that five-day period, snow and ice could return to central Pennsylvania, according to AccuWeather forecasts. Heading into 2019, early predictions show a trend toward dryness, said Tyburski, who noted about-average precipitation is expected in eastern Pennsylvania, with slightly below-average precipitation in the western part of the state. That is true in January, February and March, he said. MANHATTAN -- For state Rep. Bryan Cutler, theres one immediately noticeable difference about his rare jaunt to Midtown Manhattan for one of official Pennsylvanias most cherished -- and faintly ridiculous - rites of winter. The calendar. My calendar isnt mine anymore, said Cutler, a Lancaster County Republican who will become the state House GOPs floor leader when the new legislative session starts in January. Hes replacing outgoing - and long-serving Majority Leader Dave Reed, of Indiana County, who chose not to run for re-election to the General Assembly. I really didnt go to Pennsylvania Society in the past, Cutler said of the gala weekend of receptions and dinners that started Thursday, and was formally capped off with a $500-a-head dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on Saturday night. But the new demands on Cutlers time werent the only noticeable change. For the second year in a row, the 122-year-old dinner wasnt being held at its traditional home at the swank Waldorf-Astoria hotel on Park Avenue. The Waldorf is undergoing a transition to a hotel-condo hybrid. That knocked a fair amount of the Gilded Age glitz off the weekend. And as partygoers filled the hallways of the Hilton, which is still pretty fancy by any objective standard, the collective groans of This isnt the Waldorf, sometimes seemed louder than the clinking of glasses and forced cocktail party gaiety. One big complaint? The Hilton lacked the Waldorfs ornate lobby, which served as the high school hallway where the states political elite could lounge and see - and be seen. The annual grousing that the weekend should be moved to Pennsylvania once and for all enjoyed a brief flare up, but failed to really catch fire. [The Waldorf] was one of the things that made the weekend feel like a special occasion," former Gov. Ed Rendell quipped to reporters during the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Associations annual confab at the Metropolitan Club on the edge of Central Park. "Its unlike anything we have in Philadelphia. Newly elected U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9th District, said he also noticed the difference. But, he said, I think itll pick back up. The weekend was also overshadowed by the passing of former President George H.W. Bush, who died late Friday at the age of 94. The Manufacturers' Association event began with a moment of silence for the late president, attendees confirmed. And as much as it often feels like the weekend was dominated by the party circuit, there was also some actual policy taking place. Veteran Republican operative, and PennLive Opinion contributor, Charlie Gerow, held his annual policy seminar at The Union League Club on East 37th Street. Among this years guests was GOP strategist Ed Rollins, former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, and Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale. The annual Women of Destiny breakfast, which is aimed at encouraging political awareness among African-American women, was headlined by a panel of luminaries that included former Clinton administration official Donna Brazile. And Saturdays Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association seminar was a veritable cattle call of elected officials who marched before business and political leaders to sketch out their priorities for the coming year. Their ranks included U.S. Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Pat Toomey, R-Pa.; Cutler; state Treasurer Joe Torsella and others. Newly elected Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who flew the flag for the absent Gov. Tom Wolf, also appeared before the Saturday panel. In an unusual move, he invited his vanquished opponent, Republican LG hopeful Jeffrey Bartos, of Montgomery County, to share the stage with him. Fettermans presence was a reminder that, while Republicans will continue to control the General Assembly in 2019, they will do so with smaller - and more conservative majorities - in the new year. Democrats picked up five seats in the 50-member Senate and 12 in the 203-member state House. In conversations across the weekend, GOP lawmakers acknowledged the new topography and said they hoped to be able to continue to work with Wolf, who coasted to re-election over former state Sen. Scott Wagner on Election Day. But as much as things had seemed to change this weekend, others remained predictably the same. Besides the obligatory party at the venerable 21 Club, the Pennsylvania Society gala remains the launching pad for those who harbor future political ambitions. You can likely count Bartos among them. The suburban Philly developer-turned-pol said he planned to spend most of the weekend thanking supporters and offering his assistance for the off-year judicial and county campaign season whose start is only weeks away. Bartos gushed about how much fun he had on the 2018 campaign trail. And he explicitly left open the possibility of a future bid for office, though he declined to say what post he might be eyeying. I loved the opportunity [to run] and I hope Ill have another one, he said. Wagner, who was in attendance this weekend, said hes been concentrating on his business interests, which include the regional trash hauler Penn Waste, and mulling the lessons of his Nov. 6 drubbing at Wolfs hands. The dynamics have changed, Wagner said of the competing interests of rural, urban and suburban voters, each of whom represent very specific constituencies in the states political makeup. " Asked about his future plans, Wagner repeated an Election night promise that state voters had not seen the last of him. Ill be back, he said. And that probably includes next years gathering here in the Big Apple, too. Wherever it is. MANHATTAN -- At the Metropolitan Club, on the edge of Central Park, hundreds of Pennsylvanias leading political and business figures opened an annual gathering with a moment of silence to observe the passing of former President George H.W. Bush, now dead at the age of 94. The patrician Bush, who had one of the most varied public service careers of any American politician, embodied the values of service and civility, and he was the principal of a school of Republicanism that some believe is in recession in the age of President Donald Trump. Heres what a sampling of Pennsylvania politicians had to say about Bushs passing: U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.: "President George H.W. Bush was a great American patriot, dedicated public servant, tireless humanitarian, and a caring family man. Kris and I join the nation in mourning President Bushs passing and send our condolences to his family. Former Gov. Tom Ridge: "Michele and I mourn the passing of a great man who was beloved by a nation and respected by the world. A man guided by decency and humility. George H.W. Bush lived a life of service that few others ever have. A man who was the youngest to fly Navy jets as a teenager in World War II. Who skillfully guided the United States out of the Cold War. Whose deft political touch resulted in civil rights legislation that forever changed the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities. But most of all, President Bush adored his dear Barbara and his beautiful family. And how they adored him! George H.W. Bush was the very definition of an American life well lived. And he was a dear friend to us, which is a gift we will forever cherish. Former Gov. Ed Rendell: He was a great American and a great guy, said Rendell, who was one of the former presidents last political appointees. While mayor of Philadelphia, Rendell served on a mixed group of state and federal officials called the Intergovernmental Relations Commissions. I like to joke that I was his last appointee, Rendell said. Former Gov. Tom Corbett: "Sue and I join the nation in mourning the loss of President George H.W. Bush. He was a dedicated public servant who was a gentlemen leader. I was proud to serve him as U.S. Attorney in Pittsburgh and to have had the opportunity of meeting with him on a number of occasions. The world is a better place for his service. Our prayers and thoughts are with him and his family. Former Gov. and U.S. Attorney General Richard Thornburgh: Ginny and I extend our sincere condolences and prayers to the Bush family. Few individuals in public life have possessed such admirable personal qualities as George H.W. Bush. He was an intelligent, thoughtful and decent human being, loyal to those who served with him, and I cannot imagine a higher honor than being his Attorney General. "His handwritten notes and timely phone calls have become legendary and exemplified his heartfelt consideration for others in times of need. President Bush brought remarkable experience and steady leadership as the United States shouldered new global responsibilities following the end of the Cold War. "It was my privilege to act as his point man on the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the most important piece of civil rights legislation of the last half century. The Presidents personal commitment to guaranteeing equal opportunity for children and adults with disabilities reflected his compassion and dedication to the rule of law. President Bushs integrity, kindness and strength will long be remembered. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-11th District: He was a class act. He was really of an example of what folks look for when they say they want us to work together ... He believed in public service and we should all look up to that. U.S. Rep.-elect Dan Meuser: Its the passing of an American icon. What a remarkable life. He did it all." State House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster: I was very sad to see him pass. Cutler, who addressed the Saturday gathering put on by the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association, opened his remarks with a Bush quotation about the proper way to wield political power. State Rep. Greg Rothman, R-87th District: He was just a gractious guy, said Rothman, who met Bush 41 for the first time in 1988. [Bush] lived according to his principles: support for family; support for the military and the whole idea of community. He was the embodiment of conservative values. Former GOP gubernatorial nominee Scott Wagner: He was a great American and a great person. Former GOP lieutenant governor nominee Jeffrey Bartos: He was an extraordinary man. By Pete Thomas A gray wolf popular among visitors to Yellowstone National Park has been killed by a hunter outside the park. The dark-colored female of the Lamar Canyon Pack, cataloged as 926F and affectionately known as Spitfire, was shot last Saturday outside Cooke City, Montana. Abby Nelson, a wolf management specialist with Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, told the Jackson Hole News and Guide that the animal was legally harvested during the fall hunting season Nelson added, The circumstances are obviously a little bit harder for people to stomach, because that pack had showed signs of habituation. News of 926Fs death has saddened fans of Yellowstone in part because members of the Lamar Canyon Pack are somewhat accustomed to the presence of humans, and are often viewed from park roads. Rachel Tilseth, in a post on the Love Wolves Facebook page, used a photo by Vanessa Vought and stated: Sad news coming out of Yellowstone National Park: 926F was shot in Montanas wolf trophy hunt 926F of the Lamar Canyon Pack was the daughter of the famous O-Six wolf that was also killed by a trophy hunter as she left the safety of YNP boundary. Thanks to the heartless trophy hunter 926F joins her mother in the spirit world cut down far too soon. Wildlife photographer Deby Dixon posted a Facebook tribute to 926F, stating that her eyes were always bright and she was always ready to go; nothing stopped her. The Wolf Conservation Center criticized the state for allowing sport hunting for Yellowstone-area wolves, citing a recent study showing that the apex predators help generate millions annually in regional tourism revenue. Montana allows wolf hunting as a means of managing the states overall wolf population, which it considers to be stable. Licenses cost $19 for residents and $50 for non-residents. Hunting is not allowed inside national park boundaries. The most recent estimate lists the population at a minimum of 536 wolves in 126 packs. Top image courtesy of Deby Dixon 6.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard An ethics complaint has been filed against the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) for obstructing the progress of the investigation into the Trump campaigns potential collusion with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. The Democratic Coalition Against Trump has called for an investigation into why Sen. Burr is impeding the Trump/Russia probe. Scott Dworkin, Senior Advisor Senior Adviser to The Democratic Coalition Against Trump, said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, Senator Richard Burr has made a complete mockery of the office he holds. The American people deserve to know what really happened. Whats Burr afraid of? Whats he working so hard to hide? Executive Director Nate Lerner added, This investigation has stalled because Republicans are more focused on taking away peoples healthcare and cutting taxes for the rich than they are about the erosion of our democracy. Thats just gross. They should be ashamed. Sen. Burr served as the national security adviser to Trumps campaign, so if Trump colluded with Russia, Burr is up to his eyes in it too. Sen. Burr also bragged to North Carolina voters during the 2016 campaign that there was no separation between himself and Trump, and he took credit for getting Hillary Clintons emails investigated. The reason why the Russia scandal poses a threat to the entire Republican Party is that it reaches beyond the White House. The scandal impacts the House and Senate too. One should not look at the Russia/Trump scandal as an Executive Branch only issue. The Republican-controlled Legislative Branch of the federal government is also deeply involved, which is why it impossible to see how the Legislative Branch is capable of carrying out the type of investigation that is needed. An independent investigation that will take place outside of partisan politics is needed to get to the bottom of the Trump campaigns relationship with Russia. Richard Burr is Devin Nunes in a nicer suit, which is why Burr must be investigated and removed from overseeing the Senate Judiciary Committees probe into Trump and Russia. (PoliticusUSA has reached out to The Democratic Coalition Against Trump for a copy of the ethics complaint against Sen. Burr, which will be added to the story after it is provided.) 4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard MSNBCs Ari Melber explained that if Trump tries to ignore House Democratic subpoenas, incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi will sue him and his administration. Melber said on his MSNBC show, The Beat: So when January comes Pelosi and her counsel are going to be making some very big decisions about which subpoenas and which demands are worth fighting over. Russia, the Trump Organization, Trumps tax returns. And remember all those debates over Pelosis experience? Well, these intricate battles, theyre not always front page nightly news kind of stuff. This is backroom stuff, but she has done it before. And when she did it before, she won. In fact, when Pelosi was speaker in 2008 she made history with the first order of the house council who youll see on your screen there, to formally sue the Bush administration on behalf of the U.S. House over yes, defying a subpoena. The conflict was something that could play out again with this administration because it involved bush officials refusing to testify, citing executive privilege, which is something, of course, Trump has already instructed the aides to do even when facing a Republican house on Russia. Pelosi combated that move by instructing her house council to sue on behalf of Congress. And the issue in that very case may also sound familiar. It involved criticism that that white house was trying to politicize the justice department after Bush officials mysteriously ousted seven federal prosecutors. DEMs investigated and subpoenaed to get answers, and then the bush cover story started to fall apart. Video: MSNBCs Ari Melber explained that if Trump tries to ignore House Democratic subpoenas, incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi will sue him and his administration. https://t.co/bPv49VhJ4q pic.twitter.com/VWDITfzdXW PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) December 1, 2018 This is why Nancy Pelosi Must Be Speaker The opposition has never sued a Republican president and won. Pelosi knows how to handle opposition presidents who try to dodge oversight and subpoenas, and you better believe that she already has a plan for taking on Trump and his administration. It is not if Trump and White House will defy subpoenas, but when. Trump and his administration believe that they are above the law, which is why Democrats and Nancy Pelosi are preparing to repeat history and take a Republican president to court to enforce subpoenas. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 4.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Trump was all about voter fraud when he thought immigrants were stealing elections, but now that Republicans have been accused in North Carolina, the president is silent. As The Washington Post reported, Republican Mark Harris appears to have cheated in North Carolina: Investigators are also scrutinizing unusually high numbers of absentee ballots cast in Bladen County, in both the general election and the May 8 primary, in which Harris defeated incumbent Rep. Robert Pittenger (R) by 828 votes. In the primary, Harris won 96 percent of all absentee ballots in Bladen, a far higher percentage than his win in the county overall a statistic that this week is prompting fresh accusations of fraud. Another irregularity in both the primary and general elections is the high number of absentee ballots in some precincts that were requested but not turned in. In one sworn statement, Bladen County voter Datesha Montgomery attested that, on Oct. 12, a young woman came to her door and asked for her ballot, stating that she was collecting peoples ballots in the area. I filled out two names on the ballot, Hakeem Brown for Sheriff and Vince Rozier for board of education, Montgomery wrote in the affidavit. She stated the others were not important. I gave her the ballot and she said she would finish it herself. I signed the ballot and she left. It was not sealed up at any time. What have Trump and the Republicans had to say about this? Absolutely nothing. There are voter fraud and voter suppression happening in elections across the country, but it isnt Democrats wearing disguises and voting multiple times as Trump claimed. It isnt illegal immigrants or non-citizens voting. It is Republicans who cant get elected on the basis of their own policies and positions so they are trying to cheat the system. The election in North Carolinas 9th district should be thrown out, and a new election held without Mark Harris on the ballot. Voter fraud is real, and it is Republicans who are doing it. 1.5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Special Counsel Bob Mueller has slowly been disclosing a very broad and extensive pattern of deception by Donald Trumps aides and associates, according to the Associated Press. Seemingly everyone involved tried to cover up Russian contacts during the 2016 campaign and transition period, the AP reported. Most observers have said that they have never seen so many people lying so extensively while attempting to hide the truth in such a situation. The large number of lies to the FBI and to Congress, instead of covering up the truth, have raised new questions, leading to new insights about Trumps connections to Russia. What has emerged is a portrait of aides eager to protect the president and the administration by concealing communications they presumably recognized as problematic,according to the AP. The false statements by so many witnesses highlight Muellers mission, which is to cut through the lies as he seeks the truth of what happened between the Trump campaign and Russia. This is the only way he will be able to establish the existence of a conspiracy to sway the 2016 presidential election. Muellers investigation has been seeking truthful answers to the following key questions: Why did the incoming Trump administration discouraged Russia from retaliating over sanctions imposed for election hacking; Who knew about illegally obtained Democratic emails, and when did they know it; and How were plans made for a Trump Tower in Moscow and who was involved in these plans? Daniel Petalas, a defense lawyer and former Justice Department prosecutor pointed out that when so many lies are told by so many people, it indicates that they are covering up some extremely important information. According to Petalas: You can draw a conclusion that these false statements generally relate to an effort to protect the president of the United States in connection with his dealings with Russia. Thats what makes them material to the investigation that Mueller is pursuing, which is a necessary element of a false statement claim that it has to be material. Examples of Trump associates lying include: Perjury charges can be powerful tools for prosecutors, especially in investigations where witnesses are openly adversarial. In the Mueller investigation, Trumps associates have been emboldened by the presidents antagonist stance. Many may have expected to be supported by Trump, and even receive presidential pardons. As Duke University law professor Sam Buell said: Youve got a system where youre trying to take evidence from people, get their testimony under penalty of prosecution if you lie. And thats what you do when you have uncooperative people when trying to conceal something that youre trying to get to the bottom of. Sen. Richard Burr, chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, said the panel has made referrals to prosecutors and cited Cohen as an example. Its a loud message to everybody that is interviewed by our committee, regardless of where that prosecution comes from, if you lie to us, were going to go after you, Burr said. Though Trump regularly complains about Muellers style, theres nothing unusual about prosecutors pursuing false statement charges to send a message and using their testimony to make cases against higher-level targets. This is what happened to the mob, this is what happened to the drug cartels, Buell said. Donald Trump for many years has operated his businesses like mob operations, and like the mob bosses before him, his enterprise will soon come crashing down, and he will probably end up spending many years in jail. All of the lies told on his behalf by his underlings wont help him, but instead will end up helping prosecutors put him away for a long, long time. 1.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard There were many nasty shocks for California Republicans in the midterm elections of 2018. And now President Donald Trump is being blamed not just for losses of congressional seats but also for causing the Republican Party of California to suffer a political nuclear holocaust. According to some political experts the GOP in the Golden State is at or near death, and will have a very hard time recovering. After their devastating midterm losses Republicans are now admitting the long term implications of those losses. They agree what they are looking at is not pretty, and they are pretty much unanimous in concluding that their extensive electoral losses were caused by President Donald Trump. Democrats were successful in flipping seven congressional districts in the most populous state. They won every statewide race also as Gavin Newsom was elected governor. This is the death of the Republican Party in California, Republican consultant Mike Madrid lamented to POLITICO. Theres no coming back from this for at least a generation, if not more, he added. California Republican National Committeeman Shawn Steel called the election results in his home state a political nuclear holocaust for Republicans. Most troubling for Republicans is that they lost every single congressional district in the former conservative stronghold of Orange County, the birthplace of Richard Nixon and modern conservatism. The nightmare results were the end result of a toxic brew of overconfidence and presidential unpopularity, as some Republicans failed to recognize and reckon with the unprecedented negative reaction to President Donald Trump in districts from Orange County to Californias agriculture-heavy Central Valley, POLITICO explained. Expressing a popular belief, U.C. Irvine professor Matthew Beckmann told the Los Angeles Times: If Hillary Clinton would have won in 2016, these seats would still be Republican. The 2018 midterm losses sent a message to Republicans that their party is in deep trouble. They have held exclusive power in Washington, D.C., but they have squandered and abused that power. People are not happy with their policies which serve corporate interests more than the American people. One long-time GOP strategist, Stuart Spencer said that his party now needs to make some big changes if they hope to win back the House. The 2018 midterm losses, he said, are a sign to me that things are going south for Republicans and if they dont change the way they do things, theyre going to go even further south. Its possible that the 2018 midterm disaster was caused by Donald Trump, but its equally possible that it was caused by the policies of the Republican Party. These policies are designed to appeal to a racist, white base of voters who do not want a democracy if it includes giving minority voters equal voting rights. Right now there does not appear to be much hope that the Republican Party will adopt any meaningful changes. As a result, many in the party will continue to blame Donald Trump for their losses, whether it is true or not. And if that happens, it will only mean more opportunity for Democrats to win even more seats and possibly the presidency in 2020. 410 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st president of the United States died Friday night at the age of 94 at his Houston home. Bush was the son of a U.S. Senator and served his country first as a World War II fighter pilot and later as a congressman, an ambassador to the United Nations and envoy to China, chairman of the Republican National Committee, director of the CIA, two-term vice president and, for four years, as president. His son, former President George W. Bush, issued a statement saying the Bush family described their patriarch as a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The statement did not mention a cause of death, instead simply saying that the entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens. The Bush was married to Barbara for 73 years at the time of her death in April. Her husband released a statement at the time calling her the most beloved woman in the world. Bush served as vice president to Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1989 before winning the White House himself. He beat Democratic opponent Michael Dukakis by a substantial margin in 1988 and served as president from 1989 to 1993. By winning the presidency he became the first incumbent vice president since Martin Van Buren in 1836 to become president. Bush was an expert in foreign affairs, and led an international alliance to victory in the first Gulf War after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August of 1990. He was given credit for being a steady hand to help ensure world order after the collapse of the Soviet Union. But he lost his reelection bid in 1992 to Bill Clinton who was helped by third party candidate Ross Perot. Bush was born in Massachusetts in 1924. His father, Prescott Bush, was a successful businessman and banker who represented Connecticut in the U.S. Senate. Shortly after the United States joined the Second World War, George H.W. Bush enlisted in the Navy. He became its youngest pilot. His war record was stellar, and he was shot down over the Pacific in 1944. Two of his comrades were killed in the crash but he was picked up by an American submarine and, once he recovered from his injuries, returned to combat duty. In 1945, he married the Barbara Pierce, and the couple stayed together for the rest of her life. GeBush earned a degree from Yale University and, declined to join his fathers banking business. Instead, he set off on his own to find success in the Texas oilfields. He became chairman of the Houston Republican Party in in 1962 and won election to the House in 1966 and served two terms. After that he was appointed as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations by former President Nixon, then later became chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1973 and 1974, during the Watergate scandal. He became director of the CIA during President Gerald Fords administration. Bush ran for president in 1980, but lost to Reagan who he called as far to the right as you can get. Later he called Reagans enthusiasm for supply-side, trickle-down economic theories voodoo economics. After Reagan won he asked Bush to join him as his vice presidential running mate. As vice president Bush was known for being very loyal and never making waves, and never publicly expressing differences of opinion with the president. His presidency was known for its successes in foreign affairs but at home the U.S. was suffering from a recession which led to his loss after four years. In his inaugural address Bush set forth his vision, even though he once said he didnt believe in that vision thing. He said: Some see leadership as high drama, and the sound of trumpets calling, and sometimes it is that. But I see history as a book with many pages, and each day we fill a page with acts of hopefulness and meaning. The new breeze blows, a page turns, the story unfolds. 3.9k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Michael Cohen tossed another bomb at Donald Trump late Friday night by publicly disclosing that he told his former boss, who was then a presidential candidate, about a phone call he made to Moscow in 2016. Cohen said he called the Kremlin to request help from the Russian government in building a Trump Tower in Russias capital city. Not only that, but Cohen also maintains that he got guidance from Trumps lawyers and his White House staff in 2017 while he drafted his false statement to Congress seeking to cover up the truth about the Moscow project and the fact that Donald Trump was heavily involved in the project. Both of these new, explosive accusations were made by Cohens attorneys late Friday night as part of the case being prosecuted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. They were part of a sentencing memo in which Cohen asked for a no-jail sentence in exchange for his cooperation with Muellers investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Cohens new filings with the court completely contradict the statements of President Trump who said he had little knowledge and no involvement in the Moscow project. Last year Cohen told both the House and Senate intelligence committees that he briefed Donald Trump just three times about the plan to build a 100-story skyscraper in Russias capital. He also said told the committees that his requests to the Kremlin went unanswered. But the Special Counsels office has asserted that Cohen briefed Trump many times about the huge Moscow real estate project. They also said that Cohen had a 20-minute phone call with a Kremlin official in which Cohen asked the Russian government for help securing financing and land for Trumps tower in January 2016. Cohens lawyers wrote in the statement Friday that Trump was fully briefed by Cohen about the request for help from the Kremlin while Trump was running for president. In addition to being Trumps personal lawyer and fixer, Cohen was also an executive of the Trump Organization at the time. News about the Trump Tower Moscow proposal came out in 2017 and subsequently Cohen was called to testify to Congress about his role in it. He was also questioned about other Russia-related matters that involved the Trump campaign and presidency. On Thursday Cohen admitted to a federal judge that he lied to Congress about the extensive nature of his and Donald Trumps involvement in the Trump Tower Moscow project. Cohen falsely told the congressional committees that the Moscow project died in January 2016, but in fact it was still alive and he and Trump were working on it through June of 2016. Cohens lawyers said in the new filing that Cohens false testimony was prepared while Cohen remained in close and regular contact with White House-based staff and legal counsel to Trump. They said Cohen specifically knew that Trump and his spokespersons sought to portray the Moscow project as effectively terminated before the Iowa caucuses in February of 2016. At the time, Michael justified his false summary of the matter on the ground that the Moscow project ultimately did not go forward, the lawyers wrote. On Thursday, Cohen pleaded guilty to making false statements to Congress about the Moscow project; he is expected to be sentenced next week. He will also learn how much time he will serve behind bars for charges of financial and election fraud for his role in paying off two alleged Trump mistresses, which he pleaded guilty to in August. The new accusations concerning President Trump were made by Cohens lawyers in a sentencing memorandum that was delivered to a federal judge in Manhattan on Friday night. Donald Trump has been downplaying his knowledge of the Moscow Trump Tower project, but Michael Cohen has now filed a court document saying he knew everything and was intimately involved in the project every step of the way. And Cohen said that his lies to Congress were in effect drafted with the knowledge and assistance of Donald Trump and his lawyers. Trump keeps trying to run away from this scandal, but the faster he tries to run, the more it catches up with him. It is only a matter of time now until the scandal completely envelops him. The presidency of Donald Trump will soon be over. 1.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard The Senate Intelligence Committee has referred perjury cases to Special Counsel Robert Mueller, Chairman Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) said Friday. Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and Burrs committee has done its own investigation into the same matter. Burr disclosed that after witnesses were questioned in the Intelligence Committees Russia probe several were suspected of lying. We have made referrals from our committee to the special counsel for prosecution, Burr said at a national security conference in Austin, Texas. In a lot of those cases, those might be tied to lying to us. The confirmation by Burr came one day after Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress as part of Muellers investigation. I dont want you to get us mixed up with Bob Muellers special prosecutor investigation. We have no criminal responsibilities. If we identify a crime in our investigation that has been committed, we refer it to the special prosecutor, Burr said. I wont tell you the number of times, but we have made referrals to the special prosecutor. According to public documents, the Senate Intelligence Committee interviewed over 200 witnesses as part of its investigation into Russian election interference and possible connections to the Trump campaign. Michael Cohen was one of the committees witnesses, and Burr mentioned Cohen as one of the people referred by the committee to the special counsel. One of them, one instance just highlighted of late was the special prosecutor made the indictment yesterday using the transcripts of interviews we have done in our committee to indict somebody for lying to Congress, Burr said. Burr said that Cohens guilty plea should be viewed by others as a clear warning not to lie to Congress, saying: Its a loud message to everybody that is interviewed by our committee, regardless of where that prosecution comes from: If you lie to us, were going to go after you. Our mandate is at the end of this to get as close to the clear truth as we possibly can, and we cant do it on conjecture. Weve got to do it on facts. In his plea deal, Cohen admitted that he lied about negotiations he had about building a Trump Tower in Moscow. Those discussions with the Kremlin about the Moscow real estate project continued through June of 2016. At the time Cohen was representing Trump in his business dealings. The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, said Thursday that they have made several criminal referrals to Mueller. But he also refused to give more information, saying were not going to talk about any individuals. Some of the Trump associates and family members who appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee were: Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump Jr. All of these individuals were in the know about Trump campaign involvement with Russia, and all of them had many good reasons to lie to Senate investigators. Richard Burr is a rare Republican, because he has operated independently of Donald Trump, and has used his committee chairmanship to hold Trump and his associates accountable. His actions of referring individuals to Robert Mueller show that congressional committees have a lot of power and should be respected. This is a good lesson for many people to keep in mind who might be called before House committees to testify after Democrats take control in January. 3.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard After spending much of his political career attacking the Bush family, Donald Trump plans to attend the funeral services for George H.W. Bush, who died late Friday in Houston. Details about the services havent yet been finalized, but as The Hill pointed out on Saturday morning, the Trump family will attend a state funeral honoring Bush at the National Cathedral in D.C. The report pointed out that Trump is scheduled to speak with the eldest Bush son and former president George W. Bush on Saturday to offer his condolences. Trump has repeatedly disrespected the Bush family There is no question that both sides of the political aisle lob tough criticism at each other, especially in the heat of campaigns, but Trump has repeatedly waged disrespectful and petty attacks on the Bush family. During the primary campaign, the now-president took aim at Jeb Bush, saying he was an embarrassment to his family. Trump even attacked Jeb Bushs wife, Columba, by retweeting a Twitter post that essentially called her an illegal immigrant. Its no surprise, then, that H.W. Bush admitted to voting for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Its also likely the reason Trump essentially wasnt invited to former First Lady Barbara Bushs funeral when she passed away in April. Ultimately, Trump will only be in attendance because he is the sitting president of the United States, not because he has any deep respect for (or from) the Bush family. And as usual, Donald Trump will have nothing positive to contribute to what will be a somber occasion. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook. On November 29, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, said that as far as he knew, traffic through the Kerch Strait is running as normal after the November 25 skirmish between Ukrainian naval vessels and the Russian coast guard. Ukrainian authorities reported on November 29 that over the period of November 25-27, a number of ships bound for Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov were held up on the Black Sea side of the strait. Also on November 29, Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Volodymyr Omelyan said that the Ukrainian ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk were effectively under blockade, and that ships were not allowed to leave or arrive at these ports. Polygraph.info reached out to Omelyan for comment on November 30. Yes, economic blockade of Azov Sea by Moscow is still present, the minister wrote. Kerch Strait is closed. Omelyan noted that Russian shipping is unaffected. Automatic Identification System (AIS) data appears to corroborate this, with the vast majority of ships in and around the Kerch Strait being bound for Russian ports. Get the SC business stories that matter. Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free. Reach Norris Burkes by email at comment@thechaplain.net; on Facebook at chaplainnorris; by phone at 843-608-9715; or via mail at P.O. Box 247 Elk Grove, CA 95624. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Chance of a morning shower. Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 64F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low 36F. Winds light and variable. Paul Bowers is an education reporter and father of three living in North Charleston. He previously worked at the Charleston City Paper, where he was twice named South Carolina Journalist of the Year in the weekly category. A court ruling has stopped the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from allowing the killing of endangered red wolves that stray from the Alligator River refuge. File Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. FILE- In this March 31, 2015 aerial file photo, the wake of a supply vessel heading towards a working platform crosses over an oil sheen drifting from the site of the former Taylor Energy oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Louisiana. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) The Post and Courier provides a forum for our readers to share their opinions, and to hold up a mirror to our community. Publication does not imply endorsement by the newspaper; the editorial staff attempts to select a representative sample of letters because we believe its important to let our readers see the range of opinions their neighbors submit for publication. Political Editor Schuyler Kropf is The Post and Courier political editor. He has covered every major political race in South Carolina dating to 1988, including for U.S. Senate, governorship, the Statehouse and Republican and Democratic presidential primaries. Have a My Day on the Farm photo that youd like to share with Agri News readers? Email photos to news@agrinews.comor upload them at https://www.postbulletin.com/users/admin/contribute/image/. Be sure to include your name and a description of whats going on in the picture. PR-Inside.com: 2018-11-30 23:11:35 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 386 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 30, 2018 / 1169071 B.C. Ltd. ("071BC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that as a result of the completion of a plan of arrangement between the Company and HemaGenetics Technologies Corp. ("HGT") under the arrangement agreement entered into on June 26, 2018 between HGT, the Company, Mucho Cobre Resources Ltd. (formerly, 1169080 B.C. Ltd.), 1169029 B.C. Ltd., 1169032 B.C. Ltd., 1169077 B.C. Ltd., and 1169082 B.C. Ltd. (the "Arrangement"), the Company became a reporting issuer in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and pursuant to the Arrangement, 071BC will issue 8,502,104 common shares effective as of November 30, 2018 to HGT shareholders of record as of November 30, 2018, who are entitled to receive shares under the Arrangement. 071BC's CUSIP number is "68264N107" and its ISIN number is "CA68264N1078".The Arrangement received HGT Shareholder approval on June 26, 2018 and final court approval from the British Columbia Supreme Court under Part 9, Division 5 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) on July 19, 2018. Further information regarding the Arrangement can be found on HGT's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com . Under the Arrangement, the effective date for the Arrangement can be set separately as between HGT and each of the other parties to the Arrangement. Pursuant to the Arrangement, the effective date for the Arrangement as between HGT and 071BC was set for November 30, 2018.071BC was incorporated on June 21, 2018 and its fiscal year end is May 31st.For further information please contact:Ron Ozols, DirectorE-mail: ronozols@ gmail.com Forward-Looking Information: This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of 071BC. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of 071BC. Although 071BC believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based on are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because 071BC can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. 071BC disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.SOURCE: 1169071 B.C. Ltd. PR-Inside.com: 2018-11-30 22:00:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 372 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MINOT, ND / ACCESSWIRE / November 30, 2018 / Capital Financial Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK: CPFH) today announced that its Board of Directors approved and declared a cash capital dividend of $50.00 per share payable on the Company's Common Stock. The dividend is payable on approximately December 28, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the record date, December 14, 2018. The ex-dividend date for the dividend is December 12, 2018.About Capital Financial Holdings, Inc.Capital Financial Holdings, Inc. is a North Dakota corporation and the parent of its wholly owned subsidiary, Capital Financial Services, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, a registered broker-dealer which deals in sales of mutual funds, insurance products and other various securities.Safe Harbor StatementCertain of the statements set forth in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words "estimate," "project," "intend," "forecast," "anticipate," "plan," "planning," "expect," "believe," "will likely," "should," "could," "would," "may" or words or expressions of similar meaning. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results and financial position to differ materially from those included within the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those relating to the Company's ability to grow its business. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the Company's limited financial resources, domestic or global economic conditions, especially those relating to Canada, activities of competitors and the presence of new or additional competition, and changes in Federal or State laws and conditions of equity markets. More information about the potential factors that could affect the Company's business and financial results is included in the Company's filings, available via the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's website ( www.sec.gov) ContactGordon DihleChief Executive OfficerCapital Financial Holdings, Inc.E-mail: gdihle@ cfsbd.com Telephone: 701-837-9600SOURCE: Capital Financial Holdings, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2018-11-30 22:10:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 450 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 30, 2018 / In celebration of the forthcoming holiday season, World Childhood Foundation-USA (WCF) is partnering with the West Harlem Development Corporation (WHDC) to sponsor the 6th annual holiday celebration & toy giveaway this Saturday, December 1st from 1-4:30 pm. The free event, which will include a free toy and book for each child, will be held at WHDC, 423 West 127th Street, Suite A.WCF will sponsor a children's art contest. This year's theme for the artwork is ''Every Child Deserves'' Winners will receive gift certificates from Bon Bon of Sweden.The 700 toys have been donated by Ravensburger, a leading producer of puzzles, award-winning board games, and engaging science, and arts and crafts kits.WCF will also be promoting its Stewards of Children Prevention Toolkit mobile app ( www.socapp.org) at the event, providing greater access for adults to help provide a safer childhood for all, free from violence and abuse.Commenting on the event, Johanna Rubinstein, President and CEO of WCF-USA said, ''Childhood USA works to help prevent child sexual abuse from happening in our communities. This is the first step in breaking the silence surrounding this problem. This is why we developed the mobile app. We want to educate all adults about how to minimize the risks of child sexual abuse, learn how to talk to their children and where to report any suspicions or disclosures. By empowering communities like Harlem, we can help to give more children happy childhoods that will contribute to ending the cycle of child abuse.'' Thomas Kaeppler, Ravensburger North American President, added, ''It's been our great honor to support the WHDC and WCF-USA for many years by providing toys for hundreds of children during this holiday season. For more than a century Ravensburger has been committed to delivering play for the hand, head and heart and is proud to help make this celebration of family a festive, joy-filled success.'' About World Childhood Foundation(WCF)WCF envisions a world where all children are free from violence, sexual abuse, and exploitation. Founded in 1999 by H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden, WCF invests in the development of solutions to prevent and address child sexual abuse and exploitation. WCF, a UN accredited NGO, directly supports >100 projects globally and raises awareness about our cause. WCF's work is aligned with the global Sustainable Development Goal 16.2 ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children by 2030. In 2019, together with The Economist Intelligence Unit, Carlson Family Foundation and the Oak Foundation, WCF will launch the first-ever country benchmarking tool for child sexual abuse and exploitation.WWW. Childhood-USA.ORG Media Contacts:Adam Friedman914 419 7384Or Cathy Loos212729 3753SOURCE: World Childhood Foundation USA (WCF) Adegoke Adelabu, by far one of Ibadans most colourful yet under-celebrated politicians of all time, popularized the word Penkelemesi. The term was said to be Ibadan locals corrupt version of the phrase peculiar mess, which Adelabu, known for his fascinating use of English, once used to describe the opposition in the Western Region House of Assembly. Legend has it that the non-literate section of Ibadan people, among whom Adelabu was immensely popular, translated the phrase into Yoruba to mean penkelemesi. And that phrase has remained for decades. Adelabu died in 1958 on, according to some accounts, mile 51 of the LagosIbadan Expressway, close to Shagamu. He was returning from Lagos along with a Syrian businessman when their car hit an oncoming vehicle, reports said. Expectedly, as a politician considered one of the fiercest critics of the late Obafemi Awolowo, the circumstances surrounding his death were clouded by myths and conspiracy theories. Interestingly, exactly six decades after his death, the spectre of the late Ibadan politician seems hovering over Oyo statein two unrelated yet interesting areas. One, a scion of the Adelabu dynasty, Bayo Adelabu, is widely considered a shoo-in in the coming guber race. He has picked the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and currently enjoys the support of the incumbent governor and party faithfuls. He is said to be in his 40s. His closest rival, Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party, is a little older. Given that Oyo state has always had the misfortune of having its political space dominated by geriatric politicians, the emergence of both men signals a breath of fresh air in the governance space of the state. But for now, thats where it ends. Both menwho undoubtedly are the major contendershave very little records, if any, in public administration against which one can subject their rhetorics. If we go by public pronouncements, none has really inspired much hope thus far, even though one hopes they will unravel when debates begin proper. On the flipside, however, is Adelabus Penkelemesi curse: a socio-historical plague that has haunted the states governance and political space for long which manifests in how, in many instances, the state acts as Pace-setter in peculiar cases of absurdities. It was evident during the Busari Eru-Obodo years just as it was in the Lamidi Adedibu years when pronouncements made in Molete came with far more recognition than those made at the Agodi government house. Although the absurdities may not be pronounced in this dispensation, it is also evident in the political choices of three major politicians whose presence has defined Oyo politics in the last two decades: from incumbent Governor Abiola Ajimobi through to former governors Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala. Adebayo Alao-Akala Governor Ajimobis reign as governor, for one, would most likely be defined by his quick descent into megalomania than any significant re-engineering of the state of affairs in Oyo. The governor, no doubt, brought some form of decency to the governance system in Oyo, especially in the wake of the departure of the indecorous Alao-Akala. But that gain, and others realized in a few sectors like security, would pale into nothingness if placed side-by-side with his reckless utterances and exaggerated conception of constituted authority. He would crown it all by picking the senatorial ticket of his party, against public statements that he might not vie for any public office again after completing his second tenure as governor, having served earlier in 2003 as senator. What exactly do this people want? Alao-Akala, on his part, is yet again vying for the governorship seat on the platform of the ADP after losing out in the APC chess game that saw Adelabu emerge as candidate. His movement perhaps represent the most amusing political gymnastic by any major Oyo politician in recent time: After he lost his re-election bid in 2011, he defected to the Labour Party in 2015 and contested the governorship. He lost out and joined APC from where he was schemed out and moved to ADP, a party that may fetch some local lawmakers their respective seats but, by electoral reality, stands very little chance in the governorship. Akala would have been a shoo-in if the election will be determined only by votes from his native Ogbomosho land. Hes another joker who, rather than retire and allow young blood access, would not want to yield the space for other thinking heads. Rashidi Ladojas case is the most laughableif not utterly patheticof the trio: a man who enjoyed support from his predominantly Ibadan followers but allowed avarice and inability to yield spaces demystify his persona. Between 2007 when he left office and 2018, he has traversed almost all the major parties in the state, whether directly or by proxy. Former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi [Photo: Today.ng] In 2007, he was reputed to have created confusion among anti-PDP supporters when he could not emphatically state whether his followers votes should go to Apampa of Labour Party, Adedoja of AC or Ajimobi of the defunct ANPP. In recent time, he has defected from the PDP, first, to ACCORD party; returned to the PDP and lately jumped ship to join the ADC where he is now rumored to have left to embrace the ZLP. What a peculiar mess. Meanwhile, in all of these movements, many followers have been thrown into confusion and disappointments. But beneath the politicking, which should be of little concern to any development-minded indigene anyway, lies decades of waste and maladministration. Frankly, it would have been better if all of these years translated to better life for the people of the state, which makes it curious that these men are still struggling to either come back or maintain their grip in the next election. Between 2003 and 2018, the fate of Oyo has been decided by the trio, now in their 60s and 70s. Sadly, except in few cases of slightly commendable developments, its been a sorry state of wretchedness made more dangerous by mass illiteracy, thuggery, brigandage and decay of public infrastructure. And lately, where there should be quality thinking, there is reckless grandstanding fueled by exaggerated sense of importance. Penkelemesi! Ultimately, the emergence of fresh faces in the governance space of Oyo sends good signal to every young person in the state and SATIRE SATURDAY expects that these new individuals would show, quite indeed, in thoughts and actions, that they are a different species. SATIRE SATURDAY would really be interested in how they hope to maintain their independence in the face of these old mens meddlesome presence. As per the old laggards who would not yield space to young energetic minds, Adegoke Adelabu himself may have no word to capture their actions if he was alive. Penkelemesi? That will be too generous a phrase. The Federal Government has upgraded Federal Dental College of Technology and Therapy (FDCTT), Enugu, to a degree awarding institution and promised to continue to meet its needs. The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, made the promise during the FDCTT maiden Convocation Ceremony in Enugu on Friday. Mr Adewole, who was represented by Bola Alonge, Director of Dentistry, Federal Ministry of Health, said government had approved the upgrading of the college as a degree awarding institution. He said that consequently, other needs of the college would set in as both the Federal Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education would collaborate to enable it to achieve its mandate. Earlier, the Rector of the College, John Emaimo, appealed to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to assist the institution in the area of infrastructure development. Mr Emaimo said the lack of aid from TETFUND had affected the training and development of professionals in the field of dentistry. He said the college lacked adequate classrooms, auditorium and administrative blocks, hostel accommodation, staff quarters, residence for principal officers, standard library, buses, among others. With the help of TETFUND, the college will be re-positioned to attract large number of foreign students, reduce capital flight and generate fund from International students as FCDTTE remains the only such institution in Africa, he said. A total of 1,100 graduates received Ordinary National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and certificates during the ceremony. The college honoured some eminent citizens on the occasion, including Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekwerenmadu, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Patrick Asadu and Lawrence Eze. One of the graduates, Promise Nnaji, expressed joy over her success and the upgrading of the college. (NAN) The federal government will roll out the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) this month, the health minister, Isaac Adewole, said in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday. Mr Adewole said the roll out would start with six states, the first beneficiaries of the funds. The states include Osun, Abia, Niger, Yobe, Borno, and Edo. The minister said a comprehensive manual has been designed for adequate implementation of the funds. He said apart from the money added in the 2018 budget, the ministry have received about $22 million to fund the BHCPF. The Department for International Development (DFID) is also putting 50 million pounds over the next five years he added. The Basic Health Care Provision Fund The BHCPF is the fundamental funding provision under the National Health Act but was only appropriated this year for the first time since the Act was signed in 2014. It provides for not less than one percent of the Consolidated Revenue for health funding. When passing the 2018 budget in May, the National Assembly earmarked N55 billion for the BHCPF, as stipulated by the Act. Though approved in the budget, the fund is yet to be released and it again restored the argument over non-implementation of the Act to the front burner. Health experts decried the failure of the Nigerian government to release the fund. They say failure to release the money was having a negative effect on health care delivery in the country, especially in the rural areas as it could have been handy in the revitalisation of primary health care centres. . The fund is also envisaged to help reduce out of pocket spending on health care through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). In the interview, the health minister said even though the fund is very necessary, What is most important is the instrument of implementing the management of the money in a way that it will be transparent. In a way that money will be put in and there will be confidence. Mr Adewole said the health ministry have developed a 123 pages manual for implementing the BHCPF. We have developed a 123 page manual. We cannot just release the money without proper planning because if we put the money in the states and there is no template for using it, people will say it wasted. The media will say BHCPF money was squandered. What we have done is that we went to the states and did thorough jobs. We are looking at the entire health system in each state and for the first time we will do the whole 36 states and the federal capital. We have done two for now and we are looking at how to do the remaining 34. The manual is a detailed assessment of the health system. It takes account of how many facilities a state is using because we just dont want to share money. We want the money to flow from the central bank to the facilities. It should be first time that a PHC will get money directly from CBN. We now say for each state, give us the list of your needs, the PHCs you want to use. For example in Osun, 332 PHCs is benefiting. What is the condition of the 332 PHCs? How many can render 24 hours service? What do they lack in terms of Staff, equipment, commodities and all? We will have detailed account of all this before releasing the money. When you see the detailed manual we have developed, you will be amazed by the kind of work we have put in. We have developed that of Osun and Abia and now we are moving to Niger, Yobe, Borno and Edo next. Six states for the first roll out. If we dont do this and you send money there, it will be wasted. How this money will be shared are all in the manual. We will publish it soon. There is no challenge in getting the money released as many have said. We have met with ministry of finance and last week we met with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to determine how this system will work. We told them we dont want money to flow out laterally, we want money to flow down vertically. Further stressing the need for proper planning, Mr Adewole, a professor, noted that the N55 billion is not the only source of fund for the BHCPF. We are not dealing with the Nigerian naira provided in the budget alone. If you read the part of the act that made provisions for the BHCPF, you will see it is also talking about getting funds from local and international organisations and other sources. We already have 20 million dollars from Global Financing Facility on ground. We have two million dollars from Bill and Melinda gates Foundation. DFID (The Department for International Development) is putting 50 million pounds over the next five years. We are also meeting with the World Bank. There will be three accounts in CBN. The federal account will be for the consolidated revenue funds because we dont want to mix funds with donor money. The minister also said once the BHCPF is flagged off for release, money will flow from the CBN to NHIS to NPHCDA to NCDC. It will flow from the Federal Ministry of Health, then from there to the states and from the states, it goes to the facilities through commercial banks. We also asked them to open accounts in commercial banks. Part of the assessment is that they (state facilities and PHCs) have a bank account. If they do, who are the signatories? You need to see this manual. Its the first of its kind. What we have designed have no equal anywhere in the world, where money will go straight to the facility. The national steering committee will approve it (the manual) on Thursday. President Buhari will official flag it off in December. You can quote me on this. Obiageli (Oby) Ezekwesili is the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) in the upcoming 2019 election. Mrs Ezekwesili once served as minister of solid minerals and then headed the education ministry during the second-term presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. She also led the Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG) for a while. In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES journalists during her visit to the newspapers corporate headquarters in Abuja, she explains why Nigerians should reject President Muhammadu Buhari and his main challenger in the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar. She also speaks on her priorities if elected president. EXCERPTS: PT: You were once called daughter of President Olusegun Obasanjo. You worked for him as a minister. Our expectation was that you were going to align with him wherever he is. Hes backing the PDP today. Why are you not on the same platform with a man considered your political godfather? Ezekwesili: I am not on any platform that is not a platform that is a change in direction. President Obasanjo will continue to be someone that has played an important role in this nation, someone that I will always respect. Someone that I served in his government with professionalism and we go way back. I was one of the young people that were selected on the African Leadership Forum when they began to get young people across the continent of Africa to give them a premium leadership (training). But one thing very clear is that I am someone everybody knows to have a mind of her own. If it doesnt work, it doesnt work! I dont get into platforms based on group thing. I believe that right now in our country, we need a complete change of direction. The basis of my campaign has, after all, been the idea that we cannot be held hostage by the extant political class that has been at the centre of poor governance and bad leadership. PT: Now you have a huge battle on your hands, battling with guys who have all the money and structure, state resources. How are you going to beat them? Ezekwesili: By being strategic and leveraging on the things I have that they dont have. None of these candidates can be placed on the same pedestal if your criteria for determining quality leadership are the things that the rest of the world emphasises. I am the candidate with character, competence, capacity in the form that a new direction requires in the country. I am the candidate that reflects the ideals of any Nigerian who is fed up with failure. I am the candidate who speaks to the issues that matter to the young people and women and these are segments of our population that are the most afflicted by the failure of governance. I am the candidate who has got the capacity to use knowledge as the basis of a campaign on issues of governance. The reason is simple: the traditional systems of electioneering focused on plenty of deep pockets. Where is that deep pocket coming from? It is coming from the same kind of governance that I am against. I dont have the same kind of strategy. So my strategy is to look at the distribution problem. A distribution problem in the sense that I need to get a distribution of my message in a virtual kind of way that then becomes bodies of people acting on the basis of the messages; and technologically, we have our system of solving a distribution problem. I think that as we are solving a distribution problem, then we are coupling it with the traditional system that our party (offers), a party that has managed to keep its self for 15 years without being assimilated by the octopuses that are in the land. So, our readiness is to create a different Nigeria. Our own mechanism of the grassroots is to emphasise that we must stop failing and the biggest indicator of our failure is the growing trend of poverty. That is why the signature thing for us is that we will run the economy to enhance productivity and competitiveness as citizens so that in the process we would be able to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty. So on the basis of this, the grassroots engagement for our party is a huge premium. On one hand, we have the grassroots thing, on the other hand, we have the technology and this combination will deliver one of the surprises in our political history and this is not a boast. PT: So you are saying you are going to shock Buhari? Ezekwesili: We are going to shock the BUTIKU team. Stop calling them different names (Mr Buhari and Mr Atiku) because they are one entity. We will shock them. I am not running alone, I need you to know that. We are all running, only those who are not fed up with a failing Nigeria will not be running with me. Those who are fed up and tired of knowing that our country has overtaken India (in poverty) which is almost seven times our country and become the country with the largest contingent of people living on extreme poverty will not be running with me. Those who are comfortable with the fact that about four million people enter labour market every year seeking opportunities of decent jobs but its only 10 per cent of them that will find those jobs, they are the ones that will not run with me. Those comfortable that Nigeria is number 15 in the global fragility index, those comfortable with knowing maternal mortality rate, infant mortality and child mortality rate of Nigeria is above the African average will not run with me. But, all those in the country tired of this evidence of the failure of governance will be running with me. They will run with me because they can not afford to run with a political class that has become incapable, promising us the same thing that has not produced anything meaningful for the citizens. PT: Giving the resources the so-called BUKU (using your term) team have, one would have thought that a quick way to distort this kind of team is by forming a coalition with other qualified candidates running in the election. Why is it difficult to form an alliance with other young promising candidates? Ezekwesili: There are different conversations that continue to go on and the ideal thing is for everybody to come to the table and say we can do this and say you know what? I lay down my flag, you lay down yours and then we have one flag. But you know the way it is in our society. Regardless of that, I believe that the conversation that is going at one point in time might lead to alliances that will enable that kind of an outcome. I am hoping so but that is why I said alliances and mergers. The latter is going to be much more difficult because candidates are being fielded as you know. PT: Will Nigerians believe you? We have heard all the things you are saying in the past. Presidential candidates will come and tell so many good things but when they get there, its a different thing. Ezekwesili: Please show me that presidential candidate that you ever hosted in your office that talks like Oby Ezekwesili or has the track record of Oby Ezekwesili? Tell me which of them because its so easy for Nigerians to say we have heard all this before. No, you have not! You have not heard this kind of thing from somebody who has actually gone into government and done so much work and comes out of government and done so much work. My fidelity to the cause of the nation cannot be doubted by anybody. Those who doubt anything that I say are those who are not entirely truthful to themselves. They have had issues with me on one thing or the other and allow that to colour the way that they are interpreting me. But, any reasonable Nigerian that can attest that I went to government knows it was all about proven governance. My work in governance, the things that I worked with, we delivered in reforming our public procurement system, the political class hated it. BUTIKU hated the due process so much. It was unbelievable. The political class within which I operated on at the time were very annoyed with due process. Yet, I stood steadfast with the things we put together in the due process unit and we pushed it with the support of the president. It was because of the work that our team did on NEITI that we gave the world a prototype upon which the global EITI organised itself. For that particular work, you can see I was recently nominated for the Nobel peace prize. Regarding the work we did in the solid minerals sector, I was the minister who through legislation possessed every power under the face of the earth over minerals in the country. We said this is not how countries are governed, the era where the government gives such crippling power to an individual is over! You dont do this anymore, so we worked on a different law and took out all the powers given to the minister and put into what is called the Mining Cadastral System. Its a technology-based system and that was the end of people coming to crowd the office of the minister. The airborne geophysical survey of the country was comprehensive. The last time that geophysical survey of the country was done was by the British. During my time, it was completed and interpreted and we put a law and gave autonomy to the Nigerian Geophysical Agency. Today it is considered one of the world-class agencies in geophysical survey work on the continent. At the time President Obasanjo took me out of solid minerals in 2007, we already delivered on 97 out of 107 reforms we identified. I went to the education ministry and saw the rot in the system. The reforms I did in education was titled C.R.I.S.I.S because of what we saw there. When we did the same process of identifying the reforms we would have to do in education it was 436 reforms. We began to work on that. We also had different laws and bills to underpin the reforms in education. Those bills went to the National Assembly but it was at the tail end of the government. The Public Procurement Act was one of the works that we did. PT: So madam, you did not chop'(steal) in government? Ezekwesili: If God did not create you a thief, you will be a fool to go into government to steal. The basis of me becoming the person I am today is the strong values my parents, especially my father, gave to us. My father said there are three things he can offer us as a public servant: his name, education and the values he raised us on and he said these things will take us far. My father will say to us that it is a useless human being that will engage in the ignoble act of accumulating wealth that is not earned. My father said he cannot train any of us with stolen money. So if my father can say that, I cannot go to into government to steal in order to train a child, its not possible. If you want to know the kind of person I was in government, did someone not write a book called Accidental Public Servant (author, Governor El-Rufai)? Go and read the chapter he wrote about my time in government. PT: You have been around and done a lot of work. If you are given the opportunity to be the first president, who is a woman, what will be your priorities? Ezekwesili: My number one priority if elected president is the replacement of oil with human capital. That is my signature. If history will remember me, its going to be the fact that at my time, the Nigerian person translated into a world-class human capital replacing oil. This for me is a signature mandate. This is top for me. That is visionary for me. I will be the president that takes us on a race to the top, not a race to the bottom while ensuring the equality of opportunities. In fact, I will be the president that will bring the countries diversity together in a way that also races to the top. So we are saying for that purpose of inclusion and national unity, we will have federal character but what has happened to the federal character is that they have decided to use it as a race to the bottom. I will be the president that ends that mediocrity. We will all be in the race to the top, work on equality of opportunities and then of course, that major issue of tackling poverty. I want to remove this trend of poverty. Just look at it, China, Nigeria and other African countries were almost at the same place some five decades ago but guess what, Chinas GDP today is over $14 trillion, Nigerias GDP depending on the exchange rate situation is below $400 billion. How did we get to this kind of painful stunted growth? We now know things that make economies grow and they are not rocket science. Sound policies, dynamic institutions anchored on the rule of law, the right priorities of investment in critical infrastructure, in building the human capacity that supports citizens and businesses. We know that tackling poverty can happen in a matter of decades because China lifted 700 million of her citizens out of poverty in less than four decades. It means that the evidence of learning and knowledge that I have is useful for my running for the presidency because I want to take down this poverty. We cant have half of our population called extremely poor and be comfortable with it. Its not just about tackling poverty. Its also about growing wealth because what I will like us to become is a country that is prosperous, stable and harmonious. Its not just about lifting those who are poor but also to have a growing economy that enables those who are already okay to keep being okay. That is what happens in other societies. We need to work for the enhancement of productivity and competitiveness among our people. For human security, this is huge for me. This is where the economy needs security. People always see security from a very militaristic perspective but if there is any lesson we have learnt from what happened in the North-east, it is the fact that human security is what enables sustainable peace in any society. It means that the matter of economic livelihood is at the centre. Its about jobs, jobs and more jobs. One of the studies we did at the World Bank shows that in conflict-affected areas, the most important thing is not to gather people in the table to make peace, its actually to create jobs. When there are jobs in crisis-prone areas, it is correlated to the fact that willingness to negotiate disagreements goes higher. So economic livelihood of every part of this country is going to be key and one of our signature projects. Oby Ezekwesili We shall see that no road is left behind. If you want to lift your people out of poverty, give them roads, the Chinese people said. Its the next step to means of livelihood. The issue of rural areas being disconnected from the rest of the country is a tragedy. You go to a place like the North-east, young people say the government is not present. A group of fellows then make themselves present in their lives. We must close the pipeline of insecurity in the North-east and the way to do that is to increase the economic fortunes of everyone in the country and carry out the security sector reforms. You know security sector reforms have not been accountable for poor performance. A poor performance happens in our security sector and we ignore it. We have gotten to the point where life is chickened to zero. Are we not today mourning the news that more than 100 of our soldiers have been killed in the front-line of battle? In other countries, they would have still been mourning, carrying placards. Over time, our people have so died that we have become desensitised to death. My sadness is that the Nigerian child will actually grow up thinking it is okay for people to just be killed with impunity and (there are) no consequences. PT: You just mentioned some preventive measures for tackling security challenges. We would like you to tackle Boko-Haram specifically. How do you intend to tackle this frontally? What preventive measure will you put in place to avoid future occurrences such as the recent killings of over 100 Nigerian soldiers? Ezekwesili: That one is technical. The first thing I would do when I become the commander-in-chief is to get a brief update of all the killings in the regions. I have already read what is available as a candidate (publicly) so when I get there, I will simply force it on all to know there is a new sheriff in town. The enemies of our country must know that we are at a mega level of response and that it will be we setting the pace. So the first thing is going to be the technical assessment of what are our strategies towards curtailing any continuous evidence of freedom (by insurgents) to operate. They cannot operate on the soil of Nigeria! PT: Are you saying the president is complacent? Ezekwesili: The president has not been an effective commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He has not been! We cannot have any group whatsoever by whatever name feel this level of freedom to operate in our territory without the decisiveness of action that would end what we face. We were told by this government that they had technically defeated Boko Haram. After that, they started saying they have defeated Boko Haram. So where are these ones killing our soldiers coming from? PT: But you know he (President Buhari) is a war general? Ezekwesili: I dont know about titles. I know about productive and effective leadership. You can bear any title you wish but what I am interested in is, has the president been an effective commander-in-chief? I think if we put this in a public debate, the majority of Nigerians will say no. Going back to ways to tackle the insurgency, we will reduce the extent of reactive measures that you need to be taking. We have not obviously invested the way we should and part of it is because people have created a military-industrial complex out of the terrorism situation. Counter-terrorism has more or less become an industry for our parasitic political class and because they seem to be now comfortable with the way things are, you can see clearly that our capacity to be decisive has weakened considerably. One of the ways to counter terrorism is to invest significantly in your intelligence assets and I know the world is waiting for us. There are ways to tackle these challenges. We are going to operate at the level of sub-regional, regional, continental and global partnerships. More countries are interested in sharing resources because todays terrorism is a global public bad. It is not something that only national systems can handle. So the pooling of resources, the sharing of knowledge and assets are parts of the ways. To be continued Nigerias Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, has written yet another letter to Inspector-General Ibrahim Idris, informing him that the police still do not have reasonable evidence to put Senate President Bukola Saraki on trial for the armed robbery that took place in Kwara State earlier this year. In a legal advice which Mr Malamis office sent to Mr Idris on June 29, it was strongly recommended that Mr Saraki should not be identified as a suspect in the robbery because there was no evidence. PREMIUM TIMES recently obtained a copy of the June 29 memo, which was an update to the June 22 preliminary report that exonerated Mr Saraki. PREMIUM TIMES exclusively published the outcome of the preliminary investigation in July. The police excoriated PREMIUM TIMES for the report at the time, saying an interim document should not be relied on because fresh findings had been forwarded to the attorney-general which strongly linked Mr Saraki to the robbery. But Mohammed Etsu, the federal director of public prosecution who prepared both the first and second reports for the attorney-general, insisted there was no departure from the earlier findings in the interim report this office is still unable to establish any actionable evidence against Mr Saraki for any offences of criminal armed robbery and culpable homicide punishable with death. Mr Malami also cleared Yusuf Abdulwahab, the chief of staff to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, of any involvement in the armed robbery. The police investigation did not uncover any collaborative evidence linking Mr Abdulwahab to the Offa bank robbery, the attorney-general said, consequently justifying a courts decision that earlier admitted the senior aide to bail. There is a judicial precedent that a suspect who has not been tried and convicted by a competent court could be admitted to bail, Mr Malami added. Mr Abdulwahab was similarly cleared in the preliminary report. The attorney-generals office said only prime suspects who took part in the robbery should be charged to court for armed robbery and murder, both of which could draw capital punishment upon conviction. The AGF also ordered that the case should be returned to Kwara State for prosecution, marking yet another blow to the polices determination to try all the suspects in Abuja. The decision is a major victory for the Kwara State judiciary, which took concerted steps to assert its authority over the matter but was frustrated by the domineering powers of the police, an institution controlled solely by the president. The charges against the armed robbery suspects were committed in Offa, Kwara State and should be under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Kwara State High Court as enumerated in the Constitution, Mr Malami said. Carnage Overshadowed By Politics The robbery of five different banks on April 5 left at least 31 dead in Offa, home to a major federal polytechnic and second-biggest town in the North-Central state. Amongst those killed were nine police officers, motorists and town residents, police said. The police deemed the robbery amongst the deadliest in recent years, and swung into action to unravel its plotters. A special police team detailed to investigate the incident arrested seven suspects within the first two days of the attack, and made more arrests in succeeding days. Six weeks later, the police said they had taken two more suspects into custody, including the alleged mastermind, Michael Adikwu, after a composite CCTV picture of the suspects was circulated by the police. Mr Malami said in the June 29 letter to Mr Idris that Mr Adikwu died in police custody shortly after his arrest, but the Force Headquarters suppressed the development from Nigerians until last week. But the matter took a political dimension when the police publicly linked Messrs Saraki and Ahmed and their political associates to the robbery. The police circulated a picture one of the robbery suspects took with Mr Saraki at his daughters wedding last year as a key evidence that linked the Senate President to both the suspects and the crime. The police also said one of the vehicles used by the suspects had a dummy number plate with Mr Sarakis name inscribed on it. Senate President, Bukola Saraki Also, some officials of Kwara State government were also arrested and one of the vehicles allegedly used in the robbery was found in the home of a commissioner. All the state officials denied allegations, and some were later released without charges. The two conclusions of the attorney-general bolstered Mr Sarakis perennial outcry that he had nothing to do with the armed robbery. He accused the police of being used as a political tool by President Muhammadu Buhari, with whom he had fell out after playing a critical role in his emergence as president. Mr Buharis government has initiated several criminal charges against Mr Saraki since the former Kwara governor emerged Senate President in 2015 without the approval of the ruling All Progressives Congress. The top lawmaker, who has since abandoned the ruling party for the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, has, however, managed to win some of the criminal charges against him, including the Supreme Court ruling that extricated him of false assets declaration charges earlier this year. Disparaging Suggestion In concluding his legal advice to the police, Mr Malami warned a police chief in charge of the armed robbery investigation to desist from offering condescending opinions to the AGFs office. David Ogbodo, an assistant inspector-general of police, had suggested in the second police submission that Mr Malami should step aside in the case and detail a senior Nigerian lawyer to handle prosecutorial advice. Mr Malami said his office had dispassionately prosecuted several cases that were successful, and warned Mr Igbodo to desist from making official comments that could be deemed as disparaging to the office of the AGF. As the attorney-general, Mr Malami regularly authors legal advices to the police and other law enforcement agencies on how to proceed in criminal litigations. In 2017, the AGF advised the president to relax charges in the $1.1 billion Malamu oil scandal, one of the flagship corruption cases being prosecuted by the administration. Mr Malami said there was no sufficient evidence to nail a former petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and former Attorney-General Bello Adoke. Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, wanted by the EFCC for massive corruption. He said the suspects cannot be held liable for acting on the orders of President Goodluck Jonathan in approving the 2011 deal between Shell-Agip and Dan Etete, a former Nigerian oil minister who had been convicted on money laundering charges in France in 2007. Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. The police said Saturday they have learned more about the reported influx of armed persons into Sokoto state. The force, again, denied claims that a suspected terror group had taken control of a local government in the state. The public relations officer of the command, Cordelia Nwawe, told journalists on Saturday in Sokoto that police have determined that the people seen in Sokoto state were Malian herders. She said the group was nonviolent, but said they arrived with an exponentially higher number of cattle than they usually come to the state with in past years. She said, Our attention was drown toward a report that some unknown herdsmen were sighted in Gudu and Tangaza local government called Jahadists fully armed to destroy the peace in the area. The situation was misreported based on our intelligence report. The herdsmen sighted are reasonably believed to be Malians who reside in a forest in Niger Republic, sharing border with Gudu and Tangaza local government areas of the state. The herdsmen are annual visitors to the nearby forest bordering the two local governments with their cattle and always stayed in the forest in Niger Republic. Even though the number of their cattle increased exponentially this year to about 3,000 from the usual figures of less than 1000, it was discovered that they are not known to be violent. Moreover, they occasionally enter the villages in the two local governments to procure food and other essentials and retire back to the forest, Mrs Nwawe said. She called on the people living in the areas to remain calm and go on their normal business, assuring that police were always there to protect their lives and properties. The spokesperson added that the situation of the areas remained peaceful and enjoined the people to always assist police with useful information that could lead to the success of the command in the state. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported complaints by locals that a strange armed group from neighbouring Niger Republic was operating in parts of Tangaza Local Government Area of the Sokoto State, carrying arms and demaning levies from residents. The police on Friday downplayed the complaints by residents of the border community. Speaking on Friday evening, Mrs Nwawe told PREMIUM TIMES that the state police commissioner, Murtala Mani, and his deputy in charge of operations, Baba Isa, went to Tangaza on Friday to attend to the situation. Theres nothing like armed bandits, there is no need for people to be scared. The commissioner of police and his deputy in charge of operations went and saved the situation, Mrs Nwawe said. Theres no need for people to be apprehensive because whatever happened to Niger Republic has nothing to do with Nigeria. Those people are not operating in Nigeria but Niger Republic. Tangaza is a boundary community, despite people alleged that they saw strange people in the area with their camels, donkeys and wives, it is not in Nigeria. But were not taking anything lightly because we have mobilised more conventional policemen to make sure the people did not infiltrate into Nigeria, Mrs Nwawe said. She said the police were doing their job in Sokoto State but could not go into another country to arrest criminals. If someone commits a crime and ran to Niger Republic, we liaise with the authorities to bring back the suspect here, especially when the crime was committed on Nigerian territory, said the police spokesperson. Across the globe, condolence messages have continued to fly to the family of the late former United States President, George Bush, who died at 94. The family of Mr Bush announced his death in the late hours of Friday. Mr Bush, the 41st president of the United States, who lived longer than any of his predecessors, presided over the end of the Cold War and routed Saddam Husseins Iraqi army. Mr Bush lost a chance for a second term after breaking a no-new-taxes pledge. But his son who bears his name, came in as the 43rd president after the era of Bill Clinton . In a condolence statement signed by the current U.S. President, Donald Trump, and his wife, Melania, the Trumps lauded the contributions of the ex- American leader. Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service- to be, in his words, a thousand points of lights illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world. With sound judgement, common sense, and unflappable leadership, President Bush guided our Nation, and the world, to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War. As president, he set the stage for decades of prosperity that have followed. And through all that he accomplished, he remained humble, following the quiet call to service that gave him a clear sense of direction. Also, the US immediate past President, Barack Obama, in a statement issued on Saturday, said: America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Not merely for the years he spent as our 42st President, but for the more than 70 years he spent in devoted service to the country he loved from a decorated Naval aviator who nearly gave his life in World War II, to Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, with plenty of posts along the way. Ambassador to the United Nations. Director of Central Intelligence. U.S. Envoy to China. Vice President of the United States. According to Mr Obama, George H.W. Bushs life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling and whose legacy of service may never be matched with past US leaders. Expanding Americas promise to new immigrants and people with disabilities. Reducing the scourge of nuclear weapons and building a broad international coalition to expel a dictator from Kuwait. And when democratic revolutions bloomed across Eastern Europe, it was his steady, diplomatic hand that made possible an achievement once thought anything but ending the Cold War without firing a shot. Meanwhile, President Macron Emmanuel of France has described Mr Bush as a world leader, who strongly supported the European alliance. On behalf of the French people, I convey all my condolences to the American nation for the loss of former President George Bush. He was a world leader, who strongly supported the alliance with Europe. Our sympathy to his family and beloved ones, he posted Saturday morning. John Momoh, the Chairman of Channels Media Group, owners of Channels Television; Waziri Adio, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI); and 12 distinguished journalists will be honoured at the award presentation event of the 2018 Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting. The ceremony will hold at the main hall of NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday, December 9, 2018, the World Anti-corruption Day, by 5pm. At the event, John Momoh, who is also the Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), will receive the Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence. He is being recognised for his noteworthy contribution to the development of the Nigerian media. On his part, Waziri Adio will be given the Anti-Corruption Defender Award, for his public stance against corruption, evidenced by the work he is championing on transparency and accountability in Nigerias extractive sector. Also, 12 finalists who were selected by the 2018 Judges Board, Chaired by Professor Umaru Pate of the Faculty of Mass Communication at Bayero University Kano, from the 136 entries received, will be unveiled for the six categories of the award Print, Radio, Television, Photography, Online and Editorial Cartoon. The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) will give cash prizes of N200, 000, N100, 000 and N50, 000 each to winners, runners-up and commended works respectively. Additionally, winners will have a plaque and an opportunity to attend an all-expense-paid international study-tour. All finalists will also receive certificates of commendation. The award presentation event is held annually on December 9, the World Anticorruption Day and eve of the Human Rights Day, to call attention to the significance of the media generally and investigative reporting in particular, to attaining good governance, accountability, and social justice, as aspired through the Sustainable Development Goals, while celebrating the reporters at the centre of the mix. The event, which is open to members of the public, will have reporters, media leaders, journalism students, civil society representatives, private and public sector leaders, diplomatic corps members and such like in attendance. Signed: Motunrayo Alaka Coordinator, WSCIJ motunrayo@wscij.org Nigerias president, Muhammadu Buhari, has commiserated with the Yoruba nation over the passing of the founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Frederick Fasehun. The president, in a condolence message by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Saturday, also condoled with the family of the medical practitioner and the government and people of Ondo State. Mr Buhari recalled the prominent role Mr Fasehun played as a member of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which campaigned against military rule in the country. The president prayed that the Almighty God would comfort all those who mourn the octogenarian and grant peace to his soul. Also, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, described the late OPC leader as a renowned pro-democracy and good governance activist, committed democrat, tested political player, and Yoruba nationalist who left behind fine legacies. He charged Mr Fasehuns family and other associates of the late leader not to allow his fine legacies to die. He was known for his Yoruba nationalistic fervor. Like an Afenifere chieftain that he was, he fought stridently for the Yoruba cause, said Mr Tinubu. He canvassed true federalism and political restructuring. He fought as well for the cause of the Nigerian nation. The good thing about Baba is there was never a time that he sat on the fence. Although trained as a medical doctor, he was very active politically. We were together in the forefront of the agitation for the de-annulment of June 12. He founded the Oodua Peoples Congress to actualize June 12 but espoused non-violence. Nonetheless, he remained a torn in the flesh of the military. It was therefore no surprise that Dr. Fasehun was imprisoned for 19 months from December 1996 to June 1998 by the General Sani Abacha regime. And when democracy fully returned to the country he participated actively. From being an Alliance for Democracy sympathizer in 1999 to 2003, he moved to the front stage. Mr Tinubu said one of Mr Fasehuns last political acts was an attempt at reviving the Unity Party of Nigeria formed by the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, by giving the same name to the party he later formed There was also something remarkable about Baba: his love for Lagos. Though born in Ondo in Ondo State, he spent the most part of his life in Lagos. It was here that he situated his medical hospital, the Best Hope Hospital and Acupuncture Centre, and his hotel business-the Century Hotel. He was an extremely humble and modest man. I will miss him dearly. The Southwest, particularly Lagos and Ondo states, will miss him. Nigeria will miss him also. Mr Fasehun, aged 83, died at about 1a.m, Saturday at the intensive care unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja (LASUTH). He was born in on September 25, 1938 in Ondo State. He began his education late, entering primary school at the age of 13 at Saint Matthews Roman Catholic School, Ondo. He later moved to Saint Peters Teachers Training College, Akure, also in Ondo state. But he was expelled from school, because of his non-conformity with Catholicism. Mr Fasehun was then admitted to Ondo Boys High School, where he completed his secondary education in less than three years, with a Grade One distinction. His brother offered him a scholarship to study science at Blackburn College in the UK. He furthered his education at Aberdeen University College of Medicine. He also studied at the Liverpool Postgraduate School after which he had a Fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons. In 1976, he studied acupuncture in China under a joint World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Development Scholarship Programme. On his return in 1977, he set up an Acupuncture Unit at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). He resigned in 1978 and immediately set up the Best Hope Hospital and Acupuncture Centre in Lagos. His Acupuncture Centre once earned a reputation as Africas first for the Chinese medical practice. The crisis raging between two key Christian bodies, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), reached a climax Friday with the former denouncing the latter and publicly severing further ties with it. In a statement signed by Adebayo Oladeji, the spokesperson of the CAN President, Samson Ayokunle, and sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday evening, CAN said it was also dissolving the NCEF, following the failure of both parties to reach an amicable resolution. CAN said its decision was prompted by what it described as the baseless allegations against Mr Ayokunle by the NCEF and its agents. The National Executive Committee of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), at its meeting of Tuesday, November 20, 2018, unanimously applauded the CAN President for the unprecedented achievements recorded under his watch and dissolved the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) due to irreconcilable differences with its activities, he said. The CAN statement accused the NCEF of using the social media and a section of the traditional media to attack its leadership by disseminating unprintable words against the association, following what CAN described as its failure to take directives from the elders forum. CAN described the said publications as distractions, aimed at maligning the integrity of the CAN President. In the Communique issued on Friday, November 30, 2018 in Abuja, CAN among other things immediately dissolves the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) which was inaugurated on Thursday, January 15, 2015 by the powers conferred on the then CAN President. CAN NEC, by the same powers that inaugurated the forum, forthwith dissolves and dissociates completely from the NCEF in view of the incongruous and unacceptable operations manifested consistently by the group, the statement added. CAN also said the recent meeting by its NEC commended Mr Ayokunle for his various efforts towards uniting the church in Nigeria. Elders React Meanwhile, the secretary of the NCEF, Bosun Emmanuel, enumerated some allegations of the forum against the Mr Ayokunle-led Christian association and submitted that CAN lacks the powers to dissolve the group. Our attention was drawn to a press statement by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the current President of CAN, purportedly claiming that CAN has dissolved the National Christian Elders Forum. We urge Christians to disregard this statement as it is not based on truth, the statement said. The NCEF in the statement recounted its history, saying it was formed by a group outside CAN and therefore submitted that it cannot be dissolved by the Christian association. According to the NCEF, the forum was formed by three founding members who were part of another group: the Christian Social Movement of Nigeria, (CSMN), which had given birth to the forum. It explained that its founding members including the NCEF chairman, Solomon Asemota, had invited the former CAN President, Ayo Oritsejafor, to inaugurate the group after it was formed by the CSMN. CAN Trust Fund was established by CAN and its bank account was opened in the name of CAN. The National Christian Elders Forum was established by CSMN. The bank account operated by the NCEF is in the name of CSMN and not in the name of CAN. There is nothing wrong for any Christian body inviting the President of CAN to inaugurate any of its arms and its leaders. CSMN is an independent and duly registered body that sought to strengthen Church Unity by projecting CAN. Therefore, inauguration of NCEF by the former President of CAN does not confer its ownership on CAN, the NCEF said in its statement on Saturday. The Christian elders forum accused Mr Ayokunle of frustrating efforts aimed at ensuring the emergence of a Christian President in 2019. The group also accused Mr Ayokunle of frustrating attempts to raise funds for the development of vulnerable groups. On May 6 and 7, 2018, the President of CAN deliberately frustrated the meeting summoned by NCEF to build Christian political consensus. On August 13 and 14, 2018, the CAN leadership also frustrated the efforts of CSMN to mobilise funding for the purpose of building Christian political structures. Deliberate frustration of the CAN Trust Fund which was set up to raise N5 billion monthly to fund Christian structures and support persecuted Christians. Dr. Ayokunle has frustrated it to the point it has become moribund. Even a cheque for N7 million issued by CAN Trust Fund on 12th April, 2018 to purchase food for Christian IDPs in seven states has lapsed in the National Secretariat of CAN after six months. Dr. Ayokunle, the President of CAN, frustrated the release of the money to feed Christian IDPs. The NCEF accused Mr Ayokunle of aiding what it described as the ongoing jihad against Christians and urged Nigerians to watch the assocation closely. CAN has been involved in a series of crisis, since the emergence of Mr Ayokunle. While some of the crises resulted in litigations, others were resolved. The candidates of the All Progressive Congress and Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 Lagos State gubernatorial polls, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Jimi Agbage, have addressed Lagosians as campaign started on Saturday. According to the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and candidates seeking to contest for Governorship and State Assembly elections are to commence campaigns on December 1, 2018 and end on February 28, 2019. On Friday, Messrs Sanwo-Olu and Agbaje posted messages on their official social media pages. Tomorrow, INEC lifts restrictions on campaigns for gubernatorial elections across the country. As friends, family and political rivals go into passionate debates during this period, tempers will rise and fall. But one thing is for certain. To our supporters, let us shun the politics of violence, aggressive conversation, hatred and bitterness. Let us remember that though we are divided in our choice of candidates, we are all united in our desire to see an even greater Lagos. To my opponent, dear Jimi Agbaje, I may not be able to wish you victory, but I definitely wish you well, Mr Sanwo-Olu posted. In response, Mr Agbaje posted also. To Mr. Sanwo-Olu, thank you for the well wishes. In the same manner, I extend my best wishes to you and all the other governorship candidates running in Lagos. This election is about the people of Lagos. Let the campaigns begin. He further advised that Lagosians must unite. This is no ordinary election. This is a fight for freedom. A fight for Democracy. A fight for Lagos. We will not be silent and we will not be oppressed or suppressed into a corner. This time around, Democracy must win. The question isnt if Lagos is working. Thats clear, it is NOT for majority of people. But if we are ever going to be able to get it back on track, it would require that we bet on the people and their dreams and hopes for a more inclusive state. Theres no better time than now. Meanwhile, on Saturday morning, Mr Agbaje stated that some of his campaign boards had been vandalised and staff were also threatened with violence. Early this morning our boards were vandalised and removed just as campaign commenced. Some of our deployment staff were also threatened with violence and warned to desist, he posted on Twitter. Governorship elections are slated to hold on March 2. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/792054/Social_Energy.jpg ) The impact on a household's energy bill is significant, decreasing a household's electricity tariff from 14 to 4.0 pence per kilowatt hour*. For households with solar panels, Social Energy can offer an average of 15% immediate savings, building up to 70%.* Giving power back to the people This one-of-a-kind platform smartly combines an energy storage battery, such as the Duracell Energy Bank with an AI powered Social Energy Hub, allowing consumers to take control of their own energy for the very first time. 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Duracell has also introduced a complete, sustainable packaging solution, one of the best PVC alternatives available today and is already committed to responsible battery disposable in line with the EU Battery Directive. * Supporting evidence for decreases in effective electricity tariff unit rate to 4.0 pence per kilowatt hour* A report from one of the leading energy consulting firms, Cornwall Insight, values the benefit per household with a 3kW domestic battery at up to 367.92 per year from balancing services alone Social Energy's platform uniquely optimises between multiple grid trading opportunities to achieve estimated electricity cost saving per year of up to 226 for households with solar PV. This equates to a 70% reduction in unit rate to approximately 4.0 pence per kilowatt hour based on electricity unit rates published by BEIS in their 2017 Annual Domestic Energy Price Statistics. When multiplied by the number of households in Great Britain with solar panels according to BEIS solar deployment data, the potential nationwide saving from domestic batteries for solar panel users is 205m per annum. Please see Social Energy's website for a summary of the calculation methodology used to estimate the savings referenced in this press release. ** Building up to as much as 70% within months, once full grid trading takes effect. SOURCE Social Energy Following its highly successful showcase at the Grandmaster's Palace in Valletta, The Majlis - Cultures in Dialogue, a traveling cross-cultural exhibition organised at the initiative of the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani Museum - that features a collection of a unique assembly of artefacts reflecting the interaction of civilizations in the past while encouraging dialogue in the present - raised its curtains to welcome more than 200 VIP guests on 29th November at UNESCO Headquarters - Paris, taking the audience's delight to a new height with a specially composed song 'Cultures In Dialogue', by the legendary female Qatari composer Dana Al Fardan. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/792403/Sheikh_Faisal_Bin_Qasem_Al_Thani.jpg ) Mr. Kees Wieringa, Director of the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, in the presence of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani and Mr. Xing Qu, the Deputy Director General of UNESCO, welcomed a number of journalists from highly esteemed French and international media for engaging guided tours during the day. Preceding the inauguration delegates' speeches, VIP guests had the opportunity to view the astonishing and exceptional collection that bear witness to hundreds of years of intercultural dialogue and interaction of civilizations, through a guided tour around the exhibition. Objects of great beauty and deep fascination including Chinese Qurans, mosque lamps made in Vienna, Persian carpets with Russian texts featuring the Virgin Mary, and mystic artefacts shared from Africa across the Arab world to India, were the prime highlights, triggering a diversification of thoughts and emotions. H.E. Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani and Mr. Xing Qu addressed government, cultural and corporate representatives from Qatar and France with warm welcoming words, as they celebrated the opening of the exhibition at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Showcasing an exceptional collection, the exhibition intends to drive visitors to sit in the majlis to listen to stories and engage in conversations on what they see; transmitting the cultural dialogue by exchanging their impressions of the exhibition and learning about other cultures and religions at first hand. This diverse cultural exhibition recreates the atmosphere of the majlis-the space of hospitality and dialogue present in homes throughout the Arabian Gulf-offering guests the opportunity to exchange ideas about how much common ground exists between different cultures, and how these commonalities have been expressed in technology, art and culture. Commenting on this occasion, H.E. Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, said: "We are overwhelmed to receive such a stupendous response for "Majlis - Cultures in Dialogue" event in Paris. The city is known to be a connoisseur of global art & culture and the success of this event very well resonates with its inherent philosophy of spreading peace by way of artefacts, handicrafts, arts and songs. By taking this event to various parts of the globe, we intent to spread the message of hope and positivity, by way of breath-taking artistic displays, to the global canvas and encourage visitors to respond to what they see by sharing their own stories, creating dialogue between East and West, between young and old, within a real Majlis seating." From his part, Mr. Xing Qu, Deputy Director General of UNESCO for Culture, said: "The Majlis - Cultures in Dialogue in Paris truly exemplifies how art can perfectly play the role of a critical enabler in building bilateral ties. In sync with the philosophy that Museums play a decisive role in strengthening the creative economy locally and regionally, we take immense pride in associating with this noble cause and such an exemplary initiative. In the future too, we will keep associating with such endeavors which support our objective of fostering social cohesion, among local communities and disadvantages groups." The exhibition is only the beginning of a much bigger project to connect people, beliefs and cultures by creating opportunities for respectful, yet incisive dialogues to take place. The project envisions to create a platform where relevant cultural aspects can be discussed, and original perspectives can be generated through collective thinking. The aim is to initiate meaningful connections between people and cultures and stimulate enriched dialogue around the world. The Majlis - Cultures in Dialogue is a visitor's experience that reveals how global perspectives can vary depending on the position of the viewer. Following Paris, the exhibition will visit several countries, including Austria, Germany, Spain, Turkey, and the UK. The tour will also include the United States by 2021. The cross-cultural traveling exhibition is bound to make its next stop at the Insitut Du Monde Arabe, in Paris, where it will last for a 2-month period. SOURCE The Majlis NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- AJC condemns the anti-Semitic attack directed at Andras Heisler, President of the Hungarian Jewish Federation (MAZSIHISZ), in the business magazine Figyelo. The story, claiming financial mismanagement in the development of a new Jewish museum, was featured on the magazine's cover with a montage depicting a shaded photo of Heisler with money falling around him. "Jews with money is a familiar, disgraceful anti-Semitic trope," said Rabbi Andrew Baker, AJC Director of International Jewish Affairs and a special envoy on combating anti-Semitism for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. "This attack on Hungary's Jewish community is shameful, especially since Prime Minister Orban has declared a 'zero tolerance policy' on anti-Semitism." MAZSIHISZ, an AJC international partner, has vigorously denied the charges made against it regarding the museum project, known as House of Co-Existence, which will portray the long history of Jewish life in Hungary. https://www.ajc.org/news/ajc-condemns-anti-semitic-attack-on-hungarian-jewish-leader SOURCE American Jewish Committee Related Links http://www.ajc.org NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- AJC mourns the passing of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. "President Bush was an outstanding American, a veteran who courageously served his country in time of war, and a public official who left an impressive record of achievement. While in the Oval Office, he exerted particularly skillful, indeed visionary, leadership during a period of dramatic change in the world," said AJC CEO David Harris. "The overall record of support for endangered Jews worldwide and the quest for Arab-Israeli peace is also part of his enduring legacy." Bush served as president from 1989 to 1993, following eight years as vice president under President Ronald Reagan. As president, Bush impressively mobilized a U.S.-led international coalition, including several Arab countries, to repel Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait. Following the successful military campaign that forced the withdrawal of Iraqi forces, Bush, seeing a new opportunity, organized the historic 1991 Madrid Peace Conference, which brought together representatives of Arab countries and Israel for promising talks on peace and cooperation in a variety of key areas, including economy and the environment. President Bush, also in 1991, played a key leadership role in the successful repeal by the UN General Assembly of its infamous 1975 "Zionism is racism" resolution, only the second time in UN history that a resolution was rescinded. The Bush presidency coincided with the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of communism in Eastern European countries, the reunification of Germany and the implosion of the Soviet Union. President Bush brought his decades of experience, including serving as the U.S. ambassador to the UN and China, as well as heading the CIA, to lead the U.S., and the world, in dealing successfully with these extraordinary, and previously unimaginable, transitions to a post-communist era. Earlier, as vice president, Bush addressed the historic December 1987 rally for Soviet Jewry, when more than 250,000 people gathered in Washington on the eve of the Gorbachev-Reagan summit. AJC's Washington representative at the time, David Harris, was the national coordinator of the Freedom Sunday for Soviet Jewry. Bush's participation further catalyzed the movement to free Jews from the oppressive yoke of the Kremlin. Bush also demonstrated concern for endangered Jewish communities by his direct involvement with efforts to rescue Ethiopian Jews. He was instrumental in helping spearhead the 1985 rescue to Israel of Ethiopian Jews secretly transiting in Sudan. In 1991, as president, he provided invaluable American assistance to Israel's historic effort that brought 14,000 Jews by plane directly from Ethiopia to Israel. In the U.S., Bush is remembered for, among other landmark legislative initiatives supported by AJC, signing the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1991. As with any U.S. administration, there were occasional differences. In particular, the standoff between the Bush administration and many in the Jewish community regarding loan guarantees for Israel, led at the time by Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, created a period of some tension. Most recently, in 2005, Bush addressed the AJC Global Forum in Washington, together with President Bill Clinton, thanking AJC for our strong support of relief efforts following the devastating tsunami in Asia. The two former presidents led the U.S. response. SOURCE American Jewish Committee Related Links http://www.ajc.org CHENNAI, India, Dec. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The idea slowly evolved with people calling restaurants via their telephone and food was delivered at their homes. But that had its drawbacks such as: Food usually never reached on time Delivery at a wrong address Restricted food options, and so on. But that was certainly a eureka moment because it inspired tech giants like Uber to come up with their Billion dollar revenue generating app UberEats. The business is so lucrative that other players like Swiggy, Zomato and more entered the market and their revenues skyrocketed. So if you are entering the business, do understand that it is a war out there. And your weapon of choice needs to stand out from the rest. How does APPDUPE come into the picture? AppDupe is a well-known player competing in the clone script marketplace. Not just UberEats Clone script, they also offer clone scripts for other service apps as well. Customization & AppDupe - Features & More Entering the business may be easy per se, but surviving is difficult. Compared to other players, AppDupe offers a plethora of features and after-launch services that go beyond development. And Yes! That's a really good thing. Let's look at some of their features on offer: A Detailed Restaurant Vendor Profile: Since we rely upon restaurants for our food, it's best to know details including restaurants' years in the business, their other franchises and more. Payment Integration: A basic but crucial part of the app. Saves precious time spent searching for our credit/debit cards on an empty stomach. God's Eye View: A rather catchy name, the feature offers users to track their food from the restaurant till their doorstep. Book & Cancel Appointments: Similar to easy booking you can also easily cancel your order. Bill Estimation: Customers can see the estimated bill before placing an order. OTP Verification: For foolproof security, the service provider and customer receive authentication from their apps via SMS notification. No more fake users and requests. Email Notification: Customers would receive an email post on placing orders or during cancellation. Email comprises information like food description, bill breakdown, and other details, Set Restaurant Vendor's Range: App admin can set the distance range of the restaurant vendor. Customers would be able to view vendors around their location based upon admin's settings. UberEats clone script seems to be the way forward in the business booming with monumental smartphone sales and growing internet users. This is my AppDupe's review, and they seem to be ticking the right boxes, but that's just me. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE AppDupe Related Links http://www.appdupe.com WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is partnering with the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to hold 14 listening sessions across the United States to gather information for use in USITC's upcoming report to the United States Trade Representative. On October 16, the U.S. Trade Representative notified Congress of the Administration's intention to enter into negotiations with the United Kingdom (U.K.) for a U.S.-U.K. Trade Agreement. The report to the U.S. Trade Representative will discuss trade-related barriers that U.S. small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face exporting to the U.K. either directly or through supply chains and other identified barriers. Interested U.S. SME exporters are invited to participate in listening sessions which will be held the week of Dec. 3-9, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Boston, Massachusetts; Seattle, Washington; San Francisco, California; San Diego, California; Los Angeles, California; Houston, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; Charleston, South Carolina; and Salt Lake City, Utah and Jan. 9, 2019 in New York City, New York. To register, simply visit the USITC announcement and click on the registration link for the event that interests you. https://usitc.gov/research_and_analysis/ongoing/usitc_announces_upcoming_listening_sessions_112818.pdf Additionally, U.S. small businesses can electronically submit comments to assist USTR in developing negotiating objectives and positions for the proposed U.S.-U.K. Trade Agreement, and may request participation in a public hearing January 29, 2019. Please visit and provide comments to the notice by Tuesday, January 15, 2019. Submit written comments or written notification of your intent to testify along with a summary of your testimony to USTR at www.regulations.gov . Search for docket number USTR-2018-0036-0001. Click the "Comment Now" https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USTR_FRDOC_0001-0497. About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. Contact: [email protected] (202)205-6697 Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Blogs & Instagram Release Number: 18-71 SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration Related Links http://www.sba.gov WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the release of new guidance from the Office of Special Counsel which states that talking about impeachment or "the Resistance" may constitute prohibited activity under the Hatch Act, American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. issued the following statement: Delegates attending the American Federation of Government Employees' 41st National Convention here have elected the union's top three national officers.National President J. David Cox Sr. returns to office for another three-year term. "It is laughable that the Trump administration is so interested in the potential Hatch Act violations by federal employees, while many of his top-level appointed staff continually violate it with impunity. If Hatch Act violations were at the forefront of concern of this administration, we would see compliance among his most vocal White House leadership. "This guidance is plainly another attempt to intimidate and harass the hardworking men and women, many of whom are veterans, that go to work every day to keep our country safe and prosperous. "The Office of Special Counsel is overstepping its authority. The 2.1 million federal workers who serve our country are entitled to first amendment rights and should feel comfortable discussing government policy and legislative action in the workplace. Any attempt to silence the voice of our hard-working government employees is nothing less than an attack on these employees' first amendment rights and our constitutional checks and balances. It's censorship, and it's wholly incompatible with our shared American values. "The Hatch Act was established to prevent federal employees from engaging in political activity in the course of their work, not so a president could institute a broad and thinly-veiled guise to monitor employee communications and reprimand government employees for dubious 'offenses.' The 'Guidance Regarding Political Activity' memo will serve only to strike fear into America's workforce and prevent future workers from blowing the whistle on waste, fraud, and abuse. "If the Special Council pursues implementing this new guidance, I have great concern it will be used to empower already over-emboldened agency managers to target and intimidate federal employees and potential whistleblowers. I am calling on the administration to immediately reverse this attack on free speech." The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 700,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees Related Links http://www.afge.org HOUSTON, Nov. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to an increased demand for services, Wallis State Bank, a Houston-based full-service community bank, has announced an initiative to support the company's anticipated business growth over the long term. Wallis State Bank's expansion plan parallels its current marketing efforts to rebrand. The Bank is updating its name, logo, and website to reflect its present nationwide expansion. This plan includes the recent expansion into the Georgia market, with the first bank office located in Atlanta. In addition, the company will be upgrading its internet services to provide an elevated online banking experience for all customers. Asif Dakri, Chief Executive Officer at Wallis State Bank, explained, "Over the years, Wallis State Bank has become established and well known throughout the state of Texas with Wallis, Texas starting as our original location in 1906. Over the last thirty years, we've seen an exponential amount of growth, not only within the metropolitan areas of Texas such as Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio but also in outlying markets including Los Angeles and Atlanta. Our current expansion efforts have been tremendously successful, and we look forward to continue executing our growth strategy." As the company continues to add locations, Dakri elaborated on the organization's commitment to providing unparalleled banking services. "As we continue to grow, Wallis State Bank will offer the same personalized service we've provided since 1906. We will always hold to the mission of providing financial services that are unsurpassed in customer satisfaction," Dakri said. "As we look forward to expanding and providing our services to additional markets, we will remain the same trustworthy banking partner to all of our current, and future clients. We look forward to the growth Wallis State Bank plans to make in the years to come." About Wallis State Bank Wallis State Bank is a full-service community bank dedicated to serving both rural customers as well as large international clients with the highest level of personal service. The Bank was established in 1906 in Wallis, Texas and holds the unique experience of surviving the Great Depression and both World Wars. During the early 1990s, the company underwent the expansion of additional branches and offices in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. In 2017, Wallis State Bank was ranked 12th among the 100 best-performing banks in the US with less than $1 billion in assets by S&P Global Marketing Intelligence. S&P Global Marketing Intelligence S&P Global Marketing Intelligence is a division of S&P Global, which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments so that they can gain the intelligence essential to making business and financial decisions with conviction. S&P Global Marketing Intelligence integrates financial and industry data, research, and news into tools that help track performance, generate alpha, identify investment ideas, understand competitive and industry dynamics, perform valuation and assess credit risk. For more information about Wallis Bank, visit www.wallisbank.com Media Contact: Lisa Diaz Phone: 713.935.3722 Email: [email protected] Related Links S&P Global SOURCE Wallis Bank Related Links http://www.wallisbank.com SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Dec. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Nucleo Life Sciences, LLC, a San Francisco Bay Area pharmaceutical development company, has launched the You Mean the World Initiative to coincide with the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day. You Mean the World is a commitment to developing pediatric HIV products for resource-deprived areas of the world. The founders of Nucleo Life Sciences have several decades of successful pharmaceutical product development experience, including several of the leading HIV products approved for adults. "We have the ability and know-how to launch successful drugs from the initial concept to commercial launch," said Mark Menning, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Nucleo Life Sciences. The initial goal of this initiative is to develop potent combination drug therapies that can be distributed to the developing world. Media Contact: Mark Menning Phone: 415.619.7206 Email: [email protected] Related Links YMTW Wedsite Nucleo Website SOURCE Nucleo Life Sciences Related Links http://nucleolifesciences.com London, Dec 1 : The UK's minister for universities and science Sam Gyimah has resigned in protest at Theresa May's Brexit deal, it was reported here on Friday. Local newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported that Gyimah called the Brexit deal "naive" and said any deal struck with Brussels will be "EU first", reports Xinhua news agency. The Conservative MP has become the seventh member of the Government to quit since May unveiled the draft Withdrawal Agreement. Gyimah said the plan was "not in the British national interest" and that voting for it would "set ourselves up for failure" by surrendering "our voice, our vote and our veto". He said that May should not rule out holding a second referendum, The Daily Telegraph reported. Amritsar, Nov 30 : Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal returned from Pakistan on Friday amid a controversy over his photograph with pro-Khalistan Gopal Singh Chawla in Pakistan. Longowal told media after his return that they (SGPC functionaries) were invited by the Pakistan government and offered seats assigned to them. "I did not know Chawla and don't recognize him," he said, down-playing the controversy over his photograph with Chawla at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor in Pakistan on Nov 28. Longowal said he will be visiting Pakistan again in January next year to hold discussions with the Pakistan government and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) in connection with the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev to be held in November next year. The birth place of Guru Nanak Dev, Nanakana Sahib, is near Lahore in Pakistan. Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, who returned from Pakistan on Thursday, had also down-played the issue of his photographs with Chawla. "Everyday, there were at least 10,000 people taking photos with me. I don't know who is Chawla and Cheema," Sidhu had claimed. Chawla, who lives in Pakistan, is known for his pro-Khalistan rant and activities. He has been photographed earlier with terrorist Hafiz Saeed. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan did the ground breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor, which will allow people from India to have visa-free access to Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara, on Wednesday. It was at the Kartarpur gurdwara, which is located around 2km from the India-Pakistan border and is situated right opposite the border belt in Dera Baba Nanak in Indian's Punjab's Gurdaspur district, that Sikhism founder, Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539), spent 18 years of his life till he died in 1539. The gurdwara, which fell in Pakistan territory following the Partition of India in August 1947, has big significance in Sikh religion and history. Even since Partition, Sikhs have been offering prayers near the international border while watching the gurdwara from a distance. Buenos Aires, Dec 1 : India has called for a strong and active cooperation across G-20 countries -- including in legal processes for effective freezing of proceeds of crime and early return of offenders -- to deal with fugitive economic offenders and facilitate asset recovery. Presenting a nine-point action programme against fugitive economic offenders at the second session of the G-20 Summit on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there was a need for a joint effort by member countries to form a mechanism that denies entry and safe havens to all fugitive economic offenders. He also suggested that the G-20 forum should consider initiating work on locating properties of economic offenders who have tax debt in the country of their residence for its recovery. "Cooperation in the legal processes such as effective freezing of the proceeds of crime, early return of the offenders and efficient repatriation of the proceeds of crime should be enhanced and streamlined," he said. He added that the principles of UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNOTC), especially related to international cooperation, should be fully and effectively implemented. "The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) should be called upon to assign priority and focus to establishing international cooperation that leads to timely and comprehensive exchange of information between competent authorities and Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) "FATF should be tasked to formulate a standard definition of fugitive economic offenders," Modi said in his nine-point agenda. He added that the FATF should also develop a set of commonly agreed and standardised procedures related to identification, extradition and judicial proceedings for dealing with such offenders to guide and assist G-20 countries, subject to their domestic law. "Common platform should be set up for sharing experiences and best practices including successful cases of extradition, gaps in existing systems of extradition and legal assistance," the Prime Minister said. New Delhi, Nov 30 : A massive farmers rally in the national capital on Friday turned into a show of opposition unity with leaders including Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accusing the Modi government of plunging the country into an acute agrarian crisis and backed demands for a complete loan waiver and higher crop prices. Led by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), which represents over 200 farm outfits, thousands of farmers marched from the historic Ramlila Maidan to Parliament Street demanding a special session of Parliament pass bills to cancel farm loans and to ensure guaranteed remunerative prices for farm commodities based on the recommendations of the M.S. Swaminathan Commission. Two private member bills in this regard were introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2017 by Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghtana leader and MP Raju Shetti, who warned on Friday that the Modi government would face defeat in the 2019 elections unless it accepted farmers' demands. A host of opposition leaders including Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, National Conference's Farooq Abdullah, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Kejriwal, Trinamool Congress' Dinesh Trivedi, Loktantrik Janata Dal's Sharad Yadav and TDP leader K. Raveendra Kumar tore into the Modi government over its "anti-farmer policies". Also present were former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar and Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani. Pledging the opposition's solidarity with the farmers, Gandhi declared that "farm loans will have to be waived even if it required changing the Prime Minister." "We all are with you. Be it changing laws or changing the Prime Minister, we will do everything that is required to ensure your loans are waived. If any government insults the farmers, then it has to be uprooted and that is going to happen," said Gandhi. Accusing Modi of speaking only for his "industrialist cronies", Gandhi said farmers were not demanding any free gift but seeking what was their right. "When 3.5 lakh crore of loans of the biggest industrialists can be written off by the Modi government, then the loans of millions of farmers will also have to be waived," he thundered. Speaking in a similar vein, Kejriwal charged the Modi government with "back-stabbing" farmers by telling the Supreme Court that it cannot implement recommendations of the M.S. Swaminathan Commission which the BJP promised to do so in 2014. "They (farmers) are not begging but fighting for their rights," said Kejriwal and blasted the government's crop insurance scheme. "This is not an insurance scheme but it is BJP's 'kisan daka yojna' (plunder farmers scheme). The Modi government is worried more about Ambanis and Adanis," he alleged. Kejriwal expressed happiness over major opposition parties coming out in support of the farmers. NCP chief Pawar, endorsing the passage of the twin bills, called for a holistic approach to improve the pitiable condition of the farming community. "The (Modi) government has remained insensitive to the farmers' plight... We will no more remain silent. We will try our best to pass these bills," asserted Pawar. Amid chants of anti-Modi slogans, opposition leaders attacked the Prime Minister over "crony" capitalism and neglect of farmers' plight. Sharad Yadav held the Modi government responsible for "over three lakh farmer suicides" in the country in the last four and a half years. He called upon the people to dethrone the "anti-farmer government" led by Modi. Flaying the BJP government for the acute agrarian crisis in the country, Yechury likened Modi to a "pocketmaar" (pickpocket) and accused him of "looting the poor". "Our party supports the two bills and we will pressurise the government for their passage. But everybody knows what are the intentions of the government," he said. Men and women marched under various banners with flags and placards in the massive show of strength by the AIKSCC, its fourth mega rally in the national capital following the "Mandsaur firing" in Madhya Pradesh in which five farmers were killed in June 2017. Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav said the congregation was not here to just protest but had emerged as an alternative to existing policies. Many farmers vowed to vote against the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "Modi is not my enemy. But he has not fulfilled the promises he made to farmers," said Rajendra Prasad, a farmer from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh. Buenos Aires, Nov 30 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit here and discussed joint efforts to further enhance mutual trust and friendship across all aspects of bilateral ties. The fourth meeting between the two world leaders in a year was described as "warm and productive". "Working together to strengthen the Wuhan spirit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a warm and productive meeting with President Xi of China, their 4th this year, on sidelines of G20 summit. Discussed joint efforts to further enhance mutual trust and friendship across all aspects of our ties," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet. Ranchi, Nov 30 : Enthused by the response at the Global Agriculture and Food Summit, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Friday said the state would be first in India where farmers' income would increase four times by 2022. "Jharkhand will be first state in the country where the income of the farmers will increase four times by the year 2022. This is indicated from the fact that the agriculture growth in the state is 19 per cent in the last four years," Das told the media after the concluding ceremony of the summit. He said that Jharkhand will also ink an MoU with China to sell lady's finger grown in the state. "Soon Jharkhand will in an agreement with China, so the lady's finger from the state can be sold in that country. Talks in this regard have been held with the agriculture officials with Chinese officials... Moreover, China will also send a team to study the possibility to set up a food processing plant in the state," said the Chief Minister. The two-day summit ended on Friday with the address of Governor Draupdi Murmu. Four countries including Israel were partners of the state in the summit. The Chief Minister said: "The (Global Agriculture and Food) Summit provided the right platform where farmers came to know about the modern practices and latest technologies in the agricultural field and gained experience as to how with less investment they can further maximize their yield." "The farmers should only think about increasing their farm output as the task of marketing and processing will be taken care of by the state government. In the two-day function, foundation was also laid for 50 food processing units." The government has also decided to ink a technology exchange agreement with Morocco, so that the farmers of Jharkhand can gain expertise from their Green Morocco Plan. Apart from that, a centre for excellence would be set up in collaboration with Israel for the training of farmers and very soo, a letter in this regard would be written to the Central government, Das said. He said that Patanjali of Baba Ramdev has already assured that whatever organic products will be produced in the state, including food grains, fruits, vegetables and honey, would be purchased by them. Jharkhand will also sign an MoU with Patanjali to set up a honey processing plant in the state. New Delhi, Nov 30 : The Enforcement Directorate has issued fresh summons to Congress President Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra in an ongoing probe into the 2012 Kolayat land deal case, sources said. An ED official told IANS: "We have issued fresh summons to Vadra to appear before the agnecy in the first week of December." The official said fresh summons were issued after Vadra failed to appear before the agency earlier this month. "Vadra himself did not appear on the last day and instead sent his legal representative with documents. We have told Vadra that we need to examine him personally and so he must depose before the agency," the official said. The ED action comes in the wake of a media report that a firm that gave loan to buy Vadra land at a premium got a big relief from the Income Tax Settlement Commission. The report by The Indian Express said the ED, which is investigating a web of controversial land transactions in Bikaner involving Vadra's companies, has asked the Income Tax Settlement Commission for details on its proceedings in the case related to Bhushan Power and Steel Limited, which gave a loan to a company that bought land owned by Vadra's firm at seven times the acquisition cost. The ED official also confirmed that the agency has asked the Income Tax Settlement Commission for details on its proceedings. The ED has been probing the alleged scam in the purchase of land in Kolayat area of the border town of Bikaner in Rajasthan. According to the ED officials, Skylight Hospitality had purchased 69.55 hectares of land for Rs 72 lakh and then sold it to Allegeny Finlease for Rs 5.15 crore, earning a profit of Rs 4.43 crore. The agency registered a criminal case under the Money Laundering Act in 2015, taking cognizance of the case filed by the Rajasthan police after forgery allegations. The agency had earlier issued notices to Skylight Hospitality but had not mentioned Vadra's name or any company linked to him in its FIR. According to the ED, during investigation it was found that Allegeny Finlease as a company was "not involved" in any "real business activities" and many of its share holders were found to be dummy or nonexistent. The government had cancelled the mutation (transfer of land) of 374.44 hectares of land, after allotments were found to have been allegedly made in the names of "illegal private persons". Revenue officials had said in the complaint that government land in 34 villages of Bikaner that was meant to be used for expanding the Army's firing range was "grabbed" by the land mafia by preparing "forged and fabricated documents" in connivance with government officials. ED suspects that a huge amount of money was laundered in this case by people buying land at cheaper rates through forged documents. Buenos Aires, Dec 1 : Chinese President Xi Jinping here on Friday met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G-20 summit and they agreed to increase mutual trust and bring the bilateral ties to a higher level. Xi said that China-India relations have seen an increasingly positive momentum, which not only brings growth impetus for the two countries but also injects stability and certainty into the global system at a time of profound changes, Xinhua news agency reported. On the sideline of G-20 Summit, US President Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister also held a trilateral meeting, the first ever of its kind. Modi said it was a "good occasion" as the three nations dedicated to democratic values met to discuss how to promote peace, prosperity and stability in the world. New Delhi, Nov 30 : The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea by a group of serving Army officers and personnel against the dilution of AFSPA that gives immunity to military personnel from prosecution for actions in disturbed and insurgency-hit areas. The bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit dismissed the plea by 355 serving Army officers and personnel even as the Central government supported the plea by the men in uniform against their prosecution by the CBI for alleged acts of excesses during anti-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and northeastern states. "Fact that 350 soldiers of our country has to pray for this is itself unfortunate," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench lending support to the petitioners represented by lawyer Aishwarya Bhati. Before dismissing the petition, the bench gave Aishwarya Bhati an option to withdraw it, as was done a little earlier by the personnel of Manipur Police. However, as Bhati declined the suggestion, the court dismissed it. The petitioner Army men had sought direction that "protection of persons acting in good faith under the AFSPA -- Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts -- is sacrosanct with the sovereignty and integrity of the nation" and that "no prosecution, suit or other legal proceeding shall be instituted, except with the previous sanction of the Central government..." The petitioners had also sought specific guidelines to protect military personnel from criminal proceedings for bona fide actions done in the discharge of official duties in areas infested with insurgents and witnessing proxy wars against India. The petitioners included from Section Commanders to Commanding Officers who lead section, platoon, company and battalion made of 10 to 1,000 men each. They had contended that the protection provided by the AFSPA does not confer any special right to a soldier for himself, but facilitates his functioning and operations in extraordinary circumstances of proxy war, insurgency, armed hostility, ambushes, and covert and overt operations. Drawing a distinction between routine policing and military operations in disturbed areas, they had contended that absolute protection for bona fide actions of soldiers in extraordinary situations is imperative to enable them to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently. This protection from criminal prosecution for bona fide actions of a soldier in the course of military operations in disturbed areas, the petition had said, was sine qua non for the protection of country's sovereignty and integrity. Hyderabad, Nov 30 : Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday said that Hyderabad was like a "cooked biryani" which Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao got following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The former union minister said the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief had no contribution in the making of this "biryani". Talking to reporters at Sangareddy in Telangana during campaigning for next month's Assembly election, the Congress leader termed the tech hub a ready to eat "biryani", the famous dish of the historic city. He recalled that at the time of bifurcation in 2014, there was a dispute over Hyderabad. The question was should it go to Telangana or should it be a joint capital of the two states or a union territory. Jairam Ramesh, who played a key role in the bifurcation process, said United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh decided that Hyderabad will "100 percent" go to Telangana. "Hyderabad with revenues of Rs 16,000 crore was like a cooked biryani," he said and pointed out that same has now crossed Rs 25,000 crore. "KCR got cooked biryani. He had no role in its making," said the Congress leader while pointing out that former Chief Ministers like Brahmanand Reddy, N.T. Rama Rao, N. Chandrababu Naidu, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Kiran Kumar Reddy contributed in developing Hyderabad. He said when it was decided that Hyderabad will go to Telangana, people from Andhra wanted to know what they will get for this loss of Rs 16,000 crore. Manmohan Singh then promised that Andhra Pradesh will get special category status for five years. Jairam Ramesh criticized KCR for demanding special category status to Telangana now. He said the TRS chief had made no such demand in 2014. He alleged that making such a demand now was nothing but betrayal. Buenos Aires, Dec 1 : US President Donald Trump was on hand here on Friday to watch son-in-law Jared Kushner receive Mexico's highest honour for foreigners. Mexican President Enrique PeAa Nieto bestowed the Order of the Aztec Eagle on Kushner during a brief ceremony on the sidelines of the G20 summit, reports Efe. The Mexican government said that Kushner was recognised for his "significant contributions" during negotiations on updating the North American Free Trade Agreement. That process culminated here on Friday in the signing of a new pact, the US-Mexico-Canada Accord, by Trump, PeAa Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. PeAa Nieto pinned a badge to the lapel of Kushner's jacket and handed him the medal and a diploma as Trump watched in silence from the front row. Kushner, who is an adviser to Trump, said he was "honoured by the recognition" and he praised the work of PeAa Nieto, whose successor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, will take office Saturday. "You have always put Mexican interests first even when it wasn't popular," Kushner told PeAa Nieto, while insisting that Trump has "genuine respect and care" for the people of Mexico. "I do believe we have been able to put that in the right light," Kushner said, adding that Mexico and the US are at a "historic moment." Past recipients of the Order of the Aztec Eagle include Fidel Castro, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, King Felipe VI of Spain and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Hyderabad, Nov 30 : Two victims of police torture on Friday attempted immolation at an election rally of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao's son and cabinet minister K.T. Rama Rao. The incident occurred in Rajanna Sircilla district when Rama Rao, popular as KTR, was addressing the rally in Sircialla Assembly constituency, from where he is seeking re-election. Kola Harish and Penta Banaiah poured kerosene on self and tried to immolate but alert policemen foiled their attempt and shifted them to a police station. The two villagers were protesting against the police torture and the failure of the minister to do justice to them. They were among eight people from Nerella village who were arrested in March last year on charges of setting ablaze sand lorries. They were later subjected to third-degree torture in police custody. The opposition had accused Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government and Rama Rao in particular for abusing their power. Six of the victims had later joined the ruling party. Harish and Banaiah had alleged that TRS leaders offered them cash and other rewards to get them to join the party. They also claimed that the ruling party was also pressuring them to remain silent. Buenos Aires, Nov 30 : The BRICS leaders on Friday vowed to strengthen multilateralism and promote a fair and equitable international order and called for "concerted efforts" to counter terrorism. Meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here, the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa called for opposing unilateral and protectionist trade measures which run contrary to the "spirit and rules of the WTO (World Trade Organisation)". In a joint statement after the meet, the BRICS leaders said: "We reiterate our commitment to working together to strengthen multi-lateralism and promote a fair, just, equitable, democratic and representative international order." Deploring the continued terrorist attacks, including against some BRICS countries, they said that they condemn terrorism in "all forms and manifestations, wherever committed and by whomsoever". "We urge concerted efforts to counter terrorism under the UN auspices on a firm international legal basis. We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, including all the elements identified in the Johannesburg Declaration," the joint statement said. The leaders reaffirmed their "full support" for the "rules-based multilateral trading system as embodied in the WTO" to ensure transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive international trade. "The spirit and rules of the WTO run counter to unilateral and protectionist measures. We call on all members to oppose such WTO inconsistent measures, stand by their commitments undertaken in the WTO and roll back such measures of a discriminatory and restrictive nature," the statement read. To enhance the relevance and effectiveness of the WTO, the BRICS leaders underlined that a new and improved WTO, while preserving its core value and fundamental principles, should reflect interests of all members, in particular those of the developing nations. They also demanded the Appellate Body selection process be initiated immediately as an "essential prerequisite" for the stable and effective functioning of the WTO's dispute settlement system. "We advocate a strong global financial safety net with an adequately resourced, quota-based International Monetary Fund (IMF) at its centre. For combating the climate change, the leaders once again committed to fully implementing the Paris Agreement adopted under the principles of the UNFCCC and urged the developed countries to provide financial, technological and capacity-building support to developing countries to enhance their capability in mitigation and adaptation. Shimla, Nov 30 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday said the state would provide all assistance for development of the Roerich Art Gallery, set up by Russian painter and philosopher Nicholas Roerich in 1927, near Kullu town as a major centre of art and culture. For this, the state would send seeks grants also from the Union Ministry of Culture, he said. Thakur was presiding over the 18th meeting of the International Roerich Memorial Trust where Russia's Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev was also present. The Chief Minister said the memorial trust, which manages Roerich's estate that owns 8,126 artefacts, is playing a pivotal role in fortifying the relations between India and Russia. The state was determined to protect and preserve Roerich's heritage. He said the Roerich Memorial estate in Naggar was the anchor point for the Roerich trust which had been attracting the hearts and minds of the Russians and Indians as the spiritual quintessence of relationship betwen the two countries. He remembered that it was during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that a grant of Rs 2 crore was provided to the trust to strengthen its activities. He said India and Russia had been contributing significantly for the maintenance and development of this trust. Russia's Ambassador Kudashev said the Russian embassy was willing to cooperate closely with the state to handle maintenance, preservation and restoration aspects of the museum. It was decided at the board meeting that the International Roerich Memorial Trust complex would be developed for maintenance of Roerich's heritage as well as construction of guest houses for artists, scholars and experts. It was also decided that Roerich Memorial Museum complex would be created by incorporating the restoration of Roerich house. Some 300 paintings have been donated by various artists to the trust. Prints of these selected painting would be auctioned. The Roerich estate is located in Naggar, 25 km from Kullu town, where Roerich came in 1927 from St. Petersburg. He made the village his home for more than two decades. Roerich's wife Helena, a famous writer, and sons Yuri, a prominent Oriental scholar, and Svyatoslav, a well-known painter, and Svyatoslav's wife Devika Rani all stayed with him in Naggar. Roerichs' estate comprises the premises of the Indian-Russian Memorial Complex, the Gallery of N.K. Roerich, Helena Roerich Arts College and exhibition halls in the buildings of the Urusvati Himalayan Research Institute. Ghaziabad, Nov 30 : Dejected by a break-up in their engagement, a boy and his fiancAe allegedly consumed celphos pesticide, police said on Friday, adding the girl has died while the boy's condition is critical. The girl was identified as Pooja (20), a Delhi resident and the boy, Subodh Kant, from Ghaziabad. The police said it received a call from Hotel Subham at Railway Road that a couple who had checked in on Thursday had been found unconscious. An empty bottle of poisonous pesticide was found near them. When the police rushed the couple to the government-run MMG Hospital, doctors declared the girl dead. The doctors confirmed that she had consumed celphos, police added. The condition of the boy was stated to be very critical and his parents have taken him to a hospital in Delhi, said Superintendent of Police City, Shlok Kumar. The girl's father Yudhbir Singh said Pooja and Subodh were engaged last month. Their wedding was being finalized, but in the meantime, the family of the boy decided to break the engagement, Singh said. Subodh was apparently disappointed with his family's decision. On Wednesday he took Pooja out, but didn't return, police said. Pooja's father has alleged that Subodh's family was demanding dowry due to which the couple was disappointed. "A case has been registered in the Kotwali police station. We are waiting for the boy to recover so that his statement can be recorded," said the SP. New Delhi, Nov 30 : Ramesh Chauhan (58), a farmer from Uttar Pradesh, may not share his language with Ram Vishnu Sadashiv (70) from Solapur in Maharashtra, but they share a common hurt: of "getting secondary treatment over the Ram temple from the Central government", which brought them together in the national capital on Friday. Sipping tea, sitting next to each other, after various leaders were done with their speeches, Sadashiv mixes Hindi and Marathi. "Leaders will only speak and our plight will not end until they decide to do something apart from talking". "For the past four years, we have seen leaders only talking, and the only change that has come about is tat our situation has turned from bad to worse. This government is more concerned and worried about a Ram temple but not Ram's children. They are prioritizing temple over farmers," Sadashiv told IANS. "I wonder if Ram would really be happy with a temple while his children commit suicide. We are here to tell this government that 2019 is not far, and that we are not happy," says Sadashiv, as Chauhan nods. Similar sentiments were shared by 65-year-old Sella Perumal from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu. "The government has to see the welfare of the people first. What's the use of a temple if there are no farmers? We are children of God, and by protecting us, the government can serve God. A government should think about the people first, if they are fine, God will be happy too," said Perumal. The gathering of over 50,000 farmers, seeking loan waiver and higher crop prices, from across the country saw people from different age groups ranging from aged farmers, who have seen no improvement in their situation for years, to young children, who lost their father due to farm debt. "Farm debt led my father to commit suicide in 2016. He was the only earning member of the family. Now, my mother is working as a labourer. One of my relatives is sponsoring my education. After my father's death, my mother did not want me or my brother to join farming. I am here so that debt should be waived and no farmer dies the way he did," said 19-year-old Harsh from Kolhapur in Maharashtra. Men and women from various groups were in the capital in a protest organised by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC). Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader and Member of Parliament from Hatkanangle in Kolhapur (Maharashtra) Raju Shetti has introduced two private member's Bills in the Lok Sabha in 2017, seeking a loan waiver and guaranteed remunerative prices for agricultural commodities based on the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. The AIKSCC has demanded a special session of Parliament so that these Bills are discussed and passed. The famers, came to the national capital by spending their own money and slept on roads. "We are so unhappy that we don't mind sleeping on roads. But we want the government to listen to our demands. Although there were some nice people who offered us a place to sleep at nominal rates," said Sunil Patra (49) from South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. (Nivedita Singh can be contacted at nivedita.singh@ians.in) Mumbai, Nov 30 : The key equity indices on Friday closed trade on a flat-to-positive note, as caution ahead of the macro-economic data release as well as profit booking subdued investors' sentiments. In the intra-day trade, the two key indices -- S&P BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty50 -- reversed their initial gains to slip into the red as investors shifted focus to the macro-economic data announcement. Sector-wise, banking, oil and gas and telecom stocks witnessed selling pressure on the BSE. In contrast, IT, realty and healthcare stocks outperformed the benchmark index, gaining 1-2 per cent. "Stocks in India oscillated between the positive and negative zones on mixed news flows and profit booking after the recent leg-up kept the emergence of a strong trend at bay," said Abhijeet Dey, Senior Fund Manager-Equities, BNP Paribas Mutual Fund. Index-wise, the S&P BSE Sensex settled 23.89 points up or 0.07 per cent higher at 36,194.30 points, from its previous close of 36,170.41 points. It touched an intra-day high of 36,389.22 and a low of 36,082.97. The NSE Nifty50 gained 22.05 points or 0.20 per cent to finish the session at 10,880.75 points. In terms of crude oil, prices remained subdued at $58.81 per barrel, while the Indian rupee strengthened by 25 paise to Rs 69.59 per US dollar from its previous close of 69.84. "Market ended on a positive note after witnessing a roller coaster movement ahead of G20 meet and expectation of oil production cut in the upcoming OPEC meet," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services. Investment-wise, the provisional data with the exchanges showed that foreign institutional investors sold stocks worth Rs 332.62 crore on Friday, while the domestic institutional investors bought Rs 1,489.65-crore shares. Top gainers on the Sensex were Yes Bank, up 5.73 per cent at Rs 169.65; Wipro, up 3.14 per cent at Rs 324.85; Mahindra and Mahindra, up 2.21 per cent at Rs 790.20; Sun Pharma, up 1.84 per cent at Rs 492.30; and Kotak Mahindra Bank, up 1.83 per cent at Rs 1,232.35 per share. Top laggards were Tata Motors, down 3.02 per cent at Rs 171.95; Tata Motors (DVR), down 2.24 per cent at Rs 93.95; ICICI Bank, down 2 per cent at Rs 355; IndusInd Bank, down 1.70 per cent at Rs 1,631.55; and Vedanta, down 1.66 per cent at Rs 195.80 per share. New Delhi, Nov 30 : Pizza Hut announced the launch of its 500th store in the Indian subcontinent with the latest being opened in Delhi on Friday. The company also said that it plans to launch 200 more outlets in India by 2022. "Located at Laxmi Nagar, the 500th store is modelled on Pizza Hut's new Fast-Casual format, which brings alive contemporary store design, convenient and faster service, and an open-kitchen which appeals to millennials," said a Pizza Hut statement. Pizza Hut is a subsidiary of "Yum! Brands" and operates more than 16,500 restaurants in more than 104 countries. New Delhi, Nov 30 : The Great Eastern Energy Corporation (GEECL) on Friday said it would invest $2 billion over the next 10 years for shale gas exploration and development from its Raniganj block in West Bengal. In a statement, GEECL said it expects to start the initial shale gas exploration work of drilling core wells in the first half of next year. "Depending on the results obtained and analysed from the core wells, we thereafter intend to drill an optimum number of pilot production wells. Based on further results obtained and analysed from the pilot production wells, the total investment envisaged for the full development of shale resources in our block could be in the region of $2 billion," it said. The company said its environment friendly shale gas and coal bed methane (CBM) reserves in the Raniganj South block are estimated at 9.25 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of original gas-in-place (OGIP). "We are engaged with (state-run) GAIL for either a gas offtake agreement or a gas transmission agreement through their upcoming pipeline, which will give us access to a much larger market in and around the city of Kolkata," GEECL Chief Executive Prashant Modi said in a statement. "These are exciting times for the Company as we are at the cusp of taking the next big leap in our operations. The tremendous growth in the revenues and profit gives us even more confidence for the future," he added. According to GEECL, its second licence is the Mannargudi block in Tamil Nadu, which covers 667 sq. km with 0.98 TCF of original gas-in-place. Johannesburg, Nov 30 : A South African court on Friday postponed the corruption case against former President Jacob Zuma till May 2019 after defence lawyers petitioned the court to drop all charges. The Pietermaritzburg court decided to postpone the case against Zuma in order to give the South African Attorney General's office time to review the arguments of the defence. The defence consisted of Zuma's legal team and the lawyers that represented Thales, a French arms company involved in the case, Efe news reported. According to local analysts, the defence's petition was not strong enough to get the court to drop the charges against Zuma. Zuma who led the African country between 2009 and 2018 and was pressured into resigning, appeared in court on Friday and stated during the proceedings that he was not feeling well and asked for a beverage. The former President was facing charges of illicit association, corruption, money laundering and fraud for nearly 800 operations related to an arms accord signed with Thales in the late 1990s when Zuma was deputy President of the African country. New York, Dec 1 : The US government has announced plans to change the H1-B visa programme to give preference to workers with advanced American degrees, a move which could potentially have the effect of reducing visas for those educated elsewhere. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Friday that the proposed changes would be "introducing a more meritorious selection of beneficiaries" and "help ensure that H-1B visas are awarded to the most-skilled or highest-paid petition beneficiaries" under President Donald Trump's "Buy American, Hire American" executive order. H1-Bs are non-immigrant work visas given to professionals and those with special skills. According to the US government, 75.6 per cent of H1-B visas approved last year went to Indians. The DHS said the US Immigration and Customs Service (USCIS), which manages immigration, would reverse the current order in which the applicants for H1-B visas are first selected through a lottery for those visas meant for workers with Masters's and PhD degrees from US universities and then for those open to all. Under the system approved by Congress, 65,000 H1-B visas are available to all who qualify and another 20,000 are reserved for those with advanced US degrees. Since there are a far bigger number of applicants than there are H1-B visa slots, the government holds a lottery to pick the candidates for the visas. Explaining the changes, an immigration expert, Doug Rand, said that under the current lottery process, the USCIS randomly selects 20,000 from among advanced degree-holders and then puts the remainder into the larger pool and randomly picks the other 65,000. Under the new proposal, he said, USCIS would first put everyone in the same pool and select for the 65,000 visas open to all and then move all the unselected US advanced degree-holders into the pool reserved for them and randomly pick the other 20,000. The DHS said this move would have the effect of "likely increasing the number of beneficiaries with a master's or higher degree from a US institution of higher education". In reality the changes may not result in a "huge change" because the USCIS predicts that switching the order of the H-1B lottery would result in about 3 per cent more of these visas going to US advanced degree-holders, compared with the current system, said Rand, who is the co-founder of Boundless Immigration, a technology company that helps with navigating the immigration process. There is a large pool of Indians studying in the US who would qualify for the proposed preferential treatment. According to a recent report by the State Department and the Institute of International Education, 95,651 Indians are now studying for advanced degrees in the US and 75,390 are in practical training programmes after graduation. The planned changes would also require companies to first electronically register their applications with USCIS rather than send in completed applications before the selections are made. The visa petition documents of those selected would then have to be sent to the USCIS for scrutiny. The changes will not come into effect immediately. Rand said that his company's research shows that it typically takes over a year for a proposed immigration regulation to go into effect. Rand, who was previously the assistant director for entrepreneurship in President Barack Obama's White House and worked on immigration policy, said the switch to electronic registration was proposed because the USCIS wants to "address potential issues of 'flooding the system' with non-meritorious registrations". He said that it was "a criticism that has often been levelled against Indian outsourcing companies" and warned that "all companies will need to take care to follow the new registration requirements to avoid being penalised for 'gaming the system'". Rand said that the proposed changes do not impact H-4 visa work permits for spouses of H-1B workers or redefine "specialty occupations" as those fall under two separate regulations that will likely be proposed in the coming months. He added that he expected the DHS to propose to revisions to the definition of specialty occupation "to increase focus on obtaining the best and the brightest foreign nationals" and also make "additional requirements designed to ensure employers pay appropriate wages to H-1B visa holders". (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) New Delhi : "Broken But Beautiful"; Starring Vikrant Massey, Harleen Sethi; Rating: ***(3 stars)After watching dark violent sagas of gangsters doing unspeakable thingsAto theirAenemies and mistresses, it is a relief to watch a webseries which addresses the heart in all its scrambled complicated glory. "Broken But Beautiful" is about two damaged/broken/shattered people who keep running into one another until the inevitable happens. The plot makes some familiar noises as the couple-to-be clash over issues ranging from bereavement to real-estate acquisition. While much of the plotting is done with the romantic definitiveness of a Mills & Boon romance, there is yet a sense of spontaneity in the way the characters respond to the given emotional stimuli. Some of the interludes like the one in a cafe where 'Dumped Girl Ticks Off Grieving Husband' are powerful enough to bolster the whole series. However when the series tries to crowd the miniature frames with characters, the narrative begins to flounder. Much of the writing in the 11 episodes is reflective of the urban anxieties that define relationships in a competitive ruthless rapidly-moving society. What happens when one of the couple decides to quit a relationship? Newcomer Harleen Sethi portrays that horrific state of frozen anxiety with a substantial empathy for her broken character. Though Sameera often comes close to making a complete fool of herself, Sethi stands by the characters lending strength to her weaknesses. It is crystal-clear that Sethi's Sameera and her mortifying self-abusive 'ektarfa-pyar' (one-sided love) is inspired by Kareena Kapoor's Geet in Imtiaz Ali's "Jab We Met". The likeness is not the least off-putting. This girl's struggle to come to terms with being dumped is her own. It is the impressively talented Vikrant Massey who anchors the series, harnesses its inner core of raw feelings and makes us watch till the very end. Massey plays a man who is living with his dead wife. He talks to her constantly, seeks her approval in everything he does and insults anyone who warns him against his cadaverous relationship. Its a role that could easily fall prey to ridicule. Massey gives enormous dignity to Veer's struggle to live with his love even after death. There are interesting characters like Sameera's two best friends strewn all over the series.One of them in a fit of inebriated rage howls, "Kuch toh log kahenge logon ka kaam hai kehnaa, this is what Sant Kabir once said." Amen to that. "Broken But Beautiful" celebrates the shallowness of a generation that has moved on leaving the grieving to their own devices. (Subhash K Jha can be contacted at jhasubh@gmail.com) Seoul, Dec 1 : A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea on Saturday across the eastern part of the militarised border separating the two countries, according to defence officials here. The soldier crossed the border at 7.56 a.m., making it the first defection since the two Koreas began to reduce the military presence along the border as a part of an ongoing process of rapprochement at the beginning of the year, reports Efe news. The South Korean forces did not detect any special activity from the North in light of the incident, and the defector was in the safe custody of its troops, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. North and South Korea in recent months have decreased their military presence near the border following a bilateral agreement to reduce tensions on the peninsula. In November, some dozen border guard posts were closed, a first step towards the eventual elimination of all such installations along the border. Both parties also agreed to form a joint team to study the possible reopening of civil navigation of the Han river delta, situated to the west of Seoul and adjoining the border with North, restricted over a period of time due to tensions between the two countries. The two Koreas have removed hundreds of mines around the Joint Security Area and the South Korean border town of Cheorwon. All of this was a result of a military agreement signed on September 19 between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a summit in Pyongyang. It was the third summit between the two leaders this year, all of which have contributed towards rapprochement between the two countries following a decade of tensions and military provocations. Mumbai, Dec 1 : Actress Kangana Ranaut, who is gearing up for the release of her forthcoming film "Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi", says that actors get an unnecessary attention and importance in the film industry. Kangana was interacting with media at the 25th anniversary of Swiss Watchmaker brand Chopard where they unveiled their 'Happy Sport Collection' on Saturday, here. "Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi" which is in its post-production stage is now facing the wrath of a section of the crew which is upset that their dues, which had been promised by October, still remain unpaid. The workers then decided to approach FWICE (Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees) to seek its help. Reacting on the issue, Kangana said, "It's very sad. I have always opposed such kind of practices. There are doubts that labourers and technicians in the film industry are really devalued. I don't know why actors only get an unnecessary attention and importance in the film industry and because of that, I also want to be a technician." "I feel they are absolutely devalued. I want to venture into direction and writing as these people are unsung heroes of the film industry." Kangana added that issues like non-payment of dues cannot be tolerated. "When such things happen with labourers, it can't be tolerated but I have been promised by the makers of the film that there is no such thing like that. They told me that they have a dispute with a vendor and they are doing a negotiation with him because they don't think they should pay as much he is demanding," she said. Kangana added that she warned makers of the film that she will not promote the film if they won't be able to solve the issue. "I warned the makers of the film that if such thing will happen then I am going to disassociate with this film even though I have given 300 days of my life to it. "I told them that I will not go for any promo launch and I will make sure that I will not promote the film even if one labourer's money has been stuck but they told me to calm down on this issue so, I don't things such an issue can happen on a film like this. Zee Studio is very big studio and they have a good reputation so, I am sure that there will be no complaints from our end," said the actress. "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi" is a historical biographical film based on the life of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi It is directed by Krish and produced by Zee Studios in association with Kamal Jain and Nishant Pitti. Kangana plays Rani Laxmibai. The film is scheduled to be released on January 25. New Delhi : Do you love "Mother India"/"Mughal-e-Azam"/"Anand"/"Amar Prem"/"Deewaar", etc, etc? Then please do not wish for their remakes. It amounts to inappropriate touching. I have never come across a remake that has been even remotely flattering to the original. Except maybe Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Devdas" which was not really remake of Bimal Roy's "Devdas" but a ravishing, revisionist take on Saratchandra Chatterjee's novel. But "Devdas" is not my concern right now. Wretchedly unflattering remakes have begun to bother me with renewed vigour ever since I saw "Kaatrin Mozhi", the Tamil remake of 2017's game-changing feminist rom-com "Tumhari Sulu". I sat through the touching, sincere but hollow and self-conscious remake with just one thought in my head: Why? Why do we need another "Tumhari Sulu" so soon after the first? Is the story's transposition to the South a sign of artistic enterprise or just a symptom of the laziness that has crept into a certain kind of genre-specific cinema which cannibalises extraneous content pretending to enhance it in ways that never happen? Except for the fact that the cultural reference is altered, "Katrin Mozhi" is no different from "Tumhari Sulu" in spirit and flavour. Even the individual episodes from the original plot have been wrenched out of their context and put there for no other purpose except to look cutely wannabe. Like the original, "Katrin Mozhi" starts with the feisty housewife participating in an egg-and-spoon race in her son's school while her "devoted" husband cheers on. Here I must pause to say the husband, Balu, is played way too eagerly by actor Vidhaarth. While Manav Kaul in the original was supportive, Vidhaarth is seen toppling over with spousal servility. It almost feels like this husband is overdoing it to hide an extra-marital affair which would come out in a sequel, perhaps? For now, South Indian Sulu goes through all the motions of the original, like a perfect mime to a rhyme that never needed an echo. Viji, the Southern Sulu, is just as big an over-reacher as Sulu. And her twin sisters mock her efforts just as viciously. Nope, nothing has changed. Why should it, when the fodder provided by the original serves the purpose. Perhaps, those who haven't seen "Tumhari Sulu" would enjoy Jyothika's amped-up aunty antics. She plays the domesticated busybee like an exact twin to Vidya Balan. A plumper, more excitable Sulu who prefers sambar to poha. But my thought at the end of "Katrin Mozhi": Maar diya jaye ke chhod diya jaye bol tere saath kya Sulu kya jaye? Only deft handling by extremely competent makers could infuse life into remakes. Martin Scorcese successfully remade the 1962 classic "Cape Fear". He got his first best director Oscar for a remake, "The Departed". I end with Javed Akhtar's words of wisdom on remakes: "I can understand Basu Chatterjee fuming over the remakes of his films. He or Sai Paranjpye have made classics, so why fool around with them? On the other hand, some other films have reason to be remade. With time, some classics could be given a new interpretation. A filmmaker may give the subject a more technologically advanced twist. No harm in that. "But I feel certain classics are sacrosanct and inviolable. You can't remake 'Sholay', 'Mughal-e-Azam' or 'Gone With The Wind' or 'Ben Hur'. No one should dare to tamper with these classics." Let these classics remain as testimony to unrepeatable greatness. (Subhash K. Jha can be contacted at jhasubh@gmail.com) New Delhi, Dec 1 : John Allen Chau, a 26-year-old American missionary who "illegally" paddled his way to the remote shores of North Sentinel Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, was recently killed by the protected Sentinelese tribe. Experts apprehend that his "trespassing" to contact the North Sentinel islanders, the "uncontacted" and "isolated" inhabitants, may have further endangered the existence of the bow-wielding natives. Survival International, a global movement for the rights of tribal people, dubbed their rebuffing contact with the outside world a "wise choice". "Neighbouring tribes were wiped out after the British colonised their islands, and they lack immunity to common diseases like flu or measles, which would decimate their population," it said in a statement. After Chau's death, the Andaman and Nicobar Police noted that "access to the North Sentinel Island and its buffer zone is strictly restricted under the Protection of Aboriginal Tribe (Regulation) 1956 and Regulations under Indian Forest Act 1927" and "the Ministry of Home Affairs through its recent circulars also restricts movements of foreigners in these areas". "This is a wake-up call for the so called 'foreign adventurists' to stop entering 'out of bounds' and 'non-permissible' areas for the sake of encountering 'exoticism'," said Professor Anvita Abbi, a veteran linguist who has studied the tribal languages of the Andamans. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are inhabited by six indigenous tribal populations. The Nicobar Islands are home to two 'Mongoloid' tribes -- the Shompen and Nicobarese. Of the dozen linguistically distinct tribes who populated the Andaman islands in the early 20th century, only four survive, the Sentinelese, Jarawa, Great Andamanese, and Onge, with a combined population of 400 to 500 individuals. They are believed to have arrived in the islands from Africa up to 60,000 years ago. The Sentinelese population is placed at a scant and contested 15 according to the 2011 Census of India. The Andamanese earned a reputation for ferocity due to their violent resistance to foreign intrusions. They remained comparatively isolated from the outside world until the establishment of a British penal settlement in the islands, after the of First War of Independence in 1857. The British befriended one of the tribes, the Great Andamanese, and employed them as bush police to recapture escaped convicts. The Great Andamanese suffered the brunt of colonialism, and, in the 19th and 20th centuries, their number collapsed from several hundreds to a few dozen individuals. "Any outsider-contact has brought diseases, subjugation, sexual assault, and ultimately decimation of the tribal culture, tribal life and tribal language. The standing example is Great Andamanese. For years, Jarawas maintained the same isolation and now they regret the interaction with us," explained Abbi. The notion of "hostility" is a "colonial construct", as Kanchan Mukhopadhyay, a former Anthropological Survey of India researcher, who was stationed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, put it, and is a licence to kill. Madhumala Chattopadhyay, an anthropologist, was the first one to make a friendly contact during an expedition of the Andaman administration with the Sentinelese in January 1991, also advocates leaving them alone. She was also a part of the second contact expedition of the Andaman administration that made a friendly contact with them in February 1991. In the aftermath of the Chau affair, Survival International has flayed the Indian government for lapses in protection and for easing the restricted area permit (RAP) to visit 29 inhabited islands, including North Sentinel. These islands, which were removed from the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) regime notified under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, till December 31, 2022, included the North Sentinel Island. However, the government had clarified that separate approvals of the competent authority would continue to be required for visiting reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries and tribal reserves. The exotic location and the tourism potential of the islands has for long been a topic of discussion and on the central government's agenda. In June 2017, an Island Development Agency (IDA) headed by India's home minister was constituted and Indian government's think tank, NITI Aayog, was mandated to steer the holistic development of Islands programme. Under this programme, in the first phase, it was decided that 10 Islands in the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep will be taken up for holistic development. The IDA had reviewed 11 anchor tourism projects of which six are in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. For enhanced connectivity, the airport at Diglipur in Andamans is expected to be made operational for civilian aircraft by December 2018. In August 2018, NITI Aayog's Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Kant, while speaking at an investors' conference on developing new islands, remarked that Indian government was looking to offer about 100 islands in the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep for tourism purposes. He had also stated that foreign tourists would not need separate permission to visit these islands as the government is focusing on increasing the tourism inflow. During the same month, India's home ministry announced that foreign tourists will now be able to visit 29 inhabited islands in the, which were prohibited for visitors, without any restrictions and 11 uninhabited islands (only for day visits). The decision, the government said, was taken to promote tourism and overall development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Port Blair, which is capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, on December 30 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first flag hoisting day by Indian revolutionary Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (December 30, 1943) on Indian soil. It was reported that Modi is expected to announce major projects but it may not happen in the wake of the criticism against opening up of areas in the Andamans after Chau's death. According to a report, the home ministry may consider reimposing the restricted area permit system in North Sentinel island and other islands. Sumit Mukherjee, a former Anthropological Survey of India researcher, who specialises in human ecology, questioned whether these tribes need "our kind of development"? "The 'development' planning we have so far done for them since our contact with them (tribes in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago) have sadly resulted in more damage than welfare to their society. So we should agree that we have failed to understand what is effective development for them. They never asked for it," Mukherjee said. "What I recommend is we should keep close and careful watch to save every life of those populations and may provide required protective measures and certain carefully prescribed medical services if absolutely required," Sumit Mukherjee added. (In arrangement with Mongabay.com, a source for environmental news reporting and analysis. The views expressed in the article are those of Mongabay.com. Feedback: gopi@mongabay.com) San Francisco, Dec 1 : A man was arrested in California, US, on suspicion of drinking and driving after he fell asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla Model S although he was travelling autopilot and did not crash. "It appears the driver had the Tesla driver-assist or autopilot function engaged at the time he was pulled over, but the California Highway Patrol (CHP) needs to finish its investigation before making a final determination," the Mercury News reported late on Friday quoting Officer Art Montiel. The CHP official had noticed a grey-coloured Tesla Model S driving on Highway 101 near Whipple Avenue in Redwood City, California at about 70 mph. "When the driver did not respond, the officer drove in front of the Tesla in an effort to slow down the vehicle. The officer believed that if the Tesla's driver-assist function was engaged, the car would slow down when it sensed a vehicle in front of it," the report added. The one booked is a Los Altos planning commissioner and was reportedly given a field sobriety test before being arrested. Electric carmaker Tesla, whose autopilot technology assists in steering, changing lanes as well as parking, has seen its cars involved in several accidents in the past few years. In 2016, a man was killed in Florida after the Model S he was driving collided with a tractor trailer while the Tesla was in autopilot mode. In January, a driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after passing out in his Tesla while it drove in autopilot mode across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, according to the Fortune. Washington, Dec 1 : George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the US and father of the 43rd who steered the nation through a tumultuous period in world affairs, has died at the age of 94 in Houston, his family said in a statement on Saturday. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," Bush's son and also former US President George W. Bush said in a statement. Before the family statement, the news of the former President's death on Friday night was confirmed in a tweet by Jim McGrath, his spokesman. Bush Sr. died less than eight months after that of his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush. The cause of his death was not immediately known. George Herbert Walker Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1924, reports The Washington Post. He grew up in tony Greenwich, Connecticut, the second of five children of Prescott Bush and Dorothy Walker. His father was an Ohio native and business executive who became a Wall Street banker and a senator from Connecticut, setting a course for the next two generations of Bush men to follow. His mother, a Maine native, was the daughter of a wealthy investment banker. George H.W. Bush served as a fighter pilot during the Second World War in 1944, a Congressman, Ambassador to the UN, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director and Vice President under Ronald Reagan between 1981 and 1989, before concluding his four-decade long political career by serving as the 41st US President from 1989 to 1993. During his stint in the White House, Bush Sr. saw the end of the Cold War, the first Gulf War and the invasion of Panama while the Soviet Union collapsed and Germany reunified. Despite military and diplomatic successes, he was unable to secure a re-election, and in 1993 he handed over the reins of the White House to Bill Clinton and retired to his home in Boston, Texas, along with his wife. The former President was suffering from a form of Parkinson's disease that left him on a wheelchair over the last few years. He was also frequently hospitalised especially for respiratory problems. In April, a day after attending his wife's funeral, he was treated for an infection that had spread to his blood. Bush senior was famous for sporting colourful striped socks. Jaipur, Dec 1 : The Narendra Modi-led central government has failed to deliver on its promise of a double-digit growth in the last four years and it will not manage it even in the remaining six months of its term, Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said on Saturday. "This government promised a double-digit growth rate. They have not achieved that growth rate in any of the four years. And they will not achieve it in the last year also," he said at a press conference here. The senior Congress leader said there was a sense of crisis in every sector, be it banking, industry, construction or real-estate. Chidambaram's remarks came a day after official data showed that India's GDP growth rate declined to 7.1 per cent during the July-September quarter, compared to April-June's 8.2 per cent. Earlier, in a series of tweets, he said the GDP growth in Q2 of 2018-19 was a good 1 per cent lower than in Q1. He said the 8.2 per cent growth rate in April-June quarter was on a very low base in the previous year and did not warrant the jubilation of the Bharatiya Janata Party. "Going forward, it is likely that Q3 and Q4 will register similar growth rates unless there are unexpected shocks. The new normal for the Indian economy is 7 per cent and 2018-19 will be a normal year," Chidambaram said. "More and more large companies are going bankrupt today than ever before. More and more projects are stranded than ever before. More and more accounts turned NPA (non-performing assets) than ever before. More banks have been restrained from lending than ever before. There is a sense of crisis everywhere," he told the media here in poll-bound Rajasthan. Bhubaneswar, Dec 1 : A shelter home in-charge has been arrested in Odisha's Dhenkanal district for sexually exploiting girl inmates, police said on Saturday. Simanchal Nayak, the caretaker of the non-government organisation-run Good News India Dream Centre in Beltikiri, was arrested following a raid on Friday by a joint team of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and the District Child Protection Unit. The inmates had accused Nayak of repeatedly sexually assaulting minor girls living at the centre. The caretaker was arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by Child Protection Officer (CPO) Anuradha Goswami, Dhenkanal sub-divisional police officer Sheikh Abdul Karim said. Efforts were on to nab the owner and Managing Director of the home, Faiz Rahman. The CWC team has found that the centre was established in violation of the Juvenile Justice Act. Washington, Dec 1 : George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the US who is best known for sanctioning the Gulf War, presiding over the fall of the Berlin Wall and steering America through the end of the Cold War, has died at the age of 94 in Houston. The announcement of his passing on Friday night was made in a statement by his son and 43rd US President George W. Bush on Saturday. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear dad has died," Bush said. George Herbert Walker Bush served as a fighter pilot during the Second World War, a Congressman, Ambassador to the UN, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director and served two terms as Ronald Reagan's Vice President between 1981 and 1989, before concluding his four-decade long political career by serving as the US President from 1989 to 1993. During his stint in the White House, Bush Sr. saw the end of the Cold War, the first Gulf War and the invasion of Panama while the Soviet Union collapsed and Germany reunified. Despite military and diplomatic successes, he was unable to secure re-election and handed over the reins of the White House to Bill Clinton and retired to his home in Boston, Texas, along with his wife Barbara Bush. Bush Sr's death came eight months after that of his spouse to whom he was married for 73 years. They had six children together. The cause of his death was not immediately known. He was suffering from a form of Parkinson's disease that left him on a wheelchair over the last few years. He was also frequently hospitalised especially for respiratory problems. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump said Bush guided the nation and the world to a victorious end to the Cold War. "With sound judgement, common sense and unflappable leadership, President Bush guided our nation and the world to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War," Trumps said. Bush Sr. was also lauded by former President Barack Obama who called him "a patriot and humble servant". "His life was a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling," Obama said. Grandson George P. Bush said: "He was a good man. His courage was matched by his compassion; and his dedication to country was equalled only by his devotion to his family." Tricia Nixon Cox and Julie Nixon Eisenhower, the daughters of former President Richard Nixon, said: "George H.W. Bush lived a life that was purposeful, and extraordinarily rewarding - for our nation, and for our world." Former President Bill Clinton said he and his wife Hillary Clinton gave "thanks for his great long life of service, love and friendship". Bush Sr's single presidential term in office was dominated by foreign policy -- the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The former leader will be best remembered as the commander-in-chief who sanctioned the Gulf War, codenamed Operation Desert Storm -- a war waged by coalition forces from 35 nations led by the US against Iraq in response to the latter's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. Operation Desert Storm land battle pushed Iraqi troops out of Kuwait. But it stopped short of ousting the Iraqi strongman, setting up the second Gulf War that was initiated in 2003 and resulted in Saddam Hussein's hanging. In later life, Bush Sr's character came under scrutiny when he was accused of groping a number of women at public events. A statement issued by his spokesman after a recent incident said he would never "intentionally cause anyone distress". Bush Sr. had also ordered US troops to invade Panama after an off-duty Marine was killed by forces loyal to dictator Manuel Noriega. The force quickly overwhelmed Noriega's men and he was overthrown in just four days and was later sentenced to 40 years in the US on drug charges. He also had to walk a fine line with China, imposing sanctions after a 1989 government crackdown on protestors at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, but also seeking to prevent a permanent rupture in relations. Bush Sr. was born in Milton, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1924. His father was an Ohio native and business executive who became a Wall Street banker and a senator from Connecticut. His mother, a Maine native, was the daughter of a wealthy investment banker. Bush senior was also famous for sporting colourful striped socks. Mumbai, Dec 1 : Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, who is wanted by several probe agencies in India in connection with a Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, said that he will not return to India as he "fears for his life". Conveying this to a special court here, advocate Vijay Agarwal appearing for the absconding jeweller, said the Enforcement Directorate is "guilty of committing a fraud on the court" by concealing Nirav Modi's communications with the agency. In one such mail, Nirav Modi told the ED that his "effigy was being burnt and feared mob lynching" if he stepped on Indian soil. Agarwal backing his client's concerns said all the information sought by the ED pertains to "finance" and Nirav Modi being a jewellery designer would not have them. He said his client was not in a position to give such information as the ED sealed his offices, took his employees into custody and computer servers were confiscated. Agarwal told the court that despite all this, Nirav Modi had continued communicating with the ED as such his client cannot be declared a Fugitive Economic Offender. In a mail to the ED on February 25, accessed by IANS, Nirav Modi said: "In my last communication, I had pointed out that in view of the extensive media coverage, there are some personal security issues which I am facing, ... which have increased manifold. "I am being harassed to the extent possible, with multiple agencies hounding me and everything that is important to me, my safety, my reputation, my properties etc. are being put in jeopardy." "My security threats are genuine and considering the situation in India, wherein, me, without a full drawn trial have been conveniently named as a 'criminal', and being treated as if I am already convicted of the alleged offences", Nirav Modi told the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on March 7 in a mail. "There have been reports that in Mumbai, a 50-feet effigy of mine was burnt on Holika Dahan, which threatens me to the core. I am scared," he said. In his mail to CBI he said that he cannot return to India as his former employees who have not been paid salaries, landlords who have not been paid rents, customers whose jewellery has been confiscated by the CBI and other agencies and several other people have threatened him. He further said that in fact a lady executive of his organisation was arrested by the CBI illegally in complete disregard to and in violation of Section 46 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973. "When the liberty of a female is not" being taken into account by the investigating agencies, Nirav Modi said how could "my concern for my safety" be guaranteed. He added that he failed to see "the fairness in the process" and his fears were "not misplaced". The jeweller also pointed out that all his properties had been attached without any compliance to the law. In his mail to the CBI, Nirav Modi said that the "lightening speed" with which the Passport Authority acted by revoking his passport, "suggests that the action itself was pre-determined and my fate was already decided as there was no time to consider my reply and there was no apparent regard to the law". Earlier in July, his uncle and Gitanjali Group chief Mehul Choksi, who is a co accused in the punjab National Bank fraud case, had cited the "mob lynching" trend in India as one of the main reasons for not returning. Nirav Modi and Choksi are under probe by both the CBI and the ED. The ED launched the money laundering investigation against Nirav Modi and others on February 15 on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI. Non-bailable warrants have been issued against them. The Interpol had issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Nirav Modi, his brother Neeshal and sister Purvi -- both Belgian citizens -- as well as Mihir Bhansali and Aditya Nanvati, his close associates. However, an RCN request against Choksi, who acquired Antiguan citizenship earlier in 2018, is pending with the Interpol. London, Dec 1 : UK's Minister of Universities and Science Sam Gyimah has resigned from Prime Minister Theresa May's government over her Brexit agreement with the EU, calling it a "deal in name only" and seeking a second referendum. Conservative MP Gyimah said the inability of May's government to secure continued participation in Galileo, the EU's strategic satellite navigation system, was only a foretaste of disappointments to come under her Brexit deal. Gyimah resigned on Friday and became the seventh minister to quit May's government over Brexit. He called for a vote to gauge the public's mood if the Prime Minister loses the vote in Parliament on December 11, the Guardian reported. "I cannot support the government's deal and as such, I have tendered my resignation," Gyimah said in a statement made public on Saturday, adding May's withdrawal agreement was "a deal that leaves us poorer, less secure and weaker". Gyimah said the deal could lead to "potentially crippling ourselves politically and economically for decades to come". "There is a blocking minority in the House of Commons for almost every possible option which means that letting the people decide, now that we know more, might be the most sensible path for both leavers and remainers," Gyimah told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. "We don't actually have a deal, we have a deal in name only... What we have is a series of principles of what we want to achieve as a country, a set of negotiations after we have left the EU and given up our voice, our veto and our vote." "Our interest will be hammered during these negotiations, we have no leverage. They (the EU) set the hurdles you have to clear." The UK had wanted to remain within Galileo after Brexit, but the EU said it would be banned from the extra-secure elements of the programme. Galileo is to become the EU's replacement for the US-inspired Global Positioning System which helps people locate geographical points on mobile phone maps. Galileo will be a much more ambitious system that will also form part of a new and much more precise guidance system for cars and other transport. May confirmed on Friday that the UK was withdrawing from the project despite having invested vast amounts of money in it. Gyimah said that a second referendum on remaining part of the EU should not be ruled out. "We shouldn't dismiss out of hand the idea of asking the people again what future they want, as we all now have a better understanding of the potential paths before us." Dhaka, Dec 1 : Renowned Bangladeshi photographer and cinematographer Anwar Hossain was found dead at a hotel here on Saturday. Hossain, a Bangladeshi-born French citizen, won more than 60 international awards in photography. He filmed 15 fictions and 30 documentaries and published eight photo books. Hossain, 70, came to Dhaka for taking part in a photography competition as a judge. The police recovered his body after breaking a door to his room at the Hotel Olio Dream Heaven in Panthapath area, reported bdnews24.com. The cause of his death was not known. The hotel authorities said that two people had come to visit Hossain in the morning. The authorities informed the police when he did not open the door of his room and neither responded to phone calls. Later, the police found his body on the bed. Officials said that no injury mark was found on his body and it was sent for autopsy. Hossain captured the Liberation War of Bangladesh and the movements preceding it. He studied Architecture at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and then film studies at Pune University. He was also the recipient of five National Film Awards, bdnews24.com reported. Hossain lived for over two decades in France. Though he received a French passport, he returned to Bangladesh a few years ago and began living in Shariatpur. Srinagar, Dec 1 : Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a Kartarpur-type corridor to Sharda Peeth in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supremo said in her letter that the opening of the Kartarpur corridor was a welcome step as it would open avenues for people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan. She said besides being an important pilgrimage for the Kashmiri Pandit community, Sharda Peeth has historically been the seat of knowledge and learning for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "The opening of Kartarpur corridor has encouraged the Kashmiri Pandit community to see a possibility of the pilgrimage to Sharda Peeth," she said in her letter adding that a delegation of the community called on her recently requesting her support for the initiative. Sharda Peeth is currently an abandoned ancient Hindu temple site in Sharda village in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Lucknow, Dec 1 : A four-day meeting of a experts in military medicine from Asean countries, being co-chaired by India and Myanmar, will be held here from Sunday, an official spokesman of the Central Command said on Saturday. The objective is to establish better cooperation in medical operations amongst the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries -- Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei and Laos -- and the Asean Plus countries -- US, Russia, China, Australia, Japan and South Korea -- for civil support by military operations other than war, especially humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions, the official added. There will be expert working group on military medicine, 4th bilateral talks between India and Myanmar, a table-top exercise and planning for field training exercises encompassing broad themes. Around 50 delegates from various countries and officers from India's Army Medical Corps are likely to participate in the event. The central theme of the event is towards establishing preparedness and response mechanisms to manage mass casualties and outbreak of infectious diseases resulting from large-scale disasters as also to facilitate synergy, better understanding, increase capability of the combined operations amongst the Armed Forces of Asean member states and Asean Plus countries. New York, Dec 1 : George Herbert Walker Bush, who deftly steered the US through the epoch-making upheaval that ended with the end of the Soviet Union and the emergence of his country as the dominant world power as President from 1989 to 1993, died a day earlier in Houston. The 94-year-old patrician, who embodied the "kinder, gentler" version of his Republican Party at home and could gently manoeuver through the debris of what was the Soviet Union ending the four decades of Cold War, showed steely resolve when he took on Iraqi leader Saddam Hussain in 1991 to liberate Kuwait. These incidents will be the epitaph of his single-term presidency that ended with his defeat in 1993 at the hands of Bill Clinton in a three-way race where he was undermined by another conservative, Ross Perot. Bush Sr. glories abroad and his "Thousand Points of Light" campaign at home promoting volunteerism and compassion were overshadowed by a sense of economic foreboding and a feeling that the nation was adrift domestically that led to his defeat. A characteristic trait of Bush Sr -- a World War II Navy aviator, a former Central Intelligence Agency head and Washington's envoy to Beijing -- was his understanding of the limits of military might and uses of diplomacy and tact which some of his successors, notably his son George W. Bush, lacked with disastrous consequences. As the Soviet Union unravelled under Mikhail Gorbachev, rather than go for the jugular Bush Sr. helped foster an orderly transition taking care to reassure Moscow while backing its breakaway constituents on their way to independence and democracy and ensuring that the nuclear arsenals and their management were secured. Once Iraq, which had invaded Kuwait, was pushed out of the oil shiekhdom during a brutal war that saw tens of thousands of Iraqis killed, Bush Sr. called a halt despite the US hawks demanding that US troops go all the way to Baghdad and depose Hussein. History would endorse his caution: His son George W. Bush ventured into a war against Hussein in Iraq plunging the Middle East into an ongoing crisis. Drawing on his experience in Beijing, Bush Sr. built the US ties with China as it embarked on a transformation that would make it a challenger to America in the next century. Bush Sr. had limited engagement with India during his presidency, absorbed as he was with Europe and the Middle East. He visited India in 1984 when he was the Vice-President and met then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Failure to pay attention to Afghanistan was one of the shortcoming of his presidency that came to haunt his son as President. After the Soviet Union withdrew from Afghanistan following its defeat in a guerrilla war of attrition by US-backed Islamic mujahideen during the first year of his presidency, Bush Sr. left the country adrift to become a haven for Islamic terrorists who attacked the US in 2011 when his son was President. This aspect of history would repeat itself as his son would also neglect Afghanistan after an initial victory over the Taliban and the Al Qaeda terrorists and trap the US in its longest war. After his war service and a degree from Yale University, Bush Sr. left his family's traditional north-eastern niche for oil-rich Texas in the south to become a petroleum executive and later an entrepreneur and remake his identity. Born as the son of Senator Prescott Bush in a politically active family, George H.W. Bush became a senator himself before his election to two terms as Vice-President with President Ronald Reagan, whom he succeeded to become the 41st President. His son George W. Bush became the 43rd President succeeding Clinton, who had defeated his father. Another son, Jeb Bush, became the Florida Governor and unsuccessfully tried to run for President. Despite outspending President Donald Trump, Jeb Bush lost the bid for Republican nomination to run against Hillary Clinton. Trump mercilessly attacked Jeb Bush in his crude ways. George H.W. Bush, known as "Bush 41" to distinguish him from his son, who is called "Bush 43" for their respective presidencies, was fit enough into his 90th birthday to do a parachute jump to celebrate the occasion. He later developed Parkinsons disease that forced him into a wheelchair and had a series of infections in his final years. Bush Sr. is survived by his wife of 73 years, Barbara; his sons George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Neil and Marvin; a daughter Dorothy Koch, and 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) Hyderabad, Dec 1 : With Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu campaigning aggressively against Telangana's ruling TRS in Hyderabad, the latter on Saturday warned that it will hit back by taking the fight to his state. Telangana Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K. Chandrashekhar Rao's son and cabinet minister K. T. Rama Rao said if necessary, TRS will enter Andhra Pradesh to "politically finish off Naidu". KTR, as the young TRS leader is popularly known, told an election rally in Hyderabad that when the time comes, "they will teach a lesson" to Naidu. KTR said through the Federal Front proposed to be formed by KCR, they would show their strength in Andhra Pradesh. He was indicating at an anti-TDP front, which may be headed by principal opposition party, the YSR Congress. The YSR Congress, which is not contesting Telangana elections, has extended its support to TRS. Rama Rao alleged that when Naidu was hatching conspiracies in Hyderabad, they drove him away to Amaravati (the upcoming capital of Andhra Pradesh). "I am confident in this election, Telangana people will chase away Chandrababu Naidu and his party out of the state," he said. Elections to 119-member Telangana Assembly are scheduled on December 7. The TDP, a constituent of Congress-led People's Front, is contesting 13 seats. KTR's attack on Naidu came as the TDP chief intensified his election campaign in Hyderabad. Projecting himself as architect of Cyberabad, the information technology district in Hyderabad, Naidu is targeting TRS for its "misrule". Kochi, December 01 : Differences of opinion within the BJP over the partys approach towards the agitation at Sabarimala against the supreme court verdict allowing women of all ages entry into the hill shrine has come to the fore with party state president P S Sreedharan Pillai coming under from the rival faction headed by rajya sabha MP V Muraleedharan. The rival faction has taken strong exception to what they termed as the Gandhian mode of protests having been staged at Sabarimala by the BJP, charging that the agitation lacked intensity and aggression. At the leadership meet of the party held on Saturday to discuss the course ahead on the Sabarimala agitation, the faction led by Muraleedharan reportedly called for dialling up the aggression and intensity of the protests. Speculation is rife that the BJP Kerala unit is a house divided over the Sabarimala agitation with the rival faction of firm belief that the state leadership squandered the golden opportunity to mobilise public support over the Sabarimala issue. The partys lacklustre showing in the recent local body polls in Pathanamthitta vindicates this position of the rival faction. A section of leaders also reportedly voiced displeasure with the state presidents failure to effectively articulate the partys views to the media. Mr. Pillai had the other day told the media that the partys agitation was not against women entering the Sabarimala temple but against the CPI(M)-led LDF government. Political observers believe this statement gave the state government an edge over the BJP in the Sabarimala tussle since it gave credence to the LDFs claim that BJPs agitation was politically motivated. Reports of rift within the BJP over the Sabarimala agitation come even as Sreedharan Pillai has said that the party would intensify its protests across the state. BJP had extended support to the agitating right-wing outfits at Sabarimala against womens entry into the temple. However, the party decided to call off its agitation at Sabarimala and shift the venue of protest to in front of the secretariat where the partys leaders plan to stage a relay hunger strike. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the BJPs bluff and welcomed the decision to shift the venue of protest. He also played down the BJPs proposed agitation in front of the secretariat, saying that there was nothing unusual about it since a lot of organisations hold protests there. This has given the impression that the BJP has capitulated before the CPI(M) over the Sabarimala issue. Mr. Pillai himself had to scramble to clarify that the shifting of venue of protest was not a defeat for the BJP but was a prelude to expanding the protests across the state. Jammu, Dec 1 : Two army soldiers were killed and another soldier was injured on Saturday in a landmine explosion near the Line of Control (LoC) in Akhnoor sector of Jammu district. Although an official confirmation is still awaited, defence sources said two soldiers were killed and another injured in a mine blast near the LoC in Akhnoor sector on Saturday evening. "Two soldiers were killed and another soldier was injured in an accidental mine blast in Akhnoor sector. "The injured soldiers has been shifted to hospital," said a defence source here. Kolkata, Dec 1 : Three employees of a childcare centre in West Bengal's Howrah district have been arrested for sexually abusing differently-abled girls, police said on Saturday. According to police sources, based on information shared by government officials, a police team had visited the NGO, Chiranabin-Children and After Care Home For Women and Girls in Joypur area. "Three of the identified persons have been arrested and there will be further arrests if anyone else is involved," a senior police official said. They interacted with the victims with the help of an interpreter and identified the culprits. One of the victims is a minor. "We had no idea about the incident and will make sure that all the culprits are arrested," Sukumar Sau, General Secretary of the centre said. New Delhi, Dec 1 : A day after Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia accused the Modi government of denying him permission to attend an educational event in Austria, the BJP hit back saying the tour was sponsored by a British agency and the entire tour appeared to be under clouds of doubts. "Sisodia himself stated that it was not a government programme and it was sponsored by a British agency, that too in Austria. That is why the entire tour appeared to be under the clouds of doubts," Delhi BJP Chief Manoj Tiwari said. He said the AAP government should now look for "better excuses" than blaming the Prime Minister for everything. "All their previous excuses have been exposed," he added. "Modiji does not want me to spread my message of Delhi schools' 'khushi ki pathshaala' initiative across the world. It has refused to grant me permission to visit Austria and speak on the 'happiness curriculum' launched here. This has forced me to cancel my plans," Sisodia tweeted in Hindi. Jodhpur, Dec 1 : A court in Rajasthan on Saturday asked the police to file an FIR against Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey for hurting the sentiments of the Brahmin community by posing for a picture holding an anti-Brahmin message. A metropolitan court here issued this direction to the police while hearing a petition by the vice president of the youth wing of Vipra Foundation, Rajkumar Sharma. "Dorsey had posted a picture on his Twitter account posed with a poster with a message 'Smash Brahminical Patriarchy' mentioned on it," Sharma said. "The court allowed the petition and directed the police to register an FIR against Dorsey and begin investigation into the matter", his counsel H.M. Saraswat said. Dorsey was seen posing with six female journalists in a picture on Twitter, with a poster in his hands carrying the offending anti-Brahmin message. Sharma stated in the petition that this comment was not only anti-Brahmin but also contained coarse language, which was humiliating and hurt the community. A petition had been moved against Dorsey under sections 295 A, 500, 120 B and other appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) with a plea to direct the police to file an FIR against the Twitter CEO. Buenos Aires, Dec 1 : South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the Chief Guest at the 2019 Republic Day celebration in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday. The announcement comes more than a month after US President Donald Trump declined India's invite to be the chief guest at Republic Day. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet: "President Ramaphosa accepted India's invitation to be the Chief Guest at Republic Day during 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi." "150 years of Mahatma (Gandhi) and 100 years of Madiba (Nelson Mandela). Good meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa on margins of G20 Summit," he said. Washington, Dec 2 : US President Donald Trump on Saturday ordered the flags at the White House and in all US territories to wave at half-staff for the next 30 days in honour of former President George H.W. Bush, who died on Thursday night at the age of 94. "I...do hereby direct that the flag of the US be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds...for a period of 30 days from the day of his death," said Trump in a presidential proclamation. In a joint statement with his wife, first lady Melania Trump, the president regretted the death of George Herbert Walker Bush and noted that he "guided our Nation through the Cold War to its peaceful and victorious end." Efe reported. "Through sound judgment, practical wisdom, and steady leadership, President Bush made safer the second half of a tumultuous and dangerous century," Trump said. Shortly before issuing the presidential statement, the president cancelled his press conference at the G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires out of respect for the Bush family. Meanwhile, the White House confirmed that the US first couple will attend the funeral of the 41st president of the US. "The President...and the First Lady will attend the funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC," White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement, without giving the date of the last rites. In her note, Sanders said that Trump plans to speak this morning with former President George W. Bush, son of the late chief executive, to offer his condolences "on behalf of himself, the first lady, and the entire country." The White House also said that Trump will designate next Wednesday, December 5, as a day of mourning for the late former president. The patriarch of the Bush family was a US Air Force aviator during World War II, then later a congressman, ambassador to the UN, CIA director, vice president under Ronald Reagan between 1981-1989, and wrapped up his 40-year political career as president of the United States. From the White House, Bush 41 (so-called to distinguish him from his son, Bush 43) led the end of the Cold War, the First Gulf War and the invasion of Panama while the Soviet Union fell apart and Germany was reunited. New Delhi, Dec 2 : Delhi Police on Saturday arrested three officials of a private company for allegedly duping investors, officials said. A case in this regard has been registered under sections of 409, 420 and 120 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) in EOW (economic offence wing) police station. The investigators have found the company officials allegedly diverted a fund of Rs 191 crore deposited by the investors. Besides, they were also accused of failing to complete the project within the given period of time. The accused have been identified as Surpreet Singh, Vijay Bahadur and Nirmal Singh. All of them hold the position of director in M/s Hacienda Project Pvt Ltd. The company had booked apartments in a residential group housing project named Lotus 300 which comprises of 6 towers, at Sector 107 in Noida. "The company had lured home buyers for an attractive offer to book residential flats. It also promised to complete the project in 39 months from the date of allotment letter in 2010. As the location of the project is ideal, a total of 328 home buyers invested in the project," said an EOW official. During investigation, it was found the company had extracted Rs 636 crore from investors and Rs 191 crore was diverted to its subsidiary company for another project. "The company has started the construction of the project in 2010 with stipulated completion time of 39 months. The project is yet to be completed and delayed by more than four years," the official said. Agra, Dec 2 : The first open heart surgery in Uttar Pradesh under the ambitious Ayushman Bharat project has been performed here on Saturday. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Agra district, Mukesh Vats said Devendra, 50, from Mainpuri, was the first beneficiary of the project. He was operated in the Pushpanjali Hospital by a team of doctors including Atul Gupta and Dinesh Jain. Coming from low-income background, Devendra could not afford the treatment earlier, but the Ayushman Bharat came as a God-sent opportunity for him to lead a better and healthier life. Mumbai, Dec 2 : Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has said that people of Mumbai need to make a magical Mumbai for themselves. Actor Shah Rukh Khan was addressing the media at the 'Mumbai 2.0' event here on Saturday. It was organised by the Government of Maharashtra along with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Talking about the people of Mumbai, Shah Rukh lauded the resilience and patience of the city of Mumbai and it's people. "I think more than patience, people of Mumbai have resilience in their personality. Most of the times, we have seen that whether it's raining, traffic jams or another kind of wrongdoings but Mumbai has always been resilient, has come forth, stood forth and fought everything of with love and kindness plus with a lot of guts," he said. "I think the other thing that we should add to Mumbaikars is to add the magical part of Mumbaikar. Our Mumbai is resilient and beautiful but we need to make a magical Mumbai," he added. Shah Rukh next will be seen in Anand L. Rai's 'Zero' along with Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. It is releasing in theaters on December 21. Washington, Dec 2 : US President Donald Trump had an "informal" conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday, said the White House on Saturday. According to a statement issued by the White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders, "as is typical at multilateral events, President Trump and the First Lady had a number of informal conversations with world leaders at the dinner last night, including President Putin." However, she did not elaborate the content of the conversation, reports Xinhua news agency. Trump tweeted earlier on Thursday before arriving in Argentina for the G-20 Summit that "based on the fact that the ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia, I have decided it would be best for all parties concerned to cancel my previously scheduled meeting... in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin." "I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!" he added. In his interview with CNN on Saturday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explained that Trump had cancelled the meeting "because the Russians behaved in a way that is deeply inconsistent with international law and is outrageous." "The President wanted to send a clear, unambiguous message that we find that type of behaviour unacceptable, and so he cancelled the meeting... he wanted to send an unambiguous message that the Russians needed to change that act," he said. "President Trump made the decision this was the right approach based on the activity that had taken place in the lead-up to the G-20 summit." he added. Speaking about the conditions for a second Trump-Putin summit, Pompeo said that "we want the sailors returned, we want the ships returned." "Now this jumped in the middle of a time when they could have begun to have a discussion where we might have made some progress," he noted. "We regret that, but the Russians caused this meeting to be cancelled by their behaviour in the Kerch Strait." The Ukrainian Navy on Sunday said that Russian forces opened fire and seized three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait, adding that six Ukrainian military sailors were wounded, two of them in serious condition. Russian authorities said the Ukrainian ships breached the Russian border and conducted dangerous maneuvers in spite of orders of accompanying Russian vessels. The Ukrainian Navy said that it had informed Russia in advance about the passage of Ukrainian vessels from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait. The Ukrainian parliament supported a bill earlier this week imposing a martial law in certain regions for 30 days starting from Wednesday due to the tensions with Russia in the Sea of Azov. Buenos Aires, Dec 2 : Chinese President Xi Jinping here on Saturday said that he would like to exchange views on issues of common concern with his US counterpart Donald Trump, and jointly chart the course for China-US relations in the next stage. Xi made the remarks at a working dinner with Trump. The Chinese president said he was glad to meet President Trump, Xinhua news agency reported. Since their previous meeting, Xi said, the world situation has witnessed a lot of changes. As two major countries with great influence, China and the US shoulder important responsibilities in promoting world peace and prosperity. Cooperation is the best option for the two countries, Xi said. The two leaders agreed to meet at the G-20 Summit in a telephone conversation early last month, in which Xi said that both he and President Trump have good visions for a healthy and stable development of China-US relations as well as for the expansion of economic and trade cooperation. BountyJobs News Announcement "Over the past 12 years, our technology has connected over 40% of the Fortune 1000 to talented third-party recruiters." BountyJobs, Inc., leading provider of a technology platform for collaboration between employers and search firms - including the worlds largest marketplace for third-party recruitment services announces today that it has surpassed a key milestone with all-time employer job orders now exceeding $1.5B in available placement fees for recruiters. BountyJobs marketplace is a key component of its solution, allowing employers to post their most challenging permanent positions for contingent third-party placement assistance. The technology then uses proprietary algorithms to surface the recruiters most able to fill that position, providing statistics on past performance that enable the employer to make an educated choice and improve their chance of filling the role. With over 10,000 active recruiters on the platform, the job order volume is reflective of a robust marketplace that is now estimated at 10 times the size of the nearest competitor. BountyJobs credits the milestone attainment to a number of factors. The current labor market has Talent Acquisition leaders searching for any competitive edge in recruiting, says Jerry Aubin, CEO of BountyJobs. Our customers view us as a strategic sourcing partner for their hardest-to-fill jobs. Over the past 12 years, our technology has connected over 40% of the Fortune 1000 to talented third-party recruiters. We know how to find the best recruiter to work on a given position, and our platform works as stand-alone - or with any ATS to enable painless collaboration and communication. BountyJobs growth is also a result of a number of market-expansion investments. In recent years, the company has made its products available in Canada and the EU, opened support for Retained Search agreements, and launched BountyJobs Connect a product for SMB that allows hiring managers to purchase platform access for a single job, without a yearly subscription. This new, transactional product is also a key component of BountyJobs prolific Partner Program, which has added 20 partners in the last year alone. "BountyJobs Partner Program pursues innovation in Talent Acquisition by building a network of like-minded technology providers focused on improving the way companies recruit, attract and retain talent. Pivotal to our program is the creation of an ecosystem that gives our clients expanded access to a range of solutions, while providing our partners' clients special access to our Connect product. Its been wildly successful so far and were planning an additional 250% growth next year, says Jason Putnam, SVP of Sales and Business Development. BountyJobs plans to capitalize on its momentum with additional investments over the next 18 months. Next up, the company will be launching a product that will provide flexible sourcing solutions to recruitment agencies as they respond to increasing demand from employers in this tight job market. The company will also continue its international expansion as it moves into APAC and Latin America. Finally, the company will be investing in a solution for temporary hires, a move that will solidify BountyJobs as the technology solution for management of all third-party assisted recruiting. About BountyJobs Sometimes sourcing talent for business-critical positions requires a little help. Our web-based platform features a marketplace of over 10,000 highly-qualified agencies and a performance-based matching algorithm that helps hiring teams of all sizes find and engage the recruiters for each of their roles. All this inside our simple yet effective platform designed to keep you in control of the entire recruitment process. Help makes hiring happier. Learn more at http://www.bountyjobs.com. Greenberg Traurig LLPs Boston Intellectual Property (IP) Group congratulates four of its clients Cruzar Medsystems, Inc., Kaleidoscope, Platelet BioGenesis, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute for being honored with the 2018 Boston Patent Law Association (BPLA) Invented Here! award for their patented innovations. Their innovations are among only 12 patents that were selected from numerous nominations. The Greenberg Traurig clients selected for the following patents are: Catheter with vessel lining and methods for using same, (U.S. Patent No. 9,795,408) assigned to Cruzar Medsystems, Inc.; represented by Chinh H. Pham Reversible vascular filter devices and methods for using same, (U.S. Patent No. 9,456,888) assigned to Kaleidoscope LLC; represented by Chinh H. Pham System and method for a biomimetic fluid processing, (U.S. Patent No. 9,795,965) assigned to Brigham and Womens Hospital and licensed by Platelet BioGenesis, Inc.; represented by Roman Fayerberg Variable Stiffness Devices and Methods of Use, (U.S. Patent No. 10,028,855) assigned to Worcester Polytechnic Institute; represented by Roman Fayerberg Honorees were recognized as representatives of the innovation community at an awards reception, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, at The Exchange Conference Center in the Seaport (Innovation) District. In addition, Cruzar Medsystems was named one of the 2018 top four honorees, and Cruzar CEO Mike Glennon was invited to speak. Joshua Phillips, Managing Partner of Catalyst Health Ventures and one of Cruzars investors, attended the reception and was interviewed by the BPLA. According to its website, the Invented Here! award celebrates local and regional New England innovation communities by honoring selected innovators, their inventions, and the stories behind them. The BPLAs Invented Here! program aims to present breakthrough technologies from New England that will shape the way people interact with each other and with the world around them, fulfill important individual and/or social needs in novel ways, and ensure a more sustainable future for our environment. About Greenberg Traurigs Intellectual Property & Technology Practice: With more than 180 intellectual property attorneys and agents in the United States, Asia, and Europe, Greenberg Traurig provides a broad range of patent, trademark and copyright protection and strategic counseling. Greenberg Traurig was named a National Tier 1 Law Firm for IP Litigation, Patent Law, Trademark and Information Technology Law by U.S. News and Best Lawyers, 2017 Best Law Firms Rankings. About Greenberg Traurigs Boston Office: Established in 1999, Greenberg Traurigs Boston office is home to over 70 attorneys practicing in the areas of bankruptcy, corporate, emerging technology, energy, gaming, governmental affairs, intellectual property, labor and employment, life sciences and medical technology, litigation, public finance, and real estate. An important contributor to the firm's international platform, the Boston office includes a team of nationally recognized attorneys with both public and private sector experience. The team offers clients the value of decades of legal experience and hands-on knowledge of the local business community, supported by the firm's vast network of global resources. About Greenberg Traurig Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2017, and is among the Top 20 on the 2018 Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com; Twitter: @GT_Law. Best Sanitizers, Inc. The products and guidance we provide almond processors is making a big difference in their ability to reduce cross-contamination in their facilities. Best Sanitizers, Inc. will be on hand at this years Almond Show (December 4 6 at the Sacramento Convention Center) to meet with food processors and share information on how to effectively reduce the risk of cross-contamination in an almond processing facility. The Almond Show will host over 3,900 almond growers, processors, suppliers and industry experts. Best Sanitizers is inviting manufacturers to booth #1002 to learn more about techniques and products designed to help reduce pathogens in their manufacturing environments. Best Sanitizers will be presenting their line of Alpet hand and surface hygiene products, including the new Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer. This new, fast-acting surface sanitizer will be of great interest to almond processors looking for a surface sanitizer without quaternary ammonium. The 70% alcohol formula is highly evaporative, has a 10 second kill time for non-food contact surfaces, and a 60 second kill time for food contact surfaces. In addition to hand and surface hygiene products, attendees can learn more about Best Sanitizers footwear cleaning and sanitizing systems, namely the BSX Boot Scrubber series and the HACCP SmartStep and HACCP Defender Footwear Sanitizing Systems. These systems provide a new and effective approach to footwear hygiene and offer almond processors another valuable tool in the fight against cross-contamination in their facilities. The products and guidance we provide almond processors is making a big difference in their ability to reduce cross-contamination in their facilities added Ryan Witt, Best Sanitizers Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Best Sanitizers, Inc. carries a wide variety of products designed to help food processing and food service companies reduce cross-contamination including, sanitizing hand soaps, hand sanitizer sprays and foams, surface sanitizers, industrial cleaners, boot scrubber units and footwear sanitizing systems. Best Sanitizers also carries the largest selection of dispensing options in the industry. Cant make the show? Visit: http://www.bestsanitizers.com for complete product information and video demonstrations. About Best Sanitizers, Inc: Since 1995, Best Sanitizers, Inc. has been providing the Food Processing industry with the highest quality hand soaps, hand sanitizers, industrial cleaners, and surface sanitizers available. In addition, Best Sanitizers offers cleaning and sanitizing equipment designed specifically for the food processing industry, including boot scrubbers, footwear sanitizing units, doorway foamers, drain foaming accessories, stainless steel racks, and proportioning and dispensing equipment. These products are used in over 9,000 U.S. food processing facilities. Best Sanitizers was the first company to achieve an E3 rating for an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, the first to achieve a D2 rating for an alcohol/quat-based surface sanitizer, and continues to explore new and innovative ways to deliver hand hygiene and surface sanitation solutions. culture + friendship promo Multiculti Corner events gather together people of all races, cultures, creeds, skin tones, abilities and genders. Multiculti Corner presents Culture + Friendship Fashion Show & Charity Event this coming Saturday, December 1st from 12-3 pm at The Riveter Marina Del Rey. Join us for a family-friendly day of culture, friendship, community, fashion, charity, and celebration! There will be music, arts & crafts, red carpet, photo booth, demos, giveaways, and a fashion show. Multiculti Corner events gather together people of all races, cultures, creeds, skin tones, abilities and genders. Our intention is to recognize, embrace, inspire and celebrate one another. The key event organizers to bring Culture + Friendship to life, were two very driven, dedicated and passionate mompreneurs. Delia Douglas, owner of DDHPR; and Sonia Smith-Kang, owner of Mixed Up Clothing together created Multiculti Corner, a diverse community of people and Multicultural families hosts social, educational, and celebratory events. Panel Discussion- This event will draw attendees from all over Los Angeles, for a panel discussion on how and when to begin speaking with children about culture and friendship. Event attendees will be provided with conversation starters, helpful information, and educational resources to empower attendees and the children in their lives to talk about family heritage. Hair Demonstration- Wendi Levy and Kim Etheredge Founders of Mixed Chicks Hair Products will be on-site doing a live demonstration and tutorial with Mixed Chicks Hair Products. Tune in for styling tips, product suggestions and seasonal must-haves. Fashion Show- The Culture + Friendship fashion show will feature toddlers to teens walking the runway adorned in collections from Pia Gladys Perey, Uniquely Wired M, and Mixed Up Clothing. Charity Element - The Multicultural Heritage community is the second fastest growing community in the U.S.; interracial marriages are on the rise according to Pew Research Center, and 40% of all adoptions in the U.S. are transracial. Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in the U.S In an effort to give back to this growing community and continue to bring awareness, proceeds of sponsorship donations will support Multiracial Americans of Southern California (MASC) a 501c3 serving, supporting and advocating for the multiracial and transracially adopted community for over 25 years. Additionally, a year after Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico is still feeling the effects and in need of assistance. Culture + Friendship sponsors and attendees are doing what we can to help; toys and donations will be collected to benefit the embattled U.S. territory. Kids Embrace will be donating 100 car seats to families in need on la isla del encanto. What: Culture + Friendship Fashion Show & Charity Event When: Saturday, December 1st, 2018 12-3 PM Where: The Riveter 4505 Glencoe Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 RSVP:: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/culture-friendship-festival-tickets-52511045952?aff=ebdssbdestsearch Special thanks to our event sponsors, FORD Motor Company, Kid Fash Magazine, Joy Mode, Mixed Up Clothing, DDHPR, Kids Embrace, Pia Gladys Perey, Uniquely Wired M, Evvemi, Mixed Chicks Hair Products, and Bobby Brown Foods. Sponsorship opportunities or if you would like to cover this event please contact: Delia Douglas delia(at)ddhpr.com District Administration magazine is honoring 18 schools and districts for education technology initiatives as part of the Schools of TechXcellence program. This is the second year of this national recognition program. TechXcellence was created by District Administration magazine, and sponsored by HP and Intel, to recognize schools that have implemented innovative, effective and replicable technology programs that contribute meaningfully to student or operational success. The December 2018 honorees were selected by the programs judges from numerous nominations, and reflect programs that demonstrate effective and replicable success. The 18 schools and districts honored in this round of TechXcellencefrom 11 stateshave programs that incorporate technology powered by Intel, including laptops, tablets and 3D printers. For example, at Lake Mary High School in Florida, students receive hands-on training and learn high-tech skills as they prepare for advanced manufacturing careers with local partners such as NASA. In The Tech Lab at Cedar Point Elementary School in Bristow, Virginia, students brainstorm, collaborate and create solutions to real-world engineering problems. And at Raymond Temple Elementary School in Buena Park, California, students develop critical thinking skills and a capacity for innovation through lessons that include augmented and virtual reality. Students are excited to use the latest devices and apps as part of their education, which is fueled by the vision and drive of teachers, principals and district leaders, says JD Solomon, editorial director at District Administration magazine. We hope our readers are inspired by the integration of technology demonstrated by these honorees to launch similar initiatives in their own schools. To view a full list of honorees, visit http://www.districtadministration.com/techx. About District Administration District Administration provides K12 leaders with critical news and information for school district management, through its monthly magazine, website, e-newsletters and the District Administration Leadership Institute Superintendent Summits. For more information, visit http://www.districtadministration.com. The results are in! For the 15th consecutive year, Global Traveler conducted its GT Tested Reader Survey, asking frequent business and luxury travelers to name the best in a variety of travel-related categories. More than 22,000 people responded. Global Travelers inaugural awards were celebrated in 2004. The survey honors airlines, hotels, loyalty programs and travel-related products in more than 80 categories. GTs distinguished readers vote for their favorites in the world of travel in an open-ended survey running in the magazine and online from January to August each year. The results of the survey are announced in the December 2018 issue, available now. GT readers are frequent premium travelers averaging 9 international and 11 domestic round-trip flights a year, with an average household income of $312,000 per year. Global Travelers elite readers spend an average 60 nights per year in hotels, mostly 4- and 5-star properties. A whopping 72 percent regularly travel in first and business class. Its an amazing accomplishment to celebrate the 15th year of our annual survey, and its an honor to have work alongside my team and the winning companies for 15 years, said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, Global Traveler. This year were awarding another elite group of the travel industrys exceptional providers. The awards are also a testament to our readers, who have not only made GT their preferred travel companion, but who also vote yearly in the survey. This well-traveled, savvy group truly knows the stand-out stars of the industry, and it is our honor to celebrate them once again. Congratulations! This year's winners will be feted at a cocktail reception Dec. 12, at The Peninsula Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, California. For more information, check out the December 2018 issue of Global Traveler or visit our website at globaltravelerusa.com. A complete recap of the nights festivities will be featured in the March 2019 issue. A complete list of winners is as follows: Best Overall Airline in the World Singapore Airlines Fourth Consecutive Year Best Airline Alliance oneworld Ninth Consecutive Year Best Aircraft Type Airbus A380 Best Airline Website AA.com Second Consecutive Year Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific American Airlines Second Consecutive Year Best Airline for International First Class Korean Air Best Airline for Business Class Turkish Airlines Second Consecutive Year Best Airline for Domestic First Class American Airlines Third Consecutive Year Best Airline for Onboard Service Asiana Airlines 15th Consecutive Year Best Airline for Flight Attendants Asiana Airlines 15th Consecutive Year Best Airline Cuisine Alitalia Ninth Consecutive Year Best Flight Attendant Uniforms Hong Kong Airlines Best Airline for Security EL AL Israel Airlines 12th Consecutive Year Best Business-Class Seat Design Alitalia Best First-Class Seat Design Air France Best Airline for New Service Launch Hong Kong Airlines (SFOHKG) Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers Turkish Airlines Corporate Club Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program United Airlines MileagePlus 15th Consecutive Year Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program United MileagePlus Sixth Consecutive Year Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption Air Canada Aeroplan Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service American Airlines AAdvantage Best Airline in North America American Airlines Best Airline to South America LATAM Airlines Group Fifth Consecutive Year Best Airline in Mexico Aeromexico Ninth Consecutive Year Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand Qantas Airways Best Airline in the South Pacific Air Tahiti Nui Best Airline in Europe TAP Air Portugal Eighth Consecutive Year Best Airline in Eastern Europe LOT Polish Airlines Second Consecutive Year Best Airline in Africa South African Airways 15th Consecutive Year Best Airline in the Middle East Emirates Best Airline in North Asia EVA Air Best Airline in China Hainan Airlines Sixth Consecutive Year Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India Air India Fifth Consecutive Year Best Airline to Japan Japan Airlines Second Consecutive Year Best Trans-Atlantic Airline Brussels Airlines Best Trans-Pacific Airline Japan Airlines Second Consecutive Year Best Overall Airport in the World Singapore Changi Airport Third Consecutive Year Best Airport in North America Chicago OHare International Airport 15th Consecutive Year Best Airport in Asia Incheon International Airport Second Consecutive Year Best Airport in Africa Addis Ababa Bole International Airport Best Airport in Europe Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Best Airport in the Middle East Hamad International Airport Second Consecutive Year Best Airport in South America El Dorado International Airport, Bogota Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents Turkish Airlines Second Consecutive Year Best Airport Dining Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Fifth Consecutive Year Best Airport Shopping Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Second Consecutive Year Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World Dubai Duty Free 12th Consecutive Year Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia Singapore Changi Airport Second Consecutive Year Best Duty-Free Shopping in Africa Addis Ababa Bole International Airport Best Duty-Free Shopping in Europe Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Second Consecutive Year Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Middle East Dubai Duty Free Second Consecutive Year Best International Hotel Chain The Ritz-Carlton Fourth Consecutive Year Best Domestic Hotel Chain The Ritz-Carlton Fourth Consecutive Year Best Lifestyle Hotel Aloft Hotels Best MICE Hotel Lotte Hotel Seoul Fourth Consecutive Year Best Hotel Club Floor Grand Hyatt Grand Club Best Hotel Website peninsula.com Best New Luxury Hotel in Asia Le Meridien Seoul Best Luxury Hotel in Asia SIGNIEL Seoul Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World InterContinental Hotels Group IHG Rewards Club 14th Consecutive Year Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program Marriott Rewards/Starwood Preferred Guest Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption Hilton Honors Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service Marriott Rewards/Starwood Preferred Guest Best Hotel in the United States The Peninsula Beverly Hills Eighth Consecutive Year Best Hotel in Asia Mandarin Oriental, Taipei Second Consecutive Year Best Hotel in South Korea Lotte Hotel Seoul Seventh Consecutive Year Best Hotel in Europe Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Venice Best Hotel in the Middle East Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Second Consecutive Year Best European Hotel Chain St. Regis Third Consecutive Year Best Hotel Chain in Asia Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts Best Hotel Chain in Latin America InterContinental Hotels and Resorts Second Consecutive Year Best Hotel Chain in Mexico Fiesta Americana Eighth Consecutive Year Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East Jumeirah International Best Overseas Delivery Program Volvo Third Consecutive Year Best Rental Car Company Hertz Fifth Consecutive Year Best Tourism Destination Kenya Best MICE City Seoul Fourth Consecutive Year Best WiFi Service Boingo Wireless Eighth Consecutive Year Best Noise-Cancelling Headset Sony Digital Noise-Cancelling Headphone MDR1000XM2 Wireless Best Luggage Brand Briggs & Riley Ninth Consecutive Year Best Ride Share Lyft Best Hotel App Hotel Tonight Best Airline App American Airlines Best Overall Credit Card United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase Seventh Consecutive Year Best Credit Card Rewards Programs United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase Seventh Consecutive Year Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase Seventh Consecutive Year Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions Hilton Honors Card from American Express Third Consecutive Year Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase Second Consecutive Year Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions IHG Rewards Club Select Visa Card Best Credit Card Special Events Inside Access From Chase Third Consecutive Year Best Small Business Credit Card Chase Ink Cash Business Preferred Credit Card Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America Seventh Consecutive Year Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World EliteTM Mastercard Fifth Consecutive Year Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World EliteTM Mastercard Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions United Explorer Card from Chase Sixth Consecutive Year Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays Global Traveler will also recognize the following Wines on the Wing award winners at the reception: Delta Air Lines (Best International Business-Class Wines on the Wing); All Nippon Airways (Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing and Best Champagne International First Class); American Airlines (Best Champagne International Business Class, Best Red Wine International First Class, Best North American Wines on the Wing, Best North American Red Wine and Best North American White Wine); Aeroflot (Best White Wine International First Class); United Airlines (Best Red Wine International Business Class); JetBlue (Best North American Sparkling Wine); and oneworld (Best Alliance Wines on the Wing). The results of the Wines on the Wing airline wine survey were announced in the August 2018 issue. About the Survey Global Traveler conducted an open-ended survey of its readers to determine the best in more than 80 travel-related categories. The survey was conducted from Jan. 1Sept. 30, 2018. Questionnaires were available in subscriber copies of the magazine, online at globaltravelerusa.com/gt-tested-awards-ballot and through direct mail and email. Only questionnaires with more than 50 percent of the questions answered were considered. An outside accounting firm, Citrin Cooperman LLP, tabulated the results. Employees of the magazine and members of the travel industry were barred from participation. About Global Traveler With a readership of 550,000 monthly, Global Traveler connects with U.S.-based frequent, affluent, international travelers. According to MediaMark Research (MRI), GT readers have an average net worth of $2 million and 50 percent are CEOs and owners of companies. Our readers average nine domestic flights per year and 93 percent travel internationally on a regular basis, mostly in first and business class. More than 55 percent stay in 4- and 5-star hotels, at an average 60 nights per year. Four special editions Leisure Lifestyle Edition, Global City Guidebook, Class Act Guide and The Trazee Book complement 12 monthly issues. Each year, Global Traveler awards the GT Tested Reader Survey awards, the Leisure Lifestyle Awards and the Wines on the Wing awards. About FXEXpress Publications, Inc. FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, China Global Traveler, eFlyer USA, eFlyer Asia, Trazee Travel and several annuals; and also operating globaltravelerusa.com, globaltravelerusa.com/blog, china-globaltraveler.com and trazeetravel.com. Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLPs Nanette Aguirre and Peter Tsirigotis will be speaking at the Florida Alternative Investment Associations (FLAIA) 8th Annual Conference: A Global Macro Perspective forum on Dec. 4, 2018 at the firms Miami office. The forum aims to aid in the establishment of Florida as a leading market for alternative investments primarily with respect to international and cross border transactions. The event is further geared towards connecting asset managers, investors and regulators. Aguirre, a corporate shareholder in the firms New York office, is a member of FLAIAs Board of Directors, and will be moderating the forums panel on Emerging and Minority Manager Industry Updates, in addition to hosting the event. With more than 15 years of experience on Wall Street and as outside counsel, she is experienced in negotiating all forms of derivative, structured products, repurchase, and related trading vehicles (including fintech), and prime brokerage agreements with global market participants. She also counsels her clients on related cross border regulation, including the Dodd Frank Act. Aguirre represents clients throughout the United States, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, and works closely with hedge funds, private equity funds, family offices, pension plans, and financial institutions. She is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey. Aguirre additionally dedicates much of her time to assisting emerging managers. Tsirigotis, a corporate shareholder in the firms Washington, D.C. and New York offices, with more than 15 years of experience, advises financial institutions, asset managers, investment advisers, and institutional investors, helping them to develop and maintain financial products while navigating the regulatory landscape. Tsirigotis has served in several senior-level legal, compliance, operations, and risk roles in the financial services industry, including as regulator, inside counsel, outside counsel, chief compliance officer, and chief operating officer. He is admitted to practice in New York, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2017, and is among the Top 20 on the 2018 Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law. As an experienced attorney, director and successful sales executive with a rich knowledge of the legal environment, we are excited to welcome Richard to the TERIS team TERIS, a leading national eDiscovery provider, welcomes Richard Brosemer, Esq. as Sr. Discovery Consultant. Operating out of Saint Louis, the addition of Brosemer further establishes TERIS national footprint and commitment to providing unparalleled professional services. Brosemer joins TERIS at the forefront of modern litigation, with his experience as both a practiced attorney and a Legal Director, he is a welcome addition to the Discovery team. In modern litigation, corporations and legal firms need a technological advantage to manage, maneuver and extract data from large volumes of all types of documents, both electronically stored information (ESI) and paper-based materials. TERIS' eDiscovery best practices and technologies level the playing field between these two mediums, allowing you to assess cases quickly and accurately, saving time and money. TERIS Principal, Richard Saldivar, said, As an experienced attorney, director and successful sales executive with a rich knowledge of the legal environment, we are excited to welcome Richard to the TERIS team. About TERIS: TERIS, a forward thinking leader in digital forensics, eDiscovery, information governance, cyber security and litigation support. TERIS provides a streamlined suite of services which increase efficiency and lower expenditures during the litigation process. TERIS serves corporate and legal clients within the U.S. and internationally. ESI Discovery | Legal Technology | Litigation Support | Electronic Discovery | eDiscovery | Legal Discovery | Information Governance | Relativity | Information Management http://www.TERIS.com Related Links https://twitter.com/DiscoverTeris https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverTERIS/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/teris-llc/ Lantos Foundation Logo The Lantos Foundation was established to continue Tom Lantos' proud legacy as an ardent champion for human rights by carrying, in his words, "the noble banner of human rights to every corner of the world." MEDIA ADVISORY FOR DECEMBER 5, 2018 ATTN: NEWS/ASSIGNMENT/PHOTO EDITORS WHAT: The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justices 10th Anniversary Gala celebration, an evening honoring the human rights legacy of Congressman Tom Lantos and those who continue the fight. WHO: Vice President Joe Biden, Inaugural Recipient of the Decennial Lantos Legacy Award. Joshua Wong, Hong Kong democratic activist who was sentenced to prison as the leader of the mass democracy protests known as the Umbrella Movement, a 79-day occupation of the city demanding freer elections and greater political autonomy. (Nathan Law, Hong Kongs youngest lawmaker, who was removed from office and imprisoned and Agnes Chow, who was barred from office for her activism will jointly accept the award for Joshua, whose passport is being held by the government to prevent him from traveling abroad.) Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation, Former Chair and Vice Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Rebiya Kadeer, imprisoned for six years in China for her activism on behalf of the Uyghurs of JinXiang Province. She spent two of those years in solitary confinement, and now lives in exile in Washington, DC. Chen Guangcheng, A Chinese dissident, blind since childhood, imprisoned in 2005 for exposing forced sterilization of women under Chinas one-child policy. In 2012, he escaped from house arrest and was granted asylum in the United States. Vladimir Kara-Murza, A Russian opposition activist engaged in promoting civil society and democracy in Russia. For the second time, after becoming suddenly ill at a meeting in Moscow, Kara-Murza was diagnosed by the hospital with toxic influence of an unknown substance. More than 30 other dissidents and political prisoners from around the world will be in attendance. WHEN: Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 7:00 pm WHERE: The Willard Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004 The Lantos Foundation was established in 2008 to further the legacy of Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor ever to serve in Congress. In addition to his service as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Founder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Tom Lantos will be long remembered for his profound moral convictions and his deep commitment to human rights. His fervent belief was that the U.S.s steadfast devotion to those values of decency, dignity, and freedom that make us both the strongest and the most hopeful nation on the face of the earth. Tom believed this with every fiber of his being, and through the work of the Foundation we can, in Tom's words, carry "the noble banner of human rights to every corner of the world." We focus our work on four pillars that represent the major themes of Toms work: Religious Freedom, Rule of Law, Global Citizenship and the Lantos Legacy. If you are new to iQ you can schedule a demo and learn more about this opportunity. PSFK iQ - Where Innovators Turn for Research. Our professional-grade research platform is designed specifically for Retail and CX leaders who want to know whats next. Whether youre staying current on trends or need a real-time research partner to help you get ahead, count on PSFK iQ to deliver the info you need to make your next move. In Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline (Crown, Feb.), Ibbitson and Darrell Bricker predict an unexpected crisis of underpopulation on the horizon. The UN forecasts that the worlds population will grow to 11.2 billion by 2100, up from 7.6 billion now. But you disagree. Why? We talked to demographers who think global population will top out between eight and nine billion people around the middle of the century, then go down. We could be back to seven billion by the end of this century, which will not be dominated by population growth, as many think, but by population decline. Whats the evidence for that? In the developed world, almost two dozen countries are losing population. Developing countries are headed that way. Chinas fertility rate is well below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman. Brazil has gone below replacement rate; India and Mexico are reaching it. Africa is the last region on Earth with high fertility, and even there fertility declines are acceleratingfaster, according to many demographers, than the UN is accounting for. Whats causing birth rates to plummet? More than anything else, urbanization. Once people move from the farm into the city, children stop being an asset, hands to work the field, and start being a liability, just another mouth to feed. With urbanization comes improved education for women. When women get education and autonomy, they stop having so many babies. We interviewed women at a dinner party in Belgium, a university in Seoul, a favela in Sao Paulo, a slum in Delhi. We discovered an amazing commonality: women want control over their futures, and that involves having fewer children than their parents did. So we probably wont be eating soylent green. What else is good, and bad, about the population bust? Its nothing but good environmentally. It will mitigate global warming and help the oceans recover. Economically, theres nothing but bad. First, you have fewer young people paying taxes to sustain old people. Second, economies are driven by consumption by growing families. With fewer young people and smaller families, the drop in consumption will be a challenge to economic growth. Is there anything to be done about population decline? You can encourage people to have more kids with child-support programs, parental leave, and daycare, but those are expensive and have only marginal impacts. The alternative is immigration. This is a huge advantage for countries that are already immigrant-based, like the United States and Canada; they can replace the babies that arent born with immigrants. Love, Italy, and alternative-history fiction that travels down a what-if path to approach a truth: these have long been preoccupations of Christopher Castellani. His first three novels, the Maddalena trilogy (A Kiss from Maddalena, The Saint of Lost Things, and All This Talk of Love), were published by Algonquin over a 10-year period beginning in 2003 and form a semi-autobiographical family memoir. Castellani says the alt elements took root because he wanted to give his parents access to the people and things theyd felt the most regret about. For his mother, Castellani wrote in the boyfriend she always wished shed had before marrying at 19 and immigrating to the United States from Italy; for his father, the restaurant his wife wouldnt let him open. Those same three preoccupations dominate Castellanis new novel, Leading Men (Viking, Feb.)although the love featured is a more tempestuous form whose bearers throw plenty of recriminations and grenades at each other (think Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof). The novel is based on the 15-year on-off relationship between playwright Tennessee Williams and former truck driver Frank Merlo, which ended with Merlos death from lung cancer in 1963. Though Williams continued to write plays afterward, he didnt write another Broadway hit. The novel, Castellani says, had been gestating since 1997, when he read Dotson Raders memoir, Tennessee Williams: Cry of the Heart, which he found at a used bookstore in Wilmington, Del. Castellani observes in a note to the reader that, as a gay Italian, he felt an instant kinship with Merlo, a working-class gay Italian guy from New Jersey. Merlo gave Williams the stability he needed to create some of his best-known plays, including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Camino Real, and Sweet Bird of Youth. I wanted to honor the role that Merlo played in all of Williamss best workto give him the depth and complexity of a main character in a drama, Castellani says. In the novel, he even writes in a part for Merlo in a Visconti film. None of that ever happened, Castellani acknowledges. But it was a metaphor for his ambition and how he was struggling to find a place in Williamss world. In many respects, Merlo was more than just a lover; he was the muse for The Rose Tattoo, which was dedicated to himand arguably the muse for other Williams plays, as well. Castellani prefers to talk about the alchemy the two men had together, although he admits that it is not quite that either. He notes, Williams wrote in his memoirs that Frank kept him tied down to Earth, not only because he was the one booking all his trips, organizing his pills, and ironing all his shirts but because he was the rational one. Williams was the neurotic. Frank was always the one talking him down and telling him that he didnt have the latest disease. Williams was a hypochondriac. Ballast is another way to think of it. Williams needed that foundation to write his plays. Without Frank, he frequently went adrift. Castellani first wrote about Williams and Merlo in 1999, in a short story from his grad school days at Boston University, where he received an MFA in creative writing. (He also holds an MA in English literature from Tufts.) But the story didnt work. At first, I thought I just needed to make it a better short story, Castellani says. And then, I thought, This is bigger; it needs to be a novella. Not one to waste words, Castellani ended up repurposing the piece as a two-part play titled Call It Joy, which appears in its entirety in Leading Men. He wrote the play in Williamss voice; its just one of several pieces of literary derring-do, or alt fiction, in this portrait of artists and the leading men in their lives who served as muses for Williams. The bulk of the novel is told from Merlos point of view. He is in a hospital in Manhattan, dying, at a time when Williams avoided visiting him. At the suggestion of the other patients on the ward, Merlo tries to recall the best moments in his life with Williams. Castellani says one of his inspirations was the idea of what it would be like to wait on his deathbed for the love of his life to visit him one last time. The novel concludes with Merlos real last words, which he said to Williams when he finally came to the hospital: Im used to you. To the very end, Castellani notes, Merlo wanted to keep Williams guessing. Castellanis gambit of writing in Williamss voice seems to have workedas evidenced by the fact that this is shaping up to be the 46-year-old author and teachers biggest book to date. He was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2014 to help him finish it. Three years later, Paul Slovak, executive editor at Viking, bought Leading Men with a six-figure preempt from agent Janet Silver with Aevitas Creative Management; it has an announced first printing of 50,000 copies. This fall, Castellani, who is artistic director of creative writing center Grub Street and a teacher at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina, visited two fall regional trade shows: NEIBA and NCIBA. At publication, he will return to the West Coast and visit other parts of the country on tour. Part of the reason that Leading Men is on track to be Castellanis breakout book is the way he uses alternative history fiction to get at the emotional and psychological truth of his characters, and the way he uses it to restore Merlo to his rightful place in Williamss life and work. Castellani writes under the principle that, though not everything in the book is true, it is all possible. A missing week in 1953 in Williamss memoirs gave Castellani permission to use a party thrown in Portofino, Italy, by Truman Capote to explore Merlo and Williamss relationship. Castellani places fictional Swedish actress Anja Bloom (nee Blomgren) at the party to be a confidant of Merlo and, later in the book, to bring the story into the 21st century. The author imagines Anjas mother to be at the party as well; an epigraph to a Capote letter refers to a Swedish mother and daughter who shared a fisherman between them. The mother has one more appearance with her daughter, in a weird and terrifying scene with cannibalistic gypsy boys who attack them. Castellani calls it a fun house mirror version, with the genders switched, of Williamss Gothic one-act Suddenly Last Summer, which was turned into a screenplay by Gore Vidal. Castellani says that deciding who got to tell the story was difficult. Ultimately, I chose to make Frank and Anja the only two point-of-view characters, he notes. The book belongs to the both of themtheir friendship, their respective muselike rolesthough Frank is at the heart of both story lines. He ended up working through how to tell the story by writing The Art of Perspective, which was published in Graywolfs Art Of series. Castellani makes a point of writing every morning. If you write 300500 words a day, they add up, he says. A lot of writers tell me that theyve been so distracted since Trump got elected, but Ive had the opposite experience. Writing this book was a refuge from the nightmare around me. I wanted to be in 1953 Italy; I wanted to be in Provincetown with Anja. Trump is already doing so much damage; Im not going to let him take away my artistic life, too. Castellani is already well into his next project, which he says is far from anything Ive ever done. He adds, Its based on a series of murders that have occurred around the U.S. over the last 20 years. Lets hope it doesnt take another two decades to come to fruition. As bookstagrammers and YouTube stars continue to gain popularity, publishers are increasingly turning to these online influencers to spread the word about their books. And at a November 14 PubTechConnect breakfast event, organized by Publishers Weekly and the NYUSPS Center for Publishing, a panel of experts shared their views on whats working and what isnt working when it comes to planning and executing influencer campaignsand perhaps most importantly, how to tell the difference. I think we all like to think about influencer campaigns as being free marketing and publicity, said Kristin Fassler, v-p, director of integrated marketing for Simon & Schusters Atria Publishing Group, who moderated the days program. But even if were not spending a lot of money on influencer outreach, it is a huge investment of an even more valuable resourceand thats time. It takes a lot of time to find and research these influencers, to cultivate them, and to build a relationship of trust so that you can deliver an effective pitch that will motivate them to go out there and spread good words about your book. Fassler explained that Atrias influencer campaigns tend to focus more on volumethat is, creating a lot of touch points for potential readerswhich helps create brand awareness and generate sales. But she also acknowledged that each book is different and that some books may benefit from targeted campaigns geared toward specific audiences. Given that it is still something of an emerging technique, its hard to say that every book needs an influencer campaign, said Leslie Prives, senior director of consumer engagement and analytics at Penguin Random House. She talked about the kinds of books that benefit most from PRHs influencer campaignsfor example, titles that have already reached those who get PRH email newsletters or follow PRH social media accounts but still need a boost, and, on the flip side, titles that need to reach an audience that doesnt interact with the publisher at all. Prives also spoke about reaching out to influencers on sites such as Goodreads ahead of publication, a practice she said not only helps build buzz for forthcoming titles but can offer insight into how best to market a book. There are books where we as publishers want to let the readers lead the message about how the book might be promoted, she noted. Suzanne Skyvara, v-p of communications for Goodreads, said publishers should be reaching out to Goodreads members, but judiciously. Publishers need to do their homework, and then reach out to Goodreads community members in a very personalized fashion, she addedeven if that means many hours spent sifting through the Goodreads shelves or parsing reviews. Its a lot of work, Skyvara noted, echoing Fasslers earlier observation. But remember, youre going in for the long-haul here. Youre going to build relationships over time with these people. And the key to success in any influencer campaign, she stressed, is trust and authenticity. Influencer marketing traces its roots to industries such as fashion, beauty, and luxury travel, where it is now a prime marketing tool. But books, the panelists suggested, are also a good fit for the approachespecially since people who read tend to be very passionate about books. Brittany Hennessy, author of Influencer: Building Your Personal Brand in the Age of Social Media and cofounder of Carbon, a tech firm that builds solutions for influencers, told attendees that, if the goal of a campaign is to capture direct sales, then it needs influencers with 10,000 or more followers on Instagram (the threshold for activating the platforms swipe-up purchasing function). But, she added, there are many influencers below that threshold who can create great content that publishers can then repurposewhich, I think, is something people always forget to use influencer marketing for, she said. Once an influencer makes that photo and lets you use it, you can now disseminate that photo. And influencer-created content works better than brand-created content, always, always, always. Hennessy urged publishers to look broadly at which influencers might work for them. I think something that every industry does wrong is that they only look for influencers who are in their industry, she said. Plenty of people read who never talk about reading. You really can reach out to anybody, as long as they like what youre talking about. And the thing about books, observed Karah Preiss, cofounder of Belletrist, an online community for readers created with actress Emma Roberts, is that reading has a positive image on social media. Theres a number of young girls starting their own bookstagram accounts because they want to show people that they are reading, Preiss said. We want to appeal to those girls. For Belletrist, that means cultivating a hip approach. We dont want to look like a Target ad, or TJ Maxx, Preiss noted. Ive always said, Lets be more Supreme for books than whatever is not Supreme for books. So far, so good, Preiss saidbooks and reading are taking off on Instagram. There is such enthusiasmespecially because, on social media, it is so hard to cut through the noise, and I think being a reader gives people something to say, she added. Its not just posting a selfie. Being a reader can really set you apart. And when publishers hit the wall in their organic influencer outreach efforts, there is always the option of paying for help. Every industry says they dont have a lot of budgetthats a common thread, said Adam Small, cofounder of digital marketing firm Southern Made. But, Small added, planning can make getting help more affordable. The panel agreed that influencer marketing has been positive for publishers, and Fassler said she expects it will continue to grow as publishers sharpen their focus and develop metrics for evaluating campaigns. We know there are lots of consumers hungry for a new read, and we also know that word of mouth is the most compelling driver of book sales, she noted. I think influencer campaigns bring those things together. Bem vinda, Portuguese for welcome, was the phrase used to greet more than 20,000 book professionals at the 32nd edition of the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL). The largest Spanish-language book fair in the world ran from November 24 to December 2 and is becoming more multilingual with each passing year. This years guest of honor was Portugal, which, along with an exciting array of authors, also brought scientists and artists, who held events to highlight the best of Portuguese culture and cuisine. Book professionals and participants from 47 countries filled the halls and presentation rooms. Some of the highlights included the participation of distinguished authors and the literary awards presented by the fair. The most prestigious award given by FIL, the FIL Literature Award, recognizes a lifetime dedicated to literature; this years award was presented to Uruguay native Ida Vitale, a poet, journalist, translator, and literary critic. The 26th edition of the literary prize Premio de Literatura Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, given to female fiction writers, was awarded to Clara Uson, from Spain, for her novel El asesino timido (The Timid Assassin). In her acceptance speech, Uson reaffirmed the right of women to write and to be recognized for their literary contributions; she also reminded the audience that most book buyers today are women and not men. Though there were relatively few U.S. exhibitors at FILHarperCollins, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster were all present selling English-language titlesthere was a growing number of Americans in the rights center. Were here for the first time, and we think that Latin America represents a great opportunity for our books, said Ines ter Horst, director of rights, contracts, and permissions for Princeton University Press. There was also a large contingent on hand looking to sell works by authors from Mexico and Latin America to the U.S. Elianna Kan recently joined Regal Hoffmann & Associates and is representing Spanish-language authors. Ive just sent out my first submissions to American publishers and am getting a very good response, she said. Curiosity about Spanish-language authors is on the rise. The success of English translations of books by Mexicos Valeria Luiselli and Colombias Juan Gabriel Vasquez have certainly helped bring more attention to the region. Latin-American authors and publishers are the great untapped resource of global literature, said literary scout Diana Hernandez, who lives in Barcelona. There is a large pool of superb books that are never seen by American publishers, and my job is to help address that problem. That said, the main action for U.S. companies at FIL came was acquiring Spanish books for the U.S. library market. Alex Correa, president and CEO of Lectorum Publications, noted that interest in Spanish-languages titles is extending well beyond the typical enclaves of Los Angeles and Miami. There are some 250 American librarians here from all over the U.S., he said. And they are here to buy Spanish-language books because their clients are demanding them. Steve Rosato, business development executive of OverDrive, which distributes e-books to libraries, confirmed the interest of libraries across the U.S. in offering Spanish-language titles and noted the interest of Latin-American publishers in working with OverDrive to have their titles distributed in the U.S. Ive been coming here for three years now, and it is getting easier, Rosato said. At first, when we spoke about the library market for Spanish-language e-books in the U.S., I would get a blank look. Now, its a relatively straightforward transaction. Today, Spanish-language publishers ask me the terms and we get right down to business. Plans for FIL 2019 are already underway, with the fair intending to host India as the guest of honoronce again demonstrating that FIL is no longer a Mexican book fair but is rather an international stage with Mexican flavors. On Thursday, NDC General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia announced that the form for the primaries will cost aspirants GHC20,000 while filing fee will cost them a whopping GHC400,000. ece-auto-gen He also announced that female flagbearer aspirants will pay GHc200,000, while persons with a disability who wish to contest the position are expected to pay GHc150,000. When he was pushed by the media to justify why aspirants must pay GHC420,000, he claimed that cost of living has gone up, falsely claiming the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) had charged presidential aspirants GHC500,000 when it was in opposition in 2014 and also said the party needs funds to organize its primaries. When he was reminded that the NDC is a social democratic party and that the cost of 420,000 on an aspirant was way too high and betrays the ideals of the party, he rationalized the figure. The cost of living is high but somebody must pay the cost of running the elections; who is going to pay? he said. Social democracy is not poverty I have not declared to be a presidential candidate so those who have declared to be presidential candidates must pay the cost. The cost of the presidential form and the filing fee raises two issues for me: one, to eliminate the other aspirants using money and two, to rig the election in favour of former President John Mahama. The ex-president is seeking to lead the party into the 2020 election after losing by a million votes to then-candidate Nana Akufo-Addo, becoming the first incumbent president in Ghana to lose a re-election bid. ece-auto-gen The NDC presidential race is being described as the rest of the candidates against former president John Mahama. So far, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party has shown ample evidence of bias against the other candidates. Not a single NEC member of the party has shied away from declaring his or her support for Mr Mahama. This raises the issue of open bias, considering the fact that the NEC members will be in charge of the electoral processes. It comes as no surprise to me when the NEC met and decided to peg the filing fee at GHC400,000 so as to eliminate aspirants without financial clout. While the campaign team of Mr Mahama have said they will rely on the partys grassroots to pay his filing fee, the 10 other aspirants have kicked against the amount. Dr Ekow Spio Garbrah in a broadcast interview Friday said he will meet with his campaign team to decide on the way forward, considering the cost involved. ece-auto-gen He told Asempa FM Friday that if the party is looking for a rich person to lead it, there are many millionaires who will pay to lead the party, echoing concerns that the party is being sold to the highest bidder. Mr Elikplim Agbemava in a post on Facebook said Setting the filing fee at 420,000 is just like opposing free SHS. If the grassroots cannot pay 420,000 and dream to become president then we are in servitude. He further described the fee of the peoples party as wrong in every sense, urging the rank and file of the party, Let us take our party back. The second deputy speaker of parliament Alban Bagbin told Accra-based Class FM that the fee gives weight to the create, loot and share allegation against the NDC. Any of us could try to mobilize that money because definitely, you can get in touch with people who have money to pay off, but I can tell you that is a wrong thing to do. That is the beginning of corruption that is just giving evidence to what people have been saying create, loot and share. I am not going to be part of that, I can assure you. Mr Bagbin said the decision taken by the party does not resonate with its own principles of social democracy. READ MORE: The world must act to stop people from needlessly dying from Hepatitis I am not going to be part of this kind of opulence and show of extravagance, I will not be part of it, no! he said. The posturing of the national executive committee of the party points to one conclusion: efforts are being made to rig the primaries in favour of former President John Mahama. The closure comes after the failure of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) to call off their over 21-day old strike over their market premium. They are also demanding book and research allowance on the same scale with their colleagues in other comparable institutions. The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Vincent Asafoah, has confirmed the closure of the colleges. According to him, CETAG is clearly not ready to come to a compromise so the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) has directed the principals of the Colleges of Education to release students to go home while negotiations continue." Last week, the Ministry of Education asked all principals of colleges of education not to validate salaries of tutors over their decision to declare an indefinite strike. Asefoah told Accra-based Starr FM that the Ministry of Education will stick to their decision as long as the teachers stay away from the classrooms. READ MORE: Pathetic state of Bolgatanga school where pupils sit on bare floor The strike action is illegal because there has been an engagement process with them. So it is almost unconscionable for us the education ministry, labour ministry and themselves to see them declare strike. A Minnesota man accused of faking his own death to collect a $2 million life insurance policy allegedly put his clothes and ID on a dead body before placing the corpse along a road in Moldova, a judge's detention order has revealed. In a hearing in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Igor Vorotinov, 54, was deemed a flight risk and his request to be released from jail ahead of his pending trial was denied. US Magistrate Judge Katherine M. Menendez said Vorotinov had showed "substantial resourcefulness and cunning" when he faked his own death in Eastern Europe seven years ago, according to the Star-Tribune. Vorotinov was arrested last month in Moldova and extradited to the United States, three years after being indicted on one count of mail fraud. He has since pleaded not guilty and is in jail awaiting the start of his trial on January 28. His ex-wife, Irina Vorotinov, and adult son, Alkon, have both been convicted for their roles in the plot and ordered to repay the money. Prosecutors allege that Vorotinov took out a life insurance policy in 2010 and named his then-wife as the primary beneficiary. The couple divorced later that year. In 2011, when a body was found along a roadside in the Moldovan village of Cojusna, Irina Vorotinov traveled to the country, identified the body as her husband, and had the corpse cremated. She then returned to the US with a death certificate and the cremated remains, and received the life insurance payment, The Associated Press reported. Prosecutors say the money was then transferred to the couple's son and into accounts in Switzerland and Moldova which were shared by the Vorotinovs. An investigation into Vorotinov was launched in 2013 after an FBI agent in Minnesota received a tip that his death may have been staged. Later that year, his son, Alkon Vorotinov, was stopped by Customs and Border Protection in Detroit when returning from a trip to Moldova. Investigators found photos of his father from that year on his computer, showing that he was still alive. The committee was on oversight function at the university. Recall that the lecturers, under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Nov. 5, embarked on what they described as a comprehensive, total and indefinite nationwide strike to drive home their demands. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecturers are protesting non-implementation of an agreement they entered into with the Federal Government. They are also demanding implementation of a Memorandum of Action (MoA) they also entered into with the Federal Government in 2017. The university teachers are equally seeking improved facilities in the university system as well as enhanced welfare. Barau said that members of the upper legislative chamber were displeased with the strike. According to him, what is needed at the moment is an approach that would ensure that ASUU and the Federal Government would reach a common ground fast. I must tell you that we are not happy with this strike because we cannot continue like this. I have personally sponsored a bill to see how the Federal Government and ASUU can reach a common ground concerning the demands of these lecturers. As the committee chairman, I have been trying to interface between ASUU and the Federal Government. ASUU on its part too should be considerate as the Federal Government may not have all it takes to meet most of its demands now, he said. The lawmaker said the senate was worried about the industrial unrest because it could get students distracted and engage in vices capable of compromising their future. An idle mind is the devils workshop, he said. On the various projects inspected at the institution, Barau lauded the university for the effective management of resources to impact positively on students, the universitys immediate environment and the nation at large. We have visited the construction sight of the new central library, the TETFund project, expanded renovated medical centre and the Entrepreneurship Development Centre, as well as some lecture theatres. I must say we are overwhelmed by what we have witnessed here today. Of note is the ongoing work embarked upon by the institution single-handedly at the health centre through its internally-generated revenue. We are made to understand that the university has earmarked about N200 million for the project alone. This is highly commendable. We are convinced that these projects will go a long way to impact not just on the students and staff of the university, but the entire country. We, therefore, seize this opportunity to call on other universities to take a cue from the institution in other to achieve a Nigeria of our dream, he said. Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, who was part of the delegation, praised the institution for developing skills of students through its entrepreneurship centre. Tinubu urged the need for students to take skill acquisition serious for poverty eradication and financial independennce. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said that the commendation by members of the committee would propel the university to do more. According to him, development projects in the university at the moment were a collective effort aimed at taking the institution to the next level. We are happy that the committee members are expressing delight at what is going on in the university but I must say that we have not started. By the grace of God, we shall do more soon. It is a challenge that we can do more; therefore, there is the need to work harder to take the university to greater heights, he said. According to many reports, the kids, Nadia and Khalifa Mutana, 6 and 3 years old respectively, were abducted on Monday, November 26, 2018, in Gbagada, Lagos. The nanny allegedly picked them at their school after close of learning but failed to return them to their parents. Punch News confirms that the family of the stolen children are not able to track Busayo for lack of sufficient information. ALSO READ: How parents can protect children from kidnappers At the PrimeRose School in Gbagada Phase II where the Mutana kids were reportedly abducted, a statement released by the institution seeks to notify the public that the incident is not a case of negligence. "Sequel to the incident involving two of our pupils, we write to inform you that it was not as a result of any form of negligence or breach of security on the part of the school. "It is simply a case of abduction in which parents do not have any background information about the supposed caregiver they employed. "We are in distress as a school because two of our precious jewels are involved and this is a hard blow to us. We implore all parents to join us as we pray for the safe return of these children," Punch quotes statement pasted on a wall in the learning center. Lagos State Police spokesperson CSP Chike Oti confirms the suspect Busayo to be 18 years old. According to the New Straits Times (NST), the convict was found guilty of pushing more than 700g of drugs into the country in May 2017. After examining arguments by both the defence and the prosecution, the court found that the defence failed to raise reasonable doubt and the accused is found guilty and sentenced to death, says Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah who gave the verdict on Friday, November 30, 2018. The convict is a part-time delivery man says a report by NST. Dike was reportedly charged with trafficking 727.1g of methamphetamine at 2.30pm on May 3, 2017. ALSO READ: Nigerian man resigns as labour councillor in UK over drugs supply charges As a result, he faced a charge under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which is punishable under Section 39B(2) of the same law. In a candid open letter, devoid of any names or book titles, American veteran author, Nora Roberts has shared her thoughts on this debacle with Nigerian-American authorTomi Adeyemi, rather candidly. This is all due to the tweet made by the Children of Blood and Bone author, on Tuesday, November 27, claiming that the veteran author lifted her book title. With pictures comparing Adeyemi's 25-week NY Times Bestseller 'Children of Blood and Bone' and Nora Roberts' upcoming sequel 'Of Blood and Bone', Adeyemi tweeted:"It would be nice if an artist could create something special without another artist trying to shamelessly profit off it." Some hours later, the author retracted her statement, saying that she now believes the titles were created in isolation. However, there was still a need for Roberts to clear the air, seeing as she was still being attacked and accused of plagiarism by an online mob. In the blog post, she called out the Nigerian-American author as unprofessional and lacking basis for the accusations. She also said she is "sickened by" and "disgusted" at the people who would feel free to say vicious things about her though they do not know her. Here is a short excerpt of the statement: "I dont believe, and have never believed in taking personal issues onto public forums. I dont believe, and have never believedwill never believein a writer attacking another writing on a public forum. Its unprofessional, its tacky and the results are, always, just always, ugly. Recently another writer used her social media forums to baselessly, recklessly accuse me of stealing the title of her bookwhich is bullshit right offto attempt to profit from this theft. She had no facts, just her emotions, and threw this out there for her followers. First, lets address the particular title which happens to be similar. I titled this particular book, wrote this book, turned this book into my publisher nearly a year before her booka first novelwas published. So unless I conquered the time/space continuum, my book was actually titled before hers. Regardless, you cant copyright a title. And titles, like broad ideas, just float around in the creative clouds. Its whats inside that counts. Its just a title. By accusing me, in public, of attempting to shamelessly profit off of her creativity, she incited her readers into attacking meon her feed, then on my pages, then on the internet in general. She did nothing to stop this. I have been accused of theft, of trying to use this first time writerwhose book has been well receivedfor my own profit. To ride her coattails as I have no originality. This after more than thirty years in the business, more than two hundred books. I was accused of plagiarismfor a titleof stealing her ideasthough I had never heard of her book before this firestorm, have never read her book. And trust me, I never will now." The main reason for her public address was, though Adeyemi had put out an apology, she has so far done nothing to put out the fires which she had "lit the match, foolishly". She wrote: "While this writer issued a kind of retraction after I reached out to her, it didnt stop some of her readers from calling me a liar, and worse. We reached out again, asking her to put out the fire. Weve had no response, not from her, not from her agent. Shame on them." Describing Fasehun as a historical figure and a foremost father of the countrys Fourth Republic democracy, Agbaje said his transition at this time in the countrys political history was personally painful to him. Agbaje extolled the virtues of Fasehun in a statement signed by his campaign spokesperson, Mr Felix Oboagwina on Saturday in Lagos. Not only was Baba an icon of Nigerias democratic struggle, but to me, he stood as a father figure with whom I enjoyed a personal relationship, Agbaje said. Himself a Pharmacist, Agbaje said that Fasehuns role as a medical doctor, Nigerias first acupuncturist and Founder of OPC marked him as a historical figure. We thank God for a life well spent. And we pray that God will grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. My family, my campaign team and I stand with OPC and the family at this moment, Agbaje said. Recalling the epoch role Fasehun played in the struggle for June 12 and the Fourth Republic, Agbaje described him as a stuff of which legends were made. Dr. Fasehun left his comfort zone as a wealthy medical doctor to join the proletariats, the commoners and pro-democratic groups on street demonstrations for the military to cede power to civilians. In this cause, he suffered all kinds of assaults and detentions from the oppressors, but he remained undeterred and unwavering, Agbaje said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 1) House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conceded that Congress cannot pass charter change under her watch. In a chance interview with reporters on Thursday, Arroyo said the proposed federal constitution which she herself penned is still "undergoing interpellation." "Of course, we know that there will still be many steps. But the thing is, we will bring it as far as we can bring it in the hope that the next Congress can continue the work," Arroyo said. She said the House will "be concentrating" on charter change in the coming week, 10 days before Christmas break. Arroyo first told CNN Philippines in an exclusive interview in August that charter change may not come through by 2019 when the 17th Congress ends session. READ: Arroyo concedes Cha-cha may not be approved by 2019 Senators said there is no more time to tackle charter change because of deliberations for the 2019 budget, which they target to pass before the year ends. Federalism was a campaign promise of President Rodrigo Duterte, with whom Arroyo is allied. After he called on the swift passage of charter change in his State of the Nation Address, the House of Representatives filed a resolution that supported a separate vote from the Senate on matter. This was among the contentious issues raised by the Senate. But even with such compromise, some senators said charter change is "good as dead," as they suspect Arroyo would use it to stay in power, a claim the former President denied. Last week, there was chaos in the state House of Assembly premises when the Governor, Udom Emmanuel tried to disrupt five All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers from allegedly impeaching him. According to reports, the lawmakers were sacked by the House of Assembly following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Governor blames police While speaking to newsmen during a press conference, Governor Emmanuel accused Kimo of working with the lawmakers. He also called for the redeployment of the commissioner from Akwa-Ibom state. Police deserve accolades According to Daily Post, the commissioner of police said that his men deserve to be praised. Kimo, in a statement signed by the Akwa-Ibom state police spokesman, DSP Odiko MacDon said that the police prevented the burning down of the House of Assembly. Consequent upon the tension in and around the state house of Assembly complex. the Akwaibom state police command took a proactive step by deploying personnel around the complex. This measure went a long way to prevent the assembly complex from being burnt and vandalized and ensured that no life was lost. On Tuesday 27th November, 2018, based on intelligence report of an impending further crisis, the command in order to forestall breakdown of law and order deployed personnel 500 metres away from the Assembly and screened all those wanting to enter the Assembly complex. The essence of this was to ensure that hoodlums do not enter the assembly whenever the house sits. The first to arrive the Assembly complex were five APC lawmakers as at this time the CP was in his office when he got a call inviting him to government house to see the governor. He quickly left his office to see the governor, but on arrival he was informed that the governor had left for the Assembly complex. He proceeded to the House of Assembly complex where he met with the governor, some commissioners and PDP lawmakers. The lawmakers later met and performed their legislative function after the restoration of normalcy within and around the Assembly complex by the Nigerian police," the statement added. Meanwhile, the Akwa-Ibom state chapter of the APC has denied reports that is plotting to impeach the state Governor. The chairman of the party in the state, Ime Okopido said it is a waste of time to impeach a Governor who only has three months left in office. Brig. Sani Kukasheka Usman, the Director, Army Public Relations, in a statement said that such publications aimed to misinform and mislead the people; aid the insurgents cause and scuttle the 2019 election. Kukasheka disclosed that some elements had continued to publicise inaccurate casualty figures despite the clarifications by the Army Headquarters on casualties recorded at Metele and other military locations in the northeast. The Nigerian Army has noted with great concern the deliberate and concerted efforts to mislead the public by some people through misinformation. Thus; create erroneous impression of the Nigerian Army through inaccurate and false publication of casualty figures on the unfortunate attacks on some of its locations in the northeast. The latest of this worrisome development was the attack on our troops location at Metele, Borno, in which some persons and media outlets continued to circulate various wrong accounts and inaccurate casualty figures of troops without efforts to verify from the military. This is coming on the heels of our release on November 28, 2018; which gave accurate details of the attacks and casualty figures in a bid to set the records straight and inform the public true account of things. We also promised to continuously carry the public along through accurate and timely information dissemination on operations and other activities of the Nigerian Army. However, it was observed that the trend continued unabated, most of these inaccurate, false reports and fake news was aimed at denigrating the leadership of the Nigerian Army. Regrettably, the rate at which some mischievous persons ignorantly attack the Armed Forces especially the Nigerian Army is very alarming and unfortunate. This is a deliberate attempt to demoralise the Nigerian Army which would have devastating consequences on troops will to discharge their constitutional duties especially in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, thus affecting national security. Kukasheka warned mischief makers to keep the Nigerian Army out of politics and mischief, and urged journalists to ensure accurate reportage as well as adhere to professional ethics. He noted that the feat achieved by the Nigerian Army in the counter insurgency campaign in the past three years was glaringly obvious, adding that recent temporary setbacks experienced in the course of the fight against insurgency should not be the yardstick for condemning its accomplishments. According to him, the Nigerian Army has identified those perpetrating the fake news on the Metele attack, adding the army would take appropriate legal actions against them. Kukasheka explained that the measure was necessary to ensure that the Nigerian Army is insulated from propaganda and ulterior motives of destabilising the country, stressing that the perpetrators were covertly supporting terrorists and their activities in Nigeria with a long term objective. We are also aware that they want to use insecurity to scuttle and subvert the democratic process in the country. Consequently, we would like to state unequivocally that no amount of mischief or pressure would circumvent the journey to a peaceful, free and fair general elections in Nigeria, he added. The director, therefore, sought for support and understanding of Nigerians to enable the army to deal with the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists hibernating at the borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republics. Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2019 election has departed Nigeria, according to . This comes days after Nigerias minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, cautioned US authorities against issuing Atiku a visa into the country. ece-auto-gen According to a family source, Atiku has left Nigeria for the United Kingdom, where he will spend some time before flying to the United States. ALSO READ: Atiku to kick off presidential campaign in Sokoto on Monday According to the report, Atikus recent success at the US Embassy is connected to the critical role former president Olusegun Obasanjo played in breaking the 13-year-old jinx. ece-auto-gen The former vice president had not travelled to America for over a decade fueling speculations of his possible arrest following his alleged bribery scandal involving a former US congressman, William Jefferson. Atiku was accused of demanding a bribe of $500,000 to facilitate the award of contracts to two American telecommunication firms in Nigeria. Some members of Nigerias ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political opponents had taunted Atiku over his inability to visit the US. Battle for 2019 Presidency While next year's election, scheduled for February 16, 2019, is expected to be keenly-contested between Atiku and President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), they both face competition from other candidates including Donald Duke of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Obiageli Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC). This information is contained in a statement issued by the Presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday. Adesina revealed that the event will hold between Dec. 2 and Dec. 4, 2018. The COP24 Summit, which will be held at the International Conference Centre (MCK) and the adjacent Spodek Arena in Katowice, is being convened under the Presidency of Poland. According to the organisers, the conference is expected to finalise the rules for implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change under the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP) the rule book for implementation. The presidential aide stated that, during the Leaders Summit at COP24, President Buhari would deliver a national statement highlighting Nigerias commitment to addressing climate change by implementing the goals set out in its National Determined Contributions. He said the president would also use the occasion to accentuate Nigerias willingness to work with international partners to reverse the negative effects of climate change in Africa and the world over. Adesina said the president would also highlight the need for developed nations to scale up their emission reduction activities in order to limit the increase in average global temperatures to well below 2 degrees centigrade between now and 2020. The Leaders Summit is expected to adopt a named afterthe region of Poland where this years climate conference is taking place. He said observed that Nigeria, as a member of the Committee of the African Heads of State on Climate Change a group of 10 African countries that meets and takes positions concerning issues of climate change on behalf of the continent, would continue to address the challenges occasioned by climate change. Nigeria has been at the forefront of advancing policies and initiatives aimed at addressing significant challenges occasioned by climate change such as reviving the Lake Chad, halting and reversing desertification, flooding, ocean surge and oil spillage. He said that President Buhari would continue to champion these pressing issues at COP24 in Katowice, among others. Adesina also said the president would reiterate Nigerias position on the need for African countries to access financial resources, especially the to draw up climate change adaptation policies and actions for implementation. The Nigerian delegation will also showcase the policy measures and actions of the Federal Government at ensuring environmental sustainability and effectively combating climate change through several side events within the Nigerian pavilion. While in Poland, President Buhari will hold an interactive session with the Nigerian community in that country. The Nigerian leader is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the statement added. President will be accompanied on the trip by governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Yahaya Bello and Abubakar Bello of Enugu, Kogi and Niger States, respectively. The former President said this in a video published by BBC on Twitter recently. This led to a massive outcry globally, which gave birth to the Bring Back Our Girls crusade that was championed by many notable figures all around the world. Army was not strong enough According to Jonathan, the only blame he can take is that the Nigerian Army during his tenure, were not strong enough to rescue the Chibok girls. He said But as a president, of course you know it is not the president that goes to the field. You have security and intelligence officers that do the work. Let me admit that yes, maybe they did their best but their best was not good enough for us to recover the girls. That I cannot say I am right or I am wrong. That does not mean I am trying to remove myself from any blame. I may not be blamed for the action but I could be blamed that my security intelligence system was not strong enough to rescue the girls. If I as a politician could tell the whole world that my political ambition for any office is not worth the blood of a single Nigerian, how would I be happy that girls have been kidnapped? I am not that kind of character. Shettima Vs Jonathan On Wednesday, November 21, 2018, the Governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima dismissed Jonathans narration of the Chibok girls incident. According to reports, Jonathan, in his new book titled, My Transition Hours said the Chibok girls issue was used against him in 2015. Shettima however countered the former President and accused him of sitting on the findings of a committee set up to investigate the matter. The Governor alsorubbished Jonathans book describing it as a presidential tale by mid-day. 2019 election According to SaharaReporters, the former president also spoke on the upcoming elections saying: "Were a bit worried about the neutrality of the relevant agencies of government because with previous elections, I was not in the field. Of course, after every election, people will complain naturally. Those are the areas people are getting worried, but I believe the elections will come and go and those bodies, the INEC, the Police, the Army and the Department of State Security (DSS) will be able to do well." Following investigations, the gang leader, Michael Adikwu and his team members were arrested and they reportedly made confessional statements. One of the gang members known as Ayodele Akinnibosun allegedly confessed that he has been making 'political arrangement' for Saraki and the Kwara state Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed for years. As a result of the confessional statement, the police invited the Senate President for questioning. AGFs letter However, the letter obtained by Premium Times dated June 29, 2018, shows that the AGF advised the police not to identify Saraki as a suspect in the robbery. Malami also cleared Yusuf Abdulwahab, the chief of staff to the Kwara state Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, of any involvement in the robbery. The AGF, in the letter said that there is no collaborative evidence linking Abdulwahab to the incident. Orders case returned to Kwara Malami, who recommended that the other suspects be charged to court for robbery and murder, ordered the police to return the case to Kwara state. The police had earlier insisted that the suspects will be tried in the nations capital, Abuja. Premium Times also reports that Mr Malami warned a police chief in charge of the armed robbery investigation to desist from offering condescending opinions to the AGFs office. David Ogbodo, an assistant inspector-general of police, had suggested in the second police submission that Mr Malami should step aside in the case and detail a senior Nigerian lawyer to handle prosecutorial advice. Mr Malami said his office had dispassionately prosecuted several cases that were successful, and warned Mr Igbodo to desist from making official comments that could be deemed as disparaging to the office of the AGF. Adiukwus death The AGFs June 29 letter also stated that Michael Adikwu died in police custody shortly after he was arrested. The Nigerian police broke the news of Adikwu's death to the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Kwara on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 On Thursday, November 22, 2018, police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood explained that the robbery suspect slumped while he was in custody. According to Vanguard, Agbaje said that the ruling party has failed in all ramifications. He said this while addressing his supporters at the formal declaration of his intention to run as Lagos Governor. I will defeat Sanwo-Olu The PDP guber candidate also expressed confidence that he will defeat the APC flagbearer, Jide Sanwo-Olu. Agbaje said that he has put plans in place to create jobs for youths if he is elected as Governor in 2019, adding that he has what it takes to develop Lagos. He said I will beat the APC in 2019; mark my words, I will not only beat them, I will beat them flat. I am sure of winning because Lagosians are behind me. The support we were given in 2015 is still there, intact. We will expand on it in 2019. I am in the race because I am passionate about Lagos. ALSO READ: Jimi Agbaje alleges that his campaign posters are being removed I hear them calling me their customer because of my past attempts, but I tell them, the customer is King. By next year, we shall know the results. But I can assure you once again that I will beat them flat. According to the PDP guber candidate, who has contested and lost twice, 2019 is his year of victory. "The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens." Bush's passing comes just months after the death in April of his wife and revered first lady Barbara Bush -- his "most beloved woman in the world" -- to whom he was married for 73 years. AFP The 41st American president was a foreign policy realist who navigated the turbulent but largely peaceful fall of the Soviet Union in 1989 and assembled an unprecedented coalition to defeat Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein two years later. But the decorated war pilot and former CIA chief suffered the ignominy of being a one-term president, denied a second term over a weak economy when he lost the 1992 election to upstart Democrat Bill Clinton. His favoring of stability and international consensus stands in sharp contrast to the provocative bluster of fellow Republican and current White House occupant Donald Trump, a man whom Bush did not vote for in 2016. Bush presided over economic malaise at home, and infuriated his fellow Republicans during a budget battle with rival Democrats by famously breaking his vow: "Read my Lips: No new taxes." AFP But he was the respected patriarch of a blue-blood political dynasty -- son George spent eight years in the White House, and son Jeb served as governor of Florida. At the time of his death, Bush was the American president to have lived the longest. Jimmy Carter was born a few months later, so he could quickly reset the record. "America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude," former president Barack Obama said in a statement. War, oil, politics AFP George Herbert Walker Bush was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty -- the son of Prescott Bush, a successful banker and US senator for Connecticut. Bush had a pampered upbringing and attended the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover, but delayed his acceptance to Yale in order to enlist in the US Navy on his 18th birthday and head off to war. He flew 58 combat missions during World War II. Shot down over the Pacific by Japanese anti-aircraft fire, he parachuted out and was rescued by a submarine after huddling in a life raft for four hours while enemy forces circled. Bush married Barbara Pierce in January 1945, shortly before the war ended, and the couple went on to have six children, including one, Robin, who died as a child. Instead of joining his father in banking upon graduation from Yale University, Bush headed to bleak west Texas to break into the rough-and-tumble oil business. He surprised many with his success, and by 1958 had settled in Houston as president of an offshore drilling company. In the 1960s, Bush, now independently wealthy, turned to politics. He was a local Republican Party chairman, and in 1966 won a seat in the US House of Representatives. He served there until 1970, when he lost a bid for the Senate. AFP Over the next decade, he held several high-level posts that took him and Barbara around the world: head of the Republican National Committee, US ambassador to the United Nations, envoy to China and director of the Central Intelligence Agency, where he was praised for restoring morale after revelations of widespread illegal activity. He served as vice president to Ronald Reagan after losing to him in the 1980 Republican primary, an eight-year period of hands-on training for the top post he would go on to win by a solid margin in 1988, as the Cold War was coming to an end. 'This will not stand' In a major test of the post-Cold War order, Saddam's million-man army invaded Kuwait in 1990 and looked set to roll into Saudi Arabia, which would have given the Iraqi strongman more than 40 percent of the world's oil reserves. Bush famously vowed: "This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait." He assembled a coalition of 32 nations to drive Iraqi forces out in a matter of weeks with a lightning air and ground assault. Some 425,000 US troops backed by 118,000 allied soldiers took part in Operation Desert Storm, decimating Saddam's military machine without ousting him from power -- a task that would be accomplished 12 years later by Bush's son. Buoyed by his victory in the Gulf, Bush and his hard-nosed and widely respected secretary of state James Baker cobbled together the 1991 Madrid Conference to launch the Arab-Israeli peace process. The conference was mainly symbolic, but it set the stage for the Oslo Accords two years later. In late 1989, Bush sent US troops to Panama to oust strongman Manuel Noriega. He also set the groundwork for the North American Free Trade Agreement. Domestically, however, the economy stalled and Bush broke his pledge not to raise taxes in order to reach a budget deal with Democrats -- a cardinal sin in the eyes of Republicans. In 1992, Bush lost his re-election bid to Clinton -- whose aide coined the now famous slogan "It's the economy, stupid" -- as eccentric third-party candidate Ross Perot syphoned off conservative votes. The elder Bush's cautious realpolitik would later be contrasted to his son's far more costly ambition to transform the Middle East, but "Bush 41" refused to weigh in on the debate, insisting he was proud of the presidency of "Bush 43." Active post-presidency After retiring from public life, Bush fulfilled a wartime pledge to one day jump out of a plane for fun and famously went skydiving on his 75th, 80th, 85th and 90th birthdays. He joined Clinton to raise funds for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. In 2011, Obama awarded Bush the highest US civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom. AFP He worked with Carter, Clinton, Obama and son George to raise money for hurricane victims in Texas in 2017. In 2001, Bush became just the second US president after John Adams to see his son become president. At first, she did not think he was involved, Oprysko told AFP in her house in Naditychi, a village south of Lviv in western Ukraine. "The next day, I found out on the news that he was among the prisoners." Her son Andriy Oprysko -- a 47-year-old able seaman -- is one of 24 Ukrainian sailors held captive by Moscow since the incident. AFP He was on the Nikopol, one of the three Ukrainian ships heading through the Kerch Strait last weekend when Russian border guards fired on them and seized the vessels. Moscow said the Ukrainians entered Russian waters illegally and, after putting them on trial in Russian-annexed Crimea, ordered them detained for two months. The Kremlin has resisted calls to release them, and US President Donald Trump called off a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over their detention. "I have only one request: for all the boys to be freed. All of them," Oprysko told AFP. A childhood dream One of the walls in Oprysko's house has a giant picture of a sailing ship that Andriy put up. A wooden model ship sits on her windowsill. In joining the navy, she said, her son fulfilled a childhood dream. "Since he was a child, he always dreamed of the sea," she said. "He always wanted to be near the water." AFP She showed AFP childhood photographs of Andriy -- now a father of two -- posing in a sailor's hat as a toddler. Oprysko is a widow and lives alone. She can only afford to heat the room in which she sleeps. Now retired, she used to teach Russian at a school in a neighbouring village in the predominantly Ukrainian-speaking region. "I never thought that in Russia my efforts to teach the Russian language would be appreciated like this," she said. "Instead of a reward, they punish me by imprisoning my son." Taken to Moscow The sailors were initially held in Simferopol, the main city in Russian-annexed Crimea where they were put on trial earlier this week. But Crimea's human rights ombudsman said Friday they were being transferred to Moscow. Two of their lawyers told AFP that the sailors had been taken to the Russian capital. Putin has insisted that the Russian border guards were right to seize the ships, saying they "fulfilled their military duty". AFP He said the Ukrainian ships had entered Russian territorial waters and refused to respond to requests to stop from Russian patrol boats. "What were they (Russian forces) supposed to do?" Putin said this week. Oprysko thinks her son's fate should be decided at the highest level. "I'm not afraid because I am a religious person, I have no anger," she said. The two leaders will be by hosted by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala barely a month after a section of ODM leaders endorsed a joint ticket beween Moi and Raila Odinga. Tiaty MP William Kamket hailed the visits by Moi across the country, stating that A president must be welcome all over the country and not in his backyard only. I am sure Kenyans and especially Rift Valley is watching Gideons reception wherever he visits. It is electrifying because of his amiable personality. That is what this country needs. Kenyans will see more of Gideon moving around to undertake development issues. He does not play politics of populism like some we know. He is calculating and sure of his moves yet remaining humble," he added. Todays public meeting at the Kakamega fund raiser could be an opportunity for Moi and Mudavadi to test waters and see what the response would be like form their supporters before going hunting for votes together. ece-auto-gen Reviving KANU ahead of Gideon Moi's candidature Analysts opine that with DP Ruto being the common competitor in the 2022 succession politics, Moi could team up with Mudavadi and other influential politicians with whom he may have had a series of meetings before deciding to go public. Close allies to the KANU party leader divulged that the tours across the nation are meant to boost the public goodwill that Moi enjoys across the country and consolidate his support before he declares his interest in the 2022, competing with DP Ruto. Kanu has a stake in the handshake and 2022. Our chairman is going to the people and not to politic but to listen to them and offer solutions which include advising the President on their needs where in some cases they are suppressed, KANU Secretary General Nick Salat said. The cock is crowing and it will be crowing more. Kenyans better listen to the independence party as it re-activates its networks in mashinani all over the country, he added. Todays visit is believed to have been hatched in October when Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli and Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa held talks with former President Moi at his Kabarak home with speculation of a strategy to set the stage for Gideon to makes public his presidential ambition. ece-auto-gen DP Ruto under siege from Rift ValleyJubilee MPs DP Rutos allies are keenly watching the developments in the wake of an onslaught by his once trusted ally Joshua Kuttuny, Alfred Keter and Silas Tiren. The fallout was orchestrated by the maize scandal which has seen the MPs accuse DP Ruto of working with the cartels to frustrate maize farmers into abandoning the crop. Missed Delivery? If missed delivery or wet paper please call our office 909-628-5501 ext 110 Leave a detailed message with name, address, and phone number. Readers must call before 1 p.m. on Saturday. Re-deliveries are available for Chino residents until 1 p.m. Saturdays. Click Here A nationwide recall of romaine lettuce two days before Thanksgiving sent some households, food suppliers and restaurants in Quay County scrambling to throw it out and find a salad substitute. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a food-safety alert about romaine the afternoon of Nov. 20 because of an outbreak of E.coli in 11 states, but not New Mexico. CDC is advising that U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce, and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any, until we learn more about the outbreak, the alert stated. Consumers who have any ... romaine lettuce in their home should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick. The agency said the particular strain of E.coli found in the outbreak has been linked to cases of kidney failure. Veronica Encinias, store manager of the Lowes grocery in Tucumcari, said she and her staff threw out about $400 worth of lettuce the afternoon of the recall. We got phone calls from corporate, and we had to stop immediately what we were doing and remove the lettuce, she said. She said the purge not only affected individual heads and bags of romaine lettuce, but lettuce blends that included it. Encinias said Lowes offers iceberg lettuce as a substitute. She said the store offered refunds of romaine, even without the receipt, if customers brought in the food item. Cabrera Brown, manager of the Pow Wow Inn Restaurant in Tucumcari, said the romaine lettuce there also was discarded the same day. She said the recall didnt greatly affect the restaurants salad bar or other meals. We didnt use much romaine, she said. We didnt order a large quantity. We use mostly iceberg. Joe Kelly, manager at K-Bobs Steakhouse in Tucumcari, said the recall didnt affect his restaurant because it stopped using romaine in meals and its salad bar four months ago. It was more cost-effective not to have it, he said, explaining the phase-out. Yvette Peacock, co-owner of Dels Restaurant and Kix on 66, both in Tucumcari, stated in a post on Facebook both restaurants did not use romaine. If you dine at other restaurants, be sure they do not serve you Romaine, she wrote. Romaine lettuce had been on the menu for several days this month at Tucumcari Public Schools. Aaron McKinney, schools superintendent, stated in an email Monday that A'viands, the districts food-service contractor, has "elected to stop ordering and using romaine of any kind until further notice. Locally, our kitchens will be substituting with iceburg and green leaf varieties of lettuce. Faculty and staff members at Mesalands Community College recently donated nearly 225 items to the local Children, Youth and Families Department. Items included underwear, socks, shampoo, soap, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, childrens art supplies, hair-care products and more. Kimberly Hanna, director of public relations at the college, said: The staff at the CYFD were very excited to receive these items. The CYFD provides an array of prevention, intervention, rehabilitative and after-care services to New Mexico children and their families. The Quay County Commission on Monday approved a grant application to buy generators for all the countys fire stations and substations. Daniel Zamora, the countys emergency management coordinator, presented the application to the commissioners during its regular meeting. The grant would be used to buy a total of 16 generators at all county fire stations and substations at an estimated cost of $112,000. The application will be submitted to the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security. District 6 of the Federal Emergency Management Agency will award the grant by next fall, Zamora said. Zamora expressed confidence Quay County would receive the grant. He said counties that are vulnerable to wildfires would get higher priority for funding from the federal agency. In other business, the commission unanimously approved four resolutions for budgetary adjustments for the 2018-2019 fiscal year that were presented by county finance director Cheryl Simpson. The adjustments included: $278,000 in funds to purchase a firetruck for the Forrest Fire District; $5,336 in fund reversions for the DWI Fund to pay for employees salaries and benefits; $883,819 in Community Development Block Grant funds for repairs to Quay Road AR; $227,750 for remodeling and improvements to the Quay County Detention Center. Commissioners also approved a three-month, $7,500 contract with Clinton D. Harden & Associates for lobbying services. County manager Richard Primrose, who requested approval of the contract, said with the state projected to hold a $1.2 billion surplus, its important to have representation to get the money available. District 1 Commissioner Sue Dowell voted to approve the contract but said she was irked such an arrangement is necessary. It bothers me how counties arent heard unless they have a lobbyist, she said. But we have to take steps to make sure Quay County is not overlooked. Primrose also announced grants recently were awarded to several county fire districts. A total of $100,000 to Bard, $47,000 to Porter and $100,000 to the Rural District 1. Commissioners also approved $5,607.04 in indigent claims for medical care in November. Commissioners met for nearly two hours in executive session and took no action. The agenda stated the closed-door meeting was for threatened or pending litigation and to discuss an audit. Religious classes have been dropped from the timetable at Red Beach School, just two years after the Supreme Court dismissed a case against the school. Auckland father Jeff McClintock launched a case against Red Beach School in 2016, arguing that his daughter was placed in Bible classes without permission. When she was permitted to not participate, she was seated in the area normally reserved for misbehaved students. Mr McClintock eventually removed his daughter from the school after the years-long dispute. David Hines, a spokesperson of the Secular Education Network, said he was happy to hear that the "deceit" has finally come to an end. "Its been sold as a value programme, which is a complete lie. But alas they are getting rid of the deceit and being an honest school," he told RadioLIVE. Red Beach School told parents that the religious studies programme was dropped due to increasing curriculum requirements and new draft guidelines on religious instruction. The school's board of trustees told RadioLIVE that the decision to cut the programme was unrelated to the dispute with Mr McClintock. Draft guidelines released by the Ministry of Education in September would require primary and intermediate schools to get permission from families to teach religious alternatives, and provide alternatives for those who dont want to partake in the studies. The draft guidelines will finalise its consultation period on December 7. Listen to the full interview with David Hine above. The Long Lunch with Lynda Hallinan, 12pm - 3pm on RadioLIVE and streaming live to the rova app on Android and iPhone. RadioLIVE. In addition to maintaining its existing links with the leading Serbian operator, SPI will also be working with its daughter companies in the form of Mtel Bosnia, Herzegovina and Mtel Montenegro.Under the terms of the new SVOD contract, SPI will supply each month at least 5% of the content for a new on-demand package comprising 150 localised films and 200 thematic titles and series which will be available to the viewers in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina.We are eager to continue to develop our cooperation with Telekom Serbia and all their connected telecommunications providers, explained Murat Muratoglu, SPIs head of distribution for MENA, Turkey, APAC, Russia and CIS, Baltics, Bulgaria and Ex-Yugoslavia. It is important to continue to demonstrate the diversity in content that is provided only through our SPI channel portfolio. With five million homes to be passed including a million homes built by the end of 2018 and more to be franchised or acquired, SFR claims to be the largest alternative FTTH infrastructure wholesale operator in France.The deal with Allianz Capital Partners (ACP), AXA Investment Managers - Real Assets, acting on behalf of its clients and OMERS Infrastructure places an equity value of 3.6 billion on the fibre-to-the-home firm. In addition to the cash raised, the transaction which is expected to close in the first half of 2019 also offers SFR a new line of credit.The transaction is said to be the first of its type in Europe leading to the creation of one of the largest European FTTH wholesalers in Europe. SFR FTTH expects to deploy fibre massively over the next four years and cover more than 15 million homes in France and intend to expand further its network.Following the sale, Altice France will sell technical services to SFR FTTH for the construction, the subscriber connection and the maintenance of its FTTH network. The company has guaranteed to sell wholesale services to all operators at the same terms and conditions including SFR as customer with no minimum volume commitments.Commenting on the transaction, Altice founder Patrick Drahi said: I am very pleased that three of the most renowned infrastructure investors in the world are becoming our partners and committing large resources to build the leading FTTH wholesaler in Europe. With this transformational transaction and the various tower sales and partnerships announced earlier this year, Altice Europe has been able to crystallise 8 billion of infrastructure value and obtain cash proceeds of 4 billion in total in a few months."Through these transactions, Altice France and Altice Europe will deleverage and will have access to new and cheaper liquidity to invest in its fibre infrastructure. This transaction is creating huge value for our group, providing more fibre to our customers and more revenues and liquidities to our companies. Thanks to its fibre strategy, SFR will grow and deleverage from 2019. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Porterville, CA (93257) Today Clear to partly cloudy. Areas of dense fog developing. Low 38F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Areas of dense fog developing. Low 38F. Winds light and variable. Bud Newton, of Athens, listens to Chris Richards and the lead case manager at Live Forward before the storytelling on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. Live Forward is recognizing World AIDS Day by providing free testing in locations around Athens. (Photo/Becca Beato, reb98869@uga.edu) Winter break may be just around the corner for students at the University of Georgia, but the Athens music scene never takes a break. The onse Freda Scott Giles spoke about W.E.B. Du Bois in his lesser known roles as sociologist and playwright on Jan. 28, reminding her audience of the importance in learning about the past to change perspectives for the future at the seventeenth annual University of Georgia Founders Day Lecture. Sebi, according to sources, also plans to reopen an insider trading case against the company and its promoters that was settled through the consent mechanism. The Securities and Exchange Board of India has initiated an inquiry into the affairs of pharma major Sun Pharmaceutical Industries on the basis of a whistle-blower complaint, said regulatory sources. The sources said the market regulator was in receipt of a 150-page letter in which the whistle-blower accused the company of committing corporate governance and tax-related lapses, besides other securities market-related violations. When contacted, a Sun Pharma spokesperson said, We have not been contacted by Sebi in this regard. Sebi, according to sources, also plans to reopen an insider trading case against the company and its promoters that was settled through the consent mechanism. Sun Pharma, its Managing Director Dilip Shanghvi, and nine others had settled the insider trading probe, paying Rs 1.8 million against the settlement charges in 2017. While Sebi had not disclosed details of the case, it was probably linked to the acquisition of Ranbaxy by Sun Pharma from Japanese drugmaker Daiichi. The regulator had agreed to settle the proposed adjudication proceedings linked to the violation of the internal code of conduct for prevention of insider trading. No enforcement action was initiated for the alleged defaults. The allegations raised by the whistle-blower are of serious nature. We will look into each one of them, said a regulatory source. Sources said Sebi had also taken cognisance of another note by Australia-based brokerage Macquarie on the faulty audit process and dubious practices used while raising funds through foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs). In 2004, Sun Pharma had launched a $225 million FCCB issue. The foreign brokerage is learnt to have raised concerns about selecting a small-time London-based firm, Jermyn Capital Partners, to manage the issue. The Indian arm of this entity is believed to have had links with stock brokers Ketan Parekh and Dharmesh Doshi, both of whom had come under scrutiny for the market crash of 2002. Besides, Sebi has referred the tax-related allegations to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Earlier this week, the Sun Pharma stock touched a six-month low after a foreign brokerage raised concerns about corporate governance practices at the drug major. On November 28, the stock fell 3 per cent during the day, but recovered partially to close at Rs 486.35 apiece on the BSE, down 1.47 per cent. On Friday, the stock closed at Rs 492.3, up 1.84 per cent from the previous close. (With inputs from Aneesh Phadnis) Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters. Whatever the outcome of the assembly election in Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot is firmly ensconced in the Congress inner circle. Aditi Phadnis reports. IMAGE: Ashok Gehlot, second from left, with Rahul Gandhi at Pushkar. Photograph: Kind courtesy ashokgehlot51/twitter Given the centrality of Ashok Gehlot's role, especially in the recent assembly election in Gujarat, everyone thought he would be retained in central politics, leaving Rajasthan to a younger set of hands. But Congress chief Rahul Gandhi obviously doesn't want to take any chances in a state that seems ripe for the picking and is deploying every resource regardless of age. Gehlot -- former Rajasthan chief minister -- is a pretty formidable adversary though he comes across as an unsophisticated, polite and soft-spoken man who used to, till recently, have only one enemy in the state: Former Union minister C P Joshi. At a meeting where Gehlot was present, Joshi remarked, soon after the 2008 assembly election: 'I was a follower of Ashok Gehlot. Now I am his collaborator. For each person he has to decide at some point... The earlier relationship between us was of leader-follower and now it is of leader-collaborator.' Joshi lost the 2008 assembly election by one vote otherwise, he might have been chief minister instead of Gehlot. But despite their differences (and they have persisted), they made a formidable team and scripted victory not just in the assembly elections (96 out of 200, four short of majority) but also in the Lok Sabha (19 out of 25), both in 2008. IMAGE: Ashok Gehlot with Rahul Gandhi. Photograph: kind courtesy www.ashokgehlot.in Many say only Gehlot, with his infinite capacity to bend before arrogant and domineering MLAs, could have cobbled a government together and actually run it after the 2008 result. Gehlot managed to consolidate the Congress party's hold in the assembly: Six MLAs from the Bahujan Samaj Party merged the unit with the Congress. He secured the support of Independents leading to numerical security. But it was a perilous existence. Then came the historic Bharatiya Janata Party wave and in 2013, the Congress went down to 21 out of 200 seats -- an all-time low in the party's history. 'We did something for every section of society and made sure no one was left out... If we do not win despite giving good governance, we do not know what needs to be done. It is now a matter of introspection,' said Gehlot, as he submitted his resignation that evening in 2013. IMAGE: Ashok Gehlot, third from right, with Rajiv Gandhi. Photograph: kind courtesy www.ashokgehlot.in For Gehlot, this was not just rhetoric. A heavily subsidised scheme to deliver medicines became wildly popular initially. He subsidised state transport for women. Everyone below the poverty line, the aged, widows, divorced women and disabled persons between the ages of 53 and 58 was provided a pension ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 a month. Eligible workers between 18 and 60 years could contribute an amount as low as Rs 100 at a time. The government paid interest of 8 per cent on the total contributions in the retirement account. Gehlot envisaged investment of the funds with a regulated fund manager or the pension fund regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority eventually. But no one appreciates the value of freebies. The free medicine scheme saw the outbreak of huge scams as genuine generic drugs were swapped for fake medicines and was eventually withdrawn by the BJP government that came to power in 2014. Instead, Vasundhara Raje launched the Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana, a precursor of Narendra Damodardas Modi's Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Projects can work. Or they can fail. But no one in Rajasthan really doubted the sincerity of Gehlot's intentions even when they threw him out of power. In a rare public confession he once described his beginnings in politics: His father was a municipal chairman and gave him money to sell fertiliser in Pipar, a small town near Jodhpur. Instead, the young Gehlot sold his stock and joined politics. His mentor was Parasram Maderna, a Jat leader, who initially thought Gehlot was too blunt to succeed, but gave him a nomination nevertheless. The first election he fought was in the aftermath of the Emergency in the middle of the Janata Party wave. IMAGE: Ashok Gehlot, second from right, with then President Giani Zail Singh and then prime minister Indira Gandhi. Photograph: kind courtesy www.ashokgehlot.in Gehlot listens. He is not an especially gifted orator. But he belongs to the ground and knows where the shoe pinches. Many in the state unit have been drifting away from him gradually to what were seen as greener pastures -- Sachin Pilot. In the last by-election for the Ajmer Lok Sabha constituency, the Congress candidate, Raghu Sharma, actually belonged to the Gehlot camp until he shifted his loyalties to Pilot. But Gehlot knows this is not the time to cavil. Whatever the outcome of the forthcoming assembly election, Ashok Gehlot is in the Congress inner circle, there to stay. He was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. IMAGE: George H W Bush, the 41st president of the United States died at the age of 94. Photograph: Al Bello/Getty Images George H W Bush, the 41st president of the United States who led America during the dramatic collapse of the Soviet Union and engineered the defeat of an audacious Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, died on Friday. He was 94. His death, which was announced by his office, came less than eight months after that of his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush. Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died, George Bush Jr, who went on to serve as the 43rd US president, said in a statement. He was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens, Bush Jr added. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time, according to the statement released by Bushs spokesman Jim McGrath. WATCH: 41st president of the United States passes away US President Donald Trump on Saturday praised Bushs unflappable leadership during the waning days of the Cold War. Melania and I join with a grieving nation to mourn the loss of former president George H W Bush, Trump said in a statement from Buenos Aires, where he was attending the G20 summit. Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service -- to be, in his words, a thousand points of light illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world, Trump said. US President Bush was suffering from Parkinsons disease that forced him to use a wheelchair in recent years, and he had been in and out of hospitals in recent months as his health declined. There were fears that after his wife, Barbara, died in April, Bush might die, too. He was admitted to a hospital with a blood infection on April 23, one day after the funeral for the former first lady, and remained there for 13 days. IMAGE: Former US Presidents George W Bush and George HW Bush arrive at St Martin's Episcopal Church for a funeral service for former first lady Barbara Bush on April 21, 2018 in Houston, Texas. Photograph: David J Phillip-Pool/Getty Images He was hospitalised again in May for low blood pressure and fatigue a week after arriving in Maine to spend the summer. He was released a few days later and celebrated his birthday on June 12 -- making history by becoming the first former president to reach the age of 94. The decorated war pilot and former Central Intelligence Agency chief was elected president on November 8, 1988. He was sworn in on January 20, 1989, and served until January 20, 1993. During his term in office, a revolution of human liberty swept the globe, emancipating tens of millions of people and unleashing a series of transformative events: collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War; the Berlin Wall fell, and Germany united within NATO following 45 years of postwar division. From Eastern Europe to the Baltic States to Latin America to the former Soviet republics, many liberal democracies supplanted totalitarian regimes. During this historic period of cooperation as he called it, President Bush worked with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and other key global figures to end the Cold War peacefully and usher in a new geopolitical era marked by political self-determination, the spread of market capitalism, and the opening of closed economies. In August of 1990, after Iraqi troops under dictator Saddam Hussein invaded neighbouring Kuwait, President Bush forged an unprecedented coalition of 32 countries to restore Kuwaiti sovereignty and uphold international law. He subsequently convened the Madrid Peace Conference in the Fall of 1991, bringing Israel and her Arab neighbours together in face-to-face discussions for the first time in history. US President Bush also drastically reduced the threat of nuclear attack by signing two Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties in 1991 and 1993, and negotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1992 -- which President Bill Clinton later signed into law. IMAGE: Former US President H W Bush held his post from 1989 to 1993. Photograph: David J Phillip/Pool via USA TODAY Sports/Reuters Former Soviet leader Gorbachev praised Bush for his role in ending the Cold War. A lot of my memories are linked with this man. We had the chance to work together during the time of enormous changes...He was a true partner, he said. Clinton, who succeeded Bush as the US president, said, I will be forever grateful for the friendship we formed. Hillary and I mourn the passing of President George H W Bush, and give thanks for his great long life of service, love, and friendship, Clinton said. Former US president Barack Obama, who awarded Bush the highest US civilian honour -- the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- in 2011, said America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. Bush Sr was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts into a wealthy New England political dynasty. He married Barbara Pierce in January 1945, shortly before the War War II ended, and the couple went on to have six children, including one, Robin, who died as a child. He became the youngest naval pilot at age 18 following Japans attack on Pearl Harbor and flew combat missions from the aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto. Bush flew 58 combat missions and won the Distinguished Flying Cross. President Bush, or 41 as he was informally known after George W was elected president, considered Houston, Texas his home - and Walkers Point, the family home where he spent a part of every summer except 1944 (when he was serving in World War II), as his anchor to windward. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday held a trilateral meeting, the second among the three countries after a gap of 12 years, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here to discuss cooperation in various areas. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a trilateral meeting. Photograph: Press Information Bureau The Russia-India-China meeting came hours after Prime Minister Modi, his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump held their first trilateral meeting on the margins of the summit. "Deepening engagement with valued development partners. President Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping and PM @narendramodi participate in the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral in Buenos Aires. @KremlinRussia," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted. "2nd Russia-India-China 'RIC' Trilateral Summit took place in Buenos Aires after a gap of 12 years. In a meeting characterised by warmth and positivity, leaders discussed cooperation and coordination in various areas which could contribute to global peace and stability," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Earlier in the day, India, Japan and the US discussed major issues of global and multilateral interests in their first trilateral meeting, which assumed importance in the wake of China flexing its muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. At the meeting, India underscored its firm commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic growth. Asserting that India will "continue to work together on shared values", Modi said, "When you look at the acronym of our three countries -- Japan, America, and India -- it is 'JAI', which stands for success in Hindi." Earlier, Modi met Jinping seperately and the two leaders concurred there had been a perceptible improvement in bilateral relations, even as they looked to build on a thaw in ties after a standoff on the border last year. At the meeting, Modi and Xi discussed joint efforts to further enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two giant neighbours. The two leaders have met twice after their informal summit in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late April -- once at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit held in June in China's Qingdao and the second time at the BRICS summit in South Africa's Johannesburg in July. Asserting that the Wuhan meet was a milestone in the India-China ties, Modi told Xi that he was looking forward to host him for an informal summit next year. "Such initiatives are helpful in maintaining the momentum," the prime minister said, adding that there "have been two review meetings -- in Qingdao and in Johannesburg". He said the ties between the two countries have made huge strides over the last one year. IMAGE: Modi and Jinping meets on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Photograph: Press Information Bureau The relations between the two neighbours were strained last year following a 73-day standoff in Doklam in the Sikkim sector of the border. The chill between the two sides later improved resulting in an informal summit between Modi and Xi at Wuhan where the two leaders decided to issue "strategic guidance" to their militaries to strengthen communications to build trust and understanding, a move aimed at avoiding a Doklam-like situation in the future. Modi said Friday's meeting will strengthen further the partnership between the two nations. "Today's meeting will be important in providing a direction in terms of strengthening our relations," he said. "I express my heartiest thanks to you (President Xi) for taking out time for this meeting," the prime minister said. Modi later tweeted, "Had a wonderful meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Argentina. The talks revolved around a wide range of bilateral and global subjects. Our regular interactions have added significant strength to India-China ties." According to Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, the two leaders said that there had been a perceptible improvement in bilateral relations. "Both of them had a very detailed review of what they agreed to in Wuhan and how it was progressed. Both of them said that progress has been made on the economic side," he said. Xi referred to enhanced imports of rice and sugar from India and spoke about the possibility of greater import of soymeal and rapeseed. He also expressed the hope that India would import more agricultural products from China. Xi also indicated greater trade between the two nations in the pharmaceutical sector, Gokhale said. "On the political side, they welcomed the visit of the Chinese defense minister, of the holding of the counter-terrorism military exercise next week in India and the recently concluded special representative talks. "Both leaders (said) that there had been a positive improvement in border management along the India-China border areas following the Wuhan summit," the foreign secretary said. Modi and Xi also said that they were looking forward to the first meeting of the high-level mechanism on people-to-people exchanges in New Delhi in December. "Both sides also specifically mentioned that the first bilateral cooperation that had begun in Afghanistan which is the training of Afghan diplomats, had been successful and that they were looking for further such opportunities," Gokhale said. After the meeting, the PMO tweeted that the two leaders held productive discussions. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Ravish Kumar tweeted, "Working together to strengthen the Wuhan spirit." "PM @narendramodi had a warm & productive meeting with President Xi of #China, their 4th this year, on sidelines of #G20Summit. Discussed joint efforts to further enhance mutual trust and friendship across all aspects of our ties," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires and invited him to be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations next year, which also marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The South African leader accepted the invitation to grace the occasion. "Glad to have met President @CyrilRamaphosa. At a time when India is marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it is our honour to welcome President Ramaphosa as the Chief Guest for the 2019 Republic Day celebrations. Bapu's close link with South Africa is well known," Modi tweeted after the meeting. He said Ramaphosa's visit to India will further cement bilateral ties between the two countries. "The upcoming visit of President @CyrilRamaphosa, and that too during the special occasion of India's Republic Day will further cement business and people-to-people ties between India and South Africa," Modi tweeted. Following the meeting between Modi and Ramaphosa, external affairs ministry spokesperson Ravish Kumar tweeted, "150 years of Mahatma & 100 years of Madiba!" He was referring to July 18 this year, which marks 100 years since the birth of the global icon Nelson Mandela, also popularly known as Madiba, who died in 2013 at the age of 95. Kumar further tweeted, "Good meeting between PM @narendramodi & South Africa President @CyrilRamaphosa on margins of #G20Summit. President Ramaphosa accepted India's invitation to be the Chief Guest at Republic Day during 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi." Both Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have refused to meet Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha. M I Khan reports. IMAGE: Rashtriya Lok Samata Party supremo and Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, centre, with RLSP Working President Nagmani, left, at an event in Patna. Photograph: Kind courtesy @UpendraRLSP/Twitter Deeply upset at being ignored by the Bharatiya Janata Party's top leadership, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party chief and Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha is likely to quit the BJP- led National Democratic Alliance on Thursday, December 6. He will resign his ministership ahead of the winter session of Parliament which begins on December 11. A day after the RLSP deadline of its ultimatum to the BJP -- to ensure by November 30 'respectful' seat-sharing in Bihar for the 2019 Lok Sabha election -- the RLSP has begun talks with the Rashtriya Janata Dal-Congress-Hindustan Awam Morcha allince, a senior RLSP leader said. Kushwaha, who arrived in Patna on Friday from New Delhi, said he will take a decision to continue in the NDA or walk away following discussions with RLSP leaders by December 6. 'I will not take any decision alone. The decision will be taken after discussion with party leaders,' Kushwaha said in Motihari, the headquarters of East Champaran district. RLSP leaders will meet at a three-day Chintan Shivir beginning on Tuesday, December 4, at Valmikinagar in West Champaran district. "The RLSP will announce a big decision that will affect state politics and create the possibility for a political realignment," a party leader told this correspondent. RLSP leaders says the party has made up its mind to project how Kushwaha has been insulted, humiliated and ignored by the BJP under pressure from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United party aligned with the BJP in July 2017 and formed a coalition government in Bihar after it broke up its alliance with the RJD and Congress which was formed before the 2015 assembly election in the state. Kushwaha had sought Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi's intervention to settle the Lok Sabha seat-sharing issue in the NDA in Bihar. Despite seeking an appointment with Modi, he was not given time despite camping in Delhi for days. Modi flew to the G-20 summit in Argentina without meeting the minister. BJP President Amit Anilchandra Shah too refused to meet Kushwaha. 'I have twice tried to meet Amit Shah to discuss a respectful seat-sharing in the NDA in Bihar. Even on Friday I waited to meet him, but could not. I was not given time to meet Amit Shah,' Kushwaha said. Last month, the RLSP rejected the offer made to it in the Lok Sabha seat-sharing formula finalised by the BJP. The RLSP executive, Kushwaha said, rejected the offer of seats made to the party by the BJP. However, he refused to reveal the number of seats offered by the BJP. RLSP Working President Nagmani has repeatedly said the BJP offered the RLSP 2 seats and gave 16 seats to the JD-U. Kushwaha has alleged that the JD-U is trying to split the RLSP and destroy him politically. RLSP leaders have time and again said Kushwaha is chief ministerial material for the 2020 Bihar assembly election. The RJD-Congress-HAM alliance is hopeful that the RLSP will join them soon. Kushwaha, a soft spoken politician who belongs to the OBC Koeri caste -- the largest social group after Lalu Prasad's Yadav caste in Bihar -- is reportedly not comfortable with the BJP and Nitish Kumar. BRIDGEPORT Smoke em if you got em and if you are at least 21 years old, according to a proposed local law heading to the City Council. The councils Ordinance Committee this week voted 4 to 3 to make Bridgeport the second municipality in Connecticut to raise the age limit for purchasing cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other natural or synthetic tobacco products from 18 to 21. Hartford was the first in the state to enact similar legislation in October. What we are proposing is really to restrict the access of youths ... to these products, Maritza Bond, Bridgeports health director, told the committee. She cited a 2017 Connecticut Youth Tobacco Survey that found younger teenagers have access to such products through older high school friends. Were not really trying to target current smokers, Bond added. But the proposal, scheduled for a Jan. 22 public hearing, was watered down following a debate sparked by some council members with nicotine habits. Councilman Marcus Brown, a committee co-chairman and smoker, successfully amended the age increase to exempt anyone 18 years old as of the date the law would take effect if approved by the full council. What happens to the 20-year-old (who has been) smoking for two years? Brown said in defense of his change, adding later: We are literally telling people what they can or cannot do at an age they were doing it already. Browns amendment mirrored a bill debated this year by the state legislature to prohibit cigarette sales statewide to those under 21. That legislation did not pass, leaving the matter up to individual cities and towns to regulate. Bond vowed in an interview after the Ordinance Committees approval of Browns amendment to lobby the full council to restore the stricter 21-and-older rule before final passage. I have a 20-year-old and a 16-year-old, Bond said. I would not want them to be addicted at such a young age. That is the case she and other supporters of the age increase made that it will strengthen a nationwide effort to prevent youths from taking up smoking and those that already do to perhaps kick the habit. Councilman Peter Spain, who said his father died from lung cancer that had spread to his brain, argued that Bridgeport, by joining hundreds of other cities nationwide that have changed the legal age for purchasing tobacco, will be part of a cultural shift. Were moving the needle, Spain told the Ordinance Committee. He, and two non-committee members Councilman Kyle Langan and Council President Aidee Nieves sponsored the proposed age increase. But Brown and Councilman Ernie Newton, another smoker, were skeptical of any positive impact the higher age limit would have. Ill support this legislation but weve passed a lot of legislation that dont stop people from doing what they want to do, Newton said. The black market is gonna have a field day. ... If they (residents under 21) do have a nicotine problem, theyre going to find what theyre looking for and they aint gonna go to no treatment. Brown said 18-year-olds will simply ask 21-year-olds to purchase cigarettes for them. Its not as if were inflicting something on these young people, Spain said, pushing back against Browns amendment. We shouldnt have the Bridgeport exception. Langan said that he smoked when he was younger and got my cigarettes from an 18-year-old I knew. He said he was uncomfortable offering an exemption because, as a teacher, he wanted to do whatever he can to protect his students health and safety. But, Langan admitted, he understood Browns point about expecting addicted smokers of a certain age to quit because they can suddenly no longer legally buy tobacco products: You cant tell that person to stop. They cant stop. Brown also said he is worried about the impact on local businesses. And Newton also argued that 18-year-olds can enlist in the military. Councilwoman Michelle Lyons told Newton that joining the military and smoking are choices but one becomes an addiction. I will be in favor of anything that can protect our youth. Brown, Newton, Councilwoman Rosalina Roman-Christy and Browns committee co-chair, Councilwoman Eneida Martinez, all voted for the amended age limit law. Spain, Lyons and Councilwoman Maria Valle opposed it because it had been altered. TORRINGTON Mayor Elinor Carbone announced a ceremony will be held in the City Hall Auditorium to swear in William Baldwin, Jr. as Torringtons Police Chief, on Monday at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend. As a Torrington native born and raised, Chief Baldwins career began as a patrol police officer in Torrington in 1983. He went on to serve 32 years with the State Police where he built his career and strengthened his passion for law enforcement. It is an honor that Chief Baldwin has decided to come back to Torrington at the height of his career to serve his hometown community, Carbone said. Health officials urge residents to get flu shots TORRINGTON In an effort to protect the publics health and reduce the spread of the influenza (flu) virus, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is teaming up once again with local health departments to provide free/low cost flu vaccine at several locations across the state, today, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 8. DPH strongly encourages all Connecticut residents over the age of 6 months to get a flu shot. Torrington Area Health District will provide a free influenza vaccine clinic Saturday at the TAHD main office, 350 Main St., 9-11 a.m. The clinic is open to any adult age 19 or older. While we do not yet know how severe this flu season will be, last years was the worst flu season in many, many years. Last season, we had over 14,000 people test positive for flu, more than 3,800 individuals hospitalized due to flu, and more than 180 deaths associated with the flu, said DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino. The best protection against the flu is to get vaccinated. I strongly encourage all residents to get a flu shot, if they havent already - now is the perfect time. The full schedule and locations of flu clinics can be found on the DPH website (https://portal.ct.gov/FluVaxDay2018) and on social media. Adult vaccines will be provided at no cost to those without insurance. Residents with insurance should bring their card and will be charged a small administrative fee, but will not be charged out of pocket for the vaccine. State health officials say flu activity in Connecticut continues to increase. As of November 24, 2018, 151 people have tested positive for the flu so far this season, and 55 have been hospitalized with the illness. There has also been one flu-related death so far this season. For the most recent information about influenza activity in Connecticut, see the DPH weekly influenza update. Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that is spread through the air and by direct contact with respiratory droplets. Typical symptoms of the flu include sudden fever, aching muscles, sore throat, coughing, runny nose, headache, and eye pain. While anyone, particularly individuals who are not vaccinated, can contract the flu, the illness is especially dangerous for certain groups, including: people aged 65 and older; children younger than 2 years old; people of any age with chronic medical conditions, like asthma, diabetes, congestive heart failure, or lung disease; and pregnant women. Act Natural will donate to non-profits TORRINGTON Act Natural Health & Wellness, 24 Water St., is offering Holiday Receipt To Receive Holiday Giving Days. The Holiday Receipt To Receive Giving Days will give five percent (5%) of its designated day sales back to non-profit organizations through an application process. During the month of December, registered non-profit organizations (501c3) will have the opportunity to apply for a one-time only, daily 5% Holiday Receipt To Receive Giving Day. This partnership will allow each non-profit to market the event before and set-up a table to raise awareness about their organization to ensure a well attended and profitable event, according to Act Natural owner, Pam Pinto. Shoppers who want to support the selected organization can donate their cash register receipt, to be used to tally up at the end of the business day. Five percent of net sales will be donated to the selected non-profit organization. Act Natural Health & Wellness will select one (1) non-profit for each week in December, based on their application. The groups that will benefit are as varied as our own community and must fall into the following categories: Environmental Preservation, Animal Welfare, Preventative Health Care Through Nutrition, Hunger Relief, Organic Farming / Sustainable Food Resources, or education on any of the above, Pinto said. Giving Days are Dec. 6, Dec. 13, Dec. 20 and Dec. 27. For more information or to receive an application for the Holiday Receipt To Receive Giving Days, contact Pam Pinto at info@actnaturalhealth.com. Operation Fuel assistance forms available Operation Fuels winter energy assistance program begins Dec. 3, when its statewide network of more than 100 fuel banks, also known as intake sites, begin accepting energy assistance applications. Connecticut families and individuals who are struggling financially and need emergency energy assistance should call 211 to find their closest fuel bank. According to the United Way's most recent ALICE Report, more than 500,000 Connecticut households cannot afford the cost of basic needs; and as home living expenses continue to rise, Operation Fuel expects to see an increased need for energy assistance this winter. Operation Fuel wants to ensure that households struggling with home energy costs, have access to heating, electricity and water assistance and are able to stay warm and safe in their homes this winter. As we are all susceptible to extreme weather, we must ensure that those who are even more vulnerable to colder temperatures, children and the elderly especially, have access to our programs. This holiday season, we are asking Connecticut residents to consider making a donation to Operation Fuel. The assistance can very well help your neighbor or a relative, said Operation Fuel Executive Director Brenda Watson, in a statement. Operation Fuel provides year-round emergency energy assistance throughout Connecticut to lower-income working families and individuals, the elderly, and disabled individuals who are in a financial crisis. For more information on Operation Fuel, or to make a donation, go to www.operationfuel.org. Donations also can be mailed to Operation Fuel, 75 Charter Oak Avenue, Suite 2-240, Hartford, CT 06106. Utility customers can donate to Operation Fuel through the nonprofits Add-a-Dollar program when paying their utility bills. Operation Fuel uses 100 percent of the donations made to the Add-a-Dollar program for energy assistance. George Bush, the 41st president of the United States, has died at the age of 94. "America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle. We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the nation and gentler the face of the world. My friends, we have work to do." With those words, made during his inaugural address in 1989, Bush ushered in a term during which he would preside over the end of the Cold War. His single term in office would coincide with the fall of the Iron Curtain and the collapse of the Soviet Union, and usher in an era of the United States as the world's lone superpower. Bush entered into a war with Iraq -- which had invaded neighboring Kuwait -- that would later come to be known as the "first" Gulf War, and forged a new strategic partnership with Russia that would include a major reduction of their respective stockpiles of nuclear weapons. Bushs wide-ranging resume included being a decorated World War II veteran, oilman, head of the Central Intelligence Agency, a two-term vice president, ambassador to the United Nations and China, father of a president, and a confessed broccoli hater. Bush was also the United States' oldest living former president when he died. "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," his son, former President George W. Bush, said in a statement released on Twitter by a family spokesman. "George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," his son said. World Leaders Pay Tribute In a statement posted on Twitter on December 1, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump said they "join with a grieving nation to mourn the loss" of Bush. "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service -- to be, in his words, 'a thousand points of light' illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world," the president and first lady said. The U.S. flag at the White House was at half-staff on December 1. "America has lost a patriot and humble servant," former President Barack Obama said in a statement, voicing gratitude "not merely for the years he spent as our president but for the more than 70 years he spent in devoted service to the country he loved." Bush, Obama said, possessed "the qualities that make this country great. Service to others. Commitment to leaving behind something better. Sacrifice in the name of lifting this country closer to its founding ideals." Former President Bill Clinton praised Bush for his "great long life of service, love and friendship." In a statement issued early on December 1, Clinton, who defeated Bush in the 1992 presidential election, said he was always struck by Bush's "innate and genuine decency" and by his devotion to his wife Barbara and his family. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said Bush had been a "true partner" in working to bring an end to the Cold War, in comments quoted by Interfax on December 1. "We had the opportunity to work together during the era of great changes. It was a dramatic period, which required everyone to be tremendously responsible. Its outcome was the end of the Cold War and the nuclear arms race," Gorbachev was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Bush "a distinguished manwho served his country for his entire life." Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev also expressed his and the Russian government's "deepest condolences" over Bush's death in posts on Twitter and Facebook. Medvedev noted "Bush's great personal contribution to developing friendly relations between the Russian Federation and the United States, as well as his genuine interest in our country, its history and culture. We will cherish the memory of this outstanding man." U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May said that "in navigating a peaceful end to the Cold War, he made the world a safer place for generations to come." German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas paid tribute to Bush as one of the architects of his country's reunification in 1990. Maas said in a statement that "we are mourning a great statesman and a friend of Germany." German Chancellor Angela Merkel called him "a true friend" of the German people who "gave us his trust and support." U.S. Congressional leaders announced that Bush will lie in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building. A state funeral will be held at Washington's National Cathedral on December 5. The White House announced that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump would attend the ceremony. Political Lineage Bush was born in Massachusetts in 1924 to a prominent family headed by his father, banker and U.S. Senator Prescott Bush. The younger Bush would continue the family's political lineage, serving twice as vice president under Ronald Reagan before becoming president himself, and fathering George W. Bush -- president from 2001 to 2009 -- and Jeb Bush, a two-term Florida governor who unsuccessfully ran to be the Republican Partys candidate for president in 2016. Bush was educated at elite schools and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. At 18, he was the youngest Navy flier at the time, and would go on to fly 58 combat missions as a torpedo bomber pilot in the Pacific theater. On one of those missions, in 1944, his squadron came under heavy Japanese antiaircraft fire. With his plane ablaze, Bush managed to release his bombs and attempted to return to an aircraft carrier before he was forced to bail. He was rescued after floating at sea for four hours, and won a Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery in action. After his military service, Bush attended and graduated from Yale University. He married Barbara Pierce in 1945, and about that same time entered the oil business in Texas. It was not until two decades later that he would enter politics. He was married to Barbara for 73 years, the longest marriage of any U.S. presidential couple. His wife -- considered one of the most popular first ladies in U.S. history -- died in April 2018. Bush lost two bids for a Senate seat and won one in the House of Representatives before attracting the attention of President Richard Nixon, who named Bush to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Nixon's successor, President Gerald Ford, named Bush as CIA director in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. In 1980, Bush sought the Republican nomination for president but lost to Reagan. Bush was added to Reagan's ticket as vice president despite lacerating attacks on Reagan's supply-side fiscal approach to the economy labeled by Bush as "voodoo economics," and the two would go on to beat incumbent Democrat Jimmy Carter and serve two terms together. During his run for the presidency in 1988, Bush famously characterized "liberal" as a word so horrible that it could not be uttered. Instead, he called his liberal opponents "the L-word." He also famously issued a campaign promise he would fail to keep when he said: "Read my lips: No new taxes." 'A New Breeze Is Blowing' As president, Bush's devoted considerable attention to foreign affairs, especially as the Soviet Union was showing signs of collapse. Sensing the U.S.S.R.'s grip was failing, Bush enunciated a vision of the direction the world was taking after more than 40 years of Cold War. "The totalitarian era is passing, its old ideas blown away like leaves from an ancient, lifeless tree," he said during his inaugural address. "A new breeze is blowing, and a nation refreshed by freedom stands ready to push on. There is new ground to be broken, and new action to be taken." Eventually the Soviet Union did break up, and Bush worked to help bring about what he called a "new world order." He worked to foster Western-style democracy in former communist-dominated states and integrate them into the global economy. Despite his international successes, issues at home combined to deny Bush a second term. Most prominent was his agreement in 1990 to raise taxes in order to cut the federal budget deficit, despite his earlier pledge at the Republican National Convention. This alienated many of his supporters while Democrat Bill Clinton, the youthful governor of Arkansas, used a sluggish economy to his advantage, portraying himself as the champion of the common man while making his opponent look as though he didnt understand the plight or ordinary Americans. Its the economy, stupid, Clinton aide James Carville repeated over and over again until it became a mantra of the campaign and the start of Bushs downfall. In the end, Bush lost his reelection bid to Clinton in 1992 and became embroiled in controversy as he prepared to leave office. Just 28 days before Clintons inauguration, Bush ordered clemency for six people, including former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, for their role in the Iran-Contra affair that occurred under Bushs predecessor, Reagan. The move drew fire from many critics of the affair, which involved the clandestine sale of arms to Iran via Israel in exchange for the release of American hostages held in Lebanon. Money from the sale was then secretly diverted to Contra rebels in Nicaragua who were fighting at a time when Congress prohibited such support. Four of those pardoned -- Clair George, Alan Fiers, Elliot Abrams, and William McFarlane -- had been convicted or pleaded guilty to charges in the Iran-Contra affair, while Duane Clarridge, like Weinberger, had been awaiting trial. After leaving the White House, Bush became a low-profile ex-president, refusing many speaking engagements and rarely making public pronouncements. The conservative wing of the Republican Party, meanwhile, put the blame on him for Clinton's victory and prevented him from playing a prominent role in the party. Eventually, Bush and Clinton combined their public influence to foster social and cultural issues, and the two served as goodwill ambassadors overseas. Together, the two former presidents from opposing parties helped generate aid for the victims of the tsunami of December 2004 and for victims of Hurricane Katrina in the southern United States in September 2005. Bush suffered from vascular Parkinsonism, a form of Parkinson's disease that forced him to use a motorized scooter or wheelchair after 2012 or so. But Bush also remained physically active at ages when many people have long since slowed down. He made a number of parachute jumps after retiring, including to celebrate his 75th, 80th, and 90th birthdays. He announced his final leap, on his 90th birthday in 2014, on Twitter, and pulled off the tandem jump near his beloved summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine, with flying colors. Despite gestures of goodwill and working toward helping others, Bushs final years were tarnished by accusations late in 2017 that he sexually harassed at least seven women. Officials representing Bush issued apologies for the incidents, saying his behavior was an attempt to make light of social awkwardness posed by his own physical disability during photo sessions. No criminal charges were filed because of the allegations. The special counsel investigating Russian involvement in the 2016 U.S. presidential election may file additional charges against Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman. A prosecutor from Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office told a judge on November 30 that prosecutors have not yet decided whether to file new charges against Manafort. "That determination has not been made yet," Prosecutor Andrew Weissmann said at a federal court hearing in Washington. The new charges, if any, could stem from what lawyers in Mueller's investigation say were lies told by Manafort, whom they accuse of violating a plea agreement. Weissman spoke at a hearing during which U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson set March 5 as the tentative sentencing date for Manafort. The 69-year-old already faces years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy counts in the Washington court and being convicted of financial fraud crimes at a Virginia court, which is scheduled to sentence him in February. Manafort joined Trump's presidential campaign in March 2016 and became chairman but resigned five months later. Both cases stem from political work Manafort did for Moscow-friendly former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his party, and undisclosed lobbying work he admitted to performing on behalf of Ukraine in violation of U.S. law. Prosecutors have said that next week they plan to reveal what they believe are lies Manafort told since he pleaded guilty in the Washington case in September and agreed to cooperate with the investigation. Manafort's lawyers deny he lied, and it will be up to a judge to rule on whether he broke his plea deal. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters Pakistan will charge the detained leaders of a hard-line Islamist group with terrorism and sedition, the government said on December 1. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the leader of the Tehrik-e Labaik (TLP) party, cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, and two other TLP leaders have been booked under the charges, which could carry a life prison term. Rizvi and more than 3,000 of his supporters were arrested during violent demonstrations following the October 31 acquittal of a Christian woman in a blasphemy case. Rizvi and the other TLP leaders are accused of inciting violence and making incendiary comments about the judiciary and the military. With reporting by Dawn and AP February 23 was a great day for Turkmenistan and its neighbor to the south, Afghanistan. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov joined Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar in the Turkmen border town of Serhetabat, where a segment of a pipeline coming from Turkmenistan was welded to a segment coming from Afghanistan. It was a big day for Turkmenistan for another reason, too. "We have concluded our work in Turkmenistan and we now move to Afghanistan," Muhammetmyrad Amanov, the CEO of the TAPI Pipeline Company, said in a February 28 Euronews report. "We plan to finish the job and put gas in the pipeline towards the end of 2019." From the early years after Turkmenistan's independence in 1991, officials there, beginning with the president at the time, have been prone to offering optimistic or flattering appraisals of the country's achievements. Later evidence showed some of these claims were exaggerated or just plain false. So how to understand the news from a Turkmen state news agency on November 19 that Saudi Arabia's Global Pipe Company had started delivering pipeline segments to Turkmenistan for constructing the TAPI pipeline? According to the state news agency of Turkmenistan (TDH), 175 train wagons carrying some 4,956 meters of pipe had reached the train station at Ymambaba in Mary Province; under the contract with the Saudi company, 35,000 meters in total would be delivered in two stages, at a cost of some $40 million. The pro-government website Orient made clear in its report the same day that "steel pipes are immediately transported to construction sites for assembly." Turkmenistan started construction of its roughly 200-kilometer section of the approximately 1,800-kilometer TAPI pipeline on December 13, 2015. And, according to Amanov in his Euronews interview, at the end of February of this year the Turkmen segment was done. There was never any mention in TDH or Orient of why 35 kilometers of pipeline were still needed for a pipeline that was announced as being completed eight months ago. While there could have been some damaged segments somewhere, the length of pipeline needed -- more than 15 percent of Turkmenistan's total section of TAPI -- suggests there never was any pipeline in at least part of the country. Dubious Claims There has been a good deal of skepticism about TAPI construction on Turkmen territory since the authorities there announced the launch of construction in December 2015. Turkmen state media have always been eager to show the feats of the government: the Awaza resort area with its white marble five-star hotels; the "Olympic Village" in Ashgabat, built for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games the country hosted in September 2017; even the massive sculpture in Ashgabat of President Berdymukhammedov on horseback. These and more have all been shown on state television. So it seemed strange that the only photographic evidence Turkmen media ever provided of TAPI was still photographs of unassembled segments of pipe in the desert, which could just as easily have been from construction of the East-West gas pipeline that was completed in 2015 or part of earlier pipelines running from Turkmenistan to China, or from Turkmenistan to Iran. Before leaving TAPI and looking at some of the other dubious claims to have emerged from Turkmen officials, it is worth mentioning the estimated launch date and cost of TAPI. Amanov said on Euronews that gas would start flowing into the pipeline before the end of 2019. Not very far, apparently, since Pakistan is planning on launching construction of its approximately 780-kilometer section of TAPI sometime early next year and it would be complete sometime in 2020. And there has been no report of TAPI construction on Afghan territory since the February ceremony, though there have been many reports of fighting in the northern Afghan provinces bordering Turkmenistan since then, and in other areas of Afghanistan along the proposed TAPI route. The cost of TAPI has been revised...downward. At a November 13 International Gas and Oil conference in Abu Dhabi, CEO of the TAPI Pipeline Company Amanov told the audience that TAPI would cost $7 billion, substantially lower than the often-cited high estimate of $10 billion. There was no explanation of how TAPI is suddenly set to come in under budget. Plans still call for the 1,800-kilometer pipeline to ship 33 billion cubic meters of gas and the same material and labor force will still be required. One explanation could be that the operating company for the project is Turkmengaz, which has no experience building a pipeline outside Turkmenistan and has had little success attracting investors for TAPI, might be shaving 20 to 30 percent off the estimated cost to add an extra incentive to lure financiers for the project. Food Shortages? The abundance of goods in stores in Turkmenistan is another interesting story that Turkmen media have been keen to cover lately. State media reports about food on the shelves were rarely, if ever, aired or printed before, when there was food in stores. But during 2018, Turkmen state television has shown the variety of goods available to the population. These reports come as information has been leaking out for more than two years of shortages of basic goods in Turkmenistan. People are lining up out into the streets to get bread, flour, cooking oil, and sugar, all of which are rationed and all of which sell out quickly when they become available. A video posted on November 28 by the Europe-based Turkmen opposition website Khronika Turkmenistana shows people in the capital, Ashgabat, waiting near a store for the bread truck to arrive. There is a limit of two "churek," the round flatbread of the region, and the video shows two loaves are the most anyone is carrying as they exit the store. It is not only opposition websites that are reporting on shortages of basic goods in Turkmenistan. Uzbek television and Kyrgyzstan's AKIpress have reported about it, too. The stores seen in Turkmen state media reports do exist. They all seem to be in Ashgabat, but even when state media show them, there are few, if any, customers in the stores. It seems clear enough that these markets are not open to everyone. Curiously, these reports seem designed for an audience outside Turkmenistan, since the population of the country, many of whom are queuing up for things like bread, are surely aware the selection of products shown on television is not available to them. As noted at the beginning of this report, such obfuscation is not new to Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan's first postindependence president, Saparmurat Niyazov, deserves credit for starting Turkmenistan down the road of incredulous information. After Niyazov underwent multiple-bypass heart surgery in September 1997, he started making some interesting pronouncements. He said the Turkmen people could trace their history back some 8,000 years and that Turkmen people were the first people to develop a democratic system of government. Niyazov was displeased with the results of grain and harvests in the first years of Turkmenistan's independence and took to sacking and humiliating officials who failed to meet the often-unrealistic targets that Niyazov set. During the drought of 1999-2000, for example, he told farmers he was tired of their excuses for not meeting quotas and did not want to hear any more stories about lack of water causing harvest shortfalls. The grain harvest for 1996 was 480,000 tons. The grain harvest for 2006, the year Niyazov died, was reported to be 3.5 million tons. Turkmenistan's parliament gave Niyazov a series of medals and awards as the grain harvest increased year by year. The reported grain harvest after Berdymukhammedov came to power was some 1 million tons, though it increased to about 1.5 million tons by 2011. Turkmen authorities reported the grain harvest was some 1.6 million tons in 2018, but authorities never commented on why Turkmenistan was forced to buy some 100,000 tons of grain from Kazakhstan in 2018 for the first time in many years. In April 1995, Turkmenistan released the results of its census, showing 4,000,460 people lived in the country. By March 2006, Turkmenistan's National Statistics Institute reported the population was some 6.786 million, a nearly-75 percent increase in 11 years. Turkmenistan never released the results of its 2009 census, but the population is currently estimated to be some 5 million people. The construction of TAPI is the latest tale from Turkmenistan that has been cast into doubt, but it is far from the first. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL. U.S. President Donald Trump has defended his decision to seek a business deal in Russia in 2016 even as he pursued the Republican presidential nomination. In a series of tweets from Buenos Aires, where he is attending a Group of 20 (G20) summit, Trump said he had "lightly looked" at a real estate project in Russia and that it was "very legal" and "very cool" to do so while campaigning. He added that he ultimately abandoned the project. "Oh, I get it! I am a very good developer, happily living my life, when I see our Country going in the wrong direction (to put it mildly). Against all odds, I decide to run for President & continue to run my business-very legal & very cool, talked about it on the campaign trail.... Lightly looked at doing a building somewhere in Russia. Put up zero money, zero guarantees and didnt do the project. Witch Hunt! Trump said on Twitter. Trump posted the tweets a day after his longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen admitted to having lied to Congress about the timing and extent of his discussions with unnamed Russian officials on a proposed Trump-branded skyscraper development in Moscow. Cohen had previously said that talks about the deal stopped in January 2016. But, according to a court filing by U.S. Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller, those discussions in fact were ongoing as late as June 2016, by which time Trump had secured enough support to win the Republican Party nomination to be U.S. president. Cohen admitted that he misled the Senate Intelligence Committee about that and other details in testimony he provided to the committee in August 2017. BuzzFeed News reported on November 29 that Trump's company considered giving the penthouse apartment in the proposed Moscow tower to Putin. "My idea was to give a $50 million penthouse to Putin and charge $250 million more for the rest of the units," BuzzFeed quoted another person involved, Felix Sater, as saying. "All the oligarchs would line up to live in the same building as Putin." Trump lashed out at Cohen after the plea deal was announced on November 29, calling him "a weak person" and "not very smart person." 'Russian Witch Hunt Hoax' Mueller's office is investigating Russias interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump's campaign. Trump has repeatedly called the investigation a "witch hunt." The White House said on November 30 that ties between Russia and the United States are likely being damaged by the investigation into whether President Trump colluded with Moscow during his election. "Unfortunately, it probably does undermine our relationship with Russia," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement, referring to the probe as "the Russian Witch Hunt Hoax." "However, the reason for our cancelled meeting is Ukraine. Hopefully, that will be resolved soon so that productive conversations can begin, Sanders added. Trump had said on Twitter that he canceled the meeting with Putin over Russia's seizure of Ukrainian ships and sailors. He announced the cancellation shortly after his former lawyer Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team has brought charges or secured convictions against more than two dozen Russian nationals and entities, as well as a number of Trump's associates, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort who will tentatively face sentencing on March 5, according to a November 30 ruling by a federal judge. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, BBC, and Buzzfeed U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that Washington considers its "relationship with South America, Central America, Mexico to be central to American success." In an interview with VOA on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires on December 1, Pompeo noted that President Donald Trump has been "committed to that since the beginning of his time in office," although the president's current trip to Argentina is his first visit to the region. Pompeo expressed concern about China's efforts to boost ties in Latin America. "We are all concerned about China and the way China enters countries," Pompeo said. "It is not always the case that when China shows up, it's with a good intention for the people of the country they are showing up ostensibly to support. It's most often about China." Pompeo also said the United States was committed to working to create economic opportunities for people in Central America, in part to reduce incentives for them to seek to migrate to the United States. He said Washington would work with Mexico to create opportunities "so these people will have better lives there." "It's the capacity to live their lives the way they want to with economic success and freedom," Pompeo said. "We're committed to assisting in that, and in the time that we can't get there, we're also determined to make sure the human rights of the migrants are respected. At the same time, enforcing U.S. law." Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that Russia is amassing ground forces and weaponry along the border between the two countries. Speaking at a military event in Kyiv on December 1, Poroshenko said Russia has deployed "more than 80,000 troops, 1,400 artillery and multiple-rocket-launch systems, 900 tanks, 2,300 armored combat vehicles, 500 airplanes, and 300 helicopters" near the border. He also said Russia had 80 ships and eight submarines in the Aegean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov. The numbers could not be independently verified. The alleged buildup comes in the wake of a November 25 incident in which Russia seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and detained 24 Ukrainian sailors near the Kerch Strait. "The Kremlin is further testing the strength of the global order," Poroshenko said, adding that Moscow wants to see if the international community will allow Russia to claim the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov as its territorial waters. The European Union and the United States have urged Russia to release the Ukrainian vessels and servicemen immediately. In 2014, Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea. Moscow also provides military, political, and economic support to separatist formations in eastern Ukraine. The conflict in the eastern part of Ukraine has claimed more than 10,300 lives since April 2014. Based on reporting by Ukrainskaya Pravda and AP Ukraines border guard service says some 100 Russian male nationals were stopped from entering the country on December 1. The news comes a day after President Petro Poroshenko announced that Russian male nationals between 16 and 60 years of age would be denied entry to Ukraine during a 30-day period of martial law that was approved by parliament earlier in the week. The move comes amid escalating tensions between Kyiv and Moscow after Russian coast guard boats on November 25 opened fire and captured three Ukrainian naval vessels and their 24-member crew off Crimea, the Ukrainian Peninsula that Russia illegally annexed in 2014. Ukrainian border guard spokesman Andriy Demchenko told Ukrainian TV on December 1 that the "vast majority" of those barred from entering Ukraine "couldnt confirm the purpose of their trip to Ukraine." He said that "some of them didn't have the necessary documents to enter Ukraine and others had exceeded the period of stay in our country." In explaining the move a day earlier, Poroshenko said it was aimed at preventing undercover Russian military units from entering the country. Russia said it had no plans to mirror the Ukrainian move. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blamed the Ukrainian government on November 30 for implementing a policy that hurts ordinary people. On November 29, Poroshenko said that Kyiv would impose "restrictions" on Russian citizens in Ukraine and the country's border guard said only Ukrainian nationals would be allowed to travel to Crimea in connection with the imposition of martial law for 30 days in parts of the country. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Kateryna Zelenko confirmed to RFE/RL by phone on November 30 that foreign journalists are among those excluded from entering Crimea from Ukraine but said her ministry was discussing whether to grant them an exception. The official confirmation came hours after Anna-Lena Lauren, a Moscow-based foreign correspondent of the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter, was barred by Ukrainian border guards from entering Crimea via what Ukraine deems the only legal route. A Russian government-appointed ombudswoman in Crimea said on November 30 that the captured Ukrainian naval personnel had transferred to Moscow. A Russian activist later that day said she had visited some of the Ukrainian sailors in a Moscow jail. Russian TV station Dozhd on November 30 quoted Kogershyn Sagiyeva -- a member of the Moscow oversight council which is allowed to inspect prisons -- as saying that 21 seamen had been transferred to the Moscow Lefortovo jail while three others are in a hospital in another jail. She said she met with some of the sailors and they appeared to be in good shape. Russia says the Ukrainians had violated its border while Ukraine says its ships were acting in line with international maritime rules. A Crimea court earlier this week ruled to keep the Ukrainian seamen behind bars for two months pending the outcome of the investigation. With reporting by dpa, AP, and Interfax Members of the new Charlestown Town Council, following their swearing in. From left, Julie Carroccia, Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, Boni-ta Van Slyke, council President Virginia Lee, David Wilkinson and council Vice President Deborah Carney. Kelley McShane at Daves Marketplace in Wickford as she hands out samples of all four Granny Squibbs iced tea flavors. Some of us went to school on the Barefoot Contessa. Right there in her kitchen, elbows propped upon her slate-gray Belgian stone countertops, we fell in love with cooking, yes, but with Ina Garten, too. Well, at least it felt like we were nestled in her kitchen. Like we'd pulled up a stool, peeked right over her elbow as she whisked a bubbling pot of cream and butter. Like we'd stuck our nose or our greedy fingers in the mixing bowl of melted chocolate. Imagine, then, the pure delight in doing away with any sort of screen TV or computer and sitting down to breakfast (OK, so it was coffee with a splash of cream) with the real-live Garten not so long ago. We spent the better part of 75 minutes soaking up her real-live secrets including, but not limited to, her many ways of making life in the kitchen a whole lot easier. While her latest book, "How Easy Is That? Fabulous Recipes & Easy Tips" (Clarkson Potter, $35), is crammed with 68 tips (from No. 1, "Parchment for sheet pans," to No. 68, "Pastry bags"), we squeezed in a mere 10 during our tete-a-tete. But as is the truth for so many of life's richest conversations, one idea led to another and another. Here are 10 tips from the real-live Garten (who, by the way, is more delicious and much shorter than you might ever have imagined her to be): For starters, Three Easy Rules, abiding principles in Garten's kitchen: Easy ingredients: In the gospel according to Ina, no ingredient gets into a recipe unless it earns its place. Fewer ingredients mean less shopping and less prep time, says the queen of ease. And she will not write a recipe with esoteric, hard-to-find ingredients that will have you dialing specialty shops across the country. You can count on quick trips to the grocery shelves to find anything she beckons. Easy shortcuts: Instead of making beef broth from scratch, start with canned broth and cook up with lots of inexpensive oxtails. Or, because Spanish onions are twice as big as puny yellow onions, chop one Spanish when the recipe calls for two yellow and you're done in half the time. Easy techniques: Throw it in the oven, set a timer and forget it. French toast bread pudding is a yummy case in point. Instead of slaving over the stove, tending two slices at a time, she dumps all the deliciousness in a baking dish and, less than two hours later, pulls a slice of heaven from the oven. Ditto Parmesan risotto, baked (yes, baked) in the oven in a mere 45 minutes. And homing in, Seven Specifics, small wonders that make cooking a whole lot, well, easier: Tread lightly: The Barefoot One swears by the comfort that comes from standing on GelPro mats that is, the gel-filled floor mats found in many five-star kitchens while she is cooking. Says Garten: "They save my life." Can't-have-enough department: You want a whole stack of half sheet pans, not just a measly one or two. Use 'em for baking, roasting, all kinds of cooking. Says Garten: "One kind of pan, lots of uses. How easy is that?" You'll want doubles of these at least: It's a pain, midrecipe, to have to put a halt to the cooking and turn to sudsing, so pick up an extra whisk, beater and bowl for your Cuisinart (psst, this is one cook who names names and is not inclined to talk in oh-so-bland generics). "It means you'll only have to wash half as many times while you're cooking," says Garten, who even has two dishwashers. Sigh. Stash-all: Garten keeps a big wicker basket (think laundry hamper) at the end of her counter so she has a place to stash "all the big things you don't know what to do with" the half sheet pans, cooling racks, trays, even a hefty-size butcher-block cutting board. Garten loves the ones from Axel Vervoordt in Antwerp, Belgium. Timers times three: "Because you've always got three things going at once," says Garten, you'll want a timer for every something. Don't trust that you'll keep track of it all with just one timer. No slouch when it comes to timing, Garten plunks down a timer next to whatever she's timing the oven, the stove and the mixer. "I time everything," she says. "I'm a scientist at heart." If your oven tells you it's 325 degrees, check it out: Don't believe the doohickey on the oven door. Stick a thermometer into your oven and make sure it's as hot as it tries to pretend. Your cakes will thank you. It's a wrap: Ditch the plastic wrap you find at the grocery and upgrade to what the pros use. Pick up a box of commercial-grade plastic wrap at any restaurant supply store (it comes in 12-inch, 18-inch or 24-inch widths), and just plant it on your counter. (Garten slathers white paint on the cardboard box so it doesn't look quite so industrial.) You'll have it for years, and never have to wrestle the flimsy stuff. bmahany@tribune.com "I time everything. I'm a scientist at heart." Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa Jeter said he was questioned by police at Stroger Hospital, but he could not offer much help. It was all right, Jeter said. I felt they treated me like how they should. Like a regular person. They was doing their job. They was asking me, did I see anything. Did I know who it was? (I said) no, I did not know what was going on. More than a dozen Cancun police arrested for forceful removal of municipal secretary Cancun, Q.R. More than a dozen Cancun police officers were arrested Friday in compliance with an arrest warrant for their involvement in the forceful removal of the municipal secretary of public security. On Friday afternoon, 16 municipal police officers were taken into custody by members of the ministerial police with support of the military and state police for their involvement in the November altercation. Photo: Fiscalia General del Estado The detained officers were identified by the municipal secretary of public security, Jesus Perez Abarca, as the orchestrators of the revolt who pushed and forcefully removed him from his office. The municipal officers were loaded onto a waiting State Police bus where they were handed over to the corresponding authority. During the time of the arrests, the prosecutors office closed Xcaret Avenue from Kabah to La Costa due to police deployment. They were eventually transferred to the Cancun prison where they will remain until presented before a judge. On social media, Jesus Capella Ibarra, state secretary of Public Security, reported the arrest of 16 policemen were the result of the shameful acts of November 5 in this institution, adding that no one is above the law. In total, 19 municipal police officers have warrants for their arrest for their involvement, however on Friday, only 16 were taken into custody. Many of the children we serve have no place else to go, and we offer the best hope for their stabilization and return to society, Dr. Peter Nierman, the hospitals chief medical officer, said in a statement. Frankly, this is a population that virtually no other facility wants to take, and I believe that without Lakeshore, the already tragic story of some of these children will only be further exacerbated. For example, the two sides have painted vastly different portraits of Chicago police Officer Dora Fontaine, who testified that March attributed false statements to her in his police reports and directed her to fill out paperwork saying Van Dyke was injured by McDonald. The defense called her a liar, while the prosecution presented her as one of the few officers at the shooting scene willing to acknowledge the truth. Its just astounding to me. You cannot call yourself a progressive, you cannot tell people you are for them, that you are going to put them first, that you have a different vision and you want to have a different compact with government if you are not speaking up about this issue. It is unacceptable, Lightfoot said. This is a guy who has a lot of power, power that he doesnt deserve, and weve got to talk about this. It has implications for the Finance Committee. We have a lot with city finances to work out, so how is that going to work with this cloud of an investigation hovering over this man? If not now, when? When are we going to break from the past? In new pre-clinical research, scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), led by Scott Thompson, PhD, Professor of Physiology, have identified changes in brain activity linked to the pleasure and reward system. The research, published in the journal, Nature, provides news insights into how the brain processes rewards, and advances our understanding of addiction and depression. The research, which was conducted by Tara LeGates, Ph.D., a Research Associate in the Department of Physiology, discovered that the strength of signals between two brain regions, the hippocampus and the nucleus accumbens, is critical for processing information related to a rewarding stimulus, such as its location. "These two parts of the brain are known to be important in processing rewarding experiences," said Dr. Thompson." The communication between these regions is stronger in addiction, although the mechanisms underlying this were unknown. We also suspected that opposite changes in the strength of this communication would occur in depression. A weakening of their connections could explain the defect in reward processing that causes the symptom of anhedonia in depressed patients." Anhedonia is the inability to enjoy normally pleasurable experiences, such as food, being with friends or family, and sex. This research uncovered a key circuit in the brain of mice that is important for goal-directed behaviors and shows that the strength of the signals in this circuit are changeable, a process referred to as plasticity. Reward circuits and the molecular components that underlie their plasticity represent new targets for development of treatments for disorders like addiction and depression. Using Light-Sensitive Proteins To activate or inhibit this connection, researchers used special light-sensitive proteins introduced into specific neurons in the brains of the mice. In mice with the light-sensitive protein that stimulated the neurons, just four seconds of light exposure not only activated this hippocampus-to-nucleus accumbens pathway while the light was on but persistently reinforced the strength of the signals along this pathway, creating an artificial reward memory. A day later, the mice returned to the place where the artificial memory was created, even though they never experienced an actual reward there. Researchers then used light to silence the same pathway in mice with the light-sensitive protein that inhibited the neurons and found that this pathway is required for associating a reward with its location. The mice no longer showed a preference for the place where they had interacted with another mouse. The researchers also examined this circuit in depressed mice. This pathway could not be enhanced using the stimulating light-sensitive protein. After receiving anti-depressant medication, the researchers could enhance this pathway using the light-sensitive protein and create artificial reward memories in the mice. This work was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Whitehall Foundation, and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (NARSAD Young Investigator Grant). "These exciting results bring us closer to understanding what goes wrong in the brains of clinically depressed patients," said UMSOM Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, who is also the Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor. A small part of that debt is due to a long-running practice at the Capitol of approving pension sweeteners for political allies. In September 2011, the Tribune and WGN found that nearly two dozen labor leaders from Chicago stood to reap benefits that could cost ailing local pension plans tens of millions of dollars over the course of their retirements. At one point, federal authorities even subpoenaed records on the inflated city pensions. A nurse who was separated from her children and deported to Mexico last year after more than two decades in Oakland has won her improbable fight to return to the United States. Maria Mendoza-Sanchez said she got a phone call Friday morning from the U.S. Consulate in Mexico City saying her visa had been approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Shes been staying with her sister in a town three hours from the capital and couldnt make the drive Friday because of air-pollution restrictions, but plans to pick up the paperwork Monday. And a week or two later, shell be flying back to the Bay Area. This is amazing. ... I could barely believe it, said Mendoza-Sanchez, 47, whose story has been covered extensively in The Chronicle and elsewhere and has drawn support from local and statewide political leaders. They include Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. Staffers at Oaklands Highland Hospital, where Mendoza-Sanchez worked as an oncology nurse, held a rally to protest her deportation. After hearing the news Friday, her first call was to her four children in Oakland. I told them to wake up, she said, I asked them to gather in one room, and I told them, Mommys coming home. They were very happy. I said, Get ready for school. The journey home required a winning ticket in a visa lottery this spring, then a series of approvals from agencies in a Trump administration that has taken an increasingly hard line on immigration from Latin America. The visa is an H-1B, reserved for skilled workers such as nurses in hospital cancer wards. The timing of Fridays call came as a surprise, because a consular official had told Mendoza-Sanchez this week that she would probably get a final decision in about a month. I think because of all of the pressure (from politicians and the public), they sped it up, said her immigration lawyer, Camiel Becker. Feinstein said Friday she had met with Mendoza-Sanchez and kept in close contact with her children over the past year. Given the importance of family unity and Marias contributions to her community, Im pleased this wrong is finally being rectified, the senator said in a statement. This is the kind of common sense and compassion our immigration system desperately needs more of. Lee said the case was a stark example of the damage that the Trump administrations inhumane zero-tolerance policy has wreaked on families across the country. Schaaf likewise said the family never should have been torn apart. Oakland is safer, stronger and better with Maria Mendoza-Sanchez in our community, the mayor said. Mendoza-Sanchez had crossed the border from Mexico without a visa in 1994 to join her husband, Eusebio Sanchez, who had entered the U.S. five years earlier. She obtained work permits in the early 2000s, studied nursing at City College of San Francisco and Holy Names University in Oakland, and worked night shifts as a nurses assistant to support her family. In 2015, she landed a six-figure job as an oncology nurse at Highland Hospital. The couple had been applying for legal status since 2002, but suffered a setback in 2013 when an immigration judge ordered them deported. President Barack Obamas administration, however, granted them two one-year stays, then adopted rules that focused on deporting criminals and allowed the couple to remain in the U.S., renewing their work permits every six months. That ended when President Trump took office and signed an executive order calling for across-the-board deportations. Seven months later, Mendoza-Sanchez and her husband were sent back to Mexico. They left behind three daughters, two of them native-born U.S. citizens and the oldest, Vianney, who was an infant when her mother brought her to California in 1994. Vianney is now protected from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which Trump is trying to repeal. The couple at first brought their son, Jesus, then 12, to live with them in the village where Mendoza-Sanchez had been born and raised. Two months later, his mother said, the unfamiliar surroundings, language and school system were too much for him, and she sent him back to Oakland. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Workers whose jobs require specialized knowledge, like Mendoza-Sanchez, are theoretically eligible to seek H-1B visas, allowing them to return to the U.S. for renewable three-year periods. There are more applicants than visas available, so this spring she entered the visa lottery, and was one of about 65,000, out of 200,000 applicants, to draw a winning ticket. She was still ineligible for a visa through normal channels, because she had entered the U.S. illegally with her daughter in 1994 technically alien smuggling, Becker said. So she applied for a waiver available to skilled workers. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services found her legally eligible. Then she traveled to the State Departments consular office in Mexico City for an interview, accompanied by a legal team that presented written testimonials to her skills, character, and the need for her services, along with the media coverage of her case. The office recommended approval. The final, nerve-racking step was back at Citizenship and Immigration Services, an arm of the Department of Homeland Security, which has been at the forefront of Trumps border crackdown. But on Friday morning, her phone rang with good news. Its been a very tough year, the first year we were not together, said Mendoza-Sanchez, who has been visited by two of her children and talks with them regularly, but too briefly, by phone. She said she was amazed at her support, including thousands of people who signed the petition in support of a bill Feinstein introduced last year calling for her return. The bill did not pass. After the holidays, she said, shell go back to work at the hospital, then provide evidence to immigration officials that she has secure employment and could support her husband, making him potentially eligible for a visa. This journey hasnt been easy, Mendoza-Sanchez said. But weve been blessed. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko McKesson Corp., the biggest U.S. pharmaceutical distributor by revenue, is moving its headquarters from San Francisco to Texas, becoming the latest corporate giant to leave the Bay Area. The companys existing office at Las Colinas, Tex. in the Dallas area will become its headquarters in April, and most Bay Area jobs will be relocated. McKesson had revenue of $198 billion last year, the sixth highest among U.S. public companies. However, profits have dropped after the company was fined by the federal government and sued by hundreds of U.S. cities for its role in in the opiod crisis. McKesson joins Bay Area companies like Bechtel, Jamba Juice and the North Face, which are leaving as the cost of living and taxes rise. Texas, which doesnt have an income tax, has been a popular destination for corporate California, drawing the likes of Toyota. We are excited to strengthen our presence in Texas and make Las Colinas our official global headquarters, said John Hammergren, CEO of McKesson, in a statement. Making this move will improve efficiency, collaboration and cost-competitiveness, while providing an exceptional work environment for our employees. The company said it will continue to employ more than 1,400 workers in California, including McKesson Ventures and a tech team for an oncology subsidiary. The move is part of McKessons goal to cut costs by $300 million to $400 million by the end of fiscal year 2021. McKesson sold its San Francisco headquarters building at One Post St. in 2017 for $245 million last year. The buyer was Brookfield, which has since leased a portion of the building to co-working operator WeWork. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Hammergren is retiring in March and will be succeeded by Brian Tyler, who is currently president and chief operating officer. Tyler already lives in Las Colinas. Bringing employee groups together in key locations will make McKesson a more streamlined and agile company, complementing our investments and improving operating profit growth for the organization, Tyler said in a statement. Roland Li is a Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf Zachary Davis, who with a partner owns a small ice cream plant, two ice cream shops and a cafe in Santa Cruz, started offering a health care plan to his staff before he legally had to. He wanted to offer a 401(k) plan, but the cost and compliance challenges were simply too high, he said. It was going to cost $8,000 to $10,000 for the audit and setup, he added. Then there was the administration. His companies, the Penny Ice Creamery and the Picnic Basket cafe, employ about 50 workers, but many are students who come and go. Tracking who was eligible to participate would be an administrative nightmare for a company without a full-time human resources person and if we missed something we could be in expensive legal trouble. Thats why Davis last week became one of the first 20 employers to register for CalSavers, a grand experiment in retirement savings. CalSavers is a state-run retirement program for workers in California whose employers dont offer one. By June 2022, all private-sector employers with five or more workers that dont offer a qualified retirement plan will have to register with CalSavers. Upon registration, employers must upload their workers names and contact information to CalSavers and facilitate payroll deductions, but they wont have to pay any costs and cant contribute to worker accounts. Participants must shoulder the costs. Once an employer registers, workers have 5 percent of their pay automatically diverted to a Roth individual retirement account in their name, unless they opt out or choose a different investment rate. CalSavers frequently cites an AARP study that says 57 percent of Californias private-sector employees, roughly 7.5 million people, work for a business that does not offer a retirement plan. At companies with fewer than 100 employees, that number is 77 percent, and among workers making $14,000 or less, its 82 percent. Getting those people to save for retirement will help them and the public because we will have fewer people reliant on social services and the state safety net, said CalSavers Executive Director Katie Selenski. Thats a laudable goal, but critics question whether its legal, whether its needed, whether it will discourage employers from offering more generous plans and whether it will get big enough to become self-sustaining and pay back a startup loan from the general fund. California is the third and largest state to implement such a plan, following Oregon a year ago and Illinois this year. All three states are using the same company, Ascensus, to administer their plans. CalSavers started signing up 20 employers for a pilot project two weeks ago and will add more volunteer companies through June 30. Starting July 1, any employer without a plan, including the self-employed, can register. The deadline for registration is June 2020 for employers with 100 or more workers, June 2021 if they have 50 or more and June 2022 if they have five or more. CalSavers: What you need to know Enrollment: Any private-sector employer, including nonprofits, that has at least five full- or part-time employees - at least one of whom is in California - and does not have a retirement plan for workers, must register with CalSavers. The program will notify employers when they must register, starting with larger employers. Upon registration, they must upload employee names and contact information to CalSavers, which will notify employees that they will be automatically enrolled in a Roth i ndividual r etirement a ccount unless they opt out. The employer, or its payroll processor, must send employee contributions to CalSavers, which will handle employee communications and account changes. Contributions: Initially, all participants will have a Roth IRA in their name funded by payroll deductions. Starting July 1, they can choose a traditional IRA instead, although a Roth IRA will always be the default account. Participants will have 5 percent of pay diverted to the IRA, escalating by 1 percent per year until the rate reaches 8 percent, unless they choose otherwise. Employers can not contribute to the accounts. Investment options: Employees can choose from a money market fund, bond fund, target-date fund or global stock fund, all managed by State Street. If they make no choice, the first $1,000 will go into a money market fund, after that into a target-date fund. Fees: Annual fees range from 0.825 to 0.92 percent of account assets, depending on investment choice. On a $1,000 investment, that is about $9 a year. Limits: In 2019, employees can invest no more than $6,000 ($7,000 if they are 50 or older) to this and all IRAs in their name combined. Employees cannot contribute to a Roth IRA if their combined household income exceeds certain amounts. Withdrawals: With a Roth IRA, employees can withdraw the amount they put in any time tax- and penalty-free. If they take out more than they put in, the difference (their account earnings) could be subject to tax and penalty depending on their age, the age of the account and reason for the withdrawal. For traditional IRAs, different rules apply. Portability: Employees can keep their account when they change jobs. For more, see www.calsavers.com. See More Collapse The Legislature passed a bill to study such a plan in 2012, and another in 2016 to create it under the state treasurers office. It agreed to lend the program up to $19.4 million from the general fund to get started. Originally called Secure Choice, it has faced multiple hurdles. Under President Barack Obama, the U.S. Department of Labor gave state-run retirement plans legal protection if they followed strict rules. Among them: Employers could have little involvement and employee participation had to be completely voluntary. The Labor Department under President Trump overturned that rule. California forged ahead with its plan after getting a favorable opinion from a law firm. We are very confident we are on solid legal ground, Selenski said. In May, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association filed a lawsuit seeking to block CalSavers on the grounds that it is invalid under federal law and not completely voluntary. CalSavers filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. A decision on that motion is pending. CalSavers is illegal and solving a nonexistent problem, said Laura Murray, a lawyer for the association. Anyone can go into a bank or online, open an IRA in a matter of minutes and set up auto debit from a bank or in some cases a paycheck. That may be true, yet many employees never do it. A recent Federal Reserve study found that one-fourth of working adults nationwide had no retirement savings or pension whatsoever. Amando Popp, who manages the Picnic Basket cafe for Davis, started a Roth IRA at a brokerage firm three years ago at the urging of his father. But figuring how to do it was not as easy as making a cake, he said. Popp, 25, would have started saving two years earlier if hed had access to an employer plan. I think its brilliant to have people enrolled through their work and make it easier to participate, or at least get their foot in the door, he said. Its an indisputable fact that auto-enrollment increases participation in retirement plans, said James Choi, a Yale University finance professor. Whether it increases contributions depends on whether the default investment rate is higher or lower than what employees, left to their own devices, would invest. Another big question is whether auto-enrollment increases workers net worth or causes them to borrow more to offset their smaller paychecks. The first $1,000 that workers put into a CalSavers account will go into a money market fund currently yielding 2.14 percent, unless they choose a stock, bond or target-date fund. The fee on the money market fund is almost 1 percent a year, eating up nearly half its return. Paying off credit card debt, and even some other debt, would be better use of those funds, said Andrew Biggs, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. A team of researchers from Harvard, Yale and the U.S. Military Academy tried to see whether auto enrollment increased worker debt. It looked at what happened after the U.S. Army began automatically enrolling newly hired civilians into the federal governments Thrift Savings Plan. In a paper released last December, they said that four years after hire, auto-enrollment caused no significant change in debt excluding auto loans and first mortgages. But it did significantly increase auto-loan balances by 2 percent of income and first mortgage balances by 7.4 percent of income. If workers took out a bigger mortgage to buy a bigger house, thats not necessarily a negative for net worth, said Choi, one of the authors. Taking out a bigger auto loan is usually a negative because cars depreciate. The study rejected the worst-case scenario, that auto-enrolled workers would borrow more on their credit cards, Choi said. Biggs said he is not 100 percent against state-run retirement plans, but asks, How big is the problem these are trying to fix relative to the problems they could cause? He said low-income workers become low-income retirees not because they didnt save but because they never earned much. You are asking low-income people to make themselves poorer by putting money they could spend into these accounts, he said. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Biggs pointed out that Social Security replaces a much higher percentage of salary for low-income than high-income workers. Saving money in an IRA could jeopardize some government benefits that have means testing that includes retirement accounts, he added. After employees have $1,000 in CalSavers, their future contributions will go into a target-date fund unless they choose otherwise. Most target-date funds own stock, and one question is how employees will react if the stock market plunges. Will they exit and never return? Like Davis, many small employers dont offer retirement plans because the overhead is high. As companies grow larger, those costs can be spread over many employees so the cost per participant comes down. CalSavers says it can bring down costs by putting millions of small-company employees into one plan. Initially, CalSavers will charge participants just under 1 percent of assets per year, but those fees are going down dramatically over time, Selenski said. Most of that fee, 0.75 percent, goes to Ascensus, and the rest goes mainly to State Street, which manages the investment funds. By the time we get to $35 billion in assets, the Ascensus fee will be just 0.12 percent, Selenski said, but she declined to give any timetable. Its a long-term proposition, she said. We are trying to effectuate pretty substantial social change with this program. A 2016 feasibility study estimated that 6.8 million workers are potentially eligible for CalSavers and 70 to 90 percent would participate. It projected that by the first year of operation, the plan would have 1.6 million participants and over $3 billion in assets. Enrollment in Oregons program, however, has been far below what was projected in a 2016 feasibility study and somewhat below updated estimates in a March study. Oregon required employers with 100 or more workers to register last November, and those with 50 to 99 in May. Roughly 81,000 employees have been entered into the program, called OregonSaves. Of those, 47,000 have enrolled but only 22,800 are contributing. About 17,000 have opted out, and another 17,000 are pending because the employee hasnt decided whether to opt out, the program has a wrong address or other reasons. If you divide the 47,000 who have enrolled by 64,000 (the 81,000 entered minus 17,000 pending), the participation rate is 73 percent, about what we expected, said Joel Metlen, the programs operations director. The percentage of those who are contributing, however, is about half that. Metlen said some employees are enrolled but not contributing because it can take up to 90 days after a employee gets hired before payroll deductions start. Many large employers in OregonSaves are staffing agencies that hire tons of people, many of whom dont get jobs or work for only a day. In addition, many enrollees work for less than 90 days at Christmas tree farms, ski resorts and other seasonal jobs. OregonSaves has $9.7 million in assets. Employees have withdrawn a total of $1.5 million. The exciting part is that people are enrolling and saving, Metlen said. People in our original pilot have about $1,300 saved. Thats a significant amount for people who are hairdressers or work in a chocolate store. While Oregon may have been the first, all eyes will now turn to California as its even bigger program gets under way. Kathleen Pender is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: kpender@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kathpender Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is fighting for its financial survival, facing a potential $30 billion in liability from deadly wildfires as its legal problems continue to mount. While PG&E defends itself against two years of fire-fueled lawsuits, regulators and lawmakers are starting to examine its management, safety practices and corporate structure. The looming questions add up to an existential threat to Californias largest investor-owned utility. Steven Weissman, a former administrative law judge for the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates PG&E, could not identify a situation that comes close to the companys legal and regulatory quagmire. This is a new level of complexity, said Weissman, an emeritus lecturer at UC Berkeleys Goldman School of Public Policy. There are questions being raised multiple times a day about the impacts of this recent action or that one. Theres a level of scrutiny here that Ive never seen with any other regulatory issue. In addition to the legal battle in which PG&E has been defending itself over last years North Bay firestorm, the San Francisco company now faces mounting claims over the Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildland inferno in state history. Further complicating matters, a federal judge overseeing the utilitys probation in the deadly 2010 San Bruno pipeline blast directed PG&E last week to answer questions about the Camp Fire and other blazes. Meanwhile, regulators plan to widen an investigation into the utilitys safety practices, and state lawmakers may give PG&E a close look of their own. And North Bay district attorneys may still pursue criminal charges against PG&E because of the 2017 fires. Travis Miller, a utilities analyst with Morningstar Research Services, said he had not seen PG&E face so much simultaneous legal and regulatory pressure since he began following the company more than a decade ago. But the company is also put in a difficult position because of its size, location and the fact that the public loves to hate its utility, he said. PG&E is in a tough area of the country: Its an area with a lot of environmental issues, obviously, risk, and very engaged ratepayers who pay quite high rates, Miller said. Thats a tough situation to manage. PG&E did not answer specific questions about its legal and regulatory difficulties. There will be a time and place for discussing this and other matters, spokeswoman Lynsey Paulo said in an email. Right now, we are focused on assessing infrastructure, safely restoring power where possible, and helping our customers recover and rebuild. Still, the outcome of PG&Es various problems will be crucial to determining whether the beleaguered utility survives and in what form. Last years Northern California fires and the Camp Fire this year have exposed PG&E to billions of dollars in liability, should the company be deemed responsible for the worst infernos. Citigroup estimates that the 2017 fires could cost it $15 billion, and the Camp Fire the same. The cause of the Tubbs Fire, 2017s most destructive wildfire, and the Camp Fire are still under investigation. But speculation has centered on the utilitys equipment in both cases. Last week, U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who is overseeing PG&Es probation in the San Bruno case, ordered an accurate and complete statement of any role the utility played in the cause and reporting of the fire. Alsup also asked what requirements of last years judgment against the company including an order not to commit any more crimes could apply were any wildfire started by reckless operation or maintenance of PG&E power lines. Alsup ordered responses by Dec. 31 from PG&E, the U.S. attorneys office which prosecuted the San Bruno case and the federal monitor appointed to oversee the company. His inquiry is being closely watched by attorneys suing PG&E in the fire cases. I am waiting patiently to see what PG&E is going to say, said Frank Pitre, one of the lead attorneys for plaintiffs in the North Bay fire litigation. Because I want to test what they have to say, when I get a chance to cross-examine their officers and directors under oath, to see whether or not what they say is matched by their actions. PG&Es answers to Alsups questions may reveal some kind of criminal recklessness, said Noreen Evans, a Santa Rosa attorney and former state legislator who is also involved in the North Bay fire litigation. And that could help plaintiffs recover damages that could, in turn, motivate the company to change its practices, Evans said. Wed like to make it too expensive for PG&E to continue burning down Northern California communities, Evans said. Unless some district attorney or the California attorney general decides to take criminal action against PG&E which I highly suggest they do the only way we can change corporate behavior is through making it too expensive to do it again. Alsups inquiry and the fire-related lawsuits could also be a key factor in how PG&Es shareholders react. Shares of PG&E Corp., the utilitys parent company, are about 54 percent below where they were on Nov. 8, the day the Camp Fire started. Legal uncertainty will be a key point for investors to watch, Miller said. Without legal certainty, regulatory certainty and political certainty, investors are going to continue to put a discount on PG&E relative to its peers. Uncertainty abounds on the regulatory side as well. The state utilities commission voted Thursday to direct PG&E to implement about 60 findings from a safety audit conducted after the San Bruno blast, which killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes. Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California But commissioners also voiced widespread support for expanding the investigation that produced the audit to include wildfires. Its not clear when that will happen or how long the broadened investigation will take to complete. If PG&E equipment is found responsible in both the Camp and Tubbs fires, the commission has a couple of tools at its disposal, according to Weissman. It could bar PG&E from compensating executives or directors with funds received from ratepayers, Weissman said. Or it could penalize the utility if it doesnt restructure its board, he said, stressing that he is not advocating any particular outcome. Regulators could also take aim at the franchise allowing PG&E to be the monopoly provider of distribution and transmission services, he said. It is a legitimate question for the commission to consider whether theres a need to change that franchise in any way, to potentially either take it away from this company ... or to conclude that the company has a choice, he said. Maybe it can be in the gas pipeline business and maybe it can be in the grid business, but its gotta choose one. Looming over all of PG&Es challenges is the possibility it may face criminal charges from the 2017 fires. Nearly six months ago, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection forwarded its reports on the cause of several 2017 fires to district attorneys in the affected areas, including the hard-hit counties of Sonoma and Napa. PG&E equipment was the cause in each case. Officials in both counties told The Chronicle they are still waiting for Cal Fire to release its findings on the cause of the Tubbs Fire, which destroyed more than 5,600 structures in Sonoma and Napa counties and killed 22 people. When we evaluate what, if any, action we take, we want to make sure that we review all of the reports regarding all of the fires that occurred here, said Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch. We dont want to approach this piecemeal. ... Were basically in a holding pattern. The possibility of criminal charges in the Camp Fire wont be clear until Cal Fire determines the cause, which could take many months. But disclosures from the company about equipment that malfunctioned near where the fire started helped prompt lawsuits by attorneys and plaintiffs who already blame the company. For Camp Fire survivor Walter Heard, last month marked the second time in four years his Paradise home burned down. The first time was an isolated incident due to faulty PG&E equipment, he alleges. Heard was initially reluctant to join a lawsuit but ultimately decided something needs to be done to hold PG&E accountable. Hes among 35 families who sued the utility in Butte County last week. Their pockets are obviously pretty deep they have all these great, nice, new trucks and stuff, but whats happening to the equipment out here? he said. I want them to make things safe for the people. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris Relief pitcher Hunter Strickland is a Giant no more. Start the Bryce Harper jokes in 3 2 1 Strickland and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez became free agents when the Giants declined to tender them contracts for the 2019 season by a Friday afternoon deadline. Both were eligible for salary arbitration. Two others in the same boat, second baseman Joe Panik and reliever Sam Dyson, agreed to terms on one-year deals worth $3.85 million and $5 million, respectively. A fifth arbitration-eligible player, closer Will Smith, was tendered a contract without yet agreeing to terms, preventing him from free agency. Strickland, 30, is a hard-throwing right-hander who saved Game 2 of the 2014 Division Series at Washington after Brandon Belt hit a tie-breaking homer in the 18th inning. He had a 2.91 ERA in 253 regular-season games for the Giants. Outside of San Francisco he is known for one 2017 pitch, a fastball that he deliberately delivered to Harpers backside on Memorial Day to avenge a slight that went back to the 2014 Division Series. While fans have speculated only half in jest that Stricklands departure would help persuade Harper to sign with the Giants, the decision to cut him loose likely stemmed as much from his age and potential for his salary to start rising. But he might have sealed his exit on June 18 when he broke his hand punching a clubhouse door after blowing a save against the Marlins. Hernandez, 31, probably fell victim to the youth movement as well. But the utility outfielder surprisingly hit 15 of the Giants 133 home runs last year. Although Paniks future has become fodder for speculation, particularly after an injury-plagued 2018 season, his return is not a major surprise. He agreed to a guaranteed deal worth just $400,000 more than he made last year. Most contracts for arbitration-eligible players are not guaranteed. Dysons $5 million is a bit more surprising given indications that the team might step back from contention in 2019 as it rebuilds. But Dysons experience as a closer makes him valuable. The Giants still could trade Panik, Dyson or Smith, the 2018 Willie Mac Award winner. Smiths value in arbitration, according to the usually reliable MLB Trade Rumors, is $4.1 million. He remains a candidate for a multiyear deal. Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: hschulman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hankschulman Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle The Giants and the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP have pledged to explore efforts locally and nationally to promote justice and equal harmony for all, the organization said in a news release Friday, a day after its local president and a civil-rights attorney spoke with team investor Charles B. Johnson by phone. It was not immediately clear if that support would include a financial donation from the Giants or Johnson. If CPS succeeds in its plan to close NTA, I cant help but ask what will happen next. What will happen to Ms. Peaches will she be able to walk kids to a new building? Will the health clinic remain to treat members of the community? Where will senior residents swim on weekend mornings? Will the schools displaced students be able to find nearby Level 1+ school to attend? CPS inadequate transition plan and its seemingly discriminatory rationale for closing the school in the first place tell me that the answers wont be positive. George Herbert Walker Bush, whose lone term as the 41st president of the United States ushered in the final days of the Cold War and perpetuated a family political dynasty that influenced American politics at both the national and state levels for decades, died Friday evening in Houston. He was 94. Bush was the last president to have served in the military during World War II. His experience in international diplomacy served him well as he dealt with the unraveling of the Soviet Union as an oppressive superpower, and later the rise of China as a commercial behemoth and potential partner. His wife of 73 years, Barbara Pierce Bush, died April 17, 2018, at the age of 92. PHOTOS: George H.W. and Barbara Bush: A love story Now Playing: George H. W. Bush Playlist Video: Houston Chronicle Steeped in the importance of public service, Bush always felt the lure of political life. It snared him in 1962 when he was chosen to head Houston's fledgling Republican Party. He spent the next three decades in the political limelight, a career largely free of scandal or great controversy, with one exception his role as vice president in the Iran-Contra scandal. The second of five children, Bush was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts, to Prescott and Dorothy Bush. After graduating from Yale University in 1948, he struck out for Texas and found success, first as an oilman and later as a Congressman. The misfortune of bad timing hurt him at times in his pursuit of higher office, yet a string of high-profile appointed positions reflected the faith others had in him. Bush ran in November 1966 for Congress and won, becoming the first Republican from Houston and the star of the growing Texas GOP. After Bush's second term and a failed Senate bid, President Richard Nixon appointed Bush to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and, later, chairman of the Republican National Committee. FAMILY LEGACY: How the Bush family became a political dynasty His tenure coincided with investigations into the Watergate affair, which resulted in Nixon's resignation. New President Gerald Ford appointed Bush "envoy" to China the two nations did not yet have full diplomatic relations, so Bush could not be called an ambassador then director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Bush returned to Houston in 1976, when Ford was defeated. He ran for president but ended up instead the two-term vice president to Ronald Reagan, proving a loyal second. In 1988, Bush won the top office decisively. He came to be widely respected by foreign leaders and diplomats, but his political profile at home was different, dogged by assertions that he was a bland and hazy character, aloof and dilettantish. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Bush had not been in the White House long when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. His cautious posture as the Soviet Union was beginning to unravel was a highlight of his presidential term, which also saw negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (eventually to be ratified in November 1993), and the victorious Operation Desert Storm, a multinational response to the military invasion of Kuwait by neighboring Iraq. At home, plagued by inherited budget deficits and a Congress under the control of Democrats, Bush was pushed into a tax increase that belied his explicit promise to allow none. His legislative achievements included the Americans with Disabilities Act, a bolstered Clean Air Act, and an increased minimum wage. With the loss of a second presidential term came intense pain, physical and emotional, that he fully acknowledged. Some of it arose from the frustration he felt that the public did not understand him, and perhaps never had. His spirits were buoyed in 2000 when son was elected president. PHOTOS: George H.W. Bush: Life after office Bush was occasionally seen at ball games around Houston, at numerous charity events, and at funerals of old friends. In 2010, President Barack Obama awarded Bush the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He made a final parachute jump after turning 90, but age and disease began to take a toll. When he lost the ability to walk, there were few public appearances. He shook hands with those who attended his wife's public visitation. At her funeral, he wore socks with images of books of them, a testament to his wife's devotion to improving literacy. He held her hand all day before she died. What can be done? Locating the sources of misery that drive people to such options is important. Princeton economist Anne Case says the increase of deaths of despair is consistent with the labor market collapsing for people with less than a college degree. In turn, those people are being less able to form stable marriages, and in turn that has effects on the kind of economic and social supports that people need in order to thrive. Reversing those maladies wont be easy or quick. The war over winemaker Joe Wagners Oregon wine labels has escalated. For months now, the Oregon wine community and a state lawmaker have alleged that Wagner violated state and federal regulations in the labels of two of his wine brands, Elouan and the Willametter Journal, which are composed of Oregon grapes but vinified in California. The battle escalated last month with official rulings against him. But now Wagner is fighting back by claiming that his opponents have ulterior motives, including a trademark dispute and a political conflict of interest. The issue: Wagners bottle labels and marketing materials used terms like Oregon Coast and Willametter that seemed to imply geographic origins without technically meeting the requirements for federally recognized American Viticultural Area status. (It was not Wagners only clash with the Oregon wine establishment this fall. It also cried foul after he canceled $4 million worth of contracts with grape growers in southern Oregon, citing excessive smoke taint from the summers wildfires.) Now, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which oversees the wine-region designations, has ordered Wagner to change seven of his wine labels, which the bureau previously approved. And based on the violations, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission has recommended that Wagner be blocked from selling wine in that state. Many in the Oregon wine industry, including Willamette Valley Vineyards owner Jim Bernau, are celebrating the decisions as victories. I really applaud the bureau, Bernau said. I dont think the (bureau) is anywhere near finished with the issue. Wagner said he is complying and has already changed the labels but maintained that he never violated any labeling rules. San Francisco Chronicle He sees how events unfolded very differently. It has turned into nothing but a slanderous marketing campaign, said Wagner, who produces a number of wine brands under his St. Helena company Copper Cane Wine and Provisions. Wagner claims the labeling skirmish is really about a trademark dispute. After debuting his new Willametter Journal brand, Wagner got a call in early 2018 from Bernau, who holds the trademarks to Willamette Valley Vineyards and Willamette. He felt Wagners use of Willametter Journal violated his trademarks. I was polite, but I was firm, said Bernau. I said, Joe, Im really gonna have to ask you to stop selling that wine. We didnt see any confusion at all, said Wagner of the implication of trademark infringement. After multiple phone calls, Bernau said he would hand off the discussions to the legal team for Willamette Valley Vineyards, which is a publicly held company. Wagner went further: He filed to have Bernaus trademark canceled. Willamette Valley is an appellation, and we believe you should not be able to trademark an appellation as a brand name, said Wagner. Several other wine companies hold trademarks for appellation names, like Chehalem Winery, Stags Leap Wine Cellars and Alexander Valley Vineyards. The FindLaw website describes wine trademarks as an area thats ripe for confusion. In Wagners mind, the labeling complaints are retribution for his trademark disagreement with Bernau. Although Bernau is by no means the only figure who called for action against Wagners wine labels, its true that Willamette Valley Vineyards was among his most vocal critics. The winery issued its own press releases about Wagners labeling violations and hosted an online seminar in early November to answer questions. Wagner has also claimed that there is political corruption at play. State Rep. David Gomberg, who brought the labeling concerns before the Oregon Department of Justice and to the House Committee on Economic Development and Trade, is an investor in Willamette Valley Vineyards. We have an elected official using taxpayer dollars against a competing winery that he sees as gaining ground in the marketplace, Wagner said. Gomberg confirmed that he is an investor in Willamette Valley Vineyards one of 17,000 investors, he said. His investment in the winery is worth $6,287, he said, so the inference that Im here trying to make money is laughable. Bernau has donated $9,700 to the Gomberg for State Rep organization since 2012, according to Oregon state records. I should make it clear that yes, Im an investor in an Oregon winery, Gomberg said. But he dismissed the notion that his working to expose Wagners labeling violations was rooted in anything other than concern for his constituents: Im not doing this for the money, Im doing this because I think its wrong. ... I think weve got a large California company that is not only trying to take advantage of our investment but also trying to bully his way to a result that benefits him. If he thinks that theres a campaign waged against him, Gomberg continued, I would say that theres a campaign being waged against Oregon. Trademark disputes, labeling violations, smoke taint claims: Its been a rocky year for Wagners relationship with the Oregon wine industry. To what extent are these three issues related? Its easy to understand why Wagner might strike some in Oregon as a bull in a china shop. The heir to a Napa Valley wine dynasty his grandfather founded Caymus Vineyards Wagner shocked the wine world when, in 2015, he sold his Pinot Noir brand Meiomi to Constellation Brands for $315 million, a deal that included no vineyards or winery. The parent company for his various brands, Copper Cane, is on track to produce 1 million cases of wine annually by 2021. If Wagner is known for anything, its for a style of Pinot Noir thats saccharine, fruity and boozy a kind of lowest-common-denominator style beloved by the mass market and loathed by aficionados. His Pinots, whether under the Elouan, Willametter Journal or Belle Glos labels, are certainly not the Pinots that are most often associated with Oregon a state that has worked hard to establish a reputation for earthy, low-alcohol, Burgundy-style Pinot Noir. So Wagner goes to Oregon, trucks a bunch of grapes back to Rutherford, fashions them into his style of Pinot Noir. Was that Wagners main offense? No, but it certainly did not ingratiate him to the Beaver State. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Wagners main offense, at least as far as the labeling issue is concerned, was fairly simple. To review: If you pick grapes in Oregon but then bring them out of the state to vinify as Wagner did you forfeit the right to use specific appellations, such as Willamette Valley or Rogue Valley or Umpqua Valley, on your wine label. You can only call them Oregon wines. Wagner claims that both the Elouan and Willametter Journal bottles followed this rule, since their labels did not literally name viticultural areas. The issue, for his critics, is that Elouan boxes and other marketing materials mention that the wine comes from Rogue, Umpqua and Willamette; and that Willametter is awfully close to Willamette Valley. In other words, the charge is that Wagner attempted to use fancy terms to get around the rules, and he used geographic terms that were designed to mislead consumers into believing that the bottles carried those designations. In simple terms, Gomberg said, Copper Cane has been saying that theyre engaged in fanciful marketing, and the state of Oregon has concluded that they have crossed the line from fanciful to fraudulent. Heres the thing. The Willametter Journal Pinot Noir does come entirely from Willamette Valley fruit, according to Wagner. He admitted he may have used some non-Willamette Pinot Noir to top up evaporated portions of the wines (which is standard across the industry), but he swore: The Willametter Journal is over 99 percent Willamette Valley. Similarly, he emphasized, the Elouan wine does come from fruit from the Rogue, Umpqua and Willamette valleys. So why should he lose the ability to advertise that his grapes come from the Willamette Valley just because the grapes cross state lines? Because Oregon has stricter rules than the federal standard stricter, too, than California. Oregon requires that a wine be at least 95 percent from its listed American Viticultural Area (federal law requires just 85 percent), and at least 90 percent its listed grape variety (federal law requires just 75 percent). Oregons wine industry wants to ensure that all Oregon wine labeled with a prestigious AVA like the Willamette Valley is held to these high standards, and it cant ensure that if the wine is produced in California. Oregons laws may be the strictest in the nation, but some feel theyre still not strict enough: At the moment, the Oregon wine industry is considering increasing the percentage requirements for both viticultural area and variety to 100 percent. This presents one crucial question that, as this saga has played out over recent months, no one has asked yet. If Wagner isnt actually mischaracterizing where his grapes came from if instead, his offense is only that he made his wine in California rather than in Oregon how is the consumer being harmed? Sure, it would benefit the local industry to make more wine in Oregon rather than outsourcing it to the south, but theres no evidence that the transport of the grapes across state lines diminishes their quality. To the extent that stylistic differences play any role in the Oregon wine industrys beef with Wagner, those complaints shouldnt inform government decisions. If Wagner makes Pinot Noirs that many believe to be adulterated adaptations of Oregonian terroir if they seem like stylistic aberrations from the low-alcohol, Burgundian ideal that is his prerogative. Esther Mobley is The San Francisco Chronicles wine critic. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Esther_mobley Instagram: @esthermob Advent calendars are hitting the bottle. The cardboard calendars, typically filled with chocolates, are now being stuffed with cans of beer and bottles of wine. Others have chunks of cheese behind each door. Theyre meant to appeal to nostalgic adults who want to count the days till Christmas with something other than sweets. Theyre sold for a limited time, get major social media buzz and tend to sell out quickly. Many are available in the United States for the first time this year after gaining popularity during the past few holiday seasons in Europe. German grocer Aldi, for instance, says it brought its wine advent calendar to its U.S. stores after selling it in the United Kingdom last year. It also introduced a new cheese one. Dara Collins waited outside an Aldi store before 9 a.m. in early November to buy the advent calendars after she saw them on Twitter. One had 24 mini bottles of Prosecco and Pinot Grigio for $70. The cheese one, which cost $12.99, had rectangle-shaped cheddar and Havarti. Collins didnt wait to open them: She drank a bottle of bubbly wine and ate a piece of cheese weeks before Dec. 1. Im Jewish, says Collins, a former attorney in Hollywood, Fla., who is now a stay-at-home mom. I just thought it was a really cute gift for myself. Adult advent calendars fit into an ongoing trend: people who want products and experiences that let them embrace their inner child, says Caleb Bryant, a senior beverage analyst at trend-tracking firm Mintel. Kids dont need to have all the fun with advent calendars. Ian Hamilton, a radio producer in Manchester, England, bought a cheese advent calendar last year and tweeted that it was probably the best day of my life. Chocolate was getting a little bit boring, Hamilton says. One sour note: unlike the chocolate ones, the cheese advent calendar needs to be chilled, so he had to pull it out of the fridge each time to show it off to guests. He still bought another one this year: I definitely dont want to miss out. The inventor of the cheese advent calendar is Annem Hobson, who credits herself with creating it back in 2015 when she deconstructed a Cadbury one and replaced the chocolates with Gouda and German smoked cheese. Ive always been a fan of savory things, says Hobson, who lives in London. The instructions she posted on her blog, SoWrongItsNom.com, went viral and the attention was enough to convince cheese maker Norseland to make the calendars in 2017 for British grocer Asda. This year theyre in more stores and countries, including the U.S., where theyre sold in the specialty cheese section of nearly 250 Target stores. Another company, Kalea, makes a nearly 2-foot-tall calendar with 24 cans of German beer that is sold at Costco and other retailers. Kalea, from Austria, says it shipped 50,000 beer calendars to the U.S. this year. Next year, it expects to send double that. It took off, says CEO Peter Reimann, who has been selling similar calendars in Europe for a decade. GiveThemBeer.com, an online alcohol seller in St. Petersburg, Fla., offered beer calendars last year as an alternative to gift baskets. All 500 sold old out quickly, says Kym Toner, the companys co-founder. So this year, it introduced a wine one. Both have 12 glass bottles instead of 24, because any more would be too expensive to ship, Toner says. She expected to sell 1,000 of them each, but so many orders came in at the beginning of November that Toner now expects to sell more than 2,000 each. Things have gone crazy, she says. You would not believe the demand for boozy advent calendars. Joseph Pisani is an Associated Press writer. The Marriott International hotel chain said Friday that the database of its Starwood reservation system had been hacked and that the personal details of up to 500 million guests going as far back as 2014 had been compromised. The hotel group, which runs more than 6,700 properties around the world, was informed in September about an attempt to access the database, and an investigation this month revealed that unauthorized access had been made on or before Sept. 10, Marriott said. The hotel chain said personal details including names, addresses, dates of birth, passport numbers, email addresses and phone numbers for hundreds of millions of guests may have been compromised. The investigation found that there had been unauthorized access to the Starwood network since 2014, and an unauthorized party had copied and encrypted information, and took steps toward removing it, the company said. Hackers also obtained encrypted credit-card information for some customers, but it was unclear if the hackers would be able to use those payment details. Marriott said it wasnt sure how many passport numbers and dates of birth were stolen but that it was a subset of the larger number of affected consumers, since this information is not a part of every reservation. The hack affects customers who made reservations for Starwood hotel brands from 2014 to September of this year. The properties include Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, St. Regis, Four Points, Aloft, Meridien, Tribute, Design Hotels, Elements and the Luxury Collection. Marriott hotels, including Residence Inn and the Ritz Carlton, operate on a separate reservation system. The company has plans to merge that system with Starwoods. If you are impacted Marriott has a website (https://answers.kroll.com) and call center (877-273-9481) to deal with questions guests might have. Marriott is offering one year of free enrollment in Web Watcher, a service that keeps an on eye on internet sites where thieves swap and sell personal information. U.S. residents can enroll at https://answers.kroll.com/us/index.html. Select "I believe I am affected by the Starwood Reservation Database security incident." Then, click "Enroll Now." See More Collapse Richard Gold, head of security engineering at cybersecurity firm Digital Shadows, said the breach ranks among the largest of consumer data, on par with breaches at Yahoo and the credit-scoring giant Equifax. This is an incredibly big number, Gold said. He said hotels are an attractive target for hackers because they hold a lot of sensitive information, including credit card and passport details, but often dont have security standards as tough as those of more regulated industries, like banking. We deeply regret this incident, Arne Sorenson, Marriotts president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. We fell short of what our guests deserve and what we expect of ourselves. We are doing everything we can to support our guests, and using lessons learned to be better moving forward. Investigations into the Marriott leak were announced by European regulators and the New York state attorney general, Barbara Underwood. Its astonishing how long it took them to discover they were breached, said Gus Hosein, executive director of Privacy International, a group that supports strong data protection laws. For four years, data was being pilfered out of the company, and they didnt notice. They can say all they want that they take security seriously, but they dont if you can be hacked over a four-year period without noticing. The breach is far larger than the one last year at Equifax, a credit bureau, from which attackers stole information on 148 million people, including names, Social Security numbers, birth dates and addresses. In that case, the thieves also grabbed scans of around 3,200 passports from people who had uploaded them to an Equifax customer service website. Equifax has spent more than $400 million on recovery from its breach, according to the companys regulatory filings. Marriott said it had set up a dedicated website and call center to deal with questions guests might have about their personal information and had notified regulatory and legal authorities. Marriott also said it would try to reach affected customers Friday to inform them of the security breach. The company is offering one year of free enrollment in Web Watcher to people who live in the United States, Canada and Britain. Marriott described it as a service that keeps an on eye on internet sites where thieves swap and sell personal information and then alerts people if anyone is selling their information. Marriott is the worlds largest hotel chain, having bought Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide two years ago for $13.6 billion. The merger brought brands like Westin, W and Sheraton under the same roof and prompted questions about whether the brands being acquired would lose some of their cool factor. Customers also complained about problems with rewards programs after efforts to merge data from Starwoods rewards program into Marriotts left the records of millions of customers in limbo for weeks. The company has also been grappling in recent weeks with strikes by thousands of workers, who walked out of 49 hotels in nine cities to call for better health care, wages and protection from sexual harassment. In August, the Justice Department indicted members of an Eastern European cybercrime ring called Fin7. Hotel chains were among its targets. In 2015, Starwood disclosed that the point of sale systems at some of its hotels had been hacked, resulting in the loss of payment card details. Knowing the culprits behind the latest breach would help investigators know what the information will be used for, Gold said. Passport information is particularly useful to criminals for identify theft, he said. A nation state is more likely to use the information for intelligence purposes, such as learning about the whereabouts of important people. In Europe, where companies can be fined up to 4 percent of global revenue under data protection laws, companies are required to alert government authorities within 72 hours of a known hack. Given the volume and sensitivity of personal data taken, and the length of the breach, Marriott has the potential to trigger the first hefty GDPR fine, said Enza Iannopollo, a security analyst with Forrester Research, referring to the European data protection law enacted this year. Amie Tsang and Adam Satariano are New York Times writers. Bushs worst mistake was his role in the Iran-Contra scandal, in which the Reagan administration secretly sold weapons to Iran to win the release of Americans held hostage in Lebanon. Some of the proceeds were diverted to anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua whom Congress had denied aid. He was out of the loop on the deal, he claimed, not very convincingly. Special prosecutor Lawrence Walsh considered indicting him for concealing what he knew from investigators. When Bush pardoned six former Reagan officials who had been indicted or convicted for their parts in the operation, Walsh said bitterly that the Iran-Contra cover-up, which has continued for more than six years, has now been completed. In route news this week, "semi-private" carrier JetSuiteX expands at Oakland; Delta drops a transcon route from Orange County; United adds a European destination from Denver and a slew of new routes for its new Premium Plus seat; American upgrades transcon service between LAX and Boston and increases cooperation with China Southern; Singapore expands its SFO schedule; Qantas takes its last 747 out of Los Angeles; Air New Zealand starts flying to a new U.S. gateway; Sun Country adds a California route; JetBlue and Hawaiian expand code-sharing at Boston; and Portugal's TAP adds two more U.S. destinations. Effective December 2, regional carrier JetSuiteX will launch new scheduled service six days a week (except Saturday) between Oakland and Orange County's John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana. On the same date, the company will increase frequencies between Oakland-Las Vegas and Oakland-Burbank to three daily roundtrips (except Saturday) in both markets. And on December 20, JetSuiteX will kick off new service to Mammoth Lakes from both Burbank and Orange County for the ski season, offering four flights a week (Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday) through April 7, and will boost its Orange County-Las Vegas schedule to four flights a day on Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday. JetSuiteX operates specially configured 30-passenger E-135s from private terminals at the airports it serves and allows passengers two pieces of checked luggage up to 50 pounds each at no charge. Have you flown JetSuiteX yet? Tell us about it in the comments! Speaking of Orange County, it's only been a month and a half since Delta started the only non-stop service between John Wayne Airport and New York JFK, but now the carrier is planning to drop the route effective January 5, according to ThePointsGuy.com. The carrier blamed the decision on its loss of one takeoff/landing slot at SNA for 2019 in the airport's latest slot allocations. At its Denver International hub, United Airlines plans to add new year-round daily service beginning May 2 to Frankfurt, Germany, using a 219-seat 787-8. The flights will depart DEN at 3:40 p.m. with a 9:20 a.m. arrival in Frankfurt. The Denver-Frankfurt route is already served by United's Star Alliance partner Lufthansa, and so is Denver-Munich. "Demand for travel between Denver and Europe increased by 20 percent over the past year, more than double the U.S. average," said the airport's CEO Kim Day. The new United service will give the Colorado airport 50 non-stop flights a week to Europe next summer, an increase of 13 percent over 2018. This week United revealed the first routes for its "real" premium economy seat, "Premium Plus." The new seat is already on a handful of planes, but starting Dec 3 passenger can buy it-- or upgrade to it. Full details in our post about it here. JetBlue used to offer the only lie-flat front-cabin seats on non-stop Boston-Los Angeles flights with its premium Mint service. Then earlier this year, Delta upgraded its BOS-LAX service by deploying upgraded 757-200s equipped with lie-flat seating in its Delta One cabin. And now American Airlines has announced plans to start flying its specially-configured, three-class A321Ts on the BOS-LAX route starting April 2 the same aircraft it uses on the prime New York JFK-LAX and JFK-San Francisco routes. American said this will make it "the only airline to offer both first and business class on this route," with lie-flat seats in both of those cabins. The planes also have 36 extra-legroom Main Cabin Extra seats. American currently uses standard A321s and 737-800s for its multiple daily BOS-LAX flights. The new A321T service will be offered on two flights a day the 7:45 a.m. and 9:55 p.m. departures from LAX and the 7:24 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. departures from BOS. Qantas On the international side, American said it will increase its reach into China early in 2019 when it expands its partnership with China Southern, adding more code-shared routes and beginning reciprocal frequent flyer benefits and lounge access. China Southern recently announced that it will exit Delta's SkyTeam global alliance at the end of this year. American which owns a small equity stake in the Chinese carrier -- said it will put its AA code on China Southern's flights from San Francisco to Guangzhou and Wuhan; from LAX to Guangzhou and Shenyang; and from New York JFK to Guangzhou. China Southern's CZ code will go onto American's service between Dallas/Ft. Worth-Beijing and DFW-Shanghai Pudong and from LAX to both of those airports. Within China, American's code will go onto an additional five routes out of Beijing and will be introduced on nine China Southern routes out of Shanghai. As for the frequent flyer and lounge reciprocity, "American Airlines AAdvantage members will be able to earn and redeem miles throughout China Southern's network of more than 3,000 daily flights to 224 destinations in 40 countries and regions," American said. And "eligible" AA customers "will have access to selected China Southern Sky Pearl Lounges throughout Asia." Previously announced schedule adjustments at Singapore Airlines that took effect this week include the expansion of its San Francisco-Singapore frequencies from seven to 10 a week, with the three new flights using one of the carrier's specially-configured Airbus A350-900ULRs-- with only premium economy and business class seats; and the termination of the airline's one-stop service from LAX to Singapore via Seoul Incheon. Another one bites the dust: Boeing's iconic 747 continues to gradually disappear from global routes. The latest one to lose the jumbo is Qantas' Los Angeles-Brisbane route, where the airline this week replaced the 747 with a 787-9, marking the last Qantas 747 service out of LAX. The airline's LAX-Sydney route is served by an Airbus A380, but Qantas continues to operate the 747 between San Francisco-Sydney and Honolulu-Sydney. Qantas told us it expects to retire the 747 altogether by 2020. Air New Zealand this week launched its previously announced new service between Chicago O'Hare and Auckland. The Kiwi carrier is offering three flights a week on the route (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) using a 787-9 equipped with lie-flat Business Premier seating, leather premium economy seats and economy seats that can be combined into Air New Zealand's SkyCouch option. Catching up: In case you missed our stories earlier this week, note that Norwegian plans to move its London Gatwick service from Oakland to San Francisco International at the end of March, operating five flights a week. And United has set a March 31 launch for service out of Paine Field located 24 miles north of downtown Seattle in Everett, Washington with four flights a day to San Francisco and two to Denver. Twin Cities-based Sun Country Airlines, which now operates as an ultra-low-cost carrier, plans to add another California route starting February 6, when it begins flying between Palm Springs and Dallas/Ft. Worth twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays). On the East Coast, Hawaiian Airlines has arranged to feed traffic onto its new Boston-Honolulu route which starts in April by expanding its code-share partnership with JetBlue. The JetBlue B6 code will go onto Hawaiian's BOS-HNL non-stops (earning TrueBlue points), and Hawaiian's HA code will be on JetBlue flights between Boston and 26 cities, mostly in the eastern U.S. TAP Air Portugal, which currently flies from Lisbon to Boston, Miami, New York JFK and Newark, plans to add two more U.S. gateways in 2019. On June 1, TAP will start service between Lisbon and Chicago O'Hare, followed on June 16 by new service to Washington Dulles. The airline will use new A330-900neos to operate five flights a week on both routes. There are rumors that TAP could eventually add flights from SFO. Happy Holidays! Read all recent TravelSkills posts here Get twice-per-week updates from TravelSkills via email! Sign up here Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at chris@travelskills.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis. Rafe Swan/Getty Image A 46-year-old man was arrested in the killing of a Vacaville resident who was found in Crockett with a gunshot wound, the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office said Friday. Toriano Collier, said to be a resident of Napa and Vallejo, was jailed on suspicion of murdering 30-year-old DeMichael Gandy-Williams. Authorities said a passing motorist found the victim at around 7:14 a.m. Thursday on Crockett Boulevard between Pomona Avenue and Cummings Skyway. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Six decades after nine black students were escorted past an angry white mob into Little Rock Central High School, the city at the center of the desegregation crisis may be on the verge of electing its first African American mayor. Frank Scott, the 35-year-old banking executive who may break that barrier, could win by bridging some of the biggest rifts in Arkansas capital: race, income and geography. Hes a native of one of Little Rocks poorer areas who has risen in disciplines politics and finance dominated by white men. Race is hard to escape in the campaign for mayor in Arkansas capital, where divisions linger long after the schools 1957 desegregation. The citys police department has faced questions about its tactics. The predominantly black Little Rock School District has been under state control for the past three years, and community leaders have compared the takeover to Gov. Orval Faubus efforts to block integration. Black leaders in the city view the runoff on Tuesday as a chance for Little Rock to address some of its biggest divisions. Race is a major dividing line in this city. Thats one but the other major dividing line in this city is economics, said Joyce Elliott, a Democratic state senator whos backing Scotts bid. We are not doing a good job of having a conversation or a plan that involve all of us that we carry out. If Scott is elected, hed be the highest-profile black official in a state that hasnt elected an African American to Congress or statewide office since Reconstruction. Little Rock has had two black mayors, but they were elected city directors chosen for the job by fellow board members and not by voters. Scott won a plurality of votes in a five-man race in November with 37 percent of the vote, a few percentage points shy of the 40 percent needed to win the office outright. Hes running against Baker Kurrus, a white attorney and businessman who was appointed as the school districts superintendent after the state takeover. Andrew DeMillo is an Associated Press writer. NEW YORK Michael Cohen, President Trumps former personal lawyer who has twice pleaded guilty to crimes that have implicated Trump in illegal or questionable conduct, asked a federal judge that he be allowed to avoid prison when he is sentenced in less than two weeks. In a deeply personal memorandum that expressed Cohens contrition and shame and portrayed him as a man whose personal and professional lives had been shattered, his lawyers cited his cooperation with the investigation by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, whose legitimacy is regularly denounced by the president. In the context of this raw, full-bore attack by the most powerful person in the United States, Michael, formerly a confidante and adviser to Mr. Trump, resolved to cooperate, and voluntarily took the first steps toward doing so even before he was charged, the lawyers wrote in court papers filed late Friday. Arguing that Cohen could have fought the government, positioning himself perhaps for a pardon or clemency, the lawyers said he instead took personal responsibility for his wrongdoing and is prepared to continue to contribute to an investigation that he views as thoroughly legitimate and vital. The lawyers, Guy Petrillo and Amy Lester, submitted their memo one day after Cohen entered a surprise guilty plea in federal court in Manhattan to a charge of lying to Congress in a case filed by Mueller, investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential ties to Trumps campaign. In August, Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and financial crimes in a case brought by the U.S. attorney in Manhattan. In that plea, Cohen implicated Trump in hush-money payments to two women during the 2016 campaign to conceal affairs they said they had with Trump. Cohen, 52, is to be sentenced by Judge William Pauley on Dec. 12 on the charges in both cases. The government is also expected to file a sentencing memo. The Cohen memo offered no new revelations about alleged misconduct involving the president, but it shed new light on Cohens role in the various investigations being conducted into Trump and his inner circle. He has met seven times with Muellers prosecutors the first time on Aug. 7, two weeks before Cohen entered his first guilty plea and he intends to keep making himself available when needed for additional questioning, the memo said. The memo noted that Muellers office is expected to provide the judge with an assessment of Cohens cooperation, and that federal prosecutors in Manhattan are to join in presenting Cohens assistance as a factor for the judge to consider. Benjamim Weiser and Maggie Haberman are New York Times writers. To Germans, the 41st president of the United States, George Bush, was the man who helped ensure the peaceful reunification of their country. To Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union, he exemplified great kindness. To many Kuwaitis, he was a hero, lauded for the 100-hour ground war that routed Iraqi forces from their country. On Saturday, as former and current leaders around the globe learned of Bushs death at 94 on Friday night, their condolences were steeped in praise for the depth of his abilities as a statesman and his refusal to grandstand a point that commentators noted was in sharp contrast to the tone of the current administration. Germany owes a lot to George H.W. Bush, Chancellor Angela Merkel wrote in a telegram to President Trump. It was a stroke of luck in German history that he was at the head of the United States of America when the Cold War came to an end and Germanys reunification became possible. Bush, often criticized at home for his measured response to the fall of the Iron Curtain, was praised for that very quality abroad. His calm, controlled response to the end of communism in Europe earned him respect on the Continent as a senior statesman, despite his decisions to send U.S. troops into Panama and to launch the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Gorbachev, the former president of the Soviet Union, underscored Bushs skillful negotiation among the former adversaries of the Cold War. We had a chance to work together during the years of tremendous changes, he told the Interfax news agency. The result was an end to the Cold War and the nuclear arms race. Gorbachev said Bush was a true partner at the diplomatic table, but above all one who showed kindness to him and to his wife, Raisa. Historians have noted that while Ronald Reagan gets the credit for urging Gorbachev to tear down that wall, it was Bush who later succeeded in persuading the Russian leader, as well as President Francois Mitterrand of France and deeply skeptical Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Britain, to allow the two German nations to reunite. I will never forget the role he played in making Europe a safer and more united place following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain, said Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission. John Major, who succeeded Thatcher as prime minister of Britain in 1990, summed up the core of what many appreciated about Bush: He saw Americas obligation to the world and honored it, Major said. I feel privileged to have worked with him, and even more privileged that he became a lifelong friend, Major told the Associated Press. He was, quite simply, one of the most deep-down decent people I have ever known. Melissa Eddy is a New York Times writer. WASHINGTON A second Republican senator, Tim Scott of South Carolina, has said he will vote against President Trumps nominee to serve as a federal judge in North Carolina, likely dooming the prospects of Thomas Farr filling the nations longest court vacancy. Civil rights groups such as the NAACP have heavily criticized Farr for his work defending state laws found to have discriminated against African Americans. Farr is nominated to serve as a district court judge in North Carolina. Scott said Thursday that he would not vote for Farr, joining Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona and 49 Democratic lawmakers in opposing the nominee. Farr once served as a lawyer for the re-election campaign of Republican Sen. Jesse Helms in 1990. The Justice Department alleged that about 120,000 postcards sent mostly to black voters before that election was intended to intimidate them from voting. The postcards targeting black voters said they could be prosecuted and imprisoned for up to five years if they tried to vote in a precinct in which they had lived for fewer than 30 days. Farr told the Senate Judiciary Committee he was not consulted about the postcards and did not have any role in drafting or sending them. He said that after he had been asked to review the card, I was appalled to read the incorrect language printed on the card and to then discover it had been sent to African Americans. A 1991 Justice Department memo, first reported by the Washington Post, raised questions about Farrs claim that he was never consulted about the postcards. The memo said Farr had met with key campaign officials and had advised them that a postcard mailing like the mailing conducted in 1984 would not be particularly useful except as evidence in post-election challenges. The 1984 mailing contained an endorsement of Helms from a black minister and included an address correction request so the card would be returned if undelivered, setting up a potential avenue to challenge the legitimacy of a voter. Scott, who is African American, cited the memo as to why he would vote against Farr. Senators have postponed the vote on Farr until next week. Kevin Freking is an Associated Press writer. June 12, 1924: George Herbert Walker Bush is born in Milton, Mass. June 12, 1942: Enlists in Navy on 18th birthday. Sept. 2, 1944: Plane is shot down in Pacific Ocean and two crewmates are killed. Bush is rescued by a submarine and receives the Distinguished Flying Cross. Jan. 6, 1945: Marries Barbara Pierce, daughter of the publisher of McCalls magazine. The Bushes eventually have six children: George W., future president; Jeb, future governor of Florida; Neil; Marvin; Dorothy; and Robin, who died of leukemia at age 3 in 1953. 1948: The family moves to Texas, where Bush prospers in the oil business. November 1964: Loses bid for Senate to incumbent Sen. Ralph Yarborough. November 1966: Wins seat in House of Representatives. November 1970: Loses second try for Senate to Lloyd Bentsen. Funeral arrangements Air Force One was being sent to Texas to transport former President George H.W. Bush's casket to Washington, where his body will lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda after an arrival ceremony Monday. The public can pay their respects from Monday evening through Wednesday morning. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend the state funeral Wednesday at Washington's National Cathedral. Bush will be laid to rest Thursday on the grounds of his presidential library at Texas A&M University. He will be buried at the family plot next to his wife Barbara, who died in April, and their 3-year-old daughter Robin, who died in 1953. Source: Associated Press See More Collapse 1971: Appointed U.N. ambassador by President Richard Nixon. 1973: Named Republican National Committee chairman. 1974: Named head of U.S. Liaison Office in Beijing by President Gerald Ford. 1975: Named chief of CIA, which was beset by allegations of assassination plots and domestic spying. Winter 1980: Makes unsuccessful bid for Republican presidential nomination. Summer 1980: Chosen by Ronald Reagan as his running mate. November 1980: Reagan-Bush ticket defeats President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale. March 30, 1981: Reagan seriously wounded in assassination attempt. Nov. 8, 1988: Defeats Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, becoming first sitting vice president to win presidency since 1836. Dec. 7, 1988: Joins Reagan and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss Gorbachevs announcement that Soviet Union will reduce its armed forces. Jan. 20, 1989: Sworn in as nations 41st president. Dec. 2 and 3, 1989: Meets with Gorbachev in Malta, where they agree it is time to end the Cold War. Dec. 20, 1989: U.S. troops invade Panama. Dictator Manuel Noriega is eventually captured, flown to Miami and convicted on drug charges. May 30 to June 3, 1990: Meets with Gorbachev in Washington, sealing agreements to slash long-range nuclear weapons, halt production of chemical weapons and lift trade barriers. July 26, 1990: Signs landmark Americans With Disabilities Act. Aug. 2, 1990: Iraqs army invades Kuwait. U.S. imposes economic sanctions on Iraq. Aug. 7, 1990: Orders deployment of U.S. troops to Persian Gulf. Nov. 19 to 21, 1990: Meets with Gorbachev in Paris. Leaders of NATO, Warsaw Pact nations sign conventional arms control agreement. Jan. 17, 1991: Air war against Iraq begins. Feb. 25, 1991: Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein orders forces to withdraw from Kuwait. Feb. 27, 1991: White House suspends offensive combat operations. Four days later, Iraqi military accepts U.N. Security Councils strict terms for formal cease-fire. May 4, 1991: Suffers irregular heartbeat during jog, diagnosed with thyroid condition called Graves disease. July 19, 1991: Joins Gorbachev in Moscow to sign Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. Jan. 8, 1992: Collapses and vomits during a state dinner in Tokyo. Illness is described as stomach flu. Nov. 3, 1992: Loses bid for re-election to Bill Clinton. Dec. 24, 1992: Pardons six men involved in the Reagan-era Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages deal that sparked a lengthy investigation by a special prosecutor. June 27, 1993: American warships fire cruise missiles at intelligence headquarters in Baghdad in retaliation for what U.S. calls an Iraqi plot to assassinate Bush. Nov. 1, 1994: Son George W. Bush elected Texas governor; son Jeb narrowly loses bid to be governor of Florida. March 25, 1997: Completes parachute jump at age 73, fulfilling wartime promise to himself to skydive someday just for fun. The jump began a tradition: Bush repeats the feat on his 75th, 80th, 85th and 90th birthdays. Nov. 6, 1997: The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is dedicated at Texas A&M University. September 1998: Publishes with former national security aide Brent Scowcroft A World Transformed, on foreign policy crises during the Bush presidency. Nov. 3, 1998: Son Jeb, in second try, is elected governor of Florida; in Texas, George W. wins second term. March 2000: Son George W. wraps up nomination for GOP presidential race. November-December 2000: George W. Bush wins the presidency in a historic duel that takes weeks to resolve because of tight race in Florida. Jan. 20, 2001: Sees son George W. sworn in as president, becoming the only former president in U.S. history to see his son sworn in to the same office. (John Adams, then nearly 90, did not attend inauguration when his son John Quincy Adams became president in 1825.) Jan. 20, 2005: George W. sworn in for second term as president. February 2005: Travels with former President Clinton to areas devastated by December 2004 Asian tsunami. They team up again to raise funds for Hurricane Katrina relief. Oct. 7, 2006: Attends christening in Newport News, Va., of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush. Jan. 7, 2009: Attends historic luncheon at White House with fellow former presidents Clinton and Carter, his son the outgoing president and President-elect Barack Obama. Feb. 15, 2011: Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor for contributions to society. March 29, 2012: Endorses 2012 Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. April 17, 2018: Barbara Bush dies at their home in Houston. She was 92. Nov. 30, 2018: George H.W. Bush dies at his Houston home. He was 94. WASHINGTON The U.S. plans to cut the number of active-duty troops along the border with Mexico but extend the unusual deployment for another 45 days, U.S. officials said Friday. Overall troop levels assigned to assist the Department of Homeland Security with border enforcement will drop from 5,600 to about 4,000 under a new proposal from the agency to the Pentagon. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis was traveling and had not yet signed off on the plan but the Pentagon has been working with DHS and it is expected to get approval, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. President Trump ordered the unusual deployment of active-duty troops to the border in response to a caravan of Central American migrants walking north toward the U.S. Critics dismissed the deployment as a political stunt ahead of the midterm elections Most of the troops have been deployed in Texas, far from where the migrants eventually arrived in Tijuana, along the southern border with California. Soldiers have strung vast amounts of concertina wire and transported Border Patrol agents but have not been engaged in any law enforcement activities, which would be prohibited under U.S. law. The initial deployment was scheduled to end Dec. 15, but Mattis and other officials had said it could be extended. The new order extends it for 45 days while still allowing about 1,600 troops to return home. A Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Col. Jamie Davis, said the new DHS proposal refines the military support so it remains aligned with the current threat, but declined to give details. DHS issued a similar statement, citing the ongoing threat at our southern border. Homeland Security officials said Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has also reached out for assistance from other federal agencies. Politico reported Friday that she requested help from other departments including State, Labor, Energy, Transportation, Interior and Justice to determine whether they have law enforcement personnel they can send to the border. The troops at the border include combat engineers who can install and repair the concertina wire barriers, helicopter crews to provide transportation, and military police along with other service members who provide support for the troops. As of last week, the cost of using troops to help secure the border was estimated at $210 million, but this extension is likely to increase that figure. Lolita C. Baldor is an Associated Press writer. WASHINGTON Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke accused a high-ranking House Democrat on Friday of paying hush money to cover up excessive drinking and a hostile work environment after the lawmaker wrote an op-ed calling for the secretary to resign. The statement by Zinke, a former Republican House member, was an extraordinary breach of the norms that usually govern relationships between senior government officials, particularly a Cabinet secretary, and a member of a congressional committee overseeing his department. Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., is in line to be chairman of the Natural Resources Committee with the new Congress in January, and has been making a case that Zinke should resign because of ethical questions surrounding his tenure at the Interior Department. Its hard for him to think straight from the bottom of the bottle, Zinke wrote in a statement posted on his official Twitter account. He continued, He should resign and pay back the taxpayer hush money and the tens of thousands of dollars he forced my department to spend investigating unfounded allegations. In response, Grijalva issued a statement saying, The American people know who Im here to serve, and they know in whose interests Im acting. They dont know the same about Secretary Zinke. Zinke appeared to be referring to a 2015 agreement between Grijalva and a former House employee who had accused him of overseeing a hostile work environment and frequently being drunk. The employee had threatened to file a lawsuit and Grijalvas office ultimately paid the employee $48,395 in severance. Grijalva defended the arrangement when it was reported in 2017, denying the claims in the Arizona Daily Star. I do not work while drunk and have never had a hostile workplace environment, he wrote, challenging reporters to find evidence corroborating the former employees claims. Grijalva framed the severance package as a means for his committee to move forward with its operations as quickly as possible and for the former employee to quickly begin seeking new opportunities. Grijalva, a liberal Democrat, has been a consistent and outspoken critic of Zinkes work at the Interior Department. Nicholas Fandos and Coral Davenport are New York Times writers. Svante Arrhenius, who lived from 1859-1927, was a Swedish chemist at the University of Stockholm and became Sweden's first Nobel Prize winner. His scientific interests tuned him in to a debate on the cause of the ice age and he tried to find a correlation between glaciation and vast swings in the amount of global carbon dioxide. That cause-and-effect had been raised before by French scientist Joseph Fournier. In his 1896 paper, Arrhenius put forth the greenhouse effect theory and concluded that if the amount of carbon dioxide doubled, Earth's temperatures would increase by as much as 5 to 6 degrees C. He also noted that coal burning would cause a steady rise in carbon dioxide levels. Amy Sandoval didnt know she was missing. Three weeks after the Camp Fire destroyed the Paradise home she was living in with her family, she and her 4-year-old daughter, Anna, were still listed by the Butte County Sheriffs Office as people who were unaccounted for. But she and her little one were safe 3,000 miles away, in Virginia, oblivious to the fact that someone had reported them missing to county officials. I suspect that one of my classmates (at Chico State University) reported I was missing ... but it gives me hope that the other people on the missing persons list are safe like I was, Sandoval, 22, told The Chronicle. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea has assured residents that the list is constantly changing as its task force connects with relatives of missing loved ones, crossing off names as people are confirmed safe and adding names as they receive calls from worried friends and family. He has urged people to check the list for their names and to let officials know they are safe. As of Monday, the list was down to 24 people still unaccounted for. Officials have said they hope many on their list are like the Sandovals who simply did not know they were listed. Sandoval, who lived with her daughter, mother and brother in the Paradise home, had been staying with a friend in Chico on Nov. 8 when she woke up to see what she thought was a thunderstorm. Anna was more than a four-hour drive away with her father in Happy Camp (Siskiyou County), near the California-Oregon border. It wasnt until last week that Sandoval learned she and her daughter were on the unaccounted-for list. She called the sheriffs office Friday morning to alert them that they were safe. She recounted the dread she felt the day of the fire. Her mother, Lynn Sandoval, 62, called to say she had left work to rush back to the Paradise home. At home was Amy Sandovals brother, James Silva, 46, who was recovering from radiation therapy to the brain. Lynn Sandoval was determined to rescue him as the entire town of Paradise was evacuating. She told The Chronicle she started that day as any other. She left her Paradise home a yellow, one-story home constructed from wood with brick lining the foundation, and a brick chimney jutting out around 7:30 a.m. It was overcast. Maybe its going to rain, she said she thought to herself while driving to her job at the Shadowbrook Post Acute long-term care facility more than 20 miles away in Oroville. When she stepped into the facility, her puzzled colleagues asked, Arent you evacuating? She thought of her son, who was at home recovering from gamma-knife radiosurgery. Cancer in his esophagus had spread to his brain, where a tumor had developed. The tumor caused his brain to bleed, prompting doctors to pinpoint the tumor in his brain with a steady dose of radiation. Silva was alone at home and had no way of leaving. By this time, hundreds of cars were snaking out of Paradise and Lynn Sandoval remembers being in one of the only vehicles barreling toward the blaze. She called her daughter while speeding toward their home, detailing the buildings in their hometown that were crumbling under vicious flames. The Stratton Market located less than half a mile from their home where they would frequently buy cooking ingredients, baking soda, produce and candy bars when they had a sweet tooth was gone. It was not the town I had left an hour before that, said Lynn Sandoval. I was lucky I even got back in because (authorities) closed the road shortly after I got there. At their Bonnie Lane home, she helped her son into the car and hit the road. But they got stuck in a bottleneck. A broken electrical pole curved over the road, embers raining down on the vehicles inching forward below. She prayed for the pole not to fall as smoke filled her vehicle. My lungs were burning. It was hard to tell how long it took to get out with all the adrenaline in my body, she said. My son seemed to be in denial but I think that was in part because of his brain injury. In her rearview mirror, she said she could see a wall of fire appear to close in on the sprawling line of vehicles behind her. She managed to make it out of the darkness, out of the smoke and into the safety of her other son Michaels home in Chico. I looked over at my son (James) and said, We made it. Oh my God, we made it, she said. If I had waited 10 minutes longer, I would not have gotten to my son. Amy Sandoval joined her mother and James in her brother Michaels home. It wasnt until a few days later that the Sandoval family learned their Paradise home was gone. A friend of the family, a game warden in Butte County, snapped photos on his cell phone of their home while combing through the deserted town. Their home was just stacks of bricks lining blackened soil, with a chimney towering above the rubble. A wheelbarrow remained nearby, as well as a trailer next to the leveled home. At that moment, when I saw that house, it became that much more real, said Amy Sandoval. For Lynn Sandoval, that home had been the sweet promise of her looming retirement. She had recently paid off the home. Now Im looking at making a house payment again, she said. I dont know if we can go back. I dont know if we can rebuild. She said she also has to focus on Silva, who is scheduled for consistent MRIs over the next several years, and most likely for the rest of his life. Silva has been staying with a friend in Chico while he continues to recover. I talk to him every day. I call him every day and ask if hes OK and he says, Yes, Im fine, mom, but I think hes trying to be strong for me, she said. That has been a nightmare in itself. Amy Sandoval stayed in Chico until Nov. 13, when she decided to drive up to Happy Camp and scoop up her daughter. The pair flew out to Virginia from Sacramento to escape the poor air quality, she said. Shes tried her best to be honest with her young daughter about the fate of their hometown. She said she knows shes not the only parent who struggled to find the words to explain the loss of their home, their town. I told her that our town burned down but I told her that were going to build a new house and live somewhere else, she said. I showed her pictures so that she can understand the house is gone. At first, she didnt take it so well. Amy Sandoval said she plans on staying in Virginia with Anna for a few more weeks before returning to Sacramento, where she said someone in West Sacramento has donated a trailer for the pair to live in while they get settled. While still in Virginia, Anna often asks about her coloring books, Barbies and baby dolls she nurtured back in Paradise. Shes picked up her old habits of chewing on her shirt and pulling on her own hair to relieve the stress bottled up in her tiny body. Yesterday, she had a moment where she told me, Mommy, if we were up there then we would have died, too, she said. Those are things that 4-year-olds shouldnt be thinking about. Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LaurenPorFavor Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 1) Former lawmaker Satur Ocampo and 17 others accused of kidnapping have been released from police custody after posting bail. Ocampo, ACT Teachers Representative France Castro and 16 others were arrested for alleged kidnapping and failure to return 14 minors on November 29. According to leftist human rights group KARAPATAN, Ocampo and Castro were conducting a humanitarian mission along with teachers from lumad schools. The Office of the Executive Judge of Tagum City, Davao Del Norte allowed Ocampo and his fellow accused to post bail on Saturday. Their legal counsel, Atty. Joel Mahinay, posted bail with a total of 1.44 million on charges of human trafficking, kidnapping and failure to return a minor. Mahinay said the police only released the accused at 8 p.m., despite receiving two orders from the judge to present them in court earlier. "We clearly and categorically declare that the 80,000.00 cash bond posted by all the above-named respondents is for the cases they are charged and are pending before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office. The Police Officer or Military personnel or anybody who has custody of the above-named respondents are ordered to release them from custody and detention," the order by Executive Judge Arlene L. Palabrica read. Palabrica said that while a police officer and lawyer named Padillo argued that the police officers of the Davao del Norte police stations involved were ordered not to release the accused, on the basis that preliminary investigations are still ongoing. While Palabrica said that they "admire and appreciate our police force for doing their job", the rules of Criminal Procedure dictate that any person in custody who are not yet charged in court may apply for bail. "Finally, as the above-named respondents are still presumed innocent and no information have been filed against them, their supreme right to liberty must be upheld," Palabrica added. In a statement, KARAPATAN slammed the arrest of Ocampo and others, citing that they rescued the children from alleged harassment. "We strongly condemn these brazen attacks against Ka Satur, Rep. Castro and the 16 who aided the Lumad children, as we decry all forms of political persecution by the Duterte regime against human rights defenders and political dissenters," KARAPATAN said. 435 N. Michigan Ave., No. 401, Chicago: $3,575,000 | Listed: Oct. 14, 2021 This three-bedroom home has three full bathrooms, one half-bath, 11-foot ceilings, crown molding and white oak hardwood floors. This home has an open-concept living/dining space with two lounge areas and a marble fireplace. The kitchen offers quartzite countertops, an extended island, white Shaker cabinetry and a custom wine tower. The primary bedroom has a marble en suite bath with a dual vanity, a free-standing tub and a walk-in shower. Two additional en-suite bedrooms, a laundry room, and a foyer complete this home, which is located in a building with a professional gym, a 75-foot indoor lap pool, and an outdoor terrace. Agent: Ryan Preuett, Jameson Sothebys International Realty, 312-371-5951 *Some listing photos are virtually staged, meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options. To feature your luxury listing of $800,000 or more in Chicago Tribunes Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com. Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news. The challenge I faced with the tollway contest was trying to predict and execute a design that will appeal to all different audiences. Entering contests has really helped me to think about what the judges or companies will like to represent them, she said. The public is invited to attend the program, which will include the posting of colors by the Lincoln-Way Central High School Air Force Junior ROTC, the Pledge of Allegiance by scouts from Troop 40 and an historical presentation by junior high honor students. VACAVILLE, Calif. (KCRA) A Vacaville man and his daughter were left in disbelief after a Starbucks barista changed the name on their order based on their appearance. Johncarl Festejo, an 18-year Air Force veteran who retired last year, stopped at the Elmira Road Starbucks with his 12-year-old daughter, Milan, before dropping her off at school Monday morning because he was feeling under the weather. He figured a hot cocoa would make him feel a bit better, so, he placed an order, which also included a banana nut bread and a chocolate frappuccino for Milan. When the barista asked for his name, Festejo said, "I said, 'My name is John.'" His full name, Johncarl, was also clearly displayed on the app he used to pay for his order. However, the barista chose a different name for him. "A few minutes later, I was just waiting in that area, and next thing I know, I hear, 'Is there a Chang here? Is there a Chang? We got a hot cocoa,'" he recalled. "I figured, no big deal. It was probably someone else." Then, he heard the name Chang twice more. "Then, I hear again, 'Banana nut bread for Chang.' I'm like, OK, probably the same order. Then, followed by that was the chocolate frap," Festejo said. Festejo, understanding that this was in fact his order, approached the counter to understand why his name wasn't the one being called out by the employee behind the counter. "I said, 'Ma'am, is this my order? Because my name is not Chang.' She responded that could it have been my name on the app," he said. "So, I double checked my Starbucks app. It says my name. I just asked, 'Is this some kind of joke? For real? Like, come on now.'" Festejo said the employee turned to the person who took his order and asked the barista why it was changed to Chang. "I saw her just slightly snicker," Festejo said. As his frustration mounted, his daughter asked that they leave. The coffee shop was busy, he said, and he had to get Milan to school. "When I went to school, I started to think about it. How could they get John and Chang messed up?" Milan wondered. "I think it was really mean, because I never went to a place where they called me something else." After dropping his daughter off at school, Festejo called the corporate office at Starbucks to voice his concerns with the way he was treated. He got an apology and also received a call from a district manager, who also apologized. "At Starbucks, we take great pride in providing a warm and welcoming environment for everyone who enters our stores and expect our partners to uphold our values and follow through on our commitment. We have a zero-tolerance stance on discrimination of any kind, and the experience in question was not reflective of our mission and values," a spokesperson for Starbucks said. "We have reached out to the customer and shared our deep regret for their experience, are conducting an investigation into the matter and will take the appropriate actions." The employee is currently not assigned any shifts pending the outcome of the investigation. "We didn't expect this, especially this day in age," Festejo said. "Especially what just occurred recently in Starbucks, I didn't expect this would happen." In May, Starbucks closed thousands of stores for racial bias education training following the arrest of two black men who were just sitting inside a Philadelphia store. Festejo said he's using what happened Monday as a teaching moment for his daughter. "All I can advise her is just not to -- to move forward, learn from this and press on," he said. A statement from the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs regarding the Vacaville incident reads in part: "While we don't have all of the facts regarding the alleged incident, we find the story disturbing if it was true. APAPA believes in the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and will strongly condemn any instances of racial bias and stereotyping. We suggest that Starbucks conducts a thorough investigation regarding this particular incident. If this event was in fact true, Starbucks should make an immediate public apology to the individual, and continue to develop its trainings to address such instances of racial discrimination." SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Police arrested a woman Thursday after she allegedly lit an incendiary device inside the San Francisco Hall of Justice, causing a small fire and smoke and the subsequent cancellation of court proceedings. The incident began around 11:15 a.m. when the suspect lit the device inside the building's lobby, located at 850 Bryant St., police said. The device created a small explosion, causing flames and filling the lobby with smoke. A deputy doing security in the building was able to use a fire extinguisher to put out the small blaze, while another deputy arrested the suspect, according to sheriff's department spokeswoman Nancy Crowley. The woman has been identified as 42-year-old Djuquetta Jones. She was arrested on suspicion of arson, possession of an incendiary device, explosion of a destructive device with intent to injure and unlawfully possessing fireworks, according to jail records. No injuries were reported, but the building was put on lockdown. San Francisco police officers and sheriff's deputies, along with K-9 units, then searched the building and allegedly recovered an unattended bag as well as a second incendiary device. After determining the building was clear, authorities let people back inside around 1:40 p.m., but criminal court hearings were canceled for the rest of the day because of the incident. The building is home to the city's criminal courtrooms and the district attorney's office, among other city offices. The county jail is also located on the seventh floor. The inmates at the jail were not evacuated, Crowley said. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. OAKLAND (BCN) An Oakland city councilmember is questioning the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives after a rifle and Taser were stolen from an agent's vehicle in Oakland Tuesday. "Have you already, or will you, order your personnel not to leave guns loose where they can fall into the hands of criminals?" Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan asked in a letter addressed to the ATF's Special Agent in Charge in Dublin, Ray Roundtree. The theft happened Tuesday when an ATF agent's locked car was broken into in front of the federal building in Oakland. The suspect grabbed a locked green case holding a Colt rifle and a Taser, according to Ginger Colbrun, a spokeswoman for the ATF's San Francisco Field Division. The ATF had not recovered the stolen weapon Friday, and announced it was offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information should call (888) ATF-TIPS or submit an anonymous tip at atftips@atf.gov or at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. "ATF considers a lost or stolen firearm a very serious matter," Colbrun said in a news release. "Our agents are working diligently to make sure these items are recovered as quickly as possible." That promise didn't seem to impress Councilmember Kaplan, who penned the critical letter. She cited the murder of Antonio Ramos, a "talented 27-year-old muralist" who was killed with a gun stolen from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent's vehicle. "As you know, I introduced and passed legislation in 2015 prohibiting leaving guns unsecured in unattended vehicles," Kaplan said in the letter. "This is unacceptable." Colbrun said she hadn't seen the councilmember's letter Friday night and wanted to review it before commenting. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) San Francisco Deputy City Attorney Christine Sacino has received the Defense Attorney of the Year Award from the San Francisco Chapter of the California Applicants' Attorney Association. Sacino was presented the award, which recognizes top attorneys for their longtime dedication to the practice of workers' compensation, on Nov. 16. "I am incredibly proud of Christine Sacino for this well-deserved honor," San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera said in a statement. "It speaks volumes that she was recognized for her professionalism and compassion by attorneys that are on the opposing side." Sacino is a graduate of UC Hastings College of the Law. She joined the San Francisco City Attorney's Office in 2001. 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. NOVATO (BCN) Novato police said a man in a truck followed three girls as they walked to school this morning. The girls were walking on Sunset Parkway near Leafwood Drive to Lynwood Elementary School at 1320 Lynwood Drive around 8:30 a.m. when a man in a white pickup truck drove next to them and said "hey" multiple times, police said. The girls ignored the man and kept walking but they saw the man again driving through the parking lot in front of the school campus, police said. The man was described as white, in his 50s, with long blond or white hair. The truck was an older model Ford, police said. Novato school resource officers are investigating the incident, and school staff is working with them to identify the man, police said. No other similar reports have been reported at this time, but police are providing extra patrols in the area. Police commended the girls for reporting the incident quickly to school staff. Anyone with information about the incident or suspect is asked to call Novato police at (415) 897-4361. 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. She said applicants should help to organize their neighbors to help plant the trees on a chosen weekend, and neighbors of all ages are welcome. If residents are elderly and are unable to do much work, she said, they could still come out and learn from Openlands volunteers how to care for the tree. SAN JOSE (BCN) A Salinas man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for several crimes including his involvement in a racketeering conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Alex G. Tse announced. On Jan. 4, Anthony Lek, 31, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, robbery affecting interstate commerce and using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, prosecutors said. Since 2007, Lek has allegedly been an active member of the Santa Rita street gang, a subset of the larger Norteno gang. On June 2, 2010, Lek and three other gang members committed an armed robbery of the Zales jewelry store at the Gilroy Premium Outlets and stole more than $800,000 in goods, prosecutors said. In October of 2010, Lek and another gang member robbed a Turlock check-cashing business of several thousand dollars. On March 17, 2011, Lek and three fellow gang members robbed a Chase bank in Santa Maria of $174,000. In addition to the prison term, Lek was sentenced to five years of supervised release. Lek has been in federal custody since June 1, 2015 and will begin serving his sentence immediately. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A fire burned the back of a two-story home in San Francisco's Outer Sunset neighborhood this afternoon. Firefighters first reported the fire on Twitter around 3 p.m. as it was burning in the 1500 block of 32nd Avenue. According to San Francisco Fire Department officials, after determining that no one was inside the home, firefighters were able to get the fire under control in about 15 minutes. No injuries were reported and it was not immediately clear this afternoon whether anyone would be displaced. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Police announced today they arrested a man last week suspected of starting at least two fires earlier this month in San Francisco's Financial District. Officers arrested Ricard Anderson, 77, of San Francisco on Nov. 20 on suspicion of arson, in addition to failing to register as a sex offender, police said. Anderson's arrest is connected to two Nov. 12 blazes in the 100 block of Kearny Street. According to police, on that day officers arrived to that location and learned from firefighters that two separate fires had already been extinguished and had burned the front door of a retail store and a newsstand near Kearny and Sutter streets. Members of the Police Department's Arson Task Force began an investigation and were able to identify Anderson as a suspect. After locating Anderson in the 200 block of Grant Avenue, officers arrested him and booked him into jail. Anderson remains in custody and is being held on $400,000 bail, according to jail records. Police are continuing to investigate the fires and are asking anyone with information to contact them at (415) 575-4444 or to text a tip to TIP411 with SFPD at the beginning of the message. 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. DUBLIN (BCN) Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, is holding a town hall in Dublin today to talk about events of the past year and discuss Congress' priorities for the next one. The event, which will also give constituents a chance to ask Swalwell questions, is the congressman's last local town hall in 2018, according to his office. It is scheduled for 10 a.m. in the multipurpose room of Dublin High School at 8151 Village Parkway. Swalwell has represented District 15, which includes parts of Alameda and Contra Costa counties, since being elected in 2012. 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. Girls in grades six to 12 and their families will meet today at Mills College in Oakland to learn about health, nutrition, self-worth and healthy relationships at the annual Black Girl Power Conference. The conference starts at 8:30 a.m. at the college at 5000 MacArthur Blvd. and ends at 4 p.m., according to the Oakland Unified School District. This year's theme is #MeToo: Protection of Black Women & The Return of the Warrior Queen, which speaks to sentiments that originated with Tarana Burke, a civil rights activist and senior director at Girls for Gender Equity. Organizers hope that the conference helps break the silence of shaming, injustice and disrespect to black women's bodies, minds and spirits by encouraging agency, advocacy and empowerment, school district officials said. The holiday spirit has arrived in San Francisco's Civic Center with the inaugural opening of the center's first ice rink. Friday morning, San Francisco Mayor London Breed helped open the Winter Park at Civic Center ice rink along with help from Olympic figure skater Brian Boitano. Located just across from San Francisco City Hall, the rink is just one of several features recently added to Civic Center Plaza, including a new playground and the Bi-Rite Cafe. "We have so many people who visit this area from all over the Bay Area and all over the country. And Winter Park at Civic Center is just really, I think, a jewel to add to what we already know is going to be an incredible holiday season," Breed said. Bay Area resident and Olympic skating champion Brian Boitano said, "It's not only beautiful, but it's also one of the best ice surfaces in the world by far." A Tesla driver has been cited for DUI after California Highway Patrol officers possibly activated the car's automatic stopping system in Redwood City because the man was asleep at the wheel, CHP and sheriff's officials said. The driver was cited Friday morning. CHP spokesman Officer Art Montiel said this is the first time officers have employed the strategy to stop an alleged DUI driver and prevent injuries to both the driver and law enforcement. Officers were patrolling on U.S. Highway 101 southbound at Whipple Avenue when they saw a gray Tesla Model S traveling at about 70 miles an hour. The car appeared to be using the autopilot function, though it has not been confirmed, Montiel said. Though the vehicle appeared to be driving normally, officers pulled up next to the car and noticed the driver, 45-year-old Alexander Samek, was allegedly asleep at the wheel. Montiel said the CHP looks for reasons to stop drivers, ask questions and send them on their way late at night and during early morning hours because the risk of DUI is typically higher. A San Jose State University professor is reminding Bay Area residents to be prepared for earthquakes after a magnitude 7.0 quake struck Alaska. The quake shook the Anchorage area Friday morning. The earthquake didn't have any impact on California, but it caused widespread damage to buildings, roads and infrastructure. Officials have long warned that a similar earthquake may occur in the near future in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kim Blisniuk, an assistant professor in SJSU's Geology Department, said the Rodgers Creek Fault in Sonoma County and the Hayward Fault in the East Bay are especially dangerous. "We should expect a magnitude 7 in the Bay Area in our lifetime," Blisniuk said. "It will happen." A man has been arrested as a suspect in a fatal shooting of a man Thursday morning in the Crockett-area of unincorporated Contra Costa County. The man was arrested Thursday night. A bystander called the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office around 7:15 a.m. Thursday to report that a person was lying on Crockett Boulevard between Cummings Skyway and Pomona Avenue. Firefighters responded to the call and found 30-year-old DeMichael James Gandy-Williams dead of an apparent gunshot wound, according to Jimmy Lee, a spokesman for the sheriff's office. Detectives began investigating and determined that a suspect is Toriano Collier, 46. Lee didn't say why detectives believe Collier killed Gandy-Williams or what the motive might be. Novato police said a man in a truck followed three girls as they walked to school. The girls were walking on Sunset Parkway near Leafwood Drive to Lynwood Elementary School at 1320 Lynwood Drive around 8:30 a.m. Friday when a man in a white pickup truck drove next to them and said "hey" multiple times, police said. The girls ignored the man and kept walking but they saw the man again driving through the parking lot in front of the school campus, police said. The man was described as white, in his 50s, with long blond or white hair. The truck was an older model Ford, police said. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. RICHMOND (BCN) The Tibetan Association of Northern California, a Richmond-based organization, has raised more than $7,000 for victims of the deadly Camp Fire, a city official said today. The association raised $7,236 in a food sale and donation drive Nov. 25 at its Huntington Avenue location in Richmond, according to Richmond Mayor Tom Butt. The mayor conveyed the funds to Paradise City Councilman Mike Zuccolillo, who will present a check to representatives of the Tzu Chi Foundation, which has been active in relief work in Paradise, Butt said. The Camp Fire has been declared the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history. The blaze effectively destroyed the entire town of Paradise. Paradise fire victims need as many RVs and travel trailers as possible as temporary homes, according to Zuccolillo. Those who wish to donate can text Zuccolillo at (530) 521-4576 or email him at mzuccolillo@townofparadise.com. 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. VALLEJO (BCN) Vallejo police arrested two robbery suspects today, one of which prompted a school lockdown. Police received a report around 7:05 a.m. of an armed robbery in the 2300 block of Springs Road. A witness said a man fled to a roof of a building on the grounds of the Vallejo Charter School at 2833 Tennessee St. The school was locked down and police surrounded the area. Vallejo City Unified School District Superintendent Adam Clark said the man had a knife. Staff was evacuated but no students were on campus at the time, Clark said. Families were notified and students were re-routed to the Hogan Middle School auditorium where they watched a movie and ate snacks as police secured the school site. As officers searched the Vallejo Charter School property, the robbery suspect ran from an unoccupied school building, police Lt. Fabio Rodriguez said. The suspect refused commands to stop and he was arrested with the help of a police dog, Rodriguez said. Police have not yet released information about the robbery, but said the suspect was arrested and booked in the Solano County jail. Students were then bused back to the Vallejo Charter School, Clark said. Police also responded to a robbery at the Ihaw Ihaw restaurant at 40 Springstowne Center. A patron inside the restaurant helped detain the juvenile suspect and he was taken into custody, Rodriguez said. Police are investigating whether the two robberies are related. Anyone with information is asked to call Vallejo police at (707) 648-4524 or contact investigations@cityofvallejo.net 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. Although the Giving Tuesday effort started before the foundation began matching funds, most of their agencies were not doing anything before (the casino) came on board, Sheppard said. The Elgin shelter for battered women and children did not reveal what it was able to raise, but said the additional funding will help continue programs there. Link said the bill is in response to calls for consolidation and less government, and long-term the aim is to save money through consolidation. As an example, Link said the city of Waukegan could easily absorb the roads maintained by the Waukegan Township Highway District. There was nothing negative just curious, he said. Questions like, How do the houses line up to our homes? What will we look at when we step outside our homes? They were just trying to orientate themselves with respect to where the new homes will be built. While the districts overall enrollment has been on a downward trend, the declines are not divided equally across the district. Home construction continues in pockets across Indian Prairie and is causing student populations to rise in the north and the southwest sides of the district. JUBA, South Sudan As many as 125 women and girls have been raped, whipped and clubbed in attacks so shocking that aid workers in South Sudan say they are left speechless. Doctors Without Borders on Saturday said the dramatic increase in sexual violence occurred over 10 days, between Nov. 19 and Thursday, as the women and girls walked to a food distribution site in Bentiu in Unity state. By contrast, the medical charitys Bentiu clinic treated 104 survivors of sexual assault in the first 10 months of this year. Sexual violence has been widespread in South Sudans civil war, and even under a recent peace deal humanitarians have warned of higher rates of sexual assault as growing numbers of desperate people try to reach aid. A midwife with Doctors Without Borders who treated some of the survivors said those targeted include pregnant and elderly women and girls as young as 10. What is happening since last week is indescribable. I havent got words for it, Ruth Okello told the Associated Press. The women were robbed of clothing and shoes, and even their ration cards for food distribution were seized and destroyed, the aid group said. The U.N. mission chief, David Shearer, said the abhorrent attacks were carried out by young men in military uniforms and civilian clothing. The United Nations has increased patrols in the area and launched an investigation while urging local authorities to hold the attackers accountable. South Sudans government did not immediately comment. The international body charged with monitoring the peace deals implementation said Saturday it has opened an investigation into the reports. The United Nations World Food Program said that while there was a distribution under way in Bentiu for displaced people, the women and girls werent due to receive food assistance until the following week. WFP said it was looking into whether it can move distribution sites closer to communities in the area. A new report by the U.N. panel of experts monitoring sanctions on South Sudan says it remains extremely concerned about the continued high level of conflict-related sexual violence, despite the peace deal signed in September. Sam Mednick is an Associated Press writer. MEXICO CITY Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took the oath of office Saturday as Mexicos first leftist president in more than 70 years, marking a turning point in one of the worlds most radical experiments in opening markets and privatization. In his first speech to Congress, Lopez Obrador pledged a peaceful and orderly transition, but one that is deep and radical ... because we will end the corruption and impunity that prevent Mexicos rebirth. Mexico long had a closed, state-dominated economy, but since entering the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs in 1986, it has signed more free trade agreements than almost any other country and privatized almost every corner of the economy except oil and electricity. Now, though, Lopez Obrador talks a talk not heard in Mexico since the 1960s: He wants to build more state-owned oil refineries and encourages Mexicans not to buy abroad, but to produce in Mexico what we consume. Even so, Lopez Obrador has tried to send conciliatory messages to financial markets, which have been roiled in the weeks before he took office. I promise, and Im a man of my word, that the investments of foreign and international investors will be safe, and we will even create conditions that will allow them to get good returns, he said. Because in Mexico there will be honesty, rule of law, clear rules, economic growth and confidence. But he also harked back to his hero, ex-President Lazaro Cardenas, who nationalized the oil industry and redistributed land during his 1934-40 administration. We are going to govern for everyone, but we are going to give preference to the most impoverished and vulnerable, Lopez Obrador said. For the good of all, the poor come first. The first foreign dignitaries that Lopez Obrador greeted were U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Ivanka Trump. I want to say that since July 1, the day I was elected, I have received respectful treatment from President Donald Trump, Lopez Obrador said. But he faces a challenge with a caravan of thousands of Central American migrants camped out on the border, which Trump had threatened to close to keep them out. Lopez Obrador said he wanted to reach an agreement with the governments and companies in the U.S. and Canada to develop Central America and southern Mexico, so people wouldnt have to emigrate. Christopher Sherman and Maria Verza are Associated Press writers. Kamil Zihnioglu / Associated Press PARIS Frances most violent urban riot in a decade engulfed central Paris on Saturday as yellow jacket activists torched cars, smashed windows, looted stores and tagged the Arc de Triomphe with graffiti. Protesters angry about rising taxes and the high cost of living clashed with French riot police, who closed off some of the citys most popular tourist areas and fired tear gas and water cannons as they tried to quell the mayhem in the streets. THE HAGUE, Netherlands For more than a month, a rotating roster of preachers has been leading a non-stop, round-the-clock service at a small Protestant chapel in The Hague in an attempt to shield a family of Armenian asylum seekers from deportation. Under a centuries-old tradition, authorities in the Netherlands dont enter a church while a service is under way. That means that for now the Tamrazyan family parents, their two daughters and son are safe from Dutch immigration authorities who want to send them back to Armenia. There was only one thing you could do and that was starting a church service to save the life of this family, but also call attention for the fate of so many children in similar circumstances, said Theo Hettema, chair of the General Council of the Protestant Church of The Hague. Its heartbreaking. We had compassion and we had good reasons and we thought it was the mission of our church to act like this. The church service shines a light on a problem facing authorities in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe: what to do with families who have been fighting legal battles for asylum for so long that their children have become deeply integrated into society, going to school, learning the language and making friends. The Tamrazyan family has been living in the Netherlands for nearly nine years, as their asylum application and various appeals proceeded slowly through the courts. Now the Council of State, the countrys highest administrative court, has ruled they must return to their home country, which is considered safe by the Dutch government. The Associated Press was not given access to the family. The father was politically active and fled to the Netherlands because of threats, Hettema said. Over the years, sisters Hayarpi, 21, and Warduhi, 19, and their 15-year-old brother Seyran have laid down roots, attended school and made friends. While the round-the-clock service continues, the family sometimes listens to the sermon, cooks or receives visits from friends. Its very stressful for them, Hettema said. Sometimes they are sad and nervous and sometimes they are hopeful and give us hope in return. Hettema said that after initially using local preachers to deliver the service, the church has now reached out to others and has received offers of help from some 500 people from different churches as far away as Belgium. Mike Corder is an Associated Press writer. (Chris) did it right. He came in and reused as much of the space as possible and put so much of his own sweat equity into opening his dream restaurant, Jeffries said. I think Chris will hit it out of the park. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Uptown is heading upstate. Senate Rivera of West Brighton pleaded guilty on Friday to drug and gun charges that come with a 12-year prison sentence. Rivera, who goes by the street name Uptown, sold heroin and fentanyl 10 times to undercover officers in the Port Richmond area prior to being busted April 20, said a criminal complaint. Rivera, then 28 and an alleged affiliate with the Latin King street gang, was arrested after a raid of his home, said a source with knowledge of the investigation. Cops found an Armscor model 206 .38-caliber special loaded with six bullets, unspecified quantities of .38-caliber and 9 mm ammunition and a Walther CP99 BB gun, the complaint said. Many of the bullets found were hollow point, according to the source. Such bullets typically expand to cause maximum damage when they hit a target. Police also seized drug-related items, such as a twist of heroin, an unspecified quantity of glassine envelopes containing heroin or used to package drugs, an unspecified substance used to dilute heroin, a coffee grinder and a scale with heroin residue, said the complaint. Shortly before his arrest, Rivera jumped on or otherwise damaged three vehicles on the 500 block of Cary Avenue in his community, the complaint said. They were a 2017 Volkswagen, a 2017 Nissan Juke and a 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG E43, according to the complaint and the source. Rivera was indicted on multiple charges of criminal drug sale and possession, marijuana possession and gun possession. He pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal weapon possession. Besides 12 years behind bars, Rivera will be sentenced Dec. 17 to five years post-release supervision. Defense lawyer Peter Troxler did not immediately return a phone call Friday seeking comment. Assistant District Attorney Michael Vitaliano is prosecuting the case. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A North Shore man accused of holding up three stores dating back two years wont be prowling borough streets for a while. Paris Williams, 29, has pleaded guilty to a robbery charge that will keep him behind bars for up to six years. Williams was busted in June of last year. Cops had been looking for him since his first alleged heist six months earlier on Dec. 2, 2016. The 121st Precinct had posted a wanted flier, describing Williams as a perpetrator in three robberies. The NYPD also asked the public on social medial for help in locating the suspect. Crime Stoppers offered an award of up to $2,500. In the first incident, police said the defendant entered the Seven Star Variety store, at 176 Port Richmond Ave., and simulated holding a gun inside a brown paper bag while demanding money. He struck again three days later on Dec. 5, said police. The defendant walked into a Boost Mobile store at 264 Port Richmond Ave. at 8 p.m., said police. As before, he simulated having a firearm inside a brown paper bag and demanded money, police said The final holdup occurred five weeks later on Jan. 12, 2017, said police. The suspect approached a 24-year-old male employee at the MetroPCS at 1752 Hylan Blvd., Dongan Hills, at 7 p.m., displayed a handgun and demanded money, police said. The worker said he emptied the register and gave the thief about $800, the Advance reported. Williams pleaded guilty Thursday in state Supreme Court, St. George, to third-degree robbery in connection with the Dec. 5 incident to satisfy all charges against him. In exchange, hell be sentenced Dec. 19 to three to six years in prison. Assistant District Attorney Michael Tannousis told the court prosecutors offered the plea agreement because Williams has mental-health issues, which include bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He was also admitted into a psychiatric facility in South Carolina after the incidents and before his arrest, the prosecutor said. In addition, Tannousis said the agreement was reached after speaking with the victims and reviewing the defendants medical records. Said defense lawyer Leo V. Duval, This disposition was meticulously worked out with the district attorneys office after a careful review of the defendants medical and psychiatric history. The result achieved is fair and equitable, and I compliment the district attorneys office for being compassionate under the circumstances and giving great weight to the defendants mental condition at the time he committed these crimes, Duval said. 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! I have four of my grandchildren here today, but Simona, who is 3, is the only one who is accepting of this, Henriksen said, referring to meeting Santa. I thought it was great the Settlement offered this event and has other things for the kids to do. Its neat to watch this process over the years and see the kids experience an awakening. As the efforts to wipe out mosquito-borne diseases have ramped up, a few different approaches to the problem have emerged. Microsoft founder Bill Gates alone has pledged more than $US1 billion for technologies that may help wipe out malaria, including controversial efforts to genetically modify mosquitoes. Verily's approach relies on a variation of a very old strategy known as sterile insect technique, in which a population is gradually killed off by interfering with the ability to reproduce. It's unclear what would happen if the world's disease-causing mosquitoes were done away with. The ecological role that mosquitoes play hasn't been thoroughly studied, though some scientists suggest we might be just fine without them. But it's clear that A. aegypti has no business in Fresno County. Native to warmer, wetter climes, no one knows where they came from when they first showed up in 2013. All that's certain is that they have spread extremely rapidly. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes sit in a petri dish. Credit:AP "After we detected it, we did a massive and extensive effort to prevent the mosquito from establishing and eliminate it," says Jodi Holeman, the scientific services director for Fresno County's Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District. "We were not successful, in any way, shape, or form." The county went from having not much of a mosquito problem at all to having one that made residents avoid their backyards and porches. Unlike most mosquitoes, A. aegypti lives and breeds in places inhabited by people, laying its eggs in, say, the few droplets of stagnant water at the bottom of a wine glass left on a balcony, then hiding under beds and in closets, biting legs and ankles. This makes it much harder to fight. Going door-to-door and begging residents to dump out standing water wasn't cutting it, so in 2016, Fresno teamed up with a scientist named Stephen Dobson and his company, MosquitoMate. It was Dobson's lab that figured out how to infect mosquitoes with a form of Wolbachia that's different from the type of the bacteria that mosquitoes usually carry. That's what makes the eggs unviable. MosquitoMate makes two species of mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia, A. aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Fresno became one of its test sites. The initial Fresno trials were the first time male A. aegypti infected with the bacteria had ever been released in the US. The next year, Verily stepped in to help scale those efforts up, bringing more advanced technologies to the breeding and release process that would, they hoped, eventually make fighting mosquitoes massively scalable. It seems to be working. This year, Verily signed on for a second season of releases. Two Verily trucks ply four different neighbourhoods, hitting more than 3000 homes. Over six months, the company released more than 15 million mosquitoes. Results from 2017 suggested the population of biting female mosquitoes dropped by two-thirds. This year, tweaks to the program have cut the mosquito population by a whopping 95 per cent. A second project by Verily in Innisfail, Australia, that concluded in June reduced the mosquito population by 80 per cent. This bodes well for eventually bringing the technology to other parts of the world-regions ravaged not just by itchy ankles but by deadly disease. At first, Verily executives were worried about community resistance to fighting bugs with more bugs. So the company set up an outreach booth, complete with a cage full of male mosquitoes that people could stick their hands in to learn that males don't bite. (Only female mosquitoes bite, which is why this and similar projects are careful to only release males.) "We really appreciate you being here," Clifford Lopes, a resident, told the company. "I brag to people about how I can sit on my porch now and not get bit." Fewer than one in 10 Canberra primary school children can swim to the national water safety benchmark. The latest figures from Royal Life Saving ACT revealed just 7 per cent of students who participated in the organisation's swimming courses were able to reach the standard set out by the Australian Water Safety Council, dropping from 15 per cent the previous year. Of the 8614 primary school students who participated in learn to swim and swim survival courses during the 2016-17 financial year, only 588 met the benchmark. The national benchmark of level four or above for Swim and Survive includes being able to swim 50 metres freestyle and backstroke, being able to tread water in clothes for two minutes and safely jumping into and exiting deep water. It comes as a world-first national building census conducted by Canberra company PSMA Australia revealed there were 11,742 swimming pools in the capital, with pools in 7 per cent of ACT backyards. When it comes to rescuing abandoned dogs, Wendy Parsons says there's one thing that matters the most. "It's all about choosing the right home for the dog," she said. Alex Chow and Natalie Tegtman with their adopted dog Jake and Victoria Jong with her adopted dog Nala. Nala and Jake are both ACT Rescue and Fosters 3000th adopted dog. Credit:Elesa Kurtz "It's really important with a dog to know if they're suitable at home with a family or with other pets or large spaces." As president of ACT Rescue and Foster, Ms Parsons has helped to do just that for countless dogs abandoned or sitting in pounds with an uncertain future across the capital. "Sometimes it feels like there's not enough support to be accelerated," he said. "I would want to see more programs and encouragement to help me and other people in a same situation, instead of holding us back." 'It's a challenge' In order to be accelerated three school years, Toby had to undergo several rounds of tests to see how he would cope both academically and emotionally. Before moving to Erindale College, Toby was accelerated to being a year 10 student at Lanyon High School and would have to travel to the college to study year 11 and year 12 maths subjects. Toby says more support is needed for accelerated students. Credit:Karleen Minney Toby's mother, Gabrielle Carlton, said while they were fortunate to have the support of Lanyon High School in accelerating Toby, it may be difficult for other people in a similar situation. "The principal at Lanyon fought our case for us and put Toby into the assessments to help him get accelerated," Ms Carlton said. "For other people, there's not that much support for accelerated students in Canberra unless you live in a specific area like Lyneham, where the high school has an accelerated program. "It's a challenge for the parents and the teachers and also the students as well." After moving from extension and opportunity classes in NSW to Canberra, where opportunity classes aren't available, Ms Carlton said Toby would have been held back if he was in mainstream classes. "We came from the Sydney education system to Canberra's, and there's certainly much better support in NSW compared to the public system here," she said. "Toby may be younger than his peers in his class, but he feels more comfortable with them. He feels like he can fit in with that cohort and have a more mature conversation." Despite this, Toby faces bullying at school, but not from his older classmates. "He's bullied by his aged peers. He's significantly bullied because he's so different," Ms Carlton said. "But he's now spends time with 15 and 16 year olds, and they're happy that Toby's there with them." Toby said he wasn't fazed by the bullying from students his own age. "It was hard and it was a bit of a struggle at first, but I just prefer being around some of the older kids," Toby said. "I do see some kids around my own age, but there's not really many friends in that group anyway." A rigorous process It's not known how many accelerated students are in Canberra schools as no centralised list exists and acceleration is at the schools' discretion. A recent study carried out by Edith Cowan University found no two Australian states or territories had the exact same approach when it came to supporting accelerated students in the classroom and called for a consistent strategy. An ACT education directorate spokesman said its gifted and talented students policy provided direction for schools on how academically-gifted students were supported inside and outside the classroom. Students sit the selective high school test in NSW. Credit:Andrew Taylor "Whole-grade acceleration is just one strategy for meeting the educational needs of gifted and talented students," the directorate spokesman said. Strategies used in ACT schools can include subject specific or whole-grade acceleration, external partnerships or targeted programs in schools When a student is accelerated, either in one subject or a whole grade, an individual learning plan is made for them by teachers in collaboration with the student and their parents. The directorate spokesman said different specialised classes would be offered to accelerated students, depending on their needs. "School principals are also responsible for ensuring that there are established, effective and equitable processes and measures in place for the identification of gifted and talented students," the spokesman said. Lanyon High School principal Barbara Monsma said the process to determine whether a student was accelerated was rigorous. "There's usually a range of different sources involved such as reports from external psychologists and the school psychologist and also standardised testing, and it can also involve interviews with the students themselves," Ms Monsma said. "One of the strengths of the ACT model is that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. It's about getting to know the student and see how their needs could be met further." For many ACT accelerated students, classes offered at the Australian National University provide an outlet to take their studies further than what can be taught in a traditional classroom. ANU's extension program is aimed towards year 11 and 12 students, who can completed extension classes in science, engineering, maths or Asian languages. A university spokeswoman said about 300 students from across the ACT took part in the program each year. "Students who successfully undertake studies in ANU extension will be able to articulate into an ANU bachelor degree program, and receive credit towards the bachelor degree for the studies successfully completed," the spokeswoman said. 'Acceleration a last resort' After moving to the ACT, Ms Carlton said NSW's system for academically gifted students offered more support than what she had seen in Canberra schools, with location being a barrier to access schools with more programs for accelerated students. While parts of the NSW system may be similar, with principals having discretion over whether to accelerate or not, other measures such as opportunity classes or selective schools are also available. A NSW Department of Education spokesman said the department was reviewing the policy to take into account new research on how best to educate accelerated students. NSW has several selective schools for academically-gifted students. Credit:Janie Barrett "Decisions regarding acceleration are made at a school level, and involve consultation between school staff, students and parents," the spokesman said. Counselling is also required for gifted students under the NSW policy, in order for them to understand the implications of being accelerated at school. While the ACT public system may be dependant on location to access services, in the Catholic sector acceleration is also up to the principal. Rachel Smith, the principal at St Benedict's Primary School in Narrabundah, said acceleration was rare, having only seen it twice in a 20-year education career. "Acceleration is a last resort. We don't want students to feel ostracised, and we want them to have a support network," Ms Smith said. The Catholic school principal said external programs were a way for students to get the enrichment they need academically. Some students, if they're not accelerated would be cruising through school work without doing anything and would not be challenged enough. Dr Jae Jung "We've nominated children to go to programs or single-day workshops based around a subject, and there's a couple of other schools involved as well," Ms Smith said. Marist College headmaster Matthew Hutchinson said there was no single approach to supporting accelerated students; it had to be multi-pronged. "What that really means is that we have make sure the content that is getting delivered in the classroom is at their level, and there are lots of challenges for teachers," Mr Hutchinson said. "I like the idea of acceleration in particular subjects when there's evidence to do so." 'It's a pity Canberra doesn't offer it' The ACT and NSW aren't alone in having different approaches to acceleration, with each state and territory having its own unique method for supporting gifted students. A recent study from Edith Cowan University found a more consistent approach was needed. "Historically, Australia has lacked a consistent approach to identifying gifted children. A consistent approach requires a common definition of giftedness and well-defined identification policies and procedures," the report said. Acceleration is a last resort. We don't want students to feel ostracised, and we want them to have a support network. Rachel Smith According to the study, NSW is the only jurisdiction where responsibility for identifying gifted children is spread across the education system , with the principal, teacher and whole school community involved. Neither Victoria or Queensland has an existing policy for identifying academically gifted students. "NSW and SA clearly lead the way in mandating criteria that must be adhered to in the procedures schools implement to identify gifted children," the study said. "Each teacher should not be expected to be independently devising and implementing identification procedures in their classrooms, but rather should be appropriately directed, led and supported in their efforts to implement the school's procedures." Dr Jae Jung, a senior education lecturer at the University of New South Wales, said while accelerating students multiple years at a time like in Toby's case was an "extreme" measure, holding students back who were suited to acceleration just so they could be with their peers was more detrimental. "They would be more likely to be bored in the classroom and would lead to substantial levels of under-achieving," Dr Jung said. "Some students, if they're not accelerated, would be cruising through school work without doing anything and would not be challenged enough." The lecturer said while there was often a negative attitude towards acceleration, more support was needed for students who go down that route. He said more methods of academic support, such as selective schools, were also needed in Canberra. "It's a pity that a city the size of Canberra does not offer this educational option for students because many gifted students would be supported by it," Dr Jung said. 'Always an answer' After moving to Erindale College for his studies and being challenged at school, Toby's mother said he had never been happier. Being accelerated several years ahead of his cohort has meant Toby would also be the youngest in his class when he gets to university, although that's a prospect he's not daunted by. As the bell rang at the end of lunch, teacher Dominique Chedel of class 2C was presented with a playground emergency; a little girl had snapped the arm of her spectacles. Distraught, she handed them to Chadel and gazed at her expectantly. After seven hours in her company, I knew teaching was not Chedel's only skill - that day she had already been a performer, a counsellor, a referee and a choreographer. But surely it was too much to expect her to also be an optical technician? But, in between leading a dance and teaching 20-odd fidgeting students about units of measurement, she fixed the glasses with a hot-glue gun. Journalist Jordan Baker spends the day with Dominique Chedel and class 2C at Glebe Public School. Credit:Louise Kennerley My job is to write about education, but I am a journalist, not an educator; it's been more than 20 years since I've spent any time in a classroom. So, in the interests of research, I visited 2C at Glebe Public School in inner Sydney to walk in the shoes of a teacher. A family of five who were forced to evacuate out of Mount Larcom in the Gladstone region have lost everything they own after a shed with all their belongings was engulfed in flames. A family forced to evacuate returned home to find all their belongings destroyed in a shed fire in Queensland. Credit:Facebook Shandell Amos, her partner and three children were living with friends at Mount Larcom after moving from South Australia to start a new life in Queensland. Ms Amos said she was shocked when police knocked on their door to tell them to evacuate immediately. "It was just shock, I was a bit scared," she said. Scott Morrison has urged people in Queensland to look out for each other after bushfires claimed one life, with more extreme weather on the way. The Prime Minister has been monitoring the fires from the G20 meeting in Argentina ahead of his return to Australia on Monday morning. Prime Minister Morrison said 'there is a need to ensure we're keeping an eye on each other'. Credit:AAP "Despite the very sad loss of one young man, a 21-year-old man who died while clearing a fire break west of Rockhampton, so far I think the efforts have been extraordinary," Mr Morrison told reporters in Buenos Aires on Saturday local time. "People's lives have been very significantly disrupted by the evacuations and other actions that have had to be taken. A City Beach man will face court on Saturday after allegedly holding up a chemist with a broken bottle overnight. Police claim the 43-year-old threatened staff at the Rokeby Road chemist about 6.30pm on Friday night, demanding medication and taking cash before fleeing. He was arrested by police a short time later and was charged with armed robbery. The man is due to appear before Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday. Suspicious fire in Subiaco In a separate incident overnight, emergency services were called to a Hay Street bar early on Saturday to battle a fire inside the Subiaco business. Police are calling for witnesses to what they believe was a deliberately lit fire at a Subiaco bar overnight. Emergency services were called to the Voyeur Bar on the corner of Rokeby Road and Hay Street in the early hours of Saturday morning and police say it is lucky only minimal damage was caused to the bar. Arson squad investigators remained at the scene of the fire throughout Saturday. Credit:Cameron Myles Detective Senior Constable Mark Pollock said there were several sources of fire within the building, but the fire damage was minor and limited to furnishings. He said an initial estimate put the cost of the damages at $100,000, mostly stemming from smoke damage. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 1) Former lawmaker Satur Ocampo finds a defender in the country's top diplomat, who scoffed at the kidnapping and human trafficking charges filed against him. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin Jr. let out an expletive as he dismissed the charges as "idiotic." "Human trafficking? Bullsh*t. I won't even bother to get the other side. I know Satur. We protected him in our Congress against warrants of arrest," Locsin said in a tweet Saturday morning. Locsin and Ocampo were members of the House of Representatives from 2001 to 2010 as Makati Rep. and Bayan Muna Rep., respectively. Ocampo, along with ACT Teachers' Partylist Representative France Castro and 17 others, was charged with kidnapping and human trafficking over the transport of minors in Davao del Norte. Human rights group KARAPATAN, however, asserted that Ocampo and his team, who were part of National Solidarity and Fact-Finding Mission, actually rescued the Lumad children from harassment. READ: Former solon Satur Ocampo, 18 others charged for illegally holding minors The political Left has decried the Duterte administration's alleged crackdown against its leaders, but the government has repeatedly denied this. Malacanang on Friday said Ocampo and his companions are being given due process and urged critics to stop jumping into conclusions regarding their arrest. Charities including Movember, The Salvation Army and Legacy are all rolling out tap and go donation machines to capture revenue that otherwise would have gone missing. Homeless vendors of magazine The Big Issue have started taking pay-pass. Large charities are often able to partner with big banks, but smaller ones struggle, leaving them with a 2.2 per cent transaction fee on donations, 22 on a $10 donation, or $22 for every 100 taps of a card. Camp Quality chief executive Kylea Tink says the children's cancer charity introduced cashless payments at its Christmas pageant for the first time this year. "If we did not have tap-and-go, those donations would not have eventuated," she says. But a cashless society is not always a generous one, according to some of those busking or living rough near Flinders Street or Circular Quay. "It's a heck of a difference compared to last year and this year, they don't carry much cash any more," says Keith Jan Gude Van Der Berg, who busks regularly for cash at Circular Quay. In China, Van Der Berg's fellow buskers now have specialised digital QR codes, which enable passers-by to donate by scanning a printed picture through messaging apps such as WeChat without reaching for their wallets. Here, "they stop and say we love your music but we only have our card", he says. Despite the technological hurdles, economists believe the inevitable end of mainstream cash will bring significant benefits through productivity, efficiency and equity gains. The take up of contactless payment options is accelerating at a rapid rate. Credit:Simon Bosch "It is now easier than it has been to conceive of a world in which banknotes are used for relatively few payments; that cash becomes a niche payment instrument," Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe said this week. "This shift is a positive development that should promote our collective welfare." Holden says the productivity boost as we move from a pre-cashless society is "going to be significant". They allow payments and invoices to be processed instantly, increasing cash flow from consumers to business across the economy. "If we think about how many transactions happen in the economy, a few seconds here and there is going to add up to a lot of time," he says. It will also help plug a leaky tax system. An estimated $6 billion goes missing every year through the black economy, most of it through cash, which would otherwise flow through to tax revenues that could be spent on services for those in need, Holden says. Loading "You can imagine a Sweden situation," he says. "Where basically no one ever uses it but in exceptional circumstances". The Nordic country's cashless pivot has been faster than even the country's central bank expected. The amount of cash in circulation is equivalent to 1 per cent of GDP, a fraction of Australia's. The high cost of maintaining ATMs has meant some private banks in Sweden are refusing to distribute cash themselves. Fewer coins are dropping into church offering plates, where parishioners can tap-and-go their donation through an app. Cafes and transport are often card only. Most retailers are expected to stop accepting bills as soon as 2025. The country's payment app - "Swish" - has become a verb. Cecilia Skingsley, the deputy governor of Riksbank, Sweden's central bank, says the phenomenon is a "historical change without precedence". "The development raises some crucial issues regarding the states role in the payment market. For hundreds of years, the public has been offered central bank notes and coins," she told the World Economics Forum in November. "If cash stops working, it would leave all individuals to rely on the private sector alone to get access to money and payment methods." The RBA's head of payments policy, Tony Richards, describes it as a "significant change". "As cash-use falls, financial institutions may reduce their provision of cash services," he told a payment summit this week. That means ATMs are likely to become less common, leaving open the possibility of them disappearing from Australian regional communities where they are less profitable. Regulators are open to the big four banks - the Commonwealth, Westpac, ANZ and NAB - combining into one ATM service to ensure some remained in circulation. It also wants them to get on with delivering the New Payments Platform, Australia's version of the Swedish "Swish". The system allows for instantaneous payments through mobile numbers and email addresses. When fully implemented, it is likely to turbocharge Australia's cashless pivot and leave the Reserve Bank delicately balancing the efficiency of a cashless society, with the broader, systemic financial risks that come into play. As it cedes control of cash to private banks, the Reserve Bank is conscious of the levers it needs to have in place in the event of a crisis. Convenience leaves Australians vulnerable to hacking, power outages and telecommunication breakdowns. "The more you depend on electronic systems, the larger the attack surface becomes," says David Glance, who worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland before joining the University of Western Australia. "Mitigating that is having a wide range of institutions involved so that it is unlikely that all the banks get taken out at the same time." Loading One option is to develop an emergency back-up system that would run on independent grids and telecommunications networks to could keep cash flowing in the event of a catastrophe. Such a system is not ready yet. It is one reason regulators are keen to keep cash flowing, at least as a back-up for the time being. "Using cash does not require the internet to be up, electricity to be working and the banks' systems to be operational," Lowe says. The recent release of the Federal Parliamentary Committee report on adoption is trying to conflate two important issues for Australia's vulnerable children: the historically low rate of adoptions and the rising number of children in out-of-home care nationwide. The number of Australian children being adopted is falling dramatically. Credit:Belinda Pratten The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs recommended a national easing of adoption laws to provide more stable and permanent homes for children with a history of being in out-of-home care. A dissenting report opposing the recommendations noted the risk of a throwback to the Stolen Generation, because of the disproportionate number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. The narrow terms of reference of the committee confined to adoption as an option for young numbers in out-of-home care, prevented any useful contribution towards the real target, how to reduce the number of children coming into out-of-home care. Right wing extremist Gavin McInnes has been refused a visa to enter Australia ahead of a controversial upcoming speaking tour. The Canadian founder of male-only "Western chauvinist" organisation Proud Boys was planning to tour Australia with UK far-right figure Tommy Robinson in early December. The pair were calling their events in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast 'The Deplorables' tour, and selling VIP "private dinner" tickets for $995. Gavin McInnes, centre, founder of the far-right group Proud Boys, is surrounded by supporters after speaking at a rally in Berkeley, California. Credit:AP On Thursday, the Herald reported that the tour had been postponed until 2019 due to Robinson "cocking up his diary", as his personal assistant put it on Twitter. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had the previous week announced a "Brexit betrayal march" in the UK on December 9, when he was supposed to be between appearances in Australia. Buenos Aires: World leaders have pushed back against Russian president Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman at a global summit where the two men greeted each other with a cheerful high-five that has been dubbed a secret murderers handshake because of their links to mysterious deaths. Prime Minister Scott Morrison restated Australias condemnation of the killing of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi amid new allegations the crown prince texted those who committed the crime. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked the crown prince directly about the murder, while French President Emmanuel Macron remonstrated with the Saudi Arabian leader and British Prime Minister Theresa May urged him to comply with a full investigation. The leaders also urged Mr Putin to step back from a confrontation in the Black Sea by releasing Ukrainian sailors seized by the Russian navy last week, against the backdrop of continuing investigations into assassinations linked to the Kremlin. On election night, a jubilant Daniel Andrews rightly proclaimed Victoria the most progressive state in the nation. Assisted dying laws, medical marijuana, safe injecting rooms, resounding support for same-sex marriage, compelling support for a republic, emphatic rejection of race-baiting, a new cabinet comprising 50 per cent women we Victorians are the most socially liberal, and deliciously up-ourselves, folks in Australia. Illustration: Dionne Gain Credit: Granted, Tasmania is expected to become the first jurisdiction in Australia to make the inclusion of a childs sex on birth certificates optional. But it was Victorias Safe Schools program that made gender fluidity a front line of the culture wars. Queensland only legalised abortion in October, a full decade after Victoria. South Australia rests on its laurels for womens suffrage and reformist premier Don Dunstan, his 1970s pink shorts now a museum item. No point discussing WA, because in fairness theyre largely unaware we even exist. The ACT isnt a state and therefore doesnt count. To our humid and voluble neighbour to the north, we give a lifted brow and sardonic Melbourne grin. Sometimes our healthy self-image borders on delusion. But states, like people, have their flaws. Rome: A 2000-year-old bronze ring found near Bethlehem bears the name of - Pontius Pilate, the Roman official who ordered Jesus Christ to be crucified, archeologists have revealed. Views and cross-section of a finger ring that may have belonged to Pontius Pilate. Drawing by J. Rodman; Photo by C. Amit, of Hebrew University. Credit: The ring was found 50 years ago during an archeological excavation at the site of a fortress built by King Herod, but was overlooked for decades and has only now been analysed properly. Archeologists discovered Greek writing which spells out "Pilatus" around the central image of a wine -vessel, known as a krater. The writing emerged after the ring was given a careful clean and photographed using a special camera in a laboratory belonging to the Israel Antiquities Authority. Pilate was prefect, or governor, of the Roman province of Judaea under the Emperor Tiberius from around AD 26-36. The gunman then began to pat down the pedestrian and stole $26 in cash, police said. The gunman then re-entered the car and the car drove off south on Austin Boulevard, police said. What happens when you cross a blimp with a plane, and give it a few helicopter features? A lighter-than-air plimp-hybrid airship is born, according to a Seattle-based company looking for investors. For $4 million plus overages (paid out over four years), investors can buy their own Model J a 169-foot-long (51 meters) aircraft that can carry up to 10 people (eight passengers and two pilots), or about 2,000 lbs. (907 kilograms) through the air, thanks to its helium-filled blimp-like body, gas-electric hybrid engines and rotational wings with propellers. But don't call it a plimp outright. That word is trademarked and meant to be used as an adjective, said James Egan, a Seattle-based attorney who is the CEO of Egan Airships, maker of the plimp-hybrid aircraft. [In Images: Vertical-Flight Military Planes Take Off] The idea came to Egan in childhood, as he was playing with helium balloons and balsa-wood gliders. He noticed that these wooden gliders had a slower descent when he tied helium balloons to the planes' wings and tails. "I became convinced there could be another form of aircraft if only you could put wings on a partial-lift balloon," Egan told Live Science. He kept his eye on emerging technologies, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane, which uses lightweight carbon-fiber composites to make aircraft lighter and more fuel-efficient. Finally, he and his twin brother, Joel, approached Daniel Raymer, an engineer who agreed to take their concept of a half-helium-filled aircraft and turn it into a flyable design. The helium in the blimp part of the plimp-hybrid aircraft is key, Egan said. "That decreases your unpowered descent rate to that of a parachutist," he said. "You start with a design safety feature that no other aircraft has, which places you safely back on the ground if, for some reason, the engines fail." [The Hindenburg Wasn't Alone: Here's a Look at 23 Intriguing Airship Adventures] Plimp aircraft could be used to transport people and equipment. (Image credit: Egan Airships) The plimp-hybrid airship is actually faster and safer than a blimp, which has to offgas during unpowered descent, Egan said. The newly designed airships are also different than the Hindenburg the airship that met a fiery end when its lighter-than-air hydrogen gas leaked and mixed with oxygen, making a flammable mixture that quickly ignited. (In contrast, the plimp aircraft uses helium, which isn't flammable.) How does it work? When the Model J is full carrying the aforementioned 2,000 lbs. it should be able to cruise at 86 mph (138 km/h) for 3 hours, or a distance of 260 miles (418 km). When empty (for instance, when acting as a flying billboard), it can travel a whopping 1,300 miles (about 2,100 km), a distance equal to a trip from Los Angeles to Dallas. But whether or not it's occupied, the Model J will take off in the same way: vertically, like a helicopter. "The pilot tips the wings and nacelles [the engine housing] up to a vertical position and adds power," Raymer, the chief designer of the plimp airship and president of Conceptual Research Corp., told Live Science in an email. "The vehicle lifts off vertically, upon which the pilot slowly brings the wings and nacelles down to the horizontal position, while the vehicle accelerates into forward climbing flight." [In Photos: Building the Worlds Largest Airship (Airlander 10)] To land, the pilot would reduce the power, allowing the Model J to descend and slow down. Once the vehicle nears its landing spot be it a beach, platform or the water the pilot would reduce power and allow the aircraft to settle to the ground, Raymer said. This 3D rendering shows the different plimp aircraft Egan Airships plans to bring to market. (Image credit: Egan Airships) The aircraft will have its perks: Unlike a helicopter, the Model J will be quiet and relatively easy to maintain, and unlike a blimp, it could travel quickly, Egan noted. The Model J is being designed to handle moderate wind better than a regular blimp, "because only half of the vehicle weight is carried by the helium lift," Raymer said. However, it wouldn't fare well in heavy wind, bad storms or icy conditions, he said. While the Model J is still in the works (it needs approval from the Federal Aviation Administration), the company already debuted its drone airship a 28-foot-long (8.5 m) plimp-hybrid aircraft that can cruise at 30 mph (48 km/h) for 1 hour at the InterDrone exposition in 2017. The drone could be used for advertising, as well as for land and agriculture surveys, search and rescues and surveillance, Egan said. Egan expects the Model J will be useful to the U.S. armed forces to ferry personnel and equipment, as well as to companies and people who want an easy way to get from point A to B. "Imagine getting off an aircraft in New York and maybe going to a different part of the airport, getting onto one of these [plimp] aircrafts that lift smoothly and carry you the distances to islands and other semi-regional places that otherwise would take hours by car, ferry or train," Egan said. An illustration of a plimp aircraft over Fallujah, Iraq. (Image credit: Egan Airships) The plimp airships are part of a growing trend in the aviation industry, with many companies designing small aircraft that can transport just a handful of people. There are even other blimp-like aircraft in the works, including Lockheed Martin's 280-foot-long LMH-1 hybrid airship and the U.K.-based Hybrid Air Vehicles' Airlander (although the Airlander 10 crashed in 2017). As for the Model J, it appears to be a good way to carry people and cargo, said Kristi Morgansen, interim chair of the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department at the University of Washington, who is not affiliated with Egan Airships. "There's a long history of using lighter-than-air vehicles to transport people and goods," Morgansen told Live Science. However, given that there are so many personal air-transportation vehicles like Egan Airships popping up, there could be challenges down the road as to how air-traffic control will deal with all of them, she said. In addition, Morgansen asked, How are you going to house the vehicle? Where are you going to park them and maintain them?" (The answer is that is an outdoor storage area, or a hangar, Raymer said.) "It's an absolute game changer," Egan said. "This is a brand-new form of aircraft." Originally published on Live Science. BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan Waking up from a feverish nap, I carefully rose from my airplane seat. Fellow Canadian journalist Sean Costello noticed I was awake. "I hope you're feeling better, Elizabeth. This is going to get interesting." So began several hours of diplomatic negotiations as our plane full of roughly 60 VIPs, journalists and astronaut family members en route to watch the launch of the Expedition 58 crew on a Soyuz rocket here experienced a forced detour that is extremely rare for these chartered flights. A Russian Soyuz rocket is scheduled to launch three members of the International Space Station's crew into orbit on Dec. 3. The flight detour came after a cascade of problems. Our departure from Moscow was delayed by two hours by some sort of technical issue. While in the air, the charter airline realized our 757-200 airplane couldn't reach Baikonur's airport before nightfall. (All Soyuz launches fly from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.) Usually darkness is no big deal for planes, but Baikonur's runway isn't equipped with lights. [Read about Elizabeth Howell's travels to the Baikonur launch here] So midway through our 3.5-hour journey, our flight to Kazakhstan became a return to Russian soil and we alighted in Samara, a city some 1,000 km northeast of Moscow. Meanwhile, I was fighting symptoms of the flu or a cold in an airplane that could not be deboarded due to visa complications. Diplomatic privilege We never had any real sense of worry. Among the guests on this plane was NASA's Bill Gerstenmaier, one of the top human spaceflight officials at the agency and a trusted negotiator with the Russian space agency. Multiple NASA employees with diplomatic privileges were also onboard, which gave our plane a bit of a hotline to the authorities to figure out what to do. Diplomacy was necessary because most people on this plane had double-entry visas. This allows you to visit Russia, leave the country, and then return once within a prescribed amount of time. (In my case, it was 90 days.) If we deboarded in Samara, we would burn up our second entries into the Russian Federation at a border crossing and miss the chance to go to Kazakhstan altogether. So NASA being NASA quickly got on the plane intercom to advise us they were working options. Our three choices, as they saw it, were these: to land in the military zone of Baikonur (a zone normally forbidden to civilian aircraft), to get special dispensation to remain in Samara at the airport hotel, or to fly to another town in Kazakhstan and bus it to Baikonur. Waiting it out With nothing to do but wait, the mood turned more festive as the flight crew handed out drinks. I slept off my symptoms, with doctors from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency frequently checking in on my health. In between catnaps, I saw VIPs mingling with reporters and, at one point, Canadian astronaut Josh Kutryk came to our area of the plane to chat with an official from CSA. Passengers made phone calls, sharing phones to make sure that everyone could reach who they needed. The three small children of Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques played in the aisles, with the two older ones decked out in astronaut paajamas. A couple of TV reporters filmed their antics as Saint-Jacques' wife, Veronique Morin, kept an eye on the kids. Daylight turned to darkness, and the supper hour came and went. We got frequent updates, water and (in some cases) a bit of food. After 2 hours, the diplomatic negotiations worked we would fly to Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan and take a 3-hour bus ride to Baikonur, arriving only 2 hours before the scheduled rocket rollout. Our plane landed without further incident and, as of this writing, media have arrived at the Seven Winds hotel and are preparing to head to the rocket rollout. The rocket rollout is scheduled for 7 a.m. Dec. 1 local time (8 p.m. EST Nov. 30, or 1 a.m. GMT Dec. 1). If all goes to plan, the liftoff will take place Dec. 3. This trip to the ISS is the first since a dramatic abort during the Expedition 57 launch Oct. 11. Russian space officials traced the problem to a deformed sensor, allowing the Expedition 58 launch to proceed. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com. The gunman is described as in his teens to 20s and wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt with a dark vest over it. The three other men were described as being in their teens to 20s. Case #330 Saraih was very excited when she found out she was pregnant with her first child. She continued working until her doctor said she needed to be regularly monitored for a possible abnormality with her pregnancy. Unfortunately, she lost the baby, was then out of a job, and consequently fell behind on her rent. A grant of $500 would allow her to stay in her apartment, while she copes with her loss and takes time to heal and move forward. To contribute, visit http://bit.ly/2jU5O1H and select the case number above. Case #331 Anthony is 69 years old and has been diagnosed with a chronic mental illness. He struggles each month to live on a very low income from Social Security benefits. His 12-year-old car is badly in need of repairs, but he cannot afford to have them done. A gift of $798 would cover the cost of four new tires and other needed repairs on his car and keep him connected to the outside world. To contribute, visit http://bit.ly/2jU5O1H and select the case number above. 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Case #336 Bernard and his four siblings, mother and grandmother live in a small home; they fled violence in Haiti and are trying to find safety and security in Stamford. Bernards little sister was stricken with cancer and most of the familys resources have gone toward her medical care. A gift of $800 would help to cover some of the cost-of-living expenses this fragile family faces. To contribute, visit http://bit.ly/2jU5O1H and select the case number above. Case #337 Family violence left Marina, her younger brother and mother in a precarious financial situation. Through months of legal and police involvement, the little family is finally feeling safe but their finances are drained. A gift of $500 would help Marina and her family have food over the winter to help them move on in a positive direction. To contribute, visit http://bit.ly/2jU5O1H and select the case number above. Case #338 Kailas parents were 14 when she was born. Though their relationship ended, their responsibilities did not. After some turbulent times, Kaila is now living with her father; she is proud of how he has taken his role as parent so seriously. In fact, her father is a very young man who works two jobs to care for his daughter. A gift of $500 would help pay rent and relieve some stress for this dedicated dad. To contribute, visit http://bit.ly/2jU5O1H and select the case number above. Case #339 Jaydas mother wont let friends come to their apartment to visit: there are too many mice, which are a health hazard and embarrassment. The family is looking at newer apartments to rent, ideally in time for the holidays so that relatives and friends can come to celebrate. A gift of $800 for rent would help this family find a cleaner, safer home. To contribute, visit http://bit.ly/2jU5O1H and select the case number above. Every Thursday and Sunday through the end of the year, the Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time will publish short stories about local families and people in need of a helping hand. The names of those included have been changed to protect their privacy. Each case will include an estimated dollar amount that would help them face everyday challenges like rent payments, child care costs and transportation. Every dollar donated to the Giving Fund goes directly to the clients in need. The Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time sponsors The Giving Fund in partnership with Family Centers and Person-to-Person. Niles Police Cmdr. Robert Tornabene said Summers was initially identified as the suspect by someone who recognized him from the surveillance photo that was released by the police department. Investigators then compared prints that were lifted from a can of spray paint left at the school and determined they belonged to Summers, Tornabene said. If you want to understand why the Senate voted this week to move forward with a resolution ending U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, read the speech that Bob Corker delivered from the Senate floor on Wednesday. The outgoing chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has long been an ally of Saudi Arabia in Washington. And yet Corker voted to move the Yemen resolution out of his committee. Mind you, he didn't say he would be supporting it when it comes to the floor for a vote. Rather, he was sending a message to the Trump administration to come down harder on Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman for his role in the murder of Washington Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Corker was disappointed by the briefing he and his colleagues received from Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Some of this is about procedure: Many senators wanted a briefing about Khashoggi from CIA director Gina Haspel. Some of this is about style: Many senators were infuriated by President Donald Trump's statement on the crown prince's unknowable culpability in the murder. Both objections beg the question: What does any of this have to do with Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen? Just look at Sen. Lindsey Graham's comments following the briefing. Not only did he vow to hold up any legislation the White House wants in the lame-duck session until he gets a briefing from the CIA director on Khashoggi. He also promised an end to "business as usual" with Saudi Arabia, if indeed the crown prince was implicated in his murder. Graham's concerns are valid. It's important that the House of Saud pay a price for its recklessness. And Trump committed an unforced error last week when he cleared the crown prince of any responsibility. The U.S. should not go along with the ever-changing Saudi cover-up. That said, the Saudis have paid a price in terms of prestige. There is a process to hold many senior officials accountable, using so-called Magnitsky sanctions. And even as the administration is arguing Saudi Arabia's case to Congress, it is pressing the Saudis to curb their abuses in the Yemen war by adopting better rules of engagement and cutting off mid-air refueling to Saudi bombers. Which brings us back to the Yemen resolution itself. It is a blunt instrument that fails to consider what happens when the U.S. leaves. If America withdraws altogether from the Yemen conflict, it's unlikely the Saudis would immediately stop fighting. They consider the Iranian presence in Yemen, and in particular Iran's shipment of missiles to its Houthi clients, as a direct threat to Riyadh. And while it's difficult in the short term for the Saudis to replace the U.S. as their chief supplier of weapons, in the longer term a U.S. withdrawal would drive them into the arms of the Chinese and Russians. The Saudis have already signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with China and the Russians have offered to sell Riyadh S-400 anti-aircraft systems. That alone would undermine U.S. security in the region, because Saudi Arabia's current air defenses are guided by an American radar system deployed in the Middle East. Still, let's suppose an end to American support would force Saudi Arabia to stop fighting. Would this make the terms for peace better or worse for American interests? What incentive would Iran have at that point to leave Yemen? Graham, Corker and other Republicans who voted against the White House understand this. They must know that it's a nervy ploy to move forward with a sure-to-be bruising floor debate over the U.S.-Saudi alliance in order to spur the president to take a tougher rhetorical line on Khashoggi. They also must know that there is no chance the House of Representatives will adopt a similar measure in the remaining days of this Congress. In that sense, this debate is even more craven politics than it appears: It's a chance for senators to vote to end U.S. support for the Saudis in Yemen without having to face the consequences of such a policy. There is some principle involved. The genesis of the Yemen resolution is a strange alliance between conservative Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Both support the resolution in part as a way for Congress to reassert its war powers. It counts as an irony that this resolution is now the vehicle for symbolic dissent. It's important to remember why the U.S. is aligned at the moment with Saudi Arabia: It is on the American side in a regional war against Iran. That does not mean the crown prince has permission to send hit teams abroad to murder his critics. If the Senate wanted to be clear about that, it could easily have passed a resolution saying so. Threatening to cut off U.S. support for a war against Iran's proxies in Yemen punishes America for the crime of its ally. --- Lake is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering national security and foreign policy. He was the senior national security correspondent for the Daily Beast and covered national security and intelligence for the Washington Times, the New York Sun and UPI. A South Korean student has told how she was beaten by up to 10 thugs in an alleged race hate attack on Oxford Street. Mary Lee, a student at university in Canterbury, was allegedly targeted by a gang of people who violently attacked her as she was sightseeing in Oxford Street earlier this month. The 22-year-old, who has lived in the UK for around three years while studying illustration and animation, suffered swelling and bruises after the attack, which police believe is racially motivated. Scotland Yard said it is investigating a report of a racially aggravated assault on Oxford Street. Speaking about her experience, Miss Lee said she was visiting London with a friend when a group of strangers starting throwing rubbish at her at around 5.50pm on November 11. When she asked them to stop, Miss Lee claims one girl in the group approached her, remarking on the fact she could speak English before continuing to throw rubbish towards her head. Admitting she impulsively threw one of the pieces of rubbish back in their direction, the South Korean student said she was then pushed to the ground by one member of the group. She said: After falling around 10 people came up to me and started beating me up. I tried to stand back up but a girl pushed me to the floor again and started punching me in the face. They also started kicking me on the floor. They all seemed like teenagers, but they were all so much taller than me. One of the tallest guys struck me down and carried on punching my face. I remember shouting this is the 21st century, stop being racists and I kept screaming as there was not much I could do while I was getting beaten up by a group of 10 people. Miss Lee said she has been left with vivid memories of almost losing consciousness after a white male around 6ft tall punched her in the face for the final time before the group made off. She said two strangers came to help her while others nearby stood around and filmed the attack, which lasted about six minutes before they fled in the direction of McDonalds. Nearly three weeks later, tens of thousands of people have rallied behind the student as part of an online petition, which Miss Lee launched to raise awareness about hate crime in the capital and to try to prevent it happening again. Thousands have signed a petition hoping to raise awareness of hate crime in the capital / change.org Speaking to the Standard, Miss Lee said she felt grateful for the support she has received but also called for people to stop recording violent attacks instead of helping victims. She said: I think we have to talk about this situation, its not okay. I have met a lot of nice people in this country and I know bad people are everywhere, but racism shouldnt exist at this point. I really appreciate all of the people who have sent me messages and encouraged me. I also feel sad about lots of Asian girls saying they have had similar experiences as me. I want to say to the people who attacked me that I will be okay and you wont be okay. You guys hate other people without any reason and it will make you destroy yourself. Nearly 30,000 people have now signed the change.org petition, with hundreds of people leaving supportive messages for Miss Lee, who was left with swelling and bruises after the attack. One wrote: A disgrace to our country that children are still being brought up to behave in this way. Their parents should be ashamed of them and of themselves, and they of themselves. I am truly sorry this happened to you. The world needs brave women like you who speaks out even if at the moment you feel so small, another wrote. In the petition, Miss Lee also criticised Scotland Yards response to the attack, suggesting she had called police four times after reporting the crime online. "They kept repeating the same response - they said they would look into the estimated arrival time, Ill call you back, but they didnt show up after all," she said. A police spokesman confirmed they received a report of an alleged racially aggravated assault in Oxford Street on November 11. "The female complainant alleges she had rubbish thrown at her by a group of people before being physically assaulted. The complainant received minor injuries," he said. "Due to the comments made during the incident, this is being looked at as a potentially racially aggravated assault. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue." A homeless man who slept on London's night buses to stay warm is rebuilding his life as a barista at a Tube station kiosk in south west London. Hassanein Mohamed, of Shepherds Bush, battled homelessness for two months last year during one of Londons coldest winters. He told the Standard today how his life "completely changed" when charity Change Please gave him the opportunity to work in the first London Underground station kiosk staffed entirely by ex-homeless people. The 33-year-old was left without a roof over his head in December 2017, and sought refuge on night buses in Barking, after a relationship broke down. A year on, Mr Mohamed works serving coffee to Londoners at the Clapham Common venture. File photo: A homeless man sleeps in an under pass at London's Charing Cross station. / Getty Images The former operational engineer, from Egypt, said he would walk around in the cold all day, before trying to find a sofa to sleep on or riding buses. Each day I was just trying to find somewhere warm, he said. Mr Mohamed added: It was scary and it was something Ive never done before, I was so afraid. I didnt have any friends here or family, so it was not easy for me. Marco Ocampo, left, with mentor barista, Marik Avellaneda Tovar / Change Please Mr Mohamed has now been trained as a barista and is living in Shepherds Bush as a result. After being put in touch with Change Please by a local homeless charity, Mr Mohamed is now earning the London living wage and said he has gained a new family through work. He said: I feel like Im part of a big family, they [colleagues] know what you have been through. Its like youve found someone that accepts you for who you are. Mr Mohamed said: "They do something that's not just giving a homeless person money". / Change Please He added: My life has completely changed, I feel a lot happier. People tell me Im doing well, Ive changed a lot, I just feel happy. Mr Mohamed said the charity is also looking to help him gain new engineering qualifications, so he can return to his former line of work. He said: They do something thats not just giving a homeless person money. Its giving you something to do. If you give a homeless person some money, they could buy food or something to drink. If you give them a job, you are giving them a career, youre giving them the chance to start their life again. Through a partnership with the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL), the coffee kiosk in Clapham Common is hoped to be one of many. There are plans to open a range of coffee shops across the capital, with 100 per cent of the profits going back to Change People to train more people up. Cemal Ezel, founder of Change Please, said, Sadly, homeless individuals are 13 per cent more likely to be the victims of crime and with winter approaching its understandable so many seek sanctuary across TfLs network. Were therefore so happy the Mayor of London and TfL have chosen Change Please to open at their stations, helping us fight the growing problem of homelessness and giving commuters a way to change lives every time they buy a coffee. L abour frontbencher Kate Osamor has quit her shadow cabinet post amid accusations she misled the public over her son's drugs conviction. The Edmonton MP said today she was stepping down. It comes after reports she verbally abused a journalist from The Times who asked her for a response to a story, threatening him and throwing a bucket of water over him. Ms Osamor said she wanted "to concentrate on supporting my family through the difficult time we have been experiencing" as she quit her post. Her son Ishmael, 29, was appointed as her senior communications officer in April 2016. He was found guilty of drug offences and was given a community sentence on October 19 this year. She was challenged at her home this week by a reporter for the Times who asked for a response involving claims around her son's court case. The Times reported she said she "should have come down here with a bat and smashed your face in," told him to "f*** off", threw a bucket of water at him and called police after accusing the reporter of stalking her. The reporter involved wrote online: "One of the more interesting door knocks Ive ever done..." Ms Osamor said she remained fully committed to Labour's "programme for creating a society that works for the many, not the privileged few, and will continue to campaign for this from the backbenches". Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "I have accepted Kate Osamor's resignation and would like to thank her for her work as our shadow secretary of state for international development. "She brought a new dimension to the role by committing Labour to tackling global inequality as well as poverty as part of building a world for the many not the few. "I know Kate will take this time to support her family, work for her constituents and support our party's efforts to rebuild Britain from the backbenches." Edmonton Labour Party tweeted: "Kate we know you will continue to be a fantastic MP, sticking up for the people of Edmonton." Michelle Stanistreet, the NUJ's general secretary, said: "Journalists, like any other workers, need to be able to go about their work without fear of threats or assault. "It's completely unacceptable to respond to legitimate press queries, however unwelcome they may be, with physical or verbal abuse. U niversities minister Sam Gyimah has resigned, saying that a second referendum on Brexit would be better for both sides of the debate. There is a blocking minority in the House of Commons for almost every possible option which means that letting the people decide, now that we know more, might be the most sensible path for both leavers and remainers, Mr Gyimah told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme on Saturday. The prime minister has already taken one step in that direction by appealing to the country to put pressure on MPs to vote for her deal. If you are going to appeal to the country to put pressure on MPs to vote for a deal, then by all means you can give the decision to the country in terms of which direction we go in. If parliament was in deadlock, Theresa May could get herself out of that deadlock by backing a second referendum. Mr Gyimah, a junior-ranking minister who campaigned for Remain during the 2016 referendum, became the seventh minister to quit over Mrs May's deal, which he said would lead to Britain surrendering its "voice and its veto". The resignation of an MP considered a "rising star" in Westminster is a further blow to Mrs May, who is trying to persuade MPs to approve the deal she has struck with Brussels. "It has become increasingly clear to me that the proposed deal is not in the British national interest, and that to vote for this deal is to set ourselves up for failure," Mr Gyimah wrote in a resignation statement published by the Daily Telegraph. "We will be losing, not taking control of our national destiny." "Looking at the deal in detail, we don't actually have deal. We have a deal in name only," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. "We have given up our voice, our veto and our vote. Our interests will be hammered because we will have no leverage." Mr Gyimah however applauded the "grit and determination" of May, who is in Buenos Aires attending a Group of 20 summit. 'Grit and determination': Theresa May at the G20 summit in Argentina / REUTERS Earlier on Friday, Mrs May said Britain will pull out of negotiations to use the EU's Galileo space project for defence or critical national infrastructure, following a row over its post-Brexit future. "Galileo is only a foretaste of what's to come under the government's Brexit deal," Mr Gyimah said in his statement in the Telegraph. He said the odds had been "stacked against" the UK in negotiations and that to think otherwise was "incredibly naive". Politicians responded to the news on Twitter, with Labour MP Chuka Umunna writing: "Respect to @SamGyimah - he is absolutely right to say 'we shouldnt dismiss out of hand the idea of asking the people again what future they want.' " Conservative MP Jo Johnson, who resigned his post as transport minister in protest at the deal, wrote: "A strong & principled resignation statement. "And good to see him open to giving the public the final say now we know the Brexit deal thats actually on the table." Jo Johnson resigned with 'great regret' / PA Archive/PA Images Mr Gyimah started out in politics at the Oxford Union, where he served as president, and he later stood for Camden council elections unsuccessfully. Initially employed by Goldman Sachs as an investment banker, Mr Gyimah was added to the Conservative party A-List and selected as the prospective parliamentary candidate for East Surrey in 2010 following the retirement of Peter Ainsworth. He took the seat with a 17,000 vote majority and had only been in Westminster for two years when he was made parliamentary private secretary to then Prime Minister David Cameron. He pushed for a bigger role in Government, becoming a whip in 2013 and childcare minister in 2014. Further promotions to prisons minister and his most-recent role as universities minister followed. Outside Westminster circles, his following increased after he appeared to quote from Harry Potter during Question Time. N ASA's Curiosity rover is to investigate a strange 'super shiny' object found on the surface of Mars. Scientists said the rover is being sent to re-examine the small shining object, which is being referred to as 'Little Colonsay'. "One of the samples that we try to get a better look at is 'Little Colonsay", NASA said. "The planning team thinks it might be a meteorite because it is so shiny. "But looks can deceive, and proof will only come from the chemistry. "Unfortunately, the small target was missed in the previous attempt, and with the information from that, Curiosity will try again." NASA's Insight Lander - In pictures 1 /14 NASA's Insight Lander - In pictures This illustration made available by NASA in October 2016 shows an illustration of NASA's InSight lander about to land on the surface of Mars. AP Artists impression of the Insight lander on Mars NASA This composite photo was created from over 100 images of Mars taken by Viking Orbiters in the 1970s. In our solar system family, Mars is Earth's next-of-kin, the next-door relative that has captivated humans for millennia. The attraction is sure to grow on Monday, Nov. 26 with the arrival of a NASA lander named InSight. AP This undated image obtained from NASA and taken by the Mars Odyssey orbiter shows the target landing site for NASA's InSight lander in the Elysium Planitia region of Mars. AFP/Getty Images An artist's impression made available by NASA shows an illustration of NASA's InSight lander probing the 'Inner Space' of Mars. EPA A full-scale replica of NASA's Mars InSight, a robotic stationary lander that marks the first spacecraft designed to study the deep interior of the Red Planet REUTERS Bruce Banerdt, InSight Principal Investigator, NASA AP NASA Chief Scientist Jim Green talks about Mars InSight during a social media briefing Getty Images Artists impression of the Insight lander on Mars NASA The solar array of the Insight lander undergoing tests in the lab Marina Behabetz/Lockheed Martin via NASA Lockheed Martin via NASA Pat H. Corkery/Lockheed Martin via NASA Pat H. Corkery/Lockheed Martin via NASA Insight lander undergoing tests in the lab NASA The rover has a tool on board called ChemCam, which will be used to study the object. After it landed, Sue Horne, head of space exploration at the UK Space Agency said: "It is wonderful news that the InSight spacecraft has landed safely on Mars. T he Commons Library has released a roadmap of what will happen over the next few weeks if Theresa Mays Brexit deal is voted down or agreed. The independent research unit based in Parliament issued the flow chart showing what could happen after the House of Commons makes its decision on December 11. Should the deal make it through parliament, and receives Royal Assent before Article 50 expires, then the UK will leave the EU with the governments deal. However if the meaningful vote is rejected, the Prime Minister will have to make a voluntary statement, parliament will vote on motion based on the governments statement and if that is rejected then the UK leaves the EU without a deal. According to the flow chart, these are the multiple outcomes for Brexit / Commons Library According to the chart, if an approval motion does not pass the first time, there is nothing in the EU (Withdrawal ) Act that prevents the Government from bringing forward another approval motion, and making another attempt to get it through. The UK could also leave the EU without a deal if the meaningful vote is approved however the European Union withdrawal agreement bill does not receive Royal Assent before Article 50 expires. "A few days before the vote in the House of Commons, it is becoming more and more clear that this deal is the best possible - in fact, the only possible one," Mr Tusk told the the G20 summit in Argentina. European Council President Donald Tusk has warned the UK of the consequences of rejecting a deal with the EU / Getty Images He ruled out any renegotiation by the EU if parliament voted down the deal on December 11. He said: "If this deal is rejected in the Commons, we are left with... an alternative: no deal or no Brexit at all. I want to reassure you that the EU is prepared for every scenario." Mr Tusk will chair an EU summit two days after the crunch vote on a deal that Mrs May has also said is the best the UK can get. On Saturday, world leaders at the G20 summit in Argentina urged Theresa May to stay to avoid a no deal Brexit. P olice have found two bodies in their search for a couple who were swept out to sea in their car in Scotland. Officers looking for James and Susan Kenneavy, whose car was found washed up on a beach in south west Scotland in bad weather, today said that two bodies had been found. Police Scotland said the body of a woman was found at the edge of the water in Port William, Newton Stewart, at around 8.15am on Saturday. The body of a man was found nearby around half an hour later. In a statement, the force said: "Although formal identification has still to take place, it is believed to be the missing couple and their next of kin has been informed. "A full report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal. "Our thoughts are with their family at this time." The car of Mr Kenneavy, 79, and wife Susan, 65, was found washed up on a beach near Drummore, Wigtonshire, on Thursday. A source told the Sun last week: "It looks like the windows have smashed and theyve been sucked out." The couple's car was discovered hours after the nearby coastal road had been closed due to 30ft-high waves and storm-force winds caused by Storm Diana. Rescuers scoured the coastline looking for the couple despite the torrential downpours and high winds. S ir Terry Morgan, the chairman of the HS2 project has said he expects to be sacked from his role within days. He made the remarks to the BBC, admitting that there was disappointment within Westminster about delays to Crossrail in London. Sir Terry had only just started working on the HS2 project in August. It comes after a report in The Financial Times that claimed the prime minister is poised to sack him. According to the report, Sir Terry is expected to leave both of his jobs after a series of recent disclosures about problems at both projects raised doubts about his performance. The Birmingham and Fazeley viaduct, part of the proposed route for the HS2 high speed rail scheme / PA Sir Terry told Radio 4's PM: "I did get confirmation late yesterday afternoon that that (the report) was a leak, as far as I'm concerned. "I'm expecting that to be confirmed more formally in the next few days." Asked why he thought he was being forced out, Sir Terry said: "I can only but assume, because I've not yet been told, that because HS2 is such a critically important programme and with the sense of disappointment around the performance of Crossrail that it was considered to be too risky for a programme like HS2 to continue in my role as chairman." Sir Terry was hailed as "world-class" when he was appointed to the HS2 project by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. Futuristic: a computer-generated image of how the redeveloped Euston station will look News of his imminent departure has prompted fears of potential cuts to infrastructure spending from unions and criticism from the Stop HS2 Campaign who branded HS2 as "a mess" Sir Terry has been chairman on the Crossrail project since June 2009. It was announced on August 31 that the capital's new east-west railway will open in autumn 2019 rather than December this year to complete infrastructure and testing. The project's budget was increased from 14.8 billion to 15.4 billion in July due to "cost pressures". It is being predominantly funded by Transport for London (TfL) and the Government. In October, it was announced both TfL and the Department for Transport had commissioned an independent review of Crossrail's governance and a separate review of its finance and commercial position. Stop HS2 campaign manager Joe Rukin said: "The bottom line is that HS2 is a mess, it's always been a mess, and imagining that this is the fault of a man who has only been in charge for four months is a delusional attempt by politicians to absolve themselves of the reality that it is their lack of scrutiny and objectivity that is responsible for HS2 being a disaster." A DfT spokesman said the department did not comment on "personnel matters", but added in a statement: "We can confirm that the Crossrail board took the decision to delay the opening on Wednesday August 29 and informed the Secretary of State of that decision on August 30." Debbie Argenta, K-4 arts education instructor at Jonas E. Salk Elementary School in Merrillville, is one of 46 public educators to receive the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence. The award highlights educators from around the country cited by their peers for their dedication to the profession. Argenta will represent the state at the National Education Association Foundations Salute to Excellence in Education Gala on Feb. 8 in Washington, D.C. Argenta, who also is the Hoosier Educator of the Year, has initiated and led recognition programs to inspire students to pursue art education. P rime Minister Theresa May says other world leaders have claimed they want to sign trade deals with the UK as soon as possible. Speaking at the G20 summit in Argentina, Mrs May said: We have had discussions with world leaders including Shinzo Abe and Justin Trudeau and others about free trade deal possibilities. Mrs May also said that the next nine days will be an important time for the Brexit deal. I will be explaining why this is a good deal for the UK that protects economy and protects Brexit. This vote will certainty in the future and failure of the deal will take us to uncertainty, she said. Mrs May told reporters that she was offering a good deal. She added: Im representing a good deal to parliament. Ive been listening and talking to businesses across the EU including Japanese businesses. Theyve given the importance of maintaining a good trade relationship with the EU once weve left. This is good for the UK. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shake hands prior to a bilateral meeting at the G20 Leader's Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina / AP Major Japanese companies like Nissan and Honda are thought to be concerned about the impact of a no-deal withdrawal on their supply chains across Europe. Meeting Mrs May for talks on the margins of the G20 summit, Mr Abe said: "I would like to take this opportunity to express my tribute to your leadership in realising the Withdrawal Agreement as well as the EU's agreement on the Political Declaration. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May attends a meeting at the G20 / REUTERS "Also I would like to once again ask for your support to avoid no deal as well as to ensure transparency, predictability as well as legal stability in the Brexit process." When asked about Argentinas relations with the UK, Mrs May said that she was pleased to be able to have a discussion on the future relationship with Argentina and the UK. We have taken important steps including the flight to the Falklands and we look forward to developing our trade relationship with Argentina after we have left the EU. During the news conference she was also asked whether she had asked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi. A news channel in Argentina has faced a backlash after displaying an image of Apu from The Simpsons as the Indian Prime Minister arrived in Buenos Aires. Cronica TV also used the headline Apu arrives as India PM Narendra Modis plane touched down for the G20 summit. The portrayal of Apu in the Simpsons has been at the centre of a fierce debate in recent months over accusations of racial stereotyping. Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has been part of the animation series since 1990 and is played by Hank Azaria, a white actor who puts on a heavy Indian accent. Indian-American comic Hari Kondabolu, who made a documentary about the character in 2017 called The Problem of Apu, tweeted a screengrab of the Cronica TV images with the caption: This couldnt be true, right? Another critic said: This is unacceptable. He is our PM and must be respected dais like other dignitaries. A womans essay on her experiences working as an emergency dispatcher in the US has gone viral online. Lynette McManus Jeter posted a note on her Facebook page, telling readers: in order to understand who I am, you must first understand what I do. The note, posted online on Thursday has been shared over 13,000 times. It says: I am the person who listens to you cry as youre begging your mother to take another breath. I am the person who tries to get you to give your father CPR knowing that he has passed but, in some way, may help you to know you did everything that you could. I am the person who walks you thru the Heimlich manoeuvre while your child is choking on a toy. The woman from Henrico County, Virginia goes on to apologise to her family to understand when she is short tempered or impatient. She said: Its not you. Its the weight of my job that may have taken a toll that day. Instead of bringing it home I choose to keep it bottled up to protect you from the reality of the world in which we live. Ms McManus apologises for not having the patience that she used to. She then reminds those calling emergency services: I may not be the first to arrive at your house but Im the first person that you may speak to on possibly one of the worst days of your life. Ms McManus told Yahoo that she has worked as a dispatcher for over 15 years and decided to write the post after finding other dispatchers feeling the same way. She said: After 9/11, I really wanted to go into a career in which I was helping people out. So I decided to give dispatching a try. Ive had thousands of people reply saying they didnt realise we went through that or didnt think about the calls we received. Her post has had over 3,000 comments online. Roberta Martin said: Thanks for being an unseen hero and for all you do in our community. P resident Trump has announced a national day of mourning following the death of former president George H.W Bush. Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath said he had died shortly after 10pm on Friday US time, eight months after the death of his wife Barbara Bush. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said: The President and First Lady were notified late last night of President George H.W Bushs passing. The president will designate Wednesday 5 December as a National Day of Mourning. Ms Sanders also confirmed that Mr Trump and first lady Melania will attend the funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. George Bush senior pictured with German chancellor Angela Merkel / AFP/Getty Images President Bush Senior was the nations 41st president from 1989 to 1993, and eight years later watched his son George W Bush become the 43rd president. The elder Mr Bush saw his popularity swell with the United States' success in the Gulf War in 1991, only to watch it evaporate in a brief but deep recession. The Republican was defeated in his bid for a second term by Democrat Bill Clinton. Former US President George Bush Sr has died aged 94 Mr Bush had also been a World War II hero, Texas congressman, CIA director and Ronald Reagan's vice president. George W Bush said his father was a "man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for". In a statement, he added: "The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens." US President George Bush delivers the opening ceremonial pitch at the Houston Rangers vs. Milwaukee Brewers game at Arlington Stadium / AFP/Getty Images Current US president Donald Trump said Mr Bush had "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service". In a joint statement with wife Melania, he said: "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service - to be, in his words, "a thousand points of light" illuminating the greatness, hope and opportunity of America to the world. "President Bush always found a way to set the bar higher." F ormer president of the United States, George HW Bush, has died at the age of 94. Family spokesman Jim McGrath said he had died shortly after 10pm on Friday US time, about eight months after the death of his wife, Barbara Bush. The nation's 41st president served from 1989 to 1993, and eight years later watched his son George W Bush became the 43rd president. The elder Mr Bush saw his popularity swell with the United States' success in the Gulf War in 1991, only to watch it evaporate in a brief but deep recession. Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush (R) watches as his son, former President George W. Bush, throws a ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of Game 4 of Major League Baseball's World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers in 2010 / REUTERS The Republican was defeated in his bid for a second term by Democrat Bill Clinton. Mr Bush had also been a World War II hero, Texas congressman, CIA director and Ronald Reagan's vice president. Only one other US president, John Adams, had a son who also became president. Tributes to former US president George HW Bush George W Bush said his father was a "man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for". In a statement, he added: "The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens." Barack Obama, the 44th president of the US, said America had "lost a patriot and humble servant". He said: "While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family tonight - and all who were inspired by George and Barbara's example." In a statement, he added: "George HW Bush's life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good along the journey... It's a legacy of service that may never be matched, even though he'd want all of us to try." Current US president Donald Trump said Mr Bush had "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service". In a joint statement with wife Melania, he said: "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service - to be, in his words, "a thousand points of light" illuminating the greatness, hope and opportunity of America to the world. "President Bush always found a way to set the bar higher." He added: "Along with his full life of service to country, we will remember President Bush for his devotion to family - especially the love of his life, Barbara. "His example lives on, and will continue to stir future Americans to pursue a greater cause." TODO: define component type apester James A Baker III, Mr Bush's former secretary of state and longtime confidant, said his friend's legacy "will be forever etched in the history of America and the world". He noted Mr Bush's "lifelong record of selfless patriotic service to our nation", and said that in each of his roles had had "led with strength, integrity, compassion and humility - characteristics that define a truly great man and effective leader". "With a singularly unique consistency, he always demonstrated these traits, whether on the global stage or interacting with people in his everyday life," he added. "His passion was a deep love of family and our country." A North Korean soldier has defected to South Korea, crossing over the Demilitarized zone. South Koreas military in Seoul confirmed that the defector was escorted to safety after they discovered him moving on the south side of the demarcation line that splits the two Koreas. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that authorities are planning to question the defector over the details of his escape. They also said that there had not been any unusual activity from North Korean troops in the area where the defection happened. File photo: A South Korean soldier shakes hands with a North Korean soldier / REUTERS It comes as North and South Korea have pushed to implement a wide-ranging military agreement reached in September to reduce tensions across their border. The North's official media has not reported about Saturday's case. Pyongyang has frequently accused Seoul of kidnapping or enticing its citizens to defect. About 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea, mostly travelling via China, since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Last November, a North Korean soldier was critically wounded in a jointly controlled area after he fled to the South amid a hail of bullets fired by his former comrades. The soldier, Oh Chong Song, survived and told a Japanese newspaper last month that he had been drinking after getting into unspecified trouble with his friends. He said he kept going after breaking through a checkpoint in a military jeep because he became fearful of being executed. TODO: define component type apester South Korea says the military agreement, which also included creating buffer zones along the Koreas' land and sea boundaries and a no-fly zone above the border, is an important trust-building step that would help stabilise peace and advance reconciliation between the rivals. But critics say the South risks conceding some of its conventional military strength before North Korea takes any meaningful steps on denuclearisation, as the larger nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang seemingly drift into a stalemate. South Korea's Defence Ministry said on Friday that the Korean militaries completed removing 20 front-line guard posts and land mines from a border area where they plan to start their first-ever joint search for remains of soldiers killed during the 1950-53 Korean War. The Koreas and the US-led UN Command recently finished removing firearms and troops from the jointly controlled area at the border village of Panmunjom, and eventually plan to allow tourists to freely move around there. D emonstrators in Paris have taken to the streets for a third weekend in a row to protest rising taxes and high costs of living. Over 300 people were arrested with over 100 injured as the protest turned into violent clashes with the police. Photos from the French capital show burning cars and people smashing properties. There were reports that a rifle had been stolen from a police van. Protesters in Paris clash with police for third weekend The unrest prompted at least 19 metro stations in the capital to be closed. Among the stations closed were Etoile, at the top of the Champs Elysee boulevard, Opera and Bastille. French riot police stand guard near the Arc de Triomphe during clashes with protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes, in Paris / REUTERS In addition to rising taxes, demonstrators are furious about President Emmanuel Macron's leadership. A demonstration last weekend in Paris also turned violent. The clashes in Paris contrasted with protests in other French regions, where demonstrations and road blockades were largely peaceful. Demonstrators destroy a car during a protest of Yellow vests / AFP/Getty Images The protests, which began with motorists demonstrating against a fuel tax hike, now involve a broad range of demands related to the country's high cost of living. French President Emmanuel Macron said that there were 5,500 protesters in the capital and around 75,000 across the country. Demonstrators walk by a burning barricade near the Arc de Triomphe during a demonstration / AP France's Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said security forces hoped to restore order in Paris very quickly but were facing difficulties because the groups they were battling were mobile and well-prepared. "Security forces are facing extremely violent radical groups that are targeting institutions .. who are equipped, masked and are preventing security forces moving forward," Mr Nunez told BFM television. Fires burn as protesters clash with riot police during a 'Yellow Vest' demonstration near the Arc de Triomphe / Getty Images France's health minister has said that the riots are unacceptable and accused extremist groups of taking advantage of the situation. Last week, French authorities said 8,000 people demonstrated on the Champs-Elysees. Some of the protesters torched barriers and plywood boards. Police fired tear gas and water cannon to push back angry demonstrators. S cores of people have been arrested after protesters angry about rising taxes clashed with French police for a third straight weekend. Pockets of demonstrators built barricades in the middle of streets in central Paris, lit fires and threw rocks at officers on Saturday. Protesters, including some wearing black hoodies, piled up large plywood planks and other material in the middle of a street near the Arc de Triomphe, before setting the debris on fire. Police fired tear gas and used water cannon to try to push back the protesters who gathered around the Arc. Some demonstrators responded by throwing large rocks. Demonstrators gather during the recent protest in Paris / AFP/Getty Images Others removed the barriers protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the First World War, under the monument, to pose near its eternal flame and sing the national anthem. They were then dispersed by police. Paris 'yellow vest' tax protests 1 /32 Paris 'yellow vest' tax protests A car burns during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs on the Champs Elysees AFP/Getty Images Demonstrators wearing a yellow vest face anti-riot police as demonstrators blocking a road near the oil depot of La Rochelle AFP/Getty Images French member of the National Assembly Jean Lassalle, wearing a yellow vest, addresses media as ambulance drivers block traffic during a protest demonstration at the Place de la Concorde in Paris Reuters A demonstrator wearing a yellow vest (gilet jaune) stands behind barricades blocking a road near the oil depot of La Rochelle AFP/Getty Images Demonstrators wearing a yellow vest (gilet jaune) face anti-riot police as demonstrators blocking a road near the oil depot of La Rochelle, southwestern France AFP/Getty Images Demonstrators wearing a yellow vest face anti-riot police as demonstrators blocking a road near the oil depot of La Rochelle AFP/Getty Images Firefighters work to put out cars set on fire on a road nearby Arc de Triomphe Getty Images Demonstrators destroy cars during a protest of "Yellow vests" AFP/Getty Images The third 'Yellow Vest' (gilets jaunes) rally in Paris over increased fuel taxes and leadership in the government today caused over 150 arrests in the city with reports of injuries to protesters and security forces Getty Images A vandalized car is seen on a street the morning after clashes with protesters in Paris REUTERS Protesters burnt cars in the streets in the worst rioting in Paris in years REUTERS A barrage made of debris blocks a street the morning after clashes with protesters REUTERS Hundreds of people were arrested and injured REUTERS A policeman patrols outside a vandalized building the morning after clashes REUTERS charred cars in a street of Paris on December 2, 2018, a day after clashes during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs AFP/Getty Images A passer-by takes a photo of the damage caused in the rioting REUTERS A vandalized car is seen the morning after clashes with protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel fuel taxes, in Paris, France, December 2, 2018 REUTERS A yellow vest hangs inside a vandalized store front REUTERS Demonstrators destroy a car during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, on December 1, 2018 AFP/Getty Images Demonstrators walk by a burning barricade near the Arc de Triomphe AP Demonstrators gather during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, on December 1, 2018 AFP/Getty Images French riot police stand guard during clashes with protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes REUTERS A protester wearing a yellow vest, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes, holds a French flag during clashes at the Place de l'Etoile in Paris REUTERS Protesters wearing yellow vests (gilets jaunes) clash with riot police in a cloud of teargas during a demonstration over high fuel prices on the Champs Elysee in Paris EPA Demonstrators raise their arms as they surround the tomb of The Unknown Soldier at The Arc of Triomphe AFP/Getty Images French riot Police clear out the Place de l'Etoile with water canons and tear gas around the Arc de Triompe EPA Riot police officers chase demonstrators near the Arc de Triomphe AP Protesters wearing yellow vests (gilets jaunes) chase a french riot police officer EPA Protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes, face off with French riot police d REUTERS A protester holds a French flag during the clash REUTERS Demonstrators stand behind a barricade as they face policemen during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs AFP/Getty Images Masked demonstrators use street barriers as shields as they clash with riot police officers near the Arc de Triomphe AP French deputy interior minister Laurent Nunez said that 3,000 "troublemakers" were around the Champs-Elysees avenue, outside a perimeter secured by police. Protesters flee teargas in the streets of Paris / EPA Paris police said at least 129 people have been arrested. Mr Nunez said 5,000 officers were deployed in Paris to try to contain the protests. French prime minister Edouard Philippe said some protesters have attacked police officers. A protester uses an umbrella to shield himself from tear gas / EPA He said "some determined, equipped individuals" had gathered to "provoke" clashes with police. At least 10 officers were slightly injured. Mr Philippe added that he was "shocked" by violence near the Arc de Triomphe, with graffiti sprayed onto the monument. A demonstrator walks past a fire during the anti government Yellow vest protests / AFP/Getty Images He said that authorities are "determined to allow peaceful protests", but will give "no excuse to those coming to make trouble". Several hundred peaceful protesters, called "yellow jackets" on account of the fluorescent vests they wear, passed through police checkpoints to reach the Champs-Elysees. Protesters in a cloud of tear gas during a demonstration over high fuel prices on the Champs Elysee in Paris / EPA They marched on the famed avenue behind a big banner which read: "Macron, stop taking us for stupid people". In addition to rising taxes, demonstrators are furious about President Emmanuel Macron's leadership. A demonstration last weekend in Paris also turned violent. Riot police covered in paint / EPA Access to the Champs-Elysee was closed to cars and strictly monitored by police with identity checks and bag inspections. The clashes in Paris contrasted with protests in other French regions, where demonstrations and road blockades were largely peaceful. The protests, which began with motorists demonstrating against a fuel tax hike, now involve a broad range of demands related to the country's high cost of living. Shopkeepers on the Champs-Elysees have prepared for possible new violence, bringing in workers to barricade boutique windows with boards. Decorative iron grates, used last week in barricades, were removed from around trees and outdoor terraces dismantled. A demonstrator holds a French flag during a protest of Yellow vests / AFP/Getty Images All subway stations in and around the famous avenue were closed for security reasons, Paris public transport company RATP said. Riot police officers guard the flame of The Unknown Soldier at The Arc of Triomphe during the protest / AFP/Getty Images Last week, French authorities said 8,000 people demonstrated on the Champs-Elysees. Some of the protesters torched barriers and plywood boards. Police fired tear gas and water cannon to push back angry demonstrators. W orld leaders at the G20 summit in Argentina have urged Theresa May to stay the course to a "good resolution" and avoid a no-deal Brexit. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called on Mrs May to keep working to pass her Brexit package and maintain stability. Major Japanese companies like Nissan and Honda are thought to be concerned about the impact of a no-deal withdrawal on their supply chains across Europe. Meeting Mrs May for talks on the margins of the G20 summit, Mr Abe said: "I would like to take this opportunity to express my tribute to your leadership in realising the Withdrawal Agreement as well as the EU's agreement on the Political Declaration. Theresa May meets Australian PM Scott Morrison on the margins of the G20 / AP "Also I would like to once again ask for your support to avoid no deal as well as to ensure transparency, predictability as well as legal stability in the Brexit process." Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also met with Mrs May for a face-to-face talk in the G20 margins, praising her resilience and "typical British" approach. He told Mrs May: "I think you've shown great resilience and great determination on one of the most vexed issues I think there is." He picked out her "determination to do that in typical British fashion with clear sight of the end goal and to bring some stability on what is a very difficult issue for you and your colleagues". Mr Morrison suggested his weight was behind Mrs May's deal, saying: "I think you know you have our strong support in continuing to bring it to a good resolution." The pair said they would discuss post-Brexit trade and what Mr Morrison described as a "very important" piece of defence procurement. During my time writing about the Bake-Off, George and Sally Pillsbury would always attend the national event to lead the Bake-Off parade escorting the contestants to their kitchen stations. Sally died earlier this year, in February, at age 93, following husband Georges death at age 91 in 2012. George was the son of John S. Pillsbury and wife Eleanor, as well as the grandson of Charles A. Pillsbury who originally founded the flour mill company in Minneapolis. For more than 50 years, George and Sally attended the annual Bake-Off festivities starting back when his mother Eleanor Pillsbury, as well as his uncle Philip Pillsbury, would lead the parade and proceedings. I was so delighted when Chris Chyung won the race for State Representative. How refreshing to have an intelligent young man willing to put in the time and effort to make the needed changes. Everyone is so tired of established politicians that cant be bothered to return phone calls or emails and take their office for granted. We need more people like this young man! Patricio Conejero Ortiz was very delighted that there is a growing interest, especially among the young, in learning Chinese over recent years in Argentina. The Argentine co-director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) said that the institute's enrollment confirmed such a trend. "This year we were able to get 2,000 students enrolled in Chinese language courses at 14 levels, including 450 students in different extension courses on culture, calligraphy and economy, among others," Conejero said. The Confucius Institute at the University of Buenos Aires was launched in 2009 and is preparing celebrations to mark its 10th anniversary. Many Argentines believe it represents the cultural part of the efforts to promote exchanges with China, helping lift Argentina-China relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014. "I believe the academic relationship maintained between the Chinese and Argentine institutions is fundamental for the development of bilateral relations," Conejero said. His institute has since 2011 offered international examinations that certify Chinese language proficiency and granted scholarships for Argentine students to continue their studies in China. In 2017, the exams were conducted on more sites to accommodate an increasing number of applicants. "We offered 600 exams at different levels," said Conejero. "That number will likely be slightly higher this year." The Confucius Institute and Argentine educational institutions, he said, are seeking to strengthen ties through a UBA-China program launched this year, which is designed to increase student and researcher exchange and to extend the collaboration to sports. Argentina now hosts two Confucius Institutes, with the second launched in 2009 at the National University of La Plata (UNLP), some 60 km south of the Argentine capital, with affiliated classrooms in the country's southeast and central regions. There are currently more than 50 Confucius Institutes and Classrooms in South America to offer Chinese language programs and other courses on Chinese culture. Sergio Cesarin, a Confucius Institute lecturer, believes it's necessary to expand the network of Confucius education in South America, particularly in Argentina, so as to offer better opportunities for people to learn Chinese. He also hailed the increase in the number of Confucius Institute scholarships for the Argentines. "When I traveled to China, the Chinese side then only offered four scholarships ... Think of the number of Argentines who could be studying in China today," said Cesarin. "That is a very significant fact." Resources of local Chinese language teachers are being developed in Argentina in order to meet a growing demand. A student of Chinese who gave her name as Leticia voiced the hope of becoming a Confucius Institute teacher. "If I could make a living using the language, I would love it. I suppose giving classes to children or adults," said Leticia, who was initially drawn to Chinese because "it's not a Western language." After traveling to five Chinese cities, she said she has become even more "intrigued" by the Chinese culture. 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In Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum, close to Brunei's ancient capital Kota Batu, a 500-year-old shipwreck witnessed the history of ancient maritime silk road linking China, Brunei and rest of Southeast Asia. "The history of communication and exchange between Brunei and China can date back to 1,500 years ago and we have many relics and sites, but the Brunei shipwreck is the biggest one," said Dr Karim Osman, an archaeologist and former director of Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum. The shipwreck was discovered in 1997 during a geophysical survey, 32 nautical miles off the coast at 62 meters deep. The excavations uncovered 13,261 artifacts, of which the majority were ceramics from China, Thailand and Vietnam. Based on the ceramics found, the shipwreck is dated to late 15th to early 16th century. It is believed that the ship originated from China or Southeast Asia and have sunk due to foul weather or overloading. The Brunei shipwreck marks the most important discovery in Brunei's maritime archaeological history. This discovery revealed crucial information on the role of Brunei in maritime trade in the late 15th to early 16th century. Karim said the most important artifacts found in the shipwreck are 4,565 blue-and-white porcelains from Jingdezhen of China's Jiangxi province, accounting for one third of all the artifacts. All those porcelains are displayed behind the glass shield, but visitors can still see the details of blue and white decorative pattern, and vivid birds and flowers. Many of them are covered with remains of maritime creatures, but a few are as clean as newly made in modern times. "This porcelains were transported by river from Jingdezhen to Quanzhou, a major port in China's coastal Fujian province, and then shipped out to Southeast Asia, including Brunei," the archaeologist said. "We also found a tomb of Chinese official named Pu Gong, who lived during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and died in Brunei. It means the trade and communication between the two countries started over 1,000 years ago," he added. Outside the museum entrance, visitors can easily find the Brunei River flowing northeast to the Brunei Bay in the South China Sea. "When the tide ebbs in the river, we can even see some porcelains glittering under the river channel. The ancient Brunei capital Kota Batu had a port along the river and a lot of ships had run between China and Brunei. The shipwreck is not the only one, I believe many still remain undiscovered under the sea," he said. Karim pointed to a hill behind the museum and said that near the Kota Batu historic site, even now people can still find porcelain pieces, as the ancient people in the capital used many Chinese porcelain in their daily life. "It is widely known in Brunei that one of our ancient sultans, the Abdul Majid Hassan was buried in Nanjing of China after he passed away during his visit to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in 1408 with a son and two daughters," he said. "The Ming emperor sent his son back to Brunei with a tablet moaning the Brunei sultan, but the tablet was lost and should be buried near this hill," he said, marveling the long history of ties between the two countries. Taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union as of 1 January 2019 is a "national project" which entails "a consensus between the institutions of the state" and the "political class," Prime Minister Viorica Dancila stated. "I see the takeover of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, starting 1 January 2019, as a national project. We are not talking about persons here, we are talking about Romania, about an exam that Romania must take in front of Europe and for this exam to be passed with a high grade, in order for it to be successful (...), this thing entails (...) a consensus between the institutions of the state, (...) the political class, a wish of each one of us to get involved in this national project. (...) I believe that the Romanian society, the political parties, the political class must prove great responsibility, to unite and get involved in these national projects," Dancila stated in an interview broadcast on Saturday by the TVR 1 public television station. Furthermore, the PM mentioned that the large objectives should unite the entire political class. "I have always believed in consensus and I believed that the projects, the large objectives should unite the entire political class. I still believe this thing, because the true projects, the national projects entail this thing. When talking about a national project, we are not talking about o person or another, we are not talking about a party or another, we are talking about Romania and about the Romanians, and I believe that this thing is paramount and this thing entails to leave aside the political interests and unite for those projects," Dancila underscored. AGERPRES . President Klaus Iohannis sent, on Saturday, a message of condolence to his American counterpart, Donald Trump, upon the death of the 41st President of the United States of America, George H.W. Bush, in which he states that the latter was "a great leader and a true statesman". "I learned with profound sadness of the passing of the 41st President of the United States of America, the honorable George H.W. Bush. In these tough moments, I address my condolences to you, to the grieving family and the entire American nation who lost a great leader and a true statesman. President George H.W. Bush left a particularly valuable political legacy, for Eastern Europe and Romania also, influencing greatly the destinies of the countries that were part of the Soviet bloc. Through his courageous vision and political commitment he contributed decisively to the end of the Cold War and determined radical democratic transformations in Eastern Europe. Due to his untiring efforts, Romania, together with the other states in the Soviet bloc, regained its freedom and started the path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, returning to the family of values it naturally belonged to," the message of President Iohannis shows. The head of state also states that George H.W. Bush was a "great friend to our country, setting down the bases of what would transform, years later, into a profound and valuable Strategic partnership between the United States of America and Romania." The former American President George H.W. Bush died at the age of 94, his son, former President George W. Bush, announced on Friday evening. AGERPRES . Chinese firms on Friday pledged to invest in Kenya in order to boost the east African country's exports. Lyu Xinhua, chairman of Council for Promoting South-South Cooperation told journalists in Nairobi that Chinese firms are keen to form partnership with Kenyan firms to manufacture products that can compete in the global markets. "Chinese firms are willing to help Kenya to reduce its international trade imbalance by boosting its export," Lyu said during the Kenya-China Trade and Investment Forum. During the event, a group of over 30 Chinese firms had an opportunity to network with their Kenyan peers. The Chinese trade delegation is on a ten-day mission to visit Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in a bid to discover investment and cooperation opportunities in Africa. Chris Kiptoo, principal secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, said that Kenya and China have emerged as solid trading partners in the past decades. He revealed that in order to meet the resources requirements, the government is seeking additional capacity to generate resources by leveraging exports for foreign exchange generation as well as foreign direct investments to boost production. The Kenyan official said that the government is therefore committed to create an enabling trade and investment relationship that will enable realization of key national objectives in order to raise the levels of economic growth. According to Kiptoo, the ministry of industry recently launched the Integrated National Export Development and Promotion Strategy that seeks to expand Kenya's exports globally at a rate of 15 percent annually. He said that the export strategy targets growth-oriented sectors such as livestock, manufacturing, fisheries, agriculture and handicrafts. He noted that it is the intention of the government to develop these growth-oriented sectors and is therefore keen on attracting new investments in the related value chains and also create linkages to the global market. Kiptoo said that Kenya welcomes Chinese firms to invest in the country and there are currently more than 400 Chinese firms in Kenya serving in various sectors of the economy such as real estate, finance and agriculture. "These companies can further join into ventures with our local industries in order to maximize production within Kenya for export, a move that will both increase Kenya's exports to China and also increase foreign exchange," said Kiptoo. Anne Muchoki, chairperson of Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) said that Kenya and China have enjoyed excellent diplomatic and economic relationship since Kenya's independence. According to Muchoki, Kenya's trade with China is an opportunity to transform both economies. She said that after the inaugural China International Import Expo held earlier this month, China has opened her doors to Kenyan products. Muchoki said that Kenya has an opportunity to increase its exports now that Kenya and China have signed a working group framework on trade development and a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement to allow Kenyan goods to access the Chinese market. Li Xuhang, charge d'affaires of Chinese Embassy in Kenya said that as Nairobi is a good partner, Beijing will continue its efforts to further strengthen the Sino-Kenyan partnership, ensuring that the bilateral cooperation will usher in a new era of vigorous development and continue to be an example for China-Africa cooperation. Li said that China will step up efforts of policy coordination with Kenya, speed up the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the Kenya's national development blue print Vision 2030 and President Uhuru Kenyatta's development blueprint dubbed the Big Four Agenda, in order to benefit Kenyan business people. The diplomat added that in order to further advance the economic and trade cooperation between China and Kenya, the Kenyan government and business community should introduce more incentives and policies and take concrete measures to create a safer, more convenient environment so as to attract more Chinese investment. The protesters who arrived Saturday in the Victoriei Square formed, around 19:00hrs, a banner out of cardboard colored in red, yellow and blue, that they lit up with the help of flashlights from their mobile phones. Over 1,500 people have gathered in front of the Government headquarters and after forming the national flag they chanted the National Anthem. They shouted slogans such as: "Resignation," "Romania, wake up!," "Justice, not corruption," "Out with the communists from the country." On Saturday, as of 17:00hrs, the protesters started gathering in the Victoriei Square, chanting against the Government and displaying boards with the message "United." The protest is being carried out under the slogan "Happy anniversary, Romania in Europe!," with participants waving the flags of Romania and the European Union. AGERPRES . (CNN) Japan is preparing an order for roughly 100 U.S.-designed F-35 stealth fighter jets in a deal that could potentially upend the balance of power in Asia, according to sources familiar with the process. That order would include a version of the jet that can take-off and land vertically, a feature that could prompt Japan to transform some of its existing ships into aircraft carriers so that it can operate the fighters at sea -- a capability they have not had since World War II, a source close to the F-35 program told CNN. "With short take-off vertical landing capability you are now able to operate at sea. You are able to penetrate areas and reach ranges in a shorter distance which is an important capability," the source said. Japan's Defense Ministry would not confirm the deal, but said it would be looking to buy a "highly competent fighter jet" when its "midterm defense maintenance plan" comes up for approval by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet in December. The ministry said almost half of its existing F-15J fighter jet fleet cannot be upgraded, making the purchase of new planes necessary. "At this point, the concrete model has not been decided," the ministry's press office said. But a source close to the U.S. F-35 program confirmed to CNN that a deal was being worked on for Japan to buy about 100 of the stealthy single-engine F-35s. The Pentagon touts the F-35, with the world's most advanced avionics, engines and weaponry, as the "the most affordable, lethal, supportable and survivable aircraft ever to be used." Some 40 of the order would be F-35Bs, capable of short take offs and vertical landings on a warship, confirmed the source. Adding credence to the report, Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Wednesday that Tokyo is seriously considering refitting at least one of its Izumo helicopter destroyers to accommodate jets, essentially transforming one or both of the 27,000-ton vessels into aircraft carriers. "Since this is valuable equipment that we already own, I think it would be desirable to use it for as many purposes as possible," Iwaya said in a news conference held after a Cabinet meeting. Nikkei News Service put the value of the fighter jet deal at $8.8 billion, with the value of each jet at $88 million. The move, which critics allege violates the country's postwar pacifist constitution, comes amid Chinese naval expansion in the Pacific Ocean. A Japanese defense white paper in August highlighted concerns over Asia's changing security environment. "China's rapid modernization of the People's Liberation Army, enhancement of operational capabilities, and unilateral escalation of activities in areas close to Japan are generating strong security concerns in the region and international community, including Japan," the paper said. Speaking to CNN, Timothy Heath, senior defense analyst for the RAND Corp, said that China's ambition to dominate the Asia-Pacific region carries "enormous consequences for Japan." "It is in Japan's interest to build a capable military that deters China from rash actions and to help other countries balance politically and military against Chinese power," said Heath. At the same time, the Trump administration's unconventional approach toward trade and military alliances has left Tokyo feeling, at times, unsure of the extent of U.S. support in recent months which had underpinned its international relations since the end of World War II. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged military allies in east Asia to pay for their own defense, teasing the end of a U.S. military presence in the region while encouraging Japan to buy more American weapons. The F-35, in particular, has been a favorite of Trump, who has publicly touted international sales of the aircraft as a success for his administration and praised foreign leaders who have purchased the fifth-generation aircraft. Japan's commitment to purchase additional F-35's is, in part, an effort to reaffirm its military partnership with the U.S., according to the source close to the program, who noted that the aircraft not only provides an upgrade in capability but also facilitates strength in allied partnerships. "The President has put a big emphasis when he travels the globe on military partnerships, industrial partnerships and Japan is certainly a strong partner for the US military. When you see great focus on the F-35 from Japan I think that is the result of the very strong U.S.-Japan military partnership," the source told CNN. 'Push the front line of maritime engagement' Sources said the new Japanese-U.S. deal would include two of the three F-35 variants, the A and B models. The third, the F-35C, is designed for use on the US Navy's largest aircraft carriers. F-35As, of which Japan already has 10 in its fleet, with 32 more on an preexisting order, are conventional jets, using a runway to take off and land. F-35Bs are short take-off and vertical landing capable, meaning they can use smaller airports or operate from flattop warships. The U.S. Marine Corps flies F-35Bs off U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships, sometimes called baby aircraft carriers as they are about half the size of the U.S. Navy's Nimitz-class carriers. Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force possesses two of these type of ships, the Izumo and its sister ship, the Kaga, each one is capable of carrying 14 helicopters and would need to be refitted to accommodate the F-35Bs aircraft. While the main role of Japan's military remains defense of its home islands, "this could push the front line of maritime engagement further out than before," said Corey Wallace, Asia security analyst at Freie University in Berlin, said of Japan's possible acquisition of F-35Bs. "Will it bother China? Probably, but only in so far that it further complicates the projection of Chinese military power into the southwestern maritime domain around Japan's Ryukyu islands," Wallace said. An article published in the Chinese state-run Global Times newspaper, Wednesday, said the refit of the Izumo-class ships, and the purchase of the F-35Bs, "essentially changes the warships' nature from a defensive to offensive one." The story continued: "Japan must not forget its infamous history of invading countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific region during WWII." China's own answer to the F-35, the domestically built twin-engine J-20 stealth jet, entered the People's Liberation Army Air Force fleet in February. It is unknown how many J-20's China has in operation in its fleet at present. Carl Schuster, a former U.S. Navy captain and now Hawaii Pacific University professor, said the F-35Bs on a Japanese warship "add a new dimension" and "a deterrent factor" to the security situation in the Pacific. But Schuster said a refitted Japanese carrier would likely only carry six to eight F-35Bs, compared to as many as two dozen jets that will be on Chinese carriers now in sea trials or production. Schuster also cautions that it could be three or four years until newly ordered F-35s reach the Japanese fleet, unless Tokyo's orders are given priority over other buyers of the plane. Strength in numbers Twelve nations besides Japan and the U.S. are in the F-35 program, with two of those -- Australia and South Korea -- in the Pacific region, according to Lockheed Martin, which builds the plane. Japan does enjoy the advantage of being one of three final assembly points for the F-35, the others being in Texas and Italy. And it's the F-35 commonality between Japan, the U.S. and their allies that brings strength in numbers but also understanding. Wallace said the future could conceivably have US F-35s operating from Japanese ships and or Japanese F-35s flying off American ones. One of the other two nations to operate the F-35B, the United Kingdom, has had U.S. versions of the jet operating off its HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier. But Wallace also warned not to overemphasize the importance of a Japanese carrier. "This singular new carrier won't carry enough planes, or be able to launch jets with enough ordnance to conduct strike, or bombing missions in any way that will truly threaten China's mainland, given how strong China's own defenses are," he said. What F-35Bs will do is increase the options available to Japanese defense planners. "The F-35B can operate from modified runways or make-shift airfields thereby giving Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) more options to operate from smaller, more distant Japanese islands in a pinch. This is quite important for survivability and response if the major airbases are put out of commission in a saturation missile attack," he said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Japan preparing to put US-designed stealth jets on an 'aircraft carrier'." U.S. multinational conglomerate Honeywell said on Friday it planned to relocate its global corporate headquarters to Charlotte, the state of North Carolina. Besides, Honeywell said it planned to relocate the headquarters of its Safety and Productivity Solutions (SPS) business group to Charlotte as well. "Charlotte is a top-10 destination city in the U.S. that will readily enable us to recruit and retain the world-class talent we will need over the long term to support Honeywell's strategic focus on leading technology and software solutions within our end markets," said Darius Adamczyk, chairman and chief executive officer of Honeywell. The New Jersey-based company plans to add about 500 jobs to Charlotte over the next five years while moving a total of 250 positions to Charlotte from the original locations of its global corporate headquarters and SPS. "Our decision does not reflect any issues with the quality of our experience in New Jersey," Adamczyk added. "New Jersey will remain a substantial employment center for us." According to Honeywell, approximately 1,000 employees would remain in New Jersey across the company's six locations in the state. Honeywell is a multinational company that provides aerospace products and services, control technologies for buildings and industry, and performance materials. China will further encourage cross-border e-commerce transactions by easing the annual cap on transborder online purchases and adding categories of imports to the duty-free list, the Ministry of Finance announced on Friday. Starting next year, the annual duty-free quota for crossborder e-commerce purchases for individual buyers will be lifted to 26,000 yuan (US$3,745) from the current 20,000 yuan. The cap might be further eased in the future, as local residents' income grows, the ministry said in a statement. The tax-free limits on single transactions will increase to 5,000 yuan from 2,000. The ministry also added 63 product categories to the list of duty-free goods that might be available on cross-border e-commerce platforms. Most of these are popular high-end consumer products, such as sparkling wine, beer made from malt and fitness equipment. The taxation-easing measures are expected to further boost the country's cross-border e-commerce, better meeting local residents' demand for high-quality foreign products and maintaining a level playing field in the local market. Also, they will help local enterprises further push forward industrial upgrading by introducing competition from foreign counterparts. According to the Ministry of Commerce, retail imports via e-commerce platforms rose by 53.7 percent year-on-year to 67.2 billion yuan in the first 10 months of this year. The new policy is set to guide the sector to move toward the mid-to high-end niche, according to Cao Lei, director of the China E-Commerce Research Center. "It propels different e-commerce players to really build up their respective strengths and tighten their grip on resources integration from procurement, logistics, customs and sales to provide genuine, end-to-end quality service," he said. Ouyang Cheng, director of the Alibaba Cross-Border E-Commerce Research Center, said the new policy will promote innovative and sustainable development of China's e-commerce industry. Zhang Lei, CEO of NetEase Kaola, a leading Chinese crossborder portal, said, "This is a strategic commitment to the industry as a whole and is conducive to driving consumption upgrade and advancing economic growth." The increased transaction value cap will not only unlock consumption potential and encourage spending on items like affordable luxury goods, electronics and beauty care, but will further adjust and optimize cross-border e-commerce categories, she said. Liu Peng, general manager of Tmall Import & Export, said: "We see continued stability and certainty on the policy end. It is a clear nod to the innovative model of the entire cross-border e-commerce model in China." The dedicated cross-border e-commerce site of Alibaba announced a plan in November to help import US$200 billion worth of goods over the next five years. President Donald Trumps cancellation of his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Buenos Aires G20 is another sign of the now almost certain demise of his declared America First agenda and perhaps of his presidency. Supposedly decided in response to a Ukraine-Russia naval incident in the Kerch Strait, dumping the meeting is universally and correctly seen as a response to the guilty plea of his former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, to lying to Congress (notice that James Clapper isnt forced to plead to his perjury before the Senate) and Cohens disclosure of Trumps fruitless business dealings in Russia. Keep in mind that this comes at a time when grand inquisitor Robert Mueller is on thin ice or would be, if Trump and his team had a clue. Consider: in just the past few days Jerome Corsi, Roger Stone, and belatedly perhaps even Paul Manafort have delivered what amounts to a case against Muellers underlings, including subornation of testimony they knew to be false a felony punishable by five years in the slammer (18 US Code 1622 Subornation of perjury). Is Trump or any of his lawyers thinking of having the victims swear out a complaint and instructing the Justice Department actually to prosecute these miscreants? No, of course not, even though at least Corsi appears to be willing. Likewise Trump threatens to declassify a wide swath of devastating documents related to the Mueller probe, which he had initially planned to do in September before changing his mind on the beseeching of British Prime Minister Theresa May. Britains worst prime minister ever is desperate to hide the fact that at its root theres nothing Russian about Russiagate but theres lots and lots of British MI6, GCHQ, and other Five Eyes skullduggery aimed at subverting the 2016 US election and preventing any possible rapprochement between Washington and Moscow. With respect to both goals this massive PSYOP and political warfare campaign by the US-UK Deep State has been a smashing success. Trump has the goods on them but just sits on his hands and threatens. (He should heed that great philosopher Tuco from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: When you have to shoot, shoot dont talk.) For those patiently waiting for Trumps 4D chess game to unleash QAons Storm, heres a news flash: the cavalry is not coming to the rescue. The following are just a few names that will never be brought to justice: Rod Rosenstein, Peter Strzok, Bruce Ohr, Andrew McCabe, James Comey, Lisa Page, Andrew Weissmann, Stefan Halper, Christopher Steele, Joseph Mifsud, Richard Dearlove, Andrew Wood, Susan Rice, Loretta Lynch, Cheryl Mills, Huma Abedin, Samantha Power, Sally Yates, Jeannie Rhee, Eric Holder, James Clapper, John Brennan, and Barack Hussein Obama. Oh, and Hillary Clinton of course (while the whistleblower on her corrupt activities gets raided by the FBI). These august personages are not subject to the laws binding on ordinary mortals like thee and me. These scoundrels will skate. All of them. Thats why a smug, world-class criminal like Brennan can mock Trumps complaints as similar to how corrupt authoritarian leaders abroad behaved before they were deposed. He already anticipates dancing on Trumps (probably figurative) grave. Back to the Cohen plea, its entirely likely it was timed to have precisely the result of scuttling the Trump-Putin meeting. There can be no better illustration of the weakness of Trump's position than his inability to engage in even a semblance of statesmanship with respect to the leader of the one power on the planet with which the US absolutely must have some minimal working relationship. With the Democrats set to take over in the House of Representatives in just over a month, we'll soon see intensified investigations coordinated with Mueller to find any possible pretext for impeachment in Trumps business or private life. Its conventional wisdom that even if the Democrat-controlled House can find something to support articles of impeachment the GOP-held Senate will be Trumps firewall. Bunk. Democrats rallied around their president Bill Clinton but it was Republicans who threw Richard Nixon to the wolves. Are there a dozen or so Republican Senators who would be ready to dump Trump and install Mike Pence in the Oval Office? You betcha. Start with Mitt Romney. As the noose around Trumps neck continues to tighten, his response will be to keep on carping about how unfair it all is, that there was no collusion with Russia, that its a total witch hunt that should be ended. All true, all meaningless. He has the weapons to fight back but lacks the knowledge or personnel to use them. So he complains. He tweets. Meanwhile, on substance he's jumping up and down like a monkey on a string. Which leaves us asking: Why? One of the burdens carried by those of us Deplorables who early in 2016 declared our support for the then-improbable candidacy of Donald Trump has been the taunts of those who knew better. Trump was a fraud, they said, just a BS-ing con man who would say anything to get elected. He was a stalking horse to help usher in President Hillary (what other Republican could she possibly beat?). He was crude, impulsive, irritable, egotistical, dyslexic, and incapable of and uninterested in learning anything he doesnt already know. He was a flimflam artist who had cheated everyone hed ever done business with or been married to and would abuse his lumpen Murican political supporters in Flyover Country accordingly. He was just another globalist neocon flunky of the Israelis, the Saudis, and the Deep State who was only mouthing populist rhetoric to get elected. He was a shyster on the make whose only goal was to enhance his brand to get even richer. He was a huckster with big assets in Russia, Saudi Arabia, China, and other nasty, nasty places, who just wanted to make a killing on his investments. And so on Those of us who supported Trump (and who still struggle to support him) point to his repeated use of America First and national interest language even when it was politically counterproductive and only served to subject him to vilification by Democrats and establishment Republicans alike. Ditto his repeated appeals for better relations with Russia, even at the cost of being accused of treason by the same antagonists and their media shills. Ditto the claim from a hostile source like Bob Woodward that behind doors Trump repeatedly tries to do the right thing, like get the US out of Afghanistan and Syria, but then is overruled by experts who are his nominal subordinates. Ditto his seeming art of the deal transformation of his bluster and threat competition with Little Rocket Man into the best chance for peace on the Korean peninsula in seven decades. From his unscripted comments and tweets, there always seems to be a little 2016 Candidate Trump fighting to get out of President Trump but never quite succeeding But how then to explain his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad national security team? His beeline to Saudi Arabia, Israel, and NATO headquarters in his maiden foreign policy trip to reaffirm mindless hostility to Iran and Americas suicide pact with useless so-called allies in Europe? His authorization of lethal weapons to Ukraine? His two cruise missile strikes on Syria on transparently bogus claims of chemical weapons use? His ever-tightening of sanctions on Russia and nonstop expansion of NATO? His continued naval provocations against China? To characterize as low expectations of any Trump-Putin sidebar meeting that might have happened at the G20 is putting it extremely mildly. (Who knows, maybe theyll still manage to steal a few sweet moments for a quick tete-a-tete, like a secret tryst of illicit lovers. Maybe Strzok and Page can provide some pointers.) Even laying aside the endless navel-gazing about what President Trump really wants, and why his administrations foreign policy bears almost no resemblance to his 2016 America First platform, its pretty clear that in practice the US course will remain essentially a continuation of the failed policies of the past three decades: a futile attempt to maintain US global hegemony indefinitely at any cost. That can have only one hideous outcome. With regard to Russia, the Kerch Strait incident will serve as another pretext for sanctions that will soon be added with the predictability that night follows day. The ongoing trade war with China (on purely economic grounds not wrong in itself) serves as a backdrop for continued dragon-baiting in the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and Xinjiang, all places where the US has no actual interests. Even Trumps minimal potential as a wrecking ball to disrupt the dysfunctional commitments he inherited doesnt seem to be working out. The Swamp-critters to whom hes entrusted his administration dance along their merry way as though Mitt Romney or Jeb! Bush were president, with little or no interference from their nominal boss. On top of hastening the bankruptcy of the US, the danger of war with Russia, or China, or both will continue to increase. Neither Russian President Putin nor Chinese President Xi Jinping can still have any illusions about that and are planning accordingly. No one knows exactly when or where we will reach the point of no return. Russian and Chinese officials have warned the US about their preparedness for war in so many words. No one in Washington is listening, except to the extent that the new report of a Congressionally mandated commission has concluded that despite spending on our military ten times what Russia does and three times Chinas outlays, we still might lose a war to either of those powers. So what do the Swamp-critters draw from that? We need to spend even more! And Trump will accommodate them. The one bright spot so far has been on the Korean peninsula for which Trump deserves great credit, though his minions are working overtime to avert the horrid prospect that peace might break out and wed no longer have an excuse to keep troops in South Korea. On everything else, even where developments favor disengagement from involvements not conducive to American interests, Trumps administration insists on digging back in. For example, Frances Little Macro wants a European army. Its a ridiculous pipe dream, especially since Europe faces no external threat except migration, against which a conventional force is mostly useless. But Trump should be thrilled to take him up on the offer and turn European security over to Europeans. Instead hes trying to sink the idea. Likewise, in the Syrian conflict its clear that with Russian and Iranian help President Bashar al-Assads government has beaten the jihadists sicced on that unfortunate land by the US and our so-called allies, but Washington wont admit it and still hopes to leverage Assads departure. Why, because of ISIS, which Trump said was the sole reason we have thousands of US troops (illegally) in that country? No, but because of the need to oppose Iran and impose regime change in Tehran, as well as denying Moscow a win. Iran (an Israeli obsession having no bearing on US security) is also the reason Trump declined to take the exit ramp the Khashoggi murder offered from our unnecessary commitment to the despicable Wahhabist regime in Riyadh. Instead he has doubled down on US support for Mohammed bin Salman while absurd plans for an Arab NATO proceed, as though one NATO werent already bad enough. None of this is America First. In a sane policymaking world, Trump should be looking to cut a spheres of influence deal with Putin (and with Xi and maybe with Indias Narendra Modi). Maybe thats what Trump really wants, maybe it isnt. Or maybe someone just gave him The Talk: Do what youre told, Mr. President, or you and maybe your kid will end up like Jack Kennedy. In the final analysis, it doesnt seem to matter much what Trump wants. It would be only a small exaggeration to say that with respect to foreign and security policy Trump is now a mere figurehead of the permanent state. Even if Trump and Putin do happen to meet again, what can the latter expect the former to say that would make any difference? As a signal of the approaching end of the short-lived hope of America First, cancellation of Trump-Putin is the penultimate act but not yet the final one. The fat ladys aria will be when Julian Assange is dragged to Washington in chains, like some barbarian chieftain paraded in a Roman triumph. Ultimately, as Anne Coulter writes (with respect to the Mexican border crisis, where Trump is at least doing slightly better than in foreign affairs but not by much), Trump might only be remembered as a small cartoon figure who briefly inflamed and amused the rabble. If so, his failure will have frittered away the only peaceful chance to avert the looming death of our nation at the hands of the Cultural Marxist duopoly as well as to turn aside from the real prospect of a world war one from which America cannot emerge undamaged as we did from the first two. P.S. I would be genuinely thrilled to be wrong about all of the foregoing. US Senator Tom Cotton and Congresswoman Liz Cheney have introduced a bill that prevents extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia or the Stopping Russia Nuclear Aggression Act. It says Under no circumstances should the United States agree to extend the New START Treaty beyond the current expiration in 2021 without drastic improvements to the deeply flawed deal. The bill includes the provision of Russias agreement to verifiably reduce its stockpile of tactical nuclear weapons. It also stipulates that the new weapons mentioned in the President Putins famous speech in March must be included into the count. New START limits the US and Russia each to no more than 1,550 deployed strategic warheads and 700 deployed strategic delivery vehicles. Effective since 2011, the agreement covers a 10-year period until February 2021 with the possibility of a five-year extension. So far, the talks on extending the agreement have not been kicked off to the dismay of many arms control wonks. President Donald Trump has announced his intention to jettison the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty citing Russias alleged violation and the threat supposedly coming from China.Decried by the president last year, New START may be next up on the chopping block. He does not like anything done during President Obamas tenure. The other option is an analog of the 2002 Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT), which limited deployed warheads without verification provisions. According to Andrea Thompson, Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, the future of New Start depends on Moscows readiness to limit the new strategic systems President Putin mentioned in his famous speech in March. Its important to note that there are no Russian violations to blame for a US decision not to extend the treaty or pull out from it. President Trump will have to substantiate the reasons for another preemptive treaty withdrawal after the intention to pull out from the INF Treaty was announced. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly expressed interest in extending New START, although Moscow has concerns about the US removing nuclear weapons launchers from accountability under the agreement. Whats wrong with the bill and why is it important to address the pertinent problems before it goes to the appropriate committees? First, the tactical weapons in Russias inventory have nothing to do with strategic nuclear forces (SNF). Cruise missiles and nuclear-powered torpedoes are not part of any international agreement. There is no precedent of including them into the SNF agenda. The sea-based tactical nuclear weapons have been covered by presidential nuclear initiatives (PNIs). Tactical nukes have always been a separate subject. No treaty covers them. The condition of including them into strategic nuclear reduction talks is unacceptable. If the bill becomes law, no strategic arms agreement will be possible ever. Now about the new weapons the Russian president told about. The Sarmat ICBM is replacing the Voevoda silo-based system, which is covered by New START. It does not add to the existing potential. The Kh-101 air-to surface missile has no relation to the treaty its neither a strategic weapon nor a delivery means. The same way the Avangard glide vehicle does not breach New START when installed on the Sarmat or a carrier that does not fall into the category of heavy missiles. This system is neither a bomber, nor a ballistic missile. In theory, some of the weapons in question can be included into the agenda but it depends on Russias goodwill. The overall deterioration of the relations between Russia and the US may provoke lawmakers into backing any anti-Russian bill. Adopting such an approach means shooting oneself into the foot. When the bill goes to the floor, congressmen should remember two things. First, New START is not only about numbers. It includes the exchange of valuable information, which is hard to get by other means, and the unique and very reliable verification procedures. Second, with no SNF agreement in place, the world would have nothing to prevent an unfettered arms race. Another option is extending New START to buy time for thorough discussions on another treaty to replace it. But in this case they will have to say no the Cotton-Cheney-introduced bill. "The O157:H7 strain was detected in at 12 least states." The grocery distribution supply chain took a major hit with the announcement from health officials that all romaine lettuce should be thrown out due to concerns over E.coli contamination. Although the government hasn't given the all clear sign just yet, the supply chain is on the cusp of normalizing now that experts have a pretty good idea of where the tainted lettuce originated.In separate statements , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the Federal Drug Administration announced that they believe the more than three dozen people stricken ill ate romaine lettuce grown in the central coastal region of California. This means that so long as Americans know that their leafy greens came from somewhere other than the Golden State, there's no harm in eating romaine lettuce.This latest development comes approximately a week removed from when the CDC and FDA issued memoranda that advised families - as well as grocers and restaurateurs - to dispose of the Caesar salad staple after at least 43 people were affected by E.coli. This bacterium, which is potentially lethal, usually derives from farm animals and can impact the food supply through cross contamination. Classic symptoms of E.coli - which has various strains - include bloody stools, diarrhea, gastric bloating and stomach cramping. Health officials said the O157:H7 strain was detected in at 12 least states. Epidemiologic evidence from Canada and the U.S. indicate romaine lettuce is the source.Prior to Nov. 20, however, health officials didn't know where the tainted lettuce originated. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said the answers started to fall into place while families around the country gathered for the fourth Thursday in November festivities."Over the Thanksgiving holiday, the FDA continued to investigate the outbreak," Gottlieb explained. "Our investigation at this point suggests that romaine lettuce associated with the outbreak comes from areas of California that grow romaine lettuce over the summer months, and that the outbreak appears to be related to 'end of season' romaine lettuce harvested from these areas. The involved areas include the Central Coast growing regions of central and northern California."Although romaine lettuce isn't a typical component of the traditional Thanksgiving feast, health officials' Nov. 20 advisory sent shockwaves throughout the retail supply chain, not to mention that of growers. This lettuce variety takes longer to harvest than others, so farmers may have more invested in its sales performance than iceberg or butterhead given the time and space required for the crop to bear fruit.It's unclear just how much romaine lettuce was thrown away, but the CDC and FDA are putting together a plan that may prevent something similar from happening in the future. Moving forward, likely to start in 2019, romaine lettuce products will be labeled with more specificity, so buyers not only know what state their produce was grown in but what harvest region."It may take some time before these labels are available," the CDC advised in a statement. "If the romaine lettuce is not labeled with a harvest growing region, do not buy, serve, sell, or eat it."To maintain an uninterrupted supply chain, restaurateurs should check the labels on the romaine lettuce they receive from suppliers. If they don't see these descriptions, don't hesitate to ask, the CDC counseled. Romaine lettuce sold in whole heads, hearts, bags, boxes, precut and salad mixes are included in this advisory statement. In October Russia announced that the last component of the S-400 SAM (Surface to Air Missile) system, the 40N6 long range (400 kilometers) missile, had been accepted into service and that there are plans to build a thousand of them. Russia currently has 41 battalions/batteries (both terms are used) with at least 330 operational truck-mounted launchers. What makes a group of launchers (usually 4-8) a battery is the search radar and command center. After twenty years of development, all the initially specified components of the S-400 system are in service. The S-400 is advertised as the most modern and cost-effective SAM system available. An S-400 battery sells for about half what a comparable American Patriot battery does. The major difference between Patriot and S-400 is not price (cheaper) or specifications (much more impressive) but combat experience. The S-400 has none and the Patriot has lots and is gaining more every month in Yemen and Israel. The S-400 is attractive to buyers because it looks good and costs a lot less than combat proven systems. Another major factor is the quality of the crews and the training they receive as well as the capabilities of air defense commanders who decide how the SAM systems are used and the ability of the commanders and their crews to quickly adapt to enemy capabilities and tactics. Patriot export customers get experienced and demanding instructors. If their students do not make an effort or are not trainable for one reason or another the Americans will make an issue of it because the performance of Patriot depends on crew effectiveness. Russia is more understanding of these problems. Russia can provide skilled and exacting instructors but will back off if the customer is not interested in paying for that degree of instruction. If crews end up poorly prepared to handle S-400 in action Russia will also quietly provide Russian crews who will be called something else (maintenance advisors) but stand ready to take charge of the S-400 has to perform well. Russia is also accommodating when it comes to paying large sales commissions (bribes) to get the sale and handle follow-up training and maintenance support. So for many reasons, few of which a buyer would want to be publicized, the S-400 is a more attractive purchase than Patriot. These sales tactics are nothing new for Russia and were common during the Cold War, especially when Russia was offering high tech weapons to corrupt dictatorships who appreciated a supplier who understood their needs. Historically the most inept users of Russian SAMs have been (and apparently still are) the Syrians while the most effective users of similar Western systems are the Israelis and Americans. The Saudis are building quite a record with their use of Patriot systems against Iranian supplied ballistic missiles fired by Yemeni Shia rebels. The Saudi Patriots have shot down nearly all the 100 or so Iranian (and some older Russian) ballistic missiles fired at Saudi Arabia in the last three years. The only success the Syrians have had (using the older S-200 system) is to shoot down a slow, four-engine Russian maritime reconnaissance aircraft off the coast in September. The S-200 entered service in the 1960s and has been updated since. The S-300 entered service in 1978 and has had no combat kills. The S-400 entered service in 2007 and is also without any combat experience. The Syrians didnt mean to shoot down the Russian aircraft. They were aiming at Israeli aircraft which were already back in Israel. Russia, to demonstrate how attentive it is to customer needs. Agreed with the Syrians and blamed Israel even though the Russians knew exactly what happened. Syria also holds the dubious distinction of having their Russian air defense system wiped out in 1982 by the Israelis, who suffered no losses while doing so. Those Russian air defense weapons are not really that ineffective. In 1999 Serbian crews, using some of the same systems the Syrians had, managed to avoid destruction and even shoot down an F-117 stealth aircraft by being adaptive and more imaginative than the Syrians in 1982. Two other factors are important. After the Cold War ended in 1991 the United States was able to purchase some S-300 systems, tear down some of them and get others operational and actually use them in realistic testing. This data was shared with the Israelis. This showed that the S-300 was a potentially effective system, but a lot depended on the crews and their commanders. The Russians have also learned from experience and because that the S-400 and later (post-Cold War) S-300 systems use a lot more automation for the operators making the systems less dependent on crew skill. But there is still the question of commander quality and the ability of the commanders to adapt to combat conditions. Finally, there is the fact (it is no secret) that post-Cold War Russian weapons suffer from serious quality control problems during manufacturing and several of the new Russian missile and electronic systems have suffered embarrassing failures when put to use. No wonder the S-400s are so cheap. They are priced to sell, not actually work in combat. But in the hands of competent and adaptive users, the S-400 and other Russian systems can be a lot more effective than those operated by poorly trained and led operators. An S-400 battalion/battery has eight launchers, each with two or four missiles, plus a control center and radar and 16 missiles available as reloads. All equipment is mobile. S-400 was originally known as the S-300PMU3, SA-21 or Triumf and was renamed S-400 because it turned out to be far more than just another upgrade of the S-300 and was considered sufficiently different to warrant a name upgrade. The S-400 entered service in 2007 when the first units were deployed around Moscow. Russia claimed the S-400 could detect stealth aircraft, implying that the hypothetical enemy was the United States. Russia also claims the S-400 can knock down short range ballistic missiles (those with a reentry speed of up to 5,000 meters a second, in the same way the similar U.S. Patriot system does.) Russia immediately offered the S-400 for export, an effort that is hampered by a lack of combat experience for the system. Patriot has knocked down aircraft and ballistic missiles, S-400 has not. Moreover, Russia anti-aircraft missile systems have a spotty history (especially when confronted by Western electronic countermeasures.) The first S-400s were based around Moscow as part of a project to rebuild the Soviet-era air defense system, which has fallen apart since the early 1990s. During the first six years of use, Russia put 12 S-400 battalions into service. Before the crash in oil prices and sanctions (over attacking Ukraine) hit in 2014 Russia was planning to have 56 S-400 battalions in service by 2020. That was not hurt much by budget cuts as there are about 40 battalions in service by mid-2017. Even before that crises, the Defense Ministry ordered more of the older S-300V (SA-12) system in 2012. This seems to indicate that the S-400 was having problems (it has certainly encountered many delays so far) but these were apparently cleared up. The S-400 appears to have not only matured technically but has undergone frequent upgrades and modifications. Nevertheless, the S-400 has not yet experienced any actual combat although it has performed well in tests. The S-400 claims to be superior to the U.S. Patriot and is expensive by Russian standards. By 2012 Russia was pushing the S-400 as an export item, despite all the advanced technology in it. Most S-400 missiles weigh 1.8 tons each, are 8.4 meters (26 feet) long, and about 50cm (20 inches) in diameter. There are actually four different missiles, each with a different range (9M96E is 40 kilometers, the 9M96E2 is 120 kilometers, 48N6 is 250 kilometers and 40N6 is 400 kilometers). All missiles can reach targets as high as 30 kilometers (93,000 feet). The missile has a 145.5 kg (320 pound) warhead. The target acquisition radar has a range of 700 kilometers. S-400 missiles can hit short range ballistic missiles up to 60 kilometers away. Belarus and Algeria already have some S-400 equipment delivered and active. China has ordered six battalions, India five and Turkey four. Several other countries (Armenia, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam) have been negotiating purchase deals. The S-400 has more range than the 160 kilometers of the American, weighs twice as much, and claims far more capabilities. The S-400 anti-missile capability is limited to shorter range (under 3,500 kilometers) ballistic missiles. That would mean a warhead coming in at about 5,000 meters a second (the longer the range of a ballistic missile, the higher its re-entry speed). The S-400 system actually has two types of missiles, one of them being smaller with a shorter range (40 and 120 kilometers) and two larger missiles with much more range (250 and 400 kilometers). The 40/120 kilometers range missile are deployed four to a launcher, like S-300 systems. The S-400 has no experience against Western countermeasures but U.S. intelligence believes that tests these systems have undergone indicate it is a capable air defense weapon. Just how capable won't be known until it actually gets used in combat. None of the S-300 series systems have any combat experience either but some models have performed well in tests. The S-400 is to be complemented and eventually replaced by the S-500. This system, while still in development, has also had several embarrassing delays announced. In 2009 S-500 was declared on track to enter service in 2012. That deadline was missed and the service date was moved to 2014, then 2015 and currently 2020 or the early 2020s. The original S-300 was known to NATO, during the Cold War, as the SA-10. This system entered service in the late 1970s and was subsequently upgraded several times. One major upgrade came to be called the SA-12 and it entered service in the late 1980s. 20 years ago, AIDS was widespread amongst China's poverty-stricken villages as a result of illegitimate blood selling businesses, and the children who lived there suffered from destitution and social stigma. However, over the past two decades, more than 95 young people from these villages have graduated from universities such as Shanghai University, Southeast University, and even the top-ranking Tsinghua University. Despite such enormous childhood challenges, these young people can now look forward to a brighter future thanks to The Chi Heng Foundation. The NGO was founded by the banker-turned philanthropist To Chung, who endeavored to help such children achieve fulfilling and ordinary lives. To recently reflected on his experiences while attending the Children's Health and Development Philanthropy Forum held in Beijing on Nov. 28. The forum jointly hosted by China Charities Aid Foundation for Children, China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development and UNAIDS, in addition to Chi Heng Foundation, focused on sharing experiences and approaches concerning the development of younger generations. At the conference To recalled how, by selling their blood through unhygienic operations, many of the parent's generation died as a result of disease, leaving their young children as orphans. Consequentially, these children were at risk of wandering the streets and falling further into destitution, so the foundation adhered to help turn these children into valuable social members. "You could ignore them or love them and the different paths now show different results", he commented. The Chi Heng Foundation has organized over 200 summer and winter camps, allowing these children access to opportunities in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Among them, a young man, who was 12-year-old and had never left his hometown, is now an undergraduate of Tsinghua University. He said that he had never conceived that the world outside could be so beautiful before attending the summer camps and he encouraged younger children to be determined to pursue their dreams no matter how difficult their circumstances were. Upon witnessing the suffering caused by AIDS in the poverty-stricken villages of Henan province, To abandoned his glamorous social status amongst the banking elite, to instead focus on helping children afflicted by loneliness, poverty and discrimination. As he humbly states, "the world can live with one less banker, but these people are not getting any help." The work of his foundation's two-decade endeavor has paid off. The young beneficiaries that he has helped are now able to receive an education and live a decent life. Many of them, following To's example, have opted to return to their home villages and help younger people, especially girls, gain an adequate education. At the same time, many more volunteers have joined the cause, often utilizing the internet to help children from remote villages read, write and paint. "I have always been deeply touched by the children who would feel happy when they complete a painting for the first time in their lives," said Jenny Tong, a volunteering teacher from Hong Kong. The future looks bright as Amakobe Sande, the Country Director and Representative of UNAIDS in China, states at the forum that the UN aims to eradicate AIDS by 2030. Bay of Plenty health campaigner Candy Blackwell, from smokefree organisation Hapainga, says she loves the idea of a possible ban on smoking in cars around children and pets. Second-hand smoke contains more than 200 poisons, including 50 that are known to cause cancer. The car conversation comes after Associate Health Minister Jenny Salesa recently announced she hopes to take the matter to Cabinet before Christmas and introduce legislation early next year. Im an ex-smoker, and that was my place, says Candy. I smoked in the car with my kids and I thought winding the window down was enough. What you put in your body is your choice, but your kids and babies dont have a voice, and your pets dont have a voice, so we need to push for change. She says its not just second-hand, but also third-hand smoke that is just as toxic. If you think about the fact that there are 4000 toxins in a cigarette, and carbon monoxide is one that actually reduces your oxygen intake and youre exposing your kids to that, its a form of abuse. Candy asked seven of her clients their opinion on the matter, and all are on-board regarding a total ban on smoking in cars. For every single client Ive been to and we are talking about people who are smoking or have just quit 100 per cent agree with it. She admits it might be hard to monitor this ban, but believes it will deter most people from smoking in their cars, especially if it becomes a finable offence. In a SunLive story announcing the possible ban, Plunket chief nurse Jane O'Malley says she hoped police would take a light-handed approach, as people from lower-incomes households, who are more likely to smoke, may not be able to afford a fine. However, Candy says this shouldnt be a reason to deter from strict enforcements. This frustrates me, she says. So theyre poor, so it doesnt matter if they poison their kids? It should be something that is equal. Kids have rights and we should start thinking about kids and pets. Hapainga is a free stop smoking service that has been running for two years, with the aim of reducing the proportion of people in New Zealand who use tobacco to less than five per cent by 2025. UTICA, N.Y. - A sex offender from Utica is accused of being involved in a "dating-type relationship" with an underage girl and sneaking into her residence at night. Han San, 31, was arrested by New York State Police Friday morning and charged with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. San is a Level 2 sex offender, meaning it was deemed he had a moderate chance at re-offending. His inclusion on the sex offender registry stems from a 2012 conviction in California for assault with intent to rape, according to state records. He was sentenced to two years in prison for the crime. State police did not say if he was accused of having sexual contact with the victim. Police did not immediately return a message seeking additional comment Saturday afternoon. San was taken into custody and held in the Utica Police Department lock-up pending arraignment in Utica City Court. During the 8 years under the called black president and two black Attorney Generals, NO police was found guilty of killing an unarmed black person, on the Federal level. 1000's of unarmed blacks were killed by the police under those blacks in big positions, and nothing was done about it. What damn good is it to have black people in a big position, if they don't love black people?Here in America for 8 years there was a so called black president (Barack Obama), and two black Attorney Generals (Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch).At the end of the day, they never used those positions to help black people.The MASSES of black people did not benefit from them being in those big positions.These are some evil things that happened to black people, under the so called black president, and two black Attorney Generals. Why it matters: One of Sierra On-Line's earliest employees is selling off his collection of archival source code. While the sales don't include rights to the IP, it's an excellent opportunity to own some rare pieces of gaming history. Al Lowe, the video game designer and programmer best known for creating the Leisure Suit Larry series, is auctioning off his collection of source code for several of his games. As of writing, Lowe who was employee number 20 at Sierra has only posted a handful of auctions to eBay but already, theyve attracted some serious attention. Leading the pack is the source code to Leisure Suit Larry 2 with a current high bid of $1,850. The source code for the first Larry game is up to $1,525 as of writing. Lowe is featured in a video from YouTuber Metal Jesus Rocks in which he details much of his collection. As youll see, this stuff is incredibly rare. Some pieces are one-off examples. Lowe said he backed everything up because he knew Sierra didnt. Its worth noting, however, that even though you have the opportunity to own some incredibly rare stuff, purchasing the source code doesnt grant you the intellectual property rights to any games, code, art, etc. Lowe points out in the auctions (for the Larry games) that the IP rights have been sold time and again and are currently owned by a German game company. Facepalm: A hacker hijacked 50,000 printers around the world to promote PewDiePie's YouTube channel and spread awareness about cybersecurity for printers. In a bit of strange news, approximately 50,000 printers were hijacked to print out messages asking people to subscribe to popular Youtuber PewDiePie. A hacker by the name of TheHackerGiraffe took responsibility and claimed the hack was to spread awareness about printer security and to get PewDiePie to notice him. Spread the word with your friends about printers and printer security! This is actually a scary matter. Will tweet everything about this entire #pewdiepie hack later to explain to everyone exactly what went down. Also @pewdiepie please notice me TheHackerGiraffe (@HackerGiraffe) November 30, 2018 Printers located in various locations around the world were hit with the attack including the United States, Canada, and England. TheHackerGiraffe used a website called Shodan.io to search for internet-connected printers. From there, he used a tool called Printer Exploitation Toolkit or PRET to send print commands to the unsecured printers. PRET also allows you to do some pretty invasive things like manipulate print jobs and access the file system. Fortunately, it seems that this was more of a prank than a serious attempt at exploitation. Although TheHackerGiraffe was kind enough to provide the scripts and ports he used to exploit the printers, it does highlight how insecure many IoT devices are. As far as PewDiePie, his subscribers have been locked into a battle with Indian music company, T-Series, for the most subscribers. TheHackerGiraffe mentioned that he was "a huge fan of PewDiePie and thought it might give him a slight edge in his struggle to remain the number one." Regardless of whether or not you care about PewDiePie, we all should be more cognizant of how our connected devices can turn on us if we aren't careful. Cameron Underwood of Yuba City, California, is NYU Langone Healths second facial transplant case. His new face is now revealed less than 11 months after the landmark procedure. Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound In June 2016, then 24-year-old Cameron Underwood of Yuba City, California, suffered injuries from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Despite facial reconstruction efforts, he still lost a majority of his lower jaw and his nose, suffered damages to his upper face and palate, and was left with just one tooth, leaving his day-to-day life rather difficult. Underwood was already officially listed for organ donation by July 2017, and by December of the same year, a donor was accepted for Underwood. In January 2018, a team of over 100 medical professionals performed the complex surgery that lasted for approximately 25 hours. Landmark Face Transplant Underwoods face transplant was conducted just about 18 months after the injury, making it the shortest period between an injury and the face transplant in the United States. Furthermore, Underwood also had to travel the longest distance for a face transplant, as he had to fly from California to New York for the procedure, and his 6-month wait was also one of the shortest wait times for an organ donation. This was the second face transplant for NYU Langone Health and the third one headed by Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez. M.D. DDS. NYU Langone Health is one of many medical centers in the United States with a dedicated program for face transplantation but the only one in New York State. New Face After Transplant Now, just two years after the injury and 11 months after the procedure, Underwoods new face is revealed. According to Dr. Rodriguez, this will help with Underwoods physical and emotional recovery so as to avoid living with a psychological burden of living with the disfigurement. The facial donor was 23-year-old Manhattan resident, chess champion, and Johns Hopkins University student William Fisher, who signed up to be a donor when he was a teenager. Apart from his face, he also donated his eyes, heart, kidneys, liver, and other tissues for research. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. SpaceX CEO and founder Elon Musk will never smoke marijuana or drink alcohol on camera, reveals NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine. During a conversation with the press on Thursday, Nov. 29, Bridenstine talked to reporters about the workplace culture and safety review that the U.S. space agency launched on SpaceX and Boeing. Both companies have received contracts to ferry astronauts from American soil to the International Space Station. Jim Bridenstine Wants To Reduce The Risk Of Accidents Although he admitted that the reviews were scheduled way before Musk appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience back in September, Bridenstine said that seeing the tech executive smoke weed on the now-viral video affected the decision. "I will tell you that was not helpful, and that did not inspire confidence, and the leaders of these organizations need to take that as an example of what to do when you lead an organization that's going to launch American astronauts," he stated at NASA's Washington, D.C. headquarters. He further explained that the review was inspired by several tragedies in the history of NASA, including the Apollo 1 fire in 1967 that killed three astronauts. Bridenstine said that he spent the time between his nomination and his confirmation as the space agency's administrator reading the investigation reports from the incidents. Moreover, he shared that he personally spoke to Musk about the controversial podcast appearance. "I will tell you, he is as committed to safety as anybody, and he understands that that was not appropriate behavior, and you won't be seeing that again," Bridenstine added. SpaceX's Crew Dragon 2019 Test Flights SpaceX's Crew Dragon is expected to launch an uncrewed test mission to the ISS on Jan. 7, NASA has revealed. It will lift off atop the Falcon 9 rocket from the Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crewed test flight is expected to happen around summer 2019. Boeing, which was also contracted by NASA, is scheduled to launch an uncrewed mission in March and a crewed mission in August. After the test flights, the U.S. space agency will review the performance data and resolve issues before giving the companies the go-ahead for operational missions. If successful, the first operational mission is targeted for August 2019. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. During a surprise inspection of a Tennessee hospital, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has learned that a nurse gave a wrong drug to a patient, resulting in the latter's demise. The Vanderbilt University Medical Center or VUMC in Nashville is in hot water after the CMS found out that a nurse had accidentally killed a patient in December last year. Because of this, the federal health agency has initially put the facility under "immediate jeopardy" status up until they corrected deficiencies. As of Nov. 30, the CMS announced that it accepted the plan of correction submitted by the hospital. As such, the reimbursements will continue. What Went Down Based on the CMS report, the unnamed patient was admitted on Dec. 24, 2017, due to a severe headache, a result of the hematoma in the brain. Two days later, the person was taken to the radiology department for a Positron Emission Tomography scan. The patient then asked for a drug that could help relieve his anxiety stemming from claustrophobia, so the attending physician ordered for 2 milligrams of anti-anxiety medicine Versed. However, the nurse mistakenly gave 10 mg of Vecuronium, a high dosage for a drug that is given for muscle relaxation during surgery. "Patients can experience intense fear when they can no longer breathe. They can also sense pain," the report said of what the Vecuronium is capable of doing. Just moments later, the patient suffered a cardiac arrest and died. Patients At Risk The hospital is not just responsible for the medication error that happened but it is highly criticized after the CMS had found out that it did not report the death to the Tennessee Department of Health. The report stated the instance did not only mean the hospital failed in ensuring that proper procedures were followed by its personnel but it also put their patients at risk, VUMC, meanwhile, acknowledged in a statement that the blunder happened because the nurse "bypassed multiple safety mechanisms that were in place to prevent such errors." The hospital went on to say that they already informed the family of the victim after the error had been determined. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. It's not unusual for Google to kill services all of a sudden, regardless if that said service has been a mainstay or is relatively just a few years old. So many products, both phenomenal and gimmicky, have landed on the company's chopping block, and it looks like Hangouts is up next. Rumor has it that Google is killing the messaging platform come 2020. Hangouts for consumers, that is. This comes as no surprise, given the company essentially halted development on the app over a year ago. The Fate Of Google Hangouts Moreover, Google made an important announcement last spring that it was going to pivot the Hangouts brand into more enterprise-centered use cases via Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet, two service offshoots specifically meant for Google's enterprise consumers. Plus, with the rise of Google's other consumer-facing services, such as Android Messages and RCS Chat, the public version of Hangouts promptly lost its spot in Google's product portfolio. The report comes from 9to5Google, citing a "source familiar with the product's internal roadmap." Again, this isn't very surprising. Not only has Google stopped development on the app, but it's been presumed dead by many for quite some time, and throes of people have probably transitioned away from it in the interim as a result. That being said, Hangouts remains a prominent chat platform for many to this day, and it's still available to download from the Play Store. Many users say it's showing signs of age, however, noting bugs, hiccups, and other performance issues. Hangouts Isn't Going Away Entirely As mentioned, Hangouts isn't totally going to die. It will remain part of the G Suite family of apps via Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet the former is supposed to be a team communication app similar to competitor Slack, and the latter is a video platform for meetings or conferences. It's likely Google won't replace Hangouts with a new app when it goes away in 2020, but there's still a chance the company introduces a brand-new app as it's wont to do. Google is infamous for introducing a lot of different apps in the same category then not knowing how to support or integrate them all in a way that makes sense to consumers. Hangouts is a fine example of that unfortunate tendency, and Google must find a way to clean up its app release pattern lest it oversaturates the market with multiple apps that function similarly. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A collection of newly discovered stone tools in Algeria believed to be 2.4 million years old is casting doubts on the early human evolutionary history. The findings suggest that human life existed in the region, which is located in North Africa, far earlier than initially suspected. The new discovery might strip East Africa of the title "the cradle of humanity." The findings were published in the journal Science. Discovery Of Ancient Stone Tools In Algeria The artifact, according to the study, looked something like the tools from the Oldowan culture, which is believed to have existed between 1.9 million and 2.6 million years ago, predating the Homo sapiens. It was unearthed while Mohamed Sahnouni and his colleagues were exploring Ain Boucherit, an archeological site in Algeria. Prior to the discovery, the oldest tools found in the region were 1.8 million years old. The team dug up a total of 252 Oldowan-style tools from the site and 19 animal bones that had cut marks which they assumed were from butchery. However, no hominin bones were found in the site so the researchers could not say who made the tools. To date the artifacts, the researchers used several methods. First, they looked at the site. While the geology of the Algerian plateaus where Ain Boucherit barred the researchers to use highly accurate dating techniques, rocks from the region recorded time via the signals from Earth's magnetic field throughout history. The animal bones also provided clues. The researchers identified the bones as extinct species of pigs, horses, and elephants. By looking at the time frame in which these animals lived in Africa and comparing it to the magnetic calendar, the team concluded that the newly unearthed stone tools were from between 1.92 million to 2.44 million years ago. The Cradle Of Humanity Sahnouni said that the discovery can be explained in two ways: the tools were from the same hominins who made the ones found in East African Oldowan that spread northwest or the hominins and the stone tools evolved independently in different parts of Africa. The researcher added that he favored the second explanation because it seems less likely that hominins "just decided to get to the north and started walking." He added that the distance was not easy to cross. They also had to look for food and other resources which would take time. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Harvard University professor of nutrition received the condemnation of the internet after he suggested that the ideal serving of French fries is six pieces. Eric Rimm from the departments of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reminded the public that the beloved snack is unhealthy no matter how good it tastes. In a recent article, he called potatoes "starch bombs" and suggested that people enjoy them in six-fry increments a statement that the public did not agree with. Just 6 Pieces Of French Fries An article published by The New York Times discussed why, despite the fact that potatoes are considered vegetables, fries are unhealthy. It noted that potatoes have been found to have a high glycemic index, which has been linked to a higher risk of obesity and diabetes. A previous study also revealed that people who eat fries two to three times a week have a higher risk of mortality compared to those who avoid the stuff. The goal is to make the public aware of the serious health concerns that come with consuming fried potatoes. "There aren't a lot of people who are sending back three-quarters of an order of French fries," Rimm stated. "I think it would be nice if your meal came with a side salad and six French fries." The internet, of course, was not happy. Those who ate too few french fries had a 100% death rate. https://t.co/XHWW8cVo8z Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) November 30, 2018 Fight Against French Fries Potatoes are the most consumed vegetable in the United States, with the average American eating about 115.6 pounds a year two-thirds of which are in the form of French fries and equally unhealthy potato chips. However, the Agriculture Department says that a serving of fries is three ounces or about 12 to 15 pieces. If consumption of French fries cannot be controlled, nutritionists recommend the public to skip additional toppings and dressings. They also warned to go easy on the condiments. A packet of ketchup contains 10 calories, but the same amount of mayonnaise has nearly 100 calories. The National Institutes of Health classifies French fries alongside doughnuts and candies as "WHOA" foods, meaning they should only be consumed once in a while. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission When I read Ed Pratts Nov. 30 column, I wasnt really surprised, based on his previously published left-wing opinions, by most of what he wro Justin DeWitt, a Democrat who works for a land surveying company, talks to elections officials as he registers to run for the 6th Congressional District on the Nov. 6 ballot, on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, in Baton Rouge, La. As the nation reacts to the passing of the 41st president of the United States, New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson remembered While officials at Entergy New Orleans appear ready to grudgingly pay a large fine related to the use of paid protesters, the utility in recent weeks has attempted to use its charitable largesse to fight back against the penalties likely to be imposed by the New Orleans City Council. Communications obtained by The Lens show that in response to the proposed $5 million fine over the use of paid actors who appeared at public meetings to support a proposed power plant several beneficiaries of Entergys charitable giving sent letters supporting the company to council members. At least two of the authors were directly asked to write the letters by an Entergy employee who oversees the companys charitable giving. That Entergy employee apparently did not disclose that the letters were related to the potential fine. I wasnt aware of the fine; no, I was not, said Joshua Joachim, the CEO of the Louisiana Region of the American Red Cross, who sent one of the supportive letters this month. The Entergy rep reached out and asked if Id be willing to write a letter. The only reason that was given was that there was some education needed on our partnership with Entergy. On Oct. 31, the City Council held a special hearing to discuss the blistering results of its independent investigation into Entergys role in the payment of actors to support the company's plans at council meetings. The scheme was one part of Entergys broader, $1.3 million campaign to garner support for a proposed $211 million natural gas-fired plant in eastern New Orleans. The investigation found that Entergy knew or should have known that people were being compensated to make favorable, pre-written speeches. ENO subverted the process with fraudulent support, the investigators, including retired Criminal District Court Judge Calvin Johnson and former federal prosecutor Matt Coman, concluded. The City Council approved the power plant in March on a 6-1 vote. But at the hearing in October, two council members, Jared Brossett and Jason Williams, said they were open to a revote. The City Council also unanimously passed a resolution that could force Entergy to pay a $5 million fine for the so-called "astroturfing" campaign. The utility was given 30 days to make its case as to why it shouldnt have to pay the penalty, and members of the public had 30 days to submit comments as well. In a combative letter Friday, Entergy offered to make the payment but insisted it was a donation to the city and that the payment was "unsupported by law." The council will make a final decision by the end of the year. Letters sent to the City Council and obtained by The Lens show that Entergy has contacted organizations it donates to, asking them to lobby the City Council on its behalf a tactic the company also used during its original campaign to gain council approval for the plant. Entergy officials did not respond to a request for comment on the practice. Representatives of council members Helena Moreno and Jason Williams declined to comment. Patty Liddlebarger at Entergy asked me to describe our work through Entergys support, wrote Melanie Bronfin, the executive director of the Policy Institute for Children, in a recent email to council members and the council's Utilities Regulatory Office. The institute receives funding from the Entergy Charitable Foundation, which is overseen by Liddlebarger, Entergys director of corporate social responsibility. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up She explained that the council had requested public input on Entergys involvement in the community, Bronfin wrote. In fact, the council opened the docket for comments on Entergys potential sanctions, not on its charitable giving or community involvement. Council members also received letters from the New Orleans Recreation Development Foundation, City Year New Orleans, the New Orleans Council on Aging and College Beyond, all of which have benefited from Entergys charitable giving. Only the American Red Cross could be reached for comment. This blurred line between Entergys for-profit activities and its charitable giving has been a theme throughout the power plant approval process, and has caused consternation among some council members in the past. On July 25, 2016, an Entergy contractor billed the company for drafting remarks of support for the (power plant) on behalf of the N.O. Council on Aging. The next day, a Council on Aging employee spoke in favor of the plant at a public hearing. I hope you will consider what this power station will represent for the elderly community, she said. Two days later, Entergy announced it had recently given the group $308,323. In September 2017, as the power plant debate was heating up and Entergy launched the paid actor scheme, Kim Mitchell, Entergys community development program representative, sent an email to several other Entergy employees, including then-CEO Charles Rice. We need your help recruiting our community partners to speak on our behalf at the ... public hearing on Oct. 16, she wrote. She attached a template letter that they could send to Entergys beneficiaries. As a company thats been here for the community for many years and contributed millions of dollars to hundreds of nonprofits to support their programs, we find ourselves in need of your assistance, it said. Entergy executive Demetric Mercadel responded, discussing plans to bring Head Start parents from New Orleans East we need to get them minimal statements to make in support. She added that they would use a van service to shuttle them to the hearing. Entergy is a major donor to the Boys Town Early Head Start Program, and an Entergy employee is on the board. They called everyone I know that got a dollar from them, said Susan Henry, the general manager at WBOK. Entergy rescinded a $20,000 sponsorship for WBOK in March after the radio station aired unfavorable coverage of the power plant. People representing at least 19 organizations funded by Entergy spoke at two subsequent council hearings in 2017 and 2018 to bolster the companys community credentials. At the February hearing, Williams asked why the companys charitable giving was relevant to the debate on whether to build a power plant. Entergy may have done some great things, but it has nothing to do with whether or not this plant is right for this community, Williams said. At the same hearing, then-Councilwoman Stacy Head likewise criticized the approach. Its politics, she said. I hope we will learn lessons from this because it cheapens the discussion and it cheapens the argument. We really should be focusing on whether or not this before us today is in the best interest of the ratepayers of New Orleans. St. Tammany Parish Hospital officials broke ground Nov. 27 on a $54 million, four-story building that, along with additional parking and other renovations, will add up to a $100 million expansion that's the largest for the public hospital in 16 years. The project will improve the Covington-based hospital's environment for critical care, as well as women's and children's care, STPH President and CEO Joan Coffman told a gathering of political officials and health care representatives. According to a news release, the expansion is intended to keep up with the population on the north shore, which is projected to increase by 5.7 percent in the next five years. St. Tammany Parish Hospital, the largest hospital in St. Tammany, consistently has 85 percent occupancy, and on busy days its parking lots can be full. The hospital has 233 patient beds. It will grow to 246 beds after the expansion, but all semiprivate rooms will be renovated to become private rooms, reducing the number of beds in those rooms, spokeswoman Melissa Hodgson said. Covington Mayor Mike Cooper, one of several speakers at the groundbreaking, noted the hospital opened as a 15-bed general hospital in 1954, three blocks away from where Cooper lived as a child. "My dad (former Mayor Ernest Cooper) was asked to be one of the first to donate blood (here,)" Cooper said, adding that the hospital considered moving out of Covington as it grew in the following decades, but was persuaded to stay by city leaders. The hospital has seen continued growth, he said, culminating in the Millennium Project that tripled the size of the hospital when it was completed in 2002. St. Tammany President Pat Brister praised the hospital for anticipating and recognizing the needs of parish residents through projects like the new addition and its partnership with Ochsner Health Care Systems. Sara Pagones Sheriff's Office offers 'Safe Ride Home' The St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office will once again offer rides this holiday season to people who are too inebriated to drive. The Safe Ride Home program will provide rides to residents who don't have a designated driver or are unable to arrange for a ride home. They can call the sheriff's office at (985) 898-2338 to request a ride from a deputy, without cost or penalty. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up A Sheriffs deputy will pick up those requesting a ride home in St. Tammany Parish. Rides are available to the individuals home, not another destination like a bar or party. The Safe Ride Home program runs through New Years Day. As always, the Sheriffs Office will be patrolling the roads during the holiday season with a zero tolerance for drunken driving, said Sheriff Randy Smith. The Safe Ride Home program is one more way we can help ensure a safe holiday for all of our residents. Call us if you have to, and a deputy will make sure you get home safely. Fundraising begins for food bank building Northshore Food Bank has announced the launch of a capital campaign for its new building. The $3 million community investment, which will be located in downtown Covington around the corner from the existing food bank, will allow food bank staff and volunteers to expand operations. This is an exciting day for our organization and Washington and St. Tammany parishes as well, said Terri Turner-Marse, CEO, Northshore Food Bank. In the coming months, the food bank will work with the community at-large to raise funds so that we will have increased capacity and operational efficiency, making it an even more invaluable resource to hungry families on the north shore. The proposed 12,000-square-foot facility is forecast to open in late 2019. It will feature improved safety and traffic flow, additional space and an area for volunteers. The project was designed and is being built by Kent Design Build. Renovations will be made to the existing food bank warehouse/dental building to accommodate the Resale Shop and Dental Center, while operations of the Food Bank will move to the new building, expanding the overall footprint of the organization. For more information about the campaign, visit www.northshorefoodbank.org/fight or contact Jamie Andrepont, Northshore Food Bank Development Director at (985) 893-9958. Wade elected to DPEC position Marie Wade has been elected by the St. Tammany Democratic Party Executive Committee as the District 9 representative to the board. Wade is an internal auditor for Churchill Downs, a CPA candidate and is pursuing a doctoral degree in analytical finance. Wade was elected unanimously to the committee by its members and then elected treasurer of the group to be effective Jan. 29. A 4-year-old girl found a loaded gun in her home in Algiers and accidentally shot herself in the stomach on Thursday evening, prompting New Orleans police to jail her mother. Keviyon Kelley, 27, faces one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile. The girl on Thursday night was recovering at a local hospital in stable condition, a law enforcement source said. The incident occurred in the 1200 block of Sumner Street before 7 p.m. According to the source, Kelley told New Orleans police that she had fallen asleep but was awakened by the sound of a single gunshot. Kelley called her mother and then 911 after realizing her daughter had shot herself in the stomach, the source said. Paramedics took the girl to Childrens Hospital for treatment. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Records from the New Orleans jail show Kelley was booked about 11 p.m. She had posted $15,000 bond for her release by 1 p.m. Friday. The state Department of Children and Family Services has joined the investigation into the case. Louisiana law defines second-degree cruelty to a juvenile as criminal neglect or intentional mistreatment by an adult of a child who is seriously harmed as a result. Conviction can bring up to 40 years in prison, though the crime carries no minimum punishment. WWL-TV on Friday spoke with a Sumner Street resident who recalled breaking into tears upon seeing the wounded girl being carried out of her home. Another neighbor told the station she understood having a gun in one's home for self-defense but believed it is crucial to safely stow it. "When you know you have young children in the house, you have to keep these things secure," the woman told the station. "It's very important." Q: I love champagne but I feel guilty drinking imported wine. What high-quality Australian sparkling would you recommend to someone who likes the taste of French? G. McMANNUS, NEWPORT, NSW An all-Aussie Christmas is becoming more and more the thing: Tasmanian cuvee with the oysters, Barossa sparkling shiraz with the burnt snags, Adelaide Hills rose with the barbecued prawns, Yarra Valley chardonnay or pinot noir with the ham and turkey Finish it off with an ancient Rutherglen muscat with the Christmas pudding and you'll be smiling. (I know, Christmas pud is neither Australian nor very compatible with our summer weather, but I just love them together.) Illustration: Simon Letch. Aussie bubbles, and not just from Tassie, are getting better every year. Cool-climate fizzes from the Upper Yarra Valley, Tumbarumba, Macedon Ranges, Pemberton, Orange and the highest peaks of the Adelaide Hills are really stylish these days, with refined textures, complex flavours and compelling drinkability. In drawing up a list of top Aussie bubblies that compare well with "French", the question is: what do you consider to be French? Young, fresh and fruity, or old, mature and complex? I'm going to assume the latter. Clover Hill Cuvee Prestige Brut Late Disgorged 2006, $150 Full yellow, very mature and complex, with hints of buttered popcorn and nougat and a lovely texture. A 38-year-old woman charged with stealing a car at knifepoint in Canberra on Thursday has been denied bail. Renee Marie Serena appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday, charged with aggravated robbery and driving a motor vehicle without consent. No formal plea was entered. Police have alleged Ms Serena approached 20-year-old Gina Davidson on Thursday night outside a Subway restaurant, armed with a 30-centimetre kitchen knife, and told Ms Davidson to get out of her car and hand over her mobile phone. Court documents state Ms Davidson initially refused to get out of the car, but after Ms Serena allegedly held the knife close to the car owner's face, Ms Davidson ran to a near service station for help. It started with a Facebook post on the page of a local community group, and it ended in legal action that lasted for years and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The case, an example of how defamation laws are increasingly being used by ordinary people against each other, involved two country doctors locking legal horns to settle a dispute to devastating effect. Dr Pieter Mourik fought for years before finally settling a social media defamation case. Credit:Mark Jesser For years, the Helpers of Gods Precious Infants had been protesting outside an abortion clinic in a quiet residential street in Albury, on the border of NSW and Victoria. In 2014, the debate heated up. On one side was Pieter Mourik, a pro-choice campaigner and obstetrician who had delivered thousands of babies across a 40-odd year career. He believed the Helpers were invading the privacy of women visiting the clinic to have an abortion. If there's one thing that really gets Scott Morrison going it's anyone having an opinion. Look at his totally inappropriate, hysterical reaction to kids voicing their opinion in a democracy. Go, kids of Australia, stand up, speak out, show up. Ginny Wes, Jan Juc When you're in a hole, keep digging Resources Minister Matt Canavan says students shouldn't protest about climate change but instead learn about building mines and drilling for oil "which is one of the most remarkable science exploits in the world". What about quantum physics, the extraordinary advances in astronomy, medicine, genetics, neuroscience etc, plate tectonics etc, etc? What about the remarkable advances in understanding our complex climate? Does his bizarre statement simply reflect the minister's dreadfully impoverished imagination and limited knowledge of science? Or is it because of some weird fetish about digging holes that some members of the Coalition seem afflicted with? Patrick Kavanagh, Strangways Minister's patronising put-down rankles The thousands of students who took to the streets last week to send a powerful message to Canberra calling for more action on climate change deserve our encouragement, not our condemnation. As a teacher of more than 40 years, I'd be thrilled if my students expressed such passion and displayed such a social conscience. Would that the rest of us could do the same. Minister Canavan's patronising criticisms of the protest were not only a massive put-down for the students, but completely ignore the depth of the feeling in the wider community about the government's inaction on climate change. Nick Toovey, Beaumaris THE FORUM Moment of truth There is only one way to determine what people think about whether Malcolm Turnbull or Tony Abbott should have led the Liberal parliamentary party let Malcolm, as an independent, stand against Tony in Warringah at the next election. I would be happy to pay Malcolm's nomination fee and wouldn't even ask him to take time to campaign. David Corbett, Albury A profound sickness Students are to be congratulated for their concerns regarding lack of action on the perils of climate change. Matt Canavan is to be condemned for his response and arrogance towards the students. But a deeper malaise exists. I recently read an article from America stating that 51 per cent of Americans between 18 and 29 years of age no longer support the system of capitalism. It also highlighted that 64 per cent of Britons believe capitalism is unfair. Many people in major capitalist countries believe that big business is basically corrupt. It further stated a system is fundamentally flawed when the cost to human wellbeing and the environment is commodified: when a system is programmed to subordinate life for profit. It seems we are on the edge of time and a new way of doing things is imperative. Judith Morrison, Mount Waverley Echoes ring hollow In 2009, our and other children participated at a protest to close Hazelwood power station. At least 300 police ringed the fences as the the then Labor government tried to stymie the publicity it was likely to generate. Children nearly 10 years later have every right to protest the Band-Aid solutions currently being left to The Market. They are clearly not anywhere adequate relative to the size of the massive and catastrophic weather events we are currently experiencing and are warned will continue to worsen. Anthony Barnes, Narre Warren Up and at 'em School kids protesting to government on climate change? Fantastic, go get them, kids, this is your planet too. Sheridan Rodgers, Berwick Protection essential The RBA Securency scandal was kicked off by a reporter and a whistleblower, as was the banking royal commission and the Timor spying disgrace, as will be other future scandals. Whistleblowers have proved to be far more effective that "regulators" and "watchdogs" and should be given legal protection. I believe whistleblower protection and a federal ICAC go hand in hand when it comes to protecting society from rapacious corporate greed and political wrongdoing. Both should be legislated for as part of a raft of anti-corruption measures. Stephen Farrelly, Donvale Our ills exposed If the shameful activities of the banks as exposed by the royal commission weren't bad enough, the actions of Securency, Note Printing Australia and the RBA are deplorable. Clearly the actions of the bribery was bad enough but to suppress this disgraceful performance by the court gives a totally bad odour to the term "in the national interest". Quite frankly, this reduces Australia's standard of ethics to the level of those countries who were bribed. Good on the whistleblowers. Rob Park, Surrey Hills Life out of balance Michelle Guthrie's credibility is in tatters. How she can constantly bleat about cuts to the ABC and yet have the temerity to pocket $800,000 in severance pay and bonuses, mystifies me. (Not to mention her annual salary of $900,000.) Might I remind her that she was a servant of the national broadcaster, not the CEO of a multinational. Noel Butterfield, Montmorency Towards 21st century One reason that Herbert Asquith, prime minister of Britain 1908-16, denied women the vote was he thought he would be out of a job. We have not come very far in our treatment of women. Julia Baird's article ("Sleazy tactics will backfire", Talking Point, 1/12) is compulsive reading. I was appalled hearing Senator Barry O'Sullivan's comments directed at Senator Hanson-Young. He should have been expelled from sitting in Parliament, not Senator Di Natale. It's time to ditch these sexist, bad-mouthed persons from our Parliament and for someone to show leadership and strength in condemning those who make such suggestive comments. Pauline Santillo, Altona North So what happened? Good to read that our Prime Minister explained to Donald Trump the events that led up to the removal of Malcolm Turnbull. I will write to The Donald and ask him to let me know what happened. Seems like it's the only way I might find out what it was all about. Bernie Tallis, Brighton On the wrong foot Instead of declaring that Peter Dutton should refer himself to the High Court the soon-to-be ex-MP Julia Banks should refer herself to her Liberal constituents whom she has shamelessly betrayed. Mal Alexander, Vermont The true immoderates It would be good if journalists ceased applying the term "moderate" to every Liberal politician who isn't an outright bigot or climate-change denier. Two recent cases in point: Julia Banks rightly condemns the rampant sexism in her party; last year Tim Wilson rightly championed same-sex marriage. Neither Ms Banks nor Mr Wilson, however nor to my knowledge any Liberal currently in the Federal Parliament has ever stood up for the poor, let alone stood up to make an impassioned plea on their behalf. Indeed, it is only months since Ms Banks heaped contempt on Newstart recipients by declaring that she could "live on 40 bucks a day". When it comes to issues that don't affect them personally, these people are not moderates. Nick Eckstein, Kangaroo Ground Chickens, home, roost Amid all the adulation over Julia Banks' brave stand against intimidation, I think we might also recall her outrageous statement about being able to live on Newstart's paltry allowance. Ros Collins, Elwood Very small mercies Well, thanks to the federal government's stern words and slap on the wrist to the energy companies ("AGL cuts gas, power costs for Victorians", The Age, 1/12) prices will be coming down from January 1, 2019. We will all be waiting in anticipation for the $23 a year saving on our power bill and the $11 a year saving on our gas bill. Is the Energy Minister, Angus Taylor, now going to come out and state how the Morrison government is making these rip-off energy companies do the right thing by dropping their prices, but there is still a lot more work to do? What is needed is a royal commission into these rip-off energy companies not slaps on the wrists or meaningless harsh words that go in one ear and straight out the other. But, hey, the government can always go the way they did with the banks and just let things roll on while people suffer with exorbitant bills Dermot Mcintosh, Bacchus Marsh Dutton's border farce When Peter Dutton was given the awesome responsibility for protecting our borders, I assumed that as a 21st century institution Border Force would protect our borders from more than just refugees seeking asylum. I thought it would include biosecurity, quarantine, weapons and, since we are almost 20per cent through the 21st century, data security as well. Now I see on the front page of the The Age (1/12) there is a security threat with defence left open to Chinese hackers. Peter Ramadge, Newport Light of rising sun Reading the list of Japanese etiquette (Traveller, 1/12) left me feeling envious of that culture's notion of politeness. No takeaway coffee, drink it at the cafe. Same goes for food. "Fastidious" read "polite" queuing, which I hope transfers to driving behaviour. And take your rubbish home with you and recycle/dispose there. Imagine a Melbourne where people did just those three things. Jae Sconce, Moonee Ponds About 140,000 drivers in Sydney's eastern suburbs can now sign up for a Digital Driver Licence (DDL) after the expansion of a 12-month trial in country NSW. Dubbo residents have been able to use their mobile phone to enter licensed venues since November 13 last year but as of Thursday, drivers from suburbs including Bondi, Coogee and Randwick have been able to do the same. Eastern Suburbs residents can now sign up for a digital licence. Credit:NSW government There are 350 licensed venues in the first metro trial zone, an above average concentration that led to the area's selection ahead of a planned statewide rollout in early to mid-2019. After opening the Service NSW app and selecting Digital Driver Licence, venue staff or police can verify a licence by asking the user to refresh it, or by scanning a QR code with an app of their own. As most of Queensland suffers under a persistent heatwave and more than 100 bushfires, a developing cyclone has been forecast to approach the embattled state. There is a high chance a low-pressure system off the north-eastern coast will develop into a tropical cyclone, to be named Cyclone Owen, adding to a growing list of weather events affecting people in Queensland. Authorities say it will be days before severe conditions ease across the state, with a forecast of dry lightning increasing the chance of more bushfires as well as the possibility of a cyclone. (From left) Acting Prime Minster Michael McCormack, Rural Fire Service Gladstone area director Craig Magick, Gladstone mayor Matt Burnett and member for Flynn Ken O'Dowd inspect fire maps at the Agnes Water Fire Station on Saturday. Credit:AAP "This exceptional heat and fire event just keeps continuing," Bureau of Meteorology expert Bruce Gunn said on Saturday afternoon. A fire in an abandoned warehouse near the corner of Sydney Road and Carr Street has closed part of Sydney Road. Credit:Justin McManus More than 40 firefighters battled to bring a huge blaze in a Coburg North abandoned warehouse under control by 8.30pm. The fire and firefighting efforts have closed part of Sydney Road at Coburg North. Eighteen trucks were at the scene of the fire, which started at the warehouse just after 5pm on Saturday. It's news that's sure to cheer nervous reception centre OH&S reps during the busy Christmas party season. A judge has defended the rights of partygoers to join a Conga line, knocking back a woman's bid for compensation after she toppled over during a traditional Zorba-style dance at a packed social club event. Vera Veljanovska lost her protracted court battle this week against the Vojvodina Club in Albion, a Slavic cultural centre in Melbourne's west, after she sued over the midnight dance floor clash, which took place in August 2013. During a six-day trial that wrapped up earlier this month, the County Court was shown videos of the night in question, heard evidence about the seating plan at the club and was even told about the timing of a raffle that typically thinned out the assembled crowd. Construction of the $1 billion Morley to Ellenbrook will begin next year with an upgrade of Bayswater Station. The $146 million project also signals the end of the notorious Bayswater overpass, a cause of sheepish embarrassment for dozens of Perth truck drivers in recent years. The Bayswater station upgrade is the first stage of Metronet's new Morley-Ellenbrook Line . Credit:WA Government Three main train lines will connect to the Bayswater station - the existing Midland service and new lines to Ellenbrook and Perth Airport. Premier Mark McGowan said a bigger station, better road network and more public space was based on public feedback on the station design. Condom usage rates among sex workers in Western Australia have plummeted in the past decade, according to a recent report. But a local advocacy organisation says sex workers remain more likely than any other group of people to look after their sexual health. Sex workers may be using condoms less frequently, but they use them more than many others in the community. Credit:Janie Barrett Unexpectedly low rates of consistent condom use during sex with clients was published in Frontiers in Public Health this week, with researchers insisting the statistics point to a need to decriminalise the sex industry. The study involved 354 WA-based sex workers, with just a third reporting consistent condom use with clients during oral sex. The moment has finally arrived to abandon Australias internationally condemned mandatory offshore detention of refugees and people seeking asylum. The Parliament on Monday will have a bipartisan opportunity to close one of the most shameful chapters in the nations history, when fledgling independent member for the former blue-ribbon Liberal seat of Wentworth, Dr Kerryn Phelps, introduces a private members bill to evacuate the remaining children and their families from Nauru. New MP, Kerryn Phelps, is introducing a private member's bill. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Children, dozens of whom were born in detention, have become catatonic with despair. Self-harm and suicide have become frequent there, and on Papua New Guineas Manus Island, where the men have spent their years in limbo in contravention of international refugee law of which Australia was a founding signatory. Dr Phelps' Urgent Medical Treatment Bill also requires the evacuation of any refugees or people seeking asylum on Nauru or Manus Island who are psychologically or physically ill, on the recommendation of at least two treating doctors. Several factors make this a propitious moment. Polls show the majority of Australians are uncomfortable with the mandatory offshore detention policy. The Kids Off Nauru movement presented a petition of 170,000 to Parliament last week. The issue was fundamental in Dr Phelps' victory in the seat vacated by Malcolm Turnbull after his colleagues dumped him for no apparent reason, eroding the governments position in the polls and rendering it a minority team. The Liberal Party faces another damaging internal battle after a horror week in Canberra, with aggrieved senator Jim Molan eyeing alternative plans to salvage his political career after he was dumped by preselectors last weekend. One view advocated by some close to Senator Molan is that Arthur Sinodinos - who has been on a leave of absence since last year while he fights cancer - should retire and that Senator Molan should be parachuted into his seat. NSW Liberal senator Jim Molan was relegated to an unwinnable spot on the ticket. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen It follows a fresh round of fighting within the NSW division of the Liberal Party after Craig Kelly, who holds the federal seat of Hughes, refused to rule out switching to the crossbench if he is also dumped by preselectors as expected. The horror week for the government also saw Julia Banks, who holds the Melbourne seat of Chisholm, quit the Liberals to sit as an independent. She has since declared she will vote to refer Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to the High Court if a vote is held. Liberal MPs have attacked the "rioting" students who took a day off school to protest the government's climate change policies, with one challenging them to swear off ice-cream to lower emissions. An estimated 15,000 students marched in cities and regional towns around the country on Friday - despite warnings they could face disciplinary action for not attending school. Students hold placards during Friday's climate protest in Melbourne. Credit:Luis Ascui Liberal senator James McGrath identified a spelling error in a placard held by one student at the protest, circling it in a photograph he posted on his Facebook page. The sign, which targeted Prime Minister Scott Morrison directly, misspelt "jealous" as "jelous". "Given some of the creative spelling on display at yesterdays [Queensland Teachers Union]-endorsed muck-up day, perhaps these childrens teachers and parents might like to refocus their attention on the three Rs, of which rioting is not one of them," Senator McGrath said. St Kilda traders fear violence could grow worse along the popular foreshore this summer unless the council introduces a 24-hour alcohol ban. The warning follows a night of violence involving dozens of youths on Jacka Boulevard on Saturday night. Three men were injured, including one who was taken to hospital after being kicked in the head, as violence spread over the foreshore. St Kilda Sea Baths management spokesman Travis Atkins said on Sunday that unless the Port Phillip Council introduced a 24-hour alcohol ban over summer, there could be "even worse conflict on a much larger scale". Seoul: A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea on Saturday, the South Korean military said, but there were no unusual movements by North Korea's military in response. South Korean army soldiers patrol along the barbed-wire fence in Paju, South Korea. Credit:AP The North Korean soldier was spotted moving towards South Korea, and then crossed over a military demarcation line separating the two sides, the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. The defection took place after the two Koreas removed guard posts along the border in an effort to build trust on the divided peninsula. Such defections are rare but there have been several over recent years, sometimes raising tension on the heavily fortified border. North Korean soldiers have even shot at defecting colleagues, raising fears of a clash. Kiev: Ukraine has barred Russian men of military age from entering the country amid an escalating military and diplomatic standoff after last weekend's naval clash. President Petro Poroshenko said the ban on male Russian citizens between the ages of 16 and 60 would be imposed under the state of martial law he declared in a response to Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian ships and their crews on Sunday. Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko. Credit:AP He added: "These are measures to block the Russian Federation from forming detachments of private armies here, which in fact are representatives of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, and not allow them to carry out the operations that they tried to conduct in 2014." Poroshenko was referring to Russia's deployment of large numbers of non-uniformed soldiers and undercover agents into Ukraine during its annexation of Crimea and a subsequent separatist uprising in the east of the country four years ago. New York: Donald Trump will attend the funeral of former US president George H.W. Bush despite his fraught relationship with the Bush family, the White House announced amid a wave of tributes for the late 41st president. Trump has designated Wednesday, December 5, as a day of mourning for Bush, who died late on Friday night, US time. Trump did not attend the funeral for Bush's wife, Barbara, who passed away in April and was not invited to the September funeral of former presidential candidate John McCain, one of Trump's strongest Republican critics. Bush's death came just a day before a crucial meeting on trade between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Argentina. New York: It was on the subway, somewhere between midtown Manhattan and Harlem, when the terror started setting in. It was my first Thanksgiving in the US, I was in trouble and had no one to blame but myself. The 91st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Credit:Invision In this globalised, hyper-connected age much about America feels familiar to Australians. But not Thanksgiving. For newcomers to the US, Thanksgiving is a curiosity: a holiday without a past, a celebration devoid of significance. To Americans, though, it is a seriously big deal. Good Friday and Easter Monday aren't public holidays in most US states. Boxing Day doesn't exist here. But the country essentially shuts down on Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Minneapolis: Prosecutors in the case of a former Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed an Australian woman, Justine Damond, seek to charge him with a more serious murder count, alleging he intended to cause her death. In a court filing dated November 29, prosecutors said they want to charge Mohamed Noor with intentional second-degree murder in the July 15, 2017, death of Justine Ruszczyk Damond. Authorities said Noor shot Damond after she called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her home. Noor is already charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter . In their request to add the second-degree murder count, prosecutors said the evidence shows Noor intended to kill Damond when he aimed and fired at her. "A person acts with the intent to kill not just when they have the purpose of causing death, but also when they believe that their act, if successful, will result in death," prosecutors wrote. (CNN) Ukraine will restrict the entry of Russian men aged between 16 and 60 in an effort to prevent Russia from forming "private armies" on its soil, President Petro Poroshenko said Friday. Poroshenko cited fears of an invasion similar to Russia's seizure and annexation of the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in 2014 as the logic behind his latest security measures. The ban follows Kiev's imposition of 30 days of martial law in a handful of provinces. Tensions have soared between the two former Soviet Republics afterRussian boats attacked and seized three Ukrainian navy vessels and 24 sailors in the Kerch Strait last weekend. A court in Crimea ordered all 24 sailors to be detained for two months earlier this week pending trial. On Thursday, a number of the sailors were transferred to Moscow, according to a lawyer for two of the sailors. CNN reached out to the detention center but did not receive a response. On Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the entry ban on Russian men showed Kiev's "dysfunction" but stopped short of calling for a tit-for-tat retaliation. "It's frightening to talk about mirrored response, because if anyone even tries mirroring what's going on now in Kiev, it can lead only to madness," Zakharova told reporters Friday. "The somersaults that we see in Kiev, and in Ukraine in general, show the complete dysfunction of the state, of the state as an entity, a consequence of the wild -- and it's impossible not to say premeditated -- movements of the country's leadership," she added. Questions over Putin's endgame Friday's security order is likely to make the lives of those residing in the border regions much more difficult. Ukraine and Russia are heavily interconnected; many residents have friends and family on the other side of borders. Earlier this week, Poroshenko said Russia appeared to be building its military presence along the border, sparking further concerns that the long-simmering conflict is entering a new phase. "The country is under the threat of a full-scale war with the Russian Federation," Poroshenko said. There have also been reports of Russian missiles being moved in the aftermath of the standoff. The Russian military will deploy additional S-400 air-defense systems to Crimea, Russian state news agency RIA-Novosti reported Tuesday, citing the head of the press service of Russia's Southern Military District, Vadim Astafyev. The clash and subsequent aftermath has prompted fears that Russia may seek to control all entry and movement in the Azov Sea. Crisis casts shadow on G20 Russia's use of force against Ukraine sparked widespread condemnation, and the crisis is likely to loom large over the G20 summit in Argentina, which began Friday. On Thursday, US President Donald Trump abruptly called off a bilateral meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin due to take place on the sidelines of the two-day event. Trump blamed the cancellation on Russia's refusal to release the Ukrainian navy ships and sailors seized during last week's incident. While the decision was applauded in Kiev, some tied the cancellation to the Trump's domestic political problems. Hours before Trump pulled the plug on the sit-down with Putin, new allegations surfaced involving his former longtime attorney Michael Cohen, once again prompting questions about Trump's financial ties to Russia. "Was the provocation organized by Kiev in this region the real reason for cancellation?" Zakharova, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said in a press conference Friday, Russian state news agency RIA reported. "Publicly, we heard just such an explanation, we took note of it. Is this a reality? I think that you still need to look for answers in the U.S. domestic political situation. The dominant factor in making a decision is domestic political realities in the U.S.," she suggested. The Kremlin also said it regretted the U.S. administration's decision to cancel the meeting but left the door open to reschedule the appointment. "As far as Russian President Vladimir Putin is concerned, he is ready for contacts with his U.S. counterpart," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state news agency TASS on Friday. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Ukraine bans Russian men aged 16 to 60 from entry." Understanding why babies born at home have more diverse microbiota for at least a month after birth, compared with those born in a hospital, could help prevent disease later in life. The human microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live on and in our bodies, many of which benefit our health and prevent chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, asthma, and gut inflammatory disorders. Microbes transmitted from mother to baby help prevent chronic disease. The reasons for the differences between infants born at home versus in hospitals are not known, but we speculate that common hospital interventions like early infant bathing and antibiotic eye prophylaxis or environmental factorslike the aseptic environment of the hospitalmay be involved, said senior author Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello, a professor of microbiome and health at Rutgers University. In the study, which appears in Scientific Reports, researchers followed 35 infants and their mothers for a month after birth. Fourteen infants were born at home (four of them in water) and 21 in the hospital. All 35 infants were delivered vaginally without interventions (including no maternal antibiotic treatment) and were exclusively breastfed. Midwives who supported mothers delivered all infants, and mothers all had skin-to-skin contact with their babies and began breastfeeding shortly after birth. In a related analysis, fecal samples of month-old infants born in a hospital showed greater inflammatory gene expression in a human epithelial cell model, compared with infants born at home. Epithelial cells cover organ linings, skin, and mouths. While more research is necessary, the study suggests that revamping the hospital environment for non-high-risk births, so it more closely approximates home conditions, may be beneficial. Researchers from New York University; Sejong University in Seoul, South Korea; and the University of California, San Francisco also contributed to the study. This article was originally published by Rutgers University. Republished via Futurity.org under Creative Commons License 4.0. A group of Central American migrants -mostly from Honduras- get over a fence as they try to reach the US-Mexico border near the El Chaparral border crossing in Tijuana, Baja California State, Mexico, on Nov. 25, 2018. (Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images) Convicted Murderer Traveling to US in Migrant Caravan Arrested A convicted murderer from Honduras is behind bars after being arrested on the night of Nov. 24, while illegally entering the United States with other members of the migrant caravan. Authorities have identified the man as 46-year-old Miguel Angel Ramirez who was arrested about one mile east of the San Ysidro Port of Entry, along with other two men crossing the border illegally, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a press release. CBP agents discovered that Ramirez was recently released from prison in Honduras. He later admitted he was arrested, and convicted for murder in Honduras, and released just four months ago. The San Diego Sector Border Patrols Foreign Operations Branch corroborated the mans admission with the Honduran Consulate in Los Angeles, and discovered that Ramirez served 10 years in a Honduran prison for homicide, and three years for robbery, CBP said. Ramirez admitted he traveled with the migrant caravan from Honduras to Guatemala and Mexico. The other two men arrested with Ramirez are also Honduran nationals, and one of them was previously deported according to CBP. The arrest was made a day after CBP arrested an admitted MS-13 gang member, who was also a member of the migrant caravan, at the Calexico Port of Entry. Border Patrol agents encountered 29-year-old Jose Villalobos-Jobel just east of the Calexico Port of Entry, and suspect he entered the United States illegally. Villalobos-Jobel later admitted to being a Honduran citizen and active gang member with MS-13, a notorious transnational gang short for Mara Salvatrucha 13. Villalobos-Jobel told CBP agents he traveled from Honduras to the southern border with the migrant caravan. A group from the caravan rushed the border on Sunday, Nov. 25, forcing American officers to fire tear gas to disperse the mob. An estimated 8,500 migrants have flooded into Tijuana, just south of the border, as President Donald Trump works to prevent them from entering the United States, The Epoch Times reported. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said at the beginning of November more than 270 members of the caravans are confirmed to have criminal histories, including known gang membership, the Epoch Times reported. Those include a number of violent criminalsexamples include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, sexual assault on a child, and assault on a female, DHS said. DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen later said in a Nov. 26 statement the caravan members are predominately male, after some from the caravan attempted to force its way into the United States on Nov. 25 at the San Ysidro border crossing from Tijuana, Mexico. Caravan members are predominately male. It appears in some cases that the limited number of women and children in the caravan are being used by the organizers as human shields when they confront law enforcement, Nielsen said. She also reiterated in the statement there are convicted criminals in the caravan: At this point, we have confirmed that there are over 600 convicted criminals traveling with the caravan flow. This includes individuals known to law enforcement for assault, battery, drug crimes, burglary, rape, child abuse, and more. This is serious. Additionally, Mexico has already arrested 100 caravan members for criminal violations in Mexico, she added. From NTD News Ex-Dallas Police Officer Charged with Murder The content is not available due to expiration. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) speaks about the opioid crisis during his weekly news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 14, 2018. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) California Election Results Bizarre, House Speaker Ryan Says In one of House Speaker Paul Ryans (R-Wis.) last televised interviews before stepping down in January, he took a moment to address what he called Californias bizarre election results. Ryan said on Nov. 29 he saw a significant change from the results of absentee ballots and election day voting, versus later results after the other ballots are counted. When you have candidates that win the absentee ballot vote, win the day of the vote, and then lose three weeks later because of provisionals thats really bizarre. And so I just think that thats a very, very strange outcome, he said at a Washington Post event. When you win the absentee ballots, and you win the in-person vote, where I come from, you win the election. Paul Ryan: "California just defies logic to me We were only down 26 seats the night of the election & 3 weeks later, we lost basically every contested CA race. This election system they have I cant begin to understand what ballot harvesting is." https://t.co/usf6KWIfDb pic.twitter.com/LcnmVqkMaO The Hill (@thehill) November 30, 2018 Ryan also said he couldnt begin to understand what ballot harvesting is. The practice of ballot harvesting was used for the first time this year in California. It began with the passage of AB1921, which the governor signed into law in 2016. Previously, only relatives or household members were allowed to return vote by mail ballots for those who were unable to do so. The new law allows anyone to gather, or harvest the ballots, and return them for other people. California also now allows extended and same-day voter registration at certain locations, and the ballots are not processed until the county elections office verifies each voters registration. This contributed to the time needed for the states ballot-counting process, leaving a whopping five million ballots, or more than 40 percent, to be counted after Nov. 6, according to The Associated Press. It defies logic to me, Ryan said. We had a lot of wins that night and three weeks later we lost basically every contested California race. However, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla (D) expressed a very different view in response to Ryans comments on Nov. 29. It shouldnt defy logic that elections officials are meticulous in counting every eligible ballot. California works to ensure every ballot is counted properly and every ballot is accounted for. In the most populous state in the nationand the state with the largest number of registered votersthis takes time, he said. Ryan was not the only individual to address election concerns recently. The Election Integrity Project California (EIPCa), a group of nonpartisan volunteers, said in press release on Nov. 26 it found troubling inconsistencies between posted election results and official voting records for the states June primary in the four counties it studied. CALIFORNIA'S "SHAPE-SHIFTING" VOTING RESULTSWhy did ballot counts shift dramatically after the June election was certified?#ElectionIntegrity Election Integrity Project California EIPCa analysts compared the official, final June 5 election results posted on the websites of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and Ventura counties to the states official VoteCal voting records for each registered voter, the group said. The group also claimed it found dramatic decreases in the number of poll ballots and dramatic increases in the number of mail ballots. In Los Angeles County, the official June 29 results said 825,427 people voted at the polls, while VoteCal records on Oct. 17 showed only 669,448 people, representing a decrease of 155,979. Meanwhile, official results showed 665,075 people mailed in their ballots, while VoteCal showed 798,753, an increase of 133,678. The group said the large shifts between numbers of poll ballots and mail ballots is inexplicable. In addition, the group found nearly 100,000 June primary voters in Los Angeles County were listed as voting at the polls in the county data, but listed as using mail-in ballots in the state data. In todays heated political environment, voters confidence in elections is being shaken across the country, and especially in California, EIPCa president Linda Paine said in a statement. Inconsistencies in the reporting of votes makes it impossible for citizen groups like EIPCa to independently validate the results of elections. California voters deserve to know that their votes are accurately counted and accounted for. EIPCa will continue to seek answers. Former FBI Director James Comey testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 8, 2017. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Judge to Rule on Challenge to Comey Subpoena on Monday WASHINGTONA federal judge indicated on Nov. 30 that he intends to issue a ruling on Monday, Dec. 3, on a legal challenge to a Congressional subpoena issued to former FBI Director James Comey. During a hearing at the U.S. district court in Washington on Nov. 30, Judge Trevor McFadden asked the attorney for the U.S. House of Representatives if there was any reason he could not issue a ruling on Dec. 3. Thomas Hungar, the general counsel for the House, said no. Comeys deposition was postponed to Dec. 4 making way for a Dec. 3 hearing on his request to quash the subpoena. Comey filed a pair of motions on Nov. 29, asking the court to block a subpoena issued to him by the House Judiciary Committee and to order a delay of his Dec. 3 House deposition pending a court decision. Comey alleged, in a court motion (pdf) filed by his attorney, that he will be subjected to harassment and selective leaks from the committee that would be used to peddle a distorted, partisan political narrative. In a response (pdf) filed with the court, Hungar said that Comeys allegations are baseless and called the request to quash the subpoena so extraordinary and frivolous that, as far as undersigned counsel is aware, no district court in the history of the Republic has ever granted such a request. Mr. Comeys procedurally defective, jurisdictionally improper, constitutionally infirm, and patently frivolous request for an order staying or quashing the Committees subpoena should be denied, Hungar wrote in response to Comeys motion. The Judiciary Committee issued subpoenas on Nov. 21 to Comey and former Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The committee is conducting a joint investigation with the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform into actions taken by the FBI and Justice Department in 2016, particularly in relation to the investigation of Hillary Clintons use of an unauthorized private email server and allegations of collusion between associates of the Trump 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. Comey headed the FBI during both probes. According to the court documents, the two committees have interviewed 16 witnesses and reviewed a large volume of documents before calling on Comey to testify. Hungar wrote that Comeys testimony is now imperative so the committees can conclude their investigation and deliver a report to the public within a few short weeks. Comeys attorney, David Kelley, told the judge that his client keeps on getting brought before different committees to testify. Hungar responded that the last time Comey was brought before the Judiciary Committee was in September 2016 and called that argument absurd. Hungars central defense for the subpoena revolved around a 1975 Supreme Court ruling in Eastland v. U.S. Servicemens Fund which found that the Constitutions speech or debate clause provides complete immunity for issuance of this subpoena. Kelley said that he was not that familiar with the Eastland ruling and asked for time to be able to respond to the defenses arguments, which he was granted. The court scheduled a Dec. 2 deadline for Kelley to file a response to Hungars defense. Mr. Comey cannot evade the Supreme Courts squarely controlling precedent by failing to cite it, Hungar wrote in the court filing. In response to Comeys assertion that his remarks in a closed-door deposition would be leaked and used out of context, Hungar pointed out that Comey, like all other witnesses in the investigation, was informed that he is free to discuss his testimony and will be provided with a transcript within 24 hours of his deposition. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte told CNN on Nov. 30 that the public hearing format would not work because each lawmaker is allotted only five minutes to ask questions, which does not suit the need of the public. Weve been trying to talk to Comey for months, Goodlatte said. We will release the transcripts. Weve told Comey well release this transcript the day after the hearing. Comeys attorney told the court on Nov. 30 that the committees purpose in issuing the subpoena to Comey was not legislative. They want unfettered access to Comey because they just want to zero in and gang up, Kelley said. Hungars written response addressed this allegation, pointing to the 1975 Supreme Court ruling which states that in determining the legitimacy of a congressional act, the courts do not look to the motives alleged to have prompted it. If the mere allegation that a valid legislative act was undertaken for an unworthy purpose would lift the protection of the Clause, then the Clause simply would not provide the protection historically undergirding it, the ruling stated. According to the response filed by the House attorneys, no other witness in the investigation demanded that their deposition be public. Try as he might, Mr. Comey may not condition his cooperation with a congressional investigation on the presence of television cameras, Hungar wrote. Abdul Huda Farouki (R) with wife Samia (L) and daughter Dana in New York City, on Oct. 30, 2009. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for W Magazine) Major Democrat, Clinton Donor Indicted for Fraud, Violating Iran Sanctions Three executives connected to a defense contractor were charged for allegedly defrauding the United States military and for breaking U.S. sanctions on Iran. One of them was a significant contributor to the Democratic party, former State Secretary Hillary Clinton, and former President Bill Clinton. The contractor, the Dubai-based Anham corporation, lied to the military in order to get an $8 billion 10-year contract in 2012 to supply food for U.S. troops in Afghanistan. It also had materials and equipment shipped through Iranin violation of U.S. sanctionsto cut costs, the prosecutors said. One of the defendants, former Anham chief executive Abdul Huda Farouki, is a prominent Democratic donor. He and his wife Samia gave the party and its candidates over $320,000 since the 1990s, including over $13,000 to the various campaigns of the Clintons, according to OpenSecrets.org. Farouki was also a member of the Clinton Global Initiative project. The other defendants are Faroukis brother Mazen, who headed a logistics company closely tied to Anham, and Salah Maarouf, who ran a company that procured goods and services for Anham. Fake Construction The massive supply contract required the contractor to have large warehouses to store food in Afghanistan. Anham claimed that the process of constructing such warehouses would be done well before the contract was to be awarded. But that was a lie, according to the indictment (pdf). The construction had barely started months after the company submitted its bid. To get the contract, the company arranged equipment and machinery to create the false appearance of an active construction site, the indictment alleges. Sanctions As the company finally progressed with the construction, it shipped major components of the warehouses through Iran in violation of sanctions placed on Iran by the Obama administration. When the violation was reported in 2013 by The Wall Street Journal, Farouki lied to the Defense Department, saying Anhams senior leadership didnt know about the plan to ship through Iran. The defendants, in fact, routinely discussed in internal communications the transshipment of warehouse components through Iran, for the purpose of saving time and decreasing the need to expend costs for the project prior to the awarding of the contract, the indictment reads. Trucks Through Iran In 2012, Anham also received at least $423 million in a Defense Department contract for trucking services in Afghanistan. Similarly to the warehouse components, the company shipped trucks through Iran, rather than ship trucks to Afghanistan using legal but relatively expensive routes, the Justice Department stated in a Nov. 29 release. The defendants were each charged with two counts of major fraud, one count of conspiracy to violate the restrictions on doing business with Iran, four counts of substantive violations of those restrictions, and one count of conspiracy to commit international money laundering. They made their initial appearance on Nov. 29, before D.C. Magistrate Judge Michael Harvey. All were arraigned and pleaded not guilty. The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 6, before D.C. District Judge Trevor McFadden, an appointee of President Donald Trump. The case was investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations in Washington, and by investigators at the office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. Migrant Caravan Cost $6.3 Million in One Day, Wont Get City Funds Anymore: Tijuana Mayor The thousands of migrants living in Tijuana have cost the city millions of dollars and wont get any more funds from the government, the mayor said. Im not going to break public services to solve this problem, Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum told Fox News on Nov. 30. The declaration came as Gastelum repeatedly issued warnings in recent days that the city was suffering from the financial burden of supporting the migrants, who have clashed with locals and overwhelmed the city, crowding sidewalks, leaving litter, and struggling to subsist as they plan their next move. The migrants violently rushed the United States border on Nov. 25, triggering a crackdown by American and Mexican officials that included around 100 migrants being deported and an hourslong shutdown of the busiest port of entry in the Western Hemisphere. In those six hours that the border was closed, we lost approximately 129 million pesos ($6.3 million), Gastelum said. Thats not fair. How do you think people from Tijuana feel towards those people who are making problems? Some 13.7 million personal vehicles crossed through the San Ysidro Port of Entry in 2017, according to the Department of Transportation. Tijuana officials said previously that the migrants were costing the city $30,000 a day. Nationwide, more than 70 percent of Mexicans have a negative view about the migrants and 55 percent supported tougher measures on future caravans, according to a poll released last week by El Universal. In addition, 52 percent of respondents said the migrants should be blocked from entering Mexico without legal documents. The migrant caravans all forced their way from Guatemala into Mexico, leaving police officers on both sides of the border injured. The projectiles they hurled at the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday also struck multiple U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and their vehicles. Organizers Should be Charged Tijuanas mayor blamed the organizers of the caravans and said they should face criminal charges. Those are the real criminals because theyre dealing with the lives of people, he said. President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador must deal with the problem immediately after taking office on Saturday as Mexicos new president, the mayor added. Bad people, not the good people, some of them, not all of them, came in walking disorderly, trying to cross the border without [the United States] permission. I mean, thats a criminal way of doing things, Mayor Gastelum told NBC 7. Gastelum said that leaders among the caravan were distributing flyers to try to organize another border rush on Dec. 1. A Department of Homeland Security source said that United States officials are aware of the planned rush. On Nov. 24, migrants spoke of a force of 20,000 migrants rushing the border and trying to overwhelm American law enforcement officers. Pueblo Sin Fronteras (People Without Borders), an open-borders group, is among the groups present in Tijuana, although leaders have claimed they didnt have a role in organizing the caravans. A month ago, Vice President Mike Pence said intelligence from foreign partners pointed to leftist groups behind the caravans. Col. Fred Peterson, former chief public affairs officer of Joint Task Force North, the Defense Departments counter-drug and anti-terrorist operation, told The Epoch Times that the organizers are trying to weaken the Trump administration and the United States. This is a very well-funded operation, he said. Its not spontaneous at all. The migrants themselves are being exploited for political purposes, he said. Theyre just props in a political, staged play. From NTD News Alaska House District 1 candidate Democrat Kathryn Dodge, right, watches the election recount at the Department of Elections' Juneau office on Nov. 30, 2018.(Michael Penn/The Juneau Empire via AP) Republican Takes House Race by 1 Vote After Recount JUNEAU, AlaskaRepublican Bart LeBon has won an Alaska state House race by one vote after a ballot recount, officials said. Before the recount on Nov. 30, LeBon and Democrat Kathryn Dodge were tied with 2,661 votes apiece. Recount results showed LeBon with 2,663 votes while Dodge had 2,662 votes, after LeBon picked up two votes and Dodge picked up one, according to the Alaska Division of Elections. A much talked about mystery ballot found weeks ago on a table in a voting precinct ended up playing no role in the race outcome. The ballot was tossed Friday after officials said it was determined to be a spoiled ballot from a voter who had made a mistake on it, told officials and then filled out a new ballot. If LeBons win holds up, the GOP will control the House, Senate, and governors office. Dodge has five days to decide whether to appeal the outcome to the state Supreme Court. She didnt make a definitive comment after the recount, saying she and her team would think on things, the Juneau Empire reported. People kept calling it close, Dodge previously said of the race. I just didnt know it was going to be squeaky. For the candidates, its been a three-week rollercoaster ride marked by lead changes before the tie was declared and by the appearance of the mystery ballot. Elections director Josie Bahnke had said she had wanted to ensure that every vote cast by an eligible voter was counted. LeBon, a retired banker, said previously he expected a legal challenge from whoever loses the recount. He said Friday that he didnt think the race was over. Im pretty sure this has got another layer to it, he said. I would be thrilled if it was over, but is this over? I just dont think so. If a legal challenge resulted in another tie, the winner would to be determined by a coin toss. The current House speaker, Democrat Bryce Edgmon, won the 2006 primary through a coin toss on his way to being elected to the chamber later that year. Remembering the coin toss is exciting, he said, but the experience is not something I would wish for anybody to go through. By Becky Bohrer and Lisa Baumann Some US Troops at Border Will Go Home, Others to Stay for 45 More Days The deployment of United States troops to the border with Mexico is set to continue for another 45 days after Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis signed the extension over the weekend. The extension would keep some 4,000 troops at the border through the end of January to help U.S. Customs and Border Protection guard against thousands of migrants who have poured into Tijuana and attempted to overwhelm the agents on Nov. 25. Another 1,600 troops who are currently at the border would go home. The initial federal deployment was scheduled to end Dec. 15, but Mattis said previously that the deployment could be extended based on the situation at the border. Thatll be mission-dependent, situation-dependent if they need to be extended, Mattis told reporters in November. Some of those troops certainly will be home, I would anticipate they would be. But some troops may not be or some new troops may be assigned to new missions. But this is a dynamic situation. A Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Col. Jamie Davis, confirmed the proposed extension and said it refines the military support so that it remains aligned with the current threat, but declined to give details. The troops at the border have played support roles for Border Patrol agents stretched thin by the current threat of thousands of fighting age males and a much smaller percentage of women and children attempting to barge into the country. Agents used tear gas to disperse the mob on Sunday. The troops departing the border will include those who installed concertina wire and other obstacles to heighten the difficulty of crossing the border; those who will remain will continue to install and repair wire barriers and support Border Patrol agents. Some of the troops who are in Texas and Arizona are expected to shift to California as officials focus on the Tijuana area. Request for Help The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asked for help with controlling the situation at the border from other federal agencies. Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen sent requests to a number of other departments, including the Department of Energy, the Department of Interior, and the Department of Justice, asking whether they had law enforcement personnel they could send to the border, reported Politico. Consistent with the Presidents direction to do all within our authority to secure U.S. borders, I am seeking your assistance and ask you to prioritize efforts to help us prevent illegal entry into the United States, Nielsen wrote. The Department of Justice has already committed to dispatching officers to the border, an unnamed DHS official told the outlet. DHS spokeswoman confirmed the requests. The President has made it clear that border security is a top administration priority, spokeswoman Katie Waldman said. In line with the Presidents direction and given the very real threat we face at the border from potential mass migration actionsof course, DHS has reached out for assistance from partners across the federal government to defend our sovereignty, protect our frontline men and women, and secure our border. As of Friday, 2,400 troops were deployed in Texas, 1,800 in California, and 1,400 in Arizona. In addition to the 5,600 troops at the border, another 2,100 or so National Guard troops are there, deployed by states. The cost of using troops to help secure the border was estimated at $210 million last week, according to a report sent to Congress early last week. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News 4 Investigations Share a Common Thread News Analysis If anyone tells you they are tired of nothing happening with regard to ongoing investigations, perhaps they should take a closer look at a number of events that came to light over the past few days. In a matter that caused no small amount of worry and consternation among supporters of President Donald Trump, The Daily Caller reported on Nov. 29 that the FBI had raided the home of whistleblower Dennis Nathan Cain. The raid, which took place on Nov. 19, involved 16 FBI agents who had obtained a court order signed on Nov. 15 by federal magistrate Stephanie A. Gallagher in the U.S. District Court for Baltimore, according to The Daily Caller. No reason for the 10-day delay between the raid and his lawyers public announcement was given. Cain, whose name is new to the public, isnt just any whistleblower. He retains a top-level security clearance and maintains a number of security-related credentials, according to his resume, which has since been deleted online. Specialties include the FISA Amendment Act (FAA) Section 702 and USSID SP0018 Minimization Procedures and Signals Intelligence Authorities. According to the article, Cain privately delivered documents pertaining to the Clinton Foundation and Uranium One to a government watchdog, according to the whistleblowers attorney. The Justice Departments inspector general was informed that the documents show that federal officials failed to investigate potential criminal activity regarding former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Clinton Foundation and Rosatom, the Russian company that purchased Uranium One, the article states. Read More Spygate: The True Story of Collusion Cain also had obtained official whistleblower status from DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz. Michael Socarras, Cains lawyer, told The Daily Caller that Cain had met with a senior member of Horowitzs office and delivered a flash drive along with a sealed envelope containing documents. The same materials reportedly were also delivered to the Senate and House Intelligence committees. The FBI agents seized all of the original documents in Cains possession, according to Socarras. The Daily Caller said that one document they reviewed showed that then-FBI Director Robert Mueller failed to investigate allegations of criminal misconduct pertaining to Rosatom and to other Russian government entities attached to Uranium One. How The Daily Caller was able to review any documents, following what was reported to be a full seizure, remains unexplained. There have been strong reactions to the news, with many perceiving it as some sort of coverup. However, a few facts are worth entertaining. Regardless of the FBIs seizure, both IG Horowitz and the House and Senate intelligence committees already have the documents in their possession. The FBIs seizure of documents from Cain doesnt indicate the documents are being hidden. As noted in the article, the FBI agents obtained a court order which means their identities are known. FBI Director Chris Wray, if he doesnt already know, could easily determine the agents identitiesthis wasnt a clandestine operation. FBI Director Christopher Wray at FBI headquarters in Washington on Sept. 28, 2017. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) Another possible issue might have to do with Cain himself. Very little is known about him other than that hes a whistleblower, which generally conveys images of positive actions taken by a well-intentioned individual. However, we know nothing of Cains true motivations or the actions that lay behind them. It may turn out that an invasive raid by the FBI was fully warranted. Another explanation may lie within the documents themselves. The FBIs actions may be related to chain-of-custody issues. The FBI may have been required to ensure that all evidence was accumulated and taken into their custody. Its possible this document seizure by the FBI may indicate a case against the Clintons and/or their Foundation is actively underway. The Chicago Raid The FBI raid on Cains house wasnt the only one. On Nov. 29, federal agents raided the offices of Alderman Edward Burke, a powerful Chicago politician who has held his position in Chicago politics for 50 years. Burkes office windows were covered and FBI agents remained on the premises for about seven hours, according to media reports. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who abruptly announced in September that he would not seek re-election, said his office had no advance warning of the raid, noting: I know what I read in the paper. Im out here. Thats it. You are asking hypotheticals and I am not going to do that with the FBI walking around his office. Burke, who has been under federal scrutiny on several occasions, has never been convicted or indicted. His investigation is being handled by the public corruption squad from the local FBI office. Burkes law firm specializes in property-tax reductions for his clients, and some have speculated that the raid could be connected to work that Burkes law firm did for the president, but there are several problems with that theory. A federal agent leaves the Southside office of 14th Ward Alderman Ed Burke on Nov. 29, 2018. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) The Burke investigation, according to the Chicago Tribune, was being conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Attorneys Office in Chicago, not Muellers office. Additionally, the Sun-Times reported, the raids were in response to new allegations, and not prompted by any past controversies that have swirled around Burke. Dan Mihalopoulos, a reporter for WBEZ in Chicago, was somewhat more direct: Worth also noting today: Burkes huge role in the local Democratic judge-making process. One judge just told me, Everyones crapping themselves here. The investigation probably has more to do with corrupt Chicago politics than anything related to the president. Money-Laundering Probes Two other events with a more international scope also have been underway. Several banks are currently under investigation for a massive money-laundering scandal that is likely to only grow larger. Danske Bank is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice, and new charges were filed this week by Danish authorities. The banks CEO and chairman both have been forced to resign and numerous current employees are under investigation. Danske Bank has admitted that approximately $230 billion has flowed through one of its units in Estonia, but the focus now appears to be shifting to other financial institutions: Howard Wilkinson, a former Danske Bank A/S manager who blew the whistle on its multibillion-dollar laundromat, told lawmakers in Brussels that when it comes to shell companies, or limited liability partnerships, the U.K. is worst of all. He said he was legally prevented from naming the other banks involved, but urged lawmakers to treat the Danske scandal as a case that goes well beyond its core in Estonia, Bloomberg reported Nov. 21. The corporate headquarters of Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt, Germany, on Nov. 29, 2018. German law enforcement and tax authorities raided the offices over suspicions of tax evasion and money laundering. (Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) Also on Nov. 29, Deutsche Banks headquarters was also raided by German officials. Transactions being examined by investigators relate to the banks wealth-management division, which previously has come under scrutiny. According to a spokeswoman for prosecutors, the investigation covers the five-year period from 2013 to 2018 and is related to disclosures made in the Panama Papers11.5 million leaked documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, then the worlds fourth-biggest provider of offshore services. The Deutsche Bank raids continued for a second day and reportedly included the executive management boards floor. Deutsche was one of Danskes correspondent banks, as are JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America. Any potential involvement of other banks will bear close watching. Clinton Donor Charged Lastly, in a Nov. 29 DOJ press release, three executives including Abul Huda Farouki were charged for their roles in a scheme to defraud U.S. military contracts in Afghanistan, engaging in illegal commerce in Iran, and laundering money internationally. Farouki was the CEO of Anham, a defense contractor based in the United Arab Emirates This wasnt the first time Farouki or his company have been involved in allegations of misconduct. In a 2013 article by The Daily Caller, headlined Clinton Donors Get a Pass on Shady Contracting, Farouki and his company were highlighted: In June 2011, the Defense Departments Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) released a scathing report on a defense contracting company called Anham. The title of the report and its conclusion were the same: Poor Government Oversight of Anham and Its Subcontracting Procedures Allowed Questionable Costs to Go Undetected. The article then asked a simple question: Given prior violations, how was Anham able to secure an $8 billion contract in Afghanistan that allowed it to illegally ship supplies through two Iranian border crossings and a seaport controlled by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard? The $8 billion contract, along with the illegal shipment of supplies, being cited in the 2013 article appear to be exactly the same violations being alleged in the 2018 DOJ indictment. So why werent Farouki and his company charged with these same, known violations back in 2013? The answer may lie within Faroukis many connections to the Democratic Party. The Daily Caller notes that Farouki is a longtime donor to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and donated to Obama for America in 2008. But Faroukis closest ties lie with the Clintons and their Foundation. Farouki, a member of the now-shuttered Clinton Global Initiative, participated in annual CGI meetings since the groups formation in 2005 through at least 2010 and made multiple donations to the Clinton Foundation. Farouki also made donations to Terry McAuliffe and has been photographed with Huma Abedin. There appears to be a common thread among what might appear to be unrelated events: the raid on the whistleblower, the raid on the Chicago politician, the investigations of European banks, and the charges brought against a Clinton donor. All the activities targeted were either occurring during the Obama era or, in the case of the DOJ whistleblower, were directly related to underlying events from that time. There may be more going on than meets the casual eye. Jeff Carlson is a CFA charterholder. He worked for 20 years as an analyst and portfolio manager in the high-yield bond market. He runs the website TheMarketsWork.com. The Invitation Interventionist A better approach to helping others seek recovery Watching a loved one battle an addiction, eating disorder, or other trauma is excruciating. Often, family and friends become desperate, and will take extreme measures to help someone they care for dearly. Unfortunately, its often the way people try to get involved that fails. One route they take is planning an intervention for their loved one. However, the antiquated ambush approach is traumatic and ineffective. Shocking someone in this way can make them feel betrayed, and trying to force them to change on our terms rarely works. Whether youve been a part of one, or have a limited knowledge of what they entail, the process follows basically the same pattern: Surprise the person you care about by luring them to the meeting; read letters of how their addiction has negatively impacted them, their friends and family; cry; and demand they seek help. Fortunately, another more effective approach has been practiced since the 1990s. Negative Consequences Brad Lamm, 52, struggled with his own addictions once. The former television producer had been abusing alcohol, cigarettes, methamphetamine, and cocaine for years while living in New York. He landed a job as a weather anchor in Boise, Idaho, and was looking for a fresh start. I packed up the truck, packed up my dogs, I lived at 55th and 10th, and my idea was I was going to leave all that bad behavior behind. I was going to have this new chapter. I wasnt going to drink anymore, and I was going to do it better this time, and so off to Boise I moved, Lamm told The Epoch Times. Unfortunately, within a week of moving to Boise, he found himself engaging in some of his old habits again. When he arrived in Washington D.C. three years later, hard drugs became part of the mix within weeks. Then, he lost his job, which was the first major negative consequence of his addiction. Not long afterward, Lamm sought help. He went to a doctor and began seeing a therapist. Within six months, he checked himself into a rehabilitation center after realizing he needed more assistance than he was getting. Lamm dedicated himself to getting better, and hes been sober since February 5, 2003. Intervention and Rehabilitation His own personal struggles motivated him to help others fighting similar demons. After managing thousands of interventions and writing a couple of books on the subject, Lamm started Breathe Life Healing Centers in West Hollywood, California, in an effort to improve rehabilitation methods. Lamms focus is on addressing the habitual, complex trauma that often results in the substance abuse the patient is seeking treatment for. Trauma is often understood as relating to single events; however, repetitive trauma is more common. How we carry trauma as human beings is literally in our central nervous system, so we carry the impact of trauma on us. Lamm said people may seek alcohol, food, or other addictions to sooth the hyper-vigilant state that their past trauma has left them in. When it comes to intervention, Lamm advocates for an evidence-based, invitation approach as opposed to the standard method. The invitation approach is collaborative instead of accusatory and is not as much of an ambush since the individual is asked to participate instead of being tricked into trying to change. The idea is that the family and friends will have the meeting with or without the loved one they are trying to help, so that they dont feel like theyre being forced into it. Patience and Collaboration The experiences that stand out to Lamm are the ones that seem hopeless. In one instance an alcoholic and cocaine addict simply refused to participate. Family members were frustrated, and Lamm decided to take a walk with the man to cool the tension. This individual was so angry that he spit on Lamm during their walk. It was also his feeble attempt to get me to go away. Theres a tenacity that comes with the work of an interventionist that really helps the family stay the course. That yes is likely to occur, and we just have to hunker down and be incredibly patient, Lamm explained. This type of invitation-based intervention helps bring families and friends together, fosters a conversation rather than a one-way diatribe, and is smoother than most people think. Moreover, its important to have a conversation with a loved one about how theyre feeling before taking drastic steps. If warning signs such as losing a job, medical issues, and relationship loss appear, it may be time to ask them about how theyre doing. The Dr. Oz Show In 2007, Lamm was visiting South Africa to celebrate the opening of Oprah Winfreys Leadership Academy for Girls. He got an opportunity to meet Dr. Mehmet Oz, a health expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show, who was then getting ready to launch his own show. Dr. Oz asked if Lamm would be interested in helping people get better and tell recovery stories on the show. It changed my life. It was like rocket fuel on my work. It really helped amplify the things that were important me, and the things that I had discovered were helping people, and I remain incredibly grateful for the beginning, and then now Ive been back doing the show again for a couple years and Im really appreciative of that and him, Lamm said. Besides being on the Dr. Oz show, Lamm has written several books, founded his own rehabilitation center, and managed over 1,000 interventions. Nevertheless, he remains humble. Invitational intervention honors that we all have areas that we struggle with, and in that way seeks collaboration. Trump Holds Bilateral Meeting With Japans Prime Minister at G20 Japanese leader called U.S. mid-term elections a historic victory for Trump BUENOS AIRESPresident Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Nov. 30 held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina. In a joint press conference ahead of the meeting, Trump said both leaders have several matters to discuss, including military cooperation and trade. On the military side, both countries are working closely on North Korea and other issues, said Trump. Our partnership has been quite extraordinary, and we will be together for a long time, he noted. Both countries also cooperate on trade to help reduce the U.S. trade deficit with Japan. The deficit is coming down. Its a massive deficit between Japan and the United States, and its coming down, Trump said. Japan is buying large amounts of our fighter jets, our F-35s, and others, and we appreciate it very much. Both leaders also congratulated each other for election victories. Abe had a very big success in his election, said Trump. He won by a massive amount. And Im not surprised at all. The Japanese leader, in response, called the U.S. mid-term elections a historic victory for Trump. Abe said the alliance between the United States and Japan was getting stronger. Every time, when we see each other, we always have a very candid discussion, he said. After the talks, both leaders held another meeting with Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the first-ever Japan-U.S.-India trilateral summit meeting. The leaders discussed strengthening the trilateral partnership and working towards realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific. Bilateral Trade Talks with Japan In September, Trump and Abe agreed to begin negotiations for a bilateral free-trade agreement on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly session in New York. Abe had earlier resisted bilateral talks, preferring a multilateral trade pact with the United States under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). However, Tokyo was rumored to have departed from its earlier stance and to have made concessions to the United States in hopes of avoiding additional U.S. tariffs. Japanese officials had been worried about Washingtons threat to impose import tariffs on autos and auto parts on national-security grounds. Trump has repeatedly raised concerns about the U.S. trade deficit with Japan and demanded a bilateral agreement to address the situation. The trade deficit in goods with Japan was nearly $69 billion last year, with nearly two-thirds of that coming from automotive imports. Trade relations with Japan regressed last year after Trump pulled the United States out of the TPP, a multilateral trade pact that involves 11 Pacific Rim countries. In addition, Washington has launched a Section 232 investigation into whether imports of autos and auto parts threaten national security. The investigation may result in tariffs as high as 25 percent on auto imports, which would hurt foreign carmakers, including Japans. It isnt clear whether Japan will be exempt from potential tariffs, but in a joint statement in New York, the two countries said they will make efforts for the early solution of other tariff-related issues. Both sides also agreed to respect the positions of the other, drawing lines on the U.S. automotive sector and Japans agriculture market. Flash Argentina has seen a big increase in Chinese visitors thanks to the country's preferential visa policy and tourists' growing demand for more diverse travel experiences, travel industry insiders say. China and Argentina signed a deal in May 2017 introducing 10-year, multiple-entry business and tourist visas for Chinese, allowing them to stay up to 90 days per visit. The application costs about US$150. In 2016, the country's immigration authority also introduced electronic travel authorization for Chinese holding a valid visa to the United States or Europe's Schengen Area, which they can apply for online for US$50. As a result, online travel agency Ctrip said it has seen interest rise in packages to the South American nation, especially among independent travelers attracted by its vast grasslands and mountains. "Route 40 (in western Argentina) and the route from Buenos Aires to Mendoza crossing the Pampas grassland are considered the country's best driving routes," Ctrip said in a statement. "The 10-year visa available to Chinese travelers will attract more visitors to these breathtaking spots." Zuzuche, an online car rental site, has also seen Chinese customers in Argentina soar in the past three years. The company said reservations rose by 46 percent year-on-year in 2017 and are up by 71 percent so far this year. "Though Argentina remains a niche destination, the simplified visa application policies and determination among Chinese travelers to experience local life and marvelous landscapes will strongly drive the development of independent travel in Argentina," the company added. Zhang Xing, 35, from Beijing, is planning a trip to Argentina with his wife in July. "We toured the Inner Mongolia and Tibet autonomous regions in a caravan last year," he said. "We've long been dreaming of driving a car across Argentina's Route 40. It'll be amazing." Sun Bin, a sales manager for China International Travel Service, is optimistic about Argentina. "It's certain that outbound tourism to Argentina has boomed as the South American country becomes more recognized by Chinese people and expenses covering packages to Argentina (become) affordable to average people," he said. Travelers usually choose packages of 16 to 23 days in South America and spend about a week in Argentina. Tour packages range in price from about 50,000 to 70,000 yuan (US$7,200 to US$10,000), Sun said. U.S. President Donald Trump (C-R) and Chinese leader Xi Jinping (C-L) along with members of their delegations, hold a dinner meeting at the end of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, on Dec. 01, 2018. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) Trump Meets Chinese Leader to Discuss Trade War BUENOS AIRESPresident Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Dec. 1 held a bilateral dinner meeting at the end of the G20 summit in Argentina. Before the start of the meeting, Trump told reporters that the two leaders would discuss a range of issues, including trade. He said he looked forward to the dinner and discussion. The relationship is very specialthe relationship that I have with President Xi, he said. I think that is going to be a very primary reason why well probably be ending up getting something that will be good for China and good for the United States. The Chinese leader echoed Trump and said the meeting was a manifestation of a personal friendship. China and the United States are two important countries with major influence in the world and shoulder important responsibilities for international peace and prosperity, he said. Both sides would exchange ideas on issues of mutual interest and draft a future for the China-U.S. relationship, Xi added. The Chinese leader also said he was saddened by the passing away of President Bush who had made an important contribution to the China-U.S. friendship and relationship during his lifetime. Trump and Xi were seated across from each other in the middle of the table, surrounded by their respective delegations. The U.S. delegation included Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin, Chief of Staff John Kelly, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, National Security Adviser John Bolton, Assistant to the President and Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, Assistant to the President for Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro, and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy Larry Kudlow. High-stakes Meeting Tensions between Washington and Beijing have increased in recent weeks ahead of the high-stakes meeting between Trump and Xi. The Trump administration has taken a tougher tone against Beijing, stating that the United States is prepared to more than double its tariffs on Chinese goods if they fail to reach a deal. Trump and his officials signaled that they would not back down unless China fundamentally changed its attitude. Trump had previously said that 142 concessions offered by China were not acceptable. The commitments by the communist regime fell short of the key structural reforms that Washington has been demanding, such as ending intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer. To force China to end its unfair practices, the United States has imposed tariffs on nearly $250 billion worth of Chinese goods this year and the levies will be raised to 25 percent from 10 percent on Jan. 1, 2019. Trump said earlier that they are ready to slap additional tariffs on Chinese goods worth $267 billion. Investors have been holding their breath about the meeting between Trump and Xi as any consensus over trade can bring some relief to global markets. The state of the Chinese economy has been putting pressure on Xi, as economic growth has slowed this year, battering its stock market. Troubles will deepen in China if the trade tensions continue next year, according to experts. Deep divisions between the United States and China surfaced last month at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Papua New Guinea. As a result, leaders who attended the summit failed to agree on a joint communique for the first time in 25 years. Watch next: Death by China Directed by President Trumps trade adviser Peter Navarro President Donald Trump (R), looks at Russia's President Vladimir Putin as they take place for a family photo, during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, on Nov. 30, 2018. (Juan Mabromata/AFP/Getty Images) White House Denies a Formal Meeting With Putin on the Sidelines of G20 BUENOS AIRESThe Kremlin claimed that President Donald Trump had a brief meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the margins of the G20 summit on Nov. 30. The White House, however, said both leaders had a number of casual conversations, playing down Kremlins statement. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told Reuters that both leaders had a brief meeting but did not provide the details of the interaction. Ushakov also said he met with National Security Advisor John Bolton and that both countries were ready to continue the dialogue. Ushakov said he was not sure when the next summit between Trump and Putin might take place. In response to questions about Trumps interactions with Putin, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said both leaders had informal conversations. As is typical at multilateral events, President Trump and the First Lady had a number of informal conversations with world leaders at the dinner last night, including President Putin, she said in a statement. Trump had earlier canceled a bilateral meeting with Putin that was scheduled to take place during the summit in Argentina, citing Russias ongoing detention of Ukrainian ships and sailors. Based on the fact that the ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia, I have decided it would be best for all parties concerned to cancel my previously scheduled meeting in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin, Trump wrote on Twitter on Nov. 29. I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved! Trump had decided to cancel his bilateral meeting aboard Air Force One en route to Argentina. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN on Dec. 1 that Trump canceled the meeting because of Russias behavior that is deeply inconsistent with international law. Pompeo said that the President wanted to send a clear, unambiguous message that we find that type of behavior unacceptable, so we canceled the meeting. He confirmed that Russias aggression against Ukraine was the sole reason for the cancelation and called suggestions that Trumps decision was influenced by developments in the special counsel Robert Mueller probe ludicrous. The Womens Board of the Norwalk Hospital Treasure House thrift store is open for the holidays at its new location, 520 West Avenue. The Holiday boutique has been a Norwalk tradition since the 1930s. All proceeds go to Norwalk Hospital. Norwalk miniaturist Vance Alexander will exhibit his work in the entry lobby of the Norwalk Public Library for the month of December. Alexander has collected miniatures for much of his life and, while studying architectural and interior design, learned to craft objects a twelfth of their normal size. That training carries over into his art, in which he makes miniature homes, outfitting the tiny rooms with found objects. Plastic creamer containers are suitable lampshades and inverted acorn tops work well as bowls. There is an entire world out there that can be used for miniatures. It is a matter of looking at things with an eye for the tiny, Alexander said. The historic Governor Fitch Law Office, at 2 East Wall St., will celebrate its grand re-opening Dec. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. The office was built in 1740 and was the office of the states 14th Colonial Gov. Thomas Fitch. The building, which is used as part of the Little Red School House program, through which third-graders learn the history of Norwalk, is re-opening after a $40,000 restoration project undertaken by both the Norwalk Historical Society and the Norwalk Historical Commission. The Green The City of Norwalk will commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor by observing Remembrance Day. A ceremony will be held Dec. 7 at 8:30 a.m. on the 77th anniversary of Japans attack on the U.S. Naval base featuring Mayor Harry Rilling, the Brien McMahon Navy Reserve Training Corp, Norwalk High Schools mens a cappella group and the Norwalk Fire Department. The names of the 17 Connecticut service members who died in the 1941 attack will be read. South Norwalk Visitors to the Maritime Aquarium this December can see Santa Claus swimming with the fishes. Throughout the month of December, several times a week, Santa Claus will join the Maritime Aquarium staff, enter the 110,000-gallon Ocean Beyond the Sound exhibit, and help feed a group of 7- and 8-foot sharks. The Shark-diving Santa dives are part of a year-long program offered by the aquarium, in which volunteers feed the sharks and lead an informational session from within the tank to disprove many of the myths around sharks. Namely, the divers demonstrate that sharks do not see humans as prey. All dives are free with museum admission. East Norwalk On Sunday, Ripkas Beach Cafe will host its second Giving Trees event, 12 to 6 p.m. Trees and wreaths will be available for purchase at 99 Calf Pasture Beach Raod, as will complimentary smores, hot dogs and hot chocolate. There will be a bonfire and a large illuminated Christmas tree. Proceeds go to the Norwalk High School Marching Bears, Toys for Tots, and the Parent Teacher Associations at Nathan Hale Middle School and Marvin Elementary School. Let us know whats going on in your neighborhood. Contact staff writer Justin Papp at justin.papp@scni.com or 203-842-2586. NORWALK Want to know if your childs school bus is running behind schedule? Theres an app for that. On Monday, the Norwalk School District will roll out a new bus-tracking app that allows parents to monitor their childs bus route in real-time. School officials said the app, FirstView, will help families avoid a mad dash by offering custom alerts for when buses are delayed or when theyre approaching a bus stop. Once the app is downloaded from Google Play or the Apple App Store, parents can enter their childs school ID number, found on report cards or available through the schools main office. Once the ID number is entered, the students registered home address, designated bus stop and school address will populate the app. But not every student is trackable, however, said Johanna Zanvettor, the districts transportation coordinator. State guidelines specify, kindergarten through third-graders are not eligible to ride the bus if they live within one mile of their school. The same goes for fourth- through eighth-graders who live within 1.5 miles from school and for ninth- through 12th-graders who live within two miles from school, Zanvettor explained. Students who arent eligible to ride the bus, unsurprisingly, wont be listed in the app. The app created by First Student Inc. almost three years ago is used by about 34,000 parents in more than 1,700 schools nationwide, Zanvettor said. Besides parents, the app is also useful for administrators, Zanvettor added, and more than 1,600 school leaders use the district dashboard, which displays every bus route and gives them the ability to push out notifications across the district. While some neighboring districts, such as Darien, also take advantage of the bus-tracking app, others are less enthusiastic about the concept. John Ficke, Fairfield Public Schools transportation supervisor, said hes been approached by First Student and several other companies offering similar services but always turns the offer down. It would take a lot of upkeep by First Student to ensure student information is always up-to-date, he said. Ficke also said he was concerned that if students switched buses, the bus-tracking company wouldnt be able to keep up in real time. We dont know that the info can be kept accurate enough, he said. Weve had other companies approach us on the same type of software. We already have enough trouble keeping track of our buses on route now. Zanvettor admitted the system is not perfect. If students dont get on the bus or if they get off at the wrong or a different stop unexpectedly, theres no way for parents to track them, she said. However, down the road, she hopes the school district will invest in a fixed RFID reader, which would prompt students to swipe a tag (or something similar) when they get on and off the bus. With anything new, there will be kinks to work out, Zanvettor said. Still, students and parents at Nathan Hale Middle School on Friday were impressed with the new idea. A group of sixth-grade girls waiting to get picked up by a parent said they thought the app would keep fellow students safer. They should make one for walking home because what if youre new to the area? said sixth-grader Mya Gomez. Walking home is kind of scary. Taking the bus is one thing, but they should create something for students who walk. Its a great idea but unfortunately, it wont apply to us, said Leslie Soyland, whose grandchild lives 1.2 miles away from the school, too close to be able to ride the bus. To me, it makes no sense that the buses are half full. Its kind of a shame because back in the day, we used to walk. Still she conceded, I think the bus app is a great idea. Frank Costanzo, the districts chief of school operations, is also optimistic about the new offering. Its a good feature all around and there really wasnt much debate about it, just precisely when to roll it out and to make sure we roll it out so parents easily have access and know this is available, Costanzo said. Were excited to launch it and were hoping that parents utilize it and find it to be helpful and something that eases their worries or anxieties about being there on time to meet their child. We think its a win-win. If parents have questions, First Student offers assistance at support@firstviewapp.com. NORWALK A Stamford-based company donated furniture to one of STAR Inc.s residential homes Tuesday. STAR Inc., Lighting the Way, a nonprofit organization, offers services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lovesac, a Stamford furniture company, gave STARs East Norwalk group home a makeover by removing old industrial furniture and replacing it with new modular sofas. STAR Executive Director Katie Banzhaf said they were grateful to work with Lovesace and Eventage to give the Martin House residents new, comfortable furniture. Eventage is a national event production agency located in South Orange, New Jersey. It gives back to those who have supported its agency in the past 20 years. This a such a wonderful way to kick off #GivingTuesday, Banzhaf said, referring to the Tuesday after Thanksgiving meant to encourage charitable giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season. STAR, formed in 1952 to serve individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, helps more than 600 individuals from birth through their senior years to live independently in Fairfield County each year. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged the Group of 20 (G20) to stick to openness, partnership, innovation and inclusiveness and steer world economy responsibly. Xi made the remarks while addressing the 13th G20 summit in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. He warned the G20 leaders of accelerated accumulation of risks in global economy and pledged that China will firmly push forward a new round of reform and opening-up, with increased efforts in intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and more imports. Noting that it has been 10 years since the global financial crisis broke out and the first G20 summit was convened, the Chinese president said the global economy today, while maintaining growth on the whole, is still not free from the underlying impacts of the crisis. Old growth drivers are yet to be replaced by new ones, while various risks are rapidly building up, he said, adding that the world economy is facing another historical choice. "We G20 members must closely follow the underlying historical trend so as to chart the course for the future. In mankind's relentless quest for development and progress, the trend toward openness and integration among countries is unstoppable despite ups and downs in the global economy," Xi said. Greater coordination and complementarity among countries meet the need of productivity growth and will also shape the future of relations of production, he said. In this process, countries are increasingly becoming a community with shared interests, shared responsibilities and a shared future, Xi said, stressing that win-win cooperation is the only choice going forward. "Facing various challenges, we must have a stronger sense of urgency, be rational in approach and look beyond the horizon. We must fulfill our responsibility and steer the global economy in the right direction," he told the G20 leaders. Noting that the G20 was born out of the international community's need to maintain stable growth of the global economy, Xi said the group has braced difficulties together, navigated the global economy out of recession and brought it back to the track of recovery and growth over the past decade. "Ten years later, let us work with the same courage and strategic vision and ensure that the global economy grows on the right track," he said, putting forward a four-point proposal to the summit. Firstly, Xi called on G20 members to stay committed to openness and cooperation and uphold the multilateral trading system. "We should firmly uphold free trade and the rules-based multilateral trading system," he said. China supports necessary reform of the World Trade Organization, and believes that it is critical to uphold the WTO's core values and fundamental principles such as openness, inclusiveness and non-discrimination and ensure the development interests and policy space of developing countries, according to the Chinese president. During the process, all sides need to conduct extensive consultation to achieve gradual progress, he said. Secondly, Xi urged the G20 to forge strong partnership and step up macro-policy coordination. All participating sides should employ the three tools of fiscal and monetary policies and structural reform in a holistic way to ensure strong, balanced, sustainable and inclusive growth of the global economy, Xi said. Developed economies, when adopting monetary and fiscal policies, should give more consideration to and work to minimize the impact such policies may exert on emerging markets and developing economies, he said. The international monetary system should become more diversified, and the global financial safety net should continue to be strengthened, he added. Thirdly, the G20 should stay committed to innovation and create new momentum for growth, Xi said. He called on the group to encourage innovation and leverage the role of the digital economy in growing the real economy. "We need to watch out for risks and challenges brought by the application of new technologies, and strengthen the legal and regulatory framework," Xi said, adding that more efforts are needed to boost education and vocational training. "We should give priority to achieving development through fully tapping our innovation potential. At the same time, we also need to keep our doors open and encourage the spread of new technologies and knowledge so that innovation will benefit more countries and peoples," said the Chinese president. To better adapt to and guide technological innovation, Xi proposed that the G20 carry out an in-depth study on the application and impact of new technologies on a priority basis to explore new thinking and new ways of cooperation in this area. Fourthly, Xi urged the G20 to stay committed to win-win cooperation to promote inclusive global development. "We need to continue to follow a people-centered development philosophy and endeavor to deliver a sense of fulfillment, happiness and security to our people," Xi said. He encouraged the G20 members to continue to prioritize development in global macro-policy coordination, implement in real earnest the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and give strong support to work in this area within the UN framework. Calling on the group to protect the development interests and space of developing countries, Xi said the G20 should also continue to support Africa's development by helping Africa with its infrastructure and connectivity building and new industrialization. Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, Xi recalled that during the past 40 years, with the support of the international community, the Chinese people have forged ahead with perseverance and made historic achievements in development. China owes its progress to reform and opening-up, and will continue to advance on this path, Xi told the G20 leaders, pledging to continue to deepen market-oriented reform, protect property rights and IPR, encourage fair competition and do more to expand imports. China will continue to improve its business environment, and hopes that all countries will work together for a free, open, inclusive and orderly international economic environment, Xi said. The Chinese president arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday night to attend the G20 summit and pay a state visit to Argentina. Argentina is the second stop of Xi's Europe and Latin America trip from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5, which had taken him to Spain and also includes state visits to Panama and Portugal. EDWARDSVILLE Five students from St. Boniface Catholic School look to the possibility of state competition after being recently selected to perform in the All-District Honors Junior Chorus and Junior Orchestra, which took place Nov. 17 at Belleville West High School. Callie Barks (eighth grade), Grace Deakos (seventh grade), and Claire Hamann (seventh grade) received honors of All-District for Junior Chorus while seventh graders Maggie Pifer and Maya Lueking received honors of All-District for Junior Orchestra. ALTON The Alton Police Department on Friday were continuing to investigate a shooting Thursday night on Ridge Street. The incident took place inside a residence in the 800 block of Ridge Street. Alton police, fire and rescue responded to the shots fired at the residence at 9:50 p.m. Thursday. The victim, a white adult male, was conscious and alert at the scene before while being transported to the hospital. His injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. Alton Police Department spokesperson Pfc. Emily Hejna said that police on Friday had identified a person of interest. Hejna also said the shooting occurred during an argument inside the home, and is being investigated as aggravated battery. Aggravated battery is a felony with a maximum penalty of 5 years in an Illinois state prison. Anyone with possible information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Alton Police Department (618) 463-3505. Reach reporter Riley Newton at (618) 208-6460. ALTON A second man is facing charges of drug-induced homicide and controlled substance trafficking for allegedly selling fentanyl to a woman who died of an overdose. Derek L. Day, 23, who is now serving time at Shawnee Correctional Center, is accused of selling the drug to a 20-year-old female. He is also accused of bringing less than a gram of the drug into Illinois from Missouri. Bail was set at $500,000. For the Telegraph EDWARDSVILLE Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has formalized a Sino-American Dual Degree Program with Changshu Institute of Technology (CIT) in Changshu, China. An SIUE delegation visited CIT in early November to meet and welcome 25 CIT students to the SIUE School of Engineerings Mechatronics and Robotics program in January 2020. The SIUE delegation included Mary Weishaar, executive director of international affairs; Scott Belobrajdic, associate vice chancellor for enrollment management; Keqin Gu, distinguished research professor in engineering; and Jim Monahan, director of international and graduate admissions. The group attended the International Forum for Jiangsu Association of Sino-American Universities. They met with representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Education, the Jiangsu Province Education Department and the Jiangsu Association of Sino-American Universities, which involves 12 institutions. Flash Leaders of the emerging economies' bloc BRICS declared their common stand on the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Buenos Aires on Friday. A communique was issued after Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held an informal meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit. BRICS countries agreed that full support should be given to the rules-based multilateral trading system represented by the WTO and to ensure transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive international trade, according to the document. The document called on all WTO members to oppose unilateral and protectionist measures that disaccord with WTO rules and withdraw such measures that are restrictive and discriminatory in their nature. BRICS countries pledged to support the improvement of the WTO, increase its relevance and validity and safeguard the core values and basic principles of the WTO, and agreed that the WTO should embody the interests of all members, developing economies in particular. They stressed the importance of the dispute settlement mechanism in the smooth operation of the WTO, calling for starting, as soon as possible, the selection process to fill the vacancies in the Appellate Body, so as to maintain the stable and valid operation of the dispute settlement system. BRICS countries, according to the document, vowed to strengthen communication and cooperation and work with other members to ensure the WTO keep abreast of the times, advance inclusive growth and the participation of various countries in international trade, and play a significant part in global governance. In the meantime, BRICS countries reiterated their commitment to world peace and stability and support for the central role played by the United Nations. They pledged joint efforts to strengthen multilateralism, strive for an international order that is fair, just, equal, democratic and representative and implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change. BRICS countries reiterated that they would strengthen their strategic partnership and implement the achievements in their cooperation such as the Partnership on New Industrial Revolution, the document read. The common stand demonstrated the constructive and responsible role played by BRICS countries in international affairs. It also showed the aspiration of emerging market economies and developing countries to strengthen unity and cooperation and safeguard common interests. EDWARDSVILLE Prosecutors have filed a notice to seek an extended term of up to 105 years against a suspect in the killing of Godfrey trustee Eldon Twirp Williams. A notice filed in circuit court said the Madison County States Attorneys Office believes the enhanced charge is proper because the defendant, Donald Nelson, was on parole when the crime was committed and the victim was over the age of 60. Williams was 87. WOOD RIVER Police in Wood River Saturday said two attempted burglaries, within 30 minutes of each other, were foiled after being interrupted. The attempts occurred on Lorena and 10th Street. Police say the suspects are described as three black males, one wearing a camouflage hoodie. Theyre driving a gray full size Dodge pick up truck with Illinois Registration of K896930. Flash At least 41 Palestinians were injured on Friday during clashes between thousands of Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers stationed on the border between the eastern Gaza Strip and Israel, medics said. Among the 41 Palestinians injured, 13 were shot by live gunshots and eight by rubber-coated metal bullets, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a press statement. The clashes broke out in the afternoon when around 12,000 Palestinian demonstrators joined the 36th Friday Great March of Return rally in eastern Gaza, which has been organized since March 30. Right after Friday prayers, thousands of Palestinian protesters marched toward the border fence between the eastern Gaza Strip and Israel. The rally leaders warned that if Israel does not ease the blockade that it has been imposing on the Gaza Strip since 2007, the protests would re-use the previous anti-Israel means and tools. Eyewitnesses said demonstrators set fire to tires of used cars, while Israeli border soldiers fired intensive tear gas, rubber bullets and live gunshots at the demonstrators. Abdulatif al-Qanoua, spokesman of Hamas which controls the Gaza Strip, said the anti-Israel rally will go on until it achieves its goals of lifting the Israeli seige completely. Israel imposed a tight blockade on the Gaza Strip after Hamas violently seized control of the coastal enclave and routed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas security forces during the summer of 2007. "We call on the world to express solidarity with our people on the day of international solidarity with the Palestinian people," Qanoua said. "Ending the unfair siege, imposed on Gaza, is the responsibility of Arabs and Muslims," he added. Flash U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday met in Buenos Aires of Argentina with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the situation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and bilateral trade. According to a statement issued by White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders, Trump and Abe met on the margins of the Group of 20 (20) summit, when they "reviewed recent developments in North Korea" and discussed how best to work with the international community, including South Korea, to maintain pressure until the DPRK implements its commitment to denuclearize. The two leaders also discussed progress in the two countries' cooperation on advancing a free and open region, as well as next steps to implement their shared resolve to expand collaboration in areas such as energy and infrastructure. They exchanged ideas on trade and the shared effort to deepen their economic relationship, including through pending negotiations aimed at concluding a bilateral trade agreement, the statement read. Before their bilateral meeting began, Trump told the media that the U.S.-Japanese deficit is "coming down." However, when asked about Trump's comment that he is planning a trip to Japan, an anonymous White House official told the media that "the president intends to make a trip to Japan next year. We have nothing else to announce." Japan was set to hold the G20 summit next year. Later on the same day, Trump, Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a trilateral meeting summit, the first ever of its kind, according to the White House. Flash The Pentagon is expected soon to extend the deployment of thousands of active-duty troops stationed along the U.S. southern border with Mexico through the end of January following the incoming caravans of Central American migrants, according to NPR, citing defense officials. The deployment, announced late October to assist U.S. border law enforcement in the wake of incoming caravans of Central American migrants, had been slated to end on Dec. 15. Besides, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis is likely to reduce the force's size to around 4,000 troops, from the current number of about 5,900, NPR reported Friday. The official announcement is expected to be made this weekend. The active-duty military personnel are meant to help strengthen the security of the U.S. southern border but they are allowed to provide only engineering, logistic and medical support. Caravans of migrants, many of whom say they were fleeing from poverty and violence in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador and want to claim asylum in the United States, were traveling through Central America towards the U.S.-Mexico border for weeks. Thousands of those migrants, including women and children, have arrived in Mexican border city of Tijuana. A handful of them started a hunger strike this week to pressure U.S. authorities to process their claims. U.S. President Donald Trump urged Mexico earlier this week to send those Central American migrants back to their home countries, as his administration is trying to deny claims by asylum seekers who enter the United States between ports of entry, a move temporarily blocked by a federal judge. In addition to the active-duty personnel, the Trump administration has sent over 2,000 National Guard troops to the border. The troop deployment has been criticized as a political stunt. House Democrats have threatened to investigate the deployment when the new Congress convenes in early January. Flash Leaders of the emerging economies' bloc BRICS on Friday reached broad consensus on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires to uphold multilateralism and the rules-based world order. At the informal meeting chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is currently the BRICS rotating chair, the leaders also had an in-depth exchange of views on global economy, current challenges and cooperation within BRICS. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the meeting. Speaking at the event, Xi said that BRICS leaders had a fruitful summit in July this year in Johannesburg, at which they reached important consensuses. Currently the world economy is facing rising risks, with multilateralism and the multilateral trade system adversely affected, said Xi, adding that this does not conform to the common interests of the international community. BRICS members should enhance unity, stick to the right direction, strengthen communication and coordination, demonstrate their sense of responsibility, and work jointly to keep global governance moving along the right track so as to promote world stability, development and prosperity, said Xi. The Chinese leader put forward a four-point proposal at the meeting, calling on BRICS members to firmly support multilateralism, to improve global economic governance, to continue to push for common development and to vigorously deepen practical cooperation within BRICS. On safeguarding multilateralism, Xi said that BRICS members should strengthen coordination within the frameworks of the G20, the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO), and jointly safeguard the rules-based international order and oppose protectionism and unilateralism. On global economic governance, Xi underlined the need to adhere to the right direction in WTO reform. The key values and basic principles of the organization should not be discarded and the special and differential treatment for developing members must be guaranteed, he said. Measures should be taken to enhance the dispute settlement mechanism's role in adjusting trade relations and push for the reform of the international monetary and financial system, so as to increase the representation of emerging economies and developing countries, and allow them a bigger say in relevant affairs, said Xi. He said BRICS members should motivate other emerging economies and developing nations to prioritize development in the global policy agenda and fully implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They should adhere to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" and jointly push for relevant parties to finish the negotiations on the implementation of the Paris Agreement on time, said Xi, adding that efforts should also be made to urge developed countries to honor their official promises on providing fund, technology and capacity building assistance to developing countries. As for cooperation within BRICS, Xi said that the members should accelerate the establishment of new industrial revolution partnership and jointly bring the benefits of BRICS cooperation to other emerging economies and developing countries. BRICS members are all important members of the G20 and they should support Argentina in hosting a successful G20 summit, and jointly send a strong signal on upholding multilateralism, strengthening international cooperation and promoting mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, said the Chinese leader. Brazil is to take over the BRICS rotating presidency and China will fully support Brazil to carry out relevant works, said Xi, adding that China will also work jointly with other BRICS members to deepen their strategic partnership and make greater contributions to world peace and development. Other leaders attending the meeting also expressed concerns over the rising unilateralism and protectionism, which have posed grave challenges to global politics, economy and trade. The ever-growing cooperation among BRICS is really inspiring against such a backdrop, they said. Members of the bloc should strengthen unity and cooperation, enhance practical cooperation on economy and trade, energy, science and technology, finance, cultural exchanges and healthcare, push for solid progress regarding the establishment of a partnership on the new industrial revolution so as to benefit the peoples of these countries, they said. The leaders agreed that BRICS members will speak with a strong voice supporting multilateralism and the rules-based multilateral trade system and opposing protectionism, so as to safeguard world peace and security, promote balanced and inclusive growth, improve the global economic governance and uphold the international order featuring equity and mutual respect. They pledged to enhance cooperation with African countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and jointly safeguard the interests of emerging economies and developing countries. They also vowed to uphold the Paris Agreement on climate change and push for G20 leaders making a positive voice over the matter. The memorandum of agreement months in the making was approved by the Mt. Pleasant City Commission on Monday and by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council on Wednesday. The agreement comes as the National Parks Service prepares to list the property on the National Register of Historic Places. A key part of the MOA is that the city will hire an archaeological firm to do a survey on portions of the land that have not previously been studied or significantly disturbed. The land, located near West Pickard Street, was the site of the federal Indian Industrial Boarding School from 1893 until 1934 and, after that, the states Regional Center for Development Disabilities and the Mt. Pleasant Center, which closed in 2008. Once hired, the archaeological firm will have up to 18 months to complete the project, although it might not take that long, depending on the weather and what is discovered. The agreement has two overall goals: to address the Tribes concerns about important items or burial grounds that could be discovered on the property and to address the citys desire to develop the land in the future. What this agreement is really about, is being able to give assurances that the city is sensitive to potential archaeological resources there and that the Tribe understands that the city plans to develop the land, City Manager Nancy Ridley said. The agreement is about a process whereby we can move forward and give assurances to future purchases of the land about what archaeological work has or hasnt been done and identified, so that they feel more comfortable moving forward with potential purchases. And giving assurances that we will treat any archaeological resources that are found in the appropriate manner. If either the city or Tribe develops a proposal for development of its property at the site, the other party will have 30 days to submit written comments. According to Ridleys memo to city commissioners, in that case, Each party will fully consider any written comments received before moving forward with development but will still retain the right to move forward as desired. The memo also states the agreement covers probable conveyance to the Tribe of areas which are deemed to be significant archaeological sites and a process to address the situation if the size, location or number of protected areas becomes problematic to or may negatively impact on city development. Based on that survey and future archaeological work, the land would be categorized into areas that may need further research or should be preserved due to their significance, or areas that may be cleared of archaeological significance and can go forward with development, Ridley said. The agreement is for 15 years, with a review every five years. The city purchased the 300-acre property from the state in 2011. The Tribe owns the land where the boarding school was, about 14 acres overall. Ridley said the city has been told by both the state Office of Historic Preservation and the Tribe that putting the property on the National Registry will not prevent the city from selling it and developing it. Mayor Allison Quast Lents said at Mondays meeting that the agreement has undergone countless revisions during the negotiation process. It wasnt that we werent doing something about the Mt. Pleasant Center Property. Every time I interacted with the city manager, we were discussing this memorandum of agreement. This was a long time coming, she said. She also gave credit to former Mayor Jim Holton, who organized a lunch with Tribal leaders and city leaders a few years ago to work on a good relationship between the two entities. We sat down and talked about our fears and concerns and hopes and dreams, and kind of laid the groundwork for this agreement to take place. Those conversations, that dialogue, that ability to work together (for) mutual good for something that is good not only for the city and Tribal Council, but this community at large. Im really proud of this work and really proud that we were able to bring it to resolution, Lents said. City Commissioner Kathy Ling thanked Lents, Ridley, Tribal Chief Ronald Ekdahl and Erik Rodriguez, interim public relations director for the Tribe, for their work on the agreement. According to the agreement, the city-owned land at the site can be classified in four ways: An area presumed to be greatly disturbed by the construction and demolition during and following the Mt. Pleasant Center Era of roads, tunnels, paths and buildings used as part of the Mt. Pleasant Center. An area that has undergone some archaeological survey and study and assigned archaeological site numbers by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office due to evidence of archaeological significance of the area. An area that has not undergone any archaeological survey. Areas that have undergone some archaeological survey/study and that have not revealed any historical or archaeological resources. The new archaeological study will focus mostly on the northern area of the property, according to Ridley. Ridley also said the city could have sold parcels of its land to a developer even without the MOA if it wanted to, but by doing this archaeological work, it makes it so purchasers are less leery of buying the land. Significant discoveries could include historical items or burial grounds and human remains. According to the MOA, If human remains are encountered, they will be left in place and, within 24 hours, information about them will be relayed by telephone and electronically to the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office, the Tribal Historic Preservation Office, the city manager, the Isabella County medical examiner and city police. The agreement also indicates that if any federal funds are used in development of the land, any obligations the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer has will be done in a timely manner, Ridley told commissioners at their meeting. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Buenos Aires on Friday on the sidelines of the 13th Group of 20 (G20) summit. Xi said the development of China-Russia relations enjoys strong internal dynamism and a bright prospect as it goes with the trend of the times and the aspirations of both peoples. Hailing the new achievements in bilateral cooperation in various fields this year, Xi said China and Russia will hold grand and colorful activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year and strive for more visible results in bilateral practical cooperation. Xi stressed the important guiding role the two countries' heads of state play in advancing the bilateral relationship, suggesting that the two sides keep the tradition of annual presidential mutual visits. China and Russia, he said, should work together to strengthen the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union, and deepen cooperation in trade, finance, energy, technology and other sectors as well as at sub-national levels. Xi urged the two countries to step up coordination in multilateral mechanisms including the G20 and BRICS, and unite all parties concerned in upholding multilateralism, safeguarding the core values and basic rules of the World Trade Organization, supporting trade liberalization and facilitation, and opposing protectionism and unilateralism. Putin, for his part, said it is of great significance to maintain close high-level exchanges between the two countries. He spoke highly of the fruitful bilateral cooperation in various fields, citing fast-growing trade, steady progress in such areas as manufacturing, high technology and agriculture, smooth implementation of large-scale projects, and effective coordination on international and regional affairs. Russia is committed to deepening practical cooperation and coordination with China to safeguard global peace and security and build an open world economy, Putin said. The two presidents also exchanged views on some major international and regional affairs in today's world. Chinese woman on Phi Phi tour slashed by speedboat propeller PHUKET: A 39-Chinese tourist suffered severe injuries after her legs were slashed by a tour speedboat propeller today (Dec 1), the Phuket Tourist Assistance Centre (TAC) has confirmed. tourismtransportaccidentsChinesemarineSafety By The Phuket News Saturday 1 December 2018, 06:20PM Chinese tourist Jang Sia Dan, 39, suffered severe injuries to both her legs after they were slashed by a speedboat propeller at Phi Phi Island earlier today (Dec 1). Photo: Phuket TAC The woman, Jang Sia Dan, boarded the tour boat King Poseidon 23 in Phuket this morning with 19 other tourists to enjoy a day trip to the islands in Phang Nga Bay. Ms Jang was injured while the boat was moving to moor at Pileh Bay at Phi Phi Island at about 9am, the TAC officer said. She was getting off the back of the boat to snorkel while the captain was reversing the boat to moor. She suffered severe wounds to both legs. Ms Jang was rushed to Koh Phi Phi Hospital for immediate treatment then sped back to Phuket to receive more specialised treatment at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, the officer confirmed. The tour group was led by a 37-year-old Chinese tour guide. Thai skipper Chatchai Khacharoen, 26, drove the boat and Yingyong Khongkhamsuk, 26, was a boat staffer, reported the Bangkok Post. (See story here.) Mr Chatchai told police that he did not see Ms Jang getting off the boat, so he continued to bring the boat to moor. But after other tourists shouted, he immediately stopped and saw the injured tourist shouting for help. Capt Chatchai and his assistant pulled her back on the boat and promptly had her taken to the hospital, he said. Mr Chatchai, his assistant and the tour guide were held in police custody at Phi Phi Police Station. They were initially charged with reckless collusion causing serious injuries to another person, noted the Bangkok Post report. Tourist numbers from China have declined in recent months after the Phoenix tour boat disaster that killed 47 Chinese on July 5. Chinese arrivals fell 6.7% month-on-month in August and were down a further 25.3% in September and 0.2% in October. Authorities have been taking steps to improve the image of the country among Chinese tourists, including a waiver of visa-on-arrival fees and improved safety measures for land, air and water transport, the Bangkok Post noted. Police scant on details on deadly motorbike crash that killed two tourists PHUKET: Chalong Police today said they could not reveal any major details of the investigation into the deadly motorbike accident that killed two tourists on Thursday night (Nov 29). tourismSafetydeathpolice By The Phuket News Saturday 1 December 2018, 02:57PM Lt Col Thada Sodarak of the Chalong Police confirmed that no preliminary charges at all have been pressed against the driver of the car, Sudapon Nontawat, as she is still in hospital. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub However, Lt Col Thada Sodarak of the Chalong Police, who is the investigating officer for the accident, did confirm that the two tourists killed in the deadly collision comprised one male and one female. The two tourists were killed when the motorbike they were riding struck a car that made a sudden U-turn on Chao Fa West Rd, in Chalong. In the initial report, it was confirmed that that woman killed was Zehre Yalcinkaya. (See story here.) Col Thada today (Dec 1) confirmed that no preliminary charges at all have been pressed against the driver of the car, Sudapon Nontawat. She is still in hospital from her injuries, he said. No mention was made of which charges, if any, were being considered. Of note, the car that Ms Sudapon was driving was still bearing red dealership licence plates. Under the Traffic Act, it is illegal to drive a vehicle bearing such licence plates on public roads out of the province or at night. Regarding the man killed in the accident (not two women, as originally reported see story here), Col Thada confirmed that the man was Algerian, but said his name is too hard to read. I cannot give any information to you now. Please call be back on Tuesday or Wednesday (Dec 4-5), Col Thada said. He gave no explanation for the delay in confirming any details of the accident. Meanwhile, French-language Alegrian news service AL24 reported confirmed that the male tourist killed was 26-year-old Algerian Muay Thai boxer Amine Halimi, from the Hussein Dey suburb if the Alegian capital Algiers. According to the ALG 24 report, Mr Halimi was enrolled in traniing in Muay Thai at Phuket Top Team Muay Thai & MMA, located on Soi Ta-iad, Chalong, and Absolute Gym (Absolute MMA Thailand in Rawai). (See ALG 24 story here.) Sky High: Phuket facing worst deluge of drugs ever, 23 arrests a day PHUKET: Phuket is facing its worst state in the fight against drugs with more drugs on the island than ever before and on average 23 people being arrested for drugs every day since the start of the year. drugscrimepolicemilitary By Tavee Adam Saturday 1 December 2018, 09:58AM Soldiers at the Phuket Check Point at Tha ChatChai inspect a driver and his car for drugs. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot Somporn Sripanrod, the ministry of health official tasked with the Phuket Provincial Narcotics Control Management Center (Phuket-PNCME), described the scale of the problem simply: Right now we are seizing more drugs than ever before. At a PNCME meeting in October, presided over by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana and with Phuket Vice Governor Supoj Rotreuang Na Nongkhai present, it was revealed that more than 7,000 arrests had been made for drugs from Jan 1 through Sept 30 this year alone, giving an average of 23 people arrested each day. Although there are areas where some types of drugs are more prevalent than others, Mr Somporn notes that the problem is islandwide. Different types of drugs are found in all three districts across the island, though young people are more likely to be found with kratom and ya bah (methamphetamine in pill form), he said. To Vice Governor Supoj, the issue is simple: The arrest statistics confirm that the number is increasing. V/Gov Supoj believes that the explosion in drug use is due to dealers and key distributors slashing prices to make them more attractive to potential users, hence luring more and more everyday people to buy their product. This is especially true with ya bah and ya ice (crystal meth), V/Gov Supoj recently told an anti-narcotics strategy meeting. The cause is the price of the drugs, which has decreased extremely, he added. Distributors are flooding the island by using every form of delivery in order to bring the drugs onto the island by car, pickup, truck or van through the Phuket Check Point at the northern end of the island, by boat, by public transportation such as interprovincial buses, and the now-standard use of regular parcel delivery companies. New dealers are even using young people to transport drugs. One dealer used a 12-year-old, V/Gov Supoj said. The epidemic has seen yet another strategy drawn up to counter the spread of drugs through communities on the island. Maj Gen Nantadech Yoinuan, Deputy Commander of Region 8 Police, explained that police will focus on the three main risks: 1) risk persons people already convicted for drugs, teenagers with family problems; 2) risk behaviour such as peer pressure and rebellious behaviour among youths; and 3) risk places such as poor neighbourhoods and nightclubs across Phuket. The counter-drugs offensive also features a three-prong attack: Defence, Suppression and Rehabilitation. The Defence plan includes selecting specific villages (or neighbourhoods) and developing a network within each of those villages/communities with each police station on the island to look after 10 networks. This part of the campaign aims to have each area declared a white village. This strategy us supported by the government for now. The goal is to reduce the prevalence of drugs in these specified areas within three months, Gen Nantadech explained. This project must solve the problem within three months and I expect that in one year we will see a positive change, Gen Nantadech noted. The Suppression campaign relies on ramped-up efforts to conduct raids resulting in arrests and seizures, and with some areas under 24-hour surveillance, he added. However, Gen Nantadech had no explanation for any part of rehabilitation to be offered, and barely knew what happened with the thousands of people already arrested this year for drugs. He suggested that first-timers caught for possession only were fined and released on suspended sentences, but he assured, Every person convicted of selling drugs no matter how much is sentenced to serve a jail term as punishment. If Phuket prison is full, they will be sent to a prison in a province nearby, he added. Meanwhile, the campaign to educate youths of the danger of drugs continues, Gen Nantadech said. Kratom is easily the most popular drug among youths, Mr Somporn explained. Because it is cheaper than methamphetamine and easier to get than other kinds of drugs, he said. Youths can get kratom easily because it is cheap, and they can even secretly plant it in a rubber plantation or in the hills, he added. However, kratoms popularity among young people is not spiralling upward for the light stimulant effect gained from chewing the plants leaves, as traditionally used for centuries across Southern Thailand, where the plant grows naturally they mix it into an elixir called 4x100 for extra buzz. When teenagers get kratom, they mix it with other ingredients such as cough syrup, coke (Coca-Cola) and other things to make Si Kun Roy, Mr Somporn explained. This Si Kun Roy is one of most seized drugs by police, he added. The difference in effect between chewing the leaves and drinking 4x100 is dramatic. One of Phukets most horrific crimes on record involved the drink when in April last year a man hanged his own 11-month-old baby girl and then himself and broadcast the entire incident on Facebook live on the internet. Throughout the heart-wrenching video, he took sips of his kratom drink. (See story here.) To Gen Nantadech, the fight against kratom use lies with community leaders in the villages. Police are in contact with village chiefs and other officials about this and they will lead the way in fighting the use of kratom in the villages, with police in support, he said. But to be truly effective we need everyone to look out in their own neighbourhoods. People can report drugs in the areas by many ways, even by calling (the police national hotline) 191. Unsuspecting tourists heading to Phuket airport find themselves in meth bust PHUKET: Three unsuspecting tourists heading home from Khao Lak after enjoying a holiday in Thailand found themselves in the middle of a drug raid after officers discovered 6,000 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine) hidden in an old fan that was in the back of the passenger van they were travelling in. tourismdrugscrimepolice By Tavee Adam Saturday 1 December 2018, 04:27PM The Phuket van driver and his two accomplices were caught smuggling meth pills while en route to Phuket International Airport with three tourists still in the van. Photo: Khok Kloi Police The Phuket van driver and his two accomplices were caught smuggling meth pills while en route to Phuket International Airport with three tourists still in the van. Photo: Khok Kloi Police The Phuket van driver and his two accomplices were caught smuggling meth pills while en route to Phuket International Airport with three tourists still in the van. Photo: Khok Kloi Police Jindanai Inthachage, the 30-year-old driver of the van, picked up the tourists in Khao Lak and was taking them to Phuket International Airport as they were heading home on Tuesday (Nov 27), Khok Kloi Police Chief Col Gerasak Siamsak told The Phuket News. The Toyota van was registered in Phuket as a commercial vehicle under the name Phuket Transport Partnership Limited, he added. On the way to Phuket, Jindanai stopped off in Tai Muang, where his friend Yongyuth Rakmit, 43, lived. Police already had Yongyuth and his house under surveillance following a tip-off that Yongyuth was smuggling drugs into Phuket by concealing them in household items. At the house, officers led by Lt Col Techo Na Nakorn of Khok Kloi Police watched as Yongyuth and his friend Sirichai Rakmit, 27, carried out an old electric fan and placed it in the back of the van. Then Jindanai drove off, with the tourists still on board. The officers then stopped and searched the van at the Khok Kloi Intersection (see map below). On searching the van, they disassembled the pedestal base of the fan and found three plastic packs each containing 2,000 pills ya bah. Each of the three packs contained 10 bags, each holding 200 pills. Following the discovery of the drugs, a splinter group of the investigation team moved in and arrested Yongyuth and Sirichai at the house in Tai Muang, Col Gerasak explained. All three Jindanai, originally from Stun province, as well as Yongyuth and Sirichai, both Phang Nga natives were taken to Khok Kloi Police Station and charged with possession ya bah with intent to sell, Col Gerasak confirmed. The three tourists were given a first-class ride to Phuket airport by police to make sure they did not miss their flights, Col Gerasak added. Col Gerasak urged all tourists, Please be aware of the vehicle that you are getting in, especially if there is anything in the van that does not belong there. And if you can keep your bags locked or sealed, please do it - because some bad guys might put something illegal, such as ya bah, in your bag, he warned. Which fair? Phuket officials stumble over New Year festival mix-up PHUKET: This week provincial officials struck gold in creating confusion after they held a meeting to discuss their plans for the upcoming Phuket Gastronomy Fair and the Phuket Brand Phuket Best Fair. Saturday 1 December 2018, 03:39PM The annual Phuket Red Cross Fair brings thousands of people out to Saphan Hin to enjoy the festivities over the New Year holidays, but this year according to officials at least two other fairs will be held at the same location over the same dates. Photo: The Phuket News / file In short, the Phuket Gastronomy Fair will be held as part of the Phuket Brand Phuket Best Fair 2019, which will be held at Saphan Hin from Dec 27 to Jan 6 which is exactly where the annual Phuket Red Cross Fair will be held on exactly the same dates. Only early last month the Phuket Red Cross Fair was announced as returning to Saphan Hin this year, after it was cancelled without any public announcement last year, causing much consternation among local residents. (See story here.) Oddly, at the meeting on Wednesday held to discuss the Phuket Gastronomy Fair and the Phuket Brand Phuket Best Fair, no mention of the Red Cross Fair was made. Present at the meeting, held at the Phuket Provincial Community Development Office, was Community Development Office Phuket Chief Kitiphol Vejchagun, Phuket Provincial Agriculture and Cooperatives Office Chief Chalart Kaewkhaw, as well as the heads of many government agencies on the island whose offices will be involved in the conflux of fairs. Regardless, Vice Governor Thanyawat Chanpinit ordered officials to ensure their offices made sure the fairs went ahead in line with the official aims given: In this event there will be activities and shows about agricultural product processing, fishery processing, livestock processing, local food product, local products, local goods under the name the Phuket Brand and products under the name Pracharath Rak Samakkee (Thailand) Co Ltd, he said. Pracharath Rak Samakkee (Thailand) Co Ltd is the state enterprise created under the administration of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to promote locally produced goods and services. There will also be contests for fruits, vegetables and native animals, V/Gov Thanyawat said. The Phuket Brand Phuket Best Festival 2019 has also been given the nickname Kong Dee Phuket 2562, which means, at this stage, any person looking to visit Saphan Hin to enjoy the festivities over the New Year holidays will have the luxury of saying they are attending whichever of the three or four festivals they say they are going to. Watertown stores are ready for Black Friday shoppers Here are the hours stores will be open in Watertown for Thanksgiving and Black Friday for shopping It is a phrase we have heard hundreds of times from the people we send to Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., to represent us. Common sense gun reform. We heard it after Columbine. And after Sandy Hook. And after Parkland, to say nothing of the mass shootings that have happened in places in addition to our neighborhood schools. Every time there was a mass shooting incident such as the recent massacre of those worshiping at a Pittsburgh synagogue there has been talk of reforming gun laws. And for the most part, the sound has been allowed to fade, much like the echoes of distant gunfire. Backed by the power and money of the National Rifle Association, seemingly every attempt to curb gun violence with sensible reform has been shot down. For years, especially here in gun-loving Pennsylvania, it has been the third rail of politics. Gun reform legislation routinely goes nowhere in Harrisburg. But there are signs, both here in the Keystone State and across the nation, that the tide may be shifting. Unfortunately, there also are signs that it is not happening soon enough. This started a few months back in the state Legislature with a plan to get guns out of the hands of those who have been convicted of domestic abuse or who have a final Protection From Abuse Order lodged against them. A package with bipartisan support, pushed by state Sen. Tom Killion, R-9 of Middletown, changed the law, mandating that an abuser turn his or her guns over to police or a licensed firearms dealer within 24 hours. Under the old law, abusers could simply hand off their firearms to a friend or relative, where they unfortunately too often still had access to them with potentially deadly results. The measure gained bipartisan support and passed overwhelmingly in the House. After a struggle, the Senate concurred. It marked a breakthrough in Harrisburg in reforming state gun laws something often tried, but rarely accomplished. There also was an indication of the changing politics of gun reform on the national level. Right next door in Chester County, Democrat Chrissy Houlahan, a military veteran, made gun control an integral part of her campaign. She cruised to victory to fill the 6th District seat in Congress being vacated by incumbent Republlican Rep. Ryan Costello. Her opponent was an NRA member. The NRA is no longer touting on its website the grades it routinely assigned to legislators. Apparently that one-time much-desired imprimatur from the gun group was becoming a liability for some candidates. In Washington state, voters passed a referendum that beefs up background checks for gun purchases, as well as mandating any person buying a weapon take a training course and wait 10 days to get a gun. The measure also raised the age to buy a semiautomatic weapon to 21. This week state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale issued a set of recommendations to combat gun deaths and violence. And he says it can be accomplished without changing state laws. His 20-page report focuses on community efforts to attack the problem and expanding access to mental health services to address those prone to violence. Specifically, DePasquale wants county sheriffs departments to start calling the references given by those filing an application for a concealed carry permit. Hes also seeking the help of a variety of community groups, including sporting groups, safety advocates, law enforcement, medical and mental health practitioners, firearms dealers and domestic violence prevention advocates in his new push for firearms safety. We endorse his efforts. They cant come a moment too soon for state Rep. Joanna McClinton. The Democrat who represents parts of West Philadelphia and eastern Delaware County hosted a community meeting after another shooting incident that left two teens wounded, along with an 8-year-old boy who was hit by a stray bullet while sitting in his house. The shooting in which as many as 25 gunshots rang out occurred right down the street from her office. McClinton heard from one mother who no longer believes the neighborhood is safe and has moved her family out of the city. No doubt gun advocates will argue that none of the changes being bandied about likely would have prevented the most recent shooting. The bottom line is that too many of our communities are awash in guns in the hands of people who should not possess them. Lawbreakers. We are not espousing infringing on anyones Second Amendment rights. We hearken back to the same phrase that so often accompanies this discussion. Common sense: Were all for it. Billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson has accused the management of Detour Gold Corp., the Toronto-based company in which he invests, of bullying tactics. In a 20-minute speech that was webcast ahead of a Dec. 11 special shareholders meeting, the founder of Paulson & Co. urged Detour investors to vote to replace the miners board. The hedge fund repeated claims that Detour executives have mismanaged the company. Despite our best efforts, the Detour board has used bullying tactics against us, Paulson said. Accompanied by Paulson & Co. partner Marcelo Kim, the two provided detail on many of the complaints that have been hashed out publicly in what has become an increasingly heated proxy battle. I think this board makes shareholders the laughingstock of the investment community. Since Paulson first took its complaints with Detour public in June, initially pushing for the miner to consider putting itself up for sale, each side has accused the other of providing misleading information. Detour also has served Paulson with a lawsuit, which Paulson called frivolous. Much of the battle has been waged in a volley of news releases, letters, an animated video and now Paulsons webinar, all aimed at swaying investors. Recipe for disaster In its latest letter to shareholders, Detour said Paulson has resisted all its attempts to compromise and said the hedge funds proposed overhaul would send the miner backwards. While the miner sees value in appointing two of Paulsons nominees, it said replacing the entire board is a recipe for disaster. Detour says it will resume its search for a replacement for interim Chief Executive Officer Michael Kenyon the day after the proxy fight ends. We have already stated our response, that a lot of his information is misinformation, Laurie Gaborit, head of investor relations for Detour Gold, said Friday by phone. She declined to comment further on Paulsons presentation. As chairman and now interim CEO, Kenyon has overseen a massive loss of shareholder value, Paulson said. We need to send a message to management, to boards and to the industry that entrenched boards that use their position of responsibility solely to enrich themselves will not be tolerated by shareholders. Detours principal asset is the Detour Lake Mine in northeastern Ontario. The companys shares soared following the initial news of Paulsons activist campaign, but have since fallen and are down more than 30 per cent year-to-date. Paulson says it owns 5.7 per cent of Detour. CALGARYBosses will no longer be able to require their staff to wear high heels, the Alberta government announced Friday. In an announcement at an Edmonton restaurant Friday morning, Alberta Labour Minister Christina Gray noted how prolonged high heel use has been associated with workplace accidents like tripping and falling, painful foot conditions, and skeletal and muscular injuries. The province plans to change Albertas Occupational Health and Safety Code to eliminate employers ability to require workers to use footwear that could pose health and safety risks, which means servers and bartending staff wont have to wear them. This amendment goes into effect on Jan. 1. After working almost half my industry career in a workplace that demanded unsafe and uncomfortable footwear, Im left with chafed feet in the shape of diamonds from the shoes that I wore eight to 10 hours, said Lisa Caputo, the co-owner of Cibo Bistro in Edmonton, at the announcement. It affects my every day now, and its been eight years since Ive had to wear those shoes. This new amendment doesnt apply to footwear made mandatory for safety reasons, like steel-toed boots. This legislation comes on the heels of other provinces passing similar legislation in the last two years. In 2017, Ontario and British Columbia passed legislation banning footwear that could be hazardous for workers, and earlier this year, Manitoba followed suit. Gray wanted to use this amendment to the health and safety code to address a gap that currently allows for mandatory high heel policies. The labour minister wanted to ensure workers safety was protected, given how physically demanding being a server is. Weve heard from Albertans that some employers have had mandatory footwear policies that put style over safety and require female servers to wear high heels, Gray said. Fridays announcement ties in with the Alberta governments efforts to protect worker safety. Earlier this year, three basic rights were enshrined in the code for Alberta workers: the right to refuse dangerous work; the right to know about workplace hazards; and the right to participate in workplace health and safety. Caputo said shes looking forward to seeing how this change will improve the hospitality industry moving forward and change the attitudes of workers in the sector around Alberta. That change, with workers more satisfied in the job, she hopes will lead to happier customers too. Working in an environment where looks and clothing trump service and food, you kind of lose your self-worth as a woman. You are pretty much an object, and thats kind of what we felt like, Caputo said. They wanted you to look a certain way and be a certain way. So fast forward eight years and now being in a work environment thats completely opposite of what I worked in, you kind of get that feeling of self-worth back. It looks as if you appreciate our journalism. Our reporting changes lives, connects communities and effects change. But good journalism is expensive to produce, and advertiser revenue throughout the media industry is falling and unable to carry the cost. That means we need you, our readers. We need your help. If you appreciate deep local reporting, powerful investigations and reliable, responsible information, we hope you will support us through a subscription. Please click here to subscribe. Read more about: HALIFAXA new research project includes exercise as part of cancer care. Nova Scotias health authority issued a news release today featuring former premier and senator John Buchanan as one of the participants. Buchanan says the exercises have improved the range of movement in his arms and shoulders and his general mobility as hes been treated for prostate cancer that spread into other parts of his body. The program is being offered for patients over 18 with a doctors referral, with higher-risk patients being supervised at a hospital exercise lab and lower-risk patients completing the program at Halifaxs Canada Games Centre. A certified exercise physiologist provides each participant with an individualized 12-week exercise plan, and modifications are made during every exercise session based on how the participants are feeling. The program is led by Dr. Melanie Keats, a three-time cancer survivor. Read more about: OTTAWANews that another diplomat had taken ill after service in Cuba was no surprise to one group of Global Affairs employees: those who are already sick. Diplomats hit by the mystery illness say they know of others in their ranks who are suffering similar symptoms. They say its just a matter of time before the numbers increase as medical tests provide confirmation of the effects. Global Affairs Canada revealed this week that medical testing showed that yet another diplomat who had served in Cuba was suffering the same health symptoms that have hit other diplomats. That news has prompted Ottawa to review its operations in Havana with the possibility that the embassy might be further downsized or temporarily closed until officials get a better handle on what has left Canadian and American diplomats suffering concussion-like brain injuries. According to Global Affairs, the latest case brings to the total number of diplomats and dependants confirmed to have fallen ill during their time in Havana to 13. But diplomats say that others are affected too and that their colleagues may not even be fully aware of the health problems. That only becomes apparent after targeted testing they say, which not all diplomats have undergone. Only then, (do) you realize how poorly you are functioning. These tests show things we were not aware of, one diplomat told the Star. The Star first revealed the frustrations of ill diplomats back in July. At the time, they said the foreign affairs department had been slow to recognize the risk confronting diplomats in Havana and indifferent to their subsequent health woes. Checking in with a group of them again recently reveals progress and setbacks. Their recovery has been a roller-coaster as they continue to struggle with symptoms that include dizziness, nausea, balance issues and days-long headaches as well as visual and auditory problems that have required therapy. They describe their recoveries as a fragile balance. They say that some of those affected returned to work only to suffer a relapse and are now back on sick leave. They dont know if they will every regain full health or be forced to live with some enduring symptoms. We dont know what caused this, so how do we know the evolution of this over time? one diplomat said. Theres been some improvement in the strained relations with the foreign affairs department, but problems remain. Theyre taking it more seriously, but it is a constant struggle, said another veteran diplomat, who, as did the others, spoke on condition of anonymity because of their condition. The department has improved in communicating, but the diplomats say they still dont have a seat at the table to provide meaningful input about options for their diagnosis and treatment. That was driven home in August when the department announced that it had reached an agreement with the Brain Repair Centre, affiliated with Dalhousie University, to assess some of the ill diplomats. However that work is for research only, not treatment. And the diplomats say it breaks a previous commitment by the foreign affairs department to have all affected staff seen by specialists at the University of Pennsylvanias Department of Neurosurgery and Center for Brain Injury and Repair, the same centre where American diplomats have been assessed. Thats where two Canadian diplomats, unhappy with Canadas response to the crisis, travelled in March. Those specialists found that the Canadians had suffered the very same brain injuries as the Americans who had also taken ill in Havana. Within weeks of that diagnosis, Global Affairs announced that it was pulling families of diplomats out of Cuba. The embassy was designated an unaccompanied post. The Canadians see the University of Pennsylvania as a key factor in their treatment. Medical staff there have the expertise, and, because they have also seen the American diplomats, have a better handle of the problem and the best treatments, they say. Diplomats said again that a patchwork of care that has been transferred between the Department of National Defence, Health Canada and their own medical practitioners has meant no central screening of all those who may have affected. People have fallen through the cracks, one diplomat said. They are also concerned about the diagnosis and treatment of the children who are also suffering health problems. Because of the nature of the testing, the study program at Dalhousie University has not yet agreed to accept children into its program, the diplomats said. After announcing the latest case, Global Affairs said that the cause on the injuries remains unknown. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is leading an investigation that also involves Health Canada and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Some have speculated that the diplomats may have been injured in a deliberate attack by an unknown culprit, perhaps using microwaves. An official who briefed reporters insisted that the health, safety and security of our diplomatic personnel, our colleagues, remains our top priority. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the governments response has evolved as more is learned about what she called an unprecedented situation. While we still havent identified what the cause is, every case provides some additional information on the types of health impacts that our staff have been experiencing, she said. One of the unusual characteristics of this situation is that individuals seem to experience it in a variety of different ways, said the official. At the beginning of these incidents, there was a greater emphasis on hearing and acoustic impacts, but as more cases have been identified, our understanding of the much broader range of symptoms that it involves has improved. I would say we are continually reassessing and re-evaluating what kinds of medical support are required, she said. The official acknowledged that recovery varies widely among those who have been affected. Most have been able to return to work and school. However many continue to report ongoing symptoms, she said. The official said that the agreement with the Brain Repair Centre at Dalhousie will help further our understanding. And, she said, the researchers at Dalhousie will be in touch with experts at the University of Pennsylvania. OTTAWABrampton MP Raj Grewals initial decision to quit politics to take care of his admitted gambling problem was the right call, the Prime Minister's Office says, suggesting that it disagrees with his surprise announcement that he might not resign after all. An official from the PMO said on background Saturday that no one from the office has had contact with Grewal since Nov. 22. Asked about Grewals Friday statement that he is rethinking his decision to resign, the official pointed out that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has already said he believes Grewals first impulse to step down was the right one. More than a week after Grewal shocked Parliament Hill with his resignation announcement, he posted a video on Facebook in which he apologized for his silence amidst reports of his sizable personal debts and police investigations into his gambling activities. He said that his initial decision to resign was ill-advised and made in a hurry when he was highly emotional and exhausted. Instead, Grewal said he would leave the Liberal caucus and take a leave of absence to treat mental health issues that caused him to borrow millions of dollars from family and friendsmoney he said he has fully repaidto fuel his gambling. Read more: Brampton MP Raj Grewal rethinking decision to resign, says he repaid gambling debts Opinion | Susan Delacourt: The Clement and Grewal scandals surely show that Canada needs better screening of its MPs Brampton MP Raj Grewal still has not resigned his seat He said he will decide whether to step down as the MP for Brampton East by the time Parliament returns after the winter break in January. But NDP MP Nathan Cullen said that Grewals video raises many more questions, notably where did the MP get the millions of dollars to repay his debts at a time when he has a sizable mortgage on a downtown Toronto condo. I think in attempting to answer what are really disturbing questions about his behaviour, Mr. Grewal ended up raising even more questions, Cullen said in an interview Saturday. He says he borrowed millions of dollars from his family to pay off his gambling debts. Now he says hes paid those family members back with what money from whom? said Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Valley). We have sympathy, we have compassion for people with addictions. Thats not the problem here, he said. The development caps a week of turmoil and speculation around Grewal, who was first elected in 2015. Grewal broke his weeklong silence in the video posted on Facebook, saying he now wanted to share my story, because Canadians deserve to know what happened, and to dampen speculation about his spending and reports of a police investigation. In the video, the 33-year-old politician detailed how recreational gambling during university became a crippling and costly addiction that has cost him millions of dollars. He says he never thought that he would suffer from mental health and addiction issues, but it became a significant personal problem that I now recognize and take responsibility for. During his time in Ottawa, the MP stayed at the Hilton hotel in Gatineau, which is connected to the Casino du Lac-Leamy. Grewal said his casino visits starting in 2016 quickly escalated as he played high stakes, high limit blackjack, playing 15 to 30 minutes at a table. I either won a lot of money, which made me continue to chase wins, or I lost a significant amount of money, which threw me into complete despair, Grewal said. The gambling losses ran into the millions of dollars but Grewal said he kept playing, using cash borrowed from friends and family. The Globe and Mail has reported that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has been investigating Grewal, and that his spending also attracted the attention of the federal agency that monitors unusual finance transactions. But Grewal sought to dispel questions about his spending and the origins of his money, saying that every personal loan was by cheque. Everybody has been paid back, and every loan and repayment is transparent and traceable, he said. This has nothing to do at all with anything sinister except to feed my own addiction, Grewal said. My sins are not ones based in corruption and dishonesty, they are born out of human frailty. In light of his disclosure, Grewal also faced questions about his work on the Commons finance committee earlier this year and his queries to witnesses about money laundering. But Grewal said those topics were based on his briefing for the committee work by his own staff. To suggest that he was trying to figure out if authorities were on to his gambling habit, he said, is to stretch reality. Grewal said he left the committee in September because of his desire to try something different. The politician said he first told his family about the problem on Nov. 5 and spoke to the Prime Ministers Office on Nov. 19. Three days later, he announced he was resigning his seat for personal and medical reasons. The Prime Ministers Office revealed that next day that Grewal had a gambling problem. Grewal is already the subject of an investigation by Parliaments ethics commissioner that may also now be involving the RCMP. Opposition parties raised concerns about a conflict of interest when Grewal invited the chief executive of a Brampton construction company to hobnob with cabinet ministers and high-ranking government officials during the prime ministers February trip to India. That company, ZGemi Inc., paid Grewal for legal work after he became an MP in the 2015 election. The former Bay St. lawyer was also paid by a Brampton law firm called Gahir and Associates, according to his most recent disclosure with the ethics commissioner, from last December. In his statement Friday night, Grewal said both sources of incomeon top of his $175,000 salary as an MPwere approved by the ethics commissioner. He said he ended his relationship with one of the employers in January 2018, and continues to work with the other in a limited capacity to maintain his legal skill set. He did not say which one he continues to work for. Speaking Saturday in Buenos Aires, where he was attending a meeting of G20 leaders, Trudeau said his officials had learned police were also asking questions related to the ethics investigation but we had no information at that point that there was any connection to a gambling problem. Grewal also addressed details reported in the media about his three lines of credit, which he said are related to student debts, as well as a mortgage and co-signed loans on vehicles. Public registries show he had a $1.5-million mortgage on a Bay St. condo, as well as loans that he co-signed on three vehicles since August 2017: one for a 2017 Land Rover co-signed with ZGemi Inc. worth $116,824 and two others with Jaskarn Dhillon from earlier this year to purchase a 2018 Jeep Wrangler and a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500. Grewal said in his video that he co-signed one lease for a friend who needed a car, and has one for his personal vehicle. He also said that he and his wife jointly purchased a condo for $1.4 million and that their mortgage is currently $1 million. Grewal said his wife, who he married just four months ago, was in the dark about his gambling problem since their finances are separate. The MP said he cannot express the shame and embarrassment that comes with his gambling problem. I know I have shocked many and left everyone wondering how someone with education and privilege could do something so senseless, he said. Read more about: Lawyers have filed a proposed class-action lawsuit on behalf of passengers who say they were harmed when a Fly Jamaica aircraft skidded off runway at Guyana's main international airport last month. According to a statement from the Toronto-based Rochon Genova LLP, the proposed class-action was filed on Friday and seeks compensation for passengers and their families who have been harmed in the Nov. 9 crash. The airline reported that two elderly passengers had been taken to hospital as a precaution, but said no one was seriously injured after the Toronto-bound flight experienced an emergency less than 20 minutes after taking off. The plane skidded off the runway upon landing, damaging its right wing and engine. Global Affairs said at the time that none of the 82 Canadians on board were hurt, but confirmed that a Canadian citizen that was on board the plane died more than a week later. The law firm says four passengers on the flight who are residents of the Greater Toronto Area will be proposed representative plaintiffs in the class-action. Read more: Fly Jamaica Airways plane headed to Toronto with Canadians on board crash lands in Guyana, 6 injured Canadian on board Guyana flight that crashed on Nov. 9 has died, officials say Aside from cannabis stores being at least 150 metres away from any school, its hard to to predict where they will pop up when they begin to open across Ontario come April. But its a good bet they might be chock-a-block along the south side of Steeles Ave. at the top of Toronto if some prominent politicians in Richmond Hill and Markham to the immediate north get their way. Those are two of at least five municipalities in the province that may vote to ban the brick-and-mortar pot shops before the Jan. 22 opt-out deadline set by Queens Park. The refusal, which is also being explored in Oakville, King Township and East Gwillimbury, makes little sense to many cannabis industry experts. The shops will just open along the borders of those municipalities, Im 100-per-cent certain, says Rod Elliot, a senior vice-president with Torontos Global Public Affairs consulting group. And those shops will end up being twice as busy. Elliot says dry communities in U.S. states that have legalized recreational cannabis have seen stores load up along their boundaries. Those stores are some of the most profitable in the United States, he says. Lawyer Matt Maurer, a cannabis industry expert with Torontos Torkin Manes LLP, also says border stores abutting opt-out municipalities will almost certainly pop up. If Oakville opts out does that mean everyone is going to order online? Maurer says. Probably not. Theyre going to go to Mississauga or Burlington. And to drive from the border of Mississauga to the border of Burlington it takes about six minutes to blast through Oakville on the QEW, so why not set up a shop on Winston Churchill Blvd. (in the east) and Burloak Dr. to the west, he says. Read more: Ford breaks promise on store locations Are health risks getting lost in the haze? Storied pot felon ponders legalization A municipality wishing to opt out of hosting stores must get a majority of their municipal councillors to sign off on the move, which is a one-time-only offer from the province. Opted-out towns and cities can opt back in with a similar council vote in the future, but those welcoming the stores initially cant kick them out later. Elliot says communities considering the ban are doing so out of misguided fears especially about proximity to schools. This is more of a moral panic than an evidence-based approach, Elliot says. Optically they dont like the idea that stores could be near schools. But provincial rules set in place for shop owners and the legal and financial penalties they face make sales to people under 19 highly unlikely, Elliot says. The evidence would show that a customer ... is going to be required to show government-issued ID when they enter the store and government-issued ID at the point of sale, he says. Elliot says provincial regulations would strip licences, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, from any retailer selling to minors while federal laws could impose prison terms of up to 14 years on offending retailers. Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, just elected to his fourth term, says the opting out has received broad support in his community. His previous council voted for a resolution saying Markham didnt want the stores when the then-Liberal government at Queens Park approached the city. He says enough of that council survived the recent municipal election to vote them down again. Im going to be voting the same way, that we opt out, and I think the majority of council will as well, Scarpitti says, admitting that some in the city are angry with the decisions. He says the old council which also held a mid-election vote banning tobacco and cannabis smoking in public will likely deal with the issue in late December or early January. And Scarpitti says his constituents were not as concerned with border stores and much as they were with how the pot shops might mar the face of Markham itself. We certainly heard a lot of concerns are they going to be next to my grocery store, what kind of signage are they going to have, what kind of marketing are they going to be permitted, he says. If they are on the other side of Steeles I guess theyre on the other side of Steeles. In Richmond Hill, where city council said last December that it would not be a willing store host, the issue will be revisited by the new council Dec. 11. The mayor and councillors were all re-elected in October. City spokesperson Meeta Gandhi would not predict the outcome of a vote. King Township Mayor Steve Pellegrini said his council voted unanimously in October to opt out of hosting a store. And with five of the seven previous councillors returning, a no vote would seem assured if the issue is revisited. Both Elliot and Maurer say municipalities are properly concerned about the lack of discretion the province has handed them over store placement. In the same way they dont like to see a cluster of bars opening up in the same area or a cluster of payday lenders, I think thats where the local licensing officials would like to have a little bit more control over the process, Elliot says. Maurer says provincial laws forbid municipalities from treating cannabis stores differently from regular retail properties, including in their choice of location. Municipalities are a little bit handcuffed on where they can put these stores. This lack of autonomy has certainly bothered Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, who is stridently objecting to stores in his city. What youre seeing in the provinces approach to cannabis is a highly centralized, identical approach for everybody, he says. Burton would not try to predict how council would vote when it addresses the issue in mid-January after public consultations. He said any tax revenues the stores would generate would prove a piffle, pennies, nothing for his city. In Mississauga, Councillor Pat Saito told the CBC this week that her city should not allow the stores. But Mayor Bonnie Crombie says council will only decide after extensive consultation with residents, through surveys and public meetings. In one such meeting held this week, however, Crombie said most of the about 100 people attending expressed approval for letting the stores in. A staff report will come before council Dec. 12 with a vote likely before the Jan. 22 deadline. It looks as if you appreciate our journalism. Our reporting changes lives, connects communities and effects change. But good journalism is expensive to produce, and advertiser revenue throughout the media industry is falling and unable to carry the cost. That means we need you, our readers. We need your help. If you appreciate deep local reporting, powerful investigations and reliable, responsible information, we hope you will support us through a subscription. Please click here to subscribe. Read more about: Officially, what transpired just after noon Thursday between two Niagara Regional Police officers can be summarized succinctly: one officer allegedly shot the other multiple times, sending him to hospital where he remains in stable condition. The officer who allegedly fired his gun has not been charged, nor taken into custody by the police watchdog now investigating him. But the circumstances under which the shooting took place have not been revealed by the authorities, including the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), now probing what it has called an altercation between two officers. Was this a possible case of self-defence? Was it an accident? Citing sources not authorized to speak on the record, local media have identified the officer who allegedly fired his weapon as Det.-Sgt. Shane Donovan and the wounded cop as 52-year-old Const. Nathan Parker. But official details on the incident are scarce. On Thursday, provincial Special Investigations Unit spokeswoman Monica Hudon held a news conference on Roland Rd. just west of Effingham St., shortly after 6 p.m. Read more: Opinion | Rosie DiManno: Police officer shot by another officer in Niagara has extensive disciplinary record Niagara-area officer, shot several times in argument with fellow cop, in critical condition, SIU says She said officers were in the area conducting a follow-up investigation of a Nov. 12 impaired driving collision in the area of Sulphur Spring Dr. and Roland Rd. Around noon there was an interaction between two of the officers and one of the officers was struck by a gunshot, said Hudon. The nature of the altercation between the officers has not been disclosed. She couldnt confirm the number of times the officer, identified by multiple police sources as Const. Nathan Parker, was shot. But those sources told The Standard Parker was hit at least five times. The other officer involved in the incident was identified by multiple police sources as Det. Sgt. Shane Donovan of the traffic collision reconstruction unit. Hudon did not confirm the officers names. On Thursday, Mike Zettel, a reporter with the Welland Tribunes sister paper Niagara This Week, told a journalist that he had spoken with Donovan that morning, near the investigation scene. He was very friendly and very helpful, said Zettel. Often when a reporter gets to a scene like that, the officer you talk to is just there at the roadblock and might not know anything about the incident. But I got lucky. (Donovan) was able to explain what was going on. But following the shooting, the subsequent absence of official information from the police or SIU about the incident, including the lack of info about the whereabouts of the officer who allegedly fired his gun, and whether he still had his weapon, has prompted concern from critics who say the public deserves more information. All the publics aware of is one officer shot the other even though they didnt say that, which is really dumbfounding, Howard Morton, a lawyer and former director of the SIU, said in an interview Friday, referring to the SIUs first statement, which said a firearm was discharged and one of the officers was struck. The public is entitled to know, in light of that: Are these officers still armed? SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon told the Star Friday the SIU collected firearms from the officer who discharged his firearm and from the officer who was injured. Asked for more information about the circumstances of the shooting, which took place at a rural crossroads in Pelham, Ont., including whether it was possible the injured officer had drawn his weapon, Hudon said: determining what transpired will be part of the SIUs investigation. Addressing criticism that the SIU was not providing enough information, Hudon contended that, through the initial and updated news release, and a press conference on scene, the watchdog provided whatever information it was able (to). The SIUs investigation is in the preliminary stages. In order to understand the nature of the altercation between the two police officers, investigators are speaking with witnesses and having the evidence that was collected analyzed. It will take time to get a complete picture of exactly what transpired. She added it was important the SIU not release information prematurely that could, for example, taint the memories of any witnesses. Morton agrees, saying it would not be prudent for the SIU to release too much information at this stage that might compromise the probe, but, at the same time, there are always things that do not jeopardize that I think the public are entitled to know now, particularly when it involves somebody maybe out there with a gun whos just shot somebody, Niagara Regional Police did not respond to questions sent by the Star via email or telephone Friday, The enquiries included questions about the employment status of the officer who allegedly fired his gun. In a video, released Friday, Chief Bryan MacCulloch states the service cant provide any information because the SIU has invoked its mandate. Typically, police officers under investigation by the SIU are suspended with pay, under the requirements of Ontarios Police Service Act. In a wide-ranging and recent review of police oversight in Ontario, Court of Appeal Justice Michael Tulloch recommended that the SIU be more open, candid, and communicative than it is now. He called upon the watchdog to communicate its decisions better following investigations, a practice the watchdog has largely taken up. Tulloch was sympathetic to the need to avoid tainting witnesses evidence, calling it a legitimate concern. But he also said the SIU should be allowed to provide information to the public to maintain public confidence, especially when to do so does not threaten the integrity of the investigation. The SIU should not be under-reporting in such a way that it unnecessarily shakes public confidence, he said. Lisa Taylor, a Ryerson University journalism professor and former lawyer, said there are other examples of criminal probes where investigators release early information in the name of providing reassurance to the public. Think about how quickly we get first-blush narratives about what happened in the Toronto van attack, or the Danforth shooting. We immediately have the police theory of the case presented, she said. Particularly given that this is a case of a police officer shooting his firearm, public interest depends on the provision of information in a transparent manner, Taylor said. She suggests the SIU quickly convey as complete a narrative as possible, and in clear language. Im weary of police-speak. Im weary of hearing that someone was struck. Im ready to hear, at this stage, it appears that one of the officers took out their gun and shot another officer. Lets just say it. with files from the St. Catharines Standard and the Welland Tribune Wendy Gillis is a Toronto-based reporter covering crime and policing. Reach her by email at wgillis@thestar.ca or follow her on Twitter: @wendygillis It looks as if you appreciate our journalism. Our reporting changes lives, connects communities and effects change. But good journalism is expensive to produce, and advertiser revenue throughout the media industry is falling and unable to carry the cost. That means we need you, our readers. We need your help. If you appreciate deep local reporting, powerful investigations and reliable, responsible information, we hope you will support us through a subscription. Please click here to subscribe. Read more about: Mayor John Tory is recommending that the city co-operate with the provincial government in an information-sharing agreement that would further Premier Doug Fords controversial plan to upload the TTC subway system to Queens Park. According to correspondence obtained by the Star, Ontario Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek requested in a Nov. 29 letter to Tory that the city share information about the TTC with the province. The ministers letter stated that the goal of the confidential discovery process would be to gain a joint understanding of three issues: the fair valuation of the subway system assets; the current backlog of subway maintenance, and the costs to operate the subways, disaggregated from the bus/streetcar network. The minister said the province would pay for any costs the city incurred to collect and analyze the necessary information. The Conservative government has repeatedly said they only intend to take ownership of the subway system, and would leave its operation to the city and TTC. A spokesperson for Yurek said Friday that remains the governments intention, but it is seeking to ascertain the subway operating costs because the more information everyone has, the better. In his letter, Yurek asked Tory for the citys written consent to proceed with the joint the discovery process by Dec. 13. The government plans to introduce legislation to enable the upload early next year. The mayor forwarded the ministers letter to city manager Chris Murray on Friday, along with a letter of his own in which he recommended the city take part in the agreement. We know that the subway upload was a campaign promise of the Progressive Conservatives in the last election and that the government has now indicated its determination to proceed, Tory wrote. I believe subject to clear conditions, that the citys participation in this (information-sharing) exercise is the best way to protect our TTC system. The mayor said that co-operating in the effort would give the city a more detailed understanding of exactly what uploading means, because the province has so far provided few details. Tory also argued that the exercise could establish the value of subway assets, so that if anything is done which affects them, we will be able to ensure fair and beneficial treatment for City of Toronto residents. Tory has publicly demanded that Premier Doug Ford consult him before taking steps to upload the subway. In his letter to Murray, Tory said that it could even be argued the information-sharing process forms part of the discussion and consultation we insisted upon. The mayor asked the city manager to bring a report to council that would include the risks, including legal consequences, of not participating. The decision on whether to participate is expected to be debated at the first council meeting of the new term, which spans three days. It would be discussed on Dec. 13 with other urgent business. The Conservative government has argued that the province has greater funding and decision-making authority than the city, and that uploading the subway would allow Queens Park to build new projects faster, better co-ordinate transit with other municipalities in the GTHA, and amortize maintenance costs over time. But some councillors and transit advocates have warned that the province taking ownership of the subway would fracture Torontos transit network and spell disaster for the system, which also includes bus and streetcar networks that would remain in the citys hands. In an interview Friday, Councillor Gord Perks blasted the mayors recommendation that the city share information with the province. I dont want to share the cellphone number for the chief general manager with the province. I dont want to give them a subway map, he said. There is no circumstance under which uploading is good for the people of Toronto. We shouldnt participate in the conversation at all. Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam said the city would be entering the discussion from a place of weakness. In business, if you start participating in negotiations, you go down this road of exploring a transaction, she said. So, the question I would ask first and foremost is: Is the TTC subway system up for grabs? Relinquishing control of the citys subways has not even been entertained at council in recent memory, Wong-Tam said. By even participating in this conversation with the province, I think, in some ways, we start going down the rabbit hole. Yureks letter also recommends the city and province convene a working group that would include Metrolinx, Infrastructure Ontario, the city, and the TTC, in order to examine how best to advance the design and delivery of the relief line subway, which TTC officials have described as Torontos top transit priority. The first phase of the relief line would cost more than $6.8 billion and would connect Queen and Osgoode subway stations downtown to Pape on Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth). The project is seen as key to relieving crowding on Line 1 (Yonge-University-Spadina), and council has declared it must be open before a proposed extension of Line 1 to Richmond Hill in York Region. The Conservatives have strong political support in York and critics of the upload plan have expressed concerns the province would leverage ownership of the subway network to build the Line 1 extension before the relief line. Yurek appeared to address those concerns in his letter to Tory. In recognition that the TTCs Line 1 capacity issues are reaching a critical point, I know we both agree that work must be undertaken as quickly as possible to pursue the Downtown Relief Line, he said. Ben Spurr is a Toronto-based reporter covering transportation. Reach him by email at bspurr@thestar.ca or follow him on Twitter: @BenSpurr Read more about: Ontarios Official Opposition is raising concerns about the appointment of a friend of Premier Doug Ford to the provinces top policing job. On Thursday, Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Sylvia Jones announced that Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner would become the next commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. Taverner is a longtime friend of the Ford family. Police forces need to be free from political influence, real or perceived, said NDP MPP Kevin Yarde in a statement released Friday. With this appointment, Doug Ford is promoting a close friend and ally by several ranks, leapfrogging the OPPs senior leadership team without an explanation. The statement noted the OPP is the police force most likely to investigate the actions of the government, political parties and elected officials. It was the force that investigated and laid charges in the deleted documents gas plants scandal that resulted in the conviction of the chief of staff to former Liberal premier Dalton McGuinty. Read more: Toronto police unit commander Ron Taverner to head OPP Taverner, 72, joined the Toronto police in 1967 and is currently superintendent to three suburban divisions in the citys west end, an area the Ford family has called home for decades. As unit commander of 23 Division, Taverner forged a relationship with Fords late brother, Rob Ford, while Rob was a city councillor. He has attended Ford family barbecues and informal breakfast meetings with the brothers. In 2016, he accompanied Doug Ford and Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders on a private plane to Chicago to take in a Blackhawks game, part of a prize package purchased at a charity auction. Taverner spoke about Rob Fords support of police after the former mayors death in 2016. Even in hospital, he was taking constituents calls. Anything related to a policing issue, hed leave me a message late at night, Taverner told the Etobicoke Guardian. Criticism of Taverners appointment hasnt just come from political opponents. Chris Lewis, who served as OPP commissioner from 2010-14 and is now a TV commentator, said the fix was in because of Taverners ties to Ford. The decision was the premiers. Theres old relationships there, we all know it, and I think it is a travesty this occurred, Lewis told CP24. Lewis also questioned the provinces decision to choose someone who has spent his entire policing career with the Toronto force. I think its a real kick to the OPP, and the senior officers in that organization that know this province and know their organization, and they pick somebody from the outside with very limited experience. Taverner wrote in an email to the Star that he spoke to Lewis on Friday, and that Lewis stated clearly that his criticism was not intended as a personal attack. That said, his remarks are his opinion which he is entitled to have about my T.O. experience and if it is relevant to the OPP, my opinion is I do have over 50 years of policing experience in many aspects of the profession, Taverner wrote. He did not respond to a question about Lewis suggesting the fix was in because of his Ford family ties. Rob Jamieson, president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, distanced himself from Lewiss disparaging comments. I would think that in many ways, if he (Taverner) ... has a relationship with the premier I think that can be very beneficial, Jamieson, whose union represents 6,200 uniform and approximately 3,600 civilian members, said Friday. Many of the things that we need to get done are about relationships, and so if he has relationships with the premier or other people, I think that can be used as a positive. Jamieson said he is not concerned that Taverners policing experience has been exclusively in Toronto. Of the last four OPP commissioners, three were internal hires; the fourth, former Toronto police chief Julian Fantino, had also led the police forces in London and York Region. We all do the same job. Yes theres different nuances, theres different communities but were out there to serve and protect and its about public safety, Jamieson said. Betsy Powell is a Toronto-based reporter covering crime and courts. Follow her on Twitter: @powellbetsy Subscribe to the Star to support political reporting and analysis from our award-winning journalists. Read more about: He urged Americans to be a thousand points of light. When fighting an election, he promised, read my lips no new taxes. And once in office, he put his foot down: there would be no more broccoli for President George H.W. Bush. The former U.S. president, vice-president, ambassador, congressman, director of the Central Intelligence Agency and patriarch of one of Americas most successful political families died November 30, 2018. He was 94. Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died, his son, former President George W. Bush, said in a statement released early Saturday. George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens. Bush will be honoured with a funeral at Washingtons National Cathedral, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Saturday. U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend, she said. President Donald Trump cancelled a planned news conference at the Group of 20 summit in Argentina Saturday, out of respect for the Bush Family after death of former President George H.W. Bush. Read more: Trudeau and other Canadians offer condolences to Bush family George H.W. Bushs death spurs tributes from Clintons to Trumps Gorbachev lauds Bush for political abilities, character Other living presidents also offered their condolences to the Bush family. He never stopped serving, said former president Bill Clinton, who served after Bush and before his son, George W. Bush, in a statement on Twitter. I saw it up close, working with him on tsunami relief in Asia and here at home after Hurricane Katrina. His remarkable leadership and great heart were always on full display. Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres also commented on Bushs involvement in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. She said shed never forget when Bush joined Clinton in New Orleans, DeGeneress hometown, to help raise money. In a statement released on Twitter, former president Barack Obama called Bush a patriot. America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush, Obama said. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude. Our thoughts are with the entire Bush family tonight and all who were inspired by George and Barbaras example. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement the following morning. George H. W. Bushs exemplary service and deep commitment to his country informed everything he accomplished over his decades in public life, said the prime minister, who at the time was in Argentina for the G20 conference. Ontario Premier Doug Ford tweeted that Bush was a war hero who will be remembered not only for his 40 years of service to his country, but for his friendship and generous spirit. Former prime minister Brian Mulroney says he and his wife share the Bush familys grief. Mulroney, whose time as prime minister overlapped with Bushs presidential term, says he feels privileged to have worked with him on files including German re-unification and NAFTA. Mila and I extend our deepest condolence to the Bush family. We share their grief in having lost both Barbara and her beloved partner George H W Bush, within months, Mulroney said in a statement. President Bush had become one of those statesmen about whom historys judgement rises every year. It was my privilege to have worked with him on an array of world-changing policy achievements: from German re-unification, the struggle against Iraqi aggression, and the re-building of global partnerships following the collapse of the Soviet Union, to apartheid, acid rain and NAFTA. His legacy after a lifetime of public service is extraordinary. Mila and I join with his millions of friends and admirers around the world in saluting his memory and achievements on this sad day. Former prime minister Stephen Harper also took to Twitter to comment on Bushs death. A conservative leader and deeply devoted man, President George Bush Sr. leaves behind an incredible, enduring legacy, he said. British prime minister and conservative leader Theresa May described Bush as a trusted counterpart and confidant in her statement on Twitter. Bushs death comes eight months after the death of his wife Barbara Bush in April. The Bushes, who were married Jan. 6, 1945, had the longest marriage of any presidential couple in American history. Mrs. Bush was one of only two first ladies who had a child who was elected president. The other was Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams and mother of John Quincy Adams. Bush suffered from a variety of health problems in his final years. In 2012, in an interview with Parade magazine, Bush revealed that he had Vascular Parkinsons, which forced him into a motorized scooter. It just affects the legs. Its not painful. You tell your legs to move, and they dont move, he said. Its strange, but if you have some bad-sounding disease, this is a good one to get. He was hospitalized over a bout of pneumonia in January 2017, ending up in the intensive care unit of Houstons Methodist Hospital. That episode caused Bush to miss the inauguration of Donald Trump My doctor says if I sit outside in January, it will likely put me six feet under, Bush wrote in a letter explaining his absence. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work for him, to learn from him and to experience his deep and abiding commitment to his fellow citizens, said Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state under George W. He was a mentor to me and a dear friend. Bush often referred to as Bush Sr., or Bush 41, to differentiate him from his son, another former president named George Bush was elected the 41st president of the United States of America in 1988. His four years in the Oval Office, from 1989 to 1993, saw the Cold War end, the Berlin Wall fall, and much of the North American Free Trade Agreement hammered out. But Bush may be most widely remembered for Operation Desert Storm and his decision to send U.S. soldiers into Kuwait to remove Saddam Husseins Iraqi forces in the winter of 1991. His big success was the Gulf War, said Paul Quirk, a professor of political science at the University of British Columbia. At the point this was happening, and shortly after, Bush had the approval of 90 per cent of the American public. Bush couldnt maintain that momentum, however. He had to renege on his promise not to raise taxes in a deal with the Democrats to reduce the deficit, and it was largely the faltering U.S. economy that led to Bushs defeat to Bill Clinton in the 1992 presidential election. Though most closely identified with the state of Texas where he made his fortune, and where his eldest son launched the political career that eventually landed him in the White House for two terms George Herbert Walker Bush was born in Milton, Mass. on June 12, 1924, into blue-blooded privilege as the son of Connecticut senator Prescott Bush. He graduated from Yale University in 1948 with a degree in economics, although his studies had been waylaid by the Second World War. Bush enlisted in the U.S. military on his 18th birthday, becoming a pilot. He flew torpedo bombers and was shot down over the island of Chichi-jima in the Pacific; he was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action. Bush married Barbara Pierce in 1945, and they had six children George, Robin (who died as a child), John (known as Jeb), Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy as well as 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Jeb Bush also entered politics, launching an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2016 after serving as the governor of Florida. Following a career in the oil industry in Texas, Bush entered politics there and was first elected to Congress in 1966. He ran twice for the Senate, unsuccessfully, but was appointed to several other powerful roles, including ambassador to the United Nations, chairman of the Republican National Committee, U.S. envoy to China, and director of the Central Intelligence Agency, which he headed for a little less than a year. He was known for his leadership in organizations, and he was quite supportive of lower staff, said Mark Brawley, a professor of political science at Montreals McGill University. He could speak the language of bureaucrats, he was smart, he was good at taking advice, and I think he was good at building corporate morale. Bush served as Ronald Reagans vice-president for two terms, from 1981 to 1989, and in the 1988 presidential election, with Dan Quayle as his running mate, he defeated Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis to move into the White House. That campaign was hard-fought and remarkable for its negative tone: Republicans went after Dukakis, accusing him of being weak on crime and using the case of Willie Horton a convicted murderer who fled while out on a weekend pass and committed another attack to illustrate that. After his inauguration in January 1989, Bushs first visit to a foreign country was to Canada, to see then-prime minister Brian Mulroney. At the top of the agenda was discussion of an accord on acid rain. Bush declared that Ottawa was colder than hell according to a Star reporter who was there, it was about -5 C but called the visit outstanding. The mood was different than it had been on Bushs previous visits to Canada, as vice-president. After one trip to Ottawa, in 1987, Mulroney was frank in expressing his opinions on acid rain to his American guest. I really unloaded on him, because I knew that this was the only way that I was going to get the message through to the rest of the administration, Mulroney said in a recent article for the Institute for Research on Public Policy. So, when he said, I got an earful, he really did. After leaving office Bush joined forces with his one-time political foe, former president Clinton, to raise money for those affected by natural disasters, such as the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia and the hurricanes that later pounded the Gulf Coast. Bush is also remembered for his distinctive speaking style comic Dana Carvey, who imitated him on Saturday Night Live, described him as a cross between Mr. Rogers and John Wayne and, amusingly, his decision to ban broccoli from Air Force One. I do not like broccoli, Bush said. Im president of the United States, and Im not going to eat any more broccoli! With files from Premila DSaWith files from the Canadian Press and the Associated Press Read more about: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINAThe United States has been blocking progress at the Group of 20 summit on fixing world trade rules, fighting climate change and tackling migration, according to European officials involved in the discussions. The divisions among the worlds leading economies were evident from the moment the Argentine president opened the summit Friday with a call for international co-operation to solve the planets problems. U.S. President Donald Trump sought to use the summit to make his own trade deals. Meanwhile, two men under heavy criticism from the West lately Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared to seek refuge in each other, bonding with a tough-guy hand grab as the leaders sat down around a huge round table for talks. Security concerns also weighed on the two-day talks in Buenos Aires. Argentinas security minister said eight gasoline bombs were discovered in an area of the capital several miles from the summit venue where a protest in the afternoon drew thousands of demonstrators who held up banners with slogans like Go away G20 and Go away Trump. Diplomats from the Group of 20 countries were haggling hard over a final summit statement, with deep divisions over what language to use on the Paris climate accord and the World Trade Organization. Two European officials involved in the discussions said the U.S. was stymieing progress on both. Read more: Canada led joint G7 statement condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine, says Freeland At stake when Xi and Trump meet: The possibility of a new Cold War A family photo with a difference as leaders gather for G20 summit So an unorthodox solution emerged: Because of resistance from the Trump administration, an official in the French presidents office said the statement may have language that sets the U.S. apart. For example, a draft says 19 of the participants agree on the importance of upholding the Paris climate accord, but the U.S. doesnt. The officials said the U.S. was also blocking any mention of migration in the final statement. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly about the closed-door discussions. Asked about the European concerns, a U.S. official said progress was being made on the joint statement and the White House was optimistic about the document as a whole. Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie said trade talks were moving forward and nations were continuing to work on climate change wording. All issues being discussed at the summit have the same relevance, he told reporters. We are debating (trade and climate change) more closely because we want to reach the consensus of all the countries involved. Faurie said that the final communique does not require the signature of any presidents. Despite Trumps dismissal of concerns about global warming, China, France and the United Nations came together Friday to pledge their support for the Paris climate accord. Their declaration was meant to encourage other G20 members to do the same, and to provide a boost for an upcoming UN climate summit. Argentine President Mauricio Macri kicked off the summit by acknowledging divisions within the G20 while urging world leaders to have a sense of urgency and take actions based on shared interests. The summit is meant to focus on issues such as labour, infrastructure, development, financial stability, climate sustainability and international commerce. But as the gathering got underway, those themes seemed like afterthoughts, overshadowed by contentious matters from the U.S.-China trade dispute to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. European Council President Donald Tusk urged G20 leaders to discuss trade wars, the tragic situation in Syria and Yemen, and Russian aggression in Ukraine. He said the European Union is expected to extend sanctions on Moscow over its totally unacceptable seizure of Ukrainian ships and their crews near the Crimean Peninsula. Europe is united in its support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, Tusk said, calling the standoff a cause of great concern. Russia and Ukraine have traded blame over the weekend ship incident which Trump cited in cancelling a much-awaited meeting with Putin at the G20. Russias foreign minister regretted the move, but said love cant be forced. Also looming large amid dozens of bilateral meetings in Buenos Aires: the gruesome slaying of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabias Istanbul consulate and how the Saudi crown prince, who is alleged to have ordered the killing, is received by world leaders. As soon as he arrived, the crown prince was confronted by French President Emmanuel Macron, who pressed him on the Khashoggi investigation and the Saudi-backed war in Yemen. Bin Salman told Macron not to worry, but Macron countered, I am worried. Saudi Arabia has denied that bin Salman played a role, but some leaders may be cool toward him to avoid seeming to legitimize a man who U.S. intelligence agencies concluded ordered the killing. Trumps administration has made clear it does not want to torpedo the long-standing U.S. relationship with Riyadh, however. It is the princes first significant appearance overseas since the killing. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been sharply critical of Saudi Arabia over the incident, is also in attendance. Leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico, meanwhile, met in the morning to sign a trade deal replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement that was struck following months of tough negotiations that analysts say left a bitter taste among the partners. Trump called the pact a model agreement that changes the trade landscape forever. It must still be ratified by lawmakers in all three countries, and passage in the U.S. could face a tough road in the House of Representatives after Democrats won a majority in Novembers midterm elections. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, whose six-year term ends Saturday, said the deal modernizes the trade framework, highlights a need for economic integration in North America and protects labour rights and the environment. Trade agreements should move along with the economy, Pena Nieto said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on Trump to remove tariffs on steel and aluminum, saying they remain a major economic obstacle. While Trump cancelled his meeting with Putin, the U.S. president was still scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but analysts were not optimistic about prospects for a major breakthrough on the two countries trade disputes a month before U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods are set to ramp up. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was supposed to get in to Buenos Aires early Friday, but her arrival was delayed when her plane suffered a technical problem. British Prime Minister Theresa Mays attendance at the summit marked the first time a U.K. prime minister has visited Argentinas capital. The only other prime minister to visit the country was Tony Blair, who went to Puerto Iguazu in 2001. The two countries have long been at odds over the South Atlantic islands known as the Falklands in Britain and the Malvinas in Argentina. Faurie, the Argentine foreign minister, said the recent establishment of more flights to the disputed islands was a positive development. Regarding Mays visit, he said: Dialogue must be maintained. We are not withdrawing our historic claim, he added. The focus of this opportunity is in the re-establishment of trust. In downtown Buenos Aires, meanwhile, thousands of demonstrators flooded 9 de Julio Avenue waving flags and holding up banners. Several marched topless with colourful national flags of summit countries painted on their chests. About 22,000 police officers and other security forces are guarding the leaders during the summit. Argentina is the first South American country to host the G20, and officials have the added challenge of ensuring that chaos is better contained than it was at last years meeting in Hamburg, Germany, where clashes broke out between police and protesters. Argentine authorities have said they will not tolerate violence or allow the gathering to be disrupted. Read more about: At a campaign rally last week in Mississippi, Donald Trump broke into song. Y-M-C-A, the U.S. president sang for a moment, briefly and tentatively channelling the Village People. He was singing because he wanted his supporters to remember the name of his new trade agreement. He calls it the USMCA, for U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Remember, he told a Florida rally in early November. If you have a problem remembering it, just think of the song YMCA. We love that song. USMCA. When the three countries reached the agreement in late September, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself informed Canadians that the deal was called the USMCA. Questioned on CBC radio, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said, Yes, we do have to call it USMCA. But she has since stopped. So has Trudeau. In official documents, they are calling it CUSMA, with Canada first. (The legal name under Canadian law is CUSMA as Canada always comes first in treaties, Freeland spokesperson Adam Austen said on Friday.) And in their own speeches, as Trudeau did in his own speech at the signing ceremony on Friday, they have simply been calling it the new NAFTA. That is accurate enough, as the agreement retains almost all of NAFTAs central provisions. It also serves Trudeaus political purposes. NAFTA is a popular brand with Canadians; Trudeau, criticized by Conservatives for his concessions to Trump, has an interest in emphasizing how much has stayed the same. Trump, a master salesman who has long derided NAFTA as the worst trade deal in world history, has different branding goals. The name USMCA not only helps him drive home his misleading claim that he has made NAFTA disappear. The order of the countries names serves to suggest he is delivering on his America First campaign slogan. U.S. is literally first in this label relegating Canada to a third spot. To any neutral observer in another country, U.S. would appear to be a dominant party in this partnership, said Gurprit Kindra, a University of Ottawa professor of branding and marketing who has worked on government projects. President Enrique Pena Nietos Mexican government debated at length on a Spanish name for the agreement. It settled on T-MEC, putting Mexico first and reducing the United States, or Estados Unidos, to one letter from two. It looks as if you appreciate our journalism. Our reporting changes lives, connects communities and effects change. But good journalism is expensive to produce, and advertiser revenue throughout the media industry is falling and unable to carry the cost. That means we need you, our readers. We need your help. If you appreciate deep local reporting, powerful investigations and reliable, responsible information, we hope you will support us through a subscription. Please click here to subscribe. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINAPresident Donald Trump, who had a hostile relationship with the last Republican family to occupy the White House, offered nothing but praise on Saturday for former President George Bush after he died at age 94, and the White House said the president would attend the funeral. Trump plans to call former President George W. Bush, the son of the 41st commander in chief, to offer his condolences, the White House said in a statement. A state funeral is being arranged and Trump will designate Wednesday as a national day of mourning. Trump and the first lady will attend the funeral at the Washington National Cathedral. President George H.W. Bush led a long, successful and beautiful life, Trump wrote on Twitter on Saturday morning. Whenever I was with him I saw his absolute joy for life and true pride in his family. His accomplishments were great from beginning to end. He was a truly wonderful man and will be missed by all! Trumps words of admiration, delivered while in Argentina for an international summit meeting, belied his history of animosity with the Bush family. Trump eviscerated Bushs son Jeb Bush during the 2016 Republican primaries and regularly disparaged another of his sons, former President George W. Bush, for the way he ran the country. The elder Bush refused to support Trump in 2016, voting instead for Hillary Clinton. The passing of the former president had raised the thorny question of whether Trump would come to the funeral. Sen. John McCain, another stalwart of a past Republican generation, made a point of excluding Trump from his funeral in September, but Bush was known for New England gentility and seemed less likely to want to make such a statement. It is traditional for the incumbent president to speak at services for a former president, although there have been exceptions. Trump has not had much experience in his two years in office at playing the role of national healer in moments of mourning like this. His instincts tend toward the bellicose and he has mocked the notion of being presidential. But in the hours since Bushs death, he has gone further than he ever did with McCain in embracing the Bush legacy, aware of the enormous affection for the former president across party lines. Read more: Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, patriarch of one of Americas most successful families, dies at 94 Trumps very presidency, however, stands as a rebuke to Bush never a proponent of kinder and gentler politics, Trump prefers a brawl, even with his own party, and represents a more conservative approach to domestic policy at home and an America First policy abroad that repudiates Bushs staunch internationalism. In effect, Trump has made clear that he sees the go-along-to-get-along style that defined Bushs presidency as inadequate to advance the nation in a hostile world. Gentility and dignity, hallmarks of Bush, are signs of weakness to Trump. His trip here to Buenos Aires, in fact, was built in part around dismantling Bushs legacy. Just Friday, Trump signed a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement first negotiated by Bush, which he disparaged as bad for the United States. The terrible NAFTA will soon be gone, he wrote on Twitter. Trump was never as harsh publicly about the patriarch of the Bush family as he was about its other members, but more than once in recent months, he mocked a famous phrase from the former presidents 1989 inaugural address, a thousand points of light, which Bush used to describe Americans coming together as volunteers to improve their communities and their country. What the hell was that, by the way, thousand points of light? he asked an appreciative crowd at a campaign rally in Great Falls, Montana, in July. What did that mean? Does anyone know? I know one thing: Make America great again, we understand. Putting America first, we understand. Thousand points of light, I never quite got that one. Two months later, he returned to that theme. Its so easy to be presidential, Trump said at a campaign rally in Wheeling, West Virginia, in September. But instead of having 10,000 people outside trying to get into this packed arena, wed have about 200 people standing right there. OK? Its so easy to be presidential. All I have to do is Thank you very much for being here, ladies and gentlemen. Its great to see you off youre great Americans. Thousand points of light. Which nobody has really figured out. And in the meantime, he added, everythings going to be dying, and your coal and everything else. No, no. We got to keep it going the way its going. Do we agree? Do we agree? For his part, Bush was never impressed by Trump. I dont like him, Bush told the historian Mark K. Updegrove in May 2016. I dont know much about him, but I know hes a blowhard. And Im not too excited about him being a leader. Rather than being motivated by public service, Bush said, Trump seemed to be driven by a certain ego. But he recognized that Trump was at the forefront of change. Im worried that I will be the last Republican president, he told Updegrove, who later wrote The Last Republicans about Bush and George W. Bush. The current president sought to put that history aside on Saturday, even citing Bushs thousand points of light in the written statement that he authorized aides to release in the immediate hours after the former presidents death. President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service to be, in his words, a thousand points of light illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world, the statement said. Read more about: EDMONTONWhen North Americas first supervised consumption site opened in Vancouver, there was a line of protesters denouncing the initiative. They argued that these sites would lead to increased drug use and disorder. The early days were difficult, with the evidence supporting the sites being unclear and the legality of such sites reaching the Supreme Court of Canada. Fifteen years later, despite evidence supporting supervised consumption sites now clear, the debate still rages, with prominent citizens opposing the sites. When Edmontons first sites opened earlier this year, the debate moved east. It reared its head in our city again this past week when National Post columnist Tristin Hopper found a used needle in his yard. He took a photo, and posted a thread on Twitter that condemned nearby supervised consumption sites. He argued the sites had led to an increase in drug use and disorder. The thread gained major attention and drew supporters, including pundits, policy-makers, ordinary citizens, and even the leader of the United Conservative Party, Jason Kenney, who said it is the residents who have to live with the consequences of these sites. The reaction to the photo hit home for me. It wasnt the suggestion that overdoses and exposed needles are a problem, but the idea that some communities are filled with disorder and that services like supervised consumption sites somehow increase problems in these communities. In addition, it leads people like Hopper who moved to his neighbourhood three years ago to assume that problems in these areas are somehow new. Edmontons supervised consumption sites are clustered in core areas, such as McCauley, Boyle Street, and near Kingsway. When it comes to supervised consumption sites, these are the communities that get labelled as bad areas needing stringent enforcement. Read more: Justin Lidstone died of an overdose. His family was gutted. We spent a year with them to understand what happened On the opioid front line: How Alberta family doctors are playing a bigger role in addiction treatment Trudeau says opioid crisis is devastating Canadian communities, families What is often forgotten is that these are communities like any other in Edmonton. They have a strong sense of culture and spirit. Yes, they also have their demons, but there is no evidence that these sites increase crime in the neighbourhoods where they are located. In fact, in 2011, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled 9-0 against the federal governments attempts to shut down a supervised consumption site in Vancouver. In the unanimous ruling, it said, Insite has proven to save lives with no discernible negative impact on the public safety and health objectives of Canada. Instead of creating disorder, the sites in Edmonton are saving lives. In an interview with Global News, Access to Medically Supervised Injection Services Edmonton (AMSISE), the organization that created the model for the four sites in the city, said since March 2018, there have been 932 unique visitors, with a total of 22,316 visits. Staff have reversed 252 overdoses. I grew up in what was called a bad area. Ive lived in McCauley a mature neighbourhood near a supervised consumption site, close to where the needle in the photo was found and also in Dickinsfield, a cluster of social housing on the north side. Anyone from Edmonton knows the stereotype that these areas are dangerous and filled with crime. However, for me, this was home. When citizens, politicians and pundits think about my home, they often forget that these are and always have been vibrant communities. Its where we played as kids, where I learned to ride my first bike. Tragedies did happen far too often. No one who lived in these areas would deny that problems existed. However, these places are near and dear to my heart. I still consider them my home. Many of us did not choose to live in those areas. Some of us had low income, recently came to Canada or had our housing applications denied. We did not have the luxury to simply pack up and leave or the luxury to move in when the area started to gentrify. Nevertheless, this was our situation, and many of us tried to make it better. Some residents started community soccer programs; others worked with incarcerated youth from the community. Most would simply mentor youth one-on-one. For us, this work was, and still is, necessary to our very survival. And, of course, people from the communities I grew up in worked to reduce the harm caused by overdoses and exposed needles by helping start supervised consumption sites. Attempting to equate a needle on a front lawn to an increase in disorder does a disservice to those who grew up in the area and made efforts to address a public health issue that started long before supervised consumption sites opened. Just simply looking at the evidence at hand should be enough for supervised consumption programs to be expanded to other parts of the city. Some may wonder why these services are not in newer neighbourhoods or in the suburbs. The answer is that our current city council lacks the will to stand up to the groups opposing this expansion. The tragic thing about all this is that the communities that need this help are the very ones that aggressively oppose their implementation. Even though supervised consumption sites are successful, council is held hostage by a group of community organizations, business leaders and pundits that rely on old stereotypes of drug use and addiction in order to justify their inaction. The simple fact of the matter is that these groups have no evidence or moral footing to support their claims that supervised injection sites are harmful. Nevertheless, the influence of these stereotypes is powerful and has inhibited change before. For example, in 2013, the Terwillegar community a well-off area with its own problems opposed efforts to build social housing. They said it would cause disorder and some claimed it would decrease their property values. This same logic is often extended when supervised consumption sites are proposed in their neighbourhoods. Now, the opposition to these sites and programs do not come from the communities I grew up in we want those neighbourhoods to seek help but instead they come from city hall and the community organizations that care more about their property values than human lives. This is where we should focus our frustration when we find needles on our lawns. Acknowledging this is important as it helps create more meaningful discussion about this topic and, by extension, communities like mine. Hopefully, it will encourage those in positions of power to take meaningful action instead of shifting the blame on the communities I grew up in, and the people trying to help. Bashir Mohamed is an Edmonton-based writer. Read more about: Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus imposing of a national price on carbon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions would seriously disrupt the balance of powers set out in the Constitution, argues Premier Doug Fords government. In legal arguments filed Friday with the Ontario Court of Appeal, the province contends it would be unconstitutional for Ottawa to introduce the measure next year. There is no need to dramatically expand the scope of federal jurisdiction to allow Parliament to impose its preferred method of combating greenhouse gas emissions on the provinces, the provincial government said. The 41-page factum, bolstered by more than 400 pages of appendices, maintains the levies in the federal legislation are neither valid regulatory charges nor valid taxation. It is the latest salvo in Fords $30-million legal crusade against Trudeaus carbon-pricing plan. Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are also fighting the federal proposal. The extremely wide variety of activities that give rise to greenhouse gas emissions lack the singleness, distinctiveness and indivisibility that must be present before the federal government can regulate a matter under the national concern doctrine, the factum said. Read more: Opinion | Martin Regg Cohn: PC bait and switch on climate change punishes Ontario taxpayers to pay off polluters Doug Fords climate change plan replaces cap and trade with a taxpayer-funded carbon trust Opinion | Martin Regg Cohn: How Ontarios political environment is hurting the environment Ottawa downplays carbon price plan that gives more tax relief to heavy polluters Ontario Environment Minister Rod Phillips noted Ontario is already doing its part and our families, workers, and businesses have already sacrificed a lot. Most of Canadas progress towards meeting its greenhouse gas emission targets is due to action Ontario has taken without having to resort to a job-killing carbon tax, said Phillips, who tabled the provinces climate plan Thursday. There is no justification to punish them further with a carbon tax, he said. Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said a court challenge isnt a substitute for a serious climate plan. Climate change is a crisis. We have jurisdiction. Pollution doesnt know any borders, McKenna said in an interview. This is clearly an issue of national concern, she said, noting the prime minister will be discussing it with the premiers at the first ministers meeting in Montreal next Friday. Under Trudeaus plan, the average Ontario household will pay $244 more annually on gasoline, natural gas, and home heating oil, but will receive $300 back in rebates for a net gain of $56 a year. The proceeds will be bankrolled by carbon-polluting industries. Ontario had been exempted from the federal carbon scheme because it was in a cap-and-trade alliance with California and Quebec that brought in $1.9 billion annually to provincial coffers to fund environmental initiatives like retrofitting homes and public buildings as well as subsidize the purchase of electric cars But the Tories extricated Ontario from the pact, exposing the province to the federal plan to put a price on carbon emissions. Robert Benzie is the Stars Queens Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie Read more about: ALTON Police Friday night were on the trail of a suspect, disguised in a clown-type mask, who robbed a Caseys General Store on Washington Avenue in Alton. Police dispatch radioed to officers that the apparently clown-masked suspect brandished a large handgun, before making off with the available loot. No employees of the store, located at 2517 Washington Ave., were reported injured. The incident occurred before 11 p.m. Touched by the compassion of the nurses who tended to her... When US president Donald Trump sits down for dinner on Saturday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, their table talk will have an impact global trade. What they agree on or don't will determine whether stock markets rise or fall, whether the world economy gets some relief from destabilising trade tensions, and cast judgment on the wisdom of the American leader's hard-nosed trade tactics. Trump and Xi will be seeking a way out of a trade war between the world's two biggest economies, while also saving face for their domestic audiences at home. Trump Friday expressed optimism about a deal. "There's some good signs," he said. "We'll see what happens." The Trump-Xi meeting is set to be the marquee event of Trump's whirlwind two-day trip to Argentina for the Group of 20 Summit after the president cancelled a sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin over mounting tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Trade analysts and administration officials acknowledge it won't be easy. The United States and China are locked in a dispute over their trade imbalance and Beijing's push to challenge American technological dominance. Washington accuses China of deploying predatory tactics in its tech drive, including stealing trade secrets and forcing American firms to hand over technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market. Trump has imposed import taxes on $250 billion in Chinese products. If he can't get a deal with Xi, he's poised to more than double most of those tariffs January 1. And he's threatened to expand tariffs to virtually everything China ships to the United States. China, which has already slapped tariffs on $110 billion in US goods, is likely to retaliate, ramping up a conflict that is already rattling financial markets and causing forecasters to downgrade the outlook for global economic growth. US officials insist that the American economy is more resilient to the tumult than China's, but they remain anxious of the economic effects of a prolonged showdown as Trump has made economic growth the benchmark by which he wants his administration judges. It's unlikely the two countries will reach a full-blown resolution in Buenos Aires; the issues that divide them are just too difficult. What's more likely, analysts say, is that they reach a truce, buying time for more substantive talks. Whether such a cease-fire would be enough to get Trump to delay higher or expanded tariffs is unclear. Growing concerns that the trade war will increasingly hurt corporate earnings and the US economy are a key reason why US stock prices have been sinking this fall. Trump met Friday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a rare trilateral meeting. The symbolism ahead of the Xi meeting was clear: the Trump administration has looked to find common cause with both nations in countering China's regional hegemony. Earlier that day, Trump signed a revamped three-way trade deal with Canada and Mexico, fulfilling a longstanding pledge, though the agreement could face headwinds in Congress. He also held a series of formal and informal meetings and will continue those sit-downs Saturday, including with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Last spring, it looked like Beijing and Washington might have found a peaceful resolution. In May, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declared the trade war "on hold" after Beijing agreed to increase its purchases of US soybeans and liquefied natural gas a move that could have put a dent in China's massive trade surplus with the United States. But the cease-fire didn't last. Facing criticism that he'd gone soft on China, Trump backed away from Mnuchin's deal and decided to proceed with tariffs. Now a lasting peace is likely to require the Chinese to scale back their ambitions to become a technological power. Or at least curb the strong-arm tactics. Kudlow said the administration has been "extremely disappointed" by China's engagement in trade talks but the meeting between Trump and Xi on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit could be a game-changer. "Perhaps we can break through in Buenos Aires or not," he said. Kudlow added that if the US doesn't get "satisfactory" responses to its trade positions more tariffs will be imposed. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of shaping the Army's 2016 surgical strike across the LoC into a "political asset" and being "unsuccessful" in creating job opportunities for the youth. Addressing a gathering at Udaipur in poll-bound Rajasthan, he also claimed that non-performing assets (NPA) of banks was Rs 2 lakh crore during UPA rule and it rose to Rs 12 lakh crore during the BJP government at the Centre. "The government waived loans of 15 to 20 industrialists. Banking system is concentrated only for them. NPA is not of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, traders, doctors or lawyers," Gandhi said. Referring to the surgical strikes on terror pads across the LoC on September 29, 2016, he told the gathering, "Like during the Narendra Modi government, surgical strike was conducted thrice during Manmohan Singh government. Are you aware of it? Modi actually reached into the Army's domain and shaped surgical strike into a political asset. The Congress president alleged that the surgical strike was made public as the BJP was fighting elections in Uttar Pradesh. On demonetisation and the GST implementations, Gandhi claimed that people have confusion about these. "It was a scam, which opened doors for big companies. Demonetisation and the GST shattered the economy and broke common man's back. It opened doors for big companies," he said, alleging that the BJP government at the centre failed to create job opportunities for the youth. When asked about data privacy, Gandhi said IT companies have understood that India and China has large data. "Data should remain with people and not crony capitalists. That is our belief," he said. Claiming that even though India has medical insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat, it does not have good hospitals, the Congress chief said, "We cannot run the country without pumping money into public health and education sectors." He said, "India will surpass China if we have the right government for next 15-20 years. Respect those who have skills, India will surpass China." "China has a lead but we have not lost the competition," he said. Two women who attempted to enter the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala were stopped at Pamba on Saturday. Andhra Pradesh natives Navojamma, 32, and Kripavathi, 42, had reached Pamba along with a 15-member group. The police had warned the women of the impending protests at Sabarimala. Kripavati had reached Marakoottam when the devotees protested, forcing her to return. Seeing this, Navojamma followed suit. While they were making their trek back to Pamba, more protests erupted. The police then took the women to Pamba police station. The police have taken three people (Subash, Santhosh and Mahesh) into custody for preventing the women from going to Sabarimala. Rightwing groups and the BJP have been holding protests ever since the Supreme Court struck down the ban on the entry of girls and and women aged 10-50 to Sabarimala in September. On November 13, the Supreme Court also refused to stay its September verdict. Sabarimala has been under a heavy security blanket since November 17, when it was opened for the annual two-month-long pilgrimage season. Meanwhile, the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the hill shrine, urged the government to withdraw the heavy deployment of security forces at Sabarimala. The police said security cannot be relaxed until December 6. The police had said that the restriction was in the backdrop of the frenzied protests at Sabarimala over the state government's decision to implement the Supreme Court order. The Pathanamthitta district administration had extended the prohibitory orders at Sabarimala and nearby areas till December 4. A realtor in Hyderabad, 38-year-old Rami Reddy deals with plots in villages surrounding the city. Till recently, his WhatsApp display picture showed him wearing shades and a white khadi shirt. Now, it is a collage of five images of Congress working president A. Revanth Reddy. According to him, many of his friends in the Reddy community have also put Facebook and WhatsApp display pictures of Revanth, a popular leader who is contesting from Kodangal constituency in Mahabubnagar district. Flaunting your political allegiance on your social networking profile is a trend that is rapidly catching on in Telangana, ahead of the state elections. Caste is known to be an integral part of Indian politics. In the undivided Andhra Pradesh, the Reddy community had been the backbone of the Congress and many of its leaders went on to become chief ministers of the state. There are Reddys in other political parties, too, but they are identified mostly with the Congress, which is why the party enjoys the support of a majority in the community. Though top leaders in past elections were chosen or elevated based on their caste, the polarisation was not very evident among the voters, until now. The ground situation has made the upcoming elections very caste-centric. What seems to matter the most is not the candidate or the manifesto, but the caste associated with a particular party. The Reddys were formerly chieftains and feudatories, and now constitute around 7 per cent of the population. They are known to be influential across business and political fields. Nowadays, it is not just ordinary voters from the Reddy community who are backing the Congress. According to sources, some leaders in the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) are, too. The coming together of the Congress and The TDP has brought together the Reddys and The Kammas. The main reason seems to be the alienation of Reddys by the TRS, which is led by another powerful upper caste, the Velamas from Telangana, who are a minority in terms of numbers. TRS president and caretaker chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao belongs to this caste, which forms less than 1 per cent of the population. Velamas were landlords who later transformed into a formidable political force. But until KCR formed the TRS in 2001, they were not identified with any particular party. The general impression now is that the TRS is a party of the Velamas, though many Reddys were ministers in the last cabinet. Reddy leaders often called it dorala party (a feudalistic party). Another reason why the Reddys have decided to throw their weight behind the grand allianceconsisting of the Congress, Telugu Desam Party, Communist Party of India and Telangana Jana Samithiis the leadership. Out of the four parties, three are headed by ReddysTelangana Congress president Uttam Kumar Reddy, CPI state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy and TJS founder Prof M. Kodandram. In its first list of 65 candidates, the Congress fielded 23 Reddys. Political analysts feel it was a strategic move. In the 119-seat assembly, Congress has given a total of 35 tickets to Reddys out of the 99 seats it is contesting. The TJS had given four out of its eight tickets (there will be friendly contests between TJS and TDP in some seats) to Reddys, and the CPI one out of three. It is a reality that the Reddys have always been associated with the Congress, said Gudur Narayan Reddy, treasurer, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee. At one time, we had more than 70 Reddy MLAs in the united Andhra Pradesh. But, it is not true that they have been given more tickets this time. The Congress party has, for the first time, joined hands with the TDP, its rival of more than three decades. The TDP was founded by legendary actor and former chief minister N.T. Rama Rao, who is a Kamma, an agrarian community now known for their entrepreneurial spirit. Over the decades, Kammas have embraced and rallied behind the TDP, which helped the party take on the Congress. The Kammas are one of the wealthiest upper castes in the two Telugu-speaking states. After the formation of Telangana in 2014, their political power was greatly reduced, and was mostly concentrated in and around Hyderabad and in a few districts in south Telangana, as most of the community is in the Andhra region. This time, the TDP has given three tickets out of the 13 to Kamma leaders. But the trump card of the party is NTRs granddaughter, Suhasini, who will contest from Kukatpally in Greater Hyderabad, which has a large number of Kammas. By nominating NTRs granddaughter, the TDP has suddenly become strong in four constituencies, said a Kamma leader from a non-TDP party. TDP supporters are very reliable and they will vote for any candidate of the party without thinking twice. Since an NTR family member is in the fray, I can see Kammas supporting her, cutting across party lines. I have been getting calls from my village to do whatever I can to make her win. The coming together of the Congress and the TDP has brought together the Reddys and the Kammas for a bigger causeto defeat the TRS. Meanwhile, polarisation on caste lines is evident in the other camp, too. A large section of Velamas see the need to support the TRS. Caste groups on WhatsApp are being spammed with messages about the development work done by KCR, and how important it is to get him re-elected. Some have also hailed him as a Velama Warrior who has brought glory to the community. Amid all this, the backward castes have alleged that they have been sidelined by major political parties. We represent more than 50 per cent of the population, but managed to get just 60 tickets from the ruling party and four from opposition parties, said Jajula Srinivas Goud, state president, BC Welfare Association. There are 112 castes in the backward caste category and about 100 castes do not even have representation. The upper castes are low in numbers, but have got more tickets. These leaders should know that Telangana was possible only because of the lower caste members who were on the streets agitating all the time. On November 15, Gyan Dev Ahuja walked into the Rajasthan BJP headquarters in Jaipur along with a few men. Missing was the usual twirl in his distinctive handlebar moustache, and the clamour of party men to greet him. The previous day the BJP had denied Ahuja, the legislator from Ramgarh constituency in Alwar district, a ticket for the assembly elections. And the hindutva stalwart did not take it well. I have come here to meet party leaders, and will later reveal my plan of action, he said. In the keenly contested Rajasthan elections, the BJP dropped a hint or two about its strategy when not a single Muslim candidate figured in its first four lists. In 2013, the party had fielded four Muslims. Two of them won and one, Yunus Khan, became a minister. This time, many political observers said, the BJP was keen on playing the hindutva card like it successfully did in Uttar Pradesh. But the denial of tickets to Ahuja and Banwari Lal Singhal, another hindutva proponent and legislator from Alwar Urban, has caused some confusion. A source in the party said that it could be on Chief Minister Vasundhara Rajes insistence that they were dropped as both had been critical of her. Ahuja went on to file his nomination as an independent candidate, vowing to fight for the cause of hindutva and cows. But, a few days later, BJP president Amit Shah convinced him to withdraw it, promising a key role if the party wins. State BJP chief Madan Lal Saini, who has been tasked with dealing with the rebels, said he was listening to everybody: After all, in a democracy, everyone has a right to express. Tickets are not decided by the sangh, but by the partys parliamentary board. The BJP is worried that it has not been able to communicate to people about the welfare schemes floated by Raje. Amit Shah even admitted this at a rally Union minister of state Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and BJP joint secretary V. Satish, who is on deputation from the RSS, had camped in Jaipur to iron out the differences between Raje and the central leadership over distribution of tickets. The BJP dropped 45 of its MLAs, including half a dozen ministers, even though Raje managed to get tickets for most of her loyalists. Rebels can make the contest even more difficult for the BJP, which is fighting a strong anti-incumbency wave against the Raje government. In both the BJP and the Congress, the candidate selection went down to the wire, as many names were revealed just hours ahead of the deadline of nomination. Both the parties struggled to balance caste equations and please key leaders. Protests were held at Congress offices in Delhi and Jaipur by supporters of those who were ignored by the party. The Congress has fielded both state party chief Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot. This strategy has made it sure that all factions in the party put in their best to win the polls. If Pilot had galvanised the party in the past four years, veteran Gehlot has a massive recall value across the state. Most of Gehlot loyalists got tickets, and Pilot could manage a few for younger and new candidates. Gehlot will contest from Sardarpura in Jodhpur, the only seat the Congress won in the region in 2013. Senior leaders C.P. Joshi and Girija Vyas are also contesting the elections. In a master stroke, the Congress has pitted former BJP man Manvendra Singh against Raje from the Jhalrapatan constituency. Former Union minister Jaswant Singhs son, Manvendra resigned from the BJP citing humiliation to his father and Rajputs, and joined the Congress in October. Jaswant was denied a BJP ticket in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and he contested as an independent candidate but lost. The Congresss game plan seems to be to tie down Raje in the constituency, which has sizeable Rajput and Muslim populations. The BJP responded in kind. On the last day of filing the nominations, it replaced legislator Ajit Mehta with minister Yunus Khan in the Tonk constituency against Pilot. Tonk has a significant presence of Gurjars (Pilots caste), Muslims and dalits. In the past four decades the Congress had fielded only Muslims from the seat. Mehta had been facing problems within the party. There is resentment. The MLAs attitude towards locals, other legislators and the MP has not been cordial. I have apprised the party, said Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria, who represents the Tonk-Sawai Madhopur Lok Sabha constituency. Khan is the only Muslim candidate from the BJP. The Congress has fielded 15 Muslims. While the BJPs campaign is a mix of development pitch and hindutva, the Congress has been focusing on the failures of the Raje government. Rajasthan is one state where the BJP trick of using hindutva will not work, said Mumtaz Masih, Congress state vice president. They may aim for polarisation by posing as a well-wisher of Hindus as they have not done anything in the past five years. Pilot said the whole talk about religion and love jihad was diversionary tactics. People want real issues, he said. The BJP uses emotive issues of mandir-masjid and Hindu-Muslims. But this will not work here. Rajasthan is a peace-loving state. The BJP is worried that it has not been able to communicate to people about the welfare schemes floated by Raje. Shah even admitted this at a rally when he said Raje had not been able to present all the good work she did. As the polling day nears, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will bombard the desert state with rallies. Modi still draws crowds in Rajasthan. The RSS, too, has been focusing on the state and had held several big gatherings here in the past few years, including two annual meetings. Their combined strength seems to be the BJPs biggest hope. On December 8, 2013, the results of assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi threw up a definitive electoral indicator. The Modi wave was in the making. It would sweep the Lok Sabha polls a few months later, and wipe out the opposition from Uttar Pradesh in the 2017 assembly polls. This December 11, when results to assembly elections in five statesMadhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoramwill be out, the country will again get an indication as to what to expect in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. And, it will answer several questions. Will the anti-incumbency in the three BJP-ruled states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan become a catalyst for building a similar sentiment across the nation? Will the Congress, if it does well, become the flag-bearer of opposition unity? Or, will it let regional satraps take the lead, if it lacks the numbers? If the BJP retains the three states, will it mean the 2019 polls is a foregone conclusion? Or, will Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with his Teflon-coated image, remain unscathed, irrespective of the results? The five states comprise 83 Lok Sabha seats; of these, 65 are in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The BJP had won 63 of 65 seats in 2014. The focus is more on these Hindi-speaking states, as the BJP is not in contention in Telangana and Mizoram. Its best hope is to ally with parties opposed to the Congress after the results. In the three BJP-ruled states, Modis charisma is seen as an antidote to anti-incumbency. The BJP is also shielding him in event of adverse resultshe is scheduled to address only 24 rallies in the five states, against the 34 he addressed in Gujarat last year. Modi, in his speeches, emphasised on the follies of the Nehru-Gandhi family. He accused the Congress leadership of being dynastic, abusive and divided. He also listed the work done by the Centre and the respective state governments. These were to remind voters of the inefficiency of the Congress regime. Young voters in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where the BJP has ruled for nearly 15 years, have no memory of the Congress rule. Eyeing victory: Congress president Rahul Gandhi during a roadshow in Raipur | Sanjoy Ghosh This years results would immediately be pinned on Modi and Rahul, but there are likely to be several subtexts. The results of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh would define the future of its chief ministers. If Shivraj Singh Chouhan becomes chief minister for the fourth time in Madhya Pradeshlike Modi did in Gujarathe would be among the national contenders who could fill Modis shoes, said a party source. A loss for Vasundhara Raje, meanwhile, could result in the BJP encouraging new leadership in Rajasthan, as she has been resisting the diktats of the Modi-Shah combine. For the Congress, these polls are more crucial for Rahul Gandhi, who is desperate for a few wins before pitting himself as a challenger to Modi in 2019. Barring local issues, his narrative has been to paint an unflattering picture of Modi, allegedly tainted by the Rafale deal, and a prime minister who works only for rich industrialists while hurting the common man through ill-conceived policies like demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST). His profile got a boost after the Congresss good show in Gujarat. The corollary to the Congresss performance would be how the contours of opposition unity get defined. Mayawati, who is going solo in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, may change her rhetoric vis-a-vis the Congress, depending on the numbers, and leaders like Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, too, may become more accommodating. A victory for the BJP would be seen as a referendum on Modis policies, while a setback will be blamed on local issues. Every election is a standalone election and also connected, said Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, vice president, BJP. So, reading the outcome as one way or the other is misreading the popular mood. But, every election, be it to a panchayat or a municipal body, is important, especially in an election year. That importance cannot be undermined, he said. Broadly, three scenarios are envisaged after the counting on December 11: Scenario I : The BJP retains Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan The best case scenario for the BJP would be to retain the three party-ruled states. This, in turn, would mean that despite all odds, the BJP can crush all challenges. Nationally, the government would push ahead with its agenda, ensuring a smooth run to the 2019 polls. We will win in all states, whatever the opinion polls may say. They do not reflect the true picture, said BJP general secretary P. Muralidhar Rao. The BJP campaign in Madhya Pradesh hinges on the development work done by Chouhan and the hindutva sentiment that has been reigning in the state for decades, combined with Modis firepower, ably assisted by BJP chief Amit Shah. Add to it, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths religious appeal in the run-up to the polls. [The Congress] can keep Ali; Bajrangbali is enough for us, he said in a rally in Bhopal. Chouhans USP has been his ability to connect with the people. Through his imaginative and creative ideas, he tried to connect with the people. That is his forte, said Sahasrabuddhe. The BJP, through its organisation and candidate selection, has presented itself as an all-inclusive party. And third, the BJP made Madhya Pradesh come out of BIMARU status [Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh were adjudged economically backward in the mid-1980s]. Earlier, agriculture was defined by scarcity and deprivation, now the issue is that of abundance. To avoid dissension within the Congress, Kamal Nath (right) was made state chief, and Jyotiraditya Scindia was made poll campaign chief | PTI The Congress, however, has got proactive. To avoid dissension within the party, Chhindwara MP Kamal Nath was made state chief, and Jyotiraditya Scindia was made poll campaign chief. Soft hindutva, which was used extensively during the Gujarat elections, became the mainstay of its poll campaign. It promised cow shelters and development of the mythical Ram path. Sahasrabuddhe, however, said that the Congress was playing the hindutva card to woo voters. We are steadfastly sticking to our agenda, on the basis of our work done in the last 15 years, he said. They are trying to divert the discourse. Chhattisgarh, on the other hand, has always been a close call. For the past three terms, Raman Singh has been winning, thanks to his work and the absence of a credible Congress leadership. But anti-incumbency is strong and, with Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party allying with Ajit Jogis party, the results will be even more unpredictable. Rajasthan, however, is considered the weakest link for the saffron party, owing to a strong anti-Raje sentiment. A victory here would be attributed to Modis appeal and Shahs strategy. If the BJP retains the three states, hindutva would become the partys official war cry, with chants of building Ram Temple and throwing out illegal Bangladeshis growing louder. A defeat for the Congress in the Hindi heartland states would be a crippling blow ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. It has everything going for it right now: anti-incumbency in three states, emerging state party leadership and a counter Modi narrative. It has been following a consistent strategy to corner Modi through issues of agrarian distress, unemployment, taunting him for not living up to the 2014 poll promises and allegedly helping businessmen Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and Vijay Mallya escape. If it loses, Rahuls stature as Modis challenger would get diminished. It would also damage his standing among opposition leaders and reduce his bargaining power in bringing together anti-Modi forces. Even more disastrous would be the Congress losing power in the only state it holds in the northeast, Mizoram, and the failure to dislodge the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the southern state. TRS chief K. Chandrashekar Rao advanced the elections with the sole aim of not getting caught up in the narrative of the 2019 elections. Congress MP and its womens wing chief Sushmita Dev said a win would definitely boost the morale of the party workers. But we should not exaggerate the importance of these elections because, beyond these states, there are other states and regions where different factors will come into play, she said. Scenario II: The Congress wins all three BJP-ruled states Such a possibility could also be read with the Congress retaining Mizoram, and doing well in Telangana along with its alliesthe TDP and the Telangana Jana Samithi. After Karnataka, the Telangana verdict would offer a clue to the BJPs fortune in south India. As for Mizoram, the BJP has said it would look at post-poll allies. If the Congress scorecard reads 5-0, the party would trumpet the beginning of the end of the Modi era. The BJP did remarkably well in the three big states in 2014. It cannot expect to do better than that, said Rajeev Gowda, head of the Congresss research department and co-convener of the partys manifesto committee. And, for every seat that the Congress wins in the assembly polls, it should get more seats than the BJP in the general elections. The elections will test the Congresss ability to tap into the anti-incumbency wave. If the Congress wins, more than anything else, it would be because of the huge anti-incumbency against the state governments, said Abhay Kumar Dubey of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies. But, according to a senior BJP leader, Anti-incumbency is oversimplification of issues. Just because a party was in power for three terms does not mean there is anti-incumbency. We have popular leaders. If these leaders fail to save their turfs, the partys dependence on Modi would only grow. And, it could push Modi to announce populist schemes, as there are reports of the government planning to present a full budget. Scenario III: Mixed bag As per various pre-poll surveys, it will be a tight match between the BJP and the Congress, where the latter is likely to win Rajasthan. The results could throw up a different scorecard, where the BJP retains only Madhya Pradesh or one more state, while the Congress improves its tally. A mixed result is a more realistic prediction by poll pundits. If Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot can win Rajasthan for the Congress, it would put an end to taunts from the BJP, which has often said that the Congress was limited to Punjab and Puducherry. We will certainly win in Rajasthan, as people are fed up with the Raje government, said Pilot. The BJP has lost the battle. Rajasthan will pave the way for Congress resurgence. Also, Rajasthan has been electing an alternate government every election for the past two decades. In the past, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was elected thrice to power. So, this premise of alternating government is not a rule, said Madan Lal Saini, state BJP president. The governments used to change as people-friendly works were not done. But I can say with surety that the kind of work done by Vasundhara Raje has not been done before. She has done a lot for the poor. The mixed result would be a face saver for both the parties. It would thus keep the question of the 2019 elections wide open, but certainly tilted in Modis favour. If the Congress cannot win in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh despite its sustained campaign, the morale of its cadre would dip. Gujarat, for instance, was poised for a change last year, but the campaign mounted by Modi snatched victory away from the Congress. A defeat in Madhya Pradesh would also show that the Congress had failed to stem infighting in the state unit. But, as Dubey said: If the Congress were to win at least two of the three big states, its standing among the opposition parties will be enhanced. The regional players are not willing to give it a lead role in an opposition grouping at the moment. The Congresss Jaiveer Shergill said a major takeaway from these elections would be that Modis image has not dominated the campaign. Rather, more space was given to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said. So, one specific signal coming out of these elections is that Modis position has weakened because of demonetisation and GST. That, the country will know for sure only on December 11. 5 NE states sign MoU with BEL on Smart City projects Agartala, Dec 1 (PTI) Five states of the Northeastern region on Saturday signed separate MoUs with the Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL), a central PSU, to develop mechanisms relating to the Smart City projects in those states, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said. The Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed in presence of Puri, the Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, and Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb. Seven cities of the five states would come in the purview of the MoU signed with BEL for developing cloud based Integrated Command and Control Centre for implementation of the Smart City Mission, the sources said. The seven cities are Imphal in Manipur, Itanagar and Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh, Kohima in Nagaland, Namchi and Gangtok in Sikkim and Shillong in Meghalaya, Puri told a press conference. "Namchi in Sikkim has made tremendous progress in implementation of the Smart City Mission. Tripura has also done excellent work by sanctioning 100 percent of the demand, among which 60 percent houses were grounded," Puri said. Tripura has been working on the Smart City Mission since 2016 with a loan of Rs 400 crore from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Deb said a Rs 35 crore sewage treatment plant would be set up near the Indo-Bangla border at the Agartala-Akhaura Integrated Check Post to treat the sewage water before it passes into Bangladesh. Bangladesh had raised objections several times on dirty water flowing from Agartala to the low lying terrain of the neighbouring country, the chief minister said. "Earlier the central government sanctioned Rs 19 crore for the project, which was not adequate. So, we sent a proposal of Rs 35 crore which was agreed on principle by the union minister. The project is likely to be completed in one-and-a-half years years after it is commissioned," he said. Deb expressed gratitude to the Union minister for agreeing in principle to revise fund sharing system for NE states in centrally sponsored projects to 90:10 ratio instead of the existing 60:40 ratio. The memoranda were signed in presence of Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri and Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb after A two-day review meeting on five flagship schemes of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs concluded on Saturday. The schemes are Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation for Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Smart City Mission, Swacch Bharat Mission and the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission. The meeting also discussed progress in making the NE states Open Defecation Free (ODF). "Four states in the region are currently ODF. Others have assured us to become ODF by December 31. However, Meghalaya said it will become ODF by January next year," Puri said. PTI JOY NN NN London, Nov 30 (PTI) A consortium of Indian banks led by the State Bank of India (SBI) has secured a UK High Court order as part of efforts to help them pursue some of the funds owed to them in unpaid debts by embattled Indian liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya. In a ruling by Justice Phillips in the court's Business and Property division on Wednesday, the 13 Indian banks were given permission to use certain information disclosed in court as part of a worldwide freezing order (WFO) against the 62-year-old businessman in an unrelated case involving the sale of a luxury superyacht believed to be previously owned by Mallya before he abandoned it last year. The 95-metre vessel named 'Indian Empress' was "arrested" in Malta in March as maritime professionals' union Nautilus made attempts to recover over USD 330,000 in unpaid wages and other costs on behalf of its members. It was successfully auctioned to Sea Beauty Yachting Limited for 35 million euros in September and renamed 'NEOM'. The UK High Court order dated November 28 will assist the Indian banks to pursue any surplus money from that sale in Malta courts after all the creditors have been paid off. Nautilus strategic organiser Danny McGowan said the maritime union has been collating members' claims and other details to ensure that the sums due are paid to them. "The court has been completing the procedures to pay all the creditors including suppliers, service providers and financiers who were owed money by the former owner, multi-millionaire Vijay Mallya," Nautilus said. In a ruling earlier this year, a UK High Court judge had refused to overturn a worldwide order freezing Mallya's assets and upheld an Indian court's ruling that the consortium of 13 Indian banks were entitled to recover funds amounting to nearly 1.145 billion pounds. TLT LLP, the law firm which had won the landmark case for the banks in May, has been representing them in their efforts to recover their dues as part of the WFO. The WFO contains an undertaking preventing the banks from using the information provided in response to the disclosure provisions in the case for any other civil or criminal proceedings without the courts prior permission. However, under this week's latest ruling, the banks have been given permission to use certain information provided pursuant to the WFO in respect of arrest proceedings instigated in Malta by the maritime creditors of the 'Indian Empress' yacht. Following the sale and the creditors being paid off, there is likely to be a surplus of money that would be due back to the yacht's owners. The 13 banks comprise SBI, Bank of Baroda, Corporation bank, Federal Bank Ltd, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Mysore, UCO Bank, United Bank of India and JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co Pvt Ltd. The banks are seeking to secure that surplus in the Maltese courts rather than it being paid to the legal owner. Meanwhile, Mallya remains on bail on an extradition warrant executed by the Scotland Yard last year on fraud and money laundering charges brought by the Indian government, amounting to nearly Rs 9,000 crores. A ruling at the end of his extradition trial is expected at Westminster Magistrates Court in London next month. In separate legal proceedings, he is also fighting to save his posh London home from foreclosure by Swiss bank UBS. Earlier this month, he suffered a setback in that case after the UK High Court rejected many of the arguments relied on by his legal team. The case is scheduled for trial in May 2019. PTI AK SCY SCY Washington, Dec 1 (AP) Praise for former President George HW Bush, who died Friday: (He) "was a man of the highest character. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad." - Former President George W. Bush. "George HW Bush's life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good along the journey." - Former President Barack Obama. "The legacy of George HW Bush will be forever etched in the history of America and the world. It is a lifelong record of selfless patriotic service to our nation." - James A Baker III, secretary of state in the Bush administration. "Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service to be, in his words, "a thousand points of light" illuminating the greatness, hope, and opportunity of America to the world." - President Donald Trump. "I will be forever grateful for the friendship we formed. From the moment I met him as a young governor invited to his home in Kennebunkport, I was struck by the kindness he showed to Chelsea, by his innate and genuine decency, and by his devotion to Barbara, his children, and their growing brood." - Former President Bill Clinton. "The world has lost a great leader; this country has lost one of its best; and I have lost one of my dearest friends. I am heartbroken." - Brent Scowcroft, Bush's national security adviser. "Texans are genuinely honoured that he (Bush) called the Lone Star State home and we collectively grieve this monumental loss. - Texas Gov Greg Abbott. (George HW Bush) tried to "create a new international order based on justice and equality among nations" ... he never "forgot the Kuwaiti people and will remain in their memory." - Kuwait's ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah "Remembering President George HW Bush and the Americans With Disabilities Act. Millions of with Disabilities and who are Deaf or HOH (hard of hearing) lives have been changed for the better as a result of his signing this landmark legislation. My condolences to his entire family RIP #georgehwbush." - Actress Marlee Matlin, who herself is deaf, via Twitter. "President George HW Bush was the real deal. We fought but he was gracious enough to accept my apology. Through his daughter Dorothy, my friends Ron Kaufman and Mary Matalin, I got to know him. Rest in Peace #georgehwbush" - Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile. "I will never forget George HW Bush and President Clinton meeting me in my old hometown of New Orleans to show support and raise money after Hurricane Katrina. I send my love to his family tonight." "As an American envoy to Beijing, as CIA Director, as Vice President for eight years and then four years as President, George HW Bush's statesmanship played a key role in helping to end the Cold War, which bought democracy to millions of people in Europe and diminished the threat of nuclear war. George HW Bush was a strong supporter of the international rules-based system, the rule of law and democratic values." - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. "It was a time of great change, demanding great responsibility from everyone. The result was the end of the Cold War and nuclear arms race. (My wife, Raisa, and I) "deeply appreciated the attention, kindness and simplicity typical of George and Barbara Bush, as well as the rest of their large, friendly family." - Former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev. "He was in fact the first American President that I was privileged to meet. I recall being deeply touched by your father's concern for the Tibetan people and the situation in Tibet. It is truly admirable to have lived over 94 years. While nothing can replace the loss of a father, we can rejoice in the fact that his was a meaningful life, dedicated to public service. I commend your parents for encouraging their children, including you my dear friend, to devote yourselves to the service of others." - Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. (President George HW Bush was) "a great statesman and a true friend of our country" whose "ethos of public service was the guiding thread of his life and an example to us all ... in navigating a peaceful end to the Cold War he made the world a safer place for generations to come." - British Prime Minister Theresa May. (He) "saw America's obligation to the world and honoured it. I feel privileged to have worked with him, and even more privileged that he became a lifelong friend. He was, quite simply, one of the most deep-down decent people I have ever known." John Major, British Prime Minister from 1990-1997. "We are mourning a great statesman and a friend of Germany ... (Bush) courageously seized the opportunity to end the Cold War ... he is also an architect of German unity. He supported it from the beginning without reservations. We will never forget that." - Heiko Maas, German foreign minister.(AP) RUP RUP RUP Buenos Aires, Dec 1 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met Argentinian President Mauricio Macri and held extensive discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in areas like defence, nuclear energy and agriculture. The two leaders met over a breakfast hosted by Macri in a special gesture to Modi. Modi also thanked the president for hosting the two-day G-20 summit. The G-20 is a grouping of the world's 20 major economies. "Had a productive meeting with President @mauriciomacri. We had extensive discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Argentina. Also thanked President Macri for hosting a wonderful G-20 Summit," Modi tweeted after the meeting. The prime minister also said he is looking forward to welcome Macri in India. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Ravish Kumar also tweeted, "Starting the day on a bright note! In a special gesture, President of Argentina @mauriciomacri hosted PM @narendramodi over breakfast at his official residence. Good discussion on cooperation in agriculture & food processing, space, defence, oil & gas & civil nuclear energy." PTI SCY AKJ SCY SCY Buenos Aires, Dec 1 (AFP) A Sino-US showdown on trade loomed Saturday as G20 leaders wrapped up tense summit talks with a rare show of unity over the death of former president George Bush. There was an implicit contrast in some of the tributes offered at the Buenos Aires summit between Bush and the current White House occupant, Donald Trump, whose disruptive brand of diplomacy has stoked the deepest divisions in the G20's 10-year history. "He was a world leader, who strongly supported the alliance with Europe," said French President Emmanuel Macron, who has been lobbying other G20 leaders to carve out a 19 v 1 statement on climate change excluding Trump. British Prime Minister Theresa May lauded the late Bush as "a great statesman and a true friend of our country," words that few observers in Britain would apply to Trump. Trump himself said Bush had "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service." There was no immediate comment in Buenos Aires from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who regards the breakup of the Soviet Union under Bush's presidency as a historical "tragedy." Bush also served as US envoy to China in the 1970s as the countries were establishing relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping was also yet to comment, as he prepared to dine with Trump later Saturday for a large helping of debate on trade tariffs. With markets watching nervously, Trump has described the Xi encounter as a deadline for China to meet his demands or risk even further pressure. The summit itself has been struggling to carve out any accord on climate change or countering trade protectionism, while hot-button disputes surrounding Ukraine and Saudi Arabia loom large. Trump, who has already slapped USD 250 billion in tariffs on China and threatened more to come next month, sounded upbeat about making progress with Xi. "We're working very hard. If we could make a deal, that would be good," Trump told reporters Friday as he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the G20. "I think they want to, and I think we'd like to. And we'll see," the president said. Trump has thrown out the traditional US playbook on free trade since his shock 2016 election, vowing to protect forgotten workers and put "America First." Xi has in turn cast himself as a defender of stable global capitalism, a startling transformation for the leader of a communist state whose entry into the World Trade Organisation less than two decades ago was controversial. In a speech to fellow G20 leaders, Xi said that the major economies "should firmly uphold free trade and the rules-based multilateral trading system." But in a rhetorical olive branch to Trump, Xi pledged to do more to open up China's economy. "China will continue to deepen market-oriented reform, protect property rights and intellectual property rights, encourage fair competition and do more to expand imports," he said. Trump has accused China of rampant theft of US technology and demanded that the emerging power end its requirements that foreign companies team up with local partners. The state-run China Daily said that the Pacific powers could strike a deal in Buenos Aires but warned the United States against pushing too hard on technology. "Should there be any other aspirations, such as taking advantage of the trade spat to throttle Chinese growth, then an agreement is unlikely to be reached," the newspaper said in an editorial Friday. "But a good deal means both sides walking away happy. The US should give its habitual winner-take-all approach to international relations the weekend off," it said. Trump counted a victory Friday for his brash strategy as the United States, Canada and Mexico signed a new trade deal, a successor to the North American Free Trade Agreement. While short of the complete rewrite of NAFTA once promised by Trump, he hailed the new United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement as an "incredible milestone." A substantive deal between the United States and China could mark a major feat for the G20 summit, where expectations for collective action have been low. With Trump feuding with close US allies, not least on climate change, two major summits this year ended without once-routine statements -- those of the Group of Seven democracies and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Trump has decided to pull the United States from the Paris accord on curbing carbon emissions, despite mounting warnings from scientists leading up to a UN climate summit starting next week in Poland. Trump called off talks with Putin at the G20 summit, officially due to outrage over Moscow's naval skirmishes with Ukraine. But Trump is also under mounting pressure at home in an investigation over whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia -- a topic sure to dominate his press conference shortly before he sits down with Xi.(AFP) RUP RUP Buenos Aires, Dec 1 (AFP) President Donald Trump will attend the state funeral of former president George H W Bush, who has died at 94, the White House said Saturday. Trump's spokeswoman said: "A state funeral is being arranged with all of the accompanying support and honours. The president will designate Wednesday, December 5th as a National Day Of Mourning. He and the first lady will attend the funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC." Bush, the 41st president, died at home in Houston on Friday. Trump did not attend the funeral of Bush's wife Barbara, the matriarch of the family, who died in April. The invitation-only service at St Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston included Bush's successor Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, as well as other former senior officials. The White House attributed Trump's absence to his desire to avoid disruptions, though First Lady Melania Trump was present. A book published last year said Bush voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and called Donald Trump a "blowhard" who was driven by "a certain ego." The revelations were contained in historian Mark Updegrove's "The Last Republicans." "I don't like him," the elder Bush told Updegrove in May 2016 before the elections in November of that year "I don't know much about him, but I know he's a blowhard. And I'm not too excited about him being (our) leader." His son George W Bush left his ballot blank and said of Trump: "This guy doesn't know what it means to be president." The book's title was inspired by the younger Bush's concerns that he had been "the last Republican president" -- not just because Clinton was seen as favourite to win the election, but because Trump represented a major break from traditional conservatism. Trump was not invited to the funeral of another prominent Republican critic, the late senator John McCain who died in August. McCain's daughter Meghan delivered a powerful rebuke to Trump at the funeral, telling mourners: "The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great." (AFP) SMJ SMJ Buenos Aires, Dec 2 (AFP) French President Emmanuel Macron vowed Saturday never to accept violence after protests against him in Paris triggered by fuel price hikes turned violent. "I will never accept violence," Macron told a news conference at a Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires amid the massive "yellow vest" demonstrations. "No cause justifies that authorities are attacked, that businesses are plundered, that passers-by or journalists are threatened or that the Arc du Triomphe is defiled," he said. (AFP) GVS Buenos Aires, Dec 1 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that India will host the G-20 summit in 2022. The G-20 is a grouping of the world's 20 major economies. Modi made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the two-day summit held here in Argentina's captial. Italy was to host the international forum in 2022. Thanking Italy for allowing India to play the host, Modi invited G-20 leaders to India in 2022, which also marks the 75th anniversary of India's Independence. "In 2022 India completes 75 years since Independence. In that special year, India looks forward to welcoming the world to the G-20 Summit! Come to India, the world's fastest growing large economy! Know India's rich history and diversity, and experience the warm Indian hospitality," the prime minister tweeted after making the announcement. G-20 members comprise Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK and the US. Collectively, the G-20 economies account for nearly 90 per cent of the gross world product, 80 per cent of world trade, two-thirds of the world population, and approximately half of the world land area. Spain is a permanent guest invitee. PTI SCY AKJ SCY Buenos Aires, Dec 1 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that India will host the G-20 summit in 2022, the year the country would celebrate the 75th anniversary of its Independence. The G-20 is a grouping of the world's 20 major economies. Modi made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the two-day summit held here in Argentina's capital. Italy was to host the international forum in 2022. Thanking Italy for allowing India to play the host, Modi invited G-20 leaders to India in 2022, which also marks the 75th anniversary of India's Independence. "In 2022 India completes 75 years since Independence. In that special year, India looks forward to welcoming the world to the G-20 Summit! Come to India, the world's fastest growing large economy! Know India's rich history and diversity, and experience the warm Indian hospitality," the prime minister tweeted after making the announcement. G-20 members comprise Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK and the US. Collectively, the G-20 economies account for nearly 90 per cent of the gross world product, 80 per cent of world trade, two-thirds of the world population, and approximately half of the world land area. Spain is a permanent guest invitee. PTI SCY AKJ SCY C'garh: Security beefed up for 'Naxal week' between Dec 2-8 Raipur, Dec 1 (PTI) Security in insurgency-hit parts of Chhattisgarh, particularly Bastar division, has been bolstered in view of the Naxals' so-called "People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Week" starting Sunday, police said. Since 2000, "PLGA week" is observed annuallyby Naxals between December 2-8 in memory of their slain leaders and cadre. According to officials, Naxals hold meetings and gatherings during this period and engage in propaganda, recruit new members, review operations, besides resorting to damaging roads, public property and carrying out attacks on security forces. "All units of paramilitary and state forces have been put on alert during the PLGA week observed by Naxals annually from December 2 to 8," a senior police official here told PTI. Patrolling has been intensified in the forested interiors of the seven districts of Bastar division, namely Dantewada, Bijapur, Bastar, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Sukma and Kanker, the official informed. Some posters and pamphlets mentioning the Naxal week had been found by patrolling security personnel in Dantewada, he added. He said security forces had been continuously carrying out offensive operations in core Maoist areas after the recently-concluded Chhattisgarh Assembly polls. Polls to the 90-member state Assembly were held in two phases on November 12 and 20 and results will be declared on December 11. He added that these operations had led to the gunning down of 15 Naxals in the past fortnight in the state's Bastar division. Police officials suspect the Naxals could create disturbances during the week out of frustration as recent security operations have hit the outlawed movement hard. Earlier this week, on November 26, nine Naxals were killed in two gun battles with security forces in Sukma. PTI TKP BNM BNM New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) A Congress delegation met the Election Commission Saturday and raised concern over the security of EVMs inside strong rooms and their handling during the counting process in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and the alleged deletion of voters in Uttar Pradesh. Talking to reporters after meeting the Election Commission, Congress leader and AICC's Chhattisgarh in-charge P L Punia said suspicious activities were being reported in the Dhamtari Assembly seat in the state. He claimed suspicious people with laptops and mobile phones were seen around the strong rooms, where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were kept after the voting, on the pretext of repairing the CCTVs. The party has also lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer in Raipur regarding this, Punia said. Congress MP Vivek Tankha claimed there was no electricity in a strong room in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal city for over an hour during which the CCTV cameras had also stopped functioning. He also claimed that 48 hours after the closing of polls in the state, a school bus bearing no number plate and carrying EVMs had reached the Sagar district collector's office. "The objective of this was ostensibly to deposit these machines with the office of the collector. These spare EVMs were to be deposited two hours after the polls and not after two days. This happened in the Khuria seat from where the state home minister is contesting the polls," Tankha told reporters. Senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi alleged that in Uttar Pradesh's Sarhanpur district there were discrepancies such as erroneous deletion of names of voters on booth number 44. He said glaring anomalies were found in 98 of the 100 forms on this booth and names of people of a particular community were being deleted so they could not vote against the ruling party. "The Election Commission has assured us that they will look into it," Singhvi said. PTI PR AAR \R New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday lashed out the Narendra Modi government for denial of permission for his Austria visit to speak about the 'Happiness Curriculum' introduced by AAP government in Delhi schools. "They did not give any reason for denying permission to my Austria visit for the three day conference," Sisodia, who had to leave on Saturday night, said at a press conference. Sisodia's case comes days after another Delhi Minister, Satyendar Jain, alleged that the BJP-led central government had denied him permission to travel to Australia on the invitation of a university in Sydney. Sisodia said that the Happiness curriculum introduced in Delhi government run schools has started showing positive results with teachers and principles reporting increased attendance of students, focus on study, peaceful behaviour of children and overall improvement in education. "It would earn fame for the country, if I spoke about our education model but the Centre due to petty politics did not permit my visit," he said, adding that the world wanted to know about the curriculum. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari claimed that Sisodia's Austria visit was perhaps denied permission because he was not going to attend any government function there. "Manish Sisodia has himself stated that it was not a government programme and it was sponsored by a British agency, that too in Austria. That is why the entire tour appeared to be under the cloud of doubts," he said. PTI VIT HMB New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tribute to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose "misleading and motivated", five left parties Saturday demanded that the freedom fighter's birthday on January 23 be declared as 'day of patriotism'. The Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, All India Forward Bloc, Revolutionary Socialist Party and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)-Liberation also asked the Centre to compile authentic data on Netaji's Provisional Azad Hind Government, his Indian National Army and their contribution to the freedom movement. Stressing that Bose's inclusive politics exemplified the fighting spirit of the freedom movement uniting people of all faiths, castes and gender, the group accused the Modi government of "communal polarisation". "Narendra Modi heads a government that is patronising sharpening of communal polarisation. The consequent alarming growth of hate and violence has led to barbarous attacks on Muslims, Dalits and religious minorities," the parties said in a statement. "It is thus both hypocritical and futile for PM Modi to pay respect to Netaji and INA," the statement added. PTI DMB RHL \R Chittorgarh (R'than), Dec 1 (PTI) Congress president Rahul Gandhi said Saturday Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to create two Indias -- one for the rich and the other for the poor. Addressing a rally in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, Gandhi said one part is for farmers, labourers and small shopkeepers, while the other is for industrialists like Anil Ambani, Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya. "Modi wants to create two Hindustans, which is not acceptable to us. There will be one flag and one country," he said. Gandhi said nobody could insult the farmers of the country, no matter if he was the prime minister of the country or the president of the US. "The BJP leaders are talking about several issues, but there are only two issues. One is employment and the other is of betterment of farmers," he said. Gandhi reiterated that the Congress government would waive farmers' loans within 10 days of coming to power in Rajasthan. The Congress chief recalled that when Modi was contesting the 2014 general election, he had talked about employment, corruption and farmers. But, he claimed, the prime minister was not talking about such issues in 2018. "Neither youths got employment, nor farmers got any help." PTI AG HMB Jaipur, Dec 1 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Saturday accused the Congress of pushing seven Hindi-speaking states into the "BIMARU category". BIMARU is an abbreviation for Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and coined in the early 1980s, reportedly to convey the dismal state of these states. At an election rally in Rajasthan, Adityanath said the Congress ruled major Hindi-speaking states including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand for maximum duration and alleged that its "mis-governance" pushed them into the "BIMARU category". Yogi, a star campaigner of the BJP, addressed rallies in Anta, Baran, Ramganj Mandi, Masuda and Jamdoli on Saturday. He alleged that the Congress did not focus on development and governance and worked to create a divide in the society. "Congress divided the country for its greed, for power. Later, the party divided the country on the basis of caste, region and language," he alleged. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not have had to open bank accounts of 32 crore people had the Congress worked to ensure their participation in the banking system. He said the BJP government at the Centre is working to provide home to every poor in the country by 2022. PTI AG ABH ABH \R Man arrested for snatching mobile phones New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) A 25-year-old man was arrested for allegedly snatching mobile phones from west Delhi, police said Saturday. The accused was identified as Tarun Kumar Sharma, a resident of Raghubir Nagar. On Friday, police laid a trap near Hari Nagar at around 5.15 pm and arrested the accused, police said. One stolen scooter and nine mobile phones were recovered from his possession, they added. PTI NIT ******* 37-yr-old man held for stealing Spanish national's bag New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) A 37-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing a bag of a Spanish national, a police officer said Saturday. The accused was identified as Dilip Kumar Singh, a resident of Indirapuram, Uttar Pradesh. On Tuesday, a Spanish national lodged a complaint that his small bag, which had some important documents and cash worth Rs 20,000, was stolen from the Khan Market Metro Station, the officer said. During investigation, police analysed CCTV footage of the metro station and arrested Singh, he said. PTI NIT ******** 3 held for burglaries in Delhi New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) Three men were arrested for their alleged involvement in more than 23 cases of burglary from southwest Delhi, police said Saturday. The accused were identified as Sunny Gupta (33), Kishan Bharti (27) and Arjun (25), residents of Vasant Kunj area. Acting on a tip-off, police laid a trap at around 9 pm near Mahipalpur, a senior police officer said. Three people were arrested while they were coming on a motorcycle from Delhi Cantt, he said. They were involved in more than 23 cases of burglary in Vasant Kunj and Palam Village, the officer said. Some ornaments, cash, 12 wrist watches, one laptop, two ipads and two cameras were seized from their possession, police said. PTI NIT HMB SNE SNE New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) A conference on several aspects of military medicine was organised here Saturday, officials said. The Directorate General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) Military Medicine Conclave here was attended by top military doctors. "Upgradation of the qualitative benchmarks is an ongoing process which cogently addresses the changing disease burden, harnessing of modern technology, optimal availability of resources and the ever-evolving operational milieu," the statement said. "These contemporary challenges, which lie at the crossroads of finite manpower and financial resources including clientele expectations, were extensively deliberated at the conclave," it added. The conclave saw a confluence of former director generals as well as the current innovations and futuristic vision of the AFMS fraternity. The network of AFMS medical units and establishments comprises the largest healthcare organisation in the country with a disciplined, dedicated and professionally competent workforce it said. PTI PR RHL RHL Agra, Dec 1 (PTI) To press for the upgrade of the Kheria airport to an international airport, an organisation here sat on a 'satyagraha'. The Civil Aviation Society of Agra also said air connectivity with major Indian cities should be increased for the convenience of tourists. The protest was attended by a large number of social activists and representatives of various business, professionals and voluntary organisations. Coordinator of the programme Anil Sharma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised an international airport for the city after coming to power. "Our campaign will go on and we would give it a momentum ahead of the 2019 polls," he added. Businessmen said it was shocking that India's number one tourist destination has no air connectivity with Delhi and other important cities. "Foreign tourists who want to visit the Taj Mahal, have to first land at Delhi or Mumbai and then proceed by train or road to Agra, resulting in loss of precious time," hotelier Surendra Sharma said. PTI CORR ANB ANB Westerly, RI (02891) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 46F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 29F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Westerly, RI (02891) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low near 40F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low near 40F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Deciding to campaign to leave the European Union wasnt easy for me. At the time the referendum was called, I was part of a government led by David Cameron and George Osborne which was achieving amazing things for our country. We were transforming our education system so the poorest in our society could enjoy the same opportunities as the wealthiest; we were overhauling our prison service to give offenders a second chance and in doing so cut crime; we were mending our economy broken after years of over-spending by Labour and reckless behaviour by chancers and profiteers in the banking sector. I am proud of what David and George achieved, and my small part in that success. It was a great team effort that, I sincerely believe, made our country a better place to live for all our citizens. Michael Gove (pictured above) says campaigning to leave the European Union wasn't an easy decision So I knew that in campaigning to leave, I would be breaking with colleagues with whom I was working to change the country for the better, and putting at risk the future gains we could yet have made together. I also knew it would come at a personal cost. The impact of my decision on my family and friendships has been impossible to ignore. I make these points not because I expect sympathy that is the price you pay as a politician, you are elected to make tough decisions in the national interest but to help explain my thinking then and now. Because, despite everything, would I make the same decision again? A thousand times, yes. When you are faced with a fundamental question about the future of your country, you must put aside your own interests and do what you think is right. And leaving the EU is the right thing to do. Michael Gove (pictured above) delivering a speech at the Leave Campaign offices in London For too long, this overbearing, undemocratic and profligate bureaucracy has told us what to do, protected vested interests, stood in the way of innovation and inflicted economic and social harm on its citizens. The referendum offered us the chance to break free, to become the authors of our own national story, to bring democracy home. I believe in Brexit, I campaigned for it heart and soul. And now I want to see it through. Theresa May (left) and Argentine President Mauricio Macri (right) at the G20 summit And we should be in no doubt, seeing it through is by no means guaranteed. Brexit is under greater threat than at any time since the referendum. Should we fail to leave, dont be fooled into thinking we could just stick with the status quo. Like a guilty partner who had threatened to leave for another and come crawling back, we would be forced to accept far tougher terms than we have now. Keeping the rebate? Forget about it. Stopping a tide of new EU laws? No way. Halting progress towards a European army? Nope. Guaranteeing we wouldnt have to pay billions to bail out euro members in the future? Im afraid not. Michael Gove (right) said he was pleased with the work he achieved under David Cameron (left) And the danger of finding ourselves dragged back into the rigid structures of the EU is growing. Those members of the Establishment who campaigned to remain and have never accepted the result are now trying to reverse Brexit by calling for a second referendum. And now they have been joined by Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell. At the last election, they pledged to honour the referendum result. Yet now John McDonnell says a second referendum is inevitable. Michael Gove was part of a government led by David Cameron (pictured above) I fear a second vote to overturn the first would not just damage public faith in democracy, it would also cause deep wounds to the social fabric of our country. The vote in 2016 gave voice, for the first time, to millions of people who had always felt ignored by politicians. At last, they had a say and a stake and they won. For them to be told now that they got it wrong the first time, that they should get back in their box, that their will is going to be ignored, would cause disillusionment on a scale never seen before. Michael Gove has said he is proud of what David Cameron and George Osbourne (pictured above) achieved when in government It would also prove right all the criticisms we made of the EU and the Westminster establishment during the campaign that they never listen; that they only answer to the people when it suits them; that they will simply never change. And that is why, for all its flaws, I am doing everything I can to support the Prime Ministers deal which secures, at long last, our exit from the EU. Is it perfect? Far from it. Does it deliver 100 per cent of what I wanted? No. But then we didnt win 100 per cent of the vote on June 23 2016. Members of the Establishment are now trying to reverse Brexit by calling for a second referendum. And now they have been joined by Jeremy Corbyn (pictured above), says Gove In politics, as in life, you cant always get everything that you want. But this deal delivers in crucial ways. It guarantees an end to freedom of movement and control over our borders. Immigration wasnt the main concern for all leave voters but it was for some and this deal delivers for them. Future governments will now be free to implement immigration policies which they think best for the country whether its this Governments preferred option of a visa system or the Australian-style points system Vote Leave advocated. Finally, voters will be able to hold politicians to account at the ballot box on immigration. The deal also means we will no longer be automatically sending huge sums of money to the EU every single week. The size of our financial contributions to Brussels was of huge concern to a great many leave voters during the referendum campaign. The Leave campaign argued we should end these contributions and invest in priorities such as the NHS instead. This deal delivers that critical pledge. Although the deal limits our ability to control some of the existing laws and rules relating to manufactured goods and agricultural products, it does give us control of rules over services which make up a far larger proportion of our economy and it allows us to reject new EU rules we think are bad for business. In the areas for which I am responsible as Environment Secretary, we will take back control of both farming and fishing policy. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has failed to help farmers create the productive and profitable businesses they aspire to and has damaged our countryside environment. From 2020 we will be outside the CAP and able to create our own farming policy. Michael Gove has said is is support Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured above) And we will be able decide who has access to our waters and on what terms. The great injustice which was inflicted on the fishing industry in the Seventies, and which drove my own fathers fish processing business into the ground, will at last be put right. There are, however, real concerns which many of my friends and colleagues have raised about this deal. And in many respects I share those concerns. Its important to be honest about that. The so-called backstop the insurance policy to prevent a hard border in Ireland in the event that we havent agreed a new trading relationship with the EU is uncomfortable for me. I would prefer to have had a mechanism to exit the backstop unilaterally. But its important to look in detail at what the backstop entails and to appreciate that however uncomfortable it is for the UK, it actually creates major problems for the EU. Gove says that by leaving the EU we would be largely free from the European Court of Justice (pictured above) We would have tariff-free access to their markets without having to pay a penny. Not only would we be free from any financial contributions, we would be largely free from the rule of the Commission and direct control by the European Court of Justice. We would have total control over our borders. And we would take back full control of our fishing waters. Not only would we have many of the benefits of Brexit, but also many of the benefits of EU membership, without most of the obligations. Just what the EU said they could never offer. And if we do enter a backstop, there are ways in which we can leverage it to our advantage. There are good reasons European leaders are uncomfortable about this deal especially because it doesnt deliver what so many of them want. For how long would the Emmanuel Macron (pictured above) put up with the protests of French fishermen denied all access to UK waters? For how long would the President of France put up with the protests of French fishermen denied all access to UK waters? How long will other EU countries be comfortable with us diverging from EU rules in many areas while we have tariff-free access to their home markets? The longer the backstop lasts, the more difficult it will be for Europe. Far from it suiting their interests to keep the backstop going, they will be keen to avoid it and conclude a durable free-trade deal. And in considering whether to support this deal, we all need to assess these issues in the round we must not make the perfect the enemy of the good. Michael Gove (above) has said he believes he made the country a better place Indeed, if we dont accept this deal, I believe we enter dangerous waters. We risk a softer Brexit, no Brexit at all, or no deal. Compared to the PMs deal, a softer Brexit such as the Norway option which some of my colleagues advocate would mean less freedom to decide our laws, less control over our borders and we would still be sending significant sums to Brussels every year. Its better than EU membership, but worse than this deal. I also know some of my colleagues would prefer a clean break that we should walk away from the negotiating table and move towards a relationship based on World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. I respect their position but I cant share it. Lying behind their view is a fair point the economy could adjust to WTO rules and succeed over time. Many other countries around the world trade with the EU on this basis, so there is no reason the UK couldnt as well. While higher tariffs arent desirable, they neednt be catastrophic. This is all true, but tariffs arent the whole story. Over the past 40 years of membership, the EU has extended its reach into the functioning of our economy and society in countless ways indeed, this is one of the strongest arguments for getting out. From how we regulate chemicals to how we track movements of animals and animal products; from licences that let hauliers operate to arrangements which allow organic food to be sold these are just a handful of the ways in which we rely on EU systems and processes. While we may want to unwind all these arrangements, it is simply not possible do so overnight in an orderly fashion without ructions and repercussions. So it is undeniable that no deal would cause considerable dislocation and disruption in the short term. I know some of my colleagues think these warnings are Project Fear Mark Two. Well, during the referendum campaign, there was no greater opponent of Project Fear than me. I called out those economists experts if you will who tell us they know best but get it consistently wrong. My comments were misquoted and criticised at the time and have continued to attract ire since. But the central point was proven right after the leave vote, the sky did not fall in, the economy did not shrink, jobs were not lost. Quite the opposite. However, if those who orchestrated Project Fear last time round were the boys who cried wolf, lets not forget how that story ended. Too many false warnings meant that when the real threat came it wasnt heeded. I know that if we left without a deal it would cause difficulties for farmers and food producers, manufacturing industry and small businesses. And because we currently rely so much on the narrow straits between Dover and Calais for our trade, the EU, and the French government, could cause considerable disruption if they chose. Yes, we would recover over time. And, yes, across a range of areas, the Government can and will take the necessary steps to mitigate the worst effects of no deal. Deciding to campaign to leave the European Union wasnt easy for me, says Michael Gove (pictured above) At the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, as in other departments, were working full tilt on plans to cope with the consequences and, indeed, its because Ive looked so long and hard at whats required that I am of the firm view that no deal would generate turbulence. And why risk that damage when this deal can deliver much of what we campaigned for? The choice facing my colleagues in Parliament is momentous. Get this wrong and we may put in peril the Brexit the British people voted for and want us to deliver. Its time for all of us to put our personal perfect plan to one side, recognise the reality of the choice we face, and start to bring the country back together again. The United Kingdom has been a force for good in the world all my adult life, now we can use the tools this deal gives us to aim even higher, and create a brighter future for our children. Lets not, at this critical hour, risk the chance to reclaim our democracy and renew faith in our country. 'Brexit is in peril': Leading Brexiteer Michael Gove says mutinous Tories MUST back the PM's deal or risk a vote to overturn the referendum result By Jason Groves for the Daily Mail Michael Gove today warns mutinous Tories they will put Brexit at risk if they vote down Theresa Mays plan in ten days time. In a powerful intervention, the former Vote Leave chief tells Eurosceptic MPs that Brexit is under greater threat than at any time since the referendum. The Environment Secretary admits in an article in the Daily Mail that Mrs Mays withdrawal agreement is not perfect. Michael Gove (right) admits in an article in the Daily Mail that Theresa May's (right) withdrawal agreement is not perfect But he adds: Does it deliver 100 per cent of what I wanted? No. But then we didnt win 100 per cent of the vote on 23 June 2016. In politics, as in life, you cant always get everything that you want. He dismisses those accusing the Prime Minister of betrayal, saying that her plan delivers in crucial ways which honour the vote to leave. Downing Street will hope the intervention by the Cabinets leading Eurosceptic and architect of the Brexit campaign will prove pivotal in the campaign to gain a seemingly impossible Commons majority on December 11 and safeguard the PMs job. Mr Gove makes it clear he is uncomfortable with parts of the withdrawal agreement, but argues it is much better than either a second referendum or a no-deal exit. He warns his fellow Eurosceptics that those pushing for a second vote might well succeed if Mrs Mays plan is voted down a move he says would cause disillusionment on a scale never seen before. And in a direct appeal to the 100 Tory MPs threatening to side with Labour to block the PMs deal, he urges them to reconsider ahead of the momentous vote: Get this wrong and we may put in peril the Brexit the British people voted for and want us to deliver. Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured above) in Buenos Aires His intervention throws a lifeline to Mrs May, who spent yesterday trying to persuade world leaders at the G20 summit in Argentina to back her proposals. In other developments: EU president Donald Tusk revealed Brussels is preparing for the possibility that Britain may stay in the EU if the Prime Ministers plans are voted down; International Trade Secretary Liam Fox claimed Parliament risked a schism with the public if it jeopardised Brexit; The Prime Minister said Labour was guilty of a betrayal of the British people in opposing her plan; Labour MP Ian Austin said his colleagues needed to think carefully or risk an electoral backlash from Leave voters. A YouGov poll found public support for Mrs Mays deal has almost doubled in a week, with most preferring it to no deal; Remainers in Parliament launched a bid to seize control of Brexit if Mrs Mays deal is voted down, potentially opening the door to a second referendum; Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said Labour would put remaining in the EU on the ballot paper in any second referendum; Last month Mr Gove came close to following Dominic Raab out of the cabinet Last month Mr Gove came close to following Dominic Raab and Esther McVey out of the Cabinet after Mrs May agreed with Brussels a plan that fails to give the UK a unilateral exit route from the Irish backstop, which its critics say could keep the UK in the EU customs union indefinitely. He spent 36 hours wrestling with his conscience before deciding to stay on. Today he rallies firmly behind the PM, declaring that he will be supporting the withdrawal agreement for all its flaws. He says it will end free movement, meaning future governments will now be free to implement immigration policies which they think best for the country. The package will also mean an end to sending huge sums of money to the EU every week an issue he says was a huge concern to a great many Leave voters. And he says it will finally right the great injustice done to our fishing industry by entry into the EU 45 years ago. The fallout from the Brexit vote fractured Mr Goves close friendships with both David Cameron and Boris Johnson, who he helped persuade to lead the Leave campaign. He acknowledges that the against-the-odds referendum victory in 2016 came at a personal cost, adding: The impact of my decision on my family and friendships has been impossible to ignore. The fallout from Brexit has damaged Gove's friendship with Boris Johnson (pictured above) However, he insists the UK is right to leave the EU. For too long, this over-bearing, undemocratic and profligate bureaucracy has told us what to do, protected vested interests, stood in the way of innovation and inflicted economic and social harm on its citizens, he writes. The referendum offered us the chance to break free, to become the authors of our own national story, to bring democracy home. I believe in Brexit, I campaigned for it heart and soul. And now I want to see it through. And we should be in no doubt, seeing it through is by no means guaranteed. Condemning calls for a second referendum, he warns: It would prove right all the criticisms we made of the EU and the Westminster establishment during the campaign that they never listen; that they only answer to the people when it suits them; that they will simply never change. Mr Gove acknowledges that he is uncomfortable with the backstop plan, which is designed to prevent a return to a hard border on the island of Ireland. But he says the EU is determined to prevent the backstop ever being invoked for fear it would give British firms many of the benefits of EU membership, without most of the obligations. I would prefer to have had a mechanism to exit the backstop unilaterally, he writes. But its important to look in detail at what the backstop entails and to appreciate that however uncomfortable it is for the UK, it actually creates major problems for the EU. Mr Gove also takes a swipe at hardline Brexiteers who claim the UK can make a painless exit from the EU without a deal. I know some of my colleagues would prefer a clean break that we should walk away from the negotiating table and move towards a relationship based on World Trade Organisation rules, he writes. I respect their position but I cant share it. It is undeniable that no deal would cause considerable dislocation and disruption in the short term. And he warns those pushing for a soft Brexit, such as his ally Nick Boles, to think again and back the PMs proposal. Mr Gove warns that a Norway-style deal, inside the single market, would mean less freedom to decide our laws, less control over our borders and we would still be sending significant sums to Brussels every year. He adds: Its better than EU membership, but worse than this deal. In an article for the Guardian last night, Mr Austin, who is Labour MP for Dudley North, said: It is clearly not a perfect deal, but there was never going to be a perfect deal. My constituents voted to leave. They expect us to sort this out and we in the Labour party need to think carefully before rejecting it. He added: It is very unlikely that voting the deal down would bring about the general election Labour members desperately want to see. Sarah Willingham's advice on how to save money in the festive period includes arranging a big clothes swap with friends, to get new outfits at no extra cost With December here, families across the country are preparing for the Christmas period. Despite being dubbed as the jolliest time of year, it is can also be the most expensive, with millions of us trying to think of ways that we can save ourselves money. So how would an experienced negotiator and businesswoman approach the tough task of saving money at Christmas and into the New Year? Entrepreneur Sarah Willingham is a former Dragons' Den star and mother-of-four and has given us her tips for those looking to get the best Christmas possible without overspending. Sarah, 44, who featured as a panelist on Dragons' Den for two seasons in 2015 and 2016, believes that there are a number of things people can do this year to stop themselves from heading into the red over the Christmas period. She said: When it comes to personal finance, there are big wins and little wins. For big wins, you need to have a financial detox, where you would save yourself a lot of money over the course of the year. However, this is not helpful for the here and now. People want to know what they can do to save in December so that they can still have a good Christmas and not a terrible January.' With shoppers now enduring Black Friday and Cyber Monday before December even starts, avoiding getting sucked into overspending is even tougher. The events are advertised as the best time to grab all your presents at a discounted price, but Sarah says that to take advantage of any supposed sales its vital to firmly stick to only buying what you need - and to make sure the items are actually at a decent discount. She says: You have got to know what youre going to be buying in the first place and you have to know if what youre buying is actually a deal. Shops can put sale signs up and it might not be actually be any cheaper than other times of the year. The best way to take advantage of these shopping events is to look at what you want in the weeks coming up to the event and think of what you want to get people for Christmas. If you use it properly, it works really well. Judge: Sarah starred on BBC's Dragons' Den as a panellist for two series in 2015 and 2016 Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Sarah's business background was forged in stints at Planet Hollywood and Pizza Express, before she took her idea for a chain of Indian takeways national, when she bought and expanded the Bombay Bicycle Club business. Since selling Bombay Bicycle Club in 2008, she has been an investor in a string of businesses and currently runs her portfolio from a home office alongside fellow entrepreneur and husband Michael Toxvaerd. But despite her financial success, Sarah, whose children are aged seven to 11, is still a keen fan of saving money. One way she thinks people can do this is by using WonderBill, an app that she has recently partnered with. It allows households to monitor all of their monthly direct debits in one place, so that they can see exactly how much they pay, and for what, each month. It also doubles up as a comparison service, letting people know if they could be paying less. Sarah said: By adding in all your direct debits, it will remind you of the monthly subscriptions you pay. I find it very helpful as there were subscriptions that I had forgotten about. Im generally quite good at switching providers regularly, but I always tend to miss something. However, this app is constantly reminding me of where I can get a better deal. Switching your bills is a year-round win and a good habit to get into, but Sarah also has some tips for saving a bit here and there - and making a bit extra - in the run-up to Christmas. Sarah said: My advice is to have a look around the house and see if there's anything you can sell. Involve the children make them de-clutter their rooms and show them that by getting rid of something, they can make a bit of quick cash. Christmas shopping can be expensive and stressful, so stick to your buying plans Another thing Ive done for years, during the festivities, is a big clothes swap between me and my friends. We swap nice dresses and handbags that may be used but it really is like getting something new. It makes a great event. One thing that Sarah is particularly looking to encourage this Christmas is conservation, especially when it comes to food and avoiding waste. The WonderBill app lets users compare prices from providers to find the cheapest deals Whilst many of us may be tempted to over indulge, Sarah believes that by bulk-buying food, we are encouraging overspending in the long term. She said: I am a big spender when it comes to food. I enjoy cooking and can easily overspend on food at Christmas. However, I have learnt to just buy what I need. 'Even if I filled my freezer and tell myself that the food will keep, it is still money that I have spent. Rather than spending, it should be a good time to conserve funds and not waste. 'We all need spare cash in January and so we should all be reigning in the spending where we can.' 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. Ms L.C. writes: My sister, who has Parkinson's Disease, moved into a council bungalow in Doncaster a year ago. Since then she has received demands from around the country for traffic offence fines. Police even told her that 'her' car was in an accident, which it was not. I have lost track of how many letters I have sent to the DVLA in Swansea about vehicles falsely registered at her address. Another fine arrived last week, along with a DVLA reminder about taxing the same car. How can it think so many vehicles are registered at one ordinary bungalow? Ploy: Reader's address has been used by someone dodging road penalties Local enquiries suggest that the previous tenant of your sister's bungalow was kicked out after complaints that he was using the property for drug dealing. He also appears to have allowed other people to register their vehicles at his address. Why would anyone do this? Well, it could be that your sister's address is in a cheaper area for car insurance. But a more likely explanation is that drivers believe they can commit traffic offences such as driving in a bus lane or illegal parking. After running into a dead end at your sister's bungalow the authorities would not bother to try to trace them. The real problem has been getting the DVLA to do something about this. In response to all your letters, you received just one reply, saying that a car had been mistakenly registered to her address 'due to an error by the incoming keeper'. So, someone had bought a car, but had forgotten their own address when it came to registering it and had plucked your sister's address out of thin air. I asked the DVLA to say exactly how many vehicles had been registered at your sister's bungalow. And with her consent I supplied the genuine registration number of her own car so it would not be caught up in any investigation. Officials refused to reveal the size of the problem. All they would say was that 'we will put measures in place to help prevent any further vehicles being registered there incorrectly'. Then they explained: 'We do not discuss the specifics of a case with third parties' which ignores the fact that your sister signed a legally binding consent form to allow the DVLA to speak to me and even implies that staff in Swansea would refuse to talk to a lawyer, advice worker or anyone else trying to help your sister. In short, it is a neat way to skirt around the question of whether any action is being taken at all. Finally, the DVLA lost patience with me. Perhaps my questions were just too irritating or embarrassing. A spokesman told me: 'The issue is resolved.' He added: 'We will not provide any further information on the detail of this case.' You have told me that your sister has heard nothing from Swansea so only time will tell whether the problem is resolved. If more 'ghost' cars turn out to be registered at her home, then like it or not, the DVLA can expect to hear from me again. My pension is 8,500 a year my tax code makes it 124,482 L.F. writes: Each April since I retired, I have had a problem with my Pay As You Earn tax code. For unknown reasons Revenue & Customs assumes my income has gone up by more than 110,000 a year, which is ridiculous. In 2017, I appealed and the code was changed before the tax year started. However, this year, when I received my first pension payment, 50 per cent was deducted in tax. Frustrating: A Revenue official has promised the problems won't happen again You must be wondering what will happen next April, when the new tax year starts. Your actual pension is about 8,500 a year, but in 2017 your tax code showed it as more than 116,000 and this year it was magically transformed into 124,482. You managed to nip this nonsense in the bud in 2017, but last April more than 200 was collected in tax unnecessarily, so I asked Revenue & Customs to explain. For once, this was not a case of the tax man programming a computer incorrectly, or of one tax office not speaking to another. A Revenue official told me: We understand that this has been frustrating for Mr F and have made sure it wont happen again. The error happened because information from the employer was not accurate, which meant the wrong tax code was applied. This has been corrected and your latest pension payment not only showed no tax deduction, but it included a refund of tax you already paid. Good. 794 energy bill has left my wife feeling tearful E.H. writes: My 74-year-old wife has received a demand from Npower for 794. We moved into our bungalow last November and to date she has paid the supplier 1,079, but her energy account has been credited with only 350. She spoke to Npower and was told she would be contacted, but she has heard nothing. This has been stressful and left my wife tearful. All change: Npower has said the confusion began because there was a mix-up over moving dates I am not surprised that your wife has been upset. On top of the disappearing payments she has made, there has been confusion over how much Npower should collect from her bank. Recently, she was told she could pay 67 a month, but no sooner had she agreed than Npower changed this to 42. Npower has told me the confusion began because there was a mix-up over the date you moved into the bungalow, so it opened an account that was simply in the name of The Occupier. This is where your wifes disappearing payments ended up but the bills were generated from the real account in her own name. Npower has now merged the accounts and matched the missing payments to the bills. Forget the 794 demand your wifes account is actually 249 in credit. 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. Scrooge might choose to build wealth for wealth's sake. But more socially-minded individuals are putting their money where their morals are. At its simplest this means being an ethical investor, where 'sinful' money generators such as tobacco or firearms manufacturers are not welcome in a portfolio of shares or funds. But screening out too many such offenders often means foregoing investment returns. There is a more positive way to profit from your principles by backing companies seeking to solve the world's key social and environmental issues. It is now commonly known as 'impact' investing. Humbug?: Impact investments aim to make money and help solve the world's key issues With this approach, investors private equity companies or fund managers exert their influence on businesses to do good while trying to make money in the process. The impact investing world includes everything from multi-billion pound global equity funds to small-scale community energy projects. James Gifford is head of impact investing at investment bank UBS. He says most impact investing happens through private equity where money is invested directly in a business. He says: 'For example, it might be an investment in a start- up bringing mobile banking to Indonesia. This would help alleviate poverty as well as be good for the tech company involved.' It is now becoming easier for individual investors to get involved. A new investment trust, The Global Sustainability Trust from asset manager Aberdeen Standard, will list on the stock market later this month. Rebecca Jones, editor at website Good with Money, says: 'The trust is an exciting development bringing small-scale, private company impact investing to retail investors.' Andrew Dykes, the trust's deputy chairman, says: 'The aim is to generate a measurable environmental and social impact alongside a financial return for our shareholders.' The aim is to generate a return... and a social impact Gifford says private investors can have little influence in changing corporate behaviour. But big shareholders, such as pension and investment funds, have greater powers of persuasion. For example, a fund manager might be able to coax a company to get a key supplier to pay workers, often overseas, a better wage. He adds: 'By helping improve the business behaviour of this supplier, the company should then be able to attract the best graduates which will have a positive impact on their own corporate performance. In effect, everyone wins.' Businesses doing good are not always the ones you might immediately think of. For example, oil company Shell has its core business in fossil fuels, but it is also one of the globe's biggest investors in renewable energy making an active contribution to a cleaner environment. Something not all its competitors do. Doing good... Shell has its core business in fossil fuels, but it is also one of the globe's biggest investors in renewable energy Damian Payatakis is an expert in impact investing at Barclays Bank. He says that climate change, a rapidly ageing population and chronic disease, are all areas where companies can have a positive effect. He points to Xylem, a firm that advises organisations on how to reduce their water consumption, helping save the environment as well as cut business costs. Peter Michaelis, head of sustainable investment at fund group Liontrust, says the investment strategy can reap rewards for investors. Its ten sustainable funds have outperformed average mainstream funds in their respective sectors over the past five years. A success story among its many underlying investments is building materials company Kingspan. Michaelis says: 'Every new building now in the UK has to be thermally efficient due to tighter regulations. There will be increasing demand for this firm's products. The same can be said of US cyber security firm Palo Alto Networks as businesses large and small want to keep their data safe.' Darius McDermott, of fund broker Chelsea Financial Services, says impact investing fund managers have challenges. He says: 'There are no formal requirements for companies to release data on sustainable issues in a consistent format. As a result, many asset managers are developing their own tools to measure impact.' Despite the national trend towards being more socially and environmentally aware (caring more about what we eat and where our clothes are made) ethical-style investments represent little more than 1 per cent of total assets under management in the UK. Xylem is a firm that advises organisations on how to reduce their water consumption Mark Dampier, of investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown, says impact investing has some way to go before it enters the mainstream. He says: 'It is a small and immature market where available investments for investors are few and far between. 'Aside from a few bond funds, such as Threadneedle Social Bond, investors are hard pressed to find appropriate funds they can slot into their portfolios.' Ethical assets make up just 1 per cent of the total Others are more upbeat. Rebecca Jones, at Good with Money, says: 'There has never been more opportunity for investors to make a real impact with their money.' She likes renewable energy funds Foresight Solar and Greencoat Wind. Another option is the Triple Point Social Housing Real Estate Investment Trust. This invests in building social housing for those with long- term learning disabilities. Additional options include the Liontrust Sustainable Future range. Ethical bank Triodos has two socially responsible investment funds Sustainable Equity and Sustainable Pioneer. The former invests in Japan National Railways which builds high-speed trains that compete on price and speed with more environmentally unfriendly planes. Other funds include M&G Positive Impact, Edentree UK Amity and Rathbone Ethical Bond. Barclays Multi-Impact Growth, launched less than a year ago, invests in other funds that meet its manager's environmental and social impact criteria. The bank's Smart Investor platform also highlights funds suitable for impact investors. Fund aimed at young...and groovy grandparents Investment house Aberdeen Standard hopes its new fund The Global Sustainability Trust will help feed the growing appetite for social and environmental impact investing. Although recent research by Barclays suggests the trend is driven by younger investors, Aberdeen Standard expects groovy grandparents with money to spare to wake up to the benefits. The trust has an initial target of 200million money which it will use to invest in companies that align with the United Nations sustainable development goals. These are firms that primarily assist in providing sustainable energy, food and agriculture. The trust will work with venture firm Bridges Ventures in finding suitable private equity opportunities. In the past, Bridges has backed World of Books, a company that buys unwanted books from charity shops, identifies which ones are worth selling second-hand through Amazon, before sending the rest to be pulped. Charity shops benefit and pulping volumes are reduced. Roger Pim, manager of the new trust, says: At least 95 per cent of investment opportunities in the social and environmental impact area are private companies. We will be the only investor in many of these businesses and will seek ones aligned to our sustainable goals. The investment trust structure offers private investors access to a diversified portfolio of opportunities not otherwise available to them. The initial offer for shares in The Global Sustainability Trust closes on December 11. You can apply via registrar Computershare or investment platforms such as Alliance Trust and Hargreaves Lansdown. Minimum investment is 500. For information, visit globalsustainabilitytrust.co.uk. Powerful American hedge funds have placed 1billion of last-minute bets on FTSE 100 drugs firm Shire being bought by a Japanese rival for 46billion this week. The takeover, which would be the second largest ever for a British company, is on a knife-edge after shareholders of potential buyer Takeda expressed doubts about the debt-fuelled deal. They will vote on the megadeal in a crunch meeting on Wednesday after months of speculation in the City about whether it will get the green light. Bitter pill: The takeover is on a knife-edge after shareholders of potential buyer Takeda expressed doubts about the debt-fuelled deal Shire, run by Danish chief executive Flemming Ornskov, is best known as the maker of ADHD hyperactivity drug Adderall. Takeda, which has French former GlaxoSmithKline executive Christophe Weber at the helm, has been trying to convince investors of the deal's merits since agreeing the tie-up in April. In a significant setback last week, former chairman Kunio Takeda made an 11th hour plea to shareholders to reject the deal. Other members of the family which founded and previously ran Takeda have also hit out at the takeover and said it would have 'disastrous' consequences for the business. Takeda is smaller than Shire. The Mail on Sunday has learned that in recent days Baupost and Paulson two of the world's most influential investors have quietly placed huge bets that the deal will go through and secure them a quick profit. Shares in Shire will rise if the proposal is passed by Takeda shareholders because the lingering doubts have kept its current share price slightly lower than the bid price. By contrast, Takeda's share price is expected to fall as it did when its approach for Shire first emerged. However, if the deal does not get the nod then shares in Shire could plunge and Takeda stock could rise, proving very costly for the hedge funds. It emerged on November 20 that Boston-based Baupost, run by billionaire Seth Klarman, has bought more than 10 million shares in Shire, worth 460 million. On the same day, it took out a large short position against Takeda worth around 120 million in a bet that the Japanese firm's shares will fall. Two weeks ago, New York-based Paulson, run by John Paulson, snapped up 9.4 million shares worth more than 420 million. That means that between them, the two hedge funds have staked about 1 billion on the deal. Potential losses on the bets far outweigh the possible profits, which would be in the region of tens of millions of pounds for both hedge funds. The Shire share price is 45 about 4 less than the cash and stock offer, currently worth about 49 based on Takeda's latest share price in Tokyo. Hedge funds have become key players in major UK takeover battles this year by taking late stakes in British companies such as Sky before it was bought by Comcast Hedge funds have become key players in major UK takeover battles this year by taking late stakes in British companies such as Sky and engineer GKN before they were bought by Comcast and Melrose respectively. Baupost built up a stake of nearly five per cent in Sky before Comcast sealed a 30 billion takeover in September and is thought to have made a 600 million profit in just a year. Shire was founded in Basingstoke, Hampshire, in 1986 before listing on the London Stock Exchange ten years later. It relocated its headquarters to Dublin in 2008 to cut its tax bill. Since then, it has made several major acquisitions to become a big player in the US market. That led to a 32 billion takeover approach from American giant AbbVie in 2014, which was abandoned after President Obama's clampdown on so-called tax inversion deals. At the time, American drugs firms had been looking to buy companies overseas so they could shift their headquarters and lower their corporate tax bills. In 2016, Shire shelled out 22 billion to buy the US rare diseases specialist Baxalta. Britain's biggest pension funds are invested in Shire through investment giants such as Fidelity and Legal & General. It would be the second largest takeover of a British company ever at 57.5 billion including around 13 billion in debt, according to financial data group Dealogic. It is beaten only by AB InBev's 88 billion swoop for Peroni beer brewer SABMiller in 2016. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic, HSBC's private bank and energy giant Npower are among scores of companies that have admitted the gulf between men and women's pay at their firms has increased over the last year. Amid intense political scrutiny, women's average salaries against men's have improved since organisations were first forced to disclose their gender pay gaps, new data suggests. However, as firms start to file their figures for the second time ahead of a deadline in April next year, The Mail on Sunday has found that more than a third of these organisations have gone the other way and increased the average amount men get paid compared to women. Smart: Cabin crew at Virgin Atlantic where the pay gap has grown Our analysis found that of 387 firms which have filed gender pay figures for the previous two financial years, the gap has skewed towards men in 130 cases 34 per cent. Some 70 reported no change, while 187 closed the gap in favour of women. On average, the total gender pay gap across these companies is 11.5 per cent meaning men are paid 11.5 per cent more than women per hour on a median measure, down from 12.4 per cent in the previous financial year. Virgin Atlantic is one of the worst culprits for paying men a large amount more than their female colleagues. Along with several of its industry peers including Ryanair and easyJet Virgin came under fire when it revealed last year that its male employees were paid 28.4 per cent more than women. This gap has now widened to 31 per cent. The airline industry has blamed its higher than average pay gap on the fact that there are fewer women working as well paid engineers and pilots. Virgin Atlantic said it was seeking to address this issue. A spokesman for the airline said its widening gap was partly because some of its senior female employees had left, and also because pilots had been doing extra hours. They added that Virgin is confident its efforts to encourage women to become engineers and pilots, in addition to its commitment to promoting women into senior positions, 'will see our gender pay results improve each year'. HSBC, led by chief executive John Flint since February this year, is another large firm that has faced criticism for the aching gap between male and female pay. The main division of the bank saw its gap remain at 29 per cent this year, while its private bank's increased from 35 to 40 per cent. The bank is seeking to address this issue in part by ensuring 30 per cent of senior leadership roles are held by women by 2020. Pay gap: HSBC private bank's pay gap between men and women has increased from 35 to 40% Npower also reported an enlarged gender pay gap this year. The divide between male and female pay is up from 13 to 18 per cent. An Npower spokesman said the change had occurred in part because a number of female employees had taken 'salary sacrifice benefits, such as child care and additional annual leave, compared to our male staff'. The spokesman added: 'Although this has contributed to increasing the overall pay gap, it is a positive step towards our company being more family-friendly by offering this additional flexibility.' There was also a growing gap from 14.3 to 17.8 per cent at McKinsey and Company, an American consultancy. Its bosses are likely to be particularly embarrassed because the firm advises other organisations including the Government on the importance of equalling out salaries. A spokesman said: 'Men and women at our firm with the same performance and experience in equivalent roles are paid equally. We have a gender pay gap because of the high number of men in senior roles. We have never shied away from the fact we have more to do. 'Greater gender parity is a real priority for our firm. We are committed to building a strong pipeline of female talent 49 per cent of our generalist consultants recruited this year are female. Our research has reinforced the business case for greater gender diversity and our gender-pay gap is a reminder that we still have some way to go.' Technology tycoon Mike Lynch was last night weighing up with a crack team of lawyers whether to fight criminal charges in America in a bid to clear his name. Lynch was thought to be mulling over his next move at his Suffolk manor house, where he keeps rare breeds of cattle and pigs. The US Justice Department on Friday accused him of overseeing a massive fraud at his FTSE 100 software giant Autonomy before it was sold to Hewlett-Packard for 8.5 billion in 2011. Refuge: Mike Lynch and his palatial Suffolk home, where he keeps rare breeds of cattle and pigs The tech entrepreneur, once dubbed 'Britain's Bill Gates', could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. He denies the charges. Lynch, who also owns a 20 million townhouse in Chelsea, West London, now has to decide whether to travel to San Francisco to contest the charges in court or fight extradition from the UK. London courts have the power to block extradition. Lynch's lawyers argue it is not a case for American courts because Autonomy, which led to multi-billion dollar writedowns for HP, was a British company. If he tries to clear his name in an American court, Lynch risks suffering the same fate as his former colleague Sushovan Hussain, Autonomy's former chief financial officer, who was convicted on similar charges earlier this year. Hussain is appealing. Sources close to Lynch, who now runs his venture capital fund Invoke Capital, say he is confident in his case. American prosecutors have yet to set a date for the trial. He resigned as a Government adviser on Friday, but remains on the board of several of Invoke's investment companies. Lawyers for Lynch called the indictment 'a travesty of justice'. Separately, Lynch and Hussain face a $5.1 billion High Court battle with HP in London next year. Lynch has counter-sued for $160 million over damage to his reputation. The largest shareholder of Scottish television network STV has slapped a 200 million price tag on the company amid rumours of a takeover. Richard Bernstein, boss of Crystal Amber, which has a 19 per cent stake in STV, said it is inevitable that broadcast giant ITV will try to buy the firm. He said he would expect a buyer to pay about 5.20 per share, which would give STV a value of about 200 million. Cards on the table: Richard Bernstein of Crystal Amber, which has a 19 per cent stake in STV Shares in STV, which is led by former ITV executive Simon Pitts, currently stand at 3.55. STV is a franchise of ITV and broadcasts much of the same content including shows such as I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! on Scotland's third channel. ITV, which has a stock market value of more than 6 billion, used to be a shareholder in STV but sold off its stake. Bernstein, who also invests in banknote maker De La Rue, said: 'This is the last remaining ITV network franchise that ITV doesn't own. So I believe it is a case of when not if there is a bid.' Crystal Amber first invested in STV in 2013 and it has long been speculated that Bernstein's fund is pushing for a sale. But industry sources played down ITV's interest in STV, suggesting it plays no part in the broadcaster's immediate plans after new chief executive Carolyn McCall set out her strategic ambitions for the business earlier this year. Rumours of a takeover spread after STV's share price jumped last week. A spokesman for STV said the firm is 'focused on delivering our growth strategy, which is all about making a profitable, independent future for STV as Scotland's favourite TV broadcaster and producer'. They added: 'We have committed to investing 15 million over the next three years in order to build STV Productions into a world-class independent production company.' Bad for your wealth: The risky investments have been made through Sipps Tens of thousands of people have money tied up in toxic investments that threaten to decimate their pension savings. Those at risk are being warned to weed out the high-risk schemes that are either doomed to fail or will bankroll fraudsters. The risky investments have been made through self-invested personal pensions, better known as Sipps. These pension arrangements are more flexible than traditional workplace schemes and are held by more than a million investors. They allow investors or their financial adviser to choose what is held inside the Sipp. Although some providers restrict the choice of underlying investments to shares and funds, others provide access to more obscure ventures that are not listed on any stock exchange. Nearly 6billion has been put into so-called 'non-standard' investments. The result is that many savers have been exposed to a mix of poor advice, rotten investments and scams. Examples of money being squandered via Sipps include investments in teak plantations in Brazil, biofuel plantations in Cambodia and storage containers which earn rental income. Experts say that if savers have even the slightest inkling they might have been scammed, they should act now to review their investments, limit losses and protect their retirement savings. Martin Tilley is director of technical services at Sipp provider Dentons Pension Management. He says: 'There are investment scams where you will get nothing at all for your money or ones where you own an asset but have most likely grossly overpaid for it. If your Sipp provider has not given you an up-to-date valuation for some time, that could be a reason to worry.' The Financial Ombudsman Service, which settles disputes between financial companies and their customers, is fielding an increasing number of complaints about Sipps. In the year ending March 2018, it took on 2,051 cases, but in the next six months it handled 1,754 new cases. This is equivalent to 86 per cent of an entire year's intake in half the time. It is also siding with customers in 61 per cent of cases it resolves up from 52 per cent a year ago. Sipp providers argue that customers are responsible for how their money is invested and that their job is only to execute a customer's wishes. But investors argue Sipp schemes should ensure they weed out shady investments. Increasingly, both regulators and courts are being persuaded that investors are right. Sipp providers are bound by rules that state they should check who they do business with. While they do not need to ensure an investment is right for an individual, they do need to check it is suitable for the scheme they offer. This responsibility was highlighted in a key decision by the Ombudsman back in 2014. It found in favour of a complainant who argued his Sipp administrator Berkeley Burke had failed him by permitting a 30,000 investment into a biofuels venture that later turned out to be a scam. Berkeley Burke challenged the legality of the Ombudsman's decision in the High Court but recently lost its case. It has the right to appeal again. Examples of money being squandered via Sipps include investments in biofuel plantations How a cold-call can lead to disaster Anyone thinking of opening a Sipp to invest in the unusual should be extremely wary. Martin Tilley says: 'If an investment is unregulated, treat any marketing material as if it is a pack of lies at least until you can verify otherwise through independent and thorough research.' Scammers are becoming sophisticated. Tilley says the investments they peddle look 'at first, second and third glance to have substance,' adding: 'Only when you delve deeper and start asking questions do you find you are not getting the answers you want.' A typical journey for a riches-to-rags victim starts with a cold-call from an 'introducer' who is paid handsomely for recommending a toxic investment. Michelle Cracknell, chief executive of The Pensions Advisory Service, says: 'Sipp scams often involve an introducer promoting an investment that is at best high risk, at worst fraudulent. 'A common hook is an exciting 'high-return' investment. Often now the hook may also be to access the high transfer value from a defined benefit or final salary workplace pension. Introducers are usually unregulated and getting recompense from them is difficult.' Investors in regulated investment funds can get compensation if their investment goes bust through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The limit is 50,000 per person, per firm rising to 85,000 from next April. Cracknell says anyone investing via a Sipp should ask about the compensation they would receive if the investments went bust and obtain all details about the costs involved, including if they transferred their money out. She adds: 'Do not follow up on calls from introducers that have approached you.' For free and impartial advice on pensions visit pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk or call 0800 011 3797. Over-50s looking to make sense of pension choices can make a free appointment with Pension Wise. Visit pensionwise.gov.uk or call 0800 138 3944. To find a regulated financial adviser use websites such as unbiased or VouchedFor. To read more about pension scams, visit fca.org.uk/scamsmart. 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 Cosan Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in fuel and natural gas distribution, logistics, lubricant, sugar, and ethanol businesses in Brazil, Europe, Latin America, North America, Asia, and internationally. It operates through RaAzen Energia, RaAzen CombustAveis, ComgAs, Cosan LogAstica, and Moove segments. The company's RaAzen Energia segment produces and markets products derived from sugar cane, including raw sugar, anhydrous, and hydrated ethanol, as well as activities related to energy cogeneration from sugarcane bagasse. Its RaAzen CombustAveis segment engages in the distribution and marketing of fuels, primarily through a franchised network of service stations under the Shell brand in Brazil; petroleum refining; operation of fuel resellers, and convenience store businesses; and production and sale of liquefied petroleum gas, and automotive and industrial lubricants. The company's ComgAs segment distributes piped natural gas to customers in the industrial, residential, commercial, automotive, and cogeneration sectors in SAo Paulo. Its Cosan LogAstica segment provides logistics services for transport, storage, and port loading of commodities, primarily for sugar products; and leases locomotives, wagons, and other railway equipment. The company's Moove segment produces and distributes lubricants under the Mobil brand. It operates a network of approximately 7,270 service stations and 1,726 convenience stores, as well as 68 distribution terminals and 68 airports supplying jet fuel. The company was founded in 1936 and is based in SAo Paulo, Brazil. Read More First BanCorp (Puerto Rico) is a holding company, which engages in the provision of personal, commercial, and corporate banking services through its subsidiaries. It operates through the following segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, Consumer (Retail) Banking, Mortgage Banking, Treasury and Investments, United States Operations, and Virgin Islands Operations. The Commercial and Corporate Banking segment consists of the company's lending and other services for large customers represented by specialized and middle-market clients and the public sector. The Consumer (Retail) Banking segment includes consumer lending and deposit-taking activities conducted mainly through FirstBank's branch network in Puerto Rico. The Mortgage Banking segment focuses on the origination, sale, and servicing of a variety of residential mortgage loan products and related hedging activities. The Treasury and Investments segment deals with treasury and investment management functions. The United States Operations segment represents all banking activities conducted by FirstBank on the United States mainland. The Virgin Islands Operations segment includes all banking activities conducted by FirstBank in Read More Police in Washington state say they've found no evidence of wrongdoing after investigating allegations that relatives of radio personality Casey Kasem were responsible for his 2014 death. Gig Harbor Police Chief Kelly Busey said Friday that the administrative investigation didn't find evidence of a crime. He says he will forward the case to county prosecutors for review. The longtime "American Top 40" host died at age 82 at a hospital in Gig Harbor, near Seattle. Police opened the investigation last month after Kasem's wife, former actress Jean Kasem, submitted a private investigator's report claiming her three adult stepchildren were responsible for Kasem's death. Busey says the investigation found Casey Kasem received appropriate care and no evidence of collusion between family and doctors. Kasem's two daughters told KOMO-TV they feel vindicated. Jean Kasem has not commented. Associated Press Kid Rock comment irks Nashville mayor Nashville Mayor David Briley's office says he's "inclined not to participate" in a Christmas parade if Kid Rock remains grand marshal. The comment follows a Fox & Friends interview Friday in which Kid Rock used an expletive to describe Joy Behar of The View. Multiple Fox & Friends personalities apologized. Kid Rock apologized for the language, but "not the sentiment." Kid Rock is slated to be grand marshal Saturday in the privately run Nashville Christmas Parade. Mayoral spokesman Thomas Mulgrew said Briley was disgusted by Kid Rock's comments about Behar. He said Nashville is an inclusive place and Briley doesn't want to be included in a parade with a grand marshal who says hateful things on national television. Associated Press Jay-Z song refers to Kanye's MAGA hat Jay-Z makes reference to Kanye West's controversial wearing of the red Make American Great Again hat on a new song but says it shouldn't be taken as a dig at his longtime collaborator. "No red hat, don't Michael and Prince me and Ye/ They separate you when you got Michael and Prince's DNA," Jay-Z raps in a featured verse on Meek Mill's song "What's Free." Jay-Z continues by trashing President Trump, but stops short of comparing Melania Trump to his wife Beyonce. West wore the MAGA hat, which features President Trump's campaign slogan, multiple times this year as he voiced his support for the president. Although Jay-Z supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and has been critical of Trump, he says his new lyric about the hat is meant as a show of unity with West. "The line clearly meant don't pit me against my brothers no matter what our differences are (red hat) now go pick up Meek album," Jay-Z tweeted Friday. "Drake and Meek on there together ." West rose to fame in the music industry as a producer for Jay-Z's record label. New York Daily News CNN, contributor split after speech CNN has parted ways with contributor Marc Lamont Hill after a speech the college professor made on Israel and Palestine at the United Nations. A CNN spokesperson confirmed Hill is no longer under contract. The network did not give a reason, but the move comes amid objections to Hill's speech by the Anti-Defamation League and other groups. Hill, a professor of media studies at Temple University who had been a recurring political commentator on CNN, called for countries to boycott and divest from Israel in the speech. "We have an opportunity to not just offer solidarity in words but to commit to political action, grass-roots action, local action and international action that will give us what justice requires and that is a free Palestine from the river to the sea," Hill said in the speech. The ADL and others said the "river to the sea" phrase is code for the destruction of Israel often used by Hamas and groups bent on its destruction. "My reference to 'river to the sea' was not a call to destroy anything or anyone," Hill said on Twitter. "It was a call for justice, both in Israel and in the West Bank/Gaza. The speech very clearly and specifically said those things." Associated Press When John Allen Chau, a young American missionary, landed Nov. 17 on North Sentinel Island, the indigenous people there shot him dead with arrows. Were the Sentinelese who are protected from all outsiders by the Indian government protecting themselves or attacking? Where was the line between being a missionary or a colonizer? Growing up in the Southern Baptist Church, I was taught that there were two types of people in the world: saved and unsaved, reached and unreached. According to the Joshua Project, 7,076 people groups in the world are "unreached," meaning that "few identify as Christians or have knowledge of Christianity." Missionaries take Jesus to the lost of the world. For much of my early life, I carried this missionary mindset. I was born in Indian territory and grew up on Native land, but in our home we practiced evangelical Christianity more than our traditional Potawatomi ways. I did not understand that the Christian faith I practiced was the same kind of faith that colonized my own ancestors. As an adult, I'm decolonizing, asking if it's possible to practice Christianity and follow Jesus in a different way. That means I question the mission of the church to convert the "unreached." In doing so, I'm learning that even people with good intentions can become tools of oppression within evangelical institutions and still call it love. Missionaries and colonizers often worked hand in hand, leading to genocide, colonization and assimilation done in the name of Jesus. One instance was Indian boarding schools, designed to "kill the Indian, save the man," which stripped Native children of culture in order to make them into civilized, white Christians. The Doctrine of Discovery gave European Christian explorers and missionaries the right to dominate the people of any land they deemed "undiscovered," all in the name of God. Pastors in the pulpit on Sunday mornings quote Romans to their congregations: "And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" According to the International Journal of Frontier Missiology, $450 million a year goes toward unreached peoples (unlike reached people groups who are already Christians). Congregations see missionaries as heroes who bring salvation, they send out those who are called, and they ask for the lost to have eyes that are open to the work of their gospel. Yet they seem unaware that indigenous peoples see them as invaders who bring destruction, or are indifferent to their point of view. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. It is no surprise that Chau's death is seen as martyrdom and godly sacrifice in many churches. But indigenous people know what it means to have our lands invaded. We know that our people have been killed off by disease brought by those who purported that they were simply bringing the love and power of Jesus with them. So in light of John Allen Chau, the North Sentinel Islanders, and the gospel according to the American church, we need to have a conversation about what love is, and what colonization is, and the fact that they are not one and the same. Kaitlin Curtice is a Potawatomi author and speaker. Saratoga Springs A new permanent exhibit at the New York State Military Museum highlights the history of the Cold War and the hot wars in Korea and Vietnam. Pictures, oral history videos and artifacts tell the story of New Yorkers in combat from 1950 to 1973, the Cold War here at home, and the civil strife in the U.S. prompted by the Vietnam War caused, according to the museum. Existing permanent exhibits relate the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World Wars I and II and the New York Militia and National Guard in the 19th century. Artifacts used to illustrate the history of the Korean War (1950-53) include an M 1911A 1 .45 caliber pistol, the A-frame pack Korean porters used to transport supplies, water purification tablets and a 155 artillery shell like those fired in combat by the New York Army National Guard's 955th Field Artillery Battalion. The history of the Cold War section of the exhibit includes a Civil Defense sanitation kit for bomb shelter use, a radiation detector which would have been used after an atomic bomb attack and survival ration crackers. For the Vietnam War, the museum exhibit will include U.S. military script used at the Post Exchange instead of cash, a soldier's load-carrying equipment, a tropical combat coat, and a combat helmet. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The museum, at 61 Lake Ave., is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Admission is free. Staff report ALBANY The Gates family was already on a plane in Albany, about to head back home to San Diego, when they realized something was missing: their daughter's beloved stuffed animal, Bunny. Now the search is on, from across the country, to bring Bunny home. The California family took to Facebook for help, getting more than 2,200 shares in just two days. According to their Lost Bunny Facebook page, the stuffed animal was likely lost in Saratoga Springs or Colonie. "Bunny has been nine-year-old Cecily's best friend for about nine years," a post reads. "He has slept with her every night, comforted her when she was sad, and gone on all her adventures." The family had been vacationing in Montreal and flew back to California via Albany International Airport on Nov. 24. But before boarding the plane, they stopped for lunch at Salt & Char in Saratoga Springs, then got gas at the Sunoco on Wolf Road and dropped off their Budget rental car in Colonie. They've already reached out to those businesses, but still...no sign of Bunny. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "You know how every little kid has one 'go to' stuffed animal, a constant companion they would be heartbroken to lose? Yeah, that's our daughter's Bunny," the family said on Facebook. The family described the beloved toy as 8-inches-tall with shredded ears, a stitched nose, a hole in the back of his head with stuffing spilling out, and a heart-shaped patch on his chest all signs of a well-loved stuffed animal. "Despite everything, he is our daughter's Chosen One," the Gates family said. "It's a long shot but we'd love to find him." GUILDERLAND - Town police are searching for the suspect who robbed the Mobil gas station on 3605 Carman Road late Friday. The crime occurred at about 11 p.m. when the suspect entered the gas station displaying a handgun and stole an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes, police said. He fled on foot heading west on Carman Road. COLONIE -- A North Carolina man was arrested on a weapon charge for bringing a gun into the Albany County International Airport without having a valid New York state permit, Sheriff Craig Apple said Saturday. Shane V. Weidman, 44, of Wilmington was charged with a misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon count Tuesday morning. He had a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handgun which was declared as he was checking in at the American Airlines ticket counter, Apple said. A New Scotland man was arrested Thursday, accused of stealing more than $3,000 from victims under false pretenses, State Police said. Patrick M. Walsh, 56, is charged with grand larceny and scheme to defraud after the investigation involving victims in Albany and Rensselaer counties.Polie did not provide specifics. Buenos Aires, Argentina He didn't sit down with two of his favorite strongmen. He downgraded a meeting with one ally and postponed one with another. He exchanged icy smiles with the prime minister of Canada, who had threatened to skip the signing of a new trade agreement with the United States and Mexico because of lingering bitterness over steel tariffs. And he was preoccupied by legal clouds back home, tweeting angrily that there was nothing illicit about his business ventures in Russia, a day after his former lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about the extent and duration of those dealings. President Donald Trump canceled a meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, citing the country's recent naval clash with Ukraine. He did not meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, though he did exchange pleasantries with the prince, whom he has pulled close despite charges the prince had a role in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The president did meet with leaders of two Pacific allies, Australia and Japan, as well as with the prime minister of India. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, one of Trump's most eager courtiers among foreign leaders, congratulated him on his "historic victory in the midterm election" an election in which Democrats seized control of the House. Trump's day may well have peaked at 7:30 a.m. when he greeted Argentina's president, Mauricio Macri, at the Casa Rosada. "We've known each other a long time," said Trump, who was involved in a Manhattan real estate deal with Macri's father in the 1980s. "That was in my civilian days," said a nostalgic president, who has talked recently about how much he misses his hometown. The Group of 20 is a motley congregation under any circumstances, divided between liberal democratic leaders, who are greater in number, and autocrats, who often drive the agenda. Trump, who was making his second visit to the G-20, dramatizes its split nature, having alienated European allies and cultivated friendly ties with several strongmen. This year, however, the autocrats proved as problematic as the allies. Despite professing his loyalty to Prince Mohammed only two weeks ago, Trump did not find time for a formal session with him. The president's national security adviser, John R. Bolton, chalked up the omission to Trump's "full to overflowing" schedule of meetings with other leaders. Then there was the president's frustrated bromance with Putin, one of the other mini-soap operas that flavored the meeting. After months of trying to arrange another date, Trump abruptly and unhappily pulled the plug on a scheduled meeting with Putin, citing the recent escalation in Russian tensions with Ukraine. The Kremlin, which learned about the cancellation via Twitter, like the rest of the world, has been tweaking Trump in response. A Russian official told reporters that the real reason Trump canceled was the revelation he had been trying to build a tower in Moscow much later into his presidential campaign than previously acknowledged. On Friday, Trump insisted again to reporters that the meeting was scrapped "on the basis of what took place with respect to the ships and the sailors. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Trump is sticking to a plan to have a working dinner with President Xi Jinping of China on Saturday. And he expressed more optimism about reaching some kind of compromise with China to ease its escalating trade dispute with the United States. "We're working very hard," Trump said. "If we can make a deal, that'd be good. I think they want to. I think we'd like to." On Saturday, he is to have a rescheduled meeting with Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, who arrived late on a commercial flight after an emergency landing of her government plane in Cologne. But he downgraded a meeting with another ally, Moon of South Korea, to a "pull aside," diplomatic jargon for a less formal encounter. The White House did not say why it had made that change, though Trump's nuclear diplomacy with North Korea has bogged down in recent weeks. The White House said Trump is still hoping for a follow-up summit with President Kim Jong Un of North Korea. To some experts, Trump's truncated schedule represented a new phase in his unorthodox approach to statecraft. "In previous meetings, Trump has been more focused on undermining the very notion of a global agenda, let alone affirming the U.S.' leadership role in defining it," said Vali R. Nasr, the dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. "But in this one, with the exception of his working dinner with Xi, he is not even doing the key bilateral meetings." A NENAGH man who was caught drunk driving on two occasions within a period of five days has been jailed by Judge Elizabeth MacGrath at Nenagh Court. Paddy Shoer, 28, with addresses at 24 St Joseph's Park, and 15 Barr an Cnoic, Ormond Street, Nenagh, had put himself and other members of the public in danger due to driving with excess alcohol in his system, said the judge. Mr Shoer, described as a drug addict, and who was also before the court for a spate of thefts from local shops, was jailed for a total of eight months. The judge suspended the last two months of the sentence on condition Mr Shoer entered a Section 99 bond for a period of two years and committed to co-operating with the probation services on his release. Referring to a spate of thefts committed in local shops by the defendant, Sgt Michael Keating told the court that there was a lot of money owned by Mr Shoer to victims of his crimes. At an earlier sitting of the court this November, Mr Shoer's solicitor David Peters conceded that his client had committed "a huge number of offences". Mr Shoer pleaded guilty to stealing 24 cans of beer worth 20 from the Tesco store in Nenagh on June 14, 2018. The property was not recovered. On August 6, 2018,he was caught driving without a licence and insurance at St Flannan's Street in Nenagh at a time when he was supposed to be serving a ban from driving. Less than a month later, on September 2, he was again caught driving without a licence or insurance in Coille Bheithe off St Conlon's Road, Nenagh, and was also intoxicated on the occasion. When Gardai searched the vehicle he was driving they found whisky, vodka and cans of beer that had been stolen from a local store. Five days later, on September 7, he was again caught drink driving at Modreeny, Cloughjordan, when he was uninsured and unlicensed to drive. On November 5, he stole eight cans of cider valued at 16 from O' Connor's Store in Kenyon Street. Sgt Keating outlined how during his crime spree Mr Shoer had also stolen 44.98 worth of drink from the local Aldi store on September 2, 2018. On the same day he stole 60 worth of diesel from Foley's Spar shop in Gortlandroe and then five days later he stole 40 worth of diesel at O' Brien's Spar Shop in Main Street, Borrisokane, driving off on both occasions without paying. He pleaded guilty to being drunk and threatening and abusive at New Line, Nenagh, on August 28, 2018. Sgt Keating said Mr Shoer had 27 previous convictions, including one for assault in 2013 for which he received nine months in prison. He had four previous theft related offences. He was serving a 10-year driving ban that was due to end in 2020. Judge MacGrath said she had serious concerns about Mr Shoer who was badly in need of help and who had "clearly gone off the rails" and "lost the plot". Recognizances were fixed in event of an appeal in Mr Shoer's own bond of 500 and an independent surety of 1,000. According to Global Market Insights, the rubber processing chemicals market is forecast to exceed US$5.3bn by 2025. This will be primarily driven by the rapidly growing automobile industry as well as growth in the construction market. According to the latest OICA reports, global vehicle sales in 2017 totalled 97 million. Due to the hazardous nature of rubber chemicals, new regulations are being brought into place. This is likely to hamper product demand over the forecast time period (2018-2025). Furthermore, as the tire industry shifts from conventional tires to green tires, this could further cut sales in the rubber processing chemicals market. ') } // --> ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> ') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write(' ') } // --> ') } else if (width >= 425) { console.log ('largescreen'); document.write('') } else { console.log ('nompuad'); document.write('') } // --> In 2017 accelerator products generated a revenue of over US$1.5bn and are projected to experience the highest CAGR during the forecast period. With increasing application of rubber across the globe, the accelerator market is anticipated to experience a healthy growth in demand in the near future. Anti-degradant rubber chemicals are also likely to experience significant growth over the forecast period. Tires were the largest application segment for rubber processing chemicals in 2017 and is forecast to grow at the highest CAGR due to escalating automobile sales across the globe. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow with the highest CAGR over the forecast timeframe. The vehicle market is the largest consumer in the rubber chemicals market and as 40% of vehicles are produced in China, the Asia Pacific region saw the highest demand in 2017, with a market share of more than 60%. The North American rubber processing market is forecast to grow with a prominent CAGR in near future, due to the presence of many of the major automobile manufacturers in the USA. Some major players on the rubber processing chemicals market include BASF SE; Solvay; Kumho Petrochemicals; Eastman Chemical Company; AkzoNobel; Emerald Performance Materials; Linkwell; Sumitomo Chemicals; R.T. Venderbilt Holding Company; Merchem; and Pukhraj Additives. Explore more about the topic by purchasing the full report from Global Market Insights: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/rubber-processing-chemicals-market. [November 30, 2018] $18K in Grant Funds Awarded to Louisiana Nonprofits First National Bank of Louisiana and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) awarded $18,200 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP (News - Alert)) funds to Crowley Main Street and Empowering the Community for Excellence (ETCFE). Local dignitaries joined bank representatives in awarding the funds at a check presentation today at First National Bank's offices. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181130005566/en/ First National and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas awarded Crowley main Street $16,000 in Partnership Grant Program funds to support downtown beautification efforts. (Photo: Business Wire) Crowley Main Street, whose mission is to revitalize and promote the historic, cultural, social and economic significance of Crowley's downtown historic business district, will receive $16,000 in PGP funds to assist with business and fundraising operations, as well as supporting the organization's beautification efforts to revitalize the downtown area. "We believe our downtown commercial historic district is the heart of our city and the center of economic vitality," said Jill Habetz, advisory board vice president of Crowley Main Street. "The PGP grant funds will be put to good use and we're so grateful." ETCFE, a nonprofit that provides free academic tutoring to underprivileged students, will receive $2,200 in funds from the banks to purchase two laptop computers and supplemental materials including language arts, reading and math workbooks. ETCFE founder Audrey Spencer said she is grateful for the funds. This is the organization's third PGP. "We operate on grants and donations, so without those we'd have to close the facility," said Mrs. Spencer. The structure of the PGP enables FHLB Dallas member institutions such as First National Bank of Louisiana to make a contribution of $500 to $4,000 to a community-based organization (CBO), which FHLB Dallas will match at a 3:1 ratio. As an educator in Crowley, Mrs. Spencer dedicated her life to helping children. Upon retirement, she was distressed to see the rate at which Crowley children were failing to advance to the next grade level, so she founded ETCFE, a free community-based after school tutoring program providing academic assistance to students in grades 1-5. The program has now expanded to serve students in middle school and high school. First National Bank of Louisiana has donated learning materials to the program, and donates money to the organization regularly. President and CEO Randy Prather said the bank is proud to support both organizations through the PGP. "ETCFE and Crowley Main Street are both dedicated to improving our community," said Mr. Prather. "Supporting their missions through the PGP is our privilege and is in line with our bank's core values." Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, said the PGP not only strengthens the community, but also members' relationships within the community. "The PGP is a great community investment tool for community-focused banks such as First National Bank of Louisiana," said Mr. Hettrick. "Our partnership with First National Bank is strengthened by our shared commitment to our communities." About First National Bank of Louisiana First National Bank of Louisiana is an independent community bank whose mission is to ensure that the stability of the communities surrounding Crowley, Louisiana is strengthened by its commitment to delivering courteous, attentive, and personal service. Established in the 1920s, the bank has grown to hold over $380 million in assets. First National Bank is committed to attracting and retaining exceptional personnel who are motivated to serve their customers' ever-changing needs, as well as building strategic partnerships to enhance shareholder value. For more information, visit fnb-la.com. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank system created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $73.7 billion as of September 30, 2018, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances and other credit products to approximately 825 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. Visit fhlb.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181130005566/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 30, 2018] YELP INVESTIGATION INITIATED by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Investigates the Officers and Directors of Yelp, Inc. - YELP Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into Yelp (News - Alert), Inc. (NYSE: YELP). Beginning in 2016, the Company concentrated its efforts on local business advertising revenue through promotional offers to local businesses, resulting in a substantial volume of advertisers added in Q1 2016 under one-year contracts with large early termination fees. Subsequently, despite knowing that a significant number of contracts would terminate in late 2016 and early 2017, the Company continued to tout its high advertiser retention levels to investors, even blaming a late 2016 slowdown on the election cycle and vacation time rather than any systemic problem. On May 9, 2017, the Company disclosed its financial results for Q1 2017 including a significant decrease to revenue guidance, resulting in the Company's share value plummeting by more than 18%. Thereafter, the Company and certain of its executives were sued in a securities class action lawsuit, charging them with failing to disclose material information uring the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. Recently, the court in that case denied the Company's motion to dismiss in part, allowing the case to move forward. KSF's investigation is focusing on whether Yelp's officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to Yelp's shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws. If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of Yelp shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-yelp/ to learn more. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181130005564/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 30, 2018] Dutch Ambassador Launches Orange Tulip Scholarships at Bengaluru Tech Summit to Boost Study in Holland Program BENGALURU, December 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- - Karnataka Emerges as Key Talent Hub With 19 Dutch Universities Offering Around 55 Scholarships in 2019-20 Worth INR 3.65 Cr to Attract Indian Students - Five Students From IIIT Bangalore Trump Indian Colleges to Participate in First Ever Indo-Dutch Summer School on Cyber Security in the Hague The 400-year-old Indo-Dutch relations is at an all time high. Indo-Dutch bi-lateral trade and cultural relations founded on the bedrock of its talented people will be enhanced with greater student mobility from India to Netherlands. In this context, Dutch Ambassador, Marten van den Berg launched Orange Tulip scholarship (OTS) during the Bengaluru Tech Summit held on 30th November, 2018 at Bangalore Palace. "We are happy to formally launch the 2019-20 Orange Tulip Scholarships for Indian students to study in Holland. OTS was piloted in 2017 under Nuffic Netherlands Education Support Office (NESO) India. This year, 19 Dutch universities are offering around 55 scholarships in bachelors and master courses totaling a value of 4,57,290 INR 3.65 cr* approx," Ambassador Marten van den Berg said. "India will be home to the world's youngest workforce by 2027, according to Bloomberg. Netherlands is the second most innovative country and the fourth most competitive economy in the world as per World Economic Forum rankings of 2018," he added. "Harnessing the young talent, and innovative energy from both our nations, we look forward to create intersections for innovative solutions to global problems through industry-academia collaboration," he said. Many universities are offering waiver of tuition fees for various courses, interesting pedagogy eg. Museology (study of museums), Medical and Pharma Drug Innovation, International Leisure etc. to attract Indian students. OTS puts Karnataka on the talent map for attracting highly qualified Indian students to study in Holland. Around 2,021 Indian students went to Netherlands for higher education in 2017 clocking 30% increase over 2016 in enrollments. "The Netherlands has a deficit of thousands of engineers. With 5,00,000 engineering pass outs from India and many from Bengaluru, here is immense opportunity to bridge the engineering talent gap in Holland," says Gert Heijkoop, Consul General of the Kingdom Of the Netherlands in Bengaluru. OTS was launched in China in 2008 and in successive years in Mexico, Korea, Brazil, Indonesia and Russia. It piloted in 2017 in India with Indian students availing 24 scholarships worth 541191 or INR 4.1 CR approx* Since 2010-11, the relative importance of German and Chinese students has been decreasing and countries such as UK, India, Indonesia and USA is steadily increasing. Applications for OTS are now open. Students can visit Nuffic Neso to know the deadlines for various university applications. Nuffic Neso co-curates peer learning workshop with IIIT Bangalore on Cybersecurity - Increasing incidents of cyber attacks and data protection efforts are underway globally. According to NASSCOM, an IT industry trade body report, this is expected to create $35 billion revenue and employment opportunities for about 1 million Indian professionals by 2025. Considering the exponential magnitude of the issue, the Government of Karnataka along with partners from industry and academia formed partnership with The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies to further strengthen industry-academia partnership this year. The Prime Ministers of India and The Netherlands formally announced this collaboration during the High Level Trade Mission held in India in May 2018. Under the Indo-Dutch collaboration, Govt. of Karnataka Dept. IT & BT dept. and The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies organized the first-ever Indo-Dutch Summer School on Cyber Security in The Hague in July 2018. Five brightest minds from IIIT Bangalore were sponsored by the Govt. of Karnataka to attend the summer school in The Hague. The students presented key learnings on Cyber-security and fake news in a workshop co-curated by Nuffic Neso and the IIIT students at BTS. Other highlights of Study in Holland program STEM courses are amongst the most popular for Indian students aspiring to study in Netherlands . . Per 2016-17 Nuffic Neso stats, over 1283 Indian students applied for Engineering followed by Economics, Business Administration (242) and Sciences (144) Amongst the non-technical streams, Agriculture and Environment ranks highest with 120 applications followed by Social Studies (71) and Arts and Culture (60) About Nuffic Neso Nuffic has set up Netherlands Education Support Offices in 11 countries. These offices are located in countries that are strategically important for Dutch higher education: Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. They were set up with funding from the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The main task of a Nuffic Neso is to promote Dutch higher education and to support students who want to study in Holland. They also facilitate institutional cooperation. They also support the Holland Alumni programme by maintaining local alumni networks and organising events and training sessions for alumni and alumni officers at Dutch higher education institutions. In addition, the Nuffic Nesos offer tailor-made services for Dutch education institutions as well as others interested in international education marketing. Contacts Anwesha Majumder Chief Representative Officer (Nuffic Neso, India) [email protected] +91-80-2309-8107 Subroto Chakraborty Education Promotion Officer (Nuffic Neso, India) [email protected] +91-80-2309-8107 Suchitra Anish [email protected] +91-99801-37245 Oni360 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [December 01, 2018] CanonChain MainNet Launched by the end of 2018 HANGZHOU, China, Dec. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 28, 2018, Dr. Chong Li, Chief Architect and Head of Research at CanonChain, announced plans to launch CanonChain MainNet by the end of the year. Under the protocol of CanonChain, a decentralized supercomputer can be initiated through the underlying Blockchain technology. As a result, user-end IoT devices can be connected to provide services to each other through the CanonChain Network. Simultaneously, Dr. Li announced that, as an application of CanonChain Network, the first blockchain-based distributed shared computing platform will begin its demo testing soon. Research on CanonChain Networks Complete According to Dr. Chong Li, the CanonChain R&D team has nearly completed its research on the improvement of the consensus mechanism, the enhancement of smart contracts, and system performance optimization. The details of the updates are as follows: The improvement of the witness replacement mechanism in DAG-based structure in order to avoid the risk of witness impropriety. A technical white paper describing the consensus algorithms and detailsfrom theory to practiceon how CanonChain Network is constructed will be published soon. The development of smart contract to be launched along with CanonChain MainNet. CanonChain MainNet's performance has been significantly upgraded by optimizing the database structure and transaction data format. These improvements resulted in an increase in the transaction rate up to 1000TPS and reduction of the space required for ledger storage by at least 30%. According to a report from the CanonChain engineering team, CanonChain's Blockchain browser also adds a DAG platform which visualizes users' transaction details within the netwok, notably enhancing user experience and making it much easier for blockchain enthusiasts to find bugs. Currently, there are 20 CanonChain test nodes distributed around the globe, and more than 3,000 active users who have participated in MainNet testingfigures almost tripled since August this year. Further, the CanonChain team is now recruiting in North America, with plans to launch a North American market to coincide with the release of CanonChain MainNet. Canonchain-based shared computing platform: an alternative to Central Cloud Service Dr. Li also announced an alternative to central cloud servicesthe CanonChain-based shared computing platform, which will run its first demo by the end of 2018, and officially launch in the first half of 2019. When clients submit computing tasks (e.g., scripts in C++, Java, Python) through DApp on CanonChain MainNet, one or more idle, geo-distributed computing devices, will be assigned to help complete the tasks. On the client-user end, the cost is significantly lowered for using these idle devices compared to using a cloud service. More importantly, this blockchain-based platform can resolve the primary concern of using a centralized cloud servicesecurity. "The security of clients' data and codes is guaranteed as they are recorded on the blockchain." said Dr. Li. The intrinsic value of CanonChain Besides serving in the management team at CanonChain, Dr. Chong Li and Dr. Lei Zhang (Chief Scientist at Canonchain) are adjunct professors at Columbia University. In the spring of 2019, they will offer the first graduate-level course on blockchain at Columbia University. The course will cover cryptography, distributed network theory, cryptocurrency, bitcoin, ethernet, smart contracts, DAG structure, and more. Dr. Li shared with Zn Finance that his reasons for opening an office in Manhattan are in part to teach and collaborate with the creative young minds at universities in this area including Princeton University, Columbia University, New York University, etc. CanonChain is now establishing close university relationships through research partnerships. From the longtime experiences in both academia and advanced industry, Dr. Li realizes the importance of balancing theoretical research and engineering development to achieve a truly mind-blowing product, geared toward user experience. "The intrinsic value of a high-tech project is supported by its fundamental research. Otherwise, all quickly collapse." Following the launch of CanonChain MainNet, Dr. Li let Zn Finance know he had no plans on slowing down the development. The team has concrete roadmap to further improve the performance of CanonChain MainNet, accelerate the growth of CanonChain ecosystem, protect the key inventions via international patents, participate in blockchain standardization groups, and establish research collaboration with more colleges and universities, a way to fundamentally contribute to the whole blockchain industry. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canonchain-mainnet-launched-by-the-end-of-2018-300758587.html SOURCE CanonChain [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Man sentenced to life in prison for death of Capt. Melton WYANDOTTE COUNTY, KS (KCTV) - Jamaal Lewis, the man who admits to killing Kansas City, Kansas police Captain Robert David Melton, has been sentenced to life in prison with a possibility of parole after 25 years and 22 months. Lewis, 22, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in October. Aftermath of a tragic KCK run-in following an uptick in attacks on officers in the Sunflower State. However,. Read more: Kansas City Law Lady Conversation Seg. 1: Jackson County Prosecutor Ready To Take State Role. Seg. 2: What's Showing In Indie Film. "We may be down, but I'll be damned if we are out," Jean Peters Baker says of her desire to lead Missouri Democrats after their disappointing midterm results. Following an announcement that Jackson County will no longer prosecute marijuana crimes, Peters Baker also discussed the exceptions to this policy change, offered her perspective on efforts to battle violent crime and spoke about her new role overseeing the COMBAT anti-drug program. Water Slide Case Falling Apart Kansas AG wants to drop pair of charges in Schlitterbahn case KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas Attorney General's office filed a motion Thursday in Wyandotte County District Court to drop two of 20 charges against the former operations manager at Schlitterbahn Water Park. Hit & Run Murder Charge Man now faces murder charges in connection with fatal crash JOHNSON COUNTY, KS (KCTV) -- Upgraded charges have been filed against a man in connection with a crash that happened in October of this year, killing a local high school student. Bradley Woodworth, 45, was initially charged with leaving the scene of a deadly crash. KCPD Want To Talk With This Guy KCPD shares photo & name of man they think has info. about shooting that killed 1 & injured 2 others KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City, Missouri police released a photo Friday of a man they want to speak with about an ongoing homicide investigation. Police think 23-year-old Anthony Eskridge has information that can help them determine who is responsible for the Thursday night shooting that killed one person and injured two others near 26th and Van Brunt around 8 p.m. Police Fight In The Stix Independence man accused of assault on Oak Grove officer during traffic stop OAK GROVE, Mo. -- A man who allegedly punched, kicked and smacked an Oak Grove police officer's flashlight in his face on Friday morning is facing two charges in Jackson County. The officer stopped Jerry D. Davis for expired tags and a headlight out -- police say it ended with Davis assaulting the officer. Metro Popping Off Police investigate 2 separate shootings in Bonner Springs BONNER SPRINGS, KS (KCTV) - The police in Bonner Springs are investigating two separate shootings that happened on Thursday and Friday. The first shooting happened on Thursday at about 2 p.m. in the 100 block of E. Cedar Street. Two people were fighting with each other and one of them was armed with a gun. Samurai Last Stand In The Suburbs No charges over police shooting of sword-wielding man GRANDVIEW, MO (AP) -- No charges will be filed over the deadly police shooting of a sword-wielding suburban Kansas City man. The Kansas City Star reports that prosecutors found that the officer who killed 60-year-old Larry San Nicolas acted out of reasonable fear. The shooting happened in July after police in Grandview received a 911 call. Whilstseems to be making a bit of social commentary about the prison industrial complex, we're checking these local crime news links:And this is thefor right now . . . Coalition Has Signatures To Force A Vote On New Kansas City Incentives Cap A petition asking Kansas City voters to limit property tax abatements has been certified by the City Clerk's office and had a first read before the City Council on Thursday, the Kansas City Business Journal reports. The clerk's office certified 2,321 valid signatures on a petition sponsored by the Coalition for Kansas City Economic Development Reform. Hopeful ordinance from local activists earns a bit of progress but might not realize Council can rewrite, rework or simply kill their efforts . . . Just ask Clay Chastain. Take a look: Apparently, the client had signed a contract that exempted the shop from having to pay for any damages that occurred while the car was in their care. However, the owner has since sought legal help as he aims to somehow get the body shop to pay for the gross negligence. All day every day we have to agree with forms online that are too long to be worth reading. Much in the same way, we often fail to read contracts in real life, but this could have costly consequences. Take a man who brought his Audi S4 to a body shop for repairs only for an employee to wreck it and then refuse to pay for the damages. "A case of buyer beware" Its not the first time nor the last when we hear about a customer handing their car over in good faith to an auto repair shop thinking that hell get it back better than it was when he left it. Instead, through the carelessness - or utter recklessness in this case - of the staff, the car ends up damaged or nigh on destroyed. Who is to blame if that happens? Youll be quick to point fingers at the shop but you may be in for a surprise. Vincent Hansen took his Audi S4 to Titan Motorsports in Orlando, Florida, to have it upgraded with some aftermarket parts. Just a couple of days later, Hansen headed back to the shop to pick retrieve his prized possession. Upon arrival, he found out that one of the company's employees was out test driving the car to make sure everything works as intended. All seems normal up until now but, moments later, "the phone at the shop rang and the news was, Hey, we dont really know how to tell you this, but your car was just in an accident around the corner from the shop, and I was like, Is this a joke?" Hansen said to WESH 2 News. Accidents happen, thought Hansen as he heard the news. After all, the employee was at fault, crashing into an oncoming car after making an illegal U-turn. In fact, he even received a ticket at the scene of the accident. Hansens universe shattered again moments later when he came to the realization that some paperwork that hed signed prior to leaving the car at Titan Motorsports absorbed the body shop from any liability in case something happened to the car while it was in their care. "It was, Hey, you know, you have insurance for your car, and you should open up a claim under your policy, and that really didnt make sense to me," Hansen said. Apparently, Titan actually refused to send to Hansens insurance company their insurance information as "our terms and conditions clearly state whos responsible for the damage," according to Nero Deliwala, the owner of Titan Motorsports. A judge who was asked about the matter by WESH 2 News argued that the body shop wasnt in the wrong. "The auto body shop can make the argument that they are not responsible to pay for those damages. Which really brings us to a consumer beware. Before you leave something at an auto body shop, be sure you know what youre signing away," the attorney said. However, Hansen isn't deterred and he hopes to get TItan Motorsports to pay for his beloved, and now ruined, S4. His view is that, since the body shops employee was found at fault for the crash, the contract he signed should be considered null and void. According to information found on freeadvice.com, the body shops insurance policy pays for damages unless the event that led to the car being damaged wasnt random and impossible to predict by the staff. Theres also another scenario where the body shop is exempt from paying a dime, and thats where Hansens story falls into. Its all about what you sign and, if you sign a hold harmless agreement, what youre basically saying is that "you will not hold the auto repair shop liable for anything that happens to your car while it is there. Once signed, a hold harmless agreement, which can be as small as one or two sentences in fine print found at the bottom of a repair agreement, releases the auto repair shop from any liability." For a court case against a reluctant body shop to stand, you must be able to prove that you didnt sign the kind of agreement that Hansen did so, in other words, his chances are slim at best. Let this be a warning to all of you out there who hush through paperwork without giving everything a second look. Further reading Read our full review on the 2018 Audi S4. Source: Wesh News shriaya.dutta@tribuneindia.com New Delhi, December 1 Bank unions on Saturday called for a nationwide strike on December 26 to protest the proposed merger of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank. The government had in September approved the merger of the three public sector lenders. The strike will be organised by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine employee and officer unions. The government and the concerned banks were moving ahead with their decision for amalgamation and hence it was decided to give the call for strike, All India Bank Employees Association General Secretary C H Venkatachalam said. All unions under UFBU will participate in this strike call, said Ashwani Rana, vice president of the National Organization of Bank Workers. Following the government nod, the respective boards of these banks gave their approval for the amalgamation. The merged entity will be third largest lender of the country after State Bank of India (SBI) and HDFC Bank. As at June-end, the total business size of the three entities together was Rs 14.82 lakh crore. Of the three banks, Dena Bank is the weakest, with non-performing asset (NPA) ratio of 11.04 per cent and business of Rs 1.72 lakh crore, as compared to 5.4 per cent NPA and Rs 10.2 lakh crore business of Bank of Baroda and 4.10 per cent NPA and Rs 2 lakh crore worth business of Vijaya Bank. PTI pardeepdhull@gmail.com Chandigarh, December 1 President Ram Nath Kovind praised farmers on Saturday, saying they have proven to be remarkably adaptable to innovation and bold in taking risk, which has helped India become an exporter of key agricultural and allied products. Speaking after inaugurating the 13th edition of CII Agro Tech India-2018 in Chandigarh, which was attended by 195 exhibitors, including 37 from outside India, Kovind said the Indian farmer has been courageous in converting risk into opportunity. He also called for boosting investments, including from private players, in agricultural research & development. The Presidents remarks come a day after Opposition leaders rallied behind thousands of farmers from across the country who had gathered in the National Capital demanding remunerative prices for their produce and government relief from debt. The farmers, battling severe agrarian distress, had started to converge in Delhi on Thursday, stayed at the historic Ramlila Maidan overnight and on Friday morning, they marched through streets shouting slogans to highlight their plight. Kovind said the government is working towards greater efficiency in agricultural markets, which will give farmers access to a wider customer base and allow them to get better prices. He outlined several government initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to improve the condition of farmers. The President said the irrigation scheme has covered about one million hectares and the crop insurance scheme has provided a safety net to nearly 25 million farmers. These are only a start. In the years to come, we have to cover more farmers and more farm land, he added. Complementing farmers, Kovind said, The Indian farmer has proven to be remarkably adaptable unafraid of innovation, new techniques and scientific inputs. As a result India has emerged as an exporter of key agricultural and allied products such as rice, marine products, fruits, vegetables and even flowers. Our farmers supply commercial crops like cotton to the rest of the world. He, however, said the challenge now is to scale up. Indian agriculture needs a renewal of its marriage with contemporary technology, protection against climate change, price fluctuations and demand shocks; and sustained investment by and partnership with business. Together these will enhance agricultural value and competitiveness as well as lead to better incomes, he said. The National Agricultural Market or eNAM, an online platform for buying and selling agricultural commodities, has linked farmers, traders and buyers across India, he said. The selfless efforts of farmers have contributed to national development and to the wellbeing of people, he said. Initiatives such as the Green Revolution which was carried out with such determination in Punjab, Haryana and neighbouring states have helped convert a country of chronic food shortages and imports to a food surplus economy. This was possible due to visionary policy makers, ingenious agricultural scientists and above all, farmers who gave their sweat and toil, the president said. He said public-private partnerships in agriculture have the potential to modernise the sector. PPPs can be instrumental in developing agricultural value chains, conducting joint research that focuses on innovation, building market infrastructure, and delivering business development services to farmers, Kovind said. The President also touched upon stubble-burning by farmers, saying all stakeholders should come up with a solution. We are facing a problem related to disposal of crop residue and of safe and clean removal of husk or stubble. In an extreme form, the burning of such items is leading to pollution that affects even little children. It is for all of us, including the state governments, the skilled and large-hearted farmers, and other stakeholders, to come up with a solution, he said. Stubble-burning in some northern states pushes air pollution to dangerous levels. During winters, Delhi is covered under a thick blanket of toxic smog for several days. On Saturday, however, the contribution of long-range dust or stubble biomass to air pollution in Delhi was negligible, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting said. President Kovind also stressed that the link between agriculture and industry must be strengthened for a seamless value chain and minimal wastage. To this end, 42 mega food parks are being set up and 228 integrated cold chain projects are underway in different parts of India, he said. Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator V P Singh Badnore, Haryana Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya, Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, CII president Rakesh Bharti Mittal were present at the event. PTI ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 30 A local court today sentenced a 33-year-old woman and three others to life imprisonment for murdering a Punjab Police commando. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 60,000 each on the convicts. Sukhdeep Kaur had hatched a conspiracy to eliminate her husband to marry an NRI whom she had met on a social networking site and settle in Tehran. In 2016, Sukhdeep had hired a youth for murdering her husband Jasvir Singh. The youth further hired two persons. The deal was struck at Rs 5 lakh, of which Rs 1 lakh was paid to the accused. The three are Sahib Singh (22), then a BCA student, Gurjinder Singh (23), alias Neeta, then a BTech student, and Jagtar Singh (24), alias Rinku, then a hotel management student. Jasvir, a resident of Raipur Khurd, Chandigarh, had gone missing under mysterious circumstances on March 3, 2016. The matter was reported to the Mauli Jagran police on March 5. Sukhdeep was arrested on April 17 for hatching the conspiracy. The cops wife had mixed sleeping pills in his food. They then tied his hands after which Sahib, Gurjinder and Jagtar Singh threw the cop into the Bhakra canal near Mandouli village. Sukhdeep had an affair with Harjit Singh, who was working in Tehran. She wanted to marry him and did not tell him that she was married and had a child. monicakchauhan@gmail.com New Delhi, December 1 Employees of Indian company Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) taken hostage by local staff in Ethiopia fear for their safety, with some being confined to a company campus north of the African nations capital Addis Ababa. India has asked Ethiopian authorities to investigate and help the seven IL&FS employees who say they are being held by local staff due to non-payment of salaries by the debt-laden firm, an Indian government official said on Saturday. A group of four employees has not been allowed to leave an IL&FS campus in Bure town, 400 km (250 miles) north from Addis Ababa, since November 24, said store manager Nagaraju Bishnu, one of the employees held hostage. Two other IL&FS employees were held hostage by local staff in the town of Woliso and one in Nekemte town, both of which are west of the Ethiopian capital, Bishnu told Reuters by telephone. The main gate is locked, they are observing our movement, said 26-year-old Bishnu, speaking of the situation at Bure. Theyve told us until they get their salaries, we cant move from here ... We are facing sleepless nights. The Indian government took control of IL&FS in October after it defaulted on some of its debt, triggering wider concerns about risk to the countrys financial system. The infrastructure financing and development company had over the years developed roads, townships and water-treatment projects in India and abroad. An official at Indias Foreign Ministry said the government was discussing the matter on priority with Ethiopian authorities and the management of IL&FS. We are doing our best to ensure a settlement of this matter, said the official, who declined to be identified. An IL&FS spokesman in India, Sharad Goel, declined to comment. Ethiopian government officials in Addis Ababa could not be reached for comment. Low on water supplies With the ordeal widely reported by media, Bishnu said he feared the local staff would take away their mobile phones or cut online access to restrict them from talking to colleagues or communicating via e-mails and social media. For now, Bishnu said, he has been speaking with the IL&FS employees held hostage in different areas, and the movement of employees within the camp has not been restricted. The employees are cooking their own food, eating potatoes and rice, although drinking water supplies are running low. After tomorrow, there will be no drinking water, he said. Some of the seven employees being held have been posting messages on social media website Twitter, asking Indian politicians including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the foreign minister to intervene. Neeraj Raghuwanshi, who said he was one of the seven, late on Friday wrote an SOS message on Twitter saying: Situations are beyond our control, please #help before mishappening. Reuters pardeepdhull@gmail.com London, December 1 The body of an Indian-origin man, who was missing for weeks, has been recovered from a canal in the city of Leicester, police said. Paresh Patel, 48, had been last seen walking along the Belgrave Road in the heart of Leicester on November 10. Leicestershire Police said that they are not treating the death as suspicious. The man has been formally identified as 48-year-old Paresh who was last seen on the evening of Saturday November 10 when he left his home address. A post-mortem examination has been conducted. Further tests are being carried out. The death is not being treated as suspicious, Leicestershire Police said in a statement. Patels worried family had led the search for him, with his wife Kalpana issuing an emotional video message to urge him to return home. Their sons, 12-year-old Kiyan and nine-year-old Harshal, also led a walk retracing the steps of their father while carrying a banner reading Come Home Daddy. Around 500 members of the local community had joined in with the family to retrace Patels steps, Leicester Mercury reported. Following the confirmation by the Leicestershire police, Patels family issued a statement thanking the authorities. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we inform you that our Son, Husband, Father, Brother, Nephew, Cousin & Friend: Paresh has been taken from us. We wanted to thank you all with everything that we have, for every single moment of your time, that you gave to us, to help us find Paz, the family said in a statement. Leicestershire Police had deployed extra resources to visit local residents and businesses and hand out thousands of leaflets and posters as part of the search operation. An inquest is likely to be opened into Patels death, which will establish the cause and circumstances surrounding his death. PTI monicakchauhan@gmail.com Washington, December 1 More than 20,000 Indian nationals, mostly men, have sought asylum in the US since 2014, according to the latest figures. Till July, a maximum number of 7,214 Indian nationals had applied for asylum in the US. Of these only 296 were women, according to the information provided by the US Department of Homeland Security to the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA). California-based NAPA, has been working among illegal immigrants from Punjab. As per the information obtained by the NAPA from Department of Homeland Security, 2,306 Indian nationals applied for asylum in the year 2014. Of these, 146 were women and the gender of one of the Indian applicants is not known. The next year, 2,971 Indians, including 96 women, sought asylum. In 2016, as many as 4,088 Indians, including 123 women, asked for asylum from the US. In both 2015 and 2016, gender of one applicant each was not known. In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security received asylum from 3,656 Indians, including 187 women. The number of Indian who are seeking asylum in the US have almost doubled in the last two years. This is an issue of concern for all of us, Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director of NAPA said in a statement. Every year several thousand Indians, mostly from Punjab, try their luck to settle abroad, he said alleging that each one of them pays between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 30 lakh per person to travel agents. Observing that the US asylum law applies to those who have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, Chahal said those fleeing generalised crime and violence in their home country do not easily fit into these categories. The Trump administration has introduced a number controversial policies in line with its hardline stance on immigration. PTI editorial@tribune.com Deepender Deswal Tribune News Service Hisar, November 30 As expected, the BJP has fielded Gautam Sardana, who belongs to the Punjabi community, as the mayoral candidate in the Hisar municipal corporation elections. Sardana, who had joined the BJP about two months ago, had contested the Assembly elections twice from the Hisar segment first as an independent candidate and then on the ticket of the Haryana Janhit Congress. Besides Sardana, former deputy chairperson Rekha Aren were among the front-runners for the BJP ticket. Other aspirants were Surender Lahoria, Sunil Verma, and Yogesh Bidani. Kamal Gupta of the BJP is the sitting MLA, and the party was expected to prefer a Punjabi candidate for the mayoral post. BJP district president Surender Punia said that the final name was decided at a meeting held in Delhi tonight. After the Congress decided not to contest the poll on the party symbol, outgoing Mayor Shakuntala Rajliwal has announced her candidature. She expects the support of former minister Savitri Jindal, who was instrumental in getting her installed as Mayor last time. Another Congress ticket hopeful Arvind Kharinta, a former chairman of the Municipal Corporation, has also decided to fight the mayoral election as an independent candidate. Kharinta enjoys a good reputation and has the potential to put up a good fight. Political observers were expecting it to be a fight between the candidates belonging to the Bania and Punjabi communities. If former minister Hari Singh Sainis daughter-in-law Rekha Saini joins the fray, it can become a four-corner contest, as besides her, the BJP nominee, Rajliwala and Kharinta will be serious contenders. Rekha expects support from rebel INLD leader Dushyant Chautala. The INLD, which too has announced to fight the mayoral election, is looking for a good candidate. The town has 2.33 lakh voters comprising around 17 per cent to 18 per cent belonging to the Punjabi community, and around 15 per cent to the Bania community. Besides, voters belonging to the Saini, Gurjar, Jat and other castes have a vote share in that order. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 1 The Central Bureau of Investigation today filed a chargesheet against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, veteran Congress leader Moti Lal Vora and Associated Journals Limited (AJL) for alleged irregularities in re-allotment of an institutional plot in Haryana, resulting in a loss of about Rs 67.65 lakh to the exchequer and gain to the private company. Filed in the court of the Special Judge at Panchkula, the chargesheet alleges conspiracy and cheating against Hooda, the then chairman of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA); Vora, who was then chairman of the company, and AJL in connection with re-allotment of the plot (C-17) in Sector 6 of Panchkula to the company. The CBI chargesheet said the accused, in conspiracy with others, allegedly abused official position and dishonestly re-allotted the institutional plot at old rates. On the request of the Haryana Government, the CBI registered a case on April 5 and took over the investigation of the May 2016 case. It was alleged that the company was allotted the plot by HUDA on August 24, 1982, for publication of Hindi daily Navjivan. The Estate Officer, HUDA, Panchkula, through its October 30, 1992, order took back the plot after the company failed to carry out construction, as per the terms and conditions of allotment. The companys appeal against the resumption order was dismissed by the Chief Administrator, HUDA, on July 26, 1995. Its revision petition before the Finance Commissioner and the Secretary, Town and Country Planning, too, was dismissed on October 10, 1996. The Legal Remembrancer, Haryana, tendered an opinion that the resumed plot could not be re-allotted, since the order had attained finality after dismissal of the revision petition. HUDA officials allegedly proposed that an advertisement be floated for re-allotment of the plot. The CBI further alleged that Hooda, the then chairman of HUDA, and officials entered into a conspiracy with the private company and misused their official position by wrongly ordering re-allotment of the institutional plot at old rates, plus interest to the private company through an order dated August 28, 2005. It was cleared by the then HUDA chief, causing a loss of Rs 62 lakh to the exchequer, it was alleged. It was alleged that the Hindi daily was never published from the premises, which remained unused. The plot was instead mortgaged by the company to Syndicate Bank, New Delhi, and the loan availed against the mortgage of the plot was used for commercial purposes, the CBI alleged. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Shimla, December 1 Startled by Rs 250-crore scholarship scam in the Education Department, the Director, Higher Education, has served notice on principals of 16 colleges for not sending the verified list of beneficiaries under the Integrated Rural Development Programme scholarship scheme. The principals have been asked to submit the list within a week, failing which they will be responsible for the lapse, a communication sent by the directorate said. Besides 12 degree colleges, Government Engineering College, Jeori (Rampur), Government Polytechnic, Talwar (Kangra) and University Institute Legal Studies, Shimla, have been issued the notice. The Education Directorate has also served notices on five school lecturers, who were promoted as principals, asking them why their placement orders might not be withdrawn as they had not qualified the departmental exam under recruitment and promotional rules. If you have qualified the exam, the proof should be submitted within 10 days, failing which the placement orders will stand withdrawn, the notice added. The department has also directed headmasters and lecturers, who have been given the charge of principal (schools), to join at their respective place of posting by December 20. The government has not issued posting orders to the promoted TGTs and lecturers and resentment is brewing among them. Notice to lecturers over promotion editorial@tribune.com Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, December 1 Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday urged Union External Affair Minister Sushma Swaraj to facilitate the return of the 14 youths, hailing from the Sundernagar area of Mandi district, from Riyadh, where they are lodged in the Sumshji jail. Thakur had a telephonic conservation with Swaraj so that the release and return of the youths, two of them from Punjab but settled in Mandi, could be facilitated. She has assured me that the issue will be taken up at the diplomatic level so that they can be brought back home, the Chief Minister said. He has also written a formal letter to her on the issue. He urged the Union Minister to take up the matter with the Saudi Arabia authorities for their safe release and assured the families that the state government would make all efforts to get them released. MP Ramswaroop also wrote a letter to Swaraj on Saturday, seeking her intervention. Meanwhile, enquiries by the Indian embassy about the well-being of 14 youths from Mandi, lodged in a jail in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, have brought a glimmer of hope for their families back home. I spoke to my husband today and he said officials from the Indian embassy had enquired about their health from the jail staff and that they would soon be provided medical aid, said Saroj Kumari, who on Friday filed an FIR on behalf of all 14 persons stranded in Riyadh, at the Sundernagar police station. Her husband Harjinder Singh, though from Hoshiarpur, had been living in Sundernagar since 1985. Saroj said two of the 14 youths, who were forcibly taken back from the jail by their employer to work for him as a driver in Riyadh, had called up his father, seeking help. The boy, Tanuj, asked his father to get him rescued as he was unwell and had a bleeding nose. The worried father called me up after that, she said. The police have taken complete details of the youth, their address, age and passport numbers from her. Saroj said she had filed a police complaint on behalf of all families, hailing from Maloh, Jarol and Sidhyani villages in the Sundernagar area. When they demanded that they be given work visa as their three months tourist visa had expired, their salary was deducted and they were warned of dire consequences by their employer, she alleged. Left with no choice, the youths approached the Indian embassy for help. In the FIR, she mentioned that they did not get any help even from the embassy officials, following which they decided to surrender before the police. Since they are illegally staying in Riyadh, only the government can help them. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Solan, December 1 Governor-cum-Chancellor, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Acharya Devvrat urged students to undertake research in agriculture, particularly in natural farming, while presiding over the 34th founders day of the university on Saturday. He also exhorted scientists to promote the use of local seeds and ensure their easy availability to the agrarian community. Vice-Chancellor Dr HC Sharma stressed the need to exploit the high-yielding varieties and hybrids as well as the potential of genetic engineering. He said new academic and research partnerships should be forged, which provided opportunities for gaining knowledge and expertise in modern tools of information technology, biotechnology and nanotechnology. The country was spending 0.2 per cent of the agricultural GDP on research and development (R&D) as compared to 0.6 per cent in China and 1.6 per cent by the USA,. Dr Sharma said in order to become more competitive, they must increase the percentage of GDP spent on education and R&D. He also shared achievements of the university in the past one year. Earlier, floral tributes were paid to the states founder and first Chief Minister late Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar. Five former Vice-Chancellors, Dr RP Awasti, Dr SS Negi, Dr Jagmohan Singh, Dr KR Dhiman and Dr Vijay Singh Thakur were also honoured on the occasion. Two publications of the university scientists were released. Earlier, the Governor inaugurated the Gitanjali Girls Hostel. It can accommodate 80 girls. He also visited the Subhash Palekar Natural Farming block of the university and lauded the efforts of the farm scientists. editorial@tribune.com Avneet Kaur Jalandhar, December 1 The Police Commissionerate, Jalandhar, has deployed about 40 Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel along with other police officials at prominent spots in the city owing to high alert. The police have planned to keep a close tab on activities of passengers and residents at all public places. Parminder Singh Bhandal, ADCP, Jalandhar, said the city police had been keeping a strict vigil over the law and order situation in the city. Checking points had been set up to keep an eye on anti-national elements and suspicious activities. Talking about security measures in the city, Bhandal said: We are on a high alert after the Amritsar attack and keeping a check on crowded places. We are also going to enhance checking and rounding up of suspects. A total of 40 Special Operation Group and other police personnel have been deployed at entry-exit points of the city and crowded places, including Pathankot bypass, Maqsudan, Model town and other areas. He said: We are not taking anything for granted and are working on every information being received from any side. We also request residents to immediately inform the police if they find anything or anyone suspicious. In the morning, the Pathankot bypass, while in the evening the Maqsuda area was completely sealed and the police are in close coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF) on the international border to keep an eye on infiltration from the other side of the border. Police officers have been checking luggage, identity cards, etc, of travellers, said Bhandal. When asked whether the police received any calls of presence of suspicious persons from any other area, the ADCP said: No such information has been received, but we are not letting anything go unnoticed. editorial@tribune.com Prateek Chauhan Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 30 Drug smuggling has come down in Punjab even as it has now shifted to Jammu and Kashmir, said Rajni Kant Mishra, Director General (DG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) during the 53th annual press meet. The drug influx from Pakistan was a constant threat to the country because it continued even as the BSF along with the Narcotics Control Bureau and Punjab Police was keeping a round-the-clock tab on the International Border (IB), Mishra said. The DG suggested that the IB should be sealed with the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System to make it impenetrable. When asked about the much-awaited Kartarpur corridor opening, he said, the BSF is already taking care of Wagah and Attari, therefore the new corridor will not be a problem to monitor. Commenting on the western border, the DG said, a study was done by the BSF on the western border in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan). Our mandate is we keep making reports of activities which are shared with different agencies in the government. On the issue of infiltration, sniping and cross-border firing which has become regular on the IB near in the Jammu region, the DG said misadventure of Pakistan had always been given a befitting reply under various operations. In January this year, Pakistan Rangers started unprovoked firing in the Samba sector and simultaneously attempted infiltration in another area. The BSF thwarted these attempts and killed the guide of the infiltrating party, he said. Alive to this constant threat, the Jammu frontier launched Operation Bhim-I in January 2018, and Bhim-II in June 2018, respectively, under which the tactical headquarters of all battalions were established at the IB and a retaliation plan was worked out, he said. The BSF has further identified the areas where left wing extremism (LWE) movement has been frequent. These areas were safe havens for the LWE cadres. Now, the BSF has penetrated into these areas after increasing domination with specialised operations. editorial@tribune.com Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, December 1 The poll boycott call by separatists and terror threats impacted the voting process in the Kashmir valley during the sixth phase of the nine-phase panchayat elections on Saturday as the polling percentage drastically came down to 17.3 per cent in seven districts of the Kashmir division. Saturday saw the lowest turnout of voters in the elections conducted so far in the Kashmir division since November 17. The polling percentage in the Valley in the fifth phase was 33.7. However, the Jammu division recorded a healthy turnout of voters in the sixth phase, taking the overall voting percentage in the state to 76.9 per cent. The Jammu division had 84.6 per cent polling in nine districts, said the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, Shaleen Kabra. Barring Bandipora and Ganderbal districts, Kashmir witnessed a low turnout in the remaining districts. The lowest voting was recorded in south Kashmirs Kulgam district where only 4.6 per cent voters turned up for polling. Anantnag, another district in south Kashmir, too recorded just 7.3 per cent voting. In Jammu division, voters disregarded the poll boycott call and terror threats as they thronged polling booths in large numbers since early morning despite the cold weather conditions. The highest voting was recorded in Udhampur district (88.5 per cent) followed by 87.1 per cent in Jammu and 85.6 per cent in Reasi. A total of 3,174 polling stations, including 410 in the Kashmir division and 2,764 in the Jammu division, were set up for the sixth phase across the state. Of the 771 polling stations categorised as hypersensitive, 410 were in Kashmir and 361 in the Jammu region. As many as 7,156 candidates were in the fray for 406 sarpanch and 2,277 panch seats in Phase-VI while 111 sarpanches and 1,048 panches were elected unopposed. There were a total of 5,97,396 electors for the sarpanch seats and 4,57,581 for the panch constituencies. In Phase-IV, the state witnessed a polling percentage of 71.3 - 82.4 per cent in the Jammu division and 32.3 per cent in the Kashmir division. Phase-III saw a polling percentage of 75.2, Phase-II saw 71.1 per cent and Phase-I recorded 74.1 per cent voting across J&K. District-wise polling editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Srinagar, December 1 Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to initiate the process of opening the Sharada Peeth pilgrimage on the lines of the Kartarpur corridor. The ancient Sharada temple across the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is of immense significance for Kashmiri Pandits. Sharada Peeth in Pak-administered Kashmir is an outstanding relic of Kashmirs glowing history. Though it generally connects the people here with their cultural and intellectual roots, for the Kashmiri Pandits it is an important place of pilgrimage which was frequented by them till Independence, Mehbooba wrote to the Prime Minister. She said Kartarpur had encouraged the Pandit community to see a possibility of the pilgrimage to Sharada Peeth in the same spirit. And our belief is strengthened by the reported offer of Pakistan Prime Minister Mr Imran Khan to allow it along with the pilgrimage to Katas Raj. I am sure you would kindly have this request considered on priority, she wrote. Mehbooba said though it would be a welfare measure for the Pandit community, she had no doubt that it would be welcomed by every citizen of the state and would considerably help address the feeling of despondency in a major section of the population. It would fit very well in the vision of pulling J&K out of its miseries through diplomatic and political means away from the death and destruction we witness with unending regularity, she said. Mehbooba hoped that the Kartarpur corridor would turn out to be the first step towards rediscovering avenues of peace and prosperity in the region. editorial@tribune.com Smita Sharma Tribune News Service New Delh, December 1 Norway is not mediating in the Kashmir conflict and its government has no official role to play in it, the countrys envoy to India has clarified. In the first remarks since a meeting between former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik and separatist leaders in Kashmir was reported, the Ambassador stressed that the visit was in a personal capacity. When a former Prime Minister visits a foreign country, the concerned mission is aware of the visit. The Norwegian government was not involved officially in his meetings. The former Prime Minister runs a peace centre and he made the visit in a personal capacity. We have no more knowledge about the purpose of his visit, Ambassador Nils Ragnar Kamsvag told The Tribune. Bondevik, who heads the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, in a surprise visit to the Valley on November 23, met Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of the joint resistance leadership. After a brief stopover in Delhi on his way back, Bondevik also met president of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan and was received by top Pakistani leaders, including Foreign Minister SM Qureshi. Political opposition in Kashmir raised eyebrows, asking if the Modi government had sought any mediation from Bondevik or Norway. The Norwegian Embassy in Delhi clarified that the Oslo Center worked in partnership with the Art of Living and Bondevik himself had said he was invited by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to visit the volatile Valley. Incidentally, Kamsvag was in Goa for a conference and did not meet Bondevik. The longest-serving former Norwegian PM mediated previously between Colombo and Tamil Tigers during the Sri Lankan civil war. India is opposed to any third party or foreign intervention in the Kashmir and maintains it must be resolved bilaterally with Pakistan. Foreign envoys posted in Delhi travel to Kashmir based on prior clearances and have avoided meeting separatists for many years now. Stressing the need to break the ice between India and Pakistan on Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told The Tribune, The Oslo Center has done work in many conflict situations. India and Pakistan must not be averse to looking at the role of a third party, which is non-partisan. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Srinagar, November 30 Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to positively respond to his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khans repeated offer of engagement. The separatist leader urged Modi to positively respond to Pakistan PMs repeated offer of engagement so that both can build trust and give peace a real chance. Mirwaiz, who is the chairman of a faction of the Hurriyat Conference and also part of the joint resistance leadership, said New Delhi should show the maturity of democracy and engage with Pakistan to resolve Kashmir dispute in a peaceful manner. I appeal to the Government of India to stop the killing of the Kashmiri youth and blinding them by pellets and show the maturity of a democracy they claim to be, by engaging with Pakistan and Kashmir and resolving this long-standing dispute in a peaceful manner, Mirwaiz said while addressing a congregation at Jamia Masjid here. The separatist leaders in the Kashmir valley are upbeat over the recent political developments between India and Pakistan, which include the opening of the visa-free corridor for Sikh pilgrims and also by their recent meeting with former Prime Minister of Norway. Mirwaiz, along with another separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, had met the former Norwegian Prime Minister last week and welcomed his offer of mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue. In his Friday sermon, a part of which includes weekly commentary of political nature, Mirwaiz also described the opening of the Kartarpur corridor between India and Pakistan as the best way forward. Military approach to issues can never succeed but human approach to them as witnessed in the opening of the Kartarpur corridor is the best way forward, he added. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 1 Canadian Sikh MP Randeep Sarai endorsed NGO EcoSikhs initiative of planting 1 million trees worldwide to commemorate Guru Nanak Devs 550th birth anniversary in 2019 in the Parliament of Canada in Ottawa. He congratulated the entire house and announced that the Sikh community would celebrate the next gurpurb keeping climate change in mind. In a meeting with Randeep Sarai at his Surrey office, EcoSikh general secretary Jaspreet Singh and project manager Ravneet Singh, both campaigning for the cause in Canada, thanked Sarai for raising his voice for climate change in the parliament and sharing the Gurus vision for the sustainability of the planet. Sarai shared various environmental issues of Canada, especially where the Sikh community and the gurdwaras can play a big role in sustainability programmes being run by the Canadian government. Randeep Sarai also acknowledged that organisations including EcoSikh were the need of the hour and could provide a lot of good direction to communities via its environment awareness and green-gurdwara initiatives. The discussions were focused on plantations, energy efficiency and trash management from Sikh institutions. The EcoSikh team shared that Sikhs from Ontario offered two acre land in Caledon (Ontario) for planting trees in memory of Guru Nanak. Randeep Sarai offered his help to create a network of Sikhs, who would ensure the participation of Sikhs in Surrey and around in reaching the 1-million tree target. uttara@tribuneindia.com Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, December 1 The Central Government's push to improve India's rank in the World Bank's 'Ease of Doing Business' index has opened up fresh avenues for corruption in Maharashtra's civic bodies, official investigations showed. Two years ago, the Maharashtra Government was nudged by the central government to make it easier for businesses to obtain construction permits and other approvals from municipalities and local bodies. Under this policy, permission is deemed granted if officials take no action within ten days of application. "It was felt that the policy of deemed approval would help reduce delays and allow easier approvals from civic bodies, thus helping India get a higher rank under the Ease for Doing Business index," a state government official said. Several departmentsincluding the industries department at Mantralaya, the fire brigade, and the notorious building proposals department of the BMC that approves of new constructions in the citywere brought under the "deemed approval" provision. Investigations conducted by officials found that corrupt officials would simply pass over violations by sitting on applications from builders, restaurants and other business establishments to allow "deemed approval" to take effect. The most glaring violation came to light when a fire at the Kamala Mills in Central Mumbai last December claimed 14 lives. "At least nine officials from the BMC were found to have overlooked violations by restaurants in the premises and were given licenses under the Ease of Doing Business policy," a state government official said. Among the officials found guilty of dereliction of duty include several from the fire, health, sanitation and engineers from the civic body. Investigations found that some officials didnt conduct the physical inspections that rules say are necessary even after permissions are granted. However, there are rumours in the restaurant industry that officials continue to raid establishments under various archaic laws to extort money from them. shalender@tribune.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 30 The Supreme Court today rejected a petition by more than 350 Army men challenging FIRs against soldiers in Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir, where AFSPA is in force, overruling the Centres contention that it will have a demoralising effect on soldiers fighting terrorism. As a Bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur made it clear that it was going to dismiss the petition, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the Centre wanted to be heard and that there should be a debate on the issue. There has to be a mechanism where the hands of our soldiers do not shake while fighting terrorism, Mehta said, adding, Human life has a value which can never be disputed. The top court had in July 2017 ordered a CBI probe into alleged extra-judicial killings by the Army, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police in Manipur between 2000 and 2012. The use of excessive force was not permissible under AFSPA, it had said. The CBI has already filed several chargesheets against security personnel in connection with fake encounter killings and over a dozen of them have been charged with murder, criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence. It was after the filing of chargesheets that the Army personnel challenged dilution of AFSPA, contending that military operations against insurgency would be adversely affected by such probes against Armymen. They had sought a direction to declare illegal and unconstitutional any investigation or adjudication regarding criminality, misuse, abuse, negligence, excessive use of power, error of judgment or mistake or actions done in good faith by soldiers operating in AFSPA areas in disregard to circumstances of insurgency and proxy war, and without taking into consideration the Armys Standard Operating Procedure. On Friday, the Centre came out in their support before the Bench. The fact that over 300 soldiers have to pray for this is itself unfortunate It has a demoralising effect. The country cannot afford that our soldiers are demoralised. Please do not stop the debate, the ASG told the Bench, which also included Justice UU Lalit. Brushing aside the Centres request, the Bench reminded Mehta that it had not yet issued notice to the Centre in the case. As Mehta insisted that the matter needed to be debated before the highest court of the land, the Bench said, It does not concern the court. You can have your debate. You have to find it (mechanism and solution) out, not us. The Bench referred to the ongoing CBI probe into some Manipur encounter cases and said if a Central agency finds that someone has exceeded his powers, then inquiry should be done. rchopra@tribunemail.com Barwani, December 1 Five people were killed and another was injured when their SUV collided with a truck on the Agra-Mumbai highway near Barrufatak area in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh, police said on Saturday. The incident occurred on Friday night under Theekri police station limits when the driver of the SUV, which was headed to Shirdi in Maharashtra, apparently lost control over the vehicle. The SUV hit a road divider and landed in the opposite lane before colliding with a truck, said Theekri police station in-charge Vijay Sisodia. The injured had been shifted to Indore, he said. The deceased had been identified as Sudeep Rai (26), Prakash Pargi (32), Santosh Pargi (40), Prakash Sisodia (28) and Haridas Bairagi (34), he said, adding that they belonged to Sailana town in Ratlam district. PTI shalender@tribune.com New Delhi, November 30 A Delhi Court on Friday convicted ex-coal secretary HC Gupta in a corruption case relating to allotment of coal blocks in West Bengal during the previous UPA regime at the Centre. Five others, including a retired and another serving public servantKS Kropha and KC Samriawere held guilty for various offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code. Gupta, who was the Coal Secretary from December 31, 2005, to November 2008, has already been convicted before this in two other cases of coal block allocation in which he has been sentenced to jail for two and three years, respectively. He is out on bail in both the cases. Kropha, who was then the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Coal, retired in December 2017 as the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya. He has also been convicted and sentenced to two years in another coal block allocation scam and has been on bail. Samria then held the rank of Director in the Ministry of Coal and is now working as Joint Secretary in Ministry of Minority Affairs. He has already been convicted and sentenced to two years in jail in another case and has been out on bail. All the convicts were taken into custody on the order of the court and sent to judicial custody till December 3 when Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar will hear the arguments on sentence, which entails maximum punishment of seven years in jail. Prosecutors said Gupta has been accused in 12 cases of alleged irregularities in coal block allocation scam. The CBI has filed chargesheets in connection with alleged irregularities in 40 cases of coal block allocations during the UPA-1 and UPA-2 regime. Till now the special court has decided six such cases. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is accused in one case relating to the allocation of Talabira II/III coal blocks in Odisha to Aditya Birla Group company M/s Hindalco in 2005. On March 11, 2015, the special court had summoned Singh and five others as accused. PTI shalender@tribune.com Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 30 As farmer anger spilled onto Delhi streets and Opposition parties made a beeline to support them while BJP accused rivals of playing politics, the man around whose report the farmer agitation is centred, Professor MS Swaminathan, said the demand for loan waiver stemmed from the present non-remunerative nature of farming. The noted agriculture scientist said MSP was only one of the multiple recommendations made by the Swaminathan Commission report. He said the basic difficulties of farmers could be overcome only if integrated attention was paid to pricing, procurement and public distribution. Agrarian unrest has been growing and farmers have come to the conclusion that only agitation, and not reasoning, will lead to action on their problems, he said. Swaminathan said governments had failed to implement his recommendations in totality. On the top of farmers demands is waiving of loans, so that they can get back to farming by taking another loan. The second universal demand is implementation of my report on MSP, which will make farming economically viable and attractive, he said. He said the demand for loan waiver came from the present non-remunerative nature of farming and was indicative of the fact that economic viability was as important to farmers as to industrialists. Unfortunately, the then government did not take action on the National Policy for Farmers when the report was presented in 2007, he said. Farming, he said, was both a way of life and means to livelihood for nearly 60 per cent of Indias population, a majority of whom were women and youth. I only feel sorry that in election politics, solutions like loan waiver are given importance. The basic difficulties of farmers can be overcome only if integrated attention is given to pricing, procurement and public distribution. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said the Opposition parties should answer why their government remained indifferent to farmer issues for so many years when the Swaminathan report had been tabled over a decade ago. rchopra@tribunemail.com Buenos Aires, December 1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday held a trilateral meeting, the second among the three countries after a gap of 12 years, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here to discuss cooperation in various areas. The Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting came hours after Prime Minister Modi, his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump held their first trilateral meeting on the margins of the summit. Deepening engagement with valued development partners. President Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping and PM @narendramodi participate in the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral in Buenos Aires. @KremlinRussia, the Prime Ministers Office tweeted. 2nd Russia-India-China RIC Trilateral Summit took place in Buenos Aires after a gap of 12 years. In a meeting characterised by warmth and positivity, leaders discussed cooperation and coordination in various areas which could contribute to global peace and stability, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Earlier in the day, India, Japan and the US discussed major issues of global and multilateral interests in their first trilateral meeting, which assumed importance in the wake of China flexing its muscle in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. At the meeting, India underscored its firm commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic growth. Asserting that India would continue to work together on shared values, Modi said, When you look at the acronym of our three countries--Japan, America and India--it is JAI, which stands for success in Hindi. PTI shalender@tribune.com Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 30 A day after retiring as a Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Kurian Joseph on Tuesday said the issues raised by him and three other senior judges in their unprecedented January 12 press conference still remained even as some progress had been made. Maintaining that he didnt regret taking part in the press meet, Justice Joseph said, After we spoke out, there has been more transparency and caution. Asked if the crisis in judiciary was over, Justice Joseph said, You cant say it fully that the crisis is over because it was an institutional crisis, so it takes a long time for the system and the practices to change. Hopefully, it will change. Its because one (Justice Ranjan Gogoi) who was part of the clamour for change is also now the captain (CJI)... So things should change. Besides, Justice Gogoi and Justice Joseph, the other two judges who took part in the January 12 press meet were Justice J Chelameswar and Justice Madan B Lokur who had questioned the style of functioning of the then CJI Dipak Misra. Responding to a question on roster issue and senior judges being ignored in important Constitution Bench matters, he said, In matters of larger public interest, it is better if diversity is reflected in constituting benches. Consultative process is at least happening now, he added. Citing the example of high courts where there were administrative committees to assist the chief justice, he suggested that similar practice could be adopted in the SC too. Talking to a group of journalists at his residence, Justice Joseph accused the NDA Government of delaying judicial appointments, thereby undermining its independence. He said so far as the judiciary was concerned, the Memorandum of Procedure for appointment of judges was final. I wonder why the government says that Memorandum of Procedure is not final, he said. Justice Kurian celebrated his 65th birthday and cut cake in the presence of journalists at his residence. Responding to a question on political pressure on judges, he said, There is no political pressure on judicial exercise of powers. But the interference in appointments of judges, transfer of judges and delay in clearing filesthat is the interference in judiciary. He denied any government interference in the recent appointments of Justice MR Shah and Justice Hemant Gupta and transfer of Justice A Kureshi from Gujarat High Court to Bombay High Court. shriaya.dutta@tribuneindia.com New Delhi, December 1 A farmer from Maharashtra, who had participated in a two-day kisan rally in Delhi against the agrarian distress in the country, died early on Saturday after accidentally falling from a building in central Delhi, police said. The accident happened in Paharganj area, they said. Police said they do not suspect any foul play. However, an investigation is underway and more details are awaited. Thousands of farmers from across the country had gathered in Delhi on Thursday and on Friday, they marched through streets chanting slogans in support of their demands such as debt relief and remunerative prices for their produce. The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, which claims to be an umbrella body of 207 organisations of farmers and agricultural workers, claimed the two-day rally was one of the largest congregation of farmers in Delhi. It claimed that farmers from 24 states had joined the protest. PTI monicakchauhan@gmail.com Jaipur, December 1 Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of shaping the Army's 2016 surgical strike across the LoC into a "political asset" and being "unsuccessful" in creating job opportunities for the youth. Addressing a gathering at Udaipur in poll-bound Rajasthan, he also claimed that non-performing assets (NPA) of banks was Rs 2 lakh crore during UPA rule and it rose to Rs 12 lakh crore during the BJP government at the Centre. "The government waived loans of 15 to 20 industrialists. Banking system is concentrated only for them. NPA is not of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, traders, doctors or lawyers," Gandhi said. Referring to the surgical strikes on terror pads across the LoC on September 29, 2016, he told the gathering, "Like during the Narendra Modi government, surgical strike was conducted thrice during Manmohan Singh government. Are you aware of it? Modi actually reached into the Army's domain and shaped surgical strike into a political asset." The Congress president alleged that the surgical strike was made public as the BJP was fighting elections in Uttar Pradesh. On demonetisation and the GST implementations, Gandhi claimed that people have confusion about these. "It was a scam, which opened doors for big companies. Demonetisation and the GST shattered the economy and broke common man's back. It opened doors for big companies," he said, alleging that the BJP government at the centre failed to create job opportunities for the youth. When asked about data privacy, Gandhi said IT companies have understood that India and China has large data. "Data should remain with people and not crony capitalists. That is our belief," he said. Claiming that even though India has medical insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat, it does not have good hospitals, the Congress chief said, "We cannot run the country without pumping money into public health and education sectors." He said, "India will surpass China if we have the right government for next 15-20 years. Respect those who have skills, India will surpass China." "China has a lead but we have not lost the competition," he said. PTI shalender@tribune.com Buenos Aires/New Delhi, November 30 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday met for their first trilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit to discuss major issues of global and multilateral interests. The meeting assumed importance in the wake of China flexing its muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. Earlier in the day, Modi had a fruitful meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Asserting that India will continue to work together on shared values, Modi said, The JAI (Japan, America, India) meeting is dedicated to democratic values...JAI stands for victory (in Hindi). The Prime Minister also said the meeting was a convergence of vision between the three nations. The Japanese premier said he was happy to participate in the first-ever JAI trilateral. The leaders emphasised the importance of cooperation among the three countries on all major issue of global and multilateral interests such as connectivity, sustainable development, counterterrorism and maritime and cyber security. The trilateral meeting took place at a time when China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and with Japan in the East China Sea. Both the areas are said to be rich in minerals, oil and other natural resources. Modi-Xi meeting was the fourth in less than a year. The two leaders took stock of progress made since the informal Wuhan summit and said that there has been a perceptible improvement in bilateral relations. Modi and Xi feel that following regular top level meetings the two countries share better strategic communication and trust. They also welcomed the recently concluded Special Representatives talks in Beijing on the Boundary issue. This year has been very important for relations between our two nations, I am confident that coming year would be even better, said PM Modi. During a meeting of the heads of states and governments of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), the PM highlighted the issue of economic offenders and need to bring them to justice and here the PM received support from other BRICS leaders. Discussions focussed on the multilateral trading system, international trade, WTO, counterterrorism, climate change and disaster resilient infrastructure. The top leaders including President Putin, President Xi and PM Modi reiterated their commitment working together to strengthen multilateralism and promote a fair, just, equitable, democratic and representative international order. TNS & Agencies pardeepdhull@gmail.com Buenos Aires, December 1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have concurred that there had been a perceptible improvement in bilateral ties after their Wuhan summit and both sides are optimistic that 2019 would be an even better year for India-China relations. During their fourth meeting this year, Modi and Xi on Friday discussed joint efforts to further enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two giant neighbours during their meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here in the capital of Argentina. The two leaders have met twice after their informal summit in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late Aprilonce at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit held in June in Chinas Qingdao and the second time at the BRICS summit in South Africas Johannesburg in July. Had a wonderful meeting with President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Modi tweeted about his meeting and said the talks revolved around a wide range of bilateral and global subjects. Our regular interactions have added significant strength to India-China ties, he said. Asserting that their Wuhan informal meeting was a milestone in the Sino-India ties, Modi told Xi that he was looking forward to host him for an informal summit next year. Such initiatives are helpful in maintaining the momentum, Modi said, adding that there have been two review meetingsin Qingdao and in Johannesburg. He said the ties between the two countries have made huge strides over the last one year. The relations between the two neighbours were strained last year following a 73-day standoff in Doklam in the Sikkim sector of the border. The chill between the two sides later improved resulting in an informal summit between Modi and Xi at Wuhan where the two leaders decided to issue strategic guidance to their militaries to strengthen communications to build trust and understanding, a move aimed at avoiding a Doklam-like situation in the future. Modi said Fridays meeting will strengthen further the partnership between the two nations. Todays meeting will be important in providing a direction in terms of strengthening our relations, he said. I express my heartiest thanks to you (President Xi) for taking out time for this meeting, he said. Later, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told reporters that the two leaders said that there had been a perceptible improvement in bilateral relations. Both of them had a very detailed review of what they agreed to in Wuhan and how it was progressed. Both of them said that progress has been made on the economic side, he said. President Xi referred to enhanced imports of rice and sugar from India, spoke of possibility of greater import of soyameal and rapeseed. He also expressed the hope that India would import more agricultural products from China, Gokhale said. The president also indicated that in the pharmaceutical sector there would be greater trade between the two sides, he said. On the political side, they welcomed the visit of the Chinese defense minister, of the holding of the counter-terrorism military exercise next week in India and the recently concluded special representative talks. Both leaders (said) that there had been a positive improvement in border management along the India-China border areas following the Wuhan summit, the foreign secretary said. Modi and Xi also said they were looking forward to the first meeting of the high-level mechanism on people-to-people exchanges in New Delhi in December. Both sides also specifically mentioned that the first bilateral cooperation that had begun in Afghanistan which is the training of Afghan diplomats, had been successful and that they were looking for further such opportunities, Gokhale said. Both leaders felt that as a result of the Wuhan Summit and the meetings taking place after that, strategic communication had been enhanced between them, trust had been built between them. There was a personal relationship and both sides were optimistic that 2018 was a good year but 2019 would be an even better year, the foreign secretary said, describing the meeting as very successful. During the meeting, Xi told Modi that many important consensus reached on the development of China-India relations are being implemented and the ties are steadily improving, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing. Referring to the talks between the Special Representatives on the boundary as well as defence and various other delegations, he said the two sides should work together to build an open world economy and make globalisation more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all, it said. We should oppose protectionism and unilateralism, uphold the core values and basic principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Xi said. His call for joint action came ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump, who has asked China to cut down the USD 375 billion trade deficit in their bilateral trade and slapped additional tariffs on over USD 250 billion Chinese exports to US. China too retaliated sparking a trade war between the two countries. Xi said it is necessary for India and China to deepen pragmatic cooperation, expand bilateral trade, strengthen cooperation in investment, medical and health, poverty reduction, environmental protection, disaster prevention and reduction, and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges. PTI uttara@tribuneindia.com Mumbai, December 1 Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, a key accused in the USD 2 billion PNB fraud case, cannot return to India as he is afraid of getting lynched and is being compared to demon Ravan, his lawyer told a special court on Saturday, but the ED dismissed the claim saying if he felt there were security threats, he should have filed a police complaint. Nirav Modis lawyer Vijay Agarwal stated this while arguing before Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court Judge MS Azmi against the Enforcement Directorates application to declare Modi a fugitive under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. Countering the ED plea, Nirav Modi also said through his lawyer that he had no record or data with him about his finances. Referring to Nirav Modis claims of security threats in India, the ED said these points are irrelevant to the case. The ED has claimed that Nirav Modi had refused to join the probe despite acknowledging mails and summons issued to him and that he doesnt want to return to India. Agarwal, however, said the diamond trader had responded to the emails sent by the investigating agencies and expressed his inability to return due to security threats. Unlike liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who is accused of a loan default of over Rs 9,000 crore, Modi had no non-performing assets (NPAs) when he left the country, Agarwal argued. PTI monicakchauhan@gmail.com Ravi S Singh Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 30 Leaders of Opposition parties, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, today used the second day of the farmers protest as a platform to demonstrate unity against the BJP as they underscored the need to oust the Narendra Modi government in 2019 to protect farmers interest. Earlier, the farmers took out a march from Ramlila Maidan to Parliament Street, where it ended in a rally culmination of a two-day national protest by farmers affiliated with 209 organisations. The farmers are demanding laws to ensure remunerative MSP in line with recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission and to secure them from indebtedness. At the rally, Gandhi pledged to work with other Opposition leaders to build a strong fulcrum, especially for farmers, to ensure their progress and welfare. In spite of our ideological differences, we have come here for farmers, Gandhi said. Gandhi, who shared the podium with Modi-baiters, including AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal and Gujarat Independent MLA Jignesh Mevani, said Modi was oriented in favour of corporate houses at the cost of farmers. He castigated Modi for not fulfilling the promise of remunerative MSP and loan waiver to farmers, made during the 2014 election. If Rs 3.5 lakh crore of bad loans of corporate houses can be written off, so can the loans of farmers, Gandhi said, stressing that farmers and youth constituted Indias backbone. He said if chief ministers or the Prime Minister needed to be changed to protect farmers interest, it must be done. CPMs Sitaram Yechury urged farmers to use the ballot to dislodge the BJP-led NDA government. Kejriwal said the Centres Kisan Fasal Bima Yojana was a misnomer, while former Jammu and Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah flayed the BJP for its politics of communalism. Sharad Pawar, Sharad Yadav, Yogendra Yadav and leaders of RLD and SP also addressed the rally. pardeepdhull@gmail.com Buenos Aires, December 1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here and invited him to be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations next year, which also marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The South African leader accepted the invitation to grace the occasion. Glad to have met President @CyrilRamaphosa. At a time when India is marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it is our honour to welcome President Ramaphosa as the Chief Guest for the 2019 Republic Day celebrations. Bapus close link with South Africa is well known, Modi tweeted after the meeting. He said Ramaphosas visit to India will further cement bilateral ties between the two countries. The upcoming visit of President @CyrilRamaphosa, and that too during the special occasion of Indias Republic Day will further cement business and people-to-people ties between India and South Africa, Modi tweeted. Following the meeting between Modi and Ramaphosa, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Ravish Kumar tweeted, 150 years of Mahatma & 100 years of Madiba! He was referring to July 18 this year, which marks 100 years since the birth of the global icon Nelson Mandela, also popularly known as Madiba, who died in 2013 at the age of 95. Kumar further tweeted, Good meeting between PM @narendramodi & South Africa President @CyrilRamaphosa on margins of #G20Summit. President Ramaphosa accepted Indias invitation to be the Chief Guest at Republic Day during 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. PTI shalender@tribune.com Pune, November 30 Venturing into uncharted waters, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat today said Pakistan should turn into a secular state from an Islamic nation. Pakistans turning into a secular state is essential if it has to stay together with India, the Army Chief said on the sidelines of the passing-out parade at the NDA here. See this staying together, staying separate, ispe Pakistan ko apni andruni halat dekhni hogi. Pakistan ne apne state ko Islamic state bana diya hai. Hum log secular state hain (Pakistan has to look at its internal situation. They are an Islamic state, we are a secular state), he said. Gen Rawat said, How can we stay together if you say I am an Islamic state and there is no role for anybody else. If they are willing to become secular like us, they seem to have an opportunity. Pehle dekhen karte hain ki nahin karte (Let us see if they do so or not)? The Army Chief also asked Pakistan to curtail terror activities. PTI editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 30 Just two days before protests scheduled in Patiala district by teachers appointed under the SSA/RMSA programmes, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday ruled that the associations and its members did enjoy right to peaceful agitation for consideration of their lawful demands. But the district administrations nod was a must for protest at a designated place. The Bench of Chief Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Arun Palli made it clear that the organisers would stage dharna, protest or demonstration only after obtaining prior permission from the district administration at a place identified to carry out peaceful activities. It also directed the police authorities to ensure that the participants did not carry weapons, including firearms, knives and batons. The Bench also directed that the organisers would furnish an undertaking before the administration that they would ensure peaceful protest at the designated site only. The police authorities and the state government will ensure videography of any protest/demonstration being held to the maximum extent possible. The police authorities would also keep a strict vigil and regulate entries from all entry points of Patiala district, the Bench added. The orders were passed after the state Director-General of Police appeared before the Bench to assist it in the matter. The developments took place on a petition filed against the state of Punjab and other respondents by Mohit Kapoor through senior advocate Puneet Bali and Arun Gupta. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan teachers are aggrieved by circulars/notices issued by the Education Department envisaging their displacement by newly absorbed/regularised teachers. They were asked to give option of absorption/regularisation in the Education Department at reduced monthly salaries of Rs 15,300, even though they were getting a monthly salary of Rs 40,000 under the SSA/RMSA. A practicing lawyer, Kapoor had moved the court expressing apprehension regarding disruption of public life due to protest on December 2 called by associations of teachers in Patiala district. The Bench added that the protestors could not be permitted to take law in their hands and disrupt life of the general public by resorting to blocking roads and damage to the public property in the name of agitation to pressurise the government to fulfill their demands. uttara@tribuneindia.com Varinder Singh Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 1 Canadian Liberal politician Raj Grewal said on Saturday that he's changed his mind about resigning from Parliament over gambling addiction, calling his previous decision ill-advised. Speaking for the first time since his announcement on November 22, Grewal said he made an ill-advised and irrational statement on Facebook in a highly emotional state. Grewal said however he was resigning from the Liberal Caucus, but that he would take a final decision on continuing in Parliament next year. After weeks of spending time with my family, receiving treatment, and countless messages of support, in particular from individuals suffering from mental health issues and my constituents, Ive decided that I will be leaving the Liberal Caucus and taking a leave of absence to focus on my mental health and recovery, his statement said. Grewal said his gambling habit began during a stay at Hilton Hotel in Gatineau Quebec when he was in Ottawa. In early 2016, I first started to visit the casino (Casino du Lac Leamy) recreationally to play blackjack. This quickly escalated into a significant problem as I started to play high stakes, high limit blackjack. On an average sitting, I would spend between 15 to 30 minutes at a table, and I either won a lot of money, which made me continue to chase wins, or I lost a significant amount of money, which threw me into complete despair. Over a 3 year period, I accumulated personal debt in the millions of dollars. Like many addicts and people suffering from mental health issues, I started to personally borrow money solely from friends and family to continue to gamble. This has nothing to do at all with anything sinister except to feed my own addiction, his statment, also on Facebook, said, adding that his acts were born out of human frailty for which he wanted to apologise to his family, friends, and supporters. He claimed his wife didnt know about his gambling problem until three weeks ago. We have been married for only 4 months now and have always maintained separate finances. We do not even have a joint bank account. In January 2018, my wife and I jointly purchased one condo (apartment) in Toronto for $1.44 million where we currently have a mortgage for $1 million. Like many young Canadians, we worked hard, saved, received help from our parents and invested in real estate as part of our financial plan. Land deal allegations Grewal denied any wrong doing in a controversial land sale. The allegations he's referring to involves sale of a piece of land for an inflated price to Brampton City Council for a bridge project. There are allegations that the land, originally believed to be purchased by a private consortium for $3.3 million, was re-sold months later to the Brampton City Council for $ 4.4 million for Goreway Bridge project. Since the 2015 campaign, I have been advocating for the Goreway bridge to be completed, because it is an important issue for the people of Brampton East. Throughout my term as an MP, I have routinely requested updates on the status of the project from the Mayors office and the sole purpose of my inquiries was to ensure that I could provide an update to my constituents on the status of the project, his statement said. On November 22, he said cited "personal and medical reasons" for resigning from the House of Commons. In a second post days later, he admitted to his addiction. Here's his complete statement Dear Brampton East You Deserve To Know. Ive asked for this opportunity to speak directly to my fellow Canadians about my mental health issue with gambling. I know my silence this past week has raised questions and speculation and for that, I truly apologize. This has been an agonizing time for me as Ive wrestled with the issue of how my illness impacts my role as an MP and my family. I now want to speak freely and share my story, because Canadians deserve to know what happened. I have gambled recreationally since university and never thought I would suffer from mental health and addiction issues. But it became a significant personal problem that I now recognize and take responsibility for. During my time in Ottawa as an MP, I stayed at the Hilton Hotel in Gatineau Quebec, which coincidentally was interconnected to the Casino du Lac Leamy. In early 2016, I first started to visit the Casino recreationally to play blackjack. This quickly escalated into a significant problem as I started to play high stakes, high limit blackjack. On an average sitting, I would spend between 15 to 30 minutes at a table, and I either won a lot of money, which made me continue to chase wins, or I lost a significant amount of money, which threw me into complete despair. Over a 3 year period, I accumulated personal debt in the millions of dollars. Like many addicts and people suffering from mental health issues, I started to personally borrow money solely from friends and family to continue to gamble. I want to make it clear, that every single personal loan made to me was by cheque. Everybody has been paid back, and every loan and repayment is transparent and traceable. This has nothing to do at all with anything sinister except to feed my own addiction. I apologize to my family for both having to financially bail me out and to carry this burden with me. I know I have shocked many and left everyone wondering how someone with education and privilege could do something so senseless. The truth is, that compulsive gambling is a mental health disorder that I suffer from. One that was fueled by my misguided belief that one more win could fix the problem. I cannot put into words the shame and embarrassment that comes with this addiction, particularly for my family and friends. It is not easy to admit that you have a problem, especially when you are in the public realm. That is why I did not stop. That is why I hid this from absolutely everyone. And that is why I suffered in silence. On November 5, I first revealed this problem to my family. It is with their love and support that I had the courage to seek treatment and speak to the Prime Ministers Office on November 19, 2018, which is the first time I notified PMO about my mental health and gambling addiction issues. My sins are not ones based in corruption and dishonesty; they are born out of human frailty. I want to apologize to my family, friends, and supporters - I am sorry to have disappointed you. You have all poured so much time, energy and love into me and that I will never forget. To my constituents and colleagues - you put your faith in me to serve and I let you down. To the Prime Minister, I sincerely apologize for becoming a distraction from the important work you are doing for Canadians. As commonly happens when a news story like this one breaks, many want to know the details and may rely upon isolated pieces of information and half truths in an attempt to fit them into the narrative. In my own situation, this happened in several instances, particularly in relation to work as an MP on the house Finance Committee and on the subject of my and my wifes personal purchases. I would like to fully clear these up now with specific facts. With respect to my role as a member of the Standing Committee on Finance, I participated in a review of the Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing Act where MPs ask particular agencies and institutions pertinent questions. As part of this review, my committee colleagues and I asked questions of a similar nature on money laundering. My questions on February 8th and June 20th were based in part on a brief prepared by the Library of Parliament, which included recommended questions, and additional suggestions by my staff. To infer that my motivations were unethical or that I was using a chance opportunity to figure out if FINTRAC was aware of my gambling is to stretch reality and to take the situation completely out of context. Additionally, after having served on the finance committee for three years, I wanted to try something new to diversify my experience. For this reason, when a vacancy occurred on the Standing Committee on Health, I welcomed the new opportunity and was appointed on September 19, 2018. There is also incorrect information that has been published about me and my wifes assets and liabilities that give rise to unfair inferences. As I mentioned before, my wife had no idea about my personal gambling problem until 3 weeks ago. We have been married for only 4 months now and have always maintained separate finances. We do not even have a joint bank account. In January 2018, my wife and I jointly purchased one condo in Toronto for $1.44 million where we currently have a mortgage for $1 million. Like many young Canadians, we worked hard, saved, received help from our parents and invested in real estate as part of our financial plan. The media has implied that the mortgage is in excess of its purchase price, which is not true and not possible under Canadas banking regime. Additionally, my wife independently purchased a condo four years ago in 2014 for $324,000 with a mortgage for $278,000. I have no ownership in this property and reports of a third condo are false. My wife is a respected and hardworking lawyer. She is not a public figure and it is wrong for her to be implicated by the media, and have her name dragged into this when she had no idea about my personal finances and problems. Again I apologize to her and her family for the grief I caused them. I also have a personal line of credits with three financial institutions, which were disclosed to the ethics commissioner and all are related to my student debts. Additionally, I want to clarify that I only have one personal vehicle. I co-signed one lease to help a friend who needed a car loan, which was the 2018 Dodge Ram. I am not a debtor on any other personal vehicles. There have also been reports about my involvement with the Goreway Bridge project. Since the 2015 campaign, I have been advocating for the Goreway bridge to be completed, because it is an important issue for the people of Brampton East. Throughout my term as an MP, I have routinely requested updates on the status of the project from the Mayors office. The sole purpose of my inquiries was to ensure that I could provide an update to my constituents on the status of the project. As part of the routine update request, myself and other recipients received an email containing an unsolicited confidential report from the Mayor of Bramptons Chief of Staff on November 21, 2017. I did nothing further with this report and to suggest that I leaked confidential information is categorically false. With respect to my other employment relationships, I want to reiterate that they were both disclosed to and approved by the ethics commissioner. Since January 2018, I ended my relationship with one employer and continued to work in a limited capacity with another for the purposes of maintaining my legal skill set. I have worked with the ethics commissioner regarding my employment and will continue to cooperate with his office. What does this all mean for the people of Brampton East? On Wednesday, November 21, after a brief conversation with the Chief Government Whip, I was told that I probably could not remain in caucus and should resign my seat. I asked the government whip to allow me to make my own statement and to tell my family in person. I immediately flew back to Brampton to share the heartbreaking news with my family. In a highly emotional state, completely exhausted and facing an extreme time constraint, I made an ill advised statement on Facebook that I would be resigning my seat. I can see how some might think that it is right for me to resign. For me, this is a very difficult decision to make. In 2015, I made a commitment to the people of Brampton East - to work hard, to be accessible and to represent them in Ottawa this job remains unfinished. Brampton East and I share a very special bond. Its where I grew up, its where I went to school and its where I will continue to live and serve no matter whether it's in the public or private realm. After weeks of spending time with my family, receiving treatment, and countless messages of support, in particular from individuals suffering from mental health issues and my constituents, Ive decided that I will be leaving the Liberal Caucus and taking a leave of absence to focus on my mental health and recovery. I do not take this decision lightly, as it is easier for my family and me to just fade away and avoid the daily media scrutiny this will bring. But Im prepared to bear up to the embarrassment and recriminations that are sure to come my way, and legitimately so. I will be making a final decision about my political future before Parliament resumes in the new year. During this time, I ask the people of Brampton East for their patience, guidance, and prayers to ensure that the right decision is made. editorial@tribune.com Tribune Reporters Chandigarh/morinda, Nov 30 The Cane Growers Struggle Committee today asked the state government to direct private sugar mills to start cane-crushing at the earliest, failing which an agitation would be launched across the state. Private sugar mills have refused to start crushing operations, demanding that the state government reimburse Rs 35 per quintal the difference between the State Advised Price (SAP) of Rs 310 per quintal and the Fair Remunerative Price of Rs 275 fixed by the Centre. Representatives of the committee today held parleys with the Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Suresh Kumar, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar and Cooperation Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa, demanding early cane-crushing by private mill owners. Committee leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu said 70 per cent of the crushing was done by private mills and the remaining by cooperative mills. Randhawa said the department released dues of Rs 100 crore to the cane growers that were pending with the cooperative sugar mills. Another Rs 92 crore was still pending with the cooperative mills. So far, the Cooperative Department has released Rs 500 crore to the cane growers. On Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal joining the cane growers protest, Randhawa said, If Sukhbir is concerned about cane growers, he should stage a dharna against former chairman of Sugarfed and Akali leader Jarnail Singh Wahid, who owes dues of Rs 46.3 crore to cane growers for crushing done at his privately owned Wahid Sandhar Sugar Mill. The private mills owe Rs 192 crore to the cane growers. Meanwhile, Sukhbir said farmers must get 18 per cent interest on the amount of payment delayed against the purchase of their crops. He alleged that the farmers were being exploited by the state government as first they were not paid for their produce of last year and now their crop of sugarcane was not being purchased. Sukhbir, who was in Morinda to take part in a dharna outside a sugar mill, said in case the payments were delayed, farmers must be compensated with 18 per cent interest per annum. He urged the farmers to unite to force the Congress government to pay SAP of Rs 350 per quintal for sugarcane procurement as well as the release of accumulated dues of Rs 400 crore. editorial@tribune.com Karam Prakash Tribune News Service Patiala, November 30 The number of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-positive cases in the state has gone up by 38.4 per cent in five years from 4,863 in 2012-13 to 6,730 in 2017-18. The figures are based on data gathered from government hospitals. The state programme under the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) was launched in 1992. Punjab State AIDS Control Society project director B Srinivasan said, The rise (in five years) is due to the strengthening of the detection process. More than 320 ICTCs (integrated counselling and testing centres) have been opened in the state. Punjabs prevalence rate is 0.18 per cent, while the national average is 0.22 per cent. According to experts, HIV-infection cases in recent years were mainly among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID). Despite the awareness campaigns, there is still social stigma associated with HIV. People believe that HIV is largely a sexually transmitted disease, says Sampuran Singh, Senior Medical Officer at the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) centre of Government Rajindra Hospital. Dr Meenakshi, a counsellor, says, People still try to conceal the disease as they fear being ostracised and thrown out of their homes and villages. An HIV patient at the local centre said, After we (husband-wife) tested positive, we were told not to share utensils with other family members. People generally shun our company. Since the setting up of the State AIDS Control Society in 1998, 7,623 HIV-related deaths have been reported so far in the state. pardeepdhull@gmail.com Kochi, December 1 The National Commission for Women on Saturday accused the Catholic Church of not protecting the interest of a nun, who has alleged that Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar Diocese raped her in 2014. The Church was in the process of glorifying the Bishop arrested for raping her, NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma alleged. She slammed the Church for not implementing its directive to constitute internal complaint committees in their institutions where many nuns are serving, saying such a mechanism was a must for protecting them from harassment. In churches we dont have any internal complaint committees, she told reporters here. Sharma said nuns who came up against Jalandhar Bishop could never get justice from the Church because of the absence of such a mechanism in their institutions. There was nobody she (victimised nun) could go and complain. We have also written to the Church, urging them to constitute internal complaint committees where women can complain, she said. She alleged that till now the Church has not come clean in the nun rape case. Mulakkal, who was Bishop of Jalandhar diocese, was arrested in September for allegedly raping the nun at Kuravilangadu in Kottayam district. In her complaint to the Kottayam police in June, the nun had alleged that Mulakkal raped her at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and later sexually exploited her on several occasions. However, Mulakkal has denied the charges. He was later granted conditional bail in the case. He had given up his pastoral duties of Jalandhar diocese of the Missionaries of Jesus and transferred his administrative powers to Bishop Agnelo Gracious. We should have internal complaint committees in all the religious places, especially in churches where many nuns are serving. Not many women are serving in the temples or other religious organisations. But in Christianity... in churches... many nuns are there, Sharma said. They (the Church) are glorifying the accused Bishop, Sharma said. Sharma alleged he was getting security from the Church and his picture was displayed in its calendar. Sharma said she has got a representation from an organisation working for nuns in which they have alleged that the church was not ready to provide security for the victimised nun. They have alleged that the Church has urged the police to shift the victim to a shelter home. That is how these religious places are working, they are totally against women, she said. The NCW Chairperson also criticised Kerala MLA P C George for not appearing before the Commission in a case of allegedly using abusive language against the nun. The Commission had issued a notice to George asking him to appear before it but he sent his lawyer citing health reasons. I am not satisfied with the lawyers reply. So we are writing to the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly. Speaker is also liable to take action against him (MLA), she said. He never said sorry to us. He just sent an explanation through his lawyer. I want him to come. We want him to say sorry.., Sharma said. Asked whether the Commission had powers to arrest him, Sharma said, We have the powers to arrest him. The NCW is above MLA or MP. Sharma also flayed the ruling CPI(M) for not forwarding a woman members sexual harassment complaint against its MLA P K Sasi to the police. They have reprimanded him, suspended him for six months but they have not reported the matter to the police. Complaint should have gone to the police, she said. The CPI(M) has said Sasi was suspended from the partys primary membership for six months after it was found that he had conversed with the woman in a manner not befitting a party leader. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Islamabad, December 1 Pakistan on Saturday rejected the alleged negative propaganda campaign in Indian media against the Kartarpur corridor initiative. In a press release, a government spokesperson said, We are deeply dismayed at the relentless negative propaganda campaign being waged by a section of the Indian media against Pakistan on the Kartarpur corridor initiative. We categorically reaffirm that the initiative to open this corridor has been taken by the Government of Pakistan solely in deference to the longstanding wishes of our Sikh brethren, and especially in the wake of the forthcoming 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev ji. Attributing any other motives is purely malicious. We have received overwhelmingly positive response from the Sikh community--not only in India and Pakistan but also from across the globe. The Government and people of Pakistan fully share their joy on this historic breakthrough and solemnly affirm that they will make every possible contribution to a befitting celebration of the auspicious occasion of Baba Guru Nanaks 550th birth anniversary in 2019. We are convinced that those seeking to sow negativity around this initiative for partisan purposes or due to their known anti-Pakistan proclivities will not succeed in their designs. The Government of Pakistan will continue do what is right for advancing this noble initiative. We are pleased that distinguished guests from India, both from the Centre and from the Punjab, were able to join Prime Minister Imran Khan during the ground-breaking ceremony at Kartarpur on 28 November, 2018. The presence of thousands of Sikh yatris visiting Pakistan from India and other parts of the world made the occasion even more poignant. Pakistan would now proceed with the development of the physical infrastructure for the corridor on its side of the International Border. We also look forward to working out necessary details and modalities with the Indian side concerning the passage through the corridor. The inauguration of the corridor project on both sides has created another moment of hope for the peoples of India and Pakistan. We hope every effort would be made to preserve and take forward the Kartarpur spirit. rchopra@tribunemail.com Ruchika M Khanna Tribune News Service Chandigarh, December 1 A day after Punjab Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu refused to accept Capt Amarinder Singh as his captain, his cabinet colleague and close confidant of the CM, Housing minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa hit out at Sidhu, asking him to quit as minister. Talking to The Tribune, Bajwa minced no words as he said that Sidhu should quit as a minister in the Punjab cabinet, since he has refused to acknowledge the leadership of Capt Amarinder Singh. Since he does not know who the captain of the ship is, he should jump from the ship, the senior minister said. On Friday, while talking to mediapersons in Hyderabad, where Sidhu is campaigning for the Telangana Assembly polls, he had said, Which captain are you talking about? Oh...Capt Amarinder Singh? He is an army captain. My captain is Rahul Gandhi. His captain too is Rahul Gandhi, when asked about Capt Amarinder Singh asking him not to attend the function of Kartarpur Sahib corridor ground-breaking ceremony in Pakistan. Angry at the minister scoffing at Amarinder, Bajwa told The Tribune that it was regretful that the local bodies minister had revolted in such a manner, by using the name of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, and trying to falsely project that he got his power from the Congress central leadership. Interestingly, Sidhu on Saturday went back on his statement issued on Friday, saying he had not been asked by Rahul Gandhi to go to Pakistan, rather he went there on the invitation of Pakistan PM Imran Khan. On Friday, he had said that Rahul Gandhi had asked him to go to Pakistan, and other top Congress leaders had supported his decision to go there. Reacting to this change of stand, Bajwa also advised Sidhu to remain consistent in his stand, if he were looking at a longer innings in politics. The Housing and Rural Development Minister also asked Sidhu to talk less, so that he could attain his ultimate political goal. His (Sidhus) posture and body language are very hurting and disgusting while the tone signals humiliation of Capt Amarinder Singh. He has no moral right to continue as a member of Capt Amarinder Singhs cabinet, said the minister. editorial@tribune.com London, November 30 The UK government has confirmed an amendment to a new weapons Bill going through Parliament to ensure that it would not impact the right of the British Sikh community to possess and supply kirpans, or religious swords. The Offensive Weapons Bill, 2018, completed its various readings in the House of Commons this week and has now moved to the House of Lords for approval. It involves a new offence of possessing certain offensive weapons in public and places new restrictions on the online sales of bladed articles and corrosive products in attempt to crackdown on rising knife and acid-related attacks in the country. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs led a delegation to the UK Home Office in recent weeks to ensure that the kirpan remains exempt when the new Bill becomes law. I am pleased to see the government amendment and look forward to seeing an accompanying set of documentation, which reflects the importance of not criminalising the Sikh community for the sale or possession of large kirpans, said Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill, Chair of the APPG for British Sikhs. Gill, the first female Sikh MP in the House of Commons, was accompanied by APPG vice-chairs Pat McFadden and Dominic Grieve at a meeting with UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Home Office minister Victoria Atkins to discuss changes to the Offensive Weapons Bill, which would maintain status quo in continuing to legally safeguard the sale, possession and use of large kirpans. Her fellow Sikh MP, Tan Dhesi, also made an intervention during the Offensive Weapons Bill debate in the Commons to seek assurances about the kirpan, given the Sikh communitys serious concerns. PTI Saba Naqvi Saba Naqvi Imagine an opportunity like Kartarpur Sahib coming up when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. It is so evocative. Guru Nanak, the founder of a religion that incorporates syncretism into its origins, can be a symbol of unity between two neighbours with a troubled history. Vajpayee, who the BJP so celebrated when he passed away some months ago, would have seen it as a little crack in the wall of hostility, a small gesture of friendship. It is not impossible to think of the late PM responding with an equally grand gesture, the sort that marked his six-year reign, when he reached out to Kashmir and Pakistan, inspite of the wars and conflicts that visited us in those years. Compare that to the almost-rude response of the current Indian establishment. There will be no talks, besides a few other remarks terse in language and phraseology, completely minus imagination. Lets also understand a big difference between the old BJP and the new BJP. Vajpayee and LK Advani came from an ideological strain, but they were both working on the premise that they would show vision in various fields and moderate the BJP into a right-wing alternative to the Congress. They did not fight the 2004 elections on ideological issues, but what they thought was a shining governance record. They lost. The current BJP, resurrected after a decade out of power, is essentially a one-trick pony, albeit a very successful one. That one trick is Narendra Modi. The underlying theme to campaigns and expansion plans is evoking fear/ hatred of Muslims and occasionally Pakistan and it can be inter-woven into the narrative. The new BJP operates in an eco-system fuelled by friendly TV channels that go searching for themes such as Muslim appeasement, Muslim unreasonableness, Congress as a Muslim party and so on and so forth. Its all offensive, but its also become boring and predictable and completely lacking in credibility. There is no ideological grey in the positions of BJP spokespersons. My good friend Sambit Patra accuses all opponents of being either Muslim lovers or tukde-tukde gang and he recently outdid himself when he described Indias first PM Jawaharlal Nehru as a thug of Hindustan. I cannot imagine such a spokesperson survive in the age of Vajpayee, even as I concede that was a coalition. Its funny that the new BJP has pinned so much on the Ram temple, not because it can be built immediately, but because there is a belief that it can be a divisive issue that invokes the favourite characters required to polarise the Muslims. Its funny because the original author of the Ram temple movement, LK Advani, had given up on it as an electoral issue. No one should be surprised or disappointed when the Delhi regime refuses to talk or engage with Pakistan. True, PM Narendra Modi had invited then Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif to his 2014 swearing-in and had subsequently dropped in Pakistan unscheduled to meet Sharif. But, all that happened during the honeymoon period of the Modi reign. Now, we are back to the basics, which is nothing more than the pitch: Dont let the nation be ruled by Muslim lovers and tukde-tukde gang. A slight variation is: Who if not Modi? Muslim lovers and those who would break India The big difference between old and new BJP can be seen in the damage inflicted on Kashmir, also mishandled by successive Congress regimes. I am happy to stick my neck out and say that Vajpayee had more credibility in the Valley than many Congressmen. He did not allow it to be held entirely hostage to the compulsions of electoral politics. His jamooriyat, insaniyat, Kashmiriyat speech in Srinagar spoke volumes about his ability to act out of the box. An election also took place in the state under his watch that carried greater credibility than many in the past. There was during Vajpayees time a hope in the Valley that he did not believe in implacable hatred. Today, Kashmir is more alienated than ever before and no one who counts in Delhi really gives a damn beyond using it as a backdrop for more toxic politics. The only thing that counts is electoral utility of real-life problems. Both tukde-tukde gang and Muslims live in Kashmir. The new BJP is not interested in building delicate threads of trust. So lets be clear that India will not be talking to Pakistan, regardless of any goodwill gestures from across the border. You dont embrace an enemy who you plan to invoke and abuse during a poll campaign. Haroon Khalid in Lahore Haroon Khalid in Lahore Looking back, it seems like a strange coincidence how I met Iqbal Qaiser, my mentor. A slight variation in circumstances and the story would have turned out to be completely different. I was in the last year of college and was being increasingly drawn towards exploring signs of history and heritage across the country. History, as a subject, is not taught in Pakistan. What is taught instead is an ideological course, designed to churn out students who parrot the narrative of the state. What that means is that, one after another, there have been generations of students in the country who have had no exposure to non-Muslim history or non-Muslim narrative of history. This, however, is not the only problem. Even the subject that is taught is completely divorced from the history of the geographical realities of the students, from their cities, villages and towns. History is taught from a macro level, recalling tales of rulers and their exploits with no mention about how localities reacted to these political realities. Thus, as the years of my formal education were coming to a close, I increasingly felt a void in my understanding of history. Around this time, I was also being increasingly drawn towards politics of non-violence, reading Gandhi, Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. The day Iqbal Qaiser was invited for a talk at my college, I was reading a biography of Guru Nanak. While the spiritual aspect of the message was there, I was also fascinated by his non-violent political struggle. I interpreted his confrontation and discourse with the Mughal Emperor Babur at Eimanabad through this framework of non-violent politics. Could Nanak too be seen as an adherent of non-violent political struggle? If yes, then how is one to interpret his message in the context of the histories of the latter Gurus, particularly Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh, both of who found it completely legitimate to use violence in defence from an oppressive force. It is with these questions that I approached Iqbal Qaiser, a Punjabi poet, and author of several books, including Historical Sikh Shrines in Pakistan, and most recently Ujre Daraan de Darshan, a compilation of his visit to several historical Jain shrines around the country. Here was a historian who not only could answer my questions about Guru Nanak, but also help me explore traces of history around the country, in the form of gurdwaras, temples and other old structures. We travelled over thousands of kilometres, spending hours together, engaged in conversations about history, politics, religion, and culture. It was the beginning of my informal education, the most constructive phase of my learning. In Iqbal Qaiser, I had found my teacher, my murshid, my guru. On one of these journeys, I found myself at Nankana Sahib, the home of Guru Nanak, on the occasion of gurpurab. While the city is hardly an hour from Lahore, my hometown, it felt like a different world. There were thousands of Sikh pilgrims everywhere. The entire city had been lit up in celebration of Guru Nanak. Visiting one was a far cry, I had never seen a gurdwara (besides Gurdwara Dera Sahib facing Lahore Fort, which no Muslim is allowed to enter), and here was an entire city of gurdwaras. Every important moment of Nanaks spiritual life had been captured in a structure. At Gurdwara Janamasthan, the grandest gurdwara in the city, I could imagine Bibi Nanki fetching water from the village well, which had been preserved. At Gurdwara Bal Lila, a short walk from Nankana Sahib, I imagined children, one of them Nanak, playing with other children. Next to Gurdwara Bal Lila was Patti Sahib, where Nanak first learned to write. It is here that a poet was born, a poet who through the magic of his words was to sway the world in the years to come. As a handful of Sikh devotees performed religious rituals inside the gurdwara, I could imagine a young Nanak writing on his Patti. Not far from here is Gurdwara Tambu Sahib, the site of the historical jungle where a young Nanak hid, afraid of the wrath of his father after his Sacha Sauda. Walking under the canopy-like structure of these trees, which had been preserved within the precincts of the gurdwara, I could imagine an adolescent boy sitting under them, as the day sank into a cold evening. I had my first experience of langar at this gurdwara, a communal experience that was first instituted by Nanak. Here, I sat as a Pakistani Muslim along with hundreds of others, some Sikhs, others Hindus, sharing a hot meal. With every bite of the meal, all distinctions, decades of antagonism and the sins of Partition melted away. Here there was no Hindu, no Muslim, as Nanak proclaimed. It was my most intimate experience with history, a pilgrimage of sorts, that brought deeper insights of not just Nanaks message and his philosophy but also my own culture and history. I began realising that these artificial divisions between Hindu, Muslim and Sikh histories that had been raised by a colonial regime for its own political agenda were as artificial as distinctions between exclusive identities that Nanak vehemently spoke against. Nanak, I realised, was not just part of Sikh heritage, but my history and culture. But not all the gurdwaras I visited were as grand. There were many which had been abandoned, taken over by squanderers. Right on the border of India-Pakistan, I visited Gurdwara Rori Sahib in the village of Jhaman. Here, just outside the village in an open field, a few steps from the international border was this dilapidated gurdwara, commemorating a spot where Nanak once visited along with Bhai Mardana. While the structure was in a bad shape, on the top floor, inside the dome, there were still remains of the old frescoes, pictures of gurus. In most of these pictures, the faces had been spoiled, perhaps as an expression of peoples understanding of Islams opposition to iconoclasm. While it is likely that before Partition some Muslims of the village also visited the gurdwara, finding parallels between Nanaks insistence on monotheism and their own religious beliefs, after Partition, it seemed the building had slowly been otherised remnant of a past the community would rather forget. On the other hand, however, there were also places where some traces of these syncretic traditions, aligned with Nanaks message, had survived. In Chuhrkhana, while Gurdwara Sacha Sauda is a well-maintained massive gurdwara, Gurdwara Sacha Khand is a comparatively lesser-known structure, a single storey simple building standing behind Gurdwara Sacha Sauda. While the Gurdwara Sacha Sauda had been preserved and renovated, somehow this building had been bypassed. Here I met devotees of a Sufi pir who had established himself in the precincts of this abandoned gurdwara and was now buried in front of it. As Iqbal Qaiser and I sat with his devotees, one of them narrated to us stories of Guru Nanaks miracles that he had heard from his ancestors, who had heard them from the Sikhs when they used to live here. Guru Nanak was a true devotee of God, he said as he finished the story. Lying in the middle of these two extremes is the story of Gurdwara Beri Sahib in Sialkot, where Nanak is believed to have encountered the arrogant Sufi Hamza Ghous, and also Maula Karar. Here just next to the partially renovated structure was an old berry tree, lending this gurdwara its name. Sometime after Partition, a grave had appeared under the tree converting this space into a Muslim shrine. There were dozens of devotees of the shrine sitting around the gurdwara engaged in different activities. This was an example of cultural appropriation where a sacred space of one religion had been appropriated by a different culture as a sacred space, as the social and political realities changed. However, while I was visiting Nanak the Guru through a pilgrimage to his shrines, I was also exploring Nanak the poet. As I delved deeper into his philosophy, it became harder for me to reconcile these two distinct personalities. Nanak the poet spoke against superstitions and associating stories of magic with saints, while the entire hagiography of Nanak is filled with stories of his miracles. Nanak the poet wrote against institutional religion, criticising dogmatic rituals, while the religion he founded eventually became one of the most prominent institutionalised religions of the world. While undertaking pilgrimages to different religious shrines, he spoke about their futility; his gurdwaras today have become major pilgrimages. It seemed the more I learned about Nanak, the more questions I ended up with. Where do these two stories merge and from where begins the story of the latter Gurus? The writer is author of Walking With Nanak Roopinder Singh in Chandigarh Roopinder Singh in Chandigarh Imagine an idyllic setting of a settlement in which the mornings and evenings of residents are devoted to spiritual pursuits even as during the day the residents engage in the hard labour necessary for worldly success. They follow the teachings of Guru Nanak, who lives among them, practising what he preaches, giving a definite shape to his vision. Imagine losing it all to the vicissitudes of time, ignorance and insensitivity of the person whose cartographic pen divided a nation, and machinations of the politicians, who did not redress the issue. You could just gaze at Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur from across the border, so tantalisingly near and yet so far. The birthplace and the final resting place of Guru Nanak are both in Pakistan. Such is the pull of these sacred spots, and indeed, this heritage, that the unrestrained access is part of the daily prayers of the Sikhs worldwide. Of all historical gurdwaras in Pakistan, Kartarpur is the nearest to the India-Pakistan border. While access to Nankana Sahib, where the birthplace of Guru Nanak is commemorated with Gurdwara Janam Asthan, requires visas and is given in carefully supervised groups, the Kartarpur corridor begins with the hope of direct access. Historical significance The import of the shrine is in that it is here that Guru Nanak lived with his family for the last 18 or so years of his life. It is here that he gave material shape to his teachings by gathering a community of his followers. Here everyone lived together, breaking caste taboos. They pursued their worldly duties, were farmers, artisans, etc. and were expected to be moral in their dealings with each other. They recited the Japji and Asa di Vaar in the morning and So Dar and Aarti in the evening. The institution of langar, where everyone ate together in pangats and performed sewa was a revolutionary push towards egalitarianism. We can let our minds wander a bit into that age and think of how a growing community of people lived a life that attracted many to them. How those who travelled far and wide to seek the truth settled down here, like Bhai Lehna, did. He settled down in the growing community. Such was his devotion and dedication that six years or so later, Guru Nanak would choose him instead of one of his sons as his successor. Neglect and restoration Like many other non-Muslim shrines in Pakistan, Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, too, was ignored. It was only in 1995 that following repeated requests by the Sikh diaspora that the government in Pakistan started restoring the gurdwara. Guru Nanak acquired the land for the village and established a place of congregational worship at Kartarpur which came to be called Darbar Sahib. The Ravi river had encroached on much of the land and landmarks of the original community over the years, including the platform that marked the final resting place of Guru Nanak. The Mahima Parkash Vartak, an 18th century source, reports that his son Sri Chand, who had the urn that contained the Gurus ashes, moved to the left bank of the river and buried where the Dera Baba Nanak Gurdwara in Gurdaspur stands. The double-storey domed sanctum we see now is enclosed in a square pavilion, which is flanked by a tower each on the corners on the rear (river) side. There is a verandah in the basement. The present building of Darbar Sahib and residential quarters were constructed in 1911-12 by a Hindu devotee, Lala Shyam Das, according to Historical Sikh Shrines by Major Gurmukh Singh. It has a symbolic platform raised in memory of Guru Nanaks final resting place. The gurdwara survived the floods of the 1920s because of fortifications built with funds provided by Capt Amarinder Singhs grandfather, Maharaja Bhupindar Singh of Patiala. As it gets more attention, the infrastructure is bound to improve and there will certainly be no shortage of funds for such an endeavour. The Sikh diaspora is expected to contribute handsomely towards the upkeep of the historic gurdwara. Corridor of faith Seven decades of deprivation, of watching the gurdwara at Kartarpur from across the Ravi, past the physical border that seemed insurmountable gave way to hope with the announcement and subsequent ceremonies inaugurating the Kartarpur corridor. The Pakistani announcement and Indian response have given hope to many in Punjab that they would be able to pay obedience at the gurdwara. The announcements represent a significant leap of faith by the two prime ministers, but there is always a chance of the naysayers winning because of geopolitical machinations. If the corridor were to come to fruition, it could well signal a new beginning in what has been a long, corrosive and destructive relationship between two countries that share history and heritage which their leaders have for too long chosen to ignore. Not everything is likely to go as planned, there are bound to be hitches, but it is a leap of faith which could well build a bridge of goodwill and mark a new beginning. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Kabul, November 30 At least 23 civilians, including women and children, were killed by a US air strike in southern Afghanistan earlier this week, according to an UN investigation, as ordinary Afghans continue to bear the brunt of the 17-year conflict. Initial findings indicate that the vast majority of the victims were women and children, the UN mission in Afghanistan said in a report. The strike occurred during a firefight between Afghan special forces working with US advisors and Taliban insurgents late Tuesday in restive Helmand province. NATO said air support was requested by security forces on the ground as the militants deployed heavy weapons and retreated into a nearby compound. Provincial authorities had earlier said several members of a single family appeared to be killed in the strike, with one official saying at least 18 civilians were killed, which could not be confirmed. Haji Mohammad, who lived near where the incident occurred, said the strike came after the Taliban entered a home during a battle with security forces, saying it killed several civilians inside along with nine insurgents. AFP rchopra@tribunemail.com Washington, December 1 George HW Bush--the upper-crust war hero-turned-oilman and diplomat who steered America through the end of the Cold War as president and led a political dynasty that saw his son win the White House--died on Friday. He was 94. George W Bush called his father a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for, in a statement announcing his death. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens. Bushs passing comes just months after the death in April of his wife and revered first lady Barbara Bush--his most beloved woman in the world--to whom he was married for 73 years. The 41st American president was a foreign policy realist who navigated the turbulent but largely peaceful fall of the Soviet Union in 1989 and assembled an unprecedented coalition to defeat Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein two years later. But the decorated war pilot and former CIA chief suffered the ignominy of being a one-term president, denied a second term over a weak economy when he lost the 1992 election to upstart Democrat Bill Clinton. His favouring of stability and international consensus stands in sharp contrast to the provocative bluster of fellow Republican and current White House occupant Donald Trump, a man whom Bush did not vote for in 2016. Bush presided over economic malaise at home, and infuriated his fellow Republicans during a budget battle with rival Democrats by famously breaking his vow: Read my Lips: No new taxes. But he was the respected patriarch of a blue-blood political dynasty--son George spent eight years in the White House, and son Jeb served as governor of Florida. At the time of his death, Bush was the American president to have lived the longest. Jimmy Carter was born a few months later, so he could quickly reset the record. America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush. While our hearts are heavy today, they are also filled with gratitude, former president Barack Obama said in a statement. George HW Bush was born on June 12, 1924 in Milton, Massachusetts, into a wealthy New England political dynasty--the son of Prescott Bush, a successful banker and US senator for Connecticut. Bush had a pampered upbringing and attended the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover, but delayed his acceptance to Yale in order to enlist in the US Navy on his 18th birthday and head off to war. He flew 58 combat missions during World War II. Shot down over the Pacific by Japanese anti-aircraft fire, he parachuted out and was rescued by a submarine after huddling in a life raft for four hours while enemy forces circled. Bush married Barbara Pierce in January 1945, shortly before the war ended, and the couple went on to have six children, including one, Robin, who died as a child. Instead of joining his father in banking upon graduation from Yale University, Bush headed to bleak west Texas to break into the rough-and-tumble oil business. He surprised many with his success, and by 1958 had settled in Houston as president of an offshore drilling company. In the 1960s, Bush, now independently wealthy, turned to politics. He was a local Republican Party chairman, and in 1966 won a seat in the US House of Representatives. He served there until 1970, when he lost a bid for the Senate. Over the next decade, he held several high-level posts that took him and Barbara around the world: head of the Republican National Committee, US ambassador to the United Nations, envoy to China and director of the Central Intelligence Agency, where he was praised for restoring morale after revelations of widespread illegal activity. He served as vice president to Ronald Reagan after losing to him in the 1980 Republican primary, an eight-year period of hands-on training for the top post he would go on to win by a solid margin in 1988, as the Cold War was coming to an end. In a major test of the post-Cold War order, Saddams million-man army invaded Kuwait in 1990 and looked set to roll into Saudi Arabia, which would have given the Iraqi strongman more than 40 per cent of the worlds oil reserves. Bush famously vowed: This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait. He assembled a coalition of 32 nations to drive Iraqi forces out in a matter of weeks with a lightning air and ground assault. Some 425,000 US troops backed by 118,000 allied soldiers took part in Operation Desert Storm, decimating Saddams military machine without ousting him from power--a task that would be accomplished 12 years later by Bushs son. Buoyed by his victory in the Gulf, Bush and his hard-nosed and widely respected secretary of state James Baker cobbled together the 1991 Madrid Conference to launch the Arab-Israeli peace process. The conference was mainly symbolic, but it set the stage for the Oslo Accords two years later. In late 1989, Bush sent US troops to Panama to oust strongman Manuel Noriega. He also set the groundwork for the North American Free Trade Agreement. Domestically, however, the economy stalled and Bush broke his pledge not to raise taxes in order to reach a budget deal with Democrats--a cardinal sin in the eyes of Republicans. In 1992, Bush lost his re-election bid to Clinton--whose aide coined the now famous slogan Its the economy, stupid--as eccentric third-party candidate Ross Perot syphoned off conservative votes. AFP harinder@tribunemail.com Bucharest: Thousands turned out Saturday to celebrate 100 years since Romania became a modern-day state, amid concerns about rule of law and the state of democracy. Romanias 100th National Day marks the countrys unification in 1918. Romanias full independence had been recognised in 1878 but it was not until December 1, 1918, in the city of Alba Iulia, when Romania (united Moldova and Wallachia regions at the time) was united with Transylvania area. National Day has been celebrated on December 1 since 1990, after the fall of the communist regime. AP Street by Saudi US embassy may be renamed Washington: Local officials in a Washington neighbourhood have voted to rename a street outside Saudi Arabias embassy in honour of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. If approved by the city council, the advisory commissions measure means a stretch of road going past the expansive embassy building in the upscale Foggy Bottom neighbourhood would be ceremonially renamed Jamal Khashoggi Way. According to CNN, the idea to change the streets name started about a month ago following an online petition. PTI sanjiv@tribunemail.com Kiev/Moscow, November 30 Ukraine on Friday banned Russian men of combat age from entering the country, a move introduced under martial law after Russia fired on and captured three Ukrainian naval ships off Crimea last weekend. Ukraine announced it was barring entry to Russian men between 16-60 years and a senior state security official said Kiev was considering whether to respond in kind with mirror actions to the Black Sea incident. Earlier, in a move applauded in Kiev, US President Donald Trump called off a meeting with Russias Vladimir Putin in Argentina to signal Washingtons disapproval of Russian behaviour in the naval clash with Ukraine. The Russian rouble, which is sensitive to events that might lead to new sanctions being imposed on Russia, fell on news of the cancelled meeting. President Petro Poroshenko, referring to Russias seizure and subsequent annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for separatist uprisings in eastern Ukraine, said banning Russian men was important for stopping a full-scale invasion. Reuters sanjiv@tribunemail.com Seoul, November 30 A train carrying South Korean engineers and officials crossed into the North on Friday to begin a landmark joint survey to reconnect railway tracks between the two Koreas. Linking up the railway systems was one of the agreements made earlier this year in a key meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the Souths President Moon Jae-in. The train pulled six cars carrying dozens of South Korean officials and experts, who will undertake an 18-day, 750-mile survey of railway tracks in the North. The journey required special permission from the UN to carry equipment and fuel into the North despite the sanctions regime. It marked the first time in a decade that a train from the South entered North Korea. TV footage showed a red, white and blue train pull away from the Souths Dorasan station, the nearest terminal from the western part of the inter-Korean border. When it arrives at Panmun Station, the first North Korean terminal across the border, the six carriages will be linked up to a North Korean train, and the South Korean locomotive will return home. AFP sanjiv@tribunemail.com Buenos Aires, November 30 The leaders of the United States, Mexico and Canada on Friday signed a new trade deal replacing the old NAFTA in a triumph for President Donald Trump who insisted on what he said were better conditions for US workers. This is a model agreement that changes the trade landscape forever, Trump said at the signing ceremony in Buenos Aires, on the sidelines of a summit between the leaders of the G20 countries. Trump said negotiating the deal known as the USMCA had seen the leaders take a lot of barbs and a little abuse. But he insisted that the incredible milestone would aid US workers, especially in the auto industry, while putting in place intellectual property protection that will be the envy of nations all around the world. Legislators from the three countries still have to approve the pact, officially known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), before it goes into effect and replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was less effusive about the renegotiated regional trade deal, but said the USMCA would resolve the threat of serious economic uncertainty that would have gotten more damaging. While praising the historic nature of the deal, Trudeau also told Trump that the progress gave all the more reason why we need to keep working to remove the tariffs on steel and aluminium between our countries. Mexican President Pena Nieto, on his last day in office, called the revamped version of NAFTA important in shoring up the view of an integrated North America with the firm belief that together we are stronger and more competitive. For Trump-whose G20 diplomacy is overshadowed by legal troubles back home and his abrupt cancellation of a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin-the signing was a victory. He said he did not foresee a problem in getting congressional approval. Its been so well reviewed I dont expect to have very much of a problem, he said. The USMCA marks a critical step in modernising and rebalancing North American trade, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. The new agreement secures strong outcomes for farmers, ranchers, businesses, and workers across North America, including in areas such as auto manufacturing and intellectual property. AFP USMCA A triumph for President Donald Trump A FLEET change has been on the cards for majority State-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) for the past three years. After the decision to replace the existing fleet to Boeings Max-8s was put on pause in 2019, following two fatal crashes of the aircraft, CAL went ahead with the contract which it first entered into in November 2018. Kidnap victim Maria Dass Supersad and her husband Vikash are speaking out. In a statement issued on Saturday, the couple thanked Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith and his officers for rescuing Maria. Two suspects were arrested. A third is being sought. +4 These are the kidnap suspects These are the two men arrested by police during the rescue of UWI staffer Maria Dass. The couple also thanked those on social media who helped share information on her abduction. However, the couple said that some on social media also brought misery to the family after wold speculation about the motive being the kidnapping was shared. The following is the statement issued by the family. Vikash Supersad and Maria Dass Supersad and their families would like to express their deepest gratitude to the Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service for the work they did on Wednesday November 28 in the successful rescue effort for our deeply loved Maria Dass Supersad. As everyone knows, Maria was abducted on Wednesday afternoon from the grounds of the University of the West Indies in St Augustine and was rescued just about five hours later through tactical, targeted and professional work of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. We are grateful beyond measure. Vikash and Maria would also like to thank the many friends, colleagues and family who turned up at the campus and at the various family homes to show their love and support during this terrifying experience. Thousands of persons both within and outside the country also joined our families in praying for Marias safe return. Many came to our homes to pray with us. Our families are deeply grateful for those prayers, which came from all denominations. The families would also like to thank those who reached out by phone, texts and social media to express their concern and support, and to all those who shared Marias photo so that the national community could help us in finding her as quickly as possible. Many of you also took to social media to share your prayers and concerns. That social media push helped in providing tips for Marias rescue. Unfortunately, some people used social media to speculate unpleasantly and without justification about alleged backgrounds to this traumatizing experience. This added significantly to our pain but we are secure in the knowledge that both families, going back generations, have worked long and hard to raise strong, loving, educated and law abiding young people. Our families pray for their healing and for the healing of all who have been affected by this event, which has the potential to shatter our lives. We will not let it do so. We thank everyone once again and ask that the media and others respect our families need for privacy at this time as we seek to heal. As Trinidad and Tobago recorded its highest Covid-19 death rate of 31 yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley again appealed to the population to act now and get vaccinated. In his highly anticipated address to the nation last night, which lasted 45 minutes, the Prime Minister warned that the parallel healthcare system is under immense pressure, and the time may come when drastic decisions would have to be taken. As with any emergency response, as the demand on healthcare resources increases, we may have no choice but to redirect our efforts from providing the highest level of care to a few, to providing the greatest good for the greatest number of persons. This is the reality that we face, he said. I urge each and every Tobagonian eligible to vote in the December 6 Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections to come out and exercise their franchise. The right to vote under Universal Adult Suffrage was not always available to our people until its introduction to Trinidad and Tobago in the July 1, 1946, Legislative Elections and subsequently the October 28 County Council elections held that same year. Hey Matthew. I think 15 days in the North are well spent. We started our trip there in mid November and loved it. Ba Be Nationalpark is amazing. We were there just a couple of days ago. It is a bit tricky to reach by local busses from Hanoi but there are two shuttle services from Hanoi for around $15 which leave each around 7.30 and arrive at Ba Be around noon. Qbus and Mr Linhs Adventure. We took Mr Linhs right after arriving back from Bac Ha / Lao Cai by Night Train. Worked perfectly, we were dropped off at our homestay. Pac Ngoi village really consists only of homestays. If you don't mind basic accomodation, stay at homestays in the North. Just one thing since you are interessted in Sapa too. There is no real direct connection Sapa to Ba Be so as mentioned above we thought it easier to go back to Hanoi first. -:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Hi all We (four adults) are heading to Japan in a couple of weeks and I am having difficulty deciding what type of rail pass to get to allow for maximum use for part of our itinerary. I have narrowed it down to the Icoca or JR Kansai Wide Area pass. The section of our itinerary in question: Arr Osaka Dec 18 (night)- need transport from airport Osaka Dec 19, 20, 21 sightseeing Osaka to Hiroshima Dec 22, 23, 24 - Himeji - Okayama - Kurashiki - Onimichi - Hiroshima I have researched trains for the Osaka to Hiroshima leg and have opted for local trains (less than half the price of Shinkansens, but obviously take longer - that's ok, think we have allowed plenty of time for these places/stops.) Are we better off getting the Icoca card for Osaka and buying tickets for the stops to Hiroshima, or will the JR Kansai Wide Area pass cover this leg as well? All suggestions greatly appreciated! Thanks! It's complicated As mentioned above it will depend on the type of building - coop or condo agreements and/or lease rules, rent stabilization laws etc. - which, if allowed at all, can require the approval/cooperation of the landlord or board (which can involve credit & background checks and other info on the potential sublettor as well as a guarantor in the case of a young person) You might look at a student residence that a forum regular lived in and just recommended in a recent thread to another regular looking for a place for her daughter during an internship. and and are "Bosom Buddies" style womens residential hotels (they include some meals in the price and do have some somewhat old fashioned rules about male visitors, etc.) Edited: 2 years ago If you are searching for how to check the form one admission letters online in Kenya, then this is the right place for you. You need to provide some important details and the index number of the examination for downloading the letter. You have to print it and submit it along with other documents to the school where the student will be admitted. In this article, we will guide you on how to download the form one online admission letters or KCPE admission letters and how to print them in the right manner. We provided some pictures on the article to make you understand the whole procedure. Go through the article and if you have any queries, then please leave your comment in the comment section of the article. READ ALSO: Form 1 selection in Kenya online Form one selection ministry of education After the results have been released and the admission process is underway, you should download the KCPE form one admission letters and submit the form to schools along with the birth certificate to complete the full admission procedure. The admission will be done by using a computer program based on what candidates choose during school selection and depending on the selection results. The national programs and policies are controlled by the Ministry of Education and Technology and Science. If you are looking for quality education, pre-school, post-school, academic research, higher education and higher research, these are all controlled by the Ministry Education. The Ministry has four different divisions from where the students for admissions are chosen. The sections are: Form one selection for the National schools Form one selection for Extra County schools Form one selection for county schools Form one selection for sub-county schools Below, we will discuss step by step guide on how to check and download the form one selection online. READ ALSO: Thousands Of Candidates To Miss Form One Step by step guide on how to check form one selection online After the release of results period, you can check which school your child is going to be admitted. To do this, you need to visit this website and follow the step by step guides on KCPE calling letters which are described below. Step 1 Open your browser and then visit the Ministry of Education form one selection website. You will see a page just like the one shown below. You will find three options there. The first one is for school selection system for national schools. The second one is for the selection system for the extra county schools and the third one is for form one admission selection system for the county schools. Select the option that you are looking for and click on it. Step 2 If you are looking for online admission letters for form one for national schools, then you should follow this step. After clicking the 1st link you will land on a page that looks like the image below. On the page, you will see an instructions tab on the left-hand side. You will see three selection tabs from where you need to select your county, your sub-county, and put your index number. On the left side of the page, just above the instruction area select your county, click on the tab and it will show you a full list of the counties of Kenya. Click on the -Select county- and select it. After that, you need to do the same with the Select Sub-county- section and select your sub-county. Step 3 Then on the right side, you will see another area to enter your index number. Step 4 After filling your index number click on the submit button. If you are looking for admission letters of extra county schools or county schools or KNEC form one selection, dont worry, the process is totally similar. You just need to click on it from the above-mentioned link and a page will appear. You need to put the details just like the above steps. You will get the admission letter in PDF format and you can print it. In the next steps, you will learn how to print form one admission letters. Step 5 For the copy of your admission letter, click on the bottom section of the page where you can see the form one selection admission letters tab. Download it to your computer. Step 6 You will need a printed letter for the admission procedure later. So click on the print button and print a copy of your letter. Also, keep the soft copy for safety purposes. Step 7 You will see a space which is provided for the signature of the head of the primary school on the admission letter. Visit the primary school and ask for a signature and a school stamp. Step 8 This is the last and the final step of the process. After all these steps you need to present the admission letter with a copy of your childs birth certificate to the school. If you are still having trouble then here is a video guide which will show you how to do this in a minute. READ ALSO: Principals complain about calibre of Form One students If you like to know more about form one admission letters online or want to know about form one intake or about the recent updates on the Education Ministry of the country, stay connected to TUKO. Source: Tuko Kenya The Kenyan Senate was on Wednesday, November 28, turned into a ''market'' after a number of Senators turned against the deputy Senate speaker over his sexually suggestive remark. The whole melee was sparked by a slip of the tongue by deputy speaker Kithure Kindiki who accidentally missed to pronounce Senator Millicent Omanga's name well, ending up calling her ''Kukumanga''. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Hassan Joho donates KSh 1 million to ailing radio girl Jahmby Koikai READ ALSO: Married Nairobi politician shares pain of cyber-bullying after claims he took side chick on holiday The term rubbed countless Senators the wrong way and off the handle they went with many including Senator Gideon Moi, Omanga herself and Kipchumba Murkomen demanding clarification from the deputy speaker over the same. Following the minor mishap, the whole house was thrown into a circus mode with some senators pulling all manner of jokes on the word ''Kukumanga''. READ ALSO: Chaos after decomposing human hand is found in elderly Migori couple's house TUKO.co.ke understands ''Kukumanga'' is pomegranate fruit which is at times used to boost libido. In Swahili, ''Kukumanga'' can loosely been translated to ''having copulation with someone''. READ ALSO: 13 Christmas surprise gift suggestions ladies should consider for their lovers Well, it is because of the two different meaning of the word that Senators wanted to hear the deputy speaker's explanation on why he used the word, be it a slip of the tongue or not. Kindiki found himself at crossroads with the ''Kukumanga'' word while trying to call the house to order. 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 Boyfriend tells girlfriend she is fat and needs to lose some weight| Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke Indian female activist has been arrested and charged with exposing her thigh on a Facebook post as a protest following a ban from entering a Hindu religious temple. Rehana Fathima, a telecom technician unsuccessfully attempted to gain access to Sabarimala shrine in Kerala region after court lifted a historical ban on menstruating women at the religious site. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens. READ ALSO: Nairobi lady takes own life hours after posting suicide messages on Facebook Rehana Fathima was arrested because of this photo: Photo: BCC News/Facebook. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Kenyan lady parades the men she has been with on Facebook with the weirdest message (PHOTO) According to BBC News, the shrine management said the ban on women is also because the temple deity Lord Ayyappa was a bachelor. In the selfie photo posted in October, the 32-year-old, the woman is dressed in black outfit which is associated with followers of Lord Ayyappa. She had also smeared her forehead with white sandalwood paste in the Hindu tradition and her knees pulled up as though she is squatting to mimic Ayyappa pose. Her friend Arathy SA, also a gender activist, confirmed Rehana was picked up from her office on Tuesday, November 27, after which a prosecuting magistrate directed she be detained for 14 days pending investigations. Her family wants her released on bail. 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. KNEC chairman declares student pregnancy a pandemic in Kenya| Tuko TV Source: Kenyan Breaking News Deputy President William Ruto on Friday, November 30, joined women at the Joyful Women Organisation's ninth annual thanksgiving celebrations at Kasarani Indoor Arena. Ruto was received by his wife Rachel who is the organisation's patron few minutes past mid day but Kenyans noticed something strange between the power couple. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens. READ ALSO: William Rutos wife pleads with ladies to avoid dating for money William Ruto is received by his wife Rachel. Photo: Office of the First Lady Kenya/Facebook. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: I have a prayer warrior as my wife DP William Ruto It was nothing other than the handshake which somewhat depicted some odd sense of either fear and respect or maybe both as each was keen to keep a distance as they stretched out their hands. A smiling Rachel could be seen staring straight into her hubby's eyes even though many expected at this time, the man from Sugoi would plant a peck or two on her cheek. In deed it was such a cold greeting to end the week. 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. KNEC chairman declares student pregnancy a pandemic in Kenya| Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke - The consignment was shipped back to Brazil after failing to meet KEBS specifications - The verification process involved a multi-agency team to ensure the sugar had not been tampered with - Darasa Ltd was to clear the KSh 2.5 billion in tax and VAT arrears as per an out of court agreement with KRA - KRA had held the consignment at the Mombasa Port on grounds that it was illegally imported The government has ordered about 40,000 tonnes of sugar imported by Darasa Investment Limited to be shipped back to Brazil for failing to meet Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) specifications The vessel carrying the consignment, MV Iron Lady, left the Mombasa port on Friday, November 30, after a multi-agency team undertook a verification to ensure they were not tampered with. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Tears of sorrow as Alliance Girls' KCSE candidate Nikita K'Oyier finally buried in emotional send off The vessel carrying the consignment left the Mombasa port after a multi-agency team undertook a verification to ensure they were not tampered with. Source: Twitter READ ALSO: Scare as drunk police officer escorting SGR cargo draws gun on colleague The verification was undertaken by Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Ports Authority, the Kenya Navy, National Intelligence Service, DCI Officers and the National Police Service, Daily Nation reported. The KRA Customs and Border Control acting commissioner Kenneth Ochola confirmed that the sugar was sent back to its country of origin. It is reported KRA and the importer had agreed to an out-of-court settlement where the importer was to clear KSh 2.5 billion in tax and VAT arrears before the sugar was released. READ ALSO: Prices of commodities shoot up in Kakamega as transportation costs go up due to traffic rules About 40,000 tonnes of sugar imported by Darasa Investment Limited was shipped back to Brazil for failing to meet KEBS specifications. Source: Twitter According to the agreement, Darasa was also required to settle a KSh 547.8 million in 90 days if waiver of interest and penalties was not granted as per the East African Community Customs Management Act. The dispute was pending at the Supreme Court where Darasa was challenging a Court of Appeal decision which had ruled against allowing it to import the sugar duty free. The Court of Appeal in Mombasa had allowed an appeal by KRA and set aside a decision by the High Court which had ruled the sweetener was entitled to be cleared duty free. READ ALSO: Nakuru 12-year-old girl takes own life after disagreement with brother The sugar was imported into the country on July 15, 2017 from Sabina Engineering Company at a cost of KSh 2.12 billion, but KRA held the consignment at the Mombasa Port on grounds it was illegally imported. The vessel could not dock at the Mombasa port because it could not be accommodated due to its size, raising eyebrows how the company decided to use the vessel. Justice Ogola however ruled he was satisfied the vessel could not dock at the port of Mombasa due to its size hence the sugar had to be trans-shipped in Dubai. READ ALSO: Mombasa family re-unites with missing 8-month-old baby after three weeks Additionally, documents indicated the sugar was produced in August 2017 and September 2017, meaning that the sugar could not have been imported in July as implied. It was due to these anomalies that KRA asked them to pay the duty tax and the company went to court seeking to overturn KRAs demand through a judicial review. Darasa was however unable to obtain courts favour, thus settled for an out of court settlement with KRA , in which they will pay the tax. 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 KNEC chairman declares student pregnancy a pandemic in Kenya| Tuko TV Source: Tuko - Most governors serving their second terms have said they would seek the presidency in 2022 - Among those interested include Joho, Kingi and Oparanya -Over 15 governors met in Nairobi where they indicated they would want to get into the presidential race in 2022 Nairobi governor Mike Sonko on Wednesday, November 28, evening hosted over 15 county bosses in his Nairobi office after attending the closing ceremony of the inaugural Blue Economy Conference where they discussed their political future. In their respective speeches, the governor's thanked Sonko for hosting them and were quick to express how impressed they were by the beautification exercise that is going on in the city. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens. The ongoing beautification programme by Sonkos administration also caught the eye of global leaders as separately reported by TUKO.co.ke. Governor Mike Sonko sharing a light moment with his counterparts during the Blue Economy conference in Nairobi. Photo: Mike Sonko Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Meet 63-year-old secondary school dropout giving hope to young single mothers Deliberations were also made by the governor on which candidate to support come 2022 or whether to form their own party and endorse one of their own. Already, Muranga Governor Mwangi wa Iria has registered a new party which he intends to use to prolong his political career after 2022. Among the country's top governors who attended the meeting include Mombasa governor Hassan Joho, Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago, Kilifi's Amason Kingi, his Trans Nzoia counterpart Patrick Khaemba and Turkana's Josphat Nanok among others. This came a month after Joho, Kingi and Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya announced plans to run for top office in 2022 after Uhuru Kenyattas second term. READ ALSO: Bungoma governor asks sex pests targeting school girls to get uniforms for their wives In his statement, Joho said he did not want his political career to end at governorship so he will most likely vie for the presidential seat in 2022. Uhuru had during former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka's fathers burial said anybody including Sonko was at liberty to seek the top seat after he retires in 2022. Story by Dan Ole Muhuni, Correspondent Nairobi County. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. KNEC chairman declares student pregnancy a pandemic in Kenya| Tuko TV Source: Tuko Breaking News - George Herbert Walker Bush, America's 41st president, died on Friday night - He had been hospitalized several times for pneumonia and other infections - His death comes less than eight months after his wife Barbara passed away in April Former United States (US) President George Herbert Walker Bush, who helped steer America through the end of the Cold War has died at the age of 94. The former president is reported to have died shortly after 10pm on Friday, November 30, about eight months after the death of his wife, Barbara Bush, to whom he was married for 73 years. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Oprah Winfreys mom dies on Thanksgiving Day aged 83 Former US President George H.W. Bush has died at age 94 in Houston, according to his spokesperson. Source: Twitter READ ALSO: Rapper P Diddy's ex-girlfriend, Kim Porter found dead at home His death was confirmed by the family spokesman, Jim McGrath, who did not specify the cause of his death. The 41st president of the US has however been hospitalized several times for pneumonia and other infections in recent years. Bush's eldest son former President George W. Bush, led the tributes to his father in a statement on behalf of his siblings. READ ALSO: Nigerian billionaire woman dismiss media report alleging she still kneels before her husband George W. Bush is hugged and given a handshake by his father, former president George H.W. Bush. Source: Twitter "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear dad has died," Bush said in a statement. "George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," he added. Former President Barack Obama said America has lost a patriot and humble servant in George Herbert Walker Bush while noting despite their hearts being heavy, they were also filled with gratitude. READ ALSO: Saudi crown prince ordered journalist Jamal Khashoggis assassination - CIA report Read The nation's 41st president, who lived longer than any of his predecessors, served from 1989 to 1993, and eight years later watched his son George W. become the 43rd president of the US. The elder Bush saw his popularity swell with the United States' success in the Gulf War in 1991, only to watch it fade quickly in a brief but deep recession. After losing the White House in 1992, Bush became a widely admired political elder who leapt out of airplanes to mark birthday milestones. READ ALSO: Saudi to behead 5 suspects in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi Emphasizing the generosity of his soul, he forged a close, and unlikely, friendship with Democrat Bill Clinton, the man who ended his presidency. The first sitting vice president to be elected to the presidency since 1836, Bush was also only the second person in US history to see his own son follow in his presidential footsteps when George W. Bush was elected in 2000. 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. Kenya News Today: This Is Why Jacque Maribe Was Granted Bail | Tuko TV Source: Tuko Breaking News Latest - The leaders argued Ruto was the only sure bet to State House - They claimed there was a plan by Raila to curtail Ruto's ambitions - They further said they will ensure Ruto wins the 2022 presidential seat by all means - They were speaking in Bungoma county where the DP donated KSh 5 million to Kimilili Boys High school A section of Western and North Rift region leaders have accused opposition leader Raila Odinga, Baringo senator Gideon Moi and ODM Organizing Secretary Edwin Sifuna of frustrating Deputy president William Ruto. Speaking at Kimilili Boys High school on Friday November 30, the MPs noted plans had been hatched to ensure Ruto's dream of becoming the head of state is not realized. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Joho launches more attacks on DP Ruto The MPs noted plans had been hatched to ensure Ruto's dream of becoming the head of state is not realized Source: Facebook READ ALSO: DP Ruto likes loitering around, if you see a problem tell him - Uhuru Kenyatta Sirisia MP John Waluke claimed plans to curtail Ruto's ambitions will not succeed as they are sure he will win by a landslide. "Ruto is the only sure bet for 2022 presidency, we will not compromise, Gideon Moi, Edwin Sifuna and Raila Odinga should stop mocking and insulting Ruto, we will ensure that Ruto ascends to power by all means," he said. Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka and National Assembly Chief Whip Benjamin Washiali urged Western leaders to rally behind Ruto's presidency for having showed leadership qualities. READ ALSO: If handshake succeeds, DP Ruto will not be president - Edward Kisiang'ani Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa said he will use all means to ensure William Ruto becomes the next president. Photo: William Ruto Source: Facebook "Support a leader who will lead you well instead of wasting your votes elsewhere, your neighbour as shown his interest, let's support him," said Lusaka. Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa said he will use all means to ensure Ruto becomes the next president. "I can't accept change of the constitution so that it benefits few people, let us support a constitution that supports all Kenyans, we can't accept some people to ascend to power through the back door," he said. READ ALSO: DP Ruto 2022 fate sealed - Miguna Miguna Ruto praised area residents for electing a youthful leader to lead them in the national assembly. Photo: William Ruto Source: Facebook He also asked the deputy president to help them tarmack Kamasielo-Kapsokwony road which is in a sorry state. "Am not going against my party leader, am only following change that is going to hit this country, we will only succeed in this country as Luhyas if we support William Ruto's presidency, the rest is just but noise," said former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale. Navakholo Mp Emmanuel Wangwe said that Western region leaders aren't slay queens adding Raila Odinga could not be trusted since he looked down upon Luhya leaders. READ ALSO: Jubilee leaders warn William Ruto after his private meeting with a NASA governor Ruto who was in attendance, released KSh 5 million to help in the completion of a multi-purpose hall at the school and buying a new bus for Kimilili Girls High school. "As part of the big 4 agenda we will construct 5,000 houses under the housing program that will offer jobs to 25,000 youths in Bungoma County, this will help reduce unemployment amongst them," he said He also praised area residents for electing a youthful leader to lead them in the national assembly while stating the government will be launching and completing ongoing projects within the county Story by Titus Oteba/Tuko Correspondent Bungoma County. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. When Uhuru, Ruto and Raila Met at State House - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko News One of the jobs that has been made very difficult with the advent of COVID-19 is that of teachers. They have been forced to adapt to the virtual world in order to ensure the success of future generations. The military-industrial complex of Poland is open to new directions of military cooperation with Ukraine. "Supporting the strength of the Ukrainian army is a strategic element of cooperation between our countries," Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said in an interview with Ukrinform. In this context, Czaputowicz recalled that in December 2016, a new agreement on military cooperation between Ukraine and Poland had been signed, which expanded the scope of cooperation between the military-industrial complexes of both countries up to 24 areas. Polish companies cooperate with Ukrainian partners, among other things, in matters of drones, communications systems and production of explosive materials. Last year, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and its Ukrainian counterpart, Ukroboronprom, which systematizes cooperation in the implementation of joint projects. The Polish military-industrial complex is open to new areas of military cooperation with Ukraine, Czaputowicz emphasized. ol Poland hopes that Russia's aggression against Ukraine in the Sea of Azov will change the circumstances related to the construction of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. "In principle, the construction of Nord Stream 2 can still be blocked. We hope that the current situation with Ukraine can change the circumstances related to construction, Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said in an interview with Ukrinform. According to the minister, Poland understands what a problem poses to Ukraine the construction of this gas pipeline as the Ukrainian gas transportation system could become irrelevant. In addition, Nord Stream 2 is a tool to blackmail Ukraine as well as a way to deprive Ukraine of budget revenues, Czaputowicz underscored. He noted that the project had not only economic, but also political and geopolitical significance and also affected the energy security of Poland and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The Polish foreign minister drew attention to the fact that this project is dangerous in the military dimension as well. Since Russia protects its industrial infrastructure in the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov, then if it has it in the Baltic Sea, it may have a desire to protect it as well, Czaputowicz said. Poland and the Baltic countries feel it, he noted. There is also an issue of financial gains from gas trading. Russia uses them not to improve the quality of life of its citizens but to enhance the combat capability of its army. We stand in solidarity with Ukraine in the issue of the Nord Stream 2 and oppose its construction, the Polish foreign minister emphasized. ol The G7 foreign ministers call on Russia to release Ukrainian sailors, captured near the Kerch Strait, and adhere to the international law. We, the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union urge restraint, due respect for international law, and the prevention of any further escalation. We call on Russia to release the detained crew and vessels and refrain from impeding lawful passage through the Kerch Strait, reads the G7 foreign ministers statement on recent events near Kerch Strait, released on the website of the Government of Canada. The ministers also expressed their utmost concern about Russia's actions against Ukraine in the Kerch Strait and surrounding waters, which have dangerously raised tensions. There is no justification for Russias use of military force against Ukrainian ships and naval personnel, the G7 foreign ministers emphasized. The statement also underscores the non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea by Russia. We, the G7, once again reiterate that we do not, and will never, recognize Russias illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula, and we reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. As reported, on November 25, Russian border ships committed the acts of aggression against three Ukrainian ships heading from the port of Odesa to the port of Mariupol. The Russian special forces fired and seized three Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait. There were 24 sailors aboard. ol European Council President Donald Tusk believes that the G20 leaders should discuss really important issues as the Russian aggression in Ukraine at the summit in Argentina. I would like to appeal to the leaders to use this summit, including their bilateral and informal exchanges, to seriously discuss real issues such as trade wars, the tragic situation in Syria and Yemen and the Russian aggression in Ukraine. I see no reason why the G20 leaders shouldnt have a meaningful discussion about solving these problems. Especially because all the instruments lie in their hands, Tusk said, the European Council reports. As for the likely response of the EU to the aggression of Russia in the Sea of Azov, the President of the European Council noted that "the escalation in the Sea of Azov is a cause of grave concern." "Of course Russia's use of force against Ukrainian ships is totally unacceptable. I would like to underline that Europe is united in its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is why I am sure that the EU will roll over the sanctions against Russia in December," Tusk emphasized. As reported, on November 25, Russian border ships committed the acts of aggression against three Ukrainian ships heading from the port of Odesa to the port of Mariupol. The Russian special forces fired and seized three Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait. There were 24 sailors aboard. ol Canadas Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the issues related to Ukraine on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina. On Friday morning, I spoke briefly about Ukraine with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Freeland said in Buenos Aires, the Canadian Press reports. She added that the issue of the incident near the Kerch Strait would be raised during the meeting of the G20 leaders. I am not participating in the negotiations yet, but Canada expects this issue to be their important component, the minister said. Freeland noted that it was Canada that initiated the release of a joint statement by the G7 foreign ministers regarding the Russian aggression against the Ukrainian Navy in the Black Sea. Canada has really been very active this week about the issue of clashes between Ukraine and Russia, Freeland noted. She noted that Canada cooperated with all partners in G7, including the United States, on this statement. As reported, on Friday, the G7 foreign ministers released a joint statement in which they condemned the Russian aggression against Ukraine in the Black Sea. The ministers called on Russia to release the detained Ukrainian crew and vessels and refrain from impeding lawful passage through the Kerch Strait. ol An all-Ukrainian referendum on Ukraine's independence was held in Ukraine on December 1, 1991. Most voters approved the declaration of independence, which was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on August 24, 1991. A total of 346 MPs voted for the declaration of independence. The results of the referendum were expected not only by Ukrainians, but also the whole world. The capitals of the main international players of the planet were well aware that the fate of the Soviet Union is solved in Ukraine, because, despite the proclamation of independence of Ukraine, a seemingly democratic Russia did not leave hopes to get Ukraine involved in another "updated union." " Not to support independence means to support dependence" - that was the main argument of those who saw the future of their homeland only in an independent status. There was no region or settlement where the idea of Ukraine's independence was not supported by the majority of citizens. In particular, 54.19% of citizens voted for independence in Crimea, 57.07% in Sevastopol, and over 80% of citizens in Donetsk, Luhansk, Odesa, and Kharkiv regions. More than 95% of citizens voted in favor of Ukraine's independence in Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Ternopil, Volyn, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Khmelnytsky, Cherkasy, and Vinnytsia regions. For the third time in the 350 years of Ukraine's heroic and simultaneously tragic history - from the War of Liberation of the middle of the 17th century - Ukraine gained its independence. It was the all-Ukrainian referendum that gave the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine the legal force that allowed stating that the Soviet Union ceased to exist as an object of international law, and a new independent state, Ukraine, appeared on the political map of the world. On the next day, December 2, 1991, Ukraine's independence was recognized by Poland and Canada, and on December 4 by Lithuania and Latvia. The All-Ukrainian referendum of December 1, 1991 was held one day with the first presidential elections. Leonid Kravchuk was elected president of Ukraine. op An action in support of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and against the Russian aggression was held in Istanbul. As the Radio Liberty reports, the action was organized by the Crimean Tatar community of Istanbul. The representatives of Ukrainian non-governmental organizations came to support the activists. The protesters held the Crimean Tatar, Turkish and Ukrainian flags in their hands and the posters reading "Putin, stop war!", "Crimea without Russia", "Crimea is homeland of Crimean Tatars", "Stop occupation", "We support territorial the integrity of Ukraine." The community of the Crimean Tatars in Turkey also appealed to the Turkish authorities, NGOs and the media, saying that Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians need their support and proper coverage of Russian aggression. Head of the Crimean Tatar community Dzhelial Ichten expressed hope that Turkey would not stand aside and would join the sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States of America. As reported, on November 25, Russian border ships committed the acts of aggression against three Ukrainian ships heading from the port of Odesa to the port of Mariupol. The Russian special forces fired and seized three Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait. There were 24 sailors aboard. ol Rhode Island is the 22nd U.S. state that has recognized the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide against the Ukrainian people. Rhode Island, a U.S. state in New England, has officially recognized the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide against the Ukrainian people. "Thanks to the joint efforts of Ukrainian diplomats in the United States and the Ukrainian community, more than two dozen U.S. states have declared their position regarding the actions of the Soviet Union at the beginning of the 20th century in Ukraine, having recognized the Holodomor as an act of genocide," Ukraine's Embassy in the United States said on Facebook on November 30. Read alsoState of Connecticut recognizes Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine as genocide Rhode Island is the 22nd U.S. state that has recognized the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide against the Ukrainian people. "I, Gina M. Raimondo, Governor of the State of Rhode Island, do hereby proclaim December 2018 as: Ukrainian Genocide Remembrance Month in the state and encourage all citizens to remember Holodomor with appropriate activities designated to honor its victims and educate the world about this tragic episode in the world's history. Throughout this 85th anniversary year, let us recommit ourselves to reflect upon the historical truth of the heinous crimes of totalitarian regimes, so that we may one day eliminate tyranny from our world," the Gubernatorial Proclamation reads. In Ukraine, the Holodomor of 1932-1933 is designated as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people, perpetrated by the USSR government by organizing an artificial large-scale famine, which led to millions of deaths in rural areas in the then Ukrainian Soviet Republic. Relations between Ukraine and Hungary deteriorated after the Verkhovna Rada adopted a new law on education in 2017. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin says he expects a thaw in relations with Hungary in the near future. "Relations with Hungary will see a thaw in the near future. I think it is time now," he said. "We must seize the initiative on Transcarpathia. This will not happen today or tomorrow. But we must do this, including in the context of the implementation of the law on education. And here we must extend the transition period," he said on TV channel Inter on Friday night. Read alsoSzijjarto: Hungary govt monitoring Ukraine situation media "How can we will teach everyone to do what we want, having only two years?" the minister wondered. According to him, the transition to Ukrainian as the language of tuition requires change of methodology, and this would take four to five years, Klimkin said. UNIAN memo. Relations between Ukraine and Hungary deteriorated after the Verkhovna Rada adopted a new law on education in 2017. Hungary has been blocking Ukraine-NATO Commission meetings, alleging that the language provision of the law on education, which stipulates that the national language is the language of the educational process in educational institutions violate the rights of Hungarians living in Ukraine. The Hungarian Foreign Minister demanded that Ukraine amend the law on education and postpone its implementation until 2023, otherwise Budapest will block important meetings for Ukraine at the level of the European Union and NATO. However, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said during a visit to Prague on November 30 that Hungary backs Ukraine in a conflict with Russia, despite the Ukrainian government taking anti-Hungarian positions, Reuters said. "Hungary's stance is clear-cut, we are a pro-Ukraine government, so we stand behind Ukraine," Orban said in response to a reporter's question. "There is a pro-Ukraine government in Hungary, while there is an anti-Hungary government in Ukraine. Despite that, we have not changed our stance and we will stand behind Ukraine in this conflict." At the same time, more than 780 Russian citizens crossed the border and entered Ukraine, Demchenko said. Spokesperson for the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service Andriy Demchenko says 99 Russian citizens have been refused entry to Ukraine since November 30, when the ban on entry of all male Russian nationals aged 16-60 was introduced in Ukraine for the entire period of martial law. Read alsoRussia says not to take tit-for-tat measures on entry of male Ukrainians "Since the beginning of the ban on entry into the territory of Ukraine, 99 Russians have been refused entry to the country. The vast majority of them were unable to confirm the purpose of their journey. Some of them had no necessary documents to enter Ukraine. There were also some of those who overstayed in our country," he told TV Channel 112 Ukraine on December 1. At the same time, more than 780 Russian nationals crossed the border and entered Ukraine, the official said. Despite Russian officials' statements that they will not take tit-for-tat measures towards male Ukrainian citizens, the Russian side denied 40 Ukrainian citizens entry to its territory on November 30 and over 110 of them in the past three days, Demchenko said. As UNIAN reported earlier, on November 30, Head of the Border Guard Service of Ukraine Petro Tsyhykal said Ukraine had banned entry to all male Russian nationals aged 16-60 for the entire period of martial law. The President wanted to send a clear, unambiguous message that we find that type of behavior unacceptable, so we canceled the meeting, Pompeo said. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Russian aggression against Ukraine in the Kerch Strait near Crimea was the sole reason for President Donald Trump's cancellation of his G20 meeting with Russia President Vladimir Putin and Russia must return Ukraine's sailors and vessels before the administration would consider a rescheduled Trump-Putin summit. "The President wanted to send a clear, unambiguous message that we find that type of behavior unacceptable, so we canceled the meeting," Pompeo told CNN. Read alsoU.S. Senate passes resolution condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine Pompeo, who briefed Trump on the plane, said the President decided "the right thing to do was to tell the Russians: return the sailors, return the Ukrainian equipment, it's theirs, the people need to be returned to their families. And he wanted to send an unambiguous message that the Russians needed to change that act." The secretary of state added that he was involved in the decision making process to cancel the meeting between Trump and Putin on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Argentina. "We evaluated it carefully, we considered the opportunity, we considered the message we would send and President Trump made the decision this was the right approach based on the activity that had taken place in the lead up to the G20 summit," the secretary of state added. Pompeo said Russia must return Ukraine's vessels and soldiers before the administration would consider a rescheduled Trump-Putin summit. At the same time, Russian resident's aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters in Buenos Aires that the United States had offered Russia to continue the working dialogue after the cancellation of the Trump-Putin meeting at the G20 summit, according to Russian news agency TASS. The presidential aide also says the dialogue will continue with the participation of U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton. As UNIAN reported earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday abruptly canceled the earlier-announced meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Argentina over the escalation near the Kerch Strait where the Russian coast guards attacked and captured Ukrainian naval boats and sailors. "Based on the fact that the ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia, I have decided it would be best for all parties concerned to cancel my previously scheduled meeting in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin. I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!" Trump tweeted. The Ukrainian tug "Yani Kapu" was intentionally rammed at least four times over a period of at least an hour, Bellingcat said. The team of investigative journalists has analyzed the data released by both Ukraine and Russia regarding the incident in the Black Sea, when Russian Navy vessels first rammed and then later fired on and captured three Ukrainian Navy vessels, marking the first time Russian-flagged military units had officially attacked those of Ukraine. "Interesting analysis by Bellingcat with this key conclusion: 'the shooting of the 'Berdyansk' most likely took place in international waters.'" United States Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker tweeted, as reported by Voice of America's Ukrainian language service. Read alsoPompeo: Russia must return Ukraine's sailors, vessels before administration consider rescheduled Trump-Putin summit Bellingcat conducted a detailed analysis of all sources of information in the public domain and restored the chronology of the events of November 25. The discrepancies in the statements by Ukraine and Russia concerned whether the incident occurred in the coastal waters near Crimea, or in international waters. It should be noted that after the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, the latter considers the coastal waters to be its own. However, Ukraine and the majority of the international community do not recognize the annexation of the peninsula and the rights of Russia to these waters. Bellingcat especially highlighted data that was published by the Russian FSB with a detailed description of the events, including a number of geographic coordinates. The Russian FSB makes that point that the initial interception, as well as the warning shots, and finally the shots which hit the "Berdyansk" all took place within the "territorial waters of Russia." This does not align with the location data they themselves released. Unfortunately, Ukraine for its part provided less detailed information regarding key locations during this period. Bellingcat urged Ukraine to disclose more accurate geographical data of the incident. Based on the analysis of open data, the investigators came to the following conclusions: Firstly, based on geolocated video footage, Ukrainian ships did enter Russian-claimed territorial waters, both that of Crimea and mainland Russia in the Kerch Strait. Ukraine nonetheless argues this was legally permissible due to the 2003 agreement between the two countries. Secondly, the Ukrainian tug "Yani Kapu" was intentionally rammed at least four times over a period of at least an hour. Thirdly, based on information provided by the Russian FSB which appears to incriminate themselves, the shooting of the "Berdyansk" most likely took place in international waters. The activists rallied in the Czech capital following a recent Russian attack on three Ukrainian boats in the Black Sea. Ukraine's Ambassador to the Czech Republic Yevhen Perebyinis says Czech activists have held a rally in various parts of Prague in support of Ukraine. Read alsoU.S. Senate passes resolution condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine The rally was held in connection with a recent Russian attack on three Ukrainian boats in the Black Sea near the Kerch Strait on November 25. The activists hung out a Ukrainian flag and a banner saying "Crimea is Ukraine! Ukraine is Europe!" the Ambassador wrote on Tweeter. Noteworthy, about 20 people, replacing each other, held single-person pickets, outside the building of the Russian Presidential Administration on Saturday, December 1. They demanded that the Russian authorities release the Ukrainian sailors captured near the Kerch Strait and stop the war with Ukraine. As UNIAN reported, three Ukrainian vessels were captured on November 25 by Russian forces at sea near the Kerch Strait, which is the only outlet to the Sea of Azov and controls access to two major Ukrainian ports. The two Ukrainian artillery boats and a tugboat were heading from Odesa on the Black Sea to Mariupol on the Sea of Azov. Twenty-four sailors were detained and "courts" in Russian-occupied Crimea ruled that they be detained for two months, pending trial. The Ukrainian Army reported no casualties in the past day. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted six attacks on the Ukrainian army in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, in the past day, using weapons banned under the Minsk agreements twice. Read alsoUkraine's Joint Forces put on full alert "No casualties among Ukrainian troops have been reported in the past day. According to intelligence reports, four occupiers were killed," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in an update on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 1, 2018. Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms at the defenders of the town of Krasnohorivka, and the villages of Vilne, Luhanske, and Hnutove. "In addition, the Joint Forces' defensive fortifications near Luhanske came under enemy fire from 120mm mortars," reads the statement. The invaders also employed 82 mm mortars near Hnutove, as well as weapons of infantry fighting vehicles near Vilne. Commanders of the units took the necessary measures to suppress the enemy fire. Since Friday midnight, Russian-led forces haven't attacked the Ukrainian positions yet, the report said. David Preston, acting deputy high commissioner of Australia, visited Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here on Saturday. SIALKOT, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Dec, 2018 ) : David Preston, acting deputy high commissioner of Australia , visited Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here on Saturday. SCCI President Khawaja Masud Akhtar welcomed the envoy and a team of the Market Development Facility (MDF). He shed light on problems of working women and said that the SCCI, along with the MDF, could play an important role in helping women empowerment. SCCI Senior Vice President Waqas Akram Awan stressed the need for enhancing trade relationship between Pakistan and Australia. He also requested for the MDF support in terms of Leather Working Group (LWG). Dr Maryam Nouman, chairperson of Women Entrepreneurs Committee, elaborated the potential of Sialkot fertile lands for agriculture purposes. She also mentioned lack of daycare centres and women specific training centres in Sialkot. David Preston thanked Khawaja Masud Akhtar and all participants in the meeting. He endorsed that creating a safe and confidential work environment for women plays an important role in women empowerment, and pledged that the MDF would support the SCCI in this matter. He said that he would help in creating contact between Sialkot chamber and Australian trade representative in Islamabad. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Pakistan has great potential for generating business and economic activities through cultural and tourist events and PTI government would focus on promoting culture and tourism for better revival of economy. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) : Pakistan has great potential for generating business and economic activities through cultural and tourist events and PTI government would focus on promoting culture and tourism for better revival of economy. This was stated by Syed Muhammad Abbas Jafri, PTI Member of Sindh Assembly while exchanging views with Ahmed Hassan Moughal, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry during his visit to Chamber House. He said that every year many religious and cultural festivals were celebrated in Pakistan and by registering them at world Calendar, Pakistan could attract more international tourists and make these events an important source of flourishing business and economic activities. Abbas Jafri said that after the 18th constitutional amendment, culture and tourism have been transferred to provinces. He said PTI with allies has government in three provinces and by developing close cooperation with Sindh, PTI government would try to promote culture and tourism across the country in order to bring positive change in the lives of people and improve the economy. He said the promotion of culture and tourism will also promote national harmony and unity in the nation. He said Pakistan was major producer of textile products and efforts would be made to improve the skills and expertise of the textile designers in collaboration with international brands. He said Pakistan has also great potential for growth in fashion designing and government would make efforts to further strengthen this area. He stressed that the private sector should come forward and cooperate with the government in promoting culture, tourism and other sectors that would help in putting the economy on the path of sustainable growth. Speaking at the occasion, Ahmed Hassan Moughal, President ICCI said that Pakistan could earn billions of Dollars by promoting culture and tourism as the country has some of the best tourist spots in the world. He said that security situation has improved and the government should focus on developing tourism spots on modern lines. The road infrastructure to tourist destinations should be improved. He stressed that government should promote tourism industry on public-private partnership basis and announce incentives for private sector for investing in this sector. He said such measures of the government will give boost to business activities in tourism industry and create plenty of new jobs leading to better development of the economy. (@FahadShabbir) H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has congratulated President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 01st Dec, 2018) H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has congratulated President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, on the occasion of the 47th National Day. In his speech on the occasion, published by the Nation Shield magazine, Sheikh Hazza said, "The UAE welcomes a new year in its glorious age, and we, as a leadership and people, citizens and residents, are united as one heart, one soul to a new and renewed pledge, that we promise ourselves and to the entire world to continue moving forward to our victorious and civilised journey, started by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the other Founding Fathers. They established its foundations on the values of brotherliness, justice, goodness, tolerance and openness to the world." He added, "We are proud and honoured on our country's significant progress over the past year in sustainable development and ongoing advancement. We saw the UAEs daughters and sons, Sheikh Zayeds children, raise the UAEs stature in educational, economic, social, cultural, scientific and sporting fields, and we saw them as the best representatives of our country during the Year of Zayed." "Our pride is great as we share, with the world, our cultural icon, the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, which we saw transforming, last year, into a cultural destination for art, beauty, tolerance and dialogue lovers from all parts of the world. We also witnessed many great cultural, educational and scientific endeavours, such as Arab Reading Challenge, One Million Arab Coders, Madrasa e-learning platform, and many other leading initiatives," he further stated. Sheikh Hazza went on to say, "We cannot forget that moment when a group of our best youth manufactured and launched KhalifaSat, a remote sensing Earth Observation Satellite, which is a living example of our scientific and technological ambitions. We also cannot forget the UAE passport's progress and attaining a leading stature, which reflect the respect and appreciation that our children have in the world." He said, "We are proud of our Armed Forces and its brave soldiers for their honourable actions in the fields of honour and right. We are also proud of our wise leadership, who established the foundations of our future economy, and our efforts to shift from an oil-based economy to one based on sustainable development, diversification and soft power, transitioning to the Fourth Industrial Revolution." "I wish the UAE, its citizens and residents, and every person who loves it, further goodness, advancement and accomplishment. We are all confident that we will celebrate our next National Day achieving further successes that surpass the borders of our country to the entire world, because the UAE has an international message and vision that aim to achieve goodness for all humanity, as well as peaceful coexistence between all nations and peoples," he concluded. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has said that the UAE National Day gains special momentum in 2018, as it coincides with the 100th birth anniversary of the Founding Father. ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 01st Dec, 2018) His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has said that the UAE National Day gains special momentum in 2018, as it coincides with the 100th birth anniversary of the Founding Father. "But for Sheikh Zayed, our Union would not have seen the light; nor would our nation have been able to survive the challenges that beset his drive to establish the Union," H.H. Sheikh Mohammed said in a statement to 'Nation Shield' magazine on the occasion of the 47th National Day. "While looking into where we have reached, I feel satisfied with what has been achieved on the ground. I thank Allah Almighty for empowering us to secure quantum leaps that fulfill the expectations of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In 2018, the UAE has continued to make impressive strides across key indicators of international competitiveness, primarily in terms of comprehensive and human development. " Shedding light on some of the significant milestones accomplished over the recent period, Sheikh Mohammed continued to say, "Among other achievements as well are our state departments' rapid and efficient transition to smart government and governance of smart mobility; allowing 100 percent foreign ownership of companies in the UAE; and granting investors and talents up to 10-year residency visas for specialists in medical, scientific, research and technical fields, as well as for all scientists and innovators to add value to the UAE'S economy by attracting people of advanced skills. "Over the last year we boosted the expansion and diversification of our economy. The contribution of oil & gas activities to the GDP declined to 22.3 percent; and our 2017 GDP surged to AED1422.2 billion. For the fifth year in a row, the UAE has continued to top Arab countries in terms of Foreign direct investments, FDIs, drawing 36 percent of foreign investment inflows into the Arab world though foreign capital inflows across the world dropped by 22 percent. "Last September we approved a budget of AED180bn over the next three years, including a substantial increase in 2019 spending. Next years budget will be the biggest in the history of the Union, 59 percent of which would be allocated for education and community development. Citizens are our top priority. We have allotted the bulk of the budget to ensure their prosperity, health, education and security." Highlighting the UAEs growing status globally, the Vice President said, "Last year, there was a significant increase in the number of countries welcoming UAE nationals without prior visa requirements, a new indication of the prestigious position held by our country globally." The cabinet, at the directives of H.H. President of the UAE, approved the National Policy for Senior Emiratis to ensure elderly Emiratis remain active members of society and have access to the services they need, Sheikh Mohammed added. The policy is built upon seven main components: healthcare, community involvement and active life, effective civic participation, infrastructure and transportation, financial stability, safety and security and quality of life. Another important achievement was the establishment of the Emirati-Saudi Coordination Council as a framework for securing more integration and partnerships between the two countries on issues of vital importance, such as entrepreneurship, tourism and national heritage, the logistics and infrastructure sectors, he noted. Shifting to the countrys landmark space achievements, Sheikh Mohammed said, "Our achievements are too many to count here but they absolutely speak for themselves across all fields. However I will stop at our most recent achievement - the success of our national cadres in building the KhalifaSat which successfully lifted off into space. I spotlight this significant milestone as it is, in no uncertain way, an exceptional accomplishment abounding in special indications for us. It is a new affirmation of the merit of our vision, the efficiency of our plans, and the successful implementation of our projects. It is a testament to our country's efficient science, technology and innovation policy. With diligent work, an in-depth scientific approach, perseverance and team spirit, we have been able to make what many considered bordering on impossibility. "With the launch of KhalifaSat, the country has ushered in a new era within its ambitious journey to deliver the future. Our determined effort to become one of the leading countries in the space industry is yielding results. The future of our beloved country as a hub for innovation lies in the hands of its energetic youth who never settle for anything less than perfect. "On that day, UAE started a new leaf to scale fresh heights and make great strides in the space sector. We have agreed to build national competencies who can continue this path of glory and promote our international position in the space sector in line with our national interests and the scientific objectives humanity seeks to achieve in this area. "The KhalifaSat team has made this achievement, laid the foundation stone, and paved the way for other Emirati engineers to continue this track record of achievements. We are positive that they will spearhead the country's developmental march in the space sector to unprecedented international levels. "We've realised early enough that those who won't manage to carve a niche in the space would have no place on earth along with developed nations and peoples. Thus, we have incorporated space science into a constant focus of our strategies, and have developed plans and programmes to ensure that our country ushers into the space age. When we set up our space center 12 years ago, the participation of our national cadres in our first project, DubaiSat-1, stood at the limits of learning and acquiring knowledge. At DubaiSat-2, Emiratis' contribution to our construction has reached 70 percent. Then came KhalifaSat, which we launched last October, and built entirely with the minds and hands of UAE scientists and engineers. "Today, the United Arab Emirates Space Agency, UAESA, represents a full-fledged national space sector across the country, with the UAE astronaut programme will witness a milestone in April, 2019, when the first Emirati astronaut is due to blast into space, making the UAE one of only a handful of states in the middle East to have sent a person into space, as it looks to make good on a pledge to become a global leader in space exploration. "Yahsat as well is continuing to connect communities across the globe, supporting the UAE in space with a third satellite. The UAE's involvement in space reached another milestone with the launch of the nano-satellite, MYSAT-1 which was built by Khalifa University students at the Yahsat Space Lab and went on board a Cygnus rocket two weeks ago after a successful launch in Virginia. In the meantime, our students are working on the development of the satellite "Mizn Sat", which is set to be placed on its orbit by the end of this year to study the Earth's atmosphere and collect data on levels greenhouse gases emissions in the UAE, therefore providing important information on climate change and contributing to the necessary preventive measures." Continuing to highlight the countrys space accomplishments, Sheikh Mohammed said, "The UAE has also recently become the first Arab country to announce its embark on space exploration. The UAE's unmanned probe, named "Hope" to Mars will study the planets atmosphere. The probe will be designed and built by Emirati engineers. Coinciding with UAE's 50th anniversary, Hope will enter Mars orbit by 2021. "While our space industries offer a vivid example of the success of our Emiratisation efforts, it is not the only model. Other successful examples manifest themselves in the fields of atomic energy, clean energies, applications of Artificial Intelligence, industries in general, and defence and aviation industries in particular. "As we have successfully built a world-class infrastructure and a digital architecture that complies with best global practices, we are determined and able to complete the UAE's scientific infrastructure." Shifting to the geopolitical scene, Sheikh Mohammed said, "We have a direct interest in and obligation for establishing peace and security in our region, extinguishing the hotbeds of tension, obliterating sources of extremism and restoring the sublime values of our religion and quintessential moderate culture, rejecting violence, extremism, militancy, inertia and isolationism, and promoting justice and equity, supporting the oppressed and relieving the needy. Within the framework of these supreme interests, we move and act, realising the interdependence of security and stability of our GCC states and the Arab world, and the oneness of our destiny. "Our Arab world has paid a heavy price for disregarding these obligations. The price is not limited to the apparent destruction, and disintegration seen in some Arab nations, and the killing and displacement of some Arab societies; but it rather extends to the future of these nations, and the foreign meddling into their internal affairs, as well as the complexities facing efforts being made to build a comprehensive Arab discourse to meet current and future challenges. "We in the UAE are not abandoning our commitments and we are working with our brothers to stop further deterioration; to establish solid foundations of a new positive reality in the Arab world; and to give hope to tens of millions of young people that their reality is improving and that their future abounds in opportunities. "Two years ago, I spoke about the possibility of resuming the Arab civilisation as other nations did and resumed their own civilisations after a break. I said that we have natural resources, but we lack the will and the right model of management at the level of governments, economy and people. I understand that the situation in a number of our Arab nations is not that good and that the mechanisms of joint Arab action are almost inoperable. I know that the image of the Arab world has become darker after the disasters generated by the 'Arab Autumn' in a number of Arab countries. "However, I still see light at the end of the tunnel. In the Arab world, there is a growing awareness of the requirements to promote civil peace, to approach development and progress, and to build a strong state that is fortified with national unity, law, justice, transparency and equal opportunities. I have a deep conviction that the achievements made by the UAE and by other Arab states can be copied and even outnumbered in a few years in all Arab countries. Today, our world is undergoing a significant transition that may take twenty or thirty years or more or less. These years are enough for those who have the will and the right management to improve. This is an opportunity for us in the Arab world, and we must seize it and join other states, like China, Japan and India." Doubling on the importance and necessity of improving performance to preserve the countrys national gains and scale further heights over the coming years, Sheikh Mohammed said, "I take the opportunity of the 47th National Day, to remind myself and remind you that the Golden Jubilee of the Union is only three years ahead from now. Three years during which we must complete the objectives of the National Agenda 2021. We all need to redouble our efforts and accelerate the completion of our projects. The themes of the agenda are not rigid or static, but rather moving and evolving in a multi-faceted, fast-paced world." Concluding the Vice President praised Allah Almighty for His countless blessings, supplicating to Him to preserve our gains and grant the nation continued success and prosperity. As part of its humanitarian and relief efforts in Hadramaut Governorate of Yemen, the Emirates Red Crescent, ERC, has distributed more food aid to the underprivileged in districts, areas, and remote villages. HADRAMAUT, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 01st Dec, 2018) As part of its humanitarian and relief efforts in Hadramaut Governorate of Yemen, the Emirates Red Crescent, ERC, has distributed more food aid to the underprivileged in districts, areas, and remote villages. The initiative is part of the UAE's support for the Yemeni people and coincides with the 'Year of Zayed'. It is aimed to alleviate the suffering and improving the living and economic conditions in these areas. Some 3,500 Yemenis in Yaba'ath District of Hadramaut who are witnessing dire living conditions have benefitted from the assistance. The beneficiaries expressed their happiness at receiving the humanitarian assistance and said that the food aid came at the right time. They also extended their thanks and appreciation to the UAE government and people for their support. District officials hailed the efforts of the ERC in Hadramaut Governorate and other governorates in Yemen. They also appreciated the UAE's fraternal stance towards the Yemenis. Talat Xhaferi, Speaker of Macedonia's Parliament, has met with Saqr Nasser Al Raisi, UAE Non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia. SKOPJE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 01st Dec, 2018) Talat Xhaferi, Speaker of Macedonia's Parliament, has met with Saqr Nasser Al Raisi, UAE Non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia. During the meeting, held at the parliament's headquarters in Skopje, Xhaferi emphasised the importance of activating the UAE-Macedonia parliamentary friendship committees for their prime role to enhance ties and exchange expertise between the two countries. Al Raisi highlighted the UAE parliamentary experiences which he described as "qualitative, rich and representing a unique model." They also discussed ties between the two countries and ways to enhance them through the Arab-Macedonian Parliamentary Friendship Committee with their Emirati counterparts and the possibility of mutual visits between the parliaments of the two countries ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 02nd Dec, 2018) Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, the Ambassador of UAE, has met with General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff, COAS, of the Pakistan Army at the General Headquarters of Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi. During the meeting, the UAE envoy said that the UAE's wise leadership attaches great attention to enhance the historic bonds between the two countries which are based on strong foundation, respect, mutual confidence and conformity of point of views on regional and international issues. Al-Zaabi said that bilateral relations between the UAE and Pakistan are based on joint fraternal, cultural and social bonds through ages and their effects went beyond the economy, trade, investment and culture to the fruitful and strong cooperation in the security and defence fields. He also pointed to the UAE's commitment to its development and humanitarian projects in Pakistan, saying that the country is working on developing and sustaining them. On his part, General Bajwa expressed appreciation to the UAE for its continuous support in economic development, social care and humanitarian assistance to Pakistan in education and healthcare sectors, especially developing infrastructure in remote areas. He also stressed that the UAE- Pakistan relations are continuous and developing, not only because they are based on solid foundations, but also because there is a mutual recognition between the leadership of the two countries to strengthen them in all areas. The bonds between the UAE and Pakistani peoples are historic and strong, General Bajwa said, noting that late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has special love for the people of Pakistan and he was loved by them. He added that the UAE has been supporting Pakistan particularly during times of disasters and natural calamities. He praised the UAE Project to Assist Pakistan, UAE PAP, which was started in 2011 and focussed on development projects such as building schools, universities, roads, bridges, water projects and improvements in the health sector in various areas of Pakistan. UAE and Pakistan signed an agreement in May 2018, worth $ 200 million under the assistance programme for further investment in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. The UAE Ambassador emphasised that UAE leadership strongly believes that education and health are the cornerstone of building human capital and for a prosperous future. "This puts us in front of great responsibilities to look towards the future with positive perspectives that ensure the implementation of this agenda, which we share with Pakistan," he concluded. National Programme Manager, National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) Dr Baseer Khan Achkzai on Friday said that nearly 150,000 people were living with HIV positive in Pakistan, out of which 25,000 people were registered with NACP. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) :National Programme Manager, National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) Dr Baseer Khan Achkzai on Friday said that nearly 150,000 people were living with HIV positive in Pakistan, out of which 25,000 people were registered with NACP. "We are striving to prevent a generalized epidemic in Pakistan by containing the spread of HIV and AIDS and elimination of stigma and discrimination against those infected and effected, "Dr Baseer said. He said that responding effectively to HIV and AIDS will require a co-ordinated effort across a number of sectors. "It will require us to confront difficult issues and to work with communities to come up with strategies that particularly suit our environment, our culture and our religious values," Dr Basser said while talking to APP. "In doing this, we cannot afford to shy away from the issues that we find uncomfortable or challenging. We are working to reach the goal and meet objectives." He said that National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) was established in 1987. In its early stages, the program focused on laboratory diagnosis of suspected HIV cases, but progressively it began to shift its focus towards HIV prevention and control interventions. He said that presently NACP and its provincial counterparts (PACPs) are implementing the programme throughout the country. The components of the programme are the interventions for target groups, HIV/AIDS prevention for general public, prevention of HIV/AIDS transmission through blood and blood products, capacity building and programme management. He said that Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) are at higher risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS and other blood borne infections in Pakistan as they often resort to unsafe injecting practices such as needle and syringe sharing. Dr Baseer said that number of drug users in Pakistan is estimated to be about 500,000, of whom an estimated 150,000 inject drugs. Recent biological and behavioural data on HIV clearly indicates a widespread concentrated epidemic among IDUs with highly prevalent risk behaviours such as use of non-sterile injecting equipment and physical contacts with other high-risk groups, he added. He said that youth including street children are also vulnerable to risky behaviours that are associated with HIV spread. He said that presently 33 HIV/AIDS treatment centres were working efficiently across the country besides prevention the parent to child transmission centres for pregnant women. He added there was an effective awareness programme on the issue. Dr Baseer said that HIV testing was essential for expanding treatment and ensuring that all people living with HIV could lead healthy and productive lives. He said it was also crucial to achieving the targets and empowering people to make choice about HIV prevention so they could protect themselves and their loved ones. He said that this year, the NACP in collaboration with UNAIDS and partners, has prioritized engaging youth, media, parliamentarians and other stakeholders in the lead up to world AIDS day. He said these activities aimed at destigmatizing HIV testing, advocating for confidential, non-discriminatory, community-based care models and raising awareness about disease transmission, prevention and treatment. Dr Baseer said that the NACP was working to address structural and policy barriers to testing and quality care and ensuring that investments were made for the right people in the right place. (@ChaudhryMAli88) President, Awami Workers Party (AWP), Fanoos Gujjar died of cardiac arrest in native town of district Buner. PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Dec, 2018 ) :President, Awami Workers Party (AWP), Fanoos Gujjar died of cardiac arrest in native town of district Buner According to reports he felt pain in his chest and his family members were shifting him to hospital. However, he expired on way to hospital. His nimaz-e-janaza will be offered in his native town of district Buner tomorrow. Political workers and social activists are terming his death a big loss to progressive ideologyand politics from all aspects. (@ChaudhryMAli88) PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) :The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration cell Friday barred two members of National Assembly (MNAs) from Waziristan Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir at Bacha Khan Airport to leave for the United Arab Emirate (UAE). The Names of both the MNAs were in the Exist Control List (ECL) due to which they were stopped at the airport's immigration counter, officials sources said. The two MNAs were scheduled to leave for the UAE at 1500 hours to participate in a culture show on December 2 in Dubai. The FIA also took their passports into custody. (@mahnoorsheikh03) The first ladys close friend, Farah Khan, also accompanied her on the visit. Lahore (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News 1st December, 2018) First Lady Bushra Bibi made a visit to a shelter home in Lahore on Saturday. The first ladys close friend, Farah Khan, also accompanied her on the visit. The first lady directed the administration to speed up the work on shelter homes and complete it timely. Bushra Bibi's first trip as first lady was to an orphanage in Lahore in early September. She brought food for the children of the orphanage and had lunch with them. Last month, she visited the rehabilitation centre Fountain House and mingled with mentally-disabled women and children housed in Lahore. (@FahadShabbir) Sindh Governor Imran Ismail Saturday flagged off the 9th annual rally of Vintage and Classic Car Club of Pakistan (VCCCP) from the Governor House. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Dec, 2018 ) : Sindh Governor Imran Ismail Saturday flagged off the 9th annual rally of Vintage and Classic Car Club of Pakistan (VCCCP) from the Governor House. Among the glittering, colourful lineup of vintage and classic cars was a display of two most historic cars including a 1947 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Hooper which was delivered to the 1st Governor General of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah as a gift from the Queen of Great Britain which remained in his use until his death. Another one a 1924 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost which was used on August 14, 1947 to bring Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Lord Louis Mountbatten to the first session of the Quaid's Oath taking ceremony as Governor General of Pakistan. The other cars participated in the rally include 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible, 1960 MGA, 1954 Austin Heaey 100, 1960 Chevrolet Impala, 1955 Ford Thunderbird, 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback, 1983 Mercedes 280 SLC, 1958 Chevrolet Corvette and many more. Governor Sindh Imran Ismail while addressing on the occasion said that the vintage and classic cars exhibition has been organized with the intention to educate children and youths alike about cars of yesteryears as they do form a significant and important part of Pakistans history. He observed that preservation of vintage and classic car heritage was an important phenomenon and the purpose of this rally is to draw tourists attention towards cars having historical importance and significance. Mohsin Ikram, Founder and Chairman of the Club said that the club has been holding exhibitions and rallies across Pakistan for last 15 years. He said the main objectives apart from pursuing our hobby was to save the heritage on wheels in the form of old historical cars, project a softer image of Pakistan worldwide and building a brotherhood between the four provinces of Pakistan. He said that this rally which would have more than 35-40 participating cars is the first ever in Pakistan to drive through all four provinces. He thanked the Imran Ismail for honoring the club by flagging it off from the historical Governor House, Karachi. Consul General of USA JoAnne Wagner also attended the Flag Off ceremony and appreciated the efforts of the organizers. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Saturday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would come up to expectations of the people by providing them the maximum relief and facilities. MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Dec, 2018 ) :Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Saturday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ( PTI ) would come up to expectations of the people by providing them the maximum relief and facilities. Talking to the media here at Majahid Town, he said the PTI government had set the direction of its policies during initial 100-day of its government, adding that the incumbent government was bringing about reforms in institutions as well. The PTI government was making sincere efforts and taking practical steps to put the country on the path to progress and prosperity, Qureshi said. He said every minister had presented performance of his respective ministries before the cabinet, adding that he himself apprised the cabinet about working and performance of his ministry. The country was facing various challenges due to wrong policies of the previous governments and those inflicted huge losses to the country's economy must be held accountable, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) :Advisor to Prime Minister on Establishment Affairs Arbab Shehzad on Friday said the mega housing project launched by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would create hundred of thousands of jobs in the country. "Economic uplift, reforms in National Accountability Bureau, civil service, and zero tolerance for corruption and extremism are the priorities of the present government, " he stated while talking to a news channel. The prime minister and his team had been working passionately to achieve the set targets as there was no concept of availing holidays for the PTI leadership, he added. All the cabinet ministers were putting their best for capacity building of the attached institutions of their respective ministries and divisions, he said. To a question about the PTI's government 100-day performance, Arbab Shahzad said "Out of 34, 18 targets have been achieved." To another question about money laundering, he said agreements had been signed with some countries about information sharing. Tough decisions would be taken for putting the country on the path of speedy progress and improve the governance system, he said. Commenting on foreign policy, he said the previous regimes did not focus on the policy matters due to which the incumbent government was facing some challenges. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had all the capabilities to deal with all the problems on the foreign policy front, he added. He said progress had been made in ties with Saudi Arabia, China, the UAE and Malaysia, while talks were underway with the US to sort out the matters. The country today had a vibrant foreign ministry, he added. To a question, he said civil servant reforms would be made gradually. Depoliticization of bureaucracy was need of hour, which would take time, he added. To another query, he said a conducive environment in the country was imperative for attracting investors. Efforts were being made to promote tourism sector. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Advisor to Prime Minister on Establishment, Arbab Shehzad expressed hope that mega housing project launched by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would create hundred of thousands of jobs besides opening of forty industrial sectors in the country. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Dec, 2018 ) :Advisor to Prime Minister on Establishment, Arbab Shehzad expressed hope that mega housing project launched by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would create hundred of thousands of jobs besides opening of forty industrial sectors in the country. "Economic uplift, reforms in National Accountability Bureau, civil service, and zero tolerance for corruption and extremism are the priorities of the present government during this tenure, " he stated while talking to a news channel. The prime minister and his team had been working passionately to achieve the set targets as there was no concept of availing holidays for the PTI leadership, he added. All the cabinet ministers were putting their best efforts for capacity building of the attached institutions of their respective ministries and divisions, he said. To a question about the PTI's government 100-day performance, Arbab Shahzad said "Out of 34, 18 targets have been achieved." To another question about money laundering, he said agreements had been signed with some countries about information sharing. Tough decisions would be taken for elimination of corruption and corrupt elements, besides alleviating poverty, he said adding that improvement in the governance system was also part and manifesto of the present government. Commenting on foreign policy, he said the previous regimes did not focus on the policy matters due to which the incumbent government was facing some challenges. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had all the capabilities to deal with the problems on the foreign policy front, he added. Arbab Shahzad said progress had been made in ties with Saudi Arabia, China,U.A.E and Malaysia, while talks were underway with the US to sort out the matters. The country today had a vibrant foreign ministry, he added. To a question, he said civil servant reforms would be made gradually. Depoliticization of bureaucracy was need of hour, which would take time, he added. To another query, he said a conducive environment in the country was imperative for attracting investors. Efforts were being made to promote tourism sector, he added. C:drs/P:drs/L:akt/E:akt/I:ihn-akt/R:ihn (@ChaudhryMAli88) Residents of Upper Chitral organized a huge gathering to hail government notification to up gradate the area as District. CHITRAL, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Dec, 2018 ) :Residents of Upper Chitral organized a huge gathering to hail government notification to up gradate the area as District. Hundreds of workers and people in the form of a large caravan, joined the gathering and expressed their gratitude on the decision. District General Secretary of Pakistan Tahreek a Insaf (PTI) Israr-ud-Din Sabor, accompanied by the former Tehsil Nazim, Sartaj Ahmad Khan, addressed the gathering. On the occasion leaders of political parties, praised the provincial and central leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, who have fulfilled the long standing demand of the area. The new district will help people of Chitral to progress as the local bodies will be working moreefficiently now. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The International (Peace) Amn Conference-2019 is scheduled to be held in Karachi from February 8 to 12, 2019, announced Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar on Friday. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) :The International (Peace) Amn Conference-2019 is scheduled to be held in Karachi February 8 to 12, 2019 , announced Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar on Friday. He made this announcement while addressing a high-level meeting in his office about the arrangements for the conference, said a statement. The Mayor was told that 80 countries were invited and it is expected that delegates from these countries will attend the event. He said that hosting international delegates was an honor for Karachi and we all should work jointly to organize this event in an excellent manner. He also directed municipal officers to complete all works in this connection by February 8, 2019. Beautification and street lights and other maintenance work has to be completed before the arrival of guests, he said. The Mayor said that though many of these works were already completed for Ideas-2018, however special attention should be paid to Kemari, Dockyard and Clifton areas likely to be visited by the foreign delegates. He said that the KMC along with all city organizations will play its role in this event, however, for such national and international conferences, provision of funds on permanent basis should be ensured so that beautification and other repair and maintenance works could be done in excellent manner. The meeting was attended by representatives of Pakistan Navy, KPT, Cantonment Boards, Solid Waste Management board and other concerned organizations. (@ChaudhryMAli88) President of Hindu Council Ramesh Kumar on Friday informed the Supreme Court (SC) that Pakistan Peoples Party leader Khursheed Shah was among the accused who had encroached upon the land of Hindu community in Sukkur. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) :President of Hindu Council Ramesh Kumar on Friday informed the Supreme Court (SC) that Pakistan Peoples Party leader Khursheed Shah was among the accused who had encroached upon the land of Hindu community in Sukkur Kumar levelled the allegations before a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar in a case pertaining to illegal occupation of the Hindu community's land in Sindh. During the course of proceedings, Kumar claimed that according to his information, Khursheed Shah was also among those who had illegally occupied the land belonging to the Hindu community. The land grabbers had not even vacated the land of late Justice Rana Bhagwandas, which they had occupied by using a fake power of attorney, he added. Kumar claimed that a Hindu dharamshala and cremation ground in Larkana had also been illegally occupied. The court inquired about the worth of land, which had been allegedly encroached upon. Subsequently, the court sought a detailed report on the land occupied by land grabbers in Sindh and adjourned the case till December 3. The bench also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the advocate general due to his absence from the proceedings, which he would deposit in the dams fund. The CJP had also taken notice of encroachments on the properties of the Kalash tribe. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Friday said the rule of law was a prerequisite for functioning of a successful democratic set-up in any country. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) : Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Friday said the rule of law was a prerequisite for functioning of a successful democratic set-up in any country. Speaking in Berkeley Law conference here, the minister said the government believed in the stability of national institutions. As an institution, a strong and independent judiciary was vital, and like the Supreme Court and high courts, there was need to strengthen subordinate courts in the country also, he added. Fawad said in the past high court benches were set up in some divisions and now there was a demand for the constitution of similar benches in Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sahiwal. However, it would have to be studied as to how much the step would be beneficial, he added. He said the Law Commission and the Supreme Court should consider measures to strengthen the subordinate judiciary.There was need to revamp the civil and districts courts in the country, he added. (@rukhshanmir) Pakistan and Russian Federation enjoy strong bilateral ties based on mutual respect, understanding and trust. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Dec, 2018 ) : Pakistan and Russian Federation enjoy strong bilateral ties based on mutual respect, understanding and trust. Pakistan and Russian Federation Navies are contributing to enhance defence ties in various domains. In the same stride, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi recently visited Russian Federation and Pakistan Navy Ship ASLAT with embarked helicopter also visited St Petersburg, Russia in July 2018. Reciprocating the same, Russian Federation Navy ships SEVEROMOSRSK and middle Sea Tanker KAMA visited Karachi Port from November 26-30, 2018, says a press release of Pakistan Navy here on Saturday. The visit of Russian Federation Navy ships were fully capitalized in terms of professional and social interactions between both the navies. During their stay at Karachi, the officers and men of Russian Federation Navy interacted with senior officials of Pakistan Navy on subjects of mutual interests. Officers and men from the two visiting ships also visited IDEAS 2018 at EXPO Center. Pakistan Navy and Russian Federation Navy are engaged in bilateral naval exercise since 2014 under code name ARABIAN MONSOON. The exercise is regularly conducted during the port visits by naval ships to each others' country. Upon completion of eventful stay by the Russian Federation Navy Ships at Karachi, bilateral lateral Exercise Arabian Monsoon was conducted in North Arabian Sea to enhance interoperability between participating navies through development/ rehearsing tactics, techniques and procedures in sync with the requirements of modern day naval warfare. The professional experience gained by both navies during the visit and bilateral exercise will be mutually rewarding, and certainly enhance interoperability and open more avenues of bilateral cooperation/ collaboration between the two countries. (@ChaudhryMAli88) As many as 3000 Sikh pilgrims returned to India after participating in the 549th birth anniversary rites of founder of Sikh religion Baba Guru Nanak Sahib. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) :As many as 3000 Sikh pilgrims returned to India after participating in the 549th birth anniversary rites of founder of Sikh religion Baba Guru Nanak Sahib. The pilgrims left from Lahore railway station by train on Friday morning for their homeland.Evacuee Trust Property board (ETPB) secretary Tariq Wazir saw them off and gave gifts from the government of Pakistan. Sikh Jatha (Group) leader Sardar Amarjit Singh,while talking to media on their departure,said that opening of Kartarpur corridor between Pakistan and India would open new vistas of friendship in the region. He said that Sikh community was not only happy but also thankful to Pakistan for opening Kartarpur corridor as this is one of the most sacred places of Sikh community. Amarjit Singh also thanked ETPB and the government of Pakistan for providing best security and facilities to Sikh yatrees during their visit. During their stay in Pakistan, Sikh pilgrims visited several religious places and performed their rituals peacefully. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has constituted a nine-member Sindh Population Taskforce (SPTF) to devise short term, medium term and long term strategies to stabilize population growth as per Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) : Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has constituted a nine-member Sindh Population Taskforce (SPTF) to devise short term, medium term and long term strategies to stabilize population growth as per Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A notification, in this regard, has been issued by Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah on Friday, said a statement. Sindh Chief Minister is Chairman and Sindh Health & Population Minister is Vice-Chairman of SPTF while Chief Secretary, Minister for P&D, education Minister, CM Advisor for Information, Chairman P&D, Additional Chief Secretary Health, and Secretary Population Welfare are among members of the Taskforce. The Taskforce may co-opt any new member, as and when required while any expert may be invited as per need to present specific report or views for consideration of the Taskforce. The Taskforce is assigned the Terms of Reference (TORs) include to guide relevant sector for planning in accordance with population dynamics. It would commission and review report on population dynamics affecting economic development in the province and take policy decisions so as to reduce fertility and to increase uptake of family planning. It would engage with international donors, development partners and civil society to enhance investment in family planning and reproductive health and bring in international experiences and lessons learnt. The Taskforce would examine private sector potential and guide in strengthening of Public Privet Partnership Act and Policy of the provincial government. It would also introduce and take measures to enforce legislation, regulatory mechanisms for reproductive health right. The SPTF will meet in very four months under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister of Sindh. The Foreign Policy Working Group (FPWG), already functioning since 2016 comprising all relevant stakeholders on family planning in public, private sectors and development partner, shall continue to work while holding its meeting on quarterly basis. The FPWG will be reviewing the progress on Costed Implementation Plan (CIP) and family planning initiative in the province and shall submit its report to SPTF for review and further policy guideline. With the objective to highlight male role models and create a dialogue on gender equality in parenthood, embassy of Sweden showcased a photo exhibition at Punjab Safe Cities Authority headquarters here on Friday. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) :With the objective to highlight male role models and create a dialogue on gender equality in parenthood, embassy of Sweden showcased a photo exhibition at Punjab Safe Cities Authority headquarters here on Friday. The event was attended by Inspector General of Police Punjab Amjad Javed Saleemi and Swedish Ambassador Ingrid Johansson who expressed their thoughts with the audience along with MD PSCA Malik Ali Amir, COO Akbar Nasir Khan and CAO Kamran Khan. The event was attended by young officers from PSCA, Punjab Police and City Traffic Police with a remarkable number of female officers. The photos and captions explored how Pakistani fathers viewed their own male role in contrast to the traditional parental role. The exhibition expressed that Pakistani working-fathers were highly motivated and determined to be actively present in their children's lives. "Child-rearing is an equal responsibility of both parents. Next exhibition will portray Police dads taking care of their offspring along with their professions. Future event will be organized in Police Training Schools. We are transforming Punjab Police on modern lines and its efficiency will improve systematically. We will soon be getting into a memorandum of understanding with Sweden for effective traffic management", these views were expressed by IGP Amjad Javed Saleem onsite. "We are here today to highlight fathers who are active and share responsibilities with their spouses. This exhibition aims to travel to different cities around Pakistan with a message that an evenly involved fatherhood is key to gender equality and so travels the child development with it. Equal parenting has positive effects on children and parents, as well as on society." said Swedish Ambassador, Ingrid Johansson. While escorting the guests to various sections of PSCA for real-time insight on authority's operations, MD PSCA Malik Ali Amir said that more than 20 percent of PSCA workforce comprised of an equally productive female officers. Later, Swedish ambassador received a souvenir shield from the management of PSCA. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Armenia is ready to remain the presiding state of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and appoint a new representative to the position of the CSTO secretary general, Armenian acting Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan said Saturday. YEREVAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st December, 2018) Armenia is ready to remain the presiding state of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and appoint a new representative to the position of the CSTO secretary general, Armenian acting Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan said Saturday. On November 2, Armenia prematurely recalled its representative at the post of the CSTO Secretary General, Yuri Khachaturov, and his deputy Valery Semerikov became the organization's acting head. "Armenia is ready to continue fulfilling its obligations at the CSTO chair and appoint a new representative [as the secretary of the organization]," Tonoyan told reporters, adding that there were no prerequisites for Yerevan leaving the CSTO. (@rukhshanmir) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st December, 2018) The Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria said Friday that it had registered ceasefire breaches in Syria's provinces of Hama and Latakia over the past 24 hours. "Over the past day, shelling of the village of Beyt-Zivan in the province of Latakia and the northwestern outskirts of the village of Suran in the province of Hama were registered," head of the center Lt. Gen. Sergei Solomatin said. The center also held one humanitarian delivery in the Homs province, delivering 450 food sets to the residents of the town of Talbiseh. 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. The European Parliament will consider a draft resolution on EU-Russian relations, which includes a proposal to increase EU financial assistance to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), human rights activists and bloggers in Russia, according to the draft. BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st December, 2018) The European Parliament will consider a draft resolution on EU-Russian relations, which includes a proposal to increase EU financial assistance to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), human rights activists and bloggers in Russia, according to the draft. "The European Parliament ... stresses the importance of continued political and financial support for civil society activists, human rights defenders, bloggers, independent media, investigative journalists, outspoken academics and public figures, and NGOs; calls on the [European] Commission to programme more ambitious financial assistance to Russian civil society from the existing external financial instruments," the draft document reads. The draft resolution was submitted to the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs by Sandra Kalniete, a lawmaker from Latvia. The document will be discussed by the committee on Thursday. In October, Christos Stylianides, the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, said at a hearing in the European Parliament that in 2017 the European Union had allocated emergency grants to human rights activists from Russia. Russian officials and lawmakers have repeatedly said that Western states, whether individually or via inter-state institutions such as the European Union and NATO, increased their financing of the activity of organizations spreading pro-Western propaganda in Russia, including NGOs, media, and social networks. In June last year, the Russian parliament's upper house established a commission on state sovereignty protection to monitor and address these attempts to influence the country's internal politics. Fighting in the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah has forced the closure of one third of the city schools, forcing more than 60,000 children to abandon their education, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported on Friday. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th November, 2018) Fighting in the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah has forced the closure of one third of the city schools, forcing more than 60,000 children to abandon their education , the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported on Friday. "More than 60,000 boys and girls are out of school because of the fighting in and around the port city of Hudaydah in Yemen," UNICEF's Yemen Representative Meritxell Relano told reporters. "The violence has forced over a third of all schools there to close, with 15 located on the frontline and others badly damaged or being used as shelters for displaced families." In addition, schools that had been running double shifts have had to scale back to just a few hours of instruction in the morning, Relano said. "In the worst affected areas of Hudaydah, only one in three students is able to continue their education and less than a quarter of all teachers are present in school," Relano added. "Most education personnel in Yemen have not received a salary in more than two years, and many have been forced to flee the violence or to find other opportunities to make ends meets." Fighting this month has also decreased shipping through Al Hudaydah by nearly half, according to earlier reports. The port is a Primary means for outside aid to enter Yemen, where an estimated 14 million people are at risk of starvation, according to the United Nations. Government forces are attempting to seize the city from Houthi rebels, with the help of strikes from a Saudi-led coalition. The Houthies captured the port and much of western Yemen as well as the capital of Sanaa in 2015. Bouak, Ivory Coast, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) :Schools in Ivory Coast's second city remained closed again on Friday in protest over a violent attack by prison guards on students at a nearby university. At least eight students were wounded on Wednesday evening, five of them by gunfire, when a group of prison wardens invaded a campus in Bouake and opened fire following a scuffle in a bar, the city prosecutor said. CEECI, the national students union, put the figure at 11, saying some of them had been shot while other had sustained injuries "from knives or machetes". Two prison guards were also injured in the brawl. Following the violence, the organisation blocked classes at two high schools and a number of Primary schools, urging pupils to join them in a protest which extended into Friday. CEECI is demanding the government relocate Bouake prison and its wardens' lodgings which are situated opposite a campus of Alassane Ouattara University in the western part of the city. "We have ordered the students and school children to go home. Classes will resume on Monday," CEECI head Moustapha Ben Diomande said on Friday. Students and local witnesses said Wednesday's clashes pitted around 100 students against about 20 guards, who forced their way onto campus and began shooting. "They were armed with kalashnikovs and machetes, we were just throwing stuff," one student told AFP. Speaking to AFP, sources from each side confirmed the incident began with a dispute in a bar between a student and a guard, which quickly spiralled. The guards then went down to the campus, sparking clashes that only ended two hours later when the police and the army intervened. Bouake, which is located in the centre of the country and has a population of a million, has a long history of instability. Last year, it was seized by rebel soldiers during a mutiny over wages, and years before, it served as the rebel headquarters following a failed 2002 coup which split the country in half and led to years of unrest. Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the need for stepping up efforts to implement the Turkish-Russian agreements on Syrian Idlib, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Saturday. BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st December, 2018) Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the need for stepping up efforts to implement the Turkish-Russian agreements on Syrian Idlib , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Saturday. "Now there was ... a conversation with Turkish President Erdogan ... also on Syria, also the constitutional committee, Idlib. Of course, Putin spoke about the need for more active measures to implement the Russian-Turkish agreements on Idlib to prevent in the future such cases as the recent shelling in Aleppo, including with the use of gas-filled shells," Peskov told journalists on the sidelines of the G20 summit. There is still need to determine what kind of chemicals were used in that attack, he added. Putin and Erdogan also "compared noted" on bilateral issues, Peskov said. "They talked in detail about bilateral relations, they compared notes. The volume of current specific projects is so large that it requires quite frequent communication between the two heads of state," he told reporters. On September 17, Putin and Erdogan agreed at talks in Sochi to set up a demilitarized zone in Idlib along the contact line of the armed opposition and the government forces by October 15. The withdrawal of heavy weaponry operated by the militants is also part of the agreement. However, the creation of the demilitarized zone is still not completed, as terrorists continue provocations. Last Saturday, militants fired shells that were presumably filled with the toxic chlorine gas on the Syria city of Aleppo. Medics subsequently said that medical aid had been provided to 73 civilians injured in the attack. The Russian military recalled that it had warned that the Syrian organization dubbed the White Helmets had been planning to stage a chemical weapons attack in a demilitarized zone near the Idlib province to frame the Syrian government. (@rukhshanmir) Moscow has offered its condolences to the families and friends of the victims of a cruise ship accident that happened off the Ugandan coast, in which over 30 people died, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th November, 2018) Moscow has offered its condolences to the families and friends of the victims of a cruise ship accident that happened off the Ugandan coast, in which over 30 people died , the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday. On November 24, a boat capsized in Lake Victoria, which borders Uganda to the south. The boat had been carrying 120 passengers, even though the maximum capacity was 50. Over 60 passengers have been reported missing since the accident, while at least 32 people have died. "We express our deep and sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims, we wish a speedy recovery to the injured," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry said that, according to the Russian Embassy in Kampala, there were no Russian citizens among the victims. The authorities in Uganda have declared November 30 a day of national mourning. (@FahadShabbir) Turkey's state-run aid agency has completed 172 projects in Latin America during the last 10 years. ANKARA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2018 ) :Turkey's state-run aid agency has completed 172 projects in Latin America during the last 10 years. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) realized projects in the education, health and agriculture sectors. With its projects supporting women employment, peace and entrepreneurship, the agency played a bridging role between Turkey and Latin America. To accelerate its activities in the region, the TIKA opened its first office in Mexico in 2014, while the second office was launched the following year in Colombian capital Bogota. TIKA opened a school in May 2017 in Oregon town of Colombia - the first town cleared of mines after signing of a peace deal. Peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) began in November 2012 in Cuba and for more than four years addressed agrarian reform, political participation, illicit drugs, and rights of the victims. Then-President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC commander-in-chief Rodrigo Londono Echeverri, also known as Timoleon Jimenez, signed a historic peace agreement in September 2016 at a ceremony that ended the longest conflict in the Western hemisphere. The aid agency provided two boats to El Charco La Tribuna school in Colombia for transportation of 300 students living in rural areas. TIKA also renovated the Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Primary school with some 280 students in Chile in 2016. DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st December, 2018) The United Nations in Syria said in a statement that a humanitarian third party facilitators mission had been attacked in Syria's eastern Deir ez-Zor province, adding that a driver from a local NGO had been injured in the shooting. "The United Nations (UN) in Syria strongly condemns yesterday's attack on a joint humanitarian mission in northeast Syria in the eastern line of Deir-ez-Zor, namely the Shihiel-Busayrah sub-district. A Syrian driver from a local non-governmental organization (NGO) was injured in the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment," the statement read. The mission's activities in the area were aimed at assessing in advance distribution of humanitarian aid to internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in the province, the statement added. "Attacks on humanitarian aid workers are a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law and severely impact the humanitarian community's ability to provide life-saving assistance and services to people in desperate need, including women, children and elderly people who are increasingly vulnerable as hostilities continue," the statement pointed out. Since 2011, Syria has been suffering from a military conflict exacerbated by the activities of terror groups that brought the country to the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. Phoenix, Arizona (UroToday.com) The ideal candidate for bladder preservation in patients with muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma is often debated, as is the overall of efficacy of bladder preservation with trimodal therapy compared to radical cystectomy. As part of the Bladder Cancer session at the 2018 annual meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology, Dr. Alexandre Zlotta from the University of Toronto provided his thoughts on this controversial topic.Dr. Zlotta began his discussion by describing the multidisciplinary clinic at the University of Toronto that was founded in 2008. The clinic consists of urologic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and genitourinary pathologists. The goal of establishing this clinic was to allow a second opinion of complex urologic malignancy treatment in British Columbia. He acknowledges that when experts of varying disciplines work together and have an interdisciplinary discussion, patients can be treated in an optimal fashion.Over the time since the multidisciplinary clinic has existed, they have defined several criteria that they feel makes a patient an ideal candidate for bladder preservation, including tumors <7cm, unifocal tumors, absences of carcinoma-in-situ (CIS), absence of bilateral hydronephrosis, and good bladder function. In Toronto, candidates for bladder preservation undergo trimodal therapy including complete TURBT, chemotherapy, and external beam radiotherapy.Zlotta and his group retrospectively reviewed their patients from 2008 to 2013 who underwent their bladder preservation protocol and used propensity-matching to compare this cohort to other contemporary patients undergoing radical cystectomy. They compared the overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) using Cox proportional hazards modeling and competing risk analysis. They identified 112 patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer during this timeframe who were treated with either trimodal therapy or radical cystectomy, with a median follow-up for 4.51 years. They found that the disease-specific survival for the trimodal therapy group was 76.6% versus 73.2% for the radical cystectomy group (p = 0.49). 10.7% of patients in the bladder preservation cohort eventually required salvage cystectomy. There were no significant differences in overall survival, nor disease specific survival. He acknowledged that local recurrence can be an issue in both groups, with 38% of cystectomy patients experiencing recurrence, versus 59% of bladder preservation patients. He noted, however, that many of the patients with isolated recurrences after trimodal therapy can be treated with endoscopic resection with or without intravesical BCG immunotherapy.Dr. Zlotta finished the discussion by concluding that he feels that bladder cancer patients are optimally managed by a multidisciplinary team of experts. By working together, patients benefit from the highest possibility of disease control or cure. He also noted that in selected patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, trimodal therapy can yield survival outcomes similar to matched patients treated with radical cystectomy. His talk brings up the importance of counseling patients about alternative treatment options so that they can make an informed decision regarding their care.Presented By: Alexandre Zlotta, MD, PhD, University of TorontoWritten by: Brian Kadow, MD, Society of Urologic Oncology Fellow, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, at the 19th Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), November 28-30, 2018 Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix, Arizona (UroToday.com) Historically, radical cystectomy was rarely offered to octogenarian patients due to concerns of high rates of perioperative morbidities, as well as rather high 90-day mortality rates. Dr. Maurizio Brausi from Modena, Italy was the invited European Section Oncology-Urology (ESOU) lecturer at the 2018 Society of Urologic Oncology and he discussed the changing opinions regarding the utilization of radical cystectomy in the aging population.Dr. Brausi framed his discussion by highlighting the facts that the population of patients > 80 years of age is rapidly growing, and by 2050 the number of octogenarians will more than double from present population numbers. Bladder cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer death in this patient population as well, indicating that rates of bladder cancer incidence and deaths are expected to rise as the population of octogenarians grows rapidly. This will subsequently require more frequent and difficult decisions to be made about the ideal way to treat these elderly patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), because it has been well established that the majority of patients with untreated MIBC will die from their malignancy within 2 years.As there have been improvements in anesthesia and peri-operative care in the last several decades, urologists have been more inclined to offer patients radical cystectomy, particularly if a patients additional life expectancy is projected to be >2 years. He acknowledges, however, that surgery certainly is riskier in this patient population due to increased medical comorbidities. The rates of ileus, pneumonia, and delirium are independently predicted by increased age in several studies.Brausi feels, though, that surgery can be safely carried out in these patients with several necessary principles, including careful pre-operative evaluation and optimization of any active medical issues, minimization of the time spent intraoperatively, minimization of the invasiveness of surgery, and meticulous post-operative care and follow-up evaluations.He then reviewed frailty scores, and their utility in patient selection for radical cystectomy in the octogenarian population. He showed that increased frailty scores predict both post-operative complications as well as 30 and 90-day post-operative mortality rates. He strongly believes that an adequate pre-operative evaluation and calculation of these scores, ideally by a dedicated geriatric or perioperative medical team is important to ensure that only appropriate patients are selected to undergo cystectomy.Dr. Brausi continued his discussion by reviewing the multidisciplinary approach to geriatric patients that is undertaken at his center in Modena, Italy. Since February 2002, they have a multidisciplinary team including cardiology, anesthesia, urology, geriatrics, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. He again stressed the absolute necessity of a thorough preoperative evaluation and patient optimization. His group retrospectively reviewed their data from March 2000 to December 2012 and identified 170 octogenarians that underwent radical cystectomy at their institution with a mean age 83.2 years. The overall survival for this cohort of patients was 60% at 1 year, 43.6% at 2 years, and 40% at 3 years. The 90-day mortality rate was 9.8%, and mean hospital stay was 14.5 days.He concluded that radical cystectomy is an accepted treatment modality in the octogenarian population, with acceptable perioperative complication rates and 30-day mortality rates. He again stressed the multidisciplinary approach that is necessary for the optimal care of these patients. As the population continues to age, we as a urologic community will be faced with these difficult treatment decisions more often and implementation of ideal care pathways may be helpful in minimizing complications and optimizing oncologic outcomes.Presented By: Maurizio Brausi, MD, ASL Modena, ItalyWritten by: Brian Kadow, MD, Society of Urologic Oncology Fellow, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, at the 19th Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), November 28-30, 2018 Phoenix, Arizona The Catholic Church under the auspices of the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops Conference is marking WORLD AIDS DAY 2018 under the theme that encourages everyone to know their HIV status. Paul Samasumo Vatican City On the 30th World AIDS Day anniversary, the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) AIDS Office Director, Mrudula Smithson, has spoken about significant progress made in the AIDS response in South Africa. South Africa has the largest ARV programme in the world. This has resulted in reducing child mortality by 20% and reducing the rate of new infections by 44%. However the rate of new infections among young people remains alarmingly high, she said. The SACBC AIDS Office is marking the 1 December anniversary with Candle Lighting, prayers for those affected by HIV and distribution of information leaflets to the public. To date, significant progress has been made in the AIDS response for reducing the impact of the HIV pandemic in South Africa. In 2017, of the 7.9 million people living with HIV in South Africa, 60% are on ARVs. Our next task is to find the remaining 40% through intensive testing campaigns and link them to treatment, quality care and prevention services, Smithson said, Access to confidential HIV testing still a concern Smithson says HIV testing is an important component of the commemoration of world AIDS day. HIV testing is essential for expanding treatment and ensuring that all people living with HIV can lead healthy and productive lives. She added, Access to confidential HIV testing is still an issue of concern. Many people still only get tested after becoming ill and symptomatic. 1 December 2018, the world community is marking the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day. This years theme is Know your status. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that today four in five people living with HIV in the African Region know their status. Besides, more than three in five people are accessing life-saving antiretroviral therapy. Telling stories of people who have been living with HIV for a very long time The WHO Regional Office for Africa is marking the anniversary milestone with stories of people who have been living with HIV for a very long time. Many thought they would never live to see today. The good news is that there are many new ways of expanding access to HIV testing. Self-testing, community-based testing and multi-disease testing are all helping people know their HIV status. The key is early diagnosis and accessing treatment HIV is a treatable condition and is no longer a terminal illness that it was in the 1980s. Knowing ones status is essential for accessing specialist HIV services and HIV treatment. Doctors say that effective HIV therapy not only keeps the individual well but also prevents them from passing the virus onto others. If someone with HIV is diagnosed early and is able to access treatment, then their life expectancy is as good as if they were HIV negative. Glittering Lights presented by Goettl Air Conditioning teamed up with the Southern Nevada Chevy Dealers and announced a Free Chevy Night. Anyone with a Chevrolet vehicle will be admitted into the holiday light park for free on December 6, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Our great community partners are essential to putting on this massive holiday event each year, said Glittering Lights producer John Bentham. People will be able to come see all the work and effort put into this event, for free, thanks to the Southern Nevada Chevy Dealers. Those who are ready to celebrate the holidays without a Chevy, can still get $5 off admission all season long by donating gently used items to Goodwill of Southern Nevada or visiting any of the Southern Nevada Chevy Dealers for a coupon. IFCs report entitled Climate Investment Opportunities in Cities analyses cities climate-related targets and action plans in six regions, identifying opportunities in priority sectors such as green buildings, public transportation, electric vehicles, waste, water, and renewable energy. It highlights the innovative approaches that cities already use such as green bonds and public-private partnerships to attract private capital and build urban resilience. Investment potential in cities in East Asia-Pacific and South Asia, accordingly, are estimated at $17.5 trillion and $2.5 trillion across the six priority sectors, totalling $20 trillion to 2030. It says with its plans, policies, and projects, the Asia-Pacific region has the highest climate smart investment potential of any region in the world, with by far the biggest opportunity in green buildings, estimated at $17.8 trillion by 2030. With more than half of the worlds population currently living in urban areas, cities consume over two-thirds of the worlds energy and account for more than 70 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions. How cities address climate change will be critical to efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). There is a great urgency to address climate change we must take meaningful action now, said IFC CEO Philippe Le Houerou. Cities are the next frontier for climate investment, with trillions of dollars in untapped opportunities. To deliver on the promise of climate-smart cities, the public sector needs to enact reforms that are aimed at attracting more private sector financing. With the expected dramatic increase in urban population centres in Asia, there is even more of an opportunity for a low-carbon transition in cities, which already account for much of the GDP in this region, said IFC regional director for East Asia and the Pacific, Vivek Pathak. In Jakarta, there is about $30 billion investment opportunity, particularly in green buildings, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. The report shows megacities in Asia also have significant potential for investments that yield emission reductions. Globally, green buildings will account for $24.7 trillion of cities climate investment opportunities. Significant investment potential exists in low-carbon transportation solutions such as energy-efficient public transport ($1 trillion) and electric vehicles ($1.6 trillion). At the same time, clean energy ($842 billion), water ($1 trillion), and waste ($200 billion) remain essential components of sustainable urban development. In the Asia-Pacific, the report estimates the investment potential in green buildings is $17.8 trillion, in waste $104 billion, in public transport $352 billion, in renewable energy $407 billion, in climate-smart water $571 billion, and in electric vehicles $783 billion. Addressing climate change is a strategic priority for IFC. Since 2005, IFC has invested $22.2 billion in long-term financing from its own account and mobilised another $15.7 billion through partnerships with investors for climate-related projects. The latest report is part of the Climate Investment Opportunities report series initiated by IFC in 2016. Based on IFCs analysis of the climate pledges made by the regions four countries studied for this report China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam the total estimated climate-smart investment potential is more than $16 trillion by 2030. Nearly 81 per cent of this potential is construction of new green buildings in China ($12.9 trillion) this is the result of Chinas aim to move 250 million people into cities by 2025 and is reflected in their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Beyond Chinas green buildings sector, the opportunity to develop the regions urban areas is immense and is largely composed of three primary sectors: buildings, transport, and waste. The commercial investment potential in climate-smart urban transport for the four countries is almost $1.4 trillion, and for the municipal solid waste sector the opportunity is over $53 billion. Construction of new green buildings is a $345 billion opportunity in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Opportunities for investment in climate-smart agriculture, forestry, and land-use projects across the region are also important, but the current lack of available data for these sectors hindered IFCs ability to produce investment estimates of sufficient quality. Vietnams climate-smart business investment potential, as per IFCs Climate Investment Opportunities in Emerging Markets report, is estimated at $753 billion, with the majority ($571 billion) going towards the countrys transportation infrastructure needs by 2030. Potential investment in renewable energy totals $59 billion, with over half of this ($31 billion) in solar photovoltaic and another $19 billion for small hydropower projects. New green buildings represent an almost $80 billion investment opportunity. Climate change could cost US 'hundreds of billions' a year: Study TAMPA: Climate change is already hurting the global economy and will cost the US hundreds of billions of dollars annually by century's end unless drastic ... Ha Thu Thanh, chairwoman of Vietnam Business Coaliation for Women's Empowerment According to McKinsey Global Institute, if women would take part in the global economy on an equal footing with men, the GDP of the globe would increase by $28 trillion by 2025. It is necessary to raise awareness and change peoples mindset. Particularly in Vietnam, commitments on gender equality are strong, but result in little to no specific action, especially at companies. In the World Economic Forums (WEF) Global Gender Gap Index 2018, Vietnam ranked as Asias sixth most gender equal country. Meanwhile, according to audit company Deloitte Global, Vietnam ranks first in Asia in terms of female leadership in businesses with 17.6 per cent of board members, higher than the world average (15 per cent), while Japan and South Korea are at the bottom of the list with the ratio of 3.5 and 4.1 per cent, respectively. However, in fact, there is scant awareness of gender equality in businesses. Specifically, according to UN Women 2016, the salary of female employees is 20 per cent lower than of male employees in the same role, and this gap is increasing. For around 83 per cent of management positions, recruiters prioritise male applicants. According to a 2017 report of the General Statistics Office, women are paid VND887 for each VND1,000 paid for men. There are even shortcomings related to gender equality in the regulatory system. "The Vietnamese Labour Code aims to protect female employees, so there are many jobs (such as hard physical labour) which only men can do or in which lines the retirement age for women is lower. Therefore, the law should be amended towards the equality of genders," said Ha Thu Thanh, chair of Vietnam Business Coalition for Women's Empowerment (VBCWE) cum chair of Deloitte Vietnam. Thanh stated that gender equality should start at the business community, especially the private sector to create equal opportunities for both genders. At Deloitte Vietnam, women are not restricted by the retirement age. "In Vietnam, the increasing retirement age is an issue. The more time the elderly spend for work, the more barriers younger employees face," added Thanh. Positive effects of gender equality on businesses cannot be denied. However, most businesses do not pay enough attention to ensure equality. Vu Tien Loc, chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said: "Although business expenses would increase, they would improve the brands image and win over customers. Moreover, the market is trending towards more refined products, which suit the skillsets of women as well as create sustainable value for businesses." Global gender equality certification Economics Dividends for Gender Equality (EDGE) certification creates added-value and raises the reputation of products, as well as improves the competitiveness of businesses. In Vietnam, VBCWE is the representative organisation granting EDGE certification to businesses. "The EDGE certification expresses gender equality among businesses. This has been applied in numerous countries, contributing to the implementation of the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs)," Ha Thu Thanh said. The certification will add value for footwear and seafood companies exporting products to Europe and Americas. "In addition to the ISO certification, European and American people are interested in products that have a positive impact on society like EDGE-certified items and the certification proving that no worker under tha age of 15 took part in the manufacturing of the product. Accordingly, customers in this region have good awareness on issues related to the environment, women, children, and disabled people. In addition to competition on quality, the perceived value also affects customers decisions. The products exported to developed countries and carrying the EDGE certification will enjoy better reputation and competitiveness," emphasised Thanh. In Vietnam, as many as three firms (EVN Ho Chi Minh City, Maritime Bank, and SASCO) have received this certification, while two others (Deloitte Vietnam and Garco 10) are waiting for approval. Other researches outlined that firms promoting gender equality will increase competitiveness by 15 per cent, especially in technology companies. If there are women involved in businesses' leadership, corporate governance will be more transparent and crises will be easier to overcome by sustainable development. "In Malaysia, listed companies are stipulated to have at least one woman on their management board. This is also encouraged in several other countries, while we are promoting gender diversity among board members," added Thanh. She also revealed that there are only three firms with female members on the management board among the blue-chip VN30 Index. This is a solid start for developing gender equality in businesses. International tourists in HCM City The news was announced during the programme to stimulate tourism in 2018 and 2019 held by the Department of Tourism on November 29. The discount tours will introduce tourists to historical locations in the city centre, tours to Can Gio District for its landscapes and tours to Cu Chi District to learn more about history. The tours will be held daily by firms who registered to join the promotional programme. The firms are providing offers for December for tourists in HCM City. Restaurants, transportation firms, and firms in dental tourism are also participating. According to Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, deputy head of the Department of Tourism, HCM City welcomed 6.1 million visitors in the first 10 months, an increase of 20% compared to the same period last year. Most of the revenues come from international tourists. May to August is often the off-season so the authorities have worked with many firms to start the stimulus programme from now to the end of 2019 to attract international as well as local tourists. The Saigon-Cho Lon tour will cost VND399,000 (USD16) and go from Central Post Office to the Notre Dame Cathedral, HCM City Museum, Thien Hau Pagoda, Binh Tay Market, Silver House and Baoz Dim Sum restaurant. The most expensive tour cost VND2,199,000 (USD88) and last two days. Tourists will go from the city's centre to the coastal forest of Can Gio, stay the night at the resort and continue the trip to Rung Sat Special Zone and Can Gio Monkey Island. Binh Thuan's power grid is insufficient to accommodate all solar power projects Need to sell Binh Thuan solar farm, 50Mwp. Selling price is $220,000 per Mwp, the land use right licence is 50 years, got the power purchase agreement (PPA) is a short advertisement published on a renewable energy forum. This advertisement and many similar moves show that investors are starting to withdraw from the area that has large potential renewable energy development. Getting stuck in the electric grid According to statistics of the National Load Dispatch Centre (A0), the total solar power capacity, including projects either having PPA or negotiating a PPA, is up to 749,63MW. It needs to be said that Binh Thuan previously proposed the government to extend the commercial operating time of solar power projects to 2020 instead of June 30, 2019 (Ninh Thuan is enjoying this incentive policy). A0s report estimates the total capacity of solar projects holding PPA in Ninh Thuan at 685.5MW, and the figure would reach 1,047MW if projects currently negotiating PPAs were included. However, the problem is that while the total capacity of projects that either have or are negotiating PPAs has reached half of the capacity approved by Decision No.115/NQ-Cp, the local electric grid is already overloaded. Nhat Dinh, an expert in the renewable energy sector, said that on average, provinces need to build a power plan with vision for 7-10 years ahead as well as arrange the grid for projects. In March 2016, the time when the revised Power Development Planning VII (PDP VII) was issued, no investors registered to develop solar and wind power projects in the central region. However, in April 2017, the governments approval of the Feed-in-Tariff of 9.35 cent per kWh for solar power called an intense wave of investment, leading to the current overload. According to Bui Van Thinh, general director of Binh Thuan Wind Power JSC, in the PDP VII and revised PDP VII, Vietnam expects to develop a capacity of 859MW of renewable energy, which will increase to 4,000MW by 2025. However, at present, the total capacity of registered solar power projects exceeds the planned capacity. Breaking the dream Thinh said that as the registered capacity exceeds the planned capacity, investors will decrease the capacity of their registered projects to fit the planning. In case investors have to decrease the capacity by 10 per cent compared to their initial plan, they will have to change the investment plan, however, according to A0s warning, investors may have to cut up to 90 per cent, leaving the entire project unfeasible. In comparison to the world, Chinas solar development policy could serve as a lesson for investors planning to invest in the renewable sector in Vietnam. Notably, at present, the total installed wind power capacity of China is estimated at 200GW, while the figure in the US is 100GW. However, the generated wind power capacity in the US is higher than in China, showing that the generated wild capacity is very low. The reason for this problem is that numerous wind power projects are completed but fail to generate power because of grid insufficiencies which is the consequence of a lack of synchronisation in wind power development. Thinh said that in case numerous renewable energy projects are developed, backup power needs to be develop to offset the impacts of the weather and climate change on generated renewable energy. Carlos Ghosn faces an array of claims involving hiding money and benefits he received while chairman of Nissan and head of an alliance between the Japanese firm, Mitsubishi Motors and France's Renault AFP/TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA TOKYO: A Tokyo court on Friday (Nov 30) extended the detention of former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn, local media said, after his arrest on allegations of financial misconduct that have shaken the auto industry. The extension means Ghosn could remain in a Tokyo cell for another 10 days while prosecutors investigate allegations he under-reported his salary by millions of dollars over five years. The 64-year-old tycoon was arrested on Nov 19 and prosecutors have already extended his detention once, while two of the companies he led - Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors - have voted to remove him. The extension gives prosecutors until December 10 to decide whether to indict Ghosn on charges of under-reporting his salary. If he is indicted, he could then be released awaiting trial, or held in pre-trial detention. Prosecutors could also choose to file additional charges against him, and with each charge they can seek to hold Ghosn for another 22 days. Ghosn's detention even before charges have been officially filed against him has prompted some criticism abroad, particularly in France, where the executive holds citizenship. On Thursday, the deputy head of the Tokyo prosecutor's office rejected the criticism, saying: "We do not unnecessarily keep people in custody for a long time." "I do not criticise other countries' systems just because they are different," Shin Kukimoto added. Ghosn, who denies the allegations against him, faces an array of claims involving hiding money and benefits he received while chairman of Nissan and head of an alliance between the Japanese firm, Mitsubishi Motors and France's Renault. Nissan had been investigating Ghosn and close aide Greg Kelly for months after a whistleblower report, and accused the pair of a scheme to misrepresent the Brazil-born chief's earnings. Sources have since said Ghosn signed secret documents instructing aides to defer part of his salary, without disclosing this to shareholders. The scheme allegedly involved under-reporting Ghosn's income by around $44 million over five fiscal years to March 2015. It allegedly began after new regulations came into force in the fiscal year 2009/2010, including a law requiring any company executives earning 100 million yen ($885,000) or more to declare it. The same source said Nissan funds were secretly used to pay for residences for Ghosn in Rio de Janeiro and Lebanon, homes that local media said cost "huge sums" and had no legitimate business purpose. Those sorts of expenses should have been disclosed as compensation but were arranged without shareholder approval and generally in secret, the source added. Local media also reported that Ghosn used Nissan corporate money to make a donation to his daughter's university and fund a family trip, and paid his sister around $100,000 a year for a fictitious role as an advisor. Ghosn's arrest sent shockwaves throughout the auto industry and beyond, with Japanese and French officials at pains to stress the alliance between the three companies would not collapse. On Thursday, executives from the three firms reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance despite reports of tension in the partnership, particularly on the part of Nissan, which outsells its French counterpart Renault. While Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan have removed Ghosn, he remains chairman and CEO of Renault. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire on Thursday said there was no question of changing the alliance's balance of power. The rules of the partnership state that Renault chooses the alliance's CEO, who wields a tie-breaking vote in board decisions, while Nissan names the deputy. Japanese media said Friday that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would meet French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 summit this weekend to discuss the case. Japan's government declined to confirm the meeting, but a spokesman said it was important to maintain stable relations despite the case against Ghosn. Vietnam's textile and garment sector appears very appealing to Japanese investors Several months ago, leading Japanese general trading company Itochu bought an additional 10 per cent stake in Vietnams state-owned textile and garment conglomerate Vinatex, bringing its ownership to approximately 15 per cent. The deal took place at a time when only two out of 11 members had approved the landmark Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). After the deal was struck, Itochu became Vinatexs second-largest shareholder behind the Ministry of Industry and Trade which, on behalf of the state, currently manages a 53 per cent stake. Now the number of CPTPP signatories has reached seven, with Vietnam being the most recent country to have approved the deal. Itochus move suggests that the group has accurately forecasted the CPTPP development journey and the textile and clothing sectors remarkable advantages to avail themselves of the opportunities from the deal in the years to come. The Japanese groups apparel exports from Vietnam are worth about VND12.84 trillion ($558 million) per annum, with about half of this produced by Vinatex. The company aims to boost processing volume and scale up its export value to $878 million by 2021. With around 30 plants in operation, Sakai Amiori, another firm coming from Japans Fukui prefecture, has opened an export apparel production plant based in Phu Ha Industrial Zone (IZ) in the northern province of Phu Tho. The plant finished construction in April 2017 and now sees stable production and exports. Another Japanese firm, Matsuoka Corporation, first set foot in Vietnam in 2014 and quickly expanded production to raise capacity by 6-7-fold through the Matsuoka Phu Tho plant, which mainly produces apparel items carrying the Uniqlo brand to be exported back to Japan. As a partner to leading global apparel brands like Uniqlo, Tore, and Korabu, Matsuoka Corporation generates an annual revenue touching $530 million, taking the lead in Japan and the 11th worldwide. The company operates an expansive network of 17 plants across Asia and has chosen Vietnam for capital injection and production expansion in recent years to take advantage of the opportunities anticipated to be brought by new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs) such as the EVFTA and the CPTPP. After its first plant coming online in 2016, the second plant began production in last August, with an annual capacity of about two million products. The influx of foreign direct investment continuing to flow into export-oriented sectors like textiles and clothing has the dual benefits of helping to boost the sectors capacity and turning Vietnam into a global manufacturing base. The company has further invested in an apparel plant complex with an investment value surpassing $16 million and annual production capacity of seven million products. By the end of this year, the complex is expected to create jobs for more than 2,500 local labourers. The influx of foreign direct investment continuing to flow into export-oriented sectors like textiles and clothing has the dual benefits of helping to boost the sectors capacity and turning Vietnam into a global manufacturing base. A look into the textile and clothing sectors export-import performance from 2010 until present shows that the sector has posted a constantly-growing trade surplus, going from a mere $2.9 billion to $12.7 billion last year, along with a 13.8 per cent jump against 2016. According to Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, in the first 11 months of this year, the sectors export value came to $30 billion and trade surplus surpassed $13 billion. Experts advise firms to raise funds from the stock market and foreign investment since banks are tightening credit to them.-VNA/VNS Photo by Danh Lam Economist Bui Quang Tin said there were 60 listed property firms, including giants like Vincom, Van Phu Investment VPI, Everland EVG, and Sai Gon Co.op. The stock market would be a good source for developers since they usually need long-term funds and large amounts and banks were squeezing credit the sector, he said. The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) has reduced banks use of short-term funds for medium- and long-term loans from the current 45 per cent to 40 per cent from January 1 next year, he said. Many property firms have achieved good results this year. Their upbeat business performance has helped drive property stocks up. Besides, FDI would also be another source of funding for the property market with Viet Nam currently being a magnet for foreign investment, he said. FDI in the property market has been on the rise for the last three years. In the first six months of this year it surpassed US$5.5 billion, accounted for 25 per cent of total foreign investment and was the second largest beneficiary after manufacturing, he said. Su Ngoc Khuong, investment director at Savills Viet Nam, said capital was not that big a problem for property developers who can raise it from other sources even if banks refuse them since they have had experience dealing with credit problems in 2008-09. The story of property firms now and in the next two to three years is about land. Without clean lands, they will have no place to build new projects or offer new products to the market. Without lands, they would not have the chance to tie up with foreign firms either, he added. Products of Vinamilk, an State-owned enterprise which focuses on enhancing corporate governance to improve operation efficiency. - Photo sggp.org.vn Good governance is the root of the restructuring of SOEs. This is the key to renovating SOEs and improving their efficiency. Hieu said that the foundation of the Committee for Management of State Capital was a solution to improving SOEs operation efficiency because the committee would separate State capital ownership from corporate governance. The committee was expected to set up an efficient corporate governance framework at SOEs and the workload would be heavy for the committee. According to Hoang Truong Giang from the Central Economic Commission, it is necessary to identify the roles of SOEs in the economy as a base to develop a long-term SOE development strategy. Giang said that the Government must create a fair business environment for all economic sectors. Economic expert Can Van Luc said it was critical to push SOEs which were equitised to list on stock exchanges to enhance corporate governance and improve transparency and operate as public companies. Luc said that Vietnam could study the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Developments principles of corporate governance and experiences of other developed economies. Luc said that national dairy firm Vinamilk was an example for the success of SOEs restructuring, which focused on improving transparency, applying the best corporate governance principles and enhancing corporate social responsibility. If SOEs had good governance, opportunities would come, Luc said. According to Pham Tuan Anh from the University of Commerce, the most important factor in corporate governance is human governance and SOEs must attach special attention to this. Tuan Anh stressed that the saying No pain, no gain was true for restructuring SOEs, adding that restructuring SOEs would be a thorny process. Deputy Chairman of the National Financial Supervisory Committee Nguyen Van Khach said that it was necessary to build a corporate governance system approaching international practices and gradually applied for privatised SOEs. At the same time, SOEs must enhance their transparency and supervisory capacity. For SOEs which have just been privatised, focus must be placed on pushing up listing on stock exchanges and attracting strategic investors and creating favourable conditions for strategic investors to participate in the corporate governance and restructuring to improve efficiency, according to Khach. Khach said at the conference held by the Economics and Forecast Magazine that the results of SOEs restructuring in Viet Nam was still far below expectations with slow capital divestment, privatisation and listing on stock exchanges. Statistics of the Ministry of Finance showed that as of November 15, there were 677 SOEs already privatised but not listed on exchanges. The current regulation was that privatised SOEs must be listed on exchanges within one year of privatisation. The transparency at SOEs was also limited, with only 42 per cent of 622 SOEs submitting reports to the Ministry of Planning and Investment to be publicised on the national enterprise portal in 2017, a slight increase from 38.9 per cent in 2016, the ministrys statistics showed. Low Taek Jho, commonly known as Jho Low, is accused by the US Justice Department of conspiring to launder billions of dollars from the state fund 1MDB and bribing officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi. (AFP/MANAN VATSYAYANA) NEW YORK: A former official at the US Justice Department on Friday (Nov 30) pleaded guilty to banking violations as part of an attempt to lobby against American authorities' pursuit of Malaysia's scandal-tarred 1MDB investment fund, the Justice Department announced. George Higginbotham, 46, admitted to lying to US banks while transferring tens of millions of dollars to fund a lobbying campaign on behalf of Low Taek Jho - the 1MDB affair's alleged mastermind. Federal prosecutors in August charged the fugitive financier Low, also known as Jho Low, with eight counts of money laundering. He is accused of helping orchestrate the theft of US$4.5 billion from the government-backed investment fund. Higginbotham admitted to deceiving banks, including producing fake loan and consulting documents, to hide the true source of the funds, according to the Justice Department. The true purpose of the funds was to finance a lobbying campaign to persuade US officials to resolve the civil and criminal cases brought in the 1MDB case - and to persuade American authorities to deport an unnamed foreign national from the United States back to his home country, according to the Justice Department. Higginbotham, who until August had served as a liaison between the department and US lawmakers, was not involved in the 1MDB investigation and "failed to influence any aspect" of it, the department said in a statement. The Justice Department separately announced Friday it was seeking to recover US$73 million held in American bank accounts that Higginbotham and Prakazrel "Pras" Michel opened last year on Low's behalf. Foreigners receive consultation on buying a house in Vietnam.-Photo baoxaydung.com.vn To promote foreigners trading of real estate products on the local market, Vietnam should increase the portion of property products available for foreigners in each project, Nguyen Hoai An, director of CBRE Vietnams Hanoi, branch told Vietnam News. It is necessary to complete legal documents, circulars, procedures and support for foreigners in buying property products in Vietnam, she said. The nation needs to complete the process of issuing pink books and certificates of ownership for property belonging to foreigners. Meanwhile, banks need to increase support for foreigners in property transactions, she said. Existing projects that want to attract more foreign customers should develop professional customer care processes for foreigners, she said. Foreign buyers have often faced barriers to buying real estate in Vietnam, including the limitation of the law on the foreign ownership portion of each property project, An said. For apartment projects, foreigners can only own up to 30 per cent of the apartment volume, while for townhouse projects the portion is not to exceed 10 per cent or 250 units, An said. According to Nguyen Manh Ha, former head of the construction ministrys Housing and Market Management Department and deputy chairman of the Vietnam Real Estate Association, Vietnam has many laws, decrees and circulars related to property trading. Foreign buyers often do not know all of the countrys laws. The State should have a handbook for buyers to provide guidance on all steps and the state agencies implementing those steps, Ha said. That would make it easier for foreign buyers to navigate the property purchasing process. "Vietnam has a legal framework allowing foreigners to buy and own property in the country," An said. "However, the process has obstacles in the form of the language and laws for implementing legal documents." "In addition, foreign buyers have also had trouble getting support with money transfers from banks," she said. "Most projects of local investors have not had customer support teams to help foreign buyers during property transactions, making it hard for foreigners to buy from those projects." "Moreover, many foreign customers receiving houses or apartments have had problems getting certificates of ownership," she said. Stephen Wyatt, Country Head of JLL Vietnam, agreed and added that some projects in HCM City reported foreign buyers were interested in their projects but there were no available units for foreigner buyers due to the legal limits. The number of foreign buyers has totalled thousands of units, versus a few hundred recorded before the new law was introduced, Wyatt told Vietnam News. However, the issuance of pink books continued to be a challenge for foreign buyers. Since the law that allows foreigners to purchase property in Vietnam came into effect in 2015, the number of enquiries and transactions from foreign buyers increased significantly, Wyatt said. JLL recently carried out an international marketing campaign for residential projects in Vietnam and received a considerable amount of interest and feedback from foreign investors from Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China, South Korea and Japan, Wyatt said. Vietnam has many opportunities for real estate market development, he said. Some positive changes have taken place to the legal structure surrounding residential transaction activity, which will lure more foreign developers and investors into the local market, and to Vietnams law allowing foreign buyers to purchase and own residential property. The rights of foreigners over the property are the same as the rights of the locals the property can be leased out, sold, inherited and used as collateral. In addition, tenure shall be for 50 years and can be renewed for another 50 years. A safe and stable political situation and economic growth rate are also advantages for the market. Therefore, foreign real estate investors should be aware of Vietnam as a new market for investment, he said. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is increasing, contributing to surge in number of foreigners living and working in Vietnam. Attention to investment in property from foreign buyers will continue to increase, according to An. On the market, the supply and quality of products are continuing to increase, bringing more options for buyers, including those buying for investment purposes. In the near future, foreign buyers will continue to play a role in the market because they are able to buy property at a lower price than in their home countries. According to CBRE, at projects that were offered by CBRE on the market, the number of foreign buyers in the 2017-18 period more than doubled in comparison with the number of transactions in the 2016-17 period. Many of the projects had sold their full quota of units for foreigners during their first market offering. The Housing and Market Management Department reported that by 2017 there were 800 foreigners with certificates of ownership for property in Vietnam. Meanwhile, there are 400,000 foreigners living and working in Vietnam. This number will increase in the future as Vietnam integrates further in the global economy, meaning foreigners demand for Vietnamese property will continue to rise. Listen in on a lively discussion of the weeks top Issues in the News. Join Michael Warren of the Weekly Standard, along with Emily Tamkin of BuzzFeed News and Richard Latendresse with Canadas TVA Nouvelles as they discuss the G-20 Summit and why President Trump canceled an expected meeting with Vladimir Putin.That story and more on Issues in the News. Significant dates in the life of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. 1924 George H.W. Bush is born June 12 in Milton, Massachusetts, to Prescott Bush and Dorothy Walker Bush 1941 A few weeks after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, Bush meets Barbara Pierce at a Christmas dance. 1942 Enlists in the U.S. Navy on the day he turns 18 years old. 1943 Becomes the youngest commissioned pilot in the naval air service. 1945 Marries Barbara Pierce in January while on leave. Bush is honorably discharged from the Navy in September. 1948 Graduates from Yale and accepts a job in the oil industry and moves his family to Texas. 1952 Co-founds Zapata Petroleum. Bush's father, Prescott Bush, is elected to the U.S. Senate from Connecticut. 1962 Becomes chairman of the Harris County Republican Committee. His father retires from the Senate. 1964 Is unsuccessful in his run for seat in the U.S. Senate. 1966 Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Becomes the first freshman in 63 years to be offered a seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. 1970 Gives up his congressional seat to again run for the Senate, but is defeated by Democrat Lloyd Bentsen. 1971 Appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations by President Richard Nixon. 1974 Appointed to be chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in China by President Gerald Ford. 1976 Is named Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. 1979 Declares his candidacy for the presidency of the United States. 1980 Fails to win the nomination of the Republican Party but is picked as Ronald Reagans vice president. Reagan-Bush beat Carter-Mondale in a landslide. 1981 Is sworn in as the 43rd vice president. 1987 Announces he will run for president. 1989 Is sworn in as the 41st president of the United States. On Dec. 20, the United States invades Panama, captures dictator Manuel Noriega and brings him to the U.S. to stand trial for drug-trafficking. 1991 The United States and its allies launch a military operation to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Operation Desert Storm begins with aerial and naval bombardment, followed by a ground assault five weeks later. A cease-fire is declared 100 hours after the start of the ground assault. 1992 Bush announces his candidacy for re-election. In November, he is defeated by Bill Clinton. 2001 Attends the inauguration of his son, George W. Bush, as the 43rd president of the United States. It is the first time, since John and John Quincy Adams almost 200 years earlier, that a father and son have been elected president. 2011 Is awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor, the highest civilian honor in the United States, by President Barack Obama. 2014 Fulfills a long-standing promise to skydive on his 90th birthday. It is the eighth time the former president has made a parachute jump, including on his 80th and 85th birthdays. 2018 Dies Nov. 30, age 94 As emergency services battle catastrophic bushfires in Queensland and clean up after cyclonic conditions in New South Wales, world-first research in Australia has revealed the mental health burden borne by first responders. It has found high levels of psychological distress among police officers and other emergency personnel, with a quarter of retired first responders reporting experiences of post-traumatic stress disorder. A modified Boeing 737 passenger aircraft drops 15,000 liters of water on fires near the Queensland city of Mackay. Across the state, emergency crews have been battling more than 100 bushfires. Further south, Sydney, Australia's biggest city, was pounded Wednesday by a once in-a-100-year storm. An emergency volunteer died in the huge clean-up operation. Greg Murphy is from the New South Wales State Emergency Service. "I can confirm that one of our members, one of the SES family, collapsed and died today while on an SES job," Murphy said. "Our sympathies are with the family and all of their colleagues that are actually feeling the effects of this sad event." For the first time research in Australia has painted a detailed picture of the psychological health of past and present police officers and other emergency service personnel. The charity Beyond Blue surveyed 21,000 people. It found that those on the frontline of natural disasters, accidents and crimes have a higher risk of developing mental health conditions, which are associated with traumatic events as well as poor workplace culture. Steve McDowell is a former paramedic and founded the No More Neglect' help group to advise those suffering from acute stress. "I developed post-traumatic stress disorder from my workplace, and as a result of my experiences I formed a support group in 2015," McDowell said. "It helps people who are suffering from mental distress who are first responders. A lot of experiences have to do with bullying in the workplace, a lack of support in the workplace and a feeling of isolation." The survey found that emergency workers in Australia are about twice as likely to suffer severe psychological distress or be diagnosed with a mental illness than the general population. The research will be used as a framework for the police, as well as the ambulance and fire services, to help workers and volunteers better cope with some of the most challenging and dangerous jobs in Australia. A former police officer in Dallas, in the southwestern U.S. state of Texas, was charged Friday with murder in the shooting death of her unarmed black neighbor. Amber Guyger, the police officer, said she entered Botham Jeans apartment thinking it was hers. Jean lived on the fourth floor of the apartment complex, while Guyger lived directly below him on the third floor. Guyger, who is white, told investigators when Jean, appeared in the darkness, she opened fire. She said she thought he was an intruder. Guyger was initially charged with manslaughter in the days after the Sept. 6 shooting. The grand jury upgraded the charge to murder. Life in prison If convicted of murder, Guyger faces life in prison. She would have faced up to 20 years in prison with a manslaughter charge. We thought that it was murder all along, said Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson. Jean, a native of the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, had attended a Christian college in the U.S. and was working at the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers at the time of his death. Lee Merritt, the Jean family attorney, said at a news conference Friday that the murder charge was a rare example of a U.S. police officer being charged with murder for violence against a black man. This is groundbreaking, but it is also just a start, Merritt said. We still realize that we have a very long way to go. Family 'hurting deeply' Jeans parents, who live in Saint Lucia, were present at the news conference Friday. Allison, his mother, said her country has been on alert with the expectation that the grand jury will have returned with an indictment of murder. Jeans father, Bertram, said, We are hurting deeply, but we take some comfort at this time with the decision that the grand jury reached. He added, We go back to our homeland with much grief. The internal watchdog at the Environmental Protection Agency has closed two probes into the conduct of former Administrator Scott Pruitt as inconclusive because investigators were unable to interview him before he resigned. EPA Acting Inspector General Charles Sheehan said in a report sent to Congress this week that Pruitt's departure left his investigators unable to complete reviews into Pruitt's bargain-rate rental of Capitol Hill condo from the wife of an industry lobbyist and efforts by Pruitt's government staff to pursue business opportunities for his wife, including seeking a Chick-fil-A fast-food franchise. Pruitt, an Oklahoma Republican and staunch fossil fuels advocate, was forced to resign in July following a string of ethics scandals. President Donald Trump has indicated he would nominate Pruitt's former deputy, ex-coal industry lobbyist and Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, to serve as his permanent replacement. "Mr. Pruitt resigned prior to being interviewed by investigators,'' Sheehan said in his office's semiannual report to Congress. "For that reason, the OIG deemed that the result of the investigation was inconclusive. The case will be closed.'' OIG stands for office of the inspector general. Corruption allegations have swirled around Pruitt since March, when media reports revealed that the-then EPA chief had rented a luxury Capitol Hill condo for just $50 a night from a company co-owned by the wife of J. Steven Hart, then-chairman of the powerhouse Washington lobbying firm Williams & Jensen. Change on condo lease Pruitt's daughter, then a White House summer intern, stayed in a second bedroom at the condo at no additional cost. On Pruitt's 2017 condo lease, a copy of which was reviewed by The Associated Press, Steven Hart's name was originally typed in as "landlord'' but was scratched out. The name of his wife, health care lobbyist Vicki Hart, was scribbled in. Both Hart and Pruitt issued public denials that the lobbyist had sought to influence EPA policies on behalf of his clients. But internal emails, calendars and retroactive lobbying disclosure reports filed following an internal review by Hart's firm showed that Pruitt had met with Hart in his office at EPA headquarters and the lobbyist had reached out to Pruitt's chief of staff to suggest favored candidates for key appointments. In the report to Congress, Sheehan also disclosed his office sought to determine whether "unknown EPA employee(s) allegedly accessed and disclosed, without authorization, the EPA Administrator's official EPA travel records regarding a trip abroad.'' That's a possible reference to Pruitt's December 2017 trip to Morocco to help promote U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas to the North African kingdom. The Associated Press was the first to report the trip and that it had cost taxpayers at least $40,000, citing an unnamed EPA employee who spoke on condition of anonymity because of concerns of retaliation. The IG's report says investigators interviewed employees believed to have access to the administrator's travel records and all denied leaking the information. Sheehan also wrote that investigators found no support for allegations leveled against a senior EPA manager. Democratic lawmakers had asked the IG's office to probe reports that Pruitt's top policy aide, Samantha Dravis, received pay for months she didn't show up for work. Sheehan said investigators reviewed records and interviewed witnesses who said Dravis was often at EPA headquarters and attended meetings during the time frame in question. Dravis, considered to have been among Pruitt's closest political aides, resigned from EPA in April. Supporting legal opinions Sheehan said investigators also found no evidence to support allegations that career EPA ethics lawyers were improperly influenced by GOP political appointees to issue legal opinions supporting Pruitt's condo lease. After initially issuing statements saying Pruitt's lease didn't violate ethics rules, EPA lawyers later said they weren't told key details about the unusual arrangement by Pruitt's staff. "Investigators interviewed potential victims, who stated that they did not feel pressured into rendering opinions pertaining to the lodging agreement,'' wrote Sheehan, a career EPA lawyer serving as the office's acting director since the resignation of longtime Inspector General Arthur A. Elkins in October. Six Democratic lawmakers with oversight of EPA asked FBI Director Chris Wray earlier this year to investigate whether Pruitt repeatedly violated federal anti-corruption laws by seeking to leverage his government position for personal gain. There has been no public indication that the Justice Department is pursuing a criminal case against the former EPA chief. Congressional Democrats may seek to hold hearings on Pruitt's conduct after they gain control of the House in January, giving them the authority to issue subpoenas. "I look forward to House Democrats holding the administration accountable for its management failures and backwards policies which fail to adequately address climate change and undermine the protection of human health and the environment,'' said Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. of New Jersey, the top-ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Pruitt was forced out by the White House last summer following a series of revelations involving pricey trips with first-class airline seats and unusual security spending, including a $43,000 soundproof booth for making private phone calls. Large security detail Pruitt sought and received unprecedented 24-hour-a-day protection from armed officers, resulting in a swollen 20-member security detail that blew through overtime budgets and racked up expenses of more than $3 million. An audit of Pruitt's Protective Service Detail released earlier this year found that the agency had no approved standard operating procedures to address the level of protection required or how those services are provided. Pruitt also routinely ordered his EPA staff to do personal chores for him, including picking up his dry cleaning and trying to obtain a used Trump hotel mattress for his apartment. He had also enlisted his staff to contact conservative groups and companies as part of a concerted effort to find a six-figure job for his unemployed spouse. George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, a man born of patrician pedigree, but with a sense of honor, duty and service to his country that played out over the last 60 years of the 20th century, has died at his home in Houston, Texas. A family spokesman made the announcement late Friday. The former president was 94 and had been in poor health for several years, suffering from a form of Parkinsons disease and other ailments. In a life on the world stage and at the highest levels of the American political scene, Bush lost and won elections before becoming the American leader in 1989, and then, with a declining U.S. economy and unemployment rising, was turned out of office after four years in the White House, losing his re-election bid in 1992. He marked the start of his presidency with a sweeping inaugural declaration that a new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn; for in mans heart, if not in fact, the day of the dictator is over. The totalitarian era is passing, its old ideas blown away like leaves from an ancient, lifeless tree. His pronouncement soon proved prophetic, with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union occurring early in his presidency. Bush met with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, their Malta talks viewed as an important stepping stone toward the two leaders signing the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. During his four years in the White House, Bush ordered a military operation in Panama to overthrow its drug-trafficking leader, Manuel Noriega. Later, he sent troops to the Mideast to repel Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in his attempted takeover of oil-rich Kuwait. It was perhaps the high point of Bushs presidency, his approval rating among U.S. voters reaching a record 89 percent, with a fireworks display lighting the night-time sky over Washington to salute the successful mission. Upon later reflection, Bushs foray into Kuwait was considered as something less than a total victory in that many Iraqi troops were pushed back into their homeland, rather than captured or killed, and Hussein remained in power, only overthrown years later in the 2003 U.S. invasion ordered by Bushs son, President George W. Bush. The elder Bush said he rejected an overthrow of the Iraqi government because it would have incurred incalculable human and political costs. We would have been forced to occupy Baghdad and, in effect, rule Iraq. Early commitment to country Bushs commitment to his country came early in life. He was a naval fighter pilot in World War II, attacking Japanese targets at the age of 18, victorious in one of the wars largest air battles, the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Later, he completed one mission after his plane was hit by flak, leaving his engine on fire. He bailed out of the aircraft and was rescued in the waters off the Bonin Islands. In his rise to the presidency, Bush held a variety of key positions over the years, often deemed by Republican presidents as the most qualified man in U.S. public life. He served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in the early 1970s, chairman of the Republican National Committee a short time later, then as chief U.S. envoy to China in the mid-1970s. Later, he was director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He was not always a successful politician, losing a 1964 election for a U.S. Senate seat from Texas, where he later founded an oil company. He won an election for a seat in the House of Representatives before losing another bid for a Senate seat. That loss set him on a path to the string of high-level appointments in the 1970s. Reagans running mate Bush sought the 1980 Republican presidential nomination but lost it to then-California governor, Ronald Reagan, who tapped Bush as his vice presidential running mate in two successful national campaigns, in 1980 and again four years later. With Reagan barred by the U.S. Constitution from serving more than two terms, Bush plotted a presidential run for 1988, ultimately defeating the Democratic nominee, Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis. The campaign was marked by an infamous political television ad produced by a group supporting Bush that depicted Dukakis as weak on crime because as governor he had released on weekend furlough a convicted killer, a black man named Willie Horton, who then raped a white woman and assaulted her white fiance. Some critics viewed the ad as racist and an attempt to play on white voters fears of crimes committed by menacing black men. Four years later, however, Bush lost the presidency to Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, although the two later became friends, occasionally dispatched by subsequent U.S. presidents to oversee assistance efforts after natural disasters. Elder statesman In his retirement years, Bush watched as one of his sons, George W. Bush, twice won the presidency, only the second time in U.S. history that a father and son both became the U.S. leaders. Bush oversaw the opening of his presidential library in College Station, Texas, and was widely honored as an elder statesman. But on several occasions, as he was confined to a wheelchair while he battled a form of Parkinsons disease, he had to apologize for inappropriately touching women who were standing next to him after telling a sexually suggestive joke. Bush was married for 73 years to the former Barbara Pierce, a woman he met in his teenage years. It was the longest marriage among any U.S. presidential couples. She died at 92 in April 2018. Traditionally, G-20 summits are staid affairs and despite the fact consensus on trade, development and climate issues regularly eludes the gatherings, at least efforts are made to conjure up formal bonhomie. But awkwardness rather than affability was more to the fore at this year's meeting held in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Heads of governments and states from the world's wealthiest countries spent as much time Friday and Saturday trying to avoid face-to-face encounters with each other than having them. There were tight smiles, edgy handshakes. British Prime Minister Theresa May noticeably steered clear of Russian Vladimir Putin throughout group meetings and photograph sessions the first time she's been in the same room as the Russian leader since the Salisbury poisonings. Planned bilateral talks were canceled or downgraded to brief "pull-asides" or the oddly phrased "impromptu" meetings. Like a seething high school classroom, the snubs and slights were choreographed with intricate care, minimizing or maximizing the required scorn. But it could have been a lot worse. The discord pitching nationalist leaders against those devoted to a multilateralist international order, between geopolitical upstarts and the powers of the West, between wayward authoritarian leaders and more measured, norm-observant democrats, and between protectionists and free-traders could have been laid much more bare. And there were some signs of consensus-building as a result of fraught all-night talks Friday on fixing the global trading system or at least reaching agreement about the aspiration to do so with Europeans overcoming U.S. objections to the inclusion in the final summit communique of a commitment to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO), French officials said. President Donald Trump has criticized the WTO and pursued aggressive trade policies targeting China and the European Union, who, he says, are taking advantage of the U.S. And without too much public rancor at least, the Group of 20's final statement on Saturday seemed likely to include support for the Paris climate accord, with the U.S. seeming satisfied with stating its formal opposition rather than trying to block a communique being issued. Disagreements over migration issues appeared set to be watered down, with the final statement expected to vaguely mention the need to manage migration on a global level. The dangerous military flare-up between Russia and Ukraine, the unresolved trade war between the U.S. and China, and sharp pre-summit disputes over climate change and nuclear arms control, as well as differences over whether to sanction Saudi Arabia for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, dogged the run-up to this year's meeting. The events prompted fears that the summit could turn even more cantankerous than last year's G-20 in Germany. That didn't happen, in part becasue of the strenuous efforts to keep a lid on the cauldron of disputes and resentments by the summit hosts, the Argentines, who did their best to reduce the opportunities for public conflict by replacing on the agenda as many contentious issues as they could with innocuous ones. And there was one constructive event at the summit the conclusion to two years of hotly debated trade negotiations between the U.S., Canada and Mexico, which saw U.S. President Donald Trump and his North American counterparts, Mexico's Enrique Pena Nieto and Canada's Justin Trudeau, sign a deal, known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), to replace the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement. "Just signed one of the most important, and largest, Trade Deals in US and World History," Trump tweeted Friday. "The United States, Mexico and Canada worked so well together in crafting this great document. The terrible NAFTA will soon be gone. The USMCA will be fantastic for all!" But the USMCA, the haggling over a final communique, and discussions over development, infrastructure and investment issues were overshadowed by even more contentious political and geostrategic disputes from the U.S.-China trade dispute to the conflict in Ukraine, from the Khashoggi slaying to the wars in Syria and Yemen. Referring to the disputes, European Council President Donald Tusk told journalists: "As this is a difficult moment for international cooperation, I would like to appeal to the leaders to use this summit, including their bilateral and informal exchanges, to seriously discuss real issues such as trade wars, the tragic situation in Syria and Yemen, and the Russian aggression in Ukraine." He added: "I see no reason why the G-20 leaders shouldn't have a meaningful discussion about solving these problems. Especially because all the instruments lie in their hands," Tusk said. "The only condition is goodwill." But goodwill was in short supply. How far the leaders are from resolving political issues was on uneasy display with the cancellation or downgrading of bilateral meetings with counterparts. Those included Trump's planned two-hour sit-down with Putin in protest, he said, of Russia's recent seizure of three Ukrainian ships in the Black Sea, and formal meetings scheduled with the leaders of Turkey and South Korea, which were demoted to briefer encounters. Britain's May didn't have a bilateral with President Trump. The U.S. leader has been critical of the Brexit deal she's trying to cajole a reluctant British parliament to approve, suggesting it could thwart any future trade deal between the U.S. and Britain. Nor did she sit down with Putin, also because of Russian naval aggression in the Black Sea as well as the Salisbury poisonings allegedly carried out by Moscow-directed intelligence operatives earlier this year. And, amid continuing international outrage over the killing of journalist Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Turkey last month, most leaders avoided associating too closely with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. During a group photo marking the start of the summit, the prince stood at the far edge of the group, largely ignored. On Friday, Trump met the crown prince only briefly in passing, exchanging formal pleasantries, White House aides said. In an exchange accidentally caught on video, the crown prince and French President Emmanuel Macron appeared to have a tetchy exchange, with Macron complaining, "You never listen to me." It was unclear if that exchange was tied to the fallout from the Khashoggi slaying. Aides and security staff of the Saudi royal have been fired, others arrested, in the death of Khashoggi October 2 in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and the CIA has reportedly assessed the prince gave the order for the execution. Prime Minsiter May did hold a bilateral with MBS, as he is known, with Downing Street issuing a statement saying she had told him that the Gulf kingdom needed "to build confidence that such a deplorable incident could not happen again." Only Putin, who has been accused himself of endorsing assassinations of journalists and other critics, seemed happy to see the crown prince, enthusiastically high-fiving the Saudi royal Friday at the summit and beaming as they clasped each other's hands like long-lost friends as they sat down together at the large ring-shaped table for the first group session. Veteran leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was sworn in as Mexican president on Saturday, promising a radical change of regime in a country struggling with gang violence, chronic poverty and corruption on the doorstep of the United States. Backed by a giant Mexican flag, the 65-year-old took the oath of office in Mexico's lower house of Congress, saying his administration would overturn what he called the disastrous legacy of decades of "neo-liberal" governments. "Starting now, transformation is under way, ordered and peaceful but at the same time radical, because we will end the corruption and impunity that impede Mexico's rebirth," he said. The first leftist to take office in Mexico in a generation also tried to reassure business after markets crashed since the July 1 election on worries about his policies, including the abrupt cancellation of a $13 billion airport project. Lopez Obrador reiterated that investments in the country of 130 million people would be safe, and he vowed to respect central bank independence. Saying his government would make savings by stopping losses from the public purse into the "sewer of corruption," he promised not to raise national debt or taxes. But in a reference to one of his heroes, former President Benito Juarez, who separated the church and the state in Mexico, Lopez Obrador promised his government would ensure a divide between economic and political power in the country. He said the government of his predecessor, Enrique Pena Nieto, had caused a plunge in oil output by opening the energy industry in Latin America's second-largest economy to private investment. Some of the toughest problems Lopez Obrador faces are more severe than when Pena Nieto took office in 2012, vowing to tackle unprecedented violence. Like his predecessor, the new president says security will be his top priority. More than 25,000 homicides, a record, were logged in 2017. But over 10,000 were registered from July to October, the bloodiest four-month period since modern record-keeping began in 1997. Lopez Obrador enters office with more support than Pena Nieto, according to a Nov. 23-25 survey by polling firm Consulta Mitofsky published Friday. Reflecting his austere manner, Lopez Obrador arrived at Congress in a modest white Volkswagen sedan with little visible security, in contrast to the opulent lifestyles of his predecessors. In another sign of change, the doors of Pena Nieto's official Los Pinos residence were thrown open to public visitors on Saturday. Lopez Obrador has said he will save money by living in an apartment in the presidential palace. Pena Nieto returned to Mexico from a G-20 summit in Argentina on Saturday morning, on the last official flight for his Boeing Dreamliner presidential plane, which Lopez Obrador is putting up for sale. Pakistanis have had mixed reactions to the government's decision to detain Khadim Rizvi, a radical Islamic cleric and founder of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a religious-turned-political party with extreme views on the country's blasphemy law. Authorities took Rizvi into custody in Lahore last week as part of a larger government crackdown on the group's leaders and members across the country, particularly in Punjab province, where the group has large followers. WATCH: Who is Khadim Rizvi? Hundreds of others associated with TLP have also been detained. "No one who halts the country, incites hatred and issues Islamic decrees to kill others should be spared. It is against the law and the constitution," Salman Abid, a Pakistan-based political expert, told VOA. Abid said Rizvi's detention is a reminder for all who would create a state within a state and play with peoples religious sentiments. "TLP has repeatedly used derogatory comments for government institutions, the Supreme Court, judges and politicians. They were using politics as a tool for their own agenda. They were using media to promote their extreme ideology. The government has done the right thing," Abid added. Keeping quiet However, most who support the blasphemy law are keeping silent because of the government's crackdown on TLP supporters, analysts say. TLP staunchly supports implementation of the law and has used the issue as a platform to add followers, contest elections and launch widespread, often violent protests in the country. Since its emergence in 2017, TLP has arranged numerous protests, some of which have turned violent and paralyzed major cities across the country for weeks. Rizvi is from the Attock region in Punjab province. Prior to establishing Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, the cleric worked in a mosque in Lahore and delivered Friday sermons to the local community. Rizvi has also worked as a government employee in Punjab's religious affairs department. He lost his job after he continued to encourage violence in support of the blasphemy law. He has openly and repeatedly justified violence against those in the government who attempt to alter the blasphemy law. Rizvi was arrested after refusing a government's demand to withdraw a call for arranging a large gathering in the capital, Islamabad. Fawad Chaudhry, Pakistan's information minister, confirmed in a tweet last week that Rizvi had been taken into "protective custody and shifted to a guest house" to preserve public order. "The action was prompted by TLP's refusal to withdraw its call for protest on Nov. 25. It's to safeguard public life, property and order, and has to do nothing with [the] Asia Bibi case," Chaudhry said. Violent rallies Rizvi's arrest came weeks after TLP held violent rallies in Pakistan to oppose last month's acquittal of Bibi by Pakistan's Supreme Court. Bibi, a Christian woman accused of committing blasphemy, had served eight years in prison and was sentenced to death over accusations of insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad. Following her acquittal, TLP arranged large protests that paralyzed several cities across the country for three days. During the protests, TLP's leadership had openly incited its followers to kill the judges who ordered the release of Bibi. Rizvi ended the protests after the government agreed that Bibi would not leave Pakistan until a petition against her acquittal was reviewed. Ayaz Amir, a Pakistan-based journalist, said Rizvi had "become a danger for Pakistan's safety, and his arrest was necessary to avoid any fresh series of violent clashes and protests." "Rizvi had called [on TLP] followers to gather in Islamabad, which meant the closure of the capital, and the government wanted to avoid it at any cost. We have seen what happened after Bibi's acquittal. So, the government had taken a precautionary measure to avoid any violence, and rightly so," Amir added. The government has not yet said how long the TLP leaders and followers will be held, but legal experts in Pakistan said they could be legally be detained from 30 to 80 days. TLP members did not return multiple calls for comment. Before the crackdown, however, the group's spokesperson told VOA that they would not back down. Pardon 'is not permitted' "This is a religious matter. The Christian lady has committed blasphemy and admitted of using derogatory language against Prophet Muhammad," Ejaz Ahmad, the TLP spokesperson, told VOA. "According to Islamic law, it is not permitted to pardon her. We cannot allow this to happen. We will raise our voice and launch protests throughout the country," he added. Some analysts also saw Rizvi's detention as a rare sign of strengthening civilian-military relations and cooperation. Amir, the Pakistan-based analyst, said, "There is no division" between the civilian and military sectors, and that is "adding to the strength of Prime Minister Imran Khan, who makes tough calls without hesitation." Imran Malik, a retired Pakistani brigadier and security analyst, told VOA, "TLP's behavior is not justified. Look what they did after Asia Bibi's acquittal and how brutally everyone in the country criticized the government for not being able to stop them." Malik added that the government and the military could work together to deal with extremist elements like TLP. Inspired by Taseer's killer Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan was created in 2017 and is registered with Pakistan's Election Commission. The party was able to secure 2 million votes in the general elections held earlier this year. TLP has been inspired by the actions of Mumtaz Qadri, a security guard who in 2011 killed Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer because of his demands for reforms to the blasphemy law. Qadri was later sentenced to death and executed in 2017, and he has been seen as a hero by TLP members. VOA's Urdu service contributed to this report. Pakistan's government has announced it will try detained leaders and activists of a radical Islamic party on "treason and terrorism" charges for instigating action against the state and for damaging public property. The allegations stem from November's nationwide street protests against the Supreme Court's acquittal of a Christian woman who had been on death row for blasphemy. The violent demonstrations were organized by the leaders of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a political party that began as a religious group. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told a news conference Saturday that 3,000 TLP members have been taken into "protective custody," including Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the chief and founder of the party. Chaudhry said the arrests mostly took place in Punjab province, which is the power base of the Islamist party. "The government has now decided to further the legal action against all leaders of TLP. Therefore, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who is the Ameer (chief) of Tehreek-e-Labbaik, has been charged for sedition and terrorism in Lahore (capital of Punjab)," the minister said. Chaudhry added that Rizvi's deputies have also been charged with treason and terrorism. However, he explained that TLP activists and followers who were not directly involved in violent actions during the rallies would be set free after pledging not to engage in such "illegal and unconstitutional" political activities in the future. TLP leaders and activists, if found guilty, could face life imprisonment, the minister said. Rizvi had led three days of crippling countrywide protests in late November to denounce the top Pakistani court for acquitting Asia Bibi, a member of the minority Christian community who had spent eight years on death row for allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad. The protesters blocked key roads in major cities, including the national capital, and attacked people and burned cars. In speeches during the protests, TLP chief Rizvi and other leaders had threatened the Supreme Court judges who freed Bibi and urged the judges' cooks and servants to kill them. They also condemned Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Pakistani army chief for siding with the court and the Christian woman. Bibi and her family have been in hiding since her release. Her lawyer fled Pakistan shortly after the landmark court ruling announced on October 31, saying his life was in danger. Pakistani officials insist Bibi is in a safe place in the country and dismiss reports the woman has fled Pakistan. Rizvi's party has petitioned the Supreme Court to review its decision. Some Western countries have offered Bibi and her family asylum. Pakistan's government maintains that once the judicial process is concluded Bibi can go to any country like any other free Pakistani citizen. Blasphemy is an extremely sensitive issue in Pakistan where mere allegations have led to mob lynchings. The governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, was assassinated in early 2011 by one of his official guards in Islamabad just weeks after he appealed for the pardon of Bibi and called for reforming the blasphemy law. Several months later, a Christian federal minister, Shahbaz Bhati, was shot and killed near his residence in the capital for demanding reforms to prevent misuse of the law that gives the death penalty to those found guilty of insulting Islam or its prophet. TLP staunchly supports implementation of the law and has used the issue as a platform to add followers, contest elections and launch widespread, often violent, protests in the country. Since its emergence in 2017, TLP has arranged numerous protests, some of which have turned violent and paralyzed major cities across the country for weeks. The religious group was created in 2017 and is registered with Pakistan's Election Commission. The party was able to secure about 2 million votes in the July general elections. TLP was inspired by Taseer's assassin, Mumtaz Qadri, who was later sentenced to death and executed in 2017. Qadri had been seen as a hero by TLP leaders and members. VOA's Extremism Watch Desk contributed to this report U.S. Vice President Mike Pence says Washingtons pressure campaign against Iran is working, with Tehran increasingly losing its ability to support regional proxy militias. Pence touted U.S. efforts to press Iran to end its perceived malign activities in a Friday speech to an annual conference of the Israeli American Council (IAC) in Hollywood, Florida. IAC is a nonprofit organization that seeks to build an engaged and united community among the more than half a million Israelis living in the United States. Israel, a close U.S. ally, is Irans main regional foe. As we speak, our actions are already cutting off the (Iranian) regimes ability to support its terrorist minions across the region on an increasing basis, Pence told an audience of several thousand in the main conference hall. While Iran continues to pursue its evil aims, let me make a solemn promise to you, to Israel, and to the world: the United States of America will never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, he added, to loud applause. Trump and 'maximum pressure' U.S. President Donald Trump launched his maximum pressure campaign against Iran in May, withdrawing from a 2015 deal among Tehran, the United States and five other world powers. Trump said the deal did not do enough to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons or engaging in other malign activity. Iran says its nuclear activities are peaceful. Pence highlighted Trumps decision to re-impose U.S. sanctions that had been lifted under the 2015 agreement, a process completed Nov. 5. We have imposed strong new sanctions, as well, Pence said. And American sanctions on Iran have never been stronger. In a Thursday presentation to the media in Washington, the Trump administration also unveiled what it said was more evidence of Tehrans meddling in regional conflicts: pieces of missiles, rockets, drones and other Iranian weaponry, either recovered from Iranian proxies or interdicted on the high seas. It was the administrations second such move, after U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley presented a first display of alleged Iranian weaponry in December 2017. Iran rejected last years U.S. presentation as a fabrication. Iranian weapons transfers It is very important to give proof (of Iranian weapons transfers to proxies), and not just to make charges, said Dore Gold, a former Israeli ambassador to the U.N., in an interview with VOA Persian on the sidelines of the IAC conference. Gold said he sees a parallel between Iranian proxy activities in Yemen against Saudi Arabia, and Iranian proxy activities in Lebanon against Israel. We and the Gulf (Arab) states have a similar interest in seeing these Iranian-supported organizations defeated or at least neutralized, he said. WATCH: Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Dore Gold the latest U.S. display of alleged Iranian weaponry and its affect on U.S. efforts to combat Iranian proxies in the Mideast Pence singled out two Iranian proxies that seek to destroy Israel in his speech. We recognize (that) terrorists across the region, from Hamas to Hezbollah, are really, truth be told, nothing more than proxies of a vile regime, he said. They are the pawns of Iran and its ayatollahs, who in recent years have devoted more than $16 billion to spreading violence, sowing chaos and bloodshed across the Middle East and the wider world. Iranian leaders long have called for Israels destruction and described their support for proxy forces as a means to that end. Iran also sees itself as a victim, rather than a perpetrator, of terrorism. Im very glad Pence made reference to the dangers that Iran poses to the Arabian peninsula and of course to Israel, said Gold, who served as director general of the Israeli foreign ministry from 2015 to 2016 and has been a longtime adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Pences speech also was welcomed by Israeli Deputy Knesset Speaker Nachman Shai, a senior member of the main opposition Zionist Union bloc in the Israeli parliament. In a separate interview with VOA Persian at the conference site, Shai said U.S. sanctions already imposed on Iran have caused many economic difficulties in the country. WATCH: Israeli Deputy Knesset Speaker Nachman Shai's reaction to Vice President Pences tough rhetoric against Iran We appreciate very much the strong and unequivocal position of (the Trump) administration to stand next to Israel in order to stop Iran, Shai said. This is an international challenge, and it has to be done as soon as possible. This article originated in VOAs Persian Service. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday condemned what he described as Iran's testing of a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads as a violation of the international agreement on Tehran's nuclear program. Amid tension between Washington and Tehran over ballistic missiles, Pompeo warned in a statement released on Twitter that Iran is increasing its "testing and proliferation" of missiles and called on the Islamic Republic to "cease these activities." U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of an international nuclear agreement in May and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, criticizing the deal for not including curbs on Iran's development of ballistic missiles or its support for proxies in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq. Iran says its missile program is purely defensive but has threatened to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf if the United States tries to strangle Iranian oil exports. Last month, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander said U.S. bases in Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar and U.S. aircraft carriers in the Gulf were within range. Pompeo's statement provided few details about the latest Iranian missile test. "The Iranian regime has just test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile that's capable of carrying multiple warheads," he said in the tweet. "This test violates UNSCR 2231," he added, citing the U.N. Security Council's endorsement of the international nuclear agreement. "We condemn this act." The Islamic Republic's government has ruled out negotiations with Washington over its military capabilities, particularly its missile program, which is run by the Revolutionary Guard Corps. On Tuesday, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran warned the European Union that Tehran's patience was running out on the bloc's pledge to keep up oil trading despite U.S. sanctions. He said Iran could resume enriching uranium to 20 percent purity if it failed to see economic benefits from the 2015 deal that curbed its nuclear program. Condolences and praise began to pour in from former presidents and political figures around the world for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, who died Friday: "George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for," former President George W. Bush said in a statement following the announcement of his father's death. U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, praised the 41st president's ability to inspire "generations of his fellow Americans to public service - to be, in his words, 'a thousand points of light' illuminating the greatness, hope and opportunity of America to the world." The Trumps added, "Along with his full life of service to country, we will remember former President Bush for his devotion to family - especially the love of his life, Barbara." Former President Jimmy Carter said he and his wife, Rosalynn, "are deeply saddened by the death of former President George H.W. Bush. His administration was marked by grace, civility, and social conscience. Through his Points of Light initiative and other projects, he espoused a uniquely American volunteer spirit, fostering bipartisan support for citizen service and inspiring millions to embrace community volunteerism as a cherished responsibility." Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, released a joint statement, saying, "Bush's life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling." The Obamas recalled that Bush once said he got more of a kick out of being one of the founders of the YMCA in Midland, Texas, in 1952 than almost anything he had ever done. "What a testament to the qualities that make this country great," the Obamas said. "Few Americans have been - or will ever be - able to match President Bush's record of service to the United States and the joy he took every day from it," said Bill and Hillary Clinton, the former president and secretary of state, respectively. They noted Bush's "military service in World War II, to his work in Congress, the United Nations, China, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Vice Presidency and the Presidency, where he worked to move the post-Cold War world toward greater unity, peace, and freedom." James Baker, Bush's former secretary of state, said that in each position Bush held, he "led with strength, integrity, compassion and humility - characteristics that define a truly great man and effective leader." John Sununu, who was Bush's chief of staff, wrote in The Washington Post on Saturday, "Although he (Bush) would never be comfortable taking credit for the success of his life, most historians now agree that Bush was a great president who accomplished great things. He helped make America safer and the world more stable and more prosperous than ever before in history." Kuwait's ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, said Bush tried to "create a new international order based on justice and equality among nations'' and never "forgot the Kuwaiti people and will remain in their memory.'' Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and Bush worked together to end the Cold War in the late 1980s to early 1990s through such things as U.S.-Russia arms control agreements, including the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. He sent condolences to the Bush family, saying they "deeply appreciated the attention, kindness and simplicity typical of George and Barbara Bush, as well as the rest of their large, friendly family." Russian President Vladimir Putin, via the Kremlin website, said Saturday, "A distinguished man has passed away. One who served his country for his entire life, with a weapon in his hands during wartime and in high office during peacetime." Details on funeral arrangements for former president George H.W. Bush, who died Friday at the age of 94, are being set by the Bush family, the Department of Defense said Saturday. Bush, who served as president from 1989-1993, will receive a state funeral Wednesday at the National Cathedral in Washington, followed by burial Thursday at his presidential library in Texas. After an arrival ceremony in the nations capital Monday, his body will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda for a public viewing until Wednesday morning, with a ceremony set for 5 p.m. Monday. The public will be able to line up to view Bushs casket continuously from Monday at 7:30 p.m. EST until Wednesday at 7 a.m. EST. The White House announced on Saturday that U.S. President Donald Trump would attend the funeral. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement that Wednesday has been designated as a national day of mourning, and that the White House flags had already been lowered to half staff to honor Bush. "The president and first lady were notified late last night of President George H.W. Bush's passing," the statement said. "President Trump is scheduled to speak with President George W. Bush this morning and offer his condolences on behalf of himself, the first lady, and the entire country. A state funeral is being arranged with all of the accompanying support and honors. The president will designate Wednesday, December 5th as a National Day Of Mourning. He and the first lady will attend the funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C." According to the U.S. State Funeral website, state funerals are traditionally held for current or former presidents and other officials designated by the president. According to the website, a state funeral is a seven- to 10-day event and consists of three stages: ceremonies within the state in which the official was in residence, ceremonies within Washington, D.C., and then ceremonies in the state in which the individual has chosen to be interred. U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, over a Buenos Aires dinner of grilled sirloin steak, discussed their vast differences on trade that have led in past months to exchanges of significant retaliatory tariffs between the world's two largest economies. Trump, sitting across from Xi at a long banquet table, described their relationship as "incredible" and predicted that would mean "we'll probably end up getting something that's good for China and good for the United States." In his remarks, the Chinese president noted, "It's been a long time since our previous meeting and a lot of things have taken place." Xi added, Only with cooperation between us can we serve the interest of world peace and prosperity. The meal, which was moved up an hour earlier than its original start time following the conclusion of the G-20 leaders' meeting here, included a group of top officials from both sides. Among those at the table for the United States was trade policy advisor Peter Navarro, seen as the most hawkish member of Trump's team on economic issues with China. The other key attendees for the U.S., according to the White House, were Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, national security adviser John Bolton, Trump son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, and Larry Kudlow, assistant to the president for economic policy. "Everyone has high expectations" for the dinner to reduce fears of an escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing, G-20 host Mauricio Macri, the president of Argentina, earlier told reporters. The two-and-a-half hour dinner meeting went very well, Kudlow said as he boarded Air Force One for the departure from Argentina. Many major business leaders in the United States and China also were hoping for some sort of truce or partial deal in what has been seen as an escalating trade dispute between the world's two largest economies. Despite months of complaints by the United States and the U.S. imposition of tariffs on about $250 billion worth of Chinese goods, Beijing "has not fundamentally alerted its unfair, unreasonable and market-distorting practices," according to a report issued by Lighthizer. Observers fear that if no progress is made at the Trump-Xi dinner, then the U.S. president will make good on his threat to double the amount of Chinese goods facing punitive taxes and escalate tariffs to a 25 percent level at the start of the new year. China, in response, is threatening to impose taxes on an additional 5,000 types of American imports worth about $60 billion. "I think the worst of it is that the conflict between China and the U.S. is again showing the limits of multilateral institutions, in particular the World Trade Organization," Roberto Bouzas, an international relations and economics professor at the Universidad de San Andres in suburban Buenos Aires, told VOA. In its communique on Saturday at the conclusion of the leaders' summit, the G-20 called for reform of the WTO to improve its functioning, as well as a review of the trade organizations progress at next year's summit in Japan. "For the first time ever, the G-20 recognized the WTO is currently falling short of meeting its objectives and that it's in need of reform," a U.S. official, speaking on condition of not being named, told reporters. "We'll see what reactions we get in the next few months" to the WTO reform call in the communique, Macri told reporters, adding, "There is clearly a need for dispute mechanisms that are more agile." Earlier in the day, Trump canceled a planned news conference, saying the timing was not right because of the death of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush at age 94. "He was a terrific guy and he'll be missed. He lived a full life and an exemplary life," Trump said of the late president. He did not respond to a reporter's question about whether he regretted his past criticism of the 41st president, and his son, George W. Bush, who was the 43rd president. "The fact that we lost a president really puts a damper on it," Trump said of Saturday evening's dinner. At the table, Trump announced his plane, Air Force One, would fly to Houston, Texas, after returning from Argentina to transport Bush's casket to Washington, D.C. During the meal, Xi also expressed sympathies for the passing of the former president, saying Bush, who also was once the U.S. envoy to China, had "made many contributions to U.S.-China friendship." Bill Gallo contributed to this report. British Prime Minister Theresa May accused the opposition Labor Party of betraying the British people by trying to stop Brexit as she went on the offensive Friday in her battle to win approval of the widely criticized divorce agreement she negotiated with the European Union. With less than two weeks to go before a vote in the House of Commons, May is trying to win support from lawmakers of all parties who have balked at the deal. She declined to entertain questions about what alternative she might offer if the current agreement is rejected Dec. 11. I've got a plan, I've got a proposal, I've got the deal that I've negotiated,'' she said ahead of the G-20 summit in Argentina. We don't see any alternative coming forward from the Labor Party. ... Instead, what I see from Labor is an attempt to frustrate what the government is doing to deliver Brexit for the British people. That is actually a betrayal of the British people.'' The agreement ratified by EU leaders last weekend came more than two years after a U.K. referendum in which 52 percent of those who cast ballots voted to leave the bloc. Some opponents are calling for a second referendum now that the costs of leaving the EU have become clear, but May says that would violate the trust of the 17.4 million people who voted for Brexit in 2016. The prime minister has been highlighting the risks of leaving the EU without a deal in a bid to persuade skeptical lawmakers including many of her fellow Conservatives to back the agreement. Her efforts suffered a blow Friday when Universities Minister Sam Gyimah quit the government, saying accepting the deal would mean surrendering our voice, our vote and our veto'' in the EU. Britain will end up worse off, transformed from rule makers into rule takers,'' Gyimah wrote in the Daily Telegraph. Several other ministers have quit the government in the past two weeks, saying they cannot support the agreement. Some, like Gyimah, supported remaining in the bloc in Britain's 2016 EU referendum, while others back a definitive break with the EU. Many members of Parliament on both sides of the Brexit debate oppose the deal Brexiters because it keeps Britain bound closely to the EU, pro-EU politicians because it erects barriers between the U.K. and the EU, its biggest trading partner. Leaving the EU without a deal would end more than 40 years of free trade and disrupt the flow of goods and services between Britain and the EU. The Bank of England warned this week that a no-deal Brexit would plunge Britain into a severe recession. May's comments came after lawmakers proposed an amendment that could stop Brexit if Parliament rejected her agreement. The amendment says Parliament must be able to express its view on how the government should proceed if the prime minister's plan is defeated. Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, a staunch Brexiter who is one of the most vocal critics of the deal, said Friday that the government was trying to frighten people into accepting it with dire forecasts about the impact of leaving the EU without an agreement. Some lawmakers urged May to return to the EU for better terms. But European Council President Donald Tusk, who is also at the G-20 meeting in Buenos Aires, warned that the agreement ratified by the EU last weekend is the only possible one.'' If this deal is rejected in the House of Commons, we are left with an alternative: no deal, or no Brexit it all,'' Tusk said. The European Union is prepared for every scenario.'' May urged British lawmakers to remember that the country voted for Brexit, and she insisted that the public wanted government to get on with it. This is about what is in the national interest,'' she said. It's about delivering the vote to leave the EU and doing it in a way that protects people's jobs and livelihoods and protects our security and our United Kingdom.'' A pair of Venezuelan opposition leaders urged the Bank of England on Friday not to hand over $550 million worth of gold sought by President Nicolas Maduro, saying officials in the South American country would either steal the gold or use it to finance its dictatorial government. In a letter to the bank, former National Assembly President Julio Borges and opposition party leader Carlos Vecchio said Maduro's socialist administration would pocket the last 14 tons of the Venezuelan gold in the bank's vaults or use it to illegally imprison and kill its opponents. It reminded the bank that the United States, United Kingdom and many European countries consider Maduro's government illegitimate following his re-election this year in what was widely considered a fraudulent vote. Maduro is not the legitimate owner of the gold,'' the letter said. Without doubt the intention of Maduro and his regime is to steal these resources that rightly belong to the people.'' Borges and Vecchio both live in self-imposed exile, saying they fear for their safety in Venezuela. The Bank of England and Venezuela's communications ministry didn't immediately respond to requests for comment by The Associated Press. Falling oil income As the economic crisis mounts in cash-strapped Venezuela, Maduro increasingly relies on gold to make up for plummeting crude oil production. The once-wealthy oil nation is beset by scarce food supplies that have driven masses to flee Venezuela seeking a better life. The Trump administration recently ratcheted up sanctions against Venezuela, targeting the country's gold sector by prohibiting U.S. citizens and entities from financial involvement in the trade. That was the latest round of U.S. sanctions already targeting Maduro and dozens in his administration as well as blocking Venezuela from access to U.S. financial markets. In 2017, Borges was instrumental in rallying Wall Street against buying Venezuelan debt. He sent more than a dozen letters to international investors saying they risked their reputations by throwing a lifeline to Maduro. The letter to the Bank of England says that allowing Maduro to repatriate the gold would further breach the bank's legal obligation to prevent money laundering and corruption spelled out by law. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to VOA's Spanish Service in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he is taking part in the G-20 summit. Below is a transcript of the interview. Question: "Secretary Pompeo, thank you very much for this opportunity with the Spanish division of Voice of America." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: "It's great to be with you, thank you for the opportunity." Question: "I just want to begin asking you some thoughts about former President (George H.W.) Bush." Pompeo: "So I had a chance to get to know him just a little bit while I served in Congress, and then I held a job that he held as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He was a great mentor, he was an incredibly kind man. He was a patriot of the highest order. Susan (Pompeo) and I's sympathy go out to the entire Bush family. America will miss this amazing warrior, this amazing leader, this amazing American patriot." Question: "Thank you. Now about the G-20. What is the U.S. doing to find common ground with so many leaders with so many different agendas here at the G-20?" Pompeo: "So it's the case, 20 countries plus multilateral organization, lots of different views. But commonly we all share the intense desire to grow economies all around the world, to create prosperity for every citizen of the world. To develop rules that permit that to happen. These are common themes, we'll sometimes argue about how best to achieve them, but everyone's headed toward the same set of objectives. We know that if we get growth, we get prosperity, we get freedom all around the world that the lives of hundreds of millions of people will be improved, and that's the mission statement that the G-20 gathers around each time it joins its hands together." Question: "This is the first time President Donald Trump visits the region, this could mean a new relationship with Latin America, taking into consideration that China is also getting new friends in the region." Pompeo: "Yes, well look, we consider our relationship with South America, Central America, Mexico, to be central to American success. President Trump has been committed to that since the beginning of his time in office. It's wonderful now that he's had a chance to get down here. He's known (Argentina) President (Mauricio) Macri for a long time and they had a wonderful meeting yesterday where they came around a set of objectives that our two countries will now begin to implement. And so we're excited about that, we think having a great close relationship with America is really important, and we are all concerned about China and the way China enters countries. It is not always the case that when China shows up, it's with a good intention for the people of the country they are showing up to ostensibly support. It's most often about China." Question: "About Venezuela, President Trump talk about Venezuela with President Macri. Are there new actions being considered or analyzed to take against (Venezuelan President) Nicolas Maduro's government and to help Venezuelans?" Pompeo: "I don't have anything specific that I can share with you today, but we've had a number of conversations down here at the G-20, and President Trump is very determined. The Maduro regime must restore democracy, the current situation is intolerable. The people of Venezuela are suffering, and democracy must be restored. We've done a great deal so far, along with many South American countries and Central American countries. We worry. We know we've had migration into Argentina and to other countries here. People fleeing this despot, this dictator in Venezuela. So I don't have anything specific that I can share with you today, but the determination for all of the countries in the region to join hands with the United States, to restore democracy in Venezuela remains strong." Question: "On immigration, hundreds of people from Central America try to enter the United States every day. What can the U.S. do to create more opportunities in Central America, in the region, for Central Americans so they don't have the need to look forward for a better life in the U.S.?" Pompeo: "That's a great question. I've had the chance to get to know my incoming counterpart in Mexico. I've had a chance to work with the Northern Triangle countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador). We are determined to do what the new government that will be sworn in today in Mexico has talked with us about to make sure we do create opportunities in the Northern Triangle so these people will have better lives there, after all that's what it's really all about. It's the capacity to live their lives the way they want to with economic success and freedom. We're committed to assisting in that, and in the time that we can't get there, we're also determined to make sure the human rights of the migrants are respected. At the same time, enforcing U.S. law." Question: "After this trip, any new trip to visit any country in Latin America for you, Secretary Pompeo?" Pompeo: "It's very likely that I'll be right back down here just right at the first of the year, and I'm looking forward to that. Nothing to announce, but I'll be back. I've been here a number of times. I'll be back before too long." Question: "Thank you very much for your time." Pompeo: "Thank you, sir." President Donald Trump spoke Friday to VOA contributor Greta Van Susteren in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he is taking part in the G-20 Summit. Here is a transcript of the interview. ---- Q: "Mr. President, we're here in Argentina, and the United States, Canada and Mexico have signed a new trade agreement updating NAFTA." President Donald Trump: "That's right." Q: "Senator Elizabeth Warren back in the United States, who may run against you in 2020, says it doesn't go far enough. What do you say to that?" Trump: "Well, I guess it's easy for somebody like that to criticize because, you know, maybe she's running, maybe she's not. I thought she'd be disqualified by now after she did her whole Native American thing. I really assumed she would have been disqualified, but I can do that with any deal. Any deal you have, I can say, Hey, didn't go far enough.' This deal is much better than NAFTA. It's a great deal for the United States. It's a deal we really like. We've gotten tremendous reviews on it, and I will say we have literally I have not heard one person hit it. They really have liked it. Now, the other countries, if you're talking about a little bit of a hit, they get a little bit of a hit, but I think they made a good deal also. It's great for the three countries." Q: "Now, one of the parts of it has to do with autoworkers, auto parts. Is that in any way going to specifically address one of the issues the United States has, with GM closing plants and 14,000 losing jobs?" Trump: "Well, it is, and it's not only that. It's going to keep auto companies from moving. One of the things I really wanted was plants and auto companies, just in general I mean jobs, factories I don't want them leaving the United States. That was very important to me, and we're not leaving the United States. So I think one of the strongest elements of the new and I call it the USMCA one of the really important things is you won't see companies leaving once that gets signed. We have to get it through Congress, and if it gets through, which I think it will, that'll be great, and if it doesn't, we're very happy the way it is now." Q: "The G-20 is about global economics. As you sort of step back and look at the globe, what do you see is sort of the biggest threat, realistic threat, in the near future to the global economy?" Trump: "Well, you have many threats, but the United States really has been ripped off by so many different countries. I'm not giving you any secrets when I say China, the numbers that China has done on us for so many years, 25 years " Q: "Which you've been saying to me for years before you were even ever a candidate for president." Trump: "I've been saying that for a long time. When I was a young developer, I was saying that to you and everybody else. I mean, I've been talking about it for a long while. Japan, I used to use Japan. Now it's a little bit less Japan, but Japan is very active also. But it's almost everybody. It was almost like we had nobody that knew what they were doing about negotiating, trade, negotiating deals. We have almost an $800 billion trade deficit, and I'm changing that. We start with the USMCA, which is the replacement to NAFTA. We just made a great deal with Korea, South Korea, and I think that you're going to see some very big changes very quickly. We're talking to the European Union. That's been brutal for the United States, and again we're having dinner as you know with President Xi [Jinping] of China, and something could very well come out of that." Q: "As you call out China as one of the countries that you say is ripping off the United States, China's global footprint is expanding. They're already in North Africa, they're building a huge port in Pakistan, they have great deals investment deals in Panama and Latin America. Sort of coming very close to the United States, geographically. Do you trust the strategic goals of China? Are you a little bit worried? Trump: "Well, I think they're going to have less money than they have right now, because the deal that I make, and if you look at we have $250 billion [in imports from China] right now at 25 percent. That means we're going to be taking in billions and billions of dollars. Plus, I can double that up, and then I can double it again, and they could never do what they did in the past with other presidents, because and you see what's happening with China. I don't want to do this, but they are not doing very well now compared to what they were doing, and again, I think that we are doing well. We picked up $11.7 trillion in worth since my election, and China's lost a great deal of worth, and we are now a much bigger economy than China. Which a lot of people don't know, but we're a much bigger, and really a much more powerful economy than China." Q: "But as a national security point, you know, with their investment in Latin America and all over the world, it does seem that they are making a bigger footprint around the world." Trump: "I know, but they have a debt problem and they have to pay for that debt. It's a tremendous amount of money that they're spending. Do I like it? Probably not, but I also know it's very expensive for them, and a lot of those places aren't going to work out." Q: "You were going to, or at least you had considered meeting with [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin, and you have declined to. Had you met with him, what was your agenda with the president? Trump: "Well, I just said that, you know, frankly, in light of what happened with Ukraine with the ships and the sailors, it just wouldn't be the right time. But I will meet with him. I think we have a very good relationship, and I think we're going to have a very good relationship with Russia, and China, and everyone else. I mean, I think it's important. So I'll meet with him at the appropriate time." Q: "What do you think he's thinking about doing with Ukraine? Why did he seize the sailors and the vessels?" Trump: I can't read his mind, and nobody can, and he knows what he wants to do, but we can't allow certain things to happen. You know, it happened, and I just can't be a part of it." Q: "One of the issues of a global economy is climate change. That's a discussion here. What's your position on climate change and how it has affected the economy worldwide?" Trump: "Very simple. I want the cleanest air and the cleanest water on the planet. I want crystal clean water, and that's what we have. We've been doing very well with respect to the environment, and that's what I want. But I'm not going to put the country out of business trying to maintain certain standards that probably don't matter. When you look at China, and when you look at other countries where they have foul air, they have not good air that comes over to the United States. People don't want to talk about it, but it comes over. So we're going to be clean, but they're not, and it costs a lot of money. Well, the fact is, we are absolutely clean, but we're not going to spend trillions of dollars and make it good for others but not make it good for our you know, I have a very simple policy. It's called America First. At the same time, we're going to be a great neighbor to the world. But we have to treat ourselves fairly, so that's the way it is." President Donald Trump answers a question from VOA contributor Greta Van Susteren on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018. Q: "Are you going to mention to President Xi about climate change? Trump: "We'll talk about it. Were talking about a lot of things. The big thing were talking about is trade. That's what people want to hear, and you know, he's got to do something with his climate, his climates, a little bit, though. But, and I'm sure he will. I think he's he's a friend of mine and a good man, but you know, we have a little bit of a dispute. And again, our country has been taken advantage of for many years, and that's just not going to happen anymore." Q: "There's a big vote coming up in the House of Commons in the UK. [British] Prime Minister Theresa May is here. Brexit is a trade issue how is she handling it? And what's the impact on the United States." Trump: "Well, it's a very tough thing. I told her I would've done it somewhat differently actually quite a bit differently but I think she's a good woman and she's really working hard. I mean, what she's going through, she's that is a hard situation for her. I would've done it differently. I would've had a much different attitude. I think the concept of what they're doing, you know, separating is good. That's a good thing. They want their own identity; they want their own immigration laws; they don't want to be told who they want and who they don't want. But she's working very hard, I will say that." Q: "In terms of, though, the impact on the United States, is the United States sort of a spectator to what's going on with Brexit, or is it directly impacted?" Trump: "Well, we told her, yeah, it is we are a spectator, to a certain extent." Q: "It has no impact on the United States?" Trump: "It's their country. I mean, they have to do what they have to do, and we'll see if they get to a parliament. It's going to be very interesting to whether or not they do. European Union, it's a tough group. I will tell you they are just about as rough as china on trade with us, and they're going to be next. They'll be next, but the fact is they're very bad on trade with us. They have tremendous barriers. They have great barriers, tremendous. They have nontariff trade barriers also, and they have tariffs, they are we lost with them over the last couple of years $151 billion a year. That's the European Union, you know? You think about it. Sounds so nice, but they've been very tough on trade, so they were tough with her. But we'll take care of our share, I can tell you that." Q: All right, now, our domestic economy. Next week there's a vote possibly on a government shutdown. First of all, do you think there's going to be a U.S. government shutdown, and does that have any sort of global economic impact?" Trump: "Well, I can't tell you if there's going to be a shutdown because nobody knows. But I will tell you we're going to have border security. We're going to have a lot of border security. You saw what we did with the all of the caravans coming up, and now they're starting to head out, they're starting to go back. But we are going to have security. We're not going to let people come into our country illegally. We're going to have people come in on merit. We need people, you know? We have the lowest unemployment rate we've had in 51 years. We need people in this country. We have companies moving in. In fact Prime Minister [Shinzo] Abe of Japan just told me they're moving two car companies. They're going to be opening up two massive plants, you know. You don't hear that often, but a lot of that is happening. You hear about General Motors, and I don't know what happened with General Motors, but the trend is exactly the opposite. And I will say this: Our economy has never done better. We're doing unbelievable numbers, you see that. And a lot of good things are happening." Q: "$5 billion is what you want for the wall, this would go around. So far, Congress is saying that it won't. So what happens?" Trump: "We'll have to see what happens." Q: "Are you willing to negotiate?" Trump: "Look, I'll just tell you this. We're going to have border security. And if we're not going to have border security, some very tough things are going to happen. But we're going to have border security. We can't have people pouring into our country like they have over the last 10 years. And you see what's happening when you have MS-13 and these gang members, and look at the caravan. Now they have over 650 people that are absolutely stone-cold criminals. I don't want them in our country. I'm not going to have it. If you don't have borders, you don't have a country, Greta. And I'm not going to have it." Q: "One last question, and I'll give you a chance to educate there at least talk about the American media. What is it the U.S. media collectively doesn't understand about the economy? When you look at things, hear our reporting, do you have any thoughts on our reporting?" Trump: "Well, I think they understand the economy. They know how well we're doing. They just don't like to say it because that's good for me, so they don't want to say it. Look, I call it fake news. I don't say the media, I say you have so much false reporting. But we have a phenomenal economy, they know that. We have the best unemployment numbers, as a group, that we've ever had. You look at African-American unemployment and Asian and Hispanic American. You look at all of it, they're the best numbers in history, the best I mean, these are historic lows. So the media knows how well we're doing. They tend not to want to write it." Q: "So you like discussing economy with these world leaders?" Trump: "I do. I mean, we have the best economy in the world. Actually, every leader came up to me, virtually, and they said congratulations on the great economy." Q: "Mr. President, nice to see you." Trump: "Thank you, Greta. Nice to see you. Thank you very much." Katy Perry, Kesha, and Lady Gaga. Photo: Getty Images Kesha and Lady Gaga swapped text messages calling Katy Perry mean for not denouncing producer Dr. Luke, ultimately leaving Perry feeling used by both sides, according to newly released court documents. Kesha, whose legal name is Kesha Rose Sebert, was sued by Dr. Luke in October 2014 over her public claims that he drugged and sexually assaulted her. Dr. Luke, whose legal name is Lukasz Gottwald, has denied Keshas accusations, and has not faced criminal charges relating to them. Dr. Lukes legal team said in a June court filing that Kesha had also smeared him in texts with Lady Gaga by her claiming that he had also raped Perry. Perry, whose real name is Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, has denied Keshas allegation that Dr. Luke assaulted her, including in a sworn deposition. The text-message exchange between Kesha and Lady Gaga, legally named Stefani Angelina Germanotta, was made public Thursday night in a massive document dump of previously sealed court filings. Im really upset with Katy Perry, Kesha texted Lady Gaga on February 26, 2016. She could bring the whole thing to a head, Kesha also texted, saying in yet another missive, but she wont. She was raped by the same man, Kesha texted. Gaga said at one point, U are really strong standing up to him, shes not as strong as u yet. She then asked, Have u talked to her? Kesha replied, Your right. I need to find sympathy and empathy for her. shes so mean. its hard. Do u want me to see if I can talk to her? Gaga offered. I know shes mean. Kesha said, Are you friendly with her? Gaga replied, NO. Omg no, Gaga said in a subsequent message. She makes me angry about shit by I just try to have empathy for her. In the same June 2017 deposition where Perry said Luke didnt rape her, Perry explained why she hadnt taken sides. Perry said during the deposition she felt pressured to voice support for Kesha, but I also knew both of them and a lot of people did not. So it was easy for them to be disattached and support an idea rather than an actual instance. After seeing the texts between Kesha and Lady Gaga, Perry said she felt [a]nnoyed, pissed off that she would bring me into it in this way, annoyed at both Luke and Kesha. Perry explained that she was annoyed with Dr. Luke [b]ecause he knows Im a tie breaker. Pressed to explain, Perry said: Because when I say that I wasnt raped, 19 because I was not, that means that someones lying And I want to stay out of it because I know them both and I empathize with both of them and obviously its a horrible situation for both of them. And the only two people that know what really went on are those two people. But Luke was using me as a pawn because its a good play, she also said, later adding, to get some more truth. Perry also told Dr. Luke that she wouldnt work with him on Witness [b]ecause working with him at this moment would mean would not be would not be received well because of this lawsuit. Additional just-uploaded documents in Dr. Lukes Manhattan Supreme Court case include claims about his production work following Keshas allegations, as well as notes from her mental-health providers. An adviser hired by Keshas lawyers claims in one document that Dr. Luke has worked with artists such as Sean Paul, T-Pain, Fergie, Jason Derulo, Kim Petras, Ty Dolla $ign, and Iggy Azalea since Kesha made her allegations undermining his claims of lost work. Reports from Keshas mental-health providers appear to indicate that she confided about Dr. Lukes alleged abusiveness as early as 2011. Both Dr. Luke and Keshas lawyers claim the documents bolster their positions. There is nothing worse than abuse and sexual assault. Dr. Luke supports any woman or man who seeks to address sexual abuse in the legal system, his legal team said in a statement. That is not what happened here. It is also horrendous to falsely accuse someone of a heinous act. Said Keshas reps: The truth of Keshas longstanding abuse allegations is borne out by the evidence. Lady Gaga issued a response on Twitter on Friday, saying, These are old texts. .@katyperry & I have grown up in the industry together. Weve gone through both celebrations & differences w/ each other. These are old texts. Weve matured, gotten over the past, love each other & share deep respect. Katy is my friend and is truly a kind soul. End of story. Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) November 30, 2018 Neil deGrasse Tyson. Photo: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Onward18 Deadline reports that the celebrity astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson is under investigation by Fox and National Geographic for sexual misconduct. The investigation results from a report by journalist David McAfee in which two women allege inappropriate interactions with Tyson. Dr. Katelyn N. Allers, who is an associate professor of physics and astronomy at Bucknell University, claims that Tyson allegedly groped her at an American Astronomical Society after-party in 2009. His former assistant, Ashley Watson, described a night where Tyson allegedly pressured her to join him at his apartment for wine, where she claims he then made several advances. Watson says she quit her job over the incident. These two allegations come a year after musician Tchiya Amet first accused Tyson of raping her when they were grad students. The next season of Cosmos is set to premiere in March, but the producers have pledged to investigate the allegations fully. The credo at the heart of Cosmos is to follow the evidence wherever it leads, they said in a statement to Deadline. The producers of Cosmos can do no less in this situation. We are committed to a thorough investigation of this matter and to act accordingly as soon as it is concluded. Fox and National Geographic echoed this sentiment. We have only just become aware of the recent allegations regarding Neil deGrasse Tyson, the networks said in a separate statement. We take these matters very seriously and we are reviewing the recent reports. A 14-year-old juvenile suspect was arrested Friday after a vandalism incident at Frances Nungester Elementary School on Monday. A report was filed about windows at the school that had been shot out with pellet guns. The juvenile is charged with criminal mischief 1st degree and criminal trespassing 3rd degree and is being held at the Tennessee Valley Juvenile Detention Center. Authorities across the country are still working to close cold cases involving the man the FBI is calling the most prolific serial killer of our time. Samuel Little was just connected to another murder investigation from the 1970's in Maryland. Police closed the case following his confession. He's also admitted to killing a Decatur woman, Nancy Stevens, in 2005 and dumping her body in Mississippi. Sergeant Jack Pugh who works in the major crimes unit said the Huntsville Police Department has about 50 cold cases dating back to the 1960's, but only about four have similarities to Samuel Little's victims. "We have some cases, some cold cases that go back to the 70's where he said he started in the early 70's. We're going to go back to and look at and try to compare to some of his other M.O.'s," he said. The cases will soon be looked at by the department's cold case investigator, and they'll also be working with the FBI to determine if Little could have been in the area and committed any of Huntsville Police's unsolved crimes. "If they get information whether it's from interviewing him or something, then they would bring it to us to follow up with," Pugh said. Little is known to have killed prostitutes and women with drug addictions. Pugh explained those four women could match that profile. However, he said just because these cases are similar to the women he targeted doesn't mean they can just close the case. "You don't want to put it on him and have the real killer still out there," he said. Pugh explained it could take a while to connect the crimes and it's important. "Time will tell because you will have people and we have had people in the past and before where people will admit to a lot because they want to know as the notorious, the most killer or whatever to get that kind of credit, but they can't prove it," he said. Pugh explained it's unlikely that Little will ever set foot in an Alabama courtroom if he was connected to a cold case here because he's already serving a life sentence without parole. In Maryland, Investigators said they don't plan on bringing any charges. Investigators are still trying to determine who the Jane Doe is that Little admitted to killing. Alabama state law considers police body camera footage as privileged communication, meaning police have the right to prevent that footage from being released to the public. This law was at the forefront after a Huntsville police officer was indicted in August after an incident resulted in the death of 49-year-old Jeffrey Parker. Lawmakers say new body camera laws could be discussed in March. "We leave that discretion to the individual police agencies," said Alabama State Representative Rex Reynolds. Reynolds says he wants to meet with law enforcement before making any changes to Alabama body camera law. "We would not prompt changes like that without recommendations from state or local law enforcement or their associations," said Reynolds. Frank Knaack, with advocacy group Alabama Appleseed, says there's just not enough transparency here in Alabama. "We've been working with a broad coalition from across the ideological spectrum to come with a solution to that," said Knaack. Decatur Police are asking the public for help in locating a suspect, Brandon Rashard Lewis, who is considered to be armed and dangerous. He is wanted on multiple warrants, including robbery in the 3rd degree. Lewis is 22-years-old, 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. If you have information on his whereabouts, notify the Decatur Police Department at 256-341-4660 or call 911. Letroy Cole Jr. pleaded guilty after being arrested on the federal charge of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He is the step-father of the second-grade Blossomwood Elementary student who was accidentally shot in the hand after bringing Cole's gun to school to show to a friend. Cole said he found the gun behind his apartment approximately a year and a half ago and that he knew, as a convicted felon, he was not supposed to have it. Authorities discovered that the hand gun was stolen after running a check on it that said it had been reported as theft on March 22, 2017 during a B&E Auto criminal case in Huntsville. His criminal background revealed four prior felony convictions. The student run paper, the Flor-Ala, at the University of Alabama in Florence says the university is infringing on their First Amendment rights. It all started with one article Harley Duncan published trying to find out why the a vice president of the university suddenly left and why another professor was placed on tresspass notice. The administration denied them that information. They then reported it went against former Attorney General Jeff Sessions opinion on this type of issue. You can read the original article here. One week after the publication of the article, the current Vice President of Student Affairs spoke with the student writers and their advisor, Scott Morris. Two weeks after the publication, the university accounced the qualifications for the advisor position were increasing to include a Ph.D. Somthing Morris does not have. "I feel like they are retaliating against me because of what my students have written," Morris said. The College Media Association seemed to agree. They issued a censure on UNA following an investigation into the incident. The censure does not hold any legal power, but it sheds light on concerns over First Amendment violations. After the censure was issued, UNA said in a statement,"Since late 2014, the University has been discussing an upgrade to the position of Student Media Advisor to a tenure track faculty position." The former chair of the Department of Communications, Dr. Gregory Pitts told us this change was not discussed with him in 2014 while he was chair of the department. Pitts said,"If anyone asserts that I made this request, I would describe their claim as FALSE." Both Morris and Duncan say everyone should care about this issue. "The first amendment is very important to all of us. To keep government accountable, no matter who they are," said Morris. The Flor-Ala told us thy don't have enough money to be able to fight UNA on this issue, so they will just keep doing what they do best. Report information they think the community needs to know. 1 Dec. Rome's bars and restaurants celebrate the classic Roman pastry throughout 1 December, offering variations ranging from the traditional whipped-cream variety to other fillings including chocolate and ice-cream. For details see Maritozzo Day website. Todays Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. Email address By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Sanderson Farms by March will stop using antibiotics vital to fighting human infections to prevent diseases in chickens, the company said Friday, becoming the last major chicken producer to halt use of the drugs. The move by the third-largest U.S. poultry producer addresses concerns that the overuse of antibiotics in chickens may diminish their effectiveness in fighting disease in people. Sanderson Farms has run ads defending its use of antibiotics but will now stop using an antibiotic called gentamicin to keep chicks healthy and another called virginiamycin in its feed. Both men have cast themselves as maximum leaders, strong men defending the interests and honor of their nations, Friedberg, a former foreign policy adviser to Vice President Richard B. Cheney, said via email. Neither wants to appear weak, which would seem to narrow the scope for compromise, but neither wants to be blamed for a complete breakdown in relations. Im looking forward to finishing the process as quickly as possible with as much transparency as possible and to make sure that we are able to review the resumes of all applicants who are interested in the position, said Elizabeth Davis, president of the Washington Teachers Union and a member of the chancellor advisory panel. In Alexander, the city would have a 20-year veteran of the school system who has built a team of deputies during her nine-month tenure as interim chancellor of the 49,000-student system. Ferebee is a high-profile figure in the education world who has led the Indianapolis schools since 2013, building relationships with the traditional school system and the charter sector. He was a finalist to lead the Los Angeles school district but withdrew from consideration in April. Bush shared a closer bond with others who served as he had in the Oval Office. In a statement, former president Barack Obama said America has lost a patriot and humble servant, calling Bushs life a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. Obama wrote of how Bush, even after commanding the worlds mightiest military, once said I got more of a kick out of being one of the founders of the YMCA in Midland, Tex., back in 1952, than almost anything Ive done. From McFaddens first question, the judge indicated he was not sure he had the authority to tell Congress how to run its investigations. Am I right, the judge asked Kelley, that youre saying the investigation into this is completely appropriate, your concern is a private meeting with your client? Its the means, not the ends? Rahm flew 35 ground support missions in Desert Storm as part of Marine Attack Squadron 231, which flew out of a base in Saudi Arabia. He flew the Harrier up from his station in Cherry Point in North Carolina, landing at Andrews Air Force Base and then getting a helicopter tour of the Mall from the air so he could plan the approach he would make later in the week: right by the Washington Monument. Those who are ecstatic cite the down-ballot victories in the recent midterms, in which Democrats picked up two county executive seats and eight seats in the House of Delegates. Those who are frustrated describe Ben Jealouss 12-point loss to Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and the tepid support the former NAACP chief received from party leaders. When you continue to have primary voters sending primary candidates out into a general election only for our candidates to be nullified by a faction of Democrats in the general, that is a problem, she said. This has the potential to split our party in half and fracture the Democratic coalition, to undermine the very viability of this party. We can do better. All of a sudden, she said, a group of youths, some riding scooters, surrounded her and began yelling and poking her. One gave the man his scooter, but he fell off trying to ride away. He got on again, Morrow said, and she pushed him to the ground. 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. Fords body lay in state in the chamber of the House of Representatives before heading into the Rotunda, to symbolize his service in that chamber. As his casket was rolled out, the doors of the Senate were opened for Ford to say goodbye to the chamber over which he once presided as the nations vice president, Swan said. Three killed as Border Patrol agents try to stop truck: U.S. Border Patrol agents who tried to pull over a pickup truck they suspected had crossed into the country illegally deployed a tire-flattening device after the truck fled that resulted in the vehicle rolling over, leaving three people dead. Authorities say one woman and two men were killed in the crash Thursday afternoon on westbound Interstate 8 in Campo, Calif. Another eight men who were also in the pickup were injured in the crash about 60 miles east of San Diego. In the U.S., where people have plenty of options for marriage, its likely to be those who are disabled or otherwise at a disadvantage who dont marry, she said. And so, they might indeed do worse in health care because of the underlying issues that caused them not to marry. In her view, medical providers are justified in giving significant weight to marital status, because unmarried patients are unlikely to do well, and they want to take patients who will do well. The techniques used to carry an end-of-the-road implication, said Goadsby, a neurology professor at Kings College London and University of California at San Francisco. But single-pulse transcranial stimulation, for example, which can both prevent and treat an attack, is done with a handheld device that patients use at home. Goadsby said options that dont have downside baggage are a valuable consideration for the demographic most affected by migraine: women in their reproductive years, who have additional considerations about medication when pregnant or breast-feeding. Comet Wirtanen (46P), a periodic comet passing through our neck of the solar system in mid-December, may approach naked-eye visibility for urban areas but seeing it through binoculars may be a good choice. The University of Maryland has a website for updated detail: wirtanen.astro.umd.edu. The comet in the middle of the month may be found in the Taurus constellation, in the eastern sky in the early evening, and then in the western sky around 2 a.m., near the Pleiades (Messier 45), according to astronomer Geoff Chester of the Naval Observatory. Which leads us to the second possibility: The president and his associates have lied about contacts with Russia not because they were illegal but because they would have been politically disastrous. After all, standing alone, its not illegal for Trump to pursue a branding deal involving a tower in Russia, even while running for president. Its not even necessarily illegal to meet at Trump Tower with Russians who promise compromising information about your opponent (depending on what, if anything, was agreed upon or done as a result of the meeting). The president himself has repeatedly and emphatically denied any connections to Russia but, even if some of those statements are untrue, lying to the public or the press is not illegal. If politicians could be jailed for that, we might as well just erect bars around the Capitol building and call it a day. Allens pay-to-play bill borrows from many of the best practices of other pay-to-play laws. Businesses that seek government contracts of $250,000 or more would be barred from making campaign contributions to those responsible for awarding the contracts from the date of solicitation of the contract through one year after termination of the contract. The contractor subject to the ban is defined not just as the business itself but also its principals including owners and senior executives. This would capture the scandalous pay-to-play abuses of convicted contractor Jeffrey Thompson, who doled out money from his own pocket and emerged as the Districts largest single government contractor. In the summer of 1990, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein pressed this error too far, gambling that he could steal neighboring Kuwait and Bush wouldnt stop him. Over the next seven months, Bush orchestrated a masterpiece of prudent leadership, drawing on the resume that made him perhaps the best-prepared president ever. The former congressman handled the politics of building a bipartisan consensus in Washington. The former U.N. ambassador patiently walked the United Nations through one resolution after another, tightening the screws on Hussein. The former director of the CIA foresaw the intrigues of Middle Eastern politics and cut off Husseins attempts to exploit them. The former envoy to China won Beijings passive approval of all necessary means to liberate Kuwait. In the same way, he should take arguments for redistricting to the people, pushing against the legacy of gerrymandering left by former governor Martin OMalley (D). Thanks to a recent federal court decision, Maryland must redraw its 6th Congressional District because of its outlandish boundaries designed to elect a Democrat. [Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D) is appealing the ruling.] But the entire state should better reflect geographical boundaries, not political aspirations. Hogan needs Marylanders on his side to force the legislature to do the right thing when it comes time to approve a new map. Theres not a lot of time; the court ordered a new one by March. After many months of litigation, Tracy is eager to present his arguments to the court. Given clear Supreme Court cases declaring it unconstitutional to restrict people from communicating truthful information about their legal business practices, one might expect ABC and the attorney generals office, which represents it, to have abandoned the policy of censorship. Instead, the two are doubling down on their efforts to defend Virginias paternalistic law, recently adding some of the states most senior government lawyers to the case and escalating fights in discovery which needlessly intimidate plaintiffs and drive up everyones expenses. In what ought to be a simple case with nary a disputed fact, the government demanded several depositions of Chef Geoffs employees, most of whom have nothing to do with the First Amendment case. They also sought thousands of pages in financial reports detailing the sale of every item sold by the hour every hour going back six years from nine restaurants (six of which arent even in Virginia). So far, Chef Geoffs has produced more than 68,000 pages of sales information. ABC wants more. But we can now stop the bidding. Because a 45th candidate has just emerged, and he is about to clear the field. Yes, the man Democrats have been waiting for, Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania, says he has an obligation to consider running for president and tacks on a Trumpian tease: Well see what happens. I was 10 years old when he disappeared. He was a good and ordinary man and a wonderful father to me and my three younger sisters. We were living then in a camp in Pakistan for Afghan refugees fleeing the war in our country. We had little, but we were eating and surviving, and my father always had a positive outlook. He was always working to solve not only my familys problems but also the problems of others around us who had even less than we did. Columnist George H.W. Bush was legendary for his thank-you notes. He wrote thousands of them, expressing appreciation for kindnesses large and small. When it came to his gratitude, no one was left behind. In light of the consequential life Bush lived, lifting up this habit might seem to accentuate the trivial. After all, he served bravely in one war and, as president, led his country to victory in another. Whats the big deal about thank-you notes that are politically shrewd and reflect the old-fashioned habits of a well-bred patrician? In fact, those missives of appreciation spoke to qualities that were fundamental to the 41st president of the United States. He was a much shrewder and tougher politician than we remember. He was a patrician, but of a very particular sort, a throwback to a time when elites felt a profound sense of public obligation. Being well-born entailed a commitment to duty and a requirement to live up to certain expectations. And if his privilege gave him good reason to be a sunny optimist, he shared his cheerfulness with others. Not for him a habit all too common among the wealthy these days of expressing irritation and resentment when others fail to see them as exemplars of greatness and virtue. For all these reasons, Bush represented a very different kind of Republicanism. He was a Burkean conservative who saw change and reform as necessary to the work of conserving what he believed to be a fundamentally good society. A fierce partisan when necessary, he refused to see cooperation with political adversaries as a form of ideological treason. As a product of the World War II generation, he did not dismiss government as merely a necessary evil. His two main domestic achievements as president, a new Clean Air Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act, were broadly progressive, and they passed with Democratic support. He cared about deficits in fact and not just in his rhetoric. So he was willing to violate his politically opportunistic 1988 No new taxes pledge to get a responsible budget deal two years later. Conservatives never forgave him, although his tax increase was smaller than the one Ronald Reagan signed. Conservatives were willing to forgive their hero almost anything; if the Gipper agreed to raise taxes, it must have been because he had no choice. The right never gave Bush any benefits of the doubt. And its worth remembering that when Bush asked Congress to approve the military campaign to reverse Saddam Husseins invasion of Kuwait, he did not seek a war vote during the run-up to the 1990 midterm elections. He waited until afterward, thus keeping the war decision out of electoral politics. He showed both resolve and restraint, resisting calls to send U.S. troops to Baghdad after Kuwait was freed from Husseins grip. It was a much-contested choice that looks better and better in retrospect. Bush was no saint but saints dont win elections. His 1988 campaign against Democrat Michael Dukakis, then the Massachusetts governor, carried a taint of racism. He attacked a Dukakis administration prison-furlough program, which was a legitimate thing to do. But the criticism was linked to the release of Willie Horton, an African American and convicted murderer who raped a white woman and stabbed her husband while on a weekend furlough. Years later, when Bushs wily, engaging but also often ruthless campaign manager, Lee Atwater, was facing death from cancer, he apologized for having said he would make Willie Horton [Dukakiss] running mate. Bush always seemed to see campaigning as the unpleasant prelude to the noble work of governing. If a willingness to separate politics from governing was often a Bush strength, it could also be a weakness. Nonetheless, our country would be better if elites were as public-spirited as Bush was and if conservatism reflected his Eisenhower style of balancing capitalism with public action, striving with compassion. One day many years ago, I found myself talking back to the television set in a rather partisan way (for what, I cant remember). I called my children over to say I didnt approve of what I had just done and that it was not good that our politics had become so divisive. And I told them of a president I had voted against but admired enormously for his stewardship of foreign policy and his basic decency. I hoped for a time when we did not have to become angry or fearful when the other side won an election. The man I was talking about was George H.W. Bush. Read more from E.J. Dionnes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. He was resilient in the face of his ailments. He had been determined to get to the home in Kennebunkport, Maine, where he had spent summers for much of his life. He was equally determined, Baker said, to return to Houston this fall. He declared that he no longer wanted to go in and out of the hospital when he suffered setbacks. He was determined to stay at home until the end. Collectively, you cant make it up. Which is why there is again so much focus on the president as central to the investigation. Trump has suffered through other bad moments since Mueller was appointed to investigate the role Russia played in the 2016 election and the degree to which there was cooperation, collusion, conspiracy, advance knowledge or any other kind of involvement by anyone associated with the Trump campaign. By any measure, the past week ranks as one of the worst for the president. Make no mistake, I support any efforts to investigate allegations of irregularities and/or voter fraud, as long as it is fair and focuses on all political parties, Harris said. But to date, there is absolutely no public evidence that there are enough ballots in question to affect the outcome of this race. Accordingly, the Board should act immediately to certify the race while continuing to conduct their investigation. Anything else is a disservice to the people of the Ninth District. I like George Bush very much and support him and always will, Trump told the adult magazine. But I disagree with him when he talks of a kinder, gentler America. I think if this country gets any kinder or gentler, its literally going to cease to exist. I think if we had people from the business community the Carl Icahns, the Ross Perots negotiating some of our foreign policy, wed have respect around the world. Mohammed came to the summit a pariah to some leaders he was positioned at the far edge of the back row in the annual family photo with attending leaders Saturday, and leaders including Germanys Angela Merkel had let it be known before the summit that they would not see Mohammed in Argentina. The crown prince also holed up in the fortified Saudi Embassy away from the rest of the Saudi delegation after his arrival here, amid moves by Argentine prosecutors to investigate human rights complaints against him. Even as Democrats won back the House of Representatives last month, some high-profile left-wing candidates fell short, a dynamic Sanders struggled with; he opened the weekend conference by saying the party could have done better. For the senator and his supporters, it was clear that Democrats had squandered power when they last held it, leading to a surge of right-wing nationalism. To avoid a repeat, the left needed to organize preferably, many here believe, with Sanders in the White House. Isnt that a male-female story? It was on that day, Casey said. But Im not convinced yet that it would be, if you had another woman running for president, another woman running for the Senate. Im not convinced that would be the case. There was something about that moment and those candidates. Yet, he and other Mexicans are unsure whether Lopez Obrador will govern as a practical-minded centrist as he did as mayor of Mexico City from 2000 to 2005 or an autocratic populist. While there are moderate, U.S.-educated academics in the new cabinet, analysts say power has shifted from the technocrats who have steered Mexican financial policy for decades. Although he praised Bush on Saturday, the 87-year-old Gorbachev had previously criticized the former president for not helping Russia get back on its feet as its economy reeled from the Soviet collapse. There was a critical year during the Bush administration between 1989 and 1990 when substantial aid from the United States could have made a difference, Gorbachev said in an interview for a 2011 book. But Western leaders stood on the sidelines, remaining forever skeptical. Kashmiri villagers attending a top militant commanders funeral,White House Christmas decorations, mass stranding of pilot whales, a fuel tax protest in France, the InSight lander touching down on Mars and more images from around the world. Nov. 25, 2018 Kashmiri villagers look on from a rooftop during a funeral procession for top militant commander Omar Ganai in Kulgam, south of Srinagar. Eight people were killed in violence in Indian-administered Kashmir, capping off one of the deadliest weeks this year in a region already suffering its worst bloodshed in a decade. Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/Getty Images Fridays filing directly connected Cohens wrongdoing to Trump. Cohens lawyers asserted, for example, that Cohen paid off women to keep quiet about alleged affairs with the president to stop them from disseminating narratives that would adversely affect the Campaign and cause personal embarrassment. And they said Cohen lied about efforts to finalize a Trump business project in Moscow during the heart of the campaign because he knew it was Trumps strongly voiced mantra to minimize the investigation into connections between his campaign and the Kremlin. Among the players, the Justice Department said in court papers, was onetime Fugees member and rapper Prakazrel Pras Michel, though he has not been publicly charged with any crimes. The filing also alleged that an investment firm owner who had complained his company was the victim of a cyber hacking incident took part in the lobbying effort. Prosecutors did not name the man, whom they identified as Individual No. 1, but the description of him in court papers matches that of veteran GOP fundraiser Elliott Broidy, who earlier this year filed a lawsuit about his hacked emails. The Washington Post previously reported Broidy was under investigation in the case. Trump has cited arms sales to the Saudis as one reason to maintain close ties. The administration received a boost to the presidents claim of major U.S. profits from arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Last week, after a nearly two-month delay, Saudi Arabia signed acceptance documents for a $15 billion purchase of a missile defense system, the largest component of what Trump has claimed were $110 billion worth of sales negotiated during his 2017 visit to Riyadh. The deal brings the total of deals actually signed under the current administration to about $30 billion, although most were initiated under former president Barack Obama. Coca-Cola Amatil will look to sell its loss-making SPC fruit and tomato business in Victoria, four years after winning a taxpayer funded lifeline to keep open its factory in Shepparton. The soft-drink giant said the decision followed a "strategic review" of the business which posted a $10 million loss last year. The move coincides with the end of a four-year investment of $78 million by CCA and $22 million from the Victorian government designed save the jobs of around 500 people who work for the manufacturer, mostly from the Goulburn Valley. SPC's Shepparton factory employs around 500 workers. Credit:Vince Caligirui It also came as investors smashed the company as it revealed it was struggling with a number of issues including poor performance in its Indonesian arm and rising costs. Its share price sank 14.55 per cent on Friday to close at $8.63. A 39-year-old man has been charged following a shooting incident in Brisbane's south-east. Police will allege a man riding a motorcycle used a handgun to shoot multiple times towards a car, which was driving along Simmins Place at Burbank about 11.30am on Saturday. The man shot at the car multiple times, police will allege. The two vehicles collided before the motorcycle rider fled on foot and fled the scene in a car, police said. A man was later taken into custody at the Wynnum exit of the Gateway Motorway. News Premium Ill do you in the back of the head...you wont see it coming!: Wexford man convicted of assault and threats to garda Lillie Freeman Audio Article Lillie Freeman, 93, of Fairview, Texas, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. Lillie was born... Lewis Bayer Audio Article Lewis Bayer was a caring brother, uncle, and friend to many within Floresville, Texas, and the surrounding communities. The Lord... Gene Ernest Maeckel Audio Article Gene Ernest Maeckel of Poth, Texas, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. Born... This week, a Holstein by the name of Knickers captured the heart of the internet by standing horns and shoulders above a herd of cattle on a farm in Australia. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. This week, a Holstein by the name of Knickers captured the heart of the internet by standing horns and shoulders above a herd of cattle on a farm in Australia. And theres no arguing that the lad is large. At the shoulder, Knickers stands a mighty 6-4, which means hes two inches taller than Arnold Schwarzenegger. And he weighs roughly 1,270 kilograms, which is the approximate equivalent of 141/2 Danny DeVitos. Which is to say, Knickers is big. But also that his bigness is relative to what he is being compared to. "This story needs some perspective," said Aniek Bouwman, an expert in animal breeding and genomics at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. For starters, she said, its important to note that Knickers is not a cow but a steer, because males are typically quite a bit larger than females. (Note: Only females who have had at least one calf are referred to in cattle circles as "cows.") But his breed is also important, Bouwman said. Male Holsteins tend to top out at just under six feet in height, while other breeds, like the wagyu cattle that surround Knickers in the now-famous photos of him, usually come in under 41/2 feet. In other words, Knickers is a large specimen, but he looks larger because hes standing among a herd of Danny DeVitos, not a herd of Arnold Schwarzeneggers. Age is also a factor. Knickers is seven years old, which is actually rather long in the tooth for a steer. The animals he was pictured with are all around one year old, his owner told the New York Times. "Steers are usually destined for slaughter by the age of three," said Craig Hickman, a dairy farmer in Ashburton, New Zealand, who added that nearly everyone he knows has been sending him reports about Knickers. "So at seven, hes had time to pack on an awful lot of weight." In fact, Knickers extreme proportions may have been something of a self-fulfilling prophecy. After a few years of growth, the animal had become too large to put through a processing facility, according to his owner, Geoff Pearson. Age and breed aside, Knickers does seem to have something a little extra going on. Which is interesting, Pearson said in an interview, because the steers parents werent particularly large, nor was he noticeably different at birth. "He was just a run-of-the-mill calf thats turned into a giant," said Pearson, who owns a third-generation cattle farm in Myalup, a small town in Western Australia. According to Bouwman, both gigantism and dwarfism, or exceptionally large and small individuals, have been documented in various species. She published a meta-analysis study in Nature this year that suggested that the same genes regulate size across cattle, dogs and humans, which means that it may well be possible for Knickers-like extremes to occur in any mammal under the right conditions. As for whether genes are responsible for Knickers size, Bouwman said a DNA test would be required to say for sure. It may also be possible that Knickers pituitary gland, which regulates growth, has gone haywire. This has been seen in some tadpole specimens that continue to grow as tadpoles and never undergo metamorphosis to become frogs. Asked about Knickers, Richard Wassersug, an honorary professor and herpetologist at the University of British Columbia who studies giantism in tadpoles, said he wouldnt want to speculate outside of his realm of expertise. But generally speaking, he said, no growth can go on forever. "There are clear limits on how large any terrestrial organism can be before its organ systems can no longer meet the collective needs of other organ systems and they start to fail," he said. Danniel, another humongous Holstein in California that was roughly the same size as Knickers, died this year from a calcium deficiency. According to news reports, Danniel consumed 100 pounds of hay, 15 pounds of grain and 100 gallons of water a day. He lived to be eight years old. Meanwhile, the worlds tallest steer record is held by an Italian chianina ox named Bellino. Hes 6-7. Knickers has shown no sign of health problems, but Pearson said he wont be surprised if carrying all that weight catches up to the steer eventually. And while its been fun talking about his unusual animal to journalists from various countries in recent days, Pearson said, hes got more pressing matters. "Yeah, look, we run a reasonable cattle operation," he said. "We like the exposure Knickers has gotten, but weve got a day-to-day operation to continue on with." In other words, dont get your knickers in a bunch, people. Its just a big steer. Washington Post BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Divisions among the world leading economies emerged from the moment their leaders gathered Friday in Argentina: Donald Trump struck his own deals and angered allies, and the leaders of Russia and Saudi Arabia bonded amid criticism from European powers. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 30/11/2018 (1091 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The band of the Army 1st Infantry "Patricios" Regiment prepares to play for China's President Xi Jinping upon his arrival to the Ministro Pistarini international airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. Leaders from the Group of 20 industrialized nations will meet in Buenos Aires for two days starting Friday. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia) BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Divisions among the world leading economies emerged from the moment their leaders gathered Friday in Argentina: Donald Trump struck his own deals and angered allies, and the leaders of Russia and Saudi Arabia bonded amid criticism from European powers. U.S. negotiators blocked progress at the Group of 20 summit on managing migration, slowing climate change, and streamlining how world trade is governed, according to European officials involved in the discussions. Security concerns also weighed on the two-day talks in Buenos Aires. Argentina's security minister said eight gasoline bombs were discovered in an area of the capital several miles from the summit venue where a protest in the afternoon drew thousands of demonstrators who held up banners with slogans like "Go away G-20" and "Go away Trump." The whole point of the G-20 formed in the wake of the global financial crisis a decade ago is finding ways to solve global problems together, but diplomats in Buenos Aires struggled to find enough things all the leaders agree on. Trump sought to use the summit to make his own trade deals, and angered the Argentine hosts by misconstruing their position on China's trade practices. Meanwhile, two men under heavy criticism from the West lately Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared to seek refuge in each other, bonding with a tough-guy hand grab as the leaders sat down around a huge round table for talks. European Council's President Donald Tusk, right, leaves the presidential palace after meeting Argentina's President Mauricio Macri in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. Leaders from the Group of 20 industrialized nations will meet in Buenos Aires for two days starting Friday. (AP Photo/Sebastian Pani) Argentine President Mauricio Macri kicked off the summit by acknowledging divisions within the G-20 while urging world leaders to have a "sense of urgency" and take actions "based on shared interests." Diplomats from the Group of 20 countries were haggling hard over a final summit statement, with deep divisions over what language to use on the Paris climate accord and the World Trade Organization. Two European officials involved in the discussions said the U.S. was stymieing progress on both. So an unorthodox solution emerged: An official in the French president's office said the statement may have language that sets the U.S. apart. For example, a draft says 19 of the participants agree on the importance of upholding the Paris climate accord, but the U.S. doesn't. Asked about the European concerns, a U.S. official said progress was being made on the joint statement and the White House was "optimistic" about the document as a whole. Later the Argentine official shepherding the G-20 finance talks, treasury official Laura Jaitman, said Trump was "very active and committed" in the dialogue and said progress was made in Friday's talks on finance and trade. "There's a very positive message of how trade has been an engine of growth for the next decades and how it will continue in the future providing benefits for all citizens," Jaitman said. Argentina's President Mauricio Macri, right, welcomes Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to the start of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Leaders from the Group of 20 industrialized nations are meeting in Buenos Aires for two days starting today. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie said trade talks were moving forward and nations were continuing to work on climate change wording. Despite Trump's dismissal of concerns about global warming, China, France and the United Nations came together Friday to pledge their support for the Paris climate accord. Their declaration was meant to encourage other G-20 members to do the same, and to provide a boost for an upcoming U.N. climate summit. Overall the G-20 summit is meant to focus on issues such as labour, infrastructure, development, financial stability, climate sustainability and international commerce. But as the gathering got underway, those themes seemed like afterthoughts, overshadowed by contentious matters from the U.S.-China trade dispute to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russia and Ukraine have traded blame over the weekend seizure of Ukrainian ships and their crew which Trump cited in cancelling a much-awaited meeting with Putin at the G-20. Russia's foreign minister regretted the cancellation, but said "love can't be forced." Also looming large amid dozens of bilateral meetings in Buenos Aires: The gruesome slaying of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia's Istanbul Consulate and how the Saudi crown prince, who is alleged to have ordered the killing, is received by world leaders. As soon as he arrived, the crown prince was confronted by French President Emmanuel Macron, who pressed him on the Khashoggi investigation and the Saudi-backed war in Yemen. Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, wait for other heads of state for the group photo at the start of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Leaders from the Group of 20 industrialized nations are meeting in Buenos Aires for two days starting today.(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Bin Salman told Macron not to worry, but Macron countered, "I am worried." Saudi Arabia has denied that bin Salman played a role, but some leaders were concerned about seeming to legitimize a man who U.S. intelligence agencies concluded ordered the killing. Trump's administration, however, has made clear it does not want to torpedo the longstanding U.S. relationship with Riyadh. It is the prince's first significant appearance overseas since the killing. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been sharply critical of Saudi Arabia over the incident, is also in attendance. Leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico, meanwhile, met in the morning to sign a trade deal replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement that was struck following months of tough negotiations that analysts say left a bitter taste among the partners. It must still be ratified by lawmakers in all three countries, and passage in the U.S. could face a tough road in the House of Representatives after Democrats won a majority in November midterm elections. While Trump cancelled his meeting with Putin, the U.S. president was still scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but analysts were not optimistic about prospects for a major breakthrough on the two countries' trade disputes a month before U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods are set to ramp up. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived late after her plane suffered a technical problem. British Prime Minister Theresa May's attendance at the summit marked the first time a U.K. prime minister has visited Argentina's capital. The only other prime minister to visit the country was Tony Blair, who went to Puerto Iguazu in 2001. The two countries have long been at odds over the South Atlantic islands known as the Falklands in Britain and the Malvinas in Argentina. Faurie, the Argentine foreign minister, said the recent establishment of more flights to the disputed islands was a positive development. "We are not withdrawing our historic claim," he added. "The focus of this opportunity is in the reestablishment of trust." In downtown Buenos Aires, meanwhile, thousands of demonstrators flooded the 9 de Julio Avenue waving flags and holding up banners. Several marched topless with colorful national flags of summit countries painted on their chests." About 22,000 police officers and other security forces are guarding the leaders during the summit. Argentina is the first South American country to host the G-20, and officials have the added challenge of ensuring that chaos is better contained than it was at last year's meeting in Hamburg, Germany, where clashes broke out between police and protesters. Argentine authorities have said they will not tolerate violence or allow the gathering to be disrupted. ___ Associated Press writers Almudena Calatrava and Debora Rey in Buenos Aires and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report. LORDSTOWN, Ohio - Since General Motors announced its decision this week to shut down its hulking Lordstown plant the anchor of this northeast Ohio town workers on the line have had nothing but questions. Will they have jobs come spring? Should they put in for transfers and move their families to Texas or Tennessee? How much should they spend on Christmas? Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 30/11/2018 (1091 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. LORDSTOWN, Ohio - Since General Motors announced its decision this week to shut down its hulking Lordstown plant the anchor of this northeast Ohio town workers on the line have had nothing but questions. Will they have jobs come spring? Should they put in for transfers and move their families to Texas or Tennessee? How much should they spend on Christmas? One they haven't yet answered: Who is to blame? In this Nov. 28, 2018 photo, Aaron Hooper transfers a rear end of a General Motors Chevrolet Cruze during assembly at Jamestown Industries, in Youngstown, Ohio. Jamestown Industries supplies parts for the Chevy Cruze. It was working-class voters who bucked the area's history as a Democratic stronghold and backed Donald Trump in 2016, helping him win the White House with promises to put American workers first and bring back disappearing manufacturing and steel jobs. Whether they stick with him after this week's GM news and other signs that the economy could be cooling will determine Trump's political future. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) It was working-class voters like these who bucked the area's history as a Democratic stronghold and backed Donald Trump in 2016, helping him win the White House with promises to put American workers first and bring back disappearing manufacturing jobs. Whether they stick with him after the GM news and other signs that the economy may be cooling could determine Trump's political future. For now, many people here are still behind the man who won them over with his sky-high promises. But they took those pledges seriously, and still expect him to fulfil them. "Do I feel like there's still time to put down Twitter and stop doing what he's doing and focus on us? Yeah," said Tommy Wolikow, who followed in his father's footsteps to work at GM Lordstown before he was laid off on the same day as Trump's inauguration. The 36-year-old father of three was in the crowd at a 2017 rally in Youngstown when Trump boasted he would bring jobs back. "Don't sell your house," the president said and Wolikow took him at his word. But things only got worse. He's since started travelling to Trump rallies to draw attention to the troubles in Lordstown and elsewhere where he says promises haven't been kept. But he says he will support Trump again if he sees action, not just words. "If you help get jobs back here in our community ... you'll have my vote," he said. GM said Monday it would cut up to 14,000 workers in North America and marked five plants for possible closure, including the Lordstown plant, which previous rounds of layoffs already had left operating with just one shift. Once-full parking lots around the plant now sit largely empty. Assembly plants in Detroit and Ontario and transmission plants near Baltimore and in Warren, Michigan, also could be shuttered. Michigan, like Ohio, was among the states with large numbers of once-reliably Democratic union workers who backed Trump two years ago. But Michigan seemed to be swinging back to the left in the November midterm election, when Democrats won the governor's office and other statewide races and picked up two congressional seats. Ohio seemed to be holding firm for the GOP. Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown a possible 2020 presidential candidate won re-election, but Republicans won the governor's race and four other statewide offices for the third straight time, an outcome Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper attributed partly to Ohioans' loyalty to the president. "The Trump factor," he said. In northeast Ohio, where Democrats for decades took 60 per cent or more of the vote, the GOP picked up steam. While statewide Democratic candidates won in Mahoning County, where Youngstown is located, it was by much smaller margins than four years ago. County GOP Chairman Mark Munroe credits Trump and a "newfound sense of optimism." "If anything, support for the president has gotten stronger," he said. "People have an appreciation for what the president has done. I think he'll do even better in 2020." The Trump presidency has coincided with factory job gains, although not in some of the traditional manufacturing centres that he promised to revive. The number of people working in factories has not passed the totals of a decade ago, right before the 2008 financial crisis forced a crushing wave of layoffs. Ohio has shed auto-making jobs on Trump's watch, while Michigan, California and Kentucky have seen growth. Trump does appear to be getting credit for the economy, even from those who aren't personally benefiting. With low unemployment and a largely strong stock market until relatively recently, nearly two-thirds of midterm voters nationwide considered the economy to be good, according to VoteCast, the Associated Press' survey of the electorate. And while just 44 per cent of voters said they approved of his job performance overall, 55 per cent gave him high marks on the economy. In rural and small-town America, the heart of Trump's support, a solid majority 58 per cent of voters making less than $50,000 said they approve of his handling of the economy. That's only a slightly smaller share than rural voters overall. In Ohio, backing for Trump and his handling of the economy was strong. Even as voters nearly split evenly on their opinion of Trump overall, 57 per cent gave him good marks on the economy. "I don't think he can perform miracles," said Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill, a Trump supporter who, like others in this community near Youngstown, is hopeful GM will assign the plant another product to replace the Chevy Cruze, a model workers here produce but the company is abandoning. He blames market forces, not Trump or GM, and says the community is otherwise doing well. "If we were giving out grades, I'd give (Trump) a B right now," Hill said. "If Lordstown gets another product, I'll give him an A." Trump criticized GM and the company's chief executive officer, Mary Barra, after the shutdown announcement, noting on Twitter that the company isn't closing plants in China or Mexico. "The U.S. saved General Motors, and this is the THANKS we get!" he wrote. The president also said this week he wants to cut federal subsidies for the company, and signalled he may place tariffs on car imports. The White House has not clarified those comments, and there are questions about whether the president has the authority to act without congressional approval. Union leaders and Democratic officials say Trump should have done more, and sooner. After the latest round of layoffs in July, Union President Dave Green sent a letter to Trump asking him to get involved and noting a large number of union members voted for him. Trump's silence on the situation, Green wrote, was "disturbing." Trump this week pinned blame on others, including Brown, telling The Wall Street Journal the senator "didn't get the point across" to GM. Brown said the president should stop "pointing fingers" and called on him to sit down and discuss ways to save the plant. News like the GM announcement could sway opinion and create a line of attack for a Democratic candidate. And there are other indications of U.S. economic trouble: Sales of new U.S. homes dropped in October by almost 9 per cent, and the number of unsold, newly built homes on the market reached its highest level since 2009. Tim O'Hara, vice-president of United Auto Workers 1112, says whether support for Trump continues is a matter of "wait and see, like everything else." He said he believes a Democrat still has a chance to win in Ohio if that candidate talks about issues people care about, like jobs and trade. O'Hara, who backed Hillary Clinton in 2016, retired from the plant earlier this year after 41 years, though his wife still works there. He said a lot of people in the area "seemed to buy in to Trump" two years ago, and he agreed most are still with the president. "But worst-case scenario let's say the plant closes for good I don't know what their opinion is going to be at that point," he said. ___ Associated Press writers Hannah Fingerhut and Josh Boak contributed from Washington. A mini-runway, lined with stiletto heels, glistens in bright fluorescent lighting. Shoes of various types sit neatly in individual glass shelves. A statue of an angel carrying several shopping bags stands in the middle as Los Angeles fashionistas mill about, trying on shoes, posing on the red carpet, drinking champagne served in tall, slender glasses. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A mini-runway, lined with stiletto heels, glistens in bright fluorescent lighting. Shoes of various types sit neatly in individual glass shelves. A statue of an angel carrying several shopping bags stands in the middle as Los Angeles fashionistas mill about, trying on shoes, posing on the red carpet, drinking champagne served in tall, slender glasses. It was a private launch party of a new luxury brand of shoes called Palessi, designed by Italian designer Bruno Palessi. "I would pay US$400, $500. People are going to be like, Where did you get those? Those are amazing," a woman said as she tried on a pair of bright-gold sneakers with leopard prints. The woman was not actually buying a Palessi because theres no such brand, and theres no Bruno Palessi. There is, however, Payless ShoeSource, a discount shoe retailer hoping to shake things up through an elaborate and expensive advertising prank to attract new customers and change the perception that the company just sells cheap, unfashionable shoes. "We felt like this campaign would be a great way to get a lot of people to consider Payless again, and to realize its more than just a shoe store in the mall," said Sarah Couch, Paylesss chief marketing officer. But the prank also points to a reality about the human mind: consumers are not capable of discerning the quality and value of the things they buy, said Philip Graves, a consumer behaviour consultant from Britain. Slap a fancy-sounding European label on US$30 shoes, and you have an illusion of status that people will pay an exorbitant amount of money for. "The way that we evaluate things is through associations. If you put wine in a nice bottle, people like it more. If you package things up to look more premium, people will like it more," Graves said. "If advertising has high production qualities, people will think its better." The campaign is the brainchild of a 10-person advertising company in Brooklyn. DCX Growth Accelerator specializes in big media pranks, or what the company calls "culture hacking." A few weeks ago, the company pitched its idea to Payless, which had been looking for an out-of-the-box advertising campaign ahead of the holiday season. DCX examined Paylesss early successes, why its momentum had stalled, and what it could do to help turn the brand around, said Doug Cameron, who founded DCX in 2015. Payless shuttered hundreds of stores and laid off thousands of employees last year. There are at least six Payless ShoeSource stores in Winnipeg. "We wanted to do something provocative. We wanted to get Payless back into the cultural discourse," Cameron said. First, the team needed a location for the fake launch party, and found what they thought was the perfect one: a former Giorgio Armani store at Santa Monica Place, an upscale shopping mall that houses stores such as Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors and Tiffany & Co. The team rented the space for six weeks. Second, they needed a name, and they wanted something that sounded like Payless. Among the first ideas was an upscale, hipster Brooklyn-based boutique theyd call Eli Pass. But the team eventually settled on an Italian theme. They rearranged the letters in Eli Pass and came up with Palessi. "I think Bruno came later," Cameron said of the fictitious designers name. They hired an interior designer to help them create an authentic, luxurious look for the launch party, as well as people who would pose as sales employees. They brought in gold mannequins, hung white paper shopping bags and installed the big-winged angel statue in the middle. To push things a bit further without revealing the joke, Cameron said they wheeled in gold-painted statues of lions and a giraffe. The team said they kept most of whats already in the store, such as the glass shelves, on which they neatly arranged varieties of stilettos, pumps, sneakers, boots and leather shoes. They covered the original brand labels with stickers that say "PALESSI" in clean, black font, slapping on price tags as high as US$1,800. The team also created an Instagram account and began crowding it with captionless and random pictures of models and stilettos. They bought and created a website, which is mostly empty except for the images of two stilettos on mannequin hands. Then, finally, they needed potential consumers. Cameron calls it "real person casting." They scouted the streets and the internet for social media influencers, fashionable people who look like theyre likely to attend this type of event. "They way we framed it is its a new store, a new brand and the owner is looking for some feedback," Cameron said. On the day of the launch, Oct. 27, unsuspecting attendees lined up outside. The DCX and Payless team used the back of the store as a control room of sorts, equipped with monitors attached to video cameras. As people arrived, paid interviewers and cameramen asked them what they thought of the shoes and how much they would pay for them. Cameron and his team were in the back, dictating the questions through microphones. "Palessi is just such high quality, high fashion, taking your shoe game up to the next level," said one man wearing spiked necklaces, holding a high-heeled, knee-high boot. "It looks really well made." "Its just stunning. Elegant, sophisticated and versatile," said a woman, as she held a pair of floral stiletto heels. After attendees purchased overpriced shoes some for US$200, $400 and $600 they were taken toward the backroom, where the prank was revealed. "Youve got to be kidding me," said the woman who had gushed about the pair of floral stiletto heels, her eyes wide as she stared down at the overpriced shoes in her hands. The team said those who bought the shoes were allowed to keep them for free. Cat Chang, a Los Angeles diamond designer, was among the unsuspecting fashionistas. She said she didnt buy shoes because she had already bought a bunch of pairs a few days earlier. But she would have, had she found a pair her size. "We wouldnt have ever known. We were really convinced," said Chang, who said she was paid to attend the event. "They had us fooled, like completely." Chang said the experience made her rethink Payless, and she plans to visit a store soon. Washington Post Farmers across Canada left thousands of acres of potato crops unharvested after a slew of bad weather created challenging conditions, setting the stage for a possible shortage of the starchy dinner table staple. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Farmers across Canada left thousands of acres of potato crops unharvested after a slew of bad weather created challenging conditions, setting the stage for a possible shortage of the starchy dinner table staple. "It's unprecedented. Never, never before have I seen this in my time," said Kevin MacIsaac, general manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC), an organization that provides industry information to help farmers make production and marketing decisions. He's been with the organization for seven years and, before that, grew potatoes in Prince Edward Island, where he still lives. In typical years, one area of the country may suffer from a bad harvest, while others do OK, he said, but this year, the problems span almost all the way across the country. Farmers abandoned about 16,000 acres of potato crop, according to the group's most recent estimate, which did not include figures for Saskatchewan, Ontario or Nova Scotia, but indicated they also suffered some losses. B.C. is the only province that did not mention abandoned crops in UPGC's report. The group expects to have more precise figures soon, MacIsaac said, but is working with the best information it has now. P.E.I., the country's largest potato producer, suffered the most. Farmers left about 6,800 acres unharvested. In a typical year, some 500 to 1,000 acres may be abandoned, said Greg Donald, general manager of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board, which represents the province's nearly 170 growers. The weather this year in the province was relentless. First came a lacklustre growing season, with a late spring and hot, dry summer, said Donald, which was followed by an early frost in September that killed any future growth potential. Then came copious amounts of rain, which delayed the end of harvest beyond the usual Halloween target date, and farmers pushed into November. In early November, it rained one day and the ground froze solid the next, he said, meaning farmers could no longer dig for potatoes. "Many have described it as the harvest from hell," he said. Unusual weather caused other provinces to suffer similar setbacks. In Manitoba, some 5,200 acres remain unharvested, according to UPGC. While the province's prospects for a good yield were strong going into harvest, rainfall followed by a cold spell resulted in thousands of abandoned acres, said MacIsaac. Most farmers will have some type of insurance to cover a portion of their costs associated with the lost income, but it won't cover the profit they would have made, he said. The thousands of unharvested acres could mean a shortage of processing potatoes (those used to make products like french fries and hash browns) and table potatoes (those sold whole in grocery stores), both men said. "It's going to be a real, you know, challenge," said Donald, adding there's not going to be enough local supply for the markets the province typically serves. Compounding the problem is a similar situation in parts of the U.S., as well as parts of Europe where a dry season hurt yields, making for a more global shortfall. While some growing areas in North America may have a shortage, others will have a surplus that can balance that out, said Terence Hochstein, executive director of the Potato Growers of Alberta. His province abandoned about 1,000 acres, he said, which is more than he'd like, but pretty typical. It was able to send some potatoes to P.E.I. and Alberta to help, he said. "Overall, I think the crop is going to be tight, but I think the industry will be alright." Still, consumers could ultimately see price hikes on potato products due to basic supply and demand principles. When there's less of a product, it's going to be reflected in the price, Donald said, adding even the potatoes that have been harvested are not quite safe yet. Potatoes are mostly water and harvesting them in wet conditions adds the risk of bringing extra moisture into storage, making them more difficult to dry and keep, he said. "So that's still a big concern as well." Follow @AleksSagan on Twitter. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - The chief government whip for the federal Liberals says MP Raj Grewal is out of the party caucus. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - The chief government whip for the federal Liberals says MP Raj Grewal is out of the party caucus. Ajax MP Mark Holland says in a tweet that he confirmed Saturday morning with the Speaker of the House of Commons that Grewal "is not a member of the Liberal caucus." The MP for Brampton East took to Facebook on Friday to say he has repaid his sizable gambling debts and is now reconsidering his hasty decision to quit politics. He announced last month that he was stepping down immediately to deal with "personal and medical reasons." The Prime Minister's Office later said Grewal's sudden decision was prompted by a gambling problem that led him to incur significant personal debts. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday he learned of Grewal's gambling problem just over a week ago, but his office had no information that an RCMP investigation was connected to the issue. Trudeau told a news conference in Buenos Aires his office was aware the Mounties had been examining Raj Grewal's connection to the prime minister's trip to India this year. Grewal had invited a construction executive who was paying him for legal services to official events with Trudeau during the trip. The PMO was aware the RCMP was asking questions related to the India trip and that an ethics investigation was going on around Grewal, Trudeau said. "We had no information at that point there was any connection to a gambling problem we had no information on," he said. "On Wednesday of last week, I was apprised of Mr. Grewal's gambling problem.... I understand my office became aware of that within a day or so of briefing me." In his Facebook message Friday, Grewal said he began frequenting the Casino du Lac Leamy in Gatineau, Que., in early 2016, racking up personal debt in the millions of dollars playing high-stakes blackjack. He started to borrow money from family and friends to continue to gamble. "On an average sitting, I would spend between 15 to 30 minutes at a table, and I either won a lot of money, which made me continue to chase wins, or I lost a significant amount of money, which threw me into complete despair," he said. "I want to make it clear, that every single personal loan made to me was by cheque. Everybody has been paid back, and every loan and repayment is transparent and traceable." The issue had nothing to do with "anything sinister" except addiction issues, he added, while apologizing to his family for having to bail him out and carry the burden with him. Grewal said he would take a leave of absence from the Liberal caucus to focus on his mental health, and make a final decision about his political future before Parliament resumes in the new year. A source with knowledge of events has told The Canadian Press that the RCMP began looking into Grewal's casino gambling based on reports of unusually large financial transactions. with files from Jim Bronskill Follow @kkirkup on Twitter With glistening waters the colour of strong tea and stands of thick black spruce, Grassy Narrows sits amid some of the most stunning boreal forest in the world. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. With glistening waters the colour of strong tea and stands of thick black spruce, Grassy Narrows sits amid some of the most stunning boreal forest in the world. The Wabigoon and English river systems that run through it track hundreds of kilometres north of Kenora, through northwestern Ontario and the Winnipeg and Nelson rivers, to Hudson Bay. For decades, the natural beauty in this Ojibwa First Nation 100 kilometres northeast of Kenora hid an ugly secret; it would rise to the surface every so often, and then slip back out of sight. Winnipeg and the rest of Canada can thank Steve Fobister for keeping the issue afloat. As recently as 2017, Ontario secured $85 million for a mercury cleanup. A care home for mercury-poisoning victims is being built there, thanks to him. Fobisters longtime fellow advocate, then-Grassy Narrows chief Simon Fobister, called himself a "happy camper for now" with the latest cleanup, but noted there were still concerns about ongoing leaching of the neurotoxin into the water system. When Steve Fobister, himself a respected former chief of Grassy and grand chief of the Ontario Chiefs, died at Lake of the Woods District Hospital on Oct. 11 at age 66, he was crippled with mysterious neurological symptoms he had described as killing him "a piece at a time." Given the history of the place, his family called for an inquest. In the 60s, a pulp and paper mill in Dryden dumped 9,000 kilograms of mercury in the English and Wabigoon rivers. The contamination killed off a thriving fishery and devastated Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong (formerly known as Whitedog) First Nations. Financial compensation packages in the 80s proved almost impossible to access. That was followed by timber clear cutting, the discovery of drums of mercury buried in the boreal and a damning report documenting the effects of the contamination on people. For each of those battles, Grassy had Steve Fobister to stand up for them. "Our beloved Steve died without ever getting the closure of having a government minister look into his eye and admit that he was poisoned by mercury," Fobisters niece Sylvia Wapioke told The Canadian Press after his death. Fobister was born in Dryden on Feb. 22, 1952. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Land, and a large family of children and grandchildren. People who knew him and admired him say his life was shaped by mercury poisoning and intertwined with political and environmental circles because of it. Both the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail paid tribute to his national profile with obituaries. "Steve Fobister was the living embodiment of the effects of that (mercury pollution) crime that is still being perpetrated against the people of Grassy Narrows, White Dog and the people of the Wabigoon and English river systems," outspoken northern Ontario NDP MP Charlie Angus told the Free Press. "Grassy was such a horror story (that) people assume it cant still be going on. Steve was a powerful voice. Canadians have a really short attention span for the stuff done to Indigenous people. He kept bringing us back." Fobister remembered what it was like before mercury poisoned the land and the people. He grew up on the land, fishing, hunting and trapping when Grassy Narrows was almost fully self-sufficient, said David Sone, an environmental consultant who became a friend. "Its nearly impossible to capture the measure of the man who was so many things to so many people," Sone said. FreeGrassy.net Steve Fobister. Taken at a press conference at the Steelworkers Hall in Toronto, 2014 launching his hunger strike. Fobisters friend Robert Williamson recalled the violent death of Steves brother Patrick, a friend of Williamsons, back half a century ago, and how it changed Fobister. Fobister, then a youth counsellor, was the first to reach the scene where a fight had broken out. He couldnt revive his younger brother. "Patrick died from a gunshot. Grassy in the 70s was a bad time for young people. It was the time that the mercury was discovered and it created a lot of social problems. It was the worst time. And Steve was one of the workers who was right in the middle of (it) trying to look after the youth," Williamson said. "He wanted to deal with it right away, even though he was young. He could see a need for that." Mercury poisoning accumulates in the body and is known as Minamata disease, named after a Japanese coastal town where the release of mercury from a chemical factory in the 50s accumulated in shellfish and fish in Minamata Bay and the Shiranui Sea and was eaten by the local population. Cat, dog, pig and human deaths from mercury poisoning continued for more than 30 years. It causes neurological symptoms that mimic other diseases and its often misdiagnosed. Canada is known as the other place in the world with lethal cases of mercury poisoning, known as Ontario Minamata disease. "Its really obvious whats happening, but the diagnoses that are being put on people are, like, Parkinsons. The doctors kind of say, its really hard to diagnose mercury poisoning," said Williamson, who said hes sick too. Fobister was given a diagnosis of ALS, or Lou Gehrigs disease, which slowly paralyzes the body. Fobister had to hold his jaw up to be able to chew food at the end, the same thing that is happening to Williamson. "The mercury that is flowing in our bodies is hard to fix, even though theyre going to be cleaning up that river, the mercury were carrying it in our bodies and its still affecting us," Williamson said. Fobister had a way of speaking directly that could come across as shocking, and he didnt spare himself, even if it meant being the point of a spear in an environmental battle. His last public stand came with a hunger strike in 2014 at Queens Park in Toronto, in an effort to halt clear cutting on Grassy Narrows traditional land and about the same time a 100-page report documenting the devastation surfaced in Ontario. "Im dying anyway, one piece at a time," Fobister bluntly told reporters who questioned why he would undertake a fast when he was so obviously frail. Ontario Chiefs regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald was a friend of Fobisters and she remembered him as a soft-spoken man with a powerful presence. "I met him when we were both chiefs and we were in different parts of the province battling the same company... and both our issues were about clear cutting in our traditional lands. We had a number of phone conversations and we planned some protests together and one of them was on Parliament Hill," Archibald said. "When you go into battle, you want somebody like Steve Fobister, who has the calm, grounding energy yet is fearless. We think of power as being loud, but I think it was more powerful because he wasnt loud," she said. Archibald and Angus recently visited Grassy Narrows and they were struck by the place. "Its hard to imagine the water was so polluted and the fish and wildlife were so damaged when you look at the land, because its actually quite beautiful. They have some of the best sunsets, you know. Theres a reason they call it sunset country," Archibald said. Angus said the beauty makes it even harder to fathom the devastation there. "When you drive up there and see the incredible beauty of the water, it makes you wonder what kind of nation lets the water be polluted to the extent that half a century later, children are still dying," he said. Williamson said its important to understand his friend lived up to his name and that his name was part of the boreal. "The man who gave him that name had a dream about snow, like in a whirlwind and thats where his name came from," Williamson said. Fobisters Anishinaabe name was Pa pii waa nii mo petung, referring to the winter winds that whip up the snow. Resembling mini-tornadoes, they can stop you in your tracks and they are very much a part of life in the boreal. alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca OTTAWA The federal government said it would introduce legislation next year in its push to give Indigenous people control over child and family services (CFS). Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 30/11/2018 (1091 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA The federal government said it would introduce legislation next year in its push to give Indigenous people control over child and family services (CFS). "These are the most vulnerable children in our country and we need to listen to them," Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott told reporters Friday. "They are on a dangerous path." Manitoba leads the country in child-welfare apprehensions. Numerous studies link CFS involvement with poverty, drug use, going missing and ending up in jail. Flanked by the three main national Indigenous leaders, Philpott announced plans to implement a law that would allow Indigenous leaders to run their own CFS agencies, based on six principles such as keeping families together and not removing children simply because of poverty. Around 52 per cent of the 28,665 children in foster care in Canada who are 13 and younger are Indigenous, despite making up only 7.7 per cent of children that age, 2016 census data show. Roughly 11,000 Manitoba children are in care, and 91 per cent of them are First Nations or Metis. At a summit in Ottawa last January, Philpott cited U.S. legislation that gave autonomous Native American courts the ability to make child-custody decisions. It was unclear Friday how devolving CFS would work in Manitoba, where the province sets the laws for CFS agencies and provides their funding, along with Ottawa, while Indigenous groups administer those agencies. Philpott said provinces expressed "various states of enthusiasm" in a recent phone meeting, but that there was a widespread "desire to do something different." Manitoba Families Minister Heather Stefanson wrote Friday that she was "eager to see the federal legislation to learn what this means for Manitoba," noting that the province has been reforming its CFS laws. She said the provinces semi-devolved system is "already one of the most advanced among the provinces in that regard." The province has cited a common problem, in which case workers can only tap into government funds when they remove a child from a home. There are times when that money could be better spent to keep the child in their home. For example, CFS has removed children from overheated homes because they could not use the agencys budget to purchase an air conditioner, despite that costing far less than putting a child into care. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is drafting its own legislation, which it says could reverse the "humanitarian crisis" of children being apprehended. The assembly has not made its draft law public. It says roughly 68 children a year die in CFS care in Manitoba, which is higher than the annual average of 66 deaths across Canada that took place among residential-school pupils. The Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) 2015 final report characterized child apprehensions as a continuation of residential schools and the 60s Scoop. The very first of the TRCs 94 calls to action relate to CFS, including asking Ottawa "to enact Aboriginal child-welfare legislation that establishes national standards for Aboriginal child apprehension and custody cases," where Aboriginal governments run their own agencies. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde said doing so could decrease the ratio of Aboriginal kids in care, which is higher than those who were in residential schools. "This is more hope that that number will go down. That those children will be at home with their parents and their families, their communities, their nations," Bellegarde said. "That they will be surrounded with love." Metis National Council (MNC) president Clement Chartier said giving Metis people autonomy will help them feel like more than "third-class Indigenous people" who are often left out of programming for First Nations. "This legislation is going to take us a long way. " The Assembly of First Nations, MNC and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami have pledged to co-develop legislation with Ottawa and help form the programs needed to take over and safely administer CFS. The government says its held 65 engagement sessions on CFS with nearly 2,000 participants over the past five months. A summary of what Ottawa heard included "birth-alert" systems, where hospitals inform CFS workers that a woman theyve interacted with has had a child. The phenomenon has been prevalent in Winnipeg, and Indigenous people want it be replaced with prenatal training and preventive care. The government also heard a widespread preference for foster children being matched with families, then extended families, the childs band or nation, other Indigenous groups and, finally, non-Indigenous families. The Liberals have had a mixed record on CFS. Some have praised Philpott, while others, such as Bellegarde, have decried the government for taking two years to respond to a human rights tribunal that found Ottawa had underfunded CFS systems for First Nations kids for years. Philpott admitted there are many issues afflicting Indigenous people, from poor housing and lack of access to clean water, but she said reforming CFS shouldnt take away from tackling those issues. "We are on a journey of reconciliation that requires the rebuilding of strong nations," Philpott said. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca As part of the provincial environmental assessment process, Canadian Premium Sand Inc. held a community information session this week in Seymourville to discuss the Wanipigow sand extraction project. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion As "part of the provincial environmental assessment process," Canadian Premium Sand Inc. held a community information session this week in Seymourville to discuss the Wanipigow sand extraction project. The project aims to send up to 600 million tonnes of "frac sand" to drilling sites across North America, and create about 150 jobs over 50 years, generating from $235 million to $940 million for the Manitoba economy. Frac sand high-purity quartz sand with durable, round, uniform grains is the preferred material used in oil and gas fracking projects in North America to prop open the man-made fractures, allowing petroleum fluids to flow into the well. An area near Seymourville and adjacent to Hollow Water First Nation, 190 kilometres north of Winnipeg, will be the site of the extraction. The project, the largest of its kind in Canada, will make Manitoba a major player in the North American petroleum industry. The seemingly high benefits, however, come with high costs. Area resident Don Sullivan published an assessment of the project earlier this month, citing four major concerns: adequate environmental assessment, breathing issues for workers and citizens, water contamination and run off pollution, and increased traffic on roads and the land. In an article this week, Free Press colleague Martin Cash wrote the company "has done a preliminary economic assessment but has not yet submitted materials required for permits." In other words, the question of how the Wanipigow project will affect the environment has yet to be answered. Still, an 80-hole core-drilling project is underway, and the company hopes to begin mining next year. Something else Cash wrote struck me: "On Monday night, community leadership from Hollow Water First Nation, Seymourville, Aghaming and Manigotagan met with company officials all together for the first time." Those are the nearby First Nations and Metis communities affected by the project informed two days before the Seymourville public meeting. According to the company, it had met more than 60 times with various members of communities so theres a big question as to who was met, where and what about. Theres more. In his review of the project, Sullivan pointed out there are "legal and fiduciary obligations on the Crown (not the company) to undertake meaningful and bonafide consultations" with affected Metis and First Nations. In order for this project to go ahead, it must meet the criteria of Section 35 of Canadas Constitution: "The existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the Aboriginal people in Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed." Aboriginal rights are the practices, traditions and customs that embody the cultures, laws and governments of Indigenous nations. Treaty rights are the legal rights and responsibilities parties share in that relationship. All of this has to do with land. Indigenous nations derive their rights from interacting and living within environments. Treaties are inevitably about how space a.k.a. land is shared, so treaty rights are the rules that govern the sharing. This means in order for Canada to fulfil its constitutional commitments, every single time Canada or an entity within Canada wants to build or develop anything involving the land, Indigenous nations have to be consulted and consent must be obtained. This is not an opinion. Its fact. The Crown cannot download obligations to the provinces, but they can work together as governments. The Crown, though, definitively cannot download obligations to companies. They have to oversee corporations in the process of ensuring Section 35 is fulfilled. On Thursday, Canada Premium Sand issued a news release announcing it had entered an "economic participation agreement" with Hollow Water First Nation, in which the community would get "various economic and social benefits and opportunities, including employment, contracting and training initiatives." This shows promise. Hollow Water has formed what appears to be a positive, ongoing relationship with a corporate partner that could result in benefits for the community. A serious question arises: what will be left for the dozen or so First Nation and Metis communities that will be affected, too? Theres only so many jobs and so much money to go around. The biggest issue: this is not Section 35 consultation. Not even close. That takes years, time and energy. Certainly more than a year. And the project is already underway. This is exactly the problem with including Indigenous nations after the fact. When it comes to lands and resources, in fact, Canada and Indigenous nations are in a "cycle." Canada or a province decides it wants to "develop" something, often with a corporate partner. The project is announced and the company is issued licences. Later, some information is released to the public, usually about how much money and how many jobs will be created. This is usually where Indigenous leaders hear about the project and say something like "we havent been consulted." By this point, this gets construed by the public conditioned to think the project is great as though Indigenous nations are "standing in the way." Meanwhile, Indigenous leaders are simply asking Canada to follow its own laws. Usually, consultation is represented by hearings where elders, academics and citizens who Canada has to "approve" to appear say the project will negatively affect their "Aboriginal and treaty rights." Sometimes a report is released, sometimes not. Then, Canada approves the project. Consultation is never about "no," its about how much governments have to accommodate in the form of money, jobs and whatever else. Then, Indigenous activists organize. Protest. Terrible images are seen on TV involving police carrying away grandmothers. Then, the project is usually stopped. Then, we are back where we started. How much time and money have been wasted? Why doesnt Canada involve Indigenous nations in the countrys plans from Day 1? Its too late for the Wanipigow project, but not too late to stop some nasty stuff from occurring, and repeating a cycle. niigaan.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca A new exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery is giving people a behind-the-scenes look at the artistic process. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 30/11/2018 (1091 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A new exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery is giving people a behind-the-scenes look at the artistic process. Behind Closed Doors features work by 10 artists who have connections to Winnipeg. Some of them work in the city and some have Winnipeg roots. It shows aspects of their art that the public rarely sees, such as the artists process in their studio or their research from the museum vault. "I wanted to expose the enchantment of a studio visit," said Jaimie Isaac, the curator of Indigenous and contemporary art. "You often really only get to see the completed works in gallery spaces and in exhibitions, so it's fascinating to see how the artists begin with an idea, conduct the research and experiment." The new exhibition encourages viewers to explore each artists approach to their work, and what inspired the finished products, Isaac said. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Local artist Takashi Iwasaki describes his work for the WAG's new exhibit called, Behind Closed Doors. the latest exhibition from the Winnipeg Art Gallery's New Contemporary series which describes the artist's creative process in their studio and their research from the museum vault. "As they develop the concept, they emerge with this final creation," said Isaac. "I also really enjoy seeing the studio spaces themselves, and the artists' collections of things that they gain inspiration from And seeing the artwork from the Winnipeg Art Gallery collection reinterpreted and remediated through their contemporary lens was amazing." As curator of Behind Closed Doors, Isaac collaborated with the artists to decide how best to display their artistic process. Takashi Iwasaki, whose work is featured in the exhibition, said each artist interpreted that differently. "This exhibit is an eclectic mix," said Iwasaki. "Some artists went into the vault of the gallery, because there are lots of artworks which are hidden, protected in the proper shelving space, and the public doesn't get to see it very often." Iwasaki said he often thinks about the textures of his art pieces when he creates them, so for Behind Closed Doors, he decided to invite people into this process by allowing them to touch and interact with his work. "I can communicate better with the viewers that way," said Iwasaki. "By just looking at it, not sitting or touching, (texture) is really difficult to grasp. Unless you're allowed to, you don't usually touch pieces of artwork." RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Aartist Dominique Rey with her work for the WAG's Behind Closed Doors exhibit featuring artists that are either based in Winnipeg or have Winnipeg roots. Iwasaki said he hopes the variety of mediums and styles he used in his work for the exhibition embroidery, collage, wood sculptures, acrylic paint will allow viewers to engage with his artistic approach. "It's not the process that you see, but sort of the idea," said Iwasaki. "Thats how I work... I jump into this medium, then move to this medium." The exhibition, which runs until spring, also features work by Ian August, Irene Bindi, Mia Feuer, Shaun Morin, Melanie Rocan, Kristin Nelson, Matea Radic, Dominique Rey and Robert Taite. caitlyn.gowriluk@freepress.mb.ca The leader of a federal party, who is also its lone member of Parliament, has embarked on a quixotic cross-country quest to convince Canadians the party is a legitimate political force. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion The leader of a federal party, who is also its lone member of Parliament, has embarked on a quixotic cross-country quest to convince Canadians the party is a legitimate political force. Sound familiar? Maxime Bernier, who quit the Conservative caucus in August and launched the Peoples Party of Canada a month later, sits beside the Green partys Elizabeth May in the House of Commons. These neighbours on an opposition backbench are both parties of one, but May has been at it for years. In 2008, she travelled coast to coast on a whistle-stop train tour and finally won her partys first seat in Parliament three years later. On Wednesday night, Bernier held his first PPC rally in Winnipeg at the Holiday Inn on Ellice Avenue, drawing roughly 250 supporters despite snowy roads. He said his party is no vanity project. "We are a real national party," Bernier told the crowd, which was approximately two-thirds men. In his 50-minute speech, and in his responses to questions afterwards, there was no mention of limited expectations or moral victories. Bernier, a.k.a. Mad Max, said he wants to win. "We have the momentum right now. People like our ideas," he said, later adding, "Id prefer to have a lot of support, but you know, we dont need 100 per cent of the population on our side to win an election." The crowd seemed to believe in Bernier, who outlined his platform of ending "corporate welfare" and supply management, and said, "It is not our role to help fight climate change" around the world. He also criticized asylum seekers entering Canada from the U.S. as "not real refugees," and said they are "jumping the queue." Maxime Bernier, leader of the People's Party of Canada, at a rally in Winnipeg on Wednesday. (Daniel Crump / Free Press files) "People are welcome to our country, but we dont believe in illegal immigration," Bernier said. He added he wants "a pause" on immigration, with a return to levels under Stephen Harpers Tory government. Bernier might have a tough time carving off votes from his former party. Andrew Scheer defeated him in a very close Conservative leadership vote in 2017. Before he quit the party, Bernier was kicked out of Scheers shadow cabinet when their conflict became public. He is considered a sore loser by Tories. Bernier has some cause for optimism, at least in Winnipeg, where he defeated Scheer in six of eight ridings in the leadership vote. The PPC said it has signed up about 33,000 members nationally and 1,100 in Manitoba in a short period of time. The group has set up associations in 13 of 14 Manitoba ridings and in about 239 of 338 nationally. The party also claims to have raised a considerable amount of cash even though it cant yet issue tax receipts. Can Bernier can pull off starting a party from scratch? Even keeping his seat, which is by no means assured, might be considered a win. If the PPC finds some success, its not clear whether it will be more like that of the Greens or of the populist Reform party. Both started out on the political fringe, chose green as their colour and were represented by a single MP for years. While the Greens have never elected anyone in Canada except May, Reform became the official Opposition and eventually forced a merger with Canadas other conservative party. Berniers party could crash and burn before it ever truly takes off. The Libertarians reportedly tried to woo him to join their ranks, and its possible the PPC will receive a similarly meagre level of support as that party. Its also possible Bernier, a very personable politician, will succeed in building what he considers a "principled" conservative alternative. A recent article by The Canadian Press referred to the Greens as one of Canadas "main federal parties." What constitutes a national party? The separatist Bloc Quebecois, which only runs candidates in one province, apparently counts. So do the Greens, despite having never won more than one seat. Bernier and his platform have been met with venom from people appalled by his stance on asylum seekers and immigrants, and with snide comments from jilted Tories angry over his splitting the conservative vote. Whether they like it or not, they all might have to make room for Mad Max and another "main" federal party. Adam Treusch is assistant city editor at the Winnipeg Free Press. Perhaps the highway signs on the provinces borders should be changed to read: Welcome to Manitoba, the home of roadside justice. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/12/2018 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Perhaps the highway signs on the provinces borders should be changed to read: "Welcome to Manitoba, the home of roadside justice." First, the provincial government changed the distracted-driving law. Beginning Nov. 1, police officers got the power to immediately punish suspected distracted drivers with measures such as three-day suspensions of their licences and $672 fines. And on Thursday, the government tabled an amendment that again lets police sidestep the law courts and, on the spot, punish suspected impaired drivers. The officers will be able to impound vehicles, impose a mandatory ignition interlock of one year and issue fines for impairment reading as low as 0.05. The important adjective in both cases is "suspected." The drivers are only "suspected" offenders. But the Progressive Conservative government has altered the rules so drivers can now be punished upon accusation, without a chance to defend themselves. People who ponder the implications of the governments changes might wonder: what about important legal traditions such as presumption of innocence and due process? No one should trust police unconditionally. Police have a tough job and theyre not perfect. We should trust the justice system to catch the mistakes made by police. To ask that question, you must have Manitoba confused with provinces that still respect the rights of its citizens. Its not that the government is wrong to get tough with drivers who drink or are distracted. Those goals are commendable. The problem is its method. By moving roadside enforcement outside of the Criminal Code, it undermined traditional legal safeguards and erased the rights of Manitobans to get a proper hearing. Its like the government wants us to trust police and forget about the legal rights that have evolved through hundreds of years of jurisprudence. Well, no one should trust police unconditionally. Police have a tough job and theyre not perfect. We should trust the justice system to catch the mistakes made by police. Justice Minister Cliff Cullen said Thursday the new Manitoba system will mirror an impaired-driving program in B.C. Its called immediate roadside suspension. Manitoba drivers accused of impairment used to have the freedom to challenge police accusations and be convicted only on evidence that is trustworthy. Those hardwon rights have been lost in the governments zeal for roadside justice. The B.C. system has been often criticized as a cash grab. Do the math. Between 15,000 and 20,000 drivers a year are fined under its program, and a typical fine swells to more than $3,000 because it includes "administrative penalties" such as fees to tow and impound the vehicle, to have the drivers licence reinstated, to have an interlock device installed in their vehicle and to enrol in a mandatory responsible driver program. Manitobas coffers will be similarly enriched. In a news release on Thursday, Cullen noted the new $200 fine for blowing 0.05, the lowest level of impairment, would be just the beginning of the drivers financial hit: "Adding up all the administrative sanctions and penalties, the minimum cost... could be $2,600 for a first offence to about $3,200 for a third or subsequent offence." Like B.C., Manitoba will test drivers with Approved Screening Devices (ASD), which are not to be confused with breathalyzer machines that offer evidence that is commonly accepted in court. The ASD is a portable device that is quick and easy for police. Cullen noted approvingly that the ASD takes only six minutes to test drivers, while the breathalyzer takes four hours. What Cullen didnt tell the public is that its been shown in B.C. that the ASD is often inaccurate. Many types of ASD cant differentiate between alcohol from the breath or alcohol in the mouth, which means the results can be elevated if the subject was tested soon after a drink of alcohol that left an oral residue. The ASD machines must also be recalibrated at least every four weeks and different police forces have been shown to not calibrate them properly. Unfortunately for drivers who know the ASD exaggerated their impairment because they know they only had one glass of wine, the onus in B.C. is on the drivers to prove the machine is wrong. This is frustratingly difficult because police typically dont allow public access to the service and calibration records for machines, so drivers must go to the considerable trouble and expense of filing freedom of information requests. There is an appeal process in B.C., but its widely criticized as unfair because it takes place outside of a court system where drivers could exercise their legal rights, and because the punishment has already been levied by the roadside officer before the appeal can be heard. As an example, imagine the plight of a driver who needs her vehicle for employment. With her vehicle impounded and her licence suspended for a month, she has to book an appointment to explain to an appeal official why her roadside conviction is wrong. She has been severely penalized before she can state her case. There are plenty of better ways for Manitoba to crack down on distracted driving and impaired driving. By all means, continue to increase the fines, increase the advertisements that change behaviour and increase the number of traditional Checkstop blitzes. But police shouldnt hand out convictions and sentences at roadside. Their role is to investigate and charge, not to be judge and jury. Manitoba drivers accused of impairment used to have the freedom to challenge police accusations and be convicted only on evidence that is trustworthy. Those hard-won rights have been lost in the governments zeal for roadside justice. Carl DeGurse is a member of the Free Press editorial board. When World AIDS Day was first observed on Dec. 1, 1988, it was near the end of a decade marked by fear, misinformation and prejudice. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 30/11/2018 (1091 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. When World AIDS Day was first observed on Dec. 1, 1988, it was near the end of a decade marked by fear, misinformation and prejudice. Little was understood about acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, the syndrome caused by a virus called human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. People thought it was a disease that only affected gay men, ignorance that acted as an accelerant for raging fires of homophobia. Many gay activists from that era recall attending funerals for their friends on a weekly basis. Poorly understood, too, was how it was spread; public awareness campaigns had to convince people that you couldnt catch it from holding hands, or from a toilet seat. Those suffering often suffered alone and in silence. Nine Circles Community Health Centre is one of two Winnipeg-based sites that deliver the Manitoba HIV Program. (Supplied) Thirty years on, we understand much more about HIV/AIDS which has lead to advances in prevention, medication and treatment. As of 2016, approximately 36.7 million people are living with HIV globally, with sub-Saharan Africa being the region most affected. But HIV/AIDS isnt an issue that exists an ocean away nor is it an issue that has gone away, even when its not in the public health spotlight. Across Canada, some 63,000 people live with HIV, including 1,318 in Manitoba. And that number is rising. Per the Annual Statistical Update from Manitoba Health released in January, Manitoba had one of the highest reported diagnosis/incidence rates of new HIV cases among the provinces and territories. In Winnipeg, Nine Circles Community Health Centre is one of two Winnipeg-based sites, along with the Health Sciences Centre outpatient clinic, that delivers the Manitoba HIV Program, which provides information, specialized care, treatment and support to those who are living with HIV in our province. According to the Manitoba HIV Programs 2017 report, 95 people entered care in 2017 67 per cent newly diagnosed with HIV, 66 per cent identifying as male and 34 per cent identifying as female. Of that, 46 per cent self-reported they acquired HIV via heterosexual sex, 27 per cent said via sex between men and 18 per cent said via injection drug use. A disproportionate number of Indigenous and African/Caribbean/black-identifying people have entered care. Stigma and discrimination remain barriers to testing and treatment, and still lead to social exclusion. While the report finds that Manitobans do well once diagnosed and entered into the Manitoba HIV Program, troubling gaps in care still remain in this province. A man passes a World AIDS Day banner in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday. (Denis Farrell / The Associated Press) The report recommends routine HIV testing, which could lessen the stigma associated with testing and help people get diagnosed sooner or at all. One in five Canadians infected with HIV doesnt know they have it. The report also recommends free, universal coverage of HIV medication in Manitoba. Half of those who entered into care with the Manitoba HIV program in 2017 had no insurance coverage at all, had co-pays to consider or were on insurance plans with finite terms. And that can be a big problem: delays or interruptions in treatment can lead to poorer health outcomes. Data can be helpful in determining such gaps and, hopefully, result in policy changes. But behind those numbers are real people living real lives. World AIDS Day and Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week (Dec. 1 to 6) isnt just about spreading awareness about the virus or mourning those who have been lost to it. Its also about working to create a world in which people living with HIV are not defined by their status. As we all play a role in preventing the spread of HIV, we also play a role in preventing the spread of stigma. 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! 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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. KBR, Inc. engages in the provision of differentiated professional services and technologies across the asset and program life-cycle within the government services and hydrocarbons industries. It operates through the following segments: Government Solutions, Technology Solutions, Energy Solutions, Non-strategic Business, and Other. The Government Solutions segment provides full life-cycle support solutions to defense, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies. The Technology Solutions segment combines KBR's proprietary technologies, equipment, and catalyst supply and associated knowledge-based services into a global business for refining, petrochemicals, inorganic, and specialty chemicals as well as gasification, syngas, ammonia, nitric acid, and fertilizers. The Energy Solutions segment provides full life-cycle support solutions across the upstream, midstream and downstream hydrocarbons markets. The Non-strategic Business segment represents the operations or activities which the company intends to exit upon completion of existing contracts. The Other segment includes corporate expenses and general and administrative expenses not all Read More iShares MSCI Mexico ETF's stock was trading at $35.82 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWW shares have increased by 28.5% and is now trading at $46.03. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. iShares MSCI Japan ETF's stock was trading at $49.67 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EWJ stock has increased by 38.5% and is now trading at $68.78. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. How to Have Genuine Faith 11/30/2018 Christianity 25 Comments 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him and heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said, understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the Scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. In whom ye also trusted, after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Many people know that they must have faith yet they do not know how to acquire it; they do not know what they need to do in order to have genuine faith. Others ask if reading the Bible could help them gain faith.Reading the Bible can lead us to the genuine faith, however, not all people are destined to understand the Bible. Of course, anybody may read the Bible but not all people may understand the Bible because understanding of what you are reading is a gift from God. Acts 8:29-35 says,The eunuch, who happened to be the caretaker of all the wealth of the queen of the Ethiopians, went to Jerusalem to worship. On his way back to Ethiopia, the Holy Spirit urged Philip to join the eunuch in his chariot. And when he ran to be with him, he heard him reading the book of the prophet Isaiah. Obviously, he was reading aloud; he was not doing a silent reading. We may perceive that the eunuch had the intention of letting the other people in the chariot hear what he was reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. When Philip came close to the eunuch he asked him, Do you understand what you read? The eunuch replied, How can I, except some man should guide me?What the eunuch said was right. He was just reading but he didnt understand what he was reading, not until Philip, the evangelist, came and explained to him that the sheep being referred to was Jesus.Yes, the Bible can guide one to the true faith IF the one reading it understands what he reads. Unfortunately, not all who read the Bible understand what they read. Mark 4:11-12 says,Therefore, not everybody that will read the Bible would understand it; and not everyone that will hear the word of God would understand it either. Acts 16:14 says,Lydia, who was listening to the words of God being preached by the Apostle Paul, needed the divine intervention of the Lord to open her heart for her to understand what the Apostle Paul was saying. If in listening personally to Apostle Paul you need divine intervention to understand what he was saying (like what happened to Lydia), the more that you will need divine intervention when you are simply reading his gospel all by yourself. In other words, understanding the words of God written in the Bible is possible if there is a divine intervention.The ability to understand the Scriptures is a gift from God. We must realize that the depth of Gods thinking and intelligence is something that cannot be readily fathomed by men. Isaiah 55:8-9 says,Gods thinking is something beyond measure. It is compared to the distance between the heavens and the earth. No human mind and understanding can penetrate deep into the understanding of God.The Bible is the embodiment of Gods thoughts, which cannot be fathomed by human mind. To understand the Bible, we need divine intervention, or the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Actually, even a person of authority has to admit that he does not know everything when it comes to religious belief.What I am trying to point out is, genuine and true faith is revealed by God; it is taught by God; it is given by God. Jude 1:3 says,True faith or genuine faith is delivered by God unto the saints. What is the reason why it should be given? Because it cannot be obtained by reading alone; and neither can it be obtained through human efforts. It is given by God; it is a gift from God. And to have faith you need to have understanding first. You will not have faith without the necessary understanding of the word of God in the Bible. Understanding comes first. When you understand, then you can have faith. Faith is developed through understanding. Ephesians 1:13 says,So belief, or faith, comes after hearing and understanding the word of truth. Without understanding or comprehension of the word of God, faith will not be developed. If there is a faith in you without understanding the word of God, then, that is not true faith but a false faith. It is just like the faith of those outside the true Church of God; their faith is not a genuine faith because it is not based on understanding the word of God. Instead, it is a mere fanaticism because, even if they already understand that they are wrong, they continue to cling to it.The gift of understanding could be given even to illiterates, like Peter and John. Acts 4:13 says,People who listened to them marveled at the firmness of their faith and at their understanding despite their being unlearned. And they knew that it was because they had been in the company of Jesus, our Lord. In other words, it is never a shame to be led by somebody who is without a college degree or a professional title because when it comes to faith, educational attainment does not count at all. 1 Corinthians 1:19-21 says,In fact, wisdom of the world, or earthly wisdom, is even a hindrance in understanding the word of God. As written in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8,Both the Romans and the Greeks were regarded as people of wisdom in the early times. They were the most educated people during the time of Christ and the apostles, but none of them had known the wisdom of God. Not even the highest of authorities in the Roman Empire had known the wisdom of God, not even King Herod and Pontius Pilate both of whom had high educational attainment, because had they known it, they should not have crucified the Lord of glory. So, the wisdom of God is something which cannot be achieved even by the most learned man, all by himself. It is something that is given by God. Kibo Energy PLC, together with its subsidiaries, explores for and develops energy projects in Sub Saharan Africa and the United Kingdom. The company holds a 100% interest in the Mbeya Coal to Power project located in Songwe Regio, Tanzania. It also holds an 85% interest in the Mabesekwa Coal Independent Power Project located in Botswana; and 65% interest in the Benga Power Plant Project located in the Tete province of Mozambique. In addition, the company owns a 100% interest in the Bordersley power plant located near Birmingham. Further, it engages in power generation and treasury businesses. Kibo Energy PLC has a collaboration agreement with ESS Tech Inc. to develop energy storage solutions. The company was formerly known as Kibo Mining Plc and changed its name to Kibo Energy PLC in July 2018. Kibo Energy PLC was founded in 2008 and is based in Galway, Ireland. Read More Land Securities Group Plc is a real estate investment trust. The firm engages in owning, developing and managing offices, shopping centers, and retail parks. It operates through the Central London, Regional Retail, Urban Opportunities, and Subscale Sectors segments. The Central London segment includes all assets geographically located within central London. The Regional Retail segment includes all regional shopping centres and shops outside London and outlets. The Urban Opportunities segment includes assets for capital investment. The Subscale Sectors segment mainly includes assets that will not be a focus for capital investment and consists of leisure and hotel assets and retail parks. The company was founded by Harold Samuel on February 15, 1944 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd., an oil and natural gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas properties in Turkey and Bulgaria. As of December 31, 2019, it had interests in 4 onshore exploration licenses and 20 onshore production leases covering an area of 436,388 net acres with a total net proved reserves of 10,259 thousand barrels of oil and 2,466 million cubic feet of natural gas located in Turkey, as well as a production concession covering an area of approximately 162,800 net undeveloped acres located in Bulgaria. The company was incorporated in 1985 and is based in Addison, Texas. Read More 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 Arconic Corporation manufactures and sells aluminum sheets, plates, extrusions, and architectural products in the United States, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, Russia, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Rolled Products, Extrusions, and Building and Construction Systems. The Rolled Products segment provides a range of aluminum sheet and plate products for ground transportation, aerospace, industrial, and packaging markets; and roofing, architectural composite panels, ventilated facades and ceiling panels, spacers, culvert pipes, and gutters for building and construction markets. The Extrusions segment offers extruded products, including aerospace shapes, automotive shapes, seamless tubes, hollows, mortar fins, and high strength rods and bars for ground transportation, aerospace, and industrial markets. The Building and Construction Systems segment provides various products and building envelope solutions, such as entrances, curtain walls, windows, composite panels, and coil coated sheets for fabricators and glazing subcontractors under the Kawneer, Reynobond, and Reynolux brands. The company offers its products directly to customers, as well as through distributors. The company was formerly known as Arconic Rolled Products Corporation and changed its name to Arconic Corporation in Arpil 2020. Arconic Corporation was founded in 1888 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 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 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 TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines, U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines, Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines, Liquids Pipelines, and Power and Storage segments. The company builds and operates 93,400 km network of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses. It also has regulated natural gas storage facilities with a total working gas capacity of 535 billion cubic feet. In addition, it has approximately 4,900 km liquids pipeline system that connects Alberta crude oil supplies to refining markets in Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and the U.S. Gulf Coast. Further, the company owns or has interests in seven power generation facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 4,200 megawatts that are powered by natural gas and nuclear fuel sources located in Alberta, Ontario, QuAbec, and New Brunswick; and owns and operates approximately 118 billion cubic feet of non-regulated natural gas storage capacity in Alberta. The company was formerly known as TransCanada Corporation and changed its name to TC Energy Corporation in May 2019. TC Energy Corporation was incorporated in 1951 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More Wells Fargo & Co. is a diversified, community-based financial services company. It is engaged in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance. It firm operates through the following segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Wealth & Investment Management, and Other. The Community Banking segment offers complete line of diversified financial products and services for consumers and small businesses including checking and savings accounts, credit and debit cards, and automobile, student, and small business lending. The Wholesale Banking segment provides financial solutions to businesses across the United States and globally. The Wealth and Investment Management segment includes personalized wealth management, investment and retirement products and services to clients across U.S. based businesses. The Other segment refers to the products of WIM customers served through community banking distribution channels. The company was founded by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo on March 18, 1852 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Read More SemGroup Corporation provides gathering, transportation, storage, distribution, marketing, and other midstream services for producers, refiners of petroleum products, and other market participants. The company operates in three segments: U.S. Liquids, U.S. Gas, and Canada. The U.S. Liquids segment operates crude oil pipelines, truck transportation, storage, terminals, and marketing businesses; stores, blends, and transports refinery products and refinery feedstock through pipeline, barge, rail, truck, and ship; and operates a residual fuel oil storage terminal in the U.S. Gulf Coast. This segment has 18.2 million barrels of storage capacity on the Houston Ship Channel; and 7.6 million barrels of storage capacity at the Cushing Interchange. It also operates a 460-mile crude oil gathering and transportation pipeline system in Kansas and northern Oklahoma; 75-mile crude oil gathering pipeline system that transports crude oil from production facilities in the DJ Basin to the pipeline owned by White Cliffs Pipeline, L.L.C.; 2 parallel 527-mile pipelines that transports crude oil from Platteville, Colorado to Cushing, Oklahoma; 3 pipelines with an aggregate of 106 miles of pipe; 30-lane crude oil truck unloading facility in Platteville, Colorado; and crude oil trucking fleet of approximately 245 transport trucks and 235 trailers. The U.S. Gas segment provides natural gas gathering, processing, and marketing services. It operates 842 miles of gathering lines in Oklahoma; and a 53-mile high pressure gathering pipeline located in the STACK play. The Canada segment owns and operates natural gas processing and gathering facilities with approximately 530 miles of natural gas gathering and transportation pipelines in Alberta, Canada. SemGroup Corporation was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Read More 1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war. 2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war. 3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength. 4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war. 5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites. 6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination. 7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N. 8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N. 9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress. 10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N. 11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.) 12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party. 13. Do away with all loyalty oaths. 14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office. 15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States. 16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights. 17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks. 18. Gain control of all student newspapers. 19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack. 20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions. 21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures. 22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms." 23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art." 24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press. 25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. 26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." 27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch." 28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state." 29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis. 30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man." 31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over. 32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc. 33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus. 34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities. 35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI. 36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions. 37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business. 38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand. 39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals. 40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce. 41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents. 42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems. 43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. 44. Internationalize the Panama Canal. 45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike. UPDATE- The Executive Director for the Adirondack Scenic Railroad said people are okay to buy tickets online. Jack Roberson said on Friday night, a person or persons went into the website and changed a survey question to make it sound negative. Roberson said the question read something like this, "How did you hate the polar express?", instead of "How did you love the polar express?". He said he doesn't want people to be worried about their personal information being stolen. "Nothing was hacked on a personal form, the survey is completely separate. It's for someone that rides the Polar Express that emails are sent to on an overall basis of who has rode, so it has nothing to do with any personal information." The train will run through December 22. UTICA, N.Y. -- The Polar Express in Utica has been hacked. The executive director of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad says someone hacked the ticketing system website, and sent an email, saying the service is of little worth, to people who bought tickets. It all happened within the last 72 hours, according to officials. The executive director declined an on-camera interview, but issued a statement saying the Polar Express ride has received numerous awards and the highest customer praise, and apologized for what happened. When asked if any personal information was exposed, they responded that they can't say either way at this point. Police have been notified and every possible security precaution is being taken. Executive Director Jack Roberson said in the letter: "Greetings from the Director, I find it hard to believe that something as despicable as the malicious e-mail sent comes from people at Christmas time. Then you wonder who and why people are so cold, abhorrent and ignoble. For more than two decades, the Adirondack Scenic railroad has welcomed the Holiday Season to upstate to New York by operating Polar Express trains between the North Pole and Utica. Our Polar Express has received numerous awards and the highest customer praise for its presentation of the heartwarming Polar Express story. Unfortunately, within the past 72 hours, you may have received a libelous and malicious email denigrating the quality of the Railroad's Polar Express. This email was sent out as a result of an illegal intrusion ( hacker) to our contract ticketing website. The railroad sincerely regrets this unseemly and illegal communication. This type of shameful, disgraceful and contemptible attack against the integrity of the railroad, employees, and volunteers is pathetic and will not be tolerated and has been reported to the proper authorities for appropriate action. We at the Adirondack Scenic Railroad are taking every possible security precaution to make sure this type of malevolent activity is stopped. The Adirondack Scenic Railroad, a nonprofit group of employees and VOLUTEERS, dedicated to preserving the railroad heritage in the Adirondacks. Thousands of hours have been spent by dozens of volunteers who give of their time to operate trains, conductors, decorations, car hosts, carpenters, electricians, painters, cookie baggers, hot chocolate makers, car cleaners, station hosts, handicap attendants, kiosk and gift shop workers, and the list goes on and on! It is our VOLUNTEERS that make the Adirondack Scenic Railroad what AARP calls one of the ten best scenic railroads in America. No matter what difficulties we encounter we will always look forward to bringing the magic of the Polar Express and many other special events to our passengers. We are confident that all of you who have ridden the Polar Express know the joy, laughter, and fun that will always bring you back next year to make new and wonderful memories. Again, my great big thank you to all of our very special dedicated VOLUNTEERS and employees whose teamwork make it happen! Best always, Jack Roberson - Executive Director" RENSSELAER, Ind. (WLFI) Saint Joseph's College has reached an agreement after a lawsuit filed by Sodexo. It stems back to when the school suspended operations in May of 2017. A news release says terms of the settlement will remain confidential. As we previously reported the college was accused of fraud for accepting money from Sodexo for its student center. The $1.3 million was supposed to be in exchange for a ten-year extension on its food management contract. Sodexo says the school knew it was in financial trouble and it might not last that long when the deal was made. Saint Joseph's says that with the settlement of this lawsuit, it has now reached agreements on all outstanding debts and can focus on rebuilding. The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an Asian nation located in the continent's southeastern edge. According to data from the World Bank, in 2017, Sri Lanka's gross domestic product was roughly $87.2 billion. Based on the strength of Sri Lanka's economy, the World Bank categorizes it as a middle-income nation. The economy of Sri Lanka was dramatically affected by a civil war that lasted nearly 30 years. Sri Lanka's economy is heavily dependent on the natural resources some of which include fish, minerals, arable land, and wildlife. Natural Resources of Sri Lanka Arable Land One of Sri Lanka's most valuable resources is arable land. According to information from Trading Economics, arable land made up close to 21% of the nation's total land area in 2014. The government of Sri Lanka set up the Department of Agriculture to properly utilize the arable land in the country. Arable land was also significant in the country's history and during the 19th and 20th century, Sri Lanka rapidly developed its agricultural industry. During this time, some of the most important crops grown within Sri Lanka included Ceylon tea, cinnamon, and rubber. In the modern era, agriculture is equally as important as it employs roughly 32% of the nation's total population. Data from the Ministry of Finance in 2010 indicated that agriculture contributed 12% of the country's gross domestic product. Some of the main crops grown in Sri Lanka include rice and tea. Rice Data from the Sri Lankan government indicates that rice is the most widely grown crop in the country. According to some estimates, rice plantations accounted for roughly 34% of the arable land use in Sri Lanka. The government believes that close to 2 million Sri Lankan families are directly involved in growing rice. Most of the rice grown in Sri Lanka is for local consumption as it is the nation's staple food. Tea In Sri Lanka, tea is mainly grown for export purposes, and it contributes vast sums of money to the nation's GDP. According to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, in 2013 tea contributed close to $1.5 billion to the nation's gross domestic product which accounted for roughly 2%. For a time, Sri Lanka exported more tea than any other nation in the world but soon ceded its global dominance to Kenya. In the country, tea is grown by both large-scale farmers as well as small-scale farmers. The Sri Lankan government estimates that the tea industry provides close to 1 million jobs. Gemstones Another of Sri Lanka's significant natural resource includes gemstones. Sri Lanka has high-quality gemstones that have been famous all around the world for several centuries. Ptolemy was among the first people known to have praised the quality of Sri Lanka's gems. He praised the quality of the sapphires and beryl from the nation. Marco Polo is also known to have praised the gems from Sri Lanka. In the modern era, gemstone mining is an essential industry in Sri Lanka. Most of the gemstones obtained in Sri Lanka are from secondary deposits. It is believed that the formation and subsequent breakup of supercontinents on the earth may have had a direct impact on the formation of gemstone deposits in Sri Lanka. The mining and subsequent gemstone trade has been extremely beneficial to Sri Lanka's economy as it led to the emergence of towns such as Ratnapura, which attracts people from all over the world who have an interest in Sri Lankan gemstones. According to 2011 estimates, the population of the town had grown to 52,170 from less than 5000 in 1901. Minerals Apart from gemstones, Sri Lanka has a wealth of other minerals such as graphite, calcite, and limestone. The graphite obtained from Sri Lankan mines is highly valued all over the world due to its high quality. The Kahatagaha mine and the Bogala mine are two of the most prominent graphite mines in Sri Lanka. Some companies have been set up to exploit Sri Lanka's graphite such as Graphite Lanka Limited, a Sri Lankan company, and Bora Bora Resources Limited, an Australian company. Wildlife Wildlife is one of Sri Lanka's most important natural resources as the nation is considered to be one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. Due to the massive number of plants and animals endemic to the country, it has the distinction of being the nation with the vast biological endemism rate globally. The Sri Lankan government has set aside close to 3,300 square miles of land to be Wildlife Protected Areas. Due to the large variety of wildlife in the country, a huge number of visitors travels to Sri Lanka every year. The tourism industry is a significant contributor to Sri Lanka's foreign exchange, and it also employs a large number of people. Natural Scenery One of Sri Lanka's most overlooked natural resources is the natural scenery which has been known to attract a large number of tourists from all around the world. Some of the natural features in Sri Lanka that attract tourists include the beaches, the mountains, and the waterfalls. According to the Sri Lankan government, the nation has close to 995 miles of beaches. There are several famous waterfalls in Sri Lanka such as the Bambarakanda Falls, which is approximately 863 feet tall and is the highest waterfall in the nation, as well as the Aberdeen Falls which is roughly 322 feet tall. Economic Growth in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka's economy was devastated by a civil war that lasted for approximately 30 years. After the war ended in 2009, the Sri Lankan government put in place several measures which have seen economic growth in the country. The measures that the government put in place bore fruit as from 2010 to 2017 the nation's economy grew at a rate of nearly 5.8%. Due to the country's increased economic prosperity, the poverty levels have decreased significantly. According to the World Bank in 2016, only 4.1% of the Sri Lankan population lived below the poverty line. The International Monetary Fund expects Sri Lanka's gross domestic product to increase by a significant margin in 2018. The Republic of Suriname is a 64,000 square mile nation that is situated in the northeastern section of the South American continent. Historical evidence indicates that human societies have lived within Suriname's borders for a long period that dates back to 3000 BC. Despite the long history of human habitation, the present-day borders of Suriname were influenced by events that occurred after the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century. Suriname borders Brazil, Guyana, and French Guiana. Brazil Brazil and Suriname are separated by a border of roughly 320 miles long that is situated in the southern edge of Suriname. The border with Brazil happens to be Suriname's shortest land boundary. The border that separates Suriname and Brazil is considered to be Suriname's least controversial border, and it had held that distinction since 1906 when the Treaty of Limits was signed between the independent nation of Brazil and the Netherlands which at the time had control of Suriname. The Paru River is located close to the border on the Brazilian side. One of the main features located on the Suriname side of the border is Sipaliwini Natural Reserve. There are no official border crossing points from Suriname into Brazil due to the presence of thick vegetation. However, there are some towns in Suriname that are close to the border such as Alalapadu and Kwamalasamutu. Guyana Suriname and Guyana share a border that is approximately 520 miles long and is situated on the western side of Suriname. The boundary that separates Suriname and Guyana is Suriname's most extended land boundary. Suriname and Guyana also share a maritime border in the Atlantic Ocean. French Guiana French Guiana and Suriname are separated by a boundary of roughly 345 miles long. There are some towns situated on the Surinamese side of the border with some of the most prominent being Cottica, Benzdrop, and Jamaike. Border Security in Suriname The government of Suriname has invested huge sums of money to ensure the safety of its borders. The government also cooperates with the neighboring nations particularly Brazil to keep its borders safe. Locked out since January 11 for refusing sweeping contract concessions, aluminum workers from the Aluminerie de Becancour (ABI) in central Quebec demonstrated in downtown Montreal last Wednesday. A section of the November 28 ABI workers rally in Montreal The protest, which unfolded under the watch of a large police deployment, began outside the office tower where the Canadian headquarters of Alcoa is located. The US-based aluminum giant owns a 75 percent share of ABI, with Rio Tinto-Alcan owning the remainder. The demonstration concluded at the offices of Hydro-Quebec, the Quebec government-owned utility, which has supplied electricity to ABI at preferential rates throughout the conflict, allowing it to keep one of its three smelters operating using management personnel. Police cordon (left) in front of Hydro-Quebecs headquarters during Wednesday's demonstration Of the 1,030 locked-out ABI workers, between 350 and 400 made the trip to Montreal. There was a smattering of workers among the 150 other protesters. But most were United Steelworker (USW) and Quebec Federation of Labour (QFL) officials. The USW and QFL have systematically isolated the ABI workers struggle. Rather than mobilize the working class in their support, they have diverted the ABI workers energies into worthless appeals to Alcoa and Rio Tinto shareholders and the big business political establishment. A delegation of retired workers from the Rio Tinto-Alcan smelter in Alma, Quebec - many of whom had endured a 6-month lockout in 2012 Wednesdays demonstration was not even announced on the QFL website. The USW likewise did nothing to publicize the protest, let alone to mobilize support from the more than 50,000 workers it represents in Quebec, and from the tens of thousands of USW members who reside only a short distance away in Ontario. The demonstration fell just two days before a Quebec government-imposed deadline for ABI and the Steelworkers to reach a tentative contract settlement. Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) Labour Minister Jean Boulet had said that if no agreement was reached by November 30 he would order the mediation team, led by former Parti Quebecois Premier and austerity advocate Lucien Bouchard, to propose a contract; and if that was rejected by the workers in a mandatory vote, to have their terms of employment dictated by an arbitrator. On Thursday, Boulet announced he was extending the mediation deadline till December 21. In their speeches at the demonstration, USW and QFL officials reiterated their nationalist perspective and appealed to Quebecs new right-wing populist CAQ government led by the ex-Air Transat boss Francois Legault. Quebec Steelworker director Alain Croteau denounced Alcoa as an American company that want to imposes it rule here. QFL President Daniel Boyer said the Legault government should bring its weight to bear to ensure that Quebecers stop paying for the multinational aluminum companies anti-worker offensives. Supporters of the World Socialist Web Site intervened in the demonstration, distributing a statement, The way forward for ABI workers: No concessions, no cuts in pensions or jobs! The struggle must be broadened! The statement drew workers attention to the repeated statements from Steelworkers officials announcing their willingness to impose concessions and accept job cuts, and how this had emboldened Alcoa to repudiate its own final contract offer and demand even greater concessions. ABI workers must be under no illusions, declared the statement, Whether a new collective agreement is concluded as part of the current round of union-management negotiations or imposed as a result of machinations by the government and its special mediation committee, it will be full of concessions. To overcome the drive by ABI to impose concessions and job cuts, continued the statement, workers must take the leadership of their struggle out of the hands of the pro-capitalist Steelworkers union. They must establish a rank-and-file committee independent of the trade union apparatus and fight to mobilize the strength of the working class against Alcoa and Rio Tinto. Such a committee should actively seek the support of private and public sector workers throughout Quebec, the rest of Canada, the United States and overseas, as part of an international working class offensive against capitalist austerity and anti-worker laws. Steelworkers officials responded to the call for the locked-out ABI workers to turn to their veritable allies, aluminum and other workers across Canada and internationally, with slanders and intimidation. Dominic Lemieux, the assistant to the Quebec USW director and other union officials, accosted the WSWS supporters, accusing them of being in the pay of the company, and otherwise sought to incite a confrontation. (See: At ABI workers protest, USW officials accost and threaten WSWS supporters) Nevertheless, the WSWS was able to speak to several of the locked out ABI workers. Jerome, a young worker, said that when he was first hired at ABI he thought Alcoa and Rio Tinto were good employers. But with the lockout he has come to the conclusion all companies are the same. He said that in the Becancour region there are few prospects for good jobs. His partner who works in the healthcare sector also confronts difficult circumstances. Its hell! Theyre cutting jobs, leaving them to take care of a mass of people. A small group of workers spoke with the WSWS about the stakes in their struggle and the necessity to broaden it. The ABI workers protest came in the immediate aftermath of GMs announcement of the closure of five assembly plants in the US and Canada and the elimination of 14,000 jobs, and the day after the Trudeau Liberal government had illegalized the Canada Post strike. The workers recognized that workers everywhere are confronting the same big business offensive. Its worldwide, said one of them. This worker noted that not far from where the demonstration was taking place are the offices of Manulife, where a relative works, and which has just announced that it is cutting 700 jobs across Canada. United Steelworkers officials have responded angrily and aggressively to the World Socialist Web Site s exposure of their systematic isolation of the Aluminerie de Becancour workers struggle, and their readiness to work with Alcoa and Quebecs new rightwing-populist CAQ government to impose concessions and job cuts on the ABI workers. Flanked by other supporters of the Steelworker (USW) bureaucracy, Dominic Lemieux, the assistant to the Quebec USW director, accosted and slandered WSWS supporters who were distributing a statement at last Wednesdays demonstration of ABI workers in Montreal. Entitled The way forward for ABI workers: No concessions, no cuts in pensions or jobs! The struggle must be broadened!, the statement warned that despite the ABI workers courage and militancy, their struggle is in grave danger, because of the rightwing corporatist policy of the Steelworkers union and the Quebec Federation of Labour (QFL). With the aim of inciting workers against the WSWS supporters, Lemieux accused them of being in the pay of Alcoa and Rio Tinto and of seeking to weaken the ABI workers struggle by dividing the workers from their union. In response, this WSWS reporter pointed to a section of the WSWS statement that noted the Steelworkers leadership has repeatedly declared its readiness to impose pension and job cuts. It reads: According to USW Local 9700 President Clement Masse, the union had already agreed, even before the lockout began, to a new pension plan fully funded by workers. More recently, Dominic Lemieux, assistant to the Quebec director of the United Steelworkers, said the union is open to job cuts" at ABI if you introduce new technologies and things like that. At this point, a red-faced Lemieux identified himself, declaring, Im Dominic Lemieux. Lemieux went on to confirm that, yes, the Steelworkers would accept job cuts. But he tried to blame the ABI workers for this, citing the fact that they ratified a previous Steelworker-negotiated contract that says the company can eliminate jobs through attrition if it invests in technology. (A worker subsequently told us that the company has used this clause to contract out work to companies paying significantly lower wages and benefits.) The WSWS supporters kept their cool and, recognizing that a group of workers was listening to the heated exchange, sought to use it to make the case for a broadening of the struggle and to force Lemieux to explain why the USW refuses to fight to mobilize its members in Quebec and across North America in support of the ABI workers. But Lemieux and his acolytes were not the least bit interested in debating the way forward for the ABI workers after more than ten months of lockout. They responded with further slanders and by acting in an increasingly menacing fashion. Lemieux tore up one of the WSWS statements. Next, one of his associates grabbed bundles of statements from the hands of two of the WSWS supporters and threw them in the air. Workers, visibly shaken by the aggressive behavior of the Steelworker bureaucrats and fearing an altercation, counseled us to leave before the situation worsened. This we did. The behavior of the Steelworkers leadership attests to their nervousness and fear. Once again, their adamant hostility to any working-class mobilization against the ruling-class drive to gut workers wages and social rights and use speed-up, contracting-out and technological change to slash jobs and their reactionary appeals to shareholders and the political establishment have led workers into an impasse. And when their anti-worker maneuvers are exposed, they react the same way they do to workers who dare to criticize them at union meetings or on the factory floorwith threats, intimidation and blacklisting. Acting like despots, they arrogate the right to decide what workers are or are not allowed to hear and read. Organically linked to the capitalist system by their many privileges, including multibillion investment funds like the QFLs Solidarity Fund, the union bureaucracy responds with antidemocratic methods worthy of the far right to the growth of working-class struggle. They fear losing control over their members and are horrified by the increasingly conscious efforts of workers to break free of their stranglehold. Whether it be the yellow vests in France or teachers in the United States, workers' struggles are increasingly emerging outside the control of the pro-capitalist unions. The WSWS and Socialist Equality Party will not be intimidated. We have sought to draw the attention of workers in Quebec, across Canada and internationally to the ABI workers struggle, warning that the aluminum bosses are trying to impose sweeping concessions at ABI so as to set new regressive benchmarks for their operations worldwide. We have published close to two dozen articles in English and French on the ABI workers struggle, as well as articles on the recent strike at Alcoas operations in Australia. We will intensify our efforts to bring a socialist perspective to ABI workers, to rally support for their struggle among workers across Canada and internationally, and to expose the treacherous maneuvers of the USW and QFL bureaucrats. Today, with foreign dignitaries in attendance, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) will be sworn in as the new president of Mexico. In the July elections, AMLO and his party, Morena, crushed the three dominant parties, the ruling Party of the Institutional Revolution (PRI), and the coalition between the right-wing National Action Party (PAN) and the formerly center-left Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD). Morena now has commanding majorities in both houses of the Mexican Congress. The unprecedented number of votes for AMLO arose largely from his campaign promises to end the carnage of the war on the drug cartels unleashed a dozen years ago by PAN president Felipe Calderon, to end the endemic corruption of government officials and to reduce the pervasive poverty and joblessness plaguing the Mexican working class. But Lopez Obradors pronouncements over the last two weeks are already rapidly undermining these expectations. The war against drug trafficking launched in 2006 has left more than 200,000 dead and more than 35,000 disappeared. Troops and sailors were massively removed from the barracks and put into the streets, ostensibly tasked with replacing corrupt or incapable police forces and reducing crime and violence. Those efforts utterly failed. 2017 witnessed 31,000 murders, double that of the year 2010. That equaled a rate of 25 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, surpassing the rate of Colombia and approaching that of Brazil (29 per 100,00 inhabitants). 2018 is on track to register a record number of murders. Abuses by the military of civilians also became widespread during this period. The national human rights ombudsman has documented dozens of instances of the Army and Navy engaging in murder, torture and forced disappearances, including its well-known involvement in the Tlatlaya massacre, and the disappearance and almost certain murder of the 43 Ayotzinapa teaching students that outraged the Mexican public. During his campaign, and shortly after his victory in July, Lopez Obrador announced his intention to gradually withdraw the Army from the streets. But the week before last he performed an about-face, proposing an even greater role for the military, through the creation of a National Guard composed of military and naval units, which would subsume the current functions of the federal police. Far from any return to the barracks, this measure will result in a significant increase in military deployment. By 2021, AMLO said, the National Guard should have between 120,000 and 150,000 troops in action. Lopez Obrador in effect seeks a military Special Command over federal, state and police functions. This apparently would even extend to their role in investigating crimes, which under the current, longstanding, constitutional framework falls under the control of public prosecution ministries. When he ran this conception by the current Secretary of Defense, General Salvador Cienfuegos, the general told him it could not be done because it would violate the Constitution. AMLO responded, lets change the Constitution. Thus the fight against crime in Mexico will remain in the hands of the armed forces. Instead of ending what had been the security paradigm of the last two administrations, AMLO is consolidating and even extending it considerably further. In line with his statement to Cienfuegos, Lopez Obrador is doing so even though the Mexican Supreme Court ruled last week that deployment of the military in policing operations violates fundamental constitutional norms. The response of Lopez Obrador and Morena to this ruling was to introduce, the very next day, a congressional proposal to amend 13 articles of the Constitution in order to allow a military body to lead the prevention of crime and the preservation of public safety. One hundred and thirty-six civilian and human rights organizations, as well as over 500 political and social figures who have supported Lopez Obrador immediately issued an urgent statement calling on him to suspend this legislative process. Morenas proposal, their statement said, would generate more violence, more violations of human rights and would grant almost absolute power to the armed forces. It would amount to de facto militarization of the country. On Wednesday former PRI leader Ernesto Lopez Portillo chimed in: The president-elect is imagining a structure for national security control, with the military in charge of the operation. But Lopez Obrador is undeterred. He gave an unprecedented speech to a mass audience of 30,000 military personnel, explaining his decision to leave the armed forces with operational control over police tasks. Ignoring the well-documented abuses of the civilian population by the military, he instead glorified it, characterizing its ranks as guardians of the people. The Army, he said, was an institution that has been respectful of civilian authority. The Mexican soldiers, [even] the generals [!] are from the people. Moreover, thanks to their remarkable contributions in security matters, the armed forces have earned the respect and affection of Mexicans, mainly in the most vulnerable areas of the country. They also were a force in favor of peace and tranquility among the population. At AMLOs side during his speech was General Luis Crescencio Sandoval, AMLOs choice as the new Minister of Defense, who will oversee the National Guard. Sandoval had presided for the last two years over a bloody street war in the northern Mexican city of Reynoso. In line with AMLO he emphasized that soldiers, sailors are the uniformed people. The assurances of AMLO and his new military chief in fact reflect authoritarian conceptions. And they fly in the face of the fundamental Marxist conception articulated by Lenin that the state in its essence is composed of armed men that protect the interests of the ruling sectors of society. The organizations opposing the legislation to amend the Constitution stressed in their statement last week that if the changes proposed by Morena are implemented, the government could declare threats to internal security in the face of any situation, whether common crime problems, organized crime or social protests. Thus, for example, protests along the lines of last years gasolinazo over surging gas prices, which AMLO criticized at the time for alleged excesses and violence, could be met with military repression. If the population rises up in response to AMLO and Morenas failures to carry though their hollow promises of progressive reforms, that is what it inevitably will be met with. This, in the final analysis, is the real impulse motivating the increased role now proposed for Mexicos military. On Tuesday, Lopez Obrador again went out of his way to assure the ruling elite and foreign capital that he will be prudent with public spending, that is, that neoliberal budget austerity and fiscal balance will prevail. Although Mexico taxes at one of the lowest percentages of GDP in the hemisphere, approaching that of Panama, a tax haven, his administration will not raise taxes, and domestic and foreign investments in Mexico will be safe. His designated finance secretary, Carlos Urzua, has already prepared a budget that will see a 70 percent cut in public jobs and a 30 percent cut to higher education. AMLO emphasized on Tuesday that Mexico is going to be a safe country, which is going to give a lot of confidence to the investment that we also need, because we are not only going to use public investment, we also need national private investment and increased foreign investment and we are already doing agreements. In contrast to these concrete proclamations, the incoming administration has made only the vaguest of proposals to invest in jobs, poverty reduction and education, that lack specifics or seriousness. All this is a prescription for the Mexican working class to quickly lose faith in AMLOs economic program. Lopez Obrador and his political team have also made clear that they have prioritized good relations with American imperialism. Despite the overwhelming antipathy to and derision of Trump in the Mexican population, they have gone out of their way to avoid challenging his call for Mexico to pay for a border wall, his depiction of desperate Central American migrants as infected with gang members and criminals or his demands that Mexico turn away those migrants at its southern border, and if not, house them in Mexico during the lengthy time their applications for entry into the United States are processed. On Sunday, AMLOs incoming foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, proposed to the United States the implementation of what he called a Marshall Plan for the Central American Triangle. The investment and reconstruction plan would be directed at El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. Under the plan, Mexico would absorb a large part of Central American emigration, at least while the applications of any who still sought to emigrate to the US could be processed. At the same time, a large public works program would be undertaken in the poverty-stricken south of Mexico. Ebrard has proposed an initial contribution from the United States of at least $1 billion to fund these efforts. Canada will also be invited to participate in their funding. To convince Trump to join the initiative, Ebrard has characterized the intended result as a brake on illegal immigration. Mexico will present this proposal on December 10 and 11 at the Intergovernmental Conference for the Global Compact on Migration of the United Nations. Stripping away the rhetoric, it is apparent that a major goal of the plan is to staff development in southern Mexico with cheap Central American labor, as an enticement to both the American and Mexican bourgeoisies. Trump, however, may oppose the creation of such jobs outside of the United States. Many in the pseudo-left are characterizing the incoming Lopez Obrador administration as the first leftist Mexican government since that of left populist president Lazaro Cardenas in the 1930s, who expropriated the holdings of foreign oil companies, as well as that of large landed estates, which were distributed to the peasantry. They are either giving full-throated support to the incoming administration, or critically supporting it. This can only give cover to what will prove, based on the policies articulated thus far, to be a right-wing administration that will be forced to continue and intensify the attacks on the Mexican working class. There was a warm and appreciative response last night when David North, the chairperson of the World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board, spoke on the 80-year history of the Fourth International during the launching of the new edition of his book, The Heritage We Defend, at Gleebooks, a leading Sydney bookshop. The event was sponsored by Mehring Books, the publishing house of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI). North outlined the immense relevance of this history for the worldwide eruption of struggles today, by the working class and young people, against war, social inequality, climate change and the re-emergence of fascistic currents within the capitalist elites. North, who has played a pivotal role in the international socialist movement for 45 years and is also the national chairperson of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in the United States, participated in a probing conversation with Nick Beams, who has worked closely with North for decades as a central leader of the SEP in Australia. North then answered a series of thoughtful questions from the audience. Nick Beams and David North in conversation at Gleebooks More than 70 people, including SEP members and supporters, and others keen to learn more about the history of the world movement founded by Leon Trotsky in 1938, filled the upstairs room at Gleebooks. North later signed copies of his book for those who purchased it at the event. During their on-stage conversation, Beams asked North to respond to those who contemptuously dismissed the Trotskyist movements central concern with questions of theory and political principle. Revisionist tendencies claimed that the stabilisation of global capitalism after the horrors of two world wars had rendered the Fourth Internationals revolutionary program redundant. In response, North said it was striking, looking back 30 years to when the first edition of The Heritage We Defend was written, to see how many of the issues it examined were central to world politics today. Applying the historical materialist method of Marxism, he continued, enabled one to understand how serious political conflicts between individual figures within the Trotskyist movement reflected deeper class interests. To explain this, North outlined the historical significance of Trotskys founding of the Fourth International as the world party of socialist revolution, to resolve the crisis of working class leadership, produced by the monstrous betrayals of Stalinism in the Soviet Union and internationally during the 1920s and 1930s. Those betrayals, North said, later culminated in the Stalinist bureaucracys dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, vindicating Trotskys warnings about the counter-revolutionary character of the regime. Only the ICFI, North emphasised, based on Trotskys analysis, had predicted the restoration of capitalism by the Stalinist regimes across Eastern Europe, China, Vietnam and the Soviet Union, and politically assessed and prepared for its consequences. Referring to the current war tensions and political crises now wracking governments throughout the world, North said Trotskys prognosis, in the founding program of the Fourth International, had been vindicated. The death agony of capitalism could be resolved only through a worldwide socialist revolution led by the working class, or a descent into war and barbarism, which would threaten human civilisation. North particularly focussed on the vital political issues at stake in the struggles conducted since 1938 to defend Trotskys analysis and program against various opportunist tendencies. In one form or another, these tendencies had adapted to the surface appearance of events, during and after World War II, and written off the revolutionary role of the world working class. North traced the political logic and material class interests that invariably led the opportunists to embrace the agenda of the imperialist powers and spawn the development of identity politics, based on gender, race and sexuality. At the heart of such politics was the rejection of the revolutionary capacities of the working class to overturn global capitalism. David North In this context, the author explained that the new Preface to The Heritage We Defend dealt with the political positions of a current associated with the Partido Obrera in Argentina, which was currently seeking to collaborate with the countrys bourgeois establishment. To justify such a reactionary agenda, this group claimed that the Fourth International was beset by a fatal flaw, almost from the outset, because it had failed to abandon Trotskys revolutionary perspective during World War II and to re-orient toward a defence of bourgeois democracy. The seriousness of the audiences response to the historical issues canvassed by North was expressed in the first question from the floor. The questioner asked North to elaborate on what he meant by referring to Marx and Engels explanation of the need to examine the motives behind the motives of political figures. She asked how this related to Donald Trump and his cohorts. In reply, North said Trump was an expression of the the desperate drive by the US ruling class, and that of other imperialist powers, to assert global hegemony over rival capitalist nation states and, above all, their intense fear of the resurgence of the working class. The source of the turn toward military conflict and fascistic forms of rule lay not in the minds of the individuals involved, but in deeper economic and social processes. David North signing copies of The Heritage We Defend North will be speaking at public meetings in Sydney this Sunday, and in Melbourne and Wellington next week, on Eighty Years of the Fourth International (1938-2018): The class struggle, revolution and socialism in the 21st century. The author also recommends: Preface to the thirtieth anniversary edition of The Heritage We Defend [21 June 2018] On Wednesday, a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck carrying eleven people crashed off Interstate 8 near the San Diego-Mexico border, after being chased at high speeds by Border Patrol vehicles. Three of the passengers were pronounced dead on the scene, while the remaining eight were taken to nearby hospitals for the treatment of injuries, some of them major. At the time of publication, CBP has not released any details regarding the passengers identities or the reasons for the chase. The only official statement reported in the local news outlets is from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) spokesman Officer Travis Garrow. The San Diego Union Tribune quoted Officer Garrow as stating that the pickup crashed while fleeing at an extremely high rate of speed on the two-lane interstate east of Crestwood Road near the Golden Acorn Casino. Witnesses reported the pickup truck traveling at speeds as high as 100 mph, weaving in and out of traffic and passing other motorists using the center median and right shoulder of the highway. Border Patrol agents supposedly gave chase to the vehicle after it had refused to make a stop. All eleven passengers in the pickuptwo in the cab, and nine on the flatbedwere visible to the agents. While there has been no official statement as to why the vehicle was asked to stop, given the context of the virulent anti-migrant policies that have become the norm as well as the specific location of the chase, the motivations behind the CBP agents targeting the pickup are quite apparent. For the same reasons, the fear that presumably led the pickup truck driver to attempt fleeing from the CBP should also be understandable. CBP and ICE agents exercise enormous power over the lives of those migrant workers who have been limited to non-existent access to legal recourse. These agents tasked with immigration enforcement have been more and more in the news for the ways in which they have abused that power. The abuse has taken the form of not just the horrifying treatment of men, women, and children in the various detention camps, but also the torture and murder of those who have sought asylum. This is of course in addition the grotesque spectacle that was played at the San Ysidro border crossing just this past weekend, when US Border Patrol agents fired tear gas shells at unarmed women and children, whose only crime was demanding the right to asylum. Given this situation, the question becomes not so much why a group of individualspresumably migrants, whether or not with documentswould try to avoid any contact with Border Patrol, but rather what would compel agents to carry out an obviously dangerous chase under extremely unsafe conditions. As the Union Tribune pointed out, Border Patrol policy states that agents may get involved in pursuits only when the benefit outweighs any immediate danger created by speeding or other emergency driving techniques. In this case, the question of what that benefit might be beggars the mind. CBP agents not only continued the chase even when the speeds became dangerously high, but in fact upped the ante by throwing a spike strip on the path of the pickup. This was done under extremely inclement weather conditions, which had already made the I-8 a dangerous route that day. It was only after it hit the spiked strip that the driver of the pickup lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off an embankment and ultimately crash, killing three of the passengers and injuring all others. The driver, who survived the crash, has been taken into custody pending official charges, though some reports suggest he has been already charged with three counts of manslaughter. There have also been reports that the driver is a US citizen, though that has not been officially verified. Regardless of the citizenship status of the passengers in the pickup, this tragedy needs to be viewed in the context of the Trump administrations fascistic attack on immigrants and the on-going scapegoating and dehumanization of those who are forced to cross borders. The war against immigrants that is being spearheaded by the Trump reflects the hostility of the ruling class as a whole towards the entire working class. This hostility has become more pronounced and more visibly virulent in the past year and has led to numerous tragic incidents. In recent months, ICE agents have caused the deaths of a young migrant couple in Californias Central Valley after a car chase based on mistaken identity, while CBP was involved in another triple fatality near the Rancho Bernardo area. These kinds of incidents are either dismissed or blamed on the victims, who are all presumed to be guilty until proven innocent. The systematic undermining of fundamental bourgeois democratic norms is symptomatic of deep crisis of the capitalist state, which will continue to generate such tragedies. Hundreds of thousands of workers and students have participated in demonstrations and strikes in Catalonia demanding the budget cuts imposed by regional nationalist governments since the beginning of the 2008 financial crisis are reversed. The pseudo-left party Podemos has stepped in to suppress the resurgence of opposition after a decade of austerity to help get a regional budget passed. In return the Catalan nationalists will have to end their opposition to the draft 2019 budget of the Socialist Party (PSOE) government in Madrid. This week, primary care physicians working for the Catalan Health Institute, which manages 80 percent of the health centres in the region, and doctors of the semi-private health providers went on strike for the fourth day in a row, called by Metges de Catalunya (Doctors of Catalonia) and the anarcho-syndicalist Confederacion General del Trabajo (General Confederation of Labour-CGT). They are protesting increased workloads with 1,000 doctors jobs cut since 2008, lack of resources, pay cuts and demanding more time to attend patients. According to data provided by the regional government, the strike has received 70 percent support. On Wednesday, hundreds of doctors protested in front of the regional parliament where firefighters were also protesting precarious jobs and intolerable working conditions. According to the Catalan ombudsman, firefighters worked 460,000 hours overtime last year and the region needs at least 600 more firefighters. When both groups tried to enter the parliament, the riot police charged them. They responded with chants to the police of You, you, it also affects you. Doctors shouted, The firemen will always be on our side. On the same day, university students went on strike to demand a 30 percent reduction in fees and equalization of charges between ordinary and masters degrees. The strike was supported in all the major public universities including the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Pompeu Fabra, University and the University of Barcelona. The CGT and Labour Union Coordination (Coordinadora Obrera Sindical-COS) called a strike of teaching and research staff at all Catalan public universities. They are demanding the improvement of working conditions, higher salaries and the elimination of wage differentials between teaching and research staff. Non-teaching staff in schools also went on strike including classroom assistants, extracurricular staff, kitchen staff, and cleaners under the slogan Without us, no school works, let us fight against outsourcing. On Thursday university, primary and secondary school students and teachers joined doctors, nurses, students and firefighters in a one-day strike called by the CGT and two smaller unions, Ustec-Stes and Aspepc-Sps. Around 8,000 people demonstrated in the Catalan capital, where Ustec-Stes spokesperson Ramon Font criticized the Catalan governments 5 billion budget allocation for education, saying that 16 billion is needed to cover existing needs. Civil servants joined the protest, holding a two-hour stoppage demanding the return of the wages that were slashed in 2013 and 2014 as part of the Catalan nationalist austerity drive. For years the regional bourgeoisie has relentlessly promoted Catalan nationalism to bury the socio-economic concerns of workers and youth, both Spanish and Catalan. This had an impact. Support for an independent Catalonia was just 15 percent when the 2008 economic crisis began, rose to around 48 percent in 2013-14 and is now about 38 percent according to polls. This served as a cover for the massive austerity imposed by the Catalan nationalists, along with their counterparts in Madrid. In 2014 Santi Vila, then Catalan regional Enterprise Minister, openly declared, If this country had not put forward a discourse based on nationalism, how would it have weathered adjustments of over 6 billion euros? It is estimated that between 2009 and 2015 healthcare spending was slashed by 31 percent, the highest of all 19 regions in Spain, social spending by 26 percent, and education spending by 12 percent. Catalonia was the region where university fees rose the mostby around 158 percentso that the average cost of a university credit is 41.17 compared to the national average of 17.70. Four years later, the growing levels of protests and strikes are clear indications that the working class is beginning to break out of the political shackles collectively imposed upon it by the nationalists, the trade unions and pseudo-left forces. Regional president Quim Torra has said virtually nothing about this weeks strikes and protests, claiming that he would continue working to reach the necessary agreements for the good of our citizens. Eduard Pujol, spokesperson for Together for Catalonia, accused public workers of exaggerating their claims: Sometimes we get distracted by issues that are not essential. 85 days waiting lists [in hospitals], should be 82 We are fighting for crumbs. We have to achieve a real resolution of the problem. Pujols solution is to once again stoke up nationalism, declaring that Catalonia had to escape the strangling of Madrid. The unions for their part are making every effort to contain the growing levels of militancy by limiting strikes to single days, partial stoppages or are postponing them altogether to avoid joint action with other sections of the working class. On Wednesday, a planned strike by the Communist Party-led CCOO and Socialist Party (PSOE) aligned UGT of 250,000 regional public sector workers was reduced to a token two-hour stoppage and further action postponed to December 12. The unions are also avoiding linking workers in the region with their brothers and sisters on strike in the rest of Spain in recent weeks, including Amazon workers in Madrid, postal workers, pilots from Iberia and teachers in the Basque region. Even sections within the state apparatus such as state attorneys, prison guards and judges have been on strike. Like other countries in Europe and throughout the world, Spain is entering a period of acute social and political crisis, characterised by the resurgence of the class struggle. In this context, pseudo-left forces such as Podemos are intervening to rescue capitalism and maintain the stranglehold of bourgeois parties over the working class. In Madrid, Podemos is attempting to rally the separatist parties in the Spanish parliament to support the 2019 budget crafted by Podemos General Secretary Pablo Iglesias and PSOE Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The Catalan nationalists hold the casting votes to get the budget passed but have so far refused after state attorneys confirmed sedition charges against nine Catalan leaders for their role in declaring independence last year. In Barcelona, Podemos-backed Catalunya en Comu Podem (CECP) is holding talks with Torra over the regional budget. According to most accounts, CECP is the only party that can allow the budget to pass after the small pseudo-left separatist CUP party, Torras erstwhile ally, withdrew its support. To diffuse popular opposition CECP is proposing the regional budget includes a 1.7 billion increase in social expenditure. The only way the financially bankrupt Catalan government would be able to carry out such an expenditure, the CECP advise, is to vote in favour of the national budget, which allocates an increase in investment in Catalonia of 2.2 billion. Meanwhile, the leader of the right-wing Popular Party, Pablo Casado, stating that Catalan autonomy has got out of hand, has demanded that Sanchez apply Article 155 of the Constitution to suspend the regional government again and impose control from Madrid immediately, for an indefinite period. Casado declared, We have to put order back into Catalonia. Thousands of students walked out of high schools around Australia yesterday to voice their concern and anger over the worsening degradation of the global environment and oppose the refusal of governments to address climate change. More than 5,000 students joined the Sydney protest, while an estimated 3,000 participated in Melbourne. Around 2,000 rallied in Newcastle, a working-class port city north of Sydney. Smaller events were held in other state capitals and dozens of regional centres. An estimated 15,000 students participated in what became a national strike. The rallies were the largest involving secondary school students in many years. They expressed the developing politicisation of a generation that has grown up amid continuous war, growing inequality, worsening environmental destruction and a turn to authoritarianism, presided over by all the official parties, including Labor and the Greens. Part of the rally in Melbourne Socialist Equality Party (SEP) supporters distributed hundreds of copies of a statement by its youth wing, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), titled: To stem climate change, capitalism must be ended. The SEP and IYSSE campaigners particularly warned against the attempts to divert students behind impotent appeals to the Labor Party, the Greens and the trade unions, which are part of the very political establishment responsible for the environmental crisis. As parties of the corporate elite, Labor and the Greens are fundamentally hostile to any major measures, no matter how essential, that would seriously impact on the profits of business. A section of the protest in Sydney Liberal-National Coalition government ministers vehemently denounced the protests, revealing the entire ruling establishments fear over the entrance of young people into political struggle. Resources Minister Matt Canavan declared that students participating in the strike were learning only how to join the dole [unemployment] queue. They would end up in a line asking for a handout, not actually taking charge of your life and getting a real job. His remarks echoed Prime Minister Scott Morrisons earlier condemnation of students for walking out of schools. There is intense concern in ruling circles that, amid widespread hostility to the parliamentary set-up, any expression of social opposition among youth could spark a broader movement against capitalism. Student speakers in Sydney and Melbourne reviewed many aspects of the environmental crisis, including climate change, the deterioration of the Great Barrier Reef, extended bushfire seasons and drought. They condemned plans by Adani, an energy multinational, to establish a large new coal mine in Queensland, with the states Labor government support. WSWS correspondents interviewed a number of students, who spoke of wider concerns about the state of society and the future of human civilisation. Melissa Melissa, 17, explained: Ive come today because I care about humanity and I want to see it survive. Our generation is going to be around for a long time. But thats only if we dont destroy our planet. Theres no Plan B, theres nowhere else humanity can go that will support life, so this is our only chance. I am in some ways a communist. The actions of governments are all based around profits and big corporations lobbying. Thats why our politicians arent going to change anything. The corporates and big business have a lot of money, so theyre the ones in power. Its all of the parties, including Labor. No one who actually cares about the environment, or anything that isnt about money, is in politics. Im very strongly against nuclear weapons. I want to see them taken down as soon as possible. Because they are the number one way that humanity could be killed off right now. Xavier, 12, said: Im here because Scott Morrison is an idiot and we need to save the world for people in the future. Our generation is going to see the effects of climate change. If we dont stop it now, we could all die when were 50 years old. The current system is corrupt and we need to fix it as soon as possible. I think everyone should get the same pay and everyone should be equal. Everyone should have a home, enough food and clean water. Weve got to get rid of the situation where rich people get huge salaries. Thats the only way everyone can be equal. Sylvie and Xavier Sylvie, 14, commented: Climate change is largely ignored by the governments. Were not doing enough to stop it. I think a lot of governments, including here, dont even believe that climate change exists, even though the evidence has been put before them. But its also because they profit from coal, and they dont want anything to stop that. Nikita Nikita, 15, said: Ive always been really concerned about the environment and wanting us to transition to renewable energies. There are so many sources of renewable energy, but governments keep going back to coal. I think it probably is because of big business and profit. When we heard Scott Morrison denounce these protests, and tell kids that they needed to be involved in less activism, we really wanted to come along. I think we actually need more activism. Its scary, there are so many major issues at the moment. Its like the world is going to pieces and we dont know what is going to happen in a few years. You have Trump threatening North Korea and other countries almost every day. Jareef Jareef, 15, said: Im here because Im sick of the government refusing to do anything about climate change. We are the future of humanity. Todays politicians are not going to be around in 40 or 50 years to deal with it, but we are. Thats why change has to start now. Im Muslim and Ive suffered from racism and discrimination. Im really sick of it. Im against the anti-immigrant measures that are being carried out by Trump and here. What they promote, that Muslims are all terrorists, isnt true. Were people and we should be seen that way. Im against the war in Afghanistan and these other wars. Theyre all about money. War is always about money. Matthew, a year 9 student, said: I feel that if the world worked together and didnt have feuding countries it would be brilliant for climate change and every other issue. The only thing that stands in opposition to that is nationalism and the idea that we have to be proud of the country we came from. Thats the obstacle to the world uniting under a one banner. Matthew We have to bring democracy back. That will only happen with the revolution that we have with our generation and generations to come. We have to tell the government that this is our planet, not theirs. Capitalism is not working. In Melbourne, Eli, a year 11 student, explained: I am here today because I have had enough of the inaction on climate change in this country. We are here to send a message to those in parliaments all across Australia, who have denounced this movement, and told us to get back in school and keep out of the adults business: no longer. No longer will we leave it to the politicians and the businesspeople to decide the fate of our planet and the environment that we will inherit from them. We are here to speak the truth to power. The truth that focusing on renewable energy, protecting natural ecosystems and acknowledging that climate change is a real and urgent threat, are the best ways to ensure a sustainable future for everyone. No longer will we accept that the responsibility for our future is placed in the hands of the few. Our voices will be heard today. When our leaders refuse to lead, we have to. Kieran Kieran said the demonstrations were part of an international movement of students and young people. It definitely needs to be international, because its all our world, he said. The sky is everyones. If one country produces something, it affects every other country in the world, so it is definitely not a national thing. SEP and IYSSE campaigners explained that climate change is one expression of a systemic crisis of global capitalism, which is also producing a growing danger of world war. They stressed the need for a turn to the working class, the revolutionary force in modern society. As the IYSSE statement emphasises, climate change can be resolved only through the socialist reorganisation of the global economy to meet social needs, not the profit interests of a tiny corporate elite. The author also recommends: New climate change report: Impact of global warming already being felt [26 November 2018] The Citi exhibition: I objectIan Hislop's search for dissent, the British Museum, London, September 6, 2018January 20, 2019 The British Museum is currently staging an exhibition of 100 objects or so covering the history of dissent, co-curated by Ian Hislop, BBC broadcaster, editor of satirical magazine Private Eye and officially certified national treasure. Ian Hislop Hislop is gifted with a good education (Ardingly College and Oxford University) and had unprecedented access to one of the worlds most magnificent collections, but ends up producing an exercise in political, social and artistic emptiness. Hislop proclaims, The British museum contains an extraordinary collection of objects from different times and places, but at first sight it all seems to be reinforcement, if not actually a celebration of authority Or is it? I wanted to find out whether there were objects that challenged the official version of events, defied the established narrative and presented a different view. Was there actually subversive material lurking among the mummies and the monuments? Hislop answers his own question: yes, dissent is everywhere. But he makes it clear that he is only interested in objects that fit in with his own worldview, that of a well-heeled public-school educated British patriot who abhors socialist ideas and revolutionary change. Our aim from the outset was not necessarily to find world-changing acts of resistance, although we came across those as well, but rather, small acts of disobedience by ordinary people independent of any organised networks of resistance, Hislop informs us. Poking fun at the rich and powerful and satirising their excesses is about the best anyone can hope for, he concludes. This is truly lazy and ignorant stuff. Hislops interpretation of dissent is suspect from the start, attempting to inject sexual titillation into the exhibitions objects from antiquity. He suggests that several small figurines with giant phalluses found in the Egyptian town of Naukratis dating from around 2,500 years ago represent dissent from puritanical official iconography around the figure of Horus the child-god. This period of antiquity is far more complex than Hislops childish and smutty construct. Archaeologists explain that their Victorian predecessors (like Hislop himself) exaggerated the eroticism of the Naukratic figures and downplayed their religious function. They were used in rituals concerning fertility, specifically that bestowed on Egypt during the annual Nile inundation associated with the worship of Isis-Hathor, Osiris, and Horus-the-child (Harpokrates). (Lucia Marchini, World Archaeology, Issue 77, 2016) Several of the exhibits deal with dissent in the British Empire. We see a patched tunic symbolic of the Mahdist rebellion against the British occupation of Sudan in the 1880s and images of Mahatma Gandhi in his dohti (loincloth) in India, along with the black and white Palestinian keffiyah headscarf made famous by Palestine Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat. Again, these objects are treated as individual statements of dissent. Any consideration of these national movements, which mobilised millions in mass struggles, is relegated to what people wore. Sudanese tunic (muraqqa'a), 1880, courtesy of the British Museum Hislop has also selected dissenting objects from the 1960s and 1970s, including Zippo lighters belonging to US troops and etched with slogans expressing anger over their situation. Again, little is done to enlighten visitors as to the nature of the imperialist war or their intimate connection with the 1968-75 wave of revolutionary struggles by the international working class, the greatest since the 1920s. Zippo lighter from Vietnam war era courtesy of the British Museum This period not only saw mass opposition to the Vietnam War along with a mounting political crisis in the United States, leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974, but the May-June 1968 General Strike in France and mass movements of the working class throughout Europe. These upheavals led to the downfall of fascist governments in Portugal and Spain and the toppling of the military dictatorship in Greece. Behind this political sea-change lay the crisis of the world financial order established in the aftermath of World War II, under the economic hegemony of the United States. Capitalism only survived because of the betrayals of the Stalinist and social-democratic parties and trade unions, with the assistance of various centrist groups, which systematically suppressed and diverted the struggles of the working class to preserve the existing social order. Without such an appreciation it is also difficult to understand the significance of Akasegawa Genpeis pastiche Great Japan Zero-Yen Banknote from 1967, which imitates a 1,000 yen note and declares Rebellion is justified / It is right to rebel. Hislop puts it down to heightened leftist activism without further elaboration. Great Japan Zero Banknote, Akasegawa Genpei, 1967, courtesy of the British Museum Some of the most interesting objects in the exhibition are identified with the revolutionary struggles in America (1775-1783) and France (1789-1799), which received overwhelming support in Britain and brought it too close to revolution. Hislop ignores the man who epitomises revolutionary dissent in Britain during those fateful yearsThomas Paine, author of Common Sense (1776), Rights of Man (1791) and The Age of Reason (1794, 1795 and 1807) and active participant in the revolutionary movements in America and France. Many objects associated with Paine exist in the British Museum archives. Instead Hislop concentrates on lesser (though still remarkable) figures, including Thomas Spence (1750-1814), best known for his utopian Land Plan, which attacked the private ownership of land and called for it to be handed over to parochial corporations run for the benefit of the citizenry. Despite the utopian character of his plan, Spence was described by Frederick Engels as that glorious old Tom Spence, while Karl Marx called him the the deadly enemy of Private Property in Land. A Voluptuary under the Horrors of Digestion, James Gillray, 1792 courtesy of the British Museum There are wonderful satirical political prints of the period, including the 1792 caricature of the Prince of Wales, A Voluptuary under the Horrors of Digestion, by James Gillray (1756-1815). The 30-year old future King George IV is depicted slumped and bloated, surrounded by the best food, empty alcohol bottles, dice and betting slips, unpaid bills and medicines to combat venereal diseases. One cant imagine such biting satire appearing in Hislops Private Eye today. Gillray was eventually persuaded to produce prints in favour of the monarchy and government, in return for an annual payment of 200 (25,000 today). However, other dissenters were brutally repressed. In addition, newspapers were banned, meetings outlawed, organisations proscribed and radical activists arrested, deported and executedall this culminating in the 1819 Peterloo Massacre in Manchester. The massacre is also represented in the British Museum collection, but ignored by Hislop, as is the whole gamut of trade union, socialist and revolutionary dissent that followed over the next century and a half. Every great artist and satirist gravitated toward the socialist movement, but they are airbrushed out of this history of dissent. Handkerchief depicting the Peterloo Massacre courtesy of the British Museum No one would guess that Karl Marx worked for decades in the Reading Room of the British Museum, just yards away from the exhibition entrance, or donated all his manuscripts to it. The same goes for Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin, who studied there five times between 1902 and 1911. The Russian Revolution led by Lenin was the greatest act of rebellion in human history and an inspiration for artistic creativity in Russia and internationally. Novyi Satirikon journal, 1917, courtesy of the British Library Hislop ignores the outburst of creativity produced by the events of 1917 in Russia. The British Museum contains many examples, including those from the curators own field of work, such as the satirical magazine Novyi satirikon (New Satiricon). It depicts the general disillusion in the bourgeois-democratic provisional government, which had come to power in February 1917 and was to fall nine months later in the Bolshevik-led October Revolution. According to the catalogue of the British Library, which now stores the magazine, Many felt that their demands, such as bread and an end to the war, had not been met by the Provisional Government. The cartoon depicts a man collecting masses of newspapers and bulletins (symbolic of the perceived chaos and the Governments empty promises) to use as cigarette papers. Lenin image on plate, after 1989, courtesy of the British Museum Hislops only comment on these tumultuous events is a hostile onea cartoon on a plate produced shortly before the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1989, depicting Lenin showing the finger and shouting, Fucking Revolution. In mounting the exhibition, Hislop is pleading with the ruling elite to recognise the role that people like himself play. He declares, tellingly, Permitting dissent, or at least the illusion of political criticism, can be a useful means of channelling and controlling the public mood, serving as a metaphorical safety valve on societal pressures. Allowing the politically disenfranchised to upset established hierarchies for limited periods or within strict boundaries can help to deflect attention from social realities. (Emphasis added) It is the relative lack of such safety valves that worries him. Everywhere today the ruling class is turning to right-wing and fascist forces in anticipation of fierce class struggles. Imperialist governments slaughter civilians in large numbers in the name of defending human rights. Global technology corporations censor the internet while claiming to be protecting democracy and excluding fake news. Governments use gagging laws to repress artistic expression. Rarely has there been a period in history more sorely in need of genuine satire. But the would-be satirists of our day have remarkably little to say, handsomely paid as they are for their efforts to keep social discontent within safe official channels. Hislop professes sympathy for the small guy but has nothing to say about the sponsors of his exhibitionCiti, the third largest banking group in the US, whose actions helped lead to the 2008 financial crisis, and the recipient of billions of dollars in bailouts. Tens of thousands of workers lost their jobs as a result of Citis activities. Any satirist worth his salt would make mincemeat of such drivel as the banks claim, We believe that by celebrating the past, we all have the opportunity to define the future and personal expression has the power to make change and drive progress, and run a mile from its embrace. Europe The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature. Greek private sector general strike as workers continue to protest austerity The Greek umbrella trade union organisation GSEE, representing around 80 private sector trade unions, held a general strike on Wednesday. Workers are protesting ongoing measures being imposed by the pro-austerity Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left) government. They demand a higher minimum wage (which has been slashed to 580 euros), less taxation, an end to pension and holiday allowance cuts and to ban redundancies in firms receiving state subsidies. The strike hit all ferry services as members of the Panhellenic Seamans Federation joined the action. Buses in Athens halted, with drivers striking at the beginning and end of the day. Train services nationally were hit with hardly any services running. Athens tram, metro and trolley bus services were also affected with no services running. A rally was held in Klafthmonos Square in central Athens. Greek journalists stopped work for 24 hours Tuesday ahead of the strike. As a result, no news programmes were aired on TV and radio, and newspapers were not printed Wednesday. UK college lecturers strike College lecturers at six colleges throughout England took strike action Wednesday and Thursday. The six colleges involved were Bath, Bradford Croydon, Lambeth, New College in Swindon and Petroc College in Devon. Taking part were members of the University and College Union (UCU). They are pressing for a pay rise of five percent or a fixed increase of 1,500 for those earning less than 30,000 a year. The pay of college lecturers has been eroded by around 25 percent over the last decade and they now earn 7,000 less on average than teachers in secondary schools. UCU members at 110 colleges throughout the UK were balloted and voted by a majority to strike at 108 of the colleges. However, under the Trade Union Act of 2016 brought in by the then Cameron governmentwith which the trade unions have acquiesceda ballot for strike action is only valid if a 50 percent participation threshold is reached. Only the six colleges named above achieved the threshold. Twenty-six colleges, which fell below the 50 percent participation threshold but were above a 35 percent participation threshold, are being re-balloted over the issue. The re-balloting began on November 28 and the result is expected December 19. UK: Cammell Laird shipbuilders begin three weeks of action Workers at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, England have begun a series of 24-hour strikes. The members of the Unite and GMB unions are opposing plans by the company to get rid of 291 jobs at the shipyard by March next year40 percent of the workforce. The unions objection is not to redundancies as such but only compulsory redundancies. The rolling strikes will not involve the entire workforce on any occasion. After different trades at the shipyard struck on separate days this week, fitters and welders will strike next on December 3 and 10, stores, riggers and labourers on December 5 and 12, cleaners, health & safety, machinist and shipwright on December 6 and 13, electrical labourers, electricians, maintenance, plant and quality control members on 30 November and December 7 and 14. Staff at UK Arriva North Rail set to walkout again Conductors at Arriva North Railway will hold a 24-hour strike on Saturday. The members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport workers union (RMT) are striking against plans by the rail companies to introduce driver only operated (DOO) trains. It will be the 15th consecutive Saturday strike with plans to continue them till the end of the year. The dispute against DOO, threatening passenger safety and 6,000 conductors jobs, has been ongoing for two years. On Thursday, the RMT offered to suspend Northern Rail action this weekend for talks if company meets key guarantees on second person on the companys trains. Despite references to such guarantees, the RMT has limited action against the private rail franchises to regional, short-term strikes, isolating and dissipating struggles. It has already sealed deals with rail franchises at ScotRail and Greater Anglia. The union has agreed to a sell-out deal in principle with Merseyrail and the Labour Party-led Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, whereby door control and dispatch of the trains will transfer to the driver on new trains. In June, the RMT agreed a framework deal with West Midlands Trains, agreeing that On such new or modified rolling stock, train drivers will operate the train doors and undertake train dispatch in normal circumstances... Refuse workers in Birmingham, England ballot for strike against job losses and restructuring Refuse collectors in the English city, Birmingham, are being balloted starting today over two weeks. The members of Unite took part in a three-month strike in 2017 to oppose council plans to cut jobs and downgrade some roles. The ballot was launched after Unite accused the council of planning to make a payment to GMB members who did not strike last year but withhold it from Unite members who did. If the ballot is in favour of strike, industrial action will begin December 28. UK Crown post office workers in strike ballot over Christmas working hours Crown post office staff in the UK are being balloted after their employer announced it would not keep to the custom and practice agreement for staff to finish at 12.30 on Christmas Eve. The workers are members of the Communication Workers Union. Strike by Austrian rail workers over pay On Monday, rail workers employed by the OBB Austrian national rail company carried out a two-hour warning strike beginning at 12 noon. The strike over pay disrupted the journeys of 100,000 passengers, bringing trains nationwide to a complete standstill. It affected neighboring countries such as Italy, Germany and Switzerland, as Austria is a major European rail hub. The OBB employs around 40,000 workers. The members of the Vida trade union struck during pay negotiations, having rejected a three percent offer from OBB. French refinery workers continue action over pay The strike by French petroleum refinery workers over wages and bonuses is into its second week. Total SA, the countrys biggest refiner, has decided to shut its quarter of a million barrel-a-day production facility at Gonfreville. The members of the Stalinist-led CGT union rejected a 1.5 percent pay offer. Joint pay strike by Dutch and German coffee workers On November 22, production workers employed by coffee producer Douwe Egberts (DE) at seven sites in Germany and Utrecht in the Netherlands held a one-day strike. The action is in support of a pay rise and for a collective bargaining agreement. Among the sites affected in Germany were Berlin, Munich and Stuttgart. German DE workers traveled to Utrecht and held a joint picket with around 200 Dutch members of the FNV union. DE, which made a profit in excess of 400 million last year, is refusing to negotiate with the NGG union. Strike by Italian medics for investment in health and better work conditions Around 135,000 staff employed by the Italian health service (SSN) held a 24-hour strike November 23. They are demanding a new collective agreement to replace the current one, in place for 10 years. Workers want an increase in government investment, as spending on the Italian health service is two percent lower than the European average. They cite the loss of around 20,000 hospital beds and the lack of medical specialists. Irish health workers in Kerry and Cork to strike Around 1,000 health care assistants in the counties of Kerry and Cork have voted by over 80 percent to strike. The members of the Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union are opposed to the failure of their employer, Health Service Executive, to implement new agreed contracts. No date has been set for industrial action. Meanwhile, hospital consultants have indicated they are willing to take industrial action in the New Year. They are protesting a 30 percent pay cut imposed on post-2012 entrants as part of the Irish governments austerity measures. The Irish Medical Organisation says the pay differential has resulted in a shortfall of around 500 consultant posts as many choose to work abroad. Maltese pharmacists take industrial action over pay and conditions Pharmacists working for the Maltese government at several hospitals and homes for the elderly began industrial action at the end of last week. The UHM union members want an improved pay offer and better working conditions. The action involved refusing to dispense medicines between 9am and 12 noon weekdays and 9am and 11am on Saturdays. Other forms of action include refusing to take telephone calls. Middle East Further general strike set for January by Tunisian union for wage increases Following the general strike in Tunisia by around 650,000 public sector workers on November 22, the UGTT union has called another national strike for January 17 next year. Thousands of other workers joined the last strike, called to protest the governments refusal to increase wages. It was the countrys largest in five years. Schools, universities, municipalities and ministries were shut, and hospitals had only emergency staffing. Protests were held nationwide, including in Tunis, Gabes, Sfax, Sidi Bouzid and Kasserine. Prime Minister Youssef Chaheds government plans to slash the public sector wage bill to 12.5 percent of GDP in 2020, down from the current 15.5 percent. The number of state companies will be reduced, and fuel subsidies slashed. The cuts are being demanded by the International Monetary Fund, which loaned Tunisia $2.8 billion in 2016 in exchange for a prolonged austerity programme. Strikes by Iranian sugar and steel workers over wage arrears continue The strike by workers at the Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane factory is now in its fourth week. They are protesting wage arrears and calling for the factory to be taken out of private hands. Workers also demand the release of one of their representatives and a social activist arrested in previous demonstrations. The strikers have received one month of their wage arrears but arrears for three other months are still outstanding. On Tuesday, Haft Tappeh workers mounted their fifteenth day of protests outside the Shush County Hall. A strike by 4,000 steelworkers working for the Iran National Steel Industrial Group is in its third week. They too demand payment of wages arrears. They have held previous strikes and protests this year in February, March, June and August. Joint protests with the sugar workers in front of the Shush County Hall have been held calling for unity among workers in both struggles. Africa Almost half of workers at South Africas Sibanye Gold reject wage deal Almost half the miners at Sibanye Gold, Johannesburg have rejected a three-year wage deal agreed between the company and the National Union of Mineworkers, Solidarity and the UASA. The members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) began strike action Wednesday against the deala 5.5 percent wage settlement, while other major South African gold producers have settled for a 6.5 percent wage increase. They want a R12,500 basic wage and a R1,000 increase for each year over three years. Sibanye Gold employs 32,200 workers at its three gold mines. 43 percent are members of the AMCU. A NUM member was shot and killed last week and four others injured last week at the Welkom mine in Beatrix. The union said it was still investigating the incident. Miners continue strike at Gold Field mines, South Africa over job losses Miners are into their fourth week of strike action at South Africas Gold Fields mine opposing the loss of over a quarter of the 5,500 workforce. According to Gold Fields, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) had agreed a return to work deal including an enhanced redundancy package and an extension to the period of payback by miners for time striking under the no-work no-pay rule. The NUM, however, stated that the company had not reduced job losses, which included 16 out of 24 NUM full time shop stewards. Gold Fields is pressing ahead with the redundancy programme and has warned that no gold will be produced before Christmas. South Africas unemployment stands at 27.5 percent and among the youth it is 52.8 percent. South African Cape Town MyCiti bus drivers wildcat strike against casualisation continues The MyCiti bus workers stoppage in Cape Town, South Africa is entering its seventh week. The wildcat strike is to demand direct employment by the city rather than an agency. Over 60 bus drivers were sacked by the casual labour agency company, Kidrogen, for not attending disciplinary hearings. Drivers at other agencies are also being sacked. Some workers returned to work when the union promised agency employers there would be no more strikes before 2020. Besides getting less pay and none of the employed drivers conditions, casual drivers often have to eat their lunch in the toilet or on the pavement, not the works canteen provided. South African West Rand workers strike over non-payment of benefits Workers have been on strike for five weeks in West Rand municipality, South Africa over unpaid medical aid premiums, pension fund contributions and other benefits. Workers were only paid last month because they reportedly held the mayor, councillors and senior employees against their will. The municipality found the money the next day. Council services have not been provided during the strike and workers have kept utility vehicles locked up. South Africas Buffalo City casual workers strike to demand permanent jobs Municipal workers in South Africas Buffalo City, Eastern Cape Province are continuing a month-long wildcat strike for direct employment and better working conditions. An official strike was called November 20 by South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU). Hundreds of strikers, including garbage collectors, fire fighters and security guards, demonstrated at East London City Hall on Wednesday. Some have worked as casuals for over 10 years and are still paid under R3,500 minimum wage and not equipped with safety clothing. The casual workers have been blamed for sabotaging water and electrical supplies although Buffalo City is widely known for its poor water and electrical provision. South Africa Durban, Kwazulu Natal Mortuary workers strike over pay and conditions Mortuary workers at the Fort Napier mortuary in St. Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa began a strike November 22. For two weeks workers engaged in a go-slow over pay and conditions in a bargaining council agreement, which the province had withdrawn. At Fort Napier mortuary, the air conditioning system and freezer units have broken down, making work unbearable, a condition repeated throughout the provinces mortuaries. The mortuary has only one doctor, putting extra demands on staff to carry out work they not trained to perform and do not get paid for. Staff also complain of lack of protective clothing and gloves, which they use repeatedly. Patients who die in hospitals are laid on ward floors until they can be transported to the mortuaries. Burials are delayed. Strikers have blocked the road to the mortuary. Nigerian academics continue strike to demand agreement is implemented Nigerian academics are continuing their three-week strike after negotiations with the government broke down. Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities are demanding an agreement signed in 2017, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), be implemented in full and the negotiating committee leadership disbanded. They are also protesting increased university fees and the introduction of an education bank (government financed student loans). The Education Minister said he wants to end strikes in the education sector. Nigerian judicial workers union resurrects suspended strike Court workers came out on indefinite strike a fortnight ago in Nasarawa state over a block on staff promotions and in-service training. They are also demanding back payment of unpaid increases to promoted staff and the repayment and the stopping of inappropriate wage deductions. The employer National Justice Commission, claims the members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria are striking illegally. JUSUN accuses the management of refusing to negotiate so they have commenced a strike suspended in February. Nigerian communications workers threaten strike to demand new contract Workers employed in Nigerias satellite communications industry have threatened to strike December 3. The members of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies are demanding state-owned Nigeria Communication Satellite negotiate for a new terms and conditions contract. US President Donald Trumps trip to the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina has been accompanied by an outpouring of jingoism throughout the US political establishment, targeting not just Russia, but with ever-greater belligerence, China. The summit takes place after Russian forces fired upon and captured three Ukrainian Navy ships that had entered waters claimed by Russia in a deliberate provocation likely to have been coordinated with Washington. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has begun massing troops on the Ukrainian border and has declared martial law in substantial sections of the country. At the beginning of the week, the US press was filled with denunciations of Russia, whose response to the Ukrainian incursion was condemned as a violation of international law. This media campaign, combined with the aptly-timed release of supposedly damaging information about Trumps personal ties to Russia, led the president to backtrack on his plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was a partial concession to dominant factions within the American state that have demanded he take a more aggressive anti-Russian stance. After Trumps announcement on Thursday, the US media turned to demanding that Trump continue and intensify his hardline stance against China. Summing up the growth of anti-Chinese sentiment throughout the entire US political establishment, the Washington Post wrote in an editorial published Friday, Where there was once a bipartisan consensus in favor of broad engagement with China, now there is almost equally widely shared disappointment with Chinas failure to reciprocate as expected. While the Post calls for a temporary truce, underlying the newspapers belligerence is the fact that China has emerged as a competitor to the United States in the fields of high-value manufacturing, directly competing for a shrinking pool of global profits with American companies. The Post continues, Mr. Trumps bluntly hostile approach to China represents only an extreme manifestation of emerging national sentiment. Risky as it is, the newspaper declares, Trumps policy at least puts China fully on notice that U.S. tolerance for its mercantilist policies has run out. As recently as several months ago, prominent commentators had declared Trumps trade war an aberration. In July, Martin Wolf, analyzing Trumps tariffs trade war, declared, The leader of the worlds most powerful country is a dangerous ignoramus It is so difficult to negotiate with him because nobody knows what he and his team want. This is just not normal. But Trumps trade war with China is now lauded by even his most bitter factional opponents as not merely normal, but rational and even democratic. As the Post writes, Chinese policymakers must understand that he won the presidency in large part because of American dismayespecially in the industrial heartlandwith the results of Chinas behavior, and what the public perceived as a failure of U.S. leadership to check it. These words are a confirmation, from one of the house organs of the Democratic Party, that Trumps trade war measures are not the ravings of a madman but represent the efforts of the American ruling class to secure US global hegemony through military threats and trade war. Such views are not confined to the centrist wing of the Democratic Party embodied by the Post, but extend to its progressive wing as well. In an article published the day before the Posts editorial, Senator Elizabeth Warren made essentially the same nationalist argument. Writing in Foreign Affairs, Warren pilloried policymakers who advocated Chinas accession to the World Trade Organization despite its unfair trading practices. She adds, And what has this brought us? Policymakers promised that open markets would lead to open societies. Instead, efforts to bring capitalism to the global stage unwittingly helped create the conditions for competitors to rise up and lash out. Russia became belligerent and resurgent. China weaponized its economy without ever loosening its domestic political constraints. Other countries faith in both capitalism and democracy eroded. Warren is, in other words, openly turning her back on the free market policies of the preceding period, and, without mentioning the word protectionism, advocating the right-wing, nationalist ideas exemplified by Donald Trump. In fact, her only real criticism of Trumps China policy is that he is not doing enough to stop Chinese economic malfeasance. The day after Foreign Affairs published Warrens article, New York Times columnist David Leonhardt made an even more direct call for the Democrats to embrace Trumps anti-China demagogy. I think the Democrats political message has suffered from the lack of a clear antagonist, he writes. China is such an antagonist. No, Americans should not demonize China in some sort of Cold War or xenophobic way. But China has become this countrys biggest rival. Leonhardts insistence that a new nationalist campaign to demonize China would not be xenophobic is as dishonest as it is stupid. Xenophobia always accompanies nationalism, and anti-Chinese racism has a long and deep history in America. Trumps anti-China campaign has already led to draconian restrictions on visas to Chinese students, while FBI Director Christopher Wray has branded Chinese professors, scientists, [and] students as nontraditional collectors, i.e., spies. Ultimately, such nationalist demagogy and trade war can only lead to military conflict. And this, too, is ever more openly discussed. In an op-ed in the Washington Post headlined Why America needs low-yield nuclear warheads now, Michael Morell, the former head of the Central Intelligence Agency, argued for the creation of a new class of nuclear weapons that are more likely to be used in combat. Amid great power competition with Russia and China, the United States must close the credibility gap, he declares. We must let the Russians know that there will be unacceptable consequences if they ever use nuclear weapons. He adds, The Russians believe we are not likely to risk a global thermonuclear war in response to a tactical nuclear attack by them. It is necessary, first and foremost, to demonstrate that the United States is willing to use nuclear weapons. This, he writes, is necessary to ensure Americas survival. Against this backdrop, certain members of the White House have floated a tactical retreat on US trade war against China at the G20. Writing in Foreign Affairs, Ely Ratner, a former deputy national security adviser to US Vice President Joe Biden, made clear that any such agreement would just be a pause to regroup in anticipation of a much bigger fight. Any agreement in Argentina will be a tactical pause at best, providing short-term relief to jittery stock markets and beleaguered US farmers, but having no material or long-lasting effect on the slide toward a high-stakes geopolitical competition between the United States and China. The days when the worlds two largest economies could meet each other halfway have gone. Perhaps even more than against Russia, the United States is on a collision course with China. The demands spelled out last month by Vice President Mike Pencethat China effectively cease its economic developmentare impossible for China to agree to. The conflict over global economic dominance that has erupted in a furious trade war can only intensify. Moreover, the growth of popular opposition to the entirety of the political establishment, particularly in the form of anti-capitalist sentiment and the growing struggles of the working class, make the creation of an external antagonist through the promotion of nationalism and war ever more necessary for the American ruling class. Corporate news giant CNN fired one of its contributors, Marc Lamont Hill, on Thursday. While CNN has not provided a full explanation, the firing came one day after Hill made public statements in support of Palestinians and critical of Israel, which were falsely presented as anti-Semitic. Hill is an academic, digital journalist and media personality who has engaged in political activism in support of various racial and social equality causes. He voted for Green Party candidate Jill Stein in the 2016 presidential elections, criticizing both the Democratic and Republican Parties. In addition, he has long spoken out against Israels crimes against the Palestinian people. Hill gave a speech at a United Nations meeting on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which convened on Wednesday. He condemned the occupation of the Palestinian territory since 1948, pointed to state violence and the denial of basic democratic rights of Palestinians, and urged UN member-nations to boycott Israel. We must advocate and promote non-violence, he said, [but] we cannot endorse a narrow politics of respectability that shames Palestinians for resisting, for refusing to do nothing in the face of state violence and ethnic cleansing. He also called for a free Palestine from the river to the sea, and defended equal rights for both Israeli and Palestinian citizens. The comments were painted as anti-Semitic by pro-Israel groups such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the National Council of Young Israel (NCYI). They claim his use of the phrase river to the sea is a call for the destruction of the Israeli state and the people living in it. It is a shame that once again, this annual event at the United Nations does not promote constructive pathways to Palestinian solidarity and a future of peace, but instead divisive and destructive action against Israel, a vice president for the ADL said. Hill rebutted those allegations in a series of posts on Twitter, stating, I do not support anti-Semitism, killing Jewish people, or any of the other things attributed to my speech. I have spent my life fighting these things. He continued, My reference to river to the sea was not a call to destroy anything or anyone. It was a call for justice, both in Israel and in the West Bank/Gaza. The speech very clearly and specifically said those things. No amount of debate will change what I actually said or what I meant. The attempt to equate criticism of Israel or Zionism with anti-Semitism is longstanding. The aim is to suppress opposition to the Israeli state and defense of the Palestinian people, as well as to push for stronger military and diplomatic support of Israel. The argument has been recycled by various political and media figures. In July of 2017, at a ceremony commemorating the Nazi deportation of Jews from Paris in 1942, French President Emmanuel Macron declared, We will not surrender to anti-Zionism, because it is a reinvention of anti-Semitism. More recently, the right wing of the Labour Party in Britain launched a campaign to drive out party leader Jeremy Corbyn based on accusations of anti-Semitism. This is a frameup that cites his relations with various opponents of the state of Israel and his past condemnations of its crimes against the Palestinians. CNNs firing of Hill on a right-wing basis is just one expression of the mainstream media adapting to and bolstering the far right. American news stations have also rejected contributors for criticisms of right-wing politics and regimes. In June, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette fired long-time cartoon artist Rob Rogers after a new editorial team rejected multiple pieces that criticized Trump and his anti-immigrant policies. CNN is owned by WarnerMedia, formerly Time Warner Cable, one of just six corporate conglomerates that owns 90 percent of all cable, motion picture and news media in the United States. After more than nine years of unprecedented discovery of worlds beyond our Solar System, NASAs Kepler space telescope has exhausted its supply of fuel needed for scientific operations. On October 30, the agency officially retired its tenth Discovery-class mission, leaving behind a legacy of exploration that revolutionized humanitys understanding of our galaxys planets and the stars they orbit. During its primary and extended mission, the Kepler spacecraft observed 530,506 stars, discovered 2,681 exoplanets, found 2,899 candidate exoplanets that have yet to be confirmed and watched 61 supernovae as they exploded. There have been 2,946 scientific papers published from the 678 gigabytes of data collected by the telescope and beamed back from Keplers Sun-circling orbit, which trails further and further behind that of the Earth. Kepler was the culmination of decades of research and development into new methods to detect Earth-sized planets across interstellar distances. NASA researcher William Borucki began work on extrasolar planet detection in 1983 and published a paper with Audrey Summers in 1984 noting that while the instruments of the time, operating from the Earths surface, could detect Jupiter-sized planets, it would take a space-based telescope to find smaller exoplanets, those which might be closer to the Earth in size or composition. This idea was refined for many years until Kepler was finally approved in 2001 and launched on March 6, 2009. The telescopes primary mission had a single purpose: to continuously observe a particular region of space and watch for any periodic dimming of the stars in its field of view that would indicate a planet coming between the star and the telescope. In doing so, it would provide the data needed to find out how common planets are around the observed stars and, by extension, in the galaxy and the universe as a whole. In order to find such planets, Kepler was made using some of the most advanced astronomy technology of the time. The sensor array on the telescope is comprised of 94.6 million individual pixels and was slightly curved to minimize distortion from incoming light reflected off the telescopes 1.4-meter diameter mirror. It viewed an area of the sky 33,000 times as large as that observed by the Hubble Space Telescope and recorded an image every six seconds. The total package cost about $792 million over two decades to develop, build, launch and operate, the equivalent of 0.1 percent of this years Pentagon budget. The telescopes first target was a small region in the constellation Cygnus that contains 170,000 observable stars up to 3,000 light years (about 28 million billion kilometers) away. For four years (half a year longer than its original mission parameters), Kepler observed this region and found hundreds of confirmed exoplanets and thousands of potential candidates. In the years since, further analysis and follow up observations with other ground- and space-based telescopes have helped to confirm thousands more, with further thousands of candidate planets awaiting review. Keplers mission was modified after the second of the telescopes four reaction wheels, gyroscopes needed to orient and stabilize the telescope, failed in May 2013. For the next several months, NASA developed a plan to hold the spacecraft steady with the two remaining reaction wheels, small amounts of fuel and the minute but constant pressure of sunlight. While this setup was not as precise as the original telescope configuration, it allowed Kepler to continue operations for another five and a half years. The database now available as a result of Keplers observations stands in stark contrast to the state of exoplanet astronomy only 26 years ago, when the first planets were discovered orbiting a pulsar. Even through the 1990s, it was not certain whether the discoveries that had been made at the time were statistical anomalies and or whether our Solar System was just a fluke in the cosmos. Kepler has conclusively shown that planets are a common occurrence, a fact that has become a mainstay in the scientific research of the astronomical community and the cultural life of the worlds population. It has also revealed that planets and their systems are extraordinarily varied. After Kepler detected its first five planets and many more shortly after, it quickly became apparent that each star likely does have at least one planet orbiting around it. Astronomers were also surprised that very few extrasolar systems fell into any of the theoretical models that had been developed about solar system formation. Some of the earliest discoveries were hot Jupiters, massive gas giants that orbited closer to their star than Mercury does to the Sun. Another interesting type of star system includes multiple small rocky planets orbiting close to very small stars. Moreover, some of these systems, such as Kepler-186, have planets approximately the size of Earth, likely rocky and orbiting around their parent stars at a distance where liquid water could exist on their surface, in what is called the habitable zone. To date, no typical planet or solar system has been discovered, forcing astronomers to develop more refined and subtle models of planetary formation, models which will remain under development and revision for the foreseeable future. The crown jewel of Keplers dataset is the planet Kepler-452b. It is the most Earth-like planet discovered to date, with a radius close to that of Earth, a likely rocky composition and an orbit around a star similar to the Sun and within its habitable zone. So far, such planets have proven to be rare, yet if even one exists, it provides a tantalizing hint of thousands and possibly millions more. Some of these may have already been discovered by Kepler or other exoplanet searchers, such as the one which uncovered seven Earth-sized planets in the Trappist-1 system. Among all the confirmed exoplanets (not just those found by Kepler), 1211 have a radius less than twice that of Earths, 135 have an estimated mass less than three times Earths and 361 orbit within their stars habitable zone. While planets in any one of these categories are only rarely also in the other two, it is only a matter of time before even more potential exo-Earths are discovered. Alongside the empirical evidence, there have been a variety of probabilistic studies using Kepler data to predict how many Earth-sized planets there are in the galaxy. One such study, done in 2013, predicts 11 billion Earth-sized planets orbiting Sun-like stars in the Milky Way. Based on the statistics, the closest of these is likely within 12 light years, our cosmic backyard, and a prime target for further study. The Kepler method only detects planets whose orbits are precisely aligned to block the light of their parent star, so other techniques will be necessary to find these likely nearby neighbors. The next step in our study of exoplanets is to determine how many Earth-sized planets in their stars habitable zone are Earth-like, that is, whether or not they have an atmosphere that humans might be able to breathe and if they actually have standing bodies of liquid water on their surface. While it will take more specialized missions such as the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which launched in April, or the James Webb Space Telescope, slated to launch in 2021, to start answering these questions, the Kepler space telescope showed that there are likely thousands if not millions of such worlds for humanity to explore. Asia India: Contract health workers remain on strike in Bihar Class IV contract workers at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and the Government Cancer Hospital (GCH) in Aurangabad, capital of the Indian state of Bihar, remain on strike after walking out on November 22. They claim to have been paid far less than the official minimum wage. The state-run facilities have reportedly outsourced a number of positions, including cleaners, sweepers, peons and office attendants. There are currently 56 contract workers at the GMCH and 50 at the GCH. The GMCH recently began using a new labour contractor following complaints of misconduct and insufficient staff payments with the previous company. Workers claim, however, that the contractor continues paying around half of what they are owed in wages. The new contractor also allegedly sacked 20 employees who complained about the pay rates. Andhra Pradesh pharmaceutical workers protest for pay rise Aurobindo Pharmaceuticals workers in Andhra Pradesh began a hunger strike on November 25 outside company facilities in the Srikakulam district. The protest, which was organised by the Center of Indian Trade Unions, also included a bike rally that covered all 26 villages in the local administrative division. Around 3,500 workers are demanding a minimum wage, establishment of a provident fund and company provision of medical insurance and other benefits. They also want jobs to be offered to locals and for the development of 12 villages under the corporate social responsibility scheme. New Delhi university teachers stage hunger strike Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association (JNUTA) members held a hunger strike on Monday in protest against attacks on working conditions and the rescheduling of the academic calendar. In a circular issued in mid-November, the administration declared that university employees needed to have worked seven continuous years to be granted sabbatical leave. It also threatened staff allowances if employees did not agree to arbitrary changes to scheduling and conditions. The JNUTA has demanded that the administration immediately withdraw arbitrary from scheduling and staff compliance. Chennai city corporation workers strike cancelled Planned indefinite strike action this week by thousands of Chennai city corporation workers was called off after local authorities promised to postpone the opening of tender bids for the privatisation of garbage collection and similar work in the Tamil Nadu state capital. The federation of conservancy workers, the union covering the sector, immediately entered into talks with city administration representatives. The Chennai city corporation has over 7,700 permanent and 4,100 contract employees. Corporation officials had planned to privatise garbage collection in eight city zones through the introduction of so-called public private partnerships. They were planning to open tenders in early December. A large number of police were deployed around the city corporation building when the strike was announced. Hundreds of South Korean delivery workers strike About 700 delivery workers of CJ Korea Express, South Koreas largest parcel delivery service, went on strike on November 21. They are demanding that the company recognise a recently formed union. The stoppage has paralysed deliveries in the south-eastern city of Gyeongju for more than a week. Some 15,000 packages had piled up at the bus terminal as of Wednesday. The workers are only allowing perishable products to be delivered by replacement employees. Some delivery workers in Seongnam, south of Seoul, and Daegu, in the southeast, have also taken part in the action. Workers are officially employed by third-party delivery franchisees. CJ Korea Express has refused to enter direct negotiations with the strikers. Australia and New Zealand South Australian teachers strike over pay and conditions Thousands of teachers at around 900 South Australian state schools stopped work for three hours on Thursday morning after negotiations for a new enterprise agreement stalled. The stoppage, the first in the states schools for a decade, was accompanied by large rallies in Adelaide and regional cities. The Australian Education Union (AEU) has claimed the state Liberal government is seeking to remove long-standing conditions and funding safeguards. The government has rejected teachers demands for reduced class sizes, improved resources for special-needs children, greater incentives for teachers to work in rural areas and expanded permanency. The government is yet to make a pay offer. The AEU this week demanded a 3.5 percent interim pay increase. Teachers have not had a wage rise since 30 June 2017. In a clear signal that it is preparing to push through a sell-out, the AEU has been holding weekly closed-room meetings with the government for almost six months. Queensland coal freight train drivers call for strike action The majority of central Queensland and east coast workers from coal freight train operator Aurizon have voted to take strike action in a dispute for a new enterprise agreement. Over 90 percent voted for ongoing stoppages lasting between 24 and 48 hours. More than a 1,000 workers could participate in the action. They are covered by the Rail Train and Bus Union, the Electrical Trades Union, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees (AFULE). None of the unions have indicated if or when strike action will be called. An AFULE spokesman said the dispute was over Aurizons refusal to back pay any negotiated wage increase, rostering issues and changes to the redundancy scheme, as well as removal of arbitration. New Zealand midwives industrial action continues About 1,100 midwives in public hospitals throughout New Zealand continued a partial strike this week. Industrial action began on November 22 and is due to continue until December 5. Two-hour strikes and rallies have been held in numerous locations around the country. Midwives rejected a pay offer of 3 percent per year for three years, the same increase given to 30,000 nurses and healthcare assistants, which was pushed through by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation in August despite widespread resistance from hospital workers. The Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Services has put in a claim for an additional 3 percent, or a $NZ5,000 retention allowance. In their first year after graduating, midwives are only allowed to work part time and earn just $39,599, or $23 an hour. They are also saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in student debt. Go Bus ends driver lockout in New Zealand On November 24, Go Bus lifted a lockout that it had imposed four days earlier on 120 bus drivers in Hamilton, Te, Awamutu and Otorohanga. The lockout followed a lengthy dispute over low wages, including five strikes and other industrial action this year. Some drivers are paid just $17.35 an hour. First Union has called for this to be increased to $20.55 per hour. Hamilton City and Waikato Regional Councils, which contract Go Bus for public transport services, say the dispute has now been resolved. Details of the agreement, however, will not be released until a council meeting on December 6. Aged care nurses strike in Wellington Nurses and administrators employed by Nurse Maude Care Coordination in Porirua, near Wellington, began a week of industrial action on November 29. The nurses provide care for elderly people in their homes, as well as inpatient care in the organisations hospice and hospital. The Public Service Association said in a statement that workers would withdraw their labour across specific activities carried out by Administrators, Clinical Screeners and Care, but gave no further details. The nurses and administrators are angry about increasing workloads and under-resourcing over the past decade, as well as stagnant pay. According to the union, many workers receive less than $20.55 an hour, which the unions designate as a living wage. The PSA has called for measures to close the pay gap with nurses employed directly by public District Health Boards, but has not outlined any specific wage demand. During the current final two-week parliamentary session for 2018, Australias Labor Party opposition is sending clear signals to the ruling class of its readiness to form a repressive government under conditions of economic downturn, mounting popular discontent and a US-led drive for war against China. Labor is working hand-in-glove with the visibly disintegrating Liberal-National Coalition government to push through a series of draconian laws, including to cut off welfare benefits for new immigrants and to hand sweeping new powers to the military-intelligence-police apparatus. Wracked by a worsening right-wing-driven factional split, Prime Minister Scott Morrisons government barely survived a House of Representatives procedural motion on Thursday that could have triggered a no-confidence vote. Four independents abstained, and some MPs were absent, giving the government a 68 to 66 margin. Reduced to a minority government through by-election defeats and defections, the Coalition is desperately manoeuvring to retain office until a general election, which must be called by May 18. It has virtually shut down parliament, which will sit for just 10 days next year before a re-scheduled early federal budget on April 2. On Thursday, Labor won revealing praise from Senator Pauline Hanson, who heads the far-right, anti-immigrant One Nation party. She hailed it for giving the government the votes needed to pass a bill to make new immigrants wait four yearsdouble the current periodbefore being eligible for unemployment benefits. Designed to slash $1.3 billion off welfare spending over four years, the bill is a foretaste of the austerity and immigrant-demonising measures to come. Less publicity has been given to five police-state measures that Labor is backing to (1) allow the government to call out the military to put down domestic unrest, (2) crack open encryption codes, (3) fast-track a new foreign interference register, (4) strip citizenship from anyone convicted of even a minor terrorism-related offence and (5) permit Australias foreign spies to kill people. These bills are unprecedented, except for the draconian powers adopted to suppress dissent during both world wars. They are part of a barrage of measures in preparation to combat mounting public hostility to the entire political establishment under deteriorating economic and social conditions and the growing danger of frontline Australian involvement in catastrophic US wars, including against China. * With Labors unwavering support, the government pushed the expanded military call-out powers through the Senate on Tuesday. Authorising government ministers can now issue call-out orders if they decide there is a threat of undefined domestic violence, even if the relevant state or territory government objects. Military personnel will have unprecedented peacetime powers, including to use lethal force, detain civilians, erect blockades, issue directives, search people and premises and seize property. * Defying widespread opposition, Labor is likewise seeking to help pass the governments bill to empower the police, Border Force and intelligence agencies to compulsorily crack open encryption and other privacy devices. All 21 listed agencies also will be able to covertly access peoples computers, a power currently reserved for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the domestic political spy force. Labors legal affairs spokesman, Mark Dreyfus, this week publicly proposed to split the bill to immediately hand the police and intelligence agencies encryption-cracking powers, claiming that they must deal with unspecified terrorist threats during the Christmas-New Year holiday period. Labors plan was unveiled after the federal police and intelligence chiefs gave a four-hour top secret briefing to the parliamentary security and intelligence committee. Earlier, Prime Minister Morrison insisted that the bill must be fast-tracked because the police and agencies need these powers now. * Labor signed off on the governments acceleration of the foreign influence register, which will now commence on December 10, months earlier than expected. On the unsubstantiated pretext of protecting the coming federal election from Russian and Chinese interference, a political party, business or individual that allegedly cooperates with any foreign group or governmentincluding international organisationswill be compelled to register with the Attorney-Generals Department, which will hand the information over to the intelligence and prosecution agencies. Under amendments rushed into parliament this week, members of organisations will face lengthy jail terms for failing to register within three months, or just 14 days once the writs for an election are issued. In addition, any information published on the register, which may include sensitive details such as names and addresses, will now remain public indefinitely, even if a group is no longer required to register. * Further legislation is being fast-tracked to extend the governments power, first created in 2015, to strip citizenship and all associated basic rights from dual Australian citizens convicted of terrorism-related or other designated offences, including treason and foreign incursion into proscribed parts of the world. The law currently applies to people convicted of an offence with a sentence of six years or more in prison. The new provisions will apply regardless of whether a person is actually entitled to citizenship in another country. The home affairs minister simply has to be satisfied that the person is a national of another state. Ramping up the governments nationalist propaganda against violent radical Islam, Morrison declared this week that extremists would be deported, regardless of their status. If no other country would take them, they would be detained indefinitely. * In another abrupt move, Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) spies will be authorised to use lethal force on wider grounds, including to prevent their cover being blown while carrying out missions overseas. The foreign minister also can approve the use of such force in the course of specified activities undertaken by ASIS outside Australia. Currently, ASIS agents can legally kill people in supposed self-defence or to protect a person cooperating with ASIS. Announcing the shift, Foreign Minister Marise Payne declared: Our ASIS officers often work in dangerous locations, including under warlike conditions, to protect Australia and our interests. As the world becomes more complex, the overseas operating environment for ASIS also becomes more complex. Paynes reference to warlike conditions has a wider significance. Preparations are being made for US-led wars. In yet another hysterical scare campaign, both the government and Labor, assisted by the corporate media, are depicting Australia as under siege from terrorists, immigrants and the Chinese Communist Party regime. Coming on top of about 100 packages of legislation since 2001 to boost the powers and resources of the security forces, these laws constitute an historic assault on fundamental democratic rights, including freedom of speech and association. The capitalist establishment, in which the Labor Party has always played a central role, especially during wars and political crises, is lurching toward more authoritarian forms of rule, bolstering the state apparatus for definite reactionary purposes. The ruling elite is preparing to suppress rising social and political discontent amid worsening economic conditions, escalating social inequality and the mounting danger of war. At the same time, it is seeking to divert this disaffection in poisonous nationalist directions, particularly directed against China. Chancellor Angela Merkel has taken a clear stand on Ukraines side in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia in the Azov Sea. Shortly before her departure for the G20 summit in Argentina, the Chancellor spoke to German and Ukrainian business representatives in Berlin in the presence of Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman. She sharply attacked Russia and declared that the Russian president is fully responsible for the present conflict, triggered by the intrusion of Ukrainian Navy ships into Russian territorial waters. Merkel called on Russia to release the detained Ukrainian soldiers and to not simply cut off Ukrainian cities like Mariupol. She understood, she told the representatives of German industry who were present, that many of them would like to have good economic relations with Russia, but here fundamental principles are at stake. She promised to talk to the Russian president at the G20 summit to this effect. The Chancellor did not go as far as to announce additional sanctions against Russia or the deployment of German warships to the Black Sea, as Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had demanded. But she left no doubt that Germany would be on the Ukrainian side in the event of a further escalation of the conflict. The West had guaranteed Ukraine the inviolability of its borders in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum in return for the renunciation of nuclear weapons, she said. Therefore, we have a duty to stand by what we once promised. By taking sides with Ukraine, Merkel is drawing Germany deeper into a conflict that has the potential to escalate into a major war or even a nuclear confrontation between NATO and Russia. Ukrainian President Poroshenko is deliberately fueling the conflict and has declared martial law because he sees this as the only way to prolong his rule beyond the regular election date of 31 March 2019. The regime of the wealthy oligarch, which came to power in a right-wing coup supported by the US and Germany four years ago, is embroiled in a swamp of corruption that reaches deep into the army, the secret service and the presidential apparatus. By contrast, the vast majority of the Ukrainian population live in a state of bitter poverty and insecurity. All polls agree that Poroshenko has not the slightest chance of winning a halfway democratic election. That is why he is aggravating the conflict with Russia, either to prevent the election altogether or to carry it out in a fever of nationalist hysteria. The US is using the Ukrainian conflict to increase its political and military pressure on Russia. It has encouraged and supported the Ukrainian provocation in the Azov Sea. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured Poroshenko that Washington would provide full support, full assistance, including military assistance. (See: Ukraines provocation in the Azov Sea) That Merkel is dragging Germany into this explosive conflict and taking sides with the Poroshenko regime is irresponsible and criminal. Her course of action is reminiscent of the infamous blank cheque issued by Emperor Wilhelm II to Austria-Hungary in 1914 after the Sarajevo assassination. He gave the go-ahead for military action against Serbia, knowing full well that this would trigger a war with Russia and the First World War. Merkels taking sides with Poroshenko took place without a public debate or a vote in parliament. The media are also playing down the issue so as not to alarm the public. In the talk shows with their endless palaver about all possible trifles, the conflict in the Azov Sea and its dangerous implications are not debated. Merkel is continuing her policy of 2014, when the German government supported the coup against Poroshenkos pro-Russian predecessor Viktor Yanukovych. Although fascist parties and militias, such as the All-Ukrainian Union Swoboda and the Right Sector, played the leading role in the Maidan coup, it was glorified in Germany as a democratic revolution. Shortly before the Maidan coup, the German government had announced its intention to once again play a political and military role in the world corresponding to Germanys economic weight. The right-wing coup in Ukraine was the first test of these great-power politics. However, unlike the US, which considers Russia its most important geopolitical rival after China, the German government did not want to push the conflict with Moscow too far. It depends on Russian energy supplies and also fears that an escalation of the conflict would increase its military and political dependence on the US. Merkel therefore negotiated the Minsk Agreement in cooperation with France, which froze the Ukrainian conflict without resolving it. Against the background of ferocious US war threats against Russia, Merkel is now dropping the mediators mask. She still promises to talk to Putin at the G20 summit. But given her accusations, this can only mean that she will increase the pressure on Russia. The German government is striving to free itself from its military dependence on the US. It wants to build a European army in order to pursue its imperialist interests independently of and also against the US. But this is a long-term project, and until then it will continue to adhere to NATO. Germany has played a leading role in the NATO military build-up against Russia. German soldiers have been stationed on the Russian-Lithuanian border for two years now, and in October the Bundeswehr provided one fifth of the 50,000 soldiers deployed in Norway in the large-scale manoeuvre Trident Juncture rehearsing war against Russia. Now Berlin is supporting the renewed provocations from Kiev and Washington. It is backed by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, which is always on the front line when it comes to beating the war drum. Our security is at stake in Ukraine, but not only there. That is why the West must stand firmly on Ukraines side, the paper announced on Thursday. A strong Ukraine was in the elementary interest of the European Union. The F.A.Z. considers a direct military intervention to be too risky. Instead, it recommends arming the Poroshenko regime more strongly. It calls for assistance to Ukraine in building up its armed forcesorganisationally, financially and, where necessary, with weapons. In addition, the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline should be stopped in order to increase the cost of its policy for the Russian leadership. The mixture of ruthlessness and recklessness with which the federal government and its leading media are heading towards a catastrophic war can only be explained by the deep, global crisis of the capitalist system, which is marked by blatant social inequality, trade wars and national conflicts. Unable to organize the modern, complex economy in the interest of society as a whole, the imperialist powers, like in 1914 and in 1939, are preparing a violent redivision of the world. Russia has become a target of these imperialist intrigues, but the Putin regime has nothing to oppose them. It represents the interests of a criminal oligarchy and lives in fear of the working class. It reacts by stirring up nationalism, rearming on the one hand and looking for deals with different imperialist powers on the other hand. Only an independent movement of the international working class fighting for the overthrow of capitalism and the construction of a socialist society can stop the relapse of humanity into war and barbarism. The latest moves by Special Counsel Robert Mueller in the Russia investigation underscore the close coordination between the former FBI director and dominant factions of the military/intelligence establishment, which, in alliance with the Democratic Party, are using the fabricated charges of Russian "meddling" and alleged Trump campaign collusion to pressure Trump into pursuing an even more provocative and reckless policy against Russia. This campaign is increasingly combined with an effort by Mueller to frame up WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on espionage or conspiracy charges. The aim is to force Assange from his enforced refuge at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, so that British authorities can arrest him and extradite him to the US, where he already faces federal charges that carry a possible death sentence. This week's moves by Mueller also highlight the reactionary substance of the Democratic Party's opposition to the right-wing Trump administration. On Thursday morning, Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer and "fixer," pled guilty in Manhattan to a charge brought by Mueller of lying to Congress. Cohen has been cooperating with Mueller's prosecutors since he pled guilty last August to violations of campaign finance laws in connection with an election-eve payoff to silence two women who claimed they had had sexual relations with the then-Republican presidential candidate. Cohen also pled guilty in August to unrelated charges of financial fraud. In statements made to the US district judge and legal filings by the special counsel's office, Cohen admitted to lying to Congress about negotiations carried out during the 2016 election campaign between the Trump Organization and Russian officials over a Moscow Trump Tower project. Cohen said he lied to back false statements made by Trump that the hotel project talks ended in January 2016, prior to the first Republican primary election, and that Trump had no input into the negotiations while running for president. Cohen also contradicted claims by Trump that none of his family members were involved in the talks. Mueller's prosecutors made a point of telling the court they believed Cohen was telling the truth in connection with his plea bargain. This takes on added significance because Trump's lawyers last week submitted answers to questions from the special counsel's office, including queries relating to the negotiations over the Moscow Trump Tower proposal. This raises the possibility of obstruction of justice charges against Trump or his aides and family members based on discrepancies between their accounts to Congress or to Mueller's investigators and that of Cohen. The surprise court filing and guilty plea were timed to coincide with Trump's departure for the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, where he was slated to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It took place in the context of Ukraine's weekend provocation against Russia, in which the right-wing, US-backed government in Kiev sent ships into waters off Crimea claimed by Russia. This was seized on by major media outlets aligned with the CIA and the Democratic Party to demand that Trump cancel the meeting with Putin. Thursday morning's court appearance by Cohen added fuel to this media campaign, and within hours Trump reversed himself and announced from his plane en route to Argentina that he was canceling the Putin meeting. This sequence followed last July's pattern, when, on the eve of Trump's meeting with Putin in Helsinki, Mueller filed criminal charges against 12 Russian intelligence officers in connection with Moscow's alleged Russian interference in the presidential election in support of Trump. That meeting, where Trump failed to give unqualified backing to US intelligence claims of Russian hacking of Democratic Party emails, triggered furious condemnations from the Democrats and media outlets such as the New York Times, the Washington Post and CNN, and charges by former top intelligence officials that Trump was guilty of treason. Since then, Trump has escalated the confrontation with Russia, including by withdrawing from the US-Russia Intermediate-Range Nuclear Treaty. This, however, is not considered a sufficient demonstration of Trump's readiness to engage in full-scale diplomatic, economic and, ultimately, military war with Russia. Leading Democrats seized on Cohen's plea bargain to step up their anti-Russia campaign and ratchet up the pressure on Trump. California Congressman Adam Schiff, who is slated to chair the intelligence committee when the new, Democratic-controlled House of Representatives takes office in January, announced that his committee would launch an investigation into Trump's business dealings abroad. On Monday, Mueller went to court to declare that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort had breached his plea deal agreement by lying to special counsel prosecutors, voiding the agreement and opening up Manafort to additional charges. This move appears to be linked to Mueller's increasing focus on Assange, suggesting that Manafort had refused to give testimony implicating Assange in the hacking of Democratic campaign emails. One day later, on Tuesday, the Guardian newspaper published a scurrilous article making unsubstantiated claims that Manafort had secretly met on several occasions with Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy. This was proclaimed by US cable news networks CNN and MSNBC as a "bombshell" revelation that definitively implicated Assange. Both Manafort and WikiLeaks immediately denied the allegations and threatened to take libel action against the newspaper. The Guardian quietly amended the original piece to make its claims somewhat less categorical, and the media subsequently dropped the allegations entirely. For their part, the Democrats have seized on the Cohen plea filing to escalate their McCarthyite-style attacks on Russia and denunciations of Trump as a Putin "stooge." This only underscores the fact that the Democrats' opposition to Trump, to the extent that it exists, is entirely focused on tactical disagreements over US imperialist foreign policy, with the Democratic Party attacking the militarist and semi-fascist Trump from the right on his posture toward Moscow. When it comes to Trump's general warmongering, his massive expansion of military spending, his pro-corporate tax cuts and gutting of business regulations, and his Gestapo-like pogrom against immigrants, the Democrats are virtually silent. They have responded to their victory in the midterm elections, including the retaking of the House with a gain of 40 seatsa pale reflection of the scale of popular anger and opposition to Trumpby reelecting all of the geriatric right-wingers who have led the House Democratic caucus for more than a decade and pledging to cooperate with Trump in pushing through his reactionary domestic agenda. This years report on mortality rates released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveal that the American working class is confronting an unprecedented social, economic, health and psychological crisis. The CDCs findings show a staggering increase in the indices of social misery in just one year, from 2016 to 2017. Life expectancy dropped from 78.7 to 78.6 years, the third consecutive year-by-year decline. The age-adjusted death rate increased 0.4 percent, from 728.8 deaths per 100,000 people to 731.9 per 100,000 (including a 2.9 percent increase among young people aged 25-34). Drug overdose deaths increased 9.6 percent (including a 45 percent increase in deaths from fentanyl). Drug overdose is the leading cause of death for those under 55. Suicide rates increased in 2017 by 3.7 percent, from 13.5 per 100,000 to 14.0 per 100,000. The reports historical figures quantify the devastating impact on the working class of the financial crash of 2007-2008 and its aftermath. From 2007 to 2017, suicide deaths rose from 34,598 to 47,173, a 36.3 percent increase. Drug overdose deaths nearly doubled, rising 95.0 percent, from 36,010 in 2007 to 70,237 in 2017. The total dead from suicide and drug overdose since 2007 alone is 954,365 peopleequivalent to the population of Americas 10th largest city. This is more than the total number of US soldiers killed in all of Americas wars, excluding the Civil War. With 2018 nearly complete, the total dead has now likely crossed one million people. The response of the political establishment to the report is entirely predictable: an article or two in the major newspapers, a quick segment on the evening news, and maybe a tweet from a handful of politicians. But everyone knows that nothing will be done. The stock prices of the corporations peddling pills to disabled veterans and injured workers will continue to rise. By tomorrow, the CDC reports will be long forgotten, buried beneath the ruling classs anti-Russia and anti-China campaigns, #MeToo hysteria, and demands for internet censorship. The cause of the deaths of 100,000 people per year from social misery is not a great mystery. It is the product of the capitalist system and the intended result of policies of deindustrialization and social counterrevolution carried out for more than four decades by both the Democrats and Republicans, in collaboration with the trade unions. This is a widely recognized fact among medical professionals. A 2018 study published by the American Journal of Public Health titled Opioid Crisis: No Easy Fix to its Social and Economic Determinants blames a multi-decade rise in income inequality and economic shocks stemming from deindustrialization and social safety net cuts for growing differences in life expectancy between the rich and the poor. In particular, the study notes the devastating impact of the massive wealth transfer carried out by the Obama administration after the 2008 financial crash. The 2008 financial crisis along with austerity measures and other neo-liberal policies have further eroded physical and mental well-being, the report states. While the banks and corporations received trillions in bailouts, millions of workers lost their homes, their jobs and their sense of dignity and purpose. Last Monday, when General Motors announced that it was closing five auto plants and laying off 15,000 workers in the US and Canada, its stock soared nearly 7 percent. For the companys affluent shareholdersincluding the bureaucracy of the United Auto Workers union (UAW)this news means longer and more exclusive vacations, new and more expensive cars and homes, and plenty of jewelry and champagne for the holidays. But for autoworkers, their families and the millions of residents of the impacted areas, it means desperation, drug addiction and death. Those cities impacted by the GM plant closuresincluding Detroit and its Warren, Michigan suburb, White Marsh, Maryland and Lordstown, Ohioare already among the most horribly affected by the opioid crisis after decades of cuts to jobs, wages and social services. The difference in life expectancy between the richest and poorest 25 percent is already 6.7 years in Youngstown, Ohio, near Lordstown. In metro Detroit the difference is 8.2 years. GMs move was hailed by the corporate press. The Wall Street Journal and Washington Post (owned respectively by the multibillionaires Rupert Murdoch and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos) praised the decision as a stroke of genius. Automotive News named company CEO Mary Barra Industry Leader of the Year. The duplicitous and staged anger among a relative handful of Democrats, Republicans and UAW officials to GMs move is totally fraudulent. All those politicians and union bureaucrats who are pounding the podium with one hand are accepting company payoffs with the other. In 2018, GM executives and its Political Action Committee contributed to the campaigns of a majority of those elected to the House and Senate, in equal parts Democratic and Republican. As for the UAW, this organization of bribe-takers and company agents is responsible for decades of concessions, which have transformed auto towns like Dayton, Toledo and Kokomo from relatively comfortable communities to epicenters of the opioid crisis. In return, the union bosses have been well compensated. A growing list of current and former UAW officials is under federal investigation for accepting bribes from GM, Fiat-Chrysler and Ford in exchange for helping the companies increase exploitation and cut labor costs. Under capitalism, the working class is entirely excluded from the decision-making process. The political establishment makes nothing available to help the victims of factory closures and deindustrialization, leaving them to die. Instead of meeting the needs of the working class, the ruling class pockets the wealth created by workers and allocates trillions of dollars to the military and intelligence agencies so that they can implement through military force the demands of the banks and corporations. The Trump administration cut more than $200 million from health programs to help pay the cost of locking up 14,000 working-class children from Central America, whose only crime was to flee their impoverished homelands in search of a better life. In September, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that it was transferring $16.7 million from the CDC, $9.8 million from Medicare and Medicaid, $87.3 million from the National Institute of Health and $80 million from refugee care to establish internment camps for immigrant children. And Trump wants workers to believe that immigrantsand not the government and corporationsare to blame for plant shutdowns and cuts to wages and social programs! The CDC reports provide a quantitative expression of the immense social anger and desperation that have built up in the working class, for which there has been no progressive outlet. The decades-long suppression of the class struggle imposed by the trade unions has forced workers to channel their anger inward, and in their isolation, many are taking self-destructive measures. But this long period of one-sided class war is coming to a close. This year, which has seen a major increase in strike activity, is only the beginning of a new period that will be marked by increasingly powerful strikes and protests in the US and internationally. Workers must build their own organizationsrank-and-file committeesto unite and coordinate their struggles across industries and national boundaries. In this way, workers can harness their collective social dissatisfaction and channel it in a political direction in the struggle against capitalism and for socialism. By unleashing their immense social power, workers will storm the commanding heights of the capitalist system and free up trillions of dollars to meet the urgent needs of the human race. Following its provocation of a major international crisis in the Azov Sea last Sunday, ahead of the G20 Summit in Argentina, the Ukrainian regime of Petro Poroshenko, brought to power in a US-backed far-right coup in February 2014, has imposed martial law in 10 of Ukraines 24 provinces (oblasts), affecting about 40 percent of the countrys population. Martial law will be in effect until December 27 in ten regions that border Russia and the Black Sea. It is the first time that martial law has been declared in Ukraine since the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. While recklessly escalating the crisis with Russia, with the imposition of martial law the Poroshenko regime is creating conditions for a violent crackdown on social and political opposition in Ukraine. Under martial law, functions of the police are being performed by the military, which is empowered to raid apartments and cars. The army has been put on high alert and the presence of police has been substantially increased in major cities. Poroshenko now has the ability to ban public protests and meetings, control and limit transportation, and ban any speech that is broadly defined, and intentionally so, as speech aiding Russia. On Friday, it was reported that the Ukrainian government has barred all Russian men aged 16-60 from entering the country. Poroshenko, who has based his presidency on the support of the major imperialist powers and a narrow base of nationalist and far-right forces in Ukraine, is widely hated, and is expected to lose the presidential elections in March 2019. Recent polls indicated that only 12 percent of the voters would vote for him. Initially, Poroshenko tried to impose martial law for 60 days, which would have delayed the presidential elections. However, after a public outcry, including from his political opponents within the bourgeoisie, he was forced to reduce this period to 30 days. The regions in which martial law is now in effect are also the parts of the countryespecially Donetsk and Luganskthat are the center of the ongoing fighting of Ukrainian armed forces against the Russian-backed separatists. They are the regions where a substantial portion of the population, if not a majority, speaks Russian rather than Ukrainian, and follows the Russian media. Almost five years since the beginning of the civil war in the countrys East, which began after the far-right coup in Kiev in early 2014, and which has claimed the lives of over 10,000 people, there is growing opposition to war and the fascistic policies of the Poroshenko regime. Kievs draconian austerity measures have driven some one million Ukrainians to the brink of starvation, with living standards in much of the country now resembling those in completely impoverished countries in Africa. Social tensions have reached explosive dimensions since Poroshenko imposed gas hikes on October 19th, raising gas prices by over 23 percent in order to gain an additional $3.9 billion IMF loan necessary to the keep the government afloat. The IMF for its part was quick to back the declaration of martial law. It is estimated that the rise in gas prices will bring in an extra $300 million per year to Kiev, which will go to pay off the countrys approximately $16 billion in foreign debt that is scheduled for repayment between 2018 and 2020. Because of the IMF-imposed gas price hikes, over a million Ukrainians had their heating cut off just as the country heads into winter and temperatures start to drop rapidly. Starting on November 1st, Naftogaz, Ukraines national gas company, began disputing debt repayments with several Ukrainian cities, and refused to send gas to areas with unpaid bills. Hundreds of working-class Ukrainians responded by blocking roads and confronting government officials. In Kryvy Rih, the countrys eighth most populous city, protestors set tires on fire and seized the offices of the local gas provider. The city, located in the southern Dnepropetrovsk province, is now adjacent to four other provinces where martial law has been imposed. In Kherson, over 100,000 were without heat, including 30 of the regions schools and kindergartens. Kherson is one of the provinces now under martial law. The town of Smela in central Ukraine was also left without heat, leaving thousands in schools, hospitals and apartment buildings in the freezing cold. Hospital patients had to be moved due to the freezing temperatures. Residents reacted by blocking roads and demanded that the heat be turned back on. On November 12th the towns mayor declared a state of emergency. Heat was only returned after Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and Poroshenko personally intervened to order its resumption. Hot water and heating bills are expected to increase another 15 percent starting on December 1st in accordance with the IMF agreement, suggesting that the regime can expect even more explosive confrontations as consumer prices continue to rise. Ukraine has also seen multiple strikes and protests by thousands of miners, including major demonstrations in Kiev in the summer which sent shock waves through the ruling class. More recently, at the Kaputsin coal mine in eastern Ukraine, workers went on strike in October over unpaid wages. Workers have occupied parts of the mine, participated in hunger strikes and threatened to spread the strike to the western regions of the country by blocking roads from western Europe. In addition, Ukrainian car owners have been blocking border crossings and highways, and burning mounds of tires around the country, after Kiev imposed a new tax on the importation of cars and current cars with foreign registrations. Many Ukrainians purchase used cars with EU registrations due to their better quality and significantly cheaper prices, and then bring them into the country for personal use. In a chilling demonstration of how the Poroshenko regime is dealing with political opponents, just a day after the declaration of martial law, presidential candidate Anatolyi Hrytsenko of the center-right Our Ukraine Party was attacked by 30 masked thugs at a campaign interview in Odessa. Despite the fact that police were standing right at the scene of the assault, no one was detained, according to one of Hrytsenkos supporters. Police also stated they were investigating the melee as a case of hooliganism rather than a planned political attack. Hrytsenko has since accused Poroshenko of using thugs to do his political dirty work for him. In most polls Hrytsenko is even or ahead of Poroshenko. Just a few weeks ago, another Ukrainian politician died after a barbaric acid attack perpetrated by fascist thugs who are suspected of direct ties to the Poroshenko government. In yet another demonstration of their boundless hypocrisy, the pro-imperialist media has widely supported Poroshenkos imposition of martial law. Time Magazine, which pushed for Trump to stand up to Putin over the Azov Sea crisis, praised Poroshenko for having successfully declared martial law and energized his defense establishment. While relentlessly denouncing Putin as a ruthless dictator, the imperialist powers, in pursuit of their geostrategic interests and with the support of their lackeys in the media, are backing a far-right government in Ukraine that is setting a new precedent for the escalation of dictatorial rule in Europe, and provoking a possible war with Russia that would endanger the lives of millions. A growing wave of strikes and student demonstrations, coinciding with the Yellow Vest movement, is shaking the government of French President Emmanuel Macron. While the Yellow Vest protesters demonstrated yesterday in both France and Belgium, thousands of high school students blocked school buildings in France. In recent days, multiple strikes have hit hospitals, railways, and the petrol and nuclear industries. In the lead-up to a second Saturday of protests on the Champs-Elysees today, the mobilizations are intensifying, and the panic of the government has emerged ever more openly. In Brussels, hundreds of Yellow Vests protested against austerity and demanded the resignation of the right-wing prime minister, Charles Michel. They chanted: We are the people, Charles Michel, you are finished. When the police moved to disperse the crowds with water cannons, clashes erupted during which two police vehicles were burned. Around 5 p.m., Philippe Close, mayor of Brussels, banned the demonstration and threatened to arrest every protester in the city center. The first reports indicated 74 people arrested and 12 police injured. In France, high school students blockaded around 50 buildings in opposition to the governments university reforms and reinstatement of compulsory military service, and in support of the Yellow Vests. Louis Broyard, the president of the National High School Student Union, said, Its not a very Parisian demonstration; it is a revolt in the provinces and rural areas of the high schools abandoned by the politics of Emmanuel Macron. The schools which were blocked today are not those which typically mobilized for this type of demonstration. At the same time, numerous strikes took place or were ongoing: in public transport in Lyon and Mans, by municipal employees in Marseille, refinery workers in La Mede, at the nuclear plant in Flamanville, smelters in Poitou, and many hospitals. The many thousands of demonstrators who traveled to Paris yesterday from all of France found the capital checkered with police armed with assault rifles and antiriot gear, ready to move on the orders of a government acting as if under a state of siege. The official justification for the suppression of the Yellow Veststhat they are seeking to disguise attacks on police through an underhanded alliance of the ultraleft and the ultra-rightis an absurd provocation. A groundswell of opposition of workers across Europe over decades of austerity and militarism is shaking the foundations of the reactionary governments of France, Belgium and beyond. On the French television news programs, workers have been quoted denouncing the banker-president Macrons insults against workers, already engraved into common memory: that the opponents of his policies are slackers, that a French worker has only to cross the road to find a job, etc. The Yellow Vests are demanding immediate improvement in their purchasing power, an end to the pillaging of workers by the super-rich and attacks on social services, rejection of government proposals for a European army, and Macrons resignation. This has won them overwhelming popular support. According to official statistics, 84 percent of the French population say they understand the anger of the yellow vests, 81 percent believe that Macron has not listened to their demands, and 75 percent support them. On BFM-TV, presenter Thierry Arnaud called the statistics catastrophic; RTLs Alain Duhamel worried that the government has lost the battle of public opinion. Conflicts within Macrons crisis government are now openly being reported in the media. On Tuesday, Macron declared that he remained determined to press ahead with the increase in taxes and the rest of his austerity program. If I cede, it will be said that I am retreating, he said, before blandly minimizing the scale of the crisis. Its not a major problem to spend political capital, so long as one achieves reform. Phillippe added on Wednesday: Yes, on January 1 the taxes will go up. The president has said it, we have fixed the cap and we are going to stick to the cap We are not going back on it, one assumes. This prompted the frustrated remark from a right-wing deputy that Alain Juppe, the unpopular prime minister and social cutter, who was forced to resign following the railway workers strike in 1995, was more malleable than him. Yesterday, the concerns were raised a further level. Francois Bayrou, CEO of MoDem and formerly a Macron ally, openly attacked the president, declaring: At a certain point, you cannot govern against the people. But this is the only thing the government knows how to do. The mobilization of the Yellow Vests is the first stage in a far larger struggle pitting the working class against the governments of austerity and militarism across Europe. A class confrontation between workers and the financial aristocracy is emerging. It will be a merciless political struggle. To wage such a fight, workers must have their own organizations of struggle, independent of the trade unions. Fifty years since the betrayal of the May 1968 general strike by the Stalinist French Communist Party and the General Confederation of Workers (CGT), it is critical that workers entering into struggle oppose the efforts by the unions and petty-bourgeois parties to gain control of the movement in order to strangle it. It is not difficult for workers engaged in struggle, distrustful of the unions, to recognize examples of such efforts. Suddenly, the CGT, whose head Philippe Martinez has previously denounced the Yellow Vests and declared that it would be impossible to join them, has called a demonstration tomorrow in Paris. The New Anticapitalist Party (NPA) is seeking to subordinate the demonstrators to the unions. The social anger that has been accumulating over years appears to now express itself more clearly and radically. Let us fuse the trade union and Yellow Vest movements together, tweeted the NPAs ex-presidential candidate Philippe Poutou. In short, he wants workers and youth to be tied to the very organizations which have supported Macrons labor law and the privatization of the national railway network by Macron, and which are currently negotiating with him over the slashing of pensions and the return of the military service. The line of Jean-Luc Melenchon, the ally of the French Communist Party and leader of La France Insoumise, is in the same direction. He has called on Macron to reintroduce the fortune tax, but only because the ending of the tax is setting off a powder keg. Melenchon has implored Macron to reestablish public order through more social justice and, reprising his own suggestion last year to become Macrons prime minister, proposed a dissolution of the National Assembly and new elections. These proposals have elicited justified hostility from workers. When Melenchon announced his participation in the Paris Yellow Vest demonstration in Paris on Saturday, Twitter users replied: Stay home, and You do as Marine Le Pen does, trying to take control in order to better kill the movement Go back and discuss with your mate Macron. The Socialist Equality Party will fight to defend the independent organizations established by workers against the efforts of the NPA, Melenchon and other to break them. It will explain that the only means for workers to win in this struggle is to construct a political movement aiming at the transfer of power to the working class in France and across Europe, in order to expropriate the financial elite. Thousands of Australian children skipped school on Friday in defiance of the prime minister to protest for greater action on climate change. Organizers estimated around 15,000 left their classrooms in 30 locations across the country, including Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, carrying signs reading "procrastinating is our job not yours" and "I've seen smarter Cabinets at Ikea". Australia Business and industry sectors Business, economy and trade Climate change Continents and regions Education Energy and environment Energy and utilities Environment and natural resources Oceania Civil disobedience Protests and demonstrations Society Children Demographic groups Families and children Family members and relatives Population and demographics Friday's protests followed similar protests in Canberra and Hobart earlier this week. As the children prepared for three days of protest, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Parliament "what we want is more learning in schools and less activism." Two Central Victoria pupils, inspired by Greta Thunberg, a 15-year-old student in Sweden who staged her own climate strike outside the Swedish Parliament in September, started the "Strike 4 Climate Action." Harriet O'Shea Carre and Milou Albrecht, both 14, penned a call to arms asking fellow school children to join them in protest, stating: "Just going to school isn't doing anything about climate change. And it doesn't seem that our politicians are doing anything, or at least not enough, about climate change either." On Thursday Thunberg tweeted her support for the Australian schoolchildren, "Time for bed in Sweden. But in Australia it's already morning... I stand strong Australia. We are with you." The Australian newspaper reported that environmental groups and parents supported the protests. "I wake every morning in a state that is 100% drought declared," said 17-year-old Ruby Walker, a protesting pupil from the state of New South Wales. "I have seen our government ax policies to protect my generation's future. I have seen the failure to invest in solutions that would protect us and the failure to prevent and prepare for the climate crisis. Enough is enough," she added in a statement from "School Strike 4 Climate." Jean Hinchcliffe, a pupil who spoke at the Sydney rally said, "Scott Morrison said this should be dealt with outside of school, but it's not being dealt with and that's why we're taking action." "Students are keen for more because the student revolution is well underway," added the 14-year-old in a statement. On Friday, the resources minister Matt Canavan said he would prefer students to learn about mining and science rather than protest. "These are the type of things that excite young children and we should be great at it as a nation," he told 2GB radio. "The best thing you'll learn about going to a protest is how to join the dole queue." The children are also protesting against the possibility that the Carmichael coal mine, a controversial development in Queensland, will gain the regulatory approvals for work to begin. The proposed use of Australian taxpayer dollars had enraged opponents of the mine, who say it will be a "death sentence" for the Great Barrier Reef because of the high levels of carbon pollution that coal produces. Large parts of the reef have already been destroyed by rising ocean temperatures linked to global warming. Indian conglomerate the Adani Group announced Thursday that the project would be "100% financed" through its own resources, removing the need to rely on government funding. "We will now deliver the jobs and business opportunities we have promised for North Queensland and Central Queensland, all without requiring a cent of Australian taxpayer dollars," the company said. On Friday thousands of school children in Sydney chanted "stop Adani, stop, stop Adani." The students' protest gained momentum this week with the release of several reports that warned of the severe consequences of climate change and the world's collective failure to meet goals set by the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015. A US government report released last Friday warned that climate change could cost the US economic hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century. Another, compiled by researchers from 27 global institutions, predicted that heat waves could reduce food supplies and aid the spread of diseases such as dengue and cholera. COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) -- A Lowndes County jury convicts a former Palmer House employee of sexual battery. Seth Copes had been on trial this week after two women accused him of abusing them when they were children. District Attorney Scott Colom said the abuse happened in 2006 when they were only eight years old. He said Copes worked as a house parent at the Columbus children's home from 2006 through 2013. In 2013, Colom said Copes was indicted by a grand jury on the sex crime charges. After five year wait and a week of testimony, a jury convicted Copes on the charges Friday. Colom said Copes has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. Update 12/03/18 1:52 p.m. Joey Miller with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation identifies the deceased as Larry Patterson. He hopes to have more information soon. Update 12/1/18 11:00 pm Law enforcement have not released the name of the accused robbery suspect found dead Friday by Oxford police. WTVA has called the Lafayette County coroner who advised us to call the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. The state agency hasn't returned our phone call just yet. Stay tuned to WTVA for more on this developing story. ORIGINAL ARTICLE OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) --The investigation into a strong-armed robbery in Oxford this morning ends when the suspect is found dead during a search of the area. Oxford police officers were notified of a strong-armed robbery on Hathorn Road near the bus stop at Campus Creek Apartments. An Oxford canine officer tracked the suspect to an area between Oxford Square Townhomes and a shopping center on West Jackson Ave. When officers found the man, he was found unresponsive and was pronounced dead by Lafayette County Coroner Rocky Kennedy at the scene. Oxford police say since their officers were involved in a search for the man when he was found dead, they have notified the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation to review the search and discovery. Anyone who's ever lived in a tourist town knows how annoying things get whenever ski season / spring break / Ponycon rolls around. But sometimes the aftermath of an influx of rubbernecking rubes is a lot worse than wrecked hotel rooms, trash-strewn streets, and impregnated Denny's waitresses. For example ... 5 New Zealand Is Drowning In Poop Most people know New Zealand as "the place that isn't Australia," or at best, "where Lord Of The Rings was filmed." With its gorgeous views and now exceptionally low orc count, New Zealand tourism has shot up over 50 percent since The Fellowship Of The Ring was released back in 2001. While all these tourists have brought sweet, sweet nerd dollars to the economy, they've also brought something else: mountains of shit. In 2017, New Zealand welcomed 3.5 million tourists, a whopping 480,000 more than they had projected a few years before. All those extra tourists have to work out their trail mix and lembas bread somewhere, and it's becoming a big problem. The government built a "poo tracker" for the sole purpose of determining what national landmarks are closed because of "fecal contamination." In 2016, ten different beaches were closed so the government could tackle the rising feces levels. We'd hate to be the tourists who arrived at those beaches only a few turds before they closed. WORLAND A fund to assist Robyn Hance and her 18-year-old son, who were displaced after an apartment fire Thursday, has been set up at Big Horn Federal in Worland. Hance said today that after some assistance from the Red Cross a local church is also assisting with some housing for a week. She said she was told Friday that her furniture in the living room is considered a total loss and will n... The United Nations Global Migration Compact is a flawed document, and whoever signs it presents a serious risk to their own citizens, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in Prague. At a joint press conference following a meeting with his Czech counterpart, Andrej Babis, Orban said the document set down principles that would not reduce illegal migration but stimulate it. Every substantive legal case in the future will make use of the document as a point of reference, he warned. He said mass migration was a serious issue and decision-makers should not ignore the opinion of the people. Yet in Europe today, he added, people are not allowed to express their opinions, or leaders fail to take them into account. We in central Europe, however, want to remain democrats, he said. Migration is testing the democratic nature of political systems, the prime minister added. Concerning the European Parliaments decision to hold another vote on migrant visas, Orban said that it seems that we will have to keep on voting until we arrive at what they consider the right outcome. He added that this institution calling itself a guardian of the rule of law will easily transgress the norms of that rule of law. MTI Photo: Szecsodi Balazs Colombian filmmaker Ruben Mendozas Wandering Girl (Nina Errante) has won the Grand Prix for best film at the Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn, Estonia, which wrapped Dec. 2. The dramas composer, Las Anes, also took home the Best Music prize whose score was praised by the jury for its inspiring musical whispering of magical femininity. Cited by the jury for powerfully exploring themes of grief and abandonment through a very moving, intimate, piercing, and delicate sensorial cinematic approach, Wandering Girl was filmed across 932 miles (1,500 km) through Colombia. The coming-of-age/road movie follows four half-sisters who meet for the first time when their rakish father dies. Together they embark on a journey to leave the youngest, played by a mesmerizing Sofia Paz in her big screen debut, with an aunt. The film manages to unveil the inner worlds of four sisters and their relationships while at the same time explore social issues of contemporary Southern American society at large with refreshing honesty, catharsis, and originality, the jury added. Producer Daniel Garcia of Dia Fragma said: It makes us so proud to be the first Latin American film to win this prize, considering the level of competition we had; this gives our film a great start. Garcia shares the cash prize of $11,000+ (10,000 Euros) with Mendoza. Wandering Girl had its world premiere at the Black Nights Film Festival whose Latin America programmer Javier Garcia Puerto and festival director Tiina Lokk have always sought to bring gems from Latin America to Estonian, Baltic and Scandinavian audiences. Mendozas fourth fiction feature, Wandering Girl was co-produced by Thierry Lenouvels Cine-Sud Promotion who holds the international rights. Elba McAllister of Cineplex handles the Latin American rights and will take the drama to Ventana Sur. I have always been nurtured by women but they have remained a mystery to me, said Mendoza, who through Wandering Girl sought to further enlighten and explore the world of women. With the exception of one mock documentary, his films have had feminine viewpoints. Some 75% of his crew for Wandering Girl were women although he did not consciously seek it. I dont see women, I see souls, he said. Story continues With the exception of Carolina Ramirez, who is a well-known TV actress and Paz, who has worked in the theater since the age of 12, the other girls are non-pro. Finding them involved auditioning as many as 4,000 girls. Once selected, they rehearsed for two months, said Mendoza. They have become very close, their chemistry is almost genetic, he said. Born in 1980 in Colombia, Mendozas credits include The Stoplight Society, Memories of a Vagabond and Dust on the Tongue. He has won awards, scholarships and development funds from the most important institutions in the world, including Cannes, Berlin, Locarno, San Sebastian, Havana, Clermont-Ferrand, FondSud and Chicago. The Black Nights Film Festival ran Nov. 16-Dec 2. Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts! Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer accused of fatally shooting her neighbor in his own apartment was indicted on murder charges Friday, PEOPLE confirms. The indictment came three months after Guyger fatally shot Botham Jean, 26, on Sept. 6, after she returned home from work. Guyger had initially been charged with manslaughter. The 30-year-old told investigators at the time she accidentally entered Jeans Dallas apartment thinking it was hers and believed Jean to be an intruder. Jean worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and hailed from Saint Lucia. He was a graduate of Arkansas Harding University, his family told CNN. Following her arrest, Guyger, a five-year veteran of the department, was fired, the New York Times reports. Botham Shem Jean An arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE alleged that on the night of Jeans death, Guyger parked her car on the fourth floor of her apartment complexs garage and entered the fourth-floor hallway. Her apartment is on the third floor, directly below Jeans residence. Though each apartment required a unique door key, with an electronic chip to gain access, Jeans front door was slightly ajar when Guyger arrived and it opened under the force of her entering her key, the affidavit states. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Inside, the apartment was nearly completely dark, Guyger told investigators, adding that when she saw Jean she assumed he was a burglar. She said she drew her weapon and gave verbal commands to Jean that she said he ignored, the affidavit states. She then fired her service revolver twice, hitting Jean once in the torso. Lee Merritt, an attorney retained by Jeans family, alleged at a news conference days after the shooting that Guygers version of events conflict with what he had learned about the altercation. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Merritt told reporters he had two witnesses sisters who lived in the complex who allege they heard Guyger pounding on Jeans front door in the moments before the gunfire. She heard, Let me in, followed by Let me in, in an elevated tone and then she heard more pounding at the door, Merritt said. Then shortly thereafter she heard gunshots. Guyger had not yet entered a plea on her misdemeanor charge. Attorney information for her was unavailable Friday. Chef and co-owner of Michelin-starred restaurant Le Bernandin Eric Ripert is publicly opening up about his friendship with Anthony Bourdain for the first time since his death in June. Ripert, who was filming Parts Unknown with the TV host in France at the time of his death, tells CBS This Morning: We had 20 years of friendship on television and off television because I was invited on the show many times and we were traveling and it was always tremendous fun. He also shared his insight on Bourdains curious personality. [Anthony was] very respectful of cultures and he wanted to share with the public his discoveries, Ripert says. The idea was do not be scared of traveling and do not be scared going to other countries and do not stay at the resort, do not stay at the hotel and eat the normal menu. Just go out, go in the street and engage with people. Try the food and learn the culture from that experience and I think he did really well in breaking walls, right, in between us and other countries that we sometimes are a bit scared or nervous to visit and that was really a great part of his legacy. RELATED: Chef Eric Ripert Speaks Out About Inspiring and Generous Friend Anthony Bourdain: He Was One of the Great Storytellers of Our Time Ripert reminisced on some of their good times together, including their nationwide tour Good vs. Evil. We were actually amazed we were sold out in theaters, he told CBS. We used to play pranks on each other and we used to have a lot of fun but he never criticized my food, which was nice. Story continues RELATED VIDEO: Andrew Zimmern Remembers Last Conversation With Anthony Bourdain Two days before Bourdain was found dead in his luxury hotel room, the close friends were spotting riding in the countryside on a tandem bicycle. RELATED: Anthony Bourdains Longtime Assistant Remembers Him: He Wasnt Perfect But He Was the Best After a final season of the hit CNN show, the network confirmed to PEOPLE that the episode Ripert and Bourdain were filming in the Alsace region of France when he died will not air. From the completed footage, the producers were able to create five location episodes (including Kenya, Asturias, Indonesia, and Far West Texas) plus two specials, a CNN spokesperson said in a statement. Alsace was not included. Following his death, Ripert told PEOPLE: Anthony was a dear friend. He was an exceptional human being, so inspiring and generous. One of the great storytellers of our time who connected with so many. I wish him peace. My love and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones. With the number of days in the 115th session of Congress rapidly dwindling, GOP senators are turning on their turbojets, determined to confirm a slate of federal judges before the term ends and they are forced to start the process of nominating and holding hearings from scratch. The problem, for the GOP, is that the leftover nominees are among the presidents most controversial picks, and several members of the Republican party like Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), who wants a bill to protect Robert Mueller brought to the floor have already threatened to defect if their demands are not met. On Thursday, the judicial committee announced it was canceling some 20 votes scheduled for the day. (Flake, who sits on the committee, has the power to keep judges from advancing if he withholds his vote.) The news comes just one day after the nomination of Thomas Farr, a lawyer best known for defending voter suppression laws, barely advanced. Tim Scott, the GOPs only black senator, went missing for almost an hour while deliberating, and once Scott committed, Vice President Mike Pence was required to break a tie. (Scott has left open the possibility of opposing Farr during the confirmation final vote.) All of this is good news for groups organizing against Trumps nominees, like Planned Parenthood, which announced on Wednesday it would formally oppose four of the judges Republicans are hoping to push through in the lame duck: Wendy Vitter, Michael Truncale, Matthew Kacsmaryk and Jonathan Kobes. For me, as a doctor, its about peoples lives. Its about womens lives. Its about patients lives. And because these are lifetime appointments, this will affect generations to come, Dr. Leana Wen, the new head of Planned Parenthood, tells Rolling Stone. We are extremely concerned about the Trump-Pence administration attempting to remake an entire branch of government by filling these lifetime appointments with ideologically-driven people who will restrict reproductive health and womens rights. Story continues Planned Parenthood is taking a war footing as the organization, itself, is under threat: at least two pending cases could result in its defunding, Wen says, while multiple pending cases challenging the Affordable Care Act could likewise impact the organizations ability to provide services for its patients. Thats aside from the potential consequences it could face if Roe v. Wade comes under direct threat next year. Right now, there are 15 cases that are one step away from the Supreme Court, which means there is a real probability that, within the next year, Roe v. Wade could be overturned or further eroded. If that happens, Wen warns, one in three women a total of 25 million around the country could soon be living in states where abortion is criminalized, banned or simply unavailable. The organization is asking supporters to pressure their representatives in the Senate to oppose the nominations of Vitter, Truncale, Kacsmaryk and Kobes on the grounds that all four represent a direct threat to the group. Vitter, an outspoken pro-life activist who is married to the former Republican Sen. David Vitter, has protested against Planned Parenthood in Louisiana, saying that its responsible killing over 150,000 females a year. She refused, during her judiciary committee hearing, to say whether or not she believed Roe was correctly decided. Theres little doubt about Kacsmaryks views on Roe hes criticized the decision in writing. Trucale has said funding for Planned Parenthood should be cut off. But the nominee that might pose the most immediate threat to the organization and reproductive rights more broadly is Jonathan Kobes. Kobes is being considered for a position on Eighth Circuit, the court that is set to hear one of 15 pending cases that experts think could end up putting Roe before a conservative Supreme Court within the next year. That case, Hopkins v. Jegley, is a challenge to four abortion restrictions passed in last year Arkansas. Oral arguments in the case are scheduled to take place on December 13th the day before the Senate is expected to adjourn for the year. If the nominees are not confirmed by that time, their nominations will expire, and the process vetting, nomination, hearings, etc. will all begin anew in January. Which means that even if Planned Parenthood wins this battle, it will only be a temporary victory. Wen still believes its a fight worth having: The data show unequivocally that these are individuals who oppose womens health rights, she says. And there are are so many reasons for us to be opposing them, but we need to be talking about the impact on everyday people as a result of these individuals being appointed to these lifetime roles. In what may qualify as one of 2018s biggest Freudian slips, the Wall Street Journal issued a correction to an article on Thursday after it mistakenly called the president of Russia Vladimir Trump. Vladimir Putin is president of Russia. An editing mistake misidentified Mr. Putin in an earlier version of this article. (Nov. 29), the Journal wrote. Whoops. The correction was added to the bottom of an article covering the cancellation of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin that was to have taken place this weekend during the G20 summit in Argentina. Also Read: Sinclair Forces Local Stations to Air 'Must-Run' Segment Defending Tear-Gassing Migrants (Video) The White House said Thursday that Trump had canceled the meeting because Russia has not released the two Ukrainian naval ships and their crews that it seized on Sunday. However, the situation between Russia and Ukraine has not changed since Sunday, and less than an hour before he canceled, Trump told reporters that it is a very good time to have a meeting with the Russian president. What did change in that time period is that Trumps former attorney, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty to making false statements to congressional investigators. Cohen said in a Manhattan court hearing that he submitted a false written statement about a proposed Trump real estate deal in Moscow. Read original story Wall Street Journal Corrects Story That IDed Vladimir Trump as President of Russia At TheWrap North Carolina Board of Elections chairman resigns amid election fraud investigation originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The chairman of the North Carolina Board of Elections has resigned amid a growing investigation into possible election fraud that allegedly took place in this year's primary and general elections in the state's 9th Congressional District. Andy Penry, a Democrat appointed to the position by the state's Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, had been facing criticism from local Republican officials that he is biased, pointing to various Twitter posts that were critical of President Trump as evidence. Penry's Twitter account has been changed to private, but the Raleigh News & Observer, whose editorial board called on Penry to resign yesterday, cites an example where he referred to Trump as a "despicable human being." In a statement released Saturday, and first reported by the Washington Post, Penry says he will "not allow [himself] to be used an instrument of distraction in this investigation." "The investigation of criminal conduct and absentee voting fraud in the 2018 Republican primary and 2018 general election in Congressional District 9 is a matter of vital importance to our democracy," Penry wrote. "The investigation should be free of attempts at distraction and obstruction so that the truth can be revealed. I will not allow myself to be used as an instrument of distraction in this investigation. In the best interest of this investigation, and completely of my own accord, I resign from the North Carolina Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement, effective immediately." PHOTO: Ninth Congressional district Democratic candidate Dan McCready smiles outside Eastover elementary school in Charlotte, N.C., May 8, 2018. (Jeff Siner/The Charlotte Observer via AP) Mounting evidence of voting irregularities has led the Board of Elections to delay certification of the result in the states 9th Congressional District and to hold a public hearing to determine the extent of misconduct in a race that was decided by just 905 votes. In a Friday vote of 7-2, the board decided to hold an evidentiary hearing to address allegations of misconduct in the race between Republican Mark Harris and Democrat Dan McCready. Story continues That hearing will take place on or before December 21. An investigation into the claims of absentee voting irregularities is ongoing, according to Pat Gannon, a spokesperson for the State Board of Elections. The race between McCready, a Marine Corps veteran and solar energy entrepreneur who was a top Democratic recruit in 2018, and Harris, a conservative pastor who ousted a GOP incumbent in the primary this year, was one of the most closely watched House races this cycle. While McCready conceded the race to Harris on November 7, allegations of illegal activity concerning absentee ballots in rural Bladen and Robeson counties in the far eastern part of the district have cast new doubt on the result, especially given the fact that Harris won a significantly higher portion of the absentee ballots in those counties in both the primary and general election races. According to the Charlotte Observer, Harris won 61 percent of the absentee ballots in Bladen County, despite the fact that Republicans only accounted for 19 percent of the county's accepted absentee ballots, and the fact that McCready won a majority of absentee ballots in every other county in the district. ABC News Charlotte affiliate WSOC obtained several sworn affidavits out of Bladen County, raising concerns about a campaign worker for Harris, Leslie McCrae Dowless, who, according to several witnesses, also worked on absentee ballots. According to the affidavits obtained by WSOC, one voter said a worker came to her door, had her fill it out partially, then took the ballot from her and said she would finish it on her behalf. According to the Observer, the concerns were brought to the state board of election John Wallace, an attorney for the state Democratic Party who urged the board not to certify the result until the allegations were thoroughly investigated. ABC News has requested the affidavits, but has not received or reviewed them. The state elections board has the power to order a new election if it determines the irregularities "could have made a difference in the outcome or were widespread enough to generally taint the outcome." It is also possible that the House could refuse to seat Harris until the results are certified. Representatives for Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News on Friday following the boards vote to hold a public hearing, but Harris posted a lengthy response to the decision on Twitter Friday. (MORE: Trump panel found no evidence of widespread voter fraud, sought 'pre-ordained outcome': Former member) "Make no mistake, I support any efforts to investigate allegations of irregularities and/or voter fraud, as long as it is fair and focuses on all political parties," Harris wrote. "There is absolutely no public evidence that there are enough ballots in question to affect the outcome of the race." Harris also said his campaign has filed an intervening motion in state court to force the board to certify the election. This afternoon, we have filed an intervening motion in state court to request an extension of the stay that would change the current State Board. They should be required to stay in existence and certify this election so as not to disenfranchise the voters of the Ninth District. Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNC9) November 30, 2018 McCready released a statement on Twitter Thursday saying that he supports "the bipartisan board's decision and its efforts to ensure our elections are fair and every voice is heard," but did not officially un-concede the race to Harris either. I was as shocked as anyone to see the State Elections Board, in an unprecedented bipartisan 9-0 decision, delay certification of our election results. Our democracy depends on fair elections. I've issued the following statement. pic.twitter.com/oPWHABGf6R Dan McCready for NC (@McCreadyForNC) November 30, 2018 The head of the North Carolina Democratic Party also released a statement Thursday encouraging the BOE to hold a "full public hearing" before certifying results in the 9th District, which the board chose to do today. PHOTO: Rep. Robert Pittenger speaks at an event on tax policy in Charlotte, N.C., April 20, 2018. Pittenger features Trump prominently in his campaign. (Chuck Burton/AP) The chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party also chimed in Thursday, claiming that "Democrats are throwing everything, including the kitchen sink, at the wall to try and steal an election," and threatened legal action if the board did not certify the election on Friday. GOP Rep. Robert Pittenger, who lost to Harris in the GOP primary this year by just 828 votes, was reached via text by the Observer, and when asked if he blamed his loss on any voting irregularities, had this to say: "Others can determine that. I won't speculate. Look at the votes. Follow the money." It looks like Mr. Yellow, Alabamas famous one-in-a-million yellow cardinal who made headlines last year, has another Southern doppelganger! Last week, Jeremy Black, the wildlife photographer who runs Mr. Yellows Facebook page, shared that another supremely rare male cardinal with yellow plumage had recently been spottedthis time in the Atlanta suburb of Tucker. The yet-to-be-named fowl is reportedly the third yellow cardinal identified this year. Interestingly, all three sightings have taken place in the South. Earlier this year a juvenile male Northern Cardinal with Yellow plumage was also documented in Calhoun, GA, Blacks Facebook post reads. Currently we have had three confirmed reports of the One in a Million Cardinal all still living and thriving in their environments. And the whole one in a million thing is no exaggeration. As Auburn University biology professor Geoffrey Hill explained to AL.com back in February, yellow cardinals are the same species as the common red cardinal, but these unique individuals carry a genetic mutation that causes what would normally be bright red feathers to be a vibrant yellow instead. "I would estimate that in any given year there are two or three yellow cardinals at backyard feeding stations somewhere in the U.S. or Canada, he told AL.com. There are probably a million bird feeding stations in that area so very, very roughly, yellow cardinals are a one in a million mutation." WATCH: Alabamas One-In-A-Million Yellow Cardinal Is a Dad Now! As for the fact that all three have been spotted in the South? Well well just chalk that up to good taste. Or then again, it could always be one of Mr. Yellows children Black has promised to provide updates on the Souths newest yellow cardinal. Follow Mr. Yellow on Facebook to stay in the loop. Eat This, Not That! You pour it out, wear it on your sleeve and love people from the bottom of it. But do you take carewe mean, proper careof your heart?For decades, heart disease has been the No. 1 killer of Americans.The good news: You can make quick, easy changes to your lifestyle to cut your risk, and add years to your life, and it's never too late. Here are the top 50 things you're probably doing that put you in dangerfrom the Eat This, Not That! Health to you, with all our heart. Read onand to ensure your On Friday at the G-20 Summit, U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexicos outgoing president Enrique Pena Nieto signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Trump celebrated with a tweet hailing the new trade deal as the end of the terrible North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has been in effect since Jan. 1, 1994. That treaty, which President Bill Clinton signed on Dec. 8, 1993, was meant to eliminate most trade barriers between the three countries, as TIME phrased it back then. Fridays signing, almost exactly 25 years later, was largely ceremonial Congress still has to approve the agreement before anything actually happens but it brings Trump one step closer toward fulfilling his campaign promise to do away with what he has called the worst trade deal ever made. Though the new deal leaves the actual terms of NAFTA largely intact, it would mark a symbolic end to an era. In light of that moment, TIME spoke to Max Cameron, co-author of The Making of NAFTA and professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia, and Jefferson Cowie, an expert on labor politics and a professor of History at Vanderbilt University, about what to know about the trade deals history. Why does NAFTA exist? President Ronald Reagan had broached the idea of a free trade agreement with Mexico in the 1980s when trade between the two countries was high-volume but in many cases restricted but nothing ever came of it. Then a debt crisis in the middle of that decade changed Mexicos mind. It led Latin America to embrace market-oriented policies and abandon a longtime strategy that had focused on the promotion of local industries, says Cameron. On top of that, he adds, Mexicos then-President Carlos Salinas de Gortari who had won the presidency in 1988 in an election some considered fraudulent had reason to want to show he had earned the job. NAFTA was part of his attempt to legitimize his presidency by announcing that Mexico is essentially joining the First World by signing a free-trade agreement with the U.S. Story continues And once that was happening, he says, Canada wanted to be at the table to make sure it wasnt being sidelined or blindsided as Mexico gained advantages in the U.S. market, to which Canada already had privileged access. Within the U.S., NAFTA was seen as putting an official seal of approval on what was already happening in the 1970s and 1980s: two decades of American manufacturers moving jobs to Mexico, as Cowie puts it, due to lower labor costs on that side of the border. Back then, the idea behind NAFTA, put simply, was that increased trade will increase jobs on both sides of the border. The deals passage was characterized by TIME as the biggest win of [Clintons] presidency. At a ceremony marking the passage, Clinton said that NAFTA means jobs, American jobs and good- paying American jobs, largely because export-related opportunities are key to an era in which commerce is global. How did NAFTA originally affect American politics? NAFTA was a product of both the first Bush and the Clinton Administrations and 34 Republican Senators voted for it which makes it bipartisan, and President Clintons signing of it is sometimes identified as a milestone in a rightward shift for the Democrats. The Democrats had long championed workers rights, and the Republicans had become a free-trade party; that kind of broke down around with Clinton, Cowie says. The Democrats got walloped in [the presidential elections of] 1980, 1984, 1988, and they have to figure out how to accommodate the power of the new conservatism in America. There was an old wing that wanted to fight to defend the industrial protections and collective bargaining represented by the New Deal, and a new wing that shifted to the right and Clinton became the standard-bearer of that movement, the New Democrats. Cameron echoes that Clinton fundamentally reoriented the Democratic Party from being the party of the working class and middle class to being a party that actually fought to compete with the Republicans for Wall Streets favor. Ross Perot, the 1992 third-party presidential candidate, famously predicted that an agreement like NAFTA would produce a giant sucking sound meaning Mexico sucking jobs out of the U.S. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter What does NAFTA have to do with immigration? Even though NAFTA is about trade, not immigration, Cameron thinks the latter topic has haunted the 25 years of the agreements existence. There were two issues considered too hot to handle in the NAFTA negotiations. They were always in background of peoples minds, but it was pretty clear that they couldnt be included in the negotiations because they were too contentious, and that was: labor flows and drugs, he says. Everyone knew that if you opened up the border and had thousands of trucks crossing the border every day, you were going to open the market to illicit products as well. Salinas said NAFTA would provide enough jobs for Mexicans to earn a good income and not need to travel to the U.S. [for work]. Hed say We want to export goods, not people and We want trade, not aid. But wages didnt go up enough to stem the flow of migrants. In addition, it happened that the signing of NAFTA coincided with what Cameron describes as a financial meltdown in Mexicos banking system. The ramifications of that business crisis included the drug economy stepping in to fill the vacuum in the countrys economy, and the subsequent growth of the cartels. That process, which Cameron says led to violence spreading in Central American countries, is still a major factor in the flow of migrants north to the United States today. The financial crisis also changed peoples perception of NAFTA in Mexico and the surrounding regions. It was one of the things that led people to feel the whole strategy of promoting markets was not working, thats part of what then causes the emergence of left-wing leaders in places like Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, says Cameron. Have opinions about NAFTA changed? Trumps views aside, a 2017 Gallup poll found Americans are split on whether NAFTA is good or bad for the U.S., showing 48% of Americans saying its good and 46% saying its bad. Gallups first poll on the topic in 1997 showed 37% thought it was good for the country, 47% thought it was bad, and 16% had no opinion so, in other words, the number who oppose it is pretty close to the same. But the political debate about NAFTA that grounds Trumps particular argument, experts say, is one that took a little longer to evolve. The fear was and the reality, I would argue, is that core manufacturing of auto, garments, electronics moved to Mexico, Cowie says. The loss of those higher-wage, unionized manufacturing jobs bred powerful resentments in the South, Midwest, and Rust-Belt regions. The Democratic Party has never been forgiven for that, Cowie believes, and Trump has successfully capitalized on how angry people still are about these lost jobs. I think what Trump is picking up on is the perception, which is true, that while NAFTA did lead to more trade and investment across the borders, it hasnt led to rising living standards on either side in the way it was expected to do by those who promoted it, says Cameron. Thats the central paradox. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has struck near the city of Anchorage in Alaska, causing major damage to a number of roads and buildings. A tsunami warning was issued for parts of the state but officials later cancelled it, as residents began posting videos of ceiling tiles falling and furniture rumbling in the quake. Former governor Sarah Palin was among those who say their homes have been damaged, but she tweeted that her family was safe in spite of the damage to her home. Scientists say that this particular earthquake was caused by two tectonic plates moving apart, and images of roadways show areas where roads simply collapsed in place as if the ground had been moved out from underneath. No deaths were reported from the earthquake, but President Donald Trump did weigh in to say that the state has the full support of the American government for any recovery needs. "To the Great people of Alaska. You have been hit hard by a 'big one'", Mr Trump tweeted from Argentina, where he is attending the G20 summit. "Please follow the directions of the highly trained professionals who are there to help you. Your Federal Government will spare no expense. God Bless you ALL"! Mr Trump stopped short of issuing a disaster declaration for the state, but Alaska Governor Bill Walker said that he is in contact with the White House for recovery as things proceed. "From the incident command centre established at Joint Base Elmendorf and Richardson we are closely monitoring reports of aftershocks and assessing damage to roads, bridges and buildings," Mr Walker wrote on Facebook announcing a state disaster declaration. "My family is praying for yours. God bless Alaska". Read along for live updates as they happened on Friday Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load Los Angeles (AFP) - A powerful earthquake rocked Anchorage on Friday, violently shaking homes and businesses, sending scared residents into the streets and damaging buildings in Alaska's largest city. The 7.0-magnitude quake struck at 8:29 am (1729 GMT), in the middle of the school run and as workers were heading out for the day. Several people were wounded, mainly from broken glass and falling objects, but no deaths were reported, according to US media. The epicenter of the quake was about eight miles (13 kilometers) north of Anchorage at a depth of 25 miles, according to the US Geological Survey. Police in the city of around 300,000 said it had caused "major infrastructure damage." "Many homes and buildings are damaged," the police department said in a statement. "Many roads and bridges are closed. Stay off the roads if you don't need to drive." A tsunami warning was issued for the Cook Inlet and the Kenai Peninsula following the massive quake but was quickly lifted. Residents posted pictures and videos to Twitter of damage to their homes and stores -- belongings knocked off of shelves, broken windows and pictures scattered on the floor. Local CBS television affiliate KTVA posted a video of a room shaking back and forth with panels falling from the ceiling and lights flickering on and off as people hid under desks. "Everyone just sprinted out of the coffee shop I was at in Anchorage in the middle of a huge earthquake," Nat Herz, a reporter with news portal Alaska's Energy Desk, posted on Twitter. "Car alarms going off, etc. But not seeing any serious damage here aside from random stuff falling over. People going back to computers, meetings." Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said the authorities were worried about access to power following the quake. "It's winter. It's cold. It's dark. And we're not sure what the power situation is," she said. "We're worried about breaks in gas lines." Story continues - University, airport closed - ENSTAR Natural Gas asked residents to beware of gas leaks while the main water company said there had been water main breaks. Municipal Light & Power warned of possible downed power lines and said it was seeking to restore electricity to affected customers. About two and a half hours after the quake, the utility said approximately 7,000-10,000 customers were still without power. The company said there was no damage to electricity generation infrastructure. The University of Alaska announced it was closing for the day. "All non-essential personnel should go home," it said in a tweet. Anchorage airport temporarily halted inbound and outbound flights after the air control tower was evacuated. In an audio recording posted online, an air traffic controller could be heard telling a FedEx cargo plane to go around -- abort its landing -- as the quake hit. A video posted to Twitter showed a buckled road on a highway exit ramp leading to the airport and a stranded car. The Anchorage School District told parents to come pick up their children "when you feel it is safe to do so." The Trans Alaska Pipeline, one of the longest crude oil pipelines in the world, was shut down as a precautionary measure so crews could inspect the system, but returned to service after no damage was found. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said President Donald Trump had been briefed about the quake and was monitoring damage reports. "To the Great people of Alaska. You have been hit hard by a 'big one,'" Trump tweeted. "Your Federal Government will spare no expense. God Bless you ALL!" Trump declared a state of emergency in Alaska, releasing federal aid. Alaska was hit by a 9.2-magnitude earthquake in March 1964, the strongest ever recorded in North America. It left 139 people dead. MBS pictured on the far right (stage left) with a gap to the next attendee in the Its the bro-five. That moment when two like minded members of a brotherhood come together, outstretched hands colliding in a clasp somewhere between a high-five and a handshake. If Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, had any nerves about how he would be received at the G20 summit his first major trip since being implicated in the murder of a dissident journalist - then Vladimir Putins warm but calculating greeting would have put him at ease. The opening session on Friday was freighted with symbolism and vivid reminders of the realpolitik at work in Argentina. For world leaders are assembling at a time of extraordinary geopolitical turbulence, setting up a string of contentious clashes. A looming Brexit, the new round of hostility between Russia and Ukraine, global trade wars and the fall-out from the killing of Jamal Khashoggi have officials struggling behind the scenes to find a joint statement that would rescue the summit from failure. So an awkward air hung over the traditional family photo of prime ministers, presidents and princes. MBS, as the crown prince is known, found himself on the periphery, visibly and diplomatically, with empty space to either side at stage left. Theresa May, Emmanuel Macron and Justin Trudeau placed themselves to the right, where they could be sure not to catch his eye. MBS pictured on the far right (stage left) with a gap to the next attendee in the "family photo" Credit: Alexander Nemenov/AFP Picture done, MBS exited quickly. He was alone again minutes later standing at his allotted seat in the conference hall. And alone he might have remained, were it not for Mr Putin who swept in with that beaming smile and bro-five to remind the world that a Saudi with massive reserves of oil and a need for military defence systems is never long in want of an ally. For all the public posturing, the criticism of MBS, the lining up of governments alongside Ukraine after its gunboats were seized by Russia, the anger at Mr Trump for his unilateralist foreign policy, the merry-go-round still has to spin. Story continues Mrs May will still meet the crown prince even if Number 10 is avoiding saying whether or not she will shake his hand. And Mr Trump may well talk to Mr Putin even if he issued a very public tweet cancelling a planned, formal meeting. It is a two-track summit. One designed for public consumption back home and the other, more discreet, calculated to get business done. The same old game of public perception and private diplomacy as world leaders dance around the issues and each other. Just perhaps more so as a new breed of populist leader ups the ante. #CrownPrinceInG20 | HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with @EmmanuelMacron, President of France, on the sidelines of the #G20Argentina Leaders' Summit pic.twitter.com/peeEjKGgEo Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) November 30, 2018 But in this age of social media and cameras in every pocket, it is not an easy line to draw. You can imagine the delight of the Saudi foreign office when it published a photograph of Mr Macron chatting happily with the crown prince on the sidelines. And then there is Mr Putin. Already at odds with the West, condemned for the Salisbury poisoning and facing additional sanction for seizing Ukrainian naval vessels at the weekend, he can burnish his domestic credentials with another display of independence and an embrace of MBS. If you already have blood on your hands, what difference does a bro-five with a man accused of ordering the murder of a journalist matter anyway? On the morning when I first met Clare Rewcastle Brown, the British journalist known for breaking wide one of the biggest-ever corruption scandals to involve a head of state, she casually mentioned we were being followed. We were taking part in a rally snaking through Londons Trafalgar Square when she noted the dodgy looking fellow. At the time, being stalked through central London was not unusual for Rewcastle Brown. It was November 2016 and the mother of two had already seen her life transformed by her investigation, which prompted death threats and selfie requests in equal measure, though it had yet to wreak the international consequences apparent today. Rewcastle Brown, 59, had been shining a spotlight on environmental destruction in her birthplace, Sarawak, Malaysia, when she uncovered a trail that eventually exposed billions of dollars being siphoned from a state sovereign fund known as 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). In all, U.S. Department of Justice investigators believe more than $7.5 billion was embezzled from the fund and spent on items such as Van Gogh paintings and luxury yachts. The sensational fallout from 1MDB has implicated members of leading financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, led to a change of government in Malaysia and spawned international criminal charges for figures like the playboy financier and The Wolf of Wall Street producer Jho Low. For Rewcastle Brown, blowing the whistle on 1MDB has come with enormous repercussions. After more than three years of vilification and harassment, during which she was banned from Malaysia by the former prime minister, she was finally allowed to return. Just this week, she was hit with a defamation lawsuit prompted by revelations in her new book on 1MDB, The Sarawak Report. On a recent trip to Hong Kong, I caught up with Rewcastle Brown two years on from our first meeting. British journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown speaks during an interview in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 20, 2018. What do you think the 1MDB scandal says about globalization and the regulation of international financial institutions? Story continues I very rapidly realized that I had gone from a grassroots cause [environmental degradation in Sarawak] to possibly the most pressing and dangerous global issue of our times, which is capitalism gone absolutely rampant. This is not about politics, or about right and left its about right and wrong. We are allowing the worst criminals on the globe to hide all their money and then redress it as if its respectable in our developed economies. A super rich elite have emerged thanks to the lack of law and order, and thanks to the lack of jurisdiction over the transfers of international wealth. The Malaysian government went to great lengths to discredit and intimidate you. Could you speak about some of those experiences? If a government is overreacting in this way and treating you as such a dangerous threat, then you know that you are doing your job. What had turned from a slick financial operation became real criminality when these people were put under pressure. Suddenly people were being murdered and falsely imprisoned There were attempts to frighten me as well with people with crew-cuts following me around. Suddenly you see their real side. Gone is the slick business suit and behind it is the ugly, snarling reality of run-of-the-mill criminals. Why do you think your sources chose to trust you, despite the great personal risk to themselves? I think people knew why I was doing what I was doing. They knew I wasnt part of an interest group. And, in a way, by attacking me, the Malaysian establishment identified me as someone who was principled and prepared to stand up to them. People knew I was doing this because I cared, perhaps because they knew I had been born there. Read more: The Accidental Whistle-Blower: How a Retired London Journalist Uncovered Massive Corruption Half a World Away Your book ends with the stunning election upset earlier this year of Mahathir Mohamad and the Pakatan Harapan coalition. How big an impact do you think the revelations of 1MDB had on the elections? To me, it was a complete vindication of why we have to have free journalism and a proper democratic process. Through 1MDB I was able to bring the reality of what was happening in Malaysia to people, and 1MDB was the key platform Mahathir used. The nation trusted him. He was an old battle-axe and a strongman, and had several unpleasantly authoritarian tendencies, but everyone trusted in his basic integrity and his concern for the nation. 1MDB proved just how off the scale Najib and his wifes corruption was, and how dangerous it was. Supporters of 'Pakatan Harapan' (The Alliance of Hope), wait for Mahathir Mohamad to be sworn in as Malaysia's prime minister on May 10, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As the scandal of 1MDB continues to unfold, what do you think will happen next? Its just gotten bigger and bigger. In the process of investigating this case, the U.S. Department of Justice has shown exactly what everyone suspected, which is that the offshore system is harboring outrageous criminality and money laundering on a jaw dropping scale. I disapprove of the analysis that Jho Low was special and that he pulled off something amazing, because I think he was just one of many. Its a rare test case so far, as it opens the thread into a network of criminality, and it helps people understand what is clearly going on everywhere. This money goes into this network, and you find that you are touching everybody. Dozens of banks have been caught up in all of this, dozens of institutions and dozens of malpractices. Theres the network of lawyers to go to for these things; the to go to accountants; the to go to incorporators; the to go to politicians so many of them have been flagged up in just this one case. There are so many nooks and crannies that havent yet been looked into, and it will be interesting to see whether the diplomatic pressures kick in. There are still certain areas of this scandal that have not really been pursued. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. A year ago, I spent an entire day with Raed Fares at the Human Rights Foundation office in the Empire State Building. My colleagues and I had learned that he was in the United States to speak at Harvard, and we decided to host a closed-door press meeting for him. We sat with him in a conference room 40 stories above New York City, writing and rewriting his remarks, translating Arabic to English, and figuring out the best way to tell his story. He had accomplished a lot since the start of the Syrian revolution. He had recorded hours of footage of protests and attacks; hed built a radio station; hed used posters, a Nokia phone, and his wit to start a social movement; hed trained hundreds of new citizen journalists, women leaders, and nonviolent protesters. He had a lot to cover. That evening, as the sun was setting, the journalists began to arrive. We had invited 30. Only a handful showed up. After the event, I apologized to Raed for the low turnout. He laughed loudly, as he usually did. It was what he expected, he said. In recent years, he had noticed a marked drop in interest in the Syrian conflict. Speaking opportunities that had drawn massive crowds three years earlier now enticed only a handful of people who still felt that it was their moral duty to help Syria. Reporters that had once reached out to him daily had moved on to report on other crises. He told me he was grateful to have made any connections at all. When he returned to his hometown, he sent me a gracious note thanking me and my coworkers for hosting him and promising to greet us one day in a free Syria. That day will never come. Last Friday, Nov. 23, Raed was targeted and killed by his enemies in his hometown of Kafranbel in Idlib province. Fellow activist Hamoud Jneed was murdered with him. The gunmen reportedly waited in a van outside their office, pursued them, and shot when they tried to escape; they have not been identified. Raeds words that day have stayed with me. The Syrian conflict is nowhere near over; in many ways, its gotten worse. Although ISIS has retreated, extremists are still prevalent, and, according to Raed, they are recruiting. And though the U.S.-led coalition has scaled down its attacks, 2018 has seen a 34 percent increase in civilian casualties caused by Russian and Syrian assaults. Yet, the international community has increasingly withdrawn its support of Syrias nonviolent activists. In 2017, the U.S. dramatically reduced its funding for Syrian humanitarian groups, a decision that threatened groups across Syria. In this climate, Raedone of the few and most prominent civil society leaders still working inside Syriastruggled to win attention and support for his work. Story continues Raed knew it would be difficult to build something new in the middle of a seemingly endless war, but he wanted Syrians to be prepared for peace when it finally arrived. Through Radio Fresh and the Union of Revolutionary Bureaus, Raed focused on laying the foundation for a free, democratic Syria. He believed that every democracy needs a free press, educated and engaged citizens, empowered women, and a vibrant civil society, and so he made it his duty to create these things from the ground up, starting in his own village. He also recognized that a generation of young Syrians had never known anything but violence and war, and were constantly being fed extremist ideologies and regime propaganda. They needed an alternative vision for what Syria could be, and how it could get there. So he worked to provide this narrative, because, as Raed put it, revolutions are ideas and ideas cannot be killed with weapons. Most people who live through war tend to focus on the short-term and prioritize survival. But even when he was surrounded by chaos and destruction, Raed refused to give in to death and misery. Instead, he celebrated the potential of the Syrian people and made long-term plans to win them the freedom and dignity they deserve. He dedicated himself to doing what he could with the life he had, his eyes fixed on hope. What was remarkable about Raed was that he managed, somehow, to think about the future. But death was chasing him. Raeds decision to stay in Syria put his life in danger, and he knew it. In 2014, extremists from the Nusra Front tracked him and put two bullets in his right side. Undaunted, he spent four months recovering before returning to his work. Later that year, he was kidnapped by Al Qaeda militants, detained, and tortured. In the following years, extremists placed bombs in his car and harassed and abducted his employees. The Assad regime, for its part, burned down and bombarded his office. And in the end, he was killed in the same type of attack he had survived years earlier. With Raeds death, Syrian civil society lost an extraordinary leader and role model. But Raed had built a strong foundation for the free Syria he envisioned and there are many activists in his community that are dedicated to continuing what he started. We must support them, because, as Raed put it, enduring peace depends on the existence of a vibrant civil society and free political discourse, a marketplace of ideas where new voices can challenge dictatorship and terrorism. Raeds death comes before we have even had a chance to fully grieve for another Middle Eastern journalist, Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggis murder was horrific in part because it was unprecedented and shocking. Raeds murder is tragic, because it was expected. So many Syrians have died since 2011 that international groups have essentially stopped counting. But in both cases, the cause of freedom took a massive hit. We have lost two crucial and precious voices, two champions of free expression, so we urge the international community to meet Raeds death with as much fury as it did Khashoggis. Let this loss inspire us to take action once more, to recommit to helping Syrians win their freedom from extremists and the Assad regime alike. I met Raed for the first time in Norway in the days leading up to the 2017 Oslo Freedom Forum, a human rights conference that features talks by activists from closed societies. My coworkers and I had already gotten a sense of his personality through the many phone calls we had to prepare for his talk on the main stage. He was an open book from the start, constantly cracking jokeshe was fluent in gallows humorand charming us along the way. His passion was palpable, and he knew about Syrias revolution and war in granular detail; hed seen the planes, hed met the international correspondents, hed run toward the violence to be the first to document massacres and share his footage with the world. Whenever the conversation turned dark, hed smile, pull out a cigarette, and smoke it off. The only time I ever sensed his frustration and anger was when he was in Washington, D.C., last summer struggling to find funding for his work. After several days of working on his talk, Raed decided that he wanted to end his speech by playing the oud, a popular, Middle Eastern instrument. Raed said that music was a universal language. So we scoured Norway to find an oud and when the day came, Raed finished his talk, sat on the stage, and created magic. For me, his performance underscored his essential humanity. We all have a tendency to think that our heroes have something different about them, that they possess superhuman abilities, or that they do not feel fear. But thats not the case. Raed was a person just like us. He knew the risks he was taking, but he was afraid and he didnt want to die. He simply decided that death was a price he was willing to pay, that his dream was much bigger than his own life. You can donate here to support Raed Fares project Radio Fresh. VIENNA (Reuters) - An Austrian army colonel suspected of spying for Russia for 26 years was arrested on Friday after a court reversed a decision that there was no need to detain him pending trial. The case is embarrassing for Austria, which has some of the closest relations with Russia in the European Union. Moscow denies any involvement in the case, which was made public this month and was uncovered after a tip-off from Britain. "He has already been arrested," the prosecutors' office in Salzburg, where the recently retired colonel lives, said in a statement. A court in Salzburg initially dismissed the prosecutors' arguments that he posed a flight risk and might re-offend if he was not remanded in custody. After his release they appealed to a separate court, which on Friday ordered his arrest. The details of the ruling were, however, being kept confidential due to the sensitivity of the investigation, the statement added. The colonel, whom they did not name, remains under investigation. Austria chose not to join the majority of EU states that expelled Russian diplomats over the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain. Moscow had denied British accusations of involvement in the nerve-agent attack. (Reporting by Francois Murphy; editing by David Stamp) One common misconception about biology degrees is that the only types of jobs someone with these credentials can get are as a lab scientist or a health care provider. But Bridgette McDonald, director of career services at Clayton State University in Georgia, emphasizes that though biology degree holders often pursue careers in health care or in academia, they can also excel in other fields where analytical skills are an asset, such as business. In order to persuade undergraduate biology students that they have a variety of career opportunities, McDonald often tells them stories about biology majors who have excelled in industries that aren't directly connected to biology. "I love to talk about presidents of banks who were biology majors," she says. David Bickford, an associate professor of biology and the Fletcher Jones Endowed Chair in Biology at the University of La Verne in California, says biology degree recipients can apply their technical expertise and creativity in science-oriented jobs that focus on addressing major technological challenges, such as climate change and environmental sustainability issues. "Biology is really going to be at the crux of finding solutions to the most important things that are going to be happening in the next 50 or 100 years," he says. Because the study of biology lies at the heart of many scientific breakthroughs and revolutionary technologies, leading both to groundbreaking discoveries in the field of genetics and lifesaving medical treatments, people with formal education in biology have valuable skills that can be applied to a wide array of jobs. Janet C. Daniel, an associate professor of biology and director of the graduate program in biology at James Madison University in Virginia, says that biology courses offer students both discipline-specific knowledge about the world's living creatures and interdisciplinary critical thinking skills. "As biologists, we study living processes at every level: from molecules to organisms, and through populations of organisms and how this impacts the environment," she wrote in an email. Story continues How to Decide What Type of Biology Degree is Best for Your Career Goals Experts say that, in general, people with advanced biology degrees have more management roles available to them than others with less advanced degrees. "With a bachelor's degree, many more (entry-level) positions may be available, but autonomy and leadership roles may be limited," wrote Tracey Baas, executive director of the University of Rochester's Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training program that assists science doctoral students and postdoctoral associates with career exploration, in an email. "With a Ph.D. degree, individuals may have more opportunity to help direct the future projects they will work on and may have more of a leadership role in a team. And many times a Ph.D. is not enough. Some roles will require that the individual with a Ph.D. undertake further training -- a postdoctoral position -- to do research projects that are complementary to their Ph.D. thesis but different enough to allow them to gain further technical expertise and also autonomy in developing research ideas of their own." Experts say there are some biology-related careers one might pursue with only a college degree, such as a career as a high school science teacher. However, there are other fields that require a graduate-level credential, such as a career as a veterinarian or a biomedical engineer. [See: 10 Best Science Jobs.] A Variety of Job Opportunities Daniel says the critical thinking habits a biology student learns are applicable in a wide array of positions, including jobs that focus on food safety and science communications. According to Daniel, biology degree holders sometimes head to law school and become intellectual property attorneys, and they also frequently pursue jobs in the public health sector. Some biology degree holders find work as environmental scientists for government agencies or nonprofit organizations, she says, and others specialize in bioinformatics, a field that involves collecting and interpreting biological data. "The scientific method underpins studies in biology and allows students a framework for the learning and doing of science, which requires use of both deductive and inductive reasoning, ultimately leading to innovations in science knowledge and application," Daniel wrote in an email. Daniel says biology degree recipients tend to have marketable skills in both science and math, which is a winning combination for many employers, and this skill set is something degree holders should play up in their job applications. "Aside from highlighting their state-of-the-art knowledge of biology, which is a rapidly developing field, students should show potential employers evidence of their quantitative skills, like statistics, data analysis and modeling," she says. [Read: Your College Major Does Not Define Your Career.] An Abundance of Industry Jobs Experts say there are many for-profit science, engineering and technology firms that are interested in hiring biology degree holders, particularly those with an advanced degree such as a master's or Ph.D. who have the training necessary to perform cutting-edge industry research. "The pharmaceutical industry should be at least a consideration, since it makes up such a significant portion of the economy," Jennifer Dennis-Wall, a science communications professional with a Ph.D. in nutrition and an undergraduate degree in biology, wrote in an email. Private-sector companies that are creating and selling complex products often seek advertising and communications professionals with a science degree who have the technical expertise necessary to accurately and clearly describe their products, says Dr. Matt Middleman, founding partner and president of LifeSci Public Relations, a public relations firm that caters to scientific companies. Middleman says companies that are introducing state-of-the-art technologies often want spokespeople who can explain these technologies to sophisticated audiences, such as physicians, patient advocacy groups and clinical trial investigators. That's one reason why his firm favors candidates with science degrees, including degrees in biology, he says. "In order for us as a firm to truly help our clients communicate with audiences of that level of sophistication, it's best for us to have backgrounds to understand the material and the science and the mechanisms as well as our clients in order to communicate with audiences like those." Bickford suggests that biology degree holders should explore careers in the agriculture and food industry, where companies are looking to develop genetically engineered food items that are drought-resistant or that have other desirable properties. A Biology Doctorate Doesn't Always Lead to an Academic Career Baas says earning a doctoral degree in science doesn't automatically translate to a tenure-track science faculty position. However, there are many non-academic jobs where science Ph.D. recipients can use their highly technical training, she says. "Scientists with a Ph.D. degree have many professional opportunities," Baas wrote in an email, adding that the traditional path for a Ph.D. graduate would be to work as an assistant professor at an undergraduate-focused college or a research university that offers a plethora of graduate and undergraduate programs. "They then have the opportunity to progress to associate and full professor. But many Ph.D. scientist are now considering other routes." Baas says it's important for prospective science doctoral students to recognize that there is a scarcity of entry-level science faculty positions, so they should be willing to explore other options, including industry jobs. She says her program "discourages people from calling these careers 'alternative' because all careers are valid," adding that, "based on the current trend of fewer and fewer Ph.D. scientists being hired at universities, tenure-track faculty careers could be considered alternative." Baas suggests people with biology doctorates consider jobs in science and technology policy, biomanufacturing and entrepreneurship. She adds that someone with a doctorate will also typically have valuable project management experience. "Ph.D. graduate students are very good at project management because of their experiences with their research projects but sometimes fail to recognize that project management is what they are doing," Baas says. [Read: Look Beyond Academia to Find Jobs With a Science Ph.D.] Biology Undergraduates Often Pursue Additional Clinical Degrees Experts say those who majored in biology in college often intend to become some type of health care provider, such as a doctor, physical therapist, chiropractor or nurse. Bruce Godfrey, a Nebraska chiropractor with a doctorate in his field and an undergraduate degree in biology, says a college education in biology can be very useful for an aspiring clinician. Although majoring in biology isn't required in order to become a health care provider, Godfrey says he's glad he majored in the subject as an undergraduate. "It was important for me in my career to have a basic understanding of biochemistry and some aspects of nutrition, as well as the anatomy and physiology of the human body, so I think the biology degree helped me put that into context and gave me a basis for going on and learning the higher-level clinical courses." Searching for a grad school? Access our complete rankings of Best Graduate Schools. SARAJEVO (Reuters) - An appeals chamber of Bosnia's war crimes court acquitted on Friday former Bosnian Muslim commander Naser Oric of human rights violations and the killings of three Serb prisoners of war in and around Srebrenica in the country's 1992-95 conflict. Oric, regarded as a hero by Bosnian Muslims, led the defense of Srebrenica, a besieged town that eventually fell to Bosnian Serb forces in 1995 who then killed more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Europe's worst atrocity since World War Two. The second instance verdict was delivered after the court in June revoked its previous ruling, clearing Oric and fellow soldier Sabahudin Muhic of guilt, and ordered a new trial after the prosecutor complained of criminal procedures violations. The appeals chamber found discrepancies in the statements of a key protected witness and "could not find them credible and establish beyond a reasonable doubt the responsibility" of Oric and Muhic for the alleged crimes, said judge Tihomir Lukes. The verdict is final and cannot be appealed. Branislav Dukic, the head of an association of Bosnian Serb prisoners of war, said the ruling was shameful. "All Serbs should leave the state judiciary in response," he said. The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) acquitted Oric of war crimes against Serbs in 2008, but he was arrested again in June 2015 in Switzerland on a warrant from Serbia accusing him of killing three Bosnian Serb prisoners of war early in the conflict. During the war the United Nations declared Srebrenica a "safe area" but Dutch troops failed to prevent its capture by Bosnian Serb forces. (Reporting by Maja Zuvela; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) (Colombo) REUTERS: Sri Lankas parliament yesterday voted to halt payment of ministers salaries and travel expenses, but it remained unclear how the move would impact the disputed government of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa whose ministers boycotted the vote. The South Asian island has been locked in political gridlock for over a month since President Maithripala Sirisena replaced former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with Rajapaksa, who was then twice sacked by parliament but has refused to resign. Foreign countries have yet to recognise the new government. Yesterdays motion, which passed 122 to none in the 225-member parliament, followed a similar vote on Thursday to cut the budget to the Prime Ministers office. Rajapaksa loyalists also skipped that vote, arguing the motion was illegal. The motion to cut down the expenditures of ministers, deputy ministers, and state ministers is passed, parliaments speaker Karu Jayasuriya said. He earlier said he would officially inform ministry secretaries of the decision. The motion specifically was to prohibit top civil servants from paying out salaries and travel expenses. However, one senior civil servant from a government ministry, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear how such a vote would be applied in practice because there were questions over whether due process had been followed. In a repeat of Thursdays actions, Rajapaksa loyalists denounced the vote and called into question the impartiality of the speaker. The motion presented today is illegal and we have mentioned it to the speaker too. We will not attend such illegal motions, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, a minister in Rajapaksas disputed government, told reporters before the proceedings started. Later, Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe met in the parliament, sources close to the two men told Reuters. They spoke about the way forward, one source said, adding that the impasse was unlikely to break before a court ruling on whether President Sirisenas Nov. 9 decision to dissolve parliament was constitutional. That verdict is expected on Dec. 7. Separately yesterday, the Appeal Court began a hearing on a petition signed by 122 legislators that challenged Rajapaksas authority to hold office after he lost two no confidence votes earlier this month. Rajapaksas party argues that its government should remain in power because the president never accepted the no confidence votes. The motions presented on Thursday and yesterday are based on the assumption Rajapaksa has been sacked, thus he deems them illegal. Rajapaksa presided over a government victory over Tamil rebels in 2009, ending a bloody 26-year civil war. A new crop of free agents hit the market Friday night after the deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players passed. To quickly explain, eligible players who were tendered a contract by the deadline will remain under the control of their current team. Those who werent tendered are now free to sign anywhere. The deadline varies in interest from season-to-season, depending on the scale of the names involved. For example, the Chicago Cubs decision on whether to tender suspended shortstop Addison Russell brought some additional attention to the deadline this season. The Cubs, by the way, decided to keep Russell. Like most years, there were still a few notable names sprinkled into the group of players not tendered. Among them, a slugging second baseman, a highlight reel outfielder, and a once promising starting pitcher whose release cements his place among the worst trades in recent memory. Here, well take a quick look at those players and a few others who are suddenly looking for a job. The Milwaukee Brewers are moving on from Jonathan Schoop after admitting botching in-season trade. (AP) Jonathan Schoop (non-tendered by Milwaukee Brewers) Its not often a general manager admits to a mistake. Thats exactly what David Stearns of the Milwaukee Brewers did though on Friday after non-tendering Jonathan Schoop. The 27-year-old second baseman was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. It was considered an awkward fit because of Milwaukees infield depth, and not necessity a need considering their lack of starting pitching depth. In the end, it backfired completely. In 46 games with Milwaukee, Schoop hit .202/.246/.331. He was an afterthought too in the postseason, which prompted this admission from Stearns. David Stearns looking at the Schoop trade in hindsight: "Look, it was a bad deal, and that's on me. We made a trade for a player we thought was going to be here for a year and a half, and I was wrong." Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) November 30, 2018 Schoop was projected to earn $10 million in arbitration this winter. Thats a hit the Brewers couldnt afford to take for a likely part-timer in their lineup. Schoop should still have a solid market outside Milwaukee. Over the last three seasons hes delivered 78 home runs and 95 doubles. Thats excellent production from the second base position. Story continues Billy Hamilton (non-tendered by Cincinnati Reds) Its weird that it came to this for Hamilton and the Reds. The Reds have reportedly passed on trading Hamilton in the past, but now that trading him made more sense to them they were unable to find a taker. Hamilton should have less trouble finding a deal now that hes hit the open market. The 28-year-old speedster is a human-highlight reel in center field and a game-changer on the basepaths. Unfortunately, he hasnt reached his perceived potential because of his struggles at the plate. Hell enter his seventh season as a career .245/.298/.333 hitter, which isnt good. Still, he should make for an ideal fourth outfielder for a contender. Shelby Miller (non-tendered by Arizona Diamondbacks) Speaking of bad trades, the Diamondbacks have given up on Shelby Miller after he was the centerpiece in a deal that could haunt the franchise for a decade. On Dec. 9, 2015, Miller was acquired along with Gabe Speier from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Aaron Blair, Ender Inciarte and the previous years No. 1 overall draft pick, Dansby Swanson. In the three seasons since, Inciarte has proven to be a consistent producer. Swansons had his share of struggles, particularly with injuries, but he remains part of a strong Braves core. As for Miller, he made just 28 starts for Arizona, 18 of which resulted in losses, while posting a seriously high 6.35 ERA. Not good. Arizona could still bring Miller back at a reduced rate he was projected to earn $5 million in 2019 and perhaps in a new bullpen role. They have an opening there after also non-tendering closer Brad Boxberger. Matt Davidson, Avisail Garcia (non-tendered by Chicago White Sox) The White Sox shed some serious power Friday. Matt Davidson himself accounted for 46 home runs over the last two seasons, while Garcia is one year removed from an All-Star campaign that saw him hit .330 with 18 homers. Both players are still only 27, so the best could conceivably still be to come for both. But the rebuilding White Sox seem ready to spend some of their funds on bigger name free agents this winter and next, making saving money here a necessity. You can find the full list of non-tendered players at MLB.com. More from Yahoo Sports: Jason Garrett may have saved his job with Cowboys TMZ video shows Chiefs Kareem Hunt striking woman Cubs sticking with Addison Russell despite domestic violence suspension Reasons why Jeff Brohm changed his mind and is staying at Purdue What happened to Kirk Trostle is just too big to process, he says. The retired police chief lived in Paradise, Calif., for 30 years, until the fires from hell came in early November. Now the life he knew, from his neighborhood to music in the park on Thursday nights, is gone. His wife Patty Garrison, sitting beside him in a back-corner booth at a little Italian restaurant in Chico, is likewise feeling unmoored about two weeks after the Camp Fire obliterated their town, trapping their children in flames and turning thousands of homes, including theirs, into blackened rubble. Every time you think about how sad you are, you know that theres 30,000 people who are feeling just like you right now, Garrison says of the new diaspora. Theres nowhere to go back to. Its exponential. On Nov. 25, officials announced that the historic Camp Fire was 100% contained, after claiming 88 lives and destroying more than 15,000 structures not just houses but also apartment buildings, hair salons and grocery stores where the fire burned so hot it melted shopping carts together. Yet, while some calm has arrived and new crises have usurped the headlines, evacuees in the area still face a long recovery. Thousands are displaced, reaching for hope while they are beset by disorientation and flashbacks. And there remains the looming question of responsibility. Though many things in their lives remain uncertain and daily planning is a struggle, Trostle and Garrison have made a determination on this point: The couple, among others who lost homes or loved ones in the Camp Fire, is suing PG&E, the for-profit utility that delivers electricity to the rural area. Though an official cause for the fire has not been declared, they believe the companys negligence led to the destruction. A lawsuit is a means of holding people accountable, Trostle says. If I can make this never happen again, Garrison adds, her tone at odds with the cheesy muzak in the background, I have to do that. Story continues Search and recovery Many of the 50,000 Californians who were evacuated as recent wildfires crescendoed have since been allowed to return home. As of Thursday, Paradise residents still were not among them, though some had leveraged connections with workers behind the barricades to at least get pictures of what was left. Trostle, with his history in law enforcement, was able to get a snapshot. For us and I think everybody else, its this closure issue. Is my house standing or not? he says. Youve got to know either way. When we found out it was gone, there was a certain relief, just knowing. The couple is embarrassed to say that they were on vacation in Hawaii when the fires hit. But being an ocean away presented its own trials. They lived through the Camp Fire in scattered texts and calls from their children, who fled the town with their own kids. At one point, their daughter told them she was getting off the phone to huddle with her husband, because she thought she was going to die. There are periods of time when you didnt hear from them, Trostle says, and you wondered if they perished. Paradise residents anxious to see what might have survived the fire have to be kept away as search and recovery teams painstakingly scour each yard and abandoned car. Wearing white suits and masks, they sift through the remains of homes with shovels and K-9 units, looking for remaining hazards like burned out trees that are ready to fall and chimneys on the brink of collapse as well as human remains. As of Wednesday evening, the list of persons still considered missing sat at 196, down from more than a thousand whose names had been listed in the chaos of evacuation. Its a very long process, says Misti Harris, a public information officer for Butte County. We understand how anxious people are to get back. Officials are hoping to open some areas of Paradise early next week. What happens when residents can finally return to their lots? That part is unclear. Its unlikely that many mementos survived for those who had homes in the direct line of the historic wildfire: At one point during the inspection of a lot, one member of a search and recovery team picked up a clump from the ground and showed it to his fellow searchers. Fire safe, he said, as he crumbled the clump to dust. Even the special safes meant to keep precious items protected in extreme heat have their limits when it comes to how much they can stand and for how long. Many residents are preparing themselves for the news that it could take years to rebuild, as they forge their way through daily confusion. Garrison, a retired elementary school principal, says that one unanswerable question tends to give way to another as she tries to get a handle on the future for an extended family of 25: Can we rebuild? Where do we live in the meantime? What does the family do for income? Where do the kids go to school? The important part is that they all made it out safe, the couple says. But decisions about how to move on change multiple times a day. When you think you have a plan, Garrison says, you dont. Finding a cause Like search and recovery, tracing the scorched earth back to the spark that started the fire is a methodical and difficult process. Officials in California are still investigating how the Camp Fire began. A spokesperson for the state agency known as CAL Fire, which is working on that investigation, says that a concrete determination will likely take months, if not a year. But speculation has centered broadly on PG&E, whose equipment has been blamed by officials for sparking other destructive wildfires in California in recent years. Fires arent a new phenomenon, but they have become a more pressing issue for states as humans have moved further into rustic woodland areas, and the lines delivering energy to them can pose serious risks if things go wrong. Michael Feinberg, a lawyer who specializes in power-line fire litigation and is representing dozens of clients affected by the Camp Fire including Trostle and Garrison points to the fact that a transmission line owned by PG&E experienced problems around the time and place where the fire began. The utility also considered shutting off electricity to the area, given that conditions were ripe for a fire, and then chose not to do so. In a statement to TIME, a spokesperson for PG&E notes that information about an outage occurring on a transmission line the morning of Nov. 8 is preliminary and says that turning off power is a last resort. Weather forecasts led the company to warn some 70,000 residents two days before the fire that PG&E might shut off power, but then conditions improved and no longer met the criteria for a public safety power shutoff, she says. While the company is aware of lawsuits alleging that PG&E is responsible for the Camp Fire, Its important to remember that the cause has yet to be determined, another spokesperson said, while also expressing sympathy for the communities impacted. The losses claimed by Feinbergs clients are varied, he says, including the loss of homes, personal possessions, their community and lifestyle, pets and livestock, businesses and in some cases, the loss of their family members. He calls the area around Paradise an ad hoc cemetery. Trostle and Garrison say that filing the lawsuit immediately is about putting pressure on the company to make sure the safest possible policies are in place. Its not about the line crews, Trostle emphasizes; the workers who shimmy up poles in the midst of storms to make sure residents have power were out in droves after the fire, checking on power lines and dealing with fallen trees. At a press conference on Wednesday, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said that some of those workers had experienced vandalism as well as at least one threat in recent days. They do not deserve this kind of treatment, he said, telling people to direct their anger elsewhere. My focus is with the executive management, Trostle says, his voice quiet but determined. I mean, did you have policies in place to prevent what happened? If you didnt, you need to. And if they were in place and you werent following your policies, he goes on, you need to get on it. Camp Fire Nomads As so often happens in the wake of tragedy, a solidarity has also emerged around Paradise. Musicians showed up to play for displaced people living in a tent city outside a Walmart in Chico. Donations have flooded in, to the point that volunteers working on relief efforts have struggled to process them. And signs with slogans like Paradise Strong and Thanks First Responders! adorn chain-link fences. A group that grew out of the Seventh-Day Adventist church is in the midst of establishing an RV village on the sprawling property of an affluent local member. They started by asking a few people to loan them RVs to house displaced families, says pastor Steve Hamilton, and at least 50 have since been offered. Some of those RVs, he says, are showing up with the titles. Hamilton also has a harrowing survival story, having escaped Paradise in a rock crawler about three weeks after he moved his family there, but says theres nothing special about it. Its typical. Fires and people jumping out of cars, he says others dealt with the same or worse. Garrison is in the midst of setting up a website for locals that shes calling Camp Fire Nomads. She plans for it to be a resource repository that covers everything from insurance protocol to plans for schooling displaced children who remain in the area. Just the prospect of finding the right phone number for an agency can push a person to an emotional brink, she suggests, when theyre living in a makeshift shelter and trying to navigate officialdom on a tiny smartphone screen. Its hard to fathom having your entire lifes existence, aside from the people in the room with you, gone, she says. And while some are facing the grim reality of funerals, others are finding the will to joke again, three weeks after the fire hit. The last minute stories of the illogical things people grabbed as they were fleeing their homes chocolate milk, for example are shared with a laugh as people wait in long lines at the post office and DMV. Sitting behind a cheerful red-and-white checkered tablecloth, Trostle grows tearful as he describes losing a piece of shrapnel that his father had embedded in his leg during World War II, along with cassette tapes of the oral history that he begged his father to make for years. Yet, he says as he recovers with a smile, now he can turn his father into a folk hero. The story is his to pass on. This is what your grandfather did. He charged a whole platoon of tanks, took each one out single-handedly, he wryly imagines saying to his children. As the waitress comes by to explain that her shift is ending, Garrison admires the young womans tattoo. She has one herself, a ravens feather wrapped around her wrist. She once thought the animal was a deadly omen, she says, but came to see the bird as something empowering, a messenger between the physical and spiritual worlds. As residents from Paradise try to move on from the fire, many are trying to work the same magic, finding the good in what seems dire on the surface. An empathy that crosses all kinds of divisions, political or religious, is one answer. Theres such a common bond, Trostle says of the people who once lived in Paradise. Were not alone. Buenos Aires (AFP) - US President Donald Trump, ahead of a tariffs showdown with China, diverged with G20 partners at summit talks Saturday in refusing to back global action on climate change and by watering down past pledges to fight trade protectionism. A final communique adopted after all-night haggling in the summit in Argentina said all other G20 members agreed to implement the "irreversible" Paris Agreement on climate change, while respecting different paces of economic development. But it said the "United States reiterates its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement," mirroring the divergence seen last year when Trump shocked the global community by bucking the consensus at his first G20. Related Video: US Is Not On Board With The Paris Accord (2017) The statement also omitted pledges by the G20 to fight protectionism and uphold multilateral trading rules, which used to be a mainstay of the world's leading economies pre-Trump. Instead, it merely recognized the "contribution" of the "multilateral trading system," and added that it was "falling short" in goals of growth and job creation. Trump's determination to plow on with his "America First" agenda stands in contrast to the alliance-building presidency of George Bush, whose death Friday triggered a rare show of unity from G20 leaders. Trump said his predecessor's passing would prevent him holding a post-summit news conference scheduled for later Saturday, "out of respect" for the Bush family. It was Trump's second cancellation of the summit after he snubbed Russian President Vladimir Putin in Buenos Aires, citing Russia's recent naval skirmish with Ukraine, and he has also downgraded meetings with other G20 leaders to make them less formal. The cancellation means Trump will no longer face press questions over new developments this week stemming from a US investigation into whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia, which has now spread to cover his past business dealings. Story continues Other hotspots such as Ukraine also flared up at the two-day summit, although Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received an effusive welcome from Putin, showing the de facto ruler still has friends despite the killing of a dissident Saudi journalist. Financial markets, while hoping for a ceasefire to Trump's trade war with China, were also watching Putin and the prince for any sign that the world's two top exporters of crude might cut output to shore up collapsing oil prices. - Tale of two presidents - Putin meanwhile has been forced to defend Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian vessels off Crimea in meetings with counterparts such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. "The chancellor reiterated her concern about the escalation of the Kerch Strait and her commitment to the freedom of shipping into the Sea of Azov," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said after she met Putin on Saturday. In Buenos Aires, Merkel also paid tribute to Bush as a "true friend" of the German people who helped bring about Germany's reunification after the Berlin Wall came down. Macron, pausing from his attempts to build a G20 front on climate change and from the challenge of violent protests back home, said Bush "was a world leader, who strongly supported the alliance with Europe." British Prime Minister Theresa May echoed Merkel in lauding the late Bush as "a great statesman and a true friend of our country." Trump himself said Bush had "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service." But the current president's isolationist rampage is the polar opposite of the West's post-war consensus on trade and diplomacy built by Bush and his predecessors in the White House. The G20 leaders -- whose nations represent four-fifths of the global economy -- heard warnings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of worldwide upheaval if Trump continues on his tariff-strewn path. IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned the leaders that "the global economy faces a critical juncture" and that erecting trade barriers was "self-defeating." The threat of Britain crashing out of the European Union without a negotiated deal is another potential headwind, the IMF said, as May uses the G20 to sell her vision of a "global Britain" after Brexit. - Dinner diplomacy - The release of the G20 communique meant that the meeting at least avoided the fate of two other recent summits -- those of the Group of Seven democracies and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum -- that ended without any collective statement owing to US objections. But for financial markets, the weekend's main course comes after the summit when Trump is due to sit down to dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires. Trump, who has already slapped $250 billion in tariffs on China and threatened more to come next month, sounded upbeat about making progress with Xi. "We're working very hard. If we could make a deal, that would be good," he said on Friday. Trump has thrown out the traditional US playbook on free trade since his shock 2016 election, vowing to protect forgotten workers and demanding a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico. The three countries signed a new trade deal on Friday, on the G20 margins. The leader of communist China has in turn cast himself as a defender of stable global capitalism. But in a rhetorical olive branch to Trump, Xi pledged at the G20 to do more to open up China's economy. WARSAW, Poland (AP) U.N. climate conference host Poland is planning to open a new coal mine next year as demand for energy grows. Deputy Energy Minister Grzegorz Tobiszowski told a news conference this week that a decision will probably be made next year to build a new coal mine. He gave no details. A crucial two-week U.N. climate summit opens Sunday in Poland's mining city of Katowice that should agree on a rule book for curbing global warming, which is partly due to the use of coal. Tobiszowski previously told The Associated Press that Poland's growing economy and foreign investment are calling for more energy than renewable sources and gas are capable of supplying. Poland has coal in abundance and it now supplies 80 percent of the country's energy needs, but it is one of the most polluting energy sources. The Jastrzebie Coal Company, in the south, announced earlier this year that it is planning to add a new shaft in its extraction area at Bzie-Debina and is also in talks with the Australian coal developer Prairie Mining Limited over its permit to use seams in Debiensko. The European Union's executive body, however, proposed this week that the 28-nation bloc should cut its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. That means that any greenhouse gases emitted need to be soaked up by forest growth or by new technologies that can remove carbon from the atmosphere. According to plan by Poland's Energy Ministry, the use of coal in Poland's energy mix should drop to under 30 percent in 2040, when Poland's first nuclear power plant should become a major energy provider. Without nuclear energy, Poland's expanding economy risks being 25 percent short of power in 2040, Energy Minister Krzysztof Tchorzewski has said. Donald Trump with his then personal lawyer Michael Cohen in September 2016. Prosecutors believe Cohen know where skeletons are rattling away about the president, his family and close associates: Reuters The endgame is approaching in Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the US presidential election and the latest news to emerge shows that the person with the legal codename Individual 1 is very much at the centre of scrutiny. This is bad news indeed for Donald Trump, Individual 1. He, of course, has been attempting to dismiss the inquiry, mainly through tweets and with increasing shrillness, as fake, a fraud and a witch hunt that will end up finding nothing incriminating. But as the indictments by the special counsel mounted up against 32 people at the last count the presidents more realistic supporters had been presenting the scenario that although people around him may get burned, he himself will survive. The view was echoed by John Bolton, now Mr Trumps national security advisor, when I discussed the matter with him at a conference in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, a while ago. One of his predecessors in the post, Michael Flynn, may have pleaded guilty, Mr Trumps campaign manager, Paul Manafort may have been charged, but the president himself, felt Mr Bolton, will remain untouched. It is someone far closer to Mr Trump than former Lieutenant General Flynn and Mr Manafort who now poses the most peril for the president Michael Cohen, his personal lawyer, confidant and fixer for years, the man who kept the secrets and, prosecutors believe, know where skeletons are rattling away about the president, his family and close associates. Mr Mueller, after sticking to protocol and not making major legal moves in the lead up to the midterm elections (even though Mr Trump kept up a steady barrage of insults towards him during that time) came up with one of the most significant successes of his investigation, with Mr Cohen becoming the first person in the case to plead guilty of lying to congressional investigators. The primary focus of investigations into Mr Cohen until now has been from the New York district attorneys office involving allegations of tax and campaign finance misconduct, which in itself was problematic for Mr Trump. But with his latest admission of guilt, the presidents former personal lawyer moves directly into the orbit of Mr Muellers investigation. Story continues There has long been a belief among those who have been observing the investigations into the president by the special counsel and the House and Senate intelligence committees that the problem for Mr Trump is the examination of his business dealings. That they will get him on the money at the end, like they got Al Capone, was one of the adages doing the rounds. Mr Cohen is now giving information to the Mueller inquiry into the Trump Organisations business interests in Russia during the run-up to the US presidential election, in particular plans to build a Trump Tower Hotel in Moscow. The lawyer had previously claimed that the Moscow project ended in January 2016, before Mr Trumps campaign could be said to have got under way. In a New York courtroom on Thursday, he now admits: I made these statements to be consistent with Individual 1s political messaging and out of loyalty to Individual 1. Asked about the Russian business interest revelations as he was flying off to the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, the president accused Mr Cohen of being a weak person who is not very intelligent. In July 2016 Mr Trump had tweeted For the record, I have ZERO investments in Russia, a day later he wanted to clarify that I have nothing to do with Russia. In January 2017 he insisted, I have no deals that can happen in Russia, because we have stayed away. But following the latest Cohen revelations this has now become: There would have been nothing wrong if I did do it. When I am running for president, that doesnt mean Im not allowed to do business. Adam Schiff, who will chair the House Intelligence Committee after the Democrats gained control of the House of Representatives, wanted to stress: If Mr Cohen misled the congress about the presidents business dealings in Russia deep into the campaign, it also means that the president misled the country about his business dealings and that the Russians were apparently attempting to gain financial leverage over the potential president of the United States. The information provided by Mr Cohen, who is said to have spent more than 70 hours with the special counsels team, is just one source of problems for Mr Trump. A document from Mr Muellers office showed a close interest in the presidents dealings with Roger Stone, a long-term friend and advisor at a time when Mr Stone is said to have been seeking to liaise with WikiLeaks over the release of hacked Democratic Party emails. Jerome Corsi, another Trump ally, had allegedly told Mr Stone Person 1 in the legal code of the document about the WikiLeaks plans to make the emails public in October 2016 because he knew that Mr Stone was in regular contact with Mr Trump. Mr Stone allegedly asked Mr Corsi to reach out to Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder who had been living at the Ecuadorean embassy in London to avoid being extradited to Sweden on sex assault charges, days after it had released hacked Democratic National Committee emails. The aim was to coordinate tactics. Mr Stone and Mr Trump, it has been claimed, spoke together the day after Mr Corsi sent his message. Mr Trump, in written answers to questions sent by Mr Mueller (after the presidents lawyers persuaded him not to be interviewed personally by the special counsels team because of the risk that he may perjure himself) has denied speaking to Mr Stone about the hacked emails. Mr Trump had also denied in his written response to Mr Mueller that he knew about a meeting between his son, Donald Jr, his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort with a group of Russians, including a lawyer who claimed to have incriminating materials about Hillary Clinton. The special councils team is believed to be examining claims that Mr Trump knew about the meeting and subsequently helped in the drafting of his sons response about the meeting to the investigations. Mr Schiff has said he wants to get details about the telephone call Donald Jr made during the talks with the Russians. Meanwhile it has emerged that the legal teams of Mr Trump and Mr Corsi may have agreed to a mutual defence agreement in relation to the special counsels investigation. Mr Corsi has acknowledged that his lawyer, David Gray, has been in contact with Mr Trumps lawyer, Jay Sekulow. I wanted Jay Sekulow, the presidents attorney, to know what was happening with the Mueller investigation. I did this because I support Donald Trump ... I wanted him to survive the Mueller investigation unscathed, which I believe he will, and I want him to be re-elected in 2020, Mr Corsi said. It remains to be seen whether Individual 1 will survive the Mueller investigation. Some bookmakers have begun to cut the odds on him winning. Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports which moved to 21/10 from 9/2 on the president not to complete his first term, said: Trump seems to be bulletproof so far but you do get the impression the Mueller investigation is getting too close for comfort. To say punters are confident Trump will survive to see the 2020 election would be an exaggeration at this stage and the latest betting patterns have forced us to cut the odds on him leaving office over the next year. BOGOTA (Reuters) - The former commander of Colombia's demobilized FARC rebels, Rodrigo Londono, has canceled a trip to Mexico to attend the inauguration of new leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador because of health concerns. The trip by Londono, who now heads the FARC's political party and is better known by his nom de guerre Timochenko, would have marked the first time he attended an inauguration. The 2016 peace deal between the government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) put an end to the group's role in more than five decades of war in the Andean country that killed 260,000 people and displaced millions. Londono's trip was approved by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) tribunal, which is tasked with trying FARC and military leadership for human rights violations and war crimes. But Londono, 59, who has suffered repeated heart problems, decided at the last minute not to travel. "I've just been through some very complicated procedures, first a cardiovascular accident and then an open heart surgery. I have to take care of myself and don't have the resources to take a doctor to accompany me," Londono told journalists at a UN event. Londono had been given permission by the tribunal to remain outside of Colombia between Friday and Dec. 4. The tribunal earlier said that Londono had traveled to Mexico City on Friday, but in fact, Londono never left on the trip. He and another former guerrilla were invited to the Saturday ceremony by Mexico's Labor Party, which is part of Lopez Obrador's coalition. The FARC debuted as a political party in March legislative elections, receiving just 50,000 votes. It has 10 legislative seats guaranteed through 2026 under the peace deal. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Leslie Adler) Buenos Aires (AFP) - The leaders of the United States, Japan and India met jointly Friday for the first time and called for open navigation in Asia, a show of unity with China clearly in mind. The three right-leaning leaders -- US President Donald Trump, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe -- met on the sidelines of the summit of the G20 economic powers in Buenos Aires. With the meeting lasting around 15 minutes, the three-way summit was more about symbolism than planning strategy, but it comes as all three share concerns on China's rising clout. Japan and India both have longstanding territorial feuds with their neighbor, while Trump has been pressing China hard on trade and reiterating concerns over Beijing's assertive posture in the dispute-ridden South China Sea. "Japan, the US and India share fundamental values and strategic interests," Abe said. "By having three of us working together, we'll bring more prosperity and more stability in the region, as well as globally," he said. Modi noted that Japan, America and India made out the acronym "Jai" -- Hindi for "long live." White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement that the summit "reaffirmed the importance of the free and open Indo-Pacific vision for global stability and prosperity, and pledged to deepen trilateral cooperation." The Trump administration has increasingly spoken of a "free and open Indo-Pacific," a catchphrase long favored by Abe as he insists that all of Asia remain open to navigation and trade. But Modi and Abe also both met separately with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump is set to meet Xi on Saturday for talks focused on trade disputes. India, despite decades of territorial disputes with China, has historically shied away from joining alliances with major powers. And tensions have also been easing between Japan and China, with Abe in October paying the first official visit in seven years by a Japanese premier to Beijing. CNNs Don Lemon has examined why President Donald Trump seemed unwilling to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin or Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to their faces at the G20 summit in Argentina on Friday. The CNN Tonight host on Friday aired footage of Putin and MBS embracing each other at the event. And why not? asked Lemon. The President of the United States, the leader of the free world, the only man who could stand in their way is weak, weak, weak. Lemon said Trump was afraid to cross two brutal and repressive leaders who oppose everything this country stands for. Trump had the perfect opportunity to call them both to account at the G20 face to face, Lemon noted, but he seems to be doing everything he can to avoid that. The president seems to care more about covering his tracks with the Mueller investigation closing in than standing up for American values, he added. Whatever happened to America first? Check out the clip here: "This President seems to care more about covering his tracks with the Mueller investigation closing in than standing up for American values." @DonLemon reports on President Trump's refusal to confront Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin. pic.twitter.com/DNccc0Grvy CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) December 1, 2018 Related Coverage Donald Trump Gets Fact-Checked By Reporter Right To His Face, Walks Away Painting Of Donald Trump Chilling With Other GOP Presidents Gets Scathing Reworking Trevor Noah Flips Out At Donald Trump's Inadvertent 2016 Election Admission Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Heres how to spot the signs of child abuse. (Image: Getty Images) We live in a relatively open society. Opinions are frequently shared on public platforms; politics has become one of the most hotly discussed topics; and major events ticker-tape through our devices as quickly as they happen. Unfortunately, there are important topics that are still taboo, such as womens reproductive health, domestic abuse, and most importantly, child abuse. Psychology Today defines child abuse as physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse. It can also result from neglect. Abuse can result in serious injury to the child and possibly even death. Abuse is widespread and is found across all ethnic, cultural and economic groups around the world. American kids are certainly not immune. According to a study from Washington University in St. Louis, one in three kids will be investigated as victims of child abuse or neglect by the time they turn 18. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, beating, broken bones, burns and cuts. Verbal abuse includes threats, emotional and psychological trauma, while sexual abuse often involves children being taken advantage of without their consent, forced to perform sexual acts against their will. Neglect, however, is often just as harmful. A child may go days without eating or being able to bathe. They may not be given adequate clothing or safe shelter. Their medical needs may go untreated or they may be left alone for days at a time with only themselves to rely on. Even harder than knowing this is happening to children around the world is seeing the signs that a child is being abused. For many, it can be difficult not only to see the warning signs but also gain the trust of an abused child enough for them to open up about whats going on at home. Worse still is knowing the right thing to do with the information. What should you be looking for? How do you know when its time to tell? Who do you tell? What do you report? What happens next? Lets answer all of these questions below. Story continues Signs of child abuse or neglect Not only does the abuse impact the life of a child, it can also severely impact the life of the abuser. Since some parents or guardians refuse to believe that what theyre doing is wrong, the children might be led to believe that whats going on is OK. They might also be willing to hide the abuse because they both love and wish to protect their abusers. This makes it difficult to see the warning signs if theyre not completely obvious, such as marks on the face or visible skin, unwashed clothing, or constant complaints about hunger or pain. However, there are subtle signs that anyone can notice in an abused child. Jordana Boton, a licensed social worker for the Department of Child Services in Lake County, Ind., states that a withdrawal from their usual friends or activities, a sudden or gradual decline in behavior and schoolwork, a change in their emotional state, such as outbursts over small things or wincing in pain when doing something simple, can all indicate abuse or neglect. Stanford Medicine also states that a change in appetite that could lead to rapid weight loss or gain, regressive behavior for their age, flinching when someone raises their voice or makes a sudden movement, a fear of adults, sudden sexualized behavior and becoming suddenly aggressive could also be signs of abuse. What to do when you discover abuse While some of these factors could be seen as the normal changes in a child as they grow up, they should not be taken lightly, and inquiries must be made about the childs life. If children are young, they may be open to telling a trusted adult, such as a teacher or caretaker, that something is amiss when prompted. If not, you must inquire with the parents about whether or not something is going on. Its important to note that some children believe that what they are experiencing is simply how they were raised and see nothing expressly wrong with the situation. If a child chooses to tell you what is happening, whether out of openness or fear, its important to assure the child that open communication is OK and offer a safe space to talk to you. Keep your tone light and make sure that the child sees it as a regular conversation. Overreacting can cause the child to pull back. If you see signs of abuse or neglect while inside a store or any other location but do not know the child, see if its possible to get the license plate number of the car they leave in or find security personnel who can help you discreetly report the suspected abuse or neglect. Whether you know the child or not, immediately take whatever information you can relay to your local Department of Child Services and file a report. It can be as simple as a license plate number and as detailed as a childs date of birth, address and home phone number. Whatever you have is helpful in tracking down the abusers. DCS also ensures that you will remain anonymous. If youre not sure which number is best to call, use the ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline. According to the website, the hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who through interpreters provide assistance in over 170 languages. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information and referrals to thousands of emergency resources. All calls are confidential. If you see a child being abused or neglected or a child trusts you with his or her issues, its important to report the incident as soon as possible. No child should have to face abuse or neglect. ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Paris (AFP) - A Chinese scientist's stunning claim he has pioneered the world's first genetically modified baby has suddenly made the eternal debate over ethics and emerging scientific capabilities pressing and real. Should everything that becomes technically possible be carried out? For most ethicists the answer is no -- but the tricky part is whether it can be prevented. "It's obvious that everything that is technically feasible is not ethically desirable," said Cynthia Fleury, a member of the French Ethics Committee. "But to resist that, in a context of deregulated scientific competition, is structurally destined for failure." It's a question as old as science: Are ethics condemned to constantly nip at the heels of advances that burst forth and take a head start? Certainly the case in China has brought the debate to the fore. That country's National Health Commission has ordered a probe into the baby gene-editing announced by scientist He Jiankui, in which he claimed to have tinkered with the DNA of twin girls born a few weeks ago to prevent them contracting HIV. China's government said it was opposed to the experiment, while the scientific world erupted in uproar. The alleged breakthrough has not been verified. And, after a backlash, He said his trial has been suspended and he has disappeared from public view. "Good science is not just about generating knowledge in a vacuum. Context and consequences are vitally important, and the consequences of this irresponsible action may be dire indeed," said Dr Sarah Chan, of the University of Edinburgh. For all the condemnation, however, it is important to note that many objections were not over the principle of human genetic modification as such, but rather over the way the experiment was carried out. For instance: it was conducted outside of typical institutional structures, by a lone scientist acting in a way seen by many as premature given the technology used. Story continues He said he employed CRISPR, a technique which allows scientists to remove and replace a strand with pinpoint precision. But the consequences of the technique are not yet fully known -- particularly whether genetic slicing and splicing like that carried over from one generation to the next, with unpredictable effects. The fear is that reckless application of CRISPR might create "monsters". Another ethical violation raised is that the aim of He's experiment was to protect the babies against AIDS and not to try to cure them of a life-threatening disease. - "Trying to rush the technology" - The concern of the scientific community is that by stepping across established ethical red lines, ensuing public suspicion could crush a field of very promising research. While CRISPR might spark unease of a future for humanity straight out of an Aldous Huxley novel, it also bears enormous hopes of being able to treat genetic infirmities. "Trying to rush the technology forwards, skipping vital scientific and ethical steps, could end up setting us all back," warned Dr Kathy Niakan, a biologist at the Francis Crick Institute in London. Yet that view in itself shows just how far ethics have evolved to the pace of scientific change. For many decades, the idea of modifying human genomes was simply unthinkable. Now, several international scientific organisations conceive of it being possible, within a rigorous framework. "You can't just say that something is taboo and that's that, you can't ever think about it again," Anne Cambon-Thomsen, a specialist in immunogenetics and health ethics, and emeritus head of research at France's CNRS national scientific research centre, told AFP. "An essential point of our humanity is to be able to react by thinking about what is made possible by our technical abilities," said Cambon-Thomsen, who is part of a European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies that advises the EU. Such a shift in acceptance has already been seen, for example, in the field of organ transplants. Yet human cloning, at present, still remains an intolerable premise. According to Cambon-Thomsen, that's because "we have difficulty in showing some sort of (medical) advantage in cloning". Following the storm sparked by He Jiankui's announcement, scientists are calling for an international treaty on gene-editing. But agreeing global regulation "isn't easy because cultures are different -- we don't think of human beings in the same way in China as in the West," observed Thierry Magnin, rector at the Catholic University of Lyon. Magnin, a theologist and physicist, said: "Ethics must be integrated right from the start when technologies are developed, and not come in the end." San Francisco (AFP) - Facebook on Thursday said that chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg asked staff to look into whether billionaire critic George Soros had a financial interest in tarnishing the social network. The company was responding to a New York Times report citing sources that maintained the second most powerful executive at Facebook was directly involved in the social network's tactical response to the philanthropist's criticism of the social network. "Mr. Soros is a prominent investor and we looked into his investments and trading activity related to Facebook," a spokeswoman said, queried by AFP. "That research was already underway when Sheryl sent an email asking if Mr. Soros had shorted Facebook's stock." Investors who sell shares short stand to profit if the price of the stock drops. The outgoing head of Facebook's communications team last week took responsibility for the controversial hiring of a conservative consulting firm accused of using "black ops" style techniques, acknowledging that critics including investor Soros were targeted. The announcement by Elliot Schrage, who said in June he was stepping down, came after Sandberg has pledged a review of its use of Definers to deflect criticism from the social networking giant. She and Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg maintained they were surprised by an NYT story earlier this month that said the social network was using Definers to link social network critics to liberal financier Soros. The Hungarian-born US billionaire is a favorite target of nationalists and anti-Semitic conspiracy theorists. Schrage taking the hit for the controversy was seen by some as convenient, since he had said he was leaving the social network after working there for more than a decade. - On her watch - Definers was hired in 2017 as part of an effort to diversify its advisors in Washington, in the face of growing pressure by competitors and media companies for Facebook to be regulated by the government, Schrage said in a message to co-workers posted online. Story continues But its role grew to include looking into Facebook competitors and doing research on Soros-funded campaigns. "Responsibility for these decisions rests with leadership of the Communications team," Schrage said. "That's me." Sandberg, who had previously stated that she had no recollection of working with Definers, revealed at the time that a check of what had crossed her desk showed that Definers was mentioned in some material and in a "small number" of emails she received. "As Elliot said last week, we researched potential motivations behind George Soros's criticism of Facebook in January 2018," the spokesperson told AFP. Definers began looking into Soros after the philanthropist labeled Facebook a "menace to society" in a speech at Davos early this year, according to Schrage. "We had not heard such criticism from him before and wanted to determine if he had any financial motivation," Schrage said. When a "Freedom from Facebook" campaign later began portrayed as a grassroots coalition, Definers determined that Soros was funding some coalition members and shared what they learned with the press, according to Schrage. "Sheryl never directed research on Freedom from Facebook," the spokeswoman said. "But, as she said before, she takes full responsibility for any activity that happened on her watch." Schrage joined Zuckerberg and Sandberg in stressing that Definers was not hired to create or spread false stories to help Facebook. Zuckerberg said Facebook stopped using Definers the day the NYT story was published. Zuckerberg has defended Sandberg, saying she "is a really important part of this company and is leading a lot of the efforts for a lot of the biggest issues we have." Facebook has stumbled from one mess to another this year as it grapples with continuing fallout from Russia's use of the platform to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election, the Cambridge Analytica scandal in which user data was harnessed in a bid to help candidate Donald Trump, and a huge security breach involving millions of accounts. WASHINGTON A high-ranking State Department official has offered a stark warning about the potential of computational warfare to destroy the Enlightenment order that has governed Western society for more than two centuries. And he called for an Enlightenment 2.0, one that would bring the ideals of the original Enlightenment reason, civil discourse, humanism to the digital sphere. We dont need to say that this is the death of the Enlightenment. We need to create Enlightenment 2.0, said the official, Matt B. Chessen, who serves as acting deputy science and technology adviser to the secretary of state. He has been at the State Department for more than a decade, with postings in Baghdad and Kabul. Chessen is also a science-fiction novelist with vivid ideas about the future of humanity and technology. (Photo: Getty Images) His remarks came at a briefing held on Capitol Hill earlier this week by the Helsinki Commission, a bipartisan agency concerned with international security. The briefing was titled Lies, Bots, and Social Media: What is Computational Propaganda and How Do We Defeat It? Chessen said that the possibility of a post-truth world actually directly undermines the Enlightenment ideals of a search for truth and reason. The advent of such a world, in which intentionally misleading news stories jostle with truth, would benefit adversaries of the United States, Chessen said. They want to see this post-truth world. Because in that world, a fact is whatever you can convince people of. It was not immediately clear whether Chessens remarks suggested a renewed commitment from Foggy Bottom to countering concerted disinformation campaigns from domestic extremists and foreign U.S. adversaries such as Russia and China. Chessen did not respond to requests to clarify his remarks, but a spokesperson for the State Department said that the Department is broadly concerned about threats to democracy, including threats posed by state-sponsored disinformation and manipulative information operations designed to undermine democratic processes and institutions. Story continues Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a former Republican congressman from Kansas who supported Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, has not evinced much anxiety about disinformation. As director of the Central Intelligence Agency, he has sometimes downplayed the extent to which Russian information warfare played a role in the 2016 election. President Trump listens to Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speak during a meeting on Nov. 30. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Trump has discounted that possibility outright. And he has at times appeared to advocate for a post-truth world of the very kind Chessen warned against. In July, he told a gathering of veterans that what you are seeing and what you are reading is not whats happening. Just stick with us, dont believe the crap you see from these people, the fake news. Although the presidents invocation of fake news refers to news reports about his administration he believes to be inaccurate or unduly critical, the way he has framed his complaints about the news media, and the intensity of those complaints, has worried the keepers of democratic institutions. The president also has endorsed conspiracy theories about the Clintons and liberal financier George Soros. These tend to bubble up from the computational warfare swamp. Trumps personal attorney, the former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, offered what may well become the motto of the post-truth world: Truth isnt truth, he said during an August appearance on Meet the Press. Recent months have made clear that technology giants like Google, Facebook and Twitter have enabled the dissemination of purposefully deceptive news, frequently serving as unwitting participants in the information war waged on the Western establishment. But in a response to a question from Yahoo News, Chessen said it was too soon to hold hearings similar to those that brought the nations top cigarette executives to Capitol Hill in 1994. Their deceptions ultimately led to the unraveling of Big Tobacco. Chessen, who once worked for the technology company Razorfish, said that companies like Facebook and Twitter lack the malicious intent of nicotine purveyors. Chessen did suggest that the federal government may need to create a new institution that would treat social media companies like a public utility with a civic function. He also expressed some admiration for Europes new General Data Protection Regulation, which gives Internet users more control over their data. California has a similar law, but Silicon Valley has resisted a push for greater regulation. Calling for a national conversation on technology issues, Chessen said that maybe Congress needs to convene a commission on data privacy, information security and disinformation. In addition to serving as a career diplomat, Chessen is the author of science fiction novel, Broad Horizons, described on Amazon as a satirical, futuristic, cyberpunk novel, one that combines self-replicating nanites with temporal acceleration to create a nanotechnology intelligence, with devastating effect. On his website, Chessen also writes about the future of technology. In one article, he predicts that artificial intelligence will facilitate the creation of artificial realities custom virtual universes that are so indistinguishable from reality, most human beings will choose to spend their lives in these virtual worlds rather than in the real world. People wont breed. Humanity will die off. Chessens fellow panelists agreed that the notion of an unregulated Internet was coming to an end. There was this idea that this technology itself was pro-democratic, said Karen Kornbluh, who served as an economic development official in the Obama administration. Nina Jankowicz, an expert on Russian information warfare at the Wilson Center, seconded that sentiment. Social media self-regulation, she said, has been a failure. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: The stakes for President Donald Trumps Saturday meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping seem like they couldnt be higher as the worlds two biggest economies argue over escalating tariffs, how to handle North Korea and saber rattling in the South China Sea. But as in the meetups between U.S. presidents and Soviet leaders during the Cold War, analysts say the most likely results of the dinner meeting will be a vague promise to work together followed by further tension. The result may be something of an economic Cold War between the U.S. and China. Simply put, the trade issues at hand simply too thorny for Trump and Xi to reach a Grand Bargain when they sit down for dinner on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. Trump has demanded that China end some trade policies like its requirement that foreign companies provide technology knowhow to Chinese firms as a condition for doing business and its state-support for certain industries. While those policies have been widely condemned by the international community, they cut to the core of the vision of Chinese leadership for the countrys future development, and China is unlikely to give in to those demands or even to meet the U.S. halfway. The U.S. has made a lot of pretty strong demands from China, says David Dollar, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. China is certainly not going to meet all of those. Even Trump himself seemed to be wary earlier this week, telling the Wall Street Journal in an interview that it was highly unlikely he would halt a spike in tariff rates scheduled for the new year. The only deal would be, China has to open up their country to competition from the United States, Trump said. Some in the White House still insist that an agreement remains on the table even while acknowledging that significant barriers to such a deal lurk just below the surface. Larry Kudlow, Trumps chief economic adviser, told reporters on Tuesday that theres a good possibility that a deal can be made, but then proceeded to recite a long list of caveats. Story continues Certain conditions have to be met, he said. Issues of intellectual property theft must be solved. Forced technology transfers must be solve. Significant tariffs and non-tariff barriers must be solved. Issues of ownership have to be solved. But Trump and Xi may take another route and agree to an interim deal that will calm hostilities to allow lower-level negotiators to work out thorny policy issues. Trump would likely brand such an agreement as a big breakthrough, much like he did after striking a similar pact with the European Union over the summer. In that deal, Trump promised to hold off on auto tariffs while the EU promised to look into buying more U.S. goods. Reaching such a deal with China would likely take months, if it can be achieved at all given the scale of the disagreement. China has launched a broad program known as Made in China 2025 that is designed to make the country a manufacturing superpower that is 70% self-sufficient in certain high-tech manufacturing industries. To do that, it has engaged in a wide variety of practices labeled as unfair both by the U.S. and its allies. The program is central to the countrys long-term planning, and tariffs are unlikely to force its hand in any substantial way. The Administration has delivered vastly different messages about how much it may compromise depending on the messenger, but at the very top officials seem unyielding. In recent months, Trump has dispatched Vice President Mike Pence to deliver a hardline message that has signaled a potentially intractable dispute. Our message to Chinas rulers is this: This President will not back down, he said at a closely watched speech on China in October. Practically speaking, its unclear whether an interim agreement would actually allow the countries to address their fundamental issues with each other. Still, a pause in trade hostilities would be a welcome development. This week Trump suggested he was considering tariffs on electric vehicles and reiterated a threat to enact new tariffs on an additional $267 billion of Chinese goods, potentially including iPhones. With those threats in mind, even a promise of no further escalation from both parties could be considered a victory and would likely help calm jittery markets that were rattled by the tit-for-tat trade escalation earlier this year. But a pause isnt necessarily a breakthrough, and one or both sides will likely need to make serious concessions to avoid a long and drawn out battle between the two powers. Such a battle could hit both the U.S. and China hard with disruptions to supply chains and higher costs for consumers. The China hawks in the Trump Administration believe that the U.S. can sustain the damage given the strength of the U.S. economy while pointing to Chinas slowing economic growth. But the difference in the two countrys political systems makes it difficult to predict who would win an economic Cold War. Electoral pressure may push U.S. political leadership to compromise while Chinese officials can count on long-time tenure, and in Xis case lifetime tenure. As with the other Cold War, the result may be a fight that outlasts any single presidents time in office. UIUC, known as a cornfield university among Chinese students, sees a decline in enrollment from the group this year. (UIUC) When Jiayan Xu, a 22-year-old student from China applied for graduate schools in the U.S. last year, she was looking for a school with a good reputation and a sizable number of Chinese students where itll be easier to adapt and fit in. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) didnt disappoint her. Majoring in financial engineering, a joint program by the universitys business school and engineer school, she only has five out of 62 classmates that are non-Chinese. Surrounded by Chinese restaurants and bubble tea stores, Xu doesnt even need to speak English outside the classroom. Students from China like Xu now account for about one-tenth of nearly 50,000 students at UIUC. They have brought the school steady revenue at a time when states are cutting back on education funding. International students are less likely to get financial aid and often pay full tuition. In Xus case, her parents in China pay $50,000 a year. Such a large group of students from a single country concerned Jeff Brown, when he became the dean of the Gies College of Business at UIUC in August 2015. One of the risks that I pointed out was that we had a large concentration of our revenue was coming from tuition payments from students from China, Brown told Yahoo Finance. We loved having Chinese students as part of our college, but there was a part of the risk there that was out of our control. Unpredictable events like policy changes in student visas or a health scare may affect Chinese students enrollment and would cause an enormous financial disruption to the school. While UIUC keeps courting Chinese students and diversifies its international student base, Brown knew the only way to deal with risks that he has no control over is to buy insurance. The risk manager scholar also knew his school could negotiate a better price if the insurance deal was larger, so he approached colleagues at the engineering school, where there is a big concentration in Chinese students majoring in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Story continues So, the two UIUC schools teamed up and worked with Lloyds of London, known as a specialist insurer, to become the first university to insure itself against a big drop in tuition revenue from Chinese students. The schools paid $424,000 for a three-year contract that began in July 2017. The insurance, with a coverage of up to $60 million, will be triggered in the event of a 20% drop in revenue from Chinese students at the two colleges in a single academic year as a result of a specific set of identifiable events, like a pandemic or a visa restriction. Trump has become the main risk factor China has become the major source of international students. (Photo: IIE) When Brown first came up with the idea of insuring the school, Donald Trump was still one of 18 Republican candidates running for office. But one year into the insurance contract, many of Browns concerns seem more likely to become a reality now that Trump was elected president. This year, the university has seen the first decline in Chinese students enrollment in at least seven years. Trump has been taking a hard line on both immigration and China. During the 2017-18 academic year, the number of new international students enrolling at American institutions fell by 6.6%, according to the Institute of International Education, and experts believe its partly due to the Trump administrations immigration policy. Chinese students seem to be especially at peril during Trumps trade war with Beijing. In June, the U.S. State Department shortened the length of visas for Chinese graduate students studying aviation, robotics and advanced manufacturing to one year from five. Earlier this year, White House adviser Stephen Miller even suggested a ban on student visas for all Chinese nationals. The proposal got rejected, but the Trump administration is now reportedly considering new background checks and other restrictions on Chinese students over espionage concerns. Those are examples of the kinds of things we were worried about, and so it makes us very happy that we have this insurance in place, although wed be even happier if some of those conversations werent taking place, said Brown. He emphasized that buying the insurance doesnt undermine the schools commitment to luring Chinese students. We continue to invest there, but because this risk was hanging over there, over our head, it made us more cautious, Brown said. By insuring against the risk, we actually feel more comfortable investing even more heavily in recruiting students from China because weve been able to offload some of that risk. If the worst case happens, Brown said the insurance buys the school time to adjust programs and react more thoughtfully. For now, he is glad the school has entered the deal. I definitely sleep better at night, knowing that we have it in place, but I hope we never use it. Krystal Hu covers technology and economy for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter. Read more: Why an Amazon job costs New York more than Virginia Amazon bought Whole Foods a year ago. Heres what has changed We entered the multi-million dollar business behind your Amazon returns Brussels (AFP) - Eight months after revealing the links between Facebook and Cambridge Analytica (CA), whistleblower Christopher Wylie is pushing for the internet giant to be regulated -- whether it wants to or not. He is scathing about Facebook's "man-child" chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and the arrogance of the company he runs. "Facebook knew about what happened with Cambridge Analytica, well before the Trump election, well before Brexit, it did nothing about it," Wylie told AFP. "They knew about Russian disinformation campaigns on their platform, but to preserve the integrity of their reputation, they place their company above their country." Last March, Wylie revealed that data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica took millions of Facebook users' data to build psychological profiles of users. He knew because he had worked as the company's research director. Targeted political campaign messages were used both in the US presidential election and in the run-up to Britain's 2016 Brexit vote, he said. Zuckerberg, in a statement issued in March, acknowledged the data breach but said it had happened without Facebook's knowledge or consent. They had acted to ensure it never happened again, he added. It is a bewilderingly complex story. But the important thing, said Wylie, was to stay focused on the key facts. "Youve got a company like CA whose staff were working in Russia, whose contractors are indicted by Mueller and whose clients were meeting with (the) Russian embassy -- so Russias everywhere in this." US Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. But Wylie's real anger is directed at Facebook and Zuckerberg. "One of the problems is that they have unfortunately a share structure which enables a 'man-child' to run a company like an authoritarian dictator and no one else can do anything about it," he said. Story continues - 'Arrogance' - Facebook acknowledged on Tuesday that its engineers had flagged suspicious Russian activity as early as 2014 -- long before it became public. But Zuckerberg still refused to turn up to hearings held by the British Parliament this week attended by lawmakers from nine different countries. Instead, vice president Richard Allan had to field questions on allegations that the company had been exploited to manipulate major election results. For Wylie, Zuckerberg's no-show in London spoke volumes. "He has built a platform that has created substantive risk to our society and to our democracy and he doesn't even have one hour to give...," he said. Facebook is now being investigated by several US federal agencies. In Britain, it is appealing a 500,000 ($637,000) fine handed down by the Information Commissioner's Office for serious breaches of the data protection laws over the Cambridge Analytica revelations. And earlier this month, it has had to battle the fall-out from a New York Times report that it used a public relations firm to discredit its critics, including billionaire philanthropist George Soros. Facebook's outgoing communications chief Elliot Schrage took the blame. - 'Proper regulation' - "I'm not surprised, having been on the blunt end of Facebook retaliation, that they go after people like George Soros and ... hire firms to make up anti-semitic rumours and fake news," he said. "It's ironic that Facebook, in trying to defend itself as a platform that's combatting fake news, creates fake news in the first place. "It really reveals the heart and soul of this company, (which is) exactly why we need scrutiny, accountability and new regulations." But he gets why people are reluctant to join calls to close their Facebook accounts in protest. "I understand why people dont want to leave...," he said. "Its now part and parcel of modern day living. "This is why it's so important to regulate, because just like electricity or water or roads, this is a utility, and that means people dont really have a choice to leave." Facebook insists it is striving to wield its power more responsibly. Since the beginning of the year, it says, it has deleted two billion false accounts suspected of spreading false information. After the Cambridge Analytica scandal, it put in place new tools to make it easier for users to control their personal information: and any political advertising now has to identify its source. But for Wylie, that is not enough. There needs to be a statutory code of conduct for data scientists and software engineers, just as there are for other professions, he argues. Architects cannot just decide to leave out fire exits on a whim, he says, so the specialists who create online "addictive spaces" need to be regulated in just the same way. Buenos Aires (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said he briefed his US counterpart Donald Trump on the Ukraine crisis Saturday as he came under pressure over Moscow's robust foreign policy at the G20 summit in Argentina. Putin said he explained Moscow's position when the leaders met briefly at a summit dinner. "We spoke standing up. I replied to his questions about the incident in the Black Sea," Putin told reporters at the end of the summit. Putin strode into the summit on Friday under a cloud, having drawn outrage from Europe over last Sunday's incident in which his navy detained Ukrainian ships and 24 sailors -- causing Trump to abruptly cancel their scheduled meeting. German Chancellor Angela Merkel took him to task at length Saturday over the naval spat, a day after French President Emmanuel Macron urged Putin to "de-escalate" the crisis. Merkel used breakfast with Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit to voice her "concern" over the tensions in the Kerch Strait off Russian-annexed Crimea. "Of course, we talked about the situation in the Sea of Azov, because it is important to avoid any aggravation," Merkel said in Buenos Aires. Macron raised his concerns with the Russian leader at one of his first bilateral meetings, pressing him "to make the necessary gestures so that there is a de-escalation," said a French official. Both European countries are members of the "Normandy Four" group with Moscow and Kiev, set up to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine involving Russian-backed rebels. Merkel said she had also discussed Syria with Putin, "especially ... the Idlib region," where a fragile ceasefire has been negotiated between rebels and Syrian army forces backed by Moscow. Her main focus, however, was on the situation in Ukraine. "I want to make it quite clear, though, that free shipping to the Sea of Azov must be guaranteed to the Ukrainian coasts and cities. There is a basic contractual agreement from 2003 on this. Russia must comply with this basis," she said. Story continues Away from the summit, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Moscow had shown "brazen contempt" for a deal "that allowed both Russian and Ukrainian ships free passage." - 'Exhaustive explanations'- On Saturday Putin -- who has praised his navy for defending Russian territory -- "provided exhaustive explanations on this incident in the Black Sea, explaining everything in detail, in exactly the same manner as yesterday during his meeting with the French president," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax. Friday's version entailed Putin drawing a map for Macron of the Kerch Strait, to buttress his position that the seized Ukrainian ships had intruded into Russian waters -- a claim denied by Kiev. "Putin took out a sheet of paper and sketched out the sea and the strait and tried to explain to the president the route the Ukrainian ships had taken through neutral, then territorial, waters," an aide to Macron told journalists. According to the aide, Putin's detailed description of the incident took about 10 minutes. As for Macron, "the main message that he passed on is really that of a de-escalation," the aide said. Far from offering comforting words, Putin said at a post-summit press conference he saw no end in sight to the four-year conflict in eastern Ukraine "as long as the current Ukrainian authorities remain in power." "The current Ukrainian authorities have no interest in resolving the conflict, especially by peaceful means," he said. The November 25 incident in the contested Kerch Strait -- which connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov -- was the first open military confrontation between Kiev and Moscow since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Kiev has demanded the return of its ships and the release of 24 sailors taken prisoner during the confrontation. Merkel said Germany had suggested a meeting of the Normandy group to discuss the crisis. Communique emerges from all-night talks US national security adviser John Bolton takes hardline stance Donald Trump, seen during a bilateral meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel in Buenos Aires. Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images World leaders have signed off on an agreement which reaffirms a basic commitment by the worlds biggest economies to multilateral trade and a rules-based international order, but bows to US demands for urgent reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Agreement on a joint communique was by no means guaranteed at the beginning of the summit, when US negotiators took hardline positions, rejecting any mention of multilateralism, the rules-based order or the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a global safety net. Failure to agree would have called into question the survival of the G20 as a forum for maintaining global economic stability, and could have accelerated the slide towards protectionism. Frances president, Emmanuel Macron, declared a victory for restoring international institutions at a moment when multilateralism is going through a real crisis. European unity on basic principles had helped save the summit, he said. A senior White House official, who declined to speak on the record, called the summit a success in part because the US had been able to exclude language on multilateralism, and because for the first time ever, the G20 recognized the WTO is currently falling short of meeting its objectives and that its in need of reform. Sherpas from the European Union and 19 countries worked through the week to salvage a meaningful joint statement, culminating in an all-night session on Friday. While the joint text retains some basic principles on trade and global governance, it has no more than a passing mention of migration and refugees and reflects no progress on climate change from last years summit in Hamburg. As in Hamburg, one paragraph in the compromise reflects the US sceptical view, and another acknowledging the seriousness of the threat and the need for concerted effort to combat it reflects the views of all the other G20 leaders. Story continues Speaking off the record, a senior US official told reporters the US specifically preserved and explained our position for why were withdrawing from the job-killing Paris agreement. The official claimed to have seen signs of the coalition fraying among some signatories to the Paris deal, like Turkey, like Saudi Arabia, like Russia. There had been fears that the final text could be vetoed by any of the leaders and there is concern that Donald Trump, who did not take part in a session on trade on Friday, could disown the agreement at the last moment. Its first test came in a working dinner between Trump and Xi Jinping of China on Saturday night, at which the two leaders sought to resolve trade disputes with the threat of an all-out trade war hanging over their heads. Well be talking about a thing called trade, Trump told reporters ushered into a bilateral meeting with Angela Merkel of Germany. Its a very important meeting. In the wake of new revelations in the investigation of his campaigns links with the Kremlin, Trump has acted erratically throughout the two-day summit, dropping bilateral meetings and announcing he would hold a press conference only to change his mind a few hours later, citing the death of former president George HW Bush. Trump cancelled a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin. The White House confirmed the two leaders nonetheless spoke at dinner on Friday. John Bolton, far right, talks to the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, as Donald Trump looks on. Photograph: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, a lifelong opponent of multilateralism and its institutions, had pushed for a hardline position, particularly on the role of the IMF. But European officials led a pushback, arguing that if the agreement on common principles was watered down too much, the statement would be meaningless, the G20 robbed of its purpose. For some of us around the table, we couldnt backtrack on the DNA of the G20, a European official said. The compromise language keeps the basic principles on which most of the leaders in Buenos Aires insisted, in return for acknowledgment of problems in the international trading system and a commitment to address them. In particular they pledged to reform the WTO, which sets the rules for global trade and provides a forum for resolving disputes. The leaders agreed to make significant progress on reform before the next G20, in Osaka next June. The statement begins with a statement of principle the Europeans insisted on but the US found hard to swallow. It reads: We renew our commitment to work together to improve a rules-based international order that is capable of effectively responding to a rapidly changing world. The US delegation had opposed the positive reference to a rules-based international order as they argued the current system is skewed against the US and has allowed China to get away with unfair trading practices. For the same reason, the US opposed references to the threat of protectionism to global growth, insisting Trumps use of tariffs is a legitimate response to a skewed playing field. A crucial paragraph on trade expresses the compromise. International trade and investment are important engines of growth, productivity, innovation, job creation and development, the communique says. We recognise the contribution that the multilateral trading system has made to that end. The system is currently falling short of its objectives and there is room for improvement. The last dispute to be resolved, at 6.30am on Saturday, was over refugees and migration, with the US opposing references to the role of multilateral organisations in dealing with the issue and the responsibility of wealthy countries to mitigate the human cost. The compromise puts off addressing the crisis until the next year, when Japan will hold the G20 presidency. The paragraph on refugees simply says they are a global concern and that shared actions to addresses the causes and consequences of displacement are important. This is the minimum, a European official said, arguing that to say nothing about the issues could set a precedent and remove them permanently from the G20 agenda. The choice was really we do nothing. We will not hide our disappointment but at least we have something. Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis is "concerned" about what he described as the "serious issue" of homosexuality, saying in an interview published Saturday that being gay was a "fashion" to which the clergy is suspectible. "The issue of homosexuality is a very serious issue that must be adequately discerned from the beginning with the candidates," the pontiff said with regards to would-be priests. "In our societies it even seems that homosexuality is fashionable and that mentality, in some way, also influences the life of the church," he says in the book 'The Strength of a Vocation', released in Italy on Saturday. "This is something I am concerned about, because perhaps at one time it did not receive much attention," he said in the book, a transcript of an interview which will be released in ten languages. The Roman Catholic Church's position is that homosexual acts are sinful and the pontiff's stance on homosexuality in the clergy is not new. A decree on training for Roman Catholic priests in 2016 stressed the obligation of sexual abstinence, as well as barring gays and those who support "gay culture" from holy orders. The barring of people who present homosexual tendencies was first stipulated by the Catholic Church in 2005. - 'Impeccably responsible' - "It can happen that at the time perhaps they didn't exhibit [that tendency], but later on it comes out," Francis said. "In consecrated and priestly life, there's no room for that kind of affection. Therefore, the Church recommends that people with that kind of ingrained tendency should not be accepted into the ministry or consecrated life. "The ministry or the consecrated life is not his place," the Argentine added. Gay clergy were urged to be "impeccably responsible" in a warning over bad behaviour that was notable for its silence on heterosexual clergy who break their vow of celibacy. Story continues We "have to urge homosexual priests, and men and women religious, to live celibacy with integrity, and above all, that they be impeccably responsible, trying to never scandalise either their communities or the faithful holy people of God. "It's better for them to leave the ministry or the consecrated life rather than to live a double life," Francis said. In 2013, just months after assuming the papacy, Francis said: "If someone is gay and is searching for the Lord and has good will, then who am I to judge him?", signifying a softer tone on homosexuality. George HW Bush was one of the most highly qualified people to hold the office of president, having served as director of the CIA, vice president to Ronald Reagan and US ambassador to the United Nations. His time in office saw the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, as well as military interventions in Kuwait and Panama. But, despite high approval ratings during much of his presidency, he suffered from difficulties in domestic politics after the Cold War and lost the 1992 presidential election to Bill Clinton. As tributes to Bush come in from former presidents honouring his life, this is what he and others had to say about his political career. In his own words On his political views: Im a conservative, but Im not a nut about it. At his inaugural address as president: A new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn; for in mans heart, if not in fact, the day of the dictator is over. This totalitarian era is passing, its old ideas blown away like leaves from an ancient, lifeless tree. On the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein: Iraq must withdraw from Kuwait completely, immediately, and without condition. Kuwaits legitimate government must be restored. The security and stability of the Persian Gulf must be assured. And American citizens abroad must be protected. Out of these troubled times, our fifth objective a new world order can emerge: a new era freer from the threat of terror, stronger in the pursuit of justice and more secure in the quest for peace. On diversity in America: We are a nation of communities a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky. On taxation in 1988 he would later regret the pledge when congress proposed increases to existing taxes to reduce the budget deficit: Read my lips: no new taxes. On the possibility of a black president in 1990: The day will come and it is not far off when the legacy of Lincoln will finally be fulfilled at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, when a black man or woman will sit in the Oval Office. When that day comes, the most remarkable thing about it will be how naturally it occurs. Story continues On the effect of 24/7 news cycles: I think the 24 hour news cycle has helped exaggerate the differences between the parties. You can always find someone on TV somewhere carping about something. In others words James Baker, US secretary of state under Bush: The president saw a chance to take on the two central problems of the age the struggle for freedom and the threat of nuclear war and he seized it. No apologies for that. Robert Strauss, United States ambassador to Russia under Bush: George is a damn good guy, but he doesnt come through well. Its a case of choking. It takes 11 hours to get George ready for an off-the-cuff remark. Stephen J Solarz, Democrat congressman for New York and outspoken critic of Ronald Reagans presidency: For all the credit that President Bush deserves for his magnificent leadership after the Iraqi invasion, the truth is that his administration not only resisted imposing sanctions on Iraq before 2 August, but, by giving Mr Hussein the impression he could invade his defenceless neighbour with impunity, made the aggression more likely. BERLIN German authorities searched the headquarters of Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt and other offices on Thursday on the suspicion bank employees helped clients set up offshore companies in tax havens to launder hundreds of millions of euros, in an investigation brought about from an analysis of online document leaks. Frankfurt prosecutors spokeswoman Nadja Niesen said the investigation was focused on two Deutsche Bank employees, aged 50 and 46, and possibly other not-yet identified suspects. Some 170 prosecutors, state police, national police and tax investigators were involved in the morning searches of six buildings in Frankfurt, and in nearby Eschborn and Gross-Umstadt, Niesen said. The investigation was launched after evaluation of the explosive Panama Papers tax haven revelations and the previous Offshore Leaks report of offshore bank accounts, she said. The analysis gave rise to suspicion that Deutsche Bank was helping clients set up so-called offshore companies in tax havens and the proceeds of crimes were transferred there from Deutsche Bank accounts without the bank reporting it. In 2016 alone, more than 900 customers are alleged to have transferred some 311 million euros to one such company set up in the British Virgin Islands, she said. The suspects are accused of failing to report the suspicious transactions even though there was sufficient evidence to have been aware of it. Deutsche Bank confirmed that authorities were conducting an investigation at a number of our offices in Germany. The investigation has to do with the Panama Papers case, the bank said. More details will be communicated as soon as these become known. We are cooperating fully with the authorities. Deutsche Bank shares slid sharply after the news broke, and were down 3.75 percent in midday trading in Frankfurt. Berlin (AFP) - A German court on Friday sentenced a Syrian refugee to six and a half years in jail for planning an Islamist attack using a car bomb. The 20-year-old, named as Yamen A., was in the process of acquiring the chemical products and materials necessary to build a bomb when he was arrested in the northeastern town of Schwerin in October 2017. At the time, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said "a serious attack has been prevented". According to prosecutors, Yamen A. planned to kill or injure about "200 people" with a car bomb at an undisclosed location in Germany. He discussed bomb-making instructions in online chat groups and repeatedly tried to manufacture the powerful explosive TATP, his trial at Hamburg's higher regional court revealed. Prosecutors had sought a punishment of five and a half years, but judges opted for a longer sentence given the accused's "determination" to carry out an attack, DPA news agency reported. "You wanted to take lives, and in doing so endanger the security of the state," said presiding judge Ulrike Taeubner. Yamen A. arrived in Germany in 2015 at the height of the refugee influx to avoid military service at home. Investigators believe he was radicalised over the Internet by mid-2017 and became a supporter of the Islamic State group. Germany remains on high alert over the risk of a jihadist attack, having suffered several in recent years. The bloodiest, claimed by IS, was a truck rampage through a Berlin Christmas market in December 2016 that left 12 people dead. Do you love that warm, fuzzy feeling you get from seeing your loved ones light up when they receive a thoughtful gift from you? Well, a new payment app called Paytm Canada wants to reward you for getting into the holiday spirit by giving away redeemable points in daily contests running throughout December and January. During the contest period, anytime you make a bill payment of at least $50, you will automatically be entered into a daily draw to win 50,000 Paytm Points. Thats a $50 value, which works out to one gift for them and one gift for you. That is incentive for even the biggest Scrooges to move everyone from their naughty list to their nice list. If you put some of your holiday shopping on your credit card and then make a credit card bill payment of at least $50 before January 31st, you are automatically entered to win. The growing list of rewards include popular brands like: Apple App Store and iTunes, Cineplex, Tim Hortons, Sephora, !ndigo, Uber, Lululemon, Amazon, Hotels.com, Esso and so many more! Theres something to make everyone happy. And the more bills that you pay, the more chances you have to win. Any time you make a bill payment of at least $100, you will be entered into another daily draw for 100,000 Paytm Points, plus you still qualify for the first contest for $50 or more! If homemade gifts are more your style, you still have a chance to win big. Paytms holiday points contest applies to any bills that you pay through their free mobile application. That means you have the chance to win extra rewards points on your living expenses, like utility bills, property taxes, cable bills and so many more categories. For example, if you pay a $100 mobile bill and a $65 credit card bill, you will get three entries in total; two for the 50,000 Paytm Points daily draw, and one for the 100,000 Paytm Points draw. Because you actually get one entry per bill category over the $50 or $100, you could end up being entered in the contest multiple times. You can choose whether to stack your odds on one day or spread out your chances over several. The contest starts on December 1st and will end on January 31st. Terms and conditions apply. Check the Paytm website for full contest details. Bonus: for a limited time, new users who download the app for free from either the App Store or Google Play Store, sign up, and pay a bill of at least $25 will receive 10,000 Welcome Paytm Points. Plus, you can collect an additional 10,000 Paytm Points at the end of the month once the payment has been successfully completed. (Reuters) - North Carolinas board of elections on Friday declined to certify Republican Mark Harris' apparent victory in a U.S. House of Representatives race, calling instead for a public hearing to investigate claims of voter fraud and irregularities. Harris edged Democrat Dan McCready by 905 votes in the Nov. 6 congressional election. But the validity of hundreds of mail-in absentee ballots from a rural county has been called into question, the elections board said on Twitter. The board voted 7-2 to hold a hearing due "to claims of numerous irregularities and concerted fraudulent activities related to absentee mail ballots," Joshua Malcolm, vice chairman of the board of elections, said in a recorded session on Friday. It is the second time in as many years the board has considered voter fraud accusations in Bladen County, with charges after the 2016 elections ultimately dismissed. In a statement, Harris said there were not enough ballots in question to affect the outcome of the race. He urged the board to immediately certify him the victor, while continuing to conduct their investigation. The contest will not affect the balance of power in the new Congress that sits in January. Democrats already gained enough seats to take control of the House, while Republicans will still hold a Senate majority. Harris was on Capitol Hill on Friday participating in freshman orientation. He participated in the office lottery and selected a space in the House office buildings. The North Carolina board is expected to look into accusations that people came to the doors of Bladen County voters ahead of the Nov. 6 vote and asked them to hand over ballots, sometimes unsealed and uncompleted. Filling out a ballot for another person, or destroying it, is illegal. Investigators are also expected to scrutinize unusually high numbers of absentee ballots cast in Bladen County in both the general election and the May 8 primary, in which Harris defeated Republican incumbent congressman Robert Pittenger. Story continues The hearing will be held by Dec. 21. The North Carolina Democratic Party said there was enough evidence of fraud to cast doubt on the fairness of the election. The party has said it has affidavits from two voters who said their absentee ballots were collected by a woman who told them she would finish filling them out herself. "We applaud the boards bipartisan decision to delay certification and fully investigate the concerning allegations," said the party's state chairman Wayne Goodwin in a statement. (Reporting By Andrew Hay in New Mexico; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Grant McCool) Kuwait City (AFP) - Kuwait paid tribute to former US president George H.W. Bush on Saturday, saying his support during the first Gulf War "will not be forgotten". Kuwaitis have long expressed their gratitude to the late 41st president for backing the tiny Gulf Emirate following Iraq's 1990 invasion. In the wake of the war, many stuck bumper stickers on their cars of Bush standing in front of an American flag, and a few even named their children after him. "Bush was an icon," said Farida al-Habib, a cardiologist who says she smuggled medicine to Kuwaiti forces during the invasion. "I cried when I heard the news about his death," she added. Bush died on Friday at the age of 94. In a letter to US President Donald Trump, Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah praised Bush's "historic and courageous stance... and his rejection of Iraq's occupation of Kuwait from the early hours". His support "will remain in Kuwait's collective memory and will not be forgotten," he added. "On behalf of the Kuwaiti government and people, I express my deepest condolences and utmost sympathy." After dictator Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, Bush deployed hundreds of thousands of US troops to the neighbouring kingdom of Saudi Arabia -- urging other countries to do the same. A US-led coalition expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait in a lightning campaign at the beginning of 1991. Abu Fahad, a Kuwaiti army officer during the invasion who declined to give his full name, said he was "very saddened" by Bush's death. "He stood by us even though he was not a Muslim," he said. Bush visited oil-rich Kuwait in 1993 and was hailed as a "guest of honour". Tributes have poured in online for Bush following news of his death. "We will never forget you," Twitter user Manal wrote. Lights at the landmark Kuwait Towers were set to be shut off Saturday evening and replaced with an image of Bush with Kuwaiti and American flags, the emirate's information ministry said. The Gulf nations of Qatar, the United Arab Emriates and Oman also sent letters of condolence to Trump and Bush's son, former president George W. Bush. MEXICO CITY (AP) The latest on the inauguration of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (all times local): 6:30 p.m. In one of his first acts in office, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has signed an agreement with his counterparts from three Central American countries to establish a development plan to stem the flow of migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. The Foreign Ministry said Saturday that the plan includes a fund to generate jobs in the region and aims to attack the structural causes of migration from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Thousands of migrants, mostly Hondurans, have joined caravans in recent weeks in an effort to speed through Mexico to request refuge at the U.S. border. Dozens of migrants interviewed by The Associated Press have said they are fleeing poverty and violence in their countries of origin. ___ 5:45 p.m. Mexico's newly inaugurated president has been formally anointed leader by indigenous groups at a ceremony at Mexico City's main square hours after he took the oath of office at Congress. Mexico has more than 70 indigenous communities, and new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has pledged to end centuries of poverty and marginalization for them. Traditional healers brushed Lopez Obrador with bunches of herbs and blew incense smoke over him to purify him. They then invoked the spirits of their ancestors and the land to liberate him from any bad influences, turning to the four cardinal points with individual prayers. Indigenous activist Carmen Santiago Alonso then handed the president a ceremonial wooden staff denoting leadership. It is the first time a Mexican president has ever taken part in this kind of ceremonial inauguration by indigenous groups. ___ 12:40 p.m. New Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador reached out to the U.S. and Canada in his inaugural speech to Congress. The first foreign dignitaries he greeted from the podium Saturday were U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump. Story continues He also said that since the day he was elected "I have received respectful treatment from President Donald Trump." Lopez Obrador said he wants to reach an agreement with governments and companies in the U.S. and Canada for investment to develop Central America and southern Mexico, so people there won't have to emigrate. ___ 11:20 a.m. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been sworn in as the first leftist president in Mexico in over 70 years. Lopez Obrador took the oath of office at Mexico's Congress, in a ceremony attended by Vice President Mike Pence, leaders from Latin America and British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. Lopez Obrador pledged "a peaceful and orderly transition, but one that is deep and radical." Lopez Obrador's inauguration marks a turning point in one of the world's most radical experiments in opening markets and privatization. 10:10 a.m. British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is getting an especially warm welcome at the inauguration of Mexico's new leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Corbyn was among a few people hosted by Lopez Obrador at his home in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas the day before the inauguration. He's also attending the inaugural ceremony at Mexico's Congress on Saturday. Corbyn is a veteran socialist whose wife is from Mexico. A Labour Party statement issued from London said the new president "faces huge challenges in his mission of transforming Mexico, but Jeremy hopes his election will offer Mexico's poor and powerless a real voice and a break with the failures and injustices of the past." It adds that the new president "has shown that a progressive agenda for change can win power and take on the status quo." The party statement, however, botched the new president's name, referring to him only by his maternal surname calling him President Obrador instead of Lopez Obrador. ___ 9:50 a.m. One of the first official acts of the administration of Mexico's new president has been to throw open the gates of the secretive, sprawling presidential residence located in a corner of Mexico City's largest park. Incoming President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says he won't live there and will use it as a cultural center instead. Only a few people showed up Saturday in the hours before the opening of the Los Pinos compound, which has been closed to the public since the first parts were built in the 1930s. Among them was retired secretary Gabriela Barrientos, a Lopez Obrador supporter. She says, "This is a day that will never come again." ___ 9:30 a.m. Conservative legislators in Mexico are using their country's presidential inauguration for a protest against Venezuela's socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Several lawmakers have taped a banner reading "Maduro, you're not welcome" to the podium in the lower house of Congress, where leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is soon to be sworn in. Maduro has been invited to the inaugural ceremony, but it's not clear if he'll arrive. Mexico's conservative National Action Party has voiced objections to the invitation because of the economic and political crisis in Venezuela and they accuse Maduro of veering toward a dictatorship. Critics of Lopez Obrador have long attempted to associate him with Venezuelan-style socialism, despite little evidence he favors such policies. ___ 8:20 a.m. Mexico's new president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, hasn't yet been sworn, but new cabinet secretaries have already taken over key security posts. The midnight handover is part of a tradition meant to ensure there's always someone at the helm of the Army, Navy and Interior Department, the country's top domestic security agency. New Interior Secretary Olga Sanchez Cordero said in a post-midnight ceremony that the new government will "listen to everybody, the majority and the minorities, because in a democracy all opinions can be expressed." Similar ceremonies were held at the Navy and Army headquarters. Lopez Obrador plans to rely heavily on the military to form his new anti-crime force, the National Guard. ___ 2 a.m. Mexicans are getting more than just a new president. The inauguration of leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will mark a turning point in one of the world's most radical experiments in opening markets and privatization. Mexico long had a closed, state-dominated economy, but since entering the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs in 1986, it has signed more free trade agreements than almost any other country. It's also privatized almost every corner of the economy except oil and electricity. Now, though, Lopez Obrador is talking a talk not heard in Mexico since the 1960s: He wants to build more state-owned oil refineries and encourages Mexicans to "not to buy abroad, but to produce in Mexico what we consume." Dear Bill, When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too. I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described. There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. Im not a very good one to give advice; but just dont let the critics discourage you or push you off course. You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well. Your success now is our countrys success. I am rooting hard for you. Good luck George Residents of Anchorage, Alaska, are assessing the damage from a massive earthquake that struck Friday morning and are breathing a sigh of relief after officials canceled tsunami warnings. Measured as a magnitude 7.0 quake by the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake hit at 8:29 a.m. local time, with the epicenter just 10 miles from the city of nearly 300,000 residents. Residents of Fairbanks, a city of about 30,000 more than 350 miles away, reported feeling shaking there too. The Anchorage Police Department said in a statement that there is major infrastructure damage throughout the city, but officials have yet to release any estimates of damage, injuries or fatalities. We are using the Alaska State Troopers aviation assets for damage assessment, Police Chief Justin Doll said. We are evaluating the damage. Weve been in communication with the Alaska National Guard, moving emergency response personnel to areas we cant get to, if necessary. People have begun to share photos and videos of destruction on social media. An image from the KTVA newsroom, the CBS affiliate station in Anchorage, shows collapsed tables and computers and TVs dangling from their mounts. All local TV stations were reportedly knocked off the air. Other shocking photos and videos show collapsed roads with cars stranded on them, including these near the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: Story continues The northbound onramp for International Airport Rd. at Minnesota Blvd. collapsed Friday morning during the earthquake. https://t.co/vznBt6ZtF6 pic.twitter.com/FzMWpETXb4 Anchorage Daily News (@adndotcom) November 30, 2018 7.2 earthquake here in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a video my dad took from the Minnesota exit ramp from international. pic.twitter.com/1yOGj3yz9q sarah m (@sarahh_mars) November 30, 2018 Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz issued an emergency proclamation for the city in light of the earthquake. Officials canceled a tsunami warning posted for the Cook Inlet and southern Kenai Peninsula near Anchorage. The National Weather Service had warned residents in Kodiak and Seward that tsunami activity could start just an hour after the earthquake struck. A 7.0 quake can be highly dangerous. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in Northern California was measured at magnitude 6.9 and killed 63 people, and the 1994 magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake in Southern California killed 57 though both quakes struck areas more populous than Anchorage. A National Weather Service employee on duty in Anchorage during the temblor called it the scariest earthquake I have ever been in. That was the scariest earthquake I have ever been in. Lead on shift...we evacuated the NWS Anchorage building. The Oz (@PV_Anomaly) November 30, 2018 Though the region appears to be in the clear for tsunamis, aftershocks pose a continued threat, scientists warned. So far in this sequence there have been 4 magnitude 3 or higher earthquakes, which are strong enough to be felt, and 1 magnitude 5 or higher earthquakes, which are large enough to do damage, the USGS said in a forecast. The agency estimates that within the next week, there is a 99 percent chance of aftershocks with a magnitude 3 or higher, a 78 percent chance of magnitude 5 or higher and a 27 percent chance of ones that are at least magnitude 6. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin released a statement that her family is intact but her house is not. President Donald Trump promised to spare no expense helping those affected by the disaster. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. To the Great people of Alaska. You have been hit hard by a big one. Please follow the directions of the highly trained professionals who are there to help you. Your Federal Government will spare no expense. God Bless you ALL! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2018 Related Content Scientists Are Developing A Way To Warn You An Earthquake Is Starting As California Awaits The 'Big One,' Anxieties Loom Over Funding The Earthquake Warning System This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Tumaco (Colombia) (AFP) - Mexican drug traffickers used to wait at home for shipments of Colombian cocaine that would then be transferred to the United States, the world's biggest consumer of the white powder. But with Colombian authorities waging war on the illicit drug trade with help from their US counterparts, Mexican narcotics barons have decided to take matters into their own hands. The Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels have sent their own representatives to Colombia, where rival drug gangs vie for control of the lucrative trade. "They come and supervise the cocaine hydrochloride, it's purity," said General Jorge Isaac Hoyos, commander of the army's Hercules Joint Taskforce at the convulsive port of Tumaco. The port lies in Narino, a territory with the greatest number of coca leaf fields in the world. However, "the Colombians are the ones with the drug trafficking structure," added the general, who leads a massive anti-narcotics operation involving thousands of soldiers. They have had some success, as evidenced by the submarines seized from drug traffickers that lie abundant in the naval base at Tumaco. - Few dare to talk - The offensive was launched in reaction to the United Nations claiming last year that Colombia had reached record levels of land being used for illicit crops -- 171,000 hectares (422,550 acres) -- and cocaine production -- 1,379 tons. Speed boats carry dozens of fuel tanks deep into the jungle where narrow wooden paths lead to laboratories producing cocaine, under the watchful eyes of the recently-arrived Mexican supervisors. Only a few dare to talk about them, and only in hushed voices. Silence reins amongst the wooden houses that line the banks of the Mira and Mataje rivers in western Narino department. They "move around easily and people see them" all over the department, a community leader from the town of Guapi told AFP. "They come and go." Story continues The military presence is clearly visible in urban Tumaco but that's not the case in the jungle, where the coca leaf plantations are found. It's an area infested with rebels from the ELN Marxist guerrillas, FARC dissidents who rejected the hard won peace accord, and paramilitaries. These groups fight bloody battles to control the 1,300-kilometer (800 miles) long Pacific coast where 39 percent of drug plantations can be found. - 'Secure the cocaine flow' - The Mexican drug cartels sent their emissaries to "secure the cocaine flow" following the deaths or capture of a number of allies, according to American organized crime expert Jeremy McDermott. "Right now, their associates are dead, jailed or invisible, and so they needed to send buyers to Colombia," said the co-director of InSight Crime, a foundation that investigates organized crime in Latin America. They also needed to keep the corridor open to the US in an industry where other markets are proving far more lucrative to the Colombians. In Spain, a kilogram (2.2 pounds) fetches $35,000, in China $50,000, Russia $60,000 and Australia $100,000. It's worth a paltry $25,000 in the US. "The Colombians left the American market to the Mexicans because it's not worth it for $25,000, given the high risk of punitive measures, extradition and the expropriation of goods," said McDermott. According to the US Drug Enforcement Agency, 84 percent of the cocaine entering the country comes via the Pacific Ocean. In Colombia, Mexican emissaries travel with the drugs being transported by speed boat or submarine to Central America or the US, McDermott says. - Worsening - Despite the atrocious levels of violence in Colombia's lawless jungle areas, it's actually worsened since the Mexicans' arrival. Authorities did not move into areas vacated by FARC rebels following the 2016 peace deal, experts say, leaving a vacuum. Violence has displaced 7,800 people along the Pacific coast this year up to November, compared to half that amount during the whole of 2017, according to Ombudsman Carlos Negret. "Violence has increased this year," he told AFP. Of the 343 rights activists murdered in Colombia since January 2016, 40 percent were in this region. "The power of the money brought by the Mexican cartels brings armed elements into the fold, but also social leaders," said the Guapi community leader. And a bribed official "is much more dangerous than those armed elements because he knows how everything works," he added. "That intensifies the danger with immeasurable cruelty." Mexico City (AFP) - Anti-establishment leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador vowed a "deep and radical" change in Mexico as he assumed the country's presidency Saturday, five months after winning a landslide election victory. The leader, widely known by his initials as "AMLO," took the oath of office and donned the presidential sash before Congress -- where the coalition led by the upstart party he founded four years ago, Morena, now has strong majorities in both houses. Ending 89 years of government by the same two parties, Lopez Obrador surged to victory in the July 1 elections promising a new approach to issues fueling widespread outrage: crime, poverty and corruption. But not everyone is persuaded: critics say the sharp-tongued, silver-haired leader has a radical and authoritarian streak. And despite his promises of business-friendly policies, Mexican stocks and the peso have plunged in recent weeks. That did not stop Lopez Obrador, 65, from doubling down on his promise of a sweeping "transformation" as he started his six-year term. "It might seem pretentious or exaggerated to say it, but today is not just the start of a new government. It is the start of a political regime change," he said, the presidential sash newly draped over his dark suit and burgundy tie. "We will carry out a peaceful and orderly but also deep and radical transformation." - Change in style - After the traditional swearing-in ceremony, Lopez Obrador climbed in his white Volkswagen Jetta -- his car of choice -- and headed to Mexico City's central square, the Zocalo, for a colorful second ceremony of his own design. There, indigenous shamans purified him with incense and flowers, and presented him with a symbolic chieftain's staff. "I reaffirm my commitment not to lie, rob or betray the Mexican people," he said, clutching the long wooden staff. Jose Angel Mejia, 38, was among the tens of thousands of people who gathered to fete the new president. Story continues "It's a historic day, I still can't believe it," he said, raising his eight-year-old son's arm in the air in celebration. "We're going to have a change at last." The new president inherits a sticky set of problems from his unpopular predecessor, Enrique Pena Nieto. They include deeply entrenched corruption, gruesome violence fueled by the war on drug cartels, and the caravan of 6,000 Central American migrants camped at the US-Mexican border -- not to mention the minefield that diplomacy with Mexico's giant northern neighbor has become under President Donald Trump. Lopez Obrador, a former protest leader and Mexico City mayor, has been short on specifics regarding his plans for all of the above. What he is promising, first and foremost, is a presidency like no other in Mexican history. Vowing to lead his anti-corruption, pro-austerity drive by example, he has forsworn the presidential residence, jet and security detail, and cut his own salary by 60 percent. In a sign of the times, the sumptuous presidential residence, Los Pinos, was opened to the public Saturday as a cultural center. - Pressure from Trump - Lopez Obrador's inaugural address largely repeated the sweeping but vague promises of his campaign. He resumed his attempts to soothe the markets with promises of balanced budgets and pro-investment policies. But he also attacked Mexico's "neoliberal" economic model as "a disaster" and railed against Pena Nieto's landmark privatization of the energy sector. Lopez Obrador has caused jitters over the future of Latin America's second-largest economy with decisions such as the one to cancel a new $13 billion airport for Mexico City that was already one-third complete. The day's guest list included a host of regional presidents -- among them crisis-torn Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, who was met with protests from Mexico's conservative opposition. King Felipe VI of Spain, US Vice President Mike Pence, and first daughter and White House adviser Ivanka Trump also attended. President Trump, who was at the G20 summit in Argentina, has struck up a surprisingly warm relationship with Lopez Obrador -- though the migrant caravan threatens to interrupt that honeymoon. The American president is pressuring Lopez Obrador to accept a deal to keep asylum-seeking migrants in Mexico while their claims are processed in the United States. Lopez Obrador's foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, is due in Washington on Sunday for talks on the issue with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Naditychi (Ukraine) (AFP) - Pensioner Olga Oprysko only found out her son had been captured by Russian forces after a neighbour in her small western Ukrainian village told her about an incident in the Azov Sea. When she switched on her television, the 74-year-old saw that Russian border guards were holding Ukrainian sailors after a confrontation in the Kerch Strait -- a waterway that gives access to the Azov Sea from the Black Sea. At first, she did not think he was involved, Oprysko told AFP in her house in Naditychi, a village south of Lviv in western Ukraine. "The next day, I found out on the news that he was among the prisoners." Her son Andriy Oprysko -- a 47-year-old able seaman -- is one of 24 Ukrainian sailors held captive by Moscow since the incident. He was on the Nikopol, one of the three Ukrainian ships heading through the Kerch Strait last weekend when Russian border guards fired on them and seized the vessels. Moscow said the Ukrainians entered Russian waters illegally and, after putting them on trial in Russian-annexed Crimea, ordered them detained for two months. The Kremlin has resisted calls to release them, and US President Donald Trump called off a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over their detention. "I have only one request: for all the boys to be freed. All of them," Oprysko told AFP. - A childhood dream - One of the walls in Oprysko's house has a giant picture of a sailing ship that Andriy put up. A wooden model ship sits on her windowsill. In joining the navy, she said, her son fulfilled a childhood dream. "Since he was a child, he always dreamed of the sea," she said. "He always wanted to be near the water." She showed AFP childhood photographs of Andriy -- now a father of two -- posing in a sailor's hat as a toddler. Oprysko is a widow and lives alone. She can only afford to heat the room in which she sleeps. Now retired, she used to teach Russian at a school in a neighbouring village in the predominantly Ukrainian-speaking region. Story continues "I never thought that in Russia my efforts to teach the Russian language would be appreciated like this," she said. "Instead of a reward, they punish me by imprisoning my son." - Taken to Moscow - The sailors were initially held in Simferopol, the main city in Russian-annexed Crimea where they were put on trial earlier this week. But Crimea's human rights ombudsman said Friday they were being transferred to Moscow. Two of their lawyers told AFP that the sailors had been taken to the Russian capital. Putin has insisted that the Russian border guards were right to seize the ships, saying they "fulfilled their military duty". He said the Ukrainian ships had entered Russian territorial waters and refused to respond to requests to stop from Russian patrol boats. "What were they (Russian forces) supposed to do?" Putin said this week. Oprysko thinks her son's fate should be decided at the highest level. "I'm not afraid because I am a religious person, I have no anger," she said. "I am proud of my son." EPA Special Counsel Robert Mueller is mulling over filing new charges against Donald Trumps former campaign manager Paul Manafort as a judge set a tentative sentencing date of 5 March. Mr Mueller is leading the federal investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, and possible collusion between Trump campaign officials and Moscow - and he has accused Manafort of breaching a plea agreement by lying to FBI investigators The prospect of new charges adds to the legal peril of Manafort, the onetime political consultant who pleading guilty to conspiracy counts in Washington DC as part of the plea deal. US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson who is presiding over the trial has ordered Mr Mueller's team to divulge more details regarding the false-statement allegations against Manafort by 7 December. For months Manafort, 69, had refused to work with Mr Mueller but in September made a deal to plead guilty, cooperate with investigators and forfeit million of dollars in assets, including an apartment in Trump Tower in Manhattan. The agreement came shortly before he was to have gone on trial in Washington DC on charges including money laundering, failing to register as a lobbyist for work in Ukraine and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Manafort faces a separate sentencing early next year over a conviction from a Virginia court on eight counts of financial crimes relating to the lobbying work in Ukraine. Prosecutor Andrew Weissmann said the Justice Department is evaluating whether Manafort could be charged over the lying allegations, or whether he could still be held liable for crimes he's admitted to but is not currently charged with in federal court. I don't know at this time. We will have to evaluate whether it will be fruitful to take action on those crimes, Mr Weissmann said. The same is true of whether they'll pursue the 10 felony counts Mr Mueller's team dismissed in Virginia or others they planned to drop in Washington as part of the plea deal, Mr Weissmann said. Jurors deadlocked on those Virginia counts and convicted Manafort on eight others. Story continues Manafort has pushed back against the new lying allegations. His lawyers have said Manafort believes he has provided truthful information and does not agree with the governments characterization or that he has breached the agreement. As for Mr Trump, he is facing continued questions about whether he might pardon Manafort. At the same time, he is playing down the significance of the guilty plea of his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for lying to Congress over a Trump real estate deal in Moscow. In early morning tweets from Buenos Aires where the president is attending the G20 summit, Mr Trump said he had lightly looked at a real estate project somewhere in Russia during his presidential bid, saying it was very legal & very cool to do so while campaigning. Throughout his campaign Mr Trump downplayed his Russian business interests. Reuters contributed to this report Seoul (AFP) - A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea across the eastern land border on Saturday, the South's military said. Defections across the closely guarded inter-Korean frontier are rare, and this one comes as the neighbours pursue a delicate reconciliation process. "A North Korean soldier was detected crossing the military demarcation line" by South Korean troops using surveillance equipment, the military Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. "The soldier is safely in our custody," it said. "Related agencies plan to investigate him regarding the details of how he came to the South." Even as talks on denuclearisation between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled, the two Koreas are pushing ahead with a reconciliation process, taking steps to ease tensions along their heavily fortified border. They have begun work to reconnect their railway systems, removed landmines and destroyed military bunkers at parts of the frontier. More than 30,000 North Korean civilians have fled their homeland but most flee across the porous frontier with China, and rarely across the inter-Korean border which is fortified with minefields and barbed wire. The last defection involving North Koreans occurred in May when two civilians aboard a small boat defected to the South across the Yellow Sea. In November last year, a North Korean soldier drove to the heavily guarded border at speed and ran across under a hail of bullets from his own side. He was hit multiple times in the dramatic defection at the Panmunjom truce village. In 2012 a North Korean soldier walked unchecked through rows of electrified fencing and surveillance cameras, prompting Seoul to sack three field commanders for the security lapse. The Washington Nationals make a trade for Cleveland Indians catcher Yan Gomes and pair him with for Kurt Suzuki to form dynamic catching duo. (Getty Images) While the Washington Nationals await the big decision from free agent Bryce Harper, theyve quietly added a pair of quality catchers that could give them the best catching duo in the National League. The latest being Yan Gomes, who according to Fancreds Jon Heyman was acquired from the Cleveland Indians Friday in exchange for minor league outfielder Daniel Johnson. The Nationals have confirmed the trade. The #Nats have acquired catcher Yan Gomes from the Cleveland Indians. // https://t.co/PuJMXKRqTh pic.twitter.com/FqBFxqpIi9 Washington Nationals (@Nationals) December 1, 2018 The news comes less than two weeks after Kurt Suzuki, another productive and respected catcher, was signed to a two-year, $10 million deal. The veteran duo will effectively replace Matt Wieters, who was a disappointment after signing a two-year, $21.5 million deal prior to the 2017 season. Together, Gomes and Suzuki will earn a little over $12 million in 2019. So Washington has seemingly upgraded the position with two solid catchers for a little more than the price of one underperforming catcher. Gomes, 31, would likely be the preferred defensive catcher. He caught 24 runners stealing in 2017, which ranked second in the American League. And its not because teams relentlessly challenged him. Gomes threw out runners at 42.1 percent clip. Suzukis also heralded for his defensive work, particularly his pitch-framing. Both catchers handled good pitching staffs in Cleveland and Atlanta respectively, and will now have the honor of catching Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. Offensively, Gomes and the 35-year-old Suzuki have provided similar production. Suzuki has hit 10 points higher (.258 to .248) throughout his 12-year MLB career. Suzuki has hit 31 homers over the last two seasons while Gomes has hit 30. Story continues What the Nationals seem to covet here is consistency and reliability at the position. Something that they havent had since making the switch from Wilson Ramos to Wieters two years ago. While neither catcher is likely to put up All-Star numbers this season, there wont be a noted dropoff with either player in the lineup. Over the long haul that should give Washington an edge at an important position. More from Yahoo Sports: Jason Garrett may have saved his job with Cowboys TMZ video shows Chiefs Kareem Hunt striking woman Cubs sticking with Addison Russell despite domestic violence suspension Reasons why Jeff Brohm changed his mind and is staying at Purdue Despite the calendar flipping to December, unseasonable warmth will dominate South Florida through Monday before cooler air arrives. "It will be pretty toasty in central and South Florida," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Frank Strait said. High temperatures in the middle 80s F from Orlando, Lakeland, Vero Beach, Miami and Key West will put some daily record highs in jeopardy into Monday. FloridaWarmMon While heat is no stranger to these areas, temperatures this high in early December are 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. High humidity levels and sunshine will make it feel even steamier, with AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures approaching 90 F during the early to midafternoon hours. SE Sunday Dec 2 While this will be great weather to head to the beach, people outside should be on the lookout for isolated thunderstorms that can pop up in the steamy air, and be prepared to take shelter at the first rumble of thunder. The greatest concentration of thunderstorms into Monday will be across northern portions of the Sunshine State, where localized severe weather and flooding cannot be ruled out. Download the free AccuWeather app to see how high temperatures will get in your area, as well as the arrival time of any thunderstorms. Folks partaking in outdoor activities, especially those visiting from colder northern locations, should make sure they take proper precautions in the heat. Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and drinking plenty of water are encouraged for anyone spending time in the sun. A cold front will make southward progress and cool things down across the area by midweek, according to Strait. Break from heat Dec 2 Showers and thunderstorms will mark the transition to cooler weather. While Strait said the coolest conditions will be felt across northern Florida, high temperatures will fall back into the 70s as far south as Miami and Key West, accompanied by much lower humidity. The air will not be quite as chilly as what spilled over the area during the early and middle part of last week, when highs were held to the 50s in Orlando and 60s in Miami. Still, those looking to give their air conditioners a break or put up holiday decorations with more ease will welcome the upcoming break from the heat. Warmer, steamier weather may again surge back north next weekend when more thunderstorms may rumble. Fiona Ma, Californias next treasurer aims to close a tax loophole she says Amazon has been exploiting. Image credit: Fiona Ma On Jan. 7, a certified public accountant named Fiona Ma will take office as Californias state treasurer, and she has a big task on the top of her to-do list: Get Amazon to collect taxes for its billions of third-party sales. The e-commerce giant has already been collecting sales tax for its own products in all 45 states with such tax. However, in most states, it doesnt collect sales tax for third-party sellers on its marketplace which account for over half of Amazons sales. They should be doing the right thing, Ma told Yahoo Finance. We have asked them to do it but they dont want to do it. So were going to compel them next year. California has tried to make Amazon do the right thing before. In 2011, the state passed a law requiring internet retailers like Amazon to collect state sales tax on items purchased by California residents. More recently, California has been pressuring the e-commerce giant to provide tax information for third-party sellers ostensibly, so the state can make sure those businesses are collecting sales tax, too. However, Ma says that collecting taxes would be a burden for third-party sellers. Thats why shes pushing for a state law that would put the burden on powerful e-commerce giants like Amazon to collect taxes on behalf of third-party sellers who sell on their platforms. You know your customer. Youre collecting the payment. Youre shipping it to them. Youre taking the returns. Youre refunding them. Why cant you collect taxes? Ma said of Amazon. A request that raised concerns among Amazons third-party sellers In late October, some sellers received an email from Amazon saying the e-commerce giant planned to disclose the sellers contact information and U.S. taxpayer identification number to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. This letter, which could mean more taxes for third-party sellers, raised alarms among Amazons third-party sellers. For individual sellers who want to charge state and local taxes, it can be difficult to comply. California alone levies distinct taxes in 24 districts, ranging from 7.25% to 10.25%. Many sellers say that buying new software and hiring extra people to file taxes could burden their small businesses. Story continues Amazon, on the other hand, has the resources to collect sales tax on behalf of third-party sellers, but it says it cant collect taxes until states pass legislation to require it to do so. In June, the Supreme Court ruled that states can in fact require online retailers to collect sales tax even if they have no brick-and-mortar presence in those states. The decision is a win for physical stores, which are arguably at a disadvantage because they do have to collect tax. Its also a victory for states that can get more tax revenue from online retailers. The Supreme Court left it up to states and local governments to decide how they want to collect taxes on online sales. Since the Supreme Court handed down its ruling, only Washington, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota had passed laws requiring marketplace facilitators like Amazon to collect sales tax for third-party transactions. This provides some relief to third-party sellers, which dont have to spend resources collecting taxes. Other states will likely follow suit with similar laws in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling. Until then, Amazon maintains a competitive advantage on price over local retailers that must collect taxes. Amazon wont do it voluntarily In 2011, Paul Misener, Amazon.com Vice President of Global Public Policy, right, speaks next to California Gov. Jerry Brown, left, after Brown signed AB 155, a bill that requires Amazon.com and other internet retailers to collect sales taxes starting 2012. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The California Board of Equalization, which Ma has served on since 2015, estimates that the states revenue loss related to all remote online sellers for both businesses and household consumers was about $1.5 billion in the fiscal year 2016-17. Amazon captures about half of the online sales in the U.S. With one of the highest sales tax rates in the country, California could stand to gain significant revenues from Amazons third-party sellers. Much of the debate now about whether Amazon must collect those taxes centers around whether Amazon is a retailer or whether it purely acts as a platform facilitating a transaction. Critics of Amazon emphasize its role in the transaction rather than just a platform. An increasing number of merchants on Amazon are using Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) service, by which they pay Amazon to pack, ship, and provide customer service for their products. It has become an engine of the titans business revenue. Still, Amazon might balk at collecting taxes on third-party products, even those that use this service. This is like Target suddenly telling P&G that its their responsibility to collect tax on Gillette Razors, Paul Rafelson, a state tax attorney who founded the Online Merchants Guild argued. Amazon wont do it voluntarily because Amazon benefits from avoiding the tax and everyone blames merchants. If other states can force Amazon to collect taxes, Ma believes California, the nations largest economy and one of the biggest markets for Amazon, could do it, too. During her tenure at Board of Equalization, the states elected tax commission, she sent a letter to Governor Edmund Browns office in August 2017 to urge him to push Amazon to collect taxes for third-party sales. Her efforts did not pay off. A complicated relationship with Amazon After collecting hundreds of proposals, Amazon finally ended its yearlong game of corporate duck-duck-goose to name New York City and Washington, D.C. (Image credit: Yahoo) That was not the first time Ma tried to confront Amazon on tax issues. When she was a state lawmaker, she played a role in the 2011 legislation that required Amazon to collect sales tax on items purchased by California residents. However, that law didnt require Amazon to collect taxes on items bought by third-party sellers a loophole made possible because the e-commerce giant neglected to disclose the indispensable role of third-party sellers on its platform, according to Ma. Seven years later, she aims to close the loophole and use it as a new source of revenue. Of course, Ma recognizes how hard it is to take on Amazon. She traveled to Seattle to talk to Amazons VP of States Tax in January 2017 and realized it wont voluntarily collect sales taxes from third parties until new legislation passes. If we are going to address some of the ongoing unfunded liabilities and infrastructure costs, were going to have to find more money, Ma told Yahoo Finance. Since Im on the tax board, its been a priority to generate more revenues that they should pay legally. Amazon has a complicated relationship with state governments. States have complained about tax issues South Carolina, for example, is suing Amazon for uncollected taxes, interests, and penalties related to marketplace sellers. At the same time, states have been trying to court Amazon to build fulfillment centers and create job opportunities. This year, in particular, state and local governments wooed Amazon as they vied to become the location of its second headquarters. The winners of the year-long bidding war were revealed this month Crystal City in Virginia and Long Island City in New York plans to offer $4.2 billion in tax incentives in total. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo notoriously said hed change his name to Amazon Cuomo if the e-commerce giant opened headquarters in the Empire State. Inside government agencies, there are also divergent attitudes towards Amazon. Ma says the Chamber of Commerce and some Republican legislators are eager to maintain an anti-tax and pro-business image. She also thinks regulators in California are too cautious about regulating big tech companies. Because a lot of customers are using it. They like it cause its convenient. And so its always a big fight trying to regulate something that is very popular for people, said Ma. During the midterm elections, Democrats had a sweeping victory in California, now controlling more than two-thirds of sitting state legislators. In the first week of January, Ma plans to have Sen. Mike McGuire act as the author of a bill specifically requiring Amazon to collect sales tax for third-party purchases, while she will be legislations principal sponsor. Ma says the proceeds could fuel the infrastructure needs in California, from hospitals to schools. And this could have big implications for other states fighting with Amazon over sales tax. An Amazon spokesperson says it will carefully consider legislation in California and around the country, and the company looks forward to the opportunity to work with Fiona Ma. I hope they will support my bill, Ma said, referring to Amazon. Krystal Hu covers technology and economy for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter. Read more: Why an Amazon job costs New York more than Virginia Amazon bought Whole Foods a year ago. Heres what has changed We entered the multi-million dollar business behind your Amazon returns Managua (AFP) - US economic sanctions will provoke the fall of President Daniel Ortega's regime if the autocratic leader doesn't implement democratic reforms demanded by Washington, analysts say. Already subject to US sanctions himself, Ortega's vice-president wife Rosario Murillo and national security advisor Nestor Moncada were hit with sanctions on November 27 as Washington stepped up the pressure on a regime accused of human rights abuses and authoritarian rule. Rights groups say at least 320 people have been killed in a brutal government crackdown launched in response to the escalation in April of street protests, initially against a now-ditched pension reform. Washington has approved measures that will see it oppose international loans to Nicaragua until Ortega enacts reforms that guarantee free and fair elections, strengthens the rule of law, combats corruption and protects basic rights such as free speech. The US measures "are aimed at provoking the social implosion of the government's foundation, both at a central and municipal level," said sociologist Oscar Vargas. He says the sanctions would create "a scenario in which the economy would fall into a deep recession." Growth projections for this year have been slashed to just one percent from 4.9 percent prior to the outbreak of trouble in April. The United States is the Central American country's most important trading partner, the destination of more than half of its exports and the source of 50 percent of remittances sent home by Nicaraguans living abroad. - Ortega will 'bury' regime - Retired general Hugo Torres says Ortega cannot afford to ignore the US pressure, including Washington's assertion that Nicaragua is a threat to US security. To do so would be to sign his own political death warrant. The US measures "are hugely serious because they are expressed in economic ways as they will subject the country and Ortega's regime to all types of economic sanctions," Torres told a local newspaper. Story continues Ortega first came to power in 1979 as a leader of the leftist Sandinista rebels that toppled the US-backed Somoza family dictatorship. After leaving office in 1990 he returned to power in 2007. Nicaragua's influential Catholic Church has been attempting to mediate between the regime and opposition, which wants Ortega to resign -- but the president walked away from those talks in May and has stubbornly refused to resume them. In the meantime he is increasing pressure on opponents that he describes as criminals and terrorists. "Until now Ortega's reaction to the protests and international pressure has been to increase repression and harden his position, to such an extent that he's established a police state and virtual state of siege," said Torres. "We hope he'll react (to US pressure) and understand that if he continues down this path, the only thing that will happen is he will bury his party and every possibility that his regime survives politically." While the Nicaraguan army has so far kept out of the crisis, Torres says it "should be very worried and advising (the government) to stop this maelstrom of repression and reestablish democracy." - 'Major crisis' - For former foreign minister, Francisco Aguirre, Nicaragua is "going through a major crisis in its relationship" with the United States, and "that's extremely worrying." But Vargas isn't expecting the president to change. "Ortega is living in a parallel universe," he recently wrote in a study on Nicaragua's economy, society and politics. Vargas feels that "only a long, hard and heroic popular mobilization" could force out the president. "We're living in a permanent state of terror," he said. Opposition politician and former diplomat Mauricio Diaz told AFP that he holds little hope of Ortega agreeing to restart talks. Instead he sees the 73-year-old leader "feeding the conflict, something we could call the Cubanization of Nicaragua." The "Bolivarian axis" -- which includes Venezuela and Cuba, a trio that US National Security Advisor John Bolton has described as a "troika of tyranny" -- has a "shared strategy that the government must resist" outside pressure "even if the population pays the consequences," Diaz said. Nicaragua has branded the US sanctions as imperialist interference with Murillo vowing that the "revolution will reach 40" next year. "We're unbreakable!" Panama City (AFP) - The government of Panama expressed its "profound condolences" Saturday over the death of former US president George H.W. Bush, who ordered the US invasion of the Central American country in 1989 to overthrow its then dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega. President Juan Carlos Varela, writing on Twitter, said: "I extend my condolences to the Bush family, the American people and government after the death of former president George H.W. Bush. His legacy and political vision will continue for generations." Varela's statement followed one from the foreign ministry offering "profound condolences" to the Bushes and the US government. Bush, who guided America through the end of the Cold War and launched the international campaign to drive Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait, died Friday at his home in Houston. He was 94. He also ordered the December 20, 1989 invasion of Panama, codenamed "Operation Just Cause," to overthrow Noriega, indicted on drug-related charges by US courts. Casualty estimates varied widely after the invasion, with most putting the number of civilians killed between 200 and 500 but some considerably higher. After an extended standoff, Noriega surrendered to US troops. Charged with drug trafficking, money laundering and "disappearing" political opponents during his 1983-1989 regime, he was imprisoned successively in the US, France and Panama. He died last year, aged 83, following brain surgery. Last month, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) called on Washington to compensate victims and families of the invasion, accusing US forces of multiple rights violations and calling for reparations. In response, the US Embassy in Panama said that it "deeply regrets the loss of civilian lives during Operation Just Cause." But it said the operation was justified because it ousted "brutal dictator Manuel Noriega" and helped turn Panama into "one of the most robust democracies in the hemisphere." Paris (AFP) - Anti-government protesters torched dozens of cars and set fire to storefronts during daylong clashes with riot police across central Paris on Saturday, as thousands took part in fresh "yellow vest" protests against high fuel taxes. Officers responded with tear gas after being targeted by protesters hurling rocks and other projectiles on the third weekend of demonstrations which have morphed into a broader rebuke of French President Emmanuel Macron. Smoke engulfed several shopping districts as the violence spread from the Arc de Triomphe, where crowds had gathered earlier hoping to march down the Champs-Elysees. While several dozens were allowed into the avenue after an ID check and search, many others -- some wearing gas masks or ski goggles -- remained behind and fought police manning barricades and water cannons. Protesters then led police on cat-and-mouse chases through other parts of the capital, setting cars and construction equipment alight and smashing windows. An assault rifle was stolen from a police vehicle, a source told AFP, though it was unclear if it was loaded. One person was in a critical condition after protesters pulled down one of the huge iron gates of the Tuileries garden facing the famed Louvre museum, crushing several people. "Those responsible for this violence don't want change or improvement, they want chaos," President Emmanuel Macron said in Buenos Aires where he was attending the G20 summit. Macron added that he had convened a meeting with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner and other top officials in Paris on Sunday after his return from Argentina. "No cause justifies that authorities are attacked, that businesses are plundered, that passers-by or journalists are threatened or that the Arc de Triomphe is defiled," he said. Philippe said the violence was "incredibly shocking" during a visit evening to a police barracks on Saturday evening. Story continues Authorities said at least 287 people were arrested in Paris and 110 injured, including 17 of the 5,000 police officers mobilised for the protests. Nearly 190 fires were put out and six buildings were set alight, the interior ministry said. - 'Idiots who come to fight' - An estimated 75,000 demonstrators, most of them peaceful, were counted across the country in the afternoon, the interior ministry said. The number was well below the first day of protests on November 17, which attracted around 282,000 people, and also down from the 106,000 who turned out last Saturday. Acrid plumes of smoke and tear gas, however, were testament to the escalation in violence in Paris, to the consternation of many of the "yellow vests", so-called for the high-visibility jackets they wear. Along the opulent Avenue Foch near the Arc de Triomphe, home to embassies and luxury residences, protesters ripped out benches to form a blockade, one person waving a skull-and-bones pirate flag. Interior Minister Castaner attributed the violence to "specialists in sowing conflict, specialists in destruction". He did not rule out imposing a state of emergency -- a demand made by the police union Alliance -- declaring: "Nothing is taboo for me. I am prepared to examine everything." "We're a peaceful movement, but we're disorganised -- it's a mess because we don't have a leader," said Dan Lodi, a 68-year-old pensioner on the Champs-Elysees. "You always have some idiots who come to fight, but they don't represent us at all." - 'Macron has to listen' - Stores and restaurants along the Champs-Elysees as well as surrounding streets had boarded up windows, anticipating a repeat of the clashes last Saturday which Macron compared to "war scenes". Chantal, a 61-year-old pensioner, said she was avoiding the "hooligans" but was determined to send Macron a message on the rising costs of living. "He has to come down off his pedestal," she said under rain in the Champs-Elysees. "Every month I have to dip into my savings." The "yellow vest" movement erupted on social media in October and has since become a wider protest against Macron, who is accused of failing to recognise the rising cost of living that has left many struggling. The countrywide protests have included many pensioners and have been most active in small urban and rural areas where demonstrators blocked roads, closed motorway toll booths, and even walled up the entrance to tax offices. Two people have died and dozens have been injured in the rallies, which opinion polls suggest still attract the support of two out of three French people. Attempts by the government to negotiate with the grassroots movement have failed, in large part because representatives have insisted on public talks broadcast on TV. Macron has sought to douse the anger by promising three months of nationwide talks on how best to transform France into a low-carbon economy without penalising the poor. He also vowed to slow the rate of increase in fuel taxes if international oil prices rise too rapidly but only after a tax hike due in January. Border agents fired tear gas on migrants, including children, near the U.S.-Mexico border this week. The San Ysidro Port of Entry between San Diego and Tijuana was shut down for several hours after some migrants reportedly tried to get through the fence. President Donald Trump strongly defended the use of tear gas saying, "Here's the bottom line: Nobody is coming into our country unless they come in legally." Other major headlines of the week included Michael Cohen pleading guilty to lying to Congress, Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith winning Mississippi's Senate runoff and the death of "SpongeBob Squarepants" creator Stephen Hillenburg. Click through the slideshow above to see photos from all of these events and more, and be sure to check back next weekend for our selection of the best photography from the week. Polish President Andrzej Duda approved a controversial bill on how COP24 will be monitored. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Michal Fludra/NurPhoto via Getty Images, Czarek Sokolowski/AP, Franck Dubray/Maxppp via ZUMA Press) The Polish government is defending a law that limits protest and privacy rights for participants at an international climate conference taking place next month in the southern city of Katowice. National representatives from member states of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change are meeting from Dec. 2 Dec. 14 with the aim of establishing rules for checking that countries are fulfilling the promises they made three years ago in Paris. They are also finishing the Talanoa Dialogue, which was a period for nations and NGOs to share their concerns and ideas to help build consensus for next steps and encourage countries to increase their CO2-reduction targets. Scientists say the Paris Agreements goal of limiting the increase in average global temperature to below 2C would prevent the most devastating consequences of manmade climate change. But a growing number of international NGOs argue that a Polish law threatens the success of COP24, a critical climate conference dubbed Paris 2.0. The controversy arises from a law Polish President Andrzej Duda signed last January that allows authorities to collect personal data on conference participants without their knowledge or consent. The bill also bans spontaneous demonstrations in Katowice, requiring protesters to get permission from the city beforehand. Lydia Gall, a researcher on Eastern Europe for Human Rights Watch (HRW), said the prohibition on spontaneous protests in Katowice is particularly concerning for events like COP24, where activists often need the ability to respond quickly to developments at the conference. This law as it stands makes that Illegal. This could lead to potential clashes and criminalization of activists, Gall told Yahoo News. The role of civil society and environmental activists in climate talks is extremely important in providing useful information to policy makers, and their active participation should be empowered and encouraged. The COP24 conference center In Katowice, Poland, on Tuesday. (Photo: Franck Dubray/Maxppp via ZUMA Press) She said preventing nongovernmental groups from responding to developments freely and organizing peaceful protests when necessary seriously undermines their rights. Story continues The fact that the law enables police to collect data on environmental activists without their knowledge or judicial review is worrying, Gall said. That data may be used to track, monitor or even spy on environmental activists and indigenous leaders participating in the conference. In response to questions from Yahoo News, the Polish embassy in Washington, D.C., said the government is determined to run an open dialogue with all organizations represented at the conference. The Ministry of the Environment wants to ensure that each COP24 participant will be warmly welcomed as a very important guest whose presence and activity will contribute to the most important aim of the COP24 Presidency, which is to provide a transparent, impartial and open for all parties negotiating process, the embassy said in an emailed statement. According to the Polish government, the regulations for public assemblies do not differ from those in other European Union countries that require protest organizers to apply for permission to hold events. At the same time, the email continued, the organizer is responsible for the lawful conduct of its activities. Polands prohibition on participation in spontaneous assemblies only applies to Katowice from Nov. 26 until Dec. 16. The Polish government argues this is not an unreasonable burden on activists. The date of the COP 24 Conference is known, the embassy wrote. Therefore, it is possible to book in advance, by interested parties, organizing in Katowice from November 26, 2018 to December 16, 2018, meetings, marches, or other forms of public manifestation of their views by various groups of observers. People march two days before the start of the COP23 U.N. Climate Change Conference hosted by Fiji but held in Bonn, Germany on Nov. 4, 2017. (Photo: Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters) But Sebastien Duyck, a senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law, said the Polish law created a division between the government and civic society groups thats very unhelpful and frustrating. The message that was sent, the symbolic nature of having this law, and the very specific provisions about human rights has already had a very negative impact for many civil society groups that had planned to attend the COP, Duyck told Yahoo News. He said several NGOs have decided not to attend the COP or to reduce the number of delegates because of security concerns. He said climate activists from developing countries without reliable civil liberty protections are particularly worried about what their governments might do after learning of their activities through such surveillance. Europeans and Americans may be a little less concerned about police having information about us, but for some of the activists from developing countries, this is extremely worrying, he said. They dont know what kind of regime change might happen or what will be done with any information collected about you. The Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development, for instance, said the bill would deter important representation from their region, and argued that the U.N.s decision to work with oppressive governments like Poland violates the international bodys own principles on human rights. Polish President Andrzej Duda, center; Pawel Soloch, head of the national security office, left; Patryk Jaki, first deputy minister of justice, right, and others participate in the Central Celebrations of the Prison Service in Poland on June 30, 2017, in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo: Karol Serewisi/Gallo Images Poland/Getty Images) Barbora Cernusakova, a researcher for Amnesty International based in London, said the tenor of the law is security but she questions its proportionality. Poland, she said, had already extended the surveillance powers of the law enforcement agencies in 2016. When it comes to metadata, there is very little regulation or restriction. The authorities can collect it without any authorization, she said. When it comes to other personal data, law enforcement agencies are actually capable of collecting them without any authorization for five days in case there is suspicion. If they are going to do it for longer than five days, then they need to seek authorization of a court. She said the recent clampdown on protests should be seen within a larger trend toward limiting civil liberties in Poland. Amnesty International has expressed broader concerns about the Polish governments attempts to restrict human rights and curtail peaceful protests. The organizations June 2018 report, The Power of the Street, documents how legislation adopted in December 2016 expanded law enforcements surveillance powers. According to the Amnesty report, Polish citizens do not know when they are under surveillance, and participating in a protest could result in harassment or prosecution. Those who participate in protests in Poland are frequently threatened with detention and prosecution, if not outright violence at the hands of police or security officers, the report says. Whats yet to be seen is the impact of the Polish law on the actual success of the conference, which experts say is critical to the future of international cooperation on climate change. Polish police officers forcibly remove protesters staging an anti-government demonstration in the center of Warsaw, Poland, on June 10, 2017. (Photo: Alik Keplicz/AP) Dan Bodansky, a law professor at Arizona State University and a leading climate change expert, said COP24 is more significant than the prior years meeting in Bonn, Germany, because more needs to be accomplished. How well the conference does in accomplishing these tasks, which are needed to keep the Paris Agreement on track to progressively ratchet up ambition, or not is the key question of Katowice, Bodansky told Yahoo News. Climate champions had hoped that the Paris Agreement would settle the political disagreements so that future conferences could focus more on technical guidelines and establishing strong rules. But ongoing political debates have hindered the development of strong rules. President Trumps announcement in June 2017 that he had decided to pull the U.S. from the Paris Agreement was mostly symbolic at this point. Under the accords 28th article, the earliest he can submit the United States withdrawal is November 2019, and it would take effect in 2020. Nevertheless, the international community is adjusting to this new dynamic without U.S. leadership, and Americans have a smaller seat at the table for climate talks. The White House released a congressionally mandated report on Black Friday about the catastrophic impact climate change will have on American infrastructure, public health and the economy. The question that remains is whether COP24 participants can set aside their differences to adopt a strong Global Climate Action Playbook. I think the rules that come out of Katowice will be a step forward, but be modest and not be as robust as some people had hoped for going into the process, Bodansky said. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday condemned what he described as Iran's testing of a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads as a violation of the international agreement on Tehran's nuclear program. Amid tension between Washington and Tehran over ballistic missiles, Pompeo warned in a statement released on Twitter that Iran is increasing its "testing and proliferation" of missiles and called on the Islamic Republic to "cease these activities." President Donald Trump pulled out of an international nuclear agreement in May and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, criticizing the deal for not including curbs on Iran's development of ballistic missiles or its support for proxies in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq. Iran says its missile program is purely defensive but has threatened to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf, if the United States tries to strangle Iranian oil exports. Last month, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said U.S. bases in Afghanistan, the UAE and Qatar, and U.S. aircraft carriers in the Gulf were within range. Pompeo's statement provided few details about the latest Iranian missile test. "The Iranian regime has just test-fired a medium range ballistic missile that's capable of carrying multiple warheads," he wrote in the tweet. "This test violates UNSCR 2231," he added, citing the United Nations Security Council's endorsement of the international nuclear agreement. "We condemn this act." U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, addressing a security forum in California, said the Iranian launch was significant and was a reminder that Tehran was unlikely to be deterred from pursuing missile technology or supporting militant proxies. "It shows that our best efforts to try to talk them out of their aggressive support of terrorism is probably going to be as unsuccessful as the U.N's effort to stop them from launching missiles," Mattis said. He added that while the strategic threat from Iran was less significant globally than the one from North Korea, he said it was regionally significant. "And it could grow beyond that if it's not dealt with," Mattis said. The Islamic Republic's government has ruled out negotiations with Washington over its military capabilities, particularly its missile program, which is run by the Revolutionary Guards. On Tuesday, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran warned the European Union that Tehran's patience was running out on the bloc's pledge to keep up oil trading despite U.S. sanctions. He said Iran could resume enriching uranium to 20 percent purity if it fails to see economic benefits from the 2015 deal that curbed its nuclear program. (Reporting by David Morgan in Washington; additional reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh, Matthew Lewis and Jonathan Oatis) With many fleeing life-threatening conditions including gang violence and domestic abuse, the thousands of migrants who make up what has become known as the migrant caravan hoped the United States would be a place of refuge after their long journeys. Instead, some of them were met with tear gas at the U.S.-Mexico border in Tijuana on Nov. 25, after at least one migrant reportedly threw rocks at Border Patrol agents. Heres the bottom line, nobodys coming into our country unless theyre coming legally, President Donald Trump said after the incident, although applying for asylum is a process protected by both international and national laws. Now, Trump wants to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico while their immigration court hearings play out, and the incoming Mexican government supports it, the Washington Post reported. But experts say that might not be possible under current law. Its just the latest hiccup in the Trump Administrations approach to asylum-seekers on the southern border. There really isnt any way under U.S. law to just have somebody wait in Mexico for their asylum proceedings to go forward, Denise Gilman, director of the Immigration Clinic at University of Texas Law School, tells TIME. And even perhaps more importantly, there are very serious international obligations that prevent the United States from forcing a family or an individual to remain in Mexico. Here are the facts. Is asylum a legal process? According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), asylum is a protection status migrants can apply for if they have reason to believe they will be persecuted in their home country on the basis of race, nationality, religion, political opinion or membership in a social group. People who have been granted asylum can then apply for a green card, and, eventually, citizenship. However, most asylum seekers are not granted asylum. In fiscal year 2018, the U.S. Justice Department reports that only one in five applicants achieved it. Story continues While migrants who seek asylum should meet the definition of a refugee to be considered, applying for asylum and refugee statuses are different processes in the United States. To apply for asylum, you must already be present in the United States. To apply for refugee status, foreign nationals must obtain permission to come to the U.S. before entering and receive a referral to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for consideration. How do you seek asylum in the U.S.? There are two ways to apply for asylum, per the USCIS: affirmatively or defensively. When applying affirmatively, migrants submit a form to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services within one year of arriving in the U.S. After that, affirmative asylum applicants are fingerprinted and interviewed. From there, an officer will approve or deny their status. Those who are denied can be referred to immigration court for a judge to make a final decision a process that can take years. Migrants who were apprehended, either at a port of entry or shortly after crossing into the United States, are slated for immediate expedited removal if they cannot provide proper legal documents. Migrants in this situation who claim a fear of returning to their origin country and pass a credible fear screening interview are referred to an immigration judge for full consideration of their asylum claims in deportation proceedings. They will be allowed to apply for asylum as a defense against deportation, along with migrants picked up well within the interior of the United States who are also placed into deportation proceedings and permitted to apply defensively without need for a credible fear screening, Gilman said. Space to house defensive asylum seekers is limited and expensive. It costs $134 per day to maintain one adult detention bed, and $319 per day to maintain a family bed, according to CNBC. Things are especially tricky when adult migrants come to the U.S. with their children, and a federal agreement limits how long children can be held in detention. This is especially relevant now, as the number of family units seeking asylum continues to increase as other undocumented border crossings remain at decade lows, according to Theresa Cardinal Brown, the director of immigration and cross border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center and a former policy official at both U.S Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security. Overall, the southern border is much, much more secure, it is much much harder to come in an undocumented way across the U.S.-Mexico border that is undeniably true, she says. What has changed is that we are seeing a new migratory pattern that we have not experienced before, where a majority of those trying to enter the United States are families with children who are seeking asylum and are not from Mexico. Given a child can only be detained for a limited amount of time, and that the cost of detaining any migrant is high, asylum-seekers are sometimes released to their friends or family members in the U.S. as they await their immigration court proceedings. Some are released on their own recognizance, others pay a bond or are ordered to wear GPS ankle monitors. Trump has referred to this series of steps as catch-and-release, a term which is not used by the government. What laws govern the process of seeking asylum? Prior to World War II, there were no clear routes to obtaining asylum status in the United States. In 1939, the United States notoriously turned away a ship full of 937 migrants, which included mostly Jewish people fleeing Nazi Germany. Initially denied entry by Cuba, the boat sailed so close to Florida that they could see the lights of Miami, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. A State Department telegram reportedly indicated the passengers must await their turns on the waiting list and qualify for and obtain immigration visas before docking. By the end of the Holocaust, more than 250 of the passengers had died. The United States formally apologized for its inaction in 2012. In 1951, the United Nations held a convention that established who was considered a refugee and to what rights theyd be entitled. The United States was not a signatory of this convention, though it did accede to its 1967 Protocol, which removed the geographical and time limitations the convention set. The 1980 Refugee Act brought the United States into compliance with international standards established by the United Nations Convention and its protocol. The act formulated the countrys first comprehensive and statutory procedure for claiming asylum in the U.S. Can Trump make refugees wait for their hearings in Mexico? Its complicated. We certainly have an obligation not to send somebody back to any country in which they would be in danger of harm or torture, Brown says. Thats against international treaty law; thats against U.S. law. But whether migrants not from Mexico who pass through the country on their way to the U.S. can be considered safe from harm or torture is another question, according to Gilman. It is unlikely any official deal could be finalized until President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes office on Dec. 1. If the country where the person is being required to stay may deport them to their home country, then the country that has required them or allowed them to stay in that third country is essentially indirectly creating a likelihood that the person may be returned home to danger, Gilman said. Brown cited part of Section 235 in the Immigration and Nationality Act as something the Administration may try to hinge this proposal on. It says the attorney general may return a migrant from a foreign territory contiguous to the United States to that territory pending a proceeding, though it is not abundantly clear whether that provision could apply to asylum seekers. Another justification the Trump Administration could potentially try is a safe third country agreement, which is when two nations bilaterally agree that the other is safe for refugees. The U.S. has an agreement with Canada, which generally requires asylum seekers arriving in either country to make their asylum claims in the first safe country they arrive in. If the U.S. had a deal of that sort with Mexico, migrants fleeing Central America would naturally go through Mexico on the way to the United States, thus requiring them to file their asylum claims there. However, no such agreement between the U.S. and Mexico exists yet. Additionally, Gilman said Mexico might not be a safe option for some of the migrants leaving Central America. Its completely disingenuous to suggest that there will be an evaluation of asylum seekers who might be at risk remaining in Mexico, she says. And if the agreement does somehow become codified perhaps through Section 235 of the Immigration and Nationality Act or a new safe third-party agreement with Mexico Gilman argued it would be a blight on the country for years to come: Its reminiscent of other times in history when we have turned away refugees from our borders, which we look back on now with great shame. Buenos Aires (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he had explained his position in the Ukraine crisis to US leader Donald Trump at a G20 summit, and remained open to proper talks. Trump had cancelled a scheduled bilateral meeting with Putin in Argentina, but White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the two did have an "informal" conversation when they crossed paths at a summit dinner Friday. Putin, briefing reporters after the summit concluded, characterised the encounter as more significant. "We spoke standing up. I replied to his questions about the incident in the Black Sea," Putin said, after Russia seized three Ukrainian vessels and their crews off Crimea. "It's a pity that we weren't able to have a real meeting. I think that one is really necessary. I hope that we can meet when the US side is ready for it," he said. "The questions that we have to discuss are very important. They are above all questions about strategic stability, questions about non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction." Tensions spiked on November 25 when Russian forces opened fire on and seized the three Ukrainian navy vessels, detaining the 24 crew members. It was the first open military confrontation between the rivals since 2014, when Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and pro-Russian separatists in the east entered into conflict with Ukrainian forces. Trump called off his G20 bilateral with Putin ostensibly because Russia has failed to return the ships and their crews to Ukraine. But US critics of the president linked the cancellation to new revelations emerging in an investigation into Trump's links to Russia including his past business dealings. US officials have gone further than Trump himself in condemning Russia's actions. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis earlier Saturday blasted Moscow over the Russian navy's "brazen" violation of a waterway treaty with Kiev and the seizure of the vessels. Speaking of a 2003 agreement governing the Kerch Strait between the Azov Sea and Black Sea, Mattis said Moscow had shown "brazen contempt and dismissal" for the deal "that allowed both Russian and Ukrainian ships free passage." BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday there had been no discussion with Ukraine about the possible release of the Ukrainian sailors who were seized along with their ships by Russia last month. Putin spoke with reporters on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Buenos Aires. Russia is resisting international calls to release three Ukrainian naval ships that its border patrols fired upon and seized in the strait near Russian-annexed Crimea last weekend. Moscow accused the 24 sailors of illegally crossing the Russian border. Putin said he would not introduce tit-for-tat restrictions on the entry of Ukrainians into Russia after Kiev imposed a ban on Russian males aged 16 to 60 from entering its territory. After U.S. President Donald Trump canceled a planned meeting with Putin at the G20 summit, citing the military tensions with Ukraine, the Russian leader said there were no pre-conditions for future bilateral talks. "It is regrettable that we can't succeed in holding a full-scale meeting, which is long due," Putin said, adding that issues of strategic stability would be of paramount importance. Putin and Trump had a brief meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit on Friday, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said. Trump's administration has accused Russia of non-compliance with the 31-year-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty and has said it will pull out of the deal as a result. The Kremlin denies violating the pact. "This is related to the issues of strategic stability, especially after the president declared his desire to withdraw from the INF missile treaty," Putin added. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Hugh Bronstein; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Will Dunham) BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman exchanged a high-five and laughed heartily together on Friday as they took seats next to each other at a plenary session of the Group of 20 summit. Putin's friendly behavior toward the crown prince contrasted sharply with that of other leaders at the Buenos Aires summit, amid suspicions of his possible involvement in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamalco Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. Saudi Arabia has said the prince had no prior knowledge of the murder, which has sorely tested the kingdom's relations with the United States, other Western nations and Turkey. Earlier, Prince Mohammed was sidelined during the official "family photo" of world leaders at Friday's gathering and was largely ignored. He then quickly exited the stage without shaking hands or talking with the other leaders. Russia has refrained from criticizing Saudi Arabia or the crown prince over the killing. Putin said in October he lacked information about the matter and said Russia would not tear up its relations with Saudi Arabia because of it. However, Moscow has also fostered strong ties with Saudi Arabia's regional arch foe Iran. Russia and Iran back President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war, while Saudi Arabia along with Western countries have backed some rebel groups. Putin and Prince Mohammed are due to hold bilateral talks on Saturday, according to Kremlin documents seen by Reuters. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries as well as Russia and other leading oil producers will meet in Vienna on Dec 6-7 to discuss further steps on the oil market as prices have been declining due to oversupply. Riyadh has suggested OPEC and its allies reduce output by 1 million barrels per day from January 2019 to stem the price falls. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Gareth Jones) What Happened This Week: After EU leaders blessed UK Prime Minister Theresa Mays proposed Brexit deal over the weekend, on Tuesday U.S. President Donald Trump opined to reporters that Mays Brexit agreement sounds like a great deal for the E.U. Which is an admittedly solid dig at his embattled U.K. counterpart, with whom Trump has a complicated relationship. Why It Matters: Its easy to dismiss Donald Trumps opinion on Mays Brexit deal as just another flippant, off-hand comment by the U.S. president without much thought behind it. But the reality is that Trumps assessment of Mays Brexit deal, regardless of how he arrived at it, echoes the sentiments of most Britonsthis is a subpar deal for the U.K., which by extension means its a good deal for Brussels. That reality makes it all the more likely that May fails to get her Brexit deal through the U.Ks parliament on Dec. 11, which could yet lead to another Brexit referendum one that keeps the U.K. in the E.U. at the end of the day. So perhaps the U.S. President who once styled himself as Mr Brexit should be careful what he criticizes. What Happens Next: The deal will likely fail to pass the U.K. Parliament, no matter how furiously May stumps for it as the only possible alternative to a no-deal Brexit (one that the Bank of England says could knock 8 percent off the British economy). There are just too many people who oppose Mays compromise on principled grounds (euroskeptics, Remainers, the Labour party, the Scots, Mays own Northern Irish coalition partners), and there is still enough time left to renegotiate a new deal before the March 29, 2019 Brexit deadline. So there isnt the urgency needed yet to force parliament members to consider Britains future interests instead of their own. The Key Number That Explains It: 37 thats the share of the British public who support Mays Brexit deal. While 35 percent oppose it, 26 percent say they neither oppose nor support it. Relatedly, 41 percent of Britons want Parliament to vote for Mays deal, and 38 percent want Parliament to vote against it. Story continues In a nutshell, after 18 months of grueling Brexit negotiations, British society is just as divided on Brexit as ever. Hard for any politician, no matter how talented they may be, to bridge a gap this big and genuine. The One Major Misconception About It: That people abroad dont take Trumps off-the-cuff comments seriously. First off, foreign leaders dosee how quickly Mays administration moved to push back against Trumps assessment of Mays Brexit deal. Second, even foreigners who disagree with Trump on almost everything are not above seizing on a comment of his for their own interests. Tulip Siddiq, an opposition Labour Party MP who is no fan of Trump, said Even Donald Trump, not the sharpest tool in the box, knows this deal is a bad deal. In todays era of instantaneous spin, no remark made by a person as visible as the U.S. president escapes re-appropriation. The One Thing to Say About It: Channeled correctly, Donald Trump may be Brussels most effective political weapon. Which tells you pretty much all you need to know about Brussels today. The One Thing to Avoid Saying About It: If Donald Trumps comments lead ultimately to a Brexit do-over, hell ironically deny Britons their very own declaration of independence. US=2, UK=0. Over the past decade, Europe has faced two existential turning points: a sovereign debt crisis triggered by the 200809 U.S. financial market meltdown and the surge in migrants that followed the Arab Spring and the Syrian civil war. Its hard to imagine how either might have been managed without German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She faced her share of (sometimes deserved) criticism along the way. But Merkels toughness, resilience and endurance helped hold the European Union together through these unprecedented challenges. Yet her political moment is nearing an end. Merkels bailouts for financially vulnerable countries like Greece, and especially her decision to open Germanys borders to more than 1 million refugees, have eroded her popularity at home. After a series of disappointing election results for Merkels center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, she has pledged not to run for Chancellor in 2021. Now there is a hotly contested election on Dec. 78 to replace her as leader of the CDU. Whoever wins will likely lead Germany next. Merkels chosen successor is Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, known as AKK, a candidate who mirrors Merkels pragmatism and her rejection of any CDU drift toward right-wing populism. The other lead contender is the more conservative Friedrich Merz, a surprise candidate and former Merkel rival who is returning to politics after almost a decade in the private sector. His distance from the political compromises of the past 10 years might help explain his recent surge in national opinion polls. In that sense, the choice between AKK and Merz is a party referendum on Merkels performance. AKK, the pollsters favorite, has two important advantages. First is the Chancellors backing; few should underestimate Merkels ability to rally support within the party. AKKs second advantage is that she has no centrist rival. Merz must compete for the partys conservative wing with Health Minister Jens Spahn, the partys best-known Merkel critic. So far, polls havent been kind to Spahn, perhaps because Merz is the much fresher face. Story continues AKK and Merz have both signaled that they accept that Merkel will remain Chancellor until the next scheduled federal election, in 2021. But thats much more likely if AKK wins. A victory for Merz signals a new direction for the CDU, and Merkel could step aside. In addition, its hard to imagine that the unapologetically pro-business Merz would continue with the grand coalition Merkel has formed with the center-left Social Democratic Party (SDP)or that the SPD would want to remain in that partnership indefinitely. That might well mean an early election. Whatever happens when CDU delegates vote, the sound of Germanys political page turning will be heard across Europe. When France elected Emmanuel Macron President in the spring of 2017, E.U. boosters hoped Macron would partner with Merkel to strengthen European institutions. President Donald Trumps often hostile attitude toward the E.U. seemed destined to bolster bonds. But Macron now has a 26% approval rating in his own country and faces a wave of protests that forces him to focus mainly on domestic headaches. And Merkels time as Chancellor has now reached its twilight. Can Kramp-Karrenbauer or Merz match Merkels formidable political talent at handling the European crises yet to come? The answer will matter far beyond Germanys borders. Algiers (AFP) - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will arrive in Algiers on Sunday, Algerian state media said, for a visit that has been roundly criticised due to the killing of a dissident journalist. His two day visit comes as part of "the close brotherly relations between the two countries", Algeria's presidency said on Saturday, in a statement quoted by the official APS news agency. The trip is meant to give "new impetus to biliteral cooperation (and) the realisation of partnerships and investment projects", the statement said. The crown prince set off last week on his first foreign tour since the grisly murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate on October 2. Khashoggi's killing has put mounting pressure on Riyadh and Prince Mohammed, who Turkish officials -- and reportedly the CIA -- have concluded was behind the critic's death. Saudi authorities have vehemently denied the crown prince was involved in the murder, although Riyadh has admitted he was killed at the Istanbul consulate. In Algeria, his planned visit has sparked an outcry from journalists, politicians and intellectuals. Secretary General of the leftist Workers' Party Louisa Hanoun called Prince Mohammed's visit a "provocation". Abderrazak Makri, head of the Islamist Movement of Society for Peace, told reporters the Crown Prince's visit "does not serve Algeria's image nor its reputation". "He is responsible for the death of a large number of children and civilians in Yemen, the jailing of many Saudi citizens who did not commit a crime, and lastly, the crime against Jamal Khashoggi," he said. In a statement obtained by AFP, 17 prominent journalists and intellectuals sharply criticised the Saudi leader. "The world is certain that he ordered a terrible crime against the journalist Jamal Khashoggi," they wrote. Among the signatories were writer and journalist Kamel Daoud and prominent novelist Rachid Boudjedra. Prince Mohammed has in recent days travelled to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Tunisia, before heading to Buenos Aires on Wednesday for the G20 summit. His visit to Tunis was greeted by demonstrations against Khashoggi's murder and the war in Yemen. By Lamine Chikhi ALGIERS (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will arrive in Algeria on Sunday for a two-day visit, Algerian state news agency APS said, resuming his tour of Arab countries after the G20 summit in Argentina. Before the G20 summit the heir to the throne of the world's top oil exporter visited the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Tunisia. It is his first trip abroad since the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which has strained Saudi Arabia's ties with the West and battered the prince's image abroad. Saudi Arabia has said the prince had no prior knowledge ofthe murder. After offering numerous contradictory explanations,Riyadh said last month that Khashoggi had been killed and hisbody dismembered when negotiations to persuade him to return toSaudi Arabia failed. Algerian-Saudi investments and trade relations such as the oil and petrochemical sectors would be discussed, APS said. Algeria's energy minister Mustapha Guitouni said last week that global oil prices would not be on the agenda. Algeria is one of the few Arab countries which has good relations with Saudi Arabia as well as its arch rival Iran. Algiers also has strong ties with Qatar, with which Saudi Arabia and three other Arab states severed trade and transport ties in June 2017. The four accused Doha of supporting terrorism and Iran - charges Doha denies. Algerian army chief of staff Ahmed Gaed Salah will not join the meetings with the Saudi heir as he is visiting Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, according to his ministry. The North African OPEC member is also on good terms with Turkey, whose relations with Saudi Arabia have been strained by the Khashoggi killing. The Saudi prince is unlikely to face protests over the murder like he did in Tunisia, as demonstrations are banned in Algiers. But a group of prominent journalists and intellectuals has issued an open letter protesting against his visit, saying it was "unethical and politically inappropriate". There was no confirmation that the prince might also visit Algeria's neighbour Morocco, despite speculation in the local press. The Moroccan foreign ministry refused to comment. (Reporting by Nayera Abdallah, Lamine Chikhi, Hamid Ould Ahmed, Ulf Laessing and Zakia Abdennebi; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Andrew Bolton) Buenos Aires (AFP) - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman showed himself to be no pariah Friday at the G20 summit, with a beaming Vladimir Putin welcoming him but European leaders warning him over the killing of a dissident journalist. Less than two months after Saudi Arabia outraged allies when a hit team murdered Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, Prince Mohammed flew into Buenos Aires to take his place among leaders of the top 20 global economies, a sign that he intends to remain firmly in charge. In an image that quickly went viral online, Russian President Putin and the 33-year-old prince grinned broadly and gave each other an effusive handshake as if they were long-lost friends reunited at the G20. Their embrace comes amid reports that Russia and Saudi Arabia have reached a pact to cut oil production when the OPEC cartel meets on December 6 in Vienna, to help shore up collapsing crude prices. Kirill Dmitriev, the chief of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, told reporters that Putin would meet the prince Saturday and discuss boosting Saudi Arabia's $2 billion investment in Russia. But the prince appeared to receive a more critical reception from French President Emmanuel Macron, who was overheard on a microphone voicing concerns. "Don't worry," Prince Mohammed is heard saying in English to the French leader, who responds, "I do worry. I am worried." The clip was partially inaudible and the context of the exchange was not entirely clear. But it received wide traction on social media, with Macron telling the prince, "You never listen to me," to which Prince Mohammed replies, "I will listen, of course." The French presidency said that Macron spoke to the prince about the killing of Khashoggi and the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen, where millions are on the brink of starvation in what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Macron told the prince that Europeans wanted international investigators to take part in the probe on Khashoggi's death and stressed "the necessity of a political solution in Yemen," the Elysee Palace said. Story continues - Trump downplays encounter - The prince was also seen chatting with President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka, although in a nod to US domestic outrage over Saudi Arabia, the White House downplayed the encounter. "They exchanged pleasantries at the leaders' session as he did with nearly every leader in attendance," a senior White House official said. Trump, meanwhile, said "we had no discussion. We might, but we had none." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, however, separately met with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, the State Department said. Until Khashoggi's killing, Trump had been an unabashed fan of the prince as the young leader who portrays himself as a reformist consolidated power and detained prominent Saudis, with the heir apparent forging a particularly close relationship with Ivanka's husband Jared Kushner. Trump has since voiced sadness over the killing of Khashoggi, who lived in the United States and wrote for The Washington Post. But, in an exclamation point-heavy statement before the summit, Trump said it did not matter whether Prince Mohammed knew about Khashoggi's death because Saudi Arabia was important for US business and for its hostility to Iran. The US Senate nonetheless moved this week to end support for the Saudi-led war against rebels in Yemen amid outrage over attacks on civilian sites including a school bus and hospitals. British Prime Minister Theresa May, speaking to Sky News before the summit, said she would press the crown prince both on Yemen and Khashoggi at the G20. "The Saudi Arabians need to ensure that their investigation is a full investigation, that it's credible, that it's transparent, and that people can have confidence in the outcome of it, and that those responsible are held to account," May said. The de facto Saudi ruler got a warmer audience in Buenos Aires with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who "firmly supports" Riyadh's reform drive, the Xinhua news agency reported. China "will continue to stick together with the Arab country on issues involving their core interests," Xinhua quoted Xi as telling the prince. In this article: * Malaysia posts fourth straight weekly decline * Indonesia logs biggest monthly gain since Jan By Shreya Mariam Job Nov 30 (Reuters) - Malaysian and Indonesian shares led losses on Friday amid caution ahead a high-stakes meeting between leaders of China and the United States, while Thai stocks rose on higher oil prices. U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are expected to discuss trade on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina on Saturday, where trade tariffs are expected to dominate the agenda. However, Trump sent mixed signals on Thursday about the trade deal, saying an agreement was close but he was not sure he wanted one, just as he left for Argentina for a meeting with President Xi. Meanwhile, China's manufacturing sector stalled for the first time in over two years in November, adding to investor jitters before the pivotal meeting. China is the top trade partner of most Southeast Asian countries. Malaysian shares were the biggest losers in Southeast Asia with a drop of 1 percent, dragged by consumer non-cyclicals and industrials. Axiata Group Bhd dipped 4 percent, while Sime Darby Plantation Bhd slid 5.4 percent. For the week, Malaysian shares declined about 1 percent in their fourth straight weekly drop. Indonesian shares closed 0.8 percent lower, marking their third session of declines in four. Financial and material stocks were among the top losers, with United Tractors Tbk PT declining 6.3 percent and Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk PT shedding 10.3 percent. For the month, Indonesian shares gained 3.9 percent, their sharpest since January. Meanwhile, Thai stocks closed higher for a fifth session in six, driven by energy stocks on stronger oil prices. Brent oil prices firmed on expectations that OPEC and Russia will agree some form of production cut next week. Industry heavyweight PTT Exploration and Production PCL climbed 2.3 percent, while Siam Commercial Bank PCL rose 1.8 percent. Singapore stocks extended gains into a third session, Story continues helped by industrial and telecommunication services stocks. Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd gained 4.1 percent and Golden Agri-Resources Ltd rose 6.5 percent. The Philippine stock market was closed for a holiday. For Asian Companies click; SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS Change on the day Market Current Previous close Pct Move Singapore 3117.61 3109.44 0.26 Bangkok 1641.8 1636.49 0.32 Jakarta 6056.124 6107.168 -0.84 Kuala Lumpur 1679.86 1696.34 -0.97 Ho Chi Minh 926.54 926.79 -0.03 Change on year Market Current End prev yr Pct Move Singapore 3117.61 3402.92 -8.38 Bangkok 1641.8 1753.71 -6.38 Jakarta 6056.124 6,355.65 -4.71 Kuala Lumpur 1679.86 1796.81 -6.51 Ho Chi Minh 926.54 984.24 -5.86 (Reporting by Shreya Mariam Job in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu) Sebastian Kurz, the conservative Chancellor of Austria, may have found a solution to one of Europes most vexing problems: the rising popularity of the radical right. Unlike many of his peers in Germany, he does not want to dismiss Europes new nationalists as a bunch of neo-Nazis in disguise. Nor does he support the strategy of a cordon sanitaire, which mainstream parties in France have used to isolate the xenophobes in parliament and keep their hands off the levers of power. Instead Kurz has taken a riskier bet. He has brought the far right into his government. At the end of last year, after leading his conservative Peoples Party to victory in legislative elections, he agreed to govern in coalition with the Freedom Party, a movement founded by Austrian Nazis in the aftermath of World War II. Kurz says the decision was a democratic necessity the Freedom Party won more than a quarter of the vote in those elections. His critics say he made a Faustian bargain, sanitizing some of the most odious figures on the right-wing fringe and bringing them into the mainstream. Opinion is split among E.U. leaders on the wisdom of Kurzs partnership with the Freedom Party, whose hate-baiting attacks against migrants from the Muslim world has outraged many European liberals. But apart from some statements of disapproval, E.U. leaders have not ostracized Kurz or his coalition partners. Indeed, under his leadership, Austria took over the rotating presidency of the E.U. as planned this summer, allowing Kurz to proceed with his experiment in governing alongside the radical right. Earlier this fall, ahead of the one-year anniversary of that experiment, TIME sat down with Kurz at his office in Vienna. At 32, he is the youngest Chancellor in Austrias history. (This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.) TIME: Back in 2000, when the Freedom Party was last allowed to join a coalition government in Austria, the world responded in outrage. The E.U. imposed sanctions against Austria that year. Israel withdrew its ambassador from Vienna, citing the Freedom Partys history of anti-Semitism and its Nazi roots. The U.S. refused all official contacts with the Freedom Party. Hundreds of thousands of protestors brought Austrian cities to a standstill. What do you remember from that time? Story continues I remember the demonstrations. I remember the sanctions. I also remember that many reforms were made in Austria under that government. But look, when that government was formed, I was only 14 years old. So I was interested in many things, but politics was not really one of them. Why do you think the European reaction was so much more muted this time, when you brought the Freedom Party into your government? I think the situation today is not comparable with the year 2000. The Freedom Party has changed a lot. And in Europe we have many right-wing or far-right parties winning elections. There is also a greater understanding in Europe that the E.U. is made up of 28 democracies. And in a democracy, whether you like it or not, its the people who decide. Its the decision of the people. Yes, but that logic has a peculiar history in Austria and Germany. During the elections held in Germany in 1932, the people decided in favor of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, which came in first place that year with 37% of the vote. Isnt there a lesson to be learned from that history today? We should be very careful with such comparisons. Im sorry. What we had back then was not a functioning democracy. The Nazis killed millions of people on our continent. They killed millions of Jews, children. So I would say its not right to compare todays far-right parties with the Nazis. Fair enough. But in 1932, no one predicted that the Nazis would soon attempt to commit genocide against the Jews. It was only clear that their rhetoric and many of their policies were targeting the Jews of Europe. Much the same can be said of the Freedom Partys rhetoric against the Muslims of Europe today. Is that not reason enough to compare the two? Look, there is no better form of government than democracy. What we have now is that the far left and the far right parties are getting stronger in Europe. And I think the best answer is not to focus on these parties or to criticize the voters who vote for them. What we need are politicians in the center who do a good job. And Austria is the best example of politicians in the center winning elections and doing a good job in government. Austria is also the best example of the far-right gaining support in elections. The Freedom Partys presidential candidate nearly won in 2016 with over 46% of the vote. How do you explain that? To be honest, the reason why far right and far left movements became stronger and stronger in Europe is easy to understand. If grand coalitions [between the center-left and center-right], like we had for a long time in Austria, are not able to work together, if they blockade each other and fight all the time, if parties in the center forget what they need to do for the country and just follow pressure from NGOs or the media, then its no surprise that people vote for far right or far left parties. Most people want a normal centrist approach. But politicians in the center have to show them results. Some of your clearest results have been on the issue of immigration. Your policies have reduced immigration into Austria dramatically. Why have you focused so much of your energy on that? One big mistake of many politicians is to have no understanding for the real situation of people in their country. On migration, in Vienna we had the situation where things became worse and worse, and the answer of the Social Democrats who were ruling Vienna was, Please, you should give up your prejudice. We will help you lose your fear. Please enjoy diversity. Whats wrong with losing your fear and enjoying diversity? To a lot of people those sound like positive messages. Positive messages, yes. But positive messages from people who themselves send their children to private schools and who live in areas without many migrants. So I think that is the difference. Most people are not radical xenophobes. But if there are problems, [politicians] should not look the other way. You gave a lot of ground in your negotiations to form a government with the Freedom Party. They got the right to appoint the heads of six out of Austrias 10 ministries, including those responsible for the police, the military, the intelligence services and the diplomatic corps. Why did you give them so much? First, if you really want to change a country, if you really want to make reforms, its necessary to start with the Ministry of Finance. For me it was extremely important to have the Ministry of Finance, because its relevant for the whole government, and its necessary to have it if you really want to change something. The other price you paid was that you had to take on parts of their political agenda. Has that meant going against your principles? No. It is populists who mainly do what they think is popular, but not what is best for their country. And on every issue I believe that our approach is 100% right. My positions on immigration have been consistent all these years. When I started in government, I said that children who come here should take German classes before they start regular classes, so they can follow what the teachers say. I said it should be possible to be a believing Muslim and a proud Austrian at the same time. Then what is the point of shutting down mosques and banning Muslim women from veiling their faces in public? Your government has done both those things. We did not close mosques without reasons. What we did was to close mosques that were not in line with our law. And the one who created that law was me. That was years before the [2017] elections, years before I knew I would be a candidate [for Chancellor], years before I made a coalition with the Freedom Party. And you know which party criticized my Islam law the most? The Freedom Party. They criticized it because they said it was too soft. Did that make you harden your position on Islam? No. The only place where I changed my mind was on the burqa. Thats true. Because eight years ago, when I started as State Secretary [in charge of integrating migrants], I said its not an issue, because I never saw [women wearing veils] on the streets. But things changed. With the rise of ISIS, many people in the country became more radical. Even when the Freedom Party causes a scandal at home or abroadwhich seems to happen fairly oftenyou generally try to avoid criticizing them in public. Why is that? Are you trying to show a united front? I criticize them whenever I think it is necessary. In some areas I do it one-on-one. Sometimes I do it inside the government. Sometimes I do it publicly, when I think they have crossed the line. But sometimes the criticism they get [in the media] is not right. And in those cases I dont say anything. MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somalias South West state will delay a key presidential vote for the third time because it is not sufficiently prepared, the semi-autonomous regions election committee said on Saturday. Tensions between the federal government and state authorities have mounted in recent weeks after Mogadishu tried to block the candidacy of former al Shabaab Islamist militant Mukhtar Robow. "After the committee evaluated the many activities awaiting, available time and the incomplete tasks to be completed within a short time frame..., (it) decided the election date will be 19 December," a committee statement said. The original date for the election was Nov. 17 before its initial postponement to Nov. 28 and then to Dec. 5. South West is slated to be the first of Somalias seven semi-autonomous regions to hold presidential elections in the coming months, a critical juncture in a growing power struggle between the central government in Mogadishu and the states. The postponement in South West state came a day after the central government deployed dozens of federal police officers to Baidoa, the state capital, to help "tighten security", said Hassan Hussein, South West state security minister. Further deployments would be made to help prevent al Shabaab destabilizing the election, Hussein told reporters on Friday. "There is an election and what is required is an election to take place peacefully. The enemy al Shabaab often tries to terrify the peace of South West state," Hussein said. Somalia has been trying to claw its way out of the remnants of the civil war that engulfed it in 1991, when clan warlords overthrew a dictator and then turned on each other. Al Shabaab has been fighting for more than a decade to topple the weak central government and implement its interpretation of Islamic law. In November, over half South West's election committee resigned, accusing the central government of interfering in the vote and attempting to install their preferred candidate. Matt Bryden, head of the Nairobi-based think tank Sahan Research, said there were legitimate technical issues surrounding the vote, but that the delay and police deployment were making the situation increasingly tense. "The situation is increasingly unpredictable and I wouldn't even rule out the risk of violence in the coming days. And if that happens, then the situation could develop in any direction," Bryden told Reuters. (Reporting by Abdi Sheikh in Mogadishu and Hereward Holland in Nairobi; Editing by Omar Mohammed and Mark Heinrich) Goma (DR Congo) (AFP) - At least three soldiers and three civilians have been killed in a rebel attack on the shores of Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo's restive east, civilian and military sources said Friday. "We have three dead (soldiers) and four wounded," an army spokesman in the Ituri province told AFP, saying the situation was "getting worse" around fishing villages along the shores of the lake. A local administrative official in Mahagi also said three civilians had been killed in what appeared to be the same area. "Three civilians have died in this fishing spot and the wounded were taken to hospital," Abel Ulingi told AFP, saying rebels had attacked army posts in three villages along the lake. A civilian witness in Kwero, one of the villages which came under attack, reported seeing the bodies of four civilians and three rebels lying on the ground. "We fled the clashes on Wednesday between rebels who came from Djugu territory and the army," Pascal Agenonga told AFP. "There were civilian bodies on the ground, I saw four yesterday morning," he said, adding that he had also seen the corpses of three rebels. The attack came as DR Congo gears up for presidential elections on December 23 to choose a successor to Joseph Kabila who has ruled the country with an iron fist since 2001. "We don't know how we're going to vote," he said. "Many people have fled and are afraid to come back." Hema herders and Lendu farmers have been locked in violence in Ituri for decades, with tens of thousands killed from 1999 to 2003. A gold-rich province, Ituri has been mired in violence for decades, with farmers and herders from different ethnic groups locked a bitter war that left 60,000 dead between 1999 to 2003 and prompted the deployment of an EU peacekeeping force. (Photo: KCRA3) A trip to Starbucks on the way to drop his daughter off at school left a California man in shock. Johncarl Festejo, who recently retired from the Air Force, stopped at a Starbucks in Vacaville on Monday along with his 12-year-old, Milan. Feeling under the weather, he ordered a hot cocoa, along with a banana nut bread and mocha Frappuccino for Milan. Festejo used his first name on the app where he had ordered the beverages. But when the barista began to call out the order, thats not what was said. A few minutes later, I was just waiting in that area, and next thing I know, I hear, Is there a Chang here? Is there a Chang? We got a hot cocoa,' he told KCRA3. I figured, no big deal. It was probably someone else. The barista repeated Chang two more times. Then, I hear again, Banana nut bread for Chang. Im like, OK, probably the same order. Then, followed by that was the chocolate frap, Festejo told KCRA. Recognizing his order, but not his name, Festejo approached the barista counter. I said, Maam, is this my order? Because my name is not Chang. She responded that could it have been my name on the app, he said. So, I double checked my Starbucks app. It says my name. I just asked, Is this some kind of joke? For real? Like, come on now.' The baristas response was to slightly snicker, Fetejo told the news channel. Festejos daughter Milan was also confused by the event. When I went to school, I started to think about it. How could they get John and Chang messed up? Milan said. I think it was really mean, because I never went to a place where they called me something else. In a rush to get his daughter to school, Festejo left and later called the corporate headquarters of Starbucks to share his experience. He received an apology, as well as a follow-up call from a district manager. The company responded in a statement by saying We have a zero-tolerance stance on discrimination of any kind, and the experience in question was not reflective of our mission and values. We have reached out to the customer and shared our deep regret for their experience, are conducting an investigation into the matter and will take the appropriate actions. Story continues The employee has not received any new shifts from the company, KCRA3 added. Festejo said he was particularly shocked by the incident since Starbucks employees recently underwent racial bias education following the arrest of two black men who were sitting in a Philadelphia store. We didnt expect this, especially this day in age, Festejo said. Especially what just occurred recently in Starbucks, I didnt expect this would happen. Late Friday evening, Festejo posted the news article about the incident on the Vacaville Crime & Community Info Facebook page, along with a poignant post about learning from mistakes. Although this happened, I do ask you all not to judge a business because of one persons act. We all fall short in many ways. Learn from this and move forward. Im not going to disregard all the great things Starbucks did for our community and myself, he wrote. If you normally go to that Starbucks off of Elmira, please continue to go and support them. Vast majority of the employees are great people especially the Starbucks off of E Monte Vista. I just hope we all learn from this as a community. Thanks. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Theresa May is facing more Brexit woes after another ministerial resignation (Picture: REUTERS/Dylan Martinez) Theresa Mays Brexit plan is a deal in name only, says the latest minister to quit the Government over the issue. Sam Gyimah has resigned as Universities and Science Minister, saying Britain was giving up our voice, our veto and our vote in Europe and would get hammered in the next stage of the talks on future relations with the EU. He is the seventh minister and ministerial aide to resign from the Government since Mrs May unveiled the draft Withdrawal Agreement less than three weeks ago. Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Mr Gyimah who backed Remain in the referendum said: Looking at the deal in detail, we dont actually have deal. We have a deal in name only. We have given up our voice, our veto and our vote. Our interests will be hammered because we will have no leverage. Sleepwalking Sam Gyimah said the British public could be sleepwalking into a situation where they are pure supplicants and rule takers (Picture: PA) He added: My worry is the British public will be sleepwalking into a situation where we will wake up and find out that we are no longer equal partners with the countries in Europe. We are pure supplicants and rule takers. The democratic deficit and the loss of sovereignty that will result in that situation is one the British public, rightly, will never accept. MORE: Meet Britains oldest takeaway driver, 82, who hasnt missed a single shift MORE: Police plan of armed patrols would turn residential streets into battlegrounds say critics He urged the Prime Minister not to rule out a second referendum if she is defeated in the crucial Commons vote on the Withdrawal Agreement on December. Mrs May is currently in Argentina for the G20 summit, but has announced that she is giving up on efforts to get access to the EUs Galileo satellite navigation system, confirming that the UK will instead aim to build its own Global Navigation Satellite System, at a cost estimated by experts to be 3-5 billion. Mr Gyimah said the situation showed how the EU is likely to approach the rest of the negotiations. What has happened with Galileo is a foretaste of the brutal negotiations we will go through that will weaken our national interest, make us poorer, less secure, he said. Berlin (AFP) - Thousands of people marched in Berlin and Cologne on Saturday calling for Germany to abandon coal-powered electricity generation, on the eve of a major climate conference in Poland. Organisers in Berlin said 16,000 protestors marched in Berlin -- 5,000 according to police -- in a colourful march featuring placards, banners and costumes. In the western city of Cologne, organisers said 20,000 people turned out to protest -- 10,000 according to police. Hubert Weiger, spokesman for one organisation, "Bund", called on Germany to commit to pulling out of coal by 2030. The government is expected to settle on a calendar to phase out polluting power sources such as coal at the beginning of next year. Already in 2011, Chancellor Angela Merkel decided to phase out nuclear power generation by 2022, in the wake of the disaster at Fukushima reactor meltdown in Japan. Partly because of that decision, coal remains a cornerstone of energy generation in Germany's energy policy, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the country's energy production. The marches came ahead of the COP24 climate summit, which opens in Poland on Sunday. Delegates from nearly 200 countries are due in Katowice for the gathering, which is intended to renew and build on the Paris deal limiting global warming. Coal accounted for 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide in 2017 according to the Global Carbon Project -- the largest single source of the pollutant. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) The United States and China reached a 90-day ceasefire in a trade dispute that has rattled financial markets and threatened world economic growth. The breakthrough came after a dinner meeting Saturday between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires. Trump agreed to hold off on plans to raise tariffs Jan. 1 on $200 billion in Chinese goods. The Chinese agreed to buy a "not yet agreed upon, but very substantial amount of agricultural, energy, industrial" and other products from the United States to reduce America's huge trade deficit with China, the White House said. President Donald Trump says he'd be willing to sign a two-week government funding extension to allow for ceremonies honoring the life of former President George H.W. Bush. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump says lawmakers have asked him for an extension after Bush's death late Friday. The 41st president is set to be honored with a state funeral, including plans to lie in state in the Capitol this week, a ceremony at the National Cathedral and a national day of mourning Wednesday. Trump says: "I would absolutely consider it and probably get it." Trump had been gearing up for a showdown at the end of the week as he's sought billions for the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Leaders of the world's top economies agreed Saturday to repair the global trading system as they closed a Group of 20 summit that saw the Trump administration at odds with many allies over the Paris accord on climate change and issues like migration. The joint statement signed by all 20 member nations said 19 of them reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris climate accord, with the United States, which withdrew from the pact under President Donald Trump, the lone holdout. The official communique acknowledged flaws in global commerce and called for reforming the World Trade Organization, but it didn't mention the word "protectionism" after negotiators said that had met resistance from the United States. Story continues CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) As Mars' newest resident settles in, Planet Earth is working on three more landers and at least two orbiters to join the scientific Martian brigade. NASA's InSight spacecraft touched down on the sweeping, red equatorial plains Monday, less than 400 miles (640 kilometers) from Curiosity, the only other working robot on Mars. That's about the distance from San Francisco to Pasadena, California, home to Mission Control for Mars. InSight the eighth successful Martian lander should be wrapping up two years of digging and quake monitoring by the time rovers arrive from the U.S., Europe and China. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) A North Korean soldier fled across a heavily fortified border to defect to South Korea early Saturday, the military in Seoul said, just as the rivals began taking steps to reduce military tensions. South Korean soldiers escorted the defector to safety after finding him moving south of the eastern side of the military demarcation line that bisects the Koreas, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. South Korean authorities plan to question the defector over the details of his escape. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it had not observed any unusual activity from North Korean troops in the area where the defection happened. SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) About 300 West Papuan demonstrators calling for independence for the restive Indonesian region faced off with counterprotesters Saturday in the country's second-largest city. The demonstrators in Surabaya chanted "Freedom Papua" and held banners demanding a referendum for independence to mark Dec. 1, which many West Papuans consider the anniversary of what they say should have been their independence. "We are demanding the truth of our history," a speaker shouted at the crowd at the rally, which was organized by the Papua Students Alliance. "Referendum for independence is the right solution for the people of Papua." The crowd, including many wearing headbands with the morning star flag as a separatist group symbol, was blocked from marching to the city center by scores of counterprotesters from several youth organizations in Surabaya, the capital of East Java province. KOSTOLAC, Serbia (AP) A foul smell permeates the air in this gray mining town. People rarely open their windows as thick smoke billows from the huge chimneys of Serbia's main coal-fired power station. Things are only getting worse for residents living close to the Kostolac power plant complex in eastern Serbia, which is being expanded with a $715 million loan from a Chinese state bank and constructed by one of China's largest companies. When U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly withdrew from the Paris agreement on tackling global climate change in 2017, China was seen as the champion in the battle to cut carbon emissions and prevent a global environmental catastrophe. WASHINGTON (AP) A former Justice Department official admitted his role Friday in a multimillion-dollar effort to try to get the United States to drop its investigation into a money laundering and bribery scheme that pilfered billions from a Malaysian investment fund. George Higginbotham's guilty plea in federal court in Washington marked the first public acknowledgement of a secret attempt to pressure American officials to drop their probe of the fund known as 1MDB. The massive corruption investigation, which upended Malaysian politics, spanned the globe with the money from the fund gambled in Las Vegas, spent on diamond jewelry and a luxury yacht and used to finance the "Wolf of Wall Street" and other Hollywood productions. ISTANBUL (AP) The two women in the photograph were smiling, but Halmurat Idris knew something was terribly wrong. One was his 39-year-old sister; standing at her side was an elderly woman Idris did not know. Their grins were tight-lipped, mirthless. Her sister had posted the picture on a social media account along with a caption punctuated by a smiley-face. "Look, I have a Han Chinese mother now!" his sister wrote. Idris knew instantly: The old woman was a spy, sent by the Chinese government to infiltrate his family. There are many like her. According to the ruling Communist Party's official newspaper, as of the end of September, 1.1 million local government workers have been deployed to ethnic minorities' living rooms, dining areas and Muslim prayer spaces, not to mention at weddings, funerals and other occasions once considered intimate and private. WASHINGTON (AP) Scientists working on the frontiers of medicine fear the uproar over the reported births of gene-edited babies in China could jeopardize promising research into how to alter heredity to fend off a variety of disorders. Researchers are rapidly learning how to edit DNA to fight such conditions as Huntington's, Tay-Sachs and hereditary heart disease, conducting legally permissible experiments in lab animals and petri dishes without taking the ultimate step of actually creating babies. Now they worry about a backlash against their work, too. "The alarmists who claimed that scientists won't behave responsibly in the development of the next generation of gene editing now have ammunition," said a dismayed Kyle Orwig, a reproductive specialist at the University of Pittsburgh who hopes to eventually alter sperm production to treat infertility. Buenos Aires (AFP) - The United States and China on Saturday announced a ceasefire in their tariffs war, hours after US President Donald Trump upended another international forum by snubbing G20 action on trade disputes and climate change. Over a dinner of steaks and Argentine wine in Buenos Aires, Trump and President Xi Jinping brokered a truce to ensure that -- for now -- there will be no further escalation to their tit-for-tat imposition of tariffs on goods worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Trump withdrew his threat to raise the US tariffs even more on January 1, in return for a promise from China to buy more US goods and enter into a 90-day period of talks to resolve their differences. Those include market access for US companies and protecting their intellectual property from theft by Chinese rivals. Absent agreement in that time, tariffs now set at 10 percent will be raised to 25 percent, according to a White House statement. "This was an amazing and productive meeting with unlimited possibilities for both the United States and China," Trump said in the statement, released as he flew home from a stormy trip spent accosting his fellow leaders at the world's pre-eminent economic forum. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters in Buenos Aires: "It is conducive not only to the development of the two countries and the well-being of the Chinese and American people, but also to stable growth of the world economy." The Sino-US trade war sparked warnings at the G20 of the cost to the global economy if it continued unabated. Not long before the Trump-Xi dinner, the annual summit concluded in the Argentine capital with a watered-down statement. The G20 communique was finally adopted after all-night haggling by negotiators ensured that the summit in crisis-hit Argentina at least finished with a joint platform, unlike recent G7 and Asia-Pacific summits where Trump's objections caused unprecedented breakdowns. Story continues Apart from the United States, all other G20 members agreed to implement the "irreversible" Paris Agreement on climate change, ahead of a UN summit on the planetary threat starting next week in Poland, it said. But it said the "United States reiterates its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement," mirroring the divergence seen last year when Trump shocked the global community by bucking the consensus at his first G20. - Credibility in question - The statement also omitted pledges by the G20 to fight protectionism and uphold multilateral trading rules, which used to be a mainstay of the world's leading economies pre-Trump. Instead, it merely recognized the "contribution" of the "multilateral trading system," and added that it was "falling short" in goals of growth and job creation. "The United States, which is the most open economy in the world, does not accept being shackled," the summit's host, Argentine President Mauricio Macri, told a news conference. The G20 agreed to reform the World Trade Organization, which is accused by Trump of limiting US commercial freedoms to the advantage of China and other rivals. But the conclusions were dismissed as "the lowest common denominator" by Thomas Bernes, a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Canada who used to be a G20 negotiator for the Canadian government. "It was the weakest communique we've ever seen from the G20," he told AFP, contrasting the group's posture now in the Trump era to its sense of common purpose when the leaders first met 10 years ago in the midst of a financial crisis. - Black Sea, black gold - Trump's determination to plow on with his "America First" agenda stands in contrast to the alliance-building presidency of George H.W. Bush, whose death Friday triggered warm tributes from European leaders including Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron at the G20. Trump said his predecessor's passing would prevent him from holding a post-summit news conference, "out of respect" for the Bush family. It was Trump's second cancellation at the summit after he pulled out of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing Russia's recent seizure of three Ukrainian vessels off Crimea, although the two did cross paths at a G20 dinner. The White House characterized that encounter as an informal chat, but Putin gave it more significance. "We spoke standing up. I replied to his questions about the incident in the Black Sea," Putin told reporters, after coming under pressure over the issue from Merkel and Macron at meetings in Buenos Aires. Putin said it was "a pity" that he had not been able to have a proper meeting with Trump at the G20. "I think that one is really necessary. I hope that we can meet when the US side is ready for it." The Russian leader had a more productive dialogue in Buenos Aires with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He greeted the crown prince as a long-lost friend -- ignoring Western opprobrium over the prince's alleged role in the murder of a dissident Saudi journalist in October. Russia and Saudi Arabia are the world's two leading exporters of crude, and Putin said they had agreed to extend a pact on oil production cuts, as prices slump on global markets. That will resonate on the markets when trading in "black gold" resumes on Monday, as will the ceasefire to Trump's trade war with China. Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump announced Saturday he would send his presidential aircraft to bring the casket of his late predecessor George H.W. Bush from Texas to Washington, where he will lie in state this week. Trump said that after flying him home from the G20 summit in Argentina, the Boeing 747 plane would travel on to Houston -- part of what he called "a special tribute that (Bush) deserves very much." "Air Force One will be taking myself and a lot of our people back to Washington," Trump said. "It will then be reset and it will be sent to Houston to pick up the casket of President Bush." Bush, who died Friday in Houston at the age of 94, is to be honored with a state funeral in Washington's twin-spired National Cathedral, with President Donald Trump and his wife Melania to attend, the White House has confirmed. The late president will first lie in state in the Rotunda of the US Capitol for two days of public viewing beginning Monday evening, congressional leaders said. A first solemn ceremony is scheduled for 5 pm (2200 GMT) Monday, when a military escort brings in the casket bearing the body of the former president. The public will be allowed to pay its respects from Monday at 7:30 pm until Wednesday at 7:00 am, according to a statement from congressional leaders -- the top two Republicans and top two Democrats. A detailed schedule for the week's services and commemorations is expected later Saturday. Dozens of world leaders and American dignitaries are expected at the National Cathedral for what will be the fourth state funeral there of a president (following those of Dwight Eisenhower, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan). The cathedral has also hosted seven presidential memorial services, according to its website. A statement from a joint military task force supporting events around the state funeral promised a "first-class tribute," complete with musical units, color guards, honor cordons and body bearers. The casket will then be flown back to College Station, Texas for Bush's burial. Donald Trump and the leaders of Canada and Mexico have signed a "groundbreaking" revised North American trade deal at the G20 summit in Argentina, calling it groundbreaking during an official signing ceremony. The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement otherwise known as USMCA is expected to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement so long as each countrys legislature votes to support it, including the newly-Democratic US House of Representatives. On Friday, Mr Trump suggested he does not expect much push back from legislators on the deal, while celebrating the great friendships he says it has made between the three world leaders. This has been a battle and battles sometimes make great friendships so its really terrific, he said. With our signatures today we will formally declare the intention of our three countries to replace NAFTA with the USMCA. He added, We have worked hard on this agreement Its been long and hard and we have taken a lot of barbs and a little abuse and we got there, its great for all of our countries." The three leaders signed the pact despite remaining tensions surrounding steel and aluminium tariffs the US has imposed on the other countries involved in the agreement. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there was still work to be done on the deal, calling on the US president to continue negotiations on the tariffs after both countries saw plant closures and massive layoffs announced by General Motors a move he described as a heavy blow for the US and Canada. Donald, its all the more reason why we need to keep working to remove the tariffs on steel and aluminium between our two countries, he said. However, it remains unclear whether Mr Trump is willing to budge on the tariffs. Speaking with reporters shortly after the signing ceremony, US trade representative Robert Lighthizer said the steel and aluminium tariffs do continue. He added, We want an agreement thats fair to Mexico and fair to Canada but maintains the integrity of the presidents steel and aluminium programs. Story continues Mr Trump suggested Friday he would work with Congress to ensure the USMCA deal is approved in its current form. I look forward to working with members of Congress and other USMCA partners and I have to say it has been so well reviewed I dont expect to have very much of a problem to ensure the complete implementation of our agreement, he said. The signing was one of Mr Trumps first appearances at the annual G20 summit, in which the president will spend 48-hours meeting with world leaders and discussing some of their most pressing concerns amid bilateral meetings. Mr Trump was also expected to discuss trade negotiations with Chinese President Xi JinPing during a Saturday dinner, though it remains unclear whether those talks could lead to a calming of tensions as the two nations continue to place tariffs against each other. BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday he should hold another summit to discuss the situation in Syria's Idlib province where the two countries are trying to create a sustainable demilitarized zone. Erdogan made the suggestion during a meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The Syrian government's ally Russia, and Turkey, which backs Syrian rebels, agreed in September to create a demilitarized zone around the insurgent-held northwestern enclave of Idlib. But exchanges of shelling have been common since then and the first air strikes since the deal hit the area on Nov. 25. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by) By Pavel Polityuk and Tom Balmforth KIEV/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Ukraine on Friday banned Russian men of combat age from entering the country, a move introduced under martial law after Russia fired on and captured three Ukrainian naval ships off Crimea last weekend. Ukraine announced it was barring entry to Russian men between 16-60 years and a senior state security official said Kiev was considering whether to respond in kind with "mirror actions" to the Black Sea incident. Earlier, in a move applauded in Kiev, U.S. President Donald Trump called off a meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Argentina to signal Washington's disapproval of Russian behavior in the naval clash with Ukraine. The Russian rouble, which is sensitive to events that might lead to new sanctions being imposed on Russia, fell on news of the canceled meeting. Moscow said it expected the leaders to have an impromptu meet. In a further boost to Ukraine, the EU released 500 million euros in financial assistance to Kiev and European Council President Donald Tusk predicted Brussels would roll over sanctions on Russia at a summit on Dec. 13-14. President Petro Poroshenko, referring to Russia's seizure and subsequent annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for separatist uprisings in eastern Ukraine, said banning Russian men was important for stopping a full-scale invasion. "These are measures to block the Russian Federation from forming detachments of private armies here, which in fact are representatives of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation," Poroshenko said. "And not allow them to carry out the operations that they tried to conduct in 2014," he added. In Moscow, a Russian lawmaker was quoted by RIA news agency as saying Russia had no plans for a reciprocal move to bar Ukrainian men. EU SOLIDARITY The EU has propped up Ukraine's war-scarred economy since the Crimea annexation while prodding the pro-Western authorities to pass reforms and tackle corruption. "Today's European Commission decision on disbursement comes at a crucial moment when Ukraine and its people face a new aggression from Russia and need to see solidarity from international partners," said Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis. The G7 group of nations also weighed in on Ukraine's behalf, blaming Moscow's actions that had "dangerously raised tensions." Ukraine and Russia have blamed each other for last Sunday's clash at the Kerch Strait through which ships have to pass to reach Ukrainian ports at Berdyansk and Mariupol. Russia has moved the 24 sailors it captured to prisons in Moscow, where three of them are being treated in a prison hospital, Russian TV said. Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said Ukraine was trying to get consular access to them. Sunday's clash prompted Ukraine to introduce martial law for a period of 30 days from Wednesday in regions of the country thought most vulnerable to a Russian attack. A senior ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU and United States should consider banning from their ports Russian ships originating from the Azov Sea as a tit-for-tat measure. Russia says it will deploy a new division of Pantsir medium-range surface-to-air systems - comprising between 12 and 18 military vehicles - on the Crimean peninsula by the end of the year, Interfax news agency quoted a spokesman for the Southern Military District as saying. The planned deployment comes after Russia announced it had deployed a new battalion of advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, its fourth such battalion, to the peninsula's north. A Crimean security source was also quoted by Interfax on Thursday saying that Russia planned to build a new missile early-warning radar station in Crimea next year. Russian officials accuse Poroshenko of artificially manufacturing a crisis to prop up sagging ratings ahead of an election next March. But the incident has prompted renewed calls for more Western sanctions on Russia. Tusk will chair an EU summit on Dec. 13-14, which is due to roll over for another year the bloc's measures against Russia's defense, energy and banking sectors. "Europe is united in its support to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is why I am sure that the EU will roll over the sanctions against Russia in December," Tusk told a news conference in Argentina. The United States and the EU have imposed sanctions on Russia since 2014, when Moscow annexed Crimea after a pro-Russian leader was toppled in Kiev. Fighting between Ukraine and Moscow-backed separatists has killed more than 10,000 people. Major fighting ended with a 2015 ceasefire but deadly exchanges of fire are still frequent. (Additional reporting by Natalia Zinets and Olena Vasina in Kiev, Katya Golubkova and Maria Tsvetkova in Moscow, Alastair Macdonald and Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels, Andreas Rinke and Paul Carrel in Berlin; Writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Richard Balmforth) By Olena Vasina and Matthias Williams KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's state security service said it raided the residence of a senior Russian-backed Orthodox priest on Friday, who heads one of the country's holiest sites, citing a clause in the criminal code relating to whipping up religious hatred. Ukraine and Russia are at odds over Kiev's bid to set up an independent national Orthodox church and break centuries-old ties between the Ukrainian and Russian clergy. Ukrainian leaders accuse the Moscow-backed church, widely known as the Moscow Patriarchate, of promoting the Kremlin's interests and spreading propaganda as relations between the countries plummet. The raid is even more sensitive since the cleric in question, Metropolitan Pavel, heads the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine's most famous monasteries and a tourist site where mummified monks rest in labyrinthine underground caves. The state security service was investigating him under an article in the criminal code covering "violations of citizens' equality depending on racial ethnicity, religious convictions, incitement of inter-confessional hostility," SBU official Ihor Huskov said. The Moscow Patriarchate confirmed the investigation. It has consistently denied acting on behalf of Russian interests against Ukraine. "Today there are many questions about whether the actions of our state authority in relation to the church are legitimate. To a certain extent they are illegal," Pavel said in a statement. "There is a pressure on me personally, threats are being heard, all sorts of attacks not only on me, but also on other bishops and priests. For what reason I do not know." The religious rift follows the broader collapse in relations between the two neighbors following Russia's seizure of Crimea in 2014 and backing of separatist uprisings in eastern Ukraine that have killed more than 10,000 people. Hostilities escalated further following Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian vessels last weekend, which Kiev fears could be a precursor to a full invasion. Ukraine sees the creation of an independent church as vital to tackling Russian influence on its soil. Opponents of Ukraine's plan to form an independent church say it would lead to street violence and forcible seizures of church property, claims which the Kiev authorities deny. The raid came a day after President Petro Poroshenko announced Ukraine was close to setting up an independent church under a charter from the Ecumenical Patriarch in Istanbul, the global spiritual head of Orthodox Christians. Both Ukraine and Russia trace their Orthodox Christian roots to Volodymyr the Great, the prince whose baptism in 988 in Kiev led to the christianisation of the region known as "Kievan Rus". (Additional reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Richard Balmforth) The United Auto Workers union said General Motors (GM)' decision to idle plants in the U.S. and Canada shows the new trade deal between the United States, Canada and Mexico is not strong enough to stop the flow of jobs across the Mexican border. GM is "thumbing its nose" at the trade deal, commonly referred to as the new NAFTA, the United Auto Workers union said Friday. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is meant to replace the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, which President Donald Trump has repeatedly denounced as a bad deal for Americans. "We were hopeful that this new agreement would rein in the corporate greed that has bled manufacturing in the United States," said UAW President Gary Jones. "Unfortunately, as GM's idling of plants in Ohio, Michigan and Maryland this week showed the 'New' NAFTA, as it stands now, is not strong enough to protect American workers." GM, which announced Monday plans to cut 14,000 jobs as part of a massive restructuring, didn't immediately respond for comment. But automaker Ford (F) issued its own statement on the signing of the deal. Joe Hinrichs, executive vice president and president of global operations for Ford, called it an "important step towards achieving free and fair trade in North America" that will help boost sales and support manufacturing jobs. "To achieve the full potential of the trade agreement and to ensure ratification, the elimination of tariffs on steel and aluminum will be critical and we will continue to work with all stakeholders on this important issue," Hinrichs said. The future looks bleak through the eyes of the workers at the factories GM plans to idle, the UAW said. The new measure has failed to stop the flow of work from the U.S. to Mexico where labor is cheaper because workers are exploited, he said. "Corporations, like GM, have revealed time and time again that they will continue to play by their own rules at the expense of workers, even after raking in record profits," Jones said. "Our elected leaders owe it to working families in the United States to go back to the table and make this stronger, tighter and enforceable." Tampa (AFP) - The US government Friday took a big step toward opening oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic ocean by approving seismic airgun tests that experts warn are harmful to dolphins and whales. Last year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to expand offshore drilling, and ordered federal agencies to fast track permits for seismic airgun blasting. Environmental groups have staunchly opposed the use of seismic airgun blasting, which research has shown can cause loud, far-traveling noise in the ocean that disrupts marine life, including fish and sea turtles. The latest move would open a vast offshore area from New Jersey to Florida to underwater mapping for fossil fuel exploration, for the first time in decades. "This action flies in the face of massive opposition to offshore drilling and exploration from over 90 percent of coastal municipalities in the proposed blast zone," said Diane Hoskins, campaign director at Oceana, an advocacy group. "These permits were already denied because of the known harm that seismic airgun blasting causes." Last year, the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management denied a series of applications for seismic blasting, saying the "value of obtaining the geophysical and geological information from new airgun seismic surveys in the Atlantic does not outweigh the potential risks of those surveys' acoustic pulse impacts on marine life." The same agency issued a report several years ago that found airgun blasts could injure as many as 138,000 marine mammals, including dolphins and whales. Airguns are toted underwater by boats and repeat loud blasts every 10-12 seconds, sometimes for months at a time, and a single ship may tow up to 96 airguns, Oceana says. - 'Incidentally' harass marine mammals - The announcement by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries department authorizes five companies to "incidentally, but not intentionally, harass marine mammals" as they "conduct geophysical surveys in support of hydrocarbon exploration in the Atlantic Ocean." Story continues The actual permits for drilling offshore would be issued by a separate government office, the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management. Those permits have not yet been issued. NOAA experts said their decision allowed for geographical limits on where airgun blasting could take place, would offer protections for endangered right whales, and did not explicitly allow for the killing of any marine mammals. While Benjamin Laws, a biologist at the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources, acknowledged that seismic blasting could have "effects" on marine life, he said during a conference call with reporters: "Our analysis shows we shouldn't expect there would be impacts greater than negligible on annual rates of recruitment or survival for these populations." Jolie Harrison, chief of the Permits and Conservation Division in the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources, added: "We really went to great lengths here to make sure that we understood what the effects are." Extra steps by exploration operations are to include visual and acoustic monitoring to detect marine mammal sounds underwater before seismic blasts can begin. NOAA also said its approval requires third-party observers to ride on geophysical survey vessels "to listen and watch for marine life and alert operators if a protected species comes within a certain distance." A NOAA spokeswoman said commercial operators would have to contract with third party observers, and "the observers have the authority to call for a shutdown when required." Buenos Aires (AFP) - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed Saturday that the United States would continue supporting Saudi Arabia's military campaign in Yemen, despite rising outrage over the kingdom. Speaking from a Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires, Pompeo acknowledged that the humanitarian crisis in Yemen -- where millions are at risk of starvation -- had reached "epic proportions" but said Washington and Riyadh were offering aid. "The program that we're involved in today we intend to continue," Pompeo told CNN when asked about military assistance to the Saudi-led coalition. The US Senate on Wednesday took an initial vote to cut off the war support, with 14 members of President Donald Trump's Republican Party defying appeals from Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. A final vote could come in the next week, setting the stage for a fresh battle if Trump vetoes the bill. Pompeo, who met in Buenos Aires with his Saudi counterpart, has backed the war as a way to counter Iran, which has ties to Yemen's Huthi rebels. - Outrage over attacks- But senators have voiced outrage over attacks on civilian targets, including hospitals and a school bus, as well as a Saudi hit squad's murder in October of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate. Pompeo reiterated his insistence that there was no "direct evidence" that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of Khashoggi, who lived in the United States and wrote for The Washington Post. Prince Mohammed is taking part in the Buenos Aires summit in a bold signal that he remains in charge. The 33-year-old was seen speaking with Trump, although the White House said they only exchanged "pleasantries." Trump has said it is vital to preserve the decades-old alliance with Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom is the top buyer of US weapons and key oil supplier. But Bob Corker, the outgoing Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview published Friday that the United States needed to rein in Prince Mohammed, who was "out of control." "To me, we've got a relationship with a country that's a semi-important country and a semi-important ally. I wouldn't elevate them beyond that," Corker told congressional newspaper Roll Call. Police vans sit outside the headquarters of Deutsche Bank AG during a police raid in Frankfurt, Germany, on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. Deutsche Bank's premises including its headquarters in Frankfurt were being searched by prosecutors Thursday in a money laundering probe, prosecutors said in a statement. Photographer: Andreas Arnold/Bloomberg The German federal police raid Thursday on the Frankfurt headquarters of Deutsche Bank AG and five other sites on suspicion of money laundering suggests the bank and its in-house counsel may have failed to gain the trust of its regulators, according to one attorney. Julie Meyers Wood, lawyer and CEO of Guidepost Solutions LLC, an investigations, corporate compliance and security consulting firm with offices in New York and Washington, D.C., said a lesson for general counsel from this experience is it is critically important to gain the trust of the regulators when you are cooperating. The firm also has offices throughout the United States and in England and Singapore. Wood said that building a strong and trusting relationship, including frequent talks with authorities to answer lingering questions or doubts, can help reduce the likelihood of search warrants and other aggressive government tactics. In this instance, Reuters reported Thursday that 170 criminal police officers, prosecutors and tax inspectors searched the banks offices in and around Frankfurt related to money laundering through tax havens allegations that arose in the so-called Panama Papers. The Panama Papers were released by a news organization working with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in 2016. The papers included millions of documents leaked from a Panama law firm showing how wealthy individuals around the world were dodging taxes by placing money in offshore accounts. The list included some 900 customers of Deutsche Bank. Deutsche spokesperson Christine Peters told Corporate Counsel the bank would have no further comment beyond a statement and update it released during the raid. That statement said: We confirm that the police are currently conducting an investigation at a number of our offices in Germany. The investigation relates to the Panama Papers. We will be issuing further details in due course. We are cooperating fully with the authorities. A few hours later, the bank issued an update, saying, "As far as we are concerned, we have already provided the authorities with all the relevant information regarding the Panama Papers. Of course, we will cooperate closely with the public prosecutor's office in Frankfurt, as it is in our interest as well to clarify the facts. In recent years, we have proven that we fully cooperate with the authoritiesand we will continue to do so." Wood said that while the bank claimed to have provided all relevant documents to authorities, the raid suggests the government had a reason to believe that additional relevant documents existed, again implying a lack of trust between the bank and the German government. When there are indications of wrongdoing, she said it is also critical for a company to conduct full investigations and remediations. The raid suggests that Deutsche Banks review was insufficient, or that the government believed that the review was insufficient, Wood added. She said another key takeaway for in-house counsel concerns the importance of changing the company culture and educating employees about their role in compliance. Companies must ensure that they identify wrongdoers and take prompt measures, Wood said. Deutsche has been struggling with a string of legal and financial problems since at least 2015 and has suffered regular turnovers in top management, including its general counsel. Long-time general counsel Richard Walker, a former enforcement chief at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, held the GC job from 2001 to 2015, a time when the bank was criticized by German banking regulators for lax oversight. He is now with King & Spalding in New York. Walker was replaced by two co-general counsel, Simon Dodds and Christof von Dryander, who lasted about two years. In January 2018 the co-GCs were replaced by Florian Drinhausen, then the banks GC for Europe, Africa and the Middle East and head of global governance. Deutsche Bank, through Peters, confirmed that Drinhausen remains as GC. In the past four years the bank has also had at least four different CEOs as it struggled to stem three years of financial losseswhich include billions of dollars in penalties and litigation costsby restructuring and cutting 7,000 jobs by 2019. Thursdays raid was the latest legal problem for the troubled bank. Others have included: Story continues In June this year, prosecutors in Australia criminally charged the former head Deutsche Bank Australia and two other banks with engaging in cartel conduct while underwriting a $1.9 billion deal for the Australian and New Zealand Banking Group. In May, the banks U.S. arm failed a Federal Reserve stress test, which found that it had material weaknesses in its operations. Its most expensive settlement was a $7.2 billion deal in January 2017 with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations that the bank misled investors in its sale of residential mortgage-backed securities in 2006 and 2007 leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. It agreed to a $41 million civil penalty in May 2017 by the Federal Reserve Board for violating bank secrecy and anti-money laundering laws. In April 2017 The Federal Reserve announced two enforcement actions requiring the bank to pay a combined $156.6 million in civil penalties for unsafe and unsound practices in the foreign exchange markets and for failure to maintain an adequate compliance program prior to March 30, 2016. The bank reached a $190 million settlement in September 2017 in a class action suit over foreign exchange rate price-fixing. It also reached a $220 million settlement in 2017 with 45 states over the banks role in the Libor scandal. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the state of New York reached a $37 million settlement in December 2016 over allegations that the bank violated securities laws with misleading use of dark pool technology in private securities trading. Buenos Aires (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he saw no end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine "as long as the current authorities remain in power." "The current Ukrainian authorities have no interest in resolving the conflict, especially by peaceful means," Putin told reporters at the end of the G20 summit in Argentina. "As long as they remain in power, the war will continue," the Russian leader said. The conflict pitting Russian separatists against Ukrainian government forces is estimated to have claimed more than 10,000 lives -- one-third of them civilian -- since it broke out four years ago. The war has strained relations with Western powers. They blame Putin for starting the conflict in 2014, when his forces annexed Crimea, laying the ground for Russian separatists to seize cities in eastern Ukraine. Heavy military spending and the loss of vital industries in the separatist regions have weighed heavily on Ukraine's economy. And Kiev has received only around half of a $17.5 billion rescue loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) because of the slow pace of reforms that include anti-corruption measures. But Putin dismissed Ukraine's economic problems on Saturday, saying, "It's always easier to blame economic failures on war." "It's always the 'outside aggressor' who is guilty," he said. An Irish woman who opened a can of Pringles in a store before paying for it has been jailed for causing damage to the chip tube, according to the Irish Times. After 25-year-old Kathleen McDonagh popped the Pringles while waiting in the self-checkout line of a Tesco store in Cork from which she had previously been barred, she was sentenced to two months in prison for damaging the product. McDonagh told the court that she opened the can when she saw security approaching her because she thought they would be forced to let her pay for it. As the security officers approached her she opened the Pringles and removed the foil top and she said, I opened it so you have to leave me pay for it,' Police inspector Ronan Kennelly told Judge Brian OShea of the Dec. 27, 2016 incident. It was not fit for resale with a loss of 1.50. She said she wanted to buy the Pringles but she had no permission to be in the store. McDonagh had 31 previous convictions including 14 for theft and two for criminal damage. She has also been convicted of handling stolen property. McDonaghs defense asked for leniency because shes five months pregnant and a newlywed. However, Judge OShea said that it was difficult to see her actions as anything but smart alec behavior before leveling a four-month sentence with two months suspended. For the best sleep of your life, tell your partner to hightail it to the couch and cuddle up to Fido instead. A recent study by researchers at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, suggests that women tend to sleep better next to dogs than they do next to members of their own species. (Or pet cats. Sorry, cat people.) Led by associate professor Christy L. Hoffman a self-professed dog person (sure, go ahead, call out her blatant canine bias) the researchers surveyed 962 women living across the United States. Of this sample, 55 percent reported sharing their bed with at least one dog and 31 percent with at least one cat. Of those women, 57 percent also slept with a partner. The participants filled out a questionnaire about their quality of sleep and how safe they felt as a result of their dog or cats presence. Those with partners were asked how the other person affected their sleep and their feelings of security at night. After analyzing the data, Hoffman and her team found that human partners and cats were equally disruptive to a womans sleep, whereas dogs were less likely to wake their owners up. Whys that? Hoffman told HuffPost it might be because dog owners tend to have better sleep habits and stricter daily routines than than people who dont have dogs: On the whole, dog owners had earlier bedtimes and wake-up times than women with cats. Dog owners have to adjust to their dogs needs to toilet each morning, and this helps keep dog owners on a relatively strict wake-up routine, she said. And dogs major sleep periods tend to coincide more closely with humans than do cats. Plus, Hoffman said, dogs as bed partners may adapt a bit more to their owners schedules than human partners do. (Such good boys.) Pups also may provide women with a greater sense of safety than a cat would when sleeping. Some dog owners may take comfort in the thought that their dog will alert them in the case of an intruder or other type of emergency, Hoffman said. A cat is less likely to take on this role. Story continues Right. Good luck trying to train your kitty to meow aggressively if a stranger barges in. If youre scratching your head as to why women felt more safe with a dog on watch than a human partner, youre not alone: It surprised Hoffman, too. I had thought participants would have rated their dogs and human partners similarly in terms of the comfort and security they provide, but surprisingly, the women rated their dog bed partners as better sources of comfort and security than human partners. Why focus on women alone for this study? A previous study conducted by the Mayo Clinic in Arizona already found that all people who slept with a dog generally got better sleep. For this one, Hoffman and her team wanted to hone in on womens experiences because as a whole, the group tends to have poorer sleep quality than men. There was a logistical reason, too: Though the study was open to everyone, less men were willing to participate than women. (The guys were probably too busy disrupting their partners sleep. Ahem.) Related Coverage You're Not An Idiot For Speaking To Your Dog In A Baby Voice, Study Suggests 24 Photos That Capture The Magic Of Dogs Finding Their Forever Homes 23 Photos That Capture The Bond Between Service Dogs And Their Humans Also on HuffPost "This is Stitch! We adopted him from Paws In The City in Dallas, and he has quickly become the best part of our little family." -- Hallie Noble, Stitch's mom (Follow Stitch on Instagram) "Here's Dusty on his adoption day! This photo was taken the actual MOMENT I met him. Can you believe that!? When he was rescued by True North Rescue Mission, he was on his way to be a puppy mill dad and live his entire life in a cage." -- Jessie Ruane, Dusty's mom (Follow him on Instagram) "Meet our beautiful boy, Benjamin (he's the one to the right). He is a year old. He is a pitbull mixed with a labrador. We rescued him about seven months ago. He was badly abused as a baby and would wet himself for no reason. Now he's a happy, playful, loveable sweetie. He's enjoying his life with his two pupper siblings!" -- Rossanne Van Schalkwyk, Benjamin's mom "Here's our dog, Penny. This is the moment in the elevator at Bideawee's adoption center in New York when we knew we had found the perfect little girl." -- John Sechrist, Penny's dad (Follow Penny on Instagram) "Henrietta (Henry) came into my life in January of this year, after she was found wandering on the streets in East Oakland. At first she was very nervous -- she hid in the bathroom for the first week! She's still shy around strangers, but now she loves cuddles, chasing squirrels, getting blow dried after baths, and her toy fox." -- Laura Alexandra, Henry's mom (Follow Henry on Instagram) "Roxy is full of energy and love and brings us so many laughs. We've also met most of our friends through her! She keeps us social."- Sarah Brown Carter, Roxy's mom (Follow Roxy on Instagram) "This is Rex. His previous owners told the rescue group they did not have the means to take care of him. He had trauma to his neck we think was from a shock collar, and more around his belly where we think he had been pulling out his fur. The group warned us he was afraid of strangers and very shy, and that we should expect several weeks before he warmed to us. But by the time we had filled out the paperwork, he was happy to leave with us. I don't know what it is. He really is standoffish to strangers, but he attached himself to my wife, son and I immediately. It's been almost two months now. He is all healed up, and still likes to chill upside down." -- Dan, Rex's dad "Meet Fluke, a former rescue that was adopted by our family in November 2017!" -- Josh Patrick, Fluke's dad "We have had Zelda for just under one month. We went to a rescue event by Ruff House Rescue in New York, where we live, with the intention of just beginning to look at some dogs for adoption, thinking it would be a long process overall. Zelda wasn't as loud or playful when we first saw her in her crate, but as soon as we asked to take her for a walk, she opened up immediately, wagging her tail and licking our faces. The 'before' picture is what we have from when she was brought to the shelter. The 'after' photo was taken on the car ride back to her new home from the rescue adoption event." -- Alina Cote, Zelda's mom "Adopting Dax is one of the best decisions I have ever made. He has been there through all of the ups and downs of my life. He is the best adventure partner and cuddle buddy. I keep him safe and he keeps me wild." -- Kelsi Keys, Dax's mom "This is Dandelion the dog! We adopted her at the Oregon Humane Society through their second chance program. Dandelion was transferred to the Humane Society from an overcrowded shelter in California." -- Una Rose, Dandelion's mom "This is Cora. We adopted her through the BISSELL Pet Foundation event in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She came there through Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control. We dont know much about her exact background except shes had a litter or two. She has a playful, sweet energy. My fiance, her dog and three cats, myself, and Cora are all settling in quite well!" -- Kasey Blauwkamp, Cora's dad "This is Dex. He was found abandoned on the streets. The vet believed he had gone half his life untreated from demodectic mange and a heart murmur. All the credit goes to Pug Rescue Austin and those who donated to his cause for turning his life around. He is likely just over a year old, and is fully cured and happy in our home with our four other pug rescues." -- Mark Shockley "This is Terabyte (Tera for short) and our youngest son. Tera is a cattle dog, found dumped in a field. Shes super smart, sweet, snuggly, and also happens to be deaf. I took this photo right after we had signed the adoption papers and picked her up from her foster family." -- Kristin Cooper, Tera's mom "This is Kai, who was brought into the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home when his owners could no longer cope with his care he had reportedly been passed from home to home and had never known a stable, loving forever home. Kai was admitted to us on April 4 and was just taken home to his forever home last weekend. The photo on the left was when he was with us and the photo on the right was sent to us by his new owners, an hour after being re-homed." -- Julie Thomson, communications manager at the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home "This is Hazel, a Husky-Alsatian living in Oakland. My family is quite obsessed with her!" -- Hannah Evans, Hazel's aunt (Follow Hazel on Instagram) "The first time we took Oliver on a car ride, he was shaking and crying (we assume because the only time he had ever been in a car before was to take him to the shelter). Now he loves car rides because he knows he's going to get to see a new friend or go play somewhere!" -- Jenna Gunselman, Oliver's mom "This is Marty. We went to the shelter looking for a dog as a companion for our handicapped labrador, Zoe. We met a few puppies who were too high energy and stressful for her condition so we left, feeling defeated. As we were walking out, Zoe dragged us over to Marty's pen. Both their noses touched, tails wagging, and we knew they had to meet. They were instantly as ease around each other and Marty was even careful around her, almost aware that she needed special attention. He was a perfect fit for our family." -- Christina Haberkern, Marty's mom (Follow Marty and Zoe on Instagram) "My dog Suki on adoption day and nine years later. I love that Suki has been a major support for me, especially for my mood disorders. Suki has been with me since freshman year of high school, all through college, and now my adult life. No matter what, she always provides the best cuddles I could have ever asked for." -- Martha Gutierrez, Suki's mom "This is Kodak! Hes a four-month old black lab/shepherd mix. He came to ALIVE Rescue Memphis from Animal Rescue Corps. They had saved him from a hoarding case in Tennessee. I saw his picture and instantly fell in love! He looks just like my 14 year old lab/mix named Ocho did when she was a puppy." -- Candice Shearman, Kodak's mom (Follow Kodak and his siblings on Instagram) "Otis is my best friend. He's a furry shoulder to cry on and he is my reason to smile again. When I first saw his little face a year ago, I knew he was the one for me and it was the best decision I ever made." -- Bethany Mitchell, Otis' mom (Follow Otis on Instagram) "Meet my dogson, Wicket the Ewok dog!" -- Nicci See, Wicket's mom (Follow Wicket on Instagram) "This is Bella. The photo on the left was taken as soon as we got to the shelter. She was a mess: coat matted and long, she couldn't even see, but we fell in love! We took her home, cleaned her up, and now she's a healthy, happy puppy. I love her little smile and how her tongue always sticks out of her mouth!" -- Krystal K., Bella's mom "My wife Jen and I rescued Benny from CareTX in San Antonio, Texas. They saved him from a kill shelter in San Antonio. He and his litter were found on the street. Benny was shy and suffering from mange when we first met but those goofy ears and sweet eyes won us over. He is some mix of cattle dog, very active and has no trouble keeping up with me for hours on my mountain bike. We are a pretty active hiker, camper, fly fisherman family so having an active dog fits our lifestyle, despite the lack of cattle." -- Brandon Engen, Benny's dad Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Protesters in yellow vests took to the streets across multiple French cities on December 1 as demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron continued into their third week. While Paris saw the most violence on December 1 as protesters clashed with police in the citys center, other cities saw substantial, if more peaceful, demonstrations. This footage shows a glimpse of marchers moving down the street in Firminy, a commune in Loire, central France. Credit: Ellebanna64 via Storyful Aden (AFP) - UN aid chief Mark Lowcock warned Saturday that Yemen was "on the brink of a major catastrophe", as the world body pushes for peace talks in the impoverished and war-wracked country. His comments came after renewed deadly clashes between Huthi rebels and pro-government forces in the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, which is vital for the flow of humanitarian aid. "Yemen is on the brink of a major catastrophe," Lowcock said, as he wrapped up a visit to the country. He said conditions had deteriorated alarmingly since his last visit in October 2017 to Yemen, which the United Nations has termed the world's worst humanitarian crisis. "In Aden, I met emaciated children so malnourished they could barely open their eyes," Lowcock said in a statement. "Humanitarian assistance helps many of these children recover. But I also heard heartbreaking stories of children relapsing again and again because their families simply can't afford food or proper medical care," he said. Lowcock reiterated the UN's readiness to help ensure that the rebel-held Hodeida port, a key entry point for imports and aid, can remain open. Under heavy international pressure, Saudi-backed pro-government forces have largely suspended an offensive launched in June to take the port city. Sporadic fighting has however continued since a fragile truce began on November 13. - Peace talks face 'setbacks' - Clashes on Friday in the east and south of Hodeida left 10 fighters dead, an official and medical sources told AFP on Saturday. Medical sources confirmed the bodies of eight rebels had been transferred to hospitals, and that two fighters with pro-government forces were also killed. Intermittent clashes continued on Saturday, Hodeida residents told AFP by phone. Saudi Arabia accused the Huthis of launching a "military projectile" across the border Friday, saying it hit a house and injured two people in the kingdom, the official SPA news agency reported. Story continues The violence follows a visit to Hodeida last month by UN envoy Martin Griffiths to press for talks. The proposed peace talks have been backed by both the rebels and the Saudi-led government and were expected to take place in Sweden next week. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, however, has played down the early December schedule and said he hoped talks would start "this year". "But, as you know, there have been some setbacks," he said on Thursday. Previous talks planned for September in Geneva failed to get underway as the Huthi delegation never left Yemen's rebel-held capital Sanaa, arguing that the United Nations could not guarantee their safe return. Lowcock said it was "not too late" to pull back Yemen from the brink but warned that more resources were needed. "Yemen is the worlds largest humanitarian operation, but in 2019 it will need to be substantially bigger," he said. Donors this year have provided $2.3 billion (two billion euros) for the 2018 response plan, or about 80 per cent of requirements, he added. The latest warnings come as President Donald Trump's administration faces mounting pressure over its backing for the Saudi-led military campaign, with the US Senate on Wednesday voting to consider a resolution that would end this support. The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul on October 2 has shone a harsh spotlight on the kingdom. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo acknowledged the humanitarian crisis in Yemen had reached "epic proportions", but insisted that US backing for Riyadh's actions would continue. "The programme that we're involved in today we intend to continue," Pompeo told CNN Saturday when asked about military assistance to the Saudi-led coalition. According to UN figures, nearly 10,000 people have been killed since the Saudi-led coalition joined the conflict in 2015 to bolster the government against Huthi rebels. UN agencies say that 14 million people are at risk of starvation in Yemen. There is no more accurate description of "thinking outside the box" than when talking about Optune, the Israeli innovation that fights glioblastoma (GBM), a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Until now, there has been no effective cure for this cancer. In fact, the last time a treatment was approved for glioblastoma was 15 years ago, when a chemotherapy drug was approved, which did extend the lives of patients, but only for a very short time. Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary brain cancer. Every year in Israel, some 200 people are diagnosed with the disease, and 200 patients die from it. The average survival time after surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy (the standard treatment to date) is only 70 weeks. Michael Paransky wearing his Optune skullcap (Photo: Eldad Refaeli) In most patients, the tumor will return after treatment. In such cases, repeat surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other experimental treatments may be performed. In practice, due to the lack of effective treatment for this tumor, many experts believe that after a recurrence of the disease, there is no room for further treatment. The goal of treatment at this stage is symptomatic relief only, and consideration should be given to the benefit of the treatment in relation to the damage it may cause and its effect on the patient's quality of life. To date, and despite multiple clinical trials, no drug has been found to prolong survival in patients with GBM recurrence, and no drug has been found to be significantly more effective than another. Optune emerged from this despair. The technology, conceived by Israeli Prof. Yoram Palti, creates electromagnetic fields that interfere with cancer cells' ability to divide and multiply, causing them to stop growing. Fighting brain cancer from the outside The idea behind the development is that molecules in the body have an electrical charge that can be manipulated. The transducers are attached to the patient's head and deliver alternating electric currents. The result of the electric field leads to abnormal division of cancer cells, and when the new cells divide improperly, they die. This description, which may sound like science fiction, was indeed received with a cold shoulder by the medical community at first. That is, until the results of the studies appeared. The latest research work comes from the European Conference on Neuro-Oncology in Stockholm, held a few weeks ago. At the conference, a case was reported of the complete disappearance of the cancerous tumor in the brain following Optune therapy, in cases where it was not possible to remove the entire tumor surgically. Cases where the tumor cannot be entirely removed surgically are considered the most difficult with very low survival chances. In the three cases presented, a complete disappearance of the cancerous tumor was observed after treatment with the Optune technology. The trials included patients who underwent partial tumor removal and then radiation therapy and chemotherapy, but part of the tumor remained. They continued to have chemotherapy combined with Optune, and all of the patients experienced a complete disappearance of the tumor. Monitoring of the patients' condition lasted between seven and 40 months after the start of treatment, and positive results to the treatment continue. Patient survival chances doubled This information was added to the data presented at the American Conference on Cancer Research and the American Conference on Neuro-Oncology, which showed that 30 percent of GBM patients using the technology for more than 90 percent of the time had a five year survival rate. The results of the studies show a dramatic improvement in the life expectancy of all patients: one in seven patients will live five years, compared with one in 20 without the treatment. In other words, the survival rate of patients more than doubled and the risk of mortality from glioblastoma dropped to 35 percent. These figures are impressive in light of the fact that, until now, the average life expectancy of patients was only 15-16 months. "In reality, this treatment has no alternative," said Prof. Tali Siegel, chairman of the neuro-oncology forum and a neurobiological oncologist at Beilinson Hospital at the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva. "There is the standard treatment that includes radiation and chemotherapy, and that's it. This is what modern medicine has to offer these patients. So there was tremendous excitement when the studies indicated that the use of the device led to an extension in life expectancy." "This is something that is very foreign in modern medicine," added Prof. Siegel. "I don't know of any treatment that uses electric fields outside the body that can inhibit tumor growth. The idea is very original and unusual, but its efficiency is proven. That is why it takes time for doctors to get used to it as a standard treatment, but the results are clear." "There are still some doctors who doubt it, because it is very foreign to them, but research has proven its efficiency and the research was conducted under the strictest standards, and that is why the technology has entered the international protocol as standard treatment," she went on to explain. "Despite its impact on cancer cells, the new technology does not interfere with electrical activity in the brain and does not damage healthy tissue," said Dr. Eilon Kirsson, scientific director and research and development officer at Novocor, developer of Optune, adding: "This technology changed the natural course of glioblastoma and brought about a situation in which not all patients die from it." "As soon as we've been able to stop the cancer cells from completing their division process, which causes the tumor to stop growing," Kirsson continued, "the disease has become one that can be fought. In the division of cells, there is a phase in which the DNA replicates, each chromosome lines up near its 'sister' chromosome, and the cell takes the shape of an hourglass, and then the two parts are disconnected from each other. The electric fields do not allow this to happen, because the molecules are rotating in the direction of the field, which is induced externally. Turning off the battery-operated machine terminates the electric field, for that reason the treatment must be continuous." And this is precisely one of the main drawbacks of this technology. To benefit from effective treatment of the disease, the skullcap must be worn seven days a week, 24 hours a day. "There are patients who cannot abide by that," said Prof. Tali Siegel. "They don't want to go outside declaring to the world that they are brain cancer patients by wearing the skullcap outside the home, and therefore they give up on the treatment." Another major drawback of the treatment is its price tag, about NIS 700,000 annually. Israel's national healthcare basket was offered the treatment at a reduced price of NIS 200,000. It was rated a high priority, but ultimately did not make it in. As of now, patients are receiving the technology free of charge as a compassionate treatment, but this will only last for a limited time. 'I say I'm connected to WiFi and everyone laughs' Michael Paransky, 58, from Migdal Ha'Emek, has been wearing his Optune skullcap for a year. He worked as a nurse at Maccabi Health Services until he was diagnosed after coming home from work a year ago with a headache and nausea. He rushed to the hospital, where they discovered he had had a stroke. A more thorough study at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa revealed he had glioblastoma. "I am an optimist by nature," he said. "So I really read about it on the internet, and what's written there is very discouraging, but I decided to focus on the positive side and was encouraged that at least this tumor in my brain does not spread metastasis to other parts of the body." Unlike other patients, Paransky did not undergo surgery to remove the tumor, because of its very sensitive location in the brain. After completing the rounds of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, he received the Optune this March, and since then he rarely takes it off. "I use it for a large percentages of the time," he said proudly, "except for an hour and a half in the evening, when I take it off, go for a walk with the dog and take a shower, the skullcap is on me all the time. Recently, I went to visit friends in Ukraine and with the doctor's consent I left the skullcap at home because I did not want to get involved with the airport security there." And does it help? Is there an improvement in the medical condition? "Certainly. Every three months I do an MRI, and the tumor shrinks from time to time, which I assume is the result of a combination of all the treatments, including the Optune." People don't ask questions when they see you on the street with the skullcap? "Of course they ask, not every day does one see someone with electrodes on their head and wires coming out of them, so I tell them I'm connected to Wi-Fi and everyone laughs." The Mikveh Israel boarding school and youth village has launched a funraising campaign to send 20 students of Ethiopian descent on a heritage trip to Ethiopia, as well as locate the students' relatives who remained in the African country. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter "This is something I've never dared dreaming about, especially while being a high school student. This is a dream come true for me and for my family that stayed in a village in Ethiopia," enthused Samuel Almiya, a student at the boarding school. To get the journey underway, the students and the school launched a crowdsourcing campaign on the GiveBack website in order to raise NIS 75,000, which is half of the cost of the trip, with the school funding the other half. Teens of Ethiopian descent preparing for their heritage trip The donors, like in every project of this sort, will receive a humble token of gratitude in line with the amount of their donationfrom a thank-you letter, to an ATV tour of the Mikve Israel Agricultural School and a souvenir from Ethiopia. Yosef Mersha, 17, immigrated to Israel in 2007 at the age of six with his mother and brother from the city of Gondar in Ethiopia. Yosef's father remained in Gondar, and their only connection is through Facebook. "We write to each other a lot and the thought that maybe I'd get to meet him soon excites me," he said. Eighteen-year-old Yehuda Alfa emigrated from Ethiopia to Israel when he was six, leaving behind his grandmother and uncles. "I don't have a lot of memories from that place, I only heard stories. But it's important to me to see my family again," he explained. Yael Mekonnen, the boarding school principal, explained that before embarking on their heritage trip, the students will provide the tour guide with where their families reside in Ethiopia, and the guide will plan the trip route accordingly. "We want to teach our students to be proud of their culture, and on the other hand make them appreciate what they have here, in Israel. Here, their school is a two-minute walking distance, while in Ethiopia students walk 8 kilometers every day to school," she elaborated. Yael herself is married to a man of Ethiopian descent, who immigrated to Israel at the age of five and was a student at the boarding school. Yael and her husband will also join the trip to meet his relatives. Herut Alamo and Dvir Balata, aged 17, were born and raised in Israel, and wish to see where their families came from. "It is important for me to see where my relatives were born, and how they lived. I was told they grew cows, and that everything there is green and flourishing, and not dry desert landscapes as everyone thinks," Herut said. "My grandparents are buried there and this trip is so special to me," she went on to say. Dvir added that even though he was born in Israel, he still has a big family in Ethiopia. "Our parents are delighted that the school is providing us with the opportunity to see and reconnect with our heritage," he said. While Israel developed its split personality disorder concerning Gaza long before the latest so-called round of fighting, the renewed ceasefire is an opportunity to try and discussthis time seriouslythe actual facts of life in Gaza. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Fake news, rabble-rousing and lies to their own people may be powerful tools wielded by the leaders in Jerusalem and Gaza, but the truth will come out. Propaganda cannot keep facts from their annoying habit of constantly cropping up and hitting us full in the face. Reality does not bow to the dictates of a particular political conjuncture. Sooner or later, the truth will always come back to bite us. What is this split personality disorder? On the one hand, Israel wants total control over Gaza: over all comings and goingsof both people and goods; to decide whether a seaport or airport will be built; to control the airspace, or if Gazans have pasta or rice for dinner, and what medical care they can get. On the other hand, Israel wants Gaza to simply vanish altogetherto disappear behind the high wall going up around it, or sink into the sea, or become Egypts concern, or fused to Cyprus or rocketed to Marsanything, as long as its completely out of our hair. Completely out, except for us having total control over it, that is. Destruction in Gaza following the IAF bombing (Photo: EPA) Time for a reality check. No geographic fault line or rift valley divides Gaza or the West Bank from Israel. We all live here together on the same tectonic plate. For better or for worse, our lives are intertwined. The overriding question whether the choices we make are for the best. Otherwise, well all suffer the consequences. Trying to export Gazato Egypt, Europe or out of this worldis but one aspect of Israels longstanding policy to cut off Gaza from the West Bank. This policy is not written in the stars: it is a politically motivated decision, as part of Israels overall strategy to break up the Palestinian people into small, manageable bits. After all, its easier to maintain power over fragmented crumbs than over a single cohesive national unit. Israel already controls almost every physical aspect of life in Gaza: electricity, water and freedom of movement. The extent of this control means that Israel is responsible for the welfare of the people it holds under its thumb. Israel cannot simply shrug off the two million people whose daily reality its government has shaped. Yet physical control does nothing to alter the history or self-identity of Gazans. The two million Palestinians who live in Gaza are not Cypriots or Egyptian immigrants. Their relatives, history and political consciousness are all linked to the millions of Palestinians living in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Israel. There are 13 million of us living side by side between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. If we fail to acknowledge this fact, the power of reality will ultimately deal us a fateful blow. That this is the reality that was painfully brought home to us all by the fate of Mahmoud Abu Asbah: a Palestinian from the West Bank village of Halhul who was recently killed by a rocket that Hamas fired from Gaza, hitting an apartment block in the Israeli city of Ashkelon. As a government mouthpiece, the IDF Spokesperson can try to bombard the public with all the latest inventions of preposterous verbal ammunition added to its arsenal, such as unique terror assets, mighty targets and other bombastic gibberish. Its pathetic. It also brings us back to the main point. Stop trying to come across as macho, as real men, and start acknowledging that there are actual real live men living on the other side, too. And women. And children. You know, people. What sort of lives do they lead? What do they have in terms of education, work, family life, dreams and possibilities? After years of government propaganda that theres no such thing as an innocent Gazan, they all support Hamas and the number-one sensational hit everything is and always will be the fault of Hamas, its certainly not easy to start telling Israelis the truth. All the same, going through another round and yet another is even harderand, quite possibly, bloodier. Stop trying to act the man and just start being human. One of the questions I am often asked is why must we continue holding the March of Living in Poland? Why bring thousands of participants from around the world every year, accompanied by Holocaust survivors who are not getting any younger, and world leaders, to walk along the railroad track between Auschwitz and Birkenau? There are many, too many, who believe that it is time to let go of past traumas and move on to other matters. CNNs poll on anti-Semitism proves them wrong. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The appalling poll reveals that one in five Europeans justifies anti-Semitism toward Jews, 25% of the respondents hold longstanding anti-Semitic narratives (too much influence in business and finance spehres) and one in 20 Europeans has not even heard of the Jewish Holocaust. The poll may have surprised the Israeli public, but wewho have been dealing with instilling the memory of the Holocaust and its lessonsare not at all surprised. The March of the Living (Photo: EPA) As the years go by, the challenge of passing along the memory becomes more complex. Teenagers and youngsters, whose attention span is quite low to begin with, find it difficult to relate to events that occurred nearly a century ago. They are unfamiliar with a world where such evil exists and it is hard for them to internalize what this means. Europes young generation today is unfamiliar with the Shoah and unaware of the Nazis systematic murder of six million Jews as well as millions of minorities and weakened populations, whose blood has soaked their lands for decades. But we must not bury our heads in the sand and settle for condemnation, we must take actual steps to eradicate the phenomenon altogether. One of the most interesting and encouraging results of the poll reveals that 80% of Poles believe it is important to learn about the Holocaust to prevent such an event from ever happening again. That is exactly our goal, but in reality, we are still far from it. Schools in Europe do not place an emphasis on the Jewish Holocaust and over 60% of the universities in Europe do not include Holocaust studies in their curricula. To eradicate the anti-Semitism presented by the poll results, Holocaust studies must be included in schools' and universities' curricula, visits must be made to the extermination camps and Holocaust survivors must be invited to tell their Holocaust stories and those of their families. Europe must wake up and realize the scope of the catastrophe the poll reflects. Anti-Semitism stems from ignorance. The reason we march by the thousand every year is to teach, remind and awaken others: this is where the most atrocious of crimes, the most horrible horror, took place. It did not happen on another planet, perpetrated by aliens. Human beings like you and I committed these crimes. There is always the risk of sliding down the slippery slope of hatred. A second Holocaust will only be prevented by the establishment of a coalition of European leaders to fight anti-Semitism, invest in education, teach history and emphasize the lessons of the past. That is why we will continue to march as long as we can. We must not give up on the young generation, Jews and non-Jews alike. Riddle me this: who is the prime minister, the foreign affairs minister, the defense minister, the health minister, and the immigrant absorption minister, all at the same time? You've guessed it. During this Knesset's session, Benjamin Netanyahu was also the communications, regional cooperation, and economy minister. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter And Netanyahu has a lot more on his plate. The prime minister, let's not forget, also has several pending criminal cases, which don't seem to bother him, and surprisingly, nobody else as well. Between the outcries sparked by another nonsense uttered by the prime minister's son, Yair Netanyahu (another not-simple-to-handle case), and cries of praise coming from the right wing, nobody wonders how the man has the time for all his commitments. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) Netanyahu's time is valuable, like a mother's heart, which expands and expands to contain more children. And nobody seems to wonder about the impact Netanyahu's multiple portfoliosthe mystic-political time division in the executive branch occurring before our very eyeshave on law and administration in Israel. How much power is it reasonable to bestow upon one person? The answer lies in the fact that in the Jewish-Democratic country, the power is in the handscompletely legallyof our dear leader. The ministers are not independent entities with free will and responsibilities. They are extras on a show that has only one rising star. In practice, Netanyahu holds all the portfolios in his government. The ministers, some more and some less, are responsible for the tedious maintenance work, while the prime minister makes all the decisions and receives all the credit. They feed off of the little crumbs of power falling off Netanyahu's desk, being careful not to irritate, not to criticize, chanting his praises and secretly swallowing their insults. They don't have their own power. If Netanyahu goes down, they will go down with him. If he only wants to, he can stand in front of the camera, accusing them of being "The Left! The Left!" And they will crawl back into their holes in shame, weeping their apologies, explaining that their remarks were taken out of context. They were misunderstood, they will say with tears in their eyes. They only wanted something, only askedsomething happened!, they would cry out. They understand that they made a mistake, they know about "the Left," but had forgotten for a moment. But now they are themselves again. Forgive them. Government meeting in Jerusalem (Photo: Reuters) A force majeure. The government is Netanyahu and Netanyahu is the government. Actually the state is Netanyahu and Netanyahu is the state. During his many years in power, the man from Balfour Street has managed to mentally take us back to the days of the Prophet from Sde Boker. Like David Ben Gurion at his peak, Netanyahu does whatever he pleases with the state. And the astonishing thing is that the prime minister, the defense minister, the foreign affairs minister, the health minister, and the immigrant absorption minister is propped up by a very narrow base of supporters. Ben Gurion led huge coalitions (if you add the Arab bloc satellite parties to Mapai, then Ben Gurion had almost half the Knesset under his direct control), while Netanyahu's Likud only has 30 seatsa quarter of the Knesset. In a country where the prime minister is completely dependent on his coalition partners, this phenomenon belies any political explanation. It can only be explained in mental health terms. The opposition's collapse (to which former prime minister Ehud Barak, who has somehow become our great hope again, contributed a lot) created a situation in which it is Netanyahu and Netanyahu alone. If the choice is between Netanyahu and nothing else, even those who don't want him, will not fight him. Netanyahu is no good in their eyes, but he is better than nothing. The fight against him became apolitical, moral, almost academic, an expression of a righteous desire. When no alternative exists (not only in the eyes of his proponents, but also in the eyes of his detractors), Netanyahu remains the default. And the default is significant: Netanyahu's achievements in his foreign affairs policy are the achievements of a gambler. If US President Donald Trump disappears, Netanyahu's achievements would disappear too. Netanyahu's "policy" is to buy time, this is it. His domestic policy is to crush any possibility of an open and rational discourse, for the distribution of responsibility, for a functional and not corrupt administration, for social solidarity between Jews and Arabs. A rigouts, self-victimizing clichelong live the king! During Gadi Eisenkot's tenure as IDF chief of staff, more than 1,000 secret operations were carried out across the borders of Israel. He drew the political echelon to an offense-based policy in the North, mainly in Syria, and often really pushed the envelope. But all this is not sufficient in the eyes of the pundits on the extreme Right, Israel's alt-right. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter In two or three months, they will focus their sights on the incoming chief of staff, Aviv Kochavi. He will be their next "coward," the "weakling," the leftist, the commander behind the military advocate general, Sharon Afek, "who frightens our soldiers more than Hamas' Yahya Sinwar." Kochavi's fate will be even worse than that of his predecessor's. He will be burdened with the fact that his wife works for the State Attorney's Office. Gadi Eisenkot (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg) A new genre has developed on the lunatic Right, a narrative full of scorn and threats. They accuse the IDF chief of staff, the Military Advocate General and the IDF Spokesperson Ronen Manelis of "sacrificing our soldiers on the altar of leftism and false morality." One can find an illustration of a military gravestone with the inscription: "Killed because his life was less important than the life of the enemy." Or a tweet: "During the Second World War, (Soviet leader Joseph) Stalin set up units that shot in the back soldiers who were afraid to charge and attackin Israel, Eisenkot appointed the Military Advocate General to shoot at soldiers who shoot terrorists." Another example: "Sharon Afek, don't you dare extend your hand to harm our soldiers, you will be met with an ancient and awesome people, who will show zero tolerance to those who bode us evil." Aviv Kochavi (Photo: IDF Spokesperson) They insolently lament that the IDF has ceased to win. The IDF ceased winning once it transformed from the Israel Defense Forces to the Settlers Defense Force. Since it began arresting wanted suspectsmore than 4,000 in the past yearand stopped training and being a powerful maneuverable force. On one occasion, the chief of staff revealed that 55 percent of the IDF's activity is in the territories, and 75 percent of that is related to the isolated settlements outside the separation barrier and the unauthorized outposts. I once asked one of the Central Command generals to describe his schedule. At the end of the description I told him: This sounds like the schedule of a transportation coordinator, not a military commander. Yes, he sighed, pointing to the government offices. Until the Six-Day War, few army companies secured the borders. There were only eight companies on the front lines with Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. All the others were training for the event of a war. Today, the number of units guarding the territories is at least a dozen times larger. Then, before the occupation, there was a sharp distinction made in favor of preparation versus preparedness. Yitzhak Rabin understood this well: "We will not be able to sustain the allocation of a company to accompany a few children to flute lessons," he said. The late Ariel Sharon, at the end of his life, understood this equally well and was determined to do more. Ofer Winter (Photo: Motti Kimchi) According to a study by the Adva Center, from the first intifada that erupted in late 1987 and until 2015, the army's budget for "increased activity in the territories" amounted to NIS 56 billion. We are not talking about the Shin Bet or the Ministry of Public Security, but rather a dedicated budget for the IDF for activities in the territories. A special military jargon was invented for this purpose: Batash, the war between wars, low-intensity warfare. The Ministry of Police, which became the Ministry of Public Security, was forced to look to east Jerusalem and the West Bank and turn its back on residents of the Green Line. A large portion of its budget goes to prevent terror attacks and less to criminal activity. Combating traffic accidents, protecting people and property, dealing with organized crime and public corruptionall of these fall to the wayside, behind the war on terror. Serving in the territories is a source of deep moral dilemma for those with a conscience. The stark blitz of the right-wing loudmouths adds to it. According to data from the IDF's Behavioral Sciences Department, there is a growing difficulty in keeping high-quality commanders in the IDF, and the reservoir from which Eisenkot or Kochavi, Nitzan Alon or Yair Golan, can be recruited is drying up. The internet trolls want to leave us with officers the likes of Ofer Winter, who is a good officer, but his rhetoric on the war against "the enemy who oppresses and disgraces god" will not save us, because our enemies, the army of Muhammad, have a thousand Winters of their own. Propaganda video released by Lebanon's terror group X Lebanons Hezbollah terror group released Friday a propaganda video in which it warns Israel against striking the Shiite organizations targets in the country. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The video, part of Hezbollahs psychological warfare campaign, features images of IDF soldiers and military basesincluding the Kirya headquarters base in Tel Avivand is accompanied by a message written in Hebrew, reading,"If you dare attack, you will regret it." Images from Hezbollah's propaganda video Avichay Adraee, IDFs Arabic-language spokesperson, issued an official statement in response to the terror groups video. "Those who live in glass houses shouldnt throw stones," the spokesperson stressed. On Monday, Adraee wrote on his Twitter account that Lebanon must stop allowing the Iranian jets transfer weapons to Hezbollah. Images from Hezbollah's propaganda video The video message comes a day after it was revealed that for the first time, the Iranian airline affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards conducted a direct flight from Tehran to Beirut. The aircraft was reportedly carrying advanced weapon systems meant to convert inaccurate projectiles into precision-guided missiles. Only hours after the Iranian airliner is reported to have landed in the Lebanese capital, Syrian state media claimed the countrys defense forces had intercepted several hostile targets during an alleged IAF attack near Damascus. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit denied the Syrian report. Former Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev has expressed his "deep condolences" to the family of former US President George H.W. Bush and all Americans following his death. Gorbachev worked closely with Bush to bring an end to the Cold War in the late 1980s and 1990s, and lauded the former president for his abilities as a politician and his personal character. Gulf Arab nations allied with the US have offered their condolences over the death of President George H.W. Bush. Leaders in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday offered condolences to both President Donald Trump and former President George W. Bush for the elder Bush's death. Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also is the UAE's prime minister and vice president, tweeted that Emiratis remember Bush as "a firm ally and friend." Iran's stealth warship X Iran's navy on Saturday launched a domestically made destroyer, which state media said has radar-evading stealth properties, as tensions rise with arch-enemy, the United States. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter In a ceremony carried live on state television, the Sahand destroyerwhich can sustain voyages lasting five months without resupplyjoined Iran's regular navy at a base in Bandar Abbas on the Gulf. The Sahand has a flight deck for helicopters, torpedo launchers, anti-aircraft and anti-ship guns, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles and electronic warfare capabilities, state television reported. The Sahand has a flight deck for helicopters US President Donald Trump pulled out of an international agreement on Iran's nuclear program in May and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. He said the deal was flawed because it did not include curbs on Iran's development of ballistic missiles or its support for proxies in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq. The United States has said its goal is to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero. Senior Iranian officials have said that if Iran is not allowed to export then no other countries will be allowed to export oil through the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf. "This vessel is the result of daring and creative design relying on the local technical knowledge of the Iranian Navy... and has been built with stealth capabilities," Rear-Admiral Alireza Sheikhi, head of the navy shipyards that built the destroyer, told the state news agency IRNA. Iran launched its first locally made destroyer in 2010 as part of a program to revamp its navy equipment which dates from before the 1979 Islamic revolution and is mostly US-made. Iran has developed a large domestic arms industry in the face of international sanctions and embargoes that have barred it from importing many weapons. Separately, a naval commander said Sahand may be among warships that Iran plans to send on a mission to Venezuela soon. Iran's stealth warship "Among our plans in the near future is to send two or three vessels with special helicopters to Venezuela in South America on a mission that could last five months," Iran's deputy navy commander, Rear-Admiral Touraj Hassani Moqaddam, told the semi-official news agency Mehr. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said last week Iran should increase its military capability and readiness to ward off enemies, in a meeting with Iranian navy commanders. Iran's navy has extended its reach in recent years, launching vessels in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden to protect Iranian ships from Somali pirates operating in the area. The chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces said in 2016 that Iran may seek to set up naval bases in Yemen or Syria in the future, raising the prospect of distant footholds perhaps being more valuable militarily to Tehran than nuclear technology. A stand-off between Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri and a pro-Syrian politician appeared to turn violent on Saturday, with reports of gunfire when police tried to issue the politician a summons for questioning over accusations of stirring strife. The past few days have seen a sharp rise in tension in Lebanon, after video emerged of Druze politician Wiam Wahhab filmed at a gathering making obscene personal insults. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday condemned what he described as Iran's testing of a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads as a violation of the international agreement on Tehran's nuclear program. Amid tension between Washington and Tehran over ballistic missiles, Pompeo warned in a statement released on Twitter that Iran is increasing its "testing and proliferation" of missiles and called on the Islamic Republic to "cease these activities." News Buenos Aires, Argentina - President Trump, Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada, and President Pena Nieto of Mexico at Signing Ceremony for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement: PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. Were gathered together this afternoon for a very historic occasion: The signing ceremony for a brand new trade deal, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. So important. Im honored to be here with President Enrique Pena Nieto whos become a great friend of Mexico, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has also become a great friend, who has this has been a battle, and battles sometimes make great friendships. So its really terrific. With our signatures today, we will formally declare the intention of our three countries to replace NAFTA with the USMCA a truly groundbreaking achievement. A modern-day agreement. I want to thank U.S. Trade Representative Bob Lighthizer and his entire team for their tremendous effort and the efforts that theyve made all throughout the last almost two-year period. Thank you as well to Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin, and Director Larry Kudlow for their hard work and untiring devotion throughout the negotiation process. Peter Navarro, thank you so much for the work that you put in. And so many others. The USMCA is the largest, most significant, modern, and balanced trade agreement in history. All of our countries will benefit greatly. It is probably the largest trade deal ever made, also. In the United States, the new trade pact will support high-paying manufacturing jobs and promote greater access for American exports across the range of sectors, including our farming, manufacturing, and service industries. As part of our agreement, the United States will be able to lock in our market access to Canada and Mexico, and greatly expand our agricultural exports something weve been wanting to do for many years. This is an amazing deal for our farmers, and also allows them to use cutting-edge biotechnology, and eliminates non-scientific barriers. Our nations have also agreed to innovate new measures to ensure fair competition and promote high wages, and higher wages, for U.S. and North American autoworkers. The autoworkers are a tremendous beneficiary. Under the USMCA, at least 75 percent of our automobiles content must be manufactured in North America, and 40 to 45 percent of automobile content must be manufactured by North American high-wage labor in order to gain preferential access to our markets. This will help stop auto jobs from going overseas and it will bring back auto jobs that have already left. Many, many jobs are already planning to come back. Many companies are coming back, and were very excited about that. This landmark agreement includes intellectual property protections that will be the envy of nations all around the world. The USMCA also contains robust new provisions on digital trade and financial services, and the most ambitious environmental and labor protections ever placed into a major trade agreement anywhere at any time. We have dramatically raised standards for combatting unfair trade practices; confronting massive subsidies for state-owned enterprises; and, currently, if you look at it, currency manipulation that hurt workers in all three of our countries. The currency manipulation from some countries is so intense, so bad, and it would hurt Mexico, Canada, and the United States badly. Weve covered it very well in this agreement. These new provisions will benefit labor, technology, and development in each of our nations, leading to much greater growth and opportunity throughout our countries and across North America. In short, this is a model agreement that changes the trade landscape forever. And this is an agreement that, first and foremost, benefits working people something of great importance to all three of us here today. President I must say, Pena Nieto and Prime Minister Trudeau, weve worked hard on this agreement. Its been long and hard. Weve taken a lot of barbs and a little abuse. And we got there. Its great for all of our countries. Thank you for your close partnership throughout this process. This new agreement will ensure a future of prosperity and innovation for Mexico, Canada, and the United States. I look forward to working with members of Congress and the USMCA partners and I have to say, its been so well reviewed, I dont expect to have very much of a problem to ensure the complete implementation of our agreement. Enrique, I want to thank you on a personal note, and I want to wish you the very best. This will be your last day in office, so thats a very auspicious day when you can sign something so important. But we really do appreciate it. I think I can speak for Justin when I say that. (Applause.) We both we both agree hes a special man. And hes really done a good job, and we appreciate it very much. Thank you. So I just want to congratulate you on ending your term in office with this incredible milestone. It is really an incredible way to end a presidency. You dont see that happen very often. I look forward to working with President-elect Lopez Obrador for many years to come. And our relationship, I know, will be a very good one. Weve had great conversations and I think were going to have a great, great relationship. And I would now like to invite the President and the Prime Minister to say a few words. And perhaps we can start with Justin. And we appreciate it very much. Thank you. Justin, please. (Applause.) PRIME MINISTER TRUDEAU: Good morning. Thank you all for being here, and thank you to Presidents Trump and Pena Nieto. Donald, thank you for your words this morning. Thank you for pulling this event together. Enrique, this, as Donald said, on your last day in office, its a wonderful pleasure to see you and to be here on this historic moment. The new North American Free Trade Agreement maintains stability for Canadas entire economy stability thats essential for the millions of jobs and middle-class families across the country that rely on strong, reliable trading relationships with our closest neighbors. Thats why Im here today. The new agreement lifts the risk of serious economic uncertainty that lingers throughout a trade renegotiation process. Uncertainty that would have only gotten worse and more damaging had we not reached a new NAFTA. But when faced with this challenge, Canadians came together and rolled up their sleeves. Canadians from every order of government and walks of life put their countrys interests first and worked hard to achieve a new, modernized agreement that will protect jobs, strengthen the middle class, and create new opportunities for businesses. Theres much more work to do in lowering trade barriers and in fostering growth that benefits everyone. But reaching a new free trade agreement with the United States and Mexico is a major step for our economy. Canadians got here because Team Canada was driven by the interests of the middle class. Free and fair trade leads to more and better-paying middle-class jobs for more people. And the benefits of trade must be broadly and fairly shared. That is what modernizing NAFTA achieves, and that is why it was always so important to get this new agreement done right. As a result, the tariff-free access that NAFTA guaranteed for more than 70 percent of Canadas total exports is secure. And thats essential for businesses, families, jobs, entrepreneurs, and hardworking people in every corner of our country. As I said, the task isnt done. There is more hard work ahead to build resilient, strong economies that support families everywhere in Canada. As I discussed with President Trump a few days ago, the recent plant closures by General Motors, which affects thousands of Canadian and American workers and their families, are a heavy blow. Make no mistake: We will stand up for our workers and fight for their families and their communities. And, Donald, its all the more reason why we need to keep working to remove the tariffs on steel and aluminum between our countries. With hard work, good will, and determination, Im confident we will get there. Our shared interests, prosperity, and security demand it. Before wrapping up, Id like to personally thank our Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, along with U.S. Trade Representative Bob Lighthizer, and Mexican Secretary of the Economy Ildefonso Guajardo for all their hard work and dedication since the very beginning of this process. Id also like to thank Ambassador David MacNaughton, Chief Negotiator Steve Verheul, and their talented and extremely hardworking staff. Once again, thank you all for being here today. (Applause.) PRESIDENT PENA NIETO: (As interpreted.) President of the United States, Donald Trump; Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau; distinguished members of the delegations joining us today: To both, I would like to thank you for your generous remarks. This is precisely the last day of my administration, ladies and gentlemen, members of the media. During the last day of my administration as President, I am honored to be here standing next to the leaders of two countries who are friends and partners in this signing ceremony of the new trade agreement between Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. The agreement that we will sign today expresses the shared will by our three nations to work together towards the wellbeing and prosperity of each one of our societies. This day is the culmination of a long process based on dialogue and negotiations that allow us to overcome differences and to conciliate our visions. Once signed, the agreement will be sent to our congresses for its ratification. It will be then when this innovative instrument bears fruit by offering a more inclusive, firm, and modern foundation for our future exchanges. The negotiation of USMCA allowed to reaffirm the importance of economic integration in North America. For more than a quarter of a century ago, our three countries have maintained very tight trade relationships. Such trade has transformed Mexico. Today, our exchanges abroad represent more than 70 percent of our gross domestic product. And this has contributed to the fact that, today, the benefits of trade with the world are broadly valued by the Mexican society. Revamping the new trade agreement was aimed to preserve the view of an integrated North America, with a firm belief that together we are stronger and more competitive. In spite of the progress that weve seen in our trade relationship in the last two decades, there was still a long road ahead of us to take advantage of each countrys potential. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement gives a renewed face to the process of integration. This process achieved, on the first place, to modernize our trade framework. Trade agreements shall not be static. Agreements need to move along with the economy and should be according to the needs of our society. The inclusion of new provisions on e-commerce, information technologies, and trade-enabling practices are now part of the agreement. In fact, one third of the agreement includes topics that were not included in the current agreement. The renegotiating process of the agreement allowed our region to move into a more inclusive integration a type of integration that listens to the demands of our societies. Twenty-four years ago, NAFTA set a new benchmark for trade agreements back then. Today, USMCA is the first trade agreement that incorporates elements that address the social impact of international trade. It enables the participation of more sectors in the economy, including the participation of SMEs in regional trade. It extends the protection of workers rights, strengthens the protection of the environment, and also includes a review clause that would make easier that the agreement is revamped more constantly. And this is a true sign of the will we have put in this agreement the decision to provide more and better opportunities to our peoples. I would like to acknowledge the work done by the negotiators from the three countries. Each team advocated for each countrys interests. And by doing this, you reached a very positive result for the sake of all countries. In the case of Mexico, this work bears testimony of the work of the business community who were present during the process, and specifically the new administration that will take office tomorrow. Your support, and the alignment of visions in the last phase, contributed to the success of this renegotiation process. I would like to say that I sincerely acknowledge President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau for their vision and the vision that they have put into the process. Thanks to you, President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau, the agreement that we have signed today will allow each country to gain individually, but also North America will grow stronger and will grow to be more prosperous. Ladies and gentlemen, currently in the world, each countrys future is firmly linked to what happens in other countries. In North America, we understand this very clearly. We understand that each societys prosperity will be greater and will be deeply rooted if its based in the prosperity of the region as a whole. This signing ceremony, it is a sign that Mexico, the United States, and Canada, being close not only due to our geography but on values and our expectations were ready to begin a new chapter in our shared history. Thank you very much. (Applause.) (The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is signed.) Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - The Yuma Police Department is continuing our efforts to raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics by kicking off another Tip-A-Cop event. The event will be held at Famous Daves, 1501 S. Yuma Palms Pkwy, on Thursday, December 6, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. The Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities. LETR helps bring awareness to Special Olympics and obtain donations for the athletes. The money and awareness we raise will help the athletes grow and continue to have opportunities to make new friends, learn new skills and discover their independence while participating in the many events Special Olympics offers. For many athletes, The Special Olympics is a path to empowerment, self-esteem, competence, acceptance, joy and friendship, which is a unique opportunity these athletes with intellectual disabilities may not gain anywhere else. The Special Olympics offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities training and competition in 30 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. The Special Olympics currently serve over 2.5 million people in more than 200 programs in 165 countries. Yuma Police Department employees and other law enforcement officers will be at the restaurant as celebrity waiters and to receive TIPS for Special Olympics. Your donation is tax deductible. Please join us at Famous Daves, meet your local law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. A church in the Netherlands has been holding a prayer service for over 800 hours in order to prevent a family from being deported. Dutch laws do not permit Police officers to enter a church while service is still ongoing, so the said church decided to hold an around-the-clock service. CNN reports that for more than a month, hundreds of pastors and volunteers from across the country have been meeting to maintain the 24/7 service in support of an Armenian family whose asylum claim has been rejected. READ ALSO: Bride-to-be dies after surgery to look thinner for her wedding day The chairman of the General Council of Protestant Ministers in the Netherlands, Theo Hettema, says they are not ready to end the service anytime soon. According to him, the service will continue "as long as it's necessary to ensure the Armenian family doesnt get deported. "We want to love God and our neighbour. And we thought that this was a clear opportunity to put the love for our neighbour into reality," he told CNN. The embattled family the Tamrazyan is said to have fled Armenia and has been living in the Netherlands since April 2010. However, their application for political asylum was rejected, and they are now being asked to leave the Netherlands. The family consists of three children, namely; Hayarpi, Warduhi and Seyran. Hayarpi Tamrazyan, now aged 21, says she is "incredibly happy and grateful to all volunteers." The plan by the church to prevent their deportation was hatched in secret, with only a few people being told. Axel Wicke from the Bethal church and community center in The Hague, where the service is taking place, explained that only a handful of people knew about the idea beforehand so that the family wasn't put in any danger. "Back then there was no rota," he told CNN. "After the welcome service, I took over with a couple of parish members." "I had copied and pasted the liturgies of the last 10 years into one huge document and we just sang and prayed through that, until other pastors were found and took over." According to him, while the police are not waiting outside the church, the building is being monitored "more closely than usual". READ ALSO: Chinese children sing Borborleborbor in latest video against Akufo-Addo Meanwhile, the only way the Tamrazyan family can continue with their stay in the Netherlands is for the Dutch government to intervene. There is a provision for a so-called children's pardon for those who have been living in the Netherlands for more than five years. Star Gist: Rosemond Brown a.k.a. Akuapem Poloo discloses how much she earns | #Yencomgh READ ALSO: John Mahama dances to 'Bobolebobo' at his 60th birthday party (Video) Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YEN's official Facebook page. Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place. Source: Yen The Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Prof. Kwesi Yankah, has lamented the low level of PhD enrolment in the various universities across the country. According to him, none of the universities in the country could truly qualify as a research university. He noted that the percentage of PhD enrolment in the universities is relatively low, pointing to the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT)and the University of Ghana as a perfect case in point. Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Prof. Kwesi Yankah. Source: Supplied Source: UGC READ ALSO: KNUST to revert Katanga, Conti to all male halls Currently, out of the 90 per cent of post-graduate students enrolment in the universities in the country, only 10 per cent are in the doctoral programmes. The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) has the highest of 1.4 per cent of PhD enrolment while the University of Ghana has just 1.1 per cent. "The percentage of doctoral students per total enrolment for all universities in the country still leave much to be desired," Prof. Yankah said. He made the comment during the opening session of the University of Ghana (UG) Doctorial forum. The forum which was held at Legon last Friday brought together stakeholders to discuss the theme: Promoting PhD education in Ghana. It was geared towards discussing the merits and challenges of PhD training in the country, as well as sensitise stakeholders and the public about PhD education. For private universities in Ghana that presented statistics to the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) in 2014, only 1.8 per cent of students were pursuing post-graduate studies and none of those was enrolled in a PhD programme, Prof. Yankah disclosed. He expressed great concern with the low level of PhD enrolment in the University of Ghana in particular, saying if the premier university has such a poor enrolment in doctorate programmes, you can imagine how adversely this would affect other universities and sectors, where doctoral degrees would be crucially required. He, however, admitted that resource constraints, limited library resources on topic chosen, poorly equipped science and technology laboratories, amongst other things, often become challenges to doctoral work in most African countries. READ ALSO: 18-year-old traditional priest Felix Galley denied admission to Dzodze-Penyi SHS Indeed, many a time, the high cost of bandwidth constraints an institutions research capabilities and limits graduate students access to key and crucial data bases. As a result of this, doctoral students and their supervisors are not likely to be abreast of current theoretical and comparative literature, which provide new and refreshing insights in dissertation projects, Prof. Yankah added. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has announced that henceforth having a PhD is a requirement for any lecturer looking to teach at the University level. Star Gist: Rosemond Brown a.k.a. Akuapem Poloo discloses how much she earns | #Yencomgh READ ALSO: UEWs Prof Afful-Broni withholds certificates of 176 graduating students Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place Source: Yen Shoe company Solana Shoes, which borrows its name from Solana Beach, aims to be more than just a brand by shining a light on different cultures throughout the world with its designs. Solana travels the world and collaborates with local artists to make handcrafted slip-on shoes that tell a story about a place and its people. The shoes serve as the canvas for the artists expression. Solana Shoe Founder Yasmine Idriss Courtesy The New York-based brand will hold a pop-up shop at Solana Beachs Culture Brewing Company on Friday, Dec. 7 from on 5-9 p.m. Founder Yasmine Idriss named her brand after Solana Beach as her family visits San Diego for one month a year. Idriss has spent most of her life moving around the worldshe was raised in the Middle East, educated in Switzerland and attended college in the United States. By the time she was 20, she had visited nearly 40 countries. Solana Beach has been my happy place ever since I was 14, said Idriss. It also means eastern wind, which I find relevant since my roots are in the East, but I live in the West. Its a metaphor of my journey so far. Idriss picked Lebanon as Solanas debut collection as it is her home country. There are many reasons why she believes Lebanon is a special placethe first being that the people are unbelievably resilient. Lebanon has been war-torn for almost 50 consecutive years and yet life goes on. Its a major party destination in the region. People are cheerful and, despite a permanent nostalgia that you feel when talking with the Lebanese, they are always hopeful, Idriss said. They carry an inner light and strength you can only have when youve gone through what theyve gone through. Lebanon is also one of very few inclusive Arab countries. Its home to 18 religious sects that co-exist in a space that is 39 times smaller than California. "Lebanese Footprint" by Sarah Adaime Courtesy Dabketna by artist Lucciana Baradhi Courtesy With the collection, five Lebanese artists convey bits of the countrys heritage with their designs. Haraket re-imagines the symbols that shape the pronunciation of letters in the Arabic language in specific areas of Lebanon as colorful graphic shapes on gray linen. Lebanese Footprint shows Lebanese stamps through time, demonstrating what was happening in different periods of the countrys history in striking black and white print. The most popular design in the collection is Connected, depicting graffiti that the artist created to camouflage bullet holes still visible from the 15-year civil war. The whimsical Dabketna features colorful people holding hands and dancing embroidered on the white shoe. It represents a dance that brings the Lebanese together no matter the situation, whether in times of war or peace,Idriss said. Its their celebration, their spiritual chant. The pop-up event will also feature a short film about the spirit of Lebanon that Solana produced with Lebanese filmmakers. Culture Brewing frequently hosts artists and events that involve arts and crafts along with serving up beer. On Sunday, Dec. 9, Culture will hold a macrame wall hanging workshop with Patchwork from 1:30-4 p.m. For more information on upcoming events, follow them on Facebook @CultureBrewingCo. 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Renata Ram UNAIDS - HIV/AIDS GOODWILL AMBASSADOR - Ratu Epeli Nailatikau Senior Health Officials NGOS and CSOS Our Media Partners Ladies and Gentlemen Bula Vinaka Firstly I must thank you for inviting me to open the WORLD AIDS DAY celebrations, which is celebrated globally on the 1 st of December. This year marks a 30th anniversary of the first World Aids Day. Thirty years of activism and solidarity under the banner of WORLD AIDS DAY. It was in 1981 when the world diagnosed its first case and in 1989 Fiji diagnosed its first case. Today we celebrate 30 years of success towards reducing new HIV infections, reducing AIDS related deaths, preventing mother to child transmission, reducing stigma and discrimination, increasing diagnosis and treatment and giving a positive note to life. While Fiji celebrates WORLD AIDS DAY for various reasons, we also remember those that have succumbed to AIDS-related illnesses, many of whom died because they couldn't either access HIV services, or due to Stigma and Discrimination. We also acknowledge those that are currently living with HIV, including their families and communities. Fiji from the very beginning had faced significant amounts of stigma and discrimination towards people living with and affected by HIV though the picture today is different. We have made significant progress as a nation since the day we saw our first case. One great example is our first diagnosed case of 1989 is still alive and well. Living life to the fullest. The Fijian government has made commitments towards: a) Ensuring that all HIV positive patients are made available with free medications for HIV since 2004. b) HIV counseling and testing services are free for all Fijians. c) Fiji has endorsed and implemented the FIJI HIV Decree in 2011 which protects the rights of persons infected or affected by HIV, including the right of an unborn child. d) Moving towards testing and treatment of all HIV cases, prolonging life and giving them an opportunity to enjoy life positively. e) Our former President- Honorable Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has been and continues to be an advocate for HIV In Fiji and the Asia Pacific Region. While the list can go on, an important priority area has been to ensure linkage of national programs to the global agenda. The Fijian Government through the MHMS is committed to Strengthen and Implement the Global Health Sector Strategies for HIV/AIDS, Viral hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's) and the Fast Track Strategy of 90, 90, 90 of UNAIDS which is reflected in the Ministries HIV & STI Strategic Plan 2016-2020. Apart from the Government's commitment to HIV, we have in Fiji our partners who significantly contribute to our efforts in curbing the issues of STI's and HIV, some such partners are WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, UNAIDS, spc, UNFPA, other government and non-organizations, civil society, faith based organisations and most importantly the Fiji Network of Positive people. Their support includes but is not limited to funding, technical but also preventative program implementation at the community Fiji as of July 2018 has recorded a cumulative statistics of 919 cases, with more than 80 cases diagnosed per year since 2015. This increase is a result of the decentralized services that Fiji initiated in 2015, where all sub-divisional hospitals starting confirming their own cases rather than sending it to one central point in Suva...(possible further data that Dr Torika can add to this ) HIV in Fiji affects a varied range of people, though close to 7080% are youths who fall within the age group of 20-39 years of age. To address the rising number of HIV cases in Fiji, the ministry of health and medical services has embarked towards the global strategy of 90, 90, 90. Where we wanting to test 90% of our population, of which we want 90% on treatment and hoping to see that 90% of those on treatment are virally suppressed. Where testing becomes the gateway to treatment, and effective treatment is a great HIV prevention tool, it saves lives and prevents HIV transmission. The theme, "Know your status," highlights a key instrument to addressing HIV in Fiji. Today we also launch the, "TEST4KFJ," where we intent to test 4,000 youths who have been seen to be the most vulnerable population for HIV infection here. The benefits of knowing your status are: a) Testing saves lives b) Knowing earlier, starting earlier c) Staying HIV free d) Looking after loved one's e) Stopping transmission to babies f) Claiming the right to health g)Staying alive and well HIV is not a death sentence, treatment has been a game changer in this. I leave today challenging all Fijians to not do business as usual. To move out of our comfort zones and step up in our overall response to HIV in Fiji. We need to step up and step out to make the difference the country needs. Let me end by quoting the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michele Sidibe, "the fight against HIV and AIDS is not over, we have miles to go, 9.5 million men, women, children are not accessing treatment, they are not capable of protecting themselves, their families and partners because they do not know there status. Testing is so important, because when you are tested positive, you can have access to treatment, and can protect yourselves, your partner & families. If you are negative you can have access to preventative measures, knowledge and skills which will keep you negative. Live life positively, know your HIV status." (Unquote) Pinch of Salt: So much to be thankful for Brazil wont host Cop25 : Bonn discussed as new climate conference host RIO DE JANEIRO/BONN The Brazilian government has withdrawn its candidacy for hosting the UN climate conference Cop25 next year. If no other country is found, Bonn could once again host the conference. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken The Brazilian government has withdrawn its candidacy for hosting the UN climate conference Cop25 next year. If no other country is found, Bonn could once again host the conference. Brazil has withdrawn its candidacy to host the UN Climate Change Conference Cop25 next year. According to the United Nations, another country must now be found in Latin America, as it is the region's turn to host the conference in 2019. If nobody wants to host the climate summit, the conference would be held in Bonn. On GA request, however, Marc Hoffmann, deputy spokesman for the city of Bonn, stated that several Latin American countries had already expressed interest. "The question of whether Bonn will host again has not yet arisen," he emphasised in the interview. As things stand at the moment, the city does not expect to host the climate conference again. As the Federal Environment Ministry announced on Friday evening, Costa Rica currently appears to be the serious successor candidate. "But if the climate conference cannot be held there and no other South American country succeeds,the UN Climate Secretariat and Bonnwill be the host," said Andreas Kubler, spokesman for the Federal Environment Ministry. The fact that Brazil would host next year's climate conference should have been sealed at this year's climate conference in Katowice, Poland, which will take place from 3 to 14 December. "Environmental policy must not be allowed to botch Brazil's development," said President-designate Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday. "Today the economy is almost back on track thanks to the agricultural industry, and it is suffocated by environmental issues". Bolsonaro will take office on January 1. So the rejection came from the outgoing government, which declared on Wednesday that the reason was budget restrictions. Environmentalists suspect, however, that the designated president has already exerted influence. Bolsonaro had also promised in the election campaign to withdraw Brazil from the world climate agreement of Paris. Federal Environment Ministry would not be a host If, contrary to expectations, the climate conference were to take place in Bonn in 2019, the city would look forward to the major event in a relaxed manner. "Cop23 has shown that it is possible to get the climate summit off the ground within a year," Hoffmann said. The organisers at that time were the federal government and the World Climate Secretariat. But this would probably be different at another climate conference in Bonn. "At the Cop23, Germany hosted on behalf of the Fiji Islands. This was a very special situation and a symbolic act by the Federal Government," says Andreas Kubler of the Ministry of the Environment. But probably also a unique one. If no South American successor is found for Brazil, the host role under UN regulations will go entirely to the UN Climate Secretariat. They did not want to comment on current developments there on Friday. "In any case, the Federal Environment Ministry will not be the host," said Kubler. According to the ministry, however, it would be an honour if another climate conference were to be held in Germany. Merkels flight forced to land in Cologne/Bonn instead of Buenos Aires : How serious was the situation on board the government plane? Cologne A defect has paralyzed the communication system of the Chancellor's government machine. Angela Merkel speaks of a "serious disturbance", the Ministry of Defense of "emergency landing". This is how serious the situation on board really was. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken A defect has paralyzed the communication system of the Chancellor's government machine. Angela Merkel speaks of a "serious disturbance", the Ministry of Defense of "emergency landing". This is how serious the situation on board really was. Ursula von der Leyen's Ministry of Defense (CDU) has not yet been aware of the source of this kind of error. This damage occurred for the first time, the spokesperson Jens Flosdorff emphasised after the spectacular breakdown of the veteran government air force plane "Konrad Adenauer". The incident is so unprecedented that the air captain is said to be speaking of an unimaginable collapse of communications technology and security, and government circles are saying that suspicions of a criminal background are being investigated. However, the Air Force and the Ministry quickly explain that there is no evidence to support this assumption. They found themselves in an awkward situation, as the Federal Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, spokespersons, advisers and journalists were all aboard the plane. The destination is the G20 summit in Argentina. But the flight will only reach Holland. While US President Donald Trump is already tweeting his arrival in Buenos Aires, Merkel is still on German soil. She had arranged to meet him on Friday afternoon on the fringes of the summit. Merkel and Scholz do not have to wait long for the mockery. The SPD man receives questions as to whether it would be possible to help out with government machines of other nations. But they can't. The two set off for Madrid to fly from there to South America. On scheduled flights. Germany's big economy looks embarrassed. Cause of fault unclear Merkels flight was stopped by a small defective component deep inside the Airbus 340, which connects two communication systems and is also responsible for the system for dumping kerosene in an emergency. But despite regular maintenance of the aircraft to the highest safety standards, as Flosdorff says, the small particle is on strike. With great effect. How this can happen remains unclear. In any case, it paralyses communication with the ground shortly after take off in Berlin. There are still 14 flight hours to go, the plane is approaching the Atlantic. Passengers are asked to sit down and fasten their seat belts via loudspeakers. But because the Chancellor is currently in a meeting room informing journalists about the goals of the German government at the G20 summit, things are still quite relaxed. At some point Merkel puts on her seat belt after being asked to do so again, but before the Vice Chancellor can do the same as the head of government, a flight attendant comes in with a tense expression on her face and asks Merkel out. Nobody can remember whether something like this ever happened before. It is immediately clear to everyone that something must have happened. Merkels husband, Joachim Sauer, the publicity-shy quantum chemist, sits in the neighbouring room. In his wife's long career, he has rarely flown with her. In 2017 he hosted the G20 summit in Hamburg with Merkel and led the partner program. There will be a reunion in Buenos Aires. But that wont happen. Ground contact only via satellite telephone The pilot decides to turn back because he can only maintain contact with the ground via satellite telephone. He does not yet know that he cannot drain kerosene because the valve does not open. So he has to land with the whole dangerous cargo. That means high thrust. He doesn't fly to nearby Amsterdam, but to Cologne because he needs a longer run-up for the descent, they say. The plane is landing hard, the pilot brakes as hard as possible, the fire brigade is waiting at the ready. It is checked whether the brakes are burning or whether there is any other damage. Nobody is allowed to leave the plane for a long 70 minutes. Not even Merkel. Safety measure. Flosdorff speaks of an "emergency landing", Merkel of a "serious disruption". But a government spokeswoman later asserts: "At no time was there any danger to the life and limb of the passengers on board the plane." Perhaps because it all seems a bit peculiar, says Flosdorff, the defect has resulted in a "higher abstract danger. The majority of the delegation goes home again, because there are not enough seats available on scheduled flights at such short notice. Joachim Sauer also does not fly any further. The partner program is as good as over if he had arrived there that late. But his wife at least wants to take part in the evening round of the summit and try to catch up with the meetings planned for the day with Trump, China's head of state Xi Jinping and the Argentine president Mauricio Macri. Merkel is attributed a key role in mediating in the Ukrainian conflict. On Saturday she will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Scholz praises the captain of the machine "Fortunately," Merkel says, "the pilot was the most experienced captain of the flight crew. When she talks like that, the situation must have been dramatic. Normally she plays down crises first. Scholz makes a similar statement. It is said that this experienced and outstanding captain was wrecked" shortly after landing. There were moments during which it had not been clear whether the landing gear would work. It was thanks to him that no misfortune had happened. The content you are looking for has either been removed or requires you to login to view Please login below or register for an account With Naijapals.com Some California officials were taken aback when President Donald Trump blamed the state for the devasting wildfires, even as people died in Paradise, Calif., during the Camp Fire.Officials declined to address the presidents comments, partly because they didnt really know what to make of them. The president threatened to cut off funding and presumably, wants to harvest the forest.But that view offers a lack of understanding of what makes wildfires, like the Camp Fire, which killed at least 88, dangerous, according to some experts. Overwhelmingly, they say, what spreads wildfires to homes is embers moved about by winds and that logging the forests wouldnt help but may even exacerbate the problem.Chad Hanson, a research ecologist for the John Muir Project, co-authored a study on this that found that forests with the fewest environmental protections and the most logging actually burn the most intensely. More logging leads to fires that burn faster and hotter, he said. It doesnt curb fires.Thats because what makes fuel for fire is the small stuff twigs, grass, needles not trees. And when the forest is logged that leaves behind a lot of that fuel. And what aids in burning that fuel is wind. Fuel and wind are the keys.So what happens is when you have a lot of logging, it turns the forest into more grasslands or shrub habitat and it burns faster, Hanson said. It leaves behind what we call slash debris, that is very combustible, on the forest floor.As the trees are removed during logging, that also removes the canopy that covers the forest floor and lets in the sunlight, which helps the grasses spread. Also, fewer trees means the loss of a buffer against winds.Hanson said that instead of focusing on the forests, officials should spend time and resources on developing fire-safe communities.Overwhelmingly, embers are what spread wildfires from house to house. Many homes today in areas where there is wildfire danger are metal or have fire-resistant roofs. But those that have exterior vents like attic vents that dont have ember-proof covers on them can easily collect an ember and catch fire.An ember can float in winds a mile ahead of flames and thats how a large portion of those houses are burned, Hanson said.Houses should have fire-proof roofing, covers for vents and gutters (to keep out needles and leaves) and in neighborhoods where houses are relatively close together, fire-proof siding.They also should have defensible space.Research shows that 90 percent of the time, homes are ignited by embers, not a wall of flames, said Jamie Roice-Gomes, manager of the University of Nevada Cooperative Extensions Living With Fire Program, in aarticle.Defensible space is created by pruning vegetation within 100 feet of homes, removing seedlings and samplings, twigs, grasses and lower limbs. When its done, the great majority of homes will survive a wildland fire, Hanson said.But Its not done extensively for a variety of reasons, even though there is a state law in California requiring it. Some elderly people need help doing it and some dont have the means to do it. Just saying you must do this is not enough, Hanson said. Thats where our resources need to be going, not on logging the forest, which is just going to damage the forest and often make them burn faster. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Since the dawn of the Internet, technology leaders in government have pursued bringing services online and moving away from manual processes that require a visit to city hall or the office of the agency citizens need to interact with. But moving toward digital government is no longer good enough for a constituency that's grown accustomed to streamlined transactions with private companies online. Arizona Chief Information Officer Morgan Reed toldthat his state now has more than 650 services available via online channels, but requiring citizens to visit that many websites is "not good business, not good tech."At the annual National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) conference in San Diego in October, Reed talked about a mobile RFP the state recently issued in order to help it create a "no wrong door" experience for people interacting with state agencies.And as the state transitions its workloads and citizen data to the cloud, the security of the partners the state works with is paramount. As Reed explains above, the state has created a mechanism to evaluate potential providers to make sure they're up to the task."We've certified over 80 different third parties, to be able to safely and securely store citizens' data," he said. (TNS) A bipartisan bill passed by Congress on Tuesday will likely keep the development of early earthquake-warning projects in the Pacific Northwest on track, if approved by President Donald Trump. The bill would reauthorize the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program for the first time since 2004.That program pays for core operations at the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) and other earthquake-monitoring projects around the country, said Harold Tobin, the director of PNSN and a University of Washington professor in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences.In the bill, Congress put increased emphasis on developing earthquake early-warning systems that detect seismic waves in advance of strong and damaging shaking. As an authorization bill, the measure does not provide funding for specific programs, but Tobin said it puts it on firm footing when Congress decides where money should flow next session.We hope it will make for a smooth appropriation, Tobin said.In previous budget proposals, Trump targeted the early-warning system for cuts , but Congressional members on both sides of the aisle rallied to bankroll the programs . Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle, was the sole Democratic co-sponsor of the recent House reauthorization bill. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, both Democrats, sponsored the Senate version.The early-warning system, ShakeAlert , is now operational, Tobin said, though its messages are sent only to civil agencies and municipalities involved in a pilot program.If a large earthquake happened in our region, our computers would get sent a signal from seismometers and produce an alert message to those pilot users, he said.Scientists are building the system out, by adding more than 220 new seismic-monitoring stations throughout the Northwest that detect seismic waves and transmit signals through cell towers, microwave radio transmitters or the internet to data-crunching computers at the University of Washington. The new, upgraded stations should improve the speed and efficiency in which signals are received and processed.In order to generate early warning, it has to be automated, Tobin said.How fast a signal could, one day, get from the remote seismometers to the public depends on the relative location of the earthquake and where the alert needs to go.For a Cascadia megaquake , a large earthquake in the subduction zone off Washingtons coast, Tobin estimated that the ShakeAlert system could provide between 10 seconds and a minute of early warning for Seattle.It doesnt sound very long, but its enough time for a lot of lifesaving action to take place, he said. You can get under a table, a surgeon could stop the surgery theyre undertaking, the light-rail trains could stop on their tracks There are technical issues that need to be solved before alerts can reach mobile phones automatically. Cellphone systems arent yet fast enough to produce widespread alerts within seconds, Tobin said.Optimistically, in the next few years, we could be at the point where alerts are going out to the wider public, he said, although he was careful to avoid making firm promises about the still-developing technology.The Congressional bill, in addition to addressing early-warning systems, also directs federal agencies to gather information on the ability of communities to prepare, recover and adapt to earthquakes and for researchers to make a systematic set of seismic hazard maps. (TNS) Few University of Washington students report instances of sexual assault and harassment to their school. Student leaders and some administrators have proposed a solution to encourage students to speak up: an online reporting tool the school may implement as early as next fall.The third-party website, Callisto Campus , allows users to write and save a report of sexual misconduct, which is kept confidential until the survivor decides to submit it to his or her university. Users can also enter a matching system and have their report held until someone else reports the same person, a feature intended to encourage survivors to report those who may be repeat offenders. Callisto is a nonprofit startup company based in San Francisco with funders including Google. CEO Jessica Ladd, who has described her own experience reporting sexual assault as traumatic, created Callisto in 2015. Thirteen colleges now use the system.Despite the optimism from some at the UW, Callisto is in its early days and officials from other schools were reluctant to comment on its effectiveness. While Callisto has shared numbers that indicate some initial success, data from the University of Oregon show a low number of reports made through the system in its first year although use of the system could increase as students become more familiar with it.UW law student and former student regent Jaron Goddard has worked closely with Title IX coordinator Valery Richardson to assess Callisto, and theyre hopeful it can be implemented across the UW campuses by fall. Callisto gave UW an informal estimate of $10,000 in setup costs and $40,000 annually, Richardson said. Goddard is drafting a proposal for funding through the schools student technology fee, with the support of student government.They think it would address an acute problem. A 2016 UW survey found that relatively few students reported sexual misconduct to the university. Of survivors who indicated they didnt tell anyone about the assault, nearly half said it was because they were afraid theyd be forced to make an official report.Callisto aims to make survivors feel more in control of the reporting process, provide survivors with information about their options and identify repeat offenders, which the company thinks will make it more likely survivors will report.Knowing that you werent the only one changes everything, Ladd said in a 2016 TED Talk . It changes the way you frame your own experience. It changes the way you think about your perpetrator. It means that if you do come forward, youll have someone elses back and theyll have yours.The system asks users for details about when and where the assault occurred, drug and alcohol use, witnesses and information about the perpetrator and survivor. Survivors can write what happened in their own words and attach evidence. The report is time-stamped and saved. If the survivor submits a report or a match is made, the schools Title IX coordinator is notified.Callisto uses password protection and encryption that it claims prevents even its own team from being able to view records, and the names of perpetrators entered into the matching pool can only be decrypted if there is a match.Even though Callisto has been touted as a potential solution, administrators from the University of Oregon and University of Southern California were reluctant to comment on the systems effectiveness. Both schools have faced lawsuits and public scrutiny for how theyve handled high-profile cases of sexual assault.Officials at the University of Southern California, a private school, declined to say how many reports students created and submitted through Callisto. State law required Oregon, a public university, to release data in response to a public-records request.The University of Oregon, which has nearly 23,000 students, began using Callisto in fall 2017. A Callisto report indicates that 20 students created 22 reports that school year, but only one was submitted to the school. Five reports were entered into the matching system and one match was made.When compared to university-wide data, these numbers indicate that many survivors there havent yet taken to Callisto. Last year, students collectively told university employees about at least 274 incidents of alleged sexual misconduct, said University of Oregon spokesperson Molly Blancett. Not all resulted in official Title IX reports.Schools of a similar size averaged 42 reports created and four submitted during that school year, according to Callistos report. Oregon may have lower numbers because colleges that have used Callisto longer saw increased engagement over time, according to Callisto When asked about Callistos effectiveness at Oregon, Richardson said effective outreach to students would be a priority if UW implements Callisto. While an increase in reports to the university is one goal, Callisto would also be a success if it increases students awareness of available resources, she said.According to Callistos aggregate data from the past school year, survivors who visited t30heir schools Callisto website were six times more likely to report than survivors who didnt, and 15 percent of reports entered into the matching system had a match.One University of Oregon senior told The Seattle Times she hadnt planned to report the man she said sexually assaulted her a year ago because they share a friend group and she feared retaliation. That changed when a woman in her support group said the same man sexually harassed her.If he can be stopped, I dont want him doing that to anyone else, the student said.The student connected with the other survivor outside Callistos matching system, but said if the system can do something similar for other students, it may encourage reporting.She doesnt think all students know its an option, though. And while she said using Callisto made her feel in control of the process, shes still worried about having to go through the university once she submits her report.Blancett said the university highlights Callisto in trainings, fliers, posters in dorms, campus-wide emails and in outreach from confidential staff.Jennifer Freyd, a professor of psychology at the University of Oregon known for research on campus sexual violence, served on Callistos advisory board. She said increasing reporting is a good goal, but that schools must do more to rebuild trust and ensure their systems can follow up on reports effectively. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. 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. Common Folk co-founder and creative director Jessica Sweeney and member Misa Chappell stand next to some 'found art' for sale. PreviousNext Common Folk Open Up Pop-Up Shop Some of the odds and endds that can be found at Common Folk's shop. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The Common Folk Pop Up Shop is now open at the former Makers Mill space at 73 Main St. Common Folk co-founder and creative director Jessica Sweeney said the artists' collective opened Phase 1 of their new headquarters on Small Business Saturday but have so much more planned for the new space. "Phase 1 is complete and we are ready to open with retail, but we are really looking to do a lot more," she said. Common Folk has been jumping around from location to location throughout its existence, which Sweeney said really did fit their nomadic nature. However, when members of the 3-year-old Makers Mill decided to dissolve, they asked if Common Folk wanted to move in. "They reached out to me so we did an assessment and did a sound test to make sure this space was what we wanted, and it was," Sweeney said. "They told us when we take over the lease whatever was left in the space was ours and they left a significant amount of art supplies, tables, and tools." Currently, the shop sells curated second-hand clothing, art supplies, member art, and other odds and ends. "If it does not go directly to the artists it goes right to Common Folk and we are trying more and more to find ways to stipend our leadership team," she said. "We want to build jobs here. That is our long-term goal and hopefully, that will become a shorter-term goal." She said some of the art proceeds go to Puerto Rico hurricane relief. This 10-member leadership team currently takes turns running the shop and Sweeney said eventually members will be able to work or trade for membership fees. She said the long-term goal would be to hire someone to run the shop. Phase 2 will be to open a shared studio space and Phase 3 will hopefully be to allow performances and exhibitions. Sweeney said Common Folk has changed a lot over the years since its inception in 2013. She said the group is now 60 strong and organized. "In the beginning, we were very casual and word of mouth I like to use the term loosey-goosey," she said. "But we didn't have a way for people to go online and register to become a member. Now we do and there is a little more structure." Recent graduates from the Arts Management Program at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts have been able to help professionalize Common Folk's own processes as well as support artists in the collective. Sweeney added that one of Common Folk's goals is to help prepare artists for the professional world as well as help attract young people to the area. "A lot of our members say the reason they decided they wanted to live in North Adams was because of Common Folk," she said. "I hear people in the city say young people don't want to stay here but I see a different side of that." Sweeney said these goals seem more attainable than ever with the new location and joked they were just as important as a "slop sink." "Honestly, this really does feel like home and the other spaces were only almost as good and none of them had a slop sink and that is a valuable thing because we are artists and we make messes," she said. "I think this will be our home for the next five to 10 years and the next step after this would be to buy our own building. "We are figuring out how to build it bigger because I think what we do is really important." By Patrick Gothman November 30, 2018 "Information Clearing House" - There is an armed security guard at every Dunkin Donuts in Honduras. When you enter a pharmacy, the guard with a shotgun slung across his chest will considerately hold your pistol while you wait for your prescription to be filled. On holidays, there are no official fireworks, only a handful of illegal firecrackers and gunshots exploding in the night air. On Christmas Eve, New Years, Independence Day, in every barrio across the country, shots echo in the dark like a posse galloping out of town in an old Western. Five years ago, I left the States to volunteer alongside other Americans and Nicaraguans at a childrens home on the northern coast of Honduras that served orphans and kids who could no longer live with their families due to extreme poverty, abuse or both. We learned firsthand that paradise and hell are next-door neighbors, and you can hear the gunshots at night from both places. I first had a gun pointed at me while waiting for a cab before dawn in the wealthiest neighborhood of San Pedro Sula, the industrial center of the country and, at the time, the murder capital of the world. The security guard saw me standing outside the seminary where I had spent the night as a guest. He climbed down from his turret on the street corner and approached me with a machete in one hand and a raised revolver in the other. What are you doing here? He squinted at me, blinking back sleep. Im just waiting for a taxi. Im headed to the airport, I said. Then why would you be waiting here on the street? he asked. Nothing good happens here this time of night. Surrounding us were houses that were mansions even by U.S. standards. I wanted to go back inside the seminary, but the 15-foot-high gate had slid closed behind me, and I could not open it again without waking up all the priests, nuns and seminarians inside. I can go wait on another block, I offered. My cab is just five minutes away. No! he responded firmly. You wait right there. Dont move. Just wait. When my taxi finally did arrive, he holstered his gun and offered an apology, but I did not stick around long enough to acknowledge it. Before I moved to Honduras, I visited the country. For a week, I helped lead a group of high school students from all of the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Dallas who wanted to offer some manual labor and supplies to our sister diocese. In the shadow of a massive green mountain, we worked to rebuild and paint a crowded school where Luis, our local guide, and his wife were teachers. Luis was the closest thing the small village had to a mayor. He ran the school, helped settle disputes, led the community Bible study and Sunday service, and as one of the only residents with a car, also provided ambulance service. One morning he greeted us with bags under his bloodshot eyes. He had taken a neighbor who had stomach pains to the hospital in the middle of the nightmore than an hours drive each way, around to the other side of the mountain. He returned in time for breakfast and prayers and to greet us in the morning at the school. Luis and his wife stood out as towering examples of what was possible even amid extreme poverty. With determination and a good heart, one could be a pillar of the communitya community worth staying for. I once asked Luis if many of the young men in his village would eventually leave for the United States. All of them, he told me. There was no shame in his voice; it was simply a fact. When I asked if he had ever thought of making the journey, he shook his head. He had a wife and young son, a good job, a community where he was making a difference; he could not imagine leaving. Years later, when I moved to a town just on the other side of that mountain, I jumped on the bus to visit Luis and his family. He was thrilled to see me again but cautioned me not to take the bus next time. It was not safe is all he would say. During my two years in Honduras, I learned to love those kids at our childrens home like they were my own. Our goal was to prepare them for healthy and productive lives in Honduras, despite the brutal and heartbreaking childhood they had suffered. If we could only offer them enough love and stability and peace in the midst of the tempest around them and behind them in their past, they might have a fighting chance, we believed. Yet violence does not issue warnings, and it will not take into consideration sincerely held beliefs. I had just returned from teaching my English class for the day when I learned that one of our volunteers and our executive director, who was visiting from the States, had been attacked on the beach next to our property. Maybe 200 yards from the house, our sanctuary, they had been held with machetes to their necks, and the volunteer, one of my best friends, was raped. We know where you are from, their attackers had said when they let them go. Tell anyone and we come back and kill you and all the children. After going to the hospital and giving her testimony to the police, my beloved friend spent the night surrounded by the rest of us on the floor, several of us with machetes by our sides and all of us unable to sleep. In the morning, she was evacuated out of the country, and the rest of us were offered the option by our board of directors to leave as well. Suddenly the cursed choice to flee this country that so many of our Honduran neighbors had been forced to make became my own. The men responsible had still not been caught, and our already limited community of volunteers was quickly dwindling as many admitted they no longer felt safe enough to continue working. The next day the rest of us left as well. A few years later I reached out to Luis via WhatsApp. It turned out he and his family had snuck away from their small town in the middle of the night. A local gang had demanded he pay for protection, and when Luis refused, they threatened to kill him and his family. They fled to a larger city, but he and his wife were unable to find any work as teachers and were still fearful the gang would eventually find them. He asked if I could help him claim asylum in the United States. I got in touch with a few immigration lawyers, who told me Luis would have to make it to the Mexico-U.S. border and apply for asylum there. But even if he got that far, I had to tell Luis, it was very unlikely his family would be granted asylum. Luis was heartbroken. He needed to protect his family, he said, and the best way he could do that was to leave and provide some kind of living for them. Maybe you and I could get married, if only on paper, he offered sincerely. He was right that such a union was now legal here in the United States, I explained, but I could not just marry him to get him citizenship. Despite the absurdity of the suggestion, I struggled to type out my response, knowing my decision was a matter of life and death. I still receive messages from Luis every few weeks begging me for help, though to be honest, I no longer have the courage to open them. Constant reminders that I am helpless simply became too much. I know ignoring him is wrong. I know it is my privilege to be able to log off of the violence of Honduras and pretend I do not live in the country that created Luiss desperation, which is also the country that could help to fix it. For all I know, Luis may be part of the infamous caravan, waiting on the other side of the southern border to claim asylum. It is the type of thing a real friend should know. It is important to know who these people are and that what they are doing is legal. There is no way for them to claim asylum from within their country of origin. Implying that those who peacefully present themselves at ports of entry have broken any American laws is simply not truthful. When I first met Luis, I assumed that in Honduras it was possible to get an education, work and become financially stable enough that you would never need to leave. But the image in my head of the virtuous Honduran proved an illusion when even Luis was forced to flee from the unyielding violence and poverty of Central America. If we want to end the cycle of families fleeing in the night for our border, it is necessary to learn why their nights became so terrifying to begin with. The weapons that plague their streets came from us. The corruption that infests their governments is a direct result of the coups and instability our country has consistently directed or condoned for over a century. Before Banana Republic was a chic clothing store, it was a dismissive term for a country made entirely dependent on a more powerful economy outside its borders. It was merely an updated version of colonialism, and the original victim was Honduras. Poverty and violence, the causes of these caravans, are diseases we infected these countries with. Getting mad at the migrants is like the conquistadors and white frontiersmen wondering why the Native Americans they found were always getting so sick. Those of us who live north of the Mexican border have to learn just how intertwined our lands are and why our neighbors to the south still hear gunshots at night. I have fled from one side to the other myself and watched in vain as those I care about try to follow. But being born in paradise is no reason to condemn those still stuck in hell. This article was originally published by " America Press " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Home Search ICH US Trade War with China: Desperate Move to Save Western Empire By Andre Vltchek November 30, 2018 "Information Clearing House" - Most of those who have had a chance to witness Chinese internationalist mega-projects, clearly understand that the West is near to collapsing; it will never be able to compete with tremendous enthusiasm and progressive spirit of the most populous country on earth, which on top of it, is built on socialist principles (with Chinese characteristics). Writing this essay in rural Laos, I just saw, literally an entire army of Chinese engineers and workers in action, building huge bridges and tunnels, connecting one of the poorest countries in Asia, to both China and Southeast Asia, erecting hospitals and schools, small factories for the rural population, airports and hydro-electric powerplants or in brief: putting the great majority of Laotian people out of poverty by providing them with both livelihood and infrastructure. China does precisely this all over the world, from the tiny South Pacific island nations to African countries, plundered for centuries by Western colonialism and imperialism. It helps Latin American nations that are in need, and while it does all that, it is also quickly growing into a middle class, ecologically and culturally responsible nation; a nation which is likely to eradicate all extreme misery very soon, most likely by the year 2020. The West is horrified! This could easily be the end of its global order, and it could all actually happen much earlier than expected. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter And so, it antagonizes, provokes China, in all imaginable ways possible, from the US military buildup in Asia Pacific, to encouraging several Southeast Asian countries plus Japan to politically and even militarily irritate the PRC. Anti-Chinese propaganda in the West and its client states has lately been reaching a cacophonic crescendo. China is attacked, as I recently described in my essays, from literally all sides; attacked for being too Communist, or for not being Communist enough. The West, it seems, despises all the economic practices of China, be it central planning, capitalist means for socialist ends, or the unwavering desire of the new Chinese leadership to improve the standard of living of its people, instead of enriching multi-national corporations at the expense of the common citizens of the PRC. It looks like a trade war, but it actually is not: like the West versus Russia, the West versus China is an ideological war. China, together with Russia, is effectively de-colonizing part of the world which used to be at the mercy and disposal of the West and its companies (as well as the companies of such client-states of the West as Japan and South Korea). However it is being labelled, de-colonization is clearly taking place, as many poor and previously vulnerable countries worldwide are now seeking protection from Beijing and Moscow. But to add insult to injury, parallel to de-colonialization, there is also de-dollarization, that is inspiring more and more nations, particularly those that are victims of Western embargos, and the unjust, often murderous sanctions. Venezuela is the latest such example. The most reliable and stable alternative currency that is being adopted by dozens of countries, for international transactions, is the Chinese Yuan (RMB). * The prosperity of the entire world, or call it global prosperity, is clearly not what the West desires. As far as Washington and London are concerned, the surrounding, peripheric world is there predominantly,to supply raw materials (like Indonesia), cheap labor (like Mexico), and guarantee that there is an obedient, indoctrinated population which sees absolutely nothing wrong with the present arrangement of the world. In his recent essay for the Canadian magazine Global Research titled IMF WB WTO Scaremongering Threats on De-Globalization and Tariffs The Return to Sovereign Nations a distinct Swiss economist and a colleague of mine, Peter Koenig, who used to work for the World Bank, wrote: As key representatives of the three chief villains of international finance and trade, the IMF, World Bank (WB) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) met on the lush resort island of Bali, Indonesia, they warned the world of dire consequences in terms of reduced international investments and decline of economic growth as a result of the ever-widening trade wars initiated and instigated by the Trump Administration. They criticized protectionism that might draw countries into decline of prosperity. The IMF cuts its global economic growth forecast for the current year and for 2019. This is pure scaremongering based on nothing. In fact, economic growth of the past that claimed of having emanated from increased trade and investments has served a small minority and driven a widening wedge between rich and poor of both developing and industrialized countries. Its interesting, how nobody ever talks about the internal distribution of GDP growth Peter Koenig further argues that globalization and free trade are far from desirable for the majority of the countries on our planet. He is giving an example of China: Time and again it has been proven that countries that need and want to recover from economic fallouts do best by concentrating on and promoting their own internal socioeconomic capacities, with as little as possible outside interference. One of the most prominent cases in point is China. After China emerged on 1 October 1949 from centuries of western colonization and oppression by Chairman Maos creation of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), Mao and the Chinese Communist party first had to put a devastated house in order, a country ruined by disease, lack of education, suffering from hopeless famine as a result of shameless exploitation by western colons. In order to do that China remained practically closed to the outside world until about the mid- 1980s. Only then, when China had overcome the rampant diseases and famine, built a countrywide education system and became a net exporter of grains and other agricultural products, China, by now totally self-sufficient, gradually opened its borders for international investments and trade. And look where China is today. Only 30 years later, China has not only become the worlds number one economy, but also a world super power that can no longer be overrun by western imperialism. To be self-sufficient may be great for the people of every country on our planet, but it is definitely a crime in the eyes of the West. Now China is not only independent, but it dares to introduce to the entire world a totally new system, in which private companies are subservient to the interests of the state and the people. This is the total opposite to what is happening in the West (and its client states), where the governments are actually indebted to private companies, and where people exist mainly in order to generate huge corporate profits. On top of it, Chinas population is educated, enthusiastic, patriotic and incredibly productive. As a result, China competes with the West, and it is easily winning the competition. It does it without plundering the world, without overthrowing foreign governments, and starving people. This is seen by the United States as unfair competition. And it is being punished by sanctions, threats and provocations. Call it a trade war, but it actually isnt. And why unfair competition? Because China is refusing to join and to play by the old imperialist rules dictated by the West, and also readily accepted by countries such as Japan and South Korea. China does not want to rule. And that scares the West. * In a way, both President Trump and the present leadership of China want to make their countries great again. However, both countries see greatness differently. For the United States, to be great is to control the world, once again, as it did right after WWII. For China, to be great is to provide a high quality of living for its citizens, and for the citizens of most of the world. It also means, to have great culture, which China used to have for millennia, before the era of humiliation, and which was rebuilt and greatly improved from the 1949, onward. * A leading US philosopher, John Cobb Jr., in a book which we are writing together, recently pointed out: Ever since World War II, what the United States has done has been widely copied. Hence this country has had a great opportunity to lead the world. For the most part, it has led in the wrong direction. The United States and the whole world, including China, are paying, and will continue to pay, a high price. But the days of American leadership are ending. I would still like for the U.S. to engage in major reforms, but it is too late for these to change the world. We can rejoice that the American century is giving way to the Chinese century. Many do, but some dont. The end of the American leadership, or call it the American Century, may scare people in various Western countries, particularly in Europe. Rightly so! Those days of unopposed Western economic dictatorship are over. Soon, perhaps, Europeans will have to really compete, and work hard for their money, instead of living high life relying on plunder of natural resources and cheap labor in their semi or neo-colonies. While many in the West are scared, the situation is simultaneously rising hopes in all other parts of the world. For China, not to yield to the US pressure, is to show that it is serious when it comes to its independence. The most populous nation on earth is ready to defend its interests, its people and its values. It is far from being alone. From Russia to Iran, from Venezuela to South Africa, new and newer nations are going to stand by China, and by doing so, they will be defending their own independence and freedom. * Note to readers: please click the share buttons above. Forward this article to your email lists. Crosspost on your blog site, internet forums. etc. This article was originally published on International Daily News in China. Andre Vltchek is a philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist. He has covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries. Three of his latest books are Revolutionary Optimism, Western Nihilism , a revolutionary novel Aurora and a bestselling work of political non-fiction: Exposing Lies Of The Empire. View his other books here. Watch Rwanda Gambit, his groundbreaking documentary about Rwanda and DRCongo and his film/dialogue with Noam Chomsky On Western Terrorism. Vltchek presently resides in East Asia and the Middle East, and continues to work around the world. He can be reached through his website and his Twitter. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. US Mass Mobilizations: Wars and Financial Plunder By James Petras Introduction November 30, 2018 "Information Clearing House" - Over the past three decades, the US government has engaged in over a dozen wars, none of which have evoked popular celebrations either before, during or after. Nor did the government succeed in securing popular support in its efforts to confront the economic crises of 2008 2009. This paper will begin by discussing the major wars of our time, namely the two US invasions of Iraq . We will proceed to analyze the nature of the popular response and the political consequences. In the second section we will discuss the economic crises of 2008 -2009, the government bailout and popular response. We will conclude by focusing on the potential powerful changes inherent in mass popular movements. The Iraq War and the US Public In the run-up to the two US wars against Iraq, (1990 01 and 2003 2011) there was no mass war fever, nor did the public celebrate the outcome. On the contrary both wars were preceded by massive protests in the US and among EU allies. The first Iraqi invasion was opposed by the vast-majority of the US public despite a major mass media and regime propaganda campaign backed by President George H. W. Bush. Subsequently, President Clinton launched a bombing campaign against Iraq in December 1998 with virtually no public support or approval. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter March 20, 2003, President George W. Bush launched the second major war against Iraq despite massive protests in all major US cities. The war was officially concluded by President Obama in December 2011. President Obamas declaration of a successful conclusion failed to elicit popular agreement. Several questions arise: Why mass opposition at the start of the Iraq wars and why did they fail to continue? Why did the public refuse to celebrate President Obamas ending of the war in 2011? Why did mass protests of the Iraq wars fail to produce durable political vehicles to secure the peace? The Anti-Iraq War Syndrome The massive popular movements which ac tively opposed the Iraq wars had their roots in several historical sources. The success of the movements that ended the Viet Nam war, the ideas that mass activity could resist and win was solidly embedded in large segments of the progressive public. Moreover, they strongly held the idea that the mass media and Congress could not be trusted; this reinforced the idea that mass direct action was essential to reverse Presidential and Pentagon war policies. The second factor encouraging US mass protest was the fact that the US was internationally isolated. Presidents George H. W. and George W. Bush wars faced hostile regime and mass opposition in Europe, the Middle East and in the UN General Assembly. US activists felt that they were part of a global movement which could succeed. Thirdly the advent of Democratic President Clinton did not reverse the mass anti-war movements.The terror bombing of Iraq in December 1998 was destructive and Clintons war against Serbia kept the movements alive and active To the extent that Clinton avoided large scale long-term wars, he avoided provoking mass movements from re-emerging during the latter part of the 1990s. The last big wave of mass anti-war protest occurred from 2003 to 2008. Mass anti-war protest to war exploded soon after the World Trade Center bombings of 9/11. White House exploited the events to proclaim a global war on terror, yet the mass popular movements interpreted the same events as a call to oppose new wars in the Middle East. Anti-war leaders drew activists of the entire decade, envisioning a build-up which could prevent the Bush regime from launching a series of wars without end. Moreover, the vast-majority of the public was not convinced by officials claims that Iraq, weakened and encircled, was stocking weapons of mass destruction to attack the US. Large scale popular protests challenged the mass media, the so called respectable press and ignored the Israeli lobby and other Pentagon warlords demanding an invasion of Iraq. The vast-majority of American, did not believe they were threatened by Saddam Hussain they felt a greater threat from the White Houses resort to severe repressive legislation like the Patriot Act. Washingtons rapid military defeat of Iraqi forces and its occupation of the Iraqi state led to a decline in the size and scope of the anti-war movement but not to its potential mass base. Two events led to the demise of the anti-war movements. The anti-war leaders turned from independent direct action to electoral politics and secondly, they embraced and channeled their followers to support Democratic presidential candidate Obama. In large part the movement leaders and activists believed that direct action had failed to prevent or end the previous two Iraq wars. Secondly, Obama made a direct demagogic appeal to the peace movement he promised to end wars and pursue social justice at home. With the advent of Obama, many peace leaders and followers joined the Obama political machine .Those who were not co-opted were quickly disillusioned on all counts. Obama continued the ongoing wars and added new onesLibya, Honduras, Syria. The US occupation in Iraq led to new extremist militia armies which preceded to defeat US trained vassal armies up to the gates of Baghdad. In short time Obama launched a flotilla of warships and warplanes to the South China Sea and dispatched added troops to Afghanistan. The mass popular movements of the previous two decades were totally disillusioned, betrayed and disoriented. While most opposed Obamas new and old wars they struggled to find new outlets for their anti-war beliefs. Lacking alternative anti-war movements, they were vulnerable to the war propaganda of the media and the new demagogue of the right. Donald Trump attracted many who opposed the war monger Hilary Clinton. The Bank Bailout: Mass Protest Denied In 2008, at the end of his presidency, President George W. Bush signed off on a massive federal bailout of the biggest Wall Street banks who faced bankruptcy from their wild speculative profiteering. In 2009 President Obama endorsed the bailout and urged rapid Congressional approval. Congress complied to a $700-billion- dollar handout ,which according to Forbes (July 14, 2015) rose to $7.77 trillion. Overnight hundreds of thousands of American demanded Congress rescind the vote. Under immense popular protest, Congress capitulated. However President Obama and the Democratic Party leadership insisted: the bill was slightly modified and approved. The popular will was denied. The protests were neutralized and dissipated. The bailout of the banks proceeded, while several million households watched while their homes were foreclosed ,despite some local protests. Among the anti-bank movement, radical proposals flourished, ranging from calls to nationalize them, to demands to let the big banks go bankrupt and provide federal financing for co-operatives and community banks. Clearly the vast-majority of the American people were aware and acted to resist corporate-collusion to plunder taxpayers. Conclusion: What is to be Done? Mass popular mobilizations are a reality in the United States. The problem is that they have not been sustained and the reasons are clear: they lacked political organization which would go beyond protests and reject lesser evil policies. The anti-war movement which started in opposition to the Iraq war was marginalized by the two dominant parties. The result was the multiplication of new wars. By the second year of Obamas presidency the US was engaged in seven wars. By the second year of Trumps Presidency the US was threatening nuclear wars against Russia, Iran and other enemies of the empire. While public opinion was decidedly opposed, the opinion barely rippled in the mid-term elections. Where have the anti-war and anti-bank masses gone? I would argue they are still with us but they cannot turn their voices into action and organization if they remain in the Democratic Party. Before the movements can turn direct action into effective political and economic transformations, they need to build struggles at every level from the local to the national. The international conditions are ripening. Washington has alienated countries around the world ;it is challenged by allies and faces formidable rivals. The domestic economy is polarized and the elites are divided. Mobilizations, as in France today, are self-organized through the internet; the mass media are discredited. The time of liberal and rightwing demagogues is passing; the bombast of Trump arouses the same disgust as ended the Obama regime. Optimal conditions for a new comprehensive movement that goes beyond piecemeal reforms is on the agenda. The question is whether it is now or in future years or decades? James Petras is a Bartle Professor (Emeritus) of Sociology at Binghamton University, New York. November 30, 2018 "Information Clearing House" - The G20 summits are nominally about how the worlds biggest national economies can cooperate to boost global growth. This years gathering more than ever shows, however, that rivalry between the US and China is center stage. Zeroing in further still, the rivalry is an expression of a washed-up American empire desperately trying to reclaim its former power. There is much sound, fury and pretense from the outgoing hegemon the US but the ineluctable reality is an empire whose halcyon days are a bygone era. Ahead of the summit taking place this weekend in Argentina, the Trump administration has been issuing furious ultimatums to China to change its behavior. Washington is threatening an escalating trade war if Beijing does not conform to American demands over economic policies. President Trump has taken long-simmering US complaints about China to boiling point, castigating Beijing for unfair trade, currency manipulation, and theft of intellectual property rights. China rejects this pejorative American characterization of its economic practices. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Nevertheless, if Beijing does not comply with US diktats then the Trump administration says it will slap increasing tariffs on Chinese exports. The gravity of the situation was highlighted by the comments this week of Chinas ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, who warned that the lessons of history show trade wars can lead to catastrophic shooting wars. He urged the Trump administration to be reasonable and to seek a negotiated settlement of disputes. The problem is that Washington is demanding the impossible. Its like as if the US wants China to turn the clock back to some imagined former era of robust American capitalism. But it is not in Chinas power to do that. The global economy has shifted structurally away from US dominance. The wheels of production and growth are in Chinas domain of Eurasia. For decades, China functioned as a giant market for cheap production of basic consumer goods. Now under President Xi Jinping, the nation is moving to a new phase of development involving sophisticated technologies, high-quality manufacture, and investment. Its an economic evolution that the world has seen before, in Europe, the US and now Eurasia. In the decades after the Second World War, up to the 197os, it was US capitalism that was the undisputed world leader. Combined with its military power, the postwar global order was defined and shaped by Washington. Sometimes misleading called Pax Americana, there was nothing peaceful about the US-led global order. It was more often an order of relative stability purchased by massive acts of violence and repressive regimes under Washingtons tutelage. In American mythology, it does not have an empire. The US was supposed to be different from the old European colonial powers, leading the rest of the world through its exceptional virtues of freedom, democracy and rule of law. In truth, US global dominance relied on the application of ruthless imperial power. The curious thing about capitalism is it always outgrows its national base. Markets eventually become too small and the search for profits is insatiable. American capital soon found more lucrative opportunities in the emerging market of China. From the 1980s on, US corporations bailed out of America and set up shop in China, exploiting cheap labor and exporting their goods back to increasingly underemployed America consumers. The arrangement was propped up partly because of seemingly endless consumer debt. Thats not the whole picture of course. China has innovated and developed independently from American capital. It is debatable whether China is an example of state-led capitalism or socialism. The Chinese authorities would claim to subscribe to the latter. In any case, Chinas economic development has transformed the entire Eurasian hemisphere. Whether you like it or not, Beijing is the dynamo for the global economy. One indicator is how nations across Asia-Pacific are deferring to China for their future growth. Washington likes to huff and puff about alleged Chinese expansionism threatening US allies in Asia-Pacific. But the reality is that Washington is living in the past of former glory. Trading blocs like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) realize their bread is buttered by China, no longer America. Washingtons rhetoric about standing up to China is just that empty rhetoric. It doesnt mean much to countries led by their interests of economic development and the benefits of Chinese investment. One example is Taiwan. In contrast to Washingtons shibboleths about free Taiwan, more and more Asian countries are dialing down their bilateral links with Taiwan in deference to Chinas position, which views the island as a renegade province. The US position is one of rhetoric, whereas the relations of other countries are based on material economic exigencies. And respecting Beijings sensibilities is for them a prudent option. A recent report by the New York Times starkly illustrated the changing contours of the global economic order. It confirmed what many others have observed, that China is on the way to surpass the US as the worlds top economy. During the 1980s, some 75 per cent of Chinas population were living in extreme poverty, according to the NY Times. Today, less than 1 per cent of the population is in that dire category. For the US, the trajectory has been in reverse with greater numbers of its people subject to deprivation. Chinas strategic economic plans the One Belt One Road initiative of integrating regional development under its leadership and finance have already created a world order analogous to what American capital achieved in the postwar decades. American pundits and politicians like Vice President Mike Pence may disparage Chinas economic policies as creating debt traps for other countries. But the reality is that other countries are gravitating to Chinas dynamic leadership. Arguably, Beijings vision for economic development is more enlightened and sustainable than what was provided by the Americans and Europeans before. The leitmotif for China, along with Russia, is very much one of multipolar development and mutual partnership. The global economy is not simply moving from one hegemon the US to another imperial taskmaster China. One thing seems inescapable. The days of American empire are over. Its capitalist vigor has dissipated decades ago. What the upheaval and rancor in relations between Washington and Beijing is all about is the American ruling class trying to recreate some fantasy of former vitality. Washington wants China to sacrifice its own development in order to somehow rejuvenate American society. Its not going to happen. Thats not to say that American society can never be rejuvenated. It could, as it could also in Europe. But that would entail a restructuring of the economic system involving democratic regeneration. The good old days of capitalism are gone. The American empire, as with the European empires, is obsolete. Thats the unspoken Number One agenda item at the G20 summit. Bye-bye US empire. What America needs to do is regenerate through a reinvented social economic order, one that is driven by democratic development and not the capitalist private profit of an elite few. If not, the futile alternative is US failing political leaders trying to coerce China, and others, to pay for their future. That way leads to war. This article was originally published by " Strategic Culture Foundation " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Guardian Ups Its Vilification of Julian Assange By Jonathan Cook November 30, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - It is welcome that finally there has been a little pushback, including from leading journalists, to the Guardians long-running vilification of Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks. Reporter Luke Hardings latest article, claiming that Donald Trumps disgraced former campaign manager Paul Manafort secretly visited Assange in Ecuadors embassy in London on three occasions, is so full of holes that even hardened opponents of Assange in the corporate media are struggling to stand by it. Faced with the backlash, the Guardian quickly and very quietly rowed back its initial certainty that its story was based on verified facts. Instead, it amended the text, without acknowledging it had done so, to attribute the claims to unnamed, and uncheckable, sources. The propaganda function of the piece is patent. It is intended to provide evidence for long-standing allegations that Assange conspired with Trump, and Trumps supposed backers in the Kremlin, to damage Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential race. The Guardians latest story provides a supposedly stronger foundation for an existing narrative: that Assange and Wikileaks knowingly published emails hacked by Russia from the Democratic partys servers. In truth, there is no public evidence that the emails were hacked, or that Russia was involved. Central actors have suggested instead that the emails were leaked from within the Democratic party. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Nonetheless, this unverified allegation has been aggressively exploited by the Democratic leadership because it shifts attention away both from its failure to mount an effective electoral challenge to Trump and from the damaging contents of the emails. These show that party bureaucrats sought to rig the primaries to make sure Clintons challenger for the Democratic nomination, Bernie Sanders, lost. To underscore the intended effect of the Guardians new claims, Harding even throws in a casual and unsubstantiated reference to Russians joining Manafort in supposedly meeting Assange. Manafort has denied the Guardians claims, while Assange has threatened to sue the Guardian for libel. Responsible for Trump The emotional impact of the Guardian story is to suggest that Assange is responsible for four years or more of Trump rule. But more significantly, it bolsters the otherwise risible claim that Assange is not a publisher and thereby entitled to the protections of a free press, as enjoyed by the Guardian or the New York Times but the head of an organisation engaged in espionage for a foreign power. The intention is to deeply discredit Assange, and by extension the Wikileaks organisation, in the eyes of right-thinking liberals. That, in turn, will make it much easier to silence Assange and the vital cause he represents: the use of new media to hold to account the old, corporate media and political elites through the imposition of far greater transparency. The Guardian story will prepare public opinion for the moment when Ecuadors rightwing government under President Lenin Moreno forces Assange out of the embassy, having already withdrawn most of his rights to use digital media. It will soften opposition when the UK moves to arrest Assange on self-serving bail violation charges and extradites him to the US. And it will pave the way for the US legal system to lock Assange up for a very long time. For the best part of a decade, any claims by Assanges supporters that avoiding this fate was the reason Assange originally sought asylum in the embassy was ridiculed by corporate journalists, not least at the Guardian. Even when a United Nations panel of experts in international law ruled in 2016 that Assange was being arbitrarily and unlawfully detained by the UK, Guardian writers led efforts to discredit the UN report. See here and here. Now Assange and his supporters have been proved right once again. An administrative error this month revealed that the US justice department had secretly filed criminal charges against Assange. Heavy surveillance The problem for the Guardian, which should have been obvious to its editors from the outset, is that any visits by Manafort would be easily verifiable without relying on unnamed sources. Glenn Greenwald is far from alone in noting that London is possibly the most surveilled city in the world, with CCTV cameras everywhere. The environs of the Ecuadorian embassy are monitored especially heavily, with continuous filming by the UK and Ecuadorian authorities and most likely by the US and other actors with an interest in Assanges fate. The idea that Manafort or Russians could have wandered into the embassy to meet Assange even once without their trail, entry and meeting being intimately scrutinised and recorded is simply preposterous. According to Greenwald: If Paul Manafort visited Assange at the Embassy, there would be ample amounts of video and other photographic proof demonstrating that this happened. The Guardian provides none of that. Former British ambassador Craig Murray also points out the extensive security checks insisted on by the embassy to which any visitor to Assange must submit. Any visits by Manafort would have been logged. In fact, the Guardian obtained the embassys logs in May, and has never made any mention of either Manafort or Russians being identified in them. It did not refer to the logs in its latest story. Murray: The problem with this latest fabrication is that [Ecuadors President] Moreno had already released the visitor logs to the Mueller inquiry. Neither Manafort nor these Russians are in the visitor logs What possible motive would the Ecuadorean government have for facilitating secret unrecorded visits by Paul Manafort? Furthermore it is impossible that the intelligence agency who were in charge of the security would not know the identity of these alleged Russians. No fact-checking It is worth noting it should be vitally important for a serious publication like the Guardian to ensure its claims are unassailably true both because Assanges personal fate rests on their veracity, and because, even more importantly, a fundamental right, the freedom of the press, is at stake. Given this, one would have expected the Guardians editors to have insisted on the most stringent checks imaginable before going to press with Hardings story. At a very minimum, they should have sought out a response from Assange and Manafort before publication. Neither precaution was taken. I worked for the Guardian for a number of years, and know well the layers of checks that any highly sensitive story has to go through before publication. In that lengthy process, a variety of commissioning editors, lawyers, backbench editors and the editor herself, Kath Viner, would normally insist on cuts to anything that could not be rigorously defended and corroborated. And yet this piece seems to have been casually waved through, given a green light even though its profound shortcomings were evident to a range of well-placed analysts and journalists from the outset. That at the very least hints that the Guardian thought they had insurance on this story. And the only people who could have promised that kind of insurance are the security and intelligence services presumably of Britain, the United States and / or Ecuador. It appears the Guardian has simply taken this story, provided by spooks, at face value. Even if it later turns out that Manafort did visit Assange, the Guardian clearly had no compelling evidence for its claims when it published them. That is profoundly irresponsible journalism fake news that should be of the gravest concern to readers. A pattern, not an aberration Despite all this, even analysts critical of the Guardians behaviour have shown a glaring failure to understand that its latest coverage represents not an aberration by the paper but decisively fits with a pattern. Glenn Greenwald, who once had an influential column in the Guardian until an apparent, though unacknowledged, falling out with his employer over the Edward Snowden revelations, wrote a series of baffling observations about the Guardians latest story. First, he suggested it was simply evidence of the Guardians long-standing (and well-documented) hostility towards Assange. The Guardian, an otherwise solid and reliable paper, has such a pervasive and unprofessionally personal hatred for Julian Assange that it has frequently dispensed with all journalistic standards in order to malign him. It was also apparently evidence of the papers clickbait tendencies: They [Guardian editors] knew that publishing this story would cause partisan warriors to excitedly spread the story, and that cable news outlets would hyperventilate over it, and that theyd reap the rewards regardless of whether the story turned out to be true or false. And finally, in a bizarre tweet, Greenwald opined, I hope the story [maligning Assange] turns out true apparently because maintenance of the Guardians reputation is more important than Assanges fate and the right of journalists to dig up embarrassing secrets without fear of being imprisoned. The reason it will be so devastating to the Guardian if this story turns out false is because the Guardian has an institutional hatred for Assange. They've proven they'll dispense with journalistic standards for it. And factions within Ecuador's government know they can use them. https://t.co/hwiRywHubt Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) November 27, 2018 Deeper malaise What this misses is that the Guardians attacks on Assange are not exceptional or motivated solely by personal animosity. They are entirely predictable and systematic. Rather than being the reason for the Guardian violating basic journalistic standards and ethics, the papers hatred of Assange is a symptom of a deeper malaise in the Guardian and the wider corporate media. Even aside from its decade-long campaign against Assange, the Guardian is far from solid and reliable, as Greenwald claims. It has been at the forefront of the relentless, and unhinged, attacks on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for prioritising the rights of Palestinians over Israels right to continue its belligerent occupation. Over the past three years, the Guardian has injected credibility into the Israel lobbys desperate efforts to tar Corbyn as an anti-semite. See here, here and here. Similarly, the Guardian worked tirelessly to promote Clinton and undermine Sanders in the 2016 Democratic nomination process another reason the paper has been so assiduous in promoting the idea that Assange, aided by Russia, was determined to promote Trump over Clinton for the presidency. The Guardians coverage of Latin America, especially of populist leftwing governments that have rebelled against traditional and oppressive US hegemony in the region, has long grated with analysts and experts. Its especial venom has been reserved for leftwing figures like Venezuelas Hugo Chavez, democratically elected but official enemies of the US, rather than the regions rightwing authoritarians beloved of Washington. The Guardian has been vocal in the so-called fake news hysteria, decrying the influence of social media, the only place where leftwing dissidents have managed to find a small foothold to promote their politics and counter the corporate media narrative. The Guardian has painted social media chiefly as a platform overrun by Russian trolls, arguing that this should justify ever-tighter restrictions that have so far curbed critical voices of the dissident left more than the right. Heroes of the neoliberal order Equally, the Guardian has made clear who its true heroes are. Certainly not Corbyn or Assange, who threaten to disrupt the entrenched neoliberal order that is hurtling us towards climate breakdown and economic collapse. Its pages, however, are readily available to the latest effort to prop up the status quo from Tony Blair, the man who led Britain, on false pretences, into the largest crime against humanity in living memory the attack on Iraq. That humanitarian intervention cost the lives of many hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and created a vacuum that destabilised much of the Middle East, sucked in Islamic jihadists like al-Qaeda and ISIS, and contributed to the migrant crisis in Europe that has fuelled the resurgence of the far-right. None of that is discussed in the Guardian or considered grounds for disqualifying Blair as an arbiter of what is good for Britain and the worlds future. The Guardian also has an especial soft spot for blogger Elliot Higgins, who, aided by the Guardian, has shot to unlikely prominence as a self-styled weapons expert. Like Luke Harding, Higgins invariably seems ready to echo whatever the British and American security services need verifying independently. Higgins and his well-staffed website Bellingcat have taken on for themselves the role of arbiters of truth on many foreign affairs issues, taking a prominent role in advocating for narratives that promote US and NATO hegemony while demonising Russia, especially in highly contested arenas such as Syria. That clear partisanship should be no surprise, given that Higgins now enjoys an academic position at, and funding from, the Atlantic Council, a high-level, Washington-based think-tank founded to drum up support for NATO and justify its imperialist agenda. Improbably, the Guardian has adopted Higgins as the poster-boy for a supposed citizen journalism it has sought to undermine as fake news whenever it occurs on social media without the endorsement of state-backed organisations. The truth is that the Guardian has not erred in this latest story attacking Assange, or in its much longer-running campaign to vilify him. With this story, it has done what it regularly does when supposedly vital western foreign policy interests are at stake it simply regurgitates an elite-serving, western narrative. Its job is to shore up a consensus on the left for attacks on leading threats to the existing, neoliberal order: whether they are a platform like Wikileaks promoting whistle-blowing against a corrupt western elite; or a politician like Jeremy Corbyn seeking to break apart the status quo on the rapacious financial industries or Israel-Palestine; or a radical leader like Hugo Chavez who threatened to overturn a damaging and exploitative US dominance of Americas backyard; or social media dissidents who have started to chip away at the elite-friendly narratives of corporate media, including the Guardian. The Guardian did not make a mistake in vilifying Assange without a shred of evidence. It did what it is designed to do. UPDATE: Excellent background from investigative journalist Gareth Porter, published shortly before Hardings story, explains why the Guardians hit-piece is so important for those who want Assange out of the embassy and behind bars. Read Porters article here. Jonathan Cook is a Nazareth- based journalist and winner of the Martha Gellhorn Special Prize for Journalism. https://www.jonathan-cook.net Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Manafort passport stamps dont show he entered London in all years Guardian claimed Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Home Search ICH Fact Or Fiction? The Trump Organization Planned To Give Vladimir Putin The $50 Million Penthouse In Trump Tower Moscow During the presidential campaign, Michael Cohen discussed the matter with a representative of Putins press secretary, according to two US sources. By Anthony Cormier and Jason Leopold President Donald Trumps company planned to give a $50 million penthouse at Trump Tower Moscow to Russian President Vladimir Putin as the company negotiated the luxury real estate development during the 2016 campaign, according to four people, one of them the originator of the plan. Two US law enforcement officials told BuzzFeed News that Michael Cohen, Trumps personal lawyer at the time, discussed the idea with a representative of Dmitry Peskov, Putins press secretary. The Trump Tower Moscow plan is at the heart of a new plea agreement by Cohen, who led the negotiations to bring a gleaming, 100-story building to the Russian capital. Cohen acknowledged in court that he had lied to Congress about the plan in order to protect Trump and his presidential campaign. The revelation that representatives of the Trump Organization planned to forge direct financial links with the leader of a hostile nation at the height of the campaign raises fresh questions about President Trump's relationship with the Kremlin. The plan never went anywhere because the tower deal ultimately fizzled, and it is not clear whether Trump knew of the intention to give away the penthouse. But Cohen said in court documents that he regularly briefed Trump and his family on the Moscow negotiations. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter BuzzFeed News first reported in May on the secret dealings of Cohen and his business associate Felix Sater with political and business figures in Moscow. The two men worked furiously behind the scenes into the summer of 2016 to get the Moscow deal finished despite public claims that the development was canned in January, before Trump won the Republican nomination. Sater told BuzzFeed News today that he and Cohen thought giving the Trump Towers most luxurious apartment, a $50 million penthouse, to Putin would entice other wealthy buyers to purchase their own. In Russia, the oligarchs would bend over backwards to live in the same building as Vladimir Putin, Sater told BuzzFeed News. My idea was to give a $50 million penthouse to Putin and charge $250 million more for the rest of the units. All the oligarchs would line up to live in the same building as Putin. A second source confirmed the plan. Sater, a brash real estate promoter who pleaded guilty to racketeering in 1998 and became a longtime asset to US law enforcement and intelligence agencies, had worked with the Trump Organization on deals in the past and said he came up with the idea. Cohen, Sater recalled, said, Great idea. Provided to BuzzFeed News Texts between Michael Cohen and Felix Sater. Cohen would not comment. Cohens attorney, Guy Petrillo, did not return a detailed message. The Trump Organization also did not return a message seeking comment. A spokesperson for the Kremlin declined to answer questions about the project. Trump had personally signed the letter of intent to move forward on the Trump Tower Moscow plan on Oct. 28, 2015, the day of the third Republican primary debate. On Thursday, shortly after news broke about Cohens guilty plea, Trump told reporters, There was a good chance that I wouldnt have won the presidential election, in which case I would have gotten back into the business, and why should I lose lots of opportunities? According to the criminal information filed against Cohen Thursday, on Jan. 20, 2016, he spoke with a Russian government official, referred to only as Assistant 1, about the Trump Tower Moscow plan for 20 minutes. This person appears to be an assistant to Peskov, a top Kremlin official whom Cohen had attempted to reach by email. Cohen requested assistance in moving the project forward, both in securing land to build the proposed tower and financing the construction, the court document states. Cohen had previously maintained that he never got a response from the official, but in court on Thursday he acknowledged that was a lie. Two FBI agents with direct knowledge of the Trump Tower Moscow negotiations told BuzzFeed News earlier this year that Cohen was in frequent contact with foreign individuals about the real estate venture and that some of these individuals had knowledge of or played a role in 2016 election meddling. The identity of those individuals remains unknown. Developing a tower in Russia had long been a dream of the Trump Organization, which pursued a deal there for three decades. After Trump announced his candidacy in the summer of 2015, Sater saw an opportunity to revive the development. I figured, hes in the news, his name is generating a lot of good press, Sater told BuzzFeed News earlier this year. A lot of Russians werent willing to pay a premium licensing fee to put Donalds name on their building. Now maybe they would be. So he turned to his old friend, Cohen, to get it off the ground. They arranged a licensing deal, by which Trump would lend his name to the project and collect a part of the profits. Sater lined up a Russian development company to build the project and said that VTB, a Russian financial institution that faced US sanctions at the time, would finance it. VTB officials have denied taking part in any negotiations about the project. The back-and-forth carried into the summer, when Sater said that top bankers and government officials wanted to meet with Cohen and Trump in Russia. Cohen said that Trump planned to go after the Republican convention in July. Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about this, and has acknowledged that he did so to protect the president. Anthony Cormier is an investigative reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York. While working for the Tampa Bay Times, Cormier won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting. Jason Leopold is a senior investigative reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in Los Angeles. He is a 2018 Pulitzer finalist for international reporting, recipient of the IRE 2016 FOI award and a 2016 Newseum Institute National Freedom of Information Hall of Fame inductee. This article was originally published by " Buzzfeed " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Trump Moscow: The Definitive Story Of How Trump's Team Worked The Russian Deal During The Campaign Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. Everyone eligible should be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of long-distance travel or employment. Vaccination should be voluntary but those who don't get vaccinated should be frequently tested for COVID-19 as a condition of long-distance travel and employment. Both vaccination and testing should be voluntary and not required as a condition of long-distance travel or employment. I defer to the judgment of lawmakers as long as they base their decisions on a consensus of medical professionals. Vote View Results Why is Ukraines Kerch Crisis Any of Our Business? By Patrick J. Buchanan November 30, 2018 "Information Clearing House" - Upon his departure for the G-20 gathering in Buenos Aires, President Donald Trump canceled his planned weekend meeting with Vladimir Putin, citing as his reason the Russian militarys seizure and holding of three Ukrainian ships and 24 sailors. But was Putin really the provocateur in Sundays naval clash outside Kerch Strait, the Black Sea gateway to the Sea of Azov? Or was the provocateur Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko? First, a bit of history. In 2014, after the pro-Russian regime in Kiev was ousted in a coup, and a pro-NATO regime installed with U.S. backing, Putin detached and annexed Crimea, for centuries the homeport of Russias Black Sea fleet. With the return of Crimea, Russia now occupied both sides of Kerch Strait. And this year, Russia completed a 12-mile bridge over the strait and Putin drove the first truck across. The Sea of Azov became a virtual Russian lake, access to which was controlled by Russia, just as access to the Black Sea is controlled by Turkey. While the world refused to recognize the new reality, Russia began to impose rules for ships transiting the strait, including 48 hours notice to get permission. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Ukrainian vessels, including warships, would have to notify Russian authorities before passing beneath the Kerch Strait Bridge into the Sea of Azov to reach their major port of Mariupol. Sunday, two Ukrainian artillery ships and a tug, which had sailed out of Odessa in western Ukraine, passed through what Russia now regards as its territorial waters off Crimea and the Kerch Peninsula. Destination: Mariupol. The Ukrainian vessels refused to obey Russian directives to halt. Russian warships fired at the Ukrainian vessels and rammed the tug. Three Ukrainian sailors were wounded, and 24 crew taken into custody. Russias refusal to release the sailors was given by President Trump as the reason for canceling his Putin meeting. Moscow contends that Ukraine deliberately violated the new rules of transit that Kiev had previously observed, to create an incident. For his part, Putin has sought to play the matter down, calling it a border incident, nothing more. The incident in the Black Sea was a provocation organized by the authorities and maybe the president himself. (Poroshenkos) rating is fallingso he needed to do something. Maxim Eristavi, a fellow at the Atlantic Council, seems to concur: Poroshenko wants to get a head start in his election campaign. He is playing the card of commander in chief, flying around in military uniform, trying to project that he is in control. Our U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, however, accused Russia of outlaw actions against the Ukrainian vessels and an arrogant act the international community will never accept. Predictably, our interventionists decried Russian aggression and demanded we back up our Ukrainian ally and send military aid. Why was Poroshenkos ordering of gunboats into the Sea of Azov, while ignoring rules Russia set down for passage, provocative? Because Poroshenko, whose warships had previously transited the strait, had to know the risk that he was taking and that Russia might resist. Why would he provoke the Russians? Because, with his poll numbers sinking badly, Poroshenko realizes that unless he does something dramatic, his party stands little chance in next Marchs elections. Immediately after the clash, Poroshenko imposed martial law in all provinces bordering Russia and the Black Sea, declared an invasion might be imminent, demanded new Western sanctions on Moscow, called on the U.S. to stand with him, and began visiting army units in battle fatigues. Some Westerners want even more in the way of confronting Putin. Adrian Karatnycky of the Atlantic Council urges us to build up U.S. naval forces in the Black Sea, send anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles to Ukraine, ratchet up sanctions on Russia, threaten to expel her from the SWIFT system of international bank transactions, and pressure Europe to cancel the Russians Nord Stream 2 and South Stream oil pipelines into Europe. But there is a larger issue here. Why is control of the Kerch Strait any of our business? Why is this our quarrel, to the point that U.S. strategists want us to confront Russia over a Crimean Peninsula that houses the Livadia Palace that was the last summer residence of Czar Nicholas II? If Ukraine had a right to break free of Russia in 1991, why do not Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk have the right to break free of Kiev? Why are we letting ourselves be dragged into everyones quarrelsfrom who owns the islets in the South China Sea, to who owns the Senkaku and Southern Kurils; and from whether Transnistria had a right to secede from Moldova, to whether South Ossetia and Abkhazia had the right to break free of Georgia, when Georgia broke free of Russia? Do the American people care a fig for these places? Are we really willing to risk war with Russia or China over who holds title to them? Patrick J. Buchanan is the author o f Nixons White House Wars: The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever. By MEMO Trump: US Troops will Stay in Middle East to Protect Israel November 30, 2018 "Information Clearing House" - US President Donald Trump has admitted that the US only keeps its troops in the Middle East to protect Israel. In an interview with the Washington Post yesterday, Trump explained that he would not withdraw US troops from the region because of the need to support Israel, despite the fact that other US concerns such as oil were no longer sufficient reason to remain. Trump told the Post: Now, are we going to stay in that part of the world [the Middle East]? One reason to is Israel. Oil is becoming less and less of a reason because were producing more oil now than weve ever produced. So, you know, all of a sudden it gets to a point where you dont have to stay there. Trumps comments have been interpreted as referring specifically to Saudi Arabia one of the US main oil providers and increasingly an Israeli ally with the Times of Israel suggesting the president appear[s] to envision a world where the US would be less beholden to Saudi Arabia. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter This triangular relationship between the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia has been forefront in Trumps decision-making in recent weeks. Last week, Trump suggested that Israel would face severe difficulties without the presence of Saudi Arabia, saying: The fact is that Saudi Arabia is tremendously helpful in the Middle East, if we didnt have Saudi Arabia we wouldnt have a big base [and] Israel would be in big trouble. Also last week, Trump thanked Saudi Arabia for lowering oil prices, stressing the US would remain a steadfast partner of the kingdom and not allow the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to harm US-Saudi relations or weaken Israel. It is no secret that the US provides extensive military support to Israel. In October, the largest ever US military aid package to Israel worth $38 billion to be delivered over a period of ten years entered into force. US State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert explained that: Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding [MOU], the United States will set funding for Israel at levels of $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing and $500 million for cooperative programmes for missile defence over each of the next ten years. The implementation of the MOU was intended to reflect the enduring and unshakable commitment of the President [Trump], this Administration, and the American people to Israels security, Nauert added. The US also regularly raises money to support the Israeli army. In the past two months the Friends of the Israel Defence Force (FIDF) held two galas to raise money for the army, raising a total of $92 million across the two evenings. The first event held in October in New York raised $32 million and was attended by over 1,000 US business people and philanthropists, as well as key figures from the Israeli establishment. In November, a second FIDF gala held in Beverly Hills, California raised $60 million and was attended by a host of celebrities, including Ashton Kutcher, Pharrell Williams, Gerard Butler and Katharine McPhee. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== State Department floats threat of military action against Iran Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 presidential election, is said to have quickly made his way back to Nigeria from the U.K, were he had hoped to secure assurances from the US Department of Justice, that he wouldnt be arrested, when he enters the United States. Earlier on Saturday evening, online news platform, TheCable in an exclusive report, claimed that Atiku, through former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had been issued a US visa. The former vice President was said to have travelled to U.K, with hopes to enter into the United States from there. However, according to a group, Initiative To Save Democracy, Atiku, who has never travelled to America in 13 years, had on Thursday travelled to the UK, upon getting an American Visa to proceed to the country, from the U.K. In a statement signed by its president, Akinloye James, the British government informed the presidential candidate that, of the U.S Department of Justice explicitly stated that, it cant guarantee that Atiku wouldnt be arrested, if he set foot on the countrys soil. According to the group, Atiku, having failed to secure the assurances of the British government and avoiding arrest by the International Police (InterPol), quickly came back home. His mission in the United Kingdom is to get the British Government to help him secure the assurances of the United States Department of Justice that he will not be arrested upon setting foot in US soil. But the British government is reported to have informed Abubakar that the US Department of Justice has made it clear that it cannot guarantee he will not be arrested. It is common knowledge that since the Williams Jefferson corruption case of 2004, Atiku has refused to travel to the United States. Jefferson, a US congressman, Williams Jefferson who indicted Atiku, in the money laundering case, has since served jail term and made to refund part of the money traced to him. Palermo have been sold to a London-based company for the price of 10 euros (8.75), the Italian second division sides owner has announced. Maurizio Zamparini said he has sold 100% of the club at a symbolic price. Zamparini, 77, bought Palermo in 2002 and last year stepped down as president. However, his replacement resigned as a takeover fell through. He made around 45 managerial appointments during his time in charge. Zamparini said he was profoundly sad to finally be leaving but is thinking of the clubs future. In an open letter to fans, he added: The objective for some time has been to find someone to continue my work with more financial power, capable of investments that I was no longer able to make. The new London-based owners will put into action the construction of the stadium and training ground. I have, with a lump in my throat, signed my departure. When Zamparini took over, Palermo had not been in the Italian top flight for 30 years. They returned to Serie A for the 2004-05 campaign and competed five times in the Uefa Cup and Europa League under his ownership. Players such as Edinson Cavani, Paulo Dybala and Javier Pastore featured during the years before relegation to Serie B in 2013-14. They returned immediately to the top flight as second division champions, but were relegated again in 2016-17. Palermo are currently top of Serie B, three points clear of Pescara. Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakra, can now travel to the United States, having been recently issued a visa. According to TheCable, a family source confirmed that the former vice-president has left Nigeria for the UK, where he will spend some time before flying to the US. The report also claims that former president Olusegun Obasanjo pulled a lot of strings, that got played the American government to finally issue Atiku a visa. It is also well known that the former vice President, has not travelled to the US in 13 years A fact that has been used by political opponents for a very long time against Atiku. It all started in 2004, when the FBI during an investigation of a bribery scandal involving William Jefferson, former US congressman, accused Atiku, of demanding a bribe of $500,000 to facilitate the award of contracts to two American telecommunication firms in Nigeria. Jefferson, a congressman representing Louisiana, was filmed by the FBI ,receiving $100,000 worth of $100 bills which he claimed was meant for Atiku, but the former vice-president has consistently denied the allegation. Vanguard THE Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T ukur Yusufu Buratai has ordered a thorough investigation into the discovery of militia camp in Rivers State by troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army, on November 26, 2018. The Nation The Nigeria Police Force said it has killed 104 bandits during an attack on Mahanga Forest in Birnin Mogaji Local Government Area, Zamfara State.The Police also said it destroyed 50 hideouts located in three camps and also recovered 500 cattle and 79 sheep during the attack.The attack on the bandits led to the death of a policeman whose name and rank was not disclosed. ThisDay Im a descendant of Abraham; to those who seek to divide, I still hold my hands out in brotherhood and forgiveness By Yemi Adebowale President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday wrote an article for a foreign Christian newspaper, Church Times UK, in which he described himself as a descendant of Abraham, a biblical hero regarded as the Guardian The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has charged field commanders to complement whatever approach they take in prosecuting the ongoing counter insurgency operations with offensive posture. The Sun Ego, malice, a feeling of entitlement as well as a tinge of messianic complex by Sen. Magnus Abe have exacerbated this unnecessary political fight. Lawrence Enyoghasu Oji Nyimenuate Ngofa is Nigerias Ambassador to the Netherlands and All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial candidate for Rivers South-East, the seat currently occupied by Senator Magnus Abe in the Daily Times Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he could not take the blame for the abduction of the over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok by Boko Daily Trust The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council has released the Operational Directorates as well as names of spokespersons for its 2019 presidential elections campaign. The Campaign Council named former governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke as Deputy Director General Operations while former presidential aspirant, Barr. Taminu Turaki is Deputy Director-General, Administration. Leadership President Muhammadu Buhari departs Abuja today for Katowice, Poland, to attend the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP24) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) scheduled to hold from December 2 to 4. According to a statement by his special adviser media, Femi Adesina, the COP24 Summit, which will be Tribune Seven months after the gruesome murder of two Catholic priests and 17 parishioners by suspected herdsmen, the St Ignatius Catholic Church at the rural Mbalom was on Friday re-opened. During the special mass held at President Muhammadu Buhari has been under severe pressure from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to sign the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment bill into law . Latest to join the group of agitators, is Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central. Although, Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan had on Friday, advised against pressuring the president to sign the amendment bill. Speaking to State House correspondents in Abuja yesterday, Lawan noted that Buhari was still . He warned that the President studying the bill, before signing, in order to avoid errors. However, Sani in his position said it was important for the President to sign the document, in order to walk the talk conducting a free, fair and credible election, in 2019. The outspoken lawmaker, who dumped the ruling APC a little while back, after he was dropped from the partys list of candidates for National Assembly, made this known via his Twitter handle on Saturday, and wrote: Lawmaker from Bayelsa state, Ben Murray Bruce has said that the war against terrorism under the president Muhammadu Buhari led administration isnt yielding fruit because of its policy of releasing repentant Boko Haram members. According to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker, the government gives more fuel to insurgency by releasing captured Boko Haram fighters. Speaking via social media on Saturday, Mr Bruce, who never shies away from giving a piece of his mind, as regards governance in Nigeria, stressed further that terrorists do not deserve a slap on the wrist but the dirty slap on the face. He wrote: The anti terror war of this administration is not working because of its policy of releasing repentant Boko Haram members. You cant expect fire to go out when you are resupplying the fire with fuel. Dont give terrorists a slap on the wrist. Give them a dirty slap on the face! For the past two years, C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in Ames has been showcasing local singing and songwriting talent in conjunction wit To honor World AIDS Day, Apple Stores across the globe have turned their logos to red. Around 125 Apple Stores will turn their logo red for today, with another 400 of them putting up red decals over their Apple logo. Apple retail employees will also join in by wearing red t-shirts. Tim Cook posted a couple of photos of an Apple Store with its logo turned red and retail employees wearing a red t-shirt. Apple stores around the world are turning red to honor #WorldAIDSDay. Together, we can achieve an AIDS-free generation. pic.twitter.com/rdySNTAWdn Tim Cook (@tim_cook) November 30, 2018 Earlier this week, Apple also revealed that it has contributed over $200 million to (RED) in its fight against AIDS. In addition to the above, Apple has published a couple of stories in the App Store for AIDS. The first one highlights Apples partnership with (RED) where the company donates a part of the proceedings from the sale of its (RED) branded products for AIDS research. This year alone, the company has launched over 20 (RED) branded products. The second story is titled Lets Do The Impossible wherein the company highlights how it is possible to fight AIDS successfully. Apple will also be donating $1 to (RED) for every Apple Pay transaction done in retail stores, online, and in the Apple Store app between December 1 through December 7th. ICRC Islamabad Jobs 2018 for Behavioural Change Manager Latest International Committee of Red Cross ICRC NGO Posts Islamabad 2021 International Committee of Red Cross ICRC Islamabad, Pakistan are requires applications from experienced and qualified candidates for the posts of Behavioural Change Manager. Skills Required Management How to Apply on International Committee of Red Cross ICRC 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. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. Pakistan Television Corporation PTV Jobs 2018 For Islamabad Latest Pakistan Television Corporation Limited PTV Media Posts Islamabad 2021 Qualified and well educated candidates for the posts of Manager HR, Administration Officer, Programme Production Incharge, IT Officer, Marketing Officer, Sales Officer required for Pakistan Television Corporation PTV in Islamabad Pakistan 2018. How to Apply on Pakistan Television Corporation Limited PTV 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. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. Pakistan Television Corporation PTV Jobs 2018 in Islamabad Latest Pakistan Television Corporation Limited PTV Management Posts Islamabad 2021 Pakistan Television Corporation PTV requires the services of experienced and well educated individuals for the posts of IT Officer, Marketing Officer, Salesman, HR Manager, Administrator in Islamabad. How to Apply on Pakistan Television Corporation Limited PTV 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. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. The government has asked Turkey to provide compensation to Korean companies affected by provisional safeguard measures it imposed on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) imports, the trade ministry said Saturday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said that it met with its Turkish counterpart in Ankara, Thursday, and discussed compensation plans regarding the bilateral safeguard measures on PET products. Bilateral safeguard measures linked to a free trade agreement (FTA) between two countries allow for the temporary suspension of tariff preferences or imposing most-favored nation (MFN) applied tariff lines when an increase in imports of any product causes damage to domestic industries. Turkey started its safeguard investigation in February and decided to impose safeguards as high as 6.5 percent on South Korean PET imports. The FTA between South Korea and Turkey mandates that if one country initiates safeguards, it must provide an opportunity to discuss compensation measures regarding losses triggered by the additional tariff burden. The ministry said it discussed the compensation scale and method, and even exchanged ideas on withdrawing the safeguards, considering that such trade restraint can have a negative influence on relations between the two countries. The ministry said it will review plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on imported goods from Turkey if appropriate compensation measures are not agreed to. (Yonhap) Woori Bank CEO Sohn Tae-seung / Courtesy of Woori Bank By Park Hyong-ki Finance is a field without borders, where capital can invest in and exit assets almost freely and instantly. For banks, it is important to attract long-term institutional investors for stability amid increasing volatility. To grab their attention, not only do chief executives have to show their financial companies are fundamentally strong in numbers, but also they need to be able to speak to investors in their language both casually and professionally. Everyone has a global mindset with a strong desire to be a digital innovator. But only a very few executives can communicate freely when traveling abroad to meet with potential investors in global financial hubs such as New York and Hong Kong, industry sources say. They are: Shinhan Financial Group Chairman & CEO Cho Yong-byoung and Woori Financial Group Chairman Sohn Tae-seung, the only "two true global communicators," industry sources say. Citibank Korea CEO Park Jin-hei is also a fluent English speaker. Between Sohn and Cho, Sohn is the only one who never needs a translator with professional knowledge in finance. He communicates directly with investors at meetings abroad, one of the sources said. Sohn's schedule for investor relations roadshows is going to get packed in 2019 as he is heading both Woori Bank and Woori Financial Group. This is in line with his goal to attract foreign institutional investors and increase their equity ownership in the group. Currently, foreign investors hold a 20 percent stake in the bank, which will transform into Woori Financial Group, with Woori Bank to be the flagship unit early 2019. "It's true. He doesn't ask his IR team to communicate with investors for him, even though his IR employees travel with him overseas," a Woori Bank spokesman said. He noted Woori seeks to increase foreign institutional ownership in the bank to 30 percent, given shares owned by the National Pension Service's 9 percent and the Korea Deposit Insurance Corp.'s 18 percent. A group of financial investors hold a 35 percent stake and employees have 5 percent. Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Cho Yong-byoung By Hyon O'Brien Once a year the Ewha Alumnae Association of North America meets in a city where one of the regional chapters hosts an annual general meeting. This year it was the turn of the Toronto chapter in Canada. About 350 alumni from Canada and the United States attended this gathering. The International Foundation for Ewha Womans University, a fund-raising group for Ewha, always holds its annual meeting at the same time. On Nov. 3, a gala dinner was attended by the two organizations as a joint event. During the banquet, the chair of the Ewha Foundation presented a sizable check to Ewha President Kim Hei-sook, who flew in from Seoul to receive the donation and to address the alumni. I was in the audience witnessing the presentation of the scholarship funds. Sitting next to me were unexpected and most welcome guests: Sally Gale and her daughter, Sarah Chapman, fifth- and sixth-generation descendants of Mary Scranton, the American Methodist missionary who founded Ewha in 1886 with only one student. From that extremely modest beginning, Ewha has produced more than 220,000 graduates. Currently about 21,000 students are being educated at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Uniquely among women's universities, Ewha offers Ph.D. degrees in many fields. I am one of the beneficiaries of Mrs. Scranton's foresight and vision of opening a school for young women in Korea at a time when educating girls was not a priority in Korea. My mother never went to school. Growing up on a farm in a remote village, she was taught only the womanly skills of cooking, sewing and housekeeping. During my growing-up years, my mother always encouraged me to pursue education and cheered me on at each step of the way. She was happy and proud that I had obtained the education denied to her. I have been reading Tara Westover's memoir "Educated," which describes her hunger for learning and her own fight, every step of the way, to get educated. Her Mormon parents thought their children should be homeschooled to protect them from the bad influence of public school teaching. However, they didn't fulfill homeschooling to the level where their children could compete later on to enter college if they wished. Tara's parents never encouraged them to study and learn. For them, knowing their church's teachings was good enough. Tara somehow managed to enter Brigham Young University and from there she went on to Cambridge University and Harvard. Her parents rejected her because of her passion for study. They felt Tara had betrayed them by going into the corrupt world and accepting the unwholesome teachings of secular institutions. Tara suffered tremendously from this rejection. She felt abandoned by her family as a punishment for her aggressive pursuit of education. At the end of her story, she tells how she found allies in three of her brothers who also left their mountain home in Idaho to get educated, while the remaining three siblings came to regard her as a bad seed who had turned her back on Mormon teachings. On the topic of education, I have previously mentioned the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO). In 1869, seven women founded this organization as they were graduating from Wesleyan College in Iowa. Its motto is "Women Empowering Other Women through Education." Now almost 150 years later, the PEO has been instrumental in educating more than 100,000 women. I joined this group 25 years ago while I was working as a librarian in Teaneck, New Jersey. One of the volunteers at the library was a member and recommended I join her chapter. I joined immediately knowing that by acting together with that group of nearly a quarter million women in the United States, my small contributions can become a large and meaningful amount. I am so glad I am one of the members of this worthy charitable organization. Education was highlighted at the Miami Book Fair, an annual event since 1984. It always brings an interesting group of authors who come to speak about their books. This year I was able to see Julian Castro, the former secretary of housing and urban development and mayor of San Antonio, talk about his new book, "An Unlikely Journey." He talked about his grandmother emigrating from Mexico as an orphan and how he achieved the American dream from humble beginnings. He encouraged the audience to get educated and never to give up fighting against injustice in our society. The other author I had the privilege of hearing at the Miami Book Fair was John Kerry, the former secretary of state, senator and presidential candidate. In his book, "Every Day is Extra," he said he tried to write down what has mattered most to him during his life journey. He said he was always guided by the words from the Bible, Luke 12:48, that "to whom much is given, much is required." For him, the notion of social responsibility has been a guiding light. Towards this end, he emphasized the need for all to have access to quality education. I end this piece with words of wisdom from Nelson Mandela: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Hyon O'Brien (hyonobrien@gmail.com) is a former reference librarian now living in the United States. A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea across the eastern land border, Saturday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). South Korean border guards detected the soldier crossing the military demarcation line at 7:56 a.m. with their surveillance equipment, the JCS said. "Related agencies plan to question him regarding the details of how he came to the South," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters, adding that there were no "special activities" by the North Korean army on the border. "Following the demolition of guard posts by the South and North, our security operations on the border have had no problem," a JCS official said. "The soldier is safely in our custody." This is the first defection since the two Koreas completely each destroyed 10 border guard posts, and completed demining a ridge in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Friday. (Yonhap) This photo released by North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency, Saturday, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visiting fishery processing plants in the country's eastern coastal region. Yonhap North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected fishery plants in the country's eastern coastal region in his first reported public activity in 13 days, according to state media, Saturday. Kim visited three fishery processing factories run by the Korean People's Army (KPA) and carried out "field guidance," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The KCNA said Kim first visited the May 27 Fishery Station and was pleased that it had caught more than 60,000 tons of fish in a short period of time. "Seeing the fish blocks filled at the freezing warehouse, he expressed great pleasure, saying they look like a treasure mountain and gold bars and the warehouse is almost filled with fish in a few days of the intensive fishing campaign," the KCNA said in an English-language report. Kim then inspected the August 25 Fishery Station where he looked around the processing shop, freezing warehouse and combined production control room. This photo released by KCNA, Saturday, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visiting fishery processing plants in the country's eastern coastal region. Yonhap "He expressed expectations and belief that the officials and employees of the August 25 Fishery Station would give a steady continuity to the history of big fish hauls in the future, too, as befits the pioneer and model which kindled a new torch in fishing," the KCNA said. His final stop was the January 8 Fishery Station, which provides fish to neonatal hospitals, orphanages, primary and middle schools for orphans and elderly people's homes across the country. . The latest "field guidance" was Kim's first reported public activity since his visit to the Taegwan Glass Factory, in North Pyongan Province, Nov. 18. The KCNA said Kim's latest inspection took place over two consecutive days. The KCNA reported that Kim's visits to the processing plants stations showed his determination to solve food shortages in the country. "He said that the food problems of the people and service personnel can be solved satisfactorily when agricultural production, animal husbandry and fishing are developed as the three main thrusts," the KCNA said. North Korea's state newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, also reported on Kim's visit to the fishery stations with 49 photos. On the trip, Kim was accompanied by Hwang Pyong-so, first vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and Army General So Hong-chan, first vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces, among other officials. (Yonhap) By Jung Min-ho Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrongly called the Czech Republic "Czechoslovakia" on its official Twitter account, Thursday. On the day President Moon Jae-in arrived in the Czech Republic as part of his eight-day overseas trip, the ministry said: "President Moon @moonriver365 embarks today on visits to Czechoslovakia, Argentina (G20) and New Zealand, on a trip spanning across continents." Czechoslovakia, or Czecho-Slovakia, was a sovereign state formed in 1918 in Central Europe after the dissolution of Austria-Hungary at the end of the First World War. But due to various issues between Czechs and Slovaks, it split into the two sovereign states the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. The ministry's posting immediately met with ridicule and criticism on social media. "I took it as a message that Moon is going to Czechoslovakia through the time machine," one person joked. "Minister Kan(g) Kyung-wha, it is Cxech (sic), not Czechoslovakia. It has been 26 years since it split into Czech Republic and Slovakia. It is a huge mistake for the ministry to use the wrong name. Excuse my spelling. You got it wrong first," another person said on Twitter. The ministry deleted the posting, but has not issued a statement about the error. President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook walk toward a car after arriving at the Vaclav Havel Airport Prague in the Czech Republic for a two-day visit, Wednesday (KST). Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul PRAGUE President Moon Jae-in asked the Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis to support a South Korean firm's bid to build a nuclear power plant in the European country, Wednesday (KST). The nuclear project was a key topic at Moon's meeting with Babis, presidential aides said. Moon arrived here early Wednesday en route to Buenos Aires to participate in the G20 summit later this week. "Moon delivered his hope for Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co's (KHNP) bid to win a nuclear reactor deal in the central European country," an aide said on condition of anonymity. Moon previously promised to provide assistance to KHNP as the government has come under pressure to help domestic nuclear reactor suppliers remain internationally competitive in its plan to gradually phase out its nuclear reactors. President Moon Jae-in, right, and first lady Kim Jung-sook pray at St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday. Yonhap President Moon visits St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday. Yonhap The Czech Republic is considering lots of options on nuclear energy after the country's main nuclear reactors slowly approach the end of their lifespan. Whether and how to finance their replacement is being discussed by the Czech government and the country's state-owned energy group CEZ. The aide said Moon remained "low-key" on the matter due to growing criticism about his "nuclear reactor sales diplomacy" from politicians in South Korea and the ongoing debate on the specifics of new nuclear reactor projects, here. President Moon speaks to the Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis during the two countrires' summit at Hilton Prague Hotel, Nov, 28. Yonhap "Once the details of new nuclear projects are fixed, then the Czech government will initiate its bidding process. South Korea is ready to help KHNP; however, it's too early to help the firm," the aide said. Given the huge costs of building new reactors, CEZ's leadership has been reluctant to embark on such a project without state guarantees, as minority shareholders are opposed to the idea of CEZ building new nuclear plants on its own, as they fear it will hit their dividend payments. This will be one of the most expensive decisions facing Babis' government, according to foreign media reports. Building new reactors would cost at least $6 billion. Currently there are six interested companies and consortia on including ones from China, Russia, France and the United States. President Moon greets officials who accompanied the Czech Republic leader ahead of the summit. Yonhap Cheong Wa Dae said Moon and Babis discussed new growth opportunities in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the internet of things. Babis was also briefed on the current status of the ongoing denuclearization process and appreciated the South's efforts to promote peace. After the summit with Babis, Moon met with South Koreans living in the Czech Republic to urge them to continue being a bridge between the two countries. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the U.S. President Donald Trump meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina, Friday (local time). Yonhap U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed the issue of North Korea's nuclear weapons program at a meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Argentina, Friday, according to the White House. Japan has sought to have a bigger say in the diplomatic efforts to rid the North of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, which pose a direct threat to the archipelago nation. Abe has built a close relationship with Trump, while ties with South Korea have become frigid due to issues relating to Japan's 1910-45 occupation of the Korean Peninsula. "The two leaders reviewed recent developments in North Korea and discussed how best to work with the international community, including their close ally the Republic of Korea, to maintain pressure until North Korea implements its commitment to denuclearize," the White House said in a press release. Violence reflects deep distrust in judiciary A disgruntled farmer's firebomb attack Tuesday on the car of Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su is blatantly in defiance of the rule of law. Whatever the reason, such violence cannot and should not be tolerated under any circumstances. The incident took place at 9:05 a.m. when the 74-year-old farmer, identified as Nam, threw a Molotov cocktail at Kim's sedan which was entering the Supreme Court in southern Seoul. One of the back tires of the car caught fire, but security guards immediately extinguished it. Fortunately Kim sustained no injuries. It was shocking to see the footage of the suspect rushing toward the car, lighting the Molotov cocktail and hurling it at the vehicle. In just a second, the tire went up in flames. This attack was the first of its kind targeting the head of the Supreme Court, although there has been a similar case targeting a judge. In 2007, a university professor fired a crossbow at a senior judge of the Seoul High Court. The professor perpetrated the attack out of a grudge that the judge turned down his appeal that his school unfairly refused to renew his employment contract. At that time, the case, called "crossbow terror," surprised the people who believed such a violent act could only be seen in movies. The crossbow attack paled in comparison with Tuesday's incident. Nam told the police he carried out the attack because he lost his court battle against the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service (NAQS) which refused to reissue the eco-friendly certification for the pig feed he had developed. According to investigators, Nam had been staging a one-man protest in front of the Supreme Court since Sept. 20. Both district and high courts rejected his claim for compensation for the losses allegedly caused by the NAQS. Anyone can protest a court decision. But such protest should be made within legal boundaries. Otherwise, any society could be plunged into chaos and cannot uphold the rule of law one of the most important pillars buttressing democracy. We have to take notice of the violent attack because it occurred amid the public's deep distrust in the judiciary which has come under criticism for abuse of power under the leadership of former Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae. The ongoing investigation is closing in on Yang as he and other senior justices allegedly used trials as bargaining chips in the top court's dealings with the presidential office of former President Park Geun-hye. Now the judiciary should take radical steps to regain the people's trust. It must push for reform to be reborn as the last bulwark of justice. For this, judges and justices ought to make all-out efforts to make rulings in a fair and objective manner. If they fail to do so, they cannot prevent a repetition of the firebombing. More seriously, the nation cannot ensure the rule of law. Women do laundry in a peaceful setting circa 1900s. By Robert Neff In the late 19th century, Joseon Korea was often described in less than flattering ways especially in regards to cleanliness. The streets were often described as muddy mires contaminated with human and animal waste and the homes (the exteriors) as run-down and hovel-like. Korean clothing, on the other hand, often impressed Western visitors. Koreans spent a lot of money on their clothing and were fastidious in regards to keeping it clean. Not an easy task when a very large part of the population wore brilliant while clothing. Laundry at a stream circa 1900. One observer, Horace N. Allen, who arrived in Korea as a missionary doctor in 1884 and eventually went on to become the American Minister to Korea, wrote: "The washing is done wherever there is a brook and even at the sides of wells, the water sometimes finding its way directly back into the well which it was dipped. All about the cities where there is a little brook or spring, there may be found a company of women with their paddles, pounding clothes on smooth stones in the water. In winter the ice is broken to allow of this cold and disagreeable work, for with white clothes worn by all, washing becomes a most necessary occupation." Even with modernization, laundering clothes along rivers and streams was fairly common up until the 1960s. Doing laundry on the frozen Han River circa 1905-1910. Doing laundry in the late 1950s, early 1960s. Women in China doing laundry very similar to Korea circa 1900s. A soldier eats ice cream as she visits a zoo in Pyongyang, Sept. 12. Reuters By Emanuel Pastreich Tsai Tung-Chieh. By Tsai Tung-Chieh In the local elections held last weekend, Taiwan's voters delivered an unimaginably crushing blow to President Tsai Ing-Wen and her ruling party. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost mayoral elections in some key cities to the Kuomintang (KMT.) Before the election, the DPP controlled 13 of Taiwan's 22 cities and counties, but now it is left with only six. More crucially, the DPP lost in Kaohsiung and Taichung, the second and third-largest cities of Taiwan. Kaohsiung had been a DPP stronghold for over two decades. Many people focus on the implications of this result for its prospect of both cross-strait and Sino-U.S. relations. Since Taiwan's democratization in the early 1990s, cross-strait relations between Taiwan and mainland China have become increasingly unstable due to the Taiwan self-identity push by the DPP, which is at odds with China's long-standing principle that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of China. The DPP is a pro-independence party formed at the end of the martial law period in the 1980s. Before that, Taiwan was ruled by the KMT, which took control of the island at the end of World War II. Though it once lost control of Taiwan in 2000-08, when the KMT returned, President Ma Ying-Jeou tried to repair cross-strait relations and pushed the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with China in 2010. However, due to worries about the hollowing-out of Taiwan's economy, Ma's policy, which was seen as a handover of Taiwan's economic strength to China, sparked the 2014 protests that became known as the Sunflower Student Movement. Months later, the KMT lost the midterm elections and both the presidency and the legislature in 2016 to an opposition party for the first time in its history. However, after the 2016 election, President Tsai Ing-Wen refused to accept the so-called "1992 Consensus" and the "One China Principle" according to the DPP's long-standing ideology that Taiwan is not part of China. As a response and maybe as punishment, Beijing vastly reduced the number of Chinese tourists to Taiwan, seriously harming the latter's travel industry. At the same time, China has stepped up military pressure by regularly flying jet fighters and bombers around the island, making the Taiwanese uneasy. More importantly, the resurfacing of tension with Beijing quickly undermined the legitimacy of Tsai's administration. Since the beginning of 2018, public opinion polls have regularly showed that her approval rating hovered below 30 percent. After this huge defeat, many commentators are convinced that it will be very difficult for the DPP to win the 2020 presidential election. Even Tsai perhaps may not be the candidate. Nonetheless, searching for more peaceful or stable cross-strait relations may not be the main cause of the DPP's defeat. The KMT is hopeful it can gain an edge due to dissatisfaction with Tsai's unpopular pension reforms and especially the stagnant economy. In November 2016, in a special preview edition for 2017 published by The Economist, Tsai, who had just become president, said she and her administration "want to make Taiwan an Asian tiger once again" during "a time of vast economic and political challenges." She described how the "bright light in a sea of darkness," which Taiwan used to be, had "dimmed amid an uncertain global environment." And her plan for 2017 was to renew Taiwan's role as a pioneer, "preserving our basic social safety net while revitalizing the economy with a new development model." However, due to Taiwan's economic dependency on China, since the DPP came to power, the relationship with China has significantly deteriorated and has had a negative impact on Taiwan. Though the DPP hopes its success in building links with its Southeast Asian neighbors, a revitalization of connections with the United States and its ability to staunch the bleeding of Taiwan's economy will allow it to maintain power, the answer is negative. Obviously, many voters believe Tsai hasn't done enough to lift the economy, especially when Taiwan's economy is expected to slow over the next six months in the wake of volatility in global equity markets and the impact of escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China. In summary, while the vote was largely focused on economic concerns rather than the long-simmering issue of Taiwan's political status, the DPP lost its power naturally and China will come out potentially. Of course, it's absolutely not the end of the story. Tsai Tung-Chieh, is a Professor at the Graduate Institute of International Politics and Dean of College of Law and Politics at National Chung-Hsing University in Taiwan. A jury trial in Qualcomm Inc.s wide-ranging legal war with Apple Inc. has been set to begin April 15 in San Diego federal court, with a settlement looking unlikely. U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel scheduled the trial at hearing Friday. Qualcomm had sought to begin the trial in February, but Curiel said the April date was needed to accommodate the courts schedule. He also noted that the complexity of the litigation and the prominence of the two tech giants would require more time. Qualcomm Chief Executive Steve Mollenkopf told CNBCs Jim Cramer this week that the San Diego cellular technology firm was on the doorstep of finding a resolution to the dispute with Apple. Advertisement Some news outlets took Mollenkopfs statement to suggest that the two sides were in settlement talks, even though the chief executive made it clear in the past that a resolution would come from either a settlement or a verdict in court. Apple attorney William Isaacson told Curiel on Friday that a settlement wasnt in the cards. The parties are going to need a trial, Isaacson said. There have been unfortunate articles lately that the parties are close to a settlement, and that is not true. There havent been talks in months. Since early 2017, Qualcomm and Apple have been waging a legal war over royalties that Qualcomm charges for use of its patented cellular technology. It has been a fierce fight. Apple instructed Asian contract manufacturers that build iPhones to stop paying royalties to Qualcomm, and it left out Qualcomm chips from its latest iPhone models. Qualcomm has sought to ban iPhone imports in the U.S., Germany and China. It also has accused Apple of stealing trade secrets and supplying them to rival Intel. Apple contends that Qualcomm has concocted a scheme that allows it to overcharge for patents in violation of patent, contract and antitrust laws. According to Apple, Qualcomm is getting paid twice for its intellectual property: once when it licenses its patent portfolio and a second time when it sells cellular modem chips. Qualcomm says there is nothing illegal about its business practices. The company contends that not all of its 130,000 patents are encompassed on a cellular radio chip. It takes a systemwide approach to deliver fast wireless internet connections to smartphones, involving multiple components in phones and broader cellular networks. Its extensive patent portfolio covers these systemwide inventions. A key battle is coming up early next year. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has sued Qualcomm, claming antitrust violations along similar lines as the Apple lawsuit. A trial in the FTCs antitrust case is scheduled for Jan. 4 in U.S. District Court in San Jose. The outcome of that trial could play a role in the San Diego federal case. Qualcomm and the FTC both have said they are pursuing a settlement. mike.freeman@sduniontribune.com As Claire Talerico videotaped her daughter Mia finalizing baby adoption paperwork with a nurse, two things stood out. For one thing, Mia is just 10 years old. For another, Mias baby resembled a pink lacrosse ball with a tiny body attached. For the record: The article incorrectly states that Amparo Serrano designed the toys to give her nieces something that would inspire them to be more caring and nurturing. In fact, the artist designed the toys to inspire her daughters. This wasnt a real adoption. The fictional nurse was an employee of Distroller World, a boutique Mexican toy chain that is about to open its third U.S. store, in Glendale. There are no other toys like them, Mia said of the 12 Distroller babies she has adopted. At home, we made them a nursery, then I built a little school for them. We even make up voices for them. Advertisement Distroller World is an elaborate example of experience-based retail where shoppers get to do something rather than just buy something. Its a style that merchants increasingly are trying out to recapture business lost to the internet. A baby from the planet Neonatopia travels to the nursery at the Distroller World store in the Fashion Valley Mall via a pneumatic tube called the neonatal transportation system. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) At Distroller outlets, parents and children are swept up in the story of a planet called Neonatopia, whose 22 different types of babies need adopting. Once the adoption paperwork is finalized with an employee dressed for the part of Nurse Tania, children follow the arrival of their babies via a spaceship that travels around the store via a pneumatic tube. We create experiences, said Daryn Fillis, chief executive of Distroller North America. The El Segundo company operates from offices that feature the bright, childrens-style furnishings of a preschool. We focus on the emotional bond between the child and the brand through a product, Fillis said. You cant call these dolls. Theyre babies. They arent for sale. You adopt them, so theres an adoption fee. The language that we use helps tell that story. Experience retail is a promising concept to help bricks-and-mortar retail stores that each year lose a little more ground to online merchants, experts say. Apple Inc. is considered a leader in the experience retail game. The tech company last year rolled out a town square store design with natural light, indoor trees, meeting spaces, inspiration programs and more product interaction. Another example is the Nordstrom department store chain, which is expanding its Nordstrom Local concept beyond the original Los Angeles store, offering manicures, styling, onsite alterations and curbside pickup of online orders. In the void left by Toys R Us demise, mainstream retailers such as Target and Walmart went into the all-important holiday shopping season with beefed-up toy departments that feature play areas and special events. If you are going to take a child to a store, you want to have an experience with them, something interactive, not just looking at products on shelves, said Jim Silver, chief executive of toy review website TTPM. Thats only possible in brick-and-mortar stores. The lower floor of the Apple town square store in Chicago, which has a large, state-of-the-art screen for teaching, lots of light, open spaces and indoor trees. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) Distroller, which operates more than 70 locations primarily in Mexico and Latin America, most closely resembles U.S. retail chains Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. and the American Girl doll line, owned by Mattel, Silver said. You get to create something and then you get to take it home, Silver said. Build-A-Bear has tons of licensed characters. There are so many experiences for customers with the American Girl store. But experience retail can have drawbacks. It may involve more training and possibly bigger paychecks for employees who must then act out the roles they play well enough for an enjoyable consumer experience. Recruiting, training and retaining employees who can fulfill this kind of role-playing within the razor-thin margins of retailing will be difficult, said Denise Lee Yohn, a branding expert and author of Fusion: How Integrating Brand and Culture Powers the Worlds Greatest Companies. And it isnt just one story that has to be mastered and presented; if the experience doesnt evolve with new elements and events, it will quickly grow stale and lose its appeal, experts said. You have to constantly freshen things up, Silver said. It cant be the same old, same old, or a child will go two or three times and get bored. If you are going to take a child to a store, you want to have an experience with them, something interactive, not just looking at products on shelves. Jim Silver, CEO of toy review site TTPM The first Distroller World opened in Mexico City in 2004 and was the brainchild of artist and entrepreneur Amparo Amparin Serrano. The idea for the babies came from Serranos desire to give her nieces something that would inspire them to be more caring and nurturing, Fillis said. Serrano named the chain Distroller, pronounced destroyer, in honor of an earlier candy venture that Mexican health authorities refused to allow because the product was so sour and acidic it eliminated good flora from the small intestine. For the toys introduction to the United States, we started looking at how we could enhance the idea, how to communicate the story and make it commercially successful, Fillis said. Serranos large-eyed creations also include dolls that pay homage to the Virgin of Guadalupe, Frida Kahlo, luchadores wrestlers and Day of the Dead skeletons, although those distinctly Mexican products have yet to make the trip north. Distrollers U.S. stores offer three types of so-called neonate babies nerlies, zygoties and espongies that cost $19.99 to $36.99. The toy company has followed some fairly traditional retail paths, including developing a line of accessories big enough to make Barbie envious. Ongoing playtime is driven by a broad range of accessories, priced at $3.99 to $54.99, that include vitamins, food, outfits and incubators. The new babies are also limited in number, and new ones are introduced a few times a year. Theres the collectability, which makes it aspirational, Fillis said. There are also some marketing tricks were applying and thats what bridges the gap from the artist to the commercial experience. The companys first U.S. stores, in San Diego and Houston, launched last year. The Distroller store at the Glendale Galleria is set to open in December. Anyone planning to work at a Distroller store had better be prepared for more than the standard memorization of toy specifications. Distroller employees are handed a 150-page training manual that they are expected to master. Theres a full brand induction because youve got to be able to tell the story, Fillis said. Each store contains an adoption center and a medical clinic. The training is challenging because children invent all sorts of things that are happening with their babies when they come back in for checkups, Fillis said. For her part, Serrano is hoping to match her Latin American success north of the border. Itzyboop, a Neonate Baby in the nerlie stage, is weighed on a scale inside the Distroller World store in San Diego. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) I believe that children play the same, regardless of where they live. Im hopeful Distroller will have great success everywhere we open, she said. There have been some bumps in the road. Brand expert Yohn, for example, warned that cultural differences might throw experiential brands a curve. Distroller has already run into at least one of those, with parents who strongly oppose vaccines. We were cyberbullied on anti-vaccine day last year, which really hasnt been an issue in Mexico, Fillis said. And we actually had to turn off our review feature on Facebook. We just shake it off. If a parent wants, they can say no vaccinations, and well respect that. There have been some unforeseen benefits for Distroller in the U.S. as well. Traditionally, the chains sweet spot has been small, within an age range of 6 to 8. But the toys have begun attracting older children in the U.S., such as budding internet influencer Mia Talerico, whose primary YouTube page, Miatalerico101, has posts that have drawn as many as 91,500 views. It took eight hours for us to drive down to that store and back, recalled Claire Talerico, of the Santa Barbara-to-San Diego round trip. She still talks about it all of the time. It was absolutely worth the effort. For Loreanne Switzer, 36, and her daughter, Fiona, 5, the trek from the San Francisco Bay Area to the San Diego Distroller store and back took 16 hours. Switzer said she was amazed at the staying power Distrollers babies have in keeping her daughters interest. Every time they come out, Switzer said, shes really excited to see what the new babies will be and which ones she might want to adopt. ron.white@latimes.com For more business news, follow Ronald D. White on Twitter: @RonWLATimes For the first time, dozens of small satellites will ride atop a SpaceX rocket, as a Falcon 9 is scheduled to blast into orbit Sunday. The 64 tiny satellites range from one built by a Florida middle school to measure the viability of thawed bacteria to a Honeywell Aerospace demonstrator that will test new ship communication technology. All 34 organizations found their way onto the Falcon 9 rocket with the help of a sort of launch services broker a relatively niche industry that has grown in tandem with the burgeoning small-satellite market. Small-satellite startups sometimes have little experience buying launches from companies like Hawthorne-based SpaceX and Frances Arianespace, said Bill Ostrove, aerospace and defense analyst at Forecast International. At the same time, these launch service providers are looking for help to coordinate the deluge of developers looking to send small satellites into space, he said. Advertisement Sundays scheduled SpaceX launch is three years in the making for Seattle-based Spaceflight, which bought the entire Falcon 9 rocket to accommodate its various customers. The launch will be Spaceflights first ride-share mission dedicated exclusively to small satellites. The purchase indicates that the small satellite industry is healthy and thriving, said Kerri Cahoy, associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT. Theres a lot of new businesses and a steady stream of customers, Cahoy said. Being able to sell more than 60 spots on a rocket to customers is impressive, she said. Spaceflight got its start about six years ago by helping customers test their small satellites, obtain the necessary launch and operating licenses before shipping the spacecraft to the launch site, and integrate them onto the rocket, said Curt Blake, Spaceflight president. Typically, small satellites get to space by piggybacking on the launch of a larger satellite and fitting in where theres space on the rocket. The best known example is a 2017 launch of the Indian space agencys PSLV rocket, which deployed a 1,574-pound satellite as well as 103 small satellites. A majority of those were Earth-imaging satellites made by San Francisco-based Planet Labs Inc. While ride-sharing can be a more affordable way to reach orbit, it also means the tiny spacecraft are subject to the timing and orbit destination of the primary satellite. There is now another way. Huntington Beachs Rocket Lab has developed and launched its Electron rocket, which is designed specifically to carry small satellites and to allow more flexibility in time and orbit. A slew of other companies, including Long Beach-based Virgin Orbit and Tucson-based Vector, are working on their own small-satellite launchers. Spaceflight negotiates with launch companies to find and purchase slots for their small satellite customers. As more launch companies have come online, Spaceflight has increased its partnerships to include some of the smaller rockets, such as the Electron and Virgin Orbits LauncherOne, which will air-launch satellites from beneath the wing of a modified Boeing 747. They serve different niches that our customers want, Blake said. The satellite launch broker industry is not large analysts said there are only a handful of players, including Spaceflight. Business has been stable so far, though there is a chance launch companies could take those services in-house, Ostrove said. It certainly has a chance of being lucrative, he said. Spaceflights parent company, Spaceflight Industries Inc., has raised more than $200 million in total capital and counts firms such as the late Paul Allens Vulcan Capital as investors. Spaceflight Industries also has a subsidiary, BlackSky, that provides Earth-imaging data to customers. In November, Spaceflight Industries filed an offering of $29.9 million in debt and other securities. The company said $22 million had already been sold, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Blake said he sees Spaceflights future in providing even more flexibility in launch services and timing. The company now allows customers to move between rocket launches, but charges a change fee. It really becomes more like an airline model, he said. The launch is scheduled to occur at 10:32 a.m. Pacific from Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, Calif. This will mark the first time SpaceX uses a first-stage booster that has flown twice before. If successful, it will be SpaceXs 19th launch of the year, marking its highest annual launch total yet. samantha.masunaga@latimes.com Twitter: @smasunaga Inside Syrias Deadly Dynasty, a fascinating two-hour special that airs Sunday on the National Geographic network, documents the rise of Syrian President Bashar Assad from an unassuming London eye doctor to a brutal dictator who is feared in his own country and across the Middle East. The documentary is a behind-the-scenes look at a man whose name has become synonymous with the last decade of unrest in Syria. Americans know him as the enigmatic figure who has seemed eerily calm no matter the atrocities being committed by his forces, but this documentary provides a deeper understanding of how hes been able to hold on to power despite international outrage. The film chronicles the Assad familys reign from 1970 to present day with an emphasis on how, under Bashars leadership, the country lapsed into a civil war thats taken half a million lives the vast majority civilian and caused one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century. As president, he oversaw the chemical attacks of his own people, the air bombings of civilian neighborhoods and the torture and killing of anyone, including children, who dared to oppose him. Mixing narration with firsthand accounts, Inside Syria paints a fascinating and disturbing picture of an enigmatic ruler whose gentle public persona is at odds with the ruthless tactics hes used to stay in power. In archival and original footage, interviews from outside sources with Bashar and his wife, Asma, and exclusive sit-downs with dissidents, former friends of the ruling family, foreign diplomats and others, the documentary tells the story of Bashars unlikely succession to power and what thats meant for the fate of Syria. Advertisement Inside Syria starts with the story of Bashars father, Hafez Assad, who was born into the poor Alawite minority and worked his way up through the military. He took over in 1970 on the back of a military coup, and as president was known as a strongman who ruled with an iron first. He primed his eldest son, Bassel, a soldier whom many describe as a natural-born leader, to be his predecessor. But when Bassel died in a car crash in 1994, Bashar became the reluctant alternative. Hafezs second choice for the throne was studying in London to be an eye surgeon when he was called back to Damascus. In contrast to his late brother, the lanky, awkward Bashar was unsure of himself, rarely made eye contact and still speaks with a lisp. Many saw him as soft, so Hafez fast-tracked his son through the military before his death in 2000. Sources throughout the documentary explain that Bashars first real challenge was the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Allied forces were there to take down Saddam Hussein, a fellow strongman. He saw the writing on the wall and released hundreds of Islamic extremists from Syrias prisons, armed them and sent them over the border to fight the U.S. and allied troops. The idea was to sow chaos and destabilize U.S. efforts. It worked. By the time the Arab Spring reached Syria in 2011, Bashar had transformed himself from an unsure heir to an unpredictable despot. His forces assassinated high-level opposition in Lebanon, and despite international calls for accountability, he got away with murder. It was a valuable lesson for the leader on how hed deal with his own peoples dissent, even as the world watched. He quashed protesters calls for a more representative government by any means necessary: jailing civilians, opening fire on dissenters, torturing and killing enemies of the state. The Nat Geo documentary deftly marks the contrast between Bashar and other tyrannical leaders in the region by showing his proclivity as a PR master. He and his wife Asma hired damage-control teams to maintain their image as symbols of modernity and level-headedness in an otherwise troubled and tribal region. They speak with British accents and prefer the styles of Europe over regional dress. The Assads arranged fluff-piece interviews with a few outlets at the height of the civil war, and the footage from those interviews is eerie. In one of the interviews, a European reporter sits in the car with the happy husband and wife as they drive up to their mansion, giggling and joking about how Bashar loves to take long drives with the family and listen to the radio. His outward persona helped in dealings with U.S. presidents, presenting himself as an ally who would forward our interests in the Mideast. But hed learned the old bait-and-switch routine from his father: placate them then do exactly the opposite. Its part of an MO thats allowed the Assads to remain in power during nine American presidencies. The Islamic radicals he released, however, came back to Syria in the form of Islamic State and threatened to overthrow his regime. He almost lost control of the country until he partnered with the Russians, and the rest is history. If you want to know why a man like Bashar Assad is still in power today, watch this compelling documentary. Inside Syrias Deadly Dynasty Where: National Geographic When: 9 p.m. Sunday Rated: TV-14 (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 14) lorraine.ali@latimes.com @lorraineali With pop-ups no longer a novelty, Caruso has taken the concept one step further with the launch of Pop Shops at the Grove shopping center. The real estate firm on Thursday toasted the launch of the leasing program, which makes small pockets of the retail center into higher-performing spaces. Pop Shops lets companies test their brands at the center with small standlike spaces dotting the street of The Grove. The program makes its debut with a dozen brands, including FabFitFun, The Giving Keys, Charlotte Tilbury, BaubleBar, Kopari and Uncommon James. Pop Shops is seen as a way to meet demand for The Groves dedicated glass box pop-up space, which opened in 2016. The box has housed more than 20 brands such as Chiara Ferragni, Outdoor Voices, Everlane, Tiffany & Co. and YSL. Theres limited space at the Grove, so we thought how great to be able to experiment with different brands by creating an actual mobile structure that will allow us to house more, said senior vice president of retail operations and leasing, Julie Jauregui. There are a number of brands that want to come to The Grove, but unfortunately theres only so much space. We started with our glass box and that is where we took off. It has been an amazing success for us. We have a waiting list and we really felt like we wanted to expand on the program. A lot of retail centers are filling vacant spaces with pop-ups. Were the opposite. The Grove is trying to find more space. Advertisement Jauregui said the criteria for getting into one of the Pop Shops is no different from the glass pod. Initially, the idea was to cater to digital brands with the offering, but the center ultimately decided to focus on a mix of established and up-and-coming businesses. She pointed to Charlotte Tilbury, which had a residency in the pod and is now one of the Pop Shops brands as an example of how similar the tenant selection process is for both programs. It will probably evolve over time, she said of Pop Shops. We look for brands that have had, in their own right, a lot of success and thats what dictates whether we have them on the property. Looking ahead, Jauregui said Caruso is looking to bring a similar Pop Shops program to its newest portfolio property, Palisades Village, in the Pacific Palisades. Were in the process of crafting pop-ups down there. Its a small center, a dynamic center thats superproductive for us, she said. Right now, we dont have enough space for the brands that want to be there, so we feel like thats probably the next destination for this. More and more shopping centers are looking to iterate on the concept of temporary spaces with short-term leases becoming more commonplace. Macerich earlier this month rolled out its BrandBox concept at Tysons Corner Center in Virginia. The program is aimed at mostly digital brands looking to test the water with brick-and-mortar retail by giving them actual space within a Macerich center. The real estate allocated to BrandBox is modular, meaning the spaces can be broken down or built into different-size storefronts. On the back end is the data collection digital brands have built their businesses on, providing metrics on things such as where shoppers tend to cluster within a store, what zip codes near a mall are helping drive traffic online and how many people are actually walking into the store. Macerichs BrandBox opened with brands such as Winky Lux, DKNY and Naadam. Next year the concept rolls out to Fashion District Philadelphia, Santa Monica Place, Scottsdale Fashion Square, the Shops at North Bridge, the Village at Corte Madera and Washington Square. Known for enlivening the fashion scene, Alessandro Michele is now also taking on high jewelry. The designer will guide Gucci into the realm of high jewelry, with the launch of its first collection next summer, Kering chairman and chief executive officer Francois-Henri Pinault said in an interview with Le Figaro. Under Micheles artistic direction, the luxury powerhouse has been fueling soaring growth at Kering, which also owns high-end jeweler Boucheron and watch label Girard-Perregaux, along with a broad stable of fashion brands. The large names in ready-to-wear turn to high jewelry when they feel ready. You need maturity in order to approach this sector, Pinault said, according to the French daily. Advertisement The 200 pieces of jewelry from the debut collection will be made in Italy and infused with colored stones, he added. The extraordinarily rich and quite unique universe of Alessandro Michele lends itself well today [to the realm of high jewelry]. The jewelry sets he is creating for Gucciwill take their place naturally on the market, predicted Pinault. The sector stands out as a very special category in the market for luxury goods, Luca Solca, head luxury analyst with Exane BNP Paribas wrote in a recent research note. The analyst expects luxury labels to expand their business in the category, with growth in demand supported by multiple factors. Gucci ceo Marco Bizzarri, at an investor day in June, set a medium-term goal for the brand to reach 10 billion euros in annual revenues. The label, which pioneered fashion watches in the Seventies, has infused its fashion jewelry with house references from Micheles extravagant styles. Good morning. Im Paul Thornton, and it is Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Mexico has a new president today. Lets take a look back at the week in Opinion. By the time this newsletter lands in your inbox, it may already be obsolete. This edition leads off Russia, the lodestone thats been hanging around the Trump administrations neck since Day 1 specifically, the possibility that Paul Manafort may be pardoned; more on that later and things have accelerated so quickly in special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation that it may be pointless to commit any analysis to print before the end of this presidency. But news about the Trump Organizations ethically unacceptable secret negotiation during the 2016 campaign to build a Moscow skyscraper just reinforces what anyone who strongly opposes this administration has believed (correctly) since Inauguration Day: This presidency was bound to be defined by its sleaziness. It might be surprising, then, that a president would behave like a mob boss in getting information about an investigation from an attorney supposedly looking out for the best legal interest of his client in this case, former campaign chairman Manafort but it shouldnt be surprising that Trump would behave this way. Which brings us back to Manafort, who was ostensibly a cooperating witness for Mueller while his attorney was in communication with Trumps lawyers. Its been said that the only way Manaforts behavior makes sense is if he believed he would be getting a pardon from the president and in an interview this week, Trump refused to take pardoning Manafort off the table. Such an action, warns The Times Editorial Board, would be solid grounds for impeachment, and Trump should walk back his remarks now: On Tuesday, the New York Times reported that one of Manaforts lawyers had repeatedly briefed Trumps attorneys about Manaforts conversations with federal investigators after Manafort agreed to cooperate with Mueller. Legal experts have called that a violation of legal norms. You dont have to be a conspiracy theorist to suspect that all these developments are related. After pushing Jeff Sessions out of the Justice Department, Trump did not take the obvious step of designating Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein as acting attorney general. Instead, he installed Sessions chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, who was critical of the Mueller probe before he joined the administration. That clearly threatens the credibility of the investigation. For the moment, Mueller has been proceeding on several fronts, including an exploration of whether Trump associate Roger Stone is linked to WikiLeaks and the release during the 2016 campaign of Democratic Party emails hacked by Russians. (Stone has denied any wrongdoing.) On Thursday, prosecutors announced that Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer and fixer, had pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about when discussions about a possible Trump real estate project in Moscow came to an end. Given these developments, Trump might be tempted to take action against Mueller from which he so far has reluctantly refrained. ... Trump repeatedly has insisted that there was no collusion between Russia and his campaign. If the president is confident of his innocence, he should stop the disgraceful attacks on Mueller and expeditiously nominate a new attorney general whose impartiality when it comes to the Mueller investigation cant be questioned. As for pardons for those the special counsel has prosecuted, Trump must take them off the table. The only message he should be sending to Manafort and others caught up in Muellers investigation is to tell the truth and accept the consequences. >> Click here to read more Trump cant fire Muellers grand jury. The Senate blocked a bill to protect the special counsel, but the group of 16 to 23 randomly selected citizens that has been issuing indictments in the Mueller investigation needs no such protection. Only the presiding judge can dissolve the grand jury, and if the president fires Mueller, its that judges prerogative to appoint another prosecutor. L.A. Times The rest of the country has snow days. We have smoke days, and not the cigarette kind. The choking air in Northern Californias population centers forced the closure of schools, but not in the same way that inclement winter weather in the Midwest provides for a joyful respite outdoors. Libraries and businesses with filtered indoor air were filled with people during the Camp fire, but that escape from the polluted outdoors was probably not enough to prevent lasting damage to peoples health. The Atlantic Let the (smaller) wildfires burn. Its better and more natural than the logging favored by the Trump administration, and thicker forests made so by decades of aggressive fire suppression have created environments ripe for catastrophe. New York Times Democrats won, but they need to campaign more like Republicans. Linguist and cognitive scientist George Lakoff (Fun fact: I had him as a professor at UC Berkeley) doesnt expect Democratic politicians to abandon their fealty to the facts and stir racial resentment, but he does want them to communicate their values and repeat their message a lot. Hillary Clinton never said what her values were, he told columnist Patt Morrison. It was amazing. She just gave policy after policy, but never said what she stood for. L.A. Times The day of the Camp fire, Gina Muse got a voicemail and a few texts from a friend, asking: Can you take in a family of six? Muse, who works as a counselor for the California Department of Rehabilitation, is used to helping people. But she wasnt sure she was up for the task this time. It had only been two months since she moved from Chico to a 1,500-square-foot house in the Los Molinos countryside. The 51-year-old had moved to Tehama County for peace and quiet, and she hadnt even unpacked. Muse said she prayed. What am I supposed to do? she asked. The answer came quickly. She called her friend back half an hour later. Yes. Give them my address. Advertisement In the aftermath of the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history, ordinary Californians are opening their doors and welcoming in strangers who have lost everything. Across the region, homeless fire evacuees have been invited to live in spare bedrooms, sleep on couches or park their RVs and trailers in backyards and driveways. Often, these strangers are finding each other online, via social media posts and websites that have sprouted up to place evacuees with people committed to sheltering them. Created by the North Valley Property Owners Assn., CampFireHousing.org has hundreds of listings from people offering temporary, short-term and permanent housing, often at no cost. Airbnbs Open Homes program, where hosts can offer fire victims free housing on a temporary basis, has helped accommodate about 700 people in Northern California, according to a company spokesperson. The outpouring of generosity has come amid a severe housing crisis that existed even before the Camp fire but has been worsened by the influx of tens of thousands of residents who evacuated the towns of Paradise, Concow and Magalia. Hotels are full, the rental market is virtually nonexistent, and scams attempting to take advantage of the desperate have proliferated. The worst of human nature is on display but so is the humanitarian spirit. It seems like every other person I talk to is living with someone or has someone living with them, said Kyle Abraham, who listed his own property on CampFireHousing.org. I know people who have multiple families in their home, multiple trailers on their property, he said. And its really cool to see. Colleen Lucas, 23, and her mom Rose Lucas, 64, lost their home in the Camp fire and are living in a donated trailer in Kyle and Marek Abrahams backyard in Chico. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Abraham and his wife, Marek, are hosting two Paradise residents. Rose Lucas, 62, and her 23-year-old daughter Colleen arrived a little over a week ago and have been living in a travel trailer in the couples backyard. Rose lost her rental home and almost all of her belongings in the fire but was able to keep her job as a nanny. Colleens house was spared, but her work at a Paradise preschool ended when the families it served fled town. The Lucases have a key to the house and the Abrahams word that they can stay as long as they need to. I think well make it a family in some ways, Rose said. Overwhelmed by the couples generosity, she is already looking for ways to be useful. Like I picked up the mail today. I might pull a few weeds. There were some in the Abrahams circle who were leery of their decision to allow strangers to move in. People were like, Oh really, that doesnt make you nervous? said Marek Abraham. But she and her husband readily admit they are the trusting sort. They both work at Enloe Medical Center she is an emergency-room nurse, he is a physician assistant and the urge to help people in crisis is practically second nature. Even now, they still feel as though they arent doing enough. This feels so easy, she said. It doesnt feel like weve done anything. Well, its huge to us, said Rose. In Capay, a rural area of Butte County just west of Chico, Rebekah McCorkle surveyed her 10-acre ranch and decided to get to work. As a general operations manager for a real estate company, McCorkle understood the effect an influx of wildfire evacuees would have on the housing market before most could see it coming. She knew many Paradise residents were retirees on fixed incomes that wouldnt go far in Chico she had family members among them. First, she and some friends laid down gravel to create a pad for RVs, then she listed her property on CampFireHousing.org. Her cousins, a couple in their 70s whose home burned down, arrived first. Then she got word that a young couple with a 10-year-old son needed a place to put their camper, so she raised her hand. She figures she has room for more. Every day, Ive gotten calls, she said. People are just trying to figure out what theyre supposed to do. They need options. This gives them a Plan B. Camp fire evacuee Gage Smith hands his sister Willow Wood to his mother, Desiree Kilpatrick, left, inside the home of Gina Muse, who took them in when they had nowhere to go. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Hours after Gina Muse told her friend yes, Jeff Wood and Desiree Kilpatrick, along with their four kids and Chihuahua-mix Dolly, moved in with her. By then they were almost certain that their mobile home off Bille Road had burned. They had driven through a funnel of flames and spent hours in a Walmart parking lot waiting to reunite with friends. Asking for help is hard for Jeff Wood. Hes good at overcoming obstacles; In the past four years, he lost a job, got evicted and experienced the death of his dad. He knew Desiree and the two boys, 10-year-old Colton and 11-year-old Gage, were tough. They would be able to sleep in the car for a few days. But there was also Ronin, only 7 weeks old, and 2-year-old Willow. So here he was, at a friend of a friends place. The strangers warmed to each other quickly. On their second night together, they had a big spaghetti dinner. Muse, used to living alone, was at first worried about noise. But theyre a quiet, considerate family. The boys take out the trash, rake leaves, stack wood. Willow loves to pet the horse, Gracin. Muse taught Gage how to ride the lawn mower. Jeff Wood spends half the day working as a production analyst for a solar company in Chico and the other half filling out FEMA applications and searching for housing. The couple have been outbid repeatedly. They were almost ripped off by someone requesting a deposit for a home that, it turned out, had already been occupied. Muse has helped them look for housing, too. Shes stopped at shelters to pick up clothes for the kids and diapers for the baby. Jeff Wood notes that he is not quick to open up to people. His circle of loved ones is small. But Muse is family now. Shell be getting Christmas cards for years, he said. Were used to seeing all the bad things in the world, and then you meet people like Gina, he said as he bottle-fed baby Ronin in the living room. Willow climbed onto Muses lap with a picture book. For Muse, it has been a crash course in building an unexpected friendship, and in opening her heart and home to strangers. Its worth it, she said. I feel humbled and blessed. anna.phillips@latimes.com Twitter: @annamphillips Emergency phone calls telling Paradise residents to run from the massive Camp fire failed to reach more than a third of even the minority who signed up for the warnings, according to a data review by The Times on Friday. Many of the towns residents said they relied on calls from alarmed relatives and the sight of approaching flames to flee from Californias worst fire on Nov. 8. Logs released Friday show the official warning system reached fewer than 6,200 of the 27,000 who live in the ridge-top community. At least 88 people died in the blaze and more than 100 are still missing. The data underscore major flaws in a phone-based warning system that authorities have frequently relied upon in major disasters, including a string of catastrophic fires that have plagued California in the last two years. Advertisement Call failure reports released by the Butte County Sheriffs Office at the request of The Times show that the first evacuation orders requested by firefighters at the scene of the massive blaze frequently failed to connect. About as many calls went to voicemail as were answered by a live person. Even the calls that were answered went to only a fraction in Paradise an estimated 30% who subscribed to the phone-based CodeRed system contracted for by Butte County and owned by California-based OnSolve. The success rate dropped even further as the fire swept over Paradise and took down cellphone towers and panicked residents picked up their phones and jammed capacity in remaining cell lines. Logs show that more than half of some efforts to reach subscribed Paradise residents simply failed to go through. There were like seven to nine towers that went down, so that was huge, said Paradise Police Chief Eric Reinbold. The outages also forced the citys police department to abandon its dispatch center. Reinbold said he believed the fire interrupted efforts to send evacuation orders. He did not know that a full evacuation of the entire town was ever ordered. It just rolled through, he said. Cellphone companies must report to the state major incidents that cut communications, but those reports to the California Public Utilities Commission are confidential, said a commission spokeswoman. Leigh Bailey, whose Magalia neighborhood was placed under a mandatory evacuation order hours after the blaze began, said she never received an alert that day even though she had signed up for the CodeRed warning system. She first learned about the fire from a neighbor who didnt think it would threaten the town, so she went back inside to enjoy coffee cake and tea. By the time the 54-year-old realized she needed to leave, the main evacuation route was jammed with traffic. She had to navigate a dirt canyon road used by firefighters to escape. We never got a single notification. Nothing came over our cellphones, she said. Troy Harper, general manager of OnSolves public sector division, said a number of factors can delay CodeRed alerts from reaching their targets. Though the companys system a network of 12 data centers around the world can theoretically push out a message to hundreds of thousands of phones in one area in a minute, there is no telecommunications infrastructure in the United States set up to handle an influx that large, Harper said. In Northern California, he said, the system is generally limited to 2,000 to 4,000 calls a minute. As a result, neighbors can receive the same warning minutes or even hours apart. Such delays were found in Paradise, with more than half an hour delay in the receipt of emergency orders to leave. The system relies on the same cellphone towers and phone lines strung along power poles that residents are using to call 911, neighbors and relatives during an emergency. All that traffic at once can clog the system, further delaying messages going through, he said. The morning the Camp fire began, CodeRed alerts hit a busy signal at twice the rate the company typically sees in an emergency, Harper said. He noted that the alert system also sent out texts and emails to those who signed up. Its not a blue sky day, so we expect to see some additional capacity on the infrastructure, he said. Thats why we always train our clients to use all modes of applicable communications. But the county did not use the federal Wireless Emergency Alert system that employs a separate frequency to send an Amber Alert-style tone, buzz and message to all cellphones in a specific area simultaneously. Its one of the tools in the toolbox, Harper said, adding that authorities can also use social media, go door-to-door with loudspeakers and employ the federal emergency alert system that reaches televisions and radios. Fridays reports come amid growing concern about the lack of warning residents received before the Camp fire, which destroyed more than 14,000 homes. At a legislative hearing earlier this week, emergency experts and lawmakers pointed to numerous problems with the towns evacuation and said the state must work to improve its warning system. Paradise officials initially limited evacuation orders to just the side of town closest to the fire hoping to keep the limited exit routes clear for those who needed to escape first. Some residents heard of the evacuation order from police cars driving by, barking the warnings through a loudspeaker. Others had to find out by door knocks or text messages from neighbors. The strategy failed the blaze moved too fast. The police chief said there was no time for a citywide evacuation order the citys own system went down in the midst of a partial order. Some regions of Paradise were not told to evacuate until hours after the blaze had burned through. Resident Keri Bush said her home security cameras showed the house burned by fire roughly two hours before the 4:17 p.m. order to evacuate came through. California has experienced unprecedented destruction from wildfires over the last two years, which has highlighted major flaws in the emergency alert systems, including a failure to use the latest technology to broadcast Amber Alert-style warnings on cellphones ahead of deadly disasters. The Sonoma County Sheriffs Office decided not to send a blanket alert over the federal Wireless Emergency Alert system as the Tubbs fire leaped from wildlands into Santa Rosa last year. Many people were caught unaware about the fires path until they were at risk; some were awakened when the flames were on their doorsteps. At least 22 people died. When the Woolsey fire swept into Malibu last month, many of the citys residents said they received no warning when the blaze moved into their neighborhoods. Some of them complained to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, demanding that officials come up with a better emergency notification system. At this weeks legislative hearing, Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) said only 45 of Californias 58 counties have signed on to a wireless emergency alert system that is tied to a federal warning program that transmits communications through cellphones and broadcasters when wildfires start. paige.stjohn@latimes.com joseph.serna@latimes.com A pair of Central American men believed to be in the country illegally were charged in federal court in San Diego on Friday with assaulting U.S. Border Patrol agents in separate incidents Thursday night near Imperial Beach. One of the men was from Honduras and the other from El Salvador, according to the U.S. attorneys office, which alleged that one man elbowed an agent and the other tried unsuccessfully to punch another agent. A statement from federal prosecutors did not say whether either man was believed to have reached the border in the large caravan of asylum-seeking migrants from Central America that arrived last month in Tijuana. Events leading to the arrest of the Honduran suspect began around 9:30 p.m. in an area about four miles west of San Ysidro, and about 400 yards north of the barrier between the U.S. and Mexico, according to the federal criminal complaint. Thats where he was allegedly spotted by authorities along with four other men one from Honduras and three from El Salvador and ordered to lie down Advertisement Prosecutors said the group was initially compliant, with the exception of the suspect, who at one point stood up as a Border Patrol agent was trying to handcuff him. When the other four men stood up and ran, the suspect allegedly elbowed the agent in the chest, and then the agent deployed several strikes to [the suspects] body and head, according to the criminal complaint. The suspect then tried to grab the handcuffs from the agent, sparking a tug-of-war that sent both men tumbling down a hill. The suspect escaped and was at large for about an hour, during which time the other four men were detained, court documents said. The suspect was detained around 10:30 p.m. and placed under arrest, when he allegedly admitted to entering the country without authorization. He was charged Friday with assault on a federal officer and illegal entry. The suspect from El Salvador was detained about 15 minutes later in the same area near Imperial Beach. Prosecutors said he ran toward a Border Patrol agent apparently unprovoked and reached back with his arm and swung at the agent. The agent said he avoided the punch and wrestled the suspect to the ground, but the man momentarily escaped and ran south toward the border fence, court documents said. He was detained as he tried to scale the fence to cross back into Mexico, the documents said. The suspect allegedly admitted to being from El Salvador and entering the U.S. without authorization. He, too, was charged Friday with assault on a federal officer and illegal entry. Border Patrol agents and federal prosecutors said it was at least the third incident involving an assault on a federal officer near the border this week. Riggins writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Dick and Carol Stein loaded up a moving van and trailer in mid-October and drove away from their Laguna Beach home of 54 years, headed to a community in Northern California that Carol called peaceful. Three weeks later, the couple were fleeing the Camp fire, which consumed their new house in Paradise. We left a very beautiful home that my husband had done so much personal work on, and that was heartbreaking. And then now, everything that weve ever gathered together through our 66 years [of marriage] is gone too, said Carol, 83. The couple and their daughter Linda their live-in caregiver for several years uprooted from Laguna on Oct. 18 to move closer to the couples grandson and his family in Chico. Advertisement Family photos, genealogical records that Carol had collected, nine bicycles and medals from Dicks road-racing years all of it went into the moving truck. But on Nov. 8, all their nostalgic, wonderful memories gone, said the couples youngest daughter, Susan. The morning the Camp fire alighted on the eastern edge of Paradise and began roaring across more than 150,000 acres of Butte County, the Stein family was unaware of the coming danger. Linda was at a bocce tournament in Reno with Susan, a legal secretary in Irvine. Their parents were tinkering in their new kitchen, where Dick, 85, was installing a faucet. Carols phone rang with an urgent message from Matthew Schneider, their grandson. His wife had received an alert on her phone that the east side of Paradise was being evacuated. The Steins prepared to leave their home in west Paradise. Dick Stein, 85, and Carol Stein, 83, had to flee the Camp fire twice on Nov. 8. (Courtesy of Susan Stein) Dick began gathering clothes. Carol took cat treats into the bedroom, trying to coax their two 9-year-old cats out from under the bed and into carriers. Within 15 minutes, flames began tearing down their street at 50 mph. They were gigantic Id say 30 to 40 feet high. Just one solid mass of fire, Carol said. The fire moved so quickly into our area we didnt know if we were going to escape it. With a few clothes, Carols ruby necklace and the ashes of her recently deceased nephew in hand, the couple loaded up their car again, this time to leave Paradise. The trees across the street were in flames as they left. My biggest concern most of the time was having to leave my cats behind, Carol said. That was really hard on me. The cats fate is unclear. The Steins headed to their grandsons home, joining what Carol called a mass exodus from Paradise. At the bocce tournament in Reno, Susan received a call from her mother saying they were evacuating. Skyway, the only road out of Paradise still open, had been turned from two lanes to four, yet they were stuck in traffic. The air was so thick with smoke that they had to blindly follow the taillights of a truck in front of them. And they had no water. Then the phone cut off. We were just dumbfounded, really. Just didnt know what to do, Susan said. We were just hopeful we would get another call. Susan and Linda pored over news channels, trying to find updates about the fire. They saw stories about people abandoning their vehicles to run from the flames. The Camp fire would become Californias deadliest wildfire, killing about 85 people and wiping out nearly 19,000 buildings. An hour after Carols call cut off, she called back. What a great relief that was, just to hear their voices, Susan said. And then to hear their story, [it] was just amazing that they made it out. Dick and Carol arrived at the Schneiders home in Chico later that day, but they werent safe for long. That evening, Chico was evacuating. Dick and Carol got into their car and, for the second time that day, fled the Camp fire. This time, they drove toward Reno, where they finally reached safety. For two weeks, the couple stayed at a Reno hotel with Susan and Linda. The daughters spent every day with their parents, filing for emergency insurance funding, setting up a post office box to receive paperwork and, as Susan said, helping them [get] their balance back. They come from very hardy stock, I guess, because they are really resilient and just staying positive and [putting] one foot in front of the other, Susan said. They are really strong people. After a week staying with various family members, Dick, Carol and Linda left Wednesday for Oregon, where the couples third daughter, Catherine, lives. They are searching for a place to lease in Northern California. They still hope to live close to their grandsons family, whose home survived the fire. We really, truly feel lucky to be alive, Carol said. That in itself is enough to keep us going. Pinho writes for Times Community News. Good morning. Is it December already? Apparently so. Time for holiday stuff, which in this town can mean chestnut gelato and sea salt caramels, and I guess some farmers market salad to go with it. So if youre now thinking again about the lettuce in your fridge, Robin Abcarian has a terrific piece about the romaine scare. And Ive been making pancakes, stacks of them. Because having a pancake party is a great way to entertain, to feed your family and friends, in your pajamas. This week we also have a story about a noted restaurant in Nashville, another one in a Little Tokyo taqueria, and an update on a burger joint in Boyle Heights. Back in the kitchen, we consider how to make oversized latkes, conveniently in time for Hanukkah, or to make anytime. Because we dont really need a reason to make pancakes, whether with cornmeal and blueberries or potatoes and root vegetables. Lastly, our annual party to celebrate 101 of our favorite restaurants is happening on Monday night. It will be as bittersweet as those holiday tamales, true, and yet time to celebrate this citys fantastic food and the folks who continue make it. Enjoy the weekend. Amy Scattergood Advertisement HOW TO PANCAKE A pancake party with whole-grain pancakes and local fruit. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) If you make pancakes as much as I do, then you might get a kick out of our latest Entertaining story, in which I have a pancake social at home. In my world, that translates into having a few friends over for stacks of whole-grain pancakes, lemon ricotta, sauteed local apples, my mothers brown sugar syrup and plenty of shots. Your Calvados, my espresso. OYSTERS AND JELL-O SHOTS Red snapper crudo at Henrietta Red in Nashville. (Andrew Thomas Lee / Henrietta Red) For our latest Eaten Path story, an occasional feature that highlights a recent meal outside Los Angeles, Andrea Chang considers Henrietta Red in Nashville where she finds Jell-O shots, oysters and some of the best seafood in Music City. BIG LATKE An oversize russet and root vegetable latke. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) Food writer Adeena Sussman gives both recipe and back story for oversized latkes, applicable for Hanukkah and otherwise. The potato pancakes are delicious and a royal pain for the person making them. In fact it was last year, mopping my brow frying for friends as they drank cocktails within earshot, that I decided Id officially had my last canola-oil-steam facial. BAD SON A chicken mole taco from the new Bad Son Tacos in Little Tokyo. (Bad Son Tacos) Bad Son Tacos is a tiny taqueria in a Little Tokyo supermarket where you can find mole tacos, street corn and co-owner, chef and bad son Elvis Prado, writes Hadley Tomicki. (The name is a reference to a father-son argument, since patched up and now a source of some amusement.) BOYLE HEIGHTS BURGERS A cheeseburger combo at the new Georges Burger Stand in Boyle Heights. (Georges Burger Stand) As Hadley reports in his food news column, the folks who brought us Guisados (thank you, thank you), recently took over Georges Burger Stand in Boyle Heights (chili cheeseburgers, breakfast burritos, pastrami sandwiches). Also: a new kaiseki restaurant, more excellent chocolate, changes at Valerie Confections. 101 Restaurants We Love: On the evening of Dec. 3, a celebration of Los Angeles top restaurants brings together the best of the best, serving you samples from their acclaimed menus. Join us as we reveal the Los Angeles Times 101 Restaurants We Love list for 2018. Youll enjoy unlimited bites from our handpicked favorites, along with craft cocktails and live music. At the MacArthur, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $135. Check us out on Instagram at @latimesfood. And dont forget the thousands of recipes in our California Cookbook recipe database. Feedback? Wed love to hear from you. Email us at food@latimes.com. Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It is Saturday, Dec. 1. Heres what you dont want to miss this weekend: TOP STORIES L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar personally asked companies that do business at City Hall to donate to a private school where his wife was working as a professional fundraiser and also assigned his staff to help with the effort, according to interviews and documents reviewed by The Times. Huizar instructed staffers to work on a yearly fundraiser for Bishop Mora Salesian High School in Boyle Heights, and the assignment was considered part of their job duties, according to interviews with former aides and a lawsuit filed by one. Los Angeles Times Flaws in the system Advertisement Emergency phone calls telling Paradise residents to flee the massive Camp fire failed to reach more than a third of even the minority who had signed up for the warnings, according to a data review by The Times on Friday. The data underscore major flaws in a phone-based warning system that authorities have frequently relied upon in major disasters, including a string of catastrophic fires that have plagued California in the last two years. Los Angeles Times Plus: Crews tasked with cleaning up Paradise and surrounding Butte County towns will remove up to 8 million tons of wildfire debris and complete the job by summer, according to officials. Los Angeles Times An aerial view of Clark Road in Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 15, a week after the Camp fire erupted. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) South of the border Mexico will embark on an era of high expectations and profound uncertainty Saturday under the leadership of one of the countrys most enigmatic political figures Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Lopez Obrador, who rode populist rhetoric and a vow of a national transformation to a landslide election in Julys balloting, is set to begin a six-year term as Mexicos 57th president. The inauguration will mark the stunning revival of a twice-defeated presidential aspirant who ran under the leftist banner of his own party and who represents a stark departure from Mexicos recent run of mostly drab, technocratic leaders. Los Angeles Times A former president dies George Herbert Walker Bush, the linchpin of an American political dynasty and 41st president of the United States, who rode foreign policy triumphs to high popularity at the end of the Cold War only to suffer a revolt in his own party and a painful defeat for reelection, has died. He was 94. Los Angeles Times Plus: Did you know Bush lived in Compton in 1949? In 1992, The Times revisited his old address. Los Angeles Times AROUND CALIFORNIA An agreement amid discord: President Trump and the leaders of Canada and Mexico signed a revision of the quarter-century-old North American Free Trade Agreement, but their ceremony did not disguise the tensions remaining or lessen the doubts of whether a new Congress would approve the pact. Los Angeles Times The sun sets for Sunset mag: Created by Southern Pacific Railroad to promote westward travel, Sunset magazine has long been a tastemaker for the masses, popularizing backyard barbecues, hot tubs, mid-century architecture, weekend getaways, California wines and food culture, including a boom in avocados. The pioneering publication survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the Great Depression and ownership changes. But there are dark clouds on Sunsets horizon. Los Angeles Times Great new book: Los Angeles is refracted in all its irreducible, unexplainable glory in Dear Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times Shred! Southern Californias ski resorts got their first snowfall from Thursdays storm, with some spots in the San Bernardino Mountains receiving up to 8 inches. More snow may be on the way Saturday evening. Los Angeles Times Plaschke on purple and gold: The Lakers are still on the hunt for their identity in this unusual season. Los Angeles Times More personnel to the border? Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has requested the deployment of civilian law enforcement officers from several other Cabinet departments to the U.S.-Mexico border as early as next week. Politico Follow the money: A married military couple who had to pay thousands of dollars to boot their tenants in order to move back into their Oakland home say the city law requiring the fee violates their rights. San Francisco Chronicle Fun data: Where state props succeeded and failed across California. CalMatters Out and about in K-town: Two former officials in Californias liquor agency pleaded guilty Thursday to running a bribery scheme that for years targeted karaoke bar owners in Los Angeles Koreatown. Los Angeles Times Rebuild mode: These men want to lead Californias Republican Party, or whats left of it. Press Enterprise MLBs next big thing: What the Oakland As plan for a stadium says about new ballparks. ESPN A film critics view: What the movies taught me about being a woman. New York Times Get the Essential California newsletter THIS WEEKS MOST POPULAR STORIES IN ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA 1. From adding lactation stations to considering child care needs, Congress is rushing to adapt to a record number of women. Politico 2. Hidden in L.A. suburbia, wrenching poverty preys on children and destroys dreams. Los Angeles Times 3. How to order In-N-Out fries that dont totally suck. LAist 4. In a stunner, this new city is trying to muscle in to buy the 2,500-acre Tres Hermanos Ranch. Orange County Register 5. The Butte County sheriff lists 475 people still missing in the Camp fire. Are they really? Sacramento Bee ICYMI, HERE ARE THIS WEEKS GREAT READS Where the romaine roams: For some romaine farmers on Californias Central Coast, the E. coli scare is a maddening mystery. Los Angeles Times Fascinating: How artist Sandy Rodriguez tells todays fraught immigration story with pre-Columbian painting tools. Los Angeles Times Toxic workplace: Many black workers at Tesla say they faced racism, including being assigned menial tasks and confronted with slurs and swastikas. New York Times Who knew? Could this obscure California agency derail Jerry Browns Delta tunnels? Sacramento Bee Yum! A mini Filipino food tour in Daly City with a pro. SF Gate Your long read: The genius neuroscientist who might hold the key to artificial intelligence. Wired Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Benjamin Oreskes and Shelby Grad. Also follow them on Twitter @boreskes and @shelbygrad. Congress can help atone for the nations horrific past by finally making lynching a federal crime Since the Civil War, Americans have struggled to define what seems to be obvious: What is a lynching? It conjures visions of a mob pulling a man from a jail cell, hauling him to a tree and throwing a rope over a branch. But debates have centered on how how many people must take part in such an extrajudicial killing for it to qualify as a lynching (the NAACP suggested in 1921 at least five). And must the motive be racial? Was the hanging of a suspected white horse thief in the Wild West by ranch hands the same as a white Southern mob, amid taunts, jeers and spit, turning a black man accused of insulting a white woman into strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees, as Billie Holliday once sang? Do the nuances really matter? Its true that not all lynching victims were black, but blacks were overwhelmingly the targets (and many white victims of lynching had defended blacks or opposed lynching). We cannot sever that horrific practice from our disgraceful history of racism. Slavery was abominable, and to this day the nation is influenced by the riches from New England shipowners to New York financiers to Southern farmers and brokers and the evils of our original sin. Lynching became slaverys evil spawn, acts of indefensible extrajudicial brutality meant to scare former slaves and their descendants to hew to their constricted place in a white society. After slavery, these acts of terrorism more than 4,700 documented cases from 1882 to 1968 became the ultimate expression of racism and white supremacy. Rather than being shamed, some whites celebrated racial lynching. Photographers sold pictures and postcards as souvenirs; to this day you can see white faces beam smiles into the camera as bloody bodies dangle gruesomely overhead. Some of the cards collected and posted on the Without Sanctuary site, part of a 1999 book and film project, are shocking in the banality of the notes to friends. Well John, reads the back of one card sent to Dr. John W.F. Williams of Lafayette, Ky. This is a token of a great day we had in Dallas, March 3, a negro was hung for an assault on a three year old girl. I saw this on my noon hour. I was very much in the bunch. You can see the negro hanging on a telephone pole. That photo was dated March 3, 1910 two years after the post office supposedly banned lynching cards from the mails. It is to this nations continuing embarrassment that Congress has, for generations, failed to make lynching a federal crime (Philip Dray documented the history in his At the Hands of Persons Unknown: The Lynching of Black America). It wouldnt act more than a century ago when it might have made a difference, as local prosecutors looked the other way or local juries refused to indict or convict. And it wont act today, even after the laws necessity has faded and its value resides primarily in its symbolism. The old argument against a federal anti-lynching law is that murder is a state crime and not the business of the federal government. States rights and all that. But that argument was fig leaf over the racism that propelled lynching, in which local and state prosecutions of the perpetrators were rare, convictions rarer still. The 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection of the laws, and when local communities in numbers small and large come together to use collective violence to repress African Americans, that is clearly a federal interest. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) has co-sponsored a fresh piece of legislation to classify a lynching as a deprivation of civil rights essentially a federal anti-lynching law that she says would give the Justice Department a few more teeth in prosecuting attempted lynching and conspiracy. Yet as Times reporter Jaweed Kaleem wrote this week, the prognosis for its passage isnt much better than the fate of its 200-plus predecessors. Why is unclear. It could be that lynching has moved to an out of sight, out of mind status, even though three white supremacists lynched James Byrd Jr. only 20 years ago in East Texas by beating him then chaining him to a truck while he was still alive and dragging him three miles. All three perpetrators were convicted; one has been executed, a second is on death row and the third is serving a life sentence. Those local authorities, unlike their predecessors elsewhere in the South, did their jobs. So, some question, why bother with a law now? Isnt this just a symbolic gesture? Yes, it is a symbolic gesture. But a necessary one. Lynching served as a powerfully intimidating symbol behave yourselves, lest you meet the same fate that resonates today. Racism in the workplace often surfaces as a noose left in a locker or on a desk. Three years ago two members of the University of Oklahomas Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity were expelled (inappropriately given the right to even hateful speech) and the chapter shut down after a video surfaced of members singing a song including the N-word, You can hang em from a tree / But hell never sign with me / There will never be a ... SAE. Just last year, nooses were left at the African American Museum in Washington, D.C. The symbolic weight of that despicable act is heavy. The U.S. Senate did approve a resolution in 2005 apologizing to lynching victims and their descendants for failing to act in the past. It passed in a late-night voice vote; 11 senators opted not to co-sponsor it. We cannot, of course, turn back the calendar and undo the sins of our forebears. But we also cannot ignore them, or their legacy. In an era in which African Americans take to the streets to protest the killings of unarmed black men by police, when reported hate crimes are on the upswing, when the president uses dog-whistle racism to mobilize his hard-right political base, when minority neighborhoods are over-policed and when African Americans disproportionately are subject to death sentences, Congress standing up now and correcting this historical wrong by making lynching a federal crime would send a powerful symbol to the entire nation. And not passing this measure would also send a message, one that would reflect poorly on Congress, and on the nation. Four Trump-circle rogues in the news this week have shed light on a perplexing mystery of our time. Why in the world do educated American men, with families, do moronic, dangerous and treacherous things like, apparently, colluding with the Kremlin to install a puppet in the White House? The particular rogues Im thinking of are President Trumps former campaign manager, Paul Manafort; Trumps former lawyer-fixer Michael Cohen; conspiracy theorist and Trump cheerleader Jerome Corsi; and Trump Organization advisor Felix Sater. Each man has at varying times had ample means and opportunity to connect President Trump with Russian authorities and agents. For this and ancillary reasons, they are all now squarely in the hot seat of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Means and opportunity. But what were their motives? Advertisement Manafort is 69. Corsi, 72. Sater, 52. Cohen is also 52. This is worth noting because these men were all born during the Cold War, back when Russia stood for oppressive dictatorship and America for liberal democracy. Saters family even fled religious persecution in the Soviet Union. Helping the Kremlin do anything, let alone helping it elect a U.S. president, would have been unthinkable in their young adulthoods. Would the words even parse? Means and opportunity. But what were their motives? Whats more, all of these men were brought up in earnest religious traditions. Manafort and Corsi were raised as Catholics. Sater and Cohen are members of Chabad, the Orthodox Jewish Hasidic movement. They are all college educated, with Georgetown and and Harvard on two of the resumes. They must have, long ago, shown promise as intelligent, accomplished, even principled young men. But those days are far off. Manafort is in prison. Cohen has been indicted, and Corsi is expecting an indictment. Manafort and Cohen signed plea deals with Mueller, though Manafort breached his, as we learned this week. Sater already served time in prison for assault, and avoided jail time as a criminal informant after pleading guilty to a $40-million stock scheme. He has met more than once with the Mueller team and, according to reports, facilitated contacts between the Kremlin, Trumps business and his campaign. Why, why, why did these men do who knows what-all to aid Trump? It appears they all had different motives. Manaforts demon is self-evident: greed. The peacocking man of Tabriz rugs and jungle-cat lawn statues seems to have joined the Trump campaign in hopes of peddling influence. He was deep in the red and couldnt get a loan to save his ostrich-skin hide. He presumably also feared his Kremlin-aligned creditors, who are not known for forbearance. Manafort was in it for the money. Of course, Cohen also wanted money who doesnt? but he never lived as ostentatiously as Manafort. Manafort liked to play the big shot establishing, according to his associate Rick Gates, a whole separate shadow government structure [in Ukraine] but Cohen was nowhere near as shrewd or ambitious. Instead of greed, Cohens Achilles heel was his craven, Smithers-like need for head-pats from Trump. He has said hed take a bullet for the sleazeball tycoon, and once he excoriated Sater: Not you or anyone you know will embarrass me in front of Mr. T. When Cohen admitted lying to Congress, was anyone surprised? He tried mightily to engage the Kremlin in a Trump-branded tower in Moscow, during the presidential campaign, because he wanted to score points with Mr. Trump. What man of 50-plus calls his longtime boss Mr.? Saters devil-may-care motives are at least vaguely endearing. He was in it, he told Andrew Rice in New York magazine, for the adventure. Known to prosecutors as the key to open a hundred different doors, Sater liked the lark of trading jokes with the FBI, mobsters, high-placed politicians, billionaires and good-time Charlies and Sergeys. I once met Sater and, man, does he like to party. A surprisingly literary bon vivant, Sater told me he should have been an academic historian or a person of letters like Gary Shteyngart (hes a fan), but that in his line of work crime and anti-crime he gets to meet intellectuals and fly around the world, and thats enough for him. Corsis motives are the most pathological. When Ari Melber, on MSNBC, asked him if he understood why people dont believe him, he told a disturbingly pointless childhood story thats too weird even to summarize here. He also gibbered to Melber about Obamas birth certificate and Lee Harvey Oswalds rifle. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Ive had this problem all my life, he admitted, without a clear referent. Asked if he lied to Congress about who tipped him off to what Kremlin-linked WikiLeaks was about to publish in July 2016 (Democratic Party emails), Corsi said, British Petroleum becomes BP and now theyre Beyond Petroleum. Is that a lie? Its a repositioning. Mmmkay. Eventually, Corsi conceded, with a note of despair: I dont think the way other people do. This time Corsi hit the nail squarely on the head, and hes speaking for all the presidents men. They have outsized compulsions, as well as profound moral and cognitive failings. But the self-aware Corsi hypothesis is the best answer to the question why. These men, including Donald Trump, sold out our country because ... they dont think the way other people do. Twitter: @page88 UPDATES: 11 a.m.: This article was updated to correct the wording of Michael Cohens statement to Felix Sater. George H.W. Bush, who lived a long life of public service, embodied a lost virtue in American politics: the idea of restraint. He was a man of modest goals whose often-ridiculed lodestar was prudence, the determination not to make things worse. Moderation was part of his appeal, and it helped the former congressman, diplomat, CIA director and Reagan vice president to win the presidential election of 1988. But it was also clearly one of his flaws, and in 1992, it pushed him toward defeat. The lesson to most of his successors, including his own son, was unfortunate: Restraint and moderation are for losers. As soon as news broke Friday of Bushs death, he began to be eulogized for his patrician, almost quaint manners; his reluctance to talk about himself (he is the only modern president who didnt write a post-White House memoir); his personal courtesy to opponents; his blizzards of thank-you notes. (He would have been lost as president in the age of Twitter wars.) But his devotion to restraint went well beyond manners. Advertisement It was as if Bush considered campaigns as warfare, but genuine bipartisan compromise as essential to getting anything done. Bush was a conservative but never a zealot. Im not a nut about it, he said in a 1984 television interview. The remark didnt endear him to the Republican Partys true believers, who understood correctly that he was talking about them. Theres something terrible about those who carry it conservatism to extremes. Theyre scary, he wrote in his diary in 1988, in a passage cited by his biographer, Jon Meacham. They will destroy this party if theyre permitted to take over. His domestic policies were the opposite of revolutionary. I want a kinder, gentler nation, he said when he won the 1988 Republican presidential nomination, a goal that sounds impossibly naive today. His willingness to negotiate in reasonably good faith with the opposition allowed him to pass more bipartisan legislation than is often remembered, including the Americans With Disabilities Act and an important updating of the Clean Air Act.The recent federal report warning that climate change will damage the economy was a product of legislation Bush helped pass. Bushs most famous bipartisan compromise, of course, was one that got him into trouble: the 1990 budget deal in which he agreed to raise taxes to help shrink the federal deficit, a betrayal of his read my lips campaign promise. Hard-liners on the right considered it treachery. Newt Gingrich, then a junior member of the House from Georgia, led a congressional rebellion against the deal made by his own partys president a foretaste of future polarization. Foreign policy was Bushs greatest love, and the arena where restraint prudence delivered the best results. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, Bush refused his political aides urgings that he celebrate the event, much less declare U.S. victory in the Cold War. Im not going to dance on the wall, he told them. To Bush, it was far more important that the loser in the struggle, Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev, emerge with his dignity intact and work with the United States to make the outcome peaceful. The collapse of communist governments in Eastern Europe could easily have touched off chaos and wars. Thanks in great part to Bush, it was mostly peaceful a genuinely historic achievement. Bush went to war with Iraq after Saddam Husseins army pushed its way into Kuwait in 1991. When U.S. troops routed the Iraqi army, hawks in Washington urged Bush to keep the fight going, to march on to Baghdad and overthrow the dictator. He refused. Two decades later, his son President George W. Bush, tried the opposite approach. The younger Bush not only toppled Saddam, but he declared that he would also make Iraq a democratic model for the rest of the Arab world. That experiment in unrestraint did not end well. The elder Bush was not mild in all things. In political campaigns, while polite on the surface, he authorized savage attacks on his opponents, most memorably the Willie Horton commercial that accused Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis of letting a black criminal run free. But he didnt govern savagely. It was as if Bush considered campaigns as warfare, but genuine bipartisan compromise as essential to getting anything done. In 1992, when he ran for reelection, restraint turned into a handicap. His agreement to raise taxes, even in the face of rising deficits, enraged the GOP base, leading some right-wing voters to stay home or defect to independent candidate Ross Perot. Then, as the economy slid into a recession, Bush insisted that a federal stimulus plan would be imprudent, and barely even engaged in symbolic measures to help struggling families. His Democratic opponent, Bill (I feel your pain) Clinton, painted him as a plutocrat who didnt care about ordinary people. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion The takeaway among Republicans and some Democrats was that moderation deliberation rather than unbridled action, fewer public words and more private conciliation was for chumps. Moderations cousin, bipartisan compromise on taxes, for example was political suicide: Dont ever risk losing the support of your partys ideological base. A few years ago, the younger Bush praised his father as one of the greatest one-term presidents in the nations history. He meant it as a compliment; he was defending his father as a man whose achievements had been undervalued. But its hard not to notice the fatal qualifier: one-term. If only George H.W. Bush had been a better politician in 1992, he might not have given restraint such a bad name. There might even be one or two moderate Republicans in Congress now. And a kinder, gentler nation would be a goal that politicians would be proud to pursue. Washington-based Doyle McManus is a contributing writer to Opinion. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook You cant blame children for their poverty. Even the most ideologically hardened capitalist would concede that young people who are in school and in most cases are prohibited by law from working full time bear no responsibility for their economic misfortune and are therefore entitled to government assistance. But people can and do blame parents for having children at all which is exactly what several readers did in response to Steve Lopezs first column in his four-part series this week exploring wrenching poverty in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The vast majority of letters responding to the series expressed deep dismay over young children in a city of immense wealth like Los Angeles living in garages or motel rooms. But the subject of Lopezs first column a young mother with four children elicited hardly any sympathy at all from readers, nor even wishes that her situation would improve. Joanna Drury of Encino calls for better education about birth control: Advertisement I was deeply disturbed by Lopezs column about Brenda Salgado, 29, and her four children living in motel rooms. My heart breaks for the children because they had no choice in the matter and are faced with the consequences of Salgados behavior. We, as a civilized society, have an obligation to help those children, but the greater question is how do we teach women about birth control and making wise decisions? We shouldnt judge women whose behavior is prescribed by their situations or religious beliefs, yet I am very angry that they dont realize what misery is prescribed for their unborn children. Kenny Goldberg of Valley Center, Calif., draws distinctions between the mothers hardships: The protagonist in Lopezs story was abused as a child and spent time in juvenile hall and rehab. So its understandable that she is struggling as an adult. What seems like the inadequate handling of her trauma is a failure of our social services. But what about her own failure to limit the number of children that she could financially support? Chino Hills resident Mark Walker puts some of the blame on feminists: This mother is 29 years old and has four children. She has no job, and the kids father does not live with her. If one were honest, one would ask why did she have four children at such a young age? If one were honest, one would ask why did she keep having babies with a man who has problems of his own? As far as I can tell, this person created her own mess and is responsible for her own situation. Feminists have failed regular American women and will continue to do so until they help women like Salgado make better personal choices, including getting an education, getting a job and getting married before having children. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: As a retired elementary school teacher in Moorpark, I can attest to the accuracy of the information contained in Steve Lopezs four-part series on poverty and education. Although the schools where I taught had fewer students living in poverty, I can tell you that any student with absent parents, or who lives with uncertainty about where he will sleep at night or when he will next eat, has a harder time learning. These students are much more anxious about survival than they are interested in the lessons that I prepared. Just as education professor Stephen Krashen stated in a Nov. 22 letter to the editor, even major improvements in teaching will not overcome the effects of poverty, unquestionably the strongest factor in school achievement. The public needs to stop blaming teachers; there are no failing schools. When the social, economic and emotional needs of students are met, they will succeed academically. Advertisement Nancy Cooper, Moorpark .. To the editor: Lopezs brilliant and heartbreaking series should be required reading for every politician and school official in California. I am a product of the Los Angeles Unified School District and the states public university system. My mother was an LAUSD elementary school teacher, teaching in Pacoima and San Fernando, until she received her masters in counseling and went on to become an elementary school counselor in the districts neediest areas. For her, each day was an uphill battle. Sometimes she had to visit the garages were some families lived. But she came home each night knowing she was making a difference in the lives of students. My mother was grateful she had a principal who understood how important counselors were to childrens well-being and was willing to spend some of her budget on a counselor and a psychiatric social worker. One step LAUSD could take would be to make sure schools have this type of support for students. Holly Cantos, Los Angeles .. These students are much more anxious about survival than they are interested in the lessons that I prepared. Nancy Cooper, Moorpark To the editor: Thank you for putting a spotlight on child homelessness. This issue should be a concern for not just every Angeleno, but our entire country. If we truly call ourselves a community, we must act like it and take care of one another, especially those in need. A car seat. A motel room. A garage space. A shelter bed. These are not the homes of our own children, and yet for so many of Americas children these spaces are their home. The United States is not an impoverished, developing country with sparse resources. Look around. You only need to drive through the leafy neighborhoods of West L.A. to see this countrys wealth. Just like every child has the right to an education, we should also ensure that every child in America has the right to a home. Joel John Roberts, Los Angeles The writer is chief executive of the nonprofit People Assisting the Homeless. .. To the editor: I have long admired Lopezs brilliant, insightful and hard-hitting work. His series on childhood poverty in Los Angeles was particularly heart-wrenching. Having been a biology teacher for 50 years, and now currently serving as a volunteer math tutor in a mostly Latino local school, I can see what a difference a real bed in a home means to a childs well-being and future potential. I once had a child tell me that her brother couldnt help her learn her times tables because he was on a special vacation and she didnt know where her dad was. Ill end with two questions: First, what about all the California lottery money? Second, would Lopez consider running for state superintendent of public instruction? Hed have my vote. Jerry Lasnik, Thousand Oaks .. To the editor: Reading Lopezs series brought tears to my eyes, because I have a similar story. My father left our family when I was 4 years old. It was the early 1950s, and my mother had to raise her three children alone. I was emotionally scarred from what I suspect was a terrible experience at school. At the age of 10 I was 50 pounds overweight and could barely read, and I was the target of cruel bullying not only from classmates, but also my brother. My mother was never home because she was out making a living. Now, many decades later, I can look back on a life in which I was able to start two successful businesses and live in homes that I owned. I explain to all my conservative friends that they simply do not know what its like to have nothing, a feeling I can never forget. We need a strong safety net to help people out of poverty. We are only kidding ourselves if we dont have one. Ed Sinderman, Laguna Woods .. To the editor: In the same week scientists landed another robot safely on Mars, we read Lopezs series on children living in garages and moving from motel to motel room while trying to do well at school. Dont get me wrong, I love Star Trek as much as anyone. But why spend billions yes, billions on exploring extraterrestrial geology, while Earths children struggle for the basics today? Where are our priorities? Scott K. Flaschner, Simi Valley Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook For 30 years, North Carolinas Sen. Jesse Helms earned his favored nickname as Senator No by blocking nominees, including African Americans, from becoming federal judges. And though Helms died a decade ago, his legacy lives on in an unusually bitter battle over filling a long vacant federal judgeship in Raleigh and eastern North Carolina. There, more than one-fourth of the population is black, yet no African American has ever served as a federal judge. President Obama nominated two African American women for the seat: Jennifer May-Parker, an assistant U.S. attorney in Raleigh, and Patricia Timmons-Goodson, a justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Both were blocked by North Carolinas Republican senators. Advertisement Last year, President Trump nominated their preferred choice: Thomas Farr, a white Republican from Raleigh who had led the legal defense of the GOP-sponsored law that cut back on early voting and imposed a stricter photo ID rule at the polls. The state law was struck down in 2016 by a federal appeals court that said its many provisions targeted African Americans with almost surgical precision. On Thursday, Farrs nomination failed when the Senates lone black Republican said he would not vote to confirm him. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) pointed to Farrs work as a young lawyer working for the Helms campaign in 1984 and 1990 when more than 120,000 postcards were mailed to black voters warning them they may face criminal charges if, for example, they gave inaccurate information about where they had resided recently. The Justice Departments civil rights division brought a voting-rights complaint against the Helms campaign in 1991 for what it called a postcard mailing program designed to intimidate and threaten black voters, including with false claims about the law. The report repeatedly mentioned Farr, although it noted he was far more involved in the 1984 mailing than in the 1990 effort. Twice, Helms ran for reelection against Harvey Gantt, a popular black mayor of Charlotte, and his campaign highlighted racial issues. That was enough to tip Scott from a tentative yes Wednesday to a no vote Thursday. Until then, it looked like Farr would fill the long vacant seat on a tie-vote in Senate, with Vice President Mike Pence ready to cast the deciding vote. I am ready and willing to support strong candidates for our judicial vacancies that do not have lingering concerns about issues that could affect their decision-making process as a federal judge, Scott said in a statement. He referred to the 1991 Department of Justice memo written under President George H.W. Bush that shed new light on Mr. Farrs activities. This, in turn, created more concerns. Weighing these important factors, this afternoon I concluded that I could not support Mr. Farrs nomination. Civil rights groups praised Scott and outgoing Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) for casting the key votes on the Republican side to block Farr. It would have been an enormous mistake to confirm Thomas Farr to the federal bench, a mistake that would have cast a shadow over both the Senate and the judiciary for decades to come. Farr was plainly unqualified for a lifetime judicial appointment, especially in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where he actively worked to suppress the vote and had ties to a white supremacist group, said Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Veterans of North Carolina politics said the state is still fighting over Helms legacy and his racially-tinged brand of politics. Farr was a close associate of Helms, and after he was gone, he continued the voter suppression efforts, said Rep. David Price (D-N.C.), whose district includes Raleigh. He is not a run-of-the-mill conservative. This was an egregious, in-your-face nomination. Farr would have filled a district judgeship that has been vacant since a Reagan appointee stepped aside in late 2005. Farr had been nominated for the seat late in the term of President George W. Bush, but no action was taken on his nomination then. The move to block Farr in the Senate was a rare setback for President Trump, however. The Senate has already confirmed 84 Trump nominees to the federal bench, including Supreme Court Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh. In just two years, Trump has appointed 29 judges to the federal appellate courts. By comparison, Obama named 55 appellate judges in his eight years in the White House. During his final two years in office, Republicans held control in the Senate and confirmed only two of Obamas appellate judges and 18 district judges, leaving a large block of vacant seats to be filled by Trump appointees. The latest from Washington More stories from David G. Savage david.savage@latimes.com Twitter: DavidGSavage Nixon It is my considered judgment that you should now resign. I expect in your lonely, embattled position this would seem to you as an act of disloyalty from one you have supported and helped in so many ways. My own view is that I would now ill serve a president, whose massive accomplishments I will always respect and whose family I love, if I did not now give you my judgment. August 1974, speaking to President Richard Nixon shortly before he resigned, when Bush was Republican national chairman. Taxes And my opponent won't rule out raising taxes. But I will. And the Congress will push me to raise taxes, and I'll say no, and they'll push, and I'll say no, and they'll push again. And I'll say to them: Read my lips. No new taxes. Aug. 18, 1988, during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. Points of light For we are a nation of communities, of thousands and tens of thousands of ethnic, religious, social, business, labor union, neighborhood, regional and other organizations, all of them varied, voluntary and unique. This is America a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky. Aug. 18, 1988, during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. Freedom We know what works: Freedom works. We know what's right: Freedom is right. We know how to secure a more just and prosperous life for man on Earth: through free markets, free speech, free elections and the exercise of free will unhampered by the state. Jan. 20, 1989, during his inaugural address. East Germans pour through the Berlin Wall in 1989 as a West Berliner cheers them on from on top. Carol Guzy / The Washington Post Berlin Look to the very heart of Europe, to Berlin, and you will see a great truth shining brighter with each passing day: The quest for freedom is stronger than steel, more permanent than concrete. November 1989, as the Berlin Wall was crumbling. Broccoli I do not like broccoli, and I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I'm president of the United States, and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli. March 22, 1990. Foreign and local cameramen crowd in front of a mural of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 2002. Karim Sahib / AFP Saddam Hussein Five months ago, Saddam Hussein started this cruel war against Kuwait. Tonight, the battle has been joined. Our goal is not the conquest of Iraq. It is the liberation of Kuwait. Jan. 17, 1991, when the first Gulf War began. Clarence Thomas The fact that he is black, a minority, has nothing to do with this. He is the best qualified. July 1991, on announcing he had selected federal appeals court judge Clarence Thomas for the U.S. Supreme Court. Giving back I plan to put something back into society, and not at the head table, not always in the glamour, certainly not with a lot of news attention. January 1993, days before leaving office. The CIA To those who say we no longer need a CIA, I say you're nuts. To those who want to dismantle CIA or put it under some other department you're nuts, too. And to those who feel the right to know takes precedence over legitimate classification of documents or over protecting our most precious asset, our people, the same to you. You're nuts, and so's the horse you came in on. Sept. 17, 1997, at ceremony marking the 50th birthday of the CIA. At left, Phil Hartman as President Clinton and Dana Carvey as President George H.W. Bush during Saturday Night Live's "Presidential Bash 2000." Right, the former presidents discuss their tour of the Asian tsunami region in March 2005. J. Scott Applewhite / AP Photo; NBC Dana Carvey Though I might be tempted to utter a few words of encouragement to anyone who is considering my boy, I will heed the immortal words of Dana Carvey: Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent. early 2000, citing a line from the Saturday Night Live comedian while attending a nonpartisan event as his son sought the GOP nomination. Ronald Reagan I learned more from Ronald Reagan than from anyone I encountered in all my years of public life. June 11, 2004, at the funeral for former President Ronald Reagan. Bill Clinton Who would have thought that I would be working with Bill Clinton, of all people? It's been an eye-opening and enjoyable experience for me to work with him on something truly apolitical. Oct. 25, 2005, discussing his work with former rival on tsunami and hurricane relief. George H.W. Bush dies; 41st U.S. president saw the Cold War end Tweeted tributes to a former president from Trump, Obama, DeGeneres and more President Trump, who normally revels in the spotlight at international summits, canceled a scheduled press conference Saturday on the final day of G-20 meetings out of respect for the Bush family after the death of former President George H.W. Bush. Trump said he had looked forward to answering reporters questions because of the great success hes achieved at the two-day Group of 20 economic summit. He has little to show for his two days of meetings, however, beyond a ceremonial finalizing of a revised trade deal with Canada and Mexico that still requires legislative approval by the three countries. He also is expected to agree to a truce in the trade war with China, a climbdown from his recent threats to add more tariffs. I was very much looking forward to having a press conference just prior to leaving Argentina because we have had such great success in our dealing with various countries and their leaders at the G20.... Trump tweeted. Advertisement However, out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George H.W. Bush we will wait until after the funeral to have a press conference, he added. An hour later, before a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump told reporters hed spoken by phone with two of the late presidents sons, former President George W. Bush and Jeb Bush. He praised the elder Bush as a terrific guy and family man who led an exemplary life. Merkel also praised Bush, who helped engineer the peaceful end of the Cold War, calling him one of the fathers of German reunification after the Berlin Wall fell in November 1991. Trump plans to attend Bushs funeral and designated Wednesday as a national day of mourning. He said hed hold a press conference some time in the near future. The 45th president, who did not attend former First Lady Barbara Bushs funeral earlier this year, has been highly critical in the past of the countrys 41st, George H.W. Bush, and 43rd, George W. Bush. Four months ago, Trump mocked the elder Bushs call for public service, boasting that his Make America Great Again slogan was superior to Bushs Thousand Points of Light initiative, a nonprofit effort aimed at boosting volunteerism. The thousand points of light, what the hell was that by the way? Trump said at a rally in Montana in July. Trump long has had fraught relations with the Bush family. He disagreed with then-President George H.W. Bushs call for a kindler, gentler nation, telling Playboy in 1990 that if this country gets any kinder or gentler, its literally going to cease to exist. During the 2015 presidential race, he mercilessly mocked former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, one of his rivals for the Republican nomination, as low energy. He also slammed George W. Bush for leading America into the 2003 Iraq war which Trump initially supported. After he stood with Merkel on Saturday, a reporter asked Trump if he regretted his harsh comments about the elder Bush. Trump paused before responding, Thank you very much everybody, a signal that he wanted the media to leave the room. Trumps cancellation of a press conference is a rarity for the former reality TV star. He famously enjoys sparring with reporters and has shown little compunction about turning past summits into one-man shows starring himself. Trump held a rollicking 90-minute press conference at the end of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City in September; and he upended the NATO summit in Brussels in July with demands that member nations spend more on defense. He then held a last-minute press conference and took credit for their previous commitments. In Argentina, Trump has been unusually low key. He left Washington on Thursday two hours after his former longtime attorney Michael D. Cohen had pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about negotiations for a proposed Trump Tower project in Moscow. Contradicting Trumps claims, Cohen told a federal court that he and other Trump emissaries had continued negotiations until June 2016, after Trump had locked up the Republican nomination. The case, brought by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, is the first to specifically target one of Trumps business dealings. It spurred a furious denial by Trump of any wrongdoing and a new round of angry tweets. After arriving here, Trump was unusually terse before TV cameras, mostly offering brief platitudes and refusing, for the most part, to respond to questions from reporters. On Saturday, he was notably deferential to Merkel, whom hes often publicly criticized, calling her a friend and telling reporters shes highly respected by everybody, including me. At this relatively quiet G-20, Trump was overshadowed, to a degree, by two autocrats he sought to keep at a distance: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A boisterous handshake here Friday between Putin and bin Salman served as a remarkable illustration of their shared lack of concern over being somewhat marginalized by Trump and other leaders. Although he exchanged pleasantries with bin Salman on Friday, Trump did not formally meet with the crown prince amid an international uproar following the brutal murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Oct. 2. The CIA has concluded that bin Salman was in direct contact with the leader of the team that butchered Khashoggi in a Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Trump also had what the White House called a number of informal conversations with world leaders including Putin during a gala dinner Friday night at Buenos Aires famed opera house, Teatro Colon. On Thursday, after Air Force One had taken off for Argentina, Trump abruptly canceled a planned one-on-one meeting here Saturday with Putin. He blamed Russias refusal to release three Ukrainian vessels and 24 sailors that it had seized in the contested Kerch Strait near Crimea last Sunday. Trump has credulously accepted Putins denials of election interference over the conclusions of U.S. intelligence officials and blamed President Obama for Russias illegal 2014 annexation of Crimea. He insisted Friday that what took place with the ships and the sailors was the sole reason that he canceled the meeting with Putin, not the damaging revelations in Cohens guilty plea about his efforts to do business in Russia during the 2016 campaign. The latest from Washington eli.stokols@latimes.com @EliStokols Eleven students from the Burbank Community YMCAs youth and government delegation held a dress rehearsal Wednesday in Burbank City Hall in preparation for a mock bill-hearing presentation in Sacramento in February. The group offered arguments for and against three bills in front of an audience in the council chambers. Each bill was outlined by its sponsor and underwent legislative analysis before a pro and con lobbyist responded. There was also time for rebuttals and a bill summation before the audience voted on each bill. Jeffry Stein sponsored a bill that would require all park benches lose any attachments or additions that prohibit an individual from sleeping on them as a way to combat homelessness. Phoebe Kelloggs bill looked to grant minors swift divorces with little need for court approval, while Harrison Rothacher sponsored a bill that would put a limit on how much colleges could charge their students as a way to lower student debt. Stein noted that state bills in 2003 and 2015 set aside more than $2 million to help the homeless, but it has not been used because of concerns expressed by some residents. I designed my bill to dodge these loopholes, to be resistant to being smothered by what is occasionally an irritating bureaucracy, Stein said. He added that making benches available is not a long-term solution for homelessness, but it is needed to get momentum going on the issue. Parker Swierczynki spoke against the measure, pointing out that he was in favor of helping the homeless, but said the bill was impractical. The clause in the bill that states that all these additions must be paid for by the state treasury would be a major drain on the states infrastructure budget, Swierczynki said. The audience agreed and verbally voted down the measure. No measure garnered more attention than Kelloggs, who said her bill was necessary because California has no minimum age for marriage and wedded underage minors needed protection. If you file for divorce when youre under the age of 18 you will receive a divorce from your partner whether they agree or not, Kellogg said of her bills provisions. The court is guaranteed to offer you a way out of what is more often than not a dangerous situation. While those against the bill argued instead for a ban on underage marriage, the crowd approved the measure. The bill introduced by Rothacher included an anecdote a student who he knew graduated with over $75,000 worth of debt. Student debt like that leads to college graduates not only being unable to buy homes, but students in debt are sometimes unable to pay rent or even buy groceries, Rothacher said. According to his bill, if a state public university charges more than a quarter of its student body higher than 150% the California poverty limit for in-state tuition or 200% for out-of-state tuition, a college would lose 30% in state funding for the year. The bill was so controversial that two verbal votes did not establish a clear majority. A call by Leah Tahmassian, youth government president, for a standing vote led to a tight victory. Of the three bills presented, Kelloggs was selected to be presented by the Burbank delegation in Sacramento during the Presidents Day weekend, Feb. 16 and 17. The goal is that the bill will eventually be voted on by both houses and signed by the governor. What I like most about this program is the transformation students undertake, youth and government adviser Aileen Flores said. A lot of students start off not wanting to speak in public. They dont know about legislature or government, but here they find their voice. andrew.campa@latimes.com Twitter @campadresports Costa Mesas new City Council members will take their seats Tuesday, ushering a new slate of representatives into power after an at-times bruising campaign. The elected representatives from council Districts 3, 4 and 5 Andrea Marr, Manuel Chavez and Arlis Reynolds, respectively will be sworn into office alongside Katrina Foley, the citys first directly elected mayor. Their ascensions will officially expand the councils ranks from five members to seven, as outlined in the citys by-district election system, which went into effect this year. Tuesdays meeting is more than just an installation. One of the newly seated councils first significant decisions will be deciding whether to retain Dave Kiff, who retired from his job as Newport Beachs top administrator at the end of August, for temporary transition assistance in the wake of former city manager Tom Hatchs departure. If approved, Kiff would provide his services at no cost to the city, according to a staff report. He also would be available to assist in the nationwide recruitment for a new permanent city manager, which will begin as soon as possible. Kiffs career in Newport Beach spanned 20 years, including nine as city manager. Since leaving, he has served as interim chief executive of the Assn. of California Cities-Orange County. The proposed arrangement with Costa Mesa would be subject to approval by that bodys board of directors, according to the staff report. In a letter dated Wednesday, Kiff emphasized he would not be the acting or interim city manager in any way and would instead work collaboratively with current acting City Manager Tammy Letourneau. This is an important time for Costa Mesa and, if I have a bit of capacity to help out, I am excited to do so, he wrote in the letter to Letourneau. The question of whether to retain Kiff is on the consent calendar Tuesday, so it wont be discussed separately unless a resident, council member or staff asks. An alternative would be to recruit someone to fill in as an interim city manager, though there would likely be a cost associated with that approach, according to the staff report. Hatch officially left the city after the council voted 3-2 with Foley and Councilman John Stephens opposed to terminate his contract on Nov. 13. He had served as Costa Mesas head administrative employee since 2011. New support staffing Council members also are set to vote on whether to hire additional support staff for themselves. Foleys proposal is to replace a vacant tax auditing specialist job with a new full-time position senior management analyst/chief of staff to the mayor and City Council that would be responsible for managing constituent services, legislative research and analysis, coordination with federal and state offices, special projects and ensuring the mayor and council members are fully briefed and prepared for council meetings, press events and community meetings, according to an agenda report. Under that chief of staff would be three part-time management aides hired to assist council members. I felt that the City Council, as a department at City Hall, has needed to have some support for responding to constituents and their needs not only to be accountable, but to do a better job, Foley said Friday. She said that need will become more pressing with the expansion of the councils membership. I think that this will relieve some of the burden on our executive staff so they can do the greater policy work operations, budget, public works, etc., she said. And it will free up time so that the council members can have an identified staffer whos going to really be responsible for constituent services or responding to residents needs. Combined, these positions would carry an estimated total annual cost of $222,000. For the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends in June, the expected price tag would be $81,000 including $20,000 in projected one-time spending on additional furniture to accommodate these positions in City Hall. This fiscal years costs would be funded through a reduction in the city attorneys budget, according to the agenda report. Recognition for Righeimer Tuesdays meeting will be the last for Councilman Jim Righeimer, who was termed out of office this year. The Mesa Verde resident joined the council in 2010 after previously serving on the citys Planning Commission. He was appointed mayor in December 2012 and held the title for two years. The city will hold an official recognition for him during the meeting which starts at 6 p.m. in the Costa Mesa Senior Center, 695 W. 19th St. luke.money@latimes.com Twitter @LukeMMoney The Newport-Mesa Unified School District bid farewell this week to departing trustees Judy Franco and Walt Davenport, who decided not to run for reelection this year after long tenures on the board. Health problems that caused her to be hospitalized kept Franco from attending Mondays board meeting to accept a Distinguished Service Award from the district. Trustee Martha Fluor said Franco, 81, has had a number of health issues recently, primarily with her lungs and her heart, but that her condition is stable. Franco, a board member for 38 years, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 but remained active in the district. Even after having a double mastectomy several years ago, she bounced back to attend the next board meeting, Fluor said. Franco could not be reached for comment this week. PTA member Suzanne Gauntlett said although Francos health hasnt been 100% for some time, her mind and wisdom have always been totally intact. Shes a true educator in every sense of the word. She is a role model and knows her mind and speaks it well while never putting anyone down or making anyone feel disenfranchised by her words, Gauntlett said. Judys retirement is a loss to NMUSD historical knowledge. During her long tenure in the district, Franco has served in many educational organizations, including the PTA and the Orange County and California school boards associations. She also was active in many community organizations, including the Harbor Area Sailing Program, and established sailing as an official sport in Newport-Mesa. The district recently renamed the courtyard outside the Costa Mesa boardroom in honor of Franco. It is now called the Judith A. Franco Patio Courtyard. Franco and Davenport can be described as citizen servants, according to Fluor. Both of these individuals always put whats in the best interest of kids first, she said. Francos style includes mentorship and a focus on compromise, Fluor said, while Davenport, 83, is analytical and detail-oriented. Davenport, a board member since 2006, is a former Costa Mesa planning commissioner and the husband of a retired Newport-Mesa teacher. Walt has had a very calming effect to our board, Fluor said. He doesnt talk a lot, but when he says something, its quite meaningful and insightful. Hes a brilliant man and well miss him. Davenport attended Mondays meeting but did not comment. Britt Dowdy, president of the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers, said, We appreciate the sacrifices and service that [Franco and Davenport] have done for our school district and community for many years. Newly elected trustees Ashley Anderson and Michelle Barto are expected to be sworn in at the next board meeting Dec. 11. Anderson will fill Davenports Area 7 seat and Barto will take over for Franco in Area 5. charity.lindsey@latimes.com Twitter @CharityNLindsey The police radio chirped on the desk of Glendale communications director Tom Lorenz. A bank robbery suspect had been apprehended in Montrose. Even though Lorenz had less than a week left on the job, he sprung to life on that late Tuesday afternoon. Its a mess up there, Lorenz told one of his proteges, Dan Bell, from behind his desk in Glendale City Hall. Bell was already on the phone with Glendales police spokesman as the team worked on digesting and disseminating the rapidly developing news. According to Lorenz, who is retiring from his post on Dec. 3, the protocols that were playing out are his legacy. Right now, we had a bank robbery. OK, that bank robbery could have ended up in a shooting, and we would have had an officer-involved shooting, Lorenz said. I have put plans together so that if A, B or C happened, then all I have to do is plug in the blanks, and Im ready to roll, he added. Its a philosophy of proactive preparedness he learned from years working as a police officer, including specializing in narcotics and sexual-assault cases for two years in Azusa before coming to Glendale in 1984. Its not if its going to happen, its when its going to happen, said Lorenz, repeating a refrain hes fond of. We hope that we dont ever have some of the worst tragedies in the world that we hear about, but we know we will. We just dont know when. Because of the sensitive and salacious nature of the cases he worked on at the police department, he was often tasked with the dual role of liaising with the public, handling media and mitigating rumors. Lorenzs knack for the communications side of police work landed him the job of adjutant to the Glendale Police Chief in 2004. He honed his skills as the spokesman for the chief before being asked by then Assistant City Manager Yasmin Beers in 2008 to help the citys media team handle high-profile litigation cases. In 2014, after splitting his time between the police department and the city for four years, he was elevated to director of communications and community relations for the city. Soon after taking the helm, Lorenz said he started organizing alignment meetings with all of the citys 14 departments from police to public works to finance to begin working together on messaging. As a result, the city rolled out a series of new communications platforms, including social media accounts, an electronic newsletter and online rumor page to dispel incorrect information spread on social media and by word of mouth. When several of those platforms received national recognition, we knew we were hitting it, Lorenz said. Then theres the protocols. Every incident of note triggers a decision process: Does it require the team to put together a press release or is it better to push it out on social media first? Does it rise to the level where they have to launch the citys Emergency Operation Center? Do they run emergency messages on the city website? On the TV channel? According to Lorenz, if the building began to shake because of an earthquake if it was the big one everyone working for him would know exactly what to do. Describing Michael Jacksons 2009 funeral at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale and the media circus it attracted as one of the craziest things hes dealt with in his position, he said it still came down to developing a watertight plan and executing it. With everyone up to speed on the plans hes helped develop, Lorenz said he doesnt need to be replaced. Instead, under Lorenzs succession plan, his right-hand man and woman, Dan Bell and Eliza Papazian, will take over as public information officer and a community relations manager, respectively. They will now report to the deputy city manager. Weve probably done something very good for the community because were doing it more efficiently now, Lorenz said, noting that he eliminated an executive position: his own. After 36 years of public service and a cache of unused sick days, Lorenz said its time for him to focus on himself and his family, including his wife of 12 years and six children. Still, Lorenz admitted, I dont know how the decompression states going to work. While still reflecting on post-retirement life, a call came in: Yet another robbery suspect was being chased through Glendale by Los Angeles police. Lorenz alerted Bell, who was already on it. A farewell reception for Lorenz is slated from 2 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 5 in the Community Room at the Glendale Police Headquarters, 131 N. Isabel St., Glendale. Free and open to the public, a program recognizing Lorenz will begin at 3 p.m. lila.seidman@latimes.com Twitter: @lila_seidman One of Mexicos best-known authors has apologized for the public use of a coarse expression denounced as sexist and anti-gay. I regret profoundly having used an unfortunate and vulgar phrase, and would hate it if this were interpreted as an aggression against feminist causes or the gay community, which I have decisively helped during all my life, Paco Ignacio Taibo II said in a Twitter message Thursday. Taibo, a prolific novelist, journalist and historian whose Mexico City noir crime sagas have a huge following here and abroad, is the creator of Hector Belascoaran Shayne, the legendary one-eyed Mexico City detective of fatalistic disposition and Basque-Irish parentage. Taibo, who is also known for his chain-smoking, his taste for Coca-Cola and his unabashed leftist political views, became embroiled in controversy after President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador nominated him to head Mexicos Fondo de Cultura Economica, known by its initials FCE. Advertisement The FCE is a venerable government publishing outlet that includes bookstores across the country and sponsors various literary awards. It was a prestigious posting for Taibo, 69, a longtime friend of Lopez Obrador, who was elected in July under the banner of his own leftist movement, known as Morena, and takes office Saturday. Taibo has long been a fierce critic of past presidents from traditional Mexican political parties. Politicians opposed to Lopez Obradors political bloc objected to Taibos cultural appointment, noting that the author was not born in Mexico. Current law requires the head of the government publishing house to be a native-born Mexican. Taibo immigrated to Mexico as a boy with his family from Spain like many Spaniards of that era and is a naturalized Mexican citizen. He calls Mexico City home. Lawmakers backing his candidacy devised a fast-track legislative solution that would allow the writer to assume the publishing house post, despite his Spanish birth. But rivals from traditional parties long assailed by the author objected to the Taibo Law, generating intense debate. On Wednesday, while on a panel at the International Book Fair in Guadalajara, Taibo used the sexually explicit phrase to mock the opponents of his nomination. Taibo soon was the subject of a barrage of criticism on social media and in the press. Among those declaring publicly that Taibo had blundered was Elena Poniatowska, a grande dame of the Mexican literary world, who said Taibos comments had made her sad, but noted that he had apologized. Im not a judge. I know his [Taibos] merits. An error like that, it hurts him, but I dont think it hurts the future of the Fondo de Cultura Economica, Poniatowska told reporters. There has been no word on the matter from Lopez Obrador. As of Friday, Taibo remained the official nominee to head the publishing house. McDonnell is a Times staff writer and Sanchez is a special correspondent in The Times Mexico City bureau. patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com Twitter: @PmcdonnellLAT What the Oil Short-sellers and OPEC Dont Know about Peak Shale A Black Swan is when something dramatic happens that most people did not expect, like when house prices went down, not up...remember that? Last week on Bloomberg News, Javier Blas wrote of a new Shale Boom that could...create OPECs Worst Nightmare. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-21/opec-s-worst-nightmare-the-permian-is-about-to-pump-a-lot-more That sentiment reflects a broad consensus of opinion that has driven oil prices down 30% in two months. The central theme of the article was that the spike in year-on-year change of U.S. production of oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids, to 3.0 million barrels per day (MBPD) in August 2018, was proof of shale-oils continuing resurgence. And the price of bananas is up this month too. Thats obviously proof; the year-on-year change in U.S. shale oil production was 1.78 MBPD in August 2018, this month its 1.32 MBPD. Thats down (20%), not up. A large part of the rest of that was non-shale crude oil; 400,000 BPD new offshore-production coming on-line from, zero the month before. That extra-production was sanctioned before the 2014 bust; which illustrates how long it can take from the final decision for a non-shale-oil venture, until the oil starts to flow. In any case, one spike is not a trend; last month that was down to 300,000 BPD. This is the chart put up by Javier Blas, with shale-oil superimposed: However you look at it, change in shale-oil production has been trending down for the past six months. Thats not a sign of a boom set to explode, rather the opposite. Perhaps the confusion was because the Energy Information Administration (EIA), which reports all those numbers, issues multiple, and in some cases, overlapping-reports, so now-and then commentators can confuse apples with bananas, or condensate with crude. Also EIA doesnt add-up all the numbers; so to make useful comparisons, sometimes its necessary to do a little simple arithmetic. This is a chart of the more recent history: The black line is the one line in the preceding chart, divided by 12-months for comparison with other monthly estimates. The blue line is total initial production (IP), calculated by multiplying IP-per-rig in each region by numbers of rigs, adding that up and then subtracting total legacy loss. Thats a measure of the capacity, and the enthusiasm of operators to drill. OK; the down-trend could be a blip, eyeballing trends is a mugs game; but right now the trend is not up, its down; in other words the conclusion of Shale-Boom round the corner, might have been incorrect? Perhaps that tag-line should be re-worded to say Black Swan on the Horizon? Black-Swan because if shale doesnt deliver what almost everyone is projecting, and conventional E&P, which is still in the doldrums, cannot deliver enough to plug that gap, which is what the CEO of Schlumberger and the Director of IEA, recently warned might happen, the price of oil could spike. Granted, there are plausible reasons for why the trend in growth-rate of shale-oil production has been going down, not up, some of which are presented by Javier Blas. His overriding thesis is that now, the pipelines serving Permian, are maxed-out, new pipelines are being built, once those come on line, there will be a boom. That makes some sort of sense, but there are other ways to transport oil out of Permian, the reason operators prefer pipelines is because they are cheaper. Year-on-year, up to last month, oil prices went up by 45%, that ought to have covered the increased cost of shipping, if that was really what was holding shale back. Blas also reports that he was told by informed sources; that in Permian, operators are drilling wells but not completing them, waiting for a good moment to do that, as in when either the oil-price goes up, or the pipelines come on-stream. Thats another credible story; day-rates of drilling rigs, are going-up fast; so that could make sense, locking in low-cost before they go up more. But there-again, Blass sources...oil-men; are known to be economical with the truth, from time to time; and they are perennial optimists; bless-them. Drilled but Uncompleted (DUC) wells in Permian went from just 1,000 in 2014 to 4,000; over the past two years; on average, 35% of drilled wells in Permian ended up as DUCs, so clearly there could be some truth in that story. But some snide-commentators have suggested that many DUCs are in fact, Dead-On-Arrivals (DOAs). You only get to know for sure what is the geology of the hole you drilled, after you drilled it, so a common reason to decide not to pump the sand and buy the pads; which are the expensive parts of the operation; might be that what you got was less than optimal. This chart can perhaps explain whats going on: Yes DUCs in Permian shot up, but thats not a recent development, it started long-before there was talk of pipelines maxing-out. In early 2016, DUCs in other regions fell, that was completions catching up, but only about 20% of the inventory was completed, and Initial Production per completion (shown below), fell by 40%, indicating that those DUCs were less than optimal. Perhaps the remaining 80% were DOAs? In 2014 there were 4,000 holes in the ground in the six non-Permian regions, out of those, over the past four years likely none have been completed. Sure a DUC looks great on the balance-sheet, oil in the bank.; if you got your auditor in your pocket. Oil-men hate to write-off stuff, I know a guy who bought twenty air-operated winches for $200,000 in 1998, great buy, never been rented, he thinks they are worth $500,000, perhaps in twenty years, as museum items; perhaps they may exhibit those 4,000 DUCs as part of the show. No doubt, in twenty-years time, there will be a huge demand to see the 4,000 holes drilled in West Texas. Meanwhile, hardly anyone made any money in U.S. shale, leaving aside the bravado, there are signs that theres a hole in daddys arm, where all the money goes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSeBEgFjGLA In 2014 Permian production accounted for 35% of total U.S. Shale production, now its 47%. Perhaps the increased production was thanks to dirt-cheap day rates on drilling rigs, meaning that it was acceptable to risk more DOAs? Total production per DUC has fallen dramatically in Permian, down to the level found in the other regions, perhaps all thats happening is a normalization, and that when the rainy-day comes, less than 20% of Permian DUCs will get completed? Another indicator worth keeping an eye on; is initial production per completion; the main reason no one tracks those numbers is EIA dont report them, so you need to do arithmetic to work them out. Another story that has been making the rounds is the one about how the resurgence of shale-oil was thanks to can-do ingenuity and technology. The evidence does not support that thesis, although thats not common knowledge because to see that number you need to work out IP from the DPR, then you need to get the other report EIA puts out, confusingly called the Drilled but Uncompleted Report, which enigmatically contains information on completions, which is not something you might not have guessed, from the title. No wonder everyone is confused about whats going up and whats going down. Yes indeed, IP/C went up dramatically in Permian after oil prices tanked, until two years ago. That marker went down in Eagle ford, during the time 20% of the rainy-day DUCs were completed, then when they got back into gear, drilling and completing, that spiked, but the trend now, is down, not up. Perhaps, in fact, the magic was nothing to do with technology, after all hydraulic-fracturing has been around for years, long before anyone thought of using it for shale? In 2016 hardly-used drilling rigs; and power-packs to pump the sand could be bought from liquidators for pennies; the cost of sand went from $87/ton to $25; and guess what, there is a straight-line correlation between how much sand you pump, and initial production (within limits). So everyone started drilling longer laterals, so they could pump more cheap sand. But today sand costs $75/ton; CAT jacked prices on the power-packs, steel for the casing and the pads costs double what it was in 2016, oil-service companies are starting to pick up business offshore, so their prices went up, and the best drillers and geologists are trading views of Permian farm-land, for all-round sea-views and layovers in Phuket. Heres a thought, perhaps the reason why, since the re-boot in September 2016, shale oil production went up by 2.4 MBPD, which is much more than OPEC took off the table, was simply that costs went down. If so, now that costs have gone up, and are set to go up more, logically that should mean new-production is set to go...down, not up? This is a plot of total initial production, net-legacy; against the six-month trailing oil price. The X-axis is the six-month trailing average of WTI, which is kind-of a proxy for time, these-days. The idea for using that is because shale-drillers look at where the price seems to be going, decide how much to hedge, then go for it. Shale is many short-term plays, if you dont make your money-back on a play in eighteen months, well; you need to put on your best suit, polish your cowboy boots, and go find another sucker on Wall Street. Trend #1: Low oil price, OPEC thought they had shale on the run, if they kept pumping shale would die. Except E&P worldwide ground to a halt, costs went towards zero, and pesky shale came back, with a vengeance. Trend #2: Yes oil prices were up, but costs went up faster. Trend #3: Thats logical...to a Black Swan; oil prices going up and shale Initial Production goes down. Last but not least, is the trend in legacy-loss, right now shale needs to find 500,000 bpd new oil every month, just to stay-even; that number is going up; when it equals IP, thats Peak Shale. Intriguingly, when OPEC cut back, oil prices went up, and that hastened the demise of shale, because costs went up more than prices. Thats a negative feedback loop, (1) oil price goes up; (2) everyone starts to drill, (3) cost of drilling goes up so no-one makes any money; (4) everyone stops drilling, (5) price of oil goes up...round and round. The reason oil prices crashed to under $30 Brent, not $64, which is where anyone who predicted the bust, more than two years in advance, said it would go; was because for two years OPEC, uncharacteristically, decided to pump more, not less. They deny that was a strategy to kill-off shale oil. In any case if that was the strategy it didnt work, because the whole of the oil industry all over the world imploded; so anyone with any sense could buy bank-owned equipment for pennies. Then, because costs were through the floor, shale boomed. Thank you very much Mr. OPEC. The best-thing OPEC can do next week; would be to cut production, and then wait, for a year or so, for shale oil to wither and die. Whether or not that will leave enough time for conventional E&P to plug the gap, is anyones guess. The model that, in 2011, predicted the oil price would plunge to $64, is saying it wont, and likely within a few years we could be looking at $150 Brent. Thats up, not down. By Andrew Butter Twenty years doing market analysis and valuations for investors in the Middle East, USA, and Europe. Ex-Toxic-Asset assembly-line worker; lives in Dubai. 2018 Copyright Andrew Butter- All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. Andrew Butter Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Junior Gold Stocks Q318 Fundamentals The junior gold miners stocks have spent recent months mostly languishing near major multi-year lows. That spawned a sentiment wasteland riddled by bearishness and bereft of bids. But these companies battered stock prices arent fundamentally righteous, as proven yet again by their latest earnings season. Faring far better in a challenging third quarter than stock prices imply, they need to mean revert way higher. Four times a year publicly-traded companies release treasure troves of valuable information in the form of quarterly reports. Companies trading in the States are required to file 10-Qs with the US Securities and Exchange Commission by 40 calendar days after quarter-ends. Canadian companies have similar requirements at 45 days. In other countries with half-year reporting, many companies still partially report quarterly. The definitive list of elite junior gold stocks to analyze comes from the worlds most-popular junior-gold-stock investment vehicle. Mid-month the GDXJ VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF reported $4.1b in net assets. Among all gold-stock ETFs, that was second only to GDXs $9.0b. That is GDXJs big-brother ETF that includes larger major gold miners. GDXJs popularity testifies to the great allure of juniors. Unfortunately this fame created serious problems for GDXJ a couple years ago, resulting in a stealthy major mission change. This ETF is quite literally the victim of its own success. GDXJ grew so large in the first half of 2016 as gold stocks soared in a massive upleg that it risked running afoul of Canadian securities laws. And most of the worlds smaller gold miners and explorers trade on Canadian stock exchanges. Since Canada is the center of the junior-gold universe, any ETF seeking to own this sector will have to be heavily invested there. But once any investor including an ETF buys up a 20%+ stake in any Canadian stock, it is legally deemed to be a takeover offer that must be extended to all shareholders! As capital flooded into GDXJ in 2016 to gain junior-gold exposure, its ownership in smaller components soared near 20%. Obviously hundreds of thousands of investors buying shares in an ETF have no intention of taking over gold-mining companies, no matter how big their collective stakes. Thats a totally-different scenario than a single corporate investor buying 20%+. GDXJs managers shouldve lobbied Canadian regulators and lawmakers to exempt ETFs from that 20% takeover rule. But instead they chose an inferior, easier fix. Since GDXJs issuer controls the junior-gold-stock index underlying its ETF, it simply chose to unilaterally redefine what junior gold miners are. It rejiggered its index to fill GDXJs ranks with larger mid-tier gold miners, while greatly demoting true smaller junior gold miners in terms of their ETF weightings. This controversial move defying long decades of convention was done quietly behind the scenes to avoid backlash. Theres no formal definition of a junior gold miner, which gives cover to GDXJs managers pushing the limits. Major gold miners are generally those that produce over 1m ounces of gold annually. For decades juniors were considered to be sub-200k-ounce producers. So 300k ounces per year is a very-generous threshold. Anything between 300k to 1m ounces annually is in the mid-tier realm, where GDXJ now traffics. That high 300k-ounce-per-year junior cutoff translates into 75k ounces per quarter. Following the end of the gold miners Q318 earnings season in mid-November, I dug into the top 34 GDXJ components results. Thats simply an arbitrary number that fits neatly into the tables below. Although GDXJ included a staggering 70 component stocks mid-month, the top 34 accounted for a commanding 82.9% of its total weighting. Out of these top 34 GDXJ companies, only 3 primary gold miners met that sub-75k-ounce-per-quarter qualification to be a junior gold miner! Their quarterly production is rendered in blue below, and they collectively accounted for just 3.8% of this ETFs total weighting. GDXJ is inarguably now a pure mid-tier gold-miner ETF, not a junior one. But its holdings include the worlds best gold miners with huge upside potential. Ive been doing these deep quarterly dives into GDXJs top components for years now. In Q318, fully 31 of the top 34 GDXJ components were also GDX components! These are separate and distinct ETFs, a Gold Miners ETF and a Junior Gold Miners ETF. So they shouldnt have to own many of the same companies. In the tables below I highlighted the symbols of rare GDXJ components not also in GDX in yellow. These 31 GDX components accounted for 79.2% of GDXJs total weighting, not just its top 34. They also represented 31.7% of GDXs total weighting. Thus nearly 4/5ths of this Junior Gold Miners ETF is made up by nearly 1/3rd of the major Gold Miners ETF! These GDXJ components also in GDX are clustered from the 11th- to 30th-highest weightings in that latter larger ETF. GDXJ is mostly smaller GDX stocks. In a welcome change from GDXJs vast component turmoil of recent years, only 4 of its top 34 stocks are new since Q317. Their symbols are highlighted in light blue below. Thus the top GDXJ components collective results are finally getting comparable again in year-over-year terms. Analyzing ETFs is much easier if their larger components arent constantly in flux. Hopefully changes going forward are relatively minor. Despite all this, GDXJ remains the leading junior-gold benchmark. So every quarter I wade through tons of data from its top components latest results, and dump it into a big spreadsheet for analysis. The highlights make it into these tables. Most of these top 34 GDXJ gold miners trade in the US and Canada, where comprehensive quarterly reporting is required by regulators. But others trade in Australia and the UK. In these countries and most of the rest of the world, regulators only mandate that companies report their results in half-year increments. Most do still issue quarterly production reports, but dont release financial statements. There are wide variations in reporting styles, data presented, and release timing. So blank fields in these tables mean a company hadnt reported that particular data for Q318 as of mid-November. The first couple columns of these tables show each GDXJ components symbol and weighting within this ETF as of mid-November. While just over half of these stocks trade on US exchanges, the other symbols are listings from companies primary foreign stock exchanges. Thats followed by each gold miners Q318 production in ounces, which is mostly in pure-gold terms excluding byproduct metals often found in gold ore. Those are usually silver and base metals like copper, which are valuable. They are sold to offset some of the considerable costs of gold mining, lowering per-ounce costs and thus raising overall profitability. In cases where companies didnt separate out gold and lumped all production into gold-equivalent ounces, those GEOs are included instead. Then productions absolute year-over-year change from Q317 is shown. Next comes gold miners most-important fundamental data for investors, cash costs and all-in sustaining costs per ounce mined. The latter directly drives profitability which ultimately determines stock prices. These key costs are also followed by YoY changes. Last but not least the annual changes are shown in operating cash flows generated, hard GAAP earnings, sales, and cash on hand with a couple exceptions. Percentage changes arent relevant or meaningful if data shifted from positive to negative or vice versa, or if derived from two negative numbers. So in those cases I included raw underlying data rather than weird or misleading percentage changes. This whole dataset together offers a fantastic high-level read on how the mid-tier gold miners as an industry are faring fundamentally. They actually did relatively well in Q3. While this new mid-tier GDXJ is generally excellent, some decisions by its managers are utterly baffling. Out of all the worlds gold miners they couldve added over this past year, they inexplicably decided on the giant largely-African AngloGold Ashanti. It produced an enormous 851k ounces of gold last quarter, the largest in GDXJ by far. It and the rest of the South African majors definitely dont belong in GDXJ! Remember that major-gold-miner threshold has long been 1m+ ounces per year. AUs production is annualizing to well over 3x that, making this company the worlds 3rd-largest gold miner last quarter. Why on earth would managers running a Junior Gold Miners ETF even consider AngloGold Ashanti? It is as far from junior-dom as gold miners get. The same is true with the rest of the troubled South African gold miners. AU, Gold Fields, Harmony Gold, and Sibanye-Stillwater mined 851k, 533k, 379k, and 309k ounces in Q318, all are majors. Yet they accounted for 13.1% of GDXJs total weighting. They are riddled with all kinds of problems too, from shrinking production to high costs to increasing stealth expropriations from South Africas openly-Marxist anti-white-investor government. Their inclusion heavily skews and taints GDXJ. These South African majors Q3 production of 2.1m ounces was a whopping 41% of the GDXJ top 34s total! And it still fell 7.0% YoY due to South Africas tragic death spiral. Excluding them and the amazing Kirkland Lake Gold which has grown so fast it was moved exclusively into GDX over this past year, the rest of the GDXJ top 34 grew production 3.4% YoY in Q3. The South African majors cost impact is even worse. Mining in that country is very expensive thanks to very-old very-deep mines and endless new government interference via stifling regulations. In Q3 the South African majors cash and all-in sustaining costs came in really high averaging $925 and $1088 per ounce. The rest of GDXJs top 34 averaged $629 and $877, a massive 32.0% and 19.4% lower! The South African majors are really retarding GDXJs performance. As struggling majors far larger than mid-tiers and juniors, they need to get kicked out of GDXJ posthaste. They can be left in GDX where they belong. AU effectively took KLs place, which makes no sense at all fundamentally. Kirkland Lake produced 180k ounces of gold in Q3 at $351 cash costs and $645 AISCs. So unlike AU, KL remains solidly in the mid-tier realm and has been performing incredibly well operationally. While GDXJs managers really dropped the ball including those South African majors, they deserve big praise for upping the weighting of the outstanding Australian miners. They are Northern Star Resources, Evolution Mining, Regis Resources, St Barbara, and Saracen Mineral. Their collective weighting in GDXJ grew to 21.7% at the end of Q3s earnings season, nearly 2/3rds higher from their 13.3% a year earlier. Unlike AUs dumbfounding inclusion, the Australians rise is well-deserved. Their production surged 8.9% YoY to 686k ounces, or 23% of the GDXJ top 34s total excluding those South African majors. And the Australian miners are masters at developing great gold deposits and controlling costs, as their cash costs and AISCs in Q3 averaged just $586 and $724! Its fantastic GDXJ offers American investors this Aussie exposure. GDXJs component list and weightings are a work in progress, and are gradually getting better. For years Ive pointed out things like the South African majors that werent right, and GDXJs managers eventually seem to come around and change things for the better. Greatly helping that process is investors buying the better individual stocks like KL and shunning laggards like AU, readjusting their relative market capitalizations. GDXJ and GDX are essentially market-cap weighted, with larger companies rightfully commanding larger weightings. These leading gold-stock ETFs managers can override this by deciding which gold miners to include in each ETF. So they can easily purge GDXJ of the deteriorating South African majors and add real mid-tier gold miners. But the true core problem is having so many of the same stocks in GDX and GDXJ. Such massive overlap between these two ETFs is a huge lost opportunity for VanEck. It owns and manages GDX, GDXJ, and even the MVIS indexing company that decides exactly which gold stocks are included in each. With one company in total control, theres no need for any overlap in the underlying companies of what should be two very-different gold-stock ETFs. Inclusion ought to be mutually-exclusive. VanEck could greatly increase the utility of its gold-stock ETFs and thus their ultimate success by starting with one big combined list of the worlds better gold miners. Then it could take the top 20 or 25 in terms of annual gold production and assign them to GDX. Based on Q318 production, that would run down near 139k or 93k ounces per quarter. Then the next-largest 40 or 50 gold miners could be assigned to GDXJ. Getting smaller gold miners back into GDXJ would be a huge boon for the junior-gold-mining industry. Most investors naturally assume this Junior Gold Miners ETF owns junior gold miners, which is where they are trying to allocate their capital. But since most of GDXJs funds are instead diverted into much-larger mid-tiers and even some majors, the juniors are effectively being starved of capital intended for them. Thats one of the big reasons smaller gold miners stock prices are so darned low. They arent getting enough capital inflows from gold-stock-ETF investing. So their share prices arent bid higher. They rely on issuing shares to finance their exploration projects and mine builds. But when their stock prices are down in the dumps, that is heavily dilutive. So GDXJ is strangling the very industry its investors want to own! Back to these mid-tier gold miners Q318 results, production is the best place to start since that is the lifeblood of the entire gold-mining industry. These top 34 GDXJ gold miners that had specifically reported Q3 production as of mid-November produced 5063k ounces. That surged by a massive 18.8% YoY, implying these miners are thriving. But that is heavily distorted by that huge 851k-ounce boost from AUs addition. Without the worlds 3rd-largest gold miner, the rest of the GDXJ top 34 saw their production slip 1.2% YoY to 4212k ounces. That reflected the peak-gold challenges the gold-mining industry is facing, as I discussed a couple weeks ago while reviewing the GDX majors Q318 results. The GDXJ top 34 are still outperforming the GDX top 34, which saw their gold production retreat 2.9% YoY in Q3 bucking historical trends. Sequentially quarter-on-quarter from Q218 the GDXJ top 34s production surged a dramatic 13.3%! And AU was already one of GDXJs top components then. That partially came from new mines ramping up at the worlds best mid-tier gold miners. It is far easier for them to grow production off lower bases than it is for the majors off high bases. Thats a key reason why the mid-tiers upside potential trounces that of the majors. For all GDXJs faults, it does still offer investors exposure to much-smaller gold miners. The average quarterly production of all the top 34 GDXJ miners reporting it in Q3 was 163.3k ounces. That is 43% smaller than the 288.8k averaged by the top 34 GDX miners last quarter. And again AUs crazy inclusion really skews this. Ex-AU, the GDXJ average falls to 140.4k. Without all the South African majors, it is 110.8k. These annualize to 562k and 443k, both solidly in the mid-tier realm. Analyzing GDXJs production and costs requires breaking out those heavily-distorting South African majors that have no place in a mid-tier gold-miner ETF. Again their production fell 7.0% YoY in Q3, while the rest of the GDXJ top 34s ex-KL grew 3.4%! Production and costs tend to be proportionally inversely related because of how mining works. Gold-mining costs are largely fixed quarter after quarter, with actual mining requiring the same levels of infrastructure, equipment, and employees. The tonnage throughputs of the mills that process the gold-bearing ore are also fixed. So gold produced varies with ore grades each quarter. The more gold that is recovered, the more ounces to spread gold minings big fixed costs across. That lowers per-ounce costs. There are two major ways to measure gold-mining costs, classic cash costs per ounce and the superior all-in sustaining costs per ounce. Both are useful metrics. Cash costs are the acid test of gold-miner survivability in lower-gold-price environments, revealing the worst-case gold levels necessary to keep the mines running. All-in sustaining costs show where gold needs to trade to maintain current mining tempos indefinitely. Cash costs naturally encompass all cash expenses necessary to produce each ounce of gold, including all direct production costs, mine-level administration, smelting, refining, transport, regulatory, royalty, and tax expenses. In Q318, the overall cash costs of the GDXJ top 34 surged 8.4% higher YoY to $663 per ounce. That was still largely in line with the past four quarters $612, $618, $692, and $631 averaging $638. But that sharp jump was mostly the result of the South African majors deepening troubles. Again their average cash costs last quarter were a whopping $925! Without them, the rest of the GDXJ top 34 averaged $629 per ounce which was only up 2.8% YoY and below the rolling-four-quarter mean. So the mid-tier gold miners of GDXJ are holding the line on cash costs, a sign their operations are fundamentally sound. Way more important than cash costs are the far-superior all-in sustaining costs. They were introduced by the World Gold Council in June 2013 to give investors a much-better understanding of what it really costs to maintain gold mines as ongoing concerns. AISCs include all direct cash costs, but then add on everything else that is necessary to maintain and replenish operations at current gold-production levels. These additional expenses include exploration for new gold to mine to replace depleting deposits, mine-development and construction expenses, remediation, and mine reclamation. They also include the corporate-level administration expenses necessary to oversee gold mines. All-in sustaining costs are the most-important gold-mining cost metric by far for investors, revealing gold miners true operating profitability. The GDXJ top 34 reported average AISCs of $911 in Q3, up 3.8% YoY. But like cash costs, this was roughly in line with the $877, $855, $923, and $886 seen in the past four quarters. But again that was skewed quite a bit higher by those wrongly-included South African majors, which reported $1088 average AISCs in Q3. The rest of the top 34 averaged $877, which is actually better than the $885 four-quarter average. So the South African majors are really tainting GDXJs collective operational performance, with lower production and higher costs dragging down this entire ETF. Those giant struggling gold producers are an albatross around the neck of the many great mid-tier gold miners in GDXJ! If you are a GDXJ investor, contact VanEck and urge them to boot the South African majors out of GDXJ to help it thrive going forward. Gold-mining earnings are simply the difference between prevailing gold prices and all-in sustaining costs. And both sides of this equation moved the wrong way in Q3, squeezing the mid-tier gold miners profits. Q318s average gold price of $1211 was 5.3% lower than Q317s. And with overall GDXJ top 34 AISCs 3.8% higher at $911, that really cut into margins. These gold miners were collectively earning $300 per ounce. That implied solid 25% profit margins absolutely, which arent bad. But they still plunged 25.4% YoY from Q317s $402 per ounce, which amplified golds decline by 4.8x. But gold-mining profits leverage to gold is exactly why the gold stocks make such compelling investments. Gold stocks were weak in Q3 because gold was pounded to a deep 19.3-month low in mid-August on extreme all-time-record gold-futures short selling. Left for dead and neglected, the gold miners stocks are the last cheap sector in these lofty bubble-valued stock markets. Their fundamental upside as gold mean reverts higher on speculators gold-futures buying and new investment demand as stock markets roll over is enormous. This is easy to understand with a simple example. In the last four quarters including Q318, the top 34 GDXJ gold miners AISCs averaged $894. During golds last major upleg in essentially the first half of 2016, it powered about 30% higher driven by surging investment demand after stock markets suffered back-to-back corrections. That was even small by historical gold-bull-upleg standards. If we merely get another 30% gold advance from its recent mid-August low of $1174, were looking at $1525 gold. That would work wonders for gold-mining profits and stock prices. At $1525 gold and $894 AISCs, the mid-tier gold miners would be earning $631 per ounce. Thats 110% higher than Q318s $300! If gold-mining profits double, gold-stock prices will soar. Indeed during that last 30% gold bull in the first half of 2016, GDXJ rocketed 203% higher! So the gold-stock outlook is wildly bullish with gold itself due to power higher as the stock markets roll over on the Feds record tightening. The rest of the top 34 GDXJ gold miners fundamentals were mixed last quarter. Cash flows generated from operations totaled $1.3b in Q3, down 21.2% YoY. Thats reasonable given average golds 5.3% YoY retreat and their leverage to it. Cash on hand remained high at $5.4b, down just 5.3% YoY. So these mid-tier gold miners have plenty of capital to build and buy new mines to continue growing their production. Revenues only slipped 0.4% YoY to $4.1b, which means the softer gold prices were largely offset by higher production. But GAAP profits looked like a disaster, with the GDXJ top 34s plummeting to a $379m loss in Q318 from being $212m in the black in Q317! That was far worse than the lower gold prices warranted, but thankfully it was mostly the result of big non-cash charges flushed through income statements. Tahoe Resources reported a massive $170m impairment charge on its suspended Escobal silver mine that is being held hostage by the corrupt Guatemalan government. Yamana Gold wrote off $89m after selling a mine in Argentina. Explorer NOVAGOLD reported an $81m loss from discontinued operations on the sale of one of its projects. These three unusual items alone wiped out $340m of profits from GDXJs ranks. Without them, the top 34 GDXJ gold miners earnings wouldve fallen to -$39m from +$212m. That isnt great, but it doesnt reveal any serious issues a rising gold price wont quickly solve. Interestingly if KL was still included instead of AU, that wouldve added another $56m in Q318 profits. The mid-tiers overall earnings should dramatically leverage and outpace gold in coming quarters as it inexorably mean reverts higher. While GDXJ should certainly no longer be advertised as a Junior Gold Miners ETF, it offers exposure to some of the best mid-tier gold miners on the planet. Its really growing on me, I like this new GDXJ way better than GDX. That being said, GDXJ is still burdened by overdiversification and way too many gold miners that shouldnt be in there. They are either too large, are saddled with inferior fundamentals, or both. So the best way to play the gold miners coming massive mean-reversion bull is in individual stocks with superior fundamentals. Their gains will ultimately trounce the major ETFs like GDXJ and GDX. Theres no doubt carefully-handpicked portfolios of elite gold and silver miners will generate much-greater wealth creation. GDXJs component list is a great starting point, but pruning it way down offers far-bigger upside. The key to riding any gold-stock bull to multiplying your fortune is staying informed, both about broader markets and individual stocks. Thats long been our specialty at Zeal. My decades of experience both intensely studying the markets and actively trading them as a contrarian is priceless and impossible to replicate. I share my vast experience, knowledge, wisdom, and ongoing research through our popular newsletters. Published weekly and monthly, they explain whats going on in the markets, why, and how to trade them with specific stocks. They are a great way to stay abreast, easy to read and affordable. Walking the contrarian walk is very profitable. As of Q3, weve recommended and realized 1045 newsletter stock trades since 2001. Their average annualized realized gains including all losers is +17.7%! Thats double the long-term stock-market average. Subscribe today and take advantage of our 20%-off holidays sale! The bottom line is the mid-tier gold miners reported solid fundamentals despite a challenging third quarter for gold prices. Excluding the South African majors, they were able to grow their production nicely while holding the line on costs. That portends dramatic operating-cash-flow and earnings growth in the coming quarters as gold mean reverts higher on big investment buying. The mid-tier gold miners stocks will soar on that. Gold stocks are not only unloved and dirt-cheap today, but they are a rare sector that rallies strongly with gold as general stock markets weaken. While virtually no one was interested in these leveraged plays on gold upside in recent months, that will change fast as these lofty stock markets roll over. And the mid-tier gold miners recent Q3 earnings season proved they remain ready to fundamentally amplify golds gains. Adam Hamilton, CPA So how can you profit from this information? We publish an acclaimed monthly newsletter, Zeal Intelligence , that details exactly what we are doing in terms of actual stock and options trading based on all the lessons we have learned in our market research. Please consider joining us each month for tactical trading details and more in our premium Zeal Intelligence service at www.zealllc.com/subscribe.htm Questions for Adam? I would be more than happy to address them through my private consulting business. Please visit www.zealllc.com/adam.htm for more information. Thoughts, comments, or flames? Fire away at zelotes@zealllc.com . Due to my staggering and perpetually increasing e-mail load, I regret that I am not able to respond to comments personally. I will read all messages though and really appreciate your feedback! Copyright 2000 - 2018 Zeal Research ( www.ZealLLC.com ) 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. The 20th Ordinary Meeting of the Summit of the East African Community Heads of State that was slated for November 30, 2018 at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) in Arusha, Tanzania has been postponed to a later date. Making the announcement at the AICCs Simba Hall, the Chairperson of the EAC Council, Kirunda Kivejinja, said that the Summit would not take place due to a lack of quorum caused by the absence of Burundi. According to Rule 11 of the Rules of Procedure of the Summit of the EAC Heads of State, quorum is made of all Partner States representation which is in consonance with decision making by consensus under Article 12 of the Treaty, Kivejinja, who is also Ugandas 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs. Stories Continues after ad The decision to postpone the 20th Ordinary Summit was taken by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda; President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya; President Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli of Tanzania; Paul Moyom Akec, Minister of Trade, Industry and EAC Affairs representing South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit, and; Dr. Richard Sezibera, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, representing Rwandan President Paul Kagame, all of whom were present at the meeting venue in Arusha. The Heads of State regret the inconveniences caused to the distingushed delegates and guests, said Kivejinja. The Summit meeting was preceded by the 38th Meeting of the Council of Ministers which was also not attended by the Republic of Burundi. Among the items which were on the Provisional Agenda of the 20th Summit of the EAC Heads of State were: the status of ratification of various protocols; the status of resolution of long outstanding non-tariff barriers, and; the progress report on the adoption of Political Confederation as a Transitional Model to the East African Political Federation. Other items on the Agenda were: the roadmap for the accelerated integration of the Republic of South Sudan into the EAC, and; the verification exercise for the admission of the Republic of Somalia into the Community. The Summit was also to consider reports on modalities for the promotion of Motor Vehicle Assembly in East Africa aimed at reducing importation of used vehicles into the Community, and; the review of the textile and leather sector with a view to developing a strong and competitive domestic sector that gives consumers better choice than imported textile and footwear. The Summit was also to review a progress report by the Council of Ministers on the Summit Directive on having two (2) Deputy Secretaries General at the Community recruited competitively on a rotational basis among the Partner States. The Summit had been expected to assent to various Bills passed by the East Legislative Assembly, namely: the EAC Polythen Materials Control Bill, 2016; the Administration of the East African Court of Justice Bill, 2018; the EAC Monetary Institute Bill, 2018, and; the EAC Customs Management (Amendment) Bill, 2018. US President Donald Trump and Chinas leader Xi Jinping will likely reach a compromise on trade at their G20 meeting, says Wells Fargo Asset Management. The Group of Twenty (G20) meeting kicks off on Friday in Buenos Aires. I am optimistic that they will strike a deal. I don't think it's going to be the deal that either side wants, but I think there will be some concessions, said Kirk Hartman, global chief investment officer at Wells Fargo Asset Management as cited by CNBC. I think this is more about protecting US technology as much as it is trade, so I think you will see some comments on that front. He said that Washington may delay higher tariffs on Chinese imports that were due to take effect in January. The sides may also agree to meet for further negotiations, according to Hartman. Also on rt.com Trade war may boost Chinese economy & hurt US growth ECB On Thursday, Trump told reporters he could be close to striking a deal with China on trade but was not sure he wanted to do it. He cited the money coming into the US in the form of taxes on Chinese imports. Because what we have right now is billions and billions of dollars coming into the United States in the form of tariffs or taxes, so I really don't know, said Trump. Reports that White House advisor Peter Navarro would be attending the dinner between Trump and Xi dampened hopes on the possibility of a trade deal. Navarro is known for his long standing hawkish tone on US-China trade. Both sides have so much at stake here that they are going to reach some kind of agreement, Hartman noted, adding that any agreement at the meeting will be extremely positive for the market. Also on rt.com When trade stops, sometimes war starts Jack Ma However, some experts like veteran economist Stephen Roach are not so optimistic about the chances of a Washington-Beijing deal. Roach told CNBC the two nations could be in the early stages of a Cold War, warning that the global trade dispute is likely to last for a long time. I think the end game is that this is a clash between two systems. And the US is objecting to a state-sponsored market-based socialist system that uses the largess of the state to subsidize industrial policy, said Roach, senior fellow at Yale University and former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia. The US has imposed a total of $250 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese goods since July, prompting China to retaliate with levies on $110 billion worth of US products. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Former US President George H.W. Bush, credited for helping to end the Cold War, passed away on Friday at the age of 94, a family spokesperson confirmed. Bush governed the nation from 1989 to 1993. The 41st president died at 10:10pm (local time) on Friday. Funeral arrangements will be announced some time later, the spokesperson for the Bush family, Jim McGrath, said in a statement. Former US leader as well, George W. Bush, called his late father a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. Current president Donald Trump praised Bush for his essential authenticity and disarming wit. His unflappable leadership brought the US and the world to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War, Trump said. Born in Milton, Massachusetts, in 1924, George Herbert Walker Bush came from a well-connected family. His father was a prominent banker who later became a US Senator. Bush joined the Navy at 18, becoming one of its youngest fighter pilots in World War II. During the war, he flew multiple combat missions and was shot down at one point. Upon his return home, the young man was awarded with a Distinguished Flying Cross. A Yale graduate, Bush spent two decades working in the oil industry before eventually entering politics. In 1967, Bush was elected to Congress. His career took a detour into the diplomatic front in 1971 when he was appointed the US envoy to the United Nations. He later held a diplomatic post in Beijing, and even led the CIA for a year. Bush first moved into the White House in 1981 at the height of the Cold War, serving as vice president under Ronald Reagan. After assuming the presidency in 1989, Bush, along with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, helped to end the dangerous confrontation between the two superpowers. In 1991, he led the nation during the Gulf War against Iraq after its leader Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait the year before. Bush also launched a controversial invasion in Panama, dubbed Operation Just Cause, which ended in the ousting and arrest of the countrys ruler, Manuel Noriega. Despite victory overseas, Bush failed to secure a second term. In 1992, he lost to Democrat Bill Clinton. His Read my lips: no new taxes pledge, which he made during the previous presidential race, became a bitter symbol of broken campaign promises. Shortly before leaving office, Bush signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico. More than two decades later, Trump signed a trade deal to replace NAFTA, which he called a disaster. DETAILS TO FOLLOW A new trilateral trade deal was sealed on Friday by US President Donald Trump, Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexicos President Enrique Pena Nieto. It replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. According to Trump, all sides will benefit from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or USMCA which he said is probably the largest trade deal ever made. The USMCA emerged in early October, months after Trump hit Mexico and Canada with tariffs on their steel and aluminum products. Canadas Trudeau called USMCA the new North American Free Trade Agreement. He said that it lifts the risk of serious economic uncertainty that lingers throughout a trade renegotiation process uncertainty that would have only gotten worse and more damaging if we had not reached a new NAFTA. Also on rt.com Mexico slaps levies on US pork in response to Trump's steel & aluminum tariffs There is more work to be done, Trudeau said, calling the recent announcement that General Motors will close plants in Canada and the US a heavy blow. On his final day as Mexicos president before Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is sworn in on Saturday, Pena Nieto said the trade agreement includes provisions for e-commerce and information technology. Nieto explained the USMCA is the first trade agreement that incorporates elements that address the social impact of international trade; it enables the participation of more sectors in the economy. Trump, who repeatedly branded NAFTA as the worst trade deal ever made, said earlier he will not back down from his pledge for the US to quit the agreement, if his concerns were not met. We make new deal or go back to pre-NAFTA! he said. Also on rt.com Trump urges Mexico to stop illegal migration into US, says it may be condition for new NAFTA treaty NAFTA was signed by Canada, Mexico, and the United States in 1993 and came into force in 1994, during the presidency of Bill Clinton. The longstanding trilateral deal was roundly criticized by the US protectionist right, as well as the anti-globalization left, particularly for the damage that eliminating tariffs did to the US auto industry. In June this year, Washington introduced a 25-percent tariff on steel imports and a 10-percent tariff on aluminum imports from Mexico, Canada and the EU. Mexico swiftly retaliated with import tariffs on some US goods, including steel, apples and pork. Ottawa introduced retaliatory taxes on US imports of steel, aluminum and goods such as whiskey, orange juice and other food products. Canada and Mexico are the second and third-biggest US trading partners, each accounting for more than $500 billion in trade per year, almost rivaling China and the 28 European Union member states combined. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to assist the transition of small and medium enterprises (SME) on Industry 4.0 journey, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (RBEI) has launched an intelligent ecosystem platform at the Bengaluru Tech Summit on Friday. Christened as Phantom, the platform helps these firms draw digital roadmaps for manufacturing plants using advanced data analytics, machine learning and automation. SMEs form the core of our focus. With the launch of this platform, we aim to improve their machine efficiency, which is the cornerstone to secure the countrys digital future, said RBEI president and managing director Vijay Ratnaparkhe. He added that the platform also automates data capture and provides timely, bias-free, accurate data that form the basis for managers to set targets, track performance, analyse and improve on a continuous basis. Explaining further, RBEI sales and marketing vice-president K Swaminathan said the platform is aimed at improving efficiency of the firms with a retrofit solution installed in a machine, gathers production patterns and provides insights on its usage, benchmarks, trends, losses and best practices. It provides inputs on safety, machine maintenance and early warnings on malfunctions. The German technology giant has designed the platform for multiple industries to go digital through customised advisory sessions, consulting workshops and a content-rich portal. As a global supplier of technology and services, Bosch offers engineering, IT and business solutions to diverse industrial verticals. Global IT supplier As a global supplier of technology and services, Bosch offers engineering, IT and business solutions to diverse industrial verticals. With 19,500 techies, the Indian arm is the largest software development centre of Bosch outside Germany. Anuradha Shukla By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Central government is planning to meet the heads of all Public Sector Banks (PSB) in the first week of December, ahead of the fresh capital infusion into the PSBs, which is expected by December 15.The government has already indicated that by December 15, there will be fresh capital infusion in the PSBs. The (Finance) Ministry is going to meet all the heads of the PSBs in the first week of December. The purpose is to discuss the capital requirement and status of recovery of loans and current status of NPAs, said a senior official from the Finance Ministry. The government announced the Rs 2.11 lakh crore capital infusion programme in October last year. As per the plan, the PSBs were to get Rs 1.35 lakh crore through recapitalisation bonds, and the balance Rs 58,000 crore through the raising of capital from the market. Out of the Rs 1.35 lakh crore, the government has already infused about Rs 82,000 crore through recap bonds and the balance would be done during this fiscal. Sources claim that despite the RBIs decision to defer the deadline to meet Basel III norms by a year and the breaching of fiscal deficit, the government is expected to go ahead with its plan to infuse capital in various banks, depending on their capital requirement. Last week, the RBI Board, while deciding to retain the capital adequacy requirement for banks at 9 per cent, agreed to extend the transition period for implementing the last tranche of 0.625 per cent under the capital conservation buffer (CCB) by one year up to March 31, 2020.The meeting will be initiated by the Department of Financial Services, in consultation with the Department Of Economic Affairs, after assessing the financial headroom for the government. Sources in the ministry added that the focus will be on PSBs under the Prompt Corrective Action. The State Bank of India and the Punjab National Bank will not be part of the capital infusion plan, they said. The focus will be mainly on the banks that are under the prompt corrective action as per the RBI guidelines. This time, it is unlikely that the SBI and the PNB are going to get any capital infusion, the official added. Earlier, there were reports that the Finance Ministry may rework FY19 PSB recapitalisation estimates between Rs 80,000 crore and Rs 1 lakh crore from Rs 42,000 crore to improve the financial health of lenders. By Reuters NEW DELHI: India has asked Ethiopian authorities to investigate a report that employees of an Indian company, Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS), have been taken hostage by staff in Ethiopia, an Indian government source said on Saturday. Seven Indian employees of the debt-laden IL&FS company have been held hostage by Ethiopian staff because of non-payment of salaries, according to messages posted on Twitter by those saying they were being held. An Indian foreign ministry official said India was discussing the matter "on priority" with Ethiopian authorities and the management of IL&FS. "We are doing our best to ensure a settlement of this matter," said the official, who declined to be identified. An IL&FS spokesman in India declined to comment. The Indian government took control of IL&FS last month after it defaulted on some of its debt, triggering wider concerns about risk in the country's financial system. The infrastructure financing and development company had over the years developed road, township and water-treatment projects in India and abroad. Neeraj Raghuwanshi, who said he was one of the seven employees held hostage, has been calling for help on Twitter since Nov. 27. "Situations are beyond our control, please #help before mishappening," Raghuwanshi said late on Friday in a tweet, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the foreign minister to intervene. #SOS @rashtrapatibhvn @GRamnathkovind @narendramodi Sir we seven people are hostage by locals in Ethiopia, due to non payments of #ILFS What is employee's fault sir.even we didn't get salary from last 5 months all worked in Ethiopia for #ILFS help please b4 it's 2late #sos #Help neeraj raghuwanshi (@chota86) 29 November 2018 Raghuwanshi said the seven IL&FS employees were held in three different locations in Ethiopia, following delayed salaries to staff and non-payment of local government taxes. Another IL&FS member of staff who said he was being hostage, Khurram Imam, wrote on Twitter they were facing "lots of problems like foods, water, electricity". Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the tweets or claims made by people saying they were held hostage. Raghuwanshi did not respond to an email seeking comment while Imam could not be reached for a comment. By IANS NEW DELHI: After breaching the Rs 1-lakh crore-mark in October, revenue collection under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) slided to Rs 97,637 crore in November. The revenue collected in November relates to transactions made in October. The total GST revenue collected in October (for September) was Rs 1,00,710 crore. The Finance Ministry said a total of 69.6 lakh GSTR-3B returns were filed till November 30, bringing in Rs 16,812 crore as Central GST (CGST), Rs 23,070 crore as state GST (SGST), Rs 49,726 crore as Integrated GST (IGST) and Rs 8,031 crore as cess. While the CGST and SGST showed a marginal improvement over last month when they were Rs 16,464 crore and Rs 22,826 crore, respectively, the shortfall in revenue was mainly on account of IGST which was Rs 53,419 crore in October. The cess collected in October was Rs 8,000 crore. "The government has settled Rs 18,262 crore to CGST and Rs 15,704 crore to SGST from IGST as regular settlement. The total revenue earned by the Central and state governments after regular settlement in the month of November is Rs 35,073 crore for CGST and Rs 38,774 crore for the SGST," the Finance Ministry statement said. Rs 11,922 crore has been released to the states as GST compensation for the months of August and September, it said. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday gave a go-ahead for the proposed asset sale of Anil Ambanis Reliance Communication Ltd (RCom) to his elder brother Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, albeit by directing RCom subsidiary Reliance Realty to furnish Rs 1,400 crore as corporate guarantee to the government within two days. A two-judge bench headed by justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and Navin Sinha asked the Central government to issue a no-objection certificate for the spectrum sale within seven days after the guarantee is submitted. The court said a corporate guarantee, backed by properties as assurance already submitted following an order of Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), is sufficient for the government approval. The Supreme Court upheld the earlier order of the TDSAT, and no bank guarantee is now required. The spectrum trading transaction will now be completed and RCom will pay-off Ericsson and minority investors of Reliance Infratel Limited. RComs asset monetisation programme thus proceeds as per plans, an RCom spokesperson said. The Centre had approached the apex court to challenge an October 1 TDSAT order, which rejected the plea of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) seeking bank guarantees worth Rs 2,940 crore before approving the RCom-Jio deal. Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who was appearing for RCom, opposed the idea of furnishing a bank guarantee because the company was undergoing insolvency proceedings. On Monday, RCom had apprised the top court that its asset sale to Jio could be jeopardised if the necessary approvals were not in place by mid-December, which would put at risk its debt repayment plans. Post the order, RCom shares surged 15.49 per cent to Rs 14.72 on BSE. The verdict also brings relief to the debt-laden telecom company, which is trying to pare off of its massive debt of around Rs 45,000 crore. In December 2017, it signed a Rs 25,000 crore deal with Jio, which included the sale of assets mortgaged with different banks to avoid insolvency proceedings. The event was jointly held by the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade and the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA) in a bid to foster consumption in the remaining months of this year and to respond to the Vietnamese people prioritise Vietnamese goods movement. The fair featured more than 100 pavilions by prestigious companies and popular brands in the areas of fashion, cosmetics, household appliances, and consumption goods, including Aristino, Vinmart, Alfresco, Sony, Blue Exchange, GenViet, May 10, and others. Visitors were offered huge discounts of 30% up to 100% off on thousands of products and various types of gifts. Within the framework of the Promotion Fair, Golden Friday was launched in response to Online Friday, the biggest shopping holidays of the year. The Hanoi Promotion Fair and Golden Friday are the last two events within the Hanoi Promotion Month in November, which is a time for consumers to buy high quality products with reasonable prices and attractive gifts. This is also an opportunity for enterprises to promote their brands and sales at the end of the year. Gourav Pratap Mishra By Express News Service BENGALURU: A month since residents of Sir M Visvesvaraya (MV) Layout in Kengeri witnessed unsystematic disposal of chemicals into a drainage leading to Kommaghatta lake, the condition of the lake is worsening. This lake, which is spread across 32 acres and is used by residents as a walking spot, is turning toxic every day. Despite repeated complaints to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), nothing has been done to check the polluting of the lake. CE discovered that there are two major points, towards the east and north of the lake, from where all the sewage waste enters. Garbage and sewage enter Kommaghatta Lake from primarily the east and north sides, affecting aquatic life Gourav Pratap Mishra While the sewage enters the drain from the east point of the lake, waste enters from the north side. A banker and resident of MV layout, said, While most of the area is under construction, the structures towards north of the lake are almost completed, and people are residing there. All the waste from that part of MV layout, Magadi, Doddbasti and many other areas, is released into sewage lines that join the lake. We found that the sewage entering the lake from north has affected 1/3rd of the waterbody. This sewage is mixed with highly-concentrated chemicals. BDA executive engineer Devanand, said, We received complaints last month about people dumping affluents into the drain. When asked if the BDA has done anything to reprimand the culprit, Devanand said, We have received information that the disposal of chemicals was done by some people from Peenya Industrial Area. We have not yet traced the actual culprit. However, discussions have been held with MLA Somshekhar, who had a word with the police. He added, We have urged the police to install CCTV cameras in Sir MV Layout. We are also in talks with Nice Road authorities, so that high mast cameras can be installed for surveillance. Aquatic life affected Earlier this month, several fish and other aquatic species were found dead on the surface of the lake. Residents wrote a letter to the BDA seeking urgent help in clearing the contamination. However, after a long wait, residents approached the Sulikere Gram Panchayat and arranged for limestone and alum, which was put into the lake. This reduced contamination a little, but the water towards north of the lake had turned white, said a resident, Kumar. The lake is surrounded with flora and fauna on all sides, which is suffering every day. On the north side, we noticed plastic bottles, wrappers, food waste and a greenish-white liquid. Another resident said, Often, the water turns acidic and affects the fish. This is why we arranged for limestone and alum. However, these efforts fall short when the level of contamination is so high. The Sulikere Gram Panchayat PDO, Nagraj, said, The solid waste will cause a major problem as the underground drainage will be choked. We are still in talks with the BDA and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and are requesting them to provide a separate line for the lake, which will lead the sewage into the Vrishabavati channel. When we approached the BDA for clarification over BWSSBs role, Devananda said, BWSSB is yet to resolve the sewage issue in the entire area. We have also asked them to take action against the culprits who are polluting the lake. Kumar Vikram By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Opposition parties of all hues came together at the farmers protest here on Friday and attacked the Centre for its alleged pro-rich bias. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, Sharad Yadav and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal shared the stage to demand higher prices for agriculture produce and loan waiver. Gandhi said no one could silence the voice of farmers. They were not demanding a free gift from the government by asking for a farm loan waiver but were only asking for what is due to them. READ | #DilliChalo farmer's rally: Anger palpable among agitating kisans If this government can waive `3.5 lakh crore loans of 15 big industrialists, why cant the loans of farmers be waived, Gandhi asked.Kejriwal said the government had made a lot of promises to the farmers in the last elections but had not fulfilled them. Pawar said the condition of the farmers needs to be changed but the government was not sympathetic towards their plight. Yechury said this was the same police station (Parliament Street police station) where Bhagat Singh was taken into custody for throwing a bomb (in the Legislative Assembly). Narmada Bachao Andolan activist Medha Patkar alleged that the government from the very beginning had adopted pro-corporate policies and not a single major initiative for farmers had been launched. Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh took to Twitter to criticise the Congress for taking part in the protest. ALSO READ | We stand united with farmers in ensuring their good future: Rahul Gandhi heavyweights at the mammoth gathering Express News Service NEW DELHI: Deserted by the Rain God, the Santhals, the largest indigenous tribe in Jharkhand, are finding it tough to meet even their basic necessities in the hinterland of the eastern state.We are a drought-hit state. For over the past four years, the situation has just got worse. Not only there is a dearth of water for irrigation, but also for drinking. We alone know the circumstances in which we are living in, Dena Mrom, 45, a Santhal woman said. Dena has three children two daughters, and a son. Given the current circumstances, their future seems bleak, she added. Jharkhand has over 30 tribal communities and Santhals are a major tribe in the state. They are largely reliant on agriculture to eke out their living. ALSO READ: Farmers troubles unite divided Opposition A tribal in ethnic paint duringthe march Farming is tough for the Karamtola villager as well as for many others like her in Dumka, as the district received less than 75 per cent of rainfall this year. And, Dumka is not the lone such parched district in Jharkhand. The state government plans to seek financial assistance from the Centre for drought-hit areas. Some of the Santhal farmers from this region are vocal about the reasons for which they decided to land in Delhi. Sosana Marandi, 40, from Jharkhand suffered extensive crop loss due to inadequate rains this year. There is no respite for us despite the loss of crops. She wonders if the march will result in any aid from the government. Prem Lal, another farmer belonging to the Santhal tribe, describes the loss of crops as a yearly affair. I primarily grow rice and wheat. Almost everything was damaged this year.But it is just not poor prices of farm produce that affect the farmers. They are also worried over unemployment and malnutrition among their children. The government is serving the corporate interest and lands are being acquired in the state without consulting the gram sabhas. If agricultural land is taken away, what will be the other means of earning for the farmers? There wont be any yield from barren land, asserted Surjit Sinha, general secretary, Jharkhand Raj Kisan Sabha. Mathura Bai Barude, a Bhil woman from Nashik, is candid about how the scheduled tribes of Maharashtra suffer due to absence of their landholdings. We have no rights. Till day, the lands are not in our names. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday defended education departments information gathering process as he said the Election Commission should not look like its supporting education mafia, which is functioning in Delhi schools. Sisodia also hit out at the Centre for denying him a permission to visit Austria, where he was supposed to represent the Delhi governments innovative happiness classes, which started three months ago in government-run schools. According to the Delhis education minister, the voter IDs of parents have been asked just as an address proof of their children. We have been noticing that many schools have been fudging with the number of students on paper. During the inquiry we found that a few schools have just 15 students, but on paper the number is 50. We are not going to throw out any student. Under the Right to Education Act, education is a right of every child but we will not support education mafia. Sisodia also added the Election Commission should focus more on ensuring elections are held properly rather than stopping the government from doing its work. In a data collection drive that started in September, the Delhi government had asked all the schools, public and private, to compile comprehensive data of all students, their guardians and siblings, with their mobile numbers, voter ID details and educational qualifications. Objecting strongly to the Delhi government, the Election Commission (EC) ordered the state government to stop this exercise. The EC and the Aam Aadmi Party have been at loggerheads over the past few months as the latter has accused the election body of deleting names of lakhs of voters from the voting list, without following the due process. The issue was also discussed at the recently held Special Assembly session, where the members passed a resolution asking the Delhi Chief Election Officer to put the names of deleted voters on the website for public. The Deputy CM said, It is for the first time in the history that people from other countries are coming to Delhi in order to understand the education model that we are implementing here but the Centre does not give us the permit; without giving any reason they reject the application, same thing they did with Satyendra Jain a few days ago. But let me tell Modi, how many hurdles you try to create in our development work, we will succeed. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: An eight-month-old baby boy was kidnapped from Lalaguda railway station here on Friday morning. The incident came to light when the boys mother was seen crying by the morning walkers, who then alerted the local police through Dial 100. Secunderabad Railway police rushed to the spot and launched a hunt. The kidnapper is identified as Ghouse and reportedly known to the victim Eshwars parents. According to railway police, Eshwars parents Miraj and Srikanth were residing on the railway platform and eked out a living through rag picking. Three months ago Ghouse, who is also a rag picker, joined them and all three of them were staying together on the platform. Police said that Eshwars parents had an argument over a petty issue on Thursday night, after which they went to sleep along with the baby. Adi Reddy, Inspector Secunderabad railway police, said that Miraj fed the baby at around 4.30 am and went to sleep again. When she woke up around 6 am, the baby was missing. She informed her husband Srikanth and later they found out that Ghouse was also missing. Further inquiries revealed that Ghouse travelled to Secunderabad railway station along with the baby in an autorickshaw and got down at Rathifile bus stop, from there he took another autorickshaw and headed towards Nallakunta. Vijaya Pratap By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Displaying a disarming blend of sophistication and earthiness, Glasgow has regenerated and evolved over the last couple of decades: its Victorian architectural legacy and Charles Rennie Mackintoshs sublime works dot the town, even as the River Clyde acts as a symbol of the citys renaissance. Glasgow, as Scotlands creative capital, celebrates Mackintoshs 150th anniversary this year while his chic creations steal the show. During a tour of Mackintoshs Glasgow, I gathered a few interesting facts. Along with the Industrial Revolution, Asian style and emerging modernist ideas also influenced Mackintoshs designs. Glasgows link with Japan facilitated artists like Mackintosh who were inspired by its restraint and economy of means rather than ostentatious accumulation; its simple forms and natural materials rather than elaboration and artifice; the use of texture and light and shadow rather than pattern and ornament. In the old western style, furniture was seen as an ornament that displayed the wealth of its owner and the value of the piece was established according to the length of time spent creating it. Focusing on the quality of the space, which was meant to evoke a calming and organic feeling to the interior, discarding heavy ornamentation and inherited styles, Mackintosh became known as the pioneer of the Modernist movement. He built around the needs of people: looking at people not as masses, but as individuals who needed not a machine for living in but a work of art. This proud son of Glasgow took his inspiration from his Scottish upbringing and blended them with the flourish of Art Nouveau and the simplicity of Japanese forms. Queens Cross Church Built between 1897 and 1899, it is the only church in the world designed by Mackintosh and is one of Glasgows hidden architectural gems. The simplicity of the design is striking. The windows are Gothic in character, yet are infused with the Mackintosh spirit, and the floral motifs he affected can be easily recognised, particularly on the tracery of the large western window above the chancel. The great vaulted roof is dominated by striking steel tie beams with robust exposed rivets and plates. The coloured glass used minimally was quite striking. The Mackintosh House The Hunterian (in the University of Glasgow) is home to one of Scotlands finest collections. It includes The Mackintosh House: the reassembled principal interiors of the Glasgow home of Mackintosh & Margaret Macdonald (1906-1914). It was like entering into the hallowed precincts of the artist couple: the beautiful rooms are outstanding works of art in their own right and provide rare insight into the Mackintoshes private home life. Decorated in his distinctive style, remarkable for the disciplined austerity of the furnishings and decoration, the interiors display Mackintoshes own furniture. It was originally a Victorian house, redesigned and renovated for his wife. The entrance was optically widened for a better effect by placing wooden panels/ door frames along the wall and cutting the too high lintel at a mid level with a glass window/ ventilator. I liked the vanity mirror reflecting the light from the opportunity window, brightening up the place. The electrical lights designed by his wife and an interesting umbrella stand in wrought iron caught my eye. Mackintosh himself designed some very pretty electric lights, while master craftsmen slogged over the same to bring out lovely, quaint lampshades with a bit of stained glass in each, the colours standing out prominently. The pinks, the blood reds and the purples sparkled in the glass, everything handmade. The trellis pattern in the dining room impressed me and the runner made by his wife. The chimney rest, mantlepiece, the wooden panels around the dining hall, the light coloured carpets (upstairs), white curtains, cabinets designed in 1902 (painted on wood, look like glass), everything spells Mackintosh. The bedrooms were originally two, merged into one, specially designed for his beloved Margaret. It was the first 4-post bed Mackintosh ever designed, matched with the white wardrobes: unpainted oak from inside, panelled out. In the tiny guest bedroom, the beds with a three-dimensional effect were made to look bigger and wider; I felt the pinstriped upholstery on the beds looked a bit weird. Though practical, the very small space of 4 metres by 4 certainly did not seem warm to the guests. The library has some book covers designed by him; an erotic painting white rose red rose calls for attention; the study table has silver panels designed by Margaret. The highlight of Mackintosh designs is the high backed and the short chairs with squares: you cannot but fall in love with them. One particular chair post starts with a circle and interestingly ends up in a rectangle! There was a sedan chair with curtains on both sides, wonder why and for whom it was designed and who sat in it, to be carried around Glasgow!! I simply and flatly fell in love with the purple high backed chairs painted silver on oak...they looked so very pretty, I secretly planned to steal them, my admiration for the chairs did not deter me from committing this serious crime and be imprisoned in a Mackintosh chair forever!! The silver-purple chairs...Oh! Theyre too pretty to be forgotten! (The author is a documentary filmmaker and travel writer; she blogs at vijayaprataptravelandbeyond.com) By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The death of a 5-month-old baby at the State-run childrens home Shishu Vihar in Hyderabad recently was the third death reported this year from the home. Data obtained by Express from the Shishu Vihar officials reflects that the home saw 20 deaths last year, reflecting how the situation had improved dramatically. The data further suggests that in 2016, a total of 34 children succumbed to various illnesses. In 2015, the number was as high as 54 in Hyderabads home alone. Our approach has changed a lot and we are rushing children to even the corporate hospital as soon as they have minor sickness, said Ramulu, Regional Joint Director, Department of Women Development and Child Welfare. The home also has a doctor on call to attend to the children. At present, there are 230 children lodged in the home between the age group of 0 to 6 of whom seven were diagnosed with serious medical conditions and treated at private hospitals for their genetic diseases. A majority of the children who are abandoned have diseases like TB, HIV or genetic disorders and deformity which makes parents abandon the children. Moreover they are not breastfed and so their low immunity makes their survival a challenge, adds a senior official from the home. They have raised a strong suggestion to have a primary health care unit with good infrastructure within the campus located in Yousufguda. There are a number of children here so it would be better to have a medical centre right here, added a senior official. By Express News Service KOCHI: A Naval Operations Demonstration (Op Demo) by ships, aircraft and units of Southern Naval Command (SNC) will be conducted off Rajendra Maidan in Kochi, as part of the Navy Week celebrations on Sunday. Governor P Sathasivam will be the chief guest at the event, which will be hosted by SNC Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Anil Chawla. An abridged Op Demo, including most of the events conducted off Rajendra Maidan, will also be showcased off Fort Kochi beach front on the same day. The events will include a warship demo, air display and fly past by Naval aircraft, demonstration by Marine Commandos, helicopter operations from a ship and interception of a suspicious vessel by a Fast Interceptor Craft. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: The AP State governments anti corruption watchdog ACB and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which has been barred from operating in the State, were at loggerheads on Friday with the countrys premier investigation agency taking strong exception to the ACB trapping a central government employee even as it sought a specific consent to trap the official. The CBI alleged that the ACB issued a release (about the trap) giving the impression that the complainant had directly approached them (ACB). The CBI press release on Friday said the ACB acted on its own and trapped the official even as the CBI made a written request to the State home department seeking specific consent to act against the official. The controversy unfolded with the ACB, in the first act of enforcement against a Central government employee after the CBI was barred from operating in the State, arresting a Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs employee for taking a bribe in Machilipatnam on Friday. It is the CBI which acts against Central government employees in bribery and other cases but with the State government withdrawing General Consent to it, the ACB had acted upon a complaint by a trader and caught the central tax official. Based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Machilipatnam, ACB Central Investigation Unit trapped and arrested Mukku Kali Ramaneswar, a superintendent in Central GST Range Office, Machilipatnam, CBITC Department (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs), when he was taking a bribe of `30,000 from the complainant, K Lokesh Babu. However, the controversy unfolded with a release of CBI tweeted on the social media started making rounds. In the release, the CBI said that its Superintendent of Police based at Visakhapatnam received a complaint from Lokesh Babu about the bribery demand by Ramaneswar.Immediately on receipt of the complaint, the CBI SP, Visakhapatnam, wrote a top secret letter addressed to the Principal Secretary (Home on November 28) and sent the letter by hand through its DSP rank officer. The letter was delivered to the principal secretary in the afternoon. In the letter, it was requested to issue specific consent to CBI to lay a trap in this particular complaint. It was also requested to keep the information strictly confidential and not to share the information with any other party, the release read. The CBI SP had also personally called on principal secretary, Home, at her office at Velaguapudi the next day and requested an early action in issuing a specific consent under Section 6 of DSPE Act to enable CBI to register a case and lay trap as AP State government had withdrawn the General Consent on November 8. This communication was followed by another letter to principal secretary, Home with copy to the chief secretary from the Head of Zone of CBI on November 30 requesting immediate issue of specific consent. The CBI said that the AP government did not issue the specific consent as requested by it. Instead, the details were shared by the home department with State ACB and the ACB laid a trap on Friday evening for Ramaneswar by using the contents of the request letter. Further, the State ACB also issued a press release as if the complainant had approached them. The CBI deeply mourns such non-cooperation by the Sstate government in this matter. This will make only the fight against corruption more difficult for the anti-corruption agencies and the mutual trust between the agencies will be vitiated. Corruption can be eradicated only through mutual trust and cooperation, the release said. Soon after the release was out and it stands exposed, the ACB DG RP Thakur reacted in the night. ACB DG will provide all cooperation to CBI in curbing corruption in AP. And also seek equal cooperation from them, the ACB DG said. Further, the DG added, AP ACB is dedicated and determined to eradicate corruption in state among all officials no matter whether they belong to Centre or State. According to ACB Director General RP Thakur, the complainant K Lokesh Babu runs a steel and cement shop on his mothers name in Machilipatnam. On November 11, he received a phone call from Ramaneswar stating that a notice sent to him had returned and asked him to come to his office to discuss input tax credit (ITC) claim. On November 19, when Lokesh met Ramaneswar, the latter demanded a formality amount of `1 lakh for of not creating problems in the future while conducting audit of the shop records. When Lokesh expressed his inability to pay the demanded amount, Ramaneswar accepted to reduce the formality amount to Rs 50,000. On November 23, Lokesh went to the office to hand over the amount but the office was closed on the day. In the subsequent conversations, the formality amount was reduced to Rs 30,000-Rs 40,000, Thakur said in a release. On November 28, Lokesh called Ramaneswar again and said he was ready to submit all the relevant documents as early as possible but the latter insisted that the amount be paid within two days. Not willing to pay, Lokesh approached the ACB and our officials caught Ramaneswar at his house while he was taking the money, said Thakur. When TNIE asked about the jurisdiction and technical issues after the arrest, Thakur said that they (ACB) were given authority to take action against corrupt officials working in the State (according to the recent directives released on November 11) and claimed it is their duty to act on complaints received on corruption. Todays incident is just the beginning. In coming days, we will continue registering cases against the corrupt officials working in Central government departments, he said. By PTI UDAIPUR: Congress president Rahul Gandhi Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of shaping the Army's 2016 surgical strike across the LoC into a "political asset" and being "unsuccessful" in creating job opportunities for the youth. Addressing a gathering at Udaipur in poll-bound Rajasthan, he also claimed that non-performing assets (NPA) of banks was Rs 2 lakh crore during UPA rule and it rose to Rs 12 lakh crore during the BJP government at the Centre. ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhis campaign: Minor tweaks for major poll impact "The government waived loans of 15 to 20 industrialists. Banking system is concentrated only for them. NPA is not of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, traders, doctors or lawyers," Gandhi said. Referring to the surgical strikes on terror pads across the LoC on September 29, 2016, he told the gathering, "Like during the Narendra Modi government, surgical strike was conducted thrice during Manmohan Singh government. Are you aware of it? Modi actually reached into the Army's domain and shaped surgical strike into a political asset." The Congress president alleged that the surgical strike was made public as the BJP was fighting elections in Uttar Pradesh. On demonetisation and the GST implementations, Gandhi claimed that people have confusion about these. "It was a scam, which opened doors for big companies. Demonetisation and the GST shattered the economy and broke common man's back. It opened doors for big companies," he said, alleging that the BJP government at the centre failed to create job opportunities for the youth. When asked about data privacy, Gandhi said IT companies have understood that India and China has large data. "Data should remain with people and not crony capitalists. That is our belief," he said. Claiming that even though India has medical insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat, it does not have good hospitals, the Congress chief said, "We cannot run the country without pumping money into public health and education sectors. " He said, "India will surpass China if we have the right government for next 15-20 years. Respect those who have skills, India will surpass China." "China has a lead but we have not lost the competition," he said. Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue, and Minister of Industry and Trade, Tran Tuan Anh, attended the opening ceremony. Addressing the ceremony, Minister Tran Tuan Anh said that Online Friday has been held for the fifth consecutive year and is an important event for the business community to develop solutions towards consumers and build trust in online trade transactions in the context of increasing digital trends. He noted that, over the past five years, the online shopping festival has seen expansion in the number of participating companies, products, services, and retail sales. The total retail sales during the festival increased from VND160 billion in 2014 to VND1,223 billion in 2017. The Online Friday event has also contributed to promoting the development of electronic commerce and the digital economy in Vietnam, Anh added. During the festival from November 30 to December 9, carriers such as VNPost, Nijavan, Lalamove, Snailship and others will coordinate with retailers to offer free or discounted delivery costs. Moreover, 20 commercial banks will accompany consumers during the event to support them with cashless payments and other card services. By Express News Service RAJANNA-SIRCILLA: TRS leader KT Rama Rao on Friday ridiculed claims of Peoples Front leaders that previous governments were to be credited for improving the power supply situation in Telangana region. Rao, who is the TRS candidate for Sircilla Assembly constituency, claimed that it was the TRS government that revolutionised the power sector by making uninterrupted power supply a reality. Previously in united Andhra Pradesh, if we did not have power cuts, it was breaking news. Now, due to efforts by TRS government, a single power cut can be so uncommon that it makes the news, he said. The TRS leader was campaigning for his party at a Praja Ashirwada Sabha in Tangallapalli mandal and a road show in Ghambiraopet mandal. Addressing the crowd, Rao said farmers suffered during previous regimes during regimes which did not care for their welfare. Back then, there were frequent power cuts. Seeds meant for distribution used to get held up at police stations. But now, thanks to TRS government schemes such as Rythu Bandhu and Rythu Bheema (insurance), farmers problems have been solved, he said. Rao claimed that he would ensure that the Narmala tank would be filled with water from the Mid Manair dam within a period of six months after assuming power. He also promised he would facilitate the construction of a rail-cum-road bridge over Manair vagu, similar to Rajahmundry barrage in Andhra Pradesh. The TRS leader claimed that if TRS had not won in 2014, Sircilla would have never been a district. Think about what (TRS chief) K Chandrasekhar Rao has done for Sircilla and the welfare of its people, he told them. Continuing his attack on the Congress party, Rao claimed the partys leaders were desha mudurs. By Express News Service PATNA: Disgruntled Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) chief and Union minister Upendra Kushwaha on Saturday mounted a veiled attack on BJP for ignoring his demand for more than three seats to contest in next years Lok Sabha polls amid speculations that he is preparing to quit NDA and resign from the Union cabinet in a week. With his ultimatum of November 30 for BJP to settle NDAs seat-sharing scheme for Bihar having expired without a word from the national party, an apparently resentful Kushwaha said his party would decide its next course of action at a conference in Motihari on December 6. RLSP sources said the regional party led by the Union minister of state for human resources plans to walk out of NDA before parliaments winter session begins on December 11. Kushwaha, who has been feeling marginalised in NDA after BJP and its main Bihar ally JD(U) decided last month to contest on 17 seats each, failed to meet either BJP chief Amit Shah or Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi despite having sought an appointment from both. He returned to Patna on Friday evening after camping in New Delhi for five days. Only they (Shah and Modi) can answer why I was not given time for a meeting. But I can describe this situation in the words of the poet Dinkar: Jab nash manushya par chhata hai, toh vivek mar jaata hai. (Conscience dies when man is seized by destructive tendencies.), he told reporters. He has earlier suggested that NDA would suffer losses in the LS polls if its smaller allies walk out. The RLSP chief said he tried twice to meet Shah to discuss the seat-sharing issue and even waited for a meeting with him on Friday, but in vain. RLSP leaders said BJP was deliberately ignoring Kushwaha under pressure from JD(U) and forcing it to walk out, but BJP leaders maintained that the saffron party is keen to have RLSP in NDA. My party will take a decision (on the next step) after discussing it with all our leaders and workers at the three-day chintan shivir starting at Valmikinagar on December 4 and the open-house conference at Motihari on December 6, said Kushwaha. Although a formal seat-sharing formula for Bihars NDA is yet to be announced, indications have come that RLSP would get only two seats to contest against its demand for at least five. Bihar has 40 LS seats, and RLSP had won all the three seats it had contested in the 2014 LS polls, in which NDA had won 32 seats. JD(U), which had contested those polls on its own, had won just two seats. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and senior Congress leader Motilal Vora in its chargesheet in connection with the irregularities with the re-allotment of land in Panchkula to Associated Journals Limited (AJL). The country's premier investigation agency, in its chargesheet filed in a special court, alleged that the allotment of the institutional land had caused a loss of Rs 67 lakh to the exchequer. The AJL is allegedly controlled by top Congress leaders. In its chargesheet, the agency has charged Hooda, then the chairman of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), the then chairman of AJL Vora and the company under sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal conspiracy and also under sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CBI alleged that the AJL was allotted the land in Panchkula in 1982 and was taken back by the HUDA after no construction was done on it till 1992. The allotment was cancelled in 1996 and Vora filed appeals to reconsider the case. However, they were dismissed. The chargesheet alleged that the same piece of land then re-allotted to the AJL at the original rate in 2005 by violating the guidelines laid down by the then chairman of HUDA. There are six CBI cases and several other vigilance department investigations against Hooda which are currently underway. The CBI is investigating several scams, mostly related to illegal land grab that took place during his rule in Haryana. Based on the CBI case, the Enforcement Directorate is also conducting a money laundering probe and has recorded the statements of Hooda and Vora. Amit Agnihotri By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Congress, which has been crying foul over fake voter lists in poll-going states, on Saturday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was tampering with Electronic Voting Machines in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh (MP) fearing its impending defeat. Chhattisgarh witnessed two-phased elections on November 12 and 20 and MP on November 28. The results would be out on December 11 after Rajasthan votes on December 7. The BJP is nervous fearing its impending defeat in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and is therefore playing with the peoples mandate, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said hours after a party delegation petitioned the Election Commission (EC) over the issue. The Grand Old Partys apprehension was not new. Before the polls, the opposition party had urged the election panel to take note of lakhs of fake voters it had identified in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh, MP and Rajasthan. Sources said two incidents, an unmarked bus full of EVMs found in MP home ministers constituency 48 hours after polling got over and EVMs found in hotel rooms, alerted the party managers, who decided to take the issue to the ECs door. Congress MP Vivek Tankha claimed there was no electricity in a strong room in Bhopal for over an hour during which the CCTV cameras had also stopped functioning. On Friday, MP Congress chief Kamal Nath had urged party workers to keep an eye on the strong rooms while All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Chhattisgarh, PL Punia urged state polling officials to follow more transparent practices on the crucial counting day. District Collectors have been entering the strongrooms where EVMs are stored, carrying their mobile phones with them, which is not allowed, said Punia, adding that he had urged the local election officials to tabulate results round-wise and make them available to the respective party candidates. Suspicious party insiders said complaints of faulty EVMs were being reported more from the areas where the Congress had done better, indicating their rivals were up to something fishy. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Making it clear that he has no regrets over the unprecedented January 12 press conference by the four senior-most Supreme Court judges, retired Justice Kurian Joseph on Friday said that after the issues were raised, things have started changing at the apex court and have become more transparent. A day after he was retired, Justice Joseph held an informal interaction with media persons at his official residence where he celebrated his birthday and cut cake. I never regretted whatever I did. I did it very consciously for a cause; for a cause for which there was no other way left. That was the stage, when we did it. You cant say that the crisis is fully over, because it was an institutional crisis. So it takes a long time for the systems and the practices to change. Hopefully it will change, the retired judge said. Kurian Joseph was part of the January 12 press conference in which the present Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, Justice M B Lokur and former judge J Chelameswar had raised serious issues including the roster system ( allocation of cases in the top court). He also asserted that there is no political pressure in the exercise of judicial powers by a judge. He, however, added that the manner in which appointments are selectively delayed or withheld is in a way interference in the administration of justice. On elaborating the issues with regard to roster system, Justice Joseph said, There were certain systems and practices which we have been asking. Instead of an individual taking a decision without consulting anybody, lets have some systems and practices to be followed which would be healthy for the institutions. Thats what we have been asking, that lets have a consultative process. Clarifying his position on why a full court meeting was not convened and press conference was called, Justice Joseph said, No judge can convene a full court meeting on its own. Only the chief justice can convene a full court meeting. It was for the CJI to convene a full court meeting. There were many such requests made in this regard. Justice Joseph also reiterated that he is not going to take up any post-retirement job. As long as the govt thinks post-retirement jobs for judges is a charity, judges should not accept such positions. But tribunals are to be filled, so if govt calls them honourably, then its fine, he said. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: A team of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) is likely to arrive in Manipur from Dehradun on Saturday to examine the mysterious killings of livestock by unknown predators. In the past month, a number of ducks, goats, pigs, and chickens were targeted by the predators. They descend down on mostly foothill areas at night in districts such as Churachandpur, Imphal East, Kakching and Kangpokpi. There has been, however, no report of attack on human beings. The state's forest minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar said a task force would be formed to trap the unknown predators. On Friday, he, along with departmental officials, inspected a site near Imphal river in Imphal East district where a woman had reportedly noticed the movement of two "unidentified animals" on Thursday. The first of the killings was reported from Churachandpur on November 6. The latest killings took place on Thursday in a hilly area. The carcasses of some chickens and goats were found with their internal organs dismembered. Shyamkumar suspected that some small animals come down from the hills in search of food and hunt the livestock. There have been reports that in the wake of the killings, the locals were hunting civet cats. He appealed to people to stop the acts. "A team of the WTI is coming to Imphal. Hopefully, we will be able to identify the predators once the WTI team carries out an investigation," the minister said. By Online Desk Police has arrested a man, accused of raping his three-year-old daughter after a quarrel with his wife in Gurugram. The incident took place on October 28 night. The accused committed the crime with his elder daughter after his wife left home for her relatives's with their younger one. The accused, a resident of Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh, was in an inebriated state, Assistant Commissioner of Police Shamsher Singh said, adding, he fled home soon after committing the crime. Finding the girl alone, he raped her, Singh said, adding that when the wife returned home the next day, around 10 am, she found her "daughter unconscious and the bed sheet stained with blood". The accused soon man had fled the house. Police registered a case based on the woman's complaint, he said. "The girl was taken to a hospital for medical checkup and sexual assault was confirmed. She was referred to Delhi's Safdarjung hospital as her condition was critical," Singh said. (With PTI inputs) Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: While 23-year-old Manjot Singh Kohli, a Sikh girl, wants to donate one of her kidneys to save her Muslim friend Samreen Akhtar, who is suffering from an organ failure, Kohli's father wouldn't have any of it and has even appealed to Governor Satya Pal Malik, who currently holds the administrative reins of Jammu and Kashmir, to prevent her daughter from donating her kidney. Manjot, a social activist and entrepreneur from Udhampur, volunteered to donate one of her kidneys to her friend Samreen, who hails from Rajouri district. They have been good friends for long and Manjot is willing to part with one of her kidneys to help Samreen live. After she was diagnosed with renal failure, Samreen's mother wanted to donate one of her kidneys to save her daughter's life. However, doctors told her that she wasn't medically fit to part with one of her kidneys. On being told of her friend's plight and learning that she urgently needs a kidney transplant to live, Manjot told Samreen and her family members that she was ready to donate one of her kidneys to her. She even visited her ailing friend at the Sher-I Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, and informed the hospital management that she wants to donate one of her kidneys to Samreen. Manjot and Samreen even appeared before the SKIMS Soura authorisation committee, on several occasions, to complete the formalities with regard to organ donation. "They cleared us for the transplant procedure two months ago, but are now unnecessary hurdles saying that since belong to different religions, this might become a prickly issue for us," Manjot said. However, a doctor at SKIMS said they are exercising caution in the matter as they don't have a consent for the procedure from the Sikh girl's family, yet. "Given the circumstances, we can't take a decision in haste. We have to complete all legal formalities and do the necessary paperwork before going ahead with the transplant procedure," the doctor said. For Samreen and her family, Manjot is an angel and a true friend. "She has shown friendship is above religion and caste. I want to thank Manjot for her selfless act of love and kindness towards me and my family," Samreen said. However, just as Samreen and her family were hoping that the hospital would allow the kidney transplant, Manjot's father went public with her opposition to the procedure. A video message, which has gone viral on social media, shows Manjot's father Gurdeep Singh Kohli urging her to do a rethink on her humanitarian gesture. "She hasn't been living with me for months. She met me on November 10 saying that she wants to donate one of her kidneys to her friend. I opposed it. I reminded her of her responsibilities. I have 75% disability and cannot move," Manjot's father said. "I appeal to her her to have pity on me. I am paralysed and there's no one to look after me. Please, come back to me and think about your future. Who will marry you if you donate one of your kidneys?" he said. Manjot's parents met with an accident in 2014. While her mother died in the accident, her father sustained life changing injuries. By UNI NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday evening joined issue with her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi for his 'googly' remarks on Kartarpur Corridor engagement between two sides and said such remarks has only exposed Islamabad's policy makers. "Mr Foreign Minister of Pakistan - Your 'googly' remarks in a dramatic manner has exposed none but YOU," Ms Swaraj tweeted two days after Mr Qureshi told a function in Islamabad on Thursday that "Imran (Khan) delivered a 'googly' and India sent two ministers to Pakistan". Ms Swaraj maintained the remarks from Mr Qureshi only "showed that you have no respect for Sikh sentiments. You only play googlies". "Let me explain to you that we were not trapped by your 'googlies'," the External Affairs Minister said making it clear that two Sikh Ministers went to Kartarpur Sahib to "offer prayers in the Holy Gurudwara". Senior Akali Dal leader and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who went to Kartarpur on November 28 along with another minister Hardeep Singh Puri, said on Friday there is no space for 'one-upmanship' on the issue. "Going to Sri Kartarpur Sahib was matter of faith for me. Indulging in one-upmanship on this sacred issue is uncalled for," Ms Badal wrote in a Tweet. Ms Badal also tweeted: "No one was bowled over by any googly". Ms Badal - herself a Sikh - contended that Prime Minister Modi and ministers "have only respected sentiments of Sikhs by authoring and participating in this noble initiative". By PTI PATNA: RJD president Lalu Prasad's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav Friday made his first appearance at the state assembly on the final day of the ongoing winter session. An MLA from Mahua in Vaishali district, Tej Pratap has kept away from his family as well politics since he filed for divorce on November 3. On Friday, he came to the Vidhan Sabha wearing a white dhoti and kurta and an off-white waistcoat besides sporting a red tilak on his forehead. He, however, avoided crossing paths with his younger brother Tejashwi Yadav, who is the Leader of the Opposition, as well as mother Rabri Devi, who occupies the same position in the legislative council, signalling disquiet in the family over the divorce issue. Tej Pratap declined to answer queries about his ongoing marital strife but was quick to defend his party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal's (RJD) frequent stalling of proceedings in the House, which on Friday too was adjourned till 2 pm within minutes of commencement. Bihar is in turmoil. The opposition has to do whatever is possible to draw the attention of the government towards the plight of the people, he told reporters before getting inside his car and speeding away. Yadav, who had arrived here on Wednesday night, is said to be putting up at a hotel and while appearing before a court on Thursday in connection with his divorce petition, he admitted that he had not visited his home nor met any member of his family but declined to reply to further queries. Known for his volatile disposition, Tej Pratap's decision to seek a divorce from Aishwarya Rai, his wife of six months, has not gone down well with his parents and siblings. The court had posted the matter for further hearing on January 8, 2019. He had last month made it clear that he would not return home until his family came out in support of his decision. He was also conspicuous by his absence at a dinner hosted at the residence of Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday night. RJD state president and MLC Ramchandra Purve later said the get-together was organised to celebrate the success of the party in effectively putting the government on the mat during the ongoing session of the legislature. The event was co-chaired by Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz and Vietnamese Construction Minister Pham Hong Ha. Speaking at the event, Minister Diaz said both sides are working hard to update their economic-trade cooperation roadmap for 2019. He added that with their special political relations as a foundation, reflected by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trongs visit to Cuba in March 2018 and President Miguel Diaz Canel Bermudezs visit to Vietnam in October 2018, both sides are looking to lift two-way trade to US$500 million in the coming years. Minister Ha highlighted healthcare and agricultural cooperation as promising fields that need to be tapped in order to tighten bilateral economic and trade links. He called for measures to create favourable conditions for investors who are keen to launch projects in Cuba, including Vietnams projects in the Mariel Special Development Zone. The same day, Ha held a working session with Cuban Vice President of the Council of Ministers Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz. Both sides highlighted the progress made in bilateral ties in recent years, notably the new trade agreement signed during Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canels visit to Vietnam and various agriculture projects of note. Mayank Singh By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) gave a nod to procure and fit the two stealth missile frigates, being built in Russia, with the indigenuous BrahMos cruise missiles. Chairing the DAC meeting in South Block, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accorded approval for acquisition of defence equipment for about Rs 3,000 crore which included the procurement of the Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARVs) along with the BrahMos missiles. The DAC decision comes as a follow up of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decision taken in October 2018 to get four Tabar- class stealth frigates as Follow-on Ships. Of the four, two are being built in Russia and the other two will be built in India at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). Sources, on condition of anonymity, informed TNIE that Russians have agreed to transfer the technology and the cost negotiations will be done in future. The indigenously-designed BrahMos missile is a tested and proven supersonic cruise missile and will form the primary weapon on-board these ships. The DAC also approved the procurement of Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs) for the Indian Armys Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun. These recovery vehicles are designed and developed by DRDO and will be manufactured by M/S Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). ARVs ensure efficient and speedy repair and recovery operations during combat. Ramananda Sengupta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: India pulled off a spectacular balancing act at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires, where the spotlight was on the fissures between various nations who could not even agree to disagree. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met leaders of opposing camps in bilateral and trilateral settings on the sidelines of the summit, firmly positioning India as a neutral guest at the world's top table. His first meeting upon arrival Thursday was with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, or MBS, who has been linked to the gruesome murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. The only Arab leader at the gathering, MBS was cold-shouldered by several European leaders as well as by Justin Trudeau of Canada. But several other leaders, including Presidents Xi Jinping of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia, went out of their way to greet and meet the young Saudi leader. US President Donald Trump, despite having defended MBS earlier, kept his interaction minimal. Apart from a bilateral meeting with Xi, where the two sides hailed the thaw in relations during their fourth meeting this year, Modi also joined two significant trilateral meetings on the margins of the G20. One was the first trilateral with Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and the other with Presidents Xi and Putin in the second trilateral held after a 12-year gap. While the first meeting Trump, who had imposed sanctions on Russia for its alleged interference in US elections, cancelled a planned meeting with Putin after Russian ships seized three Ukrainian vessels near Crimea. The US and China have been locked in a bitter trade war which shows no signs of abating. And though Xi and Abe met earlier this year to sort out some differences, the two nations have been traditional rivals for ages. "These meetings put India in a unique position in the international arena, and often allows us to act as quiet intermediaries between rival nations," said one official. "But it also comes from the experience of having walked a diplomatic tightrope for years between Israel and the Arab world, both of which are critical for India," he said. "India is seen as an honest interlocutor by both sides." Another official, however, warned that India might face a situation where push comes to shove, and asked to clearly choose between two rival nations or groups. "For instance, when George W Bush, who passed away earlier this morning, told the world that either you are with us or against us (in the war or terror), it forced a lot of nations to make very difficult choices." Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Having gained the confidence after winning the battle of his pride against the age old dominance of upper castes and orthodox social order, Sanjay Jatav of Kasganj, shot to fame as the 'Dalit Dulha' (dalit groom). Now, he is ready to try his hand at electoral politics. He is contemplating fighting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from the reserved Hathras seat or as a general candidate from the Etawah parliamentary constituency. However, it will be interesting to watch if he is fielded by a political party or fulfils his political ambitions on his own. Having emerged as a nonconformist, a role model for young dalits, the 'Dulha' (groom) of Kasganj is being eyed by political parties, especially Congress, to connect with the community in general. Despite being a BSP member, Sanjay has been mentioned in the 'development of new dalit leadrship' section of Congress's official circular related to its special campaign Samvidhan to Swabhiman abhiyan launched on November 12 to connect with Dalits. According to highly placed sources in the Congress, the particular section of the circular which talks about Congress's plans to connect with Dalits, enunciates directives for party workers to get associated with people like Sanjay Jatav of Kasganj. "The circular directs party leaders to identify more such people like Kasganj's Sanjay Jatav, who has emerged as a new icon for Dalits," the source said. Likely to be left out of the prospective SP-BSP-RLD alliance, Congress has gone back to the drawing board to chalk out an independent roadmap for the 2019 battle. Dalit outreach is an essential part of the party's strategy. In its quest to woo the Dalits, who constitute a big chunk around 21 per cent of the total population of Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has initiated a process to identify new icons to convince the section about the genuineness of its intentions. In this regard, the party is planning to project Kasganj groom Sanjay Jatav as a modern Dalit icon. He had challenged the might of dominant Thakurs in his village Nizampur in Kasganj district. After a psychological battle of three months and armed with a favourable High Court order, Sanjay took out his wedding procession as per his wish passing through the locality of upper caste thakurs, riding a horse. His barat was accompanied by a heavy security cordon provided by the district police administration on July 15, 2018. Earlier, only Thakurs had the right to ride a horse in the village. After standing up to challenge the age old traditions and defying an orthodox social order, Sanjay shot to fame and turned a celebrity in no time. According to sources, Jatav has taken Congress's 'gesture' as good news. At present, he is a bit peeved over the attitude of the leaders of his parent party BSP, as the party did not help him in getting his 'barat' issue settled. By Express News Service Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali believes that bilateral ties have never been better. In an interview to Ramananda Sengupta, he explains that the relationship, which "is deep rooted in history, geography and culture," is now grounded in a firm economic, strategic and political relationship based on mutual trust and respect, and despite issues like the Teesta Water sharing agreement hanging fire, things can only get better. When you first came to India, what was the topmost item on your agenda, and why? Before assuming responsibility here as the High Commissioner of Bangladesh, I also served here during my early days of career as a Counsellor from 1986-88. And when I was called out of my retirement in 2014, I see a sea change in Indian society and economy. We are happy that India, our biggest neighbor and one of the largest democratic countries, is fast emerging as a global power with strong economic growth coupled with scientific and technological advancement. This is really a remarkable achievement given the highly pluralistic characteristics of Indian society. I was confident that a strong and vibrant India will offer Bangladesh lots of economic opportunities which Bangladesh should take full advantage of to further her own economic development. On the other hand, a strong and stable Bangladesh provides the best security guarantee for India. Therefore, my priority was to devise ways to synergise the priorities of our two countries and see how best we could complement each other to make relations stronger, stable and irreversible. I am happy to see that today, we are enjoying the best of our relations. The long standing issues of enclaves, transit rights etc have been resolved, and the two nations have also started cooperation in intelligence and anti-terror operations. What other areas do you think need attention in bilateral ties? Indeed there had been a great momentum in the Bangladesh-India relations since the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina came to power in 2009. This has further been consolidated since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014 and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to power again for the consecutive term in 2014. Since then, both Prime Ministers have shown tremendous commitment in promoting the bilateral relations , and hence our relations stand at its best. They have demonstrated how long-standing complex bilateral issues like Land Boundary Agreement and Maritime Boundaries could be resolved unanimously through consultation, compassion, and consensus-building. Yes, Security has been one of the issues which had bedevilled our bilateral relations in the past. However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, since assumption of power in 2009, has firmly controlled the security situation and has made it clear that no Bangladesh territory would be used for terrorist purpose. She has shown 'Zero tolerance' to acts of terrorism and expects similar reciprocal actions from all our neighbours. Our cooperation, however, is not limited to security, it is expanding in multifarious areas like energy, connectivity, trade & Commerce, culture, people to people contact etc. which will not just benefit our two nations but the entire region. At their meeting in Shantiniketan in May, both Prime Ministers spoke of a golden era in bilateral ties. Would you agree with that, or do you think it is still work in progress? As I have already said, currently we are enjoying the best ever relations, covering virtually every area of bilateral cooperation. We have resolved some issues like Land Boundary Agreement and Maritime Boundaries. However, unfortunately, we are yet to maximize the benefits of the joint rivers and that could be one area to look forward to. There is now a greater recognition among the political leadership on both sides that the destinies of our two neighboring countries are inescapably intertwined and we must grow together. One of the issues that bedevil ties is trade. Apart from non-tariff barriers, after Bangladesh graduates from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status, it will no longer have duty-free and quota-free access for its products to the Indian market under SAFTA (South Asia Free Trade Agreement). Is there any progress on a bilateral FTA? The volume of bilateral trade has been growing over the past seven years. We, however, want to see this trade and commerce relations from a different angle. India being the sixth largest economy in the world and third largest economy in the Asia and being our closest neighbor, we want to look at our trade and commerce relations beyond 'access of products'. We want to see trade and investment together. We want Indian investors to invest in big projects in Bangladesh. They can set up big industry in Bangladesh taking advantage of Bangladesh's efficient labor force and the facilities in three Indian economic zones that our government has offered to India. Subsequently, they could export these produces to the North-Eastern States in India and other neighboring countries. This will help us in diversifying our export basket and also will help us reduce the trade deficit. As for the FTA, a proposal has been discussed during the recent visit of Indian Commerce Minister to Bangladesh and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is currently under consideration. While the two nations broadly agree on how to deal with Rohingya crisis, is there something else New Delhi can do resolve the issue? The Indian government had sent substantial relief materials for the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN), by air and ship, which is the largest Humanitarian Assistances given by any country to Bangladesh during the crisis. We appreciate this humanitarian gesture from our closest neighbor. We also count on India's continued support in the international arena for the early return of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals. We also appreciate Indian government's initiative for rehabilitation projects to be taken in Myanmar for constructing prefabricated houses along with China and Japan, for the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals. We are happy that, due to our intense engagement and continuous international pressure, we have been able to conclude a "Physical Arrangement" with Myanmar government, under which Myanmar government agreed to repatriate the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals who took shelter in Bangladesh in phases. We need to sustain the ongoing international pressure to execute the repatriation process. We believe India will continue its support to ensure international pressure for securing the rights of these displaced people in Myanmar. Looking at regional issues, while SAARC appears dead in the water, India is pushing BIMSTEC as another option.do you think SAARC became a victim of a bilateral spat? It's true that progress in SAARC has been slow, but yet we cannot rule it out as an option. SAARC and BIMSTEC, I would say are little different in nature. While one (SAARC) is connecting the South Asian neighbors, the other one is connecting the South Asia with South-East Asian Region. It is gratifying to note that BIMSTEC has been showing much promise as a sub-regional and inter-regional organization, I believe, both the organizations could very well complement each other, instead of competing. To that end, we must create a favorable and congenial environment within the SAARC. Of late, there has been a bit of an uproar over the National Register of Citizens in Assam, which involves so called Bangladeshi migrants.has New Delhi discussed this at any level with Bangladesh? As far as we see this seems to be an internal matter of Government of India. I think being an Ambassador of another country it would not be appropriate for me to comment on an internal matter. Like India, China too has been investing in various energy and infrastructural projects in Bangladesh. How would you describe or compare Dhaka-Delhi relations with the Dhaka-Beijing one, in terms of scope, size and strategic significance? Well, we just can't simply compare between the relations between the two countries, as they have two different contexts and dimensions, and both are important. With India we enjoy a relation which is deep rooted in history, geography and culture. The assistance and cooperation that we received from the Government of India and her people during the critical time of our Liberation War, has been the very basis of our relations and this will be remembered by generations after generations. And our relations are now expanding in multifarious areas starting from security to connectivity, trade, energy, people-to-people contact etc. On the other hand, China is coming up with investment projects that we need to further our economic development. So, we are happy that China and India, being the two giant economies in Asia, offers us with lots of economic opportunities. The Teesta accord is still pending, and remains a slightly sore point. How justified is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's assertion that the accord would hurt Indian interests, including the possibility of Kolkata port silting up? Bangladesh and India share 54 common rivers and these rivers have enough water for us to share during the monsoon and other months. But the problem arises during the winter months when the level of water goes down. This is also the crucial period when we need the water for the cultivation of our winter crops. On the basis of detailed consultations and negotiations, an interim sharing formula was worked out between Bangladesh and India for the sharing of Teesta River Water during the lean months (90 days) in 2011. However, because of opposition of West Bengal, the water sharing deal could not be finalised during last 7 years. We, however, have been reassured by Prime Minister Modi in categorical terms that a solution of the issue would be found at the soonest possible time. Bangladesh is eagerly looking forward to an early conclusion of the Agreement as it would open up newer opportunities for cooperation. In addition to water sharing, Bangladesh and India will have to cooperate with each other for the joint management of our rivers, as constant siltation has largely hindered their capacity to hold water for the lean season. Bangladesh-India are currently cooperating with each other for joint drainage of common rivers. These rivers if properly managed, offer great opportunities for development of our communication, agriculture and tourism sectors. What do you personally consider as your biggest achievement during your posting in India so far? I am really happy the way the relations between our two countries progressed in recent times. I am particularly happy that the spirit of 1971 is once again guiding our two countries to sustain and deepen the relations despite profound geo-political changes in the international arena. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his historic visit to Dhaka in 2015 had said, "Bangladesh is 'not merely a neighbor' but a nation with which India shares 'enduring links' ". President Ram Nath Kovind has termed Bangladesh as India's "closest neighbor". External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during her last visit to Dhaka had termed the partnership as "all encompassing" that goes "far beyond a strategic partnership" touching upon "virtually all areas of human endeavour. She also said "Paroshi pehele, lekin Bangladesh sabse pehele" [Neighbors first, but Bangladesh is before everybody]. There have been some landmark achievements in last few years. Sixty eight years after the partition of 1947, and forty-one years after the conclusion of the Indira-Mujib Border Accord of 1974, the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between the two countries was concluded and ratified. Premier Narendra Modi had demonstrated how a long-standing complex bilateral issue could be resolved unanimously through consultation, compassion, and consensus-building. The longstanding maritime boundaries between the two countries were also resolved in July of 2015 through UN arbitration. There have been six VVIP visits between Bangladesh and India in last 4 years. The Summit level visit of our Hon'ble Prime Minister in 2017 has given new dynamics to the relations between the two countries. Eleven Agreements and Twenty-four MoUs were signed, which virtually encompassed every important sector in our bilateral cooperation, namely security, trade, connectivity, energy, civil nuclear agreement, defence and introduction of new bus and train services etc. During that visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had personally honored members of families of war martyrs through an unprecedented "Sommanona" ceremony in Delhi. Through this unique program, she recognized the supreme sacrifices made by 1,661 Indian martyrs for the liberation of Bangladesh. All these have taken our relations to the all time best. I am really happy to be a part of this endeavor. IANS By Express News Service NEW DELHI: After choosing "Aadhaar" as its first "Hindi word of the year", the Oxford University Press has begun its hunt for another such word from one of the most spoken languages on the Earth that occupied the minds of the people for much part of the year and reflected "ethos" and "mood" of the nation. "Following the success of our inaugural Hindi Word of the Year in 2017, Oxford Dictionaries is now calling on Hindi speakers across the country to help choose a Hindi Word of the Year for 2018. "The Hindi Word of the Year will be a word or expression that has attracted a great deal of interest over the last 12 months. The chosen word should reflect the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the year. It should not necessarily be a new word, but should be one that is strongly linked somehow to 2018," the publisher said in a statement. The press has invited submissions from the general public which can submit a word at https://hi.oxforddictionaries.com/hindi-word-of-the-year till December 9. The submission was opened on November 27. The entries will be judged by a jury of 12 people, comprising among others Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi Director V. Ramgopal Rao. The 2018 Hindi Word of the Year will be announced in January 2019 at the Jaipur Literary Festival. "Last year, we launched the Oxford Hindi Word of the Year and received an excellent response, both in terms of numbers and the vast variety of words that were submitted as entries. We are delighted to invite suggestions for the Hindi Word of the Year 2018 -- words that have resonated with Hindi speakers over the course of last 12 months," Sivaramakrishnan Venkateswaran, Managing Director, Oxford University Press India, said in the statement. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: With an eye on the forthcoming Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, local residents have been urged by the district administration to postpone weddings or shift the venue for the same between January and March. Issuing an advisory in this regard, Additional District Magistrate Ashok Kumar Kannaujia said that the appeal was made keeping in mind the huge congregation of devotees expected in Prayagraj during Kumbh Mela, which would commence on January 15 and end on March 4, 2019. As per the advisory, the owners of banquets halls, hotels and community centres have been asked to cancel the bookings done earlier and avoid new bookings for a day before and after the 'Kumbh snaan', which will be held between January and March, next year. The order copies have been circulated by the district administration to all local wedding hall owners and hoteliers. Exhorting the residents of Prayagraj to make the Kumbh a success, the ADM has sought their help in maintaining sanity in terms of traffic regulations and crowd control during the Mela, especially during the snaans (bathings). During the holy pilgrimage, five key snaans will take place on Makar Sankranti and Paush Poornima in January, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami and Maaghi Poornima 'snaan' in Feburary and Mahashivtarti 'snaan' in March. Devotees are expected to turn up in large numbers for the ritual. However, the advisory has put people, who had made advance payments for guest houses, function lawns and caterers, in a quandary. While some are changing the dates, many are weighing the option of changing the venue to adjoining districts. People in the wedding business are equally puzzled as they are dependent on the marriage season for their earnings. By PTI SINGAPORE: An Indian woman working as a maid in Singapore has been sentenced to 18 months jail for grooming her employer's 11-year-old son into performing sexual acts on her, according to a media report. The 33-year-old woman was sentenced on November 22 after the court heard that the offences took place over a period of four months from January 2016, when she was alone at home with the 11-year-old boy, Channel News Asia reported. Her action caused much psychological harm to the victim as the boy felt guilty and was upset that his innocence was taken from him at such a young age, the channel quoted Deputy Public Prosecutor Chee Ee Ling as saying. The maid also threatened the boy with a fake video she had supposedly recorded of their sexual acts, according to the channel report. The boy's family eventually found out in July 2016, and a police report was made, the report said. "Rather than care for the victim which was her primary duty, she took calculated steps to sexually groom him into her pliant plaything," said the prosecutor. The maid could have been jailed for up to seven years, fined up to 20,000 Singapore dollars or both for committing an obscene act with a child. The maid was convicted of four charges under the Children and Young Persons Act, and one charge under the Protection from Harassment Act, the report said. Mukesh Ranjan By Express News Service RANCHI: Anil Singh Kherwar, member of Naxal outfit - Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP), was beaten to death by villagers late in the night on Thursday allegedly while making a rape attempt on a lady living in the nearby locality at Irgu village under Panki Police Station in Palamu. According to Police, an investigation has been initiated after lodging a case in this regard. "Anil Singh Kherwar, a member of JJMP, barged into the house of a lady last night who lives nearby with ill-intentions and started trying to rape her, but she resisted strongly and raised an alarm following which the neighbours came in to rescue her, who also got indulged in a scuffle with him resulting into the death of the rebel," said Palamu SP Indrajeet Mahtha. Prima facie it appears that Kherwar was hit on his vital parts leading to his death on the spot, he added. "Though the lady was alone when Kherwar barged into her house, his relatives and neighbours came in after an alarm was raised by her and thrashed him," said the SP. It is purely a matter of self-defence, where the lady tries to save herself from the person and hits out leading to his death, he added. "An investigation has been initiated after taking the statement of the lady where she has clearly mentioned that the person was killed while trying to rape her," Mahtha said. Several other complaints have been lodged against Kherwar earlier also for demanding levy from contractors engaged in road construction and other government buildings in the region, he added. Kherwar held a strong position in the squad of top JJMP leader Pappu Lohra. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered during a joint search operation of State Police and 134 battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force in the jungles of Jagdishpur under Hariharganj Police Station in Palamu on Friday. SP Mahtha said, "3 rifles, 3 12-bore single barrel guns, 1 double barrel gun, 2 country made pistols along with 50 meters of codex wire and 85 gelatin sticks and 2 detonators were recovered during the search operation." By PTI NEW DELHI: The BJP Friday alleged that Robert Vadra had put pressure on Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for revocation of an Income Tax department order penalising a company that gave a loan to another entity to buy his land in Rajasthan. Dubbing Vadra a "tained son-in-law", BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed that in 2010, Vadra's Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd had bought 70 hectares of land for nearly Rs 70 lakh and sold it to another entity, Allegeny Finlease Pvt Ltd, in 2012 for Rs 5.15 crore, "seven times the original cost". Bhushan Power and Steel Limited (BSPL) gave an unsecured loan of Rs 5.64 crore to Allegeny Finlease for buying the same land, he claimed. During the same time, BSPL had got a tax notice that cited anomalies in its returns from 2004-2005 to 2011-12, and was asked to pay Rs 500 crore for the difference, Patra claimed. "BSPL wrote to the Settlement Commission of the IT (Income Tax) department appealing against the order, which said the company has to pay Rs 500 crore. The commission also granted no immunity to BSPL against prosecution and penalty," the BJP spokesperson told reporters here. The Settlement Commission reconstituted a bench that rescinded the earlier order and had asked the company to pay Rs 500 crore, he claimed. "As Bhushan Steel had given money for buying a plot of land from Robert Vadra, he put pressure on Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to ask the Income Tax department to waive the penalty and save BSPL from punishment. It is a clear case of corruption," Patra said. "This is case of quid pro quo between Skylight Hospitality, Allegeny Finlease and Bhushan Steel," Patra said, alleging that unaccounted money has been by misusing the powers. Patra also targeted former prime minister Manmohan Singh and dubbed him a "puppet PM" for overlooking the "corruption" during his time. He also asked, "How much did the Gandhis benefit (from this deal)?" Targeting Vadra, the BJP leader said his modus operandi is to buy land at a cheaper price, change the utility of the land and then sell it at a rate several times the original cost. When asked what his party did as it was in power both in Rajasthan as well as the Centre, Patra said, the BJP governments investigated the case. "We came to power in 2013-2014. We investigated it. The whole ball started moving since 2015. In early 2015, we had an FIR registered in Rajasthan against the Bikaner land allotment of Mr Robert Vadra. "Thereafter, the whole thing is moving smoothly according to the law. The ED (Enforcement Directorate) had talked about the whole thing in 2016. In 2017, notices were issued and people were arrested in 2017. In 2018, the settlement commission issue had been taken up and yet again you see how the ED is moving ahead," Patra said. The ED has summoned Vadra in connection with its money laundering probe in the land scam case in Rajasthan's Bikaner city, agency officials said Friday. T N SESHAN By The Supreme Court has said that women should be allowed entry into the Sabarimala temple. Its recent judgment on the issue is based on equality between men and women. The verdict delivered by the apex court is being hailed by a section of people as a step forward for equality. The same section of people is also branding any opposition to the judgment as a reaction from chauvinistic or patriarchal forces in our society. On the other hand, another section of people, which is contesting the verdict, terms it an attack on their personal faith and even women among the faithful are coming out in support of this perspective, saying that the verdict is violating their right to practise their faith.Now, the ideas of constitutional equality are far younger than original ideas of tradition about how worship is to be done. This is not to question the wisdom of the Supreme Court judges, or their decision, but constitutional equality is a recent notion, whereas traditions of religion and faith are far older. The argument is that men and women are absolutely equal. Nobody questions this wisdom. But the creator, in His wisdom, has not made men and women identical. The tasks that men can perform, women cannot, and vice versa. However much we try to force a notional equality, the two sexes are functionally different. Constitutional equality cannot make the functioning of the two sexes identical. Constitutional equality cannot make a man do the job that a woman can do and vice versa.The issue under consideration is not a question of equality between man and woman. The question here is of performance of certain tasks. Looking at it from the perspective of the faithful, with due regard to the way God has created man and women, and to the scriptures and the belief systems associated with the deity, tasks are enjoined on the faithful by tradition to visit the temple under certain conditions. Like most other rituals in the Hindu faith, there is no compulsion on anyone to visitit is optional and it is encouraged. The task given to men is to visit at any time in their life after following the mandated austerities practised over a specified period preceding the visit. And though the task with similar austerities is also given to women, tradition has said that women cannot enter the temple, especially at certain times. The recent notion of constitutional equality cannot change this practice, which is much older and basic, rooted as it is in scripture and tradition. There is no inequality in this context in the sense that all women are free to practise their faith in that deity. The holy place for this particular faith is the Sabarimala temple.But the faith also prescribes those specific tasks that are to be performed by the faithful. If one does not have faith, he will not feel obliged in fulfilling the prescribed tasks. And the persons desire to go to the holy place regardless becomes anything but an expression of faith; in such an instance the person can be described more accurately as a tourist than a devotee. Rights are being demanded by some people as if this is about a right to enter a public place like a hotel or tourist spot. If one believes it is a holy place because of his or her faith, then there should be no hassle in adhering to the way tasks must be performed, as prescribed to the faithful in the context of that faith. For that matter, while stressing on constitutional rights-based equality for women on the same level as men, one can make a completely valid demand in the context of Parliament. It can be demanded that in Parliament or in our political parties there should be equal representation of men and women. And nobody has been able to secure equality for Indian women in Parliament. Political parties and Parliament are crucial parts of the functioning democracy and constitutional rights can be demanded in the latter. In contrast, the tasks performed for ones faith are designed according to the God-given nature of man and women, in the context of faith in the deity, and these have been the traditions of those belief system for centuries. Equal rights in Parliament and in holy places are altogether different issues. It must be mentioned once again that this is not an attempt to question the wisdom of the Supreme Court judges, nor are we questioning the apex courts judgment. What we are questioning is the fundamental basis of attempting to impose constitutional equality, of trying to force equality where God has not made man and woman identical in performing tasks. FM Minh expressed his delight at the positive development in Vietnam-Peru relations over the past few years, affirming that Vietnam attaches great importance to intensifying and expanding its comprehensive cooperation with Peru, especially in terms of economics, trade, and investment. Appreciating the role of Peru and Allan Wagner as the APEC Vision Groups Chair, he suggested that both sides continue coordinating closely in building new orientations for APEC cooperation after 2020. Wagner spoke of Vietnams role in and contributions to the forum over the past two decades, particularly the success of the APEC Year 2017. He agreed to continue boosting the two countries relations and maintaining their coordination at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations and the APEC, as well as in implementing the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Wagner also committed to fostering the collaboration between Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with Latin American nations. He appreciated the role of Vietnam in initiating the establishment of the APEC Vision Group at the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, as well as the countrys contributions as the groups Vice Chair. Both sides reached a consensus on close coordination to build a new APEC vision to boost free and open trade and investment, alongside regional economic linkages and maintaining the role of the Asia-Pacific region as a driving force for global economic growth and connectivity. By Express News Service KOCHI: The LDF won 21 seats in the bypolls to 39 local self-government wards in the state on Friday. The UDF fetched 12 seats, the BJP and SDPI two each. In Thiruvananthapuram, the UDF won two seats and lost one to the CPM. UDF wrested a seat previously held by the LDF in the lone bypoll held in Kollam. The SDPI wrested a seat from the LDF in the bypoll to the Pandalam municipality in Pathanamthitta. Congress came second and CPM third in the triangular contest. A UDF rebel candidate won the bypoll in Pathanamthitta municipality. The seat was previously held by the CPM. In Ernakulam The LDF won all the seats in the by-polls held in five local bodies in Ernakulam. The bypolls were held in three panchayats, one Municipality division and one block panchayat. In Madaplathuruth East, ward 9 of Vadakkekara panchayat, CPM candidate T A Jose won by a margin of 181 votes. While Jose got 608 votes, Congress candidate K A Wilson came second with 427 votes. In ward 22 in Elamkunnapuzha panchayat, CPM candidate Sambathkumar V K win by 47 votes. Independent candidate Sunil came second here with 319 votes. In Paravur block panchayats Vavakkad division, CPI candidate Rajitha Shankar win by a margin of 821 votes.Congress candidate Padmavathy got 2,106 votes. In Tripunithura Municipality 49 division, CPM candidate K J Joshy won by 450 votes. While Joshy got 843 votes, BDJS candidate Anil Nagappa, who came second got 393 votes. In Kottuvally panchayats Cheriyappilly 22 ward, LDF independent Asha won by a margin of 92 votes. Out of the five, three seats were reclaimed from the UDF, said CPM district secretary C N Mohanan. The BJP, as well as the Congress, are trying to tarnish the image of the government by spreading fake news in the wake of the Sabarimala issue. However, the results have proven the people have rejected their false campaigns and attempts to create violence. The voters have given their support to the secular government. He said the BJP and Congress should realise it is a big blow to their attempts to make Sabarimala a battlefield by creating riots. It should be specially noted in some seats where Congress tasted defeat, they were pushed to the third place, added Mohanan. In Bedadka The LDF retained the two wards in the local body byelections held on Thursday. In Bedadka panchayat's Beembumgal ward, the CPM's Biju Thayal defeated Congress's Kunhikrishnan Madakkal by 543 votes. The surprise outcome of the election was the performance of the Congress and the BJP. The BJP, which was number 2 in the ward, was relegated to the third position this time. The party's candidate Sadasivan got only 143 votes. In 2015, it polled 231 votes. The Congress, which had polled only 86 votes in 2015, got 185 votes this time. To be sure, the CPM polled fewer votes this time than in 2015. In Kayyur-Cheemeni panchayat's Cheriyakkara ward, the CPM's P Indira won by 300 votes. She polled 657 votes. The UDF's K Priya got 357 votes. In both the panchayats, the CPM enjoys a brutal majority. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The main Opposition UDF and Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan engaged in a war of words after the UDF accused the Chair of denying the Opposition its rights. The UDF has accused the Speaker of behaving in a partisan manner in the Assembly. Alleging the Speaker is not protecting the Oppositions rights, the UDF charged the Speaker with autocratic behaviour. Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan, however, refuted, the Opposition charge. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala told reporters - after the House had been adjourned early - the Speaker has not been protecting the Oppositions rights. In a clear reference to the Assembly mayhem three years ago, when the-then Opposition LDF had disrupted the House proceedings over the bar bribery scam - Chennithala urged Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan to introspect. We need justice from the Chair. He should check whats the precedence followed by the Assembly. The Speaker is the one to protect our rights. He should ensure the same. We are forced to criticise the Speaker. We dont have or want to have any tussle with the Chair. We have tried to raise an issue. The Speaker has refused to grant us permission. If we cant raise an issue in Assembly, why are we coming here (House)? asked an emotional Chennithala. Responding to questions on Speakers criticisms against UDF legislators behaviour in the House, Chennithala urged the Speaker to introspect. None of us has thrown Speakers chair from dais. We didnt act in a disrespectful manner, he said. Soon afterwards, the Speaker convened a presser at which he refuted the Opposition charges. Sivaramakrishnan insisted the Oppositions rights had not been trampled upon. However the Chair can protect their rights only according to the Assembly rules and proceedings. The Speaker has to protect the Oppositions rights and ensure the governments business is conducted, he said. He termed the statements by the Opposition leader a mere emotional outburst. By Express News Service DHENKANAL: Girl inmates of a shelter home at Beltikiri under Sadar police limits have brought allegations of sexual harassment against the head of the shelter home. The girl inmates, staying in the shelter home run by Good News India Dream Centre, an NGO, alleged that the head of the organisation touched them inappropriately and sexually harassed them. They also alleged that he harassed them physically and mentally. Girls also levelled sexual harassment allegations against the caretaker of the organisation. The shelter home, which has been operating for the last two years without registration under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, has 92 children, including 50 girls. Though no formal complaint has been lodged till the report was filed in this regard, officials of the District Child Protection Unit, District Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and District Legal Services Authority rushed to the home and started investigation into the allegations. Meanwhile, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Anuradha Goswami has lodged a complaint against the shelter home for violating provisions under JJ Act at Sadar police station. Police forces have been deployed at the shelter home to avoid any untoward situation. SP Santosh Kumar Nayak said no sexual harassment complaint has been filed so far. However, action will be taken against the accused after a formal complaint is filed. The DCPO has lodged a complaint regarding running of shelter home without registration under JJ Act, he added. By Express News Service THENI: The Forest Department will take action against any prospective trekker inside reserve forest without permission from the officials concerned, said District Forest Officer (DFO) of Theni, Gowtham, on Friday. Gowtham told media persons that trekking between Kurangani and Top Station will now be allowed from Friday (November 30) onwards, after a discussion with the chief conservator of forest, principal chief conservator of forest, and collector. It had been disallowed after the disastrous forest fire that snuffed out the lives of 23 young trekkers. Gowtham pointed out that Theni district has only one approved route, Kurangani to Top Station, via central station, covering a distance of 11 km, adding that Kurangani to Top station trekking comes under a moderate category. The DFO informed that the trekkers will be subjected to thorough checking before embarking on the journey, and one guide will be deputed for five trekkers. There are 14 guides in the district and they are members of the eco-tourism management committee, he said, assuring that they are experienced in giving first aid. About the stay at Top Station or Central Station, he said that so far there has been no request for permission to stay at the station; if there are any, it will be discussed with the higher officials. Referring to an incident involving Israel tourists, Gowtham said that the tourists were questioned at Kurangani and that Munnar guide had misguided them. He further said that action has been taken against him. Kolukkumalai out of reach Asked about the route in which the fire accident happened, Gowtham said that the fire occurred in Kolukkumalai, which was not on a trekking route. It was a pathway used by estate workers. Even now, trekking to Kolukkumalai is not allowed. Steps are being taken to fix CCTV cameras at the entry and exit points of Kurangani. Work on setting up wireless communication facilities are also on, he said. Getting nod for trekking The trekkers will need to fill Form-One to apply for permission from a competent authority, including the respective DFO and wildlife warden. The officials will give Form-Two sanctioning permission for trekking. If anyone enters the forest for trekking without permission, it will be considered as trespassing into the reserve forest. The person will be asked to pay a fine or may even be arrested, Gowtham said. The DFO explained that trekking clubs should register their clubs with the PCCF and the CCF and that only registered agencies will be considered for permission. Strengthening security Improvements will be made and trekking routes will be developed. Oral instructions will be given to the trekkers on moving in the forest during emergencies. There are plans to screen video clippings to them. Very importantly, trekkers will be advised to follow the instructions of their guides, said the DFO. Fire lines are created in the forest to prevent the spread of fires. Fire watchers need to stay in the forest areas and keep a watch, the officer said. Push cleaning and ground cleaning works are being carried out in Kolukkumalai and the surrounding areas to prevent fire mishaps. Instances of low-level power lines will be taken up with the TNEB, Gowtham said, adding that there are plans to identify tourist spots. Our primary agenda is to conserve the forest; the guides will manage the trekking areas, he said. Currently recruiting There are vacancies in the forest department, including the Bodi range. Recruitment will be conducted on December 6. One thousand persons are expected to be selected during the recruitment process. Then the vacancies will be quickly filled, said Gowtham. By AFP LOS ANGELES: A powerful earthquake rocked Anchorage on Friday, violently shaking homes and businesses, sending scared residents into the streets and damaging buildings in Alaska's largest city. The 7.0-magnitude quake struck at 8:29 am (1729 GMT), in the middle of the school run and as workers were heading out for the day. Several people were wounded, mainly from broken glass and falling objects, but no deaths were reported, according to US media. The epicenter of the quake was about eight miles (13 kilometers) north of Anchorage at a depth of 25 miles, according to the US Geological Survey. Police in the city of around 300,000 said it had caused "major infrastructure damage." About a mile from my house on Vine rd between KGB and Parks. #Alaskaearthquake #earthquake #alaska pic.twitter.com/5HnpXKGZUw David Ruffini (@SvrTroposphere) 30 November 2018 "Many homes and buildings are damaged," the police department said in a statement. "Many roads and bridges are closed. Stay off the roads if you don't need to drive." A tsunami warning was issued for the Cook Inlet and the Kenai Peninsula following the massive quake but was quickly lifted. Residents posted pictures and videos to Twitter of damage to their homes and stores -- belongings knocked off of shelves, broken windows and pictures scattered on the floor. Local CBS television affiliate KTVA posted a video of a room shaking back and forth with panels falling from the ceiling and lights flickering on and off as people hid under desks. "Everyone just sprinted out of the coffee shop I was at in Anchorage in the middle of a huge earthquake," Nat Herz, a reporter with news portal Alaska's Energy Desk, posted on Twitter. "Car alarms going off, etc. But not seeing any serious damage here aside from random stuff falling over. People going back to computers, meetings." Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said the authorities were worried about access to power following the quake. "It's winter. It's cold. It's dark. And we're not sure what the power situation is," she said. "We're worried about breaks in gas lines." University, airport closed ENSTAR Natural Gas asked residents to beware of gas leaks while the main water company said there had been water main breaks. Municipal Light & Power warned of possible downed power lines and said it was seeking to restore electricity to affected customers. About two and a half hours after the quake, the utility said approximately 7,000-10,000 customers were still without power. The company said there was no damage to electricity generation infrastructure. The University of Alaska announced it was closing for the day. "All non-essential personnel should go home," it said in a tweet. Anchorage airport temporarily halted inbound and outbound flights after the air control tower was evacuated. In an audio recording posted online, an air traffic controller could be heard telling a FedEx cargo plane to go around -- abort its landing -- as the quake hit. A video posted to Twitter showed a buckled road on a highway exit ramp leading to the airport and a stranded car. The Anchorage School District told parents to come pick up their children "when you feel it is safe to do so." Highway exit ramp collapses after 7.0 Anchorage, Alaska Earthquake. Note the SUV stuck in the middle of roadway! #Alaska #Quake #FridayFeeling pic.twitter.com/ZD9DcOfFK3 Tom Hall (@TomHall) 30 November 2018 The Trans Alaska Pipeline, one of the longest crude oil pipelines in the world, was shut down as a precautionary measure so crews could inspect the system, but returned to service after no damage was found. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said President Donald Trump had been briefed about the quake and was monitoring damage reports. "To the Great people of Alaska. You have been hit hard by a 'big one,'" Trump tweeted. "Your Federal Government will spare no expense. God Bless you ALL!" Trump declared a state of emergency in Alaska, releasing federal aid. Alaska was hit by a 9.2-magnitude earthquake in March 1964, the strongest ever recorded in North America. It left 139 people dead. By IANS BUENOS AIRES: The BRICS leaders on Friday vowed to strengthen multilateralism and promote a fair and equitable international order and called for "concerted efforts" to counter terrorism. Meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here, the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa called for opposing unilateral and protectionist trade measures which run contrary to the "spirit and rules of the WTO (World Trade Organisation)". In a joint statement after the meet, the BRICS leaders said: "We reiterate our commitment to working together to strengthen multi-lateralism and promote a fair, just, equitable, democratic and representative international order." ALSO READ | PM Modi, Trump, Shinzo Abe discuss major issues of global interests on G-20 sidelines Deploring the continued terrorist attacks, including against some BRICS countries, they said that they condemn terrorism in "all forms and manifestations, wherever committed and by whomsoever". "We urge concerted efforts to counter terrorism under the UN auspices on a firm international legal basis. We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, including all the elements identified in the Johannesburg Declaration," the joint statement said. The leaders reaffirmed their "full support" for the "rules-based multilateral trading system as embodied in the WTO" to ensure transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive international trade. "The spirit and rules of the WTO run counter to unilateral and protectionist measures. We call on all members to oppose such WTO inconsistent measures, stand by their commitments undertaken in the WTO and roll back such measures of a discriminatory and restrictive nature," the statement read. To enhance the relevance and effectiveness of the WTO, the BRICS leaders underlined that a new and improved WTO, while preserving its core value and fundamental principles, should reflect interests of all members, in particular those of the developing nations. They also demanded the Appellate Body selection process be initiated immediately as an "essential prerequisite" for the stable and effective functioning of the WTO's dispute settlement system. "We advocate a strong global financial safety net with an adequately resourced, quota-based International Monetary Fund (IMF) at its centre. ALSO READ | PM Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on G20 summit sidelines For combating the climate change, the leaders once again committed to fully implementing the Paris Agreement adopted under the principles of the UNFCCC and urged the developed countries to provide financial, technological and capacity-building support to developing countries to enhance their capability in mitigation and adaptation. By PTI BUENOS AIRES: Leaders of India, China and Russia have called for reforming multilateral institutions, including the UN and WTO, as they underscored the benefits of a multilateral trading system and an open world economy for global growth and prosperity during a trilateral meeting they held after a gap of 12 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held the trilateral meeting, the second among the three countries after a gap of 12 years, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here to discuss cooperation in various areas. "Excellent meeting of the RIC (Russia, India, China) Trilateral. President Putin, President Xi Jinping and I discussed a wide range of subjects that would further cement the friendship between our nations and enhance world peace," Modi said. Narendra Modi with Putin. (Photo | Twitter) The Russia-India-China (RIC) meeting came hours after Prime Minister Modi, his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump held their first trilateral meeting on the margins of the summit. "Deepening engagement with valued development partners. President Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping and PM @narendramodi participate in the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral in Buenos Aires. @KremlinRussia," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted. Deepening engagement with valued development partners. President Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping and PM @narendramodi participate in the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral in Buenos Aires. @KremlinRussia pic.twitter.com/G8zj5C1ezZ PMO India (@PMOIndia) 30 November 2018 In a statement, the External Affairs Ministry said the three leaders exchanged views on expanding mutual cooperation in international forums, and to encourage greater interaction among the three countries. "They agreed on the importance of reform and strengthening of multilateral institutions which have benefitted the world, including the United Nations, WTO and well-established as well as new global financial institutions. They underscored the benefits of a multilateral trading system and an open world economy for global growth and prosperity," it said. The three leaders agreed to have regular consultations to jointly promote international and regional peace and stability, to strengthen cooperation through BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) and the East Asia Summit (EAS) mechanisms, to address global challenges such as terrorism and climate change, and to encourage peaceful resolution of all differences, the statement added. ALSO READ | Perceptible improvement in India-China relations, say PM Modi and Xi on G20 sidelines They also acknowledged the importance of cooperation in RIC format and agreed to hold further such trilateral meetings on multilateral occasions. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the meeting was characterised by warmth and positivity. The three leaders discussed cooperation and coordination in various areas which could contribute to global peace and stability, Kumar said, adding that the 'RIC' trilateral summit took place after a gap of 12 years. Earlier, India, Japan and the US discussed major issues of global and multilateral interests in their first trilateral meeting, which assumed importance in the wake of China flexing its muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. At the meeting, India underscored its firm commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a region for shared economic growth. Asserting that India will "continue to work together on shared values", Modi said, "When you look at the acronym of our three countries -- Japan, America, and India -- it is 'JAI', which stands for success in Hindi." By PTI BUENOS AIRES: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman showed himself to be no pariah Friday at the G20 summit, with a beaming Vladimir Putin welcoming him but European leaders warning him over the killing of a dissident journalist. High five between Russia's President Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman at the G20https://t.co/q0Z9qmye51 pic.twitter.com/uVC4pfggwu BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) 30 November 2018 Less than two months after Saudi Arabia outraged allies when a hit team murdered Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, Prince Mohammed flew into Buenos Aires to take his place among leaders of the top 20 global economies, a sign that he intends to remain firmly in charge. In an image that quickly went viral online, Russian President Putin and the 33-year-old prince grinned broadly and gave each other an effusive handshake as if they were long-lost friends reunited at the G20. Their embrace comes amid reports that Russia and Saudi Arabia have reached a pact to cut oil production when the OPEC cartel meets on December 6 in Vienna, to help shore up collapsing crude prices. Kirill Dmitriev, the chief of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, told reporters that Putin would meet the prince Saturday and discuss boosting Saudi Arabia's $2 billion investment in Russia. But the prince appeared to receive a more critical reception from French President Emmanuel Macron, who was overheard on a microphone voicing concerns. "Don't worry," Prince Mohammed is heard saying in English to the French leader, who responds, "I do worry. I am worried." Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Vladimir Putin. (Photo | AFP) The clip was partially inaudible and the context of the exchange was not entirely clear. But it received wide traction on social media, with Macron telling the prince, "You never listen to me," to which Prince Mohammed replies, "I will listen, of course. " The French presidency said that Macron spoke to the prince about the killing of Khashoggi and the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen, where millions are on the brink of starvation in what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Macron told the prince that Europeans wanted international investigators to take part in the probe on Khashoggi's death and stressed "the necessity of a political solution in Yemen," the Elysee Palace said. The prince was also seen chatting with President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka, although in a nod to US domestic outrage over Saudi Arabia, the White House downplayed the encounter. "They exchanged pleasantries at the leaders' session as he did with nearly every leader in attendance," a senior White House official said. Trump, meanwhile, said "we had no discussion. We might, but we had none." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, however, separately met with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, the State Department said. Until Khashoggi's killing, Trump had been an unabashed fan of the prince as the young leader who portrays himself as a reformist consolidated power and detained prominent Saudis, with the heir apparent forging a particularly close relationship with Ivanka's husband Jared Kushner. Trump has since voiced sadness over the killing of Khashoggi, who lived in the United States and wrote for The Washington Post. But, in an exclamation point-heavy statement before the summit, Trump said it did not matter whether Prince Mohammed knew about Khashoggi's death because Saudi Arabia was important for US business and for its hostility to Iran. The US Senate nonetheless moved this week to end support for the Saudi-led war against rebels in Yemen amid outrage over attacks on civilian sites including a school bus and hospitals. British Prime Minister Theresa May, speaking to Sky News before the summit, said she would press the crown prince both on Yemen and Khashoggi at the G20. "The Saudi Arabians need to ensure that their investigation is a full investigation, that it's credible, that it's transparent, and that people can have confidence in the outcome of it, and that those responsible are held to account," May said. The de facto Saudi ruler got a warmer audience in Buenos Aires with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who "firmly supports" Riyadh's reform drive, the Xinhua news agency reported. China "will continue to stick together with the Arab country on issues involving their core interests," Xinhua quoted Xi as telling the prince. By PTI WASHINGTON: More than 20,000 Indian nationals, mostly men, have sought asylum in the US since 2014, according to the latest figures. Till July, a maximum number of 7,214 Indian nationals had applied for asylum in the US. Of these only 296 were women, according to the information provided by the US Department of Homeland Security to the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA). California-based NAPA has been working among illegal immigrants from Punjab. As per the information obtained by the NAPA from Department of Homeland Security, 2,306 Indian nationals applied for asylum in the year 2014. ALSO READ: H-1B visa norms to change to target the most-skilled, highest-paid Of these 146 were women and the gender of one of the Indian applicants is not known. The next year, 2,971 Indians, including 96 women, sought asylum. In 2016, as many as 4,088 Indians, including 123 women, asked for asylum from the US. In both 2015 and 2016, the gender of one applicant each was not known. In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security received asylum from 3,656 Indians, including 187 women. "The number of Indian who are seeking asylum in the US has almost doubled in the last two years. This is an issue of concern for all of us," Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director of NAPA said in a statement. Every year several thousand Indians, mostly from Punjab try their luck to settle abroad, he said alleging that each one of them pays between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 30 lakh per person to travel agents. Observing that the US asylum law applies to those who have a well-founded fear of persecution "on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion," Chahal said those fleeing generalised crime and violence in their home country do not easily fit into these categories. The Trump administration has introduced a number of controversial policies in line with its hardline stance on immigration. By PTI COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's main Tamil party - Tamil National Alliance (TNA) - said that President Maithripala Sirisena has assured that he will resolve the ongoing political crisis when Parliament meets again next week even as the talks between the two sides ended without any breakthrough Friday night. President Sirisena had invited ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Front (UNF) and the TNA for talks Friday night amid speculation that Sirisena may opt to restore the pre-October 26 status quo. However, the talks on Friday night ended without any breakthrough. "President admitted that Mahinda Rajapaksa has no majority. He wants another motion to be approved in parliament to prove the issue," M Sivamohan, one of the TNA parliamentarians who attended Friday night's talks, told reporters. The President, however, said that there are enough examples of minority governments functioning around the world, he added. ALSO READ | Sri Lanka's parliament cuts off funds to ministers and the disputed government TNA leader R Sampanthan said the President assured he will resolve the issue when Parliament meets again next week. The UNF team, which met Sirisena without their leader Wickremesinghe, said that the President has promised another round of talks Sunday. "We are hopeful and we will attend the talks," said Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, the UNF general secretary. Lanka is witnessing a political crisis since October 26 when President Sirisena sacked Wickeremesinghe and replaced him with former strongman Rajapaksa. Sirisena later dissolved Parliament, almost 20 months before its term was to end, and ordered snap election. The Supreme Court overturned Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament and halted the preparations for snap polls. Both Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa claim to be the prime ministers. Wickremesinghe says his dismissal is invalid because he still holds a majority in the 225-member Parliament. The UNF has moved three no trust motions against Rajapaksa, who has refused to step down. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has officially conveyed that the House does not recognise Rajapaksa as the legal prime minister until he proved his majority in the House. Analysts say Sirisena was buying time until the island's Supreme Court could deliver its ruling on the dismissal of the parliament by him. Political parties and civil society organisations challenged his order which they claimed was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court on November 13 issued a temporary stay order on parliament's sacking while setting the dates for its final ruling for early this month. As many as 13 petitions have been filed. The TNA has pledged to help restoration of the pre-October 26 status by helping Wickremesinghe to prove majority in the House. At the meeting, Quynh sent his best wishes to the Lao Party, State and people on the occasion. He said that, over the past 43 years, under the sound leadership of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party, Laos has attained significant achievements in all spheres, particularly in 2018 when it maintained stable politics-security and socio-economic growth despite difficulties caused by natural disasters. For his part, Lao Ambassador to Malaysia Houmdaophone Soukhaseum thanked the Vietnamese Party, Stat and people for the support given to his country in the past struggle for independence and in the modern development phase. Both ambassadors agreed that the Vietnam Laos special relationship is a valuable asset fostered by generations of the two countries leaders and people. They stressed that the two embassies will do their utmost to enhance the bilateral friendship. By PTI BUENOS AIRES: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that India will host the G-20 summit in 2022. The G-20 is a grouping of the world's 20 major economies. Modi made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the two-day summit held here in Argentina's captial. Italy was to host the international forum in 2022. Thanking Italy for allowing India to play the host, Modi invited G-20 leaders to India in 2022, which also marks the 75th anniversary of India's Independence. In 2022 India completes 75 years since Independence. ALSO READ | G20: PM Modi focuses on stabilising energy prices in meeting with Saudi Crown Prince In that special year, India looks forward to welcoming the world to the G-20 Summit! Come to India, the world's fastest-growing large economy! Know India's rich history and diversity, and experience the warm Indian hospitality," the prime minister tweeted after making the announcement. G-20 members comprise Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK and the US. Collectively, the G-20 economies account for nearly 90 per cent of the gross world product, 80 per cent of world trade, two-thirds of the world population, and approximately half of the world land area. Spain is a permanent guest invitee. By PTI BUENOS AIRES: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here and discussed ways to deepen and diversify the strategic partnership between the two countries by enhancing trade and people-to-people ties. The meeting between the two leaders took place amidst the attack by the Opposition over alleged corruption in the controversial Rafale fighter jet deal with France. ALSO READ | G20: PM Modi focuses on stabilising energy prices in meeting with Saudi Crown Prince India inked an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore. The Congress party has been alleging massive irregularities in the deal, claiming that the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,600 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government. The government has rejected the charges. "Had an excellent meeting with President @EmmanuelMacron. We had wide ranging discussions on ways to deepen and diversify the India-France strategic partnership, particularly by enhancing trade and people-to-people ties," Modi tweeted. The two leaders also discussed issues relating to terrorist financing and cooperation in maritime security among others. "PM @narendramodi had a productive meeting with French President @EmmanuelMacron on the margins of #G20Argentina. Both leaders discussed common front against terrorist financing, and cooperation in maritime security, renewable energy and reform of international institutions," External Affairs Ministry Ravish Kumar tweeted after the meet. By PTI WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has introduced a new set of stringent provisions to the H-1B labour application process under which the US employers must disclose the total number of foreigners already employed by them, making it tougher to sponsor fresh foreign workers. The H-1B visa, popular among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The new information required by the Department of Labour is significant because before sponsoring a foreign worker for the H-1B visa, the company needs to get its labour application approved by it. The department certifies that there is no domestic worker for that particular position and as such the company can hire a foreign guest worker under the H-1B visa category. The Labour Condition Application form updates will now require employers to provide more detailed information about H-1B worker employment conditions, including disclosing all places of employment for H-1B workers, including periods of short duration and providing the estimated number of H-1B workers at each place of intended employment. It also requires the clear identification of secondary entities which are using H-1B workers and seeks H-1B dependent employers which are claiming an exemption solely on the basis of education, such as a master's degree, to provide documentation of the degree. Under the new forms, employers also need to give an estimate of the total number of foreign nationals already working at each location listed in the application. Further, revisions to the worker complaint form include added data fields designed to better describe the nature of an alleged programme violation, the department said in a statement on Tuesday. To allow appropriate time for transition, the new forms will be made available for use in the coming weeks. An announcement will be made on the Office of Foreign Labour Certification's website identifying the date when they will be made available, it said. Since 2017, the department has taken action to combat visa fraud and abuse and encouraged US workers to report complaints, including establishing protocols for promptly referring matters related to criminal fraud to the department's Office of Inspector General for investigation. It has also directed the department's Wage and Hour Division to use all its tools in conducting civil investigations to enforce labour protections provided by the visa programmes. Further it has signed an agreement with the US Department of Justice to promptly refer complaints from US workers who believe they have been discriminated against based on the nationality or citizenship. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the form changes are the latest in a series targeting employers who place foreign nationals at third-party worksites. In a February policy memo, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) required employers to provide detailed work itineraries for the entire duration of H-1B petitions involving offsite employment. An advocacy group representing small and medium size IT companies have filed a lawsuit against USCIS on this issue. "Employers should expect renewed scrutiny on where H-1B employees are working, whether they are working at third-party sites and, if so, whether the arrangement is permissible," said Justin Storch, director of regulatory affairs and judicial counsel at the Society for Human Resource Management. "Given current scrutiny of H-1Bs, both petitioners and end users should be aware of what information is being disclosed on the forms and the fact that the Department of Labour is likely to make this information publicly available," Storch said. Reporter Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey). Reporter Noelle McGee is a Danville-based reporter at The News-Gazette. Her email is nmcgee@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@n_mcgee).